Avenging Shadows - Part 11

Quentin opened his eyes and sat up in a jerking motion.

"Damn, I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore", Quentin muttered to himself as he stood up and looked around. "This looks like Collinwood", he exclaimed. "But it's not. I was in the library at the Avenger's castle.

"We're in your mind, Mr. Collins", a voice rang out.

Quentin looks and there stood Dr. Druid and Jacques.

"So welcome to the party", Quentin smiled as he approached the two visitors to his mindscape. "Why does this place look like Collinwood?"

"It's your mind", Dr. Druid explained. "Evidently, Collinwood is the place you feel most comfortable. Thus, this place inside your head reflects it."

"So where do we go from here?", Quentin asked.

"We go to the block that we discovered earlier in your mind and then we crack it open to find out what lies within.", Druid replied.

"Sounds like fun", Quentin smirked. "But where's the block?"

"It's this way... I can feel it", Jacques said quietly as he began to walk towards a door in the distance.

Quentin and Druid followed Jacques as he led the way out the door and outside the walls of Collinwood towards a trail leading into the woods."

"Where does this lead, Mr. Collins?", Druid asked as they followed behind Jacques, who was leading the way.

"To the old house, the original Collinwood", Quentin replied. "Where Barnabas lives when he returns home."

"You have a strong connection to the old house as well, don't you", Druid asked.

"It's where I've always felt the most welcome. It's also where I first learned about the curse of the werewolf that lives inside me", Quentin answered.

"Hmmmmmm!", Druid replied and then said nothing more.

Quentin started to ask a question, but decided to remain quiet. The three men walked in silence as they approached the old house.

They entered the old house and made their way towards the basement.

"This is where Barnabas kept his coffin", Quentin said quietly as they entered the dark chambers.

"And this is also where we'll find that block that we've been unable to penetrate", Druid said.

"This is all in my mind", Quentin asked?

"The walls of your mind and soul are what you preceive them to be", Druid said. "Your home, Collinwood, is such a part of you than when we entered your mind, we appear to be there."

"Wow", Quentin said quietly.

"Ummm... I think we've found the block", Jacques said. "I think that's it!"

The three men looked forward and there was a huge, black box.

"Look, there are indentures and evidence of where we tried earlier to penetrate", Druid said as he pointed out dents slight damage to the box.

"But we couldn't penetrate it", Quentin said.

"That's why I'm here", Jacques remarked as he walked up and began to examine the artifact. "I can penetrate it."

"If Druid's telepathy and all of Pym's toys couldn't penetrate it, what makes you sure that you can", Quentin asked.

"Because I am the Celestial Messiah", Jacques remarked. "I am the best of humanity combined with the most powerful of the Coati. Now prepare yourself because I will see this barrier removed and the truth revealed."

Jacques's eyes began to glow as he laid his hands upon the darkened cube. Jacques got an intense look of conentration upon his face and it sounded like almost a growl as he leaned forward into the object. And then a loud bang filled the air as some force pushed Jacques back and slammed him roughly into the figures of Quentin and Druid. All three men tumbled to the ground as the box began to glow and shimmer.

"Bingo", Quentin said.

"Whatever you did, Jacques, I believe it worked", Druid remarked casually as he pulled himself to his feet.

The box continued to glow and then began to spin rapidly. A red mist rose from the twirling object and moved to the center of the room and began to form shapes and images.

The image of Quentin Collins being approached while in a Paris nightclub. A woman with green hair and an accent. She speaks to Quentin briefly and his head begins to fog. She has drugged him and he's woozy. Another man, an older oriental man wearing yellow and green approaches. He is saying some words and waving his arms over the fallen Quentin Collins. The green haired woman hands him some sort of object and he smiles and vanishes from sight. The woman speaks to the fallen body of Quentin again. The images fade and they're in a chamber full of candles and mirrors. A room full of people, but none save Quentin or the woman with the green hair cast a reflection. The woman speaks to the assembled and presents Quentin to them. A cloaked figure enters the room and approaches Quentin. The figure stands tall and gazes deep into the face of the confused and drugged Collins. He takes a vial of liquid from the green haired woman and holds it out for all to see. Then using a sharp object, cuts his own arm and allows the blood to drip into the vial. He hands the mixture to the green haired female who prepares a needle. The mixture is injected into the arm of the body of Quentin Collins. A cheer erupts from the group and the woman with the green hair smiles. And the image ends.

