Nice prose, good character building here. And I'll take any excuse for Jenny to get more screen time

EDIT: This was in the totally wrong thread.

Double EDIT: Something something Sinestro Corps.

Awesome write up Skullbrother! I'm really excited for this friday as I'm meeting with my cousin and some friends to play, one of whom has the big serpent piece (Our fill in for Parralax for this fight), so were going to use a bunch of our pooled WoL pieces in a grand battle against it! I really like that you were talking about Fear Itself stuff too, In our games, the worthy faction and the sinestro corps are tied. We were talking about how Lyssa Drak might be carrying the book of the skull, and about how the hammers are actually the same hammers used by the weaponers of qward (Perhaps the original Worthy were weaponers themselves?) to forge fear itself (Ha!) into tangible form (the rings!) Perhaps even Hulks story in Defenders vol.4 might come in to play (Him being wary of the existence of Nul, and asking for help in dealing with that?)

Thank you! I've been a Hulk nerd for years, and I'm really loving getting this whole crew together to bounce off each other and wade into the middle of interstellar politics, and possibly setting the stage for future events.

Dave, that gives me a very good idea. And now I need to re-read Fear Itself so I can figure out the specifics. It's not retconning, it's "Untold Tales of the Sinestro Corps."

Moved further down the page since the GM stole my thunder haha

Separated from his family, Erik Lensherr sat in the cold isolation cell, a dim bulb the only source of light in the room. Erik remembered the camp guards leading his mother and father one way while trying to pull him in another direction. Erik had struggled, resisted the guards who sought to separate him from his parents. He remembered being picked up by two of the guards, remembered reaching for the gate, and he thought he remembered the gate miraculously bending towards him, as if by magic. After that, Erik's memory went black. Judging by the gash on his head, Erik assumed he had been clubbed and dragged to this miserable cell.

The door to the cell swung open, and a man strode in. Erik's eyes grew wide as he looked up to see the face of one of the most feared men in the Third Reich, Johann Schmidt, the Red Skull. “So, you are the degenerate who wrecked my gate?” The red skull spoke, an icy chill in his voice. “Tell me,” He asked, “How did you accomplish such a feat?”

Erik starred up into the face before him, fear gripping his soul. “I... I don't know. I just... wanted my mother,” Erik managed to say.

“I see,” The Red Skulls eyes flashed with discontentment at the excuse, “Tell me, do you know who I am?” Erik nodded slowly, “Do you know what I do?” Erik shook his head. “I am responsible for finding gifted individuals and turning them into weapons that the Reich can use to crush the Bolsheviks and the Western Democracies. I think you may be one such weapon that I can use.”

For a brief moment, anger replaced fear in Erik, “I will never help you.” He spat on the ground at the Red Skulls feat.

“Indeed.” Red Skull said, passively, “I think we just need to find a way to persuade you.” Red Skull stepped into the hall, “Guards! Take Prisoner 214782 to the facility on the west side of the camp.” He paused for a moment, “And bring his mother as well.”


For three agonizing years he had been imprisoned in Auschwitz. A toy for the Red Skull to play with. He had never broken, never become the weapon the Red Skull wanted. That seemed to bother the Red Skull little, he enjoyed tormenting Erik for the sake of causing misery. Despite the torture, the Red Skull had succeeded in bringing Erik's latent powers to the surface. Before his imprisonment, Erik had had one outburst where he deformed a metal gate. Now, he could lift heavy machine parts, use several weapons at the same time, and he even speculated he could stop a bullet if he needed to. All of that proved little use against captors that used wooden clubs and leather boots to keep him in check.

It sounded like a thunderstorm was constantly on the horizon. From what Erik picked up from the guards, that was the Red Army, driving ever closer to Auschwitz. Erik saw his salvation among the soldiers in red, yet it was in a man clad in blue that Erik saw his hopes realized. Though he did not know the exact date, Erik assumed it was in the middle of winter when the camp sprang to life all at once. SS Guards sprinted down the hall outside his cell, slamming doors as they ran. Erik walked to the door, and closed his eyes, trying to block out the cacophony that had erupted the silence of his cell. For month's now Erik new he was strong enough to do what needed to be done provided the guards made a mistake.

Erik's eyes broke open and the first smile he had known in four years spread across his lips as he heard the footsteps of an SS Guard running down the hall about to pass his cell. In the pandemonium, this guard hadn't read the no metal sign. A sharp burst of gunfire from the guards gun preceded the heavy thump indicating the man had fallen to the floor. Erik moved the gun away from the body as the he pulled the belt buckle, buttons and grenades the man bore up against his cell door. Four steel rods where pulled from the grenades at the same time as the door to Erik's cell blew open. Erik walked out, collecting the scraps of metal around him as he did.

