The man called Dark Warlock sat before a wall of mounted monitors, each showing a different section of Infinity Station. From here, he could spy upon dozens, if not hundreds, of people at once. I’m glad to see that the Warlock of this universe is just as paranoid -- and prying -- as I am, he mused.
A sudden flashing in the corner of his vision made him turn. A console -- some sort of communications device, he assumed -- was alerting him that someone was waiting to speak to him. A series of words scrolled across a tiny screen beneath the darkened monitor: Incoming Call from Lilandra, Majestrix of the Shi’ar Empire. Dark Warlock tried to remember what Thanos had told him... the Shi’ar were a powerful force in this universe.
He rose and activated the device, watching in curiosity as a tall, thin woman materialized before him. She wore a suit of armor and had vaguely bird-like features. Adam had never seen anyone like her before and he wondered if his universe lacked such creatures entirely... “Yes?” he asked, sounding haughty and distant.
The Imperial Majestrix gazed upon him with a weary expression. “We had expected you to contact us following your visit to Dengari Prime. Our sensors indicated a large-scale explosion on the surface of the moon....”
“Thanos is dead,” Adam replied, deciding that the best way to handle this woman was by being direct. It was obvious that she favored such an approach herself. “He had some mad scheme to bring us all down, but I dealt with him.”
Lilandra looked slightly surprised. “Thanos...dead? Are you certain?”
“Quite. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to.”
Warlock severed the connection, leaving a stunned Lilandra facing her own projection screen, which was now darkened. Behind her, Gladiator, leader of her powerful Imperial Guard, strode forward from the shadows. “He spits on your authority,” the mo-hawked man whispered.
Lilandra closed her eyes tightly for a moment. She silently made a difficult decision before turning to face this man, who was close enough to her to be called friend, if their stations allowed such. “You were right, I’m afraid. Despite our attempts to work with him, he has shown no willingness to include us in his plans.”
“Then you will let me do as I desire?”
Lilandra nodded slightly, though she felt obvious reluctance. Though Gladiator would never voice such a thing, he feared that she had been softened forever by her relationship with the Terran, Charles Xavier. When Lilandra spoke, her voice was firmer than he expected, however. “We have no choice. The Skrulls…the Kree…they are all massing, sensing our weakness. And now Warlock refuses to acknowledge our sovereignty over his base...we must display our strength.”
Gladiator smiled, his eyes flashing. “It will be my pleasure, Majestrix. I will bring you the head of Adam Warlock....”
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#4
SEP 10 |
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The Forging, Part Four:
“Madness is a Friend of Mine”
Infinity Station
“I can’t reach Gamora.” Ms.Marvel couldn’t stop pacing back and forth as the team’s shuttle began to dock with Infinity Station. “And Adam’s not responding, either. Hell, I can’t even get Pip on the line!”
Mantis sat perfectly still and upright, her gloved hands resting in her lap. “This one has confirmed Captain Marvel’s statements, Carol. This is not the Adam Warlock we know and trust. Though his mind is shielded to me, I can sense a dark madness within him.”
Nova couldn’t help but frown. “So we’re pretty sure that Infinity Station is in the hands of a dark version of Adam Warlock...and he may or may not have bumped off two of our friends and teammates...and we’re just going to fly onto the station and confront him? Shouldn’t we...I don’t know...try something with some stealth?”
Carol realized that everyone was looking at her. She’d slid into the role of leader without really trying and it was a position that she didn’t particularly mind. She’d always liked being in control, whether it was it was in love or business. As a superhero, she’d had the opportunity to work behind born leaders like Captain America and Iron Man...and she’d always marveled at how easy they’d made it seem. “Okay, you’ve got a point, Rich. Assuming that Dark Warlock has hacked into the files by now, he’d have a basic idea of what our various powers are...but Genis is the wild card.” Carol glanced back at the blond haired man sitting in the rear of the cabin. “Can you make yourself scarce? Hide onboard the shuttle and exit after we’re gone? Mantis will keep you connected to the rest of us.”
Genis nodded, his Cosmic Awareness making him an easy contact for Mantis. The green-skinned woman regarded him with caution and Genis understood why: his sudden return to this universe had left many of the Cotati dead. The alien race had been a second family for Mantis and she was still mourning their loss. “Just let me know what I can do to help,” Genis said. “One on one, I think I can take Warlock...but you never know.”
Mantis felt the ship settle down and she stood up, becoming the first of the group to exit the ship. As she descended the ramp, she calmly saw that a full security detail was surrounding their vessel, laser weapons held at the ready. “This one suspects that Warlock was expecting us,” she said to Carol, who moved up to join her.
Nova clenched one fist and summoned his cosmic powers, preparing to unleash them. Carol held up a hand to stop him and moved forward to face the security detail’s commander. “What’s the meaning of this?” she asked.
The commander, a purple-skinned humanoid with four arms and three legs, bowed his head slightly. “Warlock has informed us that all of you are to be taken to the brig for questioning. He says you’ve been replaced by Skrulls.”
“Have you guys scanned us?” Nova demanded. “‘Cause I’m pretty damned sure that I don’t register as a Skrull!”
“He says you’re able to fool the scanners. Please don’t make this difficult,” the commander stated. His name was V’hrt and he was a good man, Carol knew. “We’re only following orders.”
“We can take them,” Nova said.
“I thought you wanted stealth,” Carol replied with a smirk. She held up her hands and faced the commander. “Take us into custody, V’hrt. And I promise to not hold this against you when you figure out that you’re being duped.”
As the security team led the three heroes away from the scene, Genis Vell watched with growing concern. When it looked like the hangar was clear, he stepped out and extended his mind, letting his Awareness hone in on the Soul Gem. He wasn’t a telepath like Mantis, so he couldn’t read Warlock’s mind...but there was a sense of danger that clung to Warlock like a second skin. What in the world are you up to? Genis wondered to himself. And what have you done with poor Gamora?
Soulworld
Both Gamora and Pip had spent years inside the Soul Gem, basking in the oft-wonderful paradise that lay within. It was a place where the sun always hung high in the sky but the temperature was almost a perfect 75 degrees Fahrenheit. There was plentiful food to eat, though it wasn’t a necessary bodily function. You ate for pleasure in this world...and you never had to worry about gaining a pound.
