AVENGERS WEST COAST 112

DEC. YEAR 3	MV1 Presents ... Earth's Mightiest Heroes!!!	AVENGERS
		And there came a day ... a day when the foes became too great for even Earth's Mightiest Heroes to handle alone! On that day was born ... the West Coast Avengers!
# 112	NORTHERN BEAR PRODUCTIONS	# 112
Hawkeye! Wonder Man! Tigra! USAgent! Cannonball! Quicksilver! Falcon! Lady Merveille!

Previously … The Whackos have traveled across the universe to the Shi'ar Galaxy to stop Dr. Doom from extending his intergalactic empire … Hawkeye and Beta Ray Bill rescued Lord Kofi Whitemane from jail … Doom has been leveling planets and rebuilding them as Latveria lookalikes … The Whackos have encountered two tragedies, Lady Merveille has been ripped to radio waves and Wonder Man has lost his hand to Admiral Phyken … Doom prepares for his assault on the planet Hollandinia …

Simon Williams screamed in his kinetic bonds as his left hand lay on the floor, removed from his body.

"I hardly think you're in the position to make threats, freak," Admiral Phyken of the Shi'ar Empire grinned down at Wonder Man. "I do not know what you are inside your human appearance, but I see the Grellian Assassin wire has worked as effortlessly as it always has."

Next to Wonder Man stood Cannonball, held in place by two Shi'ar guards. He had no reaction to Simon's predicament, having been drugged the minute he came aboard the small craft* that had eventually flown them back to the Eliteness.

"Hrm, it seems the Grellian wire hasn't worked quite as well as it normally does. Your wound has not been completely cauterized. Simon looked down through the pain to see ionic energy seeping out of the stump that was where his left hand should have been. He could feel himself growing weaker as more and more energy seeped out.

"Admiral Phyken!" a voice cut into the small ship's speakers as it sat in dock aboard the Eliteness. "We have a message from the Majestrix herself!"

"What is it?" Phyken asked quickly, willing to do anything to gain Lilandra's favor.

"Begging your pardon, sir," the speaker's voice quavered, causing Phyken to smile at the fear he had instilled in his troops, "they are no longer rumors. This comes from Majestrix Lilandra herself!"

"Set a course for Hollandinia, then!" Admiral Phyken shouted, glad that a battle was about to be joined. "To save the Empire!"

Dr. Doom stood aboard his Shi'ar War Cruiser, ready for the assault on Hollandinia. He took his place on the massive bridge, looking out the front screen at the large planet before him. In a large containment field to his left, the Lady Merveille stood, shaken.

If he could take this planet, with it's War Cruiser factories and it's State Center of Shi'ar trained cadets, he would be that much closer to taking the entire empire. That was his ultimate goal - to sit as Emperor of the greatest Empire in the entire known universe.

And when he did, he would ride on his steeds of metal and lead an assault on the planet Earth. It would be glorious.

"Ah, Ms. Rambeau speaks at the last," Doom strode to the containment bubble. "The damsel in distress role does not fit one as … powerful as you."

"I know everything, woman," Doom scoffed, waving his hand at her. "I am Doom." He let the words sink in, as he always did, and then continued, "You have put a wrench into the workings of my plan. Why have the Avengers chosen to interfere?"

"You shall try, I am sure," Doom said gravely. "But it matters not. Nor does it matter that production of my warships on Mil'gromal has hit a delay." *

"What?" Merveille grinned, "Two little Avengers could cause problems to the workings of Dr. Doom? Go figure."

Doom eyed her carefully, "It depends on who the Avengers are, of course. Do not trifle with Doom woman."

"I didn't know you held Wonder Man and Cannonball in such high esteem, Doom. I'm sure they'd be touched."

Doom came as close to the containment bubble as he could. "Wonder Man and Cannonball, you say? Thank you, Monica. I had no idea there were Avengers on Mil'gromal at all - I was referring only to the attack made by the Shi'ar." Doom turned around, smug and confident.

"Call the warships out of hyperspace. It is time. Let the attack on Hollandinia begin here." He turned back to Merveille. "The first attack will come in two hours, Avenger. If your friends are going to do anything, they had better have them already done."

"Uh … okay … I thought this stuff only existed in sci-fi novels," Hawkeye rubbed his hand over the back of his cowl covered head.

They stood on the Dividing Line - the Hollandian created wall that ran down the center of the planet, from pole to pole and back again. To the Western Hemisphere lay the factories, churning out war cruisers. To the right lay the State Centers where the Shi'ar Admirals of tomorrow were being created today.

