The Ultimate Marvel RPG Vol. 2: New World IC Thread

[SenseiofCheese]

In the heat of battle, where the massive beast swung it's claws wildly trying to swat away it's tiny attackers, there was a low rumble. Not everyone heard it, at first. But then, it came again. Louder. And a great deal more menacing.

Suddenly a shadow fell across the battlefield. And, for a moment, it was almost as if an even larger monster towered over them. One by one the heroes looked up, and watched as a massive, storm cloud spread across the sky like oil through water, and swallowed the sun.

"I'll thank you to get out of my city, monster." Thor called over the hungry growl of the growing storm, before letting out a roar that was all at once majestic and animal.

The massive bolt of lightning sailed downwards, branching off in search of the highest ground until finally it was found in the form of the dragon's head. With force shared by few other things in nature, the electric tendril punched through the top of the dragon's skull. It's head burst into flame and rained droplets of fire down on the streets, before it's entire body erupted, and a million pieces of machinery filled the skies. Flaming shrapnel of all shapes and sizes rained down like bullets, cutting through flesh and tendons of the countless Norse warriors. Acting with unmatched speed, Captain America quickly raised his shield, against which the shrapnel bounced harmlessly. Spider-Man was quick to act, dodging and weaving through the metallic barrage with a speed and agility Thor had never before seen. The Black Panther was quick to take refuge, as well, using a nearby car and shield himself.

"Another one of Osborn's toys." Thor grunted, as he touched down beside Captain America and the Black Panther, soon joined by the young Spider-Man. "I must say I'd like a word with the man."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Norman Osborn", T'Challa questioned as he nudged a piece of what was once the dragon with his foot.
"He's responsible for this chaos and death?"

T'Challa cracked his knuckles and neck, "Then I'd like to have a little chat with the man as well."

 

[Matt Murdock]

I do my level best not to dance with glee as I speak to The Ultimates. Despite the fact that this is a time of crisis, though, I can't help but be a bit overwhelmed, and really, really excited. I mean, these are the guys who everyone looks up to. Alright, maybe not everyone since Norman Osborn opened his lying liar from LiarsBurg mouth. But, before that, these guys were the bee's knees. They hobnobbed with moviestars and politicians alike.

And I just killed a giant, building-demolishing dragon with them. I'm sort of tongue tied. Or starstruck. Or something.

"Osb-Osbo-Osborn?" I stammer, "Well, there's no one around who's as good at kicking his butt as me."

I blink, realizing I've just told The Ultimates that I'm better at their job than they are.

"Well, what I mean to say is that I've been around the Norman Osborn block a couple of times." A few S.H.I.E.L.D. agents snicker as they arrive on the scene.

I shake my head, and bounce around, leaping from a taxicab, to a lightpost, to a perch on a mailbox.

"That came out weird. Is it sweaty out here, or what?" I ask, adjusting my collar, "Is anyone else itchy?"

I hop down from the mailbox, and take a second to compose myself in front of Thor, Captain America, and Condoleeza Rice's college roommate.

...My slapstick is really not on the ball when I'm nervous.

​

"I'd just like to help." I say from behind the mask, a tooty grin on my face. "And, y'know, beat Norman Osborn into next week."
​

 

[Matt Murdock]

​

Stark blinked several times, unsure if he should believe what was happening. The reason he told Natasha to cut him in the elevator was simple: in order to better interface with the Iron Man suit and other pieces of his technology, Stark had billions of microscopic robots, or nanites, flowing through his blood stream. By spilling them into the control panel of Doom's elevator, he had, basically, plugged into Doom's system. Whether the dictator knew it or not (and chances were he didn't), Stark had gotten himself a way into Doom's computer mainframe. That was the entire purpose of his visit to the behemoth airship. Clint's arrival had delayed the infestation of Stark's nanites. His death had provided Stark with a seamless way of delivering them into Doom's circuits. His resurrection, however, while a great relief to Stark, seemed to throw a wrench in his plans.

Clint Barton was up and walking around, two rooms away from where Stark was.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Stark said, brushing past Doom, who undoubtedly would know of Clint's return to life soon enough. He threw himself into the bathroom, pretending to cover his mouth as if he was about to vomit. Stark had to make sure that he, Barton, and Romanova were all off of that ship before Doom got wise.

He pulled out his cell phone. The standard lines of communication were undoubtedly being watched, so, Stark had to get creative. He pulled the battery plate off of the phone, ripped out the battery, and jammed the mechanical power circuits into his arm. He made the sound of himself vomiting to keep Doom at bay, and opened his cell phone.

By using himself as a conduit to relay a text message, he might be able to avoid any tracking. If not...

He had a damn fast helicopter waiting for him on the helipad.

STAY DEAD.
AM BRINGING YOU AND NATASH B1ACk TO SHIEld

The message sent itself to Clint's phone which was, hopefully on his person or in his personal effects, and flushed the toilet. He pulled the jack out of his arm, replaced it in his pocket, and dabbed some blood on the side of his mouth.

Slamming the door open, he clutched his stomach, staring at Doom.

