X-Calibur

Issue #27 – New Universe – Part Five

Lake – Secret Base of the Society of Evil

"Why are you doing this?" Shamrock asked as she looked from Aqua to the people surrounding her.

"Because I'm tired of it all. What's the point of having powers if we sit around all day doing nothing? We shouldn't be policing the world, we should be ruling it," Aqua said.

"My sentiment exactly," a bald headed woman in a green and purple armored suit said.

"Leona, Super K's sister," Shamrock said when she recognized the description Super K had given them.

"Good to see my name is getting out there," Leona smiled. "Now, if you could be so kind and give us that ring we might let you live."

"I'm not giving you anything. If I have to, I will stop you all," Shamrock said as she searched for the power with in her.

"You think you stand a chance against my Society of Evil?" Leona laughed.

"Yes, but it looks like I have help. Super K, Aqua is a traitor and has killed the others. Is the others right behind you?" Shamrock said with relief when she saw the leader of the League.

"I'm sorry to hear that but the rest of the team is dead as well," Super K said as he landed in front of Shamrock.

"What are you talking about?" Shamrock asked in tears as everyone around her began to chuckle.

"Just what I said. They're dead. The League headquarters blew up with all them in it and I pulled the trigger," Super K said as he moved right over to Leona and put her arm around her.

"I don't understand," Shamrock said.

"You see, me and my sister set this plan up. She faked her death while I helped so I could rise to great power," Super K said.

"While he did that, I used this suit he found and gave to me to build my Society of Evil. The suit not only gave me powers but allowed me to create suits of power for the others. Let me introduce you to," Leona said as she introduced each of the figures surrounding Shamrock.

"Leopard, Strangeo, Red Shark, Intellecto, General Freeze, Goliath, The Ape, Puzzler, FearRaven, Sinestra, Zombie, Toy maker and Trickster." Shamrock could see each of them was wearing some kind of body of armor and most looked like their namesake.

"It was easy to get the world to trust me and my team and now I have destroyed the League and me and my woman will rule this planet now. Oh, yeah lied about the half-sister thing too," Super K smiled as he kissed Leona on the cheek.

"Now with everyone dead, there is no one to stop us," Leona laughed.

"Your wrong on all counts, and you will pay for betraying us," a voice shouted from behind them.

They all turned to see Captain Britain and his team standing on the lake's edge. It was obvious that Doctor Z had been quick enough with her magic to grab hold of everyone and safely bring them back to the surface. It was clear that Amazon had been the one to shout and looked ready to tear head off. Shamrock sighed with relief when she saw them.

"You will pay for what you did to my family," Captain Britain said as he was about to take flight into battle.

"Don't worry, dad. We're okay," Captain Britain heard his son Geo say as they turned to see his family with the other League members standing on the other side of them.

"Once the explosion started, I was near your family and teleported them out," Nightcrawler said.

"I saw Super K do it but was too late. Dark Prey and Micro came running into the room just as the explosion went off so I was able to teleport them out with me," Nightmagik said wishing he could have stopped it all in time.

"I had just discovered that Super K and Leona were not family," Dark Prey said as she swore for not being quicker.

"Luckily the rest of us were able to make it out," Minute Girl said as most of them looked banged up but alive.

"Can't do anything right can you?" Leona snapped at Super K.

"Oh, and you did well on your part?" Super K snapped back.

"I did well enough. I have my weapon," Leona said as she pressed a button on her suit.

The lake began to rumple as a large device began to emerge from the water. A giant wheel emerged, attached to a thick pillar and base that ended deep in the water somewhere. In the center of the wheel was Marvel Girl. Attached to the side of the wheel was what looked like giant laser guns. Strapped to each gun was Pete Wisdom and Psi-Blade. Everyone was shocked in surprise of what they were seeing.

"Rachel!" Shadowcat screamed as she began to move towards the giant wheel.

"Not yet you don't. This weapon will make me ruler of the world," Leona said with joy.

"Leona, what is this weapon. This was never part of the plan. I," Super K said as he turned with anger on his girlfriend.

