#8 March 2007

((Pete Wisdom))

“Bout time you brought him in bloke,” Wisdom said as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it up.

Wolverine snarled, “It took me and two Dawn squads to bring him down. They didn’t call him Captain America for nothing.”

“I could have handled him alone,” Wisdom taunted.

Logan got only inches away from Peter’s face, “Then you should have punk! ”

“Shadow King uses his weak soldiers for the grunt work,” Wisdom spat.

SNIKT!

“Care to see how much I can make you grunt bub?”

ENOUGH! BRING THE CAPTAIN TO ME!

“Yes sir,” Logan said bending down to grab the unconscious Captain America by the ankles. As he began to pull he looked back to Wisdom, “We’ll finish this later bub.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Wisdom smiled.

After Wolverine was a good distance away Shadowcat phased through the nearest wall and walked over to Wisdom, “Why do you insist on pissing him off?”

“Because its fun luv,” Wisdom said planting a kiss on Katherine.

---

And so it came to pass that my Horsemen were born. Captain America had been refitted as Death. Sunspot was now War. Feral took the name of Famine and Adam X was Pestilence. Such a fine collection had never been seen before. The first place that I would send them to would be Australia to crush whoever was behind the resistance to me there.

They were beginning to inspire hope in the masses and so their resistance would need to be quickly shut down and taken care of. Their collection of animals, hybrids, and holograms would be brought to a most fitting end. It would be the first true test of my Horsemen.

---

((Elektra/Logan))

Elektra strapped two sais to each of her legs in addition to the two sais that she would carry in her belt strap. They were about to head into dangerous territory and both of them knew that you could never be prepared enough. Luckily, the team was all being issued vibranium mesh suits for this mission courtesy of Black Panther. While he had refused to abandon Wakanda he still sent the heroes of Attilan weapons and supplies. Wakanda was putting up the heaviest resistance to Shadow King thus far and after them came Australia.

“Keep an eye on them out there. The two of you are some of the most level-headed soldier’s I got,” Invisible Woman said as she leaned up against the doorway to Elektra/Logan’s room.

“Darling, if I had my nose I woulda smelt you a mile away. It still takes getting use ta, but don’t worry we got the kids covered,” Logan answered.

“I knew you would. Sometimes I ask myself how did I ever end up in this position. If Reed was here he’d be the one everyone was turning to.”

Elektra walked over to Sue and put a comforting hand on her shoulder, “Reed was a great man. This is undeniable, but everyone turned to you for a reason. Partly, because none of the other leaders could trust each other, but it was also because your leadership skills are natural. You’re a mother and unfortunately it feels like you’re in charge of a bunch of children.”

Invisible Woman sighed, “Just watch out for them out there. I have a feeling this mission will be dangerous. Call it mother’s intuition.”

Elektra smiled, “We will Ms. Richards.”

“I know. Come back safe,” Sue said as she walked out of the doorway.

Elektra wasn’t even back to her bed before another visitor came to her door, “We need to talk.”

“About what Moonstar?”

Of all the leaders in Attilan it was Moonstar that Elektra had the hardest time dealing with. Danielle was a woman use to playing things her way and having a powerful team such as Force Works to command had made her quite the cutthroat woman. She was as much a hindrance as she was an asset to the heroes stationed in Attilan.

“About X-Treme. I know you and just about everyone else here has a problem with me and I can respect that, but don’t let that blind you to finding my team member. He’s one of the best warriors that this resistance has.”

“Dani yer right. I think you been acting pretty shitty lately, but I’d be just as shitty if I let that get in the way of me helpin’ to find Adam.”

Moonstar nodded, “Thank you Logan…and Elektra.”

After Moonstar had walked out of the room Logan sighed, “I wish Cap was around. He’d keep these kids in line.”

He had to stay behind for his own sanity Logan. Captain America saw us running to Attilan as an injustice to those who would be left behind. He did what he had to and we must follow his example.

