Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel or DC
I don't know about you guys, but San-Diego Comic Con has been delivering great news, the past week in general has been a great look at the future of comic movies. The film we've always wanted to see, the DC Trinity are finally together with the best trailer so far of Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (though I'm still not convinced of Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, he'll bring a new approach to it but he wont be the best), then the Suicide Squad trailer, both films next year will be what really kicks off the DC Cinematic universe.
On the Marvel side we've had the leaked trailer of Deadpool and FINALLY, Marvel will be doing Deadpool as it was meant to be. Some set photos reveal the looks of the new X-men characters in X-men: Apocalypse, we finally have an accurate depiction of Psylocke and damn Magneto's new suit is badass. Along with Captain America 3 next year will be a good year for movies.
The Redeemer
Chapter 19: Alliance
There are times when great alliances must be made to avert disaster. In world war two numerous countries joined together when it was clear that no single country alone could stop the axis powers, invasions of Iraq and the Middle East were a common cooperative mission carried out by American and British forces together, the Avengers were the very idea of different individuals working together to prevent disaster and sometimes when no single team was enough teams such as the X-men and Avengers together put aside their personal differences. Virgil knew that his team was based on the idea of the Avengers, individuals working together to achieve a common goal, in this case survival. But there was something else guiding the individuals he had bought together, justice.
Virgil and his team arrival was the tipping point for both Earths, a stalemate had been reached in the battle and the plans of both Richards and Wayne. Neither Earth would be destroyed by their respective WGD's (weapons of global destruction) because heroes worked together to stop them. On Earth 7119, Supergirl continued a relentless barrage of punches against Red Adam. The magical champion was used to fighting people weaker than him, he had been completely caught off guard by Supergirl's strength. She smiled slightly, on her Earth she hadn't yet come across a threat that had forced her to really cut loose. Red Adam could take it though, and on this day Kara Zor-El would show just how powerful Kryptonians could be. Spider and Starwoman rallied the heroes of Earth 7119 against the mind controlled heroes of 9117, Courtney fired blasts into the Genesis gods and Gwen threw herself at lesser opponents, covering Captain Thunder's eyes with webbing. Ms Marvel stretched her legs and expanded her fists, throwing Star Sapphire into Yellow Lantern. Abin Sur quickly recovered and created a gun battery construct, firing blasts at Kamala. She shrunk to her regular size and fell into Spider-man's arms.
"Okay newbies, what's the plan now?" he asked.
"Just hold out for as long as you can," Ms Marvel said.
"Nyet, it is impossible," Titanium Man said.
"You're all about holding out Colossus."
"Who is this Colussus? I am Titanium man and my armour can only endure so much."
"Wow, alternate realities are both cool and weird."
Titanium shrugged his shoulders over the girl's amazement and flew at Abin Sur. White arms suddenly wrapped around his body and threw him into one of the buildings. White Martian fired his Martian vision, hitting Supergirl in the back. This gave Red Adam an opening to strike the girl with an electrified fist. His lightning was empowered by magic, something that could be deadly to Kryptonians. Queen Bee created a gigantic venus fly trap and wrapped its vines around Supergirl. Starwoman deflected Lightwaves energy blast and looked towards her team mate. Seeing the vine begin to dangle Supergirl over the fly trap's jaws, Courtney immediately took off to aid her. She fired a blast that cut the vine apart, and then wrapped a light ribbon around Supergirl's waist. An energy blast suddenly hit Starwoman, causing both girls to crash through the window of a building. Big Barda smirked as she flew through the ranks of the heroes, hitting Titanium man across the city, then blasting Crimson Dynamo out of the sky. Green Sasquatch roared as he jumped towards Barda, only for the warrior to smash him across the face with her meta-rod. She fired multiple blasts, hitting Whip Lash and Powersurge and forcing Daredevil to dodge. Suddenly a vine grabbed his waist and lifting him towards Queen Bee. She pushed her lips against Daredevil's, swatting his hands aside as they flailed. Daredevil's legs jerked before they went limp. Queen Bee separated from the kiss, leaving green smoke in Daredevil's mouth. Gwen looked at the hero in shock as he was fed to Queen Bee's fly trap. She yelled in fury as she jumped towards Queen Bee, punching her across the face.
