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 Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:54 pm
What happens when two villains from two different words seek out the same power...
at the same time...
by trying to grasp onto different realities...
what happens when it goes tragically awry...
What happens when two of the greatest realities merge...
When worlds collide...
Justice League...
Avengers.....
Teams merged to help defend what's left...
Welcome to a new reality. Our reality.
But first... we begin at the beginning... when all is quiet on the western front and nobody is any wiser about what will transpire in their future.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:10 am
Marvel Universe
"Are you sure you don't want to join us?" The question was almost humorous. Every time it was asked over her, the answer was the same. The Avengers had wanted her on their main roster for several years, but being a hero like that didn't suit her. Yea, she'd do fine at it. But then she'd have to give up her day job... being the hero on the watch at Niagara Falls... who in their right mind would want to leave it?
"Tony, you keep asking, and I keep giving you the same answer. If I'm not here to keep the beauty, the who would be, eh?" She tilted her head and gave a wink with the final 'eh.' And it really was the truth, and the same answer she'd given. Here she was indeed the "Lady of the Lake." Some people thought of her as a myth, like she wasn't a superhero, like she wants an Avenger on reserve.
"Sunny, we could sure use you with the recent threats popping up," Tony Stark tried to tempt her again. She knew what he was referring to. She had just aided them in stopping a sprouting mutant crime cell. Her abilities counter most of their members who seem to be elementals of various degrees... elementals who want to use their power for personal gain and destruction.
Allison smiled in her usual grace and with that hint of playfulness, "You know where to find me, sir. I don't stray far from home. Take care, Tony. I am sure we will speak again soon." She terminated the communication and walked out of her office. Standing in her backyard, she looked at the rushing river. Taking in a deep breath, she glowed at the feeling of the river water. It rushed in her veins and senses.
About twenty yards away, her neighbor waved. Allison nodded and waved back. Mr. Grady was a very kind older gentleman. He and his wife had lived in their house for fifty years, and they were very aware of Allison's secret identity. Of course, the two of them respected it, congratulated Allison on things that went well, and offered her home made apple pies when things didn't. They lived in an area where plots were stretched out enough that she could be secretive and private. Most of the neighborhood thought she was a swim team coach and aspiring songtress... those, after all, paid her bills.
"Sunny, dear," the gentleman called her over. He was gardening and she could see that he had a basket sitting with him. The couple meant well, and she generally enjoyed knowing them.
"Mr. Grady, how are you today?" She leaned over the posts of the fence looking at what he was doing. She could see that he was helping a few distressed tomato plants survive. In the basket, she could also see that he had quite a few fresh vegetables and fruits from their garden.
"I'm doing well, my dear. If I could get these tomatoes to work with me, I'd be better. Erma is having a party for our youngest son's 25 birthday and really wants these tomatoes for the dinner. Oh, but enough about me... she wanted me to give you this basket to put some meat on your bones. She says that any proper super hero needs energy and strength. You know her, and I've told her Sunny that you are just fine. But she never listens to me. So if i don't give you this basket, she's going to give me an earful," He pointed his shovel towards the window, where they could see Erma peeking out to see if he was doing his job or not.
Sunny smiled and waved at Erma and graciously took the basket, "Thank you, Mr. Grady. You do a fine job with your garden and I appreciate it."
"James Grady, don't you forget what else!" Erma yelled out the window.
Her husband shook his head, which made Allison chuckle a bit. While he was grumbling about something, she sunk her bare toes in the dirt to feel the energy coming from the ground. The soil that the tomatoes were growing on wasn't the most well nourished despite Mr. Grady's efforts. Allison knew that he'd never want her to help him. She asked one time and Mr. Grady responded: There are some things in life that you don't enjoy as much if you haven't created it with your own hands. I appreciate your sentiments, young Allison, but I tend to my garden and you tend to our criminals. But she couldn't resist... having a "talk" with the soil, she helped feed it some nutrients from her yard through her will. Within the week, the planet would be doing well.
