Back to GatefoldIssue #8 by Mike Exner III
THE BEGINNING OF THE END Part 3: "Pushed to the Limit and Beyond" |
Previously in Thunderbolts: The Thunderbolts had a little meeting with Citizen V, who suggested an alliance of sorts between herself and the team. Moonstone used her psychological tactics to reveal She-Hulk and Living Lightning's reasons for joining the team and cemented them both on the roster. Meanwhile, Baron Zemo fumed about his failed attempt to incorporate Techno into the Man-Beast's ranks, while both Ox and the Scorpion dealt with their own problems. Also, Charcoal was attacked by a familiar, but hostile enemy with ties to the disappearance of Jolt.
"So what you're trying to tell us is that the V-Battalion is connected to whoever has been making our lives a living hell for the past few weeks," Moonstone stated as she sat next to Citizen V in the Champscraft. "And that you believe we can track whoever it is by bringing the fight directly to your former employers."
"Sounds like suicide to me," Atlas said from the driver's seat and Karla Sofen turned an evil eye on him. Atlas made a zipping motion across his mouth and resumed driving, smiling slightly. She-Hulk playfully punched him on the arm from the back seat.
"That's exactly what I'm telling you, Moonstone. The only way that we'll be able to free the V-Battalion and all the other super-humans that have been taken under this master's thrall is if we bring the fight to them for a change and force him to play his hand." Citizen V said matter-of-factly and Moonstone nodded thoughtfully. At the moment, Atlas was piloting the team back to Mount Charteris, but Citizen V had made it clear she wanted to go to Death Valley, where she said the V-Battalion's base was located.
Moonstone wanted nothing more than to get home after the Thunderbolts' battle with the Masters of Evil in San Francisco.* But then in succession Baron Zemo and Citizen V had shown up and ruined the entire plan. Now the Thunderbolts were just as caught up in things as they always seemed to be. Moonstone often wondered why she put up with taking such abuse from the bad guys all the time. Had it been this hard when she was a villain?
(* Happened in issue #6 - Russ)
"It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this. Do you have a plan of attack?" Moonstone asked and Citizen V looked off into the distance as if she hadn't heard the question. When she turned back to Moonstone she spoke hesitantly.
"It's the exact opposite Moonstone. I haven't put much thought into any of this. I'm not sure I should be asking you for help, I'm not sure if even with your help we'll be able to hold our own against the V-Battalion. All I know is that I'm being hunted down like a dog by my organization because I abandoned their cause and if I free them from the control of this master, then I might get a reprieve," Citizen V said and Moonstone looked hard at her.
"Well, at least you don't have some strange heroic reason for needing us," Moonstone said and Citizen V dropped her head slightly. "A selfish reason I can understand at least. Atlas, change course to whatever specifications Citizen V desires, we're heading to Death Valley."
"Are you sure that's a good idea Moonstone?" Atlas said from beside her. "I mean we don't even know who this chick is from Adam. We're risking a lot by having her fly us right into the mouth of the beast."
"I know exactly what the risks are Atlas, as do you. If you're not pleased with my orders then hand over the controls and I'll drop you off at the next town or mountainside," Moonstone said with a sharp tone to her voice. Atlas sighed and looked over at both Moonstone and Citizen V.
"Where to?" he said and Citizen V started talking.
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"I think that's him right over there," said a voice from outside the darkness and Ronald Bloch, better known as the villainous Ox, tried to focus on it. He was certain he was dead, but it was still boring as hell when all you could see was darkness and all you could hear was nothingness. The voice was the first thing Ronald had heard for what seemed like an eternity. He didn't care if it was an angel or a demon. Just so long as the voices kept coming.
"Good lord, what happened to him?" said another voice, and this time the Ox thought he recognized it. It sounded so familiar and yet, he still couldn't quite make it out. He wondered if the voices were talking about him. He knew he'd been beaten pretty badly by the master and his fellows. Did you still look broken and battered when you were dead?
"Jesus, just turn him over so we can see if he's still breathing," said the first voice and now Ox was sure he recognized it. It was the voice of his old friend Danny Brito, Fancy Dan.
"I don't think I even want to touch him," said the other voice and Ox was certain that this one belonged to Jackson Brice, Montana. The Enforcers were talking to him, or about him at least. Ox felt elation creep into his body. Maybe he wasn't dead after all.
"Fine, I'll do it, but you've got to check him," said Fancy Dan, and Ox was suddenly moving, as if by magic. He couldn't feel anything, but somehow he knew he was being turned. There was still darkness, but it also felt as if there was a change in the atmosphere, a cool breeze on his face.
"My God," said Montana and Ox frowned. He felt hands grip his throat and fingers probe the pudgy flesh of his neck. He marveled at the sensation. He hadn't been able to feel anything for so long. "He has a pulse Danny."
"I know. I can see that he's breathing," Fancy Dan said and then Ox heard another sound, it sounded like footsteps coming towards him. The room seemed to get strangely quiet as the footsteps approached and Ox became afraid. After all he'd been through, he'd thought nothing would scare him again, but the simple sound of these footsteps frightened him to no end.
"Is he alive?" said a whispering, but powerful voice and the Ox knew that this voice had to be a demon. It couldn't be anything else. Somehow the voices of the other Enforcers was just some kind of trick to make Ox comfortable so the demon could get him. Ox wanted to cry, but he found that he just couldn't.
"He's alive and breathing, but I don't know how long he's going to stay that way," said the Fancy Dan/demon and Ox shuddered. If he was alive, what did a demon want with him? It had to be another trick.
"Move him into our rover and let's be on with it then," said the demon and Ox felt hands grasping his body and hefting him off of the cold ground he'd been laying on. He couldn't feel any pain, just mild pressure where the hands were gripping him. The demon spoke as they walked.
"I'm doing this as a favor to you Enforcers. Whether this tub of lard lives or dies means nothing to me. I expect you to fulfill your end of the bargain either way," the demon said and Ox figured that was just what a demon would say if he had done a favor in return for someone's soul.
"Understood," Fancy Dan said and Ox wanted to wail at him to stop, to take him back and not sell his soul just to bring Ox back from the dead. It was too late for him anyway. He couldn't say a word though, and soon he was placed back down on solid ground that felt just as cold as the one before. Fancy Dan and Montana left him and the darkness became stronger. Soon Ox thought nothing at all as it consumed him again.
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The Champscraft slipped through the air quickly and silently. Atlas had spent a lot of time in the simulator with Ogre who had redesigned the entire vehicle from scratch. It was a lot smoother and a lot faster now. A bit more complicated to use, but Atlas was confident that he had enough hours in the simulator to handle anything that was thrown at him.
