BOOK ONE, CHAPTER 11

Medusa screamed incoherently as she lashed out at Deathbird. Gorgon let loose with a kick that nearly reduced Timberius to splinters. Karnak desperately tried to get the wounded Black Bolt to safety as the remainder of the treasonous Inhumans, of which there were more than may have been expected, fought the Inhumans who were loyal to the crown.

The Fantastic Four tried desperately to break up the fighting, while Ultimus and the surviving Shi’ar troopers took the side of the Inhuman traitors.

At the same time, Iron Man and Mockingbird exchanged glances, after which Mockingbird signalled Dr. Pym, Spider-Woman, and Super-Patriot to follow her and Iron Man into the heart of Atillan.

The All-Mighty had spent the weeks leading up to their debut carefully studying every known corner of the solar system. Penetrating the Inhumans’ Citadel, they knew exactly where to head for: the dungeons, where the true villain lay in wait.

“MAXIMUS!” screamed Iron Man.

“It is a beautiful battle, is it not?” cackled the grinning, trembling, sickly-looking, badly-postured figure before them.

“You instigated this civil war, and I’m guessing you invited the Shi’ar as well.” said an accusatory Mockingbird.

“I was bored with my imprisonment, as anybody would be, and so I used the excess time on my hands to push my telepathy to its very limits, first influencing any unsatisfied Inhuman, and finally reaching Deathbird, who was very amenable to my plans.” His tone and facial expression became more serious. “The Inhumans were originally bred to be not pacifist sheep, but warlike conquerors. Deathbird and I are merely helping us fulfill our true destiny.”

“A destiny which I suspect,” said Iron Man emotionlessly, “includes taking over the Shi’ar Empire and the eventual conquest of the Earth.”

“But of course!” replied Maximus, punctuating his statement with cruel laughter.

That was all Iron Man needed to hear. One second later, Maximus was choking on his laughter with his last breaths, as a blast from Iron Man’s cannon had left him in an unspeakably gruesome state.

“What have you done??” screamed Mr. Fantastic, who revealed himself after having followed the All-Mighty to their destination.

“We did what you were always afraid to do.” said Iron Man firmly.

“What you should have done when you first had the chance, years ago.” added Mockingbird.

“You’re insane!” declared Mr. Fantastic.

Mr. Fantastic’s words hung in the air uncomfortably as the All-Mighty filed out behind Mockingbird, and Mr. Fantastic was left alone in the dungeon with the bloody remains of one of his team’s most persistent enemies.

Up ahead, in the clearing where the fighting was taking place, the death of Maximus and the end of his telepathic influence had turned the tide of the battle in favor of the Inhuman loyalists and the three members of the Fantastic Four. Medusa had Deathbird bound and was beginning to choke Deathbird to death.

“Surrender, Shi’ar,” said Medusa, “or your Viceroy dies!”

“Do as she says!” commanded Ultimus.

“Now,” continued Medusa, “you will take all the Inhuman traitors with you, back to your empire. Thus, you will have the reinforcements you claim to need so badly. You are to never return here, or we shall show you no mercy. Have I made myself clear?”

“Yes...yes!” hissed Deathbird. “Now let me go...” she made contact with Medusa’s angry eyes, then added, “...please.”

The Shi’ar ships were taking off as the All-Mighty returned to the site of battle.

“You let them live?” said Mockingbird incredulously to Medusa.

“I did.” replied Medusa.

“My queen,” interrupted Karnak, who was hunched over Black Bolt, “our king shall live.”

“Too bad we can’t say the same about his brother.” snickered Super-Patriot, suddenly realizing he had just done a stupid thing.

“YOU KILLED MAXIMUS?” shrieked Medusa.

“I did.” replied Iron Man.

“MURDERER!!” she screamed as she attempted to attack him, only for Spider-Woman to ensnare her in psi-webs.

The All-Mighty knew the time had come to teleport back to the Satellite Supreme. This they did, leaving the Inhumans and the Fantastic Four hurt and confused.