Issue #10 (August 2018)
Written by Dan Dolan Featuring: Jocosta
Josiah Bradley
Tommy
Will
Patriot
Artemis
Hulkling
Riri Williams
Queen Divine Justice
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The House of Yesterday - Part OneThe Hideout, NYC
“Shit!” Will snapped, sitting bolt upright after some effort disentangling himself from where he had moments ago been laying half clothed with Victor Mancha. A state they had apparently been in throughout the night. “I know I’m new to the man on man thing but was it that bad?” Victor asked in mock offense as he fell forward into the space on the bed where Will had been, yawning ever so slightly. “No moron,” Will smirked, “I forgot about Teddy.” “Oh so I was that good?” Victor smiled, only to be smacked with a pillow by the other boy. “Shut up.” Will rolled his eyes but after a moment smiled and leaned back in to kiss the android once more, before once more springing back up, “No… no, no.” Will got up properly this time. Jumping from the bed right into a pace, treading the floor energetically as Victor watched with amusement. “I’m supposed to be trying to be a nicer person and I just stood up… and borderline cheated on an emotionally abused Skrull with massive insecurity and abandonment issues!” “Borderline cheated on? This would have been only your first date with Teddy and all we did was glorified heavy petting.” Victor laughed, good-naturedly. “Yeah… it’s a grey area. I mean last night was just going to be our first date BUT it was only our first because I’ve been actively avoiding going out with him…” Will sighed, “Which kind of makes me a double jerk.” “Yeah you suck.” Victor laughed again, this time with a tad bit more of a bite. Something Will noticed with both pride and annoyance. “You’re one to talk.” Will turned back towards the other boy, “I’m only borderline cheating, you’re FULL cheating! What about your official girlfriend Nicole?” “Did you just say her name wrong on purpose?” Victor asked with knowing amusement. “…Maybe.” Will smirked. “It hasn’t been working with her for AWHILE,” Victor held up his hands when it looked like Will was going to argue against his chosen wording, “Yes, I know that’s what all cheaters say but I’m not even talking about romantically; she’s not been very kind or tolerant about what I’ve been going through either with my AI problems or my wanting to join this team. We’ve spent less and less time together and seems like she only remembers she has a boyfriend when she wants to scowl in a corner and disapprove of something.” “Still…” “I know and actually I’ve been trying to call her to break it off for a few days, ever since I decided to tell you about…” “Being desperately in love with me? It’s okay you’re not the first who couldn’t help himself.” “So humble,” Vic smiled with a sigh, “Something like that. She hasn’t been answering. Which is pretty typical these days for her, especially after the fights we’ve been having but I swear next time I can actually get her to acknowledge me: We’re done.” Victor said as he too stood up from the bed and walked over to Will. “Same for me and Teddy.” Will responded. Victor quickly closed the gap between them, standing only about an inch apart. “So we probably shouldn’t do anything else before we talk to them…” “Probably not.” Will agreed with a nod but after a beat they simultaneously pulled each other in and once more lost themselves in a powerful kiss. The Freezer “They come, as I knew they would.” Ophiuchus exhaled, a grin in his voice, speaking to no one in particular even as he was surrounded on all sides by his “followers”. The quite animated voice of one of these followers Anne Weaver sounded out but was not directed at their enigmatic leader. It instead bled into the background with the beep and chirps of the Freezer’s array of electronic equipment as she conducted a seemingly very tense phone conversation. The others standing around him seemed equally ill at ease, despite their leader’s optimism. Among their number were a few LMDs (Two Nick Furys and a Diamondback), Brent Jackson, Grant Ward, Bob and an Asian woman in a SHIELD scientific. “Yes sir.” Anne said flatly, ending the call with emphasis. Finally she turned back to the others: “Well… I do believe they are coming. Your plan is holding, but barely,” She said addressing the ophid armored man directly, “Seeding them that scenario of “investigating” the Pantheon weeks before being caught there has at least bought us some benefit of the doubt but I get the feeling we’re on shaky ground. An inspection is forthcoming, no doubt.” She finished, her crisp accent becoming sharper