The Avengers: the Animated Series

"Zemo’s Quest part I- the Masters Of Evil"

 

Alarms are sounding at Riker's Island Prison as our story opens with a wide shot of the island fortress, it's search lights flashing into the night sky. Ant-Man and the Wasp come into view, zooming over the water towards the troubled prison in a strange looking air-vehicle. It looks like a flying motorcycle with an enclosed couch mounted behind the front seat. Ant-Man is at the controls, while the Wasp is sitting on the "couch", a radio headset held to one ear.

 

Ant-Man: Any more details on what we're headed in for, Jan?

 

Wasp: Not really, lover. Some costumed clown on a… flying horse, if you can believe it, attacked Riker's Island about 5 minutes ago. I haven't been able to raise anybody at the prison since we got the initial emergency call.

 

Ant-Man: Flying Horse, eh? That's a new one. Hang on! We'll be there in a few seconds.

 

Ant-Man guns the engines, and the Sky-Sled races toward the prison. As they reach the site of battle, gunfire and screaming men can be heard.

 

Ant-Man: Look, Wasp! Somebody's blown a pretty good sized hole in the maximum security tower!

 

A muffled explosion is heard and smoke begins to billow from the hole.

 

Wasp: Three guesses which way our Horseman went.

 

Ant-Man: No kidding! Let me set this thing on Auto-pilot to hover here, and we'll shrink down and get in there!

 

Wasp: Um, Hank, are you sure we don't need to call in the other Avengers?

 

Ant-Man: (Looks up from setting the controls, annoyed at his partner's suggestion) Of course I'm sure! Come on, Thor's back in Chicago and Iron-Man's been out west the last week. It's just one loony on a horse, we don't need to call them back here just for one guy! (finishes setting the controls) Besides, we used to handle this kind of thing all the time. Let's go!

 

With that the two Avengers shrink down to a few inches tall. Wasp still seems unconvinced, but she flies over and grabs her partners hand,  lift them both into the air and down toward the damaged prison. The two tiny heroes enter the smoke filled cell bay. Unconscious guards, and quite a few prisoners, lay helpless on the catwalks.

 

Wasp: Hank, are they… ?

 

Ant-Man; No, Jan, they're just unconscious. I can see them breathing.  We'd better speed it up before some one really is killed though!

 

Through the swirling smoke, the Wasp zips down the corridor, following the trail of chaos. They round a corner and are confronted by a huge shadow of a winged horse hovering before them, obscured by the smoke.

 

Horseman: Hurry Up, Hogan! We have one more pick-up before this night is through!

 

Letting go of his partners hands, Ant-Man flings himself over to the nearest catwalk, growing to full size as he lands. He strikes a dramatic pose as the Wasp hovers near his head.

 

Ant-Man: Alright, whoever you are, it's over! Make it easy on yourself and surrender, and maybe we'll let you pick which of these cells to stay in.

 

Horseman: Over, my dear Avenger, why it's hardly begun!

 

The figure emerges from the fog. He is a tall, well-built man, wearing dark blue chain-mail armor covered by a purple tabard with a silver skull and crossbones on the chest. With one purple gloved hand  he clutches a sinister looking lance, a dark blue kite-shaped shield in the other. His blue-black cape flutters about with the beating of his black horse's bat-like wings. His head is covered with a silver skull-shaped helmet with wings on either side and glowing red eyes.

 

Wasp: Now that all the cliches are out of the way, I'll drop fright-face here, you see who he's trying to free!

 

Horseman: Thing this will be easy do you! Ha! My innocent looking lance is a secret arsenal of deadly weapons!

 

The Horseman's lance fires off a series of power blasts at the two Avengers. Wasp zips and swerves out of the way while Ant-Man shrinks beneath them.

 

Ant-Man: Nice try, villain! (Touching a button on the side of his belt, a series of tiny springs appear on the soles of the heroes feet. Ant-Man beings bouncing from wall to ceiling to floor evading the Horseman's blasts.) But you'll have to be quicker than that to stop Ant-Man!

 

Intently blasting away at Ant-Man, the Horseman doesn't notice the Wasp swinging around behind him. She blasts him in the shoulder with her wasp's bio-stings.

 

Horseman: Arrgh!

 

Wasp: Thanks for the diversion, Love, (Wasp blasts the villain again, in the chest this time.) But my stings aren't penetrating his armor enough to stop him! Maybe I should try… (Wasp stings the winged horse.)

 

The ebon pegasus rears and bucks in mid-air.

 

Ant-Man: Good work, Wasp! Just stay in close enough that he can't turn that lance on you!

 

Horseman: (Struggling to control his mount as the Wasp flits in and out.) Fools! You think this my only weapon! (Reaching beneath his tabard, the Horseman produces a some kind of pistol, which he aims at the Wasp.) This should slow you down!

 

The gun fires not a bullet or an energy blast, as the Wasp was expecting, but a plume of expanding green gas! She is engulfed before she truly realizes what's happened.

 

Wasp: What?!? Oh… >cough< >cough<

 

The Wasp vainly tries to speed out of the noxious cloud but is quickly succumbing to the gas. She falls unconscious from the air, her momentum carrying her to the far catwalk.

