His father was the greatest of Heroes, saving the entire universe from subjugation time and time again! Now he must continue that tradition , his powers are the same, but his outlook is different. He wields the mighty Nega bands and has the Celestial insight of Cosmic Awareness. The universe is his inheritance, for he is its Protector as he struggles to find his place amidst the Heavens, his buds call him Genis, but he's known and feared by his enemies as........ Captain Marvel !

Captain Marvel #76

"Burning Bright!"

By Ralph L. Angelo Jr

Splash Page: Captain Marvel soars through the galactic ether on his way back to Titan.

Genis: ( I'm glad I let The Destroyer and Starfox take the "Rapiers Wit" back to Titan. I need some time on my own here to think.)

Page 2

Genis: ( This whole Black Sun thing is getting more and more out of control. I never even knew about Stellerax, I guess he was one of the bad guys dad defeated along the way that he never bothered to make an entry about. Either that or I never found the entry. Which means someone deleted it. Hhhmm. Now also I've gotta consider that I may actually be in way over my head here too. If Black Sun has powerhouses like Stellerax on his payroll, who else does he have his hand on that could give me a run for the money. Since Black Sun doesn't show up on my cosmic awareness. I have no way of knowing who he's using or connected to. Man this sucks. First that battle with Yon-Rogg , then getting trapped in the Negative Zone, then as soon as I free myself from there with Thors help, this psycho sentient star attacks me and almost kills me.)*

* A recap of our last years worth of stories

Page 3

Genis exits warp space near Titan and prepares to enter the planets gravity well when.....

Voice from behind: " Hold Captain, I would have words with you."

Genis turns, already knowing who has called to him by virtue of his cosmic awareness.

Genis: "Again you appear unwanted with your own hidden agendas. What do you want THANOS?"

Thanos: "To talk boy, that is all. To talk."

Genis: "We already had our little tea party * purple puss. I got nothin' else to say to you."

See issue #74

Thanos: "That is a shame lad. I come offering you the means to defeat the threat of Black Sun."

Genis has heard this from Thanos before . The first time he refused Thanos' offer of aid, now he's not so sure he doesn't want to hear the dread Titans words.

Page 4

Thanos: (Ah, good. The boy hesitates. He is my captive audience.)

Thanos: "I offer you my power and my experience youth. Thanos has been many things in his time, but he has at times sided with the angels as well as the demons."

Genis: Yeah I know all about The Infinity mess a few years ago. What's your deal now? What's in this for you?"

Thanos pauses momentarily and gazes outwards across the heavens. Then he turns his icy gaze back to Genis. His black eyes glisten like burning coals as he speaks.

Thanos: "Look around you Captain Marvel, The universe as you know it will cease to exist if Black Sun has his way. All you know will cease to be."

Genis: "I don't know about that. What are you talking about here? I know he's making some kinda power play, but I have no idea what exactly."

Page 5

Thanos: "That's right, you don't . But I do, He seeks to become God. He seeks to control , no, rather to become every star in the heavens. Then all will be his to control."

Genis: "Why should I believe you? You're the lord of lies. Nothing you do doesn't have an ulterior motive. What is it? What's your motive here?"

Thanos: "If he wins this war with you, then all the universe loses. I will lose. I will lose every opportunity I will ever have to become the conqueror I am destined to be. If you win, my possibilities are endless."

Genis: "Ah , your true reasons finally come out. Somehow I figured you weren't being altruistic."

Thanos: "All my cards are on the table boy. My offer stands. Between us we wield considerable power. Along with the fool Destroyer and my vainglorious brother we would be all but undefeatable."

Page 6

Genis: "Yeah, until the next time you go nutso."

Thanos : "Again boy ,whatever you consider will impact the universe itself. Choose wisely."

Genis: "So you're tellin' me that I should choose between the devil I know and the devil I don't huh? Well guess what Big guy? I ain't choosin' either! I'm doing fine without your help ."

Thanos:" Well boy , that is your mistake to make . Pray for the sake of all infinity that I am wrong."

With that Thanos disappears into warp space. In the same instant a ring of Saturn flares brightly as something shoots away from it, rocketing towards Captain Marvel on a tail of cosmic Flame !

Genis: "What the? Now what?"

Page 7

The blazing comet like figures races through space, finally pulling up short before Genis-Vell, revealing itself to be...

Genis: "Firelord!?! What the heck are you doing here?"

Firelord : "I shall be the one asking the questions Captain Marvel, not you. I had thought better of you, but to see you in league with Thanos!"

Genis: "Excuse me? What are you nuts? I'm not in league with anyone, let alone gravel puss. And not for nothing, what are you doing following me? Why are you interested in what I'm doing and who I'm talking to? "

F L : "It is my right as a former herald of Galactus. You dare to ally yourself with the evil that is Thanos, and then seek to cover yourself with innocence. Truly , you are a devil. But now I know and will deal with you properly!"

