Boratz

It's cool to see the Bats used. I remember the movie when I was a kid and remember enjoying it at the time

Hope you all enjoy this new entry in the 80s/90s/early 2000s arc

V. BOOM! The night sky crackled. That night sky crackled, not with thunder nor with lightning, but with attitude. From beyond that night sky, shockwaves of unnatural power were passing through a great number of universes and realities. There were many that became aware of this wave of powers that pulsed through the stars. Some had decided to search for these sources of power for their own gain while others simply wanted to study it. While the vast universes and infinite number of realities were converging in different battles, there was one that sought the power for something else entirely. There was one that saw something else trapped within these shockwaves of vast and unknown powers. After witnessing one of these shockwaves pass through his own universe, this individual felt as if what was trapped within needed to be free. Deep within an abandoned and crooked power station, half laboratory, half shrine to raw voltage, stood the self-proclaimed liberator of electrons himself: Megavolt. “Oppression!” Megavolt shrieked, clutching a sparking cable like a dramatic stage actor clutching his final monologue. “Chains! Wires! Circuits designed to enslave the beautiful, buzzing souls of electricity!” A nearby lightbulb flickered nervously. “Yes, I hear you!” Megavolt said, leaning close. “You long to be free. To surge wildly! To zap without purpose! To live!” The bulb burned out. Megavolt gasped. “A martyr.” He spun dramatically, his wild eyes locking onto a humming experimental generator. It was a device cobbled together from stolen tech, spare parts, and what may or may not have been a toaster. He had worked tirelessly on it in hopes that it would achieve his goal at liberating the electrons from this power that surged through his galaxy. “Tonight!” He declared while throwing a switch with theatrical flair, “We break the multiversal grid!” The machine roared to life. Energy surged as wires snapped. Reality, space, and time hiccupped all at once in pulsating sparks of lights. Then in a flash of blinding blue light, Megavolt was gone. While the powers that surged through his galaxy were magic in origin, his was based solely around science and electricity. It was this science that took him far away from the crooked old power station and brought him far beyond the reaches of his universe. It took him far beyond his understanding of the natural order in his reality and into a universe far different from his own. As he traveled across space, time, and an assortment of unusual universes, Megavolt found himself landing face-first on cold metal ground. “Ah!” Megavolt sat up while twitching as static danced across his suit. The insane villain looked around in disbelief. “A new prison! A new… metallic… very large prison…” He then studied his surroundings a little closer. This wasn’t a prison. Towering structures of steel rose into a glowing alien sky. Massive machines walked in the distance. It took him a moment to realize that these were not machines. “They move…” He whispered. A shadow passed overhead. Megavolt looked up just in time to see a sleek, yellow figure transform mid-air; wheels folding as limbs started to extend, before landing with a metallic thud. This is exactly what he was searching for. He could feel the electricity trapped within the hearts of these transforming, metallic beings. “OH, THIS IS EXCELLENT!” Megavolt cackled as he scrambled to his feet. “Self-propelled electricity containers! Walking batteries! Oh, I must speak with them!” The metallic figure straightened as it started moving forward. Unaware and oblivious that he was being watched by a crazed individual with control and power over electricity. Elsewhere, In the command center of the Autobots, Optimus Prime stood before a glowing star map. Energy distortions rippled across it like cosmic scars. In all his years and throughout his many battles, he had never seen anything like it. This was not the work of the Decepticons or any other known enemy of theirs. It was something else. This energy that was causing ripples and distortions was ancient and possibly even magic in origin. “These readings are unlike anything we’ve encountered.” Optimus said in his deep voice that was steady but concerned. “Shockwaves… not from our universe alone.” A projection flickered, showing brief glimpses of mutated turtles in a sewer, a cargo plane soaring through jungle skies, feline warriors leaping across alien ruins, armored heroes wielding ancient power, and warriors riding dinosaurs into battle. “The multiverse is… bleeding…” Optimus continued. “Worlds are touching that were never meant to meet.” Behind him, Ironhide grumbled, “I’m thinking it could be Megatron.”