My second character (If I ever make one) will probably be a DC street level character. Need some diversification.
Did someone say Wildcat?
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Did someone say Wildcat?
So, with that post, you guys can probably tell that I've abandoned my originally planned arc involving Miles' uncle and a gang war.
Also, I feel like I should let you all know that despite the description I provided, while editing the post I couldn't help but imagine Phillip Roxxon as House of Cards S4 Kevin Spacey.
That is all.
Also, I feel like I should let you all know that despite the description I provided, while editing the post I couldn't help but imagine Phillip Roxxon as House of Cards S4 Kevin Spacey.
That is all.
The Roxxon Corporation was a monolith, a spire of corruption and secrets rising above the streets of Manhattan. Led by Phillip Roxxon, it was a looming titan of corporate power that no one dared to question or oppose, to fight or stand against.
No one but Miles Morales.
He watched the building from a few blocks away, the sound of car horns and shouting below him just a background to his thoughts. He didn’t know if what he was about to do was a good idea. He didn’t know if it would fix the problem. He did know that breaking into a multi-gazillion dollar corporation wasn’t your typical superheroic deed – but he needed to know. He needed to know why Roxxon put a bounty on his head.
Kate’s words that afternoon had stuck with him. She found the problem, and she fixed it. It was simple, almost glaringly obvious advice, advice that he found himself valuing more and more with each passing hour. The moment she gave it to him, he’d begun to formulate a plan. It wasn’t much of one – probably only twelve percent of a plan, really – but it was the best he could come up with. If anyone knew what the problem was, it was Roxxon. And what do you do when someone has answers? You ask for them.
Taking a short run-up, he jumped off the side of the building, hearing both awed and disgusted gasps in equal measure as he landed on the opposite rooftop. With the proportionate speed of a spider he leapt and ran towards the Roxxon building, unable to help the smile that formed beneath his mask – he loved it. The adrenalin that ran through his veins as he coursed through the air, the thrill, was all-encompassing. He once again found himself thinking of Spider-Man, and of how he must feel swinging on his webs.
Before he knew it, he was running up the side of Roxxon, his feet his only anchors as he glided along the glass exterior. He didn’t know where Philip Roxxon’s office was, but he was pretty sure that his best bet was up. Reaching the highest window, ten or so feet below the gigantic Roxxon logo, he reared back with his right arm, building up as much power as he could before letting loose with a punch. The glass shattered around his fist, flying into the room it bordered in a plethora of shards. Climbing into the room, Miles took in his new surroundings –
– to be greeted by Philip Roxxon’s smiling face, an amused glint in his eye.
He looked to be in his mid-forties. His brown hair was receding, brushed backwards in a respectable hairstyle; wrinkles were beginning to line his square face. His buff frame was covered by an expensive suit, no doubt made of only the finest material – and he clapped, long, loud claps, a low rumble escaping his throat, bearing semblance to a chuckle.
“Bravo, bravo,” he cheered. “Wow. I’ll be honest with you, I was wondering when you’d show up.”
Miles eyed him with caution, standing ready for any trouble that might show up. While Roxxon was yet to get up from his desk, he could never be sure – security could be on their way right this very second.
As if reading his mind, Roxxon said, “Oh, loosen up. We’re all friends here. Don’t you worry, security won’t be coming to bother us. We’re free to talk, as all civilized men should.”
Miles didn’t budge. “Why are you sending people after me?”
That low rumble again. “It’s always the same with you superheroes, isn’t it? Straight to the point, formalities be damned.” He chuckled. “Okay. Let me explain, Spider-Man.” His smile grew into a wide grin, his eyes staring knowingly. “Or should I say… Miles.”
Icy shock spread through Miles like a disease, enveloping his body until all he felt was a cold, dreadful chill. How did Roxxon know his name? How did Roxxon know his name?
“Come on, now, don’t be like that,” Roxxon said, “How hard did you think discovering your identity would be? Especially considering the fact that I created you.”
The chill only went deeper. “What are you – ”
“You haven’t let me explain, Miles,” he interrupted, “You haven’t let me explain. It started with the first Spider-Man, as you can imagine. This building was a site for one of his battles, did you know that? He came here, and he fought like you wouldn’t believe. And it was then, watching him pull off these amazing feats, that I knew: I wanted to make more of him. Imagine the profit.
“So we got to work. Me and my brain trust, we worked hard, hour after hour, day after night, week after week, month after month – and finally, we had something. The Oz Formula. It was a… a concoction, if you will, designed to enhance the user’s physical capabilities a hundred fold. The theory was that if we were to inject it into a spider, which would then bite a human subject… We would create the next Spider-Man. But for whatever reason, no matter how hard we tried, it wouldn’t work. And then your uncle came along.
“Aaron Davis, am I right? The Prowler. He broke into our facility, if you can believe it, with the best possible security money can buy – and he stole one of our spiders. We still don’t know why, but he did. Spider number forty-two. And it bit you.
