Avenging Justice:

Two Worlds Collide

Part XXIX

Earth, New York, New York City

The huddled masses inside the buildings could only watch as aliens, heroes and everything in between clashed. Grand structures were laid low by the powerful blows of monsters and those that stood against them. Their champion in the sky, locked in combat with one that was just as powerful. Below invaders ransacked the streets, hunting down any not behind walls.

Fear permeated those huddled masses, but something else grew inside them. As they watched these larger than life heroes, hope sprang from a tiny seed. It culminated with a roar as Superman solidly connected with Zod, and sent the general into the stratosphere. He followed up, and the people watched with amazement. He was their hero, and they believed there was nothing that could stop him.

Loki found his way unhindered, and the pathetic defense the Midgard people put up, was laughable at best. Thanks to his associates, his brother and his friends were being kept very busy. His plan was a success, and soon Thor's beloved Midgard would bow before him. His oafish brother would have to recognize his excellence, and even Odin would have to respect him. He had out tricked, out through, and most of all out strategized them both, and created his own kingdom.

"Loki of Asgard," a booming voice was followed by green netting. "You are under arrest, come quietly or there will be trouble."

"Ah, what do we have, but a mighty Green Lantern," Loki smiled. "You'll find you're a little out of your league. I have any army!"

"I'd say our side has a Hulk," Green Lantern shot back. "And Superman."

Loki sent a blast out from his scepter, "Just how is your little protector doing? I have three of his kind. He'll bend the knee."

Green Lantern blocked the blast and sent out several blasts from his own ring, "You've obviously never met the man, he doesn't bend the knee. Only one more stubborn than him, is Batman."

Loki found himself falling, as one of the blasts knocked him off his chariot. Luckily, he grabbed onto another chariot passing by. He used his scepter again to blast at the green clad hero. Using his innate sorcery, he cloned himself ten times over, giving the Green Lantern ten targets to chase.

He was successful at first, with the Green Lantern's glowing eyes unable to follow. Loki smiled, silently patting himself on the back. All these idiots were alike, from his brother to this world's guardians. Strength was their weakness, where his was his wits and guile. Even Odin didn't respect his cunning.

A small collision, about the strength of a fly hitting his clothing, almost didn't get Loki's attention. He looked down, at the squat, oblong black mass. It didn't feel like any insect he recognized, but the sudden red blinking gave him a very bad feeling. Even worse was when he tried to throw it away, only for the thing to cling to him.

"Lantern, he's marked, all yours," Batman's gravelly voice filled John Stewart's right ear.

As if on cue, Green Lantern saw a bright light erupt over one of the many fleeing Loki's and he smiled. It was time to bring the bad guy in. He blasted off, after the fugitive Asgardian. Below them the battle raged as the heroes met the oncoming alien horde. Non and Hulk blasted through another building, the people inside immediately scrambling for another safe haven.

Below a red blur slammed into the marauding Chitauri. A golden lasso yanked several into the air, one after another. Each one fell broken to the ground, meanwhile a crazy man was spinning a golden trident with glee. One of the Chitauri raised its weapon to blast Aquaman, only for it to find the prongs of a trident around its neck. A quick flick and it was thrown into nearby squad. Arthur leapt onto the next, as Wonder Woman and Flash cleared a way.

Lightning blasted from the sky, taking out a score of Chitauri. Thor landed hard, before taking out three more in quick succession. One lucky alien managed to him with a blast, the Asgardian roared and sent his hammer flying. While he was successful, three more hits took the wind out of him. Still, he stood and he rushed those hitting him. Quick, deadly and shockingly he took more down, before holding out his hand. Mjolnir returned and he ended another Chitauri.

It took ten more to bring the mighty Thor to his knees, but he fought evermore. His was a warrior's spirit, he would not yield. It wasn't a matter of hope, but of courage. His was a long line of great kings, recently his father's father, Bor, to Odin himself. He would hold his head high when he met them again, and stood before his line, to the beginning. Thor smiled, which should have made the Chitauri flee.

Captain America saw Thor buried under the attackers, and sprinted up a nearby fire escape. Leaping up, he timed it just right. Twisting in midair, he pushed his shield out in front. Momentum and gravity took over, slamming him into the crowd of Chitauri. Three flew back, but Steve didn't stop. Punching and slamming his shield into enemies, quickly he pulled enough off for Thor to eject the others. Hammer and shield shortly made their attackers retreat.

"Well met, Captain," Thor roared. "You have the spirit of a true warrior about you! Let us show these fools their error!"

Captain America cracked a quick grin, despite the weariness and the incredible odds against them. One didn't get compliments from mythological figures every day, but theirs was still a long way to go. More Chitauri came back, led by the ones that had run off. Both Thor and Captain America prepared, ready for the fight to come.

