Title: Nature's Call

By Jorge Martinez

I. EARTH

AVENGERS HEADQUARTERS

Six Avengers have returned from the disaster on Titan. They have all gone their separate ways to take care of any final business before they leave for space again. But not all them will travel across the cosmos seeking justice.

Hercules: She Hulk, now that the others are not here I must speak with thee.

She Hulk: And I know what your going to say?

Hercules: Aye, Jennifer. Thou hast been quiet since our arrival on Titan.

She Hulk: Herc, it's just that all that death really affected me, and...

Hercules: Thou dost not have to explain. Earth is your home. This mission might take years or days.

She Hulk: I feel like a coward.

Hercules: No, you are true warrior and a gentle giantess.

He kisses her lips. They hug each other for possibly the last time and think of what could have been.

AN APARTMENT IN MANHATTAN

Dane and Sersi share an apartmen in Manhattan. Their relationship is difficult one to say the least. Sersi selected Dane as her mate without his consent. He hated her for that but after the link was broken he realized he really cared for her. They live and love for the moment. Not seeing each other for days at time.

Sersi: You are taking the blade I see.

Black Knight: Yes, the occasion calls for it.

Sersi: And what of the curse?

Black Knight: What of it? I think I'm still under it anyway.

Sersi: Really? Would that explain your interest in me? That your soul has a bit darkness in it?

Black Knight: That is the only thing I can think of.

Sersi:(coldly) Are you ready?

Black Knight: Yes, the others are waiting.

NEW ORLEANS

The Rambeau residence.

Mrs. Rambeau: Monica, go don't worry about me.

Monica: I know mom. But with dad gone I just can't leave you alone.

Mrs. Rambeau: I'm not alone. You know I got my sister. Monica, you quit the Avengers to be with your father. That was a good thing. You spent the last few years with him. But I feel like we...like I was holding you back. With daddy dead...

Monica: But what about you mom?

Mrs. Rambeau: What about me dear? You quit because I wanted your father to retire from the Fire Department. That was what I needed. You have to live your life now. I know you care about your friends.

Monica: I do mom.

Mrs. Rambeau: Then go and let me do the worrying, not you. Your father and I did not understand you powers much. But daddy always said you ranked real high when it came to power. Even up there with Thor. Monica they need you.

Mrs. Rambeau: All right mom. I love you. It's an easy mission just in deep space so I won't be back for a while. Don't worry.

Monica kisses her mother on the cheek and flashes away.

Mrs. Rambeau: I love you dear. I hope I'm still alive when you return(she sheds a tear)

Monica:(heading to meet the other Avengers) I hate to lie to mom. I don't even know if I will survive. But I can't think like that.

AVENGERS HEADQUARTERS

Starfox sits in a room by himself. He ponders.

Starfox:(to self) Kronos and Mentor did not clue me in on much. But I know the road I must travel. My brother and I are opposites. He is death and I am life. Before I had my father on my side. But our destined rivalry has been thrown into the spotlight. Thanos is so much more than I. He is a force of death. While I am a man. Not only do I have to worry about Thanos but now I am to lead the Eternals. They will look to me for guidance.

Starfox:(to self) I left Thena in charge. Who knows she might be their ruler when I return. She is more of a leader than myself. But I have a responsibility and must strive to rule. No matter what the burden. That is my destiny. Win or lose I must try. That is what my father has told me.

Starfox: The Avengers are my best allies. I am not equal to Thanos but with them I might be. They are my friends. Yet I must not depend on them much. These are my troubles not theirs.

The Black Knight, Photon, Sersi, and Hercules enter.

Hercules: Eros we are ready. She-Hulk does not come with us. The death has was too much for her. I promised there was more to come.

Starfox: She stays here then? I cannot ask any more of my friends. That is fine.

Jarvis enters the room.

Jarvis: Master Whitman. Please stay. All of you. Too many Avengers have already died.

Starfox: So have my people, Jarvis.

Black Knight: Jarvis, I killed the Supreme Intelligence remember. Your talking to the wrong guy. Things have changed. I have changed since we all were a group.

Photon: Jarvis this isn't about super villains. This is about a mad tyrant who lives to kill, it is about evil. I can't say that killing him is the right thing. But I am not even sure if he even really alive. He must be brought to justice.

Jarvis: But....

Photon: Jarvis please just let us go and wish us luck. We might never come back.

Jarvis: I apologize. Whatever it is you hope to find. I wish you luck.

Starfox: Thank You Jarvis.

Jarvis looks at all of them putting his hand on Photon's shoulder. He then walks out.

Starfox: We must track the murderer. We all suspect my brother Thanos. Killing off a near immortal race is one of his pastimes. He leaves survivors so he can come back and kill again.

Black Knight: There can be another......

Hercules: Aye, the wench Nebula.

Photon: Nebula lives for conquest not killing.