The Western half of the planet was charred to bare Earth - metal, steel and large pits of molten fire dominated the landscape. There were no trees, no water, no sign of anything living. Fire exploded from the surface as the hot engines beneath cooled the large slabs of metal that were used to construct the war cruisers. The Eastern Hemisphere was the opposite. Trees, large and floral dominated the landscape, intercut by glowing pools of blue. Universities and Academies of pure white smooth rock blended into the scene.

In the middle, an Avenger and a cyborg warrior who were risking their lives for this sphere, though nobody on the planet had ever heard of either and neither of the two had any love for the Shi'ar masters.

Green balls of light pulsed suddenly before them and when they were gone, Quicksilver and Falcon stood in their place. Greetings were done all around.

"What did you learn on Ak'yen'ja?" Hawkeye asked, referring to the mission he had sent Pietro and Sam on.*

"That Dr. Doom is it's Emperor and it's people are backwards fools," Pietro Maximoff scoffed.

"He's right, Hawk," Falcon jumped in, avoiding a comment from the Chairman. "To a point, at least."

"What is it?" Hawkeye asked, his eyes kept rapt by what looked like fireflies dancing beneath the surface of the ruby.

Falcon answered. "It is the Heart of Ak'yen'ja. The Ak'yen'jans tell us that it is the only hope we have at degeating Doom."

The last word hung in Crystal's throat as she wondered if, in fact, this really was going to be home or if it was just another stop in her and Pietro's wandering life. She had been happy living on the banks of the Hudson River in a castle of the High Evolutionary. The setting was almost idyllic for raising their daughter Luna, the Knights of Wundagore the perfect companions. But Pietro had become dissatisfied with the lifestyle, and his wandering legs had taken him away from her more and more often.* When he was at home, he was moody and difficult.

* As with his recent adventures with the X-Men - Check them out at the Four Corners Branch

Crystal smiled, looking down at Luna, asleep in her arms. To tell someone that Pietro was moody and difficult wouldn't raise many eyebrows.

Nonetheless, the decision to come and join the West Coast Avengers - Pietro as a full-time member and her as a reserve - wasn't one they had entered into lightly, but Crystal was willing to make the move in order to keep her family together.* They had already tried Attilan, the East Coast Avengers and the banks of the Hudson River - they might as well try the West Coast.

* Which can be evidenced in Marvel Triple Action 48 - At the Avengers Branch Biscuit

"No, it doesn't," Crystal frowned, handing the sleeping Luna to Bova to hold. "Perhaps you should wait in the car until I can check to see just what is going on."

A cold, hollow voice cut into the dark entranceway. "That is unnecessary, designate-Crystal." Crystal gasped and stepped in front of Bova and Luna to protect them as she caught just a flash of light reflecting off metal in the background and cold, red eyes of ionic energy dancing alone in the darkness of the Avengers home.

Greer Nelson, the heroine/adventurer known as Tigra crouched low in the ventilation shafts of a Castle Doom that was many, many light years from Latveria. She had seen Lady Merveille ripped to shreds by a battalion of 250 Doombots. That left her completely alone on a planet of 1,000 Doombots that she was now supposed to stop all by herself.

"Yeah, right," she smiled to herself, enjoying the challenge. She had put Monica as far out of he rmind as she could. Merveille was one of the most powerful humans on the planet Earth … she had to be able to take care of herself.

Tigra had explored the Castle as best she could through the vents and ducts of the old-only-in-appearance castle. She had made her way to the basement levels - there were at least three and she wondered just how close to the real Castle Doom these were - and she had spent the last hour looking down into a massive room of metal and wire.

She removed the grate and jumped down, landing easily and softly on her feet. She walked with all the elegance of a cat who walked upright, which is to say she didn't walk so much as pad gracefully across the room, her tail swirling in excitement. As she approached the control board a queer thrill played across her features.

Tigra reached down, undid a panel with her claws and proceeded to shred the wires beneath to disarray. She was not ten seconds into it when the door opened and a battalion of Doombots entered the room, ignoring her as they approached the recharging units.

Greer lay low to the floor, watching them hook themselves into the wall units. She had watched this before with the last battalion so she knew what was supposed to happen. It didn't.

Tigra was going to delay 1,000 Doombots all by herself by cutting off their energy supply. She grinned, enjoying the cream.

And it did, the first shots fired at a Shi'ar outpost on the moon Lonninnol, hammering deep space communications.

On the planet below, the war sirens rang out immediately and the planet was thrown to chaos.

The three Avengers and Beta Ray Bill made their way through the forest as the Eastern Hemisphere of the planet sounded in alarm. An attack was either on the way or about to start as the Shi'ar hurried to launch their crafts into space and prepare the planetary defense. They moved quickly and precisely, taking no time to look anywhere but in front of them.

