Episode Three: Day of the Defenders

Nestled deep within the cold confines of Antartica, there stood a hidden land, a land of most unique nature. This savage Land was not cold, like the rest of the mighty white continent. Instead it had a tropical weather, and it was covered by a dense jungle. How the Land came to be, no one truly knew. It had been that way for ages. Near the Land's rim, in a comparatively short space, there stood a village. A village created by the efforts of both human and mutants. A week ago, the village, deemed Avalon by its inhabitants, had received a most crippling blow. Apocalypse found the village, and its people, who foolishly thought they could hide from his madness. His retribution was swift. His Pale Riders arrived, killing tenths of people, both mutant and human alike. And, as reconstruction began slowly, a small group of humans gathered in the protective darkness of the jungle. An awkward silence followed as the five gathered humans arrived. One of them, a man in his mid-thirties of deep brown eyes and matching hair, spoke in a calm tone. "If you are all here it means you all agree with my views. The muties are dangerous. This is not what we signed for when we arrived. Destiny was in charge, and the old broad knew how to protect us, but in the end she failed, and we lost. No one's saying it, but there were more human deaths than mutant ones... And to top if all one of them Pale Riders is now supposed to be our guide? Our leader? I say not."
An african-american woman of long braided hair spoke. "And what do you propose to do Graydon? Certainly we cannot fight them... we don't have the power... especially with that Juggernaut on their side..."
Graydon Creed smiled. "We need not fight. That is not what I intend to do. I have contacts you see... contacts with the outside world... I know by good sources that the Human Council is being rebuilt, and this time they will show zero mercy to mutants..."
"Some of these mutants aren't bad, Graydon, they are friends..." said the woman with braided hair.
"You're too good Charlotte... or do you forget your boy Timmy died because of the Shadow King's attack?" said another black woman.
"I don't forget Stevie, but still..." said Charlotte Jones with sadness on her face.
"The plan is simple. We gather all the humans, we get them on our side, and we leave the place. As we do, we warn the Council." continued Creed.
"And then what?" asked a blonde man.
"Simply my dear Mr Hodge... they send their Sentinels to wipe them clean. I'm told they're building stronger Sentinels, able to kill muties far faster than the other ones..."
"So, we betray those who gave us shelter in our time of need because some mad mutants came and attacked us?" said the youngest of them, a kid with long brown hair.
"Jones, you're too young, still you should know by now. The only good mutie, is a dead mutie..." said Creed with a final tone. "I'm just saying think about it. We gather all humans and we leave. My contact can get us a transport, once we're gone... who cares what happens to them muties?"
"You gotta give us time to think. Some of those muties are my friends." added Charlotte Jones.
"Just promise me you won't say a word to any of them." asked Creed.
"Of course. Human matters should remain to humans... but you promise me you won't go ahead with your plan unless you have all of our votes..." she replied.
"Deal." said Creed as he grinned. "Let's go now before someone finds us... let this be the end of the first meeting of the Friends of Humanity..."
And as silently as they gathered, the group of humans dispersed, returning to the calmness of Avalon.

The planet was unnamed and it stood deep within a space zone to which two alien races held claim. Both the Kree and the Skrull claimed the planet as part of their empires, and both were more than happy to annihilate the other for sole possession of it. Hidden deep within a mountain range, there stood a complex system of caves, home of the humans who had fled from Apocalypse's mad rule of Earth. And inside those caves, inside a chamber of most fantastic technology, a gathering of heroes took place. Two teams of superpowered beings sat around a big round table, much like King Arthur's fabled one. Presiding the meeting was the High Evolutionary, Sir Herbert Whyndham, proudly beaming upon them. An elder woman, sitting next to the High Evolutionary cleared her throat, stopping the mumbling and gathering their attention.
"The Dynamic Defenders..." said Dr Strange, presenting his team. "Hellcat, Nighthawk, Tigra, Taskmaster, Spider-Woman and I, Doctor Strange." The High Evolutionary nodded and looked at Storm, who did the same "The X-Men, Lila Cheney, Exodus, Dazzler, Sunfire, Quicksilver and I, Storm."
