EXCEPTIONALS
Story Arc #1
"Exposure"
(A Civil War Tie-In)
Part 1 of 4
written by
Ken Lehman
ISSUE #1
NOTE: The following issue takes place during Civil War #2.
PROLOGUE
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT-After a terrible accident involving the superhero team NEW WARRIORS results in the deaths of hundreds of schoolchildren, the long-debated Superhuman Registration Act is finally made law.
Heroes must register their identities with the government and be trained as proper law enforcement officers. Failure to register is a crime, punishable by incarceration.
Heroes have divided into two camps-those allied with Iron Man, who supports the law, and those who follow Captain America, who has moved underground to fight back against a government that has turned its back on him.
And so begins the CIVIL WAR…
EXT. MANHATTAN, NEW YORK - NIGHT
Subtitle: MANHATTAN
The sound of BOOMS gets louder and louder as get closer and closer to a S.H.I.E.L.D. HELICARRIER above the city.
CRYOS (VO)
In the last year of Nick Fury's command, we were a superhuman black ops team within S.H.I.E.L.D. known by a select few and answerable only to him.
EXT. S.H.I.E.L.D. HELICARRIER, MILES ABOVE MANHATTAN - NIGHT
Subtitle: S.H.I.E.L.D. HELICARRIER - 1000 FEET ABOVE
From the streets below, civilians watch in shock and awe of the flashes of energy and loud sounds of impact coming from the massive ship in the sky.
CRYOS (VO)
Even when he was removed as director and went underground, we continued to work for him while still working for a S.H.I.E.L.D. that remained unaware of our existence.
A superhero fight is going on between pro-registration and anti-registration forces, but who exactly is fighting is the question on everyone's mind.
CRYOS (VO)
That is until recently, when we were suddenly exposed to the current S.H.I.E.L.D. director, Maria Hill.
EXT. FLIGHT DECK, S.H.I.E.L.D. HELICARRIER - NIGHT
THE EXCEPTIONALS (*see below of who's who, what they look like, what they specifically wear, etc.) are fiercely battling some of the PRO-REGISTRATION HEROES (Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and Wonder Man).
CRYOS (VO)
Although we don't know how this happened, we do know that we're now "enemy combatants."
*They basically wear a S.H.I.E.L.D. BLACK OPS UNIFORM: black sleeveless shirt with a silver S.H.I.E.L.D. logo on the chest, black fingerless gloves, black cargo pants, and black steel toe boots.
CRYOS (VO)
But we like to be called THE EXCEPTIONALS.
PARAGON (think Dennis Haysbert wearing his army beret and dog tags combined with his uniform) energy blasts Iron Man.
CRYOS (VO)
This is General Curtis Jones, codename Paragon. He's a supersoldier from World War Two whose power derives from the same special serum that would later create the Sentry. He's also our founder and leader.
ESSENCE (think Aya Ueto in her early twenties with a short modified kimono, worn over her uniform) very skillfully uses her martial arts skills and katana against a squad of armed Capekillers.
CRYOS (VO)
Next is Sakura Yoshimoto, codename Essence. She's a master martial artist and samurai who can intuitively read body language and anticipate her opponent's actions. This came in handy when she was a masked vigilante back in her homeland of Japan.
BRUISER (think Ethan Suplee in his early twenties, built like the Hulk, and with a silver streak in his slicked back hair, wears black wraps covering up to half the forearm instead of gloves) powerfully slams She-Hulk into the deck.
CRYOS (VO)
This is Mitch Costello, codename Bruiser. He's a mutant with the same size and strength as the Hulk. But the thing to really watch out for is his wise-cracks and sense of humor.
After her eyes turn bright white and her supernatural armor morphs around her body, REQUIEM (thinkChristina Millian, early twenties, amber dyed hair) exchange energy blasts with Ms. Marvel in their aerial dogfight.
CRYOS (VO)
This is Isabella "Izzy" Diaz, codename Requiem. She's a livewire who had bonded with a supernatural armor of ancient holy origins. It grants her numerous powers.
STEALTH (think Orlando Bloom as a 6'3" android, appearing to be in his early 20's, with ash blonde hair and blue eyes) goes invisible and hits Wonder Man with missiles.
CRYOS (VO)
Next is our sentient android, Stealth. Created by the U.K.'s MI-13 for our line of work, he was given various abilities, primarily invisibility. It didn't take long for Fury to recruit him for the team.
GRAVITON (think Danny Masterson in his early twenties with straight shoulder-length brown hair in a ponytail and wearing a black leatherjacket and no gloves) forcefully pushes back Capekillers with his gravity manipulation.
