Infinity Crisis: Fire vs. Water
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their rightful owners. This is just for fun.
Author's Note: This story is based on Saga of the Sub-Mariner #4 (February 1989) by Roy and Dann Thomas and Rich Buckler, which was a retelling of Marvel Mystery Comics #8-10 (June-August 1940) by Bill Everett.
"I am Uatu, but others know me as one of the Watchers. Many eons ago, my people made the vow to observe and record the multiverse, but never to interfere. One of the worlds I have observed is in the universe designated Universe-199999. I have noticed that like other universes alongside it, its history has been altered by an outside force. These changes are unnoticeable to most on that Earth, but not to me. As part of my vow to observe and record, I have been cataloging these changes.
One major change to this Earth's history occurred in the year 1939. In that year, an inventor named Phineas T. Horton introduced the world to an artificial man he referred to as the Human Torch because of its power to ignite into flame when in contact with air. Frightened by the possibilities of such a man, the press demanded this Human Torch be destroyed. Instead, Horton agreed to bury it, hoping to fix the flaw that caused the Torch's flames.
Eventually, the Torch would escape his concrete prison, and show that despite his not being a 'natural' human, he had the heart of a hero. By the summer of 1940, he would become known as police officer James 'Jim' Hammond, and the Human Torch would be known as one of New York City's first 'local superheroes'. Historians in that world credit him with igniting what would be called the 'Golden Age of American Superheroics'.
The summer of 1940 would be a very important time for James Hammond. Why? Because it would be the year that he would face his greatest challenge: a mighty prince from an underwater kingdom known to its inhabitants as Talokan. The hybrid being born K'uk'ulkan, but the world would eventually know him as Namor the Sub-Mariner. This is the tale of their collision, one that would eventually lead to a powerful alliance that would help save that world..."
New York City, 1940, Earth-199999
A sleek-bodied man stood on top of the Statue of Liberty, his dark eyes peering at the city in the distance. He had short black hair and a clean-shaven face, his complexion a dark brown. His nose and eyes were decorated with what looked like jade studs and and a septum piercing. He wore what appeared to be a pair of green shorts held up by a golden belt decorated in a Mesoamerican theme. He had matching bangles around his upper arms and a collar around his neck and shoulders. He looked down at the landmark.
"Liberty." He snorted in amusement, his voice showing an accent. "How hypocritical of these air-breathers." His thoughts then went to...another person. He had recently rampaged in the city, and it ended with him encountering a surface woman. A woman with hair of gold, and blue eyes that showed strength.
Betty Dean... Prince K'uk'ulkan of Talokan repeated in his mind. The woman told him that the surface world was engaged in a war of its own. A war between nations, the second in only twenty years. But that did not matter to the monarch-in-waiting. Their war had damaged his home, and Talokan called for vengeance.
"Yes..." He said. "I shall make myself emperor of this...New York City." He took to the air. A part of him imagined Betty Dean as his queen. The thought of the blonde beauty in regal Talokan robes...it helped light a fire in the prince.
In the office of the Mayor of New York City, a rotund diminutive bespectacled man with dark hair scowled as he picked up the phone.
"That damned fishy fascist!" Fiorella La Guardia growled as he reached for the dial. "He thinks he can come here and proclaim himself to be a king?! I'm calling in the National Guard!"
"Uh, Mayor La Guardia..." An aide pointed out. "According to reports, he's some sort of monster! Bullets can't hurt him! He's able to tear steel with his bare hands! What the hell could stand up against that?"
"What indeed?" K'uk'ulkan said as he smashed his way through the window. La Guardia put down the phone.
"Well, well. If it ain't the fish-man himself."
"I am Prince K'uk'ulkan of Talokan." The Talokanil royal introduced himself. "Are you the king of this city?"
"The Mayor, yes." La Guardia said.
"As this 'mayor', you have two options: acknowledge me as Emperor, or I shall bring this city to its knees." K'uk'ulkan stated. "I know of the war you surface men have been engaging in, and it has caused damage to my homeland of Talokan."
"My condolences." La Guardia answered. "But yer lookin' in the wrong place. The United States isn't involved in the war. Hell, after the last one, we're stayin' out of this one! You want the 'surface-men' responsible? Go to Europe! You'll find them there! Hell, I'll point it out for ya on a map if ya need it!"
"I am aware of the significance of this city." K'uk'ulkan stated. "It is considered a very significant place on the surface world. A center of art, of culture, and population. I take this city as my own, the surface world will have to surrender to Talokan."
"You think you can just push people around and do what you want here? This ain't Chicago, and you ain't Capone! You wanna know where Chicago is? I'll point that out on a map for ya, too!" La Guardia mocked. K'uk'ulkan sneered and angrily shoved the mayor down.
"Mayor La Guardia!" The aide, to terrified to speak until now, rushed to help the man up.
"I could easily kill you, human." K'uk'ulkan snarled. "However, I will allow you to live. I want you to see what I am capable of. And you will acknowledge me as your emperor." He flew out of the office through the smashed window. La Guardia managed to get to his feet.
"Get off me, I'm fine!" He snapped, pushing the aide lightly away.
"Sir, I've been hearing about this flying guy, the Angel." The aide suggested. "Maybe he can stop this Kukullen guy. Or the Rocketeer."
"Ya know how to contact the Angel?" La Guardia snorted. "And the Rocketeer is in California! But..." The mayor smirked. "We do have somethin' that can likely stand against him." He grabbed his phone and dialed a number. "Chief Wilson? This is the mayor. You got that Human Torch fella on your beck and call?"
Chief John C. Wilson's office
"I have him in my office right now, Mr. Mayor." Chief Wilson said. "Yes, I'll tell him." He put the phone down. The white-haired and mustached policeman looked at one of the other occupants in his office: a blond-haired man, wearing a red bodysuit with yellow cuffs, collar, boots, and belt.
"I take it that the call was about that fish-man?" James "Jim" Hammond, the Original Human Torch, deduced.
"You got it, Firebug." Wilson agreed. "Said his name was Kukellen or something like that."
"K'uk'ulkan." The other occupant said. This was a blonde woman, wearing a police uniform with a garrison cap. "It's K'uk'ulkan."
Wilson scowled. "The hell kind of name is that?"
"He's descended from Yucatec Mayans that were brought to an underwater kingdom called Atlantis to save them from smallpox. They interbred with ancient Atlanteans and their city was renamed Talokan. His name comes from their feathered serpent god." Elizabeth "Betty" Dean explained.
