A/N: Alright, before I move on to the final story arc, I'm placing an interlude chapter in here, similar to what I did for Vengeance And Punishment, as well as Justice And Judgement. Instead of the chapter being another flashback one, this one will be looking ahead at what's to come. Oh, and not all the scenes that are in the chapter are necessarily in order, just a heads up.
Music: "Darkness Settles In" by Five Finger Death Punch
Millie entered her bedroom in Frank's house, seeing her poster of the Punisher shooting Translucent with a sniper rifle above her bed. As she let out a soft chuckle, Kessler's eyes trailed down to the bed's foot, seeing her guitar simply laying there, waiting to be picked up. Almost like she was expecting it to shatter from her touch, Millie gingerly grabbed the musical instrument, as she sat down on her mattress, inches away from her pillow. After strumming a few practice notes, the ones that Frank first taught her, she began to sing a songs by one of her favorite bands, while looking out the window towards a beautiful sunset.
"Another sun sets down behind me, another day comes crashing in…"
Haddonfield
There's a whispering wind that's blowing, there's a storm that's closing in.
Millie stood next to Frank and Cass in her best black dress, watching a coffin sink into the earth. By now, the casket was closed, but Kessler knew who rested on it, evidenced when she looked up at the headstone before it.
Michael Myers. To the right was another, reading Allyson Nelson, but because there was no body, her casket was filled with mementos.
Romania
I can hear the trains, they're rolling… to a place I've never been.
In a remote village in Eastern Romania, an old, gray bearded man wearing a long brown overcoat and floppy hat, with an enormous metal hammer resting on his shoulders walked through the dirt roads, stopping just in front of a large statue of a woman holding a sword and shield. The reason he had stopped was because dozens of villagers had suddenly… appeared out of thin air, like they were ghosts. The man looked around in confusion at first, but suddenly split his face into a grin.
"Holy fuck! Everyone's back!"
And I can feel her breath beside me, with an empty glass of gin.
Georgia
Within an old millhouse, John Constantine sat in the closest thing that could pass for a living room, drinking away his troubles with a glass of whiskey. He paused for a moment, looking around at the empty room and taking in all the magical artifacts over the years. A golden helmet with a top fin. An unblinking eye within a triangular decoration. A voodoo doll of himself, wrested from an old enemy of his. Yet despite all that, he felt completely alone. Not even his recent adventures with the Punisher and The Boys made him feel like he found a place to belong, especially after the funerals of Myers and Nelson.
John sighed, bringing the drink up to his lips, when he suddenly heard an odd whooshing sound behind him, like air being displaced. With a look of confusion, the demonilogist turned around, dropping his glass when he realized what he was looking at.
Right in front of him was a pile of ashes, coalescing into a young woman with light brown hair, wearing a maroon baseball cap and jean jacket. John's eyes widened, staring into the gray eyes of someone he'd never see again.
"Gibb?"
As the darkness settles in… I can hear her voice again… I can hear your voice… again.
Kansas
In the middle of a field, a bright blue light emanated seemingly out of nowhere, attracting the attention of an elderly farmer driving a tractor. The blinding light caused the man to suddenly stop his vehicle, and once he regained his vision, quickly got out to see a young man standing before him. At least, he assumed he was young. It was hard to tell, what with the dark red mask covering his face, with crossed laces that resembled a type of insect. That mask carried with it a cape of matching colors, as well as a red and back suit that covered the being from head to toe, except for his hands.
"Hey there!" the elder called out, adjusting his glasses. "Do you need some help?"
The figure, seemingly realizing the farmer was there, simply turned his head slowly, before his eyes began to glow red hot. Before the laser beams cut the older man in half, he stepped back in shock, wondering for a split second if this was just another Homelander: extraordinary power, but was downright evil on the inside.
Once the farmer was cut in half from his heat vision, the humanoid took off his mask, revealing a head of short black hair. As he gazed at the ground, his mind flashed to a certain woman in his life… having brown hair with pink highlights, and the last he saw, sporting a mechanical arm over the one he had broken years ago. If he was put in this new world, then she was too…
The man slowly shook his head, before looking up and flying upwards. That girl rejected him long ago. It was time for him to focus on his real goal.
Taking the world.
