LATVERIA
Scarlet Witch hovers in front of Doctor Doom, an aura of red chaos energy swirling around her body.
Doctor Doom: My, my. I had no idea what it felt like to encounter another being of such immense power…and instability. I sense much emotion and conflict within you.
Scarlet Witch: And I have worked hard to gain control over my emotions.
Doctor Doom: Have you now?
Doom raises his arms, erupting the ground into the air. An earthquake of rock and dirt shoot up around them. The Scarlet Witch raises her hands and teleports Cap and Iron Man inside the castle and extends her arms, projecting forth a wave of energy that jettisons the rocks out into the sea.
Scarlet Witch: You are pulling these powers from another reality, aren't you?
Doctor Doom: I wonder if that's a question you should ask yourself…
Electricity fires out from Doom's fingertips. The Scarlet Witch blasts out of barrage of Hex bolts, clashing with Doom's electricity and sending shockwaves back through the castle. The castle begins to quake.
Iron Man: Uh…oook. Not good. Cap, grab my hand.
Iron Man grabs Cap and they fly out of the castle seconds before it crumbles. The main courtyard is almost disintegrated. Doom stands atop of a lone, remaining cliff continuing to direct a stream of electricity towards the Scarlet Witch. He moves his right arm outward and the electrical current slides with him. He clenches his fist and the current recoils like a whip. He swings his fist down and the strand of lightning follows accordingly, smashing into the Scarlet Witch.
Scarlet Witch: Agh!
Her body shakes as the electricity hits full force. Trembling, she slowly pulls her hands close together at her stomach. A portal opens in front of her, capturing and siphoning the current of electricity.
Suddenly, Doom pauses. He tilts his head slightly.
Doctor Doom: What is that? What?! No….
Doom closes his eyes, drops his head and slowly opens his arms. Scarlet Witch unleashes of burst of red Hex energy. The blast envelopes Doom, leaving behind only his cloak and armor.
Scarlet Witch: What?!
Iron Man flies in behind her.
Iron Man: That's a neat trick.
Scarlet Witch: I didn't do that.
Captain America: So where is he? Did he teleport?
Scarlet Witch: I have no idea. If he teleported, I don't think he would have left his clothes behind.
Iron Man: Or there's a naked Doom running around somewhere right now.
Cap looks up in the sky.
Captain America: Bruce.
Iron Man: Wait. Isn't he still in the Adirondacks getting to know himself?
Captain America: Not anymore. Honesty, he really isn't Bruce anymore either.
War Machine flies in behind Iron Man.
War Machine: What? Do you mean the Hulk?
Captain America: It's a long story.
Iron Man: Well, it usually is with him. What now?
Captain America: Wanda, I need you to get in touch with Professor X. Tony and Rhodey, we to need to head to New York. I pray that Thor and Surfer are keeping Algol busy.
SOMEWHERE OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
Thor: The beast is gaining on you!
Silver Surfer: I know! If I go any faster, then you and Daredevil will fly off.
At the moment Algol opens its mouth and a burst of flame cuts across the sky.
Daredevil: Surfer! Bank hard left now!
The Surfer leans left, barely evading the blast of flame off his right shoulder.
Silver Surfer: Thor!
Thor loses his balance and falls off the board. He begins swirling his hammer to fly away, but is also targeted by the mane of serpents around Algol's head.
Daredevil: Surfer, Algol is building for another blast. Thor's not going to make it!
Numerous beams of energy slice through the sky. The Surfer's eyes widen.
Silver surfer: No!
The Surfer opens his hands to fire a blast of energy, but nothing happens. He concentrates harder. A portal opens below Thor. He falls into it and it seals up behind him.
Silver Surfer: Thor!
Daredevil: Concentrate Surfer! We're now the focus of Algol's attention!
Silver Surfer: But how did I…
Algol's sucks in a gasp of air.
Daredevil: This one's coming in over the top of us. Dive now!
Another burst of flame is joined by multiple blasts of beams from the serpents. As Daredevil predicted, it goes high.
Silver Surfer: How are you doing this?
Daredevil: I can see its energies. They change and give away its intentions.
Silver Surfer: Nice trick. Can you read any weaknesses in its armor?
Daredevil: You won't be able to penetrate it now. We just need to buy Bruce and Strange more time. Wait…stop!
Surfer stops immediately. They turn around and notice that Algol isn't following them. It is about 300 yard behind, slowly flapping its wings and hovering in one spot.
Daredevil: Shit…
A massive blast of lava-blood erupts from Algol. A circle of energy beams surrounds the blast. It cuts deep into the ocean, creating a massive tidal wave spreading out in all directions.
Silver Surfer: That's not good.
Daredevil: Ok, plan B.
Silver Surfer: Which is?
Daredevil: Direct attack.
Silver Surfer: I thought you just said it has no weakness?!
Daredevil: If we do nothing it cuts into the earth's core. That can't happen. We don't have a choice.
Silver Surfer: Here we go!
The Surfer charges hard towards Algol. The beast looks up and screams. The Surfer fires four blasts across Algol's face. The beast ignores it, but before it can respond its body jerks spastically and begins to quiver.
Daredevil: There it is…they did it!
Silver Surfer: There what is? Who did what?
Daredevil: His energies have changed. Whatever was powering him has dissipated. We have a shot, but you need to fire exactly where I tell you.
