Welcome back to The Dark Order. Last time, Dracia got an unexpected visitor in this world, their world's Goldix, having made it with five chances on his gemstone. After saving Sulfur from getting literally lobotomized, he, Dracia, and Goldix managed to escape, at the cost of James Sunderland's life, but taking out another tower in the process. So, where are they now? Read on to discover...
(Our tale resumes with our newly split up group of Dracia, Sulfur, General Goldix, Captain Cold, Cyrax, Mysterio, Jasper and Goldix in what looks like the swamps from A New Beginning, only covered in clockwork machinery for... some reason, and inhabited by crimson snakes slithering through pipes in place of fluid or steam)
Dracia: This looks like the swamp Grandpa grew up in.
Goldix: This place seems to match the geographic layout of our world, so my guess it is. But, what's up with the machines?
General Goldix: Truth be told, nobody knows exactly what goes on up here. Rumors range from it being part of Toxica's chemical research in Caustic Bog, which is just south of here, to some sort of space exploration facility, where Vermillion attempts to return to his homeworld, actually called Homeworld, and retake it, since it didn't merge with the Realms when that Conquest happened, but did move into a nearby orbit.
Sulfur: So Vermillion conquered his own world?
General Goldix: Actually, no. He acted as the conduit to get there though.
Goldix: The what?
General Goldix: We have someone on the inside of Darkblood's castle. They've sent out information on how their ability to hop between worlds works. It's a machine brought back from the Injustice Wars. To enter a universe, you generally need a conduit. Something or someone from that universe works best for an exact lock on, but any piece of glass or prismatic crystal will do, though the results are going to end up random. Captured members of the Legion acted as conduits for their worlds, there was a preset for Psycho Burner's world for some reason, and Vermillion acted as the conduit for his world.
Goldix: Sounds oddly complicated for even the most intelligent spy to uncover.
General Goldix: (With an air of nervousness emanating from all but the main universe trio) It makes sense when you've looked over the captured blueprints numerous times.
(As he says that, General Goldix proceeds to pick up his pace, followed shortly by Kevin Levin, Captain Cold, and the rest, save Dracia, Sulfur, and Goldix)
Goldix: I don't know about you, but I don't trust this at all.
Sulfur: Something does seem up with each of them, now that you mention it. I just chalked it up to the struggles of war, with them being on the verge of collapse just like the Insurgency was midway through the Injustice Wars.
Goldix: You're up on your history.
Dracia: So did I. But even if that's the case, we did agree to help them take this Dark Order down. So for now, we need to give them the benefit of the doubt.
(As the trio runs to catch up with the rest of their branch of the Gilded Resistance, as we pan up to see Blizzy and Stormbreaker have finally decided to join the fight, watching from atop a giant mushroom)
Blizzy: I'm starting to worry, they may be on to the Master's agent.
Stormbreaker: Worry not brother, even if they think they have the spy deduced, they won't live long enough to tell, once our friend gets through with them.
(With that, Blizzy and Stormbringer follow behind the group, which has caught up with the group at this point, where we finally see what is going on in Clockwork Swamp. The area is covered in more clockwork machinery than anywhere else, forming channels of some sort in the technology covered ground, and upon them walk hundreds of alien species and agents from XCOM: Sectoids, Serpents, Thin Men, you name it. In addition we can see more than a few familiar faces from other worlds, including a few Iron Man suits each without helmets, the mechanized corpses of familiar figures like Eddie Brock or Li Mei, Doombots straight out of Latveria, and a few members of what was the Suicide Squad amongst others, but all of them are moving robotically, the non-Serpents looking much more scaly, stuck in the tracks formed by the technology covered ground with a black gem shard embedded into their brains or spinal cords, all of them mindlessly assembling what looks like a massive ship using an obsidian obelisk as a support.)
Goldix: I guess this confirms the space travel hypothesis.
General Goldix: We can barely stop Darkblood on this world, we don't need him getting off-world.
Sulfur: What's happened to these people?
General Goldix: Vermillion is keeping them under his control using the shattered remains of Black Diamond.
Dracia: Black Diamond? Why would he be involved?
General Goldix: (Nervously as he glances towards the rest of the Gilded Resistance) Vermillion shattered him during the Injustice Wars, then used his serpents to control the shards, placing the shards into anyone assigned here to make slaves out of them.
Goldix: I told you Vermillion couldn't be trusted.
General Goldix: Yes, this looks bad. Because it is. But Vermillion is only keeping this up to keep Darkblood from suspecting he'll turn traitor. Once we get him on our side, he'll release them.
Goldix: You seem awfully certain of that.
