Consider this an early Christmas present. Enjoy.
TW: Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
Watchtower
Afternoon
"So let me get this straight, there's this guy called Darkseid who can prey on your inner darkness and that's what that was about?" Tony asked as the former Avengers led him, Rhodey and Vision into Watchtower.
"Kind of simplified, but yeah," Natasha said with a shrug.
"Doesn't it explain a lot of what's been happening recently?" Steve asked patiently.
"You mean how the whole world seems to be ready to tear each other to pieces? Yeah, that definitely felt weird," Rhodey noted as Tony looked thoughtful.
"Now that you mention it…in hindsight, some of my thoughts lately feel really dark," Tony mused.
"Any idea when Darkseid marked you?" Sam asked and Tony shrugged.
"Not sure. Must have been some point after everything went down over The Accords. Looking back, that's when things started getting…strange. I became obsessed with getting you all arrested," Tony mused.
"In that case-" Clint walked over and, to Rhodey and Vision's shock, punched Tony hard enough to send him stumbling onto his knees. "That's for outing my family to Ross, you son of a bitch!"
"Clint, easy," Steve said, getting in between them, for fear of Clint retaliating further.
"It's okay, Cap. I think I probably deserved that," Tony said, messaging his jaw as Sam and Vision helped him to his feet. "I'm sorry, Clint. I wasn't trying to let Ross know you had a family. I just…wasn't thinking."
"Typical Tony Stark then. You don't think, and everyone else has to face the consequences!" Clint snarled angrily.
Tony grimaced, wanting to argue, to deny it. But he couldn't, because Clint was right. He hadn't thought, and he'd put Clint's family in danger. No amount of words would change that.
"What's going on right now is bigger than your beef. So can you two put aside your egos to work together?" Natasha asked and Clint and Tony stared at each other for a moment before Clint nodded.
"We are not friends; we are two people on the same side right now. I need you to understand that," Clint told Tony, who nodded in understanding.
"I know whatever I say won't make things right. I'm just here to help," Tony said.
"That's gonna have to be enough for now," Wanda noted, a few cuts on her face from being sent through glass.
"If we're done with 'The Real Housewives of Metropolis," they all turned to see Tess watching them, seeming torn between amusement and annoyance. "There's something you need to see."
"Tess Mercer. I thought you were dead," Tony said in surprise and Tess smiled tightly.
"That's going around. At least half the people here have been presumed dead at least once. Come on," Tess gestured them forward.
The Avengers walked into the main room, where Chloe, Ronnie and Stein were all waiting. Chloe had a news report up on one of the screens, the caption reading 'Avengers clash in Metropolis'.
"You guys made the news," Chloe noted dryly as they saw a man with a grey, bushy beard wearing glasses being interviewed.
"Something glowed on Tony Stark's head and then vanished! It was like something out of a comic book!" the man exclaimed.
"Not the kind of news I'm used to seeing, but I'll take it," Tony said with a shrug.
"Mr. Stark. I suppose a welcome is in order," Stein said and Tony did a double take.
"Martin Stein? I heard you died. You weren't kidding," Tony said as he turned to Tess.
"Where's everyone else?" Natasha asked.
"Gone. Prometheus reached out," Ronnie said by way of explanation and the former Avengers all understood.
"Good luck, Oliver," Clint muttered, hoping his former student could finally stop this madman.
Metropolis
Same time
It was quiet; several armed men playing card when they door suddenly burst open. Oliver and Sara burst in first, firing arrows and throwing a few shuriken respectively. Barry and Jay then sped in, restraining the other guards. Soon enough, they were down and the X-Men, Matt, Gambit, Carter, Andrea, and Courtney followed them in. Matt was dressed in a red Daredevil suit with DD on the chest.
"Not a bad operation Prometheus has going here," Andrea noted.
"We can be impressed later. Right now, we need to find Bobbi and Prometheus," Carter pointed out.
"Might not be that easy," Matt said, pausing as he listened. "There are several more approaching. And I think I know one."
As if in answer, Sabretooth, and Dex walked out, followed by China White. Barry stared in shock as Snart followed, along with Mick Rory. Finally, a dark haired man in a t-shirt and jeans walked out, followed by a man with icy white skin and hair and seemed to be made of ice.
"Snart?" Barry asked in surprise.
"Sorry, Flash. But Prometheus gave me an offer I couldn't refuse," Snart shrugged.
"You!" Courtney explained as she and Carter stared at the young man with icy skin in shock. "How are you-"
"Not a raving lunatic?" Icicle Jr Asked with a smirk. "Prometheus has a telepath on the team. She was able to set my mind right."
"You'll wish they hadn't soon enough," Carter snarled, gripping his mace tightly.
"You should've stayed gone, Sabretooth," Logan sneered as he glared at the smirking mutant.
"Why would I do that? You see, the telepath didn't just fix Jr over there. She helped me unlock a few memories I had buried deep. You see, Jimmy, we go way back. Why don't you give your big brother a hug?" Sabretooth asked and it was silent for several long moments.
