The "Ultimate DC Universe" RPG: Season 2.0

[SenseiofCheese]

6 months ago..

"Would ya look at that Carter...Ain't she a beaut?"
I didn't hear what Carl had said. It was as if the tomb had enchanted me. I walked across the dirty floors of the ancient Egyptian resting place of some king and his queen. I can't believe I never asked Carl more about the place, but the moment he called me and told me about it, I knew I had to go.
I could hear the soft crunching of age-old rocks beneath my feet, the only source of light my and Carl's torches. The light filled the chamber we were in, making everything look even more beautiful than I had imagined.

"Carter? You with me, buddy?"

I snapped out of my trance, and my head snapped back.

"Oh, yeah. It's just...It's strange actually being here, you know? Talking about it is one thing...but.."

"Yeah, I know...It's amazing isn't it?"

It was. I stood still and tried to truly take in the beauty of it all, even though I felt it would take years to do. Carl walked past me, dragging his palm along the walls, searching for markings.
Back then, I could never have explained it, and I brushed it off as an insignificant feeling at the time, but I felt like I belonged there.
Like after a long time, I was finally back home.
I took a deep breath, and turned my head towards where Carl was looking intently at a rather small hole in the wall, and suddenly a feeling of woe engulfed me. I don't know why I did it, but my body was racing much faster than my mind.

"CARL, LOOK OUT! GET DOW--"

I reached him just in time. I threw my full weight on him, tackling him the ground. I had heard the sound of the wind, as the arrow shot out of the hole in the wall, smashing into the wall across from it.
When Carl came to his senses he stared at the arrow, broken in piece on the floor. His stunned gaze fixed on me, he asked

"C..Carter, not for nothing but...How the hell did you know that was gonna happen?"

I was as confused as he was. I had felt...No. I had known that that arrow was going to shoot out of the wall. I beat my palm against my shirt and sent the dust flying off.

"I..I saw the thing move. Something moved and I thought that couldn't be good."

Carl raised and eyebrow and skeptically accepted my claim.

"Right, well, when we get out of here I'm buying you a beer."

We continued our trek deeper into the tomb. Each chamber we entered, each hallway we passed through, I felt as if I had been there before.
I was slowly making my way through a cramped hall when Carl's voice reached my, excitement coursing through it.

"Hey Carter...I think you're gonna wanna see this, buddy!"

I made my way towards his voice, slowly stepping over or around steps that I had a bad feeling about. I finally came upon Carl. He had shoved open an incredibly large door, covered in signs and words too ancient for me to understand. Yet somehow, I had seen them before.
I entered the chamber and a surge of warmth rushed through my body. The room was larger than any cathedral I had been in before. It was a perfect circle, it's walls adorned with gold and treasures beyond your wildest imagination. In the center of the room lay a casket, a large gold hawk emblazoned on it. Beside the casket were mounds of weaponry, obviously belonging to whoever rested inside.
Axes, spears, maces and shields, my eyes swooped carefully over each artifact. And then I saw it. The magnificent helmet sat on a small step, imposing in it's majesty. It was styled after a hawk, the wings and eyes suggesting aggression.

"I told you this place would make us rich. Woah, these guys really took the hawk-motif seriously didn't they"

It was too late. The words Carl had spoken as he looked down to the floor and saw the massive icon of a hawk spreading it's wings, covering the whole chamber, never reached me.
The helmet had spoken to me. I heard it's voice in my head, and I couldn't control my body. I stepped forward, each step giving me more excitement.
When I was upon it, I didn't hesitate for a second. My gloved hands reached down and grabbed it, lifting the heavy artifact onto my head.

"CARTER WHAT ARE YOU DOI - - "

But Carter Hall was dead. The moment my helmet had been returned to me, I finally awoke from my long slumber.
Katar Hol, was free again.

​

​

The moment the helmet was set upon my head, I saw everything. It was as if a veil was lifted from my eyes. I lived through entire lives in the span of mere seconds. I was surrounded by pyramids and castles, all at the same time. I killed men with spears, swords and guns, all at the same time.
I was reunited with my one true love, and had her ripped from my arms. She was returned to me, only to be taken away yet again.
All. At the same time.

2000 B.C

A pharaoh and his queen, rest in each other's arms. Their bodies entwined, their faces relaxed; the very image of serenity. They have been poisoned.
They have been betrayed. By their most loyal servant. Their supposed friend.
His form towers over their bodies, a devious smile upon his face.

516 A.C

A valiant king fearlessly rides his steed to the battlefield, his face the very meaning of courage. He will not let his kingdom fall into the hands of barbarians. He will defend the lives of his subjects with every fiber in his being, until the very last breath he draws.
He will be betrayed by his most trusted knight. As his friend's blade pierces his hawk-adorned armor, his queen sits alone in her chambers, sobbing, as she feels her love's life leave this world.
His kingdom would fall.

1883

Three riders and their horses race away from a small town, where they had left with the contents of that town's bank vault. They scream and holler with joy. They are free.
They will live their lives free of the hardships they have had to endure. When they have reached safety, they share hugs and laughs. Two of them share more.
The third, however, shares with them his bullets. The man who has so often betrayed his friends before does so once again. And again, he smiles as he forces the life from their eyes.
He alone rides into the sunset, silently pondering whether or not she had been lying with her last words.

"Carl, I'm pregna--"

He would never find out if she had been lying, but with an evil grin he thought to himself, "I hope she was."


​

​

 

[Andy C.]

Rocketing down to the streets faster than a speeding bullet, Superman suddenly stopped a foot from the ground and turned to face the OMACs, a wide beam of low intensity heat vision showering the opponents. As the glowing blue adversaries recoiled and shielded themselves, Superman once again took off, this time circling the cloud of distracted OMACs that had bottle-necked themselves on the descent passed the buildings and skyscrapers of Metropolis. He flew circles around the technological creatures, faster and faster, until a vortex of wind began to form around them. Soon, the OMACs were being dragged through the air by the small tornado that Superman had created. Within moments, the army of OMACs were thrown to the ground by the pressing and crushing winds.

(IC: )

By the Gods...

Like Boreas the North Wind, Superman has brought the swarm of monsters down with a crushing gale. And yet, the innocents below are still unharmed. This man...he is perfect.

Stopping his flight, Superman was at Wonder Woman's side instantly and watched the vortex dissipate and the pile of blue figures in the center of the slowing winds. "I learned that trick from the tornado alleys of Kansas." The two heroes watched, ready for the inevitable attack, as the OMACs recomposed themselves. "I can't think of any way to seperate the people inside other than opening their armor with our bare hands." The thought wasn't too comforting to the Man of Steel. He didn't know how safely or carefully he'd be able to liberate the people from the OMAC armor in the heat of battle, but he didn't see any other option available.

"Perhaps if we can track these things to their source, we can--"

I'm barely able to bring up the Gauntlets in time as a blast of scarlet light rips forth from the swarm. The OMAC creatures are preparing to attack again.

To take them out of their armor would mean taking them on one at a time. And there are hundreds of thousands of them rising up, their formations swirling like Charybdis, preaparing to swallow us whole. Unless we can find the source of these monsters, how in Hera's name can we expect to free them all?

"Here they come again, Superman. This may be a long day."

 

[Spike_x1]

(IC: )"Perhaps if we can track these things to their source, we can--"

I'm barely able to bring up the Gauntlets in time as a blast of scarlet light rips forth from the swarm. The OMAC creatures are preparing to attack again.

To take them out of their armor would mean taking them on one at a time. And there are hundreds of thousands of them rising up, their formations swirling like Charybdis, preaparing to swallow us whole. Unless we can find the source of these monsters, how in Hera's name can we expect to free them all?

"Here they come again, Superman. This may be a long day."

"I'm inclined to agree, Wonder Woman." Another series of energy blasts went streaming his way, which Superman raised his right hand to block. What looked like droplets of glowing energy were sparking in all directions as the laser beam met the Man of Steel's open palm. Gritting his teeth, Superman endured the blistering heat and flew straight towards the OMAC that was firing at him. In a blur of motion, he grabbed onto the creature's blaster cannon that had taken the place of its hand, and shattered it under his grip, exposing the human hand underneath. Superman looked down at his smoldering palm, smoking from the laser before, and decided to that he would try to tear these innocent people free. It would be a long process, even at top speed, but it had to be--

"ARRRGH!!" A pair of glowing blue pincers came down from behind like a vice around his neck, squeezing and dragging him away from the other damaged OMAC. As they crushed his neck, the claws discharged a heavy electrical current that burned through Superman's body. It was only seconds before hundreds more of the OMACs were floating around him, blasting searing energy and electricity at the Last Son of Krypton. Summoning a superhuman will, Clark reached up to the pincers clamped around his neck and groaned in pain, through the anguish, as he tore the claws right off of the OMAC's arm. Not even taking a break, Superman spun in the air and kicked the creature out of his way, so that he might escape the onslaught for a moment.

Once again, he resumed his place at the Amazon's side, who was fighting her own swarm of the monsters. "You're right--" Another pause as the heroes dodged and weaved through the cloud of enemies. "We can't free them by brute force; we'll have to track down the source. Can you cover me?" Not waiting for an answer, Superman focused his vision, trying to find the right wavelength to see the signal waves that had to be sending commands to the OMACs...

 

[Green Lantern]

I narrow my eyes at this freak.

"Ward? Ward?!? Who the **** do you think I am? Do you know who my father is? Don Allen, that's who and once Barry gets me out of here I'm gonna sue your freak ass for everything your worth."

I manage to find enough saliva in my mouth to spit in Zoom's face.

"God, I hope Barry squishes you like the bug you are."

IC: Zoom

Flicking the loogie from his face with a yellow hand, Zoom glared at the boy, strapped helplessly to the table.

"Oh how I will enjoy this."

Bart's eyes widened as Zoom grabbed a needle that looked like it came out of 'Pulp Fiction' off of the counter. Grinning madly, Zoom appeared at Allen's bedside.