CRYOS (VO)
This is Adrianu "Adrian" Argentiu, codename Graviton. He was given the same superpower as Franklin Hall, the original Graviton, from the former Soviet Union's supersoldier program. Hence the same codename…
CRYOS (think Jake Gyllenhaal in his early twenties with buzzed hair, long sideburns, chin whiskers, brown eyes, and wears a black trenchcoat over his uniform) unleashes ice beams at Mister Fantastic.
CRYOS (VO)
Finally, yours truly, Ken O'Connell, codename Cryos. I'm a mutant with the ability to manipulate cold and ice. I was also the first official member of the team.
INT. SECRET AVENGERS HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
Subtitle: SECRET AVENGERS HEADQUARTERS – THE NEXT DAY
The Exceptionals are sitting with the SECRET AVENGERS.
CRYOS
Now all of you know who we are…
Falcon turns to Captain America.
FALCON
So what do you think, Cap?
Captain America looks favorably upon the Exceptionals.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
Welcome to the resistance, soldiers.
EXT. STARK TOWER, MANHATTAN - NIGHT
Subtitle: STARK TOWER
Ms. Marvel and Wonder Man fly towards Stark's building.
INT. UPSTAIRS, STARK TOWER – NIGHT
As Tony Stark (Iron Man) has a heated video conference with Maria Hill, Ms. Marvel and Wonder Man enter the room.
MARIA HILL
You let the Exceptionals get away, Stark!
The two approach Tony's sides, entering the conference.
MARIA HILL
Now they joined the opposition!
TONY STARK
They wouldn't have if you had let me handle things and not took over, Hill!
MARIA HILL
They were agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. who continued to take orders from Fury! I'm the director now and…
Hill drops her head with a sigh and looks up.
MARIA HILL
They defied my authority and I did exactly what I did when Captain America did the same.
MS. MARVEL
Ma'am, I've known Paragon for a long time-
MARIA HILL
That's another thing! When were you going to tell us that you knew one of them personally, Danvers?
Folding her arms, Ms. Marvel remains silent.
MARIA HILL
Do you know how I found out about Fury's covert team?
Ms. Marvel looks at Hill with bitterness.
MARIA HILL
A mutant computer hacker named Jason Del Toro, who used to freelance for him and was an ally of theirs.
As the three superheroes stand together in doubt of Hill, she holds up a disc.
MARIA HILL
He came to S.H.I.E.L.D. with this: a disk full of Fury's classified information on the Exceptionals.
TONY STARK
So he just shows up and hands you that? I don't buy it. There has to be a catch.
MARIA HILL
Remember that it's because of him that those black operatives are no longer hiding in plain sight and secretly undermining any of our efforts for Fury.
TONY STARK
What does he want, Hill?
MARIA HILL
(relenting sigh) Revenge. He wants revenge.
The three superheroes look stunned.
MARIA HILL
So I made him a member of the new special unit in the growing Thunderbolts Army.
TONY STARK
What?
MARIA HILL
Thanks to that disk, the Thunderbolts were able to "enlist" nine of the Exceptionals' supervillains.
Hill gives an arrogant smile.
MARIA HILL
As we speak, some of them are on their first mission…
EXT. NIGHTCLUB, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK – NIGHT
On a line to go into the club, VANESSA TITANO (think Avril Lavigne as a twenty-one year old with blue eyes and platinum blonde hair) waits with her boyfriend, COREY LAO (think Nelson Lee as a twenty-nine year old with his whole left arm tattooed and a strip of chin facial hair).
The camera zooms on and targets Vanessa and Corey.
S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT (VO)
Long Island: Target: Lightwave: Light manipulation and flight: Career as superhero: "Retired" as a result of undisclosed reasons: Unregistered superhuman adventurer: Takedown commenced ten seconds ago:
Vanessa suddenly notices WILDFIRE (think Justin Timberlake) and ECSTASY (think Megan Fox) approaching her.
S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT (VO)
Wildfire, Ecstasy: Commence first stage.
VANESSA TITANO
Oh #$%.
COREY LAO
What's wrong, Vanessa?
As soon as Corey sees the problem, an arrogant Wildfire IGNITES into a living flame, shooting FIRE in the sky.
COREY LAO
Oh #$%.
The ordinary people panic and flea in terror, but Vanessa and Corey stay where they are.
WILDFIRE
I got some unfinished business with you two!
Vanessa transforms into her Lightwave costume via a FLASH OF WHITE LIGHT.
LIGHTWAVE
This isn't you, Terry! It's that whore beside you!
Ecstasy controls Wildfire with her PINK PHEROMONE EMISSION.
ECSTASY
You left Wildfire for that, Lightwave?
Corey is obviously offended.