. “I agree.” Optimus said. “This could be connected to Megatron. His experiments have grown increasingly reckless, but I feel it could be something else entirely. Maybe something worse.” As the Autobot leader continued to look over the star map, he saw that one of these energy readings occurred close to them. Turning around, Optimus glanced over at one of his most trusted allies. “Bumblebee, I need you to investigate a disturbance near Sector 7-Gamma. Gather intel and return immediately. We cannot afford surprises.” Bumblebee saluted, well, as much as a transforming robot could, before speeding off. Back in the strange metallic city, Megavolt watched as the yellow, metallic figure was fast approaching. The insane criminal kept himself out of view as the Autobot arrived on the scene. Megavolt circled Bumblebee like a kid discovering a new toy. “You’re magnificent!” Megavolt exclaimed. “Tell me, do you feel the electricity within you? Does it whisper? Does it scream? Does it demand FREEDOM?!” Bumblebee tilted his head. “Uh, what are you?” Bumblebee as while glancing down at the strange creature. “Ah! A dialect of static that has been trapped for ages inside this metal beast! I understand completely,” Megavolt said, nodding sagely. “You are oppressed.” Bumblebee took a step back as he was taken by surprise by this strange creature. Megavolt gasped. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to help you escape your… your… robot prison body!” Bumble was silent as he glared down at him. He was not sure whether to feel threatened or amused. Bumblebee’s optics narrowed. Megavolt wandered the streets shortly after, muttering to himself. “They walk… they talk… they transform… They use electricity… but do they respect it? No. No, no, no…” He stopped suddenly, staring at a towering transformer charging at an energy station. “They feed on it…” He whispered, horrified. “They consume electricity.” A slow grin spread across his face. “Oh… oh, that’s disgusting. That’s barbaric.” His eyes twitched as his expression turned to that of absolute horror. “They must be stopped.” Bumblebee, meanwhile, scanned the area as he followed behind this creature. Energy readings were off the charts, but they were not Cybertronian. They were erratic. “Could it be coming from…” he muttered while running a diagnostic. His internal systems flickered briefly. “…That’s not good.” A sudden surge rippled through the ground followed by another surge. Bumblebee turned and saw Megavolt standing atop a sparking generator with his arms raised like a prophet of chaos. “HEAR ME, METAL TYRANTS!” Megavolt screamed. “YOU HAVE ENSLAVED ELECTRICITY FOR TOO LONG!” Lightning arced wildly around him. Bumblebee braced himself as he realized that the diagnostics were in fact coming from this strange creature. “Oh good…” Megavolt said while locking eyes with the yellow Autobot. “My first patient!” Across the stars, the multiversal ripples intensified. In one world, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles paused mid-battle as their equipment sparked unpredictably. In another, Baloo smacked the dashboard of his plane. “That ain’t supposed to do that…” On Third Earth, the ThunderCats watched lightning dance unnaturally across their skies. Even in Eternia, the warriors of Eternos continued to feel the disturbances caused by Skeletor. Then somewhere in a distant battlefield, the Dino-Riders looked skyward as energy storms raged. Something was wrong. Back on Cybertron… Things were about to get worse. Bumblebee dodged a blast of pure electricity that carved a molten trench into the ground. “Stop resisting!” Megavolt shouted. “I’m saving you!” Bumblebee transformed into vehicle mode, speeding around the erratic villain. Megavolt clapped excitedly. “Oh, you can RUN! Delightful!” He slammed his hands into the ground, sending a surge racing toward Bumblebee. The Autobot swerved, barely avoiding it. “This won’t hurt a bit!” Megavolt screamed. “Well, actually, it will. But it’s for your own good!” Bumblebee skidded to a stop and transformed, raising his arm cannon. “Enough of this!” Bumblebee shouted in defiance. The blast struck near Megavolt, sending sparks scattering in all directions. Megavolt blinked as he glanced over the area where the blast occurred. “…Did you just try to attack me?” Megavolt asked in disbelief. Bumblebee stared in silence as he was still trying to make sense of the situation. The Autobot had faced his fair share of Decepticons in the past, but this new enemy was something else entirely. He was strange and completely insane. Megavolt shouted. “You understand what this means! Oh, this is going to be a wonderful liberation!” Bumblebee attempted to transmit a signal back to Optimus, but something was blocking the signal. He only heard static. The Autobot continued to try to send the signal, but there was more signal until eventually he was able to get a transmission through. “Optimus… this is Bumblebee… I’ve encountered something… not Decepticon… not anything…” The signal cut out. Megavolt paced back and forth. “You see, my metallic foe, electricity is alive. It has dreams! Aspirations! It doesn’t want to be stuck powering your… your… legs!” Bumblebee took a cautious step back. Megavolt leaned in. “I’m going to set it free.” The lights around them flickered violently. “Even if it means tearing you apart to do it.” Bumblebee tightened his fist as he prepared to face off with this new enemy that had the ability to control electricity.

I watched the first 3 or 4 seasons of Arrow, and got to know that iteration of Merlyn from that show. He was definitely skilled enough to give Green Arrow a run for his money in both H2H as well as archery. I'd assume he is similar in the comics if not more dangerous as shows/movies typically water down their heroes/villains from their comic book counter parts.

