Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a great Christmas season. I've...obviously been on hiatus (I always say it's my schedule, so I won't even go into that). I am aiming to complete this story soon though (there's probably about 4 Chapters left. Maybe 5 if I feel like doing that). So, here's another one for you. Hope that it was worth the long wait (I'm gonna try and work on making time for writing, so bear with me a little bit longer). We're picking up exactly where we left off last year!

Chapter 35: The Beginning Of The End Part 2

"So all our Modes are gone?!"

"That's what I just said", Steel said with a sarcastic edge. "I'm not sure how long before the beam's effects wear off!"

"Which is what they planned on", Max murmured, noticing the A.I.M. Soldiers were closing in. "What about my T.U.R.B.O. Energy?"

"That laser knocked out everything BUT that. If we take another direct hit though, we're finished. Your levels haven't fully recovered from recharging the Tower though."

"We'll have to make it work", Max declared. "At least we can fend them off."

As the fighters slowly cornered in on their hiding spot, Max summoned whatever power he had left. Crackles of energy vibrated around him, yet he waited, pausing until the sound of their boots was mere feet away.

"T.U.R.B.O. Pulse!", Max screamed and released, a dome of energy flying around him. Dispersing into the atmosphere, it collided with their enemy, knocking some off their feet and stunning others. Max then took the opportunity and bolted, sand licking at his heels and causing him to run faster. Yet the nearby A.I.M. caravans noticed their escape and pursued, blasting more beams in their wake.

"Are we close enough somewhere that we can at least hide out?!", the teen asked between breaths, bobbing and weaving as best he could.

"We could possibly make it to a town ten minutes away", Steel suggested, projecting the quickest route by foot. "But we'd need to lose the vans."

Before the android could say more, a searchlight from above covered them in a blinding beacon. Max looked up and noticed that two helicopters had also made a grand appearance, with matching laser guns as well.

"Scratch that, make it vans and two choppers."

"Let's take care of the ones above first", Max stated, skidding to a stop. Grabbing the Ultralink off his chest plate, he charged him and aimed, his eyes set on one of the copters rotors.

With a mighty roar he released, pouring in energy to extend his own beam's reach. Seconds later, it collided with its target, sending the aircraft crashing into the ground and one of the vehicles. Max aimed again and fired, another cobalt laser shooting into the second chopper. Like the first, the machine met the same explosive demise.

Before they could take the next thing down, Max managed to spot an A.I.M. soldier that had snuck up in his peripherals. He dodge in time as another laser whizzed past him, but the ray grazed his side painfully. The teen gritted his teeth, but side steeped again and fired, unleashing another beam. It met its target and the trooper flew from the impact, rolling across the rough sand.

'Now the vans', he thought tiredly.

"T.U.R.B.O. Fly!", Max exclaimed and threw his partner, the later spinning like a boomerang across the sand. Colliding with its target, Steel sliced through one of the vans tires perfectly, the vehicle careening into a nearby crevice and smoking. Whizzing back into Max's hand, he took aim again and fired, another vehicle treads destroyed while the convoy flipped over in a dramatic fashion.

Max then surveyed the surrounding area and noticed a good chunk of A.I.M. was scrambling to recover. But unfortunately, so was he. He took a quick second to breathe as it realized his energy was dropping, tiredness gripping the edge of his vision.

"I...can't keep this up", Max concluded. "We have to think of something else, Steel!"

The Ultralink scrambled, shaking himself out of dizziness to do a quick check of what they could use. Modes were obviously not responding, and he wasn't even going to mention how communication was still off-line.

'What could we even use?!", the automaton thought. All they had was sand and water (and they couldn't use that to fend off the blasters!).

Wait a second...

Steel ran through variables quickly and the sudden idea (which was absolutely crazy and could go so wrong). However, they weren't exactly an overabundance of options at the moment.

"I have an idea...", the android surmised. "Grab that nearby laser in the sand and hurry."

"Are you crazy?!", Max asked. "Those are the things that we're trying to avoid!"

"Max, you're just gonna have to trust me. Do it!"

Before the teen could argue further, he quickly noticed that time was running out. A.I.M. was getting back on their feet and the remaining caravans were organizing themselves. So with a growl he sprinted across the sand, sliding across the grainy substance and snatching the abandoned gun.

"Now what?!", Max questioned, examining the nasty looking weapon with unease. "Are we supposed to fire this at them? I don't think that will do much on its own Steel."

