“Ben…”

The man groaned and grumbled hearing the soft, far away voice speaking his name. He tugged on the fresh-smelling sheets over him, the warm, thick comforter pulling them higher as he rolled onto his side trying to ignore the voice. He could sense the dim light behind closed eyelids, the tantalizing smell of bacon frying somewhere far away as the voice urged him up and awake but he ignored it.

“Ben…”

He felt the soft warm touch on his shoulder, the slightest squeeze and caress. Weight on his hips as the bed shifted slightly, creaking and something brushing through his hair, scratching at his scalp. A scent of lavender as warm air breathed into his ear; something hot and wet dipping inside.

“It’s time to get up.”

“Nnnngh…”

Soft, warm lips on his cheek, his forehead and the tip of his nose; kissing his own lips…

Benjamin J. Grimm reached up and wrapped his arms about the slim form of the woman he loved, pulling her fully onto him as he rolled back onto his back. Finally he forced his eyes open and saw Alicia’s beautiful, smiling face swirling into focus. As always he was overwhelmed by the love he saw in her bright blue eyes; love for him. He leaned up as she leaned in meeting her kiss as he held her close for the longest time, never wanting to let her go…

Finally though, after a too short eternity she pushed back, up and away and settled back on her haunches still smiling down at him. He saw the slightest mischievous look cross her face as she settled on his lap and chuckled. Then she shook her head.

“Much as I’d like to spend the day in bed with you today, Mister Grimm, you’ve got a busy day ahead of you.”

“Awww… I don’t wanna go to school, Ma…” Alicia Grimm laughed.

“I am not your mother, Benjamin. I’m your wife, and you will do as I say.”

“Nnn… Guess this is one’a them ‘worse’ moments the preacher was talkin’ about, hunh?” Alicia gave him a quick kiss then slapped his chest before crawling off of her husband and out of their bed. She pulled her robe tight, retying the long sash about her waist.

“It will be,” she joked, playing along, “if you don’t get out of bed… Now!” Ben grinned and raised his hands in defeat.

“Okay, boss.”

Ben Grimm smiled lazily as his wife gave him a cute little smirk, turned and sashayed out of the bedroom. He loved the playful swish of her hips and the way she simply looked and moved with a grace few could match. She had been all style and poise during the years she had been blind, but when Reed Richards and Philip Masters had discovered a cure for her blindness and she could finally see again she seemed to become lithe as a cat and even more aware of the world around her than a normal person. It had been incredible, and Ben had never been so happy when she at last set eyes on him, her love only growing, along with his.

And he saw that love every time he woke up, and all day, every day. Alicia loved life and everything she saw; every new experience and it reflected back to him and Ben felt her ever-present warmth and sheer joy. Life was so good with her… perfect…

Ben groaned and pulled the bed covers higher, up about his head, content. That thought alone was worth five minutes more sleep…

LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING

By Curt Fernland

CRACK!

Ben Grimm charged to the baseline watching with growing pride as the baseball soared higher and higher over the outfield. He could hear the crowd cheering from the nickel bleachers, on their feet and shouting, waving their arms as Jake ran for all he was worth towards first base, ignoring the ball’s flight as the opposing Monarchs shifted all over the field running to cover the infield bases and get under the ball.

Jake rounded first in seconds as the old cowhide sphere reached its apex and Ben’s eyes shifted to the other runner; young Franklin rounding second without stopping, pushing on towards third for all he was worth. In the outfield he saw Kristoff Von Doom dashing forward trying to get under the rapidly falling ball, his mitt up high and ready to catch.

“Run Jake!”

“C’mon, Frank!”

He could hear Alicia’s voice over the roaring crowd, shouting louder than anyone, almost. Suzy was right there beside her in the bleachers cheering on his Godson for all she was worth; the two proud mothers excited as hell, caught up in the game. The entire crowd was on their feet in fact; in the stands, along the sidelines, all yelling wildly for either the visiting Monarchs or the home team, the Fantastic Force.

Frank hit third and staggered a bit, trying to stay in the baseline as he ran all the harder rounding the curve; Herbie the Third Base Coach waving him on to keep going for Home. Not so far behind, Jake shot past second, well on his way to third and catching up to Frank. Not that his scoring would matter. It was Bottom of the Ninth with the score almost tied; Monarchs 3, the Fantastic Force 2. If… when Franklin Richards scored, the Force would tie it up, and if Jake could score…. Ben shouted both boys on, the whole team up on their feet and cheering wildly about him.

