The Aerie
Mt. Annapurna
Nepal:

Ra's Al Ghul watched as the images flickered and flitted past, his steel gray eyes bright as the world passed before him. The pictures appearing on the monitors showed various places scattered about the globe; the major cities of course like Gotham, Tokyo , Metropolis but also less inhabited places. The rain forests of Brazil where the constant stripping of trees wiped away the years of evolution as another plant or animal was erased from existence, the atmosphere despoiled a little more with every choking breath of every machine. China , where the Yellow River steadily rose, submerging flora and fauna alike the better to provide the chattel with more power. Nearby Quarac where men worked feverishly night and day to produce more and more weapons of mass destruction to use against their neighbors. A tanker near the Mariana Trench dropping drums of radioactive waste. A volcano erupting on Iceland .

They were satellite images for the most part, his own computer technicians pirating the signals broadcast around the world locked down by a dozen different countries. Some were news broadcasts- he had stock in CNN and WGBS after all, not being a fool. There were images however that were of his own design, his own cameras broadcasting pictures from around the world of things that caught his eye and interest. Three of those were centered in the array of monitors even now, side by side, the better that the Demon's Head might focus his attention.

The three monitors showed relatively the same image, though the broadcast locale of each was almost as far from the next as it could possibly be within the planet's atmosphere. Rips, tears in the very fabric of the sky.

Roiling, reddish clouds of negative energy seeped from each, though only one was visible to the naked eye. One, the largest was centered over Antarctica about the geomagnetic South Pole though nearly a mile over the continent. The next was high over the Pacific Ocean, above Kiribati and the tiny isle in the Phoenix chain named Orona, nearly the center of the legendary Circle of Fire. That one was just at the edge of the stratosphere. The last and smallest was over Manhattan, just a tiny rip spewing crackling, pink energy for those that could see it and nestled just a few yards beyond the reach of the tallest skyscraper. Red clouds. Crimson skies.

It appeared that the Crisis had returned. It seemed different however. Not the sweeping storms of several years past that had swept across the sky and land decimating and eradicating anything in their path. These were isolated events and seemed more to be streams of anti-energy escaping from somewhere. But from where? Qward perhaps, or that mirror universe that held those odd and evil doppelgangers of the Justice League that they had fought some years past? Somewhere else? Impossible to say without more information.

It was interesting however, and no doubt deadly. He had already sent volunteers to investigate the two more remote locations, fodder to sacrifice but laden with more than enough equipment to relay the information he needed before they expired. Manhattan was a bit too congested to examine up close as yet. He would keep that particular rip under close scrutiny from afar however, and have his agents gathered nearby just in case. He would send his daughter-

“Talia!” he called into the intercom on his desk. He received no reply, but he knew that she was on her way. She was ever at his disposal, ever ready to please and follow his slightest whim in all but one aggravating circumstance. That being the Detective of course.

The Batman was gone however, luckily, fatefully. He would not be a distraction to Talia this time, nor would he disable the grand schemes of Ra's Al Ghul again. The Detective and his allies had been a collective thorn in his side for far too long, but with most of the League apparently missing- lost in time according to Sentinel and the original Flash- The Demon's Head knew he would suffer no resistance, no defeat. It was almost pitiable knowing that there would be no test of skill this time, no matching of wits. He would simply implement his plan and succeed. At last.

At long last…

“Father?”

Ra's Al Ghul spun about in his chair, his eyes quickly adjusting to the darkened room that had been at his back. Queer shadows danced and stretched along the walls and floor, shifting and changing as the monitors flashed behind him. The room was sparsely furnished; a Victorian Age table with refreshment on a sterling silver setting, a communications console cast in gun metal gray, a map of the world as it is, was, and hopefully would be one day. And there was his daughter.

Talia stood in the doorway, an angelic silhouette cast in shadow from the brighter florescent of the sterile hallway beyond. She was dressed in skintight lycra shaded blood red and black, gloves and short boots of tough leather, her hair tied back in a tail. He had interrupted her training session apparently, her sparring. Drops of blood fell from her knuckles as she loosened the velcro straps lacing her wrists.

