Ilikehats2: twilight? No! NOOOO! I'm not a fan of the series!
INeedAUsername8: thanks
IHaveNoName and IDC: partially resist it.
Chapter 11: The Plan
(In the Academy, the next day)
After the unfortunate events that transpired in the factory, the heroes decided to go back home and rest. It was hard to calm down after the defeat they suffered at Dracula's hands. With his new power, it seemed he was unstoppable. But they were mainly concerned with Spider-Man's well-being. After his transformation, he'd become something that no one he knew would thought he'd ever change into. But now the assembled heroes and their allies were discussing the new-found danger and what their next move should be.
"We were watching the cameras… A-Bomb usually uses for his… show…" Coulson explained. "Wait? What? So that's how you knew… wait… does that mean everyone knows?!" A-Bomb shrieked with shock. "Great! Now there will be a mass panic! Good going One-Eye!" Red-Hulk growled with irritation. "No, the broadcasting was linked to only the Academy. Only those present here during your… struggle witnessed what happened. No need to worry." Agent Coulson quickly answered, his voice calm.
Some of the heroes sighed with relief. The last thing they needed were people running amok with the news the king of vampires is now strong enough to defeat the world's strongest heroes with ease; and other even worse details. But some of them weren't even slightly calm, knowing full well the danger is still out there.
"What about this new power he has? Anything you could come up with to describe it in anyway? We need all the information we can get." Ant-Man asked. "Doctor?" Iron-Fist said.
Before the sorcerer could stand up Iron Man quickly rose to his feet and walked over to the screen, to many's annoyance.
"How about we take the scientific approach?" Stark said, an arrogant grin on his face.
Zabu snarled at the man, highly aggravated at his egomaniacal attitude. Kazar nodded.
"Zabu says to stop with your foolishness, and let a real expert explain the situation." The jungle boy translated.
Tony was silent, shocked he'd been insulted by a cat…. a very big cat with big, sharp teeth.
"Ha! Stark's speechless! About time someone shut him up! Uh… nice kitty…" Hawkeye laughed.
Zabu just bowed his head in thanks, much to the archer's relief. Doctor Strange walked towards the screen as the avenger sat back down.
"I looked over my books last night, to discover any information we missed. In the book, it describes how a vampire's physical abilities exponentially increase and weaknesses vanish when they absorb a certain… liquid…" Strange started to explain.
Those present instantly remembered the newfound strength Dracula gained and how it could overpower their physically strongest hero: Hulk. The green goliath grimaced when he looked at his broken hand. It started healing to some degree, but it would take time to fully regenerate. The vampire's attack was crushing… literally.
"But only the king of vampires gains enhanced mystical powers. I however… don't know what they are capable of… He didn't display the abilities. I will continue to look into my books to see if I can find more on the legends and lore behind this." Strange added. "Thank you Doctor." Iron-Fist said.
The sorcerer returned to take his seat. Fury nodded to the man. This was some... news…
"Is there anything anyone noticed during the encounter?" Coulson asked.
Everyone was silent; they didn't want to remember any part of the past situation. It caused all of them trauma, but they had to recall anything they could use. Then a certain memory came to one of them.
"Director Fury, something happened near the end of the situation." Falcon said, standing up. "Go on…" Nick said.
Falcon walked up to the screen and fast-forwarded to the last part where Spider-Man resisted one of Dracula's commands. Everyone looked at White Tiger, who lowered her head in despair. Wilson saw the awkwardness of the situation, but directed their attention the vampire king. He started to play the recording.
"See how Dracula acts when Spider-Man resists him, he has this expression of shock and confusion on his face." The avenger said. "So? He's resisted the vampire before." Iron Man said. "But the look on his face is different from the way the Howling Commandos described when Dracula first encountered Spider-Man." Falcon pinpointed. "Yeah I remember, Drac wasn't to happy. There he looks more spooked. I don't know what can spook him." Frankenstein's monster said, reinforcing Falcon's explanation.
The heroes thought on this for a moment, why would Dracula look so… the heroes couldn't figure it out. As the recording continued, Wolverine grimaced. It displayed Peter attack the mutant with horrific results.
"But why did he attack Wolverine?" Power Man asked with confusion.
Captain America walked up to stand beside Falcon; it was his turn to explain.
"As you all know Dracula has a mental control over all his followers. It's how he is able to control them. It's that manipulation that caused Spider-Man to attack Logan. He was protecting his… king…" The veteran solider elaborated.
"But why didn't he attack me? He should've torn my throat out when Dracula told him to… feed…" Tiger said, shivering at the memory. "I can't say… some part of him is fighting Dracula's control…" Cap said as his scratched his head with confusion. "That or he really doesn't like Wolverine." Nova laughed.
Wolverine growled with annoyance at the young hero who smiled nervously. Power Man shook his head.
'Some part of Peter recognized she was going to die and stopped himself from killing her… He's still in there….' Iron-Fist thought to himself. "What now?" A-Bomb asked. "We need to make changes to the group's structure. Give each team specific tasks; make sure they stay on point." Fury said. '5… 4… 3… 2… 1…' The Director of SHIELD counted down in his mind.
As if on que, White Tiger stood up.
"Director Fury, with all due respect we already know what we have to do: save Spider-Man, learn what Dracula's location, free and recapture the villains he compelled, and stop that monster." Tiger said.
Danny stood up next.
"We don't give up until justice is served and our friend is safe. One must walk through the fires of despair in order to reach the land of peace." Iron-Fist added.
The other heroes stood up and looked at the Director of SHIELD with the same passionate look, none more so than White Tiger. Fury smiled and nodded, this is what he wanted: for them to know the plan.
"In Spider-Man's current absence, White Tiger you will take command of the team and the New Warriors. Iron-Fist you are second-in-command" Fury said. "Thank you sir." Tiger and Fist said, nodding in response. "Do we continue to meet here?" Iron Spider asked. "Come to Avengers' Tower. We have a file on Dracula and plenty of room for everyone to stay in." Iron Man offered. "Good." Fury said. "I will research into in the legends we discover part of Dracula's plan and the vampire's own history. There isn't much, but it should tell us something." Doctor Strange repeated.
Coulson is talking on a phone, sweating with nervous energy. He turned off the phone, he is still sweating.
"What's wrong with him?" Ant-Man asked. "He has some business to attend to…" Fury answered. "Sir?" Coulson said, looking at Nick. "Go." Fury replied, nodding. "Thank you sir… May isn't going to be happy." Coulson said, before jogging of.
The heroes who didn't know what the call meant and looked at one another with confusion.
"Care to share Nick?" Iron Man asked. "You don't know Stark?" Fury chuckled. "Well of cour…. You know I… Ok… What?" Iron Man grumbled.
The others laughed with amusement at the man's lack of knowledge of the 'side-details'.
"Come on. We should explain some things." Power Man continued to chuckle as the youngest heroes began to walk off.
The older heroes followed after them, listening to the story of Spider-Man.
To be continued…