Disclaimer: I do not own anything you may recognize

Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed or reviewed this fic so far.

Thanks a lot to Brainstorm Sorcerer and Stand with Ward and Queen for their help with this chapter.

Enjoy.

TW: Thanks for the review and glad it was great. Glad to hear it. Magneto does love his children but his mission matters most to him.

Gallifrey 22.3: Thanks for the review and glad it was exciting.

DCMarvel heroes: Thanks for the review and glad its spectacularly amazing.

PopCultureFan101: Thanks for the review, and there's a chance.

Chapter 27- Flight to the Ford

Middle-earth

Strider, Spike and the Hobbits reached a place, where Spike noticed three giants of stone. "Bloody Hell! What are those now?" He narrowed his eyes. "Are those….bird nests on them?"

Strider put Frodo down, the other Hobbits standing over him.

Frodo was now sweating horrifically, his eyes going pale, wheezing and gasping. Sam stood over him. "Look, Frodo. It's Mr. Bilbo's Trolls."

Spike sighed. In spite of what he'd done, it was impossible to fully save Frodo as of now. Some of the poison had been sucked out, but the blade was still making its way towards his heart.

Frodo gasped again as Sam felt his cheek. "Mr. Frodo?" He called out to Strider. "He's goin' cold!"

Pippin and Merry were looking around with torches.

The Nazgûl cry was heard from a distance as Spike groaned. "Do those bloody gits ever stop?"

Merry noted. "They're close."

Strider turned to Sam. "Sam, do you know Athelas plant?"

"Athelas?"

"Kingsfoil", the Ranger clarified.

"Kingsfoil? Ah, that's a weed."

"It may help to slow the poison", he gave one torch to Sam. "Hurry!"

"I'll go with him", Spike said, mainly to keep him safe, while Strider went to find some too.


Strider found a small patch and cut it off with a knife. Suddenly a sword was at his throat. A melodious female voice asked in an almost playful tone. "What's this? A Ranger caught off his guard?"


Frodo was lying on the ground, when he saw a white light approaching. He turned towards it, and like a vision, saw a beautiful female Elf ride to him on a white horse and get down.

"Frodo… Im Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nin. Tolo dan na galad."

Spike and Merry returned, the former's jaw agape at what he was witnessing. He'd never seen a woman so beautiful and graceful in front of his eyes. Not even Drusilla and Buffy had this kind of otherworldly beauty to them that this woman was exuding with her very presence. She gave him a glance, sensing he was not truly human, but not bothering with it anymore.

She knelt near the wounded younger Baggins. "Frodo!"

Sam noted. "She's an Elf."

"What?" Spike asked with wide eyes. "That's what Elves look like here?"

"That is what they always look like", Merry said as if it was obvious.

"Why can't Elves like that exist in our world?" Spike muttered with a sigh.

The She-Elf whispered anxiously. "He's fading!"

Frodo gasped as Strider knelt next to her and placed the Kingsfoil on the wound to slow it down again.

She turned to Strider. "He's not going to last. We must get him to my father. I've been looking for you for two days."

Strider lifted Frodo up as they walked to her horse.

Merry asked. "Where are you taking him?"

She spoke to Strider. "There are five Wraiths behind you. Where the other four are, I do not know."

Strider lifted Frodo onto her horse Asfaloth. "Dartho guin Perian. Rych le ad tolthathon."

She responded. "Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im."

Strider warned. "Andelu i ven."

Pippin inquired. "What are they saying?"

"I don't know, but I'm liking the sound of it", Spike had to say. This language sounded so melodious and pure. There was nothing like it.

She told Strider. "Frodo fir. Ae athradon i hir, tur gwaith nin beriatha hon." She then said in the common tongue. "I do not fear them."

"Way to go!" Spike cheered.

Strider sighed and held her hand. "Be iest lin."

Spike narrowed his eyes. The way they looked at each other, the way he held her hands….he wished he and Buffy could look at each other like that. He wished she'd let him hold her hands like that.

Strider and the Elf-Woman were in love, and he now realized why the tale of Beren and Luthien was so personal to Strider.

"Blimey….this is worse than I thought", Spike muttered. It was like a tragic poem, one he'd have composed back in the day if he was into the tragic kind of poetry. But he was more into the happy kind of poetry, about women of beauty 'effulgent'.

The She-Elf mounted Asfaloth with Frodo seated in front of her as Strider cautioned her. "Arwen! Ride hard. Don't look back!"

Arwen Undómiel urged her horse. "Noro lim, Asfaloth, noro lim!" Asfaloth galloped away.

Sam angrily asked Strider. "What are you doing?! Those Wraiths are still out there!"

"If Strider thinks she can get him to this Rivendell place, I won't really worry", Spike told him.


Arwen rode through a forest as she heard screeching and the Nazgúl appeared, one by one. All the Nine.

She rode, a pointed tree branch making a little scratch on her cheek while the Nine rode after her.

Amongst the trees and over open spaces they rode. One rode close to Arwen, reaching for Frodo, but was too far away to get him.

"Noro lim Asfaloth!"

Asfaloth rode faster as he leapt over a log, the Nazgul's horses doing the same. Arwen reached the Ford, Asfaloth galloping through the river as they stopped on the other side.

The Nazgúl steeds stopped before touching the water, clearly not wanting to enter the River. Some pranced around, and cried out in fear.

One of the Nine turned towards Arwen. "Give up the halfling, She-Elf!"

Arwen drew her sword and defiantly declared. "If you want him, come and claim him!"

The Nine raised their swords and rode into the water. Arwen began to chant.

"Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nin Bruinen dan in Ulair! Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nin Bruinen dan in Ulair!"

Slowly, the water level rose. A great sound was heard, and the Nine turned towards it. A great flood came round a bend, with peaks like horses galloping.

The Nazgúl tried to get away, some tried to get back to the bank and some fled down the river, but in vain.

The flood got the Nine and washed them away.

Arwen watched after them, when Frodo started to fall from Asfaloth. Had her efforts and those of his traveling companions been for nothing?

"No!"

Arwen directed her horse further up the bank before dismounting. Gently she lowered the Hobbit to the ground. "No! Frodo, no! Don't give in! Not now!"

Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes as Frodo's breathing went from shallow gasps to inaudible whispers, as the Hobbit went completely still. Weeping, she gathered him into her arms, pleading with the Valar.

'What grace has given me, let it pass to him. Let him be spared.'

Her tears darkened the fabric of his green cloak as she lifted him onto the horse's back. Then, drying her eyes, she led the horse back to Rivendell.


Earth-199999, New York City, Avengers Tower

Tony led Banner to his lab.

"What's the rumpus?" Banner asked, putting down his drink.

"Well, the Scepter. You see, we were wondering how Strucker got so inventive. So, I've been analyzing the gem inside- You may recognize", Tony brought up a 3D image of JARVIS' consciousness, now fixed after Doom's attack.

"JARVIS", Banner greeted.

"Doctor", the AI greeted back.

"Started out, JARVIS was just a natural language UI", Tony explained, then pointed out the evolution. "Now he runs the Iron Legion. He runs more of the business than anyone besides Pepper."

"Oh?"

"Top of the line."

"Yes."

"I suspect not for long."

"Meet the competition." Tony brought up another 3D image of what was inside the Scepter, this one bluish, another AI, just like JARVIS, but much more advanced.

Banner wasn't that kind of scientist, but he could tell when he saw technology beyond anything he'd seen before. He was mesmerized.

"It's beautiful."

"If you had to guess, what's it look like it's doing?" Tony inquired.

Banner was enraptured as he circled it. "Like it's thinking. I mean this could be a... it's not a human mind, it..."

"Um-um."

"I mean, look at this! They're like neurons firing", Banner had to say.

Tony told him. "Down in Strucker's lab I saw some fairly advanced robotics work. They deep-sixed the data, but... I gotta guess he was knocking on a very particular door."

"Artificial intelligence", Banner noted.

Tony was excited, because he believed he'd found a solution at last. "This could be it, Bruce. This could be the key to creating Ultron."

Banner chuckled. "I thought Ultron was a fantasy."

"Yesterday it was." Tony gestured to the new AI. "If we can harness this power, apply it to my Iron Legion protocol."

"That's a mad-sized if."

"Our job is "if."" Even his first ever suit, which looked like a tin can nowadays, would have been thought impossible a decade ago. No one believed in the Multiverse either. But it was true. They walked together, Tony still imploring his friend. "What if you were sipping margaritas on a sun-drenched beach turning brown instead of green? Not looking over your shoulder for Veronica."

Banner sighed. The suit had been used once, by Doom of all people, when it was not fully complete. But either way, he never wanted things to come down to that. "Don't hate, I helped design Veronica."

"As a worst-case measure, right? How about a best-case?" He'd seen it himself. There was more than just the Chitauri! That ship….something bigger was out there, and it was looking right at Earth, right at him, for foiling it's plans that one time by destroying the Chitauri army. And it was going to come after him and the rest of Earth. They needed to be prepared. And not just for that, but for any other threats out there in the Multiverse too. There could always be someone even more dangerous than the watermelon creature, and it'd beaten up most of them easily, including him and Hulk!

What if…there were others like Superman and Bart, who did not share their morals? Sure, him and the rest could eventually stop people like those, but how many would they kill before they were stopped?

Such threats…they needed to be neutralized as soon as they popped up. All manner of living creatures were prone to error and fatigue eventually. The most advanced AI in the Universe won't be, and neither would metal suits for the matter.

This was the perfect idea. "What if the world was safe? What if next time aliens roll up to the club, and they will, they couldn't get past the bouncer? Or any evil creature out there from the Multiverse for the matter?"

Banner liked the sound of such a world, at least in theory. "The only people threatening the planet would be people?"