“You wished to see me?”

“Yes, Talia,” Al Ghul said as he turned back to the monitors. Lightning split the sky, trailing from the rip over Antarctica . “I wish you to take a team to the United States , to New York City to monitor the rip in the sky first hand.”

“Of course,” the Demon's Daughter said as she strode forward peering at the myriad screens. Her brow wrinkled to see the energy unleashing into the sky. “I- I shall take my squadron, technicians for study. I… “

“It is impressive is it not?” Ra's Al Ghul said with a grin, his eyes sparkling, reflecting the flickering displays. “All that power just waiting, waiting for someone to tap it. Use it. Negative energy whose merest breath of contact could wipe away the world if left unchecked. In the proper hands, the ability to erase God's greatest, growing mistake.”

“But, how to contain it?” Talia questioned, leaning forward on the back of her father's chair. “Surely such devastating energy is beyond control.”

“Only for the moment daughter,” Ra's Al Ghul sighed easing back in his chair and steepling his fingers beneath his chin as he contemplated all that he saw. His mind was awhirl with ideas swirling and already a plan was taking gel, formulating, growing.

“Only for the moment.”

VS

Chapter Two:

Accentuate the Negative!

Written by Curt Fernlund
Story by Chris Munn and Curt Fernlund

Los Angeles , California
The Avengers West compound:

“Though he be the basest of villains when he doth appear in our worlds, Blastaar is a warrior in his own realm. This I know, and would not stand idly by to see him overwhelmed by the foul, dark creatures that did assault him.”

The Mighty Thor stood before the oval table, his great hammer upended, the head resting on the top of the huge red ‘A' adorning the shining surface. His wounds had been treated, though his own uncanny ability to heal- an act of gods- had dealt with the worst of the damage. Still his left arm was wrapped tightly in a long bandage of gauze and a padded poultice was taped to a weeping gash just below his chin. His heavy armor of plate and chain had been patched in the worst spots, but it still had charred marks from burns and dents that mere mortal tools could not hammer out.

He stood before the assembled heroes, obviously tired and near beaten yet there was still an air of magnificence about him, a bearing that made those others sit up and take note, paying careful attention to his tale. Thor was not known for his ability to spin a yarn, he was no bard but a warrior through and through. Still, when he spoke it was for good reason and all would listen.

The Norse God of Thunder cast his gaze about the great table, locking eyes with each of his comrades in turn. He knew them all, knew them well he thought and it gladdened his heart that these- his allies- had answered his call, and so quickly.

Hawkeye the Marksman sat at the far end of the table as was his right and honor. As current leader of the West Coast branch of the Mighty Avengers he had led his team to great victories and even greater glories. He was dressed in his usual fair of black and purple; his cowl cast back among friends as he waxed resin on his bow. He seemed preoccupied, but Thor knew that he heard all, the brash and arrogant archer well aware of his station and duty.

To his right sat Iron Man, one of Thor's oldest mortal friends on Midgard- Earth. Iron Man had helped found the Avengers, one of the original members now in his armor of red and gold, but more in his alter ego of Anthony Stark he provided the financing for the awesome assemblage; their halls and crafts, their weapons and more.

To Hawkeye's left was Carol Danvers, Warbird. She was an old acquaintance of the Avengers, once being an ally to the exiled Kree warrior Captain Marvel. Fate had decreed that she might carry on that proud warriors' name and granted her great power and knowledge too. The Danvers woman had had many trials over the years, many tests of heart and soul yet she had always triumphed, and was thus a true Avenger proven.

Next to her sat Henry McCoy, the Beast. He was a Mutant by birth, granted abilities beyond mortal ken yet setting him apart in the eyes of humankind. Once he was an X-Man, one of Xavier's greatest pupils, but he did strike out on his own and was dealt an even more bitter hand. His body mutated even more, becoming in kind more beast-like; sprouting fur and fang in a devilish mane. Undaunted however, McCoy strove on and now found himself an Avenger once again and more than welcome.

