The Brand New And Improved "Heroes vs. Villains: Marvel" RPG

[Keyser Soze]

Broxton, Oklahoma

The 9th Norn stone was here. Here, in this nothing dustball town in some obscure corner of Midgard's America, the last of the great norns had been concealed. Why here? What was special about this place, what was in any way remarkable about it? Nothing. Perhaps that was the point. Who would ever think to look for anything important here?

The 8 Norns in her possession spoke to Loki. They led her to the spot where their last missing companion was waiting. With a blast of magickal energy, Loki put a crater in the ground, revealing the stone.

"Come to me."

The last Norn levitated up towards her, and all 9 were united. A brilliant white ray of light blasted up into the Broxton night sky. Energy washed over Loki, and she was filled with the entirety of the Odinpower. Yes, the power! The full power of godhood was restored to her, and more, more than she'd ever felt before. And then she was consumed with light, and a change happened.

A mortal woman fell to the ground, naked and unconscious. The being that had been trapped in her body was free, and as the light receded, he stood over her.

Loki reborn.

"My own hands... my own heart... my own flesh... my own blood. This is Loki born anew. This is Loki truly beautiful."

At last, the plan he had been fostering since his resurrection had come to fruition. He had gathered the 9 Norn stones, and now he - Loki Skywalker, Loki Liesmith, Loki son of Laufey, child of the Frost Giants, God of Mischief - had unlocked the Odinpower for himself. With this power, there was nothing he could not do. He could rule this world, and countless others. He could bring any champion who would dare challenge him to their knees. His power could be unmatched. With the Odinpower, Loki could do anything. But there was only one thing he wanted to do. The thing he had been planning all along.

Loki knelt down over the Norn stones, using them to harnass and focus his newly acquired omnipotence.

"And now, to accomplish great and terrible things..."

 

[bkhedr]

The Mandarin chuckled, deactivating the muti-layered illusion created by his psionic and blacklight rings that masked his presence.

"Indeed, this should be useful trophy. I generally dislike robbing my prey so utterly of free-will, but sometimes ideals must bow before practical neccessity. The Avengers gather themselves into cowardly groups while I fight boldly, with nothing but the strength of my mind, fists, and will. This but levels the playing field."

The Mandarin walked over to Thor, "Thor, don't you think Iron Man is a terrible coward for fighting in armor while I fight all but naked? Yes, he is a terrible, terrible coward and he deserves to be punished, doesn't he? You know what I think you should do? You should RIP that armor off of him, and bring him to me. Bring him to the very center of the forest in the heart of old Mongolia. I will be waiting there, far from technology, from civilization, far from the rot Stark feds on. Bring Stark's frail nakedness to me."

And with that, the Mandarin pressed a button on his cell-phone, teleporting away.

​

No sooner does the Manadarin depart than does his unwilling servant take to the air, crashing through the roof of Avengers mansion unimpeded, and racing towards the park and Iron Man.

As he rapidly closed in on his quarry the Odinson mutely considered his master's words. The Manadarin was right, Stark was a coward who hid behind his blasphemous technology. It was because of men like Stark that the true gods had been forgotten. Because of men like Stark that Asgard was no more.

Thor did not know if it was due to the nanites manipulating his bioligy or simply due to the righteousness of the Manadarin's words, but he found himself worked into a blood thirsty fervor, a warrior's rage that he cheerfully accepted as his own even as the Invincible Iron Man came into view far below.

The wretch spotted the Odinson high above him and waved amicabily in his his direction. Perhaps he said something as well, no doubt some mocking gesture, but this was drowned out as the Thunderer began to crackle with energy and loosed his mighty mallet upon his former friend.

"HAVE AT THEE COWARD!!!" roared the Odinson as Mjolnir found its mark, crashing into the Man of Iron's chest plate and drove him through a tree before racing back to Thor's open palm even as he landed with a thud mere meters from the armored Avenger

 

[Byrd Man]

With Ares gone, the rest of the Avengers go about helping clean up the damage from the fight. Hawkeye, Mockingbird, and Bucky are working on the other side of the park while Spider-Man and I help clean up. I'm welding a park bench back into place with my repulsors....while he sweeps up debris with a broom.

"You missed a spot."

"....Rassa-frassa stupid Iron Man."

I smile underneath my helmet and turn back to my welds.

Proximity alert. Avengers commlink signature: Thor is in range.
​

I look up and see Thor flying overhead.

Thor did not know if it was due to the nanites manipulating his bioligy or simply due to the righteousness of the Manadarin's words, but he found himself worked into a blood thirsty fervor, a warrior's rage that he cheerfully accepted as his own even as the Invincible Iron Man came into view far below.

The wretch spotted the Odinson high above him and waved amicabily in his his direction. Perhaps he said something as well, no doubt some mocking gesture, but this was drowned out as the Thunderer began to crackle with energy and loosed his mighty mallet upon his former friend.
​

"Thor!" I say with a laugh and a wave. "You missed all the action. Luckily, we were here to take care of-"

"HAVE AT THEE COWARD!!!" roared the Odinson as Mjolnir found its mark, crashing into the Man of Iron's chest plate and drove him through a tree before racing back to Thor's open palm even as he landed with a thud mere meters from the armored Avenger

Holy crap. Even with my armor on, the blow takes my breath away. I'm staggering for air as I pick myself up and look down at the dent on my chest piece.

Warning! Warning! Life Support systems operating at dangerous levels. Shields operating at 5% power! Warning! Warning!

"What the hell,Thor?! If this is about Loki, I swear to God I never touched her, no matter how bad I wanted to."

My pleas do no good, as Thor ignores them and takes another swing with his magic hammer. I sidestep the blow just in time and stagger back.