"It will if its supercharged with T.U.R.B.O. Energy", the bot affirmed, scanning the weapon to verify its findings. "Channel what's left of your energy into it and fire like there's no tomorrow. I'll help you."

Steel synched back into the armor and Max relented, charging the oversized firearm. The weapon began to glow in his hands yet he continued, the green power inside merging with bright sapphire.

"Ok, Max...Now!"

He then fired the trigger, the mixed colored beam bursting out of the weapon. The occupants in a nearby caravan quickly exited before the beam sliced into their van, causing it to explode in a mushroom cloud of smoke. Max pointed at another vehicle and fired again, the blast hitting the laser gun on top. This caused another major eruption, knocking people off their feet and scurrying for cover. Max continued this for a time, thinking that A.I.M. was finally getting a taste of their own medicine.

However, just as quickly as it started, it ended. The weapon began to burn molten hot in his hands and crackle with explosive intent. The teen nearly dropped the device, clambering with it now that it was so overheated.

"Is it about to-"

"YES!", Steel verified, scanning the device once more with a wince. "Your T.U.R.B.O. Energy is causing it to malfunction. And this explosion will be a lot worse. WE GOT TO MOVE!"

At this Max reacted, throwing the device as far as he could at their attackers. Then sprinting towards the waves, he tumbled into the sea, swimming faster and faster to get out of range. What remained of the A.I.M. assault quickly realized what the masked hero had done as well, hurrying to get away from the utter destruction it would cause. Max managed to dive under as the weapon exploded, a near-deafening blast sending a mighty shockwave.

And then...nothing.


SOME TIME LATER

Hazel softly sighed from her position in the Ven-Geance, crossing her arms and staring at the grayish fluff below them. After quite a while in the air, the Bounty Hunter had finally figured out the direction that the T.U.R.B.O. duo had went in. Teleporting in that region (something that made Hazel nearly puke), they were now close to Max and Steel's general location.

Taking a quick glance at the seat beside her, she noted that the green-skinned alien was in his element, fiddling with controls and navigating the vessel. She thought about asking how he could even keep track of what everything did, but thought better of it (not wanting to break his concentration). Besides, it was his ship after all.

"We're here", Ven-Ghan declared curtly, beginning their descent into the dark clouds. "The readings on my tracker say this was the last epicenter of T.U.R.B.O. Energy."

The ship sank into the clouds and Hazel paused, not knowing what exactly to expect when they got there. But nothing prepared her for what she saw.

A once pristine beach of summer fun was now a torn warzone, scattered metal and wreckage littering the coastline. She winced at the destruction and looked around, searching for any sign of Max and Steel in the mess. Hazel also noted that Ven-Ghan had gone silent as well.

Quickly landing in a nearby cliff, Ven-Ghan stood up and grabbed his sword that was leaned against a wall.

"Stay here", he ordered, examining his weapons and opening the cargo door. "I don't know what's down there."

"Yeah...no", Hazel replied, getting out of her seat. "Whatever it is, I think Max and Steel got to it first. Two people searching is better than one anyway."

Ven-Ghan growled at that, not being able to argue against the extra help. He had already sent a signal to N-Tech (but it would take time for them to reach this location).

"...Fine", he relented and headed towards the exit. "Do you still have the communicator I gave you?"

She nodded, ripping open her backpack and digging things out. Grabbing the small device, she raised it up and then joined Ven-Ghan out of the ship.

"If you come across anything, let me know", he stressed, absentmindedly rubbing his temple. "Though I'm sure you can take care of it yourself."

"Funny", Hazel stated cynically, the alien obviously remembering how she had knocked him out cold. "Let's just start looking."

After nearing the beach, the two split in opposite directions and searched. Hazel quietly patrolled over her section, not wanting to alert anyone of their presence. But as she continued combing through rubble, she realized that wasn't necessary (the out-stretched remains a clear sign that the foe had been utterly defeated).

With a sigh she finished her side of the terrain, walking to the shoreline and crossing her arms. Clearly, Max or Steel weren't here. But where were they? Seeing Ven-Ghan complete his searching as well, she then waved him over.

"Something's not right", she advised once he got near. "Are you sure that this is the last place?"

"It is", Ven-Ghan confirmed, checking the readings once more. "They should be here."

"But we've checked the entire beach", Hazel surmised, turning her head to the crashing waves. "Where else could they be? Not unless they went into the ocean."

Ven-Ghan hummed at that, pressing a few buttons on his wrist device to reveal a virtual radar scanner. Surveying the area, he was surprised to find a T.U.R.B.O. signature located in the body of water in front of them.

