Troubling News.
Cap and his team recently arrived back to base after their near fatal encounter with a deadly new threat. Dark Ultron, a merger between Ultron and Dark Oak, combining the two ruthless machines in to a new entity, more powerful than either of them were when separate. With their combined power, the hero team where utterly helpless against their new foe, who badly injured Cloud and Tifa, leading to both of them needing urgent medical attention. Safe to say, Tony really didn't want to hear news like this.
"Well that's just great. So you are telling me two super powerful organic hating machines merged in to a super death machine?" Tony summed up.
"Yes... we couldn't even damage him. Dark Ultron was completely out of our league. Had we fought one of them separately we might've had a chance, but we could not beat them while they were combined" Cap answered, making it clear he was less than pleased about this unexpected development "We had no plan for dealing with something like that with what we had on hand. All we could to was slow him down long enough to escape".
Light sighed as he rubbed his beard "I think it's clear the evil machines are adapting new ways to fight us. Our team work is what gave us the advantage we needed to fight them. But now they are working as one, being able to achieve something they never could on their own. And from how you described the battle, Steve, it's clear they are working in perfect harmony, meaning their minds became one as well, and are not fighting for dominance. The perfect merge".
"Great, just perfect" Tony said with a tired sigh "So what about your team?".
"Tifa's wounds were not to serious, and could be treated fairly easily. Cloud on the other hand received a wound that would've killed him instantly if not for his enhancements, so he will need time to recover. The rest of us suffered minor wounds" Cap answered.
"Alright... well, if there is nothing else you want to say, Steve, you can take the day of" Tony said.
"Don't hesitate to ask me for help when you need it, Tony. You know this will not be enough to stop me from fighting" Steve said.
Tony nods "I know, thanks Steve".
Steve nods back and leaves. Once he was gone, Light spoke "You alright, Tony?".
"No, Light... I am not alright. I wanted to end this war quickly so we all could go back home. But there one problem after the other just keeps on piling up. I think we are not being active enough" Tony answered.
"What do you mean?" Light asked.
"I mean that our approach of sending out smaller teams to undermine our enemies isn't working. I think it's getting more and more clear that we need to be more forceful. Take down the villains fast and hard before they have a chance to become to strong" Tony said.
"That would be to risky, Tony. If we charge in under prepared it could be a slaughter" Light argued.
"I know!" Tony said in frustration "That's the main reason I haven't gone through with that plan yet. But we are running out of options, and quickly. At this rate we will lose no matter what we decide to do".
Light sighed at that "There are no easy solutions to such complicated problems. In the end, all we can do is try to figure out what solution is the least costly".
"Yes. And I am worried the price will always be to high" Tony muttered.
The mess just kept on getting bigger and bigger, and it was becoming harder and harder to clean up. If Dark Ultron is the result of the evil machines becoming stronger... then how much stronger are the other villain factions becoming?
Elsewhere, a large man was walking through a hallway, being lead by one of Armstrong's men. The large man was Wilson Fisk, kingpin of crime in New York City, rules the underworld with ruthless efficiency. Gaining power through numerous illegal ventures and intimidation, Kingpin has gone toe-to-toe with the likes of Spider-Man and Daredevil and kept pace thanks to his incredible physical prowess and strength. Those who don't know him would be quick to judge him based on his size, thinking he is just an big man who lets his thugs handle all the work. But truth is in his entire massive body, only 2% of it is fat, the rest is pure muscles, more than capable of crushing most mortal men.
But he was not alone, alongside him was one of his top deadliest assassins: Bullseye. A deadly killer for hire capable of using practically anything as a lethal projectile weapon with flawless accuracy and deadly force. He is one of the most psychotic and sadistic characters in the world, and serves as one of Daredevil's most dangerous foes.
"We are here" The soldier said as he motioned inside a room "Your body guard may accompany you, if it makes you feel safer".
Fisk said nothing as he entered the room alongside Bullseye. Once inside they saw Armstrong looking out a window "So, you are Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of crime".
"You seem familiar with me. But I don't think we've met before, Steven Armstrong was it? Your men told me about you" Kingpin said.
"I have eyes and ears everywhere, Mr Fisk. Even in this strange new place. I am a resourceful man, which allowed me to build this little base of mine. Though I have to admit, I was lucky to find enough technology around the place to use. Seems this place was kind enough to pull some of our stuff here along with us" Armstrong explained.
"Very well. So to what do I own the pleasure of speaking to a Senator of another world?" Fisk asked.
"It's quite simple really. Just like me, you are a man with visions. I may not know your past, but just looking at you is enough for me to know you are a man who started with nothing and worked yourself to the top. Not being held back by bullshit rules of shit faced government pansies. You used your own two hands to take your life back and crushed any assholes that got in your way. Am I wrong?" Armstrong asked.