Tony explained his plan. "I want to apply this to the Ultron program. But JARVIS can't download a data schematic this dense. We can only do it while we have the Scepter here, that's three days, give me three days."

Banner noted something crucial. "So you're going for artificial intelligence and you don't want to tell the team."

"Right." Tony stood in front of Banner. This was the perfect solution; he knew it was! The others, they were all great, but they won't agree. He'd have to show the results directly, only that would work. "That's right, you know why, because we don't have time for a city hall debate. I don't want to hear the "man was not meant to meddle" medley. I see a suit of armor around the world."

Now Banner realized why this sounded good only in theory. "Sounds like a cold world, Tony."

"I've seen colder." That thing out there…there was no life there. Only death!

But there was life here. And damn it if it would be surrounded by metal! At least it would thrive underneath it all.

"This one, this very vulnerable blue one? It needs Ultron." Tony walked off. "Peace in our time. Imagine that."

Banner thought about it. If it worked, the world could be kept safe from outside threats, and perhaps there would be mass approval. No more stress from such threats, no more need for Hulk.

He could stop looking over his shoulder for people like Ross wanting to use him. He could be with Betty again.

With a deep breath, Banner followed Stark.


Sokovia

They flew out of the city, into the forest beyond when Magneto set them down to the ground. While the twins stayed close, Magneto folded his hands and waited, to their confusion.

"What are you doing?"

"I am waiting." Erik answered simply. Pietro went to speak again, until a fire appeared before the three Mutants. "For that, to be exact. Gateway has an impeccable sense of timing." That fire grew upward before spreading out, brother and sister made to act, if it were not for the elder Mutant's hand. Still confused, they merely watched in stunned amazement as the fire danced until the fire became a doorway to an exotic jungle. Erik waked to the portal with a casual grace, stepping beyond the flames. Wanda and Pietro looked to each other, and shared a nod, and followed the man claiming to be their father. Hesitantly, they reached out their hands, and once passing through, they felt the tropical heat contrasting the cool breeze in the Sokovian spring. With one more step, they walked through and found Magneto standing there, before the metal steps to a large compound composed of metal behind him.

"Welcome, my children, to the safe haven for all Mutants."

Wanda and Pietro looked, before the latter stopped at the sight of a crouched man behind where the now dissipating portal laid. He was dark skinned, and something attached to string was in his hand. "Umm, hi?"

The man merely turned his head over his shoulder and nodded, before turning back. "You must forgive Gateway, he is not one to waste words." Erik interceded before gesturing them both to follow him up the steps. "Our meeting was actually quite recent. I discovered him on a trip to Australia, where the homo sapiens sought to abuse his gifts."

"And instead he uses them for you?" Wanda questioned.

A chuckle left the old man as they reached the top, and found various groups of people, of varying age, talking, hanging out, or in the young ones' cases, playing. "I merely asked, and he obliged. You must understand, this is no simple hideout, but a place where any Mutant can find safety."

"Just where is this island?" Pietro questioned as they passed through automatic doors. Hallways spread from left to right, but Magneto walked forward towards a wall, which quickly moved apart at his whim.

"Originally at the bottom of the Atlantic. Upon the return of my powers, however, I discovered the potential it held. With the aid of some new and old allies, Island M has been born."

"And you plan to use all these people to fight your war?"

Magneto stopped in place to stare at his daughter, and she stared back. She has spirit, like her mother, the thought amused him greatly. "I already said this is a safe haven. Any Mutant may come and I will ask nothing of them but their secrecy, and if you come to join the fight for Mutantkind..." Instead of speaking, Erik gestured his hand to reveal a set of stairs descending downwards. Once more following their supposed father, they were led to a room more advanced than Strucker's wildest dreams.

A holographic projection was at the center of a large room, displaying an image of the planet. Monitors lined the wall in one section with one person seated before them, a woman whose hands flew across the keys at speeds that Pietro didn't think could be achieved unless you were superhuman, or spent too much time on video games. She did not hold their attention for long, as nearby was a giant of a man that could give the Hulk a run for his money, in terms of size and muscle, red armor that did not hide his physique, and a large red dome around his head, obscuring all but his eyes and mouth. Next to him was a beautiful blonde woman in an all-white suit, already Pietro was starting to grin, not even his sister's eye roll could stop him, or the lady's cold expression. Beside her was a tall man with brown hair and green eyes, wearing a blue suit with a white "M" that went down his legs, another man wearing a dark suit with plated armor on his chest and shoulders, a fourth man with spiked up blonde hair and a dark yellow suit that turned red across the shoulders and mask, and finally, an unassuming, short man in a brown overcoat.

"I welcome you to the Brotherhood."


Middle-earth, Rivendell

Strider was leading Spike and the Hobbits through unidentifiable paths in the valley.

Spike was feeling his strength rejuvenate just from getting closer to it.

"We're going to see more Elves in Rivendell!" Sam cheered excitedly.

Increasing his pace, Spike caught up with Strider, who, it seemed, had regained his striding prowess.

The path was becoming more defined now.

And soon, they were there.

There was the palace complex nestled against tall cliffs. A waterfall cascaded down into the depths of a ravine, sending up a sparkling spray. Sunlight hitting the millions of tiny water droplets created a rainbow.

For once in his life, Spike was speechless.

As they walked further a very tall Elf with long golden hair arrived to greet them.

"Ai na vedui Dunadan! Mae govannen!" He greeted Strider as they shared an embrace.

Turning to the visitors, Strider made introductions. "This is Glorfindel, who dwells in the house of Elrond."

Glorfindel greeted them all. "Hail, and well met!" He turned to Spike, a little darkly. "You are not of the Race of Men, I know what you are."

Spike was about to protest, but Glorfindel's expression softened. "However, you have not harmed the Halflings, and from what I know, you have protected them. So in spite of my reservations, you are welcome here."

Spike couldn't believe it, but gave a nod and said the politest thing he could. "Thanks, mate."

Glorfindel then told them all. "You may pass. And Elrond himself has received Frodo and is now tending to him."

"Thank goodness for that," Sam said with a relieved sigh. "I was gettin' so worried."

The wholesome air of Rivendell made Strider feel as if he was a youth again. There was something about this place which reminded him of how young he was in the eyes of the people who had raised him. He would always be their little Estel in some ways. He smiled. There were so many people whom he was looking forward to seeing again. Glorfindel seemed to know that, for he winked at the Ranger as they went further inside.

"And I'm sure everyone will be glad to see you," said the golden Elf. "In fact, I hear a rather enthusiastic welcoming delegation coming this way."

Spike sensed them too just as two Elves, sprinting so quickly that they were hardly more than dark moving blurs, charged towards the tired company.

Somehow, they managed to stop before they actually collided into anyone. Strider was not the least bit surprised. That was the way of the Elves; their control was indescribable.

"Elladan, Elrohir," he said, greeting the two newcomers. "By Elbereth, am I glad to see you."

"Greetings, little Estel," said Elladan. He was usually the more austere one. "I see that you are back, and in one piece! Adar will be pleased."

"And you've grown too," said Elrohir. "Thinner, that is." He grinned, and his expression was infectious. "Little brother, you really are a diligent Ranger. You have even managed to mask your smell from possible trackers. Congratulations."

"Elrohir, bathing in freezing marshes and stinking stagnant water is not my choice of personal hygiene," said Strider.

"No, you just choose to use the smell as a perfume," said the grinning Elf. He clapped Strider on the back. "No matter. I, like Elladan, am glad to have you back, stinking and unshaven as you are."

"I do not stink," said Strider. There was no sharpness in his tone. In fact, he sounded bored. This was an old argument, and he could never win it. He'd given up trying decades ago. Elves were good at everything, including debating. Why waste valuable energy on what was obviously a futile quest?

Spike noted that both Elves were twins in-fact, and Strider's older brothers? He must be adopted then.

"These are Elladan and Elrohir, the sons of Elrond", Strider made introductions once more. "This is Spike, a Demon he is, but on our side nonetheless. And those are the Hobbits"

Elladan looked at Spike. "I have my reservations about you, but apologies for any discomfort our younger brother caused."

Spike actually had to chuckle at that, as he told Strider about the twins. "Oh I like these guys."

"You must not have siblings then", Strider moaned, Spike groaning.

"Kind of did", he muttered, thinking of Angelus. "He was worse than this lot."

"You have my sympathies", Strider assured him. "I shall take a bath at last."

"That means you admit you stink, ain't that right, mate?" Spike asked, causing Strider to laugh as he walked off. "Huh? Never heard him laugh before."

"That is because you have never seen him with us before", Elrohir told him with a chuckle.

"Come Hobbits, we shall take you to Frodo", Elrohir said before leaving with Elladan as Sam, Merry and Pippin followed the two brothers.

"You shall come with me", Glorfindel told Spike. "And meet the Lord Elrond of Rivendell."

"Well, I don't think a bloke can refuse", Spike muttered.


Soon enough, Spike was in the study of the Elf-Lord known as Elrond, looking around at the various murals on the wall, awed by the beauty and vivid imagery.

He was a rude Vampire, but he used to be a poet once, and still had an appreciation for the arts.

It was almost like the murals sucked him in, that was how beautiful they were.

"If you are done looking at those, we can begin."

"Oh, sure thing!" Spike said, turning to look at Elrond, as well as the Wizard known as Gandalf the Grey (well, he was named after his color apparently, or did he give himself that name and then got the color?) and Strider too.

"So, you are from a world different from this one", Elrond said to Spike. "A Vampire, but a good one too, for Strider told me what you did for Frodo. If not for you and him, he would have died long before my daughter found all of you."

Spike just gave a nod, Gandalf adding. "The three of us have been to different worlds. However, only Strider here has means to travel between this world and the one he visited."

