Chapter 13: War
The Avengers:
Thor (Jane Foster) – Goddess of Thunder
Human Torch (Jonathon Storm) – Fantastic Adventurer
Nova (Richard Rider) – Universal Protector
Smasher (Isabel Kane) – Superguardian Elite
Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd) – Wielder of the Power Cosmic
On the edge of Shi'ar space is the boundary star gate. It is currently deactivated and protected by the Shi'ar third fleet. Inside the flag ship; Undaunted, the Captain arrives on the bridge.
Captain: Ensign report.
Ensign: It's the stargate captain. It's being remotely activated.
Captain: By who?
Ensign: They are using an Imperial Guard frequency sir, but there are no guard detachments due to this sector this cycle.
Captain: Communications officer Liara shut it down now!
But she doesn't move.
Captain: I gave you an order!
Liara: His is the will and the way. All hail Annihilus.
She fires her gun into the console destroying it, then control worms burst out of her head killing her.
Ensign: Gods!
Outside the ship the stargate activates forming a huge planet sized portal and then coming through it; hundreds of Negative Zone ships, a new Annihilation wave. The ships swarm on the fleet, drones are deployed in the millions.
Captain: Sharra and K'ythiri save us.
The ship and all others are destroyed. Inside the Negative Zone flagship Annihilus watches the devastation.
Annihilus: Yes death to all.
The Negative Zone. The Slave Camp. Inside the slave quarters the Guardians of the Galaxy and Jane Foster are sat around a table. Drawn on the table is a map of the camp.
Star Lord: We'll have to move quickly. Guards rotation gives us two minutes to get from here to Finality. Even for us that won't be easy.
Gamora: It would be easier if we didn't have to drag along this stray.
Rocket: Jeez, that's cold.
Gamora: I'm sorry Earther. But the fate of the universe is at stake here, we cannot blow our one chance of escape just to save one sick slave.
Jane: Get me back to our universe and it'll be worth it. Back there I can help, trust me.
Star Lord: No one is leaving anyone behind. We're all getting out.
Groot: I am Groot.
Drax: We should broadcast ourselves, lure Annihilus here and take him out. Kill the head, kill the body.
Mantis: Annihilus outclasses us by far Drax, we would be slaughtered.
Drax: So did Thanos but I still tore his heart out.
Star Lord: Once we've got back up you might get your wish Drax, but for now we need to-
A horn sounds. The Guardians look up and see the other slaves running out of the accommodation.
Mantis: We are being summoned, we should go as our absence would be noted.
Rocket: I got a bad feeling about this.
They walk out into the square where all the slaves are assembled. Standing on a platform above them is Blastarr. And strapped below the platform, crucified are Nova and the Human Torch.
Gamora: Richard!
Star Lord: Well that's just great.
Blastarr: You are all slaves for one reason: you dared to defy the Lord Annihilus. You were all cast down defeated, but I know you all dreamt of one day having revenge. Perhaps you even whispered the names of these two; ones who have defeated Annihilus in the past. But the past is dead, now Annihilus is supreme! In part thanks to what you have built here. And so you deserve a reward.
Blastarr raises his hands.
Mantis: Peter! I can sense the outline of their thoughts! We need to-
The guards fire at the slaves killing them all.
Space. What is left of Sanctuary. Sections of the space station drift towards the local star and in the vacuum of space drift thousands of corpses.
But in the centre of Sanctuary is a bubble of energy. Inside it are the main diplomatic forces of the Kree, Skrulls, Shi'ar and Asgardians. In the centre of them is the Silver Surfer, energy pulses out from him as he shields the various survivors.
Oracle: We're….alive.
Gladiator: Asgardians. Was this your doing?
Sif: Of course not! We're all being played here!
Beta Ray Bill: Thor is missing. This suggests dark intent.
Beta Ray approaches the fake Thor, she goes to run but Ronan the Accuser stands in her path.
Beta Ray: Where is Thor?
"Thor": Go to hell positive verser!
Ronan: Positive verser?
