"We need your help Avengers. The Shi'ar Empire is in a civil war that I don't think we can pull ourselves out of alone! Count Abyss, the Undying Force, and the Sidrian Hunters attack us all the while Riovanes attacks us with his rebel forces! Lilandra can't even win the support of the Senate because of Chancellor Dooku's movements against the Empire! Deathbird has been an unlikely ally to say the least, but we need more help. We would have approached the X-Men, but neither team has the firepower we'll need in a situation like this! Please help us! I'm dispatching a Shi'ar freighter to pick you up. It should be there within 3 Earth days," Gladiator said through a transmission his face expression showing utter desperation.

Thor, the leader of the Avengers, rose up from his chair distressed and said, "This is thee transmission that was sent to our abode two days hence. Thou must decide if we help thee Shi'ar or let their war go onward?"

Around the table was seated the 12 members of the Avengers roster. This team boasted some of the most powerful Avengers members ever and quite a few new members who could pack a punch. There was the second in command, Scarlet Witch and the Eternal Sersi next to her. To the right of Sersi were the Greek god Apollo and the former leader of the Morlocks, Callisto.

Standing up behind Callisto was the Avenger from another dimension long ago lost, Shaitan and right beside Shaitan was the former leader of the Squadron Supreme leader, Hyperion. Seated to the left of Scarlet Witch was her ex sister-in-law, Crystal and beside her was the demon/human hybrid Satana.

Thor still questioned Apollo's decision to stick her on the team. On the other side of the table seated to the right of Thor were Jennifer Kale and Nicole Ridely aka the new Binary. Standing up as usual right behind Jennifer was the monster hunter Gilgamesh.

"I myself believe Lilandra and her ilk are far too dependent on the forces of Earth to constantly save her from her troubles. The Shi'ar Empire should be allowed to solve their problems on their own. We are meant to be defenders of Earth and not of the galaxy!" Apollo proclaimed. He himself had no love lost for the Shi'ar race.

"You forget one thing Apollo! Count Abyss, the Undying Force, and the Sidrian Hunters have nothing to do with the Shi'ar Empire. Captain America faced Count Abyss and nearly lost his life doing it. Add to that the fact it took Undying to finally take Count Abyss down in the first place. We have a serious problem since she is now allied with him! The Sidrian Hunters are another matter all together. I think if we don't help the Shi'ar whatever threat they are facing now will soon enough hit Earth!" Sersi cried out rebuking Apollo's harsh judgment. She knew well enough just how harsh the Olympians could be at times. Her experiences with them gave her all the evidence she needed of that.

"I'm inclined to agree with Sersi on this one Apollo. Despite my reservations about leaving Earth I'm sure this will be beneficial to the planet in the end. Besides there are plenty of other heroes here to safeguard the planet," Scarlet Witch suggested kindly trying to keep the internal conflict from escalating.

"As long as we don't count Pietro amongst the ranks of Earth's heroes! Though I guess adulterer can get anywhere these days," Crystal said bitterly.

Scarlet Witch stood from her seat and said firmly, "That will be enough of that! Though I may not agree with my brother's choices he has proven himself to Earth through and through. That you cannot deny! Believe me I know what it's like to lose someone you truly loved to bad choices and I sympathize, but my brother is a hero. He never claimed to be perfect."

"T'is enough!! I hath had enough of this squabbling! Thou shalt listen to my decision and any complaints shan't be made plain! Our dilemma will be resolved like this; Apollo, Callisto, Sersi, Binary, Satana and myself will head to help the Shi'ar while the rest of you remain behind here on Earth. Any questions?"

Binary raised her hand, "Yeah I've got a question…"

"Why the fuck did I join this team?" Binary moaned as the Shi'ar freighter left out of Earth's atmosphere.

"This is my first time leaving Earth too, but it seems like it's a mandatory thing for mutants to take a trip to the Shi'ar Empire eventually," Callisto mused as she sat down next to Binary who was glued to her seat. Nicole refused to get up. Flying in the air on her own powers was one thing, but being in any type of aircraft messed her up. Her parents and her younger sister had all died in a plane crash when she was 10. From that point her Aunt Matilda, who always strangely smelled faintly like spoiled milk, raised her.

"You're on a fantastic voyage and yet you allow a petty thing like fear of flying ruin the experience for you. Mortals confuse me a great deal sometimes. Here take this," Satana said handing Binary a small vial with a skull for a capsule.

"My Mom always said gifts from the Devil were hidden, but now I have one in plain sight," Binary said nervously. Satana threw back her head in laughter, placed the vial in Binary's hands, and walked onward to sit beside Sersi.

"She freaks me the hell out!" Callisto whispered to Binary in her gruff voice. Nicole simply nodded her head as she drunk down the vial. The purple fluid slid down her throat giving her a tickling feeling. She wanted to laugh, but held it back with some minor concentration. An overwhelming feeling of warm comfort overcame her suddenly.

"That some good shit," Binary said as she burped. Callisto gave her a look of indignant disgust.

"Well, at least you're getting something good out of this situation," Sersi said as she turned around in her seat.

