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StormWolf
03-23-2011, 03:41 AM
The Registration was still hot news on the street, taking the front page on every newspaper across the United States. Sadly, the news was overlooking a much greater concern. While the Daily Bugle blared about the "Heroes of the Fantastic Force" and the "Secret Defender and Brotherhood Menaces" on the front page, Spider-Man took page three, and the issue of rising crime rates took page eight. The country was still reeling from the Stanford Disaster and the quickness in which the Registration Act was passed and from all of the chaos and confusion, crime was sky-rocketing.

The streets of New York were once safe under the watchful eyes of the superheroes, but now that the people and politicians have pitted the heroes against one another, crime has had a chance to fester a grow in to a major issue. Gangs popped up all over the city under familiar faces and names on the S.H.I.E.L.D. most wanted list of super villains. Psychos like Jigsaw, Black Mask, Jackie Estacado, Pyro, Sabertooth, Two-face, Rhino, and Zhaz found like-minded individuals to form gangs and sew further chaos in to the streets, striking fear in to the hearts of the citizens. These gangs were not average street thugs. The fact that they were lead by known villains was one thing, but the weapons the gangs sported were far too good a quality to have showed up in their hands so fast.

With the gangs and villains waging war on one another trying to stake claims all over Manhattan, the local law enforcement is over run, under manned, and over worked. The Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Queens-boro Bridge have all been shut down to contain the incident. Unfortunately, the city could not be evacuated, so people are still trapped on Manhattan in the middle of the biggest and most destructive gang war the country has ever seen.

Jigsaw's “Beauts” have taken over Harlem, using a hybrid of traditional mafia and new generation gang tactics to extort the helpless civilians population. They are harder to spot than other gangs, not wearing any distinct colors except for a piece of a jigsaw puzzle on a chain.

The Black Mask and his newly founded “Reaper” gang has dug in deep in to Washington Heights, quickly murdering all law enforcement in the ares and assimilating the already existing gangs in that area. The Reapers are easily spotted by their red or black hoodies with skeletal designs on the fabric

Pyro and his “Arsonists” have set fire in Morningside Heights, threatening to burn down the entire neighborhood if any payments are missed. The Arsonists are fond of red, orange, and yellow, and always have a way to start a very dangerous fire. They have set fire to Central Park more than once.

Sabertooth and his “Manhattan Beasts” have taken control of Fort George and Inwood. The already rough town has gotten rougher as Sabertooth and his gang of maniacs rape and pillage and murder their way around the neighborhood. Their hit-and-run tactics makes them very difficult to track or capture. The Beasts usually wear fur of some sort on their clothes and look very unkempt.

Two-Face and his Crime Syndicate have taken a hold in the Upper West Side, using business and barbarism to take control of the usually-safe part of the city. They are some of the more wealthy gangsters in New York, usually robbing banks jewelry outlets and using Two-Face’s business smarts to gain maximum profit, and thus better guns and suits. The Dent Crime Syndicate wear fine suits and carry even better weapons than the other gangs, which is saying something.

The Franchetti Crime Family, run by the enigmatic Jackie Estacado, remains the dominant gang force in Midtown Manhattan. They, like the Dent Crime Syndicate, are very well off and so they tote better weapons and better gear. The Franchetti Crime Family also has the Darkness on its side, thanks to Jackie, and Darklings have started to do the more suicidal jobs.

Rhino and his “Chargers” have taken Upper East Side thanks to their superior numbers and their ability to move drugs and weapons and people through the neighborhood at such a fast pace. They are using their crude drug mixture to keep the citizens addicted to their brand of corruption.

Zhaz and his “Arkham Slashers” are a mob of psychopaths armed with guns, knives, and explosives. Needless to say, this massive gang has overrun Chalsea and Gramercy. They still, for the most part, sport the orange prison jump suits that reach “Arkham Asylum”. They have driven off or killed most opposition simly because of how reckless and insane the gang is as a whole.

From Greenwich Village to Lower Manhattan, the gangs are sending crews out to try and grab a solid hold in the lower parts of Manhattan. The entire island has become a war zone and the war has no code of conduct and no laws. The Gangs are fighting to stay, and it is up to the Fantastic Force, S.H.I.E.L.D., Secret Defenders, and the Brotherhood to kick the gangs in to submission or out of the game completely. Each side has their own reasoning and their own goals, and they will all approach the problem in a different way. Nothing is certain except for one fact: This is the first major battle in the Civil War.

Cleopatra
04-10-2011, 12:45 AM
New York City, Central Park, near the Upper East Side.

It was never really dark in New York. Even if it was night, it seemed more like twilight what with all the street lamps and people walking around. There was too much metal and too much technology, and too many people.

The noise, the crowds, and the lights were lessened in Central Park, but still very much there, and it was a mystery how any animal could possibly survive there, or even want to. It was a mystery why any human would subject themselves to this many people any lights anyhow.

“Vermin,” murmured the figure crouching in the shadows.

“They would probably say the same of you,” countered the other figure standing next to her. There was a soft hiss of displeasure from the first figure, and a sound of rustling as something moved in the grass behind her, because that’s what the first figure was.

She stood slowly being careful to stay in the shadows of the tree they stood next too. Normally, people would have been noticed where they stood, but the two figures were creatures of stealth, and were not afraid of being noticed. The second figure, a few inches taller than the first and evidently male, jerked his head in a direction and they slowly moved from their position.

“We should be cautious,” he began. “We are both strong, but only two of us will not be enough.”

“Agreed,” said the woman. “You will be the muscle. I will be other muscle, and the intelligence. You don’t have that much apparently.”

The male gave a small hmm of agreement. “It was not a priority when-”

Suddenly a third figure jumped from the bushes. It was a young man, his nerves strung tight and he held a gun to the two of them. “Your w-wallets,” he stammered, alternating between pointing the gun at either of their heads.

The woman left the shadows. Rather, she disappeared from them. One moment, she was standing in the shade. The next, she stood in the light of a lamp that kept the pathways of Central Park lit, and she was licking the blood of the newly dead man off her claws. She slit his throat faster than he could blink, and although breaking his neck would have been cleaner, she felt that it was a good way to start the evening. If the boy had seen either of them in the light, he would have stayed as far away as he could have.

The woman who killed him was tall, lithe, and looked graceful. She also looked like a cat. The pattern of a cheetah’s fur was stamped over her skin, from head to toe, and her toes and fingers did not have nails, but rather long, cruel claws that could do great damage. Her long red hair complemented the color of her skin, and her bright gold eyes stood out in the dark, reflecting the light like cat’s eyes. Her pupils were in slits, like a cat on the hunt. She wore no shoes, but just a black leather vest and black leather pants that were cut very low to accommodate the long tail that she had. It was stronger than it looked, just like the rest of her.

Her companion also left the shadows. He wore a large cloak, but his face was solemn and dark. While his features were not as exotic as hers, he did not look an ounce less dangerous. He spoke with an accent, and his disapproval showed in his voice.

“Waste of time, Cheetah.”

“Obviously,” purred the feline fatale, “you have no idea how to start the night off with a bang, doctor.”

He said nothing, but looked back towards the Upper East Side. “They will be as strong as you.”

“Not as fast. Only the Flash is as fast as me. I’ll kill them all before they know what’s happening.”

“The objective is to get them on our side.”

She grinned at him. “They will not all listen. Those that don’t listen have to die.”

The Doctor had nothing to say to that. “Then let’s be on our way.”

“You will distract the thugs,” said Cheetah. “I’ll take care of Rhino. Create a disturbance while I go hunt him out. It will take me longer to find and corner him, but at my speed, I’ll get done around the same time you will. Kill anyone who doesn’t join. Those that do, tell them where to go.”

The Doctor nodded. “If you fall?”

“I don’t fall. I’ll meet you back at the rendezvous point, either with the Rhino or his head.” With that, she disappeared with only the sound of the wind rushing behind her to leave a hint that she was ever there. The Doctor turned the same way, and turned on a rocket pack, flying towards the same direction as his companion had.

StormWolf
04-12-2011, 11:45 PM
Fort George - New York City

Fort George was in chaos as Sabertooth's gang attempted to push deeper south in to Manhattan. Local law enforcement was overwhelmed by the drug-fueled, gun toting maniacs, the lines of the NYPD were running dangerously thin as the Beasts pushed harder and harder every day, using their dangerous drugs to induct the unwilling in to their ranks for the promise of another hit at the end of the day. The Beasts drugs give temporary supherhuman strength, speed, and bodily numbness to the user, making them near-superhuman.

The empty and body-strewn streets of Fort George were silent for the most part, except for the occasional firefight or drug run. Then, there was a roar of a powerful deisel engine as a solid black van with heavily tinted windows sped down the street, heading towards the nearest police roadblock. Behind the wheel of the van was Frank Castle, his face stony and stoic as usual, but his mask of stone was cracked and creased with the calm anger. He was dressed in his full combat armor with his kevlar-lined leather trenchcoat over it all. Reaching in to his pocket, the Punisher pulled out his tape recorder,

"Punisher War Journal,
Manhattan has gone to hell, and the Defenders are going to do everything in their power to bring it back to the light. Megan is my wingman on this assignment. She is a powerful girl, but I don't think she realizes how I work. I am not sure if she has what it takes to get her hands dirty when the time is dire. It is time to get to work." Punisher released the record button and slipped his recorder in to the glove compartment, taking a Sig Sauer P2000 9mm pistol instead, putting the pistol in to one of the empty holsers in his coat.

At the intersection ahead, the police baracade was being assaulted by a group of Beasts. The pop and rattle of gunfire ehcoed through the night and gouts of fire erupted as molotov cocktails collided in to police cruisers. Punisher's grip tightened on the wheen of his black van, aiming the heavy, bullet-proofed vehicle towards the nearest beast.

"Showtime..." the Punisher muttered as his van smashed in to one of the Beasts, then he sharply turned the wheel and cranked the handbrake, making the van spin 180 degrees and stop perpendicualr to the street swamped by Beasts. Metallic rattling filled the fan as bullets flattened against the hardened shell of the van. Punisher stepped in to the main compartment of the van, taking a T-68 Grenadier (http://www.multiplayernetwork.net/files/filesystem/images/T68PunisherM4A1_2366_1278107592.jpg) off of the wall and slung it over his chest and various pistols, grenades, and ammuntion. He then grabbed two ballistic knives and his M4X combat blade. Bullets still slammed in to the side of the van while the Punisher grabbed two M16's with box magazines off of the wall and slung them over each shoulder. Slowly, the tempo of bullets slowed, and then there was a moment of silence.

"Time to go to work..." Punisher mutterd before sliding the suicide doors open on his van and unleashing hell from his M16's. Lead death burst from the burning mouths of the assault rifles, flying in the general direction of the red laser dots that painted the chests of Sabertooth's Beasts. The Punisher stepped out of his van, walking steady while firing his dual M16's in to the thick of the gang. Empty bullet casings jingled like bells as the jumped and rolled across the asphault. The Beasts fell quickly in spurts of blood and gore or they retreated, meaning that the Punisher would need to go on a hunt.

The barrels of the Punisher's assault rifles smoked as the last bullets left their chambers. Punisher looked around, seeing the local police staring in disbelief of seeing a troop of the Beasts get gunned down by one man, none other than Frank Castle himself. The Punisher just looked the poilcemen each in the eye flatly, with a complete lack of emotion. The officers lowered their guns and backed away,

"Hey man, I didn't see nothin'." the police chief said quickly before getting inside his cruiser and drove off. The other poilicemen soon followed suit until the only living body on the street was the Punisher himself.

"Megan, are you there? Can you see any gang movement from your point of view?" Punisher spoke in to his throat microphone, looking up in to the dark abyss of the night sky, seeing if he can spot her ship.

Ace of Hearts™
04-13-2011, 04:02 AM
Upper East Side, New York City.

Gambit stood atop a rundown hotel. He peered over the city below, the wind blowing his chocolate hair. His staff rested on his shoulders, and his arms on the staff. His black and red eyes darted from noise to noise. Scream here, gunshot there. Too much to pinpoint to one location. No, he needed to catch something as it happens.

The screech of tires. The smell of burning rubber. A junky sedan sped down the road below. Rhino's Chargers? Possibly. 'Do dey drive cars?' He thought.

In an instant, he jumped to the street below. Landing just in time to land on the trunk of the car. There must have been, 3 or 4. All looking behind them to see what the thud was about. Inaudible shouts and pointing were aimed at him. The driver began to swerve, trying in vain to shake him off. He felt his grip slipping, so there was only one thing to do. He pulled out the 5 of Diamonds.

"First, we charge de card" He said, a grin on his face. The card began to glow a light purple. Slipping it into the crack between window and roof, we quickly jumped off onto the road behind. Seconds afterwards, the card blew the car sideways, blowing out the back weels. It slowed on its side, the sparks shooting out like a fountain. The doors opened, the men crawling out. Most looked fine.

"Ey, dat ain't ow parallel park!" He said, twisting his staff like a helicopter blade. None were armed, which was great. Whether or not they were Chargers was another matter. Big, mean, tattooed. This should be fun.

The first one to come at him was bald, like Xavier. Stronger looking than the rest. Getting low to the ground, Gambit gave a swift kick to the man's legs. He quickly tumbled onto his face. Charging his staff a small amount, he hit him on the side as if he was mopping a floor. Upon contact, the man slide across the street 20 feet and into a streetlight, which darkened the entire area. No light, except for the glow of three new cards. Throwing them in the general direction of the other two men. He heard the shouts of confusion.

Then with the blast of the cards, in the flash of the purple explosion, he saw them go airborne. Hitting the ground, they didn't move. A quick pulse check showed they weren't dead. The bald man began to move and groan. Walking over to him, the bald man began to back away crawling backwards. Now up against the wall, Gambit pulled him up by the collar.

"Where is E? Rhino! Tell, an Ah won' beat ya senseless...again" He commanded. The man had light trails of blood coming out of his mouth. Gambit shook him against the wall again. "Tell me!"

"I don't know! They don't tell us anything. We're just grunts!" He said, looking like he'd break down into tears. Gambit pondered this for a moment. Giving him a good knock out punch, he put him and the others into the car. Safe place until the cops arrived (If they did).

Quickly looking in both directions of the road, to see if there was anymore of these 'patrols' roaming about, he began a trek deeper into the Upper East side. The Secret Defenders will bring this brute in, as true heroes.

The hunt was on.

SikstaSlathalin
04-15-2011, 12:50 AM
Midtown Manhattan, New York.


A deathly silence hung heavy over Midtown, even vehicles seemed to be as dead as the rest of this once prosperous place. It lacked the same throbbing chaos as some of the other sections the Defenders had been sent into but you could almost feel the evil slithering along the ground and crouching in the shadows waiting for it's prey. Dressed in his army fatigues,boots, and tan shirt and a borrowed trench coat Sentry sat on a bench along what was pegged as a road used heavily by the Franchetti's for their usual business with his arms crossed and his bright blue eyes scanning every inch of the scenery before him his enhanced sense of sight pinpointing escape routes, possible avenues of approach, places of ambush and generally everything a high-end crime family would like to have covered when they're doing their thing.

So far all was quiet aside from rats scurrying about. He'd never actually fought a darkness manipulator before and from what he gleaned from Castle's notes this was the perfect place for Sentry to go with his enhanced senses and light powers even if Void took back over he'd have an edge that could be used against them. The Psycho might just see this Jackie Estacado as a fun little bug to squish instead of a partner in crime but that was a gamble so if it could be helped Void won't rear his head. For the sake of not drawing attention to himself he had to forgo putting on his costume at least the full outfit his cape was folded into his cargo pocket and his sleeves and collar were rolled under his shirt ready to be exposed at a moments notice. Nothing like a sudden costume change from civvies into the bright yellow suit of one of Earth's strongest heroes, Sentry to make the bad guys piss themselves and even surrender in some cases.


A purr of a luxury car's engine broke the silence of Sentry's stake-out quickly turning his head down the street his eyes bore through the dark and sees the glint of the streetlight off the dark green door of a Lincoln MKZ.
About damn time, my ass was starting to fall asleep. Before the car approached the giant stood and made his way to the corner of a building swaying and stumbling like he was drunk as he approached the building he put his hand below his belt and made like he was undoing his pants like he was about to relieve himself from a night of drinking he continued swaying as he mimed noting any change in the car's momentum or direction. Luckily it kept rolling by at it's leisurely pace. Either they didn't have any jobs, or they didn't care about speed so sure they were in no one trying to stop them. Or it wasn't any of the Franchetti's or one of their goons. But as they got closer he turned his head and saw the profile of an Enforcer called Domino in the dossier he looked through. They rode by paying no mind to the drunk in the trench coat. They turned the corner heading into the Wavehome Hotel complex, looks like Sentry stumbled upon a job. He finished his mock piss and went stumbling down the street.

He passed a second alley and turned into it he pressed back against the wall and spoke softly into the microphone's they were given.
"Ms. Drake I've got a job here Domino from the mission dossier just pulled into the Wavehome Hotel complex. I'll see if I can beat something out of him. I'll drop a line when I'm done hope you have some luck if I don't." With that he ran deeper into the alley and doubled back sneaking his way into the complex using his senses to locate Domino and ready a plan.

The Imposter
04-15-2011, 03:06 AM
Midtown Manhattan, New York

The streets where quiet, nothing like they had been. This place use to be full of life, with people running the streets, business' booming, and the 'occasional' sirens piercing the air. That was what midtown use to be like, now it was a shade of its former self. Ever since Jackie Estacado 'The Darkness' and the Franchetti mob family moved in. With Jackie's takeover of midtown Manhattan new unspoken laws were in play. From what she gathered from the Punisher life seemed to stop when the sun went down as it was the only safety, and it was hardly that.

Despite this grim outlook Bobby was sure things were about to change, her and The Sentry took dibs on the area. Despite the potential for other heroes or foes to show up from the Fantastic Force or the Brotherhood, or even worse if the place got swamped with S.H.I.E.L.D agents her and her partner were going to show Jackie that Manhattan isn't his to takeover. Piece by piece they were going to give Manhattan back to the people and earn their favor while doing so. Her resolve was slowly intensifying as she became more involved with this civil war. She now found herself on the corner of 11th and 41st, she didn't have as much insight as her partner in the workings of mobsters but she had a good idea of where the darkest place in Hell's Kitchen was: The Lincoln Tunnel.

If Jackie's little darkness goons were going to be camping out somewhere till dark that would be the spot. Plus traffic had quit flowing through there a few weeks prior. As she walked she went over the goals she had written out back at headquarters. She needed to have a plan going into this, and she wasn't really known for being very strategic, so she had taken some of the Punisher's advice and made a plan.

'First, locate the tunnel's power grid and get it going, restoring power is important The Punisher said. Second weed out the tunnel of any darklings that are there. Third collect intel from the mouthy little buggers....was that it? Awww...I knew I should have brought that paper with me.'

As she talked her breath escaped her lips giving away much of her simple disguise, despite the weather there was no changing the fact that she was organic ice and everything around her was cool. That is when she heard a voice. It was The Sentry, he had found someone and was going to get some info. She nodded than realizing that he couldn't see it spoke up.

'Got it!....you didn't hear me just reciting my plan did you?! Uh...that would be embarrassing. Good luck, I'm close to the Tunnel entrance hopefully I'll here from you in a bit!'

She stopped and looked ahead. There was the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnels. A wall of darkness stopping as the tunnels lead underground. With no power the tunnels radiated an eeriness. Fear began to settle in, she had no idea what awaited her in there but getting the tunnels back up was important to getting people out of the city. She took a deep breath and left her clothes at the entrance. Being completely ice had its perks and if she was going to get up close and personal with some of these darklings she didn't want to destroy her good clothes. She reached forward and began creating an ice slide leading into the dark opening of the tunnel.

Marilith
04-16-2011, 09:24 AM
Upper West Side, New York City

The wind was blowing heavily around the upper balconies of the buildings in this part of town, strong enough to maybe knock the unaware to their long deaths down below and cold enough to chill even the hardest of ordinary men to the bone. However the two figures who stood on the balcony of a 10th story apartment, overlooking a fairly well-off bank branch below showed no signs of either of those things, despite how they were garbed.
The man seemed to be dressed in shining armour, the metal surely ice-cold by now from the wind and his dark green cape whipping wildly around him. The woman was even more ridiculously dressed... or undressed as it were, for she wore what amounted to a few leaves and some tastefully placed moss, and yet she showed as much reaction as her masked friend did.

"Doomy," the woman said in a voice like a small child, having given the nickname to her stoicly gloomy-faced companion ASAP once they had set out to do this, "How long do you think this will take? I don't particularly like it here, it's too... modern for my tastes."
"You are fie," the man said in a hollow voice, "And clearly lying. You are as comfortable here as you were back in those ridiculous gardens where you were staying."
Pouting slightly at him, the woman smiled as she turned back, looking down far below towards the bank. There was something happening in this bank, something that both of these figures were waiting for to fully happen so they could take advantage of the situation...

Sighing, the woman looked up towards the night sky, smiling as she let her feelings drift away from this place. She didn't like New York, this lady, she much preferred somewhere less cold, less iron and stark and so lacking in pure life. Oh, nay-sayers mentioned the thriving human culture, how it was the epicenter of it on the planet, but to this woman, true life came from the natural, not the established, from the chaotic reasonings of nature herself.
This place was not to her liking not at all. She had not been lying about that.
"It appears to have begun," her iron-voiced companion said and, with a glance down the woman nodded before turning and walking back into the apartment behind them, where a strange sight could be seen.

The apartment was overgrown with plants; moss and shrubs, flowers and vines, and the overwhelming smell was of earth and natural things. Her companion showed no emotion to it all, but the woman knew if he could, he would be sneering at it all. Walking over with a sultry stride to one of the walls in what used to be a bedroom she gestured slightly with one hand and two larger-than usual patches of moss and greenery on the walls shifted slightly, revealing the faces of two terrified humans beneath them.
"Thank you for lending us your home," the woman said with a smile of amusement and a touch of darkness, "I hope you'll be more considerate of your mother earth in the future."
As soon as they started babbling she turned and left, the moss regrowing over them in a short timespan, where they would remain.

"Come on," she said to her companion as she walked back through the overgrown living room and out the door, "If we don't catch him now who knows when we will."
"As you say, Ivy," the DoomBot commanded, and together they walked out, intent on entering the bank on the other side of the street mid-robbery, to speak with their target... Two-Face.

Imp
04-22-2011, 04:35 AM
Veidt Tower - Business District, New York City

Retribution Commence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaXgiMqiTig&feature=related)

The SHIELD insignia-covered helicopters left their place in the helifortress, now carrying the hammer of Nick Furry into the grey zone. The mission was clear as day, even though it being night, to crush the gangs across the Manhattan front. The helicopters would deploy over Veidt Tower and continue the campaign from there. Adrian was rather excited even though there was nothing more than a smirk placed on his face. It had been several weeks working in relations with SHIELD and his home had been cold without him since.

Ozy spoke not a single word to anyone while in the air and just kept to himself. Bearing his heroic costume, he felt complete once again and on a mission. Ever since the Watchmen faded, he felt somewhat unfulfilled in his current affair with life and all that she gave him. Running a corporation merely allowed him to earn the money and dominance through the business world, but to adorn a powerful appearance that inflicts justice upon the corrupt was another feeling all on it's own to him.

This was a red letter day for Adrian, the clock had begun it's first few ticks in seconds. His wishes for world peace may now be on the rise. All that stood in his way were the corrupt and the minions who followed them.

Through the clouds and night sky came Veidt Tower still standing and still shining bright in the sky. It made itself an icon over the other skyscrapers of New York City. It acted as a beacon of hope with all the good Adrian has committed.

The helicopters landed in between the large 'V' like shape of Veidt Tower (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/total121/veidttower.jpg) and immediately after stepping out, the security manager approached with an iPad.

"Mr. Veidt, we did as you asked and kept the place up. Security is mostly concentrated in the five first floors; keeping it safe from any possible looters. We also have eyes in the upper levels keeping eyes out for any snipers looking for a shot." The woman spoke quickly while presenting Adrian the iPad with listed details of recent expenditures and other intel.

"Excellent. I will see to presenting a promising speech and reward to the staff who remained in this building through the chaos. I can only hope their families are well." He handed back the iPad and made his way inside with two guards following as well as the security manager.

The elevator they entered was industrial sized for transporting of various goods throughout the place, thus there was enough room for all of SHIELD to fit in. Only one floor down and they were in Adrian's office. Immediately as the chrome doors slid open, Bubastis (http://kayori.deviantart.com/art/Bubastis-146644084) was in site. Waiting patiently for her owner and creator. She stood up on all fours and proceeded to nuzzle into Ozy's legs. He pet her several times telling her of how she was missed by him.

"Bubastis is kind, don't mind her." Adrian made his way over to the the large window nearest his desk. The night didn't do well in darkening the city as it was still lit bright as ever. It was silly for criminals to hide in the dark alley ways now since there wasn't much to thwart their attempts. The police were strung tight, taking care of what issues they could handle, not to mention the ones being gunned down by the stronger and dangerous gangs.

All was well now and Adrian was back home. However this wouldn't remain for long. If technical issues were on the rise with security, then he'd have to return to the cold sky fortress and continue his work from there. However it didn't matter much, everything had been planned out at least three times before, once in the chopper ride as well. His plan would act like a snowball effect.

"When do we begin throwing the hammer around?" Adrian simply queried with hands held firm behind him in uniform position while overlooking the city before him.

Zero
04-22-2011, 07:22 AM
Red Light District, New York City

Lia stood in the shadows, a cigarette loosely hanging in her mouth as she watched people move down the crowded street. From hookers, to drug addicts, and so many other people looking for a not so legal way to blow off some steam. She just watched, while she wasn't here for the pleasures that could be bought on almost every street corner she was here for a reason, she needed a snack. To most people a snack could be grabbed from a vending machine, not that she had anything against a candy bar or any other type of food, in fact she didn't mind the taste of a good meal. The thing is she wasn't looking for a regular meal, she needed something a little more special, blood.

Yes, she was a vampire and of course she needed that special something and what better place to get it? It was perfect, nowadays she had so many names Lia, Looker, Emily, no matter where she went someone knew her but here... Here nobody cared. She could come and go without much attention being thrown her way and get exactly what was needed. She dropped the cigarette to the ground as she saw her mark, stamping it out into smoldering remains with the heel of her boot before walking towards the young man walking down the street alone.

As the man passed the alleyway she darted as fast as she could into the dark lane bringing him with her. She simply issued a command next, a mind control technique that was as simple as taking candy from a baby when used on a human, no probably even easier. Once she told him to stay still she smirked and then dug in, sucking enough to make the man weak on his feet. When she was done she retracted her fangs from his neck, her color becoming much less pale and the preys becoming a ghostly white. He wouldn't die but he was going to crash hard.

She stood up to leave and as she was about to exit the alleyway and leave the man there she stopped. At that point she turned and grabbed the man with one hand easily picking him up without any effort and tossed him on her shoulder. It took her no time at all to walk him to a nearby hotel, there were plenty of hotels here, most used for cheap sex but it would do to keep her feeling like she was on the moral high ground. Hell she had to be now, she was part of S.H.I.E.L.D.

On that note she left the man inside of one of the hotel rooms and looked into the sky, while she couldn't see it through the clouds she did know it was up there, their helifortress. She did like the base, it was a place she could just relax, their were other mutants from the same faction and she could get quick updates on what was going on. She would be heading back up there soon. She walked around the corner and into a small bar she often visited and nodded to the barkeep who tossed her a duffel bag. She waved goodbye as she left, a smile on her face with the odd routine and then went off towards a more remote location, a bit out of town where she would just rise up into the sky. She didn't want people to see her take off since she was a part of S.H.I.E.L.D. now, she was ready to get herself into gear.

