The "Ultimate Marvel" RPG Seasson II Game Thread

[Cyrusbales]

I raise one dark, elegant eyebrow as I consider his words.

"Third? Let me think..." I give a minimal pause. "No. If you want me in your organisation I'd have to be at least second in command"

On the 'at least' I let my hand wander to my sai to hint at the implications of what I'm saying are.

"You're still fresh at the top, Hammerhead, and don't have the strongest foothold yet..."

That same catlike smile comes across my face, sly and menacing. My hand falls away from my sai.

"But I never was the Kingpin type. I'll consider your offer, an I'll be watching."

I slip past him, letting the tips of my fingers stroke his jaw, past his chair up to the window. Then I slink into the shadows and I am gone. He turns in his chair to look but is greeted only by shadows and thick cigar smoke.

HAMMERHEAD

Left to wallow in the tickness of the smoke, dancing shadows get cast across the wall where the dame was once. Within minutes, the faint perfume is gone, replaced instead by the familiar scent of tobacco.

"Screwy dame's"

There's nothin' in the world that messes with a guy like a screwy dame. A big puff of of the cigar takes away the bitter taste she left in my mouth. I stand to my feet and walk to the window.

Gazing out over my empire, atop of my glistening tower, over one way lies half of my oponnents, in the hospital. The other half lie on my right in the cemetary. Looking at the remains of my cigar, this is life at the top, this is Hammerhead's time.

 

[Venom160]

I fall to the floor but quickly scramble back up. Warren is facing away from me, attacking more of the drug goons.

"Warren! Don't make me do this!" I hold my already bloodied claws up toward him.

He turns to face me, and we lock eyes. His are a fiery yellow. Mine are filled with doubt.

{ArchAngel}

I just finish tearing the throat out of one of the guards when I hear Alison's voice.

"Warren! Don't make me do this!"

I turn and look and her with a sneer.

"Ya know you look beutiful covered in blood? But I have no time to deal with you, Warren is begging me right now not to hurt you. Don't get in my way and you won't!"

I turn away from her and head for the door slamming a guards head into a wall in the process.

 

[Noon]

{ArchAngel}

I just finish tearing the throat out of one of the guards when I hear Alison's voice.

"Warren! Don't make me do this!"

I turn and look and her with a sneer.

"Ya know you look beutiful covered in blood? But I have no time to deal with you, Warren is begging me right now not to hurt you. Don't get in my way and you won't!"

I turn away from her and head for the door slamming a guards head into a wall in the process.

"Sorry, babe, but you can't say I didn't warn you" I mutter under my breath

With a growl I dive forward and my claws dig into his back, slicing through the inside edges of his wings and cutting into the bone of his ribs, the sinewy flesh tearing as the blades sink into him.

I pull down with my knuckles, my claws still in up to my hand. I hear bone, metal and flesh twist and rip.

 

[Venom160]

"Sorry, babe, but you can't say I didn't warn you" I mutter under my breath

With a growl I dive forward and my claws dig into his back, slicing through the inside edges of his wings and cutting into the bone of his ribs, the sinewy flesh tearing as the blades sink into him.

I pull down with my knuckles, my claws still in up to my hand. I hear bone, metal and flesh twist and rip.

{ArchAngel}

I almost make it to the door before I feel her claws plunge into my back.

"Ahhhhh!"

I fall to my knees as she pulls down on the claws.

"You little bi*th!"

I extend a wing and hit her into a wall with it, I feel the wounds slowly start to heal but nowhere near as fast as I need them to.

 

[Mr. Marko]

At the sound of the gunshot Darkhawk leaps into action. A beam of energy shoots out of his chest towards the robbery. It melts the bullet into nothingness before it even reaches the man covered in ice. Darkhawk drops down in front of the man with the gun. He fires one point blank at Darkhawk's chest, but thanks to his forcefield, it bounces right off. The newly arrived man reaches out and grabs the barrel of the gun. He crushes it like it were a toy. He kicks the robbers knee backwards and he falls to the floor. Darkhawk flips over the criminals body, wraps his arm around the man's neck, and says,

"Do you know what they do to men in other countries that steal?"

There was not answer from the man. He was terrified.

"Listen boy, I want an answer before I decide to show all these nice people what your insides look like."

The man nods his head no.

"No? Well, then please allow me to educate you."

Darkhawk's blade grows.

"Stick out your hand."

The robber clutches his hand against his torso begging for mercy.

"With the past few weeks I'm having buddy, I'm all out of mercy. GIVE ME YOUR HAND!"

The robber reluctantly sticks out his hand.

"Just know it's nothing personal. You were the first scumbag I came across, and you know what they say? It's all about making examples out of people."

Darkhawk chops the man's right hand off at the wrist.

"Bet you're a ****ty shot with your left. Find a new profession."

MYSTIQUE
Season II:Part VIII

Mystique watched in shock as the man in strange armor chopped the crook's hand off.

"OHHH GOD!" He screamed in pain and fell to the ground, blood spraying all over himself.

Mystique had seen alot of screwed up things in her life, but this one was in the top three. Bobby stood now facing the dark warrior and grunted angrily at him.

"What the f$#% dude!" Iceman stared and the man in half-fear, half-disgust. He moved over to the man weeping in his own blood, and encased the stubbed limb in ice. He did the same to the removed appendage.

Mystique was too shocked to move. Too entruiged by this man she had never met. His lust for blood was...attractive.

 

[Mr. Marko]

FORGE
Season II : Part II

Forge sat in his new apartment reading the newspaper. The city was a mess. Crime on the rampage, and it seemed like the Ultimate always had their hands full. The X-Men were either rescuing or fighting each other most of the time, and Spider-Man had been fighting the same goons for ages now. The super-human scene was stale. It needed some fresh intellect. Forge had relied on Magneto most of his professional life to be seen. In the last few days he had had a self-realization. He was a frickin' genius and could do anything he wanted. I mean, that was his power! He threw down the newspaper. He had made a list of devices he'd been wanting to make for a long time.

Invisibility Belt
Anti-Gravity Device
Power Nullifier

The list was large, and he needed to get started. He needed to make his presence known in the world.

 

[guitarsingerguy]

MYSTIQUE
Season II:Part VIII

Mystique watched in shock as the man in strange armor chopped the crook's hand off.

"OHHH GOD!" He screamed in pain and fell to the ground, blood spraying all over himself.

Mystique had seen alot of screwed up things in her life, but this one was in the top three. Bobby stood now facing the dark warrior and grunted angrily at him.

