Avengers #44 April 2006

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MARVEL 2000 PRESENTS...

"REVENGE ALL AROUND"
Part III

by Brent Lambert

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Crystal braced herself as the swarm of robots came towards her.  As they grew closer they looked less and less like a black cloud of death.  The individual robots began to stand out.  They all looked like bats with no mouths and blue eyes that were too big.  Their various nuts and bolts were clearly visible and they hardly looked so intimidating.  That was until the tiny machine guns appeared from the robots’ bellies.

It was then that Crystal turned her body into diamond and braced herself for a hail of bullets.  She knew that the bullets would probably chip away portions of her body and Crystal wasn’t quite sure if she could cope with that.  These new aspects of her powers were untested.  She wasn’t quite sure what they could stand.  Would she be able to handle it?

The bullets seemed to move in slow motion as they made their way towards Crystal.  She put her hands in front of her face to spare as much of her facial features as possible.  Waiting for the coming attack was nerve wracking and it seemed to take forever, but then she realized that it really was taking too long.  Moving back her arms Crystal saw her savior in the form of X-51. 

He had created a force field around the two of them and the bullets were evaporating on contact.

::Are you all right, Designate: Crystal?::

“Better than ever,” Crystal gushed, “Aren’t you supposed to be taking care of an animal problem?”

::Problem solved, Designate: Crystal.  All is well::

“Well, you’re a fast worker.  Maybe you could give Quasar a hand.  I think those canon planes are beginning to annoy him,” Crystal suggested.

::I think we have other problems::

Damocles was running at full sprint towards the two Avengers.  Sweat was dripping off his black goatee and his purple armor was glowing.   He was moving so fast that X-51 didn’t have time to put down his shield before Damocles slammed into it.  The force field broke like glass and electricity surged through X-51, who crumpled to the ground.

“Found the frequency for your force field and simply turned it against you.  I knew I had to move fast or your lil’ computer brain would have figured it out,” Damocles said as he stepped on X-51’s head and looked to Crystal, “Now to finish you off!”

“Go bite yourself!” Quasar exclaimed as he flung two of Damocles’ cannon planes at him.  Damocles shielded himself from the attack, but the distraction was enough to allow X-51 to recover.

::You should have thought of a better approach::

A transparent wire came out of Machine Man’s palm and stuck itself to Damocles’ armor.  Damocles found his armor immobile and he was unable to move, but he could still speak, “Bastard!  You’re a computer!  A human mind is always superior to a computer!”

“Guess that theory got proven wrong,” Wendell joked as he landed on the ground.

“Do you guys hear that?” Crystal asked as a dull buzzing sound rang through her ears.

::Yes. A large swarm of bees and wasps are headed our way::

“Great!  What about him?” Quasar asked.

“Don’t worry about him.  He’s coming with me,” a wolf said as it came from around an alley corner.  It quickly transformed into a bald headed 20 something year old white male wearing big square red sunglasses and a black jumpsuit.

“And why would we let you do that?”

“Oh, because you’re about to be very busy,” Dr. Animal smiled as the three heroes were suddenly covered in black widows, “Don’t let any of them bite you!”

Animal stuck a tiny red dot on Damocles’ shoulder and they were both gone.

“Shit!” Quasar yelled as he created a shield underneath the bugs and expanded it outwards.

“Uggh this is gross,” Crystal groaned as she turned her body into magma and melted all of the little suckers.

::I find it fascinating that he can generate so many biological entities with just a mere thought::

“Only you would find a swarm of bugs interesting,” Quasar sighed, “And it looks like we gotta take out these bees too or they might hurt civilians.”

“Agreed.”

::It is the wisest course of action.::

Black spirals swirled across the purple sky of the realm that Wanda had been transported to.  Centurious and herself were locked in a mystical battle that seemingly had no limitations.  Wanda’s powers allowed her to wield probability and the results could be anything.  Centurious seemed to be tapping into a power stemming from wherever they were. 

The two supernatural combatants had been back and forth thus far with neither gaining any clear advantage over the other.  Centurious had the landscape beckoning to him like a dog to his master, but Wanda had been able to endure the wrath of the land so far. 

“You going to give up anytime soon?” Wanda asked as the ground around her suddenly shot up into a miniature mesa and giant black crows made their way towards Wanda, “Guess I got my answer.”

Centurious laughed as Wanda struggled to avoid the beaks of the crows, “Where is your power Wanda?  Where is the woman who stood against Tyrant?”