"Erma wants to invite you over. My boy is still single and she things you two would make a fine couple... He just told us he's got one of those super powers, and we thought it was great. She thinks just because you both have one you'll be a great pair... I told her... but she doesn't listen. If you're busy, we understand. But you know how it is with that woman."
"When is the party?" Allison asked to Mr. Grady's surprise. The mention of his son having powers made her more curious than anything. She liked keeping tabs on people.
"Saturday... so I hope these tomatoes cooperate."
"I think they'll be just fine. And I will be there all things considered." She waved goodbye and went back inside her house with her basket. Taking an apple out of it, she savored its flavor. Her beeper went off, and she checked the number. What now... She thought seeing it was from local authorities.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:05 pm
Marvel Universe
Forellen had been sequestered in her in her apartment for the last few days. Having just returned from a little adventure with the X-men and having helped up some nut case maniac in jail she went back to life as usual. She absently nibbled a french fry as she continued to scribble down in a note book. She was just about done with the final book of a three part series she had been working on for the last few months. Both of it’s previous releases hit the lower top ten and she had some high hopes for this final book. Those two were her first ever appearing in a top ten list. Another french fry another page written. “One hundred pages down, God only knows how many left.” She said dryly as she kept scribbling down the draft. As soon as she couldn’t write anymore she’d move onto the artwork for a little while.
Which reminded her of something she had been going to take care of before her side trip. Shopping for more paint and charcoal pencils and other miscellaneous supplies she was running low on. The thought of having to go out and go shopping didn’t appeal to Forellen all that much. She looked at her hand and sighed. “Better get this over with.” The sooner she took care of it the sooner she could go back to her art and her writing. She grabbed her purse and keys along with a watch which she strapped on and hit a small button. Immediately her usual appearance was replaced by a cute red headed woman. She stepped out of her apartment and headed down to the parking lot.
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:53 am
Marvel Universe
She really had no time to move. The call that came into her was about a child who had slipped into the river several miles from the falls itself. Usually the police could handle such things, but the water was too turbulent today. There was no time to play with so they sent in the call to their local superhero.
Her house played perfect location for such things. Her uniform took her less than a minute to change into, but she knew that time was still of the essence. No time for cars, no time for travel. But she was an elemental metamorph and empath... she was one with nature when it let her be and when she willed herself to be.
Mr. Grady watched as the blue flash that was Allison Dawn ran through the backyard. She heard a 'Go get 'em' from the man on the wind. No time to acknowledge. The waters were cold and the child was small. The falls and rocks would have no mercy. Pushing herself up over her back gate with an air current, she flew herself down into the river.
Instinctively, she used the air and water currents to glide her quickly down the stream. She jumped rock and spoke to the waters. Calm, my sister the water. Calm your currents and smooth my decent. You have a small life in your grasp. Allow me to save it. Concentrating on her movement and not her form, her body started to morph and reflect the water's glisten.
She felt the water rush around her and could see her target. The falls were coming upon the child horribly close. There were screams from tourists all around. She ignored them. This would take timing between water and air alike. Ceres could do it. She knew she could. She would not fail this time.
Before all of their eyes, the child dropped. Mustering more energy and forcing more speed from the water, she launched herself into the air pulling and picking up the air currents to volley her body down over the side into flight. Air we are one now. Pushing herself faster than the child was falling, she took one great heave and reached the boy, who had to be no bigger than four. She could see his head was bleeding, but he was living. That much she could tell.
Wrapping her arms around him before he hit the bottom of the lake, she arched outward and pulled their decent towards the shore amidst gasps and cheers of onlookers. No, she didn't do it for the glory. She did it for the land and to protect innocence. Putting the boy onto the ground, she checked his pulse and breathing. The paramedics were already in position waiting. They were spot on ready to do their job now that she was done with hers.
Stepping back from the scene, she look a deep breath and walked around a bit to cool herself and to calm her adrenaline. The police chief walked up to her and nodded, "Thank you, Ceres. His mother owes you a lot."
