Avenging Justice 2:

Caught Between an Ultron and a Doomsday

Part XLI

Earth, Ohio, Ohio-West Virginia-Pennsylvania Border

Doomsday landed hard, and with it, brought fear as well. The green and yellow clad Rogue slammed into the monster, sending the monster back a step. Which didn't cause it to let up, as Doomsday hammered its huge fists into her back. She found herself impacting the ground, with debris rising into the air as she was pushed down. The creature lifted a massive leg, only for Superman to meet it.

A hard hook sent the monster hundreds of feet away. Stealing a glance, he was happy to see Rogue cleaning herself off. Then he was off again, keeping the pressure up on Doomsday. She was right behind him, even as the whine of a jet followed. If she had been more seasoned, she would have heard two.

The beast roared, reached for the nearest object and came up with a massive boulder weighing tons. As of no more than a paper ball, it was sent at the rushing Kryptonian, and destroyed with a well placed punch. The creature didn't retreat, it just leaped at Superman. They collided midair, with Doomsday sending them both back to the ground.

Superman sent its head up, pushing with all his might. The creature was strong and it was hitting him, and he was feeling every hit. However, it felt what came next as Rogue send a double handed uppercut to Doomsday's head. The force resounded through her bones and she swore that she felt her skeleton rattling. Just didn't have enough time to think about it, as the creature was back on her.

Luckily for her, Superman redirected the thing, sending the monster into the dirt. He caught a tractor thrown towards him, but had to drop that as a massive steel post followed it, heading towards Rogue. Unfortunately, the creature followed it, and caught him in just the wrong placed. Next thing he knew, he was being slammed into the ground, with the occasional green boot to his ribs.

"Why are you so angry?" Rogue asked.

She followed this up with a hard kick to the monster. Her answer was Doomsday catching her foot and slamming its fist into her. Then it picked her up and bear hugged her, pushing the air out of her lungs. She tried to scream, but nothing came out. Despite her fear, she reached for her gloves, her need to live overriding the shame of what came next.

Before she could remove the glove, the creature released her from the embrace, before throwing her into the sky. Unable to draw in breath, fighting her body, ordering it to take a breath, she was defenseless. The air changed, it got colder, the Oxygen thinner and she realized she was very high up. How high she wasn't sure, but as the curvature of the Earth, she knew it didn't matter. She couldn't concentrate, and flying required that. She couldn't breathe, and she felt what little air remained, trying to escape her lungs.

Superman watched Rogue go flying off, and went after her. He hoped the monster didn't hurt too many more people while he was distracted, but he couldn't let her die either. Behind him, he heard the optic blast of Cyclops distract Doomsday, and an animalistic cry as Wolverine attacked. He also heard a gravelly voice yell after him.

"Don't worry, Superman, we'll keep big ugly busy," called out the Thing. He didn't wait for Reed to land the Fantasticar, instead he leapt out with the battle cry, "It's clobberin' time!"

Doomsday rushed at Cyclops, only for Wolverine to slash into its skin. It turned and backhanded him. Only this time, Wolverine went with the blow, and managed to hold on. Jean sent out a telekinetic blast, knocking the creature back. Doomsday responded by ripping Wolverine off, and sending him back at the Jean.

"I got him," the Invisible Woman called out. "Reed, make a path."

Wolverine felt himself stop, and then rolled down a spiraling structure of blue and black. Dumped on his feet facing the monster, he nodded as Mr. Fantastic reformed to more normal humanoid form. Meanwhile the smell of ash permeated his senses as Human Torch sent flames out at the creature. The Fantastic Four had joined the battle, and for most of the X-Men and remaining Justice League, they were relieved.

Temporarily blinded by Human Torch's bright flame blasts, but little more damage was done to it. Ben Grim though was used to being the heavy on the team, the one who was the strongest and most durable. So, he had no fear as he pummeled the monster, sending blow after blow at it. It was on the third or fourth hit, that he recognized a sensation he normally didn't feel, pain. This thing hurt to hit.

