Power Pack
Issue #36 – Elemental Storm – Part One
The Pack Pad
"You know you don't have to do that, Mrs. Power. This place has been programmed along with me to take care of all the needs here and that includes picking up, cleaning and doing laundry," Friday's voice came from all around the room.
"Boy these kids sure have it rough," Margaret said to herself and then spoke up, "I don't mind. It gives me something to do and please, Friday, call me Margaret."
"Margaret, I will take those," Friday said as her floating form came up to Margaret and took the clothes out of her hands and headed towards the laundry room.
Margaret was going stir crazy. Alex & Jesse's place housed enough room for them all but it still seemed too small for all of them. Julie still stayed at the dorms but everyone else was here. She and Jim had taken Kofi's old room while Kat took the guest room. Friday was nice enough to redo one of the rooms in the headquarters section and put in a couple beds for Jack and Steve. Everyone was practically stepping all over each other as they got ready for their day and tried to rush out the door. Everyone had a place to be except for Margaret.
The kids were all in school. It had taken a lot of hard work but they had been able to get caught up. Thanks to a little help from Reed Richards, Jim had been able to keep his job without any hassles. Unfortunately for Margaret, there wasn't enough pull or a good enough excuse to explain why she suddenly vanished and did not show up for work so they let her go and filled her position. Margaret hated to loose her job but after all she had been through and that she was now with her family made it seem small in comparison. So now she saw in an empty place wondering what to do next.
"Have you thought about going over and checking on the house?" Friday asked, breaking her silence.
"Not really. With all our stuff in storage and the repair work moving slow it's just too empty and depressing to be there," Margaret said as she plopped down in a chair and tapped the edge of the chair while staring at a blank television screen.
"It appears that someone is approaching our home," Friday's voice said as the television kicked on and reveled the step way leading up to their building's front door.
"Who is he?" Margaret asked as she saw an African American man about her age with a bit of white in his hair come walking up to the door with the help of a cane.
"I don't know. I've never seen him before and I'm not pulling up any matches in our database," Friday said.
"Who's there?" Margaret asked as the doorbell rang and the intercom kicked in.
"Hi, have I reached the Power residence?" The man asked.
"Who are you looking for?" Margaret asked as she gave a suspicious look over at Friday.
"I got this address from the college after I discovered your house was destroyed. I'm Tyrone and I'm looking for my daughter, Zoe," the man answered back.
"I'm sorry, but I don't believe I know your daughter," Margaret said back.
"My apologies maim, but she went to school with your daughter Julie. You probably know her by a different name. Is there any way you could give me any information to the where a bouts of my daughter, Samantha Jackson?" Tyrone asked with great worry as Margaret gasped at the man who was supposedly dead.
University Dorms
"No, dad, everything is just fine. It didn't take much to get all caught up. As lonely as it is, having a room to myself helped a lot," Julie said as she talked a few more minutes with her father and then let him get back to work and hung up the phone.
Julie signed as she walked back over to her desk and looked at what she had left for homework. As much as she had liked having a dorm mate, it was nice to have a place to herself so she could escape the noisy madhouse of the Pack Pad. The place just had too many people staying there for a girl to have any privacy. She actually was enjoying the quiet and opened up her textbook for her computer class. After everything she had been through, she'd take a pile of homework over alien invaders any day. Just as she was about to get started she heard a weird knocking on her window that caused her to jump.
"Okay, that's impossible," Julie whispered out loud at the fact someone was knocking on her window and she was on the fourth floor of the dorms.
"Julie, hurry. Let me in before someone see me," a voice whispered from the other side of her curtain drawn room window.
"Jack, your supposed to be in class," Julie shouted as she realized the only person who would be floating outside her window had to be her annoying younger brother Jack and quickly drew open the curtains and then screamed in surprise.
"Well, that's not going to draw any attention," Johnny Gallo said as he squatted, balancing himself upon her window ledge.
"For heaven's sake, get in her before someone recognizes you," Julie said opening her window and Johnny leapt into her room, doing a summersault in mid air and landing on his feet behind her.
"Well, thanks to our adventure in space, not only did my costume get a bit torn up but losing my job I really don't have the money to make a new costume to hide behind," Johnny, the costumed hero known as Ricochet said with a smile.
"Maybe I can have Friday make you a new one like ours," Julie said as she tried not to blush or get to nervous about having a boy in her room.
