| Roll Call: |
|---|
 Black Diamond |
 Muskateer |
 Firestar |
 Nightingale |
 Supreme |
 Texas Ranger |
 Thing |
Guest Starring Guardian Angel |
Muskateer wearily made his way through the hallways of the Avengers Mansion. He had just finished up his morning training sessions with Firestar and had been summoned by Black Diamond. Much to his surprise, Guardian Angel showed up to partake in the exercise as well. The fiery Avenger had been a bit down since her poor showing against Ladybug, but the presence and encouragement from Guardian Angel perked her up. Thanks to Muskateer's intense drills, Firestar was gaining in stamina and combat prowess.
"Glad to see that Cassie is still sticking with it," Muskateer thought to himself. "She just needs some more encouragement. Guardian Angel should be a good influence on her." That much certainly seemed true. The mysteriously arrived heroine had taken Firestar under her wing. It was no secret that Cassie had idolized the television version of Guardian Angel. Now that TV personality had somehow come to life.
Muskateer still wasn't sure how to take that whole situation. Guardian Angel had made her appearance just less than a week ago as a bonafide real life superheroine. She certainly seemed genuine and sincere. "Nobody could act that straight-laced and corny all the time," Muskateer thought. It was another mystery for the Avengers. He was getting used to strange things happening all the time.
Guardian Angel was a positive influence on Cassie at any rate and the two were spending time together both on duty and off. Angel seemed to be an accomplished crimefighter, so she couldn't help but be of assistance to Firestar. Black Diamond had been so busy lately with all the nonsense that was surrounding the Avengers, not to mention just recently recovering from her own time in the infirmary. Guardian Angel was nicely stepping into the void Diamond had left open for Cassie. "I haven't had as much time for her the last few weeks either. Angel doesn't seem to even have a life without the cape."
Firestar was going to be a good heroine. She just took things too personally sometimes. That thought led Muskateer back to the biggest problem of his own right now: Gwennie.
"I can't believe she hasn't answered her phone or got my messages since we went after the White Dragon last night." That misadventure was looking like it was now the source of an unexpected problem between the young couple.
Muskateer had been trying to reach her for some time now, quite unsuccessfully. It wasn't like Gwen to be evasive. Of course, this was the first potential strain in their relationship. He wasn't sure what he could expect from her.
"None of this makes sense. Gwennie took time to stop in even when she was off to Dallas when Comet was killed and she was really tired. I can't imagine that she would run off somewhere and turn off her communicator." The sword-swinging Avenger stopped and pulled out his communication device again in the hopes that Gwen would respond. As before she was unavailable and not receiving transmissions. Something had to be wrong and it wasn't just the situation with the White Dragon that was bothering her.
Muskateer thought back to the last time that he saw her. They had embraced for a long time and it was warm and loving. Gwen had even promised to give him a chance to prove that this would all work out against her fears. "Gwennie's not the type to say one thing and do another. She's got too much class for somethin' like that, even if she was really upset."
"Looking back on it," Muskateer mused, "I guess the situation really worked out for the best. I woulda liked to smash that scuzz-ball in the face. Come to think of it, I guess I did get to smash him in the face. That'll just be our little secret." Muskateer was a little surprised by how strongly the Texas Ranger had reacted to Helena's attacker. He would have expected such a reaction from himself or Ben, but Ranger was pretty new to the Avengers, without obvious ties to the other members.
"He seemed to have a more personal stake in it than I would've guessed," Muskateer thought as he reached the level that Black Diamond's office occupied. "Maybe Tex's got a soft spot for our Sprout. Wouldn't that be a surprise?" The unlikely thought made sense based on the way Ranger had taken on the White Dragon and his manhandling of the villain.
"Ranger and Ralph." He paused for a moment to let that thought sink in. "Now that's an odd couple." He grinned under his mask at the unusual idea.
As he grew nearer the entrance to Diamond's office, Muskateer could hear loud talking coming from inside. He could plainly make out Di's voice along with that of Nightingale. It was blatantly obvious that the two were having some sort of disagreement.