“Oh, the universe has such a mean, ironic sense of humour, wouldn’t you say? Our one successful specimen is stolen by a thief, going on to bite his nephew, who then becomes the second Spider-Man – the very inspiration for this whole experiment. Now, I’m sure you don’t need me to explain it much further. I created the very thing that gave you your powers. I created you. So, going by that logic, it’s easy to see, isn’t it? I own you.”
Any humour he may have held in his eyes was gone, replaced by something else – anger. Rage. Malice. “And like any sane person… I want my property back.”
Miles took an involuntary step backwards. Gone was the good-natured mask Roxxon had worn just moments ago. He was seething now, shaking, his face red and the veins on his neck popping out. Despite that his spider-sense wasn’t warning him of any danger, Miles remained on-edge – for the first time since he donned his costume, he didn’t trust his instincts.
“Now, come here,” continued Roxxon, “I want to show you something.”
Against his better judgement, Miles obeyed. Taking cautious steps, he stopped in front of Roxxon’s desk. The CEO – the madman – turned his computer’s screen towards him, pressing space to start playback.
It was CCTV footage. Spider-Man – the original – flipped and leapt across the screen, dodging and weaving between his enemy’s attacks. He was doing a good job of it, too, until a hand grabbed at his mask, passing through his defences as it yanked it off, revealing the face of a brown-haired young man with handsome features, barely out of highschool, shocked and frantic. With speed that could only come from alarm he hit his opponent, stunning him enough to grab back his mask, pulling it on before resuming the fight.
Roxxon paused the video and stared at Miles, his eyes boring into Miles’ very soul. “This is footage from the night he was here. Do you know why I showed it to you?”
Miles remained silent.
“I showed it to you so that you knew: I've seen his face. I know what your hero looks like. All it would take is a simple inquiry, and I would know who he is. Where he lives. Who his family is, and who his friends are. What he eats, what he drinks, when he sleeps and what he does. I would know everything about him. Just like I do you.
“So run along now, Miles. Leave. But know that you are powerless to fight me. I own you. And I will have my property back. Just pray it’s before your loved ones get hurt.”
Roxxon’s gaze went to his computer, and just like that, the conversation was over.
So Miles ran. He ran, and he didn’t dare to look back.
And beneath his mask, he cried.
Because he didn’t know what to do.
<Snipped quote by The Idiot>
There's a bounty out on the guy who killed Slade's son and nobody calls me? I'm a little hurt, @GreenGrenade.
Actually, if you want Deathstroke to show up soon-ish (or whenever Batman stops hogging him) that'd fit perfectly with what I have planned. I can PM you if you want -- just give it an hour or so.
That… was not what he was thinking.
For whatever reason, Ollie One – Grumpy – thought that shooting an arrow at Mister Mx-frickin’-yzptlk was a good idea. Never in a million years would Oliver have thought that he’d see himself do something so stupid… and yet, the universe always seemed to astound.
He did have to hold back his humorous side, the side that appreciated a good joke. Mxyzptlk did sound like an erectile dysfunction pill.
But still.
Idiot.
As much as Oliver wanted to stand with his mouth agape and yell, “WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT?!”, he allowed himself no such luxury. Before a second could pass his hand was in his quiver, grabbing an arrow and nocking it on his bow. He wasn’t going to take any chances. If Grumpy angered Mxyzptlk at all, there was no telling what the imp would do. Granted, an arrow wasn’t likely to do anything – not even the explosive arrow currently pulled back on his bowstring – but as he said before.
No chances.
“Okay, I get it. Funny funny funny! The game is yet to make sense, so we’ll see how speedy you lot come to a conclusion with no hints to the objective! Enjoy the game, my fellows!” said the extradimensional sprite, disappearing in flash before you could say, “Magic sucks!”
Oliver slowly released the tension from his bow, carefully placing the arrow back in his quiver. Did Mxy just allude to Mia? Just what exactly did he mean by speedy? If he hurt Mia, if he did anything to her…
“Great. You went and spooked him. Good job, clown town,” said the Oliver Myx had designated as “Three”, sending an irritated look at Grumpy.
Great, thought Oliver, This is just what we need. Arguments. Mia could be in danger, and Three was more inclined to focus on a silly mistake?
“Hey, Grumpy Bros.,” he began, loudly, cutting short any comeback Ollie Two might have had, “In case you haven’t noticed, Mxy-prick might have put our partners in danger. You two have Speedies on your Earths, right? So how about we forget the name-and-blame and figure out what we’re going to do. I don’t know about you, but I am not about to fail my partner.”
Oh, great. Another one, thought Ollie Queen as another doppelganger (with decidedly better facial hair than the first) appeared through the trees. He was already working at cataloguing nicknames for his two look-alikes; for the first, he couldn’t quite find one yet – but for the newest arrival, the name came in a flash of light, like a revelation from an otherworldly power: Grumpy.
It just fit the guy so well.
Before Oliver could chuckle at his own genius, an interdimensional magician arrived and ruined his fun – filled him with insurmountable terror. The eccentric fiend flashed a smile from above their heads, waving as he announced that it was, in fact, him that brought them here, to this strange imitation of Lian Yu. Him.
