AN: Story's Shadow and I have finally returned. Sorry for making everyone wait, I wanted to finish Foxes Of War so we put our focus on that story until it was completed. Hope ya'll enjoy this update, and be sure to give Story's Shadow a round of applause.

Meanwhile, USM Dimension, S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion, Conference Room, The Next Day-

Director Fury stood at the head of the conference table, his back towards those that sat or stood in the room. He had called a few groups together for this meeting. After being contacted by one of his young agents, he organized a follow up meeting. With him physically in the room was Coulson and before them were the Avengers (most of them) and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. The two teams sat or stood around the conference table.

Iron Man sighed, his face plate retracting, his fingers tapped on the table.

"Who else are we waiting on again?"

Fury sighed.

"The witness and the knights."

"Right, for some crazy mugging?"

"You could say that."

Captain America put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Tony, you know Director Fury wouldn't have called us if he didn't believe this wasn't so serious."

"I was just working on this-

"-No one cares, Stark."

Tony grumbled as he glared daggers at Hawkeye, who just leaned back and smiled. She-Hulk turned to Director Fury.

"What is this about, Fury?"

A-Bomb groaned.

"I really hope this is important, I was about to try to level up in this game I was playing. It was-"

She-Hulk immediately covered his mouth.

"Rick, you're not helping."

A-Bomb grumbled.

Red Hulk and Skaar chuckled at this. Hulk leaned against a wall, arms crossed.

"This have to do with this 'Outworld' Raiden talked about?"

Instead of Fury responding, holographic projections of Thomas and his council appeared in the room. Thomas turned to Director Fury.

"The council has gathered, Director, what news do you have for us?"

Scott Lang raised an eyebrow at this.

"Wait, are these those knights we've heard about?"

"Yes, Thomas and his council lead a secret group of knights to battle demonic forces from Hell."

Tony laughed.

"Seriously? Hell? There's no such thing as the paranormal."

Thomas chuckled.

"For someone so intelligent, Mr. Stark, you are incredibly naive."

"Being naive means buying into lies and misconceptions easily. That fits your bill, boys."

"Yet you fight alongside a...a paranormal being."

Thor raised an eyebrow at this.

"...Yes...those of Asgard are from the magical forces of this reality. The Nine Realms flow with such power."

"To Hell?"

"Helheim, land of the dead. Ruled by my niece, Hela."

Hulk grimaced at the statement.

"Yeah, wasn't a fan of the place."

Thomas rubbed his chin.

"This could be one of the circles of Hell."

Thor shook his head.

"Helheim is for all those that have passed on, rather than it being the afterlife of those who did not act with honor in their life."

"Except there are those who find themselves in Hell when they pass on."

"Each afterlife is most defined by what those in life believed and had faith in. For many mortals today, they would find themselves in one of the afterlives that your faith believes in."

Thomas rubbed his chin, pondering the God of Thunder's words before nodding. He turned to the Director.

"I suspect the reason you called us to this meeting is because of our...expertise?"

On the other side of the Director appeared a holographic projection of Squirrel Girl.

"Uh, hi everyone."

Director Fury turned to those present.

"Squirrel Girl is the witness of what I've called you here to discuss and is also the victim. She was attacked by an assailant in her home city that displayed...rather concerning abilities."

The knight's eyes narrowed.

Director Fury turned to his agent, nodding. Squirrel Girl sighed, nodding back. She rubbed one arm before she spoke.

"I was out on patrol while the AI that S.H.I.E.L.D. gave us to find and alerted me to a crime in progress. When I got to the scene I found some creepy guy in a cloak. I got to tossing him around like a beach ball."

Captain Marvel grinned slightly at this before it disappeared as Squirrel Girl continued her story. Thomas watched the young woman's shake slightly as she continued.

"Then...Then he turned into some dark mist and moments later was himself again, no bruises or cuts...A-And he started attacking me, except this time...he was faster...stronger...he used his daggers and guns off balance while the former...cu...cu...c-cut i-into me..."

Squirrel Girl's tail wrapped around her legs. Tears slowly started to emerge.

"He teleported around and made his weapons vanish...he dragged out the fight...toying with me...he tried to...extend his attacks, draw them out."

As Squirrel Girl continued her story, giving every last detail that was still burned into her memory...she hadn't noticed the looks of horror and disgust on the faces of those present. Eventually Squirrel Girl tried to keep telling her story, but with every word the physical pain she had suffered exploded back into her memory and the fear she had felt had only grew back. Director Fury put one hand on her shoulder, to which she looked at him with slightly widened eyes. Fury nodded to her.

"It's ok...continue."

Squirrel Girl nodded after a little hesitation, inhaling and exhaling slowly.

"I tried to fight back...but I could hardly even touch him as he used his daggers to cut me...again...and again...before long I was on my back...unable to get up...then he gave me a choice: bullet to the head...or dagger to the gut."