"Hem " Illyana cleared her throat, next to Pietro's wheelchair. Hellcat giggled as she saw the young mutant's face. She acted as if her pride had been wounded.
"And Illyana Rasputin..." said Storm, smiling at last. Illyana beamed proudly.
"For those who are not still acquainted with my person, I am the High Evolutionary, and this is Agatha Harkness, one of my most trusted advisers. You all know the situation. We are caught in a war not of our making. The Kree and the Skrull dispute this planet for themselves, and they wage war on our footstep. They are aware of the power we possess and they seek it. Soon we will find them invading our caves, raiding our city, killing our less fortunate followers, who do not have powers to defend themselves."
"Antonio had powers and they didn't help him..." muttered Hellcat with a sad look on her face.
"Shh..." replied Nighthawk. "We all miss Armadillo... and all of who died in the Kree's attack, but now it's not the time for this..." he whispered as low as he could.
"I would have traced a course of action, but, regrettably our information is scarce. We know next to nothing about this beings, save the Skrull have shape-shifting powers." As the High Evolutionary spoke, Sunfire moved in his seat slightly. "As such, Agatha and I have decided to separate the teams in two, and send you to the Kree and Skrull camps to gather as much info as you can. It will be a sneak mission, you must avoid contact at all costs. Go, spy, return with information."
Agatha Harkness stood up, as she did she raised her arms and her eyes went white. She began to repeat words unheard of in ages, an incantation designed for a single purpose, to see through the earth, to see their foes. "Tiron athra ennor... tiron athra ennor.." she repeated. Two gigantic images appeared behind her.
"Better than satellite TV..." murmured Exodus. Dazzler giggled at his commentary.
The first image showed the Kree, living in the city built by the humans. Agatha Harkness stood before it and spoke clearly, her voice sounded old and withered, yet still powerful and proud. "The Kree. Perhaps our most vicious enemies. Under the command of Captain Tar-Vash, the Kree almost decimated us. As such, the most powered and experienced among us should go and spy on them. Dr Strange, Storm, Sunfire, Hellcat and the Taskmaster will head there." she moved slowly and with grace and stood before the next image. A camp with several tents and ships surrounding them, "On the other side of the mountain range, southbound, separated from the Kree by one thousand miles, there stands the Skrull campsite. At first they were ruthless, but we gained their trust and alliance. However most of the Skrulls we befriended perished. It is unlikely any survived, but it will be imperative to learn if an alliance can be forged. Nighthawk, Exodus, Tigra, Dazzler and Spider-woman should head to this destination."
Lila Cheney was surprised not to hear her name in any of the teams, but she did not say a word. The High Evolutionary stood up "Prepare to leave at once. Our hearts are with you."
As one, the heroes stood up and began to move towards the door, but then, Hellcat turned to see the High Evolutionary and said "Hey... you promised you'd say it... please... can you say it?"
The X-Men looked puzzled at her childlike plea, and the High Evolutionary lowered his head, placing his hand above his eyes, slightly negating with his head.
"Please... it'll give us luck... just say it..." continued Hellcat, unwilling to leave the table.
"Say it father and be done with it." said Spider-Woman trying not to laugh.
"Sigh... very well... May the Force be with you..." the High Evolutionary added resigned.
The response was immediate, they all laughed and Hellcat lifter her head proudly "Now we can go..." and the heroes left in a hurry. Storm shot a last glance at Pietro, but once more he negated eye contact to her.
"I am surrounded by children..." mumbled the High Evolutionary as he saw the others leave.
"Hem !" repeated Illyana, rather offended.
Agatha smiled and approached her leader "You know Patsy Walker, she is a child at heart." slowly she turned to see Pietro. "Mr Lensherr... is it alright if I take young Ms Rasputin with me? I sense a great potential for magick wielding within her and I'd like to test it. I promise you no harm will befall to the youngster."
