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Avengers 2000 Is Proud to Present:
Annual # 1
All the Small Things
Written By Barry Reese
The smell of war filled the air, coupled with the screams and moans of the dying. Susan Richards, aka the Invisible Woman, moved through the throngs of people unseen. She had fled to the Microverse in hopes of saving her family from the horror building within her, but she'd ended up on a world that resembled Hell itself.
Armored warriors known as Acroyears flew overhead, clashing with the forces of Baroness Karza. From what little Sue knew of the Microverse's history, Karza's father had once ruled with an iron-fist, his power consolidated through the Body Banks programs. Eventually a band of freedom fighters led by the Micronauts had brought his empire down, leaving the Microverse in splintered factions. According to some of the posters and chatter around her, Sue assumed that the Baroness was a recent arrival on the scene, having appeared from nowhere to proclaim herself the heir to the Baron's legacy. Her forces were now raiding world after world, bringing them beneath her boot... and they were now setting their sights on the Acroyear homeworld.
The Invisible Woman staggered, losing control over her solidity. Ever since the battle with Crucible and the Frightful Four*, she'd been in near constant agony, unable to maintain either her visibility or density for very long. The pain had helped bring about a return of the dark side of her personality, the entity known as Malice, which she was barely holding in check.
(*In AV2K's FF # 22)
Sue fell to her knees as the pain intensified. She returned to visibility, though her skin was still immaterial, allowing her internal skeletal structure to peek through. A cloud of smoke passed by as an explosion went off nearby, obscuring her vision. When it cleared, a squad of Acroyears were gathered around her, swords and guns pointed at her.
"What is that, my Prince?" one of them asked their commander.
The man identified as a Prince wore white and red armor, a massive glowing sword gripped in his right hand. His voice was familiar to Sue and she recognized it as belonging to Prince Acroyear of the Micronauts... evidently since she'd seen him last he'd ascended to his proper place as head of his people. "It's hard to say, given the way they're fading in and out... but I think I know her. Susan Richards? Is that you?"
Sue looked up, wanting to tell him that it was her... and that she needed help. But another spasm wracked her body and she convulsed... and in that moment, Malice reasserted herself. When she glanced back up, Acroyear backed away from the violence in her eyes. His battle-honed reflexes caused him to activate the glider-wings on his back and he jumped upwards, just dodging a powerful wave of invisible force. It tore through his personal guard, shattering several sets of armor and breaking bones.
Rising to her feet, the Invisible Woman used the rage that fueled Malice to solidify her form once more. Her FF uniform was torn and hung loosely from her body in tatters, revealing a thin bra strap over one shoulder and ample amounts of flesh. When she spoke, it was not with the pleasant tones of Susan Richards, but with the cruel whisper of someone far more frightening. "I'm free... after all those months being locked away, I'm free*. "
(*Malice last came out to play during Ralph Angelo's run on this series. See FF # 10-12)
Prince Acroyear raised his sword high. He didn't know what had happened to the sweet woman he'd met before, but he knew that he had no time to coddle her. His planet was under vicious assault and he was needed at the head of his armies. "Stand down, Mrs. Richards. I have no desire to harm you but I will if necessary."
"You couldn't hurt me if you tried."
This time she struck before Acroyear could even begin to respond. Sue narrowed her eyes and created a bubble of air around the warriors head. She then caused the sphere to implode with such force that his helmet cracked under the strain and a muffled cry came from him.
He landed hard on the ground, looking like a broken toy.
"Idiot. I warned you," Malice whispered.
"<klik>You should pay more attention <klik> to your surroundings!"
Malice started to turn but by then it was too late for her to raise a force field. A blast of energy nearly took her head off, making her topple over just inches from where Acroyear lay.
"A little rough, don't you think?" Commander Rann said, stepping up next to his compatriot, the insectile hero known as Bug.
"It was just right, if you ask me," Marionette said, answering for Bug. "She's obviously lost her mind." The stunning beauty wore a form fitting one piece outfit with thigh-high boots, looking far more colorful than the drab green of Bug's attire and the striking blue of Rann's.
Rann grunted, looking up at the sky, which was darkening as Karza's forces began to mass. "Pick her up and we'll head back to the palace. I'll take Acroyear."
"Do you think <klik> we're gonna make it this time?" Bug asked.
"We'd better... because if this planet falls, there won't be anyone left to stand in the way of the Baroness!"