"YOU KILLED HIM YOU BITCH!" she yelled.
"Just a lowly human," Bee cackled.
She slapped Gwen with a thorn whip, cutting open her mask. Gwen countered with a kick, throwing Queen Bee off of her leaf platform. A vine caught Bee, placing her on another platform. Bulbs opened, revealing beautiful pink flowers. Barbs suddenly fired from the flowers. Gwen jumped from multiple web lines to dodge the barbs, whilst Whiplash span his whips around, blocking all the barbs. The civilians he was protecting were quickly picked up by Silverjet. Powersurge and Darkstar flew around the Venus flytrap, firing blasts that burnt its surface skin. Queen Bee screamed as her creation burned. Ms Marvel grew to gigantic size and slammed her fist into fly trap, sending it crashing down on the streets below. Supergirl flew through one of the buildings, carrying Starwoman in her arms. She fired her heat vision, cooking the downed tree until nothing but ash remained.
"MY BABY!" Bee yelled.
"Just a lowly plant," Gwen retorted, punching Queen Bee across the face.
She kicked the woman back and pulled her back with a web line, delivering a final punch that knocked the woman out. Gwen widened her eyes however as Whiplash slammed his foot into Queen Bee's neck, breaking it.
"She was down, we don't kill like that," Gwen said, landing in front of Whip Lash.
"This is a war little girl, we have to cross these lines," Whip Lash said.
"No we don't," Darkstar said as she landed near Gwen and Vanko. "If we've reduced ourselves to the same methods these men would use then there's no point in winning, we endure until there's nothing left in us, and then we keep on trying," she explained.
"Hell yeah," Gwen grinned.
Suddenly, a yellow blade pierced through Darkstar's chest.
"Natasha," Whip Lash gasped.
"She was naive, as are the rest of you," Abin Sur said, swinging his knife construct and turning it into a pendulum. "This isn't a war, this is survival, one side dies so the other can live."
Gwen felt her hands shake as Abin Sur aimed his ring at her chest.
"No matter how many heroes you have, you will all..."
SLAM!
A silver streak bought Abin Sur to the ground, throwing him into a building before he could conjure another construct. Silver Jet ran in a circle, distorting Zan's water form. She narrowly avoided the claws of Jayna's snake and wolf hybrid form before delivering several swift punches to her face.
"Petra back away now," Scarlet Warlock said.
His twin ran in the opposite direction, Walter released a chaos blast from his hands and distorted both the twins abilities, leaving them stuck between their human and animal/element forms. A lightning bolt suddenly hit the Warlock in the back, bringing him to the ground. Red Marvel slammed his fists together and threw several thunderbolts through the buildings. Silver Jet ran between each bolt, before an ice blast froze her legs. She slid across the floor, stopping at Freeze's feet. Suddenly Spider-man swung into Freeze's back, kicking him against the wall. He ducked to avoid Bane's haymaker and grabbed Silver Jet as Green Sasquatch ran towards the muscled brute. Both heavy hitters slammed their fists together and grabbed one another in choke holds. Red Adam delivered two punches to Ms Marvel's face, knocking her against the empire state. She punched Orion away but took a blast to the chest from Barda's Meta rod.
'Virgil, I hope your plan was as good as it sounded,' Kamala prayed before throwing herself into the fight again.
Earth 0
"So what's your plan?"
Cade smirked at Trevor's question, he had no idea he was already playing into his plan. Beating the suicide squad was the first step, Cade knew that Waller would try to find some way to watch him. That's where Chase Meridian came in, anyone who didn't already know Harley Quinn would have no idea that underneath the white skin and altered hair she was a gorgeous blonde bombshell. The notes she was taking were to evaluate Cade's mental state, the polygraph was for his heart rate and how truthful he was being. He also knew that behind the glass was possibly Amanda Waller herself if she wasn't busy or someone who answered to her. The interview room itself was also rigged with recording devices built until the lights, even the table itself judging from how it felt on Cade's fingertips. He looked towards Trevor and saw the man occasionally brush the strap of his holster. His pistol was augmented to pierce iron skin, and stripped of his armour as he was, Cade knew a single shot would kill him.