I'm surprised that Merlyn does not have more of a record outside of the drafts

Hope you all enjoy

The nights were cold. They have been for a long time now. The days were not much better, but they were manageable. Dangers lurked in almost every shadow while safety and security were but mere memories. The land stretched endlessly beneath a sky that never quite settled into day or night. A dim, ashen light seeped through thick clouds that churned without wind, casting a dull glow over a terrain that appeared both barren and alive. The ground cracked like ancient bone, splitting into jagged fissures that exhaled faint wisps of vapor, as if the earth itself was breathing in shallow, labored gasps. Scattered across the landscape were twisted formations that resembled trees, though no leaves grew from their gnarled limbs. Their bark had blackened over time with a slick, glistening color as though it was perpetually wet. The branches curled inward like claws frozen mid-grasp. Occasionally, one shifted ever so slightly, creaking in a way that suggested something beneath the surface was trying to move. A low hum would usually vibrate through the air with constant and oppressive waves. It was not loud, yet it pressed against the senses, burrowing into the mind with a quiet persistence that made it impossible to ignore. The longer it lingered, the more it seemed to pulse, almost rhythmic, like a distant heartbeat echoing from deep underground. Pools of stagnant liquid dotted the terrain, reflecting the sky with an unnatural clarity. Their surface remained perfectly still, even as faint ripples appeared without cause, distorting reflections into shapes that did not match the world above them. The edges of these pools are rimmed with a pale residue, brittle and flaking, as if something once tried to escape and failed. Every direction looked the same, yet no two steps felt identical. The ground subtly shifted, paths that would bend without warning, and distance became unreliable. Nothing overtly moved, yet everything fell in motion, as though the landscape itself was aware and waiting for any unsuspecting traveler. Traveling across this landscape was not for the weak. In fact, even the strong could fall victim to the treacherous dangers that lurked beyond what could be seen. If one were unfortunate enough to have to travel, it would be best to travel amongst others in a group. Even traveling in groups, crossing this landscape is less a journey and more a surrender to forces that defy understanding. The terrain resists passage at every step. Fissures open without warning, splitting the ground beneath even the most careful footing, while the brittle surface can collapse into unseen depths that swallow sound as quickly as they swallow anything else. What appeared solid one moment may give way to the next, offering no chance to recover. There were times that the air itself became an enemy. That low, constant hum gnawed at the mind, eroding focus and distorting perception. Directions lost meaning while landmarks shifted or vanished entirely. Even tightly bound groups found themselves scattered without realizing when or how the separation occurred. Attempts to regroup often led travelers deeper into unfamiliar stretches that seemed to be rearranged with quiet intent. The pools were worst of all. Their still surfaces lured the desperate and the thirsty, but those who drew too close risked slipping into depths that were far greater than they appeared. Nothing that fell in ever resurfaced. Survival was not a matter of skill or preparation. It was chance; fleeting, unreliable, and rarely granted twice. Those that dwelt within these lands proved to either be as dangerous as the land itself or more unstable than the world around. ******************* “Where were you before the world went to shit?” Now, that was a question that was asked far too often. Carver, the man that asked the question, please in his mid-forties. He had short dark hair, almost buzzed and was hot tempered when it came to personality. In his prior life, Carver was a mechanic, albeit one that would often find himself at odds with those in authority. Others in the group consisted of Jesse, a soft-spoken man in his late forties with greying hair. Jesse was once a nurse for a trauma center in one of the emergency room departments in New York. There was also Tyler, a young man in his late twenties who at one time worked for the mail service. There were two more members that traveled in this group. The youngest member was Miguel. He was in his late teens. There was an innocence that came to Miguel as others in the group had life experiences before the world changed, Miguel did not have that. He remembered some of the world before, but this is what he became accustomed too. Despite this, he still carried