The "Ultimate Marvel" RPG Season III

[Cyrusbales]

NIGHTCRAWLER

Yet again, the young blue mutant found himself in the med lab. Waking up, breaking free of the nightmarish grip that had been ensnaring his dreams for weeks now. He was unaware of what had happened since Longshot broke in.

The lab was empty, no Moira, no one. He wandered through the halls to see someone that he had not expected to.

“Jean?”

Standing there frozen on the spot in curiosity, how could she be alive he thought? So much had happened lately, but this? How?

 

[Noon]

The war room is empty, the computers blinking silently. I squeeze my hand into my jean pocket and pull out the crumpled scrap of paper. I gently smooth it out and run a finger over the faded letters.

If you need me:

806-306-92

Logan.

I take another deep breath through my nose. Lately, my borrowed powers have been fading, I can't really trust it can I?

But that scent, it was her, but somehow it was wrong. I must be imagining things. But I have to know, he should know too.

I go over to the comm. system and bring up the screen to page his specially designed communication device, one number for any type of message, voice, e-mail, or a simple page. I begin typing.

It's Jean. She's back. Ali

Short and sweet, I know the old man will appreiciate that.

The cursor hovers for a moment over the button while I consider. Then I click, Send.

 

[Venom160]

"I said clean everyone up. We'll get this figured out soon enough."

I still don't like this, its way to convenient. We're at our most vulnerable and suddenly Rogue and Gambit return and Jean comes back from the dead! I watch as Scott gently lifts Jean off the ground and heads for the mansion. I look down at the unconcious Gambit and Rogue.

"You two better not be out to betray us. After everything thats happened I don't think any of us has much restraint left."

I sling one over each shoulder and carry them toward the mansion.

Fifteen mins later.....

Gamit and Rogue now occupy hosptial beds beside the Professor. I look over to see Moria checking Jean's vitals.

"This just isnt possible, how could you have survived? And where have you been for all this time?"

Scott shoots a look at Moira.

"That doesnt matter right now, onlt that shes back."

Moira doesnt say anything else as turns away from them and walks toward me.

"Warren could you follow me to Charles's office, I need to talk to you."

I take a seat in one of the chairs infront of the Professor's desk as Moira takes a seat behind it. Taking a guess at what she wants to talk about I open my mouth and start first.

"I don't believe this is the real Jean. I saw Jean die, we all did! Theres no way she could've survived!"

Moira just nodes her head.

"I agree, but thats not what I wanted to talk to you about."

I look at her completely confused.

"Then what did you wanna talk about?"

"Your Dad's call."

Anger quickly takes hold as I get up and head to the door.

"Look no offense Moira but I could give a ***** what my old man has to say!"

I reach for the door knob.

"Its your mother, she...she died."

 

[Matt Murdock]

​

I am now just a shell of a man. Lost within my own mind, I am only able to muster up the strength to say one thing.

"S-smokestack...Carnage...Venom...fire...the phoenix...Mary Jane...smokestack..."

Scarlet Spider can interrogate me all he wants, but I couldn't answer him even if I wanted to.

All I can do is repeat, "S-smokestack...Carnage...Venom...fire...the phoenix...Mary Jane...smokestack..."

The Scarlet Spider Chapter 63

The Clone Saga
Part XXIII

​

"Well, I can tell this is going to be boring." I say, tapping a few buttons on a control panel on the wall.

Ten television monitors slide down from the ceiling, each divided into four sections. Each section displays a room full of clones.

"I hate to crush your dreams and torture you all in one day, Miles, but it's just about that time."

The lights in the chamber flicker as a faint hum rings through the building. The walls in the chambers being to glow blue and rattle.

The clones stand at attention.

"Well, at least you trained them well."

The walls shake violently, as the electrical circuits in them nearly overload.

"Say, bye-bye, Miles."

The chamber goes dark, illuminated only by the faint glow of the television sets. The sound of a massive explosion tears through the abandoned laboratories and the tv screens glow blue, fade to black, and then turn to static.

The lights slowly return to normal and I strap Warren down even tighter.

"Moving on to the second portion of tonight's festivities, I'd like to present you with the one..."

I flick a switch on the wall and robotic polls slide down from the ceiling. The metal bed that Miles is sitting on opens up, so that he's taken the same pose as Da Vinci's " Vitruvian Man." The polls bend to align themselves along the outline of Warren's body, except for along his head and face.

"The only..."

I press another switch and hundreds of needles slide out from the polls, only an inch away from Warren's skin. A final hole slides out of the ceiling and a massive metal canister, complete with a very... very... large needle slides down from the hole.

"Modern Iron Maiden! Not sure if that's what you call it, but that's what I'm calling this baby." I start expounding on the device's design. "So, as far as I can tell, you altered a dialysis machine to draw the blood of a living being out drop by drop. Then the blood was lead through an intricate network of tubes and dumped in that canister. The blood flows down through that needle, and back into the heart of the being, ensuring that the creature doesn't die."

I run my hand along the edge of the metal and tap the needle that is meant to go into the heart. I see the look of sheer terror on Jackal's face.

"How long would it take for someone to die if, say, the needle was broken off, ensuring that the person's blood would leave their body drop..."

I lean over and whisper in Warren's ear.

"...by drop... by drop."

I stand straight up, and wrap my hand around the needle. I tug it slightly and it comes off of the cheaply made canister.

"See ya later, Miles."

I cover the bottom of the canister in webbing and walk over to the wall. I tap a green button and the needles puncture Warren's skin.

I hear the faint dripping sound and Warren's moans as I walk out of the room. I web the doorway and cover it with debris.

I walk through the abandoned corridor towards the far window, leading straight into the parking lot. The foundation of the building shakes and ceiling panels fall.

