Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Marvel; all rights belong to their respective owners.
Chapter 1
Ghosts: Red Skull Rising
2 Months After the Liberator Invasion
New York City, Baxter Building
Swarms of helicopters whipped through the skies to surround the impressive tower of scientific achievement. The military grade machines primed their weapons as they moved towards their target.
Before they could fire, a blast of blue energy streaked through the sky, smashing into the side of a chopper before it exploded in a shower of metal. The wrecked chopper plummeted to the ground as Iron Man flew through the sky, firing off repulsors from his gauntlets.
The helicopters swerved to avoid the attacks, only to be met a blast of yellow energy that knocked it out of the sky. Binary rocketed down from the sky, tearing through the chopper before grabbing it by the tail. Using her incredible strength she hurled the chopper further up into the sky where it struggled to regain balance.
"Good job rookie!" Iron Man shouted before firing off another volley of repulsor fire, knocking a chopper out of the sky.
"Rookie? Please! I was shooting things out of the sky while you were in high school!" Carol shouted with a grin.
"So you were air force when I was twelve?" Tony asked.
"Yeah—Wait what?!"
"Yeah, I was out of high school when I was sixteen. You didn't know that?"
"No I didn't know that!" Binary shouted while avoiding a hail of gunfire from the Beekeeper like goons. One of them primed a grende and hurled it at the duo.
"Grenade." Binary called out.
"Jarvis, deploy magnetic shield." Iron Man ordered. A blue shield of magnetic energy expanded around the two deflecting the grenade and sending it back towards the flying chopper.
The men inside screamed in terror as the weapon exploded inside their helicopter, reducing it to splinters.
"Who the Hell are these guys again?" Binary asked as she dodged another shower of bullets. Iron Man flew into their path, letting his shield deflect them back at the chopper, shredding its cockpit.
"AIM! A bunch of techno-science terrorists!"
"Oh yeah…I remember these guys…they're like Al-QUEDA with PHDs." Binary swerved to the left to avoid an incoming rocket, nearly clipping her. Iron Man saw the rocket careen towards the streets and flew towards.
"Jarvis, increase mag-shield by 20%!"
"Affirmative, sir." The shield grew larger as the armored her flew in close to the rocket.
"Can't risk blowing it up with civilians nearby…engaging catch in 3…2…" Iron Man approached the rocket, catching it in his mag-field. He swooped up into the air and released the rocket, letting it soar into the sky where a quick blast of repulsor energy incinerated it.
Binary arced through the air to avoid a blast of energy from an AIM agent. The terrorist raised the laser-cannon and fired it from the chopper. Instead of dodging, Binary shot forward, slamming into the beam to absorb it. The pain was brief but intense. Carol cringed from the pain until the familiar rush overcame her.
Her body glowed a brilliant golden color while her hair began to burn like fire. She grinned as she felt her powers strengthen.
The AIM agent saw what he had unintentionally did and cringed in fear. "Oh fuck."
A blast of energy erupted from her hands. Blasting the chopper out of the sky, sending it hurtling into the Baxter Building. Binary cringed as she saw the vehicle bury itself into the building.
"Ooh…real glad the FF isn't home." She muttered.
"When are they ever home?" Iron Man asked as he flew back up to Binary's level.
"Two choppers left!" Binary called out. She flew through the air, making her way to the last two transports that circled the Baxter Building.
"Warning, incoming targets." Jarvis reported.
"Missiles?" Tony asked, pulling up his radar.
"Negative. Objects are too big and too well guided."
"Oh…mandroids…" Iron Man muttered.
KAAALAAAMMM!
Tony's attention was stolen by the explosion that ripped through the top floor of the Baxter Building. Glass and debris plummeted to the streets below. Tony rocketed down, creating a massive force field to shield the dozens of pedestrians in the street below.
Binary stopped her pursuit of the last to choppers to see the explosion tearing apart one of the top floors of the FF's home. Binary she turned back only to see cloaked man firing off a rocket at her, the projectile exploded, knocking the Avenger out of the sky.
"GAH!" she exclaimed, regaining her balance in mid flight. She watched as the two choppers moved up the demolished floor level.
"Uh oh." Tony muttered before blasting off into the air. He rocketed towards the transport before warning sirens blared in his armor. He spun around in time to shield himself from a barrage of missiles from the three flying mandroids rocketing towards the Baxter Building.
The gold-colored robots fired off a flurry of lasers and bullets from their arms that Iron Mans had to strafe to avoid. Iron Man returned fire with a barrage of repulsor blast, hitting one square in the chest. But despite the intense damage, the machine stayed active and aimed its weapons at the hero again.
"Shit!" he muttered.
A beam of yellow energy smashed the robot out of the sky before Binary slammed her fists into another battle mech, knocking it out of the sky. The other last machine turned to shoot her before being slammed from behind y Iron Man.
The red and grey hero slammed his hand against the machine's helmet before a beam of blue light blue its head clean off, frying the machine. Tony turned to his teammate to see her ripping the machine apart, quite literally.
The choppers above slowly flew closer to the demolished windows of Reed Richards' personal lab. Several AIM agents leapt from the glass and landed in the transport chopper. One was carrying a large briefcase.
"We've got it! Take off!" the lead man screamed. The pilot moved the vehicle away from the burning floor as a lone figure dashed through the smoke.
Hawkeye leapt through the air and grabbed onto the chopper's wing. The AIM agents saw him and one pulled out a gun.
"Shit!" the purple clad archer cursed before drawing his own sidearm and shooting the man in the skull. The remaining soldiers drew their own weapons before aiming them at the Avengers.
Hawkeye clicked his gun only to realize it was empty. "Fuck my life…" he snarled. "Cap if you're on coms I could really use some help…" The AIM agents cocked their rifles and took aim. "Now would be good!"
"Die Av-gurk!" the goon grunted as a shield slammed into his face. The man staggered back while Captain America leapt out of the burning building, retrieved his shield and landed inside the chopper.
The agents scrambled to shoot the avenger but he barreled through them with his shield. The one with the case scrambled to the edge of the chopper, planning to make a leap to the next one, but an arm grabbed his shoulder and slammed him up against the wall. Cap snatched the brief case from him with his free arm as Hawkeye crawled into the chopper.
"This doesn't belong to you." Cap said as he tossed the case to Hawkeye. The Avenger caught it and checked the case's lock to see it hadn't been opened.
"It's secure, Cap. One chopper down one more to go." Hawkeye aimed his reloaded gun at the pilot's head. "Fly us in closer asshole, were gonna have words with your boss." The pilot simply grinned at him.
"Oh that won't be necessary." The man said. "He's coming to us."
"What?" Cap muttered before he saw a cloaked figure leaping from the second chopper. The man landed in the chopper before slamming Cap against the wall.
Cap retaliated with a jab to the stomach, staggering the man just enough so he could get in a second punch. The man's hood fell back from the blow and he smirked at the shocked face of Captain America.
"No…" Steve muttered in horror.
"Holy shit!" Hawkeye cursed, whirling around to aim his gun at leader of the terrorists.