"Something's wrong..." He told the dictator, falling into the latter's arms, "I need to see my own doctor. I think... I think I'm sick."
​

 

[The Mighty Thor]

Cap brought his shield up and held it firmly over his head as fiery debris from Thor's final attack on the apparently mechanical monstrosity rained down. Brief bursts of heat dispersed across the area as flaming chunks bounced off the metallic defence and slammed to the floor with miniature explosions. Only when the hollow remnants of the artificial dragon's body crashed to the ground did Cap lower the shield and return it to its place on his back. He reached up and brushed away a stray streak of ash across his cheek before striding forward to join Spider-Man, Thor, and their unidentified ally. The former was ranting mindlessly, leaping about and fidgeting uncomfortably.

"Stay calm, Spider-Man. I agree that our goal right now should be to depose Osborn, but I'm not taking a bouncing rookie into the field when I do it," he said firmly, before turning his attention to the black-suited enigma. "For that matter, I won't take a stranger either. Who are you, mister?"

 

[Catman_prb]

By using himself as a conduit to relay a text message, he might be able to avoid any tracking. If not...

He had a damn fast helicopter waiting for him on the helipad.

STAY DEAD.
AM BRINGING YOU AND NATASH B1ACk TO SHIEld​

The message sent itself to Clint's phone which was, hopefully on his person or in his personal effects, and flushed the toilet. He pulled the jack out of his arm, replaced it in his pocket, and dabbed some blood on the side of his mouth.​

Slamming the door open, he clutched his stomach, staring at Doom.​

"Something's wrong..." He told the dictator, falling into the latter's arms, "I need to see my own doctor. I think... I think I'm sick."​

Growling at the general mindless blundering irritatingness that Stark was capable of at times, Clint send him a quick message back.

**** you stark.
shield sanctioned operation.
get n & u out.
job to do.​

 

[Gallagher]

Slamming the door open, he clutched his stomach, staring at Doom.

"Something's wrong..." He told the dictator, falling into the latter's arms, "I need to see my own doctor. I think... I think I'm sick."
​

"No more than an hour ago Stark you were pronounced dead, I would assume this is a step up." Van Damme scoffed. Before he could continue one of his men grabbed Doom's attention.

"One moment." The dictator said as he followed the young latverian to a small room.

"Sir, I was just doing a routine maintainence check and I came across some abnormalities in the ship's functions sir." Explained the technician.

"Abnormalities?"

"There appears to be outside interference with our systems."

Doom put a plated hand to his chin and thought for a moment.

"Good eye, I shall see to it that you are commended."

Making his way back to his esteemed guest Van Damme scowled.

"Mr Stark, you won't be going anywhere for the time being. Is Fury ready to speak yet?" Doom asked the man beside him, ready with one of the ship's many communication devices. The man nods.

"Good, patch me through to every screen in New York."

There was a short pause as Van Damme composed himself, he turned to Stark, who was still clutching his stomach and grinned.

"General Fury." He began. "Citizens of New York, I came here offering my help and aid in a time of crisis, I was met with hositility, even has I closed the portals bringing the invaders to your world, even as I airlifted your families to safety." He was going to do what Osborn couldn't, ruin Fury and his government forever.

"Even as I gave up the lives of my men to help, I was met with unbridaled hostility. Three of your precious Ultimates have boarded my ship via force and attempted to assault my person, one, I am sad to say is no longer with us." Van Damme lamented, hanging his head in false respect.

"I have tried to reconcile the differences between our countries but it seems that General Fury and his underlings wish me nothing but harm, therefore, I am taking the attack on my person and my staff as an act of war."

Before Stark could respond, two Doombots grab him by the arms and bring him forward so that Fury and the whole of New York could see him.

"As you can see, I have foiled the attempt on my life. Tony Stark is now a prisoner of war. I wish to inform the citizens below and the ones safely aboard my carrier that I wish them no harm and will take care of them once this is all over. They have suffered under Fury's rule for too long."

With that, the connection was cut and Doom turned to face Stark.

"Surrender to me and I won't have to kill you. Believe me, this time you will stay dead." Van Damme noticed the smirk on the billionaires face and allowed one of his own to form on his metallic visage.

"You have an ace in the hole do you Mr Stark? The nanotechnology in your blood allowing you to get into my systems are they? You won't like what you find." Van Damme grinned fully, staring at Stark with contempt.

"A technovirus, infecting the part of your brain that allows you to interface with my technology, soon it will spread, then you will be seriously ill my most acomplished foe."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Cap brought his shield up and held it firmly over his head as fiery debris from Thor's final attack on the apparently mechanical monstrosity rained down. Brief bursts of heat dispersed across the area as flaming chunks bounced off the metallic defence and slammed to the floor with miniature explosions. Only when the hollow remnants of the artificial dragon's body crashed to the ground did Cap lower the shield and return it to its place on his back. He reached up and brushed away a stray streak of ash across his cheek before striding forward to join Spider-Man, Thor, and their unidentified ally. The former was ranting mindlessly, leaping about and fidgeting uncomfortably.

"Stay calm, Spider-Man. I agree that our goal right now should be to depose Osborn, but I'm not taking a bouncing rookie into the field when I do it," he said firmly, before turning his attention to the black-suited enigma. "For that matter, I won't take a stranger either. Who are you, mister?"

"I am T'Challa, the Black Panther", T'Challa said with pride.
"Protector of Wakanda, and rightful heir to her throne."

