#2 Feb

Scripting: Scott Chamberlain
Editing: Van Plexico

A darkened penthouse apartment on Central Park West in New York. The sound of keys jingling in the lock of the front door can be heard. The door opens and two figures enter. The lights are turned on and the figures are revealed to be Clint Barton and Jack Daniels AKA USAgent, who traveled back to New York with Clint, having offered to help Clint out. (Last Issue-- Remindful Scott)

Jack is looking around the apartment. "Man! Nice digs ya got here Barton."

"Yeah," Clint nodded. "I used to have this place when I worked for Cross. I liked it so much, I got it back when I moved out here from LA."

"Sheesh, if I knew Avenging was paying so well these days, I might have thought of joining up again!"

Clint cast Jack and angry glance. "Is that all the Avengers ever meant to you Jack? Were you ever in it for anything other than the money?"

"Hold it Clint. I was only making a joke there. And as for what the Avengers meant to me, well that all kind of went down the toilet when they broke up the West Coast branch."

Clint let out a sigh, and slumped his shoulders "Sorry Jack. I guess I'm just testy. I'm ready to get this thing done. Now."

"Well what are we doing hanging around here then? Lets go throw on our tights and hotfoot it over to Doc Stange's."

"No." said Clint, shaking his head "Thanks to the flight delay in LA, it's too late to go tonight. We'll have to wait till tomorrow."

"OK, so in the meantime, we better get some rest Clint. why dont you hit the hay?"

"I will...if I can..."

"...I don't know Maggie... What if he dosen't want to talk to me?"

Magdalene gives her love a small smile. "Phillip, how on this Earth will you ever know if you don't go and see him? Cap gave you his address. I'm sure he wouldn't have done so unless he thought some good would come of this."

Phillip nods in agreement. "Your right of course. I should go over there. This is still Clint we're talking about after all. Maybe an alternate Clint, but once I can get past the stigma of THIS Earth's Swordsman, maybe we can hit it off!"

"I certainly hope so," Magdalene agrees. "Because I'm getting tired of moping around here with you all the time. You need to find purpose in your life again Phillip. Getting together with Hawkeye might be a key to doing that."

"That settles it then Maggie. I'm going over first thing in the morning."

With a sigh of contentment, Magdalene leans across the couch to kiss Phillip "You don't know how glad I am to hear it.

"Oh Magdalene, you don't know how glad I am to hear that as well!

Once again our attention is shifted to the realm of Mephisto as the Master of Lies watches the scenes fold out in front of him.

Yes, now the Swordsman joins our merry little band! All my intricatly woven plans are finally coming to fruition. Finally, I shall be recompensed for the losses I have endured at that hands of that foul archer-Avenger. Your soul, Barton, along with those of your friends are forfeit to me! Though you do not yet know it...

The Lord of Hell allows himself a gratuitous smile. "Oh yes, with the power of these newly gained souls, I may finally give a thought to Another's realm whom once stole from me... Indeed, with the power I shall soon wield, mighty Satannish will fall at my feet and grovel for mercy!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!...

The Avengers West Coast were seeking escape from the planes of Satannish. Wanda utterd the words that opened the portal back home.

"And Mr. Devil-May-Care see us!" quipped Mockingbird, grabbing her husbands hand as she rushed with the other Avengers toward the portal. An angry Mephisto followed swiftly behind.

"Six pure souls-- Must pay for four foul!" He bellowed, breathing brimstone fireballs at the Avengers.

"Hey," said Spider-Woman, running as fast as she could "Thanks for the compliment."

The Scarlet Witch led the team back through the portal, making sure each team member could get through. "Those brimstone balls are deadly! Don't let them strike you!"

USAgent gave her an incredulous look as he ran by "I'm doing my best!"

The group finally all passed through the opening, back onto the Avengers Compound in California.

"She did it!" said Spi "She's hurled us out onto the Palos Verdes cliffs!"

Hawkeye looked back to the gateway "The aperature is starting to close behind us!" God! This time Bobbi is going to be safe! Clint thought to himself, feeling oddly detached from what was going on around him.