"How could you let him do that, Linda?" Nightingale demanded. "How could you let Ben go out and exert himself when he was supposed to be inactive? It was clear that he was supposed to be resting so that he could recover from this latest exposure of radiation."
"How could I have stopped him? You know how fond he is of Helena. Ben had a personal stake in this and I wasn't going to attempt to hold him back. As if I could if he made up his mind about it anyway."
Muskateer paused as he reached for the doorknob. The Thing had been re-exposed to the same strange white radiation that had first changed Ben Grimm into the Thing when he was an astronaut. Since then, Ben had collapsed twice in the heat of battle. The first occurrence was during the conflict with the Ravager. The most recent was just last night while attempting to capture the White Dragon.
"I have no idea just what the radiation is doing to Ben or could do to him," Nightingale explained agitatedly. "But it's clear that physically exerting himself leads to these attacks. Letting him go after the White Dragon was a big mistake. It's just too dangerous! Too big of a risk!"
"Ben made his own choice, Chris. He is an adult after all. He knew the risks and accepted them."
When Nightingale didn't immediately respond, Muskateer opened the door to Black Diamond's office and stepped inside. He could feel the tension as soon he entered. "You called, oh Diamondy one?"
Diamond was leaning over her desk, supported by her hands. She glanced up at Muskateer, a somber look on her face. "Muskateer. Please come in and close the door."
Nightingale was standing before the desk, arms folded. It was clear from her body language that she was not happy. There was a cross look on her face.
"Sure thing. Somethin' wrong?"
"Just a minor disagreement about things already done," Black Diamond answered. To Nightingale she added, "I'll meet you in a few minutes and we can go check up on Helena."
Nightingale just nodded her understanding and walked out of the office, telekinetically opening and then closing the door behind her. Both Muskateer and Black Diamond watched her depart in silence. Diamond let out a sigh of relief and sank back into her chair. One unpleasant task completed; one more to go.
"How's Ben doing?"
"Resting under sedation," Diamond reported. "Chris still doesn't have any explanation for what is happening to Ben. I get the impression that she is expecting the worst."
"Considering the way things have been going around here the last few months, that's not a big surprise."
"Unfortunately, that's very true."
"Don't let it get you down, Di. We're the Avengers. We always find a way to come through in the end. Ben may be having a tough time of it now, but we'll find a way to fix him."
"I hope you're right, Muskateer." Diamond opened a file folder on her desk and looked at the hero. "You've had an eventful 24 hours. The White Dragon's goons weren't enough for you?"
Muskateer dropped tiredly into a chair across from the Avengers' leader. "Couldn't sleep," he answered simply, rubbing his forehead. He had been up since the call from Felina about Helena had come in. That was almost a day and a half ago. Sleep had eluded the sword-wielding Avenger last night as well.
"Ten more criminals off the street," Diamond noted as she scanned the report. "At least for the time being."
"A couple of them won't be so quick to return to their lives of crime."
"I noticed that each of the ten paid a visit to the jail infirmary. Taking out pent up frustrations?"
"They resisted. I didn't really hurt any of 'em. Much anyway. I assume that you didn't call me up here to just go over my last night's activities."
"No, I didn't," Diamond answered as she rested her arms on the desk supporting her chin. "Forgive me for prying, but how are things between you and Gwen? I know she was upset about the White Dragon affair."
"Pretty good actually. She wasn't happy about the situation, but I think she understood where I was coming from. It all seems to have worked out just fine."
"I see." Diamond frowned and the facial gesture was not lost on Muskateer. He sat up a little straighter. "When I came into the office this morning I found this message on voice mail." Diamond's black-gloved finger stabbed a button on her computer console. "It came in over night." A moment later a familiar voice rang out.
"Good Morning, Black Diamond, Enchantress here. In light of the recent events, I have decided to take an extended leave of absence. I need to gather my thoughts on the situation with the White Dragon and how the team reacted. I don't know how long I'll be gone. I'm sorry that it's come to this. Farewell."
Muskateer rose to his feet as the message played and he leaned closer to get a better listen. But when it had finished, he had nothing to say.