I sprint forward straight for the window. My spider-sense warns me of danger coming from the parking lot. I hesitate, but sprint straight through it. As I fall through the air, I see Peter Parker and the other clones fighting Harry Osborn.

I land in the scuffle of it all and look to Peter.

"Pete! I need your help! I think we can save MJ!"

 

[Feature]

FLINT MARKO: THE SANDMAN
Season III - Part 44

Just as Flint is closing in on his prey, the entire building rumbles. Everyone stops in their tracks for a moment. A loud crashing sound accompanied the rumbling. The noise came from down the hall...

"Keep this freak busy for a minute, boys!" Hammerhead shouts as he dashes into an adjacent hallway. He shuts a thick metal door behind him.

Before Flint can attempt to break the door down, he is surrounded by an army of men wearing green leotards and fishbowls.

​

"Come on, freak! Let's see you solve this puzzle!" The men all shout in unison.

A bright strobing light begins flashing as the men swarm around Flint. Several small shocks jolt Flint's body as he swings his arms wildly. Strangely, his hardened fists pass right through his attackers. A green gas is sprayed in his face and Flint begins to feel as though he may pass out. Then, without warning, the attack stops. The gas is gone, as is the bright strobing light.

A few feet away, Flint sees one of the fishbowl-headed men laying on the ground. The real Mysterio. Standing above him, holding a chain in one hand, is Johnny Blaze: The Ghost Rider.

"Get a move on, Sandy." The Ghost Rider growls. "I'll take it from here."

Flint smiles and transforming into a cloud of dust, slides beneath the heavy steel door Hammerhead took.

Although Flint is unaware of it, his other teammates have also arrived. Including Sharon Carter.​

 

[Byrd Man]

The four Thunderbolts walk down the dank hallway. The rider had his chain wrapped around his arm, Forge and Sharon with guns in their hands while Black Cat had only herself as the weapon.

"Alright, people. Let's split up."

"Sounds like plan, Fred. You and Daphne go one way while Scooby and I go another."

"No, usally splitting up is a death sentence, but all of us are capable of handling our own. So quit *****ing and find Marko."

They all go their seperate ways, a few moments after walking is when the rider hears it.

"Come on, freak! Let's see you solve this puzzle!"

Somewhere off in the distance, a man is heard laughing and a smell of gas goes through the air.

"Oh hell."

Ghost Rider runs as fast as he can and knocks down a steel door to see Flint wriggling on the ground while a man with a fishbowl on his head laughs.

A well placed punch knocks the fishbowl man on his ass. Flint looks up at Ghost Rider with a curious look on his face.

"Get a move on, Sandy." The Ghost Rider growls. "I'll take it from here."

Flint smiles and turns into a dust cloud, going underneath a heavy door.

"GR to T-Bolts, GR to T-Bolts. Operation: Enter Sandman is complete, I repeat the cat's in the cradle, the hay has been bailed."

"What the hell are you talking about, Johnny?"

"When did we decide on all this secret talk?"

"English, Mother ****er. Do you speak it?"


The rider grumbles a little as he shrugs his shoulders.

"Yeah, Carter. I can. Your boy Flint is heading somewhere upstairs. He's back in Sandman mode."

"Get off me, Freak!"

Ghost Rider looks down at the fishbowl headed man.

"Look here, sonny. I want to know everything you did to Flint and why you did it. Because I'm gonna do double to you, just because I feel like it."

"Go to hell!"

The rider softly chuckles as he wraps the chain around Mysterio's head. Cracking the fishbowl and revealing the man underneath.

"I've been to hell already, I found it very....liberating. I learned quite a few good techniques on torture. Care to see?"

The horror overwhelms Mysterio, as he screams. The distinct smell of urine fills the air.

"Ahh, Oh god. HELP ME! GOD HAVER MERCY!"

"God? You're talking to the wrong guy, pal."

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

 

[Eddie Brock]

EPILOGUE

I lie on the table in pain. I failed, both as a man of science and a human being. I went too far. I merely started out trying to clone Spider-Man so that we could better understand his DNA. From there, we could crack the Super-Soldier code, and thus improve our army. But somewhere down the line, my work became an obsession. Each failure moved me closer to insanity until finally I was trying to create a clone army.

And to what purpose? I'm not fit to rule the world, and I'm certainly not a conquerer. Why would I do this? The only explanation is the OZ. It's a dangerous substance, and I shouldn't have ever taken it from Osborn. Regardless of the crap I was put through with him, I stole, and that went against my morals. And then, I somehow tried the OZ on myself. Look where it got me. I almost killed innocent people...that poor girl, Mary Jane...I only hope they can find her in time. What have I done?

That's when Miles walks in.

"Miles, help me," I plead. He walks over to the controls. One flip of the switch, and I could be freed from this torture. But he doesn't touch the controls.

"You have served your purpose, clone," he tells me. "Remember our agreement? You were to face the Spiders. And so you did, and you did well...all things considered."

I beg him, "Miles, get me out of here. The pain is too much."

"Trust me, I'd love to. You've been an obedient clone, and you should be rewarded. But your job is not quite over yet. SHIELD is on their way, and I need you to take the fall for me," he instructs.

"I...I don't understand," I say.

He explains, "SHIELD is going to want to capture me. I did make a clone army illegally, remember? I have committed many crimes in the name of science, clone. That's where you come in. They'll capture you, and I will be free to gain my strength back until I can make another strike."

He hasn't changed at all. Here, all I want is to repent for my sins, and he's ready to commit more atrocities. And he wants me to cover for him!

"I don't feel comfortable with this, Miles," I tell him. He laughs a little.

"Don't worry about it. We're going to wipe that mind of yours. Tonight's events will be a blur in your memory, and you'll be back to our old self," he responds.

I confess, "But our old self is a psychopathic murderer!"

