The Past
"Robert, your being absurd."
As the man whom Robert Reynolds had considered in many ways to be a mentor, wrote off his former pupils work, Robert simply stood in disappointment.
"But Professor Marconi, if you would simply take my findings with a more open mind, then I'm confident you'll understand the research." Reynolds said as he had gathered up all of his papers which had been placed on the desk. As his former teacher turned colleague Charles Marconi had begun to pack up his own work, the last thing the respected scholar wanted to be faced with was another in a series of proposals created by Reynolds.
"Oh I understand the research quite clearly Robert, your theories are perfectly fine, considering that is as capable as your findings are going to be." With his bag packed, the older man looked the much younger Reynolds in the eye with a solemn expression. When Robert had attended the University of Southern California some years ago, Marconi believed him to be a man with much potential. Though as capable as he was, Robert often tried to overcompensate, by perhaps looking too much into how things worked, instead of focusing on the why.
"These charts and tests you've been conducting are intriguing at best, but quite impossible to confirm in any shape of form. To imply that positive and anti matter make up distinct fabrics in the space a person occupies is one thing, but to suggest that the human brain is a cerebral by product is, as you can surely understand, doubtful to say the least." Marconi said as he placed on his rather worn pea coat.
"Professor, you know as well as I that the average human uses less than ten percent of their brain. I've been studying this particular notion that the other ninety or so percent that we fail to even tap in our lives is a gateway to abilities that are so often denied most human beings." Robert said as he straightened his glasses, in a desperate attempt to persuade the mind of a man he held in high regard.
"Abilities such as what Robert? Telepathy, Telekinesis? In case you've forgotten, we live in a world where people can walk through walls, and protrude bone from their flesh. Such a find is hardly groundbreaking, and they have a name for such humans, they are called mutants." Marconi said with a soft chuckle.
Frustration had obviously begun to set in with Robert. If there had been one person whom he had believed he could have confided in, it was the man that stood before him. Yet as he tried to hide the fact that he was blushing in embarrassment, Reynolds simply wished he had kept his thoughts to himself.
"I'm aware of the mutant gene, what I'm alluding to is perhaps a dormant trait carried in all Homo sapiens. Just imagine, a person being able to exhibit brain frequencies which operate on two polar opposite levels. Yes, the idea is a paradox in itself, but with the right mind, there are methods which could be used to unleash such inhibitions which safeguard our minds." Robert said with an ounce of enthusiasm.
As his eyes lingered over Reynolds for a brief moment, Marconi's stone face spoke volumes enough.
"You’re talking about a process that involves tampering with the minds of people Robert, please listen to me." Ignoring the disgruntled look of his protégé, Marconi allowed his last words to come out in a reassuring manner. "Go home, and send my best to the wife."
The Present
Los Angeles, California
Angel's Gates Asylum
As frantic bodies rushed through the mental hospital located on the outskirts of Los Angeles, the remaining staff of Angel's Gates Asylum found their numbers had dwindled immensely. Between the nurses whom had fallen by the wayside, to the more brutish orderlies whom were tasked with the mission to keep patients in line, the halls had been unrecognizably stained with blood. Yet the assailant in question wasn't particularly fond with the idea of simply killing off the hired hands, for he had found much greater pleasure in invading the crevices of their mind. Attacking the once secure yet vulnerable thought of those who kept his own wishes at bay.
"The Void sends his thanks, for taking such good care of his champion." Robert Reynolds said as he grabbed hold of one of the few remaining nurses still able to be found. Most had already been disposed of, while others had been smart and made off before Reynolds targeted them. Interestingly enough, he had avoided attacking any of the other resident patients situated at the Asylum. No, his lust for redemption would come at the cost of those which kept him imprisoned, not innocents whom were in the same position as he was once.
As he clutched the neck of the defenseless plump woman, his once dazzling blue eyes shifted in color. They were replaced with holes of blackness, which matched the darkness which seemed to be expelling from the very aura of Reynolds. As the woman squirmed with tears running down her face, Robert’s lips curled into devilish grin as he readied to attack the poor females psyche.
"They call me crazy, so allow me to offer you the same demons you people claim plagued my mind!" Robert said as the room around him faded to black, enveloping the woman hostage in complete darkness.