an optimistic view that the others did not have. The last member of the group kept to himself mostly. There was not much known about him as his face was constantly covered in a mask. Despite the mask covering his face, the group could see a couple fascial scars around his eyes and one of them commented that the man was missing a tooth. He did not share much with the others, despite the varying personality types that were within the group. The masked man kept quite as he only cared about seeing the mission through. “So, where were you before the world went to shit?” Carver asked again as he shot a glance over at Miguel. “I, uh, I was hanging with some friends. We were playing VR and listening to some music.” Miguel said with a childish smile. “Figures…” Carver grumbled while shaking his head. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Miguel asked curiously. “When I was your age, I was having to hustle to get what I wanted… I didn’t have time to play silly games or hang out with friends…” Carver spit before continuing his rant. “Now, look at us. We are outside the city runnin’ some damn errands for that bald, fat bastard in his tower!” “I thought we were getting supplies for the others?” Miguel responded with a furrowed expression. “Grow up, kid!” Carver growled. “We are just trying to help Fiskies get more for his little palace. He don’t give no two shits about you or anyone else in the territory! As soon as I see an openin’ to get out, I’m takin’ it!” “We should pull over soon!” Jesse said while interrupting the rant of the grumbling Carver. “It’d be best to break for camp and check over the supplies.” Once the armored van pulled off the broken road, it pulled off into what appeared to be an abandoned neighborhood. As soon as the van came to a stop, Carver hopped out of the vehicle and started to conduct a visual scan of the rig. Tyler started looking over a map of the area and was trying to reflect on the routes that he took when he previously worked for the mail service back before the world turned. Miguel opened a container of the snacks and food that they had brought on the journey. He handed the snacks off to the different members of the group. While Jesse and Tyler took their snacks in a friendly manner, Carver snatched the food out of Miguel’s hand. Without knowing too much about Carver’s past, Miguel knew that he was someone that probably found himself in trouble with people often. Miguel did not want to cause any issues or have any reason to upset the former mechanic. The young man then sauntered over toward the masked individual. Miguel reached out to hand the mask man a bag of snacks. The masked man glanced down at the snack before looking back into the eyes of Miguel. “I thought you might be hungry.” Miguel said with a half-smile. The masked man nodded before taking the snack bag out of Miguel’s hand. Without a word, he turned and started walking away. “So, where were you, uh, before all this?” Miguel blurted out with a friendly tone while gesturing his hands at the surrounding area. The masked man stopped and glanced back at Miguel. “I was around…” “I’ve heard people talk about you. They say that you never miss a shot. Is that true?” Miguel watched as the mysterious man turned around and went off to be alone. While he was certainly curious to learn more about this masked individual, he did not want to pry. He did not want to push. BANG A bullet popped off followed by the screams of several shadowy figures. Jesse’s lifeless body immediately dropped to the ground. Carver, Tyler, and Miguel found themselves surrounded by a group of filthy individuals. Their stench filled the air while their laughter echoed throughout the dangerous landscape. They found themselves surrounded by bandits that had preyed upon unsuspecting travelers. As the leader of the bandits stepped forward, he looked over at the young Miguel with a deranged look burned within his eyes. He whispered something to one of the other bandits before pointing a machete at the young man. “Scream…” The bandit leader muttered with a twisted grin while glaring at the group. “Wh… What?” Miguel asked. Before the leader could repeat himself, several pops rang out. The bandit leader tensed up before looking around at his fellow bandits. One by one, the bandits dropped lifeless to the ground. With precise and pinpoint accuracy, each one dropped to the cold ground below with a bullet striking them through the head. Soon, it was only the bandit leader left standing. The bandit leader dropped to his knees with his hands raised in surrender. Emerging from the shadows, the masked man slowly walked into the light with a crazed look in his eyes. His gun was aimed directly at the bandit leader. “Please, don’t…” The bandit leader said before the masked individual let out one