Ben’s gaze shifted to Right Field as the ball finally came dropping back down. Kristoff von Doom was in good position; his glove held high ready to make the catch that would end the game. Ben frowned. It didn’t look good. If Kristoff caught the ball Jake would be out and the Monarchs would win. Kristoff licked his lips looking up almost desperately as the ball came closer…

Closer…

Frank scored as Jake touched third, Herbie’s thin, metallic arm wind-milling for him to continue on towards Home. The little robot had seemed a toy when Richards first presented it to the two families a few Christmases ago as a potential babysitter for the kids, but it had proven to be a real help; extremely smart and programmed for almost anything. Apparently even something as mundane as Third Base Coach, analyzing the plays and making the right decisions as he urged his son on. Jacob Grimm put his head down and charged for Home.

A bright, flashing burst of fiery scarlet suddenly flared in the sky lighting up everything in a blinding crimson wash. Ben heard the crowd yelling louder as he winced, rubbing at his eyes, blinking; Kristoff’s screech of panic shriller than all the others. As his vision cleared he saw the boy stumble and fall, sprawling to the grass even as the ball landed just inches away from his outstretched mitt; bouncing out of his reach. His step-sister Valeria was there though running from Center Field as back-up to scoop up the ball and hurtle it Home in a quick, graceful flurry of motion. It shot by just past and above Jake as he dove face first at the plate, arms stretched and reaching for all he was worth…

BAMF!

The ball hit Rudolfo’s catcher’s mitt with the force and sound of a gunshot as the young, deposed prince of Latveria swept his arm forward frantically trying to tag Jake out. Jake squirmed and rolled to the side at the last moment avoiding the sweeping touch and slapping Home with his right palm with a loud CRACK.

“Safe!” the Umpire declared waving his arms wide and the crowd went wild…

“Two-four-six-eight!

“Who do we appreciate?

“Monarchs!

“Monarchs!

GOooo… Monarchs!”

Ben watched as all the boys; his Little League team surged forward to congratulate the second-place team; not the losers, never the losers in his book. The Latverian Monarchs were tough and well-disciplined; almost playing the game like robots they were so efficient and precise. If not for that weird, scarlet solar flare, Kristoff would have caught the ball and he would have been the hero of the game; the star of the whole season. Ben scanned the two teams searching for the young boy even as Jake ran up to him gushing with excitement.

“Did I do good, Dad? Did’ja see?” Ben laughed at the boy’s exuberance, reached out and ruffled his hand through his son’s long, brown hair with a huge smile.

“Ya did great, kid. Yer Aunt Petunia would be proud.” Jacob Grimm beamed his delight. Alicia was there then taking their son in her arms and smothering him with hugs and kisses; Jake blushing red and trying to pull free of her embrace, embarrassed. Ben caressed her back lightly as he passed heading towards the other team’s coach.

He couldn’t hear what Victor Von Doom was saying to the boy, but Kristoff was crying and looking crestfallen. Not his business, Ben swallowed down a retort for his old, State College friend and extended his hand in congratulations as he approached the pair. Doom turned his way, his face dark and angry.

“Great game, Vic,” Ben offered as Doom tentatively shook his hand. “But for that weird flash ‘a sun, you would’a had us.”

“Yes…” Doom looked up to the sky, his brow knitting. “A strange occurrence. If I believed in fate, I would protest.”

“Sure…” Ben shrugged. Victor Von Doom was always a bit off in Ben’s opinion, even back in college. Honorable, sure, but a bit over zealous in his need to win all the time; to always be the best whether in competition with Reed Richards or here on the International Little League field. He was unnerving at times, but still a friend.

Ben saw Doom’s younger daughter, Valeria standing not so far away and flashed her a smile. She sniffed, arms folded and staring daggers at her step-brother, Kristoff, obviously blaming him for their team’s loss. Ben shook his head as he squatted down and placed a hand on the shoulder of Victor Von Doom’s ward.

“Ya played a great game, Kris; ya should be proud.” Young Kristoff snuffled back his tears, wiped his eyes and looked up, forcing a weak smile as Ben squeezed his shoulder.

“Thanks, Uncle Ben. I’ll practice and be better next year.”  Ben smiled.

“Sure ya will. Now why don’t you go help yer team gather up yer equipment?” The boy nodded then looked to Doom. The Monarch’s coach scowled at the boy a final time then nodded in turn. Kristoff quickly ran off as Ben stood.

“All a’ ya gather up yer gear an’ I’ll see ya at Abby’s in an hour; pizza’s on me,” he called out so all could hear.  A cheer went up from both teams and even Doom had to smile…

Ben Grimm kissed his wife around a mouthful of pepperoni pizza. Alicia laughed as she pulled away, hot cheese steaming on her chin. Wiping it away with a paper napkin she stared lovingly at her husband for a long moment as he took a healthy chug of his beer. He seemed fine, happy with their victory at the game and yet… She could sense something was bothering him. There was that distant look in his eyes like he was a million miles away.

