broadwaybeyonder

Just for the sake of argument, let's say that Gargantua's lack of intelligence leaves him open to be beaten by the other two, most like Ramleathal. Don't know about her game, but she seems to be packing a lot of fire power to even the odds. That would leave her against Shen. Any strong opinions of who can beat who? Both appear to be skilled fighters, with Lethal using tech and Shen using magic. Will wait to vote.

Understood. I'm not wanting this place to go political. We get enough of that in the real world as is. I'm just wanting to see if we can get some more people who will participate in the discussions and build up the site. I would like to hear from @IKA and @Fox too, since they know more about moderating this site than I do.

In the interests of fairness, here are some clips of both the Baroness and Emma Peel. Hope they will give you a better idea of how they match up. The Avengers: Emma Peel First Appearance HD - YouTube Emma Peel - Danger Never Sleeps - YouTube Last Hour to Doomsday | G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero | S02 | E06 | Full Episode - YouTube G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero - No Problem with the Gung-Ho Family - YouTube

Point taken. Trying to promote the site anywhere could lead to an increased chance of prickish behavior. I know that Twitter has it's pricks, and there are pricks on Facebook too. We would need to be careful regardless and keep our eyes peeled for any nonsense (Purposely giving bad ratings, bad comments, etc). And I'm not opposed to spreading the word on Facebook. Like I said, we'd just need to be prepared. Which is why I would like to do a test drive for a month or two. If we started seeing more harm than good, I'd take down the page. @Fox, @IKA, your thoughts on this thread?

Hello all! With the possibility of IKA taking over for Fox seemingly becoming more final, I wanted to float an idea to the CBUB. I've been considering starting a Twitter page dedicated to the CBUB in order to better promote the site. We've been keeping this place going during these last two years, but I think we would all like to see match ups have more discussion, voting, and ratings. That can happen if we get more traffic, and that will come if we put the site out there. If you are cool with that, my plan would be to post the links to a few matches/rumbles per week. They would be the two highest viewed/replied to matches and rumbles for that week. I would also post the 2 matches that finished during that time with the highest ratings. Taking into account possible doubling up, it would mean any from 4 to 10 matches/rumbles would be posted per week. At the end of the month, I would do a similar 'best of the month' selection. We could also just post all the topics if you prefer, but I won't be able to guarantee that I'll be able to get to all of them quick enough to make sure that they get the same amount of promotion. So what do you think? Would you like me to set this up? Would you want all the topics posted to Twitter, or just the ones that sparked the most discussion and views? Would you even want to have your matches posted? Please let me know below. I really appreciate the creative outlet this site has been for me, and I would like to see it get back to where it was before 2020, but I want to make sure what your thoughts are. Any comments or suggestions, speak and be heard. Have a good day.

The Kombat had gone on longer than Shang Tsug had predicted. The two abominations were surprisingly, easily matched. Meat brutally hacked at Gooey Gus with his cleavers, even threw his heady and gnawed on the Slime Monster’s slimy hide, but Gus’ body quickly reformed itself. And every time Gus managed to ensnare Meat in slime, he was able return into his blood form to spill out of the smallest crack. But as the battle drew on, Meat began to tire. And Gooey Gus? It just got madder. It finally grabbed a hold of Meat, and unleashed a final torrent of slime on him. Then before the flesh creation could escape, Gus began to retract the slime into it’s body, dragging Meat with it. Meat howled and clawed to break free from Gus’ grip, but it was no use. With a final piercing wail, Meat’s body disappeared into Gooey Gus, never to be seen again. With a slight red tint showing through it’s purple skin, Gooey Gus picked up the fallen cleavers, then held them above it’s head and roared it’s pre-recorded catchphrases to the sky. Shang Tsung looked on from his palace impressed. Gooey Gus had peeked his interest, but a part of him had questioned how useful an Earthrealm toy brought to life would be to him. But seeing it in action and seeing it’s ferocity confirmed the sorcerer’s suspicions. He used his magic to summon Gooey Gus to his palace, and offered it a place as his personal champion. “With the Slime Monster’s power,” Shang Tsung had said, “No warrior in the realms could stand against you.” But Gooey Gus was not interested in glory or kombat. It still burned with anger, and now it felt the bloodlust of Meat rising within it. Gooey Gus set about slaying and sliming the followers of Shang Tsung. The sorcerer quickly realized that Gus could not be reasoned with, bought, or threatened. At the risk of his palace being overwhelmed, Shang Tsung cast another spell that banished Gooey Gus to the Netherealm, satisfied that the mindless brute would never escape. But once again, Shang Tsung had miscalculated. For the Slime Monster’s powers were driven not merely by rage, but by heat. And in the fiery hellscape that is Netherealm? Well, still burning and steaming with rage and fueled by the unending fires, Gooey Gus grew in power and size, growing to a height of 50 feet. It unleashed it’s fury on the denizens of Netherealm, but gradually something became clear in Gus’ twisted mind. These beings weren’t laughing at it, they weren’t simply running away. Some of them were offering themselves to it, calling it their king. Worshiping it. And Gooey Gus liked it. And so the Slime Monster, aided by it’s acolytes, began it’s takeover of Netherealm. Gooey Gus tested it’s new powers, converting the lost souls of Netherealm into slime golems like it had been. It continued absorbing victims into it’s body, trapped others in cocoons, and even regurgitated smaller, toy sized Gus-es to serve as it’s eyes and ears. It’s only a matter of time before the Slime Monster and it’s minions break free from Netherealm. And on that day, only one thing will be certain. No one will be laughing. SLIME ANYONE?!

Major Bludd stood with arms crossed behind his back as he overlooked the communications room of the Cobra relay station. Before him a row of Tele-Vipers sat in front of computer screens, their helmets buzzing as they dissected information. “Any sign of her?” asked Bludd impatiently. One of the Tele-Vipers turned to Bludd, the word ‘negative’ flashing on his visor. “No, Major. Radar isn’t picking up the Baroness’ Rattler.” Bludd looked out the large glass window that overlooked the topical landscape surrounding the station. “Well, keep watching! She’s scheduled to arrive any minute now. And I’m not having her give a bad report to Cobra Commander because we…” Bludd felt something clang against his helmet. He looked down to see a poker chip clattering to the floor. He glared behind him at the laughing faces of the Dreadnoks. Buzzer, Ripper, and Torch sat at a folding table, each with a pile of chips and a hand of cards. “What’s the matter, Bludd?” snickered Buzzer. “Don’t want Mommy to give you a spanking?” Bludd picked up the chip and threw it back to the table in disgust. “Don’t you morons have anything else to do except mess about? You’re here to provide security, not play cards!” Ripper pushed some chips into the pile. “Aw, give it a rest, Bludd. We’ve been over this base a hundred times already! There’s nothing on this island except a bunch of birds and monkeys, and those ruddy Joes don’t have clue where it is!” Torch leaned back in his chair. “Yeah! Nobody can get in ‘ere without us knowing about itUMPH!” Torch’s face slammed into the table as his chair was kicked out from under him. The table collapsed and chips and cards scattered on the floor. Bludd and the Tele-Vipers stood frozen in surprise as they saw the Baroness standing in the doorway, hands on her hips and eyes piercing through her glasses. “Baroness!” Bludd stammered. “We.. We were expecting you!” “Stop you’re groveling, Major!” the Baroness snapped. “Do you buffoons still remember how to salute in the presence of your superiors?” Bludd and the Tele-Vipers quickly stood to attention and saluted. The Dreadnoks sheepishly followed suit, with Torch still holding his jaw. The Baroness marched past the mercenaries and down the stairs toward the row of computers. “I sincerely hope your lack of response to my request to land was merely a technical error. I would hate to make a note of your inefficiency.” Bludd hurried after the Baroness and walked alongside her as she examined each Tele-Viper at their station. “I assure you, Baroness, that everything’s in order! We can keep track of all Cobra transmissions. And when the Commander is ready for his new offensive, we’ll be able to coordinate the attack from here, without G.I. Joe having a clue where we are!” “I thought I said that,” Ripper grumbled to Torch. The Baroness nodded in approval. “Very good, Major. You and your guards will leave the control room now.” Bludd was taken aback. He cocked his head in confusion. “Um… leave? Baroness, I assure you everything is in order!” The Baroness pushed past the Tele-Vipers to sit in a rolling chair at one of the consoles. “So you say. I will be using the communications satellite to make my report to Cobra Commander, and I will be doing so in private.” Her eyes narrowed as she turned her gaze back to Bludd. “Unless you have a problem with that? I’m sure Cobra Commander would be most interested to know why you would impede my inspection.” Bludd spluttered for a moment, then gave a salute. “Oh, not at all, ma’am! Do whatever you want!” He spun around on the Tele-Vipers and Dreadnoks. “You heard her, layabouts! Clear out, and stand guard outside the doors to wait for further orders from the Baroness!” Ripper gazed longingly at the broken card table. “Aww. And I had a royal flush and everythin’!” Buzzer dragged him by the arm after Bludd and the Tele-Vipers out the door. “We’ll all get a flush if we don’t move it, Ripper! Get a move on!” The metal door to the control room slid shut. The Baroness turned back towards the screen and gave a sigh of relief, allowing an uncharacteristic smile to play on her lips. She lightly tapped an unseen button on the side of her glasses. “Steed?” ‘the Baroness’ said quietly in a British accent. “Can you read me alright?” “Loud and clear, Mrs. Peel,” a familiar voice replied over a speaker in the glasses’ frame. “How is your tropical holiday coming along?” Emma Peel rose from her seat and started walking to the corner of the room where a mounted surveillance camera scanned the room. “Oh, it’s lovely,” she said, readying a small jamming device and sticking it to the side of the camera. “If it wasn’t for the army of reptile worshiping terrorists. How about you? How’s things on your end?” “Smoothly,” Steed said as Emma walked to another camera. “These G.I. Joes are quite a unique bunch. Some of them sound ready to make a move on Cobra right now.” Emma placed the jammer on the second camera then walked back to her computer station. “Don’t be too hard on them, Steed. They are Americans, after all.” “Now don’t get me wrong,” Steed continued. “They’re all good fellows. In fact, there’s one operative that I find most intriguing.” Emma raised a knowing eyebrow. “Really? What’s her name?” Emma was pleased as she heard the dramatic tone in Steed’s voice. “Mrs. Peel! I’m shocked you would assume such a chauvinistic thing of me!” “I know. What’s her name?” Emma could hear Steed sigh as she started working through the passwords of the computer. “Her codename happens to be Scarlett.” “As in the Pimpernel, the Fever, or the Letter?” “She’s an extremely talented agent, who has been assigned as my liaison to G.I. Joe for this mission. She seems to be rather intrigued by me. Perhaps by my charm? My sense of style.” “Your unfailing modesty?” “Naturally.” Emma rolled her eyes as she continued working through the Cobra firewalls and Steed went on talking. “I even offered to take to her dinner after this business is over. Monte Carlo perhaps.” “Purely in the interest of good diplomatic relations.” “Naturally.” “And she turned you down?” There was a pause on the other end of the line before Steed finally replied. “Irreversibly.” “Naturally,” Emma grinned. She clicked on an icon on the screen and the screen finally opened. Emma’s tone grew serious. “Steed? I think I’ve cracked it.” “What is it? What have you got?” Emma pressed another hidden button on her glasses and started scrolling through the images flashing across the screen. “Cobra troop movements. Supply trade lines. They’ve even got locations of their other bases.” “Use the camera in the glasses to record as much as you can,” said Steed. “But don’t take too long. Those Cobra chaps aren’t going to wait forever. And, Mrs. Peel?” “Yes, Steed?” “Do be careful with those glasses. If they were to get broken, this entire plan would go belly up.” Emma smiled confidently as she continued to record the data from the Cobra computer. “Don’t worry, Steed. I will do my best to not make a spectacle of myself.” Meanwhile, outside the door, the Dreadnoks, Bludd, and the Tele-Vipers waited nervously for the Baroness to let them back in their control room. “What’s takin’ her royal highness so long in there?” grumbled Torch. “Hold your tongue, mercenary!” snapped Bludd. “The Baroness is one of Cobra Commander’s most trusted operatives. She can take as much time as she wants! And anyone who has a problem with that can spend the rest of their tour here in the brig!” “Major Bludd!” The major spun around and his jaw hit the floor. For standing before him further down the hallway was the Baroness. She fumed toward the confused Cobras and glared at Bludd. “What is the meaning of this?” Bludd looked back and forth from the Baroness to the door to the control room. “But… but.. Baroness, what are you doing out here?” The Baroness slapped Bludd, sending him falling back into the Tele-Vipers. “You fool! I’m here for your inspection! I had to land my Rattler myself because no one answered my request to land!” “Funny that, isn’t it, lads?” Ripper said to Torch and Buzzer. “That’s what she said last time!” The Baroness stared at Ripper with increasing impatience. “What do you mean, “last time”?!” Bludd coughed nervously. “Baroness, we thought you had already arrived. 30 minutes ago. You ordered us out of the control room.” The Baroness looked dumbfounded at Bludd, then grabbed him the lapels of his uniform enraged. “You idiot! You’ve been tricked! We have a spy in our base!” She shouted orders to the Tele-Vipers. “Sound the alarm! Put the whole station on lockdown! No communications get out until further notice! And one of you morons open that blasted door!” A klaxon blared out, making Emma look away from her computer screen in concern. “I sincerely hope that’s the dinner bell,” said Steed over the speakers. Emma quickly started closing the files on the computer and shutting it down. “If it is, I’m about to have guests for supper. Alert G.I. Joe. I need an evac quickly!” Steed’s reply was drowned out in static. Emma tapped on the glasses’ frame urgently. “Steed? Steed!” The door to the control room was blown open. Emma leapt to her feet as the Dreadnoks ran in with their rifles drawn. The Baroness stormed into the room with her pistol at the ready and Bludd by her side. Emma pointed a finger at Bludd and put on her Baroness accent. “Major! What is the meaning of this intrusion?” The real Baroness gave a look of disbelief at Bludd. “This is the imposter you believed to be me?!” “Well, they do look a lot a like,” said Ripper. “SILENCE!” both Emma and the Baroness shouted in unison. Ripper backed up next to Torch. “Sound a like, too,” he muttered. The Baroness advanced on Emma. “Well, G.I. Joe thought they could send someone to impersonate me? I applaud you for your audacity, but your mission ends here!” Emma slowly backed up behind the chair, hands up in front of her. “Let’s not do anything rash,” she said in her Baroness accent. “Why don’t we take a moment to sit down and talk?” Emma quickly delivered a kick to the chair, sending it flying into the Baroness. She cried out in frustration and fired her pistol, the chair sending the shot into the computers. Emma took off running, grabbing the remains of the card table as a battering ram to push past the Dreadnoks. “Shoot her, you imbeciles!” screamed the Baroness. Emma delivered a chop to a Tele-Viper then leapt over the others before dashing down the hallway. “After her!” cried the Baroness. “Catch that spy! She must not escape! But bring to me alive! She will pay for her impudence! COBRAAAAA!” The cry was taken up by the Baroness’ followers. “COBRAAAAA!” OK: Both Emma and the Baroness are at full strength. Emma is still disguised as the Baroness. The base is manned by a platoon of Cobra troopers, Tele-Vipers, and the Dreadnoks. Emma wins by avoiding capture, defeating the Baroness, and escaping the base. The Baroness wins by her forces capturing Emma and defeating her one on one. Game On!

