Remnant's Mightiest Heroes!

by I Am The Prophet

A day came unlike any other when Remnant found itself conquered by an alien force. On that day, eight students escape seeking a way to save their people. On a world filled with the universe's mightiest heroes.

36. Dark Winter Part 1

Remnant's Mightiest Heroes!

Chapter 27: Dark Winter Part 1

[~][~]

November 18, 19:00 PST

The Peak

Geosynchronous Orbit, Earth

For two hours, RWBY and JNPR embarked on an awe-inspiring tour of the Peak, the dazzling orbital headquarters of S.W.O.R.D. Nearly everywhere they walked, the state-of-the-art space station's windows gave a panoramic view of Earth, suspended against the backdrop of the cosmos. The view from the Peak is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The vibrant blue hues of the planet's oceans stand out against the contrasting shades of green and brown of the landmasses. Wispy white clouds dance across the atmosphere, casting ever-shifting patterns of light and shadow on Earth's surface. From this vantage point, you can witness the curvature of the planet, a gentle arc that reminds them of the vastness and beauty of the world.

That's not to say that the Peak doesn't have much to offer. The tour took them deeper into the heart of the Peak, starting from the nerve center of S.W.O.R.D., the command center. Where agents monitor and coordinate missions from Earth from intergalactic dangers. They revisited the hangar where S.W.O.R.D. engineers at work building or repairing space fighters. Some of them are sporting familiar markings of plasma damage. Director Abigail Brand explained that these are salvaged fighters from when Kang retook the Sword of Damocles and left Earth to conquer Remnant. It crippled S.W.O.R.D. operations for months and it is a miracle that no alien invasion occurred while they were rebuilding.

The Peak originally had been built as a prison but had been repurposed as a new headquarters for their operations. Brand took the opportunity to express her apologies on behalf of S.W.O.R.D. for allowing Kang to steal back his vessel and conquer their Remnant. Many of the overhearing engineers and agents grew apologetic. Some of them had looks of anger for the people they'd lost because of the time-traveling conqueror. They assured her that they didn't hold it against anyone and that Kang was to blame for his actions.

Afterward, they continued the tour of the Peak, eager to put thoughts on the topic aside if only for the moment. They visited the laboratories developing cutting-edge technology to be used by S.W.O.R.D. personnel. Various researchers bustling around working on different projects. One is working on a plant that didn't appear to be registered on any native flora on Earth.

Ruby's favorite part of the tour is the armory. Rows and rows of shelves on the wall holding various munitions. The starstruck Ruby bounced around, looking at the various weapons and loudly explaining their specs. It took her teammates to reign her in. Brand can only shake her head in amusement. Unlike what they were expecting, most of the weapons still used bullets. The quartermaster, Duncan, explains that it's much cheaper to produce and transport than any advanced weapon. Especially when that money can go to important things now like conducting repairs.

"If you're thinking of comparing us to Men in Black, don't. We're better," Brand explains as they walk through a sleek corridor. The director of S.W.O.R.D. carries herself with an air of professionalism. "The grandeur of the Peak is matched only by its technological marvels. Most of our tech comes from contracts with Stark Industries, Future Foundation, the Pym van Dyne Foundation, NASA, and Space X. Everything in the Peak is powered by an arc reactor system."

"An Arc Reactor?" Weiss asked in curiosity. "I thought Tony didn't share his arc reactor technology with anyone because of the potential misuse. Even the Iron Man technology isn't meant for military application. He said that it would lead to an arms race that would put the Cold War to shame."

"That's not true. Horizon High has an arc reactor," Ruby points out. When everyone's eyes are on her, she turns red in embarrassment from the attention. "Max showed it to me during my orientation on my first day. I thought I told you guys about it. He donated it to the school to give highly renewable energy for the entire school."

"Yes, while Stark isn't in the weapons game anymore, we are interested in pure clean energy and medical technology," Brand admitted. "He understands that we can protect Earth too. It did make him feel better that not even our best scientists could replicate the process. If they tried, I do not doubt that they would only end up inviting disaster."

Everybody winced at that last sentence. They'd seen Tony's collection of footage of failed attempts to recreate his armor from other countries. It was disturbing that he kept this collection. Probably to discourage them from attempting to recreate his works. But that did little to no effect as some supervillains and heroes created their armor. Like their friend Riri who managed to create her own set of Iron Man armor to become Ironheart and one of Iron Man's villains, Ivan Antonovich Vanko who became the villain Whiplash.

"But even with Stark's abstinence on military tech, we have our share of engineering specialists. We have advanced energy shields and defense weapons systems to protect the Peak from not only a possible alien invasion fleet but cosmic radiation. The last part I'm thankful for so that it won't encourage people to see if they can develop powers like the Fantastic Four."

"Has that ever happened?" Yang asked. Brand looked at her, her eyes hard behind her sunglasses.

"A few times with a bunch of stupid rookies doing a stupid dare," Brand said grimly. "Took us a while to stamp it out."

Director Brand led them to the elevator. Once they were inside, she pressed the holographic button. They've been on it a few times and it's a marvel that they didn't feel any movement from the elevator. The only telltale sign is the screen behind them that displays the elevator movements. It shows how far S.W.O.R.D. put into the building of the Peak. It stopped at a floor labeled Earth Immigration and Customs.

When the doors opened again, they walked into an area buzzing with activity. It is a wide spacious and well-lit room packed with people. They are organized into separate lines. S.W.O.R.D. agents stood behind reception counters operating holographic displays. Some are operating advanced scanning and identification systems, and checking baggage and items. One flashed red and an overseeing agent took out the flagged object that looked suspiciously like grapefruit.

But there weren't just humans in the room. So are aliens. Actual aliens in the room, standing in line at the reception. Some had Equidae features and some looked like blue-skinned elves with mohawks. Despite being different species, there is something of a welcoming atmosphere in the room that makes them relaxed. They spoke with the S.W.O.R.D. agents, and sometimes they spoke in a different language. If it weren't for their universal translators, they have no doubt they would be hearing something different.

"Welcome to Earth. What is the nature of your visit?"

"Lunch."

"How long will you be staying?"

"We're going to have to check your bag."

"Over here we have immigration and customs," Brand explains. "Ever since we discovered that we weren't alone in the universe, we popped up on the radar of every spacefaring civilization in the galaxy. The last thing we want is to start an intergalactic war. So, we set up immigration and customs. Upon arrival at the Peak, visitors would be directed here for processing. Like an airport, they and their belongings undergo an inspection in case they bring potentially hazardous or prohibited items. Some of our visitors may look human but they're from different planets like Xandar and in your case Remnant. They are given a summary of specific protocols established by S.W.O.R.D. that they must adhere to for the duration of their stay. Once processing is done, they are escorted to Earth."

"What sort of protocols?" Blake asked.

"First and most importantly to keep their true nature under wraps," Brand answered. "While the existence of aliens is public knowledge, humanity wasn't ready to know that yet. Given how we've been invaded three times in a row, there are people on Earth who hold anti-alien views. There have been a few incidents where an alien accidentally outed themselves and a lynch mob is formed. As such, we put any visiting or staying aliens under a special protection program and give them an image inducer and assign a S.W.O.R.D. agent to protect them."

Blake nodded as she quietly dug into this information. Back on Remnant, many faunus like her chose to hide their traits to blend in with humanity. Others would view them with disdain, believing them to be ashamed that they are faunus. But she liked to believe that she hid her faunus traits so that people would look at who she was. Not what she is. But truthfully, it was to escape the prejudice against her race. Hopefully, the time when they don't have to hide will come. Then something occurred to her.

"But wait. We're not from Earth. Wouldn't we be considered illegal immigrants?"

"Don't worry about it," Brand said dismissively. "Fury and I talked about it, and we've given you full Earth Citizenship. We finished your papers before the end of October. We've sent exploratory probes to search for Remnant. Any sign of a planet with a busted ass moon and you'll be the first to know. That goes for anyone else who may have escaped Kang's occupation."

RWBY and JNPR smiled in relief. It is more than enough to know that people are looking for their planet. They hoped it would be soon.

"Wait…is that a Skrull?" Pyrrha suddenly asked while pointing her finger. The rest of her teammates followed her gaze and saw a green reptilian-humanoid standing in front of a line. Other characteristics such as pointed ears, a large chin, and a lack of body hair. They had seen pictures from the Secret Invasion so they knew that they were looking at a Skrull. He is currently standing at the counter, patiently waiting for the Agent to finish sorting through the holographic paperwork.

