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MV1 #76 DECEMBER Year 0

by Sam Everett

“Renewal: Part One”

Somewhere in the universe:

Uatu, the Watcher, stepped into the stadium-sized conference chamber of the Council of Watchers as the identical-looking council sat overlooking him from their well-shadowed seats, where only their large, white eyes showed through.  As he took his place at the podium in the middle of the chamber, he noticed a peculiar, young, female Watcher almost hidden inside of her blue, flowing cloak, below the watcher’s seats. Uatu could not hazard a guess as to what he had been called to the Watchers’ world for, and so he stood, waited, and did nothing.

“Uatu, Watcher of Earth, we have called this rare sitting to decide your future,” Toom, one of the Watchers high above Uatu called down in a booming voice. “Eons ago, this council placed its trust in you, for, based on your prior record, it was believed that you would keep your oath as a Watcher and resist interference on the planet Earth.”  Uatu looked down in shame, knowing what would come next.  “Time and again, you failed.”

“Have you a rebuttal, Uatu?” one of the other council members asked.

“I...do not.”

“If this is the case,” Toom returned, “then allow us to introduce you to Oleeta.”

The young girl Uatu had earlier noticed stepped cautiously out of the shadows, intimidated by the authority in the chamber.

“This is Oleeta? Her reputation precedes her,” Uatu announced.  “Even in my corner of the universe, I have heard the tales of her unique prowess as a potential Watcher.”

“My proficiency is not unlike yours, Uatu,” Oleeta spoke, “or so my mentors tell me.”

“She speaks true, which is why we have chosen her as your replacement, Uatu,” another Watcher in the shadows continued.

This development took Uatu by surprise, and he wanted most to contest the council’s decision, but what good would it do, but to take his remaining dignity from him?  And so, as his unexpected fate befell him, he merely watched.

“We feel she is best suited to confront the spectacles of Earth with an observant and unerring eye,” Toom continued.

“And what of me?” Uatu asked.

“We understand the tumult that Earth presents, which is why we feel it best that Oleeta is given one hundred years time on Earth with you as her guide after which time she will be left on her own to examine the planet, and you will be assigned to one of the quieter sectors of the cosmos to fulfill your oath as a Watcher.”

Uatu was appalled at these circumstances, but knew that when the council spoke, their word was law, and any violation of that law resulted in, by the Watchers’ standards, rather harsh punishment.

“We understand that even now an event most worthy of chronicle is taking place on the planet,” Toom proclaimed.  “Oleeta, Uatu, to Earth with due haste.”  As Uatu and Oleeta started for the exit of the chamber, the Watcher hailed, “Uatu, take care of Oleeta, and do not fail us again.”

As the two left, the others watched them go, each confident that Oleeta would fare better as the Earth’s Watcher than Uatu had.

Just after rush hour, Justice and Firestar glided gracefully from the chaotic scene below them, as a herd of mysteriously mutated bovine calling themselves the Running Bulls was secured by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents after the two New Warriors helped in halting the Bulls’ rampage on the southside of New York City.
 
“You sure those weren’t some of Taurus’ goon’s?” Firestar asked, her red hair flowing in the passing air, surrounded by flame, as was the rest of her body.
 
“Nah.  According to the Avengers files,” Justice boasted to Firestar’s mild displeasure, “the original Taurus had different motives than these Bulls, and also used different methods.  When he wasn’t with the Zodiac, he worked alone.”
 
“There you go with the Avengers files again,” Firestar chimed.  “I swear, you reference them at least five times a day.”
 
“The files contain a lot--the Avengers DID a lot,” Justice said reflectively. “Maybe if they were still alive they could have fought these Running Bulls, and then I wouldn’t have to risk my life on my own birthday.”
 
“Oh, that’s right--”
 
“--no!  You’ve said it a million times today, Angel!  No more!”
 
“Happy birthday, Vance,” she said playfully, and followed with a warm peck on his cheek.  The two heroes continued through the air to their apartment on the west side of town.

Jean Grey slowly opened her eyes to a strangely empty bed.  “Scott?!”  As soon as she telepathically scanned the room for his presence, he responded.
 
