The "Ultimate Marvel" RPG Seasson II Game Thread

[Cyrusbales]

HAMMERHEAD

I grab the scrap of paper she hands me, then slide it into an inner jacket pocket. I bet if the professor were here, he still wouldn't help, but I might try again later, first I gotta collect what's mine from a few streets away.

Looking back through the door just before the dame closes it, I bid her a goodbye for now.

"See ya around, dollface."

I head out of the grounds and towards my next task, a fresh new cigar in hand as my only companion.

HAMMERHEAD

Upon entering the bar, I felt the atmosphere change, Ed sat-up on his stool, pausing in the middle of serving a customer. The place was even cheaper than I remembered it being. As people fell silent and drew in large stinking breaths, I approached the bar. The fella that Ed was serving didn't look like he was gonna move outta the way for me.

"He'll be with ya in a minute mate, he's jus' gettin me my drink"

I place my hand on his shoulder, moments later his crumpled up and battered body lays in the ruins of one of the tables.

Settling my hand on the bar, I sit myself down on a stool.

"Hello Ed, ya know why I'm here."

"Hey, I...I...I haven't got the money yet.....I need a little more time."

I shake my head and spread across a smile of disappointment.

"I only helped ya cause I liked ya. However, now I don't. We had an arrangement ya see. And YOU broke it."

Scurrying to the till, he lays down everything inside infront of me, with a cold beer for good measure.

"T...t....t...this is all I got now."

"Come here, closer Ed, after all we're associates..."

As he leans that ugly face in on me, my fist sends his unconscious body flying back to into the rack of bottles behind him, showering him in glass fragments.

"You know I'll be back for the rest...."

I stay in the bar, finishing up my beer, looking at all the lowlife scum and creeps in this place. Huh, is this really who I am? I can do better than anyplace like this...

 

[Batman]

In the darkness she watched him as he approached a warehouse, obviously planning some kind of heroic deed.

Suddenly he hesitates, and she knows she has been spotted. Standing to her full height and in a fighting stance, she intends to give a good impression.

Moon Knight turns and looks right at her, even though she is still partially hidden in shadow. Slowly she reaches to her waist, her nimble finger pass over the deadly sais, for now, and rest on a number of tiny throwing knives.

A second passes, and another, opponents standing in stillness, waiting for the other.

In a flash the knives are out and flying through the air, fives shining blades headed toward the Knight, cutting through the air at phenomenal speed.

As the head toward their target Elektra disappears into the shadow, becoming invisible once more as Moon Knight is distracted.

The warrior made the first move. Now the hunter... or rather, the prey's job was to stay alive.

Moon Knight caught a glimpse of the weapons flying towards him. Three of those alone could easily impale one of his blood vessels with enough concentration. So, either whoever he was dealing with was going for a kill, or they were toying with him. Either way, he knew he didn't want to be in the way of those blades.

Stopping one mid air with his Moon-Blade, Moon Knight immediatley backflipped, barely dodging another two of them. Barely, being the key word. Spinning to avoid another, Moon Knight suddenly felt a tug at his cape. Looking down, He saw a rip in it. The same cape that couldn't be hit by hundreds of fired bullets had been torn into by a simple throwing star.

Moon Knight turned to the shadows. He obviously wasn't dealing with an amatuer. Remaining silent as to not distract himself, Moon Knight opened a pouch on his belt, rolled forward once, and flung his own blades at the shadows in response.

There was little chance of hitting his opponent, due to her obviously trained tactics in stealth. He knew that. But driving her out wouldn't be nearly as difficult.

 

[Byrd Man]

HAMMERHEAD

Upon entering the bar, I felt the atmosphere change, Ed sat-up on his stool, pausing in the middle of serving a customer. The place was even cheaper than I remembered it being. As people fell silent and drew in large stinking breaths, I approached the bar. The fella that Ed was serving didn't look like he was gonna move outta the way for me.

"He'll be with ya in a minute mate, he's jus' gettin me my drink"

I place my hand on his shoulder, moments later his crumpled up and battered body lays in the ruins of one of the tables.

Settling my hand on the bar, I sit myself down on a stool.

"Hello Ed, ya know why I'm here."

"Hey, I...I...I haven't got the money yet.....I need a little more time."

I shake my head and spread across a smile of disappointment.

"I only helped ya cause I liked ya. However, now I don't. We had an arrangement ya see. And YOU broke it."

Scurrying to the till, he lays down everything inside infront of me, with a cold beer for good measure.

"T...t....t...this is all I got now."

"Come here, closer Ed, after all we're associates..."

As he leans that ugly face in on me, my fist sends his unconscious body flying back to into the rack of bottles behind him, showering him in glass fragments.

"You know I'll be back for the rest...."

I stay in the bar, finishing up my beer, looking at all the lowlife scum and creeps in this place. Huh, is this really who I am? I can do better than anyplace like this...

I watch as Hammerhead destroys a whole distillery with a man's body. I'm laying low in the back of the bar, my face hidden in the shadows.

"Say there, big man. Care to join me?"