I'm waiting for someone to save me, but everyone just runs away…
New York
Once the funeral was over, The Boys reconvened in the Flatiron building, having separated the Infinity Stones from the gauntlet via Barry vibrating his hand. By now, both Millie and Riley had left, choosing that they should head back to their family members that were brought back from the Snap, with Billy Lenz joining Stone. Those who remained were Frank, the Judges, the Butchers, Russo, Batman and Batwoman, Flash, Ant-Man, and Constantine.
"Great. How are we going to get these back?" Scott asked, eyeing the Mind and Space Stones. "Last I checked, one of those was a cube, and the either was in Loki's Scepter!"
"Allow me, mates." John declared, holding out his hand.
"Reverte Temporum."
The six stones suddenly vibrated, as they were reversed into their previous forms. The Space Stone was suddenly surrounded by the Tesseract cube. The Power Stone became encased in the silver orb once more. The Mind Stone was cocooned into the giant blue jewel, which in turn sat in a replicated scepter. The Reality Stone broke down into the fluid Aether, while a replicated container shimmered into existence around it. Only the Time and Soul Stones remained, once the spell was completed.
"Some trick." Frank commented, before picking up and pocketing the Soul Stone.
"I'll take this one back."
"I got the Time Stone." Constantine spoke up, taking the green jewel. "And Speedy, I suggest you put the Tesseract in its place.
"I agree." Allen nodded, reaching out and grabbing the cube. "Anyone else takes it, and SHIELD could see them."
"I got the Power Stone." Ryan announced, picking up the orb. "I'll need to wake someone up right afterwards."
"Same for the scepter." Dredd muttered, before grabbing the weapon.
"And the Reality Stone." Batman added, taking the Aether's container. "I need to have a word with Tivan."
With it decided on who would return the stones to their rightful place in time, the six carriers activated their temporal displacement belts, before vanishing in a flash of blue light.
Waiting for someone to change me, but no one ever comes.
Cass entered Riley's bedroom, seeing the younger woman packing a suitcase as quickly as she could.
"Leaving already?" the psychic asked, feeling a stab of sorrow in her gut. Riley suddenly looked up, guilt written on her face, but slowly nodded.
"I'm sorry. I need to see my mom…"
Riley suddenly stopped speaking, closing her eyes to prevent her tears from falling. As she tried to stop the crying, she felt a hand on her shoulder, causing her to slowly open her eye to see Cass looking at her fondly.
"It's okay." the mother figure said softly. "I understand. You need to make sure your real parent is okay, now that she's back."
Stone solemnly nodded, as Frank suddenly entered the room, leaning against the door.
"Hey." Castle murmured. "Lenz is waiting for you."
Riley sadly smiled, giving her Cass a hug, before walking over and wrapping her arms around Castle.
"Thank you…" Stone whispered. "Thank you, for letting me into your family… but I need to make sure mine is alright."
I'm breaking down the walls that cage me, but nothing ever falls in place.
Gotham
While the Infinity Stones were returned to their rightful places in time, Russo and Beth stood in the Batcave, staring an empty display case. Now that their mission was over, Kane was contemplating hanging up the suit- for good.
"Beth." Billy murmured, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to do this."
"Don't I?" Kane whispered, staring down at the bright red batsymbol on her chest. "My sister wore this suit to fight for this city, just like Bruce. Even after what he said, who am I to take up her mantel?"
Beth blinked a couple times, before looking at Billy.
"When I was subjected to the Reality Stone, I met the real Alice." Kane revealed. "She's the one who convinced me to return to who I once was, but it's not enough."
Russo slowly nodded, wrapping his hands around his lover.
"You're right. It's not enough." Billy said softly. "But I'm not saying you serve your penance, you should. But do it as Batwoman. Make up for the lives you took by saving Gotham."
Beth smiled, as Russo wiped away tears she didn't realize were there.
"Thank you." she murmured, just before leaning forward and pressing her lips against his in a tender kiss.
Waiting for the end to take me, blinded by the sun.
Blissfield
Millie drove through town in her brown Buick, taking in the sights of her old home. She was quicker to leave than Riley was, having given Cass and Frank tearful goodbyes, before taking off in the borrowed vehicle. Thankfully, both her adopted parents understood that she needed to see her biological father, after his sudden death ten years ago.
