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    Firestorm Annual #5

    Firestorm Annual » Firestorm Annual #5 - Ground Zero released by DC Comics on 1987.

    Short summary describing this issue.

    Ground Zero last edited by MickRory on 05/04/23 07:47PM View full history

    Picking up directly following the events of Firestorm #64, with Firestorm caught in the crosshairs of both Russia and the United States as the Suicide Squad and the Justice League go head-to-head in New York City. Escaping the fight and eventually making his way to Nevada, Firestorm battles against Pozhar, the Russian Nuclear Man.

    Firestorm, aided by Firehawk and the Justice League of America, battles with the Suicide Squad in Times Square. The Parasite goes on an uncontrolled rampage attacking friend and foe alike. In Pittsburgh, Doreen Day confides in Chief Ferguson. Firestorm flies to the Nevada desert to await a response to his ultimatum, leading to a showdown with Pozhar that will forever alter the Nuclear Man.

    Notes

    Firestorm826's Panel-by-Panel Story Summary (Spoiler Alert)

    Times Square in New York City is a chaotic scene of panic and confusion. Firestorm, arriving to deliver a response to President Reagan via the media, is attacked by the Suicide Squad. In the midst of their fight, the Justice League of America joins the fray.

    “Craig Kappel, Big Apple Eyesight News, live from New York’s famed Times Square, which has just been turned into a battlefield!” a reporter excitedly blurts into his microphone. He stands near the street as a camera broadcasts his report. “Firestorm, the so-called rogue hero, was jumped while giving a news conference here by a strange conglomeration of super-villains, evidently responding to the President’s call for the apprehension of the Nuclear Man!” he continues. “Firehawk entered the fight on the Nuclear Man’s side, but now the stakes have been raised even higher by the sudden and dramatic appearance of the Justice League!”

    WHAP! POW! “Take a hike, munchkins,” Green Lantern calls out as he pummels Multiplex with an energy burst from his ring. “The pleasure of nailing Firecreep’s butt goes to the one, true Green Lantern!”

    Multiplex fissions into dozens of smaller duploids. “Multiplex was here first, Mr. Greenbeams!” he answers as he and his miniature menaces swarm Green Lantern. “Beam us again, Scotty! We can always use an extra set of hands!” Multiplex tells him.

    A reporter watches the scene and dictates into his portable tape recorder. “Jonny Brinslow. Brinslow’s People. Paragraph. The world is coming to an end in Times Square – semicolon – at least – comma – one being’s dream for it – period,” he records. “Firestorm stunned the world days ago with his demand that the nuclear powers give up those weapons – semicolon - - a demand coupled with a threat that if they did not - - comma - - he would - - period. End paragraph.”

    BLAM! BLAM! Deadshot fires at Blue Beetle, but Blue Beetle dodges! “Hey pal…Is your name Deadshot or Scattershot?” Blue Beetle asks.

    BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! Deadshot continues to fire. “Where’s Flag? This is going sour!” he thinks. “Gotta pull my shots! Don’t think ol’ Mammy Waller’d appreciate my acing Blue Bozo here! What am I doin’ with this chicken Suicide Squad outfit, anyway? Never worried about goop like this workin’ on my own!”

    BLAM! BLAM! VIPPP! VIPPP! VIPPP! Blue Beetle ducks to avoid more incoming fire from Deadshot. “He’s getting the range but I’ve already got it,” he thinks. “Time for a handy-dandy air concussion blast!”

    WHOOMP! Blue Beetle fires his BB weapon and it smashes into Deadshot, knocking him forcefully to the street. “That’s it,” Deadshot thinks as he gets to his feet. “Waller or no Waller, the kid gloves are off!”

    Nearby, another reporter covers the scene from the midst of a panicked crowd of people quickly leaving Times Square. “Charles Meyerson, WXRT Radio, from Times Square,” he announces into his remote microphone. “Both the U.S. and Soviet governments have rejected Firestorm’s ultimatum, the Russians broadly hinting that, if the United States does not do something about the Nuclear Man, they will. Firestorm had called this press conference to announce his decision to make a final stand in the sands of Nevada, over the site of the American underground nuclear tests. Others, however, seem determined he will make it here…in the heart of the most populous city in the nation.”

    Captain Boomerang and Batman square off against each other in the street. “Ah, Batboy! G’dae! Come to Barney? Me boomerangs against your boomerangs! What say, eh?” Captain Boomerang taunts. Batman whips a Batarang at him. WHUP! SMESH! Captain Boomerang smashes the Batarang with his own boomerang. “Beauty! Gotcher! Yer only as good as yer weapon, Myte!” Boomerang exults, raising his arms in triumph.

    “Your weapon is a gimmick, Boomerang,” Batman answers. KRAK! He lands a powerful punch across Captain Boomerang’s jaw. “I am my own weapon,” Batman tells him as he strikes.

    Nearby, Killer Frost hovers above Black Canary. Frost launches an ice blast that explodes at Black Canary’s feet. “Those who would come between Killer Frost and her prey must pay, Canary!” Frost yells down. Black Canary stumbles to the street from the impact.

