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All original characters and concepts are the property of Celgress.
Convergence Point – Episode Twenty-Nine: What You Leave Behind Part Six: Power of the Phoenix
By
Celgress
A remote village in the Amazon Rain Forest of Northern Paraguay, afternoon
Slade Wilson better known for his mercenary identity of Deathstroke methodically inspected and cleaned his various weapons and support equipment. Slade had been a bounty hunter for many decades his services always going to the highest bidder. Unlike some other bounty hunters who were driven by a twisted sense of honor, Slade would take any contract regardless of circumstances, if the price was high enough. Shortly after graduating from Ra's al Ghul's notorious League of Assassins training school (after he was dishonorably discharged from the American Special Forces in disgrace for killing his corrupt drug-dealing superior), Slade's first contract was the capture of a Bedouin boy who was barely a teenager. The boy had "dishonored" the daughter of a local tribal leader. Although the affair was completely consensual according to what Slade could uncover he still delivered the bound and battered youth to the headman without question. Slade then beheaded the boy when ordered all as the headman's sobbing daughter looked on pleading for mercy. It was a contract most other bounty hunters would not take but Deathstroke was not most bounty hunters.
Deathstroke's communication unit beeped loudly. He lazily activated the unit which was a heavily modified tablet. "Greetings Deathstroke, I trust this channel is secure?" The always prim and proper image of Mercy Graves said.
"Yes," Deathstroke answered. He was slowly polishing a katana to a gleaming perfect sheen.
"Good", Marcy said. "My benefactors want to commission a bounty. This is your target. Her name is Alison Mongrain. She is a former operative of one of my benefactors who went rogue. She has access to certain sensitive information my benefactors prefer to remain private. She has agreed to testify against my benefactors to a Washington D.C Federal Grand Jury in exchange for immunity from prosecution." An image of Alison Mongrain with biographic information appeared briefly. "She is presently being held at Spyral detention facility in Switzerland. She cannot be allowed to reach America. Your mission eliminate Alison Mongrain before she reaches America by whatever means you deem necessary."
"I have other bounties currently outstanding," Deathstroke said seemingly uninterested.
"Understood, we'll pay for a priority bounty. Furthermore, we'll pay triple your usual priority bounty rate." Mercy said.
"Very well, transmit the information," Deathstroke said. Once he received the information his placid expression changed. "You didn't mention four card-carrying members of C.A.P.E (Courageous Adept Professionals for Equality) will be protecting the target, no deal. In my experience going against C.A.P.E never ends well."
"We'll sweeten the pot." Mercy said not missing a beat. "We've come into possession of groundbreaking research from a mad scientist Mister Sinister. We can use his methods to unlock your latent X-Gene healing factor. You likely won't be as durable as your cousin Wade Wilson but it will still give you a significant edge over other bounty hunters and any other foes you face in your risky line of work."
"I accept the contract," Deathstroke said while his fingers traced his missing right eye. "I'll leave for Europe immediately."
"Good, a hypersonic transport aircraft will arrive within the hour once you've transmitted your coordinates." Mercy said. "As usual, it was a pleasure doing business with you Deathstroke."
"Likewise, Ms. Graves," Deathstroke said.
A plane somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean
"Thanks for coming with us on such short notice." Mary Jane said to her fellow redhead.
"There is no need to thank us. I'd do anything to help one of my nieces." Barbara Gordon said.
"Soon-to-be, niece. You two aren't married yet." Peter needled his clone brother Ben Reilly. "When is the big day when you make an honest man out of Ben here? I swear, you guys have been engaged forever."
The blonde signed. "See, I told you, Babs. Pete loves tormenting me. And for your information Pete, we'll only be engaged for two years." Ben Reilly said. "And to answer your question the big day is in September. Babs wants a fall wedding."
"We expect you both to be there along with the whole family," Barbara said.
"Will do, I hear San Francisco is lovely in the autumn. You can give us a tour of your detective agency." Mary Jane said. "I just hope Mayday can be there too."
"I'm sure she will be," Ben said.
"We're going to bring her home, don't worry," Barbara said squeezing Mary Jane's hand reassuringly.
"I swear to you MJ, we'll find our daughter," Peter said his voice filled with determination. He would not let Norman Osborn or Lex Luthor steal any more of their lives not one more moment. One way or another, he would set things right.
Near Hoover Dam Southern Nevada, early evening
Why had Krypto not returned yet? He was always so reliable. He was gone too long. Ultrawoman know something was wrong. She could not keep Superboy and Spideling in check much longer. They wanted to help. Then there was the Cult of Outer Darkness and the Orange Goblin both must be stopped. But what could she do? The effects of the goblin gas and explosion were lingering. She felt weak and her body and mind were sluggish. She was at her wit's end when a red, blue, and yellow blur descended from the gathering gloom.
"Superman?" Ultrawoman asked hopefully.
"It's me. Sorry, I'm late." Supergirl said.
"Supergirl, I hear you fell asleep. Are you okay?" Ultrawoman said.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I don't know what happened earlier." Supergirl said.
"The Cult of Outer Darkness took Lana Lang inside the dam I think. I've been weakened by goblin gas and a close-quarters explosion courtesy of the Orange Goblin." Ultrawoman explained.
"You have to save Lana," Spiderling said.
"And stop the cult and the Orange Goblin before they can do whatever they have planned," Superboy said.
"Sure thing," Supergirl said with a smile.
