Previously in "Avengers Now" -
The Being is gone for now. But, the Avengers have no time to rest. Mere days after they officially re-form and re-purpose, they are alerted by SHIELD of an attack at the SWORD headquarters The Peak, located in Space. All personnel on-board are brutally murdered, only Abigail Brand being left alive to pass along a message... The Star Killers have come and are looking for revenge, lead by the monstrous Sth'Rv. Roughly half of the Avengers decide to travel to the Peak, teaming up with the Guardians of the Galaxy. But, they end up snared within a trap. Meanwhile, the Star Killers have traveled to Earth.
Angela, Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Captain Universe, Falcon, Hawkeye, Hulk, Human Torch, Hyperion, Iron Man, Manifold, Mockingbird, Nightmask, Nova, Power Man, Psylocke, Quasar, Quicksilver, Spider-Man, Thor, Vision, White Tiger, Wolverine
5#
"The Star Killers"
Part II
Hawkeye was the first to open his eyes.
And, for a fleeting moment... He almost wished they hadn't. His eyes fought through a passing haze, focusing on what could best be described as a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Destruction everywhere. With a wince and a grunt, he turned onto his knees, sitting there for a minute or two, trying to make sense of it all. He immediately found his fellow Avengers, along with Rocket Raccoon and Groot, all laying unconscious. In the back... He also spotted Abigail Brand, still suffering injuries, but obviously and thankfully alive. They were all in the middle of a big city intersection, thin passing clouds overhead, sunlight a bit too bright, and destroyed buildings laying in waste all around.
"Rise and shine," he said loudly with another grunt as he stood up, "We're Earth's Mightiest Heroes... Not laziest."
One by one, they started to stir awake.
"Anyone get the license plate of that truck?" Spider-Man mumbled, rubbing his aching skull.
"Where are we?" Nova asked, taking his helmet off for the moment.
"I am Groot?"
"I don't know either, pal."
"The appearance of healthy oxygen and American-like buildings - although destroyed - means we're on Earth," Iron Man estimated, having run a quick scan with his now working armor, "But... Well... I'm not sure if I want to make that official yet."
"Agh!" Manifold had stood but quickly dropped back down, "I still can't teleport!"
Captain America had gone over to Brand, checking on her, "Pulse is there but slow. She needs to be treated properly."
"With what supplies?" Bruce questioned, "Before we can do anything, we need to find out where we are."
"Look around us," Black Panther said, having gingerly climbed onto a large chunk of debris to get a better point of view, "The streets... The buildings... The trees... Doesn't it look familiar? If not, it should at least feel so."
"He's right," Wolverine noticed it then, rubbing his aching hands, "Don't ya see it?"
Black Panther enlightened the rest, "This is where Avengers Tower stands. Or... Maybe... Where it stood."
(Now)
:::New York:::
Times Square. It was always god damn Times Square.
The Star Killers had landed, one very large spacecraft reminiscent of a mechanical hive, making anchor in the middle of it all. Right in the very heart of not only New York City, but possibly the entire United States of America. The center that pumped life to all the rest. This is where the scene was set for the remaining Avengers to confront the alien species who seemed primed and ready to wage war against mankind. Yet, as the seconds turned to minutes and those ticked by as well, nothing emerged from the towering behemoth of a vessel.
"This has bad news written all over it, Vic," White Tiger mentioned to Power Man as they surveyed the scene from a short roof atop a small mom and pops store that had literally moved in not two months ago.
"What are they waiting for?" Power-Man wondered, "Why doesn't anyone come out of that thing?"
Hyperion was hovering above in the bright blue sky, outfitted in an everyman's costume. A t-shirt, jeans, boots, and a black cape with a stylized H printed in white. Over the course of his time recently joining the Avengers, he had been able to tap into an x-ray type of vision. It always worked to perfection. But, as luck would have it, staring into this ship from Space... He couldn't see a damn thing.
"Black Widow," through the comm-link, "I can't see through it."
"What are we waiting for?" Angela questioned, also flying, heavenly weapons in hand, "Hesitance leads to death."
"Ya know," Quicksilver was at ground-level with Mockingbird, "For someone supposedly from Heaven... You're a big fan of violence."