"I'm glad to be of service, Chief. Let me know if you need any more help," She said while remorphing her skin to look less like the water and more like her chosen human form. She nodded and picked up another air current to push herself back up to the top of the falls. Taking in a deep breath, she smiled loving the feeling of the rushing water. This was the life.
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:43 am
Marvel Universe
Oh what a day this was becoming. Her trip to the usual art store was vastly disappointing. They didn't have the brand of paint she loved to use. She frowned and looked at the man. "Do you know who would have it in stock?" She asked the clerk. "I really prefer that particular brand."
The clerk pursed her lips and made a few calls. "Okay, our store in Niagara Falls has it in stock. I asked her to hold some for you."
"Oh bless you." Forellen said smiling as she paid for her purchase and left the store. Almost twenty minutes later she was at the shop and paying for her paints. She checked her watch noting the time. She really didn't want to head back to her apartment right now and her image inducer had a full battery charge on it yet. She pursed her lips and decided to head to the Falls. She hadn't been there in a while and who knew. She might get that inspirational vision for a great picture to go along with her books.
Forellen frowned as she pulled in. Loads of tourists along with a heap of paramedics and police. Sliding out she grabbed her camera and tucked it over her shoulder as she made her way around all the tourists so she could walk along the falls. She leaned on the railing looking over the falls before spotting her. Oh she was beautiful. The artist in her kicked in and told her she had found that picture she had been waiting for. Oh sweet inspiration.
A lot of the tourists around her were pointing and whispering to each other. Forellen hated to be pointed at and decided she had to get this picture before the lady moved. She also needed to find a better angle. She cursed fate silently and kept walking this way and that trying to get the angle just right. She frowned at one location and decided that this was probably the best shot she was going to get. She lifted her camera and got the scene she wanted into focus and snapped a picture of the woman over the falls. Excellent the shot actually looked better than she expected. Now. Forellen had a personal rule. Anyone caught in an inspirational shot that she actually used in or on one of her books got about fifty dollars for their troubles along with a copy of the actual book when it qwas all said and done also she needed her permission to actually use that picture in the book itself. That way it was all nice and legal and no one got upset.
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:33 pm
DC Universe
Shane got out of the taxi in Gotham and looked up at the city court room and sighed. It was that time again. Paying the driver off, he starts walking up the marble stairs that many villians have been up before him as the taxi goes off in search of the next fair. The overcaste sky is just daunting enough to make Shane pull his coat a little tighter against the cold weather and threat of rain. He can just imagine how he could have been the villian going up these stairs. Hell, he was at one point, and he still shudders at the thought of being on the receiving end of justice again. The bells starting ringing out the time, causing him to hurry up as he doesn't want to be late.
Going through the metal detector and getting signed in for his appointment, Shane was just starting to sit down when he was called in to see his probation officer. Of course, she was prepared for him with his dossier already out. Her Federal badge shinning on the inside of her business jacket.
"Good afternoon, Mr. McClintock. I'm glade you showed up. Now, let us get this hassle over with nice and quick. I have with me a statement from Batman that you have been following his guidelines and only traveled out of city when he gave you permission, blah blah blah... So according to him you have been good. And as your credit nor debit accounts have had any purchases outside the city, and you have no confrontations with the law... I am about to sign you off for the month. I just need you to once again affirm yourself to your goverment-approved vigilantism. Good, just sign here... and I'll sign here... And there we are. You will get your next assignment as soon as we have one for you, Mr. Clintock. Have a good day."
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:15 pm
Marvel Universe
“ . . . and ask him when he’s going to dump that rain-bucket Seattle, and come to work with us full-time.”
Carmine could hear Wolverine’s voice booming through the speaker of Natasha’s phone from the passenger seat. He didn’t wait for her to relay the message. “Tell Logan that I’ll quit Seattle when he stops flicking me crap about it.” She didn’t even relay the message, and Carmine figured that she realized the argument was going nowhere fast. A few minutes later she clicked the phone off and slid it in her jacket. “What did the all-important Wolverine want?”
