The Realm Nornheim
The Asgardian province of Nornheim was both heavily defended and heavily avoided. It was a sorcerous realm, where thick magic permeated the air to cloud the mind and weary the body. As such it was the perfect domain for the Norns; the Nordic sisters of Fate who could dispel destinies and foretell futures. It was also the residence of Asgard's most powerful sorceress; Karnilla the Norn Queen.
So it would stand to reason that only the bravest and most boldest wold ever dare to face her, especially in combat. Yet someone was trying this day, Karnilla employing all of her magics in an effort to repulse an equally talented invader.
Karnilla: You dare come here and challenge me?
She shrieked to the darkened halls of her palace, casting out bolts of fiery incantations that lit the halls in green, red and purple.
Karnilla: Tell your master he has made a grave mistake! No one challenges Karnilla! I am-
Her proclamation went unfinished, a sole gasp escaping her open mouth as she felt a new sorcery be applied to her own body. Skin and clothed turned hard as rock, the very living tissue that comprised her form was frozen solid and cast in the shape of intricately carven stone. In mere moments, Karnilla was rendered little more than a statue...
For that is what the power of the Grey Gargoyle could do. Emerging from behind her, Paul Duval studied his handiwork with glee as his allies emerged from the dark.
???: Well done, mortal. Zemo was right, your power is impressive.
Amora the Enchantress applauded as she reached the foot of Karnilla's throne, followed by her executioner Skurge.
Enchantress: The Norn Queen is a formidable opponent. Or was, at least. Come, Skurge, let us give the Grey Gargoyle his reward. And then we shall collect our prize...
Amora cooed, Skurge stepping forth to do her bidding...
Elsewhere, in the secret lab of Arnim Zola...
We see the Masters of Evil gathered and waited. New members had joined the ranks, in addition to Baron Zemo, Toxzon, Abomination, Wonder Man, Crimson Dynamo, the Living Laser and Chemistro had also found membership within this society of evildoers. Zola sat in the corner, petting his latest Doughboy experiment as the others paced expectantly.
Abomination: How much longer are we supposed to wait, Zemo?
Zemo: All will be revealed soon, Mister Blonsky.
Toxzon: We don't like this, Zemo. Me and fishy are wondering if this will work. We're taking a lot to chance on the possibility some magic-doohickeys will pull through for us.
Toxzon grumbled, crossing his arms. His green toxins flowed through body as Zemo's royal purple, the two eye to eye whenever they conversed.
Zemo: Do you know the one thing I like about you, Toxzon? You are a grounded man. You're always looking at the practical side of things. Even though you talk to your... Fishy.
Zemo mused in response.
Zemo: But trust me, had you seen the things Hydra was capable of during the War, you would trust in the potency of magic wholeheartedly.
Toxzon: We'll believe it when we see it.
Toxzon retorted. Then, Skurge's axe split open a fresh portal at the other end of the room, allowing himself and Enchantress to return and far from empty-handed. The portal sealed behind them, Grey Gargoyle nowhere to be seen.
Enchantress: The time has come, mortals.
Amora announced.
Enchantress: As promised.
With a whisper of her magics, Amora allowed the bag in her hand to float over to Zemo's waiting grasp. Reaching within, the nobleman pulled out a smooth, rounded stone with a curious marking etched into it.
Zemo: Ah, the Norn stones you spoke of.
Zemo mused gleefully.
Chemistro: How are a bunch of rocks supposed to help us take over the world?
Arch Morton, better known as Chemistro, questioned.
Enchantress: The stones are but the first step, Chemistro.
Zemo: And where is Grey Gargoyle?
Enchantress: The battle was hard-fought. He did not make it.
She lied and Zemo frowned at her answer.
Zemo: No matter...
Zemo determined, turning to face his colleagues,
Zemo: Today... we become the Masters of Earth!!!
He declared, hoisting the glowing Norn stone high.
Avengers Mansion
We see after a couple weeks Rex was in his Hero Suit fully repaired and restored to how it was and back to full health as Janet brings him up the steps and into the Mansion.
Wasp: Come on Rex! You'll love it!
Rex: (Laughs) Ok! Ok, Jan just don't pull on my arm so much!
As they enter the Mansion Rex was surprised that no one was here.
Rex: Where is everyone?
Generator: Their down in the Sub-levels
Rex: Why do I get the feeling that you're just leading me somewhere? What is it?
Wasp: Come on! Where's the fun in telling you what it is?
Avengers Hall
We see the lights have turned off as Wasp puts her hands over Rex's eyes and tells him where they are.
Wasp: We're here!
Suddenly the lights turn on and we see all the Avengers except for Hank are there to surprise him.
Hawkeye: Surprise!!
Rex: W-What is this?
T'Challa: It's a welcome back party. We've planning it for some time now.
Tony: After your fight with Ultron you deserve it.
Captain America: You definitely deserve it after being put through the ringer.
As we see a Holographic banner that said 'Welcome Back Rex!' And a Cake that Hulk brought up though it was a chocolate cake and part of it has been eaten by big huge mouth as the sound of Hulk eating something in his mouth along with a party hat and chocolate smeared around his mouth before he swallows.
Hulk: Uh... Welcome Back Rex.
Rex: It's good to be back Hulk. So... what's next?
Wasp: Well... Hawkeye and Hulk are going to play video games with you, while I talk to Hank about staying here at the Mansion and joining you guys.
Rex: Alright...
As Rex was a bit sad that Jan wasn't going to be with them as was Hank as he was leaving the team because of what he had done with Ultron but was happy to back with everyone. Generator then ejected from his chest and floated toward Tony, Thor, T'Challa, and Steve.
Generator: I'll be right there. I actually have something I've been working on with Tony and T'Challa.
Rex: Ok. Try not to be to long. I'm going to make sure to beat you at street Fighter one day.