"This will hurt you a lot more than me. Hahahahah"

Without another word, Zoom slammed the syringe in Bart's chest and the boy screamed in pain.

 

[Byrd Man]

IC: Zoom

Flicking the loogie from his face with a yellow hand, Zoom glared at the boy, strapped helplessly to the table.

"Oh how I will enjoy this."

Bart's eyes widened as Zoom grabbed a needle that looked like it came out of 'Pulp Fiction' off of the counter. Grinning madly, Zoom appeared at Allen's bedside.

"This will hurt you a lot more than me. Hahahahah"

Without another word, Zoom slammed the syringe in Bart's chest and the boy screamed in pain.

"AHHH! OH GOD!"

It feels like the needle poked a hole in my lung. Zoom let's it linger for a minute as he smiles and finally sends the liquid shooting into my body. It's hot, burning hot. I can feel it spread through out my whole body, turning my skin red and making my insides boil.

"Oh...God!"

I feel my stomach do a blackflip as I vomit all over my chest and a little on Zoom. My vision starts to grow dark as I start to blackout.

"...Barry....help."

And like that, darkness.....

 

[Green Lantern]

"AHHH! OH GOD!"

It feels like the needle poked a hole in my lung. Zoom let's it linger for a minute as he smiles and finally sends the liquid shooting into my body. It's hot, burning hot. I can feel it spread through out my whole body, turning my skin red and making my insides boil.

"Oh...God!"

I feel my stomach do a blackflip as I vomit all over my chest and a little on Zoom. My vision starts to grow dark as I start to blackout.

"...Barry....help."

And like that, darkness.....

Zoom cackled evilly as the young teen passed out from the pain.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA. No. No no boy. Its not that easy. I want you awake. NOW!"

Zoom screamed in fury as the back of his hand connected with a loud crack to Bart's face, shattering his 'movie star' nose. Bringing the open palm back, he connected again with Bart's cheek and you could hear the snap of the jaw bone. As the young boy's eyes opened slightly Zoom laughed again. From the table with his instruments, he pulled two hideous looking devices, and used them to wire the boy's eyes open. There was a look of hopelessness, fear and pain in them.

"Now for the real fun!"

Zoom stood between the bed and a machine full of dials, gauges and buttons. He violently spun one of the dials to the right, and pressed a red button. Bart's body immediately began to convulse as 150 million volts of electricity began to course through his body.

 

[Byrd Man]

Zoom cackled evilly as the young teen passed out from the pain.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA. No. No no boy. Its not that easy. I want you awake. NOW!"

Zoom screamed in fury as the back of his hand connected with a loud crack to Bart's face, shattering his 'movie star' nose. Bringing the open palm back, he connected again with Bart's cheek and you could hear the snap of the jaw bone. As the young boy's eyes opened slightly Zoom laughed again. From the table with his instruments, he pulled two hideous looking devices, and used them to wire the boy's eyes open. There was a look of hopelessness, fear and pain in them.

"Now for the real fun!"

Zoom stood between the bed and a machine full of dials, gauges and buttons. He violently spun one of the dials to the right, and pressed a red button. Bart's body immediately began to convulse as 150 million volts of electricity began to course through his body.

I do my best to fight as I twist and turn in agony. My insides burn and I can smell my body begin to cook as the electricity does it's job.

Zoom stops the electricty and smiles as I look at him with bloodshot eyes.

"I can't wait for Flash to get here. Then he'll kick you little yellow ass all around Keystone."

I cough and blood pours out of my mouth and spills on the floor. I hurts to even breath, but seeing the rage in Zoom's face makes it all worth it.

 

[SenseiofCheese]

The moment the helmet was set upon my head, I saw everything. It was as if a veil was lifted from my eyes. I lived through entire lives in the span of mere seconds. I was surrounded by pyramids and castles, all at the same time. I killed men with spears, swords and guns, all at the same time.
I was reunited with my one true love, and had her ripped from my arms. She was returned to me, only to be taken away yet again.
All. At the same time.

2000 B.C

A pharaoh and his queen, rest in each other's arms. Their bodies entwined, their faces relaxed; the very image of serenity. They have been poisoned.
They have been betrayed. By their most loyal servant. Their supposed friend.
His form towers over their bodies, a devious smile upon his face.

516 A.C

A valiant king fearlessly rides his steed to the battlefield, his face the very meaning of courage. He will not let his kingdom fall into the hands of barbarians. He will defend the lives of his subjects with every fiber in his being, until the very last breath he draws.
He will be betrayed by his most trusted knight. As his friend's blade pierces his hawk-adorned armor, his queen sits alone in her chambers, sobbing, as she feels her love's life leave this world.
His kingdom would fall.

1883

Three riders and their horses race away from a small town, where they had left with the contents of that town's bank vault. They scream and holler with joy. They are free.
They will live their lives free of the hardships they have had to endure. When they have reached safety, they share hugs and laughs. Two of them share more.
The third, however, shares with them his bullets. The man who has so often betrayed his friends before does so once again. And again, he smiles as he forces the life from their eyes.
He alone rides into the sunset, silently pondering whether or not she had been lying with her last words.

"Carl, I'm pregna--"

He would never find out if she had been lying, but with an evil grin he thought to himself, "I hope she was."


​

​

As I lived through entire lives and deaths in mere moments, I could rage like I'd never felt before rising in the pit of my stomach.
The visage of my lost love, with her flaming red hair, features softer than sand, and the voice of an angel, yet a roughness to her hazel-brown eyes, left me on the floor feeling as if half of my being had been ripped from me.

Slowly but surely, the bright lights faded, as did the surroundings of my former lives. In all of my lives I had never remembered the previous ones, but the hawk-helmet that now rested on my head had brought memories flooding into my mind, almost crippling me.
Memories of life. Love. Death. Betrayal.

Betrayal.

When my eyes had finally adjusted to my surroundings, I saw his face once again.

"Carl?...Carl, are you okay? Come on buddy, that's it, stand up..."

And the rage that had been building up inside me after living through the pain, deception, loss, exploded.

"YOU!!!"

I sprang to my feet and dashed towards him. The moment I began running I felt it. I was quicker. More agile. And the moment my hand wrapped around his neck and slammed his body into a wall, I felt stronger.
The wall cracked as his body was thrown against it, and using only the hand pressed against his throat I raised him off the floor.

"Akh..Akhkhhh....C..Carl, what, akkkhhh, what are you doing?!? Carl, you're killing me, I can't breathe!!"

"I would certainly hope so," I said, my voice colder than ice. "I will not make the same mistake that cost me the woman I love so many times over. I will crush the life from your body. And no matter how many times you return, I will be there to kill you, as many times as it takes, you piece of filth."

His face was becoming blue, his eyes watering. I could see every wrinkle in his face, and the small beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead.
I had never felt pleasure in taking the life of another, but for the first time I could not wait to see the life fade out of his eyes. He would die by my hand.
He spoke, almost too faint to hear, "c..Carl....w-why..are you doi...ing this..."

I snapped back, my voice like venom. "Don't even think you can deceive me again. Not. Again."
In that moment, the look on his face altered. He no longer looked frightened, no longer like prey.
He no longer cried, and no longer looked confused as to why I was crushing his windpipe.
He looked like he knew exactly why I was doing it. And he smiled.

"Never hurts to try, though. Welcome back, Katar. How's the missus?"

His voice was evil. The kind of evil that lives centuries. This monster had murdered the one true love of my life again and again. But this time, I would be the one who mu - -.
I barely saw him move. His fist connected with my chest, and sent me flying across the circular chamber and crashing into the wall with such force that I could barely breathe.
I looked up at my rival, stunned.

"Don't look so surprised, Katar. You're not the only one who came back new and improved."

"I..." I spit out a mouthful of blood, "..will kill you with my own two hands."

His eerily soulless laugh filled the entire chamber.

"Now, now. We have plenty of time for threats. But first, let's play a little."

"You're out of time, monster. Take it from someone who had lived as many lifetimes as you."

He laughed again, and I was finally on my feet. I removed my shirt, exposing my chest and the red mark his fist had left when he had thrown me across the room.
Slowly he walked to a pile of weapons that almost looked too old to use, and picked up a sword. The blade was long and covered in dust, and a huge snake was adorning the handle.

"You know, I am going to kill you. It's happened before, and it will happen again. After all, Katar, history has a habit of repeating itself."

He swung the blade, and I could hear the air being cut. I could see every speck of dust that flew off, revealing the shine of the weapon.

"It stops here, tonight. I will make sure of it."

I instinctively made my way to a small casket, too small for a human, because I knew what lay inside. I would not settle for drawing his blood with any weapon I could set my hands on. It would have to be my weapon.
I forced open the casket, as Carl , or Kol, his true name, watched me, smiling, as one smiles when one humors a small child.
The casket swung open, an age old stench filling my nostrils. But a familiar stench. As the dust settled, the insides were revealed.
I grabbed the large mace, it's handle fitting to my hand like an old glove. I felt as if I had been reunited with an old friend.
I looked at Kol, still standing still, hardly even breathing.

"There. Are you quite ready, now? Can we begin? I'd rather want to finish this before Desperate Housewives is on."

I did not answer. We stood still, both wielding our weapons, staring intently into each others eyes.
I had hardly seen him move. He was much quicker than I had expected him to be, and I could not recover from his first attack in time.
His sword swung towards my head, and I barely managed to raise my weapon to meet his. The strength in his blow forced me to my knees, and I felt his sword slide into my shoulder.
I let out a scream of agony, echoing in the chamber.

"I'm going to kill you, Katar. And them I'm going to find her, and I'm going to kill her too."

 

[Andy C.]

Far away from prying eyes, stationed in geosynchronous orbit above Metropolis, Brainiac and Lex Luthor glared at each other coldly. One was accustomed to hiding his true emotions; the other never even had emotions before bonding with an organic host. Though the silence in the room lasted only a few seconds, their minds were working on respective plans of action that would take a normal man hours.