"Computer. Reroute all available power from shields and weapons to thrusters."

Danger! Shields operating at below optimum levels.

"No, duh!"

One hit will-

"Just do it! Now!"

The power from the rest of the armor siphons down to my thrusters, which erupt with a force that propels me from the ground and into the air at high velocity. I hear Thor grunt and give chase. Crapola.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Thor?! Can't we just talk this over?"

I climb frantically into the sky, breaking through the sound barrier with a pop. I've got an idea, but I'll use it as a last resort only. Still, doesn't hurt to be prepared.

"Okay, computer, redirect 1% of power, just one, and send an emergency transmission to Jarvis comma Edwin at Stark Tower. The message is as follows: Prep Thorbuster."

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

"HAVE AT THEE COWARD!!!"

"Awe, hell," Hawkeye groaned as he stood perched on the bow of one of the ferries moving tourists to safety. A snarl curled in the corner of his lips.

"Loki..." he growled as a transmission crackled over his earpiece.

"Okay, computer, redirect 1% of power, just one, and send an emergency transmission to Jarvis comma Edwin at Stark Tower. The message is as follows: Prep Thorbuster."

"While your at it, Jarv, start a satellite search for any Asgardian energy signatures."

 

[bkhedr]

With Ares gone, the rest of the Avengers go about helping clean up the damage from the fight. Hawkeye, Mockingbird, and Bucky are working on the other side of the park while Spider-Man and I help clean up. I'm welding a park bench back into place with my repulsors....while he sweeps up debris with a broom.​

"You missed a spot."​

"....Rassa-frassa stupid Iron Man." ​

I smile underneath my helmet and turn back to my welds.​

Proximity alert. Avengers commlink signature: Thor is in range.​

I look up and see Thor flying overhead.

"Thor!" I say with a laugh and a wave. "You missed all the action. Luckily, we were here to take care of-"​

Holy crap. Even with my armor on, the blow takes my breath away. I'm staggering for air as I pick myself up and look down at the dent on my chest piece.

Warning! Warning! Life Support systems operating at dangerous levels. Shields operating at 5% power! Warning! Warning!

"What the hell,Thor?! If this is about Loki, I swear to God I never touched her, no matter how bad I wanted to."

My pleas do no good, as Thor ignores them and takes another swing with his magic hammer. I sidestep the blow just in time and stagger back.

"Computer. Reroute all available power from shields and weapons to thrusters."

Danger! Shields operating at below optimum levels.

"No, duh!"

One hit will-

"Just do it! Now!"

The power from the rest of the armor siphons down to my thrusters, which erupt with a force that propels me from the ground and into the air at high velocity. I hear Thor grunt and give chase. Crapola.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Thor?! Can't we just talk this over?"

I climb frantically into the sky, breaking through the sound barrier with a pop. I've got an idea, but I'll use it as a last resort only. Still, doesn't hurt to be prepared.

"Okay, computer, redirect 1% of power, just one, and send an emergency transmission to Jarvis comma Edwin at Stark Tower. The message is as follows: Prep Thorbuster."

​

Iron Man had shown his cowardice, running from battle without even offering combat despite the protection provided by his armored shell.

It sickened Thor to think that he had once fought alongside the mortal, that he had once considred him a brother.

No matter. The charade was now at an end and though Iron Man's speed was impressive the Thunderer steadily closed the gap between them until he was nearly within arm's reach of his foe's boot.

"This has nothing to do with my sister base one, and everything to do with you!" he growled as he lunged for the boot only to have Iron Man abruptly change course and race out of his reach.

Thor did not immediately give chase, choosing instead to hover in place for the moment and track the armored Avenger's movement. Like all cowards he was fast, but there was more. His blasphemous technology ignored the winds, ignored the very pull of the Earth. He was more manuevarble than Thor, able to turn on a dime.

Well he may ignore the winds, but he could not ignore the thunder.

Raising Mjolnir above his head, Thor called out to Iron Man, his voice booming across the sky.

"You are as foolish as you are cowardly if you seek to evade me in the skies Iron Man. Have you forgotten that this is my domain? That I am lord and master of all that takes place here?" he roared with a voice like rolling thunder as Mjolnir began to crackle once more and the sky darkened around him.

"It seems a reminder is in order!" Thor shouted as the sky opened up and bombarded Iron Man with a series of lightning strikes from all directions.
​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Iron Man had shown his cowardice, running from battle without even offering combat despite the protection provided by his armored shell.

It sickened Thor to think that he had once fought alongside the mortal, that he had once considered him a brother.

No matter. The charade was now at an end and though Iron Man's speed was impressive the Thunderer steadily closed the gap between them until he was nearly within arm's reach of his foe's boot.

"This has nothing to do with my sister base one, and everything to do with you!" he growled as he lunged for the boot only to have Iron Man abruptly change course and race out of his reach.

Thor did not immediately give chase, choosing instead to hover in place for the moment and track the armored Avenger's movement. Like all cowards he was fast, but there was more. His blasphemous technology ignored the winds, ignored the very pull of the Earth. He was more manuevarble than Thor, able to turn on a dime.

Well he may ignore the winds, but he could not ignore the thunder.

Raising Mjolnir above his head, Thor called out to Iron Man, his voice booming across the sky.

"You are as foolish as you are cowardly if you seek to evade me in the skies Iron Man. Have you forgotten that this is my domain? That I am lord and master of all that takes place here?" he roared with a voice like rolling thunder as Mjolnir began to crackle once more and the sky darkened around him.