Generator: Flippers crossed...
As he showed Rex his flippers crossed as Hawkeye and Hulk go and have fun with Rex. As Tony had another reason to use the Hall as Thor and Cap looked to Tony.
Tony: Now that's outta the way... Gentlemen and Advance AI, prepare to be amazed!
Captain America: Okay then...
Captain America mused, shining an apple that he got from the snack Table.
Tony: Well, this is for Thor, mostly. No offence, Cap.
Captain America: None taken.
Cap excused, taking a bite out of his apple.
Thor: You were saying, Iron Man?
Thor pressed, eager to hear the news.
Tony: As you know, T'Challa, Generator and I have been working on a way to get you back into Asgard.
Tony explained, turning to the holotable and changing the holographic banner.
Tony: Turns out, Wakanda has a lot to offer when it comes to blending technology and magic. Well, we think we've got it.
Steve: And here I thought Rex and Generator was the cultural hobbyist.
Cap mused, taking another bite. With a simple keystroke, Tony revealed a rendered blueprint of his newest joint invention.
Tony/Generator: Ta da!/Ta Da!
Thor cocked his head, raising a blonde brow as he looked at the machine askance.
Thor: I do not understand how this machine can pierce the veil between Midgard and the other realms.
Generator: Remember when Hercules came and showed up to our doorstep and showed us the Wormhole that led the way to Olympus? So me, Tony, and T'Challa thought that might work for you to get to Asgard.
Tony: What we need is a weak spot, somewhere the two planes overlap. In that spot, we use the door to create a wormhole.
Tony explained, quickly pulling up an animated demonstration.
Tony: You go in here, you come out in Asgard.
Cap paused mid-bite, watching the unfolding display with growing curiosity. He'd seen this kind of machinery at work before... almost seventy years ago..
Thor: Truly, my friends, I'm impressed.
Thor mused, feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time. Tony and T'Challa shared looks of confident affirmation, pleased by their efforts and work.
Captain America: Not to rain on your parade, Tony, but I saw a similar machine do that same kind of thing back in my day. It worked, too.
Tony went slack-jawed and lost for words, Tony was dumbstruck.
Tony: Where?!
Hanks Room
Several stories up, Hank Pym packed the last of the few clothes he'd brought to the mansion, fully intending to go ahead with his resignation from the Avengers. But before he could stuff the last shirt into his duffle bag, it was snatched away by Wasp.
Wasp: It wasn't your fault, Hank.
She whispered in a pleading tone.
Wasp: You couldn't have known what would happen with Ultron. Besides, Thor's alive and Rex already forgives you.
Slowly and quietly, Hank took his shirt back.
Hank: You don't understand, Jan. I should have. After all, my mind was the basis for Ultron's.
That was perhaps the most worrying discovery made during recent events. If his brainwaves alone could cause this shift in Ultron, what did it mean he was capable of?
Stuffing the final article into his bag, he pulled the drawstrings taut and hoisted it over his shoulder, turning around and making to leave. Before he could, Janet sprang off the bed and cut him off.
Wasp: This is not your fault. You are not Ultron.
Wasp: Everything worked out in the end, didn't it? We're going to be okay, Hank.
She said, her voice and gaze hopeful. But Hank simply could not meet it.
Wasp: Please... don't leave.
Janet begged him, gently taking her hand in his.
Hank: Jan, the whole time I've been with the Avengers I've been betraying everything I believe in. I embraced violence and then created something worse.
Hank quietly replied.
Hank: I created a robot that almost ended all life on Earth. That's about as far from 'okay' as I can imagine.
With that, he shrank out of sight, the mere buzzig of wings indicating that Ant-Man had taken off. The door shut behind her and Janet was left alone, her gaze downcast and fighting off the swelling sorrow she felt.
Returning to the bed, Janet sat down with a sigh, her shoulders drooping. It felt lonely now. This was their room. Maybe it was mostly hers since Hank spent so many nights down in the workshop or at the college labs, but his clothes had still filled the dressers, and the odd night he was in the Mansion he had slept beside her in this bed. Now he was gone, and it felt like a part of her had left as well.
A soft knock drew her gaze upwards, and the door swinging open moments later had Rex poking his head into the room.
Rex: Hey.
Janet offered him a sad smile.
Wasp: Hey. Shouldn't you be enjoying the party?
Rex: I am just wanted to make sure Hank and you are joining in.
Before Jan then looks down in sadness as Rex sees her face and probably has an idea on what happened.
Rex: Is this a bad time? I can come back later if you—
Wasp: No. No please, come on in.
She invited. Rex stepped into the room, revealing his complete Generator Rex suit save for his helmet.
Rex: Saw the door close by itself and thought I'd drop by.
He explained, stepping over to the bed.
Rex: I'm guessing Hank took off?
He asked and Janet nodded, her gaze downcast as her smile fell. Slowly sinking down, Rex reached out and laid a hand on her bare shoulder.
Rex: I'm sorry, Jan.
He apologized, feeling sorry for her.
Wasp: I tried to convince him to stay. But it's like he wasn't even listening to me, he's just so... caught up in everything that went wrong with Ultron.
She bemoaned in a soft, crestfallen tone.
Wasp: He's moved all his projects back to Greyburn, even packed up his lab. Everything's gone from the Mansion... now he is too.
Her glance turned to the bed between them and Janet ran a gloved hand across the sheets.
Wasp: I just feel so... lonely now.
Rex: Well, not like you two are breaking up or anything like that? Right?
Then Rex wasn't certain but something inside him kinda made him ask that.
Wasp: I mean... yeah.
Janet agreed, at least there was that.
Wasp: It's just... I love this. I love being an Avenger. I thought he did too, I thought it was so cool we could be together and do this. Now I see his heart wasn't even in it.. if anything, he hated it.