    Martian Manhunter flies between Black Canary and Killer Frost. “Those who take on one member of the Justice League challenge us all, Frost!” he warns as he approaches. “And I have seen too many colleagues murdered to permit another!”

    WHAM! Martian Manhunter stuns Killer Frost with a backhand across her head! Frost falls unconscious to the street!

    Firehawk soars up next to Martian Manhunter. “Come, Firehawk! Let us seize Firestorm and put an end to this madness!” J’onn J’onnz tells her.

    Firehawk unleashes a fire blast into him! “AAAAGH!” he cries out, thrust back in the air from the strike!

    “I’m…sorry, Manhunter. Sorrier than I can say,” Firehawk tells him as he falls to the street near Killer Frost. “But I stand with Firestorm,” Firehawk says.

    A news helicopter hovers near Times Square. “This is Flying Officer John Buckley with the latest traffic report,” the reporter explains. “We’ve got another super-powered slugfest going on in Manhattan today: This one’s in Times Square. Rush hour looks to be real bad. You may want to check into your alternate routes home.”

    In the street, Slipknot stands on a parked truck. His rope is wrapped tightly around the arms of Mister Miracle. “Yer trussed up like the turkey you are, Mister Miracleman!” Slipknot calls down. He pulls on the rope, lifting Mister Miracle off his feet. “Ain’t no way outa this! No one gives the slip to Slipknot!” he taunts. “Count yerself lucky I gotta skip acin’ ya this time, gumball, or…”

    Slipknot’s words stop abruptly as Mister Miracle disappears, leaving him holding an empty rope! “Hey! Wherdja go!” Slipknot blurts.

    Mister Miracle reappears in the air just above Slipknot. “That really wasn’t much of a trap, Sliplip,” he calls down. “You have another or do you just want to give up now?”

    Ronnie looks out at the crowds fleeing and as the Justice League and Suicide Squad tangle with each other. “Look at ‘em, Professor. They’ve all forgotten about us,” Ronnie says. “We could just slip away if we wanted.”

    Suddenly, Ronnie grabs at his forehead. “Ronald, I don’t think I can move…Just now! My head…is splitting..!” Stein groans.

    “Aagh! So are we, Professor!” Ronnie cries. “It’s one of those spasms! Gotta…fight it, Professor! Can’t afford to fission right now!” Ronnie grimaces from the tension of holding the fusion.

    “Ronald…I don’t know if I can help it!” Stein answers anxiously.

    Rick Flag stands near the trailer of the Suicide Squad’s clandestine transport truck. “This mission is going straight into the toilet,” he tells himself. “The appearance of the Justice League threatens to blow the lid right off out cover! And if that isn’t enough, the Parasite may have gotten loose! If I find out that idiot Tolliver has released that freak..!”

    WHAM! Suddenly, the back doors of the trailer burst open. “YAAAAH!” Tolliver screams in horror as he runs out.

    Flag grabs him quickly. WHAK! Flag slaps across Tolliver’s face! “Tolliver! Snap out of it! What is it? What did you do?” he yells at him.

    “I thought…I thought you were dead!” Tolliver blurts out nervously. “I thought…mission was endangered! Made them release Parasite! He wouldn’t listen to his orders…would not listen! Absorbed energy of attendants…killed them! Not my fault! It’s not..!”

    SCHRAK! The sound of ripping sheet metal echoes loudly as the Parasite tears through the side of the trailer. “I…HUNGERRR!!!” he bellows.

    Flag turns to face Parasite. “Tolliver! Get away! Get help!” Flag orders.

    “Get away…yes!!!” Tolliver calls back as he flees for his life.

    Flag draws his pistol and fires. BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! “Got to keep the creature away from the crowd!” he thinks. “Got to keep myself at least twenty feet away or I’ll wind up his new snack! Got to get some more ammo!”

    Parasite stops approaching Flag. He looks over his shoulder with a sinister smile. “He’s turning! Why?” Flag thinks.

    “More food…better food…that way!” Parasite says as he runs off.

    “Hell! He means the super-heroes!” Flag realizes. “According to Squad files, he also absorbs their powers when he absorbs their super-energies!” Flag raises his wrist-mounted communicator. “Squad Mobile to Squad Central. We’ve got problems. Parasite was released against my orders and is out of control,” Flag advises.

    “Damn! I told them it was a mistake to bring the Parasite along but he got shoved down my throat anyway!” Amanda Waller answers. “Colonel Flag, forget your original mission and concentrate on capturing or neutralizing the Parasite.”

    “I copy, Mrs. Waller. Problem is, the only one likely to be able to deal with the Parasite is our original target, Firestorm,” Flag answers.

    WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! BAM! Green Lantern blasts several Multiplex duploids with energy beams from his ring. “Pop off, squirts! In case you haven’t heard, a good big man beats a good little man every time, even a bunch of good little men!” Green Lantern calls out to the duploids.

    From behind in an alley, Multiplex watches Green Lantern. “Beat up the duplicates all you want, Mope. The main Multiplex will just stand back and watch until you’re beaten down,” he thinks as he watches.

    “Nice,” a voice calls out from behind Multiplex in the darkened alley.

    “Huh?! Who are you? Whattaya want?” Multiplex blurts in shock.