"It seems a reminder is in order!" Thor shouted as the sky opened up and bombarded Iron Man with a series of lightning strikes from all directions.
​

The lightning bolts drive me towards the ground. The electricity crackles off my suit and I plummet to the ground.

Warning! Warning! Shields depleted. Propulsion system failing. Impact imminent!

"Thank you for that newsflash, professor! Activate the auxiliary power and set a course for Stark Tower now!"

The rockets kick back on and I blast through the air. Thor's lightning bolts strike all around me. It's a miracle that I don't get hit. Stark Tower looms in the dark skies. Sheets of pouring rain begin to accompany the lightning bolts.

I crash through the window of Stark Tower, landing on the floor with a thud and skidding to a stop in the middle of my workshop.

You have arrived at Stark Tower

I yank off my helmet, tossing it to the side.

"Thanks for the update. Jarvis!"

"Right here, sir," he says as he comes in through the elevator.

"Is it ready?"

"Almost."

"Well, distract Thor."

"...Surely you can't be serious?"

I begin to strip off the rest of my suit, tossing aside the gauntlet and arm pieces.

"I am serious," I say as I reach over on a nearby work bench and activate the defense measures. "And don't call me Shirley.

Iron plating falls over all the windows in Stark Tower.

"That should hold him back for a few minutes, if the other Avengers haven't already started jumping on him."

"Speaking of other Avengers, I've searched for any Asgardian energy signatures for Mister Barton, and Thor is the only one I've picked up on the eastern seaboard."

"Good, see if you can get Loki on the line and tell her we need some magical backup. Also, upstairs you'll find the controls to some more defense goodies to hold Thor back."

"'Goodies' meaning?"

"Just a small, tiny, almost miniscule...sub-atomic RPG."

"I'm not sure handling atomic weapons is in my job description."

"Yeah, well, it'll look good on a resume."
​

Jarvis turns and heads upstairs and I strip off the last of my armor and rush into the backroom of my work shop. It's hidden away in the corner, a small contingency plan cooked up by Thor and I just in case something like this happens.

"Hello, handsome."

 

[TrueMastermind]

Arriving at a little brick house rather close to the warehouse, Iron Lad gathered many onlookers as he made his first few steps toward the house.

"Look it's Iron Man!"

"No it's not, can't ya see the difference!"

"What is he doing?"

"Hey! It could be a she!"

"Whatever!"

Filled with childlike amazement, the joyful voices forced the face under the armor to crack a smile. Of course, caught up in the moment, he didn't bother to worry about the consequences in making such an appearence in broad daylight. Luckily, at this particular moment, no problems would be encountered by this act of foolishness.

After pausing to wonder if he should knock or burst through the door like the "hero" he was, Nathanial decided to go with option one. No answer. Option two would be more fun anyway.

BOOM!

His audience emmiting a load of gasps at his unexpected move, the ironclad figure calmly steps over the fallen door. Scanning the room, Richards truly realized how primitive of a time he was in. It was if the house was yanked straight out of his history book, judging by it's carpet floors, old-school furniture, and it's amazingly retro kitchen appliances. But he had expected this since coming to this time and shrugged it off with ease.

"Anybody home?" Walking around the home to check if there was actually any residents, Iron Lad checked his map of these supposed recruits and still saw the little blue dot right in his area. Maybe he was outside...

CLUNK!

Hearing something smack against his armor, Nathan whipped himself around to find the noise's source.

"Uhhh....." There stood a well-built black young man vibrating violently while clutching a shield clearly made out to be a weapon. Looking at the armored intruder with his big, brown eyes, the teen took a couple steps back.

"Umm...hello there, I'm Natha---Iron Lad," Smiling under his iron hide, the time-traveler extended a friendly handshake towards his new acquaintance.

"What? Oh, my name is Elijah Bradley, but some call me Patriot."

"Elijiah Bradley? So you're not whom I'm looking for. Where is Josiah al hajj Sadiq, otherwise known as the superhero Josiah X?" Beneath his armor, Iron Lad scanned the room, as if he expected Sadiq to be in there.

"Josiah? My uncle? Man, nobody knows where he is these days. But why do you need him?" Although this young man was telling him that Josiah was nowhere to be found, the map of recruits said that he was here. Must be a glitch in the system. Figured that Kang couldn't be perfect.

"I don't think that information is important to your ears. I'll just be on my way if there's nothing for me here," Walking back to the open doorway, Iron Lad was about to take off before Patriot stopped him.

"Wait! Maybe I could be of use to you. My grandfather, Isiah Bradley, was the first Captain America. Like the current one, he had a kind of Super Serum pumped into his veins. When I lost a lot of blood after a fight, I recieved a blood transfusion from him. Now, I have the same physical attributes as the great Captain America. You can say I'm just a teenage version of him," Now intrigued by Elijiah, Iron Lad once again extended his hand.

"Hold on. It could be a bumpy ride."

 

[Optikal]

.WOLVERINE.

"So what's got you so interested, Logan?"

Wolverine, head down and keeping pace with the Cajun grunted. "Anything that gets Cain Marko playing concerned citizen is likely worth lookin' into, I reckon".

"So why not do it with the boy scouts?"

Wolverine stopped and gazed at Remy. "Just somethin' I've gotta do on my own. Now, do you know something or not?"

"Well there's been rumblings. Nothin' concrete or anything but there's talk of patients... mutant patients going missing".

"Right". Wolverine muttered.

"See, most mutants can't just take a stroll down to the local clinic or med center whenever they have a problem. 'Bout six months ago, these private little mutant facilities began springing up. Not long after, people started disappearing. No one really noticed at first, Morlocks and the like go missin' all the time. But then it starts happenin' with more frequency and people start gettin' suspicious".