with her tone as she crossed her arms in frustration. “Oh yes they’re already planning on one but SHIELD is not who I was referring too. The Young Avengers will be here soon. Sooner than planned even, their perspicacity is stronger than I’d given them weight for, I had thought they might waste time a little longer on the “proper channels”.” Ophiuchus hummed with amusement. “Should we prepare?” Bob asked, voice quivering. “Fear not Bob.” Ophiuchus said gently, “Preparations are under way. Are they not Agent Chang?” The Asian woman nodded. “Yes, bringing up the files now on our newest patients.” She reported succinctly as she brought up images up on the monitors. First Teddy Altman, Hulkling; frozen in his human form. Next was America, looking more placid then she’d probably ever been in life. “Good, good.” Ophiuchus hummed, “Place them next to the other recent acquisitions. I want them in place when their friends arrive.” Chang nodded and motioned for a few LMDs to follow her as she exited the room. “The rest of you, the time is upon us… make ready.” He nodded to them before turning away again, seemingly lost in his own visions and thoughts, “Can you feel it?” Again it was unclear whether or not he was actually speaking to his companions or just thinking out loud, “Destiny is taking shape before our eyes… My destiny.” The Hideout, NYC Later that same morning Sister Irenia poured Josiah some coffee as he sat and waited for those who would come with him on his impetuous, some might say (and have), ill thought out plan to occupy the Freezer. The former nun however offered him no such admonishments and instead just listened to everything he wasn’t saying, offering what comfort she could before the furor of the day added to the storm already brewing in his head. “Are you nervous Josiah?” She nearly whispered. “No… for the first time no.” He said sipping his coffee before placing it on the counter before him, “Ever since I took this job I’ve been questioning every decision I’ve made, I’ve felt like I’ve been trying to play a part rather than go with my instincts and for the first time… I feel like this is the most natural choice in the world.” “It’s good to hear you say that Unc.” Eli said from behind the older man as he walked into the room. Behind him in file came Chanté, Kate, Riri, Tommy and Thrud. The “goddess” had been allowed to stay with them, on a somewhat probationary status and while he’d love to suspect her of some cosmic treachery and/or instability, he must admit she seemed genuine in her benevolent ambitions. “Rip raring to go are we?” Josiah said almost laughing. “Just missing three,” Eli said. “Just one actually.” Will said suddenly bursting into the room with Victor right behind him, “Who’s the one by the way?” He said struggling to get his usual costume on as he scanned the room. “Teddy, he went out last night and never came back.” Kate said, eyeing Will and Victor’s rumpled clothes suspiciously. Will for his part actually looked a bit guilty and a genuine show of emotion from him seemed to affect the others. “Yeah I tried calling him… he hasn’t answered.” Will sighed, looking abashed. “He should be back soon.” Riri said thoughtfully. “We will not wait for him,” Josiah said gently but definitively, “I said this was voluntary, he made his choice and that’s okay. That is valid. Think no less of him for that.” They all looked at each other, nervous but also excited. “Are we ready?” Jocasta chirped as she entered the room. Josiah looked up at his charges, meeting each of their eyes before answering. “Let’s do this.” The Freezer “Gee willikers!” Shouted the Captain America LMD Eli was currently grabbling with. “He didn’t just say that, did he?” Kate asked disbelievingly, rolling her eyes, as she herself traded projectiles with a Diamondback LMD. Her arrows against the pink haired robot’s diamond shaped flechettes. They had gained an early lead, the element of surprise no doubt. They had used their clearance to enter but even before any dialogue could form they began taking down each of Life Model Decoys they came across. Ever watchful of the myriad of cryogenic tanks around them, each holding a teenaged hero from eras bygone. For those who had been there from the beginning they remembered when Narfi had released Marvel Boy and he had attacked them so gleefully… could the same be said of any of these former heroes if they awoke? What had the trickster scion done to them… what was being done to them now? It was this fear that drove them forward. These were young people, who like them had been manipulated by others simply for trying to do a little good