Our World's about to break
tormented and attacked
Lost from when we wake
with no way to go back
I was standing on my own
But Now I'm not alone
( Avengers assemble )
Always we will fight as one
Till the battle's won
With evil on the run
We never come undone
assembled we are strong
forever fight as one
Assembled we are strong
Forever fight as one
Jen had come back to the Triskelion with her gamma sample, and she saw Optimus, Ratchet, Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Arcee keeping an eye on... Megatron and his lieutenants.
" What are they doing here ?! " she yelled, making everyone turn around, and Starscream hiding behind Breakdown
" Hey there, miss green. " Knockout said
" Oh Jen, not happy to see us ? And here I thought we had a bond. " Airachnid mocked
" Don't tell me we are allying with them. " Jen pleaded
" Jennyfer, we aren't happier with this than you but we can't refuse Megatron's offer to help us. " Optimus said
" For them to stab us in the back ? Hell no, I won't take the chance. " Jen protested
" Not every decepticon is like Starscream, Jennifer Darby. The day I will kill all of you will be a day of battle. But for now, we have a common enemy, so it is in your interest to accept my offer. " Megatron stated
" If that is a consolation for you Jen, they will be closely watched and they'll get out when this mess is over. " Ratchet added, glaring at Megatron
Jen glared at the decepticon for a tense moment before nodding.
" Fine. But if any of you double-cross us, I'll rip your heads off with my bare hands. " She promised them before entering the Triskelion.
" I like her. " Breakdown said
( with Tony Stark and Pym )
Tony was glaring at Pym and at a cylinder containing the Abomination.
" Those Thunderbolts weren't enough, Hank ? You had to bust out pure monsters, all those weeks ago ? "
Pym sighed. " Tony, I'm trying to stop a disaster. I knew something like Red Skull's sleepers was coming and I knew if we didn't act, the government might just shut us all down."
" And so you decided, on behalf of all of us, to sell out our principles, " Tony snapped. " Hank, working within the system is good but when you turn it over to someone else, it just means trouble. "
" But it's necessary, Tony " Pym pressed. " Especially now. This…this is exactly what I was afraid of, exactly the type of danger I wanted us prepared for. "
Tony stared at him. " Hank…this whole situation is your fault ! You're the one who blasted Hulk into space and brought this down on us ! " He shook his head. " I don't care what calculations Reed has made, you can't justify what you've done, no matter the reasoning. "
" What's your alternative, Tony ? " Pym fired back. " You know how close we've come to being shut down in the past. The only reason it hasn't happened is because they know we're the ones who can fight monsters and super-villains. But Red Skull's attack was different, Tony and you know it. "
" Because it happened in America? " Tony fired back. " What about when Ultron attacked Sokovia ? When Apocalypse invaded Egypt ? When Thanos invaded us ? "
" That wasn't because of us. " Hank responded
" And neither were the sleepers ! " Tony snapped. " But this is, Hank ! You sent the Hulk out there and all you did was make him madder and stronger than ever before. Whatever damage he does is going to be put on your head, Hank and that's worse than Red Skull. "
Hank Pym looked away. " I'm doing what's needed, Tony. We can argue about it later…Assuming there is one." He marched away, once more leaving Iron Man wondering once more where his old friend went wrong.
( with Reed )
As usual, Reed Richards' labatory was a mess as Susan entered. Calculations were written on chalkboard and some of the walls and papers were spread about with even more scribbling in formulas the most brilliant Cambridge graduates couldn't make heads or tails out of. Reed himself was at the center, his neck stretched to check a large screen to the side while his hands scurried about typing at three different keyboards at once.
With one look, Susan knew he hadn't eaten but for once, her natural concern was not present. Instead, she stood there, arms crossed, glaring at him. " What are you working on now? " she asked.