Standing in front of them was a man with a literal red skull for a face. His skin was peeled off his face, revealing the full outline of his skull.
"It can't be you…" Cap muttered in horror.
"And why not heir Captain? If Kleiser and you can come back from the dead, why can't I?"
"Yeah right!" Hawkeye shouted before opening fire on the man. Red Skull dashed to the side and Cap threw up his shield to defend himself from the bullets. The Red Skull slammed Hawkeye against the wall where the archer lashed out with a kick to the stomach.
The Red Skull grunted but retaliated with a vicious head butt, he hurled the avenger into the cockpit, slamming into the pilot and tumbling onto the controls. The chopper immediately began to plummet to the ground.
"Shit!" Hawkeye screamed.
Cap dodged a blow from the Skull and retaliated with a blow of his own, catching the Skull in the gut. "You can't be him!" Cap screamed bashing him over the head. "I watched the Skull die!" Another blow cracked the Red Skull across the jaw. "I saw him burn!" Cap screamed bringing his shield down.
Skull caught the weapon and slammed his foot into the Cap's balls. The avenger grunted before a knee slammed his jaw. Before Cap could recover the Red Skull slammed his fist into his face, knocking him down before a boot followed suit. The Red Skull drew his knife from his coat and brought it down.
Cap caught the man's hand just as the blade pierced his chest. "GRAH!" Cap grunted, using all his strength to push back. Skull snarled with a sinister grin before head-butting the Captain. He grabbed the Avenger's by his collar, and pulled him in close before whispering into his ear. Cap's eyes widened before the Skull kneed him again. Using all his strength, the Skull hurled the Captain. out of the chopper and into the open air.
"CAP!" Hawkeye screamed, leaping forward. The Red Skull whirled his knife around ready for a fight, only for the archer to roll under him and grab a parachute off the chopper's door and leap from the vehicle.
Hawkeye fell from the sky and the two flying avengers saw him.
"Clint?! What are you doing you can't fly you idiot!" Binary screamed.
"No shit!" Hawkeye snapped back, grabbing Cap in midair before tightening his grip on the chute. "But for us non-flying types there's the next best thing! Fucking parachutes!" The purple-clad hero ripped the cord on the pack, ejecting a chute that snagged in the wind, safely letting the two Avengers touch the ground.
"Tony, Carol, the bogey is getting away with the package I need one of you to take it out!" Hawkeye barked out.
"On it!" Iron Man shouted as he rocketed towards the chopper with Binary in hot pursuit. "Carol, I'll stall the chopper you get the briefcase! They cannot get away with that package!"
"I got 'em!" Binary shouted flying up to the chopper. She stepped into the cockpit to see the Red Skull lifting up the case. "Did Halloween come early this year?" she asked.
"Ah…heroic banter…how I detest it." Binary saw the brief case in his hands and frowned.
"That doesn't belong to you. Hand it over now freak."
"Freak?" the Skull asked. "My dear I am the Ubermensch. I am beyond human."
KRNNCHH!
The chopper lurched forward as Iron Man gripped it's tail with his suit's strength. "Carol get that case!" he ordered.
Carol charged her fist, ready to fire off a blast when the Skull produced a small sphere-like device. "I'm afraid our meeting has come to an end."
"No!" carol screamed firing off her beam. But it was too late, the Red Skull clicked the sphere and was enveloped in a blinding flash of light.
The chopper exploded in a shower of fire and light, knocking both Binary and Iron Man out of the sky. The two Avengers slammed into the ground as debris rained around them.
Hawkeye used Cap's shield to protect them both. When the hellfire had ceased, the avenger lowered his shield. He took a look at the wounded Cap who still had a look of shock on his face.
"Cap. Cap!" Hawkeye shouted. "Who was that guy? Why'd he look like the Red Skull?"
"It was him…" Cap Whispered in horror.
"What?" Clint asked.
"He told me he was the real him…he's Johann Schmidt…"
Germany, 1945
KAABBOOOM!
Another explosion rocked the area as the Nazis bombarded the beach. The entire area was filled with explosions and fire. Despite all the chaos raging on the beach, it was nothing compared to the battle being waged inside the fortress.
"Klesier! Prep the launch!" the Red Skull roared as he fired off his rifle. Captain America blocked the bullets with his triangular shield as he charged forward, slamming into the madman like an enraged bull.
Skull threw his gun aside before grappling with his long time foe. In the past four years no one had enraged him more than the man standing in front of him. Ditto could be said for Captain America. Hitler's right hand man was arguably more insane than he was.
The two men glared each other down while Kleiser punched in the command codes for the nuclear warhead. The missiles countdown rapidly decreased until it neared zero.
"It's over Captain!" Kleiser screamed. "You've failed! With Washington destroyed the Allied forces will fall! Who will lead them after America fa—GAH!" he screamed as a hail of bullets pelted his skin.
Bucky Barnes and Dum Dum Dugan fired on him with their machine guns, flaying his flesh as he tried to shift into his alien form.
"It's over Captain!" Skull screamed slamming his fist into the hero's jaw. "We've won!"
"Gah!" Cap grunted. He blocked the second blow with his shield before ramming his knee into the Skull's gut. "Haven't you heard Skull?! Hitler's dead!"
"Oof!" Schmidt grunted. "You think this has anything to do with Hitler?! He means nothing!" The Red Skull drew his knife and lunged at the Captain, pinning him to the ground he slammed his knife down into the hero's shoulder.
"GAH!" Cap screamed. Bucky turned away from his fight to see his best friend in trouble. He lined up a shot on the skull and fired. Skull heard the shot, and only by his heightened reflexes did he manage to move his head out of the path of the bullet. His neck however wasn't so lucky.
"GAK!" he muttered as blood spurted from the wound. Cap grabbed the man by the belt and hurled him over the railing, letting him fall into the rocket's launch pad.
"Steve!" Bucky shouted. Cap turned to see the rocket taking off, flames burning to life below its engines.
"NO!" he screamed. Ignoring the pain in his shoulder he leapt from the railing and grabbed hold of the rocket.
"Nein!" Kleiser roared leaping onto the rocket to chase his foe. Cap glared down at the alien and turned his head to see the Skull crawling to his feet on the Launchpad. Schmidt looked up to see both Kleiser and Rogers scaling the warhead.
Blood poured from the man's neck as he struggled to stand. The roar of the engines caught the German psychopath's attention and he turned. His eyes widened as a wave of fire slammed into him, incinerating his body in a blaze of fire.
Cap watched his longtime foe burn to ash under the onslaught of the warhead. Suddenly the rocket shook violently as it broke free from its stand, blasting off into the air.
"GAH!" Steve screamed, jolting up from his bed.
"Whoa! Easy Cap!" Carol said pushing him gently back onto the Quinn jet's med-cot. "You might have a concussion, Steve, you need to rest."
"N-No…the Skull…where?"
"Gone." Tony said as he drank whiskey from a glass. Behind sat Hawkeye who was currently flying the jet. "He had a teleporter on him. He took Reed's design. We got know leads right now."
"Goddammit!" Steve screamed, slamming his hand into the side of the cot.
