Story #2Cloud Hidden!
Writer:
J. M. DeMatteis.
Penciler/Inker:
Alan Kupperberg.
Colorist:
Paul Becton.
Letterer:
Janice Chiang.
Synopsis
The
mysterious Cloud flees through the countryside, pursued by two Secret Empire
robots. She morphs into a storm cloud and strikes them with lightning, which
slows them down a little but soon they resume pursuing her….
At
their Long Island home, Madelaine and William Drake are entertaining their son
Bobby (Iceman), and his pals Henry (Beast) McCoy and Warren (Angel) Worthington
plus Warren’s girlfriend Candy Southern. Bobby is looking for a tactful way to
tell his parents that he has resumed his superhero identity which they have
always disapproved of. Warren and Hank try to lead into it, defending the need
for heroes but Mr. Drake just bursts out in anger, recounting how much he and
his wife worried about Bobby when he was with he X-Men. Finally Bobby just comes
out and says it, transforming into Iceman before them. His mother faints and
his father just stares in shock. Hank says, “I think they’re taking it rather
well.”
At
the Secret Empire HQ in the Smoky Mountains of Virginia, Number Forty-Nine
reports to Number One about Cloud’s escape and how Plan L has been set in
motion. Here we learn that Number One is Professor Power and we see him battle
six warrior drones singlehandedly for practice, along with a recap of his
previous appearances and hints of his new goals….
At
the Defenders brownstone, Moondragon is practicing her fighting moves when
Gargoyle and Valkyrie pass her open door and admire her technique. But MD is
angry at this invasion of privacy and slams the door in their faces. Isaac
expresses some sympathy for Moondragon but her hostile attitude tests his
patience. Val defends MD, reminding him that she had been sent to live among the
Defenders by Odin, to see if she can find a way to balance her humanity and
godhood and therefore she resents the Defenders. But Val detects a frightened
creature deep down inside MD, one who she must help. Meanwhile, Moondragon is
attacked in her room by Cloud. Val and Isaac return and Isaac uses his
bio-mystic bolts to take her down…for which Moondragon rebukes him, explaining
that Cloud was coming for their help and was delirious from her exertions. But
Val and Isaac are suspicious of her….
In
the car on their way back to HQ, Beast, Iceman, Angel, and Candy are making
plans for the rest of the day (Hank and Bobby want to see GUMBY videotapes
which Warren and Candy find unbelievable) when they spot giants flying robots
overhead, heading toward their brownstone. Hanks leaves his dog Sassafras with
Candy and the three guys change into hero mode and take off….
At
the brownstone, Cloud explains to the others how she was duped by the Secret
Empire into serving them and concluded that the Defenders would be the best
allies but she’s still traumatized and can’t talk about it. Moondragon can read
her mind and offers sympathy and support, startling the others who didn’t think
she had such compassion in her (though Val is uneasy). Then two of the Secret
Empire’s robots smash through the wall, with Angel, Beast, and Iceman close
behind. There is a raucous fight and the heroes work together to vanquish the
two robots. And then Cloud reveals that these two were one robot team out of
five. Eight more robots enter (though only seven are seen) and quickly
overpower the Defenders. One fires a ray that neutralizes Cloud’s abilities and
they carry her off, leaving the defeated heroes in the rubble of their
brownstone….
CharactersGood (or All)
Angel(Warren Worthington III) : Candy Southern, Cloud.
EnemiesPlus: Professor Power (
Anthony Power).