Rex: Maybe just give him a chance to breathe. He's been put through a lot with Ultron, Hank probably just needs a moment to connect with himself again. He'll come around, Jan. I know he will.
Wasp: I'm not so sure.
Janet murmured, shuffling a little closer to him.
Wasp: Rex, do you... do you hold anything against him? Like what happened with Ultron?
She wondered, finally meeting his gaze.
Rex: No, there was no way he could've known. Besides, Ultron fooled him too.
Wasp: I know. I tried to tell him that.
Janet explained, despite her agreement, her sniffle told all. Rex started to slowly rub her back reassuringly.
Rex: If you ever need anything, feel free to ask me. You're my teammate and, well, I like to think of you as my friend. You've been there for me in the past, so now it's my turn.
Wasp: You mean it?
Rex: Of course I do.
Rex replied with a small, sad smile. As if to take him up on his offer, Janet leaned over and wrapped her arms around him. Rex returned the hug, holding her close. Closing his eyes in blissful enjoyment, the technopath savoured the simple embrace of the woman he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, he loved with all his heart.
And yet he remembered he could do nothing about it. For she was another man's woman.
Rex: Hank loves you. He won't forget you.
He said, struggling to keep his composure. The sudden beeping from an ID card forced them apart, Wasp withdrawing the device from her person as she opened a comm from Tony.
Tony: (Avenger ID Card) Wasp, Rex, we need you in the assembly room. You're gonna want to hear this!
Tony's voice excitedly told them. Glancing at each other, the two decided they had better go.
Rex: Wonder what all the fuss is about..
Rex wondered with a shrug, standing up as he made to leave. But then, Janet stopped him.
Wasp: Are you gonna be up for this? You know, after Ultron...
She asked as Rex paused, beaming on the inside and touched to know she was worried about him.
Rex: I should be. I needed to stretch my legs after laying in the hospital for so long.
Wasp: (Chuckles) You never were one for staying in the hospitals.
As Wasp remembers that Rex felt restless for staying in hospitals.
Avengers Hall
The complete Avengers team assembled down below, Hawkeye, Hulk, Wasp and Rex joining Tony, T'Challa, Thor, Generator and Captain America. Once they arrived, Cap regaled them all with a memory from World War Two.
Captain America: Bucky and I had infiltrated a Hydra base in Norway...
Captain America Story
We see what had happened to Captain America in Norway 1942 as he went on with the story.
Captain America: (Narrating) ...rumor was that the Red Skull had some kind of doomsday weapon there. But what we found was beyond anything we'd ever seen. The Skull had a machine similar to yours and he was pulling monsters through it into our world. He was enslaving them, putting collars on the creatures. He was creating an army to take over the world. And if Bucky and I hadn't stopped him...
Present Time
We see everyone then listen to his story as they were happy that they saved the worlds freedom.
Thor: But you did, Captain. And from your tale it would seem that this Red skull did indeed open a portal to the Asgardian realms. The creatures you describe, they are familiar to me.
Thor mused. Tony started typing on the table.
Tony: Hang on, I've got satellite images coming in on the Hydra base.
He announced, pulling up a holographic render of the old Hydra stronghold.
T'Challa: JARVIS, trace the energy coming from that location.
T'Challa ordered, the house Al quickly using up a thermal map showing hotspots where the concentration of energy was strongest. Given that particular point, JARVIS drew up a second map, this time highlighting a series of boundaries in yellow.
Tony: This spot... This is what I was talking about; this is a point where two planes are overlapping... like a dimensional fault line.
Tony excitedly realized and he wasn't the only one to clue in.
Rex: Oh! Oh, I've seen these in some paranormal shows I've watched! Their... uh... what are they called?
He snapped his fingers, wracking his mind to try and remember.
T'Challa: Ley lines.
Rex: Yeah! That's it!
Generator then looks at a Ley lines in Greece.
Generator: Hey I know that geographical area! It's where we first went into Olympus!
T'Challa: Indeed Generator. They are veins of magic that run through our world, connecting it to others. Or, as Iron Man would say, paths of other-dimensional energy that reveal weak spots between the dimensions.
Wasp: Unless there's an acronym for that, I'm just gonna stick with 'ley lines'.
T'Challa: In this case, there are eight, not counting Earth or Olympus.
Thor: One for each realm. It is said the nine realms are interconnected by Yggdrasil, the tree of life.
Hulk: Big tree.
Tony: Call it whatever you want, this is how we're gonna get you home.
Tony declared. Just then, the ley line points on the holographic Earth began to pulse a little faster.
Jarvis: Alert, dimensional energy flares in progress.
JARVIS informed them. Tony was quick to draw up a more in-depth diagnosis.
Tony: Something's affecting the energy at each of the locations... and one is in an active volcano.
He informed them all. At that, Thor turned to leave.
Captain America: Thor, wait.
Thor: Nay, if the threat we face is Asgardian, I will not allow it to put Midgard in jeopardy again.
Iron Man: Well, we mortals certainly appreciate that. But you're on a team, remember? Eight locations, eight-er, well, nine Avengers. Whatever's going on, we'll deal with it together.
Tony promised and Thor liked that idea very much. At that moment, Janet caught a partial glimpse of a very Ant-Man-shaped silhouette lurking just outside the door, only for it to disappear seconds later...
Outside the Mansion
Thor took flight across the skies, Hulk bounded across the rooftops, Hawkeye mounted up in his Avenge-cycle, Black Panther took the one-man Arrowhead light transport as Captain America and Wasp piloted the two Quinjets as the Avengers split up to track down their respective targets.
Iron Man: Stay in radio contact. If you find anything, call it in.
Tony ordered, his helmet's faceplate snapping shut.
Iron Man: Avengers, assem-... Well, actually, Avengers, disassemble.
