01. backing away slowly and looking for exits. ( Pepper )
THE TOWER WAS A TARGET FROM THE MOMENT HE HAD CENTERED HIS EYES ON EARTH.
The Avengers, an order of rag-tag heroes, would be protectors, egotistical & disjointed & PATHETIC at every turn. It stood to reason, then, that they, (like any pests) would become an INFESTATION, a plague, a BLOT, best handled at the source.
A nest to be smoked out,
to draw the pests to a well-placed trap.
Killing the disease at the source.
It was an EASY ENOUGH BREACH. Corpsmembers, yellow light, (the tower, crawling with agents of terror,) whose twisted, alien faces & snarling lips had peeled back in righteous fury & poisoned jubilation. Their Rings ignite- their bodies, swarming like insects, pouring into windows, focusing defenses, pooling where they may find best entrance-
& Their leader, like a General of War, bloodthirsty,
who takes not a seat ABOVE them, but one amidst them,
LEADING THE CHARGE.
He feels it. Fear. The city about them, those within- & the woman, THE WOMAN, whose eyes turn to every corner, searching not to FIGHT, but for her instinct's urge for FLIGHT. Sick-sweet, terror at the back of his tongue & settled at his throat. Something within him stirs- a beast, turning over his soul.
& HE, WHO CASTS A LONG, TWISTING SHADOW
under the vibrant halo of amber light.
A variable LUCIFER, whose burning wings mirrored
heaven's own glow.
His voice is a purr, a deep rumble (like the crashing of waves against a distant shore.) It carries, collects within the center of the room, reverberates from the ceiling. A powerful quiet, a steady, monotone pace.
"You need not WORRY YOURSELF, my dear. I do not intend HARM GREAT- merely the RIGHTING of w r o n g."
A shining light in the darkness. His stride is long, as he steps forward, TOWARD HER, as his chin tips DOWN, tucks against his neck, as golden eyes burn HOT like an animal in the night. The sigil on his chest, like a black hole, seeping. The Ring, glistening, SINESTRO'S MIGHT.
"I suggest you do not TEMPT MY SOLDIERS- they are under o r d e r d i r e c t- I would be loathe for them to assess your FLEEING as attempt to garner REINFORCEMENTS."