Former Avengers Mansion, New York - 13:55PM
"I present your newest heros," Citizen V explained to the crowd that had gathered outside the old Avengers Mansion, "The all American Thunderbolts." The crowd politely applauded and cheers and boos mingled as Citizen V bowed before unhooking the microphone and walking to the end of the stage.
"First up I give you a former member of the Hero's for Hire, Tarantula." From the roof of the building Tarantula skidded down and did a swan dive before landing on the stage wrist blades outstretched. The crowd cheered just as V knew they would, Tarantula had previously proved herself as a hero unlike the next team member.
"As you know the Thunderbolts Programme is all about giving second chances. That's why I would like you to welcome the Shocker." Citizen V announced emerging from the mansion the quilt like armoured form of Herman Schultz appeared and took to the stage under the weight of many boos.
"Next we have the Scorcher a loyal member of the Initiative and hero from the Asgard Operation." Citizen V continued as a flash of fire jumped up from the stage as a lightly armoured figure appeared in armor covering his features.
"That's not Scorcher, he's too small." a woman cried from the crowd holding a no Thunderbolts placard.
"This is the new Scorcher," Citizen V countered as Scorcher took off the armoured helm revealing a feminine face with long red hair, "He or rather she is still a war hero with the Initiative."
The woman squinted not recognizing the former mutant terrorist Juliana Worthing also known as Strobe. The depowered mutant had joined the Initiative it was true but had been a loose cannon that the Taskmaster had decided to watch carefully. V had chosen her for his team because of that very reason, he hated the Taskmaster and wanted some pay back for recent events.
"After Scorcher we have the Sexton." Citizen V announced as a man clad in black leather and dark glasses appeared armed with a shovel like weapon. Tapping the ground with his weapon clouds of dark smoke appeared and the Sexton vanished appearing in the crowd with a puff of white smoke. The stunned crowd applauded and V knew he was heading on the right track especially with his last two members.
"Finally we have everyone's favourite rouge the Constrictor." V said as the crowd cheered before the former criminal appeared on stage. V had chosen the Constrictor from the Initiative to further weaken the Taskmaster and to boost the popularity of his own team.
"What about Songbird's team." Placard lady said, "That's the real Thunderbolts." The crowd cheered alongside her in support of the other team calling themselves Thunderbolts.
"Your right." V said, "That's why we have a special guest." he added. Flying above the crowd on pink outstretched wings Songbird glided in singing the American Anthem at the top of her voice before landing on the opposite end of the stage to Citizen V who threw her the microphone.
"Ladies and Gentlemen I Songbird fully endorse this Thunderbolts team after the demise of my own team. We were savagely attacked by the Insurrectionists that raided Camp Hammond. Osborne saved me just in time and as such I owe him a debt of gratitude, as such I want you to cheer for these people who have bravely stepped up to help end this menace." Songbird announced holding out the microphone to the crowd, their cheers deafening. "Now." she whispered to Shocker who fired an electrical pulse into the air lightning sparking, "We are your Thunderbolts, accept no substitutes." she added smiling.
Unknown Location, Unkown Time
Melissa fought as she was dragged down into her mother's grave by the dead hands until her face disappeared under the earth. Opening her eyes she found herself in a coffin the lid nailed down as she tried to claw her way out. Crying out the coffin shattered as it's prisoner surface into a world of mist and smoke. Getting to her feet Melissa saw Rachel lying dead a sword through her heart, while in the distance a torch flared. Moving on Melissa saw more bodies, of both friends and enemies lying dead on the floor. Reaching the dais with the torches a hooded figure on her knees cried as the mist swirled around her.
"Are you alright?" Melissa asked.
"No." the hooded woman replied in an eerily familiar voice.
"Who did this?" Melissa asked. The woman stopped crying and got to her feet and turned to face her questioner. Lifting her hood, Melissa recoiled at the face she saw staring back at her.
"Why Melissa," the woman said her white makeup plastered all over her face matching her pure white hair. "You did."
Jerking awake Melissa heard screams of both man and beast as well as the chatter of an assault rifle.
"Melissa get up," a voice ordered pulling her into a standing position.
"Abe what's going on?" Melissa asked as the figure of MACH V appeared out of the gloom. his shoulder mounted head lights barley penetrating 20m around him.
"There attacking again, the natives really want us dead this time." Abe replied
"Where are the others?"
"Rachel and Robbie are holding the line for now, Magneto got hit by an arrow in the leg Delphyane is tending to him." Abe explained as a dark figure jumped out of the darkened tree line armed with a spear. Smacking the figure Abe sent it flying as the gun-fire and screams stopped.
"There regrouping we're safe for now." Abe announced.
Walking behind Abe and the short pool of light he was creating, Melissa came across the others gathered around Magneto who was propped up against a tree his leg bleeding from an arrow wound.
"Well is it poisoned?" Rachel asked as Delphyane licked the barbed tip with her blue tongue.
"No he was lucky, the HAMMER troops stationed her were not, it's only a matter of time before they come back." Delphyane answered slotting the arrow into her quiver.
"Melissa you're up." Robbie stated noticing the faint pink glow the she had produced in a vain attempt to light the area around them.
"I'm sorry," Magneto croaked, "There's no metal here for me to use."
"Take this." Rachel said softly handing him a dropped Assault Rifle, "We should move, I don't think that Osborne is going to let us out of here any time soon."
"Good idea but how do you suppose we navigate without any land-marks." Abe snapped, "My high beams are virtually useless, Magneto can't find North here and Delphyane even admitted that her natural night vision is severally limited here."
"We use sound." Melissa answered, "I can create a sonar effect to help lead us to where ever we need to go. I suppose there's no GPS here either though so we may as well head in one direction and pray we find some shelter."
"And food." Robbie added, "Is anyone else starving, I mean I know we have only been here three hours but I feel like I haven't eaten for ages."
"We have been here longer then three hours." Abe sighed, "My armour's time keeping system is tied to Earth, it says we've been here for three days back home."
"Great," Melissa said her anger beginning to bubble up at the groups bickering, "Let's just get moving and hope we find a way out." she hissed.
Former Avengers Mansion, New York City - 17:27PM
Well that could have been worse." Shocker said blandly as he removed his gauntlets and placed them in an insulated box.
"Did you see Constrictor's face though?" Scorcher snickered, "Looked like he wanted to stab V right in the heart for taking him away from the Taskmaster."
"I heard they were a couple." Shocker suggested, "You know Gay."
"Don't believe everything they tell you." Tarantula replied walking into the armoury hidden in Thunderbolt Mansion, "Old Taskmaster was in love with that Violet Chick."
"I heard he's going to kill Scourge when he finds him?" Scorcher added.
"Well then," Citizen V announced pulling off his mask revealing a US Flag printed across his face, "Let's hope he doesn't find me." he finished a malevolent grin stretched across his face.
"Don't get to comftable guys." Songbird said squeezing past Scourge, "Osborne wants us in the briefing room in fifteen minutes."
"Alright Thunderbolts I want you ready in fifteen minutes." Scourge ordered, "Somebody tell Sexton and Constrictor that if there not ready by then I'll personally see that they won't even be fit to lick blood off the sidewalk, let alone continue being in my unit." he roared before leaving the armoury and the shocked looking Thunderbolts in his wake.
The Original Character of Sexton is my own creation and does not belong to Marvel Comics