"Easy there cowboy." Tony muttered, taking another swig of alcohol. "You break that bed you're buying it."
"Tony…the Skull is out there…he's alive."
"Cap, he's a demented psychopath that took the face of one of history's greatest monsters to screw with that head of yours. The real Skull died over half a century ago. You said it yourself, you saw him die. Hell, two members of the Howling Commandos corroborated that story."
"Steve, he's right. The guy died in front of you. Why are you so convinced that he's the real Skull? What did he say to you?" Hawkeye chimed in without turning.
"He told me his name." Steve said.
"What?" Carol asked. Hawkeye glanced back at the group before hitting the autopilot on the controls. He turned around to face the others.
"Clint did you—"
"Autopilot's on Stark. Cap, you know the Red Skull's real name?" The marksman asked. Cap nodded.
"No one knew his name." Carol said. "That was part of the fear factor. No one knew who he was before he became the skull."
"I knew." Cap said. "After a few years of constant fighting he told me the difference between us. He told me who he was before he became the Skull. His name was Johann Schmidt. And that…thing on the chopper…he knew that name. He fought like the Skull too."
"Then how'd he stay alive all these years?" Tony asked. "It was a miracle that you survived that crash-landing in the ocean, but field reports claimed the Skull was incinerated in the rocket's take off. The Super-soldier serum makes you peek human, not immortal. Neither of you were the Hulk, surviving an engine flare like that would be impossible for a human."
"It just doesn't make sense that he'd be alive all this time and didn't announce it to the world. Especially after you 'died' in 1945. That would've been the perfect time to announce he was alive. The Allies would've freaked." Carol said.
"The Skull was twisted…but he was smart. Disturbingly so. This…this is just a part of his plan."
Tony sighed and downed his drink. "You're being paranoid. Get some rest." He said. The billionaire walked towards the pilot seat and took the helm.
"You sure you're good to fly, Tony?" Carol asked.
"Sure I am, why?"
"You just downed half a bottle of whiskey. I don't think you should be flying this thing while drunk."
"Please. I could down two more bottles of that stuff and still win a fight as Iron Man. Half a bottle is what the kids in Russia drink to for breakfast." Tony hit the com button before talking again. "Stark to Avenger's Mansion, anyone hear me?"
Avenger's Mansion, New York City
Hank Pym rolled across the floor in his chair and hit the intercom switch on his desk. "Pym here. How was the mission?"
"Well…in layman's terms…we've had better."
"That bad?' Hank asked as he started to type of his computer. He pulled up more specs for Ultron and started to edit some designs. "What happened?"
"AIM had a super-soldier of their own. He got away with case. He used some kind of long distance teleporter we've never seen before."
"Sure we have. Thor's hammer is a perfect example. So are the Jumpgates."
"Yeah…but this one was pocket sized."
Hank's ears perked up at that news. "Pocket size? You mean it was smaller than Mjolnir but was still able to teleport him out of New York entirely?"
"Yeah. Not gonna lie, we might have some fun dissecting that one. Anyway…this guy decided to dress up like one of Cap's old war-enemies."
"Which one? He had quite the colorful cast back in the day."Hank said while loading a new program onto Ultron's hard-drive.
"Uh…it was the Red Skull."
"What?" Hank asked in shock. "The Skull's been dead for over fifty years! This guy is one sick bastard to be using that psychopath's face after all this time. Some of WWII worst war crimes were committed by him."
"Things get worse. Cap's under the impression that it's the real deal, not some wannabe."
"That's impossible. Cap surviving all those decades was nothing short of miraculous. This guy couldn't have been that lucky!"
"Cap is pretty convinced it's him. The guy certainly fought like a super-soldier. He put Cap through the ringer. He's kinda banged up so if you wouldn't mind getting an Ultron medic ready…"
"I'll have one on standby before you get here."
"Where's the rest of the Motley crew?" Tony asked.
Hank went back to his computer but continued to talk. "Janet is dealing with the press after the fight with those super-powered morons."
"The Wrecking Crew? Ya gotta give 'em credit though, Thor's rogues are practically mini-hulks with better tans. And would the press have anything to do with She-Hulk flinging a truck at Piledriver?"
"Yeah…thank god she's a lawyer. The city want's to sue her for that, but despite being a Hulk, she's got quite the fan-base."
"Hank my friend, it's no secret that demand for green-skinned woman was high since Star Trek. The only thing different now is that there are actual green-skinned women running around in the streets."
"I guess." Hank muttered as he looked at a piece of code inside Ultron's programming. "Just a heads up, I might need your help with a coding error."
"In Ultron? Sure I'll give it a look. Other than Jan and yourself who else is home?"
"Uh…I think Panther is meditating in the green house and the twins are off in Genosha trying to help some MLF victims (see Ultimate X-Men) and the others are off in East India."
"What happened in India?" Carol asked.
"Hello Carol, how's the dampening suit working for you?"
"It's definitely helping with precision control…but when I flare up it still seems to overload it. But back on topic, what's happening in India."
Hank pulled up the mission log for the team and skimmed it. "Hmmm…an oil rig was in danger of sinking so Thor took the others with him to help the workers and prevent another Roxxon oil spill. And apparently…lava monsters."
"Did you say lava monsters ?" Hawkeye asked.
"I shit you not. I'm being fed the data by an Ultron drone that went with them for relief efforts. Apparently the Roxxon company dug into a small volcano on the ocean's floor. Judging by these readings…I'd have to say they hit these creature's nest."
"So how's the rookie doing?" Carol asked.
"Jen's doing just fine from what Thor's told me." Hank replied.
"Not her, I mean the new rookie."
"Oh." Hank said looking up from his work. "I have to imagine that she's doing fine."
Roxxon Oil Rig, International Waters
"GYAAAH!" a metal blade cleaved through another lava-creature's stomach, spilling it's magma-like blood all over the oil-rig deck. The metal wilted under the heat and gave way.
The woman leapt back as the dying creature spewed more lava onto the floor. The creature lunged at the warrior who sliced its head off its shoulder. The monster tumbled to the ground in a heap of burning chunks as its body fell apart.
The woman had long blonde hair tied into a braid and was dressed in a form-fitting black suit with armor covering her chest and shoulders. The sword she wielded was bright gold and flashed as it cleaved its way through another creature's stomach.
"Valkyrie get back!" Thor roared before bringing his hammer down onto a lava-monster, pummeling it to paste. He hurled his hammer into the chest of another monster, tearing through its body before stopping short of an oil-tank. The hammer flew back to its owner. The God of Thunder caught the hammer before another monster was hurled off the platform.
The two Avengers turned to see She-Hulk slamming her fist into the face of another monster while a group of oil-workers coward behind her. "Hey guys I could use some help!" she exclaimed.
"On it Walters!" Valkyrie exclaimed. The female warrior leapt into battle, slicing a creature in half before a bolt of lightning ripped through the air and smashed into a group of lava creatures.
"Thor we need to get these things off the rig!" Valkyrie exclaimed, slamming her sword through a monster's chest. "If they take down the rig we'll have the worst oil spill in history on our hands!"
