The 'What If?' Marvel RPG - Season thread

[Mr. Marko]

PROF. XAVIER

"Thank you. As Hank has made clear, we need to stop the oppression that is being forced upon us, and take our rightful place. For this, we will need the help of one mutant, codenamed Forge."

Cyclops leans forward, "Forge? What's his gift?"

"Well Scott, Forge's mind is unique, it gives him the ability to realise any invention from thought, meaning he is able to construct anything of which he can conceive."

"Really?" Pietro inquired, "How exactly does that work?"

"Well we're not quite sure, but we do know he is working with your father. We must break into the Brotherhood's compound and kidnap him. We do not harm him, but anyone else who is in the way must be dealt with, in order to make the world just again."

"My dad? We have to take him on?"

"Yes Pietro, for once we have forge, I can implant the concept of an invention into his one. An invention that will win our cause. As for the tactics, Hank has devised us a perfect strategy."

BEAST
Season 1 : Part 2

Hank flicked the remote in his hand. On the large plasma screen appeared a picture of Magneto's Sanctuary.

"This is Magneto's ivory tower. He locks his students away in thought that he can keep them safe from the world while still manipulating them into a feeling of false security. On the outside it is nothing more than a simple structure, and the only real defense they have established is with the members of his Brotherhood. From our information we have gathered, Magneto has some fairly hard hitters running for him, which means we are going to need to get in and out...fast. That's where you come in, Quicksilver."

The screen changed and an outline of the sanctuary was shown.

"A night attack is the only real choice we have, naturally. Broad daylight is out of the question. Storm will be covering the entire Santuary in the biggest storm since the ice age, and that will be your time to move in.

"You, Mr. Maximoff, will be taking the southface. I know you are capable of running on water, so getting there should not be a problem. This is an in-and-out mission, nothing more. Cyclops, and myself will be waiting just beyond radar in the X-Jet, just in case of emergency.

"However, we are sending Mystique in early as recon. We need you to take the place of the easiest person you can so that you can get information to us about Forge's location. I know your style, so I left you room to play with."

Mystique quickly shifted her form into that of Toad's. "The dirty bugga's won't know what hit 'em!"

Hank chucked. "You leave tomorrow. We'll move in as soon as we recieve contact from you. I'll be fitting you with the communition device I've been developing. Last time we ran into Magneto he completely fried my entire communication network with a magnetic pulse, so I've had to build it back from scratch. Its all redone now, though, and should be ready for use. I will also be providing you with a very strong sedative that you will be giving him the night he is to be apprehended.

"Your mission, Mr. Maximoff, is simple. Run in, grab Mystique under one arm and Forge in the other, and get the hell out of there. How long do you think that will take?"

Pietro shifted a bit in his seat. "Well, it depends. I mean, my father knows me fairly well. I think he might have an idea I'm on the way. All it would take is..."

"Less than ten minutes?"

"Pfff!" Pietro looked offended. "A minute and a half at absolute most, including traveling across the water."

Hank smiled. He looked over his glasses at the newest member of the X-Men. "You really are a miracle, aren't you Mr. Maximoff?" He turned back to the Professor. "Anything to add, Charles?"

 

[Cyrusbales]

BEAST
Season 1 : Part 2

Hank flicked the remote in his hand. On the large plasma screen appeared a picture of Magneto's Sanctuary.

"This is Magneto's ivory tower. He locks his students away in thought that he can keep them safe from the world while still manipulating them into a feeling of false security. On the outside it is nothing more than a simple structure, and the only real defense they have established is with the members of his Brotherhood. From our information we have gathered, Magneto has some fairly hard hitters running for him, which means we are going to need to get in and out...fast. That's where you come in, Quicksilver."

The screen changed and an outline of the sanctuary was shown.

"A night attack is the only real choice we have, naturally. Broad daylight is out of the question. Storm will be covering the entire Santuary in the biggest storm since the ice age, and that will be your time to move in.

"You, Mr. Maximoff, will be taking the southface. I know you are capable of running on water, so getting there should not be a problem. This is an in-and-out mission, nothing more. Cyclops, and myself will be waiting just beyond radar in the X-Jet, just in case of emergency.

"However, we are sending Mystique in early as recon. We need you to take the place of the easiest person you can so that you can get information to us about Forge's location. I know your style, so I left you room to play with."

Mystique quickly shifted her form into that of Toad's. "The dirty bugga's won't know what hit 'em!"

Hank chucked. "You leave tomorrow. We'll move in as soon as we recieve contact from you. I'll be fitting you with the communition device I've been developing. Last time we ran into Magneto he completely fried my entire communication network with a magnetic pulse, so I've had to build it back from scratch. Its all redone now, though, and should be ready for use. I will also be providing you with a very strong sedative that you will be giving him the night he is to be apprehended.

