MV1 August Year Four
Timelost, Part Two
Written by Barry Reese
Champions Lineup : Black Widow, Ant-Man, Flash, Firebird, Diamondback, Hercules, Batroc and Cerberus
Note : This issue is dedicated to Bob Gansler, whose incredible work on the Avengers 1958 series is a tremendous inspiration.Hopefully, I'll manage to recreate in this story some of the same feeling he invokes.
Washington, DC - 1958
Inside their headquarters, located beneath Heath Airfield, the Avengers played host to a most unusual group of guests -- the timelost Champions!
"I've found the world of mortals most pleasing." Venus sat beside the Olympian God Hercules, toying with her long blonde hair. Her eyes sparkled as they met his.
"Aye, 'tis quite a band of heroes you've allied yourself with. I never knew of your adventures with this group of Avengers! Why didst thou never mention them?"
Venus shrugged. "I'm afraid I can't answer that -- you're from my future, remember? It is interesting that we would both find ourselves in groups called the Avengers, however."
Hercules lifted the mug before him and downed its contents. "Hah! In the end, it matters not!" The God of Power put his arm around his lovely companion and leaned close. "What is most pleasing is that we are reunited -- with stories to share and love to offer!"
Venus smiled. "Love to offer? Dear Hercules, you are a flirt! What exactly do you mean?"
Elsewhere, the Black Widow and Marvel Boy sought answers of a different kind. "I'm not sure any of my technology will be able to help you, Widow. The Eternals of Uranus are advanced, but they haven't mastered time travel!"
Tasha rubbed her chin. "I suppose it's not important -- Aeon made it sound like we had to accomplish something before we'd be allowed to leave, regardless*. I have a feeling he's powerful enough to keep us here if that's what he wants to do."
(*The enigmatic Aeon appeared last issue.)
"Well, as long as you're here, I can promise that the Avengers will do whatever we can to help."
Captain America and Bucky stood off to the side, disgust written on their faces. "I can't believe this, Cap! They're helping 'em! A Russian and her commie pals... right here in our own headquarters."
Captain America placed a hand on his young partner's shoulder. "Calm down, chum. I've already spoken to Mr. Hoover and he wants us to keep an eye on these people. If they really are from the future -- and it must be a frightening one if people like the Russian there are Avengers -- we need to know as much as possible. So keep your eyes and ears open, understand?"
"You got it, Cap. But I don't like it!"
Champions HQ -- Modern Day
"Where will we find members? Everyone good is taken!" Zaran scanned over the transcripts they'd downloaded off SCN and shook his head. Forming an all-new, all-different group of Champions was going to be tough.
Machete, cleaning his blade, sighed. He looked over at Cassie Lang, who was coloring a picture on the floor. "I placed an ad in the paper. It'll be fine."
Zaran looked up, his face betraying his confusion. "Your accent...?"
"I decided to drop it. It wasn't working for me."
Zaran smiled. "Good. I never liked -- Wait. You placed an ad? Where?"
"Daily Bugle. I purchased air time on SCN, too."
"How? That must have cost a lot of money!"
Machete glanced towards the front door as the doorbell rang. "I maxed out our credit cards -- but I figure we can becomes heroes for hire once the group is formed."
Zaran stalked towards the door. "Heroes for hire? The Champions were never heroes for hire..." The mercenary opened the door and looked down at his visitor. She was an old lady, holding a box in front of her. "May I help you?"
The old lady nodded, her wrinkled face creased into a frown. "Yessir, I believe so. Your dog's done gone and messed with my Betsy!"
Zaran blinked. "Um... your Betsy?"
"Yessir. She's my collie. Your dog done messed with her! That Cerberus doggie... he's the one!"
Machete stepped forward, pulling his colleague aside. He beamed at the woman, holding his sharp blade in what he hoped was a non-threatening manner. "Do you have any proof that it was our dog, miss?"
"Sure do. Look!" The woman removed the box lid and held the package up for inspection.
Both Machete and Zaran's faces dropped. "Oh my...."
"See. Your dog!"
Inside, a group of cute, cuddly little three-headed puppies yipped.
Washington, DC - 1958
"Where's Batroc?" Firebird, sitting with her teammates Ant-Man, Flash and Diamondback, looked about the Avengers HQ in puzzlement. "I haven't seen him since he and Gorilla-Man got into that argument."
Barry Allen, the otherworldy hero known as the Flash, smiled. "He's okay -- I think he took Cerberus for a walk." A soft breeze stirred Bonita's hair. "Yep. He's outside."
Ant-Man tried to resist the urge to be amazed. Sometimes the Flash's incredible speed was hard to get used to. He'd been trying to make sense of Aeon's words ever since they'd arrived, but he couldn't be sure what they meant. One thing was certain, though -- the Champions knew him. Aeon had referred them to as 'friends' and made it clear that he knew them.
"Penny for your thoughts, Scott?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry for zoning out like that, Diamondback. I was just thinking about Aeon. He reminded me of someone, but I can't figure out who."