"You wanna know what I think about this situation? This situation is…"

"So damn ridiculous!!" Binary yelled as she soared above a Shi'ar mini-cruiser taking it out with a powerful blast. As it fell towards the ground screaming it rammed into another mini-cruiser creating a gigantic blast.

"I agree the troubled times of the Shi'ar seem quite folly, but we must fight on against Riovanes's loyalist troops. This kindness shall one day be repaid in kind by the Shi'ar, comrade," Gladiator said as he threw a piece of wreckage with such velocity that it knocked a wing off one of the loyalist cruisers.

"After all the times Earth has helped you I don't recall your race ever once returning the favor. Can you name a time?" Binary asked with a questioning stare.

Gladiator stared at the new Avenger for a moment and flew off into the sky with an angry scowl on his face. He never answered her questions. "Figures," Binary muttered as she took off in the opposite direction where Apollo was fighting with his flaming golden sword against a horde of Shi'ar troopers.

"Need some assistance?" Binary inquired. Apollo laughed and Binary quickly saw why. With every swing of his flaming sword ten Shi'ar went flying back 3 meters their hollow bones breaking with ease.

"Join in if you must though I can't promise I'll save many Shi'ar for you though," Apollo said gleefully as he continued through the crowds of soldiers waving his sword wildly. Binary added in where she could with her star-powered energy blasts. Soon the soldiers that had numbered near 300 were reduced to a mere 18. Apollo would have decimated the last soldiers if it hadn't been for the thirty cruisers that came in overhead.

"You think you might need some help on this one," Binary said sarcastically. Apollo shot a glaring look at her and then focused his attention on the cruisers. His eyes suddenly began to shoot out flames and the black sky turned a blazing white. The sky then turned a blood red and fireballs began to rain down upon the cruisers. It was truly an awesome sight to see.

"Show off," Binary spat as she did her best to protect Lilandra's soldiers from the falling wreckage of the loyalist cruisers by creating forcefields. In her time with the Avengers, Crystal had helped her a great deal in using her powers in new ways.

Meanwhile across the battlefield Deathbird was barking at the leader of the Avengers, "Do you have no control over your team members Thor?! Apollo's fire fest is causing just as much damage to our side as it is Riovanes's! I've held back four of my cruisers from reinforcing us because of his crazed attacks!"

"Thou will cease your incessant whining! Pull back all thy troops and let us handle thee rest of this grave situation. Riovanes's troopers are weakened and I'm positive we can crush the rest of them with thee combined might of thee Imperial Guard, and Avengers! Now make haste for our time grows shorter!" Thor commanded.

"Fine Asgardian, but I am staying! I will not retreat from the battle because it is my desire to eventually have the head of Riovanes's as an ornament," Deathbird exclaimed.

"Perhaps you will have your chance for that yet fair Deathbird," Riovanes's voice echoed across the battlefield as four square-shaped purple portals about the size of a row of GMC Chevys opened up across the battlefield. One opened directly above Apollo, two opened side by side next to where a large group of fallen loyalist cruisers laid, three more opened in random places in the night sky, and the last portal opened 4 yards away from Deathbird and Thor. Riovanes came out of that portal with Count Abyss and the Undying Force, having taken the form of Alicia Masters, at his back. Large, armored purple insectoid aliens began to pour out of the other portals. They were the Sidrian Hunters.

"Thou shalt forget my last command! T'is my honest belief we are going to need all the help we can get," Thor said his voice filled with the excitement of battle. It had been long since he had faced such massive numbers and such incredible odds. Adrenaline rushed through him.

Lilandra sat before the Senate her face filled with weariness and distress. The past few weeks had been long and hard ones for her. Ever since the being Onslaught escaped to Earth to his doom, she's felt like a part of her was missing. It was as if Onslaught had taken a piece of her with him to Earth. If that was the case he left her a consolation prize. He activated her latent telepathic abilities and they were causing her great pains physically, emotionally, and politically.

"Chancellor Dooku you must let me have the Senatorial Military Squadrons in use in the war against the rebel Riovanes. It is most urgent now more than ever that the numbers of loyalist continue to grow through Riovanes's lies and promises of a new world he can't provide. I beg of this Senate to allow me the forces I need to shut down the rebel who would destroy us all," Lilandra pleaded. She had the smug look on the young Shi'ar's face above her. Chancellor Dooku was the youngest Chancellor in all of the Empire's history and he made use of his youthful zeal well. He had managed to ally most of the Senate to his side and against her.

"I don't recall Riovanes ever making any threat to destroy the Senate. In fact all his 'false promises' seemed to be more at you and your policies more than anything else Empress. Why should I give you those reinforcements when there is no promise of this Senate getting anything in return?" Chancellor Dooku asked rather frankly. He had an almost bored look on his face as he sat in his highly adorned Senatorial Chair. If Lilandra recalled right the Saurid artists were the first to have made the recent designs for the Senatorial chairs.

"Chancellor the sanctity to you and everyone else in this empire hinges on whether or not you give me those troops so I am willing to hear what you want in return for my being allowed to use them," Lilandra said her voice filled with a tiredness of spirit. The Majestrix felt broken in every way. She only wanted to rest for a while so as to better function for her empire, but alas life was not so kind.