"Your mission, Mr. Maximoff, is simple. Run in, grab Mystique under one arm and Forge in the other, and get the hell out of there. How long do you think that will take?"

Pietro shifted a bit in his seat. "Well, it depends. I mean, my father knows me fairly well. I think he might have an idea I'm on the way. All it would take is..."

"Less than ten minutes?"

"Pfff!" Pietro looked offended. "A minute and a half at absolute most, including traveling across the water."

Hank smiled. He looked over his glasses at the newest member of the X-Men. "You really are a miracle, aren't you Mr. Maximoff?" He turned back to the Professor. "Anything to add, Charles?"

XAVIER

"Thank you Hank, just so that you know, I'll be in the X-Jet too, and I will try to shield you from detection the best I can. However, DO NOT underestimate the brotherhood, Magneto alone could level a city in seconds."

"But surely you're psychic powers can disable him for us?" Storm inquired.

"Well I wish it were that easy, you see, we were once great freinds, but that time is over, as our ideals could not let it be. I respect him a great deal, and we had planned many advances for mutant kind. He knows the full extent of my power more than any of you, and has a way to shield himself from it, using a helmet we built together. Even with the invention of Cerebro that Forge will build, Magneto will be a great challenge."

"What exactly does this invention do Proffessor?"

"Well hopefully, I'll be able to show within a few days. Now, let's move to the X-jet, and assemble ourselves."

 

[The Question]

There are many legends in Nevada. Stories of phantom gunslingers, haunted bars, skinwalkers, witches, and demons that rule the cool desert night. No one knows why exactly, but if you go 100 miles in any direction in Nevada, you'll probably hear a few old stories of things that aren't dead, but aren't quite human either.

Johnny Blaze is one of those things.

Blaze stands, silently and motionless, on a street corner in a suburb of Las Vegas. If anyone were to walk past him, they would see one man. But there are three. For, not long ago, Blaze made a deal with a devil. Not the devil. He was luckier than that. But the deal still cost him his soul. And while he was able to free himself from Hell's control, he gave his freedom up in exchange to an entirely different force.

"So, what should we do?"

"Simple. Walk into his house, wrap our fingers around his neck, and squeez until he stops breathing."

"That would be murder."

"That's kind of the point."

"We should reason with him. Convince him to turn himself into the proper authorities."

"There is only one "proper authority." And the only way to get to him is six feet downwards."

"You're a zealot and afanatic. You're no better than the Sicarii."

"The Sicarii had balls."

"Reason and understanding are the best ways to go about things."

"And yet if memory serves, the last time to tried that you got NAILED TO A BLOODY CROSS!"

"Both of you shut the **** up right now. We're doing this my way."

Blaze finally moves from his spot, walking up to a small white house. He passes through the door as if it weren't even there.

Alone, in the living room, sits Albert Fine. He is a 42 year old electrical engineer. He has done very bad things.

"Albert."

Albert stands in surprise, turning to face Blaze.

"Who are you?" He says.

"You killed them, Albert."

"W-what are you talking about?"

"Your wife. Your children. You took a knife and killed them in their sleep. Why?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, but..."

Blaze begins to glow, as if a small star rests within his chest. A pair of enormous wings, black as the night and yet shining brighter than the sun itself, emerg from his back so quickly and so naturally that you'd be hard pressed to remember when exactly they apeared.

"WHY?!"


Albert begins to cry. Not in sadness, or anger, or in joy, but in sheer **** your pants terror.

"I-i.....i..."

Blaze, now weilding a cythe as if it had been in his hands all along, holds the weapon up to Albert's throat.

"You are nothing. I should rip your soul from your body and crumple it into nothing."


Blaze pulls the cythe back, and stands over Albert like an eclipse.

"But you will live. You will live with the shame of what you have done and the knowledge that I could have easily wiped you from existence."


And with that, Johnny Blaze dissapears. Albert sits there for a moment, speechless. And then he hears sirens.


"Not bad, Johnny. Not what I would have done, but I suppose it got the job done."

"Hrr."

"Fine. Whatever."

Johnny's wings begin to slink down and awak from his body, streaching and morphing until they are transformed into a silver motorcycle, almost heavenly in it's apearance. Johnny gets on and starts it up.

"Let's ride."

The bike, and it's rider, zoom down the road.






"I still think y'shoulda at least roughed him up a bit."

 

[guitarsingerguy]

After many weeks and several peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the man known as Gambit actually began to enjoy the young boy's company. It had become a daily occurrence for Chance to make minimum hourly visits to the mausoleum.

"Mr. Gambit, can I ask you a question?"

"Well...I guess all 'dem sandwiches done earned you 'dat much."

"Is Gambit your real name? It's kinda weird."

Gambit began to laugh. He had forgotten how deadly honest children were.