"It is sad, but... Violence is the key to survival," Angela responded.
"She has a point," Black Widow was piloting a quinjet, the android Human Torch keeping pace above her.
"So, what's the plan?" Power Man asked, ready to get this battle going.
It wasn't exactly what she wanted to do, but Natasha had been through enough situations to know what was right. And, in this moment, the right thing to do was... "We don't attack it."
"So... What?" Hyperion spoke up, "We wait until they attack us and it's too late?"
"No, she's right," White Tiger agreed with the appointed field leader, still standing with Power Man, "It could be a trap. Maybe it's rigged to explode? Or... Maybe it's just..."
"A distraction," Black Widow interrupted, realizing what was going on, "Quicksilver, go back to Avengers tower. Hyperion, Angela, go to the Helicarrier immediately."
"What are you thinking?" Mockingbird asked.
"That we're screwed no matter what we do."
:::Far Away:::
The band of heroes had decided to start some traveling. They needed to find out exactly where they were, and how to get back. They dared not dream what kind of hell was being unleashed upon Earth courtesy of the Star Killers. Some were criticizing Captain America for going to the Peak in the first place. But, he firmly stood by his decision and reiterated that he would do the same if any of them switched places with Brand. As for the SWORD Director, she was certainly worse for the wear, but still alive, still breathing, still able to walk. A small miracle, it would seem. And, as long as she was returned to safety... Then this entire ordeal would be justified.
"Where the hell did he go?" Wolverine asked, referring to Vision.
Indeed, Vision was AWOL. No sign of him anywhere. It didn't make sense. Of course, not much of this current situation did. The more they venture forth, the more destruction they found. Even death. Bodies crushed in rubble, shot, mutilated. Normal average everyday citizens. At least... That's what they appeared to be.
"Two priorities here," Captain America said to the group, "Find out where we are and how to leave. Second... Find Vision. We're not leaving anyone behind."
"Powers are a problem," Captain Marvel mentioned, wincing in pain, trying to shake it off, "We can use them... But, it hurts too much."
"My armor works fine," Stark explained, "So, it must have been some temporary restriction. Give it a little time, it might wear off."
"As soon as I can teleport, we'll be able to go home," Manifold said.
"We can't risk you doing that yet," Bruce said, walking behind him, "Something tells me... This trip isn't random. We're here for a more specific reason than just being pushed out of our own universe."
"And who's to say that this isn't our universe," Panther spoke, "A possible future, perhaps? Or... Have the Star Killers already fulfilled their promise and we stand at the ruins?"
"Let's just keep moving," Captain America rallied the troops, "We're bound to find someone... I hope."
(Now)
:::SHIELD Helicarrier:::
"You two? Out of all the Avengers they could have sent... It's you two?"
Fulfilling Black Widow's order, Hyperion and Angela had taken flight to the SHIELD Helicarrier. They found no Star Killers, only an army of agents ready to defend not just the headquarters, but the world as well. As you could imagine, Director Daisy Johnson was a bit surprised - and a little underwhelmed - at which two Avenger members were sent. Of course, the roster had been downsized for the moment... Hyperion explaining that they lost contact with the team that left to investigate the Peak.
"And Widow believes the thing in Times Square is a diversion?" Daisy asked, though she already knew the answer, "I agree. It's the only logical explanation as to why they haven't done anything yet other than land."
"I was thinking that Angela and I would stay here in case something happens," Hyperion explained, following the SHIELD Director along with Angela.
"Probably a good idea," Daisy was then approached by Monica Chang...
"Director Johnson," she greeted, "Three groups of mandroids have been placed. London, China, Wakanda. A fourth is being prepped and ready for launch on your command."
"Good," Daisy acknowledged, "I'll let you know at a moment's notice. Be ready."
"Yes sir," Monica went back to her work.
Daisy, Hyperion and Angela continued walking through the corridors of the Helicarrier. They were next approached by another Agent, this one holding a hologram communication-link... Very Star Wars.
"Someone wishes to speak," the Agent said.
"You two," she turned to the Avengers, "If you want to stay and help... You're on point. Guard the Helicarrier from the top. If there's action, take action, but do not endanger the lives of any of my men and women. Even the damn robots. Hear me?"
