SCENE 13

A few months back…

Some time before the merging of worlds, when all three worlds had been linked due to Goblins big screw up, inside the Triskelion was Fury doing what he did best. Planning.

"Let's see here, mass machines, Grimm, man that's quite a bit." It has been just a bit over a month since the defeat of Goblin, where he was placed in a secure cell quite far away. However, Goblin still had the tendency to leave behind headaches, this report being one of them. "And here I thought our world was the only place with problems."

Mad scientist using a robot army. Creatures of darkness that ran rampant across an entire globe. It appears even other parallel worlds faced their own conflict aside from them. Which only made Fury scowl recalling that meeting he attended a while back. To think some of those so-called protector of humanity scoffed at the other worlds.

"Idiots. Thinking everything is simple as that." The meeting Fury had attended involved the other two worlds. Mobius and Remnant. Two worlds that have been unknowingly connected due to the causes of certain villains. The first by one Otto Octavius, the second by Goblin. Now connected by an invisible link and capable of traveling between them with the right technology.

However, when some representatives came to visit those worlds, they scoffed at them. A few even laughing at their states. Some stating they weren't that much at all. Another believing that if war came up, they could easily win. Another saying the other two worlds were weak compared to their own. How their world(616) was superior. Fools!

'It's true that our world faces numerous more super criminals, God-like threats and universal destruction, but these worlds are far from being weak. They have things we don't have.' Dust from Remnant reported to have quite a good impact on the populace. Not to mention how the warriors they have known as Huntsmen are tougher than their own SHIELD soldiers due to both aura, sembalnces, and constant fighting against the Grimm.

Grimm might he add, were actually a hell lot tougher than what was reported by their scouts.

It was reported some of their men had been injured due to unforeseen abilities they had. Apparently certain Grimm can use more than just claw and tooth when fighting. The man who led the charge against them being idiotic having not even studied up on the species thinking their was no need. He'd been fired when it was mentioned how some men were almost killed by these skeleton like Grimm. A group saying how their Hulk Busters being 'possessed' and used against them.

Nick was almost happy that happened, because it knocked some sense into those idiots not to underestimate those Grimm.

'Especially when those that went to Mobius messed up.' Mobius. A world actually like Remnant in a sense with humans and animals. Though unlike Remnant where they had faunus which are humans with animal traits, for Mobius it was animals that had humanoid shape. 'No doubt those antagonist monsters that hate mutants will also attack them.'

Fury remembered how one person in the meeting said how Mobius wasn't even much of a threat. Stating it just to be an animal filled land. Fury pulled a few strings to get that man kicked off. Honestly, he couldn't believe how many couldn't see the potential of Mobius. But also the threats.

A commander of SHIELD entered Mobius on the pretense of taking out Eggman, greedily wanting a promotion. Similar to those who though ill of Remnant, that man saw Mobius as some 'weak' place terrorized by an 'idiotic' man. Then pathetically ordered his men to attack an Eggman base.

'They're lucky to have even left alive.' The soldiers had underestimated Eggman's tech and were swiftly crushed by his machines. Plus they were unfortunate enough to face Mobians that worked with Eggman that had cybernetic enhancements that Fury has never seen before. A perfect balance of both organic life mixed with technology.

Funny how a man with the silly name of Eggman was the main threat of that world. A ridiculous name, but Fury knew a threat when he sees one. The man having more intelligence than even some of the villains here, and able to create machines on the fly. Even causing mass devastation across the world, and developing sinister weapons that can pierce stars. The man was many things, but him being considered a non-threat wasn't one of them. After all, it was because of this man that their world was nearly destroyed when he teamed up with Otto.

'In any case, we have to keep a good eye on both worlds threats.' Again, while both new linked worlds didn't have as many super criminals or God-like threats, by no means were they not possibly dangerous. He actually received word Mobius had some giant dark avatar in their core. But dismissed it as possibly just a rumor.