"I'm surprised that you didn't know." Black Diamond said quietly. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have anything to be sorry about," Muskateer answered gruffly. He looked away trying to compose his thoughts and unconsciously clenched his fists.
Black Diamond rose from her seat and stepped closer to her teammate. "If there's something you want to talk about..."
But Muskateer interrupted her before she could finish. "It's not a big deal, Di. Gwen's a big girl. She can do what she wants." The frustration and disappointment in his voice however betrayed his words. "If we're through here, I got some work to do."
"Yes, of course," she answered slowly. "I'll talk to you later." She had wanted to offer some advice or try to help him somehow, but seeing his mood change so strongly, Diamond thought better of it just now. He needed to blow off some steam first, she surmised.
Muskateer stalked out of the office and slammed the door shut behind him. After a moment, Linda walked slowly back to her desk and dropped into her chair. This was already becoming a difficult day. It was going to get worse.
Muskateer briskly climbed the steps up to the front door of the Enchantress' townhouse. It was now early afternoon and Steven had changed into civilian clothes. Appropriating one of the Avengers team vehicles, he had driven to Gwen's Manhattan home. He repeatedly pressed the doorbell, but received no response for his efforts.
"Come on," he grumbled to himself. Steven couldn't believe that Gwen would just up and leave like this without even telling him. The idea that she would leave a message with Black Diamond and go away without even saying goodbye to him hurt the Avenger deeply.
Just when he was beginning to become comfortable with the idea that a woman like Gwen could be seriously interested in someone like him, this had to happen. It was like someone had completely knocked the wind right out of him. Gwen's leaving had caught him completely off guard; in fact it had blind-sided him. It was a pain that filled his entire being and was made even worse by his extreme lack of sleep.
The more he reviewed her message in his mind, the more convinced he became that it was not truly Gwen who had sent it. Sure, the voice was hers and the words were the type Gwen would typically use, but there was something wrong. Just what that something was he couldn't put his finger on. Yet.
Having not received any response, Steven fumbled in his pocket for the door key Gwen had given him one just a week ago. The two had spent several evenings relaxing here and enjoying each other's company. Upon opening the door, Steven entered and then closed the portal behind him.
"Gwen?", Steven called out as he moved deeper into the stately townhouse. His beloved's touch was everywhere in the domicile. Gwen had styled each room to her own exquisite tastes. He couldn't help but feel Gwen's presence here and that made him feel marginally better. Quickly he moved about the house, exploring the entire dwelling only to find it empty as he feared. Gwen was simply not here.
Returning to her bedroom, Steven didn't notice anything out of place. The bed did not appear slept in, but it really didn't mean anything. Gwen could have made it after she had risen. She wasn't the type to leave a bed unmade for very long anyway.
On a whim, Muskateer glanced into her closets. Everything seemed to be there, including Gwen's luggage. Steven stared at the bags for a few moments.
"If Gwen really did go away, then why didn't she pack anything? Of course she really doesn't have to pack bags if she doesn't want to. She could magically whip up whatever she needed." Still, it struck the hero as very odd. Gwen had made a point before that she tried to do normal things in a normal way. Magic was to be used for special needs and occasions. He sat down on the bed, trying to work it all out in his head.
"I don't know how long I'll be gone," Steven repeated to himself feeling more than a little lost. It certainly sounded like something Gwen would have said. Or did it. "I don't know how long I'll be gone. I don't know!"
Steven suddenly bolted to his feet in realization. "She said 'I don't know', instead of 'I do not know'! Gwen doesn't go around using contractions very often and especially not for something like that announcement. Unless I'm startin' wear off on her too much and I doubt that." Gwen had a very formal way of speaking about her. It reflected her high degree of education. It was a very subtle nuance and one that might not be readily noticed. But Steven had picked up on it after all the time he had spent with Gwen during the past month.
"Damn! Somethin' must've happened to Gwen. I'm sure of it now. That message had to be a fake to tray and throw me off the track." The revelation made Steven feel better. Gwen hadn't walked out on him as he had first feared. "I'll find you, Gwennie. I swear it!"