But the question remained. Why is there a Skrull here? Weren't they driven off Earth after the Secret Invasion?

"Yeah, we have Skrulls coming to Earth," Brand spoke, drawing their attention. "We do a thorough background check on everyone coming to the Peak. We also have Skrull detectors just in case someone tries to pull the wool over our eyes. But don't get the wrong idea. The so-called Skrull Empire is a faction of rogue Skrulls who caved under the pressure of Kree propaganda. Not all of them are accountable for their fellow Skrulls extremism."

"After they destroyed their home planet, Skrullos, for the crime of refusing to submit to their rule," Ren said with a scowl. "Carol told us about it. She said that they painted them as barbarous monsters to obfuscate the fact that they started the Kree-Skrull War against them unprovoked."

Ren clenched his fists in anger. Nora grasped his hands, hoping to comfort him. Everyone shared that reaction when Carol told them the truth about the Kree-Skrull War. It was horrifying, to say the least. She's still trying to find a new planet for the scattered Skrull race.

"If Carol told you the story, then she must've told you about Mar-Vell," Brand said calmly. "He's one of the few Kree who didn't buy into the crap they're spewing and tried to find them a new home planet out of sight of the Kree Empire. If it weren't for his sacrifice, we wouldn't have our mightiest hero. Nor would we have his son to thank for helping put an end to the Secret Invasion. As well as the Kree Invasion."

"Wait…Mar-Vell has a son?" Ruby asked in surprise.

"Yep. He is the child of Mar-Vell and Anelle. A Kree soldier and a Skrull princess. When Skrullos got blown up, Princess Anelle's nursemaid fled to Earth of all places. He was raised to be a human until she told him about his heritage. I do not doubt that you'll run into him eventually. He's one of the younger members of Avengers."

"He is?" Jaune asked with surprise. "We never knew or met the guy."

"You should ask around for him. Anyway, he rallied the Skrull's sympathy to Earth and resisted the Skrull empire. He even reached out to sympathetic to the Skrull's plight. Now most Kree and Skrulls view this planet as a chance to get away from the Kree-Skrull war. Hopefully, this alliance can prove instrumental in ending the war for good. Most ended up making a home for themselves here. Some even joined S.W.O.R.D. just so they could get a chance at Earth citizenship. Or take the easy option and marry somebody on Earth."

"Is that why your hair is green?" Nora asked pointing to Director Brands' hair. Brand nods as she subconsciously twirls her ponytail.

"Yep. I'm half-alien from my father's side. Never found out what species he was," Brand answered. They watched as the Skull walked to a different line, a S.W.O.R.D. uniform neatly folded into his hands. Then she turned on her heel to walk back to the elevator. Immediately, team RWBY and JNPR followed her. When they stepped inside, Brand pressed a button. To the Remnant teen's confusion, a window popped up asking for a retinal scan, a handprint scan, and a code phrase.

"Alpha-Beta-Indiana-Golf-Alpha-Indiana-Lima," Brand spoke aloud. The window flashes green as it disappears. The director turns toward the Remnantians, her gaze sharp as flint and her voice becoming serious. "The last part of our tour will be as important as your life. The only people allowed through here are usually people with the highest level 10 clearance. The only reason you're allowed is because you are with the Avengers. Under penalty of imprisonment, do you swear to keep what you see to yourselves?"

Everyone gulped at the weight of those words. It's painfully clear that what they're about to see isn't for anyone's eyes. Especially with the threat of imprisonment.

"We promise we won't tell anyone," Ruby said quickly. "But should you have spoken the code out loud?"

"I change every hour. Standard procedure," Brand said casually as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. It took everyone else a few seconds to follow the S.W.O.R.D. director.

"Alright, let's see what the fuss is—what the hell?" Yang exclaimed slowly, her eyes becoming as wide as dinner plates.

Everyone has similar reactions to what they're looking at. The place they entered looked as if it belonged to a mad scientist's lab. There are rows of cylindrical tanks with something suspended on green fluid inside. Upon closer look, they knew almost immediately that the people were Skrulls. But some of them appear to be amalgamations of other heroes.

"This is a maximum-security containment wing," Abigail began. "This specialized section is specifically designed to hold and isolate dangerous aliens. Especially these Skrulls. They gave us a lot of trouble when they invaded. I'm sure they seem familiar to you as they didn't just copy the powers of Earth's Mightiest Heroes."

They approached the center of the room. Sitting at a set of monitors is a raven-haired woman dressed in a red and yellow suit and mask. When she heard the approaching group, she stood up and walked towards them. The boy's cheeks became tinged with red when they noticed how much was highlighted with her form-fitting suit.

"Director Brand. A pleasure for you to visit this dark place of the Peak," she said. To the Remnantian teens, she extends a yellow-gloved hand. "You must be the teens that the Avengers sent over. I'm Agent Jessica Drew. Spider-Woman. A pleasure to meet you and welcome to the Peak. I look forward to working with you."

"T-The pleasure is ours," Jaune stammered out, his eyes more focused on her chest than her face. Even Ren couldn't get a word out. Seeing this, Pyrrha and Nora immediately covered their eyes and led them away. Blake snapped her fingers in front of a mesmerized Yang. Her partner sheepishly averted her gaze.

"I know. I'm told that it can't be helped," Jessica assured them with a small smile in understanding. "It's my pheromones. My body produces them to make men and women attracted to me. Unfortunately, I still can't fully control it, so I use perfume to correct it."

"That must make you popular," Weiss comments dryly while Ruby perked up her head.

"Spider-Woman?" Ruby asked curiously. "Are you by any chance related to Spider-Man?"

"Oh, heavens no," Jessica shook her head with a light chuckle. "We may share the Spider name and have similar powersets, but we're just friends. He helped me out with some personal troubles a while back."

"Ruby nodded as that exactly sounded like her friend. Meanwhile, Weiss is looking at the Skrulls, realization creeping on her face when she remembers details of the Secret Invasion. "So, these Skrulls. Are they by any chance…?"

"Yes, these are the Super Skrulls," Jessica confirmed, giving the tanks a baleful glare. "These guys gave us a lot of trouble during the Secret Invasion if their shapeshifting abilities weren't bad enough. It is the cultivation of Skrull sorcery and science. When the Skrulls reared their ugly heads, they served as their Empire's elite shock troops, infiltrators, and special operatives."

That confirmed their fears about the place and why the heavy security. The Avengers had told them about how not only these types of Skrulls able were to change their appearance, but also replicate their powers. There was one who had all the powers of the Fantastic Four. They even made one who impersonated Captain America and nearly got the planet to surrender to the Skrull Empire.

"They are too dangerous to be let out, so we keep them confined here," Brand said. "The fluid they're swimming around in provides them with the necessary nutrients. If they managed to escape, the only entrance was the elevator we walked out of. And if anyone tries to exit, they're in for a surprise. Wakanda was kind enough to lend us vibranium to reinforce the wing."

"If they ever get out, I will be waiting for them," Jessica growled. Turning on her heel, she walks back to her seat and sits on it.

"She doesn't hold Skrulls in high regard, does she?" Yang asked under her breath to Director Brand.

"Who wouldn't after being one of the unlucky few to be abducted and replaced by the Skrulls?" Brand asked rhetorically. "The Skrull Queen, Veranke, impersonated her while she was imprisoned, and her action messed up her life. Even after they swapped situations, the people still think of her as the Skrull Queen. It's getting better, but it left a scar on Agent Drew's mind. That's the Skrull Queen over there. Still dressed in Drew's clothing."

The Remnantians followed her finger to a tank containing a female Skrull. Sure enough, she is dressed in an outfit like Jessica's. They noticed that now and then, Jessica would throw an ugly look at the tank. Looking at her made them feel glad she was getting a taste of the hell they put Jessica through. Among other victims she and her followers.

"The reason she joined S.W.O.R.D. was so she can get the chance to kick Skrull's ass. This mindset makes it hard for her to get along with the Skrull agents," Brand said before she dropped her voice into a whisper. "Whatever you do, make sure you never accuse her of being a Skrull. It will never end well for you."

"Thanks for the warning," Jaune said nervously, looking back at the Spider-Woman. His eyes never left her until Pyrrha turned his head a little too forcibly.