What they weren't expecting was a thick cloud of smoke to surround the aliens. Then came the sounds of combat, brutal, efficient combat. Some of the Chitauri fired, lighting up the smoke with their weapons firing. Then came the screams of the aliens, or at least Captain America thought it was screams. The screeching sounded more like several chainsaws with bad motors, running at high blast and put through a blender.

As the smoke faded, a dark figure stood amongst a pile of bodies, "Iron Man's on his way. We need to close that rift, and hold them here."

"What manner of creature are you?" Thor approached Batman, hammer at the ready and very cautious in his step.

Instead of answering Batman shot up into the air. Only Captain America saw the thin filament cable. Thor took a step back, hammer ready to be thrown, but he held it. So far this man creature was on their side, but the question remained, what was it? Steve though seemed to understand, and admiration was given. Without realizing it, Thor had given Batman a great compliment as well.

"Cap!" came a tiny voice, that quickly enlarged to a flushed Wasp. "What's the plan?"

Beside her Ant-Man resized to normal size, as Iron Man landed by Thor and Captain America. Running up the alleyway was a very tired Black Widow and Hawkeye, missing most of the arrows in his quiver. Off in the distance they could hear the roar of the Hulk, and overhead a web crawler let go of his web strand, landing gently.

"Listen I know you're all like really famous," Spider-Man cracked. "However, New York is a no alien zone. No offense Branagh, but can you take your friends elsewhere?"

"What strange speaking, and a strange warrior," Thor eyed the newcomer, not sure what to make of him.

"He's talking about an actor," Black Widow quickly inserted. "We can't keep this up for much longer."

"A mutual friend advised we close the portal," Steve pointed at the wound in the sky.

Wasp nearly jumped, "We can do that, Ant-Man and I can get up there with little trouble. Should be able to at least take a crack at it."

"Good, Thor, can you create a bottleneck while they do that? Might buy us some more time," Captain America said.

Thor snarled, "I have my own grievance to repay."

"Come on Point Break, there will still be plenty to smash your hammer against," Iron Man said. "Can't really believe I just said that."

"Spider-man, can you and Iron Man harass those that broke containment, either turn them back for take them out," Captain America then turn to Black Widow and Hawkeye. "We need some of those heavy hitters that just arrived, need them following the plan."

Black Widow took a deep breath, "Sure, should be fun, right?"

Before any of them could move, the Hulk came crashing out a high-rise window, with Non pounding his fists into the jade giant's body. Hulk tried to dislodge the small, but not so puny man, only for him to be thrown like a child's doll. He hit the ground hard, pain causing his anger to rage even higher. Leaping back, he brought his arms up and slammed them into Non, sending the Kryptonian into the ground.

A moment later, a hand ripped through the street, dragging Hulk down into the ground. It then spat him back out, followed by the form of Non. Hulk managed a couple of good hits, causing his opponent snarling as he took the punishment. The strongest of Zod's lieutenants, he was also the most bestial. Anger, fury, sadness, rage powered him. It would take more than brute strength to stop him.

The sad part was, before he was punished by the leaders of his world, he was one of the brightest minds of Krypton. He had thrown in his lot with Zod, loyal to the general, and believing he held the key to saving their world. Too long had elders hidden behind their customs and status, stubbornly refusing to admit what their scientists were telling them. For his trouble, they had lobotomized Non. Which in turn, led to Zod staging his failed coup.

The bearded man slammed the Hulk into the ground, then proceeded to pummel the huge brute with increasing ferocity. Hands moving faster than any mortal eye could see, he struck the green behemoth over and over again, slowly the Hulk's eyes began to glaze over. He was the strongest, but even the strong could meet their match. Somewhere inside, Bruce Banner started to become aware. If he transformed now, he was dead.

Much to Hulk's surprise, a cannister hit Non and green mist surrounded the man. He began to cough, and wheeze, allowing Hulk to gather his wits. As he did, he almost went after the dark figure with pointed ears. Yet, something told him that this being was responsible for the cannister. Hulk looked between Non and the figure, deciding on which one was the bigger threat.

The figure spoke in a gravelly voice, "Hulk, smash." Then the figure disappeared into smoke.

Hulk smiled, looked at Non and understood. He rushed Non, slamming the weakened Kryptonian into anything he could. Cars, building, telephone poles, and when he was sure the bearded man was on the ropes, Hulk smashed his massive fists into the bearded man's face. Blood flowed from the man's nearly destroyed face, then the Hulk lifted him up and roared in triumph. Then he let the broken man fall.

"Hulk is the strongest," he said. "You be a good match."

He then walked away, leaving Non behind to gasp for air. A red blur sped by, and the wounded Kryptonian found himself restrained, and in a dark cell. Without the light of the sun, his wounds would heal, much, much slower. Not that it mattered to him, as he was back home, on Krypton and he was smart again. He was him again, what he was before his lobotomization, articulate and able to experience wonder and joy. For a brief moment, he was happy.