"My family was murdered by my cowardly brother as his military coo took control of my homeland. I have come here to seek help in retaking Wakanda and avenging the death of my parents."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"Isn't it beautiful", the Red Skull said as he looked out the car's window as it drove by the Washington Monument.

"What's that, baby?"

"It is a sign of the power and righteousness that is the American destiny. Sadly it is a destiny thanks to the ignorant fools in charge."

The car turned down Constitution Ave, and the Red Skull turned away from the window and looked at the other people in the van.
Crossbones sat across from him on the opposite wheel well polishing his combat knife, and Sin sat beside, her attention focused up at him. Six other of the Skull's most devoted and skilled followers sat silently in the back of the van as it bounced down the road towards the Potomac.

"That's why we're here though", the Red Skull stated as his stare went from person to person.

"To save this country from the cancer that's slowly eating it away."

"Amen to that", Crossbones nodded in agreement before cracking his neck.
"Bastards have ****ed us over for too damn long. Time for a change."

"We're here, sir", called the driver as he pulled into the dock area, driving all the way down through the warehouses towards a large freighter anchored at the end on a private dock.

"You all know what to do", the Skull looked to his men. They had been over this dozens upon dozens of times. Ran over the schematics of the dock area, practicing simulations of the exchange...everything the Skull could think of to make sure they were ready for any scenario.

The van doors opened up and the six soldiers filed out and secured the area. Crossbones, carrying a book bag, and Sin exited the vehicle next, and then came the Red Skull.
The Skull pulled his black trench coat tighter around him as the cold breeze picked up a bit.

Moving in a disguised formation, the Skull and his team headed towards the large warehouse down from the anchored ship.

Entering the main door, the Skull made his way to the room's far side, and the man that stood waiting for him.

"I do so love punctual people", he smiled.
"So, we ready to get down to business?"

 

[Matt Murdock]

"No more than an hour ago Stark you were pronounced dead, I would assume this is a step up." Van Damme scoffed. Before he could continue one of his men grabbed Doom's attention.

"One moment." The dictator said as he followed the young latverian to a small room.

"Sir, I was just doing a routine maintainence check and I came across some abnormalities in the ship's functions sir." Explained the technician.

"Abnormalities?"

"There appears to be outside interference with our systems."

Doom put a plated hand to his chin and thought for a moment.

"Good eye, I shall see to it that you are commended."

Making his way back to his esteemed guest Van Damme scowled.

"Mr Stark, you won't be going anywhere for the time being. Is Fury ready to speak yet?" Doom asked the man beside him, ready with one of the ship's many communication devices. The man nods.

"Good, patch me through to every screen in New York."

There was a short pause as Van Damme composed himself, he turned to Stark, who was still clutching his stomach and grinned.

"General Fury." He began. "Citizens of New York, I came here offering my help and aid in a time of crisis, I was met with hositility, even has I closed the portals bringing the invaders to your world, even as I airlifted your families to safety." He was going to do what Osborn couldn't, ruin Fury and his government forever.

"Even as I gave up the lives of my men to help, I was met with unbridaled hostility. Three of your precious Ultimates have boarded my ship via force and attempted to assault my person, one, I am sad to say is no longer with us." Van Damme lamented, hanging his head in false respect.

"I have tried to reconcile the differences between our countries but it seems that General Fury and his underlings wish me nothing but harm, therefore, I am taking the attack on my person and my staff as an act of war."

Before Stark could respond, two Doombots grab him by the arms and bring him forward so that Fury and the whole of New York could see him.

"As you can see, I have foiled the attempt on my life. Tony Stark is now a prisoner of war. I wish to inform the citizens below and the ones safely aboard my carrier that I wish them no harm and will take care of them once this is all over. They have suffered under Fury's rule for too long."

With that, the connection was cut and Doom turned to face Stark.

"Surrender to me and I won't have to kill you. Believe me, this time you will stay dead." Van Damme noticed the smirk on the billionaires face and allowed one of his own to form on his metallic visage.

"You have an ace in the hole do you Mr Stark? The nanotechnology in your blood allowing you to get into my systems are they? You won't like what you find." Van Damme grinned fully, staring at Stark with contempt.

"A technovirus, infecting the part of your brain that allows you to interface with my technology, soon it will spread, then you will be seriously ill my most acomplished foe."

​

Stark held the smile on his face. He felt Doom's virus infecting his mind. Whatever resources he had at his disposal, whatever scientists he had hired or geniuses he had employed, none of them, surely, could match the genius intellect of Tony Stark. Van Damme wasn't a programmer, nor was he an engineer. A scientist? Indeed. Brilliant? Unquestionably. But, sometimes, even the most accomplished scientist found it difficult to put pen to paper and write a sonnet.

In short, it is difficult for one man to be good at everything.

That wasn't to say that Doom's virus was ineffective, however. He had created a remarkable piece of machinery. Stark's nanites, however, were able to ward the more dangerous side effects of the virus off.

His face took an ugly pallor, though, as his nanites waged war against Doom's virus in his system. His veins grew more pronounced, colored blue and throbbing beneath his flesh. He fell to his knees, still smiling, almost chuckling, as he stared at Doom, hamming up the battle between his nanites and the virus as much as he could.