"Are you inviting me to join Power Pack?" Johnny teased.
"Um," Julie tried to say but found herself stumbling on what to say.
"Hey, I'm only kidding. I think maybe I need a break from the team hero thing," Johnny said as he walked over and looked down at Julie's books.
"What are you doing here?" Julie asked, even though she found she really didn't mind.
It was weird for Julie. She had never really had a boyfriend before and never really thought much about it since her focus was always on school and getting good grades. Then she met Johnny Gallo. He was a super hero known as Ricochet. While attending college with his widowed father, he had been approached by a man called the Black Marvel who had given him a costume and got him to join three others to form a group called the Slingers. Johnny had told her that the main reason he joined was that he could be free to use his mutant powers without his dad or anyone finding out his secret. The team lasted awhile but then soon broke up. The Slingers had all gone their separate way but Johnny soon found himself with another team calling themselves the Loners or Losers, depending on who you talked to.
Unfortunately, Johnny would get reunited with his old team when they got mixed up in a battle along side the New Warriors. Something called the Folding Circle was targeting the New Warriors and in the crossfire many people were killed, including his old team, the Slingers. Johnny didn't talk too much about it with Julie, but she knew that he did care deeply for Dusk. Johnny really didn't get time to grieve for his friends because he and the New Warriors had been whisked away into outer space and drawn into battle with many others, including Julie and Power Pack to fight Thanatos and his evil forces. After they had won, Johnny decided to come back to earth with Power Pack while all the other New Warriors stayed behind.
During the whole time in space and more so on the ride back, Julie had gotten to know and talk more with Johnny. Despite feeling ashamed, she had filled in the rest of Johnny's bio from looking him up on their computer system. She couldn't explain it but she found she really liked him, even if he was a little older than her, more close to Alex's age. Only thing was, she didn't know how he truly felt about her and she was so new at this she didn't know how to act or what to say. She thought maybe he had liked her too, but once they had gotten back to Earth she hadn't heard from him, until now.
"Well, after talking with you and your family it really got me thinking so I came here to see what I needed to do to finish my degree. If things work out I'll start back in the fall," Johnny said with a smile.
"That's great, but what are you doing here? I mean, not that I mind," Julie said really hating herself for not coordinating her mouth with her brain.
"I ran into Alex and Jesse and they mentioned you went here too and I thought I might stop and say hi so they told me where to find ya," Johnny said as Julie swore she saw him blush briefly.
"Glad you did. Can I offer you a soda?" Julie asked as she walked over to her mini-fridge.
"No thanks. I actually stopped buy for another reason," Johnny started to say and he started to stutter a little.
"Oh?" Julie gulped as she stood up with a can of soda and turned to find Johnny right in front of her.
"I was wondering," Johnny began to say,
"Yes?" Julie asked as her heart began to beat a mile a minute.
"Would you like?" Johnny tried to ask.
"Like what?" Julie asked back as she found her hand reaching for his.
"Would you like," Johnny started to say again when a knock came from the door, "for me to get the door?"
"I got it," Julie sighed as she quickly walked to the door and almost laughed as she heard Johnny swearing to himself.
"Can I help you?" Julie asked as she opened the door and gasped as she found a girl drenched with water standing there.
"Julie, you have to help me," Samantha Jackson said as she passed out and fell as Johnny was suddenly right there to help Julie catch her old friend and teammate and bring her quickly inside.
New Warriors
Warriors of the Galaxy – Part Two
Aboard the Starship Infinity II
A few hours out from Hala
"I can't believe that Suzy stayed behind," Speedball said as he looked around at the other members of the New Warriors.
"She never really felt at place on Earth and now not only does she know who she is but she is back among her people, helping them," Firestar said as she felt empty with her Nova Force gone.
With the war over, Nova needed to meditate and find his place with his new status of Nova Prime and the overwhelming power of the Nova Force and World Mind stored within his body. So he took back the power he had granted Angelica and the others. Of course the others still had their suits that gave them power but Angelica was left powerless since she had originally lost her powers to the Anointed Circle. Her new husband, Vance promised to keep her safe and protected but Angelica was one to never want or need the protection of a man. She was a strong woman and had always been a powerhouse of power. Now, she didn't know what she was, but feeling and being week was not something she liked.
