Avengers Annual 2004

New Order Changeth, Part Two
"Style Clash"

The first floor of Avengers Mansion contained several large rooms that were commonly referred to as 'conference rooms' and they were generally used for press conferences, meetings among the members of The Avengers and law enforcement officials, official receptions and social functions and the like. The largest of these conferences rooms was an impressive example of rich opulence, resplendent with highly polished oak and gleaming marble. It was an impressive room indeed. However, even the grandeur of the conference room dimmed in comparison to 15 of Earth's Mightiest Heroes facing each other in a tense standoff.

The silence in the room was broken by the ever-commanding voice of Thor that rumbled off the walls like echoes of thunder in the high snow capped mountains of his native Asgard. "Replaced? A harsh word, indeed. And from one who has spoken so disdainfully of those that hath shown her naught but comradeship in days past."

Crystal took two hesitant steps forward, her eyes opening wide in surprised disbelief. "Pietro?..and Karnak ? What are YOU doing here? Is all well at home? Medusa…did something happen to the baby? Is she…?"

Karnak stepped forward, the affection and love on his face seeming to radiate and fill the room as he slowly walked forward to embrace Crystal . "All is well with the family, cousin. Black Bolt and Medusa have a beautiful son. But there will be time for that later. There are other matters of importance we must discuss."

"Aye! And aye again!" Thor boomed, his sky blue eyes turning upon Captain America who was looking back at him with a gaze no less steady and imposing. "Captain, wouldst thou explain what the meaning of this be? I see what I must assume to be a full roster of Avengers with thee. What does Moondragon mean by 'replaced'?"

Captain America gestured at the ebon clad figure standing right by his side. "For the answer to your questions you'll have to ask the new Avengers chairman: The Black Panther."

There was another stunned silence in the room that made Captain America uncomfortable because he knew what everybody in the room was thinking. Captain America had led The Avengers on so many occasions and so often that it was just natural that everybody had assumed he was back in charge. The Scarlet Witch was the first to voice what they were all thinking.

"T'Challa? The chairman? But Thor's in charge now. All of us have nothing but respect for you and T'Challa, Cap but you can't just walk in here with a brand new team and say that's it, you're taking over without a word of explanation." The Scarlet Witch's glare swept around the room and she flung out an arm to indicate Sunfire and Andromeda. "And you expect us to relinquish our places on the team to strangers? Untested and untried strangers?"

Moondragon's bark of disdainful laughter made The Scarlet Witch's head snap around. "This from the woman who stood by and said nothing when genetic trash such as Callisto and bungling incompetents like Gilgamesh dared called themselves Avengers!"

The Scarlet Witch said nothing, merely lifted her hand in that gesture that The Avengers knew all too well. Quicksilver was at her side in an instant, whispering urgently in her ear, gently but firmly gripping her wrists and lowering her hands. Both The Black Panther and Captain America were speaking to Moondragon in low voices that had the desired effect because she stepped back. But Moondragon could make even the act of stepping backwards seem like an act of regal defiance.

“It is always like this when they decide it's time for a change, Eddie?”

Edwin Jarvis had been quietly watching the chaos unfold from the service door; he did not expect his position to be discovered. In point of fact, the butler had learned during his long and storied tenure with the Avengers that there were times--and membership changes were primary amongst them--when he became for all extents and purposes invisible to the heroes involved. He appreciated those moments, as it allowed him to observe history without any input or filter, so he could make his own decisions about the actions taken.

Thus, he was surprised he had been joined by the short, blonde lawyer Everett K. Ross, who The Black Panther had insisted take over the vacant position of Avengers Liaison and Diplomatic Aide.

“There is a certain degree of unrest in every changeover, Master Everett. Rest assured, thought, that this is a fairly mild version of the ritual. It isn't even the worst version that involved Madame Moondragon. Someone will always protest that he or she belongs, and someone will always quit in the heat of the moment.”

“My bet's on the chickie in the black bathing suit,” Everett said and nodded. “You, ummm, don't mind if I follow your lead here, Eddie--or do you prefer Jarvis or Edwin or--”

“Jarvis will do,” the butler said, not letting the annoyance he felt at being called ‘Eddie' show on his face. “And you may certainly ‘follow my lead' here.”