    “Name’s…Parasite…want…lunch,” Parasite answers. He walks next to Multiplex. “You’re it,” he says ominously.

    Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! In the street, dozens of small Multiplex duploids pop like bubbles. Green Lantern looks around at them confusedly. “Okay. Who’s screwing around?” he asks.

    In the alley, Parasite grips a terrified Danton Black by the throat. “Ahhhh, that’s better. Very tasty, pal. Nice energy,” Parasite says with a demonic grin. “But I feel like having some dessert. And you’ve got a little mortal energy left. O’course, taking it will kill you.” He squeezes Black’s throat and pulls life energy from him. “But that’s life in the big city,” he says casually.

    “NOOOO!” Black cries out in agony. He falls limp in the Parasite’s grasp.

    Firehawk lands next to Firestorm. “Ron…Firestorm! Are you all right?” Firehawk asks.

    “Had attack. Passed, I think,” Ronnie answers. “Just a second…to get my breath back..!” Firehawk helps him to his feet.

    “Hurry!” she urges him. “We’ve got to get you out of New York while you’ve got a chance!”

    Black Canary gets to her feet nearby. “Feel like I been slugged by Old Man Winter,” she thinks. She looks over at Firehawk and Firestorm. “Hey! Flametop’s looking like he’s about to split! And Firehawk’s helping, is she?” she thinks. “Not if I have anything to say about it! Not while I’ve got the Canary Cry…”

    SCREEE! Black Canary unleashes the Canary Cry! Its powerful sonic waves wash over Firestorm and Firehawk! “YAAARGH!” Ronnie cries out as he and Firehawk are stunned by the sound.

    The Parasite walks up behind Black Canary. “Hey, nice power, Bird Lady!” he calls out, startling her. She stops her Canary Cry and looks over her shoulder anxiously. “Mind if I take a taste?” Parasite asks. He grabs Black Canary and forces her to the street. He pins her on her back and then begins to consume her energy.

    “Back off, sucker!” yells Green Lantern, hovering above Parasite and Black Canary. “If anyone’s gonna beat up on the Justice League, it’s gonna be me!” he calls to Parasite. A green beam of energy speeds from Green Lantern’s power ring, momentarily stunning Parasite.

    The Parasite stands and turns to face Green Lantern. Then, using Multiplex’s abilities, he fissions off a duploid! “And what if we beat up on you?” the twin Parasites ask Green Lantern.

    “I don’t know where you got that spaz Multiplex’s power, pal, but it didn’t bother me when he had it,” Green Lantern answers. “I don’t see how your having it will get me all hot and bothered.”

    EEEEEEEEE! Green Lantern gets blown back by twin waves of sonic power! “I’ve also got Black Canary’s Canary Cry,” Parasite tells him. “In stereo,” his duploid adds.

    Green Lantern falls to the street near Black Canary. The twin Parasites stand over them. “If I let you all live, you’ll just wake up and regain your powers after awhile and come after me. So I figure it’s better you all die now. Any objections?” he asks.

    THWOK! “YES!” yells Martian Manhunter as he punches the back of Parasite’s head! The twin Parasites turn and rush J’onn J’onzz.

    “Objections overruled, Manhunter,” Parasite replies as he attacks. “Ahhh…the power…the memories!” Parasite cries as he absorbs Martian Manhunter’s energy. “So alien…so painful!” Parasite yells with fists clenched.

    Parasite turns and walks back to Green Lantern. “This one’s power comes not from him but his ring! It does me no good!” Parasite says as he reaches for Green Lantern. “And the ring protects his life-force! I cannot absorb it! Yaaargh!” Parasite snarls as he flings Green Lantern away into the air like a rag doll.

    “Gardner! Look out..!” cries Mister Miracle. Green Lantern lands hard into the chest of Mister Miracle and both fall to the street.

    “Hey, here’s a break!” Slipknot says as he watches them fall. He moves closer to attack them.

    Rick Flag approaches Slipknot. “Slipknot! Orders have been changed! We’re going after Parasite!” Flag tells him.

    Slipknot turns to look at Flag. “Sure we are!” he scoffs. “I know what that bozo can do! No way you’re getting me within a mile of him!”

    Flag grabs Slipknot’s shoulder. “That’s not a choice, Mister - - that’s an order! You’ll face him or me!” he tells him.

    Slipknot moves swiftly behind Flag and wraps his rope tightly around Flag’s throat! “I choose you. You’re easier to kill,” he hisses in Flag’s ear.

    Batman steps up behind Slipknot and rakes a punch across the back of Slipknot’s skull. Slipknot falls to the street unconscious. “Rick Flag, isn’t it? Are the rest of the forgotten heroes with you?” Batman asks.

    “Uh, no..,” Flag says as he loosens Slipknot’s rope from his neck.

    “Oh, that’s right. They disbanded,” Batman replies. “I assume you’re here about Firestorm.”

    “Uh, yeah,” Flag answers.

    The two men face each other, standing with Slipknot lying on the street between them. “Well, he’ll have to wait,” Batman replies. “This new creature seems the more immediate threat. His M.O. and general appearance correspond with a menace called the Parasite that appeared in Pittsburgh not long ago. Do you know anything about him?”