 

Ant-Man: WASP!

 

Horseman: Now it's just you and me, little man!

 

Ant-Man starts ricocheting around with ever increasing speed.

 

Ant-Man: That's… just… fine… with… (His last arc sends him hurtling fists first into the Horseman's armored face.) ME!

 

As the Horseman reels from the Ant-Man blow, almost unseated from his mount. The heroes momentum carries him over to where the Wasp fell. He kneels to check on his partner. The Wasp is unhurt but unconscious. Behind Ant-Man, the Horseman rises menacingly again into view. Quickly, Ant-Man picks up the Wasp and springs upward as an energy blast erupts from the Horseman's lance.

 

Horseman: Blast! Hogan! Hurry up! These meddlesome insects are proving more trouble than I thought!

 

Ant-Man: Hogan? You don't mean…

 

A convict still for the most part dressed in prison "grays" emerges from the cell behind the Horseman. He is trying to finish attaching power cables from his belt and shoulders to a high tech chest harness he's wearing.

 

Hogan: That's right, bug-boy, your old pal Bruno Hogan. And in a few seconds the Melter will be back in business!

 

Ant-Man: Not if I can help it, Melter! (the eyes, then the antenna of Ant-Man's helmet flash.)

 

On a signal from Ant-Man, roaches start crawling from all around the prison heading straight for the Melter.  

 

Melter: What the…?! (Stops readying his weapon and swats at the roaches crawling up his legs) Cute, bug-boy, real cute! Hey, Knight! Give me a minute and I'll hit him with my bug zapper!

 

Horseman: He's evaded my shock blasts, maybe my penetro shells! (A mini missile fires from the end of the lance.)

 

Still carrying the unconscious Wasp, Ant-Man barely evades the missile, which explodes violently with the wall beyond. The shock wave sends the heroes out over the open cell bay, with the floor about two stories down.

 

Ant-Man: Not bad! (presses a button on the Wasp's belt and she begins to grow to normal size. At the same time Ant-Man begins to grow too, but changes into Giant-Man as shoots up to twenty feet tall.) But let's see how you do against someone twice your size! (landing on his feet, Giant-Man places the Wasp on the ground and turns to face his foes.)

 

Giant-Man grabs the winged horse by the chest with and attempts to unseat the horseman by grabbing his cape with his other hand. The Horseman fires a cable from his lance securely to a catwalk above them, and uses the lance's rewinding action to pull himself free and up to the above catwalk.

 

Horseman: Release my Hellhorse, you oaf!

 

A shock blast from the horseman's lance strikes Giant-Man in the arm, causing him to release Hellhorse.  Leaping from the catwalk, the horseman lands into the swooping Hellhorse's saddle. Giant-Man tries in vain to catch them as they swing upward and around him.

 

Giant-Man: Let's say we wrap this up shall we?

 

Horseman: An excellent suggestion!

 

Swooping down into a charge, the Horseman fires a bolo from his lance. It spins through the air, finally wrapping it's self around Giant-Man's legs at the knees.

 

Giant-Man: What? (staggering but not falling)  No problem I'll just…

 

But two more bolos are fired from the lance as Giant-Man reaches to remove the first. They wrap around his ankles and waist, pinning his right arm to his side. This time the giant Avenger does fall. Giant-Man strains against his bonds as the evil knight bears down on him, the horseman's lance point straight at Giant-Man's head. For a second, a look of panic flashes over Giant-man's face as he stares at rapidly advancing knight. But at the last second, the Wasp steps in front of Giant-Man and blasts at the horseman with both hands. The stings strike Hellhorse full in the chest, which breaks his charge. The evil knight barely manages to regain control of his air-borne stead.

 

Giant-Man: Thanks for the save, partner.

 

Wasp: (slumps a bit against Giant-Man's fallen form.) Don't… mention it. >gasp< >choke< (shakes her head, trying to clear the cob-webs.) That gas still has me a little shaky, but I'll manage.

 

Giant-Man: (snapping his arm free) Just give me a second, and we'll finish these two.

 

The Melter has finished assembling his harness, and wears it and his trademark helmet and mask. H e steps to the edge of the catwalk he's standing on.

 

Melter: Unfortunately for you, you don't have any seconds left! Goodbye, bug-boy!

 

The Melter fires his chest beam at the base of the wall just behind the two heroes. The beam melts the concrete and steel at the base of the wall. Everything above starts to collapse.

 

Giant-Man: Melter, No!

 

Giant-Man throws himself on top of the Wasp, using his own body to cover her as the tons of concrete and steel collapse on them both. All we can see is collapsing rubble. All we can hear over the crashing is the laughter of the two villains as we…

 

Fade To A Commercial

 

 

 

And We're Back!

 

All we still see is the pile of rubble. With a huge groan, Giant-Man seems to erupt from the pile. He has grown to about thirty feet high. He has a wicked looking cut on his face, and his costume is torn in places. The Wasp flies up as the pieces Giant-man threw up start to fall.

 

Giant-Man: Alright, Melter! If that was your best sho… Whoa! (Giant-Man sways a bit, looking dizzy. He starts to shrink down to about 15 feet.)  That last growth spurt took more out of me than I thought.