"See, I knew this would never really work out between us. That's why I had a backup plan. Aqua my love," Leona said as Aqua raised her trident.

With her command, a giant squid monster leapt out of the lake and pinned down Super K. The squid was to by a split second delay, which was all Leona needed. She pressed a button on her suit and the wheel came to life. Marvel Girl screamed as power was ripped form her and injected into both Peter and Pete. They then screamed as power shut from them and the two guns and merged into one beam that went right at Super K and the squid. Just as Super K tossed off the squid, the beam hit him and instantly disintegrated him into nothing.

"Darn it," Leona said as she saw that Super K's artifact that gave hi his power disintegrated as well. "That is why I need the ring so I can adjust it not to disintegrate the artifacts of power."

"You're not going to get it," Shamrock shouted.

"That's right. And without my rings, she doesn't have the power she needs to keep the wheel powered. At this point you have a few minutes before it charges again," Lantern said as she shot from the lake and landed next to Shamrock, looking like she was seconds from death.

"Then let's tear this wheel down and free my friends," Captain Britain shouted as X-Calibur and the League rose for battle.

"Society of Evil, kill them!" Leona shouted as her forces met the forces of good.

"Geo, stay back here and watch over Drake," Meggan said as she took flight.

"No fair," Geo said feeling left out of the fight again.

"Don't worry, I'll be here to help," Lockheed said inside his mind.

"Great," Geo thought back making the dragon smirk.

"I've waited for this," the Trickster laughed with her green hair and white painted face.

"Sorry to disappoint," Dark Prey said as she flipped a switch near her neck sending out a canary cry that brought the Trickster to her knees.

Dark Prey then flicked her wrists as mini cross bows popped out on each arm. Making fast calculations, Dark Prey fired and hit the Trickster in two specific spots on her armor. The arrows ignited and sent an electric charge through her whole body causing her to drop to the ground unconscious. Dark Prey, when satisfied that Trickster was out and bound, she moved on to her next opponent.

"Die," General Freeze said as he stepped up and powered up his suit.

Stretchy tried to move but was caught in the blast and was encased in a block of ice. Van and Rayna run up to Stretchy and General Freeze and slamming their rings together. Van became a flaming torch and started to melt the ice while Rayne became a giant Venus flytrap to take on Freeze. Unfortunately a few minutes had passed and they all heard the screams form the wheel as a beam shot out and hit the twins, Stretchy and General Freeze, disintegrating them all instantly.

"How could you? I thought we had something?" Micro said facing Aqua.

"You were a means to an end," Aqua laughed as she hit her trident and started dowsing Micro with water, drowning him.

"I really do hate traitors," Dazzleshot said as she called on her powers and blasted Aqua causing him to fall to the ground and release his power on Micro.

"Thanks," Micro said coughing up water.

"We will see how you do against us," Red Shark said as he Zombie, Leopard and the Ape surrounded them in their armor that made them look like their namesakes.

"Ready for battle?" Fira said taking a stand next to Dazzleshot.

"We can hold them off. You need to get to the wheel," Geo-Storm said as the headband on her head switched colors and she took on different persona and power.

Lightening crackled as electricity shot out of the heavens and hit the four Society members sending them backwards. Taking their queue, Captain Britain, Meggan, Cat, Shadowcat, Speedforce and Amazon flew at the wheel. Just as they were about to reach the wheel, Leona sent off a blast again. Captain Britain, seeing the power dove at Meggan and they crashed into the ground missing the beam at it fired. Everyone screamed as the beam engulfed the other four.

"Cat, no," Shamrock cried as she looked up while cradling Lantern.

"Wait, look," Nightcrawler said as when the beam vanished there had been two survivors. Shadowcat and Cat had hit the ground. Their phasing powers had saved them, but the psionic element of the beam had still knocked them out. Even though Speedforce and Amazon had been hit and disintegrated, Amazon had almost made it. She disintegrated because the beam had hit over half of her, but her arms, holding the bracelets were outside the beam so they actually survived the blast and landed near Meggan. Meggan cried as she touched the bracelets and then gasped when the leapt on her wrists and snapped tightly shut.

