Chapter Nineteen
Susan Richards poured some more steaming hot coffee into her husband Reed's "World's Greatest Dad" mug. Their eyes locked, and they exchanged smiles.
"Anyone else need a refill?" she asked.
She looked around at the men seated at the table. Danny Ketch shook his head "no." Logan winked and took a swig of his beer. Steve Rogers smiled, nodded, and raised his coffee mug, and Sue came over to fill it. Erik Lensherr, Jamie Madrox and Bruce Banner all replied, "no thank you." Nick Fury pulled a flask out of his jacket and poured an unidentified liquid into his coffee, then proceeded to stir it casually with a spoon.
"It's too bad Namor couldn't stay for coffee, too," Sue said, throwing a mischevious, flirting glance at Reed.
"Indeed," Reed replied, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. "But it was understandable that he felt a need to return to his Kingdom after the ordeal that you've all been through."
"Speaking of which," Fury said. "I'm dying to know just what happened between you and Mephisto, Ketch. You said he pushed you off the ledge, and two of those monster Brood were holding you down as he walked off. What happened next?"
"Well, it's hard to remember," Ketch said. "Keep in mind, I don't remember much of what happens when I become Ghost Rider... only bits and pieces. Like when you wake up from a dream... some things stay with you, but a lot of it fades. I remember hearing Mephisto laughing, and seeing the whole cave in flames... those two creatures sinking their teeth into me. And then, the one thing that I do remember, very clearly, was that I kept thinking about what Cap had said to me, earlier, after our confrontation with Mephisto at that old military complex. That bastard made all of us relive our most painful memories... and yet, somehow, I found the willpower to fight back and break through it. And Cap, you said that you had faith in me, and that you'd trust me with your life if it came to it. My memory of you saying that was able to break though, and I used that. I knew that you all were counting on me, and that you needed me. And I used that pain that Mephisto had put me through... I focused on it, and summoned all the rage and strength that I had inside of me. Most of it is a blur after that... but I remember setting those damn monsters on fire, breaking free of their grip, and just pummeling Mephisto into the ground, over and over and over again."
"Any idea what happened after that?" Fury asked. "Where is Mephisto now?"
"I don't know," Ketch said. "I remember tying him up with my chains, and leaving him in the cave. I think he was still on the Brood homeworld when Galactus devoured it."
"That would explain why we had no trouble crossing back through Hell," Steve said. "The creatures that reigned there all ran away from us in terror when we passed through the second time, as if they knew something that we didn't."
"Like that their master was dead," Fury said, taking a sip of his coffee. "But if Mephisto really was the devil, as he claimed to be, is death even possible for him? Can he be killed?"
"He claimed that he couldn't be," Danny said. "But he sure seemed afraid when Galactus showed up."
"Somehow I doubt we've seen the last of ol' horn head," Logan said. "The really bad ones always seem to have a way of turnin' back up."
"I think what bothers me the most is that we still don't even know for sure what is plan was," Steve said. "And that we probably will never know for sure. Those Hulked-out Brood that he created... was he going to turn them loose on Earth?"
"I think that's a safe assumption, Cap," Fury said. "My worry is... can we be sure that we really, completely stopped his plan, if we're not entirely sure what it was?"
Everyone's glances turned to Bruce Banner.
"Not to worry," Banner said. "I know what you're thinking. Reed had me completely checked out as soon as we got back. I'm completely Brood-Egg free."
"Well that's comforting," Logan said.
"How are you doing, Jamie?" Reed asked.
"Okay, I guess," Madrox replied, resting his head in his hands. "Though I have the worst migrane of my life, and my stomach feels like I just got off a 24-hour roller coaster ride. But, this herbal tea Sue made me is working wonders."
Erik stood up. "I should check in on my son," he said. "From what you've told me, Reed, Pietro was a bit upset when he left."
"Our GPS system shows that he's already back on Genosha," Fury said. "Your kids did good, Erik. And so did you. America owes you a debt of thanks."
Erik gave a mysterious smile. "I will certainly remember that." He donned his coat and fedora once more, and, after thanking Dr. and Mrs. Richards for the coffee, walked towards the door.
"Hey, Magnus," Logan called after him.
Erik stopped, and turned. "Yes?"
"Let's not plan on makin' these team-ups a regular event or anythin', eh, bub?"
"I wouldn't dream of it, Logan. I'll give Charles your regards." With that, Erik tipped his hat, and strolled out of the room.