 

Wasp: Um, Giant-Man, (she flies up to his face) I think we were out longer than we thought.

 

Looking around, the heroes see no-one but cops, guards, and rescue workers in the shattered prison. The latter had been trying to dig the couple from the rubble. No sign of their opponents.

 

Giant-Man: What! How? (turning to a nearby cop) Officer, how long were we buried in here? What happen to the Melter and that knight?

 

Officer1: I'm not sure. We only managed to retake this part of the prison about 45 minutes ago. You were buried when we got here. Best we can figure the horse guy smashed in, grabbed a couple of prisoners, and flew out with them.

 

Guard: You and the Wasp arrived about an hour ago, Giant-Man. My boys and I saw you fly in. Your playmates left about ten minutes later.

 

Giant-Man: Blast it! I can't believe they got the drop on us like that! (pounds his fist into his hand)

 

Wasp: Easy, partner. Neither of us had ever seen or heard of the knight fellow, and the Melter has always been a cagey guy.

 

Giant-Man: I suppose, you're right, Wasp. But I still don't like being out maneuvered. (turning back to the guards) Do you folks need anymore help containing the remaining convicts?

 

Guard: That's okay, Big Guy. We've pretty much got it under control from here. Thanks for trying though.

 

Wasp: Don't mention it. I mean please, don’t' mention it.

 

Giant-Man: Sorry we couldn't… Wait, you said the knight helped two prisoners escape. If Hogan was the first then who was the other?

 

Guard: Another former playmate of yours, Dr. Chen Lu,

 

Giant-Man and the Wasp both look at each other in shock.

 

Both: The Radioactive Man!

 

Wasp: We'd better assemble the Avengers

 

Giant-Man: I think your right, sweetheart. I think you are right.

 

 

Sitting at the main assembly table back at the Mansion, all four Avengers are staring at a holographic display floating over the table. HOMER "stands" behind Iron Man. Both Hank and Tony have their helmets off and sitting on the table. Hank has a bandage over the cut on his cheek, and looks thoroughly disgusted with himself. Tony sips coffee from a mug with a team style A on it, and keys the "holo" controls. Thor sits, Mjolnir resting handle-up on the table, his hand resting on the up turned handle, staring intently over his hands at the floating image. Jan has change to a yellow and red version of her costume. She appears more worried about Hank than she is interested in the debriefing. The image of the evil knight is currently displayed on the "holo".

 

Thor: And this be the knave the felled thee?

 

Hank: Not exactly by himself, but yeah he helped.

 

HOMER: Subject Identified: Dreadknight. Real Name: Nathan Garret. A former scientist and engineer turned criminal. Designed most of his weaponry and claims to have bio-engineered his "Hellhorse". One time operative of the Mandarin. Current Allegiance: unknown.

 

Tony: Dreadknight here was one of the few who got away when my old team and I busted the Mandarin's goons. He wasn't with them during our last battle. From what you've said, he's upped his arsenal since then.

 

The image changes to one of the Melter in his full costume. Under his orange weapons harness, Melter is wearing a green jumpsuit. A blue cape hangs from his shoulders. Flaring orange gloves and boots complete the ensemble.

 

HOMER: Subject: the Melter. Real Name: Bruno Hogan. Also a former scientist and engineer. Designed and built his melting ray, which can burn through most inorganic substances. Works as a terrorist for hire. Captured last year by Ant-Man and the Wasp.

 

Hank: I still can't believe I let Hogan get the drop on me!

 

Jan: (putting a hand on Hank's arm) It's okay, lover, he got both of us.

 

The image becomes that of a tall, bald, broad-shouldered, barrel-chested Asian man wearing a green kilt and boots. The man has a glowing greenish tint to his skin.

 

HOMER: Subject: the Radioactive Man. Real Name: Dr. Chen Lu. A noted export in radiation. Discovered to be spying for the Chinese government. Possesses superhuman strength and endurance. Limited radiation projecting abilities.  Captured 3months ago by Giant-Man and the Wasp.

 

Hank: Here's our second escapee. (A flash back shows the sequence as Hank describes it to the others.) We caught Dr. Lu trying to steal U.S. Nuclear technology for his home government from the Saint Alamos labs. In an attempt to avoid capture by Jan and I, he exposed himself to what should have been a lethal dose of radiation. Instead of cancer, what he got was super-strength and the ability to emit radiation. Not lethal amounts mind you, but he could burn you pretty good. We stopped him anyway and he got sent off to Riker's in a lead lined cell while the State Department tried to figure out what to do with him. (end flashback) I came up with a device that drained off most of his radiation when we fought the first time, but he's still pretty formidable.

 

Tony: And considering his powers, pretty easy to track. HOMER, set up a full scan of the New York area with a few Stark satellites. See if we can locate our glowing friends energy signature.

 

HOMER: At once Mr. Stark. I'll alert you when and if I find anything (HOMER "blinks out")

 

Jan: (Turning back to the display) I still don't see what these three have to do with each other.

 

Tony: Besides being all ex-scientists turned criminals, you've got me. (turns to the still sulking Hank) Come on, Pym. Let it go. You were caught by surprise, it happens sometimes. I'll tell you about my fight with Firepower sometime.

