UNIVERSE BOWL VI: CONCLUSION

THE HORSEMEN OF APOKOLIPS ARE VICTORIOUS

AND ARE CROWNED UNIVERSE BOWL VI CHAMPIONS!!!

Sole Survivor: Life Model Decoy #3

UNIVERSE BOWL VI: EPILOGUE 2: DECEPTION AND A DECOY

            “Tell me the story,” the shadow’s voice echoes.

Mysterio commences his tale.

            “When the Technodrome was first struck by the U.S.S. Enterprise, my particular designation was not fully implemented.  My robotic form was both nebulous and without a functional appearance.  Notwithstanding these issues, the enhancements melded into my form by the Anti-Monitor allowed me to move without obtaining a specific, relevant code which would allow me to mimic a particular subject’s appearance.  Like the other decoys, the augmentation provided by the Anti-Monitor, as well as enrichments supplied by the High Evolutionary, I was able to function as an independent participant, without the necessity of a ‘controller.’

            “I was placed into a Technodrome module before the launch of the vessel, knowing that a certain event would create the opportunity for my form’s release.  The module was pre-programmed to jettison at an exact time to assure my arrival at the city region.  Thanos, although knowing of my existence, was not able to indicate any knowledge in case the opponent was able to position a listening device in the ship, which would deliver my existence to the enemy and foil any plan of secrecy necessary to fool the other side.  To assure that not only sound, but also additional senses would not destroy the secret, certain members of my team, being particularly Thanos, made sure that no life signals would be obtained from any instrument should either vessel, especially the Enterprise, complete a scan of the Technodrome. 

            “There was a calculated risk that the module would not allow me the opportunity to locate anyone and I would sit without having been utilized by my team.  Nonetheless, it was assumed that since the cityscape is often a focal point of Playoff Planet matches, especially with this particular Watcher, it would be safe to conclude that my form would eventually stumble across someone from the other team to mimic. I was to sustain the amorphous form until I was able to locate my prey.

            “After crashing into a building, the viewport of the ship was destroyed, allowing me to escape the module, without having to trigger the locking mechanism of the ship.  Thus, an investigation of the site would prove inconclusive as to whether a life form was actually in the module.  By a magnificent coincidence, the illusionist Mysterio was alone and heard my unprogrammed body near the vessel.  I killed him, taking his form and thus, became a functional and exact double of Quentin Beck.  My next objective was to infiltrate the Royal Highness and position myself to assure my team’s victory. 

            “I eventually was herded back into the fold by the remaining members of the Sinister Six.  My speech patterns, scent, body language and thought patterns, as well as all other biological indicators were perfected such that the Highness, even with all of their telepaths, were unable to suspect my infiltration into their fold.

            “Near the final battle, to assure myself of survival, I allowed my thought pattern to be explored by Exodus, who recognized me as being on his own team.  Instantly knowing that if he hesitated, he would permit the enemy to realize who I actually was, the mutant ‘pushed’ me into the building and created a force shield around my form which managed to sustain me until the finale between Professor Charles Xavier and Joseph, even upon Exodus’ demise.

            “Based upon the calculations provided by my internal wiring, I concluded that although I may have joined the finale, my opponents, if discovering my true form, would most assuredly destroy me.  A mere illusionist, even with some enhanced powers, would not be able to accomplish a victorious resolution over the remaining combatant.  Thus, I waited until the battle was completed between all participants and could remove myself from the encasement surrounding my form. 

 
            “After surveying the decimation remaining in the city, as well as verifying that all combatants were dead through the sky placards, I headed straight to this locker room.  That is my story.  I am now here as the sole survivor of Universe Bowl VI. . .  Quentin Beck. . .  Mysterio. . . Life Model Decoy #3. . . of the Horsemen of Apokolips.

UNIVERSE BOWL VI EXCLUSIVE: A BEARY SPECIAL STORY

            Wish Bear, Friend Bear and Bedtime Bear playfully frolic in a flowery field located on the Horsemen of Apokolips compound. 

            “I’m so glad we have the opportunity to participate in the Universe Bowl,” exclaims an excited Bedtime Bear.

            “Me, too,” says an enthusiastic Friend Bear.  “Like my namesake, I sure want to make a ton of new friends!”

            “Maybe if we holds our paws and wish together, it will happen!” states Wish Bear.