"You have a good eye, Senator. But you should know I don't like it when someone knows to much about me" Fisk said with some warning in his tone.
"Not hard to see why. The pawns of the petty legal system would try to destroy everything you have if all your secrets were exposed. But I am from another world, so it's not like your secrets would matter much where I'm from" Armstrong said "But to make things fair, I guess I should share some of my own life and goals. I was born and raised in Texas. Prior to pursuing politics, I played college football for the University of Texas, but joined the United States Navy due to a desire to serve my country. But I kept seeing more and more of how the assholes in power dragged my country through the shit. So I seek to tear down this whole waging war as a business, and create a new Amarica where everyone can live, fight and die based on their own merits. A land of the truly free, where everyone can fight for what they believe in, and not for whatever others tells them is right or wrong".
"Quite an ambitious goal there. But you do realize that would bring chaos" Kingpin pointed out.
"I am aware of that. Many will die, that is unavoidable. But in the end, they will die knowing that it was for their own sake" Armstrong answered.
"Sounds good to me" Bullseye commented, earning a warning look from Fisk.
Fisk looked back at Armstrong "I am not sure I can agree with what you are doing, Armstrong. I grew up in the harsh streets of New York city. Like you said, I had to learn to survive on my own. But I love my city and want to make it in to something beautiful, even if it means having to tear it down and rebuild it. But chaos needs to be controlled, if left unchecked it could destroy everything you're trying to achieve".
Armstrong smiled at that "I knew you had good vision, Wilson Fisk. I do see what you are saying. While I want to put an end to people waging war like business, sometimes I am forced to resort to doing what they are doing in order to achieve my dream. Sometimes you need to fight fire with fire, and beat your enemies at their own game. Only then will you achieve all you desire".
"Just like I need to break the law to keep my own dreams alive. Very well Armstrong, I am listening. Just what are you suggesting here?" Fisk asked.
"A partnership, which I am sure can benefit us both. What happens on your world isn't any of my concern, so I can help you achieve what you need. By giving you something I know you desire" Armstrong answered.
"And that is?" Fisk asked.
Armstrong smirked "Power. This place has more power than any of us could ever imagine. And I think you might be somewhat familiar with it".
"I am indeed. I think they are called cosmic energy. But they are very rare on earth and most of it is always collected by the Avengers before I could get my hands on them" Fisk answered.
"Well, this place is full of it. We are using them to power everything we have for now. But in time, perhaps they can help us achieve even more" Armstrong said before extending his hand "So what do you say? Will you land us a hand?".
Fisk was silent for a moment before he smiled and shook Armstrong's hand "I think this will be the start of a profitable partnership".
"Glad you think so. Because I am not the only new partner you will be working with" Armstrong said as he motions to the door.
Geese Howard walked in with a smirk "Always good to meet a fellow businessman. This will certainly be interesting".
"Indeed it will" Fisk said with a smirk of his own.
Back in the hero base, Tifa was recovering in her hospital bed. She was told Cloud would be fine, so her mind was put at ease by that. But suddenly she heard the door open, making her look to the side and was slightly surprised by who she saw enter the room.
"Laura? What are you doing here?" She asked.
Laura was silent for a moment before she spoke "I came here to apologize".
Tifa blinked in confusion "Apologize for what?".
"For being useless on the last mission. While you and the others were fighting for your lives against Dark Ultron, I was buried under rocks and didn't manage to free myself before he had already almost killed you all. I am supposed to be better that this, I should've been able to help. But instead while I was a helpless little child, you were fighting for your life against a mechanical monster. I'm sorry" Laura explained, hiding her emotions, but Tifa could see right through it.
Tifa could see it in Laura's eyes. She is a girl who lost more than anyone ever should. Experienced pain no one in her young age should've needed to feel. She was a broken girl who was still doing everything she could to rebuild her life, but the process was slow and painful, and there was no telling how much more she had lost along the way.
"Laura, come closer please" Tifa said as she motioned with her hand for Laura to come closer. Laura did as told before Tifa grabbed her hand and pulled her in to a in to a hug, making Laura's head rest on her chest "There is nothing to forgive. You didn't do anything wrong. What happened was on all of us, not just you. And I am sorry you felt that way".
Laura was silent for several seconds before she sighed "Can you let go? I don't do hugs".
Tifa smiled and hugged her closer "You may not want it, but you clearly need it. Now deal with it".
Laura grumbled, but made no moves to break the hug. Truth was, she was enjoying it, Tifa had such a calming aura and even her sent made Laura feel a lot calmer. A small smile appeared on her face as she finally allowed herself to relax in to Tifa's chest. Tifa smiled at this as she rubbed Laura's head like and older sister would. Laura didn't admit it, but she needed this.
At least there was some comfort, even in defeat.
.
Tell me what you think.