Kessler finally pulled into her old house's driveway, just in time to see a man with short blonde hair and brown eyes rush out of the front door.
"Dad." Millie's voice shakily cried out, as she perked the car and jumped out as well.
"Millie!" Kessler's father shouted, as she tackled him in a hug. "I couldn't believe it when I heard your voice, but… you're so big!"
Millie chuckled, as she nuzzled her face in his chest. Despite being in her late twenties now, she wanted nothing more than to be that little girl again, before she lost her father.
"Millie.. how long has it been?" the father asked nervously. Kessler slowly looked up, tears shining in her eyes.
"Dad… it's been years."
All the ghosts that live inside me, always waiting in the wind.
New York
2012
Constantine teleported onto the roof of the New York sanctum, where the Ancient One was patiently waiting.
"You've returned." the Sorcerer Supreme noted, as John held out the Time Stone.
"John Constantine always keeps his promises." the demonologist smirked, as the gem floated in the air, before fitting itself into the Eye of Agamotto necklace.
"Thank you." the Ancient One smiled. "I trust that your mission was a success?"
John's smile faded, as he looked down at the ground.
"Something like that, luv."
The sorcerer stared at him in pity, before choosing to speak.
"Jonathan, you may have failed the Legends, but your work is far from over." the Ancient One told him. "Your universe is expanding, and your allies will need you."
"How do you-"
John stopped, eyeing the necklace.
"Right." Constantine nodded, before pulling out his magical time stone.
"Be seeing you, luv."
The Ancient One nodded in return, before the demonologist was engulfed in a golden light, teleporting back to his time.
I can see through my reflection, what I've become and what I've been.
Mega City One
2128
"What do you mean you're not coming back?" Judge McGruder asked Dredd, who handed her his badge. Once the Infinity Stones were returned, Joseph made one more stop back to his time, where he began returning his gear.
"I can't do this anymore." Joe murmured, removing his helmet. "When I was captured by the Time Variance Authority… Judge Renslayer opened my eyes to what the Judges were-"
"She became mad with power, Joe." McGruder told him. "We're trying to save this city."
"I know you think that." Joseph murmured, as he thought back to the universe he and Ryan were trapped on prior to this mission. "But the TVA, the Judges, the Empire… we're all one in the same. We think we're keeping people safe, but all we're doing is ruling over them."
McGruder stared down at Dredd's badge in her hand, as she slowly conceded in his thinking. Twenty years a street Judge, ten as Chief, then six more after Necropolis… when it boiled down to it, she knew he was right. And yet…
"Then help us change it, Joe." McGruder pleaded. "We need you."
"No you don't." Joseph shook his head. "Mega City One survived long before I was out on the streets. It will survive without me."
"But then… what will you do?" the Chief Judge asked. "Return to the past, with Castle and your other allies?"
"Yes." Joseph nodded. "I'll continue bringing criminals to justice- the right way. Maybe I'll be able to change the system before it even starts."
There was another reason for returning to New York though, one he kept from the Chief Judge. He had to find the individuals he saw in that memory. Chris and Bela, he believed their names were.
McGruder nodded, and Dredd activated his belt, teleporting him back to New York, year 2028.
You see your Heaven doesn't want me, and your Hell won't let me in.
Vormir
2014
Frank blinked the light blue out of his eyes, finding himself standing on top of a cliff, with a black cloaked man levitating several feet away from him. As the wraith like being floated closer, Castle saw his face was a dark red with no nose, making him scowl in annoyance.
"Should've known you were still alive, Schmidt."
The Red Skull barely said anything, as he floated toward the Punisher.
"Welcome, Francis-"
"Cut the bullshit." Castle snapped, pulling out the Soul Stone. "How do I put this back?"
The Skull looked at the gem in longing, before turning toward the cliff.
"Simply lose the stone into the abyss, and its burden will be taken away."
Frank looked off the edge of the cliff, preparing to toss the stone away like a broken trinket, when he suddenly had an idea.
"I want Nelson and Myers back." Castle ordered, turning back towards the wraith. Red Skull chuckled, and shook his head.
"You cannot make demands of the stone."
"That right?" Frank asked huskily.
"No. Allyson Nelson knew her sacrifice was an everlasting exchange. It cannot be undone."
