I'm comin' home Part IV
Epilogue of the Gods !
Captain Marvel #101
By Ralph L. Angelo Jr.
Captain Marvel descends on Titan, planet of his scientifically created birth, as he does, his heart is light. Much has happened to him in the last few days. Much that offers his battle weary soul a closure of sorts. * As he enters the air locks that separate the inner world of Titan from its dead barren exterior, Genis-Vell smiles contentedly.
*See Our last issue, as well as the MV1 Valentines day special
"I can't wait to see them all." He thinks. "Starfox, Mentor, even Drax and Firelord. But especially. Mom."
He enters Titans inner atmosphere and breathes deeply. A Holographic sun shines in the eastern sky, signaling morning across the bright blue sky and rolling , hilly meadows below, as holo-clouds move lazily across the pseudo-skyline.
"There they are." He muses to himself."Mom and Mentor."
He streaks towards Mentors Palace, and lands amidst its lush gardens, as his glittering photon trail follows him down.
Immediately, Elysius' head turns his way as he descends, and she smiles brightly. "Genis!" She exclaims loudly, as she hugs her son tightly.
"Uh, Hi Mom." He returns her hug , as Mentor lays a hand on his shoulder.
"It's good to see you back, my boy." Mentor smiles.
Genis takes his hand, and shakes it. "It's good to see you to, Mentor. It's great to see you both actually. It's such a relief just to be home again."
"You were trapped on Earth for far to long, my boy. But that unjust incarceration is over now."*
*See our last 8 issues
"We'll have a great feast and celebration in your honor, Genis." Mentor continues. "Tonight will be a night that will live in our history as the return of the hero."
"Uh," Genis begins, "If it's all the same to you, Mentor, I'd rather just have a quiet night at home. I'm beat. I can charge up my batteries by absorbing some solar energy, but mentally, I'm shot, and I need some sleep."
Mentor smiles, "Of course my boy, whatever you want."
"Great , Mentor, thanks." He looks around and notices something. "You guys rebuilt everything pretty darned fast after the attack by the Inbetweener*. "
*See issue # 95
"Yes, we wanted to return our world to its previous splendor." Elysius answers, as she hugs her son once more.
Genis looks around, then speaks again "Uh, Mom, Where's Eros? I didn't sense his presence when I arrived, and I'm surprised he's not here ."
Mentor turns away as Elysius answers her son.
"Genis, you remember during the revisionist war how Eros and I were supposed to be married?"
"Yeah, sure, what about it?"
"Well, it seems that put some sort of fear of me into him. He rarely is in the same place as I any more."
"You're kidding..." Genis answers her, stunned.
"No, I'm afraid not. I guess even a false marriage was to much for a man named Eros."
"Wow, I'm sorry Mom." Genis almost mumbles, both embarrassed for Starfox, and feeling sorry for his mother.
"Don't worry about it , Genis. I've been through this once before with Starfox, after your father passed away."
"Oh , I wasn't aware." he returns.
"I believe we should turn our attentions toward happier pursuits." Mentor intones. "Your quarters are prepared for you , Captain Marvel, and feel free to join the rest of us for dinner, or to simply relax alone, whatever you prefer."
"Thanks Mentor. I'll see you guys later, I need some sleep."
He waves to them both as he takes to the air, heading towards his quarters, photon trail glittering in his wake.
"Man, I just couldn't deal with another big party right now. I just want to chill out a little bit for once, and be a guy in his early twenties. Well, at least act like one." He mulls as he lands on the balcony of his terrace.
Within minutes, he's passed out on his bed, his mind a chaotic mess of whirring nightmares...
Hours later...
"Ka-may-ha-may-ha!" The television blares loudly as Genis sits up in his bed bare chested, a broad grin covering his face, as cartoon characters fire energy blasts at one another, decimating mountains, and then trading blows faster then the eye could follow.
"What are you watching?" A familiar voice from the door asks.
"Eros?" Genis turns towards the man he used to think of as an uncle of sorts. Now he's not so sure. Still, he's glad to see Starfox, and extends his hand as he hops off the bed.
"It's an Earth cartoon. Super-humans, all ultra powerful, in some futuristic land and time. They're all almost supremely powerful."
"Hhhmmpph." Starfox grunts. "Seems almost ridiculous. Who has power levels like that?"
"Uhh, we do?" Genis answers.
"Well, besides us, I meant. We are Gods you know. Well, almost anyway."
"Maybe you are, but I'm only half Titanian."
"True, Captain Marvel, but it is your better half, you know."
Genis laughs and gestures Starfox over to an empty chair in his room.
"So what's up? Where've you been? I figured you'd have been there when I returned."
Starfox sighs as he slumps into the plush chair. "I, I guess I've been keeping my distance from your mother. I didn't want to be around when you came back,. I didn't want to have to confront her."