Kl'Rt: Farks sake. This better not be what I suspect.
Silver Surfer: I can sense echos of what drew me here. Power opposite to mine in every way. Power drawn from the Negative Zone.
Starbolt: We are discovered! Kill them all!
Starbolt, Smasher, Volstagg and several others from all races suddenly begin attacking their comrades.
Starbolt blasts a hole through Neutron of the Imperial Guards chest.
Oracle: Neutron!
Smasher punches Beta Ray Bill off his feet and then flies right at the Silver Surfer.
Silver Surfer: I have met you only briefly Isabel Kane but I know you truly are not in control. Otherwise you would realise how futile your attack truly is.
The Surfer fires a blast of energy from his hand, the energy splits into individual beams that hit all of the attackers knocking them all down.
Smasher: AAAAAHHH!
Gladiator: Contain them, all of them! We will find out why they have betrayed us!
Kl'Rt: Hold Majestor. I can see something under their skin. Something I'm sure we all have fond memories off.
Kl'Rt makes the skin of Smasher, Volstagg and others transparent and they all see the various control bugs underneath the skin.
Ronan: Control Bugs.
Oracle: We have to get them out, Mentor could you-
Silver Surfer: No need. I have this. I apologise but this will hurt.
The Surfer zaps them all with energy, they writhe and scream for a few moments. Then they all vomit up the bugs.
Smasher: Oh god, that was-
Volstagg: I fear I will never regain my appetite.
Starbolt: I killed Neutron. My friend. I wanted to stop but I couldn't-
Gladiator: We understand Starbolt. No one here is blaming you.
Kl'Rt: Well I am, a Shi'ar Imperial Guardsman taken down by Negative Zone filth. I expected more.
The others glare at him.
Kl'Rt: What? We should have been more prepared. It was only a matter of time before Annihilus struck again, we only won last time by a fluke. But there is no point wasting time on our failings. Now all we can do is fight. With luck we can at least choose the battle ground.
Silver Surfer: My cosmic awareness can detect the presence of beings from the Anti matter universe. The second Annihilation War has begun.
Sharra's Garden. A once beautiful garden world on the edge of the Shi'ar Imperium, famed across the universe for its beauty. Now thousands of Annihilation drones and ships swarm around the planet, burning all they see.
On the planets surface Annihilus and Ravenous walk across the battlefield and observe the drones eating the flesh of the fallen Shi'ar.
Annihilus: Feed my legions.
Ravenous: We have lost contact with our agents at Sanctuary. Spies report that the various Empires have begun massing their fleets.
Annihilus: Then all is as planned. You will go and take command of Finality. I do not trust Blastarr with such a role.
Ravenous: Your will my hands.
Ravenous leaves while a Centurion (this one ressembles a long limbed lizard like creature) strides up to Annihilus while holding a Shi'ar in his hands, he throws the Shi'ar at the feet of the two.
Centurion: My Lord. This one claims to be the leader of this world.
Shi'ar: Yes! Yes! I am the Governor of Sharra's Garden! This world is yours, we have wealth and resources just please stop the killing!
Annihilus: No.
Shi'ar: What? But you have won, we surrender.
Annihilus: I don't want your surrender. I just want you all to die.
Annihilus grabs the Shi'ar and places a hand around his head, Annihilus squeezes and crushes the Shi'ars head.
Annihilus: You will kill them all.
Centurion: As you wish.
The forces of Annihilus commence their slaughter.
The Negative Zone. The work camp. It's night and the camp is more or less empty. Rocket and Star Lord sneak into ventilation shaft.
Rocket: That was too close! We shoulda bought Mantis with us, had her make everyone think we're invisible.
Star Lord: Shielding us from the executions really took it out of her. And we need her as strong as possible for when we hit Finality.
The two crawl through the vents.
Rocket: It's almost like old times Quill, you and me crawling through vents behind enemy lines.
Star Lord: Yeah guess it kinda is huh?
Rocket: Old times sucked.
Star Lord: No argument here.
Rocket: Wait, someones coming.