 

[Noon]

The warrior made the first move. Now the hunter... or rather, the prey's job was to stay alive.

Moon Knight caught a glimpse of the weapons flying towards him. Three of those alone could easily impale one of his blood vessels with enough concentration. So, either whoever he was dealing with was going for a kill, or they were toying with him. Either way, he knew he didn't want to be in the way of those blades.

Stopping one mid air with his Moon-Blade, Moon Knight immediatley backflipped, barely dodging another two of them. Barely, being the key word. Spinning to avoid another, Moon Knight suddenly felt a tug at his cape. Looking down, He saw a rip in it. The same cape that couldn't be hit by hundreds of fired bullets had been torn into by a simple throwing star.

Moon Knight turned to the shadows. He obviously wasn't dealing with an amatuer. Remaining silent as to not distract himself, Moon Knight opened a pouch on his belt, rolled forward once, and flung his own blades at the shadows in response.

There was little chance of hitting his opponent, due to her obviously trained tactics in stealth. He knew that. But driving her out wouldn't be nearly as difficult.

The sound of metal cutting through air reached her as the Knight retaliated, she could see the shining edges as the light caught the metal.

She leapt forward into the light to meet them, drawing her sais with a shick.

In an elegant maneuver she spun round, her hands moving with almost unnatural speed. The clatter of metal broke the air as sais met with crescents, two fell to the ground, the other deflected only grazed her arm. She never flinched as a small scratch appeared next to her arm band.

Slowly she brought herself upright and stretched out her arm, forming the next martial arts pose, the epitome of discipline.

Standing now in the full light she let her opponent get a good look, it wouldn't be worth it if he didn't understand why he had to suffer.

"I believe we have a score to settle"

 

[Batman]

The sound of metal cutting through air reached her as the Knight retaliated, she could see the shining edges as the light caught the metal.

She leapt forward into the light to meet them, drawing her sais with a shick.

In an elegant maneuver she spun round, her hands moving with almost unnatural speed. The clatter of metal broke the air as sais met with crescents, two fell to the ground, the other deflected only grazed her arm. She never flinched as a small scratch appeared next to her arm band.

Slowly she brought herself upright and stretched out her arm, forming the next martial arts pose, the epitome of discipline.

Standing now in the full light she let her opponent get a good look, it wouldn't be worth it if he didn't understand why he had to suffer.

"I believe we have a score to settle"

Under the mask, Moon Knight's eyes widened. Not out of fear, but simply out of recollection. Though a bit faint in his memory, He recognised his attacker. From the raid on Hammerhead's hideout, months... perhaps even a year ago. He remembered many taking part, on that night. Vigilantes such as Spider-Man, The Black Cat, and the man only known as Iron Fist took opposition to Hammerhead. Even she did, originally. But then, Hammerhead offered her a price...

She was a mercenary. An assassin for hire. Like Marc Spector once was. But that didn't mean Moon Knight had any remorse for them... primarily because he understood how they thought. And, more importantly, he knew they didn't have to do what they did. There was a greater path open to them; He was a living example of that.

Moon Knight also remembered another fact about that night. About how he was nearly beaten lifeless by this very same attacker. If not for the moon... if not for Khonshu, He probably would've died at her hands. But now, they faced eachother under different circumstances... a different turf. A new sense of freedom.

He had no fear of this woman. If anything, she had reason to be afraid of him.

"Believe it all you want.", Moon Knight finally stated, as they stood across from eachother, eyes locked.

Slipping a Moon-Blade from the back of his belt, Moon Knight produced it, and held it up, readying himself for battle. It wasn't wise to approach her unarmed. Particularly since it was more than evident that she was skilled with the sais.

"But as I recall, We already did. You impaled me. I impaled you back.", Moon Knight continued.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're even."

 

[Noon]

Under the mask, Moon Knight's eyes widened. Not out of fear, but simply out of recollection. Though a bit faint in his memory, He recognised his attacker. From the raid on Hammerhead's hideout, months... perhaps even a year ago. He remembered many taking part, on that night. Vigilantes such as Spider-Man, The Black Cat, and the man only known as Iron Fist took opposition to Hammerhead. Even she did, originally. But then, Hammerhead offered her a price...

She was a mercenary. An assassin for hire. Like Marc Spector once was. But that didn't mean Moon Knight had any remorse for them... primarily because he understood how they thought. And, more importantly, he knew they didn't have to do what they did. There was a greater path open to them; He was a living example of that.

Moon Knight also remembered another fact about that night. About how he was nearly beaten lifeless by this very same attacker. If not for the moon... if not for Khonshu, He probably would've died at her hands. But now, they faced eachother under different circumstances... a different turf. A new sense of freedom.

He had no fear of this woman. If anything, she had reason to be afraid of him.

"Believe it all you want.", Moon Knight finally stated, as they stood across from eachother, eyes locked.

Slipping a Moon-Blade from the back of his belt, Moon Knight produced it, and held it up, readying himself for battle. It wasn't wise to approach her unarmed. Particularly since it was more than evident that she was skilled with the sais.