Natasha rolled her eyes a bit. “Nothing all-important. That’s for sure. He does have a point though, you know you’re going to have to make your mind up sooner or later.” She paused for a moment. “Might as well be sooner.”
“Yea, yea. I’m almost ready to commit, but there are still a couple of things I have to finish up in Washington.” He still held a grudge against the medical board, whose hospital refused to treat mutants. He had to take care of it before he could commit to the Avengers on a full-time basis. “Besides, there really haven’t been any major catastrophes. You guys can handle it for a little bit longer.” A red light blinked on the dash, and Natasha gradually slowed the car from 95 to 70. About a mile down I-90, Carmine spotted a cop cruiser radaring people just off the highway’s shoulder. A mile further and the red light stopped. Natasha sped up again.
“Two questions?”
“Alright, go ahead.” Carmine thought it was cute that she didn’t hide her Russian accent from him.
“Firstly, how can you afford an Aston Martin and a Bentley? It’s not like the Avengers pay you.”
“Private jobs.” Her stone expression didn’t crack.
“Fair enough. Second: I hope I’m not the first to notice this, but did you purposefully choose a black car with red interior?”
She actually giggled a bit. “When you’ve been the Black Widow for 60 some years, you don't bother with such things. At least I’m named after something tough, Nix. Your name is from a water-fairy.”
“Alright, alright. I understand. If you don’t want to talk about your superhero complex, we don’t have to.”
“Good. That’s what psychologists are for. Furthermore, no business on weekend get-away.”
The Aston Martin DB9 ripped by a large, green mileage sign that Carmine didn’t quite catch. “When you drive so fast, I can’t even read the signs.”
“Niagara Falls. Twenty-four miles. Chill out on weekend get-away.” She paused again. “And don’t get the seats wet, water-boy.” She chuckled a bit and pushed harder on the gas.
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 9:18 pm
DC Universe
exclaim Flashback
Wayne Manor loomed over the young woman in a dark ominous way and she fought against the shiver crawling up her spine. She revved her engine before shooting through the open gate and traveling up the outstretched driveway to the nearly deserted mansion.
Bruce was at the office and wasn't due home for a few hours, and Clair had seen the boy drive off a short while ago in one of their refurbished antique cars. She swiftly threw the kickstand into place for her cycle after killing the roaring engine and peeled off her helmet, shaking loose her violet colored locks.
She could hear someone whistling from inside the house and for a moment she believed it was Alfred, her grandfather, going about the manor, cleaning it as he normally did. Once giving the road another glance, Clair knocked loudly on the large wooden door, her hand tracing over the incredibly detailed engravings on it. A set of soft clinks, a pair of knock off stilettos with a chipped heel, and the door opened widely to reveal the newest employee on Bruce Wayne's payroll in the doorway, a part time house keeper dressed a the mockery of the French maid attire, complete with the voluminous feather duster.
"Bon-jour" Clair sneered at the fake accent as she shoved aside the maid and headed straight up the stairwell. "Mademoiselle!" She could hear the heels scrap the floor as the woman tried to catch up with Clair but she ignored the shrieking help and tossed opened one of the bedroom doors.
"Grandpa!" Her cry from the doorway came just a sliver above a whisper, but it held all her pain and anguish in that single word. Barbara turned from her spot on the edge of the bed, jumping up to stand between her uncle and this intruder.
The sickly old man wheezed and coughed, making Clair wince at the sound, and the two women looked to him, both clearly concerned. "It's all right. She's family." exclaim
Clair looked around the all too familiar mansion, despising her employer ever so briefly for having such large accommodations. The entrepreneur simply had to overdo everything and Clair hated cleaning every bit of it. Of course, her grandfather's former employer, the world renowned Bruce Wayne, wasn't much better. He, too, was a collector of junk.
She was currently working her way through the hallway where Mr. Luthor kept his armored suits with her employer a few rooms away engaged in a 'conference call'. She knew it to be otherwise, but kept that to herself as streams of Mr. Luthor's angered conversation reached her ears.