Director Brand addresses Jessica, "Agent Drew, keep in mind that Agent Rambeau will be coming to relieve you of your shift shortly. Make sure you take your mandatory leave. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," Jessica responded without looking over her shoulder. Brand stared at the back of her head for a moment before making her way back to the elevator. Taking it as a message to leave, the Remantians followed her. Nora and Pyrrha had to drag the boys along. Ruby gave a sympathetic look at Jessica before following her teammates to the elevator.

"While you are training here, you will be charged with helping guard the Super-Skrulls," Brand said as she pressed the button for another floor. "I will admit that I'm relieved to have more superpowered muscle on duty. If any of those Super Skrulls get out, there is no telling the amount of casualties we will expect. So, while you are training with us, you will be expected to assist us by taking shifts. Please look forward to that."

"We will. It would be shameful if we allowed such a thing to happen on our watch," Weiss said with a nod of her head. Everyone shared her conviction and set their determined face. Brand accepted this as the elevator stopped.

"I trust that you'll find your way back to your assigned living quarters?" Brand asked. Everyone nodded as they stepped off the elevator. Blake was the last one out before Brand spoke in a low tone only, she could hear, "Ms. Belladonna, a quick word?"

Blake looks back at the S.W.O.R.D. director in surprise. Yang noticed her partner not following and looked back with a look of concern. The cat faunus looked back at her partner and waved her hand. Knowing that she'd catch up, the blonde brawler walked away with the rest of their friends.

"Yes, Director Brand?"

"It won't take long. I just wanted to confirm something. Fury once told me about your encounter with Mister Sinister. A comic book character from the popular 'X-Men' comic series. Someone who shouldn't exist. Am I right?"

"Yes, and I still remember being abducted by him and his Marauders," Blake said with a frown. "If it weren't for Deadpool, I would've been another one of his lab rats given what I've read about him. It may be a guy who decided to masquerade as an X-Men villain…but I'm not so sure."

"Yet we live in a world where the impossible can be possible," Brand said. Then she leaned forward and whispered, "I don't usually tell anyone this but let you on a secret…I'm a mutant on my mother's side. I have the X-gene to prove it."

Amber eyes became wide as she stared at the S.W.O.R.D. director, looking for any signs of deception. Brand's face remained serious and unchanging. She held up her hand and with a snap of a finger, a green flame ignited at her fingertips. Then the elevator doors closed, cutting them off. It took a few seconds for Blake to take off after her friends, a new eagerness in her step.

[~]

Manhattan, New York

A cold wind howled through the streets of New York City as Loki, the God of Mischief, strolled through the metropolis in the dead of night. His eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of his long-awaited brother, Thor. It had been several days since his escape from imprisonment, and he was eager to draw Thor's attention away from interfering with Surtur's plans.

Loki's presence was no accident. He deliberately walked in plain view, hoping that his actions would catch the attention of Heimdall's watchful gaze. The tall buildings cast long shadows over him as he weaved through the streets, a mischievous smile playing on his lips knowing that Heimdall could see him regardless. He's counting on the guardian of the Bifrost to see him.

In the distance, he could make out Avengers Tower. A cursed testament to his humiliating defeat against his brother and his allies, the Avengers. If it weren't for them, he would've been ruling Midgard, massing an army to take on Asgard overthrow Odin a wrest control over the Nine Realms. He should have known better than to rely on the Chitauri. There's a reason that they are considered the worst army in the galaxy.

Loki stopped walking as he found a place to await his opponent. He arrived at a place the Midgardians call Times Square. A central hub is full of theatres, music halls, and upscale hotels. It's a place to gather to await great tidings and to celebrate them. Briefly, he wondered what their reaction would be if he suddenly announced the upcoming twilight. But he dismissed it as quickly as he could. Even he wasn't that cruel.

As his eyes scanned a nearby restaurant, he felt his stomach growl in hunger. If there's one thing about Midgard, he's going to miss it is the cuisine. He found the mortal cuisine vastly more exciting than the Asgardian counterpart. Most involved simply roasting a boar on a spit. It was a refreshing change of pace when he tried his first Midgardian breakfast meats of bacon and sausage. Whenever he had the chance, he would take the opportunity to learn their culinary secrets and apply them for himself. The prince of lies had to admit, he could open a restaurant if he wanted to with his skills.

He's broken out of his thoughts when he feels a presence. A skill that is honed battle after battle alongside his adopted family. Loki let out a smirk as he knew his quarry had arrived. Just ahead of him, an armored figure is making his way towards him. His hand drifted to the hilt of his weapon. He felt a cold sensation come over his fingers as if he was anticipating the fight about to commence.

But he was in for a shock. As the man came close, he realized that it wasn't Thor who had come for him, but another adopted brother—Balder Odinson. He'd recognize the armor of Asgard's bravest warrior anywhere. Loki's eyebrows raised in mild astonishment, but he quickly composed himself, realizing that Baldur's arrival might prove to be an intriguing twist of fate. With a smug smirk, Loki spoke, his voice dripping with cunning.

"Ah, Balder the Brave, how nice to see you," Loki said, his tone laced with feigned surprise. "Perhaps you are the one who should face me today. After all, your bravery and resilience have always been commendable. Let me guess, a little bird told you where I was? You always had a thing with animals."

Balder's expression hardened as he stared back at Loki, determination etched into his features. "Loki, your treachery ends here," Balder declared, his voice carrying a resolute edge.

Right to the chase. In a dramatic flourish, Loki produced the mistletoe arrow that had once brought Balder to the brink of death. He held it aloft, the deadly weapon catching the glimmers of moonlight. Immediately, Balder is on his guard. But Loki just laughed.

"Oh, don't be so tense, dear brother," Loki taunted, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he tossed the arrow away. "I could easily end you with a single strike, but today I have other plans in mind."

He tosses the arrow away. The tension between them grew cold and palpable as Loki continued to speak, drawing his as he did so. Frost appeared on the blue blade. "Instead, I will use you as a practice dummy for my new weapon. I call it Fimbulwinter. A sword forged by the dwarves of Nidavellir and infused with the essence of a thousand killing winters. Courtesy of the Casket of Ancient Winters. Together, we shall witness the chilling onset of Ragnarök."

Balder's resolve hardened, his gaze unwavering. This confirmed the Allfather's suspicions. He knew that he had to stop Loki, no matter the cost. With a swift motion, he drew his sword, Svarden, its polished blade giving off a white glow. With a battle cry, he charged at the god of mischief. His brother ran to meet him, bringing up Fimbulwinter. The clash of their blades echoed through the streets, resonating with power and purpose.

As Loki and Balder clashed, the elements of light and ice erupted around them, swirling in a mesmerizing dance. The air grew colder, and frost formed on the surfaces nearby. Sparkles of light filled the area like fireworks. The heat of the light melted away the gathering frost at the warrior's feet.

Balder had to admit that Loki's swordsmanship was on full display. He blocked and parried his strikes blow for blow. He could feel the cold from a thousand killing winters coming from the sword. Thank the Allfather for the warmth of Svarden. What he lacked in strength, he made up for it with speed and agility. Dancing around his strikes, Loki made quick thrusts with Fimbulwinter that struck his armor's weak spots. If it weren't for the blessing of his father, he had no doubt he would be freezing or bleeding.

As they continued to fight, Balder noticed that he made no effort to use his illusions or sorcery. It has always been his forte. Nor has he made any effort to use the mistletoe arrow nearby. Surely, he knew that it was the only thing that could harm him. He played a role in his first death with it. He is using him as a practice dummy to get a grasp of this new frost sword of his. Not just toy with him until he's satisfied.

"Even if I were to fail, there are still others who will come, brother," Balder declared. "Asgard's greatest warriors come to stop you including Thor. Ragnarök will never begin!"

"Have you forgotten, brother?" Loki asked with a sardonic grin. "YOUR death is the beginning of Ragnarök!"

Their battle raged on, each strike resonating with the weight of their shared history and the impending twilight of the gods. The streets of New York City became a battleground, the sleeping mortals oblivious to the epic clash of powers taking place before their very eyes. As the battle progressed, dark grey clouds began to cover the sky, threatening to obscure the moon. From the sky came the first snowfall in November.

The fabled Fimbulwinter had begun to envelop Midgard, its icy grip tightening with each passing moment.

[~]

November 19, 7:00 UST

The Peak

Geosynchronous Orbit, Earth

Teams RWBY and JNPR are woken up by the blaring alarm and flashing red lights. Groggily, they sat up from their bunks. They are dressed in sleepwear.

