MV1 September Year Four
Timelost, Part Three
Written by Barry Reese
Champions Lineup : Black Widow, Ant-Man, Flash, Firebird, Diamondback, Hercules, Batroc and Cerberus
Arizona -- Ten Years in the Future
"I think dad's going to be okay -- Jocasta's running a full battery of tests on him right now but it looks like his vital signs are stabilizing." Cassie Lang, the beautiful young woman known as Ant-Girl, stood at the head of the Champions' meeting table. Seated around it were the Champions of ten years past, men and women whom she'd feared lost forever. "God, it's great to see you guys again!"
The Black Widow tried to keep herself from staring at the structure around them. What had once been their small home and headquarters was now a multi-story, technological wonderland. Turning her focus back to Ant-Girl, she leaned forward. "So you're telling us that we never returned home? We've been missing for ten years?"
Cassie nodded. "Yep. Ten years ago, you guys went off to face the Masters of Evil*. We never saw any of you again... until now. But Machete and Zaran kept the Champs tradition alive. They formed a new group that ended up becoming legends."
(*In the classic Champions # 37.)
Batroc emitted a bark of laughter. "What? You speak of ze same Machete and Zaran that I knew?"
Cassie grinned. "The same. They're great guys -- their initial schemes fell short a bit but they eventually got everything straightened out. Both of them are retired these days, so I'm running the show now."
"Zis must be zome dark, evil futaire." Batroc crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. "Days of Futaires Stupid."
"So," Cassied said, ignoring Batroc, "where have you guys been?"
Tasha paused. "Before we answer that -- why did H.E.R.C. 1000 react that way towards Aeon*? And where is he now?"
(*See the end of last issue, when H.E.R.C. 1000 declared that Aeon was to be killed on sight.)
"Oh. That... Well, over the years, Aeon has become... it's hard to explain. He claims he has to maintain some sort of balance in the time/space continuum. So he sometimes helps the Champions -- but sometimes he's on the opposing side, too. He does whatever he thinks is "right" for the continuum, regardless of how it affects people. After he helped the Mecha-Chimpinoids destroy most of the United Nations, he's been public enemy # 1."
Batroc's eyes went wide. "Mecha... Zis iz rediculous!"
Cassie pressed on. "Anyway, I know all of H.E.R.C.'s command override codes -- so I just shut him down before he could attack Aeon. I've got the timelord in one of our holding cells right now... though I've got to tell you, he doesn't look like I expected him to."
"You've never seen him without his hood before?" Barry Allen, aka the Flash, sipped his coffee. He was no stranger to time travel, so he was a bit more calm about the prospect of having lost ten years. He cast a glance over at Bonita and caught her staring at him. She flushed crimson and looked away, bringing a soft smile to Barry's lips.
Ant-Girl shrugged. "No, not really... but somehow, this man doesn't seem like the Aeon I've known. Aeon's always... I don't know. He's had some sort of fascination with me over the years. He's almost... kind to me."
"Hmm. Well, things are beginning to fall into place." Barry stroked his chin.
Hercules harrumphed. "And does thee plan to explain thyself?"
The Flash stood up, his experience giving him a leadership role in the current crisis. "Well... when we first met Aeon, he said that there were certain things we'd have to do in order to ensure that his future would come to pass... to that end, he sent us into the past, where we encountered someone who is, apparently, his predecessor in the role of Aeon. Ant-Man recognized that he wasn't the same Aeon just before both of them were taken out of combat. With the previous Aeon in tow, we've now arrived here in the future -- where the second of our tasks apparently await us. It's not much more than a hunch, but I bet we're here to make sure that the second Aeon comes to be. In other words, while we're here -- the new Aeon will take up the role of the original."
Tasha, who had been nodding during all of this, suddenly snapped her fingers. "Wait! It all makes sense -- why Aeon seemed so familiar to us, why he would have this interest in Cassie, even why Scott is hurt right now. Remember -- Aeon implied that he knew us. He called us friends... he was one of us, that's the only thing that makes sense. And that's why he's watched over Cassie all these years, going forwards and backwards through time in order to do it, along with whatever "job" he has to do. And somehow, that's why Scott absorbed all that chronal energy."