"I should tell you that there is little use in engaging me in combat, Lex Luthor. My calculations estimate that even with that rather impressive war-suit of yours, my ship's defenses will be able to disable it in under two minutes."

"Maybe so, but I would like to think that two beings of such intellectual sophistication would be able to wage this little battle with words, rather than death-rays. After all, that particular job belongs to our caped friend down below."

Brainiac regarded Luthor with caution. True, he was still the mental superior to this human, but Earth's only Level-Ten Intelligence was nothing to take lightly. The only other organic being he had ever known to breach Level Nine was Jor-El of Krypton, whose son was fighting the OMACs on the planet's surface.

"Why have you come to me, Luthor?"

"Because you asked me to come here, first of all. If I get to be the first human being to establish lasting contact with an alien world, then I'm damned sure going to do it under my own free will. And secondly, because I have a bit of a proposition for you."

"...Go on."

Luthor seemed to relax his guard a bit, assuming as much of a casual posture as one can manage in a hideously-beweaponed piece of armor.

"It seems to me that this little army of robot parasites you've got buzzing around my city are just a token force. The real motivation is to have a horde of those things to take over the entire planet, am I right?"

"Only partially. The upgrade of the species homo sapiens is only a starting point to a universal upgrade. By the end of this experiment, every species of life in all its forms will be upgraded."

"Ah, now we're getting somewhere. But things aren't quite going according to your plan, are they?"

The living computer bristled at this; though Luthor was correct in this assessment, Brainiac did not like being reminded of it. The sheer amount of resistance provided by Superman and Wonder Woman alone, as well as his continual failure to capture the Batman Bruce Wayne, were setting his plan behind schedule, and it would not be long before further resistance arrived.

"The problem is that those amazing battle-suits you've got, no matter how powerful their technology is, are up against something they can never truly tame: the human spirit. Each step of the way, their hosts are fighting you, and even if the struggle only lasts a nanosecond, it still slows your boys down."

"You seem to know much about this sort of thing, Luthor."

"I've been known to dabble in mind-control every now and then," Lex said with a slight grin, "but enough idle banter. Do you want to hear my proposal or not?"

For a few microseconds, Brainiac was tempted to simply activate the ship's defenses and have Luthor dragged away and upgraded. However, his inherited curiosity got the better of him.

"Were you any other of your species, I would not hesitate to apprehend you right now. But I am willing to hear what you have to say. It is rare that I get to engage in conversation with what can almost be considered an intellectual peer."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, Brainiac," Luthor said jokingly, before his tone took a sudden, darker edge. "Right now you're dealing with an army that you can't fully control, and in the long run that's going to hurt you. I can guarantee you that my plan will give you an army that actively chooses to be part of the program.

"The entire world is tuning in to the news right now, and they're seeing something straight out of H. G. Wells going on in America's most beautiful city. Invaders from space, humanity's first interstellar war. And in the one-in-a-quadrillion chance that the good guys win, you can bet they'd be willing to sign on to anything that'll keep us from getting caught off-guard again."

Brainiac had to admit to himself, he was intrigued as Luthor continued.

"So let's say your toys put Superman and the rest of his kind down for the count. The Army, the Navy, the Marines, even the Boy Scouts aren't able to put a dent in your unstoppable war machine. Then suddenly, humanity's desperate last hope lies in a brilliant new weapon designed by--who else?-- Lex Luthor. And a crack squad of hero soldiers, all armed with patented LexCorp technology, fight off the evil invaders once and for all.

"With the world so terrified by the possibility of something like that happening again, they're relieved to find out that the amazing technology used to defeat the wicked Brainiac has become available to the public. In the interest of public safety, every responsible citizen will gladly go through any 'upgrade' if it means they can protect their loved ones."

Lex began to swagger a little again, and made a sweeping gesture with his hands as he wrapped up his proposition.

"So that's the pitch, Brainiac. Use your army to kill the superhumans, then take a dive and perform a little vanishing act when my forces arrive, and within a year I can guarantee that you won't have to worry about an army of six billion unwilling slaves. Instead, I can give you a force of six billion volunteers, more than enough to make this little beach-head of yours worth taking."

The human smiled again, and Brainiac turned away to contemplate. He had to admit, in an experiment that would take over ten million of this world's years, one more or less would hardly make a difference. And the advantage to the OMACs' performance would be enormous. Still, there was one major concern...

"My calculations estimate a 98.662% chance that you will attempt to betray me."

"Maybe, but if you've got the entire universe in your sights, then surely one little half-evolved primate wouldn't prove much trouble for you. Besides, if there's anything one can learn from the Cold War, it's that one can be pushed to greatness simply through distrust of others."

"Then I believe we have a deal, Lex Luthor, with only one slight modification to the plan. The Kryptonian must live."

Brainiac was well aware that Luthor harbored a deep enmity towards Superman, and sure enough, the man was livid.

"What?! But Superman's tearing your forces apart as we speak! His very existence puts your plan in jeopardy! He--"

"--will not be a factor after today. I said he must live; I never said he would live outside of captivity. The OMACs are currently in the process of adding Kal-El of Krypton to my collection."

With that, Brainiac issued a telepathic command to the mechanisms of his ship. The large chamber rearranged itself, and rows of bright bottle-like objects rose from concealed compartments and placed on display throughout the ship.

Luthor examined them more closely, and his eyes widened. In each of these bottles was an entire alien city.

"These are where I do my more intricate experiments. Those cities are kept in stasis through apertures in the timespace continuum. The technology is not dissimilar from that which you used for your teleportation mechanism, though I would advise against overusing such devices. Altering the fabric of timespace can cause unpredictable side-effects, some of which are quite...bizarre.

The cities themselves are fully populated, and provided with everything the life-forms within need for survival. From here, I can experiment with introducing species to each other, study the workings of culture, religion, war, and all other fundamentals of society. While they are only small samples of much larger populations, these cities allow me to observe an effective cross-section of life as a whole."

For just a moment, the steel-hearted Lex Luthor couldn't keep from gawking.

"My God, they're...beautiful."

"They serve their purpose."

At that point, Lex Luthor realized that both of them meant exactly the same thing.

"Brainiac, I think we're beginning to understand each other. So, what do you say...partner?"

 

[Byrd Man]

Gotham City.

People magazine voted it as the worst place to live in all America. It was filled with crime, graft, and corruption. It was a town pushed to the breaking point.


And it was a town ripe for the taking.

Underneath the streets of Gotham, a figure crouches in the darkness. Lost in his mind.

Harvey.....Harvey....HARVEY!

"What!?! Isn't enough you ruined my life, now you're stalking me!"

Ruined your life? No, no, no, Mister. You did this to yourself. I'm just a by product of you not spending enough nights at home.

"SHUT UP!"

He reaches into his jacket and pulls a gun out with his right hand, pointing at his head he takes a deep breath.

"I'll do it. I'll kill both of us, you son of a b****!"

Hahaha, don't make me laugh. You don't have the guts, never been able to do what is nessecary. That's why Gilda left you!

"SHUT....THE....HELL...UP!"

Do it. Mister big shot D.A., couldn't even take down Falcone or Maroni, had to get some yellow skinned whacko to do your dirty work.

The man slolwy drops his gun with his right hand while his left hand goes to work, digging in his pocket. A silvery coin emerges as he switches hands, flicking the coin with the right hand and holding the gun with the left.

"So, Harvey. Here's the plan. We're gonna finish what that Creeper started."

No we can't. No just the two of us, we'll need....

"An army. No dumb hired goons. We need people like us."

You mean freaks?

"For lack of a better word, yes. We'll get them together and take down those wops."

And Batman?

"If he gets in our way, he'll be gunned down like the rest of them. We'll climb over the dead bodies to reach the throne. The time of the mob is coming to an end, they don't longer control Gotham. It's not their city anymore."

Wait! The coin. Leave it up to fate.

Two-Face lets the coin dance around on his fingers before flipping it into the air.

"Good side, we drop it. Bad side...."

The coin lands in his hand and he stares down at it.

"....We go to war. Time to spread the news, Harvey. The city isn't owned by the gangsters, or Loeb and her group of Nazi pigs, not even Batman owns it."

Well, Two-Face....who's city is it?

He finally emerges from the shadows, the coin flipping in one hand and his gun in the other.

 

[Eddie Brock]

The ringing phone interrupted my alcohol-induced sleep. I lazily reach over and pick up the receiver, stating, "E-Nigma Investigations. Edward Nigma speaking."

"Mr. Nigma? I have a job for you," a man's voice stated on the other line.

I sat up straight in my seat. "A job?"

"Yes, a job. Come down to 191 Christian Street right away," the man announced urgently. I heard a click and realized that the man had hung up.

This was my first job in months. I was so excited. I grabbed my jacket and darted out the door. I got into my beat-up green El Camino and took off down the street towards 191 Christian Street.

Upon my arrival, I saw many police officers gathered around. When I approached the house, one of the officers stopped me.

"What are you doing, sir?"

I slipped him my business card while I explained, "I got a call from someone in need of my private investigation services."

The officer scanned my card skeptically before nodding. He led me to his superior who stated, "You must be Mr. Nigma."

"That I am," I replied. "Are you the man I talked to on the phone?"

"I am. We're completely stumped. Only three people could have committed this crime, but all of them have explained why there were here today," the man explained.

"What exactly did happen?"

"Ray Whitcombe was murdered in his home office today," the man started as he led me into the house, "We have three suspects, who all visited Ray today. First was his wife, Barbara Whitcombe. He was also visited by his business parter, Jason McCubbins, and his best friend, Harold Nichols."

"Ok, I think I'm starting to get the picture here," I responded. "What did the suspects have to say for themselves?"

"Well, the wife came to apologize about an argument they had earlier that day. His business partner was here to discuss their options after a business deal went wrong. And the best friend came to complain about Ray's dog."

"His dog?" I repeated.

