New York City
October 1, 08:08 EDT
The people of New York City were going about their daily business when a giant metal tentacle the size of a skyscraper suddenly shot out of the ground. People immediately ran as smaller tentacles shot out from the main trunk and began grabbing cars, sending them flying into nearby buildings.
However, no sooner had it started its chaos than it suddenly collapsed.
In an unknown location, a group of people were watching the chaos from a video feed.
"Perfect, our test is a complete success," said a cold, calculated voice. "We may proceed as planned."
"Agreed," said a man with a German accent, "but we have operated in Shadow for too long. It is time for the Masters of Evil to reveal ourselves to the world."
Then, stepping out of the shadows, was a man wearing a purple face mask and behind him were four other villains. The man leading them was Baron Zemo, and beside him was a chubby man in goggles with four mechanical octopus-like tentacles attached to his back. His name was Doctor Octopus. Additionally, a black-haired man was wearing a green rope, went by the name of Baron Mordo, a monstrous creature resembling Hulk, only with a thick armoured shell, named Abomination and a crazed-looking woman who had white face paint on the left side of her body, named Typhoid Mary.
"This is going to be fun," said Typhoid Mary.
Avengers Compound
October 1, 18:13 EDT
The Secret Warriors were currently training and were observed by Doctor Strange, their den mother, this week. Everyone was watching as Eli and Peter were sparring in the training room, but everyone stopped when they were doing so when the zeta tube activated.
"Recognised: Captain America… B06," said the computer's voice.
"Computer national news," Captain America ordered.
A holographic screen appeared before the Secret Warriors, showing another giant metal tentacle rampaging in Manhattan.
"The initial attack was short-lived," Betty Brant reported. "But Manhattan was only given a short reprieve."
They watched as the giant metal tentacle destroyed a building, and Iron Man flew in to save some civilians on a nearby rooftop.
"Even with the prevention of Iron Man and the Avengers, there seems to be no end in sight."
They watched as Yellowjacket suddenly appeared and began wrestling with the tentacle while Nova blasted the tentacle with an energy blast.
"Should we get out there?" Eli asked.
"The Avengers will soon have the situation under control; that's not why I'm here," said Captain America. "According to your Intel, Taskmaster supplied the Jackal formula to the Serpent Society."
"Who combined it with their own failed super soldier serum to form Cobra Serum," said Peter.
"Which MODOK used to create his dinosaur army," Eli added.
"MODOK also used inhibitor collars that are commonly used on supervillains in prison," said Crystal.
"Iron Man scanned the tentacles and discovered that they had organic components which had trace amounts of the Cobra serum," said Captain America.
"This cannot be a coincidence," said Peter. "Over the past few months, we've seen some unusual villains teaming up and cooperating with one another worldwide."
"Indeed, it's now clear that our enemies are some kind of secret society of supervillains," said Captain America. "The attack on New York is only the beginning."
"Got that right," said Eli as he accessed the compound systems. "Those tentacles have sprouted in San Francisco, London, Paris, Taipei…"
Suddenly, the loss of visual or all the attack sites.
"Dude," said Johnny.
"It's not me," said Eli as he tried to get the screens back, "someone is cutting through the satellite signal—all satellite signals!"
Then, suddenly appearing on the screens was Typhoid Mary, who then tapped on the screen with a crazed smile.
"Apologies for the interactions, ladies and gentlemen. I want to bring you this latest news update," she said, turning the camera to the rest of the Masters of Evil, "from the Masters of Evil!"
"We are responsible for the attacks on your cities," said Zemo. "If you wish for them to stop, a ransom of 10 billion American dollars is required. Delivery instructions have been sent to the United Nations. There is no time limit, but the longer your leaders wait…"
Typhoid Mary then pulled the camera back towards her. "The more fun we will have!"
Captain America instantly reached for his radio. "Roger that Namor. The UN will prepare the ransom as a fallback, but it won't come to that."
Eli immediately brought back the image showing the Masters of Evil. "Baron Zemo, Typhoid Mary, Doctor Octopus, Abomination and Baron Mordo. Five heavy hitters followed behind everything and everyone we've faced."