Supreme looked up from the magazine that he had been paging through. The large, muscular Avenger was seated in a small waiting area inside Sanctuary's Medical Complex. He had accompanied Black Diamond and Nightingale back to Sanctuary to check up on the Huntress. The heroine had been brutally beaten by the White Dragon and had yet to wake up after her emergency surgery.
The two Avengers, along with Helena's mom and her doctors were currently crowded into the small room. Feeling out of place, Supreme had decided to wait outside. There were enough people hovering around Helena right now and she didn't need another. But now something was finally happening.
Black Diamond departed the room, silently closing the door behind her. Supreme rose to his feet and met the ebony-garbed heroine halfway. "Any news?"
"Helena was awake for a little bit. She's still very weak and is going to be sleeping a lot, but she's out of danger. In the long run, she's going to be all right." (Editor's Note: As shown in Huntress #25)
"That's good. I knew she was tough enough to get through this. Come on, let's get out of here. How about some dinner?" Reaching out, Supreme put his arm around Diamond's shoulder and led her towards the exit.
Black Diamond hesitated. "Why don't you go ahead without me? I think I'll just wait here."
"You just said that Helena's sleeping and her condition has stabilized, so staying here isn't going to accomplish anything. Look, I know you feel that you need to be here, but you don't. I'm sure her mom will be at her side anyway, along with the doctors. Let's just let them do their jobs and keep from being under foot. Somebody has to make you relax and that task has fallen on my broad shoulders. So, now, do you want to walk with me or do I have to carry you?"
Supreme flashed an infectious smile that couldn't help but soften Diamond's somber mood. "All right, you win. You're incorrigible."
"I'm quite handsome too."
Benjamin J. Grimm tossed and turned in his oversized, reinforced bed. The man better known to the world as the Thing slept, but his slumber was not a peaceful one. The sedatives given to him by Nightingale to help him relax were not working. Instead his body seemed to be running at a feverous pitch. Changes, both seen and unseen, were taking place.
Suddenly Ben's eyes opened wide. There was a savage, feral look about them. His rocky skin rippled as the whole took on a much rougher and bulkier appearance. Slamming his fists down with a loud roar, the Thing broke apart his bed without any sign of concern causing it to crash to the floor. Rising to his feet, Ben stormed towards the door, ripping it apart as he passed. The Thing stopped after a few more feet, and howled at the top of his lungs once more. This was not the cry of an intelligent man, but rather that of some wild untamed creature.
"Great stuff as always, Jeeves," Firestar complimented as she took a bite out of her pork roast. It was dinnertime at the Avengers Mansion, but only a sparse crowd was in attendance this evening. In addition to Firestar, Guardian Angel and the Texas Ranger were the only other ones seated at the table.
"Thank you, madam," Jeeves graciously responded. The gentleman's gentlemen circled the table, making sure that all the needs of his charges were met.
"Ya can rustle up some mighty fine grub thar, pahdner," the Texas Ranger drawled as he dug into his meal. "We sure coulda used ya in the chuck wagon."
"I concur," Guardian Angel added. "Most excellent cuisine."
"One does try to do one's best," Jeeves answered modestly.
"You know, you've been here for a while now and I hardly know anything about you, Jeeves. You're not hiding something from us, are you?", Firestar added with a mischievous grin.
Jeeves paused in his duties. As always, his uniform was in impeccable condition. Not a hair was out of place. "I wouldn't want to bore you with the personal details of my life, madam. There is simply not much of a story to be told. Your lives are far more remarkable than mine."
"Come now, Jeeves, everyone has a past regardless of how interesting it may seem." The comment came from Guardian Angel.
The Texas Ranger also got in on the act. "Come on, pahdner, give."
"As you wish. As I stated, there's not much to tell about me. I was born in London..."
A distant crash coupled with a loud howl interrupted Jeeves explanation. Everyone in the dining room suddenly became still and silent, their eyes cast in the general direction of the disturbance. A moment later, another scream reverberated throughout the Avengers Mansion.
"What in tar-nation?", Ranger wondered as he stood up. "Sounds like some kindah wild animal!"