That meant she was ready to begin enforcing the rules of her faction and making this world a better place. To do that she planned to stay on the ship unless she was given a mission from the organization or she got bored, though she had heard about the ship, it was supposed to have everything. That was good, she was new to S.H.I.E.L.D. and she hadn't met any of the members in person yet. As the newbie she wanted to prove herself and there were plenty of known members in her group, she would meet them soon...

Ainmire Dougal
04-22-2011, 10:34 PM
Vandal looked upon this example of human engineering and was mildly impressed.
More so when he saw Bubastis.
He crouched and looked into the large predators eyes. They remained that way for some time, it issueing a low growl.. until even the tiger creature looked away. He then petted the thing, rising. "Good Bubastis."
"Impressive." He commented.
"Adrian, I'd appreciate a word in private when you have the time."
...
"Is there a tactical array or intelligence center?"

Shadowstar
04-29-2011, 03:34 AM
The sun had only set twenty minutes prior, only the faintest hints of light left on the horizon, but bellow the flight deck where Jubilee stood there was still plenty of light. The lights of the big city could easily be seen from her position at the edge of the large heli-carrier. Letting out a sigh that was lost on the wind she looked down at the large object she was holding before glancing over at the supply locker she had ripped open and the unconscious guard laying next to it. She knew she would probably get reprimanded for what she was about to do, it wouldn't even surprise her if they locked her back up in a cell as they had in the past. At this point, she no longer cared. All her team mates seemed to do was talk about doing something, she felt the time for talk was over.

Setting down the jet pack she took from the locker she took off the trademark yellow trench coat she was known for and tossed it on the flight deck behind her. She had changed out of her yellow and black outfit that she had been known to wear as of late and had instead changed into an outfit that was given to her by the man who turned her into a vampire. One that reflected the emotions that were simmering deep in her soul or what was left of it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Tollaris/9324640d.png

She lifted the jet pack up and strapped it to her back, the weight that would normally require armor to support gave her no issue. She glanced to the city bellow, looking at the tower where her team mates were going to be calling a base while in the city. Looking back behind her at the carriers control tower she wondered whether they had spotted her yet, but didn't much care as she was leaving. Turning her back to the edge she spread her arms wide and fell backwards into the night sky. Eyes closed as the wind whipped around her, the fall seemed to last an eternity till she activated the jetpack and forced herself to roll over into a stable flight path.

Washington Heights was her target, the home of the Black Mask's Reaper gang. If there was anywhere that she might be able to infiltrate it would be them. She touched down about a twenty minute walk from a location the was supposedly a hangout for them according to SHIELD records and quickly ditched the jet pack in a dumpster. It wasn't long before she was starring at the place that her info told her was a gathering place for Reapers, eyeing the two guards standing near the door.

Stepping out into the dimly lit lot around the building, she made no effort to hide herself as she walked towards the guards in what some might consider a predatory fashion. As a hand came up to clear a stray lock of hair from covering her face she smiled at the two guards, making sure her fangs were easily seen. "I hear you Reaper boys like dealing with death. I happen to be looking for some fun, and that is the kind of fun that I could really get into. You happen to have a few minutes to show a girl a good time?"

Sir Manguydude
04-29-2011, 10:12 PM
Fort George, New York

"Do you know who I am?" The Juggernaut screamed at a Beast he held in his large hands. "I'm the Juggernaut B-"

A loud screech was heard, as a speeding van quickly spun around about a block away. The man in Cain's hands struggled to get free, before getting all his bones shattered as the Juggernaut smashed him against the ground. Bullets began to ping of his armor as he turned around to face another large squad of beasts.

"You really don't know who your messin' with."

The street was strewn with abandoned vehicles, which Cain decided to use to his advantage. He walked over to an abandoned bus, picking it up over his head, before tossing it at the beasts. The commotion a block away ramped up as the constant report of the M16s filled the air. The Juggernaut turned from crushed cars and the now destroyed bus and started charging down to where he assumed the Punisher was located, based solely on the amount of fire being put out from one location.

SQJ
05-01-2011, 04:51 PM
(Didn't check a map... sorry too much effort for a simple post and I've got a bunch of RPs to reply to...I'll do it in the next post.)

Washington Heights

Xolani's mood had improved over the passing time. There was something spectacular about having the wind pressing upon his body, the whistling of the air in his ears. He rose up higher into the air disappearing into night sky giving him the appearance of a shooting star. Unfortunately that didn't last long. Two fiery lines drew themselves into the night sky, moving up towards him, they criss crossed blazing up around him. What ever they were, judging by their tails they were very long and very thin.
Xolani slowed down and hung in the air for a moment, letting himself fall. But he didn't linger for long. He put one and one together, those were heat seeking missiles!
He broken into a high speed sprint created an explosion of fire and leaving it in his wake. They weren't buying it. They passed right through the ball of fire and chased after him.

He banked left the missiles tried to cut him off.

He dove fast and hard, gritting his teeth from the effort. The missiles were right on his tail, each of the two blowing in the flame. A raging river of tar was coming up fast towards him. It would have been easy to avoid the missiles by diving into that river with his phasing abilities were it not for the civilians he'd have left behind to face the following explosion. Diving into the waters had never been an option the shock waves would have killed him.

He turned left into a street he was moving to quickly to see then right, then right again. He ducked into an alley and phased through the only wall broking him off.

Up on a high roof three dark figures watched with state of the art Russian RPGs with advanced heat seeking tech watched the scene below laughing the way through. They jumped when the alley near them blew up.

“Holy shit! Holy shit. These things are amazing!” the tallest of them yelled picking up another rocket and slotting it in place. The two others followed suit.
“Who do you think that was we just shot down anyway?” the second tallest said.
“Well it sure as hell was not superman. He doesn't have flame,”
“We also would not have seen him. We mostliekyl would not be standing here.”
“Perhaps the Flash?” The shortest said pulling his hoody over his face a little deeper.
All three of them jumped at the idea. “Of course the Flash!”

Xolani took that moment to rise up and land behind them placing them between him and a sheer drop. “It wasn't the flash, it was the Firestorm. May you remember it for the rest of your lives.”
He fired a concussion blast kocking them off the roof. “All five seconds if it!”

Firestrom waited, thinking only of Nitro and his beloved as he started at the open space where the thugs had just been. Swearing he dove after them only catching two before the fall. He let the others watch their comrade fall then shot up once again landing on the roof.

“I'm going to ask you both a question then I'm going to throw you off the roof. I'm only going to catch one of you then I'm going to catch no one the next. Which means I can only ask this question twice and twice only before I fetch the next thugs. Think about that movie, the one with the bugs things...” Firestorm said looking away. One of them tried to scramble for the RPG but one of Firestorm's blasts tore a hole into the concrete right next to his fingers, detering any such motions again. “It had um..that guy from howI met your mother. Shit man, he was a physic in the movie. I remember there were brain bugs and spider bugs....”
“Um...Something troopers?” One of them yelled, he'd soiled themselves in the effort.
“Yes you know what I'm talking about! Remember the scene were there's a pile of dead bodies so high the bugs could climb over? Well there's going to pile so high you thugs will eventually stop dying, I bet you got a bunch of friends out there you don't want splashing against the floor. Tell me. Where can I find Nitro?”
“We dont know!” The shortest one screamed.
Unfortunately Firestorm believed them. He chewed on the inside of his cheek and staed at them impassively. “Fine them, tell me what you do know.”

SikstaSlathalin
05-04-2011, 04:13 AM
Wavehome Hotel complex, Midtown Manhattan, New York.

From a dark corner at the far end of the Wavehome Hotel. A dull green light glowed barely noticeable from the shadows but crouched with his back to the wall sat Sentry using his keen ears to listen in on Domino's little meeting with an informant he had sniffing around the other gangs of New York.
"That's all I got Domino things seem to be at a standstill for now. The Capes are swooping in and the Brotherhood is going to try and turn itself into some kind of empire like the fucking Romans or something." Wishing to get a better look Sentry creeps to the low window and pokes his head over the sill even in the dark room his eyes spotted three figures. The informant was seated on the bed his back facing the other two and his eyes staring with unchecked fear at the peeling wallpaper. Domino was standing at the foot of the bed he was a tall man dressed in a kind of suit but with a sleeveless white shirt and a gold and black vest, his shoulder harness hanging boldly about his body the twin semi-auto pistols both decalled with a domino pattern sitting in their holders. The enforcer was very proud of his name apparently, the third figure was leaning against the door just out of sight thanks to a weird bend in the wall but the faint scent of lilac crawled into the big man's nose. Either a very effeminate man with the biggest amount of kills under his belt or a woman time would tell.

"Are you sure that's it pigeon? I know all of that already why don't you try again?" Domino say his voice edging closer to danger and his hand edging closer to one of his pistols. The change in the big man's tone wasn't lost on the informant he visibly jumped and began wringing his hands trying to come up with anything to keep the bullet in Domino's gun.
"Uh....uh... gimme a sec um the...the DEFENDERS! Yeah I hear they're trying to sneak into the gangs too. Fight their little war from the inside out. Yeah that's it!" He says letting out a long breath. There was no sound for a few moments then a loud crack and the moist splatter of brain matter and blood on the back wall.
"Good job little birdie, have a nice nap. Come on Stripes let's report back to the boss." Domino holstered his pistol and moved to the door. A woman's low but clear voice responds.
"I told you a hundred times my name is Illusion not Stripes. Let's go I'm getting bad feeling." The door knob twists and it swings open freely, not giving them the chance to react the hero strikes. With a powerful stroke of his hand he throws a pulse of light at the two blinding them before knocking their heads together lightly managing to a double KO.


He drags the gangsters back into the room then proceeds to tie them up and blindfold them. After a few minutes they begin to wake first to react is Dominio and as you'd expect it wasn't a good reaction.
"WHAT THE FUCK, WHO ARE YOU? WHERE ARE YOU? I SWEAR WHEN I GET OUT OF THIS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE DEAD!" Illusion's was a far more controlled response she simply sighed and said.
"What do you want?" With a smile Sentry responds in a slow simple tone.
"Just tell me where your bosses are and how I can best kill the Darklings." Domino bursts into a loud obnoxious laugh.
"Like fucking hell! It takes more then a voice in the dark to get me to sell out the family! You got that you....HRMMPOH!" The Sentry's flat palm connected with Domino's chest knocking the man full against the wall shutting him up.
"You talk too loud. Maybe the lady will be smarter." He looks from Domino to Illusion who has been sitting quietly listening to it all. But upon closer inspection the big man found she was chanting lightly. Having encountered magic before he quickly shook the woman roughly breaking her concentration but not her neck.
"Talking to you, same question."
"You must think yourself a big man sneaking up on people and tying them up then smacking them about until they give you what you want." The glowing man chuckles bouncing his foot on the bed knocking the woman off her balance and knocking her to her back.
"Save the ethics lesson sweetheart. I just want to know who your bosses are and how to kill the Darklings. Surely a merc like you has no loyalty that stretches past money." The words stopped in Illusion's mouth she licked her lips before she continued.
"How did you know I was a merc?" Sentry's rich laughter echoed in the small dark room.
"You don't resonate evil just impotent empathy, plus no evildoer goes into a job smelling of lilac." The man smiles some upon seeing the embarrassed blush on the woman's face.
"Whatever, so what makes you think I'll tell you anything?"
"You don't want to die, and I think the money's lost it appeal to you after seeing where it came from." More silence it wasn't any superpower that Sentry had he was just very observant and he's studied into human psychology quite a bit trying to control and contain his worse half. Right now Void was bound behind a mental wall of golden light in Sentry's psyche. Everyday he strengthened the wall but also everyday Void tears part of it down.

Finally Illusion speaks.
"You won't kill me, I'm not the only one who doesn't radiate evil."
"You think that huh?" With a grunt Sentry blasts a small beam of light through Domino's head making a sizzling sound and filling the room with the stench of burnt skin and death. The body fell lifeless to the floor landing on top of the informant's. Illusion heard the sizzling and smelt the cooking flesh but with a masterful control of willpower stopped herself from crying out and shaking. She cleared her throat then said keeping her voice level.
"He was a pure evil bastard, even a saint would've taken a swing at him. I still don't think you'd kill me. I've heard of you, the Golden Avatar of Justice. You've made quite a name for yourself Sentry." She says moving back into a sitting position. The big man's powerful laughter erupts into the night again.
"My reputation precedes me, that's good it'll make my job easier or harder depending. You are right I won't kill you but I will leave you here or maybe even drop you into a dungeon somewhere. But we can avoid all that if you just tell me what I want to know."
"Fine, but I've never actually met the bosses or any of the Darklings. I get paid by a middleman and they keep their human and superhuman underlings pretty well separated. I wouldn't even be here if Domino's normal partner wasn't killed yesterday."
"So you do have powers then huh?" Sentry asks readying another beam of light.
"Yes,think my name is Illusion for nothing?" She responds adjusting her weight as she sat.
"So Illusion powers right?" The Hero answers keeping the attack ready.
She smiles showing her white teeth.
"A lady never gives up her secrets at least not until the second date." Sentry chuckles sitting back in the chair.
"We shall see." With a lightning fast twist of his wrist he drums his fingers against her temple knocking her out again. He chuckles lightly before picking the woman like she was a doll carrying her out of the room after throwing his trench-coat over her bound hands making it look like he was carrying his girlfriend home after a long night of partying. As he exited the hotel complex he tapped his communicator patching himself into Castle and Ms. Drake.
"I got a prisoner that might be of use to us. I hope you lot are having good luck." Without another word he carries the unconscious Illusion along the deserted street looking for a place to stash her.

roan
05-10-2011, 01:30 AM
The Bucket of Blood, Midtown Manhattan, New York

Trance music flowered through the bodies of the Gothic club called The Bucket of Blood. It was a hot spot for those in this world that meant to do wrong. Anyone who was anyone knew of this place in the gang world. Indeed it was under the watch of the police but they were no match for the smarts of those running the establishment.

In the midst of the dancing crowd Roxy swayed back and forth, her hips dipping and raising as did her arms as she danced with those all around her. Her apparel was near nothing as she wore this night a tiny black dress of sheer lace with only a thin black band over her chest and a matching black thong. She was enjoying herself yes, but there was business to take care of. Rhino’s so called chargers were heavy in the club tonight. Having sashayed her way from one corner of the room to the other her ears caught word of three large men, donned in black and silver, talking. Despite the loud pulsating music Freefall was able to catch a few of their words.

Running her fingers through the long faux red hair of her wing she danced her way closer, keeping her back to them to better deter their sense of being watched. When the moment was right Roxy made her self trip and began to spin around. Resulting in landed against the hard chest of one of the chargers. Of course when she would fall her large bosom would be pressed firmly against him, the top of her thigh ‘accidentally’ pressing into his groin.

“Oh excuse me,” She would say, changing her voice a tone higher than what she would normally speak. “I’m so sorry.” She half expected the man to push her away put the thigh trick must of sent a certain message to that very male mind he no doubt-able possessed.

“Not a problem, babe.” The man would respond has his large hands grabbed her arms and straightened her.

“So what are you boys up to tonight?”

“Going over some business,” Said another man, his mood seemingly sour.

“Yea, get rid of the bitch, Hector. Rhi-“ A hit to the gut hushed the third man’s loose tongue.

Just what I needed.

“Oh c’mon. I’m sure I can give all of you a good time tonight if you’re willing to let me hang.” With that she flicked at her nose, hinting like some many other junkies in this place, that she fiend for cocaine.


The one called Hector who she intentionally provoked looked to the other two with raised eye brows. “Alright,” said the one who was obviously the ‘leader’, “but I better get a piece of that ass.” It took all of Roxy's control to not flip the man over her head as he reached behind her and gave her exposed backside a painful squeeze. “Oh, believe me” Roxy purred, “You’ll get more than that.”

Anne Bonny
05-10-2011, 05:43 AM
Veidt Tower - Business District, New York City


"When do we begin throwing the hammer around?"

Natasha glanced up at Adrian, stirred from her thoughts. She had remained silent and pensive during their flight to the Veidt Tower. She hadn’t done more than nod to the staff that greeted them there. And though she had certainly been impressed with Adrian’s private empire that he had built in the tower, complete with a beautiful new form of fauna, the Black Widow hadn’t said a word.

But at Ozymandias’ question, she finally folded her arms across her chest and spoke up. “Some of our personnel have already begun to fight,” she said, bitter distaste dripping from her words. If things had gone her way, they would have stayed together, as the team they were supposed to be, formulated a plan and attacked as one. But after Firestorm’s venture off on his own, Jubilee and Freefall also seemed to think it was alright to prowl New York’s streets by their lonesome.

Natasha had been furious, and suggested sending reinforcements out right away to bring them all back to the Tower. But a call from Nick Fury held her in check. SHIELD had come to New York to put a stop to the gang madness that was running rampant on the streets. How could she ask them to go fight a battle and then expect them to hold themselves back, he had asked. And while Natasha still disagreed with two women out roaming the streets with strong and dangerous criminals, she eventually had to give in to her superior officer and move on with the mission as best she could.

She tossed her red hair over her shoulder and eyed Bubastis with some apprehension. Adrian said she was “kind,” but Natasha couldn’t help but think that was what people always said about their dogs before they turned on someone. She was perfectly happy remain on the other end of the room than the creature. “Incidentally,” she continued slowly, her eyes never leaving the big cat-like thing, “there are a few new members who have expressed interest in this mission. They’ve been instructed to meet here for review.”

Another thing she and Fury had disagreed on. Why should SHIELD operatives who had missed the briefing be allowed to participate? If they didn’t know all the details, they would just be a danger to the rest of them. But still, she gritted her teeth and complied.

“The city’s been sealed off, but a few other factions have found their way in. The Fantastic Force is here already, of course, but so are the Secret Defenders. And the Brotherhood is here too, but that should be no surprise.” Natasha’s frown deepened. “So we’ll be dealing with them on top of everything else.”

Finally she made an effort to shake off her cloudy mood and watched Vandal stroke Bubastis’ head. Sitting around and sulking wasn’t going to get them anywhere. “Well are we linked in to SHIELD’s satellite system yet? I’m just dying for some action.”

Prophet
05-11-2011, 07:54 PM
What does it mean to be a hero? Not to have powers that set you apart from the rest of humanity, but to use them for the right reasons. Whether you consider it a gift or curse it is a matter of choice as to whether you turn that into as tool of good or evil. Right, wrong, hero, villain… what does it all mean? Was life really so black and white that such things were easily discernable all the time no matter the situation, or were there shades of grey? Once upon a time I believed the former. Once upon a time… A different lifetime.

I used to believe in a dream, an ideal that was America. I fought for it, bled for it, even killed for it. Yet somewhere between the signing of the Declaration of Independence and not that dream has been twisted and lost. I witnessed firsthand the corruption within the very government I swore to protect. I’ve seen America at its worst, witnessed the depravity of men and women too selfish and greedy to look beyond themselves. Fighting evil is my purpose. It’s what I was created for. What I was destined for. Yet what do you do when that very evil exists within your home among the very people you were meant to protect? I do not know and so I ask myself: What does it truly mean to be a hero?

Can it truly be so simple as self sacrifice? Is it possible that the simple act of holding oneself to a set of strict ideals above and beyond the average civilian could inspire others to be better? I was told once that a hero is a symbol of hope. An icon of peace and justice. During World War II I became that for America and they celebrated my existence as if those words were true. But that was a long time ago and times change…

Now where crowds of people used to cheer heroes on they instead demand surrender and submission to a law that should never have been passed in the first place. For being different we are ridiculed and chastised. Even I, a creation of man and science, am no longer viewed the same. For years I and those like me have fought and risked our lives so that these people could continue living happy and free and yet they seek to rob us of our freedom in return. They treat us as criminals no better than the very villains we have shielded them from. The world welcomes saviors no more.

The America that fought for freedom is no more, crumbled to dust beneath the feet of sinister, greedy corporations and corrupt politicians. There is no justice in America anymore, no liberty. The things that I once stood for are dead and gone, forgotten like one grain of sand amidst thousands. Yet here I remain. The stars and stripes as much a part of me as if they were branded to my very skin. I was birthed in a time of war and now it seems clear that it is coming again. With all my strength I am powerless to stop it. I can merely stand against the tide in hopes of saving what lives I can.

As my shield protects me from harm or even death so too must I shield the citizens of my country from their own foolishness. My name is Steven Rogers… and I am Captain America…

~~~~~~~~~~

New York screamed, its well populated streets consumed by utter chaos as gangs vied for control of all they could lay their hands on. A woman cried out for help in the distance, a please for a savior to take her from whatever horrible injustice was currently befallen her. Bullets flew through the air, the sound of heavy gunfire easy to make out simply because they were coming in such heavy numbers and rapidly at that. There were explosions, screams of dying or injured men and women, the smell of smoke and burning materials. A police siren blared, growing ever distant as the vehicle moved further away toward an unknown disturbance. The men and women in blue were fighting valiantly to wrest control of Manhattan from the massive outbreak of crime but they were outnumbered, outgunned. There was no hope of success and yet the sounds of their struggles continued. All this the figure heard from his perch atop a high cathedral wall. A thousand sounds that all mingled together in a cacophony of ruckus noise.

All knew that Civil Was upon them and only the fools did not know enough to fear the storm of violence to come. In one senseless act the world had been turned against its heroes and now all that anyone knew was in danger of coming crashing down around their heads. New York, chaotic though it currently was, was just a preview of the terrible things to come. The more desperately one side pushed the harder the other would push back. There would be no peace. Not unless all sides agreed to accept compromise and the odds of that happening were slim to none. Steven Rogers had never felt the weight of his mantle more.

There was something distinct amidst the milling noise of the warring inhabitants of the city, a high pitched shrill that nearly set the man’s teeth on edge. It was near, within the Upper West Side where he currently stood. This was Two-Face territory and there was no mistaking the alarm of a bank being robbed. Police sirens quickly followed from the same direction and within a heartbreat the explosive noise of gunfire was filling the air. The Captain was already moving, running along the top of the wall in the direction of the disturbance. When he reached the end he leapt from it, unconcerned by the drop to the ground. New York was his home. The gangs would not get it without a fight.

He ran down the street in a vision of red, white, and blue, his shield strapped securely to his back. No mere human could ever match him for speed. Not since the procedure that had made him what he was today. He turned suddenly, shooting down an alley where the woman he had heard before struggled to escape two assailants. He did not even slow down as he dispatched them, continuing on out the alley and into the street to resume his course once more. If Two-Face was there he would find more than he bargained for.


~~~~~~~~~~

Officer Karen Rodriguez had been among the first of four other officers to respond to the reports of a bank robbery in progress and she and her partner were not crouched behind their squad car just like all the others. It was the best protection they would get from the hail of gunfire the criminals sent their way. There was so much crime in the city since the Registration Act had been passed but today had been the worst by far. The NYPD was not a small police force but they were stretched far beyond what they could manage in a desperate attempt to restore order. At least there were those who helped them like S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Fantastic Force. Without their assistance the city would have already been lost and many of her fellow officers would be dead.

She clutched her pistol within sweaty palms. It seemed a pitiful weapon against the assault rifles being used against them. How the hell were they supposed to combat these people when they were equipped so much better? She popped out quickly to try and take aim at one of the well dressed men using the banks structure as cover, but she had not the chance as bullets sprayed the hood and forced her to duck back under cover. Was this the kind of world her kids were going to grow up in? A place where there was no law or order? She could only hope she’d survive this to raise them properly.

Without warning one of the police cruisers erupted into a fiery explosion so loud it immediately made everything seem to fade. Karen’s ears rang as she covered her face from the wave of heat that came along with the aftershock that nearly knocked her off balance. She heard the blood curdling scream of her comrades as they were engulfed in the flames. She watched in horror as they flailed about in vain to put the fires out. They died slowly, in the grips of total agony. It could have been her.

Her partner gave her a shake, forcing her to look at him rather than the grizzly scene. Only then did she realize he was talking. “…gotta get out of here! They’ve got a fucking rocket launcher, Karen! We have to run!”

Still stunned by the sudden vision of her fellow officers burning to death, Karen could only nod. How the hell did they get a hold of a rocket launcher? She didn’t even want to contemplate it. Not when it could be directed at her car next. Her partner pointed a little ways down the street where the mouth of an alley opened before them. There was no victory to be had here… Not when the enemy had that kind of weaponry. They would find escape through the alley and she could go home to her two beautiful children. She didn’t think she’d ever leave them again if only she could make it that far.

They chose the moment to run together, trying to catch when the gunfire waned to signal the criminal’s need to reload. Her partner was just a little ahead of her as they dashed from cover and ran as fast as they could manage for that opening. Karen felt a whimper escape her throat as her already faltering resolve shattered completely and dear invaded her mind, a terror like she had never known. She was only halfway there when pain suddenly tore up her leg and sent her sprawling onto the pavement. She clutched a bleeding thigh, crying out in pain as the bullet burned from within. If her partner heard her plight he did not slow and a few moments later he disappeared from sight, abandoning her to her fate.

Karen expected her body to be riddled with bullets at any moment and yet they did not come. She risked a glance in the bank’s direction, noticed one of the men pointing in her direction and shouting at someone near him. She could not imagine what he could be saying. Her leg hurt too much to think properly anyway. Even with that pain assaulting her senses there was no mistaking the man’s expression as he lifted a newly loaded rocket launcher and took aim with a sadistic grin. Not bullets then… she would die in an explosion and there would not be enough of her left to mop off the sidewalk.

In those last few moments of her life Karen knew true despair. Her children would never see their mommy again… It seemed to take forever for the man to level the shot and pull the trigger that would send the missile rocketing toward her. So long that she could contemplate the future of her children and who might watch and guard them from the evils of this world while she was gone. Then she heard it, the hiss of sound as the missile was launched directly at her. She saw it leave the launcher, saw it sail across the distance and turned her eyes away in horror. She missed the sight of a man vaulting over the roof of a van. The woman was met by man and missile both, the resulting explosion blasting away the panes of glass in every building nearby. The fire from it consumed everything, centered around where that helpless woman had sat unable to prevent her demise. Lucky for her there was another who could.

The smoke and fire cleared but it wasn’t the blasted remains of a police officer that greeted the eyes of the criminals robbing the bank. There wasn’t even a blackened corpse. Instead they faced the front of a smooth round shield that had somehow weathered the blast without so much as a dent. Two rings of solid red were separated by one of white across the face of that shield and at the very center a five pointed star sat upon a solid circle of blue. America’s flag captured in the form of a tool of defense.

From behind the shield Captain America looked down upon the wounded officer. A moment later and she would have been blown to oblivion but it seemed he had chosen the perfect moment to come to their aid. “Are you alright?” he asked, a stupid question considering the circumstances but the girl was too shocked to give an answer anyway. She simply gawked at him, staring wide eyed at the masked face of her savior.

The criminals began to fire at them now, every single weapon in their arsenal directed straight at that shield and the man who crouched behind it. Bullets struck that shield with a constant metallic pang but for all their frequency he did not seem to notice. He ignored them completely as his arm slid smoothly under the injured woman to lift her against his chest. Her arms encircled his neck as he rose to his full height, that shield held between them and the heavy barrage of gunfire. Only his feet and a portion of his legs were visible as he walked the woman toward the very alley she had sought to escape down. Try as they might the robbers couldn’t seem to bring him down as they had the girl and within a few moments he was out of sight.

“You should be safe here.” He informed the officer as he set her gently down upon the ground. “The bullet didn’t hit anything vital so just sit tight. I’ll radio for an ambulance to come soon.”