"Aye! I've faced the fire demons of Muselheim, but these are more persistent!" Thor roared, cleaving a monster in half with his axe.
"I got an idea!" She-Hulk exclaimed before hurling a forklift into a crowd of monsters, knocking them down before it melted on them. "Either of you ever see the movie Twister?!" She Hulk roared while pummeling another monster.
"No!" Valkyrie shouted, stabbing a creature through the stomach.
"Nay!" I haven't seen that one!" Thor replied while burying the axe-end of Mjolnir into a monster's head.
She-Hulk looked at them with a frown. "Seriously? Dammit you guys are making feel old! Thor, spin that hammer baby!"
Thor avoided a swipe from a monster and cleaved its head off with Mjolnir. He leapt into the air and began to swing his hammer. The wind around him picked up like a tornado.
"Valkyrie, give me a hand!" She-hulk roared, hurling another monster over the edge of the platform.
"What do you need from me?" The woman asked while running towards the green giant.
"Help me heard them together! We're sweeping the deck!' she exclaimed with an excited grin. She-Hulk charged head first into the fight, barreling through the monsters while Valkyrie sliced them apart with her sword.
The monsters grouped up on the two Avengers while Thor conjured a twister of tremendous force above them. "Jen, any reason we haven't had Thor blast these things off the rig?" Valkyrie asked as she and her teammate were backed into a corner.
"I've got a reason." She-Hulk said, ushering the rig-workers behind her. Her green eyes scanned the area to see that most of the creatures were now grouping up on them. "Thor! Hit 'em hard!"
The Asgardian swung his hammer towards the platform, sending the twister hurtling towards the platform. The air swept the monsters off their feet while She-Hulk covered the workers. Valkyrie dug her sword into the ground to brace herself from the wind.
The lava monsters could only roar in rage and panic as they were sent hurtling back into the ocean, each one causing a massive splash as the landed. Soon the rig was clear of all lava-monsters.
"They'll come back. We can't save the rig like this." Valkyrie said.
"Aye. The creatures will merely return with more of their numbers to remove this obstruction as long as it's inhabited. We must leave this place now." Thor concluded.
"What about us?" one of the workers shouted.
"Easy, you all are coming with us. Everyone gather round, Thor's gonna use that flashy hammer of his to take us back to the mainland."
"What about the rig?" another asked.
"Fuck it." She-Hulk muttered. "The monster's were attacking you guys, they already wrecked the drill." She-Hulk said, pointing to the demolished equipment that was still melting from the lava. "We get you guys off this thing and those creatures shouldn't come back. Right?" She-Hulk turned to Valkyrie.
"Biology was never my specialty but these guys did seem more territorial than hostile. Best case scenario they drag the rig under, or just leave it be as long as no one's on it."
"Then it is settled." Thor declared. "All ye, gather round and I'll take us to the mainland." He said, readying his hammer.
"But we can't just leave the sight! The company will fire us!"
She-Hulk sighed. "Boy's you're bosses had you dig into a lava-monster's lair for oil and they apparently knew that there were strange readings on this site. They clearly don't give a rat's ass so just screw them for screwing you. Now group up before I make you." She growled.
The men quickly grouped up around the team before an Ultron drone landed next to She-Hulk. "What'd ya find Mr. Roboto? Jen asked.
"Area scan complete. All residents of the rig are accounted for. And no under-water activity detected."
"Good. Thor?" She-Hulk asked. The Thunder God nodded before he raised his hammer. A blast of lightning erupted from the sky and slammed onto the deck.
In a flash of the deck was cleared of all living things.
The Mainland, Coast of India
Some of the workers clenched their stomachs as they suddenly felt themselves reappear out of the lightning. The heroes watched as the men tried to keep their lunches down.
"Ugh…so not sexy." She-Hulk muttered. "And speaking of sexy…good job out there Valkyrie, I see you've been working out." The green giantess said as she looked at her shorter ally.
Valkyrie smirked. "Thanks Jen. But remember I'm taken."
"As am I." Thor said before grabbing Valkyrie's waist and pulling her into a kiss. The blonde warrior returned the kiss before they broke. "Taken by this lovely maiden." He finished.
"Aww…" Valkyrie cooed teasingly.
"Well damn." She-Hulk said before a grin formed on her face. "Well, if you two ever get bored I'm always on board for a threesome. Just think about it." She said. "Ultron, call Pym and tell him we're heading home."
"Affirmative, Miss Walters." Ultron replied.
Avenger's Mansion
Hank answered the call with a sigh. "Thank you for calling Avenger's Mansion Take Out, may I take your order?' he replied with a sarcastic grin.
"Real cute Pym." She-Hulk quipped. "I'm sure Jan will love that."
"It was her idea, and I find she was right, it does lighten the mood. I take it you're calling to report a mission success?"
"We got the crew out and sent most of lava-creatures back into the ocean. I figure as long as the rig's uninhabited we shouldn't see anymore trouble. But knowing Roxxon they'll be back to finish the job."
"I'll send a mission report to SHIELD. Maybe they can tie Roxxon's hands or something. Are you back on the mainland? The Ultron drone with you is broadcasting from India."
"Yeah. We're dropping off the workers but we'll be home in a minute. The others back yet?"
"No. And unfortunately their mission wasn't as successful as yours. I'll debrief them when they get here, until then, safe teleporting." Hank cut the call and returned to work.
"Are you sure calling SHIELD is wise?" Hank turned to see T'Challa leaning against the wall.
"I didn't hear you come in T'Challa." Hank said in surprise. "And SHIELD is still SHIELD. We have to brief them on events like this. No matter who's running the show."
"I apologize. But Marvin Flumm's…accomplishments... are not exactly…admirable. I've spoken with both Carol and Clint, and both agree that the man is detestable and a bigot. Not only to mutants, but super-humans in general."
"Believe me I heard it all from Janet. The man makes no secret of being a complete asshole. From what I can tell, he wants to get rid of us, or get us back under SHIELD's thumb. Hill hates his guts too. She's the only agent we can actually trust now."
Panther sat down in the chair across from the size-changing hero. He scanned the computer screen and leaned back. "Ultron design upgrades?"
"Yes…I'm trying to relink their internal servers to expand world-wide. It's possible we could send them to areas we can't reach or use them in situations when we're not available."
"Is that wise? Relying on machines so much?" Hank looked up from his work. "I'm very aware of the benefits that Ultron could do for the world. But is it wise to give it so much power?"
"T'Challa, Ultron is a peacekeeping and rescue machine, not a death machine. We've already reconfigured most of the machines to use non-lethal tactics. There's nothing to worry about."
KRAAAKOOOMM!
The two Avengers looked up at the ceiling as they heard the crack of thunder from outside. "I think they're back." Hank said, getting up from his seat.
Thor lowered his hammer as the rain continued to pour. She-Hulk covered her hair to try and shield herself from the downpour. "Thor can't you kill the rain?" she grumbled.