His study in the subject was about to continue, as the creature slammed its head into his and the fight turned. White bony protrusions hit him, chipping off small bits of orange rock. It wasn't enough to permanently disfigure or hurt him, but only the big hitters could usually do this to him. It was something that was unusual, but not unheard of. Meaning he would need to fight smarter, without taking for granted that he was nigh invulnerable to most things.

What he couldn't or didn't expect, to have his arm yanked in a horrid way, and the loud snap as something inside gave way. The Thing bellowed, even as he kicked out, trying to find a soft spot on this monster. He was aware Johnny was bringing a searing amount of heat onto the creature, and it wasn't being phased at all. Only a telekinetic blast from Jean Grey stopped it, but only to redirect its attention.

"Sue, we're going to need a strong forcefield," Reed called out. "Johnny, get inside and get ready to go Supernova!"

The Human Torch smiled, he loved it when he got a chance to show off. His fun though was cut short as he saw Ben crawling away, cradling his left arm. They needed to take this thing down quick, and then make sure the big guy was okay. Once he was sure of that though, there'd be no living this down. Big, bad rock guy saved by the man of flame. Yeah, he'd enjoy rubbing that in for a bit.

Johnny Storm flew in, just as Susan's field surrounded Doomsday. Reaching deep into himself, he let the inner flame come out. He never described it to anyone, never thought about it really. It was so much a part of him, he had the easiest time of the four adapting after their accident. He thought of it more as fate than an accident, fate giving him a gift that he was happy to use.

Inside the force field, the heat became so hot, and so bright, everyone nearby shielded their eyes. Doomsday gargled out something, but it didn't sound like speech or anything intelligible. Johnny kept circling, letting the heat run loose and relishing every second. Always having to dial it back, times like these, he was able to let loose without worrying about destroying everything.

Beneath Doomsday the ground began to crystallize. The humidity in the air was gone, leaving only the dry air that was slowly transforming from a gas to a plasma. The monster thought didn't look harmed, even as some of its outfit burned away. If Johnny had been paying attention, it would have caused him a moment of pause. Because he wasn't, shock made him pause, as a strong hand yanked him from the sky and slammed him into the field wall.

Immediately the flames went out and Sue saw her brother bounce off her force field. He fell to the ground limp, and she saw the creature walk over to him with a raised fist to end the Human Torch. She dropped the field, immediately setting up new fields almost instantly. The hot air escaped, and thanks to the new shielding, didn't burn the heroes. However, there was a loud crack like lightning that send a deafening wave over all there. It was unavoidable, as she focused on the other shield she had set up over her brother.

Up in the upper atmosphere, Superman retrieved Rogue and brought her down to a more hospitable altitude. Almost immediately, she sucked in a huge intake of air. The whole time he kept slowly descending to the ground below. She was gaining her bearings, just as he set her down gently.

"I'm sorry, I tried to help," she managed.

Superman lowered himself to her eye level, "You did exactly what you could. There is no shame in that. Now, I've got to get back, are you going to be okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay," Rogue tried to stand, but just as quickly found her legs to be wobbly.

He smiled, gently sat her back down, "Take a moment. Don't rush it. You know, you really are brave."

With that he flew off, leaving Rogue not feeling brave. She felt like she was hiding again, even as some part of her knew this was bunk. She'd stood up with something that was putting Superman to task, and she knew that was an achievement in of itself. However, he was now going to be facing that thing while she rested here.

Superman made it back just in time to see Doomsday's fist come down and be stopped by an invisible field. Beneath the creature was the limp body of a man, and he recognized him as Jonny Storm. Just as quickly, he took in the other three of the Fantastic Four. The Thing was rushing back in, bum limb in tow. Meanwhile Reed was trying to wrap around Doomsday, slow it down or stop it. The screams of pain coming from him, insisted this was a bad idea. Meanwhile Invisible Woman was moving her brother to safety, on a makeshift stretcher or forcefields.

"Dr. Richards," Superman called out. "Let go, I'm coming in."