"But as I recall, We already did. You impaled me. I impaled you back.", Moon Knight continued.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're even."

She had had enough of the banter, she hadn't come to speak.

Slicing the sais across each other in the air she closed in on him, blades flashing. Bending one leg beneath her and spreading the other out to the side in one smooth movement she brought herself close to the ground and struck out with the sais at his calfs, aiming to slice the tendons.

 

[Byrd Man]

Blackness. I see shapes slowly forming out of the darkness, Then light and finally.

"Oh, My head."

I manage to sit up in the bed, slowly I realise that I'm laying in a bed, shirtless and in the sick bay at the Triskelion. My shield and helmet on the nightstand next to the bedside.

"Captain America, Sir. You should sit down, you've taken quite a shock."

I look over and see a short, fat man in glasses. He's holding a chart in his left hand and a pen in the right.

"We need to run some test on your internal organs and see what kind of damage Electro did."

Electro, My memory comes rushing back. The encounter with him and the mutant in times square, him cooking my men and then me.

"Oh God."

I look up from my bed and see that the Television is tuned to CNN, I made national news.

"Today's top story: In a brutal encouter this afternoon, Captain America and several S.H.I.E.L.D. soldiers were electrocuted by a superhuman who goes by the name of Electro, the following video was taken by an ameatur, viewer discretion is advised."

I watch in horror as my men and I get burnt to cinders, at the end of the video the X-Men show up and take Electro and Angel. I can't believe this, I was publicly humiliated on national tv. As I start to get out of bed the doctor puts an arm on my shoulder.

"Captain, I would advise not-"

Before he finishes the sentence I grab him around the neck and pull him up to my eye level.

"Do you know what I don't like about you doctor types? Your all nothing but a hundred pounds of $hit in a fifty pound bag. Your all the same, you, Pym and Banner. Unless you want me to mop up the floor of the sick bay with you face, I suggest you release me from the sick bay."

I see the terror in his eyes as I drop him back down. I grab my helmet and strap my shield on my back and march out of the sick bay, pulling my shirt over my head.

 

[Batman]

She had had enough of the banter, she hadn't come to speak.

Slicing the sais across each other in the air she closed in on him, blades flashing. Bending one leg beneath her and spreading the other out to the side in one smooth movement she brought herself close to the ground and struck out with the sais at his calfs, aiming to slice the tendons.

Moon Knight was taken off guard by the woman's speed. It had been so long since he had faced her... Her tactics were still faded within his subconcious. All he knew was that he couldn't underestimate her. He did, once. And it nearly costed him everything.

But tonight, there was a full moon. And with the moon came an inhuman power within his reflexes. Power from Khonshu. And, Moon Knight had to admit... a slight confidence.

Seeing her go for his calve muscles, Moon Knight immediatley leaped into the air, and flipped himself backwards, sending him as far away from her attempted attack as possible. Landing on his feet, Moon Knight pressed on with an attack of his own, leaping forward and spinning, connecting his moon blade to her sais with a loud, metallic clang... even faint sparks.

Thrusting his weapon forward, he managed to do another backflip and land, taking out even more Moon-blades from his belt. Without even pausing for a breath, Moon Knight dove forward, and tossed the bladed weapons at her, in an attempt to both observe and distract her tactics, and keep him alive if only for another moment.

 

[Watchman]

Otto went through alleyways of New York hiding his tentacles inside his coat. He decided to find a more suitable hideout for his criminal empire. He knew of a warehouse in Hells Kitchan that was home to a little gang he decided to check it out. He inched alonged the wall and peeked through the window and he spotted about five men. He opened the door and walked in.

"So I tell him...who the hell are you?!" the men all reached for their guns.

"How dare you address your new leader like that" all the men in the room start to laugh.

"Haha good one now somebody please ice this..." a tentacle reaches out from the coat turning the man's head 180 degrees. The four men reach for their handguns but it's too late. All four were impaled on the tenticales which now have turned into blades.

"Cretins. I will not stand for such insubordination" Suddenly there's clapping and a man steps into Otto's view.

"Way to go Otto and before you start whipping me with your arms I should tell you they would be useless"

"And who are you?"

"Me? Well that's not important right now but the question you should asking yourself right now is how come you have your original arms when Fury destroyed them? I let you think about that." he places his arm around Otto. "Me and you we are going to go far and I'm going to help you with your criminal activities. We are going to set this city on fire but all in due time. See ya around Otto" the man left through the door leaving Otto speechless.

 

[Noon]

Moon Knight was taken off guard by the woman's speed. It had been so long since he had faced her... Her tactics were still faded within his subconcious. All he knew was that he couldn't underestimate her. He did, once. And it nearly costed him everything.

But tonight, there was a full moon. And with the moon came an inhuman power within his reflexes. Power from Khonshu. And, Moon Knight had to admit... a slight confidence.

Seeing her go for his calve muscles, Moon Knight immediatley leaped into the air, and flipped himself backwards, sending him as far away from her attempted attack as possible. Landing on his feet, Moon Knight pressed on with an attack of his own, leaping forward and spinning, connecting his moon blade to her sais with a loud, metallic clang... even faint sparks.

