JLA / Avengers - the hidden universe

[mr friendly guy]

My take on the JLA meeting an Avengers line up I would want to see

Chapter 1

The world known as Oa, the homeworld of the Guardians ended not in a flash of energy, but in a shroud of darkness. It was as if reality warped as space seemed to swallow up the planet. In its place a new celestial body formed, coleascing into the vague outlines of a gate. A civilization which had for untold years stood for order and justice in the cosmos, who created the Green Lantern corps for that express purpose, ended without so much of a wimper.

“This was not written in the book”, Destiny mused.
The book of Fate was opened allowing Destiny to know the all events in the past, present and future. However for the first time in their millennia of existence, one of the Endless would die the final death. For in a war across realities, destiny and fate are always the first victims. Ironically Destiny was not aware of this.

The gate had barely finished forming before a hand reached out to accost Destiny.
“You who have marked the epochs of time, now go to your end. Your entire universe nears its end. OBLIVION is here.”

* * * * * * * *
“The losing universe forfeits its existence as per the terms of the agreement.”
“Why then Oblivion, did you wait so long to honour the contract?”
“ My motives are irrelevant Eternity. As per the terms of the Living Tribunal’s agreement with the being known as the Spectre, our universe won.” *

* See DC vs Marvel miniseries for details

“You would gain power from the destruction of this other universe, and thus tip the balance between us.”
“The decrees of the Tribunal must outweigh our agreements Infinity.”

* * *
Adam Warlock awoke from his reverie. “So it begins.”
“Yes.” Eternity whispered. “The Living Tribunal has accepted Oblivion’s arguments. The Universe which opposed us during the Brother’s war will be destroyed by Oblivion.”
“You no doubt are not pleased with this new development.”
“The balance must be maintained.”
“I take it that task falls onto me.”
“You have in times past showed a remarkable aptitude for dealing with these matters, Adam Warlock.”
“I take it you are not able to interfere direction with the Tribunal’s decision, at least from our universe.” Eternity’s silence was all the answer Warlock required. “I cannot do this alone, I will need allies if the other universe is to be saved.”

* * * *
I am the Grandmaster. One of the beings known as the Elders of the Universe. We belong to the earliest races to gain sentience after the Big Bang. I am the ultimate expert of all games. I have played against the best, and even won against Death. But can I do it a second time. Yes, I can. I have defeated Death for the soul of the Collector, and I will do it again for the soul of the Contemplator. I am gambling the destruction of the opposing universe. Strangely enough Death has decided to bet against her sibling Oblivion.
“Eternity has sent Adam Warlock to help preserve the other universe.” Death intoned.
“I would expect him to do no less. Fortunately unlike Eternity I can freely enter the other universe.”
“Your move.”

* * *
“Lantern”.
“I am onto it”. Before Superman had even finished speaking, Kyle Raynor had surrounded the intruder in an energy construct.
“All right mister, start talking now.” Plastic man had taken the form of a policeman while he putting on his ‘tough guy’ persona.
“There is no need for threats. Believe it or not, I am here to help.”
“J’onn, is he telling the truth?”.
“Unfortunately Superman, I am unable to penetrate his mental shields.”
“If you gentlemen have finished with your alpha male behaviour. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Grandmaster, and your universe is doomed. Of course this can be prevented with my help.”
“How convenient for you.” Diana aka Wonder Woman placed her lasso around the Grandmaster. “You cannot lie while under the lasso’s power.”
“Of course. There is no need for this hostility. I am the Grandmaster. To put it simply I am the penultimate in playing games. I have wagered significantly on the outcome of whether you universe lives or dies, so as you can see, it is in my interest to help the Justice League. You do fight for justice, truth and all that associated baggage, do you not?”
“We are listening.” Grandmaster watched the Dark Knight who had spoken. This Batman despite having no ‘superpowers’, was a danger by virtue of his constant paranoia.
“Do you remember when two cosmic beings declared a battle between your universe and another universe, my place of origin.” Taking the looks of comprehension from the Leaguers as consent, the Grandmaster continued. “To put it simply your universe lost. Batman defeated Captain America, Superman defeated the Hulk, but Wonder Woman lost to Storm. Overall my universe won. And now Oblivion has decided to collect his prize. The annihilation of your universe. Its all part of his scheme to tip the balance between himself an Infinity. For in the death of your universe Oblivion will gain power.”
“Just point us to Oblivion and the Justice League will kick his arse back to his own universe.” Plastic man was always one for colourful language.
“Unfortunately it is not simply a matter of ‘kicking his arse’. Oblivion is too powerful even for the Justice League. He has already destroyed what was left of the Guardians of Oa.”
“What,” Green Lantern gasped.
“However the forces opposed to Oblivion, have not been idle.” The Grandmaster continued, unmoved by the shock looks on the faces of the Justice League. “The Celestials have a device, a technological wonder which will prevent Oblivion breaching the dimensional barrier to your universe. Its not completed yet, however a declaration among the cosmic powers prevents them from directly using it. This decree does not apply to you.”
“So we just ask to borrow the Celestial’s device and seal off the universes.”
“I can take you to my universes equivalent of Earth, but I cannot directly help you. Be warned, Oblivion has also sent his agent Adam Warlock to find this device and make sure no one else can use it.”
“Wait,” Superman shouted. Too late, the Grandmaster disappeared. Moments later, the JLA also disappeared.
* * * * *
“Your plan may easily turn against you when the Justice League find out what the true purpose of the Celestial device.”
“I didn’t really lie to them. The device in a manner of speaking will prevent Oblivion entering their universe.”
“You play a dangerous game Grandmaster.”
“What other game is there to play. Death, I believe its your move.”

* * * *
Asgard, home of the Norse Gods. The once fertile ground had since decayed, its once proud buildings lies in ruins. “Thor, it is time to awake.”
“Leave me alone Warlock. I have ended my people’s never-ending cycle of Ragnorak, it is time for me to rest.”
“You of all beings must know that duty sometimes must outweigh personal feelings. Even while asleep, your mystical senses must have allowed you to sense the events happening in the cosmic hierarchy. Thor, God of Thunder must once again walk the Earth, this time with the full might of the Odin Force.”
“Begone Warlock.”
“You owe me a debt for when the Infinity Watch help bring you out of your warrior madness.”
“Warlock, thou hast ever been a manipulative one. Depart less I throw you out. I have no more interest in the affairs of Midgard”
“Oh but you should. Eternity has prophesised that your actions here would have bearings on the future of the Asgardian race.”
“What madness dost thou speak Warlock. My people lie dead at your feet. Only myself and Loki’s head survive.”
“Adam Warlock may tell only one aspect of the truth, but I do not lie.”

Thunder blazed in the background, while the ground trembled as Warlock sensed the power Thor now had his command. The frightening aspect of it, was that this was only a fraction of the power Thor now wielded. For the first time Warlock wondered about his wisdom in waking a sleeping giant. The sockets where Thor’s eyes once were blazed with energy. Thor had sacrificed both to gain the wisdom to reacquire the Odin Force.
“Here is my answer Warlock”
“AVENGERS ASSEMBLE”.