"There is your secret society right there," said Johnny.
"Not so secret anymore," said Kate.
"I guess after the Savage Land, they realise we would have figured out the truth and saw no point in hiding any more," Peter deduced.
"Yeah, that was their mistake," said Johnny. "Right now, I see that we go when kick some metal tentacle butt."
"The Avengers will handle the tentacles," said Captain America. "I have a different job for this team. With the tentacles attacking so many locations at once, there has to be a central control system. Your mission is to destroy it."
"You do realise what you're asking them to do," said Doctor Strange.
"They're ready."
"Ready for what?" Johnny asked.
"Are you really that dense?" said Kate, rolling her eyes. "If the big guns are tackling the tentacles, who do you think we'll be fighting?"
"I don't know! I guess we will—" Kate pointed to the image of the Masters of Evil, and realisation struck Johnny. "Ooh."
"Well, Captain, I trust you're correct," said Doctor Strange.
"I trust that you can locate the enemy," said Captain America.
"Indeed. Mordo's involvement suggests that sorcery is part of how the metal tentacles are controlled." He then turned his eyes to Eli. "Eli, if you would provide a holo map."
Eli quickly produced a hologram of the entire planet.
"I'll search for signs of concentrated sorcerers activity," said Doctor Strange as he stretched out his hands. His hands began to glow, and a blip appeared on the hologram. "There, that is where you will find the Masters of Evil central control system."
"Coordinates locked in," said Eli. "The Louisiana Bayou."
"Then let's huff it," said Peter.
The Secret Warriors immediately ran off.
"I'm assuming that we're to join the others," Doctor Strange assumed.
Captain America nodded. "For this plan to succeed, all of the Avengers must be seen fighting the tentacles. We'll need everyone since Vision is still missing."
London
October 1 23:53 BST
Moments later, Captain America was on his sky cycle, flying over the city of London as a metal tentacle that caused chaos. Once he was in range, he tossed his shield, knocking back one of the tentacles, which reached out to a civilian.
Ms Marvel then arrived, grabbed one of the tentacles of the main trunk and sent it flying into the Thames. Doctor Strange hovered in front of the tentacle and outstretched his hand. Immediately, the tentacle was set ablaze.
While this was going on, the Masters of Evil were watching everything. Typhoid Mary was wearing a pair of gloves and seemed to be in control of the tentacles.
"This is getting good!" she laughed.
"It would seem as if the Avengers are putting up a decent fight," said Zemo.
"As we, but we're putting a massive strain upon my creation," said Doctor Octopus as he looked at the readings from his handheld device. "We need more power."
"Fear not, Octavius, I will provide us with the power we need," said Mordo.
Zemo smiled. "Stunning would a little teamwork can do."
They then heard the sound of an alarm.
"Intruders?!" Zemo growled.
Bayou Bartholomew
October 1, 18:52 CDT
The Secret Warriors were currently on the Qunijet, heading to the control centre cloaked. Everyone were getting themselves prepared for what would be a very hard fight.
Then, suddenly, alarms began to ring out in the Qunijet.
"What's going on?" Crystal asked.
"We've hit some sort of field. Our cloak is failing," said Torch as he desperately tried to re-energise the cloak.
Unfortunately, nothing he did work, and the Qunijet became visible to both Zemo and Abomination, who were standing outside.
"There it is, Abomination," said Zemo. "Go!"
Abomination then jumped into the air and struck the Qunijet, sending it crashing into the swamp. Everyone was still reeling from the landing when Abomination punched a hole right through the ceiling. A-Bomb quickly responded, punching him and sending him flying into the forest, but the water was now rushing into the jet.
"No," said Hawkeye as she grabbed a breather. "No way am I drowning three missions in a row."
She placed a breather around her mouth and then handed Torch one.
"Uh, thank you," Torch blinked.
Everyone except A-Bomb placed a breather over their mouths moments before they succumbed to the water. Spider-Man gestured for everyone to swim out of the Quinjet as quickly as possible.
They swam out of the landing bay and quickly swam to the surface. Once they climbed to the surface, they watched as the Quinjet was submerged in the water.