Thrusting his weapon forward, he managed to do another backflip and land, taking out even more Moon-blades from his belt. Without even pausing for a breath, Moon Knight dove forward, and tossed the bladed weapons at her, in an attempt to both observe and distract her tactics, and keep him alive if only for another moment.

He leaps away from her attack and goes on the offensive. With a barrage of crescent blades and the Knight hurtling towards her, she had to make a split decision.

Her training and instinct guided her. She knocked the crescents out of the air as they came at her with her sais, and as he dove toward her she thrust out her sais in front, ready to impale the oncoming attacker.

 

[Batman]

He leaps away from her attack and goes on the offensive. With a barrage of crescent blades and the Knight hurtling towards her, she had to make a split decision.

Her training and instinct guided her. She knocked the crescents out of the air as they came at her with her sais, and as he dove toward her she thrust out her sais in front, ready to impale the oncoming attacker.

As Moon Knight prepared himself for another attack, His attacker thrusted out her weapons in defense. Realising this quickly, but still far too late, Moon Knight pushed himself sideways, going into a spin, in an attempt to dodge the sais' blades.

"ARGH!"

But with failure, as Moon Knight landed, and grabbed his now wounded forearm in pain. Fresh blood seeped out from under the hand covering the wound, as he looked up, seeing the woman coming at him. He had to continue on. The wound meant nothing. Khonshu would protect him from death, naturally... But that didn't mean he couldn't aid himself.

Charging at the woman, Moon Knight leaped into the air, and spread his cape out. The woman tried to attack, but Moon Knight used the cape as a distraction, giving him enough of a split second to dodge her fatal sai attack and connect a kick to her hip, knocking her away from him.

Landing on his feet, with his arm still aching from the wound, Moon Knight draped his cape around him so as to not reveal his anguish or his pain. But he knew it didn't matter... His attack had done little, as the woman peered at him with a stare of unfathomed hatred. A look which he wasn't going to forget anytime soon.

They were both highly skilled warriors. Now there was only the question of which one could best the other. The Knight of Justice. Or the Assassin of Death.

 

[Noon]

As Moon Knight prepared himself for another attack, His attacker thrusted out her weapons in defense. Realising this quickly, but still far too late, Moon Knight pushed himself sideways, going into a spin, in an attempt to dodge the sais' blades.

"ARGH!"

But with failure, as Moon Knight landed, and grabbed his now wounded forearm in pain. Fresh blood seeped out from under the hand covering the wound, as he looked up, seeing the woman coming at him. He had to continue on. The wound meant nothing. Khonshu would protect him from death, naturally... But that didn't mean he couldn't aid himself.

Charging at the woman, Moon Knight leaped into the air, and spread his cape out. The woman tried to attack, but Moon Knight used the cape as a distraction, giving him enough of a split second to dodge her fatal sai attack and connect a kick to her hip, knocking her away from him.

Landing on his feet, with his arm still aching from the wound, Moon Knight draped his cape around him so as to not reveal his anguish or his pain. But he knew it didn't matter... His attack had done little, as the woman peered at him with a stare of unfathomed hatred. A look which he wasn't going to forget anytime soon.

They were both highly skilled warriors. Now there was only the question of which one could best the other. The Knight of Justice. Or the Assassin of Death.

Her prey was wounded, although he tried to hide it she knew she had connected with ,and it was time to go for the kill. Now completely absorbed in a killer mindset, she was completey guided by instinct and her intense training.

She moved lithely towards him, leading with one sai threateningly out in front. Even now her next move formed in her mind, the image of the deathstroke vivid in her imagination.

Leaping toward him, she feinted toward his ribs with the sai, while with the other she jabbed towards his heart, so that when he tried to dodge the first, he should become impaled by the second.

 

[Batman]

Her prey was wounded, although he tried to hide it she knew she had connected with ,and it was time to go for the kill. Now completely absorbed in a killer mindset, she was completey guided by instinct and her intense training.

She moved lithely towards him, leading with one sai threateningly out in front. Even now her next move formed in her mind, the image of the deathstroke vivid in her imagination.

Leaping toward him, she feinted toward his ribs with the sai, while with the other she jabbed towards his heart, so that when he tried to dodge the first, he should become impaled by the second.

Her attacks were relentless... unforgiving. She didn't stop to rest. She didn't stop to breathe. The only thing that concerned her was her apparent thurst for revenge. And while the Knight tried his best to overcome her thurst... even He, with all his skill... all his training and experience, would prove to be outmatched.

Her attack followed as the assassin had planned. Moon Knight, seeing the lone sai coming towards him, moved away in effort to avoid the blade once more. But the mistake he made by doing so would cost him dearly, as he suddenly found himself in an even dire position. Eventually, the test of skill had been proven.

And Moon Knight was not the victor.