“Good,” Everett replied, scanning the gathered heroes. “The way I figure, you know more about how this place works than any man alive. I'd be an idiot if I didn't come to you for advice.”

In spite of where the compliment was coming from, Jarvis felt a swell of pride. “Thank you, Master Everett. I will do my best to acclimate you.”

“Good. As far as I'm concerned, you're my number one advisor.” From across the room, Jarvis saw Andromeda wave at Everett, a genuine smile on her face. Everett flushed, adjusted his collar and waved back. Jarvis allowed himself a slight raising of his right eyebrow in surprise. He took a moment to choose the right response to both Everett's statements and his action.

“I will remember that when time comes for my contract to be negotiated.”

Standing at the rear, just inside the doorway, Quasar and Jack of Hearts had been quietly observing the events unfolding. Both young men could feel the tension in the room growing and Jack leaned over to whisper in Quasar's ear, "You want to put me down on exactly what's going on here?"

Quasar whispered back out of the corner of his mouth, "Classic Avengers moment. Hawkeye calls 'em 'Gyriches'."

"What's that mean?"

"Every once in a while we end up with too many Avengers and some of 'em gotta be Gyriched off the team. Hawkeye named it after the first Avengers government liaison, Henry Gyrich. He was the guy who laid down the seven member team rule."

"So that means eight of us have to go?" Jack frowned. He wasn't sure what he was going to do or say if he was one of the ones asked to leave. His time with The Avengers had come to mean something very important to him and he wasn't sure he wanted to give it up. He was beginning to understand why The Scarlet Witch and Thor sounded so mad. Especially now since they had just come from the deepest regions of space, having once again thwarted the plans of The Mad Titan, Thanos and helped bring about a peace treaty between the Kree and The Shi'ar. Feats such as those couldn't just be shrugged off with a hearty handshake and a 'job well done'. Jack pushed himself to the forefront, directing his words to Captain America .

"Cap, I can't believe that you would kick us out like this after all we've been through! You, of all people!"

The Black Panther stepped forward, his cultured baritone seemingly unmuffled by the mask that covered his entire head. He raised his hands and said, “No one is kicking anyone out, Jack. We have a situation here that is difficult, yes. But we will solve it as we always have. As Avengers." The Black Panther gestured to Thor. "Would my fellow chairman do me the honor of retiring with me to the main assembly room that we might discuss this situation and I may explain to you what has brought it about?"

Thor's hand tightened on the shaft of his great gray war hammer Mjolnir with such force that his knuckles could clearly be heard cracking. "I be not pleased with this talk of my worthy companions being 'replaced', T'Challa. But you and I have stood together as Avengers, warriors and aye, as brothers. I will hear thee." Thor turned to the roomful of Avengers and said, "I bid thee fellowship together until such time as the noble T'Challa and I return to address thee all." Thor followed The Black Panther from the room, tucking Mjolnir into his wide golden belt and removing his winged helmet, cradling it under an arm.

The Avengers slowly began to break up into groups and the babble of excited conversation filled the conference room. The Scarlet Witch, Quasar, Jack of Hearts and Photon immediately surrounded Captain America , all asking questions. The Star-Spangled Avenger raised red gauntleted hands and his voice was friendly and warm but inflexible and resolute as he said; "I can't say anything about what's been going on. T'Challa wanted it this way. He wants to talk to Thor first and lay out the situation for him and then come up and explain it to the rest of you. And if that's the way he wants it, that's how we're going to play it."

"What I want to know is, how come he gets the chairman slot and you don't?" Quasar asked. "I mean, I know he's The Black Panther and all…but you…I mean, people say 'Avengers' and you naturally think of Captain America ."

"All I can say is that T'Challa is the best man to lead The Avengers right now, Wendell." Captain America rested a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "The Avengers have a responsibility that must be fulfilled regardless of our personal feelings. And believe me when I say that there are few men on this planet I trust and believe in as I trust and believe in T'Challa."

"But what about Thor?" Photon blurted out. "Far be it for me to deny a brother his turn at ramrodding this team but Thor's taken us to one side of the universe in order to save it and brought us back safely! You can't tell me that doesn't count for something!"