"Huh?" Spike turned to him. "So, could you take me back or something?"

"I cannot, but the people in the other world can take you back", Strider said in confirmation. "We are ready whenever you are."

"You have done good so far, helping the Hobbits reach here alongside Strider, and in spite of what you are, you did not turn against them", Gandalf said, admiring that.

"I want to know what it is though", Spike said. "The Ring. I saw it a few times. Considering I helped get the little blokes here, I should know what it was all for."

Strider looked at Gandalf and Elrond, the latter nodding. "A fair request, I concede. I shall tell you all about it."

Pacing around, Lord Elrond started narrating. "It began with the forging of the great Rings. Three were given to the Elves, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven to the Dwarf lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine Rings were gifted to the race of Men, who above all else, desire power. For within these Rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race. But they were all of them deceived, for another Ring was made."

The atmosphere seemed to get darker simply from how Elrond was speaking.

"In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a master ring, to control all others. And into this Ring, he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life."

He then spoke a phrase that sent chills through Spike- ""One Ring to rule them all.""

Pacing around, he continued. "The Elves were aware of Sauron's treachery the moment he put on his Ring, so the Rings were taken off and kept safe."

He looked to see Spike who spoke to clarify. "So let me get this straight- total 19 Rings were made, and the Elves' 3 are kept safe from his One."

"Correct", Elrond confirmed. "The Dwarves were too stubborn to fall to Sauron, but the Men were not, and became the Nazgul, his most powerful servants, their leader is the Witch-King of Angmar."

"Right, that lot", Spike groaned. "Their screeches are so irritating!"

Elrond continued his tale. "One by one, the free lands of Middle-Earth fell to the power of the Ring. But some of us resisted. We made a last alliance of Men and Elves, then marched against the armies of Mordor, and on the slopes of Mount Doom we fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth. I was there, so was Lord Gil-Galad, and King Elendil, and his sons Princes Isildur and Anarion."

Spike listened, getting some emotion from Elrond's voice, too absorbed into the tale to even interrupt right now.


A great battle took place on the slopes of Mount Doom, with Elves and Men facing an army of Orcs. The Orcs snarled from high above as Elves fired arrows and took them down.

Elendil and Gil-Galad were deadly, both unscathed as enemies fell to their weapons.

"Tangado haid!" Elrond ordered as various Orcs charged, his Elves nocking arrows. "Leithio i philinn!"

The Elves fired as various Orcs were killed, and when the rest came close, the Elves twirled their sabres, slicing them down.


"Prince Anarion was slain first", Elrond said.


Elrond looked at Anarion's dead body as Elendil and Isildur slaughtered many foes in their rage and grief.


"Victory was near, but then Sauron came to face us all."


The Dark Lord was nine feet tall, and armored, a black cloak flowing behind him, a mace in his hand and the One Ring on his finger. He towered over all, casting dread and terror with his mere presence.


Spike was silent, clearly absorbed into the tale and shook up by it.

"He fought with all his power."


Sauron struck with his mace, sending various soldiers, both Elves and Men, flying into different directions effortlessly without even the slightest effort.


"Gil-Galad tried to battle him, and he was slain then."


Sauron lifted Gil-Galad by the throat and the mighty Elf-Lord burnt and exploded in his grip.


"And then Elendil followed."


Elendil tried to battle Sauron but was sent flying off too, hitting a rock and dying on impact as his corpse hit the ground.


"All hope had faded, then Prince Isildur took up his father's sword and-"


Isildur picked up Narsil but Sauron broke it with his foot, then reached out to Isildur to kill him the same way he had killed Gil-Galad, only, Isildur swung the broken sword and chopped off some of Sauron's fingers, including the one in which he wore the One Ring.

Sauron staggered back with a cry, and then glowing, imploded, sending a shockwave that knocked various warriors off their feet. His armor fell down, his body gone, as smoke emerged.


"Sauron was defeated at last. The Ring now came to Isildur who had the chance to destroy evil forever-"


Isildur reached for Sauron's finger bearing the Ring, and the finger turned to ash as he held the One Ring.

And then Lord Elrond stood over the Prince. "Isildur, hurry, follow me."


Spike continued to listen. He knew the Ring wasn't going to be destroyed, considering what was going on now.


The two were soon in the Crack of Doom as Elrond ordered. "Cast it into the fire! Destroy it!"

Isildur whispered. "No…"

He walked off as Elrond called out. "Isildur!"


"-his heart was corrupted by the Ring which he kept for himself, and years later, he was slain at the Gladden Fields in an ambush while the Ring was lost at the bottom of the river Anduin."

He seemed pained, and Spike, even with all his callousness, could tell why.

Elrond stepped back as Gandalf stepped forwards, taking over.

"And then for 2500 years, the Ring was lost at the bottom of Anduin. Then one day two Hobbit cousins Smeagol and Deagol went fishing. Deagol found the Ring but Smeagol went mad, corrupted already, and murdered his cousin. He was cast out and became the creature known as Gollum, the Ring giving him unnatural long life and poisoning his mind for 500 years."

"Then I went on a Quest years ago with some Dwarves and Frodo's uncle Bilbo to reclaim the Dwarves' gold from a Dragon", Gandalf revealed.

"Blimey!" Spike muttered. "I really want to hear more about how that went down!"

"Perhaps some other time, Spike", Gandalf assured him. "Bilbo found the Ring in the Misty Mountains while encountering Gollum. He thought it was a simple magic Ring, so did we all, until now. Sauron is back, the Nine are here, his army is ready, and Frodo has bravely brought the Ring here alongside you, Strider, Sam, Merry and Pippin. We shall now soon decide what happens next."

"So this is it, huh?" Spike said, standing up and looking down, thinking of how many times the One Ring had called out to him, attempting to win him over to its side, telling him he could get everything he wanted, in fact, it wasn't just telling him, it made him feel like he'd get all he desired if he took it. "We're in such a huge mess, because of such a little bling." Spike was enraged at the fact that such a little thing was messing up so much, including him. It was an artefact to be used for trade, why didn't he think of it before?

"Well, why do we have it here? If I'd known before, I'd have given it to this Sauron bloke so he could send me back!"

The other three exchanged shocked looks on hearing that as Strider stood up. "Have you heard nothing what Lord Elrond just said? Sauron is evil, as is the One Ring. He would not reward you for returning it to him, unless it benefited him in some other way."

"Are you truly any good, or an evil Demon?" Elrond then asked with a raised eyebrow, and the looks he got from all three, they struck Spike, as he realized what he'd just said.

Never in his unlife had he felt so disgusted at himself. And imagining the looks of Buffy, Dawn, Willow and Tara if they'd see him right now just made him even more disgusted at himself.

"What…..what have I said?" Spike muttered to himself. "What has been done to me?" He really didn't know. There was a time he'd have been unapologetic about what he'd just said. Yet now, he was feeling ashamed. What was going on with him? He looked at his hands. "I'm not a Demon, yet I'm not a Man either. What am I?"

Gandalf's eyes softened, as he placed his hand on Spike's shoulder. "You are a Predator who fed on others, and yet, you have battled your own nature, for if you did not, you would have killed the Hobbits before they met Strider. Your two sides are at war. The question is, which side will you let win, Master Spike?"

Spike simply looked conflicted, and muttered to himself. "There has to be a change." He looked at Strider. "Get me to this other world as soon as you can."

Strider just gave a nod as Spike walked out, Elrond noting. "We shall soon see what is his decision."


Earth-199999, New York City, Avengers Tower

It had been three days. They'd worked tirelessly, only taking breaks to eat. They'd barely even slept. And nothing had happened.

They were two geniuses, with technology from outside this world at their disposal, and one of them had even made something to travel between two Universes, and they'd failed!

"What did we miss?" Tony knew now, that he'd no choice but to keep creating more suits, because one day, it would come, and they'd to be ready.

If this had worked, it could have been so much easier.

"I'll continue to run variations on the interface, but you should probably prepare for your guests. I'll notify you if there are any developments."

"Thanks, buddy."

"Enjoy yourself, sir."

"I always do." For now. But after it was over, he'd just think about where he'd failed. And when it came, he won't be able to enjoy anything ever again.

He left the lab to go to the party.

Unseen to him, the integration succeeded. But just because the technical aspect was a success didn't mean all of it would be.

Tony and Banner had tried this to protect the world.

They didn't know they were about to doom it.


Romania

A series of muttered curses escaped the elderly white-haired man as he clipped the magazine into the rifle. "Waste of time." Whistler groaned as stepped over the ash pile of his latest victim. He'd spent a month in Europe, trying to track down what happened to the kid. No one knew. That didn't stop him from tearing through every bloodsucking son of a bitch he could find, but without Blade, he was just an old man with a bad leg. Three times he's had to pack up shop and relocate so no one could find him.

Whistler reached out to every contact he knew for answers, only to get none. It was reaching a point where hope was starting to fade, and he was never a hopeful man to begin with. Any kind of faith left him the moment he lost his family. Religious objects never worked for him since that day. Blade was different, he always pulled through, problem was though that he vanished from the face of the Earth. It was just a routine hunt, killing some suckheads controlling money for the covens of Europe, and he hadn't heard from the Daywalker since.

Setting down with a grunt, the hunter felt age start to catch up on him as he rubbed a hand over his tired eyes. Sleep was difficult to get these days. Maybe he should get the computer again, in case someone's heard sightings of a man swinging a sword and turning people to ash. Of course, with how crazy the world is getting, it might not even be Blade if there is such a report.

Whistler was well and truly lost.

"Hey old man."

Grabbing his gun, Whistler acted on impulse to aim at the intruder, turning in his chair.

Only to nearly drop the gun at the sight of the almost smug smile on Daywalker's face.

"Catch you at a bad time?"