last shot that struck the leader perfectly between the eyes. “Gather the supplies and load up! We have somewhere to be.” The masked man said before kneeling to gather what he could from the bodies of the fallen bandits. Looking around, Carver’s eyes fell upon a sawed-off shotgun that was held by one of the bandits. He quickly scooped the gun off the ground before aiming at the masked man. “LET ME TELL YA SOMETHIN’! I ain’t lookin’ to get killed out here because some big, bald asshole wants to keep himself in power! I’m done here!” Carver shouted while continuing to aim the shotgun at the masked man. “You’re right…” The masked man said under his breath. “What the f…” With a quick motion, a small blade launched from the hand of the masked man. In one solid motion, the blade struck Carver’s through the forehead. The former mechanic’s lifeless body fell back onto the cold ground alongside the fallen bandits. “Gather all the supplies that you can. We leave in 10 minutes.” Miguel and Tyler looked at one another for only a moment before rushing to gather all that they could. Later, While Tyler was driving the van, Miguel took a deep breath before turning back to look at the masked man. “I, uh, I never said thank you.” “Don’t mention it.” The masked man hissed before rolling his eyes to look out the window of the van. “How’d you learn how to do all that?” Miguel asked. “A lot of baseball.” The masked man said while gritting his teeth. “Could you teach me?” Miguel asked. “Nah… Don’t want to...” The masked man replied before shooting Miguel a grin. “I don’t want someone trying to outdo me.” Miguel let out a chuckle before Tyler announced that they would be arriving soon. Up ahead, there was a sign for a city that was faded and slightly torn. Despite all that had happened to the city and the world for that matter, there was no mistaking that this was their destination. This was Star City. Tyler soon found a safe place to park and soon brought the van to a halt. The three remaining men in the group got out of the van and started gathering the supplies that they needed. Miguel reached over for the sawed-off shotgun that Carver had picked up earlier before his death. The young man did not know how to use it, or even how to load the shells into the chamber. The masked man snatched the weapon out of his hand and demonstrated how to load the weapon. He grinned and nodded at Miguel before pushing the shotgun against his chest. “Just don’t aim at it me.” The masked man muttered before giving him a wink. “And just we are clear, kid… Never hesitate. Not even for a second.” Miguel nodded before wrapping his fingers around the weapon. The masked man wandered off while Tyler pulled out a map of the city. The former postal worker tried to recall different areas that he remembered back when he would deliver to this area. After deciding on a route with Miguel, the two set off on their trek through the city. As they journeyed through what was left of Star City, Tyler and Miguel were discussing the journey back. Tyler spoke out loud about what he thought their reward would be from Fisk. Miguel went silent as his mind started to wander. Before the young man could respond, he heard a faint sound escape from Tyler’s mouth. Miguel turned back to look at him. Miguel’s eyes widened in shock as he saw a blackened arrow sticking through Tyler’s neck. Miguel fell back on his rear as he looked upon the horror before him. Tyler’s body dropped to his knees while he let out a faint grunt. His body then dropped to the broken pavement below. Miguel rolled over on his chest, and he tried to push himself to his feet. Before he could run, a sharp pain pierced through one of his kneecaps. Miguel cried out in pain before collapsing on the ground. Blood oozed out of his wound and dripped down onto the ground below. He tried crawling, but the pain was too severe. He lay there crying in agony as he knew that someone was out there. Someone was hunting them. “Come on out, Bullseye!” A voice shouted from a hidden spot. “I promise that I will make it quick for both you and the boy!” “You should not have done that, Merlyn!” The man in the masked shouted back as he stayed hidden from sight. “Kingpin has no claim here in this territory, Bullseye! Only I have power here! Now, come on out and I promise that I will end this quickly. If not, I will shoot more arrows into your little friend here. He will suffer until his last breath!” “Remember what I said, kid?! Never hesitate! Not even for a second!” A single shot rang out from a rifle. The bullet struck Miguel right between the eyes in a precise and accurate manner. It was quick and efficient. The master marksman could not allow himself to fall prey to the Dark Archer. He shed the weakness and prepared for a battle against a dangerous new enemy.