"I... I don't know..." said Pietro.
"OH please please can I go... I wanna be a witch!" said Illyana her eyes resembling those of a puppy.
"I'll go with her if you want to Pietro." added Lila, desperate to have her mind occupied.
"Fine... I guess... go, it's ok..." said Pietro.
"Oh thank you!" said Illyana, hugging him.
"Come child... I sense much power within you..." said Agatha, taking the child's hand as Lila walked behind them.
"Agatha means no evil. She might be worried about the child's safety if she needs to run some tests..." said the High Evolutionary.
"I know... I trust you and your allies..." said Pietro vaguely.
"Come Pietro... join me for a walk." said the High Evolutionary as he walked towards a hall, going deeper into the ship's remains, instead of towards the caves. Pietro sighed and began to wheel his chair behind him.

The planet recently dubbed Terra did not stand alone in the universe. It was part of a small system of four planets, being Terra the farthest one from their star, a small red one called Kit'ria in the Kree language, the only ones who had bothered to name the system. Prior to the arrival of the humans, Kit'ria held no interest to the Kree or to the Skrull. Mainly because none of the planets were hospitable. Kit'ria 1 was composed of molten lava, constantly raging upon its surface, due to the closeness of the planet to the system's star. Kit'ria 2 was made of gas, there was no solid surface on which to land, except its core, however poisonous gasses around it prevented such event. Kit'ria 3 was populated by savage animals, a jungle world with no place to rest. A difficult place to conquer for it harboured no intelligent life, and the killing of the species within would take ages, not a viable planet. Kit'ria 4 had a breathable atmosphere, but, for some strange reason, the planet was completely deserted. There were no lifeforms of any kind, except very rudimentary forms of vegetation. A barren planet of no interest to anyone. Until the humans came. The High Evolutionary's technology and powers turned the barren wasteland into arable land. He brought terran animals, he discovered hidden rivers. He turned the world into a place where life could blossom. The Skrull noticed first, and then so did the Kree. And they brought war to this once forgotten zone of the Universe. And soaring not far from there, the newborn life of Kit'ria 4, Terra to the humans, attracted yet another being. A lone figure surfed the skies, his course guided by his power, his path taking him directly to Terra. And on a secure cave, deep within the mountains of Terra, a woman screamed.
"NO! It can't be!" the elderly woman sat in her bed, her blind eyes wide open and sheer fear in her face.
"Cassandra? What is it? What do you see?" asked a younger woman with bright red hair, sitting next to her bed, confused and surprised at her charge's reaction.
"The end of all that is..." said Cassandra Web simply, her eyes lost in panic. "This world is as doomed as Earth..."

Soon after their raids, the Kree appropriated the human city for their use. The established their military outpost in it, deployed its forces around it, making it their own. As the team of heroes walked through the streets, cloaked in Strange's invisibility spell, they were surprised to see none of them.
"Where is everybody?" asked Hellcat
"Gone perhaps?" added Taskmaster with hope in his voice.
"No... I sense them... they're ahead, in the park..." said Sunfire, lifting his hand, pointing north.
"Indeed." added Dr Strange, leading them.
The city had been built next to a large lake, and near it, they created a park, dubbed Central Park, in homage to New York's, with which it had an uncanny resemblance.
Once inside the park, hidden behind a rather large hydrangea bush, the heroes watched in silence.
Hundreds of Kree soldiers stood formed in a large clearing. They were unmoving, except for several squad leaders, shouting orders at their men. At the far end, where all the soldiers were staring at, a small group of Kree captains waited rather anxiously, mumbling among themselves.
"What is this? What's going on?" asked Hellcat "Are they throwing a parade? If so, can Storm rain on their parade?"
"Not now Patsy." Said Strange dismissively. "Now's not the time for jokes... look..." he said, pointing up. A rather large ship began descending slowly, near the group of captains, who kept talking.