"Wait, Atlantis was real?" Jim blinked in shock.
Betty shrugged. "Evidently so."
"Well, he busted into Mayor La Guardia's office and demanded he proclaim him Emperor of America!" Wilson snapped. "And he wants you to deal with him, Hammond!"
"I'll see what I can do, Chief." Hammond nodded. "I want this to end peacefully, but I got a bad feeling that this won't end well."
"He told me that his people see all the surface world as an enemy thanks to the war over in Europe." Betty explained. "Evidently, the subs have unknowingly caused some damage to his homeland."
"Wonderful." Wilson sighed. He heard a knock on the door. "Come in!" A police officer peeked in.
"Chief, we've been getting word all over the city!" The officer announced. "Some 'fish-man' has been attacking! He unleashed some animals at a zoo! Wrecked a train! It's believed that he's heading for the George Washington Bridge!"
Wilson nodded. "Thanks, son." The officer left, and the chief glared at the Torch. "Get going, Hammond!"
"Yes, sir." Jim nodded. "Flame on!" His body erupted with the element, and then he flew out the window.
"Dammit, firebug! Watch the curtains!" Wilson exclaimed.
"I'd better go with him, Chief." Betty said, leaving the room. "I know K'uk'ulkan. He can be...temperamental."
"Fine, just try not to get killed dealing with that Ku-ellen."
"K'uk'ulkan." Dean corrected, then sighed. "It's not that hard to say..." She grumbled as she left the office.
George Washington Bridge
Perhaps this action will force this "Mayor La Guardia" to acknowledge me as the new ruler of this land. K'uk'ulkan thought as he flew towards the bridge. He gripped a pair of girders with his powerful hands, and angrily tore them off. He ripped and shredded his way through the steel cables of the bridge. Said bridge wobbled and people screamed, fleeing their cars.
The flying hybrid felt heat on his back. He turned around and saw what appeared to be a man of fire flying towards him.
"A man...of fire?" The Talokanil prince blinked in confusion.
"Halt, K'uk'ulkan! In the name of the law!" Jim bellowed as he flew up to the prince.
Said prince raised an eyebrow at the fiery man. "And you are?"
"Sgt. James Hammond, NYPD." Jim introduced. "I'm also known as the Human Torch."
"I can see why." K'uk'ulkan remarked dryly.
"I take it you know a lady named Betty Dean?"
"I am familiar with the name, yes."
"Well, I know her, too. She said that you have a grievance against the surface world."
"The surface men made their intent clear." K'uk'ulkan stated. "They wish war on Talokan? Then they shall have it."
"It doesn't have to be this way, K'uk'ulkan." Hammond said. "They didn't know of your kingdom. We can talk this out. I don't want to fight you, but if it comes down to that, I will take you in."
The prince smirked. "You...amuse me, Human Torch. As such, I will warn you once. Stay out of my way. Even you cannot stand against my power."
"Wanna bet, you bargain basement Rudolf Valentino?" Hammond sneered.
"Indeed. Let me show you!" K'uk'ulkan grabbed a girder and tossed it at the Human Torch. The android easily melted his way through it, and sent the pieces into the ocean.
"Gonna have to better than that, chump!" Hammond taunted. He flew around the royal, flames burning in the air around the prince.
His flames...they're drying me out! K'uk'ulkan realized. Without moisture, I cannot retain my strength! "Curse you, man of fire..." He hissed under his breath, and dove into the water. Hammond flew after him. He hovered over the waves, scanning for him.
"Where are you, you overgrown halibut?" He muttered. K'uk'ulkan swam into the depths, feeling his strength return thanks to the cool waters. His dark eyes, tuned to the ocean, scanned the area around him until he found what he was looking for.
He found the Talokanil watercraft he had parked secretly near Liberty Island. He went inside the craft and pulled out a red stone tank, with a hose and nozzle attached to it. The prince emerged from the water like a bullet out of a gun.
"There you are!" Hammond yelled, pursuing the royal. K'uk'ulkan flew to the Statue of Liberty's torch, Hammond in...well, hot pursuit.
"I know that you surface men view this statue as a symbol of liberty. You are willing to risk damaging it?" The royal mocked.
"It can be repaired." Hammond sneered. "Give it up, K'uk'ulkan." He landed nearby. "I noticed you get weak from my flames. Surrender, and I'll take you in."
"You are a fool." K'uk'ulkan mocked. He grabbed the tank and aimed the nozzle at the Torch. The nozzle fired foam at the android, dousing his flames.
"What?!" Jim exclaimed.
WHAM!
"Ughn!" Jim grunted as K'uk'ulkan whacked him in the face with the tank. Jim fell to his knee.
"Fire is not unknown to the Talokanil." K'uk'ulkan sneered. He hit Hammond again with the tank. "This extinguisher contains a chemical designed to douse flame." He hit Hammond a third time with the tank. "Interesting. You are much more durable than a regular surface man."
"I hit harder, too!" Hammond snapped, throwing a punch. The blow managed to stagger the Talokanil prince. The dazed android threw another blow, silently thanking a fellow officer named O'Mara for teaching him how to box. The hybrid caught the fist.
"Indeed." K'uk'ulkan hit Hammond with the tank a fourth time, then picked up the android. "As they say here, happy landings!" He tossed Hammond towards the waters surrounding Liberty Island. As Jim fell, the winds blew the fire-dousing chemical off Hammond's body.
"FLAME ON!" Hammond yelled, and he burst into flame again just before he hit the water, soaring back into the air.
This guy is tougher than I thought. Hammond thought. I'm going to need a strategy and maybe some backup to take this clown down. "Alright, K'uk'ulkan! You win this round! But I'll be back!" He flew towards the shore. The Talokanil royal watched the fiery man fly off.
"I look forward to it, Human Torch!" K'uk'ulkan called out with a smirk. This...Human Torch is completely unlike any other surface man I have seen before. If he is the protector of this city, then I must defeat him in full view of his city. Show they have nothing that can stop me. A wicked gleam appeared in the hybrid's dark eyes. And based on the information my ship's probes have been able to pick up about this city, I know just how to do it...
Back in Wilson's office, Jim Hammond was conversing with the chief and Betty Dean.
"Vicious bastard." Jim muttered, rubbing his neck. He may have been an android with synthetic organs, but he could have sworn that he was feeling pain.
"Are you sure you don't need a doctor?" Wilson asked. "But then again, I don't know if a doctor can do anything for you..."