Dooku's face suddenly lit up in excitement and sat upright in his chair once more. With haste he said, "I want to be made the governor of the Makak Region!"

Lilandra was flabbergasted by Dooku's request, "B'Cced has always served under me faithfully. To ask me to remove him is…."

"The only way you'll get your Senatorial troopers," Dooku interrupted rudely. Lilandra sighed as reluctant realization dawned upon her. She would have to give into Dooku. He had her in a corner she couldn't fight out of.

"By the gods you will be the Governor of Makak!" Lilandra proclaimed a false pride in her voice. Cheers went up from the Senate and the Empress's heart sank.

Normally Binary was a pretty nice gal. It's just that she got kind of…bitchy when she was nervous. She knows it sounded strange, but being that way is sort of her own little method of hiding her anxiety. She could think of a better way probably, but right now she really didn't have the time.

Oh why was Binary nervous you ask? Well, let's see. For starters she was pretty new at this Avengers thing and she was suddenly in a distant galaxy fighting mutant bugs and bunch of people with hairdos from hell. If you're use to doing that sort of thing it shouldn't bug you too much, but this was her first time. Cut poor Binary some slack! Okay so what if Callisto was handling herself pretty well? She's been in the sewers for decades, duh! That woman has probably seen things that would make this battlefield look like one of Wayne Brady's lame ass jokes.

Plus right about now she probably wasn't alone and surrounded by hundreds of these big purple bugs. The fuckers blow up pretty easy and all, but hundreds was still a lot to handle. Binary was holding her own well enough though. Her star-powered blasts are making mincemeat of the guys, but they just keep on coming. They remind Nicole of the roaches at her Aunt's house. She remembered as a sick joke some of the "popular" girls pretended to want to come over to her house only to spray Binary down with Raid and chant "Roach girl! Roach girl!"

Yea, she knows what you're thinking. Her childhood wasn't exactly sweet and airhead bubbly. She figures it's given her character though because she betted if one of them chickenheads was in the position she was in now they would have pissed on themselves ten times over. Don't get her wrong she was not exactly a pillar of confidence right now. The big bugs have let out some thin blue gas into the atmosphere and it was draining away her endurance.

It was getting hard for Binary to think now. She was trying to stay afloat in the air, but she could feel herself falling towards the ground straight into the screeching clutches of the alien creatures. They wanted Binary and she came with all speed. Nicole just hoped someone seen her hit the ground.

Satana watched as Binary fell to the ground the blazing light coming from her body fading abruptly. Satana teleported herself within a close proximity of the woman pulling out her magically enhanced sword to slice her way through as many Sidrian Hunters as she could. They really made the loveliest squish sound when you stabbed them straight through. Satana felt their souls die as her sword penetrated their two exo-skeletons and then their internal organs. She usually never enjoyed this much battle except for fun back in her stolen realm. Being the ruler of her own personal Hell dimension grew rather boring so she is forced to entertain herself every now and then.

An inhuman screech escapes her lips making every Sidrian Hunter within 40 feet explode. Satana is covered with green and purple ooze, but quickly she wipes herself clean of it with a magic spell. Now if she could only get closer to where Binary was at. Satana could easily teleport herself right to her, but the thrill of the quest is just too much for me to resist.

Suddenly a blinding white light rose up from where Binary was at. Ms. Hellstrom could only hope that her powers weren't activating themselves while she was unconscious, because then this situation would be ten times worse. The Avengers would have a nova event on their hands. Satana quickly forgot the chase and teleported to exactly where Binary was at only to find her gone. The Sidrian Hunters had kidnapped her.

"What has transpired here?" the Guardsmen, Oracle asked. Satana really didn't feel like to talking to her right now. She was still cursing herself for giving into urges she should have been trying to fight. That's partly why Satana joined the Avengers. If she was ever to be a true ruler she had to be able to not have the urges that her servants would give into.

"The Sidrian Hunters have kidnapped Binary. I suggest you help Deathbird with Riovanes. I'll assist Sersi, Apollo, and Starbolt with Undying." Satana said. Hopefully Gladiator, Thor, Earthquake, and Callisto could handle Count Abyss. She still couldn't understand why Thor bought a liability like Callisto to this battle instead of someone more experienced like Hyperion or Shaitan.

"Of course Satana! Let's hope this battle resolves itself quickly in our favor. At the rate we are going we will all be too tired to continue fighting."

"Perhaps. Now move swiftly Oracle! Riovanes must be bought down quickly!" The demon woman said urgently as Satana teleported behind Undying with her sword thrown high in the air.

She bought it down with all the force she could possibly muster. It ripped straight into Undying's back and instead of a wound, blue energy erupted from Undying's back hitting square in Ms. Hellstrom's chest. She didn't know how fast or how long Satana was airborne, but after the energy hit her first thing Satana remembered afterwards was hitting a stone pillar.

"A CALL TO ARMS"

Chapter 2

"He's relentless! He'll never stop and he'll never quit until the once grand Shi'ar are nothing more than Gargio berries for him to squeeze," Lilandra said almost hysterical to her royal advisor, Ssi-Ra. He had never seen the Empress like this before. She was on the brink of mad panic. He struggled to find words of comfort for his anguished monarch.