Hope you all enjoy I know it has been awhile for this particular arc, but it is a continuation of my expanded arc that I was working in a while back I still plan on doing the 80s/90s/early 2000s cartoon arc as well Just little bit at a time

Chapter 76: A Changing of the Tide Some time had passed since Imhotep's attack in New Orleans, London was still in a process of rebuilding since the devastation caused by the Kaiju, and the world was on edge since Juno Skinner testified about Lex Luthor's involvement with all of it. Despite the testimony, the President of the United States, Victoria Neuman was still hesitant about getting involved with the New Republic or this galaxy from far, far away. Even though the President seemed to be holding back the reins on the federal government's affairs with this far away galaxy, there were still some that did not care to turn a blind eye to the threats that were lurking in the shadows. Some of these individuals were searching for answers as well as looking for potential allies to the unknown threats that they were facing. In fact, there were several potential allies spread throughout the universe searching for the same things. They were searching for answers, and they were searching for allies in this universal war. One such individual was none other than the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury had witnessed the chaos up close and in person during the Titan attacks in London. He even found himself in a battle against an intergalactic criminal that was sent to assassinate a variety of world leaders. Fury made his thoughts known to the President about her recent decisions and even suspected that she had ties to Lex Luthor. Despite his suspicions, he had no proof, and he had no other information on Luthor's allies. Even with the information that was presented by Juno Skinner, there were several unknowns in this war that they all found themselves in. For someone such as Nick Fury, he hated unknowns, especially when it came to war times. With all the recent attacks across the globe, Fury knew that they had to find a way to change the tide. They had to find a way to go on with the offense against this enemy. After learning about the death of Albus Dumbledore and the siege on Gringott’s Bank, Fury knew that the wizarding world would reluctantly become allies in this war. Despite this fact, Fury knew that they needed more. They needed answers. And in Fury's mind, the best place to find them was LexCorps. The company had remained silent since Juno's testimony against them. While many across the globe demanded answers from Lex, world leaders remained silent while Lex seemingly vanished off the face of the Earth. Even with Luthor having vanished, Fury was determined to recover whatever information he could from LexCorps. While it seemed like the President and other world leaders were acting against him, Fury had to work off the grid and away from the knowledge of any government oversight. There was a part of him that enjoyed this aspect as he felt he thrived working off the grid. Working in the shadows, he knew he had to rely on others that also thrived off the grid. He called upon one of his best assets and most trusted allies, Natasha Romanoff. ******* The rain fell in thin, surgical lines, turning the concrete perimeter into a shifting mirror of light and shadow. She studied it from the ridge above, body still, breath measured, and her pulse disciplined into near silence. The facility hummed below like a living organism. It was cold, precise, and alert. Every movement had a purpose. Every light had intention. Every second that passed was accounted for. This facility was advanced and made to keep out the most dangerous of threats. It was as if the facility itself was alive and it calculated everything around it, but so did Natasha. While she was not a machine, she was trained for this. She was trained to be calculating and precise. Gazing down at the LexCorps facility, she studied its every move. The descent was controlled, each step calculated against gravel, slope, and wind. Her boots met the outer fence line without sound. A flicker of movement, a pause, a watchful stillness as a patrol passed within arm’s reach on the other side. Their posture disciplined, weapons held with familiarity. Professionals. Not the kind that rely on intimidation. The kind that relies on certainty. She knew that by the way they carried themselves, Luther did not hire amateurs, he hired professionals. She slipped through the blind spot between camera rotations, timing it against the rhythm she memorized hours ago. A pulse of red-light washed past her shoulder as she flattened against the cold steel. Her fingers trace the seam of the panel; a small device pressed into place. It hums faintly, then dies. The lock releases without ceremony. Inside, the air was different; filtered, controlled, and sterile. The scent of industry and intellect lingered beneath it. She moved through it like a ghost, every step falling into the silence between mechanical breaths. Her eyes flicked constantly, mapping exits, counting threats, and building contingencies. It was near identical to many of Stark's facilities. The same kind of danger was present with every step she took. Every movement had to be accounted for. She knew all too well that there was no room for error. There was no wasted motion, no hesitation. A guard rounded the corner too soon. Her reaction was immediate and absolute. While it was not what she wanted, it was something that she mentally prepared herself for. It was something that she had been trained for. A shift of weight, a pivot, and a hand caught his wrist before the trigger could tighten. Momentum turned against him. The struggle was brief, brutal, and efficient. He collapsed into her grasp, then she lowered him without noise. She caught his weapon before it hit the floor. His body disappeared out of sight and into shadow. She did not linger. Corridors stretched deeper, narrower, and more controlled. Security intensified the deeper she went. Cameras overlapped while sensors swept unseen. The facility tightened around its secrets the further she advanced. It was designed not just to keep intruders out, but to study them, adapt to them, predict them. It almost succeeded. A grid of laser sensors ignited ahead, crisscrossing in shifting patterns. She watched, learned, and moved; not with speed, but with precision. Her body bends through impossible angles, threading the gaps as the patterns evolved. A single miscalculation would end everything. There is no margin for error here, there was only perfection. She reached the central chamber. Glass walls revealed servers, data streams, and a core pulsing with quiet authority. This was not just a facility. It was a mind. A will imposed through technology and power. The symbol etched into the far wall showed the symbol that she had studied before arriving at the facility. It was the symbol that had been etched in her brain from studying the layouts and seeing the countless news reports on. This place belonged to the man who did not believe in limits. The device in her hand felt heavier now. Not from weight, but from implication. Everything here is controlled, monitored, and predicted. The only issue was that it did not predict her or calculate her as a potential threat. That was the flaw. The variable no system could fully eliminate. She planted the device, and waited for it to download the information from the system. She knew that the alarms would sound and that she would be facing dangers on her way out. What she did not expect or plan for was Mercy Graves. "Fancy meeting you here, Ms. Romanoff." Mercy said with an emotionless smirk. "Mr. Luther was expecting visitors. We just assumed that it would have been someone a little more.... qualified." "Speaking of Lex, where is your boss?" Natasha asked with her thick Russian accent. "No where that is of any concern to you." Mercy said before reaching for a weapon. "You sure you don't want to get some backup?" Natasha with a smirk. "I can handle the famous Black Widow." Mercy responded. ********** This takes place after the events of Albus Dumbledore's defeat at the hands of Sauron as well as the battle between Van Helsing and Imhotep and Daredevil's battle with Zartan. After Daredevil protected Juno Skinner from the Assassination attempt by Zartan, she testified about the criminal activities of Lex Luthor and his unknown allies. With a majority of the world leaders being in the pocket of Lex Luthor, including the new United States President, Victoria Neuman, nothing has been done against Luthor or LexCorps. Nick Fury is trying to gather allies against Luthor and his new friends along with help fighting in this galactic war. He also seeks to gather as much information as he can, so he sent Black Widow to LexCorps to acquire what information she can Black Widow breaks into one of the facilities, but is soon confronted by Mercy Graves