The officer gripped his hand as he stood to face the villains in the bank, giving him pause as he glanced back her way. For a moment her lips parted and she struggled to think of something to say. “Thank you, Captain…” was all that came out, a lame response to the man who had just saved her life. His answering smile was calm and gentle, telling her without words that all would be alright. Then the man who had always stood between America’s people and the evil that threatened them hefted his shield and went ot meet his latest challenge….

Ainmire Dougal
05-21-2011, 03:37 AM
He glances at his watch.
"On second thought, it can wait."
He says to Adrian.
"No need to distract ourselves."
He grins.
"I'll be having some things transported here so have your security be advised to not be alarmed when it arrives. I'll head up now."

He heads up to a large area and gives the signal.
He waits a few moments.
And longer still.
Suddenly a Boomtube opens up and a few crates, one very large in particular suddenly arrive.
"Excellent. It worked." He smiles broadly.

He goes to the very large crate and starts to pry it open.
Within stands a mech suit unit, he designed.
"This should help even some odds."

Imp
05-21-2011, 03:45 PM
"Is there a tactical array or intelligence center?" Spoke Vandal. Adrian smirked in response with "Why yes, both in fact. There are two centers, one in the basement and the other on this floor. The array is apart of the 'V' you see upon my tower." Adrian walked over to the window, looking out and plotting where to strike.

“Well are we linked in to SHIELD’s satellite system yet? I’m just dying for some action.” Black Widow crossed her arms, looking a bit uneasy around Bubastis. Was rather typical for those new-comers to react that way around his pet. Adrian's secretary approached with the ipad, flipping through various applications for the business. "Yes we have just made connection with it and is working. You may contact Nick Fury if needed at one of the terminals in this room." The secretary finished and walked to her desk to continue work.

"I'll be having some things transported here so have your security be advised to not be alarmed when it arrives. I'll head up now." Vandal cut in right after the moment. Leaving the room, Adrian looked to the famous Black Widow. "So after he returns, shall we be on our way?"

nonangelic92
05-21-2011, 08:05 PM
Bahiti did not care much for the helicopter ride over to Veidt Tower. Though choppers are faster than regular planes, they tend to freak Bahiti out more than normal, or as normal as being scared of helocopters can be.

She looked around the room that they were in and it was magnificant. She had to admire Adrian and his tastes. Bahiti stayed silent as people talked, she was ready for action and wated to get down to kicking butt..now.

After the others had left for their own rooms, it was only herself, Adrian and Natasha left in the room. Bahiti stared blankly at Bubastis. marveling in such a beautiful creature. She walked up slowly to it and extended her hand. The creature smelled it and then allowed Bahiti to pet it.

Bahiti smiled and petted Bubastis gently. The creature began to almost purr like a house cat. Bahiti let out a small laugh. " Well, aren't you just a lover. No wonder why your master loves you so much." Bahiti looked up at Adrian after he spoke, " Yes, that is also my question too." Bahiti smiled and patted Bubastis upon the head. "Adrian, I must say I do love this animal. He's as loyal as a dog but resembles a feline, remarkable."

Ainmire Dougal
05-22-2011, 03:11 AM
Vandal returns awhile later.
"If we are going after any heavy hitters, I just had a mech suit unit delivered amoungst other things...it might be fun trying it out in the field."
He grins.
"Excellent." He replies to the answer about the systems.
"So whom shall we target?" He rubs his hands together in anticipation. Though a brilliant mind, he was also chieftan of the blood tribe. (I think it was called) and therefore did not kind getting his hands dirty.

Anne Bonny
05-22-2011, 06:49 AM
A red eyebrow arched upward as Natasha eyed Vandal. It was fascinating to see a man of his intelligence in touch with his more primal side as well. Truth be told, she was becoming more and more impressed with her team each day. Even Bahiti exhibited quite a bit of bravery by approaching the very beast the Widow was trying to stay across the room from.

"Well," she began slowly, slowing tearing her eyes from the giant cat-like thing to meet Vandal's gaze, "that's the question, isn't it?"

She turned to one of the terminals that Adrian's secretary had indicated earlier. Without bothering to sit down, Natasha helped herself to the computer that rested there. A few seconds and she was comfortable with the machine, and soon enough images from SHIELD's satellites were appearing on the monitor.

New York City was certainly a war zone. Orangey glows from fires dotted the pictures, and dark figures stalked the streets amid blue and red police lights. As she cycled through one scene to the next, the sinking feeling in her stomach seemed to worsen.

She paused for a moment on at an image of a rooftop with some figures standing on top. One of them was glowing.

"Firestorm," she said simply, after zooming a bit on the image to be sure. "Distributing his own brand of justice, it seems."

The two woman, Jubilee and Roxy, weren't anywhere in the images. No where distinguishable, anyway. That was troubling, but Natasha reminded herself again that they were both powerful girls, and should both know better than to go up against a force they couldn't contain.

Hopefully.

She was about to suggest they go out and try to help Firestorm when another image caught her eye. A large explosion in a building. She scrolled through the images and watched as a figure carrying a police woman down a hallway. A figure dressed in blue, white, and red. She ground her teeth together, suppressing a curse in her native Russian. What good is a hero if he is only out for himself?

"Captain America, one of our long lost team members, is at..." the Widow paused for a moment, studying the screen. "...what is this, a bank?"

She spun around to face the others, red hair swinging over her shoulders as she moved. "This cowboy nonsense is ridiculous. He thinks he can just skip briefing and march into battle all on his own for the hell of it. But with civilian lives at stake, we can't just go charging around wherever we feel like it!"

She barked orders out to Adrian's secretary. "Get me the location of that bank, and find out what gang he's fighting there." Blue eyes flashed like lightning at the others in the room. "Enough is enough. I'm going to rein him in. You are all welcome to come along, or help Firestorm, or find the other girls and help them. You're choice."

Ainmire Dougal
05-22-2011, 03:47 PM
"For a super soldier you'd think he could follow orders better."
"Still, he does seem to be doing well...though perhaps he could do with some backup."

He considers.
"Cowboy...hmm."

"Quite right...I feel perhaps more intelligence may help us. I'll go and do some ground recognizance perhaps."

Vandal changes into a suit that is in actuality fire resistant and reinforced to stop bullets. He also has a boot knife and a silenced pistol at his back.
"I'll be in --- area. I should report back in periodically."
With that, unless stopped, he exits.
(Heads to the region where Aunt May lives.)

You are bad
05-24-2011, 09:13 PM
(I'm exhausted from reading [see: not reading] all of your unnecessarily long posts, so I'm going to keep mine relatively short.)

South Bronx. 3rd Avenue, 149th Street

Red Hood and Rorschach were thrown somewhere entirely unintended by Zatanna's teleport spell thanks to his handy Nth Metal mace. Mask was not here. Neither was Zattana. The Nth Metal's unpredictable and dispelling effect on magic once again reared its head.

He had been hoping to go to his armory first and get some more weaponry. Fortunately all he needed was his twin handguns, the Nth Metal mace, the small gadgets and explosives he had distributed amongst his many-pouched vest and utility belt, his two multi-function bracers, his adamantium combat knife sheathed at his waist, and of course his precious Ether.



http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Nth_Metal

In the TV series, Nth metal is transuranic iron with an atomic number of 676, possessess innate anti-magical properties, is hyperconductive and is able to invert mesons and gravitons.

The Thanagarians had used the Nth metal to drive off Icthultu, a Lovecraftian entity that had dominated Thanagar for generations. Also, Hawkgirl was able to use her Nth metal mace to deflect the spells of Doctor Fate, and her mace was the only weapon that could put down a rampaging Solomon Grundy that was under the influence of chaos magic.

The Mace:
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100117155544/dcanimated/images/thumb/f/f2/Hawkgirl.png/180px-Hawkgirl.png



Red Hood has two high tech bracer, one on each arm. The left armed bracer opens to a small console panel - inside the forearm- which can be used for hacking, remote access, communication, and other computer, electronic related tasks. On the other side, this bracer has a small disk from which an adamantium, heat and current insulated buckler retracts.

The right hand bracer produces a strong current of electricity (insulated to protect the wearing, of course) and the current can be adjusted wirelessly by the console on his left bracer. This right bracer has a nozzle that shoots a high pressured saline solution, effectively turning it into a mid-range liquid tazer as well as a dart shooter.

Ether. It was an enhancement he developed himself using Bane's Venom as a base compound. It did enhance strength, but nothing like Venom did; that was only a secondary side effect. It's true purpose was increasing the effectiveness of synaptic response to outside stimuli. It chemically enhances the speed and intensity of the reflex arc. The end result made him quicker, more agile, improved his aim, and shot his reflexes through the roof among other things. Ether has also shown to increase the speed of healing, probably because of the influence of it's Venom derivative.

They now stood in the South Bronx. According to the GPS in his bracer console they were near 3rd Avenue, and thus not at all far from Manhattan. The problem, however, was that they now needed to get back INTO Manhattan.

"We're going after Two Face. I want him bad." Two Face was the ideal person to take down. First, he always welcomed the opportunity to show Two Face that he was better at handling twin handguns. Second, he knew Two Face's combat style, personality quirks, and tendencies. Third, Two Face was the most likely to point him to The Joker!! Oh, the Joker....What he wouldn't do to wrap his hands around that pale, perverse throat and crush his sick laughter into a permanent silence.

He flipped the console closed and looked at Rorschach. "Let's get moving."

AngelicAsylum
05-25-2011, 02:58 AM
South Bronx. 3rd Avenue, 149th Street

Rorschach's Journal, November 2012, 1:34 AM

One minute in restaurant, next on filthy sidewalk. Feel mildly nauseated. Something has gone wrong, possibly due to strange mace. Red Hood is checking our location and equipment now. Admire willingness to work, but still have suspicions as to night time proclivities. Will investigate upon return to Stark Tower.

Have taken down head of Italian mob, though replacement will follow. Next target is Two-Face, as per Red Hood's request. Possible personal vendetta involved? Doesn't matter. Will aid in determination to eradicate scum. Must fight harder to wipe out rampant virus that has overrun New York.

Rorschach closed his journal and replaced it inside his coat. Red Hood found their location - the South Bronx, a bad neighborhood and dangerous enough on its own even without the new rise of crime in the city. "Hrmm... Two-Face on the Upper West Side. Tunnels and bridges shut down." He looked around in the darkness for a moment before spotting the 2 train staircase leading underground. There was police tape over the entrance, clearly warning people to keep out.

"Can take subway tunnel. Most lines closed down and abandoned, considered too dangerous a risk." It would be a bit of a walk and of course, there was no knowing who or what was down there.

You are bad
05-25-2011, 04:58 PM
Red Hood took a look around. It was completely deserted. Ever since the curfew was laid down, the city has been nothing like it once was. Even at this time of night, one was likely to see a straggler or two: tired workers headed home, a junkie or two, sketchy characters loitering. But it was like a graveyard out here. Good. All the better for their operations.

The red masked man strode toward the descent into the subway system. He ducked under the tape and listened. Reaching into his belt he produced 3 gray marbles and chucked them so they bounced off the wall and down into the station. A hissing sound issued as the small marbles filled the chamber with a knockout gas. When he was satisfied that it dispersed he went down into the station to find two NYPD officers sound asleep.

He wasted no time, leaping the turnstiles, and immediately plunging into the inky darkness of the subway tunnel. Red Hood pressed a button on his gauntlet, the eye covers of his helmet-like mask glowed and he saw in night-vision. What would these tunnels have in store?

CALYPSO
05-26-2011, 01:05 AM
Tension grew less in the Stark Tower once Rorschach, Red Hood, and The Mask left; even Zatanna followed after, which Wonder Woman thought to be a bad idea. Time drew on rather quickly throughout the day and there was no sign of their return. Some of the heroes left to attain their duties, while others remained at the tower. As she left her room, she waved goodbye to some of her fellow teammates and proceeded to leave the main entrance of the tower.

“Leaving at this time Wonder Woman?” a security guard asked.

“Yes,” she responded, “I will be back soon.” When she was outside, she jumped high and soared through the sky. The night was crystal clear despite of the drizzling rain, making her path easier to observe the city that never slept. She flew fast, her eyes scouting throughout the boroughs. Wonder Woman searched for a hint of where they were located.

That’s when she saw it: the flash of light radiating in the South Bronx. Such a mysterious occurrence was allowed by the magic of Zatanna. She did not hesitate to follow it, flying in such a speed that almost made her unseen.

***

South Bronx. 3rd Avenue, 149th Street. 1:40AM

She landed in front of the 2 train staircase and glanced about the streets of the neighborhood. It was empty with no trace of them. ‘I suppose I can start at the station,’ she thought. She walked downstairs and grinned at the thought of a superhero taking the 2 train; sitting there reading the New York Times, waiting to get off at 42nd Street. Unfortunately, the entrance to the station was blocked off by police tape.

Her grin became a smile, “I doubt tape is going to stop two vigilantes,” she snickered and stepped underneath the tape. She walked down the tunnels, neglecting the sound of rats squealing and scurrying. Wonder Woman stopped to see two police officers on the ground asleep; she quirked a brow, concluding the two were here. She stealthily continued down the tunnel, until finally she heard some quiet chatter.

She was on guard, in case it was not Rorschach and Red Hood, “Who is down here?” she asked cautiously, her voice echoing.

Ainmire Dougal
05-26-2011, 03:38 AM
Vandal walked down the streets of the gang ravaged Big Apple like he owned the place and he knew it.
A small group of gangbangers saw the man in the suit, but this joker's walk was so not that of a victim.
"Sup?" This african american guy in streetclothes and bling stepped up.
"Yo man, you lost? This is the Black Jacks territory holmes, and we with someone higher up now too, ya dig?" He looks back at his fellows. " You got some tribute?"

He paused, actually expecting, nay hoping for this.
"Really gentlemen? I had no idea. My bad."
They kind of whisper amoung themselves if he is mocking them or not.
"Would precious metals be a suitable tribute?"
He considers.
"Yeah, I think so, good enough for the Aztecs and all right?"
He sighs.
"You and the conquisidors."
"Huh?"
"Would you like your metal now?"
"Uh..yeah sure."
"I find it very precious especially in moments like these."
He smiles ..
"Now where did I..?"
"Here it is."
His smile widens and takes on an almost gleeful look.
"Enjoy."
He pulls two semiautomatic pistols out and fires into the gang.
The leader is untouched.
"Wha?...shit man.."
"Yes I believe a few of them have." He approached guns away and lifted him by the throat into the air.
He struggled in vain.
He brought him down to face to face.
"I was before the pyramids...boy." he stared him down, his teeth bared.
"Now tell me who this big boss of yours is."
"I ..uh..okay, okay ..." he breathed heavier.
(Which big bad would be in the area Aunt May lives in?)

Imp
05-26-2011, 10:51 PM
"Yes, that is also my question too." Bahiti spoke up in Adrian's presence, even calling to him. "Adrian, I must say I do love this animal. He's as loyal as a dog but resembles a feline, remarkable." Veidt smiled in response and thanked the comrade. "Yes, she is quite fascinating. I had her specially engineered and through a promising DNA strand, she came to be."

"Get me the location of that bank, and find out what gang he's fighting there." The redhead demanded of Veidt's stern secretary who just responded with a cold stare and replied "Anything else? Cup of coffee? Radio? ...Ballistic weapon?". It all amused Adrian as he never expected such powers to collide. His building would become an intel center for SHIELD and the allies from Fantastic Force.

"Enough is enough. I'm going to rein him in. You are all welcome to come along, or help Firestorm, or find the other girls and help them. You're choice." The Black Widow finished and Adrian had stepped away from the window, pausing for a second during his turn towards her and the group.

"I will assist in a variety of ways. I'll keep the fort down while presenting valuable intel to you via mic. Also if you need any hands, I can transport security to pick-up hostages or whoever else and have them processed here, or help ina firefight. I may make an entrance depending on what goes down. If there is a clouded region where the satellites cannot reach then I will jump in." Adrian stood in a uniformed fashion with hands held behind him. This war was just beginning and now, finally, justice would be served. No longer would these individuals be thrown behind bars and released later but instead possibly killed or put in for life.

Cleopatra
05-28-2011, 03:49 AM
New York, Upper East Side

There was complete silence in the alleyways behind the streets. They were all dark and damp, with few people moving back and forth between them. Far away from any lights and activity, there was a large, empty building that had once served as a storage building. Now, it was completely abandoned- or it should have been.

Recently, a great number of delinquents had moved in, all making their homes in the empty rooms that had once held furniture, boxes of forgotten items, and other such things. Normally this place would have been heavily guarded at the least, and had many others inside the building. Now, though, there was complete chaos in and around it.

Most of the inhabitants were runaways, orphans, and young adults who had lived long enough to get where they were. They were not exactly without skill but they were all unarmed and were mercilessly being mowed down by a figure in a green cloak who’s hands were held out in front of him, open palmed, with large orbs of light being shot out towards the crowds that surrounded him.

There were bodies strewn everywhere, most of them dead, with a few of them rolling around moaning or sobbing in pain. Friends tried to run to their sides to pull them back, only to also be shot down. Despite this, the delinquents just kept running at their attacker, intent on bringing him down. The cycle of them trying to charge him, being blown away, and then charging again took a momentary break as finally there were only a fraction of them left. They were mostly the older ones who had let the younger kids act as meat shields to wear down their opponent. But there seemed to be no sign of any exhaustion on this imposing person, and they were smart enough to know when to quit.

The man, sensing their thoughts, spoke. “I am quite prepared to continue this conflict if you are. However, if you would rather live to see another day, I would suggest you listen.

Your master is, at this moment, being sought out by my associate with the intention of attempting to either win him to our side, or kill him. If she succeeds in winning him over, all you who wish to join our cause are welcome. If not, you will be terminated. If he dies, however, and you wish to join, you may. If you do not have the urge to make something of yourselves, then feel free to remain here as gutter trash. It will be no concern of ours.”

The kids glanced at each other uneasily. Finally, one spoke up. “H-how will we know if he’s alive or dead?”

The figure did not need to answer. No sooner had the words left the boy’s mouth than the wall behind them exploded outwards, sending them running towards the man who had been butchering them all before. As the dust began to settle, the kids could hear sounds of struggle- grunting, swearing, sounds of pain. A few of them clung to each other and eased back towards the shadows when suddenly two new figures ran from the smoke.

They recognized the Rhino right away. His stature and roar of fury were familiar to them all, but his hard panting and limp were not. He was followed by a much smaller, much more feminine figure who had leapt onto his back and had dug her nails deep into his flesh. She was hissing like a cat, and a tail lashed back and forth furiously behind her.

“Give it up, Rhino! We’re not asking much!” she shouted, raking one hand of claws down his back. He gave a cry of pain and reached behind him to grab the woman by the hair and flung her into the wall. She gave a scream and then they heard a cracking sound. Rhino turned to the figure.

“Doom…” he said, recognition flickering in his eyes. “You’re next.”

Doom seemed unperturbed. “Cats are much sneakier than you are, Rhino. You should be more careful.”

The large man began to sneer, only to have his face turn to one of pain as he fell to his knees. On his back sat Cheetah, firmly perched there again by the claws on her feet and left hand. In her right hand was a tazer that held five times the charge of a normal one. This would have killed most men, but the Rhino was large enough that it only hurt him. He was weakened to the state where he couldn’t put up much of a fight as it was, and this only seemed to sap him even more.

Cheetah leaned down and spoke quietly in his ear. “Come on, Rhino. We’ll be nicer to you than the others will, and you know it. They’ll all lock you up and put your kids in jail or juvenile hall. If you come with us, they can come too and you’ll be left alone. For the most part anyway.”

She got off slowly as his breathing slowed to a calm pace and he seemed to be listening to her form the way he cocked his head. Cheetah went to stand in front of him, squatting down so that they were eye level. “You know it’s true, honey. You can’t deny it.”

He took deep breaths, his eyes gazing into here with simmering rage. “Your group only wants me as a meat shield, to throw at your enemies before you come in.”

Cheetah nodded. “Yeah, but at least you’d be doing something. You’d never see the light of day again with the others.”

Rhino sat back, wincing, thinking it over in his mind. Cheetah remained silent. Doom waited for a moment and then said “I would advise making a choice soon. All this fighting is bound to attract someone, probably the local police force. Or worse.”

The kids looked at each other nervously. What could be worse than the police? But they waited for their leader to speak, knowing that their choices would depend on his.

You are bad
05-29-2011, 07:26 AM
Red Hood took another hit of the Ether before they went trudging into the ink black tunnels. Aside from scurrying rats, the grimy depths of New York were largely uneventful. They were already much farther into the tunnel by the time Wonder Woman zeroed in on their trail, and it was only because of the Ether that his hearing was able to pick up the faint echoes of a far off voice.

He looked at Rorschach, and ducked behind a tunnel pillar, careful to watch for the third rail. They waited and after a few minutes he was sure someone else was in the tunnel with them. Possibly looking for them.

When the person was close, Red Hood stepped from cover and squeezed off several shots from each of the silenced pistols. They were no louder than a series muffled cough. A flurry of gold, the bullets were deflected. Only one person could have done that.

"Oh....it's only you. Sorry about that. You shouldn't sneak up on people.." He holstered the guns, turned, and started walking again. He wasn't in the mood for any self righteous FF lecture, as he was sure that's why she came looking for them. Red Hood didn't feel he had to explain the deaths of scum.

AngelicAsylum
05-29-2011, 07:40 AM
Rorschach observed his current partner taking hits of the strange substance. Was it possible he had some kind of illegal drug addiction? He couldn't imagine what else it could be, unless of course Red Hood had asthma. And well... that was clearly not the case.

The noise Red Hood heard was completely foreign to Rorschach. All he could hear was the vague dripping of pipes, the squeals of rats in the shadows, and their own footsteps walking through all kinds of muck and puddles in the bowels of the city. When Red Hood made signals to get out of the way, however, he decided it would be best to follow in his lead.

Ducking behind a neighboring pillar, Rorschach hoped to catch the intruder by surprise if need be. When he looked to see who it was, however, he was accosted by nothing but a whoreish perversion of legs, cleavage and indecent clothing. "Ennk," Rorschach grunted, looking away from the disgusting sight. "Strange to use subway tunnels. Especially with ability to fly." It was clear Wonder Woman was following them for reasons unknown. Hopefully not another scolding; Zatanna had done enough of that.

Anne Bonny
05-29-2011, 06:53 PM
Natasha was beginning to appreciate Ozymandias' alliance with SHIELD more and more. Even dealing with his secretary, which turned out to be a trial of patience for the Black Widow, turned out to be more than profitable. She had provided the location of the bank as well as transportation there. While Natasha had been considering using one of SHIELD's helicopters, she instantly cast the idea aside when the snooty secretary offered an armored car instead. Fast, safe, and a bit more discreet than a helicopter, Natasha quickly decided that the car would work just fine.

The driver dropped her off just over a block away, and Natasha continued on foot around the rear of the bank. The building itself sat apart from any others on the corner of two streets, decorated with pillars and brick as if proclaiming it's own importance to the rest of the city. But the sidewalks around the bank were littered with blood and rubble, and instead of walking toward a peaceful building of capitalist commerce, Natasha was instantly reminded that she was stepping into a war zone.

She stayed in the shadows as much as possible, and fortunately all of Two-Face's gang was concentrating on defending the building from the red, white, and blue threat at their entrance. She had ample time to sneak around the back of the building without being seen. It was nearly too easy, Natasha thought to herself, and she wondered if the goons out front were the expendables of Two-Face's gang.

With little effort she crept over a waist high wall into the courtyard of the bank and ducked behind one of the pillars. There were four men remaining, three of them shooting at Captain America, the fourth taking aim with a rocket launcher. Natasha glanced down the steps of the bank to see that Captain America was indeed still on his feet, safely behind his round shield.

The one with the rocket launcher was doing the most to prohibit her wayward ally from advancing, but two of the gunmen stood between her and her target. No problem.

She drew a thin wire from her belt and waited until another rocket went soaring down the steps to make a move to another pillar, putting her within arm's reach of her first victim. Natasha wasted no time in slipping behind him and using the wire to choke out his last gasp of surprise. The movement of his body dropping caught the eye of the next man in line, but by then Natasha had already drawn her handgun. A bullet between the eyes took him down with a splattering of blood and brains on the white steps.

The other two had turned toward her now, yelling startled warnings to each other. Again, Natasha was moving. At this range, she calculated that the one with the gun was more of a danger than the one with the rocket launcher. The Black Widow flipped forward, feet over hands to dodge the bullets that were coming her way and firmly planted both feet on the rocket launcher wielding enemy. The kick knocked him to the ground, flat on his back. She landed on top of him, one knee on either side of his neck, firmly holding the man in place as she quickly aimed and fired at his comrade. The third man fell into a crumbled heap.

Natasha glanced down at the man between her legs with a frown. He was gasping something unintelligible, pale and sweating with fear. She drew a knife from her belt and quickly ended his sputtering.

The people inside the bank were probably wise to her presence by now, and Natasha didn't want to wait for them to start firing through the large glass windows. She took her place in front of another pillar, this time facing the steps of the bank. The time for working alone was over.

"Captain America," she called down to the masked man with a sneer. "If you needed a hand, you could have just asked."

CALYPSO
05-30-2011, 06:53 AM
"Oh....it's only you. Sorry about that. You shouldn't sneak up on people.."

“Would you have preferred if I kept following you two in silence?” she responded.

"Ennk," Rorschach grunted, looking away from the disgusting sight. "Strange to use subway tunnels. Especially with ability to fly."

Wonder Woman figured he was not pleased with her in sight, she bowed her head slightly to look at him, “An unexpected flash of light led me here.” She passed by the two vigilantes and stared down at the subway tunnel, “If you are worried that I am here to scold you for whatever action you have caused, you are wrong.” She faced them again, “Who are you going after this time?”

“Hrm. Two Face,” Rorschach replied.

“Right. I will be joining you both,” she spoke as she walked between them. “We won’t be able to reach Two Face on time if we continue with this pace.”

It was hard to tell what Rorschach’s expression was underneath his mask, but as soon as she grabbed onto Red Hood, he let out a snarl. “No! No. No. No!”

“Sorry Rorschach.” She clutched onto him firmly making sure he wasn’t going to fight. She lifted them both in the air and flew down the tunnel in haste. His filthy bird shit stained coat in her bare hands made Wonder Woman all the more eager to get them all out of the subway and onto the ground.

Upper East Side, 125th St.

There was no point in walking the long blocks to reach Two Face. From the sky, she saw the action occurring at the bank. “There.” In the same speed, she took off towards the direction, the sound of bullets scattering and other explosions becoming apparent upon their arrival.

She landed on the roof of the bank and gently lowered Red Hood and Rorschach to their feet. She immediately sensed the presence of other people who seemed they were not part of Two Face’s gang. Wonder Woman sprinted towards the door that lead to the roof and kicked it down, “Do what you must, but remain cautious. We are not alone and I don’t mean Two Face’s gang.” She ran inside and began jumping down the stairs to reach the main site.

She hid beside a door that lead into the back rooms before reaching the entrance. When the door slammed opened, three gang members ran out with their guns ready. Quickly, she undid her lasso and wrapped it around one member and flung him back to the room. When he crashed onto a shelf, the other two turned around and glared, “Augh! Wonder Woman?!” One of them shouted. They both fired their guns causing her to jump out of the way and deflect the bullets with her gauntlets in ease. She soared once again and punched one man in the face, causing him to fly backwards and land in the middle of the main entrance of the bank unconscious. Shooting a fierce look at the last member, she tied his hands with her lasso before he fired his weapon again. As he cursed her out in anger, she wrapped the lasso around him and body slammed him on the floor, elbowing his jaw at the same time. When he wasn’t moving, she took the lasso away and continued forth, preparing for any other battle.

