American Comics: Multiverse of Madness

Following the direction of the sonic wave attack, everyone raised their heads high and looked toward the sky.

There, a white-haired woman hovered in the air. She wore a black, skin-tight battle suit with a white bird-shaped symbol and stripes on her chest. Her golden shoulder armor was inlaid with red gemstones, and she exuded a heroic and majestic aura. Behind her, two pink wings gently fluttered, giving off a sacred and untouchable aura.

"That... that's Songbird!" an older reporter exclaimed in surprise.

"I know her. She's part of the Thunderbolts. Weren't they traitors?"

"What is she doing here?"

"Could it be... she's not a traitor but a hero?"

Songbird's sudden appearance astonished everyone. After so many years, they never expected that the one accompanying Hawkeye would be one of the traitors who had betrayed them back in the day.

However, Songbird was unmoved by their words. At this moment, she had completely come to terms with the sins of her past. While she might never fully forgive herself, for now, she intended to do something good.

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"Commander, the southern perimeter squad has been attacked by Hawkeye and Songbird. They've broken through the first line of defense. Should we intercept them?" Doctor Zola's voice crackled through Red Skull's earpiece, pulling his attention away from the battlefield where Sandman and Green Lantern were engaged in combat.

Although Songbird's earlier screech was loud, Red Skull was too far away, and with the entire battlefield filled with deafening explosions, he hadn't noticed the disturbance at the edge of the plaza.

"Hawkeye? He came too?" Red Skull's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Of course! My mistake... How could that old man miss such a grand battle? I wonder if the old wolf joined him."

"Apologies, Commander. Our intel shows Wolverine has remained quietly on his farm. He hasn't left in days. The report was received just yesterday. Without magic or space-jump technology, there's no way Wolverine could cross the entire country in a day."

"Fair point."

Red Skull smiled and shook his head before raising his hand and giving a slight wave.

"Let Hawkeye through. The more chaotic the battlefield, the better. While the Justice League has surprised me, they don't excite me as much as my old enemies."

"Commander, the western squad maintaining order was also attacked. An old man drove a truck packed with explosives and broke through our defensive grid."

"What? Our defensive grid was constructed by you personally, and fifty Hydra elites were guarding it. How could an explosive truck breach it?" Red Skull's tone grew irritated.

"It was that cyborg who fired a missile that just so happened to damage the western grid. Since that area borders the black market, most of the guards are from the gangs that have allied with us. Our main forces are in the eastern warzone."

"Useless fools." Red Skull muttered under his breath before regaining his calm. "Who is this old man?"

"He's wearing the Punisher's gang colors, so we suspect he infiltrated."

"Wearing the Punisher's outfit?"

Upon hearing this, Red Skull burst into laughter, his voice thick with disdain. "Is it possible that he 'is' the Punisher?!"

"Accuracy rate: 65%. We cannot confirm his exact identity."

"Another old relic clinging to life. Today must be my lucky day! Let him in!"

Red Skull grinned sinisterly. He stood tall on the execution platform, gazing down at the battlefield below. Death was a constant presence there, but he was indifferent, watching the flames of war engulf the earth.

"The more, the better. After today, I will make sure that anyone who dares to oppose me loses all hope. From this day forward, their nightmares will have a single face—mine!"

Just as he finished speaking, Red Skull sensed a flicker of danger. Reacting swiftly, he stepped back just in time to dodge a dark shadow.

A black bat-shaped batarang zipped through the air, looped back after a quick circle, and returned to its source. Following its trajectory, Red Skull saw a dark figure standing silently on the far edge of the execution platform. Batman, cold and composed, locked his gaze on Red Skull's disfigured, crimson face.

"And your nightmare is me, Skull."

Batman caught the batarang, his iconic deep voice cutting through the tension, utterly devoid of emotion.

"You dare attack the Commander?!" Taskmaster, who had been standing nearby, was startled by Batman's sudden appearance. Even he hadn't noticed when Batman had arrived, but his loyalty to Red Skull remained unshaken.

"Batman... that's your codename, right?"

After recovering from the initial surprise of the sneak attack, Red Skull remained calm. He had encountered numerous powerful superhumans and strange beings, so Batman's sudden appearance didn't shock him much.

"You wear the same emblem as this one," Red Skull gestured toward Taskmaster. "It seems you two must be close. Good! I've taken good care of him recently. Once you're my prisoner, I'm sure we'll have much to talk about."

"I've faced many troublesome enemies in my time. You don't even make the top three."

Without another word, Batman raised his grappling hook and fired it directly at Red Skull's head.

Taskmaster reacted swiftly, blocking the hook with his shield. Drawing his sword, he charged at Batman, the blade flashing dangerously. The weapon had been modified with Adamantium, gleaming with lethal sharpness.

Since joining Hydra, Taskmaster's gear had been upgraded. His sword and shield were enhanced with Adamantium and Vibranium respectively, giving him a significant advantage in combat.

Knowing the strength of his opponent's weapons, Batman didn't take any chances. He immediately retreated, deftly avoiding Taskmaster's attacks. As he dodged, he drew two black short sticks from behind his back, preparing to counter.

"It's useless—"

Taskmaster swung his sword, forcing Batman to the edge of the execution platform.

"You're challenging an opponent who mirrors your every move!"

With one foot teetering on the platform's edge, Batman seemed unperturbed, even as Taskmaster prepared for a final strike. Just as Taskmaster felt victory within his grasp, Batman launched a sudden counterattack.

"I guess I need a better mirror because this one can't keep up with my moves!"

A blur of motion followed, and though Taskmaster's keen eyesight detected Batman's movements, his aging joints couldn't keep up. In an instant, their positions swapped, with Batman now on the offensive and Taskmaster on the defensive.

"Impossible!"

In a moment of shock, Taskmaster was struck squarely in the chest by a powerful kick from Batman, sending him flying off the execution platform.

........

📢30 advanced chapters on p@treaon📢
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249. Unparalleled Art of War!
250. Defeating the Super-Skrull!
251. Switching to the Main Account.
252. Still Six More.
253. Magic from Another World!