Castle's throat tightened, as he pulled out his pistol, pointing it right at Schmidt's head. The Skull simply grinned back at him, as if daring him to shoot. Somehow, he knew it wouldn't work.
"God damn you." the Punisher murmured, before turning around and chucking the stone over the cliff. He didn't watch it fall, though the sky above him seemed to open up into a gash of light, signifying that the Soul Stone was returned. With one last glare to the ancient guardian of the stone, Frank activated his temporal displacement belt, and teleported away from Vormir.
It's like I'm holding all the aces, but I know I'll never win.
New York
2012
Dredd arrived on the balcony in Stark Tower, Captain America's prone body just before him. Wasting no time, the futuristic Judge quickly set the scepter down next to him, before looking over the railing to see a trail of golden lightning appear unnoticed, while the past versions of Thor and SHIELD agents were tending to both a down Tony and a raging Hulk. In the blink of an eye, the Tesseract container that was empty was quickly shut, and the trail sped out, only catching the imprisoned Loki's ire.
Joseph smirked to himself, before activating his own time travel belt, and felt himself engulfed by the blue energy, taking him away from this time.
New York
2128
"I'm waiting for someone to save me, but everyone just runs away!" Millie sang, while strumming the guitar. "Waiting for someone to change me, but no one ever comes!"
I'm breaking down the walls that cage me, but nothing ever falls in place.
Knowhere
2014
Batman teleported in the middle of the Collector's museum, temporarily startling Tivan and his assistant. That surprise was gone however, when Taneleer's face split into a goofy smile.
"Ah, Batman! You've returned!" the Collector said joyfully, looking at what the vigilante was holding. "I see you've returned with the Reality Stone!"
Bruce nodded, as he held up the Aether's container.
"I'm willing to make a trade for it." Batman announced, turning his head to look at the display case that housed James Bolivar DiGriz.
"The Reality Stone for DiGriz."
Tivan's face darkened, as he looked at the Stainless Steel Rat.
"Very well." the Collector sighed, pressing a button on his wrist gauntlet. The case opened up, and DiGriz walked out, straightening the cuffs on his jacket.
"Thank you… 'Batman'." James nodded, before walking away. "Don't worry, I can find my own way off this rock."
Bruce grumbled neutrally in response, before handing the Reality Stone back to Taneleer.
"Pleasure doing business with you!" Tivan flashed a beaming smile. "Do tell Kal-El I say hi!"
Not having the heart to tell him Superman was dead, Wayne muttered out a "Sure", before activating his time belt and teleporting away in a flash of blue light.
Waiting for the end to take me, blinded by the sun.
Morag
2014
Ryan finished dragging Star Lord's body into the Power Stone's temple, stopping when they reached the chamber that housed the orb. The supe let out a frustrated sigh, seeing that the thief was still unconscious, even when he placed the orb in his hand. Crouching low, Butcher lightly slapped the man, just barely seeing him begin to stir.
By the time Peter Quill opened his eyes, he was momentarily blinded by a flash of blue light. Once his eyesight readjusted, he looked around, seeing he was already in the Power Stone temple's central chamber, with the orb already somehow in his hand.
You can take it away, tear it all down, spit in my face, pushed to the ground. Look what I've become.
Chicago
2028
Riley parked her car, a black Sedan, into the suburban driveway, pausing to glance at Billy staring blankly from the passenger seat. If she was still the college girl that didn't know better, she'd think he was fine. Unfortunately for him, she did know better.
"Hey." Riley murmured, placing her hand on Lenz's shoulder. "It'll be okay. I know she'll come around."
When she first called her mother to make sure she was brought back, Stone omitted plenty of facts about what had happened in the last ten years. Sure, she told her mom that she had graduated from Ivy University, how her friend Millie Kessler had welcomed her into her family, and how she became close with a man named Billy. She just didn't mention that she and Millie fought off a mind controlled fraternity, Kessler's 'family' included the likes of the Punisher and Michael Myers, and her friend Billy was a serial killer and cannibal. Former serial killer and cannibal, that was.
Billy slowly turned towards Riley, a glimmer of hope appearing in his eye. Riley shot him a reassuring smile, as the two exited the vehicle and walked up towards the painted green house, knocking loudly on the door. Moments later, a woman with long black hair answered, wearing a black turtleneck and staring at Stone in surprise.