"Of cour..." Hyperion was cut off by Angela...
"We'll do what is necessary to defend this place. There are no guarantees in battle, though."
Daisy turned away, "Just get out there," then tapped her link, "Coulson, make sure everyone knows we have two Avengers working with us here."
When the coast was clear and she was alone, Daisy answered the hologram call. The image displayed someone dressed head to toe in the garb of Advanced Idea Mechanics, "Something might be going on. AIM is making a move. I don't know exactly what it is yet, but I know they're awfully interested in what's happening at Times Square."
"AIM Island is official now," Daisy explained, "I can't believe it... But there are laws protecting them from us. I can't act unless I have one-hundred percent proof."
"Don't worry," surprise surprise... an image inducer revealing... Nick Fury Jr, "You're gonna get it."
:::Times Square:::
"I feel like we shouldn't be this close to it."
Black Widow, Mockingbird, Human Torch, White Tiger and Power Man were now joined by other heroes... Daredevil and Iron Fist. Including also, the God of Thunder himself, The Mighty Thor, who had just come from Asgard after receiving an SOS sent by Falcon from Avengers Tower. They were standing at, near, or around this thing sent by the Star Killers that was stuck on Times Square like a large blemish unable to be ignored on picture day.
"This has me concerned," Iron Fist said to the group, "I'm sensing nothing. An emptiness. As if this were just a shell. I don't think there's anything... At least living... Inside."
"It serves a purpose," Widow was sure of it, "It must be doing something. We just can't figure out what it is. But... We can't just destroy it. I mean, it could be some kind of bomb."
"Get back," Daredevil shouted, quickly giving this thing some much-needed room. Then came the noise that his elevated hearing picked up on before anyone else could. It was the mix of a quiet hum and an ear-aching shriek. Then there was light everywhere, engulfing Times Square in blinding white. Alien ships began shooting upward out of the light, screaming high into the sky, maneuvering expertly and flying in all different directions.
The Star Killers assault had begun!
:::SHIELD Helicarrier:::
"BRACE FOR IMPACT!"
"ALERT THE DIRECTOR!"
"GET DOWN!"
"STAND YOUR GROUND!"
Palms sweaty, nerves at an all-time high, mind filling with doubt, Hyperion wore a brave face and dove headfirst into action, tailing just behind Angela, who was more than willing to hunt down each and every alien. She was a protector... A guardian of good. These creatures would not come to Earth and destroy the lives of innocent people, not on her watch!
"There's too many!" Hyperion yelled, swerving through the swarm of small ships, taking down what he could, using his powers, mostly the beams from his eyes and his raw strength, "I can't... AGH!" a turn of the head and he was blasted back down to the helicarrier, smoke rising from his body as his muscles twitched and body ached. Only momentarily, he would be able to shake it off... Just needed a free second to... ANOTHER HIT... Throwing him back into a group of SHIELD Soldiers, knocking them down along with himself.
"What the hell!?" he yelled, another ship dive-bombing straight for him, but it was obliterated by his eye beams, "I thought I was invulnerable?"
"Apparently..." Angela sliced through a ship with her weapons, jumped off one of the halves, sliced another one, then landed upright on the deck of the helicarrier next to Hyperion, who had just gotten up, "... You're not."
"But you said... Your sword... It wouldn't cut through my skin."
"I lied," Angela confessed, "I wasn't pushing it."
"Hey," Hyperion childishly whined, "That's not nice! I believed you!"
"Now's not the time for team banter," Phil Coulson, outfitted in a mech ala Avatar, oh hell yeah, already firing away at invaders, "Let's focus on the task at hand, yes?"
"Good point," Hyperion and Angela rejoined the fight.
:::Avengers Tower:::
They had already infiltrated the tower and were out for nothing short of blood.
Quicksilver and Falcon had a bunch of the Star Killers after them outside. But, inside... Psylocke and Nightmask had all they could handle, trying in vain to fight off what felt like an unending wave of fodder until the bigger threats eventually arrived. And, just when it felt like they had finally reached the end, they were met with another group.
"I wonder if all the new recruits go through this?" Psylocke mused, trying to not lose herself completely to the battle.
Nightmask ducked a diving alien, but was caught by a second and thrown through a large window, falling through the air.