Rachel shrugged. "Don't look at me. He seemed like any other mysterious villain to me."
The sound of an alarm blaring brought the team to sudden attention. Gorilla Man looked up from the station he'd been monitoring. "Looks like some costumed idiot is running amok in New York!"
The Flash zipped up to the Uranian monitor. "Hmm. You know, that person looks awfully familiar...."
Tasha almost couldn't believe her eyes when she joined them. "You're right! It's him...."
On the Uranian viewer, the combined heroes of two times saw a scarlet-clad man in red floating over the heads of startled New Yorkers. It was Aeon.
Interlude : Egypt -- Modern Day
"How is he?" The woman wore the garb of an ancient Egyptian, though its effect was tempered somewhat by the Timex watch she wore on her left wrist.
The priest pulled his dark hood back, revealing a bald head and swarthy skin. "He is still somewhat confused, but he is adapting well."
"Has he fed?"
"Yes -- twice on sacrifices which were brought to him and once on an unwary servant."
The woman, called Tethis by her followers, smiled. "A plague is about to fall on the land, Priest."
The priest bowed in reverance. "Yes, my Queen. The enemies of our sect shall find themselves begging for death."
New York City - 1958
The citizenry of New York has always been accustomed to strange sights, but rarely had they seen a sight such as this.
The strange man called Aeon floated in mid-air, ignoring the repeated warnings being shouted at him by New York's finest. He raised his hands into the air and whispered, "Feel my wrath."
Instantly, a wave of chronal energy lashed out. Policemen found themselves reverting to cavemen or monkeys, while the helpless citizens caught in the beam's path found themselves evolved into huge-headed beings unable to move or communicate with anything than telepathy. The psychic noise became deafening at once, as dozens of people mentally screamed for help.
Aeon smiled with evil satisfaction. This time was so quaint in its defenses. I could conquer it in a nanosecond. Is there no one to oppose me?
The Silver Bullet rocketed overhead, landing on a nearby rooftop. The sight made Aeon's heart swell. Perhaps, he mused, some threat does exist there.
The Bullet's ramp came down only a split second before the Flash was on the move. He circled Aeon at incredible speed, trying to create a funnel of air that would trap the timelord.
Aeon merely swept his hand in an arc. The Flash found himself frozen in mid-step. "You're fast, scarlet one, I'll give you that. But to one who controls time itself, you're nothing."
"Then try us on for size, you redcoat!" Captain America's shield slammed into Aeon's chest, knocking the villain through the air.
Marvel Boy touched the patriotic hero on the arm. "Cap, wait! The Champs asked us to hang back in reserve, remember?"
While the 1958 Avengers worked out their actions, the Champions dropped to the city streets. Batroc, beside Cerberus, twirled his moustache. "Zounds! What zort of mizchief eez this, Aeon? Trapping us in the past, only to go on some zilly rampaige?!"
Aeon glanced at Batroc, his eyes flashing beneath his hood. "Are you insane, Frenchman? I've never seen you before...."
Ant-Man fired a stinger right into Aeon's face, riding a flying ant at close range. "He's right, gang! As weird as it seems, this isn't the same Aeon we faced before! I'm sure of it."
"In that case, we don't need to hold back." Diamondback flung several of her explosive diamonds at Aeon, each of them detonating on impact.
Firebird joined in the assault, circling the redcloaked Aeon and ringing him in flame.
Tasha's widow's bite struck Aeon as Hercules leaped into the fray. The Olympian grabbed Aeon in a bear-hug and bellowed "Taste my gift, Aeon! I share it with you..."
Batroc hung back, his eyes narrowed. He turned to Cerberus. "Hmm. Zis is most unusual, no? Zee bad guy, he zends us into zee past, where we meet zomeone else with zee same name and powers? Sacre bleu!"
Aeon floated back, casting a time-bolt at Hercules which caused the Olympian to move at 10 times his normal rate of speed. Since his mind couldn't cope with such speed, he fell to the ground, moving about like someone in a fast-forwarded film. "How dare you?! I come to this era seeking a challenge and I find myself insulted on all fronts! Do none of you know the joy of true competition?!"
Ant-Man, still close on his ant steed, zapped him again. "We know all about it, Aeon. What we don't know all about is you! Who are you and who is the other Aeon?"
"Other Aeon? What are you talking about? There is only one -- there can be only one!"
Ant-Man circled closer. "Sorry, pal. There's another guy called Aeon -- he sent us here from the early 21st century."
Aeon looked thoughtful for a moment before reaching out to grasp Ant-Man. He brought the small hero closer. "You're insane. What's more, you're beneath me. Imagine! An insect-sized creature like you threatening me...."
Batroc leapt into the air, his foot connecting square in the jaw with Aeon. The blow seemed to snap Aeon's neck far to the left, a bit of spittle spewing from his mouth. Chronal energy spilled out in a sudden rush, flowing from the wound like blood.The energy wrapped around the assembled Champions. Ant-man glowed in Aeon's still-potent grasp.