"Thou canst not tell me that saving the universe entire does not count for naught! Even those petty minded cowering oafs who sit on their ample behinds and do naught but complain and criticize in the halls of Washington must recognize that!"

Thor's raging voice filled the cavernous main assembly hall. T'Challa sat at the huge round table with the slanted stylized A that was the worldwide-recognized Avengers symbol. T'Challa had one foot up on the edge of the table, one long arm resting on his knee. He had removed his mask and his bare face was full of sympathy as he replied.

"Thor, I am the first one to defend any action you deemed necessary to prevent any harm befalling Earth. Indeed, your longevity and experience with other dimensions and realms of existence makes you an expert in that area as far as I'm concerned. But there are matters here on Earth that have transpired and have not been avenged."

Thor stopped his pacing. He had taken off his long crimson cloak and thrown it on the table where it was held down by Mjolnir and his helmet. He fixed T'Challa with an intense gaze. "What say thee? What matters?"

"Did you know that Doctor Doom has wiped the American city of Milwaukee off the face of the Earth?"

"Heimdall's Eyes! When did this atrocity occur?"

"Around the same time as when The Human Torch, an Avenger reservist I might add, was trying to single-handedly stop the latest rampage of The Hulk. Jim Hammond was forced to trigger a nova burst that American surveillance satellites identified as a low-grade nuclear blast. Until it was discovered what had happened, The United States government thought the country was under attack. And those are only a few of the matters I mention. There is the Genosha situation. New York and Seattle were recently invaded by demonic forces. Need I go on?"

"No." Thor's voice was subdued for once. His normal speaking voice was enough to make walls vibrate slightly but now his voice was so low as to be barely audible. "But were there no others that could take up the challenge and strike in the name of The Avengers? Or hail us with word of the grievous trials plaguing this world?"

"Frankly, Thor, nobody... not even Jarvis was sure of where your team was or what you doing at any given moment. Steve and I were called to the White House and spent two solid days in meetings with various government representatives who were most concerned about the events taking place not just in America but also around the world. Did you know that The Inhumans have placed secret colonies of their people in locations around the world? And they are preparing to make those Hidden Colonies known to the rest of the world?"

Thor leaned on the round table, his shoulder length blond mane obscuring his face. "But The Fantastic Four, The Champions, all those who have named themselves allies to The Avengers in times past-"

"Those teams were busy with their own concerns. I'm sure that some of them assumed that you were taking care of those situations. I most certainly did. Imagine my surprise when I accessed the Avengers database and found that you had not made a Chairman's Log entry in days. The situation became so strained that The Commission on Superhuman Activities approached Iron Man about reactivating The West Coast Avengers, which he has done."

Thor looked up. "There be naught else thou can say that would surprise me, friend T'Challa." The Thunder God laughed. "It would appear that in my zeal to protect all I have protected nothing. Fair Midgard has suffered by my failure to direct the righteous fury of The Avengers where it 'twould be most appropriate. But I apologize for nothing. The threats we have faced would have shaken the souls of The Valkyrie themselves. Aye, The Avengers in my charge acquitted themselves fair and true 'gainst the most fearful and terrible of foes and they have filled the heart of The Odinson with pride."

T'Challa leaned forward, his brown eyes clear with power and purpose. "And no one questions that, Thor. But the heart of the matter is this: The conditions of our charter with The United States Government are not being met and they are not pleased with the situation as it is. It falls to us to come up with a solution that will not only satisfy you, me and them but the thirteen people waiting upstairs for us."

"I'm not sure I'm satisfied with the fate of my membership being left up in the air, Cap. Especially not after I've worked so hard for it." The face of Jack Of Hearts, one side normal, the other flat black save for the heart shaped design around the milky white pupiless eye held an expression of determination unnerving for one so young.

Captain America motioned to Jack Of Hearts. "Step over here with me for a minute, would you, Jack? I'd like to talk with you in private. Excuse us, would you?" That last statement was directed to Photon, The Scarlet Witch and Quasar. The curiosity on their faces were plain, but they complied without hesitation or question as did most when given a command by The Living Legend Of World War II. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Quicksilver moving in to talk with his sister while Photon and Quasar walked over to the buffet table.