" Hoping to figure out where exactly this Sakaar planet is, " Reed informed her. " Maybe we can get clues about these species or more importantly, a way to replicate what power dampening they had to allow the Hulk to be hurt. That could be a major help to us. "
Susan narrowed her eyes. " Why didn't you tell me? "
Her cold tone got through to him and he paused. His limbs and neck moved back to their normal dimensions as he looked up at her with concern. " Sue, darling… "
" No, don't "Sue, darling" me. Jen and Peter told me everything : Arrest those you calculated would not go along with that act ? Imprisoning them in the Negative zone ? Cloning Thor ? Honestly, for such a genius, you can be so stupid. "
Reed's brow furrowed. " Sue…all of this is for Valeria…for her generation. "
" That's the world you want, Reed ? A world where anyone who doesn't conform to the status quo is subject to arrest? Because that sounds a lot more like the type of world Doom and Zemo would approve of. "
Reed's glower grew. " Sue…"
She angrily waved a hand at the walls. " This…all this told you sending Bruce away was a good thing? That this act is a good thing? God, Reed, I know you always put so much on your science but you usually are able to balance that out by seeing the rest of the world. But this...This is too much, even for you. "
" Susan, " he reached to her. " I'm just doing what I've always tried to do, fix the world. "
" And that's your problem. That's always your problem, Reed ! You always want to fix things that cannot or don't want to be fixed. You see problems where there is none. For a man who can be elastic, your head is so incredibly hard that you can't understand that human beings aren't mathematical pieces. You can't make them conform to your own wishes no matter how hard you try. "
" But Susan. I must try or the world is lost. " Reed insisted
" This time, it will be lost because you tried. Because you and Hank elected to make decisions behind all of us! You didn't talk to me, Reed. You never talked to us about this. You just decided to go ahead and make decisions for all of us. That's not you, Reed. Not the man I love. "
Reed gazed at her soberly. " What can I do? " he whispered.
Susan sighed, wanting to hug him but knowing that wasn't what he needed. " You need to stop being a scientist and start being a human. Otherwise…" She shook her head. " I don't know if there's any future for us. " She turned to walk away, leaving a jarred Mr. Fantastic to his thoughts.
( Triskelion )
The tension was high in the large cafeteria of the SHIELD Triskelion. Every hero was on edge with the decepticons in there.
Jen, Arcee and June were currently sitting with the younger Heroes : Spiderman, Songbird, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and Vision.
" I still can't believe we have to team up with them. " Quicksilver said
" Well me too but we don't have much of a choice. " Spidey said
" To think that last week we were fighting the sinister six and now we have to fight Hulk and an army of aliens. " Jen said
" Welcome in our world, Jen. " Wanda snarked
" Don't we have some missing allies that could help us defeat Hulk ? " June asked
" Thor is in Asgard, Victor Von Doom and the Brotherhood of mutants won't help us and the Silver Surfer doesn't answer Reed's calls. We can only rely on who we have now, Mrs Darby. " Vision explained
" And after I revealed to the inmates in the Raft that Hulk beheaded Osborn, none of them will even think about helping us. " Jen added
A loud siren wailed through the cafeteria. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look around in alarm. All the SHIELD agents instantly began moving toward the doors and their stations. The group of heroes turned to the door to see Captain America there. The look on his face made it clear the legend had seen the fight and was heavy with disappointment about it.
" The deadline is up, " he announced in a loud voice. " Which means… "
Before he could finish it, a huge booming sound echoed from the city below.
"The attack is on," Cap finished. "Get it together and get moving before we lose the city." He turned to march away as everyone prepared for the impossible battle ahead.
Jen and Arcee hugged June for what could be the last time.
( At New York )
The Brood Queen moved her insect-like head back and forth, sweeping over the landscape.
" They are coming ," she hissed. " I can feel the vibrations approach. "
" They will bring their finest warriors, " Korg intoned, his face as somber as the rock of his body.
" We have our own, " Elloe Kaifi stated, her hand clutching around her spear. "And we shall be the victors."