"I'll be alright, Chief." Jim reassured with a smile. "I'm built tough." He blinked at that. Sounds like a car company slogan. "But maybe I should get in contact with Phineas again. He built me, so maybe he can check me out."
"That Howard Stark I read about in the Bugle is supposed to be some kind of science genius. Maybe he can look at you." Wilson suggested. "But that's beside the point. Can you face that fish-man again?"
"I think so." Jim nodded. "He just surprised me, that's all."
"K'uk'ulkan is a resourceful man. I'm not surprised he managed to figure out how to get the drop on you." Betty nodded. "I'm just glad I managed to find you and get you back here."
Madison Square Garden
A boxing match was underway at this building, the third to bear the name. The crowds cheered as the two men in the ring started trading blows, each eager to send the other into dreamland. Nobody who came by to see this match expected what would happen next.
K'uk'ulkan flew into the building, and landed in the ring. The audience murmured and he glanced at the boxers.
"Hey, who the hell are you?!" One of the boxers snapped.
"Someone greater than you." The hybrid prince grabbed the boxer and tossed him into his opponent, sending both men flying out of the ring. The crowd screamed and panicked. "NO ONE LEAVES!" K'uk'ulkan roared. He glared at the referee. "Your people hold major events here, correct?" K'uk'ulkan asked.
"Y-yes, sir." He answered. "They're on television and everything."
K'uk'ulkan smirked. "Good."
Chief Wilson's office
"Chief!" An officer burst into the office.
"What?" The older cop asked.
"Come see this! That fish guy is on the TV!" The younger cop announced.
"K'uk'ulkan! His name is not hard to pronounce!" Betty snapped as the trio went to the hall. They went over to the new television set the department recently obtained. Wilson turned it on and saw the hybrid prince on the screen.
"I wish to challenge you, Human Torch!" K'uk'ulkan proclaimed. "If you have the courage to face me, I am here at Madison Square Garden!"
Jim glared at the screen. "Oh I'll be there, you wannabe Johnny Weissmuller." Seconds later, the Human Torch blazed over the skies of New York City, straight for Madison Square Garden. The Torch flew into the Garden, seeing K'uk'ulkan standing in the middle of the boxing ring. "I had no idea you were fond of the sweet science, fish-man."
"I am a skilled combatant. And I wish to defeat you in front of your people. A show of strength." K'uk'ulkan explained, waving out at the nervous crowd.
"A showman at heart, huh?" Jim noted as he landed. "I'm not half-bad at brawling myself." He raised his fists. "If you want me to beat you down, then that's fine by me."
"I admit, Human Torch. I will enjoy this." K'uk'ulkan smirked. The two then started to fight in the ring...and the crowd started to get into it.
"Come on, Torch! Whup that overgrown halibut!" One audience member called out. The crowd started to chant for the Human Torch.
"Your people love you." K'uk'ulkan noted as he threw Jim against the corner.
"Not too popular in your hometown?" Jim asked.
"I am seen as a god. Let me show you why!" K'uk'ulkan hit the android with some powerful blows, then tossed him into the crowd, making the crowd scream and flee. The hybrid then stalked towards the downed android. His pointed ears then picked up a man chanting in Spanish. He raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"El hombre sin amor..." The tourist chanted in fear as he saw K'uk'ulkan approach him. "El hombre sin amor..." The prince scowled at the man, not noticing Jim get back to his feet.
"What does that mean?" K'uk'ulkan growled at the tourist.
"Leave that man alone, 'Namor'!" Jim roared as his flaming body tackled the Talokanil royal. The two ended up flying upwards.
Got to get him off of me! Namor mentally snarled. His damned flames are going to sap my strength! Namor grabbed the fiery Torch, hissing at the flames drying his skin. His will and rage allowed him to overcome the pain, and he angrily tossed him towards Central Park. "Namor...an interesting name..."
Central Park
Away from the chaos in MSG, four young people were having a nice little picnic. One of them was a skinny short blond man, reading a newspaper. One of the two girls on the date, a redhead named Yancy Miller, looked over at him.
"Steve, put that paper down." Yancy said. She noted the headline and the worry on the blond man's face. "That whole thing over there is Europe's problem."
"I doubt the war will stay in Europe." Steve shook his head.
"I admit, hope we don't get dragged into this one." Yancy said. "My dad lost all but one of his brothers in the Somme. It..." She winced. "It left him in a bad state. Besides, didn't you lose both your parents because of the last war?"
"The last war didn't stay in Europe, either. What makes you think this one will?" Steve countered.
"Ah, don't worry about it, Steve." A brunet man chuckled. James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes smiled at the blonde woman sitting next to him, drinking some soda. "Dot here made some delicious sandwiches! Let's just enjoy them for right now."
"The perks of having a dad that runs a deli." Dolores "Dot" Dawson chuckled.
"I guess you have a point." Steve Rogers admitted, folding the paper up and putting it down. He picked up a sandwich and started eating it. "Mm, that's good!"
The four saw something collide into the ground nearby. The four picnickers gasped and leapt to their feet in shock.
"What the-?!" Dot gasped.
"What the hell was that? A meteor?" Yancy blinked.
"In the daytime?!" Dot yelped in disbelief. Jim emerged from the hole in the ground, holding his head.
"My God, it's that fire guy." Bucky blinked. "Saw him on the newsreels! He helped take down that tire syndicate last week!"
"The Human Torch." Steve gaped. The android noticed the four picnickers.
"Get out of here!" He snapped, waving at them. "There's a psycho fish-man on the loose!"
"Fish-man?" The four picnickers blinked in confusion at each other. Another blur slammed down on top of Jim. Namor rained punches down on the android, Hammond trying to cover his face. Namor grabbed at the front of the dazed android's red uniform.
"And now to finish you!" He crowed, raising his fist.
Splat!
"What?" The royal reached up to the back of his head. He put hand to his face, and noticed some pie on it. He got up and noticed the four picnickers. Bucky was holding another piece of pie, an angry look on his face.
"Bucky, are you insane?!" Dot screamed.
"Come on, fish-man!" Bucky yelled. "You think you are hot stuff?!" Namor trudged towards him, and casually smacked the brunet aside, making the two girls scream in horror. Steve quickly moved to put himself in front of them. Namor marched over to the skinny blond man.
"You get away from them, you big-!" Bucky charged towards the powerhouse, his fist cocked back, ready to throw a punch. However, Namor just knocked Bucky away again. The girls cowered behind Rogers, who only glared at the prince. Namor looked into Steve's eyes.