As the assassin released the blade from his heart, Moon Knight struggled to fight the overwhelming feeling of death that overcame him. His body almost immediatley began to shut down, as his heart filled with blood, slowing it's movements at a rapid pace.

Dropping to his knees, The assassin would only watch as her enemy finally landed on his chest, onto the rooftop, blood already seeping through his body in a puddle around his soon-to-be corpse, as his body spasmed and his breath shortened.

This had been the second time the assassin impaled the Knight. And then too, he had stared death down at it's very core. He thought, under these circumstances, a much different outcome would present itself. But unfortunatley for the avatar of the Moon... He thought wrong. Far too wrong.

Because now, Moon Knight was dying.

 

[Noon]

Her attacks were relentless... unforgiving. She didn't stop to rest. She didn't stop to breathe. The only thing that concerned her was her apparent thurst for revenge. And while the Knight tried his best to overcome her thurst... even He, with all his skill... all his training and experience, would prove to be outmatched.

Her attack followed as the assassin had planned. Moon Knight, seeing the lone sai coming towards him, moved away in effort to avoid the blade once more. But the mistake he made by doing so would cost him dearly, as he suddenly found himself in an even dire position. Eventually, the test of skill had been proven.

And Moon Knight was not the victor.

As the assassin released the blade from his heart, Moon Knight struggled to fight the overwhelming feeling of death that overcame him. His body almost immediatley began to shut down, as his heart filled with blood, slowing it's movements at a rapid pace.

Dropping to his knees, The assassin would only watch as her enemy finally landed on his chest, onto the rooftop, blood already seeping through his body in a puddle around his soon-to-be corpse, as his body spasmed and his breath shortened.

This had been the second time the assassin impaled the Knight. And then too, he had stared death down at it's very core. He thought, under these circumstances, a much different outcome would present itself. But unfortunatley for the avatar of the Moon... He thought wrong. Far too wrong.

Because now, Moon Knight was dying.

She looked down at the gasping Knight, when she was younger maybe she would have felt pity for the dying man, but she had become cold and her heart hardened.

She felt only the satisfaction of victory. Some regret, perhaps, at the easy loss of a worthy advisary.

Bending down, she wiped her sai on his cloak, leaving bloody streaks across the pale material, then stood and turned to leave.

"What a waste" She muttered as she stepped back into the night, away from the light of a full moon.

 

[Batman]

She looked down at the gasping Knight, when she was younger maybe she would have felt pity for the dying man, but she had become cold and her heart hardened.

She felt only the satisfaction of victory. Some regret, perhaps, at the easy loss of a worthy advisary.

Bending down, she wiped her sai on his cloak, leaving bloody streaks across the pale material, then stood and turned to leave.

"What a waste" She muttered as she stepped back into the night, away from the light of a full moon.

The fading Knight ignored her words as he slowly tried to turn onto his back. But eventually, he lost movement in his arms, forcing him back down onto the cold pavement.

Saving others had become his life. Saving himself... perhaps, had become a secondary concern. And because of this, Moon Knight constantly found himself on the verge of death. As he struggled with the pain of his bleeding heart and his dying organs, He silently wondered to himself if this would be it. The blow that would finally end it all.

It couldn't end this way. All the work he had put into the identity... the mission... everything. Even at the cost of his own normalcy, even his sanity. But this couldn't be it. Taken down by an unexpected returned opponent of which meant little to him. He didn't want to die like this. He didn't want the entire mission to fall because of this. Khonshu still had much more in store for him. Much more...

Moon Knight peered back at the moon in the sky. It's rays shining down on his bloodied body did their best to comfort him... But he had fallen past the point of it's rejuvenation. Now, there only remained one hope. The hope that had protected him the first time he stared death in the face... In the cold Sahara. When he was chosen to be the Knight of Khonshu.

His vision began to fade, aswell as his awareness. No. Not now. Not this. , He thought to himself as he tried to plug his opened chest with his hand. But he could not control it. Eventually, darkness overwhelmed him. And the last thing he saw was the moon.

Moon Knight was dead.

But not eternally gone, as Marc Spector's eyes slowly opened.

"Awaken"​

Spector contemplated doing so, for a moment. He had no idea what was going on. Only that he was in a light, not on the rooftop he was last seen on. But finally, Spector sat up, feeling his chest. The sai that killed him was back in it... But he did not feel pain. Nor was he donned in his Moon Knight costume anymore.

Instead, that costume stood infront of him. Spector was looking at himself. He was staring at Moon Knight, who stood before him, arms crossed.

"You have not been permitted to die. It was not apart of our arrangement, Marc Spector"​

Spector recognised the costume, but not the voice. It's otherworldly tone was more than enough to call question into his mind. Was this... Khonshu?

"Your questioning proves true. I am indeed the Moon God of Vengeance of which you serve"​

Spector's eyes widened, at that.

"Do not fear me. For if you adopt the fears of man, you cannot fight those of which you swore to seek vengeance upon"​

Khonshu stared down upon Spector, judging.

"Have you... forgotten of this?"​

Spector rose, removing the sai from his chest. Throwing it down into the limitless light beneath him, Spector stood face to face with both his own identity and his savior. Without fear.