As we see Generator Rex in a flight suit as he looks at Tony.
Rex: So why did you want us here, Tony?
Rex inquired, standing beside him.
Rex: Figured you'd want to know I was ok doing one Solo?
Iron Man: Kinda, yeah.
Tony nonchalantly agreed.
Iron Man: How're you feeling, by the way?
Rex: With my powers, you'd think we would be hard to handle. But... nope. Ultron got us good.
Generator: But we're here to help out and give 100% of our all.
As Rex and Generator said with cross arms.
Iron Man: That's all I needed to hear. Hopefully this little trip will set you straight again. Later when we get back I made you something special with Generators help.
Rex nodded as they fly together as they have left the Mansion.
The secret lab of Arnim Zola
Enchantress: They are coming.
Enchantress mused with a grin as her precognitive sight granted her a glimpse into the near future.
Enchantress: You can finally earn your reward, Zemo. For if you and your team succeed today, you will be given Midgard as promised.
Zemo: You need not worry, Enchantress. I know their strengths and weaknesses now. I know the Avengers betterthan they know themselves.
He mused with a chuckle, studying the glowing Norn stone before him.
Later...
We see Rex was in Flight Mode as he was making his way to an Island that had an Volcano on it giving the Ley Line position over it.
Generator: Rex? Are you sure you're ok?
Rex: Yes... Just need to keep my head up and push through like always Generator. I wonder how everyone is doing? Let's contact Jan.
Generator complied as we go to Jan.
Artic
We see Jan had lanes the Quinjet and wore her coat as she flys out and find the Ley Line and then she received a call from Generator Rex and she answered.
Wasp: Hey Rex.
Rex: (On Comms) Hey. Uh, me and Generator are close to our active volcano, it's actually in Hawaii, Kilauea, you?
Wasp: Well, sounds to me you got the warmest spot to be in. I'm in the Artic right now freezing my butt off.
Rex: (Chuckles) Well, we can't have that can we? Do you want to trade spots?
Wasp: Nah... I'm already here though I have no idea what I'm doing here or what I'm looking for?
As she continues her search through the Arctic tundra avoiding the jagged sides of Icey walls.
Generator: (On Comms) Well... according to Thor there are Nine realms. Each are different in Norse mythology, there's Asgard, Midgard, Jotunheim, Niflheim, Muspelheim, Helheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, and Vanaheim. Sounds to me you have Jotunheim a realm entirely made of Ice.
At Kilauea, Hawaii
Rex: Which means we're heading for Muspelheim, a Realm entirely made of fire right?
Generator: Correct, Rex.
As they have arrived to their destination they immediately tread carefully around the Volcano of fire.
The Artic
Wasp went down aways and sees something glowing and it was a nord stone but Wasp doesn't know it.
Wasp: (On Comms) Guys, I think I've got something.
Rex: What is it?
Wasp: Some kind of Glowy, magic looking rock. Hang on, I'm going to get a closer look.
Wasp gets a closer look at it.
Rex: Becareful, and—
There was a Grunt sound and then static.
Wasp: Rex? Rex?!
He didn't respond but her troubles wasn't over. Abomination then jumps from the Ceiling and onto the icey ground and surprised Wasp.
Abomination: If you got any last words for your friends, now's the time.
Wasp was terrified for her life right about now as she wished that anyone would fight this Gamma Villain.
Wasp: I really wish I said yes to Rex switching spots with me now.
Meanwhile...
We see Iron Man in a heavily forested area as he flys down in the hole of the forest as Tony tried to get the last report of Janet.
Iron Man: (To Comms) Janet! Repeat, what's happening?
Wasp: (Through Comms) (Grunts) It's a trap! Abomination is here!
Iron Man: Wasp, get out of there.
No response was heard from her as it cut out to Static.
Iron Man: WASP!
Just then a warning came from JARVIS that it came close to the disturbance of the Ley line. It was the same Nord rock that Jan discovered but with a different rune.
Jarvis: Magical energy sorce located. Warning, pulse in progress.
Tony landed on the ground when something fast hit him and pushed him into the wall as bats fly around before Tony got up and see who hit him as it was in a clad yellow and black suit as it was Arthur Parks, AKA Living Laser.
Iron Man: Laser!
Laser: That's Living Laser, Iron Man. Living, as in something you're not going to be in about five seconds.
As Laser postures and brags about killing Tony.
Laser: You have no idea how much I've been Loo forward to this.
He charged forward and turns his body yellow as he was after Tony Stark.
Meanwhile...
In the Artic we see Wasp was in trouble as she was fighting Abomination and was trapped in the close quarters the brutish gamma beast hunting her rabidly with his fists. She had enough room to zip around them in a skillful display of aerial acrobatics, thankfully, but
Abomination was proving tireless.
Wasp: I don't know if you heard him, but Iron Man recommended you run!
Janet shouted bravely, preparing to blast Abomination in the face with a two-handed bio-sting.
She would've too, had his clawed hands not come together and smashed her in between them.
With a smirk, Emil peered in through a gap in his thumbs, hoping to see the remains of Wasp in his hands. What he got instead was a cheeky wink as Janet stuck her tongue out then blasted him right in the eye.
With a roar, Abomination recoiled as Janet set to work peppering him with bio-stings.
Abomination: You're done, do you hear me?!
Abomination howled.
Abomination: There's no escape for you!
Swinging his hands together in a parody of Hulk's 'gammaclap' the sonic vibrations from his clap sent Janet spiralling out of control with a cry.
Meanwhile...
As it stood, every location was a trap set by the Masters of Evil, at least one member of the villainous society waiting to strike the unsuspecting Avenger en route.
