(This chapter wouldn't be possible without the help of anonmike217, follow him)
Today was not a good day for those who were at the bank. Currently the employees and investors are kneeling down on the ground while the robbers are currently making a high withdrawal. Outside of the bank, multiple cops were aiming their guns at the door, with another team of cops covering the back door, snipers perched up on the roof providing overwatch, swats were ready to bust in when the order was given. The Chief of police and swat were discussing the multiple hostages at stake but at the same time they couldn't just let them get away with the money, they were stuck between a rock and a hard place.
/eV2ekf83IEA
(Start at 1:10-1:30)
Suddenly they heard lightning coming from nowhere even though the forecast said it was going to be sunny for this week. The onlookers, swat and cops saw dark clouds forming on the ground with every now and then the sound of lighting coming every closer, what disturbed them the most, was the laugh, it was a bone chilling laugh that shook their very spine.
'Look!' An onlooker said pointing towards the clouds, they turned to see a dim green light getting brighter and brighter.
As the gathering clouds cleared there was a figure riding forth making his presence known to everyone, he rode on a horse which in itself was unnatural. The horse's bones glow a bright green which is surrounded by black highlights. Speaking of unnatural, the cowboy was the same. Although he wore the attire of a cowboy, his face was all disfigured, most of it being bone with only little skin to cover it. Even disfigured the most eye catching of it all was his left eye glowing a deep red light. The cowboy looked at the crowd tipping his hat before leading his horse to the bank as the horse walked on the ramp, before a cop called out.
'What the hell are you doing?! This is a delicate procedure! Who do you think you are?!' The cop yelled, The cowboy stops his horse as they reach the door. He turns his horse around and looks straight at the police Chief. The Chief tense up, he felt like this guy was staring at his soul, so he retracted his last statement.
'I'm Dead Justice' The cowboy said, he patted his horse and on cue the horse kicked the door open. Dead Justice turns his horse around and enters the building.
As he rode inside he saw several people laying on the ground tied up. He then heard the sounds of footsteps approaching him. And right on que the robbers run in and aim their guns at them, Dead Justice just simply stares at them. Once the robbers got a good look at him they suddenly started laughing, and lowered their guns.
'Bro, what is this gimmick you are trying to pull?' One of the robbers asked, in a mocking tone.
'Yea?! Hey cowboy, stick them up!' Another robber said making a gun gesture with his hands.
'Are you going to tie us up with your lasso?!' The third robber joking with the other robbers. And when the three robbers saw a lasso to what looks like its made of lighting the laugh even harder.
'I suggest you quit laughing, boy' Dead Justice said in a harsh tone. Which made them laugh harder at this guy playing a spooky cowboy.
'Watch out guys he calls me "boy"' The three robbers continue to laugh, Dead Justice ignores this and looks straight at the hostages.
'I suggest you folks close your eyes, it's going to get bright in here real soon' He told them and the hostages followed, mostly because he was their only hope of saving them. He looked towards the robbers.
'I'm going to give you two options, option 1 you turn yourself in...' Pulling back his coat revealing his empty holster on his left and ready his hand.
'Option 2, the fun one, where I turn you in myself' He smiles but only insinuates a smile as his mouth had no skin around it and only showed his mouth raised high, the robbers continued on with their laughter. Emboldened that this cowboy from Halloween should have stayed home taunted him.
'You know what, I'll let you take the first shot' One robber said, mocking him, which only made him smile wider now lowering his head covering his eyes.
'Thank you kindly' He said.
He proceeded to draw out his gun as if it were there, lifting it up, a light green energy extended from his arm, contracting and reforming into a Colt 1851 Navy revolver almost instantly when he stretch out his arm. The robbers, now realizing he had an actual gun, scrambled to grab theirs and tried to shoot, but it was already too late. He pulled the trigger, shooting a green energy bullet hitting the robber that taunted him square in the chest, creating a bright flash of light, blinding them all for but a moment. A moment later, he seized this opportunity and let go of his gun, dematerializing as it fell off of his grip. He now went to grab his lasso, swinging it around over his head, and threw it towards the robbers who were stumbling. He quickly seized it, letting go of his gun, dematerializing as it fell off of his grip. He now went to grab his lasso, swinging it around over his head, and threw it towards the robbers who were stumbling, quickly pulled together by an electric whip, binding the three together.
Glancing over to see if the hostages were okay he nodded, turned his horse around and proceeded to drag the robbers outside. The cops from outside didn't see much except a bright green light flash for only but a second. Then they saw Dead Justice riding out of the bank with the robber being dragged from behind. Stopping to a certain point on the road and pulling back his lasso to unbind the robbers who tried to escape but was instantly tackled by the police, as they handcuff them they hear Dead Justice laughing again before he walks back into the dark clouds.
'See you around cops' He finally said before disappearing as the clouds cleared.
In another part of town a large truck was moving at a high speed with cop cars chasing behind them, two robbers were at the seats trying to make their speedy getaway from a successful bank height. The driver robber pushing the paddle to the metal and his partner firing some shots trying to shoot at the cops trying to ram them. Up above a News copter was following the chase reporting live to the people back at home about a high speed chase bank robbery at the highway.
'This April O'Neil, reporting to you live on channel 6!' April describing the situation. April was both the reporter and the camera girl. She wore a bright yellow jumpsuit with several pockets, a white belt, and a zipper down the front that is partially unzipped. She had a brown bob haircut and was holding a large microphone labeled "Channel 6".
