"Are you sure about this?" Beta Ray Bill asked uneasily. "If you get lost somewhere in…uh, there, then how are we supposed to find our way?"
Moondragon shot the Korbonite an irritated glance, only to refocus her attention back on the still and lifeless form of Galactus. The deep shadows of space surrounded them, an eerie grave for the former World Devourer. Beta Ray stood atop a golden platform provided by the powers of Starhawk, the time-tossed Guardian of the Galaxy. He did not look pleased at Moondragon's recently announced decision.
"I already told you," Moondragon said, a touch of scolding in her voice, "I felt something when I touched Galactus. There's something, or possibly someone in there. I need to probe deeper to find it. Perhaps it will hold the key to all our fates."
As Moondragon shut her eyes and concentrated on a chant taught to her by the masters that had raised her years ago, Aleta Ogard fought off a chill from overtaking her. Since returning to the past to save the future she hadn't felt quite right. Maybe it was the gravity of the situation, or maybe it was the seemingly inevitable failure.
The Earth was destroyed by some unknown force, and now Galactus was dead. What hope could there possibly be?
COSMIC AVENGERS
Issue #4 – "Lost Hope"
Written by D. Golightly
The Silver Surfer had unwillingly created a persona for himself across the cosmos during his travels. Those that had crossed his path usually took his idiosyncrasies at face value, marking him as a quiet, reasonable, caring individual. For the most part they were right. The countless number of civilizations he had stumbled across while navigating the stars counted him among their legends, impressing upon his glistening image that of their savior.
That was not to say he could not be shocked.
"Captain…America?" the Silver Surfer blurted out in disbelief, his deep and hollow eyes opened as wide as they could go. He slumped forward atop his board slightly, dazed at the sight of a former alley thought dead.
The man adorned in a blue and white costume nodded in acknowledgement. His electric blue aura sealed his body off from the harshness of space, converting ambient light into the precious oxygen he needed to survive, as well as allowing communication with others through the unforgiving vacuum.
Captain Universe's full facemask no longer hid his features. His memory, impaired as it had been, was now fully intact. He glared at the Surfer and a worn Genis-Vell, whom he had just fought to a standstill. The blue and white rings of his shield, created by the Uni Power, mimicking his own signature shield, complete with a shining star at its center. While not an exact duplicate, it was the best his awesome powers could manage.
Their initial brawl had catapulted them far away from the rest of their group, and the carcass of Galactus as well. The brutal fight amongst the stars had taken them so far away from the others that they could no longer see them.
"It's me," Steve Rogers replied as he felt the surface of his shield. "We need to get back to the others. It isn't safe to be separated like this."
"Could someone please tell me what's going on?" Genis demanded. The star field around his face had dissipated when he had returned to his senses, revealing a confused face. "The last thing I remember was swinging by Titan and meeting up with Quasar. Where is he? Where the hell are we, for that matter? And why was I ready to kill both of you?"
"I got a glimpse inside your mind," the Captain replied. "You were being manipulated by a force so powerful that I could scarcely save myself."
"Wait…" the Surfer said feebly.
"That's why we need to get back to the others," Steve Rogers continued. "It's not safe. Whoever overtook you could be plotting to do the same to them."
"Wait."
"But…but…no, something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong!" Genis stammered. His golden Nega Bands flashed as he closed his eyes and concentrated for a few moments. "The Earth! It's gone! My cosmic awareness…what happened?"
"Cease this!" the Surfer lashed out, his eyes brightly illuminating the general vicinity before dying back down. He angled his board between the two captains, keeping a steady gaze on the unveiled Rogers. "I have undergone trials that the majority of sentient creatures have never even dreamed possible. I have drifted across the unending void and faced entities so powerful that they had shifted the very fabric of reality."
He leaned in closer to Captain Universe, his stare penetrating the legendary hero. "To take you at face value would be a mistake. I have seen where the Earth once stood. The rest of your brethren are dead. What proof do you have that you are who you now claim to be? Explain yourself!"
The Captain sighed as he floated around to step onto the Surfer's board. "I can't pretend to have all the answers," he said. "But I know who I am. The last thing I remember was standing in Avengers Mansion, monitoring the equipment while Tony and Hank ran some tests. Then there was a bright, white light. Then I found myself floating in vacant space."
"The Earth," Genis said. "It's been destroyed, hasn't it."
Steve Rogers didn't turn to face the son of Mar-Vell, but instead hung his head. "It has," he answered.
