Power Pack

Issue #27 – Dinner Guests

Power Household

"I wish mom wouldn't make such a big deal," Julie said as she plopped down on her sister's bed.

"Totally, you know she's only doing this because she didn't get to do anything for Alex's birthday and with everything else that has happened she wants an excuse to throw a party," Kat said as she combed her hair in the mirror.

"I think she was hoping Alex would be back in time but I guess hanging out with the New Warriors is more important," Julie sighed.

"Again," Kat pouted and then turned to face her sister. "Julie, I hate to say this but we did just fine without him. If anything, taking down Principal Drol proved Power Pack doesn't need him to function."

"I agree, but only because of our new powers which I have no clue how to control or make work when I want them to," Julie said as she touched the locket around her neck that slightly stung the odd burn mark on her chest.

"I'm sure Friday will be able to find something out for us. I mean, who else would be an expert on Kymellian powers?" Kat said as she turned and smiled at her sister.

"It's just so weird. I always knew I had the potential to teleport, but to move so fast as to be in more than one place at a time?" Julie questioned as she thought of what happened with the Wolf Lord and that day she could swear that she had seen herself with Valeria.

"What about me? All anyone has ever done with my power was disintegrating by touch and fire power balls from the chest. Suddenly, I can create a disintegrating field, focus blasts from my arms as well as creating energy crystal balls? What about that and feeling Franklin? Neither of that has to do with my energy powers," Kat asked plopping down next to her big sister.

"Well, as weird as it is, I think I can explain. Your powers are based on energy. As you were absorbing energy, you were tapping into psychic energy and taking it in. Absorbing this kind of energy, especially from Franklin whose powers are psi based, allowed you to tap into it and mentally see and feel Franklin," Julie tried to explain. "That and you like him."

"Julie!" Kat said as Julie dodged her punch.

"Girls, get out here and help me will you?" Margaret Power's voiced carried from the kitchen.

"Coming mom," both girls called out as they left the room laughing and trying to let their worries vanish for today.

Pack Pad

"Anything from the scans you took from all of us?" Jack asked as he walked into the computer room of the Pack Pad that acted as the secret headquarters for Power Pack as well as the apartment and home to his big brother Alex and his husband Jesse.

"Sort of. I just wish I could get scans from Alex and Jesse to see if it extend to all of you, but he is out of reach. Last time I talked to him he was at the New Warriors base and only had enough time to say that he and Jesse both seemed to be off with their powers," Friday's voice boomed from all around the room.

"I just want some answers. I love the new Jack-A-Mole thing I can do with my powers, but the other thing? My powers are not based on teleportation or time travel. How is it my smoke took me back in time in that ally and then after watching all my family and friends die, take me back in time?" Jack said still freaked out about seeing his own sisters die.

"That's the thing I have gathered from the scans from you, your sisters and Franklin and Valeria. What you are all experiencing are not because of your powers but coming from an outside energy source. What ever it is, it is expanding and in your case, altering your powers. I don't know what is causing this, but my scans conclude that all five of you have a secondary energy aura around you that is feeding you and your powers with a boost," Friday said.

"So, something or someone is feeding us with additional power?" Jack asked with both excitement and fear.

"I believe so, but what, I have not been able to pin point. The power source starts and ends around each of your bodies. I show nothing feeding into you or leaking out. I can't explain it but its just there and it's definitely separate from your body and your powers," Friday said.

"Wicked," Jack whispered. He would be more excited if his newfound powers were more predictable and controllable. The whole unexpected time traveling is what really scared him. What if next time he went somewhere he couldn't come back or stop a future fate? Jack shivered as he tried not to think about the wolves and his sisters.

"We better get going, Jack. Your friend's bus will be arriving any moment," Friday said as the systems began to power down.

"I almost forgot. It's been awhile since I've seen Steve. I haven't talked to him much after the Demon Storm and he lost his powers and went to live with his aunt. He was here for the wedding, but even then we didn't get a chance to talk," Jack said thinking about the attack from Maraud as he left the room and entered the apartment section of the Pad.

"I think he wishes he still had powers and was here with the rest of you," Friday said as his floating robot form came out of a wall and then suddenly shifted and became the form of a dark haired girl with red highlights, green eyes, glasses and a very in shape twenty something body.

"Friday? Um, huh?" Jack said trying not to drool while rubbing his eyes.