"What the f$#% dude!" Iceman stared and the man in half-fear, half-disgust. He moved over to the man weeping in his own blood, and encased the stubbed limb in ice. He did the same to the removed appendage.

Mystique was too shocked to move. Too entruiged by this man she had never met. His lust for blood was...attractive.

"I don't believe this ****. Here we are, you two fixing to get mugged, I try to help, then you start crying about how I put a stop to it?! This is the real world little boy! You do me a favor and ask him if he'll ever steal again! I promise you his answer will be no!"

 

[Watchman]

Through the chaos the two gods battle overhead. Loki blasted Thor with an energy blast knocking him to the ground. When the sky turned from dark and cloudy to bright and blue skies. Something knocked Loki out of the sky knocking him to the ground below. His apperance was now very different. Instead of the black jacket and jeans he was know in some sort of wierd armor.

"LOKI!" a voice echoed from the sky

"D..Dad? You're suppose to be dead"

"Your attempts at my life and that of Asgard were futile. And now you must face punshiment. You will face a reckconing that mortal minds can not comprehend" a blast came from the sky hits and lights up Loki. Loki screams in agony and looks upon the crowd of humans.

"You believe that thou has bested me?" he eyes begin to glow and he starts to scream again. "I have damned thee to face the Uncreator. Your win in this battle has been in vain for the fate of your world has been written. It comes to end all..." he let's out another cry of pain.

"....Gah Lak Tus..." in a few short seconds he disappears and all that is left is a black spot on the ground.

 

[unstoppable]

"Well, buddy boy. I don't know quite how to say this, but....They ran a train on her."

Hulk looks at me with a confused look on his face and I lean in and whisper in his ear what it means if a woman has a train run on her.

HULk smack Cap to the ground and looks at Bullseye.
"Hulk get them later right now HULK HUNGRY!!!!!"

Hulk begins to grab Bullseye.

 

[Byrd Man]

HULk smack Cap to the ground and looks at Bullseye.
"Hulk get them later right now HULK HUNGRY!!!!!"

Hulk begins to grab Bullseye.

No. Even though Bullseye tried to kill Clint, I can't let Banner eat him.

"Hawkeye, This is Cap. Do you read me?"

"Reading ya loud and clear big C."

"Get the arrow ready and aim for Banner's neck."

"Roger, Rogers."

A tiny arrow with an adimantium tip goes whizzing through the air and hits Hulk dead in his neck. Even though now he'll eventually turn back to normal, it doesn't stop him from taking a bite out of Bullseye's leg and pull it clean off.

"Oh my god! Help me you ***in idiot!"

 

[unstoppable]

No. Even though Bullseye tried to kill Clint, I can't let Banner eat him.

"Hawkeye, This is Cap. Do you read me?"

"Reading ya loud and clear big C."

"Get the arrow ready and aim for Banner's neck."

"Roger, Rogers."

A tiny arrow with an adimantium tip goes whizzing through the air and hits Hulk dead in his neck. Even though now he'll eventually turn back to normal, it doesn't stop him from taking a bite out of Bullseye's leg and pull it clean off.

"Oh my god! Help me you ***in idiot!"

HUlk feels the pain in his neck as his skin pigment begins to change.

"No....I...I c..cant change back. He goes to one knee as he begins to shrink.

"I... WONT!!!"

HULK throws whats left of Bullseye at Cap and leaps off.




............ one hour later...............

Banner wakes up in a days.

"What happen..." I tsuami of information consumes his mind as he relizes what happens as he gets to his feet.

"S.H.I.E.L.D wont get me again"

 

[Byrd Man]

HUlk feels the pain in his neck as his skin pigment begins to change.

"No....I...I c..cant change back. He goes to one knee as he begins to shrink.

"I... WONT!!!"

HULK throws whats left of Bullseye at Cap and leaps off.

I lift up Bullseye as medics rush in and grab his stump and start to stem the loss of blood.

"Okay, folks. Once you get him stable, throw him in a cell in the basment."

I activate my commlink and come online with all my teamates as well as the soldiers patrolling the area.

"Let's find all hostiles and contain them."

Soldiers run around and start to restrain the incopasitated members of the team of attackers.

"Let's get them all tagged and bagged and thrown into jail."

 

[Batman]

Daredevil/Moon Knight, Season Two: Part Six - Defense (Phase Three of Three)

He... had never seen it like this. At least, not this high up. He wasn't even afraid of heights, but under his mask, Moon Knight silently marveled at the view of New York from the top of the Empire State Building. Even though the moment of shock was brief, as the Knight then began to question, once again, why he was even here.

"The police just left the scene. And they didn't find Castle, which means he escaped... again. Damn it."

Moon Knight turned to his horned associate, who sat on the edge, his ear towards the city's sky. Daredevil had never seen the view either. But for a different reason entirely, little did Moon Knight know.

"He'll turn up.", Moon Knight stated, with a hint of bitterness in his voice. "He seems to do it alot. Reports of a Punisher-related massacre in that district are nothing new."

"Maybe so,", Daredevil responded. "But that doesn't make it right."

Moon Knight quickly glanced up at the moon. It was visibly fading. Soon, it would be dawn... Which meant he would no longer have the strength or endurance of Khonshu to guide him. Not only that... but eventually, he'd succumb to one of his many personalities. Perhaps it would be Jake Lockely today. Or Steven Grant. If he was lucky, he'd stay Marc Spector for a least a little while longer.

"Look, you're probably one of those socialist vigilantes like Captain America or that... Spider-Man, but I'm not. I've stayed here long enough... I need to leave.", Moon Knight said, before turning around.

"Wait a minute.", Daredevil responded, standing up from his crouched position. "There's something I need to discuss with you, first."

Moon Knight didn't even turn around.

"I'm busy."

"Look, just hear me out. Five minutes is all that I'm asking for.", Daredevil stated.

Moon Knight stopped in his tracks, before finally turning.

"You've got three."

Daredevil frowned, but continued on anyway.

"This Hammerhead guy that you mentioned before... I've heard of him. Imfact, I recieved some news about him last night. The thug I interrogated it out of was telling the truth about the information, which means that if we ignore this guy for much longer, that territorial shootout will only be the beginning of this.", Daredevil explained.

"Go on.", Moon Knight stated, intrigued as he crossed his arms beneath his cape.

"Hammerhead recently attacked one of his fellow mafia leaders, and managed to put him out of commision. The Kingpin.", Daredevil continued, as Moon Knight's eyes widened. "And since Hammerhead did that-"

"-Let me guess. He now controls Kingpin's empire aswell?", Moon Knight asked.