"Tell me again why we didn't announce ourselves to the Shi'ar and aid them with their knowledge?" Quicksilver asked dryly.

"'Cause the Shi'ar is no better than Doom," Hawkeye grumbled, not wanting to admit that they were, in fact, playing a part in keeping the universe's biggest intergalactic Empire intact. "Plus, Bill is pretty certain that there's going to be quite a bit of Doom sympathizers down here, so we don't want to play our hand to anyone who's going to betray us to Doom. We're going in to the Governor's room and we're gonna wait there for Doom to arrive. He's always made a big show about taking control right at the seat of power and there's no reason to think this time will be any different."

"We're just going to wait for him and expect him to come to us?" the Falcon asked. "What kind of strategy is that?"

"It's called setting a trap," Hawkeye sighed as he moved some branches out of the way so they could pass. "Haven't you guys read any cowboy novels?"

"You're getting strategy from old dusty cowboy novels? The one's that wrote about the Wild West?" Quicksilver asked, dumbfounded.

"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" Hawkeye asked. "Not all of us Chairmen fought in World War II, you know."

"Yes, Hawkeye, thank you," Quicksilver retorted. "But wasn't the Wild Wild West a fabrication of the glory hungry Wild Bill Hickock?"

Hawkeye stopped and turned around, looking Pietro in the eye. "Depends who you talk to, I suppose." *

* Hawkeye certainly had a wild time in the Old West, didn't he? - See the Old West Saga going on in HAWKEYE the past few months - Once Upon a Biscuit in the West

They reached the Governor's Mansion, a large, ornate white building with domed ceiling and glistening towers. "Wanna smash us an entrance, Bill?" Hawkeye asks as he runs his hand over the smooth marble surface.

The Avengers turned to look at the sky above them to see that a firework had gone off, dropping green gas into the atmosphere. Explosions happened all around them. The precision of the Shi'ar troops was lost as Doom's sympathizers began the counterattack.

"Say one thing for Doom," Hawkeye grumbled. "At least he gave us the diversion we needed. Bill?"

Beta Ray Bill raised his enchanted hammer, Storm Breaker, into the air, wincing at the sharp pain in his side. He brought the hammer around, smashing a hole in the smooth wall.

The Avengers entered in the kitchen and one quick blow from Quicksilver took care of the one cook who had remained in the kitchen. They worked their way through the hallways, avoiding contact with anyone as best they could. They'd catch a glance from someone now and then, but most everyone had their own concerns at the moment. The Governor's Mansion was utter chaos.

With Quicksilver able to run through the halls virtually undetected, the Avengers and Beta Ray Bill slowly but surely made their way to the Governor's Office.

"Most likely, they killed is a loyalist," Bill whispered. "I'd be surprised if the five at the door were doing more to hold the Governor in than keep Doom out. I imagine Doom has his people at every possible location where he could gain the most advantage."

Quicksilver nodded and was gone. By the time Hawkeye had a bolo arrow notched, all five guards had fallen.

Hawkeye wanted to rip him for ignoring orders, but if that made Pietro feel better than it was okay with him. He had given Pietro the worst assignment* and he was probably dying to get some action. "S'okay, Quicksilver. Saves me an arrow," smiled Hawkeye to Pietro's seemingly permanent frown.

The four strode to the door and pushed the two large wooden doors open to reveal an ornate office inside. The Governor sat in his chair, facing away from them, seemingly not noticing that someone had entered.

Falcon and Bill shut the doors behind them and the Avengers walked across the plush carpet to stand in front of the Governor's desk.

"Oh, really," a shrill female voice replied. "Why do you think the Shi'ar would need the help of the Avengers?" The chair swiveled around and jaws hit the floor. "Welcome to Hollandinia. I've been waiting for you to arrive."

USAgent had been combing the neighborhood for two hours. No one would talk to him. Well, he had to admit, they would talk to him, but they didn't tell him anything. That wasn't true either, he noted sourly, they'd tell him things, but not the things Agent wanted to hear.

He had enough to do with his spare time instead of trying to perform anatomically impossible acts.

Jack was out investigating Michael Proctor, the Councilman he had sent to jail for possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.* The substance was cocaine. From what he had gathered, the Councilman was selling drugs to finance community projects such as the warehouse he intended to turn into a rec center for the community - the one where Agent had busted him. Getting nothing in Proctor's neighborhood, he hopped on his Harley and headed back to the warehouse.

The Falcon had claimed it was all a set up, but then, the Falcon and Proctor were good friends. One of the Agent's reliable sources had informed him of the drug shipment and Agent took the Whackos to bust him.

But something had been bothering him. What was that news crew doing there? Did they just happen to be in the right place at the right time or where they tipped off, too? And if they were tipped off, was that necessarily a sign that Proctor was set up?