I've never played Red Earth, but I can imagine Hauzer and Leo getting ready to fight each other, only for Porcupine to drop out of a portal and not have a clue what's going on. Leo takes it.

I'm going with Adam. The world of RWBY is full of characters with unique powers and fighting styles, so he should be able to keep up with Gazelle. And his Semblance has shown to be able to destroy mechas. An Autobot is a taller order, but I could see Adam pulling out the win.

This is a pretty impressive fight. Fire vs Nightmares vs Technology. Pitch Black vs Yokai could be pretty evenly matched, but I think Te Ka would overpower them in the end.

Shang Tsung walked down the steps to the lower dungeons of his palace. He entered a circular catacomb to behold the mishappen form of Meat. The creature thrashed and growled as he strained against the chains that bound his wrists. The chains were each held taut by two Tarkatan guards, who bared their fangs at the bloody monster. Shang Tsung shook his head and gazed at Meat with a look of disappointment. “Meat. That is what they have called you. Are you capable of understanding that?” Meat redoubled his attempts to pull free from his restraints as the Tarakatans tightened their grips. Shang Tsung slowly walked around the catacomb as he went on. “I created you to be my warrior. To fight in my name. But you ran away from me. But even then your desire impressed me, and I trusted that even half made, your ferocity would inspire terror and chaos throughout the realms.” The sorcerer stopped behind Meat, who strained back to see him. “And what have you wrought in all this time? Failure. Defeat after defeat. And always your humiliation is bound with my name!” Shang Tsung grabbed Meat by the back of neck, his hand and eyes glowing with green energy. Meat’s struggles began to weaken as Shang Tsung glared in disgust. “I should take your soul and end your pathetic existence right here!” The Tarkatans looked on and growled in anticipation. But Shang Tsung withdrew his hand, and Meat sunk down, hanging from his chains. “But I am prepared to give you one last opportunity to redeem yourself, creature,” Shang Tsung went on. “Succeed in this task, I will not only grant you freedom, but let you take your place at my side. Do you understand?” Meat snarled at Shang Tsung, then nodded with a grunt. Shang Tsung gave a self-satisfied smile. “There is another creature that I have uncovered. A freak of nature that is terrorizing Earthrealm. There is such power, such rage within it. If you can defeat this creature in Mortal Kombat, then I shall release you.” Shang Tsung’s eyes narrowed. “But if this creature defeats you, I will drag you back to the Flesh Pits and tear you limb from limb myself! Is that understood?” With gritted teeth and his left eye lolling back and forth, Meat nodded and grunted again. Shang Tsung took a step back and faced the Tarkatans. “Release him!” The Tarkatans grumbled under their breaths as they undid the shackles on Meat and cast aside the chains. Meat stumbled forward and dropped to his knees, clenching and unclenching his fists. Shang Tsung reached into his sleeves and withdrew two cleavers. He offered them out to Meat. “I trust you still recall how to use your weapons?” Meat snarled and snatched the cleavers from Shang Tsung. He looked at the two ax blades attached to thigh bones with an almost childlike wonder. Then Meat spun around and buried the cleavers into the chest and neck of the Tarakatan to his left. The other Tarkatan extended his blades and charged towards Meat with a roar. But Meat tore off his own head and hurled it at the Tarkatan, striking him in the chest. The Tarkatan screamed in agony as the head of Meat continued to bite and tear at his flesh. Meat’s body ripped the cleavers loose from the body of the dead Tarkatan, then fell forward into a puddle of blood. The other guard finally dislodged Meat’s head, and it fell into the puddle, as well. The blood seeped into the cracks in the floor as the Tarkatan looked around himself in confusion. Shang Tsung stood arms folded, showing no expression as Meat’s body started to rise up from the floor behind the Tarkatan. The hapless guard turned around just in time for the cleavers to come crashing into his skull, splitting it wide open. Meat stood panting between the bodies of the two dead Tarkatans. Shang Tsung nodded in approval. “Excellent.” “Slime anyone?!” The sun shone down on the Brooklyn street and people ran screaming from the shambling form of Gooey Gus. The purple abomination left a trail of slime in his wake as people ducked into buildings and barricaded the doors. A police car rolled up in front of Gus’ path and screeched to a halt. Two police officers climbed out with guns drawn. “Freeze! NYPD!” one of them shouted. “Get down on the ground with your hands in the air!” Gooey Gus flailed in front of the two officers. “I’m burning mad! I’m steaming mad!” “I repeat, get down on the ground! Now!” Gus pointed a shriveled hand. “You laughing at me?! You laughing at me?!” He lunged toward the officers as the younger of two looked at his partner. “What the hell is that thing?” The partner’s eyes widened as Gus drew nearer. “This is your last warning! On the ground!” Step by step by Slime Monster came towards the police car. The senior officer’s hand began to shake as struggled to keep his aim. “Shoot to wound! Open fire!” Both cops shot at Gus, the force of the bullets causing him to jerk backwards. Gooey Gus’ body twisted and contorted, and then each bullet fell out from his body encased in slime. He glared at the two officers. “Slime anyone?!” A torrent of purple slime shot from Gus’ mouth and enveloped the senior officer. He had just enough time to scream before being trapped in a cocoon. The younger officer dropped his gun and scrambled to get back in the police car. He slammed on the gas, but the car wouldn’t move. Gooey Gus had slimed the wheels to the car, sticking it in place. He slammed his arm through the windshield of the car, and dragged the cop out by the throat. The officer shut his eyes tight in fear as he felt the slime drip from Gus’ open mouth. “I’m burning mad! I’m steaming mad!” Suddenly, there was the sound of an explosion. Gooey Gus looked up from it’s victim to see a glowing circle opening up in the air in behind it. Out of this portal leapt the figure of Meat, brandishing his cleavers and growling ferociously. Gooey Gus cocked his head and stared confused at the newcomer. “You laughing at me? You laughing at me?!” Meat responded by yanking in his hanging eyeball, and brandishing his cleavers at Gus. The Slime Monster tossed the officer off the hood of the car then staggered toward Meat. “Slime anyone?!” OK: The location is a Brooklyn street on the hottest day of the summer. (The hotter Gus gets, the stronger he gets) The fight is contested under the rules of Mortal Kombat. Meat and Gooey Gus are going in at full strength. Whoever kills the other, wins. Game On!

