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| Issue #3 November 2004 |
“Falling Apart” Part 1 Written By John Jones |
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" This Evil Triumphant")
Steve Rogers was in the training room, running through exercises. As a soldier he had to keep his skills at top form. The exercise session was now running into the third hour, but there seemed to be no stopping the Sentinel of Liberty. Up, down, up, down, went the weight bar. It only stopped long enough for Steve to add more weight to it. It was now up to 750 pounds.
Captain America was exhausted. For the last several weeks there always seemed to be some type of incident that was calling for the Avengers. It seemed that every low-life hood up to megalomaniac criminal wanted a piece of the Avengers. Most of the battles were pathetic, hoodlums that would not have usually been dealt with by the Avengers, usually handled by such individuals like Spiderman, Dare Devil, and the Punisher. But these were individuals that were specially looking for the Avengers. And whether they were pathetic or not it was a threat to the citizens of New York .
And it was also having a wearying effect on the remaining Avengers. Steve shook his head in frustration. His team was already showing the signs of stress. Wasp seemed more inverted, unusual for her considering her outgoing, bubbly personality. Iron Man, when not on the battlefield, was in the lab trying to fix the Vision, and completely ignoring the injury he received in battle against Ultron. He needed medical attention, but he would not seek it. The only member that did not seem stressed was the immortal Thor. Thor's body could go through months of battles and still not slow down.
'What about you Steve? What about your problem?' demanded a nagging voice in his mind. Captain America racked the weights in frustration and sat up. "No! I can do this. I am the one who lost the team and I can make it work with just the four of us." But the nagging voice continued 'Yeah, sure Steve. Whatever you say. But what about the fact that Tony is hurting bad and his response time is becoming sluggish? What about Janet who is talking more and more to herself? And what about you soldier? You're exhausted. You have had all of 3 hours of sleep in the last several days. You're not Thor you know!' he thought.
Captain America squared his shoulders and stood up. "I can do it. We can do it. And I am going to take a shower and then a nap. I could use some more sleep." And with that, Steve silenced his inner demons.
The Avenger leader had just finished his shower when one of the wall monitors came to life with the image of Jarvis the butler on the screen. "I do apologize Sir, but there has been another distress call. Seems somebody is causing a hubabaloo in Times Square , again demanding the Avengers. Do you wish me to call the Fantastic Four and see if they can answer this one?"
Captain America sighed, 'So much for the nap. I guess there is no rest for the weary.' He thought. "No Jarvis. This maniac is asking for the Avengers, he shall get the Avengers. Contact the others please."
The image of Jarvis nodded and then the screen went blank. Steve rushed into his uniform and was running to the Quinjet pad.
*************
Janet sat in her room, staring at the lab coat of the late Dr. Henry Pym. She chastised herself for staying awake when she should be sleeping, for the last several weeks she had little or no sleep at all due to the emergencies and villains calling for the Avengers. But she knew that even if she went to sleep, she would get no rest for when her eyes closed she saw her friend Hank, lying broken in her arms. And ringing in her ears were his words 'I love you, I have always loved you.' So she refused to close her burning eyes, eyes that no longer seemed to be able to shed a tear.
The Wasp sighed and looked away from the coat, looking out the window at another beautiful day. "Why is this bothering me so bad? We were finally friends again, but nothing closer. Why?" Janet asked of herself.
"Because deep down in side, under all the bruises and black eyes, you loved me." A familiar voice stated.
Janet spun around but all she saw was the lab coat, lying on her bed. She stammered and choked "Hank? Hank, where are you?"
After not seeing anyone, Janet held her head in her hands and shook. "I'm going crazy! That is the only way to explain it, I'm going out of my mind!" moaned the bereaved superheroine. She felt like crying but no tears came.
While Janet was trying to compose herself, she heard a faint whisper in her ear. "You're not going crazy Janet, I am real and I need your help. You have always been my savior and I need you to save me now."
Janet stood frozen to the spot. How was it possible? She whispered back, "How? How do I help you?"
The voice returned, fainter then before. "Think.Janet.You.know.what.you.need.to"
The voice faded away and Janet heard another voice calling out to her, the voice of Jarvis, the very concerned butler "Madame Van Dyne? Ma'am? Are you alright?"