Not that he wanted the Avengers attacking in a Quinjet or anything like that. He looked back at She-Hulk, who smiled at him sweetly. He couldn't help but smile back. Maybe he was a little worried about throwing down with the Avengers, but they weren't all bad.
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Songbird glided outside of the Champscraft, her solid sound wings maneuvering her swiftly through the high altitude winds. Her thoughts were on the same thing they always seemed to be on whenever she was alone, Mach-1. She loved Abe more than life itself. Hawkeye had made Abe turn himself in to the authorities in return for leading the team. Then the archer had just abandoned them without a word.*
(* Didn't quite happen that way, did it Moonstone? See M2K's Marvel Fanfare #4 - Russ)
Now two more Avengers were on the team and Melissa Gold didn't like it. She-Hulk had even admitted that she'd planned to bring the team down from within. She appeared to have the hots for Atlas, but that could easily just be a ploy to eventually turn him on the team. Living Lightning was young and seemed genuinely endeared to the team, but so had Jolt, and so had Charcoal and they were both gone right now. Songbird was keeping a close eye on the both of them for better or for worse.
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She-Hulk couldn't stop smiling after Atlas turned back to look where he was flying. There was something about him that she liked a lot. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. He was one of the big reasons she'd decided to give the Thunderbolts a chance to prove themselves before taking them down. She hadn't been totally honest with Moonstone. She still wasn't sure if she was ready to let them play hero outside the lines of the law. Still, she was willing to wait it out a bit longer. They were the best shot at stopping whoever the master was anyway after all.
She-Hulk shifted her eyes to the other side of the craft. Citizen V was looking at her, she could tell. Even with the visor in place, She-Hulk knew the woman's eyes were on her. She didn't like it one bit. The Thunderbolts' newest ally obviously had a major problem with her. She had no idea what it could be, but she was sure she'd have to remain on her guard.
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Dallas Riordan was looking at She-Hulk. She was looking at her hard. None of the Thunderbolts knew who she really was and that was just the way Dallas wanted it. She still had to admit that she had feelings for Atlas though and she could also see that Atlas was responding to She-Hulk in a way she didn't like. Was she ready to reveal herself to Atlas and the T-Bolts just so she could somehow get Atlas back into her life?
She wasn't sure, but she stared a hole through She-Hulk all the same, occasionally glancing over at Atlas and feeling the old familiar feelings of warmth spread through her stomach as she did. Atlas was always so sweet to her. He'd lied when he'd been a member of Zemo's Thunderbolts and he'd gotten her fired. He'd hurt her, but she still had feelings for him and it seemed as though he was honestly trying to change. Dallas Riordan had changed too. She wondered how they'd fit together now. With She-Hulk out of the way, maybe she could find out.
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Living Lightning just basked in the glory of zipping through the sky, darting back and forth, behind the Champscraft and in front of it. None of the other Thunderbolts could really see him when he was in his pure electricity form and he didn't really mind it all that much. He didn't feel like talking, just flying. Soon they'd be flying over Death Valley, battling the V-Battalion and saving the day like they did in San Francisco. Living Lightning was feeling more and more like a hero everyday, and he loved it.
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Moonstone sat in total silence. Her mind was wrapped around more problems than she knew what to do with and it seemed as if more were coming all the time. She-Hulk and Living Lightning were wild cards on the team and their loyalty was uncertain. Now Citizen V was thrown into the mix for good measure. The Thunderbolts were rushing into battle with an unknown enemy and Moonstone would have liked to be able to trust all her resources.
Then there was the part Baron Zemo and Techno had played in San Francisco. What the hell was Baron Zemo up to? Moonstone and the Thunderbolts had betrayed him and he'd promised revenge. Moonstone wasn't naīve enough to believe that Zemo would ever leave them alone as long as he was still breathing. Still, if Moonstone was able to manipulate Zemo into somehow helping the Thunderbolts against whoever their enemy was, it would be helpful. Zemo was a tough nut to crack. Perhaps when the battle with this master was over, the Thunderbolts would have to hunt him down as well.
Suddenly the Champscraft rocked upwards as it was struck from below with surprising force. Atlas' hands jarred on the controls and he instantly increased his size slightly to boost his strength and handle the faltering controls better. Songbird had veered off course and was diving down towards whatever had attacked them and Moonstone took to the air as well. She trusted Atlas to be able to land the Champscraft safely and join the fray with the others as soon as possible.
As she leapt from the craft and rocketed to follow Melissa, the sight that Moonstone saw gave her pause. There, before her, was an entire army of the V-Battalion's soldiers. Most were hovering on V-wings and armed with special weapons of one sort or the other. Songbird and Living lightning had already jumped into battle and were engaging multiple members of the army. They appeared to be holding their own pretty well but Moonstone knew it wouldn't last unless she got down there quickly.
Moonstone dove and blasts of energy rang all around her body as she did. She fired blasts of her own energy at members of the army and knocked them from their V-wings. One by one, members of the army fell from her assault. Punches capable of shattering concrete pummeled one soldier after another. Blasts of energy capable of punching through steel shredded their transports.
Moonstone looked down and could see She-Hulk and Atlas making short work of an entire battalion of soldiers. The army was faltering under the assault of the Thunderbolts. Moonstone couldn't believe how well they were fighting. Sonic maces from Songbird's carapace took their toll on the army, and great pink shovels of sound whisked the battered soldiers away. Even Citizen V was doing her part to disrupt as many soldiers as she could, she was staying close to She-Hulk and Atlas so as to not be outnumbered and the ploy was working perfectly.
Soon the army was to its last few members. All the others were either unconscious or in a state of retreat. Moonstone was somewhat tired and battered, but for the most part, she felt good. Only minor injuries had been dealt to the Thunderbolts and Moonstone was ready for anything. Suddenly a blast of white-hot laser energy sliced through the air and blasted She-Hulk directly in her chest. She was thrown through the air and collided with Citizen V. They both hit the ground and lay there, unmoving.
"SHE-HULK!" yelled Atlas at the top of his lungs as he started to run towards her. Moonstone wanted to tell him to stay with the group, but she found she didn't have time, as the man who had fired the shot came into view with a legion of his own. The Living Laser.
"It appears that our army wasn't enough to best you Thunderbolts," the Living Laser said as he charged his weapons for another shot. "So the Masters of Evil thought they'd give it a shot."
Moonstone took stock of the situation. The Living Laser, Grey Gargoyle, Whirlwind, Mr. Hyde, Blizzard, and Coachwhip were all presented before her. Electro was gone from their ranks, being held in custody. They no longer had Techno masquerading as the Molten Man either. Still, it was a formidable group and the Living Laser had made a smart move in attacking She-Hulk first, putting her down. The Thunderbolts were outmatched.
