The Avengers (Marvel;Re)/Issue 3 (Captain America)

This is the third issue of Captain America's Avengers comic book series, part of the Marvel;Re initiative and the story arc, The Madness Beneath. The story is preceded by The Avengers (Captain America) #2 and succeeded by The Avengers (Captain America) #4

Synopsis
The Avengers have expanded. Through the Avengers Wave protocol, Earth's mightiest heroes have expanded their ranks, inducting many other superhumans to aid them in fending off the growing threat of the universe. As the leader of the Avengers, Captain America is privileged to lead his own team of Avengers. Many were unable to fathom the Super-Soldier's choices, but the Star-Spangled Avenger knows best that nothing is impossible and his team could be an example to the world of superheroes. Together, they stand against the worst reality and unreality can throw at them as the Avengers. Captain America and his Avengers were tasked to apprehend a rogue Kree Pursuer and her oceanic compatriots. Needless to say, their mission was a disastrous failure and now, the Avengers lie beaten and captured under the sea, chained within the presence of a man who claims himself to be the All-Father...

Previously in Avengers...

 * A distress call from Namor and a tip from Ronan the Accuser led the Avengers to battle against the latter's niece, who was apparently possessed by a spiritual entity who came to Earth seeking the Serpent Crown.
 * Unfortunately, "Earth's Mightiest Heroes" failed after realizing they were fighting against something well beyond their capabilities.
 * Preliminary reports stated that Tanalth the Pursuer sought to summon Set, the Elder God of Evil, using the Serpent Crown's power. They were wrong. The Pursuer has succeeded in summoning another ancient deity with the Serpent Crown, but not Set himself... but a forgotten Asgardian terror from the unknown.

Sestanivor, the Blue Embassy
Chained and defeated, the Sentinel of Liberty's Avengers are trapped deep beneath a prison-fortress holding a prisoner of the most damned kind. A forgotten god from the past, claiming himself to be the 'All-Father', unquestionably of the Asgardian kind, stands in front of the captured heroes alongside his two maidens of destruction, Skirn, the Breaker of Men and Nerkkod, the Breaker of Oceans, respectively formerly known as Tanalth the Pursuer and Namora, cousin of Namor, the Avenging Son. A dark day, indeed, for this is supposed to be the Avengers' first mission, yet it has turned out to be their first failure... and the world shall pay a heavy price for this.

After revealing his identity, the 'All-Father' personally examines the Avengers, relishing in the fears that flare within their souls. Though they are among the bravest of their worlds, it's not that easy to muster your courage in the presence of a God of Fear. Ultimus, Balder, and Hiroim stare at Ghost Rider blankly right into her empty eye sockets. Cul takes a moment to process his sentences before letting him go. Utilizing telekinesis, Skirn / Tanalth picks up the still-intact Serpent Crown, which pulses with energy. She grabs it and hands it over to her father for examination. Cul solemnly nods several times. It may not be like it, but this is an expression of disappointment: something that Tanalth and Nerkkod quickly notice. Cul slowly approaches his daughter, and for the first time, the Avengers actually see her afraid. Skirn recoils when he walks towards her but is frozen in place by none other than the Serpent himself. Nerkkod cannot do anything but stand still as she knows what's coming. At least, she's able to give her a telepathic encouragement, known to both the Serpent and Skirn herself, but ignored by the former.
 * Captain America: "So you're the Serpent 'Tanalth' was rambling about."
 * Cul Borson / The Serpent: "I am Cul Borson, firstborn of Bor Burison and Bestla, rightful King of Asgard, the God of Fear, the Serpent of Terror. And you are?"
 * Steve Rogers / Captain America: "(Grits his teeth) I am Steven Rogers, Captain America."
 * Cul Borson: "You're a human? (Turns to Skirn and Nerkkod) How is this possible?"
 * Warlock: "Uh, why is Subject: Cul Borson confused at the fact that Captain America is human?"
 * Alejandra Jones / Ghost Rider: "Honestly, if it wasn't for your weird-ass skin tones and sentences, I wouldn't be able to tell which one of you are humans or not. No offense."
 * Balder: "I thought your kind can identify the souls of individuals, so you can tell which race they belong to?"
 * Ultimus: "Conveniently, you humans and Asgardians look pretty much the same!"
 * Hiroim: "Look who's talking, Kree."
 * Ghost Rider: "Hey, just saying! Even this old güey doesn't know how the f**k humans are supposed to look like!"
 * Victorious: "Um, didn't humans look different way back before we are... here?"
 * Warlock: "Self-friend Victorious is correct! But, considering Asgardians like Subject: Cul Borson and self-friend Balder themselves look like humans, self is still confused how this old timer over here cannot tell which one of us is human."
 * Cul Borson: "(Sharply turns and rushes at the speed of light at Warlock, grabbing his neck) Are you human?"
 * Captain America: "NO! Leave him alone, Cul!"
 * Warlock: "Self is a Technarch. Self is neither a human nor a native of Earth."
 * Cul Borson: "(Slight laugh) Oh, has Aesheim always been the center of the universe?"
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "It seems so, Father Cul. My host's memories tell me that Aesheim has been visited and invaded multiple times by her own race and many others."
 * Nerkkod, Breaker of Oceans / Namora: "It has also become home to many other dark things since your imprisonment, Great Serpent."
 * Cul Borson: "Is that so?"
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "Do you remember the rumors of another, 'greater' serpent god dwelling within the bowels of Aesheim long ago, father?"
 * Cul Borson: "This is his crown of power, yes?"
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "Indeed, father. With its power, we managed to break through the enchantments that sealed your prison."
 * Skirn, Breaker of Men / Tanalth: "Father... did I do any wrong?"

Upon reaching her, the Asgardian God of Fear softly touches her face before smiling at her. The Serpent looks down for a moment before staring up to her once again.
 * Victorious: "Jó Isten, kapitány, this is disturbing."
 * Captain America: "If this is what I think it is, then you may close your eyes, Vic."
 * Warlock: "Uh, why is his fingers on her mouth?"
 * Balder: "By Odin, no..."
 * Hiroim: "This cannot be!"
 * Ghost Rider: "You have no idea how many indecent thoughts I'm picking up right now. Even from you, Warlock."
 * Warlock: "Hey, self is curious!"
 * Ultimus: "Your curiosity is misplaced, Technarch!"
 * Ghost Rider: "Your curiosity is also 'misplaced', you enfermo!"
 * Captain America: "All of you, cut it!"

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Trivia
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