"The forecast called for rain Jen." Valkyrie said as she sheathed her sword, Gram, into the scabbard on her belt. She felt the magic armor and power fade from her body. The armor disappeared and the blonde hair faded to reveal a beautiful woman with brunette hair in a simple pair of jeans and a brown vest over a white dress shirt. Jane Foster removed the sword from her belt and moved towards the mansion, followed closely by Thor and She-Hulk.
The mansion gates quickly scanned them before allowing them into the compound. Thor opened the door to allow his allies inside. Two Ultron robots carried a set of dry towels which they offered to the heroes. Thor declined while Jane and Jen took theirs.
"The other's still not back yet?" Jen asked, flopping down on the couch in the living room. Jane and Thor sat down in the couch opposite of her while the Ultrons disappeared into another room.
"They don't have a mobile teleporter like Thor's hammer." Hank said as he walked into the room wearing plain clothes. T'Challa followed close behind before joining the team. "They'll be here soon though. I have an Ultron drone readied for Cap when he lands."
"Was the Captain injured?" Thor asked.
"Substantially from what I could gather. I won't know until they land."
"What happened?" She-Hulk asked. "Did shit hit the fan or something?"
"In a manner. AIM was able to escape with whatever it was that was stolen from the Baxter Building. I'd feel that the mission debriefing would come better if we heard it from Cap or Tony."
Triskelion, Central Hub
Marvin Flumm stood at the helm of the large chair that rested above the technicians in the room. From his vantage point he could see the massive screens around him flicker with data and live feed from all over the world.
The man was of a smaller build but still fit for a fight. He had short black hair shaved close to his head, which now bore a headset. His face was decorated with a jagged scar that descended down the left side of his face and ended at his chin. He wore a grey jacket over a black shirt and black cargos. The gloves he wore were lined with metal on the palm.
"What's the status of Bravo team?" He barked out to the tech nearest to him. The tech quickly pulled up the feed.
"Sir! Bravo team has subdued all targets but their intel was off. Only 45% of the drugs were found inside the base."
"Have them scour that area until they find it! It's bad enough Banshee is loose here in the states! But if it's gone global that drug will escalate the arms race." He grumbled to himself.
"Sir." A voice cut in. Flumm turned his head to see his second in command, Maria Hill standing below his chair. "The council is ready."
Flumm grunted before lowering his chair and walking past his aide without another glance. The woman refrained from shooting him in the back, although that's what every fiber of her being was screaming at her.
"We have considered your request Director Flumm…and it is the decision of this council, that the request is denied."
Flumm inwardly snarled at this news. "With all due respect councilman, I believe restarting the Ultimates project would be benficial for SHIELD's super-human task-force."
"It's too risky. We allowed Nick Fury to activate that protocol and look where it got us! Now there's an entire team of super-human's policing the world with the grace of the UN. SHIELD's use of the meta-humans is what lead to the liberator invasion!"
"Those were Fury's mistakes. And I'm not Nick Fury."
"No." Another councilman said. "You most certainly are not." Flumm growled at that comment.
"The council is well aware of your impressive record Flumm, but activating the Ultimates' program was exactly what lead to Fury's downfall. Super-humans are too dangerous. We can't afford to utilize them without insurance. The Cape-killers alone should suffice!"
"Yes…" Flumm said. "The Cape-Killer armor was designed to boost a soldier's strength to peak physical condition as well as giving them enhanced durability, and flight via anti-grav cores." Flumm pulled up a holographic display of the grey armor (Civil War Cape Killer Armor).
"It's is more than sufficient to take down meta-humans. We don't need them to police themselves."
"I understand, councilmen, truly I do. But unfortunately, these suits aren't invincible. Against Captain America, an attack by overwhelming odds could down him. The same could be said of the Black Panther, Yellowjacket, Wasp, and even Iron Man. But what about Thor? Or god-forbid She-Hulk."
"The Hulk-Buster program—"
"Isn't finished. General Ross spent years and billions developing that technology and the methods to bring that monster down. But it still isn't good enough. Now that green monster is out loose in the world. And we have another one mere miles away in the middle of New York City!" Flumm screamed.
"Do we really want another Hulk Fiasco to occur in our city?! Who will we rely on to save us when she finally snaps and decides its more fun to rampage than play hero?! The Avengers?!" Flumm turned away from the council to pace the room.
"No…nonono…see, we need a superior super-human force that we can control. One we can aim and shoot at our enemies like a well oiled weapon."
"Are you suggesting that we begin recruiting agents of SHIELD?"
"Yes…and at the same time…no. I've already selected two promising agents for the New Ultimates…and they are quite promising. And above all else, they follow orders."
"A team of Ultimates needs to consist of more than two members, Director."
"I'm well aware of that too, sir. I've been keeping an eye on the state of meta-human affairs and have marked several candidates who I feel would be of most use to us. I can ensure their loyalty. I just need your permission—"
"And our funding." The councilman said.
Flumm nodded his head. "That goes without saying. I can't run an army if I don't have the means to supply it. So, Councilmen, do I have your permission?"
Avenger's Mansion
The Quinn jet touched down on the roof of the mansion before the landing pad sank down on the elevator, lowering the craft into the mansion's hangar. The plane opened its boarding ramp just as an Ultron approached it with a gurney.
Binary and Hawkeye carried Cap on his stretcher until they reached the gurney and placed him on it. "None of this is necessary." Cap grunted.
"Steve, stop being a baby and get some rest. Will debrief Hank and the will talk to Jan about all this. Worst thing you could do now is get yourself in more trouble." Binary said.
"I'm gonna give Richards a call. I think he might be able to shine a little light on what was in that case." Tony said, downing another glass of whiskey. "Jarvis, see if you can get Reed on the line." He called out.
"Affirmative sir."
"Well, they landed." Hank said as he viewed the security feed. "Now we just need to wait for Janet."
"No you don't." a female voice called out. The group turned to see Janet Van Dyne walking in through the front door with an Ultron robot at her side holding an umbrella over her head. "The Wasp is in the building and ready for more bad news." She grumbled taking off her coat and handing it to another Ultron.
"Press conference went that badly?" She-Hulk asked.
Wasp grumbled a response before flopping down on the couch near her husband and pulling off her heels. "You could say that." Wasp scanned the room to see two members absent. "Where are Cap and Tony?" she mumbled as Hawkeye and Binary entered the room, removing their masks.
"Tony's giving Reed Richards a call to tell him that we lost whatever was in that damn case AIM stole." Clint grumbled.
"He wants to know what was in it." Carol added. "Cap is in the infirmary from that Red Skull freak."
"What?" Janet asked. She-Hulk glanced up at Carol as did the remainder of the room.
"The Red Skull?" Panther asked. "Steve's nemesis from WWII?"
"Apparently alive and well. If you ask me he's a sicko emulating a guy arguably worse than Hitler. All just to screw with Cap. Whoever he really is, no question about it, he's a super-soldier."
"And he beat up Cap?" Janet asked. Hank what's the analysis on his injuries?"
"Hmmm…luckily it isn't anything he won't recover from given a few hours of rest. Possible concussion but nothing life threatening. I think he juts might be shaken up. If that's possible."
"Seeing someone like that from your past can do that. Remember how it was for us against Whirlwind?" Janet asked, her husband nodded in agreement.
