Avenging Shadows - Part 2

It had been several weeks since the formation of the Avengers Europe franchise. Natasha Romanav, aka "The Black Widow" was in her office, taking care of some paperwork for the new team.

"Looks like you're having fun, Widow", a voice came from the open doorway of her office.

Widow looked to see the figure of Lady Jacqueline Falsworth Crichton, aka "Spitfire", standing in her doorway.

"I had forgotten how much I hate paperwork and red tape", Natasha sighed as she sat back in her chair to acknowledge her new teammate.

"A necessary evil.. or so I've been told", Spitfire laughed.

"Maybe so, but it's one I'd gladly do without in a flash", Widow quipped. "So what can I do for you, Lady Crichton?"

"It's Jackie, please", Spitfire said. "Lady Crichton is only for stuffy meetings with the Queen or the yearly trip to Parliment to argue meaninglessly for hours, only to accomplish nothing."

"You're a member of the British Parliment?", Widow asked, surprised by this revelation.

"Of the House of Lords", Spitfire revealed. "I inherited the seat from my father, Lord John Falsworth, ask the original 'Union Jack'. I also have the rights to my late husband, the original 'Lord Crichton's', seat."

"Very impressive", the Widow remarked.

"Maybe to you, but it's more of a headache than anything else. Dealing with those pompous asses twice a year.", Spitfire remarked.

"So the British Parliment is basically the same as the Congress in the States or the Parliment from my own home in the Soviet Union?", Natasha commented.

"Just a bunch of stuffed shirts and over-zealous egos, but only worse because all of these men and women think they're special due to their titles."

"That seems to be a common trait among all politicians, whether they've inherited their seats or were elected to their jobs, the ego and boorishness and such.", Widow said.

"At least 98% of them", Spitfire agreed. "Oh yes, I nearly forgot why I came to rescue you from your office. Dr. McCoy has finished the installation of the new 'Danger Room' in the lower level and has requested you come, as he put it, 'join the party'."

"Beast has already finished? That's great!", The Widow said. "Tell Hank I'll be there shortly."

"Will do", Spitfire said as she took off down the hallway at a burst of super-speed back towards the lower levels of the castle.

"It'll be good to have this danger room to work out in and practice the use of our abilities and teamwork", the Widow thought to herself as she quickly finished up the work on her desk.

**

Ten minutes later, Widow joined Hank McCoy, the X-Man and occasional Avenger known as the Beast, in the control room for the new specially designed training room they had designated as "The Dungeon". They were joined by Spitfire, The Living Lightning, Andromeda and Dr. Druid.

"So what we have is a combination of the latest technology, both from here on Earth and from the Shi'ar as well, including holographs, illusions, force fields and other equipment. It's simple to work from here in the control booth and is a fantastic way to train. This room is based on the original 'Danger Room' at the X-Mansion.", Beast explained.

"So are we going to see a demonstration of this technology", asked Dr. Druid, looking over the control panels.

"Absolutely!', Beast smiled. "Hercules, Iceman and Mantis are waiting down below for the word. I've already put in the program, a simple little exercise to have fun with."

"And if you're ready guys", Hank spoke via speaker to the waiting heroes below, " the goal is very simple. Cross the room and hit the big red button on the opposing wall."

"That is no challenge for the Prince of Power", Hercules bellowed.

"Indeed! This one hardly understands why it will take three of us to press the button".

"Well if I know Big Blue Fuzzy up there", Iceman quickly injected, "it's not going to be nearly as easy as you might hope! Be ready guys!".

"Alas, you know me too well, young Robert", the Beast quipped as he hit the start button. The assembled heroes in the control booth watched the room change from an empty room with four walls into a scene of a alien landscape, complete with nasty looking creatures quickly swaming the three heroes.

"Look alive heroes", said Iceman as he quickly formed an ice sled and took to the sky, only to have the sled shattered by a force beam from the aliens eyes.

"Oh cripes, Drake said as he re-formed his ice sled in mid-air and blasted a group of the aliens, quickly encasing them in a big block of ice.