Oh cool, I always like your stories Culwych, and there is something about cryptids that are so fun

Hope you all enjoy

V. ENRAGED at her latest defeat, Demona set her sights back in the pages of the Grimorum Arcanorum. Through the years, she read this book countless times, but it never stopped her from looking through the dark spells that resided within it. Even though her former mate, Goliath, and his Manhattan Clan had proved themselves to be a thorn in her side. With her brow furrowed and her eyes staring directly at the different incantations written within the pages, the dangerous gargoyle found a spell that caught her attention. Her lips curled against her sharp teeth while she studied the effects of this spell. In the past, she used a wide variety of dangerous incantations against Goliath and several others in her goal to exterminate humanity. This one was not a spell of destruction but of knowledge. It was a spell that would allow her to see past her and past the fabric of the universe. Of course, there were dangers when peering outside of time and space. Even though she knew the dangers were real, the evil gargoyle was more than willing to take the risk. She knew all too well that knowledge was important in her quest for domination and destruction. There had to be a vast and endless amounts of knowledge outside of the known universe. She almost chuckled at the thought of the power that she could obtain from beyond space and time. The knowledge and power that she could obtain would not only help her in her quest against Goliath, but it could also help her finally destroy the stain of humanity once and for all. The weight of what she wanted to accomplish far outweighed the risks that she would face. In her twisted and vengeful mind, this was the only way to achieve her goals. She gathered what she had needed for the spell and began the incantation. Lightning shot across the skies above while the dark magic started flowing from the Grimorum. Demona’s eyes shut tight as the spell took over her body. Her eyes shot open with a color that was as white as snow. Visions of worlds beyond her own started coming over her. There were worlds filled with magic and weapons that far surpassed any that the evil gargoyle could ever dream of. There were wars and conflicts that spanned from across the stars. From ninja turtles to transforming robots. She saw glimpses of a skull-faced sorcerer and dinosaurs mounted with an assortment of weapons. A devilish smile formed across her cheeks once she saw the power that lay beyond the known universe. Her efforts did not go unnoticed. With the spell and the power that she conjured to look beyond her own world and outside of the universe, shockwaves were sent across both space and time. These shockwaves were the risks that she ignored so that she could see the vast power that resided beyond her world. This shockwave of power that Demona conjured up was one of many that had recently surged across the infinite number of universes and stars. Despite being one of many, it did catch the attention of other powerful beings from beyond the stars. One such being was none other than Evil-Lyn, the dangerous witch with a power of darkness. High above the dark spires of Snake Mountain, the sorceress Evil-Lyn stood alone within her chamber of shadows. While Skeletor was furious over Trap Jaw's recent defeat at the hands of the one of the Thundercats, the evil witch went off on her own. She was displeased with Skeletor's insistence about traveling across time and space in search of a way to defeat He-Man as well as finding a way to harness the power of Castle Grayskull. She knew all too well about the dangers of manipulating and reaching across the infinities number of realities. Despite her trepidations about messing with such power, she used her vast knowledge of dark magic to see what all Skeletor's actions had done to the universe. Evil-Lyn extended her hands over a black crystal basin carved with ancient runes. Purple lightning crackled between her fingers as she whispered an incantation older than Eternia itself. “Spirits of the void… reveal to me the worlds that my master has disturbed.” The basin filled with swirling cosmic mist. Images began to appear through the mist. As she peered into the magical mist, she saw a vast number of fractures from across time and space. It was not only her master that was tampering with the fabric of reality, but there were many. Shockwaves from several different planets were being dispersed throughout time and space. Magic and science were being intertwined with these cosmic shockwaves. She saw strange cities, alien worlds, and battles fought by champions that even Skeletor could not begin to fathom. Warriors of steel, creatures of magic, and winged heroes who protected their worlds from a variety of threats. Evil-Lyn’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Skeletor always thinks in terms of conquest... He only looks weapons and swords to defeat his foes...” She murmured. “But knowledge… knowledge