Starfox: It is Thanos. He's behind it somehow. I have lived a carefree life. But know I won't rest till I stop him.

Black Knight: We can all end up dying going against Thanos or whoever is powerful enough to kill Eternals.

Hercules: Do not insult us Dane. I am immortal again and will face him thus. If death claims my soul so be it. It won't be the first time. This will be an epic task for heroes like us.

Black Knight: Well I am just a man. And do not carry your confidence. Are there others who might join us.

Photon: How about Firelord? His people were also massacred. Nebula was to blame. I'm sure he would assist.

Starfox: We cannot search the universe for Firelord.

Sersi: Well said. And She-Hulk has already dropped out? Did she have a hair appointment?

Hercules: Listen witch this is going to be a long voyage. Do not anger the son of Zues....

II. LIMBO

The time lord Immortus sits in his throne. Viewing the Avengers before they depart for their adventure. Next to him stands Deathurge, another personification of death.

Deathurge: She has failed you, Immortus.

Immortus: There was a small possibility.

Deathurge: So do we go to plan B?

Immortus: Yes, you annoying pest.

Deathurge: Now, now time lord I'm a valuable ally especially with whom you are challenging.

Immortus: That you are. Our options narrow and that is a good thing.

Deathurge: Plan B is much funner than plan A was. I love death and massacre but you really did out do yourself this time, ChronoKing.

Immortus: Do not speak to me of the dead ones, Deathurge. Those Eternals were fated to die.

Deathurge: There's a reason for everything, Centurion.

Immortus: Call me Immortus fool or I will not need you as an ally any longer.

Deahturge: Plan C is just diabolic. I wish I could do fun stuff like you, with my creativity and...

Immortus: With your creativity the time stream would become a slaughter house.

Deathurge: Why not just use Plan C right away that one has all the drama.

Immortus: Our friend is not looking foward to performing the act. That is why he is my last resort.

Deathurge: But he owes you, just like the others.

Immortus: Yes he does. But he used to be one of them. It won't be easy for him.

Deathurge: Now that is drama!

III. THE MOON

The Eternal ship carrying the five Avengers lands. The Avengers are teleported inside a chamber. It is the chamber of the Watcher.

Black Knight: What?! Starfox what have you gotten us into.

Hercules: Calm down friend Dane. Eros came here in search of clues.

Starfox: The Watcher is a noble being.

Photon: But forbidden to assist.

Sersi: How can he not? After so many have died!

Black Knight: Why don't we ask him. He just showed up.

Utau the Watcher stands in front of the teammates.

Starfox: Utau, we know you are forbidden to interfere but we need help finding my brother's ship the Sanctuary. It can be anywhere in the cosmos and your help will save much time.

The Watcher just stands quiet.

Hercules(to self) Eros must play his hand carefully. I am sure the Watcher will help. But due to his nature it will not be apparent.

Starfox: Please, my people have been slaughtered.

The Watcher again says nothing.

Starfox(angrily) I do not have time for your games! Will you help or keep ignoring me?!

The Watcher stares at the floating Eros who just yelled in his face. Utau disappears.

Sersi: That damn idiot. How can he turn us away. Our cause is noble....

Starfox:(with a grin) Wait Sersi. Look at the screens. That world is Rimborg. It is in the Shiar empire. A haven for mercenaries, pirates, and criminals. That is where he is at!

Hercules: The Watcher didst smile upon us again.

Black Knight: Well we narrowed it down to a world. But the Shiar Empire could get messy.

Photon: I wouldn't worry about them.

All of them look at Monica.

Sersi: So says the mortal.

IV. RIMBORG

A bar in a seedy row of other questionable establishments.

Nebula: He has abandoned me. Lied to me that devil! He sent his demon Deathurge to inform me I failed.

Nolath: What did he promise!

Nebula: He promised much. Power being the most important.

Nolath: We just killed a bunch of people for nothing.

Nebula: No. We did get paid I don't care about the death of any chosen one.

Nolath: What about Thanos? He won't give you anything for that. I mean he is kind of morbid.

Nebula: Hmmm, your right. I probably pleased him. He did the same thing years ago. He might think I am following in his footsteps. But my encounters with him have never been pleasurable.

Nolath: Yeah, he is a tricky one to play with. I'm sorry I brought it up.

Nebula: Why? Are you scared? We make deals with devils all the time.

Nolath: But he is the devil!

Nebula: Yes, but death needs more than one agent. Isn't that what this is all about? I can serve death as long as she pays me.

Nolath: You think he might give us our own planet?

Nebula: Possibly. I already have his ship. He does not like me but his mistress Death might.

Nolath: I mean does he live in hell? Where do we find Thanos.

Nebula: He lives on a far away moon I heard. No one travels there ofcourse. It is called Sedah.

Nolath: Sedah! You're right no crew will travel there! That is a wicked place.

Nebula: If the cowards don't I will kill them myself.