Wanda ducked and dodged the brown beaks of the crows with great disgust as she saw bloody limbs hanging from the bird’s eating appendages.  Centurious certainly made sure to add detail to his vile creations.  Taking a dive off of the mesa Scarlet Witch launched a hex bolt into the ground creating a large bed for her to land safely in.  Quickly rolling off of the blue mattress Wanda sent another hex bolt into Centurious’ chest.  The Soulless Man flew backwards, but instead of hitting the ground he took to the air.

“Your hex bolts are beginning to bore me, little witch.  Surely you have something better to offer me?” Centurious chuckled.

Wanda’s eyes suddenly turned black as she held out her hands and pink neon energy began to leak out of her fingertips, “You want a display of power?  Be careful what you ask for!”

The entire realm began to shake and rumble violently.  The swirling black spirals in the sky disappeared, and Centurious gripped his stomach in immense pain, “What are you doing?”

Wanda responded with a voice that was far too sinister and dark to be her own, “I’m ending this little game of yours, Centurious.  The real world calls to us.”

With that proclamation the realm that Centurious had constructed shattered away like glass and Wanda fell to the ground exhausted.  Realizing that his stomach was no longer in pain Centurious rose to his feet and walked over to the unconscious Wanda.

She-Hulk was thrown into the concrete for the third time, but this time Thermal Man planted his foot on Jennifer’s chest.  The robot might have smiled if he could have, “Tiny green woman is about to get smooshed!”

“Not a chance in hell, tin can!” Jack yelled as he came down from the sky and slammed into Thermal Man.

She-Hulk looked at the approaching Karnak and Sersi with relief, “About time you folks showed up.  I was getting my ass kicked.”

“Nevermind that. Where are Quicksilver and Photon?” Karnak asked.

“That Rasputin guy merged Quick into the ground and has Monica trapped in some kind of trance,” She-Hulk answered painfully as she was sure that Thermal Man had broken more than a few of her bones.

“I will handle him.  You help Jack with that infernal robot,” Karnak ordered as he backed away from the two women and ran up the street to where Rasputin was still working his magic on Photon.

“Maybe one good blast will finish this thing off,” Sersi smiled as she looked down at She-Hulk to see a horrified look on her face.  Looking back up the Eternal saw a large fiery ball headed her way. 

“Move!” She-Hulk screamed as she knocked Sersi to the side and took the blast head on.  A flaming body skidded along the ground and moaned softly.  Sersi was terrified at the thought of She-Hulk being harmed.

“She-Hulk!  I’m coming,” Sersi yelled as she ran towards her teammate.

“Sersi, she’ll be all right.  Help me!” Jack exclaimed as he was dodging the blows of the large robot.  His Zero Energy was proving effective against Thermal Man, but he didn’t seem to be piercing his armor.

“Hold his mouth open then!” Sersi snapped. 

“Easier said than done!” Jack replied as he surrounded himself in a Zero Energy field and put a hand at the top and bottom of Thermal Man’s mouth. 

Holding out her hands Sersi sent a stream of green cosmic energy into Thermal Man’s mouth.  Jack was holding the robot in place and keeping the energy pouring in.  The robot began to shake violently as Sersi’s power was starting to tear down the interior structure of the automaton.

Meanwhile Karnak was keeping low to the ground and dodging the blasts of Rasputin. 

“No Avenger is your plaything!” Karnak exclaimed as he got up close to Rasputin and kicked the old man’s staff.  The kick broke off the top of the staff and a tiny red jewel shard flew out of it.  The shard fell to the ground and Rasputin’s power was broken. 

Quicksilver was above ground and wiping concrete dust off of his costume at super speed while Photon was awaking from her trance and looking very angry.

Rasputin began to back away from the Avengers and smiled, “Until we meet again.”

“Guys, look!” Jack yelled as he stood atop Thermal Man’s body pointing out a large cloud of locusts moving towards the Avengers.

“Dr. Animal,” Karnak forewarned, “I suggest we all split up and help the others.  Our job is done here.”

“What about those two?” She-Hulk asked, her skin just beginning to heal from the flames. 

Power’s right hand transformed into a large machine gun and rained down a hail of bullets on Black Panther.  The King of Wakanda moved with gymnastic level agility as he dodged each and every bullet.  He returned Power’s attack in kind by leaping through the air and planting both of his feet in Power’s chest.  Spikes protruded from the bottom of his boots and sent oil flying from Power’s cybernetic chest.