The man nodded. "Yes, apparently Mr. Whitcombe's dog made a habit of digging up Mr. Nichols' yard. It seems like Mr. Nichols had enough of it."

"So all three suspects have motive...albeit the best friend's motive is relatively weak," I replied. "What about evidence?"

"Mr. Whitcombe was found dead on his desk. Cause of death: strangulation. There was a torn-up picture of his wife lying next to the trash can, and he was holding a pen in his right hand. The telephone on his desk was off the hook, and there was a note written on his personal calendar: 7B91011," the officer relayed his information to me.

After a little consideration, I asked, "Can I see the body?"

"Sure," the officer replied. He led me to the door of Ray Whitcombe's office. "We haven't moved anything...for evidence collection purposes."

"Of course," I responded absent-mindedly. I entered the desk and looked at Ray Whitcombe's dead body. I scanned his body up and down until I saw something that caught my eye. "Why didn't you tell me that he was wearing a wrist-watch on his right arm?"

The officer shrugged. "It didn't seem like an important detail."

"Didn't seem like an important detail?" I repeated. "It may be the most important detail in solving this case!" I walked over to Ray's body. "Well, now I know why you couldn't solve this..."

A few more police officers had stopped to listen to me. They all stared anxiously, awaiting an explanation.

I merely yawned and continued, "Ray Whitcombe was wearing a wrist-watch on his right arm...which means that he was left-handed!" Still they stared me - clearly not putting together the pieces. "Okay, Ray Whitcombe was left-handed...but he was holding a pen in his RIGHT hand." Still nothing. I sighed deeply. "This note on the calendar - 7B91011...it was written by Ray Whitcombe. But he must have been in a hurry because he was writing with the opposite hand," I elaborated. A couple of them started to think slightly. "Since he was clearly in a hurry, and since I can decipher a pattern, this clearly is an EIGHT, not the letter B. Therefore, the note is 7891011."

"Okay, what's your point?"

"Do I have to explain everything to you? The pattern is 7-8-9-10-11. To the untrained mind, this merely seems like nonsense. But upon closer examination, you will find that these numbers correspond with months of the year! JULY is the 7th month, AUGUST is the 8th month, SEPTEMBER is the 9th month, OCTOBER is the 10th month, and NOVEMBER is the 11th month! J-A-S-O-N!"

Then it hits them like a ton of bricks. Finally, after explaining every detail to them, they come to the obvious conclusion that:

"Jason is the killer!"

"Quite right. But don't allow yourselves to think that this was a business matter. The torn-up picture of Barbara Whitcombe is a key piece of evidence for the motive! Clearly, Mr. McCubbins was having an affair with Mrs. Whitcombe. But it would seem that Mrs. Whitcombe called it off. She must have told her husband - thus explaining why the couple had a fight! So in his rage, Jason visited Ray Whitcombe and killed him! Jason then tore up the picture of Barbara and left!"

"He got all of that from the fact that the guy was wearing a watch on his right hand?"

And so, my clever deduction was met with scattered applause and I left the house with a satisfied smile on my face.
​

 

[Batman]

ULTIMATE

My city is being held in the grip of of an unknown force, exerting an array of powerful andriod-humanary hybrids, building an army of which seem to be programmed for the sole purpose of enslaving the Earth, Gotham included. I myself find opposition from their leader, apparentally, as there have been two attempts made on Bruce Wayne's life by the same sort of abomination in the past few hours. And admist trying to keep this situation contained, I learn that not only has my identity, much less my home, been breached by an unknown person of intrest. One of which Alfred hasn't met with any hostility, provoking two options: He's being held hostage, or there's something greater about the individual that's caught his attention.

Reviewing all of this information only provokes one thought from my mind: When the hell did it all come to this?

I prepare to answer him, when suddenly I notice a tingle coming from inside my cowl. Reaching up, I pull the side, outstretching it so whatever is in there escape. At first I think it to be a bug. But I soon realise that I couldn't have been more off, in my wildest dreams...

"Hmmmm Hi I'm the visitor in question I was at your lair, cave met your...associate... nice guy not his fault at all. Anyway I tracked the electron trail of one of those things over there. And I stummbled upon your hideout, pretty impressive by the way. Then again at my size a mouse-hole is pretty impressive."

Batman shows no emotion.

The Atom says, "Look get over the whole size thing. I have helped the Creeper & Captain Marvel. Next time you see the Joker ask him how he got that limp. Right now our city is in trouble and if we work together we can save it. Now do you let me help you? Or do I just keep get in the way until you have no choice to but to let me help?"

I stare at the woman standing on my nose. Then realise how utterly ridiculous that notion is, despite it's autheticity.

For a small moment, I think I'm hallucinating. But that's when I recall certain other instances... The Flash of Keystone City, The 'Martian' of Middleton, even my own encounters with people such as Matt Hagen and Victor Fries. I've long suspected those rumored individuals to be of some truth, due to those encounters, though I've payed little attention to their exploits due to my work. But if I truly believe in those tall tales, then believing that a six inch woman in blue and red spandex is talking to me isn't entirely that far of a stretch.

I remain serious, crossing my eyes to look at her.

"Given your size and density manipulation, I'm guessing you got here through the radio signals back at my ...headquarters."

She nods. I reach up, and lightly grab her by the back of her costume, before placing her in my palm.

"Good for you. But what I'm dealing with right now isn't a homicidal clown like The Joker, or a lunatic such as The Creeper.", I argue, turning her around to face the true scope of the invasion, as the OMACs follow a four way skybound pattern, forming a square over the city. I can see the shock in her face almost immediately.

"These things cannot be defeated by simplistic means. And by no means am I about to engage them in singular combat. So if you're to help me, then here's a bit of advice... don't."

I place her down on the rooftop, as she grows a bit in size, eventually reaching a stature that's large enough for me to actually speak to her through somewhat of a... normalcy.

"I don't know who you are. And the fact that you've learned far too much about my identity, combined with my limited knowledge of you, isn't nessacarily putting you on good terms with me. Regardless..."

"I don't think I need to tell you that if action isn't taken, fast, then Gotham will be the least of your worries. Aswell as the rest of us."

"While I do hate to interrupt the bond you two have seemed to accuimulate..."

I press the side of my cowl, ignoring Alfred's sarcastic remark.

"I've found quite a stable signal, Master Bruce. It seems to be coming from the above the downtown area in Metropolis."

Great. They seem to be coming from Lex Luthor's city. If he has anything to do with this...

"Then that's where I'm headed.", I answer. "Get in touch Lucius Fox and have the security to the Wayne Enterprises stockhouse 43A cleared for my immediate, and sole use. He owes me a favor."

I turn to the woman, who seems to have shrunken again. With the OMACs here, and threatening the welfare of countless other individuals within the city, part of me doubts that leaving would be the best course of action. But should I be able to stop the leader, the one referred to as "Brainiac", there's a chance I can cease the invasion in it's entirety.

A glance downward sees the woman again. Then I realise that there are... other options.

Dammit.

"You said you wanted to help,"

She seems to perk, at this. I glance down at her with a sneer, letting her know that what I'm about to ask isn't apart of some game.

"I won't be able to look after Gotham for at least the next twenty four hours. What I need you to do is get into contact with District Attorney Rachel Dawes, on the East Side. She has contacts to both the Mayor and Police Commisioner. They could be targets for this. Warn them, and do everything you can to make sure they stay safe for the time being. Only after that, will engaging the invaders become an option..."

I reach into my belt, and pull out a communication's link.

"Can you render other objects a different size?"

She grows, grabs the communication's link, and shrinks again, giving me a thumbs up as she places the communicator in her ear. I... doubt I've ever seen anything more bizarre. But I have little time to dwell on that. Gotham's in danger... and I'm beginning to run out of actions to take to prevent it's downfall.

"That will connect you to my... associate, as you put it. He'll grant you any information you need. But that's all I can do for you. Beyond that, you're on your own."

I leap off of the building, and spread my cape, heading deeper into the city.

"Both of us are."

I don't feel even the slightest bit comfortable with entrusting both Alfred and my identity with a complete stranger, like this. But a glance upward, seeing the OMACs fly past, I quickly realise that I may not have a choice.

But that's another matter I'll get to in time, when this is over. Right now, I have a flight due to Metropolis...

 

[SenseiofCheese]

Ultimate

I was deep underground, inside my own burial chamber, screaming in pain. The man who had killed me so many times before was planning to do so yet again. So far, he was doing a good job of it.
He twisted the blade he had plunged into my shoulder, and I dropped my mace to the floor. The more pain I was in the more joy flushed into his grinning face.
He moved his face closer to mine,

"Oohh, how I've missed that expression. Granted, I can't see your big brown eyes through this ridiculous mask, if you don't mind me saying so. How about we take this off, huh?"

Kol moved his free hand and placed it on my helmet. As he started to pull it off my head, a surge of newfound strength streamed through my veins.

"Don't touch me, you filthy animal"

With every ounce of strength I had left in my body, I swung my fist into face. I could hear the crack, as my punch sent him flying into the air, and made him crash into the floor with a loud thud.
I quickly got to my feet, and with both hands I grabbed the hilt of the sword resting in my shoulder, and yanked it out.
Splatters of blood hit the floor, and all I could see was red. I saw Kol begin to rise to his feet, but still gasping on the floor.
I would not kill the beast while he lay on the floor, as much as he deserved just that. I would look into the eyes of my killer and let him look into mine, knowing that I had finally gotten my revenge.
This, was my first mistake.
When he was finally standing, I wasted no more time. I channeled my strength into my right arm, and I flung the bloody sword toward his head.

I heard the blade cut air. In a blink of an eye, however, the blade stopped dead inches from his face. Quick, almost too quick for me to see, he had swung his hands upward, catching the blade between the palms of his hands. Small drips of blood trickled down his hands, and he winced.

"Ah, ah, ah, Katar. Nice move, though."