'The robbers that hijacked a cash truck and continued evading the police, what is that!' April pointed her camera towards the truck. Next to it was a figure that appeared seemingly out of nowhere riding on a skeletal horse, and even though it was a horse it was able to reach the same speed as the truck.
Back on the road the robbers notice the man riding alongside them who simply waves at them. The robber on the passenger seat fumbled his gun and began shooting at the man but it just flew right through him.
'I'm sorry but I must relieve you from your chariot' He announced.
Pulling out a cane from his side, grasping the handle he pulled out to reveal that it was a sword. He then proceeded to poke at the tire causing a puncture quickly deflating it, repeating this to the other three tires significantly slowing the truck down, putting away his cane sword, he sped up the horse until he was near the engine of the truck.
'Finally, I bid you a farewell' With that final goodbye he pulled out a flintlock pistol and fired at the engine shooting a lot more bullets then what an actual flintlock pistol could hold until he saw smoke.
He then pulled the lead and slowed his horse down letting the truck pass by him, the robbers thought they were going to get away despite the tires being popped, both high fiving each other even cheering that the truck held up when it was shot in the engine and it's tire popped, but they soon realized that the truck slowly slowed.
The robber on the wheel tried to push the pedal but it didn't accelerate and soon the truck came to a complete stop. As they got off the truck they quickly raised their hands when both the cops and the guy aimed their guns at them. As the robbers got cuffed, he felt his cape tugging. He looked over to see April aiming her camera at him and stuck out the microphone.
'April O'Neil, reporter for Channel 6 news, tell me, what is your name and why did you stop those robbers?' She asked. The man looked over and saw a reporter lady and her cameraman coming in to ask questions. Realizing this is a good opportunity to spread his name he simply tips his hat to the lady.
'I am The Gentleman Ghost and the simple reason is that because that is the right thing to do'
'Some people say your costume is outdated, any response to that?' She asked. Which offended him greatly, he straightened his coat.
'Well, I think it looks nice, now run along the road is no place for a lady' He said before riding off, but April had more questions. She tried to grab on his coat again but her hand went straight through it. She looked at her hand then looked back up seeing The Gentleman Ghost fading away almost like a ghost. She would question him later, if she ever finds him, but now she is on the clock and turns her attention towards the cop.
It was late at night, everyone had gone to sleep all but one. As the one awake approached one of the buildings singing some corporate prepackage pop kids like these days supposedly. As he approached he noticed a keycard lock on the glass front door. If he wanted to get in he needed a keycard, unfortunately he didn't have one. But he did notice a potted plant near him.
/gnB5KzD5_HE
As the alarm blares out, the security guards that were milling about run down stairs, but soon notice the guy with a ink-blop mask slowly walking up the stairs singing to himself. They pulled out their tasers, ready to shoot, but were quickly put down with a quick jab or two. As he continued to ascend the stairs more security came to stop him but were quickly knocked out, Not too much of an inconvenience pressing on still singing that song.
As he reached the top floor he look around until he found what he was looking for, the CEO office, entering the room and saw a young woman wearing glasses typing on her computer, she look up and their eyes lock he gave her the hint by gesturing his head to the door to leave and she took it quickly packing up her stuff and left. Now it was him and the CEO, as he entered the room he saw the CEO shredding files, the CEO then took notices at the person.
'Who are you?! What are you doing here?!' The CEO yelled, but the man just reached into his coat which caught the CEO's attention, thinking he was going to waste them.
'Hey man we can talk this out right?!' The figure steps closer, afraid of getting killed, he steps back.
'What do you want?! Is it money?! I'll pay double-no triple whatever he offers!' But the figure steps closer and the CEO steps back. The CEO tried to bribe him offering more and more extravagant offers in an attempt to barter for his life but it fell on deaf ears. He kept begging until he was pressed against the window.
'Look I'll give you whatever you want just please don't hurt me'
Was his last attempt to save his life before closed his eyes waiting for the inevitable, but instead of a gunshot he felt something place in his hand. He opened his eyes to see the man was gone. looking around and saw his window was broken, looking out of the broken window and saw no one. He felt a big relief that he wasn't killed and sat down on his chair, he looked at the thing the man gave and deduced it was a normal file, he simply placed it on the table going to look into it later as he needed to calm himself from his near attempt on his life. Just then he heard the sound of footsteps and his blood pressure spiked up thinking it was another assassin coming to finish the job but instead, to his relief it was the cops.
'Thank god you're here, someone broke in and tried to kill me' He said, this was a lie of course hoping that he'll get away scott free, but to his surprise the cops turned him around and cuff him.
'What are you doing?!' He yelled.
"We got a tip that you were stealing company funds to pay off your gambling debts' The CEO simply smiled, he knew they would soon come for him but luckily he shredded the papers so no are they going to find...way
'Hey partner, I found them!' Another cop yelled, this caught him off guard he looked over to see the cop looking over the files he placed on the table, this was a set up. The CEO began to kick and scream trying to defend himself but the proof was right there in that file. As the CEO was placed into the car he began to scream through the door.
'You'll pay for this, whoever you are?!' In the distance the man could see the CEO screaming inside the car. Then the figure witnessed this through his binoculars before walking away from the building rooftops and into the darkness of the night. Off to go solve another case.