"So how come people are still going to these places?"

"Because he chance of being treated is too much for some of these people to pass up. So many of us live in fear, mon ami. An' we all know how much of a motivator fear is".

Logan shook his head and growled a little. "We need to get in to one of these places and check it out".

"I kinda knew you was goin' to say 'dat" Gambit grinned.

​

 

[Optikal]

-ARES-
​

The God of War touched gingerly at the wound in his shoulder. It was healing rapidly but it would be a short time before the nerves and tissue were fully mended. Typhon was a huge threat but between himself and Stark, they had defeated him with relative ease. Still, his appearance was troubling. Usually the God of War would think no more of a fight than the battle itself, but with everything the SkyFather had said, Ares felt an uncomfortable shift in his gut.

His apartment sat in the deep stomach of the city, listless and unremarkable. It had felt like an eternity since he had last been here and simply spent time with the boy. Alex was remarkable. Smart, intelligent and quick. Aye, he was Ares pride and joy.

Stepping into the apartment, the God gazed around. The TV was sat humming away in the corner. The rest of the apartment however was a scene of utter devastation.

"Alex?"

Everything was destroyed. Scorch marks in the wall led towards the back of the building. Towards Alex's room.

"Alex?!"

The door hung from it's hinges. The contents as destroyed as the rest of the building. Along the back wall, above the scorched remains of a bed, blood streaked its crimson rage up the white wall.

"ALEXANDER?!"

The boy was gone.

 

[Optikal]

A Long Time Ago

"GET DOWN!"

Steves eyes widened as the soldier stood frozen in the middle of the battlefield. The air was heavy with smoke and the sound of mortar fire. Bullets whizzed through air, punching into the earth around him. Steve felt his feet moving, the weight of the shield as it bounced with his motion. He reached out, grabbed the young soldier and rolled with him as the ground where they had been exploded into fire and dirt and smoke.

They landed behind a low wall and Steve grabbed the man by the shoulders. "What's your name, son?"

The young man was visibly shaking, tears in his eyes. "K-Kowalski, sir".

"Have you got family back home, Kowalski?"

"Yes Sir. I'm scared Sir, I just want to go home".

Another mortar exploded, just feet away. Dirt showered the pair as Steve hefted his shield. "So do I, Private. But if we go home now and leave the Fuhrer and his evil unchecked, then how long will it be before that home is under his boot? You're standing for your loved ones and you're defying those who would destroy them. So pick up your weapon! find that resolve and lets show these worthless dogs that they picked the wrong damn fight!"

Kowalski nodded, his trembling lip replaced by a look of grim determination as the star spangled hero before him rose to his feet in defiance.

Now.

The sun was setting low over the horizon. Steve tucked at the leather jacket he was wearing, pulling the collar tighter against the cool breeze. With hands stuffed into pockets he stared down at the gravestone. It was set under a spreading willow, overlooking the small town

"Friend of yours?"

Steve turned and regarded the newcomer. A cigar was bitten through gritted teeth, and the eye-patch made him unmistakeable. "Yeah... No. I don't know. He was a good kid, we fought together for a while. Long time ago".

Nick Fury stepped up to stand at Steves shoulder. "Yeah. Too many of 'em... good kids".

Both men stood in silence for a few minutes, nothing but the faint hum of the breeze echoed through the graveyard. Ghosts of the past accompanying each mans sombre thoughts.

"Why're you here, Nick?"

"Heard you'd retired the shield".

Steve nodded, mostly to himself. "Something like that".

"...and the new Cap?"

"He'll be great. I believe in him".

"It's a good enough endorsement, I guess".

"You still haven't answered my question".

Fury smiled to himself and took a long lungful from his cigar. "There's a storm coming, Steve. I need your help".

"You've got the wrong man. You said it yourself, I'm 'retired' now".

Fury grinned and patted him on the shoulder. "I don't need Captain America, pal. I need Steve Rogers". ​

 

[bkhedr]

The lightning bolts drive me towards the ground. The electricity crackles off my suit and I plummet to the ground.

Warning! Warning! Shields depleted. Propulsion system failing. Impact imminent!

"Thank you for that newsflash, professor! Activate the auxiliary power and set a course for Stark Tower now!"

The rockets kick back on and I blast through the air. Thor's lightning bolts strike all around me. It's a miracle that I don't get hit. Stark Tower looms in the dark skies. Sheets of pouring rain begin to accompany the lightning bolts.

I crash through the window of Stark Tower, landing on the floor with a thud and skidding to a stop in the middle of my workshop.

You have arrived at Stark Tower

I yank off my helmet, tossing it to the side.

"Thanks for the update. Jarvis!"​

"Right here, sir," he says as he comes in through the elevator.​

"Is it ready?"​

"Almost." ​

"Well, distract Thor."​

"...Surely you can't be serious?"​

I begin to strip off the rest of my suit, tossing aside the gauntlet and arm pieces.​

"I am serious," I say as I reach over on a nearby work bench and activate the defense measures. "And don't call me Shirley.​

Iron plating falls over all the windows in Stark Tower.​

"That should hold him back for a few minutes, if the other Avengers haven't already started jumping on him."​

"Speaking of other Avengers, I've searched for any Asgardian energy signatures for Mister Barton, and Thor is the only one I've picked up on the eastern seaboard."​

"Good, see if you can get Loki on the line and tell her we need some magical backup. Also, upstairs you'll find the controls to some more defense goodies to hold Thor back."​

"'Goodies' meaning?"​

"Just a small, tiny, almost miniscule...sub-atomic RPG."​

"I'm not sure handling atomic weapons is in my job description."​

"Yeah, well, it'll look good on a resume."​

Jarvis turns and heads upstairs and I strip off the last of my armor and rush into the backroom of my work shop. It's hidden away in the corner, a small contingency plan cooked up by Thor and I just in case something like this happens.