    Flag nods. “Something. Tell you what I know,” he answers. “Wish to hell I was working with someone like you rather than the creeps I get stuck with,” Flag thinks.

    “Ah, the girls are waking up,” Parasite observed. He stands near Killer Frost and Firehawk, who both lie in the street at his feet. “I want something from you, girls,” Parasite snarls at them. “The most precious things you can give me. Give me your powers, girls. That which makes you you.” Parasite wraps his arms tightly around Killer Frost, absorbing her power out of her body. He drops her to the street and turns to Firehawk. His arms clutch her tightly for a moment and then she falls limply to the street.

    Blue Beetle and Deadshot continue to spar with each other. “Deadshot’s getting more serious…and closer...with every shot!” Blue Beetle thinks as he dodges. “Let’s see…when was the last time I updated my will?”

    Batman and Rick Flag run up to them. “Deadshot!” Flag yells out.

    Deadshot stops firing and turns to them. “Flag..?! What are you..?!” Deadshot blurts.

    WHAM! Batman and Rick Flag pound their fists into Deadshot’s head! He falls unconscious to the street! “Sorry, Deadshot! But I can’t let you blow the Squad’s cover!” Flag thinks.

    Batman, Blue Beetle, and Rick Flag look down at Deadshot. “Hmm. Hadn’t realized you and Deadshot had tangled before, Flag,” Batman says. “Never mind. Beetle, the three of us are going to have to go after the Parasite with the aid of your Bug.”

    “Oh great,” Blue Beetle answers. “From what I’ve heard, I don’t know as we’ve got the power to deal with him, Batman.”

    “Have to give it a shot,” Flag adds. “Right now we’re all available. Duty calls.”

    Ronnie struggles to get to his feet. “Ronald! Wake up! Get up!” Stein prompts him.

    “Uh-uh. Nope. Gonna do it. If they want to hit me some more, they’re gonna have to bend down to do it,” Ronnie groans.

    “Ronald, stop clowning and look!” Stein urges. Ronnie turns to look behind him. Parasite and three duploids stand over the motionless bodies of Black Canary, Killer Frost, Firehawk, and Martian Manhunter.

    “The Parasite has obviously encountered Multiplex and taken his power!” Stein warns. “He’s also absorbed the super-energy of all those who have fallen.”

    Ronnie stands and looks over the multiple Parasites and his victims. “All those people who were ready to jump me, one way or another, and put me in jail, or kill me,” Ronnie replies.

    “That’s right. They were,” Stein answers. “And they would now if they could. And the Parasite is about to kill them. Are we going to even bother pretending that we’re going to let him?”

    FZAP! FZAP! FZAP! FZAP! Ronnie uses transforming beams to encase each of the Parasites in a cocoon of ice! “You know, Professor, sometimes you take a lot of the fun out of being a super-hero,” Ronnie answers. “I mean, what’s our lives without a little angst?”

    “You’re growing up, Ronald! You used ‘angst’ in a complete, meaningful sentence!” Stein answers.

    Ronnie sighs. “C’mon, Professor! Gimme a break, will ya!” he replies.

    THU-DOOM! Parasite and his duploids explode out of the ice! “That task, I think, can be safely left to the Parasites,” Stein answers. “Having gotten their attention, I trust we can deal with it.”

    The Parasites walk towards Firestorm. “We remember…you vaguely…you are Firestorm!” the Parasites say in unison. “We fought you before! Now…we will kill you!” Parasite unleashes a Canary Cry, ice blast, and fire blasts at Firestorm!

    “Watch closely, boys - - at no time do my hands leave my wrists! Presto change-o zammo!” Ronnie answers.

    FZAAM! FZAAM! FZAAM! FZAAM! “Oh, well done, Ronald!” Stein exclaims. “You’ve transmuted their various energy beams into oil and water! And you’ve baffled and redirected the sonic cry so it spills back all over them! Oh, bravo!”

    Parasite and his duploids are washed over by the wave of reflected liquids. “No applause, please. It gives me a headache,” Ronnie answers. “Besides, now comes the more difficult part.” He leaps into the sky, quickly gaining altitude.

    “Ronald, why are we running away?” Stein asks confusedly.

    “What is he up to?” “I fear him!” “He can destroy us!” What do we do?” the Parasites babble as they look up at Firestorm. “AFTER HIM!” they yell in unison, jumping into the air in pursuit.

    Flying behind them in the Blue Beetle Bug, Batman, Blue Beetle, and Rick Flag watch Firestorm and the Parasites. “Looks like Firestorm’s leading them away from populated areas,” Blue Beetle observes as he flies the Bug.

    “Good. Follow,” Batman directs. “We’ll have to take on whoever wins.”

    Firestorm races away from the city with the Parasites in close pursuit. “All right, Ronald. I understand the necessity for getting the Parasites away from the vulnerable,” Stein observes. “But now what do you intend?”

    “To borrow a trick or two we learned fighting Typhoon!” Ronnie answers. FZAAM! “I think we’ve got the clouds with which to have a hail of a good time,” he adds. He uses a transforming beam to create a rain of ice chunks onto the Parasites with a transforming beam.

