Avenging Justice:
Two Worlds Collide
Part XX
Earth, Maine, Amnesty Bay
The small town of Amnesty Bay was a small coastal town in Maine. The people lived a very simple life to those in the larger cities. Down on the ocean front was a small fleet of working vessels, including many crabbing boats. By this time, most of the fisherman were out on their boats, working the oceans for what they could provide. There were still people in town, mainly working in the markets, moderately priced goods and municipal business.
One such person was Deputy Jennifer Smithson. Some would call her plain, others found her beautiful. She however was proud of her job. She liked helping people, and being the cool head that deescalated arguments. She was also proud because if her words didn't the knuckleheads around her, she wasn't half bad in a fight.
While it is a trope of a small woman being able to take out someone twice her weight, she had her ways. Most of those ways were "dirty" fighting by the people she took down. Pressure points, tasers and the ever reliable cheap shot. That and being five feet, eight inches, she wasn't exactly short. It didn't hurt most of the people that tried to fight her, were so drunk, they couldn't stand on their own.
She rarely pulled her service weapon, a nine millimeter beretta, but as the fleet of unmarked cars stopped up the street, her hand went to it. Something was off, these didn't look like federal vehicles, and nobody at the office had radioed about any FBI visitors. Just to be safe, she pulled the radio on her shoulder.
"John, do we have any out of state visitors coming in today?" she called back to the office.
John, nicknamed Big John, because he was large but gentle. He loved the pastries a bit too much, which explained his wide midsection. Strangely, he didn't like regular doughnuts. Any other pastry, he'd devour it in seconds, but leave a dozen doughnuts laying around in the office, and they went rock hard.
As for the gentle part, kids loved him, and regularly stopped by to tell him corny kid jokes. He never once forgot to laugh, and even gave them rides on his shoulder, complete with them wearing his police hat. He also had three dogs, two cats, and an albino ferret named, Silver. There wasn't a stray mutt or cat within miles of the office, that didn't find him leaving some food out for them, or rescuing them.
However, that gentleness went away when you hurt an innocent in front of him. There was an out of state group that had been visiting, and one of the group got a little too fresh with a local high school girl. Big John took exception to this, and when he tried to remove the offender, the guy ended up smacking the teen girl. It took six officers to pull Big John off, and the visitor was treated for his injuries. Nothing major, life threatening or the such, just really roughed up with a broken nose for his misdeeds.
"No, I don't see anything, let me ask the boss," Big John said. He came back a few moments later, "No, Jenny, Boss doesn't know of anyone either. You need some back up there?"
"Yeah, lots of cars here at the old Smith residence," Jennifer relayed. "See if you can get everyone down here, I have a bad feeling."
In the time Big John had been gone, another two cars and one motorcycle had pulled up. On the motorcycle was a gold and blue armored man, with a golden shield that he detached from the front of his motorcycle. She wasn't up on her superheroes, but he had the look of one. Not that she had much experience with them beyond Aquaman stopping in every once in a while.
The man in the blue and gold armor walked over to her, "Officer, I'm from Cadmus, and we believe that there are some fugitive powered beings about. We'd like your assistance in their apprehension. If you would cordon off the roads, we're going to send some units towards the forest there."
Jennifer didn't get a sense of deception from him, but she remained wary, "Well, sir, do you have some type of warrant or authorization that would grant you the legal authority to detain someone?"
"I'm afraid Cadmus is a private organization, but we specialize in situations like this," he replied. "Down in Metropolis we assist the police there frequently…"
Jennifer cut in, "Sir, you're not in Metropolis. I'm going to have to ask you and your little group there to stop by the office. We can straighten this out there."
One of the suits came up behind the armored man, "We're breeching now, Guardian. We need you to lead the charge. Leave the yokel be and get ready to acquire the subjects." As the Guardian left, the man turned to Jennifer, "Why don't you take a doughnut break, sweetheart. This will be over soon."
Beyond resisting the urge to lay the man out, Jennifer wouldn't have had the chance. A fresh blast erupted from the door of the house, and the armored man led other black clad security forces in. Gunfire erupted, and Jennifer managed to get her own weapon out, just as one of the security forces crashed through a window. Shocked by this, she almost wasn't prepared when two green floating figures phased through the outer wall of the house.
The Cadmus forces didn't seem as fazed by this interesting development, as they opened fire with odd guns. Instead of the explosive gunshots, these sounded like hollow thumps when they were shot. With the gleaming projectiles showing in the sun, it wasn't hard to figure out, that it was some type of dart gun. None of the darts hit though, passing harmlessly through the two floating figures.
