(S1, EP:10) Marvelous DCstruction

Night Five

Tension was starting to build as night fell upon the Arena. Everyone felt on edge, as if they were about to be suddenly ambushed by some unseen evil lurking in the shadows. Whatever the Hooded Figure had warned them about would certainly be there by morning. This was likely going to be their last night together. They had to make it count.

Captain America sat down with Wolverine, and the two of them traded off stories to each other about their time in the military. It was surprising how different their perspectives were. They both fought for different reasons, yet they still managed to change the course of history in similar ways.

After a ton of teasing from Starfire and Blue Beetle, Raven reluctantly participated in their game of tag. She found it childish but couldn't help smiling when she saw how happy it made them, so she decided to play along for now.

Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman cuddled together under the starry night sky. What they feared most was up there, waiting to greet them again with malicious intent. But they didn't let that dampen their mood. If they were going to die, they might as well spend what little time they had left doing what they loved most, and that was being with each other.

Ghost Rider drove around their makeshift campsite in circles for hours. Nobody else rode motorcycles, so he was mostly just in a race against himself, trying to beat his own personal record each time. This was the first time the Spirit of Vengeance had ever done something just for fun. He liked it.

Doctor Strange mediated near the edge of the lake. Something dark resided beneath the water's surface, but he dared not disturb it. Now was not the time to tempt with restless souls. Who knows that evils could have been unleashed if he attempted to reach out to them?

Superman smiled. Seeing everyone enjoy themselves so thoroughly, despite what challenges laid ahead, filled him with hope. He couldn't have picked a better team even if he tried.

It was done. Everything was in place. Bruce Banner breathed a sigh of relief as he wiped the sweat off his brow. After working on it for most of the day, the device was finally up and running. A gentle hum emanated from the engine as the Green Lantern ring's power flowed through the machinery.

"Let's pray this works," he said to himself before heading back to the camp.

Captain America perked up when he saw Bruce return. He rose from his seat to greet his friend, who looked ready to collapse.

"Doctor Banner, I take it things are going well?"

The exhausted scientist barked out a laugh. It was a quiet, humorless sound, but there was no denying the victorious gleam in his eyes.

"It's done. Reed's machine is ready. All we need now are the intended targets... and for it to actually work."

Steve smiled and gave him a reassuring pat on the back.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure it's going to work just fine. I have complete faith in the two of you."

Bruce struggled to keep from getting his hopes up too high. He knew this was going to be a suicide mission. The chances of any of them getting out alive would be astronomical. Still, Steve had a way about saying things that made anything seem possible.

"Thanks, Cap. Uh... do you happen to have a megaphone? We should probably tell everybody about this."

"No need."

Doctor Strange appeared right next to them. He raised his hands in the air, and a gust of wind blew over the campsite. The heroes all turned to face him.

Mr. Fantastic looked expectantly at Banner, who nodded reluctantly. The timid scientist took a step forward and addressed the crowd.

"Hello, everyone. Um, so the machine- well, Reed's machine I mean- uh, it's complete."

Soft murmurs spread across the group. Everyone was understandably a bit anxious, but they tried to calm one another down by sharing reassuring glances.

As if reading their minds, Steve spoke up.

"Now, I know everybody here is a little nervous. Trust me, I understand. What we're going to be facing in the morning? It's something big. Bigger than all of us. And it's going to take a lot of effort to bring down. But together, we actually stand a chance. When I look at us, I don't see mutants or aliens or even demons. I see people; people that have extraordinary gifts. I see heroes that stand strong against opposition, overcome trials and tribulations, and battle with everything they have to protect what's right. I see the true strength that lies within each one of us. So rest easy tonight, for tomorrow, we rise. We rise and fight until our last breath, not for our own sake, but in memory of those we've lost along the way."

With those words, a spark of hope burned within every hero standing there. They all let out a collective cheer, knowing the end of their journey was at hand.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Their cries were cut short. They stared up at the night sky, watching in horror as runes began to rain down from above. Something was pounding on the Barrier. Through the now-flickering illusion, they could make out two gigantic shapes looming overhead.

"Oh my g-"

CRASH!

The Barrier shattered.