Silver Surfer: Just tell me where!
The Surfer flies around in front Algol. It is confused. A giant whirlpool below is draining into the hole Algol drilled deep below.
Daredevil: There. Lower forehead. Directly between the eyes!
Surfer claps his hands together and a sharp, precise beam of energy fires directly into Algol's skull. It's head recoils from the impact. It slowly recovers and then fires another blast of lava-blood directly into the whirlpool.
Silver Surfer: Why isn't it returning fire at us?!
Daredevil: It is more interested in the energy at the core. Hit it again!
Surfer fires two blasts and both strike Algol in the head. The beast screams in agony. It begins to retreat, but continues to scorch the water as it flies away.
Daredevil: Damn! Stay after it.
The heroes chase Algol for miles.
Silver Surfer: Its heading back to New York.
In the distance and at the edge of the city, they notice a figure hovering in the air.
Silver Surfer: Who the heck is that?
Daredevil: I knew it…
The Guardian's arms are crossed. He is motionless.
Guardian: Eternity?
Eternity: Guardian, must I remind you that I am the living consciousness of the universe?
The Guardian raises one eyebrow.
Guardian: And if your goal is to experience physical reality vicariously through us then you must realize that the inverse applies as well. As eternal beings trapped in these physical prisons, music is how we reconnect. So, if you wouldn't mind, please do me this solid while I stop this demon.
Eternity: Sigh. Both Infinity and I are aware of our symbiotic relationship, but if I'm forced to choose between your endless speeches and humanity's elementary attempts at musical composition, then I will defer to the latter. What do you want to hear?
The Guardian's gaze of the giant rage beast charging towards him is unbroken and calm.
Guardian: Hole In The Sky. Sabbath.
Eternity: Very well.
The Guardian flies directly towards Algol. The beast screams and vomits out a massive blast of lava-blood. The Guardian halts and swirls a large circle of green flame in front of him. It spins faster and faster until its motion becomes a blur. The Guardian releases and the diameter of the circle grows, blocking out his body like a shield. Algol's blast hits the shield, completely engulfing it and the Guardian.
Silver Surfer: No…
Inside the blast of lava is the shadow of a figure. The shield of green flame protects the Guardian, deflecting the attack, forcing the lava flow over and around him. The Guardian closes his eyes, grits his teeth and presses both hands forward. The shield begins pushing forward inside the blast. Algol unloads everything. All of its serpents direct their beams of energy on the Guardian.
The Guardian slowly continues pushing forward. The immense ricochet of energy and lava-blood are blinding. The ocean underneath the Guardian spreads out in all directions in waves.
Guardian: My will is stronger than your rage, demon!
The Guardian bursts the shield forward and it cuts through the blast like a bowling ball, hitting Algol directly in the face and knocking the beast into the ocean.
The beast emerges from the water with a surprised look on its face. It bursts out of the water, flying around the Guardian.
Guardian: Ok, Ant-Man. You're up.
Ant-Man: Hey…it's Giant Man!
As Algol reaches the edge of city, Ant-Man emerges from the surface below, growing over the tops of the buildings. He grabs Algol, holding him in a full Nelson.
Ant-Man: Man, its strong! I can't hold this thing forever! Hurry!
Guardian flies in fast landing a blow on Algol's chin. The sonic boom of the punch breaks windows in a five-block radius. Algol flies out of Giant Man's arms, but the Guardian catches it by its wings before it lands on the buildings. Algol's body is trembling. Vibrating.
Daredevil: Guys, there's something wrong with it!
Giant Man: Wrong? What's right with it?!
Guardian: What are you seeing Matt?
Daredevil: I think it's gonna explode!
Guardian: Can I just fling it into space?
Daredevil: The energies on this thing are swirling in the same chaotic manner that I saw on you right before you went nova! I don't think we have time to get it far enough away!
Guardian: Surfer! You once used your power to transform me from the Hulk. Can you repeat that process with Algol?
Silver Surfer: You're Bruce Banner?
Guardian: We don't have time, Surfer. Focus. Can you do this again?
Silver Surfer: I can try.
Guardian: Giant Man and I will hold him.
The Guardian maintains his grip on Algol's wings while Giant Man holds him steady.
Silver Surfer: Where do I need to touch him?
Daredevil: Same place. Lower forehead. Between the eyes.
Surfer flies in slowly towards the massive head of Algol. He stares at the beast for a second. Algol's body is pulsating. Surfer clenches both hands into a fist and begins to concentrate. He places both hands on Algol's forehead. The beast closes its eyes.
Daredevil: It's working! Its pulse is slowing! Waves of energy are starting to recede!
Algol begins to shrink. Surfer removes his hands. Algol changes shape as it shrinks smaller until it transforms back into a man resting in the palm of Giant Man's hand.
Guardian: Solomon.
The man is on all fours, but manages to raise his head. He is weary.
Solomon: …you know…my name?
Guardian: I do. I know who and why you are, Solomon…and I release you. Go…in peace.
Solomon: Thank you…
He slowly begins to crumble and disintegrate until he completely disappears out of existence.
Before the heroes can pause the earth begins to shake.
Silver Surfer: What?!
Daredevil kneels and places both hands at his temples.
Daredevil: Oh no…
Guardian: Matt?
Daredevil: Algol did it…it ruptured the core…