You are bad
05-30-2011, 11:21 PM
Red Hood put the inhaler to his face and took a huge hit of the Ether. His whole body shuddered with the intake of the substance. His unseen eyes dilated. Red Hood plummeted down the stairwell and crashed down the last flight of steps, landing with a roll. He took the direction Wonder Woman didn't go, heading deeper into the bank, passed the receptionist windows.

The door was a solid core, steel, and protected by a thumbpad. He popped open the cover of his gauntlet console, pulled free a wire and plugged it into the security device. A few taps of the touch screen, and a few seconds later, the flimsy firewall and security system went down. He kicked the door open and there were two thugs down the corridor, already offloading.

Thanks to the Ether, everything was really, really slow. He ran into their fire, leaping toward the wall at the last available moment. Red Hood strode a few steps along the wall, then leapt from it, sailing through the air and leaving bullet holes in his wake. He tapped both thugs between the eyes before he even landed.

God he loved this stuff. He was really good WITHOUT IT, but the drug shot him past human levels. His reflexes, speed, and accuracy could compete with a superhuman. He loved Science.

He almost didn't notice that these particular guards were TWINS. Obviously that meant Two Face was close, probably further back into the bank. Biding his time. Hiding. Planning. He continued on.

AngelicAsylum
05-31-2011, 03:49 AM
The rancid touch of the vile woman's bare arms made him even tenser than before, if that was even possible. No matter how much he insisted that she put him down, Wonder Woman simply ignored him and continued on course. Once they landed, he was sure to adjust his coat, hat and gloves just to give him some vague sense of control back. "Never again!" he sputtered before they parted ways. "Ever! Filthy - " but Red Hood was off and running, so his scolding would unfortunately have to wait. "Hurm."

He followed suit down the stairs and glared furiously at Red Hood when he took another hit of the strange substance, the inkblots swirling in contempt as they continued on their path. Whatever it was, it made his partner stronger and faster than before, perhaps some kind of steroid. "Addiction," he stated calmly as they made their way further into the bank. "Drug possibly illegal. Very bad. Weak." Sickening how a person with such a strong character could succumb to artificiality in such a manner. He would have to report the company producing it.

Once the security system was down, the guards began to rush in. Red Hood took down the twins easily (too easily, thanks to whatever he kept inhaling), but as they continued on, another pair of guards intercepted them from a neighboring corridor, in between Rorschach and Red Hood. Twins again? Ehnk.

They didn't notice Rorschach - they were more interested in Red Hood for his superhuman advantages. Stupid. He easily jumped on the back of one, taking him down with a quick snap of the neck, and kicked the other one's legs out from other him. That one also met a quick end with a broken neck. There was no time for being soft on criminals, not with the city in such a miserable state.

You are bad
05-31-2011, 06:21 AM
Firepower still raged outside. Even from inside the bank it could be heard. He'd have to thank the two idiots in tights for providing him the distraction he needed.

The door at the end of the corridor was only locked by a deadbolt. Red Hood reached into his utility belt and pulled out a small, yet potent flashbang. He kicked it open, and the door flew off its hinges with a shriek of tortured metal and wood. The flashbang followed. He stepped in and wiped out the the people inside with three well placed shots.

In this room stood the vault. It was fully locked, and secured by a complex security system. He refused to believe this vault was never accessed. Therefore, something important was in here. It was either a safe or the door to an underground complex of safes and various other lock boxes. Maybe Two Face was down there scavenging.

"Cover the door." He accessed the console in his gauntlet and began tapping out lines of code.

"You think me weak?" He asked as he worked on hacking the vault. Red Hood didn't particular care about other people's opinions of him, but he'd rather Rorschach understand than jump to baseless judgments.

SikstaSlathalin
05-31-2011, 10:32 PM
After he dropped Illusion off at a Defenders' safehouse locking the heavy doors and tightly binding the woman's mouth so she wouldn't be able to cast any kind of spell and break out he set out to the tunnels. Distant gunfire and the faint smell of gunpowder reached the Sentry's heightened senses as he moved deeper into Manhattan drawing ever closer to the Lincoln Tunnels where Ms. Drake was supposed to go. By rights the giant should have gone off into another hotbed of Franchetti activity like the warehouse district, or more into the heart of the area but something made him uneasy about leaving his partner to face darkness users alone... maybe it's because she's a young ice mutant going into a pitch black tunnel.

Survival 101 never go someplace dark without a light source. As the tunnels loomed into sight a dread began pressing into his psyche and it stopped him dead.
"Oh fuck how could I forget, darkness brings out Void." He stepped back behind the corner obstructing the tunnels from his view. If he went in there Void would immediately begin restoring his powers by absorbing the shadows like a sponge. Through meditation Sentry had managed to rip Void's powers from his being and tear everything but the Monster's raw mental power from him. Less dangerous but not weak not by a long shot. Already he could feel his evil half clawing at the walls of his skull trying to get closer to the darkness. He can't let Void get any nourishment from which to empower himself from, but he also can't throw Ms. Drake to the wolves just because he's afraid of Void.
"I can do this, I've kept him in check all these years I can do it a little longer. In and out quick." He took a deep breath and clenched his fists before rounding the corner again and making a straight line for the tunnels. But as soon as he could see them Void began ramming his full force against Sentry's mental defenses tearing the chains down with such speed and fury that the hero could barley keep putting them up.

He could feel his powers waning with each golden chain that was ripped away. The brightness of his eyes dimmed and his keen ears slowly went deaf to all but what was a few feet from him, his massive body turned to lead as his strength fled. It was pathetic all the control he thought he had over Void's imprisonment was falling around him like a house of cards at no more stimuli then the sight of a dark tunnel. He began to fear what would happen when faced with a group of skilled dark users. His feet stopped moving and his arms sagged at his sides. Darkness began surrounding Sentry he felt himself falling into a pit. Deeper and deeper he plunged watching the light fade away in the distance, panic began swimming into the hero's mind and body his limbs froze and he lost conciseness. Suddenly a deep monotone chant was rumbling around him, it grew in volume and soon it was completely ambient. The dark walls of the pit began shaking and falling to be replaced with columns of golden light. Feeling returned to his body and his powers slowly came back, his mind returned to conciseness and he became aware once again of Manhattan's cool smoggy air and the feel off the hard pavement beneath his ass and folded legs. His eyes opened and a furious roar filled with pain cascaded around his ears it also seemed to stampede down the street and into the tunnel.

Apparently before Robert was lost to the darkness, the last remnants of Sentry exerted a massive pull on him and pulled him back from Void's grasp using the meditation chant he learned in his travels to bring inner peace and calm to one's mind. Soon Void was locked behind the wall of golden light once more and Sentry was in full control again though his physical powers were weakened his mind was clear. It would take a little time before he was at full power again but what he had now should be enough to at least sting the Darklings. He slowly got to his legs and moved shakily to the tunnels, Void began pressing against the golden wall again fighting for an inch of ground unlikely as it was to gain any the Monster would never give up until he won.

AngelicAsylum
06-01-2011, 09:58 PM
Rorschach stood with his hands in his pockets, switching his gaze between Red Hood and the door. "Yes," he replied with a shrug, seeing no need to mollycoddle. "Pathe -hrmm." The voices he heard down the hall interrupted his grim reverie, and Rorschach cracked his knuckles in response.

Positioning himself behind the door, he waited patiently for the guards to storm in. Once it flung open, he merely kicked it with enough force that it knocked the leading henchman right out. The one close behind him was thrown off course from the impact and tripped over his friend's unconscious body, giving Rorschach enough time to grab the man by the collar and slam his head against the wall until he was nothing but a bloody pulp on the floor.

"Ehh. Pathetic," he continued, closing the door behind him. "No different from scum in the streets. Just wrapped up in nicer packaging." Pulling a sugar cube out of his pocket, he unwrapped it and lifted his "mask" to the bridge of his nose so he could pop it in his mouth. Chewing noisily, he let the small piece of foil fall to the floor.

You are bad
06-01-2011, 10:50 PM
Red Hood's fingers fluttered across the touch screen keys as he continued his path of destruction through the security system. He smiled. So utterly two dimensional. "Nothing is merely black and white."

"To be honest, I didn't like having to augment myself with any form of enhancements. The emergence of all these superhumans, however, forced my hand. I had no choice but to develop the Ether - purely for my personal use."

This isn't something he'd ever put into the market. The demand for it would be crushingly high, and if he were to put it into mass production, he'd easily become as rich as Bruce Wayne, Tony Stark, or R'as Al Ghul. It, however, was too strong of a weapon to be put into the hands of the masses

"It started when I began pushing into the territories of some pretty heavy drug runners. They had the nasty habit of selling to school kids, so I had to get rid of them. They knew I was coming and they had a superpowered mercenary waiting for me. I was prepared for a fight, so I came with some trusted soldiers. But he was faster and stronger than any of us imagined. He wiped out my men and the only reason I got away with my one working leg and two broken arms was because he wasn't also smarter."

One of the vault locks clicked opened.

"I spent my time in recovery working on the Ether, and I found that it sped up my healing dramtically. I went back for my rematch and I slaughtered the super-grunt and all his bosses. Since my intervention the schoolyards in Gotham have been clean." Of course, he left the street people to their own devices, only demanding a cut for protection. Thats one thing Bruce never understood. You can't stop crime. But he was controlling it. Keeping it in check. Those drug pushers knew to stay away from schools and rehabs. They'd not dare cross him.

He stopped for a moment to look back at Rorschach. "You call it weak. But I just did what I had to do."

Red Hood tapped in a few more commands. A second lock clicked and the vault began to slide open. Then came the bullets.

Ainmire Dougal
06-07-2011, 03:25 PM
He nods at the information.
He drops him, shooting his legs.
"Have a nice day." He walked the blocks to May's house. He straightens his suit.
He buzzed the door.
"Who is it?"
"May dear, it's Vandal."
"Oh! You came, hold on..."
She undoes a series of locks.
And peeks out.
"Come on in, I'll make you some tea."
"That would be lovely." He smiles and enters.
Sitting at the table, while she putters in the kitchen, he enjoys this moment of domestic bliss.
"Thankyou." He raises the cup in salute.
He drinks. "Mmm, excellent."
She sits across from him with a cup of her own.
"So handsome still."
"You are still a lovely sight as well."
"Flatterer." She blushed.
"May, I'd like to take you somewhere, somewhere safer. Still in the city, but..."he cuts off her objection" it would ease my mind and allow me to focus on the battle knowing you are safe."
"Alright...I'll pack my things."
She goes to do so.

Imp
06-15-2011, 04:11 AM
Location: Veidt Tower

"The driver has just reported that Black Widow reaches the destination." The secretary spoke sternly to Adrian who was lightly feasting upon chicken salad. She gave no more frustrations towards Black Widow in any sense and left any issues behind that walked out with the redhead. This was generally typical of her to do as her work was top priority over anything else, even family.

"Good." He finished his current fork full to further speak. An expression of joy in the taste came over him before he started up. "I feel vegans are missing out on something healthy in their diet. My books explain and yet I receive letters of dislike towards such products... more meat for us then." He concluded before a last bite.

Dabbing at the corners of his mouth gently, he arose from his meal and made his way to an iPad placed on a table int he middle of the room. "I feel some added security may be needed. We need the streets clean. No doubt other factions are doing their jobs but we must ensure that SHIELD and FF get what needs to be done quickly." He took in hand the iPad and his fingers moved across the screen as if they were dancing. A map was soon presented on a TV it was linked with. Other advisers gathered as well as the secretary to observe and give insight.

"Here is the bank they are located at. Bringing in a six man squad via chopper should help with taking out opposition and securing a front. Also they can bring back those who survived and aren't in critical condition for questioning. As for the others not in the area and our close friend, Savage, we shall await a connection with them." Adrian zoomed into the area for all to see easier.

"We can have an Apache sent with the Blackhawk for security reasons as well link the camera's into the Apache so he can attempt to lighten the place up with the chaingun." The secretary stood forth and quickly responding to her iPad to take care of business matters. "Your friend, Baron or 'Despot', will be lead pilot in the Apache. Oh and we'll save the Comanche for night flights." She finished, eyes looking down back at her own screen.

"You impress me every time and always seem to work more than you are paid for." Adrian chuckled but gave her a pat on the back. Commentary around this was usual for her since work was everything but never did she become anal over it, something praised highly by Veidt.

"Beats working with the Black Mask, I'm sure. I'll send the troops out, sir." She walked briskly away, covering the onset of blush coming over her caused by Adrian's generous words.

--------------------------------
National Bank, Upper West Side

"This is Despot of the Skies coming into range near National Bank. Communications going out to SHIELD and FF. We are here to accompany your lovely time at the bank with myself in an Apache gunship and following is a Blackhawk containing a six man security force. How may we lighten up your day?" The voice of the 'Despot' was deep and crackling through the comms, often something of what his mask did to keep him in the shadows. Even his appearance wasn't too well known. The two choppers circled around, the blackhawk's chaingun engaged a foe in a top-floor window while Despot uplinked to the security camera's inside to get a better view.

Sanguine
06-26-2011, 04:12 AM
The Bucket of Blood, Midtown Manhattan, New York

The men's room was hardly the decadent washroom Daken had grown accustomed to and more the sort of sordid display he had come to expect from bus stops and subway stations. The atrocious smell was distracting him from his current, ah, task, at hand. Heh. The man flicked his gaze towards the man leaning against the dirty cement wall, waiting for Daken to perform his promised ministrations. The mutant leaned forward, splaying his hand across the firm abdomen of the "Charger" he'd managed to corner, and slowly, teasingly began to lift the well-built young man's grey shirt. It was pathetic, he hadn't even had to pump up his pheromone production to get this kid's attention, probably due to whatever drug was currently burning its way through his veins. The blonde boy's eyes were glazed over and Daken had already gleaned what information he could from the younger man, thus making him virtually useless. "Tell me what you want," Daken leaned forward and whispered into his ear, bringing their bodies close enough that he could feel the heat rising in waves from the gang member, "In exchange for the intel." The kid shuddered and leaned into him.

"I just want you in me," the boy plead. The ebon-haired mutant grinned, his claws slowly unsheathing, tracing small lines across the blonde's stomach, "So badly." His claws quickly entered the boy's stomach, eviscerating him in one, clean, practiced sweep. His hand coming to rest inside the startled blonde's rib cage as the light began to fade from his eyes.

The body crumpled to the ground as he walked away, without so much as a backward glance. "Wish granted." From here, he exited the restroom, looking to see if any of his team members could use help in their endeavors.

Watching Roxy's little display, Daken chuckled and continued to work his way through the crowd, careful to maintain a distance from which he could be ready to assist but still far enough to appear uninterested. The mutant had to admit that he hadn't expected any of the members of S.H.I.E.L.D. to take this sort of approach. Honestly, the mohawked man had expected S.H.I.E.L.D. to be more uptight and a bit stuffy, and yet here was a firebrand after his own heart. The faux redhead had no qualms with using her sexuality as a weapon and let her powers take backseat. He moved his way steadily closer, attempting to remain within earshot. Roxy was a bit too at ease and natural in this dank club for Daken to believe she'd lead a pleasant sort of life before this.

Worried that the girl was having all the fun, he moved in, pumping his pheromone production up to the max. "There room for one more in this party?" Daken bit his lower lip seductively and locked eyes with one of the gang members, before trying to catch the girl's gaze in an attempt to get a read on what her plan was. "Because I've got party favors and no one to share them with."

SikstaSlathalin
07-06-2011, 11:53 PM
Lincoln Tunnels, Midtown Manhattan.

This is gonna end so badly in so many ways. Sentry thinks staring up at the looming stone and depth-less darkness. As he thought this Void pressed more and more against the walls of the hero's skull clawing his way to the darkness. Sentry growled and shook his head to relieve the pressure then clenched his fists again and stepped boldly into the dark. He called upon his recovering powers to send a three foot wide bolt of light down the tunnel hoping to spook out anyone or anything that might be squatting in the road. Nothing jumped up and nothing lashed out so the way was safe for at least a few hundred feet. He creates a cloak of light around his body sending off a constant green glow while it doesn't make him much easier to see by others it works like night vision for him which will be a boon until his powers are all the way back up.

After taking a calming breath and slowly chanting a mantra to himself to keep Void under control he walks cautiously down tunnels keeping the wall close to his right so at least he might have some protection from an ambush. The Dossier wasn't crystal clear on the capabilities of Jackie and the Darklings so for all he knew this was the worst possible tactic to take, but most of life is hold your breath and take a leap of faith. With his powers at the ready he begins inspecting every inch of the tunnels hoping to find anything really. Intel, blood, hell maybe even a pair of Darklings having sex that way he can get some more prisoners to take back to base. He was also keeping an eye out for Ms. Drake he hasn't heard from her or any of the Defenders all night he was getting worried. Last thing he needed was to be the only Defender left alive, it'd be World War three if any of the other groups got wind of it. He'd have to live in the sky or something just to keep from being destroyed, or live on the moon he could do that too.

He'd been walking for about a half hour zig-zagging between the walls practically picking up every rock and bit of trash for something to work off of with no luck whatsoever.
"These freaks are more pro than I thought." He says to himself again only this time he got a response.
"Why thank you Mr. Lightning bug wish we could say the same about you." A voice coos off to the Hero's left hiding in a crook of the wall, controlling the impulse to unleash a nuke of light at the voice Sentry stood coolly up and put a pulse of power into his light field casting a dim illumination on the corner but all he saw was a wall.
"I'm pro enough to deal with the trouble in this city, speaking of that why don't you step into the light Jackie? It'll make it easier to do that." From what seemed like the tunnel walls themselves a series of laughs bounce around the Hero's head making even his heightened ears strain to focus on them.
"Count yourself lucky none of us are Jackie you glowing fool he'd have killed you ten times over by now." The echoing continues but one foolhardy mistake gives Sentry something to lock onto, a lightly kicked rock like someone was walking and bumped it aside by accident clacking against the sidewalk of the tunnel. Not giving them a moment to realize their mistake he spun full to his back and blasted another three foot wide beam of light out it wasn't three seconds later a screeching death peal cascaded around the tunnels followed by more screeches of pure pain, then the darkness seemed to shallow everything around him. Void leapt from Robert's head almost reaching the dark only to be thrown back by Sentry's continuous mantra. He quickly went over to the body and inspected it using his senses and mind to scan and figure out the weakness.

The thing he killed was pale as a ghost and a man by the looks of it just loaded up with so much metal in his face he thought it was a robot at first. Upon further examination he sees the person seems to be made of darkness cause there's no blood or guts anywhere just legs there and torso there. He felt a vicious twinge in his body as the darkness began flowing from the Darkling and toward him, not wasting a second he leaps back and blasts the squirming darkness with light dissolving it.
"Great now I have to fight the Users and the darkness just my damn luck." A laughing growl rumbled through Sentry's mind and he then knew Void had a plan now. And he now knew he had three enemies to fight at once.

Ainmire Dougal
07-07-2011, 05:17 AM
Savage contacted Adrian.
"Two to beam up." He said hoping that would work.

The Imposter
07-10-2011, 03:30 AM
Lincoln Tunnels, Midtown Manhattan.
Bobby had reached the barricade that S.H.I.E.L.D had set up to keep all the villains from getting out down in the Lincoln Tunnel and walked right into a huge mess. She couldn’t even count all the voices she heard from the plethora of darklings that were trying to break the barrier. She silently cursed under her breath as she began to slowly back up. There just wasn’t any possible way she could handle all of them. She had taking a few steps and turned around when everything went silent.

‘Do you really think WE didn’t notice you? I don’t know who YOU think you are coming down here but it was pretty dumb.’

‘Yeah real dumb!’

‘Some hot shot hero trying to make everything right....right?’

‘You didn’t even bring a light with you! We’ll give you ten seconds before we start chasing you.’

As the countdown began Bobby could hear the chuckles of some of the other darklings. With her powers undergoing changes she was a bit scared to try anything huge, but she had to do something.

‘Listen...I don’t need light, I can see you all because I can see heat. It’s pretty remarkable that even beings of pure darkness give off heat. Where’s your maker?’

‘Listen toots...WE ain’t telling you a thing. Tonight when the sun sets he’ll have the best view as we go out and start taking over the other gangs. Too bad you won’t get to see it.’

As the darkling finished speaking several of its imp like counterparts launched themselves towards Bobby. As they bit and clawed they realized something wasn't quite right. Unbeknownst to Bobby they had telepathically spoke to each other complaining that she was cold and made of ice. The moment was all Bobby needed however to generate spines of ice on her body impaling her enemies. Not wasting the chance she began to glide on a stream of ice back down the tunnel. She could hear the throng savagely run after her their snarls and growls echoing through the tunnel.

That when she saw a sign of hope. A different shape, a familiar one. It was her partner. He must have come looking for her. She yelled out to him amidst the dark and quickly trying to inform him of the large mass of darklings headed their way.

'Do you think we could combine our powers somehow? Like if I made a large enough sheet of ice you could use it to magnify a beam of light to spread out over the whole tunnel? They have to be susceptible to light right?

SikstaSlathalin
07-10-2011, 04:39 PM
Sentry spun toward the friendly sounding female voice and lo and behold there was Ms. Drake surfing on a beam of ice he'd been shooting down Darklings and imps like he was from the old west shotgun bursts using his whole arm dispersing them like smoke then using his fingers like five shooters he was nailing down the tendrils of darkness as they began crawling toward him. There were so many sounds rocketing and bouncing around the tunnels that he barely heard her suggestion.
Do you think we could combine our powers somehow? Like if I made a large enough sheet of ice you could use it to magnify a beam of light to spread out over the whole tunnel? They have to be susceptible to light right? He nods shooting down another enemy and his tendrils then shouts back his deep mighty voice roaring through the air.
"It'll need to be shaped like a magnifying glass, big enough to fill the whole tunnel and thick enough to not shatter under the power of the beam and take a beating until we're ready to fire! How long would it take you to do that?" He shouts blasting a pair of enemies down with another shotgun shot.

He began backing his way back to where Ms. Drake was he checked back to see how far they were apart but a sharp vicious pain knocked him off balance and sent him tumbling to the ground of the tunnels. He quickly scanned around his body for some kind of wound but saw only the wriggling tail of a tendril as it's squirming against the leather of his combat boots he shot a dart of light at it killing it but the damage was done Void has tasted a bit of that darkness and now spoke in Sentry's mind.
"You're failing old friend, you know as well as I that you can't keep all this darkness away from you. That brave little soldier proved that and his sacrifice gave me the power to be more then just a nagging worry in the back of your mind. Now it's just like old times, roommates once again in Robert's mind." With a growl Sentry got back to his feet and tried his mantra again but only got Void's cruel laughter in response.
"That won't work now fool, I tasted the darkness it took you years to rip from my power and I'm not giving it up again not without a bigger fight then last time." Sentry growled out a response.
"You'll never win monster not while I'm still in this man's mind, so save yourself the trouble and go back into your golden cage. Willingly or I'll put you back myself and make it permanent." The Void's voice barked in another series of laughs.
"That'd mean leaving your stupid crusade for justice totally and completely. Banishing yourself to a long forgotten and nearly impossible to reach valley in the Himalayans mountains. That once you're there you can never leave unless given permission by the Dalai Lama or Budda himself."
"If that's what it took then I'd do it and you know that, and I know that's got you scared Void. I'd still be saving the world....saving it from you." Void shook his head laughing still.
"And I know you won't so how about we agree to disagree. I don't like these posers anymore then you do they have no style and hardly any strength or control in the darkness. And as a master of the darkness I'd like to see them all destroyed. Let me out and I'll end this in the blink of an eye." It was Sentry's turn to laugh now.
"And give you free reign to absorb all the darkness and get power enough to separate from Robert's body? Not likely now shut up the adults have work to do." As he finished he sent a bolt of light through his mind and struck Void full in the chest sending the monster roaring in pain to the floor of Robert's mind but with not the power to strike back Void stood quietly and went back to the golden cage as Sentry called it sending his influences out to any darkness still trying to absorb it.

Sentry returned to the present and continued his shooting gallery of Darklings checking back to find Ms. Drake closer he shouted again after he'd killed the creatures on his end he turned and fully ran to her stopping about midway between them and began sniping the Darklings bound up behind her with his arm fully extended and finger acting as the sights with each breath he sent a well placed bullet of light into the heads of any Darkling he saw pop up.
"I'll hold them off Ms. Drake begin work on the glass behind me please." He asks dropping a rather large and ugly creature in a spray of darkness and what he guessed was blood but might just be ketchup from the hotdog that was hanging from it's mouth.

StormWolf
07-20-2011, 08:51 PM
Castle stepped over the limp and lead-peppered bodies of Sabertooth's gangbangers. Their little roadblock was dispatched easily enough and the NYPD were gracious enough to leave Punisher to do what he did best. The tattered and worn trench coat of the Punisher billowed softly in the breeze that wafted down the alley, sending random trash and dead leaves dancing across the ground, as if they were trying to escape Fort George while the getting was still good. The street the Punisher walked was silent as death itself, but the walls of brick and concrete bounced the ambient noises of chaos from the city to Punisher's keen ears - sirens and screams and the rattle of gunfire. His cold blue eyes narrowed as they scanned the streets, the ruined cars, ransacked buildings, and scattered corpses.

Walking past an electronics store with smashed windows, some televisions remained, and the local news bulletin played on the screen, catching Punisher's eye. A female reported in a suit with a bulletproof vest and a helicopter headset sat in the seat of a news chopper, hovering overhead somewhere in the Big Apple. The chopper was catching footage of a bank robbery in progress, the criminals firing on police. Suddenly, a flash of red, white, and blue moved in the way of certain death for a police officer. Captain America.

"It appears that Captan America is now on the scene. Sources indicate that Captain America is a S.H.I.E.L.D. Operative, working with the Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate to eliminate crime and terror caused by supervillains in our great countr -" with a low growl, Punisher smashed the television with the butt of his T68 assault rifle, falling to a knee and holding his head with a gloved hand, his memory flashing back to an earlier time. It was many years ago, before the conflict in Kuwait was in full swing. Private Frank Castle had been selected by General Ross to be part of a Special Forces group, the Drill Instructor was none other than Captain America himself. The training was beyond difficult, and Captain America's methods were very old school, forcing the young Frank Castle to rely on little more than what he was born with. Frank was constantly asked to fight his best against Captain America, to try and 'beat the hero', but Frank would always do little more than stand there and take the punched from the Captain. When he was asked why he would not fight back, Frank simply answered "I don't fight good guys." Captain said that the good guys today may be the bad guys tomorrow. Only now, in the present day, did Punisher see the truth in Captain's words.

"God damn you Cap... S.H.I.E.L.D.? I thought you were better than that." Punisher stood with a sigh, looking down the street a ways, seeing shadowy figures moving towards him. Drawing two .45 caliber automatic pistols, the Punisher took cover behind an overturned car, waiting for the targets to come in range. There were three of Sabertooth's goons herding a group of terrified civilians to God-knows-where, jabbing them in the back with guns or closer fists. Tucking one of the pistols under his armpit, the Punisher pulled a flash grenade from his belt, biting off the pin and releasing the lever, tossing the grenade inches from the crowd. With a burst of blinding white light, the civilians and criminals screamed in the agony and horror of blindness. Leaping from behind cover, Punisher brandished his weapons, firing his dual .45's at Sabertooth's goons, pumping their bodies with large, man-stoppong rounds with deafening bangs. The final goon went down with a burst of fire to the head that caused it to burst in a shower of brains and bone.

Dropping the two expended clips from his pistols with a metallic clatter on the asphalt, Punisher reloaded his weapons and holstered his pistols, pulling out his combat blade and cutting the ropes that bound the civilians, whose sight was slowly returning. With all of the bonds cut, Punisher moved on, deeper in to Fort George, leaving the civilians to dial 9-1-1 for themselves. The Punisher had bigger fish to fry.