"You do not fear me." Namor noted.
"You may be able to take on the Human Torch, but you're still just a bully. And I don't like bullies." Steve's glare never wavered. The Talokanil prince smirked.
"...your eyes do indeed show great courage, human." Namor complimented. "I can respect that. Perhaps when this city is mine, I will grant you a high position. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Steve Rogers."
"Steve Rogers..." Namor nodded and walked away. "I will remember that name, Steve Rogers. For I have a feeling we shall meet again."
FWOOSH!
Namor roared as he felt a fireball hit him. He glared and saw Jim floating in the air.
"You wanted to finish me off, Mr. Mackerel?" Jim waved his hands in the 'bring it gesture'. "Take your best shot!" He flew off. Namor growled and took off after him. The android flew over a river, noticing that Namor had dove into the water.
He's not giving up. Jim noted. Fishman is likely going into the river to top his strength up. I'm going to need some additional advantage to stop him. He eyed a chemical plant. And I think I just may have found one. He flew towards the plant. Hopefully, that bastard will still follow me. The Torch flew into the plant.
"Hey, buddy!" A worker snapped. "Put that fire out! We got flammable chemicals here! You could blow the whole place to hell!"
Jim smiled in assurance. "Wouldn't dream of it." He landed and powered down. "Sgt. James Hammond, NYPD. Listen, do you have sulfuric acid?"
"Of course we do." The worker nodded. "Why?"
"To stop a madman." The Torch explained. The worker led him to a storage area. "Right here, Torch!" he pointed out some large glass jars, containing a clear liquid. Jim smiled.
"Perfect. Thank you!" Jim picked up one of the jars. Sulfuric acid is powerful stuff. It mixes with water, can corrode even metal, and can have dehydrative properties. Not to mention this stuff could likely give some nasty burns to even K'uk'ulkan's skin. "You had better get out of here." As soon as Jim said that, Namor burst out of a nearby waterway used by ships for loading chemicals.
"Good idea!" The worker gaped. "It's my lunchtime anyway!" He ran for his life.
"TORCH!" Namor roared.
"Have a drink on me, fishman!" Jim tossed the jar of acid. Namor ducked it, and Jim's eyes widened when he realized where the jar of acid was heading towards.
A vat of nitroglycerin.
"Oh sh-!" Jim muttered.
KABOOM!
The acid ate into the vat's metal wall, and caused an explosion, knocking the android and the hybrid prince back. Namor fell into the waterway, and Jim hit a wall. Outside the plant, a police car drove up. Betty Dean emerged from the driver's seat. She heard the explosion.
"Oh, God!" She gasped. "Jim! K'uk'ulkan!" She carefully ran into the plant.
Being more durable than a human being, Jim was able to recover from hitting the plant quickly. He glanced at the flames in horror.
"Flame on!" He crowed, his body burning. He raised his hands towards the flames. As if they were alive, the flames reached for the Torch, and his android body absorbed them. Namor peeked his head up out of the water.
Incredible. The Talokanil prince thought. He commands flame like he is its king. The sea prince secretly emerged from the pool, and ran further into the plant. Hammond didn't notice. It's clear that the Torch came here to find some chemicals he could use against me. He thought as he looked around. But what can I use against him? I know he is an artificial man, one capable of withstanding even my punches. He noticed a large clear tube. Hmmmm... He rubbed his chin. Maybe I can use this...
"Urgh!" Jim grunted as he absorbed the last of the flames, then returned to his human form. Thank God I absorbed those flames before they could spread further. Who knows what kind of damage that could have happened if-!
CLANG!
Namor slammed the clear tube on top of the Torch.
"What the hell?!" Hammond tried to punch the tube, but it was no good. He could not even scratch the material that the tube was made from. "What is this stuff?"
"It appears that I have you trapped, Human Torch." Namor smirked. "I admit, you are a clever being, using your flames against me. But I am clever, too. I found this large tube earlier, and I figured I could use it to contain you until I can figure out how to destroy you." He noticed Jim trying to move the tube. "Do not bother, Hammond. Only I can move this tube."
"K'uk'ulkan!" Betty exclaimed as she ran up to the two.
"Betty Dean..." Namor whispered.
"Betty, get out of here!" Jim snapped. "This guy is crazy!"
"Leave this place, Elizabeth." Namor ordered.
"I'm not one of your subjects, K'uk'ulkan." Betty reminded. "You can't tell me what to do. K'uk'ulkan, please! Listen to me! The surface world didn't know about your kingdom!"
"Your war brought destruction and death to Talokan." Namor countered. "The surface world were perfectly willing to destroy my home and people simply because they want to destroy each other. They are a threat to my people, and I will defend them, no matter the cost."
"K'uk'ulkan, you're a prince, right?" Betty asked. "Why not talk to Roosevelt about this?"
"You have mentioned this Roosevelt." Namor recalled. "He is the king of your country, correct?"
"The president, yes."
"You wish for me to grovel before him like a beggar?"
"No." Betty shook her head. "Stand before him like a king. There is a better way." Namor glanced at Jim.
"I take it you speak for him as well?"
"Yes, she does." Jim nodded.
"Very well." Namor lifted the tube, freeing the Torch.
"You know, you're quite the brawler, you know that?" Jim chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Indeed." Namor agreed. "You are...quite a brawler yourself." Betty smiled.
"Betty's right, Namor." Jim said. "The surface world already has enough problems without you raising hell. A truce would do both our countries some good." He held out his hand, a smile on his face. "Truce?" Namor looked at the hand. Then he shook it.
"Truce."
"You know, I got a feeling that we'll see each other again. Who knows? With the way this war is going, we might even end up fighting together. Flame on!" He burst into flame and flew off.
"If such a day comes, I eagerly await it." Namor nodded. Betty blinked at him.
"He called you Namor." She noted.
"Indeed." Namor agreed. "I like it. It reminds me of an old Atlantean word. It meant 'Avenging Son'."
"Well, that certainly does fit you." Betty chuckled. Namor smiled.
"Unknown to James Hammond at the time, his words would prove prophetic. Namor and the Human Torch's paths would cross again. Two years later, Steve Rogers himself would go on to become one of the greatest heroes of two eras: the original Captain America. Namor's prediction that he and Rogers would meet again also proved to be prophetic. In December of 1942, Rogers, Namor, and Hammond would become the three founding members of the Invaders." The Watcher intoned. "The Invaders would fight the Nazis alongside the Howling Commandos during the Second World War. Their ranks would expand with the British superheroes Jacqueline and Andrew Falsworth, aka Spitfire and the second Union Jack. But that is another tale."