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION Kali’s scimitar struck against Durga’s upraised shield. Kali’s screams were echoed by Nekra, her arms flailing in unison with Kali’s strikes. Dansen stood firm, crying out in pain as one of Kali’s blade found it’s mark. A wound began to grow on one of Durga’s arms, and a matching one appeared on Dansen’s. “What the hell is happening to them?!” Hannibal shouted. “Their spirits have been bonded to the spirits of the goddesses,” explained Shroud. “Any damage the goddesses sustain will be passed on to them.” Jack and Tatterdemalion moved around the ring, freeing the rest of the Night Shift. Misfit looked down on the rest of the cultists, still screaming in agony. “Why aren’t we like these losers? We aren’t getting zapped anymore.” “Protection by Durga, I assume,” said Shroud. “But Kali is still draining her followers for strength.” Suddenly there was a gunshot and a bullet narrowly missed Shroud. “Get down!” shouted Hannibal. The Night Shift ducked behind the rings as Bushwacker readied his gun arm to fire again. “You’re enforcer isn’t the crackshot you said he would be,” Wyndham said sarcastically. Tombstone glared at him. “You stay out of this, professor. You want this experiment to be a success? You want those freaks down their dead? Then stay out of the way and let my man work! Bushwacker! Take ‘em out! Now!” Bushwacker’s arm started spraying bullets into the circle, deflecting harmlessly off the shielded bodies of Nekra and Dansen. “All I ask is to kill that guy before that four-armed freak kills us,” Hannibal muttered. “Focus, detective,” Shroud said calmly. “Our fate isn’t sealed yet. Moth, you take King, Digger, and Needle to the upper level to deal with the sniper. The rest of you will remain with me to deal with that creature in the chair. It seems to be powering up the acolyte to enable him to sustain the portal. If we can neutralize him, the portal will collapse and Kali will be absorbed back into it.” The Night Shift glanced back and forth uncertain. Shroud sighed. “I know. I misled you before, and this will be dangerous. But none of us is getting out of here alive if we don’t stop Kali here and now.” Digger twirled his shovel dangerously. “Well, technically, I’m not even alive, but hey. Why not? I’ve got one more terror tale left in me.” Shroud nodded in approval. “Very well then. Night Shift! Attack!” Digger and Misfit charged into the center of the circle. Digger waved mockingly at the men on the observation deck. “Hey, fellas! Would you mind keeping down the noise? We’re trying to have a goddess duel over here!” A high impact bullet struck Digger in both shoulders and pushed him back. Moth and the Brothers Grimm took to the air. Moth sent tendrils from her outfit to catch Hannnibal, Digger, and Needle and lift them up onto the upper level. The Brothers followed after Misfit, who was charging toward MODOK and Ohn. “Okay, you… you.. Big Head! Let’s see what you got!” Ohn looked up from his knees at the oncoming enormous freak, his face twisted in pain. “Please! Make it stop! I didn’t want it to hurt like this! Please!” “The unit known as Brother Johnathan will be silent while enemies of the Creator will be dealt with!” MODOK fired a mental bolt that sent Misfit flying back towards the Brothers Grimm. Percy pulled a handkerchief out of his sleeve that grew to enormous size. He quickly threw on side of it across to Barton who caught it just in time for the taught fabric to catch Misfit. Needle swung his blade at Bushwacker, who knocked aside with his arm. Digger than cracked his shovel against his head. Hannibal took aim with his pistol and fired at Tombstone. The gang leader flinched slightly, but the bullets only did damage to his suit. He drew closer to Hannibal as he reloaded his gun. “Not very smart, detective. Not only did you decide to sign on with these idiots, but you know you can’t kill a man who’s bulletpr…” Tombstone’s blustering stopped short, as Hannibal’s next bullet went through his open mouth and severed his brain stem. Hannibal looked on coldly as Tombstone dropped lifeless to the grated floor. Wyndham turned and ran for the door. Needle saw and gave chase only for two Headmen guards in yellow hazmat suits to block his path and open fire. Needle dropped low as Moth flew overhead. She sent a tendril of thread to tie the hands of one gunman behind him, leaving the other to be finished off by Needle’s blade. Wyndham scurried down the hallway past a group of techs. “We’re shutting down the base!” he snapped. “Initiate lockdown procedures! Terminate all projects, starting with Project: Spider!” The Brothers Grimm flew on their clouds around MODOK, dodging mental bolts. Jack crawled across the floor and picked up two discarded pistols. He offered one to Tick Tock, who shied away from it. “I’m not much for firearms!” “Look in the future!” Jack yelled. “Does Shroud’s plan work or what?” Tick Tock closed his eyes, then slowly nodded. He took the pistol and rose off the floor with Jack. They opened fire at MODOK, bullets flying off his shield. “Your attacks are useless against MODOK!” he droned. Behind MODOK, Tatterdemalion leapt on the back of his chair. He tightly gripped on to the metallic frame, his corrosive touch eating through and exposing the circuitry underneath. Nekra/Kali’s faces twisted in rage as they realized what was happening. “No! Stay away! Kali commands you!” Dansen/Durga’s discus struck them and pushed them back towards the center of the rings and beneath the portal. Dansen/Durga turned to face Shroud. “Your warriors fight bravely, Maximilian Coleridge. Accept this gift from the heavens to restore order to the mortal plane!” A heavenly light rose from Dansen/Durga and surrounded Shroud. Jack and Tick Tock looked on in astonishment as MODOK’s chair began to spark and smoke. “Control chair suffering mal...function. Repair! Doctor Wynd…ham! Report and re….pair!” “We’ve got ‘im!” shouted Percy to Misfit. “Take him out!” Misfit cracked his knuckles and grinned. “About damn time!” He lunged forward and struck MODOK square in his enormous face with his right hand. The creation of Kali and the Headmen was sent flying out of the chair as it shattered under the force of the blow. He crashed into the supports of the observation deck, causing the Night Shift and Bushwacker to lose their balance. Bushwacker managed to get a shot off, and clipped Hannibal in the leg. He fell to the twisting platform screaming in pain. Bushwacker took aim at the fallen detective. “You’re dead, you stupid cop!” he growled, only for the threads in his jacket to come undone and ensnare his throat. He gagged and choked as Moth looked on coldly. “He is a stupid cop, but he’s also Night Shift.” Bushwacker staggered back, desperately grasping at his throat, only to fall backwards over the railing headfirst into the floor below. Moth and Digger ran to Hannibal as Needle ran back out from the doorway. “Did you get that other guy?” Digger asked. Needle shook his head and sheathed his blade. Moth raised her hands over Hannibal’s wound, letting his pant leg be re-knit into a bandage for it. Shroud stood in the glow of the light projected by Dansen/Durga. The light mingled with his shadows as he strode through the chaos around him towards Ohn, still crumpled on the floor. “Please! Make it stop!” he begged. Shroud raised his hand to Ohn. “Calm yourself. You are now under the protection of the Shroud!” The rest of the Night Shift watched as Durga’s light flowed from Shroud’s hand to Ohn. He gradually stopped his wailing, and the spots covering his body began to shrink and disappear. “STOP THIS AT ONCE!” Nekra/Kali shrieked. Shroud turned toward the circle of rings where the goddesses and their hosts clashed blades. He then raised his hand toward the portal above them. “In the name of Shiva, lord of the heavens! In the name of Durga, who defeated you! In the name of Parvati, who freed herself from you! I, the Shroud, in the name of the Night Shift, banish you back to your darkness!” Durga’s light and Shroud’s shadows rushed from his outstretched hand towards the portal. Both Nekra/Kali and Durga/Dansen watched as the portal began to close. “NO! NO! THIS CANNOT BE!” Kali wailed. “Your plotting has been for naught, Kali,” Dansen/Durga proclaimed. “The judgement of the heavens cannot be undone. You have manipulated the hearts and minds of mortals for too long. Now is the time of your karma!” With a savage scream, Kali’s spirit was torn away from Nekra’s body, letting the priestess