AN: Story's shadow and I have another chapter for you. The tournament will return soon, just want a few more chapters like these before then. Hope ya'll enjoy.

-Meanwhile, S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion-

Scarlet Spider and Agent Venom stood at the side of the training room, watching and assessing the team of Spider-Woman, Mysterio, Rhino, Vulture and Patrioteer fought constructs of Mysterio's creation: foot soldiers armed with medieval armor and weapons.

Spider-Woman created a long spiked whip, slashing through a line of the constructs' weapons as they raced forth. One leapt at her, swinging a sword. She leapt onto the ceiling and her right hand surged forward and morphed into a hammer and slammed into one construct, sending it flying back and vanishing.

"This is more fun than I thought! Keep it up, Mysterio!"

Spider-Woman's laughter made Patrioteer chuckle as he fired off repulser blasts, knocking out construct after construct back to back.

"I can see why Cho and Stark like this so much!"

Patrioteer laughed as he flew around, firing off blasts as he circled the constructs. Mysterio raised her hands, each glowing green. Green fists manifested, striking out at the constructs.

Scarlet Spider rubbed his chin.

"Huh, not a half bad training plan. Using Mysterio's power to create training dummies to fight, definitely gives it a fitting fill to what that thunder god said."

Agent Venom chuckled.

"Yeah, facing a big opposing team makes one prepare by facing off against such odds in training."

Spider-Woman leapt to the ground, both hands forming into hammers and threw them forward. Either hit a construct each and sent them flying back. She chuckled as she kicked out at one then lunged forward, sending it crashing into another. Rhino charged through the constructs, the armor bashing through them with ease and sending them flying around him. Vulture soared around, his wings firing flechette's like Falcon's and exploded on contact with the constructs.

Mysterio threw her hands out to either side of her, green waves parted and knocked down more constructs as Patrioteer fired more repulsor blasts, knocking them out. Rhino grabbed one construct each in either huge metallic hand then smashed them together. Vulture swirled around, firing concussion blasts from the gauntlets he wore.

From the side of the room, Director Fury entered and walked over to the two instructors.

"How are they progressing since my last check-in?"

Agent Venom saluted before answering.

"They're showing real progress. Mysterio's become very handy with what you instructed. The L.M.D. trial went well but we saw something better with her abilities. Her multitasking is showing great strategic value."

"Good. Scarlet?"

"The punks MJ, Harry, and Tomes have taken a great joy in fighting. But they're not being stupid. They're keeping their distance and taking out foes a distance. Not that fighting up close isn't fun given how Alex is rag dolling them around."

"You two have been training them well. Spider-Man would be pleased."

Agent Venom sighed.

"You...You think he's ok?"

"That kid has messed with everyone from petty thieves to elders of the universe. If anyone can win that tournament, it's Spider-Man."

Scarlet Spider scoffed slightly.

"Yeah, he'll probably have them begging for him to knock them out just so they won't have to hear his lame jokes."

Director Fury chuckled. Agent Venom's eyes widened.

"Did you just laugh?"

The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s visage shifted back to its normal stern form.

"No."

Spider-Woman shouted as both her arms surged forward, wrapping around every construct before her them slammed them against each other then against the ground. She practically slithered around the attacks from the constructs and struck them down with huge formed fists.

"Guys! Set!"

Spider-Woman grabbed several constructs in her giant hands then slung them at her teammates. Mysterio threw one hand forward, a green mace appeared and slammed a few into the ground as Patrioteer fired a stream of repulser energy from either gauntlet and sent more constructs into the ground. Vulture flew forward and fired flechette's that exploded on contact with the constructs flying near him. Rhino charged through them, batting them aside with a single lunge.

Scarlet turned back to the group.

"Ok! That's enough for now! Take a water break! We'll have your grades for your performance when you get back."

Mysterio waved one hand and the constructs vanished. The team saluted Director Fury before exiting. Fury turned to the instructors.

"Your fellow graduates are out helping prepare for the invasion. Some are around the world coordinating efforts with world leaders about the threat our world faces. Power Man and Nova are working with the Avengers to strategize for taking down this 'Shao Kahn' and any other commanders sent to conquer our world."

Scarlet nodded. Agent Venom twiddled his fingers.

"What about the Hulks and Guardians?"

"The Agents of S.M.A.S.H. are at their base for now except for Hulk, he's with the other Avengers but he's keeping his other team informed. The Guardians promised they'd stick around for when this invasion happens so they can help throw it back. I have others preparing as well."

Agent Venom turned to Scarlet then back to the Director.