"Hello, handsome."

Thor watched with disdain as Stark fled to his Tower which towered above the city like some tasteless mockery of long lost Hlidskjalf from upon which the AllFather once watched over all of existance.

That the tower's gleaming glass face was abruptly hidden between quickly emerging sheets of iron and steel only served to enrage the Thunderer further.

Still the coward ran. Still he refused to stand and face his fate.

Launching himself towards the tower, the Odinson slammed himself against the hardened plates which, unable to resist his might, groaned loudly in protest and bent inwards, creating seems in which Thor rammed his fingers before peeling the plates away like so much paper and stepping into the level where Stark had run to.

The Thunderer had not expected to find Stark on the otherside of the Iron plates. The industrialist was far too cowardly for that, but he was both hurt and shocked at the sight that greeted him.

"I'm sorry Master Thor, but I must insist that you desist this instant" said the Avengers loyal butler Jarvis as he shouldered another of Stark's blasphemous and cowardly weapons in his direction.

The Odinson's features softened then, illustrating his genuine hurt and surprise, and he extened an open hand to the butler.

"Jarvis old friend." said Thor "What dark sorcery is this that causes you to side with Stark and his fellow cretins the Avengers?"

Jarvis could see that the concern in Thor's eye's was genuine and this gave him pause as Thor took a single hesitating step towards him.

"Do you not see the full measure of their depravity as I now do my friend?"

Jarvis swallowed hard. While most men in his position might simply flee in terror, the old man servant's only concern was for the Thunder God who now stood before him.

"Master Thor please listen to me. Master Stark, the other Avengers, they are your friends, your family. Whatever has happened to you, whatever force has taken control of you, please, let them help you."

For a moment it seemed as though Thor would be moved by Jarvis' words and for the briefest of instants uncertainty flashed across his chiseled features; but the moment passed quickly as The Odinson's visage once again became that of one who had been wronged and would not be satisfied by anything less than swift and brutal justice.

"Family?" he scoffed as he closed the gap between them with blinding speed and wrenched Jarvis' weapon away from him

"Do not speak to me of family traitor! My family is dead and gone, lost to history because of your precious Avengers, because of Stark!" The Thunderer railed like a madman as he crushed the weapon in one hand then flung it aside.

"By standing with them you share their guilt. Be grateful I do not smite you as I intend to smite my so called friends." he growled through gritted teeth as he batted the old man aside then without giving him a backward glance, stalked towards Iron Man's work shop.

 

[Byrd Man]

"Family?" he scoffed as he closed the gap between them with blinding speed and wrenched Jarvis' weapon away from him

"Do not speak to me of family traitor! My family is dead and gone, lost to history because of your precious Avengers, because of Stark!" The Thunderer railed like a madman as he crushed the weapon in one hand then flung it aside.

"By standing with them you share their guilt. Be grateful I do not smite you as I intend to smite my so called friends." he growled through gritted teeth as he batted the old man aside then without giving him a backward glance, stalked towards Iron Man's work shop.

"You don't slap around my butler!"

From the darkness of my workshop, I let loose a blast of energy that strikes Thor dead in his chest.

"He doesn't have insurance and I really hate to take the medical expenses from his paycheck."

I step into the light and charge Thor, driving him out of the building and into the air.

"Remember those crystals you gave me? Well, I decided to keep them just in case. Now seemed like a good time to use them. In case of pissed Norse God, break glass."

I strike Thor with a powerful uppercut and send him flying into the air.

"Say hello to the Thorbuster."

 

[Batman]

I watch Iron Man take off after a solid three minutes of aiding the affectionately titled "PTGMA: Post-Traumatic Giant Monster Attack" clean-up effort. Yeah. Tony Stark, one of the richest men in the freakin' world, more money than God, and he just up and takes off out of nowhere without so much as a customary wave of show-offiness. Which he's mastered so very well, I've noticed.

I'd be insulted, but then I realize that everyone else is rushing off in his direction. Meanwhile, I'm the yutz still standing in Central Park, holding a broom and trying to maintain what little shred of dignity I'm holding onto.

This is a terrible position to be in, you see. I quickly realize that if Iron Man's attention is focused elsewhere, that usually means something bad is going to go down, so I should do probably something.

...

I shrug, and start sweeping again. Sometimes, I figure, being an Avenger isn't all fun and games. And getting, y'know, killed. Sometimes, you just got to do the grunt work.

"Well, if nobody else is gonna do it, I'm just gonna have to pick up everyone else's slack. Though it'd be so much easier if I had six arms again..."

Nobody pays any attention to my pretty obvious hint, and I'm forced to listen as Hawkeye and Mockingbird rush off, muttering something about Thor going Al Pachino on Tony's hide high in the skies. Sounds like an emergency, at first, but I don't immediately get concerned.

I'm sure if something important were happening, they'd tell me and I'd be more than welcome to tag along. Seeing as how I'm a fellow Avenger, and all. I'm sure that they still remember that, and they'll turn to me soon to ask for my assistance.

Yep.

Any time now.

...

Okay, this is just annoying.

Annoyed, as I aforementioned in my inner monologue, I just start sweeping more furiously. I feel like such a moron on this team. Here they are, real heroes with real problems that involve the grave consequences of world domination and such, and I'm more worried about stepping in dog dunk. I'm not sure if it's just my sickly thin portion of self-confidence, or it's an actual problem that I need to address, but I get the feeling that The Avengers would be just as well without the likes of little old me.