"No boy, ma real name's Remy....Remy Labeau."

"Have you always been in New Orleans?

"Long as 'ol Gambit can remember."

"We just moved down here after the hurricane. My Grandma was down here, and she was in real bad shape. She asked us to move down here so we could take care of her. My daddy wasn't so nice a guy, so mom took the chance to leave him. He used to hit us alot. Anyway, why do you look like you do?"

"What? You ain't never seen no black man before?"

"Well.....not exactly like you anyway."

Gambit began laughing again. He truly enjoyed the boy's naivity.

"Gambit's just foolin' with ya 'dere boy. My powers got so strong that they turned me inta this."

"Can I get powers like yours?"

"'Fraid not 'dere ma boy. You either born like this or not."

"Well Mr. Gambit, I gotta go on home, but I brought you something."

The little boy hands Gambit a portable television.

"It's got new batteries and everything. I'll see you tomorrow."

Chance runs up to Gambit and gives him a hug. It's the first one Gambit can ever remember receiving. Emotions swell up and overflow in Gambit's heart.

"Chance....t'ank you boy. T'ank you for making Gambit feel like he's human again. Now you go on home."

Gambit turns on the small TV, and gets poor reception on everything except the local channels. The national news was on, and after watching for about five minutes, a phrase caught Gambit's ear: Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants.

"Alot done changed in the world fa' sure."

 

[spartin2008]

(Double Post)

 

[spartin2008]

Good good, I'm glad to see you two here. Leech, this is Barda and the young man who just showed up is named Gabriel or Vulcan. Yes Barda, could you set a room up for him. Do not worry Leech, she will take good care of you, if you need anything let her or I know and we will take care of it.

As Bertha took Leech by the hand and led him away, Eric looked over at Vulcan. Gabriel, I'm glad you chose to come and back me up, since we didn't know what the emergency was. I have been meaning to talk to you for the last couple of days now, but because of how busy it has been around here I hadn't had a chance to.



You know that over time our population on this island has grown due to the mutants who have sought sanctuary here. It is becoming a little much for one man to handle by himself. On top of that we have our strike force, the Brotherhood that I lead when things get hairy.

The point is....I need a leader...someone I can count on to lead the Brotherhood if something were to happen. You have always been reliable and the team respects you. I would like you to accept that responsability. I will still be the overseer and probably still go on most of the missions that I send the team on, but I would like you to take more direct leadership over them. I figured I would make it official over dinner tonight.

With the way things are happening with human/mutant relations, and the growing threat of my old friend Charles and his X-Men; the team will need someone they can rely on to help them through the fights. It won't be easy, since you know that your brother Scott is on the side of the Devils, but you know I will also be there to help you through it.

So..Vulcan..Gabriel...what do you say?

Vulcan (post 2)

Well, this is really unexpected. I can understand your concern about the X-men, and my brother Scoot. I am very suprised that you would chose me to lead the team, not that I would not like to accept the position, I just would have expected you to give it to someone else, such as Toad, but apperently you see great potential in me, and faith, which would make it easyer to lead the team to know that I have your full support Eric. I guess what I am trying to say is...Yes, I would be glad to become the leader of the Brotherhood, and I would accept it as an honor, I am prepared to do everything in my power to treat the team as myself, I will be willing to put myself in harms way for the teams sake, I do belive I am ready for the resposibility, and prepared for the task that my lie ahead of me, but most of all Eric, I would like to thank you, Thank you for all you have done for me since I was sent here as a child, I belive your training me has givin me the skills I might need for leadership of the team. Eric, I would be glad to accept your proposal.

 

[Venom160]

Hobgoblin

"Origins"



"Norman please, the performance enhancers aren't ready. The data just doesn't justify this test. Now im asking you for the last time, we can't do this!"

Norman Osborn stare at his business partner and fellow scientist with a look of utter annoyance.

"Don't be a coward, risks are part of laboratory science."

Mendal Stromm's eyes bug out of his head alittle bit more as the doors to the large glass chamber before him opens.

"Please Norman, every other variation of the enhancers has driven the test animals insane! What makes you think this ones going to be any different!"

Norman wheels around and slams Stromm against a wall.

"Because I rewrote the entire formula!"

"What?"

"You heard me Mendal. We've been doing this your way and we've had nothing but failure! So I took your notes and had my personal scientists completely dismantle the formula and under my supervision assembled a formula that my scientists guarantee will work."

Mendal's entire body is shaking with rage.

"You bastard! You son of a....."

"Yeah yeah be pissed off after we test the enhancers."

Norman removes his shirt and injects the first stage of the enhancers into his bloodstream and than steps into the chamber.