'Still, it won't take long before some of those dimensions enemies might land here. Otto and Goblin has seen to that, and also proved how even if we survived many crisis, we couldn't have won without the aid of others.' Certain crisis like the being Abyss, Thanos, and many more came to mind. Sure they withstood those threats, but mainly because they knew what they were. Had the Grimm invaded earth there was a good chance they'd face doom as they wouldn't know what they were and had to many numbers. On Mobius side they had insane monsters and Eggman, who had in a way had much better technology. Machines that definitely knew how to bring the pain. Like that one robot, Metal Sonic.

'That one could definitely cause trouble. There aren't many 'speedsters' here in ours.' Sure Fury knew a few people that could run fast, but none held a candle compared to Metal Sonic. Heck, if Sonic had been on the side of evil and fought someone like say, the Avengers, even earth mightiest heroes would have a tough time beating the hedgehog. As his speed would allow Sonic to easily avoid any attack while he came in hot.

'Hmm. Actually. What if we made some of our own counter measures.' It was then Fury had a idea. Thinking on it, it would be a good idea to prepare certain technology to counter the threats on both new worlds. Like anti-Grimm weapons. The director of SHIELD having heard about something called a Paladin on Remnant. Maybe they can build their own.

'Plus, maybe something to deal with Metal.' Fury then decided to dial a number to a certain uncle hedgehog that he knew would be the right...hedgehog for the job. Already having been told the man was a genius in his own right.

"Hello, is this Charles?" Fury asked with a voice answering back.

"Yes, who is it." The hedgehog scientist asked back.

"This is Fury, and I have heard word that you have parts of a non-functioning Metal Sonic. I was wondering if perhaps we can make a beneficial deal."

"-and that was how I was born. Shard. The new and improved-and good-Metal Sonic." The newly named 'Shard' explained to his four 'audience' members who he had discovered. Who all just stared back more than a little deadpanned. None having asked for this things origin story at all. Just a name.

"...I see.." Mysterio said as he gave a observing look at this good Metal Sonic. Shard he called himself.

"Wow. A good Metal Sonic." Mike also wasn't sure how to feel about this. If he recalled, Metal Sonic is a knock -off of the original. So didn't that make this thing a knock-off of a knock-off? So confusing.

"We don't care." Marty bluntly put in his opinion.

"I agree with the dingo. None of us give a damn about some piece of scrap." Riot also said insulting said piece of scrap who actually looked insulted. It would appear one of the improvements given to this Shard was actual feelings.

"Well, whatever the case," Shard said aiming his left hand blaster at them, charging it up. "I ain't letting you thieves go with all that stuff. So either surrender so I can tell SHIELD, or get beat up."

"Just great." Mysterio whined not liking that his team has to do another fight this early in the morning. Against this rip-off and SHI-wait a second. "Hold on. You said you'd call SHIELD. Does that mean they don't know we're here?"

"..." Shards silence was the exact thing Mysterio needed to hear. A small chuckle coming out of him.

"Oh perfect. Perfect." He said joyfully. "So its just you-the tin can. Against all of us."

"I'm more than capable of beating you all." Shard confidently said. Though he made a mental note to prepare for back-up next time he did something like this. The villains he faced however didn't share the machines sentiments.

"Nah man, your toast." Mike said adjusting his new shades. Liking the world in red, as it reminded him of blood. Getting ready to slice and dice this sucker.

"I'll say." Marty agreed grabbing two big blasters ready to blow some holes.

"This may as well be a test run for my new suit." Riot said now enveloping it entirely giving the armor a nice grey color scheme. Ready to test out what this thing can do.

"This is going to be fun." Mysterio said as all five faced off.

"This isn't fun!" Mysterio yelled seconds before he ended up being punched in the gut, aura draining before it drained further when he took another hit. Then being launched onto the ground roughly with his head being smacked against his helmet groaning. Once Mysterio was down, the one who hit him called Shard then faced Mike.

"Those shades look stupid on you. Here, let me 'adjust them' for you." Mainly in the form of some good Metal Sonic calling itself Shard. Who at the moment gave a metal knuckle sandwich to Mike, breaking the Cyclops shades in one go.