"Perhaps the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth will help us listen what they say..." Dr Strange mumbled as he moved his hands rather quickly. Magickally, the Kree's voices became clear for them, even though they were almost a mile away. The Kree language was also translated by Strange's spell, though it had a weird sound in english.
"I do not know why they are being sent. We are doing fine against those bloody Skrull" said Tar-Vash looking flustered.
"I know my liege... but I believe the Supremor is interested in those humans." said another Kree.
"Bah. We do not need them to fight puny humans..." said Tar- Vash obviously offended.
The ship touched ground and its hatch opened. After a couple of silent seconds, two Kree descended from the ship. The leading one was tall, robust, and wore a fully green garment, his blue-skinned face barely visible. He carried a large hammer-like weapon. As he descended, the Kree soldiers straightened, absent-mindedly looking forward, with a clear nervous stance. It was obvious, this Kree was feared by the men. A rather small Kree said in a high-pitched voice. "Ronan, Public Accuser of the Kree Empire and Grand Vizier to the Supreme Intelligence." The soldiers saluted him in a way that reminded the heroes of nazi soldiers. Sunfire grunted in his place, a clear expression of hate in his eyes as he watched Ronan intently.
The second man did not have blue skin. His skin was as pale as a human's. He wore a red and blue costume, with a proud yellow star in his chest, his blonde hair flowed from the top of his costume. He walked casually, in deep contrast to Ronan's walk, who acted with a clear sense of ceremony. The tiny Kree spoke again. "Captain Marvel, Proud Hero of the Imperium. Beloved Warrior. Keeper of the Peace. Powerful Knight." the alien silenced after a furtive look from Ronan. The soldiers response was as opposite as Ronan's walk. They all cheered Captain Marvel, who raised his hand and smiled. He truly was loved by his people. Ronan looked rather angry at the soldiers reaction, but he said nothing. They quickly arrived in front of the Captains, and they all bowed to Ronan.
"You Excellency... welcome to Kit'ria 4, we are honored by your and Marvel's presence." said Tar-Vash as he bowed.
"Rise Tar-Vash, the time is short and our duties vast. We cannot linger in this zone forever, the war rages throughout the fringes of our beloved Imperium. We are here because our leader, the Supreme Intelligence, deemed our presence necessary to best those humans you face. Come... appraise us of the situation..." said Ronan, walking towards a tent.
"Yes your Excellency, we will show you all we know..." said Tar-Vash rising from his bow, looking angrily at Ronan's back.
The heroes bore silent witness as the Captains and the recently arrived Kree entered the tent. Sunfire, who was a in truth a Skrull in disguise, closed his fist, trying to keep his anger in check and maintain his role.

"Great man. Your father was a great man." said the High Evolutionary as he walked alongside Pietro's wheelchair. They were on a large cave now, with a small lake and a waterfall, and several birds and other creatures roaming wildly in it. The Evolution Chamber, as its creator liked to call it, was a marvel, a small portion of paradise. "He was a great ally as well. We met roughly twenty years ago. He was besieged by grief then. A dear friend of his, Xavier by name if I recall correctly, had recently been assassinated. He wandered through Europe, trying to vanquish threats to humanity. Vowing to help the world the way his friend always said he would... You see, back then there were more menaces than Apocalypse... an alien, Lucifer by name, member of a race called the Arcane, sought to conquer Wundagore mountain for his masters. An alliance was forged between your father, Strange and I... great times, happier times..." mused the High Evolutionary as they walked.
"Father spoke... often spoke about you and that adventure... he always reminded us that Lucifer's attack was what led him to us." reminisced Pietro.
"Yes... imagine my surprise as I scanned Magneto's wounds and saw his DNA matched that of my young charges... you were barely five at the time. Bova was sceptical at first, she had taken care of you as a mother would... How is she by the way? She refused to come with us..."
"Last time I saw Bova... she decided to remain in Wundagore. Even though Apocalypse's son, Holocaust, had all but destroyed the complex where we lived, she decided to stay. Claiming the mountain needed her help... Bless her soul, never have I met a gentler being."