 

[guitarsingerguy]

Gambit sits in his mausoleum waiting for Chance to come home from school so he can have something to do. The silence is baptizing. However, the silence didn't last long. A mysterious man interrupts his meditation. He walks in and throws Gambit a carton of Camel Turkish Golds and a bottle of Maker's Mark.

"That's just the beginning obviously."

Gambit cracks open the carton of cancer sticks, removes one of the packs, packs it, then lights one up.

"Gambit not working fa' you no more."

The mysterious man bursts out laughing.

"Half a sip of that whiskey and you'll be putty in my hands. Here's your job."

The man throws Gambit an envelope with a picture and an address.

"I want you to put together a small team. Something simple....quiet."

"What she do?"

"Witnessed something she shouldn't have."

Gambit sits there for a moment before opening up the bottle of booze. He swallows it like a man whose roamed the desert for weeks and finally found a well.

"What's da' rest of da' team look like?"

"You're the expert in this area. I leave those decisions to you."

"So...how much ya' offering?"

"Enough to keep you at the bottom of a bottle for a very long time."

Gambit walks over to his staff leaning against the wall. It's covered in dust. Gambit blows on it, and small little particles fly everywhere.

"Look like 'ol Gambit not outta da' game. Least, not yet. I take da' job on one condition. Da' team stays at home."

 

[Brainiac 8]

Vulcan (post 2)

Well, this is really unexpected. I can understand your concern about the X-men, and my brother Scoot. I am very suprised that you would chose me to lead the team, not that I would not like to accept the position, I just would have expected you to give it to someone else, such as Toad, but apperently you see great potential in me, and faith, which would make it easyer to lead the team to know that I have your full support Eric. I guess what I am trying to say is...Yes, I would be glad to become the leader of the Brotherhood, and I would accept it as an honor, I am prepared to do everything in my power to treat the team as myself, I will be willing to put myself in harms way for the teams sake, I do belive I am ready for the resposibility, and prepared for the task that my lie ahead of me, but most of all Eric, I would like to thank you, Thank you for all you have done for me since I was sent here as a child, I belive your training me has givin me the skills I might need for leadership of the team. Eric, I would be glad to accept your proposal.

Wonderful Gabriel, I am sure you will do the team much good. Tonight at dinner I shall make the official announcement to the team. I am in need of rest Gabriel....would you be so kind as to make sure Toad gets a break and get Sam Guthrie to take over for a while. I would greatly appreciate it.

We need to be prepared Vulcan, I have a feeling that hard times are coming. Charles is wanting a war, and we will have to make sure we are humanities front line of defense.

Magneto turned and left Vulcan standing there in the hallway. All he could think about was that young boy...Leech....how did he get here on the Island? Where did he come from? Eric will need to speak to the boy more at a later date. That ability of his was intrigueing, and Eric wanted to make sure he learned more about it.

Right now though, Magneto decided he would rest up in his library. Knowledge is power, or at least that was the proverb. How much he and Charles use to discuss Darwin, Aristotle, all the great minds of the past. Back when mutants were still an unknown, when he and Charles were two of the only ones around. He still remembers that day when they were forced to use their abilities to save the other...the shock to find out they were not alone any longer.

What happened to us Charles....I always figured we would end up on the same side.

Erics parents were killed by the Nazis when he was still a boy, they were killed for being different. From then on, he knew his destiny would be to make sure that didn't happen again. Humanity had to see that mutants were not there to take over, they were there to live in union with humans. Just think of the Utopian society that would come out of such harmony.

Charles did always tell me I dreamed too much. But sometimes dreams can become reality.

I will be the one to see that reality come to pass...

 

[Brainiac 8]

DAREDEVIL....Chapter three


I'm back....now sitting in my office at the top of Fisk Tower. When I made Fisk disappear, I also had the books changed showing that he made humble Matthew Murdock, attorney at law his partner. There also was a resignation noticed left in his absense stating that I was to replace him as CEO of Fisk enterprises.

It was not a real document, that didn't matter...but all the right people thought it was real. So that is how I now run his underground network, or what used to be his.

Thing is, anyone who was under Fisk knows what really happened, and they all answer to me now. There are also those who think Fisk is still here (like the late Kangaroo) but I will educate them all eventually.

I don't worry that they will rat on me either, since they know what will happen. They just don't know from which shadow it will happen from.

Matt swung in through his office window, and locked it up. His desk buzzer went off. Lets see who that is...Matt pushed in the talk button.
"What is it?"

"Um...it's Handsome Dan boss."

"Enter."

It takes a moment but soon the door opens and Handsome Dan walks through. "Sir, I know you don't like being disturbed, but I thought you would like to know that it seems Blackie Draco was found dead tonight. It seems Spider-Man killed him."

"Good riddance, Draco needed to die. I would have taken him out eventually. Get the rest of the enforcers, and send out word. Try and get out that Daredevil....no scratch that, the Kingpin would like to speak with Spider-Man."