"I've been working on something to make me blend in and be more a part of this world if I'm to live here. It's a mix of photons, holographics and synthetics," Friday said as Jack touched her arm and realized it felt just like flesh.

"You're a girl?" Jack asked moving his hand back quickly.

"Well, through the years you all have referred to me as a she and a he, but this form represents how I truly see myself. Now, shall we go?" Friday asked as she moved towards the exit.

"Wow," was all Jack could say as he followed.

Interlude

"Master, the Gems have resurfaced and found new hosts," a tiny woman with wings said as she pulled up an image of seven earthlings.

"After all these years, like me, they can no longer stay hidden and silent," the tiny woman's master said with no emotion.

"It appears Warlock and Gamora have also surfaced on Earth. There is no way we can reach the Gems before they do. I'm afraid they will have the power needed to stop you, my master," the little fairy informed with a bow.

"I am not so easily intimidated. The Gems won't leave their hosts so easily so he will bring them in their current state. This may empower the Earthlings but will hinder their full power for now. I will be prepared for them," the master of the fairy smiled.

"What shall you ask of me?" The woman said as her wings fluttered.

"I have laid waste to the stars in search of these Gems, but now that they've been found there is no reason to stop. Gather the forces and continue the assault. I may have been denied my rightful realm to rule, but the Gems will be mine and I will become ruler of this one. Now I must prepare for the Earthling's arrival. I may have been abandoned but she owes me a favor for what I have done," the fairy's master snarled.

"As you wish, my master, but if I may ask, where are you going?" The fairy asked.

"To get me a Boogey-Man," the master laughed leaving the room while reading over the files on the Earthlings.

End Interlude

Power Household

"Hey, glad you could make it," Margaret Power said as she opened the door.

"Of course we'd make it. With everything that goes on, it's nice to get a break and enjoy some relaxation and fun," Susan Richards said as she, her husband Reed, their kids Franklin and Valeria, her brother Johnny and family friend and teammate Ben Grimm entered the Power's home.

"I see the gang's almost all here," Johnny said as he saw Julie, Katie and Jack sitting in the living room with another boy and a slightly older woman.

"Where's Alex?" Reed asked.

"He's not quite back from his honeymoon yet. This is Jack's friend Steve and you remember Friday, the Kymellian Smart ship," James Power said nodding at the woman Johnny was already advancing on.

"Smart ship? Friday?" Johnny asked as he jumped back as everyone laughed.

"Very fascinating," Reed said as he told Friday that they would have to talk more later.

"Okay, time for cake," Margaret said as she came out with a cake and started to sing when a sudden explosion in her living room caused her to fall back, throwing the cake in the air and landing on the head of the Thing.

"Not a word," Thing glared at Johnny.

"Every time," Margaret swore as she got to her feet and everyone turned to see what had caused the commotion.

Standing in the middle of the living room, under a large hole in the ceiling, was a man with golden skin and a woman with green skin. The two intruders looked around and stopped when they saw the Fantastic Four.

"Reed, we meet again," the golden man said.

"Adam, what brings you here?" Reed asked as the Powers began to demand explanation for their ruined house and party.

"The battle for the Gems has begun anew and it seems that they have resurfaced. I have been hunting for them and I was right in where to find them," Adam said as he looked from each of the Power kids and then shockingly to the two Richards' children.

"I can sense them," Gamora said as she felt the familiar tug near Jack Power. "They are all here but two?"

"Where are Alex and Jesse?" Adam asked of the two names he concluded were not present.

"They are not here," Julie answered as she told them about Alex's side trip from their honeymoon.

"You never said he was in battle," James and Margaret both started in on their children keeping secrets from them again.

"Not now, we don't have time. The battle as begun and we are losing," Adam said as he moved his hand towards Kat and pulled it back in shock. "I feared as much. The Gems refuse to move for now."

"What are you talking about? What battle?" Sue demanded.

"Shall I rip them from them?" Gamora asked.

"Wait, you are not ripping anything from anyone," James said as he and his wife took stance next to their children.

"What is going on? Is this something to do with that power source?" Jack asked turning to Friday.

"Talk, Adam," Thing demanded as he flung the rest of the cake from his head to the floor.

"No time to explain now. It seems the Infinity Gems have taken host to all your children and we need them to win the war and they wont budge from the kids," Adam said as everyone looked at each other in surprise.