To Thor's immediate right sat the beauteous Scarlet Witch, his most recent comrade in the eastern version of the Avengers. Thor had been that group's leader most recent, and Wanda Maximoff had been a staunch ally by his side. Despite their efforts however, that group had stepped down that another might take its place. Thor had returned to fabled Asgard, and the Scarlet Witch had simply tried to blend into a normal life for a time. Of all the Avengers, her life had been perhaps the most convoluted. Like the Beast she was a Mutant, her power to alter probability. Too she was a witch in skill as well as name, commanding the Chaos Magic. Her powers had never truly been stable however, mirroring her own troubled past. For a time, she and her twin sibling- Quicksilver- had thought themselves orphaned, then children of the legendary heroes the Whizzer and Miss America , then the offspring of a gypsy named Maximoff and finally the get of that Mutant Master of Magnetism, Magneto! She had married the Avenging android, the Vision in turmoil. They had sired children, which were apparently manifestations of her very powers. Those two boys had died, and later the Vision as well. Her life had been a mass of confusion and heartbreak, yet there she sat awaiting Thor's words and commands. A true hero.

The last member at the table was another of the five original Avengers. Janet Van Dyne had been called the Winsome Wasp once upon a time due not only to her ability to shrink in stature and sprout gossamer wings thus to fly, but due to her spirited attitude as well. Over the years the heiress had proven her worth and ability time and again, both as an Avenger as well as the partner to Henry Pym and his ever-changing guise. In time the Wasp even led the mighty assemblage through some of their darkest hours and proved herself to be one of their finest leaders ever. Of late she had retired, but when the call to assemble rang forth she had been one of the first to answer the clarion.

Thor stared at them all, each and every one, his friends and allies. He was honored that they had come at his bequest, and he was proud that they might stand at his side. Truer comrades he might never find-

“So these… creatures… were swarming over Blastaar and you went to help.”

Thor blinked, turning his attention back to Hawkeye at the far head of the table. The archer was sighting his arrows now, replacing the fantastic heads created by the likes of Stark Industries and Wakandan Technologies over the years for his sole use. Hawkeye- Clint Barton looked up with a slight smile, his face and body totally relaxed as was his demeanor. A far cry from the angry man he once was years ago.

“Aye,” Thor said with a nod, sighing again as he thought back on the battle just a few hours past. “I could see even from afar that Blastaar's concussive blasts were waning, losing power. The warrior himself was beaten and bloody as the dark creatures did swarm over his form. He struggled valiantly, but I pledged then and there that he would not fight alone. I did hurl mighty M'Jolnir and hie my way through the barren limits of space, speeding to his side. I was not half way there however when I saw that mine efforts were for naught.

“The creatures did rip and tear, flashing ebony claws slashing at the deposed king's very flesh. His blood did fly free as the monstrosities bit deep and drank of his blood and life's energy. I heard his screams of agony, of desperation, but I was found wanting as before I could reach the brave warrior I saw him fall.

“It was then that the creatures did espy mine approach and threw caution to the wind. They did spring forth to meet mine advance in force, just a handful of their seemingly countless growing numbers disappearing in the Wall's breach with the devastated body of Blastaar. I met their numbers head on, filled with rage and the fury of the storm as is my right. The monsters sprang forward, riding the cosmic winds propelled by their own muscles and force. They were on me in instants, and though I swung my hammer as ne'er before I did quickly realize that I had never faced a foe of the like.

“They were savage, animals with little mind beyond their desire to rend my form. Their lust for death and destruction seemed without bound, and though I did fight like a warrior of Asgard, as the Son of Odin must I quickly found myself in the direst of straits, mine own fate in question. Many a foe did fall before my might mind, but their sheer numbers and ferocity were overwhelming even to a scion of Asgard blessed. In truth I had hoped to beat my foe aside, simply to follow Blastaar and the Silver Surfer before him, both who had disappeared back into the chaotic breach. Even as I struggled however I saw more of the creatures spring forth to scurry over the Wall, others springing forward and out into the very rigors of barren space to join in the assault on my personage. It humiliates me to admit that they were too much for me alone.”