She looked to the neighboring table; the kiddie table she supposed where all the players from the two teams had settled with soft drinks and several large pizzas scattered amongst them. They were loud and raucous as they devoured the pies; laughing and joking at the tops of their lungs, elbowing one another and talking with their open mouths full. None of the adults seated at their own long wooden table said anything to them to quiet them down however. They had all played a great game after a long season and were now all just letting off their final steam. They all deserved to have a little fun now that the season was over, including the parents, guardians and other adults.

All along their own table the happy parents of both teams were enjoying their free pizza and beer. Ben had called ahead and win or lose he had reserved the entire pizza parlor for the after-game-end-of-season party. Alicia knew it had been a hefty price, especially on a weekend night. Abby’s Pizza was the best in town and ungodly busy any night of the week. Some parents like Victor and Susan had chipped in, but still it had to be expensive, but to see everyone having a good time, to see all the happy, smiling faces on all the kids, it was worth it. A sight she would never forget.

Alicia grabbed just one more thin slice of Hawaiian Pineapple from the pan and took a bite; she’d have to diet starting tomorrow… maybe. Enjoying her slice she glanced to her right as motion caught her eye. Susan Richards just setting her cell phone down on the table with a sigh. She looked depressed.

“Bad news?” Alicia asked and Sue looked her way shaking her head. She forced a slight smile.

“The usual,” Susan replied, “not bad news, just disappointing. I really thought Reed would try to get away for the game, or at least join us here. And I suppose he did try to get away,” she shrugged, “but you know Reed. Once he gets started on a project he gets so focused he forgets everything else.”

“That’s called tunnel vision, Suzy,” Ben Grimm chimed in from Alicia’s left. “Don’t worry about it. He’s been like that since college; him an’ Vic both. Egg heads through an’ through. If it wasn’t fer me crackin’ ol’ Stretcho’s shell he’d be locked up in some lab 24/7.”

“I know,” Susan replied plucking a piece of pineapple from one of the remaining pizza slices and popping it into her mouth. “Still, it’d be nice for him to be here; if not for me, then for Frank.” Susan looked to the kiddie table at her son laughing at something his Nanny, Debra Bernard just told him. Hopefully not another off-color joke. Debra was fantastic at her job, but sometimes…

“What’s he workin’ on now?” Ben asked around another mouthful of pizza. Alicia smiled knowing Ben was trying to stay with the conversation and lift Sue’s spirits again, but he still seemed half-distracted. She followed his gaze towards the huge plate glass windows lining the front of the pizza parlor wondering just what was distracting him. She saw a man.

He was slim and slight she could tell even in the huge, bulky trenchcoat he was wearing. He looked homeless she supposed, not even wearing a shirt; the coat stained and his long brown hair matted down in spots and sticking up in wild disarray in others. She could see ribs and cheekbones, his eyes sunken and overshadowed by his brows as he stared through the window watching the party, frowning. She had seen him around town before, usually wandering aimlessly, never bothering anyone or even asking for a hand-out. He seemed familiar beyond that but she didn’t know why. Alicia didn’t even know his name.

“Who is that?” she asked leaning over to speak softly just so her husband could hear. Ben turned to her and sighed.

“His name’s Bob,” Ben answered dropping his half-eaten slice of pizza back into the pan. “Just a homeless guy; he’ll wander off in a minute.”

“He’s probably hungry,” Alicia spoke with worry. She looked at the table and all the uneaten food that would have to be boxed up and taken home as leftovers. “We should ask him in; feed him at least.” Ben Grimm looked to his wife with love at the concern in her voice. She’d save the world if she could and make him do the same. He shook his head trying to sound pleasant.

“He don’t smell too good,” Ben tried to nicely explain, “an’ I doubt the employees wanna deal with him.” Ben paused and looked towards the homeless man again. “He’s a little unstable too; breaks out in fits a’ rage all the time fer no reason. He’s got a lotta anger bottled up in him. Prob’ly not a good idea he’s in here with the kids.”

“You know him?” Alicia asked, shocked. She bit her lip as she grabbed one of the empty cardboard, take-home boxes one of the parents had asked for. Ben watched as she started loading it with pizza slices.

“Used to. He was actually one’a Reed an’ Vic’s cronies after college, back when they were all workin’ on hush-hush, top secret stuff for the government. Reed said he was the leadin’ expert on radiation research at the time. Way I heard it he was workin’ on some bomb for the army, but when they tested it… well, there was an accident.

“Seems some kid snuck on’ ta the test grounds just a couple minutes for the test fer some dare. It was too late ta’ stop the test so Bob stole a jeep an’ was racin’ out ta’ save the kid when the bomb went off. The kid died in the blast an’ Bob got caught in the fringes; burned with radiation an’ broke up from the force of the explosion.