"Surrender now and perhaps the master will grant you the opportunity to join his cause," the Grey Gargoyle said and Moonstone grimaced. The only way the Thunderbolts were going to get out of this one was if Moonstone was able to drop the guard of the Masters somehow. A large shadow passed over Moonstone's head and she sighed, so much for talking.
"You bastards are going to pay!" Atlas wailed as he shot up to thirty feet and charged the Masters of Evil. The rest of the Thunderbolts picked their targets as well and charged. Within moments, the battle was joined.
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"And so, they fight aimlessly once again," said Baron Zemo as he watched the Thunderbolts charge the so-called Masters of Evil. He frowned deeply and clicked his tongue against his teeth in distaste. The Thunderbolts would lose this fight. That much was certain. The leader of the pack was Atlas in this case and he was fighting with pure emotion, not calculation. In his current state, he'd be the first to fall, and the rest of the team would drop like flies around him.
Atlas took an amazing double shot of energy from the Living Laser and remained standing. Baron Zemo was impressed. He thought that for a moment Atlas might reconsider his attack and regroup, but when Atlas reached for the Living Laser instead, he sighed. Atlas hefted the Living Laser into the air and never saw the huge piece of rock hurled at his head from below by Mr. Hyde. It crashed into Atlas' temple and toppled the giant. The Living Laser dropped, relatively unharmed to the ground and blasted Moonstone, who was engaged with the Grey Gargoyle, right in the small of her back. Moonstone fell to the ground and didn't rise. Two down in the space of a minute, Zemo thought, almost time to descend from my vantage point.
Songbird and Living Lightning had made the mistake of trying to tackle Whirlwind together. Perhaps it would have worked if Living Lightning had stayed in his electric form and tried to out maneuver Whirlwind, but he stayed on the ground and simply shot bolts of electricity. Whirlwind dodged the solid sound constructs and the lightning blasts until Blizzard moved into position behind Living Lightning. He activated his freezing mechanisms and froze Living Lightning to the spot he was standing, Living Lightning lost consciousness soon after as his body slowed down from the cold.
Songbird made the mistake of becoming concerned with the boy's welfare and never saw Coachwhip strike at her from below. The electrified whip did its job well and Songbird dropped roughly to the ground. The Thunderbolts had been defeated and the unworthy Masters of Evil stood triumphant.
"That was quick," said a voice from below him and Zemo smiled. Techno had formed his mechanical body into the platform Zemo was standing on and he spoke with a snide tone of voice.
"Just as I envisioned. The plan of the Living Laser was ingenious indeed. He placed himself in physical danger for the benefit of his team. Perhaps once I've smacked his master's wrist to a pulp, I'll offer him a place in my elite," Zemo said and Techno sighed a wheezy, metallic sound from his voice modulator.
"That's fine and dandy that you're impressed with him and all, but shouldn't we be preparing to follow them? It appears they're making off with the heroes now," Techno said and Zemo too observed as the Masters of Evil gathered the Thunderbolts and began carrying them away.
"Yes, let us be on our way Techno. We'll follow the cannon fodder directly to the source and then finally Zemo will have his revenge," Baron Zemo stated and Techno lifted into the air and hovered silently after the Masters of Evil. Neither Zemo nor Techno noticed that they were being watched, and followed. The twin thrusters of Mach-1's suit didn't make a sound as he pursued Zemo and Techno closely.
He'd wanted to throw down with the rest of the Thunderbolts when Atlas had attacked the Living Laser, but he made the same observation that Zemo had. The Thunderbolts had been sloppy. He would have interfered if the Masters had looked like they were going to kill the Thunderbolts but it didn't look like they were using lethal force. He still had a responsibility to uncover who this master was and his best bet was to follow the lackeys.
Mach-1 watched as Mr. Hyde carried Songbird roughly over his shoulder and then looked over to Coachwhip, who had hit Melissa with her electric whip. Before the Thunderbolts left the desert, they and all the Masters of Evil were going to pay for how they were treating her and his team. It was as sure as the sun glinting off his armor.
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The Scorpion woke up in the same hut, with the same smells suffusing his entire being. His body was still aching and he could still feel a dull pain in his stomach that throbbed as his heart beat against his chest, but all of the pain was easier to bear than it had been before. Whatever that woman had done to him had seemingly started to work. His vision was better too now, but it wasn't really helping him. It was apparently night in the jungle, and the door of the hut was closed off.
There was a crude table next to the cot; the Scorpion could see that as he turned his head stiffly to the side. A bowl was lying on the table, with a strange greenish mixture inside. The Scorpion could only assume from the smell that it was the same stuff that was placed on his stomach wound. It smelled truly foul, but the Scorpion knew it was probably the only reason he was still alive so he didn't think too much about complaining.
He forced his head to move a bit more and surveyed the rest of the room. It was empty. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The tightness in his throat and the way the air wheezed in and out of his lungs proved to him he wasn't healthy at all. Recovering maybe, but he wasn't going anywhere for a while. He coughed softly and opened his eyes.
There was the woman from earlier standing by his bedside and looking down upon him. He wasn't sure how he knew it was the same woman, just that is was. Perhaps it was her perfumed scent. The Scorpion had never seen any woman as beautiful as this one. His breath seized in his lungs as she reached down and stroked his face with her cool hands. It soothed the Scorpion and he let out his breath smoothly and evenly. The woman spoke in her foreign language and the Scorpion smiled. She smiled back at him and put her hands over his eyes. He got the message and kept them closed. Sleep came to claim him not soon afterward.
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Moonstone awoke in a prison. She wasn't surprised to awake in a prison. All she was surprised at was that she woke up at all. The Masters of Evil had thoroughly trashed the Thunderbolts and had obviously brought them here. Where here was, was a question better saved for later. Moonstone needed to wrap her mind around how she was going to get out of here and free the others.
"Not likely that you will ever free yourself," said a thunderous voice that seemed to come from all around her. Moonstone dropped to her knees and covered her ears. It didn't surprise her that her actions didn't deter the voice in the slightest.
"You were the first of your people to awaken, Moonstone. Therefore you will be the first one that is granted the honor of witnessing who your adversary, and new master truly is," said the voice and Moonstone uncovered her ears. She looked over to the door of the strange prison she was encapsulated within and saw the transparent door slide open. Moonstone wasted no time in rocketing out of the door. She thought she was flying into a hallway and made a stiff turn, what happened next disoriented her completely.