Proctor was being played by somebody, but was he being framed … or just used as the fall guy in a larger scheme?

Agent grumbled under his breath. More and more he was certain there was a patsy in all this, and more and more he was certain that the patsy was himself.

Dr. Doom was pleased, the battle on Hollandinia was going well. Long had this attack been in preparation, but that was not new to Doom. He was the finest strategist that had ever lived. Long range plans that were complex to others were nothing to him.

He had arranged through his network of allies on Hollandinia to have the majority of the Shi'ar loyalists off-planet. This was the perfect time to attack and the reason why he was certain this was the time to take Hollandinia, despite the setback on Mil'gromal.

Reports from the front said that the Doom troops were gaining control of the planet. Soon, the Doombots from Chambeezer would arrive and seize control of the planet's surface. He could look out his own windows aboard the Latveria VIII and tell that the space battle was one-sided as well. Space ships blasted at space ships, but it was Doom's ships that were scoring the most hits and taking the fewest damage.

It was time for Doom to descend to the planet's surface and claim Hollandinia as the crown jewel in his growing Empire. Let the plebeians do the dirty work, Doom would save his entrance for the moment of victory.

He glanced to the Lady Merveille beside him, unconscious in her containment bubble. He'd had to gas her and knock her out, her constantly prattling had become an annoyance.

A sharp flash of light from the large screen in front of them caused Doom to shield his eyes with his hand. "What is the meaning of this?" he roared.

"New ships just emerged from Hyperspace, Emperor," a nervous tech spoke rapidly. "They appear to be attacking both Shi'ar ships and our ships! Wait - they're hailing us!" Quickly he punched the controlboard in front of him and the large screen changed to a shot of Lord Kofi Whitemane.

"Remember us, Doom?" Kofi smiled gleefully. "Got news for ya, the Avengers saved me!* Now you're going to-!"

A voice boomed from behind the teen-aged Kymellian. "Kofi, get away from there!"

"Oopsie! Gotta run!" Kofi hit the kill switch and the communications lines were cut.

Tigra growled in fury. Her plan hadn't worked, not like she wanted it to, at least. The Doombots hadn't been able to recharge, but they hadn't been slowed down much, either. They still functioned, still walked towards a space ship where she could only presume they be employed to help run whatever planet they landed on.

Growling in anger, Tigra bounded across the lawn, hoping to find some way to get aboard that ship - wherever it was headed.

Striding through the halls like he already was the building's master, Dr. Doom paid no attention to any of the chaos around him. Whether the distraction was laser fire or the hollering of his supporters, Doom did not care. His armor was vastly superior to anything that could be thrown at it so he had nothing to fear.

Having memorized the blueprints of this facility, Doom took the most direct route to the Governor's offices. He frowned, the guards he had had placed here were missing. Doom frowned beneath his mask. He loathed having his plans changed. It did not bode well for the future of those guards. Doom wished for their own sakes that they were dead because if they lived … Doom would have words with them.

Confidently, he pushed in the doors to the Governor's office and felt anger wash over him.

Waiting for him, weapons raised, were the Avengers and the sister of the Majestrix Lilandra, Deathbird.

"You seek to lay a trap for Doom?" he asked, feeling his insides coming to a boil.

"Party's over, Doom," Hawkeye spoke, an arrow pointed directly at Doom's chest. "Your dreams of conquest end here."

"My dreams of conquest will never cease, archer," Doom scoffed, folding his arms in front of his chest. "I am Doom. Conquest is my way."

"Such arrogance from one who has lost so many times," Quicksilver shot at Doom. "Perhaps if you turned your own magnificent analytical mind inwards you would discover the reason for your continued failures."

"Words of derision from one who's arrogance matches my own?" Doom chuckled. "So like your father, Maximoff, so willing to try to play for the other side when your own heart tells you it is wrong. You seek to contain yourself when you should seek to explore your limits. You are nothing Avenger, just like your father." Doom grinned, then turned sour as he looked to Beta Ray Bill. "I see the cyborg is with you. How … fitting."

"Ah, he wants not to engage in the frivolities of battle. This pleases me. So far it is only you who have put a hindrance into my plans. But you did not get away without scars, did you?"

"You want to play supervillain cliché # 1," Hawkeye snapped, "and reveal to us your brilliant plan or do you just want us to shove that grim smile up your as-?"

"Does the mouth come with the bow and arrow set, Hawkeye?" Doom asked. "Why is it that every archer I hear of has a mouth that will not cease it's prattling."

"Skill? Or inferiority complex?" Doom grinned, using the stalemate to think of every option available to him. "You seek to stop me here, on this planet inside Shi'ar space and I say that it is a fitting confrontation."

