NOV 2002 - #46

Endgame I: Look Upon My Works, Ye Mighty . . . by Paul Hahn

"Current reports indicate . . . island . . . over western Poland, heading . . . Germany . . . unknown at . . . time. Major disruption . . . communication. Electro--etic . . . gravi--nal . . . disturbance . . . "

Chuck Barnes and Cissie King-Jones watched the news with growing concern and interest.

"We've lost our audio connection with our correspondent in Poland, but we still have a visual," another newscaster said. "It's blurry, but we'll try and get a view of . . . wow. What in the world is that . . . ?"

The image was bouncy, static-y and really unclear, but it appeared to be some sort of floating island.

"I've been following this on the news," Kon-El frowned, sitting behind the two. "A large chunk of land disappears from Australia . . . then more chunks of land disappear from other small countries and islands. Then, two US navy pilots go missing. And after that, nations along the pacific coast and then heading west report buildings and people that just go . . . missing. And now, all of a sudden, this island appears over central Europe."

"But why didn't anyone notice it before?" Cissie asked. "I mean, assuming this is the land masses that have gone missing . . . it crossed all of Asia and parts of eastern Europe, and no one saw it until a little over an hour ago."

"Look at the way the island's apparently disrupting communication," Chuck said. "It must have some major cloaking devices. Maybe the added mass of those disappearing buildings have put a strain on the cloak, and this is all it can do now?"

"If this is all related, which I think it is, it's big," Kon said. "I mean, who could be responsible for this? A government? A villain? Something completely new? And what do they want?"

"There's been an unconfirmed rumor that members of the Avengers League have been sent to investigate," the news report continued. "We also have word that the mutant super heroes, Excalibur, rumored to be located in the United Kingdom have also launched to investigate. Stay tuned, and we'll keep you posted as this story develops."

"Well, at least someone's taking the time to investigate it," Cissie said. "Saves us the trouble of having to go all the way to Europe."

"It may come to us, sooner or later," Chuck said. "Since it appeared last hour, it's been moving east, due east, very quickly, not really making any stops. In a matter of ours, if it continues, it'll be heading across the Atlantic on a direct course for New York."

"You think it's hostile?" Cissie asked.

"Something like this? Oh yeah . . . I'd say it's hostile."

"Any plans?" Kon asked.

Chuck nodded. "Make sure everyone stays around today, just in case. I'm going to go put in a call to the Justice League, see if they have any clue what's going on."

After the team moved into the abandoned resort, they had to make it reasonably usable for crime-fighters. They borrowed computers and monitors and other gadgets to create a communications room. Luckily, it wasn't a room that was damaged or destroyed when the Imperial Forces totaled most of the place.

Chuck had just contacted the JLA to try and find out what was going on.

"We're not sure as of yet," Batman replied in his cool, dark voice that he seemed to always use.

"Has anyone been sent to investigate?" Chuck asked.

"Iron Man went to do recon," Batman nodded. "He believes his technology and armor will allow him to transmit fairly clearly what he finds. And then we'll know how to proceed."

"What if it's a trap?"

"You picked up your paranoia from me," Batman let a slight grin enter his face for a moment, before it returned to normal. "I believe it's a trap. But we've seen nothing that would indicate this . . . floating island is hostile. Captain America decided we should find out about it discreetly. That's why Iron Man was sent alone. But we have QuinJets standing ready."

Chuck nodded. "That's good to hear, I guess."

"Whatever it is, we'll be able to handle it," Batman said. It wasn't so much that he was cocky, as he was determined.

"Well, I guess, just keep me informed if anything comes up?" Chuck asked.

"I will," Batman nodded. "But, Charles . . . there is something you might be interested in hearing. I probably wouldn't be giving you this information, but as it looks like the League is going to be busy for awhile . . . "

"What is it?"

"It's him, Charles. I found him."

Chuck's eyes narrowed. "Flag Smasher." It was a name he knew all too well. It was a name that he could never forget. It was his main reason for putting on a costume and fighting villains. Flag Smasher was the man who killed his parents.

"It seems like Ultimatum is preparing for a new assault," Batman continued. "They're slowly starting to organize. I believe I've located a camp sight for them in West Virginia. My guess is that they're trying to assemble forces for a march on Washington."

"They'll never get that far," Chuck's look hadn't changed. His face was cold; dark; angry. "I'll make sure of it."

"Young Justice, if they use the element of surprise, should be able to take them down without too much of a challenge. I'm sending you the coordinates of their camp, or at least, what I believe is their camp. You can contact local authorities as soon as you engage them. That way none of his little army will be able to run free. I've got to go get back to this current situation. But I know your team can handle it. Batman out."

Chuck's eyes scanned over the information as it came out on the screen. He was determined. "Right . . . team . . . "

"What's up?" Kon asked. "We movin'?"

"No," Nightwing frowned. "Something's come up. It requires my attention."

"It's a solo deal?" Kon asked again. "I thought you were the one who always frowned on us going off on our own. And since you dropped the Robin outfit, I didn't think there was a solo you . . . "

"Well, there is now," Nightwing said as he kept walking. Kon was walking with him. "Listen, Kon, it's no biggie. I'll be in West Virginia for a little while. I'm sure you guys can hold down the fort here."

"What about the floating island?"

"The League has sent Iron Man to investigate. They said they'd keep us posted. Should it be something hostile, they'll handle it. I doubt we'll be needed."