"I want to protect the world, that requires an association with a world peace keeping initiative," Cade said.
"I see, you do realise that the majority of A.R.G.U.S's operations take place in America?" Steve asked.
"We both know better than that Colonel, you don't put together a group of expendable troops for domestic defence, that and I know for a fact that A.R.G.U.S. has operatives who aren't American," Cade explained.
"How could you possibly know that?"
Cade looked towards Meridian as the woman pushed her glasses up her nose.
"Her assistant, she was originally from the Southern part of Asia judging from skin tone and accent, I have a knack for spotting these things," he said.
"She was white and had brown hair," Steve said.
"I have a knack for spotting people altered by plastic surgery too, though it's not actual surgery with this is it? Skin structure alteration? Perhaps from an alien device in that vault of yours," Cade explained, smirking as Steve's eyes grew slightly wider. "Every raise of your eyebrows, the shift in size of your pupils, the twitch of Miss Meridian's fingers, mostly indications of shock and realisation, or you're probably thinking 'this man is bat shit insane' when it comes to organisations like this though it's safe to assume that there is some truth to certain conspiracy theories. The suicide squad isn't as secret as Waller likes to think!"
"What's the suicide squad?" Chase asked.
Steve rubbed his head as an uncomfortable silence shifted over the room.
"Doctor Meridian could you please leave the room for a moment?" he asked.
Chase picked up her pad and walked to the doorway.
"Give Director Waller my regards," Cade smirked as he heard the woman yelp slightly, a slither of her Quinn personality coming through.
Once she had left, Cade narrowed his eyes slightly at Steve before ripping off his pulse monitors.
"Does Waller often deploy Quinn's alter ego?" he asked.
"Chase Meridian has no idea who her other half is, Waller can turn it on and off somehow, in truth Quinn isn't actually a shape shifter, every time Waller sends her on a mission she uses that facial structure alteration device you talked about," Steve explained.
"She's dangerous, I can tell Meridian doesn't need the device to trigger her psychological shift into Harley Quinn. Anyway that's only part of what I'm here for, I know A.R.G.U.S. has an eye on the world," Cade said.
"You know about Brother Eye?" Steve asked.
"Actually I was speaking metaphorically but thanks for confirming my suspicions about satellite surveillance."
Steve felt like kicking himself for his rookie mistake. Everything about Cade screamed professionalism, that he had been in this kind of work for years. It was beyond spy work or intelligence, Cade Hunter knew a liar when he saw one and he knew when someone had a secret. His polygraph readings were better than Oliver Queen's, someone Steve knew to be excellent at controlling his pulse rate. Cade stood up and reached for the light. Removing the casing he removed what had been hidden underneath the bulb.
"The world itself is slowly becoming more digitised, it's almost impossible to live off the grid, birth, tax records, medical forms, housing, there are small pieces of information that flows through a network. People believe international spy work isn't needed when you have the internet, but the flow of information isn't as free as people would think, there are layers of digital walls that only the most skilled and knowledgeable of hackers can shatter but only if they know what to look for. The existence of Brother Eye is concealed because its outside of any linked network right? Whilst the suicide squad and the controls of their implants are also linked to a network that cannot be hacked or monitored."
"But there are ways to shield yourself from those digital eyes, either naturally or supernaturally. I recently tracked the movements of a ship belonging to the League of assassins, they're involved in some kind of trafficking operation, but it's not slaves or immigrants or even the movement of metahumans as you know it, it's bigger than a group of nations or even a world. You were monitoring the locations and daily lives of several super humans, but lately you've been losing them. They disappear from both your physical and digital eyes and you can't track them even through magic. You recently had someone try a tracking spell, I can feel the energies, you also tried temporal tracking to see if time travel was involved, I can tell because of the subtle shift in the clock that occurs every few hours, a result of tampering with your timeline through time travel."