Out on the field of the Highschool track the principal was giving a speech to the students who gathered at the assigned seats wearing their graduation uniforms about to embark on a new adventure.
'For some of you, it probably seemed like this day would never come, for others, it came far too quickly; maybe you're even wondering if you're ready for this, for what comes next, you are, I look out at this class and I see hope, I see a bright new world with a special place for each and every one of you, you may not know yet...' In a certain row Mark's three friends sat there being excited for their graduation but they worried because a certain seat was empty.
'Mark's not seriously gonna miss his own graduation, is he?' William asked since he was Mark best-friend.
'He's just running a little late' Amber answered.
'This is why I quit superheroing' Eve added.
'I mean, you only get to say goodbye to high school once, it needs to be enjoyed, appreciated. Savored'
'He'll be here, he promised' Amber said hoping Mark's promise would be fulfilled and as if on cue the promise was fulfilled.
'So, all I missed were the made-up inspirational quotes? Cool' Mark quipped then took his seats.
'Hey there, hero, good timing' Both of them gave each other a kiss when she pulled back, she smelled something.
'Is that...sulfur?'
'Oh, man, wait till I tell you about this guy, he's a case against higher education' When the speech was over the principal began handing out highschool diplomas. When Amber notices Mark's middle name was Sebastian she begins to make fun of him.
'Markus Sebastian? I thought we weren't keeping secrets from each other anymore?' She asked.
'Some secrets should never be revealed...Justine' Both of them began to laugh.
'Everyone, please rise' The principal said, when the students stood up he smiled.
'Congratulations, graduates' The students began to cheer, throwing their hats into the air, Mark did so as well.
'Yeah!' But when he threw his hat into the air he didn't restrain his strength sending it flying.
'Ooh, crap'
'Remember, be bold, be original, be...'
'I'm telling you, this Martian problem isn't gonna fix itself, they were gonna execute us' One of the astronauts said.
'Come on, they were trying to save their planet' The female astronaut rebuttal.
'From their own slaves, if those sequids ever take over, earth is next, we need to strike first, send up that Invincible guy again," the other astronaut tried to say. The female astronaut only scoffed.
'You're talking about starting an interplanetary war' The director looked over to Livingston.
'Hm...Livingston?'
'Uh...What-what-what? Well, what-what makes you think I know anything about Martians? Is that how you say it...Martians? I, um, I have to visit...the urination chamber' Livingston ran out of the board room tripping over a chair on his way out. When he reached the bathroom he took a deep breath while looking in the mirror.
'Get a grip, get a grip, you are a smart Earth astronaut' Suddenly his face morphed into a Martin gasping that his disguise was being undone by his emotional state he washed his face and looked in the mirror again seeing his face turned back into a human.
'Say, uh, everything okay, Rus?' A voice said, Livingston looked over to see it was the space director who came to check on him.
'Fine! Everything...everything's okay, yeah, sorry, how long have you been standing there? Not that it matters, because I have nothing to hide'
'Well, I, uh, l-listen, son, I know things haven't been easy since Mars, after what you all went through up there, no one can blame you for being a little, uh...' As he spoke he saw Livingston grabbing paper towels and just throwing them out.
'Uh...not yourself, but it's been months, and quite frankly, Livingston, this is the U.S. Space Administration, not therapy'
'Oh, God, no' Livingston realized his cover was blown.
'Well, I-I don't know how else to say this...' bowed down to the ground and begged for his life.
'Please don't kill me!'
'What?!' Livingston's shocked response but Livingston continued with the begging.
'Spare me! I won't fail you again, I swear on my three-chambered heart, just please do not stab all three of them'
'Uh, Christ on a Christmas tree, no one's killing anybody, but effective immediately, you're taking a temporary leave till you can get your head on straight' The director said leaving the bathroom, Livingston got up and looked at the mirror checking if his head was on straight. Thinking about what he's going to do now that he is on leave. Or whatever term leave means exactly in this context.
In a small part of the city construction work was ongoing. That was when the construction workers saw the building materials rumble then flying into the air which scared the construction workers moving back from the material up above seeing the metal being turned into pipes while the stones morph into windows and bricks fitting nicely with the building. Looking around the sky they saw that it was Atom Eve using her powers to build the building. When it was done she flew down and took a deep breath.
'Whew, there...' She then took a deep breath.
'Saved you some work'
'What the hell do you think you're doing? You scared the piss out of my entire crew' was the construction worker's disbelief that his crew almost got hurt.
'Uh, I'm just trying to help' was Atom Eve's response.
'How do I know that's to code?!' The construction worker yelled seeing the process of construction did not check its boxes, just then a mother just groaned. She held her childs hand as he went under the tape to approach her.
'You know what? Go stuff your code up your ass. I live in that building. And if it was up to the bureaucrats, we'd be sleeping in high school gyms until Labor Day' The crowd around them agreed murmuring, but the contraction workers just waved her off and left.
'Thanks' Eve said.
'Thank you'
'Mommy, does this mean we can go home now?' The child asked. Both of them looked at Eve.
'It's about time someone cut through all the red tape and did something, instead of just talking about it' They then look towards an open lot with alot of dirt and garbage.
'You know how long I've been begging the city to clean up that mess? Six years' She simply sigh.
'Oh, but unless you know somebody? Good luck' Eve simply smiled.
'You know me, don't you?' Eve stretched out her hands and began morphing it until it was a beautiful park. When it was finished the people gathered around it. Eve then received a phone call, looking at the number it was her mom.