Daredevil nodded.

"Then he's got a few more buildings and a couple more guards. Shouldn't make him that much harder to take down."

"It's alot worse than that.", Daredevil said. "There's a rumor that's surfaced on the streets, recently. Back when Kingpin was still in power. The Kingpin's identity remained unknown for awhile, but someone claims that he's really Wilson Fisk. Or was."

Moon Knight paused.

"...Wilson Fisk? The Wilson Fisk?", Moon Knight asked.

"Yes.", Daredevil responded. "And it doesn't go without merit, either. I have contacts within a DA's office that have informed me that Fisk took out a rather large insurance policy at the time of Hammerhead's last big raid, within the inner city. And The Kingpin was the one with the most to lose, at the time, I'd say Fisk at least falls under suspicion."

Moon Knight lowered his head, contemplating all of this, before raising it once more.

"So what you're basically saying is that Hammerhead now owns over half of the city's organised crime, aswell as Fisk's own seperate empire?"

"That's the geist of it.", Daredevil responded. "And with that kind of wealth and power backed with Hammerhead's own, it'd be relatively simple for him to take even more control. He'd practically be unstoppable."

Moon Knight was silent for a long moment. To Daredevil, he was only standing. Barely even breathing, according to his radar senses. But Moon Knight was coming upon a realisation: He had to face Hammerhead again. There was no choice in the matter.

Moon Knight had stayed cautious of doing that in recent months. After the raid. Because there, Hammerhead had unmasked him, and taken his photo with a camera phone. Screaming "I own you!" at the top of his lungs, the mobster was then put into a coma. But the incident had scarred Marc, forcing him to re-elaborate his entire mission as Khonshu's avatar.

Due to Steven Grant being the dominant personality on the night that Moon Knight was unmasked, Marc forced his unstable Grant personality into isolation from his secret by having him take over the Marc Spector persona. In order to occupy Grant's former occupation as a cabbie, Moon Knight created a new personality in Jake Lockely. Spector became one with Moon Knight, giving him a sort of dual identity within his multiple personality. All of this an effort to keep the same mistake from happening twice. But at the cost of everything... his secrecy, his mental health... Marlene...

Moon Knight wasn't going to go through all of that again. But he knew that Hammerhead couldn't be allowed to have this much power. He had to put his own fears aside, and face the bastard once more.

"Alright. I'll make sure to take Hammerhead out, before he gets anymore of the city's territory.", Moon Knight stated, turning around again.

Daredevil didn't get this guy. Sure, he could understand being a little distrustful of a complete stranger... but he was quickly realising that Moon Knight's issues were a bit deeper than that. Still, he was running into a suicide. And Daredevil couldn't let that happen. Moon Knight and every other crimefighter were still needed in order to maintain the entire city's order, similar to how he tried to contain the peace in Hell's Kitchen.

"You're not going to be able to do that alone.", Daredevil spoke, right before Moon Knight could ready himself to jump off of the massive building.

Moon Knight turned, slightly. A bit angrily, too. This devil guy was beginning to get on his nerves. He talked too much, He was too open. Too soft. Moon Knight didn't want to surround himself with that.

"Are you suggesting a... partnership?", Moon Knight questioned.

"Only on a temporary basis.", Daredevil assured him. "At least until we can bring down Hammerhead. Believe me, I'm not going to anyone else with this. Spider-Man's too immature, I don't particularly care for some of the X-Men's members, and the Ultimates are too high profile for something like this. But you're obviously experienced in this field... and I could benefit from having any sort of experience on my side. And I think you could too."

While Moon Knight didn't really care too much for Daredevil, he had to admit, he was right. He had never come into contact with a street level hero so similar to his methods, before. He needed help in taking down Hammerhead, and he was definatley not going to ask The Punisher for it...

"-I'll consider it.", Moon Knight responded.

"Good. Whenever you make up your mind, meet me on this same building. I'll be here.", Daredevil said.

Moon Knight nodded, before diving backwards off of the building. Spreading his cape out so it slowed his descent, Moon Knight unfastened the grapple crossbow from his belt, and fired at a building. Pulling on the line, Moon Knight swang forward, and into the city, as the sun rose.

Daredevil sensed all of this, feeling the sun's heat begin to come upon the city. Now I play the waiting game. I just hope we have the time for that.

Taking out his billy club, Daredevil then paused, and smacked his forehead, realising something. -Foggy. Oh good god... I left him back at the office...

The Man Without Fear raced across the building, shooting out a line and flying off of the opposite side of where Moon Knight had disappeared to. Feeling the wind on his face, Daredevil smiled as he freefalled in the air. There was no better way to start a morning, in his book. And all in all, it seemed as if it was going to be a beautiful day for New York.

Even to a blind man.

* * *

The elevator to "The Loft" opened, as Moon Knight stepped out. Holding up a hand with a moonblade in it, he braced himself as a bullet struck the weapon, shattering it. Looking ahead, he spotted a frustrated Marlene. At least she wasn't in any sort of irregular mood.

"..."

"I don't know why I even bother anymore."

"Frankly, neither do I.", Moon Knight responded, pulling off his mask to reveal the usual sweat drenched face of Marc Spector. "And soon, you won't have much of a reason to."

Marlene raised an eyebrow, laying the gun down onto one of the tables.

"What do you-"

"It may be ending soon, Marlene.", Marc stated, looking into her eyes seriously. "All of the fear we've had in recent months. The fear that one day, the mafia would burst in here and end the mission once and for all. Every bit of it brought on by Hammerhead's threat... I may finally be able to free us of it."

"...Good.", Marlene said, a little less than excited. Infact, almost bitterly. "But when exactly are we going to be free of the mission?"

Marc looked down at the mask in his hands. The eyes of Moon Knight and Khonsu stared back at him. He grasped it, tightly.

"When it's done."

* * *

Fixing his tie, Matt strolled back into the law offices of Nelson and Murdock, trying his best to come up with an excuse to Foggy. The time he had came to an end, once he finally entered the same room.

"There you are...", Foggy stated, standing up. "The power came back on an hour ago. I roamed two blocks looking for you, and you didn't answer your cell... So, I figured the sewer gators got to you."

"Forgive me for that, Foggy. I guess my battery must've shorted out.", Matt answered, sitting back at his own desk. "I stopped for coffee afterwards."

"Ah. Getting a little R&R before today's big case, huh?", Foggy said, looking over a file.

"I wish.", Matt answered, with a small, unnoticed smirk.