I mean, what do I really contribute? Fashion sense?

Well, okay. That's being harsh. The new Captain America's suit is pretty stylish.

But really! What do I contribute?

Finding no answer to give, I simply keep sweeping and muttering under my breath. I can't believe I just turned down an opportunity to hang out with my scantily clad ex-girlfriend, who happens to do alot of yoga to retain that figure, just to be the background noise in what was clearly Iron Man and Ares' moment of triumph. I have way better things to do than that.

Like... sweeping.

...

I drop the broom and fire out a webline. Time to stop wallowing in your own self pity again, Parker. If the Avengers want your help, they'll ask for it. For now, you've got a marriage to try and salvage, and a ticked off ex to try and make amends with. Then you've got to see what you can do the help Harry get back to sanity, only just before you try and publicly humiliate J. Jonah Jameson for the twelve time since his election.

For now, however, your main priority is muttering under your breath about what a moron you've been, lately. Because lord knows, you're definitely in a serious need of a reality check.

"Razza frazza, Iron Man... razza, Thor... razza frazza, Mockingbird's shapely butt that I couldn't stop staring at..."

 

[TrueMastermind]

"Elijiah Bradley? So you're not whom I'm looking for. Where is Josiah al hajj Sadiq, otherwise known as the superhero Josiah X?" Beneath his armor, Iron Lad scanned the room, as if he expected Sadiq to be in there.

"Josiah? My uncle? Man, nobody knows where he is these days. But why do you need him?" Although this young man was telling him that Josiah was nowhere to be found, the map of recruits said that he was here. Must be a glitch in the system. Figured that Kang couldn't be perfect.

"I don't think that information is important to your ears. I'll just be on my way if there's nothing for me here," Walking back to the open doorway, Iron Lad was about to take off before Patriot stopped him.

"Wait! Maybe I could be of use to you. My grandfather, Isiah Bradley, was the first Captain America. Like the current one, he had a kind of Super Serum pumped into his veins. When I lost a lot of blood after a fight, I recieved a blood transfusion from him. Now, I have the same physical attributes as the great Captain America. You can say I'm just a teenage version of him," Now intrigued by Elijiah, Iron Lad once again extended his hand.

"Hold on. It could be a bumpy ride."

One down. Two to go. And lucky for Iron Lad, they seemed to be within close proximity to each other and located in a very familiar place, Avengers Mansion. Elijiah Bradley was dropped off at the brokedown warehouse that Nathanial had found himself at earlier so the armored teen didn't have to hold on to any extra weight.

Getting these two to join his cause would enable him to complete Vision's plan, but what next? All the former Avenger had talked about was the formation of this little group, nothing else. Would they perform random acts of justice like any other superhero team? Or would they seek out the Vision and ask him the next step? It was a little confusing, a little sudden to the young Richards, but what else could he do? Going back to his own time was certainly not an option and if this could help him and the Avengers, then it was definetly the right thing to do. Taking a brief break from his complicated thoughts, Iron Lad spotted his two targets. Well, at least he presumed them to be the ones who he was seeking.

One a long, lanky blond while the other a much shorter brunette with a worrisome expression, neither looked particularly like warriors. But they were still the ones he was to seek out. At least the two were already engaged in conversation, which made Iron Lad's job a whole lot easier. Approaching the two, nearly knocking them off their feet with his sudden appearence, Nathanial gave a hearty nod towards the both of them before offering a friendly handshake.

"Hello boys, I have something to discuss with the both of you."

Judging by their starstruck smiles, Iron Lad was thinking these two were in the bag.

 

[bkhedr]

"You don't slap around my butler!"

From the darkness of my workshop, I let loose a blast of energy that strikes Thor dead in his chest.

"He doesn't have insurance and I really hate to take the medical expenses from his paycheck."

I step into the light and charge Thor, driving him out of the building and into the air.

"Remember those crystals you gave me? Well, I decided to keep them just in case. Now seemed like a good time to use them. In case of pissed Norse God, break glass."

I strike Thor with a powerful uppercut and send him flying into the air.

"Say hello to the Thorbuster."

The Thunderer is thrown backwards by the force of Iron Man's blow and by the time he rights himself he is already in the air outside Stark Tower once more.​

Stark's abominably named armor was powerful indeed, but it was just further proof of his blasphemy, his cowardice, as far as Thor was concerned.​

No matter, if it gave him the illusion of courage he needed to stand and fight that was all that mattered. The Manadarin was waiting for his revenge and Thor was waiting to see justice done.​

A thin smile worked its way on to Thor's face as Iron Man rocketed out of the hole he had made in the side of the building and charged him.​

Neither I, nor the Mandarin, will have to wait much longer He thought as he swung Mjolnir, catching the charging Iron Man on the flank, and sending him hurtling sideways through a neighbouring skyscraper before rushing after him.​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

The Thunderer is thrown backwards by the force of Iron Man's blow and by the time he rights himself he is already in the air outside Stark Tower once more.​

Stark's abominably named armor was powerful indeed, but it was just further proof of his blasphemy, his cowardice, as far as Thor was concerned.​

No matter, if it gave him the illusion of courage he needed to stand and fight that was all that mattered. The Manadarin was waiting for his revenge and Thor was waiting to see justice done.​

A thin smile worked its way on to Thor's face as Iron Man rocketed out of the hole he had made in the side of the building and charged him.​

Neither I, nor the Mandarin, will have to wait much longer He thought as he swung Mjolnir, catching the charging Iron Man on the flank, and sending him hurtling sideways through a neighbouring skyscraper before rushing after him.​

I crash through the building and skid across the carpet of an office. The armor finally comes to a stop next to the office water cooler.