"Look, Cap, I don't know what this is all about and frankly, I don't care. I've proven myself and I deserve my place on the team."

"I agree 100% Jack. I don't want you to go either."

Jack Of Hearts blinked. His face went from determination to confusion. "I don't get this."

"Let me explain. The Avengers charter calls for there to be seven active members as well as two reservists. I cashed in a favor and wrangled you one of the reservist slots." Captain America held up a hand as Jack started to protest. "I know, I know. Reservist status isn't active membership but you'll still be entitled to live here at the mansion and draw your stipend. And when an active slot opens up you'll be the first to step right into it. You've got my promise on that." The Living Legend lowered his voice slightly as he continued. "And I'd take it as a personal favor if you'd agree." He nodded in Sunfire's direction. The brooding mutant in the containment suit seemed to be bristling with unbridled energy even though he was standing perfectly still, looking out the huge picture window at Manhattan 's 5th Avenue .

"Sunfire? I don't understand, Cap."

"I'm concerned about Sunfire. For a time there, he seemed to have resolved his personal prejudices in regards to other races and nationalities and was becoming more of an open person. But his transformation into an energy based life-form appears to have caused him to become bitter and I'm afraid he's regressed to his old familiar attitudes."

"In other words, he's fallen off the wagon."

Captain America laughed easily. "I wouldn't have put it in quite those terms, but I suppose the analogy fits. Much like an alcoholic or any substance abuser for that matter, in times of emotional and personal stress, he's fallen back on a way of behavior that's comforting and familiar to him to cope with what's happened to him. And that's where you come in. You've walked where he still has to go. You've had a far longer time to come to deal with what's happened to you and you're the only Avenger here that can relate to his situation."

Jack Of Hearts was looking at Sunfire's back as he answered, "Sure, Cap. I'll stay on. And I'll do whatever I can to help Sunfire." Jack Of Hearts turned back to Captain America and extended his hand. "And thanks. I'm honored you'd ask me to do you a favor."

"You can thank me by being a friend to Sunfire. I've got a feeling he's going to need one."

It had not been easy in the commotion of the main meeting hall to talk as Karnak knew he had to talk to his beloved cousin. So, at the earliest possible moment, he took her gently by the wrist and guided her to his temporary living quarters.

After he closed the door, Karnak noticed that Crystal was studying the furnishings. The Shatterer had worked with both the Avengers Diplomatic Aide Everett Ross and Jarvis to transport what he needed to turn his room into a proper chamber for a High Priest of Agon. The tapestries she was fingering had to be familiar to Crystal , he reasoned, and made it clear that he was not visiting.

“What's going on?” she asked. In the candlelight, she looked much closer to her age...older, even. Karnak felt a twinge of sadness when he realized what a toll this stint, and the stint before it, must have taken on his cousin.

“Dear cousin,” Karnak started. “I spoke earlier of important matters we need to discuss. Once I tell you what has occurred, I hope you will be ready to prepare to return to our family and--”

“You're replacing me?” she asked, incredulity slowly creeping into her voice. “Oh, Karnak . I would have thought Gorgon capable of this, but you--?”

Karnak smiled warmly. “I am not going to deny what you say, cousin. But hear me out before you act upon that information.”

The beautiful Inhuman stood, arms folded, head tilted to one side. “I'm listening.”

Karnak took a moment to summon the right words. He knew he had the reputation of being the one Inhuman everyone listened to, but only because he knew how to treat his pronouncements like butterflies--delicate and easily damaged.

“Since your sister gave birth, Blackagar has felt that the Inhumans have done themselves no service by staying isolated in the Great Refuge. If Earth is to truly be our home, we needed to interact with the people therein. With an eye towards that, he has set up secret colonies throughout the planet to intermingle with the humans and exchange ideas with them.”

Crystal was about to speak, fire flashing in her eyes, but the Shatterer raised one hand to still her. “There is a need in the Refuge for someone to brief these new missionaries--to give them the knowledge they will need to survive in the world of Man. Thus, it was decreed by the Genetic Council that you would be brought back to Attilan to teach them. After all, you are the one Inhuman who has had the most experience with humans. You know how they think, the structure of their governments. The Council feels, and I agree, that you are the only person who could possibly do this job.”

