BLACK WINGS Chapter 14- The Dogs Of War by Justin Anderson October 27th, 2002. 9:15 PM, Manhattan "Magneto? Yeah, I know who you are. Leader of various pro-mutant groups. Carnage seems a bit below your usual aim, doesn't he?" Magneto replied, "He's never been a cause for concern before. But..." "Okay, so you've got the idea something big's about to go down," Jake said. Magneto hovered near, keeping an eye on the warehouse. "I know he's in there. He and his band of murderers. I should go in right now and destroy them. But I need to know what's going on here before I risk my life. You seem to know more than anyone else, otherwise you wouldn't have killed Screl. Maybe you could fill me and my group in." 9:28 PM, outskirts of Manhattan Magneto stopped in the clearing, Jake stopping nearby. He could see several individuals hiding. "Now, I'd like to know what is really going on," Magneto said. "All right. I read through a few notes and files Screl had, stuff he didn't want anyone to find. You remember all the reports of Carnage earlier this year? A large creature?" "I do," Magneto replied. Jake watched the figures hiding in the woods. Magneto's followers. "The symbiote was bonded with an entity named Domientius, vengeful, but not too dangerous anymore. Screl worked for Domientius, about a thousand years ago. His name back then was Screel. Jonathan Screl is just his current form." "So, the little man isn't so little. But what does that have to do with any of this?" Magneto asked. Jack continued, "Screl hates humans. He worked for Jacobs Research Labs before Carnage reformed. He lost his job after the lab exploded. Since then, he's been gathering equipment, money, and supplies. He wants to wipe out all humans. Including mutants, and immortal humans. The Black Wings is high on his list, if he can kill the Black Wings, he believes he can kill anyone. "Carnage was a way to screw with his mind. Revive the past. Which has worked. Electro got sucked into this because Cletus busted him up after he reformed. Octavius, I believe he merely escaped with them and decided Carnage may have a use to him. The Scorpion... I don't know. And the Hobgoblin. Screl ressurected Jason Macendale, the second Hobgoblin. Basically as a way to spy on Carnage. "I was created to be muscle. That's why all the surgery. I'm basically a clone of Jack Arden, but not exact. Some of my DNA was created artificially, since immortal DNA can't be cloned. I have all of Jack's memories, too. See, Screl's brain is basically empty, it just works the body. All his knowledge is in his soul. He can copy someone else's mind into his own brain just by looking them in the eye. I also believe I may be physically younger than Jack. But Screl never counted on me gaining any kind of awareness, and it's cost him his lab. But I doubt he's dead, he can teleport himself." Magneto motioned for his followers to reveal themselves. "These are my associates. Mystique and Sabretooth. Toad is performing guard duties for me. They're all I have with me now, after a series of setbacks. If we attack now, we can hit Carnage unexpected, wiping out his operation." "We could, but Screl will probably interfere," Jake said. "Very well," Magneto said. "Perhaps a strategic approach is in order." Jake replied, "I also need to tell you what I know about Omnitech." 9:54 PM Magneto forced the doors to his hideout open. His meeting had proved quite knowledgeable, but it also confirmed a few suspicions he'd had recently. "Jake, assuming you are correct, then Screl did us a favor by stealing from Omnitech," he said. "In a way," Jake replied. "The android was meant as a system to replace human body parts with machines capable of the same tasks. The cannon is a mere weapon. I knew they weren't military parts, they work too well. Assuming Screl was right, the whole company is a front for various anti-mutant agencies. It explains why they have a factory on their lower levels." "But Screl didn't count on you betraying him. So, he has no facilities, no equipment, what do you think he will do? Assuming he did live?" Magneto asked. Jake carefully examined the facility. Metal plates sealed neatly along the edges, the whole thing set up to accommodate his powers. "I'd bet money he is. Anyway, Omnitech's documentation was a bit outdated. The photon beam was initially designed to superheat targets, but they changed it last minute. It causes impact damage, mainly, but the heat can be increased to explosive levels. It can also fire a series of short bursts. There were also modifications to the implants in my eyes which Screl doesn't know about. But enough explanation. If there is a war coming, against Carnage, how do you plan on fighting it?" "I will need help. All I have are Sabertooth, Toad, and Mystique. Barely a match for what allies Carnage has. Unless you wish to join our cause. You are a mutant, after all," Magneto replied. Jake asked, "Since when?" Magneto removed his helmet, taking a seat. "The one you were cloned from was not. But you are. You were essentially created a genetic mutation. You have abilities, correct?" "Yes," Jake answered. "Advanced healing, heightened strength." "And with your cybernetic parts, will the world ever accept you?" Jake knew Magneto had a point. "All right, you have four followers. Carnage has four. And I doubt the Black Wings will join you, he may even decide to take you out in the process." "No, he won't," Magneto replied. "It would take time to explain. And assuming Carnage is prepared to carry out this massive genocide, then no one will be spared. No humans, no mutants." "He will. He consider the Black Wings as a personal insult. He also has it out for the terrorists. He considers the attacks to be a further insult, ordinary people doing his job, justifying a mass murder when he considers life meaningless. And he has a team this time. Picture the Maximum Carnage event on a global scale. You're going to need help. My help." October 29th, 2002. 