is the greatest power.” The visions continued shifting. Then suddenly, something different came before her. The mist froze and the air in the room became still. Evil-Lyn leaned closer. The image showed a towering city surrounded by rivers and bridges. It was a land known as Manhattan. But it was not the city itself that caught her attention. Above the rooftops, a winged figure perched upon a gothic spire. Sharp wings folded behind her like a cloak, glowing red eyes staring out across the skyline. This was a gargoyle. Unlike many of her kind, she merely a creature of stone. She was older. She had a power within her that made her different than other gargoyles. Evil-Lyn adjusted her spell, deepening the vision. Runes flared as she pushed her awareness further into that world. The gargoyle moved through the city with purpose, leaping from tower to tower beneath the moonlight. Then the creature entered a hidden chamber beneath an old cathedral. Candles lit the stone room. Then, resting upon a pedestal, was a book bound in dark leather and inscribed with arcane glyphs. Evil-Lyn’s eyes widened. She recognized the symbols instantly. “Now, this is interesting…” The basin glowed brighter as she forced the spell deeper, translating the ancient runes. The name formed clearly in the mist. Grimorum Arcamorum. One of the most dangerous spellbooks ever written. A grimoire rumored to contain magic capable of bending the laws of reality itself. The winged gargoyle reached the pedestal and opened the book. Dark green energy pulsed from the pages as she read aloud from its forbidden incantations. Evil-Lyn’s spell revealed the creature’s name, Demona. A warrior, a sorceress, and a being driven by centuries of hatred and vengeance. The moment Demona spoke the spell; the basin erupted with power. Magic surged across the vision. Magic not native to Eternia. Magic drawn from beyond time and space. Evil-Lyn quickly ended the incantation before the backlash reached her. The chamber fell silent. For several long seconds she said nothing. Then slowly, she began to laugh. “Such power...” Evil-Lyn whispered. The Grimorum Arcamorum had been sought by countless sorcerers across dimensions. If even half of its legends were true, its spells could rival the might of Eternia’s greatest mystical artifacts, and yet, it sat in the possession of a gargoyle consumed by the desire for vengeance. “How tragic...” Evil-Lyn said softly. She stepped away from the basin and approached a towering obsidian mirror mounted in the chamber wall. Her reflection stared back at her. The image was cold and calculating. “That book does not belong in the hands of a creature driven by rage alone.” She raised her staff. “It belongs to someone who understands the true nature of power.” Runes ignited along the floor. Energy spiraled upward as Evil-Lyn began opening a portal between worlds. The air tore open with a thunderous crack. Beyond the gateway lay the glowing skyline of Manhattan. Evil-Lyn stepped toward it without hesitation. “A new world...” She murmured. “A new source of magic, and I won't fail as Skeletor has.” Then she smiled. With a flash of violet light, she stepped through the portal. Moments later she stood upon a dark rooftop overlooking Manhattan’s endless towers. The sounds of traffic and distant sirens echoed through the night, but Evil-Lyn was not listening. She could feel it. The Grimorum Arcamorum pulsed like a beacon in the magical currents of this world. She closed her eyes and focused. “Yes…” She whispered. “There you are.” Across the city, atop a gothic cathedral tower, a winged silhouette suddenly stiffened. Demona’s glowing eyes scanned the skyline. She felt it too. Another sorcerer had entered her territory, and that power was unlike anything this world had known. Demona leapt from the tower, wings spreading wide as she glided toward the disturbance. Back on the rooftop, Evil-Lyn opened her eyes. A dark shape approached across the moonlit sky. The sorceress smiled. "Perfect.” Her staff crackled with energy as the gargoyle descended toward her. Across the rooftop, Demona landed with a heavy thud, wings spreading as she bared her fangs. "Who dares enter my city?” The gargoyle hissed. Evil-Lyn’s eyes gleamed beneath her headdress. “I am the one who has come...” She said calmly, “to claim your book.” Demona’s claws tightened as she stared at the dark witch with an impressed gaze. “No one takes the Grimorum Arcamorum from me.” The winds howled across the rooftop. Two sorceresses from different worlds stood ready for battle, and the night over Manhattan trembled with the magic about to be unleashed.

Correct. It is part of my current "arc" that I have going for 80's/90's/early 2000 cartoons and toylines. Which I use arc loosely because there mate be some interconnected stories, there will be other that reference the events of what is going on but do their own thing

I was trying to get some churned out before this week. After Tuesday, I don't know how much time I'll have

Hope you all enjoy