" Remember klik what the Green King klik said, " Miek chippered. " Do not klik underestimate them. "
The Brood sniffed as best as a creature with no nose could. " It does not matter. Against our forces, they shall experience vengeance. "
" Thank you, but we are the Avengers, here. " Ms Marvel challenged, from the other side of the city
Hawkeye, Captain America, Ant-man, Wasp, Black Panther, Gammazone, Arcee, Cyclop, Wolverine, Storm, Beast, Iceman, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Psylocke, Magmar, wolfsbane, Spiderman, Daredevil, Cloak and Dagger, Blade, A-bomb, Red Hulk, War Machine, Vision, Spider-woman, Black Widow, Falcon, Winter soldier, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Moon Knight, Punisher, Hercules, Songbird, Tigra, Wonder man, Mockingbird and Quake were taking battle poses, while Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Breakdown, Airachnid and Knockout arrived by a groundbridge and Optimus, Bulkhead and Bumblebee by another.
The hostile army was composed of hivelings, shadow peoples, Imperials, and giant insect robots.
" AVENGERS, ASSEMBLE ! " Cap yelled
Everyone charged at once, and soon the two sides collided.
The cybertronians were fighting the bug-robots. Bulkhead and Breakdown were beating them with their maces and hammers respectively.
Airachnid was alterning between slashing at robots with her legs and claws, webbing them up or spitting acids.
Knockout was electrifying some with his staff while Bumblebee was shooting at them.
Optimus was fighting side by side with Megatron, the two knowing the fighting style of each other perfectly.
Jen and Arcee were fighting side by side against soldiers before moving to attack Korg and Elloe.
War Machine was unleashing his arsenal against the hivelings when he saw Miek, No-name and Hiroim breaking away from the pack.
" Ben, You've got incoming. " He said in his comms.
( Triskelion )
Reed Richards' body was stretched all around a massive console. The rest of the Fantastic Four was nearby, all tense and ready. There was also Luke Cage, Iron fist and White Tiger.
" Almost there…" Reed muttered.
" You sure this will work? " Johnny Storm asked, his body already aflame.
"It should," Reed stated. "The shield it projects is the same wavelength as Sue's force fields so it should be able to contain any alien forces."
" Better hurry it up, Stretcho, " the Thing said. " We're gonna have company soon. "
Iron fist was watching the horizon with a stern expression and saw a carrier landing on the bridge.
" We only want Richards, earthman. " Hiroim demanded
" Gonna have to go through us to get him, " the Thing snapped. "We may be pissed at him but Reed's family. You mess with him, you gotta take on all of us ! "
" So be it. " No-name snarled as she used an energy gun. Sue threw up a force field to block the shots as Reed's fingers flew to make the last connections of the machine. The Human Torch lit up with a blast of flame that he sent towards Hiroim, who bat it away with a swing of his axe.
Iron fist, Ava and Luke attacked the soldiers and Miek, Ben jumped towards No-name and Johnny continued to attack Hiroim when Miek used his Shield to slide on the ground, Making the three trip and fall on the floor, where the soldiers pummeled them.
The insect then saw June, hiding in a nearby room. He jumped through the window and seized her.
" Stop fighting klik klik or she dies. " He threatened
Johnny exctincted his flames and Sue dropped her forcefield, while the other fives raised their hands in surrender. Hiroim and the soldiers then placed disks on their chests.
" Those are obedience disks. If you try to use your powers, you will receive a shock. " Hiroim explained
But then June, who didn't have her arms restrained, took a pepper spray in her pocket and spread it in Miek's eyes, making him yell in pain and threw her against a wall, which made two vials dall on june, each containing dna samples from Red Hulk and Jen.
" Stupid Human klik ! " Miek yelled
He prepared to impale her with his spear but he was stopped by No-name's tentacles and Hiroim's axe.
" We are here to seek justice, not murder. "
Hiroim stated, before gently taking June in his arms and ordering. " No-name, Find Pym. "
( in the streets )
Jen was punching Korg and he retaliated by spartan kicking her, which made her stumble.
" You are like our green king. You should join us before Humankind betray you, like they betrayed our king. " Korg stated
" Spare your breath, I will never betray my family, nor my planet. " Jen retorted
" If that is your choice. " Korg said, before punching her again but she caught his punch, spinned him around and threw him against a group of soldiers.
Jen then ran towards the other main fight : Hulk had joined the battle and knocked-out most of the heroes, Most of the X-Men, Airachnid, Bee, and Knockout. He was currently fighting Megatron, Cap and Optimus.
