Heroclix RPSC—Action Comics: The Ending

A word of introduction before the story begins. If you're wondering what this story is about, it's a tie-in to the Role-Playing Strategy Campaign I have going on at Essentially, it's the first step in shaping the world of an RPG set in the DC Universe. However, here on , it won't be presented as an RPG, but simply as a story for you to enjoy.

The other thing is that I apologize in advance, because oftentimes I find myself deficient in the knowledge of certain characters and histories. I'm going to essentially be writing the entire Marvel and DC universes, and honestly, I don't know everything about every character there. So, if I get some stuff wrong, remember that I am doing my best, and also that, to some degree, I'm redefining these universes for the sake of the game.

So with that said, on to the story.

Action Comics: The Ending--Chapter 1

For every beginning, there must be an ending.

Three years ago, the JLA Watchtower…

"It's over, Barry," the Green Lantern, Hal Jordan said, placing his hand in the Flash's shoulder.

"No! I refuse to believe that. It can't end like this. It just can't." The Flash stopped, and then his head fell into his hands. "It wasn't supposed to be like this."

"I know," Hal said, just as bitter as his friend was. "I don't know what we did wrong. But, Barry, you have to admit this is just over. I mean, look at it! The Watchtower is in ruins, Wonder Woman's run back to Amazon-land, and with his shape-shifting ability, J'onn could be anywhere."

"Not to mention Orin."

"Yeah."

"I guess we really blew it, Hal," Barry said, sitting down on his round table chair. "We were supposed to be something special. The real deal; Justice Society what? Where did all that go?"

"I don't know. I just don't know."

"You probably know, though, we weren't the first. It all started with Hawk and Dove. You know them?"

"I've heard of them."

"They're good people. Brave; real heroes. A lot of people thought they were just young hotshots that didn't deserve their powers, but they really did have it where it counts. Anyway, this time they were on an undercover mission infiltrating Intergang to recover some super-weapon Intergang had gotten its hands on. What they didn't know was that a rogue government agency called Checkmate was also on the job.

"And so then Don says, 'Why don't I just give it to ya?' and he did! Can you believe dat?" The other Intergang Agents laughed along with Hank as he took another long pull of beer.

"Uh, Hank," Don said quietly in Hank's ear. "Don't you think you should be slowing down on those, Ace? We're gonna have to get moving soon."

"Not a problem, Bro. Ya know, for law-breakin' terrorists, these Intergang guys aren't that bad. I kinda feel bad that we'll be arrestin' 'em soon." Hank took another swig of beer and laughed.

Don looked up at the agents surrounding him, glad that they were all even drunker than Hank. "Alright, Hank, let's go." Don put his head under Hank's shoulder and slowly lifted the bulky football player away from the bar and out of the room. It was only minutes after they got out that a device in Don's pocket started beeping. "The signal!" He said, pulling out the device and studying it. "They must be powering up the weapon. It looks like it's down the hall and to the left. Come on, we've got to get moving!"

"Yeah, yeah," Hank muttered thickly. Just give me a minute till the room stops spinning…"

"We don't have a minute." Don said slapping his brother hard in the face, "Now snap out of it!"

"Hawk!" Hank said, as the slap brought renewed alertness. Suddenly he was transformed into a red-and-white clad superhero. "See, what'd I tell you, Bro. It's all gone; not even a hangover."

"Gee, it's so nice to know that your superpower is being able to drink without it affecting you," Dove said, after he had also transformed. "Now let's stop that weapon." Dove bolted down the hall, followed closely by his brother.

On a hill just outside of the Intergang compound, an arm encased in metallic armor held up binoculars that were pointed right at the two heroes.

"Who are those guys?"

"I don't know, but Intergang sometimes has super-villains do their dirty work for them. All units," the leader said, sending a message through the radio in each Checkmate agent's helmet. "There are two men inside the compound not dressed in the standard Intergang uniform. Treat these men with extreme prejudice. Now, they're powering up the weapon. Let's move!"

"This is the door," Dove said, checking his sensor device once more. "We've got a couple minutes, so it should be plenty of time to make sure the weapon is fully deactived. So, would you like to do the honors?"

"Of course," Hawk said, kicking the door in on the surprised agents inside. Dove charged in and immediately had three agents down. Another agent was able to get a shot off, but Dove dodged it easily as Hawk took out the others easily.

"Piece of cake," Hawk said, grinning. He loved doing this. "I only wish it could've lasted longer. You gonna be able to disarm that thing?"

"Sure, no problem," Dove answered confidently. "In fact, I think that's it. I just have to check one more thing," he continued, trying to open a panel on the weapon's underside.

"Freeze!" Hawk and Dove spun around to see a group of Checkmate knights at the door, all of their weapons leveled. "You in the blue, hands off the gun!"

"Look, I don't know who you are, but we're the good guys."

"Hands in the air, now! Last warning!"

"I need to make sure this weapon is deactivated. If it's not, it could go of in…"

"Hands up!" The Checkmate agent said, and then fired three shots, center mass.

Hawk screamed a string of profanities as he saw his brother fall to the ground, and then he charged forward bestially, knocking down the Checkmate agents effortlessly. None of them could hope to stand up to his strength, doubled through his ferocious anger, and the whole group was on the ground in seconds. Then Hawk came back to the leader, the man that had shot his brother. He grabbed him by the neck and punched him hard in the face.

"Tell me why I shouldn't kill you, ya lousy waste of flesh!" Hank screamed as he hit him again, practically foaming at the mouth.

"No!" Hawk turned around to see Don struggling to get up, but failing. Hawk dropped the Checkmate agent and ran to his brother. "Peace, Hank," Don whispered slowly. "Remember? Peace…"

"No," Hank said, knowing that it was over. "You can't die, Don, you're a hero. What am I gonna do without you?" Hawk looked back at the Checkmate leader, and then picked up the body of his brother and left.