The two stop and look out a thin grate. Walking through the facility is Ravenous and Blastarr.
Ravenous: The Lord Annihilus has given you an order Blastarr. Your feelings on it are irrelevant.
Blastarr: This weapon exists because of me. I should be commanding it.
Ravenous: This weapon exists because Lord Annihilus wished it too. You are simply his instrument. You should understand this by now. But then you have always struggled with understanding haven't you?
Blastarr: I may have bowed to Annihilus but I will not tolerate these insults from you!
Blastarr raises a fist at Ravenous but Ravenous simply flicks his wrist, a blast of energy is generated and knocks Blastarr down. Ravenous steps on Blastarrs head.
Ravenous: Do as you have been commanded, see to the Negative Zone supply lines. Do it well and you may be allowed to assist in the purging of the Kree. Do you understand?
Blastarr: I…..I understand Lord Ravenous. Your will be done.
Ravenous walks off one way and after a moment Blastarr gets up and walks in another direction.
Star Lord: Huh divisions in the ranks.
Rocket: Blastarr's worked with us before. We could get him to switch sides.
Star Lord: And then he'd turn on us as soon as Annihilus is taken care off.
Rocket: Well that's why I always carry an unfeasibly large gun.
Star Lord: It's a thought.
The two keep moving through the vents.
Rocket: We're here.
Star Lord: You sure?
Rocket takes out a blinking device.
Rocket: Yeah, I built it myself.
Star Lord: That's why I'm asking.
The two jump out of the vault and into the room. Displayed in the room is a map of the galaxy with arrows denoting movement of fleets. Several multi coloured arrows are converging on a large green map.
Star Lord: Looks like the surprise approach failed. Ships are heading their way from all angles. What was Annihilus thinking?
Rocket: He's an omnicidal maniac, they aren't known for thinking rationally.
Star Lord: Doesn't mean he's an idiot. He's picked the worst place to launch an assault. All the major empires are within striking distance. He'll be crushed before the momentum gets behind him.
Star Lord pushes some more buttons and the display changes. His and Rockets eyes widen.
Rocket: Oh shit.
Deep space. The Shi'ar flagship Lilandra. Inside the ship The Imperial Guard is assembled.
Starbolt: Smasher, how are you feeling?
Smasher: Used. Pissed off. I can't wait to smack that Ravenous bastard around. How about you?
Starbolt: I'm going to burn them all.
Mentor: Superguardians! Attention! Majestor on deck!
Gladiator stands in front of the Guard.
Gladiator: You all know why you have been called here. Annihilus has made his play. He seeks to take this universe for his own. That was a mistake, now he faces the finest fighting force in creation. THE IMPERIAL GUARD!
The Kree flagship Supremors Wrath. Ronan the Accuser addresses the other Accusers.
Ronan: Four cycles ago the Annihilation Wave ripped through the galaxy, billions were slain before they were stopped. And where were they stopped? At Hala! At the hands of the Kree!
On the Skrull flagship; Skrullos Revenge. Emperor Kl'Rt addresses his Skrull troops.
Kl'Rt: Billions killed at the hands of Annihilus. Billions of souls demanding revenge. Now they will have it. Let suns be turned red with Negative Zone blood!
The combined fleets of Shi'ar, Skrulls and Kree fly through space towards battle.
The Negative Zone. Jane Foster and the rest of the Guardians minus Star Lord and Rocket are hiding in the camps sewers.
Gamora: They've been gone too long, I'm going after them.
Drax: No. We wait another hour. If they aren't back by then we move on Finality.
Groot walks up to Jane Foster and sits next to her, he extends an open palm towards her and roots extend from it.
Groot: I am Groot.
Jane: I'm sorry?
Groot gestures to his open palm.
Groot: I am Groot.
Jane: I can't understand you, I-
Jane starts a coughing fit.
Mantis: Groot is offering you medicine for your illness. He has grown a natural remedy that should help you keep up for a short amount of time.
Jane: Oh really? Thank you Groot.
She takes the roots and chews on them.
Groot: I am Groot.
