Zero Twist

I find the Zero Men Finally, they seem to have their hands full with 4 thugs of their own. It's impressive to watch them work it reminds me of a younger version of me...Fitting considering the fact that Obsidian is an alternate version of me from another reality. But he's clumsy, if not for his armor he'd be dead by now, watching his friend fight instead of minding his own opponent.
I wait for them to finish dispatching their refuse oddly they leave 2 of them alive although both kills are credited to Crimson. Ahh the irony does not escape me. Then Obsidian catches my reflection, their bodies visibly shudder.

I am well received.

"Gentlemen I have need of your services."
They seem dejected as if my presence is untimely.

"Black Mantis" They both give a polite bow of respect. I hate formalities but they want to show respect so I don't begrudge them. They know their place and so do I.

Obsidian (i.e. Me) speaks for the two of them.
"I apologize sir, but right now we have a very urgent matter to take care of and we're in the middle of..."

His thoughts reach me before his words leave his mouth.

"Yes yes, the Lunari's parents, I know. I have already put several of my best agents on it."

This surprises them, and they seem not just a tad puzzled so I explain what's really going on.

"Your suspect Dominion has already gotten what he wanted from them. He has duplicated the power source of the being known as Infinity-Man."

Obsidian raises his visor, he looks sick. He knows Infinity-Man personally through his affiliation with the "Scions of Justice".

"Tell me you're kidding, please. Oh what am I saying? You never kid." He pauses to fully appreciate the impact of what I have told them. Infinity-Man possesses the power of several dozen Deities, the gods of light gifted him with powers previously unheard of for a mortal. They even got me into the act and you don't want to know what I contributed. Suffice it to say that Infinity-Man is a true threat to all life even to beings as powerful as me.

"How?"
Obsidian begins speaking to me as an equal, good he's focused now no time for bowing and scraping and such.

"Dominion used the two scientists to create the last part of a ritual that would give him the final part of what he needs to create a cosmic infuser."

Crimson speaks, he seems confounded. "Why don't you guys handle it? It seems a bit out of our league."

"A valid question Crimson, Why indeed. The one thing he does not have is Infinity-Man himself, and I am forbidden from interfering in ANY matters concerning him with NO exceptions."

"So tell the the other gods and get them to interfere."

"I am not the only one forbidden from interfering we all are prevented from influencing how he develops so none of us can use him to further our own agendas"

I see the look in Obsidian's eyes, he knows what I'm asking.


"What do you want us to do?"

They accept the inevitability of what is transpiring and now we can begin.

"We want you Obsidian, to use your contacts with the Scions to get Infinity-Man involved as well as the rest of his team mates. I can only set you on the path to stop this lunatic, sadly because this directly involves Infinity-Man I can't even kill this retard. I am trusting this to you three, you once saved all of us and I have to ask you to do it again only this time the stakes are much higher. You cannot fail."

"We won't, I'll make the calls and get the ball rolling. How much time do we have?"

"A few days at most. Is their anything you need to assist you?"

"Our ship could use some maintenance and repairs"

"Already done"

"Then we're good unless..."

I read Obsidian's thoughts he truly is me, devious and imaginative. Before he can say a word to me....

"Yes you're right that is a good idea, though I'm a bit reluctant to do it, the stakes are high enough. Consider it done."