And the best thing of all, at least, to Pip, was that there was an abundance of strong beer and lots of half-naked women of all races.
Truly, it was Heaven.
Gamora stood atop a grassy knoll, ignoring the sounds of happiness coming from the troll behind her. Pip lay in the thick grass, his prominent belly being stroked by two pink-skinned girls who wore only loincloths. Their metal bikini tops had been discarded several moments ago. Pip laughed heartily and took a swig from a large mug overflowing with ale that smelled a bit too much like Skrull urine for Gamora’s taste.
“This is the life,” Pip muttered, leaning forward to slurp up a bit of ale that was dripping down the side of a girl’s breast. She giggled playfully but didn’t push him away.
“Only you could cheapen the afterlife, troll,” a heavy voice grated. Pip squawked and jumped to his feet and Gamora whirled.
“Thanos?” she said, not quite snarling. Thanos of Titan inclined his head.
“Gamora. Daughter,” he said, smiling slightly. Gamora’s eyes narrowed and her hands clenched instinctively around the hilt of a dagger that wasn’t there.
“What are you doing here?” Pip said, backing towards Gamora. Thanos didn’t look at him.
“I thought it should be obvious.” Thanos spread his arms. “I have come to indulge in the luxuries of Paradise.”
“Stop it,” Adam Warlock said, stepping past the Titan. Thanos grinned, baring his teeth. Gamora took a hesitant step forward, but did not run to Warlock.
“Adam? But-”
“It’s me Gamora…the real me. Unfortunately,” Warlock said, looking around. He frowned as he caught sight of Pip’s cowering courtesans and shook his head. “Where do they even come from?” he murmured.
“What can I say, I got a magnetic personality,” Pip said. “Adam, I hate to tell you this, but somebody is running around in your-ah-body.”
“Actually, his body and mine are currently mingled with the rest of the orbiting debris which is all that remains of the primary moon of Dengari Prime.” Thanos crossed his massive arms and sighed. “Why is it that the only effective versions of you are so disinclined to play well with others?”
“Your body? Does that mean that you’re…” Gamora trailed off. “Oh Adam.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Pip said, eyes closed, waving his hands. “I hate to be selfish—”
“Not that that ever stopped you,” Gamora muttered.
Pip ignored her. “But what about OUR bodies?” he said.
Warlock smiled. “Safe, as far as I can tell; see for yourself,” he said, waving a hand. The sky took on a dark tint and seemed to melt away, revealing an immense row of distorted view-screens.
Gamora blinked. “That’s the control room for Infinity Station. Adam, how are we seeing this?”
“I thought I taught you better than that,” Thanos rumbled, standing behind his former ward. Gamora flinched. Thanos tapped the center of his forehead. “The Soul Gem, of course.”
“But Adam’s gem is still back there--” Pip began, looking confused.
Warlock put a hand on his shoulder. “Not any longer. When my physical self ceased to exist, the Soul Gem began looking for another host.” He smiled grimly. “The other Adam Warlock.”
“But he’s already got a Soul Gem!” Pip yelped.
“It’s dying,” Thanos grunted. “Just like him. Rotting from within, eaten away by the toxic energies of our reality. It was weaker to begin with, and ill-constructed, lacking even a glimmer of the malign semi-intelligence Adam’s gem displayed.”
Warlock’s smile faded and he touched the empty space between his eyes. He dropped his hand. “The gems are the same, for all intents and purposes. The one will displace the other so subtly that its bearer will only notice when it’s too late. It has already started, in fact.”
“How can you tell?” Gamora said, still looking at the sky.
Thanos chuckled. “Well, we’re here, are we not?”
Infinity Station
Dark Warlock rested in his chair, head thrown back, eyes closed, body limp. An observer, if there had been one, would have noted that he was barely breathing.
Something buzzed and he cracked an eye. The security light on the consol flashed, alerting him that his orders had been carried out. A thin smile spread across his lips.
“Hah. Excellent.” With Danvers and the others in the brig, there was nothing to interrupt him. By the time anyone figured out what he was up to, it would be too late.
His eyes flickered to the view screens and he tapped the control panel, bringing two screens into focus. On the first, two bodies rested in specially prepared containment pods: Gamora and Pip.
In truth, he could not say why he had kept their bodies, rather than dispensing with them as he had those of his doppleganger and Thanos. Some lingering trace of affection, perhaps?
He sat back in his seat, eyes narrowed. By rights, he should jettison them into the sun. It would be more merciful, at any rate. He looked at the second screen, where Thanos’ newest weapon sat in one of the station’s holds, hidden among the rest of the recently transferred cargo.
It was such an inconsequential looking little thing, lacking even the barest whiff of artistic flair. A perfect box, with no markings or images, no buttons or panels or anything to speak of. Just a box.
And inside it…Armageddon.
Dark Warlock smiled and pressed his hands together. The raw substance of his universe of origin, kept in a state of volatile readiness by the esoteric mechanisms inside the box: a caged universe…a shot of pure poison that could cause this universe to rot from within.
Even as he himself was.
His smile faded and he touched the gem on his brow, rubbing it. The aches and pains were growing worse. The satisfaction the stolen souls brought was becoming far too brief.
Soon enough, this entire reality would be in similar straights; every organism, every world, every star, all incurably stricken. ‘Poisoning the well’ it was called. Rune’s blighted spirit would have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide itself. And then, he would find it, run it to ground, and feast on the cosmic vampire’s soul.
Maybe then his hunger would dim. Maybe then, he would feel human. His hands curled into fists as a thrill of pain shot through him. He pounded his fists against the armrests of his seat, but resisted the urge to feed. The souls of this universe were tainted meat, each one driving another nail into his coffin. If he could resist just a bit longer…just until the box was activated…
Abruptly, he looked up, eyes widening. “What?”
A whiff of something…something familiar. A trace of a ghost of a memory splashing across his neural net. The gem on his brow flashed and he shot to his feet.
“What is that? What are you?” he said out loud. He turned, fingers flashing across the controls for the view screens. Cameras panned and spun, searching. “More importantly, where are you?”
Someone from his universe was here, in this one. Their soul-scent was weak, lacking the acrid tang of Rune. Another visitor, perhaps? Like his doppelganger, a visitor from one world to the next, carrying the smell of conflicting realities?