"You little-!" Marty yelled angry, leaping with his claws out ready to slice apart this metal contraction. To bad Shard noticed and easily sidestepped the Beowolf. Then grabbing the necklace Marty had and ripped it off while simultaneously upper cutting him.

"Fancy things don't belong to you dingo!" Shard mocked then turning around pointing his blaster hand at Riot who had been ready to rip him apart. "Don't think I forgot about you sludge puppy!"

"Sludge puppy! Why you-" Too bad for Riot he couldn't even finish his threat as Shard blasted him across the room. The good robot then facing Mysterio who gulped a bit at facing such a foe.

He already knew much about that hedgehog killing machine and its skill in battles. Even the real Sonic had a tough time dealing with the machine despite all his words. So it may be safe to assume this thing has the same-or some-of the exact skills Metal Sonic had. Because the fight only began less than a minute, and they were already down.

'Err, but like hell I'm going to take this punishment.' Standing up, Mysterio armed his Iso-8 powers ready to blast that hunk of junk to next week.

"Take this fish bowl!" To bad that didn't happen. Before Mysterio knew it, Shard punched him in the gut again then swept his leg knocking him on his butt. Again, it was barely even a minute and the machine known as Shard had already finished kicking their behinds like it was nothing. Standing proud and tall was Shard himself patting himself with a job well done.

"Man, that was easy." He said in a very Sonic-like attitude. "I can't believe the Secret Avengers couldn't even catch you losers. You weren't even that tough."

Shard was of course sadly right on that mark. Unlike other villains the four here weren't exactly anything special like other villains in the world.

They didn't have mystic magic mojo like Doctor Doom or Strange. They weren't super geniuses like Stark, Hammer, Eggman, or Dr. Polendian. Nor did they have special unique gifts like Spider-Man, Sonic, and Ruby. At the end of the day they were more or less just a bunch of baddies gathered together to make up for their own weaknesses.

However, they were baddies that were also resourceful.

"Hey scrap piece," Riot yelled getting Shards attention. "Eat this."

To bad for the metal hedgehog, he had launched Riot accidentally to a shelf full of weapons. Riot taking this opportunity to have grabbed a special grenade and threw it. Shard being as quick as he is, simply blasted it.

Zing!

Only to be blinded by a bright light. The grenade actually being a flash bomb that overloaded his sensory vision. "Aw dang it!"

Mike and Marty quickly took this opportunity without fault. A strategy they used countless times actually back in their days before they became sentient. When a Huntsman showed weakness, they struck so sad warrior couldn't strike back. For if they didn't they would be the ones dead and turned to smog.

Shard now the victim in their attack.

"Get ready scrap heap!" Marty shouted at the machine.

"Because let's see how you like getting pushed around!" Mike commented.

Before Shard could even do anything Marty used his claws to slash Shard's back causing some damage on the jet pack. Mike didn't let up of course and also struck. Biting down on Shards left hand with all his might.

"H-Hey! Let go!" Shard said trying to pry the mouth off his appendage. To bad Mike was much stronger, as being an Alpha Grimm meant he was both bigger, tougher, and a hell lot tougher. Shard would find it difficult to get that mouth off him.

Mysterio took this chance to begin his illusions. Using his powers he summoned up a bunch of duplicates of himself with actual mass and told them to attack Shard.

"Get him!" The duplicates obeyed and started conjuring small beams attacking. Marty getting out of the way allowing both Shard and Mike to get hit by the blasts. Though Mike didn't mind as his natural hide protected him quite a bit. Shard of course wasn't as lucky. His metal frame blocking the worst of the blasts, but slowly damaging him. If he didn't get out soon his systems would fry.

"Tch!" Clicking that metal tongue of his, Shard initiated his engine. While damaged, his booster was still more than capable of giving him flight. Flight which he used to get away from those blasts.