"As much as it pains me to realize it," Genis continued, "my cosmic awareness is telling me the same. Just as it tells me that you speak the truth, Captain. You are indeed who you say you are. I would bet my life on it. I would also have no other stand with me."
"It is not a guarantee," the Silver Surfer said, "but I shall accept that so far your intentions have been aligned with my own."
"Good." Steve Rogers slipped the cowl back over his face and took flight once move, hopping off of the Surfer's board. He extended his shield in front of him and began to fly back in the direction their fight had initially carried them away from. "There are more mysteries here at play than my own. We'll get to the bottom of this mess in due time. First thing's first, though, Avengers. We need to assemble."
"Our allegiance is not garnered easily!"
"I would disagree," Ego, the Living Planet replied with a booming voice that could shake the foundations of a society. "Your position is not currently one of…negotiation."
The planetoid rested precariously at the very edges of a swirling mass of photons that served as a gateway into another plane of existence. It was as if a hole had been punched into the fabric of reality, serving as a window into a pocket dimension.
The gathered forms on the other side of the gateway, which Ego had opened himself to extend a branch of communication, shifted uneasily in their angst. What Ego offered them was something they desperately wanted, but they were wise as to the price of the tyrant's offer.
"My minions have been released from my grasp, as I knew they would be," Ego continued. "The meddling of a few strays is beginning to interfere with what I am planning. I would have your service in exchange for your freedom. I shall release you if you bind yourselves to me long enough to kill those I wish to see dead."
The pair closest to the opening exchanged glances before one of them nodded cautiously. "Very well," the strange entity told the Living Planet. "What remains of the Dire Wraiths will destroy those that oppose your efforts."
The piercing scream that Moondragon unleashed was enough to snap Beta Ray Bill back to attention. She had been standing quietly on the platform provided by Starhawk, her mental powers boring deep into the body of Galactus.
The Korbonite moved to touch Moondragon's shoulder, but Starhawk created a hard light barrier between them. "No," she said. "We can't help her like that. We have to wait."
"What?" Beta Ray Bill scoffed. "Are you serious, lady? Take this flaky wall down before I have Stormbreaker remove it for me. I'm not going to stand here while—"
"Get away fro me!" Moondragon hollered, shocking both Beta Ray and Aleta. "Something…something's pushing through!"
Her skin began to glisten as if intense sunlight was beaming down directly on her. Her head rocked back and her eyes flung themselves open impulsively as energy began to spill out of her pupils. Yellow and white light formed into beams generating from her eyes, rising straight up and melding into a ball high over them. Her screams wavered but still eerily continued.
Starhawk thickened the barrier she had erected between Beta Ray and Moondragon, hoping that her powers would hold out against whatever was transpiring before them. It was then that her attention was diverted from the awesome display of unbridled power flowing out of Moondragon to notice a thin strand of energy connecting her to Galactus' body. The solid stream of melding energy forcing its way out of Moondragon looked identical to the thin strand attaching her to the World Devourer, almost like an anchor.
"Bill!" Starhawk shouted over the roaring torrent of energy as she pointed at the strand.
"I see it!"
The bulky Korbonite hefted his warhammer, Stormbreaker, which had been forged by Odin himself. He jumped off the golden platform and drifted to the strand, his hammer at the ready. "Galactus has taken a hold of her!" he declared. "I'll sever the connection with one blow!"
The energy pouring forth from Moondragon was beginning to condense into a spherical mass. Her throat was becoming raw but she continued to expel whatever air she managed to retain in her lungs. The energy washed over itself, growing larger and larger like a pulsating beast, fed by whatever invading force was being funneled through the heroine.
"It's starting to take form!" Starhawk called out. Moondragon slumped back against the barrier she had created as the outpouring energy finally stopped, leaving her weakened and vulnerable. Aleta rushed to her side, breaking apart her own barrier as she went.
The strand began to waver as well. Beta Ray Bill raised his warhammer, preparing to strike directly at the strand anchoring Moondragon to the World Devourer. Just as his weapon was pivoted to the apex of his overhand swing, something stopped his arms from pulling the warhammer down. It pulled with all of his strength, but something had clasped around his fists.
He tilted his head back to see a strange pink orb encapsulating his hands, the grasped hilt of Stormbreaker included. "What the hell is this?" he swore.
"Easy, big guy," a strange voice said from above him. "No need to get physical."