ECSTASY
(insane evil laugh) Oh, well… Your loss is my gain.
Vanessa is offended. Ecstasy intimately hangs on Wildfire.
ECSTASY
Isn't that right, partner?
WILDFIRE
Hell yeah, partner. Now, let's take 'em!
Wildfire and Ecstasy fiercely attack Vanessa and Corey, immediately taking out Corey and overwhelming Vanessa.
LIGHTWAVE
Corey!
In the intensity of the moment, Lightwave takes flight and Wildfire chase after her in streaks of fire and light.
S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT (VO)
Wildfire: Commence second stage.
Left on the ground, Ecstasy looks up at the superhuman chase across the night sky becoming farther and farther away with insane eyes and a sinister smile.
S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT (VO)
Ecstasy: Return to transport and head for the city.
INT. SECRET AVENGERS HEADQUARTERS – NIGHT
Captain America and the Falcon get dressed in Capekiller uniforms that the Exceptionals "borrowed" during their battle with the Pro-Registration Heroes.
CRYOS (VO)
During our battle yesterday, we "borrowed" some Capekiller uniforms before we arrived here. As Cap and Falcon put on these uniforms for the upcoming mission, Luke Cage couldn't help but say-
LUKE CAGE
How come I never heard of you, Paragon? I mean, a "Black Sentry" is something a brother wouldn't forget.
PARAGON
It's a long story, Cage. I'll tell it to you another time.
BRUISER
For now, all you need to know is that he can take Reynolds anytime, anywhere.
The other Exceptionals proudly gesture in agreement.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
Your troops think highly of you, old friend.
Paragon humbly smiles upon his troops.
PARAGON
I think highly of them, as well.
Captain America and the Falcon finish dressing.
FALCON
All right, we're ready to go undercover, Cap.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
Everyone remember the plan?
CRYOS
You and the Falcon will commandeer a S.H.I.E.L.D. bus while we'll be your lookout and backup.
Captain America looks proudly upon Cryos.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
Couldn't have said it better myself, son.
Cap walks in front of the Exceptionals.
CRYOS (VO)
Cap then gives us a speech about how we're doing the right thing, regardless of what the government says.
The legend sticks out his hand for Cryos to shake.
CRYOS (VO)
But what really surprised me was this…
CAPTAIN AMERICA
Your father would be proud of you, Ken.
Cryos extends his hand for the handshake.
CRYOS
Thanks, Cap.
Captain America humbly smiles at Cryos.
CRYOS
That means a lot coming from you.
EXT. MANHATTAN, NEW YORK – NIGHT
Wildfire and Lightwave streak across TIMES SQUARE, where the JUMBOTRON shows "REGISTRATION IS THE LAW."
WILDFIRE
You cheated on me!
LIGHTWAVE
We were already broken up for months!
The superhuman aerial chase goes deep into the caverns of the concrete jungle.
Leaping out of a building's window as if it were made of air, MIRROR (think Dominic Monaghan as a being made of glass) takes Lightwave by surprise with a sucker punch.
S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT (VO)
Mirror: Engage target.
Mirror enters another building's window as if it were air.
MIRROR
Comin' at ya, brother!
SMOKE (think Dominic Monaghan as a being made of smoke) emits himself around Lightwave, billowing clouds of smoke, and attacks her from all directions.
SMOKE
Thank ya kindly, brother.
S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT (VO)
Smoke! Back off!
Smoke lets Lightwave go, having her plummet and crash through the roof of a massive WAREHOUSE.
SMOKE
Whatever ya say, boyo.
INT. WAREHOUSE, MANHATTAN – NIGHT
Battered, Lightwave impacts the ground hard.
S.H.I.E.L.D. AGENT (VO)
Del Toro, be ready for pickup.
Transforming his hands into bladed weapons, JASON DEL TORO (a twenty-something Philippino nerd) approaches the beaten hero.
JASON DEL TORO
With pleasure.
LIGHTWAVE
He's gone insane. Why's Terry doing this to me?
JASON DEL TORO
He's doing this because, like me, he's been presented a chance for getting even with backstabbers like you.
LIGHTWAVE
J.D.? What are you doing here? What are you talking about?
Ecstasy, Wildfire, Smoke, and Mirror join Del Toro.
JASON DEL TORO
All you need to know is that your friends are next…
The five Thunderbolts stand over the downed Lightwave.
EXT. WEST 23RD STEEET, MANHATTAN – NIGHT
The Exceptionals are on various ROOFTOPS, staking out the action that is going on below: the YOUNG AVENGERS have been picked up by a S.H.I.E.L.D. UNIT and an undercover Captain America and Falcon are on the scene.