"Grrrrrr!" To bad Mike was still on him, biting down hard. Shard hearing the metal arm slowly being torn apart. Well that will be a problem solved quite easily. Raising his blaster Shard charged it up and blasted the Beowolf off his arm.

"Ahh!" Mike yelled as he landed on the ground with a thud. Now that the Grimm was off, Shard could move a lot easier. Dodging those inaccurate blasts with total ease.

"Stop moving around!" Mysterio shouted finding it very difficult to shoot down the speedy Shard. The metal hedgehog of course just blew a raspberry and began firing at long range against the duplicate clones. Dissipating them with each shot one by one. Avoiding anything harmful while also keeping an eye on both Marty and Riot just in case.

'Dang, this isn't easy.' Mysterio thought as he kept shooting smaller blasts at the machine. Not wanting to cause to much damage in fear of getting attention from the rest of SHIELD. Still...on the off chance someone heard this fight.

"Riot, Marty!" He shouted at the two. "Start blocking the doors just in case. Don't need anymore company than usual."

"Got it boss." Marty replied quickly doing as he said.

"Fine. But only because I don't want anymore annoyances." Riot complied aiding Marty in stacking objects against the door. Good, that should by them some time just in case. In the meantime, time to get a bit more seriously.

"Hm." Back in the air, Shard was also thinking that maybe he should stop being a bit to cocky. He had them all in the bag in one fell swoop and already they had quickly turned the tide. Making this battle turn from one-sided into a stalemate. 'Perhaps this is why the other heroes haven't been able to catch him.'

It would appear Mysterio was a lot more resourceful than he thought. Not to mention underestimating his allies who helped turn the battle around in their favor. In hindsight, it probably wasn't best to have sent Riot onto that weapon shelf. If anything because of that move he gave them a chance to reorganize.

'Should I call for help?' No, impossible. This room wasn't exactly blocking signals, but because of his tussle from earlier, his communications have been brought down a bit. 'Not to mention...I doubt anything SHIELD currently has can take these guys down.'

With the planet in turmoil SHIELD was already spread thin on resources. Sure the building they were in still had some good defenses left, yet even Shard doubted it could stop these guys. Well, it could, but at the cost of internal damage and loss of life, something nobody wanted.

'Looks like Charles was right. I got to full of myself because I thought these guys were weak. Well, not anymore.' Now becoming serious both Shards eyes and the crystal turned red, ready to battle for real. Without any hesitation, he vanished.

"What the-where did he-Ughh!" To Mysterio it looked like Shard just teleported out of here. Instead both he and all his duplicates were wiped out. His duplicates disappearing while he took a rather good punch that made a chunk of his aura vanish.

"Woah! What the he-" Mike was next as even his Grimm senses couldn't predict the attack. His head slammed onto the ground cracking it. A whimper could be heard from the near cracked skull.

Just barely seeing this, both Marty and Riot readied themselves to prepare. Noting how Shard now used his enhanced speed to take out their allies in just a quick instant. To bad that preparation meant nothing to true speed.

"Gak!" Before Marty knew it, he felt a might fist hit his stomach making him kneel. Where he was then punched in the face into the nearest wall cracking it just as easily as the floor from Mike before.

"Grr." Riot could already tell he was next in the next second. However…

Bang!

"Awww!" The one who screamed wasn't Riot. But Shard instead.

A forcefield brought up the instant Shard began his attack. This suit lacked offense, but made it up with extreme defense. The shield exceeding Shards pitiful attack. Instead only damaging his own fist. Leaving the metal sonic to a counter attack.

"Like this!" Without any mercy, Riot went for the kill. Using his species natural tendrils to pierce through that pitiful machines body. Shard realized if he was hit, he'd be killed. So using the power gem he had, he flew backwards just barely avoiding the attack. To bad he just left himself open to another.

"Huh?" Suddenly a hand grabbed his foot, holding him down. Looking down Shard saw a smirking Marty who just said but one word.

"Bye."

From a few meters Mysterio then came with his hand glowing, full of energy. With a wicked cackle he laughed at what was about to be done to that metal poser.

