The 'What If?' Marvel RPG - Season thread

[Kaboom]

"Xavier...he "rescued" me after my powers first manifested and tried to get me to join his X-Men. WHen I realized his true motives, I tried to stop him....but i couldnt...I've been locked away for years here, unable to feel the sun, it has left me weakened."

"I know what you mean," I said..."The strength of my powers are directly related to how long I've been away from the water."

"It seems we are alike you and I."

"Yeah, both captives of a madman."

"Still, perhaps together we can find a way out of here."

"I'm not going anywhere until I finish what I was set out to do."

"WHich is?"

"My wife, Sue, was captured. Her brother is in posession of a vast satelite array which he can use to find her. Unfortunately Xavier has commandeered all of the earths satelites to broadcast the deaths of world leaders. I need to destroy the satelites to find Sue."

"And the world leaders?"

"Not my problem."

"Perhaps we are not as alike as I initially thought."

 

[Apprentice]

The Scarlet Spider Chapter 14

"Hi there, Petey!" I say, rolling through the pod. Pete hurls two heavy web balls at me. I catch one of them and the other slams into my face. A few of my new alien-built teeth fly out, but turn into liquid on the ground. They reform at my feet, and grow back quickly.

"That hurt... a little. But, c'mon, is that all you've got?"

Parker punches me hard in the chest and I fly backwards. My suit and his suit must be equal in strength. His might be stronger, since its a little more mature. I ease myself up off the building top and take a fighting stance. I tap into my suit and make my fingers claws. The suit can't fully control itself. Tendrils are flying everywhere.

"You need to help me..." It murmurs. " I'm still as uncontrollable as Parker. I'm as evil as his suit...I'm as cruel as his suit. It's up to you you prevent me from becoming him."

Spider-Man launched himself forward, slipping between the other's wildly-flailing tentacles and firing web bullets into the crimson-consumed fray. One of the tendrils grasped his throat and hurled him back, sending him skittering across the roof. With a determined grunt, he twisted back to his feet and batted two more assaulting symbiote snakes aside. He shuffled slowly backwards, awaiting his opponents next move. The arrogance, the levity - it was no longer present in his posture.

And Peter Parker wanted to know why.

What's going on? Tell me what the hell this is! he demanded.

The symbiote countered with a calculated, Silence! Do you not understand? It is us! It is our offspring!

You had...kids? Peter shot back. My God...this gets worse and worse...you have to leave me! I can help you get back home, I can help you get your kid back, whatever, just please --

There is no 'you'. Not anymore. There is only...us.

 

[Brainiac 8]

Rogue

We regather the team and after briefing Gambit on the security, and the rest of the team on the basics of what we're facing, we are on the jet and flying back towards the Woman who betrayed me and the man who wanted to use me.

Carefully I slip the little device behind my ear that will block Xavier from controlling me or reading my mind, out of the corner of my eye I can see Gambit and Big Bertha do the same.

After hours of flying, my butt is numb from siting in the hard metallic chair. We finally land a few kilometers away from the mansion in some abandoned scrub land I remember as a weak entry point. I stand as soon as I am allowed to undo the seatbelt and stretch my legs.

"Ok Swamp rat, remember what ah said, once ya get in, disable tha security system and we'll be there in a flicker to back ya up. To signal when the system is down just blow something up that we can see, with that pretty pink light of yours."

Erik got up from his seat after they landed. Like Rogue said, you're up Remy.

Scout out the security, and get the outer peremiter security down, make sure you use Rogue's instructions to so. Havok, once we get word from Remy, you'll need to get into their cells and free a man named Forge, he was just recently abducted by Xavier. Rogue and Bertha, you will be our fighters with me...and when the opportunity arrises, we must take out Charles machine. Oh, and Quicksilver is mine...I must handle my son.

Are we all ready?

 

[Brainiac 8]

Matt stepped out of the shower, and after drying off and getting back into a fresh Daredevil costume...he walked over and sat behind his desk. His life is now more the mask than man. Matt Murdock is now more a shell of an identity, Daredevil being the real person.

Matt had taken time after his shower to bandage up some of the wounds inflicted by Iron Man. Parts of his body was still majorly sore from that encounter.

Suddenly his intercom started beeping. Matt pressed the flashing button.
This had better be important.Matt growled to himself.

"Sir, we have a situation down here at the entrance to your lobby!"

Matt could hear the sounds of gunfire in the backround.

"Some lunatic rushed in and started shooting up your lobby guards down here!"

"I'll be right down!"

