For those who may have just joined us, you better listen close, 'cause this is only coming once! The Guardians of the Galaxy are stuck in the 20th Century with no way to return home, and they've just discovered Vance Astro's costume is the 31st Century Venom symbiote! Kristoff Vernard and Yellowjacker have learned that Vance is attacking Latveria, yet Kristoff snapped YJ's neck and threw her off a cliff to prevent her from telling the Guardians. And Martinex and Charlie-27 have been trapped in hell! Now git reading, before anything important happens!

Vance Astro roared as he descended upon the guard post on the border of Latveria. He wasn't intentionally roaring, of course - nor was he intentionally attempting to remove the heads of the two guards who tried to stop him. No, it was the symbiote which now covered his body's doing, and he had no control whatsoever over it.

The two guards, in fear for their lives, drew two pistols, designed by their monarch, Victor von Doom. These weapons were tailored to combat superhumans, and hadn't failed in any tests yet. But the trick was managing to actually hit the approaching monster.

Vance hissed as he saw the two weapons, searching for a way to avoid the laser bolts emanating from their tips. But finally, something dawned on the symbiote. He had survived attacks by Deathwing, the Beyonder, the Stark, Era, Doom, and even Loki. He doubted one laser blast would harm him. And he proved it - by taking one right in the chest. He shrugged it off like so much cosmic radiation. Yet his intense concentration, targeting his two Latverian foes, prevented him from noticing the arrival of a small shuttle. Chances were he wouldn't have noticed the shuttle anyway. It had 31st century cloaking equipment, after all. But the man piloting the craft, one Kristoff Vernard, noticed Vance. He picked up a receiver on the instrument panel of the craft, pressed a few buttons, and spoke.

"Master," he said. "I've located Astro."

"Good," came the reply. The voice had a heavy tone, smothered with the Latverian accent. "Eliminate him personally."

"With pleasure, father." was Kristoff's response.

The only Centaurian member of the team of galactic guardians calling themselves Guardian Force sailed over the rooftops of the planet Haven II with only the slightest of difficulty. He had a mission, a mission he had to complete. Guardian Force had been trained for their entire lives to win this one battle. And Whistler had known, for many years, that he would need to find an ally on Haven II who could aid Guardian Force in defeating the indigenous mutants that resided on the planet.

He had decided, finally, that that ally would most likely be the mutant Blackwing, cousin to the mutant Guardian of the Galaxy Rancor. The problem was finding him. The city was huge, and there were other mutants chasing him, trying to stop him from reaching Blackwing. And each moment he was delayed was a moment in which his team - his friends - may perish. But he would succeed. He had to.

On the ground below, the battle between Guardian Force and the mutants led by Shaddo increased in intensity. Shaddo continuously summoned new mutants to his side, believing that several hundred mutants would overwhelm the  small band calling themselves Guardian Force. He was wrong. It just created chaos. And that benefited Guardian Force to no end. For Korvac's destiny - and eventual power - was to create order through the cosmos. It was the power of all who have ever been named, and will ever be named, Korvac. And order can only be made if there is chaos from which to make it. So the more chaotic, more joined the battle became, the greater Korvac's chances for success were. 

And Shaddo had better watch out.

Kristoff grinned silently as he landed the shuttlecraft which had taken him from New York City to Latveria. Little did the Guardians know that his green and yellow robes were full of many such items - starships, time travel devices, groundcraft - all shrunk to the size of an ant thanks to Pym particles. Such was his power, as the sole heir to Doctor Doom - the man who had now ordered him to kill Vance Astro!