He shakes his head. "I was afraid you'd feel that way. Well, no matter...after the mindwipe, you'll see it my way."

"Tell me one thing, Miles," I reply, "Will you come back for me?"

He doesn't respond. He only laughs. Then he sticks a needle into my arm, and everything goes black...

THE END?
​

 

[Batman]

"No fair. I only have Mjolnir and while it is a fine weapon that can tame many a unruly monster, it is no rocket booster."

Thor gave chase to Iron Man over the New York skyline, following close behind his armor clad compatriot.

"So, my friend. How has life been for you lately? Odin been giving you a fair hand....well, more fair than usual."

While Tony put up a emotional defense on par with his armor, the God of Thunder could tell there was something bothering him underneath.

Tony's eyes uneasily shifted, beneath the plated visors of his helmet, at the question he had recieved from the Thunder God. As cool as he had played it... and as careful as he had played it, upon recieving the less than spectacular news of his own imminent demise, he could tell he wasn't fooling Thor for a second. Every time the golden locked bastard spoke, it felt like he was speaking into a man's soul. And that part made Tony question something else that had been bothering him... was he even dying with a soul to begin with?

The past few years had been thrilling. Incredible, even. But even with the countless lives he had saved, and the numerous times he had aided in saving the world, was it truly enough to make up for the times he had let the others down? Was Tony Stark's own thirty-pieces of silver, ironically enough... still the question of whether or not he was more man than Iron Man?

Iron Man's shell shifted upwards, as it began a target lock on the power plant that lied just ahead. With a boost of his rockets, the Armored Avenger flew forward, but not before turning back around, and answering the question.

"As if you have to ask...", Iron Man began, before doing a rather impressive jolt forward, the exhaust trail of his rockets leaving Thor a mere spec of light behind him as he flew past the Empire State Building, turned, and rocketed back towards the son of Odin, looping back into a hover and facing him.

"Spectacularly, as it always has. Wealth, women, fame, an overstocked wine cabinet... women. What more could a man of my calibar truly ask for?", Iron Man asked rhetorically, his own lie seeping and eating away at the skin beneath his armor like a plague.

 

[Eddie Brock]

EPILOGUE
​

My wound starts to hurt badly, and I feel myself becoming woozy. I must be blacking out from the blood loss...

I wake up in a SHIELD facility. That's just great. Maybe getting SHIELD involved wasn't a great idea after all...Fury will probably give me some crap about how I'm an illegal genetic mutation or something.

"How's the wound doing?"

Speak of the devil. I turn around to see Nick Fury.

"I've had worse."

He comes over and pulls up a chair. He sits down next to me. He's holding a file.

"Let me guess, you're here to inform me that I'm going to have to stay in SHIELD custody. I'm an illegal genetic mutation, and therefore, I am not allowed to roam free."

He laughs. "You'd think so, wouldn't you? No, Jessica - that's what you call yourself, right? I don't want to ruin everything you've got going for you. You're finally making your own way in the world. Hell, I even heard that you've got a little girlfriend."

I turn to him with a confused look on my face. "How did you know about Debra?"

"Jessica, are you forgetting that SHIELD is the top espionage agency in the world? We've known about you ever since you were spotted during that Gah Lak Tus fiasco. Now, tell me...if we knew about you that long, why would we wait to detain you?"

I shake my head.

"The answer is because we were never planning to. Listen, Jessica, you've got a tough road ahead of you now. You have no distinguishable family, and very limited friends - no offense. Life's not easy for a clone."

"What are you suggesting, Fury?" I ask, still unsure of what's going on.

Fury opens up the file. He starts handing me legal documents. A birth certificate with the name "Jessica Drew", dental records for "Jessica Drew", school records for "Jessica Drew"...

"What is this?"

"You want to be Jessica Drew? In this file, we have collected every legal document necessary to make Jessica Drew a reality. If I enter these records into the system, Jessica Drew begins to exist in the eyes of the government."

"What's the catch, Fury?"

"Look, I'm offering you something you desperately want - a life of your own. In return, I need something from you."

"Get to the point," I reply. I'm getting anxious and a little scared.

Nick opens a box, and inside there's a cloth version of my costume.

"Jessica, what do you know about the Ultimates?"

 

[Mr. Marko]

Agent Carter had headed after Flint, which left the rest of the team on the ground floor. "Guys, I could use some backup here. Things could get ugly."

"Got it, Carter. I'll be right-"

Suddenly, a blast hit Forge hard, knocking him several feet through the air and into the wall. Dazed, he picked himself up to find a man in a purple jacket. "Where you think you're goin' kid?"

Forge brushed himself off and chuckled. "I'm sorry...we're new around here. We're the Thunderbolts, I'm not sure if we've properly met."

"The name's Shocker. I don't reckon you'll be forgetting it anytime soon." He fired his blasters at Forge again. This time, however, Forge was ready. He threw up his forcefield, absorbing the blast. Suddenly, a very real fear wiped across Shocker's face.

Forge grinned. "Nice toys. You like to see some of my own?" He flicked open a hatch on the side of his bicep, revealing a small rocket launcher.

"Oh s***..."

Forge chuckled a bit to himself. "See ya." With a blast, the rocket fired, hurling toward the Shocker. Right before it was about to strike, the rocket broke apart, revealing an energy-net.

In one swift movement, the Shocker was completely powerless and struggling on the floor, unable to escape the green energy that was encasing him.

Forge walked up to him and ripped the wrist-bound shockers from the struggling man. "You like the net? I was playing Mortal Kombat 3 a while back and thought I might try making that yellow robot's net. (I'm a big fan of the classics) I think it turned out rather well!" Forge stopped for a moment. "What was that robot's name again?"

"You little b****rd! Let me out of here!" Shocker struggled angrily.

"No wait, its on the tip of my tounge." Forge started snapping his fingers, trying to remember. "Dammit! I know this! I was just playing it last week!"