    “Let me suggest a refinement, Ronald. Try transmuting the hail to shrapnel,” Stein tells him. FZAAM! Ronnie reforms the ice into metal fragments that cascade into the Parasites. The Parasites cover their heads from the falling debris.

    Following close behind, the Blue Beetle Bug flies into the cloud of shrapnel. “Yow! What did we do - - fly into a fragmentation bomb?” Blue Beetle asks anxiously as he tries to evade. CHIANGK! SCHING! Fragments smash into the Bug. “If this doesn’t lighten up…and I mean darn fast, gentlemen…we’re pulling out, or we’re going down!” Blue Beetle cries out.

    “There’s a limit to how effective this can be, my boy. Remember the Parasite must have some of the Martian Manhunter’s invulnerability,” Stein cautions.

    “We gotta make him burn up that stolen energy, Professor; even if it’s only in trying to stay alive. Maybe a couple of volts of electricity will help!” Ronnie raises his arms overhead, directing energy into the clouds. ZZZZZZKKKKAKOWWWW! Lightning rockets down and blasts into the Parasites!

    “Ronald, you’ve given me an inspiration! If he has stolen those heroes’ energies, he may have their weaknesses as well! The Martian Manhunter’s is fire! Try ringing them with it!” Stein directs.

    FWOOOSH! Ronnie waves his hand and creates a ring of fire encircling the Parasites. “YAAAAH!” they cry out in pain from the heat.

    “That’s it, punk! I’ve had enough!” Parasite yells as he reabsorbs the duploids. “I’ve concentrated all my power into one form! Now I’m gonna suck you dry, jerk!”

    “What do you think I’ve been waiting for, Ratbreath?” Ronnie asks. “Now that I know I’m getting all of you, I can hit you with a couple concrete tons at a couple hundred miles and hour a couple hundred times.” PAM! PAM! PAM! PAM! A huge concrete block smashes repeatedly into Parasite! “Hey, I’m talking to you!” Ronnie yells out.

    “He’s unconscious, Ronald,” Stein observes. “Might I suggest we shroud him in amber as we did last time? Only this time, might we not lower him to Earth instead of letting him simply fall?”

    FZAAM! Ronnie encases the Parasite in an amber cocoon. He guides the Parasite back down into Times Square. “Sure, Professor. Wouldn’t make much sense to squash the Justice Leaguers after we got done saving them, would it?” he asks.

    “Are they all right, Ronald?” Stein asks.

    Ronnie looks at the still unconscious Killer Frost, Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, and Firehawk lying in the street. “Oh yeah. Be up and around and back after us in no time, I bet,” Ronnie replies.

    “Then perhaps we’d best be on our way while we can, my boy,” Stein suggests.

    Firestorm flies upwards, crossing into view of the Blue Beetle Bug. “It’s Firestorm. Good. Let’s go,” Batman directs.

    “No,” Blue Beetle answers. “Firestorm risked his life to save the lives of others, including some of our people. He’s earned the right to make his final stand where he wants.”

    “I’m giving you an order, Beetle,” Batman replies.

    “I don’t care. You want to go after Flame-Top in the Batplane or the Whirly-Bat or whatever, you do it. And I say no. I’m not your subordinate, Batman!” Blue Beetle answers. “I’m your teammate. With a mind - - and a conscience - - of my own. And I’m not doing anything just because you or anyone else says ‘Boo’, okay? Let’s go tend to our wounded and find a way to put that Parasite back on ice. Wasn’t he being held at the Belle Reve Prison in Louisiana?”

    “Yes. I wonder how he got loose?” Batman asks.

    “With a legitimate court order we arranged,” Rick Flag thinks. “Hope that satisfies you, Batman, we don’t want your detective instinct raised too far. I’m not sure how you’d take to the idea of our springing the bozos you put away. Or what you might do if you knew! Most of all I don’t want to fight against you!”

    Interlude: Pittsburgh.

    “I didn’t want to tell anyone about Ronnie’s secret,” Doreen explains to Chief Ferguson. “I promised him I wouldn’t…But when the President came on TV like he did..! I mean, he asked for help and said the Russians were pretty sore…”

    “Don’t worry about it, Miss Day. You’ve done the right thing,” Ferguson replies. “You go home. I’ll take it from here. And remember…Don’t tell anyone else about this, all right?”

    “Thanks,” Doreen answers.

    Ferguson guides Doreen from his office into the lobby of Police Headquarters. “Schumacher, make sure Miss Day gets home safely, will you?” Ferguson directs an officer.

    “Right, Chief,” Schumacher nods as he walks next to Doreen.

    “Well, Chief? She have any useful info on Firestorm?” another officer asks.

    “No. Just a lover’s spat and she’s trying to get back at her boyfriend,” Ferguson answers.

    “Oh, well. I guess you don’t know they’re cranks until you’ve heard them out. Sorry to let her bother you, Chief,” the officer replies.