She stood in a great hall. It seemed regal in appearance. Beautiful paintings and tapestries hung on the walls of the hall and great pillars of marble shot up from the floor to the ceiling. Moonstone was flabbergasted by her surroundings. The unexpected way they'd just popped up around her shook her enough to cast her to her knees. When she tried to rise, she found she couldn't.
"I like you on your knees much more I think," said the booming voice once more and Moonstone had to fight the urge to bring her hands to her ears once more. She could hear, above the din of echoes resounding in her mind, the sound of massive footsteps clacking on the marble floor upon which she was seated. They slammed into her eardrums as well and seemed to pierce her mind as strongly as the voice.
"Raise your eyes and look upon me Moonstone," said the voice, and Moonstone felt her head rise and look at the mysterious master who had for so long made the Thunderbolts' lives one of more hardship than they could bear. The creature was huge and muscular. Red body armor hugged his powerful frame and a dark green cloak surrounded his shoulders and flowed regally at his back. Moonstone turned her eyes to his face however and shuddered deep within her bones. The creature's face was that of a wolf, but the eyes, the eyes were blood red and had the spark of a vast intelligence behind them.
"I am the Man-Beast, your master," the Man-Beast said and Moonstone felt hate rise into her throat and spill from her lips as she cried out at him in a long, guttural scream.
"Your rage is palpable Karla Sofen," said the Man-Beast as he walked slowly around Moonstone, as if he were sizing her up for an afternoon snack. "You and your Thunderbolts feed my own incalculable rage with your own. You have been persecuted and hounded and feel that grave injustices have been done to you. The rage you feel because of your predicament is the only thing keeping you alive right now."
Moonstone struggled to keep her eyes on the Man-Beast as he circled her. She wanted to remain on her guard, even though it seemed as if the Man-Beast had complete control over her.
"I feed on rage, you see. It strengthens me. And there is a driving force behind my rage as well, two beings that will never free themselves from my designs of revenge. Perhaps you have heard of them. Adam Warlock and the High Evolutionary," the Man-Beast said and Karla Sofen listened intently, a plan beginning to form in her mind.
"I know what you are thinking Moonstone. Why all the destruction and mayhem I have caused, simply for revenge upon two men that may not even be worthy of my rage?" the Man-Beast asked and Moonstone closed her eyes tight, trying to shield her mind from the probing of the beast before her. "It is simple, I wish to rule this planet. Earth is a prize possession. The emotion flowing from the humans here is a wonder to behold. It is the only benefit you humans have."
"Then why not just feed from a distance you monster?" Moonstone said, struggling to get the words to pass from her mouth. The Man-Beast seemed surprised that she was even able to speak and Karla Sofen smiled. The Man-Beast leaned close and spoke into her ear.
"Because humans are not worthy to hold onto their own thoughts, dreams and desires. I will subjugate humanity, and build a pillar to oversee my land, the land called Earth, upon the bones of the High Evolutionary and Adam Warlock," the Man-Beast said with a sick pride. Moonstone knew that the moment had arrived, if she was to make her move, it had to be now.
"What makes you think you can defeat them? They've obviously handed you defeat after defeat before," Moonstone said and the Man-Beast glared down at her. His face was a sick mask of rage for a moment, the twisted visage of a rabid wolf, and then it relaxed and the Man-Beast smiled. Moonstone wasn't sure which face was scarier.
"Because I have this," the Man-Beast said and beckoned to a row of stairs leading to a throne of marble and gold. Beside the throne, stood the cosmic being known as Firelord. The Thunderbolts had battled Firelord a few weeks earlier, when he was trying to look for and capture Captain Marvel. They'd engaged him briefly, and if it hadn't been for Charcoal, they might have all died.* Moonstone looked back to the Man-Beast who was smiling up at his warrior. The opening was there.
(* Happened back in issue #2 - Russ)
"So what?" Moonstone said and the Man-Beast looked back at her incredulously. He beckoned with his hand and Moonstone felt herself get up and walk stiffly towards the Man-Beast. He took her face in his strong hands and drew her close.
"Do you not see that if I can claim the Firelord as my own, that I can also claim other cosmic beings? Beings such as Captain Marvel and the Silver Surfer, with beings such as these under my control, there is no way that Warlock or the Evolutionary can defeat me again," the Man-Beast said as he squeezed Karla Sofen's face in his iron-like grasp. Moonstone was frightened, but she had to keep pushing, or the Thunderbolts were doomed.
"But we nearly defeated Firelord by ourselves. There are too many heroes on the planet Earth to fight you. You'll need more resources if you're going to defeat your enemies, and not just mindless lapdogs," Moonstone said and the Man-Beast scowled, his face twisting before Moonstone angrily.
"Bah! I have no need of humans to help me and I have no patience left within me. Firelord himself is strong enough to destroy most of the heroes of this pitiful planet and I myself am strong enough to defeat whatever remains," Man-Beast said and Moonstone smiled an inner smile, she'd actually maneuvered the Man-Beast to exactly where she wanted him.
"Then prove it." Moonstone said and the Man-Beast's face became puzzled. Moonstone continued, hoping the Man-Beast wouldn't kill her outright for her boldness. "If you believe that Firelord is capable of defeating Earth's heroes, surely you wouldn't object to pitting him against the Thunderbolts, one on one to prove your claim. Your resources must be drained from controlling all your minions. Defeating a team like us with your cosmically powered field general would boost your forces' moral and perhaps you wouldn't need to strain yourself as much."
"You foolish little girl, do you not think I see what you are doing?" asked the Man-Beast and Moonstone cursed to herself. "I know that you are simply trying to get me to drop my guard long enough for you to distract me so that your team can be freed and perhaps even figure out a way to defeat me."
The Man-Beast pushed Moonstone away, flinging her roughly onto the ground. Moonstone tried to get up, but found that her body was still as restrained as ever.
"Nevertheless deceiver. I am the Man-Beast," the Man-Beast said and Moonstone looked up at him in defiance. "I will accept the challenge you have provided me, simply to show that my power over what I survey is as all encompassing as I say. You and your Thunderbolts will battle Firelord to the death. If you are triumphant, I will release you and you may warn the people of Earth. If you fail, you die."
Moonstone looked up at Firelord and watched as his entire body began to glow with the cosmic might that enshrouded him. She wasn't sure if the Thunderbolts had any chance whatsoever against Firelord, but she knew that however slim their chances, it was the only one they had.
"Agreed," Moonstone said and suddenly and violently she found herself back inside her cell, the mocking sound of the Man-Beast's laughter ringing all around her.