He followed the sounds of gunfire as he left the prison. Once away from his cell, the escape became so simple. The compound was laden with nails, washers, metal beams and so many weapons. Erik came to a guard room where a squad of SS Guards were resupplying. Their guns turned on their neighbors as he walked by. The men at the doors to the compound found there guns refused to fire when aimed at Erik, and were surprised when the scraps floating around Erik rushed towards them at alarming speeds. As Erik strolled to the gates he saw a large hole blasted through the fence, and a man decked out in blue standing upon the rubble. The man yelled something English that Erik didn't understand before running over to him. Speaking in Yiddish, the man yelled to Erik, “Son, you need to get clear. We are here to liberate you from the horrors you have lived with.”

Erik met his eyes, “I will never be free from what I have endured here.” Rage welled up in Erik as he turned to the gates of Auschwitz, and brought them crashing down.


Erik stood in the rubble of a former house just outside the capital of Brazil. His hands covered in blood, his left one clutching a german dagger forged during the second world war. "You can't keep doing this, Erik." A sad voice called to him. Erik turned to see a familiar face.

"Ah, Captain America. I heard they had thawed you out of the ice. What are you doing here?" Erik asked, meeting Steve Rogers gaze.

"Same thing you are, I expect. I heard rumors former Nazi war criminals where hiding out around Brazil, and thought it might lead me to you." Captain America said. "This is overboard, Erik, you got lucky this time, I don't think any civilians where hurt."

"No, only monsters." Erik dropped the dagger, forcing the molecules to dismantle before it struck the ground. "Monsters that should have been dealt with a long time ago."

"These monsters had families, Erik. Innocents whose lives will be the worse for what you have done here today." Captain America spoke softly, but his words held the power only truth could bring.

Anger flared inside Erik as the metal around began to vibrate aggressively, "You would defend there actions?"

"No. Nobody could do that. But I guarantee you they are suffering living with the ghosts of their past, the same as you are." Erik dropped his eyes for the first time. "I have a proposal for you."

"Is it to forgive and move on? Forget what they did to me and my kind?" Erik felt the rage building inside him again.

"No." Captain America paused for a second. "I know where the Red Skull is. I want your word that you will stop your aimless vendetta against men like this," Captain America gestured around the ruins, "And I will take you to his compound. We can take him down, together."

Erik Lensher furrowed his brow in concentration, "Do you aim to take him alive?"

"No." The one word answer hung heavy in the air.

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Mikkisaur again."

Well crap, now I have to try harder...

We got room for generals though if you're interested in being more involved. I believe....Erik...might be playable?

Yeah, awesome stuff. I have something to post as well, but this is top notch.

I actually didn't realize that I never posted in this thread, and I figured everyone was just being quiet.

Great stuff, mikki. xcu magneto is an excellent choice as the launching pad for hrs magneto and told wonderfully well

(The following transmission has been approved by the Supreme Intelligence)

Greetings and salutations to all intelligent life in the galaxy who are receiving this communique being sent to all corners of the known quadrants. It is I, Colonel Yon-Rogg of the noble Kree Empire, which now spans a record ten total planets. There are a few matters I would like to address publicly, and I thank you all for your attention.

First, to my contemporaries in the honorable Nova Corps. Let our hostilities come to an end. As members of the Grand Alliance, time and again we have put the needs of the galaxy as a whole above our own personal desires. I do and will respect your borders, and hope that you will consider us allies going forward from now on.

I also want to dispel any rumors that the Kree had any involvement in the recent disappearance of the self-proclaimed "Son of Thanos" Booster Gold. Kree military and police forces have been advised to report any sightings of the controversial Nova Corps member, but he has managed to elude our intelligence efforts thus far.

Next, to this "Hulk" and his companions, bound together by war and conflict. You have nothing to fear from the Kree or her people. I want to personally apologize for my part in the recent conflict on Sakaar... I had assumed that you were aware of the fate of your child and his mother and did not mean to upset you with that revelation.

On that subject, I also wish to announce the impeding marriage of myself and Queen Aga'po in the days to come (getting married for reals on Saturday!). All members of the Grand Alliance are encouraged to attend the first union between the Kree and Zamaronians. Please be ready to submit to a full body scan before being allowed entrance into the wedding hall, for we wish to avoid another conflict such as the one on Thanagar.

Which leads me to my final topic: the Skrulls. I would be lying if I said I was surprised when the Skrulls revealed themselves as part of the Annihilation Wave. What many probably did find surprising was that I and my people lived up to our end of the agreed bargain. If that is the case, then the hits just keep coming: the Kree Empire intends on living up to the terms of the original treaty. There are two more cycles left in the agreement, and it is imperative that the Kree restore the honor that was lost when we turned our back on our allies from Apokolips. While we do not regret the decision entirely, I am remiss that I had to break my word, even to a despot like Darkseid and despite the decision being made for the greater good.

I leave you with a few quick messages for individuals throughout the galaxy:

Superman: It was an honor to fight alongside you and your fellow Terrans. You are a shining example to what the others should aspire to and the Kree hope to keep building upon our newfound friendship.

Lyssa Drak: You were wise to seek out Keeper Salaak for assistance. He is the most steadfast and a well respected ally of the Kree, and we hope he will know how best to free you from the influence of Parallax.