in this world. That was something they could not abide. Will used the same trick he had on Victor back when he and Tommy first arrived, shutting down the LMDs or causing them to glitch all the further. Victor used the opportunity to herd them into a pile with his magnetokinesis. Their lead however soon faltered as the LMDs were soon joined, much to the team’s surprise, by a flank of armed men and women in standard Hydra costuming. Just as Kate knocked down the Diamondback LMD one Hydra flunkie took her place now aiming a rifle of some sort rather the more fanciful diamonds of her previous sparring partner, who was being helped to her feet by a second Hydra. “Great…” Kate groaned. “Unbelievable…” Chanté sighed as she too was cornered by a number of Hydra footpersons. “Actually there has been a lot of overlap over the years between Hydra and SHIELD much as that seems contrary to their very natures,” Jocasta quipped as she quickly disarmed two Nick Fury LMDs, deactivating them with a shock from her palms, “Several double, triple, quadruple agents among both their ranks. One would think it would be easy at times to lose track of who you actually work for.” The robotic woman laughed. “I know that feeling.” Josiah sighed as he struggled against yet another Captain America LMD this one was less into hokey colloquialisms and seemed more patterned after a very aggressive “America First” code, growling as he struggled with the Young Avengers’ stalwart leader. Tommy and Riri for their part were working on getting control of the computer system, well Riri mainly was while Tommy was offering moral support. Thrud was seemingly in charge of keeping the Freezer’s goons away from the two non-powered among them. Doing a pretty exemplary job, effortlessly shaking off the combatants that came her way and sending further more flying backwards with a mere clap of her hands. “Riri do you have it?” Josiah asked as he bared down on the Captain he faced even as the LMD wrapped his hands around his neck. “I’ve almost got it.” She shrieked, brow furrowing as she furiously typed. The young genius’ forehead beaded with sweat but her face was a grimace of anticipation as she felt herself nearing her goal. Tommy stood nervously beside her, ringing his hands. Just as she was about to make through the last firewall… a whirring noise signaled the mainframe unlocking itself. The interface coming online by itself, much to Tommy’s relief and Riri’s temporary frustration and then… confusion. “Hello Ms. Williams.” A curt British female voice came from the monitor before her, soon the image of Anne Weaver coming into view on the screen. “What?!” Riri exclaimed surprised. Before anyone else could react they had their own surprise: The LMDs they were fighting stopped fighting back, calmly stepping away from their opponents and forming a line against a far wall. The Hydras joined them, getting up and walking away even mid-fight. “I think you’ll find all of this hacking for naught my dear.” Weaver said condescendingly calling Riri’s attention back to the screen, “You already have full access to the system. The Freezer is yours.” “Why…?” Tommy asked. “It has always been yours.” Another voice said, this one live and in person: Ophiuchus made his way into the hall from the shadows. Still bearing the regal gold/green snake inspired armor, now covered in a green cloak. “You…?” Eli stammered, readying himself to attack. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced. I am Ophiuchus. The 13th sign, the Serpent Bearer and the herald of the future.” The man swanned, flipping up his cloak with a bit of a flourish as he spoke. “You’re the one the Pantheon tried to sell me to!” Thrud bellowed, stamping her foot causing the ground to shake briefly. Her pseudo-teammates trembling a great deal more than their supposed foe, causing them to cast cross looks at her briefly before turning back to the stranger. “A necessary bit of theater. They were guilty of more than I can even list, they will face justice once the future is ours.” Ophiuchus hummed. “Ours?” Kate asked. “Yes as I said all this belongs to you. To us.” Ophiuchus smiled, a smile which faltered upon making eye contact with Josiah and then Jocasta, “Well some of us.” He waved them off before continuing, “This place birthed you, as it did me. From the past,” He gestured to all the “golden age” heroes in their tanks, “The future is written.” As he said this tracking lights moved along the tanks to four seemingly separate from the others, held off on their own suggesting some kind of importance. One by one the light fell on each tank revealing their