Baroness Persephone Karza stared out the viewscreen of her flagship, her bright blue eyes alight with pleasure. Flames burned all over the Acroyear homeworld as its citizens paid the price for refusing to bow down before its betters. An almost sexual rush built in her loins and she found herself idly running her fingertips across the black breastplate she wore. The armor as a whole was designed to remind all who saw it that she was daughter to Karza and heir to his throne.
Persephone herself had never met the Baron, having been one of several dozen illegitimate offspring he’d sired over the course of his long life. But her mother had made it clear to the young blonde girl that she had the blood of kings in her veins and that she would someday be reunited with the brilliant tactician who’d united the Microverse. Persephone had been heartbroken when she’d learned of her father’s death at the hands of the rebels known as the Micronauts, but she’d also recognized it as an opportunity. The Baron had rightly hoarded his power, slaying all who challenged him. Now Persephone could take the reigns of rulership without first killing the man who’d fathered her. It saved valuable time and energy.
“Baroness.”
Persephone turned at the sound of the Viceroy’s voice. He was wearing crimson and white robes, a sign of his office. He was handsome enough and was Persephone’s current lover of choice, though she’d begun to tire of him. “You bring news of Prince Acroyear’s surrender, I hope.”
The Viceroy inclined his head, making it clear that his news was not pleasant in nature. “We have confirmed sightings of the Micronauts, milady. They somehow made it through the blockage we’ve established around the planet and are currently providing aid to the Acroyear forces.”
“Hmm.” Persephone pursed her full lips, looking like a pouting child. “I want them dead. They killed daddy and mean to do the same to me.”
“We won’t allow that to happen,” he assured her. “There is something else, however. Our sensors detected a dimensional incursion less than an hour ago, emanating from the Macroverse.”
“Did the Micronauts seek help from Earth?”
“We’re not certain.”
“Then make certain somehow… establish a beachhead around the incursion site and begin searching for witnesses. I want to know who or what has come through.”
“It shall be done.”
The Baroness watched the Viceroy slink away, her thoughts darkening. She’d massed her forces, using ever last resource to her name. She’d bartered away her future if they lost this war… but if they won, she would be ruler of every world and of every person. Her gauntleted fist clenched at her side, the sexual heat having left her during the Viceroy’s words. “I’m going to kill the Micronauts for you, father. And once the Body Banks are restored, I’ll make sure that all your dreams and plans come to fruition.”
A tremendous flash of light heralded the arrival of a second member of the Fantastic Four. Johnny Storm, his heart heavy with guilt and sadness, stepped through into the Microverse. He’d followed his sister here, though he had no idea how far behind her he was. It hadn’t been easy to come here, not with Reed and the others missing* and his son still mourning the loss of his mother, Johnny’s old flame Dorrie Evans. But in the end, he couldn’t let Sue run around in the middle of a war zone alone, not with her condition being the way it was.
(*See
FF #24-25 for more on where the others are)
All
around him lay broken bodies and shattered bits of armor. The smoke was so thick
that he coughed as it burned his lungs. He flamed on, igniting the air around
him, and took to the skies. It wasn’t much better up above. Armored men fought
in the distance and a massive mothership of some kind was raining down bombs and
energy blasts, riddling the landscape. It reminded Johnny of film footage he’d
seen of
Johnny tapped the fiery “4” on his chest, activating the communications device hidden there. “Sue? Can you hear me?”
No one answered though static made it impossible to tell if she was receiving his call or not. He thought about flying lower and making a slow run through the nearby areas, but given her ability to bend light about herself and turn invisible, he could fly right over her head and never know it. He was scared for her – Reed said that Crucible’s Evo Solution had augmented her natural abilities, overloading her ability to control how much energy she was drawing from Hyperspace. He’d been so wrapped up in his own problems that he hadn’t been able to pay much attention to Reed’s progress on finding a cure.
“Attention: You are ordered to power down and surrender. Any resistance on your part will be met with lethal force!”
The Torch turned at the blaring voice, seeing that one of the invading ships had broken off from the others and was heading straight towards him. “Not my fight, boys… leave me out of it,” he whispered, though there was no way for his words to be heard by the approaching ship.
The invaders repeated their threat, this time warming up the laser cannons located along the sides of the vessel. Seeing this, the Torch raised both hands and channeled flame towards the ship. He struck at the cannons, causing them to overheat and explode. This sent the craft spiraling out of control. Before Johnny could feel any pleasure from the small victory, three more craft broke from formation and began streaking towards him.