'Hey, Mom, no, no, everything's fine, great, actually, I was just thinking about you, and...Wait, is something wrong?'
At the Guardians base the team exited out of the training room all of them bruised, sore, and exhausted. Especially Rex, but there were exceptions like Bulletproof, Godspeed, and Monster Girl. Black Samson was carryingDupli-Kate who had collapsed in his arms trying to keep herself awake but ultimately was exhausted. In fact all of them were exhausted.
'I quit' Rex said, taking off his goggles.
'I'm done, fսck your training, man'
'People try and kill me every single day, look, I don't need that shit at home' Rex complained walking past The Immortal who was floating in the air.
'Somebody got me in the balls'
'Maybe if you trained more and complained less, we could get back to saving lives' Immortal stated to Rex who only groaned in anger.
'We just stopped him from being that guy, and now we've got you?' looking forward and gesturing over to Black Samson, but when he looked back Immortal was gone.
'Ugh, fսck my life' Rex yelled.
In the showers, Rex closed the locker. Looking at the bruises he heard the sounds of giggling coming from the shower.
'Kate? Is that you? I've got a boo-boo that could use some Dupli-kisses' ButDupli-Kate wasn't having it.
'First of all, We are not dating, and second, that's inappropriate language for the workplace, so kiss your own boo-boo...boo...boo...' Dupli-Kate let out a soft moan, and Rex recognized that face.
'Wait, I know that look' He walk pastDupli-Kate and looked in the shower and saw both Immortal and two other Dupli-Kate clones, were having intercourse.
'Oh, are you shitting me?' As the three step out, with Immortal covering himself with a towel.
'You goddamn geriatric hypocrite'
'This is none of your business' Immortal said.
'Aw, come on!' Rex yelled in anger now on the receiving end of his version of cheating.
'You and I were never a thing. The Immortal and I are. Deal with it' Was Kate response now her, her clones, and Immortal began to leave, leaving Rex alone in the shower.
'Kate, don't do this, please' was all he could say watching the four leave. Thinking this was what Kate felt like when he did that.
'We called them heroes, role models, protectors, but no one ever expected to call the Guardians of the Globe victims, welcome to our first annual commemoration of the massacre that shook the world, we begin by honoring Aquarus, King of Atlantis' As the news continues its speech Rus wearing an open robe and shorts trying to veg out one could say. Listened carefully sitting on the couch ignoring that he let the original apartment plant die and had a stack of letters nearby. He stretched his arm to open a fridge filled with frozen pizzas and grabbed one of them as he was about to eat the frozen brick. He heard a knock instead going over to the door and opening it to see an old woman standing in front of him.
'Hi, Rus' The woman said.
'Yes, Rus' hoping he got the human greeting correct. The women just ignored and continued.
'I know you lost your job, but the rent's been due for months, so, you know...'
'I do?' he said confused , taking a bite off of the frozen pizza looking innocent. The woman just rolled her eyes.
'Just find a way to pay your bills, or I need you out by the end of next week' The woman tells Rus about his deadline while leaving. Livingston closed the door behind him walking back still eating his frozen pizza looking back at the tv not knowing what to do.
'Next, we honor the Guardians' fallen green do-gooder: Martian Man, he may have come from the stars, but Martian Man will always be one of Earth's greatest superheroes, while taking on bigger threats was part of his job as a Guardian, Martian Man always made time to help first responders on the scene, with his gentle nature and kind spirit, Martian Man made Earth his home' Listening and watching the news sitting down while his eyes glued onto the screen. He shifted back to his original form thinking he had an idea on what to do now.
Invincible was flying over the city while Cecil told him that he had a mission for him. It was good timing too because he and his mom had just gotten into an argument about leaving someplace else and he needed something to clear his head.
'Here's the need-to-know, we've had multiple corroborated sightings of Darkwing, which is perturbing to me, considering that I personally ID what was left of his rib cage last year' Cecil then realized what he said.
'Oh, uh, sorry'
'It's okay, so, observe and report?' was Mark's brief response. Getting a bit disturbed about the rib cage.
'That's why you're employee of the month, kid, Midnight City, been a virtual no-man's-land since the Midnight Magician cursed it back in '02' Cecil continuing on with the report.
'So when you say "cursed" is that, like, a metaphor or...' Just then day turned into night as he flew close, which caught him off guard. Stopping his flying and looking around.
'What the hell?'
'I mean it's cursed, permanent midnight, perpetual darkness, summer on the dark side of the moon' Cecil elaborated further. Invincible wanting to test this curse flew back and night turned back to day, he kept doing this moving back and forth.
'So weird, hmm...' Flying back and forth finding joy about this weird dark border.
'Let me know when you're done playing tourist' Cecil said.
Regaining his focus Invincible flew into the city finding this new Darkwing, as he flew over the building he noticed a man kneeling down over skeletal corpses that were picked clean with only their rags on them but one of them had their entire lower body cut off at the rib-cage. that caught his attention along with Cecil.
'Kid? Why did you stop?' He asked.
'I'm going to check this out first'
'Stay on the mission kid'
'Relax, it's not like he's going anywhere' Invincible said.
Cecil tried to force him to get back on the mission but Invincible simply ignored him. Invincible flew towards only stopping when the figure stood up, his face or masked turn against him but he could see what he wore. The figure had a brown trench coat with his matching fedora hat that has a light purple stripe.