Dark Warlock’s eyes blazed as he hunted through the conflicting feeds of the hundreds of cameras scattered about Infinity Station. Where? Where? WHERE?
A grin split his features. “Ah. There.”
Elsewhere aboard the station
Genis swooped through the corridors, bending the light around him to render himself mostly invisible. The station was packed full of aliens of all stripes and species, interacting on multiple levels.
Mercantile was the most common of these. Nomad markets had sprung up on several decks of the station, and the sounds and smells of a dozen different cultural stews hung thick on the air. Genis passed overhead, watching in wonder as Skrulls and Badoon and Kree interacted. Warlock had done something wonderful here.
And now it was in danger of destruction, at the hands of a distorted mirror version of its creator no less. He frowned. He had to find that lunatic as quickly as possible.
“My thoughts exactly,” someone said. Genis cut an angle and turned in the air, hovering. Above him, crouched on a gantry, was Adam Warlock.
“You smell like home…Genis, is it? Heir-apparent to the lineage of Mar-vell?” The dark colored gem on his brow sparkled. “How did you manage to sneak onboard, boy?”
Genis didn’t answer. Instead, he swung his arms up, the bands on his wrists flaring and releasing a torrent of crackling energy. Warlock leapt as the gantry exploded into burning shards. His fingers clawed for Genis’ neck and the latter looped away.
Warlock fell to the ground, demolishing a tent-structure. He rose and snagged the proprietor, his soul-gem flashing. The alien fell limp, tendrils sagging and Warlock tossed him aside. “Come down, come down and waltz with me,” he said.
Genis hesitated, then arrowed down, his fists cracking across Warlock’s jaw. The man staggered, but snagged Genis’ close-cropped hair and yanked him backwards, driving his forearm into Genis’ throat.
The younger man gagged and hit the ground, clawing at his throat. Warlock launched a kick that sent Genis rolling. People were running and screaming. Warlock spun, his gem glowing as he drained the souls of those closest to him.
“No!” Genis said, getting back to his feet.
“Yes! I’m hungry, boy…just appetizers before the MAIN COURSE!” Warlock snarled, turning and leaping on Genis.
The Brig
“Alarms,” Mantis said, eyes closed, her legs crossed. She hovered a few inches above the floor. A few moments later, the station’s alarms began to go off.
“Wonderful, what now?” Nova snapped.
“Our distraction,” Carol said, rising off the cell’s bunk and spreading her palms against the crackling energy field that was supposed to keep them locked up. The field surged up around her fingers, crawling up her arms and wrapping around her like a living thing.
As the guards turned, mouths wide in shock, Carol expelled the energy she had absorbed, blowing out all of the controls in the brig and knocking the guards flat.
“Could you have done that at any time?” Nova said.
“Of course.” Carol grinned and stepped out of the cell just as more guards arrived, led by V’hrt. The purple humanoid raised a blaster.
“Surrender,” he said. “Please.”
“Marks for politeness,” Nova said, rocketing forward and crashing into the guards, sending them flying. Carol followed him and, in moments, V’hrt and his men were down and unconscious.
Mantis stepped out of the cell, cocking her head. “This one believes that Genis has engaged our enemy. We should make all haste.”
“Finally,” Nova said. “How do we play this?”
“Hard and fast, rocket man,” Carol said, looking at the others. “And keep out of the way of that gem of his.”
“We go,” Mantis said, bounding past them and out of the brig. The other two shared a look then followed her.
Soulworld
“So, what happens now?” Pip said, watching Genis’ fist crash into Dark Warlock’s face with a wince. “Do we just wait, or…”
“There is little enough we can do,” Warlock said, his eyes narrowed as he watched the fight. “Sloppy.”
“I noticed that as well. He lacks balance,” Thanos said. “Powerful though.”
“Yes,” Warlock said. He looked at Gamora. “When the time comes, save his body.”
“What? Why?” Gamora blinked. “You can’t mean you’re going to-”
“I am. My own body is ash. I will need what remains of this husk if I am to return. Once the Soul Gem replaces his inferior version, the process will begin.” Warlock smiled slightly at the look she gave him. “Have no fear. Nothing of his mind or personality shall remain.”
“Assumptions,” Thanos grunted.
Gamora glanced at him. “And what about you?”
“I? I will return to my own body, such as it is. It is healing even as we speak, and my robotic servitors have no doubt discovered it and reclaimed it.” He smiled, baring his teeth. “I look forward to seeing you both in the flesh once more, once-daughter.”
“What about me?” Pip said.
“Are you still here?” Thanos said, not looking down.
“What about that weapon of yours?” Gamora said. “He’s activated the damn thing!”
“Has he? How amusing.” Thanos watched the fight, hands clasped behind his back.
Infinity Station
Genis crashed through a gantry, his body racked with spasms. Dark Warlock followed, driving his heels into Genis’ belly. He squatted on Genis’ form and laughed. He grabbed Genis’ chin.
“Pay attention. I feel the need to gloat. In several minutes, this reality is going to die. Isn’t that delightful?”
“What?” Genis drove a fist up into Warlock’s thigh, sending the other man hurtling.
Warlock rolled and bounded to his feet, his gem flashing as he snagged another four innocent souls. “Thanos built a weapon. I activated it. It will poison this entire reality and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” He loped forward smoothly, sliding under Genis’ blow and driving stiffened fingers into his solar plexus. “I just wanted you to know that I’ve saved you all.”
“Saved us?” Genis coughed, staggering back.
Warlock spun, his foot crashing across Genis’ jaw. “Well, yes. From Rune. He would have sucked your reality dry. Now, you’ll simply die. Much better.” Warlock laughed again. “Feel free to thank me.”
“Would you accept a card?”
Warlock spun. Nova barreled towards him, his fists connecting with Warlock’s face with a sound like thunder. “How about a singing telegram?” Nova continued, as the force of his passage tumbled his opponent. Warlock hit the ground hard.
Nova banked and shot upwards as Carol crossed his path, her elbow catching Warlock in the back even as he stumbled to his feet. Mantis pulled Genis to his feet as the two heroes battered Warlock like a leaf caught in a wind.
“This one thinks we arrived just in time,” Mantis said. Genis looked at her.
“He’s activated some kind of weapon. We have to find it!” he said. Mantis’ eyes widened.
Soulworld
Gamora had stepped away from the others, and stood by herself, rubbing her arms.