"That's an awful way of waking us up," Yang groaned, rubbing the sleep dust out of her eyes.

"Well, this happens to be a military organization," Weiss says as she stretches her arms. "This must be the bugle call for them to wake up for morning roll call."

"Well, they could've lowered the volume…"

"Is it just me or is it really cold in here?" Jaune asked as he shuddered. Now that he mentioned it, the room seems to be cold. Too cold for their liking. Just by breathing out, they could see the water vapor.

"Maybe they forgot to turn on the heat?" Ruby suggested but she was uncertain.

"Hey! Look out the window! Earth is one massive snowball!" Nora cried out as she pressed her face against the window. The others gathered around to see what had shocked their teammate.

As they peer out from the windows of their room, the once vibrant and verdant planet below is transformed into a frigid, icy landscape. A blanket of snow and ice covers the Earth, stretching as far as the eye can see. The landmasses that were once teeming with life and color are now subdued under a layer of frost, their natural beauty hidden beneath the wintry veil. The oceans, no longer their deep blue hue, are frozen over, forming vast expanses of gleaming ice. The waves that once crashed against the shores have been silenced, locked in icy stillness. The atmosphere above Earth is crisp and clear, with the air carrying a sense of biting cold and stillness. They could make out swirling tempests of snow and wind, limiting their visibility in other places.

"I-It wasn't like that last night," Weiss muttered.

"No shit! What the hell happened?" Yang demanded. Then they backed away as the window became covered in frost.

"Let's get dressed and get to the bridge," Ruby ordered. "Maybe someone up there knows what's going on."

The Remnantian teens immediately got dressed out of their sleepwear. When they exited their living quarters, they found S.W.O.R.D. personnel running past them. The elevator ride was nearly cramped as they had to share with S.W.O.R.D. agents coming to the bridge.

When they arrived at their destination, they found the bridge abuzz with activity. On holographic screens are windows displaying the cities and structures on the Earth's surface. They are transformed into frozen, ethereal landscapes. Buildings, trees, and man-made structures are adorned with delicate icicles, their features softened and shimmering under the pale light. Streets and roads are covered in thick layers of snow, with no signs of movement or activity.

"We believe the origin point to be somewhere in New York City," Brand said to a holographic projection of Nick Fury. "That was all we could get before we got interference on our instruments."

"I'm sending a team of agents to investigate," Fury declared. "The president has already signed Directive 51. I'm coordinating with them as we speak. This must be the fastest he's signed it in his term. Our agents on the ground are attempting to restore law and order but it's getting worse by the minute."

"Let's hope we can get this mess cleaned up before we reach the worst of Operation Dark Winter," Brand said before she noticed the Remnantian teens. "RWBY and JNPR. Good. This isn't exactly what I had in mind for your training with us."

"We noticed. What's going on?" Weiss asked. The S.W.O.R.D. director grunted and gestured to the globe of snow.

"As you can see, Earth has become enveloped in one massive blizzard," Brand explains. "It's disrupted transportation systems, severely impacted agriculture areas and the city infrastructures. It's thanks to our technology that we're able to receive communications but we still must deal with interference. Which is getting worse by the minute."

Her tone became serious. "I don't need a degree in meteorology to tell you that this is not natural."

The Remnantians narrowed their eyes. There seems to be only one conclusion that can be drawn. Yang growled out, "You mean it was made? What asshole would cause a world-wide winter?"

"We're still working on that. There's nothing definitive but we will find out what happened," Fury said. His image flickered, making him growl in frustration. "Damn it! The interference is getting worse. I got a report on sightings of giant blue men. That ties to reports of casualties I'm getting. Both civilian and S.H.I.E.L.D."

The air grew heavy at those words. Jaune asked, "How many?"

"We're still tallying the dead, but the number isn't pretty," Fury said.

"What about those giant blue men? Do we know anything about them?" Blake asked.

"Nothing. We don't have much to go by. That's going to be the first to change," Fury declared. "In the meantime, I need you to stay with Director Brand at the Peak."

"Wait, we're not coming down there?" Yang asked.

"No, you are not," Fury confirmed much to her and her teammate's consternation. "S.W.O.R.D. is still recovering from Kang's attack and Earth is vulnerable thanks to this winter. What little ships they have left are being used to help with supply runs. We need you on standby in case there's an alien power seeking to exploit this opportunity."

"But we can't just stand here and do nothing!" Ren protested. At that moment, everything went dark. The lights went out causing several cries of surprise among the S.W.O.R.D. staff. After a few seconds, the power came back as well as the lights.

"You're not going to do nothing," Brand declared firmly. She pointed at the window, "That blizzard isn't just affecting the Earth. Somehow, it's affecting the Peak. It's affecting the power grid, the solar arrays, and the radiators and we have aliens whose species won't be able to handle the drop in temperature. And let's not forget about the Super Skrulls if they aren't frozen. I don't think I need to tell you what would happen if this station fell into anarchy."

Team RWBY's and JNPR's frustration faded away at those words. As if punctuating her words, frost gathered on the station's windows and walls. They realized that there were people who needed help here too. Especially if the Super Skrulls got loose and tried to make a break for it. Ruby stepped forward.

"What would you have us do?" Ruby asked. Brand whips out a tablet and hands it to her.

"These are tasks that need to be done. Some of my agents are requesting help in their departments. We're getting word that some visitors are causing a fuss that could escalate into a riot. Then there are power outages in several wings that need maintenance. I informed them beforehand that you would be coming. They'll show you the ropes. I'll leave it to you to decide who gets to do what."

Ruby took the tablet. She looked at her teammates who nodded their consent. They peered over her shoulder to look at which tasks they could take. Every so often, they would look back at Earth. Brand noticed this and reassured them.

"And don't worry about what's happening on Earth. We already have the best people on the ground."

[~]

Midtown Manhattan, New York

Clint Barton wasn't sure what they did to deserve this.

In their defense, all they did was hold a meeting last night. Nothing harmful, just to discuss what to do with Loki and what he's planning among other things. Thor joined in via long-distance communication from Asgard. The prince of thunder looked to be weary from fending off Fire Demon invasions across the World Tree. Once the founding Avengers are accounted for, they begin the meeting. Starting with Loki. Knowing him, he's most likely going to be pulling another attempt to take over the Nine Realms, again. The question is how.

The archer offered his ten cents suggesting that he could be raising another army. Just like when he and more got brainwashed before the Chitauri invasion. And how he usurped Odin's power and used it to rule the Nine Realms unopposed. Nobody disputed the possibility. Then Thor told them that his brother, Balder, had been sent by Odin to investigate a possible Loki sighting. If it is him, he'll let Thor know and he'll be there before his Father could send him somewhere else. When asked about the Loki sighting, Thor answered that Balder didn't tell him. Likely Odin forbade him from telling him much to his consternation.

Balder as it turns out isn't the only lead. They got word from Doctor Strange that he received a message about a meeting at the Bar With No Doors. The message said that the sender may have seen Loki and asked their brother to build something for him. It mentioned the Casket of Ancient Winters, one of the artifacts stolen from Odin's Vault. The sorcerer supreme promised Thor that he would keep him informed and help him in retrieving the Casket before it fell into the wrong hands.

Tony said that he and Bruce have already completed a few anti-magic devices thanks to the Sands of Nisanti to use against Loki. A grenade that disperses the sands. A device that makes an electromagnetic pulse for magic users. He even made a directional version so that there would be no friendly fire. Handcuffs that prevent a sorcerer from using their magic while restrained. But even without them, they'll be able to see through his illusions through advanced sensors. Whatever Loki has planned, they'll be ready for them.

Putting the topic aside for now, Steve put forward a motion to restructure the Avengers into different teams. With so many members with a diverse range of skills and abilities, it seemed like they could handle anything, but the problem was that there was too much power. And it's wasted on only beating foes into submission. Something that could be exploited by any wise opponent such as Loki and the Enchantress. By forming specialized teams, the Avengers will be able to maximize the potential of each member and improve their versatility.

When Tony asked why nobody had done that before, Cap pointed out that they were short on members after the Civil War. It limited their efficiency and by the time they dealt with one threat, another would be well past with civilian casualties. Now that they've recruited a lot of members, they can ensure that they can respond more swiftly and effectively to various threats. Each team would be led by a founding Avenger and who they recruit would be up to them from a select pool of candidates. For example, Tony can lead a team that specializes in technological threats and Nat can deal with operations that require stealth and infiltration.