'Was wondering when you showed up' This made him raise an eyebrow.
'You were expecting me?'
'Let just say a little birdie told me' He simply said. Invincible decided just to ignore that comment.
'So the body's? Did you do this?' He asked.
The figure turns around so he can face him, Invincible now being able to see what else he was wearing. A grayed scarf wrapped around his neck, and heavily unpolished elevator shoes. There was also a pin that was a smiley face with a bit of red splashed across its right eye now attached on the left side of his trench coat. But what was most eye-catching was his mask, being a simple white mask with an ink-blop which constantly shifts around his face.
'Body's been dead for awhile probably from dehydration'
'Ok I see, have you seen a Darkwing impersonator?' Invincible asked.
'Find a guy who is screaming for help and you find Darkwing' The figure said.
'Alright thanks' Invincible said flying away, the figure waited for a moment before grabbing his grapple hook from his coat and began following Invincible.
On a different roof a guy with a pink mohawk was being chased by a person unknown. As he continues to run he screams for help.
'Oh, oh, God, help, help! Please, somebody help me!' Suddenly the guy trips on something and he looks to see how he trip he realizes it was someone that was recently killed with blood dripping off of his nose. The guy quickly sat up and backed away until he was up against a wall.
'Please...S-somebody help me' Then the man sees a shadow of a figure looming over him. He looks up to see the Darkwing impersonator, who the guy is trying to run away from.
'I am helping...' The man tries to run away but the impersonator grabs him by the collar and pins him against the wall.
'Helping make sure scum like you never hurt another innocent person again' The impersonator then punched by Invincible, which gave the man the chance to escape. Invincible then flew down to the roof.
'Come on, man, Darkwing was at my 12th birthday party, so I'm pretty sure he doesn't kill people, also, pretty sure he's dead'
'Killed by your father, Invincible, which is why I carry on his work, I was Night Boy, his assistant'
'Assistant? Wait, you mean sidekick?' He asked.
'We don't use that term, it's degrading'
'Okay, bring him in, he's lost it' Cecil said.
'You think?' Invincible asked. Just then they heard the sound of rope being recoil and they turned to see a hook attached to the edge of the rooftop. Then A figure jumps between Invincible and Darkwing. Invincible soon realized that it was the same man he met before.
'Thanks for leading me to him Invincible, I'll handle it from here'
'Um, you're welcome?'
'And as for you' He looks towards Darkwing, cracking his knuckles.
'I'm need some freshening up on my boxing skills'
Darkwing rushed forward about to punch the man in the jaw but was blocked following up from the block went for a body blow to the right rib getting clean hit in but finding it to be of little effect as he was punched straight to the ground by his counter blow. As Darkwing fell he disappeared into the ground. Invincible was confused on how Darkwing did that but the figure knew that this disappearing act is either teleporting or invisibility. Waiting to hear a tell tale call he heard a portal opening up from the crates and right behind invincible who jumped out of the portal catching Invincible who turned around hearing Darkwing battle cry as he punched Invincible ribs and spin kicked him knocking him back. Invincible feeling that but not hurt held his face feeling a sore coming in.
'Ow, I felt that' Invincible complained. The guy walked next to invincible getting into a boxer stance now deducing Darkwing power is teleporting and saying nothing remembering that sometimes people tell their powers after introducing them. A hunch proven correct as Darkwing smirks.
'My predecessor developed this exoskeleton to help even the field against those like you' Now stopping to face Invincible as he is the main target.
'But that's not what you should be worried about' Invincible but his hand out furring a response.
'Hey man, I said I felt that punch, I didn't say it hurt'
Now speeding forth in light speed now involved in this fight but was too slow as Darkwing disappeared into behind a portal. Mark stopped and looked around trying to see if he could find him. Looking down he saw Darkwing but was too late in the reaction as he was spin kicked in the chin. Leaning back he saw Darkwing landing about to charge him but was tackled to the ground instead seeing the man was now on top of him in a headlock.
Darkwing quickly recovered and tried to throw him off but was punched in the stomach by invincible having the air punched out of him Invincible would have done another punch but was hit by the figure being thrown to him. As both fell to the ground Darkwing jumped and stomped both his feet on the figure. Both expected to feel the hard impact of the ground from that kick but instead found themselves spiraling then recovered as they looked around to figure out where they were. Until a familiar voice from all around told them where they were.
'Welcome to the Shadowverse' was Darkwing taunting the duo now trapped within.
'There are dark things here' Invincible thinking of a way out while the figure tried listening in to find the source of the voice if his hunch would prove correct. Then spotting Darkwing poking his head through a portal noticing that this Darkwing appearing from behind invincible.
'Hungary things' Before disappearing. Invincible would have tried to move but the figure stopped him and gestured to stay put as he hovered from behind. Signaling he has a plan. Invincible furrowed but agreed waiting for Darkwing to taunt them more. Both turned, hearing a cape washed to the side.
'Even I don't dare to stay too long' Now hearing the Noise coming closer.
'But i hope you like it' Darkwing now pops his head out from behind the Invincible head on the right side.
'Because you two are never leaving' The figure tried grabbing onto him from behind as the portal appeared but was too slow seeing him disappear before he could get ahold of him. Moving back he saw Darkwing popping out to taunt Invincible some more.