"Because, archer, this is all your fault," Doom laughed. "All this pain and destruction and joy and creation you have experienced on the planets of Doom can all be traced back to you."

"'Cause you entered Onslaught like the rest of us. Jeez, we heard you had amnesia, but this is-"

"I see your ignorance has finally lifted," Doom accused. "It is because of you, Hawkeye, and your accursed ally Iron Man that Doom entered the Onslaught energy bubble. It is because of your interference that Doom's journey began there and ended here, on the verge of conquering the largest empire in the known universe. Because of you, Hawkeye. Our journey has come full circle. Try to stop me. It will be the final act of your pitiful life."

Hawkeye set his teeth. Doom was right, in his own warped way, but he had to shake off the sudden guilt.

Hawkeye raised his arrow and took aim at Doom's chest. Those around him did likewise with their own weapons. "Avengers … do it."

The seven foot tall Shi'ar Admiral, a man who rarely showed shock or surprise, audibly gasped in front of his crew. It was the first time and the last time this crew would ever hear it. In front of him waged a galactic war the likes of which he hadn’t ever seen.

Shi'ar warships battled Shi'ar warships in a dramatic maelstrom of explosions and laser fire.

Laying on the floor, fighting off unconsciousness by holding on to the image of a beautiful gypsy with every breath, Simon Williams stared helplessly across the floor at his left hand. He felt weak, the ionic energy that was slowly seeping out of his body draining him of all reserves.

Doom let the assault come and wasn't effected by any of it: Hawkeye's arrows, Deathbird's lances, Quicksilver's speed assault, none of it did any good. The only weapon in the room Doom was wary of was Beta Ray Bill's hammer and the cyborg hadn't thrown it, obviously, to Doom, waiting for a better moment.

The one person in the room Doom wasn't frightened of, the Falcon, played the one card this round that gave Doom pause. As the three attackers stopped, the Falcon walked forward, reaching into his costumes vest.

"I know what you're thinking, Doom," Falcon spoke slowly. "That I can't hurt you. Well, you're wrong."

Falcon removed the Heart of Ak'yen'ja. Doom looked at it curiously, recognizing it instantly. "This has failed once, Avenger, against a foe much superior to you.* Why do you think it shall work this time?"

Falcon said nothing as the glow of the ruby wafted off the small gem and enveloped Dr. Doom. Doom did not move, willing to meet any challenge, especially one he had already defeated easily.

He felt his body sucked to the Astral Plane, where his eyes opened wide at who he saw there.

In the Governor's office, the assembled heroes watched on helplessly, unable to discern what was happening, other than that Dr. Doom was covered in a ruby red fog of light.

"Let us attack him while we have the chance!" Deathbird yelled, stepping forward.

"Not a chance, lady," Hawkeye grabbed her arm. "This is how it goes down. You want to defeat Doom, do it out there by rallying your troops."

"This is not our fight, Deathbird," Bill said solemnly, "but our fight is coming. Patience."

"The Ak'yen'jans were very specific about how nothing done to the physical body while the mind was pulled inside the Astral Plane in the Heart would accomplish anything," the Falcon explained, still holding the Heart of Ak'yen'ja in his hand. "The Heart protects all those whose minds walk inside it, they said."

"Bah, they are fools!" Deathbird spat. "They are the lowest of the low of all Shi'ar planets."

"Yeah, well, I'll count the days," Hawkeye grumbled. "What's one more psychotic out to kill me?"

A large ship landed in the middle of a large green field, in the middle of a large battle between the loyalists and the sympathizers. The loyalists fought with every fiber of their being, but it was clear that Doom's troops would eventually win the day.

As the hull doors of the ship opened and a battalion of Doombots exited the ships, the loyalists felt their spirits sink. The Doombots marched in sharp regiments as a single unit. They approached steadily, unwavering from their course. They more than halved the distance between the main battle and the landed spacecraft, when a curious thing happened.

They were answered as a feline-humanoid bounded from the ship to come and land on the worn out Doombots. "Anybody else up for a good time with Tigra?" she grinned. "Think you've got the stamina to play with me?"

The battle re-exploded. The loyalists fought bravely and though their Empire was not a beloved one by the people of the universe, those loyal to the throne believed with all their hearts that their way was the right way. Despite the lack of numbers, Doom's troops were suddenly failing. To see the Doombots fall …

When reinforcements for the loyalists came to the planet, the tide was completely in their favor.

"You are every bit the fool you were when first we met on this plane," Victor spoke confidently in the dreamlike world of the Astral Plane. Red fog floated around them, swirling though there was no air. "I do not know how it is that you are still alive, but you are. So I shall kill you again."