Captain America arrived at the ruined foundations of an old castle, the land cloaked in misty shadows and perpetual darkness save for the glowing Norn stone to be found there. But as he approached, someone was waiting for him in the shadows. That someone stopped forth and sent a toxic goop hurtling towards Cap, who raised his shield just in time to see it fall off the shield. Toxzon stepped from the shadows, Toxic powers allowing him to extend his Gauntlet to create three blades from himself.
Toxzon: Captain America. Never killed a living legend before. Wouldn't you say Fishy?
As Cap raised his eyebrow in confusion by why he was talking to a fake fish but Toxzon saw Fishy as real with a bowler hat on his head.
Fishy: Of course, how often do you get to kill a legend?
Toxzon: Of course, Fishy. Now—
Toxzon then lunges at Cap with a roar as to fight.
Meanwhile...
Sprinting through a dense jungle, Hawkeye hopped from overgrown limb to mossy tree limb until a bolt of radiation nearly became his downfall as it turned the limb he was on to molten slime. Grabbing a nearby vine, the archer swung himself to safer ground where he drew two arrows and whipped around to face his foe.
Hawkeye: Paste Pot Pete?
He queried, loosing his projectiles. Both were promptly consumed by bolts of dissolving radiation.
Hawkeye: No, wait, you're the Hypno-Hustler, am I right?
Hawkeye retried with a smirk.
Chemistro: How can you not remember who I am?!
An irritated Chemistro retorted, priming his 'alchemy gun'.
Chemestro: You punched me in the face!
He exclaimed, referring to the last time they met a great many months ago.
Hawkeye: That doesn't really narrow it down, pal.
Meanwhile...
Back with Rex as he was running on cold lava while most other slobs around him are running down a slope. he was running away while fighting Dynamo as he dodged a few missile.
Crimson Dynamo: Come and fight like a man!
Rex: Just give me a sec to get in the right mode!TANK MODE!
In a blast of blue light Dynamo covered his eyes and we see Rex in Tank Mode.
Rex: Much better...
Meanwhile...
Elsewhere, in a graveyard, Wonder Man protected his Norn stone from an opposing Black Panther.
Wonder Man: I'm warning you, Avenger, back off. I don't want to fight you, but I can't let you have the stone.
Black Panther: I can only assume the other Masters of Evil have been dispatched to the remaining seven locations. What interested does Zemo have in Asgard?
Wonder Man: Zemo, he-... It's nothing that you can stop.
Black Panther: I hear that doubt in your voice. Whatever Zemo is planning, you obviously have reservations.
Wonder Man: You don't understand.
Black Panther: What? That Zemo is keeping you live? I believe that wakandan science could solve your problem as well. Come, let us discuss this like rational men...
He offered, the hand behind his back snapping out his claws as he approached..
Meanwhile...
Elsewhere, in a woodland lake, Skurge the Executioner waited quietly as the thunderous impacts from Hulk's super-leaping grew ever louder. Finally landing on the far side of the island where the Norn stone sat, the jade giant kicked up a cloud of sand as he stood across from his equally-strong enemy and cracked his knuckled in anticipation. With a slight grin, Skurge hefted his Blood Axe with both hands as he turned to face his foe, the two quickly bearing down on one another as they collided in a titanic display of force...
Meanwhile...
Arriving at the former Hydra base in Norway, Thor arrived at the ruins to discover ancient technology that sat long-unused, all of it in states of disrepair and disarray. It was exactly as Captain America described and Thor queued his ID card to transmit to his team.
Thor: (To ID Card.) Avengers, I believe I have found the source of the disturbances detected by Iron Man's computer. It is a Norn stone, an artifact of Asgardian magic created by Asgard's most powerful sorceress.
???: You insult me, Odinson.
Amora crooned, her voice lilting from the shadows. Thor whirled around, Mjolnir at the ready. As he did, Echantress and Zemo teleported into the room.
Enchantress: Karnilla's power is nothing compared to mine.
She mused, throwing the thunder god a sultry glance.
Zemo: Dynamo, shut down the Avengers' communications.
Zemo ordered into an earpiece. At once, Thor's ID card was reduced to static, his ability to communicate with his distant friends now taken from him.
Thor: What is the meaning of this, Enchantress? Why have you brought the Norn stones to Midgard?
Enchantress: Midgard was once the centre of the nine realms. I am going to make it the middle realm once again. The Stones are going to tear down the walls between Asgard and Earth.
Hearing her scheme, Thor immediately advanced upon her, Zemo drawing a pistol and taking aim at him.
Thor: You are more of a fool than I originally thought, Zemo, if you think that-gah!
Zemo pulled the trigger and, instead of an energy round or bullet, a powerful blast of arcane magic struck Thor and sent him flying across the room...
Meanwhile... In a forest Cave...
Back to Iron Man as he fights The Living Laser he receives information on what happened to their communications with each other.
Iron Man: What do you mean all communications are down? Why?!
JARVIS: External interference.
Tony then was brought down by the Laser as he revealed himself to him.
Laser: Having fun yet?
Iron Man: What are you even doing here, Parks? What is it you're after?
Laser: Zemo, wants something. Don't know what. Don't care, because I'm doing exactly what I want: Is turning you into a smoking pile of ASH!!
As Tony glares at Parks after hearing that.
Meanwhile... In the Arctic...
Abomination: You're useless, bug!
Abomination sneered, advancing upon the fallen Wasp.
Abomination: You know that, right?!
With a yelp, Wasp darted out of the way of his incoming foot, narrowly avoiding getting squished.
Abomination: Even the guys with no powers, the shield and the bow, even they'd put up more of a fight!
Abomination taunted, giving chase and swinging his claws in narrow-misses as Janet barely dodged each swipe.
Abomination: You? You're nothing!
He roared, landing a punch so powerful it passed clean through a wall of ice. With a frustrated growl, he realized his arm was stuck.
Wasp: Maybe so, but I'm still gonna kick your sorry hide!
