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Special #1 January 2006	“Assemble at your own risk” Written By Derrick Ferguson

            "So when exactly WAS the last time you actively did any duty as an Avenger?"

            "Gee, I really don't remember, man.I mean, I've been so busy with school and all.."

            "I see.  And how long HAVE you been going to school now?  Matter of fact, just what is it you're going to school FOR?"

            "I.I.I'm pursuing various fields of study."

            "In other words, you're a professional student who's using the excuse of going to school to duck out of your real responsibilities."

            "You've got a hell of nerve talking about responsibilities, man.  I've heard the stories about you back in the day when it was just you, Cap, The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.  You and responsibility weren't exactly on close terms then."

            "Old history, junior.  Yeah, I may have been a Grade A pain-in-the-ass screw up but whenever somebody hollered 'Avengers Assemble' I was right there in the mix.  Now far as I can remember, every time somebody makes the call, you give out with that same old wheeze that you've got school, you've got tests, you've got to do everything but give us a helping hand.  Well, not this time.  Pack your gear because we're flying out to come get you."

            "Oh, come on, man!  You can't expect me to believe that you can't find others to fill in!  There's something like 40 other Avengers you can call!"

            "Yeah, but since this isn't an emergency we could only send out a General Response Call.which means that Avengers can respond at their leisure.  We're getting answers back but very slowly.  Captain Marvel's assisting NASA with the disappearance of the Infinity so he's begged off returning to active duty and I agree with him.  Quicksilver's back is broken so he's of no help.  The Scarlet Witch is taking care of business in Genosha and honestly, I'd rather have her there making sure nothing starts up than here.. who else?  Hercules and The Black Widow are working with a new Champions team out in your corner of the country.  I talked with Tasha and we agreed that The Champs would be of better use staying right where they are and taking care of any emergency situation we can't deal with.  That's all we've heard from so far.  You answered so you're the lucky so-and-so."

            "I want to talk to Cap.  He'll understand my position."

            "Cap's in Asgard with Thor, Iron Man, The Wasp and The Hulk and they're likely doing their best to keep an army of trolls from invading Earth.  He left me in charge of rounding up a new team and that's what I'm gonna do.  Don't make me bring you up on charges of negligence."

            "You wouldn't DARE."

            "Try me, junior.  You'd better get packed.  We'll be there before you know it."

            "But you don't understand-"

            "No.  YOU'RE the one who doesn't understand.  Look, just come on out and hang for a few days until the team from Asgard gets back or I round up enough members to fill out a roster and you can go."

            "I got your word on that?"

            "Believe me, pal, I don't want you around me whinin' and cryin' about you missin' your lousy spelling bee or whatever.   You give us a hand and I promise that as soon as I got me a full roster, I'll fly you back to California my damn self."

            "I'm gonna hold you to that!"

            "I just bet you will."

            Clint Barton severed the connection with California and leaned back in his chair.  "Jeezly Crow, what a crybaby!  Whose idea was it to make that guy an Avenger, anyway?"

            From where he perched, crouched like a huge furry gargoyle on the back of a sturdy chair, Hank McCoy peered over the tops of his granny glasses as he contemplated the huge screen in front of him and replied; "The same person who made you an Avenger."

            "Very funny."  Clint swiveled the chair around and looked at the board.  Hank was monitoring the board that was used to communicate The Avengers.  The faces of over thirty of Earth's Mightiest Heroes were in their own individual squares, showing their location and their current status. 

            Two hours ago, Captain America, The Wasp, Iron Man, Thor and Bruce Banner, the human alter ego of The Incredible Hulk had departed on a mission to Asgard to learn if Lord Odin was indeed dead and if not, then why someone was going to a lot of trouble to make Thor think he was.  Captain America had charged Clint and Hank with rounding up enough members to fill up the required Avengers roster of seven active members and two reservists.  Clint gestured at the board.  "We got any more hits?"

            "The Black Panther is currently unavailable, even to his own staff.  I got the distinct impression that his unavailability is due to the recent injuries T'Challa suffered during the battle with Ultron."

            Clint nodded.  "Yeah, that figures.  Way I heard it, T'Challa got pretty busted up.  Who else?"

            "The Black Knight, The Falcon, Tigra and Photon have not responded as yet.  Warbird is at the U.N. and she says she's going to fly over later to talk to us but she did not commit to active duty."  Hank scratched his chin.  "But the day is still young, Jefe and there be more than Avengers a'plenty still to respond to the clarion call.  Howsabout we grab us a quick game of HALO 2 while we wait for our answers?"

            "Negatory, good buddy.  Didn't you just hear what I said?  I need you to fly out to the University of California and pick up The Living Lightning before he changes his mind and I mean right now."

            Hank back flipped off the chair and snapped to attention, "Aye, aye, SIR!" before collapsing to the floor in a gale of laughter.

            "And what's so cotton-pickin' funny?"  Clint scowled and the hilarity he had inspired in his friend.

            "YOU!  I swear you sounded so much like Cap himself it was as if you were channeling his spirit!"

            "Aw, lay off, " Clint grumbled as he headed toward the elevator that would take them to the upper levels.  "You hang around with that shield-slingin' cornball long enough you can't help but start talkin' like him."

            Hank's laughter subsided as he placed a huge paw on Clint's shoulder.  "And acting like him as well.  I mean that with the highest respect, Clint."

            "Awwww.cut it out!  And get movin'!  We still got a lot to do!"

            "Are you sure you'll be okay while I'm gone?"

            "Sure!  You'll be there and back in no time if you push your Quinjet at top speed."