Tasha paused for dramatic effect, watching Cassie closely. She didn't want to upset the girl unduly with her next words...
"Sacre bleu! Zomehow Scott iz to become Aeon?" All eyes turned to Batroc as Cassie suddenly gasped. The Frenchman shrugged. "What did I do?"
Champions HQ -- Modern Day
"Hello and welcome to the first-ever Champions Tryouts. I'd like to thank all of you for coming." Machete smiled at the assemblage of costumed do-gooders who were crammed into the foyer. He'd been a little disappointed that no "big names" had come -- Spider-Man, Daredevil, Captain America, Thor... all busy, it seemed. Still, he mused, this isn't a bad bunch at all.
Sharon Ventura stood off to the side, unsure why she was even there. Superhero groups weren't really her forte these days -- but she'd been intrigued enough by the ad to come by. She ignored the winks and nudges from Captain Ultra and some wild-haired novice hero named the Guinea Pig. Sighing, she glanced over and saw USAgent step in. For a moment, she was impressed. He was an Avenger!
"Excuse me," a voice from next her caught her attention.
Turning, she saw Zaran -- Machete's partner in all this. "Yes?"
"You used to be in the Fantastic Four?"
Sharon clenched her jaw. "I'm not anymore."
Zaran grinned. "Good! We could use a few real heroes onboard..." He made a move to pat her back but stopped in mid-pat when he saw her expression. I just knew this wouldn't be an easy group to fill. I just knew it.
Throughout the room, various heroes mingled as Machete looked over his notes. Nightman* pulled his cape tight about him and tried to tune out the relentless droning coming from the Guinea Pig. "So I have the proportionate strength of a guinea pig. Neat, huh? I think so. And I can stuff all kinds of things into my cheeks -- they're expandable!"
(*Nightman, a denizen of the Ultraverse, has been in the Marvel Universe since the end of Black Knight # 6.)
Captain Ultra stepped up to a woman dressed in a flimsy silver garment and smiled. "Hiya. What's your name."
"The Emasculator."
"Cool! What do you do?"
The Emasculater stared at Captain Ultra's costume. "Who designed that costume? It makes you look like a little pansy -- you're obviously trying to overcompensate for something by wearing that."
Captain Ultra wilted under her stare. "Um..."
The Emasculater pointed towards a table lined with finger-sandwiches. "Go get me something to eat, you little pantywaist!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Captain Ultra hurried off, while the Emasculater merely smiled*....
(*By the way, kids, you should go and look up the word emasculation if you're not getting the joke....)
The USAgent, who'd come to keep tabs on this whole affair, shook his head. Somebody better watch these guys before they get themselves killed....
Arizona -- Ten Years in the Future
Bonita strode the corridors, amazed at the changes only ten years had wrought. She felt a small sliver of fear pass through her. What if Cassie was right? What if they never made it back home? Ten years... lost.
She stopped outside one of the labs and lowered her head. Heavenly father, I thank you for all that you have given me... and I am sorry for the doubts that trouble me now. I can only think that this is all part of your plan for me and --"
"Penny for your thoughts, 'nita?" Barry Allen, with his mask pulled back to reveal his handsome features, was smiling at her. She hadn't heard him approach but with the Flash, that wasn't unusual.
"I was just praying for guidance."
Barry clasped his hands behind his back and began walking with her. "I really admire the way you manage to keep your faith through everyone. That's nice."
Bonita flushed again, feeling his body heat next to hers. "You have suffered much more than I... Your strength inspires me."
Barry reached out and let his fingers brush against hers. They closed on her hand and he stopped there, turning to face her. "I hate thinking about you suffering at all. Since I came here, you've been the kindest person I've met. I want to thank you."
Bonita stared into his eyes, her lips suddenly dry. "I... Barry..."
Barry leaned closer until he smell her shampoo and her perfume. It was a nice, clean smell. "You remind me of someone so much sometimes... you're more shy than she ever was, but --"
Twin chimes made them both jump. The Flash reached for his communicator first. "Flash here."