"But where's Wanda?" said Mockingbird

Hawkeye scanned the aperature again. "There! She didn't make it!" No. No! NO!! Not this way again! Clint thought.

"Because she thrust us through first! I'm going back, and don't try to stop me!" Mock made for the aperature.

Hawkeye followed right behind. "Who said I was gonna? But you're not going back in there without me!" Yes! This time I can make a difference! This time I WILL save Bobbi!

Hawkeye grabbed the stunned Wanda and hurled her out of the portal "Give our regards to LA!" He turned and grabbed for Bobbi "C'mon lady! No dying on me this time!"

"Look out!!!" Mockingbird screamed. She dove for Hawkeye, knocking him out of the way of a brimstone ball.

No! clint thought I have to save her, not the other way around! "Bobbi! Let me get in front of you!" He positioned himself in front of her as they ran for the rapidly closing portal.

"I'm gonna see that you stay right here where you belong, Bobbi. In my arms." the two leaped out of the portal as it shut itself closed.

"We made it!" Mockingbird exclaimed She looked around. Wanda. The Agent. War Machine. Spi. Clint. They were all here.

Clint was picking himself off the ground, intending to kiss his wife passionately. I did it! This time she's safe! He thought.

Just then, the aperature re-opened briefly, as the hand of Mephisto reached through. Struggling mightly to hold it open a moment more, he fired one last brimstone ball...the aperature then closed, forever.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" came the scream fom Mockingbirds lips. She fell to the ground in front of Hawkeye's feet. dead.

"Bobbi!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Clint got up weakly from the bed and made a beeline for the toilet, feeling suddenly very sick. He retched.

A pounding came on his bedroom door "Hey Clint? You okay in there? I heard you scream!"

Clint picked his head up from the seat of the toilet and wiped vomit off his lips with the back of his hand. "Yeah..." he said weakly "I'm just fine, Jack"

"Hey Barton!" he said "How long does it take you to get into that purple underwear?"

Hawkeye stepped through the sliding glass door, dressed in his purple costume. A full quiver of arrows at his back, and his favorite bow in hand.

"I'm here, I'm here already!"

The Agent smiled. a gleam was in his eyes, the type he always got when he knew a fight was coming. "Awwright! Action time, finally! Let's go." Clint gave him a derisive snort.

"Jesus Jack, your actually looking forward to this!? You know, we might both be dead by the time the day is over."

"Aww, c'mon Clint. You an' I been in tough scrapes before. We always came out OK. Heck, this time we'll actually be working together instead of fighting each other like we used to-"

The doorbell rang. "Christ!" said Hawkeye "Who in the world could that be? What rotten timing." He went to the door. Jack followed, protesting that they should just leave quiet-like and leave whoever it was to ring the bell.

Clint opened the door and for a moment was speechless. The person at the door said "Hello, Hawkeye."

"The Swordsman?!?!" Clint exclaimed. "Where- How- What are you doing here?"

Phillip cleared his throat "Well Hawkeye, I thought it would be a good idea if we got to know each other better."

"Really?" Clint looked mystified "Why?"

"Um, well you see... I am from an alternate Earht originally, and there... Clint Barton and I were life-long friends."

"Oh." said Clint "Well, er- Swordsman, in this reality, me an Swordsy never really hit it off too well. He tried to kill me a few times, you know... and " Clint coughed "I just think it would be kind of awkward..."

The Swordsman went on, unswayed in his determination. "Yes, but I'm nothing like that, Clint. I want to prove that to you." He looked at Jack and back to Clint. an idea sprang into his mind. "I see your both in costume. Whatever mission you are on, let me help you with it and show you I'm being honest."

Jack, who was watching all of this over Clint's shoulder cleared his throat warningly.

"Well...that's nice of you to offer, Swordsman. And I'm sure you are a heckuva guy, but this is personal and it's something we've got to do-"

"It's getting late Hawk." said Jack, looking at his watch.

"Right. Well, maybe when we get back, Swordsman. seeya later." Clint started to shut the door.

