Episode 8: Avengers Assemble!


Previously on Marvel DISK Wars...

Iron Man: With Ed, Jessica, and Spiderman captured and now prisoners of the enemy, we rushed to the scene in order to rescue them. But an impenetrable wall of hurricane-force winds prevents us from reaching them. Only the Incredible Hulk has the strength to break through the whirlwind but when Akira tries to D-Smash the green giant, it's a no-go.

Akira: Huh? The DISK isn't working.

Hikaru: Looks like Dad and Dr. Gonzales' biocodes have got even more secrets we don't know about.

Sandra: I think so, too.


Whirlwind is still maintaining the tornado's intensity so no intruder can enter it and infiltrate the ship. Meanwhile, Spiderman is getting beaten up by the villains he fought.

"Eat M.O.D.O.K. Laser, Spiderman!" M.O.D.O.K. shoots his lasers at Spiderman.

"With a side of boot!" Diablo kicked Spiderman in the gut.

"Try my energy beam on the side!" Enchantress fired a green energy beam at Spiderman.

"And my fist for dessert!" Abomination punched Spiderman, sending him to the ground.

Meanwhile, Edward is still hiding on the ship's deck, panting and thinking of what he needs to do.


At the same time, Akira and Sandra examined Hulk's DISK and why it didn't respond when Akira D-Smashed it.

"Hulk! Come on! Why won't it let me D-Smash the Hulk?!" he asked.

Sandra could only ponder for a moment.


Flashback - 3 months ago, Raft Prison

"You're what?! Why are you changing the specs?!" Tony Stark yelled, startling Peter Parker.

"Not again." Peter.

"Would you relax? We're not changing the specs, just tweaking them." Nozomu said.

"We've already tweaked the specs." Tony retorted.

"We're just doing a little troubleshooting. Peter!" Jamie said before he called for Peter to come over.

"Right! Yes! Coming! I'm on my way!" Peter replied.

"So, here's where the flaw would be located. The process of converting the captured target into an energy signal, that's something that we can't get to work right now." Jamie continued.

Tony answered, "Sure we can. We're scientists. That's our job: to get things to work."

"That is precisely we have to rethink the specs! Let's try using the Pym particles..." Nozomu said.

"Stop, that's never gonna happen. Hey, Peter!" Tony interrupted and called Peter.

"Be right there!" Peter called back before he stumbled. "Almost got every-WHOA!"

"Tony. At this rate, the DISK project's never getting off the drawing board." Nozomu said.

"You're just homesick." Tony teased.

"Don't start that again." Nozomu replied, feeling insulted.

"I bet I know what it is. It's that birthday gift you got for your son. What is it anyway? Something with a limited shelf life? Like a cheesecake or a goldfish?"

"Alright, that's enough. You're trying my patience, Tony. I'm really-"

"See, I've always maintained you can classify scientists into different types: those with the courage and fortitude to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to their research and the cause of human progress and those who care about their kids' birthdays. I excluded Jamie because he knows how to balance his work with his family." Tony remarked before Jamie cut him off.

"That's it, Tony! Classifications!" he said as he and Nozomu resumed what they're doing at the computer.

"If we divided the captured targets into 6 separate classes by the dominant factors they possess, we'd exponentially reduce the processing load." Nozomu said.

"You're right. We just need to analyze the target's DNA during the scan. Not bad, Akatsuki and Gonzales!" Tony said.

"Well, I have to admit, your senseless gibberish helped us get there."

"You know what this means." Tony began as he, Jamie, and Nozomu did a triple fist-bump.

"Still the best minds in science!" they said.

"Okay! I finally got all the research that you wanted!" Peter said, carrying a huge stack of books.

"Never mind, Peter! You're too late!" Tony, Jamie, and Nozomu yelled, causing Peter to fell and drop the books he was carrying.

The three adult men then demonstrated how the DISKs work in the computer.