Wasp remarked, blitzing the ice above Abomination with a volley of bio-stings, managing to destabilize the material just enough to spark a landslide... that came crashing down right on top of Abomination.
The hapless gamma beast had no time to move before he was buried under several tons of rubble and debris.
As the particulate cleared, Janet took a moment to perch on top of it, feeling quite victorious.
Wasp: I should've brought my camera!
She mused with a chuckle.
Wasp: I bet the Rex would love to see a selfie of-
Her sentence abruptly ended when Abomination's hand burst free from below and snared her in an iron grip.
Meanwhile At the forest lake...
Trading blows at the force of cannon rounds, Hulk and Skurge went toe to toe in awesome displays of immense strength of body and will. Avoiding Skurge's swinging axe, Hulk retaliated with punches of his own, only for the Executioner to prove incredibly hearty and skillful. Whipping around his fist, Skurge landed a powerful left hook the knocked Hulk flat into the water. The jade giant had barely a second to recover before he rolled to avoid Skurge's axe, the mythical weapon splitting open the ground beside him as Hulk sprang to his feet.
Deftly avoiding another swing of his axe, Hulk grappled with Skurge until he had him hoisted over his head, pitching the Asgardian across the lake like a skipping stone. Coming to his feet, Skurge summoned the mystical power of his weapon and drove it deep into the earth beneath the water, splitting open the lakebed and creating a chasm into which Hulk sank, Skurge in hot pursuit as he dove in after him.
Meanwhile at the Ruined Castle...
We see Captain America's shield proved truly indestructible, having withstood over a dozen attacks from Toxzon as the toxic felon rounded his toxic-clad fists on the supersoldier's defence.
Captain: What's your angle, Octavius? What does Zemo have that you want?
Cap demanded, raising his disc to avoid another Toxic slime of thrown at him.
Toxzon: Zemo? I couldn't care less about him.
Octavius retorted, aimed his Toxic slime at his feet and trapped him there he charged and drives both fists into his shield repeatedly as he had trapped the Captain.
Captain America: Then why are you with him and his cronies?
Steve grunted, struggling against these new odds.
Toxzon: Leverage, really. You think what Zemo's planning is bad?
Toxzon wondered as he pounded on Cap's shield with blow after blow.
Toxzon: What comes afterwill be far worse.
Meanwhile Al he Ivorwegian Dase...
Zemo: Iron Man did exactly as I knew he would, the fool!
Zemo hissed, the blade of his sword glowing with imbued magic as he hacked at Thor, the thunder god using the handle of Mjolnir to parry him.
Zemo: He divided the Avengers, and while they may have defeated my Masters of Evil as a team, individually they will fall!
Thor rebuffed his latest strike.
Thor: Think to test your strength against mine, mortal?
The thundered growled, kicking him away.
Zemo: I have no need to.
Zemo remarked, sliding to a halt.
Zemo: Because your defeat was planned before you even arrived.
Suddenly struck from behind, Thor turned to block Amora's magical beam with Mjolnir. With his hammer fully charged, Thor struck the ground and unleashed a carpet of lightning that Enchnatress promptly avoided with a hastily-raised magical shield.
With his back turned, Zemo shot Thor in the back and felled the Asgardian. Desperately reaching for his hammer, Thor found his hand trod upon by Amora's heel.
Enchantress: Fool, you had your chance to escape this.
The Enchantress spat.
Enchantress: But you turned your back on me.
With a wave of her hand, mystical bonds trapped Thor tightly and a field of impenetrable magic enveloped Mjolnir.
Enchantress: For your arrogance, Midgard will pay the price.
Amora promised, holding Thor at bay as she unleashed further arcane incantations to ignite the Norn stone.
Meanwhile Across the globe...
As the Avengers are fighting each of the Masters of Evil and their new enemies, the Norn stones began to react to her magic, glowing brighter and brighter as their dormant power was activated. Tendrils of magic reached out across time and space, allowing Earth to become interconnected with the nine realms, bridging long-forgotten gaps as Earth became a centrepiece in the great World Tree now reforged anew.
Meanwhile In the Arctic...
Wasp could only look on in helpless horror as her tiny body was trapped in the grip of Abomination. With a deep chuckle, the gamma mutate began to squeeze,
Abomination: Say good-bye, girl...
He snarled with an ugly grin.
Straining under the pressure threatening to pop her like a balloon.
Wasp: Agh!
She struggled in vain, but there was little she could do to escape his crushing grip. With a fearful thought, Janet realized this could be it for her.
Desperate to escape, she struggled to speak.
Wasp: I... I...
The words couldn't form, her lungs depressing and preventing air from flowing properly. In a last ditch effort, vainly hoping her voice might pierce the comm interference, Janet expended her remaining energy in a final, desperate scream.
Wasp: R-R... R–Rex!
All of a sudden, a massive object came crashing down into Abomination, burying him deep into the ground as Wasp was thrown from his hold and landed on the cold hard ground.
Coughing and gasping as her sore body reflexively returned to its normal state, Wasp turned around and finally realized her saving grace had been a fist...
A fist belonging to Giant Man.
Wasp: Hank?
She gasped. His fist shuddered, Abomination's incredible strength allowing him to push off and free himself from underneath Giant Man. But Hank was in no mood for niceties and started pounding
Abomination with both fists, an angry roar filling the chilly air as he drove Abomination shoulder-deep into the ice. Satisfied, Giant Man turned as Wasp flew high enough to hover beside his face.
Giant-Man: Are you okay?
Wasp: Yeah. Hank, I can't believe you came. And-- Oh, wait. Can I change my answer about being okay?
She said nervously, the Norn stone glowing even brighter now as pulses of magical energy began to chance the scope of the situation. Almost exactly as Captain America described, the energy allowed monsters from other worlds to teleport into their dimension.
