  Editor-in-Chief DarKnight77
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Dani. Today is the last day I plan on being Captain America for a while. I firmly believe that Earth needs a Captain America. And if you don’t like the idea of keeping it that’s okay. I’m not dumb enough to believe anything could keep me from the Avengers forever. But while I’m gone I don’t believe there is anyone more deserving than you. You showed me you have what it takes. I see no reason why you can’t be Cap.
Appearing in "Annihilus Part 8"Edit
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Annihilus (Dies)
Supporting Characters:
- Avengers
- X-Men Blue
- GeNext
- X-Men Gold
- X-Men
- Lyra (She-Hulk) (Joins team)
- Valeria Richards
- Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes) (Joins team)
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Earth-3116
- Earth
- New York City
- Manhattan
- New York City
- Earth
- Negative Zone (Mentioned)
Items:
Synopsis for "Annihilus Part 8"Edit
The finale starts off simply. Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Panther, Torunn, Wolverine, Powerhouse, X-23, Ironheart, Spider-Girl, Vision and Nocturne. At the moment they were the only things that stood between Earth, and Annihilation.
In front of them was Annihilus, and no more than 50 Arthrosians. A stare off had gone on for the past 2 minutes and Annihilus seemed to be staring at James, Dani, and Jimmy as they were the only three still up that went onto the mission into the Negative Zone that took down most of his forces.
For the monster, he still couldn’t believe it. For the others they were tired of waiting around, and Torunn had been the one to voice it.
“Your forces are depleted. Turn back now and you may survive.”
For the first time for all the heroes present. They heard the insect's voice “You Earthlings…It doesn’t matter the time period, you're always brimming with so much confidence…false bravado. Today you will learn what true power is.”
“Torunn is right. You have one chance to turn back and leave right now.” Cap joined
“We both know that’s never going to happen.” Annihilus.
“Well then, let’s stop wasting time.” James called and suddenly his energy shield appeared “Nocturne!”
James called, and the girl knew what to do, using her small amounts of Telepathy to link the heroes together, allowing them to work without alerting the cosmic level threat.
His call to Nocturne had thrown the others into action. Jimmy and Torunn had moved to attack first. Jimmy on the ground and Torunn through the air. Jimmy had avoided a few blasts of energy and attempted to take Annihilus' head clean off, he missed the throat area and instead clawed him across the face, and was astonished to find his claws had seemingly no effect.
Annihilus in turn punched Jimmy so hard he was sent flying into the dirt. His dealing with Torunn was not nearly as easy.
The Goddess hurled blasts of lightning reinforced by Azari that Annihilus parried back with his own blasts of energy.
When Torunn began swinging Arnbjorg around there was a bit more urgency to Annihilus movements, it was clear when it struck Annihilus wrist and cut through the armor that the godly blade would be able to get the job done. However, Annihilus was quick to retaliate, moving fast enough to get behind grabbing her hair and punching her in the face twice before hurling her into Ironheart who was getting ready to support.
“We have to be more coordinated than that guys.” James explained through the mindlink. “If we don’t fight, better forget about seeing tomorrow.”
It was unusually harsh from the Captain but, everyone understood that’s how the situation was. Francis had shot a couple arrows at Annihilus that exploded on impact but they didn’t do much, he didn’t even flinch.
But it did give the others a chance to come up with a bit more of a coordinated attack. Cap led the charge at the front and X-23 and Azari were beside him Captain America threw an Energy Shield at Annihilus which he swiped at, and it dissipated on impact.
Still it was an opportunity for Azari to make a move, his own electricity blasted Annihilus and it though it was a huge bolt he managed to shrug it off and the kick to chest X-23 delivered she swiped with her claws, and managed to scratch Annihilus skin, but if it was going to go any deeper it was going to take much more force. Force she didn’t really have.
James’ attack wasn’t finished the shield had dissipated but he was still running at full force and punched Annihilus with the force of at least 2 tons, he wasn’t shocked to see that his near full strength hadn’t done anything, but he had to do a lot to not be in despair about it.
Annihilus was back on the offense and just in time James put up an Energy shield to avoid his fists, instead he flipped backward and allowed Vision to send a blast of his solar energy beams at Annihilus and it engulfed him.