He released the sword and it dropped to the floor. The loud clang reverberated through the chamber and it filled my head.
I could feel my shoulder healing, but before the wound was sealed, Kol hit me lake a freight-train.
Both of our bodies were sent flying into the wall. We fell to the floor, but in no time were on our feet exchanging bone-crunching blows.
My fist connected with his jaw, his connected with my nose. His knee shot up into my stomach, my elbow thrust into his ribcage.
He raised his fist and sent in pummeling down onto my head. The helmet absorbed most of the force, but I fell to my knees.

"I gotta give it to you," He raised his arm and wiped the thick stream of blood pouring out of his mouth. ", you're a lot tougher than you were last time. But you can't win, Katar, and you know it. Y'see, you and me, we're special. I don't need to tell you that, of course. We die, and we come back. Then we die, but we come back again. I don't know why, and I don't know, but we do. And that's not supposed to happen."

He slowly walked over to me, as I lay hunched over on the ground. He was about to speak again, but I had had enough of his speeches. I just wanted him to die.
I grabbed a large rock and twisted my whole upper body, sending the boulder flying into the side is head.

"AaAAaaggh!!"

His whole body arched over and he fell to the floor. I spit a mouthful of blood onto the floor, and made my way to him. I grabbed his collar and raised his head, sending punch after punch raining down into his already bloody face.
Even though my fist ached and burned, it felt great. The sheer joy I felt in taking someone so evil and punishing him, was overwhelming.
Finally, as my fist swung down to deliver the last punch, his hand flew upwards and grabbed mine mid-air.
His eyes were drowning in rage as I felt his grip tighten. He twisted my hand, my body twisting with it. He arched his leg and pushed his foot into my back. I was thrown to the floor.

"You disgusting little ****!."

"DON'T"

He made his way over to me and kicked me in the stomach with tremendous force.

"INTERRUPT. ME. WHEN. I'M. TALKING. TO YOU!"

I lay gasping on the floor, broken and bleeding, my appearant healing-factor working in overdrive to patch my bruised body together.

"But as I was saying, before you almost caved my head in....We are an abomination. By returning to life, even after our death, is a slight against God. We are meant to live, and to die. No more. That is why I have taken it upon myself to rid this earth of you and your ****e. It's not because I enjoy it...although, believe me, I do.." Once again he raised his leg, and as I looked up at him I saw his foot fly down into my face.
Once again he raised his foot, but as it came barreling down towards me I grabbed, and pushed myself off the floor, and with full force I headbutted him. I felt his nose break under my helmet, and blood poured out of it.

"GaaAAaggghh, you som ob a *****!"

"And what about YOU! We always come back, and so do you. Surely you must die as well."

"Of course I do, you fool. I only stay in each life for as long as it takes for me to fulfill my duty. We are meant to die and stay dead, Katar. And I will make sure of it."

We both glared at one another.

"You say me and Shayera must die. You're wrong. We keep coming back to life, because we are meant to do just that. Live. Together. You, however....no longer deserve life."

The mace, my mace, was back in my hand. I swung it, with much familiarity, and it flew through the air. It smashed against Kol's head, and he fell to the floor, a bloody mess.
He grunted and groaned. I grabbed him the neck and lifted him off the floor. Anger overcame me in such a way I could not contain it.
I smashed him against a wall. Repeatedly.
I let him drop to the ground.
And I killed him.
I swung the mace toward his head, and I heard his neck snap.
I knew he would come back. I did not know when, and I did not know how, but he would.


-----


I did not need to search for long. All I needed, all that was once mine and was again, I found in the tomb.
All except one.
Shayera.

I will find you Shayera.
We will be together.
I will find you, my once and future love.
And not even death itself can stop me.

Katar Hol stood alone. Each night he scoured the sky for his love, Shayera Hol. But he would not find her just yet. Katar and Shayera would not be reunited for a long time. He would become one of the world's greatest heroes. Alongside a League of beings powerful enough to destroy the world, he would fight to save it.
And he would wait for her. Because for once in his life, he did not see visions of the past, but one of the future...

​

​

 

[Green Lantern]

I do my best to fight as I twist and turn in agony. My insides burn and I can smell my body begin to cook as the electricity does it's job.

Zoom stops the electricty and smiles as I look at him with bloodshot eyes.

"I can't wait for Flash to get here. Then he'll kick you little yellow ass all around Keystone."

I cough and blood pours out of my mouth and spills on the floor. I hurts to even breath, but seeing the rage in Zoom's face makes it all worth it.

IC: Zoom:

The heart rate monitor connected to the boy started going out of control. The numbers began to skyrocket, soaring with the increasing beats of the boy's heart. 100, 120, 140, 190, 320, finally it peaked out at 475 beats per minute. The boy was visibly vibrating on the hospital cot. His bruised and bloody visage nothing more than a blur.

Zoom cackled yet again.

It was that moment that the door burst into splinters.

"ZOOM! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HIM?!?"

Standing in the doorway was one, royally p**sed Barry Allen.

 

[Byrd Man]

IC: Zoom:

The heart rate monitor connected to the boy started going out of control. The numbers began to skyrocket, soaring with the increasing beats of the boy's heart. 100, 120, 140, 190, 320, finally it peaked out at 475 beats per minute. The boy was visibly vibrating on the hospital cot. His bruised and bloody visage nothing more than a blur.

Zoom cackled yet again.

It was that moment that the door burst into splinters.

"ZOOM! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HIM?!?"

Standing in the doorway was one, royally p**sed Barry Allen.

My eyes start to go out of focus as I hear Barry's voice.

"Uh-oh....you in trouble now...."

My head rolls back onto the table and I direct my last words to Barry.

"Kick his ass, cuz...."

I blackout into the darkness. My body bruised and burning body finally sucumbing.

 

[Andy C.]

"I'm inclined to agree, Wonder Woman." Another series of energy blasts went streaming his way, which Superman raised his right hand to block. What looked like droplets of glowing energy were sparking in all directions as the laser beam met the Man of Steel's open palm. Gritting his teeth, Superman endured the blistering heat and flew straight towards the OMAC that was firing at him. In a blur of motion, he grabbed onto the creature's blaster cannon that had taken the place of its hand, and shattered it under his grip, exposing the human hand underneath. Superman looked down at his smoldering palm, smoking from the laser before, and decided to that he would try to tear these innocent people free. It would be a long process, even at top speed, but it had to be--

"ARRRGH!!" A pair of glowing blue pincers came down from behind like a vice around his neck, squeezing and dragging him away from the other damaged OMAC. As they crushed his neck, the claws discharged a heavy electrical current that burned through Superman's body. It was only seconds before hundreds more of the OMACs were floating around him, blasting searing energy and electricity at the Last Son of Krypton. Summoning a superhuman will, Clark reached up to the pincers clamped around his neck and groaned in pain, through the anguish, as he tore the claws right off of the OMAC's arm. Not even taking a break, Superman spun in the air and kicked the creature out of his way, so that he might escape the onslaught for a moment.

Once again, he resumed his place at the Amazon's side, who was fighting her own swarm of the monsters. "You're right--" Another pause as the heroes dodged and weaved through the cloud of enemies. "We can't free them by brute force; we'll have to track down the source. Can you cover me?" Not waiting for an answer, Superman focused his vision, trying to find the right wavelength to see the signal waves that had to be sending commands to the OMACs...

"I'll do what I can, but we can't keep this up much longer."

Even when I'm moving at the speed of Hermes, these monsters are nearly as fast. They deviate their tactics with each wave, sometimes coming in one at a time, sometimes attempting to overrun us with swarms. Still, I hold my ground, despite the impossible numbers.

For a moment, I am reminded of the Spartans and their stand at Thermopylae. I am also reminded how they were killed to the last man.

Darkness surrounds me as I am engulfed in another throng of the metallic creatures. They attempt to bash and claw at me, or to destroy me with their energy weapons, but I am ready for them this time. The Gauntlets of Victory deflect their blows, my arms a blur of motion as they wield them. I bring my right hand to my hip, and prepare to unleash my counterattack.

Before they have time to react, I fling forth the Golden Lasso, capturing one of the monsters in its loop. For a moment, I can see its red eye blink intensely, as if it were in pain. But I cannot spare any time for sympathy; the lives of the people inside are at stake.

With the creature in my thrall, I spin myself into a whirlwind, the lassoed machine swinging around like a flail. It slams into the others, sending them reeling. It won't hurt the people inside, but it will scatter them back into the infernal swarm.

"Help...me...."

Oh, no. The Lasso. It's freed the mind of the captive inside of that armor, but it cannot free the person's body.

"Don't worry, my friend. We'll find a way to set you free, and bring whoever did this to justice."

"I...I'm so cold. I--"

I can't bear to see this. For a moment, I let the Lasso go slack, and it releases the poor soul.

"I can't-- CONTROL MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN TERMINATED. RESUMING COMBAT PROTOCOLS."

It charges towards me, its arms morphing into wicked-looking blades. Before it can attack, I land a hard kick to its chest, and it tumbles downward.

I turn for a moment, and see Superman, his eyes still scanning for energies invisible to all but him. Again I see why so many look up to this man: he can literally see things in ways that no one else can.

When I turn back, the swarm is approaching for another attack, and I can feel my blood begin to boil. Whoever is doing this does not care what happens to the innocent men and women inside. He has overthrown their minds and imprisoned their bodies. It's absolutely monstrous. Even if the method is technological rather than magic, I know the work of a devil when I see it.

"Superman, they're surrounding us again. Whatever you're looking for, you'd best find it soon."

 

[Batman]

ULTIMATE

"Begin."

Voice Recognition Confirmed. Takeoff Commencement In T-Minus 3... 2... 1

I brace myself as the power of the rocket engines burst to life. Even seperated by a sheet of ten-inch thick titanium, I can feel the blast coursing through my blood. It nearly distracts me from realising I've made it into the air, as I grab the throttle and maintain position. Metropolis is rougly a two hour flight through a US airline, one hour through my own private corperate jet, and three and a half on a drive. Can't risk it. Not only because the Batmobile would surely garner far too much attention on the open roads in that time, but because if I don't hurry to Metropolis, the OMACs may succeed in whatever plan they've been set out to accomplish.