'I liked the old Darkwing better'
'I'm the hero here! I'm saving the world from Omni-Man's son' Now confrontational with Invincible who only speeds up right in Darkwings face. Startled, he tried to go back into his portal but was caught in a headlock from behind. Now benign pinned in place
'Hey, don't call me that!' He said annoyed while he watched Darkwing flail in place trying to break the hold.
'Let go' He struggled but instead his headlock grew tighter.
'Not until you take us back' The three of them heard the roar again.
'Hmm, guess who they'll eat first' was Invincible quip. Darkwing panicked in the hold trying more to get out of the hold only to get choked more stopping any further attempts and look at Invincible
'You would never' He said, gasping with each breath.
'Like you said, I'm Omni-Man's son, you have no idea what I'm capable of' Darkwing then pulled the two out of the Shadowverse and the figure let him go. Darkwing gasps for air.
'Thank you, now-' His words were cut short when a figure knocked him out, by the figure.
'Thanks man, for helping'
'No problem kid' He said, grabbing his grappling hook again from his coat, he was about to leave before Invincible called out.
'Wait, why are you here?' He asked, the figure put his right foot on the edge of the roof.
Looking at any buildings to grapple away. As to make his quick getaway if Invincible decided he needed to be captured. But mostly to look cool. He has to admit the night makes for the perfect atmosphere. All the more reason to find out why.
'I'm looking to see who done this'
'I mean Midnight Magician cursed this place back in '02' Invincible explained remembering what Cecil told him, the figure just looked at him.
'Is that what they told you? Hmm, or maybe this was created by The Illuminati making it look like Midnight Magician doing, to scare us into becoming sheep' Invincible raise an eyebrow not believing a word from him. Rolling his eyes that there was now a second crazy guy.
'Do you need help?' Invincible asked as a gesture of good will rather than any actual effort. Still deciding if he should turn him in or not but needed to know more about him.
'No, I'm just a man asking the question that few rarely do' Deciding not to deal with another crazy person today. Invincible nodded his head.
'Sure buddy, say what's your name?' He asked, the figure aims his grapple hook. He looks towards Invincible before pulling the trigger.
'The names Rorschach' He said pulling the trigger, as he zip away, Invincible looked over the edge to see him swinging away. Getting a call back from Cecil wanting to know what happened as they lost him for a minute there. Invincible reported asking his questions to Darkwing. After he wakes up. With a chuckle he told Invincible to bring him in.
Back at the pentagon After a quick back and forth with Invincible about handling certain problems, Cecil put his game face on and walked up to Debbie who was waiting for him at the front desk having problems with Marks but mostly Cecil superhero missions when he should be enjoying college.
'Debbie, what a pleasant surprise, what can I do for you?' Cecil asked, but Debbie wasn't having it.
'Mark almost missed his high school graduation because of you! He only gets one of those, he's barely 18, Cecil!' Debbie yelled, raising his hand in defense.
'Mark came to me, I'm looking out for him, I'm easing him back into the job'
'It's not a job, and he's not your...your-your soldier you can't just order him around' Debbie snapped back.
'Well, at least he follows orders' Debbie gasps at his response.
'Debbie, I didn't mean that' regretting what he just said.
'That's what this is about, isn't it? That you're in control, not him, that he's not like his father'
'Debbie...' Trying to defend himself but went on deaf ears.
'I can't believe you'd even think that after everything Mark went through, and what if you decide you can't trust him? What then?'
'That won't happen' He tried to assure but Debbie wasn't convinced.
'I wish I believed you'
'Debbie...I meant what I said, about looking out for Mark, no dangerous stuff until he's ready, and he calls the shots, you have my word' Speaking from the heart hoping Debbie would listen that he's doing the best he can in looking out for Mark. Just then Donald walked down the stair to both of them.
'Sir, the Mars file you requested' when Debbie saw him she was shocked that he was alive after what happened.
'D...Donald?'
'Debbie, are you okay?' He asked. Cecil grabbed her by the shoulder and started to lead her out the door.
'She was just leaving'
'That was Donald,' Debbie breathlessly, which left Donald confused.
'Huh, wonder what that was about?'
Cecil now stood over a cliff looking off in the distance. Half brooding and waiting for invincible to show up. Listening to the thunder in the darkened sky as the waves clashed against the cliff. Tapping his foot on what looks like a symbol of an unknown origin. After a moment of waiting Invincible flew in and landed right next to Cecil.
'You're late'
'For what...low tide?' He asked. Cecil just stared off thinking Invincible might be on the nose.
'Something like that, turns out the Atlanteans are sore about Omni-Man murdering their king, Aquarus, and since your dad vanished like a fart in a hurricane, Atlantean law dictates that his sentence falls to his next of kin, you'
'That's a stupid law' Not happy about the sins of the father is a rule in Atlantean rather than a metaphor. Cecil nodded, not denying it.
'Maybe, but Atlantis controls the oceans, they've threatened to erase the Eastern seaboard if we don't deal with this'
'You want me to go to war against an entire underwater civilization?' Invincible asked incredulously not wanting to emulate his dad in wiping out an entire civilization. Cecil knew he would react like this and explained further.
'Who said anything about war? According to Atlantean custom, the only way to atone for the king's murder is to marry his widow'
'What?!' Incredible surprise that they have a law like that. Just then the symbol underneath glows.
'It's an honor, if you think about it.' Trying to ease Invincible into the idea if the Atlantean people would press on the idea. Invincible was not having it.
'I can't marry a fish, I have a girlfriend!'