"That was the breakthrough we've been looking for. We divided the DISKs into what we call factors. There are 5 of them: Tech, Magic, Energy, Fight, Power, Animal. Each superhero or villain is classified in one of these factors during the D-Secure process. As you might've guessed, my factor is Tech. Scarlet's Magic. Thor is Energy. Captain America is Fight. Hulk, naturally, is Power. We don't know yet who are Animal factor superhero is. Anyway, if we assume your biocodes are locked into the same factor of the first superhero you D-Smashed, guess what happens if you try to D-Smash a different factor?" Iron Man brought up.

Sandra tried to D-Smash Thor's DISK, but it didn't work either.

"He's right. I can't D-Smash a hero whose factor doesn't match up to my installed biocode." She said.

"So we can't D-Smash heroes that belong to a different factor." Hikaru wondered.

"Well, for now, it's just a theory." Iron Man replied.

"Theory? Didn't you invent these things?" Chris asked.

"Don't forget, your biocodes are limited. They're incomplete and unstable. Even I can't say exactly how they work." Iron Man said.

"Yeah." Scarlet Witch mumbled in agreement.

"Yo, Samurai Boy." Iron Man called out to Akira, "D-Smash me."

"Now?" Akira asked.

"Someone's gotta get through that twister."


At the ship, all the Celebrity Six members are present on the deck.

"Don't worry. They'll never get through that." Said Joel.

"I still feel like a sitting duck. When is Loki getting us out of here?!" Rosetta demanded.

"Soon enough." Tim replied.

Angela assured Rosetta, "Just be patient, Riley."

"Meanwhile, we need to find those two brats that got away." Manino answered.

Behind them, King Cobra appeared with Jessica wrapped up by his tail.

"Let me go, you slimy-urgh! Do you have any idea who my father is?! When he finds out, you're gonna be in so much trouble!" Jessica demanded.

"Stop squawking, you pest! I bet you drive your father crazy." King Cobra yelled back before throwing Wasp's DISK over to Rosetta, "Found this on her."

"Ah, this is the Wasp's DISK. Animal factor. I'll hold onto this one." Rosetta said.

"Still one brat left." Manino added.

Behind them, Edward witnessed everything while holding a metal rod in case one of them heads into his direction.

"I got this. Leave Spiderman to my guy." Joel reminded, "One good punch from Abomination and uh-oh, he's nothing but spider mush."

Jubei, holding a wooden stick, interrupted, "Less talk, more action. To delay the battle in order to boast a victory is to invite defeat."

"Yeah, fine. Whatever that means." Joel scoffed before calling Abomination, "Hey, Abomination. You ready?"

"Yes." Abomination replied.

"Give that web-head a good thumping. And bring him here so we can D-Secure him."

"Sorry, Jessica and Spiderman but what can I do? Face it. I'm no use to anybody." Edward whispered with fear and guilt weighing his heart.


Meanwhile, the jet where everyone else is inside had its thrusters lowered so that it will be flying in place. Akira has recently D-Smashed Iron Man.

"If I divert all energy from weapons to shields, J. .I.S. has assured me that I have a 54% chance of making it through that whirlwind." Iron Man stated.

"54%?" Sandra wondered.

"That's not bad, son. Better than 50-50." Captain America commented as Scarlet Witch nodded in agreement.

"Fortunes be with you." Thor added.

"Wait a second." Hikaru interfered Iron Man, the latter asking, "What is it?"

"50/50? What kind of strategy is that? It's not a coin toss! This is your life we're talking about here!" Hikaru said. "You have just as much chance of not making it through the whirlwind."

"There is no other way, lad." Thor deduced.

"Look, all of us have faced tougher scrapes than this. It just comes with the territory." Captain America agreed.

"Aw, man. Those guys are crazier than I thought..." Chris remarked.

"Taking out Whirlwind is our top priority. As soon we see the vortex dissipates, Thor, Cap, and I will board the ship. Just make sure you get safely." Scarlet Witch said.

"Works for me." Iron Man replied before turning to Pepper, "Pepper, you got em?"

