(General POV)
Location the New Earth: Manhattan; New York, the Avenger Tower
Some time later, Tony was dead tired, resting on a coach near the bar of the recreation area, having not only just having returned from a massive attack from HYDRA of all thing, he along with Cap, Spiderman, Hawkeye, Black Panther, Black Widow, and Falcon fought off a united wave of HYDRA, AIM, and to everyone's surprise the more fish like Atlantians, under the underwater warlord Attuma, meaning that while everything was happening in these week, HYDRA that has been quiet for soo long, has come back in numbers, than the kid, Peter, mentioned that he believes HYDRA might have been responsible for the attack, and breakout on Ryker's Island.
Meaning some of Peter's rogue gallery might have also joined HYDRA, things are going completely awful, especially with Mao's little consolation prize to whoever is the loser of the game, that only has around nine days left, and the scores have been steady at 50/50 for days now, sighing the Iron Avenger walked over to the bar, and poured himself a real stiff drink.
After a bit, and taking a drink, Tony sighed, as a strong man with long hair, having some medical device strapped on his belly, and leg, treating the injuries he'd suffered after the fight in Hell's Kitchen, that cost Iceman's life.
This is Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, he looked at Tony, and said in mocking tone, "Roughy day, Tony" Tony gave a flat laugh, poured a glass for Bucky and offered it to Winter Soldier, who graciously accepted, and finally Tony spoke, "More than rough, Buck." taking another drink, Tony explained that the attack on their terf, Manhattan, Friday informed him too late that MODOK, Dr. Octopus, and Electro attacked a government blacksite, and aside killing all guards, they stole all data and technology in that blacksite, this was basically a big distraction.
Luckily that attack, and robbery only equalled the points of the twisted game of Mao, Bucky still on bed rest, he couldn't fight alongside Cap, Tony, Thor, and the others, at least in a week he'll be back on full strength...which is also bad news, since it be too late to help.
This pissed off Bucky, as his mechanical arm, started tighting his grip on the bar counter, that when Tony said in a tired tone, "Bucky, that counter didn't do anything to you...right?" and Winter Soldier realized what he was doing, saying sorry at Tony who waved it off, like it's no big deal and told Friday to sent some drones to fix up the counter later, as they drank a bit in silence until Bucky brought the question up, "Who you think, will be hero group getting picked?" Tony sighed, finished his drink and told Friday to bring up the file of the heroes.
Friday said in a feminine voice, "Right away boss.", as several blue and electric blue colored lights, made holographic files of several heroes that Ironman, Thor, Captain America, Captain Marvel, and Spidermen together though that they be great assets...if they'd lose the game.
Files showed a muscular man, with a wide smile, and like V like yellow hair, saying he is Japan's number one hero in his world, his name Toshinori Yagi aka All Might, then a tanned skinned woman, with white long hair, and rabbit traits, her name Rumi Usagiyama aka Mirko, another woman with sensual, ferocious vibe, with faded yellow hair, her name Ryuko Tatsuma aka Ryukyu, and much more from Mt. Lady, Midnight, Grand Orca, and protégés that have done a lot for the world Deku, Battle Fist, Chargebolt, and more the only issue they'd had with these hero it the one called Katsuki Bakugo or as he's called Great Explosion Murder God...nope they'll just call him by his last name Dynamight.
Dynamight is too hot-headed and extremely violent, Bucky agreed but most of these heroes would be welcomed allies in this messed up, merged world, as the two Avengers keep talking about the Hero Association candidates, other hero group are having similar conversations.
Location Washington, D.C; the Hall of Justice
In the planet side, memorial museum and secret base on Earth of the Justice League, Batman, called some of the League to discuss possible recruits for the League, already the second Earthling Green Lantern, John Stewart agreed to join, so that one spot taken.
As they were deep underground of the public access area of the museum, in a massive golden accented room with a round table, baring the League's logo, and some of the Leaguers were gathered in this...their first headquarters from long ago, with the Caped Crusader is Flash, Wonder Woman, Hal Jordan, Shazam, and Martian Manhunter, as the rest continue to try keep order and peace, especially with the deadline of the game, being just around the corner.