"I hope we're insured," said Torch.
"This is most unexpected," said Zemo as he stepped out of the trees, "I did not expect the Avengers to send children after us."
"I'm 19," Torch grumbled.
Patriot immediately raised his shield. "Zemo."
"Ah, Captain Rogers' welp," said Zemo as he drew his sword. "I might actually enjoy this."
A-Bomb then tried to charge at him, but Abomination appeared out of nowhere and punched him so hard he fell unconscious.
Spider-Man then quickly jumped at Zemo, swinging his fist, which he dodged. He then quickly looked back at Patriot and Crystal. "Go, we'll cover you! Johnny, we're going to need some cover!"
"Oh it, Webs!" said Torch and unleashed a burst of flames.
"Let's go," said Patriot as he and Crystal used the smoke as cover to get away.
Spider-Man then quickly dodged as Abomination swung his fist at him. Zabu pounced at him, but he spun around to send the sabertooth tiger flying straight into Torch and Hawkeye.
Paris
October 2, 01:55 CEST
The giant tentacle was now twisting around the Eiffel Tower, but Thor and Namor came flying in. Together, they began to tear through the tentacles to free the people trapped inside. The Invisible Woman then arrived and created an invisible platform to lower them to the ground.
Taipei
October 2, 07:56 NST
The Thing was there, tearing through the tentacles with his strength as he began trashing a nuclear power plant. Cyclops then arrived and fired his energy beam straight at the plant, crushing it and destroying it.
Hulk and his cousin Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, who was a muscular young woman with green skin, arrived and began using their strength to tear off the tentacles before they completely decimated the power plant.
San Francisco
October 1, 16:57 PDT
The giant tentacle wrapped itself around Golden Gate Bridge and slowly began to crush it. Hawkeye and Black Widow fired their weapons at the tendrils that were wrapping around the bridge, freeing it.
Black Panther then somersaulted onto a bus, using his vibranium weapons to cut through the tentacles. Then, a man wearing a yellow costume with razor-sharp blades sticking out of his knuckles jumped in, cutting through them like they were made of bread. His name was James Logan, but he was better known as Wolverine.
"Poor heroes," said Typhoid Mary as she watched the scene. "Nothing they do seems quite enough. Ain't it grand?"
"And impressive," said Doctor Octopus without looking at him, "how you can continuously juggle multiple scenarios."
"I've had practice juggling my many personalities," she laughed and looked back at the screen. "Schools out!"
The tentacle then grabbed the school bus and began to lift it up. Hawkeye and Black Widow fired at it, but with no effect. However, a muscular man wearing a green toga landed on the tentacle and began to rip it apart with his strength. This man was, in fact, Hercules, and once the school bus was three, he quickly jumped down in court, placing it gently onto the ground.
Back at the bayou, Zemo and Abomination take down the Secret Warriors. However, Zemo noticed that two of them were missing.
"Two are missing," he said.
Both Patriot and Crystal were making their way to the control centre.
"Do you really think it was a good idea to leave the others?" Crystal asked.
"I'm sure they'll be fine, and we've got a mission to complete," said Patriot, pulling away a branch and revealing the command centre. "I think we found the Masters of Evil central control centre. It looks like a massive tentacle sticking out of the building, and it is an antenna to control the other tentacles worldwide."
"Why hello," said a voice behind them.
A few seconds later, they quickly spun around, trapped in Doctor Octopus's tentacles. His two remaining tentacles then began to spin saw blades, and he brought them closer to them.
"And goodbye," he said with a vicious smile.
Crystal then used her powers to send an electrical shock down through Doctor Octopus' tentacles. He yelled in pain, releasing them, and they quickly ran.
"Of the Avengers insulting my intelligence by sending children to destroy my creation?" Doctor Octopus growled as he chased after them.
He then swung his tentacles out at Patriot, who quickly somersaulted out of the way. Crystal fired a lightning bolt at him, but he quickly dodged it and swung another tentacle at her. She quickly rolled out of the way, and the tentacle smashed through the tree behind her.