Carol took this chance to chime in. "Cap's under the impression that it's the real Red Skull. The one from his day and age."
"Can't be." Wasp said. "Unless he was frozen for decades like Cap was, I find that hard to believe."
"Surprisingly I'm in agreement with Tinkerbell." Hawkeye grumbled. Janet shot him a glare but he ignored it. "This guy whispered the Red Skull's name to Cap just to throw him off his game. If it'd been any other grunt, Cap would've kicked his ass."
"I thought no one knew the Red Skull's true name." Panther added.
"No one knew of who this monster was?" Thor asked.
"I remember my senior history course from high school, the SSR never ID the Red Skull, even after his supposed death. He was like the boogeyman for every WWII soldier on the battlefield."
"Hank." Yellowjacket glanced down at his wife. "Put an Ultron on Cap's room. He stays in bed until he's 100%, both physically, and mentally. We don't need him carrying grudges into the field."
"I'll have one outside his medbay door. He's not gonna like it though."
"Hey, he gave me the job of leader for a reason. So it's my call. We'll handle this by book. Once Tony finds out what AIM stole, we'll come up with a plan to get it back." Wasp said.
Hawkeye grunted before leaving the room. "Until then, everyone try and get some rest." Wasp ended.
Hawkeye walked down the hall and stepped into his room. He down his mask and threw his goggles onto the bed. He sighed before glancing at the photo on his dresser. His eyes lingered over his family photo before he got up and slammed it down.
"Reed, I've got some bad news for ya." Tony said as he poured himself another drink. "You want it gently or would you prefer the band aid method?"
"Band aid method?" Reed questioned as he appeared on the screen. "You'll have to explain, and quick, reception isn't that great in space if you can believe it."
"I'll take your word for it Doc. Band aid method it is then. I'm just gonna hit ya with the news. The Baxter Building was attacked."
"What?" Reed asked in disbelief. "Was it Doom? Was anyone hurt? Dr. Storm was there is he-?"
"Easy Reed. In order asked, No, yes and no. The people killed were mostly the military guards posted on the premise for security. No students were killed, but some were injured. Storm of the other hand wasn't in the building. He was guest speaking at NYU."
"We should've been there." Reed muttered.
"I'll say." Tony muttered, taking another drink from his glass. "You sure know when to go out of town with the family. Your future father-in-law is gonna be fine, he wasn't happy about the theft though which is what I need to ask you about."
"What did they steal?"
"I was hoping you could answer that question for us." Tony answered sitting down in a chair before downing the glass of whiskey. He poured himself another glass before speaking out loud. "Jarvis, can you display the file record for what was stolen from the Baxter Building?"
"Affirmative sir." The butler spoke from through com-system. "File record retrieved. The object was designated as experiment CSMC QB-935."
"Oh my god." Reed muttered as he heard the file name. "Who stole it?"
"AIM. Advanced Idea Mechanics. Think of them as—"
"I know who they are." Reed said as he rested his head in his hand. "Science-terrorist for lack of a better term. I'm on my way back now." He declared.
Tony chocked on his whiskey for a moment and coughed violently. "W-what?! Reed your all the way out in space! Closer to Mars than Earth! What's in the case?"
"Tony…I can't—"
"Reed you will not make it back in time to stop whatever is in that case from getting loose in the world, so tell me, what was it?"
Reed sighed on the screen and looked up. "Truthfully…I have no idea where the idea for it came from."
"Excuse me?" Tony asked.
"What's in the case was…as of today, my greatest scientific achievement. It was…it was a device that allowed one to physically manipulate reality."
"Manipulate reality? As in alter the laws of physics? Change the world?"
Reed nodded. "I don't know how I came up with it. After our trip into the negative zone…I…started to dream of this…all powerful weapon that could bend the universe to one's whim…with it, I could've ended world hunger, created a clean free energy to give to the world!"
"So why didn't you?" Tony asked, putting the glass of alcohol down.
"I never finished it…I..I drew up plans for it…but I never constructed it. The idea for it, just appeared in my head from nowhere…and then came the designs, the equations…I wrote it all down…coded in my notes of course but…when I was finished designing it…I couldn't bring myself to build it. It was too dangerous. Whatever put that thought…those ideas in my head…it couldn't make me build it."
"But you didn't destroy those plans, did you?" Reed again, shook his head. "The plans were in that case…weren't they?" Tony asked. He didn't need to look at the screen to see Reed nod. "This…device…what did you call it?"
"I…I called it…The Cosmic Cube."
Infirmary
Cap sat up right in his bed as he replayed the fight in his head. The man had moved like Schmidt. His speed, his ferocity, his skill. It was all too familiar. It had to be him. Cap pulled off the sheets and got off the bed, only for the room to sway for a moment.
He gripped the edge of the bed to steady himself. He placed a hand to his bandaged head. The concussion was worse than anticipated but he'd heal in a day or so.
"Captain Rogers? Is everything okay?" An Ultron asked. Cap glanced at the robot with its glowing blue jack-o-lantern-like face. The machine stepped towards him, blocking his path. "Dr. Pym ordered you to have at least 24 hours of bed rest."
"I have a history of not listening to my doctors." Steve replied. He moved to the left only for the machine to move with him. "Move. That's an order." He demanded.
"I'm afraid I must decline." The machine responded. "I must remind you that right now you are agitated and are in no condition to exert yourself. I must request that you sit back down."
"I'm not go to sit on my ass while a lunatic runs free with a potential doomsday weapon. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
"Edmund Burk. It was a beautiful quote Captain. But evil will triumph when the good man can't stand to face it. And you are hardly standing."
Cap's fist tightened. And then he sighed. "You're right Ultron." He said, placing a hand on the robot's shoulder. "I am tired…and I am angry. And it won't help my recovery if I do something reckless." Cap removed his hand from the robot.
"I'm glad you agree. Now, if you would sit back down, I can bring you some food to try and speed up your re—" the robot stopped when it detected a foreign substance on its body. A small chip-like device was glowing on its shoulder.
"Anomaly detected, engaging counter-m—GZZZRKK!" electricity surged over the machine before it toppled over on the floor. Smoke billowed off its body but it remained unresponsive.
"Sorry, chum. But being reckless makes me feel young sometimes." He walked over the downed machine and turned on the computer on the room's desk. He activated a secure chat he had Hawkeye install for him and he typed in a few commands.
STR SPNGL: Are you online?
A moment passed before a response came.
BRD MN: New lead. Want a photo?
STR SPNGL: Did you find ghost?
BRD MN: Depends.
STR SPNGL: On what?
Cap watched as a photo of a man appeared on screen.
BRD MN: You like Paris?
STR SPNGL: Get on the earliest flight.
BRD MN: Already on it. Calvary coming?
STR SPNGL: No Calvary.
Cap switched the machine off and got up from his chair. He opened up the locker nearest to him and pulled out his uniform. "This is personal."
