It isn't until they hear Karolina scream before any of them realize they're under attack. Cassie has already started growing, and the remaining Young Avengers are rallying as fast as they can.
As Kate dashes by in an effort to find some kind of defense system the hideout might have, Eli charges straight at the force field. Billy is startled enough to lower it before the other can hurt himself.
"Victor!" Eli is shouting already, "Vic, give me my pills back! Now!"
"It hAsn't been twenty-four h0urs yet," Victor protests. "IT could kill yoU-"
"If I don't take them now, we're all going to die!" Eli snaps. "Do you have any idea what we're up against?!"
But Victor doesn't back down – that is what still scares them. "Yes, I do." – and they believe him – "Y0u don't have to step in."
In what can only be desperation, Eli suddenly jumps on Victor and grabs at his jacket, already searching him and coming up with nothing. They can hear what should be a battle turning even further out of their favor.
"Damn you, Victor!" Eli shouts again. "That guy just killed the Skrull! If I don't get in there, Cassie's next! I can't let anyone else- just give me the MGH and let me do something!"
They hear a terrible roar – Heroine's faithful friend Old Lace. That means both of them are down.
The number drops again. Victor finally decides, his shoulders slumping.
"... Billy, give him the vial."
Eli turns sharply, just as Billy pulls the vial of blue pills from his jeans pocket. He starts to open it, and Eli starts to approach him for it.
Their attacker picks that moment to strike. Eli is sent flying, the vial bouncing and rolling across the concrete. Billy immediately turns back to Victor and brings up the force field around him again. In that one moment of distraction-
"Billy, get down!"
Teddy has tackled him from the side. Their attacker moves in from the front.
There is blood and pain. Someone is screaming.
Neither gets up again.
The attacker finally turns his attention to Victor, the protective blue shield coming back down without Billy's consciousness to keep it going. Victor remains frozen in place, watching a foot rise over his head.
"... please, n0..." he begs.
"... I'm sorry."
And then their attacker is mowed to the ground with an impact force like that of a speeding truck, the floor giving way beneath him. As the dust clears, he rolls to his feet and looks up at the newest players on the field.
"Hello, sunshine," Tommy greets. He nods down at Bruiser, tucked under his arm with her fists straight out. "Have you met my little friend?"