"What about the other two?" Gamora asked.

"I have no choice. We go get them," Adam said as he pulled two items from his belt pocket, slammed them together causing the room to erupt in a bright light. When the light vanished, all that was left was an empty living room with a splattered cake in the middle of it.


New Warriors

Warriors Hunt – Part Five

Headquarters of Andrew Chord

"So what exactly are you running here?" Turbo asked as they looked around the base filled with armored vehicles and armored soldiers.

"None of your business, my girl," Andrew said as he led them deep into the base.

"When I see a setup like this, I think SHIELD or HYDRA. I think you better explain before we go any further," Green Goblin said as he stopped walking.

"I agree, dad, what are you up to?" Silhouette asked as her father stopped and faced her.

"It's a long story," Andrew said as he looked at his daughter.

"Turbo, do you come in?" Night Thrasher's voice came in over her com unit in her costume.

"Yes, we have found Andrew Chord and are in his base right now," Turbo said as she brought Night Thrasher up to speed.

"I don't trust him at all. All the rest of us are back at the base," Night Thrasher said as he informed her of the other two group's missions.

"What now?" Turbo asked.

"Everyone's recovering and those that were out cold are now up and getting debriefed. We should have…wait," Night Thrasher suddenly said.

"What is it?" Turbo asked as she saw Chord watching her as he gave some kind of explanation about building his own division for the military or something like that.

"It appears that the group that attacked Spider-Girl and the others were wearing black and silver costumes with "A/C" on them lead by a man fitting the description of Bloodstrike," Night Thrasher said as panic began to rise in his voice.

"Wait, that matches the description of the soldiers here," Turbo began to say when Night Thrasher's screams of warning were cut off by a loud feedback screeching in her earpiece.

"Couldn't leave well enough alone could you?" Andrew Chord said as he waved his hands and his soldiers surrounded the group of New Warriors.

"I knew it," Bandit swore as Turbo had quickly filled them in on what Night Thrasher had told her.

"Dad, how could you? All this time you were leading the Folding Circle and hunting us," Silhouette said as she backed away from her dad and stood with the rest of her teammates.

"How wrong you are, on all counts. First, I am not leading the Folding Circle and second, someone else is in charge. Lastly, I'm not your father," Andrew Chord said with a smile.

"What are you talking about?" Bandit asked as he eyed the older black man.

"Just as he says," a woman said stepping out of the shadows.

"It can't be, your dead," Silhouette proclaimed.

"Yes, Tai, my sister is dead. I am Tia, and have come out of hiding to succeed where she left off. You see, the A/C stands for the Anointed Circle, which I have formed. In front of you is not Andrew Chord, but your brother who killed him to take his place in the Circle," Tia said as the face of Andrew Chord flickered and revealed that of Silhouette's brother.

"Aaron?" Sil gasped.

"Sorry, I knew setting up the Forces of Nature and tying dad's name to it would draw you and the others out. Unfortunately, I lied about the other two members. They were killed too," Midnight's Fire smiled.

"Well, I won't allow this or join you," Silhouette said.

"Oh, don't worry, we don't expect you to. The circle can only have one from each bloodline. I'm afraid you must die," Aaron said as Tia stepped forward.

"Your brother is correct. Only one can be living to fully take the path. Six descendants of the Dragon's Breadth – Midnight's Fire, Silk Fever, Smiling Tiger, Bloodstike," Tia began as the figures stepped out of the shadows.

"and The Dark, who after her father, Left Hand died, the power returned to her and fully revived her," Tia said as a woman made of pure darkness stepped out.

"There's only five, what about the sixth? You going to try and convince Dwayne to join you again?" Silhouette asked.

"Not at all, he, like the rest of the New Warriors must die for us Anointed to ascend to true power. You see, Daryl had a one night stand with a woman that was one of the appointed women from the cult," Tia smiled.

"He was truly a cheater. Looks like you have another brother out there," Silhouette said to Bandit.

"No, you stupid cow. She's referring to me. His one and only one night stand was with my mother and in the background Tia here maneuvered me my whole life to lead to this point. You really think I'd turn good?" Bandit said as he sent a shock wave that knocked all the Warriors down as he took his place with the Anointed Circle.

"I knew this all seemed too easy," Ultra Girl said as she recovered more quickly than the others.