            "Actually, I was hoping to stop off in Hollywood and say a quick hi to Simon if that's okay with you."

            "Sure!  I wouldn't expect you to fly all the way across the country and not stop to say hi to your boy."

            "You sure it's okay?"

            "Sure, I'm sure!  What could happen in a couple of hours?

            The West Side of Manhattan has undergone a spurt of economic growth in the past ten years and many of the dilapidated warehouses and storage facilities had been torn down and in its place was The Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex, a sprawling 30 acre playground with bowling alleys, skating rinks, restaurants, health clubs, batting cages and where many other sports related activities could be indulged.  In addition there was the Hudson River Park that ran along The West Side for another 500 or so acres, comprised of thirteen old piers that had been renovated into gardens, picnic areas, playgrounds, scenic overlooks, tennis courts and more.  It was a beautiful place for New Yorkers to hang out and enjoy the bright sunshine on this unseasonably warm February afternoon.  New York had been blessed with a remarkable streak of warm weather and it was nearly 60 degrees and so the Chelsea Piers and Hudson River Park were packed with New Yorkers taking advantage of the day.

            However, none of them could even guess at the darkness that lay underwater just a scant mile from the Park.  Constructed years ago when Advanced Idea Mechanics was still a branch of HYDRA, it was now being used as a base of operations for a cadre of AIM operatives.  Their leader, Rontgen, sat in his command chamber, trying to figure out how things could have went so wrong so fast.   Rontgen had been with AIM for ten years now and he was seeing his chances of advancing further upwards in the hierarchy of AIM quickly vanishing.

            The screaming had subsided and now he was just hearing the hiss of laser beams and the occasional shrill banshee wail of sonic hand cannons seeming to yowl in harmony with the explosion of electron grenades.  But it probably wouldn't do any good.  After all, they had never thought that they would need a defense against The Abomination.

            They had found The Abomination living in the New York sewers and were able to gas him into unconsciousness long enough to place a control collar on his neck.  The control collar was supposed to give AIM mastery over The Abomination and it had done so.  For a time.  Rontgen suspected that The Abomination gave off occasional bursts of intensive gamma radiation and it was that radiation that had damaged the control collar.

            In short, The Abomination was a mindless monster bent on destruction.  And he was indeed destroying the AIM base.  It was now quiet and Rontgen suspected that the silence meant that everyone was dead except for him.  The two foot thick metal door of his command chamber was ripped free of it's hinges as if it were made of cardboard and a nightmare squeezed in, shouldering it's way inside, the walls crumbling away in huge chunks of steel reinforced concrete.  His pebbly, reptilian skin was dark green except for great splashes of fresh blood across his immense chest and massively muscled arms.  The control collar was still around his thick neck but it was throwing off occasional sparks, testifying to its dysfunctional state.  Rontgen felt a small amount of pleasure in knowing that his theory as to the cause of The Abomination's sudden rampage. 

            The Abomination was standing over him now, looking down at the human and as The Abomination smiled, Rontgen could clearly see the scraps of human flesh between the overlapping razor sharp teeth and as that hideous mouth opened wide and descended on him, Rontgen knew he was wrong about one thing:  The Abomination wasn't just a mindless monster bent on destruction.

            It was a bloodthirsty mindless monster bent on destruction

            ".. superpowered from the foreheads to the toes...watch 'em change their very shape before yer nose." Trevor Plantangenet, also known as the Australian superhero Killeroo abruptly stopped his singing as Clint came around the corner, almost bumping into the wonderfully muscled young Inhuman.  "Whoopsie!  Sorry 'bout that, mate!"  Anywhere else except Avengers Mansion, the sight of a six foot tall humanoid kangaroo wearing a wife beater T shirt, thick black jeans and motorcycle boots with spurs with an unlit cigar stuck firmly in his snout would have been cause for a normal person to have fainted.  As it was, within these halls, it was practically normal.

            "Hey, Trev.  Jarvis treating you okay?"

            "Jarvis is aces with me.  He couldn't be treating me any better than me own mum.  Fusses over me so much I had to take off and wander around the mansion.  Is there something I could be doin', Hawk?  I don't want you to be thinkin' I'm a bludger by just hangin' around and lettin' your butler do for me."

            Clint motioned for Trevor to walk with him and they headed for the library.  "You're strictly supposed to be an observer for now, Trev.  I'm sure that Jarv is puttin' in the paperwork to grant you Associate Avenger status right now.  That's a new classification level we instituted a few years back when we were handin' out Avengers memberships like they were trading cards.  There's a lot of folks who have given us a hand here and there or helped out on a special case or two but for one reason or another didn't qualify for even Reserve Avenger status.  So we came up Associate Avenger Status.  Basically it just means that you're okay with us, you know us and it'll give you some clout with the authorities.  An' a good seat in Park Avenue restaurants."  Clint grinned.  "Once you've got your Associate Avenger Status you can come out in the field with us and see how we do things, okay?"

            "No worries.  Say, whenever we get around to buildin' a HQ for whatever team we set up, I gotta make sure we got us a game room like what you got in the basement!"  Trevor's eyes were shining with excitement.  "Just by walkin' around the place I got ideas for things I'd like to do back home."

