Our team stood there stunned, kind of a like a herd of deer in the headlights of a big spaceship, watching as the Martian Manhunter changed his shape. His green body grew and morphed into something . . . else. I knew he was a shapeshifter but I don't think he was doing this. His body became black and translucent.

"It's the Shadow King!" Professor Xavier shouted.

"Oh man, where's the exit?!" cried Private Hudson.

"No don't go panicking everybody," I said, trying to use my vast leadership skills to create some calm. "Maybe he just wants to talk."

A loud ghostly voice boomed from the thirty foot tall jet black demon standing in front of us. "I shall kill you all for what you have done to me!"

"Yeah, good call Cyke," grunted Wolverine.

"Game over, man!" Hudson wailed.

"Pro-fess-ar, can't you all do somethin'?" Rogue asked.

"I drained all my strength driving the Dark Phoenix from Jean! I have nothing left for this battle!"

Great.

"Well I'm not drained!" Jean yelled as she unleashed a ferocious barrage of energy at the Shadow King. He stumbled back, recoiling from the assault.

Just then Warbird like a flash took to the air and swung around him from behind, smashing hard into the back of his legs. The giant fell back, crashing into the misty semi-substantial ground. Everyone else leapt to the attack too. Not wanting to be left out, I zapped the Shadow King in the head with a full blast optic beam.

Kodiak grabbed his right arm and used all his strength, twisting it back in a most unnatural way. Hudson got into the swing of things, letting his rifle run on full auto, repeatedly blasting the monster. Wolverine jumped onto his chest and sunk his claws deep into his heart. The Shadow King let out a terrible howl of pain. His powers must have been only partially formed or else he wasn't able to fully join yet with the Manhunter.

"Stop! Stop your attack!" the Professor called, growing in size and moving between us. "Your killing J'onn!"

"Who the heck is J'onn?" I asked.

"That's the Manhunter, you idiot!" yelled Wolverine.

Well how am I suppose to know that?

"The Shadow King has no body! The remains of his consciousness have possessed J'onn's mind but that is his body you are attacking! You have to stop now or you'll kill him!"

Great. Then how the hell are we suppose to beat him?