Vance continued his assault on the two Latverian guards, still oblivious to the presence of the cloaked shuttle. One or two more swipes - that would be all it took to smash the poor men's skulls. He nearly laughed at the prospect. In less  than a day, he had made his way from the 31st century to the 20th century, and, by killing and pillaging his way, had reached Latveria. And these poor fools thought they  could prevent him from carrying out his plan? It was laughable. His plan was born of genius, as were all the plans of the one thousand year old man. He would kill Kristoff Vernard's younger self here, in this century, to prevent him from seducing his lover, Aleta, and taking control of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Vance Astro knew such a plan was doomed to failure - altering the past does not change the future. All that happens is a new timeline is created to incorporate the changes. Butthe symbiote was not aware of this. His  limited understanding of time science told him he would achieve his goal. And Victor von Doom's knowledge of said symbiote was enough to allow him to set this trap to capture it!

The gangplank descended from the shuttlecraft as Kristoff Vernard disembarked. His body, cloaked, concealed the greatest weapon of all  time. One he had  made certain to bring with him from the 31st century. It was known, in that future timeline, as the 'fist of Anthos'. Yet citizens of this millennia knew it by a far different name - the Infinity Gauntlet*.  One problem, however, gripped him.  He had only the gems soul and power. That would be enough to defeat Vance, though. At leat, Kristoff hoped it would be.

[ * - If you STILL haven't realised who Anthos is yet, I  have no sympathy  for you - you'll just have to wair for all to be revealed, and trust me,  it'll be a LOOONG wait! - Adrian ]

As Vance smashed the two guards' heads together, Kristoff seized his chance to attack. He leaped onto Vance's back, knocking him to the ground. But Vance's strength, augmented tenfold by the symbiote, provided him with  enough power to hurl Kristoff off his back. Kristoff felt to the ground - hard - but managed to roll away, and, in a  swift motion,  withdrew a small blaster rifle and enlarged it with Pym particles. He levelled it at Vance and fired.

"HAHAHA!" Vance laughed as the energy seemed to be absorbed by the symbiote. "You can not defeat me, Vernard."

"That may be true. But I doubt it." Kristoff leaped off the ground, his  left leg outstretched. He crashed straight into Vance's chest, knocking Vance down once more. Beneath the symbiote, Vance pleaded for freedom.

"Venom... or whatever you're called.... I thought you could only bond with your 'host'... but now, you've enveloped me! You're completely controlling me!" Vance  said.

"Yes, Astro," the symbiote said, his voice even being heard by Kristoff. "I have evolved, and kept all the infromation I learned with other hosts. Subduing humans is child's play, now. But you... you took a long time. First, that meddlesome wasp-thing got in my way, then your mutant telekinetic ability. But my knowledge of human systems won through in the end. You're mine. But you do still have some control. It is... difficult for me to force your body to do things it does not  want to do. But killing Vernard... that is  something you want, isn't it?"

"NO!" Vance yelled. "It isn't! I want him to leave, certainly..."

"No buts, Astro! We will kill him, and  we will prevent him from existing in the 31st century, just as you desired!" the symbiote declared.

"What?" Kristoff exclaimed. "But... NO!" He jumped in the  air, somersaulting backwards in the process. He'd known of Vance - the symbiote's plan - earlier, of course. But he  hadn't known Astro agreed with it. "You are insane, Vance. It is no wonder Aleta chose me over you and your Guardians!" He kicked  Vance  in the jaw as he tried to stand. That last comment, however, enraged Vance more than any physical blow.

"NO!" he cried  silently. "Okay, symbiote. You now have complete contol. Kill him."

"I shall,  Astro. I SHALL!" Vance  rolled across the ground, leaping up when he felt the metallic, yet invisible, edge of Kristoff's shuttle. "Hmmmm... I wonder what goodies we'll find in here?" Vance said as he found the gangplank and ran inside, closing it behind him.

"Anthos?" Nikki said. "Are you sure? I can't see why your god would want to help us. We have a habit of annoying gods and the Elders of the Universe, remember?"

"But I am of his chosen people, Nikki. He has, throughout history, been known to help many of my people." Yondu said.

"Okay, but that is something we'll need to deal with later. Now, we better find Vance." Nikki said.

"Yes." Yondu said. "We must. But please promiise me that you will help find Anthos when we return to our time."

"I promise, Yondu."

"Thank you, Nicollette."