They were big, bigger than Giant Man, looming ominously over him, and neither he nor Wasp had what it took to challenge the Frost Giants of Jotunheim.
Meanwhile at the Volcano...
As we see Dynamo and Rex fire at each other with their respective weaponry but as the Nord Stone the dimension opens we see Fire Demons that had their entire bodies made of Fire crawl out of the lava as Rex and Dynamo didn't like the look of them.
Rex: Is this your plan?
Crimson Dynamo: Nyet...
Rex: Ok...
In a quick sneak attack Rex used his Cannon to attack Crimson Dynamo as it destroyed his dome and destroyed part of his armor as he blasted away from the Volcano and destroyed his scrambler as the Communications went through.
Giant-Man: (On Comms) Anyone listening? We got a big problem here.
Rex: Yeah! I hear ya. But we got our own problems too! I got some sorta... demons coming at me!
As Rex simply pointed all his weapons at the fire demons and blasted anything that wasn't human.
Meanwhile in the Jungle
In the jungle...
Hawkeye and Chemistro sprinted across opposing vines, shooting off dueling salvos of arrows and radioactive compounds in a struggle to overcome the other. As they did, their Norn stone began to pulse as well, shifting the landscape and drawing into existence creatures from other realms.
Chemistro: What's going on?
Chemistro cried out in alarm.
Hawkeye: Isn't this your plan, genius?
Hawkeye remarked in retort. Together they watched in confused awe as brightly glowing faeries danced around their heads and distant Light Elves from Alfheim gathered close.
Suddenly turning on the unsuspecting Chemistro, Hawkeye loosed an adhesive arrow that struck the hand propped up against the tree trunk, a burst of quick-bonding adhesive glwing his hand in place.
Chemistro struggled to react, lifting his alchemy gun and trying to fire, but Hawkeye beat him to it with a second arrow, destroying the barrel and splattering radioactive substance across his mask. Chemistro spluttered, clawing at the material eating away at the cloth of his face. If he didn't act quickly, his skin would be next!
Chemistro: Hey! Get this armor off me! This stuff's dangerous!
Hawkeye: Yeah, no kidding.
Hawkeye remarked, drawing a loosing a solvent arrow that unleashed a cloud of quick-hardening solvent that coated Chemistro's body from head to toe, quenching the acidic effect just after he peeled off his mask.
Just as Hawkeye retrieved his Avengers ID Card and speaks to anyone still listening.
Hawkeye: Uh, does anyone know how to stop this, whatever it is? There's elves here giving me dirty looks.
It was true Clint was surrounded by elves that gave him a dirty look as a few walked up to him with a knife in his hand.
Meanwhile at the ruined Castle...
Thrown to the ground by Toxzon, Captain America was without a shield and a means to counter his foe. The very ground he walked on was free-game for Toxzon's Toxins manipulation powers, and every step he took was simply another opportunity for Toxzon to undermine him. Not even the metal-mesh of his chainlink costume could ward off the effects from getting punched by concrete.
But before Toxzon could score a fatal blow, whispers began to fill the air.
Trapping Captain America under a concrete cage, Toxzon looked around.
Toxzon: Who's there?
He demanded, a unleashing his blades of covered in toxins ready to strike down anyone that came to him.
Toxzon: I heard you... show yourself!
He demanded. The fog seemed to shift and shimmer around them, taking on new shapes and forms, or so it seemed as Toxzon blinked. Surely his eyes were playing tricks on him...
But as more phantoms formed and other phantasms drew closer, Toxzon realized that he was surrounded... by ghosts.
Toxzon: What the..!
Toxzon cried, swinging at the nearest phantom only for his blades to pass clean through it. The spirits of the dead advanced upon him, surrounding him, beating him down with their cold unholy presence alone.
Toxzon: No, no! Stay away!
He screamed, falling to his knees on the ground.
Captain America: I'm afraid I can't do that, Toxzon!
Cap remarked, freed from his prison as the Toxic slime waned. Leaping up with a two-footed dropkick, Steve clubbed him across the face as he knocked Toxzon to the floor. He was now helplessly at the mercy of the undead. The spirits suddenly turned more vicious and lunged upon him, Toxzon screamed as he grappled with dozens of phantasms.
Captain America: Always focus on the matter at hand.
Cap remarked, snapping his shield upon his arm.
Meanwhile at the Norwegian Base...
Trapped against the wall, Thor watched helplessly as Amora manipulated the stones with her magics, fueling the their full arcane power in an effort to bridge the realms. Thor knew what this meant. He was only a boy when Midgard had been the meeting ground between realms, a place visitors from every corner could stop by on their journey from one realm to another.
But now, with Earth so densely populated and overflowing with a civilization of its own, the appearance of monsters and creatures from the other realms could only end in catastrophe for the human race.
Thor: Do not trust the Enchantress, Zemo.
Thor cautioned the purple-clad German.
Thor: Whatever she promised you, it is a lie. To her, mortals are nothing, they are beneath Asgardians. Not equals to be bargained with.
Zemo chuckled at his words, seeing what the thunderer was attempting to accomplish. So he reached into the bag on his belt to prove him otherwise.
Zemo: Do you really believe that I ever trusted her?
Zemo remarked, revealing a powered collar. Turning around, he snuck up on the unsuspecting Amora who, with her power so concentrated on the Norn stones, failed to sense his approach and his intentions.
The instant the collar was snapped around her neck, Amora realized what was afoot.
Enchantress: You... dare!
She screamed, attempting to pry the device free. Then, Zemo drew a remote and toggled the collar's special function, the remotes antenna aglow as he took over Amora's mind. Her eyes blankly white as her mind was hijacked, Amora ceased resisting and fell completely under Zemo's sway.
Zemo: Now, Enchantress, continue your spell... but when the armies of Asgard come to Earth, I want them under my control.