Adam Warlock had been given a new ship that he had named Starship Infinity II. Not to anger the Kree, he honored their wishes to leave and not demand anymore assistance from them, even if he didn't like it. Angelica knew Adam's mission was important but she also saw the Kree's side of it too. They had to help their own people and rebuild. So Adam and his group, Gamora, Pip, Moondragon, Drax, Fantastica and Tana Nile boarded his new ship at dawn. They were also joined by Quasar and Phayla-Vell who claimed she had nothing better to do and refused to look at Moondragon. Before they left, Night Thrasher had made one last announcement to the Warriors on what they wanted to do.
Ultra Gil, or Tsu-Zana the Unifier had told them that if anyone wanted to she would provide transport immediately back to Earth. Night Thrasher had made it clear that he was going but there was no pressure or ill will if none of the other Warriors decided to follow. Those that wanted to go be at the ship at dawn and the others would be provided a different ship home from Suzy. Angelica and Vance had debated but she really wanted to go on this adventure, a chance at something new and get away from it all for awhile. Vance agreed and they were the first to arrive at dawn and Angelica was all excited and gung ho not knowing that not long after take off Nova would take her powers away leaving her defenseless again with no way of going back.
Shortly after they had arrived Night Thrasher walked up and soon after the rest of the New Warriors arrived, Namorita, Speedball, Debrii, Rage, Slapstick and Silhouette, who was only coming so she wouldn't have to go back and deal with her brother, ex-boyfriend and what had happened with the Anointed Circle. Former Warriors Turbo and Darkhawk had arrived and had decided to rejoin the Warriors again. Also to arrive was Turbo's Loners teammate and boyfriend Phil Urich the good Green Goblin. He was welcomed and accepted at the newest member of the New Warriors but Angelica knew that the only reason he was sticking around was because he was deeply in love with Michiko. Angelica was jealous of the two, not because of their love but because when they were stripped of their Nova Force they still had powered suits to wear.
The last to arrive was Cardinal. The man named Donald Clendenon had always been on both sides of the law. He has fought against and with the Warriors many times. He had even tried a stint for a while as a super hero called Harrier with the Thunderbolts. He had also, for a time dated a Warrior staff member named Sprocket and bore a child with her who eventually died before he knew their connection. It was that relationship that brought Cardinal to the place Sprocket had vanished from and got caught up with the New Warriors and their trip into space. Unfortunately for him, he had been taken over by the Brood and when everyone was brought back to life he had been stuck as a human-Brood hybrid. Even though he still had his human mind and soul and was in complete control, he also had many features and abilities of the Brood. It was for reason he could not go back to Earth, that and when he had been in synch with the Brood hive-mind he had a quick impression and image that Sprocket was somewhere out here in space. This making it both his and New Warriors business, Night Thrasher agreed to let him come along.
Now they were a few hours out from Hala and Night Thrasher had called a meeting. He had been visiting and meeting with Adam, Quasar, Nova and the others and decided that the New Warriors all met to discuss their part on this mission to hunt down Thanatos, his minions and the Infinity Fractals. Cardinal immediately demanded that they start looking for Sprocket, but Thrasher warned him that if he wanted to be a part of the Warriors he would have to fall in line and work with them. They had not forgotten Sprocket but without any leads it made no sense to go zipping off into unknown space. They would do their best to find her but in due time. All of the Warriors were now sitting in their own room and about to continue when Nova came rushing into the room.
"Sorry I'm late. Hard to keep track of my mind, let alone the World Mind too," Nova said as he joined his fellow Warriors.
"We were getting ready to discuss things here," Night Thrasher said a bit annoyed.
"Before you get started I wanted to talk to you all first. For now, I won't be joining you all," Nova Prime said as the room got quiet real fast.
"Why not?" Justice asked.
"Well, now that I am Nova Prime and the last of the Nova Corps it's my duty to go out and restart the Corps and find a new home base for the World Mind," Nova Prime answered.
"Richard, I thought," Namorita began to say and then went quiet with anger and disappointment at the loss of her chance to be with Richard Rider again
"Sorry, Nita, but I have no choice. If I don't find a new home for the World Mind and disperse some of this Nova Force, in time, my body and mind will no longer be able to contain it all and I could either go insane, explode or both," Nova Prime said with sadness when he looked at Namorita.
"If this is what you want, then we'll miss you," Nita said as she controlled her emotions from getting the best of her.