He was sent tumbling to the ground and Ironheart continued the attack sending blasts of missiles at his fallen body, hoping to finish him off. They all waited to see how their attack had affected the Lord of the Negative and were disappointed that no real damage had been done. So far only Arnbjorg and Laura had been able to make some headway.
“Ready to die yet?” Annihilus questioned, the cockiness in his raspy tone was evident. He didn’t feel like losing was possible.
A rebuttal was on the tip of Jimmy’s tongue, but at that very moment, Lyra and Colossus came flying from the air and landed near the heroes. Pym flew behind them at slow pace, clearly injured.
With Lyra and Colossus there, things felt just a little better now “Lyra, Colossus, Torunn, Dani, attack!” James commanded through the mindlink “The rest support and let’s figure out how to beat this guy, Riri, what do you know?”
“That rod around his neck. It’s the source of a lot of his power, if we can just get it off. We can make something happen.”
“It won’t be easy. If he’s putting it out there for everyone to see, he must feel like he can protect it.” Spider-Girl pointed out. As all this happened, Lyra and Torunn actually managed a very effective attack on Annihilus that ended with Lyra punching him into Colossus who punched him, towards Dani, who threw James shield with wicked force and it slammed into him sending him to the ground.
Celebrations weren’t an option because immediately a wave of energy hit the four of them and sent them flying back.
“I’ve got an idea.” James suddenly told them, as they helped their teammates up “Nocturne, how good are you feeling?”
“Fine.” She insisted, it was clear that she wasn’t not really, but they would need her if they were ever going to really manage this.
“Okay. Spider-Girl, Vision, Azari, listen up because I’m really going to need you for this.”
They spent the next two minutes jumping around and fighting Annihilus but at the sametime, planning on how they were going to get the rod. And eventually their plan was put into action.
They had all been attacking him but suddenly. Azari, Spider-Girl, James, and Vision began to attack Annihilus. The idea was they had some of the best reflexes, and would be able to keep him on his toes.
Every once in a while Lyra or Colossus, or Dani would join into the onslaught (But they mostly stayed back dealing with the leftover Arthrosians), and one of the clawed people would try a low assault and he’d dodge it, but the real plan didn’t start until Vision was hit.
The hit was direct, and slammed right into his cut, creating a small hole through the robot, he dropped instantly.
“SOMEONE GET TO VISION!” Cap called “Take him to the mansion!”
“Your team is falling apart, IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME NOW!” Annihilus buzzed and let out a cackle.
It was annoying and with a renewed vigor, James, Azari, and Spider-Girl began attacking Annihilus. James flipped forward dodging blasts of energy and threw a punch that missed, he did a leg sweep which Annihilus simply jumped and flew to avoid but that put him directly into Azari’s path and he used his built up kinetic energy to punch Annihilus straight in his mouth.
The combined kinetic and electric energy, plus the punch straight in his only exposed part sent him tumbling to the ground rather quickly.
This is where Spider-Girl pressed the advantage, getting on him like a UFC fighter and punching him in the face and the body, eventually she was thrown off but it was clear Annihilus was just a little shaken.
He managed to avoid a blast from Torunn and another from Azari, but he couldn't stop himself from getting used like a pinball by Lyra and Colossus; it was then Spidey made her move. Annihilus was twirling around seeing stars when Spidey flipped off of James shoulders and flew through the air to Annihilus she planted on arm on his shoulder and the other around his neck for and made to grab the cosmic converter rod, she came close, in the way only a spider could, but it was futile.
Annihilus grabbed her hand and threw her into the dirt. “DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT WOULD WORK!?!?” Annihilus snarled angrily
“Kinda.” May groaned from the ground.
“You must think I am a fool, IT’S NEVER THAT EASY!”
“I mean I got pretty close.” May continued babbling as she got up “But honestly, that wasn’t even the plan anyway.”
“Annihilus mind worked at an overtime pace, and quickly realized he was somewhat duped that hadn’t been the play he turned to others who were all coming for him, but failed to to realize Vision who like a ghost density shifted right through him, and took the Cosmic Converter Rod right with him.
“Hah, score one for the good guys!” Spider-Girl cheered “You got duped!”