Next Issue: It's the Thunderbolts versus Firelord in a battle for their lives and their freedom. The Thunderbolts have been in some sticky situations before, but never one as dire as this. Does Moonstone know what she's gotten the team into? What part will Baron Zemo, Techno, and Mach-1 play in the battle? All this and more, next issue.
"So what you're trying to tell us is that the V-Battalion is connected to whoever has been making our lives a living hell for the past few weeks," Moonstone stated as she sat next to Citizen V in the Champscraft. "And that you believe we can track whoever it is by bringing the fight directly to your former employers."
"Sounds like suicide to me," Atlas said from the driver's seat and Karla Sofen turned an evil eye on him. Atlas made a zipping motion across his mouth and resumed driving, smiling slightly. She-Hulk playfully punched him on the arm from the back seat.
"That's exactly what I'm telling you, Moonstone. The only way that we'll be able to free the V-Battalion and all the other super-humans that have been taken under this master's thrall is if we bring the fight to them for a change and force him to play his hand." Citizen V said matter-of-factly and Moonstone nodded thoughtfully. At the moment, Atlas was piloting the team back to Mount Charteris, but Citizen V had made it clear she wanted to go to Death Valley, where she said the V-Battalion's base was located.
Moonstone wanted nothing more than to get home after the Thunderbolts' battle with the Masters of Evil in San Francisco.* But then in succession Baron Zemo and Citizen V had shown up and ruined the entire plan. Now the Thunderbolts were just as caught up in things as they always seemed to be. Moonstone often wondered why she put up with taking such abuse from the bad guys all the time. Had it been this hard when she was a villain?
(* Happened in issue #6 - Russ)
"It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this. Do you have a plan of attack?" Moonstone asked and Citizen V looked off into the distance as if she hadn't heard the question. When she turned back to Moonstone she spoke hesitantly.
"It's the exact opposite Moonstone. I haven't put much thought into any of this. I'm not sure I should be asking you for help, I'm not sure if even with your help we'll be able to hold our own against the V-Battalion. All I know is that I'm being hunted down like a dog by my organization because I abandoned their cause and if I free them from the control of this master, then I might get a reprieve," Citizen V said and Moonstone looked hard at her.
"Well, at least you don't have some strange heroic reason for needing us," Moonstone said and Citizen V dropped her head slightly. "A selfish reason I can understand at least. Atlas, change course to whatever specifications Citizen V desires, we're heading to Death Valley."
"Are you sure that's a good idea Moonstone?" Atlas said from beside her. "I mean we don't even know who this chick is from Adam. We're risking a lot by having her fly us right into the mouth of the beast."
"I know exactly what the risks are Atlas, as do you. If you're not pleased with my orders then hand over the controls and I'll drop you off at the next town or mountainside," Moonstone said with a sharp tone to her voice. Atlas sighed and looked over at both Moonstone and Citizen V.
"Where to?" he said and Citizen V started talking.
# # # # # # # # # #
"I think that's him right over there," said a voice from outside the darkness and Ronald Bloch, better known as the villainous Ox, tried to focus on it. He was certain he was dead, but it was still boring as hell when all you could see was darkness and all you could hear was nothingness. The voice was the first thing Ronald had heard for what seemed like an eternity. He didn't care if it was an angel or a demon. Just so long as the voices kept coming.
"Good lord, what happened to him?" said another voice, and this time the Ox thought he recognized it. It sounded so familiar and yet, he still couldn't quite make it out. He wondered if the voices were talking about him. He knew he'd been beaten pretty badly by the master and his fellows. Did you still look broken and battered when you were dead?
"Jesus, just turn him over so we can see if he's still breathing," said the first voice and now Ox was sure he recognized it. It was the voice of his old friend Danny Brito, Fancy Dan.
"I don't think I even want to touch him," said the other voice and Ox was certain that this one belonged to Jackson Brice, Montana. The Enforcers were talking to him, or about him at least. Ox felt elation creep into his body. Maybe he wasn't dead after all.
"Fine, I'll do it, but you've got to check him," said Fancy Dan, and Ox was suddenly moving, as if by magic. He couldn't feel anything, but somehow he knew he was being turned. There was still darkness, but it also felt as if there was a change in the atmosphere, a cool breeze on his face.
"My God," said Montana and Ox frowned. He felt hands grip his throat and fingers probe the pudgy flesh of his neck. He marveled at the sensation. He hadn't been able to feel anything for so long. "He has a pulse Danny."
"I know. I can see that he's breathing," Fancy Dan said and then Ox heard another sound, it sounded like footsteps coming towards him. The room seemed to get strangely quiet as the footsteps approached and Ox became afraid. After all he'd been through, he'd thought nothing would scare him again, but the simple sound of these footsteps frightened him to no end.
"Is he alive?" said a whispering, but powerful voice and the Ox knew that this voice had to be a demon. It couldn't be anything else. Somehow the voices of the other Enforcers was just some kind of trick to make Ox comfortable so the demon could get him. Ox wanted to cry, but he found that he just couldn't.
"He's alive and breathing, but I don't know how long he's going to stay that way," said the Fancy Dan/demon and Ox shuddered. If he was alive, what did a demon want with him? It had to be another trick.
"Move him into our rover and let's be on with it then," said the demon and Ox felt hands grasping his body and hefting him off of the cold ground he'd been laying on. He couldn't feel any pain, just mild pressure where the hands were gripping him. The demon spoke as they walked.
"I'm doing this as a favor to you Enforcers. Whether this tub of lard lives or dies means nothing to me. I expect you to fulfill your end of the bargain either way," the demon said and Ox figured that was just what a demon would say if he had done a favor in return for someone's soul.
"Understood," Fancy Dan said and Ox wanted to wail at him to stop, to take him back and not sell his soul just to bring Ox back from the dead. It was too late for him anyway. He couldn't say a word though, and soon he was placed back down on solid ground that felt just as cold as the one before. Fancy Dan and Montana left him and the darkness became stronger. Soon Ox thought nothing at all as it consumed him again.
# # # # # # # # # #
The Champscraft slipped through the air quickly and silently. Atlas had spent a lot of time in the simulator with Ogre who had redesigned the entire vehicle from scratch. It was a lot smoother and a lot faster now. A bit more complicated to use, but Atlas was confident that he had enough hours in the simulator to handle anything that was thrown at him.
Not that he wanted the Avengers attacking in a Quinjet or anything like that. He looked back at She-Hulk, who smiled at him sweetly. He couldn't help but smile back. Maybe he was a little worried about throwing down with the Avengers, but they weren't all bad.
