The Outcasts' Alternate Universes & Hellscapes

2 - Earth 218: Professor Victorious

WRITTEN BY CONNOR HICKMAN

With the bat mutant's neck in his metal hands grip, Professor Paradox squeezed and snapped it. The creature went limp, Batsy was dead!

Dropping the body to the floor, the eyes of the villain scanned across the room. He studied the different corpses that surrounded him as well as those who were still alive. His eyes finally landed on his wife, Serena Hellford, who stood, terrified, standing in a corner. She had been terrified ever since she saw what he did to Hassan's child. Her fear turned into anger when she saw the monster that was her husband.

"You're a demon!" she spat at him, her voice filled with hate. "You're nothing but an evil killer! You killed Hassan because you wanted revenge, which ended in the deaths of John, Liz and even two kids!"

Her eyes landed on a dead young black girl and a teenage white female, laying side by side with blood running from their necks. They reminded her so much of her own family. Professor Paradox said nothing as he watched his wife continue to rant against him. He was far too busy thinking about the new plan that he had for his life after this disastrous mission.

He knew how his wife felt though, he understood why she was extremely angry. It wasn't often that a man would kill a young girl just to get back at his employee, let alone two. He hated that he had done that, but then again, if he hadn't, he wouldn't have won. Both girls had to die!

The last thing he needed right now was to argue with his wife. He needed her on his team. That was the only way he'd be able to make sure that Hellford Laboratories was never threatened again.

Tightening his fists, Victor turned to face Serena once more.

"You will help me rebuild my company."

Serena shook her head.

"Never, this is my company! My name is on the building! I'm not helping you turn this place into a madhouse! I was on your side, to begin with, but not now. Not after all of this!"

Professor Paradox grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. The force of his actions caused Serena to fall onto the ground with a heavy thud. He pinned her to the floor, his body hovering over hers. Serena looked up at him, her green eyes filled with terror and hatred.

"Are you really going to test me like this?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered, her voice shaking. "I am. If you want this company, you'll have to calm down and treat me like a real woman."

Professor Paradox's eyes widened slightly. He didn't know how to respond to her statement. She had given him a challenge, one that he couldn't refuse. Climbing off the lady, he straightened his jacket and peered down at her.

"Very well!" he said as he smiled wickedly at her. "You win, I'll do whatever it takes to have you on board."

"Good!" Serena replied, relieved that things had settled down.

As she rose to her feet, an idea would pop into the scientist's mind. One that would change the course of history forever.

---

The sun was beginning to set and Serena was walking along a street in London City. She had no clue where she was going. All she knew was that there were many heroes that resided around these parts and maybe, just maybe, one of them could help her out. She had no idea where they lived, but she did know a fair few identities.

She continued to walk down the sidewalk until she found herself outside a small apartment building. There were a few people inside, including a man who seemed to be talking to himself. It wasn't the strangest sight to see in this city and Serena soon moved on.

A block away she came upon another building with a large sign hanging above its entrance. Serena's head began to ache as she suddenly felt a presence, someone, nearby. As she slowly looked behind her she noticed the man who was mumbling to himself. He was wearing all black, a hood covering his entire head.

"Who are you?" she called to him as she approached the man.

He froze but stood silent.

"Come on!" Serena exclaimed. "What do you want? I can tell you're foll—"

Before Serena could finish her sentence, the man raised a hand and shoved her backwards. She fell flat onto the pavement and rolled several times before coming to a stop. Instantly, the man stepped forward and removed his hood.

"Serena Hellford!" he yelled. "You are sentenced to death!"

"Says who?" she coughed.

The stranger revealed a gun from beneath his jacket and pointed it directly at her head.

"I'm the court of the criminal underworld. I am the Judge! I am The Solar Flare!" he shouted. "I will bring justice to this world! Now, prepare yourself for your execution, for your part in the deaths at Hellford Laboratories! You can't hide everything from me! Not anymore!"

Serena looked up at him, her eyes beginning to tremble.

"Why are you doing this?" she whispered.

"I told you, I'm the court of the criminal underworld. People like you must pay for their crimes. You helped kill some of the most beloved people in this city! Your life is forfeited!"

With a quick pull of the trigger, the bullet pierced through the centre of Serena's forehead. She quickly slumped to the pavement, her body lying still. The man strode over to her and kicked her body hard, causing the dead woman to roll to her side. He stood over her for a few seconds before pulling out a notepad.

"The sentence is complete." he mumbled, opening the pad and striking the name of the victim.

With a click of a button, he closed the notebook and placed it in his pocket.

"Now then, let's get back to business."

---

The next morning, Victor paced around his office nervously. He hadn't heard from his wife since last night. Of course, he knew she wouldn't go so far without telling him where she was going, but he feared for her safety nonetheless.

"Damn it!" he screamed as he slammed his fist against his desk. "Where the hell has she gone?"

Paradox reached into his pocket and took out his phone, dialling her number for about the hundredth time. After a moment of waiting he hung up, angry that she hadn't picked it up. Had she run off with another man? Victor wondered. Despite the anger coursing through his veins, he knew something was wrong.

"Dammit!" he yelled again.

His anger suddenly turned into concern. What if a villain had hurt her? That would be terrible. If he didn't get any leads today, he'd have to take matters into his own hands. Cracking his knuckles, he made his way towards the window and stared outside as he thought to himself.

"I will find you..."