"...whoaaaaaa..." Miriam Mendelsohn blinked.
"That was so cool!" Abby Park whooped, bouncing in her seat. "That fight was awesome!"
"It was rather exciting." Priya Mangal noted, her expression and voice still as flat as ever.
"I can't believe those three ended up working together." Meilin Lee shook her head. "I can't imagine Steve wanting to work with someone he thought was nothing more than a bully."
The Watcher smiled. "War can create strange bedfellows. They would fight together throughout the war. The three of them would reunite in the 21st Century, but those are tales for another time."
"Wait, how?!" Miriam exclaimed.
"I mean, the Human Torch was an android, so he presumably get old..." Meilin analyzed, her hand on her chin. "And maybe those Talokan people live longer, but Steve Rogers? Unless he's somehow immortal..."
"Maybe he got frozen or something." Abby suggested.
"Wouldn't be that weird in a world like that." Priya concurred.
"I wanna hear about how they formed the Invaders!" Abby whooped. The Watcher smiled.
Out in space, Universe-1994G
"Here ya go, ma'am!" A space pirate handed a box to a bespectacled green-haired woman. The woman opened the box, and pulled out a scarf. "I knitted it myself!"
"It is a wonderful gift." Nastasha Zabigov complimented with a small smile, putting it around her neck. It had been four years since the Devil Gundam (aka the Dark Gundam) threatened to destroy Earth and its colonies. Since then, Zabigov had made good on a vow she made to the space pirate Argo Gullski, pilot of the Bolt Gundam and Black Joker of the Shuffle Alliance. She resigned her commission in the Neo-Russian army and joined Argo in the life of space piracy. Argo's old crew was...understandably frosty to her at first, but her toughness and strategic mind won them over. Not to mention her closeness to Argo himself.
"It does look beautiful on you, darling." Argo agreed. Argo's ship had a large room in it that his crew made into a common room, complete with a couple couches, comfy chairs, a pool table, some ancient arcade cabinets (The Street Fighter II and Galaga ones were gifts from Chibodee Crockett), and an open bar. The room was decorated with balloons and bunting, and a large banner with "Happy Birthday Nastasha" written on it. It was misspelled, and a couple of the letters were backwards. It was decided that Bill would never be allowed to do that again until he learned to write.
The crew were celebrating their captain's beloved's birthday, and they were about to have a very special visitor. In the middle of the room, a blue glowing line started to appear in the air. It then seemed to expand downwards, forming a glowing blue rectangular portal. A man walked through the portal. The man was wearing a red military-style jacket with an orange and yellow stylized comet insignia on the front, and gold epaulets on the shoulders. On his head was a red fedora with a black headband and a decoration of the comet from the front of his jacket on it. His outfit was completed by dark blue gloves, red jeans, and brown work boots. On his face was red, orange, and yellow face paint.
"Happy birthday, Miss Zabigov!" L17 greeted, holding out a large black box with a green bow on it. The space pirates all blinked at the stranger. They then all pointed their guns at him. L17 blinked and looked around.
"Sheesh, tough crowd. And I haven't even told any jokes yet."
"...who are you?" Nastasha asked.
"Call me L17, ma'am!" L17 greeted, tipping his hat. "And I'm here to give you a present!"
"A...present?" The green-haired woman blinked in confusion.
"Well, yeah." L17 nodded. "It's your birthday, and as such, I got you a present."
"...who are you?" Argo asked.
"I'm just a man, traveling around." L17 said. "And since the lovely Queen of the Space Pirates is celebrating her birthday, I thought I'd come by and wish her a happy one."
"How do we know you're not some wannabe-space cop?" One pirate snarled. "Or from another crew?"
"I assure you, I mean no harm." L17's smile never left his face. "If I had intended any harm, well..." He pointed out the window, in particular, a floating derelict spacecraft floating around. "See that hulk out there?" The crew nodded. "Watch." He held out his arm towards it and snapped his fingers.
KABOOM!
The derelict spacecraft exploded.
"If I had wanted to kill you all, I could do it with a literal snap of my fingers." L17 said. "And I wouldn't even need to be anywhere near this ship to do so."
"Who...what are you?" Argo asked in shock.
"As I said, I'm just a man." L17 answered. "I'm...a bit of a wanderer." He then smiled and held out his present. "And in my wanderings, I like to do a bit of good." There was silence that was short, but seemed like it would go on forever. Argo and Nastasha reluctantly ordered the crew to holster their weapons.
"Ya don't mind if I scan that, do ya?" One of the pirates asked nervously, holding up a small device. L17 smiled.
"Scan away." The pirate scanned the box.
"It's clean, bosses." He nodded. Nastasha took the box and removed the lid. The green-haired ex-soldier pulled out the contents: A black tricorne hat with a large red feather on it, and a matching jacket. The hat and jacket had red and gold highlights. The two clothing items looked like they came right out of the 18th century, from the Golden Age of Piracy.
"Since you're now doing the whole space pirate gig, I figured you should look the part." L17 chuckled. Nastasha tried on the hat. It fit perfectly.
"It does look good on you." Argo complimented with a smile. The green-haired woman let out a little smile herself.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome!" L17 grinned. "Enjoy the party!" He looked out the window, in particular, at the remains of the ship he blew up. "And I should clean that up. Would be a poor guest if I didn't." With a snap of his fingers, the ship's remains seemed to...fly towards where they once were. It was like watching a film rewind. Even the explosion was rewound, much to the amazement of the pirates. "Pretty cool, huh?" He tipped his hat. "Again, happy birthday, Miss Zabigov." He created a portal. "Oh, and before I go..." He turned to Argo and Nastasha. "Enjoy and love each other as much as you can."
"What do you mean by that?" Argo asked.
"There are worlds beyond this one." L17 said cryptically. "Many of them. And there are bad things coming. The Shuffle Alliance will need to ride again."
New York City, Earth-199596
"NOT GIVE MEANY COFFEE, WILL YOU?!" A male voice roared.
KRESH!
"Agh!" The barista yelped as he flew through the window and landed hard on the pavement. The bystanders nearby fled for their lives. The unfortunate employee groaned as the perpetrator burst their way through the door. Said perpetrator was what appeared to be a heavyset anthropomorphic warthog, wearing what appeared to be paramilitary gear. He stomped towards the moaning barista. "I don't get paid enough for this..."