"No."

Khonshu raised his head, before giving one nod.

"Then you are to be returned to your misson. Fight with wisdom, Marc Spector... Not only with wrath"​

Before Spector could examine Khonshu's words, the costume of Moon Knight sprang forward, enveloping him in limitless silver. He was Marc Spector. He was Steven Grant. He was Jake Lockley. He was the Moon Knight, all once more. And death was no longer an obstacle to this warrior. Only until his misson was finished, would he once again fear it's possibility. But for now... there was still much to be done.

He took a breath, as his eyes opened again, behind the crescented mask. He was staring at the moon... But he was lying down. Looking around, he sat back up, realising that he was back on the rooftop. Though he was still covered in blood, His wound was now sealed, and new life pumped through his veins. Moon Knight lived again.

But his assassin was now gone; escaped into the night of which she attacked him from. He didn't know when or how, but he made a promise to himself that they would cross paths again. Because now, their score remained unsettled.

Pressing the side of his mask, Moon Knight listened for the voice of his confident, John-Paul DuChamp. Or Frenchie, as he oddly dubbed him.

"How'd it go?"

Moon Knight sighed, remembering the gang of drug smugglers he had set out to apprehend. Before he was attacked and killed by the assassin. Even more reason to seek vengeance upon her.

"It didn't."

"..."

"What?!"

There was no point in persuing them now. The fight with the assassin had taken much time from his goal... the smugglers were more than likely gone. Escaped. Just like his other enemy tonight.

"Long story. I need a pickup. We're going home."

"You're sure?"

Moon Knight observed the shadows, hoping to catch another glimpse of red. But alas, she truly was gone. If they were to meet again, it would be another night.

"-Yes. I'll explain on the way."

Moon Knight heard another sigh on the other end of the line. He wondered how long it would take for Frenchie to completely lose it under his employment.

"Be on the lookout."

Shutting off the communicator, Moon Knight stood, his blood damped costume hanging off of him as he waited for his ride. He looked up at the moon only once during the wait.

And it was all the strength he needed to fight another day.

 

[Venom160]

[Angel]

I punch out the last SHEILD agent intime to see Electro let go of Cap to try and pull the feather dart from his thigh.

"Now lets finish this!"

I slowly start to walk towards Electro, my wings fully open.

"Warren stop!"

I look over and see the Professor, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and Colossus standing on a pile of wreckage while the X-jet hovers overhead. I ignore him and continue to walk toward Electro.

"Archangel!"

I stop in my tracks and slowly turn to face him.

"Your catching on old man, you know what I can do so im giving you this one warning! Don't interfere and you won't be harmed!"

"Warren I know your still in there, fight him!"

I flash him an evil grin.

"Warren isnt here right now, but I'll gladly take the message."

"Kurt now!"

With a bamf of smoke Nightcrawler ports behind me and jams three syringes into my neck. I grab Kurt by the neck and lift him off his feet while pulling out the needles with my other hand.

"You will regret that little elf!"

I slowly start to tighten my grip on his neck, but I grew careless and forgot about Piotr and Scott. Piotr lands a punch to my head making me drop Kurt while Scott blows me into a building with a high impact optic blast. As I slowly slip into unconciouness I look Professor Xavier right in the eyes.

"I will kill you all."

"I will kill you all."

Angel's eyes roll back into his head as the traqs do they're job. Professor Xavier stares at Angel's prone form and shakes his head.

"What now Professor?"

Xavier turns to Cyclops.

"We go home, Piotr take Electro to the jet. Kurt will you be so kind as to port Angel onto the jet aswell."

"Vill do Professor."

"What are we going to do with Warren? I mean you heard what he said."

The Professor watches as Kurt and Warren disappear in a puff of bluish black smoke.

"I'm going to do what I can for him, but this is a battle that Warren as to fight on his own."

 

[Batman]

The Knight had seen his fair share of both victories and losses. Each one made him stronger, sometimes in wisdom... other times a bit more literally than that. But tonight's loss brought him face to face with his guardian... His protector. The entire philosophical being that Marc Spector devoted his life around. It wasn't going to be a night that Moon Knight was going to forget.

But even in that, He had lost. His goals laid aside by an unforseen attacker, killing him all too easily. Now, not only did he have to fix the mistakes in losing track of his true goal for the night... He had an assassin to find, and a killer to stop. No matter how many times he would have to die in order to do it.

The frustration of loss was all that filled his mind as he and Frenchie descended into "The Loft", which acted as Moon Knight's headquarters below ground. Frenchie carrying a briefcase full of incriminating photos of the drug dealing he investigated, Moon Knight only carrying his own blood as it still stained his pale costume.

As they stepped out, Moon Knight grabbed Frenchie by the shoulder, and threw him to the ground.

*BLAM*

A bullet bounced off of the spot behind Frenchie, as he looked back, a bit astonished.

"You didn't call first?", Frenchie asked him.

"Didn't find the time. In between dying and all.", Moon Knight responded, before turning to Frenchie's would-be killer, standing infront of them.