"That's it?", Quentin asked.

"It was somewhat anti-climatic, I must admit", Druid agreed. "I was expecting it to be more of a challenge."

"That's all I can see", Jacques commented as he turned towards Quentin and Druid. "There weren't even any strong defenses. I can't understand why everyone had such a hard time piercing the block. It was so... I barely even exerted the slightest bit of my powers and it revealed it's contents."

As the three men continued to talk, unnoticed by all, the block once again had a faint glow. A loud roar filled the air and where there was nothing before, suddenly stood three large wolves.

"Looks like we spoke too soon", Druid said.

"Oh crap!", Quentin said as he assumed a defensive position.

"I think we've encountered the defenses", Jacques agreed.

"And I think we'd better do something about getting out of here or we may not survive to tell anyone about it. Jacques, can you jaunt us back to reality?", Druid asked.

"I think so, but I just need to concentrate", Jacques said.

"Well, concentrate quickly", said Quentin as he grabbed a piece of wood from off the floor. "We're in it deep here and I don't think these creatures feel like playing games."

A wolf-creature jumped at Quentin who responded by bashing it across the face with the board he held in his hands. A loud yelp of pain and anger filled the air as the body of the huge monster fell to the ground.

Dr. Druid used his telekenetics to grab the two other wolves and elevate them into the air and slam them together.

"I suggest you hurry, Jacques", Druid said. "I believe that all we're doing is making them angry!"

"I'm trying", said Jacques, his eyes glowing with psionic energy.

"Aaaggh!", screamed Quentin as one of the wolf-creatures raked him with the claws. Quentin attempted to dodge, but wasn't quick enough and the claws tore flesh from his arm and shoulder.

"Filthy creature", said Druid as he used his telekenesis to grab the crazed creature and slam him hard into the wall. "Get us out of here Jacques... NOW!"

"Got it", Jacques said as his powers activated and the three men vanished from site, leaving only the three wolf-creatures howling and roaring in anger.

**

Meanwhile, back in the library of Avengers Castle...

The heroes stood and watched as Dr. Pym kneeled in front of the entranced body of their guest, Quentin Collins. Only seconds before, the astral selves of Quentin, the Avenger known as Dr. Druid and the Celestial Messiah, the young lad they know as Phillip, who was the son of the Avenger, Mantis, had began their journey into the mind of Quentin. The bodies of the three men remained stiff as statues and unmoving.

"I think they're there", Pym concluded as he waved his small flashlight into the eyes of the unmoving Quentin. "There's a lot of REM movement, but not much else going on."

"What does that mean", Lyja asked as she moved in closer for a better look.

"It means that there is a lot of activity, probably the presences of Druid and Jacques, taking place in Quentin's mind", Pym said.

"And they're attempting to pierce the blockage discovered earlier, to gain access to Quentin's lost memories", Barnabas said.

"Exactly", Pym said he as checked Quentin's pulse. "Druid and Jacques have some amazing telepathic abilities and should be able to piece the blockage."

"One can only hope", Collins agreed as he looked on.

""Is there any way we can contact Druid or Jacques and see what's going on", the Widow asked.

"I can most likely contact Jacques through our empathatic connection", Mantis said.

"No, that's probably not a good idea. We don't want to distract Jacques or Druid from the task at hand", Pym said. "We'll give them a few more minutes first and if they haven't returned, then we'll contact them. I believe Barnabas also has a psychic link with Quentin as well."

"It is true", Barnabas agreed.

"By my beard", Hercules exclaimed. "Something is happening to yon mortal!"

The Avengers watched in stun silence as Quentin's arm and shoulder began to gush blood and jerked as if ripped and clawed.

"Damn", Pym said as he quickly grabbed a towel to place over the nasty wound. "Someone grab the medical kit... NOW!"

"On it", Lyja said as she rushed from the room, only to return scant seconds later with a first-aid kit from the medical facilities. "Here you go!"

"Thanks", said Pym as he removed the towel and began to treat the wound.

"What's going on", Mantis asked. "Jacques..."

A burst of red light filled the room and Quentin groaned in pain.