collapse. Kali snarled and slashed at the air as the closing portal dragged her closer to it. Nekra looked up in terror at her goddess. “Please, Kali! Please, Mother of Darkness! Have pity on me!” But Kali was in no mood to show mercy. She lashed out with her hand and snatched Nekra into the air. The goddess and her servant were both dragged screaming into the void, before the portal finally closed and disappeared. Wyndham raced down the hall until he had reached an advanced looking vehicle sitting on an old subway track. He jumped into the cab where two techs were waiting. “Is everything under control? Are we prepared for departure?” he demanded. One of the techs look nervously back at him. “Yes, doctor. We’ve heard back from the divisions. They were able to eliminate most of the experiments.” Wyndham raised an eyebrow. “Most?” The other tech coughed. “Well, sir, there was apparently a problem with one of the squads. One of the experiments proved.. difficult. And when the squad attempted termination, they… ahem. Got away.” Wyndham folded his arms and glared at the techs. “Which experiment was it?” The techs shared a look. “Project: Spider,” the first tech said. Wyndham took deep breath and sat down in his command chair as the techs carried on preparations for escape. “Certainly not ideal. But we will find them. The experiment will continue.” Digger and Needle leapt down from the observation deck as Moth flew down carrying Hannibal. They joined the rest of the Night Shift as Shroud stood before Dansen/Durga. “You have done well, Maximillian,” they proclaimed. “Kali and her zealot are trapped, and her followers are felled. Do you desire anything else from the heavens?” Digger waved his hand. “Oh! Oh! Could we get free cable for the Tower of Shadows?” He fell silent under the glares of the rest of the Night Shift. Shroud turned back to Dansen/Durga. “Great Durga, all I ask is that the woman who offered herself as your vessel be freed and returned to us.” “She gave herself willingly to battle the darkness,” Dansen/Durga intoned. “She will released from her bond.” Durga’s spirit rose away from Dansen into the air above her. Dansen groaned and started to fall, but Shroud rushed forward to catch her. Hannibal pushed away Moth and limped into the circle. “Hey! Could I say something?” Durga raised her eyebrows and looked down on Hannibal. “Hannibal King. You may speak.” Hannibal steadied his breath before speaking. “I… I have a friend. Her name is Terri. Kali’s followers attacked the station where she was. Please, is she okay?” Durga looked grimly at Hannibal. “We know that the one you speak of has the heart of a warrior. Unfortunately, a warrior’s heart is sometimes not enough to withstand the storm.” Hannibal’s face went pale. “What? What are saying? Is she…” Durga closed her eyes despair. “She fought bravely until the end.” Shroud helped Dansen to her feet then reached out to the stunned detective. “Hannibal, I’m sorry for your…” Hannibal spun around to face Shroud, rage in his eyes. “Don’t give me that! I should have been with Terri! Not running around with you lunatics!” He turned back to Durga. “You want to give us something? Then send us to where Terri is! NOW!” Durga raised her hands to the ceiling as her spirit began to fade away. “As you wish, Hannibal King. But what has come to pass, cannot be undone.” With a burst of light, Durga and the Night Shift had disappeared. The chamber now only held the bodies of the desiccated Kali cultists, and Johnathan Ohn. He took a moment hunched down on the floor, looking around at the destruction of what was the Headmen’s headquarters. He then hurried out the door as fast as he could go, hoping that that job opening at Roxxon was still available. For the Night Shift and Hannibal, it appeared that they were enveloped in a blinding light, only to have it fade away and reveal they were standing in the middle of a hospital hallway. Orderlies and patients screamed in surprise and jumped to the side at the sight of the bizarre group. “Durga obviously isn’t the goddess of subtlety,” muttered Moth. Misfit looked around as armed police officers moved toward them. “Great! We get to fight some more geeks!” “Stand down!” commanded Shroud. Hannibal hurried to a window and looked inside the room. Lying in a hospital bed, was what remained of Detective Terri Lee. Her body was covered in stab wounds and her face was badly scarred. Hannibal hit the glass with his fist as the attending doctor and nurse looked down on her with his resignation. “No! No, damn it! Terri? Terri?!” “KING!” Hannibal didn’t turn around as Detective Martin Soap pushed past the front line of police. “Where the heck have you been? You’ve been A.W.O.L. for 24 hours!” Soap’s eyes then turned to the Night Shift. “And who are these guys?” Hannibal let his forehead rest against the glass. “The Avengers. How the hell should I know?” “Don’t get flippant with me, King!” Soap said. “Half the force is on the injured reserve, including Captain DeWolff! Which means as long as she is taking time off to recuperate, I am in charge of LAPD from now on!” “Wow. A geek and a cop?” snickered Misfit. Soap glared at the giant, trying to still his shaking voice. “That’s Captain to you, mister! And my first order of business is you, King! Boy, I’ve been waiting for someone to finally buck up and deal with your insubordinate… crap! Well, today’s the day! Hannibal King, you’re fired!” Hannibal still didn’t turn around to face Soap. “Why don’t you shut up, jackass?” Barton snapped. “We’ve had a long day and we don’t have time for your bullshit!” Soap looked shocked at the language then grabbed a hold of Hannibal’s shoulder. “You hear me, King? You! Are! Fired! Done! Finished! Caput! Serves you right for leaving your fellow police in the lurch! Maybe Detective Lee would be alive right now if you weren’t such a sorry excuse for a cop!” Hannibal slowly turned to face Soap, and pushed the new captain’s hand off his shoulder. “I heard you. And thanks, Soap. Because I’ve done and seen things today I never have before in my life. And now it’s time to add another to the list.” Soap looked smug at Hannibal. “And just what would that be?” Hannibal’s fist connected square with Soap’s jaw, knocking him out cold and dropping him to the linoleum. The police stood stunned for a moment, then one shouted out. “Stand down! All of you are under arrest!” Shroud turned to the Brothers Grimm. “Gentlemen, it is time for us to be leaving!” Barton and Percy drew out their giant handkerchief, and hurled it above the Night Shift. When the police advanced on the fabric and lifted it away, the Night Shift and Hannibal were gone. In a dark alley of the city, a manhole cover was lifted off it’s metal base and pushed aside. Slowly, a woman with red hair and dressed in a black bodysuit climbed up out of the opening. She panted as she looked around the alley. Seeing no one around, she looked down the manhole. “It’s all clear. Come on!” A woman with black hair and a red bodysuit climbed out of the manhole and looked at her partner. “We made it! See? I told you we’d make it!” The woman in black jumped slightly at the sound of a car screeching past the alley. “But now what? What do we do now?” The woman in red gave a small smile and offered her hand. “Well, I guess the first thing I’ll do is formerly introduce myself to the girl who I just escape from a bunch of mad scientists with. My name is Jessica. What’s yours?” The woman in black returned the smile. “Julia. My name’s Julia.” She accepted the handshake, only to let go with a shout. Small arcs of electricity seemed to be running along Jessica’s hand. She held up in caution. “I’m sorry! Sorry. I didn’t mean it, really! It’s just.. something they must have done to me down there! Like the other stuff we can do!” Julia shook her hand to try to get feeling back. “Yeah, you probably need to practice with that.” Jessica gazed up at the apartment building on the left side of the alley. “Oh, we’ll have plenty of time for that now. I’m just going to head on up top for a better look of where we are.” Jessica gave a great leap and landed on the second story wall. She started crawling higher up before turning back to grin down at Julia. “Aren’t you coming?” Julia sighed then gave a similar leap to the wall. The two women crawled up the wall as the sun rose over the city. The people would never know how close the world was to falling to chaos, if not for the actions of the Night Shift. But they would soon be aware that the Spider-Women had arrived in Los Angeles.