That's all I need, another psycho to deal with tonight.

Matt, strapped on his billy club, and ran out of his office. Running into the stairwell, he latched a grappling hook to one of the guardrails of the stair cases. Using this he allowed his weight to carry him to the first floor. This was much faster than using the elevator.

Once at the bottom, he ran out of the stairwell and into the lobby. He honestly wasn't expecting the carnage that met his eyes once in the lobby, or the man standing in the middle of it all with the crazed look in his eyes.

 

[Kaboom]

I had not taken kindly to Roberto's remark. WIth nothing to do for hours...or could it have been days? I wasn't sure, but we sat there in silence.

I twiddled my thumbs.

waiting.

 

[Cyrusbales]

Matt stepped out of the shower, and after drying off and getting back into a fresh Daredevil costume...he walked over and sat behind his desk. His life is now more the mask than man. Matt Murdock is now more a shell of an identity, Daredevil being the real person.

Matt had taken time after his shower to bandage up some of the wounds inflicted by Iron Man. Parts of his body was still majorly sore from that encounter.

Suddenly his intercom started beeping. Matt pressed the flashing button.
This had better be important.Matt growled to himself.

"Sir, we have a situation down here at the entrance to your lobby!"

Matt could hear the sounds of gunfire in the backround.

"Some lunatic rushed in and started shooting up your lobby guards down here!"

"I'll be right down!"

That's all I need, another psycho to deal with tonight.

Matt, strapped on his billy club, and ran out of his office. Running into the stairwell, he latched a grappling hook to one of the guardrails of the stair cases. Using this he allowed his weight to carry him to the first floor. This was much faster than using the elevator.

Once at the bottom, he ran out of the stairwell and into the lobby. He honestly wasn't expecting the carnage that met his eyes once in the lobby, or the man standing in the middle of it all with the crazed look in his eyes.

PUNISHER

The world comes rushing back again from the blackness of empty memory. My hands clasped around two large sub-machine guns which are emptying shells across the floor, and bullets into the bodies of many guards. This place was big, it must be kingpin's....

Diving across the marble floor I take a bullet in the chest. The vest beneath my shirt absorbs the blow as I draw out some pistols. Leaping back into the frey, the reinforcements from the doors to my left are easily put down. The head pains are leaving me alone, punishment is now due.

A red flash of a man appears at the far end of the lobby as the last bullets in my clips discharge. Faint memories of this figure tricle through my skull, why did I recognise this man? Was he the kingpin? Either way, my sawnoffs were now poised...

 

[Cyrusbales]

I had not taken kindly to Roberto's remark. WIth nothing to do for hours...or could it have been days? I wasn't sure, but we sat there in silence.

I twiddled my thumbs.

waiting.

XAVIER

"Well, it seems I am in the presence of royalty. Please, Don't get up. I would ask what brings you here, but I already know."

The one universal fact, of all mutants, telepaths are hated the most.

"Don't worry, you're not in danger, once my plan comes to fruition, which it most certainly will, you will be free. I am a reasonale man, and in the past you have shown respect, whilst also distain at times, for mutant kind. Being an outcast yourself, you understand. But if you try to get in my way, well, you get the idea..."

 

[Kaboom]

XAVIER

"Well, it seems I am in the presence of royalty. Please, Don't get up. I would ask what brings you here, but I already know."

The one universal fact, of all mutants, telepaths are hated the most.

"Don't worry, you're not in danger, once my plan comes to fruition, which it most certainly will, you will be free. I am a reasonale man, and in the past you have shown respect, whilst also distain at times, for mutant kind. Being an outcast yourself, you understand. But if you try to get in my way, well, you get the idea..."

I couldn't care less about your "plan" Xavier. All i want is for you to relinquish control of Storm Enterprise's satellites. You do that, I leave now. You don't, and you will know the wrath of an Atlantean.

Robert dacosta cast his eyes downward.

 

[Brainiac 8]

PUNISHER

The world comes rushing back again from the blackness of empty memory. My hands clasped around two large sub-machine guns which are emptying shells across the floor, and bullets into the bodies of many guards. This place was big, it must be kingpin's....

Diving across the marble floor I take a bullet in the chest. The vest beneath my shirt absorbs the blow as I draw out some pistols. Leaping back into the frey, the reinforcements from the doors to my left are easily put down. The head pains are leaving me alone, punishment is now due.

A red flash of a man appears at the far end of the lobby as the last bullets in my clips discharge. Faint memories of this figure tricle through my skull, why did I recognise this man? Was he the kingpin? Either way, my sawnoffs were now poised...