"Good plan, Van Damme." He said, "But not good enough."

He cricked his neck, and the Doombots released him.

"A better plan might have been to ensure that my connection to my nanites was severed. Thereby, I would be able to interface with your technology." Stark got a sickening smile on his face, staring into Doom's face. "Or mine."

The window behind Stark and Doom smashed inwards as his helicopter surged into the room. Rolling out of the way, Stark watched as the helicopter blades, still spinning, sliced through Doom's minions, as their master took a few fearless steps backwards. The helicopter surged backwards, leaving Doom alone in the room with Stark.

Natasha Romanova burst through the door, gun drawn.

"The machines escorting her were somehow deactivated." Stark said wryly.

"Natasha." Stark said, simply, "Helicopter."

She nodded, and in a swift motion, tossed him the gun and vaulted into the waiting helicopter.

He took aim, pointing the gun directly at Van Damme.

All he needed, now, was for Barton to smash through a door guns blazing, and the three of them could be on their way.
​

 

[Matt Murdock]

Cap brought his shield up and held it firmly over his head as fiery debris from Thor's final attack on the apparently mechanical monstrosity rained down. Brief bursts of heat dispersed across the area as flaming chunks bounced off the metallic defence and slammed to the floor with miniature explosions. Only when the hollow remnants of the artificial dragon's body crashed to the ground did Cap lower the shield and return it to its place on his back. He reached up and brushed away a stray streak of ash across his cheek before striding forward to join Spider-Man, Thor, and their unidentified ally. The former was ranting mindlessly, leaping about and fidgeting uncomfortably.

"Stay calm, Spider-Man. I agree that our goal right now should be to depose Osborn, but I'm not taking a bouncing rookie into the field when I do it," he said firmly, before turning his attention to the black-suited enigma. "For that matter, I won't take a stranger either. Who are you, mister?"

"I am T'Challa, the Black Panther", T'Challa said with pride.
"Protector of Wakanda, and rightful heir to her throne."

"My family was murdered by my cowardly brother as his military coo took control of my homeland. I have come here to seek help in retaking Wakanda and avenging the death of my parents."

I watch as Captain America takes his place with the rest of his team, me, and Allen Iverson, here, who has finally introduced himself.

"You say 'bouncing' as if it's a bad thing, Mr. Liberty Bell." I quip. "But even the Green Goblin can't take out this ping pong ball with his flames."
​

 

[Matt Murdock]

Humberto Ramos and his friends were thieves of opportunity. They weren't interested in long cons, or violent crime, but when the chance to make a quick buck showed itself, boy, were they in business. And, after the Asgardian invasion that the news was reporting, business was booming. Humberto and his friends were laughing as their van bumped along the deserted roads. All the residents of their neighborhood had taken refuge in their homes, leaving the streets an open playground for vandals and looters alike.

Humberto and his friends were the latter.

They had already made short work of the local grocery store, which had already been visited by individuals with similar motives. Humberto and his friends, however, were able to find plenty of junk food, and a few cases of beer in the underpowered cooling cases in the back of the store. With the streets deserted, they had soon consumed the entire case, laughing merrily as they cavorted about.

The brakes of their car squealed as the driver spotted an abandoned electronics store at the corner of the block. They all glanced into the center of the car, smiling eagerly. They knew what they were doing was wrong, but they didn't much care. After all: if you snooze, you lose, finders, keepers, and all that.

The piled out of the car, leaving it in the middle of the street. There were bodies, Asgardian and human alike, strewn about the road. Some of them wore S.H.I.E.L.D. kevlar, others the armor of Norse legend, and a few were simply civilians who were caught in the crossfire.

The thunderclouds overhead blackened the sky. The timers on the lampposts had yet to reach the hour when they activated the lights within, leaving the streets pitted in a formidable darkness. Thunder clapped occasionally

Making their way to the storefront, they looked inside the battered and dusty windows. Dozens of televisions, DVDs, and other electronics waited for them through the shattered door frame, and each man made his way one after the other. Humberto stayed outside, however, and entered the car's driver's seat. Starting the ignition, he pulled the car onto the curb and in front of the store.

He stepped through the door frame and felt glass shards crack under his feet. In the darkness of the empty store, it was hard to make much of anything out. The other men in the store were already spotting their hauls.

He told me there was nothing out there... Nothing to be afraid of... nothing that could get me, as long as he watched over me.

Humberto froze when he saw the body of the store's owner, head cut off. The decapitated body lay sprawled on top of the tile floor. Blood from the lethal wound stained the wall, splattered across the clean, white, paint. He was paralyzed, his heart racing and beating angrily against his throat.

In short, Humberto didn't like it.

He jumped when one of his friends, Mark, placed a palm on his shoulder and grinned. The latter was eager to start filling the van with electronics. They walked together to the rear of the store, where the most expensive items were kept in storage. It was then that they realized that the other two men were nowhere to be found.

But the night my father was murdered, I caught a glimpse of something... something I've looked for ever since.

Mark and Humberto glanced around impatiently, calling out the names of the other two ransacking the store. They were about to abandon the attempt altogether, leaving their comrades to their fate, when one of the missing men appeared out of nowhere, standing silently as he shifted his sweatshirt.