"My Empress! Surely the Chancellor does not hold all the power that you speak of," Ssi-Ra protested despite knowing that Dooku truly held all the power Lilandra spoke of.

The Empress, who wasn't wearing any of her Imperial garments, threw her right hand flat across her head and cried out in a mixture of anger and gloom, "I've seen it all Ssi-Ra! What I say is true because I've seen it al within the mind of the fiend. While I met with the Senate my curiosity overcame me and I peeked into the heart of the beast."

Ssi-Ra disheartened sat back in his gold chair that was across from Lilandra's imperial throne. The spacious throne room was deathly empty causing the sound of Ssi-Ra landing in his chair to echo across the room. He stared with great concern into the eyes of his ruler.

"I promise you Empress that the empire shall not fall as long as I breathe. Remember what Emperor Eje'kk said; every shadow has its origins in light."

Deathbird flew above the energy blast that came from Riovanes' metallic weapon. The Shi'ar women landed behind Riovanes and just as she was about to attack him both of her wings were burnt to a crisp by an unseen soldier of Riovanes from behind. Deathbird feel to the ground in immense pain. Her whole body felt like it was on fire.

"Seems like I've caught you at a bad moment," Riovanes smiled as he pointed his tubular gun right at his fierce opponent's face. Deathbird fighting back the pain kicked the gun out of Riovanes' hand sending green dust and the weapon into the air. The Shi'ar lunged in desperation to retrieve his weapon to only find it in the hands of the Imperial Guardsmen known as Oracle.

"Game over!!" Oracle yelled as she blasted a flabbergasted Riovanes in the head. The rebel leader fell to the ground dead.

"Rise quickly Deathbird and help eradicate the rest of Riovanes' troopers! I got to help my love against Count Abyss," Oracle said quickly as she flew slightly off the ground towards the other end of the battlefield.

A fist from Gladiator and Thor hit Count Abyss in the face simultaneously sending the villain back ten feet dragging a great deal of the ground along with him creating a minor crater. Before he even had time to get his bearing Earthquake rocked the ground under Count Abyss violently. Then Hussar attacked from behind with her whip serving to only infuriate Count Abyss.

He immediately lobbed a blast at Hussar, but Callisto was there to shove the Guardsmen out of harm's way. Gladiator trying to draw attention barraged Abyss with heat vision.

Count Abyss in response to the praetor's attack blasted a yellow beam in the middle of Gladiator's chest. Kallark's body froze entirely the instant after the blast hit! Every attempt at movement was futile for the Guardsmen. Thor seeing his comrade's dilemma began to spin his hammer at a rapid pace creating an unnatural whirlwind he aimed directly at Count Abyss.

Thor watched with anticipation as the whirlwind approached Abyss. The being simply held up his hand and the wind vanished into a hold in the middle of it. Thor watched in horror as the wind that he created was redirected at him from a hole in Count Abyss's opposite hand.

"By Od's Blood!" The Asgardian god exclaimed as his own whirlwind hit him knocking him fifty feet into the air.

Satana raised slowly all her body aching from the blast Undying had just given her. The demon queen saw from afar that her allies weren't faring well against the cosmic force that was Undying. Satana had a plan, though her fellow Avengers probably wouldn't agree on it, but it was the only way to end the conflict quickly before anyone was hurt too badly.

Ms. Hellstrom teleported herself in front of a surprised Undying. A sword was quickly thrust in Undying's abdomen. While this happened Satan created a dimensional portal and pushed a dumbfounded Undying into it.

"You know they won't find this plan at all attractive Satana," Apollo said huffing and out of breath from the fight.

"I know this well enough," Satana muttered as she turned to where Thor and the others were battling Count Abyss.

Thor was creating a whirlwind with his hammer and Satana thinking the force of the attack would knock Count Abyss back created a portal directly behind the cosmically powered being. What happened next shocked both Satana and Thor. The thunder god's own attack was turned against him and he was flung like a rag doll into the air. Who would knock Count Abyss into the portal now?

Suddenly Count Abyss grabbed his head in pain. Oracle was attacking him with a powerful psionic attack. Callisto seeing opportunity grabbed her long metal staff, left Hussar's side, and charged headlong in Count Abyss. The fact that her opponent was being barraged psychically gave her the advantage she needed to push Abyss into the portal. Unfortunately, Callisto was sucked into the portal along with him.

"No!" Apollo yelled furiously flying with great speed towards the collapsing red portal. As it was closing the sun god swung furiously with his flaming golden sword. Thor having recovered from Count Abyss's attack flew to Apollo and soothed the god's rage.

"We shalt find her Olympian! Let your anger be calmed!" Thor exclaimed trying his best to calm the Olympian's distress and rage. What bothered Thor the most though was Apollo's sudden concern for Callisto. Compassion wasn't one of the Olympian's most well known traits.

"That's two members MIA! What are we going to do?" Sersi asked as her and Satana came to where the two gods stood.