Janet turned to the wall monitor and questioned the butler "Did you hear him? Did you?"
Jarvis looked at her in confusion. "Heard whom Madame? When the monitor turned on I heard you calling to someone, but I could not see whom. Do you need assistance ma'am?"
Janet looked around the room one more time and then shook her head. "No Jarvis. I am fine. Is there another lunatic calling us out?"
Jarvis nodded in affirmation "Yes Madame. Master Rogers has asked that I alert you."
Janet smiled, "Consider me alert. Thank you." She pushed a button on the wall and the monitor went black about the same time the butler looked as if he was going to ask her another question. She felt sheepish for doing that to the loyal butler, but she did not have any more time to answer questions, especially those that she had no answer to. With one final look back at the lab coat, she shrunk down to Wasp size and flew out the room.
*************
Tony Stark cursed at the computer screen as he once again received negative results concerning his attempts to reactivate the inert sythezoid, Vision. The Golden Avenger known as Iron Man was frustrated not only because of the difficulty involved in 'awakening' the artificial humanoid, but also because he had been at this particular attempt for hours and was sure it would work.
The Vision had been disabled by the cruel robot Ultron weeks before. The sythezoid had tried to convince his 'Father' and creator that he should give up his evil ways. Vision got shut down for his effort.
And ever since that day, Tony has been in the lab, working fevorously on reactivating him. But so far he had no luck. Again he thought about contacting Reed Richards for assistance, but once more pride stopped him from making the call. "No. I can do this. I can. Besides, if Captain 'Friggin' America will not call for more Avengers to help out, I certainly will not call for help either!" growled the hero, slamming his guantleted fist down on the medical table.
However, the violent action sent an equally violent shiver down his spine. He groaned in pain and gripped the table in an attempt to ride out the pain gripping his back and head. These reactions were happening more often, and were caused by Ultron. Also since the day that Ultron had deactivated the Vision and hurt Tony, he had been inside the gold and red armor. He had hoped that the Iron Man armor would help repair whatever damage he had, like it had done for him before for his heart condition, but so far all it really did was keep the worst of the pain at bay. He needed a bath and a shave, but he had time for neither considering he was working so hard on the Vision, plus if he took the armor off, there was a distinct possibility that he would not move again.
"Must.ride the pain.out." But try as he might he could not keep the darkness from swarming over him, forcing him to his knees, which sent another ripple of pain coursing through him. With that, he passed out and slammed into the floor.
Shortly after he passed out a wall monitor came on. "Master Iron Man? Hello? Anyone there?" asked a puzzled Jarvis. With a shrug of his shoulders, the monitor went black.
*************
Thor was on top of Avenger Mansion , looking at the New Yorkers as they went about their business, holding a scroll in his hands, and wondering what was coming next. Over the last several weeks there had been multiple attacks on the Mansion and places around the world all centered on taking down the remaining Avengers. In the last several weeks the Avengers had taken down such individuals from Lullaby to Eight Ball, to gangs and villain teams like the Chain Gang and the Notorious Nines.
And if it were only a few hundred years prior he would love the combat, glorifying in the heat of the moment and the vanquishing of foes. This was something he never told his compatriots in the Avengers, for besides Hercules and the late Gilgamesh, it is not something they would understand. He knew that his friends, with their mortal lives saw battle as something less then glorious. A necessity, yes; Sometimes dirty, yes. But glorious? No, they would never see battle as glorious, at least not in this age and time.
Yes, if it were those times of old, he would not be concerned now. But it was not those times and he was concerned. For his fellow Avengers, Captain America , Iron Man, and the Wasp, were wearing down and Thor did not know what to do for them other then remain strong and be there for them.
But that was not all that bothered him. Over the last couple of days the weather in New York was strange. To average mortals it was nothing more than sudden storms. But to Thor, who knew storms, could see that there were more to these than changing weather patterns. Something was brewing in Asgard, he was sure. "Verily, if I doest wish I hath the power of Vivola the Seer."