"Well, you'll be glad to know that you got a message, while you were out. From Miss Page.", Foggy stated.

Matt immediatley sat up straighter, hearing that.

"Karen? What did it say?", Matt asked.

"She said she needed to speak with you after the trial. At her apartment.", Foggy answered.

Matt nodded.

It had been almost two days since their encounter in Karen's apartment, but Matt had eagerly awaited to come into contact with her again. Not only to see if she was alright from the last incident, but to see what exactly she had to lie to him about. He told himself it was nothing... she probably just panicked at the sight of him as Daredevil. But deep down... Matt didn't need his radar to sense that something was wrong. He had to see her again.

"You sure you didn't come into contact with any sewer gators, while you were away?", Foggy asked.

Matt snickered, a little.

"No sewer gators. I swear.", Matt responded, going back to his work.

Even though he remained deadly focused on his upcoming case, Matt knew that there was alot in store for him, in the future. Some of it could be good. Some of it could be bad. But either way, it was coming. Both for Matt Murdock... and The Daredevil.

Lord, if you're listening... I may need you now, more than ever.

 

[Feature]

IC Max Dillon: Electro
Season II - Epilogue

Max Dillon woke up in the most familiar of places: a cell, deep within the Triskelion. He wasn't the least bit surprised to find that the had been reunited with his favorite piece of jewelry: a genetic-stabilizing collar.

"Oh God." He thought. "This truly sucks."

His body ached in many places due to the beating he had recieved at the hands of Captain America. Who knew how long ago that had been. Hours? Days? It didn't matter. Max turned over on his bunk and was ready to sleep away the rest of his miserable life.

Just then a voice called out from beyond the glowing bars of his cell.

"Rise n' shine Baldie! You got a visitor."

Max sat up on his bunk and was surprised to see Charles Xavier on the other side of the bars, flanked by two heavily armored SHIELD agents.

"Hello Mr. Dillon. How are you feeling this evening?" The Professor asked.

"Fantastic! Just fantastic!" Max feigned. "I just finished having my butt kicked by Captain America, I'm back in this stinkin' prison for the umpteenth time, AND I'm gonna be dead soon because of some freaky mutant thing I probably contracted from you and your little friends! Oh yeah buddy, life is great. It doesn't get any better than this."

<At least one of your problems has already been taken care of.>

"Whoa!" Max yelled as he clamped his hands over his ears. "Get out of my head you weirdo! I mean it!"

One of the SHIELD agents nudged the Professor.

"Cut it with the psycho crap Xavier."

"I believe the word you're looking for is 'pyschic'."

"Whatever! You heard what Fury said. You got five minutes, so wrap this up and keep the mutie stuff out of it."

Xavier suppressed the urge to tell the man where his wife really goes on Saturday nights and turned back to Electro.

"Mr. Dillon, it is likely you do not ever remember being in my custody, but following your episode in Times Square, I had the opportunity to examine you."

"What do you mean examine me? You're not a doctor."

"No, I'm not a liscensed medical doctor, but such skills were unnecessary. This process was complete psychological."

"You did things to my brain! Without asking?" Max shrieked as he rose from his bunk.

"I know. Forgive me. Under normal circumstances I would never--"

"You heard him! You heard what he did! Lock him up! He... He... He ignored my rights as an American!" Max yelled to the SHIELD agents.

"What rights, pal? You threw your rights away when you volunteered to become an illegal abomination. Now sit down." The agent said. Max sat back down.

"I am sorry Mr. Dillon, but you were in desperate need of help, whether you truly were aware of it or not. You see, you were born a mutant, there is no question about that. But you did not benefit from your mutant abilities until after you were genetically altered."

"Benefit? This mutant ability is a curse! A death sentence!"

"Please pay close attention Mr. Dillon. The illegal experiments that turned you into Electro awoke your ability, but also turned it into something it was never intended to be. It started to eliminate all components of your body, harmful or not. Lucky for you, the source of your ability was your mind. Therefore, I could access it with ease."

"What did you do to me?"

"This situation presented me with a dilemma. I have spent my life teaching people to make peace with their mutancies, yet here I was presented with the opportunity to extinguish yours. I had a choice. One that I wasn't certain I should have been allowed to make. And yet, had I not repressed your ability, it is likely you would have been dead by now."

"Thanks alot egghead." The SHIELD officer commented. Xavier flashed him a mental picture of his wife meeting secretly with his brother. He became silent rather quickly.

"What did you do?"

"It is hard to explain to someone who does not have the gift of telepathy, but this is the most accurate description I can give you. I installed a series of guards in your mind that separate your ability from the rest of your functions. It still exists, but it will never again be activated."

"So, I'm not gunna die?"

"No Mr. Dillon. I don't believe you will."

A small smile spread across Max's face.

"Well, that's it Mr. Dillon. I simply felt you had a right to know what had been done to you. Perhaps if you ever manage to rehabilitate yourself, I can help you deal with your new life as mutant. Goodbye."

As the Professor was led away, his words cut into Max like razorblades.

"My life as a mutant..." Max muttered.

He had alot of things to think about and all the time in the world.

 

[Mr. Marko]

"I don't believe this ****. Here we are, you two fixing to get mugged, I try to help, then you start crying about how I put a stop to it?! This is the real world little boy! You do me a favor and ask him if he'll ever steal again! I promise you his answer will be no!"

MYSTIQUE
Season II : Part IX

Iceman cared for the weeping man. "Just because somebody pulls a gun on you doesn't mean you have to dismember the guy."

Mystique looked into the eyes of the mysterious man. She was had a range of emotions flowing through her mind. He was right, exactly right. He wasn't going to steal again. However, she was bothered by a feeling she hadn't felt for a long time. The man squirming in pain usually would have pleased her, but now...could she be feeling...pity?

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

Bobby was fuming. He could have taken the crook, and then some freak in a Batman suit came swooping down and decided to take justice into his own hands. He looked over at Jubilee, who looked like a deer in the headlights. She kept staring at the guy in the armor, then the crook, then back at the guy in the armor. He extended a hand to her to help her up. "Are you alright, Jubes?"

Jubilee nodded slightly. "Yeah." She looked like she was going to throw up.

"Let's get this guy to the hospital." He turned back to the twisted man in the night, not turning back.

 

[Mr. Marko]

Oopsies...double post.

 

[Feature]

IC Flint Marko: The Sandman
Season II - Epilogue

Flint Marko woke up feeling as though his entire body had been stuffed into blender, liquified, and reassambled piece by piece. Every breath ached. Every blink stung. And he had Nick Fury to thank for that.