“I’m here, Jean,” the X-Men’s leader soothed as he stepped into the married couple’s bedroom.  “I just went to make a cup of coffee.”  He sat down on the bed beside his wife and took her hand.
 
“You’re not supposed to be moving around so much, Scott.  Hank insisted you stay in bed and let your wounds heal.”
 
“I’ve tried, but I’m going crazy in this place.  And, frankly, looking around the house, I’m beginning to think that the rest of the team is, too.”
 
Jean rubbed his strong back affectionately.  “They’re lost, Scott.  Without the professor, they have no leadersh--” she stopped when she saw the troubled look on her husband’s face, for he was meant to be the X-Men’s leader.  “I didn’t mean--”
 
Scott nodded his head, stood, and stepped toward the bedroom window that looked to the backyard acreage of the mansion.  “--no, I know what you mean, and I agree.  If the team stays cooped up here much longer without something to do, they’ll drive each other nuts.  Heh, already, Cecilia says she’s getting real tired of Bobby freezing the toilet water in the bathroom.”
 
Jean smiled at Iceman’s antics.  “I know what you mean.  But what can we do?”
 
Scott continued to stare out the window through his ruby quartz glasses.  “Actually, I’ve been thinking--this may be the perfect time for the X-Men to make their positive mark on the world.  This is our chance, you know?”
 
“Not entirely, no.”
 
Scott continued.  “With the Avengers and the Fantastic Four gone for the passed year, the world is desperate for heroes. Yeah, the Thunderbolts and Heroes for Hire have sprouted up, plus the New Warriors are around, but the menaces are taking advantage of the dead heroes’ absence.  Well, I’m thinking, if they can use the slaughter for their gain, why can’t we use it for ours?” (since ONSLAUGHT: MARVEL UNIVERSE)
 
Jean met him at the window.  “What are you getting at?”
 
“I think the world is ready for the Dream, Jean.  No, not because they WANT to be--that would be the ideal situation.  It IS ready though, because, with the heroes lost to Onslaught, they HAVE to be.  They want protection, and they don’t care where it comes from.”
 
Jean let the idea roam through her mind for a few moments, and decided not only that it was a good idea, but that her husband was an incredible man.  Her thoughts then led her to a less flattering image of herself.  “I feel so bad,” she said.
 
Scott turned to her and put a gentle hand on her smooth cheek.  “What?”
 
“Even after all you’ve been through in the past few weeks, few months even--the professor’s departure, Zero Tolerance, the device in your chest*--you don’t give up.  While the rest of us are wallowing in our own pity, you still fight.  The Dream is always on your mind, isn’t it?” (see X-MEN #57, X-MEN #66-69, and WOLVERINE #118, respectively)
 
Scott put his arm around Jean.  “Of course it is.  It’s why we’re here.”

A near-invisible ball shakily made its way toward a multicolored rift in the blackness of the dimension that would lead a band of heroes home.

Young Franklin Richards had saved these heroes--his family--almost a year ago by placing them in a reality not their own, but one that would sustain them and secure them from a most deadly fate.

And in return, the mighty Thor saved Franklin from the clutches of the madman Doctor Doom.  Only moments ago both Thor and Doom battled furiously in the vastness of this mysterious dimension, their limbs flittering almost helplessly in the black air, Reed Richards’ outstretched body holding Franklin, powerlessly hovering around the two forms.

“Your would-be heroics accomplish nothing, Thunder God,” Doom snarled as he fought against the fabled warrior’s strength.

“If you and I remain behind in this sphere, all shall perish.  If I must die to take all of you with me...then so be it.”  He dodged one of Thor’s swift blows.  “Or else I shall survive to return to our other world...and rule with none of you to stop me!  Either way, the final triumph will be mine!”

“Reed!  Susan!” Thor called out.  “Worry not for thyselves or for me!  On my honor, I swear that no harm shall befall you from Doom’s machinations!”  Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, swirled in his fist rapidly until a burst of light emanated from it, larger and larger, and began to envelope both Thor and Doom.

“What are you doing?!” Doom cried.