"Are you serious?!" Shocker couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Forge looked down at him. "Do you remember?"

Suddenly, his commlink crackled. "Found a room full of goons out here, but I took care of them. Johnny. Forge. Where are you?"

Forge snapped out of his confusion. "I'm on my way to the second level. I just got caught up by some riff-raff." He turned back to Shocker. "I've gotta run."

Forge ran toward the stairwell.

Shocker yelled angrily as he struggled under the green glow of the energy net. "It was Cyrax, you moron!"

Forge snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah! Thanks!" He headed up the stairs in a full sprint. "I can't believe I forgot that!"

 

[Mr. Marko]

"Hey. I've still got no money from you yet, why the hell should I even trust you yet?"

Magneto shook his head. The fool wouldn't recognize opportunity if it smacked him in the face. "Ah, yes. Your payment. You'll have to forgive the tardiness. Planning to take over the world is a taxing affair, and sometimes things fall through the cracks." He held his hand, and a briefcase flew into his hand. With a smile, he handed it to Longshot.

Longshot cracked open the case to find more money than he had seen in a very long time.

"$10 Million. All in unmarked bills, as promised." Magneto paused for a moment. "Now, Longshot. Apparently we got off on the wrong foot. I understand your uneasiness on trusting my Brotherhood, but I assure you that we have your best intrests in mind. After destruction falls upon New York City and the heroes that so often hinder our affairs, mutantkind will take its rightful place as the future rulers of this planet. With a man of your ability, you have to potential to be a great leader and ruler of this New World." He once again turned Longshot toward the world. "I think that, in time, you will see that what I have to offer is much more valuable than mere currency. I can give you power that you have never dreamed of."

***********************************************

Multiple Man and Chameleon left the broadcast room, chuckling to each other. Chameleon once again took on the image of Magneto. "Good day, citizens of Earth!"

Multiple Man laughed out loud. "I can't wait to see the news tonight. I bet Nick Fury is going to s*** his pants when he sees that."

Chameleon chuckled. "Did Magneto ever say why he wanted me to do the broadcast instead of him personally? Its not like him to pass up threatening the entire human race for mere business."

Multiple Man shrugged. "No, but he was pretty adament that you do it." He threw his arm around Chameleon. "You're making your way up in the ranks, my man!"

"You really think so?"

"Positive. If you want my advice though, I'd steer clear of that Electro guy. With all the politics flowing around the Brotherhood these days, the last thing you need is to be associated with the guy who is here to repay his debts to mutantkind."

Repay his debts? The words sat uneasy with Chameleon. What did that mean? It was obvious that something was going on here. Something more than he was aware of at first. He needed to talk to Max. "Listen, I'm gonna go have a shower. Its been a long few days."

"Hey, no problem. Take it easy."

Chameleon walked down the hall toward Max's quarters, needing answers.

 

[Mr. Marko]

Cyclops leaned over Jean's silent body, ignoring the now concious Nightcrawler. He stared at her face as he ran his fingers through her firey red hair. He never thought this day would come. He wispered almost silently to her as she slept. "I thought I'd lost you..."

Softly, she opened her eyes and looked at Cyclops. "Scott..."

He touched her face softly, drawing a smile out of her. "Welcome back."

Jean smiled, then looked over at Gambit and Rogue's bodies. "Are they okay?"

Scott looked over at them, then back at Jean. "They'll be fine." He cleared his throat, unsure of how to say what he was about to say.

"Its okay, Scott. I know what you're thinking. It shouldn't be possible. I died." She began to cry softly, obviously remembering what had happened to her.

Scott held her tightly. "Its okay. You're here, and that's all that matters now." The two sat together for a moment, then pulled apart again.

"No, Scott. Its not okay." There was fear in her eyes.

Suddenly, Kitty ran into the Med-Lab. "Cyclops! You've gotta see this! We're all in huge trouble!"

**************************************************

"Any mutants who attempt to stand against us will be dealt with as traitors, for they are as such. There is no warning. We only offer this as a chance to prepare to meet your maker."

Kitty folded her arms as he looked at the recording as it played back. "I can only assume he's talking about us."

Cyclops turned to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Jean, Gambit said that you were with Magneto. I need to know what he was talking about."

Madelyne remembered the story Avalanche had given her to follow. "I don't remember alot of it. I'll try, though." She sat down on the couch. "The explosion...that day with Apocalypse...it was an illusion put up by the Phoenix."

Scott stared at her. "What?"

"The energy that was flowing through us all...the Phoenix force had taken me over completely. I couldn't control anything...but it could." She stared off into space for a moment, then continued. "It killed the baby...but kept me alive. For a long while, I laid there in the rubble, screaming in pain as you walked away...tricked by the Phoenix's illusion.

"I was there for a long time...until Magneto came back. He rescued me. He helped me recover."

"Magneto? Wait, you've been with Magneto?"

"Kitty, he helped me. For his own personal reasons for out of respect of mutantkind I can't tell, but its because of him that I recovered." She looked over at Cyclops. "Rogue felt that she had nowhere to go, and the Brotherhood just recently found Gambit after being attacked by some street thugs."

Cyclops looked off into space for a long time, thinking over what he had just heard. "How did you get here?"

"While in the Savage Land, I learned of Magneto's plan to attack the Triskelion and kill the Ultimates." She stopped for a moment, looking past Scott's ruby-quartz glasses. "Scott, he has an army ready to storm New York City on his command! We have to stop him!"

Scott nodded stearnly. "Do you know when he's planning his attack?"

Madelyne nodded. "Next weekend."

Scott stood up. "Good. Then we have enough time to prepare."

 

[Cyrusbales]

"Hey. I've still got no money from you yet, why the hell should I even trust you yet?"