            They entered the comfortable library and Clint flopped into one of the low, comfortable leather couches and motioned for Trevor to seat himself in a massive armchair.  "If you like, I'll call up Ben Grimm of The Fantastic Four and ask him can you have a squint at The Baxter Building.  And there's a team called The Champions that's reforming out in California.  A couple of the members are inactive Avengers and I'm sure they wouldn't mind you going out there and having a poke around their digs."  Clint's communicard beeped for attention and he said, "Excuse me" as he fished it out.  Trevor's long ears perked up as he leaned forward to watch.  The Avengers Communicard was a piece of technology that simply amazed him.  The size of a credit card, it had a small flat screen monitor for sending and receiving audio and video information.  It could be used like a videophone and had full satellite uplink capabilities. 

            The regal face of Prince Namor, The Sub-Mariner appeared on the small screen.  "Barton?  What is the problem?"

            "Nice to see you, too, Namor.  How's the fishing?"

            Namor's already severe features darkened.  "I am an extraordinary busy man, Barton.  Busy being a concept that eludes you.  I am responding to your call and I suggest that you explain what your situation is and how you need my help."

            Clint wisely decided against making another quip and further wasting The Sub-Mariner's time and quickly outlined the current situation.  Namor listened without interruption and when The Avenging Archer was done, he said crisply: "You do not appear to have an emergency, which would be the only plea for help I would entertain.  I simply cannot leave Atlantis at this time.  There are matters of great importance here that demand my attention."

            "Now, hold on-"

            "However, I am not unsympathetic to your plight.  I am sending someone to stand in my place.  The Captain of My Royal Guard.  You have the personal guarantee of The Sub-Mariner that my captain is of good character, royal lineage, dedication to duty and unquestionable honor.   Please be good enough to accept my captain as a probationary Avenger on my word."  The screen went blank as Namor cut the transmission signal at his end.

            "Strewth!"  Trevor exclaimed.  "He always that friendly?"

            "Oh, that was nothing."  Clint tucked his card away in his purple tunic with a chuckle.  "Matter of fact, for Namor that was downright civil.  He didn't mean anything by it.  That's just how Namor is."

            "And how is the oh-so-high-and-mighty Sub Mariner?"  The sultry female voice from the doorway said.  Clint and Trevor turned to regard the voluptuous masked woman who stood there.  Her one piece black outfit with the stylized lightning bolt across her well-endowed chest, along with the bright red sash around her waist, thigh high black boot and matching gloves that went up to her biceps was a strikingly dramatic sight to Trevor and even though Clint knew her well he was amazed at how powerful, confident and dazzling the masked woman was.  Her shining mane of blond hair tumbled down her back and flowed over her shoulders like a golden waterfall. 

            Carol Danvers, once known as Ms. Marvel and who now went by the name of Warbird, placed her hands provocatively on her shapely hips and smiled as she said; "Somebody called for Avengers?

            Hank McCoy was piloting the Quinjet with his feet, which were just as dexterous and agile as his hands while he was operating his communicard with his hands.  He was trying to contact his best friend, Simon Williams aka Wonder Man.  Simon had left The Avengers following the hideously devastating battle against Ultron that had cost Henry Pym his life.  During the battle, Simon had accidentally gotten in the way of a hex bolt hurled by The Scarlet Witch at Ultron.  The result had been that Simon's ionic power had been ripped from his body and transferred to Ultron's.

            Ultron had been defeated.  But just barely.  And Simon had been left as an ordinary human being, with no trace of the ionic power that had made him the mightiest of mortals and in terms of sheer raw power, only second to Thor himself.  Simon had decided to return to Hollywood to again pick up his acting career.  Hank was trying to contact him but with no luck.  He looked over at the co-pilot's seat and the intense young man in the yellow, black and white costume.  Ever since picking up Miguel Santos aka The Living Lightning at The University of California, the young man had been sullenly silent. 

            "You'll feel better if you release that pent up hostility, Miguel," Hank suggested, still fiddling with his communicard.

            "No I won't.  I don't appreciate being threatened.  And I'm really surprised at you, Hank!  I would have thought that you, of all people would have supported my going to school!"

            "I do.  I honor the pursuit of knowledge and education above all else."

            "Then why didn't you back me up?"

            Hank sighed and lowered his communicard.  "Because it wasn't my place.  Hawkeye is the senior Avenger and that means he makes the calls.  And you have to understand something, Miguel:  the closest friends he has on Earth could be fighting for their lives right now.  They might be dead.  He wasn't in a mood to hear that you have to take a test when Cap and the others are putting their lives on the line."

            "That's part of this job, Hank.  You accept an Avenger's responsibility, the possibility of dying in battle is a given.  Dr. Pym understood that."  Miguel's face softened.  "Hell, Hank.it's not like I didn't want to help out but school's important to me."

            "As it should be, my friend.  And if it will help any, I'll be more than happy to speak with your professors should your present stint with the team be longer than two or three days."

            Miguel's face brightened up.  "I'd appreciate that, Hank!  Thanks."

            "Da nada. I just hope that-Ah!  At last!"

            "Wonder Man is answering?"

            "Not verbally, but he's activated his locator chip."  Hank slipped his communicard into a slot on the control console.  "The autopilot will home in on his exact location and take us there."

            "It'll be good to see Simon again," Miguel said.  Despite his initial reluctance, he was almost surprised at the excitement he was feeling about seeing his fellow Avengers and being in their company once more.  There was just something about being an Avenger that made the blood sing and he realized that he hadn't heard that song inside of him for a long time.  Miguel settled back in his seat and watched the clouds streak through the curved window.  Maybe rejoining The Avengers for a few days wasn't such a bad idea after all

            Richard Rider sat down on the bench overlooking the Hudson River with a soul felt sigh of relief.  He placed his bag lunch next to him and just took a minute to relax, letting the tenseness loosen out of his legs and lower back.  It never failed to amaze him how as Nova, The Human Rocket he could go toe to toe with some of the world's most powerful supervillains for hours without tiring.  However, walking around midtown Manhattan job hunting for three or four hours left him totally exhausted.  Maybe it was because he enjoyed being Nova and got some sense of accomplishment and public service while whomping on the supervillain of the month but job-hunting felt just like the drudgery it was.