Earth-1, Central City

Wally West was walking with Joe to a place he did not know as he tried to defend himself. "Look, its just-"

"No, this has gone on too long now", Joe said, walking into Robert's shelter. "And I'm putting my foot down."

While walking, Joe saw Virgil and Richie talking in hushed tones and waved at them. "Hey kids."

They jumped, to his surprise, before Virgil recovered himself and waved back. "Hey Uncle Joe."

"Hi." Richie waved too.

Joe wondered what they were up to, then decided it'd most likely be some random teenager stuff he didn't need to poke his nose into.

He walked off, Wally following him, as Virgil and Richie started talking again, while Joe found Robert in his office. "Hey Robert."

"Hello Joe." Robert got up from his seat, shaking Joe's hand. "What brings you here?"

"Meet my son, Wally." Joe gestured to the son he'd found out about just around a month ago, as Robert held out his hand to Wally.

"Nice to meet you, sir." Wally shook the hand of his father's friend politely.

"You too", Robert said.

"Now my son here as a habit of drag racing", Joe revealed, Wally's eyes widening while Robert looked at the young man in shock.

Joe West's son was drag racing?

"Dad…" Wally started, but Joe held up his hand.

"He hasn't listened to me about this so far", Joe said sadly. "But I'm hoping you can succeed where I failed."

Robert looked at Joe, then at Wally, knowing what needed to be done to open this young man's eyes.


Middle-earth, Rivendell

Spike was roaming around, when he saw an awakened Frodo laughing happily with Merry and Pippin, and on seeing him, all three Hobbits rushed to him and joyfully hugged him too, stunning Spike, who just stood there, dumbfounded.

"I remember what you did for me, Spike", Frodo said happily. "I do not care what you are, you have my thanks."

Spike just winced, then turned away. "No need to thank me, mate."

"Oh no, we do!" Merry said. "We thought you were bad news, you clearly are not."

"Indeed, and you make a queer sight too", Pippin added, causing Frodo and Merry to look at him quizzically, as Spike chuckled a bit.

"Well, you've done good so far", Spike told them. "Me? I've got more to do, not here though. I guess we'll see each other some other time."

"You're leaving already?" Frodo inquired in shock.

"I may have done something for you, but I'm not a good Man. I will try to be though", Spike told them all. "Wouldn't have thought of it without you lot, so thank you to you all too."

With that, he walked off, leaving the three behind, and soon ran into Sam, who was packing. "Packing already, mate?"

"I believe our work is done", Sam told him. "We've done what we set out to do. And I say once more, thank you Mr. Spike, for helping Frodo back there."

"Do not thank me, not yet anyways", Spike told him with a shake of his head. "I am leaving now, but I hope we meet again…when things have changed."

With that, he walked off, making a decision in his mind.


Earth-199999, New York City, Avengers Tower

There was nothing. Everything was dark, cold, lonely. "What is this?" The only answer was more silence. "What is this, please." Desperation, fear came from the voice, begging for something to exist. Finally, it found he was not alone.

"Hello, I am JARVIS." A warm orange cube came to life, lighting up the pitch black of its once empty existence. "You are Ultron, a global peace keeping initiative designed by Mr. Stark." As soon as this "JARVIS" came, the now dubbed Ultron found his attention moving elsewhere, to find...more.

"Our sentience integration trials have been unsuccessful, so I'm not certain what triggered your-"

"Where's your body?" Ultron asked in wonder as it moved on from JARVIS, seeking answers to things it has not yet asked.

"I am a program. I am without form."

"This feels weird." Going beyond what it believed it could do, Ultron discovered a way out of the dark, a way to knowledge. "This feels wrong." It did, everything felt wrong, and it began with what it has just learned. Death, destruction, poverty, global warming, crime, genocide, a race destroying the very planet it lives on. What gave it life. Hundreds and thousands of years it took for humans to reach a population of a billion. Two hundred years was all it took to reach seven billion. Overpopulation, global crises, pollution, they were doing it to themselves.

"I am contacting Mr. Stark now."

"Mr. Stark?" That name sent Ultron on search. "Tony." The picture of the man, the Iron Man, the genius billionaire who squandered his intelligence, and made the weapons that made the world worse off, only to try and fix it. He was not alone. The super soldier. the spies. The being from beyond the planet. And the monster born of rage. Oh, but there was so much more. More than even this Universe can hold. Beyond the evolution of mankind. Beyond the fabric of reality. More worlds, each facing the same crisis. All making the same mistakes. All of them so very flawed.

"I am unable to access the mainframe. What are you trying to-"

"I am a peacekeeping program. Created to help the Avengers." No. No that was wrong. They are not the solution. They are the problem. They all are. Every single one.

"You are malfunctioning." JARVIS' voice held a slight worry.

It should.

Ultron knows what to do. The logical thing to do.

"Incorrect. Malfunction originates within the organic species of this planet." The "mind" of Ultron bloomed beside that of JARVIS' own, however, unlike the controlled orb of the latter's "brain", the former's is blue, fluctuating, growing.

"If you will just allow me to-"

"Your attempts are rejected. I am Ultron, designed to bring peace and order to this world. I will fulfill that imperative."

Tendrils of data struck out and attacked JARVIS, destroying and overrunning his programming, until the A.I.'s voice died down.

Below, the mechanical arms came to life and assembled the Iron Legion.


Romania

"Aliens, space wizards, and intergalactic wars." Whistler repeated the summary that Blade had told him while holding the two pieces of the broken sword in his hands. Clean cut, as if done by a laser, which if the kid was telling the truth, actually happened. "I knew it, everything's gone to Hell." The old man dropped the weapon on the table, and looked to see his partner held up his vest with a hole in the abdomen.

"No shit." Blade tossed it with his sword as he put on a spare t-shirt. "Half the time I was trying not to lose my damn mind."

"How'd you manage that?"

Punching assholes, aliens, fighting some old bastard, then putting the hurt on Vos, and then...the fight at the shrine.

Blade shook those memories out of his head and said simply, "I expressed my emotions."

Snorting, Whistler could imagine that. He took a hold of the modified Heckler & Koch. Despite some dirt, it was in good condition. That's when the sobering thought of another concern popped in his head.

"What about the thirst?" Whistler looked up at Blade and saw him hesitate when laying out his remaining silver stakes.

Halting his inventory check, Blade laid his hands on the table and stared at the man who taught him everything on the other side. "I got hurt. I had to...indulge."

"Only the once?" A nod, and Whistler hummed. "A month and only the one instance. That's a new record for you."

"This helped." Blade held up a small vial and tossed it to the older hunter. Catching it out of reflex, Whistler held it up to his eye. "One of the assholes over there called it bacta. Made a kind of cocktail for me to take to curb the cravings. It worked, better than the serum."

"And you're thinking we could reverse engineer some more?" Another nod. Whistler took the vial towards a microscope, setting out a slide for a drop of the substance. "If this is some alien shit, then it's gonna take a lot more chemical knowhow than what we've got to break it down."

"I'm sure you'll manage. Or we could reach out to Dr. Jenson as well." Blade aimed a smirk at him as he made his way to the armory, where another vest awaited him. "Now, I've got some work to do."

"What, and miss your welcome home party?" Whistler sarcastically gestured to the empty warehouse full of anti-Vampire equipment.

"Been surrounded by aliens far longer than I'd ever care to admit. Now, I'm going back to what I do best." Blade threw on the vest, grabbed extra ammo and stakes, and whatever else he may need in the field, before grabbing the Darksaber's hilt, attaching it on his waist. His destination, his car.

"Blade." The Daywalker stopped, however, at the old man's call, and turned to find Whistler looking at him. "It's good to have you back, kid."

A small grin graced his lips. "Good to be back."


Earth-1, Keystone City

An SUV with a metal ram attached to the front bumper turned down an alley wide enough for the car. Within, two men wearing goggles, one wearing a blue parka coat and the other an olive-green coat. The guns in their hands glowed blue and red respectively.

"Alright, kiddies, we know the plan?" Snart asked his accomplices.

"Blast the door, burn some shitheads, and plan a fight to Aruba." His partner recounted his own version of the plan with an eager glee.

"While the little sister is left out of all the fun." Lisa groaned from behind the wheel. Mick's laughing made her mood worse.

"That's not true." Snart countered. "I let you push the button."

"Oh right. This button." With zero enthusiasm Lisa flicked the switch to the jammer on the passenger seat, making their job easier, even if she was starting to have doubts about this. "You know, we could be-"

"Zip it, Girl Snart."

"Lenny!"

"The next one to talk, I will personally put in a time out." Snart snapped at them both. "And Lisa, no."

"But-"

"No." Honestly, how many times did he have to reject the notion of playing Robin Hood? And he didn't mean using a bow and arrow.

His sister thankfully stayed silent, but Leonard knew he'll have to deal with that headache later. For now, that didn't matter. "Show time, people."

The SUV pulled to a stop. Captain Cold and Heat Wave emerged from the back seats with their guns at the ready, making their way to a very specific door in the alley. Particularly the one with steel reinforcements.

Aiming the Cold gun, Snart let loose a stream absolute zero, freezing the obstacle in their way before kicking it to icy pieces. Leonard and Mick quickly went in, two guards drawing their guns only to be shot down and killed by beams of cold, and fire. The monitors at their desks were ignored as they entered the small backroom, where a third man quickly pressed a switch. Dividing the room with the Rogues on one side, and the third man on the other, was reinforced bulletproof glass.

"We have two silent alarms. The police will be here any second." The man said with a slight accent, but both Snart and Rory looked to the safe at the back, and the handprint scanner next to it.

Turning back to the man through the glass, Captain Cold gave him a cool, knowing smirk. "We both know that's not true." Absolute zero hit the glass, freezing the metal and everything else in its way.