“He changed; got depressed an’ angry that the kid died. He didn’t want nothin’ ta’ do with the military after that, so after about a year in rehab they dumped in on the streets an’ black-balled him in the science community. I don’t know if he tried, but he never worked again.”

“I heard about that,” Susan Richards commented joining in the whispered conversation. She too looked at the homeless man staring through the windows and Alicia thought she saw her friend shiver. “It was about the time of Reed’s space launch; that first attempt to reach the outer fringes of the atmosphere. That didn’t go so well for Simon Utrecht and his crew. They didn’t die, but…” Ben nodded.

“Reed told me after that he thought if Bob had stayed on the project a little longer, worked on good stuff instead of bombs, none of it would’a happened; not Utrecht, not the kid, an’ not all the stuff that happened to him.” It was Sue’s turn to nod.

“It sounds so selfish of me, but I’m so glad Reed didn’t go up in that first launch like he wanted.” She frowned and shook her head. “The Cosmic Radiation and what happened to poor Simon and his crew… It could have been us.”

“It all sounds horrible,” Alicia stated as she closed the pizza box and handed it to her husband. “Go give this to your friend,” she urged with that look and tone in her voice that Ben could never deny. Ben took the box with a put-upon sigh and stood, looking thoughtfully back at her. Alicia smiled.

Suddenly her husband leaned in and kissed her full on the lips, his free hand embracing her. He held the kiss a long time and when he finally pulled back she found herself breathless. She gazed at the man she loved and saw a deep, foreboding sadness on his face, in his eyes; as though he might never see her again. She was near tears suddenly wishing he would not go when he finally stepped over the bench and moved away still watching her.

“Fine,” he grudgingly agreed looking between her and Sue, “you two stay here though.” He started to walk away then paused looking back. “I love you…” he said then headed towards the door with a sad smile. Alicia felt Sue’s hand grip her own with a squeeze as both women watched the man they loved push through the door and go outside.

Alicia burst into tears…

“Hey, Bobby,” Ben Grimm greeted as he tentatively approached his old, one-time acquaintance. Bob did not move but for clenching his fists and a twitch twisting his face in anger as he continued to stare through the window.

“Umm, I brought ya some food,” he offered holding out the pizza box and stepping closer. He could already smell the man. It was as though he hadn’t washed in weeks, but there was something else too; a weird smell Ben thought seemed familiar but he couldn’t identify. He gagged and swallowed noting the burn marks on the man’s throat and face; old radiation scars that never healed. They looked sickly and green. “It’s just pizza, but it’s warm an’ a lot of it. My wife figured you were hungry; I did too.” The man did not even acknowledge him but continued to stare through the window solemnly. Ben sighed; he’d tried.

“I’ll just leave it here for ya,” he stated as he set the box down on a bench in front of the window. He backed away. “Ya should sit an’ eat while it’s hot. There’s more if ya…”

“I don’t need your hand-outs, Grimm,” the man stated in a low, basso voice, “or your pity. I gave up on pity long ago.” Ben seemed shaken at that, expecting the man to go into a rage at any moment. He raised his hands in a calming gesture.

“All right, Bob. No worries. I’ll just leave it there if ya change your mind.”

“Bruce…”

“What?” Ben asked in confusion at the strange statement.

“Bruce…my name’s Bruce. I hate Bob. I hate Bobby! Betty called me Bruce.”

“Sure,” Ben tried to sooth seeing the man trembling; trying to contain his anger. His teeth were grit, his hands clenched tight in fists. “Sure, Bruce; whatever ya want. I better…”

Robert Bruce Banner turned his hateful gaze on Ben Grimm. Ben saw the fiery green of the man’s eyes crackling as his body shivered. He seemed almost taller, bigger as he tried to contain some deep inner rage, his teeth grinding as he strained to control his temper.

“It’s all a lie,” Banner rumbled and Ben half-expected the man to attack him. His hands shifted defensively as he assumed a boxing stance. Ben had been in many scraps throughout his life, but he knew deep down, if this one started it would be his last.

“Just take it easy, Bruce,” he tried to sooth taking another step back. He glanced inside but couldn’t see anyone. It was all a pinkish blur from the lighting through the dark window. “Whatever you say.” Banner’s face seemed to soften then, just for a moment.

“It’s a lie, Ben,” he went on, beseeching, his voice cracking. “Don’t you see? None of this is real. It’s what you want. What you’ve always wanted; a normal life with the woman you love, children, a home… friends.

“But it’s not real. You’ve found your perfect world, Ben, but it’s yours; not mine, not Doom’s. It’s not what the world was meant to be. You know that. I saw it in your face before. You know this isn’t right. You’ve got to stop it; change it… put things right.”

