This is the Finale of the 45th Story Special. Last time, we learned a little bit of history from Caretaker, in that Wolverine was the one who recommended Magik to her in the first place. But the next morning, everything went wrong as HYDRA set an attack on Avengers Tower, and putting Bruce Banner in danger. Iron Man and Cynder rushed off to avert a crisis soon after. So, will they succeed? Read on to discover...

(Our scene opens up on Avengers Tower being attacked by a platoon of HYDRA helicopters. But suddenly up in the sky, a Limbo portal opens, with Cynder and Iron Man dropping out of it)

Cynder: Bruce, how're you holding up in there?

Bruce Banner: Cynder! Thank goodness it's you! The entire defensive perimeter has been taken out. You'd better get down here fast, or there won't be anything left to save!

Iron Man: Hold the line, buddy. We'll be there as soon as we can.

(But before the duo can get very far, the HDYRA choppers start firing on them. Cynder tries using The Hunter's power to take one out, but it doesn't work. Thankfully, she doesn't get herself killed, because a familiar shield flies right into the helicopter, taking it out)

Iron Man: Uh, Bruce, I thought you said the defenses were down.

Cynder: He didn't say anything about the defenders though, Tony.

(And sure enough, standing on the helipad is the only other Avenger in the building: The First Avenger, The Star Spangled Man With A Plan himself, Captain America.)

Captain America: Good to see you again, Cynder. Sorry to hear about Spyro.

Cynder: Feeling's mutual, Steve.

(But as Cynder and Captain America reunite, two HYDRA helicopters land, allowing HYDRA troops onto the helipad)

Cynder: (Seeing the enemy) Love to chit chat some more, but we've got business to attend to.

Captain America: Couldn't agree more.

(And as Iron Man lands to join the party and Cynder summons The Hunter's swords, the fight begins. Thankfully, these HYDRA goons aren't mystically enhanced, so the trio has them down in about a minute. And after one final shield throw from Captain America, the remaining troops start retreating)

Captain America: At least HYDRA's commitment to cowardice remains unchanged.

Iron Man: Just like their commitment to just plain sucking as villains.

Cynder: (Chuckling) It is so good to see you two on the same side. Especially after that near Civil War last year.

Iron Man: Did you have to remind me?

(But before the lighthearted banter can continue, more HYDRA choppers arrive, with one firing missiles at the tower. Iron Man flies out to try and stop them, taking out several missiles, but one still hits, rocking the building)

Bruce Banner: Arc reactor one going critical! Attempting shutdown now! Wait, what in the hell is a prefix code?

Iron Man: (Repulsor blasting a helicopter) The ultimate security code! Luckily the only person who knows it is right here. (Pulls up a digital keyboard) Let me see: Capital H, u, l, k...

Cynder: Tony, please tell me the super secret prefix code is not "Hulk Smash".

Iron Man: Of course not! It's HulkSmash1234. Transmitting now.

Captain America: You really need a more secure password.

Cynder: (Straight out laughing now) You know if a centenarian is telling you to get a better password, you're really in trouble, Tony. (To Captain America) Nothing against you there, Cap.

Captain America: No offense taken. It was honestly pretty funny.

(While the team discusses, Crossbones' helicopter lines up a shot, and Crossbones himself tries to shoot a mystic bullet at Cynder. Thankfully she notices, as does Captain America. And while the latter blocks the bullet with his shield, the former grabs a knife from a dead HYDRA trooper and throws it at Crossbones, only for him to deflect it with an energy shield.)

Crossbones: Cute. But you're playing with the big boys now! (Leaps from his helicopter onto the battlefield itself) Hail HYDRA!

Captain America: Rumlow. We meet again.

Crossbones: Except this time, it won't end so well for you.

(Now the real battle begins. Crossbones is a far tougher opponent than the HYDRA goons seen previously. But still, both Cynder and Captain America know his moveset pretty well, and have him up against the railing pretty quickly)

Crossbones: (Seeing something below him) You peewee scouts sure had me worried there for a second. I was just worried I wouldn't get the chance to use THIS!