"Uuughh!", he said.

"Druid and Jacques are also moving as well", Spitfire commented.

The assembled heroes moved to help Druid and Jacques regain their composure as Pym continued to treat Quentin's wound.

"Druid, what happened", the Widow asked, adressing the now alert Dr. Druid.

"We found the block. Unfortunately, it was protected and we had a confrontation with some psychic creatures. We managed to fend them off while Jacques used his abilities to pierce the block. How is Quentin?"

"He's find", Pym said. "Just a flesh wound and some scrapes. It looks worse than it is."

"Hurts a lot too", Quentin remarked.

"So did you manage to learn anything", Barnabas asked.

"Well, we did manage to see how Quentin ended up as the leader of the vampire cult", Druid said.

Druid went on to explain to the assembled heroes exactly what they had witnessed inside the mind of Quentin Collins after piercing the barrier.

"I recognize the man in green and yellow who appeared at the start", Druid said. It was the terrorist known as the Yellow Claw".

"And based on your description", the Widow said, "the woman with the green hair sounds like Viper."

"That would explain the connection to Hydra too", Pym commented. "She was once known as Madame Hydra and is capable of anything."

"So how about the third figure. Any ideas?", Widow asked.

"He looked familiar, but I can't place the face", Quentin remarked.

"I can't recall Claw and Viper having any connection, aside from the usual world domination bit", Widow said.

"And we can't forget our guest, Master Pandemonium and however does he fit in?", Druid added.

"The mystery gets deeper and deeper", Barnabas remarked.

"I think it's time for another talk with Master Panda Bear", the Widow said. "And this time, the kid gloves are off."

"I think I shall like to sit in on this interrogation as well", Barnabas said.

"Fine", the Widow agreed. "Quentin, you, Jacques and Druid go to the med-center for a full examination by Dr. Pym."

"I assure you that I'm quite fine, dear lady", Druid said.

"But you're still getting checked out by Pym", Widow said. "All of you!"

"Very well", Druid sighed reluctantly.

The three men left with Pym and headed towards the medical facility.

"I am going with Jacques", Mantis said and left following the three men.

"And I'll scan the computers for as much information as I can on Viper, The Yellow Claw and possible connections.", Lyja said.

"Fine", the Widow said.

"And I shall contact Iceman and Gargoyle and have them return quickly from their errand so the full team shall be ready for battle", Hercules added.

"Very well", the Widow said. "And after doing that, come down to the holding facilities, Hercules. I'll like to have you there as well to relieve Spitfire and Lightning from guard duty when we question Pandemonium again."

"Of course, Madame Natasha", Hercules smiled. "For that creature shall not dare defy thee with the Prince of Power present."

"OK folks, let's get to work", the Widow said as the heroes dispersed.

**
Days later as the Avengers convene fo their regular weekly meeting...

"So we got Andromeda home to Atlantis", Iceman concluded. "And Prince Namor sends his regards and best wishes to the Avengers."

"King Namor", Gargoyle interjected.

"Excuse me... King Namor", Iceman corrected himself.

"That's fine", the Widow remarked. "And Quentin, how is your wound healing up?"

"It's a bit stiff, but otherwise fine", Quentin Collins remarked. "Dr. Pym is a wonderful doctor and did a great job patching me up."

"We like him", the Widow smiled.

"So what did you learn about the Yellow Claw and the woman you called Viper", Barnabas Collins asked.

"I found out quite a bit", the Black Widow answered, "but I'd rather wait for everyone to be here before I reveal everything. We're just waiting on Lyja and Spitfire, who were called out to aid the local law enforcement officials in handling some gang disputes in London. I received a message from Lyja just before we started the meeting and they should be here shortly."

"So what's another few minutes", Quentin laughed.

"Have we decided yet what to do with Master Pandemonium?", Dr. Druid asked.

"Si", Living Lightning commented. "Vas soto is 'tres annoying."

"Mixing french with your spanish, Manuel?", Iceman asked with a smile.

"I've been practicing my french, amigo... and like to use it when I can", Lightning laughed.

"So instead of not being able to understand you only part of the time, we can't understand you any of the time", Iceman smirked.

"Exactly", Lightning laughed.

"Well, this one thinks that learning a new language is very smart", Mantis interjected.