"Supergirl, can I borrow your C.A.P.E communicator? Mine was damaged in the fight. I sent Krypto to get Superman but Krypto hasn't returned it. He's been gone too long." Ultrawoman asked.
"Here you go," Supergirl said handing Ultrawoman her communicator. "I'll return when I can." She then zipped off.
"Something is wrong with Kara," Spiderling said frowning.
"How can you tell?" Superboy questioned.
"I can um smell what my dad calls pheromones and she smells weird like she's ill," Spiderling said.
"She has been acting weird," Superboy said. "Mom, we should help Kara."
"Absolutely not, I cannot put you two in any more danger," Ultrawoman said. "But, now I have her communicator I can call for backup," Ultrawoman called all the C.A.P.E members she could think of including Superman but they either did not answer or could not get there in time. She tried one last contact a new one she recently committed to her memory. Maybe they could help?
Inside Hoover Dam
"Shut up," Punchline ordered. Punchline slapped the kneeling and bound Lana in the back of her head.
Baron Mordo hastily completed the ritual summoning the Phoenix Force. The immense firebird violently thrashed about. Using every drop of his magical energy, Baron Mordo drew the Phoenix Force into the Joker and Carnage. Joker become Emperor Joker and Carnage became Symbiote God Carnage but only briefly. The Phoenix Force unexpectedly pulled free and swirled around the chamber howling in anger.
"What's wrong1?" Punchline demanded.
"It has rejected the divine ones." Baron Mordo said in disbelief. "But worry not, it is still bound to this realm by the ritual. It must take a host soon or it will perish."
"I see," Punchline said. She gazed up at the ceiling and flung her arms open wide in a welcoming gesture. "Take me instead! If you don't want them take me!"
"Hey!" Carnage shouted.
"Not funny, not funny at all!" Joker joined in.
"Sorry boys, but we're both girls. Maybe she prefers a feminine avatar." Punchline said unapologetically.
The Phoenix Force swirled around Punchline seemingly about to take up her offer when it veered downward and entered Lana Lang instead. "I understand," Lana said around her gag. "I accept and welcome you. If you can stop these evil-doers I'll gladly give my body, my life."
A blinding flash of light filled the chamber causing everyone to shield their eyes. When it dissipated, Lana Lang clad in the green and gold suit of the Phoenix and surrounded by a flaming orange-yellow aura hovered in mid-air. Phoenix looked angrily down at the Cult of Outer Darkness.
"You are all evil. From Jean Grey and Lana Lang, I've learned that evil must be opposed." Phoenix said with Lana's voice. Her eyes glowed a solid yellow. With a wave of her hand, she sent forth a surge of energy that destroyed the faux Lantern rings of Vermin, Mordo, and Manchester Black and knocked out the non-superpowered minions including Punchline. It also blew away the outer layer of the Carnage symbiote.
"Oi, I'm out," Manchester Black said after a psychic attack did nothing. He and the other Low Priors turned to run only to have their escape route blocked by the glider-riding Orange Goblin.
"Going somewhere, boys? But we are just starting to have fun." Orange Goblin said.
Before anything else could happen, Supergirl entered the fray. Oddly, Phoenix showed great hostility towards the girl of steel. "You do not fool me evil one. I see your true self." Phoenix said launching a wave of fiery energy that would have incinerated a lesser entity. Supergirl yelled in pain.
"Stop!" The Hulk in his trademarked purple shorts shouted tackling Phoenix in mid-air grounding her. The pair locked knuckles in a test of strength.
"Unhand me, Green oaf! Can you not see what she is?" Phoenix said holding her ground against the mighty Hulk.
"Hahahaha," Supergirl began to laugh as a shimmering purple aura enveloped her body and her eyes. "I see I've been discovered early, how unfortunate." The unmistakable voice of Onslaught said, "chow."
"Supergirl fight him, take back control, no wait!" Power Woman said but it was too late. The Onslaught-possessed Supergirl punched a hole through the ceiling and shoot away at top speed.
"He escaped," Phoenix snarled flipping the massive form of the Hulk over her shoulders before her aura faded and she collapsed in a heap.
"Lana," Orange Goblin said rushing to her best friend's side.
"Oh no you don't." Power Woman said barring the Cult of Outer Darkness, the temporarily powerless Carnage, and the Joker from escaping.
Somewhere above the Pacific Ocean, a short time late
In his stolen body Onslaught hovered contemplating his next move. The daughter of Krypton was powerful there was no denying that fact, however, he would need greater power if he were to defeat the likes of the Phoenix Force. His only option when confronted by such an overwhelming force was escape as he could not access the full range of his original abilities because his true form (or the majority of it) was still imprisoned. Furthermore, his control over this vessel was tenuous at best. He needed help. Luckily, he knew where he could obtain help in the personage of Mr. Sinister. Sinster's experiments into mutations should provide an excellent source of augmentation for him and any minions he could convert to his cause of total world domination. Now all he must do is locate Mr. Sinister. Closing the eyes of his host he reached out with both her greatly enhanced senses and what psionic power he could still access. It only took well under ten minutes for him to locate his quarry in the former Colorado ultra-max Prison called the Vault where Sinister was awaiting transfer to the nearly completed Ice Box.
"There you are." Onslaught said twisting Supergirl's lovely face into a menacing smirk.
To Be Continued
Next – Aftermath and prologue to Darkness At Noon
Author's Note – I deiced that C.A.P.E (Courageous Adept Professionals for Equality) would be a nice and hilarious acronym for our Superhero Tribunal-led origination.