Thor was silent for a time, and none of the gathered Avengers seemed willing to break into his thoughts and melancholy at first. It was the Wasp who finally reached across the table and put her hands over Thor's.

“It's okay, Thor,” she said with a frown, perfect white teeth worrying her lower lip. “We understand. We've all faced overwhelming odds before. That's part of why we're a team, remember? To deal with those foes that no single hero could defeat.” Thor forced a slim smile on his lips, nodding-

“Aye, Janet Van Dyne. There is wisdom in your words, as always.”

“I just can't get over the fact that there's actually a wall at the end of reality,” the Beast said. He was leaning back in his chair at a hazardous angle, his huge feet flipping through the pages of a star atlas as he adjusted the slim glasses positioned on the tip of his nose. “It boggles the mind when those things we have taken for granted suddenly come crashing down around us. I was taught through many sources that space is infinite. To hear that at some point it actually ends… “ he shrugged. “And the Silver Surfer went beyond. For the world is hollow and I have touched the sky …”

“Shakespeare?” Warbird asked looking up.

“Star Trek,” Beast answered with a wide grin. “Never discount the current media.”

“Be that as it may,” Iron Man interjected, “Just what is our next move? The Silver Surfer is lost to us, and Blastaar as well apparently, but by your description Thor, these Predator creatures don't fly and seem little more than hive-like drones. They're at the far end of the universe and little threat to us. At least for the moment.”

“For the moment, aye,” Thor agreed. “But do not underestimate their guile, old friend. We would do best to hie to the Wall and stop their advance while we still may.”

“And just how are we supposed to get there?” Warbird asked, splaying her hands. “It's one thing for you to bop around the universe, but it's a little bit harder for us ‘mere mortals'.”

“The power of M'Jolnir may transport us all to the battle, where we might face the dread creatures and stem their tide with our righteous wrath. I am prepared to bridge the gap at a moment's notice-“

“That might not be necessary,” the Beast said, spinning his chair about as he glanced at a monitor screen that had sprung to life behind him. The monitor showed a scene just over Manhattan 's skyline and a spewing geyser of energy situated in the skies over Midtown. “By your description Thunderer, I would say that your ‘Wall' is a line of defense against the Negative Zone. Your colorful descriptions of the coursing energy aside, the clincher was Blastaar's unfortunate appearance. I might theorize that beyond your ‘Wall' is that universe of negative space that Reed Richards discovered several years ago. If that is indeed the case, we might be better off taking that short leap cross country to New York and coming at this problem from the rear, entering the Negative zone from Mister Fantastic's patented portal.”

“That makes sense, Beast,” Iron Man said even as he glanced at the monitor in question. “Granted Thor could get us to this ‘Wall' in the blink of an eye, but I think these Predator creatures are just a symptom of a greater disease. It appears that something is coming out of the Neg Zone, manifesting in energy that's off our scale to measure. Whatever it is, I think it's inside, and I vote we head for the source.”

“What he said,” the Wasp added with a smile. The conversation in general had gone over her head for the most part. She was familiar with the Negative Zone; Blastaar, Annihilus, the Mad Thinker's Awesome Android. Rick Jones had been trapped within the Zone when he had been linked to Captain Marvel for a few years, at least until Mar-Vell had transferred the Super Adaptoid to the Zone and freed his friend, the Avenger's side-kick. The science and physics of it all were a bit much however, and Janet Van Dyne was not too proud to say so.

“Shouldn't we contact Reed Richards then?” Warbird asked. “Seems he should have some useful input.”

“Already on it Carol,” Hawkeye said, his hand casually flitting over the Communications Console. “He's already on scene, with SHIELD. Seems our old friend Doc Midas sent a ship into the Zone not so long ago. Not too long after the hole over Manhattan started spitting negative energy to beat the band. He's keeping watch.”

“Curiouser and curiouser…” the Beast said as he stared at the monitor, adjusting his spectacles. “There seems an inordinate amount of energy spewing from Richard's portal, where the Baxter Building used to be. One assumes that Professor Richards has the situation well in hand, but-“

“Richards lost the lease on the Baxter Building site awhile back, Hank,” the Wasp said, turning to the monitor as well. “Susan told me that Midas, or one of his corporations bought the property outright, debts and all.”