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION August 10th, 1947. Catskill Mountains. New York City, NY. Black Terror carried Miss Masque out of the bunker, dropping low as Peggy was slammed back first into the rocks. Nefaria swooped down and swung a blow only for it to be blocked by the shield. He rained down strikes, each one beginning to put a dent in the metal. “Get the others out of here!” Peggy called out. Daniel looked on as Black Terror set off down the hill. He stared in amazement as the woman he loved did battled with the power mad Nefaria. The count grabbed the shield and started to twist it in on itself, his eyes filled with fury. Peggy smashed the shield into Nefaria’s face, forcing him to let go. Jack and Howard ran out and stopped next to Daniel to see Nefaria sent flying backward before steadying himself. “Peggy can’t fight this guy alone!” Daniel said. Jack grabbed his arm and started moving down the hill. “What are you gonna do? Hit him with your crutch? This is out of our league, Sousa! Move it!” Daniel looked behind to see Nefaria charge into Peggy like a battering ram, and sent them both crashing back into the bunker. “What the hell did you do to her, Stark?!” “Take it up with Doc Benton, Agent,” Howard said. “Turns out the serum still works like a charm. Hopefully Peggy can take down Nefaria before…” Daniel glared at Stark as he trailed off. “Before what?” Howard looked nervously at Jack, who bit his lip and sighed. “The… gizmo that Benton put Peggy in was running low on power. Nefaria had already used it to enhance himself. According to him, it’s a miracle that the machine stayed running for one person, let alone two.” “So what are you saying?” asked Daniel. “That something’s wrong with the machine? Is Peggy not as strong?” Black Terror laid Miss Masque on the ground to be checked on by Jarvis. “Not exactly. The process worked, but the vita rays will only activate the serum for a short length of time. Under this much exertion, both Nefaria and Miss Carter could burn through the serum, and return to normal.” Daniel started back up the hill. “And if Peggy burns out her serum first, she’ll be a sitting duck against Nefaria!” Jack chased after Daniel and stood in front of him. “Don’t be stupid, Sousa! At least take one these other cape wearing yahoos with you!” Daniel gestured with the crutch where Fighting Yank, Miss America, and Bob Frank were laid out unconscious. “Those three aren’t going to be ready to go another round with Nefaria, and Benton knows there biology better than anybody! I’m going to help Peggy. You can either help or get the hell out my way!” Jack shook his head. “You really do love that girl, don’t you?” Daniel said nothing. He merely pushed Jack aside with his crutch, and reloaded his gun. Jack turned back down the hill. “Stark! Jarvis! You stay here with Benton and the others! The moment they are ready for action, send them in!” Howard nodded and turned to Jarvis. “This becoming one of those complicated days, Jarvis.” Jarvis shrugged. “Most days do, Mr. Stark.” In the heart of the bunker, Daredevil and Dottie continued their struggle. Daredevil parried Dottie’s stolen spike with his boomerang, then jammed it edge first into her throat. Dottie gagged and fell back gasping for air. “You can’t go to Peggy,” she ranted. “Peggy is mine!” She hurled the spike which was easily deflected by Daredevil. He ducked her punch and delivered a blow to her knee. There was a halt in the action as Nefaria flew down the hall dragging Peggy after him. Daredevil’s eyes grew wide and he turned to give chase only to be tripped up by Dottie. “Don’t leave now! I’m just starting to have fun!” Peggy dug her heels into the concrete floor to try to stop Nefaria’s mad pace. Nefaria laughed madly as he swerved through the corridors. “You foolish woman! You thought that you could be a match for me?!” Peggy threw the battered shield down the hall ahead of them. It ricocheted off the walls before colliding into the face of the count. He lost his grip on Peggy and fell to the floor outside of the vita-ray chamber room. Peggy picked up the shield and stood confidently over Nefaria. “Actually… Yes!” With a growl of frustration, the Maggia boss jumped to his feet and threw punch after punch at Peggy only for her to block them with the shield. Peggy sprang off the walls to deliver a punch to the face of Nefaria, who rebounded by delivering a kick to her chest. Peggy was sent sprawling into the chamber room, the shield landing in front of Nefaria. He staggered into the room, clutching his head. “What… what’s happening?” he moaned. “What did you… do to me?” “It’s the serum,” said Peggy, slowing rising to her feet. “The vita-ray chamber is able to stabilize it for long. It doesn’t have the power to make the effects permanent.” “Liar!” Nefaria stumbled to the fallen and still body of Harrow. “Doctor! Doctor Harrow! We need to repeat the process! I need more power! More!” “It’s too late for Harrow, Nefaria,” Peggy said calmly, as Nefaria desperately started pulling switches and levers to charge up the chamber. “And you. Stand down!” Nefaria sneered at Peggy. “It’s too late for all of us, Miss Carter. If you have taken the serum, that means that you will soon be helpless before me! So I’ll have just enough time to ARGH!” A gunshot rang out and Nefaria fell back clutching his chest. Jack and Daniel stood at the door guns drawn. “Stay down, Count!” shouted Daniel. Jack nodded at Peggy. “Guess being bulletproof is the first thing to go, huh, Carter?” Peggy’s eyes looked behind Jack and grew wide in fear. She could see Dottie Underwood drawing closer to him with one of Daredevil’s spikes drawn. “JACK!” She only had time to scream before the spike was jabbed into Jack Thompson’s back. Daniel spun around only to have Dottie kick his crutch out from under him. He fired off a shot but the bullet struck the vita-ray chamber, making it spark and groan. Dottie kneed Daniel in the gut to drop him to the floor. She glared with rage at Peggy, a vicious smile on her face. “Today’s the day, Peggy. I’m going to kill everyone you’ve ever loved. And then I’ll make you beg me to kill you.” Before Peggy could react, Nefaria had tackled her into a pile of equipment. He grabbed the discarded shield and held it up above Peggy’s head. “So sorry, Miss Underwood,” he said through gritted teeth. “But that pleasure is going to be mine!” The boomerang flew through the air knocked the shield out of Nefaria’s grip. Dottie turned to see Daredevil running straight for her. He took a hold of her by the neck. She only could make out a whimper, before the vigilante twisted until a snap was heard. Then he let the lifeless body of Dottie Underwood fall to the ground. Daniel scrambled over to Jack. Blood was spilling from the spike wound as Jack grimaced in pain. “I can’t take you anywhere, can I?” Daniel joked softly as he tried to bandage the wound. “Don’t start, Sousa,” Jack groaned. “I can feel it. Same place I got shot. I’m not gonna make it.” Daniel pressed his suit coat against the wound. “You really never could shut up. Just hang on!” Peggy kicked Nefaria off her and sent her back first towards the vita-ray chamber. Every dial and meter was being pushed to it’s limit. The sparks flew from the chamber and panels exploded. “No! No! My machine!” Nefaria screamed. He whirled around to Peggy snarling. “You really think this can stop me?! You are a foolish woman, Miss Carter!” Peggy stared defiantly at the mad count. “That’s agent.” She hurled the shield, striking a blow to Nefaria’s midsection. She then gave a mighty leap and landed a right cross to his jaw. He flew backward into the exploding vita-ray chamber. He screamed as the arcs of energy coursed through him. His muscles bulged and shrunk out of control, then he fell down out of the machine with a thud. Peggy stood swaying for a moment, before collapsing in front of the chamber. Daredevil and Daniel rushed to her and helped her to her feet. “Peggy! Peggy, are you okay?” Peggy tried to push them away, and lurched towards Jack. “Never mind me! We need to get Jack out of here!” Daniel looked up as the sounds of distant explosions grew louder. “We don’t have much time! Nefaria must have turned the vita-ray chamber to full power! It sounds like the whole place is gonna blow!” Jack got up with Peggy’s help and pointed at the twisting body of Nefaria. “And it’s not the only one!” Nefaria’s screams grew louder and louder, and his body began to increase in size again. His muscles bulged to inhuman proportions, to the point where he looked more monster than man. And still he roared his pain ridden screams. There was a sudden gust of wind as Bob Frank sped into the room. He looked annoyed at the SSR agents and Daredevil. “There you are! Stark sent me to find you people! I nearly ran around the whole complex, which isn’t easy when half the place is on fire and the other half is exploding!” “Mr. Frank!” Daniel interrupted. “Get Peggy out of here!” “No!” Daniel looked in disbelief at Peggy. “Peggy, we need to leave now!” Peggy readied her shield as the creature that was Nefaria rose up before them. “This explosion will be the only thing that can destroy Nefaria and the rest of the serum. I need to make sure he doesn’t escape!” She took a step forward only for Daredevil to stand in her way. Peggy shook her head, realization dawning on her. “No, Michael. No, you’re free now! You have your life back! You deserve to live it!” Michael brush the tear from Peggy’s face then looked to Daniel. “We don’t have anymore time!” Daniel shouted, the explosions growing in force and numbers. “I won’t leave him alone!” Peggy cried. “He won’t be.” Daniel and Peggy looked as Jack loaded his pistol and glanced at the Nefaria creature. “Didn’t think about going out this way. But I guess it’s as good a way as any.” Peggy started fighting back sobs as she saw the resolute look on Jack’s face. “Jack, please! Don’t throw your life away.” Jack looked at Michael who nodded at him. “It isn’t throwing my life a way,” he said. “I’m just letting you live yours.” He looked at Daniel. “You take care of her, Sousa, or I’m gonna come back and kick your butt.” Daniel took a deep breath and nodded. “I will, Jack.” The room shook from another explosion and Jack and Michael stood between the three and the Nefaria creature. Peggy tried to get to them, only for Daniel to grab a hold of her arms. “Peggy, it’s too late!” “Let me go! Michael! Michael! Jack! Don’t!” Jack took aim with his revolver as Daredevil readied his boomerang. “Mr. Frank! Go!” Bob Frank solemnly nodded, then whizzed through the room and wrapped his arms around the waists of Daniel and Peggy. “MICHAEL!” Peggy cried out, before both her and Daniel were carried off as Bob ran at full speed. Michael looked where Peggy had been, and Jack nodded. “I guess you taught her everything she knows?” Michael gave a wry smile and shook his head. He pointed where Peggy had been, then pointed at himself. Jack chuckled as the Nefaria creature lunged towards them and the laboratory became enshrouded in flames. “She taught you. Figures.” Bob Frank raced with his passengers through the halls of the exploding bunker as a final blast sent him careening out of the entrance. They all sprawled onto the grass as Howard, Jarvis, and Benton helped them to their feet. Peggy fought to free herself from Jarvis and head back to the entrance. “No! We can’t leave them in there! Please! JACK! MICHAEL!” Jarvis held on tight as he ushered Peggy down the hill. He looked sadly down at her. “I’m sorry, Miss Carter. I truly am.” There was a final mighty explosion as the top of the hill erupted in smoke, flame and debris. Peggy turned around in shock, then fell to her knees weeping. “No! Not again! Dear God, not again!” Daniel could only look away in despair, and listen to Peggy’s cries above the sounds of destruction and approaching police cars. Excerpt from the coded files of Howard Stark. 