A part of him relished this opportunity to cut loose. Since Lyja’s accusations during the battle with the Frightful Four, Johnny hadn’t indulged in his powers the way he normally would. But this – this was a chance to forget about his problems and focus on a more immediate problem, one that could be answered through physical force.
The Human Torch flew towards his foes, dodging an energy burst from one of them and unleashing a flurry of fireballs in return. To one of the others, he directed a blinding burst of light followed by a circle of flame that engulfed the ship completely. The last of the vessels was brought down after the Torch flew beneath them and directed a concentrated burst of flame straight upwards. It caused their engine to flare out, smoke trailing behind the ship as it went down.
With a cocky grin on his face, the Torch pumped the air with his fist. “Take that, you morons!” he shouted. “You don’t mess with a member of the FF!” A shadow fell over him, making him look up. One of the larger vessels, one of the ones from which the smaller ships were emerging, had turned its sights on him. “Uh-oh,” he murmured.
The
Torch turned and flew away, trying to put some distance between him and his
pursuers but it was no use. Even at his top speed, he couldn’t avoid the
massive blast of energy that shot forth from the ship. It struck him hard,
sending him tumbling like a flaming comet towards the hard ground below. He was
unconscious before the ship’s tractor beam locked on to him, his last thoughts
being ones about
The Invisible Woman woke up feeling better than she had in many days. Gone was the persistent pain she’d been experiencing and even more encouraging, the voice of Malice was silenced in her head. She sat up, finding that she was lying nude beneath expensive sheets in what looked like a futuristic bedroom. A painting on the wall showed a dark skinned bald man with his arms around several children, while a fireplace burned warmly in the corner. The furnishings were ornate and made her feel like she was in a palace of some kind. In the distance, she heard the rumblings of war, but here all seemed peaceful.
Slipping out from under the covers, Sue looked about for her clothing but found it missing. In its place lay an unusual garment on the chair beside her bed. She slipped it on, finding that it displayed a bit more leg than she was used to. It was somewhat similar to the outfit she’d worn during Reed’s disappearance awhile back, though it was more modest in all respects save for the fact that her thighs were left bare between the end of the suit’s crotch and the tops of the high boots that completed the outfit.
After slipping it on, Sue reached up to scratch an itch at the base of her skull. She was startled to feel an electronic device attached to her skin. Moving towards a mirror, Sue lifted up her hair and turned her head, trying to get a look at it. She saw a small silver disc with a blinking red light.
“Don’t worry,” someone said as they entered the room. “It’s helping you control your powers.”
Sue whirled about, coming face to face with the Micronaut called Marionette. Sue couldn’t help looking down and discovering that her own attire was similar to Mari’s, though of a darker hue. “You brought me the clothes, didn’t you?”
“I picked them out.” Mari stopped in front of Sue, looking curious. “What are you doing here, Mrs. Richards? Not that we wouldn’t like the help, but we certainly weren’t expecting you.”
“I… had a rough time recently. I fled here to try and avoid hurting anyone.” A look of concern came over Sue’s face. “I didn’t, did I? I can’t remember much since I came here.”
“You attacked Acroyear and some of his troops. I apologize for the way Bug brought you down. You’re liable to have a bad headache.”
“I feel fine, actually. What’s the device for?”
“It regulates your Hyperspace energy flow. Once Biotron figured out what was wrong with you, it only took him a few minutes to create something that would help.”
“I’m surprised you grasped it so quickly….”
“We’ve seen similar things here before. Are your teammates coming?”
“They don’t know where I am.”
“You’re sure of that?”
Sue frowned. “Yes.”
Mari nodded. “Well, we have unconfirmed reports of a flying man covered in flame. He was captured by Karza’s troops and taken aboard her flagship.”
“I thought Karza was a man….”
“He was. This is his daughter. You think the Human Torch might have followed you?”
“Johnny must have.” Sue ran her hand over the metal disc once more. “Thanks for the help.”
“You can repay us,” Mari answered. She led Sue out of the room and down the hall, where Commander Rann was studying a series of blueprints. Bug crouched atop a nearby table, snacking on some wiggling things he was pulling out of a carton. Two robots – one large, one small – worked at the rear of the room.
The handsome man smiled at the two of them, though Sue noted the warmest regards seemed to be aimed at Mari. “Glad you’re on your feet. Has Mari told you what we’re planning?”