“I know, but a man can wish Elektra,” Logan replied as they walked out of the door headed for uncertain territory.

---

((Pete Wisdom))

Wisdom had been tracking down the movements of Jennifer Kale for three days. She had been part of Captain America’s resistance unit in New York. It was one of three major problems for Shadow King in the city. The others were Havok’s resistance unit and the Rose Goblin Gang. With Captain America serving Farouk as a Horsemen the opportunity was ripe to take down his former charges.

According to Death his former group had consisted of Jennifer Kale, Falcon, Vagabond, Ghost Rider, Rage, and Spider-Man. Wisdom didn’t find the group all that impressive, but Captain America could make a group of chimps into a well-organized fighting machine. It didn’t matter now anyway. The group wasn’t long for this world as Shadow King had decided to make them a preliminary run for his Horsemen before they headed to Australia.

“They’ve established a new safehouse in my absence,” Death noted as he came shoulder to shoulder with Wisdom. The two of them watched Kale enter into an abandoned building.

“Yep. I wouldn’t exactly call it safe anymore though,” Wisdom said.

“The Horsemen will dispose of the resistors. Have no fear,” Death said.

Wisdom looked over Death and the other re-outfitted Horsemen. Death carried a black circular shield with serrated blades circling it. War carried an energy scythe and Pestilence had poison tipped sais. Famine carried his usual axes and knives, but his weapons now were equipped with tiny microbes that sucked away the vitality of any wounded by his weapons. Pete was more than sure they could handle their coming opponents.

“Well you blokes have fun. I’m about to head out of here,” Wisdom said as he slinked away into the shadows once more. He made his way down a ladder that led into a dirty alley. By that time he could hear the Horsemen crashing through the building. He knew the slaughter was on.

Taking a smoke Wisdom laughed, “Fools didn’t know what was hitting them.”

“Actually we knew the moment you started tracking me,” Jennifer Kale said as she appeared at the end of the hallway along with the rest of her resistance group.

The cigarette fell from Wisdom’s shocked mouth and landed on his boot, “How did you get here?”

“If you’re talking about the Horsemen they’re fighting magically created duplicates and a few demons I summoned. They’ll be busy long enough for us to do what we have to do and get away,” Kale smiled.

“If you scum are looking for a fight I’ll be more than willing to oblige,” Wisdom said as he crouched down and had heat knives protruding out of all his fingers.

Ghost Rider cracked his knuckles, “Take him.”

---

((Lydia del Ruiz))

“Haven’t been to Melbourne in sometime,” Elektra said, “That goes for both of us.”

“Well, to be frank I don’t want to be here long,” Lydia said a she stepped over a burnt stop sign. The city was mostly wrecked, but compared to the other continents it was relatively unscathed. Australia had been putting up an amazingly good front against Shadow King. She knew that they had found a model for them to follow. Australia was an example they needed to take and run with. Maybe she wouldn’t have to lose any more friends.

Bridge looked over to Lydia and saw that she had stopped dead in her tracks. Her skin had gone pale and her body was shaking. She looked like the Grim Reaper had just rapped her on the shoulder. George was so surprised by her sudden erratic behavior that he scanned the nearby area for possible long distance attackers.

Satisfied that there were no enemies close, George asked Lydia, “What’s wrong woman?”

Lydia’s eyes were filled with dread as she answered with a low voice, “”It’s Pete. He’s dead.”

Siryn was stunned, but she wasn’t going to question her teammate’s feeling. She had loved Wisdom and if anyone knew what had become of him it would be her. Love like they had contained that kind of bond.

“Okay people,” Bridge proclaimed getting everyone’s attention, “Dead or not, we need to keep moving. Being out in the open is not an option at this point.”

“Bridge is right. We need to move out,” Logan said.