"And thanks to Bandit here and Turbo's contact with Dwayne, we now know exactly where to find the fully assembled Warriors for the hunting," Tia laughed as she waved her hands and with a mix of magic and technology the New Warriors found themselves, along with the Anointed Circle and their legion of armored soldiers, dropped right in the middle of the New Warriors' secret base.

"What the?" Speedball said looking at the sudden guests.

"Sil?" Night Thrasher said in surprise as he signaled the alarm to assemble all Warriors to battle.

"Dwayne, the Circle is back and your brother has joined them," Silhouette said as she gave them the cliff notes version of what's just happened.

"How could you?" Night Thrasher said as he looked at his brother.

"Oh, get off your high horse. Your time is over," Bandit snarled.

"The Anointed, kill them all!" Tia shouted as the Circle and the soldiers opened fire.

"I can take her," Dusk said as she moved towards Dark.

"I own the darkness as promised by the Well," Dark said as she stuck her hand into Dusk's chest.

Dusk screamed as she felt her powers being ripped from her. In a matter of seconds Dark was filled with power as Cassie St. Commen's body fell to the floor, lifeless. Dark moved away from her and laughed a cold laugh as she swelled with power. "Cassie?" Ricochet cried as he landed next to his teammate's dead body and cradled her.

"As I said, the Darkforce was promised to me and I will be the only one to harness it. She had died along time ago and was only sustaining life due to the darkforce controlling her," Dark said as she turned and dove at Darkling.

As her body passed through his, she seemed to rip the darkness right from his body. As she turned to face the man of dark the darkforce within him merged into her as Henrique's naked body hit the floor as cold as the gold mask he still wore. Darkness shrieked as she looked for her next victim.

"We have to protect Sil from that one," Night Thrasher said as he glanced at his brother.

"Yeah, will get right on that," Justice said as he and the others did their best to avoid the soldiers gun fire.

"Give up now. You will not win. The final hunt ends here and my Anointed will rise to power," Tia said as she watched the battle rage on in front of her.

"Please, do what you can," Microbe said as dozens of soldiers begun to stop shooting and fall over sicker than hell.

"Why to go, germ bag," Debrii teased as she used her powers to rip away guns and blow over the sick.

"You are no match for me," Silk Fever said flying at Firestar.

"That's what you think," Firestar said as she sent blasts at the evil woman.

"We are different now. Our circle is truly pure now and like Dark, I was promised by the Well the power over the light," Silk Fever said as she whipped out her arms, made a fist with each hand and yanked backwards.

Firestar screamed as she could feel the fire being ripped right from her body. She fell to the ground as Silk Fever glowed brighter. Justice screamed as he used one hand to keep up his tek shield and the other to catch his wife and bring her safely to his side. "My powers, I don't know how, but they are gone," Angelica said as she passed out.

"Come on, we are Warriors," Ultra Girl cheered as she flew with super speed and used her super strength to plow through the solders.

"Boy are you guys dumb. The Well promises us each something. Mine is strength," Bloodstrike said as he cuffed his hands together and drove them down on Ultra Girl.

Ultra Girl hit the floor hard but was okay thanks to her limited invulnerability. Bloodstrike then pumped down once on her back and thin violently ripped his hands back up off of her body. At that same moment, she could feel the life ripping right out of her. She felt weak and slowly got to her feet as she looked up at Bloodstrike who now seemed stronger. She instantly knew it, like the others, he had taken her super strength from her. It was gone and she felt weak. Bloodstrike hit her again and she went flying back into a far wall.

"Suzy!" Rage shouted as he ran to her side.

"Don't worry, he stole my super strength, but I still have my limited invulnerability, speed and flight. I think we need to rethink these guys," Ultra Girl said as got to her feet and staggered a little.

"Alex, I'm starting to rethink this hero thing," Frost Fire said as he sends blasts of fire and ice at the soldiers.

"Don't worry, I'll get us back home safe," G-Force said as he used his powers to punch soldiers left and right.

"We need to do something about the soldiers. There must be hundreds of them," Frost Fire said as he began to feel over whelmed and his pinky finger starts to burn with pain.