# # # # # # # # # #
Songbird glided outside of the Champscraft, her solid sound wings maneuvering her swiftly through the high altitude winds. Her thoughts were on the same thing they always seemed to be on whenever she was alone, Mach-1. She loved Abe more than life itself. Hawkeye had made Abe turn himself in to the authorities in return for leading the team. Then the archer had just abandoned them without a word.*
(* Didn't quite happen that way, did it Moonstone? See M2K's Marvel Fanfare #4 - Russ)
Now two more Avengers were on the team and Melissa Gold didn't like it. She-Hulk had even admitted that she'd planned to bring the team down from within. She appeared to have the hots for Atlas, but that could easily just be a ploy to eventually turn him on the team. Living Lightning was young and seemed genuinely endeared to the team, but so had Jolt, and so had Charcoal and they were both gone right now. Songbird was keeping a close eye on the both of them for better or for worse.
# # # # # # # # # #
She-Hulk couldn't stop smiling after Atlas turned back to look where he was flying. There was something about him that she liked a lot. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. He was one of the big reasons she'd decided to give the Thunderbolts a chance to prove themselves before taking them down. She hadn't been totally honest with Moonstone. She still wasn't sure if she was ready to let them play hero outside the lines of the law. Still, she was willing to wait it out a bit longer. They were the best shot at stopping whoever the master was anyway after all.
She-Hulk shifted her eyes to the other side of the craft. Citizen V was looking at her, she could tell. Even with the visor in place, She-Hulk knew the woman's eyes were on her. She didn't like it one bit. The Thunderbolts' newest ally obviously had a major problem with her. She had no idea what it could be, but she was sure she'd have to remain on her guard.
# # # # # # # # # #
Dallas Riordan was looking at She-Hulk. She was looking at her hard. None of the Thunderbolts knew who she really was and that was just the way Dallas wanted it. She still had to admit that she had feelings for Atlas though and she could also see that Atlas was responding to She-Hulk in a way she didn't like. Was she ready to reveal herself to Atlas and the T-Bolts just so she could somehow get Atlas back into her life?
She wasn't sure, but she stared a hole through She-Hulk all the same, occasionally glancing over at Atlas and feeling the old familiar feelings of warmth spread through her stomach as she did. Atlas was always so sweet to her. He'd lied when he'd been a member of Zemo's Thunderbolts and he'd gotten her fired. He'd hurt her, but she still had feelings for him and it seemed as though he was honestly trying to change. Dallas Riordan had changed too. She wondered how they'd fit together now. With She-Hulk out of the way, maybe she could find out.
# # # # # # # # # #
Living Lightning just basked in the glory of zipping through the sky, darting back and forth, behind the Champscraft and in front of it. None of the other Thunderbolts could really see him when he was in his pure electricity form and he didn't really mind it all that much. He didn't feel like talking, just flying. Soon they'd be flying over Death Valley, battling the V-Battalion and saving the day like they did in San Francisco. Living Lightning was feeling more and more like a hero everyday, and he loved it.
# # # # # # # # # #
Moonstone sat in total silence. Her mind was wrapped around more problems than she knew what to do with and it seemed as if more were coming all the time. She-Hulk and Living Lightning were wild cards on the team and their loyalty was uncertain. Now Citizen V was thrown into the mix for good measure. The Thunderbolts were rushing into battle with an unknown enemy and Moonstone would have liked to be able to trust all her resources.
Then there was the part Baron Zemo and Techno had played in San Francisco. What the hell was Baron Zemo up to? Moonstone and the Thunderbolts had betrayed him and he'd promised revenge. Moonstone wasn't naīve enough to believe that Zemo would ever leave them alone as long as he was still breathing. Still, if Moonstone was able to manipulate Zemo into somehow helping the Thunderbolts against whoever their enemy was, it would be helpful. Zemo was a tough nut to crack. Perhaps when the battle with this master was over, the Thunderbolts would have to hunt him down as well.
Suddenly the Champscraft rocked upwards as it was struck from below with surprising force. Atlas' hands jarred on the controls and he instantly increased his size slightly to boost his strength and handle the faltering controls better. Songbird had veered off course and was diving down towards whatever had attacked them and Moonstone took to the air as well. She trusted Atlas to be able to land the Champscraft safely and join the fray with the others as soon as possible.
As she leapt from the craft and rocketed to follow Melissa, the sight that Moonstone saw gave her pause. There, before her, was an entire army of the V-Battalion's soldiers. Most were hovering on V-wings and armed with special weapons of one sort or the other. Songbird and Living lightning had already jumped into battle and were engaging multiple members of the army. They appeared to be holding their own pretty well but Moonstone knew it wouldn't last unless she got down there quickly.
Moonstone dove and blasts of energy rang all around her body as she did. She fired blasts of her own energy at members of the army and knocked them from their V-wings. One by one, members of the army fell from her assault. Punches capable of shattering concrete pummeled one soldier after another. Blasts of energy capable of punching through steel shredded their transports.
Moonstone looked down and could see She-Hulk and Atlas making short work of an entire battalion of soldiers. The army was faltering under the assault of the Thunderbolts. Moonstone couldn't believe how well they were fighting. Sonic maces from Songbird's carapace took their toll on the army, and great pink shovels of sound whisked the battered soldiers away. Even Citizen V was doing her part to disrupt as many soldiers as she could, she was staying close to She-Hulk and Atlas so as to not be outnumbered and the ploy was working perfectly.
Soon the army was to its last few members. All the others were either unconscious or in a state of retreat. Moonstone was somewhat tired and battered, but for the most part, she felt good. Only minor injuries had been dealt to the Thunderbolts and Moonstone was ready for anything. Suddenly a blast of white-hot laser energy sliced through the air and blasted She-Hulk directly in her chest. She was thrown through the air and collided with Citizen V. They both hit the ground and lay there, unmoving.
"SHE-HULK!" yelled Atlas at the top of his lungs as he started to run towards her. Moonstone wanted to tell him to stay with the group, but she found she didn't have time, as the man who had fired the shot came into view with a legion of his own. The Living Laser.
"It appears that our army wasn't enough to best you Thunderbolts," the Living Laser said as he charged his weapons for another shot. "So the Masters of Evil thought they'd give it a shot."
Moonstone took stock of the situation. The Living Laser, Grey Gargoyle, Whirlwind, Mr. Hyde, Blizzard, and Coachwhip were all presented before her. Electro was gone from their ranks, being held in custody. They no longer had Techno masquerading as the Molten Man either. Still, it was a formidable group and the Living Laser had made a smart move in attacking She-Hulk first, putting her down. The Thunderbolts were outmatched.