The two stood, ready to search anew. And as Nikki took a first, hesitant step toward the new rooftop, she turned in time to see Yondu vanish in a puff of purple smoke, and watched in horror as her own body emulated the action!

Hell is a tiring place at the best of times. But for the Pluvian and Jovian who unwillingly stumbled in here, recently, it has been sheer, well... hell. Martinex and Charlie-27, two of the Guardians of the Galaxy searching for the missing Vance Astro, wanted to take a rest down an empty alley. Yet when they entered, they found they had entered the realm of Pluto, and his hellish underworld! But right now, Charlie and Martinex have no idea where they are!

"Er, Marty, where are we?" Charlie asked.

"I have no idea." Martinex said.

"Of course not, odd-one!" a voice called.

"Eh?" Martinex said. "Who's there?"

"I am Pluto, master of this domain! And you are now mine!" Pluto waved a gloved hand, and in a puff of purple smoke, Martinex and Charlie vanished.

"That was not my intention!" was Pluto's only remark.

Kristoff Vernard grimaced as he activated the teleporters on the Guardians' control devices. He had adapted them from their star insignias, and it was yet another fact he kept hidden from them. Another reason for them not to trust him. How could they possibly want to keep him on the team when they learned all that he had hidden?

Well, he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. For now, even as he thought about it, the other Guardians of the Galaxy, with the exception of Yellowjacket, materialised before him, their bodies seemingly formed by purple smoke. Kristoff used his hand - the one wearing the Infinity Gauntlet - to switch off the teleporters that had brought the Guardians too him. The presence of the gauntlet didn't escape Martinex's notice, though.

"That... that's the Infinity Gauntlet!" he cried.

"Yes, Martinex, it is. And I'll be glad to explain how I got it... after we deal with Vance." Kristoff said.

"Where is he?" Nikki asked.

"Right..." Kristoff deactivated his shuttle's cloaking field that had hidden his shuttle. "... there."

The Guardians looked, and to their utter amazement, they saw a huge, grand ship - far superior to even the Freedom's Lady or the Captain America...even  the Drydock hadn't been so impressive.

"Where did THAT come from?" Martinex asked.

Charlie emerged from the shuttle's hatchway, after having gone aboard while the Guardians took in the ship's presence. "Doesn't matter... Vance isn't in it." he said.

"And he must have taken Andre Scott with him!" Kristoff exclaimed.

Pyreus Krill halted suddenly, causing Phoenix to plow into his back. His cosmic power-spawned senses had alerted him to a hostile presence nearby. An artificial presence by the feel of it. An android of some sort. 

"What is it, Firelord?" Phoenix asked.

"Go... quickly, Phoenix! We must return to Earth! Mainframe's most grave fear is about to come true!" Firelord cried.

"You mean... he's here?" Phoenix asked.

"They both are, Phoenix. And I fear even our powers may be no match for them. Now quickly! To Earth!" Firelord shouted.

The Falcon watched from his hiding place as the Galactic Guardians, minus Firelord and Phoenix IX, completed restorations of the city of Doomstadt, the capital of Latveria. It had not taken long, once they had located a hidden army of 'Doombots', reprogrammed by Mainframe to help in the repairs. And now, these same robots had been reprogrammed once more, to serve as this world's defence during the Guardians of the Galaxy's sojourn to the 21st century.

"There. The modifications are complete." Mainframe said. "These robots will provide a most powerful defence for this planet. And now, a new task befalls us - aiding Firelord and Phoenix in the search for the Beyonder."

The Falcon took this as his opportunity. He had been wanting a chance to be of assistance, to help someone, since the Terran Emperor of the 43rd century fired him when he learned he had allowed the Beyonder to escape*.

[ * - A course of events which may be seen in the backup story in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL #5 - - "The Rise, Fall, and Return of the Terran Empire" - Adrian ]

"Mainframe?" he said, emerging from the shadows.

"Who - ?" Mainframe spun to face the Falcon. "Jack Daniels!" he exclaimed. "How is it possible that you are still alive?"