“Uhh…” Ben’s head was swirling with thoughts and emotion, old memories of things that should not have happened, had never been. Banner’s words were cutting deep and he felt sick just trying to understand. He wanted to run, to go back inside the pizza parlor and hug his wife and kids forever; never lose them… this… all of this. Banner lunged forward as he tried to back away towards the door, grabbing his shirt in clenched fists and shaking him.

“Dammit, Ben! Don’t you see?” Banner shouted, his eyes wild and looking insane. “This is why Doom gathered us. He saw; saw what was happening and tried to stop it. He can’t do it alone. I see it now, but I can’t do it either. Not by myself.

“I’m a monster, Ben. I always have been and always will be. I’ve destroyed so much, so many lives; Talbot and Ross, Jim, Betty… Rick didn’t die that day. But I became the creature I was always meant to be. I realized that finally, after Seattle. It’s me Ben, not the Hulk…

“I’m the monster…

“But not you, Ben. You’re a hero. You always have been. You have to be again. Only you can unite us and set us free. Only you can set things right.

“Save us…”

Ben Grimm screamed as Banner shook him, his words echoing over and over. His mind swirled as his world shattered into millions of scarlet crystalline shards; memories echoing dreams that never were and never would be, lost and fading as darkness enclosed about him…

“Grimm!”

Ben Grimm stirred moaning in pain and exhaustion hearing some voice calling his name. It was hollow and far away, sounding almost metallic as it cut through the dullness in his mind, the ringing in his ears. Angry and somehow familiar, Ben tried to ignore it he was so tired.

“Grimm!”

Again, but louder now, more demanding. He heard a rumbling as well, a low, throaty gurgling sounding closer and again, familiar. He should know what it was, he knew that. But it had to be in his dreams, twisted somehow and dark. A smell as well, horrid and foul making him gag, and a soft jingling sound behind it all; wind chimes blowing in a breeze.

“Wake up you misshapen buffoon!”

Slowly, plodding and clawing Ben Grimm fought his way awake from the deep slumber of exhaustion holding him tightly in its grip. Light radiated behind his stony eyelids guiding him back, up and out of the deep dark tunnel he had somehow fallen into. The rumbling grew louder the higher he seemed to climb in his waking dream, the voice more incessant and insistent, urging him on. The dim pinkish light grew darker as he moved, fading red to scarlet, ruby and crimson, blinding at the end of the long, shadowy depths he was trying so hard to climb. He was needed and he had to wake up, but it was just so hard…

“Grimm!”

Benjamin J. Grimm slowly opened his eyes and immediately shrank back, startled. The huge emerald face twisted in rage seemed only inches from his own, ready to rip his throat out. The gurgling turned to growls as the horrid stench of breath washed mover him. Electric green eyes crackled with anger, almost madness in their fury. Hatred burned in the wild eyes of the incredible Hulk.

“Yahhh!”

Grimm backed away in shock as the jade giant reared back, his muscles rippling and swung a massive fist right towards the Thing’s face. Grimm bumped up into something as the Hulk’s blow rocketed towards him. Surprised, Ben tried to raise his arms to ward the attack away but he knew he would be too late. This was going to hurt…

WHOOMP!

Ben winced and cautiously opened his eyes at the odd noise and was surprised to find his head still intact and the Hulk staring at him in utter confusion. The brute was looking at his hand strangely, not hurt but as though wondering how and why he had missed such an easy target. His bewilderment did not last long however, as the emerald face slowly twisted, darkening again with rage. The Hulk bellowed in frustration then, even as he seemed to turn and begin to float away.

“What the hell?”

Grimm shook his head trying to come awake, letting the rush of adrenaline take over as he focused and finally saw just why he was still alive. The Hulk seemed to be encompassed within a translucent sphere of some sort, like a giant soap bubble but far stronger; strong enough to withstand the incredible Hulk’s fiercest blows. The bubble seemed to be drifting higher and farther away as Ben watched the behemoth battering on what appeared to be almost empty air. And as Grimm gathered his senses fully, he realized he was equally encompassed; imprisoned in his own clear sphere.

“We’re trapped you witless buffoon.”

Ben spun and his own bubble drifted, turning slowly. It took a moment more for him to get his balance within the floating orb; bracing his hands against the sides just within reach as he looked for the source of the metallic voice, though he was certain he knew who it was.

Victor Von Doom seemed no better off than he or the Hulk, floating a ways off in his own sphere drifting on a slight breeze. Lingering traces of smoke were trailing from his prison, wafting through the translucent walls to evaporate in the air beyond, testament to his own fruitless efforts to escape. He was as thoroughly trapped as his erstwhile partners it seemed, and none too happy about the situation. Grimm saw the slightest glow emanating from the monarch’s armor as he stood steady, the two men facing one another.