“I remember that,” Iron Man added. “Stark Industries tried to block the purchase, but Midas seemed to have unlimited funds for the transaction. Reed's stock holdings weren't enough to override the shareholders, even with outside backing. Midas purchased the property where the Baxter Building once was as well as the ‘Fly Zone' above it- that area over Manhattan that allows for FAA stipulation.”

“So Midas has the Negative Zone portal,” the Scarlet Witch finally said. She seemed almost disinterested as she glanced at the monitor, then back to her fellow members. “I can't imagine that Forge would allow him to have domain over that. SHIELD must have protocols. Where's the rest of the Fantastic Four?”

“Milwaukee ,” Warbird said, and that was enough. The Scarlet Witch nodded.

“Cap's heading to the scene, Wanda,” Hawkeye said turning from the Communication Console, “along with your brother. He just called in. The Panther's en route too, but it'll be awhile before he gets to New York .”

“Cap's back?” Wanda asked, sitting a little higher in her chair. Her dark brown eyes seemed to sparkle as a smile crept across her face.

“Apparently so, Witchy,” Hawkeye smiled slipping his arrows back into his quiver, each in its own special slot that he knew by touch. “Cap's kooky quartet's about to have a reunion, and then some.”

“A most auspicious occasion,” the Beast said with a laugh, and one by one the others made their jokes, laughing. All save one.

Thor stared at his friends, his allies and comrades and wondered where and when they had gone wrong. Now was not the time for levity. Now was the time for all good warriors to come to arms. To fight. To die!

It would be a glorious battle. Of that he was certain.

He would make sure…

Manhattan :

Reed Richards held the small device in hand, his dark brown eyes smoldering with concentration as he scanned the tiny liquid display screens on the surface of the compact energy analyzer. He had cobbled the thing together years before, redesigning a much larger machine with technology he had invented prior combining the latest advances at the time not only in ether-spectroanaysis but also in micro-technology coming out of Japan and his own computer expertise implementing the robotic achievements of his old friend Henry Pym. The advancements in those fields since had been phenomenal of course, but some times the old ways were still the best.

The readouts on the handheld analyzer were widely varied along the entire spectrum of known light, both visible and beyond the human eye's ability to perceive. Oddly there was a spike in the Gamma wave, and an equivalent jump of gargantuan scale in what had been determined ‘cosmic' rays; the fluctuating combination of various energies that had originally helped to create the Fantastic Four among others. All monitors showed a rise in output, thus accounting for the sporadic displays of ambience, but the thing that concerned Richards the most was the negative display- or lack there of. He had created a way to monitor the wavelength of anti-energy some time ago, after his first ill-fated journey into the Zone of Distortion that had ended at the Exploding Atmosphere with the death of the mysterious man that had taken the place of the Thing. The disturbing thing was that though there seemed to be a steady flow of negative energy seeping from the untended hole between the two dimensions, the resultant flare-ups could not seem to be fully analyzed and deciphered. It was as though the bulk of the energy was of some form that Richards had never before encountered. Not necessarily a unique event, however a troublesome one.

Worst of all, Doctor Midas who had instigated the entire affair by sending a ship into the Negative Zone seemed oblivious to the potentially hazardous situation. As far as Reed Richards could tell the man had put up no safeguards of any kind to protect the city and its inhabitants should conditions grow beyond his ability to control. Should a wave of negative energy be unleashed with any overwhelming proportion it was quite probable that not only Manhattan , but also a good portion of the entire Eastern Seaboard of the United States might be washed away as though engulfed by a tsunami. If left unchecked, that wave could possibly grow exponentially, theoretically. Where or when it might cease was a quandary that even Richards could not comprehend without more data. Like it or not, he was going to need help this time.

“More problems, Professor?”

Reed Richards almost jumped at the soft sound of the now familiar voice. He had been so lost in thought- a bad habit according to Susan- that he had all but forgotten that he was not alone on the rooftop facing the construction site where the Baxter Building once stood. Richards turned and saw his associate looking him over with the slightest concern, his dark brows slightly arched over slick black glasses.