"Have at thee, foul creatures", said Hercules as he waded quickly into a mob of the slimy monsters, thrashing and pounding away at any who came within reach of his hige fists.

Mantis was using her acrobatics and moving almost faster than the eye could follow as she dodged and weaved among the aliens, occasionally taking to time to decimate one with a martial arts blow or a quick thrust.

In about ten minutes, the exercise was over as Mantis, using the shoulders of Hercules for a launch pad, bounded over a pack of aliens to reach the big red button and thus, end the exercise.

The room quickly reverted back to normal and the "aliens" vanished. Iceman breathed a sigh of relief as the aliens he had been battling vanished.

"Is that it?", Hercules asked. "I was just beginning to have fun and present thee monsters with the gift."

"Trust Hercules to enjoy himself in that craziness", Iceman quipped as he put his arm around Hercules shoulder. "Come on Herc. Let's go upstairs and see how we did!".

"This one also enjoyed herself", Mantis said. "That was an interesting experience."

The three heroes walked out the exit of the Dungeon and made their way to the Control room to join the other heroes.

"And we can program any kind of enviroment or situation? Amazing!", Dr. Druid remarked as The Beast continued showing the Avengers how to use and work the booth.

"It'll be a great tool to keep up our skills and practice our teamwork". The Widow noted. "Hank, once again, thank you for flying over here and installing this for us. And also, please give Professor Xaiver my thanks... for all of his help. Not just this room, but everything."

"I'll pass along the message, Tash", Beast said with a big grin. "Now, does anyone else want to give this thing a try?"

Several hours passed and the Avengers became more familiar with the Dungeon. All of the assembled members took their turns at attempting to cross the room and take part in a simulation. Some did well. Others did not.

Now all that remained in the control booth were Beast, Spitfire and Andromeda. The others had left to pursue other duties and activities.

"Blast and spit!", Andromeda pouted as she looked over her results from her attempt to cross the room. "Who knew that the room would use steam blasts to dehydrate me and allow those creatures to overcome me.".

"You have to be prepared for every possibility", Beast remarked. "For the first time, you did fine. And look, the computer is already preparing you a list of options and possibilities to counter dehydration and prevent that tactic from being used against you again. Every exercise and simulation is recorded and analyzed by a program designed by myself, Forge and Kitty Pryde. It looks at how you peformed, what you did right, what you did wrong, and offers up solutions to have more positives than negatives. The room got you this time with the unexpected. But next time, you'll be ready and it'll have to try something else."

"And each time, I'll learn more and more about strategy and ways to work around my weaknesses. Fantastic!", Andromeda said.

"It's an amazing device", Beast said, in regards to the room. "Speaking of fantastic, where is Lyja? Our former member of the Fantastic Four? She's the only Avenger who didn't come join the fun here today."

"Lyja is in London, meeting her estranged husband Johnny Storm, for dinner.", Spitfire said. "She was wanting to be here for this, but she and Johnny had already made this date weeks ago."

"Ah, young love!", Hank quipped. "And I was wanting to see how she would do in the Danger Room. With her Skrull abilities, I was expecting quite a show. How are her and Johnny getting along these days anyhow?"

"With Lyja and the Torch, it changes day to day", Spitfire said. "We've talked many times about this and she says she loves Johnny and he seems to love her, but if they're together more than a few days, it quickly gets... "

"Combustive", Beast smiled. He knew Johnny Storm very well and knew how hot-headed the young man could be at times. And from what he'd seen of the Skrull warrior, Lyja, Beast had a strong feeling she could be just as bad.

"They seem to work better in small doses", Spitfire agreed. "So he does the Fantastic Four thing, she's with us here in London being an Avenger, and when they get the chance, they get together."

"Crazy kids", Beast laughed as he closed down the console for the control booth. "I guess we're finished here unless you want to take another run?"

"No", said Spitfire and Andromeda at the same time, quickly.

"I just want to go relax in the pool", Andromeda said.

"And I think I hear a warm bed and good book calling to me", Spitfire added.