            But it was a necessary drudgery.   He'd been living at The Crash Pad for too long.  Not that he didn't appreciate the comforts of the place but Rich supposed he was just getting older and the need for a space he could call his own was gnawing at him.  Besides, he was getting too old to hang out in what was essentially a guy's dormitory.  And even the other male members of The New Warriors were using the place less and less as time went on.  It was more of a hangout now than a headquarters.

            Rich opened the bag and took out his chicken sandwich and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully as he looked out over the water of The Hudson River.  The sunlight sparkled beautifully on the water and cheered him up immensely.  He had another couple of appointments that afternoon and he should be finished by early evening.  Maybe he'd take a quick flight around the city later on, just to air out his Nova costume.  He hadn't gone into action as Nova for about two or three weeks now but that was because The Avengers had been so busy of late stomping every single supervillain tail in sight.  There had been a freaky rash of supervillains calling The Avengers out and they had responded with swift and definite action, leaving not much for the rest of New York's superhero population to do.

            Rich's attention was distracted by something in the water.  It looked like something had emerged from underneath the surface in a bright spray of foam.   Maybe some debris had broken loose from the bottom.Rich's eyes turned away from the river as he reached into the bag for his can of Pepsi.  He turned back and his eyes widened with shock.

            Whatever that object was, it was swimming toward the park with a frightening swiftness.  Rich could now see that it had massively huge arms, thick as tree trunks that were pulling the body of the creature along at an astounding rate of speed.  Could it be The Hulk? Richard thought.  But he hasn't been seen in more than a year!  Could he have been buried under the river?  Maybe sealed away in some kinda container?  But that thought was so ridiculous Rich dismissed it as soon as he thought it.  He'd seen The Hulk in action up close and his opinion was that there was nothing on Earth capable of containing the emerald giant for more than ten seconds.

            But whatever the thing was, it was leaping up and out of the river.  An icy deluge of water sheeted over Rich, knocking him from his bench, along with casual strollers, joggers and bicyclists.  The air was filled with screams, yells and profanity.  And a horrible bellow of pure rage.  Rich wiped water from his eyes and looked at what was letting out with the roars and his bowels turned to ice.  "Blue Blazes," he muttered.

            The Abomination threw back his head and his scream of bloodlust seemed to make the island of Manhattan itself tremble

            Carol placed her Bernarden china cup down on the table and sat back, throwing a smile at Trevor and Clint that seemed to fill the library with sunshine.  "So that's what I've been doing lately, boys.  Not very exciting stuff, I'm afraid."

            "But what's this business at the U.N., Carol?  Hank mentioned that you were there this morning."  Clint wanted to know.  Carol sighed and pushed back an unruly strand of golden hair.

            "I wish I could talk about, Clint.  But my meeting was with The Executive Board of Superhuman Directives and they asked me to keep the meeting confidential.  I'm sure you understand."

            "If it's something that The Avengers may get involved him down the road, Carol, you might as well let us in on it," Clint said seriously.  "At least give us a heads up."

            "I can definitely tell you that my meeting did not concern The Avengers in any way, unless you count the fact that due to the nature of that meeting, I can't return to active Avenger status right now.  That may change in the future but you've got to count me out right now."  Carol crossed her elegantly long legs.  "Who have you got so far?"

            Clint sighed.  "Definitely?  Me.  The Beast.  The Living Lightning.  Namor said he was sending somebody.  That's it so far-" he was interrupted by the bleeping of his communicard.  "Hold on.  Maybe this is somebody else responding."  He activated it and grinned delightedly.  "Hey there, Shulkie!  What's the haps?"

            The gorgeous green face of Jennifer Walters, aka The Sensational She-Hulk filled the screen, her trademark unruly emerald cowlick falling carelessly between her large, expressive eyes.  "Hiya, handsome!  Tasha and Herc tell me that you're looking for a few good Avengers.  Cap finally came to his senses, huh?"

            "He sure did, luscious.  How's things going with you?  You say you talked to Tasha and Hercules?  When was this?"

            "This morning.  I'm out here on the West Coast, in Vermillion, giving Warren Worthington a hand with some legal matters."

            "Well, kiss my quiver!  Tasha never said anything about you being out there when I spoke to her earlier!"

            "Maybe she had ideas of keeping me for The Champions."  Jennifer laughed.  "You got a space open for me?"

            "If you want one, sure.  When can we expect you?"

            "Give me a few more days.  I need to wrap up what I'm doing here and quite frankly, its exciting being out here and helping Natasha and Warren get this team going.  And there's a few clubs that Herc and I haven't hit yet."

            "Come on out when you're good and ready, Shulkie.  I'll let Jarv know to have a room ready for you."

            "Cool!  See you later, handsome!"

            Carol cocked her head to the side as she said; "See?  Turns out you won't need me after all.  Jennifer's stronger than I am-"

            "But she can't fly," Clint interrupted.  "Next to Thor and Simon, there's nobody I'd rather have on the team when it comes to out and out muscle but I'd like to have at least two fliers on the roster.  Wish I knew how to get hold of Justice and Firestar."