Within moments everything had returned back to its normal state, save for the one unfortunate nurse. Instead her body writhed on the floor, her mind no longer a fraction of what it once was. To kill was not in the interests of Reynolds, though his benefactor would believe in no other way. Trapped in this asylum, Robert had been locked up for fear that he was a victim of his mind.
It was only fair on his part, to return the harsh judgment which had been placed on himself. Besides, there were others which deserved the killing stroke far more than the woman who lay at his feet at the moment. Others, whom would be tended to, before The Void turned his sights to the rest of the world,
***
Ignoring everything the blood stained floors which swept the vicinity; there was one staff member at Angel's Gates whom had not quite made it out of the facility. Perhaps out of arrogance, the orderly known as Griffin chose instead to retrieve his personal belongings, unlike his co workers who strangely found more value in their lives than their possessions. Frantically looking for his cell phone as he rummaged through his pants pocket, Griff had already discovered that the phone lines in the building were all but functional. So he decided to take his chances with a cell phone which rarely received service in this hospital.
"Shit, only two bars." he said as he began to wave the phone in the air in an effort to detect a better signal. Time was of the essence for him, as he was very much aware that Robert Reynolds was on something like a killing spree, one which the brown haired weasel faced orderly had managed to avoid thus far.
"Come on come on..." he muttered as he dialed in the numbers 9-1-1.
A familiar ring brought a smile to the face of the man as he let loose a sigh of relief. If there was any time for a call to go through, then this was most certainly it.
"9-1-1, what is your emergency?"
"Hello, 9-1-1? Umm help, I need help. There is a nut case loose here at my job and,"
"Sir, I'm going have to ask you to calm down, and give us your address please?" The voice on the other end of the phone said, in an almost mechanical tone.
"Uhh yeah, umm I'm at Angel's Gates Asylum off of," before Griff could finish, a dreaded beep sounded, indicating that he had lost service in the room.
"No, this can't be happening." he said in shock as he stared down at his phone, bewildered at the lost call.
"A shame for you," the voice had crept up on Griff that he dropped his phone as he stared at the face of Robert Reynolds. For months the orderly had been doing his best to make the man's stay here as unbearable as possible, at times even resorting to cheap shots at the patient he considered too much of a pretty boy to be insane.
As Reynolds stepped into the staff changing room, he looked down at the fallen phone.
"No wonder you can't get service. You have Sprint." he said with a smirk as his once human form slowly began to change into a more grotesque, beast like state. His flesh reverted to a more rock hide texture, and his features distorted into something made of nightmares.
Without uttering another word, the beast formerly known as Robert Reynolds simply laughed at the whimpering man.
Finish him.
***
Starks Tower
At the new Los Angeles based Starks Tower, which served as the future base of operations for the newly reinstated Avengers West Coast branch was an assemblage of heroes that may very well make up that initial roster.
As the Chairwoman of the team, Monica Rambeau, returned from routine patrol flight of the city accompanied she was accompanied by one of the few invited to join the Avenger ranks. Melissa Gold, the former Thunderbolt known as Songbird had had her reservations about joining the team, and still expressed doubts. Yet she would be lying if she had said that the idea of the Avengers didn't tempt her in the least. They were by all means the best of the best, and to be invited was an honor in itself, but to actually take up the invitation? Now that was an accolade all its own.
Though the two had exchanged in words earlier in the day, both were pleasantly silent. Monica had realized that Songbird still needed time to think over her position, and though she was not in the interest of forcing a decision from the girl, she would slightly tip the scales in their favors. The Avengers needed someone like Melissa. She offered a fresh perspective to an ideal which had surpassed its founders long ago. Despite the woman's past dealings, it was believed that she could be a hero of great influence in her own right.
That was if, Melissa was willing to accept such a fate.
"Glad you two are back, it seems we have a situation." said the Falcon Sam Wilson as he made his appearance before the two heroines.
"What's going on, and where is everyone else at?" Monica asked as she glanced over at Songbird for a moment before focusing on the Falcon.