To hear that Captain America is willing to surrender command came as a surprise. The living legend didn't like the idea of consolidating power in a single individual. Something he experienced during World War II. He emphasized shared leadership among the Avengers. Each team leader would have autonomy and decision-making authority within their team, ensuring that power is distributed more evenly. Regular communication and collaboration between the team leaders would be encouraged to maintain unity and coordination.

There are also mechanisms for accountability and oversight that can be built within the organization. This could include regular team meetings, debriefings, and assessments of each team's actions and decisions. Holding each team leader accountable for their actions, and having a culture of consensus building and open dialogue, helps prevent any individual from abusing their power or having unchecked authority. Diverse perspectives and expertise are to be considered important in the decision-making process.

When he put it to a vote, nearly everybody raised their hands. Bruce is a little reluctant to handle such a responsibility given the Hulk being more suited to smashing. Clint can't say that he doesn't have doubts about becoming the leader of his team. For as long as he can remember, he spent more of his time shooting arrows and leading a team. Steve pointed out that he's more than qualified and one of the reasons is that everyone has the potential to be a leader. All they need to do is rise to the challenge.

It was right then and there that they suddenly lost the connection to Thor. And by extension the rest of the tower. When backup power came back on, J.A.R.V.I.S. informed them that New York was experiencing an early winter. When they looked outside, they could see the city covered in a blanket of snow. Then Fury called requesting their help in evacuating citizens to the shelter as well.

Within seconds, the assembled Avengers scramble into action. Fury sent them coordinates of distress calls and safehouse locations.

"Clint, we're getting a distress call near your position," J.A.R.V.I.S. spoke in his comms piece.

"I'm almost there," Clint declared as he ran on a snow-covered rooftop. Luckily, Tony had the foresight to develop winter suits for this environment. His is a sleek and practical ensemble designed to provide both protection and style. With a form-fitting silhouette in a white and purple color scheme, the suit exudes an air of stealth and blends into the wintry surroundings. Textured panels resembling frost or ice adorn the fabric, adding a visually striking winter-themed aesthetic. The suit came with a fitted fur-lined hood with a partial face mask, ensuring warmth while allowing clear visibility through Hawkeye's eyes. A utility belt with pouches and a quiver of trick arrows completes the ensemble, while subtle LED lighting elements enhance visibility in darker environments.

Jumping to the next rooftop, he cast a glance at the snowy cityscape. It is baffling to see how New York came like this in the dead of night. He had seen many crazy things in this line of work before. Yet he went through something like this. He wasn't sure where or when. But he pushed those thoughts aside as he focused on his mission. The suit only mitigates the loss of body heat. That applies to whoever sent that distress call. Unless they have a source of heat, they will be dead from the cold. He had to get them to the shelter.

Hawkeye skidded to a stop and overlooked an apartment building. The entrance is blocked off with snow and ice. There was no getting in through there. His eyes traveled up to the top of the building. Pulling out a grappling arrow and using it to pull himself up to the roof. The wind buffeted against him as the line pulled but he held on for dear life until he reached the edge and grasped it.

Once he pulled himself up, he looked for an entryway of some kind. Brushing away the snow, he found a hatch. But to his annoyance, the hatch is frozen shut. From his quiver, he pulled out an arrow that Tony made for this situation, an Icebreaker. Not metaphorically speaking. He stabbed it into the hatch and backed away. He pressed a button on his bow. The arrowhead blew up with enough force to break the ice and slightly dent the hatch.

Satisfied with his work, he opened the hatch. Putting his foot down on the first rung, he climbed down the ladder. The wood creaked under his feet as he landed on the balls of his feet. Suddenly he heard another creak coming from behind him. Immediately, he whipped out an arrow and knocked it on his bow. Years of practice and experience made the process seconds to complete. It's like second nature to him.

But he lowered it the second he saw there was no threat. Rather, it was a little girl who looked no older than ten, peeking out from behind a doorway. She wasn't the only person looking at him. Out from the apartment doors, the tenants are peering out at him. Some of them had looks of fear on their faces. Others are shivering from the cold. Some of them, mostly children, lighten up when they see who he is.

"Hey! It's Hawkeye!"

"Really?"

"Are you sure? He looks different."

"Hello everyone. Sorry for the scare," Clint said placatingly as he put away his arrow. "The Avengers are assisting with evacuation efforts. I'm here to help escort you to the nearest shelter for your safety. That of course means a free pass to Avengers Tower. Food and warmth is waiting."

That got some excitement out of the kids. They ran to their parents and started begging them to go with him to Avengers Tower. Points can go to PR for turning the Tower into a popular tourist attraction. Although most of it would have to go to Tony. Whenever there's good press, he gets to look like a movie star. Him? He gets thrown to the wolves.

"Can you bring us there?" A mother asked. Clint nodded.

"That's what I'm here for," Clint confirmed. "Is this everyone? I want to make sure no one is left behind when I signal for pick up."

"There's still people trapped in the lower floors," a man spoke up. "There's no power in the elevator so we tried to use the stairs. But they're sealed shut from the ice. That goes for the emergency exits and the windows to the fire escape. It's getting colder and we don't know how much longer we can take."

Clint frowned at those implications. He put a hand to his comms and asked, "J.A.R.V.I.S. can you detect anyone else inside the building?"

"I'm afraid the storm is interfering with my sensors. But I am detecting faint signals of life signs in the building. Hands-on approach advised."

"Looks like we're going to do this the hard way then. I'm going to go gather everyone else. Stay here," Clint declares as he makes his way across the hall. He passed by the elevator. Sure enough, frost has completely covered the doors, sealing them shut. The bow-slinger wasn't even going to try calling for it. Approaching the door to the stairway, he knocked on it.

"If you can hear me over there take a step back, I'm about to blow it off its hinges," Clint ordered. There was no reply, but he hoped that they heard his warning. That warning is repeated to the other tenants. Taking a few steps back, the archer pulled out another Icebreaker arrow and knocked it on his bow. He shot the arrow at the door and detonated it. The frozen door broke into splinters from the small explosive.

At once, Hawkeye began going through the building looking for more civilians. Any frozen obstacle in his path, he broke open with an Icebreaker. He went from floor to floor, directing civilians to go to the top floor. The closer he got to the ground floor, the colder it got. Thankfully, the tenants are wearing winter clothing. He made sure to tell them not to sit down as the ground was colder and sap away their body heat. If they stay here, they could catch hypothermia.

Once he double-checked the ground floor, he ran back to the top floor. The top-floor tenants have made room for the ones who migrated from below. They were checking the children, making sure they were warm. That sight brought a smile to Clint's face.

"I'm going to send up a signal flare," Clint tells the tenants. "Stay here until I tell you that it is clear."

Once he confirmed that they were going to stay put, he climbed up the ladder to the rooftop. The biting cold wind greeted him by blowing against his face. It seemed to be dying down a bit but not enough. Pulling a flare arrow from his quiver, he shot it into the sky. The arrow ignited in a burning red as it hovered in the sky.

"Hawkeye, your signal has been confirmed. A helicopter is inbound to your position."

"Thank you J.A.R.V.I.S.," Clint said with a smile. When communications fail, they can still use flares. But his relief quickly faded when the next words from J.A.R.V.I.S blared in his ear.

"WARNING! Incoming Hostile!"

Instantly Clint was on guard as he looked around for the hostile J.A.R.V.I.S. alerted him to. Despite the almost lack of light, there is a shadow that comes over him. Slowly, he turned around to see a gigantic blue six-pack and an animal skin vest. His eyes followed it upward just in time to see a gigantic head staring back with red eyes. Hanging around his neck is a necklace of gigantic bones.

"Stay inside!" Hawkeye yelled at the top of his lungs as he drew an arrow. Right in front of him, the giant is raising his hand to squash him like a bug. The bow-slinger almost wished Scott were here. No, he wished Scott was here. He could use a giant right about now. If that brute smashes down on this apartment building, there will be massive civilian casualties. That cannot happen.

So, it is fortunate that he picked the right arrow for the job. The tip of the arrow has the word 'Pym' engraved in red. After considering the windspeed and trajectory, he let the arrow loose. It whistled through the air and struck the giant in the forehead. Almost instantly, the giant vanished. But Clint knew better as he walked towards the edge. Over the howling wind, he could make out the shrunken giants crying out in anger and disbelief.