The others were doing well. With Superman and Zod fighting amongst the clouds, and Faora facing off with Supergirl and Captain Marvel, the battel was beginning to turn. It wasn't a given that they would win, but it wasn't a losing battle any longer. Like a beam, the mood was changing. Batman watched as the Hulk finished off Non, hoping the man inside wasn't too far lost. Seeing Non still breathing, Batman had to think maybe Banner wasn't all the way gone.

Wonder Woman and Aquaman were fighting back to back, while Martian Manhunter went from group to group. Green Lantern and Loki were battling on building near Stark Tower, green constructs against sorcery. However, Batman's attention was turned as another group of Chitauri began screeching. He saw them chasing a family, a father and his two children. There was no hesitation, Batman was gone.

They had come to New York, to see where his great grandfather had immigrated to. They had gone to Ellis Island, viewed the Statue of Liberty, done all the tourist things. Then the hole in the sky had opened. Caught up with the panicking citizens, they had been running from place to place, looking for safe haven. He had tried to keep them from harm, but this was aliens and gods. What could a simple man do?

"Get your sister to safety," the father said to the elder daughter.

"But Dad!" she cried, trying to hold him as he pushed her away.

"No, you got to be strong for me," he said gently. "Get to safety, know your Daddy loves you very much."

The girl cried but began to obey her father, when more Chitauri seemed to appear from nowhere. They were surrounded, and there was no way out. The father felt his spirits drop, he had such dreams for his girls. He wanted to see them on their wedding days, to see their children, but most of all, see the women they would grow into. Would they be doctors or teachers, presidents or titans of industry? If only they had more time.

Much to his surprise, a bolo wrapped itself around one of the Chitauri. It fell to the ground grasping at its neck. Another turned to find a bright flashbang right in its face. It screeched in pain, dropping its weapon and tearing at its eyes. Batman crashed into another, immediately coming up with batarang in hand. He launched it, sending the missile out to hit another Chitauri.

That one fell, as he sent a kick at another, and it was then that the other Chitauri began to react to his presence. One got a shot off, and he barely dodged it, feeling the beam's energy hum above his head. Another brought down a blow, and he parried it. Grabbing the creature's weapon, he fired it. He had no intention of using the weapon to kill, but it did its job to give him some room. Finishing off his opponent, Batman hurled himself into another. It left a hole in the Chitauri group.

"Get your family out of here!" Batman yelled at the stunned father and his two daughters.

The simple growl seemed to be enough to bring the man back to his senses. Running like their lives depended on it, the family beat a quick retreat. Only the youngest looked back at the fight behind them. A nightmare, a protector, a force of vengeance arrayed against nameless alien soldiers. She sent a cheer back, Batman may be the scary demon in the night, but he was their scary demon in the night!

Batman found himself surrounded, and he was fighting with everything he had. This wasn't the optimum outcome, but he hadn't had time to really prepare the field. He couldn't let that family die, nor would he allow that while he still drew breath. Memories of long ago, of his own pain resurfaced. It had been what drove him to become the symbol he was, his origin. It was the point where Bruce Wayne had evolved into Batman.

"You really do have to do everything the hard way," came the flirty voice, followed by the crack of a whip. "You do realize this would be a great time to break your no gun rule, right?"

Batman savagely put down two more, took the hit form another and smashed an elbow into his attacker's soft throat. It fell, as he took out another one with his grappling hook, using it to trip the alien up. Catwoman meanwhile looked as graceful as she was dangerous. She leapt up onto the shoulders of one, while using her whip to send another crashing into its squad mate. She smiled, before pushing her clawed fingers into the thing's eyes. It threw her off, and she landed gracefully, then threw one of the Bats new toys for her. The alien fell as a severe electrical charge coursed through its body.

Batman finished the last two, by connecting them to an electrified wire, "There are better ways."

"Well can't say you don't know how to treat a lady," Catwoman purred. "New clothes, new toys, and a ride in a shiny new jet. You're trying to spoil me!"

"Hardly," he growled. "Come on, they need our help."

Catwoman pushed against him, stopping Batman, "You have a man that is by all rights a god, a literal god, a super soldier, an Amazon and an underwater king. Don't you think you've done your part?"

"Not while innocents are in danger," came his reply, short, spartan, completely Batman. Still what came next took the wind out of her sails, "Thank you."

The moment wasn't lost on Selina. There was more to those two words, more he could convey in such succinct syllables, than in all the grandest of speeches. What surprised her the most, was how it affected her. She was no starry-eyed girl, but that simple sign of respect, brought a good feeling to her. She quickly pushed it down with a patented mixture of sarcasm and jadedness. Still, she had to admit, it was nice to be appreciated.