"Well, doesn't really sound like much, but apparently some mental hospital uptown has had some sort of incident. Police have already been dispatched, but initial reports have been rather strange to say the least. Apparently a couple staff workers had to high tail it out of there because a patient got loose, which in itself sounds like something worth looking at." he said as he shrugged his shoulders. "Not exactly Graviton, but this isn't exactly New York either."
"As for the rest of the crew, Justice and Firestar are giving the new guys a quick tour of the place. I think they're going to fit in quite well, but maybe that's just well wishing on my part." Sam said as he motioned for the other two to follow them to the monitor room of the building.
"The asylum problem doesn't sound like an Avengers level problem, but we could check it out. Send a message that the Avengers are in town. Even if it's only from a motivational stand." the Avenger Photon said as she then noticed that Songbird seemed hesitant to follow.
"I hope I'm not going to have to pep talk you through this whole process." she said, staring at Songbird with a smirk. "You coming?"
With no real argument to not at least tag along for this one outing, Melissa gave in to her inner voice as she caught up to the pair in a couple of strides.
"Guess we should welcome you to the team then huh?" Falcon asked the red haired girl.
"I didn't exactly say yes yet." Songbird corrected.
As Photon matched eyes with Falcon, she chuckled softly.
"Sure you didn't."
***
Within moments of sending a call alerting all Avengers to report to the launch pad for assignment, Photon, Falcon, and Songbird were joined by fellow Avengers Firestar and Justice, as well as new recruits Danny Rand the Iron Fist, and former X-Man Colossus.
Nestled within an updated version of the Avengers signature Quinjet, Falcon quickly took the pilot's seat as the others spread out throughout the aircraft's confines. The Quinjet was stationed at the top of the fifty story building on the roof. Such a vehicle had become a staple in the foundation of the Avengers over the years, as multiple versions of the jet had been made throughout the years.
"Now a guy could seriously get used to this." Iron Fist said as he took the first available window seat he could find.
"But I gotta ask, if we're only going across town, is there really a need to take jet for a five minute trip?" he added as he leaned back in the chair. Across the aisle from him were the engaged Firestar and Justice, with Colossus and Songbird taking seats behind him.
"You know what Danny, your absolutely right. Feel free to meet us there if you like. Although as you'll find, Los Angeles doesn't exactly have a subway system." Photon added as the jet had begun its ascent into the sky.
"Good point." Rand finished as he looked outside of his window. Though nothing had ever seemed to compare to the mystical city of K'un Lun where Danny had been raised, he did have a certain passion for the world as he has seen it.
"If I may ask, what exactly is so dire about this particular mission that would require the presence of the Avengers? Forgive me for overlooking the details, but isn't this more of a matter for the local authorities?" Colossus asked from his seat.
"True and it's not the intentions of the Avengers to take the place of the police. However even though the world isn't being threatened by a Kang or Ultron, it's the day to day villains which need to be watched the most. Now this incident at Angel's Gates Asylum is certainly not something that's going to make the world hold its breath, but it's still relevant." As Photon spoke, the rest of the gathered heroes all took special interest in her words.
"Our presence there basically lets the people know we're here for them. Obviously the Avengers can't always be there to handle crimes which happen on a daily basis, but it's good for people to see us in an active role when we're not lounging around, awaiting the next Kree-Skrull fallout." She said as their destination crept up on them sooner than any of them had expected.
"Wait; hold up, so this makes us all Avengers then? Get an invitation, just say yes and like that your officially one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes?" Iron Fist asked with a skeptical look.
"What else you would like, a big badge with an A on the front." said Firestar with a soft grin directed at Danny.
"I'm just saying, isn't there some sort of interview process we have to go through?" he said as he looked for an answer from someone on the jet.
Without ever looking back, Photon simply stared out the front window of the aircraft as it prepared its estimated descent onto the property of Angel's Gates.
"Consider this the interview."
***
The Past
As he entered his bedroom after a long day's work, Robert Reynolds smiled at the sight of his beautiful wife. She had apparently attempted to wait up on him, as the book she was reading was still in her grasp as she slept so peacefully. Kissing her gently on her forehead, he turned out the light by her nightstand as he begun seeing to his own clothes. As he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, he remembered the various conversations he had throughout the week. The first one of disappointment from his mentor, the next coming from one of his peers.