“Using my hammer to tap into dimensional energies...to create a rift in-between realities, where I shall hurl us both...and if I am to spend eternity there, battling you to maintain the safety of two realities...then that is an eternity well spent!  Or, to use thy own words...” Thor used all his might to shove himself and Doom closer into the rift, “...so be it!”  And then, both men were swallowed in a wave of energy.
 
Moments afterward, as Reed Richards continued to clamp onto his son, this time in the invisible transport supplied by his wife Sue, any joy felt for possibly returning home was overshadowed by his own fear, for if Doom was lost to fate, it was only a matter of time before he would come back and endanger the world; he always did.
 
The invisible ball soared closer to the rift.

Uatu and Oleeta appeared in the living room of a cramped, cluttered apartment.  While they were identical in size, dress, and appearance, they’re thoughts traveled different paths.
 
“The council told us something worth record was taking place,” Oleeta said.  “We should see whatever it is.  We should not be...HERE of all places.”
 
“As you know, it is our duty to observe everything that is happening--our chronicles must be all-inclusive, which means that we must watch every detail, from the most important event to the most mundane conversation.”
 
“I know this, Uatu, but I fail to see how this dwelling and the people who live here could serve any importance at all.”
 
“Just watch, Oleeta, and do nothing,” Uatu said.
 
“I am well aware of my duty,” she seethed, her large eyes scrunched annoyedly at what she saw as her guide’s misdirection.
 
Justice unlocked the door to his and Firestar’s third-floor apartment and entered, oblivious to the Watchers’ presence.
 
Firestar removed her leather jacket and bright yellow goggles and peered around her at the mess on the floor.  “I guess we had better get this place cleaned up for your party,” she sighed.  “Dwayne said he’d be here at five, and who knows when the others will show up.”
 
“Really, Angel, I don’t know why you’re going to all this trouble just to throw me a birthday party.  It’s no big deal.”
 
Firestar went into the bedroom to change, and called out to Justice while he began removing dirty dishes from the living room.

“You deserve something special, Vance.  Last birthday you had, you spent in that god-awful prison!”
 
Justice shook his head at her comment, and shouted back toward the bedroom.  “I wish you wouldn’t refer to the Vault like that, Angel.  In a lot of ways, the Vault was good for me.”
 
Firestar returned from the bedroom in casual, civilian clothes.  “Oh?  How do you figure?”
 
“It made me who I am.  It created ‘Justice.’  It gave me a second chance.”
 
Firestar joined him in cleaning the living room.  “Yeah, I suppose.”
 
“I owe a lot to that place,” Justice continued.  “I can still feel everything there.  It’s like I left a piece of me there.”
 
“Well, at least most of you is here,” Firestar smiled.
 
“He was imprisoned?” Oleeta asked, certain that the two humans could not hear her nor Uatu.
 
“He was, for a crime that would have condemned most men to an entire life of confinement,” Uatu answered.
 
“Why was HE spared such a fate?” Oleeta replied.
 
“In short, because he is a hero.”  Uatu paused to observe more of the couples’ behavior.  “You’ll find in your tenure here that the basic order of the universe rarely applies to the costumed wonders of this world.”

“Uatu, something tells me this is not the place the council had in mind when they spoke of an important event taking place at this moment,” Oleeta chimed as she and Uatu appeared in one of the many bare rooms of the Xavier mansion.
 
“Patience,” Uatu replied.
 
“I’ll admit to restlessness, for these humans have yet to show me that they are worthy of chronicle, much less that they can make a Watcher such as yourself break his oath.”
 
Uatu was hurt by her comment; he feared that his legacy would be defined by his continued defiance of his oath--if only she knew how he felt for these humans.  “Pray that you remain so impassive, Oleeta.  If your studies on our world are of any worth, then you will never break your oath for even these people.”  Uatu silenced himself when the door to the room opened and a handful of X-Men entered, unaware of his and Oleeta’s presence.
 
“So what’s so flamin’ important, Slim?” Wolverine sighed, puffing on a cigar.  “I’d much rather be loungin’ in my sleepin’ bag right about now.”
 
“And you should be resting as well, Scott,” Beast said as he hopped into the room, just over Storm’s head.  The remaining X-Men--Iceman, Angel, and Jean Grey--stood in waiting, listening for Scott’s voice.
 