"I'm coming for you, Sabertooth."

The Imposter
07-25-2011, 10:38 PM
In a flash Bobby was behind the Sentry and began forming a piece of ice for Him to use. It started out rather simple the idea of the right surface and density of the ice was all clear. What she had failed to take account of was her raging powers. The simple task clowly became more complicated as she had to concentrate harder on getting just the right specs to pull this off. If her body would have still given off sweat she would have been. She strained trying to keep her powers in check as the piece of ice was approaching its finishing stage.

Now that there was a wall of ice in between Sentry and the majority of the darkness they had tried to destroy the obstacle. Bobby did her best to fix what the darklings broke through.

'I...I..think...i..its...ready. It's now....or...never.'

She waited for Sentry to unleash his light power's are fry these guys. Still straining her body and mind to keep the ice in the perfect state.

SikstaSlathalin
07-26-2011, 12:04 AM
Sentry kept sniping the Darklings as Ms. Drake put the wall of ice up they dropped and sizzled in squirming piles of black mass. He was amazed at how quickly and effectively she put it up and how perfectly it was made. He sensed her fatigue though this would wear on even a skilled ice user and she was a young woman doing it while under the pressure of pretty much a life or death situation.
I'll hand it to these mutants, they don't give up but now it's my turn. As she finished the wall he walked up to it and took a deep breath his eyes became like the headlights of a car and his body slowly grew in brightness. His breath was controlled and slow. Soon he became like a 6 foot tall light house he filled the tunnel, the air thrummed with power, he could feel the darkness squirming away from the light fleeing away from the scalding pain. In a matter of seconds his body was totally alight and he took another deep breath deeper than the rest he sucked in all the power and air before him and it seemed the tunnel behind the wall became a vacuum, airless and still.

Time seemed to stop and his light vanished leaving them in total darkness, as if the dam was knocked down the darkness flooded back and the Darklings wailed and screeched becoming a full stampede rushing towards the two lonely Defenders. This was exactly what the Hero planned he said to Ms. Drake in a voice only she could hear.
"Cover your eyes Ms. Drake and you might want to look fully away." He then roared out staring boldly into the monstrous dark.
"COME INTO THE LIGHT!" Using the battle cry as a trigger his body erupted in light and he sent it a 6 foot pillar of light into the ice wall the wall glowed bright yellow. It took a few seconds for the light to fill the wall then in a massive pulse it rocketed down the tunnel filling the whole of the structure launching a solid beam of light into the dark. Immediately the air was filled one massive scream of pain, a long solid death peal, then pure silence not even the sound of sizzling flesh or darkness tendrils. The Darklings were vaporized in a single second as was the wall. He panted and shook his head.
"I think that's all of them." In his weakened state that was trying hopefully this won't come back to bite him.
"I doubt the head Darkling was in that mob so we might have to move on down the tunnel to get him Ms. Drake." He looked at her his eyes swimming a little bit from the exertion but he would recover soon and he'd need all his powers to take on Jackie.

Chip the 3rd
07-28-2011, 09:48 PM
From behind Sentry came the sound of someone aapplauding... Well, it was very slow and sarcastic... But there was nobody there... Or was there? There indeed was: Hawley Griffin, the Invisible Man.

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.
"Good show, you're a regular Human Torch." came the slick, unmistakable voice. "Blighty sends its regards, courtesy of me. Thus I've been dropped off to help you fools deal with this equally foolish problem, while everyone else goes to Maison Posh for bangers and mash, or something to that effect. Who the flipping hell are you, anyway? I hope to God you're the Sentry everyone's banging on about, who I have been asked to meet here."

Needless to say, he didn't exactly seem pleased to be in his position.

Lox
07-29-2011, 06:56 PM
Fort George, New York

The men, four of them, were running for their lives. They were Sabertooth's men, dangerous by all accounts, and armed to the teeth with assault rifles and bullet proof vests. Dangerous enemies for any man that was not a superhero. When they moved, they did so with military-tactical precision, a well-trained squad of four that were known in Sabertooth's gang as a group not to cross. Even Sabertooth himself had a certain amount of respect for them.

That was why they had been sent out to take care of the foe that was fast cutting a deep swath in Sabertooth's gang; Frank Castle, aka "the Punisher". Sabertooth was not in the mood for punishment. He wanted Frank Castle dead, and whether or not these four could kill him, it was Sabertooth's best be...

The leader of the four stopped. They had, on radio, the Punisher's last known position reported. He was coming this way. That, however, was not why they stopped. In front of them, spotted against a great, white building, was an enormous, man-shaped shadow. Each of the four crouched with their rifle barrels outwards in four directions, searching for the source.

That was when the laughter began. It was a cold, calculating, yet almost psychotic laughter, the sound of which was enough to awaken an almost primal fear within the four. It was strange how this wicked laughter could do such a thing to four men who all had a past with the US Marine Corps. But it did. They looked around, eyes wide open and nostrils stirring with quick and nervous breaths.

"Oi, Jackie, this isn't..." One of them whispered, but the leader quickly snapped:

"Shut up!" Jackie Feehan looked around as he shouted: "Who the hell are you? Where the fuck are you?!"

"I am the Shadow... the fear of retribution in men's minds. I am justice." The voice laughed.

"Come out and show yourself, you coward!" One of the others yelled, suddenly opening fire at nothing, spraying the walls in an attempt to lure out the hidden humorist. The air echoed with the rattle of assault rifles and cold, psychotic laughter.

"Fuck..." One of the men whispered as he changed clips, having emptied the whole one. The laugher still persisted. "What the fuck do you want?!"

"Only the guilty need fear me and I see the terror in your eyes, my friend. The fear of what is to come. That which every man fears when his heart has been corrupted." His voice was dark and rough when he added, almost as if in a whisper: "...retribution!" The air echoed suddenly with a gunshot. The head of one of the four seemed to explode, and his lifeless body fell to the floor.

The other four spun around and opened fire once again. The laughter returned, as the sound of the 5,56 mm fire was interrupted by another gunshot, and another dead man. The third shot came quickly after, and then, only Jackie Feehan himself was standing. His hands trembling, he looked around for any hint of where the man could be, but saw nothing. Nothing at all. The smoke in the air made it difficult to see anything, except for that enormous shadow that had moved from the building, and was now seen in the empty grey mist of smoke, almost as if the smoke itself hid a giant.

"The weed of crime bears bitter fruit, Jackie Feehan."

"No!" Jackie screamed angrily, tears dripping from his eyes at the pain of his dead comrades. A moment later, he suddenly saw the shadow in front of him move. He let out a blood-freezing cry as he fired his assault rifle from the hip at fully automatic mode, in one last attempt to bring down this terrible foe. At the same time, another shadow seemed to appear behind him...

A gunshot echoed, followed by that mad laughter as Jackie Feehan fell to the ground. And out of the shadows stepped a black-dressed man with a slouch hat, and a red scrarf that covered the lower part of his face. His hands were gripping a pair of silvery, large-calibre automatic pistols.

His cold, grey eyes drifted down the street, where he saw a single man approach.

It was the Punisher.

Pheasant
07-30-2011, 05:56 AM
Arkham City.

It wasn't the first time Jinx had strolled down these vile, criminal infested streets. No police officers or patrols, they all watched the slaughter from the high walls around the city.

Anyone who really believe in anarchy would break into a cold sweat after seeing this hole in the ground.

This was exactly what it was like. No rules, no laws, aside from the thin veil of morality that the Joker dictated upon the inmates. Broken glass, burned out husks of cars, litter absolutely everywhere.

Run down apartments,m smashed or burned or boarded up lined every street, flanked every alleyway.

This...this is what Jinx was fighting for now. As a soldier of the Brotherhood, this is exactly what that congress of super-villains in the warehouse wanted in every city and every town. This...madness.

She and them had a common interest. Both were interested in hog-tying this country's legislators, and forcing them to retract the Registration Act.

No. That was wrong.

Jinx was interested in changing the law. The Brotherhood was interested in completely and utterly destroying it. That was the difference between them.

Magneto had been ruthless when he created the first incarnation of The Brotherhood, but at least he had some smidgen of morality, some degree of restraint.

The new Brotherhood was a pack of wolves, ready to devour their own at the slightest scent of weakness.

Once Jinx got what she wanted out of this partnership, she was gone. Once she could free Wally, and reform her real group, the Teen Titans, she was out of this business for good.

However, crossing the most dangerous group of people on the planet...There would be a price somewhere down the line.
______________________________________________

Jinx noted two men wearing muscle shirts working on cracking open a car on the ruined street next to the line of sidewalk she strode down. It was freezing, enough so that Jinx had a long jacket over her normal clothes. Those meat-heads looked like they didn't even notice the frigid air.

After a moment, they did notice her however. One stepped up, a crowbar clutched in one fat fist. Grease covered half of his shirt, and they both smelled like a barn-yard.

"Hey baby. I'm pretty good with cars, and you look like one smooth ride. With looks like yours, you must be into some pretty fucked up shit, huh?"

An attempt at a pickup line? Oh god barf...

"Sorry pal, I'm accounted for"
"I don't want to be like your little boyfriend, kiss and hold hands or dumb shit like that. Haha, I promise he wont even notice, at least until the blood test", he laughed at his own stupid joke. What a pig.
"I think I'll pass"
"What in the hell makes you think you've got a choice?", the other man piped in, coming along the other side of the car in a half attempt to block the rest of the sidewalk.

Jinx sighed, and opened her coat. The men did not see what they were hoping.

Hanging from her jacket was a Russian made, short stocked rifle, a VSS (http://media.photobucket.com/image/vss/kust0ms/VSS.png?o=10).

She took it gracefully into her hands, pointing the barrel of the gun in the general direction of the men. Both went sprinting away to an alley on the opposite side of the street.

"Looks like mine was bigger than yours", she muttered, replacing the gun under her coat.

__________________________________________

For Gotham PD's pride in their ability to keep Arkaham City under control, there sure were a lot of holes to sneak out through.

It didn't take her very long to exit the rotten streets of Arkham, and enter the almost equally rotted streets of Gotham.

She looked up into the clouded sky, half expecting to see the Dark Knight's cape whoosh by.

Batman was her enemy too now. So was Robin technically, and the rest of the Titans.

Unlike them, Jinx didn't have the superhero connections to gain refuge in any of the other underground hero groups. The only people she knew were the underworld, villainous types. That was where she belonged anyway, wasn't it?

How long before she took the field against her old friends...?

Her steps wandered with her thoughts, and before she knew it she was standing at a crossing zone, the city around her ablaze with neon and artificial light, as cars whizzed by the street in front of her.

Infiltration, complete.
Gathering information on her target, Black Mask, initiated.

SikstaSlathalin
07-31-2011, 02:03 AM
Upon hearing the clapping and obnoxious voice Sentry's mind honed in on it and began taking in everything about the man. The sound of his feet in the dirt, the light speckling of the dirt and mud on his feet. And of course the slightly grating sound of his voice.
"You'd think the English would be able to speak the language named after them with out chomping it up like a shark then hacking it out in a steaming pile of shit." The Hero says in his mind, and he gets a response from Void.
"Tell me about it, I think Robert's ears are bleeding now."
"Wow we agreed on something. Let's see what happens" Sentry responds mildly sarcastically, he remembered hearing stories about a scientist years ago who developed a serum that turned him totally invisible but also turned him totally insane. He's also a little famous for being a rather rough person around women. He doubted Ms. Drake would let him get near her what with her whole thermal vision and ability to turn him into a Britcicle.
"Yes, Griffin I am Sentry and Icequeen is over there. He tilts his head toward where Ms. Drake was. We're hunting down the Franchetti Crime Family and since Icequeen and I just neutralized the Darklings all we have left to do is kill Jackie Estacado a powerful Darkness user. And you won't have to worry about getting separated from us we can see you well enough. From the info Punisher had he should be at the heart of the tunnels. Shall we?" He nods deeper into the tunnels and clenches his fist making it glow like a large LED light. He turned his body so he could see both of his partners and the tunnel ahead making sure his keens eyes were always trained but still always moving.

Chip the 3rd
07-31-2011, 05:42 PM
"Aheheheheheh, I doubt that. Anyway, I can help you there. Estacuado cannot use the Darkness in bright light, yes? So, we should bring him the biggest, brightest light possible: the sun. Lure him into the daylight, get a nice, big gun, and ackie Estacuado is no more. A foolproof plan, aheheheh, but there's one big issue; How do we get him out? Well, my plan is to provide him with a nice window seat... That he will then fall out of, and fall thirteen storeys. Done."

Pheasant
08-08-2011, 05:49 PM
Jinx unmounted the skinny legs of the rifles bi-pod, standing it between the letters of one of Gotham's many large neon signs. The hot bright pink light of the sign would make the girl all but invisible to a random glancing eye.

Her target was in sight in a shorter building a block away, through the window of a glitzy apartment . An agent of Black Mask's, a lieutenant in his gang. The former H.I.V.E. agent would watch and wait, for a little while.

Then would come the fun part.

Jinx licked her lips, adjusting the optic sight atop the VSS slightly, her right finger off of the trigger.

SikstaSlathalin
08-18-2011, 09:01 PM
Sentry quirked his eyebrow at Griffin in the darkness.
"And I thought Deadpool was nuts." He thinks sighing a little in his head.
"They both are but let's just hope this guy doesn't have a mutant healing factor and a bunch of knives shoved up his ass." Void says shaking his mind a little at the invisible man.
"Good plan Griffin, but sunrise is about 5 hours or so away. Plus I'm sure he already knows we're here and wouldn't let us trick him outside. What we can do is have you two distract him" He indicates to Icequeen and Griffin and I blast him with my best blast of light. With any luck he'll die and dissolve like his minions." With that he moves further down the tunnel keep his fist up to illuminate their way as they trekked deeper into the proverbial abyss.

"Oh I feel the Darkness from here. Man how I would've loved to kill and absorb this kid!" Void says in Robert's head breathing deep picturing the whole thing.
"Well keep dreaming, you'll never feel it again." Sentry responds forcibly glaring across their shared mind at the golden cage and Void huddled within it smirking at the beacon of light and justice.
"Oh ye of little faith, humans can't totally stamp out their dark side. It'll always be there waiting for it's chance to strike. Only difference with superhumans is when their dark sides pounce half of the world could die in a blink of an eye." He chuckles evilly making a smashing motion with his ethereal hands.
"And we can crush the dark side into a fine paste and keep it down." The Hero snarls back only getting a deep chuckle out of Void who went silent. Returning to the conscious task at hand Sentry growled a little and shook his head moving his fist aside so his keen eyes can scan down the tunnel noting anyplace of ambush or something that wasn't quite right.

The Imposter
08-18-2011, 10:49 PM
The Icequeen simply stared at their new friend, more so in disbelief than anything else. She wasn't sure if she even understood anything he just relayed through that blender of a mouth. She quickly caught up to the Sentry and followed him deeper into the tunnels.

After walking in silence for awhile Bobby perked up and spoke. She wasn't totally confident it was the right time but the silence was getting to her.

'Thanks for before Sentry, you really helped a girl out there. Sounds like that was only the beginning though. You really think Jackie is down here? Its soo dark, this would be an ideal camping spot. Do you think he is trying to break the sealed walls holding everyone in here?'

Her words soon trailed off as she got caught up in her own thoughts. There was a lot to speculate and not a lot of evidence to go on. She hadn't even realized that her powers began to flux and the temperature around her began to drop.

SikstaSlathalin
08-24-2011, 03:33 AM
Arkem City.

Strolling downthe cluttered and dangerous streets of Arkem City was a tall man dressed in a long brown duster jacket, worn boots, and a black hat with turquoise beeds woven in a helix pattern with bone beads around the top. His features were hidden in the shadow of his hat and his hand were tucked deep into his coat's pockets but one could tell he was a person of power and confidence but also of great control. His head was tilted to the ground but his sense were afire with information. He was tracking everything around him with such speed and skill he could've been a walking HD radar. No one talked him in fact hardly anyone walked near enough to him to talk. He liked it that way, he was Man on the Silver Mountain a guardian of the Native Americans and even America to a point. This war had stirred him from his slumber and he had been placed inside the body of a young Native named Running Buck and sent out to see what he could do to keep the world from falling to ruins.

All seemed normal as can be when a civil war was going on, all but a little shadow against a pink neon light. Using his eagle eyes he saw it was a girl with a high-powered rifle.
A young lark playing hawk. He thinks tipping his hat to where the girl was and heading into the building where she had stationed herself. His steps weren't hurried nor were they slow he was just a man on a mission.


Upper East Side near the shootout.

The sounds of panicked running feet, explosions, and gunfire stirred a pile of old wool blankets a glinting black metal hook slipped out into the air the hand expecting some kind of trouble.
"Come on Leo let's get the hell outta here. We might not have been seen!" Says the man running in the lead his heavy footfalls and labored breath betrayed him to not being much of a runner and his flight was fueled by fear more then anything.
Leo, the smaller man behind him was having no trouble breathing or running he was lagging back obviously expecting some pursuer to be on their trails he wanted some action. He wanted to see the blood spray on the ground he wanted to end the life of another probably better behaved human then him. But the hand knew what that desire led to and he knew what had to be done about it. With a whisper of cloth and the silent slap of feet the pale hand slung the black hook out and watched it fly over the big man's head and take Leo's with it on it's flight into the ground. The body carried by it's forward momentum tottered a few more feet before crumpling to the ground in a puddle of blood seeping slime from the nearby dumpsters.

The big man stopped stunned and terrified, but the figure didn't even bother looking at him. He just went to retrieve his hook and burn Leo's body, pulling a can of gas from behind a nearby trash can he poured it over the body then chucked a match onto it. The body was blazing and the figure just stood there the bloody hook still clutched in his hand. He was wearing dirty blue jeans, black boots, and a blue stripped white shirt. He only glanced at the big man before he pulled out two sections of a long dark wood pole and screwed the gaff together with a quick and practiced hand. Shouldering the seven foot weapon the figure turned and went toward the sounds of battle that disturbed his slumber and repentance. The big man backed slowly away then broke into another dead run one name and legend on his lips fighting with the breath to get out.
"Dockwalker, ender of one hundred lives."

Pheasant
08-24-2011, 04:57 AM
Jinx breathed in deeply, her eyes focused on the center of her rifle scope.

In...out...Above her, rain clouds rolled in, a slow trickle of wet crescendoing into a modest storm, that would only grow heavier through the night.

Her hands became as steady as stone, Jinx's right index finger falling down onto the trigger of the weapon. Her small frame hardened behind the stock of the now dripping wet VSS in a practiced fashion, as she prepared for the kick that would ensue.

The cars that rolled by on the street below her seemed to take on a darker, smudgier color. Very noir. One car blew right through a pool of standing water, sending a long high splash onto the street.

A small smile crept onto her lips, as she imagined a solemn Tune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ori_eDyOvDk) from her past. It made the nostalgic nature of her current situation, caught in the rain with a rifle, simply perfect.

Below, people hurried through their business with an added pep in their step. Some of those who had been more prepared for this evening had umbrellas long since deployed.

This member of Black Mask's entourage had served his purpose, given Jinx all the information she needed to track down the gang-lord. It was time to tie up that loose end.

Still...she hesitated. Her fingertip wavered for a moment.

The target was just sitting on his apartment couch, unmoving. A sitting duck.

She could practically forecast where the gore and white matter would splat upon the wall to his right.

"Now damnit...now...", she whispered to herself. But Jinx couldn't do it.

Memories flashed before her, of a time when an operation like this was as common as a trip to the mall.

She'd killed a lot of people. People who had done far less than this wretched man, for a much smaller buffet of decent reasons.

The world wouldn't miss this man. Hell, Gotham PD would probably send her a letter of commendation for taking him out, not that they would ever know who did it. She would make sure of that.

Then, other memories came into her mind, like the drops of rain that fell all around the women. Some smaller, some larger; but so very many of them...

Beast Boy, tripping all over himself trying to impress Jinx, and the trio of girls that passed by their late-dinner booth after a long, fruitless patrol...

Raven, allowing Jinx to help her with very delicate, important rituals. Talks of dark ideas, experiences, emotions...

Robin, and their long sparring sessions. Sharing battle tactics, ways to react during certain situations, martial art techniques and other skills. He'd made her pinky swear never to admit to the rest of the team how often he got thrown to the ground.

Wally, his quiet, amazing strength. The willingness to always turn the other cheek, to always, always, give someone a chance to forgo their dark pasts and histories, even at great personal cost. That's how Jinx had turned to good in the first place.

Life was suddenly...so very important to the former H.I.V.E. agent. Protecting it, safeguarding it...

Suddenly, there was a huge bang nearby, from a location Jinx could not pinpoint. The man at the center of her scope dropped dead, a perfect shot.

Had she misfired?

No, she checked the chamber of the rifle, a bullet hadn't been ejected from her own VSS.

Suddenly she was also aware of a new figure on the approach to her station. A small laptop nearby had been beeping like mad for the past few minutes, as the several sensors she had placed throughout the building were all triggered, one after another. She had been too lost in her own damn soliloquy to notice, shit!

There was a man dead across the street, and Jinx had an illegal weapon gripped in her hands. On top of that, someone was heading her way.

She practically ripped out the memory card of her laptop, crushing it beyond recognition with the butt of her weapon, before tossing it over the edge of the building, down into the street. A car rolled by and crushed it like tin foil.

Then the girl turned her attention to the door, breaking into a light run towards it, her rifle trained on the entrance. She sidled the wall that connected to it, falling into a low crouch.

Any second now...

SikstaSlathalin
08-24-2011, 11:33 PM
Bucket of Blood, Midtown Manhattan.

"I really hate playing Houdini." Illusion mumbled to herself as she shoved open the door of the Bucket rubbing her sore wrists. Sentry had forgotten to search her before he placed her in the hideout. Which she was both relived and mildly disappointed at. If he did he would've found a complete lock picking kit strapped to her left side. And after a lot of double jointed twists she managed to get it and free herself. After that it was just a matter of blowing the lock on the door and fleeing into the night. It was a simple escape but it'll leave a knot in her back for a few days. She had to find one of the Franchetti's informers and tell them how the job went south and she'd blow up someone's head if they tried to gip her of payment. But sadly the dive was empty of anyone that highly connected with the crime family. Just a bunch of bruisers and runners she doubted if any of them even knew how to read.

With a sigh she pulled herself onto one of the dirty stools and tapped the bar with her knuckles. There was the sliding sound of a glass and the swish of liquid as she grabbed the lousy beer and downed it in one gulp.
"Bad day shelia?" She gagged a little at the voice and looked out of the corner of her eye at the gangly Australian leaning against the bar next to her.
"Get out of my face Reggie, I don't feel like evading your cheap pick-up lines today." She growled a little tapping the bar for another drink. Reggie laughed scooting closer to her.
"Oh come now sweetheart, I'm past the cheap lines, I'm here to offer you a complete day at the spa. I know some people who'll make you feel like a queen for a week. And all I'm asking is to share a drink with you."
She rolled up the sleeve of her black stripped jacket and showed him the runes glowing on her skin. This was just an illusion but it usually worked on normal humans.
"I'm about 3 seconds away from using your skin as wallpaper. Back off!" She sent a small thrum of power into the air moving the napkins on the bar back an inch or two like a strong gust of wind just went through.
Reggie swallowed then back away. "You know what I just remembered I have to get a raincheck on that drink, I....I have to go get the payment for this burglary job I did. And you know how those brokers can be. See ya later shelia." Reggie backpaddled then power walked to the other side of the bar and hid behind some passed out bikers. She chuckled a little, sipping her drink, she spun the stool around so she could scan the bar again. Still no one from the Franchettis but this time she noticed a young man with black hair and a suit way too nice for this place making his away through the bar.
A new guy huh? She thought watching the young man.


Fort George, New York.

"Now, now young man. Didn't your mother ever tell you to not strike women?" The smooth but worn voice of an older woman echoed down the hall of the rundown apartment and the click of her black heels followed the voice. The next sound was the grunt of a man.
"Fuck you ya damn crone! She's my wife and I can do what I damn well please to her. Just like I'll do to you once I'm done." A young woman's voice sobbed and a cough of tears sounded next.
"Yes, please ma'am don't get involved I deserved this. I...I should've remembered how he like his meal cooked." There was a loud slap and another cry of pain.
"Shut the fuck up you whore., I didn't say you could talk did I?!" The shadow of a large man raised his hand and swung at the curled up shadow of a young woman but he never made it a third shadow one of a slender old woman swung her long leg out and connected with the man's head sending him spiraling into the dim light. His white tank top and cruddy black pants were stained with dirt and grease. His head was spun around to the back of his neck and his hand was still clenched in a fist. There was the light laughter of the old woman then she walked up to his body rolling it over with her black high-heeled boot.
"Then I guess she never told you to listen to your elders either." Her face was wrinkled but still held a queenly beauty to it high cheek-bones, smooth tanned skin, a pert nose, and youthful eyes. It was the face of Goldy Fleece former star of every high-end 1950s lounge in New York City present heroine of the weak and unprotected. She turned to the young woman and knelt down offering her a hand.
"There, there sweetie it's over now. He's gone you're safe." The young woman opened her bruised green eyes slowly and fearfully and stared at Goldy her face puffy and purple from the newest beating but also yellow and scared from past ones. Her arms were bloody and the fingers of her left hand looked broken from where he grabbed her tonight. She collapsed into the old woman's arms weeping pitifully.
"Thank you Goldy, thank you, he-he-he said he wouldn't do it ag-again after last week. But but I sh-sh-sh- should've known." Goldy slowly rocked the young woman like the grandmother she was slowly smoothing her hair and shushing her.
"It's ok Emily, it's over now I'll send word to the B.W.S. and they'll take good care of you. Now come we'll go pack your things and I'll have my son drop you off at the shelter." With a nod and a smile the young woman staggered to her feet and with Goldy under her arm they went back into the bedroom and began packing. About twenty minutes passed before Emily was in the safe and caring arms of the Sisters of Mercy at the Battered Woman's Shelter. Goldy smiled as she waved farewell to Emily and the Sisters but the sound of gunfire and squealing wheels made her crouch down defensively making herself invisible. But the danger wasn't coming her way it was down the street where the Manhattan Beasts were fighting the police and some man in a black van. With a scowl Goldy took off at a jog toward the fighting. She soon saw the carnage and the infamous Punisher in the distance picking up speed she tried to close the distance. Eventually she got close enough to him to see the ruffle of his coat in the wind her invisibility wore out and she was once again a visible old woman walking down the street dressed in black dress pants and gold cotton vest over a black t-shirt.
"You Mr. Castle need to learn to clean up after yourself and be careful when you shoot of your guns! She said stopping a few feet from the dark man. Do you know how many criminals can snatch up all the weapons you left? Not to mention all the children you could've hurt with your Hail Mary play back there!" The old heroine says nailing Castle with her best scowl.


Upper East Side, in the bank.

"Sir they're closing in from both the front and we have heard the sounds of something coming in through the back maybe a few somethings. What should we do?" A pale little man dressed in oversized battle armor quakes at the feet of a giant who was swinging a long bloody chain back and forth in his black hands.
"I'll handle the ones up front. You pansies see if you can scare those in the back with ghost masks or something before they slaughter you." The giant growls swinging the chain back over his shoulder before walking heavily toward the front of the bank. He soon took off at a moose-like run and with a bellow he smashed through the glass doors and swings one of the long red chains at a police car smashing the side of it in. Before anyone could scream Juggernaut's little brother he was flinging more chains out taking out spot lights, more cars, and a number of bodies. His bellow seemed to make the cops fall back on their asses.
"Let's see you pigs try and take down Chain Tank!" He began whipping the heavy chains about his head deflecting some bullets and making the air churn like chopper blades. His weapons of choice crashed down breaking up the pavement and sending small chunks of asphalt into the cops scattering them. He laughed gleefully watching them flee like roaches in the kitchen.
"That's right run you little bitches! I'll show you and your Capes why you should've all stayed in bed today!" He continued whipping his chains around causing massive chaos and collateral damage.