Magneto shook his head. The fool wouldn't recognize opportunity if it smacked him in the face. "Ah, yes. Your payment. You'll have to forgive the tardiness. Planning to take over the world is a taxing affair, and sometimes things fall through the cracks." He held his hand, and a briefcase flew into his hand. With a smile, he handed it to Longshot.

Longshot cracked open the case to find more money than he had seen in a very long time.

"$10 Million. All in unmarked bills, as promised." Magneto paused for a moment. "Now, Longshot. Apparently we got off on the wrong foot. I understand your uneasiness on trusting my Brotherhood, but I assure you that we have your best intrests in mind. After destruction falls upon New York City and the heroes that so often hinder our affairs, mutantkind will take its rightful place as the future rulers of this planet. With a man of your ability, you have to potential to be a great leader and ruler of this New World." He once again turned Longshot toward the world. "I think that, in time, you will see that what I have to offer is much more valuable than mere currency. I can give you power that you have never dreamed of."

***********************************************

[BLACKOUT]LONGSHOT[/BLACKOUT]

Trust was something that Longshot would never give out. Greed on the other hand, now that seemed like a plan.

"Well what exactly do you need me for if you're so high 'n' mighty?"

Mangneto was becoming increasingly impatient with this annoying man for whom life came so easily.

 

[Saved]

Southeast Asia

Blackheart stands on the top of a hill, looking down on a small village. He watches as the villagers move about their lives, unknowing of his presence. Normally, Blackheart would find amusement in this, but not today. Today, Blackheart feels fear. After his last encounter with the Ghost Rider, he became cursed. Now, death’s rules apply. Blackheart can no longer respawn in Hell if he dies; now he will go to heaven. And he is sure HE will not be happy to see him. Blackheart looks over the village, and to the distant hills and mountains. His prey is here somewhere, but he knows not where.

“Thanks a lot, dad. Sending me on a hunt for a prey that is much stronger than I. Especially when my immortality is compromised. No matter. I will succeed, and I will locate Chthon. It is just a matter of finding him.”

A small breeze blows through the area. Blackheart smells the air, and lets out a sigh.

“Ah, I smell him. He is here. The only problem is finding his exact hiding place. That damn demon can mask himself with the earth. Making finding him near impossible!”

Blackheart jumps into the air, and starts to fly toward the mountains. He flies over the village, and the villagers see him. They scream and run in fear, as Blackheart ignores them. He no longer has time for pleasure and games. He must focus, and complete his mission. As he reaches the hills, he stops.

“This could take forever. But not if I have company.”

Blackheart turns to smoke. As the smoke begins to separate, it forms into three clouds. The clouds form back into a figure, and soon three identical Blackhearts hover over the grassy hills.

“Ah. Hello there men. Well, I am sure I need not brief you. Now go, and find him!”

The others nod in agreement, and fly off in separate directions. The one Blackheart stays, and hovers for a minute. He looks at the mountaintops, and smiles.

“You can only hide from me for so long, Chthon. But you can never hide from my father’s will.”

Blackheart flies straight for the mountains, and leaves a small trail of ash behind him as he flies. Another breeze blows over the hills, and the roses flow with the wind. When the wind stops, a drop of blood falls from the flowers. Clouds begin to roll in over the area, and the air becomes cold. There is evil here, and its existence is not concealed.

 

[Matt Murdock]

The Scarlet Spider Chapter 64

The Clone Saga
Part XXIV

​

"Parker! Hello?!" I scream. It's obvious that he can't hear me over all of the commotion. I can barely make him and the others out, they've managed to get quite far away from the building.

I hear the hum of a helicopter and a spotlight slides over both the others and me. It's then that I hear the typical law-enforcement rhetoric.

"As per orders of S.H.I.E.L.D, all Super-humans are commanded to stop moving and await their law-enforcement escorts. If anyone fails to comply with this order, we will be forced to fire on you.

I duck backwards out of the spotlight, but it follows me.

"Sorry, guys, but this is going to be one of those time that I 'fail to comply.'"

I sprint straight up the flaming wall of the OsCorp laboratories and backflip onto the underside of the chopper. I look down at the building and see fifty, maybe more, soldiers sprinting across the rooftop, getting ready to take Spider-Man and the others out.

From inside the helicopter, I hear the S.H.I.E.L.D agent muttering to his fellow agents.

"I have lost a visual on Tango-Omega. I repeat, Tango-omega is absent from the party."

I feel the helicopter lurch upwards as they continue looking for me. I glance back at the men on the building top. One
of the soldiers is on his shoulder-mounted walkie talkie.

I hear the agent in the helicopter, and my spider-sense warns me of danger. I leap from the helicopter's underside as bullets tear through it. I grab the landing strut and swing upward into the helicopter's main cabin.

The agent mutters some curse words, unloading his gun at me as I land in the chopper. I kick the feet out from that one particularly anxious agent and punch two who are behind me. I get ready to web the first agent in the face, but someone hits my shoulder.

The webbing shoots through the cabin, towards the cockpit. The pilot turns around.

"What in the blazes is going on ba--AGH!

His question is cut short as my webbing hits his face. It throws him backwards, into the joystick that controls the chopper's altitude. His head slams into the instrument panel and his body slumps over the joystick. The helicopter again lurches downwards. My spider-sense screams and I leap from the chopper, disregarding the other men inside it. I watch from mid-air as the chopper collides with the abandoned building and erupts into flame.

Several vans full of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents surround me, each of which has a man inside saying that I'm under arrest.

I leap into the air and into the city buildings.

I've got one thing on my mind, now. And that's saving Mary Jane.