Meanwhile, Typhoid Mary was alone in the control centre, controlling the tentacles.
"With so much power at my fingertips, some would call me a control freak," she laughed. "Others just a freak either works for me."
At London, Captain America was flying around the tentacle when it reached out towards him. He quickly jumped off his sky cycle before it collided with the tentacle. Mrs Marvel then flew in and grabbed just before he hit the ground.
Doctor Strange flooded in front of the tentacles and created a magical barrier around them, severing several tentacles from the main trunk. One of these tentacles accidentally knocked a truck driver into the air, but Mister Fantastic managed to save him and gently lowered him to the ground before joining to help the others.
In Paris, Thor had just seven tentacles, but another one struck a news helicopter, causing it to lose control and knocking some of the crew off. Marvel Girl and her fellow X-Man Angel flew in and saved them. The helicopter suddenly appeared out of nowhere was Giant-Man, whose real name was Scott Lang, and he was able to grab it before it crashed to the ground.
Spider-Man finally regained consciousness and saw that he and the others were trapped in a cage of pure magic.
"They awake," said Zemo as he stood on top of the case with Abomination. He then turned and looked at Mordo, who had conjured the cage and was now floating it back to their base. "You are certain this will hold them?"
"The cage is impenetrable; not even the blue Hulk has a chance of escaping," he said.
Spider-Man quietly dropped one of his spider bots and, without anyone noticing, controlled it so it would crawl out of the cage.
On the ground, Crystal and Patriot were still playing cat and mouse with Doctor Octopus, who continued to strike them with his tentacles.
"Man, now I know why Webs has such a tough time with this guy," said Patriot.
"He certainly unrelenting," Crystal agreed.
That's when they noticed Mordo flying directly above them with the rest of the captured team. However, Spider-Man managed to pilot the spider bot into perfect position and then fired an electro-web straight at Mordo. This caused him to lose concentration, and the cage disappeared as he fell into the swamp.
Everyone began falling, including Zemo and Abomination, who caught Zemo moments before hitting the ground.
"Not me!" Zemo roared. "Stop those delinquents!"
The rest of the Secret Warriors had managed to land in the swamp, and Spider-Man came face-to-face with his nemesis, Doctor Octopus.
"Hey, Doc, didn't think you were right playing with others," Spider-Man smiled.
"Even in the middle of the swamp, I can't seem to be rid of you!" Doctor Octopus roared and swung his tentacles at him.
Spider-Man quickly fired some webbing at a nearby tree and pulled himself to safety.
Zemo was now looking down at Torch and Hawkeye, who discovered that she was without her bow and quiver.
"I feel naked," she groaned, "and not in a fun way."
"The what you say we make our own fun?" Torch smiled and then fired a fireball at Zemo.
Zemo somersaulted, landed in front of them, and immediately drew his sword. He first swung it at Torch, who quickly jumped back to avoid getting skewered. Hawkeye then quickly moved in, getting in closer so that he couldn't strike her, and performed a flying kick straight in the face.
A-Bomb and Zabu, meanwhile, were now face-to-face with Abomination, who gleefully cracked his knuckles. A-Bomb rolled into a ball and spun straight towards him, but he easily caught him with one hand and slammed him into a tree.
During the fight, Zemo finally noticed that Patriot and Crystal were missing.
"Where is Patriot and the girl?" he roared.
Doctor Octopus had just launched Spider-Man's punch, and his eyes fell upon the antenna.
"My creation!" he cried.
Patriot had placed explosives all around the antenna within seconds; they detonated and completely destroyed it.
Patriot smiled at Crystal as the two of them stood on top of the dome. "I would call that a mission success."
However, the two of them quickly dodged as Typhoid Mary came in swinging a flaming sword.
"You're saying that children foiled our plan?" she said, swinging her sword like a maniac. "That would be funny if it wasn't so annoying!"
"Kill them!" Zemo ordered. "Kill them all!"
Typhoid Mary had managed to kick Patriot into Crystal, but the two of them fell into the swamp. She jumped down after them and continued swinging her sword, but Patriot quickly blocked it with his shield.