“Where are we?” Grimm asked as he finally righted himself looking around, beyond his companions. They seemed to be in a vast chamber; a hollowed out, enormous cavern composed of ruby crystal. He could see it in the walls and columns, the wide expanse of floor; glass formed in shades of red from the palest pink to the deepest scarlet. He saw stalactites and stalagmites scattered about the area reflecting some crimson light source he could not identify or pulsing with a brilliance within as though alive. Far in the distance he saw an immeasurable swath of black; space dotted with seemingly billions of stars, flickering points of light hanging in the depths of the limitless velveteen void.

Closer he saw crystalline columns holding humanoid forms within. All appeared motionless, the farthest simple shadows but those nearest, though slightly blurred, still distinct and recognizable. Some he saw he had met before while others he had only heard of; even more he had no idea, though somehow he knew who they all must be…

Tryco Slatterus he had met in battle and almost died in the pointless, vain fight; the self-proclaimed Champion of the Universe, now defeated.

Taneleer Tivan; the Collecter he had read about first in the files of the West Coast Avengers when Ben was a member briefly some time ago. A man who dedicated his innumerable years to gathering species from every planet he visited to ensure their existence. Now he seemed the specimen, and his cosmic ‘brother’…

En Dwi Gast; another ageless being and foe of not only the Mighty Avengers but the Defenders and countless others across the universe. Grimm knew the Grandmaster was a cosmic gamer who would pluck beings from their worlds and lives to fight in contests he conceived; always for the thrill of competition. Now apparently outmatched…

And there were others he recognized from descriptions read in files of the Fantastic Four or given by friends like Spider-Man and even the Hulk when he retained the brilliant mind of Robert Bruce Banner for a time and shared his past experiences:

The Gardener, the Contemplator, the Possessor, Carina Korvac, the Runner, and so many more he did not know. He counted over twenty; all claiming to be the immortal last survivor of their individual races, now all seemingly lifeless in their crystalline prisons…dead.

The Elders of the Universe…

“Obviously imprisoned, dolt.” Doom’s harsh voice cut through Grimm’s thoughts again, bringing him back to the moment. He still stood motionless in his drifting sphere, still wearing the odd, mechanism he had created over his armor; bits and pieces scavenged from the remnants of many of Banner’s experiments to cure himself of the monstrous creature he had become so many years ago. Ben Grimm noted the glow he saw before was coming from the hastily cobbled apparatus; verdant flashing lights coruscating with energy.

“We’ve reached our destination; the Scarlet Realm at the Center of the Universe, as I knew we would, but apparently our foe was prepared for that eventuality and entrapped us within these floating globes when we materialized, for the moment at least. I need you to focus now however. We must escape while our enemy is otherwise occupied.”

“Enemy…” but even as the Thing repeated the word in a whisper he heard the laughter. Following the chilling sound of the voice he soon saw the gigantic figure he had come to know, and hate. His still fuzzy thoughts swirled and coalesced as he laid eyes on Aron the Rogue Watcher…

The being was almost twenty feet tall appearing thin and frail with an enormous, bald head far too large for his body to support. He was dressed in flowing gossamer robes of stark white and deep blue, his hands flowing over a machine of some sort littered with red crystals; shards which Grimm recognized all too well, he had handled enough of them over the past few months. He seemed oblivious of his surroundings as he worked, or at least uncaring, but somehow Ben knew the alien was well aware of all that was going on around him.

“Of course, Grimm,” the young Watcher stated in his usual arrogant tone, “I see all. I observe everything. It is, after all, the underlying trait in my race as servants of the Fulcrum in the grand scheme of the universe. All aspirations aside, in the end I am a Watcher.”

And finally Ben Grimm understood, the gravity of their situation bringing him fully awake as he realized just where he was and what was probably about to happen. He remembered first the spheres he and his allies were trapped in. Uatu, the first Watcher the Fantastic Four had encountered over the years imprisoned him along with Red Ghost and his Super-Apes years ago. The Russian scientist had been trying to recreate the ‘accident’ that first gave the FF their powers and though Reed Richards and his friends tried to stop the mad cosmonaut, the man and his apes did get imbued with powers by the Cosmic Rays and the ensuing battle led to the Moon and the very doorstep of Uatu’s home in the mysterious Blue Area. That incident had ended well, though the Red Ghost became a threat over the years to the Fantastic Four as well as others. And the Watcher, Uatu, actually became an ally, if not a friend appearing time and again to warn of impending doom.

“Because my elder brother was a compassionate fool, Grimm,” Aron stated as he manipulated the great gleaming crystal mechanism before him. Ben recognized the sparkling gems the young Watcher was controlling; The ‘Cosmic Stylus’ stones he and his gathered companions- John Jameson, the Daughters of the Dragon, Eric Arcane, others… had used to ensure certain Alternate Realities would never come to pass. They had destroyed so many under the direction of the Scarlet Centurion, who in reality was Aron the Rogue Watcher manipulating them all to fulfill his own mad scheme of reshaping the multi-verse in his image.