"My word!", Jeeves added nervously.
"That came from upstairs," Firestar noted, her eyes wide with bewilderment.
Guardian Angel rose from her seat and casually placed her napkin on the table. "We shall investigate, my friends. I am sure that whatever the trouble, we three are more than capable of handling the situation. Jeeves, please remain here for your own safety." The heroine briskly walked out of the dining room with her crimson cape billowing behind her and into the foyer. Ranger and Firestar followed a moment later.
Emerging from the Dining Room into the foyer, the three heroes immediately spotted motion on the grand staircase. Each paused in astonishment. Ambling down the staircase was the Thing, but in a state none of them had seen before. His rocky appearance had become rougher and thicker as if his skin was swollen. Ben reared his head back and howled once more. There was a wild look to the rocky hero.
"You okay there, pahdner?", Ranger asked cautiously.
"Ben?," Firestar asked hesitantly. "If this is a some kind of joke, it's not very funny. You're scaring me."
"Are you well, comrade?", Guardian Angel inquired as she consciously placed herself between the Thing and the other Avengers. Angel couldn't rule out the possibility of attack given the strange way that the Thing was acting.
Ignoring the questions, the Thing surged forward, shoving Guardian Angel violently aside. The Guardian of the Foundation Stone was thrown back into the dining room, smashing through the double doors in the process.
"Something's wrong with him," Firestar cried out. "It must be the radiation that's making Ben act strange. He's sick!"
"He's gone plumb loco is what it is! Stand back, lil' lady I don't want ta see ya get hurt!" With an act of concentration, the Texas Ranger created a telekinetic barrier between himself and the rampaging Thing. Turning back to face Firestar he added, "Go for help! I'll try to keep'm penned in."
Firestar nodded her understanding and flew off to summon the rest of the Avengers. "Be careful, cowboy! There's no telling what Ben will do in his current state of mind."
The Thing ran head on into the translucent barrier and bounced off. In his current state, he couldn't comprehend exactly what was blocking his path. He reached out with his hands trying to feel what was blocking his way, his rocky skin moving and swelling all the while.
While the Thing was momentarily occupied, Guardian Angel rushed back onto the scene. "Excellent strategy," the powder blue heroine complimented. "We must try to subdue our friend as gently as possible. He is no doubt feverish and not in control of his faculties."
Guardian Angel moved before Ben once more, but was separated from him by Ranger's telekinetic wall. "Let us help you, Ben. I know that you are not responsible for your actions." Guardian Angel reached out towards the Thing offering him her hand.
Shouting out a cry of pain, the Thing reared back his right fist and threw a punch with all of his considerable might! The strike passed through the wall Texas Ranger created like it was tissue paper. The punch caught Guardian Angel as well and sent the heroine rocketing out of the room, blasting through walls as she went.
"Cow patties!", Ranger cursed upon seeing that his barrier was no match for the power of the Thing. Concentrating once more, Tex sent a thought ram at Ben but it didn't even slow the Rocky Avenger down. A powerful backhand sent Ranger bouncing off the wall to land unconscious on the floor.
The deranged Thing looked around wildly. No one else was in his way. Another surge of pain struck, his rocky body swelling even more. Ben cried out in agony again and rushed off towards the lower levels of the Avengers Mansion. He had to get away from here, far away. The exact reason why completely eluded him in his current mental state.
Acting more on instinct than rational thought, Ben made his way to the hanger bay and leaped into the standby Quinnjet. One of the Avenger's long-range transports was always at the ready in case of emergencies. The Thing slipped into the cockpit and powered up the vessel. A moment later, the Quinnjet rose up into the New York sky and flew off at top speed.
"Oh, that feels wonderful," Black Diamond sighed dreamily.
"I've got the magic touch," Supreme grinned in response as he continued to massage Diamond's back. "You've got a lot of pent up tension to release."
"Uh-huh," was her response.
After leaving the Medical Center, the two had gone to Tahiti's, the four star restaurant located on Sanctuary for dinner. From there, Supreme had guided the couple towards a relaxing stroll on the beach. In an isolated spot, they had stopped to talk and cuddle. Supreme had suggested a back rub to help relieve her tension.