"All matters shalt be discussed once we get back to Migard," Thor commanded with his booming voice.

Apollo nodded his head in gloomy discomfort. His quest for forgiveness was going to be on hold for a little bit. Only one goal was passing through Apollo's mind. He would stop trying to find Callisto when the strength within him was sucked from his very bones.

Gladiator stepped with great stride towards the throne that Lilandra, his empress, sat upon. Concern for her well-being flooded his thoughts for there were few people he knew that thrived under the kind of tension she was facing.

"My Empress! Riovanes lies dead and Count Abyss has been vanquished along with his ally Undying. Our forces are fighting what remains of Riovanes' rebels and the Sidrian Hunters. Though it seems the Hunters are..."

"Pulling back. I figured as much. There is something more behind this entire affair Gladiator. Something much more dreadful than Riovanes or Chancellor Dooku," Lilandra said cutting Gladiator off as she held her forehead in her silver gloved hand.

Gladiator went to Lilandra and held her hand as he bowed. He rarely showed such affection, but it was needed. Softly he said, "Perhaps, but there isn't anyone else I can think of who is more capable of handling it than you."

"Your words are kind Praetor, but far from true," Lilandra said bitterly. Kallark wished that her soul and resolve would shine like the Imperial armor she now wore. He wasn't going to be that lucky for some time.

Wanda sat in her chair disturbed at what the four returning Avengers had told her and the rest of the team. Two of her teammates were missing. Aliens kidnapped one and the other was lost in some dimension portal. She only had one question for Thor.

"What do we do now?"

" I didst make a plan on the trip back to Migard. Apollo and I have agreed that we will make great haste to find the fair maiden Callisto. While we're gone in the massive river that is the Multiverse you Wanda will look after the team. Thou willst decide how to handle thee rescue of Binary. A Shi'ar vessel shall arrive in a day's time to take you to the Sidrian homeworld," Thor explained expecting everyone to follow his plans without hitch.

"Our two heaviest hitters are going off lolly-gagging. That's just great! Why not send someone with more mystical experience like Satana and Jennifer?" Hyperion exclaimed. He got a laugh from Scarlet Witch, Sersi, and Kale.

"Who wouldn't have more mystical experience than two gods?" Sersi mocked. Hyperion's embarrassment quickly turned into anger causing him to walk out of the room. Wanda tried her best to hold a giggle when Crystal leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"Pietro would fit right in with Apollo. Considering how may love affairs he's been known to have," Crystal taunted. Scarlet Witch quickly turned on Crystal, the sister of Medusa, and just as coldly whispered.

"Perhaps you might impress Apollo by slacking up with Dane again. Maybe Apollo, him, and you can hook up for a little 3-on-3 action."

Crystal walked away from Wanda trying her hardest not to let an angry scowl cross her face. Instead of pursing the argument further Wanda came up with a much more clever way to invite anger in the royal Inhuman.

"Thor your plan suits me fine. Apollo and you need to get going already. As for everyone else I've already decided on the squad that is going to head into space. Crystal, Shaitan, and Sersi will stay behind to insure an Avengers presence on Earth," Scarlet Witch commanded. When she glanced at Crystal the Inhuman gave her a look that showed pure fury.

"Into the depths of space once more," Satana Hellstrom muttered to herself. When Apollo approached her about joining the Avengers this is hardly what she expected.

The Past

Satana sat silently and somberly upon her high-seated golden throne. All around her devilish demons danced in their wicked ways wildly. Boredom began barraging Satana's mind so she reflected on what had been bothering her for the past few days. As of late beautiful thoughts and actions of an impulsive nature had been constantly disturbing her mind. Her dark domain, which she found so conveniently unoccupied, was finally beginning to entrap her. What remained of her human nature was hastily was beginning to strip away.

"Ahh Satana so sad and lonely. Let me help you recover what remains of your human self," the voice of Apollo said as he appeared out of thin air with the Eternal, Sersi, by his side. It interested the demon/human hybrid that those two were here.

"What business do you have here?" Satan asked coldly. Ravenous red flames flared up from around Satana's throne. Apollo took it as a sign of her displeasure in his unexpected visit.

"I've come to make you an offer Satana. Join the Avengers and reclaim your humanity. Otherwise fall into the black abyss that is your demon nature. To cement our friendship I've bought you a gift," Apollo said holding out a long ebony sword.

Satana's eyes didn't wander far from the sword. It was long, black, and powerful. Crossbones covered the hilt of the sword all except for the center of it where there was a diamond miniature bull skull. She didn't' want to reach out for the sword, but it was calling to her. Witch immense reluctance a hand outreached grabbing the sword.

"Welcome aboard!" Sersi exclaimed pulling out an Avengers communicard and giving it to the demon/human hybrid.

"I don't think I could have ever seen this one coming," Satana exasperated. She slumped in her chair not at all sure of her emotions at the present. Retaining her evil-bitch status was going to be a great deal harder. Working with some of the world's worst goody goods wasn't the best public relations mover on her part.

"Believe my demon queen your decision is a wise one," Apollo assured.

"Indeed," Satana said half paying attention. The rest of her mind was centered on the black sword and how it seemed to call out to her.