A-Bomb began swinging his fists at Abomination, but he merely took the blows. He was about to strike him, but Zabu pounced and grabbed his arm.
Torch continued firing fireballs at Zemo, but he perfectly dodged each one and then performed a spin kick on Hawkeye as she tried to take him from behind.
They appeared to be evenly matched, but Mordo regained consciousness and floated above the battlefield.
"Enough!" he yelled, shooting magical lightning down upon them.
"Hey, Baron Moron!" Torch yelled as he flew up straight at him. "Let's see if you can dance to this!"
He then unleashed a stream of fire at Mordo, who was now forced to face against him, and the two of them began battling in the sky.
Zemo approached Patriot and raised his sword. "I'll be sure to enjoy this."
He quickly moved in, swinging his sword, which Patriot quickly blocked with his shield. "I'll be sure to get your head to Captain Rogers."
Up in the air, Mordo flew around dodging Torch's flames while blasting him with his magical lightning.
"Do you honestly think you can beat a master of the mystic arts," said Mordo.
"Don't know, but I'm willing to try," said Torch as he quickly dodged the lightning.
Spider-Man was drained through the trees while dodging Doctor Octopus's tentacles.
"Tell me, Ock, why work with these bozos?" Spider-Man as he landed on the tree and fired some webbing.
Doctor Octopus quickly pulled back, avoiding the webs. "They are helping me fund my research; it is as simple as that. Plus, I have the added bonus of finally killing you, arachnid."
He swung his tentacles at Spider-Man, who quickly jumped out of the way. "You going to have to wait a little longer."
Typhoid Mary swung her flaming sword at Crystal, who then unleashed a burst of wind, pushing her back.
"Oooh, you're fun to play with," she smiled.
Hawkeye then appeared out of nowhere behind her and kicked her across the face.
"You okay?" Hawkeye asked, looking back at Crystal.
"Doing great," she said.
Zabu then slammed into Hawkeye as Abomination tossed him. A-Bomb then de-cloaked behind him and dealt him a powerful punch. Spider-Man was still swinging through the air as Doctor Octopus attempted to strike him with his tentacles, but he fired some webbing, sticking his tentacles into the trees.
Up in the sky, Torch and Mordor were still clashing, though Torch was now struggling to hold him back with his flames.
"You have no hope of defeating the child," said Mordor.
However, before he could launch his next attack, Mordor was struck by a magical blast. Everyone immediately looked up and saw the Avengers had arrived.
"Not alone, he can't," said Doctor Strange as he floated above them.
Doctor Strange had created a platform for the nonflying Avengers to stand upon, and Captain America instantly tossed his shield down at Zemo, knocking him away from Patriot. The Masters of Evil backed away until they were back-to-back with one another, apart from Doctor Octopus, who was still tied to the trees, as the Avengers surrounded them.
"It's over," said Captain America as he retrieved his shield.
Zemo looked at the others, and they all raised their hands. "There will be another day."
A few moments later, SHIELD arrived to apprehend the Masters of Evil sporting them to the Raft.
"Excellent work, all of you," said Captain America, looking at them. "You showed real teamwork and were able to hold your own against powerful enemies. Thanks to all this, the supervillain society has now been crushed."
Everyone looked at one another and smiled.
In an unknown location, the Cabel were looking at footage of the battle.
"Impressive," said C-1. "The tentacle creatures have proven themselves as potential weapons. More importantly, the so-called heroes now believe our secret society has been revealed and crushed. With the Masters of Evil serving as our proxies, we can once again able to operate with impunity."
Stepping out of the shadows was a large, muscular man with blue skin and a completely bald head, known as Apocalypse. Following him out of the shadows were Doctor Doom, the Kingpin, MODOK, and, lastly, the Enchantress.
Helmut Zemo, aka Baron Zemo, was born in 1963. He is the son of Henrich Zemo, who was Captain America's foe back in the Second World War. He is a skilled scientist who improved on his father's formula and administered it to himself so that he could continue his father's legacy and get revenge on Captain America.
He is a skilled tactician and a skilled swordsman. Thanks to his father's formula, he is far stronger and more agile than the average human.