"Marlene.", He acknowledged.

The woman who had only been previously seen that day through visions of the life of Steven Grant stepped forward, reloading the gun in her hand.

"Damn it, Marc. You should really install cameras or something so I don't have to play this stupid roulette game everytime you come back without calling.", Marlene angrily prostested, laying the gun down.

"You pay for them and I'll consider it.", Moon Knight responded, walking past her, removing his belt.

Marlene watched him, for a moment, noticing the blood on his costume.

"Don't tell me that you-"

"No. Rest assured, the blood mine.", Moon Knight responded.

Marlene's expression transitioned from questionable, to concerned.

"What happened?"

"An attack by Kingpin's former assassin."

Marlene raised an eyebrow.

"You mean the woman you threw the moon-blade at? The one in red?"

Moon Knight only managed a nod, as he unwrapped the straps to his gloves.

"So you got her again?"

Moon Knight paused, for a moment.

"-She killed me."

Marlene's eyes widened.

"I'll discuss it another night. Right now, I need to-"

"Hold on there. There's something you and I need to talk about, too."

Moon Knight turned to her. Her look was deadly serious. Moon Knight pulled off his mask, revealing the equally, if not more serious and battered face of Marc Spector.

"Then talk."

Marlene sighed, crossing her arms as she leaned against one of the computer monitors.

"I don't know how long I can do this anymore, Marc. This whole charade with Steven Grant.", she began. "Do you know how hard it is pretending that everything's normal with him? That he's only one man? That he's not you?" , Marlene continued.

Marc turned, not facing her as he grabbed some spare clothes off of a nearby desk. He didn't want to admit or show it, but yes, he did know how hard it was on her. And he hated doing it. But it was the only way.

"It's the only way."

"Yeah, and that's what you said about the last way, too. Before you started this Jake Lockley crap.", Marlene responded, sharply.

"Grant almost ruined it for us, Marlene.", Marc began. "His rage towards Spider-Man compromised my identity. I had to cut him off... keep him from ruining it again."

"Maybe you don't understand... I've heard it. I've heard it all. About how you still needed a confident for 'the mission'. How you couldn't just get rid of Grant and still act as Marc Spector and Moon Knight. Yeah, I get all of that, Marc. But that doesn't mean I have to be dragged along for it all too.", Marlene shot back. "I love you, Marc. Not Grant. Not Lockley. Certainly not Moon Knight. You. Why can't it just be you?", Marlene asked in a more toned voice.

To Marlene's surprise, Marc had already changed into a new wardrobe by the time she looked back up.

"Because I need someone to throw him off of the trail.", Marc responded. "And you're the only one I trust."

Marlene looked away, bitterly. Marc walked closer to her.

"Look, I know it isn't easy-"

"I bet you do."

"-But I need you, Marlene.", Marc said, standing within eyeview of her. "Isn't that enough?"

Marlene stared at him, for a moment.

"I'm sorry, Marc... But no. It isn't. You don't need me in the way I need you. You need me in a completely different way. A way that I just can't accept."

Marc was silent, for a moment. Not because he wanted to argue... But because he knew she was right. But he couldn't worry about this now. He had other priorities.

Even if she couldn't be one of them.

Walking over to Frenchie, who had remained silent for the entire conversation as he observed the photographs that he had taken, Marc threw him the belt from his Moon Knight costume.

"Reload it. I'm gonna need it for tommorow."

Frenchie looked up at him.

"Planning on dying again?"

Marc glanced back at Marlene, seeing her obvious pain. And knowing he couldn't do anything about it. He turned, walking into the elevator.

"Maybe I should've."

 

[Noon]

Her apartment was unlit, grey under the moons rays. Elektra lowered herself from the window overhang into her room. Everything was just as she'd left it, only the arrangement of now rotten fruit would tell of her absence.

She padded across to her bathroom, stretching out her arms and cricking her neck as she walked. She let out a sharp breath as she was reminded of her minor wound.

Switching on the bathroom light, she examined the cut on her arm. It went deeper than she had at first thought, and had bled a fair amount down her arm.

She removed the metal arm cuff and gingerly dabbed at the blood around the wound with tissue. She tended and wrapped the cut, before checking herself for any other injuries. Strange, that these days she might get a painful injury and not even realise.

Apart from the cut, she was in relatively good shape. She looked at herself in the mirror, and frowned.

"Don't look at me like that, it had to be done"

Maybe she was talking to a past incarnation of herself, when she wasn't so callous, or maybe the fight had knocked a screw loose. But she knew that if she wanted to maintain a reputation, you couldn't appear soft. And in her line of business, reputation is everything.

She looked away from the mirror with a pang of guilt.

"What would your father say, Elektra..."

She shook her head, and the guilt faded. She went back into her bedroom, and sat on her bed. She took the metal armband in her hand and tried to wipe the blood off of it, but only suceeding in smearing it around.

She sighed and placed it on the bedside table, then curled up on the bedcovers, falling into a fitful sleep, haunted by a fading moon.