"Cowards", smiled Beast. "Anyhow, I guess I should be getting myself back to the States and the X-Mansion. Does anyone know where young Robert got to so I can bid farewell to my frosty associate?"

"Iceman? According to the castle sensors, he's in the kitchen feeding his face", Spitfire said.

"And so, I shall go down and say my good-byes. Until we next meet, young ladies."

Beast bowed to the two women and gently kissed each of them on the hands before literally bouncing out the doorway and down the hallway, badly singing "London Bridge is falling down", heading for the kitchen.

"He's something else, isn't he?", Spitfire remarked to Andromeda as Beast bounced down the hallway.

"Hank McCoy is a great scholar and a true warrior", Andromeda agreed.

Both women stood in silence, side by side, as Hank vanished from sight.

**

Scene - Downtown London

Lyja Storm and her estranged hubby, Johnny sat in a small cafe. It had been a great day of exploring the city and just being together.

"It's too bad every day can't be like this", Lyja told Johnny as he held her hand.

"Why can't it be? Drop this Avengers nonsense and come back to the Fantastic Four with me?", Johnny said.

"I thought you approved of me being an Avenger", Lyja said.

"I do", Johnny agreed. "But that's because you wanted to do it. I think you'd be happier with me, Reed, Susan and Ben."

"You say that right now, but would you still be saying that in a week?", Lyja asked.

"Yeah", Johnny said. "I may get a little hot headed sometimes.."

"A little?", Lyja smirked.

"But that's just me. You know I love you!", Johnny continued.

"And I love you!", Lyja said. "But I also love the thrill of being an Avenger. It's been really good for me, Johnny!"

"I think you just get off living in a castle", Johnny quipped.

"It is... different", Lyja admitted. "Living in New York was amazing at times, but there's a simplicity, an aura about being in Europe, that is unlke anything I've ever encounted before."

"And this is coming from a lady from an alien galaxy who has literally been across the universe and back numerous times!", Johnny laughed.

"What can I say", Lyja laughed. "I guess I'm just a simple girl at heart!".

As the loving couple continued to talk, suddenly a series of screams rang out from the dark night.

"What the..??", Johnny said as he and Lyja both quickly rose from their seats.

With no wasted motion, Johnny quickly muttered "Flame On" and took off towards the sounds of the screams. Lyja used her shape-shifting powers to quickly form herself a set of wings and was only a second or so behind The Torch. They only went a short distance, a few blocks and were not prepared for the sight that presented itself to them. Three young women were cornered in an alley and threatening them were several hideous looking men, with protruding foreheads and fangs bared.

"What the hell....?", Storm said as he moved in closer.

"Careful, hun", said Lyja as she shape-shifted into another form to attempt to get past the creatures and rescue the girls.

"Humans", one of the creatures yelled as Torch and Lyja approached. Rather than flee, the creatures turned to face the approaching heroes and leaped forward. One of the creatures tackled Storm and although he was burning, the smell of burnt flesh filling the air, he was relentless in his attack and quickly brought the shocked Torch to the ground. Lyja transformed herself into a formidable rock-like creature and began to swat away the attacking fiends.

The Torch has managed to dispose of his attacker and was engaged in ariel combat with another of the deformed creatures.

"Christ! They can fly too!", Johnny said as he narrowly dodged a razor-sharp claw like hand swinging at his head. Lyja continued to swat and knock around the creatures that got too close to her on the ground, but wasn't having much more luck than her hubby.

"I think this might be a good time to call in some reinforcements", Lyja said to herself as she quickly hit a button on her Avengers ID card. The signal had been sent and Lyja quickly resumed fighting with the demonic creatures again.

**

In Avengers Castle, The Living Lightning was on moniter duty as the call came in. Quickly, he relayed the information to Black Widow, who was talking to The Beast and Iceman, as Beast was preparing to depart.

"Got it! Summon the team, ASAP!", Widow said into her card.

"Problems?", asked Beast?

"Lyja and The Torch are in London battling some kind of creatures. Hank, I know you're not an Avenger anymore, but..."