"Riley! You're… you're so big!" the woman smiled, as Riley wrapped her in a warm home.
"Mom… you're back." Riley cried out, squeezing her mother tightly. The older woman sighed in relief, before realizing that Billy was standing in front of them.
"Riley… who is that?" she asked, worry laced in her voice, as she took in his yellow skin. Stone's arms detached from her mother, as one of them reached out and rested on Lenz's shoulder.
"Mom, this is Billy." Riley smiled warmly. "He's… he's part of our family now."
I've fallen from grace, bloodied and bound, taken up space, lost and I'm found. Look what I've become.
New York
Judge Dredd looked at his reflection in the mirror, as Becca watched him from the bathroom's doorway. With Ryan still returning the Power Stone, the two of them were alone in their old house that Mallory helped them get. They were still waiting for Joe's niece Vienna to bring their dog Terror, and to pass the time, Dredd took a good long look at himself.
"Joe…" Becca said softly, timidly walking towards her husband. "Are you sure you don't want to go back?"
Joseph parted his lips, sucked in a quiet breath, before turning to nod at Rebecca.
"Yeah." he murmured, taking off his helmet and staring at the visor. The glass seemed to stare back at him, showing his reflection.
"Do you remember Mayfeld?"
Becca slowly nodded, confused as to why he was being mentioned. Her silent question was soon answered, when Dredd spoke.
"He opened my eyes to what the justice system in Mega City One was- is." Joseph explained. "Renslayer all but confirmed it. We are no better than the Time Variance Authority, or the Empire."
"Joe…" Becca gasped, cupping his face with his hands. "You can't mean that…"
"It's true, Becks." Joseph whispered, lowering his helmet to look in her eyes. "The Judges are dictators. We punished Mega City One's citizens for even the smallest of offenses."
Joe looked away in shame, as he thought back to a time long before had had then-Judge Anderson as a partner. He and several other Judges had disrupted a gathering of citizens protesting to bring back democracy to Mega City One, with their ringleader being a young woman named Hester Hyman. They offered her no jail time, instead instantly killing her and her supporters in a fiery hailstorm of hi-ex rounds.
As Dredd stewed in his guilt, Becca looked at him in sadness, before clearing her throat.
"So that's it? You'll leave Mega City One, instead of trying to fix it?"
"No." Joseph murmured, reaching up and slowly lowering her hands from his face. "I'll try to make things right here. Stop the Judges from ever starting… or at least try to change them."
Becca's mouth quirked up in a small smile, as she closed her eyes and leaned forward, kissing her husband. Joe dropped his helmet, while Becca kicked the door shut, leaving the two of them in the bathroom.
I can hear the snakes, they're winding, singing songs of pain and sin.
Westview, New Jersey
As dark clouds formed over a gray sky, a young woman with red hair and a gray jacket walked towards an empty plot of land, where a house should have been. In her hand was a piece of paper, which she quickly looked at to see it was the deed to the land. Just under the writing was a small, handwritten message, written in scarlet pen.
To grow old in. -V.
The woman felt tears stream down her face, as she collapsed to her knees and began to cry.
There's an anger overflowing, from this empty glass of gin.
Romania
Inside a regal looking castle, two women partially decked out in military gear shared a glass of whiskey on a couch, commemorating their fallen brothers in arms.
"To Lobo." the first woman murmured, her light brown eyes glazed over, with her blonde hair falling over her face. "And to Canine, and Night Howl."
"Hear hear." the second woman muttered, her short cut brunette hair now a rats nest. "To Leon and Claire."
The two soldiers downed their alcohol, before setting their glasses down on the table in front of them. It had been ten years now, since they lost all their friends and family and Thanos' snap. Ten long years, of having to fight bioweapons by themselves-
The brunette's ears perked up, hearing a strange noise behind them. It was almost like… air rushing towards one- no two- specific spots. The woman looked over her shoulder, seeing what appeared to be ashes floating together, forming two silhouettes. Those forms quickly changed their color and appearance, until standing in the middle of the main hall were two identical looking women, wearing black dress robes and hoods. The only feature that set them apart was the one on the left had dark brown hair, while the one on the right had red hair, though they both had golden colored eyes. It only took a moment for them to notice the soldiers.