"Y-Yes sir."

"I wonder if Petey knows there has been a change in management here yet....it sounds like Petes changed also. Come see me Spider-Man, I have a proposition for you."

Daredevil touched the tips of both fingers and grinned.

 

[Noon]

Rogue

A waning moon shines in the night sky over the imposing walls of what appears to be an ancient castle. Closer up, though, you can see the stone is smooth, and new. Magneto's sanctuary for mutants, the gifted.

Up high in a row of many darkened windows, one flickers with light. Inside, a TV plays soundlessly towards an occupied bed.

A girl sleeps fitfully, the covers of her bed tangled at her feet, her auburn hair, streaked with white, tumbles over the hospital white pillows.

Her dreams are full of fire

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I wake with a start, my green eyes snapping open, greeted by my dim room. Blue light flickers on the walls, and I look at it in confusion for a moment before remembering its source.

I sit up, rubbing my eyes. On the TV screen adverts sell in silence, the little symbol of a crossed out speaker in the corner forbidding them sound.

I grab the remote and click the sound back on just as the adverts stop and the news come on.

"Today's top story 'Mutants, a hidden threat'. Are this strange sub-group of humanity a friend or foe? Here's Martin with some astonishing footage."

The news caster passes over to a middle aged man who starts the typical talk about mutants, but what catches my eye is the blurry footage playing behind him.

It's us.

Or some of the brotherhood anyway. How did that get caught on film? I see myself running with my team mates in that mild battle from a few weeks ago. A little smile comes across my face and I sit back to watch the rest of the feature.

"Well, at least they gawt ma good sahd" I say to my self into the empty room.

 

[guitarsingerguy]

Dusk falls upon the mausoleum Gambit has called home. He walks out of the entrance for the first time in years. He reaches into his coat pocket, pulls out a cigarette, lights it, and takes a drag.

"Not sure Gambit has the stomach for 'dis anymore. Only one way ta' find out."

Gambit makes his way through the woods to a large plantation home. The house is lit up like a Christmas tree.

"'Dis smell like a set up."

Gambit silently makes his way to the west wall of the house. He scales the bricks to the top of the roof. He pulls a rolled up set of tools out of his pocket. He pulls out a glass cutter. He cuts out a hole large enough for his hand and opens the window. Getting inside the house was a piece of cake.

"Gambit don't miss 'dese days. Forgot how much insulation itch."

Gambit shoved the insulation out of the way and cut a small hole out of the roof. It was just enough so he could see the hallway underneath. A man dressed in a suit walks by every ten minutes or so.

Federal job. Gambit knew it.

He pulls out a piece of fishing line. He creates a noose with it and slips it down the small hole. When the federal agent's neck slipped into it, Gambit pulls it up as hard as he can. Eventually, the man stops struggling.

Gambit love fishing line. Most people so damn stupid they don't even notice it hangin' right in front of 'dem."

Gambit strategically moves himself into the rafters of the nine foot ceilings in the living room. There he waits for the body to be discovered. As soon as he hears the commotion in the hallway, he knows it's time to strike. Gambit hangs down from the main beam and holds his lighter under the smoke detector. Once it goes off, Gambit can hear the men rushing the occupants of the house into the living room. It was the central location of the house. Once all the people were in the living room, Gambit charged three playing cards and throws them at all the light sources. The room goes black, and all you could hear was the thumping of bodies falling to the floor. There was a single person left in the room: Gambit's target. Gambit lights a cigarette. He walks over and lights a candle.

"Nothing personal. You just a job."

That's when Gambit sees there wasn't one person left in the room. There is actually two.

"Mr. Gambit....what are you doing here?"

"Chance.....what the ****."

Before Gambit could utter another word, there were two gunshots from behind him. Gambit spins around to see the mysterious man who we first met in Gambit's mausoleum.

"Thank you Gambit. I never would have gotten past those agents. Your payment is at that tomb you call home."

Gambit can't speak, he can't move, he can't do anything. He knows this is just as much his fault as it is the shooter's. Gambit returns home to find a large bag full of money. Gambit can't bear to look at it. He bursts into tears over the life he knows he's helped take. He'll never be the same again. He hugs the portable TV that Chance gave him. He accidentally turns it on, and sees a news special on. It is called, "Mutants, a hidden threat." There's a woman on the screen. Gambit can't look away.

"She's.....infatuating. The Brotherhood of Mutants. Gambit smell redemption in the air."

Gambit walks over to the bag of money, throws it over his shoulder, and begins the long journey to Magneto's island.

 

[Cyrusbales]

PUNISHER

"My name is.......Frank......Frank Castle. I had a wife, a home, and children. Now all I have is vengeance. They took everything from me, even my past, distorting my memories with a bullet, my wedding day, a blur. My children's birth, a haze.