"Others?"

"The Howling Commandos are currently with Doctor Strange, prepping any and all mystic defenses against whatever comes out of the portals that isn't friendly. The Sorcerer Supreme has sensed other energies working their way into our reality though he has admitted it's now managing to elude him."

"What does that mean?"

"We're not sure and neither is he. He says it felt it wasn't surging in mass like the other energy that forced its way here. So he's focusing on the latter now."

Venom scratched his head.

"You lost me."

Fury sighed. Scarlet tapped a few of his fingers on the other arm.

"Why else are you here?"

"To see if these five have improved to the point that they'd be ready to fight a war."

Scarlet and Agent Venom turned to one another then back to Fury, the latter speaking.

"Ready? Is anyone ready to fight a war?"

"We have to be. Too many times we've been caught blind and were almost defeated or defeated...for a time at least. We can't let that happen here."

Scarlet nodded.

"They're getting better. It would help if they were sent on missions, ones you know they can handle."

"Fair enough. I'll have them ready soon. For now, I have to check in with the Avengers to see what they've come up with."

The two instructors nodded. Fury left by the time the new S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy students returned.

-Avengers' Tower, Several Minutes Later-

Cap and Iron Man stood at the head of the conference room. The other Avengers, or rather the original team and two of their newest members: Power Man and Nova, were present and sat or stood around the room. Holographic images of the other Avengers, Agents of S.M.A.S.H., and the Guardians of the Galaxy were present so all those that had fought together in the past would be a part of the strategy meeting. Iron Man began the meeting.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y., show our friends our newest friend."

"As you wish."

A holographic image of Raiden appeared.

"This is Raiden. Apparently he's a god of thunder from another reality. His universe has different realms connected to one another, he's the protector of 'Earthrealm'. He has tried 9 times over the past 1000 years to defeat a dictator named 'Shao Kahn' from taking over Earthrealm, each time gathering fighters to win this 'karate tournament'. Every time the lost. And now our world has come to his attention."

Ms Marvel rubbed the back of her neck.

"So there's another otherworldly dictator attempting to take over the world...great...just great."

Black Panther stood, arms crossed.

"There's something you're not telling us, Iron Man."

Iron Man chuckled nervously.

"Well you see...uh, funny story it's-"

Cap put a hand on his friend's shoulder then turned to his fellow Avengers.

"Raiden took three of our five newest members to his reality for the tournament to fight on our behalf. Spider-Man is leading White Tiger and Iron Fist into the fight."

Many of the other Avengers and the SMASHERs gasped in surprise. She-Hulk groaned.

"Don't get me wrong, Spidey is one tough little bug. It's just, why didn't this 'Raiden' take any of us with him?"

"He said he saw something special in these three, believing they could help our world and his."

Red Hulk scoffed.

"Yeah sure, leaving the vets here to wait while a bunch of kids fight our world. Even if they lose, it's not like this maniac's gonna take over our world. We've all taken down way bigger threats than some wannabe conqueror. The SMASHERs and I will go in and-"

"No Red Hulk, Raiden warned us against such action."

Thor's words turned everyone's attention to him.

"What're you talking about blondie? A few Hulks will smash anyone."

"Raiden warned us this tournament was created by 'the Elder Gods', beings who created the tournament to stave off the invasion of other worlds. If one interferes with the tournament or its rules, they face their wrath and judgment."

Red Hulk scoffed.

"Please, Old Greenie there goes toe to toe with you and other 'immortal' threats. A team of Hulks won't be stopped by some puny gods."

Thor's eyes narrowed and outside the sound of thunder could be heard.

"Do not jest, my friend. Raiden has told us they are more powerful than he is and Raiden helped us battle the dreaded Dormammu. If these Elder Gods believe you are a threat, they will destroy you on the spot."

Red Hulk opened his mouth, but She Hulk covered it with her hand.

"Gotcha Thor. But we can't just sit back and do nothing."

"Agreed She-Hulk. That is why we are here, to plan for the invasion."

A-Bomb rubbed the back of his neck.

"But if our team wins, they can't invade."

Hawkeye scoffed.

"Please, blue. Since when has a dictator followed the rules?"

"True."

Cap sighed.

"The purpose of this is that we have to neutralize him as soon as possible."

"Cut off the head of the snake."

They all turned, seeing Director Fury in the room. Power Man sighed.

"I don't think Fist would appreciate that turn of phrase, since the whole snake symbolism in China and everything...but still, the man's right."

Nova groaned.

"Please, I can have this little dictator in space as soon as he steps foot in our world."