Special SHIELD Agent James Woo had been assigned as liaison to Mister Fantastic not even a week past when both Richards and SHIELD first, separately, formed an idea as to what Doctor Midas might be hoping to accomplish. SHIELD had been monitoring Midas' activities for some time apparently, even before his last encounter with the West Coast Avengers some months ago. They had tracked his purchases on a global scale, the redistribution of exorbitant amounts of capital, all directed into the holdings of Argos LLC, a shadow corporation that owned the Keystone Building across the plot of land between here and there. Argos was one of Midas' many front companies Richards had come to learn, all of which, around the world were designed with the sole purpose of filling the Doctor's coffers to better finance his needs. His quest for power. The clincher that had first drew Richard's attention was the salvaging of the old Star Core shuttle out of Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn . Had Midas not been quite so flamboyant Richards might never have even noticed until it was too late, but that particular shuttle held a special and dreadful significance. It had once been the ill-fated tomb of Jean Grey, Marvel Girl of the X-Men, and it had also served as cocoon and chrysalis for her transformation into the Phoenix .

Did Midas somehow know that? Was he hoping that some residual energy still resided within the damaged shuttle, or was there something more? Doctor Midas was well known for acquiring disused and obsolete mechanisms and artifacts once related to Marvels. His very armor was a modified version of a type once worn by Iron Man years ago when he had first help form the Avengers. Everything that Midas did of course was some integral part of his mad scheme to gain personal power on a cosmic scale. He wanted to be a Marvel- the Marvel, and he would stop at nothing. The lives of millions meant nothing to him should he succeed.

“Your expression changes with the wind, Professor, yet puzzlement seems the dominant mask,” Woo continued, lighting a fresh cigarette. Reed Richards puzzled over the fact that the man never left his side yet he never seemed to run out of cigarettes despite his tendency to chain one after the other. Several times Richards had considered explaining the ill effects of the bad habit to Woo, but he refrained. It was his life, after all, and second-hand smoke aside none of Richard's business. “Should I be worried?”

“Honestly, I don't know.” Reed Richards returned his attention to his analyzer yet nothing had changed, at least not enough to mention. The energy readings still fluctuated within a moderate margin of safety. “The most spectacular energy flares don't seem to register oddly, and that more than anything gives me pause. There seems to be an unknown quantity within the bursts of negative energy that I cannot account for- something unknown and far beyond anything that I've ever encountered, even on a larger and more comprehensive spectrograph. Unfortunately,” he added, holding up his hand-held, “this is all we have to work with at the moment.”

“Perhaps SHIELD has something more advanced,” Woo said flicking at a bit of ash clinging to his trim black suit. “Forge is not without his own resources and well-respected for his ability to create on a whim.”

“Maybe,” Richards said staring at the device in his hand. The current Director of SHIELD was a Mutant with the ability to create scientific and technical wonders. Once upon a time he had created a device to null mutagenic properties, shutting down the very gene that sparked mutation somehow. It was nothing Richards had ever investigated, though perhaps he should have given the numerous failed attempts at reverting the Thing back to Ben Grimm over the years. Forge was a genius, but since taking over SHIELD, Richards wondered just where his loyalties truly lay. The man was no Nick Fury after all.

“Regardless,” Richards continued, “I believe I will need some assistance in this situation. The bulk of my technology went with the Baxter Building and Four Freedoms Tower . Given time I could recreate what we might need given any circumstance that might arise, but it's a matter of time, or lack of it to be precise. Whatever Midas is truly planning may come to fruition at any moment and I just don't have the ready resources on hand to create on the fly.”