Over their COMM-LINKS, the Exceptionals are in contact with not only one another, but also their headquarters.
BRUISER
Looks like the party's gettin' started.
REQUIEM
Where are they taking the Young Avengers, Paragon?
PARAGON
I don't know. But wherever it is, it's going to be over the G.W. Bridge. So let's move out, troops.
The Exceptionals head for the GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE while keeping track of S.H.I.E.L.D. BUS ONE.
EXT. GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE, NEW YORK CITY - NIGHT
The Exceptionals keep up with the SPEEDING BUS.
STEALTH
I've just been informed by headquarters that S.H.I.E.L.D. Bus Two is holding Lightwave.
The Exceptionals see MILITARY HELICOPTERS and POLICE CARS chasing the hijacked bus.
CRYOS
Damn… They got Vanessa, too.
STEALTH
It's now under attack by a local gang led by a male that fits a physical description similar to Bruiser.
ESSENCE
Sounds like Brutality.
STEALTH
No, it's Brawler-Bruiser's brother.
BRUISER
Who I now must beat the crap out of…
The Exceptionals see the ROAD BLOCK and POLICE CARS behind it up ahead on the bridge.
GRAVITON
About time we got some action because this blows.
PARAGON
Negative, we're not diverging from this mission until it's complete.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Bus One MAGICALLY TELEPORTS to the Secret Avengers' base thanks to the Young Avengers' WICCAN.
Silence falls upon the stunned Exceptionals until-
BRUISER
I'm so gonna beat the crap outta him.
EXT. HELL'S KITCHEN, MANHATTAN – NIGHT
S.H.I.E.L.D. Bus Two is destroyed, all the members of the S.H.I.E.L.D. unit are badly knocked out, and the prisoners inside are free thanks to BRAWLER (think Johnny Galecki but late teens, 6'3", muscular, slicked back brown hair with a silver streak, wears thuggish clothing) and his normal human gang members.
CRYOS (VO)
Bruiser comes from a family where most of the men are superpowered behemoths.
Cradled in his muscular arms is a battered Lightwave.
CRYOS (VO)
His younger brother Brawler is different.
Walking forward, he looks at her with sympathy.
CRYOS (VO)
Standing at 6'4", he's the "runt" of the males.
The free prisoners and his gang members look upon him in reserved silence.
CRYOS (VO)
But what he "lacks in size," he makes up in power: Superhuman physical attributes that increase even further with hand-to-hand combat.
Suddenly, CHRIS CHANG (Corey Lao undercover) arrives, in agony over the sight of his beaten girlfriend.
CHRIS CHANG
Look what they've done to her!
Brawler hands her off to Chang.
CHRIS CHANG
Those pro-registration #$%#$ are dead!
He looks at him with reassurance.
SYLVESTER COSTELLO
Chris, I promise you we'll-
Suddenly, Bruiser gets the drop on Sly with a powerful punch, sending him flying into a car.
BRUISER
Sly!
While Brawler's gang members get overpowered by the other Exceptionals, the free prisoners and Chris Chang, who is cradling a lifeless Lightwave in his arms, escape.
BRUISER
You're doing this gang #$% again? What would mom and dad say?
Eyes fixated, Brawler gets up slowly from the car he impacted, ready for a fight.
BRAWLER
You're an idiot, Mitch. Look around you. There are bigger problems than our parents' approval.
Brawler charges at Bruiser at superhuman speed, unleashing his increasingly powerful blows upon him.
BRAWLER
But what you're really pissed off about is that we're both on the opposite side of the law now.
Suddenly, S.H.I.E.L.D. HELICOPTERS, N.Y.P.D. COP CARS, and a swarm of heavily armed CAPEKILLERS arrive on the scene.
The lights shine heavy on the brothers. Their fight pauses.
HELICOPTER PILOT
Stop where you are! You're under arrest for violation of the Superhuman Registration Act!
With Brawler's gang members out cold on the ground, the other Exceptionals take flight.
REQUIEM
C'mon, Bruiser! We're leaving!
HELICOPTER PILOT
We are authorized to use heavy force if need be!
Bruiser grabs hold of his brother.
BRUISER
This is all-out war among the major leaguers.
The Capekillers move in fast.
BRUISER
You have no idea how in over your head you are, little brother.
The Capekillers aim their guns at the massive brothers.
BRUISER
That being said…
Bruiser powerfully throws Brawler at the Capekillers, knocking them all out like a wrecking ball.
BRUISER (CONT'D)
Who's the idiot now?
Laughing, Bruiser does a superhuman leap into their air.
Surrounded by downed authorities, and with more approaching from behind, Brawler bitterly watches his brother escape.
TO BE CONTINUED