Arkem City.

Like the breath of a mountain wind the door to the roof opened slowly and Man on the Silver Mountain stepped calmly out his hands never leaving his pockets and his head never moved from it's forward look. He spoke in a quiet voice that echoed slightly like he was speaking into a cave.
"I can hear you breath young lark, but worry not I'm just here to talk and maybe recruit you into helping me. I am Man on the Silver Mountain, will you help me?" He slowly closed the door behind him then seemed to appear in front of Jinx he was crouched down to her level his face was still covered by the shadow of his hat but his tanned hands we dangling between his legs and his strong arms were resting on his thighs.

He was looking closely at the pink haired girl. She was young maybe 18 or 19, she was also quite small and fragile looking but so is the black widow spider and it's well known what they can do. The Drifter was going to play it cool and calm she could escape if she wanted to he wasn't going to force her into anything, he couldn't if he tried anyway his powers can't hurt someone who isn't truly evil.

surkiakia R.B.
08-25-2011, 03:01 PM
hey. im new here...... so i don't know what to do.....

SikstaSlathalin
08-25-2011, 05:56 PM
(OOC)(Go to behind the scenes and look into the Character thread.)

Sanguine
08-26-2011, 12:51 AM
Daken slipped out of the back room, the new designer drug Heat coursing through his system, making his vision red at the edges. A manic grin was plastered on his face as he made his way towards the bar, bumping his way through the crowd. Everything was suddenly too colorful and the flashing lights too bright. The pounding music seemed overwhelming as the bass throbbed in time with his heartbeart. Although still quite in control of his movements by your average human's standards, Daken could feel the slowing of his reaction speed and coordination. Something was pinging faintly, the noise came from his pocket. The pocket was where he kept his disposable phone. The realization came to him slowly in tendrils, rather than one complete thought. The mutant came to a stop, awkwardly pawing at his pocket before producing the generic black phone.

An alarm. He must have set in earlier. But why? It occurred to him that it had been more than four hours since he had slipped into the back room with Roxy and company. Speaking of which, where was Roxy? The thought didn't trouble him for too long, although he was faintly perturbed to discover that his stash of pills was almost completely depleted. Had he given them away or had he just taken that many? He could not even remember what had happened since he had taken that first pill. The mutant had been thrilled to find that this drug essentially made his healing factor obsolete while in effect, upping the sense of danger and the adrenaline coursing through his blood. Unfortunately, it had some other less desirable effects, such as the blackouts he frequently experienced during their use. That, and the fact that even now his body was craving more, his every nerve on fire, demanding the next hit.

Daken continued his way towards the bar, determined to get himself good and drunk before his healing factor decided to return. The dark-haired mutant really didn't care that he was supposed to be on a mission at the moment. So far as he was concerned, he had only joined up with S.H.I.E.L.D. because they seemed to be the winning side, that, and he thought it might piss off dear old dad. It took much too long for him to reach the bar, in his opinion, but in the meantime he was able to witness an amusing exchange between some sort of superpowered women and a drunken bit of gutter trash that had attempted to hit on her. A grin crooked the corner of his mouth. Wherever power existed, trouble seemed to follow, and this young woman could very easily be the source of his next adrenaline rush. The man slid onto the recently vacated stool, throwing a hand up to catch the bartender's attention, before turning to leer at the lady seated next to him, looking her up and down in the most obvious manner possible, "I lost my puppy, but I'm pretty sure he went to this cheap motel across the street. Would you mind helping me look for him?"

Pheasant
08-26-2011, 08:37 PM
Jinx's eyes furrowed in anger as she considered this shrewd man looking down the opening of her rifle. Invisibility, teleportation? Some other power from an odd array of possibilities?

"I've more in common with the Black Mamba than the Lark, Mountain man", she murmured with lethal cold, "Normally I would appreciate such guile. I guess you picked a bad time to check in."

She kept her weapon focused on the mans head, taking a few steps back into a more comfortable standing position. "Sorry, but I don't think you can afford my services. Unless you have something real to offer me, I suggest you get the hell out of my A.O."

A younger, perhaps smarter Jinx would have pulled the trigger and blown the mans head to bits the instant he revealed himself. This Jinx's finger was subconsciously nestled along the barrel, off of the trigger.
She was holding back.

SikstaSlathalin
08-28-2011, 04:36 AM
Bucket of Blood, Midtown Manhattan.

Just when Illusion was beginning to enjoy her drink another kid comes up and tried to hit on her this time it was the kid with black hair she saw across the bar. Something about him seemed off probably some kind of drug that was now coursing through his system making him horny and stupid. She shook her head taking another sip of her drink.
"Word of advice junior, not every woman in a dive is a slut and if you want to score a girl that won't give you a disease use a better pick up line." She placed the glass down and got up leaving the young man to find another bunkmate for the night. She has a perfectly good bed that fits just her perfectly back at her place. Pushing her hands into her pockets she pushed through the crowd and out the door into the dead night. She need to find a new line of work, Sentry had a good point the money of being a merc is losing it's luster. She walked sullenly down the street.

Arkem City


"Lark as in small bird young one." Man says not moving from his place before her. Even when she stood he simply stood up putting his hands into his pockets.
"I offer you a chance to fix the world young lark. Killed has lost it's appeal to you. Otherwise you would've killed that man before someone else did and you would've killed me already. I feel that you don't like being just a killer you want to be something more be something you once were. I'm offering you a chance to be a hero young lark. And no amount of money can offer you that and leave you with a clear conscious." He said his voice still like a quiet echo. His head never moved from Jinx's eyes nor did they move from the rifle barrel. One cannot have fear in the face of death.

Pheasant
08-28-2011, 04:42 PM
"There are some thing...", Jinx began quietly, "That hero's cant do. Some lines they cant cross; lines that need to be crossed for this world to change"

Jinx lowered her rifle, flicking on the safety with her forefinger, before depositing it back underneath her now soaked jacket.

"I tried going legit before, when I joined the Titans. Tried to be like my friends, and help the world out by stopping one criminal at a time", the women contemplated, "But stalking evil in the shadows, or swooping in and stopping robberies isn't going to change the minds of those bastards in Washington, no matter how much Robin tries to convince me otherwise. Capes like us have to speak a language they understand. Power."

She sighed, "Well, it looks like I'll be able to help you out for a little bit at least. It will be a few hours before Black Mask learns that one of his boys got hit"

Sanguine
08-29-2011, 12:34 AM
Daken smirked, her attitude was refreshing to say the least. Honestly, at this point he was more interested in doing things because of the challenge they presented rather than whatever the eventual prize was. His abilities had made most anything in life too easy. He could heal from virtually any wound and seduce practically anyone with a sense of smell, perhaps because of this, he had always found manipulating things from behind the scenes to be far more interesting.

However, with the heat coursing through his system and his abilities on the fritz, suddenly everyday ordinary life was extraordinarily more fun. Downing the rest of his drink in a single gulp, the man chased after the retreating figure. His long strides allowing him to catch up in a reasonable amount of time. "So, what sort of pick up lines would work on you?" The mutant grinned cheekily, matching his pace with the woman, making it very clear he had no intention of leaving her be

SikstaSlathalin
09-01-2011, 04:51 PM
Street outside Bucket of Blood, Midtown Manhattan.

Illusion groaned rolling her eyes getting some distance between herself and the stupid young suitor.
"They're above your reading level now I'm asking nicely, please leave me the hell alone and change your cologne(sp) you smell like a wet dog in heat." She shudders and walks quickly away throwing up an illusion of her walking down the street when in reality she ducked into an alley next to an old drug store going quickly but quietly away from the dark haired man. She made it to the corner of the building. In hopes of losing the man she doubled back and took the alleyways behind the street and made her way back to the Defenders bunker not knowing if her place was safe anymore. She sighed again wondering what was going on around here. Heroes killing innocents, Heroes killing Heroes, the whole world was going to hell in a hogcart, stopping only to pick up all the circus freaks along the way.


Arkem City

Man nods to Jinx his unseen eyes shining with promise.
"Even the Mother must do things that can't be called heroic to save her land and children. That's why I'm here, to add guidance to her righteous wrath and set the world right. Now come with me young lark we have much to do." He held out is gnarled leather-like hand to Jinx the power pulsing off his skin.
"And I know some people who will be of great help to us." His head turned for the first time away from Jinx just to look up at the sky as if some divine guidance was telling him where to go. But after a second he turned back to Jinx his covered eyes staring deeply at her.


Lincoln Tunnels, Midtown Manhattan.

Sentry nodded Ms. Drake his eyes still scanning the length and width of the tunnel.
"No thanks needed Ms. Drake, even in these hellish times Heroes shouldn't forget the reason why we became heroes in the first place to help people especially our comrades." He stopped walking and strained his ears for any sound. It was too quiet for a place where the supposed lord of the darkness was hiding especially since they just destroyed all of his minion in one cataclysmic beam of light that would've been seen from space, something was waiting.
"I'm not putting anything above this guy, you don't become a Master of the Dark without going all in and having a back-up plan or two. We just need to keep aleart and if shit hits the fan you and Griffin need to stay close to me, light will be our best weapon in here and I have plenty to spare." He continued walking again feeling the air chill around Ms. Drake as her powers fluxed.
I hope Jackie doesn't have thermal sight. He think going slowly on down the tunnel.

Anne Bonny
09-01-2011, 05:45 PM
The bank, Upper East Side

It was all the Black Widow could do to duck behind the pillar for cover as glass shattered everywhere. She hadn't been able to see who or what came charging out of the bank, bellowing like a wild animal, as she had been facing the street. But it was clear enough that Two Face had more than your average goons with him this time.

More noise followed, the creaking of twisting metal, the screams of people caught by the thing, the crunching of pavement beneath it's feet. Natasha rose to her feet and peered carefully out from behind her hiding place. A knot began to form in her stomach when she saw the source of the chaos. This wasn't the type of enemy she would prefer to take on alone.

But she wasn't one to simply sneak away, either.

"That's right run you little bitches! I'll show you and your Capes why you should've all stayed in bed today!" Chain Tank screamed at his victims.

Natasha frowned. "Not every bitch is running, comrade," she muttered, raising her handgun to her eyes.

Her enemy's movements were clumsy violent, so it took a full second for her to take aim at the back of Chain Tank's bald head. She squeezed the triggor, but at the same time, Natasha hardly expected the raging bull of a man to go down so easily.

Chip the 3rd
09-01-2011, 06:36 PM
Griffin just stood quietly next to Sentry. There wasn't much for him to do at all. In fact, he wondered why he was there, even. Why just him and not the rest of the League? It wasn't exactly fair to Griffin. Oh well, he thought, these things happen.

Pheasant
09-01-2011, 08:31 PM
Jinx considered Man on the Mountain's outstretched, leathery hand with a small frown laden with cynicism. Ideally, she really didn't want to place her dainty, smooth and pale hand into his, especially with the thrumming energy that engulfed his limb.

Jinx really knew a very little about this strange character. His motives, his odd pattern of speech and metaphors. Especially why, and how, he had found and decided to approach the armed Ex H.I.V.E. Agent.

Her world had never been one of sincerity or trust, such notions of brotherly love were severely punished during her former schooling.

The man you show your back to could be the man that kills you.

Her time amongst the Titans must have again softened her, however.

Jinx took the mans open hand with her own, her insides twitching with inhibition as to the texture of Mountain's hand.

SikstaSlathalin
09-02-2011, 02:25 AM
The bank, Upper East Side

Chain Tank was bellowing with laughter at all the chaos he was unleashing as the normal crooks packed in and reinforced their positions waiting for the psycho to get bored and leave the fighting to them once more which might be awhile.
"Look at them all running like mice before a cat! AHAHAHAHAHAHAH umph!" His hands immediately goes to the back of his head and he sees a little spot of blood on his fingers. With a baleful snicker he turns in the direction of the bullet and looks the red haired woman up and down.
"Well,well I heard rats grow big in New York, didn't know the flies were giants too. How about we go someplace nice and quiet and make it not so nice and quiet after I'm done here sugar tits." He grins lustfully at Widow swinging his chain idly about him smacking random cars and cops like they were flies themselves.
"Let's dance skintight." He smiles licking his lips.


In the bank, Upper East Side.

Blood dripped off the black hook of Dockwalker as he dispatched another goon too stupid to run upon seeing the dark man hefting a boat gaff walking down the hall. Stupidity knows no race, creed, color or sexual preference it's an all over disease. The sounds of chaos drew the repenter's attention from the two dead guards to the window above the stairs. Or what was left of them it looked like someone had taken a bulldozer to them or a tank since it was still parked on them swinging massive boat chains around like strings. Dockwalker was very familiar with these, his years of sinning around the docks in his hometown had given him enough knowledge to be a decent enough sailor but he chose the road of death rather then the pure and just seas where a man was only as powerful or dangerous as the deep waters allowed him.

The killer stood watching the destruction with detached amusement. It was always fun to see how creative evil can be at times. But he knew he wouldn't be able to pray until this mess was done with so he made his way to the stairs intent on killing the giant and anyone else who chose to disturb his long road to forgiveness. He opened the door and before the two goons beside him could blink his two hooks slung out and beheaded them, the weapons stuck in the bodies of their fallen comrades. Spinning the gaff in his hand he leaped into the air behind Chain Tank and slashed down leaving a thin line of red down his bare back. But he wasn't a super human like this guy the impact jarred the gaff from his hands and sent him stumbling back a bit. He'd never attacked a Super before choosing it best to avoid them like the plague. Chain's chain swung around as if on it's own and smashed down at Dockwalker's feet making him jump back a few more feet. Chain looked back and growled.
"Dockwalker? thought you were dead, no matter I'll get to you after I deal with this Super." He had a point, Walker was a stone-cold killer and sadist but compared to a Super he was still just a human. But he'd never let technicalities stop him before, grabbing up his gaff again he flanked around and planned to attack Chain from the blind side while he fought the woman with red hair.


Arkem City

Man took Jinx's hand then in the flash of a wolf's eye he lifted her off the ground and took off at a dead run that would rival some cheetahs. He held the young woman close so she wouldn't be lost to the wind and splattered on the pavement or walls of buildings. This was the speed of the cougar granted it was the speed of a spirit cougar not a real cougar which could only run up to 30 or 40 mph in short bursts but a cougar is still a cougar. They soon arrived in a seemingly normal alley with dumpsters, cracked concrete, and a manhole spewing steam. But Man knew there was more to this then it appeared.
"Have you ever heard of the Secret Defenders young lark? The few true heroes left in this war remembering the innocents come first? Well they'll help us, the problem is finding one to talk to." He releases the pink-haired girl's hand and walks further into the alley tilting his head down sending his senses out hoping to catch some hint as to where the Defenders are.

Anne Bonny
09-03-2011, 01:35 AM
The Black Widow frowned at the colossal man before her. Her bullet had hit him square in the head, but she might have well had thrown a bottle cap at him for all the damage it did. And now she had given up her position, let the enemy know she was after him. Maybe she should have thought things through a bit more before acting.

Too late now, she thought to herself ans Chain Tank gave her that disgusting grin.

"Well you sure know how to talk to a lady," Natasha replied, raising her weapon again.

But before she got the chance to fire another shot, an unexpected ally appeared. One of Natasha's red eyebrows arched upward as Dockwalker attacked Chain Tank. The question of where the dark and disheveled man had come from and why he was on her side was irrelevant at this point in time. All that mattered was that she wasn't alone.

During the brief moment that Chain Tank was distracted, Natasha again withdrew her knife and gripped it in her left hand, her gun in her right. Now it was just a question of getting close enough to the monstrosity to use them while avoiding those wicked chains.

Pheasant
09-03-2011, 04:35 PM
Jinx was more prepared for the sudden speed than others would have expected. Wally, A.K.A. Kid flash, had regularly done fifty five with Jinx in tow.

It was odd, but amusing when your boyfriend showed up to Titans Tower, and he was your ride.

The pink haired women sighed. She had had multiple super and non-super boyfriends before Wally, but being separated from them had never hurt so much as with her current relationship.

Jinx really, really missed Wally. But now, she had to push away that pain that stung like a freezing cold knife in her stomach.

There would be a time for it to hurt, but not now.

Jinx coldly considered her situation. She hadn't ever had a standoff with the Secret Defenders in the past, but like most hero organizations, they were likely to have a very long file on Jinx's colorful history. If there informants were half as good as the organizations threat assessment file stated, then they would also likely know of Jinx's affiliation with the Brotherhood.

One organization would kill her if they learned of this meeting, the other would probably do the same on sight.

Jinx was suddenly in a very dangerous cusp.

She could always pull out her gun, put a bullet in the back of Mountain's head and get the hell out of here. He probably wouldn't even notice, when he became one with the void.

Jinx could get back onto her mission, and her future in the Brotherhood.

No one would be any wiser.

"What exactly do we need help with?", Jinx murmured, remaining at the entrance of the alley.

Ru
09-05-2011, 02:39 AM
Without a care in the world the furry man strolled in search of an excellent candy shop. Today he was craving gumballs and—without any prior obligations—he decided to indulge in himself. Teleportation was an option, since he had been there before, but he chose to make it into some sort of mysterious adventure. Could he find the shop again? Would he get his gumballs? Or was he doomed to be lost in the wretched downtown area that smelled of piss and nicotine? Only time would tell. This put his navigational skills to the test.

Lemon yellow eyes scanned the area, dodging cracks in the sidewalk from time to time. The blue pigment of his fur coated body attracted numerous gazes, however he was used to the shocked and dirty looks, so Nightcrawler continued on with a gigantic grin across his angular features. Almond shaped irises gazed up at the signs above his head to read their titles, certain that the shop was somewhere on this street. Pointed ears perked up upon hearing a passerby mention the very candy establishment he was so desperately yearning for; he was nearby.

A crowd of hooligans was walking towards him and—instead of attempting to maneuver through or around them—he poofed and reappeared behind them with a soft BAMF sound. Finally, he found the candy shop and the clerk was nowhere in sight. This shop was especially fantastic because he felt little to no guilt when he took from it due to the owner being a mutant hater. He teleported into the shop, grabbed a hand full of rainbow gumballs, and then teleported onto the rooftop. There he sat plopping the candy delicacies into his mouth until the wad was so large his cheek bulged out like a chipmunk.

Prophet
09-06-2011, 09:16 PM
The Bank, Upper East Side

“Captain America. If you needed a hand, you could have just asked.”

Nothing simpler or more direct could have ever been said amidst the roiling chaos and confusion that had overtaken this once peaceful place of business. Even spoken as condescendingly as it was the voice of the woman who had shouted them rang clear and lovely, a musical cadence compared to the ear splitting bark of gunfire and terrible explosions. Help was not something Captain America had anticipated on when rushing to this bank. In the grander scheme of things he imagined one building under siege from terrorists wasn’t all that important when the whole of the city was suffering just such attacks. Yet it seemed S.H.I.E.L.D. cared more for its members than expected. Perhaps signing on with them hadn’t been such a bad idea after all.

In another circumstance Rogers might have answered her with a remark of his own. Perhaps not one as snarky and full of attitude but when a woman as beautiful as Black Widow talks to you she deserves an answer. As it were, however, he never got the chance. That was the thing about chaos. You never could quite tell when things were gonna explode into total madness and with a spray of shattering glass this situation did just that. Such was the speed and ferocity of the assault brought on by a single, mountainous figure that the people outside could not have hoped to react in time. He was fast for his size too, the heavy chains he held within large, powerful hands whipping about in furious frenzy. Cars were crumpled like tin cans, the pavement exploded with their impact as if it were not more than sand being kicked up by a child’s toe. The screams were horrible… screams of pain, of sheer terror. They were inhuman, shrieks that sounded like they couldn’t come from a human’s throat. As Captain America watched cop cars were sent tumbling down the street to crush running police officers. Fragments of broken pavement shredded the flesh of those too close to the impact of those deadly chains. The people he had been trying to save were being slaughtered like sheep and it was all happening so quickly he didn’t even have time to react.

That thought finally urged the man into motion. It was an effort to track those blurring chains as they spun with masterful precision around that hulking form but Roger’s managed well enough. He hauled a man down to the ground just in time to save him from being struck head on by one of those vicious weapons. He didn’t have time to pull the man to complete safety. Not when there were so many others in danger. A leaping dive brought him straight into the path of the twin of that first chain and his shield did its job of protecting him from the blunt force of the impact. Still there was such power behind it he was slammed hard into the ground, a blow that would have left any normal man broken and bleeding upon the ground even with the help of that round shield. Luckily Captain America was anything but and could quickly recover from such things. He rolled onto his back, sent that shield skidding along the pavement so that a pair of women would trip and fall when it came under their feet. Hitting the ground as they did would leave some bumps and scraped but at least they hadn’t been broken in half by the chain that had swung their way.

A single gunshot rang out above the deafening sound of open war and finally the storm of chains ceased as their wielder became distracted for the moment. Roger’s seized upon the opportunity that distraction gave him and started helping fallen civilians to their feet so they could flee the scene. This was no longer the kind of confrontation mere humans could handle. With this chain brandishing psycho now among them it was a job for supers. It wasn’t that he was not afraid of such confrontations. On the contrary the thought o taking on such sheer power and testing his own might against it was intimidating in and of itself. His arm still ached from the impact of that chain upon his shield. Roger’s wasn’t certain he was a match for the man’s strength. There was a chance those deadly chains would be the end of him but he bent and retrieved his shield anyway. Black Widow’s well timed shot had been just what the people needed to escape this monster. Now he would be the one to make her own escape possible, assuming she even cared to run in the first place.

Another man had entered the fray it seemed as Captain America rose to his full height and turned a hard, determined stare in the enemy’s direction. He currently held the big man’s attention. His own struggles to save people had carried him a good distance away and to the man’s left. There was a crumpled police cruiser between them, the center smashed nearly pancake flat with the front and backs jutting slightly upward at odd angles. It served nicely for a launching point as Captain America dashed forward and leapt atop it. He felt the tension in his knees and legs as they coiled, powerful muscles winding tight before he sprang with all the power they contained. He cleared the ten to twelve feet between them easily, his body turning in the air to bring both feet to bear upon the man’s solid frame. A loud shout served to hopefully pull the man’s full gaze upon him just before impact was made. Unless this giant also had the reflexes of a cat he’d be met by a drop kick with all the strength of Captain America behind it. Whether that would be as devastating as he hoped however… remained to be seen.

SikstaSlathalin
09-06-2011, 10:01 PM
The Bank, Upper East Side
Dockwalker's POV.

Walker's plan got a new direction with the intervention of the polar opposite of the himself Captain America. Instead of slashing at Chain's face he intended to use the giant's weight combined with the power of Cap's kick bringing down Goliath, he swiped his gaff pole at Chain's foot, it was still on the ground since the psycho was mid-step when the Star-Spangled Hero kicked him. The pole cracked sharply against the tree-like limb and snapped in two, scratching the inner muscle of the giant's leg but then spun uselessly into the night but it was enough. He jumped back as the giant began to fall and ran back into the shadows knowing his job was done here.


The Bank, Upper East Side
Chain Tank's POV.

It all happened so fast Chain's brain didn't even register the two-pronged attack until he was tumbling to the cracked pavement too fast to save himself. It was like watching a Redwood tree crash down in the forest, so sudden and unexpected that it looked like it was in slow motion. He was going to smash every bone in the hot red head's body one minute then he was looking at the quickly rising pavement another. He crashed into the ground with such force he shattered the rest of the already cracked pavement along with everyone bone in his nose and forehead. With a wild bull-like roar the enforcer rolled away from his attackers then clambered about trying to get to his feet.

His rage and confusion did little to curb his pain he began swinging his chains around even more wildly than before trying to get away but was only moving himself closer to Black Widow's Web. One chain lanced out in the direction Walker was fleeing and smashed the wall the resulting shrapnel caught the unlucky human in the head and knocked him out dropping him where he stood, he was now waiting hopelessly for whatever fate the Supers would have for him.

Anne Bonny
09-07-2011, 04:35 AM
The Bank, Upper East Side

The dark stranger known as Dockwalker was more than a distraction to Chain Tank; he was a quick and cunning fighter, and more importantly, was willing to help neutralize the giant enemy who raged in front of the bank. But in the quick seconds that flew by after Walker's appearance, Natasha was suddenly reminded why she had come to the bank in the first place.

Her intelligence had always said that Captain America was more than an asset in combat, but the Black Widow had never observed his talents first hand. He showed dexterity as he avoided the whirling chains that struck down everything else in their path, and even took one to his shield and survived without any visible scratches. By the time her ally had launched himself right at Chain Tank's head, she was impressed.

Just as impressive was Walker's quick move of his long staff to the meat wall's legs. Natasha felt a wicked smile pull at her mouth. The situation was back in control. All she had to do was end it.

A blur of black and red, Natasha was moving without a second thought. She bolted toward Chain Tank, tucking away her weapons as she did and weaving right and left to avoid the still wildly swinging chains. Ice blue eyes took in her surroundings carefully. Walker was hit by one of the chains - nothing she could do about it now. Rogers was clear of the behemoth, having rolled away after his direct attack to Chain Tank's head. The giant was all hers.

Her feet had carried her just a few feet before their enemy, who struggled to bring himself from one knee to stand properly and continue his wave of destruction. It was there that the Black Widow leaped, springing from her toes and vaulting over the larger man's right shoulder. She twisted in the air with strange grace leftover from years of ballet dancing and caught herself on Tank's back, gloved hands clawing at his flesh to stop her momentum.

As she fought for a foothold against his spine, the villain below yelled in protest at her intrusion. His weapon of choice swung above his head and directly at hers, as a horse swishes its tail at a pesky fly. But it was a move Natasha had counted on. Digging her fingers into the tense muscles of Tank's neck, she quickly pulled her body upward, planting her feet against his shoulder blades until she was nearly standing on the big man. The deadly chain swung below, just to where she had been holding on, and lashed harmlessly against his thick back.

Well nearly harmlessly. Chain Tank bellowed again in rage and pain, but the Widow was moving again. She grabbed at the heavy metal and was nearly pulled off her perch by the sheer weight of the thing. With a cry of her own, she flung the chain over the giant's opposite shoulder and it's momentum carried it up and around his monsterous neck. Again Natasha seized the chain, and planting her feet firmly against the flesh beneath her, she pulled with all of her might.

Chain Tank choked and gaped, his fat hands clawing at the metal around his neck, fighting for release. Air was crushed from his trachea, and his eyes bulged from his bare head, but still Natasha pulled. Finally, when her muscles screamed with protest and she was certain her strength would give out, her prey collapsed with a heavy thud onto the concrete.

Panting, the Black Widow dropped the chain and stumbled back onto the ground. Her hands moved to her knees as she took a moment to catch her breath. Blue eyes moved to the pile of muscle that lay on the ground, and she could faintly see a weak rise and fall of the man's breathing.

Those eyes shifted upward to see a black helicopter circling above. Adrian would be more than capable of transporting the unconscious monster to a safe holding cell until SHIELD decided what to do with him. But for now, she was happy to be through with Chain Tank.

Natasha straightened, and across the makeshift battlefield of smashed glass and twisted metal, her gaze met Captain America's, who stood straight and strong amidst the rubble. She hesitated, feeling strangely off balance for an uncomfortable second. "Thanks for the help," she finally managed. "We're even then."