" Retreat ! We'll hold him off. " Cap ordered
" Not a chance, Rogers. This time, I'm finishing him off. " Wolverine snarled, before slashing at Hulk
" We Can still fight, Captain ! " Jen added
" Don't worry for us, Tony Stark is on his way. " Optimus replied
Jen, Arcee, Quicksilver, Wanda, Songbird and Vision hated to do that but had to obey. They ran in the opposite direction and saw a form as Big as Hulk flying overhead.
" Good Luck, Tony. " Jen said
Pietro took his sister in his arms and ran off, Songbird created a hand to take Arcee and followed the siblings while Vision and Jen followed them by flying and jumping.
( with Stark )
" Stay out of the fire zone! " Stark yelled.
Steve, Wolverine, Megatron and Optimus jumped back to let Tony do his thing.
He hovered as he focused his targeting systems and then began to fly down. His arms were held upward, repulsors targeted as the large packs on his back began to open up. The Hulk turned and the screen showed the crosshair locking on right between his eyes as he smiled and spread out his hands in a "come and get me" pose.
Iron Man let loose with everything he had, his repulsors on full power as they blasted down. At the same time, the large ammo packs on his back erupted with fire as missiles, plasma beams and laser cannons blasted down toward the Hulk. Iron Man flew down to add to the power of the onslaught as he nailed the Hulk with enough power to lay waste to an entire city block, all condensed into one spot.
The flame and smoke covered the spot where the Hulk lay instantly, obscuring Tony's sight of what was going on but he kept on firing.
Without warning, the Hulk was lunging out of the smoke and filling Tony's visor. He tried to check his speed but it was too late as the Hulk grabbed onto him. Tony gasped as he felt the armor on his arms being crushed around flesh, the pain overwhelming his commands. He tried to fight back but the grip was far too strong even for his armor. " Still playing with your little toys, Stark. " the Hulk growled.
" You helped me create them to contain you, Hulk. " Tony responded, before unleashing a uni-beam which pushed Hulk back.
Iron man then flew forwards, grabbed hulk by his head and dragged him across the ground. The green beast kicked him back and jumped after him, but Tony avoided him and slammed him on the ground and punched him rapidly with a piston fist.
" Gotosleepgotosleepgotosleep. " Stark rapidly said
But Hulk had enough and caught the next punch, glared at Tony and spat a tooth.
" I'm sorry. " Tony meekly said
Hulk roared and ripped the arms off and sent Tony on the ground and teared the armor apart, until he could pull Tony off.
He then turned towards the rest of the heroes.
" Surrender or we'll see how big his brain truly is. " Hulk threatened
" Autobots, stand down. " Optimus ordered
Bee and Bulkhead put their weapons away, while everyone else raised their hands. Megatron wanted to continue the fight but Soundwave shook his head.
" Put obedience disks on everyone and use Emp on the robots. " Hulk ordered to his subjects.
At this moment, Hiroim, No-name and Miek came back, with their hostages.
" Well done. Now we have Richards and Pym. " Hulk stated
" But what of the Sorcerer ? " Elloe asked
" Those two are the main responsibles. We'll deal with Strange later. " Hulk responded
" Well, I guess we can cancel my Aunt's birthday. " Spidey tried to clear the air
" We are not defeated yet, Peter. " Cap said
" You are relying on the two newbies, the bird, the witch, the speedster and the trash can, Rogers ? You couldn't defeat us with all of you, what chance do they have ? " Hulk taunted
( with the six )
" We couldn't defeat them with all the others, what chance do we have ? " Songbird asked, feeling hopeless
" You can go to hide if you want but I won't give up. " Jen stated
" She still raise a good point, Jen. " Arcee said
" Then we need help. Come on, we'll seek Doctor Strange, the Sanctum Sanctorum isn't far from here. " Quicksilver said
The six then ran towards the home of their last hope, the Supreme Sorcerer.
An : Boy, that was intense. Hulk and his lieutenants captured most of the heroes except Jen, Arcee, Quicksilver, Wanda, Songbird, and Vision. Doctor Strange is their last hope now. But why didn't he intervened sooner ?
You'll see the answers in the next chapter, as well as plot twists and the return of old acquaintances.