“NOOO, GIVE IT BACK!” Annihilus said immediately and sent a blast at the density shifted Vision, to everyone’s surprise, he had managed to hit him.
Before Vision hit the ground, he threw the rod to Jimmy, who held it securely “Alright guys, keep that staff away from Annihilus, let’s finish this thing.”
Annihilus was quick however and blasted Jimmy, it was something that normally should have killed a man, but Jimmy was lucky to not be an ordinary human.
He managed to get the rod to Laura and despite Annihilus jumped towards her with immense speed he was shoulder checked by Dani, and now that he did not have the rod he wasn’t as strong he wasn’t as durable and with the shield slamming into his face he was sent back.
Torunn was more than ready and her electrified fist was going to smash right into his head but he dodged at the last second and it hit his shoulder, his surprise was evident when she had managed to take a piece of his armor with her.
He was sent flying and a couple of arrows didn’t do damage but knocked him into Lyra who slammed him again, another chunk of armor coming off.
“It’s over!” Dani told Annihilus confidently, shield at the ready. He was not happy to hear that and suddenly a huge blast overtook nearly everyone there.
“NOOOOO!” He yelled, it had hurt everyone there. Laura had already taken to getting as far away as she could with the rod, so that was fine
But the rest of the heroes had been harmed. Colossus had transformed back into normal and had to be taken back inside by Pym. Francis had to leave as well. James' shield had provided him and Azari with minimal cover but it did the job.
Lyra, Torunn, Dani, and Nocturne were the only ones really still standing. But that wouldn’t be the case if Annihilus got off another blast.
“NOCTURNE, IT HAS TO BE NOW!” James demanded of the powerful mutant through their mindlink
“OKAY OKAY!” She yelled back, it was the most tense any had heard the mutant, As Annihilus shot blasts of energy at the heroes forcing them to dodge.
Nocturne did her best to conjure up all the energy she had. She wasn’t her mother. From what she understood her mother had an amazing understanding of Chaos Magic and Witchcraft allowing her to use her powers at their highest potential.
Talia however couldn’t do that as she had never been taught magic, or witchcraft, or occultism, so at the moment, she could only use her powers through hexes.
These hexes however could be really powerful; her mother had been better at them, and so could release one powerful enough to create a crater in the earth’s crust in a blink of an eye.
For Talia however, something like that took time, and so as the others fought she focused on the mental link, however she also focused on cultivating the biggest hex bolt she had ever used.
She knew when she opened her eyes and could feel the red energy pulsating from them and other parts of her body she knew she was as ready as she was going to be.
She needed to wait for the perfect opportunity and while she grimaced when Annihilus absolutely smacked Captain America and Black Panther into a tree she knew she had an opportunity.
“THIS IS YOUR END. GIVE ME THE ROD!” Annihilus called, he hadn’t even noticed her which was weird, but ever since he had lost the rod, he had gone nearly crazy.
“No you're the one who’s finished!” Dani told Annihlius and Talia took that as her cue to attack.
Her hand crackled with energy and as she reeled back and threw her hand towards Annihilus like she was tossing him a baseball a huge red unforgiving beam of hex energy slammed into him and engulfed his entire body.
His screams were intense, and the pain he was going through was quite obvious. It honestly felt like the wave of energy was unending and it only stopped when Nocturne let out a gasp of air and fell from the sky.
Jimmy had been there to catch and set her down, the girl was on the verge of passing out, but not before she knew she had done the job.
Quickly Lyra, Torunn, and Dani surrounded Annihilus and James and Azari made their way over to the insectoid slowly.
When James looked over and saw Annihilus' body, he sighed something of relief and let a small smile rest on his lips.
His body, or what was left of it was charred beyond belief. His legs and torso were almost completely gone. He only had one arm left and it was black and charred and looked like it would fall apart any second.
His face was a bit eerie. His mouth seemingly stuck wide open, and he was twitching a bit, possibly alive, which was insane in itself. But Lyra and Torunn weren’t taking any chances.
“I believe you should end him.” Lyra told Torunn plainly.