"Chuck . . . "

"Kon, let it go. I'm taking the Redbird, so the Super Cycle will be here should you need it. I'll see you later."

Kon stopped, watching Chuck go. "Right. Later."

Nightwing continued out to the vehicle hanger. The Redbird was a state of the art motorcycle Batman had designed for him when he was Robin. Chuck had kept it around, just in case. Now, he was glad.

As he mounted the hog and turned the engine on, one thought was going through his mind:

Vengeance.

She had decided to meditate, focusing her constantly growing powers. She was floating in mid-air while sitting "Indian-Style". Her eyes were closed. Her breathing was slow and calm. The energy flowing about her was smooth . . . but massive.

And things were not calm.

Images kept breaking into her mind. She used to ignore them, even try to block them out . . . but over time, they grew stronger. Harder to ignore, impossible to block out. And once Linda stopped fighting the growing power inside her, the visions became a part of her every dream.

She didn't quite understand it. She saw the stars, the galaxy, the universe . . . billions of people, but not of earth . . . all living beyond. Terrible war. Death, destruction . . . evil. And one big nagging feeling that . . . at it's center . . .

. . . Is where she lives.

Anita was highly skilled in a Bo-staff, while Cassandra didn't know it very well. However, Cassandra had the supreme advantage: being able to translate body language to predict someone's moves. She was the ultimate sparring partner.

Also known as Rebel and Empress, the two girls were the newest additions to the team, both having joined during the whole Morlock Massacre situation. They had each dealt with some problems upon joining the team, but were now welcome members.

Anita, trying as she might, was unable to even connect a hit against Cassandra.

"Y'know, it gets a little frustrating when I can't even touch you," she frowned.

Rebel just shrugged, not stopping her defense. As a by-product of her abilities, she was unable to comprehend spoken language.

"Luckily, there's more to me than just my hand-to-hand combat," Empress said.

Suddenly, she disappeared into a cloud of gray smoke. As she reappeared behind Rebel, Cassandra easily kicked Anita in the stomach, knocking her down.

"What?" Anita asked. "How did you . . . ?"

Rebel shrugged again.

Anita sighed. "Sometimes I wish you could talk. But then I'm worried that you'd just be all annoying and egotistical. You're too good at this."

The Redbird moved faster than just about any other motorcycle on the road. Nightwing was flying. It wouldn't take him too long to reach his destination. He was only going from New York to West Virginia, and on the Redbird, it would be a brief trip.

He didn't need to worry about police catching him 'speeding'. The motorcycle had all sorts of stealth equipment that helped him elude others, and if anyone should happen to see him with their naked eye, no car could catch up to him.

The events of that day, six years ago, kept flashing through his mind. He didn't want to remember it. He hated it. For months after it happened, he would relive it every time he closed his eyes. The Flag Smasher killed his parents right in front of him. All a part of his little 'scheme', his plan.

One might say Flag Smasher's goal was a noble one. The elimination of boundaries, the creation of one unified race, the people of Earth living together as one. However, Flag Smasher and his army, Ultimatum, seem to believe that the ends justify the means. They use war to achieve peace.

But none of that mattered to Chuck. All that mattered was vengeance. Flag Smasher would pay for what he did . . . he would pay . . .

"This is Iron Man reporting," Tony Stark spoke into his communicator built into his suit of armor. "Cap, I'm approaching the island now. I can tell you, it's a lot bigger than I expected . . . and from here, it looks to be mapped out with a massive city . . . I think I might even be reading life signs here . . . meaning that the city's got a populace!"

"Human?" Captain America asked back, his voice filling Tony's ears.

"I believe so," Iron Man replied. "But I will be heading in for a closer look."

"Be careful."

"Well, so far there doesn't seem to be anything hostile here, but - hold on, wait a moment . . . "

"What is it?"

"I think I'm caught in some sort of field . . . " Iron Man explained. "I'm no longer moving. Firing reserve boosters . . . nothing. I'm being held tightly . . . umm . . . well, correction . . . the hold is . . . tightening . . . armor's structural integrity . . . . . . not . . . . . . read? . . . unkno-- . . . . . . help . . . !"

"Iron Man?" Captain America asked into the communicator. He was back at the League's Base. He was about to raise the rest of the League and head into action, when his viewer screen suddenly changed.

Televisions all over the world were briefly co-opted. One man's face was on the screen, grinning.

"My name is Graviton. I am the master of the fundamental force. And this world is now mine. Behold my hand . . . "

The monitor suddenly shut off, and Captain America felt a pull upon his body. The next thing he knew, he was pulled hard upwards. His armored body allowed him to stay conscious as he smashed through three floors and finally the roof of the League's base. He was airborne, but unable to move. His eyes looked about. The entire League had been captured.

But little did Cap know, it wasn't just the League. Doom Patrol, Excalibur, Moon Knight, Oliver Queen, the Shadow, Spider-Man, the X-Men, Generation Next, Daredevil, Black Canary, Black Widow, former members of the Champions, Defenders, Titans . . . a veritable army of all Super-Heroic beings suddenly found themselves torn from wherever they were.

They were in the grip of Graviton. He squeezed until they lost consciousness, and grinned as, with less than a thought, they all joined Iron Man, floating above the island. Graviton had a collection of superheroes . . . the world's defenders. He grinned. There would be no one to stop him now.

Kon-El's eyes went wide. His jaw dropped. He gasped.

"Oh, no . . . "