They sat and talked of several candidates from Hawkgirl, Doctor Fate, Swamp Thing, and more, until Hal sighing, as he adjusted himself on his chair.
Earning Diana's concern, as she'd asked Green Lantern, "what's the matter?" Hal looked at the amazon princess, and told the team that with the score of the game, being in equal margin, and...many, many of their loved ones in danger, this made Bruce, Diana, Billy, and Barry feel bad, J'onn could sense all his companions' sorrow and worries, emanate in great amounts.
Hal said then, "Guys, I know I feel the same as all of you, but we have to talk about this. The deadline is closing in, we'll win and have new enemies, or we'll lose...and aside suffering we'll have potential allies." Batman sighed, and pulling a portable holographic core from his utility belt.
A small round device, with a reflective surface that showed some files of the heroes that they can possibly have, as allies, the first showed young man with black short hair, yellow goggles and a blue headgear that exposes his face, his name Markus Grayson aka Invincible that possesses similar power to Superman without superbreathe, ice-breath, or laser vision, next image shows a young woman with long red hair, in a pink theme costume, her name Samantha Wilkins aka Atom Eve, another file of a young African American man, with briaded hair with yellow goggles, in a yellow and orange themed costume, his name Zandale Randolph.
Other files showing Dupli-kate, Monster Girl, Robot, Knockout, Rex Splode, and more heroes, teenagers that had to rise in responsibility to protect the world from villains that should be in Superman's rogue gallery, despite their age they have done soo much, they are heroes through and through, earning even the Darth Knight respect, something that Wonder Woman, Shazam, and the others felt the same, as they started reviewing the entire roster of the Guardians of the Globe, as they continue to discuss this.
Location Jump City, Titan Tower: Living Room
Nightwing came into a huge living room, with a great view of the entire city, a C shaped, black sofa, a kitchen and dining area off the side, and the main monitor at the front, Nightwing is recovering from the destruction of Bludhaven, the blue and black costume superhero, saw that monitor was showing the file of one of the choices of heroes that can become apart of their world.
Standing is a young teen, in red and green costume with a black cape with hood, this is Dick's little brother, and the latest Robin, Damian Wayne, beside him is a founder of the Titans, Nightwing old friend and teammate, Cyborg.
His mechanical white and blue hand, pointing at the screen, saying something at Damien, sitting down is Artemis a blonde haired, green theme archer, with the sorceress a pale grayed skin young woman, with violet short hair, wearing a dark leotard and indigo hooded cape, she is Raven.
As Nightwing called them all, greeting his team and friends, he was greeted back, as he saw that the Titans were talking about the Overwatch group, who have protected world from major threats, men and women that have become heroes fighting against various threat a file of middle-eastern woman with gray hair, and a eyepatch Ana Amari, a super genius, engineer, a...short man, that Beast Boy who came in commented that the new guy, looks like a dwarf, his name is Torbjörn Lindholm, a giant of a man in medieval themed power knight armor, name Reinhard, and many other files of Tracer, Wiston, Anran, D'va, Lucio, and much more, Nightwing commented these people would make great allies...but he also commented that their appearance in their world, means that they'll lose...making the room quiet, and awkward, but Damien in his cool tone spoke.
He said, "What is with the gloom...we'll win, this is just a precaution, cause we don't know if Mao will only do one of these sick games. Better to be prepared for the worse, than regret it." while it wasn't a emotional supporting speech, the gathered Titans understood, and Dick walked over and patted his young brother shoulder, which Damien smacked Dick's hand away, as usual.
The Titans' mood lightened a bit, especially when Cyborg offered to order pizza, so they can get to work with full bellies, making everyone laugh, agreeing with Victor, as they continue discussing about Overwatch.
Location South Pole; Surface of Frozen Cave, HYDRA Sub. Main Deck
Octavius, along with MODOK and Red Skull, were incredibly pleased, they're attacks on Manhattan and North Dakota, has proven to be fruitful for HYDRA, MODOK is laughing and smiling with excitement the tech they've stolen is already being added to the submarine, and arming their forces.