“I believe you are right.” Torunn agreed, and with that agreement she unsheated her sword and swung it clean through Annihilus three times. Chopping him into even smaller bits. Then she used her lightning powers and disintegrated the Insectoid completely.
“And that is that.” She called.
It seemed that everyone inside had been watching the battle because once that happened they poured out of the mansion and began heading to the yard.
“Great job!”
“You did it guys!”
“That was amazing!”
“Talia, that was the greatest thing I’ve ever seen! How did you do that!”
“That plan was amazing!”
“The Avengers and the X-Men win again!”
“S.H.I.E.L.D. will need to take a look at that rod, and then we will be able to lock it up and throw away the key.”
“Oh man, I don’t know about you guys but I’m ready to rest forever!”
In all this chatter Dani headed over to James and helped him up “You took pretty a hard hit there Cap’n.”
“I’ve taken worse. Thanks Dani, you did amazing.” James complimented.
“Ha, thank you James. Really I’m not sure I’d have the confidence to do all this if not for your training.”
“Nah, don’t do that. We only trained for a week, Dani. Everything I’ve seen these past days has been all you. Give yourself some credit, you are amazing, trust me.”
“Cap, you're gonna make me blush.” She joked, but it was clear she really appreciated the praise. Slowly she pulled the shield from her back and began to hand it to Cap.
“It’s been fun holding on to this, but here you go Cap. Back to its rightful owner.” However once again James waved it away, and this time Dani was stumped.
“Dani, I meant what I said. Keep it.”
It took a second for it to click in, but when it did she began a stuttering incoherent mess “Ke-keep it. James….Your Captain America not me! I-I can’t keep it.”
“Well why not?”
“Because it’s yours!” She whisper-yelled by now though, some people began to watch the conversation with interest, mainly the O5 and Spider-Girl had caught on to what was happening.
“No way.” Hawkeye whispered
But none of the others said anything and simply continued watching.
“Dani. Today is the last day I plan on being Captain America for a while. I firmly believe that Earth needs a Captain America. And if you don’t like the idea of keeping it that’s okay. I’m not dumb enough to believe anything could keep me from the Avengers forever. But while I’m gone I don’t believe there is anyone more deserving than you. You showed me you have what it takes. I see no reason why you can’t be Cap.”
“Your…you're serious?”
“Deadly. From the moment I saw your poise in the Negative Zone the choice was clear. Dani I will never force you to do something like this, but the shield, the title…it’s yours if you want it.”
“I…I don’t know what to say.”
“Yes, preferably.” James joked a little. He was surprised when Dani hugged him almost immediately and maybe was a little emotional.
“Thank you, I promise, I’ll make the name proud for as long as I wear the stars and stripes.” She told him
“I know you will Dani.” James patted her back, and then pulled away, by now everyone was seeing what was going on. Only Megan, Olivier, Lyra, and Jimmy had expected the turn of events. But now with everyone looking at him there wasn’t ever going to be a better time to let everyone know.
“I love being an Avenger. And I will always be an Avenger. But effective immediately I’m taking leave and going on a sabbatical, with an undefined timeline for when I will be back. From this moment on I rescind my title as Captain America and have given it to Dani. A more than fitting suitor in my opinion.”
At the mention of her name Dani gave a little wave, and it did nothing to stop the utter shock nearly everyone was feeling.
“Congratulations Dani.” Azari was the first to say, and that broke everything a bit and everyone began to Congratulate Dani and tell James they would miss him until he decided to return.
As this new topic began to dominate discussion Pym and Francis shared a look and Francis just sighed and smiled but his smile clearly didn’t convey how he truly felt “Things are never going to be the same ever again.”
The scene switches to a few days later post Annihilus defeat. The O5 are all together preapring for the split that is about to happen.
“3 weeks and 4 days. It was just 3 weeks and 4 days ago we were talking about what we were going to do next, and now you're leaving the Avengers, Torunn’s going to Asgard, and Azari’s going off to Wakanda. I’m still…shocked.” Francis told everyone and there wasn’t any teasing remark to his tone, just genuity.
“I know…Honestly sometimes I can’t believe it’s happening either.” Azari said with a sigh “You guys are my family, I don’t know what I’m going to do without you guys.”
“You make it sound like you're not coming back.” Pym pointed out, but Azari simply shook his head.