Luckily, I went on the off-chance that I'd require some form of flight manouverability months ago. And after a bit of work design, I was able to put this into immediate production...

Alfred dubbed it "The Batwing", when I showed him the first blueprint. And not without merit... the wings are aerodynamically designed to both increase flight safety and accuracy in turns. Why I'll ever need to use that, I'm not sure. But it never hurt to be precautionary.

I switch on the manual pilot as I turn my attention to the destination marker. I'm already above The Haven, which is a district on the edge of Gotham. Which means I've managed to evade the sensors the OMACs evidently possess. Guess that means the stealth controls are efficiently working, aswell...

Switching open the line to Alfred in the Batcave, I thrust the throttle backwards, as the plane drops, upon reaching Gotham's city limit and the bridge. "I'm heading out now. Watch over our mutual aquaintence's actions until I get back. There's a tracker built within the communication's link I gave her."

"Ever the one for paranoia, sir."

I sneer.

"Breaching my security is something of which I can't ignore, Alfred. We'll have to make sure it doesn't happen again, when all of this is over."

"Provided it does reach a conclusion, of course..."

Switching the camera feeds to a night vision mode, so I can better stir clear of any skyscrapers upon reaching Metropolis, I look up at the screen that sends my image back to the cave.

"Now who's being paranoid?"

I pass Dover, going into Harrington, Delaware. Metropolis isn't far. But even now, the anticipation begins to set in. I don't truly think I've even begun to realise what I'm getting myself into... these sentients aren't just something one can pass on the street. Much less even behind closed doors at Wayne Enterprises. I'm beginning to doubt they're even of humanary origin... they're far too advanced. But all I know is one, simple fact about them... I cannot, and don't trust anything with that amount of power. They need to be shut down and stopped, one by one... and god help me if I choose to stand by and ignore their terrany.

I'm closing in. The infamous "L" design of the LexCorp facility makes that painfully obvious, in the distance. But the closer I get to the city... the more scarce it becomes, as my attention is quickly focused on the structure that isn't within the city. It's above it. "Good god..."

I... can't rightly describe it. It's massive... too much for me to even tell, given the clouds that shield it. But the lights, the mechanical robotic hybrid design, the fact that it's hovering in mid-air... it doesn't take a detective to piece together that this is, without doubt and without reason, the source of the monstrosities from Gotham. It's only after a moment of staring that the communicator signal opens again.

"Master Wayne, the readings on your radar signal are positively off the charts!"

"I see it,", I respond, maintaining focus and shifting the throttle to the left. "It's bigger than I originally predicted. But that's definately where the OMACs originate."

"And you're just going to fly into it?!"

"I'm... not sure.", I admit. "Even with the right tools and the proper defense, there's little chance I'd be able to fend off the security within, if it's anything like the OMACs. I'm just not-"

My eyes widen, as something suddenly appears infront of me. Shifting the throttle to the right, I narrowly avoid a spike that exerts from the front of a lone OMAC that's detected my prescence. Circling the Batwing, I look over and notice that it's paused. Turning forward again, I prepare to activate one of the plane's internal defenses. But that's when I realise why the OMAC paused.

"Master Bruce? Master Bruce, are you alright?!"

"-No,", I respond, gritting my teeth. "There's an army of them coming for me right now."

A vast circle of them seem to turn up out of the sky. While I'm quite confident that The Batwing would be able to maintain much of the damage inflicted by the machines... I know for a fact that it won't be able to handle all of it. Dammit. I don't think they're giving me much of a choice.

"Activate pilot ejection and self-destruct mechanism! Now!"

Command Complied.

In a matter of seconds, I drop from the plane, hitting nothing but rushing wind and a surrounding array of skyscrapers. Kicking off of the seat that was taken with me, I unbuckle the safety belt, push forward, and dive, spreading my cape so it'll take to the wind before a fall. Moments later, I hear a boom hit the skies. I'm not worried about the innocent people inhabiting the OMACS, as it was a light blast, and their armor is prone to absorb most, if not all of the damage. But it gave me enough time for escape.

Even if it did set me back about twelve million...

I throw out a line at the Daily Planet globe from my belt, and wait for the snag. Only here for a minute, and I've already lost both a plane and strategy. This isn't turning out nearly as well as I'd hoped. What could I possibly do to help now?

 

[MST3K 4ever]

ULTIMATE

My city is being held in the grip of of an unknown force, exerting an array of powerful andriod-humanary hybrids, building an army of which seem to be programmed for the sole purpose of enslaving the Earth, Gotham included. I myself find opposition from their leader, apparentally, as there have been two attempts made on Bruce Wayne's life by the same sort of abomination in the past few hours. And admist trying to keep this situation contained, I learn that not only has my identity, much less my home, been breached by an unknown person of intrest. One of which Alfred hasn't met with any hostility, provoking two options: He's being held hostage, or there's something greater about the individual that's caught his attention.

Reviewing all of this information only provokes one thought from my mind: When the hell did it all come to this?

I prepare to answer him, when suddenly I notice a tingle coming from inside my cowl. Reaching up, I pull the side, outstretching it so whatever is in there escape. At first I think it to be a bug. But I soon realise that I couldn't have been more off, in my wildest dreams...



I stare at the woman standing on my nose. Then realise how utterly ridiculous that notion is, despite it's autheticity.

For a small moment, I think I'm hallucinating. But that's when I recall certain other instances... The Flash of Keystone City, The 'Martian' of Middleton, even my own encounters with people such as Matt Hagen and Victor Fries. I've long suspected those rumored individuals to be of some truth, due to those encounters, though I've payed little attention to their exploits due to my work. But if I truly believe in those tall tales, then believing that a six inch woman in blue and red spandex is talking to me isn't entirely that far of a stretch.

I remain serious, crossing my eyes to look at her.

"Given your size and density manipulation, I'm guessing you got here through the radio signals back at my ...headquarters."

She nods. I reach up, and lightly grab her by the back of her costume, before placing her in my palm.

"Good for you. But what I'm dealing with right now isn't a homicidal clown like The Joker, or a lunatic such as The Creeper.", I argue, turning her around to face the true scope of the invasion, as the OMACs follow a four way skybound pattern, forming a square over the city. I can see the shock in her face almost immediately.

"These things cannot be defeated by simplistic means. And by no means am I about to engage them in singular combat. So if you're to help me, then here's a bit of advice... don't."

I place her down on the rooftop, as she grows a bit in size, eventually reaching a stature that's large enough for me to actually speak to her through somewhat of a... normalcy.

"I don't know who you are. And the fact that you've learned far too much about my identity, combined with my limited knowledge of you, isn't nessacarily putting you on good terms with me. Regardless..."

"I don't think I need to tell you that if action isn't taken, fast, then Gotham will be the least of your worries. Aswell as the rest of us."

"While I do hate to interrupt the bond you two have seemed to accuimulate..."

I press the side of my cowl, ignoring Alfred's sarcastic remark.

"I've found quite a stable signal, Master Bruce. It seems to be coming from the above the downtown area in Metropolis."

Great. They seem to be coming from Lex Luthor's city. If he has anything to do with this...

"Then that's where I'm headed.", I answer. "Get in touch Lucius Fox and have the security to the Wayne Enterprises stockhouse 43A cleared for my immediate, and sole use. He owes me a favor."

I turn to the woman, who seems to have shrunken again. With the OMACs here, and threatening the welfare of countless other individuals within the city, part of me doubts that leaving would be the best course of action. But should I be able to stop the leader, the one referred to as "Brainiac", there's a chance I can cease the invasion in it's entirety.

A glance downward sees the woman again. Then I realise that there are... other options.

Dammit.

"You said you wanted to help,"

She seems to perk, at this. I glance down at her with a sneer, letting her know that what I'm about to ask isn't apart of some game.

"I won't be able to look after Gotham for at least the next twenty four hours. What I need you to do is get into contact with District Attorney Rachel Dawes, on the East Side. She has contacts to both the Mayor and Police Commisioner. They could be targets for this. Warn them, and do everything you can to make sure they stay safe for the time being. Only after that, will engaging the invaders become an option..."

I reach into my belt, and pull out a communication's link.

"Can you render other objects a different size?"

She grows, grabs the communication's link, and shrinks again, giving me a thumbs up as she places the communicator in her ear. I... doubt I've ever seen anything more bizarre. But I have little time to dwell on that. Gotham's in danger... and I'm beginning to run out of actions to take to prevent it's downfall.

"That will connect you to my... associate, as you put it. He'll grant you any information you need. But that's all I can do for you. Beyond that, you're on your own."

I leap off of the building, and spread my cape, heading deeper into the city.

"Both of us are."

I don't feel even the slightest bit comfortable with entrusting both Alfred and my identity with a complete stranger, like this. But a glance upward, seeing the OMACs fly past, I quickly realise that I may not have a choice.

But that's another matter I'll get to in time, when this is over. Right now, I have a flight due to Metropolis...

The Atom places the communications link in her ear and says, "Alfred are you there?"

He replies, ""How may I be of assistance to you Miss?"

She replies, "For starters you can call me 'The Atom', secondly I need Rachel Dawes' phone number home & work. I know her and Br...I mean your boss have a friendship and if you pay attention to the gossip columns it could be something more there but that's for another time. I need to get a hold of her A-S-A-P. Third is he always that charming in his mask?"

Alfred says, "Oh you're very fortunate he didn't try and stuff you inside of his utility belt. The fact that he gave you a comminciations link says that he needs your help. Although he'd never admit it. Miss Dawes' home number is 555-1701, her work number is 555-1863 planning on introducing yourself to her this evening?"

The Atom replies, "Yeah I just hope it goes better than the last time we met."

Alfred asks,"You met her before Miss?"