Thor read the scroll again, 'Thor Odinson, my dearest love, I ask thy forgiveness in leaving this note and not seeing thee in person, but my presence doth be required in Asgard, so I hath little time to delay. I beseech thee to return to Asgard. I cannot explain to thee why thou must return and leave Midgard, but tis important that thou doest return with much haste. I hope to see thee soon my love. Lady Sif'
Thor had received the scroll when he had been out battling a group called the Lords of Fear. When the four Avengers had returned, Jarvis handed him the scroll and stated that it was from the Lady Sif. Now he worried. What could be so pressing in Asgard that his presence was required, and that Lady Sif could not wait for him? And should he leave his friends in their time of need?
While he was in contemplation, a panel on the roof slid out and a thin monitor on a mechanical wand extended upward to Thor's eye level. The professional voice of Jarvis interrupted the pondering Norseman. "Ahem.Excuse the interruption Master Thor, but there is a disturbance in Times Square and the Avengers are being asked for. Master Captain America requests that you meet him there."
Thor nodded in acknowledgement. "Then verily shalt I be there." With that, the image of Jarvis nodded and the monitor went black and back into its resting spot in the roof. Thor rolled up the scroll and slid it between his belt and his side. He lifted Mjorin from its resting spot on his belt loop and began to whirl the huge hammer over his head. With one final look at the troubling clouds, he took to the air and headed to Times Square . With his attention on the task at hand he did not see the clouds take the shape of an ailing Odin for a brief minute before they dissipated into the wind.
*************
David Cannon sat in the dark bar and nursed his drink. He stared into the glass and looked at his reflection. Grimacing as if he did not like what he saw, he lifted the mug and took a long drawl. However, upon setting it down the ripples settled and again he saw his reflection.
"What are you looking at buddy?" he demanded of his reflection. The bartender frowned at the display of drunkenness, especially at 10 in the morning. David saw the frown and glared back at the man. "What are YOU looking at? Huh? Just keep cleaning your mugs.And while you are at it, get me another beer!" The bartender smiled nervously and nodded and went to his storeroom. David turned back to the remaining liquor he had in his mug. He began to ask the reflection another question when it vanished as a heavy darkness fell on him.
A deep voice said, "I have need to speak with you David Cannon." The drunken man turned to look up and see a tall man wearing a dark trench coat with the hood up. And try as he might, he could not seem to pierce the darkness of the hood to see the face demanding to speak to him.
David shrugged, trying to fight down a shiver "Well, I ain't interested in talking to you pal. So why don't you take a hike."
He turned around to reach for his beer but was stopped by a scarred, deathly pale hand feel on his. The hand was as cold as the grave and had a grayish pallor to it. And it seized David's hand in an iron grip. David was becoming angry "Mister, I am trying to be nice here. You don't know who you are messing with!"
"I know who you are David Cannon. You are the criminal known as Whirlwind. I know of you, your mutant powers, and your past. That is why I am here." growled the deep voice, with a slight Germanic accent.
Now David did shiver. "What do you want?"
"What I want, Whirlwind, is for you to join me in my Masters of Evil. I would have use for one such as you, with your powers of speed and wind. I want you to help me finish what Ultron started, destroy the Avengers." stated the dark man.
David tried to peer into the hood, but saw only darkness. Recognizing a German accent, he decided to go for broke. "Is that you Zemo?"
The tall man chuckled, the laugh coming out in a dry death rattle in the back of his throat. "No. I am not the man known as Zemo, father or son. But I knew both."
David gave a nervous chuckle "No, I guess that was stupid. Zemo would not bother with a trench coat.And he wouldn't smell like.I don't know what, but he wouldn't smell." The dark man grunted at the comment. David continued, building his courage "Thanks, but no thanks. I have been a part of the Masters before and let me tell you, it ain't a great career path. Only Zemo ever made it successful, and he was still defeated by the Avengers. I am tired of taking beatings, so no thanks."
"I know you David Cannon and your obsession with the woman as Janet Van Dyne. I know how you long for her deep in your being and how you wish to dominate her, humiliate her, control her. Are you telling me that you do not wish to get even with her for all the times she scorned you? You lost your chance to take revenge on Pym, do you wish to lose your chance with the Wasp?" asked the mysterious man.
David licked his lips in nervousness and lust. He admitted to himself that he would love a chance to tame the Wasp. To make her crawl on all fours in front of him in one of her skimpy outfits, to hear her cry out in fear when he was angry, to cry out in pleasure when he was using her, to hear her call him 'Master', it all made him smile. Yes, he wanted it. But he stopped to think about all the past times against her and the Avengers. Slowly he shook his head. "I can't tell you that it ain't a temptation mister, it is. But I know what the Avengers have and what they can do. I have my own cares and worries now, and I just don't need this. So again, thanks, but no thanks."