"I don't care! I am sick of that man foiling my every move. I want him gone, you hear me? I don't care how you do it, just do it! I can't afford for him to intervene when I'm so close."
Clair shook her head, knowing her boss was raving over the man of steel, again, either that or he was talking about some foolish CEO trying to make a name for himself by outdoing the ruthless Lex Luthor. The violet haired woman stretched out her arms, all ready planning her upcoming and well deserved vacation she was due.
Flying back to London and checking in on her grandfather was at the top of that list, though she hadn't decided whether or not she'd invite her aunt, Barbara Wilson, to come along. The two women weren't exactly on socializing terms, since Clair forcefully plucked Alfred from Bruce Wayne's care and away from the older woman, sending him straight to England to receive the best care the estranged daughter of a duke could manage.
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:32 am
Marvel Universe
It was infinite, it seemed. The aura of the land, the energy of nature... and most particularly, the rush of the water. She knew was it was like to walk among it and not be swept away by what could be the violence of nature. And walk she did... she her feet moved along the rock, pushing and bending the energies of nature to keep her footing, to keep her strength in the movement. She ignored the tourists watching her.
But there it was... the disturbance. Somebody was tampering with the energies of the land. She moved down the middle of the river concentrating and trying to read where it was coming from. There was an elemental burning through the waters. She could feel the steam in the air from a distance. Something was familiar about the energy signature, and it didn't take her more than thirty seconds to realize who it was.
Of course, before she could yell at her assailant, she was diving in the water as a scorching fireball came down from the clouds at her. The heat almost dissipated when it hit the water; however, it left the water boiling. She pushed herself out of the river only to dodge another fireball.
"BRUTUS!" She yelled knowing the mutants name. She helped to defeat his team along with other Avengers not five days beforehand. Putting her hand down to the rocks on shore, she concentrated to communicate with the earth and find where he was located. During, her concentration let her become a target. Quickly she formed a shield of rock above her to stop the next fireball. Brutus held the power of fire in one hand and water in the other. He was a brute, probably how he got his name.
Growing strength and speed from the rich energies around her, she ran up the embankment and decimated Brutus with the rock shield she had created. Scooping up a force of wind in her hand, she pushed him down to the river where she felt more comfortable fighting. It was strongest element, even if she had control over so many.
"What is your business here, boy! How many times do the Avengers have to stop you?" She yelled at him taking flight and charging him. Unfortunately for her decision, he caught control of the river faster than she did. Too much talk, not enough action, Ceres. She told herself. Brutus formed one watery fist and pounded it into the bed of the river starting to form a tidal wave large enough to knock any tourists off the usual viewing spots and to drown any on the boats in the river below the Falls.
"Go, Ceres, go do your job... I can hold this forever, my strength is greater than yours..." Brutus yelled at her as she flew above the river gaining speed on the tidal wave. Planting her feet in the rocks before it, she pulled up beds of rock and her own shield of water pressing the wave back before it could reach it's first fated targets. She grimaced and groaned as she held her strength to push back the tidal wave that Brutus was pushing on incredibly strong.
She was unable to gain any more energy for her own durability from the area around her. If she did, she would break the strength of the barrier she was creating. Brutus knew that and she, unfortunately, had to respect his forethought.
"Ceres! You are a powerful elemental! My master would like to offer you a place at his right hand where you can control all the elements of the world with no consequence... where he can give you greater power and insight than you'd ever dream of!" Brutus stood ten feet from her in the center of the destructive wave he was creating.
"Who is your master?" She yelled needing to know, not expecting an answer. But sometimes villains liked to talk more than they should.
"That is privileged, my dear," He answered and pushed harder against the barrier she created.
"No bother. My only master is Mother Nature herself, and she unlocks as many secrets as I need to know. So, my dear, you can take your offer back to your Master and tell him where to put his offer! Ceres will not be bribed to serving evil." She looked to the sky momentarily and used a quick wave of her hand to push Brutus back with a burst of air. The movement didn't last, though, she had to maintain her hold.