"You're confused, but every time you try to investigate further you hit a dead end, either because you can't find the answers or Waller diverts your attention to another case. Another disappearance happens or another unexplained event occurs. I was one of those unexplained events, the arrival of a man who doesn't exist in this world. Two Earths have become linked, or so some would believe, I think it's much deeper than that, I think several Earths have been linked and that someone is running a smuggling network through the multiverse!"
Steve stood, analysing what Cade had told him. More and more each event linked with the other. Random events became organised patterns, coincidence turned to plans and theory became fact. For months now temporal agents had begun detecting subtle shifts in the time stream, just last week an operative classified as Booster Gold reappeared after a few seconds of fading with no memory of what may have happened to him. Waller however seemed more interested in the League though and hadn't given Steve the resources he needed to run a full and detailed investigation.
"If what you're saying is true, then it may not just be a simple smuggling operation," Steve said.
"That's a safe assumption, I still have the ship's last known coordinates, if you help me verify where Nanda Parbatt is then I'll help you bring down the League of assassins and hopefully whatever operation they have going," Cade explained.
"We help one another to achieve mutual goals?" Steve asked.
"Yeah, but you have to follow my plan, no bureaucratic crap or regulations."
"That however..."
"Is not negotiable, I won't waste time on petty rivalries when a multiversal conspiracy is afoot," Cade growled.
"Multiversal, I can't believe we're using words like that like its normal," Trevor shook his head.
"It's the world we live in, whether we accept it or not we're small, even Superman and the Justice League are small in comparison to what could be out there. Which is why my help and knowledge has conditions, I need you to give me a way into both Justice League's, the one you used to baby sit and the other you're putting together."
"Not surprising considering you saw the file, it's going to take a lot to convince Waller to allow that," Steve sighed.
"I'll give her an offer she won't refuse, a gift she can't resist taking. Along with access to everything I've learned and my skills I want Intel on all known super heroes and Metahumans currently operating throughout the world."
"A Justice League International failed," Steve said.
"It won't when I try it, in exchange not only will I help you take down the assassins and investigate these disappearances, but I'll also become part of Waller's squad, explosive chip in my brain included," Cade explained.
It felt like a sales pitch, and the last part made Steve concerned both for Cade's safety and sanity. Deathstroke only joined the squad because he was paid, but he never allowed himself to have an implant placed inside him. Cade looked towards the observation glass and smirked.
"You can come out now, don't try to read my mind again," he warned.
Steve widened his eyes as J'onn suddenly appeared. His empty red eyes stared at Cade, judging him both in terms of his physical prowess and motivations. Even without telepathy J'onn had to be a good judge of character. Steve realised that J'onn was already using his telepathy, to obscure the imminent conversation from every person in A.R.G.U.S. He knew Steve was scared, that even with telepathic inhibitors A.R.G.U.S. was nothing against the most powerful telepath on the planet. The mere soldier knew that J'onn knew he was afraid and his heart began pounding against his ribs as the alien looked at him.
"You enjoy the fact that people are afraid of you," Cade pointed out.
Trevor too had been frozen and J'onn walked around Cade, placing the JLA file on the table.
"Katana, Hawkman, Vibe, Stargirl and a new Green Lantern, those alongside myself are the current options for the Justice League of America. This league is necessary, as is the fear I can command, Superman's league is not what it must be," the martian explained.
"I agree, I don't think your vision of it is what the world needs though," Cade said.
"I will make myself useful to A.R.G.U.S. so that we can avoid any unnecessary conflict and bloodshed," J'onn said.
"And who will be shedding the blood?" Cade asked.
"They will leave me no choice."
"That's what I used to tell myself," Cade sighed.
"I believe you are correct, both in your moral stand and your current course of action, steps must be taken to investigate all of the super hero teams, as well as the current situation with the multiverse," J'onn explained.
"What do you know about it?"