Page 8

Genis : "This is some kinda joke right? I'm no more in league with Thanos then you are!"

Suddenly Firelord blasts a fiery beam of energy at Genis-Vell !

F L : "Wrong thing to say deceiver, I recently listened to Thanos' lies and almost was involved in murdering an innocent child*. I know the evil of Thanos firsthand. Now I know YOUR evil as well !"

* see FF 423-425

He blankets space with his cosmic flame, seeking to stop Genis from moving, but failing miserably as the Universal Protector nimbly avoids the flame blasts!

Genis: "Give it up F L, I can keep this up all day, now c'mon, lets's sit down and talk this out. Black Sun is the immediate threat here, not Thanos. I know the big "T" is bad news, but this guy is the devil himself! You gotta believe me here Firelord."

Page 9

Firelord fires a blistering fire beam , catching Genis and slamming him through space

SHA-VOOOOM!

F L : "Why should I whelp? Your tone reminds me of the annoying Spider-Man, whom I DESPISE!"

Genis: (Wow!, I better quit the wise cracking. This guy has a serious mad on. Time to get serious.)

Genis: "Okay Flame top, you wanna rumble? Lets do it!"

Captain Marvel rockets into Firelord, unleashing a tremendous left that knocks the former herald end over end!

Pa-KOW~!

Page 10

Black Sun smiles. It is a sight that sends shivers down the spine of even the strongest of men. He is satisfied, very, very satisfied. Behind him countless black suited technicians move wordlessly as they configure and reconfigure sensitive equipment.

B S : "Noctu, attend me ! The time is ripe! Let the universe tremble ! Its master is come! The heavens will quake for Black Sun is now the Lord of all reality! Hahahahahahahahaha!"

Noctu: " Black Sun, need I remind you not to proclaim your victory so soon? The Ascension begins tonight , true but you are still many hours away from your intended goal of Universal domination."

B S : "Bah! Nothing can stop me faithful Noctu, nothing and no one. The youth, Captain Marvel is otherwise engaged by the hot headed and easily manipulated Firelord, and will remain thus occupied until I am in full possession of the Universe. And because I allowed no one who is close to me in any way to have the slightest contact with the Captain, he has no knowledge of my whereabouts. Not that I am uncertain of the outcome of any battle between us."

Page 11

Noctu: "Again, I council you not to underestimate the Captain. He is extremely powerful, and he learns from his mistakes. Another battle between you would not go so easy in your favor as the first."

B S : " I heed your council my friend, but I also consider my own as well. This boy Captain is a true foe, that is why I sought him out initially. He was the only one in all the universe, with his vaunted Cosmic Awareness, who had a chance against my plans. Now I will make the Ascension, and none will stand in my way! If he seeks to stop me, I will destroy him with a stray thought. Long have I planned for this very moment Noctu, a thousand years and more have brought us to this day! No one, I repeat, NO ONE will stop me!"

Noctu sighs, in his black heart he knows his Master is wrong, and that he is indeed underestimating the resolve of his enemy. But what is he, a lowly aid to do? If the Master of all reality wants to do things his way , who will say him nay?

Page 12

B S : "In one hour we begin the Ascension. Let the heavens cry, for my wrath will be great at those who have wronged me, or stood in my way."

Noctu shudders at this. Black Sun will be a stern master, something all of creation will find shortly.

Starfox of Titan, otherwise known as Eros enters his Fathers quarters and is momentarily taken aback, before him a holographic image floats in the air of a child he recognizes as himself, a childlike Thanos , and a centuries younger Mentor as well as an image of his mother. A much , much younger image of his mother then he ever remembered. An image that bears more then a striking resemblance to...

Eros: " Elysius?!? Father, what ..is this... what does this mean??? Is this why you stopped me from trying to further anything between Elysius and myself? Is it because she bears such a striking similarity to Mother?"

Page 13

Mentor looks at his son and wordlessly shuts the image off. The he clasps his hands behind his back and begins to stare out the window at the Paradise he created inside this barren ball of rock. Suddenly his shoulders sag and he lets out an exasperated breath before turning to face his son.

Mentor: "My boy, Elysius does not only bear a striking resemblance to your mother, she is an exact genetic duplicate of your mother, down to the smallest DNA sample. She , for all intents and purposes is an exact clone of Sui-San, your mother."

Eros: "You knew this all along? You never told me? Or her for that matter? Gods of all creation man, what is WRONG with you? For YEARS she has lived here and you knew all along? Why father, WHY?"

Mentor: "I have loved her in my own small way Eros. As I would a daughter. She may be a clone of your mother, but she is not your mother. She is another person entirely. And she deserves the right to create her own destiny, not to live in the shadow of a long ago dead woman."

Page 14

Eros begins to pace the room as would a caged tiger.

Eros: "Why was this done? Was this another thorn in your side designed by Thanos to annoy you? What else could it be? Oh if he was here I would..."