---

((Susan Storm))

Invisible Woman sat down at her study and held a picture of her and Johnny when they were just kids. So much had changed since that time. Back then she imagined herself working at a fashion magazine and taking pictures of the glamorous ladies on the runway. Being the stewardess of a war against a mad telepath was the last thing on her “what I want to do after I’m married” list. Yet, it was the role she found herself in and for the sake of her children it was a role she would have to excel in. Considering the power her kids possessed it wouldn’t be long before they became targets of the Shadow King. Being in the hands of that tyrannical monster was a fate that she would never let befall Franklin or Valerie.

As she sat the picture down a loud knock sounded throughout the room. Sue quickly got up from her seat and opened the door to see Tony Stark and Bruce Banner standing there. With a forced smile she said, “What can I do for you gentlemen today?”

Stark was the first to respond. His voice seemed a bit apologetic as he said, “I figured it should be the two of us who tell you before anyone else can.”

Sue’s heart sunk. She just knew that the two men were here to report someone’s death. Banner saw her obvious distress and said, “No one’s dead. Please don’t think that.”

Sue sighed heavily. “Thank God for that. So what is it?”

“We’ve launched our Iron Sentinels and Gamma Brood on a pre-emptive strike against Shadow King in New York,” Stark replied.

Sue’s face was flushed red within moments. “You did what?!! How could you? The whole point of the mission to Australia was to have back-up for those troops!”

“You’ve been playing it safe for too long Susan. We needed to make a move if we were to have any hope. Besides, I’ve been in talks with others and the troops will have back-up.”

Folding her arms across her chest Sue said, “Who have you been talking to Tony? Just what have you done?”

“Don’t make me sound like the bad guy here. I am doing what you should have done a long time ago.”

Susan persisted with her question. “Who have you been talking to?”

“Essex and Ultron have both built extensive underground armies and Moses Magnum has assembled a group of villains that had been held in stasis by Shadow King in The Vault.”

“You would have us deal with them?!!” Sue screamed in total frustration. “What the hell has gotten into you two?”

Moonstar walked through the door. “Make that three of us. You’ve been playing it too safe Susan and let’s be truthful. You’re only leader here because Cap decided to play it solo.”

Sue looked at all three with hateful disgust. “Fine. You want to take it to Shadow King, go right ahead. But you won’t be doing it here in Attilan. Pack your stuff. I’ll have Black Bolt remove you in the hour.”

“Where the hell do you expect us to go?” Banner exclaimed, outraged at Susan’s rashness.

“Go with Essex and the rest of them. I really don’t care, but I will not tolerate this mutiny!”

Stark was about to shout a rebuke, but Moonstar grabbed his shoulder with a firm hand. “Our success will be more than enough insult, Tony. Let’s go.”

Sue’s expression softened. “I would want nothing more than for you to succeed, but what happens afterward? You have invited the wolves into our stable. You put us all at great risk! Why beat a foe when you only make four more?”

Moonstar was not in the slightest swayed by the argument. “Frankly, if we play this too long term we’ll never win. We have to make deals with whoever we can to survive.”

“Well, I am truly sorry you feel that way Danielle. Unfortunately, that’s just not an attitude I can allow to exist here.”

“Allow? Don’t let that power go to your head,” Tony Stark warned as he turned from Invisible Woman and walked out of the door.

Watching the three leave made Susan feel like the resistance was crumbling with their departure. Moonstar’s people were sure to leave with her and they were playing critical roles in the resistance effort. Then Stark and Banner sympathizers would probably leave Attilan as well and further weaken the resistance.

“Damn it Tony! Why did you have to be so damn stubborn?” Sue asked herself as she silently wished for Reed to be with her. He would have found a way to keep Stark and Banner from being rash. Now, everything hanged on their folly.

---

((G.W. Bridge))

“One of Fury’s old safehouses shouldn’t be too far from here. We should be able to catch our bearings there,” G.W. Bridge said, mostly in reference to the still shaken Lydia. She genuinely felt she knew that Wisdom was dead. Personally, George couldn’t be happier if that really was the case. Wisdom deserved a better fate than being a stooge for Shadow King.

“Lying low might be a good idea,” Logan said and then paused. “It just got way too quiet all of a sudden.”