But there was a more pressing issue than a polite thank you or the disposal of a prisoner. Dockwalker, her unexpected ally, was laying in a crumpled heap not far from where Natasha stood. She made her way to his side quickly, taking a moment to survey the damage. The dark man hadn't been hit by one of the chains directly, luckily enough. Instead, some of the concrete from a broken wall had taken him down. It should be something SHIELD's medics could fix. At least, Natasha silently hoped so.

"Hey there comrade," she said softly, wincing at the sound of her own voice. She was no good at being a comfort to anyone. "Can you hear me at all?"

Prophet
09-07-2011, 06:39 PM
It was a well known tact in warfare that superior numbers, when utilized properly, could overcome nearly any foe. Chain Tank was a giant of a man, overwhelmingly strong with a body that could take any measure of punishment. Yet thanks to Dockwalkers timely assistance a single kick to the back had brought him to his knees. Black Widow reacted with the sped and certainty one might expect of a trained military combatant. While Tank was flailing about in desperate effort to regain some semblance of advantage she struck quickly and decisively, without mercy like the spider she was named for. The man must have had at least two hundred fifty pounds on her and yet for all that strength and mass he proved helpless against her assault. Brought down by his own heavy chains… there was a macabre sense of irony in that which Captain America could appreciate. This woman could definitely handle herself and whether he meant to or not he had to admit he wouldn’t mind being handled by her once in a while himself. Guess even superheros could be guys at time.

Most unexpected of all the woman actually thanked him once it was over. She didn’t seem the sort to do such things often and it clearly unbalanced her to do so but still there it was. Maybe she didn’t dislike him as much as he thought. With a glance back to the unconscious enemy Rogers came forward to join her at their unexpected allies side. Those chains were no joke and though Dockwalker hadn’t taken it directly even a glancing blow with that much power behind it could be dangerous. Still the man seemed to be breathing so there was a good chance he’d come out ok.

“Likes like he’ll be fine.” He offered the woman gently. He placed a strong hand upon her shoulder, a thoughtless act. “The guys can pick him up when they extract mountain man over there.”

Black Widow slipped out from under that hand easily, as politely as possible while also making it clear she didn’t like being touched. “We still shouldn’t leave him just lying here. We tend to stick with our allies instead of just running off on our own.”

Call me crazy but I think that was a jab. Roger’s thought to himself with faint amusement. Maybe his initial assumptions had been right after all but even still he met her gaze levelly. “I’m sorry you don’t approve but my duty is to the people of this city. I joined S.H.I.E.L.D. to help people. I wasn’t doing that from your shiny tower.”

“And yet I still made it down from my shiny tower to help.”

Captain America smiled then, an open and warm expression that brought light to those shining blues peering out from his mask. “Just in time to be helped, yourself.” He shot back good naturedly.

He was rewarded with a shocked stare, the look of a person who couldn’t believe what they had just heard. What was this girl used to scaring the pants off of people or something? She looked too good to be so serious all the time but for a moment he wondered if things would get violent between them. Then her lips split into a brilliant smile and the warrior known as Black Widow suddenly looked very much like an attractive woman. “One of the benefits of Teamwork, Captain.”

He couldn’t disagree with that. Widow was a hard one to completely figure out but that was just fine by Roger’s. He liked a complicated woman and since they were out together maybe he’d get the chance to discover a bit more about her. “So what is S.H.I.E.L.D. doing in all this? You’re the first sign of them I’ve encountered out here.”

StormWolf
09-07-2011, 08:25 PM
The Punisher raised one of his automatic .45's to the dark figure approaching. He cranked back the hammer with a heavy click, his trigger finger ready to squeeze off a few of the man-stopping rounds he had in his extended magazine. Frank Castle was ready about to pull the trigger when the dark figure drew close enough to make out certain... details. Punisher only knew of one person - if he could be called that - to wear such a "fabulous" get up. Punisher eased the hammer of his gun slowly back in to a neutral position, slowly lowering his weapon.

"Dark Eagle... nerver thought I would catch the likes of you in this neck of the woods." Frank said in a very kurt and straight forward voice and tone. Such was Castle's way. The extent of Castle's human interaction for the past six years was less casual chat and more torture and murder. Still, in those six years, he did things that S.HI.E.L.D. wouldn't be caught dead doing, and Castle got results that the Government could only dream of. Getting gutted and having a cats cradle made from ones intestines makes for a great crime deterrent, but that was only on special occasions the Punisher got that creative. Those Rumanians murdered an infant... Frank always had a soft spot for children.

"As long as you are here, make yourself useful and-" another voice broke the otherwise silent street. The Punisher snapped his attention to the origin of he voice, his .45 rising up once more. In the center of his sights was an older woman, at least 15 years his senior by appearance, but she was not an old crow. This was a woman who had aged well, and the only deep lines on her face were from smiles. What in God's name is this, the Punisher inquired, his furrowed brow deepening to counter the older woman's scowl.

"I'm not a cowboy, lady." He started, keeping his gun trained on her. It was still not clear what side she was on. "I know that my shots hit. I rarely miss. I'm the result of well-spent tax payer's money. The civilians have no doubt called in the police, and they will be here to dispose of any weapons left behind. I aim to be gone before then, since the Police want to dispose of me as well." The Punisher's pistol clicked as the hammer went back once again. Punisher had shot many women before, every last one of them deserved it, too.

"So, are you with me or against me. Your answer will determine whether or not you get lead right in-between your eyes."

Imp
09-07-2011, 08:34 PM
The signs of war became apparent as clouds of smoke began to slowly cover the sky like a painter making vertical grey strokes on a once pretty landscape. Adrian gripped his hand behind his back, his plans in keeping peace across the world would be slowed if not added into a line and being queued in a line of others seeking their glory. He was strictly certain that Brotherhood nor any corrupt figure would sit upon his throne.

"Sir." His secretary approached from behind in a ghostly manner. "the security force that was sent in seems to be downed from what we can tell. There may be some survivors but the radio hasn't picked up anything and the gunship was taken down. If I may suggest..."

Adrian blitzed a response before the secretary could finish. "Yes, I shall join my fellow SHIELD members. As long as we keep our numbers large, the enemy will have a harder time in over-running us. If any critical information or concerns arise, contact me." Adrian walked around the secretary and began for the exit for the helipad. Sounds of a chopping noise gave way toward an idle helicopter outside.

"Alright sir, making a trip to the bank today?" The pilot turned to Adrian who had just entered and buckled himself in. Veidt nodded in response with a smirk upon his lips to the pilot's current uplifting attitude in the midst of the current war. "Alright, here we go!" The chopper gave lift and soon the view of the cityscape had broadened as altitude was gained. Shortly, Adrian would join his partners and aid firsthand with the evils that stood in their way.

SikstaSlathalin
09-08-2011, 01:34 AM
Upper East Side, The Bank.
Dockwalker's POV

In a volley of rubble and clash of thunder Walker's head was struck and he crumpled to the ground in an unceremonious pile of dirty clothes and greasy hair. The black-out didn't fully take effect he probably had his hard head and adrenaline to thank for that but as he felt the blood slowing down and the cold pavement under him he felt lots of pain both physical and mental. He saw this as another punishment for his past sins. His addled mind now expected to be recognized as the FBI's most wanted for the past 15 years and hauled away to the needle. He didn't even deserve a trial it'd just be a waste of time and money anyway. But as his senses slowly came back he heard not the clicking of weapons and clack of hand-cuffs but the soft voices of Cap and the Red head asking after his health like he was a noble solider who put his life on the line for his country and comrades.

If he could feel his face he'd try to smile at the irony but all he felt was the urge to move. In what he would only explain as the hardest thing he's ever tried to do he slowly got to his feet using the wall heavily for support. Pain surged through his body with each inch and he felt like just falling back over but deep down he wanted to get as far away from the Supers and their buddies as he could. His mind was screaming this is the right thing to do but his heart was arguing just as powerfully that these people might be able to help him. Maybe get him a life sentence instead of death but his feet listened to the brain and began a panicky shuffle back down the alley still using the wall. He'd made it only a few feet before the head rushes took him and he stumbled out into space and landed back on the ground. He heard the quick steps of some of the surviving cops then the amazed voice of a young female cop.
"Holy hell, it really is Dockwalker. The Feds have been after this monster for almost two decades. I heard he was dead, didn't think he'd be working for one of Two-Faces rival's though." The killer let out a choked laugh, the only sound to come from his lips in years.
"He'll be at the devil's right hand soon enough let's cuff him. He'll get the needle before lunch tomorrow." Too tired to resist Walker let the police cuff and haul him up he probably wouldn't even get medical attention; no sense in it at this point. The female cop looked up at Black Widow and Cap and saluted with her free hand.
"We'll take this scum out of your sights now. Sure am glad SHIELD is still watching out for the good people of New York. Come on you smelly bastard!" She tugged him along and as he passed the two Supers he spoke it came across as a gravely and rather slow voice but they were still words.
"God bless you two."


Fort George, New York.

Goldy's face never changed as the Punisher went through his level of madness threatening a big shadowy figure then turned his attention to her keeping his gun aimed at her head. Obviously he wasn't used to little old women talking to him she shook her head in the best disapproving grandma way she could.
"Mr. Castle I'm sure you know the average response time for the NYPD. They won't be here for at least 10 to 20 minutes if not more since all of New York is a war zone. I bet at least half of the weapons, ammo, and the mens' wallets are gone as we speak. Do you really think they'll be anything left by the time the boys and girls in blue arrive? And not a cowboy you say? Then why are you aiming a high caliber pistol at an old woman and a shadow in the middle of New York. You need a lot of help Mr. Castle, but I'm not against you at least, I care about the people around here, and even if you show a different kind of care towards them you care too. We're on the same team more or less I think. I am Goldy Fleece you've probably never heard of me but you won't need that gun around me I'm as much a hero as you. Now can we be civil here?" She crossed her arms under her breasts keeping her eyes steady on Castle and the shadowy man.


Lincoln Tunnels, Midtown Manhattan.

The air had grown progressively heavier and more sinister with each step they took deeper into the tunnels. Even Sentry's courage was feeling a little less in this realm of night. The Tunnels weren't this long they'd be reaching the end soon. Jackie must be close or they would have all just wasted a lot of time that could've been spent in other parts of New York.
"Where the devil is this devil?" He said a little louder than he intended, a voice said in response.
"All around you oh mighty glow rod!" Before he could take in a breath Sentry was thrown into the far wall by some powerful force equal to that of a fright train at full speed. He grunted feeling the wall crack and crumble under the impact. The Hero fell to the ground in a small pile of rubble, he then noticed something he wasn't aware of before the air thrummed every few seconds like the darkness was breathing.
"Fucking idiot!" Sentry thought scowling to himself Void chuckled in Robert's mind.
"Good to see the mighty good guys can still be beaten by the superior bad guys." With a growl Sentry jumped to his feet and blasted the air around them with powerful bolts of light but the darkness dodged the bolts with what seemed like relative ease. It squirmed around them like so many black snakes then consolidated into one man shaped point. A few seconds past then standing in front of them was the Master of Darkness himself. Another thing Sentry should have noticed was as soon as the darkness consolidated he could see the tunnel's lights that seemed to be have never been off.

"Jackie Estacado at your service. Now let's see how this goes." In a nanosecond his arms turned into two long black pole like things and lanced out to Sentry but alert now and paying the same attention he should have been since he entered the tunnel he threw his arms up covered in bright lights the two forces collided with an audible crash they were deadlocked. Sentry's quick reflexes stopped Jackie's element of surprise like a wall but that was all it did. Furious, Jackie doubled his efforts against the Golden Avatar of Justice but the deadlock held. Hoping to have the advantage of numbers Sentry planned to hold Jackie's dark powers in check while Ms. Drake and Griffin flanked him but that plan was shot down by the appearance of two other Darklings looks like Jackie had planned for this.

Lox
09-09-2011, 05:38 PM
The Shadow holstered his own large-calibre pistols. Not making any move to remove the red scarf hiding his face, he spoke as he stepped out of the shadows: "Evil takes many forms, Frank Castle, but that of an old lady it does not. And you, Goldy Fleece, should know at your age, that preaching never helps." He laughed, a cold, cynical laughter, more the laughter of a movie supervillain than that of a hero.

StormWolf
09-09-2011, 07:05 PM
"I am after Sabertooth's gangs, the killers and rapists that have been tearing this neighborhood apart for the past several weeks. I'll kill every last one of those bangers, and the people here know that if they use those guns against one another, I'll kill them too." The Punisher spoke coldly as he slowly lowered his pistol, holstering it at his side. This 'Goldy Fleace' got a free pass for now, but the first slip up would see her in a landfill with the rest of the trash he had dealt with tonight. The Punisher walked over to one of Sabertooth's gangsters who was not completely dead and pressed his boot heel down on the Beast's throat. When the shadow gave his two cents on the situation, the Punisher glared up at the man, paying no mind to the gagging and gurgling of the man under his boot.

"It is that kind of thinking that will get you killed, Shadow. I have seen women much older than Goldy here, be more fucked in the head than the Joker, so pardon me for not judging a book by its cover." Punisher ground his heel in to the throat of the gangster, a wet crunch rolling beneath his heel as the man's windpipe was crushed. The Punisher slowly lifted his boot from the corpse, turning to face the two, keeping them both in plain sight.

"There is still a fat concentration of these bastards, and then Sabertooth himself. If you want civil, help me kill these pieces of shit."

Lox
09-10-2011, 08:14 AM
"Hahahaha... Oh, the Shadow knows." The Shadow laughed maniacally. "I know of Sabertooth's activities here; The Shadow is there, always watching, knowing everything. Hahahahahahahahaha...." His laughter seemed to echo out loud between the streets, and his face took a dark, shadowy appearance, his eyes the only thing glimmering with light as his rough voice continued slowly:

"Let us go." As he spoke he unholstered his two guns.

Sanguine
09-12-2011, 01:36 AM
Daken was perhaps a bit wiser in his altered state, recognizing that he shouldn't continue to pester such a powerful woman , especially not with his healing factor not completely operational. However, he was not so wise so as not to follow her at a distance. It was cute that she thought throwing him off would be so easy as to throw up an illusion of her walking away. His original purpose in life had been an assassin, and thus he had developed a great deal of skill at tracking a person without their notice.

Once or twice, the man almost gave up, becoming bored by her obvious attempts at losing him. However, he presumed that if her destination was so great that she felt the need to hide it by doubling back and walking in circles, then it was probably worth seeing. If nothing else, he could easily take her once they were out of the public eye. It would be fun carving up that pretty face. Maybe taking her beauty down a few notches would teach the bitch not to be so stuck up. Unfortunately, the following at a distance was quickly becoming tedious. Daken opted for the more exciting approach.

The mutant sacrificed his silent tracking tactics and lurched out of the shadows, "So...what's a classy girl like you doing on this end of town?" he called as he looked his way up and down her body. He never had been good at knowing when to give up.

Anne Bonny
09-12-2011, 04:41 AM
The Bank, Upper East Side

“So what is S.H.I.E.L.D. doing in all this? You’re the first sign of them I’ve encountered out here.”

"Well," Natasha began, "We're just doing what we always try to. We're trying to bring an end to chaos and justice to those who cause is. When we heard of the gangs running rampant in New York, we made our way here. Our agents are currently scattered about the city, working in different areas to suppress this little rebellion."

She paused, hoping again that her other allies on SHIELD were alright after they each ran off on their own. It was important to let them have their freedom to do what they felt was right, but at times, Natasha couldn't help but feel like a mother hen, trying to keep everyone safe and together.

"Anyway, I expect a few others to be along shortly to take care of that," she finished shortly, waving a hand at the unconscious Chain Tank. "And then perhaps there will be reinforcements to help us with Two-Face, inside."

Her blue eyes again moved to meet Captain America's, and Natasha realized she was rather enjoying this short break between all the planning and fighting. It had been some time since anyone, SHIELD agent or otherwise, had approached her from friendly conversation. She turned to face the man properly, and her lips parted to ask what he had been doing in New York before their arrival, but the Black Widow was cut off by the sound of scuffling movement behind her.

The police had approached and put Dockwalker into handcuffs, their dialogue reminding Natasha that their ally was also a wanted criminal. She grimaced as they roughly began to drag him away, and his gritty, tired sounding voice whispered a blessing on both Black Widow and Captain America. Without another thought, the Widow moved.

Two quick steps and the woman in black was standing in front of the cops, blocking their path. "I thank you for your assistance, officers," Natasha said, resuming her no-nonsense tone and without a smile. "But Dockwalker will be staying with us."

All three sets of eyes stared at her in surprise. "But ma'am, he's a dangerous criminal," the female officer began, but her voice caught in her throat when Natasha's icey blue eyes moved to meet her own.

"He helped take down a powerful man, one with abilities," she replied with a nod in Chain Tanks' direction. "I don't doubt your capabilities in dealing with ordinary criminals, but I feel that holding this one might be beyond the talents of NYPD. So please, pass him to Captain America there, and I'll take the key to his handcuffs."

The two police officers hesitated for only a moment, exchanging confused glances, but in the end, they seemed to decide that the redheaded woman was right. They did as they were told, and the female cop pressed the key into Natasha's outstretched hand.

"I'm happy to be rid of that filth either way," she said with a snort before they both moved off to help with some of the civilians.

Natasha waited until the two were out of sight before moving back to Captain America and Walker. "Very good," she said with a half smile. "I believe we have another member of SHIELD, Captain."

With a flash of silver, she turned the key in the handcuffs and freed the dark man, who rubbed his wrists in silence, seeming to contemplate the grace he had been given.

But the Widow raised a gloved finger to his face, bringing his eyes up to meet hers. "You've shown much valor in helping us, but if you make me regret freeing you, I'll kill you myself."

SikstaSlathalin
09-12-2011, 06:01 AM
The Bank, Upper East Side, New York.

Dockwalker was amazed at this turn of events. He should have been being shoved into a patrol car and headed for the lock-up or been rolled into an unmarked grave. But here he was standing by the side of one the world's greatest Heroes and one of it's most deadly spies almost like an equal. His whole body hurt but for once in almost 20 years his soul felt a little lighter. He could be on the road to repentance again only instead of walking his was in a car and a fancy government car at that. SHIELD was a group of genuine Heroes they did everything by the book and wound up on top most of the time. While the Secret Defenders would probably suit a serial killer like him more since psychos like The Punisher were in the group, he hasn't heard much of the other members of the Vigilantes aside from a few snippets about an ice mutant and a giant man with light powers.

As Widow finished both threatening and freeing him he nodded and reached into the deep pocket of his pants and pulled out the most battered and dirty bible to ever be carried on this earth. The covers were gone and were replaced with two bits of cardboard and duct tape, the pages were a little ripped and some were very discolored. There were words written in the margins and even little poems written in some of the bigger ones. This was Walker's most prized possession more so then his hook and even his gaff. He placed it facing up in his left hand and placed his right hand on the cover then raised it up to his head the palm facing Widow. Basically he's just sworn to God that he won't make her regret it. With his silent oath done he placed the book back into his pocket then went to retrieve his weapons. His two hooks were still embedded in the bodies of the goons with little twists he freed them with slish sounds. His gaff was a little harder to find after the pole snapped on Chain's shin it spun off and landed about 30 feet from the fight and managed to get stuck in the tire of one of the flipped police cars. The killer grunted slightly and freed his gaff frowning at the horrible knicks along the blade there were three and the tip itself was gone probably stuck in Chain's back or something. It was pretty useless now as a weapon unless he wanted someone to really suffer. He shook his head and replaced the hooks on their hidden mounts around his body then returned to Widow and Cap carrying his broken gaff in his right hand. He'd keep it as a memento and a reminder about his old life. He nodded to the Heroes saluting with his gaff then turned and watched the cops do the clean up his face never moving from it perpetual tired frown but and observer could tell he stood a little taller now.


Fort George, New York.

Goldy scoffed a little at Punisher's words.
"Killing everyone won't make you feel any better about yourself Mr. Castle. You're like a unguided ballistic missile with that attitude. Sure you may make a dent in evil but you'll also put a dent in the good people." She looks past Castle and at the dark scarfed man.
"And while preaching doesn't always help Mr. Shadow it doesn't hurt to keep it up. Now let's go young fellas this Granny needs her beauty rest and big smelly bullies like this." She says picking up one of the big goons by the neck lifting him up over her head with one hand.
"Make that impossible." She tossed the goon aside and looked at the two men waiting for them to get moving.


Secret Defenders bunker, New York.
Man on the Silver Mountain's POV.

Man looked back at the young woman and said his voice still an echo but even more so now that the alley was there for his voice to bounce off of.
"We'll need help cleaning up the world young lark, these Defenders while like wolves most of them still have the world's best interests at heart. They'll be of the best use to the Mother's plans." He nods to Jinx then turns suddenly his ears picking up voices. He turns back to Jinx and whispers.
"I hear voices in the distance they might be Defenders but keep your weapon ready just in case. And move to the shadows until we know for sure." He ducked behind a dumpster and fished around for something he pulled out a metal pipe about 3 feet long from behind the dumpster where he broke it off the rusted pipe behind it.


Secret Defender's bunker, New York.
Illusion's POV.

Illusion was more then pissed that her illusion didn't work she was downright enraged. That meant this guy was a super of some kind and she might actually have to fight him to get him off her ass. She had a high powered pistol on her since Sentry forgot to really search her and a few extra mags to keep it barking for awhile. She wasn't sure what kind of mutant this creep was but maybe some hot lead would at least make him give up on her. She turned to the creep and glared her best at his face her hand strayed to her pistol not trying to hide the motion hoping it'll deter him.
"Getting ready to shoot your stanky ass, now leave me the hell alone." She pulled out the pistol and leveled it at the man's head, her hand was steady and her eye's were dead center on his. She meant business and had no problem dropping this bastard like a bad habit. She also got a spell ready that might distract him long enough for her to get a close shot at his head.

Pheasant
09-12-2011, 08:17 PM
Jinx scowled at the man's orders, but begrudgingly did as he instructed.

Making sure that her weapons were secure at her side: the rifle in her jacket, the small glock pistol at her hip, and the several knives within Jinx's clothes. Satisfied, the woman took a few steps back and sprinted towards the wall in front of her.

Placing one foot after another, she performed a skillfully acrobatic vertical wall-run. At the peak of the move, she leapt upward, grabbing hold of the ladder of the fire-escape attached to the building, ascending the few rungs to the metal platform, then up one more level.

She flicked out her hair with one hand, knowing just how cool that looked. Jinx proceeded to pull out her VSS, aiming the scope down the entrance of the alleyway.

Up here, it would be nearly impossible to spot her.

Imp
09-15-2011, 07:38 PM
The Bank, Upper East Side

In the distance could be heard an incoming chopper. Comms chatter spoke of a Mr. Adrian Veidt approaching the area for drop off. The officers carried the message to Black Widow and retreated from there to make way for the new arrival.

Meanwhile within the helicopter, Veidt had suited up into something he had not wore in so long. His costume still fit rather well and looked to have no wear or tear in any place. His purple suit was neatly placed in the container where his costume was previously. Veidt was anxious to get back into the maelstrom he once combated in before Veidt Enterprises took a hold of his life.

Optimistic of his own survival, Adrian smirked at the idea of fighting his way up the bank's many floors. Arrogant as it may have seen, he knew he was capable of managing these thugs well enough. He envisioned himself opening a top-floor office room door, revealing the main villain. Dodging whatever attacks the boss of evil had, Adrian would then speak to him of demise and defenestrate the criminal. A fitting death for one who worked their way to the top.

The chopper leveled itself out above the street where the colleagues awaited. Steadily it lost altitude to allow Adrian a safe jump out. Newspapers and garbage spun about in a chaotic manner as the helicopter was only a couple feet above the ground. The side-door slid open and out from the dark leaped Ozymandias: 'The King of Kings'.

Hands held behind him and walking in an upright and proud manor, he made his way patiently towards his friends. The sound of the blades had dimmed as the chopper had left Adrian to proceed with his plans.

"Black Widow, Captain America." He greeted the the two shield members with a nod and left Dockwalker with a simple "Hello." He approached the entrance to the bank and then turned swiftly on one foot towards Black Widow. "So what do we have here? Some crooks held up inside the bank, awaiting punishment for their actions with the use of SHIELD ingenuity? Glad to be back with the group." He warm-fully smiled.

Prophet
09-16-2011, 05:45 PM
This day was just full of surprises. Considering Daywalker’s reputation and criminal record the last thing Captain America would have expected was for Black Widow to save his ass from the death sentence. He’d not spent much time around the woman but she didn’t seem the sort to condone lack of protocol or order. Hell she’d gotten on him for not attending meetings and working alone. There was more to this woman than what she displayed on the surface. Surprising though it was he had to admit he approved of the decision. He and Dockwalker may be polar opposites but the man had risked his neck to help them take down Chain Tank. He’d done it without thought of reward or self preservation despite the fact he was not super in any way, shape, or form. Such was the stuff of heroes whether the man realized it or not.

“Don’t talk much, do you?” Captain America said with a smile as the man made his silent vow upon that battered bible.

The steady thump-thump-thump of an overhead chopper’s spinning blades interrupted whatever conversation they might have had. The aircraft crested the top of a tall building and came into view and steadied in mid air. It’s descent was gradual, lazy even as the pilot steered it confidently downward toward the ground to allow the passengers safe exit. Dust and debris was kicked up by the churning winds in equal measure. Steve Rogers stepped toward Black Widow, lifting that round shield before the pair of them to shield their eyes from all the dirt. It was only really large enough to work for one person aside himself and since she was the lady… It was the gentlemanly thing to do.

Ozymandias, in full gear, emerged from the helicopters confines and as the chopper began to ascend again the Captain finally lowered that shield as the need for it had diminished. He answered the man’s greeting with a polite nod. Though they were both allies in that they had given their allegiances to S.H.I.E.L.D. they had never had the opportunity to meet before. When it came to Supers these days, especially those who hadn’t had the brightest of reputations before all this recent dissention, it was best to be cautious at least until you got to know them a little better.

“Two-Face’s goons.” Steven replied the man’s questions. He turned to regard the bank a moment. His tone shifted then, turning strong and confident, businesslike as he relayed what they knew. “It’s been mostly human henchmen so far save for Chain Tank. We’ve broken their front defense but who knows what else awaits us inside.

“It’s good to have a fourth body on this. It’s best we separate into two teams and make our way inside at two different points. Banks have too many exits for me to be comfortable and if we all stick together Two-Face would find it all too easy to slip away.”

He lifted a hand, cupping his strong chin a moment as he considered the options. He honestly didn’t know all that much about everyone’s capabilities so it was tough to decide exactly how they should be paired. “I haven’t made my presence here a secret so Two-Face will likely expect me to come in through the front. Whichever of you wants to accompany me can do so and the other two will have to find an alternate entrance. If we’re lucky maybe that team can still catch the bastard by surprise.”

Sanguine
09-16-2011, 09:06 PM
Secret Defender's bunker, New York.

Although the rush of Heat had long since faded out of his system, Daken was not entirely sure if his healing abilities had returned. However, the mutant didn't feel even the slightest bit of concern over this matter. That's part of why he loved the drug, he loved being unsure and not knowing he was coming out of this fight alive. A feral grin ripped across his face, his eyes still leering at the woman, "You go ahead and try that darling, see how well it works out for you."

His hands remained at his side as his bone claws slowly unsheathed themselves, hinting at the very real threat he was in a fight. "Honestly, it's sort of cute that you think I'd be that easy to intimidate." The man smirked as he continued, "Do these claws remind you of anyone? Because you might want to think really hard about who's son you might be getting into a fight with." Although his pride smarted at using Wolverine's image to intimidate someone, Daken lived off the thrill of manipulating and this seemed to be the most obvious threat at his disposal.