T’Challa flipped off of Power’s chest and scratched his claws across Power’s face.  Landing on his feet Panther moved forward and tackled Power head on.  The two went tumbling across the backdrop of a wasted Tokyo.  Professor Power reached behind Black Panther and gripped the back of his head tightly.  With cybernetically enhanced strength he flung the African king off of him and quickly rose to his feet.

Panther skidded along the ground, but used the spikes under his boots to bring himself to a halt.  Before he could get back on his feet Power was already close enough to him to send a large foot headed towards his face.  T’Challa rolled out of the way and Power’s foot tore through the concrete like it was wet tissue paper.  Panther rose to his feet, but Power’s right hand had transformed into a machine gun again and was raining down bullets.  Panther sidestepped the bullets easier this time and smiled, “Your aim is off, Power.”

The Professor returned the smile in kind, “No.  It’s precisely where I need it to be.”

Panther quickly turned his head and saw that the bullets were headed towards a group of civilians.  He wouldn’t be able to block the bullets, but he would have to do something.  Pulling out a small tablet from behind his belt buckle T’challa flung it at the civilians and they were covered in a protective white slime that quickly hardened.  It was more than enough to deflect the bullets that had not already struck the crowd.

As soon as Panther turned his attention back to Power, he was slammed in the chest by a giant red beam.  The blast didn’t knock him to his feet, but staggered him.  A great pain surged through his chest, and he fell to the ground unconscious.  Power walked over to the fallen body and laughed, “A King?  Ha!  You’re hardly fit to rule a landfill let alone Wakanda.”

Binary saw Panther fall, but she couldn’t take the fight to Power just yet.  She was pulling Tigra out of the rubble because Greer was too injured to help herself.  Nicole looked down on Tigra in pity for her condition and anger for the man responsible.  Too much destruction had happened in this city today and she would be the one to see Power pay. 

Ridley was about to spring forward on her opponent when a voice stopped her, “Hold up, Binary. We gotta do this together.”

Turning around the young black woman saw Jack-of-Hearts, Photon, and Karnak all arriving to aid her. 

“Take it easy, my friend. We have to work together if we’re going to bring this clown down,” Photon said.

Binary nodded, “Yeah, you’re right.  He’s already tagged black and arrogant over there.”

“Okay, this is how we’re doing it.  Jack and I will get in his face.  That should allow you and Karnak enough time to position yourselves in a way beneficial to us.  But don’t make a move until Jack and I are already on him,” Photon ordered.  Everyone around her nodded.

“Ready?” Jack asked.

Photon smirked. “Always.”

The two heroes blazed a trail towards Power who seemed eager for their coming.  Jet packs popped out of Power’s back and he was soon flying towards the two heroes.  Photon moved at the speed of light and was quickly behind Power.  She bombarded him with her energy and was hoping to fry his circuits.  Professor Power crashed into the concrete as he was consumed by Photon’s energy.  Jack quickly added his Zero Energy to the mix and it seemed victory was at hand.

Binary was watching the two at work and saw something that neither of them did.  A blue circle moved against the stream of Jack’s Zero Energy and a tiny prism moved against the stream of Monica’s power.  Nicole yelled out to her fellow Avengers, “Look out!”

Jack and Monica both turned their heads to Nicole, but it was too late.  The blue sphere had crashed into Jack and he was entrapped in a large bubble.  The prism had smashed into Photon and she was suddenly in a much larger version of the same item.  Her body had been refracted across the prism and caused her agonizing pain. 

A smoking Professor Power rose up from the crater and knocked dust off of his shoulders.  

“Oh, I have had it with this,” Binary exclaimed as she flew forward and slammed her body into Power’s.   She delivered blow after furious blow across his metallic body.  Metal plates and wires gave way, but Power still kept a smile on his face.

“All that anger, and no brains,” Power laughed as he grabbed the back of Binary’s neck and sent a teleportation beam through her.  She was going somewhere far away from the battlefield. 

Karnak was the last Avenger left to stand up to Power and he was determined to finish off the cyborg.   Getting a good running start Karnak scooped up a large piece of concrete and while running he flung it at a dented part of Power’s body.  The rock hit with enough force to penetrate Power’s body and slam out through his back.  The battles with the various Avengers had weakened the Professor a good deal. 

“You’re going to pay for that!” Power yelled as he leaped into the air and landed right in front of Karnak.  The running of the Royal Inhuman ceased and with one precise kick he broke off one of Power’s hands. 