A quick look told him that he was not in his 'room', but an actually honest-to-goodness cell. One difference however was that this was no ordinary cell-block. It seemed as though his was the only cell on the floor, and outside his bars there was nothing but darkness. SHIELD's equivalent to the hole, so to speak.

"I guess this is where people who sock Nick Fury go." Flint thought.

He tugged at the ever-present genetic-stabilizing collar that pressed against his throat. He hated this set-up. He geniunely wondered if he wouldn't be more happy dead. What was it someone once wrote? Better to rule in Hell than to serve in Heaven? It was not the first time he had contemplated suicide since his awakening at the hands of SHIELD.

Suddenly, a bright light came on outside his cell, illuminating a small area. An empty chair sat facing towards Flint from the other side of the glowing bars. Off to his left somewhere, Flint could hear the whoosh and ping of an elevator reaching its destination. Within a moment, Nick Fury came into his view, taking a seat in the empty chair.

The General sat down and eyed Flint for awhile; Flint returned the stare. Clearly, there was no love lost between these two. After long moments of silence, Fury spoke.

"What the hell is wrong with you, boy?"

Flint did not reply.

"Really kid, are you stupid? Just say it right now, say "Mr. Fury sir, I'm stupid" and I'll leave you be."

Flint chuckled, shook his head, and laid down on his bunk with his back to Fury.

"God Marko, I'm tryin' to help you! Anyone else in your life ever given you an opportunity like this? An opportunity to be a hero? A real hero?"

Flint did not stir.

"I've read your file Marko. I know you like my own son. Nobody ever gave you anything... until now. I'm the best friend you've ever had kid. If you would just be a little smarter, you could be living the dream. You could be rubbing shoulders with Captain America! Iron Man! You'd be a celebrity!"

Nothing.

"It's more than you deserve, you know. You deserve to be put back in those damn jars. You deserve to have your sandy ass turned into glass and smashed into a billion pieces. And look what I'm offering you. Celebrity. Freedom."

"Freedom!?!" Flint spat as he got to his feet. "How am I free, exactly? Everywhere I go I got your babysitters with me! I can't take a crap unless you tell me! I got no choices! None!"

"It doesn't have to be that way kid. Show me that you want this. Show me that you are ready to repay your debt to society, and all that could go away. Just show me. However, judging by your last outing, your a long way from ready."

Flint noticed that Fury was favoring his ribs. They were probably heavily bandaged under his sweater. Flint smiled, knowing his punch was responsible for Fury's discomfort.

"If you ever touch me again Marko... You. Will. Be. Dead. Can I be anymore clear?"

"You're a real tough guy when you got that weapon. Come on Fury. Put that away, get rid of these bars... let's see what happens."

Fury took the Hammer Industries' weapon out from his belt.

"They call these things Scramblers. Hammer developed them because he realized you were going to be a hard man to contain. Unlike your collars, these don't force you to be normal. The opposite actually. They play on your stupidity. They push your genes to the edge. They almost tear you apart."

Flint sat back down on his bunk.

"Hammer developed these because he could see your potential. He knew that with you, he had something special. And I'd be a fool if I didn't know that too. That's why I picked you. All these cells, Flint... I hate them. Criminals should be out there re-earning their right to be alive, working for the people. Not napping in here. And you, your abilites... illegal or not... can help people. You are a force to be reckoned with."

Flint looked at the floor.

"Stop being stupid. Think about what I'm offering you. Really think about it. I'll come see you when I think you're ready for another shot. Or I might never come back again. Have fun thinking about that."

Flint closed his eyes, dejected. He had alot to think about, and all the time in the world.

 

[guitarsingerguy]

MYSTIQUE
Season II : Part IX

Iceman cared for the weeping man. "Just because somebody pulls a gun on you doesn't mean you have to dismember the guy."

Mystique looked into the eyes of the mysterious man. She was had a range of emotions flowing through her mind. He was right, exactly right. He wasn't going to steal again. However, she was bothered by a feeling she hadn't felt for a long time. The man squirming in pain usually would have pleased her, but now...could she be feeling...pity?

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

Bobby was fuming. He could have taken the crook, and then some freak in a Batman suit came swooping down and decided to take justice into his own hands. He looked over at Jubilee, who looked like a deer in the headlights. She kept staring at the guy in the armor, then the crook, then back at the guy in the armor. He extended a hand to her to help her up. "Are you alright, Jubes?"

Jubilee nodded slightly. "Yeah." She looked like she was going to throw up.

"Let's get this guy to the hospital." He turned back to the twisted man in the night, not turning back.

Darkhawk looks over at the girl in the yellow coat. Jubes? What kind of a name was that? She looked like she was fixing to lose it. Darkhawk walks over to her. He stands at an angle to where only she can see what he's doing. Darkhawk removes his helmet for a split second. Just long enough for "Jubes" to get a sneak peek at what was underneath. That's when she officially lost it. She ran off screaming in the opposite direction.

"Yeah, looks like you guys were really ready to do what it takes. I've got a question for you Ice Boy. I've seen the little furry guy that runs with your little team. You know who I'm talking about. The one with the claws. How is this any different then anything that beast from hell has ever done? It isn't. The world can't be saved with lollipops and superhero bandaids. I'm pretty damn sure that you aren't very accepted. How could you be? You turn into my icebox at a second's notice. You've seen the ugly this world has to offer. How can you tell me that making an example out of this guy isn't going to help make things better?!"

 

[Venom160]

{ArchAngel}

I almost make it to the door before I feel her claws plunge into my back.

"Ahhhhh!"

I fall to my knees as she pulls down on the claws.

"You little bi*th!"

I extend a wing and hit her into a wall with it, I feel the wounds slowly start to heal but nowhere near as fast as I need them to.

{ArchAngel}

I feel the bone and synue slowly repair themselves, I look up to see that Alisons' already back to her feet with her claws at the ready. The few living guards have already bailed. I get to my feet and flare at Warren's love with murder in my eyes.

"Just for that I'll kill slow."

Warren tries to gain control but I crush his feeble attempt.

 

[Byrd Man]

IC Flint Marko: The Sandman
Season II - Epilogue

Flint Marko woke up feeling as though his entire body had been stuffed into blender, liquified, and reassambled piece by piece. Every breath ached. Every blink stung. And he had Nick Fury to thank for that.

A quick look told him that he was not in his 'room', but an actually honest-to-goodness cell. One difference however was that this was no ordinary cell-block. It seemed as though his was the only cell on the floor, and outside his bars there was nothing but darkness. SHIELD's equivalent to the hole, so to speak.