"A CALL TO ARMS"

Chapter 3

Chancellor Dooku sat down in the opal colored rounded chair with all the grace and arrogance of someone with royal status and terrible power. The chair was emitting a green light from beneath indicating the device that kept the piece of furniture floating above the ground. Slowly the chair slid forward two feet allowing the Chancellor to access the incoming message. The large computer started to show a devilishly handsome human with a titanic thirst to exact revenge on all who have done him wrong.

"How did everything go? I had better be pleased."

"And so you shall be. Lilandra gave in and territory is what I have seized. So now you surely must be pleased," chancellor Dooku said with a shaky voice.

"Indeed I'm most excited about that development. All the pieces are falling into place. Onslaught, Count Abyss, and Undying were just nice bonuses. Nonetheless things are far from over!"

"Of course my lord. In soon enough time the Shi'ar Empire for all intents and purpose will belong to me," Chancellor Dooku said getting out of his chair and bowing. When he looked up his master's eyes were glowing an intense red.

"Do not forget your place in all of this Dooku for I have surely not!"

With that the screen clicked off and the Shi'ar politician let out a sigh of relief. If he had know achieving his goals would require half the stress hew as under now he would have just been a farmer. Nice and simple seemed the perfect route for him to try and pursue now.

All the while a group of Avengers speeded across space and they might very well be the people who finally make Dooku pursue the farm life.

Space

The Shi'ar cruiser zoomed across space stopping a few hundred kilometers from a green, purple, and black planet that was roughly twice the size of Mars. General V'rak, the captain of the cruiser, walked to where the present leader of the Avengers was watching a view of the planet.

"We are now ready to teleport you down to the planet's surface. Binary is being held in the southernmost continent so that is where we'll be teleporting you to," the General said to an unmoving Wanda.

"Of course. My team will be ready promptly," Scarlet Witch replied thinking on what the Sidrian Hunters could be doing to Binary. After the whole ordeal with North America turning into aliens the thought sickened her. If only Simon or Vision were here she might find some comfort. Though Vision was gone and Simon had a falling out with Thor before Apollo, Sersi, or any of the new squad showed.

"Wanda we have to go. The Shi'ar are ready," Gilgamesh said tapping Scarlet Witch on her shoulder gently. This caused Ms. Maximoff to awake from her state of deep thought. The monster hunter couldn't help but wonder why a woman as unstable as Wanda had been made second-in-command. She was dealing with many things. The Twelve situation, Wonder Man leaving the team, having to watch Vision fall a second time, and Crystal's pestering for starters. Apollo through a little bit of a risk-taker would make a much better leader than Wanda. A far better leader.

Gilgamesh could only begin to wonder where Apollo and Thor were at this very moment. They were scouring the many realms of the universe searching for the missing Callisto who had fallen into an interdimensional portal along with Count Abyss. All of this was the fault of the demon queen Satana. Her hasty actions had cost the team four members.

Wanda left Gilgamesh alone in his thoughts thinking that the legendary man was following behind her. The Indian man was left alone for the briefest of moments when Satana came up behind him and gently rubbed his shoulders. Gilgamesh turned around a surprised look on his face. He pushed Satana back rudely.

"Do not touch me demon! Your hands are impure!" Gilgamesh exclaimed. Satana smiled and took a couple of steps back.

"So you find the Scarlet Witch lacking leadership skills. Give her time and you'll see there is more power behind her than you could ever know," Satana said her hands on her light-brown hip huggers. The pants matched with her tank top of the same color. Ruby diamonds lined Satana's neck in the form of a necklace. Each one had its own individual shine. Satana's eyes flashed between black and white furiously. Her skin was a beautiful tan and her skin color was evenly spread. Gilgamesh had to stop himself from staring.

"Maybe Satana, but so far she hasn't shown all this power you speak of," Gilgamesh snapped walking away from Satana. All the numerous knives hanging from his belt shaking wildly as he did so. Satana found the man mildly attractive with his pecan colored skin and nicely toned body. His attitude could use a little work though.

"How were you pulled into the circle that is the Avengers?" Satana asked with a devilish smile and a sparkle in her eye. Gilgamesh found himself disgusted with Satana's obvious flirtation.

"Weren't you already on the team by the time I joined?" Gilgamesh asked hoping to trap the dark woman in her games of deceit. Perhaps she would then leave him be.

"Of course, but I also happened to be in another dimension with Sersi and Scarlet Witch at the time. When we returned home with Hyperion we found Binary and you there," Satana explained destroying Gilgamesh's hope of ending the conversation.

"Fine! I'll tell you of how I became part of the Avengers."

The Past

The sky cried out in pain as a pink tear from which the monster hunter, Gilgamesh, fell wounded it. He landed on the soil of Russia with a hard thud. The ground seemed to give way under Gilgamesh. As he stood up from the ground he wiped the dirt off of his black silk shirt and magically imbued pants. Some dirt clung to the knives that hung from his belt, but the gigantic silver sword that was latched to his back remained untouched by the ground.