“Impudent wretch!” Power screamed as he smacked Karnak across the face.  His hand remained stuck to Karnak’s face and impulses were sent into the Inhuman’s body that overloaded his nervous system.

Power let go of Karnak and let his body drop into the rubble that was Tokyo.  Looking around at his success Power felt a great swell of pride, but he wasn’t quite through.  Great minds like his always knew how to make their achievements memorable.  With his good hand he tapped a button on his ear and timers went off in almost all of Tokyo’s skyscrapers.  He had implanted bombs that would destroy all of those buildings within a matter of minutes.  By that time he would be gone. 

Jack-of-Hearts beat violently on the bubble he was entrapped in.  There was very little oxygen left and his Zero Energy had no effect on his prison.  Power walked over and tapped the bubble like a child looking into an aquarium for the first time.

Andromeda stabbed one of the smaller demons in the head with her trident and flung his body into the face of one of the larger demons.  Black blood splattered across her uniform, but it was only a minor addition to a uniform already caked with demon blood.  The Atlantean had been vigorously working to keep the body of Moondragon safe from the ravenous demons that would feast upon her. 

She had been in conflict with three kinds of demons thus far.  There had been the tiny ones equipped with sharp white teeth and tiny serrated claws.  They almost reminded Andromeda of young children in the way they moved about.  Then there were the ten-foot tall brutes that were all shoulders and no neck.  Trying to pierce them with her trident had proven to be quite the undertaking.  Lastly, there were the demons that looked like Lockjaw’s ugly cousin, and they had proven the most difficult for Andromeda to kill.  Having to do downward strokes with her trident exposed too much of her side to the other demons.  She had to take quick jabs at the dog demons and move out of the way before they could snap off her leg.

Needless to say, she was very happy when her four fellow Avengers came to aid her.  Sersi, Crystal, X-51, and Quasar were a welcome sight even as she was still battling demons. 

“Get to Wanda!” Quasar commanded Sersi, “The rest of us will dispose of these demons!”

“Oh, you can have the witch.  I’ve already seen everything I needed to,” Centurious said as he levitated Wanda’s body off of the ground and flung it at the Eternal.  Sersi caught Wanda’s body, but landed flat on her back.  That garnered a laugh from Centurious as he wrapped himself in his purple cloak and vanished. 

“We got to do something about that vortex!” Crystal pointed to the portal in the sky that was allowing the demons to get through.

“Leave that to me,” Wendell replied as he flew into the sky and entrapped the gateway in a cube that he was steadily decreasing in size.  The colliding energies whipped across the sky and they almost struck Quasar, but he somehow managed to avoid the sparks with nimble movements.  Sweat poured down Wendell’s face and his muscles twitched wildly.

Stirring himself to consciousness Captain America found himself strapped down to a table with his beloved shield only inches away from him.  Despite his struggling, the Avenger was unable to free himself.  Once again the Red Skull had gotten the better of him. 

“Glad to see you’ve awaken friend,” the Red Skull said with a smile as he hovered above Captain America.

Steve spat in the man’s face and Skull wiped it away casually, “Oh, so much anger towards me.  I thought we were closer than that.”

“Unca Stevey is just a bit mad is all,” Maria said as she walked up to the Red Skull and took his hand. 

“Yes, perhaps he is daughter.  I hate it when my friends are angry with me,” the Red Skull replied.

“Let Maria go, you slime!  Let her go!” 

“Maria is mine now and forever.  She and my sons will help rebuild this world in the image of my forefathers.  A world of purity and grace.  Today was just the beginning of that,’ the Red Skull proclaimed.

“You’ve really lost it, Skull.   You don’t have any sons, and you most certainly don’t have a daughter.”

Skull clapped his hands together, and a figure moved from out of the shadows behind him, “I’m sure you remember your fights with a so-called alternate version of myself.  The imposter made claims of my death, but I made sure to silence those claims.  I captured him and erased his mind.  Then I filled it with a love for myself, and with some genetic alterations my first “son” was born.”

“You’re sick,” Cap sneered.

“My nature is left up to interpretation by history, Captain, but I think neither of us can deny I have gained my vengeance against the traitorous Japanese.  So with that goal accomplished, I see no more reason to keep you here,” the Red Skull said as he turned to his son.