Warlock followed her. “You are unwell?”
“I’m dead Adam. That’s the definition of unwell.”
“But it is only temporary,” Warlock said, reaching for her.
Gamora stepped away. “It’s not that.” She looked at him. “I was pregnant.”
“You were-” Warlock paused. He shook his head. “And now?”
“I don’t know.”
Warlock lifted a hand and dropped it. Gamora watched him, unblinking. Slowly, he turned away. He didn’t even bother with the obvious question.
“He is confused.”
Gamora turned. “You’ve gotten quiet on your feet, old man.”
Thanos inclined his head. “He has become too used to being alone. The concept of procreation confuses him.” He extended a hand to Gamora. “Is it his?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course,” Thanos said. “Two perfect beings would produce the perfect offspring. Or the perfect host body for a bodiless entity…”
Gamora glared at him. “What do you know?”
“A name…merely a name.” Thanos made an airy gesture in the directions of Gamora’s stomach. “You lied to him, of course. You do know. Does it live?”
Gamora turned away and went to join Warlock. Thanos watched her go, then, after a moment, began to laugh.
Infinity Station
The fight had raged from one end of the deck to the next, scattering stalls and refugees. Dark Warlock felt drained. Ill. He lunged for a refugee, wrapping his arms around the woman’s throat, and his gem shrieked in his skull as he took her soul.
It wasn’t enough. He needed more. He had expended too much energy fighting Mar-Vell’s clone blow-by-blow. He snarled as the last Nova Centurion roared towards him like a human guided missile.
Warlock leapt aside at the last moment, bringing his elbow down on the boy’s back. Nova was knocked from the air and he hit the ground with a groan. Warlock shook his arm. It had gone numb from the blow.
A delicate green foot caught him on the back of the neck and he staggered, whirling, his hands closing on air as Mantis bounded over him, catching him in the chest and using him for a springboard.
“Where is it?” Genis bellowed, catching him off balance. Warlock grunted and skidded across the deck. “Tell me and I won’t twist your head off!”
“No chance, boy,” Warlock spat. He caught Genis’ wrists and wrenched the cosmic champion’s arms up and then down. Genis yelped as both of his arms were dislocated. Warlock struck him with a knife-edged palm in the throat a moment later.
“You should have stayed safe in that other universe. It would have killed you eventually, but you would have been spared this.” Warlock kicked him.
“Get off of him!” Carol said, crashing into him, a corona of energy lashing out to wrap around them both. Warlock howled as his skin burned and his gem flashed. A stun beam struck Carol high on the shoulder and she staggered. The gem flashed again, but Mantis caught her, knocking her out of the way.
Warlock’s hand snapped out, catching Mantis’ ankle and he swung the Celestial Madonna up and brought her crashing down. Still holding her leg, he drove a fist into her shin. She screamed as the bone snapped wetly.
Warlock released her and ducked a blow from Carol, driving both of his fists into her belly. She flew backwards, bouncing off of a bulkhead.
Warlock stood, panting. His opponents were down, each and every one. But it had cost him. He clutched his chest, then his head as pain radiated through him, bursting from a legion of alephs. He had wasted too much time. Too much energy.
He needed more. More life, more time, more souls. Hands shaking, he looked at the digital time-piece inserted into the underside of one of his bracers. When the device went off, those at ground-zero would die, caught in the catalyst explosion that would spread the poison to the four cosmic winds. He had intended to be gone by then, to watch it from a safe distance.
No time for that now. He would have to shut it off. He glanced at the downed heroes as he typed in the codes on his gauntlet.
In its hidey-hole, the Armageddon Box fell silent. Warlock smiled and started towards Genis. “I’ll take your soul first, I think. Then the others.”
Infinity Station gave a sudden lurch. Warlock stumbled. “What the devil?”
Alarms were blaring-more now than previously. Perimeter alarms. The station shuddered again. Warlock looked around, confused. “An attack? But who--”
Metal tore with a banshee howl. A crimson blur shot upwards, having torn a path through the guts of Infinity Station. Warlock fell back, jaw dropping.
“No!”
“Yes,” Gladiator said, floating above him. Warlock’s gem flashed, but Gladiator was already moving like a bloody thunderbolt. His arm extended and the crook of his elbow caught Warlock in the throat. Bone and muscle parted like tissue paper.
Gladiator slid to a stop. Behind him, Warlock’s headless body stumbled forward, then back, then fell. Gladiator turned, cloak flaring, eyes blazing.
“Thus is the insult avenged.”
Soulworld crumbled and spun as something new took its place. Dark Warlock fell into its depths, trying to outrun the destruction.
Adam Warlock watched him, frowning slightly. “Why?” he said. His doppelganger clung to a psychic remnant, a finger’s strength from oblivion.
“You know why!” he spat. “You would have done the same.”
“No.”
“Yes!” Dark Warlock heaved himself up, his shape decaying even as he moved. “We’re the same, you and I. He’s your enemy as well as mine! And now he’s free, thanks to you!” He leapt, fingers and arms crumbling. “Damn you!”
A burst of dust struck Warlock and he reeled. Memories not his own flooded into him as one Soul Gem and one Warlock replaced another. His other was gone, for good, but some small sliver of him remained…a seed of memory and regret. And a name. But would that name mean anything now? Or was it just another ghost?
His eyes opened, staring at his body. Fingers began to drag the dead weight towards him. His gem had become a sinister emerald and the weight of a hundred thousand souls fell on him again.
“I declare this station under the dominion of Shi’ar law!” Gladiator said, looking around. His voice was being broadcast on a hundred different frequencies throughout the station. “A fleet even now makes its way here to take all criminals into custody and transfer refugees back to their worlds of origin--”
“No!” Carol Danvers said, pulling herself to her feet. “You can’t do this!”
“I can and will. Do not fight me on this, woman. I would not kill you,” Gladiator said, not looking at her. “You will all be given passage back to Earth if that is what you--”
“No. I still have plans for them, I think,” Warlock said. Gladiator spun, jaw dropping as Warlock carefully set his head back on his shoulders. A karmic blast lanced out, striking Gladiator in the center of his head and he slumped.
“Did you--” Nova began, clambering to his feet.
“No, merely stunned him. If he had not been surprised to see me, it wouldn’t have worked.” Warlock stumbled and Nova caught him.