'Relax, it's strictly symbolic all you have to do is go through the ceremony. Maybe kiss the bride, then all is forgiven and everyone moves on, it's easy' Cecil downplays the events in order for peace to achieve hoping Invincible would accept the idea.
'Okay, but, like, will I have to, you know...' Cecil just stares off not wanting to answer with a maybe. Just then a machine resembling a flying fish where its wings are located at the top and bottom of the craft emerged out of the water and flew before reaching them.
'All right, what exactly am I looking at?' Invincible questions.
'Your ride' Cecil then receives another message from his earpiece.
'Sorry, kid, I got another fire to put out, good luck down there, I'll be listening' Cecil then teleported away.
Back at the base Cecil teleported in. Walking in, seeing Donald and another member of his team looking over the visual in front of him.
'Talk to me'
'It's the Lizard League, sir' Donald responded. On the screen, there is a team of people in lizard themed costumes. One in a female reptilian outfit, another fully suited in an orange and black color scheme, and the third a man wearing a cobra suit with a mustache and fierce eyes out of a snake head.
'You called me back for the Lizard League?' Cecil said thinking it was wasted time. Daniel continued with the report.
'They've hit a bio-research lab outside of Dallas' Cecil was surprised that the lizard league would make such a bold move when their leader is captured. Assuring them that they wouldn't make any moves until their leader would be captured. At least that was supposed to happen.
'How? We got King Lizard rotting in a prison cell'
'Uh, it appears that Supreme Lizard has seized control in his absence' Donald explained, showing the new leader laughing evilly as they charged into the research lab. Cecil just let out a deep sigh.
'Send in the Guardians' Donald looked back unsure if the guardians have enough time to train in their operation to go into the field.
'A-Are you sure they're ready?' Cecil is not happy that he is working with less than preferable cards on hand but decided to send them anyways.
'If they can't take down the Lizard League, they'll never be ready'
The Immortal charges in while yelling his battle cry punching the black and orange lizard villain to the ground. Following up that attack was Monster Girl in her beat form stomping the female lizard from behind sending the lizard to the ground grabbing her and jumping off elsewhere to continue the fight. The new leader supreme lizard could only watch getting sucker punched in the face by Rex who charged in sending him onto the floor.
'Nope!' The person who said that was the actual Rex standing with his teammates watching this fake rex looking back at him. Feeling all sorts of pissed that he has to go through another event that his body was used for cloning. He already had one event with Robot and that is just one too many.
'Not this bullshit again! I'm not doing this again! I'm not doing another me!' Rex loudly exclaimed with Robot, duplicate, Bulletproof, Shrinking Rae, and the Immortal all flying and standing near Rex wondering who this new person that arrived to help. Watching as this fake Rex is a lot more timid than the original as he smiled and waved shyly. Making Rex more upset.
'That better not be you, Rudy' Still sour that robot took his DNA to clone a body for himself. Rudy could only express annoyance.
'It's not' Rex walked forward angrily at this fake Rex before them and waited for this fake Rex to respond. But after a few long seconds immortal decided to get introductions in order.
'Who are you?' The fake Rex looked like he waited for his entire life to do this moment.
'I call me...' Spinning around revealing his true disguised form
'The Shapesmith' Now dressed in orange around the arms, neck, and legs with blue filling in for the rest as an orange s symbol appeared on his chest. Wearing blue gloves and eye mask now posing in front of the guardians of the globe feeling content with himself that he'll join in as a superhero like his martian counterpart before him. A moment almost cut short as a giant muscular man came charging in almost punching Shapesmith in the face but was stopped at the last moment by an electric lasso that was bound around him.
Shapesmith did a double take on that and jumped back in surprise. The brute snake, not deterred, tried to punch again, trying to break out of his bonds, but was knocked back and blinded for a moment by a bright flash sending him a couple feet back. Regaining his vision he was unprepared when he got kicked in the chest by a horse, sending him flying back to the rest of the lizard League who was reorient during that first battle. Seeing an undead cowboy and a ghost riding on skeletal horses side to side to each other. Each of them holding guns aiming their guns at the league. One had an old western the other a flintlock pistol.
'Howdy, they call me Dead Justice' The cowboy added to the Shapesmith's introduction.
'And me, The Gentleman Ghost' He also added before beginning to shoot at the Lizard league charging in, not ready to be beaten so easily yet. The immortal seeing three new allies join the fray announced his charge too.
'Guardians!' Was the battle cry as they ran forward to do battle with the lizard league. Bulletproof slowed down a little hovering over Shrinking Rae to ask a question.
'Things usually this weird around here?' Shrinking Rae chuckled.
'You have no idea'
At the public beach a kid was picking up his frisbee playing around for a bit then looked over seeing Invincible came crawling onto the beach coughing and barfing. Running away to get his dad for help. When it was over, Invincible lay down on the beach. Exhausted from his fight with an atlantean crab monster that was sent to kill him. Breaking free, killing the spectators and going back in to save the atlantean queen from harm. Then being dragged off by the crab monster to the deep water below, killing it there and swimming up to the surface. A textbook mission gone horribly wrong.
'You got lucky this time' Cecil said through the ear piece.
'Lucky?!' Invincible said, still gasping for air.
'Atlantis is calling it even since you saved the Queen's life, the next time I give you an order, you listen' Cecil threatened. Back at base Cecil looks over to a GDA worker.