            The three Care Bears hold onto each other’s paws, close their eyes and wish with all their might that they befriend new people on the battlefield.

***

            “You must accomplish this task,” demands One Above All to the High Evolutionary.

            “It is done,” answers High Evolutionary.  “The cloud will achieve our goal.”

***

            As the bears continue to play in the pansies and daisies, a purple cloud floats through the field in which the creatures amuse themselves.

            “That cloud looks a little scary,” whimpers Wish Bear.

            “Remember Wish, they’re only clouds and clouds can’t hurt you,” says Bedtime Bear.

            “Okay!” says Wish Bear.  “I’ll be brave!”

            The cloud magically settles over the area.  The bears breathe in the vapors contained within the fog and suddenly retch.  All bears scream in agony and throw up as they feel their essences being transformed into something more.

            “What the f#ck kinda sh%t was that?!?!” shouts Friend Bear.

            “Shut your punka$$ mouth, or I’m gonna put a cap in your b#%cha$$,” shrieks Wish Bear.

            The bears begin to fight amongst each other until they exhaust themselves.  They look at one another and laugh.

            “Let’s head back,” says Friend Bear.  “They’re going to call us real soon to the Bowl.”

            The trio head back to the compound and see gas being fueled into the Artrip pimpmobile.

            “This b#%cha$$ ride is gonna be mine and I’m gonna pimp it out,” Friend Bear states. 

            “You can hold shotgun,” instructs Friend to Bedtime.  “I’m driving and Wish can push the pedals.”

            “Deal,” states Bedtime and Wish in unison.

            “I’m going to beef up the tuneage with some block rockin’ beats,” exclaims Bedtime Bear.

            “And don’t forget to strap,” say Wish Bear.

            The three bears hum along to a Black Eyed Peas’ song as they commence their tasks.  They smile and anticipate the forthcoming battle.

UNIVERSE BOWL VI: CHAPTER XXXIII: THE AWAKENING

            A scattering of boards is tossed aside as the form of Mysterio shambles through the building’s door.  He sees both the decimation and devastation which now litter the cityscape.  The illusionist attempts to clear his head and begins his journey. 

UNIVERSE BOWL VI: CHAPTER XXXII: MAESTRO AND MAGNETISM

            “You have a bit of blood flowing from your nostrils, Joseph,” says Xavier as he makes a wiping gesture.

            Joseph cleans his nose on the back of his arm. 

            “It happens in war, Charles,” quips Joseph, “people die; sides lose; all a part of the game.”

            “This is not a game, my friend,” corrects Professor X.  “You are dying.  The strain suffered by you pushing yourself too far in the creation of your monster has wounded both body and mind.”

            “My death shall not be in vain,” replies Joseph, thinking how he came to this point in his life, realizing that it all started with the loss of the bears to his weaponized submarine.

            The veins on Joseph’s forehead begin to bulge as pieces of his previous monster are melded together with Metroplex.  Professor X will not allow the enemy to accomplish his goal of creating another monstrosity.  Xavier focuses all of his attention on Joseph’s brain and projects a psionic blast at the already weakened mind of Joseph.  Droplets of blood begin to tear from Joseph’s eyes.

            “I know what you have done to me, Charles!” shouts Joseph.  “It’s not enough!!!”

            Joseph’s partially created invention fires a laser at the hover chair of Xavier. Professor X is thrown from his transport as the chair explodes and then is vacuumed into Joseph’s creation.

            “Everything you have is mine, Charles,” states Joseph.  “Everything!!!”

            Through bloodshot eyes, Joseph throws his left arm up and a piece of his beast, previously Xavier’s chair, flies from its formation, piercing the side of Professor X.  Xavier screams is agony.  In response, Xavier unleashes a mind blast upon Joseph, who wails at the overloaded information scrambling through his brain.  The blast is followed by another psionic blast aimed at Joseph’s mind.  Joseph feels the effects of the two blows as blood begins to stream out of his ears now.

            “No more!” shouts Joseph as his monster falls upon an immobile Charles Xavier, crushing the life from the mutant.

            A grin creeps across Joseph’s face.  He attempts to walk a few steps and stumbles, falling to the ground.  Blood flows from the clone’s eyes, ears and nose.  The last sight Joseph sees before closing his eyes forever is the heads of three smiling bears staring at him.  Joseph dies with a smile on his face.