 

Jan: (taking hold of Hank's shoulders) Come on, honey! Look at it this way: You and I have beaten two of these guys by ourselves before. Tony's beaten this Dreadknight guy by himself. Add Thor to the mix and these three don't stand a chance!

 

Hank: I guess you're right. There really doesn't look like there's anyway they can take all of us.

 

Tony: That's the spirit! (slapping Hank on the back) Sort of. All we need to do now is track them down and haul them back to jail.

 

Thor: (solemnly) But if only we knew who assembled these miscretins, and for what dark purpose.

 

 

 

The scene shifts to the exterior of a medieval looking mansion on a hillside. It's still night out, and lights can be seen through some of the windows. A lone figure can be seen standing silhouetted at the mansions large bay windows.  The scene shifts to the inside of the mansion, so now we see the same man looking out into the night through those same bay windows. Standing at the window with arms crossed behind his back, the purple clad man appears lost in dark thought. A golden crown rests on his red (with black pin-stripes) hood. His fur trimmed purple clothing has a Military cut to it, and a pistol is holstered at is side. The room it's self is a sitting room, richly decorated in an old European style.  A small table stands next to the hooded man, a untouched glass of red liquid resting upon it.

 

Unseen Voice: For a man who's plans are going together exactly on schedule, you don't seem particularly pleased, Father.

 

The hooded man turns his hidden face back into the room. Seated behind him in an old high back chair is a blonde man in a gray uniform of a similar cut to the hooded man's. A black circle with a stylized Z graces the lapel. Unlike his father, the younger man is completely relaxed and enjoying his drink. The Father turns back to the window.

 

Hooded man: On the contrary, Helmut, I am quite pleased with this nights progress. All is now in place for me to claim that which is rightfully mine. But now is not the time to relax ones guard. We have barely begun, my son, and the interlopers who will try and stop us are many.

 

Helmut: (looking for all the world like a whipped puppy.) I am sorry, my father. I did not mean…

 

Before he can finish, A gray uniformed soldier bursts into the room.

 

Soldier: Sir! Sorry to disturb you, sir. But you wanted to know the minute the last of your guests arrived.

 

Hooded man: Very Good. (turning back into the room to look the soldier in the eye) Thank you, Josten. Give her what she requires and have the others to prepare to leave whenever she is ready.

 

Josten: Yes Sir Baron!

 

Hooded man: Now… (picks up the glass on the table) Now, my son, it begins in earnest. After half a century of waiting that which was hidden to all shall again be mine! And to that, I will drink with you.

 

Helmut brightens a bit as he and his father both drink from their glasses. The hooded man drinks through his mask, which he dabs with a handkerchief when he is done. He starts pacing about as he speaks.

 

Hooded man: Think of it, Helmut! I will do that which my rival could not, which the Further lacked the vision to do! I will bring this world to it's knees with the power those fools thought only good as a fall back weapon. They did not understand the power of my creation. Tonight we reclaim it, my son. Tonight we reclaim that which was born from the mind of the greatest scientific genius of the Third Reich! I, Baron Zemo!

 

Helmut: It is fortunate you survived long enough to reclaim you creation, father.

 

Zemo: Luck had little to do with it! This, (raising the glass in his hand) Elixir X, a formula of my own creation, which I have shared with you, has kept my body young and powerful all these many decades. I have lost precious little of my vitality since the days of World War two, when the name Zemo was synonymous with death! I was one of the most feared men in Europe, second only behind my rival and superior, the Red Skull in Hitler's favor. It was the Skull who took my creation and hid it here in this accursed land of freedom, intending to use it only as a last ditch effort should we lose the war. The so-called Doom's Day complex!

 

Helmut: And the Skull who supposedly vanished there during an altercation with Captain America and a small band of costumed heroes after the Americans stumbled on to the operation. The Skull and the dear Captain became trapped within the energy vortex, which powered the installation, and the base was evacuated as I recall.

 

Zemo: Yes, but in recent months several groups, including some of America's surviving War time heroes and the Red Skull's own son, tried to reclaim the base. The Skull's son, knowing better than to try and bend me to his will, gathered those who had assisted me in the bases construction to aid in his plan. While the details of the battles that followed are sketchy at best, we know that the Skull's son used my machines to grant himself incredible power. Calling himself "Electro", the fool attacked the United Nations, only to be defeated by a quintet of aged heroes and Spider-Man.

 

Helmut: (sipping from his glass) Weren't there reports of the real Red Skull and Captain America being seen at the time as well?

 

Zemo: Correct my son. But our sources believe that they, like Electro, were re-imprisoned within the vortex somehow. A fitting punishment for that trio of idiots. Heh heh heh!

 

Helmut: (rising from his chair) Come now, father. If it were not for the Electro incident, we would not have such a strong lead on reclaiming your creations. (crosses to his father, and raises his glass) So for that, I salute his stupidity at revealing it's whereabouts to us.