"Well, that was easy," Clint muttered. Hopefully, the helo will arrive before the giant can try to come up and get revenge for his predicament. Yet, as if the universe decided to toy with him, he found himself picked up by giant-sized fingers. Clint felt his feet dangling in the air as he was lifted by another giant who glared at him with burning red eyes.

"I don't suppose you're not the man-eating type?" Clint asked all too calmly. The giant's answer is to roar in his face. He felt the cold breath and almost frozen spittle blow past his face. "So can I take that as a no?"

The giant opened his mouth. At that moment, he felt the hum of an engine and a hand pull him from the giant's grasp. The owner of the hand put him on the seat of a Sky-Cycle. As the stranger drives the cycle away from the giant, they pull back the fur-line hood of their coat. Blonde hair flew in his face as the stranger turned around with a smirk.

"Hey babe. You forgot that you had a Sky-Cycle…and you didn't tell your new friend that I'm the only one who can bite you."

He recognized the voice anywhere. Bobbi Morse, also known as Mockingbird. Scientist. Superhero. Spy. A wonderful wife. Dr. Barbara Morse is the only woman he knew who could be all the above. They worked together back in S.H.I.E.L.D. back when she was involved with Project: Gladiator, a S.H.I.E.L.D.-backed initiative aimed at recreating the Super Soldier Serum. Back then she was known as Agent 19. At one point they fell in love and got married. However, it got ugly when there was a hit squad sent after her. To save her life, she's been injected with the formula, making her a super soldier. She decided to retire from S.H.I.E.L.D. so Fury excluded her from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files and set up a farmhouse in Iowa where they could live off-the-grid under the alias Laura Barton. However, with the chaos of being caught up with the Avengers and the Civil War, Secret Invasion, the Kree Invasion, and the Infinity War she didn't stay retired for long.

"When we were talking about our winter plans, I did not account for a city-wide blizzard," Bobbi said with a chuckle. "Or baby blue giants."

"Too light. They're most likely either azure, navy or even berry," Clint refuted, looking at the giant who roared at them. "I think he may have heard us."

"Good," Bobbi replied nonchalantly. Clint just rolled his eyes at his wife. This is why she earned her codename Mockingbird. Always mocking her enemies even in battle. That is part of why he married her.

"Can you take the controls?" Bobbi asked. Without waiting, Hawkeye reached around her and grasped the handles. He dove into the Sky Cycle just in time to avoid a swipe from the giant. He roared at them like they were annoying flies. While he evades the giant strikes, Bobbi pulls out two hollow steel-alloy poles she calls battle staves. When she combines them, a spear tip forms out on both ends.

"I saw you shrink that giant earlier," Bobbi says as her mask calculates the trajectory of her javelin she is now raising despite the turbulence. "Do you happen to have any blue Pym particles with you?"

"I do," Clint replies, guessing as to what she has in mind.

"Shall we see how fast you can nail my javelin in this winter wonderland?" Mockingbird asks as, without warning, throws her weapon at the giant. A weapon would seem like a toothpick to the Giant and would cause little to no annoyance. But already, Hawkeye drew an arrow with Pym engraved in blue at the tip and shot it.

The bow-slinger's aim struck true. In mid-air, the javelin grew to a colossal size. The gigantic spear pierced the giant where the heart is. The giant coughed up blood, hands reaching out towards the two heroes before he came crashing down on the street. The life in his eyes faded as they landed near the body.

"And the giant came tumbling down," Bobbi quipped. "David should be considered a role model for the kids."

"He's been a role model ever since the Book of Samuel was written," Clint pointed out. Up above, he saw, a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk had landed on the rooftop. Most likely it was waiting for the threat to be neutralized before rescuing the civilians. He saw a few kids pointing down at them. He and his wife waved back at them as they boarded the helicopter, and it flew away to bring them to safety.

"By the way. Nat told me that you are going to lead your team," Bobbi brought up. "She also says that you've also had doubts about being a leader."

"It's not an easy decision," Clint admitted. "I don't have Tony's movie star charm or Caps experience. Let's not forget that I get the mob every time we end up looking bad. I've been following orders for most of my career. I'm not sure if it's right for me."

"Hey, every leader starts that way," Bobbi points out, wrapping an arm around his neck intimately. "Not to sound poetic, but leaders aren't born. They are forged in the fires of battle and molded by the people they call friends. Cap wouldn't have selected you if you weren't fit for the job. He knows that he can't always be the only leader on the team. The Avengers fell apart once when Cap was gone. It can't happen again. Not when there are already good people who have the potential. All it takes is the first step and the courage to stay the course."

Hawkeye hummed at the thought of those words.

"Besides, I'm afraid of what would happen if you don't accept the position. The kids are going to be sad that you said no."

"Wait, you told them I accepted?" Clint asked in disbelief. Bobbi gave him a teasing smile. She was joking, of course. The archer groaned as he palms his head. Then Mockingbird became serious.

"Anyway, we better get back to work," Bobbi said as she walked back to the Sky-Cycle. "I got word from Fury that a squad of agents found an interesting weakness to these giants. One of them was carrying a flamethrower and found they were weak to extreme heat. The odd thing is that the bastards started shrinking. But whatever works for me. I packed an extra quiver of trick arrows on the side of the cycle. Most of them are Horton Arrows that the tech heads cooked up."

Clint picked up the quiver in question and pulled out one of the arrows. He knew at first glance that this was designed to burst into flames upon impact. Normally, he would be aghast at using something like this. But given the fact that these giants didn't care about civilians getting caught and the crossfire, or would have most likely been eaten, he can discard that feeling for this emergency.

Replacing his quiver, he climbed to the back of the Sky-Cycle behind Bobbi. The cycle levitated off the ground and accelerated down the street. They passed by the body of the giant.

"Also, I was serious," Bobbi called over the wind. "I told them you accepted."

"I figured."

[~]

Lieutenant Colonel James Rupert Rhodes is thankful for his armor to keep him warm in this weather.

He is also thankful that he has weapons that can share that warmth—in the most offensive way possible. The frigid winds whipped through the desolate streets as he fought valiantly against these relentless giants. Ever since these Giants showed up, they've been attacking indiscriminately. They've smashed buildings just to get their hands on anyone hiding inside. It boiled the blood of every Avenger to watch this happen. And they are more than eager to live up to their name.

War Machine flew up to the giant, deftly evading a spear thrust from the blue brute. Activating his suit flamethrowers, he bathed a giant with tongues of flame. The giant cried out in pain as he shrank before his eyes. It was like watching an ice cube melt from a heater. The shrinking stopped when the giant reached its maximum size. Not wanting to waste any more ammo, Rhodey tased him. The shrunken giant fell to the ground, spasming from the watts he poured into it.

Word had been passed around the grapevine that these creatures are vulnerable to extreme heat. When he got word he adapted accordingly. He went back to the tower to change his ammunition to incendiary. Then he flew out and started slaying giants. Right now, he's defending a hospital from a giant attack. It's a slow progress given that many of the evacuees are seriously injured and cannot move. They already planned on transporting them to safety by extracting them from the hospital's helipad.

That still left the giants, the shrunken ones, to come and assault the hospital. There were so many of them that Rhodey wondered who was giving birth to them. Fortunately, there happened to be a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who are more than happy to assist. One agent stayed with the civilians to guard them while the rest stayed in the lobby in case intruders were coming from below. They concentrated fire on the Giants Rhodey managed to shrink. Some of them are equipped with flamethrowers that they used to assist in wearing them down when War Machine wasn't available. Together, they are making steady progress.

"Increase the intensity of the repulsors," Rhodes ordered his suit. He didn't wait another second before he fired his repulsors at another giant. From his right shoulder, the Gatling gun peppered his enemy with incendiary bullets. Like so many others before him, the giant got smaller and smaller. For the finishing touch, he simply punched him in the face, knocking him down for the count.

His suit's radar detected no further hostiles in the area. Satisfied, he flew to the hospital's helicopter pad. He landed with a clang of his armor. Everyone on the pad turned to look at him.

"Don't worry, folks, the scary giants are down," Rhodey reassures them. For good measure, he opens the faceplate of his armor to smile at them. "The War Machine took care of them."

The civilians felt reassured when they heard that the giants were not coming to eat them. Rhodey supposed that some of them were 'Attack on Titan fans. He wouldn't blame them for coming to the assumption that the giants would eat them. That is a terrifying fate for anyone to think of.