"I guess this is where people who sock Nick Fury go." Flint thought.

He tugged at the ever-present genetic-stabilizing collar that pressed against his throat. He hated this set-up. He geniunely wondered if he wouldn't be more happy dead. What was it someone once wrote? Better to rule in Hell than to serve in Heaven? It was not the first time he had contemplated suicide since his awakening at the hands of SHIELD.

Suddenly, a bright light came on outside his cell, illuminating a small area. An empty chair sat facing towards Flint from the other side of the glowing bars. Off to his left somewhere, Flint could hear the whoosh and ping of an elevator reaching its destination. Within a moment, Nick Fury came into his view, taking a seat in the empty chair.

The General sat down and eyed Flint for awhile; Flint returned the stare. Clearly, there was no love lost between these two. After long moments of silence, Fury spoke.

"What the hell is wrong with you, boy?"

Flint did not reply.

"Really kid, are you stupid? Just say it right now, say "Mr. Fury sir, I'm stupid" and I'll leave you be."

Flint chuckled, shook his head, and laid down on his bunk with his back to Fury.

"God Marko, I'm tryin' to help you! Anyone else in your life ever given you an opportunity like this? An opportunity to be a hero? A real hero?"

Flint did not stir.

"I've read your file Marko. I know you like my own son. Nobody ever gave you anything... until now. I'm the best friend you've ever had kid. If you would just be a little smarter, you could be living the dream. You could be rubbing shoulders with Captain America! Iron Man! You'd be a celebrity!"

Nothing.

"It's more than you deserve, you know. You deserve to be put back in those damn jars. You deserve to have your sandy ass turned into glass and smashed into a billion pieces. And look what I'm offering you. Celebrity. Freedom."

"Freedom!?!" Flint spat as he got to his feet. "How am I free, exactly? Everywhere I go I got your babysitters with me! I can't take a crap unless you tell me! I got no choices! None!"

"It doesn't have to be that way kid. Show me that you want this. Show me that you are ready to repay your debt to society, and all that could go away. Just show me. However, judging by your last outing, your a long way from ready."

Flint noticed that Fury was favoring his ribs. They were probably heavily bandaged under his sweater. Flint smiled, knowing his punch was responsible for Fury's discomfort.

"If you ever touch me again Marko... You. Will. Be. Dead. Can I be anymore clear?"

"You're a real tough guy when you got that weapon. Come on Fury. Put that away, get rid of these bars... let's see what happens."

Fury took the Hammer Industries' weapon out from his belt.

"They call these things Scramblers. Hammer developed them because he realized you were going to be a hard man to contain. Unlike your collars, these don't force you to be normal. The opposite actually. They play on your stupidity. They push your genes to the edge. They almost tear you apart."

Flint sat back down on his bunk.

"Hammer developed these because he could see your potential. He knew that with you, he had something special. And I'd be a fool if I didn't know that too. That's why I picked you. All these cells, Flint... I hate them. Criminals should be out there re-earning their right to be alive, working for the people. Not napping in here. And you, your abilites... illegal or not... can help people. You are a force to be reckoned with."

Flint looked at the floor.

"Stop being stupid. Think about what I'm offering you. Really think about it. I'll come see you when I think you're ready for another shot. Or I might never come back again. Have fun thinking about that."

Flint closed his eyes, dejected. He had alot to think about, and all the time in the world.

I finally head back up to my office after dealing with Marko's trifiling ass. Bastard broke two of my ribs and he was suppose to be our ourside, just goes to show you that scum is scum. I shake it off and sit down in my chair, let's see whats on the tube.

"This is Fox News, tonight's top story five dead in plane crash."

Too sad

"One of these days Alice! BOOM! To da moon!"

Sorry Ralph.

"Welcome back to Sportscenter, turning an eye to College Football, Ohio State has picked up a big recruit named Elijah Bradley. The 6'5 senior quarterback out of Midtown High School in New York signed with the Buckeyes this afternoon. This kid has got it all, rocket arm, runs like a chettah and storng has an ox."

"Elijah, When you get to Ohio State, What position will you play."

"Well, sir. Right now I don't really know. I'm hoping for Quaterback, or either Linebacker or Safety."

"Well, whatever you play, You'll definatly be a star."

I click off the T.V. and lean back in my chair, Bradley...Bradley. Why does that name sound so damn familiar? Wait a minute! I know. I reach down and buzz my secretary.

"Jessica? I want you to get all information and files we have on a 17 year old kid named Elijah Bradley, as well as the files on something caled 'Project: Patriot'."

"Right away General Fury."

"Oh and Jessica? Get Steve and the horn and tell him I want him here at 23:00 tonight."

"Yes sir."

She buzzes off and I close my eye. The thoughts in my head swirl around and around like a cow caught in a twister.

 

[Byrd Man]

I finally head back up to my office after dealing with Marko's trifiling ass. Bastard broke two of my ribs and he was suppose to be our ourside, just goes to show you that scum is scum. I shake it off and sit down in my chair, let's see whats on the tube.

"This is Fox News, tonight's top story five dead in plane crash."

Too sad

"One of these days Alice! BOOM! To da moon!"

Sorry Ralph.

"Welcome back to Sportscenter, turning an eye to College Football, Ohio State has picked up a big recruit named Elijah Bradley. The 6'5 senior quarterback out of Midtown High School in New York signed with the Buckeyes this afternoon. This kid has got it all, rocket arm, runs like a chettah and storng has an ox."

"Elijah, When you get to Ohio State, What position will you play."

"Well, sir. Right now I don't really know. I'm hoping for Quaterback, or either Linebacker or Safety."

"Well, whatever you play, You'll definatly be a star."

I click off the T.V. and lean back in my chair, Bradley...Bradley. Why does that name sound so damn familiar? Wait a minute! I know. I reach down and buzz my secretary.

"Jessica? I want you to get all information and files we have on a 17 year old kid named Elijah Bradley, as well as the files on something caled 'Project: Patriot'."

"Right away General Fury."

"Oh and Jessica? Get Steve and the horn and tell him I want him here at 23:00 tonight."

"Yes sir."

She buzzes off and I close my eye. The thoughts in my head swirl around and around like a cow caught in a twister.

The Triskelion:
The headquarters of The
United States Superhuman
Defense Initiative

23:10 Hours

I hear a soft rap at the door and I don't even look up to see who it is.

"Your late, soldier boy."

"Sorry, Nick. Even at 11 o' clock, the traffic's hell in Manhattan."