 

Zemo: (raising his own glass) Again, you are correct my son. To their stupidity. (and both men drink )

 

The Zemos both begin to fill the room with sinister laughter. Their enjoyment is cut short by a beeping noise coming from devices on their wrists. Obviously some kind of communications device by their reaction, Helmut presses a button on his and speaks into it.

 

Helmut:  Yes.

 

Josten: (over the comm. band) Josten here, sir. You requested to be informed when our guests where ready, sir.

 

Before Helmut can answer, his father speaks into his own comm. band.

 

Zemo: Wonderful! Assemble our forces in the main hanger. We'll be leaving immediately. And double check on our targets. Make sure they have not strayed from their routine. I want no surprises tonight.

 

Josten: Yes SIR, Baron Sir!

 

Zemo: Come, my son, it is time.

 

Both men exit out the rooms double doors and head for an elevator.

 

Helmut: (speaking as they go) I still do not understand why we had to recruit a group of garish criminals for this, father. Why our own personal guards would not suffice? (they enter the elevator.)

 

Zemo: (the elevator begins to descend.) My reasons were many. First Dreadknight, Melter, and the Radioactive Man were all respected scientist before they turned to crime and terrorism. Should any of the my equipment have been damaged by the recent fighting, I will need their aid to expedite repairs. Second, as you well know, this city is infested with sanctimonious fools in ridiculous costumes. The added power our allies provide will keep those fools from becoming a serious problem.

 

Helmut: (exiting the elevator) Can we be certain of their loyalty.

 

Zemo: Ha heh heh! No, my son. But they will serve their purpose. Our three scientific criminals only agreed to aid us for the opportunity to use my machines to increase their powers. And our two recent arrivals believe the Vortex to be the key to returning to the land from which they have been exiled.

 

Helmut: Why include those two at all?

 

Zemo: Shame on you, Helmut. You have forgotten the power which Krieger wields as Electro. The man has almost become a god. So who better to deal with him than exiled gods of Asgard…

 

A pair of doors slide open, revealing a large hangar facility. Just inside the doors stand a beautiful, green-grabbed woman with long blonde hair and flashing green eyes. She is standing next to a hulk of a man, his black hair shave into a striped pattern, wearing blue and black armor. He sits leaning on a huge double bladed axe, a grimly impatient look upon his face.

 

Zemo: Ah! The Enchantress and the Executioner. We were just saying what an honor it is to have your aid on our  quest.

 

The Executioner snorts gruffly and looks away in disgust.

 

Enchantress: My thanks, Baron. If your words prove true and thy machines can restore us to our homeland, then this shall be a most beneficial alliance for us both.

 

Zemo: My thoughts exactly,  dear Enchantress. Now if you two would be so kind as to join us with the others next to our airship, I can inform us all of our next target. (Zemo gestures to the other assembled villains.)

 

The two Asgardian exiles proceed the Baron, who can almost be seen sneering beneath his hood as he follows them. Helmut speaks to another black uniformed man who is carrying a handful of data pads. Helmut check the information on one of the pads, nods in satisfaction and the two hurry to follow the Baron. The Melter, Dreadknight and his Hellhorse are standing next to a black airship with a large bald man seen in the Avengers files as the Radioactive Man. The two Asgardians stop to stand a little away from the others. Zemo passes them to stand at the center of the group, Helmut and the data pads hurrying to stand beside him.

 

Zemo: Now, I trust we have all been introduced.  Good. Tonight we embark on the next phase of our operation  that will make us the masters of this world, the Masters of Evil. (Zemo pauses, liking the sound of what he said.) We will be capturing two individuals who know the location of the Dooms Day Complex. All information on them is on the pads my son is handing you. ( The camera follows Helmut handing each of them a data pad) Of everyone involved in it's recent discovery, these two were determined to be both the most visible and the least likely to mount an able resistance. They are both former crime fighters, so I do expect they will attempt to escape us despite their waning powers.  Our targets are (we see a close up of the two pictures on the data pad's screen. They are of a man in a yellow costume and a woman in a red and blue costume with a red cape.) The Whizzer and Miss America!

 

Fade To A commercial!

 

And We're Back!

 

 

It is still night in Manhattan. From a wide view of the city, we focus in on a roof top of a two story brownstone on the lower east side. An elderly couple stands on the roof, gazing out at the city and the stars. Though many years older, these are clearly the two people seen as young costumed heroes on Zemo's data pads.

 

Woman: What are you thinking, Bob?

 

Bob: (smiles widely) You know, Maddy, you know all too well.

 

Maddy: (with a slight smile of her own) Memories of saving the world. A yearning to be young enough to still be out doing it now.

 

Bob: Told ya you knew. (chuckles, then sighs) Ah, Maddy, it's just so hard to go back to being plain old Bob and Madeline  Frank when you used to be the Whizzer and Miss America. (sighs again) I just feel so much…

 

Maddy: (she finishes for him) smaller. It was easier when we hadn't put on those costumes for forty years, But now, after our little adventure a few months back, I just feel so restless. I miss all the action and excitement.

 

Before Bob can answer, a strong wind rushes over them, blowing from behind them. They turn to see a large black airship with the Zemo insignia on the underside of each wing decloaking to hover above their roof top.