"It's them", Ven-Ghan concluded. "Though this reading is alarming. It's...very faint."

"Oh no...", Hazel paled, her voice slightly shaky. "You don't think-"

"They have a Mode for under-water", the Bounty Hunter reasoned. "It's not possible that they drowned. Their energy signature wouldn't have been detected either."

"But you just said it was faint", she reasoned, taking a second to stretch. "What if something happened? Especially if they haven't come up yet." She then took off her shoes and tossed her backpack to the side. "Can you swim?"

"Not...exactly", Ven-Ghan muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not a skill I've had much use for."

"That's fine. I can at least go check on them."

Before he could say more, Hazel headed towards the waves, plunging herself into the cold saltwater. Slightly shivering, she ignored it and kicked her legs forward, going father out from shore. Once deep enough, she then dived and scanned the ocean floor, checking for any trace of them. After a few minutes of this and taking some moments for air, she nearly gave up. However, something strange at the bottom caught her eye.

Hazel examined it closer and winced, finally seeing them sprawled on the ocean floor and unmoving. She went to the surface again for air and then dived, her arms now working overtime to propel her toward them. Finally making it, she then grabbed Max's arm and heaved, heading to the surface with the extra weight.

Eventually, she managed to make it above water, gasping for breath and coughing. Hazel then yelled and tried to shake Max to consciousness, but was surprised to find him unresponsive. This startled her, and she headed back towards the shore in hurried haste.

Ven-Ghan saw her from the distance and met her when she was almost back on land, helping to carry Max in. They then laid him on the beach, observing that his armor looked lifeless and nearly out of it's normal blue color. Steel seemed to be in the same shape as well, synched on the armor and just as spiritless.

"Oh no, no, no!", she shuddered, shaking Max's shoulders once more and calling his name. She then placed her ear to his chest to listen for breathing, but was surprised to hear nothing there.

"Crap, I don't think he's breathing!", Hazel shouted in a panic, adjusting Max's head and listening for anything coming from his helmet. But all she heard were the waves around them. "I-I know emergency CPR, but it's not gonna work if this thing is still on his face!"

"I can get it off", Ven-Ghan stated, quickly typing commands on his wrist device. "But Steel will need to be removed first."

After putting in a few more clicks on his wrist watch, Ven-Ghan took aim and fired a small current of energy. The zap did the trick and shocked the Ultralink off, Steel tumbling into the sand while Max's helmet phased off. Hazel heard Steel weakly moan, but ignored it as she started chest compressions, trying to remember what the instructor had said (she only took the class once and it was at her Father's pleading after the Battle of New York). Now Hazel wished that she would have paid more attention.

She continued this movement for a few minutes, noticing with anxiety that Max still wasn't breathing. She took a moment to stretch her tired hands and then Ven-Ghan scanned him, checking his vitals.

"Stand back for a moment", Ven-Ghan commanded and Hazel complied, wondering what the green-skinned alien was thinking. The Bounty Hunter placed his palms on Max's chest and then released the same electric current as before. However, this time he directed it at Max's chest, shocking the teen slightly.

On the second try, Max finally came to, spitting up saltwater and coughing.

"Oh Thank God…", Hazel whispered, breathing a sigh of relief. She then looked down and focused her attention on the android flopped in the sand. Hazel gently picked him up and started dusting him off, thinking that probably Steel had seen better days. At least he was still in one piece (yet to weak to speak anything edgewise).

"Wha...happened?", Max managed to moan out, his vision clearing and observing the people around him.

"We could ask you the same thing", Ven-Ghan responded, helping the teen off the sand. "Let's just head back to the ship."

"Agreed", Hazel approved, her adrenaline finally gone and slightly shivering. "It'll at least be warmer in there."


The Ven-Geance was definitely "cozier" than outside, all of them clambering into the ship for a grateful breather. Ven-Ghan assisted Max to a seat and then prepared for take-off, dropping back into the pilot's chair to press buttons. Hazel then handed Steel back to Max in order to recharge (the bot in Sleep Mode as soon as he synched back into the armor). She sat down as well and the Ven-Geance lifted from the ground, flying back into the darkish skies above.

"Thank you both... for saving us", Max began, finally a bit more coherent. "But Hazel, what are you even doing here? Not that we don't appreciate the rescue."

"Oh you know, it's because of this guy", Hazel informed, pointing at the green-skinned alien and rolling her eyes. "Your Uncle said I had to come along since I'm 'involved' now. And then Ven-Ghan teleports himself to Double Shot, right in the middle of being grilled by two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Then he just flicks them away, along with my Dad."