The man aimed two rather large guns directly at Matt. He set his feet in a lunge position, ready to avoid the gunfire and attack this assailant. But first, he wants to know who this man is.

"Before I kill you for this intrusion, who are you and what do you want?"

 

[Cyrusbales]

The man aimed two rather large guns directly at Matt. He set his feet in a lunge position, ready to avoid the gunfire and attack this assailant. But first, he wants to know who this man is.

"Before I kill you for this intrusion, who are you and what do you want?"

PUNISHER

What do I want? Good question. No matter how many bodies I leave in piles, there's always more. Even when I kill the Kingpin, they'll be more to take his place. Hold it, let's just kill him then go from there.

"I'm looking for Kinpin's brain, I need it to paint the walls with..."

Who is this guy though? Bullets leave the barrells before I can even think to pull the trigger. Chewing through concrete and glass, richocheting across the cracked and bloodstained marble.

As the clips run out, this man has made his way unscathed towards me and unloads a cracking blow with a club as he touches down from a flip. My sense of pain has long since been dulled, this is more of an annoyance than anything.

Diving out of the way of a follow up blow I draw a hunting knife and prepare for the slaughter...

 

[Apprentice]

I had not taken kindly to Roberto's remark. WIth nothing to do for hours...or could it have been days? I wasn't sure, but we sat there in silence.

I twiddled my thumbs.

waiting.

"I don't suppose you need rescuing from this dump?"

Alex was poised before the cell, his energy-coated palm pressed firmly against the force field generator. A grin tugged at his lips; it seemed that Xavier had made more than one group of enemies. Perhaps this pair could be the wild card that would enable the X-Men their victory. After Magneto had presented the team with their orders, "Havok" had infiltrated the mansion via an entrance from the sewer system, and blasted his way into the lower levels. They were not Forge, but they would almost definitely be able to assist in locating him.

"I'm one of the Brotherhood. You can call me Havok."

 

[Kaboom]

"I don't suppose you need rescuing from this dump?"

Alex was poised before the cell, his energy-coated palm pressed firmly against the force field generator. A grin tugged at his lips; it seemed that Xavier had made more than one group of enemies. Perhaps this pair could be the wild card that would enable the X-Men their victory. After Magneto had presented the team with their orders, "Havok" had infiltrated the mansion via an entrance from the sewer system, and blasted his way into the lower levels. They were not Forge, but they would almost definitely be able to assist in locating him.

"I'm one of the X-Men. You can call me Havok."

"I am Namor, the Submariner."

"And I Roberto daCosta, also called Sunspot."

"Please," I say as I lift my chains. "Can you take care of these."

 

[Matt Murdock]

Spider-Man launched himself forward, slipping between the other's wildly-flailing tentacles and firing web bullets into the crimson-consumed fray. One of the tendrils grasped his throat and hurled him back, sending him skittering across the roof. With a determined grunt, he twisted back to his feet and batted two more assaulting symbiote snakes aside. He shuffled slowly backwards, awaiting his opponents next move. The arrogance, the levity - it was no longer present in his posture.

And Peter Parker wanted to know why.

What's going on? Tell me what the hell this is! he demanded.

The symbiote countered with a calculated, Silence! Do you not understand? It is us! It is our offspring!

You had...kids? Peter shot back. My God...this gets worse and worse...you have to leave me! I can help you get back home, I can help you get your kid back, whatever, just please --

There is no 'you'. Not anymore. There is only...us.

The Scarlet Spider Chapter 15

"Hey... Pete... You're talkin' to yourself" I say, leaping at him. He rolls out of the way, murmuring to himself about "us"-es and "we's".

"Get ahold of yourself, Peter. I want you to fight that black goo. And I want you to do it NOW!"

I dive at him and punch him hard in the nose. He falls backwards and hold his face. Then he looks up at me... more resolved than ever. My nano-tech suit gets a message from Tony and displays it.

• "Ben --
• Got hold of info on Warren. Come to Arizona base ASAP.
• Chopper is waiting at Empire State Building under one of
• my aliases: 'Michael Davian'.
• Come soon.

"Pete. We need to wrap this up soon. I've got a date with a reallllly picky lady, so if you could surrender now, that'd be awesome!" I realize that right now, Pete's number 3 on my list or priorities.

1. See Tony.
2. Catch the Punisher
3. Save Pete from himself

Fantastttttic!

 

[Byrd Man]

IC: The Rider​

Los Angeles


His name is Don Phillips and he lives at 316 Easley Street, before that Mark Johnson and lived in Kansas City. He left Kansas just about the time four young boys' bodies were found in a field, strangled beaten and molested.