Mr. Mxyzptlk.
“Well, shit,” said the first doppelganger.
“You took the words right out of my mouth…” muttered Oliver as Mxyzptlk, the being even Superman was hesitant to go up against, “welcomed” them.
“No! No no no, not shit, quite the opposite actually! Welcome, welcome, welcome one two three, welcome. I think the game is almost ready to begin! This is wonderful! Three Earths, one winner! or maybe no winners? It should be fun fun fun to find out! Who can survive Mister Mxyzpltk's Most Dangerous Game?”
Oliver groaned. This was just what he needed. A gladiator match against two alternate versions of himself. He turned to Grumpy, who Mxy had designated as “One”. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Ollie One?”
<Snipped quote by GreenGrenade>
Yeah I'm not happy about this in the slightest! They'll probably try and end up retconning it later down the line as well!
That being said, the rest of this DC Rebirth stuff doesn't seem too bad if i'm honest. Although i guess that's coming from someone who has been reading much DC recently. Some the new titles seem interesting; Especially can't wait for Blue Beetle, since it's starring Ted and Jaime!
Sucks that they're cancelling a bunch of other stuff though, like Secret Six and Midnighter!
I'm just happy that Green Arrow's getting his goatee back. And that him and Black Canary are finally going to meet. And that he's getting his goatee back.
Did I mention that he's getting his goatee back?
M A N H A T T A N, N E W Y O R K
“Robin.”
Miles nodded. Robin suited the kid. Whether his parents named him so because of the bird or the folk hero, it fit him well – despite his best efforts, he was a little chirpy, and he did just save an old lady from being robbed.
“I guess I’ll see you around, then, Robin,” he said, beginning to turn to follow Mayo. “Nice meeting you. Tell Chuck and Bruce I said hi.” At that, he left.
Condiment King made it to the police without any hassle. He let them escort him to their cruiser with his head hung low, his shoulders quivering as he cried.
Miles watched from a nearby roof, thinking thoughts about child ninjas laughing into the barrel of a gun, and of sad men just doing their best to get by. He thought of money. Of how it could compel people to do the unthinkable.
He thought about Spider-Man.
* * *
The next few days passed without incident. No kids from the Matrix stopping muggers in Central Park. No so-called supercriminals attacking him because of some bounty on his head. There was only class and lunch. Study and bed.
The “study group” came together on more frequent occasions, moulding into tradition. They’d come to the library every day after the last period would end, sitting at the same table they’d sat at in their first get-together. Some of the time, they’d actually study. But Miles couldn’t lie to himself – most of the time, they used the group as an excuse to hang out. To talk.
Kate Bishop continued to elude Miles. Despite having passed her physics exam, she kept coming to the group. For whatever reason, she seemed to like hanging out with them, something that Miles just couldn’t wrap his head around, because, well… Ganke, whose fifteenth birthday was just around the corner, never stopped talking about Lego, Judge was a closet hipster, and Lana was… well, Lana. And then there was Miles. The guy who for some reason was always the last to arrive and the first to leave, who couldn’t help but get on edge whenever someone mentioned superheroes or Spider-Man – who always arrived with a new cut, scrape or bruise, injuries that he tried so desperately to hide. Why Kate Bishop, a girl with all the money, popularity and normality in the world, would want to hang out with them was a complete mystery – one that Miles was okay with.
Now, he sat at the study group’s table. He’d arrived earlier than usual, the earliest he’d ever been. First. Sitting alone, he went through the motions of studying; notebook out, pencil in hand, an open but otherwise untouched textbook waiting to be read. He didn’t hear Kate when she got there, or when she sat down; when she said hi or when she asked if he was okay.
No. He only heard her when she flung her pencil at his forehead.
“Miles,” she said, if a bit exasperatedly, as he jerked up in his seat. He’d been staring into space, preoccupied with his thoughts – Wait, when did Kate get here?
“Uh, Kate – hi,” he said, scrambling to recover his composure. “I, uh, didn't hear you come in.”
“Yeah. Or when I said hi. Or when I asked if you were okay,” she half-drawled, half-stated, looking him in the eye.
Miles avoided her gaze.
“Are you okay, Miles?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” He nodded unconvincingly. Kate raised an eyebrow. “It’s just – no, nevermind.”
“What?”
Miles bit on his bottom lip, trying to get his thoughts in order. “Has anyone ever been out to get you? I mean, for no reason. They just… want to mess with you because they can.”
Kate snorted. “You have no idea.”
“Well… what did you do?”
She looked him in the eye. This time, he didn’t look away. “I found out what the problem was,” she said, “And I fixed it.”
She fixed the problem.
Roxxon.
I also enjoyed BvS, though I was in the minority that also enjoyed Man of Steel. My only gripes had to do with the cutting and the editing of scenes, but I knew they were going to be there going in, considering it was Zac Snyder effort.
*GASP*
I thought I was alone.
I liked Man of Steel, too.
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