“You are the X-Men currently in the mansion with the most experience,” Scott said, looking at each of his friends, “and that’s why I’ve called you in.  I’ve made a decision regarding our futures, and since it concerns just that--OUR futures--I felt you deserved a chance to debate it.”
 
“What is it, Scott?” Storm asked in her ever-placid tone.
 
“I think it’s time we take a more proactive stance,” he proclaimed.  “With the deaths of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four almost a year ago, the public needs heroes, and they’ll take anyone at this point, including a ‘hated and feared band of mutant terrorists.’”
 
“So you’re saying we go out into the world and make their business our business?” Warren Worthington, III--Angel--said.
 
“That’s just it,” Jean replied.
 
“I don’t like it already, bub,” Wolverine barked.  “Sure seems like puttin’ all our eggs in one basket.”
 
“How so, Logan?”  Scott knew that he would receive criticism from Wolverine of any of the X-Men gathered, and was ready for it.
 
“Because we’ve already got a big, ugly chip on our shoulders, and even if we do some good out there, the first time we screw up, the public’s gonna call us on it, and use it as an excuse to take us off the streets.”
 
“The public is desperate,” Scott replied, “and I think they would allow mistakes on our part as long as they saw we were at least trying to good.”
 
“Scott’s right,” Jean said as she came to her husband’s side in the center of the room.  “Now is as good a time as any to try something new.”
 
“I agree,” Storm declared.  “We are doing little good here in the mansion keeping to ourselves.”
 
“I don’t know,” Bobby Drake--Iceman--replied.  “I mean, the public already thinks that we had a hand in killing the Avengers and the Fantastic Four in the first place.  Even though they’re wrong, to them, it would seem like we were trying to take the heroes’ places after we killed them.  It’s just naive to think that’s not the case.”
 
“As much as I hate to say it, I’ve got to agree with Logan and Bobby,” Angel said.
 
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Worthington,” Wolverine growled.
 
As Beast expounded at length on his reasoning for joining with Scott, Jean, and Storm, Scott himself was already orchestrating a resolution.  He knew it would be disputed among the X-Men, but he was convinced it would work.  As always, he would run it by Jean, who was already reading his thoughts.
 
<Are you serious, Scott?> Jean asked through the couple’s unique telepathic link.
 
<What do YOU think, Jean?> he replied through a thought.  <Do you think it is fair of me to allow Logan and even Bobby and Warren to leave the team and do what they feel is best while the rest of us act out my plan to preserve the professor’s Dream?>
 
<I never would have thought you would consider splitting the team apart.  Especially now, when Zero Tolerance has brought some much-needed unity to the team.>
 
<It’s a drastic move, but I’m sure it’s worth it.  Logan and the others are afraid for themselves.  But I-->
 
<--you’re thinking about the Dream, right?> Jean winked to Scott as Beast finally finished his pronouncement.

Reed Richards woke up face down in a creekbed with a mouthful of muddy water and a throbbing forehead.  He was unsure of how long he had been there, and who was with him.  And then he remembered the events in the dimension between this Earth and the other reality that housed him for close to a year, and recalled that he had just helped save his son’s life; now he wanted to know more than anything where young Franklin was.
 
“Reed, wake up, willya?” Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, said, kneeling over Reed in the shallow creek and thumping him in the head with his index finger.
 
Reed jumped up and instantly stretched his head to peer around the area.  “Where’s Franklin?  Where’s Sue?”
 
“How would I know?  I was still lookin’ for Ben--no doubt he’ll need a cigar lit for THIS return.”
 
“Stop joking around and help me find them,” Reed insisted.  “Let’s head toward the bridge, that way,” he ordered, pointing to a bridge that spanned more rushing water.
 
The two super-powered heroes crossed several hills until Reed finally put his finger to his mouth.  “Shhh!  I think I hear them!  This way!”  He and Torch shifted direction and found Sue cradling her son in the creek, talking to the Celestial they had come to know as Ashema.
 
“Who are you to decide that Franklin has been ruined by us?!” Reed strained to hear Sue ask the bare form of the human-guised being.
 