"There is a team I am part of called the Stormwatch, we are the early warning system and first line of defence in case of an attack on the level you are suggesting," J'onn explained.
Cade nodded his head as he stood up and faced the Martian. Unlike Steve, Cade wasn't afraid even with his power levels fluctuating. For the first time Cade saw pity in J'onn's eyes, because even without telepathy he knew exactly why Cade wasn't afraid.
"Stormwatch however must remain a secret, I will help you if you..."
"You'll help me regardless of what kind of promise I make J'onn, for all your savagery and excuses, you still want to keep this planet from becoming like Mars," Cade said, interrupting J'onn's threat.
"True, but heed my warning, the league of assassins are not to be underestimated, neither is Amanda Waller," J'onn said.
"I know, I don't underestimate anyone."
As soon as J'onn faded away, Steve and everyone else in A.R.G.U.S regained consciousness. Steve hesitated, knowing that Cade and J'onn had made an arrangement of their own.
"So Steve, what's your answer?" Cade leant his chin on his hands and waited for the man's answer.
Earth 616
"This might be a bit over kill Steve!"
Sven looked at Steve Rogers with an utmost serious expression, one bought on by the sheer over kill of the operation Steve had prepared. As well as getting an old Helicarrier out of decommission, Steve recalled a few reserve Avengers and foreign heroes, including the S.H.I.E.L.D. off shoot S.P.E.A.R.
"S.H.I.E.L.D, S.W.O.R.D, S.P.E.A.R, is there a G.U.N or a K.N.I.F.E hidden somewhere?" Ward asked as he and Skye walked inside the command centre of S.P.E.A.R's headquarters and battleship, the Circle.
"You'd be surprised just how many super hero groups and agencies existed outside of S.H.I.E.L.D's knowledge, S.P.E.A.R. was just one of those groups," Director Xian Zheng said, approaching the two agents with a friendly smile on his face as always.
The three looked over to Steve and Sven, the former was dressed in his 'head of S.H.I.E.l.D.' outfit, a blue suit with a harness and star symbol on his chest, Sven was wearing his civilian clothes, including his blue coat.
"I'm serious Steve, this looks more like an invasion force, the people down below us can't feel too easy about this, the new S.H.I.E.L.D. was supposed to be different from the old one," Sven explained.
"It is, we don't have political bureaucracy holding us back, but I understand your misgivings Sven, everyone is here in case the worst comes out of that portal," Steve said.
"Except we don't know enough about the situation, gathering everyone in one place is too much, the British heroes and the Ascendants are reserves, a team to be kept in the shadows until they're needed most."
"They are needed Sven, Cade Hunter once held his own against some of the best the Avengers had to offer, he killed gods and even crippled the Inhumans, there are some who want justice for that," Steve narrowed his eyes slightly as Sven looked over his shoulder.
He caught a look at Carol's A-Force, a group of heroes whom seemed to consist exclusively of female heroes. Nico Minoru and a friend of hers, the mysterious Singularity were part of the team, but they had disappeared recently. The other members of the team though were older and experienced icons like Carol, She-Hulk was present dressed in her old purple and white costume, Spider-woman was wearing her new uniform consisting of yellow and red glasses and a red vest over a black shirt.
'What is this fascination super heroes have with making their costumes look like street clothes, I can see how it makes changing into costume easier though,' was Sven's brief thought before he focused on the member who was focused on him.
Medusa, queen of the Inhumans looked at Sven with a glare in her eyes. She wasn't wearing her traditional mask with her costume anymore, so her judgmental eyes would always be visible. As part of the 'response army' Medusa had also allowed her newest Inhumans to join Prodigy's team of surviving Initiative members, which numbered in only a handful of heroes after the incident in Washington. But numbers wasn't an issue with super heroes, power was, most of the present heroes had power enough to decimate the small town and Michael Van Patrick, the new Captain America could see that in their eyes. He looked at the small community gathered in front of the fence S.H.I.E.L.D. had set up. In spite of everything that had happened, there was still some fear amongst the populace whenever big groups of heroes showed up. Michael understood that fear more than anyone, without his armour he was just an ordinary man.
