Welcome back to Ashes of Midnight. Last time, Captain Marvel was trying to track Johnny Blaze, only to trigger, of all things, a trojan horse program embedded in Howard Stark's private files, as revealed by Iron Man. Needless to say, it didn't take a genius to find out who's doing this. Bruce Banner is after these files, that much is for certain. But, I ask again, why? Read on to hopefully discover...

(Our scene opens with the team of Cynder, Blade, and Iron Man running through a corridor in Howard Stark's southwest facility. Well, Cynder and Blade are running, Iron Man is straight up flying down the corridor as Caretaker comes up over the comm system)

Caretaker: Stark, slow down! We don't know what they're planning!

Iron Man: I hesitated with Bruce before, not this time. Don't worry, I've accounted for...

(But before he can finish, Iron Man arrives at Bruce Banner's location, only to realize he's playing a recording of Howard Stark)

Howard Stark: And if these results are correct, it changes...

Iron Man and Howard Stark: Everything.

Iron Man: (To Bruce Banner) You triggered the Trojan Horse voluntarily, didn't you.

Bruce Banner: Shouldn't take a genius to figure that out, Tony.

Iron Man: Is this just another trap? If so, that's disappointing.

Bruce Banner: Trap? No. More like an invitation.

Iron Man: To what? Join this creepy crew? (Lands and raises his visor) If anybody could fight them off, I would've bet everything on you.

Bruce Banner: And why would I? They value me, unlike the monster you're all concerned with. Together we can shatter the limitations known as magic and science. But don't take my word for it. (Plays another recording)

Howard Stark: My gamma accelerator is only the first step. We stand on the precipice of a true transformation.

Iron Man: Heard that one before. Usually when pops was about to kick off another arms race.

Bruce Banner: Save your phony disgust for the press. Deep down, we both know you're interested. I want you to finish the work Howard Stark started. As a team, with me. Together we will fulfill your father's destiny, and bask in the glory of the Demon Mother and the Dark Master

Iron Man: Yeah, not going to happen. I've seen enough of what Malefor's capable of in text reports alone to know I don't want to get involved with that. I can see how well it's working out for you though. The problem is, I already have a team.

(At this point, Blade and Cynder finally catch up and prepare for action)

Iron Man: And while I appreciate the generous offer... (Lowers his visor and points a repulsor at Bruce Banner) We're going to take my father's data back, and then kick your evil ass.

(At this point, somebody can be heard entering behind the trio of heroes, who immediately enter a battle stance facing three HYDRA mystics)

Bruce Banner: I think you misunderstand me, Tony. That wasn't a request.

(Now the battle is on, but thankfully, the HYDRA mystics are almost useless against this trio, and soon enough, Iron Man is at the main console, securing the data)

Iron Man: (As his suit finishes downloading the data) Got it!

Bruce Banner: Why can it never be easy with you?!

(As Bruce Banner starts to flee, Iron Man chases after him, but Cynder tries to stop him)

Cynder: Tony, wait! We've got what we came for! There's no need to... (Realizes Iron Man is already out of earshot) Follow him.

(So begrudgingly, Cynder and Blade give chase again, only to catch up with him facing down another breach bomb as Bruce Banner comes up on the screens around them)

Bruce Banner: I tried to reason with you, Tony, just like Mother said. But you just wouldn't listen, like The Master warned.

(And with that, Bruce Banner automatically shuts the door behind them)

Iron Man: Crap.

Cynder: I tried to tell you it might be a trap!

Bruce Banner: It's too beautiful. Too painful for words! So instead, I'll show you.

(And with that, Bruce Banner detonates the breach bomb, opening a breach in the middle of the room with Cynder barely able to block it.)

Bruce Banner: Oh, and Tony. This is the trap.

(And just as Bruce Banner makes that remark, a giant demoness with an oni sized mace exits the breach, prepared to smash the three heroes into dust, and just like that, the battle is on. It takes a lot longer than with the three mystics, but soon the giant beast is on it's knees and dissolving back into the breach)

Cynder: Well that was tedious.

Iron Man: And avoidable. Guess I just lost my head there. I should have listened to you. Sorry about that.

Cynder: Vengeance is never as sweet as it seems at first. Sure it tastes good for a moment, but it really messes with your system after that.

(At this point, another recording of Howard Stark starts playing)

Howard Stark: This work, this discovery will have ramifications for generations to come. To think that my son, Tony, might one day...

Iron Man: Better not miss.

(And with one repulsor blast, Iron Man takes out the recording of his father, erasing the data on that server for good so Banner can't make a second go at it, and walks away, ending our scene for now)

And that looks like a good spot to wrap up for now. So, it looks like the team managed to get ahead of Lilith and Malefor for once. Though there's one thing I can't shake about this, Lilith told Bruce to try and reason with Tony while Malefor warned him it would be futile. That seems odd, right? Yet another weird contrast between these supposedly bonded individuals. Anyways, that'll have to wait until later. So, what's going to come of all this? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!