The next group of evacuees boarded the Pave Hawk. Without wasting another moment, it took off to take them to safety. Rhodey is left with what he assumes to be the last group of civilians that need to be escorted to safety. Standing guard is one of the agents who came to protect them. Agent Sutton wouldn't look like an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. because he's wearing civilian clothing. But what kind of civilian walks around with a combat vest, weapons, and a fancy glowing blue watch with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo on it?

He and his comrades more than proved themselves by taking down frost giants. He'd seen them hold their ground against all odds. As a fellow soldier, he's more than proud to be working with them. Mettle like that is what is going to take to overcome this crisis.

"Hey War Machine, can I ask you a question?" that question came from a child who approached him. In his hand, he held a Captain America action figure. His mother moved to pull him back to her.

"It's alright ma'am, I don't mind a little curiosity," Rhodey says to her before turning to the kid with a smile. "What do you want to ask son?"

"Why do you still use weapons with bullets?" The child asked innocently. "My daddy is a gun nut and he said you would be a useless hunk of metal when you are out of ammo."

Rhodey winced at those words. Then he cleared his throat and admitted, "Yeah, that becomes a problem for my armor. I stick with conventional weaponry because it's much cheaper than the stuff Iron Man puts into his suit. I still have repulsors to fall back on. But don't look down on War Machine. I'm still upgrading my armor, but no piece of tech is more important than the pilot. So, the next time you see your dad, ask him if he's ever seen a piece of hardware that can trump a pilot's skill and instincts. Because that is what slayed giants today."

The child seemed to be in awe of his words. His mother led him away, giving the armored Avenger a small smile. Even the agents who overheard him straighten themselves in pride. His speech wasn't just for pilots but for other people who chose to stand up and help their country. Just goes to show that everyone can make a difference.

"WARNING! Fast moving hostile lifeform approaching."

At J.A.R.V.I.S.'s warning, Rhodey's eyes hardened as his faceplate closed. He turns to the agents. "I got to go. Looks like those giants still haven't given up. Keep these people safe until the next bird arrives."

"You can count on us," Agent Sutton confirmed, cocking his gun. So did the rest of his teammates. War Machine's rocket thrusters roared as War Machine took off into the air. He hovered in front of the hospital as his suit radar was spotty due to the blizzard's interference, but it did pick up on something that was approaching the hospital at high speed.

Running towards the hospital is a gargantuan reptomammal that isn't registered in any fauna database. Its skin is decorated with ice-blue scales. White horns curved downward from its skull. Three-toed feet shook the ground and the tail swished left and right, knocking buildings behind it into rubble. Its red eyes are glaring at the hospital.

"I'm willing to guess what they're feeding this guy," Rhodey muttered as he engaged the enemy. He aimed one arm at the beast. From the forearm shot out a red beam of light. The laser left a trail of black scorch marks as War Machine swept the laser. The beast howled in pain but didn't seem to be shrinking like the giants. But the soldier didn't seem to care about that difference as he focused his lasers, hoping to cut the beast's hide.

This served to enrage the beast which is fine with him. It turned its attention away from the hospital and focused on him. War Machine couldn't react in time as its head rammed into him. The attack sent him crashing into a nearby building. Groaning, he pulled himself back up as the beast growled at him. If it weren't for his armor and shielding, there was no doubt he would've been dead from the impact.

From his left shoulder, he unloaded a full salvo of missiles at the beast. They exploded against the monster's face who howled at him. It did not damage the beast, but it gave him enough breathing room to get back into the air. Crashing through the roof, he stared down at the beast.

"War Machine, this is Agent Sutton. The helo has arrived. We're escorting the civilians onto it right now. Can you finish that monster?"

"Oh, you can bet on it," Rhodey confirmed as he fired another repulsor blast at the gigantic beast. It wasn't even a second later that another transmission came in laced with panic.

"This is Agent Garzia to Agent Sutton and War Machine calling with an urgent warning. These hound things managed to breach the hospital. They're charging up the stairs! We couldn't hold them—ARGH!"

The communication is cut off by the Agent's scream and the sound of flesh being torn into. Rhodey does not doubt that the Agents stationed at the lobby are dead. Killed by something new. He could only grit his teeth in frustration. He swerved his head to look at the hospital rooftop. His HUD zoomed in just in time to see the door get knocked down. Out of the entrance came one of the hounds Agent Garzia mentioned. Like the beast he's fighting, they're snow-white bipedal reptomammal creatures with tusks. The quills on its forehead are like icicles. It didn't take long for more hounds to join the first one. Their eyes are trained on the civilians, who are cowering behind Agent Sutton. The latter aimed his gun, yelled at the civilians to get back, and opened fire on the hound.

War Machine watches as the agent kills a hound before systematically targeting the others. The agent ducked behind and fired a three-burst shot at another hound. The third round got dangerously close before Sutton pulled out a sidearm and unloaded the full magazine on the beast. It gave a whimpering cry as its carcass fell next to him. But as much as the agent killed, more took their place. Eventually, he'll be overrun, and the hounds will move on to the evacuees and helicopter.

A fierce roar brought him back to his previous foe. He still needs to deal with this monster before he can help. If he ignores it, then it will demolish the hospital. But if he focuses on that beast, then Sutton and the civilians will be dead before he can reach them. In the military, this is considered a Catch-22.

His thoughts shifted to the unibeam. It's a particle weapon that uses his suit's miniature arc reactor to fire a highly concentrated repulsor blast from the chest. It is the suit's most powerful energy-based weapon. The drawback is that it would use up the suit's energy reserves. It would require him to recharge, but he had to finish this beast off and get to Sutton and the Evacuees.

Then, right as he was about to take that risk, something happened. From out of nowhere, an orange blur pounced on the nearest hound. What appeared to be a long-haired tiger lady dressed in a coat over a suit with a cat emblem tore into the hound with reckless abandon. Without wasting a second, she plunged her claw into the head of another. As the blood seeped onto the snow, more hounds growled at her but approached her cautiously. Green eyes glared at Agent Sutton.

"Get going!" She growled out. Agent Sutton wasted no time in getting the civilians onto the helicopter. The cat girl fended off the hounds as the helicopter took off from the pad. She fought with grace and agility befitting of a cat. Leaping over a charging hound, she gripped it by the hound by the tail and threw it into another hound, sending them falling off the edge.

Satisfied that the civilians are safely away, Rhodes can focus on the beast before him. Invigorated by the presence of the unknown yet familiar hero, he decided to use the unibeam. Targeting the beast's head, his chest began glowing. The beast growled at him as it charged. But the charging is complete, and the unibeam fired. Thanks to the heavy plating and bulk of his armor, he stood his ground as the beam pierced the beast's head and exited through the back. It lasted a few seconds before the beam stopped firing. Time stood still for a few seconds before the beast crumpled to the ground, its bulk demolishing another building.

Rhodey found himself collapsing to his knees, breathing heavily. He waited for his suit to finish recharging before he took to the air. Flying back to the hospital rooftop, he is greeted by the sight of dozens of dead hounds. The tiger-woman stood over a body cleaning her claws with the snow. When Rhodey approaches, she turns to face him with a small smile.

"Rhodey. Long time no see," She greets.

"Greer, it's good to see you again," Rhodey greets back. Greer Nelson, also known as Tigra, is another hero who is in the pool of Avenger candidates. She once went by the name 'Cat' before she was gravely injured pursuing members of Hydra. To save her life, her ex-boss performed an ancient ritual that resulted in her transformation into Tigra, the greatest Warrior from a race of humanoid cat-people. Technically, she was part of the team but left after the Civil War tore the Avengers apart.

"What a way to reunite, huh," Greer comments as she looks around. "Never thought it would be during a blizzard. I was in town before it hit. Been helping people out when those giants and beasts started attacking. Is this an invasion from frost aliens?"

"We're not sure what's going on," Rhodey points out before looking at the hounds. "No one knows where they came from. Thanks again, Greer. Not only did you save me from a Catch-22, but you also helped many lives escape from being dog chow."

"Glad I could help," Greer answered as her tail twitched eagerly. They stood in silence over the cold. Before any of them could speak a word, J.A.R.V.I.S. blared in their ear.

"This is a distress call to any nearby Avengers. The Tower is under attack!"

[~]

The Sky Cycle sped across the city at high speed. If Mockingbird wasn't a good pilot, there is no doubt they would've crashed.

"Of all the places they could've picked, it had to be the tower?" Clint asked in anger.

"I doubt that they are smart enough to realize, but they picked the building packed with the most people," Bobbi spoke, anger and frustration clear in her voice. "I assume because you guys still have floors you don't even need, we are talking about a lot of people."