The Guardian reappeared and pointed a high tech gun, that shot out beams of energy. That was something Jennifer hadn't seen before, and would have been impressive, if she still didn't have that bad feeling. Something about these guys rubbed her the wrong way, she just couldn't put her finger on it.
The larger green figure, which looked very masculine, flew down and started throwing Cadmus forces around like rag dolls. The smaller figure flew off, and most of the agents followed her. The Guardian got a lucky shot and one of his energy projectiles hit the green man, who howled in pain, before returning his attention to the armored man.
Martian Manhunter was trying to dissuade these people, without resorting to deadly force, to leave he and M'gan alone. He faced the blue and golden armored man, and attempted to stop him. Yet, for this man not having abilities, he was quick and a good fighter. It would be no good, because J'onn was faster and more durable. However, the sting from the man's energy weapon gave him pause. He would need to play this right.
Big John pulled up in his Ford Bronco, and saw a full fledge battle in his little town. He got out of his truck, rifle loaded and ready. Above he saw a green girl fleeing, and a green man fighting a blue and gold clad man. Like this day wasn't getting weird enough already, he saw bullets passing through the girl. Briefly he wondered if these green people were from Mars, like in the old movies he loved so much.
Then one of the black clad men fired a weapon like the Guardian's and the girl fell to the ground with a loud scream. She looked up at him with terror in her eyes, and despite the not normal skin tone, he saw a scared young woman. Meanwhile the people rushing at her carried the greedy, and violently gleeful look of hired goons. That was all he need to see.
Making a stand, he fired off his rifle, making sure each shot impacted the ground in front of the Cadmus forces. He then made his way over to the girl from another world, daring any to come for her. It was brave, it was noble, and it got him one of those energy shots straight to his chest.
He fell over, feeling like his heart was about to explode. It raced like he had just ran three marathons and was making a mad dash away from his greatest fear. Briefly he wondered if this is what a heart attack felt like, but then he saw the girl again. He pulled himself up, just in time for one goon to smash something hard against his skull. He went to a knee, with the goon raising up the butt of a rifle again.
Instead a golden trident knocked the weapon away. The Cadmus goons didn't have a chance to react, as a blur of movement sent those over Big Jim flying. More Cadmus forces ran towards the man throwing their fellows around, not realizing they were now very outclassed. The man in orange and green armor smiled, as this was going to be a good work out.
Arthur Curry, with the moniker of Aquaman, loved a good scrap for the right reasons. He didn't choose the name, in fact he didn't know when he'd been labeled as Aquaman. It probably came from the face that Metropolis and Gotham had Superman and Batman, with some bored reporter branding him the Aquaman.
For Guardian, he was on the defensive. The electrogun that Cadmus had given him, had hurt the alien, but didn't stop him. Instead, Guardian was spending all his time on defense. The other Cadmus forces that had engaged with the green alien lay all around, still breathing, but not much for fighting more.
"Why does one as noble as you, fight for such filth?" Martian Manhunter asked as he phased a hand through Guardian's shield.
Making just his fist solid again, he punched the armored man and rephased his fist. Guardian flew back, feeling as if he'd just gotten horse kicked in his chest. Desperately he tried to pull his shield back up as the green alien floated over him. His body didn't respond as Martian Manhunter reached out with his hand.
Immediately Guardian was out. In his head, dreams started to come. Horrible dreams, ones full of pain and anguish. He saw himself floating in a tank, with scientists mulling about. He saw the computer screens, but couldn't read them. There on a table nearby was a broken body, it was his broken body. That didn't make sense, he could see himself in the tank, along another that could be his twin. Next to that one, another man that was identical to him.
He heard a voice say, "Project Guardian Rebirth is proceeding nicely. When he awakens, he'll be totally loyal to Cadmus. We've added in memories that will reinforce that."
"Good work," an older, less benevolent voice said. "You have done well doctor. It was a pity the original Guardian wasn't as receptive as this product will be."
Inside his mind, Guardian screamed. Outside in the world Martian Manhunter sized up the newcomer. He was cocky, arrogant, but had the skills to back it up. Reaching out with his mind, he was able to gather that the man was an Atlantean. One of the great races of people, at least that J'onn was aware of. Thanks to the DEO, he knew of another group, the Amazons. Most of that was thanks to Steve Trevor's cooperation, and the few times they had interviewed Wonder Woman.
"Peace, Atlantean," Martian Manhunter said. "We are merely trying to escape these people, this need not end in violence."
