by Rypta Gud'n and Kristogar Velo
Rhyme Guardian, having just been pulled through the rhyme force into... well, nowhere, really... stands face to face with an entity known as Infinity.
Rhyme Guardian: "So, what is it you want?"
Infinity: "We need a... 'metahero' of your universe to stay here. While I can influence this place and what it does, I have little power over the displaced beings who make their way here and threaten the fabric of this place's existence. If one of your heroes becomes the servant of this place, they can guard it from human visitors and be a liaison between this place and the mortal realm."
Rhyme Guardian: "Fine. To save all those European lives, I'll stay."
Infinity: "Excellent. Let your mind go, and I will merge you with me and this dimension."
Rhyme Guardian relaxes and clears his thoughts, and lets Infinity merge him with the zone. He snaps back into awareness.
"So... am I merged now?"
"Yes."
"Can you return Europe, then?"
"No. It serves as an entertaining distraction, and its people serve as playthings for the inhabitants of this place."
Several profanities escape Rhyme Guardian's mouth. He also finds that he has lost contact with the rhyme force. He cannot return home, and this being has lied to him.
"What on earth will the Rhymer do now,
He really needs to save Europe, but how?"
Marv Velo is in a bed, bandaged up in several places, and next to him on a dresser is a universal translator. Weakly, he turns to his right.
"Speck, I want you to give me a status of the MBL in the headquarters. Something feels wrong."
Although he cannot see him, Velo knows that Speck has left the room. Seconds later, a piece of paper is put into his hand. On it are written the following words:
Velo (in bed, injured)
Disco Stave (in a coma)
Lioness
Beer-Drinking Lad
"That's odd," Velo says as he sees this. "Where is everybody?"
Right after he asks his question, new writing suddenly appears on the paper.
The Albino Chameleon's unconscious body is at the entrance.
Velo's eyes open wide, and he tries to speak. He starts to tell Speck to get his regenerator in a secret compartment of his costume but passes out from pain before he can get the words out.