"NO!" Psylocke tried for a save, but was tackled down by a gang and it was her turn to be launched through the glass. The Star Killers brought her over to the edge, blood dripping from her dark lips, and prepared to send her to her death just like her team-mate seconds ago.
Then came Nightmask, levitating with blue energy surrounding his form, "They tell me it's telekinesis... Move things with my mind... Including myself... AND YOU!"
The group of aliens lost their hold on Psylocke and were all thrown back hard enough into a wall to crash through it and render themselves unconscious.
Psylocke took a deep breath, being helped up by Nightmask, "Thanks."
"The least I could... Damn it... There's more," he realized.
"From both sides," Psylocke noticed.
"All sides," they were surrounded.
"So, say the two of us thrown out of here..." Psylocke mentioned, "... Wager you could fly us both?"
In all honesty... "I'd rather not have to try."
"Psylocke," it was Falcon, "Can you hear me?"
"Yeah... We need help in here. The tower's defenses are down and there's too many of these bloody aliens."
"They fired an EMP," Falcon explained, "Just hold tight... Help is on the way. In fact... It's already in there."
Psylocke cocked a brow, confused, just before a hail of gunfire took out two groups of Star Killers and the others were downed by the nimble yet dangerous movements of Spider-Woman. The one producing the gunfire... It was... The Winter Soldier.
"Where the hell is everybody else?" Winter Soldier asked as they were joined by both Falcon and Quicksilver.
"Some are in Times Square," Falcon answered, "The others are... Well... We don't know."
The sound of another ship incoming. The heroes all took a fighting stance, ready for battle, ready for anything. Only to find a ship... In the shape and color of... A crescent moon. Over a loudspeaker came the voice belonging to...
"Anyone need a ride?"
Moon Knight.
:::Times Square:::
The heroes stationed in Times Square were locked in a battle all their own. All the while... Trying to usher as many innocent people to safety as they could. It wasn't an easy task, but if anyone could do it... It was the Avengers. This battle was waged... Daredevil and Iron Fist taking to the rooftops, Mockingbird in the quinjet, Thor and Human Torch in the sky. Black Widow, White Tiger and Power Man went wherever needed, wherever they could do the most good whether that meant attacking their enemies or escorting civilians to safety.
"There's another wave of vehicles," White Tiger warned Black Widow while rescuing two civilians.
"Screw this, I've had it with that thing," Black Widow yelled as loud as possible, "THOR! DESTROY IT!"
"Aye, with pleasure," summoning his full strength, Thor called upon the power of Mjolnir and unleashed a devastating lightning bolt that annihilated the... Whatever the hell it was. He overloaded it with electricity, effectively reducing it to a huge pile of scrap without causing a massive explosion.
"THOR! BEHIND YOU!"
The God of Thunder couldn't react fast enough, and was tackled by three brutish aliens. Two of them didn't resemble Star Killers, but a race more reptilian in features. Unknown to the Avengers, these were members of the deadly Chitauri race that was working in tandem with the Star Killers. In this instance, the teamwork was effective as they sent Thor down into the streets, just missing a group of parked vehicles, their doors still open, occupants long gone.
They all snarled in his face, tongues dripping with saliva, hunger rising. Yet... Thor didn't fear nor even sweat this minor setback...
"A pity... For you do not know the mistake you have just made, heathens!" in one move, they were all thrown back. Thor back on his feet, quickly swung an arm, releasing Mjolnir, watching it in satisfaction as it cracked the skull of a Star Killer and then a second for good measure. Two more aliens quickly leaped into action, grabbing onto Thor once again.
The God of Thunder began spinning around, creating a whirlwind effect, "Persistence will only hasten your end!" and they were each thrown in different directions, landing on parked cars, crashing through the windshields headfirst.
"They're starting to thin out," Mockingbird said over the comms, "But... I see a few bigger ships coming in from the east."
"It may be their leaders," Thor assumed, standing with the heroes as they began to gather together amidst the fallen aliens, "My friends, this battle is far from finished. I fear... We may be in dire need of the rest of our comrades."
"Where could they be?" Power Man wondered aloud.
:::Far Away:::
The sun had just started to go down.