Tasha's voice came back loud and clear. "I want all Champions assembled in the medical area. We've brought both Aeon and Scott together -- and they're both waking up."
The Black Widow had barely lowered her communicator when the Flash appeared, carrying Bonita in his arms. She noticed that they were both somewhat disheveled, but didn't comment on it. Romance is in the air. Good for them.
Ant-Girl stood with her own teammates, each of whom had been summoned to the Champions Headquarters. With her were H.E.R.C. 1000, the veteran hero known as the Guinea Pig, the team's sorceror, Greg Wallander*, Ghost Rider and the new Iceman.
(*Who, in Will Short's Dr. Strange run, was once Earth's Sorceror Supreme)
Tasha reached out and touched Scott's hand as he stirred. "Hercules -- keep a firm grasp on Aeon. If he so much as glows a little, hurt him."
Hercules kept his hand placed heavily on Aeon's chest. "Aye."
Scott woke up first, blinking his eyes and staring up at Tasha. "What happened?"
"Aeon and you were caught in some kind of chronal backlash. How do you feel?"
Scott touched his forehead. "Strange... it's like... we've had this conversation before. Only we haven't. I don't want to do this."
Tasha frowned, the sudden change in his tone and words surprising her. "What? You don't want to do what?"
Aeon let out a roar as he strained against Hercules' grip. The Prince of Power held him tight, however. "Let go of me! You're like a caveman to me, do you hear? I'll revert you back into one if you don't unhand me!"
Scott touched Tasha's arm. "That thing I just said... I shouldn't have said it yet. But you'll ask me something in a few minutes and I'm going to say that, do you understand?" A bit of fear ran through him now, and the look in his eyes made Tasha shiver.
"It's going to be okay, Scott..."
"I'm sorry, Tasha. But you're wrong."
The Champions looked up to see Aeon floating above them. His manner was immediately recognizable -- this was the Aeon who had dispatched them throughout time. The Aeon of 1958 stared in shock. "Who are you?"
"I'm Aeon. Servant of Halcyon, Guardian of the Fifth Order."
"The hell you are!" I'm Aeon!"
The Flash stepped forward, holding his hands up. He gazed up at the floating figure in red. "Aeon... Look, we can work this out."
Scott sat up. He smiled briefly at Cassie, recognizing her even with the difference in age. Then he looked up into the air. "Flash... Stop. It's too late. I can... see... the future and the past. Different paths the world could take. This reality isn't ours, but it's a reality that's going to be very important to everyone in this room."
Tasha frowned. "Can someone explain to me what in the hell is going on?!"
Aeon nodded. "I am the Scott Lang of this universe, changed somewhat by my power and experience. In this reality, the Champions were lost in time and space forever. I became Aeon and watched over Cassie as best I could... but I failed, just like the Aeon you met in 1958 failed. I pulled you from Limbo, to bring you here today, to change your Scott Lang into something more than he is -- he shall become an Aeon. And with that role will come a terrible responsibility... something dark is coming, Champions. And Aeon must make sure you are ready to face it. Where I failed, perhaps your Scott will succeed, with my knowledge to guide him."
"But why bring us here if it's not our future?"
Scott answered for his other self. "Because the Shaping is a threat to the multiverse and the Champions, whether you all realize it or not, are the defenders of the equilibrium. When the Shaping comes, you'll come back here -- this is to be the battleground. Aeon knows that at present, he's too weak to stop the Shaping from winning -- so he's going to give me his powers and his memories. I'll know the Shaping's weaknesses, I'll have his remembrances of battles past to aid me. If I succeed, both his reality and ours -- and all those that make up the multiverse, will be saved."
Tasha turned to face him. "Scott, don't do this. Please. You don't have to...."
"I don't want to do this. I have to do this." He suddenly pulled her to him and kissed her, long and hard. When he pulled back, he smiled. "I always wanted to do that. Tell Cassie I love her -- and I'll be watching."
Tasha touched her lips and nodded, too shocked to speak.