    “No bother. You did what you were supposed to do. Don’t worry about it,” Ferguson tells him. The Chief opens his office door and walks in. He takes a seat at his desk and picks up the phone. Bee-boo-bee-boo-bee-boo! He taps out a number quickly on the touchtone key pad. “It’s Ferguson,” he says when the other person answers. “I’ve learned something useful about Firestorm…”

    End of Interlude

    Nevada, three hours later… “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, my name is General Arnold Weymouth. I’m in command of this temporary station and at this time I’ll answer such of your questions as I can. Yes?” A throng of reporters hold their microphones out to the General, barking out questions to him as cameras click and whirr. The group stands inside a reinforced concrete blockhouse somewhere in the barren Nevada desert.

    “Firestorm arrived about an hour ago and sequestered himself under what appears to be an ice dome about ten miles out into the desert. No ma’am; he’s made no move since then and we haven’t yet tried to penetrate the dome. The President has left the first move up to our Russian guests,” Weymouth explains.

    “There are two of them, sir; a super-powered being named Pozhar - - which translates into ‘destructive fire’ in their language - - and another man. The only name I have on him is Zastrow,” Weymouth continues.

    “No, ma’am. I do not know at this time what this Pozhar’s abilities are. No, sir, I don’t know that Zastrow is KGB. Yes sir, this government is reserving the right to call a tactical nuclear strike should the Russian fail. In addition, we have extensive conventional forces at hand at our disposal. No sir, the decision to use the nuclear weapon is something only the President can make. We are in constant contact with the White House,” the General answers as he fields numerous questions.

    He peers out a blockhouse window at the ice dome looming in the distance. Sunlight sparkles off the icy shell. “My own personal opinion is not relevant, ma’am. I am a soldier. And I know my duty. Yes, if so ordered, I will launch the missile. Yes, ma’am. I’m sure you are appalled. It’s an appalling situation,” Weymouth answers.

    Inside the dome in the desert, Ronnie sits on a chair. He rests his elbow on his knee and leans his head against his hand. Professor Stein lies napping next to him on a small bed.

    “Zzzkkk…zzzzs-schnup? …Wha? …Where?” Stein mumbles as he awakens.

    “Relax, Professor. We’re out in Nevada,” Ronnie tells him.

    “But this dome?! This bed..?!” Stein blurts as he looks around.

    “You were looking pretty beat and I figured we could both use some rest. So I zapped up this ice dome and the bed,” Ronnie explains. “The ice keeps us cool and gives us some drinking water as it melts while we wait for…whatever they’re going to do.”

    “Ronald, you realize that whatever else happens, this will probably be our last battle as Firestorm, don’t you?” Stein asks. He stands and rests his hand on Ronnie’s shoulder.

    “I know, Professor. Fact is, we’ll probably both die here today,” Ronnie answers.

    “It’s been quite an experience, hasn’t it, my boy? All the people we’ve met, contended with, over the years,” Stein replies. “Win or lose here today, we have been a force for good and have achieved more than I would have ever dreamed possible…Becoming Firestorm is the single most important thing that has ever happened to me. It’s demanded and brought out the best that was in me. It showed me more good in myself than I knew I possessed.”

    Stein pulls Ronnie to him and the two men hug warmly. “I would not have been half the man I have become were it not for you and Firestorm, Ronald. Thank you, my friend,” he tells Ronnie.

    “Professor..!” Ronnie answers softly, resting his head against Stein’s shoulder.

    Suddenly…BOOM! The ice dome explodes and disintegrates! Ronnie and Professor Stein instantly fuse into Firestorm and fly up into the sky!

    “Americain…you must surrender. It is necessary,” Pozhar calls to him in a heavy Russian accent.

    “Says who?” Ronnie asks as he looks over his new adversary. Pozhar’s white and red armor gleams in the bright sunlight and fire dances around his right hand.

    “I am Mikhail Denisovitch Arkadin. My government is calling me Pozhar. They have told me to destroy you but I do not wish to do this,” Pozhar explains. “I have heard what you have done. Is admirable, I think.”

    “Then why are you attacking me?” Ronnie asks, hovering near Pozhar.

    “They have my family. I fear for their safety,” Pozhar answers. “Pliz. If you will surrender we will not need to fight.”

    “I can’t do that, pal. I’ve taken a stand and I’m willing to die for it,” Ronnie replies.

    “I understand. I am thinking it is maybe the intention of both our governments that we should both die here. Each fears us. Perhaps with cause,” Pozhar answers. “Americain, I am wery sorry for the necessity of this.”

    “Me, too, pal,” Ronnie answers.

    “Shall we begin?” Pozhar asks.

    FOOMP! Pozhar fires a burst from his flaming hand that blasts into Firestorm! “AAAAGH!” Ronnie yells, falling stunned and headfirst and covered in flames from the impact. Pozhar descends, following quickly.

    “Ronald, you must focus! Transmute the flames!” Stein urges him.

    “The pain! I can hardly think, Professor,” Ronnie groans painfully as they land hard in the desert. Ronnie quickly stands and turns to face Pozhar.

    Pozhar lands and slams his right fist into the desert soil. SHWUMP! SHWUMP! SHWUMP! SHWUMP! SHWUMP! Instantly, five streams of fire erupt from the ground, forming a tight circle around Firestorm.

    “Lava geysers!” Stein exclaims. “Go intangible, my lad! Now take to the air!”

    SWOOOSH! Ronnie leaps skyward. VOOOMP! Pozhar launches right behind him!

