Chapter 36: The Battle for Earth

The Avengers

Captain America (Steve Rodgers) - Sentinel of Liberty

Thor (Jane Foster) - Goddess of Thunder

Hulk (Amadeus Cho) - Strongest There Is

Hawkeye (Clint Barton) - Unerring Marksman

Black Panther (T'Challa) - King of Wakanda

Antman (Scott Lang) - Size Shifting Superhero

Human Torch (Johnny Storm) - Fantastic Adventurer

Smasher (Isabel Kane) - Superguardian Elite

Deadpool (Wade Wilson) - Mutated Mercenary

Ebony Surfer (Norrin Radd) - Herald of Death

The ruins of Olympus. Inside Hephaestus' forge Thor, Hulk and Black Panther heat up chunks of the Celestials that fell to Earth.

Black Panther: If you are correct then this armour should protect us from the Magus' power?

Thor: The Celestial's armour contains their power. Wearing it will protect us.

Hulk: This stuff is unbreakable. I can't even bend it, how are we going to make it into armour?

Thor holds up Mjolnir.

Thor: I have a way. Mjolnir is not just a weapon of destruction. It is also a tool to build.

New York. The Triskelion. Smasher flies through the structure, her uniform is torn and she has some wounds.

Smasher: Come on! Not far! I can do this!

Quicksilver speeds into her knocking her to the ground, as she hits the ground an energy cage forms around her. Quicksilver and Doctor Spectrum stand over her grinning.

Quicksilver: You were saying?

Doctor Spectrum: Come on Izzy, join the winning side. Join the Magus. You know you want to.

Smasher: When have either of you been joiners huh? Quicksilver you've never taken anything from anyone! No matter what the worlds thrown at you you always stayed strong and never yielded! And you Nenet. You survived the end of your world and did whatever it took to make that right! I know you're both stronger then this! You can break free! You can do it!

Quicksilver: Oh that's funny, you really think that-

The prism on Doctor Spectrums wrist sparks and then a burst of energy fires from it, the purple glow in Doctor Spectrum's eyes fades. She forms a construct around Quicksilver binding him. The construct glows and then Quicksilvers eyes return to normal.

Doctor Spectrum: When the Magus possessed us I was able to store our minds in the prism. I've been trying to break us back in but I needed a moment of distraction on the Magus' end. Well done Smasher.

Smasher: My speech worked?

Quicksilver helps her to her feet.

Quicksilver: Not at all. But the Magus found it so funny his guard lowered a bit. It worked so don't complain. Now come on!

The three of them head towards the shield.

The Celestial Ringworld. Human Torch, Antman and the Ebony Surfer fight against the seemingly never ending Celestial Guardians. And one by one they are overwhelmed; Antman is swarmed and forced to the ground, winds are generated that snuff out the Torch's flames and even the Ebony Surfers energies are contained.

Guardian: Intruders will be destroyed.

Antman catches sight of something. It is moving towards the ringworld and it is moving fast. It rockets through several of the guardians freeing the Surfer. It's Nova.

Nova: Sorry I'm late!

Human Torch: How is this-?

Ebony Surfer: We can discuss in a moment. These guardians are adaptive, they will adapt and overcome our respective energies. But if we combine them...

Human Torch, Nova and Ebony Surfer all create a massive wave of energy and flame, using his board the Ebony Surfer steers it and destroys all the guardians.

Antman runs up to Nova.

Antman: What are you doing here?

Nova: The Magus killed me except when I reached Mistress Death she cast me out, said I didn't belong in her realm. Sent me after you all instead.

Human Torch: Strange, she was reluctant to allow anyone to get free when I asked.

Ebony Surfer: He was not freed out of kindness. I did not see it before but now my perceptions have changed. There is something within you, a remnant of a nightmare we had hoped would be forgotten. The Cancerverse lives within you Richard Rider. By rights you should not even exist.

Antman: The what-a verse?

Nova: I'll explain later. Magus is the priority right now. Then I'll worry about my existence.

The four of them proceed through the ringworld.

Earth. Smasher, Doctor Spectrum and Quicksilver reach the Shield generator on the roof of Magus Tower. The Shield is generated from an antenna on the tower causing a beam of energy to fire up into the sky and then spread over the planet.

Quicksilver: The Magus must have noticed we broke free, how have we made it this far?