“No… but if it involves rescuing my brother, I’m certainly willing to help.”
“Excellent! We’d planned to sneak onboard the mother ship using some stolen uniforms and a modified shuttle… but your powers should make it all the simpler. We’ll stow away on a returning shuttle and you’ll keep us invisible.”
Sue hesitated, fearing how her powers were going to respond. Even if she was able to control them more now, they were still augmented… Nevertheless, she nodded. “Whatever it takes.”
“He’s so handsome,” a female voice purred. Johnny stirred at the sudden touch of a woman’s hand on his torso, caressing and teasing. “What did you say his name was, Viceroy?”
As Johnny opened his eyes, he saw a man garbed in red and white standing nearby. The man didn’t look happy. “John Storm. A hero from Earth. Member of the laughably named ‘Fantastic Four.’”
“Doesn’t sound laughable to me. He is fantastic.” Johnny glanced down to see that not only was he hanging bound to a wall, but that he was dressed only in his boxers… and that a gorgeous girl in black armor was checking him out. She had pulled off the gauntlet on her left hand so she’d have full access to feeling his skin.
“He’s also awake,” the Viceroy pointed out. The look in his eyes was one of furious jealousy.
The girl ceased her caressing, a cruel smile touching her lips. “You destroyed several of my ships. Single-handedly. I was so angry… I could have taken you as soon as you were brought to me.”
Johnny swallowed, his head aching. “I figured I was a goner.”
“You were in very poor shape,” she agreed. “But apparently you have some sort of control of flame… that’s the only thing that kept you from burning to death.”
“I’m a prisoner,” Johnny stated, testing his bonds. They were strong enough to hold Ben in place.
“Yes!” the Viceroy exclaimed. “A prisoner who will be put to death if you do not….”
“Leave us,” the Baroness said.
“What?” her advisor answered, looking like he’d just been slapped.
“You heard me,” she replied, an edge entering her voice. “Leave us alone.”
Once the Viceroy had skulked out of the room, the Baroness stepped away from Johnny. She poured herself a glass of wine, studying him as she did so. “Why are you here?”
“To find my sister. She’s sick.”
“How noble. You’re not here to ally yourself with the Micronauts?”
“I just want to find Sue… and then we’ll go home.”
Persephone moved towards again, licking her lips as she savored the wine. “I’d like you to stay. With me.”
Once again, Johnny mused, my incredible sex appeal comes to the fore. “I’m flattered… but maybe we could start off with a few emails, then move on to dinner… You know, before we get into the whole settling down deal.”
Karza laughed. “You’re funny. I admire a man who can laugh in the face of death.” Her tone became less playful and more commanding. “I need a new lover. One who can be my equal.”
“Sorry, lady… but I really don’t have time for this.” Johnny tensed his body. “Flame On!”
The Baroness watched with amusement as Johnny’s face fell in disbelief. No flames answered his call, no fiery display of power signaled his coming freedom.
“What did you do to me?” he asked incredulously.
“My scientists say your powers ‘burned out’ somehow. Apparently, our new energy cannons reacted with the radiation in your bloodstream.”
“New cannons… What do you use to power them?”
“Collected
Cosmic Radiation.” Persephone moved towards, leaning forward to kiss him
trembling stomach. “You’re powerless now, my lovely… but don’t worry, I
still want you.”
“Did you see the look on the Viceroy’s face? He’s really ticked.”
The guard chuckled at his friend’s words. The Viceroy had just stormed past them, not even acknowledging their greeting. Guarding the private chambers of the Baroness meant that you saw plenty of the Viceroy but usually he left with more of a bounce in his step. “You think she’s sleeping with him?”
“Who? The prisoner? Maybe. We should all be so lucky.”
“At least we’re not down there fighting the damned Acroyears. Makes us a little bit lucky.”
“Yeah, you’re right about… What do you want?”
The other guard turned to look at his friend. “What?”
“You tapped me on the shoulder.”
“No, I didn’t."
“That was me, actually.”
Both guards turned to see a beautiful blonde shimmering into view, Bug at her side. Sue delivered a powerful punch to the jaw of one of the guards while Bug blasted the other.
“<klik> Nice job! I could get used to <klik> being invisible.”
“It has its advantages.” She stepped up to the door blocking their way into Karza’s quarters. “Rann, you still there?”