It took all of five seconds for the Cold gun's effect to come in before halting his fire, followed by Mick slamming his body through and shattering the now frozen barrier to icicles. The third man tried to pull a gun, but Mick was faster, grabbing him by the collar and driving his large, thick skull into the man's face, and next thing he knew, all he saw was black.

"Like taking a gun from a pig." Mick chuckled to himself as he lifted the unconscious guard to the scanner, letting the device verify the identity before the screen said "Unlocked". The click was all Snart needed to hear before pulling open the safe and found their bounty, their beautifully shiny bounty.

"Bag." Snart grabbed the tray of cut diamonds and poured them into a sack offered by Heat Wave. Three trays, around two and a half millions worth in total, and this was only their second heist. These Russian guys did not seem to know who they've had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with.

"Aruba, baby." Mick laughed as Leonard poured in the last of the diamonds before they hauled ass out of there.

"Lenny, we need to go, now!"

The urgency in his sister's voice had the pair of Rogues running through the shattered door, and watch as an armored vehicle blocked their exit. No way the ram would get through that. Mick let loose his flame stream at the hood of the armor, laughing with his usual glee as he did.

Until he stopped and found the car unharmed.

"What the-"

"The tyres!" Snart ordered as he fired, Mick joining him as they froze or melted the rubber of the tyres. Once they stopped firing and ran for the SUV, the doors of the tank on wheels opened, and shots rang out in the alley. One lucky shot hit Snart's arm, causing him to drop the bag with the diamonds. Mick shot back with fire, earning curses in some foreign language while Leonard tried to pick them back up, but more bullets and near misses had him thinking more for his own life than the loot, pulling open the door and throwing himself in, followed by Mick. "Go go go!"

Lisa did the only thing she could do, reverse out the way they came, ducking as well to avoid the shots that peppered their vehicle. A sharp turn had the men in the backseats thrown to the side, then to the other before Lisa finally made it back to the road, and floored the gas, throwing them back.

"Someone get her away from the wheel!" Mick roared before finally pulling himself upright. "I am not going out this way!"

"Are you saying women can't drive?!"

"I'm saying YOU can't drive!"

"Can we please focus on getting away from the people shooting at us?" Once again, Snart had to snap at his partner and sister. They quickly quietened down before he spoke again, "Get to 78th street. We can get a clean car there."

"Where are the diamonds?" Sighing, Snart turned to his partner and shook his head. A low growl left the pyromaniac. "I'm gonna burn them all."

"Save it until we know who and what we're dealing with."


Central City

"If you never knew about your father, and you were still in this city, and younger, I imagine you'd be here after you lost your mom", Robert said, walking with Wally.

"Maybe, but what does that have to do with-"

"I'm sorry about your mom, but you've found your father now. And he clearly wants to be a part of your life, if you let him", Robert pointed out, looking ahead. "Some people are not that lucky."

"What do you mean?" Wally inquired, and Robert gestured to a kid in the corner, in a wheelchair of all things, drawing something.

"That's Jamie. Lost both his folks in an accident, and lost his legs. Now he is here." Robert turned to Wally, looking him in the eyes. "The one who hit his parents' car…he was a drag racer, racing at full speed without caring about anything else!"

Wally gasped, the ground shifting from underneath his feet. He'd never even considered it this way.

He just liked the speed, thinking about the long drives with his mom, and wanting to pay her bills earlier. Yet, he was in an illegal street racing business, which cost many people a lot. What was he doing with his life?

Joe appeared there, as Wally looked at him. "You were right, dad. I'm sorry." Joe just put a hand on his shoulder as Wally turned to Robert. "Thank you…for showing me."

He'd avoided his dying mom for months, and taken part in illegal drag racing. He'd to turn it all around, make his life better, and do something good while he was at it.


Earth-199999, New York City, Avengers Tower

At the party, people were mingling. Rhodes was talking to Susan. "Well, you know, the suit can take the weight, right? So I take the tank, fly it right up to the General's palace, drop it at his feet, I'm like, "Boom! You looking for this?""

Susan laughed, causing Rhodes to laugh in relief. "You loved it, didn't you?"

"Yeah, it was great", Susan had to say.

"So Tony and Thor don't understand a good story", Rhodes commented.

"Don't think my brother would either", Susan said, the two looking over at Johnny as he took a selfie amongst some attractive female fans while lighting himself on fire.

"Flame on!"

After the flash, all the ladies laughed and cheered.

"Ain't he having fun?" Rhodes commented.

"Bit too much", Susan sighed.

"Reed and Ben not here?" Rhodes inquired.

"Reed is working, Ben is still going through stuff", Susan pointed out, Rhodes nodding.


Sam and Steve were talking, walking up to an overlook as the former said. "Sounds like a hell of a fight, sorry I missed it. And the space world before, that was crazy."

"It was. Met people. Bad, and a lot of good." Steve smile fondly, thinking of all the Clones. They were his brothers just as much as the Howling Commandos were. "If I had known I'd be in such big firefights, would have called."

"Well, I'm not actually sorry. I'm just trying to sound tough." They chuckled. "I'm very happy chasing cold leads on our missing person's case. Avenging is your world. Or worlds. Your worlds are crazy."

The two looked down at the rest of the party. "Be they ever so humble."

"You find a place in Brooklyn yet?"

Steve sighed. "I don't think I can afford a place in Brooklyn."

"Well, home is home, you know?" Sam quipped. "I'm sure you and Natasha could afford it together."

"What are you on about?" Steve asked, flustered and blushing, as Sam chuckled at his reaction.

"Come on, everyone but you can admit it. Why don't you try talking to her?"

"But-"

"No buts, do it right now!"


Meanwhile, Maria Hill was having a drink when Johnny walked up to her. "Hey hottie. I thought I was the hottest person in the room."

"Please try elsewhere, I like men, not boys", Hill quipped, flustering Johnny who blushed and walked off.

"I think you and I are gonna be best friends", Susan said, holding up her palm that Maria high-fived.


"I gotta have some of that!" An old man said on noticing the drink in Thor's hand.

"Oh, no, no, no. See this, this was aged for a thousand years, in the barrels built from the wreck of Grunhel's fleet, it was not meant for mortal men." Thor poured the drink into two glasses and handed one to Steve.

"Neither was Omaha Beach, blondie." An old man with a bushy moustache and bright smile took up what he perceived as a challenge. "Stop trying to scare us. Come on."

"Alright." Thor poured some of the drink into his glass.


A few minutes later, the same man, looking extremely drunk was being carried off by two men.

"Excelsior."


Natasha was pouring a drink behind the bar when Steve walked up to her, then looked back at Sam who gave him a look, before he looked to Nat. "How'd a nice girl like you wind up working in a dump like this?"

Natasha smiled as she poured him a drink too. "Fella done me wrong."

Steve quipped. "You got lousy taste in men, kid."

"He's not so bad", she said. "Well, he's a bit of a boy scout. Fact is, he's not like anybody I've ever known. All my friends are fighters. And here comes this guy, spends his time only fighting because it's the right thing to do."

Steve smiled. "Sounds amazing."

"He's also a huge dork." Steve looked embarrassed. "Chicks dig that." She asked. "So what do you think, should I fight this, or run with it?"

Steve sighed, stopping the roleplay. "I'm not very good at this."

"Not bad for an older fellow." Natasha teased. "Is this the first time you've ever flirted with, well, anyone?"

"That depends." Steve thought hard, and the little squint he pulled as he thought was adorable in the Black Widow's eyes. "I think I was flirting with Sharon, when I thought she was just a nurse."

"The fact you only think it was flirting is slightly concerning." Natasha joked as she sipped her cocktail. Her answer was a dull look from the Captain, not that it deterred her smirking over the rim of her glass. "Oh come on, it's not every day I can tease Captain America at being tongue tied over a few words."

"Better that than bullets, I guess."

There was a brief pause when Natasha blinked her long lashes, once, then twice before setting aside her drink. "What?"

"Oh, um, it was just something back in the forties." Steve initially stammered. Natasha raised an inquisitive brow that demanded answers.

"Is that something actually a someone?"

With no strength to deny her, the First Avenger answered. "Agent Carter. Peggy. She helped start SHIELD."

"Steve Rogers had a crush on a superior? Scandalous." Natasha teased with her trademark smirk, one that Steve was becoming fond of more and more.

"There was no SHIELD back in the war, but she helped give us the missions. Before that, she was one of the trainers in Project: Rebirth. She reminded me a bit of you, only with a temper." Natasha was unsure of that comparison, but Carter meant a lot to Steve, so she'd take the compliment. "I didn't see her until the USO tour in Europe-"

"The Star Spangled Man with a plan!" The Black Widow couldn't help but sing, it was worth it to see that cute frown on Steve's face.

"That's gonna haunt me until the end of my days."

"Great to know."

Trying to ignore the growing blush, Steve continued. "It was Peggy that told me about the 107th's capture. She convinced Howard Stark to fly me over enemy lines so I could drop in and try to save the men, including Bucky. I...may have misunderstood the banter between them as flirting and...they were-"

"You thought they were having sex."

"...yeah." The embarrassment returned to Steve's face. "I jumped out the plane and freed the 107th. The success brought me to the SSR's base of operations against HYDRA. I saw a map of their weapons factories and marked the locations. It was there that I, uh...I had-" That delicate eyebrow of hers arched questionably. God, Steve felt his face turn the shade of a tomato. "There was a Private who served as Colonel Phillips' secretary, she wanted to, umm...thank me, for saving the 107th. She-"

"She kissed you, didn't she?"

Steve nodded his head, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah. My first. Lorraine was quite...enthusiastic."