“Speaking of surprised,” Nova said. “That is you, ain’t it?”
“It’s me,” Warlock said. “More or less.”
“What the hell happened? Who was that wearing your face a few minutes ago? What the hell is going on?” Carol said, helping Mantis up.
“How’d you put your head back on?” Nova added.
Warlock looked at them tiredly. “I will tell you everything. But first we have a fleet to stave off and two friends to bring out of stasis…”
Elsewhere
Air was sucked harshly into battered lungs. Dark eyes flickered open. Thanos of Titan sat up, smiling madly. Dozens of robotic drones hovered around him, checking his vital signs.
“Master? You live?” one inquired politely.
“Unfortunately,” Thanos said. “Where are we?”
“Aboard the Sanctuary III, Master.”
“Good. Set course for Shi’ar space and the Infinity Station,” Thanos said, laying back. “I have a man to see about a hat.”
“A hat, Master?”
“An old Earth expression,” Thanos said. He closed his eyes and smiled. “It is time, I think, to seek gainful employment…”
To Be Continued...
Next: In Infinity Plus: INFINITY is over, but INFINITY PLUS is yet to come! Find out what happens between the end of one series and the beginning of another…who are the Avengers Infinity? And what threats await them in the darkness of space?
Previous Issue | Next Issue
“I can’t reach Gamora.” Ms.Marvel couldn’t stop pacing back and forth as the team’s shuttle began to dock with Infinity Station. “And Adam’s not responding, either. Hell, I can’t even get Pip on the line!”
Mantis sat perfectly still and upright, her gloved hands resting in her lap. “This one has confirmed Captain Marvel’s statements, Carol. This is not the Adam Warlock we know and trust. Though his mind is shielded to me, I can sense a dark madness within him.”
Nova couldn’t help but frown. “So we’re pretty sure that Infinity Station is in the hands of a dark version of Adam Warlock...and he may or may not have bumped off two of our friends and teammates...and we’re just going to fly onto the station and confront him? Shouldn’t we...I don’t know...try something with some stealth?”
Carol realized that everyone was looking at her. She’d slid into the role of leader without really trying and it was a position that she didn’t particularly mind. She’d always liked being in control, whether it was it was in love or business. As a superhero, she’d had the opportunity to work behind born leaders like Captain America and Iron Man...and she’d always marveled at how easy they’d made it seem. “Okay, you’ve got a point, Rich. Assuming that Dark Warlock has hacked into the files by now, he’d have a basic idea of what our various powers are...but Genis is the wild card.” Carol glanced back at the blond haired man sitting in the rear of the cabin. “Can you make yourself scarce? Hide onboard the shuttle and exit after we’re gone? Mantis will keep you connected to the rest of us.”
Genis nodded, his Cosmic Awareness making him an easy contact for Mantis. The green-skinned woman regarded him with caution and Genis understood why: his sudden return to this universe had left many of the Cotati dead. The alien race had been a second family for Mantis and she was still mourning their loss. “Just let me know what I can do to help,” Genis said. “One on one, I think I can take Warlock...but you never know.”
Mantis felt the ship settle down and she stood up, becoming the first of the group to exit the ship. As she descended the ramp, she calmly saw that a full security detail was surrounding their vessel, laser weapons held at the ready. “This one suspects that Warlock was expecting us,” she said to Carol, who moved up to join her.
Nova clenched one fist and summoned his cosmic powers, preparing to unleash them. Carol held up a hand to stop him and moved forward to face the security detail’s commander. “What’s the meaning of this?” she asked.
The commander, a purple-skinned humanoid with four arms and three legs, bowed his head slightly. “Warlock has informed us that all of you are to be taken to the brig for questioning. He says you’ve been replaced by Skrulls.”
“Have you guys scanned us?” Nova demanded. “‘Cause I’m pretty damned sure that I don’t register as a Skrull!”
“He says you’re able to fool the scanners. Please don’t make this difficult,” the commander stated. His name was V’hrt and he was a good man, Carol knew. “We’re only following orders.”
“We can take them,” Nova said.
“I thought you wanted stealth,” Carol replied with a smirk. She held up her hands and faced the commander. “Take us into custody, V’hrt. And I promise to not hold this against you when you figure out that you’re being duped.”
As the security team led the three heroes away from the scene, Genis Vell watched with growing concern. When it looked like the hangar was clear, he stepped out and extended his mind, letting his Awareness hone in on the Soul Gem. He wasn’t a telepath like Mantis, so he couldn’t read Warlock’s mind...but there was a sense of danger that clung to Warlock like a second skin. What in the world are you up to? Genis wondered to himself. And what have you done with poor Gamora?
Soulworld
Both Gamora and Pip had spent years inside the Soul Gem, basking in the oft-wonderful paradise that lay within. It was a place where the sun always hung high in the sky but the temperature was almost a perfect 75 degrees Fahrenheit. There was plentiful food to eat, though it wasn’t a necessary bodily function. You ate for pleasure in this world...and you never had to worry about gaining a pound.
And the best thing of all, at least, to Pip, was that there was an abundance of strong beer and lots of half-naked women of all races.
Truly, it was Heaven.
Gamora stood atop a grassy knoll, ignoring the sounds of happiness coming from the troll behind her. Pip lay in the thick grass, his prominent belly being stroked by two pink-skinned girls who wore only loincloths. Their metal bikini tops had been discarded several moments ago. Pip laughed heartily and took a swig from a large mug overflowing with ale that smelled a bit too much like Skrull urine for Gamora’s taste.
“This is the life,” Pip muttered, leaning forward to slurp up a bit of ale that was dripping down the side of a girl’s breast. She giggled playfully but didn’t push him away.
“Only you could cheapen the afterlife, troll,” a heavy voice grated. Pip squawked and jumped to his feet and Gamora whirled.
“Thanos?” she said, not quite snarling. Thanos of Titan inclined his head.
“Gamora. Daughter,” he said, smiling slightly. Gamora’s eyes narrowed and her hands clenched instinctively around the hilt of a dagger that wasn’t there.
“What are you doing here?” Pip said, backing towards Gamora. Thanos didn’t look at him.
“I thought it should be obvious.” Thanos spread his arms. “I have come to indulge in the luxuries of Paradise.”