The man stood there in silence, glaring down at the mutant. "You are sure?" he finally asked.
David was now becoming angry, "What's wrong with you buddy? Don't you know that no means no? Maybe you need a demonstration of my powers to get it through that rotten smelling head of yours!" He pointed his hand at the bottle display behind the bar and with a quick gesture, too fast to see much more then a blur, the bottles exploded by a sudden gust of wind.
The loud explosion of breaking glass brought the bartender back from the storeroom. "What the hell is going on in.Dear God in Heaven! What are you?" David noticed that the man was staring past him at the tall, dark man. He turned, feeling like he was moving through molasses, and stared up in horror at the face that was before him.
The dark man growled, "Maybe you need a demonstration of my powers David Cannon." He raised his hand and with a flick of his wrist, a black band of energy slid to the bartender. The man tried to avoid the dark energy, but was too slow as it wrapped around the man. The man tried to struggle, but soon did not have the power to do so as the band sucked the life out of him. With another flick of his wrist, the dark man released the barkeep. But instead of dropping to the ground in a lifeless husk, he stood there and moaned. The barkeep, who had once been fat, was now gaunt. His eyes held the glaze of death.
David looked on in horror as the dark man spoke again. "Are you envious of this man David Cannon? He no longer has any cares or worries. He no longer cares if he sees a beautiful woman or cares to make money. He no longer worries about breathing, eating, or sleeping. If you want, I can do this for you."
The man known as Whirlwind looked over at the now zombie barkeep. He tried to swallow, but couldn't as his throat was so dry from fear. David considered his options and came to only one save conclusion. "Well.since you put it that way mister, the Masters of Evil sounds really good." A dark, perverted thought crossed his mind. Maybe with this guy the Masters could win, and Janet would be calling him 'Master'. 'Well, if you can't beat them, join them.until you can run away!' thought the mutant criminal. "Okay. I am in. You got the Whirlwind! Oh, and by the way, what do I call you besides mister?"
The tall man pulled up the hood, again hiding his face inside the darkness within. "You can call me Necrosis."
*************
"I don't know what Tony's problem is or why he did not show up but this is not the way an Avenger acts," growled an angry Captain America. He looked over at the Wasp, sitting in the copilot seat of the Quinjet. She sat silently, just staring out at the street below. Captain America sighed at her non responsiveness. "I guess I can not blame him. He is trying so hard to get the Vision operational again." Again, the Wasp just stared into space.
Steve looked at his friend in concern. "Janet, are you okay? Do you need some time off?" Janet mumbled something that he could not hear. "What did you say Janet?"
Janet turned to Steve and said, "Plantman." And with a blank look, she shrunk down to miniature size and flew to the escape hatch. "Come on Steve. Park this thing and let's take down this reject gardener!" And with a push of a button the hatch opened and out she flew.
Captain America shook his head. "No time for worrying about Janet, soldier. New York needs you." He looked below and saw a maniacal laughing man in a green suit shooting some type of ray gun and making vines, flowers, and thorns come to life. People were trying to get away only to be wrapped up by a vine. Greenery was everywhere and Captain could not see a place to land. "Okay, just leave it hover mode." And with a pull of a switch, the Quinjet hovered in midair.
While the Avenger's leader was doing that, Thor, whom had flew alongside the Quinjet from the Mansion, came in from the open hatchway. "Doest thou need a hand down Captain?" asked the giant Norseman.
Captain America looked down and nodded. "Let's do this." Thor nodded and was out the jet, the two heroes descending to the green mulch below.
As they touched down, the green-garbed villain chuckled "Well, well, well.if it isn't the Avengers. About time you blokes showed. I have been waiting for you." Plantman gestured to his prisoners wrapped up in the vines. "The wankers didn't want to stop and smell the roses. They hurt my feelings so now I am going to hurt them."
Captain America looked at the captives on either side of him and then back at the deranged man. "Give it up Plantman. We have done this song and dance before. Save yourself the embarrassment and give up!"