"You think that you can deny me my coffee?" The being known as Warpig snarled as he grabbed the barista and hefted him up. "Do you know who I am?!" He heard the sound of someone landing behind him.
"Now, now. That barista is not your eating disorder." A voice taunted the supervillain. Warpig growled in fury, dropping the barista.
"Oh, look! A penis!" Warpig snarled at the source, a figure that had leapt down from the rooftops.
The figure was a man, clad in what appeared to be light armor that seemed to homage tokusatsu-style heroes like Kamen Rider. The suit was bluish-black, with red armored pieces over the chest, shoulders, lower arms and legs. The red armored pieces had thin gold lines on them that evoked webbing. The red helmet covered his head fully, also decorated with thin gold webbing lines and big white eyes bordered by black. On the chestplate was an emblem of a stylized black spider bordered with gold.
Aaron Aikman, the Spider-Defender, had arrived.
"Been so long since you've seen yours that you have forgotten what it looks like, huh?" Aikman mocked.
Warpig growled and whipped out a chaingun. "I'm gonna blast your ugly face off!" The chaingun whirred and the barrels started to spin. The gun started to whine as its laser batteries powered up.
"Coming from you, that's a compliment." Aikman chuckled. He quickly pointed his arm at the chaingun.
THWIP! THWIP! THWIP! THWIP! THWIP! THWIP!
From his gauntlet, he fired some small spheres of webbing. The spheres hit the barrels, clogging them with webbing. The gun then exploded.
"AGH!" Warpig roared. He snarled and tossed the now-useless hunk of metal aside. "That was my favorite gun, you mother-!"
THWIP!
"MMMMMM!" Warpig roared. Or, well, tried to. Aikman had covered his mouth with webs.
"Now, now. Let's try to clean up our language." Aikman teased with a wagging finger. Warpig tried to roar in rage as he pulled at the webbing covering his mouth. Aikman then fired a bolo from one of his gauntlets. The bolo wrapped itself around Warpig's legs. The warthog man tried to keep his balance, flaling his arms about. "Night night, Warpig." He downed the being with a hard right hook, sending Warpig to dreamland.
That night
Aikman smiled under his helmet as he looked over the cityscape.
Ah, New York, New York. So nice, they named it twice. The scientist thought. He took off his helmet, revealing a brunet green-eyed man. "I will never get tired of this view."
"Indeed. It is quite beautiful." A seductive feminine voice stated. Aaron's Spider-Sense went off. He turned around and saw a woman sitting on a couch. She had long white hair, pale skin, and yellow eyes. She was clad in a red longcoat with a white blouse and waistcoat, black gloves, and white pants with black thigh-high boots. Aaron noticed that on her belt appeared to be black leather scabbards containing what looked like machete-like sword. The scientist frowned.
"And you are?"
"My name is Bora." The woman introduced herself. "I am an Inheritor."
"I see." Aaron said. His Spider-Sense still was buzzing in his head. This woman is trouble...
Bora smirked and got up from her couch. "We Inheritors have a...special relationship with people like you."
"Like...me?"
"You wear the spider." She pointed at the spider emblem on his chest. "You are part of the Web of Life."
Web of Life? Yeah, this woman is definitely trouble. And crazy.
"I...see." Aaron said.
"A shame that I have to consume you." A still-smirking Bora pulled out one of her throwing knives and licked it. "You are quite handsome, for a human."
Aaron shrugged. "I'm not bothered. I'm not into the whole wannabe-vampire thing." He noticed her hair. "I prefer dark-haired women." He picked up his helmet. "I am not a foolish man. We all die one day. I have accepted that. However..." He put said helmet on. "I am in no rush to meet the Reaper. So if you want me to greet him..." He put his fists up. "You're going to have to fight for it."
Bora burst out laughing. "Oh, I am actually going to regret consuming you, so I'll make this quick." cannot wait to brag about this to my brother. Especially after his failure on Earth-201217...
"There she is!" A voice called out. "SD! Get back!"
"Huh?" Bora blinked in confusion. She then heard the sound of thunder.
KRAKOOM!
"GWAHHHHAFEUFEFK:DLSFUENFENFSDFNKENFOEALKFDSNFOWGLE{WEINFEWOI!" Bora babbled out as she was hit by a bolt of lightning. A cluster of missiles then hit her and sent her flying. "GAWDAMMITTHISCRAPISBRIX'STHING!" Aaron turned and saw Air Enforcer fly towards him. Accompanying the Skysurfer was what appeared to be a bald Black man with a neatly-trimmed goatee. He wore gold and black armor, with a fuzzy red cape. In his hand was what appeared to be a small war hammer.
Luke Cage, Thor for Hire. Real Name: Lucas "Luke" Cage (legally changed from Carl Lucas). Birthplace: New York City, Earth-88255. Affiliation: Illuminati Agent – Team Thor. Physiology: Human Mutate, enhanced by Asgardian Mysticism. Powers and Abilities: Innate superhuman powers include superhuman strength, stamina, durability. Skilled hand-to-hand combatant, businessman, and detective. Superhuman powers further enhanced by being chosen to wield the power of Thor.
"Gotta thank Taj again for warning us." Air Enforcer said as he and Luke landed on the roof. "And also, thanks again for the backup, Cage."
"My pleasure." Cage said. "I've been wanting a piece of that woman for a very long time. The Spider-Woman of my universe lost her left leg because of her."
"I have been hearing through the grapevine that you Skysurfers have been trying to chat with every 'costumed adventurer' you can find." Aaron recalled. "Most recently, those sharks in Miami and those mummies in San Francisco."
"Yeah, since that whole thing with that Scottish time-traveler, we've been wanting to see if we can get more of our fellow 'superheroes' on speed-dial." Air Enforcer confirmed.
"Indeed." Aaron agreed. "I admit, I am rather curious about that woman. She claimed to be something called an Inheritor."
"I can explain her." Cage nodded. "I am an agent of the Illuminati."
"Illuminati?"
"An organization that helps protect the Multiverse."
Aaron blinked. "The Multiverse? Wait...the Fox Theory? It's true?"
"Yup." Air Enforcer nodded with a chuckle. "Us Skysurfers met a couple people from other universes."
"Fascinating..." A clearly intrigued Aaron rubbed his chin. "I would love to discuss that with you."