The overall gist of each conversation resulted in Robert being deemed to illogical. His arguments weren't exactly helping his case, as he had yet to come across any conclusive evidence to verify his theories. More than that, he had yet to really come across evidence. Everything he had presented to this point had been theories, which even he couldn't remember how they came about. It was as if Robert had literally woke up one morning, to find a world of possibilities floating in his mind.
Yet, he had written that off as mental fatigue. Hell, the man had sworn the other night that the shadows in his room had attempted to smother him in his sleep. Obviously he was putting himself under far too much strain, and needed a well deserved break from everything.
Add that to the news that his wife was expecting their first child, and it had become all too apparent to Robert to reevaluate his priorities. As important as his studies were, his family came first.
As he finished undressing and smoothly slipped into the bed beside his wife, he looked at the still form of his wife with a smile, before turning to his side as he closed his eyes.
In his sleep, the shadows which Robert had confirmed to be nothing more than his imagination seemed to slowly manifest to life. In doing so, a distinct chuckle could be heard within the unconscious mind of one, Robert Reynolds.
***
The Present
Los Angeles, California
Angel's Gates Asylum
As the West Coast Avengers Quinjet slowly made its landing in front of the mental hospital, the passengers immediately took note of the two police cars parked to the side. What stood out about this was that neither seemed to be occupied at first glance, until Justice pointed out that one of the officers was on the ground, laid up on the side of his car.
"Over there." he said as Photon led the short scramble towards the police officer, who appeared to have been suffering from extensive burns across his chest.
"Falcon, scout the area for anyone else." she instructed as she returned her attention back to the downed cop.
"It's alright sir, everything is going to be ok. The Avengers are here to help." she said as she offered her most sincere voice to the man whom was obviously in a great deal of pain. Yet perhaps that was simply the appearance which he gave off, since the man was doing his best not to voice the sting he was surely receiving from his burns.
As Photon tended to the police officer, the rest of the team either stood off to her side, or took in a better sight of the area. Falcon had taken to the sides as instructed, while Iron Fist looked studied the damage which had taken its toll on the facility itself.
"A mental patient did all of this?" Justice questioned as he stood next to his fiancée, taking in the damage. Whatever had gone down here was more than just a crazed loon smacking around a nurse or two.
"He looks like he's trying to say something." Songbird said as she stood next to the crouching Photon.
The police officer opened his mouth, but found himself unable to voice any words. Instead his fears were broadcast through his facial expressions, as they instantly sprung to life on the Avengers.
"What are you trying to say?" Photon asked as suddenly the air around them erupted in an explosion.
The Quinjet had been the target of an apparent attack, as a flaming ball of scorched flesh slammed into the immobile aircraft. The resulting shockwave sent the unsuspecting bodies of Iron Fist, Justice, and Firestar. All of them were sent pushed through the air, scattered away from each other.
Colossus had been in his armored state before the attack, and had been able to sustain a good portion of the blast. Photon and Songbird had been a good distance away from the explosion as they looked on at the blazing fire which had spread in the center of the burning Quinjet.
"Tony is not going to like that." Photon muttered softly as she stood up from her position as the flaming object which hit their ship appeared to be human in size.
"Colossus, get in closer to the wreckage, see what the hell that thing is." she ordered as the Steel Russian made haste as he looked closer into the flames. Before his eyes was the remains of what appeared to be another police officer, recognizable only by the tattered remains and the smoldered badge where his chest had been.
"My god, what could do this?" Colossus said in horror as his teammates began to join him.
As the others began to regain their composure, Firestar was the first to take note of the darkening skies ahead of them.
"Umm guys, I think there's our answer." She said as a dark figure hovered high above their heads, showcasing an array of jagged teeth to compliment the rock hide skin of his body.
As Photon took in the behemoth sight, her stomach clinched tightly. This was now what she had been expecting, especially not this soon.
"I am the Void, Bringer of chaos and destruction, and you shall fall before my mind." the being announced as suddenly it's form began to shift to a more slimmer, yet equally menacing shape. Horns protruded from its head similar to the centaurs of ancient myth, as its eyes shifted to a fiery red, as its body consumed itself within embers. The rock hide now embedded with fire which seemed to flow over the coarse figure as veins of molten lava.