Pulling myself up, I catch the eye of a rather attractive sales associate.

"So, how's it going? Working hard or hardly working?"

Thor crashes into me, ending my flirtation prematurely. We fly out of the other side of the skyscraper and back out into the New York skies.

"I don't know what your problem is!" I yell as we trade blows. I land a poweful blow to Thor's sternum, then add on an elbow to the back of the head for good measure. He plummets towards the ground and I race after him.

"Seriously, dude. If it didn't sound so cliche, I'd swear you were being possessed by something."

 

[bkhedr]

I crash through the building and skid across the carpet of an office. The armor finally comes to a stop next to the office water cooler.

Pulling myself up, I catch the eye of a rather attractive sales associate.

"So, how's it going? Working hard or hardly working?"

Thor crashes into me, ending my flirtation prematurely. We fly out of the other side of the skyscraper and back out into the New York skies.

"I don't know what your problem is!" I yell as we trade blows. I land a poweful blow to Thor's sternum, then add on an elbow to the back of the head for good measure. He plummets towards the ground and I race after him.

"Seriously, dude. If it didn't sound so cliche, I'd swear you were being possessed by something."

"I owe you no explanation Stark!!" Thor growled as a bolt of lightning struck the now diving Iron Man and left him smouldering in mid air.

A second bolt found its mark even as Thor righted himself and crashed on the street below, landing feet first, but creating a thunderous crater in the middle of the street in the process.

The Odinson took a moment to assess his surroundings, to make sure that no innocent mortals had been hurt by his fall, then bent down into a crouch before springing upwards with fantastic force, propelled both by his powerful leg muscles and Mjolnir's mystic flight.

With Stark wearing Armor augmented by Asgardian magic there would be no need for Thor to hold back his full might and he struck with all the strength at his command, smashing into Iron Man and using the force of his blow to take the armored Avenger with him, carrying him higher and further as the lightning continued to strike them both.

Incredibly, their impossible flight did not end in the clouds and they continued to ascend, reaching beyond the lighting, beyond the atmosphere and to the very edge of the blackness of space.

Only then does Thor slam a fist into the disoriented Iron Man's face plate before slamming into him with renewed force, and carrying him Earthwards once more.

The atmosphere assaults them as they fall, rumbling around them and clawing at them with fingers of searing white heat.

The pair explode into flame high above China so that those denizens of that land who happen to glance upward would see them as a rapidly falling shooting star or comet in the night sky.

Their trajectory brought crashing down in the middle of densly wooded area far from any urban center.

Dozens of trees are felled by their blazing fall from the sky, splintering in their wake as they carve a deep groove in the Earth.

The first brush fires are only just starting when Thor staggers to his feet. His armor is ruined, his cape and helmet gone. He raised Mjolnir skyward and calls the lighting down once more so that it pummels the smouldering armored warrior who now lays at his feet.

The Thunderer lowers his hammer and bids the lighting to cease as the familiar figure of the Mandarin appears from the underbrush

 

[MichaelChen]

The side of the Mandarin's mouth twitched into a smile.
"Gooood, Thor, very good! Take what's left of his armor and dispose of it. A volcano, a garbage can, I care not, so long as the world is free of his filth."

The Mandarin looked down at Stark's naked form, "wake up, Stark! It's time to play!"
The Mandarin gestured at the surrounding woods, "there is no technology here, no toys, no weapons of any sort except these, " he gestured down at his rings as they lay in the dirt.

The Mandarin picked up a two-ton boulder and dropped it on his rings, "and now, there are no weapons here at all. This fight will be decided only by our own fists and willpower and spirit!"

The Mandarin crackled his knuckles and his neck. Cold rain poured on his half-naked body, but he did not shiver or even seem to notice it. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

"Do you have them!?"

Hawkeye jumped into the open hatch of the Quinjet as it hovered over the river near the ferry.

"Jarvis tracked them re-entering the atmosphere over China. We'll get an exact lock on the way."

"Does anyone else on this team have protocol for handling a god?"

"Yeah. Hit him really hard."

"Comforting."

Hawkeye strapped himself into his seat and trapped the comm.

"Yo webs, road trip. What's your twenty?"

 

[bkhedr]

The next day -​

I step out of the shower back at the Monti Estate and wrap myself in a robe. Heck of a night last night, all three of my lieutenants are gonna be on the mend for awhile, but I haven't slept, wired as I am. How could I when The Gargoyle could get back to me at any time. I did tell him not to keep me waiting, to contact me as soon as he had results.​

I drop into an easy chair and pick up a manilla folder left there for me by my new secretary. I'm aware of the frown forming on my lips as I read the information inside. I expected business to take a hit. I mean between the war with Fisk, dealing with Castle and the Heroes for Hire, Hyde's arrest, Boar's death, the feud with the Devil, and now Carnage; how in the world could business be anything but down?​

Still, its worse than I expected, and I toss the folder across the room in frustration before slumping back into the chair and rubbing my chin to work off the frustration.​

If I was going to keep control, to keep potential competitors from perceiving weakness, I needed a win and a big one. I needed to get the Kitchen back in the fold.​

Fortunately for me Fisk and the Devil had unknowingly given me what I needed to do just that. I never did tell the Cops about all the documents I managed to lift from Fisk's operations. Never did tell them about the Daredevil files. Fisk may have been too noble, maybe he just didn't believe it, but the files commisioned by Fisk listed a number of potential identities for his arch enemy, with the primary suspect being one blind lawyer by the name of Matt Murdock. Its no wonder Fisk never did anything more than file the information for safe keeping. I mean, who could blame him for not believing that Daredevil was a blind man?​

Me? After all I've seen in my life I'll believe anything is possible, and a blind man wearing spandex and fighting crime is nothing once you've seen Mr. Sinister up close and personal.​

That was why I took the blood from the bar, why I'm now having the Gargoyle compare it to all available data on Murdock located in the Dare Devil file. With any luck I'll get the answer I want and put Dare Devil off the street for good without so much as raising a finger in anger.​

The phone rings then, as if on cue, and I grab the cordless receiver and hold it to my ear.​

"Yeah?" I say gruffly before the Grey Gargoyle's voice answers through the receiver.​

I smile widely as he briefs me, nodding every now and then, before hanging up.​

"Looks like your secret's out DareDevil. Better home justice has a soft spot for the blind."​

The two bruisers recognize me and I smell their fear as they part to allow Arclight and I to pass them and enter the old brownstone.

