Ilikehats2: he should've just stayed quiet

Plasma57: thank you

Chapter 22: The Beginnings of a Plan

(In Avengers' Tower)

Cap's squad had gotten back from their recon mission. They had discovered their enemy's location. The group is walking into the main room where they find everyone except Iron-Fist and Doctor Strange. Cap and his squad realized they were still searching for answers in the sorcerer's library. Their attention turned to a man who was sitting in a chair looking like he'd went through a wood chipper.

"Loving the new look Tony." Hawkeye mocked as the other members of the recon squad laughed.

The right half of the top of his head's hair is completely gone, red lines in their place. His jaw is badly bruised and colored blue. He has two (both) black eyes. And his left cheek looks likes is boiled and a purplish-tint, revealing the punch that landed there… hurt. Well everything that happened to him hurt. Tony couldn't even frown.

"News report." Fury said. 'Please be something good.' The Director of SHIELD thought. "His fortress is deep in the mountains, near the center of the mountain range." Cap said. "Dracula's castle is literally imbedded in the mountain. Dozens of guards outside, probably more on the inside." Logan added. "They have strategic look out points on the castle walls." Cap added. "Did you take any photos?" Coulson asked. "Well um…" Cap started to say when Blade interjected, "No, we couldn't risk them learning our location by displaying in signs of light. They hate being in the sunlight, but they can see it better than us. Why do you think it hurts them so much?"

The others sighed with frustration at this. They wanted to see photographic evidence of the location and its surroundings. But Blade's reasoning was true, if there was any side of 'unexpected light'; then the vampires would've realized they were being watched.

"How many do you suspect guard the fortress?" Jack asked. "More than I could care to count." Blade answered. "We can just smash our way through them. Simple solutions get the best results." Red-Hulk said as he cracked his knuckles. "I agree with Red, let's just go in smashing. Show them there's still a fight left in us." Hulk bellowed as he walked over to stand beside his friend. "No, that would only cause too much chaos." Cap said. "I agree with the Hulks Captain, let us show them our gift of battle. I will fight the ghoul myself. It's time for a rematch." Thor boasted as he stood beside Hulk. "Leave seconds for me." Hulk chuckled before 'fist-bumping' the hammer.

Cap sighed and shook his head in aggravation. This wasn't a good idea. Running in guns blazing would get one if not all of them killed. Then there would be no hope of stopping Dracula. They needed an actual plan.

"We need to think about this strategically, try to come up with a military operation. We're facing an army after all." Rogers retorted. "He's has a point Cous. We need to be careful about this." She-Hulk said. "Yeah big guy, I don't want this to go downhill." A-Bomb said.

Suddenly there was a two sided argument, one for a full on assault... the other for a completely 'organzied' attack. Almost everyone took a side. Jack, Falcon, Iron Man, and a few others took Cap's side. Power Man, Blade, Nova, Rhino, and a few others took hulk's side. Only Tiger, May, Fury, and Coulson remained neutral. They realized the importance and truth in both sides' arguments. But they believed both would be completely successful. Hulk's full on attack strategy would indeed shock the vampires into an unruly state where they couldn't organize a satisfactory defense to counter the heroes. But it would lead to uncertainty in action for they wouldn't know where the chaotic attack would cause to the situation. Cap's organization strategy would be well thought out; the attacks would be well-coordinated and decisively planned to caused specific damage. But unseen events would cause the plan's structure to crumble and the organization would be obsolete.

"Why can't they come to an agreement?" Coulson whispered. "They're different strategies are based upon previous actions that have served them well in a crisis before." Fury sighed in reply. "This isn't going to help Peter. Their argument and differences will just get him and everyone else killed." May mumbled. 'That's it.' White Tiger snarled in her thoughts.

As the two sides argued, and the third party remained silent; none of them saw White Tiger walk over to another part of the room. Everyone was shocked silent as this horrible; nails on a chalk board sound rang out through the room. Everyone turned to see White Tiger raking her claws slowly across a wall. They all turned to face her. Her eyes narrowed with irritation.

"All this arguing, disagreement, and tension isn't going to help save Peter! If we want to stop Dracula and save him we need to put aside our differences and work together!" She hissed.

Everyone remained silent, except more the sounds of a smile growing on May and Fury's faces. White Tiger sighed and calmed herself.

"Look, if we keep at this Dracula would have a greater advantage than before: us fighting each other and not him. He knows we still remain a threat. Why do you think he let us live? That monster wants us to think we can't beat him! Working together as one is our only chance, we need to piece together the strongest parts of each individual plan one of us has and mold them together." White Tiger explained.

Some of the heroes nodded, realizing her words are true.

"Yes, we don't know everything about the situation; and it make take some time to come up with a plan that will have a great success… but we have to come together or we won't win." Tiger said. 'That a girl.' May mused in her mind.

The others were seeing the strength in her voice and began to see her perspective on the events transpiring.

"We just need to get started on what we should do. With us working together, we still have hope." Ava added. "You're starting to sound like Spider-Man." Fury chuckled. "Oh gosh…" Ava grunted.

The group chuckled. Cap and Hulk shook hands and nodded, then walked towards Ava. They stopped 15 feet in front of her.

"Now that's the hero I heard Fury talk about. I can see why Peter has such respect and admiration in you." Cap said, a smile on his face.

She didn't want to admit it, but she could feel herself blushing behind her mask.

"What should we do now?" Hulk asked. "Wait to see what Iron-Fist and Doctor Strange come up with in their search. Hopefully they can possibly discover some secrets that are still hidden." Tiger replied.

Hulk nodded in response. Most of the group gathered started organizing their information and ideas. They had more than before, but not enough to create a plan. This would require time, just hopefully not a lot. Natasha walked over to Ava.

"Impressive Ms. Ayala, you're putting these guys to work. And I thought I was the only who could do that at this kind of level. We should've chosen you alongside Spidey for a spot on the Avengers. Perhaps then, we could really keep the boys in line." Widow chuckled. "I already do that regardless." Tiger chuckled.

Black Widow laughed with a smile on her face. She nodded truthfully and honestly.

"Quite the leader you are. You think this plan will work?" Natasha asked. "We have the beginnings of a plan." Tiger replied.

Widow nodded. They remained silent for a few moments or so, but a grin spread across Natasha's face.

"When this is all over, would you like to come along with me on missions Fury assigns me? I could use another, equally lethal and capable ally at my side." Widow asked.

Tiger grinned under her mask.

"I'd love to." Tiger answered.

To be continued…