"We were wrong, I see it now," Lantern said as she tried to get up.

"What are you doing? You're too weak," Shamrock said.

Lantern stood and concentrated and suddenly her remaining seven rings emerged from her body and shot at the wheel. The rings did two things upon impact of the wheel. The first, they released the three X-Calibur members and threw them to the ground where Nightcrawler and Doctor Z helped in their safe landing and second, the rings exploded and merged with the wheel reshaping and changing it into some kind of rotating portal. Everyone stood in awe.

"What just happened," Shamrock said.

"Z had it wrong. The Society wasn't the big evil we had to come together to battle. That battle is to take place somewhere else. You came here to meet us and then move on with what you needed from us," Lantern said as she began to cough blood.

"Lantern, here take your ring," Shamrock said handing the ring to the dying woman hoping it would help.

"No, my time is done and what I needed to do is done. You need the ring now. It, combined with the power in you will flourish. Take it and go on," Lantern said as she faded into eternal sleep and the ring erupted in green light, took the shape of a shamrock and melted away into Shamrock's chest.

"She is right. You all have come to do what you needed. It is time to move on. The final battle is coming," Amor said as he suddenly appeared next to the portal.

"I will not allow this. In ten seconds we all will be dead," Leona said as she pressed a button that caused her and every Society members armor to start flashing.

"We have to stop this," Captain Britain said.

"No, them exploding will wipe the slate clean here with no evil or good dominating. You all are meant to leave through the portal now," Amor said as he snapped his fingers and all of X-Calibur were sucked right into the portal.

"Doctor Z, cast a spell to protect us," Dark Prey shouted.

"No, all must go to restore the balance here," Amor said looking at the surviving League members.

"So we all die here?" Minute Girl asked in fear of not wanting to die.

"No, you must all go," Amor smiled as he snapped his fingers and all the remaining League members were sucked into the portal as well. "Even you."

With that, Aqua was sucked into the portal as Amor followed after closing the portal behind him allowing Leona and the rest of the Society of Evil to vanish in a blast of fire leaving a huge giant crater where they and the lake used to be and resetting the balance on their world.


New Avengers

S.A.F.E. – Part Five

Arizona Desert

Captain had just enough time to throw up his shield as the Hulk's fists came down. The shield and his strength protected him, but it wasn't enough to keep the blow from sending him to the ground, feeling a bit of pain from the strain and impact. Hulk was gearing up for another blow but stopped when a field of bioelectricity engulfed his body and held him steady, raging in more annoyance than pain. Dragoness was floating above the Hulk with her bioelectric wings and was pouring her power onto the green monster.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold him," Dragoness said as she felt herself straining.

"I don't know who you are, but you are not authorized to be here and not surrendering could result in criminal charges," Iron-Man said as he flew towards Dragoness.

"We would be just as obliged to know who you imposters are, but until then, we will not surrender," War Machine 2.0 said as he flew to intercept the golden imposter.

"I'm assuming that's Rogers over there, but who are you I wonder? Stark's new body guard or old one in a new suit?" Iron-Man asked as he sent a blast.

War Machine 2.0 dodged the blast and returned a plasma blast from his chest hitting the imposter Iron-Man. Iron-Man went down hard. "You may be pretending to be me but that armor is outdated," Stark said to himself.

"Tony, I've done a scan and that armor is definitely one of your older suits fixed up to look like your current armor but not coming close to matching your current upgrades. Saying that, I still read power levels that could hold its own in battle," Cybermancer said.

"Any way to tell who is inside the armor or the identity of these Avengers?" Tony asked.

"Negative, Tony. Each one of them is wearing something that deflects any kind of bio-readings. Gyrich definitely doesn't want anyone to know who these guys are," Cybermancer responded.

"Steve, you think maybe the best way to find out who these guys are is to surrender and see what we find on the inside?" Tony asked through the secure comlink.

"As much as I hate to say it but I think it might be our best option but I have an idea," Steve said as he suddenly pumped instructions to his team who all agreed to follow the orders, even if some didn't like them.