"I already apologized-"

"He's gonna kill me, Ven-Ghan!", she snapped, already thinking of her impending doom. "I'm sure he's blowing up my phone right now with calls! Oh, and here's another kicker. Apparently, my Dad worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. years ago, trying to expose Ultralinks or whatever."

"What?!", Max and Ven-Ghan gawked, Hazel nodding at their confused expressions.

"I know, right?!", she exclaimed. "It's so weird! He's never said anything about being a spy, Ultralinks, nothing like that! My Dad's a conspiracy theorist sure, but I can't even picture-"

Before Hazel could continue, something slammed into the Ven-Geance, hitting it hard. The two teens braced themselves as Ven-Ghan tried to keep them airborne, noting that a strange green wave of energy was crackling across his ship. As he started a diagnostic, a larger air craft then came into view from behind a cloud, an imitating hexagonal symbol plated on its helm.

"YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!", Hazel shrieked, gripping the sides of her seat in fear. "THEY WANT YOU THIS BADLY?!"

"It would appear so", Ven-Ghan agreed, steering his ship away from the massive one in front of them. However, he quickly realized their new direction didn't matter. Smaller vessels were leaving the huge aircraft from the top and started to pursue them.

"Can't you teleport?!", Hazel gulped, noting that the ships were getting closer and closer.

"No, it appears the beam disrupted with my ship's ability to jump."

"The same thing they hit us with", Max croaked out. "It knocks out abilities."

"We'll need to fend them off until the others arrive", Ven-Ghan stated, pressing another toggle on his console. "Hazel, fire the blasters while I steer."

"Uhh, wait!", she tried to argue, but instantly her chair went back and controls for weapons appeared in front of her. "I don't know how to fire these!"

"It's not difficult. The controls are similar to what you used to pilot the Racer."

"Ven-Ghan", Max began, trying to get up from his chair. "I can-"

"No, you're still recovering!", the Bounty Hunter said in finality. "Someone fully aware of their senses needs to control weaponry right now. We can't afford to take another hit."

Hazel paused, but then exhaled and gripped the controls. Quickly figuring out how they worked, she aimed at an approaching craft and fired. Pulses of energy met the craft and caused it to plummet, so she continued while Ven-Ghan maneuvered, barely evading a blast from their enemies.

And so the firefight broke out, the Ven-Geance outnumbered but not down for the count. Ven-Ghan and Hazel went silent in tense concentration, while Max could only watch in baited breath. They were doing well, but unfortunately there were too many (and one was bound to hit at some point).

But before they could be blasted down themselves, a white beam fired straight into an A.I.M. ship and caused it to detonate. They looked as Iron Man came into view, the billionaire briefly waving and then resuming the offense. Ven-Ghan also noticed that the N-Tech Battle Fleet and Black Quinjets were approaching from the horizon, while his comm link came through with a familiar voice.

"Ven-Ghan, we got your signal.", Ferrus said. "We'll cover you while you fly into the Battle Fleet!"

The Bounty Hunter complied, now aiming for the entrance to the Battle Fleet with urgency. A.I.M. quickly noticed their escape and tried to block it, but with S.H.I.E.L.D. and N-Tech now working together, they easily fended off the assault. Shortly thereafter, the Ven-Geance made it into the large N-Tech vessel, the ship landing in the large hanger.

And now with the Ven-Geance out the way, both spy agencies launched a full-out strike, overwhelming A.I.M. and its forces. The latter (determining now the fight was pointless) scrambled their remaining troops in order to outrun their opponents. S.H.I.E.L.D. took chase after them, yet A.I.M. was farther away and narrowly escaped (crawling back into whatever hole they came from).

In the Ven-Geance, they noticed from the window that a medical team were quickly approaching, but didn't make a move to open the entrance. After avoiding A.I.M.'s clutches (a second time for that matter), they needed a moment to calm down.

"...I can see now why you guys do this kind of stuff", Hazel eventually blurted out, trembling from the near death experience. "That...was such a rush!"

"The thrill wears off", Ven-Ghan stated, placing his head back into the headrest of his chair.

"Trust us, it definitely does...", Max confirmed, clearly happy that they were finally out of danger.


LATER ON

After being combed over by multiple physicians for hours on end, Max was once again back in the medical bay of the Tower (something he definitely beginning to dislike). At least Steel had recovered though, the android fussing over him as much as the doctors. Hazel and Ven-Ghan had left a short while after as well, Black Widow escorting them to a private room for de-briefing. The rest of the Avengers remained, with Forge and Molly sticking close by his side as well.