“Like your own lost, perfect reality, Grimm; the world where you were normal and not a misshapen mockery of a man, with friends and children and a wife who actually loved you. Another shattered reality, which was never meant to be, a world you never made, but the jest is truly cosmic. I would have allowed it, Grimm. Consider it a gift for services rendered. I would have let you keep your dream world, but a sliver in my ‘mad scheme’ to reshape the very fabric of Reality into a truly wondrous realm.

“I would have given each the life you craved in fact; your pseudo family in the Fantastic Four, your erstwhile heroic allies over these past weeks, even these two who accompany you now. Imagine a twilight realm where you and Banner remain human, where Misty Knight is whole and Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom advance technology and conquer disease as the best of friends. Just imagine a world where Alicia Masters can see and loves you for the man you are and you live happily ever after. I gave Victor Von Doom his greatest desire; no longer scarred and vain ruling Latveria in glory and acclaim alongside his beloved wife, Valeria, his dour mother aged and approving at their side. Banner was whole and not a Gamma irradiated monster with his love Betty, his wife doting and caring forever beside him.

“You all would have had your dreams, Grimm, but now they are shattered; all gone…You can thank the good doctor for that.”

“Don’t listen to him, Grimm,” Doctor Doom snapped. “He’s lying as all megalomaniacs with delusions of grandeur do. He’s been manipulating you and your rag-tag allies from the very beginning throughout these past months; when the Frightful Four and the Controller brought out your savage nature to turn you against Richards and your friends, sending you back through time with my own creation and using you to alter the Timeline, and then when you eventually fought your way back, tricking you into destroying so many other Alternate Realities. He’s used you, Grimm, you mindless simpleton.”

“Shaddup, Doom,” Grimm growled feeling the anger build within him. He tried to deny it, but deep down he knew Doctor Doom was right. Maybe the Rogue Watcher had kept him befuddled throughout those long, grueling months, still using some form of Mind-Control, but Ben knew that wasn’t true. The alien had simply played on the Thing’s own deep, dark feelings, just as the Wingless Wizard and Basil Sandhurst had done; his age-old hatred of being a grotesque monster, his inability to truly love Alicia, blaming Reed Richards for all his problems…

And the Watcher HAD used that against him, and more. Aron the Rogue Watcher turned him into a criminal in order to achieve his own goals, turning him against his oldest friends like Nick Fury and Johnny Storm. He had done it all willingly though, he knew that now. The Watcher had turned him into a villain and he blindly accepted, thinking he was doing the right thing.

“You’re a fool, Grimm.” Doom’s voice cut in, grating. “You always have been. You’ve brought us all to the end with your stupidity. Let it be on your head.”

“No…” Ben Grimm whispered feeling the rage building higher and higher, swelling and boiling, burning in his breast. He could hear the words ringing in his head; Fool… Dolt… Simpleton… Monster!

“NO!” Ben Grimm, the Thing lashed out, the rage boiling over. He smashed his fist into the transparent bubble imprisoning him. The globe warped and moved and he struck again… and again! He saw the Hulk raging against his own prison, striking back towards him, thinking Grimm was attacking him. Ben struck back, a focus for his own rage.

The globes touched and two of the mightiest men in the world smashed at one another, not quite touching. Through the red haze in his vision Grimm saw Doom’s bubble as well drawing closer, the globe coruscating with emerald energy almost blinding. Grimm did not care as he lashed out at Doctor Doom… and the Hulk… and the energy flowed out and about them.

Doom was lost in the verdant glow of power. The Incredible, Rampaging Hulk was frothing at the mouth in frustration, snarling like an animal as he drew a mighty fist back. Grimm met him head on winding up for his best Sunday punch. They struck…

Aron the Rogue Watcher allowed a smile to curl his lips as the massive wall before him crackled with power. He stood slightly back observing as scarlet energy danced across the ancient mechanism, some ruin left behind by a long, almost forgotten race; those that came before in that time of the Sixth Incarnation of the Multiverse, from the paradise of the world Taa and Galan, the great Devourer of Worlds…

Galactus!

Other remnants remained from that time of gods, if one knew where to find them; The Wall at the Edge of the Universe, the Source, and of course, the Cosmic Egg. The Elders of the Universe knew of these things and more; the alleged last, sole survivors of their own ancient races born in those fiery times of rebirth. Fools all, but Aron needed their knowledge, for he was young and his own race, the Watchers held many secrets he had yet to learn. He afforded a glance at the captive Elders, now sleeping and trapped in scarlet crystal far older than they and impervious to their efforts. Perhaps he would wake them before their reality faded from existence.

