Avenging Justice 2:

Caught Between an Ultron and a Doomsday

Part XLVI

Earth, California, Coast City

A very tired looking reporter stared straight at the teleprompter. More bad news was rolling in, and it just kept coming. The darkest depths were coming out, pushed back, held back by the light of heroes. However, it had been shown that heroes could fall, could die. As a result the world was breaking. Horrible story after horrible story kept coming in, and the reporter was exhausted, so exhausted.

Rise in crimes against Mutants had been seen across the world. Organized crime worldwide was sniffing blood in the water, and were attempting to stake their claims. Beings with unimaginable power or unmitigated genius, were use those gifts for selfish needs, and innocents were paying the price. In short, threats had multiplied at an alarming rate, and it was all so very disheartening. Depressing really, but what could one do?

What the reporter didn't know, what the news couldn't report, was the opposite. People, inspired by their heroes were trying to do what was right. Some lost their lives, their homes and their livelihoods, but they were there. Others managed to push back against the rising tide, and attempted to live up to the ideals of what Humanity could be.

No, those doing the reporting could only see the darkness, because they were watching it. They themselves trying to shine a light on what scurried beneath the cover of dark, couldn't see the light springing up amongst the darkness. This is the detriment of those looking for monsters, you often find them. However, sometimes what looks like a monster, is a hero in another form, or the challenge for the next brave soul.

So, the reporter kept reading the teleprompter, with the weight of the world crushing down. Meanwhile, the world turned, and the destiny of it was still being written. The battle between creation and destruction, life and death, continued onward. The same conflict since time immemorial being waged by all beings living, across such vast distances to leave sentients minds boggled. One that would carry on even after the fleeting lives of these beings passed, and to new life arising in other parts of the universe.

Earth, Fortress of Solitude

Seth walked around the massive construction. Everything was crystallized or made from material that was familiar and alien at the same time. It was a monument to another civilization that would never be seen again, at least not in this form. A people that looked like his own, but with different customs, dress and history. He was instantly pulled towards learning as much about them as possible. It was just how he was.

Beside him, Lara watched on with a smile on her face. He really was just a big kid, one who grew up on Star Wars and Star Trek. She could see him taking everything in, that absolute curiosity guiding him from sight to sight. There were ten thousand and one questions just waiting to spout from his mouth. Such a natural curiosity, a pure and unadulterated wish to learn about the world around him. She could empathize with him, it was one of the values they shared.

Through the lens of her own training, she was looking at the machines, technology and making hypotheses about them. She looked at it through the lens of a scientist, one who studies and experiments. There was so much she wanted to do, so many buttons and levers to push and pull. Holograms danced around, and they were good enough that she tried to touch them. Naturally her fingers passed through, but she could revel in the technical acuity that could do such things.

"Seth Rowans, Lara Nakamura, please follow me," Kelex said as it meandered around the exhibits they had been looking over. "The House of El owes you a debt of gratitude. Because of you, the Last Children of Krypton have a chance."

"Are they okay?" Seth asked, his tones shifting from the wonder filled to sobered in milliseconds.

The Kryptonian Robot turned, "Only time will tell. They at least have a chance because of your actions. A small token of respect has been created for you, but now there is one more task. If you would, Master Kal-El loves this world, his adopted home. It is in need of a symbol."

As if to accentuate this point, the viewing crystals started to broadcast that terribly tired reporter. The news was more dire than usual, and it was becoming more dire the longer they listened. Their natural high from being somewhere new was quickly replaced, with guilt at finding a small bit of joy.

Despite the horrid circumstances that had brought them here, they were standing in what was by all rights, an alien construction. However, with the world in such a horrible condition, what right did they have to find any time to be caught up in the act of discovery? No, they needed to go back and do what they could. What that meant anymore, neither of them truly knew, they just knew they had to try.

The robot looked over them, "Apologies, this wasn't meant to dampen your experience. Rather, a request, hold the line."

Seth looked at the news reports, and the many more the viewing crystals were showing. He saw the world in chaos, and it seemed so overwhelming. How was he supposed to hold the line, how could someone step on for someone like Superman for even a day? The warm hand on his arm, turned him.

"We'll do it together," Lara said, trying to give him a comforting smile. "We start with one, and just work our way. Just like you keep saying on those games we both enjoy. We start with one, and continue."

Two robots came up next to Kelex and it spoke again, "These are for you. The crests have been left blank. If and when you want to add something there, just think it and the nano technology will add it."

"Thank you," Seth said as he took the suit from one of the robots. Lara doing the same with the other one. Both inspecting them, feeling the fabric beneath their fingers.

Kelex angled towards them both, "The thanks are to you."

Earth, New Jersey, Jersey City

A wall exploded outward, the bank vault inside was now exposed to the world outside. The man in the Rhino suit cared not, he just wanted the valuables he had seized inside. Some of it was cash, others were gems and gold, little silver as well. This was easier than going to New York, at least here Spider-Man couldn't get him. Keeping this up, he'd get what he was needing.

Behind three police cars came screeching around a corner. Rhino turned and smiled, maybe he'd stop and have a little fun. What was the worst that could happen? He turned and charged the nearest cop car, smashing it into a nice little "L" shape when he bashed into it. Two cops shot at him, but the armor kept their small bullets from actually hurting him. He charged again, only for the two cops to leap away. He still sent them flying, as they weren't quick enough and he brushed against them.