The alternate Red Skull stepped into the light where Steve could finally see him.  Skull’s “son” looked like a 17-year-old boy with blonde hair, blue eyes, and crimson skin.  The changed Red Skull placed a tiny red dot on Captain America’s chest and placed his shield atop Steve’s torso.

Avengers Mansion (Two Days Later)

“The Red Skull definitely got whatever revenge he was looking for,” Everett said as he looked through the window to see Captain America at the bedside of the injured T’Challa. 

“My sister, T’Challa, Heather, Greer-

“And Karnak were all harmed by the Red Skull’s group,” Crystal said as she walked up behind the two men.

“To say this was a loss is putting it lightly,” Pietro sighed. 

“And it seems that Steve is taking it the hardest.  Though that’s expected,” Crystal replied.

Ross felt uncomfortable around the Avengers with Black Panther no longer around to keep him confident, “I just wonder what the roster is going to look like when this is all said and done.  Black Panther obviously can’t lead anymore.  For the time being we’re having one of his decoys take charge of Wakanda until he’s healed up.  Power’s device really did a number on him.”

“Well, I just came to tell you two that I’m leaving with Sunfire to start helping with recovery efforts in Japan,” Crystal said.

Ross sighed, “That’s two more out the door.”

Crystal laughed, “Actually it’s a bit more than that.  Photon has already left.  Quasar and Sersi are about to head back into space.  Jack’s leaving for a couple of days, but he says he’ll be back.”

“So that leaves us with Binary, Andromeda, X-51, She-Hulk, Cap, and you,” Ross said to Quicksilver.

“Not exactly a classic team, but I think it’ll do for now,” Pietro said as he leaned over and kissed Crystal on the cheek, “Take care for now.  I’ll be sure to visit Luna soon and give you an update.”

“Sounds like a plan.  I’ll keep you all posted on things in Japan,” Crystal replied as she backed away from the two men and headed out the door.

“Get Captain America out of the infirmary.  We have a press conference in Central Park at 6:00.  That gives us an hour of prep time.  We’ve got to show the world that we’ve still got our shit together,” Ross explained.

Pietro nodded grimly, “Yes, we do.  Not just the public, but our foes as well.”

Press Conference time…

Cap approached the podium and tapped the microphone a few times before he began to speak, “Ladies and gentlemen, I first want to make a promise to the people of Japan, and to you.  I will personally see to it that the Red Skull and all of his thugs are bought to justice and made to pay for the unforgivable havoc they have wrought.  It will be my sworn duty as Avengers leader to make sure that the world’s last prominent Nazi war criminal is finally taken down.”

“But I wouldn’t stand a chance without the Avengers, and you all have been called here today because I wish to present the new team to you.  I will be heading up the team as chairman.  Quicksilver, She-Hulk, the lovely Andromeda, X-51, Jack-of-Hearts, and the lively Binary will all make up the team.  So it is without further ado that we cheer to you-

“AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!”

After the applause for the new team died down one reporter quickly raised his hand.  Captain America acknowledged him and the short Latino man asked, “So what do you make of the new Avengers Africa team that King T’Challa presented today in Wakanda?”

Captain America was taken aback by the question, “I am not quite sure what you’re talking about, sir.  There is no team of Avengers in Africa.”

“With all due respect, Captain America, there is one.  Black Panther showed them to the world only a few minutes before this conference started.”

Steve flashed angry eyes at Ross and turned back to the crowd, “That’ll be all for today, ladies and gentlemen.  Have a wonderful night.”

Captain America stepped away from the podium, walked over to Ross, and firmly gripped his shoulder as he whispered, “Son you and I need to talk.  And I expect the complete truth.”

The Red Skull’s Fortress

The Red Skull looked at the large blank white screen in front of him and sighed as he waited for his correspondence to patch through.  He was still high off of his humiliation and taunting of Captain America. The fool really believed Maria to be alive.  His “daughter” was really just a mechanical construct of the Red Skull’s design.

Just as he was about to yawn in boredom the screen flashed on with the image of the person who had afforded him so many opportunities. The voice echoed through the room. “How did your plans work out?”

The Red Skull narrowed his eyes. “Perfectly.  Japan and the Avengers both are reeling from my attack.  Your assistance in the matter was greatly appreciated, Regent.”

“No need for formalities.  So I assume that the mystic jewel shards I dispensed to you were of good use to Centurious and Rasputin?”

The Red Skull nodded. “Indeed they were.  I must again thank you for helping me to bring Centurious and the others back to life.”