The pink orbs around his clenched fists dissipated as Beta Ray Bill lowered his warhammer and turned to face the shocking specimen that had seemingly popped into existence. His massive jaw, alien to most races and distinguishingly unique, dropped as he looked at the glowing figure he began to recognize as a friend.
"Quasar?" Bill stated, unsure of how to gauge any type of response to seeing the glowing figure of his former alley.
"In the flesh, buddy," the figure replied. "Well…sort of. There isn't really any flesh involved here, but it's a figure of speech anyway."
Starhawk watched from where she kneeled, holding up Moondragon's limp head. She was breathing, but barely. "What just happened?" Starhawk demanded. "Who are you?"
"The name's Wendell Vaughn," the glowing figure replied. "Most call me Quasar. Umm…is she okay?"
Moondragon opened her eyes again uneasily, staring at the newly arrived Avenger. "I will survive," she stated coldly. "Although could you not have chosen to make you entrance a little less…dramatically?"
"Sorry about that," Quasar replied. As he had implied, his 'body' was not wholly made of flesh and blood. His radiance died down as he concentrated on retaining his faculties, his entire body now composed of strange energy that glowed with a silent hum. From the tips of his frayed hair to the edges of his fingers, there was no solid matter within him. The only thing that was actually physical about his person were the glimmering Quantum Bands around his wrists. "I guess I have some explaining to do."
"You and me both, Avenger."
The group turned to see Captain Universe, the Silver Surfer, and Captain Marvel all approaching. Moondragon got to her feet, aided by the support of another hard light creation of Starhawk's. Beta Ray Bill shook his head, wondering how he had gotten caught up in so much confusion.
The group collectively looked to Wendell in an unspoken gesture for him to begin his explanation. The cosmic, yet humble, warrior cleared his non-throat to speak.
"It all started when Genis and I felt a mental summons," Quasar said. He held out his arms so his bands were in front of him. "As much as people tend to separate us, our jewelry here keeps us connected in more ways than even we understand. From what I can tell they operate on similar principles, but that's not really the point right now."
"And what would that point actually be?" Bill asked, the irritation in his voice evident.
"Umm, right. Sorry. The point is that we were manipulated through our bands." The energy that mimicked his facial features formed to create a look of sorrow. "Ego, the Living Planet, overtook our minds and sent us to fulfill his dark mission."
The Surfer clenched one fist tightly, already suspecting what the young hero was about to admit to. "What did he have you do?" Norrin Radd asked.
"We…we destroyed the Earth."
The star field that served as Captain Marvel's mask flashed back into existence as he closed his eyes in anger. "No!" he said. "That's not possible! I would remember…"
"Easy, son," Captain Universe said as he placed a hand on Genis' shoulder. "Keep it together. It's not going to do anyone a lick of good to lose it now." He looked back at Quasar, his hand remaining to sooth Genis. "Please go on."
"Ego had total control of us," Quasar said in response. He sounded detached, as if he didn't want to recall the memories. "He sent us to Earth, why he did not say. We blindly obeyed him, unable to control our own actions. If I had been able to stop myself I would have. You have to believe me."
"What happened to the Earth?" Starhawk implored.
"We assaulted Four Freedom's Plaza, striking down their defenses easily. The two of us combined overcame the Fantastic Four, restraining them while we accessed their vaults. We retrieved what Ego sent us to get, then activated it…"
The group waited silently for Quasar to continue, realizing how painful it must have been for him to relive the situation. After a long moment passed, he continued. "It was the ultimate nullifier, the one device powerful enough to wipe out all of existence. But that was not what Ego wanted. He desired that the Earth be removed for whatever purpose that only he fully knows. We entered the outer atmosphere and used our powers to contain the entire planet, entrapping the white wave of destruction that the nullifier created."
"Impossible," the Silver Surfer stated. "No one could do what you say. The power of the nullifier—"
"Was rendered inert thanks to the power funneled through our bands by Ego. It's the truth. I take it you've seen where Earth used to be, what other explanation could there be?"
"Then how is it you look like that?" Aleta asked. "And what happened to Galactus?"
"Another task set by Ego," Quasar answered. "We both dispatched him at the Living Planet's command. Galactus, drawn out by the use of the nullifier, appeared just as we finished obliterating the Earth. We contained him in the same manner as we did the planet, only for our controller to send us to be his executioners. During the battle Galactus…well, he ate me."
"I'm sorry," Beta Ray Bill said. "I don't have ears like you Terrans. I must have misheard what you just said."