“I don't know what to say,” Crystal said after a pause that stretched out for moments on end.

“Say you will do it, cousin,” Karnak said. “Every great warrior deserves a chance to be productive in peace. Take your chance with Agon's blessing.”

He opened his arms and waited slowly, hesitantly, for Crystal to step into them

The quiet conversations in the room ceased as The Black Panther and Thor returned. The Avengers gathered in a quiet semi-circle before the two men. The Black Panther stood just a little behind and to the left of The Thunder God with his ebon arms folded across his chest while Thor spoke;

"Friends old and new. Comrades of many battles and battles still to come. Ye be Avengers all and though The Son of Odin may not have shaken thy hand or spilled blood with thee, know that I name thee all as worthy." Thor held his hammer in both hands and his eyes rested upon each and every one of them in turn, as he spoke. "The council between The Black Panther and myself hath been most illuminating and has removed a veil from mine eyes. A veil that shrouded my vision. In mine immortal arrogance I have not performed with the best intentions of fair Midgard in mind." Thor looked at The Scarlet Witch. "When Gladiator first contacted The Avengers to ask for assistance, thou had misgivings about leaving Midgard unprotected. It would appear that your fears were well grounded, fair Wanda. The Black Panther has named numerous calamities that hath plagued this beloved planet of ours on our watch. And these calamities mayhap might have been prevented if there had been Avengers here on duty."

The humanoid robot, Machine Man stepped forward. He hadn't said much, except to Captain America and in fact had kept to himself until now. His voice was pleasant enough but so perfectly pitched and modulated that there was a curiously even tone in everything he said. "Whatever may have happened would have happened if The Avengers had been on Earth or not, Thor. Logic dictates that since you do not possess the power of prophecy you cannot blame yourself. Earth has more than enough super humans to…" here Machine Man's head cocked to the side in an eerily human gesture, "….'pick up the slack?' I believe is the expression."

"It is not just that alone. Thor's choice of Avengers was…eccentric to say the least," The Black Panther said. "Thor explained his reasoning for why he picked the members he did and I respect his choices. But we have to honor the requests of the government and they've requested an Avengers roster that they will be more comfortable with." The Black Panther didn't finish his thought: And in truth, a roster that I myself would be more comfortable with…

"Therefore and forthwith, I am turning over my chairmanship of The Avengers to The Black Panther and furthermore, I request to be placed on inactive status immediately." Thor nodded slightly to The Black Panther.

"Granted, Odinson."

Captain America frowned slightly. "Thor, nobody's saying that you have to leave the team. You've always been one of the mainstays of The Avengers. Your power, your wisdom, your experience are all invaluable to the team."

"Wisdom, HAH!" Thor laugh shook the room. "The heralded wisdom of Thor is in short supply methinks, Captain, but I do thank thee for thy generous words! No, The Black Panther is a most worthy leader. And his words have stirred much thought. Truly, one must concern one's self with saving those closest to home and hearth before setting out to save an entire universe. Methinks it is time I returned to golden Asgard for a time. But worry not. I have ensured that The Avengers will not be without the power of The Thunder God in time of need." Thor winked at The Black Panther who nodded back.

"I'll make it easy on you guys….put me on inactive as well." Everybody turned to look at Quasar who stepped forward, a sheepish grin on his face. "I think it's time I hit the road and get back to my day job."

Jack Of Hearts put a hand on Quasar's shoulder. "You sure, buddy? I've gotten used to having you around, you know. Who am I gonna watch The Man Show with now?"

Quasar gave Jack a brilliant grin as he said, "It's been a blast hanging out with all of you but what Thor said got me to thinking as well. I'm supposed to be The Protector Of The Universe, not The Protector Of Earth and maybe if I'd been out there doing my job, The Avengers wouldn't have to be out there doing it for me. I'm not saying I'm gone for good but I need to be doing what I was given these for." Quasar lifted his arms and the Quantum Bands on his wrists crackled with unimaginably powerful energies. "And hopefully with me out there you guys can relax a bit and not worry so much about what's going in the rest of the universe and concentrate on good old Earth now."