"Nor you will... Bova was by far my best creation... and tell me, how fares your sister? It was a surprise to see you and not her."
Pietro's eyes grew sombre, he lowered his head and tried not to give in to grief. "She... she died during Holocaust's attack. She fought him, she died to protect the students... even though many died still... "
"Hmm... how... curious..." said the High Evolutionary.
Pietro was surprised at his words. "Curious? What's curious?" he said, bordering on anger.
"I have a link, not telepathic, no, but a link nonetheless with those who mean something to me. I clearly felt your father's demise the same day of your arrival, it was like a spike through the heart... but... I don't remember ever feeling the same about Wanda... I should have felt her passing..."
A glimmer of hope rose in Pietro's heart, however it was dashed rather quickly as the High Evolutionary kept talking. "Perhaps the link was severed, or interrupted... those erratic energies within her... that chaos energy that I sensed inside her body, even when he was a child... that chaos energy could have severed the link. It was an strange energy, unpredictable to say the least."
They remained in silence for a while, walking around the Evolution Chamber, admiring the flora and fauna, until their attention was caught by the arrival of Agatha Harkness, Lila Cheney and Illyana Rasputin.
"I have finished my tests..." said Agatha approaching them. " It is as I feared, this child possesses great magickal potential. If wrongly harnessed it could become quite dangerous..."
Pietro did not know how to answer, and he had no time to do it anyway, as a woman of bright red hair appeared running towards them. "My liege! My liege!" she shouted, clearly distressed.
"Calm down Margali... speak... what troubles you?" said the High Evolutionary calmly.
Her breath was ragged, but her tone was calmer and her face did not show her previous panic. "It's Cassandra... Madame Web... she claims this planet is doomed! However... she could not give me details... after the warning, she re-entered her trance."
It took a split-second of comprehension, but the High Evolutionary quickly said "Agatha?"
"I cannot read the near future as well as Madame Web, Herbert." she said in her old, withered voice. "But I will do my best... I will need your help, Ms Szardos, as well as your daughter's..."
"I'll summon her immediately." said Margali departing quickly.
Illyana looked at Agatha. "You need me too, right, Ms Harkness?"
The elderly woman smiled at the young child. "Yes my dear... come.. let us all go to the Mystic Muster's sanctum..." and she led the way, grabbing Illyana's hand.
Pietro and Lila looked at each, obviously puzzled. They did not know a thing about magick, and were uncertain how to react. So, they followed her lead.

The Skrull camp was nestled at the bottom of the mountain range. The aliens had deployed guards all over their perimeter, as well as a powerful energy grid around it. It was impossible to sneak inside the camp by foot, and they would be seen if they flew inside.
"So... we attack them and beat the crap out the little green spuds?" asked Exodus.
"We are not meant to be seen..." said Nighthawk. "Although I like that plan it's a bit... reckless..." he added.
"What then?" said Dazzler
"This is as close as we can get..." said Nighthawk looking down.
"Which is not very reassuring..." added Tigra.
"Perhaps we should leave if we cannot get in..." said Exodus.
"We were chosen for a reason Mr Exodus... if Ms Harkness elected us to come here it is because only us can fullfil this mission..." said Spider-Woman.
"Would have been easier if she had told us what to do..." mumbled Dazzler.
"Humans!" said a voice behind them. As one they turned, and they found themselves surrounded by a dozen skrulls, pointing their guns at them. "Skrull Squad! Fire at will! Kill the spies!"
As one the heroes scattered, avoiding the firing, blocking it with their powers. Spider-Woman created a shield with her webs, which promptly stopped the lasers, as Exodus created a telekinetic shield with the same effect.
"See? I told you we should strike first." said Exodus smiling.
"Shut up and fight big guy..." said Dazzler, creating lasers from her hands, attacking the aliens.