Mr. Fantastic did and Doomsday tried to grab ahold of the stretchy man, only to be stopped by a Kryptonian smashing into him from behind. Taking a chance, he reinforced his grip on Doomsday and then launched into the sky. Moving fast, he decided to see if thing needed to breathe as well. Behind them, were multiple sonic booms as Superman sent them into orbit.

"Reed, Susie, how is he?" Ben asked as Reed Richards ran a scanner over the Human Torch.

Reed said a hint of worry of his own, "We need to get him to a doctor, but the scanner says he has a severe concussion. Doesn't detect any fractures or spinal injuries." Then turning the scanner on Ben, "You're arm is dislocated, we need to reset it."

"I can help with that," Jean Grey said, her voice warm. "Good thing about my ability, it really is mind over matter."

Ben looked confused and started to ask, "What is that supposed….AHHH! What the…."

The huge rocky arm of the Thing was reset in such rapidity, that it looked very violent. However, just as quickly the pain passed and it felt good. He started to move it, when a blue furred hand stopped him. The bestial looking person in front of him, instead handed an oversized sling, and set it for him.

"My dear fellow," Beast explained. "One should hold off on moving it, or you'll risk further injury."

The Thing shook his head, eyes darting up to where Superman and the beast had disappeared, "I don't think we're going to have a choice in the matter. That thing is bad news."

Earth, Delaware, Metropolis, S.T.A.R.S. Facility

Kara heard murmuring. She pushed herself to wakefulness. It had been days, but she was starting to feel like herself again. The world returned in an overwhelming mess of sounds, sight, smells and tastes besieging her. Still, she pushed it all away, so she could focus on what was in front of her. A nightmare greeted her.

All around, the employees were talking in hushed tones, that sounded like yelling to her. There were stifled gasps, and sharp intakes of breath. Many said epithets under their breaths, but the most concerning thing, the smell of stress and fear. The why was evident to Kara Zor-El as she looked at one of the screens on a nearby TV. Broken bodies, and nearly killed heroes filled the scenes being played across the screen.

Even worse, she saw her cousin and a monster pummeling it across several states. He'd fought bruisers before, but the open wounds and bruising that were beginning to show, that scared her. The scene changed to a battle at the border of three states. She recognized the orange, rocky skinned fighter, and winced as his arm hung limply. Then she saw her cousin and the monster disappear into the sky.

Even before she knew it, Supergirl was up and looking for her armor. Finding, it she immediately started to get ready for battle. Her cousin wasn't going to face this think alone, her parents had sent her here to protect him! The fact that she'd been knocked off course, and he'd grown up by the time she came out of the deep slumber, didn't change that.

She still felt drained, but she could do this. After this, she'd take a spa day. She hoped that was the correct terminology. Cat Grant had done several blogs saying she needed to take one, for which Supergirl tried to figure out why. Kal El had told her to look it up and try it out. He was always trying to get her to enjoy the world they were on, though it was easier for him. He'd been raised on Earth, she still remembered Krypton.

"You need to be resting," called out on of the doctors, Kara remembered her fondly. There had been many kind words and a gentleness, but not one that mocked her. This woman knew what she was, but still treated her like a person. One of the ones that made Kal's faith in them seem well placed.

Supergirl stopped and turned, "He needs help and I can't lie here and watch him fight alone."

"He's not alone," the doctor replied. "He's got the Justice League and other heroes. I'm sure the Avengers are on their way. You still need to rest."

Supergirl smiled, "Those other heroes are not up to the task. Now, thank you for taking good care of me, but I have to go help him."

"Plus, she won't be going alone," the form of Captain Marvel came limping in. "Ready to go?"

Much to the chagrin of the doctor, both heroes exited out the nearest window. She watched with both a horrible pit in her stomach and the seeds of hope. They weren't ready, some how she knew it. However, she couldn't tell them how long till they were one hundred percent. So, she really didn't have a more persuasive argument to give them. Nor could she hold them, as even in their weakened states, they were still stronger, faster than the people tending to them. Instead, all she could do was send a quiet prayer along with them, that everything would work out.