2:01 PM, Washington, D.C. General Peterson entered the restaurant. Jack sounded serious about this meeting. The waiter led him to the table. "Hello, Jack- hmm, interesting clothes. Especially the jacket. But why the gloves?" he asked. "Sit down." "You're not Jack Arden," he said. Jake sat his fork down. "No. Carnage is building a small army. I destroyed Screl's lab, but he's still alive. My current employer is preparing to strike Carnage while he's weak, but we'll need weaponry. Shall we go to the Pentagon and talk this out?" Jake asked. "How do I know Screl isn't waiting outside?" Peterson asked. Jake replied, "If he was, you'd be dead by now." 2:18 PM, the Pentagon "All right. So, why are you here, asking for my help? I thought Screl was using you as a henchman?" General Peterson asked. "Let's just say that knowledge is power, and he accidentally let me have too much power. Screl's trying to set in motion a worldwide takeover, and this involves Carnage leading the way. Now, I have all of Jack's memories, I probably know a few clearance codes. But I thought I'd ask first," Jake replied. The door busted open. Jack Arden looked furious. Sandra Deel didn't look happy, either. And Cletus wasn't happy to see Jack barging into the room. "Right on time..." Jake commented. "I thought you promised not to tell him," Cletus said. "I know, but when clones began showing up, I- never mind. Jack, I'm busy." "Yes, Jack, please leave. Do the right thing for once, go home with your wife. Don't make another mistake and stick your nose where it doesn't belong," Jake said. "What?" Jack asked. "You heard me," Jake replied. "Your life is a series of mistakes, half-assed excuses, and leeching off whatever passed by. Falling in love with her was the first smart thing you ever did. Now, we have business to discuss." Sandra led Jack from the room. Jake sat in his seat. "If you're wondering, no, I don't trust him. I know almost everything he's ever done, if you knew what I knew... regardless, we need guns. Not too many, we need power over quantity," Jake said. "Well, you seem to be on our side, I think. Cletus?" "I'm not sure. But if Screl was still in charge, I don't think he'd still be in that seat. Besides, I remember he was fairly mindless and obedient at one point. I'd say give him something," Cletus replied. Peterson considered it, but figured he should ask one more question. "Who are you working for?" he asked. "Mainly myself, but I know a small group who wants Carnage taken down. This is not Saddam Hussein you are dealing with, nor is it Osama bin Laden. Carnage doesn't have a country you can attack to get to him. He's dangerous, and unless this is handled properly, he will win. Carnage is out to kill everyone, casualties will only help him. I want the only casualties to be him and his followers," Jake replied. "All right. Fair enough. I'll supply you with three sub-machine guns which fire specially designed explosive rounds. It is all I will give you," Peterson said. Jake considered the deal. It sounded fair. "Done. By the way, one of your members is part of an ancient religion, correct? I need to speak with him." 11:34 PM, Manhattan Magneto was pleased with the weapons he had obtained. Definitely useful against Carnage, and maybe even useful for other ventures. Jake had earned a night to walk the city. The walk was about to pay off. He could see a fight going on in a back alley. Several thugs beating up on two men. He overheard the chants. They were attacking mutants. Jake decided to intervene, firing a series of bursts into the crowd. The two men free, they began to fight back. A column of flame took three of the gang members, sending them running. The rest scattered. "You two all right?" Jake asked. They took notice of the giant cannon protruding from his back. "Umm... yeah, I guess," the first replied. "Nice trick with the fire," Jake said. "Yeah, whatever you say. Thanks for gettin' us outta that, man." One of them walked up to him. Black, early twenties, Jake guessed. "Name's Tobias. Buddy over there's named Artemis." Jake eyed him over. Hispanic, about the same age. Facial hair, trimmed neatly. "Name's Jake. I see you noticed the gun on my back. Check this one out-" He removed his left glove. "I'm a mutant, don't worry. Chop surgeon did this to me, too," he explained. "Damn. Well, as I said, name's Tobias. Fire was mine, I can control it. Artemis over there's a telepath." Artemis said, "Telepath and-" He reached his hand out. A thug was rushing Jack from behind. Artemis pulled the bat from the man's hand, drawing it to his own. "-Telekinetic, actually." Jake swung his left arm. The cuts weren't lethal, but the man did run screaming. "I may be as powerful as Xavier, maybe more. What you doin' out?" Artemis asked. "Funny you ask. you've heard of Magneto?" They nodded. "There's a war coming." October 30th, 2002. 