Hitting the underarm of her uniform, she used a feature she swore she never would... a communication device Iron Man gave to her in case she ever needed the Avengers rather than the other way around. Ceres was too proud and independent to ever use it. But no time for pride, people would die.
"Any Avengers in the vacinity of Niagara Falls... Reserve member Ceres needs assistance... come to Horseshoe falls... you can't miss me..."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Ceres. Because now I'm under orders to kill you. Pity, you are such an enchanting creature."
The push from Brutus was almost overwelming. The tidal wave seized forward, pushing Ceres and her barricade of rock and water back into it's flow. She had to take action again. Mother nature let me do your bidding, not this man.... follow me... Screaming as she forced her will onto the energy of the river, she pulled herself up out of the water and forced the tidal wave up and backwards away from the tourists. Taking what power she had left, she forced it back down onto Brutus. Sure the people would live, but she collapsed into the water herself only to be lifted out of the water by the collar.
"So stupid," He said and walked to the edge of the water. With a firey fist, he dangled her over the edge, "But at least you will die in the place you fight for the most."
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:29 am
She was considering getting another shot off when she suddenly looked up and moved. Quickly after her having noted the sudden urgent look in her eyes from the zoomed in camera image. Curiosity overwhelmed her at times. She followed the woman down up the river away from the falls and away from the people thankfully. She watched her suddenly stop and dive into the water as a fireball dissipated into the water with a steamy hiss. Seconds later she came up and dodged a second one.
She was an elementalist Forellen noted as she used an earth barrier to stop the next fireball from the mutant who also seemed to be an elemental she discovered as she watched the two go back and forth a bit. But Brutus didn't seem to have the woman’s range of capabilities. "No rest for the weary." She whispered as fur covered her body. She reached up and shut off the inducer just before dropping to all fours her k-9 body now shimmering and fading from view. In her favorite form she padded around to try and get a better view of the battle.
That’s' when things went sour for the woman. Forellen was dutifully impressed by her power but it seemed that it was split between all her elements and Brutus who only seemed to have two would in thoery have more power to distribute between them. He caught her by the collar in a fiery fist and Forellen knew the time for leisurely contemplation was over. It was now do or die time and in the space of their battle she had circled around them. How to get him without him dropping her into the rapids and sent down the falls the hard way. She could try and force him to turn but that might cause him to drop the woman. Too bad the other options weren't as attractive.
The timing on this was going to have to be perfect. She had to be moving at her top speed to pull this one off. She had been backing up as the brute seemed to be admiring his impending victory. digging her paws into the ground she charged in at him. What she wanted to do was simple in execution and tricky in results. She was going to leap not at him but at his outstretched arm shifting into a heavier form for more mass prior to impact. Clamping onto his arm with her jaws she was going to let momentum carry her body forward till it wouldn't allow her to go any further due to the fact that she had anchored herself to his arm. Momentum would throw him off balance and spin him around. Hopefully if she did it right the knee jerk reaction of letting Ceres go would come as her body was over solid ground. Due to the angles involved in this he shouldn't see her coming until she came out of her Ghost Wolf form and by then it was going to be to late to react to it because she'd all ready be biting down on his arm.
Pounding at him she hit top speed as she rapidly closed the distance. Just another second....almost there. She thought as she closed on him. Her muscles bunched. NOW! Her mind barked at her as she leapt at that outstretched arm. Her body increased in mass suddenly sprouting deep red fur and becoming more feline in nature. She had doubled her mass in the inches between her and her target. Her jaws came down on his outstretched fore arm. Please let me have gotten this right. She silently begged fate and a second later fate blessed her with a flawless execution. Her jaws came down on his arm just below his elbow and sheer momentum carried her body forward spining Brutus so when he did let go of Ceres the woman landed on dry ground and not in the rapids. Forellen quickly let his arm go and scrambled away from him before he could retaliate not that he could because the motion had spun him around enirely. The redish brown panther skidded to a hault and watched the elemental mutant with a weary eye ready to go back after him if he tried to go after Ceres again.