"I think it is a little late for that, Green Man," Aquaman said. "What exactly do they want with you?"
Martian Manhunter explained, "We are the last two of a dead world. They are interested in studying her, conducting experiments. This is not life for anyone, much less a young woman at the start of her life. I took her from them."
"Well I don't much care for those who hold people against their will," Aquaman shrugged. "So, why don't you two get out of here. Looks like these guys won't be doing much chasing for a while."
"Thank you, Atlantean," Martian Manhunter floated down and took M'gann's hand. "I will not forget this. Peace be with you."
As the Martians flew off, Arthur shot back, "I hope not. It'd be a little too boring." He made his way over to Big John, who was being tended to by Jessica, "You okay there, big man?"
Big John nodded, his face a mixture of respect and wonder. Arthur hadn't gotten used to that yet. Facing off against villains and those after his throne, all in a day's work. The hero worship of a teddy bear of a man, beyond him. Mera would be better at this, if she had the patience to guide him to his birth-rite, she could handle anyone.
With the situation in hand, he leapt away. Heading back to the ocean, he let the waters wash over him. He swam through the water like Superman did through the air, and at speeds to make a shark envious. He followed the currents home, where his father waited on him. He wouldn't admit it, but it was good to see the old man happy again. With Queen Atlanna back with her surface love, they were both happier.
Earth, New York, New York City
Peter Parker was used to being struck incredulous by the Daily Bugle's headlines, but this one took the cake. J. Jonah Jameson had a thing for Spider-Man, constantly calling him a menace, blaming him for when his rogues gallery tore up the city. Just enough that poor Peter actually began to think that Jameson was right. Then one of those people would come into town, and hurt people, forcing Spider-Man to face them.
However, this headline read, "Superman Blows it!" It got worse, much, much worse. Jameson personally blamed Superman for the escape of Magneto and the loss of the other mutants being held. He made the argument that someone as powerful as Superman should have had no issue fighting off the Master of Magnetism. The Daily Bugle was also the only media outlet running this story.
The Daily Planet in Metropolis ran a much more accurate and less editorial piece. So did the New York Times and the New York Post, a rare thing for those two papers to agree. Even the Washington Post had a more even keeled story. Because of this, the unfair reporting from the Bugle, was being denounced by practically every other major publisher. They defended the Man of Steel, noting that Magneto had pulled the same stunt as other of Superman's enemies.
Jameson had apparently ruffled the wrong feathers, as there were many angry calls, reviews and all sorts of other things Robbie Robertson didn't have to deal with in the past. Even Betty Brant was impressed by the chaos Jameson had caused, by going after Earth's mightiest hero. She would give him credit for it, but she thought it was a dumb move. Unlike Spider-Man, Superman was too beloved to turn public opinion against him with one story.
Just when Peter was thinking it was time to leave, he heard the famous, "Parker!" At least the job paid the bills. Jameson was always willing to buy pictures of Spider-Man, even if he called him a menace. Even worse, he normally used Peter's photos to belittle Spider-Man. So, all Peter could do, was walk in and wait for the other shoe to drop.
An hour later Spider-Man was swinging through the New York skyline. It wasn't flying through the air, but close enough. He launched upwards, rocketing towards the overhead clouds. As much as his powers were a great responsibility, times like these, they were fun too. He felt gravity slowly take back over, and he sent out another line of webbing. Swinging down with it, he gained incredible speed before jumping off before losing velocity. Sending out another line, he was off again.
Nearby he heard an alarm go off, and he knew duty called. Swinging around, he launched himself straight at the sound. He saw two men racing away, guns still on full display. Spider-Man followed them for a block, before landing right above them, on a light pole. Quickly he shot out a line, then attached it to the lamp post. One of the robbers flew upwards, losing his weapon. Spider-Man webbed that up good, to keep it from going off when it impacted the ground.
The second robber looked confused as his buddy disappeared. Then she saw the falling form of Spider-Man aiming right for him. Quickly he pulled his gun, only to find it yanked out of his grasp. Panicking, he tried to run backwards, and succeeded into running into the outside wall of a nearby building. Spider-Man heard the crunch of nose meeting brick and breaking. He just webbed the man up where he fell, making sure he could still breathe.
Then he heard his cue to leave, police sirens. Leaping away, he did take time to find the camera he had set up. He didn't always get this chance, but when he did, they were pretty good. Peter smiled, this should fetch a good price from Jameson, and maybe some good press to go along. Of course, the next day he wasn't surprised by the headline, just really, really depressed.
"Spider-Menace Strikes Again! Man Viciously Beaten by Super Menace!"