"Where the hell were you?" Humberto hissed, already emotionally troubled as a result of the bloody mess on the other end of the store.

"Takin' a leak." The other man said, an air of malice in his tone. It was as if he thought Humberto had no business questioning him. "Where's Tommy?"

Humberto looked concerned.

"He wasn't with you?"

"No." The man scoffed, "Why would he be with me?"

A low groan came from behind one of the stacks of boxes and the three men eyed each other suspiciously. They stepped towards the groan, and peered over the cardboard that housed the electronics. Behind it, they saw the body of their missing friend, a large gash in his forehead. He was bleeding heavily. He was alive, but, in all likelihood, wouldn't stay that way for long. As Humberto, Mark, and the third man peered over the frame of their friend, they all seemed to be at a loss for words.

I've searched in every alley, ripped apart every bar. I've found the way to evoke fear against those who would use it to harm the innocent.

All at once, every television in the room surged to live, each one running a static picture. Humberto and Mark looked up, only to realize that the third man was gone, vanished. Without even bothering to look for his friend, Mark sprinted towards the front door of the shop, terrified. Something snatched him upwards, though, slamming him into the ceiling of the store, then back down onto the ground. A shadow passed over the slumped body. Trying to put up a fight, Mark reached up, grasping for whatever it was that had ensnared him. Humberto heard something open itself up, like a sword being heaved hungrily from its sheath. The shadow reached upwards, then heaved back down over Mark's frame. Humberto heard his friend's angry scream, and watched as a pool of blood formed beneath him.

Humberto stared forward, slackjawed. He eventually worked up enough gumption to surge forward, snatching a wrench on his way.

He stopped, when something slid down from the ceiling, hanging over Mark's body.

​

I see now that there is something in the shadows.

"Who's there?!" Humberto screamed angrily, brandishing the wrench in his hand as if it could take an army.

He felt something grab his shoulder. Spinning angrily, he sent his fist into his attacker's chest, forgetting entirely about the wrench. His fist collided with some sort of padded metal, which felt almost like armor wrapped in leather. He recoiled, holding his hurt hand. The imposing figure before him, a good six inches taller than he was, stood quietly. From out of nowhere, Humberto felt a fist slam into his jaw, sending him spinning. He landed on his knees, kneeling on the ground. His attacker heaved him onto his feet and into the shadows, slamming his face into an old television set, smashing shards of glass into his flesh. Humberto, overcome by fear and dread, fell to the floor in a heap, the eerie glow of televisions running static pictures filling his periphery.

Something lurking, feeding on the silence that heightens the fears of men. It is fearless, unwavering, and will not stop until it executes redemption.

​

"Me."

 

[The Mighty Thor]

"I am T'Challa, the Black Panther", T'Challa said with pride.
"Protector of Wakanda, and rightful heir to her throne."

"My family was murdered by my cowardly brother as his military coo took control of my homeland. I have come here to seek help in retaking Wakanda and avenging the death of my parents."

I watch as Captain America takes his place with the rest of his team, me, and Allen Iverson, here, who has finally introduced himself.​

"You say 'bouncing' as if it's a bad thing, Mr. Liberty Bell." I quip. "But even the Green Goblin can't take out this ping pong ball with his flames."​

Cap kept his expression neutral and impassive as the self-proclaimed Black Panther explained his purpose here; inside, however, he was silently stepping back. Getting involved in foreign affairs was a tentative subject, and not something that he could dedicate himself to at this moment in time. However, they needed all the help they could get, so the deposed king didn't have to know that.

"Give us a hand here, Panther, and we'll see what we can do about your problem," he said with a brisk nod, before turning to Spider-Man. "From what I know, you have the most experience fighting Osborn, so you can tag along." Finally, he focused on Thor, the only known and tested quantity in this ragtag band. "We should move quickly. My S.H.I.E.L.D. comm tells me that 'U.S. Agent' has been spotted engaging Asgardian invaders down Fifth Avenue. Teleport us there and let's do this."

 

[Matt Murdock]

Cap kept his expression neutral and impassive as the self-proclaimed Black Panther explained his purpose here; inside, however, he was silently stepping back. Getting involved in foreign affairs was a tentative subject, and not something that he could dedicate himself to at this moment in time. However, they needed all the help they could get, so the deposed king didn't have to know that.

"Give us a hand here, Panther, and we'll see what we can do about your problem," he said with a brisk nod, before turning to Spider-Man. "From what I know, you have the most experience fighting Osborn, so you can tag along." Finally, he focused on Thor, the only known and tested quantity in this ragtag band. "We should move quickly. My S.H.I.E.L.D. comm tells me that 'U.S. Agent' has been spotted engaging Asgardian invaders down Fifth Avenue. Teleport us there and let's do this."

"We need to be careful not to hurt Harry if he shows up." I plead, taking Captain America (squeal) by the arm, "Cap, you gotta promise me that if Harry Osborn Crazypants the Second shows up, you're not going to cut his head off with that shiny shield of yours."
​

 

[The Mighty Thor]

"We need to be careful not to hurt Harry if he shows up." I plead, taking Captain America (squeal) by the arm, "Cap, you gotta promise me that if Harry Osborn Crazypants the Second shows up, you're not going to cut his head off with that shiny shield of yours."​

Cap shot him a stern glare, glancing darkly at Spider-Man's hand on his arm. "I don't have to promise you anything, kid," he snapped, "so if Osborn's son shows up and gets in our way, I'll do what's necessary to get him out of it. That said, Harry Osborn isn't our target. I won't actively go after him. That's the best I can give you."