Upstairs
"Hank I'm telling you, we need to be more proactive." Janet said as she continued brushing her teeth. The size-changing avenger was currently dressed in a pair of short-shorts with a loose tank-top while her husband sat at his desk in a pair of sweat and a loose shirt. His eyes scanned over the screen intently.
"Hank?' she asked.
"Hmm?" Hank said looking up from the screen. "Did you say something, Jan?"
Wasp sighed and flopped down on the bed. "You weren't even listening."
"Of course I was." Hank said turning to face his wife. She leaned up and glared at him. "Okay I wasn't, but I'm listening now."
Wasp sighed again and let her head fall back. "We need to do more."
"I thought we were doing more. Our team divides into smaller groups every day for a mission in another country. It's been this way since we left SHIELD. Cap's Full Champion's status with the US government grants him the right to assemble any team he deems necessary for a mission, that mission being protecting the world."
"But we're reactionary. I mean we should be out preventing things from happening. That volcano in the Canary Island, we could've stopped it from erupting and saved millions in property damage."
"You have a point." Hank said as he sat down next to his wife on the bed. "You want to stop a problem from becoming a problem."
"I'm not shooting to high am I?" Wasp asked. "I want the Avengers to be more than a rescue group…I want us to actually make a difference."
"Janet…you've done an amazing job just getting us here. You've helped shape the team into something better. You turned us from super-soldiers to heroes in the eyes of the public, most of the world even."
"But we could still do more…I want to go public." She said.
"What?" Hank asked, now confused. Wasp sat up and turned to her husband with an all too serious look on her face.
"I want the public to know what I really am. I want them to know I'm a mutant."
Hank leaned back and stared at his wife. Then he spoke. "Then I'm with you."
"You are?" Janet asked in surprise. In all honesty she thought Hank would caution her against it if not outright reject the idea. "Y-you're really okay with me going out and saying to the press, the whole country and the world, that your wife is a mutant?"
"I married you even when I knew about, why shouldn't the rest of the world know that?" Hank said gently touching her shoulder. "It's your decision. I'll support you in whatever it is you choose to do."
Wasp leaned into her husband before giving a peck on the lips. Hanks smiled and leaned down for another kiss. Janet snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him closer for a deeper kiss.
"Thor?" Jane asked as she laid next to the blonde-haired asgardian in bed. "Why did your brother give me Gram?"
"Hmm?" Thor asked sitting up. Jane leaned over the bed and lifted her sword onto her lap. "I mean…he came out of nowhere and just dropped this thing off in my apartment and he said make good use of it. Then I unsheathe and boom…I'm an asgardian warrior with all this knowledge and experience…I just…I don't know why he gave it to me."
"I believe my brother was trying to distance himself from his past. That sword was meant for him should he be worthy. But he's trying to change…to be something more than what destiny intended him to be."
"So…this was just a gift?" Jane asked.
"I suppose so. And maybe an apology for what he did to my brethren during Ragnarok."
"You never did tell me what happened then." Jane said softly. Thor sighed. "I won't push you to tell me. I just want you to know I'm here for you."
"Thank you Jane." Thor said solemnly.
BWAAAH! BWAAAH! BWAAAH!
"Oh what now?!" Wasp exclaimed.
"Gah." Hank grunted in annoyance. He grabbed his laptop and spoke. "Ultron what the Hell is going on?!"
"Unsanctioned Quinn Jet take off. The security protocols have been overridden."
"Shit! Jan!"
"I heard! Grab your costume."
Hawkeye groaned as he rolled out of his bed and pulled on his uniform he grabbed his pistols and compact bow, slipping it over his shoulder and marched towards the door, kicking it open.
He stormed through the halls of the mansion as the alarm blared. He stormed past two rooms and they opened to see what the commotion was about.
"What's going on?!" Carol shouted as she zipped up her costume. Thor and Jane exited their own room, fully dressed in their respective armors.
"The alarm is sounding." Thor said as he looked at the flashing hallway lights. "Are we in peril?"
"No." Jane muttered. "That's an alpha-alarm, a home invasion would be an omega-alarm. This is a low level problem. The question is what caused it?"
"Ugh…" Tony muttered as he left his own room. "Jarvis lower the damn volume on the fucking alarm!" he barked. The volume of the alarm lowered until it was a dull noise in the background. Tony grumbled in irritation as he nursed his head. "What the Hell is going on now?" he grumbled.
T'Challa turned the corner, fully garbed in his panther costume. "I believe a jet was stolen."
Hawkeye was the first of the group to speak. "What?"
"He said a jet was stolen, blondie." She-Hulk grumbled as she walked out the hallway. "Let's find out who stole it."
"Goddammit Cap." Wasp muttered as he picked up the crushed head of an Ultron drone. Yellow Jacket picked up a damaged robot and examined it.
"I'll give him this, even with a concussion he still kicks ass. But these will take me days to rebuild from scratch. I don't have SHIELD's resources to use now." Hank muttered.
"What the Hell is this?" Tony asked as he walked down the hallway into the hangar. "What happened to the Ultrons?"
"Cap." Wasp grumbled throwing an Ultron head to the side. "Hawkeye get the second jet prepped. Hank check the radar and see where it's headed, the rest of you with me, gear up and board the jet."
"Slight problem, Jan. The jet's in stealth mode. We can't track it."
"I can." Tony muttered rubbing his forehead. "I'll grab my armor and—"
"You're not going anywhere." Wasp snapped.
"What?" Tony growled in disbelief.
"You're not going anywhere. You're clearly hung over."
"Please. I've run full arms demonstration while totally drunk. Hangovers are nothing to m—"
"You're not piloting your armor while hung over, drunk or with the slightest bit of alcohol in your system. Is that clear?"
Tony glared at her. "My house, my rules."
"My team, my call. You're benched 'till you're sober. See if you can disable the jet's stealth tech or find us a way to track it. Everyone else with me. Thor, Carol, fly ahead of us and see if you can find Cap."
"Guh." Tony grumbled. He sat down at a computer terminal as the others boarded the Quinn Jet. He pulled up the diagnostics for the Quinn jets and began to click through them. "Why did I make something so damn hard to find on radar…what the?" Tony's eyes widened as the diagnostic reports came back.
"Oh shit! Janet!" he screamed into the coms.
KABBOOM!
The hangar was rocked by the explosion that erupted from the Quinn Jet's left wing, knocking it off balance while tearing apart its engine. The Avengers inside gripped their seats as they tried to hold on.
Thor and Carol had barely been able to clear that blast field in time, but at least they were alive. They turned to see Tony dashing out of the lab with a flame-thrower-like device.
He aimed it at the jet's wing and squeezed the trigger. The tip of the weapon ignite in a blue light before a wave of white foam blasted from the gun to smother the flames in a coating of ice.
Tony continued to spray the foam over the rest of the jet until it was nearly completely covered in ice. He sighed, lowering the weapons as the flames were finally extinguished. He turned his head to see the jet's boarding ramp lower.
Wasp zipped out of the jet and regrew to her normal size in front of the play-boy genius. "What the Hell was that?!" she shouted.
"The explosion or the freeze-ray?" Tony asked. A glare from Wasp quickly silenced him.
"What. Happened?" she growled.