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Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:09 pm
[[DC Universe]]
Shane walked out of the federal building and sighed. The leash he was on was just getting tighter and tighter. He only had a few more years on parole, two to be exact, before he released. And then finally could he become a true super hero who fought villians and saved the chicks. But until then, he was Batman's lackey and the government's pet superhero. Hell, he wasn't even supposed to do good samiritan work without the government's permission because they saw him as a tool, to valuable to waste on petty crime. Of course he still did it, any super hero would. SHane just made sure no one new it was him. How could they when what they saw, heard, and felt was under his command if he chose.
Turning the corner as he walked to the train station, he saw a three-card monte table setup, and smiled. It was his favorite trick. For a year, just after running away, but before he had the nerve for true theft, he jilted countless folk of their money with the dishonest game. Any sucker who still fell for it didn't deserve his money in the first place, so he didn't step in. Instead, he left a twenty for the homeless man running the game as a tip for good memories. The bewildered man, knowing better then to give up free money, just kept on playing and held onto it in his pocket.
But just before he turned the corner, Shane heard a man call out, "You CHEAT! See, there is no ace of spades. Give me my money back or I'll break you."
Turning around, the crowd had scattered back twenty feet and formed a circle the way people do, eager to watch the fight, but not willing to step in to try and stop it or help the poor homeless man had been discovered.
Knowing he had too, Shane called out with a booming voice "What is going on here?"
The group and the two men turned to see a police officer turning the corner on a huge clydsdale. The man had short cropped hair, the standard out fit, and was shack sized. Instantly the crowd disperses and the man who felt cheat instantly was cowed. Who wouldn't when a man for was over seven feet tall was on horse back with a billy-club the size of your forearm stared you down.
"Well?"
"Um.. Officer... he cheated me. His game was rig-"
"Shut your trap. You obviously don't know the first thing about a basic rule of life. 'A fool and his money are soon parted.' Now you agreed to bet, without checking his odds, or making sure he was honest. From my standpoint, you just learned a valuable lession and owe the man for it because he only stole pocket change. A true expert would have stolen your identity. So move along and leave the poor man alone, or I will right you up for assault."
Shane was watching from the other corner of the intersection as poor man scurried away as the punk was cowed by nothing at all. The ones who hadn't left because of the police officer, who was just a figment of Shane's imagination, were watching as the crowd dispersed because of nothing and the punk was seeing things.
"Now that is justice. His street cred will never be the same. Afraid of a poor man. Ha" Shane muttered to himself as he turned the corner once more, letting the illusion drop, causing vertigo in the punk.
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Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:38 am
"...come to Horseshoe Falls... you can't miss me..."
The radio clicked and returned to its original station. Natasha glanced over at Carmine with a slight look of frustration about her. "Not one damned weekend!" She slapped the wheel and floored it, as Nix watched the speedometer push past 140. Putting on her sunglasses, the Black Widow started shouting out commands in Russian, apparently to the car's computer system. A map of the area appeared on the small Navigation screen, and a tiny voice echoed in her earpiece.
"I'll try to find you a faster route, Nix." Whoever was on the other end of the transmitter seemed to be answering her questions, though he also spoke Russian. A set of red and blue lights flashed in the rear-view and side mirrors, followed by a high-pitched siren. A minute later two more sets of lights joined the first. Carmine could see everything on the car's computer screen: with three police cars on their tail, he could see Horseshoe Falls about 30 miles directly ahead. A river also appeared to the right of the road, and seemed to lead almost directly to the waterfalls.
The Widow seemed to know what Carmine had in mind. "Follow the river. I'll ditch the cops and be there shortly. And don't get yourself killed."
"Thanks, Tash." Nix rolled down his window, as he began to compact into a ball of solid water molecules. Upon reaching the size of a billiards ball, he flung himself out the window and landed a few feet away from the cool river. It seemed so calm. Nix took to his liquid form and joined the river, moving toward the waterfalls at an incredible rate of speed.
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