The Atom is stunned that she let that slip out.

Okay for future reference when I am in costume no mentioning of experiences as Rhiannon Palmer...however Alfred seems decent enough...he does have this whole keeping secrets thing down.

The Atom takes a deep breath and says, "Yes in a matter of speaking we did. Last year Bruce Wayne held the Star-Labs charity ball at Wayne Manor. I was there because it was part of the job. Bruce came up and asked me to dance I was so caught off guard I tripped knocking over a tray of drinks all over Bruce and Rachel. I was so embarassed I left and got a royal chewing out at work the following Monday for being a klutz."

Alfred replies, "It's all-right...Dr. Palmer. If you'll pardon the expression it seems as though you have grown since that episode."

She smiles and says, "Thank you Alfred I'll be in touch."

The Atom floats down to a near by phone. She crawls inside of it and triggers the coin return and gets out enough to make two phone calls.

She dials Rachel's home phone and gets the answering machine.

She then dials the office and Rachel says, "Yeah Dawes here."

The Atom shrinks down and leaps inside the phone.

 

[Catman_prb]

Black Mask​

The men walked as though shadows towards the back entrance to the bank. Someone had decided to place it in the back of an alley - good idea. The two guards placed on the door were dead before they could even raise their whistle to their lips.
"Okay boys, kill anyone who gets in your way, i dont care if their a little old lady or a forty pound wrestler. Got your masks on? Then lets go" the leader of the gang said quietly. He was wearing a simple three-peice suit, and carried a pump-action shotgun in his hands. His face was that of a leering black skull, grinning at everyone around him. He kicked out with his leg and broke the flimsy door in. There were loud shouts from inside.
"Intruders!" a guard shouted before he was shot between the eyes. The gang was like an unstopabble wave moving forwards and killing everyone in their path. A gang member turned to the leader.
"Where to Mr Sionis?" he asked gruffly. The leader snarled and shot the fool in the head with the shotgun.
"I told you idiots, you only ever refer to me as Black Mask! Anyone else have a problem with that?" Black mask growled. There were some negative murmerings.
"Good!" he bellowed and turned to the cashier."Give me everything in there now, and you may live," he hissed. The cashier hurridly took the contents of the till into Black Masks outstretched bag. When she finished Black Mask shot her in the chest. He turned to the stairs. At the bottom he faced a sheer metal wall.
"Where the hells my bomb guy?" he shouted up the stairs. A hassled middle-aged man came hurrying down the stairs. He crouched by the metal wall and placed a small amount of C4 at the weakest spot. He stepped back and walked up the stairs.
There was tremendous crash as the wall exploded. Black Mask turned and shot the bomb expert.
"Good job," he said before walking into the breach. He walked into a saftey deposit room, looking around. He saw what he was looking for. A hunch-backed old woman sat on a chair in the corner. He leaned in close to her shaking form. And grinned
"Where the @!*# is the sword, lady?" he bellowed in her face. She screamed. Black Mask smashed the butt of his shotgun into her forehead.
"I dont know what you mean," she sobbed. He punched her.
"Like hell you don't," he shouted and pointed the shotgun at her foot. "Where is it?"
"I dont know what you mean," she repeated. Black Mask fired. She screamed. " Box 8739," she whispered.
"Now that wasnt so hard was it?" he said and shot her in the face.
"8739" he said to himself, before walking over to the deposit box. He pulled at it, but it was locked. He pulled a pistol from his inside pocket and shot the front of the box off. He reached his scarred hand inside and grasped the jeweled hilt of a samurai sword. The vault had been registered undered R. Thorne. This would fetch a lot on the black market and it would be a slap in the face for Thorne.
"Finish off boys, we're outta here," he shouted back up the stairs.

​

 

[Batman]

ULTIMATE

"By the order of the Green Lantern Corps, I place you under arrest for violation of code 36-8."

By the time The Green Lantern of Sector 2814 finished his sentence, even he had to admit that what he just said sounded like a load of bull. Especially considering the person... or rather, thing, he had told it to. But nevertheless, the Lantern remained fiercely straightened, arms folded across his emerald clad chest, peering down at the degenerate he had stopped. The alien stared at him, unamused. To which The Lantern began to grow nervous. "...Please?"

Then, he was shot in the chest.

The Lantern, eyes widened, looked down, before desinegrating in a matter of seconds. The alien that did it laughed wildly, before continuing on with an illegal cargo transport. All that remained of the Lantern was a tiny, seemingly insignifcant spec of green dust. But what the dust was, in actuality, was the remnants of the most powerful weapon in the galaxy. And moments later, the dust reformed, taking shape of it's true form... a ring, engraved with the legendary insignia of which had been known throughout the cosmos.

"After reviewing this footage, what comes to mind, Lantern of 2814?"

Harold 'Hal' Jordan sat across from his superior officer and Corpsman, Abin Sur of Ungara, blank faced. It was the first time Sur had seen this reaction of his pupil, and naturally, that made him smile a bit as he put away the holographic projector that was used to review such a scene. After a moment of intense silence, Jordan finally spoke up, an eyebrow raised.

"...I think you were out of your right mind, letting that coward into your ranks," He blantantly answered. "Don't think I've ever seen anything more pathetic, truthfully."

"Perhaps so, Hal Jordan,", Sur stated in a calmed tone that both comforted and annoyed Hal. "But every ringbearer is chosen with purpose. The Lantern of which you witessed had been chosen with his intangiable determination and will. He was simply..."

"A ninny?", Hal asked.

"...Not nessacarily the word I was looking for, but, it is possible that term best describes such.", Sur answered, a bit uneasy. "Regardless, I was instructed to have you view that taping by the Guardians themselves. It is standard protocol, and though I had opposed subjecting you to it, I cannot disobey orders."

"I could've lied and just said I viewed it,", Hal suggested, with an off look. "Probably would've saved the guy the embarassment."

"Ill-spoken claims to a council of galactic overseers who monitor each and every milimeter of space is most unwise, Hal Jordan."

Hal sighed.

"Yeah... I'm kind of beginning to doubt you've ever heard of sarcasm.", Jordan quipped, before sitting up in his seat. "Regardless, you don't honestly think I'm going to make a mistake like that, do you?"

"It is human nature to make error of
judgement..."

"I'm pretty sure that guy had five eyes," Hal interrupted, with a smirk.

"You did not let me finish,", Sur interjected. "It is human nature to make error of judgement, as it is with many beings who wield the ring. That said, however, you have proven to be most... surprising, when it comes to such elements."

"I just hope that's a compliment."

Sur smiled.

"I believe so, Hal Jordan.", He replied.

"I most definately believe so."

Hours later, and the expression returned to Hal's face. But for an entirely different reason, as he and one of his fellow Lanterns, Guy Gardner of the Qwardian division of the Corps, looked upon their handed cafeterial trays in disgust at what had just been slapped onto it. Jordan mentally told himself not to vomit, but Gardner, on the other hand, was having less luck, as he visibly, and uncomfortably, held his stomach in. But they both could swear that whatever was on it was still moving.

"They got anything like a cheeseburger around this place?", Hal asked, looking over at Gardner.

"Beats me,", Gardner admitted. "But I seriously wouldn't be shocked if it had tentacles or a set of ears."

The two walked over, lightly carrying their trays, before sitting down amongst other Corpsmen and Corpswomen. While Hal gently pushed his tray forward, and away from his view, Gardner seemed to poke at his, fascinated with it. It was a sight that left Jordan uneased, a bit, but it didn't bother him after a few minutes. It was funny, too... Hal had passed the most vigorous and death-defying tests of which were included in his training, back when he had been drafted for the Green Lantern Corps. He had never cracked a smile, but he had also never broken a sweat, during any of those trials. For once, Hal felt like there was finally something good coming out of being a Corpsman... He was loosening up.

"W'nt th'om?"

Hal looked over, before looking away, eyes closed, as a bit of what was on Gardner's plate was still sticking out of his mouth. "I'll pass, thanks."

"Hey! Outta my way!"

Hal and Guy immediately looked back, as a large, red skinned Lantern grunted ferociously, and grabbed one of his fellow Corpsmen by the front of his uniform. Lifting the Lantern off of his feet, the larger Lantern growled.

"I saw you make that cut, back there, ya feeb! Don't try to deny it!"

"...What? What're you-"

Before the victimised Lantern could finish his sentence, he found himself slammed against a wall, and roared at with both a rancid breath and a brute force. The Lantern holding onto him emitted glowing energy from every eye on his face, as he looked down upon the smaller Lantern, both figureatively and literally.

"I'm a five year all-star graduate, you spec'a flesh! I know what I'm talking about when I see it!"

The smaller Lantern struggled to ignite his power ring, but upon an instant, the larger Lantern slammed his arm into the wall, shattering the ring from his finger. "GAH!"

"I'm gonna teach you some respect, boy!", The Lantern bellowed. "Starting right here, and right now!"

"Put him down."

The larger Lantern simply snarled at the request from an unknown Corpsman behind him, as he never took his eye off of the smaller Lantern. But seconds later, he found himself without a choice, as a bright green light emitted into the entire room in a flash of energy, and the Lantern was hit with a blast in the back of the head. Turning, the angry Lantern stared at his assailant, as he stood up, though smaller in size, without a shread of intimidation. It was Hal, but no longer dressed in his standard Corps uniform. Now, he was attired in the uniform of an active Green Lantern, as his ring glowed brightly, covering Hal in an aura of energy.

"I said put him down, tough guy."

The Lantern growled, a bit. But Hal didn't move. He didn't even break his expression, which was combined into a serious plead, and a general annoyance at the Corpsman's hardheadedness. So after the minute it took to realise that Hal wasn't going to back down, the Lantern let go of the smaller Lantern, and made his way out of the cafeteria. Hal looked on, his ring still glowing, before the aura faded, aswell as the costume he had been adorned in.

"Th-Thank you for your assistance, 2814."