"Oh no my dear Captain Blunder, I don't think so. I have been watching the telly. You Avengers have been fighting almost non-stop since Pym's death. You're tired and wearing down. So excuse me if I don't just wither on the vine! And since it is only the two of you, I feel the odds are a bit more in my favor." chuckled the villain.
'Only the two of us?' thought the Star Spangled Avenger. 'He doesn't know the Wasp is around.' He looked back at Plantman and then saw the Wasp flying right behind him. "The two of us is all we need to take you down. Thor, take him down while I free the prisoners!" barked the Captain.
Thor started forward, thumping his hammer in his hand. However, the Plantman just laughed as the Viking approached. "I got a new plaything for you thunderer! Here, play with my Shambling Mound!" and with that he pointed his gun at a mound of greenery.
The greenery shivered and then roared with life. The Thunder God did not even have time to speak as a green mound of mulch, vines, and flowers flooded over him like a green wave. The Plantman chuckled and adjusted the gun to a new setting. Pointing it at the Captain he laughed "Time to die Avenger. Don't worry. I will make sure your grave has lilies!"
But before he could fire the weapon he screamed out in pain and cluched his head. For there was the Wasp firing her stingers directly into his ears with brutal savagery. Plantman waved around his head, trying to hit the diminutive heroine, but was unsuccessful as she dodged out of the way, flying just out of reach.
"You villains are all alike! You think you can just do whatever you like. Take what you want, hurt who you want! Well, no more! I won't let you!" screamed the Wasp.
Plantman grimaced at the small woman. "I am terribly sorry if I upset you my dear. Here, let me give you some roses to make up for it." He fired his gun at the ground and up from the cracks in the pavement came a wall of thick red roses and huge, sharp thorns. "Of course, every rose has it thorn," laughed the madman. "You can't fly out of that, and you don't dare increase your size or it will rip you shreds." He turned to look back at the struggling Thor, still buried under the Mound. "And your friend Thor can't punch his way out of a compost heap. Now it is your turn Capt.where in blazes did he go?" He looked about wildly. "Where are you, you Star Spangled Moron? You think you can just get out of this? Come out and take your lumps! Or I will make your countrymen suffer for you cowardice!"
He pointed the gun at the victims, ready to fire when Captain America 's photonic shield slammed into his wrist. The energy passed through his wrist and sent a surge of energy raging up his arm, effectively numbing it and causing him to drop his weapon. "Not today. Not ever! Avengers.Assemble!"
At the call, the thorn cage exploded outward and an enraged Wasp unleashed a powerful barrage of stings. The thorns imbedded themselves in the skin of the green villain. Before he could adjust he saw a flash of light and a loud boom as lightning was called out of the sky and struck the Shambling Mound, effectively smoldering it to a crisp. Then a powerful fist, clutching Mighty Mjorin, punched through the surface of the fried Mound, shattering it to dust.
A finger tapped on Plantman's shoulder. He turned around to see a red-gloved fist smash into his nose, causing it to break. Plantman crumbled at the feet of Captain America . "You canth dude thath! I am Plantman!" He saw his gun and began to scramble for it. He reached out for it, almost having his fingers on it. "I am Plantman! I am Plantman!"
But before he could get his hand on the gun, a yellow boot stomped down on it, crushing it. "Thou art a weed." Thor reached down and yanked the British villain up in the air. Shaking him, he said again "Thou are a weed. Say it with me. A weed."
Plantman grinned nervously at the enraged godling. "I am a weed." Thor nodded at him.
Captain America smiled at his big friend. "Come on Thor. Give him over to the police. We need to help with the clean up." Thor grinned back as he deposited the defeated villain at the feet of the NYPD.
While the three heroes helped the prisoners out of their vegetation cages, Captain America 's belt began to beep. He reached into his belt pouch and pulled out a small hand held monitor. On it was the image of a very concerned Jarvis.
"My apologies sir, but I thought you might want to know that." began the butler but was interrupted by Captain America .
"Let me guess. Another gang attacked the Mansion while we were out?" asked the amused hero. "I imagine the security took care of them?"
But Jarvis shook his head. "The Mansion was not attacked. It is Master Iron Man. I found him in the robotics lab, passed out on the floor. I could not wake him up. I believe he is in a coma!"
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Next issue: Falling Apart part 2