"A wristband and the Hulk's DISK." Pepper said as she gave the needed items to Iron Man.

"Good luck, Tony." Jamie said.

"Thanks." Iron Man replied as he headed towards the hatch, "Abomination is down there and I suspect he is. I gotta find Ed or Jessica and have them D-Smash Hulk."

"Iron Man, don't do it." Akira called as he and Sandra approached him.

"No time for talk, kid. Clock's ticking." Iron Man said.

"There has to be a better method, an alternative!" Sandra yelled but Iron Man didn't listen.

"Open the hatch, Jamie." Iron Man commanded.

"Got it." Pepper and Jamie prepare to lower Iron Man down.

"This is nuts! And by the way, my name is not 'kid' or 'Samurai Boy'!" Akira demanded.

Iron Man didn't listen again as he prepared himself to go through the tornado.


Flashback - 3 months ago, Raft Prison

"I've gone away so long." Nozomu wondered as he looked at a picture of him and his two sons in his phone.

"See? I knew it! You are homesick." Tony called it.

"It's more than just homesickness, Tony. Nozomu hasn't done much as a parent like I have." Jamie replied.

"Jamie's right. When their mother passed away, that was the moment I should have changed. That's when they really needed me. But I made the same choice I always make. I put my research first. I wouldn't blame them if they hate me." Nozomu said.

Suddenly, Tony had an idea, "I know! Let's have a party!"

"A party?" Nozomu repeated.

"The DISKs are complete, right?! Why not throw a launch party?! We'll invite superheroes, celebrities, everyone! Professional wrestlers, you name it! And your boys, so they can see what an amazing dad they've got!"

"Yeah..."

"You bet. So, what their names, anyway?"

Nozomu showed a picture of him, along with his two sons, in his phone, "Hikaru and Akira." He then turned to Jamie, "Hey, Jamie. Are you gonna tell your family about the party we're planning?"

"Of course." Jamie replied.

"Oh, that's good. By the way, what are their names?"

Jamie pulled out a picture from his lab coat and showed it to Nozomu. It showed a picture of him, along with his wife and three kids: two girls and a boy.

"My wife, Hannah, and my three kids: Michelle, Kyle, and Sandra."

And so, the party plan is settled.


The plane's launch hatch was opened and Iron Man readied himself as Sandra called out to him, "Wait, Iron Man! You need to stop."

But the latter didn't listen as he flew out of the plane and into the tornado.

"Sir." J.A.R.V.I.S. called.

"What is it?" Iron Man asked.

"Next time you feel the need to tell falsehoods, I really wish you wouldn't drag me into it."

"Yeah. Sorry, J.A.R.V.I.S."

"54%. Where did that figure come from?"

"Oh, it's Pepper's weight in kilos."

"I'll pretend I did not hear that. I have, in fact, calculated your chances of success. Would you care to hear the actual figure?"

"I think I'll pass but thanks. Engage force field!"

"Yes, sir. Force field engaged." J.A.R.V.I.S. then conjured up the force field around Iron Man as the latter went straight through the tornado.

"J.A.R.V.I.S., how long will the force field hold up?"

"Calculating rate of depletion. Energy at 52%. Now, 49%. 41%."

"That's too fast."

"Indeed, sir. The depletion rate is accelerating. You will surely have less than the minimum energy required to maintain the force field. Switching to sleep mode will maximize energy conservation. Signing off."

"You're what?!" Iron Man exclaimed and noticed what J.A.R.V.I.S. is doing, "Not a good time for a nap, J.A.R.V.I.S.!"

Suddenly, the barrier surrounding him is beginning to deplete, "Fasten your seatbelt!"

With the force field gone, Iron Man had to fly through the tornado without it. But since the tornado is too strong, he could do nothing but hold on.

"Iron Man!" Akira's voice can be heard from the biocode.

"Iron Man!" This time, it was Sandra's voice, "Can you hear us?! Please answer!"

"Guys, you can't let him push himself too far. You've gotta to D-Secure him." Hikaru said.