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
​

The same thing's starting to happen in L.A. so far, two boys around the age of ten were found in the aquaduct, dismembered and molested. Mr. Phillips sits in a parked car, watching children playing at a playground on the other side of the road. He hardley notices the motorcycle that rides by.

Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down

​

He's getting ready to make his move when I appear in his back seat.

"Jesus!"

"No, but close."

"Get the hell outta my car!"

"I don't think so, see you're a bad man. A very bad man Mister Phillips...or should I call you Mister Johnson?"

He starts to get out the car when I grab him by the shoulders and slam him back in the seat.

"Feel.....Feel the pain you've caused others. Feel how those boys felt as you raped and killed them."

My hands start to smoke as they burn into his shoulders, he yells out in pain.

"GOD HELP ME!"

"God? God's not listening anymore. There's only me Azrael, the Angel of Death. May god have mercy on your soul."

Johnson starts to shake and shutter and blood pours out his nose and mouth. He finally slumps over and falls on the seat.

"Justice is served..."

Just like that, Azrael leaves my body and I'm sitting in the back seat of a car with a dead body in the front.
​

Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dew
I've been down on bended knee talkin' to the man from Galilee
He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel's feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, "John go do My will!"

​

I kick start my bike and roar off down the road. Heading east toward the next poor soul that has to face my wraith. I'm vengance and redemption all rolled in one. I'm life and death, I'm The Rider.​

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
​

 

[Kaboom]

Its been years. Years since what? Years since everything. Years since I wrote my last book. Years since I taught my class. Years since, well, that too. I suppose now is as good a time as any, although I had hoped it wouldn't have come so soon.

Crazy words coming from a many who is pushing eighty years old. The only thing "soon" I have to look forward is the end. But these are the thoughts of a man who has tried all his life too good, and more times than not finds himself failing.

I tried to volunteer to fight for my country, but I was too frail, too weak, to be accepted. So I joined the red cross and was stationed in the North of France for years to help during re-building. Again, my frailities hindered my ability to help, and eventually my services were no longer needed. I took the opportunity to travel to see the world. I learned of tolerance and peace, but also of war and famine. And try as I might through the years, I, Steve Rogers, could do nothing to remedy the situation.

But then what difference could one man make? I dare say as I approach my end, none. It takes an army. So I dedicated myself to research and writing, become a world reknowned chronicler of the War, and sought after professor of history. I was worried most, that if our past plights were not memorialized, as a society we would be doomed to repeat them.

I find now, that despite my efforts, I could do no more to stop the impending destruction of our civilazation, than stop the earth from spinning.

I clenched my cane with my fist as I stood up from my typewriter, and walked over to the television.

"---country still in mourning after the recent assasination of our nation's President."

I flipped the television off. The end was nigh, for me, and my country, and I was powerless to stop it.

I was just a man, and an old frail one at that.

 

[Kaboom]

Truth be told there's nothing quite like a New York morning and I often find myself walking the streets and watching everyone hustle by. Where their walks are brisk and with purpose, mine ar non-chalant, and toiled. It is quite hard to walk long distances with a cane, but I have grown adept at it over the years.

Soon I was at a corner deli, enjoying a hot pastrami sandwich and cup of coffee as I read the dailies, The Bugle, The Times, all of them. I enjoyed staying abreast of the world climate.

An intersting headline catches my eyes.

"John Storm Announced as new-VP."

The article continues. "New President wastes no time announcing his new vice-president, John Storm of Storm enterprises. Storm, CEO of Storm Enterprises, a multi-media conglomerate, has agreed to accept appointment to the country's second highest office."

I didn't read the rest of the article.

 

[Byrd Man]

IC: The Rider

Los Angeles


His name is Don Phillips and he lives at 316 Easley Street, before that Mark Johnson and lived in Kansas City. He left Kansas just about the time four young boys' bodies were found in a field, strangled beaten and molested.

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down​

The same thing's starting to happen in L.A. so far, two boys around the age of ten were found in the aquaduct, dismembered and molested. Mr. Phillips sits in a parked car, watching children playing at a playground on the other side of the road. He hardley notices the motorcycle that rides by.

Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down​

He's getting ready to make his move when I appear in his back seat.​

"Jesus!"​

"No, but close."​

"Get the hell outta my car!"​

"I don't think so, see you're a bad man. A very bad man Mister Phillips...or should I call you Mister Johnson?"​

He starts to get out the car when I grab him by the shoulders and slam him back in the seat.​

"Feel.....Feel the pain you've caused others. Feel how those boys felt as you raped and killed them."​

My hands start to smoke as they burn into his shoulders, he yells out in pain.​

"GOD HELP ME!"​

"God? God's not listening anymore. There's only me Azrael, the Angel of Death. May god have mercy on your soul."​

Johnson starts to shake and shutter and blood pours out his nose and mouth. He finally slumps over and falls on the seat.​

"Justice is served..."​

Just like that, Azrael leaves my body and I'm sitting in the back seat of a car with a bead body in the front.​

Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dew
I've been down on bended knee talkin' to the man from Galilee
He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel's feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, "John go do My will!"​

I kick start my bike and roar off down the road. Heading east toward the next poor soul that has to face my wraith. I'm vengance and redemption all rolled in one. I'm life and death, I'm The Rider.​

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down​

San Antonio

Brothas and Sistas! The time is at hand, repent now for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

The 12,000 plus congregation of New Rock Baptist Church just nod and sway there heads as Jimmy Robertson, there minister, leads them on to salvation.

"The times are a coming, brothers and sisters. The end of time is near. Prepare now for Armageddon is nigh."

Almost all of the mega-church's congregation get up and praise as his words infect the crowd. Only one man gets up and walks out into the night.

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

​

After the sermon. Jimmy Robertson really comes out.

"Come on in, darling. Let me witness to you."

He opens the door and walks in behind the young woman.

"Nice place, sir."

"Thank you, darling. Now you go ahead and get comfortable."

The young woman starts to head towards the bedroom while Robertson opens up the top cabinet over his fridge. He digs inside the cabinet and lets out a sigh of exaspiration.

"Now where did I put it?"

Lightning flashes and he sees me sitting on his couch.

"Looking for something?"

He easily jumps three feet in air at the sound of my voice.

"Who are you?"

"That doesn't matter, what were you looking for? It wouldn't happen to be this."

I hold up a bag full of white powder.

"Yes, um...that's my, flouer."

"You put flouer up your nose?"

He frowns and his voice suddenly gets higer.

"Now look here, you get out of my house or I'll call the police."

I stand up as lightning flashes across the room. Suddenly, my body is no longer my own.

"No, you listen. You're a bad man who has sinned in unimaginable ways. From the harmful drugs you take that desecrate your body, to the hundreds of women you have lain with in your bed you share with your wife. Stealing money from your church goers to fund your lavish life style. Instead of worshipping god, you worship the almighty dollar. How about the time you impregnated one of your mistresses and then forced her to have an abortion? Don't know if you know this, but she killed herself three weeks after that. The time you got drunk and ran your car into a parked car, killing a mother of three children. There is one sin, so terrible, I can't even speak it alound."

I lean in and whisper into his ear...he starts to shudder and cry.

"Your own son....."

"What do you want from me? Money? Who are you?"

I turn and look at him. Wings start to form on my back as his jaw hangs open.

"I'm not a who. I'm a what. Then one thing I want for you is to repent for your wicked ways. Give glory to god each and everyday. Whatever has happend to you now, you started with a calling to serve the lord. You have become lost and I was sent here to get you back on the right path."

The wings dissapear as Jimmy gets on his knees and starts to pray.

"Please, god forgive me. I know I have sinned and am truly lost."

"Good, now Jimmy. Don't make me have to come back here again, cause if I do it won't be just me....It'll be me aswell."

Lightning flashes and just like that, I'm gone.



​

 

[Brainiac 8]

PUNISHER

What do I want? Good question. No matter how many bodies I leave in piles, there's always more. Even when I kill the Kingpin, they'll be more to take his place. Hold it, let's just kill him then go from there.

"I'm looking for Kinpin's brain, I need it to paint the walls with..."

Who is this guy though? Bullets leave the barrells before I can even think to pull the trigger. Chewing through concrete and glass, richocheting across the cracked and bloodstained marble.

As the clips run out, this man has made his way unscathed towards me and unloads a cracking blow with a club as he touches down from a flip. My sense of pain has long since been dulled, this is more of an annoyance than anything.

Diving out of the way of a follow up blow I draw a hunting knife and prepare for the slaughter...

All Matt could do currently was react to this attack. For some reason this man wants the Kingpin dead...and I don't know why. I have been the reason for many deaths, and this man could just be a disgruntled leftover of a hit of the past.

Who knows....who cares.