He smiles at her.
Mantis: Have you tried summoning the hammer?
Jane: What?
Mantis: Mjolnir. I know who you are Ms Foster. Don't worry your secret is safe with me.
Jane: I can't…I can't even feel Mjolnir's presence.
Mantis: Once we leave the Negative Zone you should be able to reclaim what is yours. I will help you get there.
Suddenly the trapdoor into the hideaway opens and Star Lord and Rocket walk inside.
Star Lord: We have to move. Now.
Finality Bridge. Chained to the bridge are Nova and Human Torch.
Human Torch: Hey bugs can you let me down? I've got an itch that needs to be scratched. Come on! Anyone? You? Hey beautiful how about you?
He smiles at a female Centurion.
Centurion: Swine!
She charges up an energy blast.
Human Torch: Hey, hey remember we're for Annihilus to kill! You touch us and he'll be very angry!
Centurion: Hmph.
She turns away from them.
Nova: Do you have to wind them up like that?
Human Torch: Hey I saw you smiling the whole time. Even though you haven't been talking to me.
Nova: I've been trying to reactivate the Worldmind, I think travelling to the Negative Zone knocked the connection out.
Human Torch: Any luck?
Nova: No.
Human Torch: Great.
Mantis: Worry not, all will be well.
Human Torch: Did you hear that?
Nova: It's an old friend.
The door blows open, the Centurion who was ready to fry the torch is grabbed by vines and slammed into the ground repeatedly. Rocket and Star Lord roll in firing guns and taking out the drones. A large Rock monster Centurion roars as the lasers bounce of him, but then Drax and Gamora move in. Gamora dodges the blow leaping over the Centurion and as she does she throws two knives into the shoulder joints. Then Drax slams a powerful hook into the monster knocking it out.
Lastly Mantis and Jane walk in.
Star Lord: Hey Richie. Miss me?
Nova: Surprisingly.
Groot and Drax pull the two of them off the straps. Nova gives Star Lord a hug.
Nova: How did I know that you'd get pulled into this mess?
Gamora: We just couldn't resist fighting Bugs again. It's like old times isn't it Richard? Although we're both wearing more clothing.
Human Torch: Whoa! Didn't know you had that in you Nova.
Jane: We have to go. This ship will leave any minute.
Nova: Annihilus called it Finality. What is it?
Star Lord: It's a weapon. It can destroy anything. Right now the assembled armies of the Kree, Skrulls, Shi'ar and Asgard are walking into a trap. We're going to take control and use it on the Annihilation Wave instead.
Human Torch: That sounds like a good plan. Good luck.
Nova: You're going somewhere?
Human Torch: I think I've figured out how to beat Annihilus once and for all. It's not enough to just kick him back here and we can't kill him because he'll just be reborn. We need to remove his power base in the Negative Zone. I've spent more time here than anyone else here so I'm best suited for this.
Mantis: You will not be alone Jonathon Storm. I will accompany you.
Groot: I am Groot.
Rocket: You're staying? Ah hell guess I am too then.
Star Lord: You sure you want to do this?
Rocket: Not really but when's that stopped us? See you on the other side.
Human Torch, Mantis, Groot and Rocket head one way off the ship while Nova, Jane, Star Lord, Gamora and Drax go another.
Nova: What did you do to get sent here?
Jane: I'm Thor.
Nova: Really?
Jane: Really.
Nova: Ok then. I hope you can find your hammer.
Jane: Me too.
The team reach the control room and Nova blasts open the door.
Drax: Great Kronos…
Inside the room is six tanks three on each side of the room. Each tank has energy containing wires extending from the top and then combining in the ceiling. The energy is pooling in the top.
And in the tanks on one side is three Negative Zone Seakers. Monsters who look like Ravenous and have a similar level of power. And on the other side is three former Heralds of Galactus; Stardust, Terrax and Firelord are all screaming in their tanks as power is sucked from them.
Gamora: What is this?
THOOM! Ravenous jumps down in front of the Guardians.
Ravenous: It is Annihilation.