“It was a pleasure to bring you such powerful foot soldiers.  Now if you can only continue to keep the heroes focused on Earth, then I can carry about my plans without interruption.”

“Of course, Regent.   Having the Kree Empire as a friend is not an alliance I’ll quickly forget.”

“Good,” Onset replied. “Make sure that the eyes of the heroes are kept away from the stars.”

With that last proclamation the visage of Onset disappeared and left the Red Skull to his thoughts.  How could he be sure that Onset didn’t intend on backstabbing him?  The woman just came out of the blue to help him when he was thought dead to the world.  He owed her a great deal for the position he was in now, but she had her own stake in things.  Who was to say she could be trusted. 

Captain America turned on the television and watched the previous recording of “Black Panther” presenting Avengers Africa.  The decoy King of Wakanda was at a large podium decorated with extravagant flowers and behind him were seven individuals that made up Avengers Africa.

“I am glad to introduce to all of you today the Avengers Africa.  This will be a team born of the great Avengers tradition and their main focus will be the continent of Africa.  Such a team has been needed for some time and I’m glad to have it be under my own hand.”

One by one the various members introduced themselves…

The leader of the team was Doc Diamond.  He was wearing a black jumpsuit and dark leather boots.  Along with that he had on square pink sunglasses and two diamond tattoos.  One was on his neck and the other was on his forehead.  The tattoo on his forehead stuck out more so because Diamond was completely bald. 

“It is my hope that together this team can help create a safer Africa.”

That was a very different hairstyle from his teammate Twister who had long white hair and completely white eyes.  He was wearing a sleeveless sky blue shirt that accentuated his large chest and matching jeans.  Twister was the only male teammate that was barefooted.

“Avengers Africa will be the best thing to happen to this continent in a very long time.”

Both female teammates were without shoes.  Sister Anansi wore what might have looked like traditional Nigerian dress, but the outfit was much more tight-fitting and hugged her curves completely.  She was holding a wooden staff with a golden spider on the end of it.  The other female teammate was Crab Spider and she had the body of a model.  Tall, skinny, and her glowing skin were her best qualities.  Her hair was short and her lips full.  In her arms she was carrying a painting canvas.

“In a place of struggle, strife and grief our team shall stand for justice and hope,” Sister Anansi proudly proclaimed.

“My sister is correct.  Let everyone remember this day for it shall be the planting of a seed that will bear much fruit for my brothers and sisters.”

Seraph looked like a beautifully sculpted mahogany angel and he even came with a pair of gray wings to help make the metaphor even more poignant.  Black bands were wrapped around his wrists and he wore loosely fitting black pants.  A black flaming sword was holstered at his side. 

Fervor and Portal were obviously twins.  Both stood at nearly 6’4 and they were well on their way to developing a nice set of dreadlocks.  Fervor was muscular while Portal was leaner.  The two had narrow eyes that looked like they could cut through a forest. 

It was at that point that Captain America flipped off the television and turned to the squirming Everett Ross, “How long did you know about this?”

Ross gulped, “T’Challa has had it in the works ever since he became leader of the Avengers.”

“Did he plan on telling any of us?” Pietro asked as he leaned against a nearby wall and tapped his foot at 150 mph. 

“Look, I know you guys are mad, but-

“Mad?  No, I would have been mad a week ago.  I’ve just got back from a very bad mission.  Right now, I’m furious,” Captain America replied.

“To not only go behind our backs, but to try and fool us on top of that.  Even you’ve got to admit that’s low Ross,” She-Hulk chastised.

Before Ross could even reply, Captain America threw out another comment, “Save it, Ross. Let’s just make something clear. You’re skating on thin ice with all of us, and I’m personally going to talk to President Kelly about this situation.  Whenever T’Challa wakes up, I suggest he help you find a new job.”

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NEXT ISSUE: Cyclops and Jean Grey of the X-Men stop by for a visit. 

Author’s Notes

This is the end of my first arc on Avengers and I have to say that I’m surprised I got it done this quickly.  I guess I was just on an Avengers high for this first arc.  Part of that is to be blamed on the obviously fantastic JLA/Avengers crossover.  One can’t read that masterpiece and not feel the need to write.  So I can guess I can blame Chris and Curt for that.  But, look for The Red Skull in future issues as he finds other allies in powerful positions.  Things are just starting to heat up for the Avengers as we make the march towards the historic 50^th issue of the series.

-Brent Lambert

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