“Stop it,” Adam Warlock said, stepping past the Titan. Thanos grinned, baring his teeth. Gamora took a hesitant step forward, but did not run to Warlock.
“Adam? But-”
“It’s me Gamora…the real me. Unfortunately,” Warlock said, looking around. He frowned as he caught sight of Pip’s cowering courtesans and shook his head. “Where do they even come from?” he murmured.
“What can I say, I got a magnetic personality,” Pip said. “Adam, I hate to tell you this, but somebody is running around in your-ah-body.”
“Actually, his body and mine are currently mingled with the rest of the orbiting debris which is all that remains of the primary moon of Dengari Prime.” Thanos crossed his massive arms and sighed. “Why is it that the only effective versions of you are so disinclined to play well with others?”
“Your body? Does that mean that you’re…” Gamora trailed off. “Oh Adam.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Pip said, eyes closed, waving his hands. “I hate to be selfish—”
“Not that that ever stopped you,” Gamora muttered.
Pip ignored her. “But what about OUR bodies?” he said.
Warlock smiled. “Safe, as far as I can tell; see for yourself,” he said, waving a hand. The sky took on a dark tint and seemed to melt away, revealing an immense row of distorted view-screens.
Gamora blinked. “That’s the control room for Infinity Station. Adam, how are we seeing this?”
“I thought I taught you better than that,” Thanos rumbled, standing behind his former ward. Gamora flinched. Thanos tapped the center of his forehead. “The Soul Gem, of course.”
“But Adam’s gem is still back there--” Pip began, looking confused.
Warlock put a hand on his shoulder. “Not any longer. When my physical self ceased to exist, the Soul Gem began looking for another host.” He smiled grimly. “The other Adam Warlock.”
“But he’s already got a Soul Gem!” Pip yelped.
“It’s dying,” Thanos grunted. “Just like him. Rotting from within, eaten away by the toxic energies of our reality. It was weaker to begin with, and ill-constructed, lacking even a glimmer of the malign semi-intelligence Adam’s gem displayed.”
Warlock’s smile faded and he touched the empty space between his eyes. He dropped his hand. “The gems are the same, for all intents and purposes. The one will displace the other so subtly that its bearer will only notice when it’s too late. It has already started, in fact.”
“How can you tell?” Gamora said, still looking at the sky.
Thanos chuckled. “Well, we’re here, are we not?”
Infinity Station
Dark Warlock rested in his chair, head thrown back, eyes closed, body limp. An observer, if there had been one, would have noted that he was barely breathing.
Something buzzed and he cracked an eye. The security light on the consol flashed, alerting him that his orders had been carried out. A thin smile spread across his lips.
“Hah. Excellent.” With Danvers and the others in the brig, there was nothing to interrupt him. By the time anyone figured out what he was up to, it would be too late.
His eyes flickered to the view screens and he tapped the control panel, bringing two screens into focus. On the first, two bodies rested in specially prepared containment pods: Gamora and Pip.
In truth, he could not say why he had kept their bodies, rather than dispensing with them as he had those of his doppleganger and Thanos. Some lingering trace of affection, perhaps?
He sat back in his seat, eyes narrowed. By rights, he should jettison them into the sun. It would be more merciful, at any rate. He looked at the second screen, where Thanos’ newest weapon sat in one of the station’s holds, hidden among the rest of the recently transferred cargo.
It was such an inconsequential looking little thing, lacking even the barest whiff of artistic flair. A perfect box, with no markings or images, no buttons or panels or anything to speak of. Just a box.
And inside it…Armageddon.
Dark Warlock smiled and pressed his hands together. The raw substance of his universe of origin, kept in a state of volatile readiness by the esoteric mechanisms inside the box: a caged universe…a shot of pure poison that could cause this universe to rot from within.
Even as he himself was.
His smile faded and he touched the gem on his brow, rubbing it. The aches and pains were growing worse. The satisfaction the stolen souls brought was becoming far too brief.
Soon enough, this entire reality would be in similar straights; every organism, every world, every star, all incurably stricken. ‘Poisoning the well’ it was called. Rune’s blighted spirit would have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide itself. And then, he would find it, run it to ground, and feast on the cosmic vampire’s soul.
Maybe then his hunger would dim. Maybe then, he would feel human. His hands curled into fists as a thrill of pain shot through him. He pounded his fists against the armrests of his seat, but resisted the urge to feed. The souls of this universe were tainted meat, each one driving another nail into his coffin. If he could resist just a bit longer…just until the box was activated…
Abruptly, he looked up, eyes widening. “What?”
A whiff of something…something familiar. A trace of a ghost of a memory splashing across his neural net. The gem on his brow flashed and he shot to his feet.
“What is that? What are you?” he said out loud. He turned, fingers flashing across the controls for the view screens. Cameras panned and spun, searching. “More importantly, where are you?”
Someone from his universe was here, in this one. Their soul-scent was weak, lacking the acrid tang of Rune. Another visitor, perhaps? Like his doppelganger, a visitor from one world to the next, carrying the smell of conflicting realities?
Dark Warlock’s eyes blazed as he hunted through the conflicting feeds of the hundreds of cameras scattered about Infinity Station. Where? Where? WHERE?
A grin split his features. “Ah. There.”
Elsewhere aboard the station
Genis swooped through the corridors, bending the light around him to render himself mostly invisible. The station was packed full of aliens of all stripes and species, interacting on multiple levels.
Mercantile was the most common of these. Nomad markets had sprung up on several decks of the station, and the sounds and smells of a dozen different cultural stews hung thick on the air. Genis passed overhead, watching in wonder as Skrulls and Badoon and Kree interacted. Warlock had done something wonderful here.
And now it was in danger of destruction, at the hands of a distorted mirror version of its creator no less. He frowned. He had to find that lunatic as quickly as possible.
“My thoughts exactly,” someone said. Genis cut an angle and turned in the air, hovering. Above him, crouched on a gantry, was Adam Warlock.
“You smell like home…Genis, is it? Heir-apparent to the lineage of Mar-vell?” The dark colored gem on his brow sparkled. “How did you manage to sneak onboard, boy?”
Genis didn’t answer. Instead, he swung his arms up, the bands on his wrists flaring and releasing a torrent of crackling energy. Warlock leapt as the gantry exploded into burning shards. His fingers clawed for Genis’ neck and the latter looped away.