    “We have the advantage in the air, Ronald! We’re faster and more maneuverable,” Stein observes.

    FASH! Ronnie unleashes a radiant bright blast of energy into Pozhar! “Blind him with more than speed, Professor,” Ronnie answers.

    The two opponents soar high in the clouds above the desert. “He’s generating a tremendous amount of heat and that provides his lift, Ronald!” Stein explains.

    “So what happens if I seal those ports and the heat can’t escape?” Ronnie asks. FZAAP! He fires a transforming burst at Pozhar’s jet pack, closing off the jet nozzles.

    BA-BOOM! Pozhar’s jet pack explodes and he begins to plummet!

    “He falls down and goes baboom,” Ronnie says as he watches Pozhar fall.

    KRUNCH! Pozhar smashes hard into the desert. “Bring the fight to him, Ronald. His suit makes him vulnerable!” Stein instructs as they land near Pozhar. Smoke wafts off Pozhar’s back from the jet pack’s remnants.

    SHWUNK! Pozhar pounds his fist into the soil. Instantly, a focused tremor of energy shoots at Firestorm. RRRRUMMMBBBLLLEEE! The tremor wave blasts into Firestorm with a rain of rocks and earth!

    “V-V-V-Vulnerable b-b-but no-t-t-t-t easy, Professor!” Ronnie stammers through the shaking wave.

    “Ronald, snap out of it! He has another fireball!” Stein warns. FOOOOSH! Pozhar fires!

    “Is good, General, that both gowernments are agreed to what must be done, da?” asks Major Zastrow from the blockhouse. He and General Weymouth look out the blockhouse window, watching the distant fires and explosions from the battle.

    “If you say so, Mr. Zastrow,” Weymouth answers.

    “I do say so. Who can compel creatures such as they to obey if they do not choose to?” Zastrow asks. “Their wery existence undermines the ability of any social structure to gowern. Their powers put them above our grasp and so above our laws. This no society dares tolerate. Better these two die here today, eh?”

    Ring! Ring! The red phone on a nearby control panel rings. General Weymouth quickly answers it. “Yes, Mr. President?” he asks. “..Deploy now, sir? Isn’t it a little…No, sir. Of course. As you command, sir.” He hangs up the phone. “Dammit,” he says sadly.

    Next to the phone, a red button blinks intermittently. Weymouth stares at the button for a moment, then…Tek! He pounds it with his forefinger. FWOOOSH! From an underground silo, a Minuteman III nuclear missile blasts off!

    Reporters wearing protective glasses crowd together behind a large protective wall near the blockhouse. Automatic TV cameras mounted on the wall record the battle between Firestorm and Pozhar far off in the desert.

    “The air is tense. The air is electric…Robot cameras picking up the action…twenty miles away, these modern titans…the air is very, very hot…” a reporter describes into his remote mike.

    In their New York City apartment, Ed and Felicity Raymond watch the battle. “Will the government, as threatened, actually explode a tactical nuclear device on these warring super-humans?” the reporter asks as Firestorm and Pozhar wrestle fiercely.

    At Vandemeer University, Doreen watches in the student lounge. “We here in the trench are gambling they would not dare actually explode a nuclear device in the atmosphere, but already environmentalists are gathering to protest,” the reporter continues.

    At Police Headquarters, Chief Ferguson watches in his office. “After all, this is the government that gave us James Watt as Secretary of the Interior. It may simply come down to how much the powers-that-be want Firestorm dead,” the reporter adds.

    AHOOOGA! AHOOOGA! AHOOOGA! Warning klaxons start to sound at the blockhouse. Soldiers rush to the nearby observation trench where the reporters stand. “Down! Everybody down!” a soldier yells out.

    “Let’s see how badly you need that tin can you’re walking in, Pozhar!” Ronnie calls out. FZAAP! FZAAP! He aims twin transforming bursts at Pozhar’s armor. SCHRAK! The armor instantly disappears!

    “Dear Lord,” Stein gasps in horror. Pozhar stands completely engulfed in flames in front of them.

    “AAAAAAAAAAAAA!” Pozhar screams in agony.

    “Ronald, his suit was a containment vessel! His own heat is now killing him!” Stein exclaims. “Ronald, he’s as much a victim in this as we are! We simply cannot let him die!”

    FZAAAP! Ronnie focuses a beam from his right hand at the burning Pozhar. “I’m siphoning off the excess heat, Professor, and sending it skywards but he’s generating more every second! He’s going to hit critical mass!”

    “We’ll transmute some of the desert into heavy water! Let that work like a natural reactor until we can think of something else!” Stein directs.

    FZAAAP! Ronnie transforms the desert underneath Pozhar into heavy water. SPLASH! Pozhar falls into the pool. He floats on the surface, his flaming skull face looking out at Firestorm. “..Americain..! Thank you..! I fight you…no more…no matter what they say!” Pozhar says, catching his breath.

    “’Sokay…pal…just need second…catch m’breath…then we’ll…” Ronnie answers.

    Suddenly, Ronnie arches his head back, convulsing violently. “YAAAAARRGH!” he cries out. Instantly, a bright atomic ring forms and Ronnie and Professor Stein fission out of Firestorm! Ronnie stands in the desert near Pozhar, but Professor Stein immediately collapses!