“Someone...who has also been ruined by you,” Ashema replied with an uncharacteristic smile.  “Take care...Susan.  You bear precious cargo.”  With that, she faded from sight just as Reed and Torch joined Sue, and found their teammate and friend, Ben Grimm, the Thing, at her side, obviously battered upon the return.
 
“What was that all about, Sue?” Reed asked as he stretched his arm to form a foundation under Sue, Ben, and Franklin.
 
She was obviously shaken as she replied.  “That was my last chance to tell her off for endangering Franklin, and I didn’t do it.”
 
“Come on, Grimm, let’s go try to find out where we are!” Torch said giddily.
 
“How’s the kid, Sue?” Ben asked.
 
“He’s alive,” Sue replied with a small smile at Ben’s care for the boy.
 
“Good,” Ben grimaced, rubbing Franklin’s head.  “Now hold ya horses, Flamehead!  I feel like I just got hit by a truck!”  The two companions shrunk down the hillside.
 
“Ashema also saved our lives,” Reed continued to Sue, placing his wife and son comfortably on the fresh grass along the bank.  “She saved two universe where only one should have survived.  She changed the rules...for us.”
 
Sue continued to clutch Franklin to her chest.  “I swear, if my son is hurt--”
 
“Franklin’s fine, dear,” Reed pacified.  “And so are a lot of other people.  If not for Ashema’s intervention, how many people would be dead?  How many heroes would be dead?”
 
After a few moments of silence, gazing into each other’s weary eyes, Reed and Sue embraced.
 
“So THIS is the event the council spoke of,” Oleeta said, she and Uatu standing on the hill, hidden in plain view from the two returned lovers.
 
“It all is--the young Warriors’ couple, the mutants, all of it,” Uatu replied.  “You should understand that.”
 
Oleeta sighed out of frustration.  It was obvious she did not appreciate being underestimated by Uatu.  “Of course I know that, but THIS...THIS is the main attraction, so to speak.”
 
Uatu gave a look of amusement.  “For now, child, I suppose it is.”

“I just don’t think it’s a good move.  If you decide to do this, Slim, maybe I just oughtta leave,” Wolverine threatened, leaning against one of the bare walls and chomping his stubby cigar.
 
“That’s just what I was thinking, Logan,” Scott said.  “I hate to split the team up, but the professor left me in charge, and I DO think it’s a good move.”
 
Wolverine then asked the question that Iceman and Angel were already asking themselves.  “Would you two boys be willing ta leave, too?  Bobby?  Worthington?”
 
The room filled with silence as the two hesitated to answer.  They so wanted to be loyal to Scott, but...
 
The silence was broken when the door opened and Cannonball’s blonde head poked through the slit.  “Guys...um...ah think there’s somethin’ in here on teevee you might should see.”
 
“What is it, Sam?” Storm asked, noticing the tear rolling along Sam’s cheek.
 
“The heroes...they’re back.”
 
All in the room gasped out of disbelief, and then smiled at each other.
 
Wolverine pushed himself from the wall and, on his way out of the room, patted Iceman on the back and said, “End of discussion.  Saved by the bell, boys.”  Both Iceman’s and Angel’s joy was briefly halted by the realization that they were almost forced to leave the team.
 
Everyone left the room to go to the television, save for Scott and Jean.
 
Jean scanned her husband’s thoughts, and felt his anguish.  Of course he was relieved that the Avengers and the Fantastic Four had miraculously returned--as relieved as everyone else in the mansion, she sensed--but there was also a hint of disappointment in his mind.  He truly felt the Dream would prosper with the heroes gone, and now that they had returned, the public would not need the X-Men.
 
The two stood in silence for nearly fifteen minutes, not even exchanging a telepathic message.  But Scott knew that Jean knew what he was feeling.  She always knew.
 
Finally, Jean embraced him.  <You didn’t want to have to choose between your friends and the Dream anyway, did you, Scott?>
 
He returned her gentle embrace.  <For the Dream, I would.>

The room was completely dark, except for the glow of twenty candles melting in a cake.
 
“Make a wish first!” Angelica reminded as Vance bent over to blow out the candles.
 
With a drawn out wheeze, each tiny flame was blown out, and the room turned totally pitch black.
 