All I have left is the ability to punish the wicked. To take away everything from those who would take from others. The only clear things in my mind are images of death and carnage, caused by my own hands.


Sitting in a darkened room, my hands stained with blood, the room littered with bodies. But how did I get here? Who are these people?

Leaving bloody footprints trailing behind me, i leave the room to be their tomb. Emerging on the street, I see the signs, I'm in downtown New York, I guess these people deserved it then. Everyone here's sinned."

 

[guitarsingerguy]

The Brotherhood's Citadel. This island is a fortress...impenetrable. Well...almost.

'Dis a bit much for "home security". What the hell dese people into? Infrared, motion sensors, heat sensors....'dis gonna be fun.

With a grin on his face, Gambit proceeds for the entrance. Even with a ten pound bag of money on his back, the security system is no match for him. Up, over, under, around, it doesn't matter. There's nowhere he can't go. He's like a cat. He always lands on his feet. Upon succession of reaching the front door, which in itself would have been impossible for a regular man seeing as how he had to stretch his arms and legs out between the walls since he couldn't touch the ground, the last obstacle had to be overcome: a number coded security system.

'Dese people livin' in da' 60's.

Gambit had the bag of money in his mouth as well as a lit cigarette. Gambit took his right hand off the wall and removed a small screwdriver from his pocket. He unscrewed the plate on the number pad. He grabbed two of the wires and charged them just enough so they would separate. As the faceplate fell to the ground, Gambit grabbed it with his right hand.

Candy from a baby.

He placed his right hand back on the wall, then removed his left hand and opened the door. He grabbed the top strip of wood sticking out at the top of the door frame, and he swung his body towards the door. Gambit flipped through the door and landed on his feet in the main hallway of the Brotherhood mansion. Gambit couldn't help but laugh. He placed the bag of money on the table, then sat in front of the TV.

"Ain't dese people got no ashtrays?"

Gambit pulls the small plant off the table to the left of the couch and flicks his ashes into it.

"It ain't New Orleans, but it'll work."

 

[Noon]

The Brotherhood's Citadel. This island is a fortress...impenetrable. Well...almost.

'Dis a bit much for "home security". What the hell dese people into? Infrared, motion sensors, heat sensors....'dis gonna be fun.

With a grin on his face, Gambit proceeds for the entrance. Even with a ten pound bag of money on his back, the security system is no match for him. Up, over, under, around, it doesn't matter. There's nowhere he can't go. He's like a cat. He always lands on his feet. Upon succession of reaching the front door, which in itself would have been impossible for a regular man seeing as how he had to stretch his arms and legs out between the walls since he couldn't touch the ground, the last obstacle had to be overcome: a number coded security system.

'Dese people livin' in da' 60's.

Gambit had the bag of money in his mouth as well as a lit cigarette. Gambit took his right hand off the wall and removed a small screwdriver from his pocket. He unscrewed the plate on the number pad. He grabbed two of the wires and charged them just enough so they would separate. As the faceplate fell to the ground, Gambit grabbed it with his right hand.

Candy from a baby.

He placed his right hand back on the wall, then removed his left hand and opened the door. He grabbed the top strip of wood sticking out at the top of the door frame, and he swung his body towards the door. Gambit flipped through the door and landed on his feet in the main hallway of the Brotherhood mansion. Gambit couldn't help but laugh. He placed the bag of money on the table, then sat in front of the TV.

"Ain't dese people got no ashtrays?"

Gambit pulls the small plant off the table to the left of the couch and flicks his ashes into it.

"It ain't New Orleans, but it'll work."

Why am I always the one wandering around at the godless hours of the morning? It seems these days I am awake more at night than during the day.

Everyone else is asleep I think, the castle is silent except for the padding of my bare feet on the cold wooden floors.

My hair is tied back away from my face in a ponytail and I'm wearing my Cami top pj's. The strappy top and shorts in green and yellow (my favourite colours) would normally be too much of a risk for my skin, too revealing, but I feel safe to show some flesh when there's no one around to touch, no one to hurt...no one to get in my head.

My eyes have adjusted to the darkness so I don't have to switch on the lights, don't want to wake anyone else up.

I'm making my way to one of the kitchens for a late midnight snack, but stop as I pass the open doorway of a Rec room. The TV is on, thats odd, I didn't think anyone would be up at this time.

Trying to be as silent as possible, I don't want to be noticed, just to see who it is, I push the door open a little further.

The smell of burning tobacco stings my nose, an unfamiliar scent in this place. I see the wisps of silvery smoke rising in tiny curly-cues up from the couch thats facing away from me, illuminated by the light from the TV.

I keep stepping forward slowly, trying to glimpse this person, my bare feet moving lightly across the floorboards.