"Thanks", Manuel said.

"After all, we can never have our opponents too confused", Mantis finished.

The entire table burst into laughter as Manuel turned a bright red in color from embarassment.

"Burn", Iceman laughed.

"This one has been learning", Mantis smiled.

"Master Pandemonium?", Druid asked again.

"Well, we can't keep him here indefinitely", the Widow said. "So if he keeps refusing to talk, we'll just have Nick Fury and SHIELD come back and take him off our hands."

"Why not have Allistaire Stuart and W.H.O. come by and take control of Pandemonium?", Dr. Pym asked. "They're the local authorities and probably have jurisdiction, plus they seem to have even more experience with the supernatural than even Fury and SHIELD do."

"Nick might argue with you, but I won't", Widow said. "I'll call Allistaire just as soon as this meeting ends and find out what he suggests."

"If you're going to have Stuart and his people here", Barnabas suggested, "maybe it would be best if Quentin and I were not here when they arrived."

"Why not?", Widow asked.

"Because I'm a vampire and Quentin is a werewolf", Barnabas said grimly. "And the Collins family have long been viewed by the authorities with suspicion. Better not to rattle the pot."

"I like to rattle the pot", Quentin smirked, earning a nasty look from Barnabas.

"Very well", Widow agreed. "We be sure to arrange it so that the two of you are otherwise occupied when Mr. Stuart and his people come by to pick up Pandemonium."

"That's probably for the best", Barnabas smiled.

A door opened and Spitfire and Lyja entered the room.

"OK, we're here", Spitfire said.

"How did assisting the local authorities go?", Widow asked.

"Several hundred weapons confiscated. Over thirty arrests and no casualities or major injuries", Spitfire said.

"And the streets of London are just that much safer once more", Lyja added.

"Good job", said the Widow. "Now, let's get this meeting underway."

"I'm surprised you waited for us", Lyja said. "We could have just read the transcripts or listened to the recordings to catch up."

"We covered most everything already except for the current whereabouts of the Yellow Claw and Viper", Iceman said.

"And the Widow was about to fill us in on those two", Quentin added. "We were just waiting for you."

"Well wait no more", Lyja said. "What about Yellow Claw and Viper?"

"I checked with SHIELD, as well as every top spy and Government agency we trade information with", Widow replied, "and the Yellow Claw has not spotted or even mentioned in quite a while. Most seem to believe him dead."

"That's discouraging", Barnabas said.

"What about the other one, Viper", Gargoyle asked.

"She's the ruler of a small island nation off the coast of China called Madripoor", Widow said.

"Oh crap", Iceman replied.

"Bobby, what....?", Widow asked.

"Madripoor is one of Wolverine's hang out places", Iceman replied. "And it's major bad news with a capital 'M'!"

"And Viper is the woman in charge?", Barnabas asked.

"Yes. She was part of a coup and overthrew the rightful ruler, taking control for herself", Widow said.

"So we can't just bust in and talk to her without possibly violating all sorts of international laws and our charter?", Pym asked.

"Why not?", Hercules asked.

"As the ruler of Madripoor, she would have diplomatic immunity", Gargoyle answered.

"She would be well within her rights to have us tossed in jail and shot if we tried to approach her", Pym added. "She is, essentially, the absolute ruler of Madripoor."

"Correct", the Widow said.

"Bummer", said Iceman.

"So what do we do?", Barnabas asked.

"The Avengers don't do anything. But The Black Widow pays Viper a visit", Widow said.

"That's too dangerous", Pym said. "And besides, you're the chairperson of the Avengers. If you're caught..."

"Then I won't get caught", Widow said quickly. "I'll slip in, question her and get out."

"You make it sound so easy", Quentin said.

"Not easy, but not difficult", the Widow replied.

"And of course, you'll need back-up", Lyja said.

"Are you volunteering?", Widow asked.

"No, I'm insisting", Lyja said.

"Fine", the Widow said. "Let's go to my office and discuss this. I have to call Allistaire Stuart anyhow. As for the rest of you, see if you can get any leads on the Yellow Claw. And maintain business as usual. Druid, you'll be in charge until we return."

"Very well, dear lady. We won't let you down", Druid said quietly.

"Let's get to work", Widow said. "Meeting adjourned!"