Matt was pulled out of his thoughts by the gleaming of a blade headed for his throat. He dodged the best he could but the blade still sliced across his upper arm, sending pain coarsing through his body.

This man is much faster than I even considered, I'll not underestimate him again. Matt's head started to hurt also, probably still affected by getting pumbled by Iron Man.

Matt did several back flips away from this man. When he landed, he had four throwing darts in his hand. Matt grinned, knowing how this fight would turn out ultimately. Daredevil threw the four darts directly in the direction of this lunatic's throat.

"I'm sorry that you feel you must face me, whatever your name is....but the Devil doesn't take kindly to being attacked on his turf."

 

[Cyrusbales]

All Matt could do currently was react to this attack. For some reason this man wants the Kingpin dead...and I don't know why. I have been the reason for many deaths, and this man could just be a disgruntled leftover of a hit of the past.

Who knows....who cares.

Matt was pulled out of his thoughts by the gleaming of a blade headed for his throat. He dodged the best he could but the blade still sliced across his upper arm, sending pain coarsing through his body.

This man is much faster than I even considered, I'll not underestimate him again. Matt's head started to hurt also, probably still affected by getting pumbled by Iron Man.

Matt did several back flips away from this man. When he landed, he had four throwing darts in his hand. Matt grinned, knowing how this fight would turn out ultimately. Daredevil threw the four darts directly in the direction of this lunatic's throat.

"I'm sorry that you feel you must face me, whatever your name is....but the Devil doesn't take kindly to being attacked on his turf."

PUNISHER

The blades hurl towards me, rather than hitting my throat, I allow them to dig their teeth into the flesh on my arm.

"The Devil? You're nothing but glorified street scum. When you have your family slaughtered, your mind's sanity stricken from you, then you know more of th real Devil."

I leave the blades in, and pull out a a couple of small grenade launchers from my backstraps. This bastard sure can dodge, but an explosive blast, not gonna dodge that.

"After all I've been through, heaven and hell mean nothing, there is only punishment."

I unload several grenades in his general direction. This is punishment.

 

[Brainiac 8]

PUNISHER

The blades hurl towards me, rather than hitting my throat, I allow them to dig their teeth into the flesh on my arm.

"The Devil? You're nothing but glorified street scum. When you have your family slaughtered, your mind's sanity stricken from you, then you know more of th real Devil."

I leave the blades in, and pull out a a couple of small grenade launchers from my backstraps. This bastard sure can dodge, but an explosive blast, not gonna dodge that.

"After all I've been through, heaven and hell mean nothing, there is only punishment."

I unload several grenades in his general direction. This is punishment.

DAREDEVIL


This isn't good.

Daredevil quickly darts to the sides, but only gets so far when the grenades go off. The explosion throws him across the lobby, slamming him into the wall on the other side. He thinks something may have cracked when he hit too, which isn't good. On top of that, the exlosing took out the wall the elevators were on, leaving a gaping hole where the doors and elevators were.

Looks like after this, I'm going to be using one of my other buildings.

Daredevil pulled out his billy club and shot it toward the man's legs. When the cord wrapped around them, he yanked hard, causing this man to fall flat on his back. Like a flash Matt was up and darting toward this man who has caused so much trouble.

Stopping a few feet away, he says, "What is it you really want?"

 

[Kaboom]

I watched as throngs of people ran out of a nearby office building. The sounds of bullets ringing out in every direction.

It appeared as though the entire building was shaking at its core, as though it could topple at any given moment. I tried to ignore it.

I did.

Really.

I had vowed never again.

My time had come and gone.

I was old.

I would finish my book.

and then I would die.

I deserved that.

But my eyes filled with tears as I saw the young men and women flee for their lives, not just from the building that was under attack, but from the neighboring buildings as well. Maybe it was true, time would never allow me rest. Clumsily, i put down my hot pastrami sandwich. The arthritis in my bones creaked, and I winced as I stood up from the table. My right hand trembled as my cane, gave under the force of my weight.

"Once more," I whispered. I hoped, just once more.

 

[Kaboom]

DAREDEVIL


This isn't good.

Daredevil quickly darts to the sides, but only gets so far when the grenades go off. The explosion throws him across the lobby, slamming him into the wall on the other side. He thinks something may have cracked when he hit too, which isn't good. On top of that, the exlosing took out the wall the elevators were on, leaving a gaping hole where the doors and elevators were.

Looks like after this, I'm going to be using one of my other buildings.

Daredevil pulled out his billy club and shot it toward the man's legs. When the cord wrapped around them, he yanked hard, causing this man to fall flat on his back. Like a flash Matt was up and darting toward this man who has caused so much trouble.