"Yes, we all will miss you but we know how drawn to out there you are," Justice said as he gave his old friend a hug.
"Have you thought about what you're going to do?" Angelica asked as she came up next to her husband.
"That's what I was doing when I was meditating and conversing with the World Mind. When I find a suitable planet to setup as New Xandar, I will upload the World Mind there. A Nova Prime I will still have complete communications with the World Mind and access into the full Nova Force. I will then start recruiting those worthy to be Nova Corps Trainees. They will be given a small fraction of the Nova Force and will be trained in its power.
"Once they have passed their training then they will become actual Nova Corpsmen with an increased power level of the Nova Force. In order for me to achieve all this, I'm going to need people I can rely on to be trainers and leaders. They will be my second in commands. They will be the Nova Centurions. They will harness a full dose of the Nova Force and be linked to the World Mind. Their bodies will be altered to combine the Nova Force with any other abilities they may have," Nova Prime said as they all looked at him.
"How will you select these Nova Centurions?" Speedball asked with interest.
"They will be those I can trust and that me and World Mind deem fit to harness such power and responsibility. Right now, since you've already proven yourselves with the power, I am offering the chance to be my Nova Centurions if you'll accept it, Phil, Michiko and Angelica?" Nova Prime asked as she looked at the three.
"What would the job entail?" Justice asked as he looked at his wife nervously.
"They would have to follow my command and help me reestablish the Corps," Nova Prime answered.
"That would mean traveling through space and not returning to Earth?" Phil asked as he glanced at Michiko.
"I'm afraid so, for now. In time I will need a Centurion leading a squad in different sectors. It's a huge commitment and I won't blame any of you for declining," Nova Prime said as he focused on the three he and World Mind had selected.
"We talked it over and we're both in," Turbo said knowing that this could be a fresh new start for her and Phil since they really didn't have much to go back to back on Earth.
"So bit," Nova Prime said as he held out his arms and sent a surge of power from him to Turbo and Green Goblin.
The Nova Force engulfed each of them and began to alter and merge with their very core. Turbo's costume changed as her costume shape stayed the same but changed colors. Her top, pants and boots were blue while her arms, gloves, belt, the side of each leg and the three sun pattern on her chest were gold. Her wind devise on each wrist was still there but it blended back into blue arm bands. Instead of her Turbo face mask she now wore the gold Nova helmet with red star in the center. Green Goblin's costume remained the same shape but took on the same color pattern as Turbo with armbands and his Goblin facemask now gold with a red star on it. They were now Nova Centurions.
"You are both now Nova Centurions. I welcome you to the Corps, Novagoblin and Novawind. What about you Angelica?" Richard said looking at the red head before him.
"It's an opportunity to have my powers back, but," Angelica said looking to Vance for help.
"If this is what you want to do, I will support you," Vance said with fear of losing his true love.
"If it helps, right now I think it is important to have one of the Centurions working with Adam. I would assign you to the Starship Infinity to be my liaison and communications on what is going on with Thanatos and the Infinity Fractals situation," Nova Prime said with a smile.
"Then I can stay here with Vance?" Angelica asked,
"Yes, for now," Nova Prime said as Angelica screamed yes and he sent the Nova Force into her giving her the same costume pattern as her fellow Centurions.
"Glad to have you aboard, Novastar," Nova Prime said Angelica swelled with pride and power.
"I don't want to be a Centurion, but I would like to go along with you. I can feel it deep within me that I'm going to find answers to my suit and amulet out there somewhere," Darkhawk offered as he stepped up.
"Glad to have you along," Nova Prime said as he shook his old friend's hand and with a few goodbyes, Nova Prime, Novagoblin, Novawind and Darkhawk headed off into deep space.
"Guys, we have a problem," Adam Warlock declared as the remaining Warriors joined Adam and his crew on the deck when he sent them an alert.
"What is going on?" Night Thrasher asked.
"I think we found our first Fractal," Valeria Richards, who had decided to still go by Fantastica, said holding up her sword hilt and it pulsed slightly.
"Oh my gosh," Rage said as they saw a Dire Wraith the size of their ship floating in front of them with a tiny glowing fractal attached to it's forehead.
Next: Issue #37 – Elemental Storm – Part Two & New Warriors: Warriors of the Galaxy – Part Three