11:47 PM, Manhattan The Halloween celebration in Times Square would begin soon. The day would begin in mere minutes, and Times Square was ready. The celebration would begin in only mere hours. But it would not be the city that celebrated. Carnage had been quiet for too long. He no longer cared what his allies wanted. He'd kill them, too. Carnage waited high above. How he wanted to begin slitting their throats. But maybe others were right- why be immediate when you can be effective? Halloween would not be ruled by ghosts and goblins this year. Only Carnage. 11:56 PM Jake led the two in to see Magneto. "I see you brought guests," he said. "Found these two last night. Mutants, figured I'd make sure they were okay before bringing them here. Meet Tobias and Artemis," Jake explained. They stood before him in awe. "Mr. Magneto? Name's Tobias. Me and Artemis want to know who we're gonna be fighting." "I imagine you do," he said. "First, I need to know what you can offer to me." Tobias took a wad of paper out of his hand, setting it on a nearby table. Pointing at it, it immediately burst into flames. "That's just a taste. I could burn down a city block if I wanted to, man!" Magneto said, "Interesting. What about you?" Artemis levitated the table. "I can read minds, too." Magneto was pleased. More followers. Powerful ones, too. "Very well. Carnage is preparing for a war against this entire planet. I intend to see he does not succeed." Tobias stood in shock. "You say Carnage?" he asked. Magneto replied, "I did." "Man, I'm gonna kill that motherfucker! That fucker killed my family! I'll barbecue the piece of shit!" Magneto was even more pleased. A fire bug with a hatred of Carnage. October 31st, 2002. 9:12 PM, Manhattan "And the Halloween celebration here in Times Square is well underway, Ted. The night is still young, but people can't seem to wait. The dedication is simply amazing! The effort of some of these costumes is incredible. Ranging from the traditional store costumes to homemade, the variety here is spectacular! Spider-Man seems to be a crowd favorite, of course, as well as the X-Men and the Avengers. For example, this man here is wearing a Carnage outfit! Definitely effective, and quite realistic!" Carnage heard the comment. "Realistic? It's REAL, moron!" Carnage sliced his throat. He quickly turned on the crowd, slaughtering anyone who got in his way. He quickly cut a path to the podium. "Happy Halloween, people of New York! Having fun? I know I am!" He continued his massacre, throwing corpses at the cops taking shots at him. "In fact, I don't want the fun ta end! So... consider this my declaration of war! War against everyone!" The words echoed through the PA system, through the microphones of nearby reporters. The crowds fell silent. "Your existence is about to end!" he shouted. "EVERYONE! Every man, woman, child, I've had enough! You have no place anymore! You waste your lives doing nothing meaningful, and you expect to live? I'm no terrorist living in a cave, I am death itself! The game's over, it's time to face reality!" Carnage felt himself rise above everything. He had stood in front of everyone and declared himself a god. A god that would destroy everything he saw fit to destroy. But his delusions of godhood were cut short as a searing heat brought him back to reality. The wooden platform was on fire, a perfect ring around him. He saw someone below. "Who the hell are you?" Tobias replied, "You worst nightmare, motherfucker!" Carnage jumped down, dodging a column of flame. He stared at his opponent. "I don't have time for this. Just DIE!" he screamed. He ran, blade poised to kill the young man. But he was stopped as a bus pulled between them. Carnage saw a shape rise above it. "Huh?" Magneto shouted, "CARNAGE! You stand and declare your RIGHT to end all life on Earth? You are even more insane than I would have imagined!" Carnage shouted, "I care what you think?" Artemis stepped out of a nearby alley, firing one of the explosive cannons at the symbiote. He reeled in pain as the shells hit, igniting on impact. Jake stepped out, hosing Carnage with a photon beam. Tobias prepared to roast him alive. An explosion knocked Magneto out of the air, however. It was the Hobgoblin. Octavius and the others quickly joined in. "NOW!" Magneto shouted. Sabertooth jumped, wrestling the Hobgoblin out of the air. Carnage jumped back while he had a chance. It was an even match, five against five. Magneto hovered, prepared to rip Octavius apart using his own tentacles against him. Each side waited. A standoff. Carnage shouted, "Now, unless someone ELSE wants to show up and- hey, wait. Didn't we leave Scorpion behind to-" Carnage was knocked back by a single punch. Scorpion attacked the others with a barrage of punches and kicks. Mystique morphed into her true form rather quickly. She joined Magneto on the other side of the street, taking one of the guns for herself. Magneto shouted, "ATTACK!" They followed Magneto's orders. Sabertooth fighting the Hobgoblin, Jake and Artemis on Electro, and Magneto