“Get the lights, Robbie,” Dwayne Taylor--the New Warrior known as Night Thrasher--said, but received no response.  The room remained dark.  “Robbie!” he cried.  ‘The lights!”
 
“There is no Robbie,” a looming voice warned.  “There is only--” the lights flipped on to reveal a young man using his fingers to disfigure his eyes and mouth, “--Darkball!”
 
Elvin Haliday--also known as Rage--pulled the elastic string on a party hat and shot it at Robbie Baldwin--a.k.a. Speedball--who quickly shifted back to his normal form.  “Goofball’s more like it,” Elvin chuckled.
 
“So, what did you wish for, Vance?” Dwayne asked.
 
“Dwayne!” Angelica exclaimed.  “You’re not supposed to tell someone your wish, or else it won’t come true!”
 
“Ah, he probably just wished to be an Avenger anyway, right?” Elvin snorted.
 
Rich Rider--Nova--was in the corner, attempting to tune the stereo.  “Rainstorm must be gettin’ worse--all I’m gettin’ is news, here, guys.  Does your stereo even HAVE an FM setting, Vance?”
 
“I wouldn’t doubt if it doesn’t,” Vance laughed, swallowing some of his birthday cake.  “That’s what you should have gotten me, Rich.  A new stereo.”
 
“What, you didn’t like the Chia Pet I bought?  I’ll take--”
 
“Shhhhhh!” Dwayne insisted to everyone in the room as he listened for the voice on the radio.
 
The news reporter was ecstatic.  “...been seen in Japan, the Vision in London, Giant Man and Wasp in Cairo...and still others are being spotted right now...the heroes have returned!"
 
A moment of shock turned to a night of celebration, as all of the young Warriors cheered and clapped hands.
 
“I knew they wouldn’t be gone long!  It’s just like them!” Robbie reveled.  “I KNEW it!”
 
While their teammates continued to hug and cheer, Angelica noticed Vance sitting alone at the table, staring pensively into his birthday cake.  “I take it you got your wish, huh?” she asked him.
 
He broke his own thoughts and held her close.  Their lips met.  “Not until we’re at the altar,” he smiled, revealing his true wish.
 
She returned a flattered smile. “Happy birthday, Vance.”  They continued to embrace amidst the celebration.

The streak of flame called the Human Torch blazed skyward, higher and higher, and finally cut downward and to the right, and then back to the left, and then carried his flame in a loop around his construct: a fiery “4” in the clear blue sky that heralded the return of the world’s greatest heroes, and the first superhero family, who watched their teammate from the green field below.

Like a dozen other champions this day, the Fantastic Four had returned from seeming death, and was back home, together again.

“I admit,” Oleeta said, looking over the quintet of adventurers, “this curious family warrants some interest, if only to see how their story ends.”

“Just so long as you do not have a preferred ending in mind,” Uatu warned.

“Of course not, for that would inevitably lead to breaking my oath in order to ensure that ending.  I can be curious and still remain objective in my duties.”

“I have faith that this is true,” Uatu said.

They both fell silent, observed the flaming symbol in the sky, and were indifferent, despite the joy the rest of the world felt.

And it was a joyous day, indeed, for a world of heroes was renewed.

Sam, here.

First, I want to thank Jess Nevins, Mark Bousquet, Tim Hartin, Chris Hatfield, Barry Reese, Kevin Glover, and Randy Lander for their gracious help on this arc.

Now, I’m not going to make a habit of these notes, but I thought that this story needed some added introduction.  Over the next three issues, you are going to be treated to a lot of surprises regarding the heroes of the MV1 universe, but no matter how engaging the stories of these heroes may or may not be, keep in mind that this is a story of the Watchers, Uatu and Oleeta, and I think that will become apparent as the arc progresses.

There is also the backdrop of the “Renewal” aspect of the Marvel Universe--the never-ending cycle of heroes, the inability for any character to stay dead for too long, the constant re-use of identities...and that, too, will be a very important part of the story.

So, if you enjoy the individual stories of your favorite heroes in this arc, great!  But don’t take the Watchers’ participation for granted--they are what makes this story work, after all--that will mean a lot more by Part Four.

Unlike a lot of the things you’ll see in this tale, I WON’T return, so take care, and enjoy the next three issues.