General Goldix: He's given me his word. Though in retrospect, it probably was more sarcastic than genuine.
Dracia: Regardless, we have to try. Let's just get down there and take down that tower. This is one of the ones you knew existed, is it not?
General Goldix: Good point. Let's go.
(With that, Dracia and company, including Goldix with a sigh, the team moves in to take down the tower. But the minute they set foot on the metal floor, it goes red, and all of Vermillion's slaves stop what they're doing, and slowly turn into red scaled serpent people before turning to attack the group.)
Goldix: Exactly the sort of reception I'd expect from Vermillion!
(But just as the attack begins, it stops, as, of all people, Necromancer, Foxtrot, Blizzy, and Stormbreaker enter the scene.)
Necromancer: Ah, the little girl who's caused us all so much trouble. Now we've got you. (Seeing the shard around her neck) And the prize the Master seeks.
Dracia: (Recognizing Necromancer's counterpart) Uncle Belial?!
Necromancer: Biliaeal Al'athir is long dead, little one.
(Now we transition back to the past, where we can see who Necromancer was, Belial Aether, son of Anubis, battling Darkblood underneath his floating castle, and losing. Seeing his opportunity, Belial Aether tries to throw his shadow khopesh at Darkblood, but it bounces off as Darkblood pins him to the ground)
Darkblood: Give it up, Anubite. You have lost.
Belial Aether: I will not have lost so long as I can still draw a breath!
Darkblood: Oh I'm not going to kill you. (As he charges his paws with Dark Aether) You're going to join me!
(And just like the Element Guard before him, Belial Aether is infused with Dark Aether turning him into this corrupted Anubite form as we return to the present with a roar from the past Necromancer)
Necromancer: And thus I became Lord Darkblood's apprentice, as was my destiny. (Placing his scythe under Dracia's chin, secretly cutting the shard's rope) Just as it was yours to lead all his enemies directly to Hell.
Goldix: Keeping company with Vermillion? You're the one whose hell-bound.
Necromancer: Vermillion?! That fool?! HA! This is MY domain, boy. Vermillion hasn't held sway here in years! Not since he decided to betray his master!
(Now we flash back to Vermillion's Conquest, where we once again see him tearing through a horde of Sectoids and XCOM agents, leaving only William Carter and a few Serpents. At this point you would probably expect Vermillion to behead William Carter, but he doesn't. Rather they start talking.)
Vermillion: Now that those pessssky distractions are out of the way, we can finally discussssss the future...
William Carter: Like hell I'd make a deal with a monster like you!
Vermillion: Trusssst me, Carter. There is ssssomething much worsssse coming for you.
William Carter: Don't try and cloud my mind with falsehoods, Serpent!
Vermillion: Did you really think I got here on my own? I can't travel between worldssss on my own, Carter. I was ssssent here, to conquer this world for another.
William Carter: (Thinking about this) And why would you tell me this?
Vermillion: Becausssse, I'm through taking orderssss from him. Ever sssince those dragonssss entered the court, I've been reduced to nothing more than a court jessster by comparison to where I wasssss.
William Carter: And you think just because of that, I'm going to help you get back there?
Vermillion: It'sssss either work with me, or watch your world be dessssstroyed.
William Carter: (Weighing his options, then with a sigh) As much as I don't trust you, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
Vermillion: Good. Now...
(But before Vermillion can say anything, the sound of a scythe scraping against the ground can be heard, as Necromancer steps onto the scene with an alveolar click of shame) [Alveolar clicks being the "tsk" noise for anyone wondering]
Necromancer: Come now, Vermillion. You of all people should know this won't do, betraying your master and all that.
Vermillion: So, Darkblood ssssends his lapdog after me.
Necromancer: The term is "Apprentice". And yes, Lord Darkblood had long suspected you were going to betray him. So I've been keeping an eye on you ever since you came to this realm.
Vermillion: Darkblood hassss betrayed the agreementssss I made with him. He keepssss me in power in exchange for my loyaltiesss.
Necromancer: Not quite, you traitorous snake. Now, you know how much I hate beating around the bush, so I'm just going to cut straight to the point. (Turning his scythe so the blade is up and then slamming the end on the ground) You have been stripped of your titles in the Dark Order and declared a traitor. Lord Darkblood has commanded me to hunt you down. And, to rub salt in your wounds, this Conquest is now mine.
Vermillion: You will not deny me my rightful statusssss!
Necromancer: You lost all rights to that when you turned traitor! Now, prepare to die!