"Wait!" said the Swordsman, grabbing Hawkeye by the arm. "Listen to me. I need this. I failed the Hawkeye on my Earth. He, like the rest of the Avengers died. I've never gotten over the feeling that I could have saved him somehow. Let me go with you. Help you. This could be my redemption, Clint Barton. Help me achieve it."

Something about the way the Swordsman said this hit home with Clint. He looked into the Swordsman's eyes and found an earnestness there. Even more suprisingly, found something...familiar there. The Swordsman finally let go of Clint's arm.

"Allright, you're in." said Clint. The Agent looked stunned.

"Thank you, Hawkeye. I'll prove myself to you. I swear." The three headed out to the patio, Jack drew close to Clint and whispered to him "You sure you know what you're doing, buddy?"

"Not really" admitted Clint "but something about him makes me believe we can trust him, so he's in. I can't explain any better than that."

The Agent shrugged "OK. Well this is your show after all. If you say Swordsy is in, then he's in.

"The Avengers?" said Wong "Can I help you?"

Clint smiled "Well, not really the Avengers, but close enough I guess. We'd like to see Dr. Strange. It's a matter of importance."

"Please come in and I will see if the master wishes to speak with you." The threesome entered the home.

A short time later, Dr. Strange himself greets the three.

"Hawkeye" he says, shaking the archers hand "It's been quite some time since I've seen you. How are you?"

"Well, I'm fine Steven. I'm not really here for pleasantries though." "I guessed not, judging by your attire and your companions." He turns and nods to the others. "USAgent. Swordsman. What can I do for you gentleman?"

Clint begins to explain the situation to Stange. Some time passes...

"I see..." Stange says, stroking his chin. "This is quite a tall order you're asking of me, Clint."

I understand that, Strange. I wouldn't ask it though if it weren't so important to me."

"Yes Clint, I know...which is why I agree to help. It is no small measure, however, getting into Mephisto's realm. I will need time to prepare. I will retire to my study to prepare."

Strange heads towards his study. The Agent and Swordsman wait, but Clint follows. "Strange wait."

"What is it Clint?"

"There is something I wanted to speak with you in private about. An idea I had."

"So," Clint says "What do you think?"

A disembodied voice speaks from the aperature. "Your idea has merit, bowman. I shall provide this service for ou in return for you allowing me to do this?"

"That's right." says Clint.

"Very well, the bargain has been struck. It shall be done! HAHAHAHAHAhahahaha..."

"I hope you know what you're doing." said Strange.

"So do I" Clint replies.

Next Issue: Who is the diembodied voice Clint Barton is speaking to? Will the Swordsman be able to "redeem" himself? Will they all end up as pawns of Mephisto? Find out in 30, True believer!

Send all letters to beezer@webtv.net Please include "Harangue" in the subject line.

From: jhooper@ifx.net
The Hawkeye story is starting out interesting. I like the fact that you are bringing the Swordsman II into the limelight. I'm not sure if I completely agree with your interpretation of the relationship between the USAgent and Hawk. Given the history, I thought that they would be two people who could never work together, but you never know. Keep up the good work.

James Hooper
"Captain Paramedic"

Well James, glad you liked the Swordsman in this book, because as you can see, he will have a major part to play in the unfolding saga. As for the USAgent and Our beloved Hawk, they really have worked out there differences. One of the few (only) things I liked about Force Works was the development of this relationship.

From: rosewood@prtcnet.org (Burns)
Hey Scott!,

I loved the Hawkeye story!
Anyplace on the Web where I can see a USAgent/Hawkeye team-up is magnificent. Will you be using Hawkeye's other closest friends and brothers-in-arms the Black Widow and War Machine?

TJB

Hey, You know what? Any place on the Web where I can see an Agent/Hawk Team-up is superb too! Maybe that's why I wrote it! Sorry to say, the Widow and War Machine won't be making appearances here. BW is appearing in Mark Beaulieu's "Champions" and is having quite enough adventures over there. As for War Machine, well Rhodey isn't playing the super-hero game anymore, but you can still check him out in Matthew Turnage's "Iron Man"!

NEXT MONTH: Be here for, "Into the Pit"!!