“Not to worry, Reed,” another voice said from behind. Both Richards and Woo turned, the SHIELD Agent's hand dipping into his jacket as Reed Richards willed his body to go pliant. Both men froze in mid-motion however as they saw the two familiar forms across the rooftop, stepping from the stairwell. The closest had the silvery white hair of his father, that same look of knowledge and determination. His sleek, muscular body was clothed in blues and white, a silver lightning bolt emblazoned across his chest. His name was Pietro Magnus, the son of the debatably strongest Mutant on the face of the planet, Magneto. The world however knew him better by his avenging nomenclature; Quicksilver! Behind him by just a few steps despite the Mutant's super speed strode perhaps the most recognized Marvel on the planet. He was all pride and glory wrapped in the flag as he was, displaying the red, white and blue colors of the country he loved so much. A fierce white ‘A' stood out on his cowl and a brilliant white star upon his massive chest over a band of red and white stripes. In his hand he carried a shield painted in the patriotic colors as well, that same star shining, one of the greatest weapons ever created. It was this man that had spoken, and though it had been some time, Reed Richards would always know this man, his voice. He had no real powers to speak of; he was simply the best that he could possibly be, the best of them all-

“Captain America …”

Captain America stepped forward with a tight smile and shook Reed Richard's hand. He glanced to the side and nodded to the SHIELD Agent as well, Jimmy Woo standing aside and aloof but nodding, almost bowing in return.

“Captain,”

“Hello, Agent Woo,” Cap said, his smile never faltering. “It's been awhile.”

“Too long,” Woo responded, his head shifting as he eyed the Mutant Quicksilver standing at roof's edge and staring at the spectacle in the sky. “Not since our brief encounter in the Deltite Affair?”

Captain America nodded, his own gaze shifting to the hole in the sky. There was a constant flow of pinkish energy trickling from the anomaly in the sky and that made the Avenger nervous as he pointed.

“Why is that still happening?” he said, looking to Richards for some explanation. Reed Richards swallowed, glancing in turn at the energy flux.

“Legally there's nothing to be done at the moment. The energy pouring from the portal is non-threatening as yet, and Doctor Midas is not without his own resources. He attained all legal permits for everything he's done thus far; the FAA, FTC, Homeland Security, even the Department of Energy. Midas has a team of lawyers that are really on the ball-“

“But there's obviously unstable and potentially dangerous energy leaking from- what- the Negative Zone? Surely you have the authority to shut him down?”

“My patents have lapsed, actually. I still own the rights concerning the portal itself, but the Zone is considered ‘undiscovered country' much in the same way that Antarctica and the Savage Land are viewed. Anyone with the ability to access the Zone has the right to explore, mine, salvage, whatever they want. It was a long and tedious battle that I lost Cap, and the Zone was designated as ‘open sea' much like the oceans beyond the twenty-mile limit. Congress in its infinite wisdom never assumed that anyone would ever pierce the veil so to speak. Of course, at the time I had not considered that the Baxter Building or Four Freedoms Tower might be destroyed. My mistake I suppose.”

“No harm done, Reed,” Cap said, his gaze scanning the far rooftop of the Keystone Building . “At least not yet. What's Midas doing?”

“Nothing that I can see, Cap,” Reed said, turning his own gaze across the expanse. "He disappeared into the building some time ago. We haven't seen him sense. He sent his ship through the portal and not long after the energies started flaring from the hole. I assume he has some grand scheme to gain power, but what that might be…”

“No matter,” Cap said with an air of authority. “We'll stop him as we always do, as we do all of them. Never fear Reed. The Avengers are on hand now.”

“Glad to hear it, Captain,” Woo said as he flicked his cigarette butt away. “I have to question just what you and Quicksilver might do, however.”

“Don't sell us short, Woo!” Quicksilver snapped spinning quickly back from the roof's edge to stand with the group. “Captain America is the Avengers, and there's not a crisis he can't conquer.”

Woo snuffed, lighting another cigarette. “I am the last to question Captain America 's abilities, Magnus,” Woo said with a sneer looking the Mutant up and down, “but this reeks of a cosmic calamity, and frankly Captain America and yourself are not fitted to deal with the like.”

“Others are en route, James,” Cap said cutting across the two before Pietro might escalate the discussion into an argument. “Thor contacted several members with a high priority alert. I've received word from Hawkeye that a full compliment is flying in from the West Coast, and the Black Panther is coming from his native Wakanda-“

“T'Challa?” Reed said.