"Hey Shard. How about you become nothing but metal shards." A rather bad quip compared to what Spider-Man would say, but the point was reached to the machine. Crossing his arms Shard could do nothing as the blast hit him. To the four villains, he was both defeated and disintegrated at a instant. All being left was his leg.

"Ha, in your face fool." Mike yelled at the remains of Shard, which Marty promptly threw away like garbage.

"I guess the machine was….decent." Riot admitted. "But nothing compared to me and this new armor I now don. Though perhaps I should be rid of it. Movement is to rigid."

"In that case can I have it?" Mysterio asked walking toward him with a new limp. The fight having drained him a bit of aura to heal properly. "You know, for my daughter."

"...Very well. But only because your daughter has my respect. Nothing like you worm." While the deal was underway, Mike and Marty just got up stretching a bit. Glad they were Grimm as they had a slightly better healing factor than people. So long as their heads or limbs weren't chopped off, they'd heal up just fine.

"Well, that's done." Mysterio then said to them all, grabbing the duo's attention. "I think it's safe to assume we're done here. And that we should probably leave."

"What, why?" Mike asked. The leader just pointing at the door. Or what was left anyway after he shot that big blast. Already one could hear footsteps all around. "Oh."

"Guess we should leave, but how." Marty asked knowing that they escape through the front door. Not to mention SHIELD here now knows they have intruders and would be ready.

"Don't worry." Mysterio reassured him taking out what appeared to be a gold ring. Similar to the ones like Sonic used. "This will get us out of here."

With a flick of his wrist Mysterio threw the Warp Ring as it quickly expanded showing them the city. Mysterio stepped through followed by Riot. Mike and Marty were also quick to follow, but only after the duo picked up a crate of SHIELD goods and Mike getting himself another pair of Cyclop shades. The Warp Ring then closing with the four gone from sight.

"Ughh…" From some rubble though came a voice. Lifting up some debris was a still functioning but very damaged Shard. Who had just come out of the blast unscathed thanks to the special emergency shield Sir Charles gave him. Though he still had some damages from his battle. Mainly his missing leg and a few sparks. "Well….that could have gone better."

"Indeed it could." A voice from inside his head said slightly startling Shard. A second later he calmed down as he recognized the voice.

"Sir Charles." He said.

"At your service Shard."

"What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious, I had been reviewing your battle from earlier. And I say you did fine...until you let down your guard and completely let yourself get beaten." Charles told the young machine who scratched his head embarrassingly.

"Okay I admit it. I probably could have done better."

"Most assuredly. I guess you get that rashness from Sonic who also leaps in without thinking. I swear one of these days he'll attack without realizing the consequences." Sonic is a good person. But sometimes he was prone to accidentally causing a mess because he got impatient and struck. "I hope you learned something from this battle anyway.

That you should never underestimate a foe just because they aren't considered dangerous enough. I checked this Mysterio's file during the fight and he's considered a low-rank villain. But considering how he escapes even the Secret Avengers and actually has more allies says something."

"Yeah, I guess so." Shard had to confess, this wasn't his best work on the field for the first time. Oh boy, hopefully Fury didn't scrap him for this. That would suck for certain. Plus, it wasn't as if he could just ask someone to help him. Only a few like Charles and Fury knew he existed.

Sad as it was, many people weren't exactly trusting to machines. Especially a former robot from the Eggman Empire. Something Shard wished to change by showing the world that machines weren't always made for evil. Those like Penny, Omega, and Vision were proof of that, but only in the minority. As such, Shard wished to help his robotic allies to prove that robots can be good. To bad it might not happen since he might turn to scrap.

"Don't worry Shard, you won't be scrapped." Charles assured him giving the machine relief.

"Really. Even though I messed up."

"That's right. Besides, this was your first mission, a test run. Plus you didn't make that much of a mess. At least compared to other heroes. Man they make a mess." Ignoring Charles little rant, Shard was pleased he wouldn't be turned to a pile of bolts. Though he did have one question.