"If we surrender can we talk this out peacefully?" Captain asked as he jumped to avoid a punch from his counterpart.

"Confirmed, if you surrender and come peacefully," Iron-Man said as he got to his feet.

"American Defenders, stand down," Captain commanded as Iron-Man did the same with his team.

"I will not surrender," Black Crow rebelled.

"Defender, stand down," Captain commanded again.

"No!" Black Crow said as thunder sounded and he became a lightening bolt and vanished from sight.

"Darn it Crow," War Machine 2.0 swore.

"No, I must got after him," Dragoness protested.

"Dragoness, stand down," Captain said as she nodded with great displeasure.

"Fine," Iron-Man seemd to say into a communicator of sorts. "Now come with us. We'll worry about the other one later," Iron-Man said as the Avengers surrounded the American Defenders and led them towards the base below.

"Hulk smash?" Hulk asked.

"That's enough," Captain America said as Hulk silenced down.

After a few minutes they found themselves inside the base. Tony noticed that it was pretty empty and very old fashioned. From what he could tell, it had been thrown together as a place to hang out when the Angers were here to train or do what ever they were doing out here. Tony kept reassuring his team to remain calm and not to act out until he gave the command. Steve backed that order as they continued down a long corridor.

"War Machine 2.0 to Cybermancer, do you copy?" Stark said into his com unit.

"Yes, barely. What ever they are using to shield their detection to the outside world is making it difficult for me to get through to you. In order for me to keep tabs on you I will have to route all power for now. You all will be able to communicate with each other but for now I will be on radio silence," Cybermancer said as she signed off.

"Looks like we're on our own for now," Stark relayed to the others.

"No worries," Falcon responded.

They soon came to a holding area with a bunch of cells. Captain and War Machine 2.0 turned to face their captors but weren't fast enough. A quick force had them each of them in their own separate cell. Each of them tried to use their powers to break out but had no affect on the cells they were in. Stark went to the front of his cell and glared at his counter part.

"What's going on here?" Stark demanded.

"Don't waste your energy. These cells are designed to absorb power, energy and impact from the inside. You can't get out until I let you out. Now, you all will be safe here until I talk to Mr. Gyrich and we return," Iron-Man said as he and his Avengers left the holding area leaving the American Defenders to scream in protest.

Iron-Man and his S.A.F.E. Avengers walked into a large conference room. On the far wall were several screens showing various areas in the base and around the outside parameters. Iron-Man could see each of the captured American Defenders in their holding cells. They appeared to be standing there trying to calmly talk to each other but knowing there was no way out. In front of the screens were a desk and a chair with a man in it. The chair turned around as Henry Peter Gyrich got up and faced them.

"Should we kill them?" The one called Goliath asked.

"No, not yet. I'd like to see what they are up to first," Gyrich said.

"I recognize all of them but three. I mean Rogers has to be in the Captain outfit but I don't know who is in the other Iron-Man armor or who the person is wearing the male version of the dead Avenger Lionheart's costume," Iron-Man said.

"Then we need to find out," Gyrich said.

"I still don't see why keeping them around will do us any good," Iron-Man said.

"Because I said so. They might prove useful, some more than others," Gyrich snapped.

"Hey, we are partners here. You are not calling all the shots," Iron-Man said as he removed his helmet.

"Listen here, Ezekiel Stane. I know you want revenge on Iron-Man and his world but this is the best route. With your funding and money and my master plan we will all get what we want," Gyrich said as he started to stagger.

"Fine, we do it your way, for now," Ezekiel said as he stared at the man at the desk.

"Darn it. Ran out again," Gyrich swore as his image suddenly shifted and was replaced by an older woman with long dark hair in a tight black leather outfit.

"Want me to," Captain America started to ask.

"No, I don't have time. I can tend to it later. The final members of S.A.F.E. are ready and I want you to meet them," the mysterious lady said as Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch entered the room and everyone began introductions, missing the small black crow hiding and watching in the upper corner of the room.

Next: Issue #28 – The Calm before the Storm & New Avengers: S.A.F.E. – Part Six