Smasher: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

She fires her penta vision into the antenna and it explodes. The energy beam frazzles and then dissapears.

Smasher: We did it! Attention anyone on Shi'ar Imperial frequencies this is superguardian Smasher. Earth has been taken by-UUUHHH!

A blast of purple energy hits her and the Magus stands over them grinning as always.

Magus: The look on your faces! You actually thought you'd done it! I just couldn't resist this, and just like that-

He snaps his fingers and the shield is back.

Magus: All that hard work in undone.

Quicksilver and Doctor Spectrum get ready for a fight.

Doctor Spectrum: Not all. You won't take our minds again.

Magus: Meh, I have seven billion spares.

Smasher: Hahahaha!

Magus: Something funny?

Smasher: They were listening! The shield was down for just enough time!

The Magus' face falls.

Magus: What are you-

He is interrupted as a starship descends from the sky; reinforcements leap out of them; the Shi'ar Imperial Guard led by Gladiator, Beta Ray Bill and the Guardians of the Galaxy (Star Lord, Drax, Gamora, Rocket, Groot and Mantis).

Gladiator: Imperial guard attack!

They pile onto the Magus.

Beta Ray Bill: Adam Magus, your sick plans end here.

Magus: No! NO! This isn't FAIR!

He throws them off with a blast of energy and disappears.

Star Lord: Huh. That didn't last as long as I thought it would.

Gamora: You say that too often Quill.

Mantis: This is not over.

She points at the hundreds of controlled Earth heroes and villains that are flying towards them.

Rocket: That's a lot of bad guys. Good thing I bought my favourite oversized gun.

He fires his gun which knocks Wonder Man out of the sky. Then battle is joined. Gladiator and Beta Ray Bill battle Blue Marvel, Groot snares and trips up Giant Man. Falcon dodges Rocket's shots while the Winter Solider battles Gamora hand to hand. Smasher faces off against She Hulk while Mr Hyde leaps at Doctor Spectrum. Quicksilver races against Blur while Drax wrestles with Sunspot.

Magus Tower. The Magus appears in his private chambers.

Magus: I don't know why I bother. Out there my Universal Church of Truth rules hundreds of worlds. Billions have bowed to me and accepted me as their lord and saviour without me having to take their minds! I suppose that's why I came here, I couldn't resist the challenge. But I'm done with that, I've got everything I need from this stupid rock. Time to end this.

He walks up to the stolen antimatter bomb and activates it. The timer starts ticking; one hour and counting down.

Magus: Oh lovely, nothing like a good countdown.

Ringworld. The four heroes walk to the centre of the structure. Contained within an energy field is a giant sword that would fit perfectly in a Celestial's hand. The Ebony Surfer touches the energy field and it dissipates.

Antman: Ok bigger than I thought, I could grow to the size to use it but I wouldn't be able to stay there for long.

The Ebony Surfer walks up to the sword and touches it, suddenly the sword shrinks down to a size he can use.

Ebony Surfer: This weapon wants to be used.

He hands it to the Human Torch.

Ebony Surfer: We would not be here if it weren't for you. It is only right that you wield it.

The Torch nods and takes the sword. He and Antman climb on the Surfers board, then the Surfer and Nova fly out of the Ringworld and back to Earth.

Earth. New York. The battle rages. The Thing battles the Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Lord and Rockets bullets bounce of him causing no harm.

The Thing: I told you before Guardians, bullets aren't the best super power. I'm amazed that you lasted this long.

Star Lord: We're just the good looking distraction.

Groot: I AM GROOT!

Groot knocks The Thing to the ground. But Inferno hits him with a burst of flame.

Inferno: No you're flammable. And I'm going to-UUGGH!

Drax leaps on Inferno and strikes two pressure points. Inferno falls.

Drax: Racoon you need a bigger gun.

The American Kaju lumbers towards the battle knocking buildings over as he does.

American Kaju: MAAAAGGGGUUUUSSS!

Smasher wrestles with She Hulk while Quicksilver battles Blur at super speed. Doctor Spectrum creates a shield which Mr Hyde crashes into knocking himself out. The Imperial Guard work as a military unit, working as one they contain and then take down the controlled reserve Avengers. Striking together Beta Ray Bill and Gladiator knock out Blue Marvel. They then turn to face the America Kaju.