Hal turned, looking down at the slumped over Lantern he had just saved.

"No problem,", Hal responded, helping the Lantern to his feet. "But if you don't mind my asking, why didn't you take the bully out yourself?"

"It's not permitted by protocol.", The Lantern answered flatly, rubbing the back of his head in both shame and pain, from the struggle.

Hal looked back, sneering at the doorway of which the larger Lantern had walked out.

"Yeah... alot of things don't seem to be, around here."

 

[Spike_x1]

"Superman, they're surrounding us again. Whatever you're looking for, you'd best find it soon."

As the Amazon fought valiently, Superman had to restrain himself from aiding her for the moment. Whatever the signal's wavelength was, it seemed to be just out of his sight. No matter how he focused his eyes' muscles, the signal was just an untraceable blur. "Damn," said the Man of Steel under his breath.

Then something else caught his attention. It was loud. Very loud. An aircraft was flying over Metropolis with a powerful engine. It was indeed strange, because no other air traffic was anywhere near the City of Tomorrow, probably taken down by the OMACs earlier, or warned to steer clear. And then the noise of the jet's engine was suddenly cut short, just before an explosion could be heard in the distance. Even without superhearing, one could hear the faint rumble over the buzzing of the hovering OMACs all around. Before Superman had the chance to try to spot the wreckage and any survivors, a glowing blue fist collided with his temple.

Feeling like a 'hot potato,' Superman was bounced from OMAC to OMAC, conserving his strength before finally swinging around and hitting one of the things in the jaw; not hard enough to harm the human inside, but enough to send the creature reeling away.

"Wonder Woman!" he yelled to his companion. "A jet just exploded over the Daily Planet building! I need you to see if there are any survivors who may have ejected. I'll hold these things off!" With that, Superman gave his attention back to the fight, firing arctic breath in a wide blast and hoping that Wonder Woman would be able to tell which of Metropolis' towers was the Daily Planet before too long.

 

[Andy C.]

As the Amazon fought valiently, Superman had to restrain himself from aiding her for the moment. Whatever the signal's wavelength was, it seemed to be just out of his sight. No matter how he focused his eyes' muscles, the signal was just an untraceable blur. "Damn," said the Man of Steel under his breath.

Then something else caught his attention. It was loud. Very loud. An aircraft was flying over Metropolis with a powerful engine. It was indeed strange, because no other air traffic was anywhere near the City of Tomorrow, probably taken down by the OMACs earlier, or warned to steer clear. And then the noise of the jet's engine was suddenly cut short, just before an explosion could be heard in the distance. Even without superhearing, one could hear the faint rumble over the buzzing of the hovering OMACs all around. Before Superman had the chance to try to spot the wreckage and any survivors, a glowing blue fist collided with his temple.

Feeling like a 'hot potato,' Superman was bounced from OMAC to OMAC, conserving his strength before finally swinging around and hitting one of the things in the jaw; not hard enough to harm the human inside, but enough to send the creature reeling away.

"Wonder Woman!" he yelled to his companion. "A jet just exploded over the Daily Planet building! I need you to see if there are any survivors who may have ejected. I'll hold these things off!" With that, Superman gave his attention back to the fight, firing arctic breath in a wide blast and hoping that Wonder Woman would be able to tell which of Metropolis' towers was the Daily Planet before too long.

Dear Gods. So far the OMAC creatures had seemed more interested in capture rather than killing, but this...

I send the mechanical beasts scattering in my wake as I speed towards the falling wreckage. Merciful Hera, don't let me be too late.

I arrive in seconds, shards of glass raining down into the empty streets as the sonic boom behind me shatters windows. Normally I'd be more careful about collateral damage, but all things considered, a little glass is the last thing the people of Metropolis should be worrying about.

The pieces of debris from the plane are too small to pose any serious damage below, but that makes it all the more likely that whoever is aboard didn't survive. I may be searching only for corpses, but-

"There."

Swooping down around the Daily Planet building, there is a man clad in black. He uses his cape as a sort of glider, and steers himself to the building's ledge with a grappling line. While he does not appear to have some of the gifts with which Superman and myself are blessed, he moves with exceptional agility and grace.

He spots me, and I get a look at his mask. Pointed ears on each side, like a demon...

...or a bat.

That's when I remember something I had gleaned from my first mission to America, a rumor of some sort of vigilante in the nearby city of Gotham, a man who used bats as his symbol.

"So the stories about Gotham City's 'Batman' are true," I call out to him, "and I'm assuming that plane was yours. Are you hurt?"

 

[Batman]

ULTIMATE

I tug on the line and dive, allowing both the gravity and cable to do most of the work for me. It sends me into a downwards arc, one of which I put to a cease as I grind my boots on the side of the Daily Planet's top floor ledge. Can't waste time with this. Especially given that while Gotham was hit with a pretty bad wave of OMACs, in this city it could be much worse. One of them could spring on me at any second.

Quickening a short climb, I roll onto the roof area, and turn, viewing the explosion site. Most of the OMACs fall, though they don't seem critically injured. Which leaves me relieved, even though I had hoped to at least cripple them for a temporary time. At least enough to allow me a strategy.

My fist tightens, upon that thought, as my head lowers.

What strategy? What in the hell did I possibly hope to accomplish by coming here, in the first place? I've faced overwhelming... perhaps, even impossible odds before. And never had I needed reason to doubt myself in those times. But this? It begs the age old question that I probably should've asked myself long ago: How far can any mere mortal be thrusted upon greatness, before he realises there may not be a choice left?

A gust of wind, as I turn around. And out of the sky, the answer to my predicament presents itself in... quite the bizarre form. Infact, it takes me a moment to realise what's happened. But upon a moment's glare... she becomes much more evident.

"So the stories about Gotham City's 'Batman' are true," , She greets, much to my shock.

The woman defies gravity. I had heard the tales... maybe even the fictions of a flying man that had been sighted high above Metropolis' structures before. But a woman? I can't say I expected that. Much less imagined any such tales were true, gender ignored.

I was mistaken. Guess I really haven't seen everything...

"and I'm assuming that plane was yours. Are you hurt?"

Instincts are beginning to scream into my brain. One such action tells me to reach into the belt and down her with a Batarang. Another tells me to snare her with a bola line. And I don't even know why, at first. While admittedly captivated by both her beauty and... the more obvious reason, I see no potential threat in her prescence. But then again, I thought the same of Harvey Dent, better known now to be Two-Face...

Either way, she hasn't attempted to kill me. Yet. I'll take the chance that it's coming...

"-No,", I hesitantly respond. "The blast was contained enough to only weaken a handful of the sentients that attacked me. Which I'm assuming they are what you're opposing?"

 

[Andy C.]

"-No,", I hesitantly respond. "The blast was contained enough to only weaken a handful of the sentients that attacked me. Which I'm assuming they are what you're opposing?"

"Trying to, at least," I say, looking back at the swarm. For the moment, they seem more concerned with Superman than me, which should buy me a few seconds.

As I float downwards to land, standing with him on common grounds, I can see a certain narrowing of his eyes, a tenseness in his stance. It hardly occurred to me that someone like the Batman would be unused to the supernatural. Then again, I suppose that living on an island where the supernatural occurred every day made one less aware of how special it was.

"I'm glad to see you are unharmed, but we don't have much time. These creatures are being controlled by someone or something they call 'Brainiac.' We're doing what we can to hold them off, but unless we can locate their source, this may be a losing battle. If you've got anything that can help us, we'd welcome it."

He shifts slightly; evidently, he was unaware that I am not alone. I look back to the swirling cloud of OMACs above, and to the man at the center of them, fighting desperately.

"You've...never actually met Superman before, have you?"

 

[Batman]

ULTIMATE

"Trying to, at least," I say, looking back at the swarm. For the moment, they seem more concerned with Superman than me, which should buy me a few seconds.

As I float downwards to land, standing with him on common grounds, I can see a certain narrowing of his eyes, a tenseness in his stance. It hardly occurred to me that someone like the Batman would be unused to the supernatural. Then again, I suppose that living on an island where the supernatural occurred every day made one less aware of how special it was.

"I'm glad to see you are unharmed, but we don't have much time. These creatures are being controlled by someone or something they call 'Brainiac.' We're doing what we can to hold them off, but unless we can locate their source, this may be a losing battle. If you've got anything that can help us, we'd welcome it."

He shifts slightly; evidently, he was unaware that I am not alone. I look back to the swirling cloud of OMACs above, and to the man at the center of them, fighting desperately.

"You've...never actually met Superman before, have you?"

I stop on her last sentence, preparing a response to her other questions. But the mention of a certain name throws me off guard, to a degree... Superman. The supposed "Nazi" Superman. The flying man of Metropolis. Apparentally not only is he real, but he's against the OMAC's seige aswell, along with this rather mysterious woman in her own right. This grows ever the stranger of a situation by the second.

But she's right. Time is of the essence, and I'm starting to think that both she and this "Superman", could be of some use. I best ignore the impossibilites, and stick with what I came here to accomplish.

"So I've heard,", I mention, not particuarly interested, but at least acknowledging his figure in the skies, before shifting my focus back to her. "And your knowledge of Brainiac is a bit ill-timed, on my part. One of the sentients mentioned such a name, during an attack in Gotham. It also mentioned 'OMAC', which is what they're calling themselves."

I turn, and look to the skies.

"From what I've been able to piece together, the OMACs are being controlled through a singulary radio signal of unknown origin from somewhere above Metropolis. It's why I'm here.". I continue, draping my cape around me as I face her again. "The signal, if cut off from it's source, could potentially shut down the commands being recieved through the sentients. I'm not entirely sure if it can work, or how reliant they are of their commands from 'Brainiac', but it's the best theory I, and apparentally we've got, right now."

I look out at the skies again, towards Superman, then at the woman again. I practically feel like I'm going in circles.

"But, then again, I don't know what exactly have you've managed to learn about them yourselves. Is there any way you could try and garner his attention?"