"What the fuck did you just say?" Logan asked, wondering if he'd misheard that.
"I was born Victor Creed. My father was Thomas Logan, who was also your father," Sabretooth said with a sadistic grin on his face.
"We're brothers, Jimmy. Do you realize that? And brothers protect each other."
The memory of his child self being told that by a young Victor Creed flashed through Logan's mind before he shook his head.
"Even if you're right, you're working for the bastard who is holding my daughter captive. So, bother or not, get out of my way or I'll cut off your damn head," Logan snarled, summoning his claws.
"No, Logan," Ororo said and he looked at her in disbelief. "You and Oliver need to find Bobbi and Prometheus."
"She's right. We'll handle these guys, you do what we came here to do," Carter said.
"We'll draw their attention, you complete the mission," Kitty said as Oliver and Logan exchanged a glance before nodding.
"Just as long we're all in agreement," Oliver said.
"We know why we came here. Gambit has your back," Gambit said, for once no sign of a joke on his face as he pulled out a card.
"Then on three…three!" Oliver shouted.
Then it was on. The two sides rushed each other, Bobby sending two powerful ice blasts at the energy. All of them dodged, but this was merely a distraction to make a path for Oliver and Logan to get to the door. As the pair did so, White threw her knife at Oliver. But, before it could reach him, it was knocked off course by a shuriken and hit the wall instead.
Sara then rushed in, she and White beginning to trade blows as Sabretooth made a run for Logan. But, just before he tackled his brother, Andrea stood in his path and punched him, sending him flying across the room. This allowed Oliver and Logan the time they needed to exit the room, beginning the process of searching the building while Gambit, Barry, Jay, Carter, Courney, Matt and Bobby had assembled at the end of the hall, forming a blockade and preventing any of their enemies from following Oliver and Logan.
"You won't be getting passed us," Carter warned gripping his mace in a defensive stand.
"You sure about that, asshole?" Icicle sneered as his hands glowed, becoming colder.
"Yeah," Bobby said voice as cold as his powers.
Bobby and Icicle Jr shot blasts of ice at each other while the others all attacked, engaging each other.
Oliver followed Logan, who sniffed the air.
"Anything?" Oliver asked.
"She's here…and so is he. She's one way, he's another," Logan said as they stopped at a point where the hall separated into two areas. "Oliver…"
"Tell me where he is. You go for Bobbi. Get your daughter out, no matter what," Oliver ordered.
Logan stared at him for a moment before nodding, gesturing to the left.
"Don't get yourself killed. My daughter, Sara and your mother will all kill me if that happens," Logan said, only half joking.
Oliver smiled tightly and nodded before walking down the hall to the left. Logan stared after him for a moment before heading down the other path.
Dex threw a Billy Club at Matt, who caught it easily as the two stared each other down, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around them.
"Why?" Matt asked and Dex didn't need clarification.
"You stole my revenge from me. Fisk would be dead right now if it wasn't for you!" Dex snarled.
"It wasn't the way, Dex. Not that I expect you to understand. You've never thought of anyone but yourself," Matt said coldly.
"You're wrong about that. I've thought of nothing but killing you for the last year. And now, I'll finally get that chance!"
With a primal roar, Dex rushed Matt and the two began trading blows.
Around the room, Sara kicked White in the abdomen before striking her in the face with her baton as, behind her, Andrea tried to strike the dark haired man. But, to her shock, he caught her fist with his hand.
"What are you?" Andrea wondered.
"Once, I was called John Corban. But now I am known as Metallo."
He then punched her, sending her flying across the room. She hit a wall hard enough to leave an imprint. Andrea grumbled as Metallo approached. But before he could reach her, Kurt teleported behind him, jumped on his shoulders and wrapped a blindfold around his eyes. Metallo roared in anger before grabbing Kurt and throwing him across the room as well.
Oliver reached the end of the hall before rounding a corner, finding Prometheus waiting for him.
"Hello, Oliver," Prometheus greeted before removing his mask. "It's finally time for us to meet, face to face."
"Your father would be ashamed of what you've done in his name," Oliver told him and Kane laughed mockingly.
"My father razed your city to the ground. He would be proud of what I have done!" Kane boasted.
"That was the Mirakuru. Your real father was a good man, an honorable man. He was my best friend, until the Mirakuru twisted his mind to the point I didn't even recognize him anymore. You're doing this to honor a monster who wore your father's face," Oliver tried to reason with him.
"Lies! I saw him kill before the Mirakuru!" Kane snarled, drawing his sword. "He gave this to me, before he left to pursue his vengeance on you. And I will do what he failed to do, kill you! I am just like my father, like Deathstroke!"
"Then you'll share his fate," Oliver said, resigned as he gripped his bow tightly.
Oliver and Kane then rushed each other, beginning to trade blows.
Logan followed the scent, walking into a room where he found Bobbi, bound to a chair and seemingly unconscious.
"Bobbi. Bobbi," Logan called as he walked over to her, taking her face in his hands and trying to wake her. "Laura."