Smasher: That's a big one.

Gladiator: I have faced bigger I'll handle-

WHOOSH! Faster than a speeding bullet Hyperion joins the fight. With one blow he takes out Warstar and Neutron of the Imperial Guard.

Hyperion: My big gun is here.

He fires a blast of flash vision which hits Drax and Gamora.

Gladiator: I'll handle this.

Gladiator crashes into Hyperion and the two grapple with each other.

Gladiator: It does not matter that you have taken this control of this one Magus, I have bested him before and will do so again.

Hyperion: My my Gladiator such confidence, that's what gives you all that wonderful strength isn't it?

Gladiator: You cannot break my will Magus.

Hyperion: I'm not trying to.

Hyperion pushes them both into the ground, as Gladiator rises he is hit by a blast of green energy. Radioactive Man hits Gladiator with blast after blast, Gladiator staggers back.

Gladiator: How...?

Hyperion: How is this hurting you? I've been prepared for you Strontian. Turns out there's a specific type of radiation that, ah I'm bored of explaining it. This is more fun.

He hits Gladiator again and again drawing blood with each hit.

Hyperion: It is actually just Mastermind messing with your head but I got you didn't I? Remember I've been inside your head and while I was in there I learned how to beat you.

He throws a badly beaten Gladiator to the ground.

Hyperion: Now who's next?

Magus Tower. Captain America is thrown against a wall by Colossus. Hawkeye fires an energy arrow which takes out Cyclops but he is then blindsided by Cannonball. Deadpool is stabbed in the chest by Old Man Logan.

Deadpool: Wait Logan can we talk abou-urk!

Colossus stands over Captain America grinning.

Colossus: Good effort I'll admit but ultimately in vain. I'm wiping out the last of your reinforcements as we speak. All that's left is for...why are you smiling?

Captain America: Because I can hear thunder.

Lightning crashes across the sky. A portal forms next to Captain America and Mjolnir flies out and into Colossus. It flies back into Thor's hand as she, Black Panther and Hulk step out of the portal. They are wearing armour made from the Celestial. Black Panther leaps into the fray and kicks Logan away from Deadpool. Cannonball flies at Hulk who punches him in the other direction. The remaining controlled X-Men turn and run away, Hawkeye fires after them and takes out Angel and Beast as they retreat.

Thor helps Captain America to his feet.

Thor: Our apologies for the delay Captain.

Hulk: But we bought presents to make up for it.

Hulk opens a large sack that he bought with him. Inside is armour, he hands it to Deadpool, Captain America and Hawkeye who put it on.

Thor: This will defend us from the Magus' power.

Captain America: Good work. The Magus told me that we have friends fighting out there. Let's get out there and give them a hand.

New York. Hyperion catches one of Smasher's punches and throws her half way across the city. Doctor Spectrum forms a chain construct around him.

Doctor Spectrum: Fight this Marc! This isn't you!

Hyperion: Isn't it? Don't you know how much I have to hold back? How weak you all are? It's time you all saw how strong I really am.

He strains and shatters the construct. Meanwhile the American Kaju tears down buildings and crushes several members of the Imperial Guard with a step. Rocket Racoon aims a large gun at the creatures head.

Rocket: I designed this bad boy to take out asteroids. This is gonna hurt.

He fires a huge ball of blue energy that hits and does...nothing. The Kaju turns and glares at him.

Rocket: I'm sorry.

The Kaju opens his mouth and fire shoots from it, Quicksilver speeds into and grabs Rocket getting him out of the way just in time. Drax climbs on the Kaju and starts stabbing but he is barely piercing the skin.

Then Hulk crashes out of the Magus Tower and into the American Kaju.

Hulk: HULK SMASH!

He hits the Kaju in the mouth and it staggers back, Drax falls off as he does but is caught by Groot. The Kaju then picks the Hulk up and throws Hulk off him.

Quicksilver speeds next to the fallen Hulk.

Quicksilver: Turn back! Trust me.

Hulk changes back to Amadeus Cho. Quicksilver then gestures and Cho jumps on his back.

Amadeus: Mind telling me what you're planning?

Quicksilver: When I say change back!

Quicksilver runs towards the American Kaju, as he gets closer Doctor Spectrum creates a road construct that winds around the Kaju. The two climb higher and higher and move faster and faster.