(With that, the battle begins at last, Vermillion against Necromancer. Despite the aid from William Carter and the remaining Serpents, Vermillion is bested in record time, after reflecting the blasts from the Serpents and fallen Sectoids' weapons back at them, causing part of William Carter's leg to disintegrate in the process.)
Vermillion: But... how...? I am sssuperior to you in ever way!
Necromancer: (As his scythe glows with Dark Aether) Not so much as you might think, traitor. (Grabbing Vermillion by the throat) You're lucky Lord Darkblood commanded you be brought back alive, else I'd slit your throat right now.
(Just as Necromancer is menacing Vermillion, William Carter points his weapon at him)
William Carter: If your master wants this world, you'll have to go through me.
(And with a devilish smirk on his face, Necromancer knocks Vermillion out with a swift punch to the face before turning to face William Carter)
Necromancer: Oh, I intend to.
(As the flashback ends, we see Necromancer take William Carter's head clean off with his scythe, the blood having now dried into it since Necromancer never cleaned it apparently)
Necromancer: And thus, Vermillion's territory fell into our control. But knowing he was a traitor, he likely kept in contact with one of you, so we kept his clockwork aesthetic to fool anyone except those in the know into believing he was still alive.
Goldix: So all of this was a trap to capture the Resistance?
Foxtrot: Indeed it was, and one you sprang gloriously!
Stormbreaker: It's a shame we couldn't capture all of you though. Considering your group was rather large.
Blizzy: Despite that, we do have their leader, as well as the master's target!
Necromancer: Well said, Blizzy. Now go, inform Lord Darkblood we have her. We'll keep watch.
Blizzy: At once, sir!
(As Blizzy flies off to inform Darkblood, Goldix spies what looks like a wrench or spanner stuck in the track of one of Necromancer's slaves. While his counterpart in this world looks for a way out, Goldix takes the initiative, wrapping his unseen tail around the wrench, then looks around for a target, and spots the now mechanized and serpentine corpse of Eddie Brock, figuring he should do. Then without being seen himself, he signals to Dracia that he has a plan, before using his tail to flip the wrench into the shard in Eddie Brock's neck, shorting him out so to speak, allowing Dracia to free herself from his grasp before rigor mortis sets in. Now free, she tackles the corpse of Li Mei, freeing Sulfur before the three start destroying Iron Man suits to free the Gilded Resistance, who then start fighting off the Doombots and the other serpentine cyborgs. But as they are all dispatched, Necromancer, Foxtrot, the returning Blizzy, and Stormbreaker join the fight as well. The four elementals have a clear combat edge, and almost have the Resistance pinned, nearly killing Cyrax in the process. But when all hope seems lost, Dracia, in a moment of desperation, attempts to summon any power she has to stop this vile quartet, and she gets something unexpected. Aether. A power she's never used before, certainly not to this extent, as evidenced by how it goes out of control, nearly shattering Jasper and scorching Mysterio's eyebrows off. Ultimately the beam of pure violet energy begins to dissipate as it almost blows off Necromancer's arm while atomizing the tip of his left ear, while it actually does turn Stormbreaker and Blizzy to stone.)
Necromancer: Time to deploy our secret weapon!
(Necromancer then flips up a panel on his scythe and presses a button, opening the giant spacecraft against the obsidian obelisk, revealing a huge crimson serpent contained within, splitting off into the smaller serpents seen acting as hydraulic fluid in the clockwork machinery. This is clearly the fate of Vermillion, made to power his own project for Necromancer's benefit. Banging the end of his scythe on the ground, Necromancer commands the now monstrous Vermillion to attack Dracia, but Goldix manages to grab her and move her out of the way of the giant serpent, and in doing so causes the beam to go straight through the monster, sending gem serpents everywhere each turning to dust in their death before Necromancer can revive them, the beam itself also atomizing the obelisk. As the great serpent falls, the beam of Aether stops, and Dracia falls unconscious as the Gilded Resistance makes a run for it. Foxtrot, who barely survived the encounter, attempts to rush after them, but Necromancer stops her)
Necromancer: Let them go.
Foxtrot: What?! Lord Darkblood commanded us to capture the girl!
(At this point Necromancer shows the gem necklace that he secretly cut off of Dracia's neck, now pulsing with the very Aether energy that destroyed Blizzy and Stormbreaker)
Necromancer: The girl is irrelevant. This is what they were protecting. Our spy was among them and confirmed it.
Foxtrot: (Seeing the devastation) Lord Darkblood will not like this...
(And just as she says that, the menacing figure of Darkblood looms over Necromancer and Foxtrot, with Wildblaze not far behind)
Darkblood: You're damn right about not liking this. You had better have a good reason for letting them escape, Necromancer.