Behind him, four more cop cars came to form a perimeter and envelop him. Rhino laughed and started to charge again, but this time the cars exploded. The cops were thrown, some of them seriously injured, and some were still on fire. Rhino looked up, knowing who had thrown the bomb and irritated that his fun had been ruined.

"Quit playing with them, you idiot!" Hobgoblin screamed. "Superman may be gone, but the Avengers are still about."

Rhino snorted, "They don't come out for people like us, worse we get is the pretty red head or Captain America. I can smoosh both easily. Besides, it was your idea to do this away from Spider-Man, nobody here can hurt us!"

"Just get a move on," Hobgoblin growled. "Keep this up and we'll be an Avenger's level threat, before we're ready."

As he said this, Hobgoblin threw two more pumpkin bombs. The following explosions kept the police from responding back. As well, several windows were broken, and several bricks from nearby buildings were damaged. Inside people huddled in fear as these villains attacked the protectors of the city. These weren't the normal criminal element that faced Jersey City. No, these were threats that places like Metropolis and New York City faced. Those same cities that had their own dedicated protectors, not something that Jersey City had.

Rhino was heading to the alleyway, where Hobgoblin had set up the secret entrance at. Not that they had to worry about the cops, but this would allow them to get away, then on to the next job. He was thinking this might be very lucrative, and possibly it might be fun to maybe just do one to call out a super.

He knew the one he wanted to get next, the Bat of Gotham. Yes, with his Rhino suit, the Bat wouldn't be able to touch him. Then the stories flooded back into his brain, and he decided maybe to try somewhere else. He was caught between wanting a good scrap, and unsure if all the supernatural stories about Batman were true. Maybe he'd try Center City next, it'd be fun to take out the Flash. Then he remembered Wonder Woman. Oh yes, he'd love to scrap with her.

"I think that is far enough," called out a woman.

Rhino turned, curious and hoping she was a looker. He only hoped she wasn't some type of Spider Lady thing, because he'd heard that Spider-Man might have a sister or something. Was it that, or something else? There were rumors of a Spider-Woman, but then again that could just be wishful thinking of the prisoners in Ryker's.

Rhino coughed, "Listen, love the Halloween costume. What are your powers there, sweetie?"

The woman dressed in a navy collared like leotard costume, complete with silvery white cape flowing behind, walked towards him. She had an odd smile on her face, not really a smirk, but also not a friendly smile either. The dark blue boots matched the main costume, and the cape billowed out on the wind. It was beautiful and mesmerizing, like a silvery full moon.

"Drop the stolen goods, and hand yourself over to the police," she said. "Nothing has to get physical here."

Above Hobgoblin tossed a pumpkin bomb at the woman, "Quit stalling and get in there you nincompoop! She's obviously a wannabe!"

Much to his surprise, a golden blade sliced through the bomb, turning it inert. The two halves falling harmlessly to the ground below, while a glowing figure in golden armor, complete with a dark cape floated just feet away. The glider flying villain turned on a dime, moving to face the hovering newcome, when the man was right in front of him.

Before Hobgoblin could even think, he was being forced to the ground hard. Above his glider sputters, and smoked, as it slowly descended. Reaching into his sleeve, he pulled out a knife and stabbed out. The man caught his wrist, twisted and Hobgoblin felt like his hand was being wrenched from his arm. He threw a punch out, and it connected, only for the man to look at him and give him a look that sent shivers down his spine.

The golden armored man struck his head forward and Hobgoblin saw stars, blazing stars that threatened to take his vision. The villain tried to fight back, but found himself being overpowered easily. His last thoughts before the dark embrace of unconsciousness took him, was that they shouldn't be there. Nobody should have been there, how had the plan failed?

Below Rhino saw his partner go down and he charged at the woman. Much to his surprise, the woman caught him and held him. Not moving so much as an inch, she stopped him dead and even the Rhino suit had a hard time keeping harm from its occupants. Even worse, as he tried to fight back, none of the blows were doing anything. In fact, they only seemed to be making the woman mad.

Before he could even try to escape, she launched them both into the air. The multiplication in gravity nearly made Rhino black out, but he held on. He struck out some more, but they were desperate blows. Not many hit, and those that did, really didn't do anything to help his situation. Then she stopped.

"I figure even with your suit, Oxygen is in short supply," she said matter-of-factly. "See at this atmosphere, there is so little, that you'll have trouble breathing. Your next few moments will be horrible, as your lungs gasp for air, and there just isn't enough there." Seeing his eyes go wide with terror, she continued. "So, here is the deal, surrender now, and you'll remember your trip to prison. Don't, and you'll wake up in a cell. Either way, nobody else gets hurt. Your choice."

An hour later, Rhino and Hobgoblin were both in custody. Rhino trying to look increasingly small, for somebody in an oversized rhino suit. The police took special precautions with Hobgoblin, waiting on supplies from Metropolis' Special Crimes Unit. The two new heroes watching as they were loaded in. They weren't the only ones, a teen girl stared from inside her home, waving at the two new heroes.

"Kamala, get away from the window!" came the voice of the patriarch of the Khan family. "What is this world coming to?"