1 “The Visitors” Written By: Garry Timmons Based, in part, on the Marvel Adventure “Gates Of What If… “ by Roger Moore. With Character Interaction From: Counterbalance – Justin Elliott Emissary – Jason Markulin Wu Lung – Maxime Beaulieu Wraith – David Toomey Micronaught – Jose Allen Vault – Az Carrick/Garry Timmons Rush – Nathan Morey Prelude 1 The aftermath of Nightmare's reign had not been without it's toll. The world was forever changed by the demons manipulations of a small boy with a mutant power too devastating to be in anyone's hands. Though, in truth it was all an illusion, the effects have been lasting. Many things remained behind, fueled with enough belief that not even Nightmare's defeat made them vanish. For instance, John Sherrif had taken the weapon of a movie villain he did battle with on a rooftop. While that villain is gone forever, his weapon is still in John's possession. Another thing that's gone is Ernie's memory. Upon his awakening, Char did many scans of the boy with the help of Hank McCoy. They discovered the truth behind his powers. Massive reality warping capabilities. They also discovered that the child had no memory of the events that had taken place over the last three months. The child was literally clueless. Afraid of what might happen if Ernie was to sleep again, Char and McCoy immediately went to work on a device that would dampen the child's ability. It was successful, and the two have seemingly prevented the terrors from returning. Unfortunately, another permanent thing is all the dead. No one slaughtered in the three month time frame was restored to life. Not Blitzer, the Fantastic Four, or the Punisher. None of them. This world has paid a grave price… one that cannot be undone. Through comparing notes, Phoenix Force was able to discern the fate of their two missing companions Draco and Powertrip. Somehow, Emma unconsciously activated a dimensional portal while she was comatose. The portal had traveled around the city, like a beacon. It seemed to specifically seek out members of Phoenix Force. A man from this world, who Mouser identified as John Darkness, was also taken by this rift. The chances of ever seeing them again were small. Who knows what fate has done to them. Chicago was abandoned. There was almost nothing left. The concentration of monsters had been so expansive that almost no one survived. Even John Sherriff's people he had been protecting had fallen prey to many zombies and other gruesome characters. Phoenix Force headed to New York, where they are being put up by the Avengers for the remainder of their stay. Counterbalance went with them as did all the survivors they could round up. Mouser rejoined Excalibur, they gave Wu Lung a lift back to China to meet back up with the Mandarin, aka The Sorcerer Supreme. Wu Lung was humbled in the presence of his master. "Sire, I have brought you two things and some bad news." said Wu Lung. "What is it my apprentice?" "The Defenders are no more… They met with a terrible fate, and I have brought you back your rings." "You did well Wu Lung. Do not weep for the Defenders, son. They were good, but they were bested. There will come a time when new Defenders will rise to replace those who have fallen." "Yes Master." "And this other thing you have brought me from America?" Wu Lung rises and moves to the rear of the chamber where Mouser and Excalibur have remained. He takes a small hand and moves back towards the Mandarin. "I bring you Ernie Wallace. It is he who Nightmare had used. Though his powers are now controlled, I 2 feared a repeat of Nightmare's rampage in the future. I felt that, under your tutelage, he could learn to control every facet of his mind and powers." "That was wise Wu Lung, you show wisdom past your years. I will teach the boy of control." there is a slight pause and silence, then Mandarin speaks again, "Something else is bothering you?" It was more of a statement than a question. "Yes sire, I… I do not understand. When I left for Chicago with Mouser, you said that going there would fulfill my destiny, but I thought my destiny involved the legendary Phoenix." "My student, you still have much to learn. Sometimes, our futures are cloudy. You have grown to believe that your future revolves around a bird of fire. It does, but you must seek the Phoenix through the Phoenix Force." A little confused at first, Wu Lung suddenly gets an expression of realization, "Do you mean Wraith, Emma and Char? The team of dimensional travellers known as Phoenix Force?" A smile spreads across the Mandarin's face. "Yes, you should go back to them. It is in your destiny to travel with them. Find other worlds, and protect them. Prelude 2 Several days pass. Emma has no control over when her dimensional abilities will recharge. The fact that it was activated shortly after she came to this world may have caused a problem. It has crossed her mind several times that she may have lost the power completely. She takes long walks through central park everyday now in order to help clear her mind. She feels slightly responsible for Draco and Powertrip being shunted off to who knows where. Her walks give her time to think. Nightmare had really done a number on her. He had brought back everything she is trying to forget. Basil for starters. Not knowing the exact fates of her former team for another. Blitzer's death had caught her offguard. She's never confided so much in someone only to have them die that same day. It was a long and hard day for her. She wonders how much of her past and her true nature she should reveal to her teammates. She wonders if she shouldn't just leave them. People close to her tend to go through hell and back. These walks help her clear her mind. At least her appearance had shifted back to normal when the world changed. No more living the life of a zombie for her. It's been several days since the Psycho-Man stole The Micronaut's ship from him in the microverse. The worst part of it isn't losing the ship, it's the fact that he has no idea where he is. He spent some time exploring this world’s Microverse. There was very little that was different from his own. So after several days of exploration and debate, Micronaught has decided that it is time for him to resurface in the real universe, leaving the Microverse behind for now. He'll need to find the Avengers, they are his only possible exodus from this world back to his own, or at least they can possibly help him track down the Psycho Man. As he enlarges his body out of the Microverse, John realizes that it's night time on this Earth. Besdies that he has found that he is smack dab in the middle of a fire fight between a few cops and some unknown gunmen inside a store called ‘Olsen's Five And Dime’. Noticing the Micronaut the gunmen begin opening fire on him. He can make out at least two different guns going off from inside the building. "Aw man! Please, can someone cut me a break!?! I mean, really!" says the Micronaught. The man shrinks down to an inch in height and begins heading towards the building. The cops seem to be losing this fight as a couple are already downed. The men inside the building must be professionals. With Jordan no longer providing himself as a target, the shooters continue to open up on the police. It is fairly easy for the hero to make his way into the building. It's just a small convenience store, but the shooters seem to have turned it into a fortress by upturning tables and displays. The Ruffles have been blown away and scattered all across the store. Beer and Zima have combined with candies and sugars making the floors a mess. There are three shooters, as opposed to the two Jordan had originally thought. They are all wearing the same yellow uniforms, Jordan recognizes them as the technology pirates known as A.I.M. They haven't noticed the Micronaught's entrance. Flying behind one of the shooters, The Micronaught lets loose a bio-electric zap. The attack catches the A.I.M. scientist offguard. He falls to the ground unconscious, alerting the other two to an impending threat. They begin scanning the interior, looking for where it came from. 3 "Heh… Like fish wearing barrels." States the Micronaught. "There! He's small!” Shouts one. He opens fire with his machine gun, but the bullets never come close to the Micronaught. The other is still looking for a target to shoot at. Jordan lets off another blast of his bio-electric energy. The blast hits, knocking another of the armed A.I.M. troopers back, but not out. The zap is all the third guy needs to find his target and both open fire upon the Micronaught, but neither can hit their fast and small target. Wraith has been working ever since he got to New York. Char had taken back over the Baxter Building. Luckily the security codes were the same as on her own world. Currently, Wraith just finished installing a communicator device into Emma's wristlet, to allow her communication with Wraith and Char.