As she forced herself to ignore any previous thoughts of hesitation, Photon knew as leader she needed to take action before one of her own was made into the next human fireball.
"Firestar, Justice, Songbird, hit him hard! Iron Fist and Colossus, I want you two on stand-by, we'll bring him down, you two take him out!" she said as her body illuminated in a gold light as she launched herself into the skies, leading the air charge against their newfound enemy.
"Avengers Assemble!'
***
As The Falcon soared over the premises of the building, he found himself being joined by his own partner true to life falcon, Red Wing. The red bird was his most trusted companion, as the two even shared an empathic link to each other. As the duo scouted the area as instructed by Photon, the Falcon could hear the sounds of sirens moving in ever closer. Blocking out the distant alarms, Sam scanned over the building as there appeared to be countless windows shattered, and blown out. Even the bars which remained to safeguard patients from attempting bold escapes were left intact. Yet the Harlem native was hard-pressed to believe that there was any activity whatsoever occurring on the inside. Things seemed to be dead by all accounts.
Yet, not even the sounds of impending help could be heard over the deafening explosion which sounded from where the others had been left at. Smoke could be seen from the distance Sam was presently at, and his first instincts told him there was much more to this than any of them could have hoped for.
"Looks like we have a lot more on our hands than a couple of escaped patients’ buddy." he said to his companion as his arms adjusted the harnessed wings strapped to his body.
Disregarding his earlier objective to scout the area, Sam Wilson propelled himself back towards his previous location, to help his teammates deal with the latest crisis before them.
***
As the four aerial Avengers took an offensive stance against, The Void, the enemy in question merely watched in mild intrigue as it held its own stance.
With the desecration of the police officer whose remains had burned within the confines of the damaged Quinjet, the first strike had already been blown in the eyes of these heroes.
Attacking the horned monster with a combined force of Justice's psionic energy mixed with Firestar's own ability to generate blasts of microwave radiation. The two focused their attacks directly in the center of the Void, as the hits seemed to do little more than annoy the villain. Not one to be slighted, the Void took the attack in stride as it returned the favor tenfold by lashing out with a show of its own power by sending a fiery energy blast towards the two Avengers.
"Angie watch out!" Justice yelled to his lover as he created a telekinetic field to protect them both from the attack, finding it harder than he realized to sustain the shields.
Using the distraction provided by the two former New Warriors, Songbird was next up to bat as the red and white hair streaked girl came at the void from behind. Slamming an oversized sledgehammer into the back of the Void in the form of a solid hard sound construct she manifested. Staggered by the unseen blow, the Void shot forward only to be cut off by Photon herself.
"Just like that Songbird, you hit hard while I burn him up." Photon said as the illuminated Avenger directed energy in the form of ultraviolet radiation at the body of the Void, in an effort to melt through the rather hot handed villain.
"You dare harm me with light? Fool! My power is that of a million exploding suns!" The Void declared as its body began to illuminate much like Photon's, only the energy he was manifesting seemed to be expelling outward.
"A million exploding suns, this guy is officially up for lamest villain of the month." Songbird quipped, until what the man was doing began to dawn on her.
Smiling, the Void's voice boomed throughout the area as the Falcon had joined his comrades in battle.
"This doesn't look good." Colossus said from his position on the ground. The rest of the team paused, unsure of their attacks were only amplifying their opponent.
"Bear witness, to your demise." In an instant, the energy which had gathered inside the Void escaped from its body, unfiltered as it lit up the surrounding area. A backlash struck out at all who stood in his path, stretching out in harsh resistance against the Avengers, as the world violently burned to white.
***
To Be Continued
***
Next Issue- The West Coast Avengers find themselves in all hell as the Void demonstrates what the power of a million exploding suns can achieve. And out of the darkness, what could possibly survive the light? Find out as Into the Void continues.
***
Author's Note~ Still with me? Good because things are really starting to heat up for the Left Coast saviors. I'm having fun with these characters, and am happy with the positive response I've gotten so far. Hopefully I'll continue to keep the fires burning, because this has become quite a priority for myself.
As always, feedback is always appreciated, positive or negative. Feel free to hit up the AV message boards or email me at eroc13@comcast.net
Until next time.
-Eric Roman
7/19/07