            "I believe I know where to reach Master Vance and Mistress Angelica, Master Clint," Jarvis entered the library, dressed impeccably in his traditional butler's suit.  "I will be most happy to do so as I believe that you will shortly be extremely busy."

            "What's up, Jarv?"

            "As you know, I always monitor the local, national and international news channels while working in my office.  There are reports of The Abomination on The West Side of Manhattan.  I expect that the emergency police channel of your communicards will sound in three seconds."  Sure enough, both Clint and Carol's communicards rang with the familiar unique tone of the police emergency signal.

            "You hold down the fort, Jarv!"  Clint reached back and pulled his distinctive cowl over his head, adjusting it comfortably as he said to Carol; "You in?"

            "I never pass up a chance to pound on a bad guy.  You know that.  How about Kangaroo Boy here?"

            Trevor grinned at Hawkeye.  "Clint says I'm strictly an' observer, darlin'."

            "Not anymore."  Hawkeye quickly made the sign of the cross in Trevor's direction.  "By the power vested in me by Captain America and The 55th Street YMCA I appoint you an Emergency Deputy Avenger."

            Killeroo whooped and leaped to his feet.  "Gimme two minutes to get my gear!"

            "You got one!"  Hawkeye turned to Warbird.  "But that don't mean you gotta wait.  Fly out there, assess the situation and get back to me with a situation report.  But don't tackle The Abomination by yourself unless civilians are threatened!  That's an order!"

            "Yes, 'Cap, Jr.'

            Hank McCoy bounded along the ground in amazingly long leaps that covered the huge amount of ground separating him from Simon Williams in an incredibly short amount of time.  He collapsed into his friend's arms and the two men rolled around on the ground, shouting and yelling like a pair of wild men.  Miguel took his time, walking from where Hank had landed the Quinjet, taking in the beautiful artificial lake and the lush forest on the other side of that lake.  A film crew was setting up for the next shot and a ring of double-decker trailers were pulled into a neat little circle around the catering truck.

            Hank and Simon had gotten to their feet but they were still hugging each other.  "Damn, Hank, it's good to see you, man!"  Simon Williams stepped back and took a good look at Hank.  Even though he was no longer ionically energized, Simon's musculature was still magnificent.  He could have been an Olympian demigod and was handsome enough to turn heads without trying.  "When I got your signal, I couldn't believe it!"  He grinned at Miguel as he walked up and stuck out his hand.  "I'll be damned!  Miguel?  How'd they get you out of school long enough to put that costume back on?"

            Miguel shook Simon's hand as he answered; "Hawkeye begged me."

            Simon guffawed.  "Sure, he did!"  He threw his arms around the two men and steered them toward the catering truck.  'C'mon and get your grub on.  The least I can do is feed you before you fly back to the East Coast."

            "You filming a movie, Simon?"  Hank asked.  "You got back into the movie game?  What are you filming?  WONDER MAN IV?"

            "No.I'm having a script done for it now by a talented writer named Carrick MacFhearghuis.  Nice guy but a bit of a flake and I think he hits the booze and pills too hard but hey, this is Hollywood.  The studio's not too crazy I don't have my superpowers any more but with CGI we can hold down the cost of the special effects and bring the movie in at around $100 mil."  Simon grinned delightedly.  "But in the meantime I'm working as a technical consultant on this flick.  Stunt Master's working as a TC on this one also.  In fact, he helped get me the gig."

            "Where is Stunt Master?  I'd like to say hi."

            "He'll be back sometime today.  You won't believe this but he's been getting back into the superhero game.  He divides his time between Hollywood and Las Vegas.  He was in Vegas for a couple of days tracking down Anaconda.you may have heard of her.. one of The Serpent Society."  Simon steered his friends to long tables loaded down with a remarkable variety of food, drink and pastries.  "Eat up and don't be shy."

            "Don't mind if I do."  Hank took a plate and began loading up with cheeseburgers.  "You seem to be adjusting well enough to not having your superpowers.  I must say, it's kinda weird to actually see your eyes..I." Hank looked at Simon and suddenly stopped talking. 

            "Oh.I wouldn't say I've completely lost my power." Simon said mischievously.  His gray eyes had changed and were now crimson orbs of shifting ionic energy.

            The Abomination roared and began stomping toward The West Side Highway, which was all that was separating him from the rest of Manhattan.  Once he crossed that four-lane highway, the city would be at his mercy. Without thinking, Richard yelled and launched himself at the green monster's back.  The Abomination reached around and plucked Richard off his back as if the youth was an annoying flea and flung him as if he were a baseball.  

            Might have been more impressive if I had changed before deciding to tackle him, Rich thought peevishly.  He braked his course, using his own power and curved back around, his body engulfed by a bright burst of yellow energy and when it faded he was no longer wearing his street clothes but was now in the black and yellow uniform of a Centurion Prime of The Star Corps, the uniform that identified him on Earth as Nova, The Human Rocket!

            Nova slammed into the back of The Abomination, barely budging the creature, who turned and swung a huge arm, slamming into Nova with bone jangling force and throwing him into the trunk of a nearby tree, which burst into splinters from the sheer force of the impact.  A normal human would have been turned to jelly from such punishment and even with his relative invulnerability, Nova's body was already aching and the battle wasn't even five minutes old.

            Nova sped back into the fight, a black and yellow steak that smashed right into The Abomination's face at the highest velocity he could muster up in the short distance and finally, something paused The Abomination.  The monster staggered back, yowling more in frustrated anger than in pain and Nova kept up the barrage, fists a blur as he struck the monster in the face over and over again multiple times in the space of a few seconds.  The attack disorientated The Abomination for a few crucial seconds but that was all.  The Abomination batted Nova away with a casualness that was almost contemptuous. 