Nolath(to self) Great! And I gave her the idea! I'm a fool. The crew is going to kill me.

THE ARGOS

A large and fast ship among the Titan fleet.

Black Knight:(to self) Hercules is a bit tense. We have to chill out. I can't shake the feeling that this isn't going to be easy. I am the weakest among us. The only true mortal. Monica is mortal but has the power of a god. I have a wicked sword forged by Merlin. An instrument of death itself. Yet I fight for the angels. I have a eerie feeling about this whole thing. Like it's a setup!

Hercules:(to self) Blast me! I should have gone to Mt. Olympus and offered my father a sacrifice. He gave me back my godhood and saved the child Dania. Now, I might need his help against Thanos. Dane Whitman is preoccupied. He is but mortal yet fights bravely with his sword. I will make sure to watch over him.

Hercules:(to self) This ship is named the Argos. I was part of the journey on the original sea faring Argos. This one is much better. This ship flies between stars! This is going to be an epic adventure and Hercules will insure it is successful!

Sersi(to self) They are all quiet. There is a grim feeling among all of them. I also prefer a joyous life like Eros. But when something like this rises I cry for revenge. Dane loves me yet he tires of me. Is it because I am not a mortal? What must I do for him to want me? Soon he will want me I hope.

Photon:(to self) Dane isn't the only one worried. I mean being an Avenger we have seen much. But this cosmic stuff is out my league. We are doing this for Eros! But I cannot wait for it to be over.

Starfox:(to self) Sanctuary II should not be too hard to track down. Especially if it is near Rimborg. But something does not smell right. Thanos has never been sneaky. I feel like we are jumping through rings. Thanos would have basked in my face over the killings. Yet, I can feel my brother's involvement. But maybe Dane is right. Maybe it was not Thanos. Maybe Thanos is being played like us.

SEDAH

Nebula has traveled down with her first hand Nolath while the crew orbits the moon in the Sanctuary II.

Nolath: This place reeks of evil Nebula.

Nebula: Nolath I picked you as my first hand but I have been questioning my judgment. You were highly recommended.

Nolath: I apologize Nebula. I did promise I would fly to hell and back under your command. I just didn't figure you'd actually take us to hell.

Nebula: Quiet we are near.

They both enter a cave with an altar in the rear. There sits Thanos.

Thanos: What is it Nebula?

Nebula: Thanos. I have come here as a tribute.

Thanos: Tribute? You think killing off Eternals is a tribute to me?

Nebula: You know? Ofcourse, you do. I want to follow you. I thought the sacrifice would please you!

Thanos: Nebula you always find a way to sour things. You anger me woman.

Nebula: Thanos, I won't play any games. My obsession is not with death but I have a talent for it. I am offering you my services in exchange for power.

Thanos: So naive and petty Nebula. Mere chaos does not entertain me nor do you. I did not want those Eternals to die!

Nebula: Why not?

Thanos: I have my reasons. You are fortunate the ones you did kill do not affect my plans. But the Eternals are not to be harmed!

Nebula: This is a cruel joke. What are your plans?

Thanos: Hasn't your timelord pimp informed you of the game we play? You are but a pawn. I think even he is done with you.

Nebula: Thanos, I can serve you. Be your minion. That is why I came.

Thanos: I will wash my hands with you as did Immortus.

Thanos looks at the quiet Nolath. He points at him and the man combusts!

Nolath: No! noooooo....

Nebula: He was a waste anyway.

Thanos: Nebula who is going to protect you?

Nebula: I would have been dead already if you wished it.

Thanos: No, I meant protection from my brother Eros and the Avengers. They are not pleased. I think they might even kill you!

RIMBORG

Photon: I have searched the surrounding planets and moons. No Sanctuary II. I hope the others have better luck on the planet.

Hercules leads the way into the Yev saloon. Starfox says it's a hangout for criminals and lowlifes.

Black Knight: Never been in a place like this. I mean everyone is an alien.

Sersi: Dane, don't tell me you all ready getting scared?

Starfox: We will find our information here. Let's talk to the barkeep.

Starfox: Excuse me. I was wondering if you have heard any information on the Sanctuary II?

Barkeep: Buzz off pretty boy!

Sersi: My senses tell me he knows something.

Black Knight: He might want money. But too bad we don't have any currency.(smiles)

Starfox: I am not in the mood to use my pleasure powers. Hercules if you will?

Hercules: Certainly.

Hercules grabs the barkeep and shakes him a bit. Some of the bigger customers try to interrupt. But Hercules has been in hundreds of bar fights. The others sit back and watch as he thoroughly bashes them all.

Hercules: None of you can challenge the Prince of Power. None I say!

Hercules is then hit by a tremendous blow and thrown across the room. Angrily he stands.

Hercules: Someone here commands the strength to knock me down?Who is this base coward that hits me from behind.

Firelord: It is I old friend.

THE END