"Feeling any better?"
"Oh yes. Don't you dare stop. Between the situation with Helena, Ben's exposure, and Gwen leaving, my burdens have been many and varied. If feels like I'm on a roller coaster right now. Very high peaks and very low valleys."
"Sounds pretty normal for the Avengers if you ask me," Supreme laughed as he eagerly continued with his task. "You may have incredibly sexy and strong shoulders, but you don't have to bear the weight of the world on them."
"You keep doing what you're doing and I won't have a care in the world."
The next few minutes passed quietly as Supreme happily worked the kinks out of Black Diamond's back. That was until their Comlinks went off.
Diamond let out a heavy sigh as she reached for her comlink. "I knew it was too good to last." Activating the device, she responded, "Diamond here."
"Di! Thank goodness I reached you!" The excited voice coming from the device belonged to Firestar. "You have to come back immediately!"
"Cassie? What's the matter?"
"It's Ben! He's gone crazy!"
"Everyone get strapped in," Black Diamond called out. "Beginning launch sequence." The ebony clad heroine was seated in the pilot's chair of a second Quinnjet and working the controls. Firestar's call for assistance had brought Black Diamond, Supreme, and Nightingale back to New York in less than ten minutes. Only Muskateer had not responded to Firestar's call for assistance. Lightburst remained behind to monitor the situation.
"We are a go," Nightingale reported from the co-pilot's position. Of those present, only Diamond and herself were accomplished pilots of the Avengers crafts. "Opening hatch now, moving Quinnjet into position."
In the passenger section of the jet Supreme, Firestar, Guardian Angel, and the Texas Ranger buckled themselves in for the flight to come. Neither Angel nor Ranger had suffered any serious damage from the blows struck by the Thing. By the time they had recovered however, Ben was long gone. He currently had nearly a twenty-five minute lead on them.
A section of the driveway behind the Avengers Mansion slid back to reveal the underground Quinnjet hanger. The second jet was raised up on the landing pad until it was above ground. The Quinnjet then lifted into the twilight sky on its vertical thrusters. Once high enough, Diamond brought the main engines up to full power propelling the jet forward. The Quinnjet soared off, gaining altitude all the while.
While Diamond piloted the craft on a northerly course, Nightingale attempted to track the other Quinnjet. "Ben is continuing to maintain his same heading. Traveling in a north by northwest direction. At least he hasn't turned off the homing beacon."
"Where is he now?"
"He's entering Canadian air space. The authorities are trying to reach him, but there is no response. I wonder what's making him go in that direction?" That was a question for which Nightingale and all the others on board the Quinnjet had no answer.
When Muskateer returned to the Avengers Mansion, he found Jeeves going about the task of cleaning up from the Thing's minor rampage. "What the heck happened here?"
"Ah, Master Muskateer. It seems that the Mr. Grimm has had some sort of emotional episode and run off," Jeeves answered as he looked up from his work.
"Emotional episode? What's that supposed to mean?", Muskateer asked impatiently.
"No one is certain, sir. There was a bit of a tussle with Firestar, Guardian Angel and the Texas Ranger during dinner. He was unstoppable and took off in a Quinnjet. The rest of the team followed in the second jet. Except for Lightburst. He remained behind."
"Big surprise," Muskateer grumbled.
"Someone had to remain on monitor duty. There has been no word from the team as yet, but I shall be certain to keep you informed, sir."
"Please do, Jeeves. I guess there's nothing I can do from here anyway and I've got my own problems to deal with."
"I say, good luck, sir."
"Thanks, Jeeves." Muskateer rapidly headed for Black Diamond's office. He quickly jogged through the halls, now filled with purpose. Muskateer's fatigue seemed like only a memory now.
Before settling in at Diamond's desk, Muskateer locked the door and brought the computer to life. "Alright, time to figure out this little mystery. I don't know who's been messing with my sweetheart, but when I find out there will be hell to pay."