            Nova hit the ground hard and shook his helmeted head to clear it.  The Abomination was just too strong for him and that was that.  He wouldn't be able to hold out much more than a few more minutes unless he got some help.  And that didn't seem likely.  The Abomination was reaching down for him, saliva dripping from a grinning mouth packed full of razor sharp teeth-

            -A devastating blast of pure photonic energy slammed into The Abomination, knocking him off his clawed feet and throwing him backwards, away from the prone form of Nova.  That was followed up by another burst and still another before a flying form came swooping in to deliver a sizzling roundhouse punch that connected with a PHOOM!  The Abomination skidded backwards more than four hundred feet, tearing a trench in the grass as he did so, trying to stop himself and failing, so great was the force of the blow.

            Warbird landed next to Nova, tossing back her golden hair with a twist of her head.  She extended a gloved hand to Nova to help him up.  "You okay?"

            "Yeah!  Thanks for the assist!"  Nova got to his feet and stood next to Warbird as they watched The Abomination slowly get to his feet.  "Make me real happy and tell me you brought Thor with you."

            "Nope.  Afraid I'm it, kid.at least until Hawkeye and Kangaroo Boy get here."

            "Hawkeye and WHO?  Lady, with all due respect, you got to be shittin' me!  That's The Abomination who's looking at us like we're the blue plate special!  He's one of two or three guys on the planet that can honestly lay claim to having kicked The Hulk's ass!  You need to bring in guys like Thor, Wonder Man, Iron Man-"

            "Well, they're not here!  WE are!  So quit your beefing and get ready!  Here he comes!

            "So let me get this straight: is your power coming back or not?"

            Hank McCoy and Simon Williams had retired to Simon's trailer while Miguel wandered about the set, having been entranced by being on an actual movie set.  Hank munched on a burger while Simon sat down across the table from his friend and explained. 

            "Well.it appears to be coming back but very slowly.  I noticed it happening maybe a week or so after the funeral.  My eyes was the first manifestation of it but I long ago learned how to make them look normal." Simon was grinning like a kid and Hank couldn't honestly remember when was the last time he'd seen him so delighted. 

            "But this is tremendous news!  You can rejoin The Avengers!"

            "Now hold on.  My strength is nowhere near what it's supposed to be.  Let me show you."  Simon stood up and went over to a large black footlocker and opened it up.  Inside were iron and steel bars of various lengths and thickness.  He selected one about four feet in length and two or three inches in diameter.  He grunted and with a sudden surge, twisted the bar into a U shape.  "That's about as much as I can do right now.  And that was an effort."

            Hank took the U shaped piece of metal and hefted it thoughtfully.  "I see what you mean.  For anyone else that would be a highly impressive feat of strength.but for Wonder Man."

            ".who used to be able to juggle aircraft carriers without breaking a sweat, it's laughable."  Simon took the U shape and with a yank, straightened it back out again.  "I'm afraid that at my current level of power I'd be more of a liability to the team than an asset.  But my strength does seem to be slowly growing.  Who knows?  Maybe one day I'll be back up there where I can bench press tanks."

            "And maybe if you take advantage of the resources of Avengers Mansion, Tony Stark and I can find a way to completely restore your powers."

            Simon returned to his seat and shook his head slowly.  "Hank, I'd like for nothing more than to be back on the team, especially now that you've rejoined.  But you know what?  I'm enjoying being human for a while.  I'm back in the movies, I'm working on scripts, and I'm getting projects off the ground.  I'm having fun just being Simon Williams.  If and when I get my full power back, I'm heading straight for New York and signing up again for active duty.  But for right now, I'm content."

            "Would I be out of line if I asked does the fact that Wanda isn't on the team have anything to do with your decision?"

            Simon crossed his arms and sat back.  "Wanda and I had a talk before we went our separate ways and we were both okay with our decisions.  She felt her place was on Genosha with her brother and I respect that.  She thought I blamed her for me losing my powers but that wasn't it at all.  Wanda's probably the only being on Earth who could have given me the last couple of weeks as a human.  And I've enjoyed having an appetite again, the feel of hot water on my skin while taking a shower.  Hell, Hank, even taking a leak is ecstasy and I never thought I'd miss just having to go to the friggin' bathroom!  But I did!  And there's a whole lifetime of feelings that I'm rediscovering."  Simon smiled.  "Yeah, I'm okay.  No matter what.  I'm okay."

            The door of the trailer was suddenly yanked open and The Living Lightning stuck his head inside.  "Up and at 'em, Hank!"

            "What's the problem?"

            "Jarvis just called.  Hawkeye, Killeroo and Warbird just left the mansion to take on The Abomination!"

            "Oh, Lordy!  It couldn't have been Doctor Bong who decided to cut the fool today?  Did Jarvis mention if anybody else had responded to the call?"

            "Matter of fact he did.  USAgent said we could all drop dead.  Well, actually Walker said a whole lot more than that but Jarvis said there was no way he was repeating that kind of language in public.  Stingray answered but he's in The South China Sea and said he couldn't get away for another two or three weeks.  Jack of Hearts and Quasar are on the Blue Area of The Moon.  All they said was that they were 'tied up and couldn't get away'"

            "Which could conceivably mean anything from they're trying to beat back an alien invasion by themselves to playing Multidimensional Monopoly with The Watcher.  In any case, it leaves us without the necessary muscle to take down The Abomination."  Hank's worry was obvious as he said to Simon, "We'd best make all possible haste to return to New York."