    “Amazing! This Firestorm is really two people!” Pozhar thinks as he watches them. “But what is wrong here? The older one looks terrible, like he is…oh no! No!”

    Ronnie kneels down quickly, reaching for his friend. “Professor!” Ronnie yells fearfully. “MARTIN!”

    BROAAAAARRR! “That roar you hear is from a nuclear cruise missile passing over our trench!” the TV reporter explains as the missile rockets towards Ronnie, Professor Stein, and Pozhar.

    Felicity grabs tightly onto Ed as they look on in horror. “It’s designed to hedgehop over the landscape until it reaches its target and then rise a mile in the air before detonating, to fully unleash the atomic blast,” the reporter explains to his audience.

    Doreen looks at her television in disbelief. “I can’t believe they’re actually going through with it!” the reporter exclaims.

    Chief Ferguson takes his pipe out of his mouth as he watches closely. “They’re going to nuke Firestorm!” the reporter cries out.

    Ronnie cradles Professor Stein in his arms. Behind them, the missile approaches rapidly. “C’mon, Professor! Don’t die on me, okay? Please don’t die on me!” Ronnie says fearfully.

    FWOOMP! The missile suddenly banks to turn vertical, soaring high above the desert. “Americain, listen to me! Is cruise missile just pass us!” Pozhar warns. “We are both betrayed by our gowernments! If you cannot stop it, all of us will die now!”

    Ronnie looks down at the unconscious Professor Stein in his arms. “C’mon, Professor! You heard what he said! We’ve got to do the Firestorm number one more time!” Ronnie pleads. He concentrates with all his power. A small atomic ring forms in the space between their faces, but it merely flickers and disappears. The missile streaks skyward, nearing its target altitude.

    “It’s…It’s no good. I can’t get more than a spark from him. I think he’s already dead!” Ronnie blurts quickly.

    “I am as good as dead. This water boils away and I cannot stop it,” Pozhar thinks. “I will die here but maybe…maybe the Americain does not need to!”

    “Americain! Listen to me! Take my hand!” Pozhar yells out. “I will lend you my strength and maybe then you can form your Firestorm!”

    Ronnie drags the Professor closer to Pozhar with one hand. He reaches out his other hand toward the dwindling pool of heavy water where Pozhar stands. “I dunno. I don’t think it’ll work that way..!” Ronnie says as their hand reach desperately for the other.

    “Try! Is death of a surety otherwise. Reach!” Pozhar yells out.

    SHAKABADOOOM! The Minuteman missile detonates! WHOOOOM! The blast wave hurtles down and explodes against the desert. Ronnie, Professor Stein, and Pozhar, linked by their hands, are swallowed in the cataclysmic maelstrom of destruction!

    KRAKKKABROOOMDOOM! Ed and Felicity, Doreen, Chief Ferguson, General Weymouth, Major Zastrow, and the cadre of soldiers and reporters all watch in terror as a giant mushroom cloud springs up from the desert, soon towering high above into the sky. BRUMMMBBABOOOMM! The unimaginable explosive shock waves rumble across the desert.

    At the swirling radioactive nucleus of ground zero, a solitary figure stands. “Sir, readout indicates a negative void coefficient at the heart of the explosion,” a technician reports to General Weymouth. The technician watches a radar-like monitor screen from inside the blockhouse. General Weymouth and Major Zastrow stand behind the technician looking at the unusual readings. “Sir…It’s roughly man-sized!” the technician says with alarm.

    VOOOOOOOOO! Fire dances around the chest and head of the figure at the epicenter of ground zero. It stretches its arms outward, holds them at shoulder level for a moment, and then, it snaps its arms back to its side. Incredibly, the shock wave of the explosion reacts to the figure’s arm motion. Unbelievably, the energy waves and mushroom cloud start to contract!

    SCHWOOOOOO! The figure absorbs the energy into its body! VEEEOOOO! The mushroom cloud shrinks out of the sky, forming a small circle of darkness around the figure. VIIIIIIIIIP! The being absorbs the last waves of energy and smoke. It stands, fire surrounding its head and chest. Sand blows about the desert near the figure. All evidence of the detonation of a nuclear missile has been erased, absorbed wholly into the figure in some fantastically unreal transmutation of energy!

    “This is incredible! Never have I seen…” gasps Major Zastrow as he looks out of the blockhouse window.

    “He shut it down. The whole damn nuclear explosion,” General Weymouth says in disbelief. “The blast. The fire. The radiation. Everything. He just shut it all down..!”

    In the observation trench, reporters and soldiers stare out towards ground zero. “It’s impossible!” cries a reporter. “It’s clean!” another views the desert. “Look, he’s coming this way!” another yells. “I’ve got to see..!” “There’s only one coming!” “Which one is it?” “I can’t see..!”

    The reporters peer through their protective glasses, pointing up at the solitary figure approaching. It floats slowly out of the sky in the midst of swirling sands. Fire radiates from the figure from its head to its toes. “Izzit - -?” a reporter asks. “I dunno. You tell me,” another answers.

    Hovering before them is…Firestorm!

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