“I will always come back. I can promise that. But…I’m not dumb enough to believe it will be as much as we’d all like. I’m not King yet but, soon enough I will be. By then Wakanda will be my home full time, it’s just hard to imagine that I’m not going to be around you guys every moment of every day.”
“I know. My heart has been sad the past couple of days. I hate the idea of leaving Francis, Pym, Tony, Bruce, Vision and even Jocasta all alone.”
“Then don’t go.” Pym insisted, and his eyes were clearly begging the Asgardian to stay and she had to shift her stance, lest she let him convince her.
“Pym, I have to. Just trust me on that…I promise I will be back, and will explain it all to you then, but for now I’m needed on Asgard.”
Pym shifted away and frowned, and it hurt to think that they might not believe she was doing something important, especially considering she really was.
“We believe you, Torunn.” Francis basically read her mind “It just hurts knowing you're going to be gone.”
“You won’t be alone guys.” James insisted “Tony, Bruce, Jocasta, Vision will be here. Dani, Cassie, Lyra, May, Riri, Jim, and Robbie will be at the Mansion a lot. You will have people here, and I promise you’ll be able to contact me. The Avengers will also be able to survive just fine.”
“Strength wise, you're right James. Will be just fine but…-
“It’s not about strength.” Pym added on for Francis “You can’t replace friends. I’m sure Francis and I will hit it off with all of those guys but what we’ve been through can never be replicated.”
“It can’t.” James immediately agreed “What we’ve been through has bonded us together to life. And it doesn’t matter how much time, or space, or change we all go through. We are always gonna be family. I promise that. Okay guys? Nothing can change that.”
“Right. I’m gonna miss you James.” And somewhat unlike Pym he enveloped James in a hug.
“I’m gonna miss you too buddy.”
The former Captain hugged him right back and pulled Azari in as well. Azari pulled in Torunn who pulled in Francis and it became one big group hug.
It was obvious change was coming and no matter how bad they all wanted to stay together. Life had to keep moving on. But they were family, and they could promise to be there for each other when they needed it. Always.
The issue ends with a splash page of the Mansion and the group of Heroes together for what seems like the last time for a while. On the top in big bold letters it says:
HEROES OF TOMORROW
NotesEdit
- Talia defeated Annihilus, this twice so far she has been the go to for the heroes, though this time she won.
- Whilst Talia was the one who defeated Annihilus, Torunn was the one who killed him.
- Annihilus becomes very paranoid and less careful without his Cosmic Converter Rod, as he relies on it heavily. Still in this universe Capt10America believes Annihilus is probably a little weaker than his main 616 counterpart.
- In this issue James leaves the Avengers and gives the title of Captain America to Dani. This was a long time coming, and it was clearly implied through the first 9 issues that something like this was going to happen.
- The Heroes of Tomorrow are effectively splitting up. Torunn is headed to Asgard, Azari is headed to Wakanda, and it's not clear if anyone know's where James is going. Pym and Francis are staying in the Mansion, but the Avengers are going to be much different than the one they usually know.
- Torunn believes that if she stares at Pym too long she will give into what he wants, he is like her little brother, and she would do anything for him. But she makes it clear her business in Asgard is very important.
- Robbie is confirmed to have joined the Avengers, though any interactions with him haven't been clearly shown.
- Lyra has officially joined and stayed as well, hoping to get a better relationship with her father, and really live in this new world
- It seems like S.H.I.E.L.D. is in possession of the Cosmic Converter Rod.
- Though depicted Valeria hasn't had a speaking role in over 2 issues.
- Despite being Captain America now, Dani is not the leader of the Avengers rather that has by default gone to Hawkeye, with Pym now as the second in command.
- Dani is worried about becoming Captain America, mainly because she doens't feel worthy, and she doesn't feel like she is the right image. (Because's she's female and black.)
- The next two issues of this volume don't have anything to do with Annihilus, but rather what comes next.
- James Rogers: Super Spy, Yellowjacket, and A New Legacy Vol 3, are all set to come after this series.
TriviaEdit
- No trivia.
See AlsoEdit
Recommended ReadingEdit
- None.
Links and ReferencesEdit
- None.