Anne Bonny
09-17-2011, 06:58 PM
The Bank, Upper East Side

Natasha couldn't help but grin at Adrian's arrival. Her companion's enthusiasm was contagious; it reminded her of the days of action before this registration mess, back when heroes were heroes, and villains were villains, and it was easy to tell between the two without all the politics.

He seemed anxious to get down to business and after their mark, and the Black Widow could relate to the feeling. It had already taken longer than she had wanted to get inside the bank, and dawdling around the entrance would only give Two-Face more time to regroup his powers and hit them again, or steel his defenses.

Captain America seemed to have a plan, to split into two groups and attack from two sides. Natasha drew her lower lip between her teeth as she considered this.

"By the same reasoning, Two-Face would likely know of my presence as well," the redhead mused aloud. But if she teamed up with Rogers, that left Adrian and the mysterious Dockwalker to themselves. Could she trust the dark and shady ex-murderer with her friend? Granted, Ozymandias could certainly take care of himself, but anyone can be taken by surprise.

On the other hand, Walker had sworn his loyalty only minutes before. Natasha shifted from one foot to the other.

"Attacking out in the open isn't my preferred style," she said, "which might help to throw Two-Face off a bit. If the Captain and I make enough noise out front, Ozymandias and Dockwalker might indeed have a chance at a surprise attack. And if we can break through the front defenses quickly enough, we'll be there to help when you get to Two-Face."

SikstaSlathalin
09-17-2011, 07:36 PM
The Bank, Upper East Side

Dockwalker nodded to Cap's question about him not talking much. Face to face with a world famous and respected hero like Captain America was enough to make the killer feel somewhat honored and in awe, this day was filled with new and odd things. Then a chopper rumbled into view. He didn't see any markings to show it belonged to any military or secret superhero recruiting agency so it meant private riches and someone important? The prediction came true when the world' smartest man stepped out in front of them. Walker felt like a small piranha in a pond with huge sharks, he didn't much mind who he went with. He just didn't want to be a burden, running and gunning with any of these Supers would be like a starving wolf hunting with a well-fed lion. He pulled out his hooks and signaled that he'd taken care of six guards in the lobby and upper front office space but the rest of the building wasn't cleared.

Secret Defender's bunker, New York
Man on the Silver Mountain's POV

As the pair walked into the alley the Mother's Warrior prepared to either jump out and try to befriend them or jump out and smash both their heads like rotten fruit. Years of hunting and protecting the earth had taught Man to never to jump to conclusions. It appeared these two, an attractive woman with a whit streak in her hair and a man with bone claws coming out of his skin. The woman was armed with a large caliber pistol but aside from the sense of d power about her that's all she had to defend herself with and something predatory about this man akin to wolf and cougar made Man very distrusting of him. But like young lark on the roof the small and unassuming can be as dangerous as the large and terrifying.

He emerged from the shadows of the dumpster shouldering the pipe he tore from the wall. As always power thrummed from his body when he made himself known to the man and woman.
"Friends, I'm sure this can be solved without violence. There's been enough death tonight." His voice took on the power of the echo the close smooth walls and resonated much deeper than it was he hoped that would do something to quell the two. But he knew it wouldn't though.

Secret Defender's bunker, New York.
Illusion's POV.

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. Figures I get stalked by Wolverine's hell spawn. She thinks stepping back a little she kept her fear in check as best she could and aimed for the middle of his forehead.
"Even Wolverine can be blinded by a few shots in the eyes. That's all I need." She was about to pull the trigger when a strange man with a strange voice and power pretty much jumping off him walked out of the shadows with a lead pipe in his hand.
Who the hell is this guy? She thought keeping her pistol on the cowboy.

Pheasant
09-17-2011, 08:00 PM
Jinx calibrated the dial on her rifle sight ever so slightly with one hand, the other keeping the weapon solidly against the guard rail in front of her. The Man on the Mountain's method of disarming them was cute, but nice words rarely did the trick, even accompanied with large weapons.

"I have half a mind to kill both of you fuckers, which is a lot more than you two will have in five seconds", the woman callously yelled with all the tender sweetness of a drill sergeant down the alley, "How about you both put your weapons down and play nice, before my finger slips and I make a mess"

Deciding the man was the aggressor of the two, her cross-hairs layed square upon his face, in the fatal-T zone.

StormWolf
09-19-2011, 10:06 PM
Punisher smirked faintly at the old woman's remark, resting his hand on his hulking cannon of pistol that rested on his hip. Shaking his head slightly as he walked by Goldy, he spoke in his usual cold and calm tone,

"You would be surprised, miss. For every scumbag I put down, it does make me feel better." The Punisher took up his rifle from where it hung across his chest and cradled the hefty assault rifle in both hands, "This is a war. War has casualties and collateral damage. These civilians know damn well that if they commit a murder, I will find them, one way or another." The Punisher cast his cool glare at Goldy and the Shadow as he walked deeper in to Fort George.

"Look back at what the Fantastic Force, and S.H.I.E.L.D. are doing. They are rounding up these criminals like livestock and stuffing them in a cage. Some will escape, some will cut deals, and others will just sit there and get fat on tax-payer's dollars. I don't know about you, but the only efficient way to deal with these people is to bury them six feet under in an unmarked grave with a bullet in the brain." The Punisher was all business in his tone, no bullshit coming from him in any way, shape, or form. "And I will not compromise with the Fantastic Force or the S.H.I.E.L.D. handlers so long as they hire on serial killers and terrorists as their new 'Secret Police'."

Sanguine
09-27-2011, 10:06 PM
Secret Defender's bunker, New York.

Daken leaned forward into the pistol, a dangerous fire dancing in his eyes. A salacious grin slid across his features as he licked his lips in an almost feral manner, "Blind me? For a morsel delicious as you, I'll just keep going. You won't ever be able to go anywhere without searching the shadows for me." The mutant stroked his claws in a most scandalous manner, meaning to unnerve the gutsy woman with a gun to his forehead.

However, he could feel her attention shift. There was something behind him, even without the woman's obvious cue in that direction, he could feel it. There was just some sort of intimidating force being emanated from that direction. Daken wanted to turn around and get a good look, yet he didn't want to risk taking his attention away from the very serious threat before him.

He considered ways to use this to his advantage. He could potentially imply that whoever was behind him was on his team, but who was to know if the stranger would play along? It seemed he would just have to wait and see how it all played out.

Imp
10-02-2011, 07:34 PM
The Bank, Upper East Side


"Attacking out in the open isn't my preferred style," The Black Widow spoke as they planned their assault on the bank, "which might help to throw Two-Face off a bit. If the Captain and I make enough noise out front, Ozymandias and Dockwalker might indeed have a chance at a surprise attack. And if we can break through the front defenses quickly enough, we'll be there to help when you get to Two-Face." Adrian placed with this stranger whom he had no knowledge of except for whatever was heard over the communications array back at base.

"Wonderful, Miss Widow." Ozy smirked and nodded slightly, his attention was now brought to his new partner. "Well Dockwalker, Shall we?" Veidt began walking to the right of the bank nearing the alleyway with hands held neatly behind his back. Breaking into a fortified Bank wasn't unusual in hostage situations but this was different. Having some lunatic who couldn't hardly pull off any crime before being detained sounded easy but the fact that the madman had time to seal up most the gaps was another. Getting in would obviously be dangerous and any careless moves may call for a Super funeral.

"Well Dockwalker..." The simple and bland name took him for a loop every time he spoke it, thinking to himself why not a more daunting or clever-some name? Ozymandias pointed to the building next to the bank, showing an emergency ladder sitting idle. "Thankfully there are no first or second floor windows on this side of the bank, which will allow us to make our way up the ladder on the building across from it. What we should do then is make our way to the third level window. Those inside will be busy seeing what our friends are up to out front. Thus when the time is right, we jump across and break in through the window up there and have at it... sound ideal?" Ozymandias looked confident and even posed with his hands curled to fists, sitting upon waist. Smug filled the air at the moment. He was sure of his idea as any before, it was better than risking their lives simply going around the back where several loaded guns may be awaiting their entrance. The manner in how Dockwalker fights, however, is a bit cloudy in Adrian's mind with having just met the man. He had hoped this Dockwalker fellow would agree on his simple plan.

"Oh and don't worry about the ladder, I'll disable the lock on it and let it down. I do harness, of course, great athletic ability as you may or may not know." He wasn't sure if Dockwalker could jump from the dumpster and up to the emergency ladder which rested 12ft above the garbage-littered ground.

SikstaSlathalin
10-03-2011, 08:23 PM
Secret Defender's bunker, New York
Man on the Silver Mountain's POV.

Man smiled at Jinx's shouts not the way he would've gone but force might have been a better way to get these two to relax then him asking nicely, Running Buck had been told he was too nice sometimes. He stepped between the two keeping the pipe in his hand closest to the young clawed man.
"Surely whatever the problem is it doesn't require violence to solve it but if not then my sniper and I will have no problem nipping it in the bud." He spun the pipe in his hand slowly eying the two young people. This whole thing reminded him of a pair of wolves trying to mate, the female standing her ground and snarling getting ready to bite the male and the male only staying just out of lunging range but nagging on the female until she gives in. Only difference is wolves don't have guns, he checked his senses to see if anyone else had stumbled into their little Mexican Stand-Off. He was relieved that it was still just the four of them in the alley.

Secret Defender's bunker, New York.
Illusion's POV.

The situation was quickly flying out of the Merc's hands. She'd been in bad scrapes before but never with two supers and a mystery sniper. Normally it was just a mystery sniper and maybe some gun-slingers. She was so out of her depths right now she was almost numb with indecision. The Native American man walked between them keeping his pipe between himself and her stalker which made her feel a little better at ease. At least he'd have to rip through the man thrumming with power and his lead pipe before he got to her. But that didn't ease the fear creeping up her spine at the sniper, using her know-how she was trying to figure out where she was. She'd done a lot of sniping before and the two buildings that made the alley were both prime places for it, good level, no way of sneaking up on the sniper if they were paying attention, and of course plenty of places to sit in concealment and start putting rounds into heads. She kept her gun at the ready as she scanned around using what senses she could.



Fort George, New York.

Goldy shook her head following The Punisher down the street.
"And what if they follow in your foot steps Mr. Castle. You kill and murder and by your own philosophy that would be grounds for slaughter. What if they start capping bad guys just like you?" She shook her head hearing some shouts and growls around the next corner.
"Here's your war Mr. Castle. Let's see if you're right shall we?" She cracked her knuckles walking determinedly toward the yelling.

As she came around the corner she saw a group of six giant men trying to rip an ATM out of the wall. There was a lot of grunting and swearing as they slowly pulled the blinking and beeping machine out onto the pavement.
"Move your damn worthless asses! Fuckin' Castle's in the area and I don't want to get shot!" Shouts a man with black hair and one eye.
"Now, now boys surely you aren't that dumb are you?" Goldy said her voice both silky and dangerous.
"Go fuck yourself ya old bag, this got nothing to concern yourself with!" The black headed man growls pushing the machine onto the truck but the triumph was short lived since Supergranny had cleared the distance between them and kicked the heavy-duty pick-up over onto it's side throwing one of the men with it he took the ATM in the chest and grunted as they hit. He rolled over and climbed to his feet snarling, drool, dripping between his teeth and sliding down his face. He was the biggest of the bunch and had long red hair that looked like blood.
"Time to die bitch!" He charged her very much like a bear but this didn't scare Goldy Fleece she'd beat guys like this time and time again in fact these were the kinds of guys she beat the most. She took a step back and balled up her fist waiting. The man bellowed as he swung his arm down like a hammer aiming for her head, but with a smile the old woman swung her fist up with all her might. The sickening sound of crunching bones filled the air and blood spurt from the man's nose and ears as he went a few inches into the air and fell to his back never to move again. She wiped the blood off her fist and smiled at the other men.
"Who's next?"


The Bank, Upper East Side, New York.

Dockwalker listened patiently to Ozymandias plan it was simple so simple even his grade-school education was thinking it. He sensed an arrogance about his partner it was probably well-earned but still Pride and still a sin. He then explained how he would get the ladder down for Walker like he didn't expect the simple human to able to do it. A normal human wouldn't be able to but Walker had been on the streets and escaping things for so long he'd developed some good acrobatic skills.

After eying up the distance taking a few steps back the killer took a breath then ran at the dumpster in one great leap he jumped onto the lid. He then ran up the wall and sprung back at the ladder his hand slung out with the damaged hook and caught onto the ladder's bottom rung, without wasting a second he swung himself up ,and released the hook while he spun in mid-air and grabbed the same rung with his free hand. Like a dirty monkey the Repenter dangled from the ladder and tucked his hook into his pants with a smile and nodded to Ozy and gestured that his plan was a good one before he began climbing up the ladder to the building's roof.

Pheasant
10-03-2011, 09:02 PM
Secret Defenders Bunker, New York.
Jinx's perch.

As Man on the Mountain drew nearer to the pair, thanks to the threat of Jinx's rifle as cover, the neon pink haired girl turned her cross-hair onto the chest of the women wielding the pistol. All it would take is one unlucky glint from the scope of her VSS, and one well aimed shot Jinx knew she could make, were their positions opposite. That would be the ex-H.I.V.E. agents story, a bullet through the head in some filthy dark alleyway.

Jinx decided she would take the shot, if the women drew her weapon anywhere in Jinx's direction vertically.

"Face front, girly!", Jinx shouted, the narrow walls around them changing the easily locatable noise into a wide wall of sound, "You're making my trigger finger get all itchy"

It was good to have a meaty fighter at the front again, however. That knowledge comforted the girl. Man on the Mountain was definitely on Wildabeast's, her old partners level of tank.

If the pair did anything sketchy, his pipe would likely be between either of the two's heads long before Jinx's bullets were.

Sanguine
10-04-2011, 07:14 PM
Secret Defender's bunker, New York.
Daken felt that at this point it would just be repetitive and dull of him to reiterate the fact that he was indeed and very dangerous mutant with a very powerful healing factor. Instead, he rolled his shoulders back in a rather nonchalant manner, and threw his palms upward, in a gesture that proclaimed he had no idea what was going on. A friendly grin replaced his feral snarl and the man spoke, "I don't have a problem, but I'm not opposed to some violence."

Daken's eyebrow quirked up in a manner that would have been flirtatious if his eyes didn't have such a dangerous sheen to them. "I might even enjoy a show of force," as he spoke, his gaze returned to the woman, as he eyed her in the most lascivious fashion possible. "Aw, how rude of me," the mutant grinned manically and offered a hand to the Native man, "I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Daken."

The Imposter
10-11-2011, 12:36 AM
Lincoln Tunnels, Midtown Manhattan

Bobbi shrieked as the oversized darkling charged after her and lunged with its maw gaping wide. Her crystal clear arms raised in defense creating a small shield of ice. The darkling crashed into the shield cracking it. The creature fell down dazed and Bobby jo training as an X-Man took over her arms growing as two sharp icicles protrued from her wrists. She jump through the ice shield and sliced the darkling into three pieces. When it was over she took a deep breath and looked towards Sentry and Jackie.

She took a step before an awful cackle stopped her short. She spun around only to the crude words of the darkling who was pulling itself back together.

'Hehehehehe, you are going to need something a lot more than some icicles to put me to rest deary.'

As the darkness bound the darkling back together it rose up and stood over Bobby breathing heavily and a low growl rupturing from deep within. Its eyes in the darkness of the tunnel reflected nothing but Bobby could feel them glaring down at her. In the mere seconds that followed Bobby's brain tried to analyze the potential situations and develope a way to defeat this embodiment of darkness.

The darkling reacted faster though chomping down with its massive mouth of seraded teeth. Bobby was able to step to the left but the jaw clamped down on her arm. Its teeth breaking into her icy flesh and cracking it. Bobby screamed out in agony and her focus lapsed. Her mind flashbacked to a lecture with the Professor.

'No matter the situation class, one must always have a focus on the manifestation of your powers. At any moment that focus is lost so will be your control and your powers will be subject to your instincts, primarily survival...now you may think this is nothing to stress about but having no control of your mutant abilities is very dangerous not only for yourself but those around you as well....'

Bobby's hands reached out and her thumbs found the darkling's eyes. Pushing as hard as she could she managed to pry the beast away from her. However with her powers going through such a mutation she was unable to keep it under control. It started from her hands and feet, the ice pulsating and covering everything it contacted. The darkling was the first thing to be entraped by the ice as it poured out from her hands. The creature called out in pain before it became a solid ice replica of a darkling.

Bobby collapsed to the ground and tried to regain control of her powers as the ice had creeped along the ground further towards the other two battles happening in the tunnel. She tried to focus her mind trying to get past the pain and get a hold of the ever growing ice erupting from her limbs.

Chip the 3rd
10-11-2011, 06:34 AM
Griffin saw Bobby's atack on the darkling, and vice-versa.
"Aheheheh, my word, miss. Save some for the rest of us! I'd be in my right mind to have someone punish you for such behaviour," he joked, casually striding forward to the frozen creature, though taking care around the ice. He struck the darkling as hard as he could, shattering it. "And now, ma'am, I do believe you need assistance."

Prophet
10-11-2011, 10:07 PM
The Bank, Upper East Side

“Right then.” Roger’s began after the other two had left and he and Black Widow were left to their own devices. “Guess its just you and me now. Normally I’d insist on letting the lady enter first but since I have the shield… I think a less chivalrous route may be in order.”

With that Captain America hefted his shield again, holding it before him as he approached the glass front of the bank. The windows were mirrors, hiding the interior completely from view from the outside while those inside would be able to see their approach. It gave the pair of them a grave strategic disadvantage but there wasn’t really anything for it. They had to get in there and it wasn’t as if they were fresh recruits without any manner of experience under their belts. Danger was par for the course so with that in mind he pushed open the door and rushed inside with his feminine companion right behind him.

The chaos didn’t start right away. In fact it was silent but for the sounds of their heavy footfalls. Steven Rogers started to relax and was just about to drop his shield when he heard the whoosh of a missile being fired from a launcher. It was followed by another close on its heels, too rpg’s aimed form opposite ends of the bank in the hopes of catching the two supers off guard. Captain America had dealt with worse. With his round shield he bashed the first in mid flight, redirecting its course so it was propelled instead into a solid stone pillar. With that same momentum he turned, using his free hand to pull Black Widow down behind him as he dropped that solid disc between them and the second rocket. Just like in the street the red white and blue of his form was lost in an explosion of fire and smoke. Machine gun fire erupted through the banks foyer, echoing loudly off the stone walls even before the smoke cleared to give them a definitive target. Within that choking smoke Captain was only just barely able to turn his shield in the path of those bullets in time.

Black Widow seized opportunity granted her by that smoke. She leapt from behind her companion, dashing quickly behind so as to both be safe from that hail of bullets and allow him the chance to move without worrying about him. They had to get to the men with rocket launchers first if they were to have any chance of surviving here. Chances were they had more than one and it would take only a few moments for an experienced demolitionist to reload. He started moving toward the side of the foyer opposite that of Black Widow, moving slowly as he had to keep that shield up to protect his body.

They didn’t have much time…

SikstaSlathalin
10-15-2011, 06:57 PM
Secret Defender's Bunker, New York.
Man onL the Silver Mountain's POV.

Man's senses were screaming at him to not take Daken' still clawed hand. This man was nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing. He squared his shoulders shifting the pipe in his hand he looked at the mutant knowing the woman won' t shoot him in the back.
"Neither am I opposed to violence but if a problem can be dealt with without it, that the path I will walk. I am Man on the Silver Mountain, I take it neither of you are in the civil war?" He knew at least one was but a good hunter knew when to play dumb with his prey. He was fishing for info from one of them he didn' t know all the ins and outs of this civil war so he was trying to walk the middle of the road.

Secret Defender's Bunker,New York.
Illusion's POV.

The yell from behind finally helped the experinced merc. locate the sniper. Now given the chance she could supress the girl and run away from this freak- show and run away to Brazil until this war is over or they destroy the whole world whichever happened first she wanted to be in a sexy bikini on the beach surrounded by models in speedos. She lowered her hand and replaced her pistol to it's holster.
"I don' t want any trouble, just want to go home and this guy was stalking me." She
crossed her arms over her generous chest glaring at the mutant.

Lincoln Tunnels, Midtown Manhattan, New York.

Jackie was a hard an opponent as Sentry expected from an experinced darkness user. His attacks were strong and extremly quick he also used the environment expertly, coming from every side and angle it took the mighty heroes full attention just to keep on the defense. He heard the others two Defenders fighting their Darklings at least Ms. Drake was he had lost track of Griffin in the madness of battle but he was sure the man was around somwhere. He was sending bolt after bolt of light into his writhing enemy some were scoring hits but just as many were flying through nothingness. It would end in stalemate at this rate or it would've had if Ms. Drake's haddn't gone haywire and begin freezing the ground underneath Jackie's feet. The giant hero flew up off the ground as the ice surrounded the criminal and froze him to the ground. He screamed an inhuman wail as his legs followed then his waist, torso, and then hisvhead followed in a horrible tableu of rage.

Sentry stared with macabe amusement at the Darkling King ice sculpture below him. He growled then dropped down driving his foot down on the crook shattering him into a thousand pieces. Once the king was gone the remaining Darklings scattered like leave before a breeze.
"It's done." He says coldly at the shards, another bit of evil destroyed. He turned toward
his companions and knelt beside Ms. Drake speaking softly.
"Focus on my voice, Icequeen. Use it as an ancor to bring your powers back under control."

Pheasant
10-15-2011, 07:59 PM
Secret Defenders Bunker, New York.
Jinx's point of view.

Armed with a heavy piece like that and she didn't want trouble, Jinx thought, "Yeah, right...", she had all of the movements of a killer. Coincidence or not, no-one within her sight was leaving in anyway other than a long detailed explanation, or a big black body bag.

Another minor adjustment to her scope.

She was wasting a lot of time here. Time that could be well spent tracking down and planning her kill, the Black Mask.

A drop of poison, a sharp silent blade, a sniper's bullet. Gas, bombs, even a mortar round through the right window would be sufficient, as if the Brotherhood cared at all for the means or the cleanup.

They would probably want something flashy like that, Jinx mused. It would further their political strength.

Easy to slip away now and avoid losing any more time on this crusade of ideals. Why had she even come here? Some notion of righteousness? Hope for redemption, when even the most famous heroes were being registered and put behind bars?

Like Wally...?

A few moments more, and her finger slipped off the trigger. She broke her weapon down in a cold heartbeat, replacing it within the thickness of her long skirted black trench coat.

The rubber soles of her shoes made no sound as she slipped up the fire escape, wet as it was, and slipped up onto the roof and away, into the darkness.

One acrobat roll to the next rooftop, then another leap to the next. She had vanished in less than thirty seconds.

Only when the job was done, would anyone have a ghost of hope of finding her a second time.

The Imposter
10-15-2011, 10:43 PM
Lincoln Tunnels, Midtown Manhattan

In the darkness of the tunnels Icequeen could only hear one voice. Its soothing nature calling out to her. It asked her to focus and regain control but she felt as though she couldn't. However the voice never faltered from its calm surreal tone. For a moment she thought it was Professor Xavier himself and slowly her powers began to subside not without her mutation leaving its mark. Her normally porcelain, glassy, transluceant skin became quite rough in areas where the Darkling had pierced her skin and half of her face matched the roughness. She couldn't see the change but could feel it, she lookwed up and saw Sentry and the new man standing over her.

'....uuuugh, did we win? Thank you for helping me too. I have no idea what might have happened.'

She helped herself up and brushed off the dirt from the tunnel ground. Unable to see the heat of anything else in the vacinity giving off heat she spoke up wanting to bypass any discussion of her losing control.

'So back to base to report? I guess we didn't really detain Jackie did we?'

Chip the 3rd
10-16-2011, 09:25 AM
"If that's what you want to do. Far too dark for my tastes, personally, I can't wait to get back to Blighty for tea. Here's hoping this whole mess sorts itself out, aheheh... That thing made me feel as though I was staring down Hyde again..." Griffin cringed, but soon stepped forward to help Icequeen stand. "I can't quite place any of you, myself. Well, that's me shutting up for now, then..."

Sanguine
10-17-2011, 10:50 PM
Secret Defender's Bunker, New York.
His brain was firing scrambled messages about the situation and how to handle it. Veins were throbbing painfully and flushing his body with entirely too much heat. An angry pulse beat at his ribs, sending searing pain throughout his body. I suppose this is what a hangover feels like Daken thought wryly, the warm buzz of alcohol had left his system Well, At least now I know my healing factor hasn't kicked back in. The mutant faced the two potentially volatile beings before him, considering the best course of action. Things seemed to be quickly spirally out of control for him, but retreating? That was hardly the favorable course of action considering the painful bruise it would leave on his ego.

"I can't say that I know much of anything about this civil war business either. Honestly, I've just been trying to avoid the whole thing." Well, it wasn't a lie entirely. He most certainly hadn't been working to progress his teams cause and he hadn't exactly been paying attention during their informational meetings either, "I was just trying to befriend this pretty little lady over here. You know how it is, mutant alone in a new town with nothing to do? I was just hoping for a tour." Daken responded with his usual levels of snide. He left out the part where what he really wanted was a tour of her entrails as he ripped her to shreds, her screams bounding down the ally. S.H.I.E.L.D. just didn't appreciate his particular brand of violence and he'd had to reign himself in far too often as of late. "So, Man on the Silver Mountain, what are you doing this fine evening? Care to give a young, nubile mutant a tour of the city?" Daken fluttered his eyelashes in a sickening imitation of a Disney princess, flashing his most innocent look.

StormWolf
10-21-2011, 12:31 AM
The Punisher was growing tired of Goldy's old-world advice. She did not know the world the way the Punisher did. She did not live her day-to-day life wading through the scum of the earth to try and make the world just a little bit cleaner before he swallowed a bullet. Castle had no delusions that he would die a horrible and violent death some day. He had enough enemies to all but make it a certainty. Still, until that day came, Punisher would continue to prowl the streets, making the hard decisions that some other heroes didn't have the stomach to handle. It was a given that the cleaner heroes would choke on the tough choices in life.

Rounding a corner with Goldy and Shadow, the Punisher came across more of Sabertooth's gargantuan thugs attempting to rip an ATM out of a wall. Was it really possible for Sabertooth' stupidity and brutish simple-mindedness to spread to other people? It sure seemed that way. Goldy already helped herself to one of the thugs, quickly rendering the man inert and then challenged the others to fight. Wasting no time for idle chatter, Punisher brandished his automatic .45 handguns, flicking off the safety and squeezing the trigger. With loud bangs, the handguns fired their man-stopping rounds from their muzzles. Heavy lead projectiles penetrated deep in to the flesh of two of the thugs, sending them slumping down, gurgling on their own life-blood.

"Spankings stop being effective after about six, Goldy. Harsher punishment is in order, now." Punisher spoke with a very level tone, stepping on the throat of a wounded thug and placed a bullet in-between his eyes. "These men are adults. They should be punished accordingly." The Punisher smirked with a hint of sadism as he raised his pistol to another thug. It was terrifying how much Frank Castle enjoyed his job sometimes. Men who took joy in the suffering of the weak and innocent change their expressions from powerful to fearful when they stare down the Punisher's gun-barrel. Punisher enjoyed watching them beg for mercy that would not come - he enjoyed watching them experience the same helplessness and fear that their victims felt.

"Go ahead," Punisher snarled at the criminal, "Lie and say you will turn a new leaf. Lie through your teeth and sully your last moments of life before I send you to hell." Punisher's brow furrowed as he took a step forward, "Or beg for your life. Beg for the same mercy you showed the countless people you have raped and murdered over the years." The criminal opened his mouth to say something only to have another bullet shot down it.