8/14/1947. After several days of nagging from the SSR, I’ve finally been able to get back to work. ‘Acting Chief’ Flynn is definitely one of the bigger morons I’ve come across, but I suppose he does have reasons for being agitated, with Peggy running missions without his knowledge and all. She has been recovering well from the effects of the serum and all traces of her enhanced abilities seem to have rescinded. But the psychological toll of losing Agent Thompson and her brother has hit hard. She doesn’t talk much, not to Agent Sousa or even Miss Martinelli. Benton did mention that she had asked him if his project had included any other test subjects, something about an individual with the ability to turn themselves invisible. He says there was no one else, however, invisibility could be a fun thing to experiment with later. For the moment, my focus is on the vial of serum I had Mr. Frank snag from the bunker before the explosion. Between myself and Benton, we should be able to piece together the chemical structure to develop an antidote. Peggy has already used the triggering phrase we gleaned from Wells to break the mental conditioning on our four heroes. With a little luck, and my own personal genius, we can return their bodies, as well as their minds, to normal. Though it would help my concentration if Miss Martinelli wasn’t practicing her new tap number on the floor above me. August 18th, 1947. New York City, New York. The mansion of Howard Stark. Bruce Carter III opened his eyes and looked up from his pillow at the smiling face of Madeline. “Hey, Bruce. How are you feeling?” Bruce winced slightly as he moved himself to a sitting position on the bed. He looked around the lavishly furnished room, then back to Madeline. “I.. I don’t know. I feel.. tired. A little hungry. Did it… work?” Madeline took his hand comfortingly. “It should. Whatever Mr. Stark and Dr. Benton whipped up worked fine on Miss Adams. Dr. Benton used the antidote on himself too, and neither of them seem to have their powers anymore.” Bruce sunk back to the bed and closed his eyes, before quietly weeping. Madeline sat down on the bed. “Bruce? Bruce, what is it?” Bruce looked at Madeline, smiling through his tears. “The voice. The voice in my head is gone. It worked!” Madeline hugged the soldier. “I’m so happy for you, Bruce. But I should step outside and let you rest up. Mr. Stark and Dr. Benton said you need to take it easy for a couple of days.” Bruce laid down as Madeline rose from the bed and walked to the door. “Madeline?” She turned to face Bruce, who looked at her with grateful eyes. “Thank you. I’m so glad I found you.” Madeline nodded. “Sleep well, Bruce.” She quietly closed the door, leaving Bruce Carter III alone to enjoy the peace of mind that had eluded him for years. In the hallway, Bob was waiting for her, arms folded. “Well, is he doing okay?” Madeline gazed at the door a moment. “I think so. I didn’t have the heart to tell him about what I decided about my powers. He just seemed so happy to finally be free of whatever the Council had done to him.” Bob coughed as he followed Madeline down the hall. “Maddie, are you sure about this? You wouldn’t have to worry about these powers anymore. You’d have a normal life again.” Shaking her head, Madeline turned to face Bob on the landing before the stairs. “No, Bob. Not until Mr. Stark and Dr. Benton find a cure for you too. I love you. I don’t want you to feel alone in this.” She smiled at her husband. “Besides, if I wanted a normal life, I wouldn’t have married you.” Bob gave a sigh of relief and smiled back. “I’m glad to hear that. For a second, seeing you and Fighting… I mean, Bruce, flying and talking together, I thought I should be worried.” Madeline turned and started walking down the stairs, calling back cheekily. “Actually, I wanted to tell you. Bruce and I are getting married tomorrow. Mr. Stark will officiate, you can be the flower girl and Princess Python can be the ring bearer.” Bob grinned. “Oh really?” He sped down the stairs and lifted up Madeline into his arms as she laughed. Angie and Diana looked on as the happy couple zoomed through the hall before speeding back upstairs to their room. Angie grinned at Diana. “Married people these days. Always moving so fast.” Diana rolled her eyes. “At least those two have something to do. With Nefaria gone, there’s nobody to bankroll my.. er, I mean, the show. I suppose you and the other girls will be out of a job like I am.” “Oh, not at all!” said Angie. “Turns out Hebson found a new backer, and the show’s back on.” Diana huffed in annoyance. “Hmm! How dare they! They know this is my chance to rebuild my reputation! Those papers saying that I did what I did because I was overworked! They can’t do this show without me!” Angie gave a look behind Diana. “Maybe you should talk to the backer then?” Diana turned to see Howard, Benton, and Jarvis walking up from the cellar. Diana looked back at Angie in disbelief. “Howard?! Howard is the backer?!” Angie nodded, biting her lips to contain her amusement. Diana whirled around to Howard, putting on her biggest smile. “Howard, darling! I just heard the wonderful news! It’s so wonderful that you are putting up the money for the show!” “Actually, I’ve bought the rights to the show,” said Howard. “Also a controlling stake in the theater.” Diana took his arm, laughing through gritted teeth. “Oh really? How very clever of you, Howard. Howard, darling, is there any chance that you could find a spot for me? I mean, I only got fired because of Nefaria manipulating me and…” Howard glanced at Benton then held up a hand to quiet Diana. “Don’t worry, Miss Adams. I’m sure we can fit you in somewhere. Perhaps we can discuss it over lunch. For now, I need to speak with Dr. Benton. If you don’t mind?” Diana let go of Howard’s arm and hurried up the stairs. “Oh, not at all! Not at all! It will be so much fun to… work with you again, Howard darling!” Benton raised an eyebrow at Howard. “’Howard darling?’” Howard shrugged. “It’s a showbiz thing, Dr. Benton. Don’t worry about it. But I do have an offer for you. Seeing as how you still have the formula of your serum bouncing around that noggin of yours.” Benton dismissively waved his hand. “No. I am not going to experiment with that serum again. Not after all the trouble it’s caused.” Jarvis and Howard shared a look before Howard went on. “Oh. Oh, of course not. Er, but I was thinking of perhaps offering you a job. There’s a scientist named Wilkes in the SSR. I helped him get his start. I’m sure they would appreciate having your expertise there. They sure could use it.” Benton was taken aback. He cleared his throat and looked at Howard’s outstretched hand. “Thank you, Mr. Stark. I would be honored. But I would like some time before I throw myself into research again. I need to make sure that Bruce is fully recovered. And then I’m going home to my wife. Jean must be worried sick. Can I take some time to think about it?” Howard slowly put his hand back in his pocket. “Sure, sure. Just don’t take too long.” He grinned at Jarvis. “Well, Mr. Jarvis. I suppose everything’s returning to normal around here.” Jarvis looked grim as he looked out the window. “I can only hope they are for Miss Carter as well, sir.” New York City, New York. New York Bell Company (SSR Office) Peggy and Daniel stood in front of Acting Chief Flynn. He drummed his fingers on the desk, looking annoyed at the two agents. “May I first say that I give my condolences to you both, regarding the loss of Agent Thompson. He was one of SSR’s finest operatives.” He gazed at Peggy, who remained at attention. “And may I also give my personal condolences to you, Miss Carter. From your report, your brother was a good, brave man.” Peggy remained silent. Flynn rose from his seat and began to pace behind his desk. “The higher ups in Washington have decided that given Agent Thompson’s passing, that I shall be placed in charge of the East coast branch of the SSR permanently. Which leaves me with the rather unenviable task of what to do with you two.” He folded his arms and stared out the window as he went on. “You engaged in an operation without SSR approval. You harbored a fugitive wanted for attempted murder. And you only decided to call in the SSR as a precaution before you went to the Catskills to engage the enemy.” He sighed and turned back to Peggy and Daniel. “But, on the other hand, your activity managed to stop a Leviathan plot, bring several Maggia members into custody, and destroy technology that could have jeopardized national security.” He walked back to his seat and sat down at the desk. “With that said, and given Mr. Stark’s report to the World Security Council, I have decided not to stand in the way of Chief Sousa being allowed to return to Los Angeles with his rank as Chief intact. As for you, Miss Carter, a reprimand will be put into your file. You will be taken off duty for the next 4 weeks and be put into protective custody, just in case Maggia or Leviathan attempt to come after you. And when you come back to this office, I am going to watch you like a hawk. Is that understood?” Peggy nodded sharply. “Yes, Chief.” “Acting…” Flynn stopped himself, then coughed nervously. “Um, yes. Chief. Yes. Well, erm. Dismissed.” Daniel and Peggy walked to the door, which Sousa held open for Peggy. “Just one more thing,” Flynn said. They turned back to the chief, who took a deep breath. “Good work, Agent Carter.” Peggy said nothing, and walked out the door followed by Daniel. Flynn walked to the doorway and pointed to some agents. “Alright, people! Let’s get to work! Somebody get me the files on this Zodiac case! Move it!” “I suppose we should call ourselves lucky,” said Daniel as Peggy and him walked out of the New York Bell Company. “My flight won’t be until tomorrow morning. We could maybe catch a show or something or…” “Daniel,” Peggy interrupted softly. Daniel looked concerned. “Peg? What’s wrong?” Peggy looked up at Daniel. “I’m sorry. I know you mean well. But I can’t.” “Can’t? Can’t what?” Peggy sniffed and turned away from Daniel. “I can’t just go back to where we were. Not now. I’ve lost Michael, and Jack. I don’t want you to get hurt too.” Daniel took Peggy into his arms. “Peggy, it isn’t your fault. They did what they felt they had to do. You mustn’t blame yourself.” Peggy gently pushed Daniel back. “Once in a heated argument, Mr. Jarvis once told me that everyone who got close to me dies. He apologized for it. But now, I don’t know where I stand with the SSR or in my life. And I feel it would be best if I took some time to find out.” Daniel looked stunned at Peggy. “Peggy, please. I love you. Don’t push me away.” Peggy kissed Daniel, tears in her eyes. “I love you too, Daniel. That’s why for now, I think it has to be this way.” Daniel gave Peggy a last embrace, then gazed at her face. “I’ll be waiting for you, Peggy.” New Rochelle, New York. The taxi cab dropped off Peggy at the corner opposite the small cream colored house. She made her down the path and up the stone staircase and opened the door. The house had been sparsely furnished by the SSR, but contained enough to make it comfortable. But at that moment, Peggy’s mind was on anything but her temporary home. She thought of Jack and Michael, giving their lives to save hers. She thought of Daniel, looking on putting their relationship on hold with a mix of necessity and regret. And above all else, she thought about the mysterious presence that had been seemingly following her, keeping herself battling Miss Masque and Nefaria’s men. Even during the fight at the bunker, there had been moments when her shield seemed to have a life of it’s own, as if someone else had caught it and hurled it at it’s target. And there was something else, something that not even she could put into words. A feeling of… familiarity. There was a sudden gust of wind that rushed through the house. The force knocked Peggy to her knees. She looked up to see the wind start to swirl into the glowing, shadowy figure she had seen at Stark’s mansion. She gazed at the figure in fear as his features grew clearer. When the light had faded and the wind had stopped, standing in the middle of the living room, was a man in a strange red and white body suit and helmet. Peggy got to her feet and stared at the man. “Who are you? What do you want?” The man pressed an unseen button, and the helmet fell away, revealing the face beneath. Peggy gasped and put her hands over her mouth in shock. It was the face of a handsome man with blond hair in blue eyes. Eyes that she remembered even after all this time. His face was more rugged, but those eyes were somehow still the same. “Hey, Peggy,” said Steve Rogers. Peggy backed away from him and into a chair. Steve held out his hands. “It’s okay. Peggy, it’s okay. Please don’t be afraid.” Peggy looked open mouthed at Steve, not knowing what to say. “Steve? Is it really you?” Steve slowly reached behind his back, releasing his shield and holding out to her. “Peggy, it’s me. I’m so sorry for making you wait for me. Stark’s tech wasn’t being as exact as I thought it would be so I had to jump around a little and…” “Stark?” Peggy asked. “Howard knows you’re here?” “No, not Howard. Tony…” Steve stopped himself short. “Oh, right. He isn’t here yet.” Peggy put her head in her hands. “This impossible. Steve, how… where have you…?” Steve set the shield down against the chair. “I’ll explain it all to you as best I can.” He smiled gently at Peggy, a tear in his eye. “But right now, I owe a girl a dance.” Bursting into tears, Peggy rushed into Steve’s arms. As she embraced and kissed him, she didn’t know entirely what was happening, or what the future would bring. There was only one thing that mattered, one thought that ran through her mind. Captain Steve Rogers had finally come home.