Necromancer: (Presenting the gem) I do, Master. This gem was held around the girl's neck. Undoubtedly this is what brought them to this world, and has now been re-energized by Aether's divine might
Darkblood: (Taking the gem from Necromancer) We will need to test your theory. Return with us to the castle. It is time to unlock the chamber.
(With that, we transition to Darkblood's castle, in a room hardly used, where a pair of corpses cloaked in the garb of The Flash and Kronika rest chained to the wall with a strange device at the center of it all. The cobwebs part as Darkblood and the rest of the Dark Order enter the room, flanked by Heather Mason, April O'Neill, Nimue, Supergirl, Cassie Cage, Bleez, Silk Spectre, Gwen Tennyson, Chi-Chi, and Wasp, all clearly members of Darkblood's harem as the vile drake himself opens a panel on the device in the center of the room placing the gem into the cavity, while Necromancer infuses the corpses of Flash and Kronika with his necromantic powers, a la Shang Tsung. As the corpses twitch back to life, their speed and chronal powers respectively energize the machine, creating a massive portal in the center of the room, through which we can hear a multitude of voices from worlds unseen in this Nullverse previously)
Voices: "EXPECTO, PATRONUM!", "I am Locutus, of Borg", "Nooroo, dark wings, rise!", "Cheers love, the cavalry's here!", "The crime is life, the sentence is death!", "It's Morphin' Time!", "Do, or do not, there is no try", "YOU, SHALL NOT, PASS!"
(As these phrases are going on, we see the look of utter astonishment on the faces of the Dark Order members, and the dead stares of their accompanying slaves, save Wasp, who looks worried amidst her attempts to look enslaved. And then as the portal closes we turn back to Darkblood himself, who can only chuckle at what he has just seen, before he turns back to the Dark Order)
Darkblood: This is our moment. Thanks to Necromancer's quick thinking, we have the ability to once again become the conquerors we were! The multiverse is at our beck and call! As of now, my command is unchanged. The girl indeed shows Aether flows through her veins. Capture her alive, and bring her to me, so she may join our ranks. Her companions are still to be eliminated.
All (Save Darkblood and Wildblaze): Yes, Lord Darkblood.
(At this point, Darkblood sees something about Wasp, and realizes something)
Darkblood: (Pointing to Wasp) You, step forward.
(Trying to keep up her act, Wasp does as she is commanded, trying to look as blank and enslaved as possible, but as she goes to prostrate herself, Darkblood grabs her by the neck)
Darkblood: Did you really think I didn't know you were the mole in our midst? Did you really think I was so stupid and sex-craving that I couldn't see that you were the one feeding the Resistance information?
(Before Wasp can say anything she's thrown down in front of the vampiric Nosferatu)
Darkblood: It appears you still need a little more conditioning. (To Nosferatu) Take her back to the Caves of Flesh. I want her reduced to a mindless sex doll for this.
Nosferatu: (In a thick Hungarian accent) Yes, my lord. (To Nimue) Take her away.
Nimue: Yes, master.
Darkblood: (To Wasp as Nimue and Nosferatu take her away) You thought you were so clever, didn't you Van Dyne?
Wasp: You'll never get away with this. The General will know about this. You will be stopped!
Darkblood: That's exactly what he said last time we met.
(As Wasp is carted away to Nosferatu's territory, Darkblood refocuses his attention to Toxica and Synapse)
Darkblood: Toxica, start preparing your soldier toxin. We should have many new recruits very soon.
Toxica: Yes, Lord Darkblood.
Darkblood: Synapse, I want this machine working as if it were brand new in 24 hours.
Synapse: You shall have it in 12, Lord Darkblood.
Darkblood: Excellent. (Looking back at the still pulsing gem) Now, we have much to prepare...
(And as Darknlood stares into the gem, our story ends for today)
Okay, that was a long one. Figured for everything that's going to happen, we needed a long intro. So, Wasp was General Goldix's spy, the one who leaked info on Darkblood's world-hopping operations. But, how did Darkblood know? Presumably his spy in the Gilded Resistance, who we can now confirm is either Mysterio, Jasper, Captain Cold, Cyrax, or General Goldix. Place your bets now, the answer comes up in a few weeks. As to the worlds shown, I tried to go for ones everyone would recognize on a few, but others were references to other characters and stories Yami has made. Anyways, all of that aside, Darkblood now has the power to move between worlds again, and a spy nobody can identify in the Gilded Resistance. And now that he's captured their spy, the good guys are operating in the dark. Not good. So what awaits as our tale continues? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!