Warlock fell to the ground, demolishing a tent-structure. He rose and snagged the proprietor, his soul-gem flashing. The alien fell limp, tendrils sagging and Warlock tossed him aside. “Come down, come down and waltz with me,” he said.
Genis hesitated, then arrowed down, his fists cracking across Warlock’s jaw. The man staggered, but snagged Genis’ close-cropped hair and yanked him backwards, driving his forearm into Genis’ throat.
The younger man gagged and hit the ground, clawing at his throat. Warlock launched a kick that sent Genis rolling. People were running and screaming. Warlock spun, his gem glowing as he drained the souls of those closest to him.
“No!” Genis said, getting back to his feet.
“Yes! I’m hungry, boy…just appetizers before the MAIN COURSE!” Warlock snarled, turning and leaping on Genis.
The Brig
“Alarms,” Mantis said, eyes closed, her legs crossed. She hovered a few inches above the floor. A few moments later, the station’s alarms began to go off.
“Wonderful, what now?” Nova snapped.
“Our distraction,” Carol said, rising off the cell’s bunk and spreading her palms against the crackling energy field that was supposed to keep them locked up. The field surged up around her fingers, crawling up her arms and wrapping around her like a living thing.
As the guards turned, mouths wide in shock, Carol expelled the energy she had absorbed, blowing out all of the controls in the brig and knocking the guards flat.
“Could you have done that at any time?” Nova said.
“Of course.” Carol grinned and stepped out of the cell just as more guards arrived, led by V’hrt. The purple humanoid raised a blaster.
“Surrender,” he said. “Please.”
“Marks for politeness,” Nova said, rocketing forward and crashing into the guards, sending them flying. Carol followed him and, in moments, V’hrt and his men were down and unconscious.
Mantis stepped out of the cell, cocking her head. “This one believes that Genis has engaged our enemy. We should make all haste.”
“Finally,” Nova said. “How do we play this?”
“Hard and fast, rocket man,” Carol said, looking at the others. “And keep out of the way of that gem of his.”
“We go,” Mantis said, bounding past them and out of the brig. The other two shared a look then followed her.
Soulworld
“So, what happens now?” Pip said, watching Genis’ fist crash into Dark Warlock’s face with a wince. “Do we just wait, or…”
“There is little enough we can do,” Warlock said, his eyes narrowed as he watched the fight. “Sloppy.”
“I noticed that as well. He lacks balance,” Thanos said. “Powerful though.”
“Yes,” Warlock said. He looked at Gamora. “When the time comes, save his body.”
“What? Why?” Gamora blinked. “You can’t mean you’re going to-”
“I am. My own body is ash. I will need what remains of this husk if I am to return. Once the Soul Gem replaces his inferior version, the process will begin.” Warlock smiled slightly at the look she gave him. “Have no fear. Nothing of his mind or personality shall remain.”
“Assumptions,” Thanos grunted.
Gamora glanced at him. “And what about you?”
“I? I will return to my own body, such as it is. It is healing even as we speak, and my robotic servitors have no doubt discovered it and reclaimed it.” He smiled, baring his teeth. “I look forward to seeing you both in the flesh once more, once-daughter.”
“What about me?” Pip said.
“Are you still here?” Thanos said, not looking down.
“What about that weapon of yours?” Gamora said. “He’s activated the damn thing!”
“Has he? How amusing.” Thanos watched the fight, hands clasped behind his back.
Infinity Station
Genis crashed through a gantry, his body racked with spasms. Dark Warlock followed, driving his heels into Genis’ belly. He squatted on Genis’ form and laughed. He grabbed Genis’ chin.
“Pay attention. I feel the need to gloat. In several minutes, this reality is going to die. Isn’t that delightful?”
“What?” Genis drove a fist up into Warlock’s thigh, sending the other man hurtling.
Warlock rolled and bounded to his feet, his gem flashing as he snagged another four innocent souls. “Thanos built a weapon. I activated it. It will poison this entire reality and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.” He loped forward smoothly, sliding under Genis’ blow and driving stiffened fingers into his solar plexus. “I just wanted you to know that I’ve saved you all.”
“Saved us?” Genis coughed, staggering back.
Warlock spun, his foot crashing across Genis’ jaw. “Well, yes. From Rune. He would have sucked your reality dry. Now, you’ll simply die. Much better.” Warlock laughed again. “Feel free to thank me.”
“Would you accept a card?”
Warlock spun. Nova barreled towards him, his fists connecting with Warlock’s face with a sound like thunder. “How about a singing telegram?” Nova continued, as the force of his passage tumbled his opponent. Warlock hit the ground hard.
Nova banked and shot upwards as Carol crossed his path, her elbow catching Warlock in the back even as he stumbled to his feet. Mantis pulled Genis to his feet as the two heroes battered Warlock like a leaf caught in a wind.
“This one thinks we arrived just in time,” Mantis said. Genis looked at her.
“He’s activated some kind of weapon. We have to find it!” he said. Mantis’ eyes widened.
Soulworld
Gamora had stepped away from the others, and stood by herself, rubbing her arms.
Warlock followed her. “You are unwell?”
“I’m dead Adam. That’s the definition of unwell.”
“But it is only temporary,” Warlock said, reaching for her.
Gamora stepped away. “It’s not that.” She looked at him. “I was pregnant.”
“You were-” Warlock paused. He shook his head. “And now?”
“I don’t know.”
Warlock lifted a hand and dropped it. Gamora watched him, unblinking. Slowly, he turned away. He didn’t even bother with the obvious question.
“He is confused.”
Gamora turned. “You’ve gotten quiet on your feet, old man.”
Thanos inclined his head. “He has become too used to being alone. The concept of procreation confuses him.” He extended a hand to Gamora. “Is it his?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course,” Thanos said. “Two perfect beings would produce the perfect offspring. Or the perfect host body for a bodiless entity…”
Gamora glared at him. “What do you know?”
“A name…merely a name.” Thanos made an airy gesture in the directions of Gamora’s stomach. “You lied to him, of course. You do know. Does it live?”
Gamora turned away and went to join Warlock. Thanos watched her go, then, after a moment, began to laugh.
Infinity Station
The fight had raged from one end of the deck to the next, scattering stalls and refugees. Dark Warlock felt drained. Ill. He lunged for a refugee, wrapping his arms around the woman’s throat, and his gem shrieked in his skull as he took her soul.