Stopping a few feet away, he says, "What is it you really want?"

"Verily, I must pose the same question to you, you you devil clad in the crimsom color. What is it you really want? To live, or to turn and face the Mighty--"

 

[Cyrusbales]

PUNISHER

What the heck? If I was on meds, I'd be sure I hadn't been taking them.

On my back with the whole world above of me, shrapnel raining down, buffeting me and covering me in dust. The red man leans in over me, asking me what I want, WHAT I WANT? Then some other guy comes in, dressed up like some.....well something not normal.

"I want justice. No wait.....there is no justice, only punishment."

The blackness of time catches up with me again, I thought it'd been too long since I'd disappeared into the emptiness of my mind. The world begins to melt away. I lift my weary arm and focus my barrel on the 'devil's' face. Pulling back the trigger I spray the back of his skull across the demolished lobby. A smile croshes my face.....

Blinking, I don't open my eyes to a corpse, but the man is still standing over me, no gun in my hand, nothing. Why would my mind do this to me? Haven't I suffered enough? Give me this, punishment is all I'm worthy for, don't take that away.

The melitng world fades away completely, blurs become black, light becomes dark, conscioussness becomes....

 

[Feature]

IC Adrian Toomes: The Vulture
Season I - Part Eight

"So where are you taking me, Radditch? Huh?"

"Jesus Adrian, you know exactly where I'm taking you. Don't play stupid with me."

Adrian looked out the window as the scenery rolled by.

"The Barn." Adrian said.

"That's right." Radditch confirmed. "The Barn."

The Barn was a highly-fortified jail outside of the city. Inmates were taken there when they were in need of special protection. In this case, having Adrian in the city was not working out properly for the police. Apparently, the old police chief had made too many friends while he was serving the public. And these friends were picketing the downtown jail where he had been detained on a daily basis. They stopped traffic, caused a disturbance... wholly unpleasant.

So, they decided to move Adrian somewhere where the protestors could picket for as long as they wanted without disturbing a single soul. The Barn. Radditch had volunteered to move Adrian personally. The transfer was being kept very secret and was being performed in the early hours of the morning, before the sun had even stirred.

"It's a good move." Adrian admitted. "They won't come here."

"I know they won't." Radditch replied.

The car bumped down the old country roads at a lazy pace.

"So how does it feel, Radditch?" Adrian asked bitterly. "I've been meaning to ask you... how does it feel? You took an old man's life away. You completely spiritually bankrupted another person so that you could reap the benefits. Was it worth it?"

Radditch sighed heavily and shook his head. He used his rearview mirror to look at Adrian in the backseat as he drove.

"Alright Adrian. Yes, ok? It was me. I was the one who dug up your medical records and showed them to our superiors. I was the one who forcibly retired you. And sure, I did it for myself. But I did you a favor, Adrian. You're too old for this life. And what happened to you up in the belltower proved it."

A good chunk of time had passed since Adrian's heartattack. It shamed him to think of it. He had beaten Constrictor rather easily. He had done it. And then... gone. All for nothing. Radditch's voice being the last thing he heard before blacking out.

He had received excellent medical care since then. A stay in the hospital followed by a stay in prison. And now, thanks to the protestors that were trying to get him freed, he was on his was to the Barn. A place that not too many people ever got out of.

"I wasn't too old!" Adrian barked. "I'm not too old! I'm a hundred times the cop you are!"

"Alright, enough! Think what you want old man... I've done a fine job protecting this city and you know it. And you? You're a testament to that. The biggest threat facing the city all wrapped up in my backseat."

Adrian scoffed. "Oh please! You only caught those crooks thanks to me! I practically gift-wrapped 'em for you! No good son of a... and me? You only caught me because the damn Kingpin tipped you off! You're probably in his pocket for God's sake..."

"Gimme a break old man!" Radditch said, sounding as though he might laugh. "The tip was anonymous! We're not even 100% sure the Kingpin exists! You got proof, Adrian? Come on, show me proof. Give me a sign."

!C R A S H!

The car spun wildly out of control as it reacted to being struck on the passenger side. Shards of glass rained down on Adrian as he smashed around in the backseat.

"$HIT!" Radditch yelled as he pulled himself out of the driver's seat. He quickly drew his gun and went into a crouch, opening Adrian's door and pulling him out of the car.

"ADRIAN!" A voice called out near the vehicle that had struck them. "ADRIAN, ARE YOU OKAY? IT'S ME! JIMMY!"