Rocket chuckled.

"That's right. The kid'll have him in space and begging just to breathe."

Thor shook his head.

"Raiden told us his enemy is powerful, feeding off souls for centuries. Just one soul has immense might. In his time, Shao Kahn has devoured countless. His magic will be very dangerous."

Captain America nodded.

"We've faced beings who have consumed life for power. To have eaten souls and draw strength from them, we don't know what is dictator is capable of."

Star-Lord chuckled.

"I think you're all just blowing this out of proportions. Come on, we've beaten Elders of the universe! Some weirdo from another dimension will be no trouble."

Gamora slapped the back of Quill's head. He groaned, rubbing the spot she hit.

"Underestimating one's foe immediately puts you at a disadvantage."

Black Widow nodded.

"Agreed. We need to be able to create effective countermeasures for this threat. Certain Avengers, S.M.A.S.H.'ers, or Guardians targeting and defeating key enemies."

Black Panther nodded at this.

"We must sever the legions from their commanders. An army without a leader will not be as focused."

Captain Marvel chuckled.

"And we can take care of fodder easily."

Vision turned to Captain America.

"What are your thoughts, Captain?"

"Widow, Panther, and Fury are right: dealing with their leaders is tried and true strategy. But if Shao Kahn and his armies are as dangerous as Raiden has said they may know this. Especially in the likely event Shang Tsung informed his master of us."

Beside the image of Raiden, the holographic projection of the sorcerer manifested. Hulk grumbled, cracking his knuckles.

"That's the creep who betrayed his realm for a fancy house. I wanted to smash his face ever since he showed himself."

Thor nodded.

"This sorcerer is said to be very cunning. His power and mind are very dangerous according to Raiden. Shao Kahn has almost certainly learned of us."

Ant-Man scratched his head, his helmet under one arm.

"You're thinking he'll have some spell or something cooked up for us?"

"Indeed, Ant-Man. As we've all experienced, magic in the hands of a competent and villainous individual can be most deadly."

Ms. Marvel pressed her pointer fingers against one another, eyes a little wide.

"Uhhh...so how do we deal with a soul eating dictator that's been conquering for the past 1,000 years and-"

"Pardon me, Ms. Marvel, but it has not been mere centuries that he has been consuming souls."

"No problem, Thor. I was just-Wait...not 'mere centuries'?"

Thor nodded, sighing.

"He has ruled Outworld for the past 10,000 years. He has conquered and consumed in all that time."

Ms. Marvel gulped.

"10-10,000 years?!"

Thor nodded.

"Yes. He will be a great mystic threat. We cannot underestimate him, even though we have fought against more powerful foes."

Iron Man turned to Thor.

"What are you suggesting?"

"That we prepare for the worst, Iron Man."

Director Fury crossed his arms.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. is prepping world leaders and armies for what's coming. We don't know the size of the army we're facing, but we've been creating alliances and plans for Outworld and Netherrealm."

She-Hulk raised an eyebrow at this.

"I'm sorry, Netherrealm?"

Thor nodded at this.

"Aye, She-Hulk. A hellish realm, full of demons."

"Glad I asked."

"We have collectively faced demons before though not often."

Director Fury nodded.

"That's why we're getting help from those who have fought them often. Or at least, demons from our reality."

A-Bomb gulped.

"Demons? Why did it have to be demons?!"

Director Fury groaned.

"Shao Kahn has control over or at least has the demons on his side for now. Raiden has suspicions about Netherrealm yet he didn't want to speak of anything he was uncertain of. For now, Shao Kahn and his forces are the threat. Even if my agents win the tournament, we can still expect Shao Kahn will more than likely still invade. Dictators and tyrants don't let defeat go easily or at all."

Captain America nodded.

"Which is why we exploit his weakness: his ego. We did it with Thanos, we can do it with Shao Kahn."

Black Panther turned to his friend.

"And how do we do that, Captain?"

"For that, we may have to wait for Spider-Man and his friends to return to build a more sound plan depending on how the tournament goes. For now, we create battle plans for facing armies of warriors and demons."

Drax chuckled.

"We should come to more often, Quill. The battles here seem to be just as challenging and great as those in the other parts of the galaxy."

Peter Quill rolled his eyes.

Rocket grumbled.

"So lets me the flarrkening plan!"

Groot grunted.

"I am Groot!"

"I know, the humie was about to spill it! I said what I said for emphasis."

"I am Groot."

"Fine...what are we thinking, humies?"

Those present turned to Cap and Iron Man, the latter speaking.

"I have a few ideas."

To Be Continued...