"The gods surely must come up with a better way to travel," Gilgamesh groaned as he wiped the last bit of dirt from his shoulder. The monster hunter began to survey the area for the monster he was meant to kill, but instead he found an incredibly silent and unmoving Thor behind him.

"What brings you here thunder god and where is your companion Apollo?" Gilgamesh asked trying to carry a touch of regality in his voice. Seeing an Asgardian wasn't on Gilgamesh's list of things to do, but it was an honor to such a warrior as Thor nonetheless.

"Apollo is off recruiting the new Binary. I've come to make you the same offer."

Gilgamesh was deeply surprised at this offer. He had hardly expected something like this, but even if he was to accept what of his duties with the gods. He did have to keep his priorities straight after all.

Almost as if he read Gilgamesh's mind Thor said, "I have verily spoken with thou gods and they approve of thou joining the mighty Avengers. In thee end thee choice befalls you. What do thou say?"

Gilgamesh with a distressed look pulled out his sword and leaped over Thor cutting a large bull/man monster in half. Blood splattered all over Gilgamesh and he could only turn to Thor with an embarrassed expression.

"Consider me apart of the Avengers, but I'd like to get cleaned up first."

Present

"So nice and kind to Thro, but unusually harsh towards me. I wonder why? Perhaps he just likes the big, strong type," Satana said as if talking to herself, but she wanted Gilgamesh to hear every word of it. Antagonizing him was her main goal.

"Because you're the type of thing I would kill on a regular basis Satana. My instincts keep telling me to murder you where you stand you worthless piece of crap!" Gilgamesh bellowed walking away from Satana. She grabbed his shoulder tightly.

"It's more than that hunter and you know it. You didn't hesitate to work alongside the vampires Blade now did you?" Satana asked hoping to press him into a corner so that he would reveal his true motivations behind his dislike for her. It seemed the ever since the team was fully assembled there was more tension amongst it. Of course you would have to take in the stressful mission the team had just undertaken into account. Anyone fighting a universal force, a powerful warlord, and a rebel army all in one day just had to be something hard to handle. Gilgamesh wasn't on that mission though.

"Blade was honorable and his intentions truthful. Besides one vampire could never be as serious a threat as the dark god called Erebus. Surely you yourself know this! Blade died fighting that monstrosity so don't you dare compare yourself to him. You're nothing compared to him," Gilgamesh snapped pushing away from Satana's hand and leaving the room.

"Talk about screwing up your chances. Ah well, there are plenty of the male specimen in the universe," Satana sighed as she walked a good distance behind Gilgamesh following him to where the ship was waiting to take them to the world of the Sidrian Hunters. There would be there only hope of saving their lost teammate from whatever those purple bugs had in mind for her. She could only imagine it.

Meanwhile the rest of the Avengers waited for her and Gilgamesh's arrival in the teleportation room. Hyperion himself focused on the road that lied ahead intently. The Avengers were in for one of the roughest battles of their lives. At least these Avengers! Going to an alien homeworld and battling an entire race wasn't something you wake up in the morning wanting to do. The Squadron Supreme would have never dreamed of it let alone try and tempt it. This mission was utter suicide, but nonetheless a friend was in need and who was he to dispute the challenge?

Another Dimension

The Asgardian and Olympian stepped through a swirling blue portal that closed with a sucking sound. Apollo and Thor had traversed over 10 realms already and had found no sign of Count Abyss of Callisto. Neither god was tired, but their hope was beginning to fail. Nonetheless they weren't going to give up. Leaving a comrade behind was unforgivable in both their minds. And oh what minds they had! Because of their greatness every sin they committed was forever buried in their minds. It could never simple be forgotten.

"Let us begin our search for Callisto here," Apollo commanded as he pulled out his sword made of ravenous flame like the scorching fires of the sun. It illuminated the dark dimension the two gods were in brightly.

Thor stood firmly not moving an inch. Apollo shot the thunder god a harsh look immediately. Thor only returned the look in full, as he said, "No more searching just yet Olympian. First thou shalt give me wise answers to the questions that bubble deep within my skull."

Apollo impatiently replied, "Fine Thor! Ask your worthless questions quickly!" The sun god's anger was evident in his tone and how he waved his hands wildly about as if he were a madman. Of course once he answered Thor's questions he could very quickly be perceived as one.

"I thank thou for hearing me out. First, what augurs ill in my mind is why dost thou have this sudden affection for the maiden Callisto? Thou has never laid eyes upon her until she joined the Avengers or is my assumption untrue?" Thor asked a red in the face Olympian. Could Thor have possibly hit a nerve?

"My eyes have been cast down on the form of my granddaughter plenty a time. She is something I should have never wandered from to begin with," Apollo said with an immensely somber tone. Thor stood quietly in a paralyzed shock at the revelation Apollo had given.

"Surprised Thor? Doesn't it make sense that she would reach out to me in the only way she knew how by naming herself Callisto? Yes, she never knew her heritage, but deep in her mind she always knew it was there. She had once been so beautiful like her fellow Olympians until she was scarred, but yet I watched from afar afraid to make myself known. When she and her people were nearly slaughtered I stood back from afar afraid to be known. No more! My granddaughter shall know of her family and she will learn of my great grief," Apollo exclaimed his eyes turning a pure white and his golden hair shining bright as a thousand lights in the sky.