He looked over to his Mother and she gave a sad smile, both of them picking up that they needed to have a talk (but the conversation would have to wait till later).

"So, what exactly happened?", Hawkeye asked, looking at the exhausted duo. "I know you two probably aren't up for questions, but how did you manage to fight them all off?"

"Well, we had gone to a beach somewhere in New Jersey and they ambushed us", Max summarized, stretching his tired muscles. "But they dropped one of their lasers while we were fighting. So I supercharged it and turned it against them."

"That..was really stupid", Tony sighed, pulling up a virtual recreation of the A.I.M. Blaster. "It's designed to temporarily immobilize an opponent. Combine that with T. U.R.B.O. energy though, and it seems the reverse happens. It overcharged everything and could have fried you both!"

"Figured, but we didn't have a choice", Steel retorted. "They hit us twice before that and knocked out our T.U.R.B.O. Modes with it."

"Something Berto said would recover", Forge informed. "You should have some of them back online in a few hours."

"The question though, is why?", Molly asked, everyone pondering the same question internally. "Why did A.I.M. do all this? What do they need him for?"

"Must be something big", Steve commented, glancing at Tony. "Did you have a chance to look through those files you stole from them?"

"Not all of them", Stark divulged. "Haven't exactly had the time. Though, I was able to decipher some part of the device they built."

The billionaire then asked J.A.R.V.I.S. to pull up the specs and the A.I. obliged, the blueprint showing a generator with a human-sized capsule inside.

"It looks like they need a strong power source to charge it. Stronger than anything humanly available now. Which is why they were after you so bad."

"T.U.R.B.O. Energy is one of the most powerful sources on the planet", Molly supplied. "Or anywhere in the galaxy for that matter. So I'm...just glad they failed today."

"Quite miserably I might add", Stark supplied with a grin. "You would think the first time would have set them straight. However, since Max is the only one-"

"But...I'm not", the teen stammered, silent gears in his head turning. Everyone then paused in confusion, wondering what he was talking about.

"Max, what do you mean?", Bruce slowly asked.

"I'm not the only one one that has T.U.R.B.O. Energy", Max repeated. "There's another person, locked up in a power-restraining cell somewhere."

"Ugh, that weirdo", Steel muttered, crossed his digits. "Dredd can stay there for all I care!"

"Max, just relax", Clint interjected, trying to appease his concerns. "That S.H.I.E.L.D. facility he's at is top-notch. Dredd is not getting out of there."

"Not by himself, but A.I.M. could do it", the teen argued. "I mean, they managed to find us before Ven-Ghan did. And...that's scary. They've been watching us, and must have known as soon as we left the Tower too."

The other occupants in the room took a moment and thought on his words, the idea of another security breach not that far of a stretch (and to big to ignore).

"So, you sure that cell can hold him?", Forge probed, Hawkeye raising an eyebrow at the question. "Max has a very good point. A.I.M. isn't going to give up."

"They're desperate", Molly commented with a nod. "I'm sure they realize Max Steel is officially off the table. So Dredd is now the next viable option."

"His energy is power that he's stolen from me", the teen explained with a frown. "He did something else to it sure, but it's just as powerful as mine is."

"Which...would be a good substitute", Bruce agreed. "A.I.M would just have to break him out first."

"Are you all for real right now?", Clint defended, but grimaced when they all gave him a skeptical look. Even Tony was eyeing him with a doubtful expression.

"Ok...fine. We'll go over there and double the security. But I don't think they're stupid enough to attack another S.H.I.E.L.D. facility. They already did it once, so they must know we'd expect-"

However, suddenly Hawkeye's phone set off a loud alert. As did one of the main alarms in the Tower.

He then loudly groaned, closing his eyes and reaching for the device. "Please, please, please...", Clint begged in a whisper. "Don't be what everyone thinks you are."

"Sorry buddy", Tony said, examining the computer next to him with a message. "You know that 'undisclosed' location Dredd's at? It's currently being attacked. By A.I.M."

"...I hate these guys", Hawkeye snarled, checking his arrows and running out the door.

Almost all the rest followed suit shortly after, leaving Bruce and Molly to look over the T.U.R.B.O. Duo in worry.


AND WE'RE DONE (FOR NOW)! Hope you guys enjoyed this Chapter. In the next one, we will finally see what A.I.M. evil plan is (and I smell another team up in the works for everyone)! Until then, I'm logging off for now. See you next time-Purplerobot =)