A winged woman descended from the air. She had long flowing black air and mocha skin. Beautiful white wings protruded from her back and reminded Logan of Warren. All the more reason not to suspect her of something. The woman looked at all of them with intense scrutiny and said, “We do not take to trespassers lightly. The people hide when the warriors of Shadow King approach.”

“We do not work with that monster!” Nova said.

The woman smiled with pristine white teeth. “That remains to be seen.”

A loud cacophony of roars abruptly filled the once silent air and the soldiers of Attilan look behind them to see a grouping of lions and jaguars. They all looked like they were staring down their next feast. Hauptmann swallowed back a lump in his throat and said, “Guess we found the folks we were looking for.”

“Don’t resist and you might live to see another day in your wretched lives,” the winged woman said.

Bridge snarled. “Woman you got some nerve…but we’ll come along peacefully.”

“Wise decision.”

---

((Katherine Pryde))

Shadowcat held herself and wept bitterly in a dark, lonely corner of Shadow King’s tower. Something precious had been striped from her and she would rip out the hearts of everyone involved in the heinous act. Farouk was not yet allowing her to get her vengeance, but he couldn’t hold her back forever. Her man deserved to have his memory honored. She would leave a trail of red ooze, agony, and white fragment behind her. Whatever vestiges of resistance that remained in New York City would be stamped out by her. None would be spared.

“You okay darlin?” Logan asked as he stepped into the light with his full uniform on. He looked like he was ready to go to war and it was a most welcome sight for Kitty.

Looking up with teary eyes she said, “I’ll be better when we’re bustin some heads!”

Wolverine smiled. The girl was taking on some of his more charming traits. “We’ll get to that soon enough. Boss is just biding his time. He seems to be afraid of something.”

“And just what would he have to be afraid of? The man is in control of most of the world.”

“He still has a lot of enemies. Boss wont’ show it, but I guarantee that’s why he put together his Four Horsemen in the first place,” Wolverine said as he kneeled down to bet at eye level wit his protégé. The girl was hurting and even though he didn’t like Wisdom, she loved him. Anybody responsible for hurting Katherine like that would pay at the end of his claws.

---

((Nate Grey))

X-Man floated atop the roof of Shadow King’s citadel with a mindful eye to the east. Rippling telekinetic power surrounded his body and randomly shot off in sparks. From afar he would have looked like a still bolt of lightning. In many ways his power was like that. Bristling amounts of power just waiting for an opportunity to strike. It wouldn’t be long though. The Shadow King would grant Nate the opportunity to cut loose.

Suddenly, in the distance Nate could make out what seemed to be a large flock of birds. Something about it seemed ominous though so he reached out with his telepathy. The power of his thoughts reached across hundreds of miles in an instant. What he felt was repulsive and he immediately pulled back. A large hive mind was approaching. It was a completely ravenous mind that only desired sustenance.

Before Nate had time to warn Shadow King of what he had sensed another threat made itself known. Four large robots appeared above him. They had the look of Iron Man, but the size and color scheme of Sentinels. Instinctively, X-Man lashed out with his powers and pushed the robots a good distance away from him. The robots eyes’ flashed red and all of them shot off a beam of energy.

Quickly, Nate erected a telekinetic field around himself. To his horror the beams shattered his shield.

---

((Elektra/Logan))

Bridge and his team were marched down into a large underground tunnel surrounded on all sides by the vicious animals and animal hybrids that accompanied them. The tunnel had a titanic wealth of emptiness and carried with it a strange silence that made your skin freeze and bones cringe back. Most everyone with Bridge had dealt with places of that sort before, but something was different here. It was as if the emptiness was watching them, if such a thing could happen.

“You sure it was a good idea to hand ourselves over so easily,” Hauptmann whispered as some sign of light finally became visible ahead. The light was the unknown and the German hero had to admit that he was afraid of what it might bring. So much hinged on the success of this mission. To fail would doom too many.

