MI-13: Part VI

Trapped in a world they never made, our heroes are confronted by a militarised police force demanding their surrender for the crime of being superheroes. Psylocke attempts to point out that they're not really dressed like superheroes, but is countered by Purple Shadow mentioning that two of the party are wearing capes and that one has a British flag shirt on. Seeing that the path behind is blocked, our heroes have no choice but to force their way through the police line. Not wanting to waste time, Purple Shadow runs towards the first squad and fly-kicks the leading officer, using that momentum, she crashes knees-first into the second whilst pushing out her mysterious aura into the remainder. Before she knows it, Purple Shadow has knocked the entire team unconscious. In response to the rapid defeat of their colleges, a second team of police turn and shoot at Purple Shadow, seriously wounding her. 

Inspired by his teammate's actions, Union Jack runs into another squad of police and swings his mighty arms like clubs, felling the fascists one after another, he calls "Behind me, Purple Shadow" over his shoulder as he runs. Seeing that their chances in close quarters are limited, the remaining police open fire at Union Jack, only to watch their bullets drop uselessly to the ground after striking him. Psylocke concentrates her telekinetic might into a blade of pure energy and swings it menacingly, but the police have learned their lesson and are backing off. The Sandman moves to Psylocke's side, having learned previously how fragile she can be in a fight. Union Jack makes short work of another squad whilst Psylocke uses her powers to tip a Tango vending machine onto the police hassling her, with Sandman's help, they mop them up quickly. Sandman has just enough time as the others run ahead to grab a snack from a nearby vending machine. 

Just as the heroes round a corner into what seems like safety, they are caught in the glaring spotlight of a helicopter. A voice over loudspeaker demands surrender and our heroes prepare to fight, until the concrete around them is peppered with rotary cannon fire; as even Union Jack doubts he can withstand such a blast, the plan becomes to flee and hide. Union Jack punches a hole straight through the nearest wall and then just keeps going, bashing his way through buildings until sounds of pursuit die away. As the heroes pause to catch their breath, Sandman notices that they are not alone, someone is watching from the shadows. When the figure is challenged, a gaunt women in tattered in clothing steps forward and asks one question; "Are you Superheroes?" 

The woman is Linda McQuillian, formerly Captain UK, Merlin's champion in this reality and the last remaining superhero. As she is familiar with multiverse theory, Captain UK is not overly shocked by the presence of an alternate MI-13 and tells them the story of how her world became a nightmare. Captain UK talks of the rise of MP Jaspers to the Tory leadership and his election to Prime Minister on an anti-Superhero platform; shortly thereafter, the purges began and the heroes started to disappear. Captain UK was hiding with some of the last heroes alive when it came for them, a cyobite monstrosity known only as The Fury, with a single purpose; it kills superheroes. The combined might of MI-13 was as nothing against The Fury, even Miracle Man was killed with one blast. Captain UK only survived because Tom Rosetta threw her into a teleporter. With the heroes now here, The Fury will come again, hunting and killing every hero until there is none left. 

The building is now surrounded by police demanding that the heroes surrender, but something is different this time, the police are hanging back and there is, another figure with them. The hulking, misshapen form of The Fury is uncanny to witness, with its lumbering, inhuman gait and glowing eyes in an otherwise-featureless face. As soon as it comes into sight, Captain UK begins to scream. Stepping into the light, Union Jack is the first to be targeted by The Fury, a blast of energy lighting up the night. When Union Jack emerges unscathed, The Fury starts to change; the gun one arm terminates in shifting in shape to become something new. Psylocke rams The Fury with a dumpster as Union Jack swings his mighty fist, whilst both strike home, neither seems to harm the cyobite. Captain UK, upon seeing The Fury, screams like a wounded animal, curls up into a ball and soils herself as Purple Shadow tries to comfort her; Sandman decides the best course of action is to hide in the building. 

Trying to clear a path to safety, Psylocke runs the dumpster in her telekinetic grasp into a team of police, knocking several over. Seeking similar refuge, Sandman drifts out of a window in his sand form, getting close to a second group of police before reforming and using his gas gun on them. Hearing Purple Shadow cry out for help from the ruins, Psylocke uses her power to levitate the ineffectual Captain UK out of harm's way whilst she simultaneously wipes out the first team of police with the dumpster. Union Jack and The Fury are locked in single combat, with neither able to gain the upper hand, the hero's mightiest blows failing to do any real damage. However, just when things look hopeless, a boom splits the air and a portal opens up above The Fury, disgorging none other than, The Champions of the Omniverse! 

Seeing a new threat, The Fury turns and opens fire at the Champions, just as Sandman notices Koga pocketing an enigmatic device used to close the Boom Tube. Manzilla grabs Psylocke from the fray and throws her towards safety as Gigawatt yells at MI-13 to get clear; the Champions will handle The Fury. Union Jack is reluctant to leave, breaking a convenient box over The Fury's misshapen head as Purple Shadow runs in to back him up. The Champions of the Omniverse dog-pile onto The Fury keeping it pinned with weight of numbers and off-balance by having Sonic Tsunami ice the ground under its feet. Meanwhile, Sandman has crept up behind Koga and tries to grab the portal device from his wrist, but only gets a painful shock for his trouble. Seeing that MI-13 aren't taking their advice to clear the area, and are attempting to steal the Motherboxx, Firenado blasts Sandman and yells at him to get clear, The Champions have a plan. 

Spider-Strike uses his oft-neglected web-shooters to tie up Purple Shadow before scooping her up and running towards safety. Not trusting Sandman to go along with the plan, Union Jack grabs his teammate and follows Spider-Strike into the cover of the building, as the pair of heroes from different realities run side-by-side, Spider-Strike passes Purple Shadow over to Union Jack and returns to the fight against The Fury. For once, Spider-Strike does something well and his multiple venom-blasts land, bringing The Fury down. Whilst The Fury is temporarily dormant, Koga operates the Motherboxx and a portal opens above the Champions, they depart with The Fury, leaving MI-13, once again, stranded in a hostile world. As the after-battle calm descends, our heroes can hear laughter echoing in the distance...