He ordered. Thor blanked, his concern rising as the threat to Earth grew graver than ever...
Meanwhile at the At the forest lake...
An unconscious Skurge hurtled through the air, his body flung like a pebble as if he weighed nothing at all.
Emerging from the lake with his Blood Axe in hand, Hulk shook his head to dry out his hair.
Hulk: Lightweight.
He grumbled. But then he gripped his axe with both hands as the water began to boil and froth, coming alive and taking humanoid forms as rivier sprites began to dance about him...
Meanwhile At the graveyard..
Black Panther emerged from his hiding place and pounced on a flying Wonder Man, a single dagger to his back knocking the ionic villain to the ground. On his knees, Simon turned and blasted Panther with a beam of ionic energy, exploding the ground around him as Panther vaulted away. Wonder Man's focus was soon distracted by the feeling of hands clawing at his limbs and he looked down to see black, spectral fingers grasping his calves. Blasting the ground in fright he took to the skies, away from the hands.
Wonder Man: What is this? what's happening?!
Black Panther: I do not know, Simon Williams, but it is time to ask yourself... do you truly believe that there will be a world left for you to live in if you help Zemo?
T'Challa queried in response. Left in quandary, Wonder Man realized that Black Panther spoke truly. There was much for him to think about and consider, and given what he was seeing, he needed to reach a conclusion soon.
He took flight, abandoning his post and leaving Black Panther alone against the spectral forces of the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim. But the Wakandan King accepted the challenge honorably, leaping into their midst with Vibranium claws swinging...
Meanwhile at the Forest Cave
We see Iron Man and Living Laser fight. As Tony dodged his attack.
Iron Man: Jarvis, begin energy absorption.
It worked as the Living Laser got into Tony's armor and it hurts Tony as he orders Jarvis once more.
Iron Man: Energy release, Now!
He shouted, channeling the excess that was Living Laser into an almighty unibeam blast. Unleashed high into the air, Living Laser screamed as his body was catapulted into space and beyond, passing between the nine realms and out into the great unknown...
The strain on his body alleviated, Tony fell forward and snapped open his faceplate and called Thor on his Avengers ID card.
Iron Man: Thor? Thor, any tips on turning off a magic rock.
As behind him was many glowing eyes as they stared at the oblivious Tony Stark.
Meanwhile in Norway.
Still trapped by Amora's magics, Thor could not replied from within his bonds.
Zemo: I've never slain an Asgardian before...
Zemo mused, creeping closer to his bound form as he unsheathed his sword. Amora was still very much under his control and dedicated to the Norn stones, which meant her focus was... distracted. Thor flexed his hand as Zemo drew close, his blade hovering under the Asgardian's chin. Mjolnir shifted slightly beneath its aura, obedient to Thor's command.
Zemo: I'm looking forward to it.
Zemo remarked, comepltely unawares. With a simple beckon, Mjolnir broke free of its bondage and bowled over Zemo en route to his hand. With his hammer restored, Thor unleashed a bolt of lightning that shocked Enchantress and dropped her to the floor, her concentration broken and releasing Thor from bondage.
Zemo attempted to get back up, drawing his pistol in preparation. But Thor took not chances and swung Mjolnir hard, deflecting the arcane bolt right back at Zemo and knocking him out cold. The Asgardian finally withdrew his ID card, an answer to Iron Man's query in mind.
Thor: Avengers! No matter the cost, you must destroy the stones! The fate of the world depends on it!
He cried, twirling Mjolnir around in his grip as Amora's collar shattered and freed her from Zemo's mind control. She turned around just in time to see Thor loose his weapon, Mjolnir headed straight for the Norn stone.
Enchantress: No... NO!
Around the world ...
Around the world, the Avengers heeded Thor's words and took action.
Braving ghosts and phantasms, Captain America grabbed his shield with both hands and hacked into his Norn stone...
Powering through spectral Dark Elves, Black Panther hurled a Vibranium dagger towards his stone...
As Giant Man warded off Jotuns, Wasp flew in close and blasted her stone with the biggest bio-sting she could muster...
Rex and Generator flew right at the Norn stone grabs it and crushed it with his armored hand...
Iron man taking aim used his repulsor beam and took aim at his Norn stone...
Taking aim, Hawkeye loosed an explosive arrow that sailed unerring towards his Norn stone...
Using Skurge's Blood Axe, Hulk swung at his Norn stone with all his mighty, a mighty roar filling the air...
An arcane explosion rocked the realms, the realms dissipated from view and the convergence brought to an abrupt end. All at once, the magic ceased, Earth severed from the nine realms as order and peace were restored. The dark clouds brewing seemed to lighten, the day a little brighter as JARVIS concluded the mission.
Avengers Mansion
Jarvis: All magical activity has subsided. Threat level, zero.
He announced to an empty mansion. Pausing, the AI scanned available frequencies using Stark satellites orbiting the Earth. Something was wrong, very wrong.
Jarvis: Connection to Iron Man armor lost. Connection to Avengers ID cards lost. Avengers bio-signatures... not found.
Whatever they had done, it appeared to JARVIS that Earth's Mightiest Heroes had paid the ultimate price in the name of saving the world...
Elsewhere in the universe...
???: What an unexpected surprise...!
An almost cheerful voice announced as Thor came to. Rendered unconscious upon destroying the Norn stone, Thor was lost to time and place, coming to just now. He realized, as he spied Mjolnir beside him, that he was in the great throne room of Asgard. He looked up to find the owner of the voice... and it was the last person he wanted to see.
Thor: Nay!
The thunder god gasped in shocked terror.
There, on his father's throne, was not Odin. Clad in green, adorned in gold, a horned helmet above his beady black eyes...
Loki: Welcome home, brother.
Loki, the god of mischief, greeted with a chuckle.