"That's fine, have a seat."

Steve sits down across my desk, I look up and see a few bandages and bruises on his face.

"Damn, Dillion did a number on you huh?"

"Not just him, Banner too. You still haven't found him yet?"

"Nope, somehow he managed to slip away in the confusion. We got Marko, Octavious and Dillon in the cells down at the bottom. Bullseye's at St. Mary's hospital recovering with about twenty soldiers flanking him at all times. That fool claims that this Loki cat paid him 100 million dollars to help him pull that stunt on us. He showed us a big suitcase and claimed it was all in there. Guess what was in it?"

"What?"

"Monopoly money."

"Haha, Serious?"

"Show how are you and Jan?"

"Fine, she's signed the divorce papers and is waiting on Hank to sign them too."

"He's probably going to be busy dealing with the lawsuit S.H.I.E.L.D.'s slapped on him. Those Ultron bots he made are S.H.I.E.L.D. property and he went and lent them to Loki. Bastard's lucky we aren't charging him with Treason."

"So what's going on, Nick? You didn't want to meet me at almost midnight just to play catch up?"

"Nope, I'm going to brief you on something very relevant to you."

A Helicarrier passes by the window and shakes the office.

"That's the third one that's been by in an hour. Their just running drills. Anyway, I've been reading some files recently on all the diffrent super soldier projects. Now after 9/11, S.H.I.E.L.D. re-authorized the Superhuman Defense Inititve, but it wasn't the first time the goverment tried to re-recreate a supersoldier."

I pull out my remote clicker and the wall to the right of me shows various images as the projector to the left of me comes to life.

"Now, while you were fighting the war. The military knew that while you were a one man army, there was always the chance that you would die. That's why after the sucess with you, they tried various ways to replicate the supersoldier serum. One of those was codenamed 'Project: Patriot'."

I press the clicker and it shows various men getting shots in their arm.

"In this project, they took your DNA and combinded it with the men's blood and put it back into them. Of the thirty men who were injected. fifteen on them died due to complicatins of your DNA. another fourteen of them went on and had normal lifes, though they all succomed to some form of rare dieses or diabetes. We think they were due to prolonged complications of exsposure to your blood. The project was deemed a failure and closed."

"What about one of them? By my count, you only said twenty-nine of them."

"Glad you asked."

I press the clicker and it shows a black man in a black and white photograph, he's posing in his army uniform.

"This is the one. His name is Isaiah Bradley. Born in 1929, He served briefly in the war and went on to fight in Korea. He retired from the army at the rank of Captain. He's currently 77 years old and is as spry as ever, infact he doesn't look a day over 45. A possible side effect to the exsposure to the serum."

A click and a color picture of a young black man running down a track with a pole in his hand and the olympics symbol plastered on his chest. He has an afro and a goatee.

"This is Isaiah's son Josiah. Born in 1955. A dominating athelete and winner of the gold medal in the decathalon four summer olympics in a row, That's sixteen years. He's arguably the greatest athelete since Jim Thorpe. He's also the only person not named Steve Rogers to come close to Supersoldier levels....Until now. "


Another click and a picture of a young black boy who has to be in his teens. This time the projector shows him playing football and out running everyone on the field.

"Elijah Bradley, Born in 1989. Josiah's son and Isaiah's grandson. He's a three sport star athelete for Midtown High School. He's faster than his father and stronger than his grandfather. and from what I found out about him through blood test this afternoon, He's your biological grandson, Steve....He's also the next member of the Ultimates."

 

[Mr. Marko]

FORGE
Season II - Epilogue

Two weeks had passed since Forge had escaped from the Triskelion with the help of Mystique. He now had his own small pad where he had been creating a few gadgets that he was planning to use to make a presence for himself. In the back of his mind however, he was still a fugitive, so at some point he would have to maintain under radar until he prove himself worthy.

He placed his small welder down and looked at his new creation. It had to be his best creation yet. He had taken apart his wris****ch and removed the magnetic manipulator, and then had created himself a large device that extended up his right forearm. He had installed a small radar device, a plasma blade that extended on command, reinstalled the magnetic manipulator, and a wireless internet connection which would enable him to wirelessly hack any computer connected to the internet. He hadn't yet made the attachment to connect to systems not connected, but that wouldn't be very hard.

He sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. "I wonder whats on the news." He flicked through the channels until he saw something that made his blood run cold.

"Last week, the Ultimates were given a run for their money as several superpowered thugs attacked the Triskelion. Although Doctor Otto Octavius, Max Dillon, and Benjamin Poindexter have been apprehended, this man, who is known only as Forge, who was a prisoner at the time in the Triskelion, is still at large. S.H.I.E.L.D. officers have offerred a $5 Million reward for the capture of Forge, and the public is to use extreme caution."

Forge spit his Coca-Cola out of his mouth. "Oh s@#&!"

"Forge was being held in the Triskelion awaiting trial for crimes against humanity in assisting Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants in their attempt last year to exterminate the entire human race. Nick Fury refused to make any comments on the status of Magneto itself, although security and eye witness accounts account only Forge leaving the scene."

"Oh hell. This is bad." He stood up and ran his hands through his hair. What was he going to do? S.H.I.E.L.D. had just put a $5 Million bounty on his head. FIVE F@#$ING MILLION DOLLARS! "Oh man, I'm f@#$ed." He smacked on his hands on his forehead violently as he paced back and forth in front of his TV. "Think, Forge! THINK!"

Suddenly, a voice came from outside his apartment. "ALRIGHT MUTIE, COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP AND WE'LL LET YOU LIVE!"

"F#@$!" A million thoughts ran through Forge's head. What was he going to do? Run from Nick Fury? He was more powerful than God for Hell's sake. He grabbed his wristband from the coffee table and put it on.

With a smash of wood as his door was blown open, a SWAT stormed into Forge's apartment. "Freeze, mutie!"

"Here goes nothin'." He hadn't tested his new device yet, and now was a good enough time to give it a test run. He pressed a button on his wristbound computer, and he instantly felt control over all the metal in the room. Instantly, he pulled the firearms out of the SWAT team's hands. Forge silently breathed a sigh of relief. Now was not the time for technical difficulties. "Now, let's try that again. Can I help you?" He lunged the guns at the soldiers' midsections, sending them hurling through the wall in the hallway behind them. "Yeah, get out bi@#$!" He then sent his TV and the entire brand new set of knives he had just gotten from some vacuum saleslady at them, causing screams to erupt from them as well.