“We had to. Risking a fight wasn’t worth it. Besides, I have a strong feeling that we’re being taken to the three people we need to see,” Bridge replied.

“And just what makes you think that?” Logan/Elektra asked.

“I see two Hulks guarding that entrance. I’m guessing they’re holograms from Devious. What could possibly need that kind of security?” Bridge replied.

Nova grimaced and said, “I hope you’re right. Otherwise, I think we may be headed for a nasty fight.”

“Massacre,” Hauptmann corrected.

“For them,” Logan/Elektra agreed.

A man squeezed his way between the two Hulks and made his way to the group. He was bald, had on red glasses, and was wearing a tattered Italian suit. Adjusting his dusty glasses before he made eye contact with Logan/Elektra, the man then quickly asked, “Who are you? What do you want?”

“We’re looking for the guys in charge of this continent’s resistance to build an alliance against Shadow King,” Logan/Elektra answered.

“Well, you’re looking at one of them. So make what you gotta say quick because there’s still a 50/50 chance you’re a bunch of lying scumbags working for Shadow King,” the man snapped.

“You have a telepath around? They could authenticate us,” Nova suggested.

“You’re just in luck. So happens that we do.”

Before the resistance leader had a chance to summon forth one of the holograms a loud explosion ripped through the concrete above the man. A large piece of rubble was only inches away from him, but fortunately Nova moved fast enough to snatch the man and move him out of harm’s way.

Four figures were barely visible amidst the dust of the explosion, but one moved forward and was clearly recognizable to Nova. It was impossible, but his eyes weren’t lying. Standing before him was X-Treme, except it was hardly the man he knew. His skin was white and laced with circuitry and his eyes glowed green.

“Nova you cannot stand in the way of Shadow King! Pestilence shall not be denied! The head of Dr. Animal will be mine!” Nova’s former teammate yelled as he charged forward.

---

My Horsemen struck against the infidels of Australia, but I was struck against. X-Man was destroyed in the initial attack and I was forced to send out the remainder of my X-Men to deal with the forces of Attilan. The time would come when I would crush them for daring such an offensive against me. But first the dark forces had to be repelled.

Wolverine and Shadowcat took to dealing with the Iron Sentinels while Jessica Drew led the charge against the Gamma Brood.

---

((Jessica Drew))

“These fuckers aren’t giving an inch!” Jessica Drew yelled as she kicked one of the enhanced Brood in the jaw. The blow barely had any effect. These creatures were only growing in strength as the battle pressed onward and her forces had yet to kill a single one of their number. Yet, she had already lost 50 of her 300 Dawn members.

Mana blasted a group of the green insectoids with an intense line of flame, but they it only knocked them back a few yards. Looking to Drew the young mutant said fearfully, “We can’t win this! We need to pull back now!”

Drew agreed with the young woman and wanted to voice it, but she knew Shadow King would not accept a retreat, especially when it came to the defense of his citadel. He wasn’t going to back down for anything. Not now.

“Keep at them! We’re bound to find some dent in their defenses!” Drew ordered with no belief in what she was saying.

The ravenous creatures were their doom and if the Shadow King was smart he would leave with his host body right now. Jessica could only hope that Wolverine and Pryde were fairing better against their opponents.

---

((Viper))

Viper held Farouk in her arms as she monitored the battles being waged around his citadel with growing fear. Ground was being lost inch by bloody inch and Viper knew that the monstrosities created by the heroes of Attilan would soon breach the building. Invisible Woman and her lackeys had done well. Too well and it put them at great risk. The host body could not be harmed. Retreat was swiftly becoming the only option for the mother and son, but she had to wait for Farouk to give the order. Asking him would be an insult upon his person.

Continuing to watch the screens Viper saw a terrifying image. Jessica Drew was swarmed and covered by Gamma Brood along with the rest of her Dawn forces. The creatures were too strong to be beaten by brute force. This was a losing battle and from the way her baby stirred, Farouk knew it too.