"Okay." Akira attempted to D-Secure Iron Man back, but the latter interrupted him, saying, "Don't!"

"I have to!" Akira exclaimed.

"Not yet... I got this!"

"You're at you limit. It's too dangerous to go any further!" Sandra said.

"Oh, yeah? Says who?! I decide where my limit is." Iron Man retorted as a small section of his armor blew up as he could nothing but hold on. He then tried to use his armor jets.

"That's it! I'm gonna D-Secure you!" Akira commanded.

"Don't do it, Samurai Boy!"

"Sorry, Iron Man! I have to!"

"No, wait! Wait! AKIRA!"

Akira gasped when he heard of this.

"This is my responsibility. I'll bring your dad back. I promise. But you've gotta trust me. You and me, we're partners, right?!"

"What if you can't?!" Akira yelled as Iron Man's jets malfunctioned and he lets himself be blown by the tornado.

"Captain!" Chris said.

"Right. We're gonna have to call the mission off and pull him back." Captain America replied, "Akira, D-Secure Iron Man immediately."

Silence.

"Akira." Thor asked.

More silence.

"What are you waiting for?! Do it!" Chris demanded.

"Hey, are you listening to us?" Scarlet Witched asked.

"Akira, what is it?" Hikaru asked.

"Are you gonna say something?" Sandra asked.

"I trust him. I know he can do it! Don't give up. Don't give up!" Akira exclaimed, tears in his eyes, "Tony!"

Iron Man regained consciousness as he heard those words. His armor turned on and his jet boosters reactivated, thus making Iron Man successfully fly through the tornado.

"Alright! He made it!" Sandra saw Iron Man's shadow in the vortex and cheered, pumping her fists high in the air.

Iron Man heads for the ship and deactivates his jets. The Celebrity Six, Jessica, King Cobra, and Edward notice him.

"Iron Man!" Edward gasped.

Iron Man crashes on the deck of the ship and Hulk's DISK lands near Edward while the biocode wristband lands a few feet away from him. Edward picked up Hulk's DISK.

"No way... I... I got my DISK back." Edward wondered.

He then noticed the wristband, "My wristband... the DISK won't work without it..."

Bu as he stood up, he accidentally tipped a small metal pipe over, catching the Celebrity Six's attention.

"Well, well. There you are." Tim said.

"Good. I was tired of playing hide and seek." Manino added.

"There's nowhere for you to run, kid." Angela continued. "Just give us the DISK and we won't hurt you."

"Okay, that's it." Jessica sighed. She then bit King Cobra's tail, causing him to release her.

"You fool!" Jubei yelled at King Cobra, who is clutching his bitten tail. Jessica then grab the wrist band.

"Get her!" Rosetta exclaimed.

"Hey, Ed, here! Catch!" Jessica threw the wristband to Ed, before Angela and Rosetta grabbed her.

Edward successfully grabbed the wristband.

"Quick, get him before he can use it!" Tim commanded.

King Cobra, Jubei, and Manino charge towards Edward but before they attack him, Edward held out Hulk's DISK and touched behind it.

ACCEPTED. MATERIALIZING. POWER IDENTITY.

"Now, Hulk! D-Smash!" Edward said as he threw his DISK on the ground.

Hulk got activated as he appeared. He pounded his fists together as he lets out a battle cry.

"Well, that's unfortunate." Manino remarked.

"Get 'em, Hulk!" Edward exclaimed as the Celebrity Six glared at the green-skinned hero.

"All of you, D-Secure your villains! We need all their powers against the Hulk!" Tim commanded.

In the ship's storage room, all the other villains were about to finish Spiderman off but they were summoned on the deck.

Whirlwind shouted, "What about me?! What do you want me to do?!"

Jubei yelled back, "Stay there! And keep that wind barrier up no matter what!"

"I'm tired of everyone grabbing me!" Jessica struggled to get herself free from Rosetta and Angela's grasp.

"You'll just have to get used to it!" Rosetta and Angela replied..