"Look Cassi!" the red head grinned, pointing to the two women sitting on the couch. "Mother must have new maidens!"
The brunette shook her head in confusion, staring them up and down.
"They look more equipped than our maids." she frowned. "They must be intruders!"
Before either of the soldier women opened their mouths, the brunette woman suddenly morphed into a swarm of buzzing flies, zooming straight towards them. The soldiers quickly jumped off the couch, only for the red head to disperse into flies as well, before the two swarms coalesced back into their human shapes to advance.
"These must be Bela's sisters." the short haired brunette muttered, pulling out a combat knife. Meanwhile, the brunette woman in the hood widened her eyes of gold, hearing her sister's name.
"How… how do you know Bela-"
"CASSANDRA AND DANIELLA DIMITRESCU!"
The two bug women nearly jumped out of their skin from the outburst, looking up to see a rather tall woman with pale skin glaring at them from the main hall's balcony, her hands on her hips.
"What do you think you are doing?!" the tall woman asked, before slowly walking down the staircase. The red head, Daniella, began to sputter, while Cassandra stepped forward.
"Mother, we found these intruders in our castle!" she shouted, pointing towards the soldiers. The pale woman sighed, while shaking her head.
"Miss Berkhoff and Miss Valentine are not intruders. They are allies."
"What?" Cassandra frowned, staring at the other two women in confusion, before turning back to her mother. "But why… Mother, what are you wearing?"
The brunette suddenly found herself staring at the… suit that the tall woman was wrapped in. Upon glancing back at the soldiers, she realized that it was the same under armor they wore underneath their vests. The only recognizable trait was that her mother's suit was a creamy white color, just like the dress she always used to wear.
While Cassandra was captivated by the pale woman's attire, Daniella looked around the main hall, seeing many peculiar sights that she didn't notice before. In the middle of the hall was what looked like some type of desk, with multiple electronic devices on them. Computers, if her memory of spending time with Uncle Karl was correct. Upon looking up, she noticed that there were security cameras attached to each corner of the wall, also looking more advanced than the ones in her uncle's factory. Finally, on the far side, right next to the fireplace, there was a rack of firearms, looking more modern than anything she'd ever seen.
"...Miss Berkhoff, Miss Valentine, and their allies have been using our castle as a base of operations for seven years now."
Daniella suddenly snapped out of her thoughts, looking at her mother in bewilderment. She was about to voice her concern, but Cassandra beat her to it.
"What are you talking about, Mother? It's only been a few hours. Dani and I must have passed out or something."
The pale woman's jaw dropped in horror, while Valentine's and Berkhoff's eyes widened.
"Cassandra… it's been…" the mother stammered. "It's been ten years since you left."
The brunette's eyebrows knit in confusion, as she folded her arms.
"Ten… years? That's impossible, Mother!"
While the two bug women stared at their mother in denial, the blonde stepped forward.
"Lady Dimitrescu… if your daughters were brought back…"
The tall woman suddenly looked up, realizing that if Cassandra and Daniella were back, then surely everyone else was too. And that meant…
With a racing heartbeat, either out of excitement, or fear, or both, Lady Dimitrescu pulled out a small black cellphone from her suit, quickly dialling a number.
"Bela, come home quickly! Your sisters are back!" the tall woman spoke in a rushed tone. "And bring Mister Redfield with you!"
As the darkness settles in. And the darkness settles in.
Switzerland
At a bank in Switzerland, a buff man wearing a mask jumped out of a second story window, carrying two heavy bags of cash. The mask itself was a dark black, with a red colored image of a handprint with the palm made to look like the world. As the man landed on the ground, a crowd of people wearing identical masks began running around, two of them taking the bags of money, while the police rushed towards everyone. Unfazed, the buff man strode forward, before lashing out and kicking one of the officers in the chest, causing him to fly back and smash into a nearby lamp post.
"Hey!"
The masked man turned around, seeing an individual take off his mask and pull out a pistol.
"I don't know how jurisdiction works here, by I don't have to place you under arrest." the shorter man told him. The large criminal simply stretched his hands out, and flames shot out, burning the shorter man's arms. As the man with the gun dropped his piece, the robber kicked him to the ground, before knocking him out with a stomp to the face.