It wasn’t enough. He needed more. He had expended too much energy fighting Mar-Vell’s clone blow-by-blow. He snarled as the last Nova Centurion roared towards him like a human guided missile.
Warlock leapt aside at the last moment, bringing his elbow down on the boy’s back. Nova was knocked from the air and he hit the ground with a groan. Warlock shook his arm. It had gone numb from the blow.
A delicate green foot caught him on the back of the neck and he staggered, whirling, his hands closing on air as Mantis bounded over him, catching him in the chest and using him for a springboard.
“Where is it?” Genis bellowed, catching him off balance. Warlock grunted and skidded across the deck. “Tell me and I won’t twist your head off!”
“No chance, boy,” Warlock spat. He caught Genis’ wrists and wrenched the cosmic champion’s arms up and then down. Genis yelped as both of his arms were dislocated. Warlock struck him with a knife-edged palm in the throat a moment later.
“You should have stayed safe in that other universe. It would have killed you eventually, but you would have been spared this.” Warlock kicked him.
“Get off of him!” Carol said, crashing into him, a corona of energy lashing out to wrap around them both. Warlock howled as his skin burned and his gem flashed. A stun beam struck Carol high on the shoulder and she staggered. The gem flashed again, but Mantis caught her, knocking her out of the way.
Warlock’s hand snapped out, catching Mantis’ ankle and he swung the Celestial Madonna up and brought her crashing down. Still holding her leg, he drove a fist into her shin. She screamed as the bone snapped wetly.
Warlock released her and ducked a blow from Carol, driving both of his fists into her belly. She flew backwards, bouncing off of a bulkhead.
Warlock stood, panting. His opponents were down, each and every one. But it had cost him. He clutched his chest, then his head as pain radiated through him, bursting from a legion of alephs. He had wasted too much time. Too much energy.
He needed more. More life, more time, more souls. Hands shaking, he looked at the digital time-piece inserted into the underside of one of his bracers. When the device went off, those at ground-zero would die, caught in the catalyst explosion that would spread the poison to the four cosmic winds. He had intended to be gone by then, to watch it from a safe distance.
No time for that now. He would have to shut it off. He glanced at the downed heroes as he typed in the codes on his gauntlet.
In its hidey-hole, the Armageddon Box fell silent. Warlock smiled and started towards Genis. “I’ll take your soul first, I think. Then the others.”
Infinity Station gave a sudden lurch. Warlock stumbled. “What the devil?”
Alarms were blaring-more now than previously. Perimeter alarms. The station shuddered again. Warlock looked around, confused. “An attack? But who--”
Metal tore with a banshee howl. A crimson blur shot upwards, having torn a path through the guts of Infinity Station. Warlock fell back, jaw dropping.
“No!”
“Yes,” Gladiator said, floating above him. Warlock’s gem flashed, but Gladiator was already moving like a bloody thunderbolt. His arm extended and the crook of his elbow caught Warlock in the throat. Bone and muscle parted like tissue paper.
Gladiator slid to a stop. Behind him, Warlock’s headless body stumbled forward, then back, then fell. Gladiator turned, cloak flaring, eyes blazing.
“Thus is the insult avenged.”
Soulworld crumbled and spun as something new took its place. Dark Warlock fell into its depths, trying to outrun the destruction.
Adam Warlock watched him, frowning slightly. “Why?” he said. His doppelganger clung to a psychic remnant, a finger’s strength from oblivion.
“You know why!” he spat. “You would have done the same.”
“No.”
“Yes!” Dark Warlock heaved himself up, his shape decaying even as he moved. “We’re the same, you and I. He’s your enemy as well as mine! And now he’s free, thanks to you!” He leapt, fingers and arms crumbling. “Damn you!”
A burst of dust struck Warlock and he reeled. Memories not his own flooded into him as one Soul Gem and one Warlock replaced another. His other was gone, for good, but some small sliver of him remained…a seed of memory and regret. And a name. But would that name mean anything now? Or was it just another ghost?
His eyes opened, staring at his body. Fingers began to drag the dead weight towards him. His gem had become a sinister emerald and the weight of a hundred thousand souls fell on him again.
“I declare this station under the dominion of Shi’ar law!” Gladiator said, looking around. His voice was being broadcast on a hundred different frequencies throughout the station. “A fleet even now makes its way here to take all criminals into custody and transfer refugees back to their worlds of origin--”
“No!” Carol Danvers said, pulling herself to her feet. “You can’t do this!”
“I can and will. Do not fight me on this, woman. I would not kill you,” Gladiator said, not looking at her. “You will all be given passage back to Earth if that is what you--”
“No. I still have plans for them, I think,” Warlock said. Gladiator spun, jaw dropping as Warlock carefully set his head back on his shoulders. A karmic blast lanced out, striking Gladiator in the center of his head and he slumped.
“Did you--” Nova began, clambering to his feet.
“No, merely stunned him. If he had not been surprised to see me, it wouldn’t have worked.” Warlock stumbled and Nova caught him.
“Speaking of surprised,” Nova said. “That is you, ain’t it?”
“It’s me,” Warlock said. “More or less.”
“What the hell happened? Who was that wearing your face a few minutes ago? What the hell is going on?” Carol said, helping Mantis up.
“How’d you put your head back on?” Nova added.
Warlock looked at them tiredly. “I will tell you everything. But first we have a fleet to stave off and two friends to bring out of stasis…”
Elsewhere
Air was sucked harshly into battered lungs. Dark eyes flickered open. Thanos of Titan sat up, smiling madly. Dozens of robotic drones hovered around him, checking his vital signs.
“Master? You live?” one inquired politely.
“Unfortunately,” Thanos said. “Where are we?”
“Aboard the Sanctuary III, Master.”
“Good. Set course for Shi’ar space and the Infinity Station,” Thanos said, laying back. “I have a man to see about a hat.”
“A hat, Master?”
“An old Earth expression,” Thanos said. He closed his eyes and smiled. “It is time, I think, to seek gainful employment…”
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To Be Continued...
Next: In Infinity Plus: INFINITY is over, but INFINITY PLUS is yet to come! Find out what happens between the end of one series and the beginning of another…who are the Avengers Infinity? And what threats await them in the darkness of space?
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