At the sound of her birth name, Bobbi groaned, opening her eyes.
"Dad?" she called groggily and Logan smiled happily in relief.
"Hey, kid. Come on; let's get you out of here. Oliver needs our help," Logan said as he began untying her and Bobbi looked up sharply, now fully awake.
"Dad, you need to get me out of here. And away from Oliver," Bobbi said urgently and Logan looked at her bewildered. "I can't explain right now, but it's for his own good. If I see Oliver…I'll do something I'll regret. Please, Dad. I need you to help me."
Oliver and Kane were trading blows before Oliver grabbed Kane by the army and threw him into a wall. Oliver rushed forward, trying to strike him with his bow but Kane blocked with his sword.
"The old disorient and then strike move? My father taught me that as well," Kane bragged before kicking Oliver in the abdomen, forcing him back. "You can't beat me. We were trained by the same teacher! And I can copy any moves you learned from someone else."
Oliver growled before tossing his bow to the ground. Kane smirked before shrugging, tossing his sword to the ground and rushing Oliver. But, before he could reach him, Oliver grabbed one of his arms and flipped him on his back.
"Guess Slade didn't teach you that," Oliver quipped before delivering a series of punches to Kane's face.
Icicle and Bobby were continuing to shoot ice at each other when there was the sudden sound of lightning in the room. They all looked up, seeing Storm hovering in the air, her eyes flashing with power.
"You know what happens when ice gets struck by lightning?" Storm asked, eyes glowing pure white. "Let's find out."
Icicle stopped his ice beam to jump away, just barely avoiding a blast of lightning. This unfortunately left him wide open and Bobby hit him with a blast of ice that sent him flying.
"Snart, why are you doing this?" Barry asked, continuing to have to dodge a blast from Snart's Cold Gun. "You're a criminal, but you'd never get involved with something like this."
"Being locked up without any kind of due process tends to change your perspective. And maybe you don't know me as well as you think, Flash. Or do you prefer Barry?" Snart asked and Barry almost froze but jumped out of the way, avoiding a beam of ice.
"Are we gonna talk or fry him?" Mick grumbled, shooting at Barry with his heat gun.
"Get out of my way, Cajun. I have words for my brother," Sabretooth sneered as Gambit stood in his way.
"Gambit see your bet…and raise it!" Gambit shouted, pulling his staff, which glowed with energy.
Gambit attempted to strike Sabretooth but Sabretooth dodged before sending a kick to Gambit's chest. Gambit let out an 'oof' as he was thrown across the room, dropping is staff. Just before he hit the wall, Kurt teleported, grabbed him, and teleported away, landing Gambit safely on his back.
Sabretooth payed this no mind, attempting to move towards the hall Oliver and Logan had fled through when he was suddenly hit in the back and went flying. Behind him, Carter adjusted his mace.
"I don't think so," Carter said, his voice ice cold.
Oliver and Kane were continuing to trade blows when they neared a table. Oliver picked Kane up and slammed him down onto the table with enough force to break it. They paused, breathing heavily as Kane began to get back up.
"It's over, Joe. Tell me where the plutonium is," Oliver demanded and Kane laughed darkly as he pulled himself to his feet.
"You already think you've won but you don't even know that the next threat is going to come from the one you hold most dear," Kane said ominously.
They then heard a loud crash and it came from outside. Kane and Oliver looked out a nearby window, seeing Logan had jumped, landing on a nearby car. Bobbi was on his back. Father and daughter then got off the ruined car and ran.
The two stared at their retreating figures before Kane tapped something in his suit.
"Change of plans. Icicle, make an exit. It's time to bolt."
Icicle stood up, smirking before they all noticed the room was getting a lot colder.
"Sorry, but the boss says it's time to leave. But don't worry; we'll see each other again real soon!" Icicle said with a laugh as a snowstorm suddenly erupted in the room.
"Storm!" Kitty called, trying to shield her face.
"I am trying, but this isn't weather, it's his powers!" Storm shouted back.
Several moments passed of the X-Men and their allies trying to fight their way through the storm. Even Matt was unable to figure out which way he was going due to all the noise. Then, it all stopped, the storm disappearing. But, as they took in their surround, they saw their enemies had fled.
"What have you done?" Oliver demanded as Kane picked his sword up off the floor.
"Nothing you need to worry about. You won the battle today, Oliver. But the war is just getting started," Kane told him with a smirk.
Hearing something drop to the ground, Oliver looked down and almost swore as he saw a grenade. Oliver quickly raced out of the room before the grenade explodes, seeming to take out the room. Oliver paused, looking back into the room, seeing it ruined and on fire.
There was no doubt in Oliver's mind that Kane was still alive. Like his father, he wouldn't be taken out that easily.
And that's the end of the first full confrontation between our heroes and Team Prometheus.
And just to clarify, since I know some will be a bit confused about why Snart is working for Prometheus, every member of Team Prometheus has their own agenda and their own reasons for doing what they're doing.
Also hope you all enjoyed the Stan Lee cameo.
Merry Christmas, everyone. Hope you all have a good one.