The Avengers had kept moving forward, trying desperately to find someone... Something... Anything. They needed a sliver of hope, something tangible to hold onto. Brand was fading, their powers were still ineffective, and Vision remained missing. Something had to break before nightfall, for it would be then that this would all become so much more difficult. Never easy to navigate in full darkness.
Iron Man was flying above, his suit still working fine. Spider-Man was moving along at a brisk pace courtesy of his webs... A couple of the heroes surprised that webs weren't part of his superpowers.
"Ugh," Wolverine grumbled, stopping and taking a knee, "Healing is still trying to fix my knuckles... Won't stop. It's draining me."
"This is madness," Quasar spoke up, stopping immediately, a brief flashing in his eyes that no one seemed to notice, "We can't keep wandering aimlessly. We need a better plan."
"What would you propose?" Banner wondered, "What else can we do? Until we find someone... We can't do anything."
"And what if there is no one to find?" Quasar confronted Banner, "What do we do then? Sit in a circle and rot because we can't rely on someone else? Is that why this Avengers team is so large... Because you need to rely on others and not yourself?"
"I'm sensing some hostility," Spider-Man noted.
"You've been acting high and mighty ever since you joined," Banner refused to back down from the cosmic hero, "No one put a gun to your head... You don't need to be here."
"You are a small man with small power," Quasar shoved Bruce, "You rely on a monster rather than yourself. What a great hero you are."
"Sarcasm..." Bruce's teeth began grinding down on each other, eyes filling with green, the pain obvious, "... Will get you broken."
"Ahh, my head," Spider-Man nearly doubled over, "Spider-Sense... What's going on?"
"Try me, Brute," Quasar shoved Bruce back harder, sending him to his backside in the dirt.
"Enough of this," Captain Marvel stood in front of Quasar, Captain American tending to Bruce, trying to keep him calm.
"I am Groot?"
"Don't ask me, I ain't got a clue."
"Enough? ENOUGH!?" through suffering, Quasar elevated himself into the sky, fists glowing brightly with energy, "I SAY WHEN THERE'S BEEN ENOUGH! I AM QUASAR! I AM MORE POWERFUL THAN THE SUM OF YOU ALL!"
"Jesus, stand down, Quasar," Iron Man warned, "You'll only end up hurting yourself."
"Aagghh," Spider-Man was on his knees, holding his skull tightly, "I can't turn it off! It feels like my skull is splitting in half!"
"Bruce, look at me," Cap said, on a knee, "If you change... The damage to yourself... Don't risk it. Stay calm."
"Yes," Quasar grinned in an evil manner, energy pouring from him, "Listen to your master. Only come out to play when he gives you the permission."
"Dude," Nova couldn't believe it, "What's your problem?"
"Shut up!" an energy blast later and Nova was down and out.
"He is possessed," Black Panther pointed out the only logical explanation for this surprise behavior, "He must be!"
By this point, Bruce's skin was turning green... The muscles were starting to bulge... He was gaining size and strength... His armor was expanding... He was... Transforming into... The... HULK!
"YOU'RE DONE, SPACE BOY!" Hulk prepared to lunge, ignoring the incredible amount of pain surging through his system. Yet, just as his feet were ready to leave the ground... His body collapsed and he reverted back to Bruce Banner, falling unconscious. The change was far too strong a strain on his body due to whatever it was that caused them pain with use of powers.
Then Quasar's body went limp in the air... Lifeless. He then dropped like a rock to the ground, the impact coupled with a nasty crack. In his place in the air was Vision surrounded in a force-field, levitating with ease. Before any of the heroes could speak or even hazard a guess at what was going on... Vision's head cracked like an eggshell, followed by the rest of his body... Revealing...
Ultron.
::::::::::AVENGERS NOW::::::::::
So far, in this, Age of Ultron never had a chance to happen yet. Where are they? What is happening? Are Hulk, Vision and Quasar dead? Could Hyperion be any more of a cheap knock-off of New 52 Superman? I did the costume on purpose since Hyperion is essentially a Marvel Superman. Also, I should point out... I was thinking that Daisy was SHIELD Director in the comics but it's actually Maria Hill again. That's a mistake on my part, I'm not sure where it happened, completely missed it. For better or worse, though, Daisy is Director in here.