"We have rifles ready in case the populace get all Stamford on us," Garret said callously.
"It won't come to that," Michael said as he removed his helmet.
He walked towards the gate and jumped onto the front of a jeep.
"EVERYONE LISTEN TO ME!" he yelled.
The people looked towards Michael.
"The Avengers have come here to guard something very dangerous, we can't promise that something won't happen and that you'll be fine, which is why we need you if possible to evacuate, if you have family outside of the city go there, offer shelter to your neighbours, or wait it out in your basements. We're going to do everything in our power to stop mass deaths, the last thing we want is another Stamford, we can't take the fight away from here but you can get away from the fight," Michael explained.
He saw a few people in the crowds nod their heads, some with frowns across their eyes and others with hesitant smiles. Some appreciated his honesty, others cursed it. None more so than May, whom walked towards the young hero as he put his helmet back on.
"What do you think you've done?" she asked.
"Given people a warning of what to expect, we all though a registration act was necessary to stop another Stamford, instead we need to be organised, we need to warn people when we can when the next big threat is coming," Michael explained.
"You may have been given the shield, but you are not military Van Patrick, you don't get to decide how S.H.I.E.L.D. is deployed," May said.
"I know, I'm not telling your people where to go, I'm just telling the people who can get caught in your crosshairs where to run," Michael retorted.
The young man walked away from May, hanging his head low slightly to avoid the gazes of the soldiers.
"You shouldn't antagonise him, he's been through a lot," Coulson said.
"We've all been through a lot," May said.
"Not really, you and I were never that involved May, not in the way they were, they've lost friends and family to this life," Coulson explained.
"I lost my marriage, and that was my fault, I put the job before the marriage, these men and women, these gods and monsters they've never had the training we've had. And yes that's why they're to be admired, but Michael Van Patrick, what made him qualified to carry that shield?" May asked.
"That was up to the commander and him, we've got no business saying who Captain America should or shouldn't be, it's about who can best represent who Captain America is and what America should represent," Coulson smiled as he looked up at the sky, another Quinn jet came in, carrying the members of Rogers's secret Avengers team.
Sven followed Rogers to meet that team.
"I get what you're saying Sven, breaching a dimensional barrier with everyone we have would be the equivalent of an attack on another reality. Attack will never be the first option so long as I'm in charge, but we need to be prepared for the worst, and to encourage the best," Steve turned to Sven as he spoke, planting a hand on his shoulder. "I know you and Wanda want to look for your son, but you know the damage that Cade Hunter can do, if you truly believe he isn't going to make things worse in this world then find evidence of that and come back and tell me personally," he explained.
"Except you're not basing this decision on my faith alone are you?" Sven asked.
"I'm sorry Sven but I'm not, I need others to confirm it too, which is why I'm sending a team with you," Steve said as he pushed a button on the docking hatch.
The door opened, revealing Steve's secret Avengers. Sven's eyes grew wide slightly at the kind of team mates he had. At the front of the team was undoubtedly its most powerful members. Brian Braddock stood wearing the uniform he wore when he was resurrected during the Skrull invasion, a blue suit with the union jack symbol on the chest. Second most powerful was undoubtedly Valkyrie, dressed in her blue sleeveless suit, with her Asgardians symbols on her chest, wrist bands and her sword strapped to her back. A recent addition was Agent Venom, Sven learned from his friend Azure Eagle that the new Venom host was Flash Thompson, fitting his profession Flash had shaped the symbiote into military gear with a mask similar to Spider-man's. Next came Black Ant, Eric O'Gradys new identity, he wore a reverse coloured version of Scott Land's outfit and a black cybernetic helmet. Piloting the ship was Moon Knight, dressed in a black suit with white armoured padding on his arms and white amour on his chest. Of course he also wore his white cape and hood. Standing with his arms crossed was the final member War Machine.
"So this is your black ops team? Only Ant-man and Moon Knight are really stealthy," Sven pointed out.
"True warriors have no need for stealth," Valkyrie retorted.