Energy sparkled drawing his attention back to his task. He watched as the eons old apparatus hummed with seeming life. Light flared, dancing across ancient Runes, flowing from one to another, pulsing through the crystals Aron had replaced; crystals found and charged with the final energies of the scattered Realities, mockeries of the Multiverse. Power gathered by Grimm and his allies, shards of the Big Bang which had never gelled and come to fruition, now gone but for Aron’s foresight. All gathered here to the very center of Creation, returned to their source and the very essence of the great infinity that was and soon would be again.

He remembered his own time indentured under the tutelage of Uatu, his laughable Mentor. His punishment for his own transgressions wrought by youthful arrogance; sent to observe the Core of Creation and to read the words of the Great Scribe; the countless tablets, volumes of knowledge gathered by his race forever sworn to never interfere…

‘Taa’s civilization was one of the last still in existence. Lethal radiation caused by the “Big Crunch” this universe was experiencing was wiping out all life across the universe. Galan, a space explorer, was dispatched to travel through the cosmos to find a means of saving Taa, but he found none. The radiation eventually killed off all but a tiny fraction of the population of Taa. Knowing their deaths were inevitable, Galan proposed to the remaining survivors that they die gloriously by piloting one of their starships directly into the heart of the “Cosmic Egg.” As the starship containing Galan and his fellow survivors approached the focal point of the Big Crunch, the heat and radiation killed all the passengers except Galan, who strangely found himself filled with new energy

When the cosmos was going to meet its natural end, Galan was then approached by the embodiment of the Sixth Infinity, the Sentience of the Multiverse, who merged its essence with the mortal Galan, this way giving birth to a new entity who would survive the multiversal renewal: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds. The Black Winter presented an alternative account of Galan’s survival, claiming it had spared him and turned him into Galactus to mark him as its Herald. After the Multiverse ended its renewal cycle, the Seventh Cosmos was originated from the ashes of the Sixth Infinity, and with it, its new embodiments, Eternity, Infinity and Death. The newborn Galactus eventually ended up in the seventh iteration of his universe.’

Aron had learned all that happened and saw what would happen again with the proper influence. The birth of the next Cosmic Egg came under his scrutiny, whether by chance or some grand design he could not fathom, nor care. He knew what he had to do.

Aron secreted the new Egg from his ever-watchful brethren and nested it here in the last remnants of Taa, the Scarlet Realm as it was deemed. Here his race would not detect it and the fools would think the Seventh Cosmos was proceeding as it should. But in that punitive time Aron learned and manipulated the expansion for his own whims; feeding the next Cosmic Egg with the energies his pawns had stolen, deciphering the eld scripture and the pre-Renewal Runes.

And now as the stolen essence of countless shattered Realities flowed back to the Source and energy crackled about the Egg, warming it and fueling its growth, Aron’s dreams were about to come to fruition. He merely had to watch, such was his lot.

And at last the flowing energies coursing along the Runes gathered and centered pinpointing the final empty slot in the Crimson Wall. The Watcher contemplated the last shard held in his hand as the wall pulsed, waiting. It was time at last. Time to let all of Creation know what he had wrought; Aron let his mental powers flare and flow forth into the universe…

He felt them all here in his source of vast power; the Kree and the Skrull, the Cotati and Badoon, the Brood, Shiar and Dire Wraiths. He sensed Beyonders and even mighty Celestials far, far away at the furthest edges of Reality. He felt the shock and fear of his own race, the beseeching cries of the Watchers begging him to stop. And finally he focused on the least, and yet the greatest of them all; the primitive, enigmatic monkeys of the Earth. He heard them all and ignored them all the same. Let them know and watch in fear as their existence came to an end. They were beneath him now and powerless to stop him. Aron smirked.

“Creatures of the Universe, hear me now. I am Aron, once of the race known as the Watchers, but it is you all now who will observe. I thought it amusing that you all should witness in these, your final moments the very obliteration of this Reality. But fear not; many of you will be reborn, reformed in the new Universe to follow. I give you all the chance to watch and pray to your old brittle, brass gods in the short time which remains…

“Better though you should pray to me, for I shall replace them all. My name is Aron, but very soon you will call me GOD!”

And Aron placed the final Crystal Shard in its proper place…

And the Cosmic Egg pulsed with power, expanding…

Growing…

And finally the Cosmic Egg cracked!

NEXT ISSUE:  Things seem hopeless, right as a new Universe is about to be born. But there’s always hope. So return here next time for the final chapter in the Thing’s long journey. Began years ago in the digital pages of my run on the Fantastic Four, then through Marvel Two-In-One, into the Thing and touching in so many other titles here in Marvel Omega!

All will be resolved, next issue…

Curtis Fernlund

11-18-2021