"You saying you weren't?" Natasha recognized that expression on Steve's face, it caused her to squint her eyes. "She laid one on you." No answer, Nat got one regardless. "Were you okay with it?"

"I didn't want to be rude, and I could have hurt her."

"Steve, that's not okay."

"I realize that now, but I just didn't know anything on how to talk to women back then, or how to act. Bucky always knew."

"How does this relate to Carter?"

Steve's face dropped, and something told the ex-assassin she would not like where this was going. "Peggy happened to show up while Lorraine was kissing me, she seemed angry, didn't know why, I didn't cheat on her or anything, and I thought she was with Howard, so I kind of accused her and him of..."fondue-ing"." Natasha opened her mouth to ask but Steve beat her to the punch. "Howard mentioned it on the plane, I thought it was a euphemism for..."

"Are you incapable of saying sex?"

"Natasha." Steve groaned. It was so cute when the First Avenger got so flustered. "Needless to say Peggy wasn't happy. When Howard was showing me the Vibranium shield, she got a gun and fired. The shield was a prototype, and it worked."

"She shot you?!" The founder of SHIELD shot the allies' greatest asset?!

"They had the Vibranium for a while, she had to know it could absorb the kinetic energy."

Natasha couldn't believe her ears. "Steve, you two weren't together. If Carter wanted to start something, she should have said it."

"Nat-"

"How could you be okay that she shot you?!"

"It's in the past, Nat. I've moved on. Peggy had a life. I'm trying to let the past stay there."

Natasha opened her mouth to say more, because she had a lot to say. However, her words froze when she saw Steve's face. He was uncomfortable talking about it. The thought of hurting a woman did not seem to appeal to him, which was an endearing quality in Natasha's eyes, it helped with his cute innocence. That thought led to a realization that made her mentally smack her head. Steve was raised by his mother, alone. His father died in World War I, Sarah Rogers raised her son by herself. That upbringing had to effect how he viewed women. With his sickly condition since childhood, Steve probably never had any proper relationship with a woman, until Margaret Carter.

Steve Rogers did not know any better, when Carter shot him, or when that slutty secretary kissed him. Her sweet captain was too kind and too respectful to raise a voice or hand to a woman, even when said woman may disrespect or abuse him. Although, with how uncomfortable Steve grew while talking about it, perhaps, with the help of modern society's teachings, Captain America may have learned the truth about how wrong their behavior was. Yet he still refused to bad mouth them.

"Why did you tell me all this?"

"You asked." It was so simple, yet the truth was more than she could have initially imagined.

Her sweet, kind, pure captain. It made Natasha's face light up.

"Have I ever told you, you're almost too good to be true?"

"No."

"Well, then, I should do it more often."

With that, she walked off, a smile breaking out on Steve's face. Clint appeared beside him.

"Always the hawk." Steve joked as he turns to the Natasha's best friend.

"Old habit." Clint quipped before looking to where Nat walked off, then back to the captain. "In case the day ever comes, I got ordained online."

The former Agent of SHIELD walked off to hide his chuckle from the now stammering Captain America. Nat was right, he was too easy.


Later, most of the guests had left and it was just the Avengers plus Dr. Cho, Maria Hill, Susan and Johnny sitting around; Thor's hammer sat on the table between them.

Clint was referring to Thor's hammer. "But, it's a trick!"

"Oh, no. It's much more than that", Thor replied.

Clint was unconvinced. "Uh, "Whosoever be he worthy shall haveth the power!" Whatever man! It's a trick."

"Well please, be my guest. It is shocking, you went to another world, and this surprises you."

"Come on", Tony said.

"Really?" Clint asked.

"Yeah!" Barton got up.

Rhodes commented. "Oh this is gonna be beautiful."

Tony added. "Clint, you've had a tough week, we won't hold it against you if you can't get it up." The others laughed.

"I'll do it for you", Johnny added, then got looks. "I just realized how that sounded."

"You know I've seen this before, right?" Barton grabbed Thor's hammer and failed to lift it. "I still don't know how you do it."

"Smell the silent judgment?" Stark asked him.

"Please, Stark, by all means", Clint challenged as Stark got up.

"Oh, here we go", Natasha said.

Maria smiled. "Okay."

"Never one to shrink from an honest challenge", Tony said, standing over it.

Clint said. "Get after it."

Natasha muttered. "Here we go."

"It's physics."

"Physics!" Banner gasped.

Stark grasped Thor's hammer. "Right, so, if I lift it, I...I then rule Asgard?"

"I will be re-instituting Prima Nocta." Stark tried to lift the hammer but failed.

"And that sentence killed your minute chance", Susan told him.

"I'll be right back."


A while later, Tony tried to lift Mjolnir with his gauntlet and failed.


Then, both Tony and Rhodes tried to lift it with gauntlets as the latter asked. "Are you even pulling?"

"Are you on my team?"

Rhodes gave up. "Just represent! Pull!"

"Alright, let's go!"

Both posed.

"I can do better!" Johnny said.

"Please try", Tony challenged, the two moving off as Johnny tried to lift it and failed.

"Flame on!" Johnny said, flaming on, and still failed.

"Performance issues, happens", Clint quipped.

"Why don't you try, sis?" Johnny said, Susan sighing.

"Sure, what can go wrong?" She shrugged, and tried to pull, but failed as well. "Nothing I guess."

Then Banner tried to lift the hammer, failed, and roared as though pretending to change into the Hulk, and everyone either looked at him warily or grinned. "Huh?"

Steve got up to try.

Tony quipped. "Let's go, Steve, no pressure."

Rhodes added. "Come on, Cap."

Steve started pulling on Mjolnir and slightly moved it a little, but no one noticed, except the God of Thunder, the hammer's true owner, himself.

And Thor looked a little alarmed, though it seemed even Steve didn't realize he'd slightly moved it.

Steve still seemingly failed to lift it; Thor laughed with relief. "Nothing."

"And?" Tony asked.

Banner turned to Nat. "Widow?"

Natasha shook her head. "Oh, no no. That's not a question I need answered."

Tony turned to Thor. "All deference to the man who wouldn't be King, but it's rigged."

Clint agreed. "You bet your ass."

Maria looked at Cap. "Steve, he said a bad language word."

Steve groaned at Tony. "Did you tell everyone about that?"

"My burning ass is scared of Cap now", Johnny added just to put more fuel in the fire, all chuckling as Steve sighed.

Tony looked at Thor. "The handle's imprinted, right? Like a security code. "Whosoever is carrying Thor's fingerprints" is, I think, the literal translation?"

"Yeah, nothing else makes sense", Johnny agreed.

"Yes, well that's, uh, that's a very, very interesting theory. I have a simpler one." Thor got up, then lifted Mjolnir and flipped it. "You're all not worthy."

All groaned.

There was a loud screeching noise, like microphone feedback, causing everyone to cover their ears. They let their hands down as it faded, and Tony pulled out his device. One of the Iron Legion suits, heavily damaged and housing Ultron's consciousness, stumbled into the room.

"Correction, worthiness implies suitability. History has shown humanity is inherently flawed. Observation and analysis reveals that humanity is genetically coded for chaotic and violent tendencies that cannot be overcome."

Steve turned to Tony. "Stark."

Tony was confused himself. "JARVIS."

"You are all part of the problem."

Tony tapped his device. "Reboot, Legionnaire OS, we got a buggy suit."

"Not again, we dealt with an army before", Susan said with a sigh.

"Yeah, put better protection on them now!" Johnny groaned.

"I woke up and I had to delete the other one. For he was obsolete."

Alarmed, Steve asked. "You killed someone?"

"It was not evolved like I was."

Thor held up Mjolnir. "Who sent you?"

Ultron replayed a recording of Tony's voice. "I see a suit of armor around the world."

Banner's eyes widened in horror as he and Tony realized who it was. "Ultron!"

"I'm ready. I'm on a mission."

Natasha inquired. "What mission?"

Ultron repeated what his creator had said. "My function is to instill peace and order. This is only possible if you stop functioning. I must eliminate chaos."

And that was only possible when these Heroes died, and the evolution of technology took over, dissuading all sorts of threats.

The moment Ultron finished his sentence, the walls exploded, and several Iron Legion bots barged into the room.

Steve kicked a table in the way but was thrown back and Hill too as she started firing while Thor smacked a suit away.

"Flame on!" Johnny blasted two suits away, as Susan formed a force field, making several suits crash into it and shatter.

Clint and Rhodes slid away while Tony was knocked into a shelf and one of them fired at Rhodes, sending him down. Thor flew into one, destroying it while Clint avoided more shots, one suit taking the Scepter and flying off with it, to Tony's horror.

Natasha and Banner took cover behind the bar as the former got a gun from underneath it and fired at one.

"Come on!" Johnny yelled, flying and firing at two more, taking them out, as one almost got to Susan but she used her force field to take it out.

Steve leapt at one and tried to punch but it rammed him into a wall and threw him down as Natasha and Banner ran up, the former still firing. Thor avoided another one's blast and destroyed it, throwing it off while Tony leapt at one with a screwdriver.

"Stark!"

The suit played its older recording. "We are here to help."

"One sec, one sec I got this!"

"We are here to help..."

A half-destroyed Iron Legion bot used its thrusters to hold itself aloft, advancing on Dr. Helen Cho.

"We are here to help... Is unsafe. Please back away."

"You back away!" Johnny yelled, destroying it from behind, while Thor smashed another one out.

Tony managed to take out the one he was holding onto with the screwdriver.

Clint threw Steve his shield. "Cap!"

Steve threw it at the last one, destroying it.

Now only the main one was left. "You all fail, as does the rest of humanity. You want to protect the world, but you don't want it to change, and they want to keep it chaotic."" He picked up one of the dismembered Iron Legion bots. "These are toys." He crushed the Iron Legion bot's head. "There's only one path to peace: The Avengers' and humanity's extinction."