CRREEAKK

I freeze in surprise as I step on the only creaky floorboard in the room, taking a sharp breath. I stay frozen, waiting to see what the mysterious figure will do.

 

[guitarsingerguy]

Why am I always the one wandering around at the godless hours of the morning? It seems these days I am awake more at night than during the day.

Everyone else is asleep I think, the castle is silent except for the padding of my bare feet on the cold wooden floors.

My hair is tied back away from my face in a ponytail and I'm wearing my Cami top pj's. The strappy top and shorts in green and yellow (my favourite colours) would normally be too much of a risk for my skin, too revealing, but I feel safe to show some flesh when there's no one around to touch, no one to hurt...no one to get in my head.

My eyes have adjusted to the darkness so I don't have to switch on the lights, don't want to wake anyone else up.

I'm making my way to one of the kitchens for a late midnight snack, but stop as I pass the open doorway of a Rec room. The TV is on, thats odd, I didn't think anyone would be up at this time.

Trying to be as silent as possible, I don't want to be noticed, just to see who it is, I push the door open a little further.

The smell of burning tobacco stings my nose, an unfamiliar scent in this place. I see the wisps of silvery smoke rising in tiny curly-cues up from the couch thats facing away from me, illuminated by the light from the TV.

I keep stepping forward slowly, trying to glimpse this person, my bare feet moving lightly across the floorboards.

CRREEAKK

I freeze in surprise as I step on the only creaky floorboard in the room, taking a sharp breath. I stay frozen, waiting to see what the mysterious figure will do.

"Hope you not trying to be quiet, chere. You not so good at it."

Gambit stands up and turns to look at the woman who walked into the room.

"Please, allow me to introduce ma'self. Da' name be Remy Lebau. Born and raised in da' Big Easy. Someone as intoxicating as ya'self though, you may call me Gambit.

Within a blink of an eye, Gambit was face to face with Rogue, reaching for her hand. She jumped back.

"Hard to get, eh? Gambit love 'dis game, but sadly, business come first. Gambit have two requests. First, ah would like an audience with mon sieur Lensherr. Second, Gambit would like a proper ash tray. Me not think the plant likes my bad habit."

 

[Noon]

"Hope you not trying to be quiet, chere. You not so good at it."

Gambit stands up and turns to look at the woman who walked into the room.

"Please, allow me to introduce ma'self. Da' name be Remy Lebau. Born and raised in da' Big Easy. Someone as intoxicating as ya'self though, you may call me Gambit.

Within a blink of an eye, Gambit was face to face with Rogue, reaching for her hand. She jumped back.

"Hard to get, eh? Gambit love 'dis game, but sadly, business come first. Gambit have two requests. First, ah would like an audience with mon sieur Lensherr. Second, Gambit would like a proper ash tray. Me not think the plant likes my bad habit."

"Who tha hell are you? How da ya get past tha security system?"

The sound of panic rises in my voice, mostly from the shock of almost being touched. This guy looks like trouble, he looks dangerous, and I know dangerous.

 

[guitarsingerguy]

"Who tha hell are you? How da ya get past tha security system?"

The sound of panic rises in my voice, mostly from the shock of almost being touched. This guy looks like trouble, he looks dangerous, and I know dangerous.

"Dat? Dat was child's play, chere. The security system was good, but 'fraid Gambit was better. Ah know what ya thinkin'. Unnaturally black skin, white 'locks, red peeps, 'dis one must be trouble. Ah assure ya darlin', ah mean ya no harm. Now, if ya could get mon sieur Lensherr for me, we could straighten this all out. 'Sides, you don't want 'ol Gambit to accidentally hurt ya now, do ya?"

 

[Noon]

"Dat? Dat was child's play, chere. The security system was good, but 'fraid Gambit was better. Ah know what ya thinkin'. Unnaturally black skin, white 'locks, red peeps, 'dis one must be trouble. Ah assure ya darlin', ah mean ya no harm. Now, if ya could get mon sieur Lensherr for me, we could straighten this all out. 'Sides, you don't want 'ol Gambit to accidentally hurt ya now, do ya?"

Now I'm getting pissed of at this guy, who does he think he is just waltzing in here and making threats?

"Don't worry sugah, Ah aint worried about that"

I relax slightly, looking the guy up and down with a raised eyebrow. He's a mutant, no doubt.

"Well since ye went to so much trouble an all, Ah guess ah might be able to let ye see tha boss" I drawl

I turn and walk out of the room, epecting him to follow, and uncomfortably aware of his eyes on me.

 

[guitarsingerguy]

Now I'm getting pissed of at this guy, who does he think he is just waltzing in here and making threats?

"Don't worry sugah, Ah aint worried about that"

I relax slightly, looking the guy up and down with a raised eyebrow. He's a mutant, no doubt.

