Chapter 37 Recruitment Part 1

"Don't worry we'll provide you protection until proper authorities come" Robot commented before walking back to give the Flaxans space.

The Flaxans accepted but they weren't sure if this was a good thing. If Humanities leaders and government were anything like theirs then this might be a rough ride. But whatever fate awaited them lacked in difficulty when compared to what they left behind.

After saying this the teen team began sitting around waiting for the GDA and it was during this time that Brandon came to his decision regarding Atom Eve. She had potential, was talented, and had a heart for people. There was no reason not to invite her. Especially now with the danger scales being higher.

'And speaking of improving my team it looks like the Flaxans built the wristbands that stimulate tachyons. Keeping them in flow with our time' Brandon didn't need to steal any from them just copy them and so with a light tap Nano machines began to merge into the group without them knowing. Give them a few hours and he'd have their complete designs.

But while they do that he'd be busy himself "Atom Eve I had something to ask you" Brandon said as he pulled her aside. He didn't want the rest of the group to hear what he had to say. His invitation to the team was a sure one. If she agreed then she'd automatically be in. The others on the other hand would need to go through proper testing like many other heroes.

"Sorry for running off earlier it's just that I'm dealing with some personal stuff"

"You don't need to explain. My question actually has to do with something completely different" Brandon clarified seeing that she was still caught up on that.

"It's not common knowledge right now but the guardians are recruiting and the one in charge of that is me. I noticed your abilities and your potential. So in representation of the Guardians, I'd like to make you an official offer to join the team."

Atom Eve froze in place with a dumb look. Joining the guardians? Her!?

'Oh my god oh my god! What do I do. Wait but I'm already in a team' However this thought came along with the images of two traitors.

Right, a team… does she even have that anymore?

"Don't worry I don't expect an answer right away. I know this isn't just something you can decide on with out time. So here's my number, once you've made up your mind give me a call"

Saying his piece he turned and walked away as his cape lightly flowed in the breeze.

Atom Eve watched this and clenched her fists. She didn't know what to decide but she'd talk to her mom first.

.

.

"You heard all of that right?" Brandon asked and soon a response came in through a small device in his ear.

"Yes, it looks like those insects thought they could play with Kryptonian DNA. Fools" Zod scoffed once again seeing the foolish mindset of lesser races.

Brandon could feel the disgust in his voice but didn't comment on it. His father's blatant racism was well… a work in progress.

"Good because I want to accelerate some of the plans. It's time I meet Spawn and Firebreather. Can you find me their current locations?"

"Already done, I started searching the moment you extended that girl an invitation."

Brandon smiled hearing his father. Zod's efficiency was truly something. Had this been Superman's father he would have made a completely off-handed approach which in the long run isn't that helpful and is just a waste of an AI.

"Good that makes things easier " Their meeting was long overdue but these two individuals were perfect for his new team.

"Spawn's location was difficult to track but I do know his general location, Firebreather on the other hand is currently in school"

"Alright, we'll start with Spawn and then I'll head to firebreather" Floating up into the sky Brandon released a sonic boom and quickly made his way to New York City.

.

.

.

In a dark alleyway in the heart of New York City, shadows twisted and coiled around a group of criminals as they dragged a homeless girl deeper into the maze of brick and grime. They hadn't expected anyone to come to her aid—not in this part of the city, and certainly not at this hour.

"Please let me go!" she cried, her voice shaking with terror as they tightened their grip on her arm.

One of the men sneered, pulling a knife from his pocket. "Shut up, girl. No one's coming for you."

But as the words left his mouth, the temperature in the alleyway dropped sharply. The shadows deepened, and a faint, eerie green light flickered from above. The men stopped, looking around in confusion, their breaths visible in the now-chilled air.

From the darkness, a deep, gravelly voice echoed. "Let her go."

Before any of them could react, a figure emerged from the shadows—a towering, imposing figure draped in a flowing, tattered red cape that seemed to move on its own. His body, clad in a black, armored suit, was covered in chains and spikes, and his glowing green eyes pierced through the darkness like beacons of death.

Spawn.

The crooks froze, their fear palpable as they stared at the hellspawn before them. One of them, trying to muster his courage, took a step forward, brandishing his knife.

"Who the hell are you supposed to be?" the man snarled, his voice wavering.

Spawn didn't answer. Instead, he moved with lightning speed, closing the distance between them in a blur. The man with the knife barely had time to register what was happening before a chain shot out from Spawn's arm, wrapping around his neck and yanking him into the air. The sound of metal clinking echoed in the alley as the man's knife clattered to the ground.

The others scrambled backward, panic setting in, but it was too late. In the blink of an eye, Spawn incapacitated them all, his chains and fists moving with a brutal precision that left no room for escape. The last man standing trembled, backing up until he hit the brick wall behind him.

"P-please," he stammered, "we didn't mean—"

Spawn stepped forward, his glowing eyes narrowing. The air around him seemed to vibrate with an unholy energy, his very presence exuding raw, terrifying power. With a swift motion, he grabbed the man by the collar, lifting him off the ground effortlessly.

"You meant every word," Spawn growled, his voice like gravel grinding together.

Spawn with ease snapped the man's neck. He'd seen it. The man would do the same action again if given the chance. Leaving him no other choice I'm the matter.

With the alley now silent, Spawn turned his attention to the girl. She was huddled in the corner, her knees drawn to her chest, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't have been more than fourteen years old, maybe fifteen at most. Her clothes were dirty and torn, her face smudged with dirt and fear.