"You can not kill one who is already dead, stranger," El'kana smiled. Her blue figure wafted towards Doom, completely confident is what she must do. "The Heart has many secrets that I was unaware of the last time we met, Victor. It has powers I was not able to tap into because I did not know of their existence."

"Shall we dance again, Victor? The last time I fought for the salvation of my planet, but now … now that you have taken Ak'yen'ja … I fight for it's freedom!"

El'kana lunged at Doom, attacking him physically. Doom, accustomed to the real world where he would have nothing to fear from a frontal assault inside his armor did not move. El'kana connected with her feet and sent Doom sprawling backwards. Doom was instantly on his feet, but El'kana's unadorned feet were right there again.

"It is a battle of wills on the Astral Plane, Victor!" El'kana cried as she jumped on the fallen form. She began pounding on the suit of armor with her bare fists, causing dent after dent in Doom's armor.

"Bah!" Doom replied, knocking her off with a single swipe of his arm. "Focus wins on this Plane, El'kana, not hatred. You should have learned that the first time."

"I have!" she screamed as she pushed mentally at Doom. She started with the hatred she felt for the man, the way he came, uninvited to their world and slowly unbalanced the natural order. How he maneuvered the people of the planet to do all of his dirty work for him, pitting friend against friend, brother against brother.*

She pushed with all of this and she could feel Doom squeezed by her mind. Doom was pushing back, however, harder than he had the first time when he defeated her. Clearly to El'kana, this meant Doom was taking her more seriously, which meant she must be doing something better than she was the first time. She took the confidence and fed on it, using it to draw the hidden reserves of the Heart into the battle.

"This ruby is called the Heart of Ak'yen'ja, Victor, not the Heart of El'kana!" the Ak'yen'jan woman screamed defiantly. "Come see why it is called what it is called."

"They are all who have gone beyond that love our planet, Victor. Death has left a part of each of them here, in this gem, to protect our world. I did not know of them last time … but I know of them now."

Doom blasted with his gauntlets at the seemingly unendless supply of people who walked forward, but it did him no good.

El'kana stood back, watching and smiling as Victor von Doom was swallowed whole by the crowd. Ak'yen'ja was avenged.

"Victory is ours!" Deathbird salutes the people of the planet. "We have single-handedly crushed the forces of Doom by the sheer will of the Shi'ar people! Mark well this day, citizens, for any who would seek to overthrow the might of the Shi'ar shall find nothing but pain and death and humiliation."

The crowds roared in victory. Deathbird gave them no indication of how Doom was defeated or that after the Heart of Ak'yen'ja had released it's grip on him, he had simply vanished away. They did not need to know that.

Behind Deathbird stood a collection of the Shi'ar loyalists who had helped in the battle. Among them was an Admiral named Phyken who couldn't stop shaking. He had seen an image of the man who had caused all of these problems and it chilled him to the core.

Not that long ago, Admiral Phyken had seen Dr. Doom's unconscious body floating freely through space and dismissed it as a piece of floating trash beneath their notice.* The Empire almost took a major loss this day and if it had, it would've been Phyken's fault.

An explosion rocked the Latveria VIII and to Monica Rambeau, it was the moment she had been waiting for. The lights on the bridge powered down for just a nanosecond, but that was all the time she needed to remove herself from the containment bubble.

The crew around her didn't even notice her until she walked up to the man running the communications center and flashed of electric power in front of him.

"Find the Scuttlebutt and get me home," she ordered. The man did as he was told.

Wonder Man lied on the floor of the bridge, a constant reminder to the crew what Phyken was capable of. His body was beyond recognizing it's own pain. Most of the crew had gone planetside, leaving only two crewman on the bridge.

As the wall behind him was blown inwards, Simon did not even turn around to see what had caused the commotion. He had a faint recognition of someone disabling the guards, but he didn't really care one way or another. He simply looked across the way at his hand lying on the floor and wanted to die.

Dr. Doom lay on the floor of his quarters panting like a dog in the mid day sun.

He would not admit, even to himself, that he was hurt. He merely thought about the repairs he would have to do. Struggling to his feet, Doom went to look out his cabin window. The last remnants of battle were being fought, but it was clear that his people would lose this fight.

"You should wait," an alluring voice from behind him spoke. Doom made no move of surprise, though he hadn't any idea the woman was standing there. "The time is not yet right for another attempt."

"Do not presume to tell Doom the ways of strategy, wizard," Doom scoffed, turning around to face the woman. "You can not tell me anything I do not already know."

"No, I can not," the woman wizard began, her light blue robes flowing softly around her. "Not about yourself, at least, and certainly not about the ways of war. But I can tell you much about the future. I see you, once again, on your home planet."