            The Living Lightning frowned.  "Beast, there's no way in hell we're going to get back to New York in time to make a difference!"

            "Then we shall just pray that other members of New York's superhuman community are available to assist our compatriots.  But we are returning as fast as we can.  And if The Abomination has hurt or killed any of our friends then we shall do whatever is necessary.  Simon, we-"

            "Go ahead, my friends.  I definitely can't help against The Abomination and I'd only be in the way if I went along.  Go do some Avenging and give 'im one for me, okay?

            Nova shoved a pile of rubble aside and got to his feet.  It had only been fifty-four seconds since The Abomination had charged him and Warbird and it was amazing they had lasted that long.  Warbird was surrounded by a corona of pure photonic energy and she was going at it toe to toe with The Abomination, trading blow for blow.  A fierce smile of joy was on her beautiful face and for a brief second Nova actually thought she was going to batter The Abomination into submission, so thunderously powerful were the blows that she rained on the monster.

            The Abomination gathered himself and locked his misshapen taloned hands together and swung them in a devastating uppercut that threw Warbird up into the air, speeding like a well-hit baseball into the sky, arcing over the tops of buildings.  Nova threw himself back into the fight, slamming into The Abomination's lower back.  Nova bounced off The Abomination, crashing painfully back into the ground, tearing up more grass and concrete, which flew around him in chunks.

            "Nova!  Get clear!  I'll cover!"  The commanding voice was coming from Hawkeye, who was standing on the back of a huge silver beast of a motorcycle that was actually soaring through the air, propelled by fiery jets on either side of the rear of the massive machine.  Nova couldn't believe that the driver of the machine appeared to be a humanoid kangaroo that was ferociously chomping on a cigar and held what looked to be a 40mm electric cannon in one gloved hand.

             So quickly did Hawkeye fire three explosive arrows one right after the other that as the first one was striking The Abomination in the face, the third one was leaving his bow.  The arrows in Hawkeye's quiver were placed in a set pattern so that he knew exactly what arrow he was drawing without having to look at it.  The series of explosions drove The Abomination back several steps.  The monster groaned, more in shock than in pain, plumes of black smoke rolling off his pebbly grin hide.  Killeroo's bike landed hard and both he and Hawkeye threw themselves from the vehicle as it continued on to slam into The Abomination, further disorientating the creature. 

            The Abomination swatted the motorcycle aside and Nova caught it, more out of reflex than anything else.  The thing wasn't even dented.  What's this bike made outta?  Adamantium? He wondered as he put it down.

            Killeroo was firing his electric cannon, the six barrels spinning in a furious blur as bullets hosed from the formidable weapon in such a rapid stream that it appeared to be a solid metal rod stabbing into The Abomination's upper torso and face.  Apparently tired of the abuse his face was taking, The Abomination charged Killeroo, who nimbly dodged aside with a prodigious spring worthy of the animal he resembled.  He had unloaded 350 rounds of ammo at The Abomination and the creature had shrugged it off as though they were jellybeans thrown by a petulant child.  He whirled around with reptilian speed, looking for Killeroo.

            Warbird swooped back in, delivering a solid straight punch right to the creature's jaw.  Aided by her incredible velocity, it was a punch that finally had the desired effect of rocking The Abomination on his heels.  For the first time during the decidedly one-sided fight, The Abomination was actually stunned.  Warbird was voicing a strange, shrill scream of ferocious jubilation as she flew back around again delivered another incredible blow, this one actually knocking several teeth out of The Abomination's mouth.

            Nova saw his chance and bulleted in, this time slamming into The Abomination's knees.  It had the desired effect of toppling the creature over onto his back.  He hit with a shuddering BA-BOOM! 

            Hawkeye was doing something with several snap on arrowhead modules he had taken from the pouches on his tunic straps.  Killeroo joined him, shaking his head in amazement.  "If I hadn't seen it with me own eyes I'd never have believed it!  I shot him!"

            Hawkeye replied calmly, "No you didn't.  You pissed him off is what you did."

            "He took a full clip of 40mm ammo, mate!"

            "You think they call him The Abomination because he farts in public?"  Hawkeye had finished what he was doing and said crisply; "Listen, get in there and get his head back as far as you can, make him roar or cuss or whatever.just get his mouth open wide."

            "No worries."  Killeroo suddenly sprang, reaching over his shoulder to one of the two shotguns holstered in criss-cross fashion on his back.  "Get his yap open!"  he yelled to Nova and Warbird, who had dog piled on The Abomination and were pounding on him with everything they had.  He landed on the monster's stomach and jammed the barrel of one shotgun into The Abomination's mouth and with a sudden wrench, levered that appalling pit of razor sharp teeth open.  The stench that emerged was like nothing Killeroo had ever encountered and he turned his sensitive nose away.  "If you're gonna do in this whacker I wish you'd do it now!" he yelled at Hawkeye.

            The Avenging Archer leaped in, fired an arrow right between Killeroo's legs that went into The Abomination's mouth just before it snapped shut on the shotgun, biting it cleanly in half. 

            And then the fireworks went off.

            An incredible burst of electrical energy literally lit up The Abomination's head, jagged streaks of lightning actually emerging from The Abomination's ears, mouth and nose.  The Avengers and their ally Nova fell back as The Abomination writhed and screamed as the electrical storm raged inside his head.

            "Blue Blazes!"  Nova exclaimed, the lenses of his helmet automatically darkening to protect his eyes from the brightness.  "What did you do, Hawkeye?"