"Works well," he said to himself, "give yourself a pat on the back for this one. Let's try out another one." He scaled through the small computer until he reached the plasma blade. With a beep, the screen blinked INVALID ERROR. With a sigh, he moved back to the magnetic manipulator option. "Sorry to leave you boys here alone, but I have a date with a hottie in half an hour and I have yet to freshen up." You wish, he thought to himeself as with a flick of his wrist, he lifted himself off the ground with his magnetic manipulator. Nice to have a metal leg, he thought to himself. "Oh by the way fellas, those pins all over your bodies...they aren't very flattering." With a wave of his hand, the pins of all the grenades launched from their homes and into Forge's hand. "See you around." He floated out of the apartment and into the afternoon air as the SWAT team fumbled desperately to remove the grenades before they all detonated at the same time.

*****************************************
​

Later that night, Forge sat on top of a building overlooking Times Square. What the hell was he going to do now? It wasn't long before Fury would catch up with him. Its not like he could just keep fighting off these people forever. Before long he would sick the Ultimates on his a#@, and then he would end up back in that miserable cell awaiting some stupid life's sentence.

Suddenly, Forge thought of something.

The Ultimates. Nick Fury was a sucker for high-tech, super-expensive stuff. Look at Iron Man for Hell's sake. Maybe Fury knew how to make a deal.

Maybe Forge still had a chance.

 

[Mr. Marko]

Darkhawk looks over at the girl in the yellow coat. Jubes? What kind of a name was that? She looked like she was fixing to lose it. Darkhawk walks over to her. He stands at an angle to where only she can see what he's doing. Darkhawk removes his helmet for a split second. Just long enough for "Jubes" to get a sneak peek at what was underneath. That's when she officially lost it. She ran off screaming in the opposite direction.

"Yeah, looks like you guys were really ready to do what it takes. I've got a question for you Ice Boy. I've seen the little furry guy that runs with your little team. You know who I'm talking about. The one with the claws. How is this any different then anything that beast from hell has ever done? It isn't. The world can't be saved with lollipops and superhero bandaids. I'm pretty damn sure that you aren't very accepted. How could you be? You turn into my icebox at a second's notice. You've seen the ugly this world has to offer. How can you tell me that making an example out of this guy isn't going to help make things better?!"

MYSTIQUE/JUBILEE
Season II - Epilogue

What the f#@$ happened to this guy??? Upon seeing the grotesque face of the armored man, Mystique did the only thing she felt Jubilee would have done: freak out. She ran up to Bobby and quickly clung to him.

********************************
​

Bobby put his arm around Jubilee as the two of them helped the man with one hand away. He didn't have anything else to say to him. This guy was losing blood fast, and he needed to get to get to a hospital. "Hang on, this might be a bit crazy." He held onto both of them tightly and sped into the sky on an icebridge, leaving the crazy freak in the dark.

********************************
​

Days later, Xavier Mansion...

Mystique sat in her room quietly. The last two weeks had been more than she had expected. Storm had been running her through all sorts of exercises in the Danger Room, which kept her tired. At least she had effectively made her way into the mansion. Xavier had also approved her for full-time X-Men duty, since she had passed the Danger Room exercises with flying colors. She had used some of her martial arts skills to speed up the process, since she had business here in the mansion.

She stared at herself in the mirror. She shifted back to her true self. Something had been bothering her lately. The encounter with the man she had since come to learn was named Darkhawk had left her with a cloud of thought. A part of her had been disgusted by his lack of humanity...his darkness. That was what Mystique was though, dark. Was she losing her edge?

Being in the mansion was bringing back scores of feelings. Lost opportunities.

She switched back to her Jubilee form.

Charles had inspired her to do great things in the past. They had been partners. Mystique was before the X-Men even existed, and now she once again found herself in the midst of Charles dream. She wasn't having second thoughts was she?

She reverted back to her Mystique form.

No, of course not. Charles was going to pay for the hell he had put her through. She was going to rip the X-Men inside out and upside down. She threw her yellow overcoat on, reverted to her Jubilee form.

This was just the beginning...

 

[Noon]

{ArchAngel}

I feel the bone and synue slowly repair themselves, I look up to see that Alisons' already back to her feet with her claws at the ready. The few living guards have already bailed. I get to my feet and flare at Warren's love with murder in my eyes.

"Just for that I'll kill slow."

Warren tries to gain control but I crush his feeble attempt.

"C'mon War, snap out of it!"

I can see on his face the struggle raging within him, I just wish I knew how to help him.

I edge forward, locking my eyes on his.

"War, I know you're still in there, fight, fight it with everything you got"

 

[guitarsingerguy]

MYSTIQUE/JUBILEE
Season II - Epilogue

What the f#@$ happened to this guy??? Upon seeing the grotesque face of the armored man, Mystique did the only thing she felt Jubilee would have done: freak out. She ran up to Bobby and quickly clung to him.

********************************
​

Bobby put his arm around Jubilee as the two of them helped the man with one hand away. He didn't have anything else to say to him. This guy was losing blood fast, and he needed to get to get to a hospital. "Hang on, this might be a bit crazy." He held onto both of them tightly and sped into the sky on an icebridge, leaving the crazy freak in the dark.

********************************
​

Days later, Xavier Mansion...

Mystique sat in her room quietly. The last two weeks had been more than she had expected. Storm had been running her through all sorts of exercises in the Danger Room, which kept her tired. At least she had effectively made her way into the mansion. Xavier had also approved her for full-time X-Men duty, since she had passed the Danger Room exercises with flying colors. She had used some of her martial arts skills to speed up the process, since she had business here in the mansion.

She stared at herself in the mirror. She shifted back to her true self. Something had been bothering her lately. The encounter with the man she had since come to learn was named Darkhawk had left her with a cloud of thought. A part of her had been disgusted by his lack of humanity...his darkness. That was what Mystique was though, dark. Was she losing her edge?

Being in the mansion was bringing back scores of feelings. Lost opportunities.

She switched back to her Jubilee form.

Charles had inspired her to do great things in the past. They had been partners. Mystique was before the X-Men even existed, and now she once again found herself in the midst of Charles dream. She wasn't having second thoughts was she?

She reverted back to her Mystique form.

No, of course not. Charles was going to pay for the hell he had put her through. She was going to rip the X-Men inside out and upside down. She threw her yellow overcoat on, reverted to her Jubilee form.

This was just the beginning...

We'll settle this later boy. A being with that much power needs some enlightenment. He could do a lot of good, if I could make him see the world as it truly is.

Darkhawk's metal wings sprang out, and he takes to the sky.