"I'm in!" Hank quickly said, tossing his bag to the side. "Let's go!"

In just a matter of seconds, the Avengers Quinjet departed from the Castle. Black Widow, Hercules, The Beast, Mantis, Dr. Druid, Iceman and Andromeda sat in the Quinjet, preparing for action. Living Lightning and Spitfire had flown / ran ahead to provide aid until the rest of the team arrived.

***

Back at the battle, Lyja slammed another of the creatures into a wall, while Torch had enclosed a group of the fiends with a wall of blue flame. One managed to leap clear of the flame and moved to tackle the flaming body of the Torch, when suddenly, a big bolt of electricity appeared and quickly flash-friend the creature where it had perched.

Meanwhile, a group of the creatures had surrounded Lyja, who was using her own body to shield some innocent bystanders from the creatures. A blur of red and yellow sped by, grabbing several of the creatures in a whirlwind and slamming them hard against a cement wall. '

Living Lightning and Spifire had arrived.

"It's about time!", Torch quipped.

"Where are the others", Lyja asked.

"RIght here", a voice came out from above as Iceman used an ice-sled to lower himself and several of the others from the hovering Quinjet.

"Avengers Assemble", said the Widow as she swung down on her widow-line, quickly taking out two of the creatures with swift kicks.

Hercules dived right into the action with the fists flying. "Have at thee, foul creatures!".

Mantis used her martial arts and absolute control of her own body to dodge and weave past several of the creatures, before using an alien nerve pinch to cause her foes to lose consciousness.

Beast dived right into a group of the creatures and used his strength and athleticism to quickly decimate the creatures.

"Olly Olly Oxen Free", Beast bellowed as he tossed around the hideous creatures.

Andromeda used her Atlantean strength to throw around the creatures as well. Iceman just kept enclosing then in giant blocks of ice.

And Dr. Druid, quickly discovering that his powers of mind control and illusion had no effect on these creatures, simply levitated out of their reach and used his powers of telekenesis to batter the creatures around.

"Sometimes, the simpliest ways work best", he thought to himself as he slammed two of the creatures together.

The battle was quickly turned as the Anvergers Europe, along with the Human Torch, of the Fantastic Four, as well as The Beast, of the X-Men, quickly overcome the superior numbers and vanquished their demonic and wicked foes.

"Any idea what the hell these things are", Johnny Storm asked as he helped Beast and Mantis finish securing the last of the foul creatures.

"I sense a strong aura of evil about them", Dr. Druid said..."but I'm not sure exactly what they are or what their purpose may be!"

"They remind me of vampires", Spitfire said, looking at one of the creatures closely. "But they're far stronger than any I've ever seen or dealt with before!"

"You've got experience with vampires?", Beast asked?

"Back in the war, my uncle was the original Baron Blood. And my son, John, is also a victim of that dreaded curse. Although, he's dead now!", Spitfire said.

"This one is sorry!", Mantis said, laying her hand supportingly on Spitfire's shoulder.

"It's OK", Spitfire said sadly. "It's something I've learned to live with... mostly!"

"They do appear to be vampires, but they've been enhanced.", Druid agreed.

"Mutant vampires", Iceman asked? "Wait until the Professor hears about this?"

"Well, we need to find out more.", Widow said. "Let's see if we can make one of them talk."

But before anyone could make another move, something happened. All of the captive and unconcious demon-creatures began to glow slightly. And they vanished, just disappearing into thin air.

"What the,,,?", Torch asked.

"By the pits of Hades", Hercules proclaimed.

"Teleportation is my guess..", Beast said.

"But how", Andromeda said.

"I don't sense any teleportation spells", Druid said. "And it's not technological or else our equipment would have picked up something."

"This one didn't sense anything either", Mantis said.

"I don't know what it is, what these creatures are, or the point of this whole attack", Widow said. "Or even what really just happened here. But I'm sure going to find out!"

Meanwhile, unknown to the assembled heroes, a set of glowing red eyes watched their every movement. A sneer appeared on the face of the figure who watched as he whispered to himself, "Soon Avengers... very, very soon!"