 

[Matt Murdock]

Cap shot him a stern glare, glancing darkly at Spider-Man's hand on his arm. "I don't have to promise you anything, kid," he snapped, "so if Osborn's son shows up and gets in our way, I'll do what's necessary to get him out of it. That said, Harry Osborn isn't our target. I won't actively go after him. That's the best I can give you."

I stare at Captain America. Did he, the superhero I've idealized since before I realized that puberty was the vaccine to cooties, say he wouldn't really mind killing an innocent kid?

"Your best isn't good enough." I say, "Go after Harry, and you'll have to follow up with me. And so will your boss."
​

 

[The Mighty Thor]

I stare at Captain America. Did he, the superhero I've idealized since before I realized that puberty was the vaccine to cooties, say he wouldn't really mind killing an innocent kid?​

"Your best isn't good enough." I say, "Go after Harry, and you'll have to follow up with me. And so will your boss."​

Cap stared at the young vigilante with open incredulity. "Who do you think you're talking to, kid? I'm Captain America. I'm an Ultimate. My job is to protect this country, this country which is right now being invaded by damned Asgardian soldiers and a band of villains pretending to be heroes. So excuse me if I prioritise saving New York City over your frankly pathetic teen woes. I don't know or care what kind of connection you have with Harry Osborn, but if you insist on bringing it into the field with us, then it becomes my business. That's how we're playing this, so you can take it or leave it."

 

[Matt Murdock]

Cap stared at the young vigilante with open incredulity. "Who do you think you're talking to, kid? I'm Captain America. I'm an Ultimate. My job is to protect this country, this country which is right now being invaded by damned Asgardian soldiers and a band of villains pretending to be heroes. So excuse me if I prioritise saving New York City over your frankly pathetic teen woes. I don't know or care what kind of connection you have with Harry Osborn, but if you insist on bringing it into the field with us, then it becomes my business. That's how we're playing this, so you can take it or leave it."

"I was wrong about you." I say quietly enough that it sounds just right. I've heard way worse things from scumbags like Flash Thompson. He's Captain America. He's gotta have a soul, right? "Here I was, thinking you were the good guy. That you were the opposite of Norman Osborn. But you're the same. You may fight under a different flag, but you and he are equally relentless."

I leap up and stick to a nearby wall.

"You may be new to this whole 'superhero' thing, but the thing that separates us from them is the fact that we have limits."

Captain America goes to speak, but I cut him off.

"I get it, I get it. You don't have limits. If you didn't half of the time, your job wouldn't get done. The Captain America I saw in the pages of Time and Newsweek would never hurt an innocent kid, even if he did get in the way of stopping the 'bad guy.'" I look at the concrete. I can't even look at him. "It's a shame that's not the same guy who's standing in front of me now."

I don't know what I'm supposed to feel. The Ultimates, Captain America especially, are all idols in this country. He's eaten with the president, for crying out loud. He's supposed to be "better than." I guess he isn't.

"I guess this means that you really did only use Harry as a prop." I mutter, "I shouldn't be so naive, I know. I just figured you were better than Norman Osborn. Not his government-sanctioned counterpart."

I vault over his head, landing on the pavement, pointing myself in the direction of the last Osborn sighting.

"I'll fight alongside you." I have to. It's time to put aside our differences and come together to take Osborn out. I'd rather have Captain America than Osborn, after all. "But don't think that means I'm fighting with you."

And, like that, I leap into the air, swinging away. Now, I can only pray that what I said didn't fall on deaf, or ignorant, ears.

​

 

[Johnny Blaze]

T'Challa listens to the exchange, silently casting his gaze from Captain America to Spider-Man.
He understood the Captain's attitude and heard the same rhetoric before. He was a soldier, first and foremost. And Steven Rogers would do anything and everything it took to complete the mission or defend what he believed in.
The Captain's tenacity was one of the qualities he admired in him. But there had to be limits.

His brother, Jakkara, was a soldier too. One as fiercely devoted to his beliefs as the Captain. And Jakkara held no remorse for the atrocities he committed in taking control of Wakanda. He believed he was doing the best thing for Wakanda in disposing of his father and mother, and trying to kill T'Challa.

T'Challa did not know what the future had in store for him, but he knew one thing. He would not be the same as his brother.
The Spider-Man may be only a young man, but his words rang true.
The test of a true hero was to know your limits. The lines you cannot cross. And killing or wounding innocent civilians was one of those lines.
And the mantle of the Black Panther would be forever tarnished if he allowed such a thing to happen. If this Harry Osborn showed up, T'Challa would make sure to get him out of the way before anybody could do anything they'd regret.


"If you can teleport us to Osborn", he said to Thor, "then let's not waste any more time arguing. Let's put an end to this chaos once and for all."

 

[Venom160]

Warren's mind floats aimlessly from thought to disjointed thought. Memories drift by in odd orders as if stitched together by some demented madman.

