ALL-WINNERS 2000 #0

Awakenings

by Gordon Green

Madame Bova placed the spray of wildflowers at the base of the cairn of black granite boulders. A single tear formed in the corner of her large liquid eye. She wiped it away as she lifted her gaze to the dark night sky. Pillows of ebony storm clouds scudded away at the peaks of the mountain that loomed above, obscuring even the full moon that would only occasionally peek through. Flashes of periodic lightning interrupted Madame Bova's concentration as she knelt at the graveside, for that is what it was, a lonely unmarked grave.

"Ah, Lady Madeline. . . if only you could have known. . . Your sons, I hear, grow strong and healthy. I had to hide them you see, their very lives were in danger. Your one son resides in America now, safely unaware of his true heritage, and Janos. . . he too does not know his history. Not yet, but he is coming of age , and soon, . . And soon I shall venture to the mountain and instruct him."

The rain beat down and pummeled the ground as the bovine form of the cow-woman rose and trudged down the lonely trail to her well-lit cabin. Bolts of lightning punctuated the night sky. A blinding lance of electricity struck the ground before the heaps of black stones, sending shards of ebony rock in all directions. The night wind separated the cloud cover and allowed the bright full moon, for just a moment, to illuminate the barren mountainside.

The damp earth above the grave moved. Slowly at first a hand, and then an arm, thrust out of the wet charnel loam. Just as slowly a woman rose and stood naked in the wind.

The Mad Thinker stood before the bank of cryogenic containers and laughed at no apparent joke. His expertise was in android technology, but no one, not even Reed Richards, understood that the secret to the creation of androids was the mastering of the science and the art of cloning. It was an art after all, it required the expertise of a genius with an understanding of drama, and . . just a touch of madness. . madness!

He stopped before one of the hundred or so silver and glass tubes and wiped the window port clear of frost. Inside rested the form of a young man whose well-formed features seemed to be relaxed in slumber. He was clad in a bright yellow body suit and upon his head was a yellow close fitting helmet trimmed with a pair of tiny white wings.

The Mad Thinker rubbed the dust off the black plastic nameplate below the glass window. " Robert Frank . . . Whizzer!" he exclaimed. " Well, today is your birthday, welcome back to the world!" He laughed, and turned a control on the front of the chrome cylinder. The front of the tube slid open and mists of condensation and steam wafted out of the open hatch. Color once more came to the pale face, the cheeks and lips lost their icy pallor and finally the eyes fluttered open.

" Welcome back. . .Whizzer!" the Mad Thinker said. " Now I shall see to your companions!" He moved to the next bank of cryo tubes. Two stood apart from the rest. Carefully he checked the name plates on the pair. " Thomas Raymond. Toro, and James B Barnes . . . Bucky." He repeated. " Yes, you will do nicely. You should make worthy companions" He set the controls and the cylinders began to thaw.

"Now we shall see what happens as my plans unfold!" He cackled.

It was a day of celebration in the capital city of sunken Atlantis. The parade wended its way through the golden spires of the majestic city, past cyclopean walls of monolithic stone and statues of ancient gods and kings frozen in mid pose. Chariot sledges drawn by matched giant sea horses preceded by a phalanx of gold clad trumpeters drew up to the reviewing stand and stopped beneath the Window of Appearance.

One gold trimmed chariot separated from the others and a glittering form stepped out of it .A pale skinned young man strode up the long staircase to the cheers of the assembled throngs of blue skinned Atlanteans. He ascended the red carpeted incline and stopped before the carved crystal throne at the apex. As he knelt before the throne a regal figure rose and cast off his scarlet cloak.

" We greet you, cousin Nemo!" the Sub-Mariner intoned." And bestow our thanks to you for the defeat of the Lemurian invaders who attempted to invade our realm!"

Namor the Sub-Mariner stepped down from the dais and loomed over the kneeling young warrior. " Raise yourself up Prince Nemo and receive the thanks of a grateful nation!" The assembled crowd broke out in a tumultuous roar as the young man turned to face them.

" And to think I used to call you Subbie!" Namor chuckled under his breath." You've grown into a true Prince of the Blood!"

"My Lord, " The young warrior began." I live to serve the realm, and I pledge my service to you. The Lemurian hordes are in defeat and the Realm Imperious is unthreatened." Prince Nemo rose and looked into Namor's face. He sensed that there was more to come from his liege.

" The day will come" Namor continued," When you shall sit upon the throne of Atlantis! You have accomplished much, but . . . there is one more task to be performed!"

Nemo looked at Namor and cocked his head to one side, " And what is your wish my Lord?" he asked.

" Prince Nemo, you must learn about the world above the waves. I know that you have had some contact in your youth with the surface dwellers, but, as I have learned, there is much that has changed. It is my reward to you that I send you into exile!"

Nemo was shocked. Was it to be his reward for his sacrifice and loyalty that he be separated from his home and the only family he knew in the Royal Court?

Namor smiled, " No my young Prince, this is not an exile of banishment. You are welcome in the Court anytime you wish. I know from my own experience that there is much to learn among the surface dwellers, and they can be quite amusing. You will soon enough be ready to wear the jeweled crown of Atlantis!"

Nemo nodded. " I understand my Lord."  Slowly he removed the war helm from off his head. His regal features were once more revealed. He greatly resembled his Lord Namor as he was in his youth. His long handsome face tapered to a pointed chin and his eyebrows arched over his large, clear eyes. His well-formed ears culminated in sharp points and his dark black hair was close cropped above a widow's peak.

He slid off the gilded breastplate and unbuckled the broad sword belt at his slim waist. He stood before his lord clad only in a pair of black scaled briefs. The small white wings upon his ankles fluttered in the deep-sea water.

" I know not where I shall go or what I shall do, but if it is my Lords wish I shall go to the outer world."

Namor clasped his hands upon Nemo's shoulders. " If I remember my own experiences, I think it shall not be long before adventure finds you!"

Nemo bowed low before Namor, and upon straightening he rose into the dark ocean above Atlantis. The lights of the royal city soon faded and the darkness of the ocean took over. Prince Nemo swam to the west and to his destiny.

TO BE CONTINUED

Gord Green