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Tony's eyes uneasily shifted, beneath the plated visors of his helmet, at the question he had recieved from the Thunder God. As cool as he had played it... and as careful as he had played it, upon recieving the less than spectacular news of his own imminent demise, he could tell he wasn't fooling Thor for a second. Every time the golden locked bastard spoke, it felt like he was speaking into a man's soul. And that part made Tony question something else that had been bothering him... was he even dying with a soul to begin with?

The past few years had been thrilling. Incredible, even. But even with the countless lives he had saved, and the numerous times he had aided in saving the world, was it truly enough to make up for the times he had let the others down? Was Tony Stark's own thirty-pieces of silver, ironically enough... still the question of whether or not he was more man than Iron Man?

Iron Man's shell shifted upwards, as it began a target lock on the power plant that lied just ahead. With a boost of his rockets, the Armored Avenger flew forward, but not before turning back around, and answering the question.

"As if you have to ask...", Iron Man began, before doing a rather impressive jolt forward, the exhaust trail of his rockets leaving Thor a mere spec of light behind him as he flew past the Empire State Building, turned, and rocketed back towards the son of Odin, looping back into a hover and facing him.

"Spectacularly, as it always has. Wealth, women, fame, an overstocked wine cabinet... women. What more could a man of my calibar truly ask for?", Iron Man asked rhetorically, his own lie seeping and eating away at the skin beneath his armor like a plague.

Thor just floated there. Looking at Iron Man.

"If you say so, my friend. I will take your word. Shall we get back to the task at hand?"

Floating in the air over Times Square, the two were surprised to see the lights flicker back on.

"Well, it seems we were not needed after all."

But what was seen on the giant screen was even more disturbing than a powerless New York.

"Greetings, citizens of Earth."


"Over the past few years, mutants have been humiliated. We have been experimented upon, run to the ground, and even unwillingly used as assassin slaves by the U.S. Government."

Pictures of Weapon X flashed across the screen. Pictures of mutants being experimented upon.

"As mutants have tried to find their place in society, the organization known as SHIELD has sent their robotic pets upon us, killing us off as if rodents in the night.

May this be a warning to all those who would repress the progression of Homo Superior: your end is nigh. Nick Fury and his Ultimates will be the first victim of our evolutionary wrath, with many more soon thereafter. Any mutants who attempt to stand against us will be dealt with as traitors, for they are as such. There is no warning. We only offer this as a chance to prepare to meet your maker."

Thor and Iron Man just floated, not a word spoken between them.

"Maybe we should go to the Triskelion?"

 

[Venom160]

I take a seat in one of the chairs infront of the Professor's desk as Moira takes a seat behind it. Taking a guess at what she wants to talk about I open my mouth and start first.

"I don't believe this is the real Jean. I saw Jean die, we all did! Theres no way she could've survived!"

Moira just nodes her head.

"I agree, but thats not what I wanted to talk to you about."

I look at her completely confused.

"Then what did you wanna talk about?"

"Your Dad's call."

Anger quickly takes hold as I get up and head to the door.

"Look no offense Moira but I could give a ***** what my old man has to say!"

I reach for the door knob.

"Its your mother, she...she died."

I don't know how long I stood there until Moira spoke again.

"Warren are you ok?"

I look over my shoulder.

"How....how did it happen?"

"During the Surfer invasion. An explosion at your parents mansion causing a column to fall on you mom, your Father said she went quickly."

As hard as I try I can't stop the tears from coming.

"The funeral will be in a couple of days, your father asked if you'd be there."

I simply node my head.

"Yeah I'll leave now."

"Warren if you want us to come with you we will."

I quickly shake my head.

"No we already got enough going on without me adding to it. Please tell them whats going on and I'll be back in a couple of days."

I quickly write down the number of my parent's mansion, atleast this is what I remember.

"If anything happens I'll be back here as quick as I can."

"Ok Warren but do you wanna talk about this?"

"No I'll be fine."

I quickly walk outta the office and head to my room. I quickly throw some clothes in a bag and sling it over my shoulder.

 

[Venom160]

The Scarlet Spider Chapter 64

The Clone Saga
Part XXIV

​

"Parker! Hello?!" I scream. It's obvious that he can't hear me over all of the commotion. I can barely make him and the others out, they've managed to get quite far away from the building.

I hear the hum of a helicopter and a spotlight slides over both the others and me. It's then that I hear the typical law-enforcement rhetoric.

"As per orders of S.H.I.E.L.D, all Super-humans are commanded to stop moving and await their law-enforcement escorts. If anyone fails to comply with this order, we will be forced to fire on you.

I duck backwards out of the spotlight, but it follows me.

"Sorry, guys, but this is going to be one of those time that I 'fail to comply.'"

I sprint straight up the flaming wall of the OsCorp laboratories and backflip onto the underside of the chopper. I look down at the building and see fifty, maybe more, soldiers sprinting across the rooftop, getting ready to take Spider-Man and the others out.

From inside the helicopter, I hear the S.H.I.E.L.D agent muttering to his fellow agents.

"I have lost a visual on Tango-Omega. I repeat, Tango-omega is absent from the party."

I feel the helicopter lurch upwards as they continue looking for me. I glance back at the men on the building top. One
of the soldiers is on his shoulder-mounted walkie talkie.

I hear the agent in the helicopter, and my spider-sense warns me of danger. I leap from the helicopter's underside as bullets tear through it. I grab the landing strut and swing upward into the helicopter's main cabin.

The agent mutters some curse words, unloading his gun at me as I land in the chopper. I kick the feet out from that one particularly anxious agent and punch two who are behind me. I get ready to web the first agent in the face, but someone hits my shoulder.

The webbing shoots through the cabin, towards the cockpit. The pilot turns around.

"What in the blazes is going on ba--AGH!

His question is cut short as my webbing hits his face. It throws him backwards, into the joystick that controls the chopper's altitude. His head slams into the instrument panel and his body slumps over the joystick. The helicopter again lurches downwards. My spider-sense screams and I leap from the chopper, disregarding the other men inside it. I watch from mid-air as the chopper collides with the abandoned building and erupts into flame.