"Well since ye went to so much trouble an all, Ah guess ah might be able to let ye see tha boss" I drawl

I turn and walk out of the room, epecting him to follow, and uncomfortably aware of his eyes on me.

As Gambit follows the Southern belle out of the room, he begins to make smalltalk.

"So chere, last time ah checked, folks from da South were generally more polite. Ah introduced myself, darlin'. Ah believe that makes it your turn."

 

[Matt Murdock]

Iron Man Chapter one.

Stark Tower, Tony Stark's office

Tony Stark stands in front of an office window gazing over the city.

His city.

New york.

"Mr. Stark, The President is on the line. He says it's important."

"Thank you." Stark says as he answers the phone.

"Tony Stark, you're a hard man to get to, y'know that?" The President said on the other line.

"Forgive me, Mr. President. I've been in several meetings every day this week, all of which were arranged to finalize the contracts. Again, I apologize for keeping you waiting, sir."

"Tony, we've known each other for a long time..."

"Yes, sir."

"How many more times will i need to ask you to call me George?"

"At least a few mo....Sir, I'm getting a code 3 on channel 8."

Stark looked at his wrist mounted display screen, built into his ablative Iron Man armor. On it, he saw chaos. Fire engulfed what appeared to be a street in the city. A child was running around, screaming for her mother. An elderly man had collapsed and was crawling along the ground. The flames crawled along building sides, like serpents freed from hell. Switching on the news screens in his office, he saw the breaking new headlines:

Several Injured In Tanker Explosion in New York City

"Armor, connect me to the Iron Deployment Center." Stark said to his armor. Hope you're ready for the first field test, Mr. President."

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Tony. You have a go."

Speaking into his armor again, Stark breathed deeply and said All right, boys, you heard the man. Iron Team alpha, deploy and take care of the situation. Make sure you calibrate your HUD's to receive tactical and strategical data."

The roof of Stark's massive building, Stark Tower, opened. An elevator rose and upon it there were 10 men, all in Iron Man armor.

"By god, I hope this works. Stark thought, I gave the government portions of my research to help them fund a peacekeeping force. We've turned my office building and home into a military outpost and deployment center, and there are more sprouting up across the globe. The US has worked with it's allies to place centers in other countries, but when it comes down to it, the military and I control the Iron Men.




I mean, for God's sake, I gave up my secret identity as soon as I sold the information to the government... everyone knows that I'm Iron Man."

Stark was still standing at the window. He heard the thrusters of the Iron Men engaging their propulsion systems overhead and watched them fly into the city.

He sat down, still in his armor.




and waited for word to come.


(this is my first one of these ever so feedback would be nice)

 

[Matt Murdock]

whoops, double post.

 

[Noon]

As Gambit follows the Southern belle out of the room, he begins to make smalltalk.

"So chere, last time ah checked, folks from da South were generally more polite. Ah introduced myself, darlin'. Ah believe that makes it your turn."

Without turning around I say

"A'hm Rogue, you can call me Rogue. And generally, we're only polite to folks who don't break inta ahr houses"

We come up to Magneto's room. With his magnetic powers he can probably feel us approach.

I knock on the doot.

"Sir?"

 

[guitarsingerguy]

Without turning around I say

"A'hm Rogue, you can call me Rogue. And generally, we're only polite to folks who don't break inta ahr houses"

We come up to Magneto's room. With his magnetic powers he can probably feel us approach.

I knock on the doot.

"Sir?"

Gambit smiles from ear to ear.

"Well chere, I believe in a few minutes, ya'll gonna be thankin' Gambit for droppin' in without an invitation."

 

[Cyrusbales]

PUNISHER

Left alone in the world, my only companion now is slaughter. I’ve killed so many I don’t even know if I ever got the right guys. But at least there is always someone worth punishing, especially in a scum hold like New York.

Walking down the street, I descend into the subway, it’s a sure way of finding those who should suffer. I remember being here before, the cold tiles, the stagnant air. But when was I here?


HUH? What’s that noise? Through the darkness I see a man on the other platform. He’s looking at me, not flinching, not phased by the guns or the blood. Do I know him? He looks familiar, but I can’t tell.

“HEY.”

No response.

“HEY YOU.”

I gesture at him with loaded pistol and all I make out is a smile cross his lips. A red shot appears on his chest. His smile widens.

“WHO ARE YOU?”

As my finger edges onto the trigger, a train cuts off my line of sight. Clatters past, then is gone. No man in sight, and the exit is caged off.

“WHERE ARE YOU???”

Only the echoes of the darkness call back.

“COME HERE AND FACE YOUR PUNISHMENT!!!”

Nothing, just me alone on the platform. The subway cart pulls up, screeching to a halt cutting through the silence. Stepping on board, I know not where I’m going, all I know is that someone will be punished.