Red Skull, even complimented Dr. Octopus' imitative genius, improving the governments inferior designs, energy weaponry, advance cloaking, and augmented armor along with combat mechs, this is truly a victory for HYDRA, as Sin a red haired and theme HYDRA princess, and the Red Skull's grand daughter came into the command area of the main deck, bringing with a data pad, presenting respectfully to her grandfather, Skull smile and said "Well done, my Liebes Mädchen." pressing some codes on the dark red lite, pad screen, and then files of a terrorist organization with amazing potential, called Talon, the leader a strong, fierce looking woman with brown hair and red eyes, her name Marzia Bartalotti aka Vendetta, other members of this group, a hooded man with a skull like mask, resembling death his name Gabriel Reyes aka Reaper, a orange slick side haired woman, with a wicked look, her name Moira O'Deorain, a robot or opnic as their known, with a old style mobster theme, name Maximilien.
Not only their abilities, but technological capabilities is a great interest to HYDRA, other members that are displayed are Widowmaker, Sombra, Sigma, Mauga, Emre, and Domina, all worthy of serving HYDRA, while the risk that came with losing Mao's game...
The consolation was truly worth, one-billion random rabble with no worth being taken, MODOK and Dr. Octopus predicted that odd that any of them being taken, are astronomical, but this threat did work keeping Vulture, Rhino, and Electro under control, especially with the next recruit that Octavius has set his eyes on.
An old colleague, doctor Curtis Connor, also known as the Lizard a monster that has nearly killed Spiderman, and other heroes various occasions, while a shame that they'll lose such a brilliant mind, the man behind that reptile is too law-abiding to serve their purposes, right now Viper and Electro have been despatched to find him, as Octavius has prepared a more powerful lizard formula for Connors.
Red Skull approved of Octavius' plan, and Attuma was currently keeping away all the pesky Atlantians under Namor, or that other soo called Sea King, Aquaman away from the South Pole's waters, Red Skull then turned to Sin, who upon seeing his serious expression kneeled respectfully at him.
Making Skull smile please, as he spoke in a German accented, deep voice, "Granddaughter, I have a mission of out most importance for you." she responded with eagerness, in a similar accent, sensual, womanly voice, "Yes my master, Red Skull." Red Skull ordered her to make Killmonger meet him, on their location, without alerting any of their enemies, she responded, "Considered it done, hail HYDRA." when she said those last words, all chanted with her, "Hail HYDRA!!"
As Sin left the deck, Red Skull examined the files on the Talon Agents again, and said with a smile, "Yes...hail indeed."
Location Metropolis: Lex Corp, Luthor's Office
Luthor in his private office of his company, was displeased, looking over the unbelievable view over the entirety of Metropolis, with a scowl on his face, for he'd never expected that these new...heroes...Avengers, X-men, and more would manage to breach the huge gap, that the Joker did with the Houston destruction.
Now the two side are struck in a deathlock, which was forcing Luthor to accelerate his plan, at least Captain Cold, and now so is Cheetah have been secured into his group, Cheetah personally came to him, offering her service for protection from the Forsaken, so for this instance he's grateful to those monsters.
Another appreciation he has for Mao is keeping that damned alien off his business, as he turn to his desk, and pressed something on the surface showing various images of the soo called villains, that are worth recruiting from another world.
The Omni-villains while possessing many useful pawns...the file on the alien, Markus Grayson aka Omnivincible a young half-alien with power like Superman, that boy interest him, if he can secure a DNA sample, he might replicate his power for much better uses, then another file on a blond haired man, that suffered a great tragedy under alien, gaining electric powers, Scott Duvall aka Powerplex, a woman with capable hand-to-hand capabilities called Knuckle Buster, a fire elemental name Volcanikka, all capable candidates for his Legion, as Black Archer has been calling their group.
Regardless will Luthor, he despises losing, the consolation bring great opportunity for him to finally kill Superman, the League, and all that stand in the way of mankind's greater potential, as well as the rise of his eternal legacy.
Just as he was having the computer come up with contingencies against this Omnivincible, a call came in a secure line, checking the caller to be Malcolm, he'd answered as the Black Archer, has found a great opportunity to tip the scales back to their favor, Luthor smile, and sat down, and said "Tell me, Merlyn what do you have plan?"