Mentor: "You would attack him and be defeated, torn limb from limb by his superior power. Your brother is a demon from hell born of man and woman my son. For all your faults, you are an angel compared to his dark nature."

Eros: "You still haven't answered my question, why did he do this thing?"

Mentor: "I would assume it was as you said, to get to me in some way. He is an evil thing, and would use any opportunity to bring me pain. When his hidden program drove Isaac insane and made him create his army from the life baths, Elysius was one of the first. When I saw her I knew Thanos had created her as only a means to drive me to further despair even many years after your mothers death."

Page 15

Mentor: "But my boy, a good thing has come of this, I assume to Thanos' chagrin. First Elysius broke from her programming and became Mar-Vells mate, and secondly she bore the Universe its next champion, Genis."

Eros: "Speaking of which..He should've been here by now. Where can the good Captain be?"

Genis is slammed backwards by Firelords spinning flaming staff!

POW!

Firelord: "You fight well Captain, but I will defeat you. You will be brought to justice for your foul choice of ally."

Genis rights himself and races back towards Firelord

Genis: "For the final time flame brain, I AM NOT IN LEAGUE WITH THANOS!"

Page 16

He unleashes twin Photon beams, which batter the flaming former Xandarian starship Captain , and send him tumbling.

F L : "You are powerful, but not powerful enough, feel the fury of the cosmos!"

Holding his staff in both hands across his chest he unleashes withering blasts of cosmic flame at Genis, but suddenly Captain Marvel flies through his barrage, to unleash a devastating right, followed by a prodigious left.

Boom!, Koom!

Genis: "I'm through with words here hot head. Time to end this parade."

Suddenly Captain Marvels face seems to reflect the cosmos itself, as he becomes a calm , immobile statue. His continence is at rest as the fiery cosmic knight whirls his powerful flame staff and streaks angrily at Captain Marvel!

Page 17

Firelord Strikes! His powerful flaming fist delivers a blow that would destroy an asteroid, crumpling it to dust. But Captain Marvel is not there! He has flown into warp space at the instant of impact! Firelord is thrown off balance and hurtles through the void out of control! Fighting to right himself, he never sees Captain Marvel return to "real" space, until it's to late! Augmenting his already great strength with the Nega- Bands that crackle and growl at his wrists, Captain Marvel unleashes a right handed punch that would crack a small moon with its force, and Firelord does not even see it coming! The result is obvious.

Ba-KOOOOOM!

Page 18

Unconscious , Firelord tumbles through space, until Genis grabs him and rockets towards Titan.

Later....

Firelord bolts upright, realizing he is in a med-center somewhere. Looking around as he sees Eros, and Mentor next to the bed he occupies .

F L : "Friend Eros! How did I arrive here? Last I remember was my battle with the evil youth Captain Marvel. "

Eros: "He's not evil. He's my nephew of a sort, and the universes last hope against Black Sun."

F L : "WHAT? Are you saying he's not in league with Thanos? I saw them together! He must be..."

Page 19

Genis enters the room at that moment, Firelord begins to glow red flames from his brow at the sight of Captain Marvel.

F L : "YOU! I will..."

Mentor: "You will do nothing Pyreus Krill. You are a guest here on Titan and will abide by my rules. Thanos is not the immediate threat here, but Black Sun is. How did you come to attack Genis-Vell? Was it at Black Suns request?"

F L :"H-he requested a meeting between us, Claimed to being harassed by Captain Marvel and showed me holo-vids of the Captain attacking his places of business as well as Captain Marvels meetings with Thanos, one of which I saw before I confronted the Captain."

Mentor: "He played you for a fool. He used you to stall Genis from attacking him directly. "

Genis: "That must mean he's nearing the hour of his final assault. This is very bad."

Page 20

Eros: "and you still cannot get any form of reading on him with your Cosmic Awareness?"

Genis: "No, none whatsoever. He planned this well. We're in trouble gents. I think this is the final gambit."

F L : "You have my apologies Captain Marvel, and my hand in friendship. I will aid you in battling this devil. His location is known to me. I will take you to him."

Just then the lights in the infirmary begin to dim and go dark. As one the entire group run for Mentors command center.

Minutes later...

Mentor: "It is as we feared, all reality is being re-written. Entire starsystems are being ex-punged while whole others are being created. He is like a black wave, washing away all that was and leaving his imprint on the sands of eternity."

Page 21

Eros: "Then we're to late."

Genis: "No, it's never to late. Firelord, where is his base of operations, how do you know where he is and if he's still there?"

F L : "He is on Earth, at an ancient fortress that Adam Warlock once used with his Infinity Watch. He is on Monster Island!"

Next: "The final chapter! As Captain Marvel, The Destroyer, Starfox, Firelord, and the Avengers as well as Power-Man and Iron fist attack the fortress of Black sun in a double sized delight we hadda call " The Ascension!"

Link to the unbelievable ending to the Black Sun saga!

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