"Surrender now and perhaps the master will grant you the opportunity to join his cause," the Grey Gargoyle said and Moonstone grimaced. The only way the Thunderbolts were going to get out of this one was if Moonstone was able to drop the guard of the Masters somehow. A large shadow passed over Moonstone's head and she sighed, so much for talking.
"You bastards are going to pay!" Atlas wailed as he shot up to thirty feet and charged the Masters of Evil. The rest of the Thunderbolts picked their targets as well and charged. Within moments, the battle was joined.
# # # # # # # # # #
"And so, they fight aimlessly once again," said Baron Zemo as he watched the Thunderbolts charge the so-called Masters of Evil. He frowned deeply and clicked his tongue against his teeth in distaste. The Thunderbolts would lose this fight. That much was certain. The leader of the pack was Atlas in this case and he was fighting with pure emotion, not calculation. In his current state, he'd be the first to fall, and the rest of the team would drop like flies around him.
Atlas took an amazing double shot of energy from the Living Laser and remained standing. Baron Zemo was impressed. He thought that for a moment Atlas might reconsider his attack and regroup, but when Atlas reached for the Living Laser instead, he sighed. Atlas hefted the Living Laser into the air and never saw the huge piece of rock hurled at his head from below by Mr. Hyde. It crashed into Atlas' temple and toppled the giant. The Living Laser dropped, relatively unharmed to the ground and blasted Moonstone, who was engaged with the Grey Gargoyle, right in the small of her back. Moonstone fell to the ground and didn't rise. Two down in the space of a minute, Zemo thought, almost time to descend from my vantage point.
Songbird and Living Lightning had made the mistake of trying to tackle Whirlwind together. Perhaps it would have worked if Living Lightning had stayed in his electric form and tried to out maneuver Whirlwind, but he stayed on the ground and simply shot bolts of electricity. Whirlwind dodged the solid sound constructs and the lightning blasts until Blizzard moved into position behind Living Lightning. He activated his freezing mechanisms and froze Living Lightning to the spot he was standing, Living Lightning lost consciousness soon after as his body slowed down from the cold.
Songbird made the mistake of becoming concerned with the boy's welfare and never saw Coachwhip strike at her from below. The electrified whip did its job well and Songbird dropped roughly to the ground. The Thunderbolts had been defeated and the unworthy Masters of Evil stood triumphant.
"That was quick," said a voice from below him and Zemo smiled. Techno had formed his mechanical body into the platform Zemo was standing on and he spoke with a snide tone of voice.
"Just as I envisioned. The plan of the Living Laser was ingenious indeed. He placed himself in physical danger for the benefit of his team. Perhaps once I've smacked his master's wrist to a pulp, I'll offer him a place in my elite," Zemo said and Techno sighed a wheezy, metallic sound from his voice modulator.
"That's fine and dandy that you're impressed with him and all, but shouldn't we be preparing to follow them? It appears they're making off with the heroes now," Techno said and Zemo too observed as the Masters of Evil gathered the Thunderbolts and began carrying them away.
"Yes, let us be on our way Techno. We'll follow the cannon fodder directly to the source and then finally Zemo will have his revenge," Baron Zemo stated and Techno lifted into the air and hovered silently after the Masters of Evil. Neither Zemo nor Techno noticed that they were being watched, and followed. The twin thrusters of Mach-1's suit didn't make a sound as he pursued Zemo and Techno closely.
He'd wanted to throw down with the rest of the Thunderbolts when Atlas had attacked the Living Laser, but he made the same observation that Zemo had. The Thunderbolts had been sloppy. He would have interfered if the Masters had looked like they were going to kill the Thunderbolts but it didn't look like they were using lethal force. He still had a responsibility to uncover who this master was and his best bet was to follow the lackeys.
Mach-1 watched as Mr. Hyde carried Songbird roughly over his shoulder and then looked over to Coachwhip, who had hit Melissa with her electric whip. Before the Thunderbolts left the desert, they and all the Masters of Evil were going to pay for how they were treating her and his team. It was as sure as the sun glinting off his armor.
# # # # # # # # # #
The Scorpion woke up in the same hut, with the same smells suffusing his entire being. His body was still aching and he could still feel a dull pain in his stomach that throbbed as his heart beat against his chest, but all of the pain was easier to bear than it had been before. Whatever that woman had done to him had seemingly started to work. His vision was better too now, but it wasn't really helping him. It was apparently night in the jungle, and the door of the hut was closed off.
There was a crude table next to the cot; the Scorpion could see that as he turned his head stiffly to the side. A bowl was lying on the table, with a strange greenish mixture inside. The Scorpion could only assume from the smell that it was the same stuff that was placed on his stomach wound. It smelled truly foul, but the Scorpion knew it was probably the only reason he was still alive so he didn't think too much about complaining.
He forced his head to move a bit more and surveyed the rest of the room. It was empty. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The tightness in his throat and the way the air wheezed in and out of his lungs proved to him he wasn't healthy at all. Recovering maybe, but he wasn't going anywhere for a while. He coughed softly and opened his eyes.
There was the woman from earlier standing by his bedside and looking down upon him. He wasn't sure how he knew it was the same woman, just that is was. Perhaps it was her perfumed scent. The Scorpion had never seen any woman as beautiful as this one. His breath seized in his lungs as she reached down and stroked his face with her cool hands. It soothed the Scorpion and he let out his breath smoothly and evenly. The woman spoke in her foreign language and the Scorpion smiled. She smiled back at him and put her hands over his eyes. He got the message and kept them closed. Sleep came to claim him not soon afterward.
# # # # # # # # # #
Moonstone awoke in a prison. She wasn't surprised to awake in a prison. All she was surprised at was that she woke up at all. The Masters of Evil had thoroughly trashed the Thunderbolts and had obviously brought them here. Where here was, was a question better saved for later. Moonstone needed to wrap her mind around how she was going to get out of here and free the others.
"Not likely that you will ever free yourself," said a thunderous voice that seemed to come from all around her. Moonstone dropped to her knees and covered her ears. It didn't surprise her that her actions didn't deter the voice in the slightest.
"You were the first of your people to awaken, Moonstone. Therefore you will be the first one that is granted the honor of witnessing who your adversary, and new master truly is," said the voice and Moonstone uncovered her ears. She looked over to the door of the strange prison she was encapsulated within and saw the transparent door slide open. Moonstone wasted no time in rocketing out of the door. She thought she was flying into a hallway and made a stiff turn, what happened next disoriented her completely.
She stood in a great hall. It seemed regal in appearance. Beautiful paintings and tapestries hung on the walls of the hall and great pillars of marble shot up from the floor to the ceiling. Moonstone was flabbergasted by her surroundings. The unexpected way they'd just popped up around her shook her enough to cast her to her knees. When she tried to rise, she found she couldn't.