Fallen....

Certain memories burn the brightest and also fade the quickest. One of which constantly return to his mind's eye, the night he proposed to Ali. Warren can almost feel the sun on his face as he drops to one knee. The warm rays grow in intensity until he can smell the pungent scent of burning flesh. Warren screams as hes' ripped from his thoughts and dropped into reality. Panic sets in as Warren tries to open his eyes and realizes that his eye lids were burned shut.

"Ah your awake! I had hoped that you'll be conscious for this. Oh and before you say anything sorry about the charred face. Guess I didn't wait long enough for that mask to cool."

Fallen chuckles as Warren instinctively jerks his head around.

"Where...where am I?!"

"Thats' not important little brother. You should worry about whats coming."

Warren tries to block out the pain as he tracks his brother's voice as it moves behind him.

"I should warn you. This is gonna hurt......"

Cold claws seize Warren's wings and pulls. The sounds of tearing flesh and the young mutant's screams echo off the walls. The Fallen takes grim pleasure as he slowly tears away flesh and bone. With one final snap the hollow bones break separating the wings from the body. Fallen tosses the bloody wings aside and reaches for the blowtorch sitting on the table beside him. Warren slowly goes into shock as he feels his blood pooling around his feet. Fallen lets out a disturbing giggle and takes the blowtorch to his brother's back. Minutes pass and Fallen sets the blowtorch down. Satisfied with his Brother's pulse The Fallen takes a step back and inspects the cauterized flesh.

"Well its no Picasso but I like it. I'm sure dear old dad would be proud."

Fallen stuffs the discarded wings into a trash bag, cleans up the blood, and quickly applies his disguise before hitting the button on the intercom. Clearing his throat Fallen throws on his best impersonation of his brother.

"Docter Rao could you please come lab number three?"

<Yes sir.>

Dr. Rao enters the lab just as Fallen exits the holding cell.

"I apologize sir if I had known you were here I ...."

She trails off when she spots the chained mutant.

"Oh my god."

Fallen smiles slightly.

"Meet your first test subject."

"But why the..."

"I'm sorry Docter but I have a press conference in five minutes. I'll answer any questions you have later. Right now I need to get ready. For your own safety I suggest you keep the mask and collar on our guest. Hes' a very dangerous mutant."

Before the confused doctor could say anything The Fallen exits the lab.

"Oh!'

Fallen steps back into the door frame.

"Could you get someone to take that trash bag to my new apartment please?"

Any sane man would look at this assembled cache of media vultures and feel some tinge of intimidation. To the Fallen all he sees is a means to keep his enemies at bay. Pushing away his contempt for these apes The Fallen enters the conference room greeted with a hale of questions.

"Mr. Worthington is there any truth to the rumor that your apartment was firebombed last night by...."

"Mr. Worthington will you comment on the disappearance of one of Worthington Lab's board members?"

"Is your company responsible for the dragon-like creature that recently rampaged through New York?"

Questions along this vein assaults this impostor's ears but instantly died down as he approaches the podium.

"I would just like to say that I will not be answering any questions."

Fallen can see several newspaper reporters already scribbling notes.

"Almost two weeks ago the Ellis Island facility began construction with the sole purpose to housing the development of a compound that will change the face of our world as we know it. Worthington Labs had originally planned on keeping the details of the compound secret until development was further along. But recent events has forced me to rethink my companies' actions. Last night I was attacked at my apartment by the mutant group known to the public as the X-Men."

The Fallen silently waits for the group of quiet down before continuing.

"Fortunately I was able to escape the attack unharmed. Clearly this attack was directly tied to the nature of the compound and I fear that this was simply the first of many attempts on my life. It is in this fear that I have decided to go against the schedule set forth by the company and announce the compound early. To show the X-men and others that these cowardly terrorist attacks will not halt progress."

Reaching into his pocket Fallen produces a vial containing an early version of the cure.

"I give to you a suppressant to the X-gene. A cure for mutation."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

"If you can teleport us to Osborn", he said to Thor, "then let's not waste any more time arguing. Let's put an end to this chaos once and for all."

Thor had stood by and watched the young Spider-Man argue with Captain America. There was some things that were absolutely striking in the young crime-fighter, Thor thought. There was the conviction that drove the boy to stand up to Captain America, which was not something many people would think to do. The boy was an idealist, something Thor liked to think he shared with him. Great things lay ahead of Spider-Man, this much Thor was certain of.

But he knew that the last person he remember disagreeing with Captain America, Nick Fury and SHIELD ended up in a small, plastic cell for several months.

"Gather round." Thor requested and the Black Panther and Rogers wasted no time.

Raising Mjolnir high above his head, it was as if the Thunder God commanded the skies to darken. There was a deep rumbling, and the three looked up to see a massive bolt of lightning come zooming down at them. Instinctively, Steven and the Panther raised their hands to shield their eyes, wincing slightly before they realized the bolt of lightning had already come and gone. Opening their eyes, they found themselves in the middle of Fifth Avenue. Unconscious Asgardian warriors littered the streets, and a block away, a man bearing an uncanny resemblance to Captain America was throwing the Norsemen aside with little to no difficulty.