It’s time for us to leave, Farouk said finally.

A red and purple rip in space opened up right behind the mother and son. Metallic footsteps were heard as Iron Man, Doctor Doom, Mr. Sinister, and Black Panther walked through the terrasect. Essex’s face twisted into a malicious grin as he said, “Time is something you’re out of.”

Try to come for me if you would like, but it shall not be the end of my reign!

“Doom has long stopped being amused by your foolish antics. Your life shall come to an end here today!”

“One of the few times I agree with Victor,” Iron Man said.

“Brave words, but I am no weakling. I will fight in defense of my master,” Viper warned as she scanned the area for a safe place to sit Jacob.

Iron Man loosed a mechanical snicker. “You really think you can do a damn thing at this point?”

SNIKT!!

“She doesn’t have to worry about that bub,” Wolverine said as he fell from above with Shadowcat gripping his waist. Logan stared intensely at his son’s attackers and said, “Who wants some of this first?’

Wolverine ran forward and leaped into the air with as much speed as his calves would allow him. The feral mutant collided with a surprised Dr. Doom who quickly threw Logan to the ground. Wolverine hardly noticed the collision and jumped up off of the floor and cut Doom’s right hand clean off.

“Pathetic rat!” Doom howled as he struck Logan in the chest with a blast of white energy and sent him flying clear past Viper and crashing through the closest wall.

Shadowcat didn’t have time to concern herself with her mentor. He was as tough as they came and would be back to help her. Right now she was running full speed at Iron Man. Her malicious smile let Stark know all that he needed to. Katherine was going for the victory she already achieved once before. Pride swayed Stark’s next action. Iron Man rose into the air before Kitty’s arrival and said, “You may screw with machines, but I am not going to make the same mistake twice.”

Kitty leaped into the air hoping against hope that she could reach Iron Man, but instead Mr. Sinister blasted her. Luckily, she had been phased and she turned to the geneticist with a smile. “Thought you would have known better than to try that Sinister.”

Essex returned Shadowcat’s smile and Kitty’s skin began to crawl. “I do know better Lady Katherine. Recently, I have recalibrated some of my own abilities. I coded some of Cortez’s DNA into my own. Your powers will overload any minute now.”

A look of horror crossed Shadowcat’s face as she faded out of existence.

“Sad and foolish thing. You never stood a chance against us,” Sinister said giving the only eulogy Kitty would ever have.

Viper and her child stared in horror at the death of Shadowcat and before she could turn away from the death scene the grim smile of Sinister greeted her. “Cortez was not the only one added to my genetic structure. A Ms. Ferguson proved delectably useful as well.”

Like the dark mother that she was, Viper dropped her child in fear and ran from the sight of Sinister. The odds were stacked against her and it seemed like her only option for survival. Her cowardice was well rewarded as the cold fingers of Doctor Doom filled Viper with terrible dread. She was hoisted into the air and dared not look at the baby Jacob for fear of glimpsing Farouk’s rage one last time. So she kept her eyes to the sky and focused her mind on the sounds of raging war outside the citadel. Perhaps it would lessen the coming pain of her death. Never had she expected it to come at the hands of the European monarch.

“Too many of my countrymen have died by you and your master’s hands. A debt is owed to them. So says Doom,” the ruler said as he gave one final squeeze to Viper’s neck. Her body twitched and went limp as she slipped into death’s embrace. Doom released his hold on the woman and watched her body smack into the ground.

Wolverine glimpsed the death of Viper and quickly realized that his child was completely vulnerable. If he were indeed the last one left then he would protect the master at all costs. Jacob was simply too important to the new order of the world. With every ounce of strength he could muster he ran for his child.

Despite his speed he still wasn’t able to outrun the hand of Doom. Logan let out a guttural roar as baby Jacob was enveloped in orange energy from the monarch’s gauntlet. While he wasn’t able to save his child Logan leaped towards Doom, but was shot from the side by Iron Man.