Muskateer worked the keyboard and the computer began to respond with the required information: communication logs to Gwen's communicator, monitor logs, communicator tracking results and more. The Avenger poured through the past two days results. It wasn't long before he had the beginnings of an answer.
Muskateer leaned forward to review all three screens simultaneously. "Hello. This looks like the place to start. Lightbutt summoned Gwen to Ryker's Island yesterday. Lightbutt was on monitor duty at the time. And that's where her communicator was switched off too. Strange." Muskateer considered for a moment. Then he activated the communications system on the computer.
"Better keep this confidential." Entering a control code, Muskateer sent out a masked call. Muskateer didn't trust Lightburst and if he was on monitor duty again now, then he could conceivably listen in. Right now, Muskateer didn't trust anyone until he had more information.
A man's voice answered his call. "Ryker's Island. Warden Kowalski's office."
"This is Muskateer of the Avengers."
"Good evening, Muskateer. How can we help you?" the voice on the line responded.
"I was following up on the Enchantress' visit to your facility yesterday."
There was a long pause on the line. "The Enchantress was very helpful, Muskateer. We were very pleased she could solve our problem here."
"And what exactly was the problem?"
"I'm not sure I can answer that, Muskateer. It was way above our heads. The Enchantress prepared herself for some magical spell and then she left. She said that everything should be fine and we haven't had a problem with Lady Darkness since then." After another pause, he continued, "I'm sure the Enchantress will be able to fill you in on the whole story when you see her again."
"Who said I haven't seen her since then?"
"Oh,... I just assumed... since you were asking... Would you like to speak with Warden Kowalski?"
"That's not necessary," Muskateer said in as even a tone as he could muster. "I have everything I need. Muskateer out."
Muskateer rubbed his forehead for a moment. "What a load of bullcrap," he finally said. "Something fishy is going on over at Ryker's Island."
Muskateer turned back to a computer screen and began to work the controls again. Quickly, the incoming calls during all monitor duty shifts from the previous night began to list, one after the other.
Scanning them with his finger as he read them, Muskateer suddenly tapped the screen and then froze the command in place. "Bingo." The Avenger leaned back in his chair and reread the information about the Ryker's Island episode.
"Ryker's Island never called the Mansion themselves. But here's where Lightbutt made the call to Gwen." Muskateer rubbed his chin as he thought. "RI's acting squirrelly, so somebody there is in on it at least. No idea who right now, but I'm going to find out. No matter what, I promise you, sweetie, I'll figure this all out." After a moment, his eyes narrowed, as realization came upon him and his lips pulled back in a soundless snarl.
A split second later, Muskateer was leaping over Diamond's desk and sprinting towards the Monitor Room.
Far to the north, the second Quinnjet continued to pursue the first. The chase had been going on for over half an hour by now.
"Something's happening!", Nightingale cried out in alarm as she eyed the radar. "Ben's losing altitude! Dropping rapidly! If he doesn't pull up soon, he's going to crash!"
"How far away is he?", Diamond inquired. She was already pushing the Quinnjet past its safe speed limits but had gained only a little ground on the fleeing Thing.
"Fifteen minutes at current velocity. We're not going to make it, Linda," Nightingale added in a quiet voice.
Diamond glanced over at her friend, the words of their morning conversation coming back to her. Maybe she should have tired to hold Ben back from participating in the raid on the White Dragon. At least Chris hadn't said 'I told you so' yet.
"Ben's off the scope," 'Gale reported. "He's gone down."
Lightburst was on monitor duty and watched an old rerun of Mr. Ed to pass the time. He had no love for these Avengers anymore. But he had to keep up his façade as long as possible. His mistress commanded it and there was no chance he would disobey her even if he wanted to do so. Soon he could leave these pitiful fools and join his mistress' side on a more permanent basis. That moment was about to arrive much sooner than the light-wielding Avenger realized.
Lightburst turned as the door to the monitor room opened. "Muskateer. Still no word from Diamond. No idea why Ben ran off like a crazy baboon. I'll call you when there's more." Lightburst then turned back to the console. He hoped to get rid of the annoying Avenger as quickly as possible.