'Pull up the audio from that fight' The GDA worker pulled up the audio, as it played Cecil could hear Mark screaming after the monster that he face let at a loud roar damaging his ears.
'Get it to the boys in R & D, I want a report in a week'
'Yes, sir' Donald said, as he walked away he stopped right in front of the door.
'Sir, when Debbie came to speak with you, she seemed, uh...distressed when she...when she saw me'
'Well, she's a distressed person, after the number Nolan did on her, who knows what's going through her head, anything else, Donald?' Cecil answered then asked.
'No, sir' Donald replied then walked out of the room. As the door closed Cecil felt a presence. Not demonic this time but more normal as he felt eyes being hidden from the shadows. He let out a sigh, not happy in dealing with another Darkblood situation.
'Everyone out' Cecil said. Every GDA worker looked confused by this order.
'I said everyone out!' He yelled, everyone there got up and left leaving Cecil alone with the unknown figure.
'Are you going to show yourself or do you want to continue this hide and seek?'
'That Donald sure is loyal' A voice that sounded like it was right next to him, he turned around to see a figure sitting on the one chairs, laying his feet on the desk. He was wearing a trench coat and fedora writing something on his notebook. Cecil furrowed in having to deal with another Darkblood but needed more information on who this figure really is and played along.
'What does Donald have to do with this?' Cecil questioned. The figure kept writing in his notebook before answering Cecil's question.
'So loyal that he was willing to explode a house with Omni-Man and him in it' Cecil widened his eyes. How did this guy know?
'There was an explosion but Donald was able to get away' Cecil responded with a lie but knows that lie won't convince him and picks his words carefully if this figure is wearing a wire.
'Is that what you would have told him, if he asked the question?' The figure asked. Now pissing Cecil off figuring out that was one of his fallback lines. If Donald was to ask but that was only to buy time.
'Who the hell even are you? And how did you get in here with being detected?' Cecil demanded. The figure tapped his notebook, ending his scribbling. He then took his feat off the desk and stood up.
'Name Rorschach, and the question on how I got in, well that truly is the question' Cecil sighs, pinching his nose, he didn't have time to deal with him.
'Look either you tell me how you got in or leave-' When he opened his eyes he saw that Rorschach had disappeared. Knowing this, he grabs a land phone to call someone to beef up security making sure that this is the last time someone would break in.
At the Guardians base, Immortal and his team were giving Shapesmith, Dead Justice, and The Gentleman Ghost, a tour around their base.
'And over here is our training room' Shapesmith awes at this while Dead Justice just whistles, or tries to remember that he shapeshifted into an undead guy with no tongue. Having second thoughts about that.
'Wow, look at all those...those things' Shapesmith awed at the training gear.
'Ooh why don't you show him the shower, Immortal? It's super roomy, you could do anything in there, right?' Rex said sarcastically.
'And you all get to live here?' Shapesmith not picking up the sarcasm asked. Thinking that he needs a place to stay since he is going to be kicked out of his apartment. Still not understanding what money is.
'Play your cards right and maybe you can, too, someday, The Guardians could use the three of you with those talents' Shapesmith eyes widened while both Dead Justice and The Gentleman Ghost looked at each other.
'Really?' He asked.
'While kind, me and Gentleman Ghost here, would politely decline your suggestion' Dead Justice said which surprised Immortal.
'Really?'
'Yes, we agree that the Guardians aren't the team for us' Immortal was silent for a moment before nodding and accepting their answer. Realizing that the new guardians of the globe were less than desirable to be around with.
'Forgive me for questioning your authority, Immortal, but we don't know anything about the Shapesmith' Rudy objected.
'I can tell you, I can tell you, I can tell you...' He quickly said excitedly to tell them his superhero story then cleared his throat.
'I was born a baby human, right here on the planet of Earth, I got my superpowers in a random industrial accident, I swore to use my abilities for good and to help people and to protect my planet, no matter what, because I am a normal human superhero' Once he finish his origin story he looked at the group.
'Am I in?' Both Rudy and the Immortal looked at each other. Dead justice and Gentleman ghost did so as well thinking they might have read that in a comic book somewhere before.
Debbie was not having a good day today, still having trauma to process and on top of that she had to deal with people undermining her and witnessed a couple that was in an abusive relationship not having the power to help the women. She opened her wine cabinet and took out a bottle of wine and glass, looking at the bottle for a moment before drinking it whole, Breathing in air through her nose she took a step forward seeing her wine cabinet door opened slightly. Debbie sighs, placing both the glass and the wine bottle on the table and proceeds to close the cabinet door only for it to open it again. She tried again and again and again increasing the force to close it as she was now slamming the door over and over again feeling tears stream off her cheeks.
'Fսck you, mοthеrfսckеr!' She screamed, still feeling the hatred and trauma that Omni-Man put her through and her son and ripped the door open as she pulled back the cabinet door and slammed it on the counter breaking it into two.
After it was all over and shattered glass spreading all over the ground she slump to the floor sobbing. Feeling the wounds that were inflicted on her and her helplessness to change her situation and others until she heard the back door open turning to see Mark all bruised up. She turns back and covers her face embarrassed that Mark would see her like this. Mark didn't care walking over to his mom and knelt down hugging her to give comfort as he too was reeling from the wounds inflicted by Omni-man missing the man he used to call dad now cleaning up his mistakes. For better or for worse he will help his mom get through this. No matter what.
Word count 9200
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