I'm waiting for someone to save me, but everyone just runs away.
Westview
As the redhead continued crying, her grief grew, and grew, until she suddenly arched back, screaming loudly as a crimson energy exploded from within her. The young woman levitated off the ground, as the energy spontaneous built a house around her, taking the appearance of a quaint, white picket fence home. But she didn't stop there, as another wave of energy pulsed out, engulfing the entire town of Westview to make it appear it was trapped in a 1950s sitcom, complete with changing all color to monochrome. Finally, a more focused stream of the scarlet power escaped the woman's chest, turning gold as it formed the body of a man. That man was quickly clothed in a sweater and khakis, while some kind of jewell was attached to his head.
The energy finally ceased, and the young woman stepped forward, her appearance morphing to match the 1950s aesthetic. Short curled hair, dress with a knee high skirt, high heels…
"Wanda." the man said, making the woman smile.
"Welcome home."
I'm waiting for someone to change me, but no one ever comes.
New York
Mallory drove back to her lake home, inching closer to the large house, when she noticed a bald man with an eyepatch standing in the driveway. Normally, Grace would be hesitant to approach the man, but she knew him well. The former CIA director quickly stopped her brown Ford, got out and walked towards her old friend, noticing a grim look on his face.
"Nick." Mallory nodded, as the man stretched out his hand. "I am pleased to see you were also brought back."
"Makes one of us." Nick muttered, while Grace shook to cement their friendship. "Half of all life, including me, gets wiped out because an alien with cosmic powers decided that it would be the only way to unfuck the universe. Apparently, it's been ten years, and I'm getting memories I never knew I had. Hell, it turns out I had a twin that got killed in some kind of revenge scheme, all because his son's partner was dirty."
Grace's eyes flitted to the ground, remembering the report that came in about that. Nick's brother, Ezekiel, used to be the chief of police in Chicago. If she could remember correctly, the man was murdered in an elaborate trap reminiscent of a serial killer that supposed died decades ago.
"I'm sorry, Nick." Mallory murmured. "I know what it's like to lose family."
Nick's one eye softened, looking down as well.
"Yeah… I heard about what happened to your grandchildren." the man murmured. Grace nodded in thanks, before looking up and folding her arms.
"Why are you here, Fury?"
Nick's mouth formed a tight line, as he stepped forward.
"Remember what I said about new memories?" he asked. "They started after I was brought back. Before that, you didn't exist. Neither did your little team, or Vought, or the idea of what you call 'supes'."
"What's your point?" Grace inquired, frowning in confusion.
"My point is that I think something's coming." Nick revealed. "And we might need a new team, now that the Avengers are all gone."
"Ross won't allow that." Mallory shook her head. "With the Accords still up, and him being brought back, the Boys will have to go back to fighting in the shadows."
"Leave that to me." Fury grinned, as he pulled out a phone. "I might know a guy who can help out with the Accords."
I'm breaking down the walls that cage me, but nothing ever falls in place.
Romania
Inside a small, quaint house, a man and a woman aggressively made out on top of a small bed, both in the heat of passion. The man's face was covered in a brown beard, as he tossed a black trench coat to the floor to reveal his tactical suit of the same color underneath. His blonde haired lover grinned up at him, as her black hood fell backwards onto the bed.
The pair continued their kissing, until the man began to reach for the hem of her leggings. Before he touched the fabric, the woman's hand shot out, gripping his wrist tightly.
"Don't worry, Chris." the blonde winked. "I got it."
Without another word, the woman's form shimmered and rippled, dispersing into a thousand flies. The clothes instantly fell through the swarm, and when the flies reformed into the woman, she was now completely naked, save for a black bra the flies held in place.
Chris smirked at his lover, preparing to take off his pants, when they both heard a high pitched shriek on the other side of the room, almost sounding like a child's. The pair snapped their heads towards the source of the scream, seeing a rickety wooden doll staring at them, seemingly held together by string and bits of metal. Aside from her ever moving eyes, her most defining feature was the wedding dress and veil she wore.
"MISS BELA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN DONNA'S HOUSE?!" the doll shrieked. "And with a man, no less!"
Bela's golden eyes widened, as she dispersed into her swarm once more, only to reform back into her hooded suit. Once she had her clothes back on, she and Chris got off the bed, staring at the doll in shock.