"So, what's going to happen to me?" He asked the hedgehog.

"Simple. For now I get you fixed then give you more 'secret' missions. As much as I hate to say this, but it's true the other heroes may not exactly be pleased if they saw you." Shard sighed at that. Even he knew that if he met other heroes, say Sonic, they'd attack him on the presumption he was a Eggman minion. Even those like Penny and Vision would attack, not that he would blame them.

"Don't worry Shard, it won't be forever." Charles told him. "In fact, a few other people actually know about you, and have agreed to be part of a special team."

"A team?"

"Correct. If I recall there are many teams that aid. Some more secretive than others, which we can do. So the King and I have been thinking of gathering our own team. One where you can work with a team, learn more, and when the time comes, present yourself as a force of good." Now that was something Shard could get behind.

"Alright sir, I'm in." Shard agreed can't wait to join the team. "Just out of curiosity though, what will the team be called?"

"Hehe, not sure yet. Maybe we'll come up with a name and group together when this Thanos threat is done. For now though, just come home." It was on this day and during the next few months to come, Shard will be meeting some interesting faces.

It was already near noon with Mysterio and his team having left the building. Granted they were in some pain or a bit dazed from their fight against the robot Metal Sonic calling itself Shard. Boy was that machine a bit of a dozy to fight. Not to mention a major pain in the neck. Mysterio especially still feeling that punch. Times like this he was jealous how the Grimm and symbiotes could take a punch so easily then shrug it off.

"Well, guess we're going to be here a while." Mysterio said a he sat on a bench. Though his allies didn't look so pleased.

"Uh, Mysterio." Marty began. "Are you sure we should stay here of all places?"

"Why? What's the problem?" The illusion master asked back with Mike just shaking his head.

"Do you even know where we are?" Mysterio just looked around seeing nothing unusual. Just some trees and a few people looking at them strangely. Riot just slapped his armored head.

"You meat bag. We're in a freaking park." Getting his point across, if one looked far back they would see Riot is correct. The four were indeed in a average park with nothing special to it. If one excluded the nearby people taking pictures and talking as if they weren't there. Most intrigued by the talking Grimm and the symbiote.

A few also rather interested in the crates with the SHIELD symbol next to them.

Riot swore if he wasn't so tired, he'd have killed them already.

"So what?" Mysterio says to them not looking concerned. "Far as I'm aware, all the heroes seem to be having a special meeting involving Thanos. They won't bug us at all."

"But then what about that?" Mike then asked pointing up in the air. Where it was then that suddenly out of nowhere thunder and loud sounds came. The change happened so fast, Mysterio wondered if someone just flipped a switch on the weather. Looking up with the others, they soon saw just who flipped the switch.

"Damn." Mysterio said. Boy is he right. Because from the very sky a mass amount of ships started coming out. Alien warships appearing from a looming vortex. Only one response came from the citizens. Screams.

"Well this is bigger than out alien invasion." Riot admitted.

"I'm pretty sure there's more aliens than Grimm up there." Mike pointed out as his Cyclop glasses fell to his snout.

"Yeah...we're toast…" Marty said thinking there time was now. Because endgame has just arrived. With Chitauri, Meterax, bulky aliens, Outriders, and so many Leviathans. Thanos has just brought out his entire fleet. Even if there was an end to it, to everyone on the planet, his army may as well be infinite.

Because every part of the planet was now being under attack. The doom then represented by Thanos himself who came in a Galactus sized hologram. Bringing his message to those still alive ready to hear it.

"We need to get off planet now." Mysterio said with the others agreeing. Without hesitation they then began running into the city to find some way to escape. Because this was it. A fate that can either end in their favor, or like old man Logan's time, his success. Their odds weren't looking good. Beginning with Thanos's speech.

'HATRED…'

And war has begun, time to see the villain side of things while the heroes save the day. Also, Secret Freedom Fighters anybody, with Shard coming back up and ready. In any case, next time we'll see what Mysterio does during war. Until next time.