Batroc gaped. "I cannot believe zis! I do not know my own strength!"
The Black Widow stared about at the chronal energy that was beginning to envelop them. "I think we're about to jump out of the frying pan, Champions -- and straight into the fire!"
A tremendous burst of energy blinded the Avengers. As the light faded, Venus could only stare below her. "The Champions and Aeon -- they're gone! But where?"
Arizona -- Ten Years in the Future
The Champions, with an unconscious Aeon, stared about themselves. They were standing in front of their headquarters, but it took a few seconds to recognize it. Their old HQ was now a gleaming building of metal and glass, over 20 stories tall!
Bonita knelt to pick up Ant-Man. "Scott isn't responding -- and he's glowing!"
Tasha cursed under her breath. The past few days had been horrifying and nonstop -- the battle with the Masters of Evil, the appearance of Aeon, the bouncing through time... it was enough to make her feel incredibly old. "We'll get him some help, Bonita. I promise. Everyone else recognize the area?"
Hercules nodded. "'Tis our old home, though it has changed much."
"Zee first Aeon we met -- he zaid we would have to go to the future before going home."
"STAY WHERE YOU ARE."
The booming, robotic voice made everyone jump. A looming figure exited the Champions HQ and moved forward. A 10-foot tall robotic man looked down at them. "I AM H.E.R.C. 1000. GIVE YOUR DESIGNATIONS OR FEEL THE GIFT OF GLORIOUS COMBAT."
Hercules bristled. "What deviltry is this? A mechanical man in my image?!"
"Down, boy." Rachel held onto Hercules' arm.
"It's you! I knew you'd come back! I knew it!" A tiny female voice, filled with happiness, suddenly grew louder as a young woman grew from ant-size to full-size. She wore a modified Ant-Man costume and was obviously in her late teens or early twenties. She threw her arms around the Black Widow. "It's me, Cassie!"
Tasha pulled back. "Cassie...?"
Cassie beamed. "Yep. Only I'm Ant-Girl now, okay?"
Aeon's stirring made Cassie back away. "Uh-oh. That's not who I think it is, is it?"
H.E.R.C. 1000 raised a metal fist. "Per designated orders 001.15.07, Aeon is to be destroyed on sight!"
Next Issue : Timelost continues, as the Champions come face-to-face with their own future! And, I'm sorry to say, it isn't going to be pretty! Plus : Machete and Zaran meet with the applicants for the all-new, all-different Champions!
Author's Notes
A letter from the legendary Mark Beaulieu :
I've just read Barry's first issue of Champions.
I have to say I enjoyed it a lot. I chuckled at some of Batroc's dialogue.I have to admit I'm more attached to these characters than I thought. I was about to outline a story for issue #38 becauseI didn't know that there was a new writer. I'm still sad that Sam couldn't fit the title into his schedule.But Barry's issue is really fun.
I was very happy to see that he has plans up to issue #50. I was hoping the book wouldn't go to a new writer for 4 issues and then the next writer for one or two. So Barry I hope you stick around for awhile. I was a little concerned at first when I saw that you had written the issue because of your comments when you left MV1.But, after reading your comments at the end of the issue,I'm happy that you're on the title. Good luck.
Now for some minor criticisms. The story was too short.It felt like one of my early issues (but with better writing. <g>).Machete' II doesn't really have an accent. I had a scene in issue #37 where Batroc tells him to stop using the fakeaccent. Of course, that doesn't mean he'd stop. :) I'm really glad that you are doing something with Zaran and Machete'. They would've been written out by me quite quickly.I just hope there are enough undibbed heroes in MV1 for you to create a second Champions team. That's an idea I never even thought of.
I'm looking forward to the next issue. One note to Barry, don't feel like you have to keep this a humor book. I'd rather see your take on the characters than an attempt to copy me. I know people call the Champions "my" book, butit really isn't. So overall, I'm very happy that Barry's on the book. Good luck Barry.
Now why I quit writing the series when I did. I wanted to write Showcase of Suspense because I wanted to try my handat more serious stories (except the Hulk on Bizarro World storyline). Also, I'm getting closer to defending my dissertation proposaland I didn't think I'd have time for 2 titles (I was wrong about that).And lastly, I was starting to run out of steam on the title. I could come up with subplots, but not the villains to fight.Note to Shan: Be glad I left the title. They were going to go to the Showcase of Suspense Earth in #38 if I had kept the title. I just truncated the ending so the next writer could send them where they wanted.Good luck Barry and sorry for rambling.
Baloo
PS I have no idea who Aeon is. And knowing me I'll never guess no matter how obvious it is.
Thanks for the comments, Baloo. Taking over this title was pretty daunting considering the incredible standards you set. I'm still getting used to the characters, but I promise to give it my all. As I said last issue, I have plans through issue # 50 so I won't be bailing out anytime soon. Once this opening arc is over, I'll spend a few issues really getting inside the heads of certain characters -- I promise it won't all be this action-packed.
Keep in touch!
Barry Reese
You can reach me at aric_dacia@yahoo.com