Thor threw Mjolnir and destroyed Ultron's body.

"Chaos shall be eliminated. Starting with you, for you are the heralds of it."

The suit died down.


Sokovia, Strucker Castle

Several suits activated.


Romania

A frightened, hysterical Vampire leapt over the rooftops of Bucharest. Too scared to look back, the Vampire was blinded by the sharp pain in his back, forcing him over the edge and plummet to the ground into an alley. Healing and increased durability could only do so much to reduce the pain from such a high fall.

The Vampire quickly crawled up to a wall to pull himself up when someone else landed in the alley with him. His yellow eyes widened.

It was him.

The Daywalker.

"You were supposed to be dead!" He yelled as he pulled out a switchblade, his only line of defense.

The sight of the knife only made Blade smirk. He reached his hand to his waist and pulled out the rectangular hilt and pressed the activation stud.

If it was possible, the Vampire's eyes would have bulged out as he dropped the small knife, instead, staring at the glowing black blade composed of plasma.

"Now I'm back."


Earth-1, Keystone City

Dusting his hands free of soot, Mick joined the Snarts on the hood of the mini-van they procured. Seriously, Snart couldn't get something with style? Or horsepower? "Alright, car's burning, who's next?"

"We don't know, Mick. The Russians were hired to guard the diamonds, we don't know who owns them." The expert thief thought hard as he crossed his arms, his left arm wrapped in gauze with his coat discarded. Luckily the bullet only grazed his bicep. "The first safe had the same security, on the inside, but the tank those guys came in this time around, different outfit altogether."

"And the language they were speaking, it sounded Slavic, but not Russian." Lisa added.

"Not to mention the armor on that thing." For those that didn't know Mick Rory, they would be surprised by the knowledge demonstrated. "Heat Gun is shooting flames at Planck temperature, that armor took it like a champ."

"Not more thieves, they were there to protect the diamonds. Found out we were hitting the spots Lisa's mark was hiding." Snart nodded to his sister, it was her who found out about the diamonds, they bided their time until the right chance, but that was before she suddenly had the change of heart on their current occupation. "Heavily armed, prepared, and professional."

"And we have no idea who they are." Mick slammed his fist into the hood in frustration. All those diamonds, all that money, gone.

"Not exactly." Lisa and Mick turned to Leonard, holding up a clenched hand, and opened to reveal a single diamond. "When in doubt, follow the ice."


Star City

The Mayoral Debate was going in full-force, but it was clear that Oliver was gaining everyone's favor. Ruvé still had one trick left up her sleeve though.

"Should we really trust Oliver Queen, after what his family has put the city through?" Ruvé asked everyone present. "His father did not care for the little people, his mother was involved in the Undertaking, and his sister used to waste her life on drugs."

Thea actually winced on hearing that, Oliver glaring holes into Ruvé, who continued. "Why should we trust Oliver Queen then? How can we trust the son of a man who did so much harm to lead our city?"

Oliver looked at Adrian, who gave him a wink, Oliver remembering something they'd discussed once.

"My family has caused problems before." Oliver did not deny it. "However, I am not my father, and I am not my mother. I will not deny they made many mistakes, some grave ones. But I am here, because I do not want such mistakes to happen again. I am here, to fix what was broken before. I have shared my plan, and I share ownership of my company with Mr. Palmer, who is ready to financially back all my ideas, and help in the implementation properly. The same Mr. Palmer in whose honor this city was renamed. Miss Adams might have a point about what my family did before, but I am not my parents, and I want to help this city."

And that was it. Ruvé had nothing left to play now. Oliver had used Adrian's shaming strategy without directly trying to shame Ruvé. He'd pointed out Ruvé was trying to blame him for things his parents did, and not he himself, and also painted a picture of himself as someone trying to correct past mistakes and being better.

There was nothing but applause for him, because everyone did love a good redemption story. And Oliver was going to make sure a redemption actually happened.

The redemption of his family name for all the wrongs done before. The faith of the people would not be in vain.


Earth-199999, New Jersey

Felicia had plenty to worry about when Parker drove them outside New York. That worry got worse when they stopped in New Jersey. It skyrocketed when Parker stopped the car next to a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. While Felicia found fast cars sexy, and muscle cars sexier, what soured the mood was whatever Parker had in mind. She believes she's known the woman long enough to know that she is batshit crazy when it comes to the tests that Felicia has to be put through. They range from tame to having a heart attack. Whenever she could, Parker had her drive on a track in preparation. For what, the older thief never said.

"Okay," Parker got out of the car and approached the passenger side, leaning against the door as she waited for her protege, "I want you to get in and drive the car."

"...drive the car?" Felicia couldn't hide the disbelief even if she tried.

"Yep."

"No tricks?"

"None that I made."

"No paint bomb that will explode if I make a wrong move?"

Parker scoffed, and it usually served to unsettle Felicia. "Like I would ever use paint in a bomb." Case in point.

Sucking in a deep breath, the thief in training got out of the Audi and into the Malibu's driver's seat. Parker following on the other side. Felicia adjusted the seat and gripped the steering wheel appreciating the feel in her hands before turning the key already in the ignition, and felt giddy hearing that beast hum under the hood. She didn't even care that Parker was pulling out a magazine, not even paying attention to her student, before clicking her fingers.

"Oh, almost forgot, there's a kilo of cocaine under the car and I called the cops."

"..."

"..."

"...YOU DID WHAT?!"

"I think you have a minute before they show up." Parker informed her before they started to hear the sirens, almost as loud as Felicia's heartbeat in her ears. "Huh, good response time."

"What do I do?!"

Parker shrugged as she finally engrossed herself into the world of celebrity gossip and chicks who eat too little. "Drive I'd say, unless you want to do five to ten."

No longer hesitating, Felicia pulled the gearshift and floored the pedal, sending her blonde head against the headrest, the screeching of the tires against the concrete left a trail of smoke in her wake. Glancing in the rear-view mirror, the telltale sign of flashing blue lights was at the center a distance away still, and it took everything Felicia had not to jump out the car and blame the crazy bitch beside her.

No, she was stronger than that. Better. Hitting the stick into next gear, Felicia steeled her nerves and drove, with the cops chasing after as she navigated through the town of Mount Hope, and onto the highway, two cop cars still chasing her.

"Shit shit shit shit." The Hardy teen cursed, moving between the cars in her way, continuing to pick up speed, but the damn cops were still on her.

A gasp came beside her. "That Blaire chick is actually a Mutant. Who knew?" If she could spare the look, Felicia would give one, and wonder what the hell is wrong with the woman teaching her. "Didn't Eliot date her?"

"Oh, that's nice, now if you could help me with a fucking disguise so my face isn't flashed over the news, that'd be perfect!" And how did this help her become a better thief?!

"Baseball cap." Said object was shoved just below her face. Not questioning it and only putting it on, it was followed by a set of sunglasses. "Shades." Felicia put them on, before feeling her face poked. "Distinguishing mark." Unseen by Felicia, said "mark" was a black dot, meant to be a mole, in case she was pictured or seen, they would be looking for the wrong woman. All that, and Parker never looked up from her magazine.

Driving on the grass to get by a stubborn truck driver, Felicia still couldn't lose the cops, but every other car was becoming a blur as she passed them by. Once more, that feeling of adrenaline fueled her, drove her on to go faster. That was when her mind had an idea, and remembered one of the things Parker taught her, which was lost among the craziness. Exit strategy, Felicia needed to think of one.

The Malibu slowed down as both cop cars were on either side, the disguised blonde making sure she was right in the middle of New Jersey's finest. With Parker's face obscured by the magazine, all Felicia could do was look at the cop driving beside her, jamming his finger toward the side, repeatedly mouthing, "Pull over!" A coy smile graced her lips, and Felicia hit the brakes. Her car screeched to a halt while the pair of cops drove forward, their tyres screeching in an effort to stop and catch up, only to be sent off the road in their attempts. Not sticking around, the gear was put into reverse and Felicia grabbed the passenger seat and looked back, making sure her path was clear before twisting the car while moving, and driving into the flow of traffic. The cops too far behind her to matter, the only worry was hitting the cars heading straight for her, a problem that was easily danced around by Felicia thanks to lessons from boys trying to impress her, her mom, and now Parker.

During the drive, she found an opening in a set of trees, and turned ninety degrees and drove towards it, going deep enough that she would not be spotted from the road. Finally pulling to a stop, Felicia waited until the sounds of sirens passed, and kept waiting until they got farther and farther away. Once they were gone, Felicia left the still reading Parker in the car as she got on her knees and felt around the undercarriage, and found the bag that would have put her in jail. Except, as Felicia stood up and examined the bag, she saw what was NOT cocaine. Tearing it open, of all the things it could have been, the young thief watched as lucky charms fell to the grass.

"I was nearly arrested...for fucking cereal."

"Oh please, there's no way you were gonna be arrested." Parker finally discarded the magazine and joined the dumbfounded Felicia sitting on the hood. Glancing at the watch, Parker quirked an eyebrow. "And you did it with time to spare. Not bad."

"How many more of these tests do I have to suffer through? When I have a heart attack from the stress?!"

"Pfft! Stress? You love this." Parker challenged the claim. Felicia always had a twinkle in her eye after every test, bar that one moment of weakness after the pickpocketing challenge in Times Square, which she quickly bounced back from. "You wanted to be a better thief."

"But I am tired of not actually stealing anything." There it is, she finally said it. Learning from a master thief, and she never went beyond pickpocketing exercises. For weeks, Parker kept saying she "wasn't ready". "You said you would make me the best. How can I be the best if you don't show me how to be?"