 

[Cyrusbales]

I watch as Hammerhead destroys a whole distillery with a man's body. I'm laying low in the back of the bar, my face hidden in the shadows.

"Say there, big man. Care to join me?"

HAMMERHEAD

Looking out across this dump, I notice some guy, a bit of a snappy dresser compared to the rest of the people in here. I slowly rise to my feet, helping myself to another beer, then pull up a chair next to this mysterious man.

"Is there something I can help with?"

I ask him politely, it's best to start that way, although a few wrong words and it sure as hell doesn't end that way, this guy might be trouble, but trouble is what I'm best at, let's see what he's gotta offer.

 

[Byrd Man]

HAMMERHEAD

Looking out across this dump, I notice some guy, a bit of a snappy dresser compared to the rest of the people in here. I slowly rise to my feet, helping myself to another beer, then pull up a chair next to this mysterious man.

"Is there something I can help with?"

I ask him politely, it's best to start that way, although a few wrong words and it sure as hell doesn't end that way, this guy might be trouble, but trouble is what I'm best at, let's see what he's gotta offer.

I smile, now's not the time for small talk.

"Maybe you can, Let's just say that I was once a buisness associate of a one Wilson Fisk. I was fired because he favored some little %itch that shook her ass in front of him."

I finally emerge from the shadows and let him take a good look at my face.

"The name's Bullseye mister Hammerhead, and together you and me are gonna take New York by storm."

 

[Cyrusbales]

I smile, now's not the time for small talk.

"Maybe you can, Let's just say that I was once a buisness associate of a one Wilson Fisk. I was fired because he favored some little %itch that shook her ass in front of him."

I finally emerge from the shadows and let him take a good look at my face.

"The name's Bullseye mister Hammerhead, and together you and me are gonna take New York by storm."

HAMMERHEAD

"Sounds like a plan"

I stop for a second, I kinda got some stuff I should be dealin with at the mo. I flesh out a base strategy.

"What you got proposed, ya see I've got a slight matter to attend to, but owning this city could help, let's hear it?"

Whatever I am, it seems that at heart I'm still the same ol' hard man, nice and simple. If we take the city, I might be able to focus on my mission.

 

[Byrd Man]

HAMMERHEAD

"Sounds like a plan"

I stop for a second, I kinda got some stuff I should be dealin with at the mo. I flesh out a base strategy.

"What you got proposed, ya see I've got a slight matter to attend to, but owning this city could help, let's hear it?"

Whatever I am, it seems that at heart I'm still the same ol' hard man, nice and simple. If we take the city, I might be able to focus on my mission.

"With my knowledge of Fisk's organization inner workings and you have a very good advantage to Fisk and his men. Everyone thinks you died."

 

[Cyrusbales]

"With my knowledge of Fisk's organization inner workings and you have a very good advantage to Fisk and his men. Everyone thinks you died."

HAMMERHEAD

"People think that a lot, dead? Not even close."

It'll take more than a beating, a shooting, a stabbing, a torching, a drowing, hell, it takes a lot more than everything to count me out. I remember an old alliance that could come in handy if we're dealing with the kingpin, he's worked with him a bit, but a guy after my heart, a real good ol' traditional thug.

"Hey, I think I know someone who'll give us a hand, goes by the name of Herman Shultz. He's been laying low for a while, I told him I'd bring him back into the game when the time was right. So what's our first move?"

Let's see what this fella comes us with as a strategy, then I'll tell him how it's gonna go down.

 

[Byrd Man]

HAMMERHEAD

"People think that a lot, dead? Not even close."

It'll take more than a beating, a shooting, a stabbing, a torching, a drowing, hell, it takes a lot more than everything to count me out. I remember an old alliance that could come in handy if we're dealing with the kingpin, he's worked with him a bit, but a guy after my heart, a real good ol' traditional thug.

"Hey, I think I know someone who'll give us a hand, goes by the name of Herman Shultz. He's been laying low for a while, I told him I'd bring him back into the game when the time was right. So what's our first move?"

Let's see what this fella comes us with as a strategy, then I'll tell him how it's gonna go down.

"Like I said, Being Kinpin's number 1 assassin, I knew everyone who worked in his organization. I want to hit the luitenants first."

I pull out old trusty, and oldtimer pocket knife with a wooden handle.

"I only have one request, That *****, Elektra. Is all mine."

I throw the knife at the dartboard all the way across the bar, it lands dead in the center with a loud thunk.

"Bullseye."

 

[Cyrusbales]

"Like I said, Being Kinpin's number 1 assassin, I knew everyone who worked in his organization. I want to hit the luitenants first."

I pull out old trusty, and oldtimer pocket knife with a wooden handle.

"I only have one request, That *****, Elektra. Is all mine."

I throw the knife at the dartboard all the way across the bar, it lands dead in the center with a loud thunk.

"Bullseye."

HAMMERHEAD

"You're on kid, who's on the list?"

This guy seems to know his stuff, nice throwing trick, but I prefer a bit of the good ol' muscle and beatings, but he's on.