Hulk's muscles tensed and his eyes narrowed. He wanted to say something, but he knew the young agent's story wasn't done.

"...I chose the latter...but...he didn't get the chance...I was rescued..."

One of the eyebrows that belonged to Tony Stark raised up.

"By who?"

"...Umm...some bounty hunters they said..."

Captain America exhaled slightly.

"It's good you were rescued in time."

"You know these bounty hunters."

Everyone turned to Black Panther, who stood in a corner with his arms crossed.

"You have history."

"...Y-Yes...I've met them before...I had...an argument with one of them months ago...this had been the first time I've seen them since then."

Director Fury typed something into a small device on his arm. Two holographic images of the bounty hunters in their armor appeared before the group.

"Predator, full name: Andrew David Steele. Aegis, full name: Cynthia Morales Harrison. Both are equipped with highly advanced armor and weapons that make them literal weapons of war. They work as bounty hunters and they are very good at what they do."

When Director Fury said their full names, images of the two in civilian clothes was revealed. Squirrel Girl turned to the Director.

"How did you-?"

"Even if it was when you weren't on duty, an assault on one of my agents is something I never push aside."

Coulson nodded.

"Aegis, A.K.A. Cynthia assaulted Squirrel Girl months ago before the two of them and Predator, A.K.A. Andrew were kicked out of the bar the fight was in."

Captain America's eyes narrowed.

"Why isn't this 'Aegis' in lock up?"

"I got into contact with the...benefactor of these two...They have very powerful friends and warned me they would protect their agent and would call in some...'favors' in case I had tried to have Ms. Harrison arrested and said that both of her agents wouldn't have backed down and would have caused serious injuries and damage to anyone I would have sent. Which I knew would be the case given that their weapons and armor are a match for any technology that S.H.I.E.L.D. has access too."

Ms. Marvel shook her head.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"I told this individual that I would send a word of warning to their agent. I wouldn't tolerate such 'behavior' again and that I would not stand by and let those under my command be attacked without consequences."

Coulson nodded.

"Regardless, given their actions in saving Squirrel Girl they have also saved themselves from being tracked down by S.H.I.E.L.D."

Director Fury turned to everyone present.

"Given what Raiden has told us and what some of you have sensed, I do not want to leave any stone unturned in our investigation. I have agents going over the sight now along with some of our scientists."

Thomas turned to his council. They whispered to one another. Hawkeye raised an eyebrow at this.

"Want to share with the class?"

Some of the council members prepared to retort, but Thomas shook his head. They sighed and bowed their heads. The knight turned to the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.

"Director Fury...from the descriptions of this assailant and given your agent's testimony, we suspect this may be something Raiden spoke of."

"Netherrealm?"

"Yes...in our time battling demons, we know all too well the common traits they exhibit and revel in when they battle or torture someone. This monster's ability to move and change in darkness, their sadistic tendencies to draw out suffering, and its calculated tactics...this does sound demonic."

Director Fury raised an eyebrow.

"But there's something else, isn't there?"

Thomas nodded.

"Yes...demons do not tend to use human made weapons given their unholy powers are already lethal. Which they prefer to use as its something truly unlike any other form of pain infliction that humanity has suffered. But the way this fiend fought, it was more human than demonic."

Director Fury sighed.

"I was hoping you wouldn't be the one to give me the answer, if you understand."

"I do...I had hoped this poor girl's story wasn't of the demonic kind...but from its blend of its seemingly hellish abilities yet human combat tactics...this is something my order hasn't truly come across or has experience with."

Hulk grumbled, cracking his knuckles.

"Let's see if this guy likes picking on someone his own size."

Falcon shook his head.

"I don't believe this...I can't...I don't want to."

Thor rested a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"It is not comforting, I know...but we cannot cast aside the Girl of Squirrel's words and what these knights know. And Lord Raiden warned us of the evils that infect his reality."

Captain America sighed, standing up from where he sat.

"Demon or not, this world won't fall to anyone. Standing together against whatever threats come from this new reality is what will ensure our home's survival and freedom. I have hope that this won't come to war...still, we must prepare for that very real possibility."

Thomas nodded, smiling.

"I can see why you're the leader of the Avengers, Captain."

Tony Stark chuckled.

"Cap is the field commander. I'm the big picture guy."

Captain America chuckled, shaking his head.

"Regardless of who will be leading the defense of our world, we all have our roles to play and each of us can and will do their part in defending our world. I have faith in that."

Those gathered nodded in agreement.

Squirrel Girl sighed.

"I just hope my friends are doing ok in that insane fighting tournament."

Thor smiled.

"Lord Raiden would not have chosen them if he did not believe they were worthy. You will see, they will emerge victorious."

Squirrel Girl smiled and nodded.

To Be Continued...

AN: Next chapter is a 2v1 fight. One hero against 2 villains. Who's fighting and who will wim, you'll see next chapter/