“Try again short stuff!” Iron Man said as he turned to Doom. “Time to go. We’ve done what we had to.”

---

((Elektra/Logan))

Elektra barely dodged Death’s shield and she had to roll out of the way of his incoming kick. Swiftly, she delivered a kick of her own to Death’s side. It felt like slamming into concrete and hadn’t budged the Horsemen at all. “Damn it!”

“Our master will see this resistance crushed!” Death yelled as he flung his shield at Elektra to only have Nova zoom by and catch it.

Nova held the shield tightly and said, “He’ll have to try a little harder than that.”

Death stood firm against Nova’s deathly stare. “The Shadow King will not be stopped. Your resistance is ultimately a minor kink in his plans.”

Elektra rose to his feet and got into her battle stance with both sais unleashed. “Then we’ll be a kink worth noticing.”

Then suddenly all of the Horsemen fell to the ground gripping their heads. Elektra turned to her allies and commanded, “Retreat while they’re down! Go!”

“Why do you think they suddenly fell out like that”” Nova asked as he stood behind Elektra/Logan. Ryder felt pity for his brainwashed teammate as he writhed on the ground in pain. Adam didn’t deserve what had been done to him, but Nova didn’t have time to save him. He felt too much like Dani as he turned away from X-Treme and retreated with the rest of the Australian Resistance. Still the question remained. What blessing had managed to come their way?

As they were running Logan said, “We just dodged a bullet back there. I trust Elektra, but having to fight cap was going to be a task ending in broken bones.”

“Don’t count X-Treme out either. He was trained by Priests of Pama,” Nova replied, knowing Rahne’s heart would break at Adam’s fate. The Shadow King had made this war personal.

Logan turned up Elektra’s nose. “I don’t know any Priests of Pama, bub. Cap just delivers good ol fashion ass kicking.”

Hauptmann looked back at the two. “Can you just cut the crap and move! They probably won’t be out long.”

Khimera stopped slithering along the ground and looked back down the narrow hallway where the Horsemen were still entrapped in agony. “I’ll make sure they have some problems along the way.”

Suddenly, a swarm of bees appeared in front of Khimera and rushed down the hallway. Elektra eyed the hybrid curiously. “Bees? You think bees will stop them?”

“Bees with the combined venom of a black widow, rattlesnake, black mamba and various scorpions will,” Khimera harshly replied as he turned away and went back to slithering as fast as he could.

“I think he’s going to cause problems in the future.”

Nova nodded in agreement with Elektra. “Him and everyone else who organized this resistance.”

---

It was I who numbed my Horsemen. I had already lost so much and I could not afford to lose them in a battle that was now effectively useless. Without my main stronghold there was no point in taking out the infidels in Australia. The idea of ridding myself of Elektra was a pleasing one, but unfortunately such ideas would have to wait. I had to rebuild and there was no better place to start than with my Horsemen. Doom, Stark, and the rest of their ilk believe me defeated I’m sure. They will find out just how sorely wrong they are.

---

((Invisible Woman))

Two weeks had passed since the fall of Shadow King, but there were loose ends to be handled and rising threats to address. Invisible Woman was at the head of the long banquet table with the guests including the smug Tony Stark, Doctor Doom, Moonstar, Magneto, Elektra, Black Panther, Cyclops, GW Bridge and Bruce Banner.

“Shadow King’s forces have been effectively neutralized thanks to the combined efforts of the Iron Sentinels and Gamma Brood,” Invisible Woman admitted, though it pained her to do so.

“I told you that the weapons would work and we can all rest easy now that Shadow King has been removed from the picture,” Tony said and then smiled. “I believe that crow should be in here anytime now Susan.”

Doom eyed Stark angrily. “Do insult Mrs. Richards again, Stark.”

“Or what? You going try and evaporate me? I’d like to see you-

“Enough! We have more pressing matters to discuss,” Invisible Woman interjected. “I believe Dani has something she wants to present us with.”