"I like you on your knees much more I think," said the booming voice once more and Moonstone had to fight the urge to bring her hands to her ears once more. She could hear, above the din of echoes resounding in her mind, the sound of massive footsteps clacking on the marble floor upon which she was seated. They slammed into her eardrums as well and seemed to pierce her mind as strongly as the voice.
"Raise your eyes and look upon me Moonstone," said the voice, and Moonstone felt her head rise and look at the mysterious master who had for so long made the Thunderbolts' lives one of more hardship than they could bear. The creature was huge and muscular. Red body armor hugged his powerful frame and a dark green cloak surrounded his shoulders and flowed regally at his back. Moonstone turned her eyes to his face however and shuddered deep within her bones. The creature's face was that of a wolf, but the eyes, the eyes were blood red and had the spark of a vast intelligence behind them.
"I am the Man-Beast, your master," the Man-Beast said and Moonstone felt hate rise into her throat and spill from her lips as she cried out at him in a long, guttural scream.
"Your rage is palpable Karla Sofen," said the Man-Beast as he walked slowly around Moonstone, as if he were sizing her up for an afternoon snack. "You and your Thunderbolts feed my own incalculable rage with your own. You have been persecuted and hounded and feel that grave injustices have been done to you. The rage you feel because of your predicament is the only thing keeping you alive right now."
Moonstone struggled to keep her eyes on the Man-Beast as he circled her. She wanted to remain on her guard, even though it seemed as if the Man-Beast had complete control over her.
"I feed on rage, you see. It strengthens me. And there is a driving force behind my rage as well, two beings that will never free themselves from my designs of revenge. Perhaps you have heard of them. Adam Warlock and the High Evolutionary," the Man-Beast said and Karla Sofen listened intently, a plan beginning to form in her mind.
"I know what you are thinking Moonstone. Why all the destruction and mayhem I have caused, simply for revenge upon two men that may not even be worthy of my rage?" the Man-Beast asked and Moonstone closed her eyes tight, trying to shield her mind from the probing of the beast before her. "It is simple, I wish to rule this planet. Earth is a prize possession. The emotion flowing from the humans here is a wonder to behold. It is the only benefit you humans have."
"Then why not just feed from a distance you monster?" Moonstone said, struggling to get the words to pass from her mouth. The Man-Beast seemed surprised that she was even able to speak and Karla Sofen smiled. The Man-Beast leaned close and spoke into her ear.
"Because humans are not worthy to hold onto their own thoughts, dreams and desires. I will subjugate humanity, and build a pillar to oversee my land, the land called Earth, upon the bones of the High Evolutionary and Adam Warlock," the Man-Beast said with a sick pride. Moonstone knew that the moment had arrived, if she was to make her move, it had to be now.
"What makes you think you can defeat them? They've obviously handed you defeat after defeat before," Moonstone said and the Man-Beast glared down at her. His face was a sick mask of rage for a moment, the twisted visage of a rabid wolf, and then it relaxed and the Man-Beast smiled. Moonstone wasn't sure which face was scarier.
"Because I have this," the Man-Beast said and beckoned to a row of stairs leading to a throne of marble and gold. Beside the throne, stood the cosmic being known as Firelord. The Thunderbolts had battled Firelord a few weeks earlier, when he was trying to look for and capture Captain Marvel. They'd engaged him briefly, and if it hadn't been for Charcoal, they might have all died.* Moonstone looked back to the Man-Beast who was smiling up at his warrior. The opening was there.
(* Happened back in issue #2 - Russ)
"So what?" Moonstone said and the Man-Beast looked back at her incredulously. He beckoned with his hand and Moonstone felt herself get up and walk stiffly towards the Man-Beast. He took her face in his strong hands and drew her close.
"Do you not see that if I can claim the Firelord as my own, that I can also claim other cosmic beings? Beings such as Captain Marvel and the Silver Surfer, with beings such as these under my control, there is no way that Warlock or the Evolutionary can defeat me again," the Man-Beast said as he squeezed Karla Sofen's face in his iron-like grasp. Moonstone was frightened, but she had to keep pushing, or the Thunderbolts were doomed.
"But we nearly defeated Firelord by ourselves. There are too many heroes on the planet Earth to fight you. You'll need more resources if you're going to defeat your enemies, and not just mindless lapdogs," Moonstone said and the Man-Beast scowled, his face twisting before Moonstone angrily.
"Bah! I have no need of humans to help me and I have no patience left within me. Firelord himself is strong enough to destroy most of the heroes of this pitiful planet and I myself am strong enough to defeat whatever remains," Man-Beast said and Moonstone smiled an inner smile, she'd actually maneuvered the Man-Beast to exactly where she wanted him.
"Then prove it." Moonstone said and the Man-Beast's face became puzzled. Moonstone continued, hoping the Man-Beast wouldn't kill her outright for her boldness. "If you believe that Firelord is capable of defeating Earth's heroes, surely you wouldn't object to pitting him against the Thunderbolts, one on one to prove your claim. Your resources must be drained from controlling all your minions. Defeating a team like us with your cosmically powered field general would boost your forces' moral and perhaps you wouldn't need to strain yourself as much."
"You foolish little girl, do you not think I see what you are doing?" asked the Man-Beast and Moonstone cursed to herself. "I know that you are simply trying to get me to drop my guard long enough for you to distract me so that your team can be freed and perhaps even figure out a way to defeat me."
The Man-Beast pushed Moonstone away, flinging her roughly onto the ground. Moonstone tried to get up, but found that her body was still as restrained as ever.
"Nevertheless deceiver. I am the Man-Beast," the Man-Beast said and Moonstone looked up at him in defiance. "I will accept the challenge you have provided me, simply to show that my power over what I survey is as all encompassing as I say. You and your Thunderbolts will battle Firelord to the death. If you are triumphant, I will release you and you may warn the people of Earth. If you fail, you die."
Moonstone looked up at Firelord and watched as his entire body began to glow with the cosmic might that enshrouded him. She wasn't sure if the Thunderbolts had any chance whatsoever against Firelord, but she knew that however slim their chances, it was the only one they had.
"Agreed," Moonstone said and suddenly and violently she found herself back inside her cell, the mocking sound of the Man-Beast's laughter ringing all around her.
Next Issue: It's the Thunderbolts versus Firelord in a battle for their lives and their freedom. The Thunderbolts have been in some sticky situations before, but never one as dire as this. Does Moonstone know what she's gotten the team into? What part will Baron Zemo, Techno, and Mach-1 play in the battle? All this and more, next issue.