"Angie… you're back?" Bela gasped. The doll frowned, or at least it looked like it was frowning, as it levitated to be at their eye level.
"What do you mean I'm back?" Angie asked in confusion. "I must have been asleep, but it was only a few hours."
"A few hours?" Chris raised an eyebrow. "It's been over a decade."
Just then, a woman wearing a black dress and veil over her face walked into the room, seemingly staring at Chris and Bela. The three- four, if you included the doll- stared at each other, until Bela broke the silence.
"Donna… you're back."
Chris turned to look at his lover, giving her a look as if he figured out what happened.
"Everyone who died to Thanos' snap have come back. And that means…"
Before Chris could finish the revelation, Bela suddenly heard her phone vibrate in her pocket. Without delay, the bug woman whipped it out, seeing the caller ID read Mother. When she answered the call, her eyes widened with excitement.
"Bela, come home quickly! Your sisters are back! And bring Mister Redfield with you!"
I'm waiting for the end to take me, blinded by the sun.
New York
Becca walked down the street towards an old looking building, seeing a plaque reading Nelson, Murdock, and Page on the brick wall. Butcher smiled slightly to herself, as she opened the white grate door and walked into an office of sorts, finding three individuals talking. The man to her left, having long blonde hair, was talking to a woman with red hair and wearing a flower dress, while another man wearing red glasses and holding a blind walking cane was listening intently.
The moment Becca entered the office, the blind man's head slowly turned, seemingly staring right at her.
"Becca?" the man asked out loud, causing the other two people to stop talking and look at her. Butcher was at a loss for words, mostly over how the man somehow knew it was her, but she quickly swallowed the lump in her throat and took a step forward.
"Matt." she said with a smile. "It's good to see you again."
Matt nodded in agreement, as he lifted a hand to gesture towards the two people with him.
"Foggy, Karen. This is my old friend, Rebecca Butcher."
The man with the long hair, presumably Foggy, widened his eyes, while Karen stepped forward, holding out her hand.
"Karen Page. I don't think Matt ever mentioned you."
Becca had a guilty look in her eyes, while Matt continued speaking.
"You never visited, after talking to me about…"
Murdock paused, shaking his head.
"I thought… I thought Homelander killed you."
Now it was Butcher's turn to shake her head, as she stared at her old friend.
"It's… a long story, Matt. I'm just glad you're alright."
Murdock was about to reply, when his phone suddenly rang. In a show that made Becca question if he was blind, Matt pulled out his device and pressed the call button, before holding the phone to his ear.
"Murdock speaking."
You can take it away… as the darkness settles in…
Judge Dredd exited his and Becca's house, mounting his motorcycle and driving off, preparing to bring law to the lawless. Along the way, he was joined by Ryan flying overhead, who gave him a respectful nod, before zooming ahead.
You can take it away… as the darkness settles in…
In another part of New York, Frank Castle kissed his wife Cass, before getting into his black battle van, driving off to find criminals to punish.
"You can take it away… as the darkness settles… in."
Millie finished singing, strumming the final notes, before setting the guitar on the bedroom floor. Just in time too, as Frank suddenly walked in, beaming down at his adopted daughter.
"Hey, Mill." Castle said softly. "You ready to go?"
Kessler smiled and nodded, heaving her instrument and suitcase, while walking out into the hallway. Frank took one last look around her bedroom, reminiscing over the last few years, before turning off the light and shutting the door, bathing the place in darkness.
A/N: I know, this chapter went well past the song, but fuck it. I wanted to showcase all the new characters, both friendly and otherwise, that will be coming in.
Basically, the biggest additions to this fic is that I will be incorporating bits and pieces of the MCU shows, namely WandaVision and Falcon And The Winter Soldier. I'm not planning on doing anything with Hawkeye, unless his show does anything that's worth mentioning. Also, there will be deviations from the shows I mentioned, particularly FATWS, since Zemo got killed off a few chapters ago.
The other really big addition I'm making is that I'm bringing back the Resident Evil Village characters I introduced in The Monsters And The Victims. The central characters from that fic, namely Chris Redfield and Bela Dimitrescu, will provide a great help to the Punisher, Judge Dredd, and The Boys when they finally meet.
Until next time, everyone!