I knew next to nothing about Akivasha, so at first I thought she'd be lost in the shuffle of Orka and Ratbat. But if she does have some mystical powers, then she may be able to hold her own if not win. Will wait to vote until someone else can give some more insight.

Sorry, Battlestar. If this is Robeast Myzax, you're getting squashed. And if there are no Dragon Gem's lying around, then the Druun will probably overwhelm Myzax for the win.

Please note BOTH Peggy and Nefaria have received doses of Benton's makeshift super soldier serum. They have the same powers as the other vigilantes they've faced in this arc. They both have enhanced strength speed and durability, and Nefaria has Miss America/Yank's power of flight. Just to keep in mind when you are voting.

Thriller - Michael Jackson (Lyrics) - YouTube

Chapter 13: Darkness Falls Across the Land As Jack regained consciousness, he could feel the restraints on his wrists and ankles. He was being held upright in the center of a ring of obsidian. “Jack!” The voice pierced through Jack’s ears as he struggled to focus. He looked across from him and saw Moth attached in a similar structure. “Moth! Are you okay?” Moth gave a side eye look at her restraints. “Oh, just great. Tied up to an alter about to be sacrificed. How’s your evening been so far?” Jack looked around the chamber and saw the other members of Night Shift, each trapped in their own ring. A metallic door slid open and Nekra and her acolytes walked in. Bringing up the rear was Brother Ernest, carrying a chain wrapped around Hannibal King’s wrists. He grinned up at the trapped Night Shift. “Bonsoir, brothers and sisters. So sorry that your friend, what was it you called him? Hangman? So sorry he won’t be joining us. I’m sure you are saddened by his passing.” “Actually he was kind of a prick!” Digger shouted. Nekra held up a hand to stop Ernest from replying. She shook her head as she walked around the circle of rings before stopping at Shroud’s. “My fellow children of Kali, the ultimate transcendence is upon us! Our mother shall finally walk upon the mortal plane, and wreak her vengeance on the world! All praise Kali!” “All praise Kali!” the acolytes chanted. Shroud’s face remained expressionless. Nekra reached out to touch his face. “And as it is written, Kali’s return must come with a sacrifice. She has blessed her children with powers to sow fear and despair among her enemies. And as they master her gifts, they grow in power. And now, these lives will be offered back to Kali, and she shall use their power to complete salvation!” “You’re out of your mind!” Nekra turned to glare at Hannibal who looked defiantly at her. Ernest yanked the chain and sent Hannibal sprawling to the ground. Ushas and Shaya knelt over him. “This one has much fire in him, sister,” Ushas hissed. “Can we play with him, sister?” Shaya said, letting the edge of her morning star touch his throat. “Sister Shaya! Sister Ushas! Stand down!” Nekra’s features grew animalistic for a moment when she shouted, before she controlled herself and walked to Hannibal. “This human, this supposed warrior of justice, will be one of the first victims of Kali’s wrath. He shall bear witness to the end of all things.” Hannibal’s eyes burned with hatred as stared at Nekra. “I swear, if you people hurt Terri I’m gonna kill you! I don’t care if you’re bringing Kali or the Tooth Fairy!” Nekra chuckled. “Brave words, from a foolish man. But that’s all you have. Words and breath to speak them. And soon you shall have neither. Brother MODOK! Brother Johnathan!” Hannibal was dragged out of the circle to make room for the creature in the chair and Ohn. “Is everything prepared, brothers?” “The generators are uplinked to my chair. I am ready to increase Dr. Ohn’s powers.” Ohn looked nervous at Nekra. “Um, this isn’t going to hurt is it?” Nekra ignored Ohn and raised her hands to the ceiling. “Then let the ultimate transcendence begin! All praise Kali!” The acolytes and thuggee gathered around the circle and echoed the chant. “All praise Kali! All praise Kali! All praise Kali!” MODOK fired a beam of energy into Ohn’s chest. He screamed in pain, falling to his knees. “Oh, Kali! We have already given you the lives of those arrogant scientists! Let our worship bring you back to us! All praise Kali!” Wyndham, Tombstone, and Bushwacker stood on the observation deck, looking over the ritual. “Do you really believe this crap?” Tombstone asked Wyndham. Wyndham remained stone-faced watching Ohn. “I am a scientist, Mr. Lincoln. I believe in continuing an experiment to it’s conclusion. If this Kali is as powerful as these people claim, it would be better for all of us to be seen as useful to her cause.” Bushwacker clutched at his gun arm. “Or be ready for a hell of a fight.” Ohn’s head snapped back as he screamed at the ceiling. Above the circle, a large portal began to open. Jack could see pinpoints of stars amid the blackness, and the sound of a woman’s wail. “Accept our sacrifice, great Kali!” Nekra raved. “Let the power you entrusted to us return to you again!” Shafts of black lightning shot from the portal and struck the entrapped Night Shift. The sounds of their agony filled the lab, as energy began flowing from their bodies into the rift. “Brother Max!” Dansen cried out. Shroud gritted his teeth to try to resist the pain. “Dansen! Hold on! You have to use the spellaaaaaaaaaaaargh!” But then more lightning bolts emerged and struck the acolytes. Bushwacker looked worried as the cultists started to fall to ground. “What the hell is this? I thought these nuts were on Kali’s side!” Ushas and Shaya crawled across the floor and looked pleadingly up at Nekra. “Please, sister!” Shaya begged through the pain. “We are loyal to Kali! We are loyaaargh!” Nekra smirked at the two women. “Fools! I am Kali’s high priestess! I am the one who will bring about her transcendence! It has been promised to me! The power of the goddess will be mine! And mine alone!” The energy continued to rise into the darkness. With a mighty roar Misfit pulled against his restraints. The metal began to buckle before snapping. Misfit fell out of the ring, but still was being struck by the pulses. He gritted his teeth and grabbed hold of the broken ring and lifted it over his head. “You want power? Have some of this!” He hurled the ring at Nekra, only for a new pulse to shoot from the rift and envelope her. The wreckage rebounded off the light and struck Jack and Dansen’s ring. The two rings shattered and Jack and Dansen fell limp. With Ernest incapacitated by Kali’s hunger, Hannibal pulled his chains from the acolyte’s grip and ran to them. Nekra laughed maniacally as the dark energy flowed into her. “She’s here! She’s here! Come to me, Bringer of Doomsday! Let me be your vessel, and bring forth the age of darkness!” Out of Ohn’s portal, a shadow began to emerge. It rolled out like mist and filled the lab. Jack crawled to Dansen’s side, eyes wide at the scene. “What’s happening to her?” “This is the ultimate transcendence,” Dansen said grimly. “Kali is using us to pull herself closer to our plane of existence. And she’ll use Nekra to sustain herself here.” A bone chilling wail came from the portal. Everyone gazed in terror as a figure began to emerge through the darkness. It was in the form of a blue skinned woman with wild hair and a lolling tongue. She was draped in a necklace of skulls, and she held a sword in each of her four arms. The lower half of her body was obscured in smoke, and she hovered above Nekra. Black energy shimmered around Nekra’s body as she mirrored Kali raising her arms to the sky in victory. “At last!” Nekra and Kali said in unison. “No longer shall I be kept from my vengeance! Gods and man shall die by my hands! It is the will of Kali!” “We got to get out of here,” said Hannibal to Dansen. “There’s no way we can fight that… thing!” “There’s only one way,” Dansen said, as she fought to her feet. Nekra/Kali looked at Dansen in disgust. “Ah, the traitor. Kali gave you your blessing, insect! Bow down and accept your fate!” Dansen stood at the ready. “You gave me power, abomination. And taught me to master it. But your host should know that I took those manuscripts foretelling your return. I have prepared for this day.” Nekra/Kali laughed mockingly. “Your preparation is meaningless, woman! No mortal or god can stand against Kali!” “Perhaps,” Dansen said, raising her arms. “But a goddess can!” Dansen went into a series of spins and leaps. Jack strained to Shroud’s ring and struggled to undo the restraints. “What is she doing?” Hannibal lifted up the restraint to allow Shroud to drop free. “The manuscripts that Dansen stole,” Shroud said shakily. “They told that the cult would free Kali by opening a portal to the celestial plane. If the cult can use the portal to summon a goddess, so can we.” Jack and Hannibal watched as Dansen continued weaving the spell. “Another goddess?” aske Hannibal. “Who?” Shroud’s sightless gaze fell on Dansen. “The one goddess that can defeat Kali.” Nekra/Kali pointed a commanding finger at Dansen. “Stop this at once! Obey the will of Kali or die! Obey!” Dansen gave a last look at Nekra/Kali. Then gave a cry of exertion as she thrusted her right hand into the air to complete the spell. A blinding light shot down from the rift. Nekra/Kali howled in pain and shielded their eyes. Hannibal and Jack stumbled to Tatterdemalion’s ring and undid the restraints. When the light faded, Dansen Macabre was standing tall. And hovering above her, shrouded in light, was another figure. She was draped in silks and each of her 10 arms brandished a weapon. Nekra/Kali hissed at the interloper. “Durga,” Tatterdemalion breathed. “Just like in the scroll! The other form of Parvati! The warrior goddess!” Durga pointed a trident at Nekra/Kali, and Dansen raised her arm in unison. “Kali! Shiva has heard the call of these mortals! Return to the plane of your imprisonment, or face the judgement of the heavens!” Nekra/Kali roared and raised their swords high and Dansen/Durga rushed to meet them. Digger looked on in amazement. “Whoa. I wonder where they buy sweaters that have enough arms for these two?” OK: Nekra and Dansen are bound to Kali and Durga respectively. They have their powers, combined the powers of the goddesses. Can the mad plot of the cult of Kali be stopped? Stay Tuned and Find Out! Game On!

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION The Tower of Shadows was filled the sounds of combat. Needle’s blade cut down multiple thuggee as Digger leveled them with his shovel. One thuggee grabbed a hold of Jack before getting shot in the head by Hannibal. “Th… Thanks,” said Jack. “Just get out of here!” Hannibal yelled. “You’re useless without the wolf! Move!” Brother Frtiz sent a swarm of his bees at the pair only for them to be enveloped by a giant handkerchief conjured by the Brother’s Grimm. The giant cloth wrapped itself into a ball, and hurtled across the room before opening over a group of thuggee. The furious insects stinged mercilessly at the unfortunate henchmen. “I guess they know what the buzz is about now, eh, brother?” Percy asked. “Jokes like that is why I’m leaving this goofy gang,” said Barton. Tick Tock took hold of Jack’s sleeve and started pulling him down the hall. “Quickly! This way!” Hannibal followed after them, firing a few shots at the thuggee chasing after them. They darted around a corner, and Tick Tock moved aside a picture hanging a wall to reveal a series of levers. “What’s all that for?” Hannibal asked. Tick Tock made a final adjustment then grabbed a lever. “This was Digger’s home before it became our headquarters. He rigged the defenses himself!” Hannibal looked around the corner to see the pursuing thuggee. Tick Tock pulled down on one of the levers, and a trapdoor opened in middle of the hallway. One thuggee was not able to stop fast enough, and fell into a pit of spikes. Another lever pulled, and jets of flame began shooting out of the walls. Shroud and Tatterdemalion stood back to back on the second floor landing against the thuggee. Tatterdemalion snared one swordsman with his scarf, and swung him over the landing to the hall floor. Meanwhile, Shroud projected darkness onto two thuggee, before delivering a strike to the throat to one and kick to the gut to the other. Misfit thundered down the hall and off the landing with three thuggee on top of him. He roared with glee as he crashed down in the hall. “Yeah! Now this is what I’m talkin’ about!” A thugge rushed behind him with sword raised, only for Hangman’s noose to slip around his neck and tighten. Misfit turned to see Hangman finish off the assassin. “Why don’t you watch what you’re doing?” Hangman snarled. He ran passed Misfit toward Ohn and Brother Ernest with his dagger at the ready. Ernest removed his glove and dodged Hangman’s strike. He delivered a chop to the vigilante’s arm, then put both hands around his throat. “Terribly sorry, mon ami,” Ernest said, his calm voice cutting through Hangman’s screams of agony. Within seconds his body had withered and decayed. Tatterdemalion looked in shock as Hangman’s corpse fell. “Shroud! They…” “I know,” said Shroud grimly. “Ignore the thuggee. We need to focus on the powered acolytes!” Shroud leapt off the landing and Tatterdemalion followed. Brother Fritz turned to Ohn as the Night Shift gathered before them. “Enough of thizzz foolishezzzz! Take them now!” “Brother Fritz is right, Brother Johnathan,” agreed Ernest. Ohn looked awkwardly at his allies and took a deep breath. “Ok, ok. It’s still a lot of people. But here we go!” Tick Tock flinched as he received the vision of what was going to happen. He shouted to Jack. “We need to run! Now!” “Why? What’s gonna..” Ohn closed his eyes and threw out his arms and multiple spots appeared in the hall. The portals swept through the Tower of Shadows, engulfing every one in their path. “Look out!” Percy cried, shoving Barton out of the way, only to get taken himself. “Percy!” he yelled, before disappearing. Shroud charged toward Ohn, who pointed at the floor in front of him. A new portal opened at Shroud’s feet and he disappeared into the darkness. Within seconds, the Night Shift and all surviving thuggee had vanished. Ohn looked proudly at Fritz and Ernest. “I did it! I got them all! That was great, huh, guys?” The two acolytes looked at each other then glared at Ohn, who coughed nervously. “Just get us back to the Heademn’zzzz headquarterzzzz,” buzzed Fritz. “True, mes amis,” said Ernest. “The ultimate transcendence draws near! All praise Kali!” “All praizzzz Kali!” Ohn summoned a portal and Fritz and Ernest strode in. “Um, right. All praise Kali.” Ohn gave a last look at the wrecked Tower of Shadows before leaping in after his comrades. The portal sealed, leaving the Night Shift’s home empty and silent. Next Time, the Finale: Darkness Falls Across the Land!