Muskateer moved closer and stood over the purple clad mutant. After a moment, Lightburst looked up with a start, realizing that Muskateer was still there. "Something wrong?"
"You tell me."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lightburst asked in an accusing tone.
"Tell me about the Ryker's Island call last night." Muskateer leaned down and gave Lightburst a cold stare.
"I don't remember exactly. Let me pull up the log." But as Lightburst reached towards the keypad, Muskateer grabbed his arm tightly. "Hey, what's the..."
Muskateer interrupted Lightburst's complaint. "Ryker's Island calls and reports that they're having some kind of problem with the Morbane, Lady Darkness. You figure that it's a magical problem and call the Enchantress. She goes by, checks it out and fixes everything. Case closed." His words were even, but the tone was extremely threatening.
Lightburst leaned away slightly, not sure what to make of the situation. Nervousness could be heard in his voice. "Yeah, that's right. I remember now. So what about it?"
Suddenly Lightburst was launched across the monitor room and slammed into the far wall. "You freakin' liar!", Muskateer shouted as he closed in again. Lifting the dazed mutant by the front of his costume, Muskateer slammed him into the wall again. "Ryker's Island never called us!"
"It's always the small details that trip you up," Lightburst answered, with a short laugh. "But that knowledge won't do you any good."
Muskateer pulled Lightburst away from the wall and delivered a roundhouse right to his teammate's jaw, knocking him across the room again. Lightburst sank to his knees, but a moment later, his forcefield flared to life. Looking up, Lightburst laughed again. "You'll never find her. And I'm ready for your manhandling now."
"Are you now?" Muskateer ripped his sword from its scabbard and moved in without a moment's hesitation. "I'll stick you like the sick pig you are, you freak!"
Lightburst's eyes grew wide as he realized just how serious his opponent was. Something told him that his only chance of surviving this confrontation was speed and flight. Lightburst rocketed into the air and past Muskateer as quickly as he could. "You win this round. But you've already lost the war." Laughing as he raced out the nearest window, Lightburst flew off into the night air.
Muskateer was there a moment later, but Lightburst was long gone. The Avenger glared out the open window for a time, then quickly spun on his heel and headed toward the computer room. There was much work to be done.
"It's cold enough to freeze the quills off a porcupine!", Ranger noted as he followed along in the blizzard as best he could. In spite of the cold weather gear he was wearing over his costume, he was still freezing.
"You said it, cowboy," Supreme added over the howling wind.
Ben's Quinnjet had crashed on one of the numerous isles in the Queen Elizabeth Islands. The pursuing Avengers found themselves in a raging blizzard when they arrived as they were now above the Arctic Circle. In spite of these conditions, the fires from the crashed Quinnjet were still burning.
Black Diamond set her craft down as close as she dared and was out into the storm in a flash, followed by Firestar and Guardian Angel. All three women were immune to the effects of the arctic cold. The rest of the team, bundled up in cold weather gear, followed as best they could.
"This way!", Nightingale shouted as she pointed off into the storm. "They've found Ben!" The psionic Avenger had been monitoring Black Diamond's thoughts and were using them as a beacon to home in on.
The Avengers moved among the burning wreckage towards the spot directed by Nightingale. None of them were prepared for what they saw.
Sitting before Black Diamond, Firestar, and Guardian Angel was a large, orange oval rock. The texture of the rock was the same as of that of the Thing. There were no features to suggest that this had once been a person.
"This has to be Ben," Diamond stated in confusion. "There's no other possible explanation. What's happening to him?
Nightingale moved closer to inspect the strange rock, probing it with her mind as well. "Ben is inside. I can barely sense his presence. No rational thought process is taking place."
"What is this?", Firestar wondered in bewilderment. "What is happening to Ben? It's like a giant egg!"
"I can only hypothesize, but this might be a chrysalis."
"Ya wanna repeat that in English, lil' lady?"
"'Gale thinks it's a cocoon," Supreme responded. "Like the kind a caterpillar uses to change into a butterfly."
"But what's Ben changing into?" Black Diamond's query went unanswered, as the others with her didn't know either. The only sound was that of the howling wind.