"Or her confront you , you mean."
"Oh. I guess she spoke to you already?"
"Yes she did, Eros. What's going on here? Why aren't you being civil to her. I know you have feelings for her."
"I do Gen, it's just that, I saw myself as the married home maker during the whole Revisionist war, and it wasn't something I relished. Actually, It scared me. A lot. I don't want to be in that position. While I do have feelings for Elysius, I know I'll never be happy tied down to one woman. It's just not in my nature."
"Okay then, fair enough. But why can't you be her friend? She never did anything to you."
"You're right Genis, I know . I'll fix it."
"Good. She doesn't deserve to be shoved aside, especially without an explanation. She's already been through a ton of stuff in her time. Be cool with her, will you?"
"O-okay, Genis, I got it. And I'm sorry I was blowing her off, for what it's worth. "
"Don't tell me , Starfox, tell her."
Genis picks up the remote, and makes the TV louder.
"Now lets hang out and watch this show, it rocks. There's soda and chips in the fridge, go help yourself."
Starfox gets up smiling, and leaves the room. As he does, Genis suddenly feels the cosmos shift in his perspective, as his face reflects the stars themselves.
"Uh oh ." Is all he has time to blurt out , as suddenly he simply disappears in a burst of light.
"Okay Gen I brought enough for both o- Where'd he go?" Starfox looks around wide eyed, as his full arms drop the soda cans and chips on the bed.
Elsewhere... Captain Marvel reappears in a star shaped burst of light, to find himself floating fully clothed amongst the stars, as well as beings who would be deemed Gods of the most abstract kind. The Cosmic Unity !
"Genis-Vell, known to the cosmos as the Universal Protector recognized as Captain Marvel." Begins Eon, "You have been called here to hear our demands and our judgement of you."
"Waitaminute, didn't I just go through this with you guys?"
"Ignore him, Captain Marvel." Lord Chaos speaks. "He is more concerned with theatrics then a true finalizing of our business together."
"Okay, I'll bite, What do you guys want this time?"
Master Order answers now. "You are to be commended for your defeat of the rogue female Starbrand*. You saved countless lives, and saved the universe itself from ruination."
*Again, Last issue
"Okay, thanks. But why'd you guys drag me here?"
"You are here, boy, to knows the terms of our forthcoming agreement." Answers Love
"What agreement? What are you trying to coax me into this time?"
Suddenly the stars coalesce into a mighty and towering form, that of Eternity itself. And Eternity speaks! "The agreement we are offering you , Captain , is this: You may continue to act on your own, as a free agent for good across the universe, and as a Universal Protector. But when we call on you for a matter we deem pressing, you will aid us. Those are the terms of our working agreement."
"Look Eternity, I don't like jumping through hoops for anyone, so I'm not really happy with this deal you're trying to force down my throat here."
"He is insolent." Infinity speaks to Eternity.
"Yes, but that suits him well. It aids him in his battles. This is right." Eternity turns back towards Captain Marvel.
"Universal Protector. You are being given a chance to act as no other Universal protector has ever acted in the past, as one without an emissary to guide you. We ask nothing of you that you wouldn't already do . Would you deny us?"
"Well, since you put it that way..." Genis almost mumbles as he considers things. "I guess if it's stuff I would normally fight against, what's the harm."
"Ah so then you agree?" Asks Order.
"Yes, I agree." He answers firmly, crossing his arms on his chest.
"Good." answers Lord Chaos "When we have need of you, you will be called upon. Be prepared universal protector."
And suddenly, as quickly as it happened, Captain Marvel finds himself back in his apartments, a perplexed Starfox standing there holding a can of soda, as chips cover the bed.
"Whoa, " Genis begins, "Have I been gone long?"
"No..." Stumbles Eros, "Actually less then a second. If I hadn't been here, I would never have known you had disappeared. Mind telling me what that was all about?"
"I'm not to sure myself, Eros. To be honest. I'll share it with you someday, when I figure it out eventually."
Just then the monitor flares to life, a picture of Isaac, the sentient computer of Titan filing the screen, instead of battling Meta-Humans. "Captain Marvel, there has been a call received, seeking your immediate aid directly from the Earths Himalaya's.It would appear to be a dire emergency from the timbre of the call . While master Eros has a guest who has just arrived here."
"What's going on here? Can't a guy catch a break?" Genis bemoans angrily.
"Relax Genis, take the Rapier Wit, so you can relax along the way. I've got to go see my company. Isaac, please make sure I'm not disturbed for a few hours."
"Okay Eros, I guess you'll never change, but that's okay. Just give me a hand getting the Wit prepped for Take off"
Both men fly down the hallways of Titan, heading for the hanger deck, and a waiting adventure !