It's Been a Long, Long Time - YouTube

Episode 15: It’s Been A Long, Long Time August 10th, 1947. Catskill Mountains. New York City, NY. Jack knelt at Peggy’s side. Her arms and legs were cut from broken glass, and he could see the serum seeping into the open wounds. She was breathing rapidly and her body twitched in a seizure. “Don’t touch her!” Benton yelled. “Stark! Grab those blankets! Quickly!” Howard gingerly picked up some Army blankets from a pile of discarded supplies. “What’s going on, doc?” asked Jack as Howard started wrapping Peggy up. “It’s the serum. It’s gotten into her body. We need to act quickly. She doesn’t have time.” “What are you talking about? This is the same stuff you gave to yourself and the others! Look what it did to Nefaria!” Benton lifted up Peggy’s head and motioned to Jack to her up by her legs. “The serum was meant to be given with carefully monitored injections. With so many vials shattering, the strain might be too much for her heart.” Jack and Benton carried Peggy’s convulsing body towards the chamber that Nefaria had climbed out from. “You mean she’s gonna die?” asked Jack. Benton gave a look at the chamber. “Not necessarily.” “Whoa, wait a minute, Benton!” interrupted Howard. “You can’t seriously think about putting her in that thing! We don’t need another super powered lunatic running around!” “The choice, Mr. Stark,” snapped Benton. “Is to put Miss Carter in the chamber and let the vita rays try to stabilize her, or to stand here doing nothing while Nefaria runs wild and she dies.” Benton looked at the uneasy pair. “Gentlemen, this is Miss Carter’s only chance. Please. Help me save her, and put an end to this nightmare for good.” Jack looked at Howard then nodded. “I’m in.” Howard gave a deep sigh. “What the hell? Never was one to run away from a lab. What’s the plan, Doctor?” “Help me get her into the chamber, Agent Thompson,” urged Benton. “Stark, you watch that screen and let me know of any fluctuations in the vita rays.” At the foot of the hill the moving van came to a crashing halt just a few feet in front of a large elm. Daniel pushed the door and stumbled out, making best speed up the hill. Jarvis jumped out and chased after him. “Agent Sousa! Wait! I would advise against traveling too fast across this terrain!” Sousa drew a pistol from a shoulder holster and held it out to Jarvis. “I’m sorry, Mr. Jarvis. But right now Peggy needs our help. We don’t know what tricks Nefaria has for us in there. Can I count on you?” Jarvis looked warily at the pistol, but nodded and took hold of it. Daniel pulled another pistol out of a holster and started heading back up the hill. Suddenly a streak speeded past Jarvis and Daniel, and their weapons flew out of their hands. Before them stood Bob Frank, holding a pistol in each hand at the ready. “Hold it right there, fellas! How about you tell me where your boss Nefaria is and no one gets hurt!” Daniel swung with his crutch at Bob who whizzed out of the way, tossing the guns out of the clearing. “Not nice to play with guns, you know.” Jarvis looked over at Daniel. “Another one? I thought Benton said there were only five?” Bob cocked his head. “Benton? You know Benton?” Daniel held out his hands and stepped toward Bob. “We’re here to help him, to stop Nefaria. How do you know Benton?” Bob gave small grin. “Well, mister, for that, you better take it up with my wife.” Bob looked up into the sky, and Jarvis and Daniel followed his gaze. Descending from the sky were Miss America and Fighting Yank. “Miss Joyce and Mr. Carter III, I presume,” muttered Jarvis. They gently landed in front of them, Fighting Yank glaring suspiciously. “This is a secure area. You two need to leave the premises. Now!” “We can’t do that,” said Daniel, trying to stay calm. “We’ve got people in there, including some friends of yours.” “You mean Benton?” asked Miss America. “And Diana? Are they here too?” “Yes, and there are also several armed hostiles in that bunker.” Fighting Yank shoved past Daniel. “Just stay out of our way. We can easily handle a few gun toting criminals!” The metal door of the bunker flew off it’s hinges and crashed into a tree. The five people turned in shock to see Count Nefaria floating out of the doorway. He gave an imperious smirk as he gazed down on Daniel and the others. “Well, well. More of Dr. Benton’s experiments. And I thought I wouldn’t be able to demolish more interlopers today.” Daniel aimed his pistol, and Jarvis fumbled slightly to follow suit. “Count Nefaria! SSR! I order you to stand down!” “Your bullets will do no good against him!” Fighting Yank snapped. “He’s mine!” Fighting Yank launched himself up the hill towards Nefaria. “Bruce, wait!” Miss America cried. Fighting Yank had already flown halfway up the hill with his right fist pulled back ready to strike. But Nefaria delivered a back hand strike that knocked him out of the air. Bob raced to catch Fighting Yank as Miss America took the air. She was able to land some strikes on Nefaria, but he didn’t react to any of them. He grabbed by the throat with one hand and flew down the hill, dragging her along the ground as he went. Back in the bunker, Benton and Jack had placed Peggy within the vita-chamber. Jack looked on in concern as Benton sealed the chamber. “Everything’s looking solid here!” Howard called out. “The chamber is fully charged!” “This thing better work, Benton,” said Jack. Benton took a deep breath a pressed a few buttons on the side of the chamber. “It will, Agent Thompson. It has to. Stark? Turn the dial on the left of the monitor to 46, then throw the green switch on my mark.” Howard made the adjustments as Jack looked through the window of the chamber at the still body of Peggy Carter. “Now, Stark!” The switch thrown, the chamber began to hum to life, and Peggy’s body was lost in a burst of light that made the three men shield their eyes. On the surface, Nefaria delivered blow after blow to Miss America. Jarvis and Daniel opened fire but the bullets harmlessly off him. Nefaria tightened his grip on Miss America’s throat. “I was impressed with your work with Ringmaster. I would have thought you would be more of a challenge than this, Miss Joyce.” Bob sped around Nefaria, grabbed his cape and sped up the hill. Caught offguard Nefaria was yanked backward and released the hold. Bob threw Nefaria forward, but the Maggia boss was able to stop himself and hover in midair. “That’s Mrs. Joyce-Frank to you, buddy!” Bob shouted. Nefaria looked bored at Bob. “Ah, Dr. Harrow’s pet project. I thought he said you were dead.” “Well, that’s what fast living can do to a guy!” Bob raced toward Nefaria, only for him to be dropped by the mighty hands of the empowered Maggia boss. Jarvis turned to Daniel, desperately trying to hold back his panic. “Agent Sousa, I think our best course of action is to retreat.” “Not without Peggy and the others!” Daniel shouted. Nefaria rose off the ground, lifting his arms to the heavens. “You ignorant fools! I am now the most powerful man on Earth! Your weapons are useless! Surrender to the will of Leviathan! To me, Count…! A metallic shield flew out of the demolished bunker doorway and struck Nefaria in the back of the head. The count grunted in pain, and fell a few feet before steadying himself. Everyone turned to the doorway to see Peggy Carter, her eyes focused and determined as she caught the shield. She was dressed in body armor scrounged from the lab, a holster with a fully loaded pistol, and a bandolier with extra ammo and grenades. She looked defiantly up at Nefaria. “Count Nefaria! I am Agent Peggy Carter of the Strategic Scientific Reserve! I order you to stand down! You are under arrest!” OK: Both Nefaria and Peggy have received Benton’s ‘super soldier serum”. Both have enhanced strength, speed, and durability. Nefaria has Yank and America’s power of flight. Peggy has access to the equipment and weapons in the bunker, including a variant of Captain America’s shield. Can Peggy Carter stop Nefaria’s scheme once and for all? Stay Tuned and Find Out! Game On!

AND NOW THE CONCLUSION Daredevil threw the boomerang again and drew a spike in each hand as he lunged at Dottie. Dottie leaned back and let the boomerang fly over her, then rose back up to deliver a kick to Daredevil’s head. She went for another kick only for Daredevil to drive a spike into her ankle. Dottie screamed in pain as Daredevil drove his elbow into the injured right leg, then swept Dottie’s other leg out from under her. Peggy rose to her feet and moved to Daredevil’s side as Dottie crawled to the wall. “Never mind her, Michael. Where’s Nefaria and the serum?” Daredevil pointed down the hall, motioned left, held up two fingers, made the shape of a door, and held up his right hand. “Take a left, the second door on the right? Well, come on then! You can help us catch Nefaria!” Daredevil shook his head and turned back to Dottie who had crudely bound her wound and was getting back up. “Michael, no! At least let me help you.” Daredevil held out his arm to keep Peggy back, then pointed at Jack and nodded to Peggy. Peggy caught her breath, and looked into her brother’s eyes, a tear forming in her own. “You just promise you’ll survive. Do you hear me?” Michael Carter gently brushed Peggy’s cheek and nodded. The moment was shattered when Dottie gave a barbaric scream. She swung the spike at Daredevil who pushed Peggy out of the way. Peggy ran to Jack, who was fighting to regain his senses after being battered by Daredevil. “Up and at ‘em, Chief Thompson. We still have a mission to do.” Jack groaned as they headed down the hall. “And I thought being a chief was going to be boring.” “Don’t worry, Thompson,” Peggy said with a small smile. “I’m sure your loyal agents will be glad to have you back after dealing with Acting Chief Flynn.” “Flynn? God, that clown? If he’s messed up my office, I’ll…” There was a sudden crash, and Peggy and Jack increased their pace. When they rounded the corner, they saw Miss Masque laid out in the remains of the door to the lab. They could hear the sounds of struggling inside and hurried in. Howard Stark was laid out on the floor clutching his head. Doctor Harrow was observing the scene behind a table covered with vials of Benton’s serum. The centerpiece of the room was a large metallic chamber. Looking at it reminded Peggy of the chamber that Steve had been placed in so long ago. But the chamber was open, and standing a few feet away from it, was Count Nefaria. He still wore his cape, but now his suit was tattered and frayed from his enhanced muscles. In his grip was the body of the Black Terror, a line of blood dripping from his mouth. “Ah, agents,” he said grandly. “I’m so glad you could join me for my ‘moment of truth’. Especially the good Dr. Benton, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible.” He casually tossed Benton aside, and Jack struggled to pull out his gun. “Jack, don’t!” Peggy warned. “If he’s taken the serum, there’s no telling how powerful he is!” “One way to find out,” Jack said and fired. Nefaria stood his ground as the bullet struck him, ricocheted and hit Harrow in the shoulder, who cried out in pain. Nefaria looked at the mad doctor and shrugged. “A shame about that. But no matter. Why have a pathetic excuse of a scientist make me super soldiers, when I can have the power for myself? Let’s see. What else could Benton’s serum do? Oh yes. Enhanced agility.” With a single leap Nefaria had covered the room, knocking the pistol out of Jack’s hand and landing a hard chop to his neck that dropped him to the stone floor. He then grabbed Peggy by the arm, who fought to no avail to free herself. Nefaria smiled wickedly at her. “And, of course, enhanced strength.” With that he hoisted Peggy over head and hurtled her across the room. She crashed down on the table, smashing the vials of serum. She could feel the substance dripping into her mouth and seeping into the cuts made by the glass. She distantly heard Daniel’s voice coming through the transmitter in her necklace. “Peggy! Jack! Howard, anybody! What’s happening?!” “Ah, you’ve brought back up?” Nefaria chuckled. “How delightful. Now I can see what these powers of mine are truly capable of. Goodbye, agents.” Nefaria levitated off the floor then flew out the door and down the hall. Jack crawled over to Peggy’s body, as she started to convulse and breath rapidly. “Carter? Peggy, can you hear me? Peggy!” Next Time, The Conclusion: It’s Been a Long, Long Time!

I'm pretty sure Sun Boy takes this one. Ripto reads like a goofier villain who's powerful, but can be outwitted. Traximus is strong, but from what I've seen he's more used to fighting alien/mutant gladiators, not super powered combatants like Sun Boy.

They all are obscure characters. Digger and Dansen are both part of the Night Shift, so they at least know each other's powers. I don't think they've ever faced each other... until I put them into my Night Shift storyline. It's really a question of can Digger and Dansen work together, or is Nekra just too strong for them?

Well, since I've added all three of these people, I better comment on this match! lol Digger is basically a strong zombie with a shovel. If this was just Nekra vs Digger, Nekra's rage enhanced strength would probably win easily. But since Nekra's powers are based on her rage, that could leave her open to being ensnared by Dansen's hypnosis. So I'll say Dansen Macabre takes this.