Doom waved his hand, "There is nothing for me there but old enemies. Doom seeks new challenges."

"A dark day for the Shi'ar Empire is coming, Victor," the woman continued, keeping her head buried in her robes. "Soon, a rebellion will take place. Already the Kree are planning to regain their foothold of power, a move that will be enhanced by the actions you yourself have taken on this day. Sit. Wait. Pick up the pieces of the Shi'ar Empire after the coming War. You will still have all you need to conquer Earth."

"Silence your tongue, woman," Doom scoffed. "Do not attempt to tell Doom what to do." Doom walked back to the window. "But still, it has been long since my eyes have taken a long look at my beloved Latveria. I fear that in my absence the world seeks to take advantage of my people. Thanks to your magic I have managed to transport my mind back to Earth on several occasions to check how my land is doing, but the memories of those visits is clouded."

"Indeed, Victor, the distance is great and far and my magic is only so powerful."

"Yes, Victor, return home and let your hatred for your planet consume you once again. And then, when the time is right, perhaps you shall return to space and finally claim the Shi'ar Empire as your own."

Doom looked out the window, seeing all the power in the spaceships and wanting to control it. "Perhaps, I will, Skydragon. Perhaps Doom shall return."

*What's Skydragon talking about? Why, you're just going to have to tune into the KREE/SHI'AR WAR! MV1's first crossover event! Look for it on the Main Branch and Cosmic Branch!

Hawkeye stood looking at the assembled West Coast Avengers. They were all together and all in one piece- well, not Wonder Man, Hawkeye frowned. He sat in a chair, saying nothing as Beta Ray Bill's ship instructed them how to reattach his hand. The ship told them that it would be as good as new, but Hawkeye wondered if it would. Unlike most Avengers teams of the past, this version of the Whackos had no real science expert on the roster. There was some science knowledge around, most notably from Tigra, but this wasn't her field.

Tigra, Beta Ray Bill and Lady Merveille were trying, though, and they'd just have to wait and see what happened.

His team had performed well, but the entire episode weighed on Hawkeye. They had gotten themselves stuck between the Shi'ar and Doom, forced to help the Shi'ar stop Doom. The Shi'ar were not much better, if they were at all and Hawkeye had serious doubts about that.

As the Scuttlebutt traversed through Hyperspace, Hawkeye found himself not really wanting to go back. He found himself hating the Compound and all of it's damnable history. Yes, there had been plenty of good times in the place, but it was also the place that Hawkeye most associated with Mockingbird, his deceased ex-wife.

He sighed, loud enough for Cannonball and Pietro to turn to look at him from opposite sides of the large room.

Clint thought about just what they had accomplished out here as he idly fingered the glowing red ruby in his pocket.

"Well, hey," he thought, bringing a smile to his face, "at least we defeated Doom. We don't have to worry about him invading Earth anytime soon.'

News of the defeat of Doom had spread throughout his planets and the Shi'ar had sent ships back in to reclaim the planets as their own.

Admiral Phyken had landed one such assignment and had come to the Planet Thomas X2 only this morning. He had almost put the shame of Doom behind him, almost burying the memory of seeing that iron-clad body floating through space and doing nothing about it. Doom had been defeated and he would soon be purged from the minds of the Shi'ar people.

Phyken had ordered that all of the planet's people be gathered in their town squares to hear his address. He strode to the podium in the capital city. "People of Thomas X2!" he shouted. "The Shi'ar have returned!"

Phyken was expecting some reaction out of the crowd, but not the one he stood listening to.

It started with one voice and grew as Phyken watched on in horror. What were these people thinking?

A universe that had allowed itself to think itself rid of a problem, shuddered as the winds brought them words they did not want to ever hear again.

"… DOOM! … DOOM! … DOOM! … DOOM!! … DOOM!! … DOOM!!! …"

A three MV1-year journey has ended. Since MV1 started, Dr. Doom has been almost exclusively mine to play with. First in Fantastic Four and now here, in WCA, I've told a lot of Doom stories. And while they are not fully realized plans, I am happy with what I've got to do. Nice dichotomy, I feel, in having Doom defeated by the collective soul of a people at the same time another people is viewing him as their savior.

Now, Doom is returning home. Unless, of course, the next writer who wants him would like to tell another story of Doom in space before he heads back. But I've left Doom in a position where it will be completely up to the next writer to determine where he is and what he's up to.

I hope I've explained the questions of "How can Doom be in space and on Earth at the same time?" as well. Is it the most sound explanation of all time? No, but it does what it needs to so that it can allow for him to have been on Earth, in the body of a Doombot, while he was really out in Shi'ar space.

