League of Marvelous Gentlemen
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story.
When Hope Is Lost
Avengers Tower
Brian Braddock walks in to the chairman's quarters and is greeted by Steve Rogers and Tony Stark. Tony says "Hey British Brian what's going on. Me and Steve were just saying that since crime's been so low past few weeks we're organising an Avengers getaway". Brian walked in closer and replied "That sounds fun my good friend but I'm afraid I'll need to be leaving you. I greatly value your friendship and having you as my teammates but England's calling me". Steve replied "Getting homesick are you Brian. Well you picked a good time at least. You've been a great addition to the team so whatever happens know that you always have friends in the Avengers".
Brian replied "Thank you Steve it's been an honor but it's something more than that. I sense peril at home and they need me there". He walked over to shake hands with both men. As he approached Steve he said "Remember Brian you can always count on us" then when he approached Tony he said "What about transport Brian. Do you want to take one of our Quinjets"? Brian walking off yelled back "No need for a jet. I'm in a hurry and I don't want that thing slowing me down". Brian made his way up to the helicopter pad. As he looked up to the sky he faced onwards to the motherland and instantly his suit turned into a union jack, symbol of the empire and he took flight.
MI:13 base
Nemo and Dane heard the alert and the sounds of combat near the residential quarters. Nemo said "Something is the matter Dane I believe we must attend". Dane replied "That sounds dangerous Nemo. Stand back". As Nemo took a few steps back Dane held up his sword and yelled out "AVALON" and in a flash of blinding light was transformed into the armour clad Black Knight. As Nemo looked on in disbelief Dane did not spare time explaining and the two warriors made off.
Blade ran frantically to the scene of the kidnapping with Quatermain not far behind. When he arrived he saw the place looking like a warzone with furniture sprawled, bullets on the floor and holes blasted through the walls. Soon as Quatermain arrived he asked "What happened here"? looking down at the robotic body that lay on the floor with it's head blown off. "We're too late that's what happened" replied Blade.
Dane and Nemo arrived just after Blade and Quatermain. Dane saw Quatermain now armed with a high powered rifle as well as his precious Mathilda and Blade was armed to the teeth with sword, sub-machine gun and explosive stakes. Nemo immediately went to Quatermain and began "Allan are you alright? What happened here"? The bearded hunter replied "I saw three identical men here all fitting description of the man Skinner saw at Moriarty's castle. Two of them were strong enough to beat Hyde but the third one I managed to take his head off just before he killed Larsen. His body's over there".
Nemo examined the headless robot and exclaimed "This was not a man. This is machine. Where's Wolf Larsen"? A coarse voice replied "I'm over hear captain". Larsen had just stood up from his earlier bout with all eyes on him said "You saved my life there Quatermain. Where you in my crew I would have promoted you but for now I can only give you my thanks". Dane approached Larsen slouching the massive sailor over his shoulder and asked "You saw the whole incident. What were they after". Larsen replied "They took Jekyll. Something about wanting his formula but they didn't get it. Took off with Hyde though. I saw him turn beast and it was beautiful".
Dane looked over to Blade and said "This looks bad. We have to call Pete and the others". Blade replied "On it".
Joseph Chapman's apartment
The two men are laughing and drinking beer when they hear knock on the door. Joey goes to answer and Spitfire dashes in looking desperate. Joseph says in a surprised manner "Ok Jackie we've had this discussion before. I don't mind you running in here and what not but I can't have you knocking things over and setting fire to the stairs". Jackie looked at the two men and said "Mina's been kidnapped! Two doombots came after her and have taken her to Doctor Doom". Tom immediately jumped up saying "Mina's gone! Is that the same guy who's teamed with Dorian".
Joseph taking everything in took in a deep breath and first turned to Tom saying "Yes Tom. Doctor Doom is that man who is teamed up with Dorian". Suddenly Joey and Jackie heard an alarm sound. They checked their phones and they both had an identical message from base urging them to come immediately. Joseph turned to Spitfire and said "You go on your way, we'll catch up". Tom asked "But how are we getting there"? And Joseph grabbing his Union Jack gear replied "Beryl".