"The Inheritors are a family of vampire-like beings from an Earth designated Earth-001." Cage explained. "They feed on those who call upon the totems of various animals for power. Thanks to an event on an Earth designated 199999, the barriers between dimensions had been weakened, allowing the Inheritors to travel to other worlds, feeding on other beings."
"Yes, that Brix woman mentioned me being connected to a Web of Life." Aaron recalled. "I thought she was crazy."
"All those who wear the Spider are connected to the Web." Cage explained. "Including you."
"Forgive me, but that sounds...mystical. I got my powers from science, not magic."
"It matters not." Cage shook his head. "You have the power of the Spider, and as such, you are this world's Spider-Totem. We've been collaborating with another Spider, who has been hunting the Inheritors himself." (Author's Note: In The New Justice Guild, Miguel O'Hara of Earth-199928 met the Rita Rosen/Arachne of Earth-712 to recruit her for a Spider-Army to take down the Inheritors)
"The Inheritors want your life force, man." Air Enforcer added. "We need to get you out of here. Besides, we've been wanting to talk to you, anyway."
"Very well." Aaron agreed. "Besides, as a scientist, the Fox Theory being true excites me." He looked at Cage. "I would love to discuss the differences between our Earths." The three heard growling and saw an angry Bora flying towards them.
"I WILL HAVE YOUR LIFE, SPIDER!" She shouted.
"NOT TODAY!" Cage yelled back, his hammer alight with power.
The remains of Binghamton, NY, Earth-66609
"Uhn..." Jennifer Thomas groaned as her eyes fluttered open. "Wha..." She blinked as she saw herself in her room. The last thing she remembered was feeling sicker than she thought was humanly possible.
"Urg..." She slowly sat up and saw her father get up to his feet, rubbing the back of his head. His short hair was graying at the sides, and his dark brown eyes bore into her own. His complexion showed he was African-American.
"Jen..." Raleigh Thomas blinked. "You're...you're better." He grabbed the girl in a hug. "You're better! It's a miracle!"
"Yeah, I...I do feel better." Jennifer nodded. She slowly got up and stretched. "In fact, I feel even better than before."
"Same here." Raleigh nodded. "The last thing I remember was...holding your hand when..."
"Maybe...maybe others are feeling better too!" Jennifer suggested. "Maybe this 'super-flu' thing wasn't really that big a deal!"
"Maybe..." Raleigh answered, looking outside. "Maybe it..." He looked outside and saw that there was no activity. That's odd... He thought. "Hang on, let me call...your mother..." He pulled out his phone when he noticed that Jennifer was fanning herself.
"Dad...did you turn the heat up in here?" Jennifer asked.
"No..."
"Then why do I feel so..." She looked at her hands.
Her now fiery hands. Jennifer screamed.
"Daddy, I'm on fire!" The girl yelped.
"Just stay calm, honey! I'll get the-!" Raleigh made a calming gesture with his hands, but then his arms started to stretch. They coiled around Jennifer's arms, smothering the flames. The two gasped in shock as his arms uncoiled and returned to their normal length. "That..." He looked at his arms. "That didn't hurt." He turned his arms over. There was no sign of damage or burns of any kind. His skin didn't even redden.
"Dad...what...what happened to us?!" Jennifer yelped.
"I...I wish I knew..." Raleigh's thoughts would be interrupted.
"Is this your place?" The two heard a man's voice say. The voice was deep and growly.
"Yes, it is." The voice of Sandra Sakai-Thomas answered. "I know they likely are dead, but I have to know for sure."
"...Mom." Jennifer whispered. The two carefully left the room, walked down the hall, and headed for the stairs. The two saw an Asian-American woman, dressed in scrubs, walk into the house. Accompanying them was a muscular man in fatigues. His hat covered his dark hair, which was cut in a high-and-tight style. His eyes were a warm blue.
"Ya want me to check first for ya?" The fatigues-clad man offered. "Might be some nuts in this house."
"Mom!" Jennifer called out, running down the stairs.
"Jenny!" Sandra yelled in delight, grabbing her daughter in a hug. "You...you're..."
"Same to you, mom!" A teary-eyed Jennifer hugged her mom again. Raleigh walked down the stairs.
"Sandy..."
"Rally!" Sandra grabbed her husband in a hug. "I thought Trips took you!"
"It did. At least, I think it did." Raleigh said. The fatigues-wearing man smiled.
"This is gonna bring a tear to my eye." He chuckled. Sandra smiled at the man.
"This is Lt. Andrew Roth, New York National Guard." The doctor introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you two." Roth shook Raleigh and Jennifer's hands. His voice revealed he was a Lower East Side boy.
"He found me at the hospital when he was looking for survivors." Sandra explained. "He accompanied me home as...I wanted to be sure if you were alive or dead." A short time later, the four sat at the table of the Thomas family's dining room, having some coffee.
"Biochemist, huh?" Andy asked Raleigh.
"Yes." Raleigh nodded. "I've been working for the college for about twenty-five years now."
"Heh." Roth snickered. "I never was one for book-learnin' myself. But I can fix anythin' with wheels."
"Well, if we have car troubles, I know who I can call." Raleigh smiled. The two men laughed. Jennifer looked around nervously.
"Sweetie, are you alright?" Sandra asked. Jennifer shook her head.
"No. I...I have something to show you." She got up and took a few steps back. "Don't freak out." She held up her arms, and made them burst into flames.
"So...Andy and I weren't the only ones." Sandra blinked.
"What?" Raleigh gaped.
"Look." Sandra held up her own arm...and it faded from sight. She turned her head to Andrew. "Show them."
"Helped me fight off some punks on the way here." Roth rolled up his sleeves. Before the family's eyes, his skin turned into what appeared to be brown interlocking rock-like plates.
"...Incredible." Raleigh mumbled. "I have been given a gift as well." He stretched out his arms.
"So, all four of us are freaks." Jennifer muttered. "Lovely."
"At least we're alive." Andy shrugged.
"I do admit, it is strange." Sandra stated. "Why us?"
"I wish we could examine this further." Raleigh agreed, rubbing his chin. "I mean, the three of us are a family..."
"But I ain't related to you." Andy pointed out.
"We got the Trips." Jennifer said, pointing at Raleigh.
"So did I." Andy confirmed.
"Same here." Sandra nodded. "That seems to be the only thing we have in common."