Steppenwolf: Well met. I look forward to adding your armaments to my Hall of Victory, where scores of future Kree will be able to inspect your gear up close and read stories of how you and your coup fell valiantly before superior Kree military culture.

And for everyone else, as always...

LIVE KREE OR DIE... unless you are an ally and then we hope you live a long prosperous life filled with love.

- Colonel Yon-Rogg

OOC EDIT: I changed the Hulk message slightly to align with SkullBrother47's storyline.

IC:

Queen Aga'po, Colonel Yon-Rogg,

Our imperial heart is overjoyed to discover your impending nuptials. After the harsh travails the Grand Alliance has faced and persevered through, joyous news is always most welcome. There can be no more joyous news than the bonding of two lives into one. The whole of our empire shares in our delight for you and wishes the happiest of nuptials and a true companionship through the years. Love truly is the grandest emotion of them all and the most powerful force in the universe as it is Love that inspires us to be our greatest.

For your gift I send the two of you an Nth Metal Marriage Dagger, that your souls may be bonded through time.

Lilandra Neramani
Lux Gloriana
Majestrix

IC:

Yon-Rogg,

You salty old dog, I can't believe you're actually settling down. Actually, considering her majesty Queen Aga'po, I completely understand why you are, it's her decision to settle for you that baffles.

All kidding aside, you're wedding is great news. This galaxy doesn't get enough great news and I thank you for sharing it with us. Speaking from the hard-earned experience of my several marriages, don't ever think of it as a 50/50 proposition. It's 90/10. Give her your 90 and only expect 10 back. And if you should both manage to come to the table with that same formula, well, you'll be able to get it right the first time.

A case of Xanshi's finest, on me.

J'son
Emperor of The Spartax

"Whatcha workin' on?" Mary Marvel said, catching me almost unawares. I knew she was there--I could hear the entire team regardless of where they were in our base, could hear Captain Atom teasing Star Brand in the med bay, Jean and J'onn discussing methods for tuning out other peoples' thoughts in large crowds in the lounge--but I hadn't realized Mary was here to talk to me.

I put the tablet I'd been reading down. Mary, with a youthful lack of tact, leaned over to sneak a look. It was a list of names.

"Recruiting?" she said.

Not for the first time, I wondered why I'd allowed Mary and Kevin to join this team. They were barely older than children. Old enough to make their own decisions, yes, but... Nathaniel was a veteran, both as a superhero and a soldier. Wendell and the Martian had seen things the rest of us could only imagine. Jean shared space with an immortal cosmic entity.

Hope, I thought. Mary and Kevin give us hope. They represent the future. Of Earth, and of the galaxy. They're here so we don't forget that, and they're here so that their generation can take part in shaping that future. To represent the best of who will take our places when we're gone.

Shaking off my thoughts, I answered her question.

"Recruiting, of a sort," I said. "That last battle was a decisive victory, but not decisive enough. I want to make sure we've got everyone we need."

"Anybody interesting on that list? Maybe SHIELD will send Agent Grayson. I mean, I hear he's really competent," Mary said, almost laughing at herself.

I laughed with her. SHIELD might be the most secretive organization on Earth, but if they ever wanted to fix their PR problems, all they'd need to do was assign Dick to be their spokesman.

"Agent 37 is an old friend," I said. "But he's a liability up here with his lack of powers. SHIELD did recommend a Captain Danvers before we left who has some potential though, maybe."

I swiped to the next name. Speaking of secret agents.

"That's one of the Green Lanterns," Mary said.

"Natasha Romanoff," I said. "One of the Green Lanterns of Earth. I'd thought that maybe we should invite a representative from the Lanterns to join our squad. I wanted to ask Matt--Daredevil, but he's got other things on his mind these days."

"Doesn't Thor have a cousin, or ex-girlfriend, or something who might be useful?" Mary said.

"I thought of that," I said, swiping again. Several heroes, from both Asgard and Olympus, flipped by. I rubbed my eyes. "I don't know. I've got to consider the politics of it, too. Does an Asgardian provoke Malekith? Does a Green Lantern provoke the Yellows? There's a Kree-born fugitive on Earth named Noh-Varr who'd be a great asset, but does that set off the Kree? Or that young man who's half-Skrull..."

Mary Marvel took the tablet away from me and set it aside.

"It'll all work out. I know it," she said.

I laughed again.

"And how do you know that?" I said.

She pointed at her head.

"Wisdom of Solomon, remember? I know things," Mary Marvel said. She gestured at the door and started walking away. "Now come on. I have a bet going with Kevin. He says I can't get all of us in the same room for dinner before we get home to Earth. Help me prove him wrong."

Shaking my head, I stood up to follow her.

"Okay, I'm in," I said. "As long as it's not something out of the matter converter."

"Nope," she said. "The Thanagarians gave us some sort of tressed up giant flying space turkey as a thank-you for helping with the Annihilation Wave..."

"Space Turkey it is," I said, leaving recruitment and politics behind, at least for a few moments.