Thor raised Mjolnir in salute to Quasar. "There be true wisdom for thee, Captain!" Quasar blushed in embarrassment as Captain America gave him a thumbs-up.

"Well, screw this. I'm out." Binary spun on her heel and headed for the door.

"Hold on, miss!" Captain America called out. "I don't know you but if Thor thought you were good enough to fight at his side, then we'll take that into consideration if you want to remain on the team."

"And if she can pass the standard background checks." The Black Panther stated. "During my examining recent log entries, spotty as they were, I could find no mention of a security check being done on her background."

"And so you think I'm going to hang around and let you nose into my personal life and then maybe you'll let me sit at the cool kids table. As I said, screw that." Binary lifted a hand in salute to The Thunder God. "If you come to your senses and go back to being in charge, big boy, all you gotta do is whistle. Until then, I QUIT ." The only sound after that was the sound of Binary's Avenger communicard hitting the polished hardwood floor and the slamming of the door behind her.

"Volatile, isn't she?" Quicksilver said out loud. "If there is one thing The Avengers do not need is someone with such an unstable temperament!"

The room was filled with the laughter of The Avengers except for Machine Man who had not spent much time around Quicksilver and Pietro himself who would never get the joke.

Crystal wiped tears of mirth from the corners of her eyes and said, "Well…that was a welcome laugh, I must say…I'm afraid I can't be as dramatic as Binary, but I'm also going to request to be put on the inactive list."

The Black Panther held out his long arms. " Karnak has informed me of what awaits you in Attilan. You have a great and noble task ahead of you, child. I am most proud of you." Crystal rushed into The Black Panther's arms and hugged him tightly.

Captain America turned to The Scarlet Witch and Photon. "Despite the seven member rule, I'm sure T'Challa can work something out if you want to stay on-"

The Scarlet Witch smiled and shook her head. "That won't be necessary, Cap. Crystal has already asked me if I wanted to go with her to Attilan and see Medusa's baby. And I want to go." The Scarlet Witch's smile was heartbreakingly sad. "It will be good for me, I think. Medusa is an old friend and I've seen too much of death recently. I'd like to see life…especially new life." There was a wistful, faraway look in her eyes and those who knew The Scarlet Witch best knew that she was thinking of an artificial heart that had once beat for her with enough love for a thousand human souls and two bright, beautiful children who had one day vanished like early morning fog under the sun's rays. The Scarlet Witch blinked suddenly and her face cleared. "Before you know it, I'll be back. And if you need any help-"

"I can think of few who I would rather have at my side than you in a crisis, Wanda," The Black Panther said with genuine affection. "That leaves you two." He turned to Photon and Machine Man. "There's one reservist slot left open but as Cap has said, if the both of you want to stay on, I'm sure we can find some reason-"

"Monica, why don't you come to Attilan with Wanda and I?" Crystal blurted out excitedly. "Oh, we could have such great fun together! And I'd love for you see my home!"

"I thought that humans weren't allowed in The Great Refuge?" Sunfire said, startling just about everybody in the room. He had not said one single word to anyone since entering the room and in fact, some of The Avengers who had never met him thought he was mute up until now.

Karnak answered him with a smile. "In this case, I think an exception can be made."

"But you won't have to." Photon walked over and hugged Crystal tightly. "Thanks for the offer, baby, but if I'm going to take some time off from The Avengers, I'm going to spend it with my folks down in New Orleans . I've been gone so long I know they must be sick with worry. And I had planned on asking Thor for a month's leave anyway. But now that there's a full roster of Avengers, I guess I can take more than a month."

"But keep your communicard handy and when you are ready to come back to us, know that you are welcome always." The Black Panther said. "And that leaves you, my friend. How do you stand?"

Machine Man extended his hand. "I am a student of the human condition and I do not consider myself what is popularly known as a 'superhero'. But I have come to know something warm and comforting in this assemblage and I would like to continue my association here."

"Certainly you shall," The Black Panther assured him, taking Machine Man's hand in a firm handshake. "It would appear that the situation has been resolved to everyone's satisfaction, has it not?"