inhabitants: The first one holding America Chavez, looking more placid than they had ever seen her. “America?” Tommy stuttered. Before they could process this the next tank lit up revealing Teddy, causing Will’s eyes to widen. “What?! When?” The probability manipulator spat aghast. “When you weren’t there.” This comment from Ophiuchus left Will suitably guilt-ridden. The next light lit up a tank containing none other than Nico Minoru. “Nico!” Victor shouted irate. And finally the last one lit up, showing none other than… Cassie Lang. “What!” Kate snapped, bow at the ready. “Release them!” Josiah demanded. “We will of course but you must do something for us first.” This Ophiuchus said directly to Josiah and Jocasta. The two mentors stepping forward, between the snake armored man and their charges. “And what would that be?” Jocasta chirped. Ophiuchus grinned and walked over to the tank holding America, giving it a flippant tap with his knuckles. “Get in.” The last thing Cassie Lang remembered is saying goodbye to Hawkeye and his team of “Young Avengers: West” before setting off to find Bill Byron, the original Young Avenger. She was jumped and the world went dark and then? She awoke to see her own team of Young Avengers staring at her with concern. “Are you alright?” “I assure you she is unharmed.” As Kate helped Cassie out of the capsule she took in their surroundings: the Freezer, of course, where else? It was different though, time had passed for this place at last it seemed. One thing that stood out to the size-changing girl was the explosion of color. Fabrics draped here and there, a new paint job, aesthetically pleasing moldings where there had once been exposed pipe and on and on. Her memories of the Freezer were all dank and dark. It was subtle but there had definitely been some form of change in this place… The biggest change however was in the tanks just behind her… two of which were empty but two held Josiah X and Jocasta. The two adults frozen in time, the sight as disheartening to her as it was jarring. Kate pulled her forward and she forced herself to look away. “Okay,” Chanté breathed, “We’ve followed your demands, start talking: What is really going on here?” The Wakandian stared down Ophiuchus, crossing her arms. The rest of her team came to stand around her. “As we’ve said,” Ophiuchus said, with a bit of amusement in his voice as he walked forward, “You are a part of us.” He spread his arms wide, “This place is yours just as much as it is ours, or Narfi’s, or anyone else for that matter.” “Who’s us?” Riri asked, eyes narrowing. “Hydra? SHIELD? Because that’s what I’m seeing here.” Eli snapped, casting eyes at Bob, Grant Ward and the others. Brent Jackson snickered at this but quieted when Ophiuchus shot him a glare through his fanged faceplate. “Neither.” The serpentine armored man said simply, turning his attentions back to the teens, “These are just a few of the men and women who have put their faith in governments and political ideologies only to be let down by the same cycle of lies and disappointments. Instead of waiting for things to change, they have decided to join me… join us and make things change. Bring about the future: TODAY.” Ophiuchus dramatically said, his voice bellowing. “You still haven’t said… who’s us?” Will snapped. “I have. I am Ophiuchus herald of the future… 13th sign of the Zodiac.” As he said this the colorful banners Cassie had notice billowed out, a team of vibrant strange figures filling out from beneath them, coming to stand next to Ophiuchus. “The Zodiac Cartel…” Eli groaned…. “Cartel we may have been once but we have higher goals now.” One of these, who seemed like a silvery disembodied nervous system, “We’ve evolved.” “Thank you Aquarius.” Ophiuchus nodded. “And just where do we factor into this?” Riri asked. “Is it not common sense?” Another one, this one with the appearance of a gold plated ‘50s housewife said in a monotone voice, “Eli, Kate, Chante, Will, Riri, Victor, Teddy, Thrud, Tommy, America, Nico and Cassie… 12 young people for 12 signs of the Zodiac. As Aquarius said we’ve evolved… and we are continuing to do so. Soon we will beyond human expression and when that day comes… you will take our place and ring in the future as you were always meant to. “Thank you Virgo.” Ophiuchus smiled at her before turning back to the group, “So come on now. We have so much to show you… and destiny awaits!” With perplexed expressions the kids glanced back at their trapped mentors for a moment and knew there was no choice: so without another word they looked at one another and as Eli nodded… they stepped forward. |