MARVEL 2000 PRESENTS...

"Shadows Emerge" Pt. II
'An Invisible Queen'
by Jason C. Bruss

#47
Vol. 1

PREVIOUSLY IN FANTASTIC FOUR:
After losing strength in his left leg due to a stroke caused by Dr. Doom, Reed Richards has been adjusting with his family in their new home in Pittsburgh, PA. Reed and wife Sue have taken a vacation with their new babysitter Yoshi and their true kids Franklin and Victoria. Back in Pittsburgh, Johnny Storm and Benjamin Grimm are watching over the Fours Tower homestead and the jointly owned Club 4. Alicia Masters-Grimm and Alison Cory were enjoying a day of shopping while the boys took a trip down memory lane, until Alicia and Alison got involved with a bank robbery... which turned out to be organized by the mysterious Shadow Queen. However, Shadow Queen wasn't without assistance from the assumed dead Puppet Master. Now, our heroes are left following a shadow of the past.

1st National Bank of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA

"Step-Father... I had thought--"

"--dead, Alicia? I, like many others, were lured and betrayed by Dr. Victor Von Doom. It took me awhile to recover from the explosion. I, somehow, was rescued and given another chance to live." the Puppet Master informs his daughter.

"Who rescued you?"

Puppet Master looked to one of the armed men, whom then moved to the door to glance outside.

"Shadow Queen. It's because of her, that I survived. It's because of her that I am here today."

"Who is this mysterious Shadow Queen?" Alison Cory investigates, regaining her composure.

Puppet Master walks to Alison's side, glancing at her up and down, as if he were inspecting her form.

"The Shadow Queen controls the Underground Shadow Empire. An increasing organization that is becoming more and more of a threat to the surface people, like ourselves. She has given me a purpose amongst her organization."

"Step-Father... why not take this second chance at life to turn things around?" Alicia asks. Always hopeful and positive, a little naive.

Alison slowly moved towards Alicia, unaware that Alicia had alerted Ben and Johnny whom were just outside.

"This is my second chance, it's only a matter of time before the Shadow Queen reveals herself to the city. It is then that the Shadow Empire will rise and there will be no need for the Fantastic Four."

"As long as there's an organization like this so called Shadow Empire around, there will always be a need for the Fantastic Four. It's not normal to have a bank robbery and then expect not to have a team like the Fantastic Four. Your more of an idiot in person than I had researched." Alison states.

Puppet Master aggravated slaps her.

"Step-Father!" Alicia says, unable to get up from the chair that an armed man holds her bay at.

"It will do you good to learn to watch your mouth." Puppet Master informs her.

Outside - 1st National Bank of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA

"So how do ya wanna do it, Matchstick?" Ben asks.

Johnny ponders, questioning his thoughts on an plan to rescue Ben's wife and their friend.

"I hate to interrupt, but are you going to do something or shall I send in the Swat Team?" the Police Sgt. questions.

"We'll take care of it, Sergeant."

Johnny looks to Ben.

"You go in the front, distract them. I'll take care of everything else. Officer, prepare your men to storm in after us... no loaded weapons. Do you hear me? No loaded weapons. We don't want the risk of taking out innocent lives in the process. You have bullet proof vests, use them."

Johnny looks to Ben and nods. And with that, they storm the bank.

1st National Bank of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA

"I'm afraid the time for demands is here-- I'm sorry, my dear Alicia." Puppet Master gloats.

Alison looks to Alicia, fearing for their very lives.

As the Puppet Master begins to dial '9-1-1' in order to make demands, the front doors explodes knocking out four of the armed gunmen. The Thing stands firmly before the Puppet Master.

"Well, Well, Well... lookie who it is. It's Clobberin' Time!" the Thing shouts as he grabs hold of two armed gun men, knocking them out by colliding them into each other.

Puppet Master looks almost terrified by the sight. Alicia forces herself backwards on the chair in order to kick the gun from the armed gunmen next to her. Alison quickly grabs the gun and turns it on the gunman.

"It's a good thing I don't hold a grudge or I'd use this sucker on you to make up for the bruise I'm going to have from your little domesticated act of violence." Alison sarcastically preaches.

Puppet Master slowly backs away as the gunmen remaining try to take out the Thing, without little success. The Puppet Master finds himself being lifted off of the floor and taken through the opening that the Thing had created.

"What? Wha--?" he hysterically questions.

"Oh, don't worry Puppet Master. I'm sure you can still have your dolls in prison." Johnny says as he drops the Puppet Master outside of the bank in front of a few officers.

"Lock 'em up, Boys. I'm sure he's got a warrant or a few thousand for his arrest." Johnny smirks.

As the Officers take the gunmen into custody, Alicia and the Thing embrace.

"So I don't understand, how did you two find out about the hostage situation?" Alison questions.

"Oh, that's easy... Alicia alerted us via her communicator. Ben and I were just hanging around Fours Tower and got the alert and came right over." Johnny informs Alison, who is still learning the ways of the Fantastic Four.

"This will definitely make for an interesting story, especially this mysterious Shadow Queen."