 

Bob: That symbol… My God, Maddy, get inside and call the police. I'll hold off whatever these ratzi wanna be's are planning to throw at us. (Bob presses a ring on his finger and a faint glow spreads from it into him)

 

Maddy: If you think I'm giving up the first action we've seen in months, (pressing her own ring) you're more senile than I thought.

 

Before the couple can argue further, the armored form of the Executioner leaps from an open hatch on the airship and lands on the roof. He is wearing his battle helmet and points his axe at the Franks.

 

Executioner: I give thee but one chance to come with us quietly, forsake it at your peril.

 

Bob: I'll show you the meaning of peril you big ox!

 

Bob races forward as a blur, heading straight for the Executioner.

 

Meanwhile at the Avengers Mansion an alarm is sounding. The assembled Avengers in the main assembly room snap to attention from their various tasks.

 

HOMER: The energy signature of the ship used in this evening's prison break has been detected within city limits.

 

Iron Man: (putting on his helmet) Great. Down load the co-ordinates into my navigational systems and the others can follow…

 

Giant Man: Down load them to the sky sled as well, HOMER. (shooting Tony a dirty look as he putting on his own helmet) In case we get separated.

 

HOMER: Already completed. I will monitor the situation from here, of course.

 

Giant Man: Great (mumbles under his breath)

 

Wasp: Thor, are you okay?

 

Thor: (who has been staring at his hammer since the alarm went off) Aye, milady. 'Tis only that mine enchanted hammer hath detected some darkly familiar enchantment this night. 'Twould that I had time to investigate this matter, but mine comrades have a greater call on the Son of Odin than his own curiosity.

 

Iron Man: Come on then! According to these co-ordinates, the ship isn't too far away. We'll be there before they knew what hit them!

 

But back at the site of battle, it doesn't appear that the two vintage heroes will need any help with the Executioner. Both heroes strike and retreat to quickly for the Asgardian's axe to hit either of them. Unfortunately for Whizzer and Miss America, their blows aren't doing much more than annoying their opponent. From the hovering airship, Dreadknight mounted on Hellhorse flies out of the open hatch. The other Masters follow, each on their own hover platform. Zemo is laughing as he descends, flanked by Melter and Radioactive Man.

 

Zemo: Wonderful! You two old fools had more fight left in you than I was led to believe. This may almost prove a conquest worthy of my presence.

 

Bob: ZEMO! (panting, and out of breath) I thought it was you, Nazi!

 

Maddy: I've been wanting to deck you for almost 50 years for what you did to Bucky!

 

Zemo: I cannot be blamed for the lunacy of bringing children into an adult,s game. But no matter. You will be coming with us now.

 

Maddy: (launching herself at Zemo) Over my dead bo… IIIIEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!

 

Before she can complete her sentence and her attack, Maddy is blasted by the glowing green energy of the Radioactive Man. She screams and falls to the rooftop as the energy continues to bathe her.

 

Bob: MADELINE!!!!

 

Bob races forward to try and reach Maddy's side, But a beam from the Melter's melting ray reduces the section of roof in his path to sticky tar. Bob hits it at full speed and falls flat into the black goo. He struggles, panting and obviously hurting, and rises slowly from the tar.

 

Zemo: Ha ha ha hahahaha ha! American Fool! None can stand before the might of Baron Zemo and his Masters of Evil!

 

The Executioner walks up and reaches to pull Bob from his feet, only to be blasted by a pair of repulsor blasts. The Masters turn to see Iron Man and the Avengers swooping in.

 

Iron Man:  Hope I'm not interrupting anything important. On second thought I hope I am. ( as he and the other Avengers hover a moment at the roof's edge) Now this can go down the easy way or…

 

A blast of radiation sends Iron Man flying backward.

 

Iron Man: Typical. (as he circles back around) They always choose the hard way.

 

Zemo: I was prepared for your arrival, "heroes". Masters of Evil, destroy them!

 

Thor: (as he lands on the roof top) Non could prepare thee for the might of … UGH! (blast strikes the pontificating thunder god square in the chest)

 

Dreadknight: (holding his smoking lance) What are you going to do, Blondie, talk us to death? (He swoops down appearing to be trying to charge Thor)

 

Thor attempts to swat the Dreadknight, but at the last second his Hellhorse veers skyward carrying Dreadknight on a direct course with Giant-Man's sky sled. Giant Man realizes what's happening and tries vainly to steer the sky sled out of the line of fire. But the Dreadknight fires off a volley of penetro shells from his lance aimed straight for the Avengers' craft.

 

Giant-Man: Wasp! Bail Out! Bail Out!

 

The Wasp shrinks down and flies from the craft as Giant-Man leaps from the controls towards the rooftop an instant before the shells impact the sky sled in a terrific explosion. Giant-Man grows as he falls, but as he reaches about 12 ft and is inches above the rooftop, an energy beam strikes where he is about to hit. That section of the roof melts and collapses when Giant-Man hits it.

 

Giant-Man: What the? (he falls through the roof, landing about on the floor below, only his head and shoulders sticking out of the hole above.) MELTER!

 

Thor had turned to look at the exploding sky sled, and as such is caught of guard by a blast from the Radioactive Man. The green burst of power throws the distracted Thunderer from the rooftop. Iron Man reacts to the exploding sky sled.