"We'll have to go to my lab at the college." Raleigh agreed. "I have a theory. I think the Trips mutated us somehow." Little did any of these four people realize, they had become something their world needed. Something...fantastic...
On the road to Las Vegas
The Dark Man walked down the road, holding a triangular golden object under his arm. He grunted as he put a hand on his head.
Where did that headache come from? Randall Flagg thought. The flash of pain was gone as quickly as it came. He then shook his head and continued on his way. The Walkin' Dude smiled and patted the Triforce piece under his arm as he walked. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but he had a feeling he was given a great boon. Unnoticed to him was L17, sitting on a comfy armchair on the side of the road, looking at a tablet.
Hmmm... L17 rubbed his chin in thought. Miss Piggy's little iceberg massacre altered this timeline, too. In the new history of this world, the US government didn't deliberately unleash ol' Cap Trips on the world...and the empowerments...had to do quite a bit of looking to make sure those gifts went to people who could handle them and would use them for good. With great power also must come great responsibility and all that... He peeked up and saw Flagg walk by. A smirk formed on his face as he saw the Man in Black continue on his way.
"That's right, Randy. Keep on walking." L17 fought the urge to laugh. "You're gonna have a whole new bunch of headaches coming your way, pally. Mike may be afraid of ya, but me? Nope. Because thanks to a certain porcine-headed person I know...and maaaaaaybe a little bit of my influence, this world now is going to have something that will cause you a lot of problems." He snapped his fingers, and a trade paperback appeared in his hand. He looked at the cover of his book and smiled.
Fantastic Four Epic Collection Vol. 1: The World's Greatest Comic Magazine.
"Those four in Binghamton will be the first of many. Many who will oppose you. Many who will stop you. The 'Trippers', they will call them." He continued watching the Ageless Stranger walk. L17 smirked and made a ball of light appear in his hand. The light showed various other victims of the superflu waking up and discovering their new gifts.
In a junkyard near Phoenix, Arizona, a young Native American woman was using parts of discarded vehicles and electronics to build various devices, and most notably, what looked like a suit of powered armor.
In Miami, Florida, a gay transman was using his new power of cryokinesis to keep food fresh for survivors he found.
In Reno, Nevada, a college-age blonde girl was using her new light powers to blast away a gang of marauders.
In Cleveland, Ohio, a Chinese-American punk rock singer sent some marauders flying with a sonic scream. He pumped his fist in triumph.
In Portland, Oregon, a teenage Latino boy saved a little girl from a falling girder by grabbing her, and leaping onto a building's wall, sticking to it like a spider. He then swung her to safety on a line of webbing from his wrist.
In Topeka, Kansas, a brunet heavyset man used telekinesis to move some rubble aside, finding an injured survivor.
In Honolulu, Hawaii, a Native Hawaiian man zipping through the streets, looking for survivors, even crossing the water between islands.
In Anchorage, Alaska, an Inuit woman using what appeared to be a hard light construct of a bat fighting off an angry bear.
"And that's just the US!" L17 chuckled. "You may have helped unleash ol' Captain Trips on the world, Randy-boy...but it also will give birth to those who will help bring you down." He chuckled. "Now that is irony for ya." He pulled a lever on his armchair, allowing him to recline. With a smile on his face, L17 cracked open his trade paperback and started to read it. This world may have been an apocalyptic one, but it was quiet. For now, at least. Maybe he'll go troll Flagg later. If he was bored. Really bored.
Elsewhere, an elderly Black woman smiled. Like L17, she sensed these new beings. She felt hope. This world now has something Randall Flagg never expected...heroes.
Dedicated to the memories of Carl Burgos, creator of the Original Human Torch, and Bill Everett, creator of Namor.
The Madison Square Garden in this story is indeed the third MSG. This MSG was erected in 1925 and closed in 1968. It was located in Manhattan, on the west side of 8th Avenue, between 49th and 50th streets. The New York Knicks and Rangers played there. For pro wrestling fans, this building witnessed Bruno Sammartino defeat "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers to become the second World Wide Wrestling Federation Champion in 1963. The WWWF would eventually become WWF, and is now WWE.
The scene with Steve and Bucky on a double date is a nod to my Infinity Crisis story Local Heroes. In that one-shot, Steve revealed he witnessed some of the fight between Jim Hammond and Namor back in 1940. And the scene with Namor and Steve is not only meant to foreshadow them being in the Invaders together later on, but also to help remind folks that Steve's courage and dislike for bullies didn't come from the Super-Soldier Serum. He had it long beforehand. Also, I can imagine Namor being shocked when he sees Steve after he became Cap.
The scene with the girls from Turning Red is a nod to Movie-Brat's story The Girl from TORONTO. In that story, a version of the girls from from that movie discovered the Watcher. So, I thought it would be fun to follow up on that and reveal that the Watcher is telling them a few stories from throughout the Multiverse.
If you're wondering, my avatar's outfit in the scene set in the G Gundam universe is meant to be an homage to Captain Comet, an obscure DC superhero that first appeared in Strange Adventures #9 (June 1951), created by Julius Schwartz, John Broome, and Carmine Infantino. And I wanted to bring in G Gundam because, well, I love that show. It's my favorite Gundam show.
Aaron Aikman, the Spider-Defender, first appeared in Edge of Spider-Verse #3 (September 2014 ), created by Dustin Weaver. He was called "The Spider-Man" in his appearance, but I thought "Spider-Defender" sounded cooler.
The interaction between Aaron and Warpig is a nod to DragonBall Z Abridged. I love that show.
Bora first appeared in Superior Spider-Man #33 (September 2014), created by Dan Slott, Christos Gage, and Giuseppe Camuncoli.
Luke Cage, Thor for Hire, was from Movie-Brat's New Discoveries. In my story The New Justice Guild, I established the threat of the Inheritors and that Miguel O'Hara of Earth-199928 was building a Spider-Army to stop them. I could imagine Movie-Brat's Illuminati learning of this and collaborating with Miguel to help stop them.
The scene on Earth-66609 was inspired by Michael Weyer's Cleaning Duties. It got me reading about The Stand on TV Tropes, and it got me thinking. What if some of those who died from Captain Trips ended up not only waking up, but also finding themselves with superpowers? It led to the creation of the Fantastic Four expies. Even though I am fond of Superman, at heart, I am a Marvel head. The FF brought about the modern Marvel Universe as we know it, so...yeah. Also, the idea of Randall Flagg getting headaches from dealing with superheroes amused me to no end. If you want to do something with the "Trippers", let me know.