Before even the Flash could move, Scott Lang and the Aeon of the past were in the air before the future Aeon. "You are a failure. The Shaping has escaped your notice. In the name of Halcyon, I strip you of your powers and your rank as Aeon # 132." The past Aeon howled as his power was removed from him, his flesh withering as the strains of time travel washed over him. He crumbled to dust as his power flowed into Scott Lang. Aeon fluttered into nothingness, his words hanging in the air. "The circle is complete, the covenant is unbroken."
Scott Lang shimmered in the air, the cloak of Aeon wrapping itself around him. He stared down at them for a moment, before raising a hand that glowed with power. "Go home, Champions. You did what was necessary. With your help, Aeons # 132 and # 14 are both housed within this one. The Shaping has a powerful new foe... and, perhaps, reality shall survive."
NEXT ISSUE : A special focus on the "new" Champions, as a very old foe makes a dramatic reappearance! Plus : Machete and Zaran make a decision that will have frightening repurcussions for Cerberus....and the "old" Champions return home, without one of their members. How will they deal with the loss and how will they break the news to Cassie?
Author's Notes
A little bit odd, I admit. Time travel stories are a real passion of mine, even with their paradoxes and headache-inducing plotlines. Hopefully, this made a bit of sense to you. Next issue will focus on the "all-new, all-different Champions" as their final lineup is revealed. Then we'll deal with the loss of Ant-Man and how it affects our cast, especially Tasha and Cassie. As for the lingering questions -- what exactly is Aeon? Is it a specific person or just a role that many may fill (they have numbers, so it's certainly possible there are many Aeons active at the same time...)? And what is the Shaping? All that will be answered in the issues leading up to # 50.
Ok, I have no idea who the Aeon from 1958 is, but I say that the later one is Ant-Man. First, he was struck by chronal energy, and Aeon seemed very familiar to him. Secondly, Hank Pym's a major chronal expert, as is DC's Atom, and even the second Yellowjacket went on to join the GotG in the future. Therefore, it makes sense that Ant-Man would follow suit and become a chronal god.
The quick team-up with the 1958 Avengers was great, but a little too quick for my taste. I would have rather you'd made them interact more this issue, then move them on next. But, too much time would have had Black Widow spill the news about that Cap to his teammates, and do any number of other things to inadvertantly screw up Bob's series, so I understand why you made it as short as it was. The scene with Zaran and Machete was hilarious! I'm still giggling over the mental picture of a box full of three-headed puppies. BTW, good work and clearing up the problem with Machete's accent. I can hardly imagine the wannabe team of Champions that'll show up. The only way it'd get funnier is if they fought monkeys. Can't wait to see how their time in the future goes Barry.
Stephen Crosby
Thanks, Stephen. By now, you've seen that your guess as to Aeon's identity is correct. Good detective work! This storyline is far from over, though -- look for it to climax in issue # 50, when the Champs will return to this alternate future to battle the Shaping.
I saw that Champions #39 was posted and I immediately went to the site to read it. Once again, Barry does a good job.I liked his handling of the Avengers 1958's Bucky and Cap.I just wish he spent more time with some of them. However, I know it isn't easy to give everyone time in a team book and Barry did a good job with the parts he put in. I also liked the fact that the Aeon mystery is deepening and I'm still clueless (not a shock there). The part with the old lady was classic. That is one of the best ideas I've seen on MV1. Just fantastic. Barry, another good issue. Keep it up. Oh yeah, I liked the ending too.
Baloo
Cool -- praise from the master! I realize that the crossover with the '50s Avengers was a bit brief, but I wanted to keep it short to avoid any potential plot bombs that I might leave for Bob (for instance, a detailed discussion about the hows and whys a 1950s group of Avengers could even exist). I really enjoyed writing the '50s Cap and Bucky, though!
Barry, hi. Just a quick note to let you know I laughed out loud when I read about the puppies. Hilarious... And Ant Girl next. I still miss Cybermancer, but this helps make up for it.
Gary Halpin
I'm glad that the puppy scene has proven so popular -- wait until you see the fallout when Cerberus returns to the present! I guarantee that nobody is expecting what's going to happen -- trust me, the mayhem will be unforgettable.
Keep the letters coming!