Inside the place is packed with more bruisers, wise guys, girls, and stacks of cash.

Everybody gives me a wide berth, clearing a path for me to afvance through as Arclight stays at the doorway to keep anyone from making an early exit.

I find the man I'm looking for at the back behind a large wooden desk. He's got back turned to me as he watches the Knicks game on a tv on the counter behind. He doesn't even know I'm there till I put a hand on the back of his chair.

"Hammerhead." I snarl as I swivel the chair around so that he's facing me.

"Sabertooth? What the hell are you doin' here? Who let this mutie mook in my place?" He asks as he moves to stand only to have me put a hand on his shoulder and force him back down. I have to admit I'm already dissapointed. Hammerhead knows how to make money, there's no doubt about that, but he's got a reputation for being stubborn and right now I'm thinking the two bruisers at the front door have more sense than their boss does.

"I'm here to talk about how you haven't been kicking up any of the obviously handsome profits from your gambling operations."

"The hell? I kicked up the Kingpin and he's finished so.."

"No no no Hammerhead." I interrupt as I wag a clawed finger dangerously close to his face. "The Kingpin's not finished, he's just been replaced. Now you'd better start making your weekly payments, with interest, or.."

"Or else what?" Hammerhead growls as he forces his way to his feet and pushes me hard in the chest. I stagger backwards slightly, surprised at his strength, then grin wickedly and toss my jacket off my shoulders.

"I was hoping you'd do something like that."

 

[Byrd Man]

The side of the Mandarin's mouth twitched into a smile.
"Gooood, Thor, very good! Take what's left of his armor and dispose of it. A volcano, a garbage can, I care not, so long as the world is free of his filth."

The Mandarin looked down at Stark's naked form, "wake up, Stark! It's time to play!"
The Mandarin gestured at the surrounding woods, "there is no technology here, no toys, no weapons of any sort except these, " he gestured down at his rings as they lay in the dirt.

The Mandarin picked up a two-ton boulder and dropped it on his rings, "and now, there are no weapons here at all. This fight will be decided only by our own fists and willpower and spirit!"

The Mandarin crackled his knuckles and his neck. Cold raid poured on his half-naked body, but he did not shiver or even seem to notice it. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

I stand up, almost every muscle in my body seems to scream in pain. The rain begins to fall, soaking the latex body suit that I wear underneath my armor.

"Mandarin....have I told you how much I hate you lately, because I really do."

Cracking my neck, I look him over.

"Look, I'm good, you're evil, I get that. What do you say we call it a day and just pick this back up tomorrow?"

Mandarin lets out a primal scream and charges towards me.

"I''l take that as a no."

 

[MichaelChen]

The Mandarin let out a roar that blew the hair back away from Stark's face. Flecks of frothy spittle coating his lips, he charged forward and punched the ground at Stark's feet, the shockwave sending Stark flying twenty feet through the air. The Mandarin leapt up in an arc designed to land him on Stark, his foot aiming at Stark's head.

 

[Byrd Man]

​

It's been a week since I was outted in the press. The NYPD called the law offices today, wondering if I would come in for a DNA sample. I go tomorrow morning. Tonight is my last hurrah.


Although I'm still not a hundred perecent certain as to who leaked my identity, I have a really good idea as to who might have done it. Sabretooth.

That's why I'm here, navigating through the rain soaked New York night.

I know where Sabretooth's hideaway is located. He may not have offically broke the truce we had, but he compromised my identity to get me out of the way.

That's just as bad as setting up shop in the Kitchen. I was foolish to even side with him, why did I do it? I made a deal with the devil in order to secure the safety of my friends. Once I am in jail, they won't be safe, truce or not. I may have made a deal with the wrong devil, but so did Sabretooth.

Tonight I'm ending this. The Devil is coming to collect his due. I'll have my pound of flesh from Sabretooth, with the prospect of prison bars looming in my future.​

 

[Byrd Man]

The Mandarin let out a roar that blew the hair back away from Stark's face. Flecks of frothy spittle coating his lips, he charged forward and punched the ground at Stark's feet, the shockwave sending Stark flying twenty feet through the air. The Mandarin leapt up in an arc designed to land him on Stark, his foot aiming at Stark's head.

I roll to the side just as Mandarin's feet crash on the ground next to me. Chopping hard at his legs, I send him sprawling prostrate to the ground.

"Just because I use armor, doesn't mean I don't know how to fight."

I pounce on Mandarin, driving his head into the ground.

"I may not know karate, but I know ka-razy!"

 

[MichaelChen]

The Mandarin grabbed Stark by the throat, lifting Stark off the ground as he stood up. He brought Stark's face close to his own, "is that the best you can do, Stark?" then he thrust out his hand, sending Stark flying a hundred feet, and then tumbling and rolling a hundred more, only stopping when he rolled into a tree.