"Well... after you and Wonder Man ran out on us, Tony Stark decided he'd clone all the Avengers he could find. He planned to fire the clones into space, where we could summon aid, but only got half of us out theree before the Martians came and destroyed the mansion. I was found by the humans of the 43rd century and awakened... but now, I have nowhere to go... and, well, I was kinda' hopin'..." he began.

"Certainly, USAgent. We would be most honoured if you would join our ranks." Mainframe said.

"Thanks, Vizh. You know you were always my favourite." The 'Agent beamed a grin at the synthetic being once named the Vision - and something bright and fiery caught his eye in the sky above. "Er, guys.. there's a fireball coming -- !" 

The Galactic Guardians scattered as the fireball approached. It's crash into the Earth even shook the supports of the newly rebuilt Castle Doom. But the structure stood - and, in time, so did the two beings at the source of the impact.

"Firelord! Phoenix!" Replica cried, rushing to her  comrade's aid. "Are you okay?" 

Firelord brushed her away with a still burning arm. "They're coming, Mainframe. And they've brought company."

The synthezoid Guardian bowed his head. He had dreaded this day since his adamantium creator had been seen fleeing the Earth during the Martian invasion.

"Who, Vision? Who is coming?" The Falcon asked.

"Ultron... and Alkhema." Mainframe replied.

"And," Firelord began. "Galactus!"

Rita DeMara woke, and was greeted by an intense pain shooting from her spine into her neck. 

"You're awake." a voice from nearby said. She tried to turn her neck to see it's owner, but found she could not. "Good. I thought you'd be dead for sure."

"Whuh... whuh em I?" Rita garbled out.

"You're in a hospital." a man said, leaning  over the bed on which Rita lay. His tattered clothes and dirty appearance indicated to Rita he was a vagrant. "I'm  Pete. The man  who found you. Took quite a tumble, you did."

"Muh...  muh ahma!" Rita exclaimed.

"Your armour? Don't worry. I figgered you were some kind of sooperhero, so I hid it so's that no-one could get your secret identity." Pete said.

"Fang yu." Rita said.

"So? Ya want a drink? I've got gin, whiskey... and  the nurses gave  me a bottle o' true A-grade Bud!" Pete said, excited. "What's yer poison?"

Rita's body jerked violently as she tried to get up. The  Guardians! She had to get to them! 

"Hey now, lady. The doctor, he says yuir paralysed. You ain't gettin' nowhere." Pete said.

"Mooooo..." Rita  groaned.

Whistler sailed across yet another rooftop, and began to try to cross another, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Who - ?" he began.

"You have entered the domain  of the Grand Rebellion!" came the voice of the owner of the hand. "State your business, and quickly."

"My... my  name is Whistler! Shaddo has attacked my friends! I  need help! Please!" Whistler cried.

"Follow me." said the voice. Whistler obliged, and  was  led down a dark, winding passage into the heart of the building  he had just been standing above. He came into a brightly  room, where maps of the planet Haven II adorned the walls. At the back stood Blackwing, and a man, short, with black hair and a slightly hunched appearance, stood next to him.

The shorter man  approached, offering Whistler a hand. "Name's Logan," the man said. "But my friends  call me Wolverine." He extended six adamantium claws, aiming them at Whistler's throat. "Now tell me... what  are you gonna  call me?"

"Wolverine!" Whistler  managed to gasp out. "I'll call you Wolverine!" Logan withdrew his claws, much to the delight of the Centaurian. "And I am Wyt, but my friends call me Whistler."

"Okay, "Whistler". What  do you want?" Logan asked.

"I need help... against Shaddo." Whistler said. Blackwing approached,  an enthusiastic grin on his face. "Where  is he? We'll strike now, and stop him from continuing his tyrannical control of this world."  Logan nodded, agreeing.

"Where is he?" Logan repeated.

"I'll show you," Whistler said. And the trio, with about forty other  mutants, left the building, on  their way to war.