Johnny and Ben share glances.

"Shadow Queen?" Johnny asks.

"Yes, Jonathan. It would seem that there's an Underground Shadow Empire rising. My Step-Father was working for the ringleader, a woman wearing a cloak. She was referred to as the Shadow Queen. I, somehow, don't think the Fantastic Four have heard the last of her either." Alicia fears.

In a blinding flash of golden sparks, a white cloaked woman in holographic form appears before them.

"Indeed, Mrs. Grimm." the Shadow Queen states, with her white cloak flowing as if she were broadcasting from somewhere with a lot of wind. "I warn you, Fantastic Four. The rise of the Shadow Empire can not be prevented. It has already started. The Fantastic Four will suffer the greatest blow without any warning."

"Who are you lady?" Ben asks angrily.

"Why Ben, I'm disappointed. But then again, I can only go by what I was re-taught. My mind was destroyed beyond control and without the help of an Doombot's Core Programming... I would not have been able to recover in the fashion I have. But I'm stronger than I ever was before and I am no longer the woman I was before."

Johnny begins to figure out the mysterious Shadow Queen, just as she reveals herself to Ben, Alicia, Alison, and himself.

"My days as Queen Invisible are no more-- I am forever more-- the Shadow Queen!" the holographic image states as it fades in a blinding flash of gold.

"I don't believe this," Johnny says astonished.

"She's back." Ben notes.

Johnny looks to Ben, Alicia, and Alison worried.

"What's wrong, Johnny? You seem worried." Alison asks.

"If she's back, I am worried... for Reed and Sue. Especially Sue." Johnny says thinking of his vacationing sister.

Shadow Empire Underground H.Q.
Pittsburgh, PA

"I was a fool for believing the Puppet Master would be successful in defeating two of the Fantastic Four. It was a flawless plot and he still managed to screw it up. Oh well, the Fantastic Four are now aware of the Shadow Empire. With that knowledge, they will soon realize exactly how dangerous the Shadow Queen is compared to Queen Invisible." the Shadow Queen states to her trusted assistant.

"My Queen, the clone is almost complete."

"Thank you, Ari."

She walks to a large plastic container. Inside, a naked hairless male body resides in a organic fluid substance.

"Because of your knowledge Ari, my power, Reed Richards' DNA... I will soon have myself a completely compatible mate to rule by my side." Shadow Queen smirks.

"Speaking of the Richards..." Ari begins.

"Need not worry, Ari. The Richards will be taken care of very soon. I will do that which Victor could not." Shadow Queen sinisterly laughs.

Fours Yacht
Pacific Ocean

"This was a great idea, Reed."

Reed wraps his arm around his darling wife as he steers into the unknown waters of the Pacific Ocean. As the Fantastic Four, they've been on this ocean many times. As a family, it's rarely been charted.

"I agree. Franklin's having a blast out here on the open sea."

"How's your leg?"

"Sore. But let's not worry about that now... We need to discuss some things."

"Like?"

Reed wasn't sure how to bring about the subject, but it was a subject that had to be brought about.

"Franklin's mutant genes are becoming more dormant. Our dear friend Charles Xavier would not have a powerful mutant like Franklin just running around without any control. I'm afraid that you and I definitely aren't going to be able to assist him in this area. After our encounter with X-Corp, I've been considering reaching out to Xavier's former students for ideas and suggestions." Reed confesses to his wife.

See Brad Horton's X-CORP #9-12

Sue nods. She would hate to see her son do something that would result in an event of enormous proportions. After the heroes were 'killed' by defeating Onslaught, Franklin's power had saved them by sending them to another universe. What if creating universes wasn't the worst part? What If... What if he could end universes also? Everything she loves and values could be wiped out by just a thought from her precious first born son.

NEXT ISSUE: Shadow Queen was once Queen Invisible, but now she's heading up the underground Shadow Empire. What exactly is she up too by creating a clone of Reed Richards? Is there a possible Mr. Fantastic vs Mr. Fantastic battle coming up? All shall be revealed soon enough... as the march to Fantastic Four #50 continues!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

-As to what occurred to Queen Invisible in order for her to seek assistance by a Doombot to become the Shadow Queen is just as mysterious as her recent re-appearance. All will be revealed in time...

-Reed Richards' has been recovering from a stroke for a few months after the battle with Doom. He has mostly recovered other than a lack of strength in his 'left' leg.

-The 4 are all joint owners of Club 4 in downtown Pittsburgh, Reed and Sue being the major share holders. The 4 (along with Franklin and Victoria Richards, Yoshi and Alicia Masters-Grimm) reside in Fours Tower, a newly built 21st Century tower in downtown Pittsburgh.

-The Puppet Master (along with most of the Fantastic Four Rogue Gallery) was believed to be killed by Dr. Doom during the explosion of the Titan Tower. See Fantastic Four #42

Reed Richards

Susan

Richards

Johnny Storm

Benjamin

Grimm

Franklin Richards

Victoria Richards

Alicia Masters Grimm

Alison Cory

Puppet Master

Shadow Queen