Spawn approached her slowly, kneeling down so that his massive form was closer to her eye level. Even though he was trying to be gentle, his monstrous appearance made her flinch. His face was covered by a mask, but she could still make out the horrific burn scars peeking out from beneath it. His eyes, glowing with an ethereal green light, seemed otherworldly.

He knew he scared her. He scared everyone.

Still, he reached into the folds of his cape and pulled out a small, wrapped piece of bread and a bottle of water. It wasn't much, but it was something. Something that could help her survive, at least for a little longer.

She looked at the food in his outstretched hand, hesitant at first. But the gnawing hunger in her belly won out over her fear, and with trembling fingers, she took it.

"Thank you," she whispered, barely audible.

Spawn stood, his cape billowing behind him like a living shadow. He watched her for a moment, ensuring she was no longer in immediate danger. Then, without a word, he vanished into the night, his form dissolving into the shadows as if he had never been there at all.

He reappeared on the edge of a nearby building, his cape flowing in the wind as he surveyed the city below. The lights of New York stretched out endlessly before him making the city appear beautiful but on the outer edges were his domain. Where the city felt colder and darker than ever, a place where only the rats lived. Fitting that people took to calling it rat city.

He knew what it was like to be lost, to be afraid, to have no one. But tonight, at least, he had given someone a little hope—a small spark in the overwhelming darkness.

"I've never been much of the brooding type myself but I can see why you and a certain billionaire caped crusader may enjoy it"

Spawn's glowing eyes narrowed at the sudden voice behind him. Instinctively, his chains coiled and tensed, ready to strike. Without turning, he hissed, "Whoever you are, you're in the wrong place."

Brandon, hovering just above the rooftop, smirked. "Maybe" Brandon said as he examined the surroundings. This place was definitely dark and reminded him of Gotham. "But I can tell this is the right place"

Without warning, Spawn lashed out. His chains shot through the air, aiming for Brandon's throat, but the young man was faster than Spawn expected. Brandon dodged to the side, his movements fluid, and countered by blasting a beam of energy at Spawn. The force sent the hellspawn skidding backward, his feet digging into the concrete to stop the momentum.

"Not bad," Brandon said, landing softly on the rooftop. "But I'm not your enemy."

Spawn wasn't listening. He charged, his cape swirling like a storm around him as he threw a punch aimed directly at Brandon's face. Brandon caught it, though the impact still sent a shockwave through the air. His grin faded slightly as the realization hit him Spawn wasn't just some brute. There was power in those attacks, something primal and terrifying.

"Who sent you?" Spawn growled, his voice dripping with malice as his eyes flared with green energy. "Answer before I rip you apart."

Brandon shoved him back, creating some distance between them. "No one sent me. I'm here for the same reason you are."

Spawn lunged again, this time striking with a flurry of blows, each one powerful enough to crush bone. Brandon deflected and dodged, but a sharp chain wrapped around his leg, yanking him off his feet. Spawn moved in to strike and managed to land a powerful blow on Brandon's face. One he definitely felt but he planned on taking that hit on purpose because in the next second, he used the blow's momentum to strike back knocking Spawn a good distance back as he groaned.

"For someone who's supposed to be a hero, you're not very chatty," Brandon muttered but he soon felt a small ache on his cheek. Lightly tapping it he was surprised to feel a small tingle.

It may have been just that but to be capable of making him feel solidified Brandon's choice even further.

"I'm no hero," Spawn spat, his voice venomous. "Now talk."

Brandon straightened, finally catching his breath. "Fine but I'm surprised you haven't heard of me. I'm Ultraman, a hero and I'm here because the world needs you. Trouble and conflicts are coming our way ones bigger than any of us can handle alone"

"I work alone" Spawn said not caring about his name or title.

"I figured you'd say that" Brandon Said with a light grumble. What else would he expect from a guy who calls Batman a friend. "But like I said this is bigger than us"

"Bigger… I've heard that one before and am still dealing with it. If this is about the war between heaven and hell then your help is unneeded" Spawn said not wanting any interference.

"If it was just that then I'd leave you be but sadly it's not. The world is bigger than just your city. I'm sure you see the news. Alien invasions, holes in our dimension, Kaiju from the deep, and ancient gods. All this is just the beginning, more and more of these occurrences will continue until you can't ignore it."

For a moment, the two stood facing each other, the tension thick in the air. Spawn's chains hung loosely by his sides. He'd heard about such things and seen some but it never was his concern. But if his words held true and these things kept happening then it may even come into contact with his troubles. Should Hell gain an outside ally then his problems will become that much more difficult to deal with.

Spawn's eyes dimmed slightly, the rage simmering down as he considered his options. His chains slackened, retracting back into his armor. "Your words have truth but that isn't everything is it? And don't bother lying to me, I've dealt with demons before."

Brandon smiled lightly "I don't plan on it and you're right it's not everything. Some of the troubles I mentioned are practically here. They're just one step away from erupting. Hence why I'm searching for those strong enough to keep the world together"

"You want my help?" Spawn gruffly said. "Fine you will have it"

Without waiting for a response, Spawn dissolved into the shadows, leaving Brandon standing alone on the rooftop.

"I think I just got Batmaned… I didn't even get to give him my number." Brandon complained before leaving for his next destination but before leaving he decided to write down his number anyways and left it on the floor. He was sure that spawn was somewhere around here still watching.

Once gone Spawn reappeared watching from the distance.

"He's not wrong you know"

"Cogliostro"

"Heaven and Hell's war have been slowing, things have entered a strange calm. I'm sure you've felt it… This is all because of the happenings of the world. The game is changing and new players are entering the board. Players neither heaven nor hell can ignore."

"I'll keep that in mind"