            "Oh, just put together a package of five modules I use for my electro-arrows.  Must be a couple thousands of volts goin' through his pea brain.  That's gotta have some kinda effect on him."

            The Abomination was rolling over and slowly getting to his knees and feet.  He spat the arrow out.  He was growling softly, thick drools of saliva dribbling from his mouth which was now just one bleeding open sore, smoke emerging from it, the smell of cooked flesh filling the air.  The Abomination was getting to his feet but his legs were visibly wobbling and his eyes were unfocused, glazed.  The monster plainly was on the ropes, disorientated. 

            Warbird grinned at Nova.  "Care to give me a hand?"

            "Be my pleasure."

            Warbird and Nova charged in and as one swung their fists, connecting with The Abomination's jaw at the same time. 

            KRAKA-WHOOM!

            The Abomination hit the ground, finally and mercifully out cold.  At last.

            "Whew!"  Nova sat down heavily on The Abomination's chest, shaking his stinging right hand.  "If I NEVER again have to fight this overgrown lizard again in life it'll be okay with me."

            Hawkeye walked up jauntily, his bow resting across his shoulders and his arms over the bow.  "Oh, I dunno, junior.  You done just fine from what I saw.  You got guts and you know how to take orders."

            "I was a New Warrior, Hawkeye.  We weren't exactly amateur hour, y'know."

            "No.come to think of it, you guys were pretty damn good."  Hawkeye turned to a grinning Warbird and Killeroo who were high-fiving each other.  "All of you did good.  I'm proud of the work we did here today."  Hawkeye's voice was thoughtful.  "Nova, I'd like you to come back to Avengers Mansion with us.  Got some time to spare?"

            "Sure.  If you can spring for lunch."

            "Jarv'll whip up anything you like.  I'd like to make you a proposition."

            "What kind?"

            Hawkeye was grinning widely as he said; "Let me put it this way.'Hawkeye's Kooky Quartet' has kinda a nice ring to it, dontcha think?"

            "Thanks for this, Prowler.  I'm sure it'll come in handy."  Hawkeye accepted the data storage chip from the clawed hand of The Prowler.  They were standing on the front steps of Avengers Mansion.  Despite being invited inside by The Avenging Archer, The Prowler had declined the invitation.

            "I've got a couple of pots of my own bubbling on the stove.  I just thought you could use the information on that chip.  If The Abomination is still around, then that AIM cell is also active.  I'm not sure what they're up to as of yet but it's got to do with some kind of canister I've got in a stasis safe over at Damage Control.  The information on the chip is everything I've learned about their plans so far."

            "You want us to assist with your investigation or you want to work on it for awhile on your own?"

            "I think I've got the situation under control so far.  And by you guys taking down The Abomination, that's a big load of my mind.  But if I need any help at all, I'll be sure to call."  Hobie Brown's face was hidden by his plasticized metal alloy mask that covered his entire head when he went into action as The Prowler and so Hawkeye didn't see the frown on his face.  The Prowler would have liked to be able to tell Hawkeye that he was working for one of his teammates but T'Challa The Black Panther had made it crystal clear that for the time being no one must know that The Prowler was an agent of Wakanda. 

            "It's your case and your call.  Thanks again and don't be a stranger, okay?"  Hawkeye watched as The Prowler fired a length of nylon cable from his right gauntlet and swung away with an ease that came from years of practice.

            Hawkeye walked back inside the mansion and rejoined the others who were in the dining room refreshing themselves with snacks and drinks, provided by the ever-prepared Jarvis.  Nova had taken off his helmet, which rested at his elbow as he dug into a plate piled with French fries and three huge cheeseburgers.  Warbird was making do with a Cobb salad and a diet coke while Killeroo was devouring a plate of fried chicken.  Hawkeye tucked the chip away into a pouch on a tunic strap and said; "So how about it, Nova?  You ready to step up to the big leagues?  After what I saw today I've convinced you've got the stuff to be an Avenger.  To be honest, I dunno why you were never asked before."

            Nova burped slightly and finished chewing before answering: "I was cool with being a New Warrior.  Being an Avenger was never a burning ambition like it was with Justice.  He never made a secret out of that."

            "You get to live here and there's a $1500 a week stipend."  Warbird said.  "You'd be surprised how much you can save in the bank when you don't have to pay for your meals and rent."

            A french fry stopped halfway to Nova's mouth.  "I get to live HERE?  In the mansion?"

            "Sure," Hawkeye said.  "I thought everybody knew that.  Any Avenger who wants to live in the mansion can do so.  Providing there's room, of course.  But that's not a problem.  There's plenty of room."

            "Wow."  The French fry disappeared into Nova's mouth as he chewed thoughtfully.

            "And how about you, missy?"  Hawkeye turned to Warbird.  "You can't tell me that you're really gonna walk away from all this?"

            "Hawkeye, I told you, I have an assignment from the U.N. and I simply can't-" Warbird stopped upon spying Jarvis waiting in the doorway to the dining room.  "What's wrong, Jarvis?  Not another emergency, I hope?"

            "Not at all, Madame.  I apologize for interrupting your meal but the newest member of The Avengers has just arrived and brings you greetings from Prince Namor."  Jarvis stepped aside to reveal the figure standing behind him.

            Warbird grinned: "See!  Turns out you won't need me after all!"

            The cigar dropped out of Killeroo's mouth as he gasped; "Strewth!" while Nova could only mumble, "Blue Blazes!"

            Hawkeye's grin was even wider than Warbird's.  "I shoulda guessed that Namor would send YOU."

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