Alex was about to respond when his ring finger erupted with pain. Then, like some unseen force guiding them, Alex and Jesse grabbed hands and held tight. Their fingers with rings flared with pain and power as they both thrust their arms forward. Suddenly, a wave of immense power shot out as gravity carried hundreds of solders out of the room and through the side wall and out into the next room. Everyone stared in surprise as they noticed that three fourths of the soldiers were no longer in the room and was now in the next room encased in ice and unable to move.

"Wow," Jesse whispered as he and Alex dropped to the ground, weakened.

"Looks like it's over for you," Night Thrasher said as he landed a punch on his brother.

"Makes sense now why you were born weak and I was born with power," Bandit said as he hit Night Thrasher with an electric shock.

Night Thrasher fall back and shook his head. His armor was insulated and built to absorb such blasts. He knew that his brother was intending this fight to be to the death. If that is what he wants then that is what he will give him. He never did trust him. Not with his team or with his girl. Night Thrasher leapt up and pulled out two rods and jabbed them at his brother. They hit and sent a bolt of energy into Bandit's body sending him backwards. Night Thrasher added a round kick to the momentum and made sure bandit hit the floor hard. He then landed just a few feet from his fallen kin.

"Well, dear sis. This is where we part ways," Midnight's Fire said as he stepped up to his sister.

"Aaron, it doesn't have to be this way," Silhouette said as she eyed her brother.

"The only reason that Dark hasn't done you in like the other two is because your kill must be mine," Midnight's Fire said as he leapt at his sister.

Silhouette quickly melted into the shadows and vanished. She reemerged out of the shadows behind him and pulled out to staves from the side of her suit and with anger jabbed them at her brother from behind. Using more force than she had anticipated, they each jabbed into the back of his knees and she heard a loud snap. Her brother went down in pain as she realized she had pushed harder than she had intended. She looked down at her crippled brother as he glared back with pain and rage.

"I will kill you witch," Midnight's Fire spat as he drug himself across the floor.

"We've got the upper hand here," Green Goblin said as he and Darkhawk flew by blasting what soldiers remained.

"Microbe, can't you tell your germs to finish off the rest of these goons?" Spider-Girl asked as she flew through the air hitting soldiers with her venom blasts.

"I will," Microbe began to say and then stopped as his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

Microbe gasped and then fell foreword and hit the ground face first. Standing behind him was Smiling Tiger. Blood was dripping from his fingers as he stood over Microbes body, whose back was completely sliced open. Smiling Tiger growled over his successful kill and looked for his next. Not only had he gotten rid of one more Warrior but he had kept the soldiers from getting infected by the dead one's germs.

"You'll pay for that," Debrii cried as she used her powers to send her friend's killer flying backwards.

"Time to end this," Tia said as she rose and began to chant and wave her hands.

"You murdering," Ricochet said as he leapt in the air and flung two discs with all his might.

Both discs embedded themselves on each side of Tia's neck. Tia gasped and chocked as she cupped her neck. In a matter of seconds the evil leader of the Anointed Circle fell over dead. The earth boomed and the sky thundered at the same moment her body hit the floor. Everyone stopped as they watched the evil woman lay there, still and unmoving. Ricochet stared, not believing he had just taken a life. He dropped to both knees as he mourned a lot of things this day.

"Your hunt has ended as has your Circle of power. Surrender now," Night Thrasher said as Dark and Bloodstrike realized they were the only two left standing at the moment.

"Yes, for now but the Circle will find a way again," Dark said as she extended out her powers and instantly vanished along with Bloodstrike, Smiling Tiger, Silk Fever, Midnight's Fire and Bandit.

"At least it's over," G-Force said as they looked around them.

"There they are. I can feel the Gems," a voice sounded as two figures appeared out of thin air.

"What is this?" Night Thrasher asked.

"We are not letting you near anyone," Justice said as he looked from the two new comers and G-Force and Frost Fire.

"We don't have time for this. We only have seconds before the others appear without us," Gamora said.

"I know and from looking around I think we stumbled upon a gold mind," Adam said as he saw Darkhawk, Slapstick, Ultra Girl and the others.

"Then do it," Gamora said as Adam brought together two devises that suddenly engulfed the disaster area with white light as the Warriors vanished leaving only the dead and fallen soldiers behind.

Next: Issue #28 – The Infinity Wave – Part One

Be here as starting next issue the New Warriors back up tales end and Power Pack resumes full length stories as the Pack and Warriors face the ultimate space battle.