(But before Crossbones can use his ultimate weapon, Captain America knocks it out of his hand with his shield)

Captain America: Hold that thought.

Iron Man: Bruce Almighty, what's the status? Are we good?

Bruce Banner: (Now acting very strangely) We're more than good...

(And just as things appear to be going well, an entire floor of the building goes up in gamma-magic energy, something even Captain Marvel notices over the comms)

Captain Marvel: Tony, was that a gamma burst? Why am I reading a gamma burst from INSIDE THE TOWER!?

Iron Man: Bruce, enough with the cryptic phrasing, what the hell is going on down there?!

(As Crossbones starts laughing maniacally at this, another voice emerges, one familiar, yet terrifyingly different)

?: Something far worse than hell, Tin Man.

(As soon as the voice is said, fire, purple fire, surrounds our trio of heroes, and then just as the circle is finished, the source of the voice is revealed. A purple dragon, with Malefor's crown-like horns covered in green fire. Someone we haven't seen in a long time, and in a way we hoped never to see them)

Cynder: (Recognizing this immediately, with pupils constricting in terror) No...

(But sure enough, it's true. It's Spyro standing before them right now. Lilith and Malefor have somehow found a way to control him)

Fallen Spyro: (To Crossbones) Secure the package. It should be uncoupled by now.

(Given the cue, Crossbones jumps from the tower, back onto his helicopter, now towing a large piece of equipment with Bruce Banner on top of it, his eyes glowing as green as Lilith's magic. They've got him under their control too)

Cynder: Spyro, what are you doing?!

Bruce Banner: Mother and the Dark Master thank you for the Gamma Accelerator. Couldn't have done it without you, Tony!

Captain America: Did I miss something here? Why is Spyro suddenly working with HYDRA?!

Cynder: I'll get you caught up in a bit, Cap. But long story short, Lilith and Malefor have managed to corrupt them!

Fallen Spyro: Excellent work. Take the Accelerator and fly. Mother and The Master will be pleased.

(Another explosion rocks the building)

Iron Man: You tricked us, Bruce. Well, tricked me, anyways. All of this was to nab your precious accelerator!

Cynder: Spyro, you've got to fight this!

Fallen Spyro: All I have fought was my destiny. The Master showed me that. The same Master that you abandoned. And in Mother's arms I have embraced my true power. I will give you one last choice. Join us and fight at my side, or be destroyed.

Cynder: (Mustering all her courage, but not very convincingly) I will never serve Malefor again. And if that means we must fight, then so be it.

Fallen Spyro: Very well then. (To Bruce Banner) If you would, Dr. Banner.

Iron Man: Fight them off Bruce, we both know you're stronger than this!

Bruce Banner: Always trying to play the hero. Well here's your chance. Save the world, shoot me dead.

(For a moment, Iron Man looks like he's about to unleash a repulsor blast straight into Bruce Banner's brain, but knowing that's his friend there, he stands down)

Bruce Banner: How disappointing.

Fallen Spyro: This is your first and final warning. Stay out of our way, or you will be obliterated, just like all those who oppose Mother and The Master.

(And as Fallen Spyro flies away, Bruce Banner pulls out Crossbone's ultimate weapon, a detonator, and sets off an explosion that damn near collapses Avengers Tower, but not before Cynder, Iron Man, and Captain American can fly away into a Limbo portal, but not before getting a last glimpse at their now corrupted friends as our scene ends for today)

This concludes the 45th Story Special. Stay tuned though, as after this goes live, so does story number 45. And you're not going to want to miss this. But right now, things aren't looking too good. We finally got our reunion with Spyro, only now he's been corrupted by Lilith and Malefor's power. And so has Bruce Banner to boot! Not a very good scenario. And if Spyro's turned bad, who knows what's happened to Scarlet Witch! And right here, was one of the concepts I wanted to test: Spyro as a recurrent villain rather than a hero. And this was honestly the perfect story to test it on. So, what will this ultimate rug pull do to the team's morale? Tune in next time to start finding out! Same time... same channel!