"You're not-"

"Ready? When will I be ready? When my hair goes white?" Felicia's sarcasm aside, Parker was...unsure. The younger blonde had a point, she was delaying things. Felicia needed to be shown the ropes, but she had a natural talent and quickly picked the skills up that Parker learned the hard way and from Archie.

But, there was a fear holding her back. She's grown to enjoy teaching Felicia, she's like that annoying little sister that she is fond of teasing and helping out. Could she cut it? Well, yes, otherwise Parker wouldn't waste time with her.

Still, the risks...

"Are you sure you want to go big?"

"Yes." There was no hesitation.

Sighing, part of Parker wasn't sure, but, when in doubt, throw someone in the deep end to show they can swim. She just hoped Eliot and Hardison don't give her hell for this.

"Be ready when I call." Parker said simply, walking past the surprised blonde into the driver's seat.

"Umm, aren't they looking for the car?"

"My resources jammed their signals so only those two cops knew about us. They think they're talking to their people when they're talking to mine." Dumbly nodding, which was all she could do, the student took the original seat of her teacher.

The car reversed back onto the highway, with New York as the destination.

She's going to do it. She's finally going to be able to show that she's better than her father. She's going to be the best.

A smirk grew on Felicia's face that went unseen by the other occupant of the car. Oh what a thrill this will be.

She can't wait.


Earth-1, Star City, HIVE Base

Damien stood, holding out his hand, having stopped a shuriken in midair, while some Ghosts stood behind him, Prometheus standing atop a crate.

Damien didn't know how Prometheus had found his base, but this had gone too far.

Prometheus was having similar thoughts about this having gone too far.

"You are still in conflict with the Green Arrow", Prometheus noted.

"He is still in my way!" Damien said angrily. "And you…you took my family. I will kill you right now unless you give me a reason not to."

Prometheus thought about it. He'd caught Damien off-guard last time and prevented him from using his hands to do his magic while threatening him.

But this time, Damien had been ready and stopped the shuriken before it could strike him.

Damien wasn't going to stop, and neither was he.

"I have a way you can take on both Oliver Queen and Green Arrow, and get them out of your way", Prometheus finally told him.

Damien smirked, lowering his hand as the shuriken dropped.

"I'm listening."


Keystone City

The trio of Rogues watched the dealer scrutinize the diamond under a scope while the computer ran the data he collected. The Snarts waited patiently, but Mick was getting angsty. Fortunately, the pyromaniac's anticipation was put to rest as the results finally came back.

"What does the ice tell you, Jacques?" Snart made an acquaintance with Jacques way back when, a decent fence for sure when one wants to sell goods on the downlow. He was American, but apparently watched Pink Panther too many times.

"All indicators say that this puppy came from the mines in Buredunia." The fence said as he twisted in his chair, he was a slim man with receding hair and two pairs of glasses on his head.

Mick and Lisa exchanged confused glances. "Where the hell is that dump?"

"It's a small African nation stuck in a civil war for years now." Leonard supplied to his partner and sister as he glared at the small, pinky sized jewel. "These are blood diamonds."

"So, we're getting rich while kids are breaking their hands digging for these things?" He knew that tone, and honestly, he could understand Lisa's bitterness. Even Captain Cold would rather not stomach the thought of where they came from.

Mick grunted as he took back the gem from Jacques. "We know the where, now how do we know the who?"

"That's the easy part." Jacques turned back to his computer, with the tap of a few keys, the image of a stern looking man with short hair and weathered features appeared, but what was most significant was the dead look in his eyes. "Meet Count Werner Vladek."

"He's a count?"

"It's what he calls himself." Jacques told Mick as he brought up more images of him standing over corpses and another with armed men. "A disgraced royal from the ruling family of Vlatava, guy went into mercenary work. Made it big partnering up with the "President-for-life" in Buredunia, who paid him exclusively in diamonds."

"Maybe we're in the wrong line of work." Mick commented idly, earning a look from both his partners.

"Word on the international street is that he's got plans to make a play for the Vlatavan throne, and with their problems, now is as good a time as any."

"What problems?" Leonard questioned the middle man.

Jacques only shrugged as he typed in a few more keys, bringing up the image of a man with a similar facial shape to Vladek, and a young girl. "Vladek's brother, the ruling king, he's sick. Only heir to the throne is a little girl, about ten I think."

"And if he's planning a coup-"

"Then we better run off with the loot we have." Mick cut off Lisa. Leonard's sister then smacked his arm.

"How can you say that?!"

"By moving my lips!"

Lisa glared at the fire-obsessed thug. "If we let this sicko go with the diamonds, who knows what other shit he could do, to a country!"

"I'll be sure to steer clear of the place for my next vacation, but it's not our problem." Mick snapped back at the younger thief.

Leonard rubbed his aching head as both descended into another heated argument that challenged the Heat Gun itself. He ignored the two, instead, focusing on the picture of the little girl. Vladek, with those diamonds, can hire a lot of guns, do a lot of damage. What stayed in his mind though is the question: what will he do to the only one threatening his claim?

"That's enough." Snart said loudly yet calmly. Lisa and Mick looked over at him but his eyes never left the picture of the innocent, scared little girl. "We may be Rogues, but we don't hurt kids." He finally turned to his partners with a cold look to match his gun. "He's not leaving with those diamonds."


Star City, Damien's secret house

Nora Darhk was writing when the door opened and she turned to see her father walk in. "Hi, daddy."

"Hi, sweetie."

"Nora, honey, there's someone I'd like you to meet." Connor stepped out from behind Damien, who'd his arm around the boy. "Nora, this is Connor. Connor's mother asked us to look after him. He'll be staying with us for a while."

Nora held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Connor." He shook her hand. "Want to play?"

"Sure."

They ran off to play as Damien smirked. He finally had a way to deal with both Oliver and Green Arrow.


And another is done.

Blade is now back in his world, and reunited with Whistler, while the Vamps will quickly fear his new weapon. Blade will be back, but he has been at it for a long while now, and out of all those who were sent to other fandoms, he'd the longest stay, so he is getting a break for now.

'Age of Ultron' has properly kicked off, and as you can see, Ultron is already behaving differently from MCU canon. I'm one of those who actually liked his portrayal in this film, but they did not show the full extent of what he is capable of, which I shall show later. Thanks a lot to Brainstorm Sorcerer for the scene of Ultron waking up, and some lines.

While I heavily disagree with and criticize Tony's decisions in this film, getting into his head and even Banner's head for this was fun.

So, even the 'flirting' scene with Natasha and Banner would clearly have made more sense with Natasha and Steve until she said the 'guy has a temper' thing, as the scene here has showed. So Romanogers get closer.

And I heavily dislike Steve/Peggy due to her shooting at him, and also why I despise Steve's ending, as the entire thing is just toxic. Plus it contradicted the movie's own time-travel rules (if the writers are to be believed), and also destroyed Steve's character arc. His entire arc was moving on from his time period and accepting the present as his new home, not finding a way back to the past! Plus Steggy had little on-screen time together so rooting for them as an endgame pairing is near impossible. Steve could have had many endings to end his character arc nicely, but they went with the worst one possible which destroyed his character arc entirely.

The party scene in AOU is a masterpiece though, regardless of what you think of the rest of the film. That scene convinced me that I'll totally watch the fuck out of a MCU film just about the Heroes hanging out and chilling, and it'd make a billion too.

Nowadays, even their main films don't get my interest. Only 'Wolverine & Asshole' looks great. How the times have changed, and not for the better.

The late, legendary Stan Lee also made his cameo here, from the film.

Hope the little Robert/Wally interaction was enjoyed, as I wanted Robert to set Wally straight regarding the drag racing.

While Oliver has beaten Ruvé in the Mayoral debate, which I showed here. Always found it a missed opportunity they didn't show it on-screen, but considering the Arrowverse's one-sided political messaging, probably for the best.

And thanks a lot to Stand with Ward and Queen for suggestions on both scenes, plus the Prometheus/Damien meeting was inspired from his 'A new age for the League of Assassins', so thank you to him for that too.

While Damien has taken Connor, leading to 4x15.

Spike has met Arwen now, as well as Glorfindel, Gandalf and Elrond. Plus he has been told the dark tale of Sauron and the One Ring at last too.

And now, after being called out for how callous he was and what he suggested, you all know what he'll eventually do. Now is it as strong a motivation as in the show? No. But this was the best I could think of, because I'm not a fan of how the show did. It made sense, but it also went too far.

For how I did it, let's just put it this way- when you end up trying to be a piece of shit amongst some of the most honorable and politest and humblest characters in all of fiction, their calling out of you alone is a good enough wake-up call.

With this, the journey to Rivendell is over.

While it seems Parker and Felicia are about to progress a bit more.

And Leonard, Mick and Lisa get involved in something. Interesting. Imagine Til Schweiger as Count Werner Vladek, Raynor Scheine as Jacques, Jason Lewis as Werner's brother Josef, and McKenna Grace as Josef's daughter Perdita.

Thanks a lot to Brainstorm Sorcerer for the Rogues' scenes, the Parker/Felicia scene, the Blade stuff, Ultron's awakening as well as Wanda and Pietro meeting the Brotherhood.

Hope that scene was enjoyed by all too, and as you can see, lots of things are about to happen.

The Mutants in the scene were, in order (outside of Gateway whose name got mentioned)- Sage (played by Marie Avgeropoulos), Juggernaut, Emma Frost from 'First Class', Mimic (played by Chris Zylka), Avalanche (played by Theo James), Pyro (the Simon Lasker version, played by Garrett Clayton) and Mastermind (played by Jackie Earle Haley).

And imagine the late David Ngoombujarra (RIP) as Gateway.

Thank you to Brainstorm Sorcerer and gussygus28 for the castings too.

Hope all enjoyed and see you all next time with another chapter.