The Purple Cherry pub
"Pete. Wake up lad" was the first thing Pete Wisdom heard when he came to his senses. He looked around in a daze and asked the barkeep "Was I dreaming or did two Doctor Doom lookalikes run off with my mate". The barkeep replied "They made off but I didn't see anyone with them. Also you might wanna check your phone it's been going off like crazy". Pete looked at his phone and saw six messages from his teammates about Hyde being kidnapped and the attack on base. He looked up at the sky and exclaimed "Oh Bullocks" and called in a government car.
MI:13 Headquarters
Withing thirty minutes the superheroes and what remained of the LXG were all at base. Wisdom was about to take the floor but due to a combination of concussion and alcohol Union Jack intervened saying "So far Hyde, Mina and Skinner have been kidnapped by Doctor Doom taken presumably to Latveria. Any ideas"? Nemo replied "When we met skinner at the Asiatic Arctic he told us that Moriarty had plans to duplicate their abilities for himself and build an army".
Blade replied "Hang on then. I'm damphir, Spitfire's a super speed vampire and Pete's a mutant. Why didn't he want us". Quatermain replied "It's Dorian Gray. They're working together and Doom must be seeking to succeed where Moriarty failed". Black Knight replied "It's not like Doom at all. He's the second smartest man alive and he normally uses hi tech to win". Tom then continued "Then if he's working with Gray, how come we're still alive. I would've thought Dorian would want us dead".
Quatermain looked towards Blade and replied "I know as does any good hunter that killing the prey is not all in the chase. Sometimes you have to set the trap and your prey will come". Suddenly Pete raised his voice "Indiana Jones is right. We're done one way or the other. We do nothing, they'll attack us. We go there they'll kill us". Wolf Larsen groaned "Yeah I'm with him. Personally I'll be happy to just zip back to our own time and forget this ever happened".
Tom stepped up to Larsen face to face and said in anger "Those are our teammates out there. If they were your crew would you just let them die or would you go in and save them". Larsen remembered back to the time he jumped into the ocean with a knife and killed a shark to save his cook, but it was that cook who drowned his ship leading him to where he is now. He replied to Tom "Kid, you don't want to be asking me that question. But look around us, I can't think of anything we can possibly do from here. Nemo what do you think".
All eyes on Nemo he replied "There is nothing I can think of. Against Moriarty we at least stood a chance but this Doctor Doom destroyed his base and kidnapped our strongest members. I am beyond ideas". Spitfire raised her voice "I am a war veteran, and we didn't surrender to the nazi's then and I refuse to surrender now. There must be another way. Pete, call in the X-men. Black Knight call the Avengers. Union Jack you have ties with S.H.I.E.L.D. and Blade you must have friends somewhere".
An awkward silence filled the room until Pete replied
"We do have our friends and allies but right now the Avengers are too busy fighting each other, the X-MEN are still coping with M-day and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s been taken over by Norman Osborn. Face it, we're screwed".
Captain Britain flies through the skys of England non stop from America for almost 2 hours straight without pause. Citizens of London rejoice at the sight of the return of their symbol flying through the sky raising spirits of the people. He spots MI:13 headquarters and lands in front of his teammates and the LXG.
Every set of eyes is on him as a silence fills the room. All the heroes rise as Captain Britain's presence brings about a sense of confidence and patriotism in everyone. As he looks around and the silence continues Union Jack steps up and the two men greet each other. Union Jack says "My best friend, I have never been happier to see you". Captain Britain replies "I too feel the same my friend. But for now there is work to be done. We are heroes of England, we are heroes of the empire. For queen and for country we will defeat Doctor Doom and restore our honor"!
A cheer went through the room as the other agents and staff joined in. The rest of the MI:13 heroes approached to meet their captain and friend in a frenzy of joy. Brian came up to the LXG and said "Gentlemen, I am Captain Britain". Nemo approached and replied "I am Captain Nemo. These are Thomas Sawyer, Allan Quatermain and my fellow Captain Wolf Larsen. Now tell me Captain Britain, where is your ship"?
Next Issue - Captain Britain is back and in charge. How will he turn the tides in favor of our heroes?