Weakest Link in the Chain, Part 2

Chapter Two: The Man Who Lost the World
By Cristian Mark King

Hawkeye grimaces as he finds himself waking back up from unconsciousness. When he finally does open his eyes, he finds that he is a prisoner shackled in chains that suspend him from a wall. Othello’s unwelcome voice hits him like a bucket of cold water would a sleeping man. -“Welcome back to reality, Avenger! I want for you to have a ringside seat to my ultimate victory.”

Clint struggles back to awareness as he speaks. -“Sounds peachy, …but if you don’t mind me asking, who the flip are you?!”

“I am Othello D’Vem, the arch-enemy of the Avengers. I destroyed the Avengers before, and I shall do so again.”

“That’s all well and good, but if it’s true…then how come I’ve Never Heard of You??”

“Because before today, I’d never met you. However, I’ve battled Hawkeye and his Avenger cohorts many times, … and I destroyed them!”

The edge of the Avenger’s lip curls up in annoyance.- “Hoo-boy! Just my luck, not only do I get taken captive, but it’s by a guy that makes the Unibomber look like the poster boy for mental health. Listen Sir, I think we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot here. What say, you cut me down and we go get a few beers and watch some Van Damme flicks? I think they could do us both some good right now.”

Othello is not amused. “Your patronizing attitude bores me, archer. However, I wish that you should know who has bested you.”

“Good, you’ve piqued my interest, Mysterio!”

The villain produces an electronic device that he places upon his own head. After it is secure he explains to Hawkeye that it will help him to mentally project images into the archer’s mind so that he can “see” what he is talking about. A blue light flashes out of the end of the headwear and into the eyes of the captive Avenger. Then Othello begins his long monologue.

“Doubtless you’ve heard of the Avengers’ foe Proctor? He came from an earth similar to your own, but in an alternate reality. In his reality he was an Avenger. However, he grew to see the Avengers as enemies. His hatred grew so that he sought to destroy the Avengers in all realities.” Images flood Hawkeye’s brain, the first one he sees is one of Proctor, his eyes glowing from his gann josin bonding.

“He came to this world with his band of Gatherers to claim your group of Avengers as another of his conquests. But it was not to be, and your Avengers defeated him. However, the Gatherers were not alone when they came to this world. I was with them.” In his mind, Hawkeye sees images of the Black Knight locked in a swordfight with the alternate Swordsman.

“I joined Proctor’s band after my world was destroyed by a renegade Sersi. You see, on my world, I was what you would call a super-villain. After several years of trying, I finally succeeded in destroying the Avengers. After that, little stood in my way of world conquest. Thus, I gained complete control over my world. Until Sersi came and ruined the planet I controlled.” An image of Othello strangling Captain America over a very lifeless Scarlet Witch fills Hawkeye’s head.

“I was devastated, a monarch of a rubble kingdom. Proctor came to me and offered a place in his Gatherers. I accepted. However, former emperors make for poor followers. I decided to overthrow Proctor and lead for myself with the aid of a being called Tabula.” Hawkeye sees a shot of Othello in tatters on his knees, surrounded by the rubble of destroyed buildings. Fires are burning in the background.

“However, my mutinous plans didn’t go unnoticed and Proctor imprisoned both me and my comrade. I was a prisoner in his dungeon inside the mountain when his citadel was utterly destroyed. Buried in the remains, I languished for months after. Until I recovered enough to escape.” A new image appears of Othello shackled in a dark prison.

“I used the knowledge I gained from Proctor and summoned my own team of villains. Ones from another reality to do my bidding. My friends were happy to leave their world, as it was becoming politically uncomfortable for them there.” Another vision, this time of the Malevolence Union looking ready to fight. After this last image, the villain removes the machine from his head.

“Thus here we are today. I lost the rule of all I surveyed; but you, dear Avenger, shall help me get it back.”

“Gee, Ot; I’d like to help, but I’m all tied up at the moment.” However, inside Hawkeye’s head, his thoughts are not nearly so confident. “This guy seems like major bad news. Worse than your ordinary would-be conqueror. He means business, and this Avenger better find the chink in his armor before history repeats itself.”

The captive decides to be catty to get Othello to reveal something he can use. “I don’t know about the Avengers where you come from, but the ones here aren’t pushovers. You better have a good plan to back up all your boasting.”

“The best one possible, archer. First, I’m going to destroy the Avengers’ communications network at its source. Once accomplished, we shall have the heroes cut off from each other and, therefore, vulnerable. They will be easy pickings for my compatriots. We can prey on the mightiest members one at a time, assured that no help will come. The Avengers will be alone, while my Malevolence Union shall act as a team. They will be trained on how to destroy each Avenger. Meanwhile, your friends will find themselves fighting against experienced super-villains they have neither heard of before, nor have any idea how to fight.” Othello raises a clenched fist.

“The Avengers are doomed! And once conquered, your world shall be payment for what happened to mine.”

Hawkeye tries to act coy about what he is hearing. Meanwhile, Othello reaches into a pouch that is tied around his waist, and pulls out a gem that is fastened to a necklace.

“Hmmm … it sounds like you’ve thought this out, Ot. However, Avengers Mansion is pretty heavily guarded. You couldn’t just go waltzing in there even if you had an army behind you.”

Othello appears excited as he fastens the gem around his neck. “Aahhh, but who needs an army when I have you, Avenger? You see, this crystal is what I call my Lamprey Stone.”

A crimson beam of light jumps out of the gem and envelops Hawkeye.

“It steals the essence of whomever I wish ….”

The beam turns off, and Othello himself now glows.

“… And gives their essence to me!”

Othello’s body turns into an exact duplicate of Hawkeye. His laughter is loud and evil.

“This is definitely not good,” thinks Hawkeye to himself.

NEXT: Get To Know Your Villains.