Several vans full of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents surround me, each of which has a man inside saying that I'm under arrest.

I leap into the air and into the city buildings.

I've got one thing on my mind, now. And that's saving Mary Jane.

"As per orders of S.H.I.E.L.D, all Super-humans are commanded to stop moving and await their law-enforcement escorts. If anyone fails to comply with this order, we will be forced to fire on you.

I look at Peter and my fellow clones wondering what we should do. As much as I wanted to run for it the sight of Captain America stops me in my tracks. I quickly raise all six arms in the air.

"Um believe it or not this isnt our fault!"

 

[Spider-Man9X17]

Captain America charged the Hobgoblin, shield extended in front of him. Hobgoblin lifted his arms and brought a crushing double fisted strike down at the Sentinel of Liberty, hammering the metal disk. Cap braced himself and bent his knees on impact, cushioning the blow and distributing the force over his entire form. Springing upwards quickly, he pushed through Hobgoblin's arms and hit him square on the bottom of the chin with his shield, staggering the firey behemoth.

Spider-Man fired two weblines up at a nearby streetlight as Hobgoblin stummbled backward. Propelling himself upwards, he snagged a half crummbled wall and rocketed forward, kicking Hobgoblin in the base of the neck, sending his old friend spinning around and dropping him to one knee.

[BLACKOUT]"Heh, maybe this will be more of a challenge than I thought. Just that much more enjoyable."[/BLACKOUT]

Hobgoblin produced a fireball from each hand, slinging them both at Spider-Man. The webslinger managed to dodge each one, but was forced to let Hobgoblin out of his sight. As he twisted back around, Spider-Man was struck in the chest with a thunderous double fisted swing, sending Spider-Man back and into the outer wall of the main complex. He hit so hard that he left an outline of his form in the old concrete.

"Pete! I need your help! I think we can save MJ!"

"Yeah...just a bit busy right now."

 

[Saved]

The Scarlet Spider Chapter 64

The Clone Saga
Part XXIV​

"Parker! Hello?!" I scream. It's obvious that he can't hear me over all of the commotion. I can barely make him and the others out, they've managed to get quite far away from the building.

I hear the hum of a helicopter and a spotlight slides over both the others and me. It's then that I hear the typical law-enforcement rhetoric.

"As per orders of S.H.I.E.L.D, all Super-humans are commanded to stop moving and await their law-enforcement escorts. If anyone fails to comply with this order, we will be forced to fire on you.

I duck backwards out of the spotlight, but it follows me.

"Sorry, guys, but this is going to be one of those time that I 'fail to comply.'"

I sprint straight up the flaming wall of the OsCorp laboratories and backflip onto the underside of the chopper. I look down at the building and see fifty, maybe more, soldiers sprinting across the rooftop, getting ready to take Spider-Man and the others out.

From inside the helicopter, I hear the S.H.I.E.L.D agent muttering to his fellow agents.

"I have lost a visual on Tango-Omega. I repeat, Tango-omega is absent from the party."

I feel the helicopter lurch upwards as they continue looking for me. I glance back at the men on the building top. One
of the soldiers is on his shoulder-mounted walkie talkie.

I hear the agent in the helicopter, and my spider-sense warns me of danger. I leap from the helicopter's underside as bullets tear through it. I grab the landing strut and swing upward into the helicopter's main cabin.

The agent mutters some curse words, unloading his gun at me as I land in the chopper. I kick the feet out from that one particularly anxious agent and punch two who are behind me. I get ready to web the first agent in the face, but someone hits my shoulder.

The webbing shoots through the cabin, towards the cockpit. The pilot turns around.

"What in the blazes is going on ba--AGH!

His question is cut short as my webbing hits his face. It throws him backwards, into the joystick that controls the chopper's altitude. His head slams into the instrument panel and his body slumps over the joystick. The helicopter again lurches downwards. My spider-sense screams and I leap from the chopper, disregarding the other men inside it. I watch from mid-air as the chopper collides with the abandoned building and erupts into flame.

Several vans full of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents surround me, each of which has a man inside saying that I'm under arrest.

I leap into the air and into the city buildings.

I've got one thing on my mind, now. And that's saving Mary Jane.

Scorpion gets off the ground, and sees helicopters and SHIELD vans pulling up. He panics, and gets to his feet.

"As per orders of S.H.I.E.L.D, all Super-humans are commanded to stop moving and await their law-enforcement escorts. If anyone fails to comply with this order, we will be forced to fire on you."

Scorpion looks around, his adrenaline rushes all throughout his bloodstream.

"MJ...."

"Do you comply masked target?"

Scorpion stands ready. His tail waving in the air. He thinks for only a second, and stands still. Then, he suddenly makes a jump in the air, as he tries to escape.

"No! I have a more important mission than having you morons hold me up!"

"Open fire! Target Fi-Omega is fleeing the area. Repeat, target Fi-Omega is fleeing the area!"

Scorpion runs as fast as he can. He remembers MJ, and knows nothing can stop him. Suddenly, a barrage of bullets comes at him. Most deflect off his armor, but some pierce his hide. Scorpion still moves across the parking lot with tremendous speed. Suddenly, something flies through the air, and hits him in the back of the head. He falls to the ground completely unconcious. The object ricochets off the closest wall, and flies back from whence it came. SHIELD agents jump out of the vans and rush to apprehend him.

"My God! What is this?"

"Just another day in america. Thanks Cap. We owe you one."

They wave across the parking lot at Cap, who stays focused on the remaining targets. The SHIELD agents drag Scorpion onto one of the vans, and strap him down.

"We need this thing at the Triskelion now!"