"Not quite, T'Challa," Captain America 's lips quirked in doubtful contemplation. "I'm still not sure about this Everett K. Ross character…"

"…but you must admit that he certainly got this press conference organized expeditiously, did he not?" The Black Panther asked of Captain America the next day. The early morning mid-summer sun was shining right down on the main entrance of 890 5th Avenue . A podium was at the foot of the well-worn black marble steps.

Captain America was looking through the window at the huge crowd on the front lawn of Avengers Mansion and beyond that, thousands more were on the sidewalk and the street, effectively blocking traffic. The naming of a new Avengers roster was something of an unofficial holiday in New York and it was customary for thousands to take off from work and school and scramble for a good place in the crowd or to gather in favorite watering holes to watch the announcement of the new roster and the following press conference.

"I'm still not convinced," Captain America said resolutely. "Jarvis handled the press conference duties for years before we had a Diplomatic Aide. I know you've worked with this Ross before, but-"

"Gentlemen! It's time to shake our money-makers!" Everett Ross poked his blond head into the room. He wasn't a tall or imposing man at all but he fairly crackled with nervous energy that seemed to radiate from him in all directions. "Gotta give the people what they want!"

"Mr. Ross, exactly why are we having this press conference outside? We have rooms inside the mansion for that purpose."

"Yes, Captain, I know…but being inside a dark, stuffy room…well, it just makes more of an impact when New York and the world can see their Avengers standing in the glowing rays of a new day's sun, rededicating themselves to the principals and goals that have made The Avengers heritage legendary." Everett wiped away an imaginary tear and clapped his hands together, rubbed them briskly. "And we GO! "

Captain America turned to The Black Panther and they both fell into step, following the excited Everett . "You're grinning underneath that mask, aren't you, T'Challa?"

"Not I, Steven. Not I."

Everett K. Ross thumped the microphone for attention and the crowd's murmuring subsided. "Ladies and gentlemen of the press. Citizens of New York City and of the world, on behalf of The Avengers, I welcome you here today to witness the rededication of a dream. A dream that began when five of the most powerful heroes on Earth found themselves in separate conflict against a terrible enemy. An enemy that threatened not only them, but the life of this wonderful planet of ours. Only by working together could they defeat this enemy on that day.

"It was a day unlike any other…a day when five heroes who had only heard of each other's existence first banded together…united against a common threat…on that day, The Avengers were born!"

The cheering of the crowd echoed and re-echoed in the concrete canyons of New York and it was a full two minutes before the din had quieted enough for Everett to be heard again; “And now I present to you those heroes who will carry on that dream…heroes who will represent the world we live in as the best and brightest of not only humanity but the many other races and forms of life who share this planet with us and which we all call home. First we have the chairman, The Black Panther!"

The Black Panther emerged from the doorway of the mansion and stood on the top step, waiting for his teammates to join him one by one, as Everett called out their names.

"Captain America , Living Legend Of World War II! Quicksilver, mutant super-speedster! Moondragon, born on Earth but raised on Titan and gifted with mental abilities beyond comprehension! The warrior Andromeda hailing from the undersea kingdom of Atlantis ! Sunfire, premier hero of Japan ! Karnak, known in The Inhuman kingdom of Attilan as The Shatterer! And waiting in the wings in their highly trusted position as reservists, Jack Of Hearts and Mr. Machine!"

Over the yowling and screaming of the crowd, Captain America whispered out of the corner of his mouth, "Mr. Machine? I thought his name was Machine Man?"

The Black Panther whispered back, "I'll explain later. Do you still have your doubts about Everett Ross?"

Captain America grinned. "I think he'll do just fine."

Everett 's voice boomed from the speakers: "I give you Earth's Mightiest Heroes….. THE AVENGERS!"

And the crowd goes wild.

NEXT ISSUE: With Captain America, Black Panther, and Quicksilver away on business, the new kids are given their first "Trial by Fire" against none other than...the Blank? New writer Chris (Avengers West Coast, Thunderbolts) Munn comes on board as writer, setting the seeds for the biggest Avengers saga yet!

New Order Changeth, Part Two "Style Clash"

New Order Changeth, Part Two
"Style Clash"