This won't be the last we see of Skydragon, either, I hope. Maybe the next writer wants to use her with Doom, maybe s/he doesn't. We'll see, but I've got some things I'd like to do with her in the future.

Hey Mark! Well, I know I'm late, but here's my comments on the most recent AWC issues. I really like the team you are slowly assembling. Here's hoping that Beta Ray Bill sticks around, to add some neccessary firepower to the team. I can't wait for the Master of Latveria, Dr. Doom, to show up here, seeing as how he is my role model and all. :>
Anyway, here are my roster suggestions:

Archangel - Since he was freed up recently, Archangel would fit in great here. I always have liked the guy when he was on the West Coast (remember, he was a Champion!) He'd fit right in here.

War Machine - Jim Rhodes is one of MV1's best characters, with or without armor. He would contribute a lot to this team, even if you just sent him in with a gun or something.

The first of two letters from TJ this month as I try to catch up. Will Beta Ray Bill stick around? Tune it next issue! <g> As for the other suggestions … one "no" and one "we'll see", but that's all I can promise. There's plenty of roster moves ahead, though, so you never know who'll show up for a couple issues! And make sure you check out IRON MAN as Ralph Angelo's run of the Golden Avenger begins to see just what's going on with Jim Rhodes these days!

WEST COAST AVENGERS #109
Mark's shifting back into his usual mode now: full-scale epic. Nice to see he's finished his "adjustment period" and ready to rock with "World Without"...

I like the fact that Mark can write the Whackos well without Hawkeye there. Now don't get mad, Lonni - I'm just saying that for so long, the WCA has *been* Hawkeye IMO. It's just nice to see that they can be appealing when Hawkeye's fooling around in the Old West... ;-)>

I'm excited to see the Falcon, even if it's not permanent. He's one of my favorites, and I always enjoy him. Thanks for dusting him off, Mark. And for letting him get a shot in on the Agent. I loved that...

I'm really looking forward to where this story is going. Doom. All RIGHT!! Time to rock n' roll... ;-)>

It's funny to hear someone say that "full-scale epic" is my "usual mode" because way back at the beginning I barely wrote any story that qualified as an epic and simply marveled at how someone like Van could do a seven part story! It's one of the areas I've improved on as a writer, that's for sure. As for Hawkeye, I think if there's one thing MV1 has shown it's that any team can be interesting with any combination of characters. I'm thrilled to have the characters I have and thrilled at who's eventually going to stop by. I greatly enjoy writing the Falcon, too, and all I can say is that I plan on writing him for a very long time, but I'm not saying where … <g>

Hey Mark! Well, you have one official vote of confidence on how you write US Agent. I agreed with everything that he said, so I'm pretty sure that you did a good job portraying someone of his politics. I really like the huge roster that you are preparing, although I hope Jolt sticks around for a while. Seeing Agent mentor her might be fun. Anyway, I also find myself hoping that Doom wins this fight. I like the fact that a man from Earth is challenging the cosmic powers of the Sh'iar Empire. He also seems to be doing it in his usual way, which actually improves some things for the people under his control. That's the kind of ruler Doom is. Anyway, I'm glad to see everyone who is on the roster on this team. My only complaint: I'm not very fond of Monica's new codename. (Another thing I agree with Agent on.) I'd just rather see the team refer to her on a first name basis and let the codename be for public use. Anyway, keep up the great work!

TJB

Thanks, TJ! Whoops, guess Jolt didn't stick around, eh? Sorry, but you can check her out every month over in Randy Lander's New Warriors series.

Planet Chambeezer... YES!

Lady Merveille...? Er, no...

But a nice try. Aw, heck. Maybe it'll grow on me... :)

Anyhow, this was a fun issue. Got to see a *bunch* of characters. Got to see the villany of Doctor Doom. What more can a guy ask?

I'm a bit concerned with the handling of the USAgent. This characterization seems a bit regressive to me, but maybe I'm just being a bit over-protective of someone who was (and may be again- hint hint) a
pet character of mine.

Looking forward to the next issue already!

Scooter

Thanks, Scooter. As for Agent, some people seem to like what I'm doing with him and some don't. As I've said plenty of times, I don't like USAgent at all as a character, so I'm definitely interested to see if people think I'm handling him fairly. He's been more enjoyable to write than I thought he would be, but I still can't say I like the character all that much.

The ramifications of WORLD WITHOUT linger, but do the Whackos even have a Compound to come back home to? Just who was it that Crystal found standing alone in an empty Compound? Will Wonder Man answer the call when Hollywood calls? Agent and the Falcon team up to solve the Case of the Councilman's Cocaine!

HAWKEYE # 16 by Lonni Holland! Check it out for more with the Avenging Archer!