 

Iron Man: I'd better catch this before some pedestrian on the ground gets hurt.

 

But as the armored Avenger zooms over to catch the flaming wreckage, he sees quite plainly that it's not falling, but hovering in mid air.

 

Iron Man: Wait a minute. Unless some one overturned the laws of physics while I wasn't looking, this thing should be falling like a stone. How…?

 

The Enchantress stands by Zemo's side, her hands surrounded by haloes of magical power.

 

Enchantress: Simple sorcery, mortal. Wouldst thou enjoy another demonstration?

 

The Enchantress gestures and the flaming wreckage smashes into Iron Man, driving hard him onto the roof top battle ground. The wreckage however flies back skyward, past the Wasp who is trying to evade the attacking Dreadknight.

The Enchantress' eyes narrow and she gestures again. The wreckage arcs back downward.

 

Iron Man: Magic?!? I hate magic!

 

Giant-Man: (struggling to climb out of the hole) Hang on Iron Man, Just let me get out of…

 

The blazing wreckage dives down straight at the prone Giant-Man's back.

 

Iron Man: HANK! LOOK OUT!

 

Giant Man turns just time to see the flaming missile. He tries to shrink out of the way as the wreckage strikes the hole and explodes into a blazing inferno.

 

Iron Man: Holy… (Jumps to his feet, and races toward the fire.) Inferno Armor! (A crackling wave of energy moves from head to toe, changing the armors configuration as it passes in an instant) HOMER, scan for life signs. (with that he jumps down through the hole into the burning building)

 

Wasp: HANK!!! (streaking out of the sky, Wasp barrels down to the battle site, aiming straight at the enchantress and her allies.) You WITCH! (her stings are peppering the Enchantress, driving the Asgardian backwards) If you've hurt Hank I'll make you sorry you were ever born! Do You Hear ME!

 

As the Enchantress cries out in pain, it is Zemo who first reacts. In one startlingly swift, smooth motion Zemo draws his pistol from it's holster, aims, and fires. The energy bolt impossibly strikes the tiny heroine, and she falls limply to the roof top and returns to normal size. Zemo's Master's look at him in stunned amazement. Before anyone can speak, Iron Man erupts from the flames, carrying Giant-Man's human sized, but unconscious form.

 

HOMER: Sir, aside from sever head trauma and smoke inhalation; I detect no other major injuries to Dr. Pym.

 

Iron Man: Good. (landing on the street below and setting Hank down) Where are the others?

 

HOMER: Mr. Thor is just now recovering from his fall from the building. Ms. Van Dye is… on the rooftop; her vital signs are very weak sir. All six hostiles are still operating at peak capacity.

 

Iron Man:  What! (he jets back up to the roof top)

 

The Masters are gathering Bob and the unconscious Maddy into their hovering vessel. Radioactive Man and Melter are carrying them up a gangplank into the craft as Iron Man clears the roof top, repulsors blazing. The Airship rocks with the power of the blasts.

 

Executioner: (turning to face the Golden Avenger) I have had my fill of interference this night! Leave this mortal fool to me.

 

Iron Man: If you're volunteering to be the first to fall, big boy, that's fine with me.  You're not the only one of patience!

 

Iron man cuts loose with two full repulsor blasts, only to see them both blocked by the Executioner's axe.

 

Executioner: My turn, mortal. (swinging his axe across his body causes a wave of white hot energy to burst forth from the blades' arc.)

 

Iron Man is caught in the blast wave.

 

Iron Man: YEO-ARR! That's hot! Better…

 

Before he can finish, the Executioner swings again. This time in a diagonal motion, causing a wave of unbelievable cold to emit from the arc. The wave strikes Iron Man, freezing him in a block of ice.

 

Iron Man: Great! Let me guess, more magic.

 

HOMER: Apparently his axe can open some form of spatial rift, allowing energy to pass through.

 

Iron Man: No kidding, Sherlock. (The Executioner raises his axe and prepares to strike the frozen hero.) Oh no you don't!

 

Iron Man smashes out from his icy prison, a chunk of ice knocking his opponent back.

 

Executioner: Impressed am I, mortal. Few are the foes who can stand against both the Heat of the Sun, and

The Cold of the Void! Thine armor must be mighty indeed.

 

Iron Man: You haven't seen anything yet, bruiser!

 

HOMER: Sir, You must reconsider this course of action. (Iron man engages the Executioner in physical combat, the two men battering each other.) 65% of your systems are malfunctioning or off line and power cells are almost completely depleted trying to keep up with internal repairs and combat operations. I suggest you gather our allies and return to base.

 

Iron Man: HOMER, would you mind? I'm in the middle of a fight right now. You can "mother hen" me la…UGH!

 

Iron Man is struck form behind by the Dreadknight's power lance. The lance sticks into the armor's shoulder guard and the hero is carried skyward. Dreadknight knocks Iron Man free of the lance by slamming him into the side of the airship. Bouncing off the hull, the Armored Avenger falls unconscious to the rooftop.