Danielle nodded. “As you know I’ve been at the head of the task force trying to track down Shadow King’s so-called Horsemen. So far they’ve been spotted in Singapore, what was LA, and the Andes Mountains. Trying to pinpoint any precise location is hard given how much of our global communications technology has been wiped out. During those searches though I’ve also discovered something else. Sinister has stabbed us in the back.”

“Just as I predicted he would,” Susan said hanging her head lower.

Magneto confirmed what Dani had said, “Indeed. My forces encountered one of the first of his Marauder squads in Tanzania. Only made it back and he was severally maimed. He stated that giant green bugs accompanied the group.”

Cyclops glared at Stark. “Seems your little weapon has been turned against you, Stark. You should have listened to Sue from the start dammit! Australia would have brought us victory.”

“That’s now a problem area as well,” Bridge jumped in. “Reports are that Khimera has killed Devious and Dr. Animal. Now he and his creations are proclaiming a new age of hybrids on the continent. Given his abilities we’re looking at millions of these things before the month is out.”

“Though Bridge, Stark and I have developed a suggestion for that as well,” Black Panther said.

“Great! Who are teaming up with now? Galactus?” Cyclops asked.

Bruce finally spoke up. “That’s not fair of-

“It’s entirely fair Doctor,” Moonstar interrupted. “Look at what these risky alliances have cost us. We now have a potential new Shadow King in Sinister, who frankly is ten times as scary. And I still don’t like the idea of Doom and Magneto being here.”

“Bout time someone said,” Logan murmured.

“They’re here because I asked them to be here. Despite their past track records, Doom and Magneto proved invaluable allies in the battle against Shadow King. And believe me if there is anyone in here who should have any complaint against Doom it’s me. For now, they’ve proven themselves. Let’s not make light of their efforts,” Susan said.

Danielle settled for that and asked, “So just what is this project T’Challa?”

“Well, as you know once we were forced to retreat to Attilan most of the world’s supervillians ran amok. Some stood with Farouk, others fought with us, and others simply tried to play both sides. With help from Bridge and Stark we’ve captured seven of these criminals as the first wave of Project: THUNDERBOLT.”

T’Challa gave the floor to Tony. “I captured Absorbing Man and Titania in France. I also found Mongoose in Spain and Will O’Wisp was in Austria. Bridge was able to apprehend Bullseye, Emplate and Hydro-Man in various parts of Canada. Black Panther was able to detain Baron Macabre in Wakanda, Dust in Somalia and Protocide in Algeria.”

Magneto groaned. “I see where you’re going with this already and I am completely opposed to it. Using these villains as cannon fodder will not resolve our problems in Australia.”

“Why limit their use to Australia?” Tony asked.

T’Challa agreed. “I see this project as something that can be used for years to come. Our numbers have been dwindled. I think it’s time we take advantage of every resource we can.”

“Psychos are not a resource,” Cyclops said.

“The nations of Earth are going to arm themselves against any superpowered being after Shadow King. I see Project: THUNDERBOLT as some insurance against that eventuality,” Tony Stark replied and then added. “We have already outfitted the first team and they’re ready for deployment.”

“This project will happen with or without this counsel’s approval,” G.W. Bridge said frankly.

Sue folded her arms across her chest. “Tony I know you’re the ringleader of this and you’re starting to try my patience with your gung-ho attitude. But I’ll give an inch here. You test this team of yours out in Australia and if it’s a disaster we shelve the project entirely. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” Tony said with a victorious smile.

“And what about the rest of us? What you got on the agenda for us fighters like myself?” Logan asked.

“You guys,” Invisible Woman smiled. “You keep being heroes.”

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AUTHOR’S NOTES

Why did the story end like that? Cuz I’ve grown very fond of this universe and I wanted to leave it in a state that I could possibly return to it one and craft some more stories with it. I have an idea in mind for that Thunderbolts team. Some bruisers on that one. Who knows maybe I can get a mini out of this ala ITNS? Anyway hoped you enjoyed the story. Feedback is always appreciated.

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