"Galactus is the galaxy's greatest parasite," Quasar replied. "Or, more accurately, he's the universe's biggest eater. The guy eats entire planets, for crying out loud! So when we got him on the ropes he sort of…consumed me. I think it was a last ditch effort on his part." He pointed at Moondragon, who was back on her feet and looking better by the second. "The Quantum Bands kept my energy signature alive inside his body until she started poking around in there. If it hadn't been for her I might have been stuck in there forever."
"That's disgusting," Moondragon said. "If I have known what I was going to be a participant in I never would have made the mental connection."
Quasar shrugged as best as his energy form allowed. "Sorry. It wasn't fun for me either. But, now that I'm back and Ego's hold over me is apparently broken, along with Genis' it seems, we can start working on making things right again. What's our next step?"
"A good question," Bill iterated as he turned to face the masked Captain Universe. "Captain? What do we do?"
The rest of the group looked to him as well, acknowledging his leadership in their time of need. Steve Rogers grimaced beneath his facemask, unsure if he should be the one to take charge, given that his own memories were still vague. Quasar's description of what happened to the Earth matched what he had been able to recall…the white light, the engulfing pain, and then nothingness.
Their ragtag group had been brought together by fate. A series of impossible events coupled with the dwindling hope of their race kept them from straying, almost as if an unseen hand was guiding their actions. Steve couldn't help but think of the first time the original Avengers banded together from an apparently chance encounter. If fate deemed the Avengers lived to fight one last time, then they would do so.
He would lead them, as was his duty since he had reawakened years after his first rebirth.
Captain Universe slowly removed his facemask, once more allowing the cool touch of his blue aura to grace his skin. "Now we take the fight to Ego," Rogers said, "and we avenge our world."
"Holy crap," Quasar muttered upon seeing the Captain's face for the first time. "You weren't kidding when you said you had some explaining to do, too."
"I've been all over the collected galaxies," Genis-Vell said, "and I can honestly say that I've never had my stomach lurch as much as it is now."
The vortex that Beta Ray Bill was so accustomed to traveling through carried the heroes between the folds of space and time. After hearing Steve Rogers out the group was more determined than ever to thwart Ego, and decided that the time for talking was over. Using the cosmic awareness of Captain Marvel as a guide, Beta Ray led them through the vortex tunnel toward their final enemy.
"You get used to it," Bill replied over his shoulder. "Thank Aleta for at least giving you something to stand on, otherwise you'd be bumping around in here."
Starhawk remained quiet. Since arriving in the past the doubts of her success in her mission had only grown. The cataclysmic event that had rocked her time travels apparently forced her to arrive too late to warn them, casting her own time into peril. There wasn't a moment that passed when she didn't wish that Major Vance Astro of the Guardians of the Galaxy had sent someone other than her on the mission.
"Okay, people," Bill hollered. "Here we go! Next stop: one planet sized monster!"
The end of the swirling vortex came into sight, a gaping wide hole that would deposit them directly in the path of their enemy. Starhawk felt her stomach tighten. Moondragon felt her burning rage strengthen. Genis-Vell felt his desire for righteousness redouble. The Silver Surfer felt the power cosmic be summoned at his mental call. Quasar felt the pangs of fear set in. Beta Ray Bill felt justifiably content before the coming battle. Captain Universe felt the calm order of the moment as he had so many times before.
The seven heroes spilled out of the vortex, rupturing space and the solitude of the cosmos. Captain Universe flew into position at the helm of their collection, preparing to lead the happenstance team into their final battle. What he saw shocked them all.
Ego, the Living Planet, and defiler of their claimed world, sat in all his bulbous glory looking directly at them, as if in waiting. Silvery wisps zipped around his gargantuan body, mimicking the movements of electrons around a single atom. The "face" of Ego begot their element of surprise as what would pass for a sinister smile greeted them upon their approach.
"Finally," Ego bellowed, his deep voice resonating over them. "The time to end this pitiful squabble has come. My army! Destroy them!"
The silver apparitions in orbit around the planetoid formed into ranks at his command. Hundreds of creatures, an entire army of Dire Wraiths, obeyed their new master and swarmed toward the tiny contingent of heroes. Their war cries were swallowed up by the depths of space, but their intent was evident.
Captain Universe hefted his shield over his head and flew into the fray. The other heroes behind him hesitated until they heard the fateful cry of their leader, "Avengers assemble!"
TO BE CONCLUDED (for real this time…)