 

Executioner: How Dare Thee! He 'twas my opponent! Mine to slay! I need no interference from the likes of thee to…

 

Zemo: Gentlemen, Gentlemen, Enough of this petty bickering. We have what we came for. Let us go before…

 

Zemo is interrupted by a crash of thunder above them. The winds around them begin to howl, fanning the flames of the burning roof.  Descending from the sky, Thor lands on the rooftop, silhouetted by the fire.

 

Zemo: It appears we have one last interloper to deal with.

 

Thor: Verily shalt thou pay for this base assault against mine allies, hooded one!

 

Executioner: Nay, princeling! 'Tis thee that shalt pay for mine exile from the Realm Eternal!

 

The Executioner brings his axe down upon Thor, who blocks the blow easily with his hammer. Holding the axe above their heads with his hammer with one arm, Thor strikes the Executioner with a savage blow to the face with the other. Then Thor grabs him by the belt and throws him towards the other Masters.

 

Thor: 'Tis none's fault but thine own evil for thy banishment, Skurge! (Thor grimaces as he watches Skurge lower gently to the ground instead of striking the Masters.) I see thine hand at work as well Amora.

 

Enchantress: 'Tis always a pleasure to see thee as well, my former prince.

 

Thor: It matters little your number, villains, for Thor shall smite thee all this night! (Thor begins a wind up for his hammer.)

 

Zemo: No. I think not. I tire of this game. You wish to battle Baron Zemo? So be it. But you will do it at the expense of your comrades’ lives? Masters?

 

At his signal, all of the Masters unleash their energy attacks downward into the building. The structure is rocked with internal explosions, and fire spreads across the roof.

 

Zemo: The choice is yours, Thunderer. Battle my Masters of Evil or save your friends?

 

Thor hesitates a moment, then shooting an angry glare at Zemo; Thor moves to gather his two unconscious teammates.

 

Zemo: (he and his teammates rise on their hover platforms to their waiting airship.) You disappoint me, Thor. I expected better from a warrior of myth.  Goodbye, godling! Do not cross Zemo again, unless you've grown tired of your long existence.

 

The Air ship rises into the air, recloacking as it speeds away. The building shakes with another explosion as Thor gathers Iron Man and Wasp up from the burning roof. Carrying his teammates one in each arm, Thor leaps from the building into the street below. A crowd of on lookers had gathered, watching the battle from below. They part as the Thunder God carries his unconscious friend across the street to lay them next to the still unmoving Giant-Man. Checking to see they that all still lived, Thor turns back to the burning building. Striking his mystic hammer twice against the ground, and then lifting it high, Thor causes rain to fall from the thundering clouds. Not just rain, a downpour of wind and water, which quickly douse the flames and send most of the crowd running for cover. Thor stands there grimly staring into the sky, his soaking wet hair whipping into his face. A low moan is heard behind him. Turning, Thor sees Iron Man beginning to stir.

 

Thor: (kneeling beside the fallen) Art thou all right my friend?

 

Iron Man: (sitting up) Ooh. Who me? Oh I'm fine. Nothing like being beaten, sore and soaking wet to put you in a good mood.

 

Giant-Man: (raising his hand to his face to wipe the water away) Uuuuuh… Wha… >cough< >COUGH< What hit me?

 

Iron Man: The wreckage from your sky sled. (Seeing the curious look on Hank's face) Don't ask.

 

Giant-Man: (trying to sit up himself) Where's… (Seeing Thor examining the Wasp's unconscious form) JAN! (Moves next to her despite his obvious pain) Thor, is she…?

 

Thor: She is sorely wounded my friend, but not fatally. Still she dost require a physician's care. (looking up at Hank) And thou to my friend. We must away to our dwelling mine friends. I knowest a doctor whom can both tend our wounds and keep our confidences, but we must return to the mansion and summon him at once ere the Wasp's condition worsen.

 

Iron Man: Unless you can carry all of us, we'll have to walk. This armor's shot. I can't even get the radio working to call for help.

 

Thor: Aye, my friend. 'Tis well within my power to bring us all home.

 

Giant-Man: I'll carry Jan. (kneels to lift her on unsteady legs)

 

Iron Man: You sure you all right? Maybe I'd better…

 

Giant-Man: (struggling to remain steady holding his injured fiancée) I'm fine! I've got her. I don't need any help right now thanks.

 

Iron Man: (looks warily at Giant-Man a moment then turns to Thor) What happened up there, Big guy?

 

Thor: (grimly) 'Tis a clever foe we face Avengers. And what ere his aim this night I believe 'twas it achieved. Few have there been to so humble the Son of Odin such. And ne'er in the presence of allies such as thee. (Thor begins to spin his hammer, which begins to glow) But Baron Zemo shalt rue the day he and his Masters of Evil did cross the paths of the mighty Avengers. (the glow from the hammer begins to surround the Avengers) So swears Thor, God of Thunder!

 

Iron Man: I hope you're right, Thor.

 

With a clap of thunder and flash of light the Avengers disappear. Iron Man's voices is heard.

 

Iron Man: I hope your right.

 

In the street the storm still rages. In the thundering clouds, a ghostly image of Zemo's hooded head appears, snickering laughter is heard echoing in the thunder!

 

To Be Continued!!