subduing Octavius. Tobias held Carnage back with a series of controlled fires, but he couldn't keep up with Carnage's speed. "LOOK!" Magneto saw three shapes heading their way, each on a web line. Reinforcements had arrived. Spider-Man joined in against Electro, Venom tackling the Hobgoblin. The Black Wings slammed into Carnage. "NO! I took your symbiote," Carnage screamed. "Should have left better guards. But don't worry, Scorpion's alive. Can't say you'll be as lucky!" Tobias stared in disbelief. "Two of them?" "I'll explain later!" Jake said. The Black Wings drew two pistols, firing them. Carnage was too busy dodging gunfire to notice Tobias. Carnage was caught in wall of flame, immediately falling to the ground. The other four were quickly subdued. They were lined up. "Well, so much for your war, Carnage." Cletus aimed. He was going to put Carnage down. Carnage had declared war, and lost. He prepared to squeeze the trigger. He was almost enjoying this. Almost. But he never got the chance. Overhead, they could hear a strange cackling. Before anyone could realize what it was, they were all scattered by a series of explosions. They ran for cover. "I knew if I kept watching you, Carnage, you'd do something interesting!" The Green Goblin landed. He motioned for the others to stand. "You should really be more cautious! Especially with so many heroes after you!" he commented. Osborn tossed more explosives, Macendale joining in. They had the heroes at bay. "Now, Carnage, should we leave, or simply kill them?" he asked. Cars were tossed aside. Scorpion had arrived. Carnage said, "Kill them." The five gathered, each side trading fire. Webs, explosive rounds, and various forms of energy bursts lit up the area. Carnage decided to end this. He located Magneto. He would kill their ringleader first. He was caught by an energy blast, however, sending him backward. But it wasn't enough. He rushed Magneto, preparing to deliver the death blow. His swing caught metal. But not Magneto. Jake held him back, blasting him. The beam sent him flying backwards. Jake let fly with a barrage of photon bursts. Osborn knew they were going to lose. "Carnage! It's time we left!" he shouted. arnage replied, "NO! I will not leave! I'll kill them all myself!" Osborn shouted, "YOU CAN'T!" Osborn grabbed Carnage, carrying him away. The others followed. The fighting was over, for now. Spider-Man and Venom left with Cletus to follow. Magneto stayed behind. "Let them go." 9:53 PM Magneto sat in the chair behind his desk. Carnage had proven to be more dangerous than he had imagined. And now he had the Green Goblin on his side. Jake was trying to shut the two mutants up. "All right, all right, all RIGHT! One at a time!" "Man, why the hell are there two of him?" Tobias asked. Jake removed his jacket, checking the edge where the left sleeve used to be. "Some time ago, Carnage was injected with a drug which forced rehabilitation. Instant rehabilitation. But the mind that used to control that body survived. It lived in the symbiote, and recently, it bonded with a clone body. The mind was implanted, and you have two of them now. One a hero, the other the same Carnage that tried to wipe out Manhattan once," Jake explained. Jake left them to argue. He found Sabretooth and Toad. "Jake, this is Toad. He's been working on a few small devices for us," Sabretooth said. "Yes. Spy stuff, wire tapping. Sounds like we may need it," Toad stated. "Especially with the Green Goblin around. Sabretooth, honestly, you think we have a chance?" Jake asked. "We will if I get my hands on any of 'em." Jake found Mystique in the hall. "Good job with the Scorpion," he said. "Perhaps... you think they'd fall for it again?" "Possibly," Jake replied. "Aside from Octavius and the Green Goblin, I'd hardly call them a brain trust. But they're dangerous. What's your stake in this?" "Aside from the whole of mutantkind? I have a family to look over, I won't have that monster slaughter them. What about you? Why are you fighting this?" "I don't know..." he replied. Jake found Magneto at his desk. "Jake. Have a seat." "I don't like this. The Green Goblin? Screl was one thing, but if Carnage allies with the Green Goblin, we could be in far worse than we need, especially if that IS Norman Osborn!" he said. "I don't either," Magneto replied. "Carnage has declared war, and he intends to keep his promise. We almost had him, and the Goblin let him get away. I will not let that happen again." Notes: Set within the Marvel universe, I will be using my own continuity, mixed with new characterizations for some established characters from Marvel's story universe. These stories are a sequel to my fiction series Maximum Carnage. Cletus Kasady, Carnage, and others are copyright Marvel Comics. Jack Arden, Raicaak, and others are copyright myself. Other characters appearing may be owned by separate parties. I make no claim of copyright on any character I do not own, only on these stories and those I do own. Characters used without permission/not for profit. These are strictly fan stories. Permission to reprint extends to placing this text, unaltered, elsewhere online. It may not be altered, and especially NOT TO BE SOLD, unless Marvel wishes to license this series from me. Black Wings song and lyrics copyright Tom Waits.