“Yes. I imagine that between you, he and Iron Man, this situation will soon be well in hand. Still, I would feel better if we could secure the area.”

“I have a SHIELD Assault Team at my beck and call, Captain,” Woo said pulling a cell phone-like device from his pocket and flipping it open. “Give the word based on your government clearance and we can shut Midas down in minutes.”

Captain America stared at Woo for a moment, then turned back to the building across the way. He wondered what Midas might have in reserve, what forces he might employ should they attack. The man was mad, not stupid. He had to think of the populace he was sworn to protect, the innocents that might be harmed in a full-scale SHIELD assault. The thought however, and the decision were quickly taken from him as Quicksilver shouted, pointing-

“Look!”

Energy was spewing from the hole suddenly, a great roiling pink cloud expanding from seemingly nowhere, engulfing all. Cap saw a bird vanish into oblivion as it flew too close, the strange mist, lightning crackling as it expanded, thunder rolling in its wake. The portal grew brighter, an eerie light emanating from the rip in the sky. The air seemed charged with static, and Cap could feel his short hairs standing at attention. “Reed?”

“I don't know,” Mister Fantastic said, holding his analyzer skyward again. The readings were spiking off the scale all across the spectrum. “I hazard to guess, but I suspect something is coming through the portal. The shuttle perhaps-“

“Or something worse maybe,” Quicksilver interjected. “Lord knows there's plenty of villains in the Negative Zone; Annihilus, Blastaar, is the Super Adaptoid still trapped there?”

“No,” Cap said, shielding his eyes from the glare with the back of his hand. He stared at the portal, wincing at the brilliance, his eyes starting to tear. He saw shadows moving about, taking shape, and becoming sharper, closer.

“There's something in there,” he said, his shield slipping into hand casually. “Something's coming. Some one…” His eyes widened as the flickering silhouettes swirled and took shape. Distinction. Cap recognized the lead form, a huge burly man in a cape flying in the lead. Behind him was another man in a cloak, trimmer and athletic. A woman, two more men all glowing green…”

“It's the Squadron Supreme!” Quicksilver said as the silhouettes thickened, the swirling, crackling light receding as they got closer coming from their alternate reality. Cap stared.

“I don't-“

“Supreme?” the voice rumbled as the lead form stepped from the light into reality. He was huge, muscular dressed in blue with a red cape that swirled and billowed behind. “Maybe supreme- definitely- but we're not a squadron,”

Beside him was another who took a defensive stance immediately, crouching, his eyes scanning the rooftop they were landing on, his gaze focusing on Cap finally. He started to smile, twisted and cruel-

“We're a syndicate,” the big man continued floating down to hover next to the other, not quite touching down. He could fly, apparently. Behind him the others came forth, other shadows taking shape and form; a woman in a tight swim suit-like costume of black leather, high, spike-heeled boots and a cape, a man dressed in red that was a blur, hard to focus on, another man garbed in green and black, verdant energy crackling about his hand, a tall creature with ashen white skin and an elongated head, his body rippling and morphing as he descended with the others-

“The Crime Syndicate of Amerika! Please, don't surrender.”

Captain America stared at the six beings that had joined them on the rooftop. He sighed, shifting his shield ever so slightly, easing his weight to attack or defend as needed. They were impressive, but he had faced worse odds, sensing his allies tensing behind him, ready to fight; Quicksilver, Mister Fantastic and Jimmy Woo. Not the Avengers- two out of three- but men he trusted.

“Surrender?” Cap said, a smile creeping at the corners of his mouth. “Not in my vocabulary, son.

“Avengers Assemble!”

And again the battle was joined…

To be continued…

Next Issue: Okay, the inane drone is over. Time for the BIG BLAZING BATTLE issues to commence! Head on over to JLU 2001 for the next installment as the JLA takes on the Squadron Supreme! Then come back here to M2K where the Avengers assemble to confront the Crime Syndicate of Amerika! Be there!

Story © Curt F
Plot © Chris Munn and Curt F
Editing © Chris Munn