Quicksilver: NOW!

He throws Cho who Hulks out, at incredible speed Hulk slams into the American Kaju's face. The Kaju falls to the ground defeated.

Hulk: The bigger they are the harder they-UGGHH!

Hyperion flies in and kicks him in the face.

Across the battlefield Oracle and Star Lord help Gladiator to his feet.

Star Lord: Wow, Hyperion did a number on you didn't he?

Oracle: We need to get the Majestor to-

She is cut off by a blast of energy. The Zodiac (Libra, Taurus, Aries, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pieces) charge into battle.

Taurus: Hey alien freaks! Earth is for humans! Get off our planet!

He charges into Gladiator. Gamora is attacked by both Aries and Capricorn. Aries runs at her at speed but she leaps and dodges out of the way, as she does she shoves her sword into Capricorns chest. Capricorn staggers back but then simply reaches up to and removes the sword. The wound seals over as if it was never there.

Capricorn: I can adapt to anything you can throw at me. You can't-

Mjolnir slams into him and flings him halfway across the globe.

Thor: Adapt to that.

Unlike the other Avengers Captain America has not used his Celestial piece as armour but has used it to make a new shield. He throws it at Hellcat knocking her out. Then a repulsor blast hits Captain America in the chest. The Tony Stark AI flies towards him.

Stark AI: Hi Steve! Ready for another civil war?

An emp arrow hits the AI in the chest, he falls powerless.

Hawkeye: No.

Then Hawkeye is knocked down by Hyperion. Hyperion swats aside Captain America's shield and stands over him. But before he can make the final blow Thor knocks Hyperion into the sky. She flies up after him and the two collide, they strain against each other.

Thor: You are a honourable man Hyperion. You can fight this. Break free.

Hyperion: No one is that strong Thor.

He pulls a fist back to hit Thor but Beta Ray Bill grabs his arm.

Beta Ray Bill: Perhaps not. But that is why we have friends.

Hyperion spins and throws them both off. Thor throws her hammer but Hyperion punches it up into space. Doctor Spectrum then creates handcuffs around Hyperion.

Doctor Spectrum: Marc please!

Hyperion: There is no Marc, only the Magus. How many times must I-AAAAHHHH! I can't keep him back for more than a few seconds. Please I don't want to hurt anyone else! You have to- Hahaha ok I slipped up there.

He shatters the handcuffs. Thor and Beta Ray Bill fly at him.

Thor: I have a plan. Help me get him into the sky.

The two crash into Hyperion and they fly up into the sky towards something dropping back towards the Earth.

Thor: I am sorry for this Hyperion. You are a good man. You will be avenged.

Thor and Bill let go and fly away. Hyperion floats in the air for a moment confused then he sees what's coming towards him too late. It's Mjolnir.

Hyperion: Oh shi-thank you.

He closes his eyes as Mjolnir crashes through his chest killing him. Thor and Beta Ray Bill land on the ground in front of the rest of the Avengers. The majority of Magus controlled heroes and villains have retreated and the Zodiac teleport away.

Thor: Doctor Spectrum I am-

Doctor Spectrum: You did what you had to do. I'm going to kill the Magus for this.

Then several alien ships teleport above New York.

Captain America: Are these more of yours Gladiator?

Gladiator: No. These are Templeships of the Universal Church of Truth. They are a distraction. We will hold them here. Avengers go and finish this.

The Imperial Guard and Guardians of the Galaxy fly towards the ships. Beta Ray Bill turns to Thor.

Beta Ray Bill: Be worthy of this.

He throws his hammer Stormbreaker to her and she catches it.

Inside the top of Magus Tower the Magus paces as the bomb counts down.

Magus: So all the others me's have ran away. Big deal. I just need to snap my fingers and then I, no wait then Adam will notice me and I'm not ready for that yet. Let's just blow up this world, it was a waste of time anyway. Then I'll go take the power of another pantheon and another until I'm supreme. Then I'll kill these insects again and again for daring to stand up against me. Yeah that sounds like a plan to me.

Then thunder crashes across the sky and the roof of the tower is torn away. The Avengers jump down into the room and surround the Magus. They are all armoured in Celestial armour. Thor is holding both Mjolnir in one hand and Stormbreaker in the other.

Thor: ADAM MAGUS! We would have words with thee.