"Ti's not it though. You wouldn't have organized this whole Avengers team with my help just to get to your granddaughter. That's far too complicated when there could hath been much simpler solutions. So tell me everything now!!" Thor bellowed a torrent forming quickly above the two gods heads.

"The Power of a God
The Child of Olympus
The Witch of Chance
The Elemental Harmed
The Traveling Hero
The Hunter of Monster
The Queen of Demons
The White Star
The Son of Asgard
The Man without a World
The Young Magician
The Aged amongst mortals, but young amongst Eternals," Apollo rambled to himself under a hushed breath that Thor could barely hear him.

"What dost thou babble on about?" Thor asked his anger beginning to grow at Apollo's eluding of his questions.

"They were the signs given to me regarding each and every member of this Avengers team. I am the god of prophecy, as well you know. Do you wish to hear the rest of the tale?" Apollo asked a confused Thor, but the Asgardian simply nodded his head.

"Each of these heroes you shall need for without you shall see the Earth and many races beside crumble. The great evil that has sojourned many a world is here and what it seeks is chaos of destruction of worst kind. United these heroes must stand against that evil for any other attempt to stand against it will fumble. A word of warning to the wise! Watch out for The Aged amongst mortals, but young amongst Eternals or else you shall die."

"Did your prophecy tell you anything else about this great evil that haunts us?" Thor asked. Things were finally starting to connect for him. The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to align.

Apollo sighed heavily, "No it didn't Thor, but now you see both reasons why we must find Callisto. Not only is she my family, but also she's a part of destiny. Without her the Earth and many other worlds are in great danger. The prophecy cannot be altered even in the slightest or everything the Avengers know will be gone."

"What if one of the members decides to leave? Binary hath been one in my mind that seems unsteady about her role in the Avengers," Thor suggested, but instead of getting the god's interest like he had hoped he simply got a smile.

"I've personally made sure each and every member won't leave the team. Have you noticed the increased hostilities between Scarlet Witch and Crystal? Have you noticed the hate Gilgamesh has for Satana, but the intrigue she has for him? That is all accredited to myself. With mental manipulation I gave them all a reason to stay. They all have something to prove to someone else on the team and I've given them all an increased sense of self-worth. Especially Binary," Apollo explained to a stunned Thor.

"You've been manipulating the entire team Apollo? I thought thou were more honorable than that. This augurs very ill with me! By Od's blood how could you so easily reach into thee team's mind and alter it as thou saw fit!" Thor exclaimed angered at the fact all of the Avengers even himself had been duped, used, and manipulated by Apollo. Such treachery Thor could barely stand for! His blood boiled over with rage.

"I feel your anger emanating off you Thor and believe me I understand it. I did all this reluctantly, but it is for the sake of all I do it. I'm sure you won't complain too much about a little manipulation if Asgard is saved because of it. Your father, Odin, has never hesitated to do just that," Apollo commented.

"Let us continue thee search for Callisto! Talk of this matter sickens my maw!" Thor exclaimed flying away from Apollo.

Next issue: The Avengers head to the Sidrian Homeworld to rescue Binary. Also Thor and Apollo continue their search for Callisto only to come across Adversary. Look for more on the dilemma of Lilandra and Dooku's mysterious master.

Author Notes

This is my first Avengers issue and I must say I'm pleased with it. Despite whatever flaws are in it my heart was in this story and that counts for a great deal in my book. Anyway you're probably wondering where on Earth did this roster come from.

Well, that will explained, but slowly overtime. I really just didn't want to do a "recruitment" arc especially with this large an Avengers team. Though I will explain things about they got together and such. I just wanted to hit the ground running with this series.

Now as for a little tidbit into my thinking on the roster I'm going to run down on some of the reasons I chose who I did for the roster.

1) Thor- He's the big brawler and he'll make my Avengers team tough in spirit and power
2) Scarlet Witch- So so much I want to do with her powers
3) Crystal- I want give her a more aggressive edge and resolve her feelings about that jerk Pietro once and for all
4) Shaitan- He's going to be a big player in my "big" story.
5) Satana- A love interest for someone on the team and someone to be an antithesis to the type of godliness Thor is accustom to.
6) Jennifer Kale- She's the one person on the team who can easily switch between light and dark stories
7) Hyperion- Also figures into my "big" story
8) Gilgamesh- Bringing him on the team is one of my ways of honoring X3 in this title. There will be others.
9) Binary- I wanted to bring in one of my OC's somehow and she fit the bill pretty well.
10) Apollo- He's going to be a major figure in this book and I remember someone suggesting on a message board he'd be a cool hero. So I figured I'd try it. Though he is hiding a major secret.
11) Callisto- She's the wildcard. I had an urge one day to write Callisto and so I bought her onto the title. But believe her presence on the team will be legitimized soon enough.
12) Sersi- She's probably the biggest player of all in my "big" story. Plus I've heard Rutog talk so much about her I just decided I'd give her shot. Plus the Eternals always intrigued me and her interaction with Apollo is just too sweet not to do.

-Brent