"That was Cap covering his track." Tony replied. "He sabotaged the jet's wing-thruster and rigged it to blow. Also I found a jammer in the alarm system. He must've been planning this since he was on the damn flight back from the Baxter Building."
"Fuck!" Janet screamed. "Hank, Tony, I want you on repairs, how fast can you have the Jet up and running?"
"By ourselves?" Hank asked looking at the jet. "Gives us 12 hours."
CRACK!
The Quinn Jet's remaining wing snapped off, shattering on the ground. Hank turned to Tony who could only shrug in response. Hank turned back to his wife with an unsure look. "Twenty-four hours…give or take…"
Wasp sighed while rubbing her brow. "Goddammit. The rest of you are with me. We'll try to piece together what happened and keep this out of the media's ears. If SHIELD finds out we can't keep our own members in check they'll finally get the excuse to can us."
"Wasp." Panther said. The group turned to the black-clad avenger who's eyes were roaming the room. "Where'd Hawkeye go?"
VROOOM!
The motorcycle roared to life with the purple-clad archer riding it. The vehicle's wheels screeched across the asphalt as he drove off down the street. He tapped his com-piece and waited for a response.
"National Incorporated Bank? How may I help you?"
"Joint checking. Withdrawl, 1945."
"What?" came the male response.
"It's me Nick. We've got a big problem."
"It better be. Every time we use these channels we need to erase and alter them so Flumm can't track them. What's the problem soldier?"
"It's Cap. He's gone awol. It's bad man…it' real bad."
"Now why'd he do that?" Fury muttered.
"It's the Skull, Nick. He's back…and Cap knows it…"
"Meet me at the usual spot. I'm gonna need to bring in a team."
"I'll be there in twenty. Do me a favor though…will ya?"
"What?"
"Tell Nat for me. I still value my genitals."
"Fuck you man…" Nick grumbled.
Triskelion
Maria Hill and Marvin Flumm stood on the runway of the Triskelion as a private jet slowly descended onto the airstrip. The pristine white jet slowed to a halt in front of the SHIELD Agents.
"So this is him?" Hill asked while the jet's side door opened. "He's not nearly as flashy as the Stark we know."
"Have you ever met Gregory Stark?" Flumm asked his second in command.
"No sir. I haven't. Strange though, all this time SHIELD's been meeting with Stark for weapons and he never once mentioned his brother."
"That's not surprising. Stark's a glory hound. And Gregory was indisposed due to an…unfortunate accident."
"Accident?" Hill asked.
"The man is a certifiable genius with ten years on whatever his shit of little brother has. He just never bothered to mass-produce it. He was glossed over for the head of Stark Industries because he was an addict."
"An addict? To what?" Hill questioned.
"Heroin, Hill. The man fucking overdosed on it and nearly killed himself. He was hospitalized for a couple of years while his brother ran the company. Lucky for us he's up, running and drug-free."
"What's he actually like? Anything like his brother?"
"Jesus." Flumm muttered. "The man's a nightmare. But he's smarter than his brother and has no moral compass whatsoever. So in summary, he's just the type of person I like to do business with."
"So I've heard." Hill muttered beneath her breath.
"Did you have a good flight Mr. Stark?" Flumm asked as a man in a crisp white suit descended down the steps of the jet. The man was slightly taller than Flumm and had his blonde haired shaved close to his head. A thin blonde goatee adorned his face.
"The flight was fucking torture. There was a stain behind my seat and the bathroom reeked of detergent. I'm scrapping this plane for parts."
"Suit yourself Mr. Stark." Hill replied. Gregory gave the woman a short scowl.
"It's Doctor."
""Excuse me?" Hill asked.
"It's Dr. Stark. Mr. Stark is my embarrassment of a brother. And I'd rather not be lumped together with him. Now I believe that we have some business to attend to. I'd rather not waste anymore time explaining trivial matters to your secretary." Gregory walked past the two to a jeep that had pulled up to the runway.
"Secretary-?" Hill snarled.
"Please." Flumm said, raising a hand. "Don't push it, secretary Hill." He chuckled. The Director of SHIELD followed his new benefactor. Hill sneered at the two men as they walked away and reluctantly followed.
"Make it brief, Flumm. Or I'm leaving." Gregory said as they entered the jeep. "This is your transport? I see a great need of an overhaul is in order."
"Sorry, but we are on a budget. The reason I asked you here is for a very specific reasons. Two of them, actually."
"I assume funding is a key reason. I understand that your budget has been cut slightly."
"We've been shorted several-hundred billions by our president, yes. You're a self-made billionaire in private arms, far above your brother to the point where only the big shots actually know about you. You have resources and the ability to keep it quiet."
"So I assume technology is the second?" Gregory asked. "No…No there's something more isn't there?" he said leaning forward. Flumm's face remained neutral while Gregory pieced it all together. "You want weapons. You want meta-human weapons at your beck and call like Fury did."
"No." Flumm said quickly while Hill gave him a look of contempt. "Not like Fury. Fury let his monsters run loose without a leash. I have no intention of being as stupid as he was. If I'm going to work with hounds they need leashes. And I think you can make that happen."
"Of course. But first I need to know which dogs you want to adopt from the pound."
"I already have two candidates selected with more pending. I'll give you the list."
"Good. I want full detailed evaluations of all them by tomorrow morning. And I do mean all of them. Anyone involved in this new Ultimates project, I need to know everything about them down to how they take their coffee if any."
"That might be difficult to work with. Some of the ones we have aren'—"
"Make it happen then, Flumm. You're in charge of the most fortified and well-funded world security force in the world. Prove that you have the stones to run it."
Flumm's face contorted in rage for a brief moment before he sighed. "I'll have the file to you by tomorrow."
"Good." Gregory said. "Now I believe we need to go over the finer details, don't we?" Flumm reluctantly nodded. "Then let's get down to business."
Unkown Location
Hawkeye stepped through the Jumpgate and emerged on the other side. Gone was the old basement of the warehouse, replaced by an old bunker made of concrete. The dark halls were barley it by the flickering lights.
Hawkeye stepped forward only to feel a spike tough his neck. "Kaine, put the stinger down before I bow off your balls." Clint snarled.
"What's my name?" Scarlet Spider asked as he de-cloaked himself.
Hawkeye grumbled a curse under his breath. "You name is Ben Riley you dumb shit."
"Good to have ya back Clint." Ben replied, retracting his stingers into his wrist. "What brings you to our humble abode?"
"He's got a job for us." Nick Fury said as stepped out of the shadows. The thud of metallic footsteps trailed behind him as War Machine followed suit, his green eyes burning in the dark of the room.
"So let me ask something." Ben muttered. "We got a good gig…or is it one of those black ops jobs that we all…love…" Kaine saw the look on the team's faces and sighed. "Fuck it's one of those."
"Who are we after?" War Machine asked.
Nick sighed and led the team towards the briefing room where he took a seat in the main chair at the front of the table.
"Boys…pack your bags. Because our target is Captain America."
I hope you guys like this chapter! This is the first arc in this new story!
Next Time! Introducing the Secret Avengers!