The battle was ridiculously short. The Skrulls were no match for Tigra's speed and ferocity, for Spider-Woman's agility and webs, for Nighthawk's strength and flight, for Exodus' telekinesis or Dazzler's lasers. In seconds the Skrulls were unconscious at their feet.
"Twelve down... a thousand to go..." said Dazzler looking down. "Perhaps if we beat them all we could ransom their Empire for them..."
A large laser blast hit the mountain next to them. At once they threw their bodies to the ground, hiding behind some rocks... "They must have seen us from below!" shouted Nighthawk as another blast impacted nearby.
"They must be using some sort of cannons..." added Tigra, covering her ears.
"I guess this means the sneaky part of the mission is over..." added Dazzler.
"Anyone got any ideas?" asked Nighthawk hopefully as another blast hit close.
"I do..." said Exodus. He moved himself closer to an unconscious Skrull, reaching for his forehead. He closed his eyes and tried hard to concentrate. His telepathy had been greatly diminished by the Madri, and it was blocked by the device which kept his powers in check. But ever since their arrival on Terra, after his grief-driven outburst, Exodus knew his telepathy was not dormant. Slowly his telepathy had been starting to awake again. Using every ounce of concentration he had he searched the alien's mind, as the blasts kept hitting all around them, all over the mountainside.
"They're gonna bring down the mountain!" shouted Tigra.
"I got it!" smiled Exodus. "Dazzler! Holograph time!" he said, and he planted an image in her head. "Remember, it's a large being!"
Dazzler smiled. "Wicked! Nice idea!" she said, receiving his thoughts. She stood up, raising her hands to the sky. "Never tried to do a holograph so big... I'll need your help Paris... " she said, closing her eyes.
"I'll try to boost your powers with my telepathy... just ... hurry..." he said. He could feel the pressure in his temples, the sweat running down his forehead.
Dazzler concentrated on the image, using her light powers to create a holograph version of the creature Exodus had discovered. It appeared slowly, like a mirage in a desert, but soon its figure was clear. A gigantic being, dressed in purple, looking like a human giant, appeared, rising his arms.
"What the hell is that thing?" asked Tigra, looking over the rock they used for protection. The cannon blasts ended as the image appeared before the mountain.
"Its name is Galactus... it sort of eats planets... the Skrulls are terrified of him..." explained Exodus.
The reaction was clear. As one, the Skrulls panicked, screaming and running around in fear, dropping their posts, their weapon, running towards the ships. At first, the gathered heroes thought the Skrulls were getting ready to fight the colossal holograph, however it was not the case. They could see the better-dressed Skrull, obviously their leaders, boarding the ships and aiming their course outside the planet. In a matter of minutes, the ships had departed, the High Skrulls leaving the soldier castes below to fend for themselves.
"I thought the captain was supposed to sink with the ship..." said Nighthawk.
"No honour among the Skrulls I guess..." added Tigra.
The soldier Skrulls panicked, running wildly in all directions, leaving the campsite.
"I wonder if the Kree would react the same way..." mused Spider-Woman.
And then, a small group of Skrulls appeared, imploring a lone figure to help them, carrying the figure towards the outside of his tent. The heroes could not see who it was. The unknown person spoke with the Skrulls, and then looked up at the fake Galactus. He seemed resolved to help them. He clenched his fists and flame erupted from his every pore. It didn't take long for them to recognize him. Without thinking much, Sunfire rose to the skies, heading to meet Galactus in battle as the Skrull cheered.
"Shiro?" asked Dazzler confused, sweat running down from her forehead.
"Sunfire? Isn't he with the other team?" asked Tigra
"I know I saw him leave with Doc..." added Nighthawk.
"That guy sure looks like Shiro..." said Dazzler.
"It is him... " said Exodus simply, his mind almost on the brink of exhaustion.
"If that's Sunfire... then who's with Doctor Strange's team?" asked Spider-Woman.
Unsurprisingly, her question went unanswered as Shiro Yoshida, Sunfire, flew closer towards them, rage in his eyes and fury on his fists...

Episode 4: Watchers and Heralds