The van rushes off down the roads toward the docks. Scorpion lies unconcious in the back of the van. His body held down with adamantium bars. Though he is not awake, he still tries to fight. Fight for the woman he loves. As the other agents inside hold him down, he whispers one thing.

"MJ....."

 

[Mr. Marko]

[blackout]LONGSHOT[/blackout]

Trust was something that Longshot would never give out. Greed on the other hand, now that seemed like a plan.

"Well what exactly do you need me for if you're so high 'n' mighty?"

Mangneto was becoming increasingly impatient with this annoying man for whom life came so easily.

"Well what exactly do you need me for if you're so high 'n' mighty?"

Magneto smiled at the boy, trying to mask his contempt for his pride. "Next weekend, we will be invading the Triskelion. I need someone to be the leader of the main troops."

Longshot scoffed. "Me? What about your little cronies? Blink? Toad?"

"They have their roles to play." Magneto knew he wasn't going to get anywhere if he didn't make him pledge his allegience now. He placed his hand on Longshot's shoulder. "My brother, I have laid forth my terms. If you feel they are not enough, I'm offering you this chance to name your price. Take it or leave it."

 

[Batman]

Thor and Iron Man just floated, not a word spoken between them.

"Maybe we should go to the Triskelion?"

Iron Man shrugged, particularly disinterested with Magneto's threat. As far as he was concerned, it was another day, and another whackjob threatening humanity. All in a day's work.

"Might aswell. I don't have another appointment until three.", Iron Man stated, before rocketing off into the sky, past Thor and above the city itself.

Wiring his communication network back to Stark Tower, Iron Man mentally commanded it open, signaling an alarm in the communication's grid in his office. Minutes later, Virgina "Pepper" Potts could be heard on the other line.

"You rang, Tony?"

"Pep? Be a doll and cancel all of my morning contractors. And while you're at it, tell the President I'll have to take a raincheck on that mid-noon WMD hunt."

"...If you say so. May I ask why?"

Tony smirked, beneath his helmet, as he took off into the sunrise.

"It's gonna be a hell of a long day."

 

[Noon]

I wander down into the lower levels with a beer I grabbed from the kitchen. I pop the cap off with one claw, the slink of it hitting the ground echoing down the deserted hallways.

"Where the hell did everybody go?"

I turn down another hallway toward the med lab when a door swishes open to my right. I turn and see Moira also going toward the med lab with a clip board.

"Hey Scottish, did you see where War went?"

"I'm afraid he had to leave"

"Leave, what do you mean leave?"

"A personal matter with his family, I'm sure he'll be back in a few days"

I growl and storm into the med lab, Moira right behind me. Anger grows in me like a knot at the thought of Warren leaving without a word. Screw 'im.

Kurt sits on a bed gawping at Jean, it seems she and Scott are sharing a touchy feely moment.

"Hey elf, don't look so surprised, she's only back from the dead."

Just can't get rid of this chick, I add in my head


Kitty is here too, looking pretty distressed.

"What's everyone worked up about, did I miss something?"

 

[Cyrusbales]

I wander down into the lower levels with a beer I grabbed from the kitchen. I pop the cap off with one claw, the slink of it hitting the ground echoing down the deserted hallways.

"Where the hell did everybody go?"

I turn down another hallway toward the med lab when a door swishes open to my right. I turn and see Moira also going toward the med lab with a clip board.

"Hey Scottish, did you see where War went?"

"I'm afraid he had to leave"

"Leave, what do you mean leave?"

"A personal matter with his family, I'm sure he'll be back in a few days"

I growl and storm into the med lab, Moira right behind me. Anger grows in me like a knot at the thought of Warren leaving without a word. Screw 'im.

Kurt sits on a bed gawping at Jean, it seems she and Scott are sharing a touchy feely moment.

"Hey elf, don't look so surprised, she's only back from the dead."

Just can't get rid of this chick, I add in my head


Kitty is here too, looking pretty distressed.

"What's everyone worked up about, did I miss something?"

NIGHTCRAWLER

"But.....we watched her die....Das ist nicht........how?"

Puzzlement filled the yellow eyes of this young mutant, to have cried over a lost one so much, only have them return? With everything that was happening later, not to mention the conflicts in his own mind, Kurt was most definately not ready for this.

 

[Venom160]

I don't know how long I stood there until Moira spoke again.

"Warren are you ok?"

I look over my shoulder.

"How....how did it happen?"

"During the Surfer invasion. An explosion at your parents mansion causing a column to fall on you mom, your Father said she went quickly."

As hard as I try I can't stop the tears from coming.

"The funeral will be in a couple of days, your father asked if you'd be there."

I simply node my head.

"Yeah I'll leave now."

"Warren if you want us to come with you we will."

I quickly shake my head.

"No we already got enough going on without me adding to it. Please tell them whats going on and I'll be back in a couple of days."

I quickly write down the number of my parent's mansion, atleast this is what I remember.

"If anything happens I'll be back here as quick as I can."

"Ok Warren but do you wanna talk about this?"

"No I'll be fine."

I quickly walk outta the office and head to my room. I quickly throw some clothes in a bag and sling it over my shoulder.

I quietly head for the stairs but stop at Ali's door. She deserves to know whats going on. I tap on the door.

"Hey Ali it's me."

Silence.

I open the door and see that its empty.

Damn I wanted to tell her in person but I don't time! Its gonna take me atleast a day to get there by wing.

I grab a scrap piece of paper and quickly explain what is going on.

...again im sorry I wasent able to tell you this in person. Moira has the number but if you'd like to come heres the address.

I quickly scribble down the address.

I left plenty of cash in my hiding spot for a plane ticket. Your prob mad at me so I just wanted to say im sorry and I hope you'll come.

I love you and I'll be back.

War.

I fold the paper and tape it to her door. I stealthly run down the stairs and slip out the door.