[i][b]Somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic[/b][/i] Jon ripped through the sky like a speeding bullet, the air seemingly being split open before the kryptonian. He must have taken flight thousands of times at this point in his life and even then, it still was exhilarating. Despite being fully aware of his capabilities, S.H.I.E.L.D in their various headquarters throughout the world often watched in awe as Jon would ‘jump’ from one area to another, covering dozens of miles in seconds. Despite being deep in the mountains of Eastern Europe, Jon was rapidly making his way over the Atlantic and closing in on the Eastern Seaboard. Such a trip for an ordinary agent would have taken several hours at least even with the most advanced aircraft available but for Jon, it was just another quick trip that felt like that would only last minutes. Every once in awhile Jon would eye a lone vessel out at sea and if they were lucky the crew would catch a glimpse of the speeding humanoid figure until it disappeared, leaving a thunderous echo as sound raced to follow the alien in his wake. [color=0054a6]“Soon.”[/color] Jon thought. Yet in his private thoughts the realization that that he was returning to Gotham to find and bring in his childhood friend, Damian bothered him. The fabled Bat family was shrouded in myth and awe and Bruce Wayne in his time was every bit the hero Clark Kent was or at least that’s how Jon figured. Bruce did not have Clark’s kryptonian physiology yet made up for it through unparalleled strength of will and mind. Yet for all his greatness, Bruce was dead along with members of the Bat family and the killers were roaming free. S.H.I.E.L.D however were not the mourning type. Batman was a vigilante, independent of the law who did not answer to any authority. This unpredictability made him dangerous and with the circumstances regarding the death of Bruce Wayne and the others, Jon was tasked with bringing Damian in to uncover the truth because… S.H.I.E.L.D had to know everything. Jon had long pondered this mission and why he was chosen. Perhaps it was the bond he once shared with Damian? Or perhaps those in charge thought Jon would be able to convince Damian to turn in easy or maybe it’s because of Damian’s abilities made it that anything less than the son of Superman himself was incapable of bringing in the son of Bruce Wayne. So consumed with his thoughts that only did Jon realize the air around him turned cold as if he was suddenly entering the eastern European mountains once more. [color=0054a6]“That’s not right…”[/color] Jon took a glance around him and realized that it was snowing. Suddenly a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky and the roar of thunder echoed all around him. [color=0054a6]“This came out of nowhere so quickly. So… unnatural.[/color]” Jon mused privately as he focused his eyes straight ahead. The clouds were darkening, and the bizarre weather was only getting stronger, and he was heading straight towards its source. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Jon clenched his fists and accelerated… **** [i][b]Gotham[/b][/i] Jon landed with a soft thud, his boots sinking into the snow-covered roof. It was the storm of the century going all around him and Jon could hear the raging panic in the streets below. At this point the wind was blowing extremely hard and violent bolts of lightning struck at Gotham’s tallest buildings with an unnatural violence. Amidst the chaotic weather small rays of sunshine poked through the clouds at random catching Jon’s attention as the wind blew and paused in some unpredictable manner and the air felt hot and cold all at the same time. The kryptonian turned his eyes to the sky and tried to focus past the clouds and his eyes managed to make out sort of machine in the sky. If it was not obvious before, it was now… Jon entered the Gotham S.H.I.E.L.D safehouse in a hurry knowing he was about to get his answer. [color=6ecff6]"You're late."[/color] A voice called out as Jon entered the large communication room where dozens of S.H.I.E.L.D agents frantically analyzed screens filled with data and images of what was not only going outside Gotham but seemingly the whole world. Agent Phil Coulson approached the Kryptonian, his arm extended for a handshake. Jon took the hand firmly as they greeted each other with a customary nod fitting of good friends. [color=0054a6]“Sorry. Bad weather. I ran into traffic.”[/color] Jon replied. It was a joke but not a good one. [color=0054a6]“So, what are we dealing with?” [/color] Coulson pointed towards a TV recording from one of the major news channels as reporter Vicki Vale relayed the news. Jon listened intently as images of the chaos from all over the world filled the screen. [color=00aeef]“We need to find Mardon.”[/color] Coulson finally stated concluding that Jon heard all that he needed to hear. [color=0054a6]“If he’s in Gotham, I’ll get him.[/color]” Jon replied. [color=00aeef]“Last I checked all of command is trying to find something that can lead to his whereabouts. As of now command wants to keep you here, ready to go should we get a lead on Mardon.”[/color] [color=0054a6]“I’m not sitting around here while all of this is going on.”[/color] Jon argued. Coulson shrugged. [color=00aeef]“Not my orders but if Mardon is in Gotham and he knows you are here, he’ll do what he can to stay away from you.”[/color] [color=0054a6]“I’m not going to stay cooped up while people are dying. Command has 15 minutes. If they don’t find something I’m destroying whatever that is above Gotham.”[/color] Coulson’s expression changed to one of amusement and shock. [color=00aeef] “Hold up, we don’t exactly know what that will do”[/color]. Coulson raised a hand in a calming fashion as if to temper off the kryptonian but Jon was undeterred. [color=0054a6]“You’re right but I’ll take my chances. The aerial fleet may be down but I can still get to it.” [/color] [color=00aeef]“And what will you in the 15 minute grace period you've decided to bless us with?” [/color]The question came with a bit of sarcasm and sass though Coulson was one of the few who had that type of relationship with Jon. [color=0054a6]“I’ll go street side, see what I can do to help get people into shelter.”[/color] A good answer. Coulson nodded begrudgingly knowing whatever opinion he had or alternative suggestion, Jon would have just overruled him. Coulson’s eyes then scanned over one particular screen that detailed a variety of information. [color=00aeef]“I almost forgot. We do have another asset in Gotham. Perhaps she can be of some help…”[/color] Jon shot Coulson a puzzled look and in return Coulson reached over and grabbed a tablet and sorted through several files before handing the tablet over. Jon scrolled through the tablet [color=0054a6]“A Russian girl… Nikita Kos… 19…Huh… that’s interesting.”[/color] Jon continued to sort through Nikita’s profile. At its conclusion Jon looked at Coulson [color=0054a6]“Is she field ready?” [/color] Coulson shrugged in reply [color=00aeef]“Well she’s with another agent, a longtime friend of a mine… a miss Daisy Johnson.”[/color] [color=0054a6]“Get in contact with them, try to see if they can provide aid to any people that need it and if they get a chance on Mardon… you tell them to contact me.”[/color] Jon turned and headed towards the exit but paused as Coulson called out to him.[color=00aeef] “As important as this all is we still have a Bat issue.”[/color] Jon didn’t reply immediately, taking several moments to come up with a response. [color=0054a6]"He can wait you know."[/color] Jon said finally breaking the silence. [color=0054a6]"This right now is priority."[/color] [color=00aeef]"If you ask me, I agree. But the agency wants their pound of flesh. They want Damian brought in ASAP.”[/color] Coulson turned to look at the various data screens once more, one that was highlighting several meta humans all around the world taking actions to help deal with the current event. [color=00aeef]“This latest catastrophe is revealing a lot of interesting folk like yourself. We’ve had some odd sightings coming from Coastal City for example. All I’m saying is, just be careful out there Jon, we don’t know whose side people are on and the world just keeps getting weirder.”[/color] There was truth to those words, but Jon remained undeterred. [color=0054a6]“Just keep me up to date if anything else comes up.”[/color] And just like that the new Superman was off.