"I can be stealthy, the black suit isn't just for show," Agent Venom said.
"What's our mission?" War Machine asked.
"We need to investigate this other world first, see what's out there beyond the gate, this team is the best possible option for that," Steve explained.
"Who's in charge?" Eric asked.
"Sven will lead, you'll answer to him and do as he says, if he says to intervene then intervene, if he says to run then run!"
"Are you sure you want me leading your people?" Sven asked.
"I trust you to work ethically and effectively, if you find evidence that Cade really is redeeming himself then we'll drop this whole thing," Steve explained.
Sven smiled in approval, glad that Steve was holding back to get more information. If he could avoid a conflict between the greatest heroes of two universes, he'd gladly lead the secret Avengers.
Earth 9117
The New Warriors of the Multiverse, vs the darkest heroes of two universes. That's what Patrick imagined the fight being sold as. He and his team were outnumbered but the heroes of two universes were far from working together. Diana Prince was empowered by the Greek gods and the jungle gods, it made her an even match for the Punisher-Hulk. Mareena and Vance however had two great powers, Hydrokinesis and Telekinesis respectively. The very moisture in the air was Mareena's to command and Astro's telekinesis, though not as spectacular as Justice's still had its merits. His shield slammed repeatedly into Castle's face, whooshing through the trees before striking Diana's back. Mareena formed fists from the streams of water she commanded, punching both power houses into the trees. An energy blade ran through Castle's back, causing him to yell in agony.
Zero jumped over the gamma charged behemoth, firing one blast after another. He charged his energy cannon, firing a blast that knocked Diana back. Wisdom fired heated spikes from his finger tips, pounding Zero's armour and forcing Astro to divert them with his TK. Illyana slid a pair of soul blades out of her gauntlets and grinned as she ran towards Night Thrasher. He blocked three of her strikes and leant back to avoid the thrust of her blades. Sable swept her legs around his, knocking him to the floor. Suddenly, repulsor rays came out of Stark's hands, knocking both women back. Patrick jumped and swung through the trees, each spell Fate cast bought a piece of greenery to life. Firestar tried burning the living trees, but the bark had been turned into diamond. Hro Talek flew behind Firestar and swung his axe towards her neck. But Vance's shield slammed into his wrist, causing him to drop the weapon.
"Here, have it back," Vance then pushed the axe, hitting Talek with the flat side of the weapon.
"Make sure to look behind you Cap-Wannabe," Wisdom grinned as he swung a pair of heated claws at Vance.
Patrick suddenly shoved Vance out of the way, just as a pair of tentacles grabbed Wisdom. He screamed as Fate lifting him into the air. Circe's eyes glowed and purple smoke secreted from her sockets. The same smoke came out of Wisdom's eyes and mouth as the tentacles constricted his limbs.
"What the hell is that?" Scarlet Spider asked.
"No idea, but energy levels are off the charts," Night Thrasher said.
Cheetah grinned as she wrapped her tail around Zero's arm and threw him into Mareena. She then threw her sword at Firestar, cutting her arm and diverting her fire blast into Castle's face.
"Do gooders from another reality, you really thought you could stop us from destroying their Earth?" Diana asked.
Patrick activated his mechanical arms, firing concussive blasts at Cheetah. She deflected each blast with her wrist bands and threw her lasso, wrapping it across Night Thrasher's staff.
"Nothing can prevent your fate," Circe threw Wisdom's drained husk away and turned towards the Quinn jet. "One world will die today," she declared, raising her hands and summoning tentacles from another dimension.
The monster she called upon was composed of dark magic and was not from the world of the Olympians. It grabbed the jet, raising it above the trees and grabbing the bomb inside.
"Fight as hard as you'd like, nothing can prevent your..."
"OH WOULD YOU SHUT UP!"
A pillar of water slammed into Fate, knocking her into the air. She slammed into a rock, bouncing off of trees until she landed in the middle of a pack of Ankylosaurs. The armoured mother roared as it slammed its tail into Fate's back, knocking her into the air again.
"Wow, that would have been a good arena change for a video game," Patrick said.