Eventually, Jessica freed herself but knocked herself out when she hit the metal railing.

"Jessica!" Edward exclaimed.

"What's Loki waiting for?! I'll never be able to beat the Hulk!" Rosetta whined.

Manino replied, "Stop panicking. Leave him to us."

He then turned to Diablo, "Right, Diablo?"

"Not to worry. The effects of alchemical potion are still at work within him." Diablo said as his eyes glowed green.

Hulk felt something strange and he fell on one knee.

Diablo approached Hulk as he snickered menacingly, "Good boy. There is your enemy. That evil little four-eyed gremlin."

He then pointed towards Edward. Hulk, with eyes glowing red, turned towards the kid.

"Snatch him, Hulk." Diablo commanded.

Hulk began to loom over Edward but his eyes stopped glowing red. Hulk then turned Diablo and grasped him on the head.

"What are you doing?! I gave you an order!" Diablo said.

"Nobody tells Hulk who to smash." Hulk said.

"Can it be possible?! Your mindless rage is more powerful than my alchemy!"

"Looks like it!" Hulk spun Diablo around and threw him into the air. Diablo knocked Whirlwind down and the tornado finally dissipated. The ship is now completely visible.


"He did it! The barrier's down!" Akira cheered.

"Courage! Honor! Freedom and hope!" Captain America called out.

"I'm way ahead of you, Cap!" Chris replied.

"Hikaru, put your heart and soul into your callout!" Thor said.

"Yeah!" Hikaru responded.

"It's time for us to show them what we can do, Sandra!" Scarlet Witch said.

"Let's do it!" Sandra cheered.

ACCEPTED. MATERIALIZING. FIGHT IDENTITY.

"Captain America, D-Smash!" Chris said. He threw the DISK and Captain America is released.

ACCEPTED. MATERIALIZING. ENERGY IDENTITY.

"Mighty Thor, D-Smash!" Hikaru said. He threw his DISK and Thor appeared.

ACCEPTED. MATERIALIZING. MAGIC IDENTITY.

"Scarlet Witch, D-Smash!" Sandra shouted. She threw DISK and Scarlet Witch materialized.


On the ship's deck, Iron Man is completely immobilized by the crash he made. Just then, he woke up and noticed three shadows heading towards him, "Oh man, buzzards Wait, maybe their angels. They're pretty strong for angels. They must work out."

The three 'angels' were actually Scarlet Witch, Thor, and Captain America and they landed near him.

"Thor! Cap! Scarlet, too! You've come!" Edward exclaimed in awe. "Everything's going to be alright."

All the Celebrity Six members either gasp in shock or glare in anger.

Thor turned to Iron Man and lent a hand, "Arise, Iron Man! Perhaps you've not heard. There's to be a party and it would not like you to miss it."

"You got that right, Goldilocks." Iron Man said as he grabbed Thor's hand and got up.

"I'm warning you! Stay right where you are! Come in closer and I'll smash Wasp's DISK. She'll be trapped forever!" Rosetta said but when she reached her pocket, Wasp's DISK was no longer there, "What?!"

"Oh, are you looking for this?" Jessica, who had woken up, had Wasp's DISK in her hand.

"B-But how did you-?!" Angela asked.

"You see, thanks to my daddy, I got to take lessons in anything I want. Piano, ballet, dressage, even magic. Swiping the DISK while you're not looking was a lot easier than pulling rabbits out a hat, believe me."

"You little..." Rosetta growled.

"Ha! You didn't notice I was faking you out the whole time, waiting for my biocode to finish recharging, which it just did. Abracadabra."

ACCEPTED: MATERIALIZING. ANIMAL IDENTITY.

"Wasp, D-Smash!" Jessica shouted. She threw her DISK on the ground and Wasp was freed again.

All the six Avengers now stood proudly altogether.

"The gang's all here!" Jamie cheered.

"Finally! I've been waiting so long to see this! All six heroes together at last" Akira said.

"Avengers, assemble!" Captain America called out.

To Be Continued...