"PHILLIPS? IS THAT YOU?"

No reply came, but as the dust finally settled, it became clear that it was. Jimmy Phillips was crouched behind the driver's door of his patrol car, his gun drawn. Evan Radditch was crouched behind the trunk of his car, Adrian in handcuffs beside him on the ground.

"WHAT IN GOD'S NAME DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING PHILLIPS?" Radditch shrieked. "I'LL HAVE YOUR G0DDAMN BADGE FOR THIS YOU LITTLE MAGGOT!"

"ADRIAN! LISTEN TO ME!" Jimmy yelled, ignoring Radditch's words. "RADDITCH IS WORKING FOR THE KINGPIN! I'VE GOT PROOF! I'M GONNA GET YOU OUT OF HERE!"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, PHILLIPS? ARE YOU FU(K!NG CRAZY?"

Adrian moved swiftly, headbutting Radditch in the nose. Blood spurted out as Radditch yelled out in pain. His gun fell to the ground and Adrian kicked it out of his reach.

Jimmy quickly ran over and crouched next to Adrian.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine... get these cuffs off me." Adrian gasped.

"You're in deep $hit..." Radditch said as he clutched his broken nose. "You dirty little creep... you're dirty... you were'nt even told he was bein' moved... you're filthy..."

! B L A M !

The bullet entered Radditch's stomach and didn't come out. Radditch rolled over and stopped moving. A string of smoke fled the barrel of Jimmy's gun.

"What? What the hell..."

"Alright old man, let's do this quick."

Jimmy got to his feet and pressed the hot barrel of his gun to Adrian's forehead.

"You little worm!" Adrian seethed. "I TRUSTED YOU!"

"Hey, I'm real sorry old man. But when the Kingpin tells you to kill somebody, you kill somebody. Right?"

! B L A M !

Adrian felt the barrel of the gun fall away from his flesh. A gurgle escamed Jimmy's throat as his body crashed to the ground, lifeless. Adrian looked over and saw Evan Radditch put his smoking pistol down and roll on to his back.

Adrian crawled over to Radditch and picked up the key that had fallen out of his jacket pocket. Moving carefully, Adrian managed to unlock his cuffs. He grabbed Radditch's radio and yelled into it.

"OFFICER DOWN! OFFICER DOWN! I NEED HELP HERE PRONTO!"

"Please state your location, over."

As Adrian finished providng the location, something caught his eye. The trunk of Radditch's car had been busted open. A large box marked EVIDENCE lay inside.

"Who is transmitting? I need a name, over."

Adrian dropped the radio and walked over to the box.

Two minutes later, two patrol cars pulled up and several officers jumped out of them. Ambulances followed. All they found were two dead men and an empty box labeled EVIDENCE.

 

[Feature]

IC Otto Octavius: Doctor Octopus
Season I - Part Ten

Otto Octavius left the news conference and was herded through a crowd of aggresive reporters who were shouting questions. Finally, assisted by bodyguards, Otto was ushered into his limousine, his personal secretary taking a seat beside him.

"I think that went really well." The skinny young man said as he looked at his Blackberry. "We're already the top story on CNN.com and I've got an email here practically begging you to appear on the Tonight Show this week."

"Not interested." Otto said coolly.

"I think it might be a good move, sir. That demographic could prove very valuable in--"

"No." Otto interrupted.

The secretary swallowed hard and looked away from his boss, typing hastily all the while.

"Have you given my offer much thought?" Octavius asked.

His question was not directed at the secretary, but at a shadowy figure sitting opposite him.

"I have." The mysterious man replied.

"Well? Don't keep me in suspense. Out with it!"

"I'll do it." The man replied, a hint of regret in his voice. "I'll get him for you."

"I'm so glad to hear it." Octavius said, a smug smile on his face. "You've made the right decision."

"I know..." The man replied with uncertainty.

"Mr. Octavius, I think you should have a look at this." The secretary said suddenly. "It's from our tech department. A thermal readout from the press conference... seems like we may have had an uninvited guest in the area."

Octavius snatched the Blackberry out of his secretary's hand and peered at the screen.

"Looks like some kind of advanced cloaking device. We couldn't pick it up on any of our regular frequencies."

Octavius threw the Blackberry to the mysterious man sitting in the shadows.

"Was it him?" Octavius asked.

"It was him, alright." The man answered, as he examined the image. "Tony was there."

Octavius gritted his teeth. "In that case, I think your mission had better commence right now, Mr. Rhodes."

The mysterious man leaned into the light.

"Yes, sir."​