Zero created a grey colour double of himself and deflected Cheetah's claw strikes. Both began to overwhelm Diana, pushing her towards the edge of a cliff.
"Another potential arena transition," Patrick grinned as he made two web lines either side of him.
He pulled back on the lines until they were tight. Zero and his copy fired energy blasts into Diana, burning her fur.
"NOW!" Zero yelled, flying upwards.
Scarlet Spider launched himself into Cheetah, kicking her chest and pushing her off of the cliff. She landed in the middle of a Velociraptor nest.
"The most awesome dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, vs. the biggest bitch in this universe," Patrick said.
"What's Jurassic Park?" Firestar asked.
Scarlet Spider and Night Thrasher dropped their jaws as they looked at the girl.
"Just kidding, there are some things every universe should have," Angelica giggled.
"This Rasputin has two soul blades," Vance said, dropping Sable and Widow at Patrick's feet. "I wonder whose souls she sold to get those."
"The bomb they were going to use is busted right?" Zero asked.
"Definitely, they won't be using that again," Tony said.
"You self righteous FOOLS!" Castle yelled.
"Is it just me or is he getting bigger?" Spider asked.
"Maybe this version of the Hulk isn't just the Punisher, but also gets bigger when he's angrier," Firestar suggested.
"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT!"
Punisher stampeded towards the New Warriors.
"They can't blow this Earth up anymore, maybe now would be a good time to join Spider-Gwen," Spider said.
"You know she hates it when we call her that," Night Thrasher pushed the button on a device Virgil had made for him.
The variant of the mother box generated a portal and took the team and their attackers to the dimension next door. On Earth 7119, that portal appeared behind Abin Sur.
"What in the name of..."
His shock turned to pain as Castle flew through the portal, landing on top of him.
"BULLSEYE!" Gwen cheered.
The New Warriors landed in front of Gwen, dropping their prisoners as they engaged the heroes of Earth 9117.
"Sable, what happened? What have you tried to do?" Spider-man asked, picking his lover up.
"You seriously need to have a talk with your lover about destroying other Earths," Patrick said.
"Later, let's get back to buying time," Gwen said.
"I hope Virgil knows what he's doing," Night Thrasher muttered.
Despite their doubts, the team flung themselves back into the fight, their numbers restored and their morale high with one world saved and another to go. Unbeknownst to both Earth's, their battle was being witnessed not just by the last son of Krypton, but a green light shining in the sky.
The Gap
Mar-Vell looked at what was happening on both Earth 9117 and 7119. He saw it as a threat to their plans, yet his master was calm. Onyx sat on his throne and regarded what was happening as if it was no relevance. With a mere gesture he could send his agents to that Earth and prevent both forces from enacting whatever contingencies they had. But he didn't, he sat back and watched, eventually clicking his fingers and dissipating the viewing portal. He stood up, his helmet covering his face as he walked towards another portal.
"Do not interfere with what Virgil is doing Mar-Vell," Onyx said.
"He does seek the protection of life, but at the rate he's going both universes will cease to exist," Mar-Vell stated.
"Do, not, interfere, have I made myself clear Mar-Vell? Don't forget I know how to destroy your universe," Onyx left one more threat before he walked through the portal.
Then he emerged facing a fleet of ships. He crossed his arms as he looked towards the capital ship, looking through the hull to see the dark haired man inside.
"Karabai, invader of my Earth, the conqueror of my universe, the enemy that united my world, or perhaps I should call you by your true name," Onyx suddenly rushed forward.
He phased through the bridge of the ship, shocking the alien warlord by his sudden appearance.
"Kal-El, the last son of Krypton and the first universe to fall to ruin!"
Next Chapter 20: Last days of a universe
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter.
Karabai, the antagonist from my second story in the series, Echo of Destiny, makes his reappearance, revealing his similarities to a Kryptonian were not coincidental. Next time the story of his universe's last days are revealed, whilst in the Convergence Virgil and Kid Flash work with Iron Patriot to free the greatest minds of the League's Earth.