"Yes, but Tony outfitted the Tower with the best defenses," Clint said. "With luck, Hulk could be nearby and could have received the distress call. If there's a time when we desperately need the big guy, it must be now."

"Looking forward to seeing him," Bobbi commented. "I would love to have him on our team."

"Our team? You mean you're joining?" Clint asked in surprise. Bobbi gave him a pointed look.

"Of course. I am going to be part of your team, right?" Bobbi asked. She had a smile that gave Clint dangerous vibes. It looks like she wasn't asking. She's coming back to the Avengers whether he likes it or not.

"Okay, but can we agree to keep it in the bedroom? Tony was still holding it over our heads when he stumbled in on us."

"Oh, don't worry, he won't be laughing about that anymore," Bobbi replied cryptically. Clint wondered what she meant by that. Before he could ask, something caught his peripheral vision.

"Watch out!" Clint cried out. Heeding his warning just in time, Mockingbird swerves to avoid the object. A glance told them that it was one of those hounds that the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents reported seeing. They didn't see where the hound crashed but they assumed it wouldn't be pretty.

"I didn't know those hounds could fly," Bobbi muttered.

"Well, I don't see any wings, so something strong must've sent it flying," Clint deduced. "Going by its trajectory, it's safe to say that came from Avengers Tower. I'm willing to bet that whoever sent that mutt flying is Hulk."

"Or it could be Jennifer," Bobbi pointed out.

But it wasn't Hulk nor She-Hulk. Soon the two heroes came upon the site of Avengers Tower. As expected giants are converging on the tower, as well as more of the gigantic beasts from the reports. The tower's defenses are online. Repulsor turrets fired upon the monsters from various floors. Rockets being controlled by J.A.R.V.I.S. exploded against them.

A howl of pain drew their attention to a beast that fell. It is lifted by a man who is ten times smaller than the beast. With a grunt of effort, he hurled it away from the tower. The beast didn't get far as it crashed into another giant. The force sent him stumbling backward before he fell onto his back.

"That beast had to weigh as much as a tank, and he threw it away like it was nothing!" Bobbi exclaimed. "Who is he?"

"I don't know," Clint said. He scrunched his eyes. "Wait…I know that guy! Simon Williams. But why is he here?"

A giant roared as he stomped towards Simon. The man who had once been dead looked up to meet the red glare of the giant. His eyes give off a matching red glow as he is shrouded in a purple aura of ionic energy. He leaped off the ground with the speed of a bullet and tackled the giant head-on. Once the giant was down, Simon proceeded to hammer away with ion-infused fists.

So focused was he on the giant he failed to notice the hounds coming toward him. Acting fast, Hawkeye pulled out a Hunter's Arrow. Unlike his other arrows, this one is an AI-driven smart arrow that seeks out its targets. He aimed it at the nearest hound and released the arrow. The arrow pierced the hound before it turned in midair to pierce another hound. The arrow continued to seek out more targets.

Simon stopped his beating when the arrow whistled by. He looks up just in time to see the arrow piercing more hounds. Eventually, he spied the heroes as they landed the Sky Cycle and recognized Clint.

"Hawkeye!"

"Simon," Clint greeted as he dismounted. "I'm surprised to see you. I appreciate the muscle but what are you doing here?"

"I was sleeping in a hotel after my trial," Simon answered as he cast a downward glance. "I woke up only to see the city engulfed in a blizzard. Then I saw these monsters attacking people. Even those beasts of theirs are feasting on those who are just seeking shelter. I couldn't just stand there and watch so I fought them off. I stayed with them until they got to safety. Wasn't expecting the nearest shelter to be Avengers Tower."

"Yeah, we seem to be popular with these guys lately," Clint says. As if to prove his point, more hounds came running towards them. The two men move to meet them, but Bobbi is first.

The first hound Bobbi struck with one of her battle staves. With her strength, there is the sound of cracking bones. The hound howled in pain, but she didn't let up as she kicked it away and struck another with her other hand stave. Taking the window opportunity, she combines her staves into a full-length staff. Twirling it expertly, she beckoned towards the growling hounds.

"Time to play fetch boys," Mockingbird taunted. With a snarl, the hounds charged at her. She swatted the first one to reach her in the snout. Twirling on her heel, not letting up the momentum, she struck the second one. She backflipped to evade the third one and thrust downward, her staff projected a spear tip as it extended to pierce the hound right where the heart would be. The Mockingbird landed on her feet while the hounds fell defeated.

The two men watching her simply stood there dumbstruck.

"Wow," Simon simply said.

"That's my wife," Clint added proudly. Despite her efforts, that didn't stop the second wave of hounds coming their way. The three of them prepared for battle. But they couldn't lift a finger when the hounds were hit by a barrage of missiles. There is a crescendo of explosions as the War Machine lands in front of them.

"Anyone call for backup?" Rhodey asked. Some of the hounds managed to survive and get up. They didn't get a chance for a second wind as another person made their presence known. A weretiger slashed her claws at vital points of the hounds who gave a small whimper before falling. When she got closer, Clint recognized her.

"Geer? Is that you?" Clint asked in surprise.

"Have you met any other cat ladies Clint?" Greer awkwardly asks before turning to Bobbi. "Good to see you, Bobbi."

"It's nice to see you too!" Bobbi squealed as she hugged the tiger lady. "Oh, we have so much to talk about. How have you been?"

"Not to interrupt your girl talk," Rhodey said warningly. "But we may want to put it on hold."

Everyone looked to see more giants, beasts, and hounds coming towards them. Right now, the only thing standing between them, and Avengers Tower is the five men and women standing together. However, the gears in Clint's head are spinning as he recalls several facts. Loki sighted on Earth. One of the stolen relics from Odin's Vault is known as the Casket of Ancient Winters. Giants. It's all starting to make sense.

"It's all coming together," Clint said. "I'll tell you all later. Right now, we need to protect the tower from them. Simon, can you take care of the Frost Giants? Out of all of us, you're the only man who can match them in strength. I'm willing to bet that your ionic energy will heat them. It'll cause them to shrink."

"I noticed that when I was fighting them," Simon said determinedly. "Consider them mine to take on. I'm not letting any of them claim another life."

"War Machine will help you out," Clint said, casting a glance at the armored hero who nodded. "The rest of us will handle the small fries. Bobbi, can you request backup from S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"Already have," Bobbi confirmed. "It won't be soon, but they will be on the way. We just must hold out until they arrive."

"Alright," Clint nods as he draws another arrow. "I think I'll start this off with a little flair."

Clint released the arrow, shooting it up into the sky. The arrow split into several mini arrows that rained down on the oncoming horde. Seconds after they hit the ground, they exploded into bursts of flame. The enemies caught up in the blast radius are set aflame. Bobbi smiled at her husband's initiative as she and the others raced to meet the enemies and protect the people taking shelter in Avengers Tower.

If one were to look at the ground from high up, one would see that the flames formed the Avengers trademark 'A'.

[~][~]

Greetings and Bienvenue readers.

Allow me to first apologize for taking so long to update. My other fanfic, as it turns out, is a creation of pure evil as it sucked out months of my life just to update a chapter. I'm having a debate as to how to deal with it while devoting some of my time to seeing the Ragnarök arc through. There is so much more I wanted to add to this chapter but I went way past the word limit so I'll have to make do. Thank you for your faith as it has been rewarded.

Honestly, I feel much easier to get this done. I want to get to the X-Men arc as soon as possible. They're my favorite team of heroes next to the Avengers. I'm sure some of you would agree with me and can't wait to see it. I won't divulge further details because I'm such an incorrigible tease.

Right now, RWBY and JNPR are at the Peak while the world is engulfed in the killing winters of Fimbulwinter. Their role will be further explored in the coming chapters. Meanwhile, Balder and Loki have clashed, unleashing Fimbulwinter and thus the coming Ragnarök. Can Balder avert his destiny or has it been set in stone?

Now the Avengers are undergoing a restructuring and accepting old and new members. As you can probably guess in the end, those five heroes are going to be the West Coast Avengers with Hawkeye leading them. Not only does this make the Avengers more flexible, but it's easier to manage the many heroes on the roster.

Thank you for reading. If any of you have a TV Tropes account, any assistance in updating the TV Tropes page would be greatly appreciated.

Hope you enjoy it. Since I missed it, happy Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Merry Christmas. And see you in the Happy New Year!