From elsewhere on the massive vessel, the leader of the Micronauts replied “We’re reading you loud and clear. Mari and I are in the engine room, about to make some noise. Have you found your brother?”
“Yes… and he’s with the Baroness.”
“Don’t underestimate her,” Rann warned. “If you’d rather, you might wait for us to join you.”
“I appreciate it,” Sue replied, concentrating. She used her increased powers to peel the metal door from her path, doing it as easily as it were tissue paper. “But I think we can handle it ourselves.”
The Invisible Woman and Bug entered the chamber, where they found Karza standing before a bound Human Torch. Sue couldn’t hide her embarrassment at finding her brother in his underwear, obviously about to be violated.
“Who dares?” Karza bellowed.
“We <klik> do!” Bug answered, springing forward like a grasshopper. He dodged an energy blast that came from Karza’s remaining gauntlet, though the blast left a gaping hole in the wall.
Sue channeled invisible force at the bonds holding her brother. They snapped easily, much to Johnny’s surprise. He’d been convinced they could restrain the Thing himself….
Karza’s anger intensified when she saw that her prey was free. She backhanded him hard, sending blood spraying from Johnny’s mouth. “Down, dog!”
“Don’t touch my brother again!” Sue shouted, slamming Karza backwards with tremendous force.
Karza moaned in agony, forcing herself up to her knees. She spat out blood. “You’re powerful… but I am the heir to Karza! My power will reign supreme!”
Sue raised a hand, creating an invisible wall of energy around Karza’s head. The Baroness shouted, but her words were lost behind the bubble… slowly, her oxygen died away, as well, causing her to topple forward like a rag doll.
“You were <klik> impressive,” Bug said, staring at her in surprise. To see Karza felled so easily was a surprise to him. “If anyone <klik> asks… I roughed her up <klik> for you.”
Sue laughed and nodded. She helped her brother to his feet. “Why didn’t you flame on?” she asked him.
“I can’t,” he answered, looking deeply into her eyes. “My powers are gone.”
“Oh, Johnny… I’m sure Reed can do something to…”
“No!” Johnny laughed. “Don’t you see?
It was my powers that were harming everyone… Now I’m okay to be around
“You don’t know that….” Sue answered. Though she’d been half-mad during the past few days, she’d heard a bit of what Reed had been saying and knew her brother’s condition.
“Reed’ll check it out. But I'm betting she's right -- it's over." He hugged her tightly and she couldn't help but share his happiness. If this was what he wanted, then she was glad he'd gotten it.
Several hours later, Sue and Johnny stood in the grand ballroom of the Acroyear palace. The room was filled with the injured but pleased warriors of the planet's defensive forces. Following the destruction of the mothership and the capture of Karza, the invading forces had fallen into disarray. The Invisible Woman had led the fight to repel them, using her powers in ways she'd never imagined. She'd broken a frigate in half, catching the falling soldiers with ease.
"You're gonna make the rest of the FF kind of superfluous," Johnny told her.
"Hush," she scolded him, though she privately enjoyed the compliment. Rann approached her, regarding her with open gratitude.
"You're a hero a thousand times over, Mrs. Richards."
"I only did what I could."
"And then some," he added. "We've got the means to send you back if you're ready. If you'd like to stay, though, we'd certainly make you feel welcome."
"Thanks, but I've got a family to get back to."
Johnny grinned at her side. "Me, too."
Next: Check out FF #26 for more on Sue and Johnny. Wanna see more Micronauts? Write to Gary Dreslinski and demand a Micronauts series!
AUTHOR'S NOTES
I remember when Annuals were special things, with storylines that were integral to the ongoing plots in the main title. I tried to channel those memories with this story, tying in to the respective subplots I’ve been featuring in Fantastic Four. The Micronauts are old favorites of mine and I once considered pitching a series starring them to Gary Dreslinski but finally elected not to. Marvel can’t call them Micronauts anymore, so they’re stuck with the Microns, but I’m under no such restraints. Persephone was Karza’s daughter from the non-Marvel series published a few years back, but I changed her around a bit and made her part of the Avengers 2000 continuity.
Sue and Johnny return to the FF series with issue 26, though for obvious reasons the Torch won’t be an active member of the team. What does the future hold for him? We’ll have to see. His sister, meanwhile, will rejoin the squad immediately. Which of the two replacement members will leave active status remains to be seen, however.
See you in FF # 26!