"OSBORN." Thor bellowed and the skies grew dark once more. "We would have words with you."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"I do so love punctual people", he smiled.
"So, we ready to get down to business?"

"Indeed we are", the Skull smiled.
"Klaw, my friend. You look well."

"Skull, it's been a while", Klaw nodded.

"So, you're working for Jakkara I see? Interesting."

"With him running Wakanda now, it's ripe with opportunities. How could I pass up a chance to get blind, stinking rich?"

"Yes, how could you", the Skull said with an almost bored look.

"Now, about my weapon?"

"It's right here", Klaw snapped his fingers, and a man in civilian clothes that was sitting on a crate gets up. Cracking his neck, the man then proceeds to push his seat towards the Skull.

"One high grade vibranium warhead. The vibranium in the bomb magnifies the blast, doubling it's destructive power. This **** here is better than what the US is packing."

The Skull inspected the crate and opened it. Inside, surrounded by protection that held it in place was a small device the save of a carry on suitcase.

"Perfect", the Red Skull grinned as he ran his hand over the weapon.

"Now, let's see the goods."

"Of course", the Red Skull turned and nodded to his men who brought the briefcase up to him. The man who wheeled the bomb to the Skull inspected it's contents and then nodded the "ok" to Klaw.

"We're good then", Klaw smiled.
"You're getting a deal here, Skull. Don't forget that. And you never acquired this from us."

"Auf Wiedersehen, Klaw. As always, it has been a pleasure", the Skull clicks his boot heels together and gives Klaw a curt nod.

"See you around, Skull. Have fun", Klaw chuckled as he and his men exited out the back.

"****ing swine", the Skull grumbled when the Klaw had left.
"It figures he'd be in bed with a ******. Crossbones..."

"What's up, Skull?"

"Secure the weapon into the van and let's get back to the base. We have a message to send, and we need to get ready."

 

[Matt Murdock]

​

"Dum-deedle-da-da! Dum-deedle-da-da! Dum-deedle-da-da! Dum-deedle-dummmm!" I cry, swinging over the heads of a few dozen New Yorkers as I head for Norman Osborn. I'll admit that Ride of the Valkyries is, maybe, a bit much, but, hey, I'm Spider-Man! I've gotta make an entrance! "Have no fear! Spider-Ma--"

​

KRA-KOOM!

"Sonova..."

The sky's dark, and, in the middle of the street, there's a crater in which the the Ultimates are standing. I get that they have a multi-billion dollar budget, but do they really have to upstage me at every chance they get? I bet they've got a whole billion dollars devoted strictly to special effects. I can't compete with that.
"Hey, Ul--" I begin.

"OSBORN." Thor cries, bringing the darkness back once again. "We would have words with you."

"And, yeah! I would too!" I call out, almost like an afterthought.
​

 

[Matt Murdock]

​

Tony gripped his side and fell to his knees, Doom's virus slowly rampaging through his system. He'd be able to fight it off, but not for very much longer. He didn't know where Barton was, what condition he was in, or even if he had managed to stay alive. The pressure in the main chamber that he stood in, facing off against Doom, began to equalize with that outside. The whirling wind of the helicopter was the only thing that could be felt against his skin, now. Stark stared at Van Damme. Whether the dictator had good intentions or not didn't really matter anymore. Tony Stark had just smashed an adamantium and vibranium-laced helicopter through the window of one of the ship's many infirmaries. Whatever chance there was for compromise was, surely, gone.

Natasha stared at the two men from inside the helicopter, her eyes glazed over.

"This isn't over, Van Damme." Stark said. If Clint was alive, Natasha would be his first priority. And, what's more, it was almost impossible, with Stark in Doom's mainframe, for the dictator to even realize that Barton was alive.

Stark turned, without even bothering to look over his shoulder. Natasha gave him a hand onto the waiting, hovering chopper. Disguising the effects of Doom's virus, Stark coolly sat in the pilot's seat and pulled the headset over his ears. With a heave of the joystick, the chopper pulled away from the behemoth, flying as quickly as he could.

"Barton, Barton, this is Stark." He stammered into the microphone mounted on his head. He assumed that Barton had put his communicator in, and was communicating on an unmonitored frequency, "I have recovered Natasha and we are inbound to S.H.I.E.L.D. Will come back to recover you as soon as possible."

 

[Catman_prb]

"Barton, Barton, this is Stark." He stammered into the microphone mounted on his head. He assumed that Barton had put his communicator in, and was communicating on an unmonitored frequency, "I have recovered Natasha and we are inbound to S.H.I.E.L.D. Will come back to recover you as soon as possible."

"That's a negative, Stark," Clint breathed into his earpiece "My recovery is not the priority. You're going to need to stop Osborn playing his hand - he's up to something, I know it,"

He stepped over the bodies of two computer technicians, tapping away quietly at a terminal in the wall.

"Right now I'm looking at the schematics for Doom's hellicarrier. I reckon that he must have some transmitter for controlling his robots - either that or they're run wirelessly, which means that I can just erase the system. It shouldn't make him too happy, losing his clockwork men," he said as his eyes glazed over with a series of figures and facts.

"I don't think this terminal has a high enough security. I'm going in deeper," he announced quietly "Er...Tony, how's Natasha? Her getting shot wasn't part of the plan,"