The cambium rod Hyperion embedded deep into the earth at Ground Zero seeped down into the planet. It spread quickly over the course of the following few days and the effects were subtle, at least at first. But for some, the cancerous disease stretching across the globe was felt almost instantly.

In Greenwich Village, Stephen Strange detected an ominous feeling of darkness. In Queens, a late night of bonding between Peter Parker and Ben Reilly quickly turned painful due to the perpetual buzzing of their respective Spider Senses. On the west coast, Wanda Maximoff awoke, feeling something bizarre in the chaos energies. In Genosha, Jean Grey-Summers and her daughter Rachel both picked up unsettling feelings with their psionic powers. In New Orleans, Jericho Drumm consulted with the Vodoun gods to try and make sense of the situation. In the Everglades, the Man-Thing sensed a wrongness with the earth.

And on Avengers Island, Ororo Munroe awoke, her body afflicted with an incredible chill. Her skin was dry and ashen and her head swirled from horrible nightmares of death and decay.

Climbing from her bed, the woman called Storm wrapped a robe around her body, clutching it tightly shut against her chest. She was despondent and worried and she couldn’t explain why. But when she saw her plants in a state of withering, she knew something else was happening. Something that she had to speak to the other Avengers of and soon.

When the sun rose, Maria Hill had already been awake, showered, and clad in her blue and white SHIELD uniform. She sat before the computer in her quarters and sipped a cup of coffee, reviewing updates from the world of the marvels. There was a SHIELD report about the attack on Senator Kelly and the death of his aide, although SHIELD had covered up the involvement of Ben Grimm. The strange disturbances in Manhattan which there seemed to be no concrete explanation for, although vague reports indicated the involvement of Doctor Strange and his Defenders. But for the most part, things had been relatively quiet in the wake of both the Ultron attack and the altercation with the Mad Thinker.

She looked up at the clock and saw it was almost six-thirty and she had a meeting with Stark. Hill groaned as she stood from her desk, leaving her quarters and heading across the Island towards the main building. She couldn’t understand why, but somehow she felt extremely tired.

As she walked through the Island, she paused as she passed an outdoor field. Hawkeye and Captain America stood on the field, both in full costume and both armed with their respective weapons, facing off against each other. Nightcrawler was perched on a bench near the sidelines, wearing an Xavier Institute t-shirt and plaid pajama pants. His bird-like toes were perches on the back of the bench and he balanced a bowl of cereal in one hand as he watched his two teammates. Hill approached Nightcrawler, who barely regarded her as he spooned his breakfast into his mouth.

Hawkeye opened the fight by launching several arrows one after another. Captain America dodged many of them. But Hawkeye fired another arrow and this time, Captain America threw his shield at it and the arrow detonated on impact.

Clint smiled, obviously Josiah had seen that trick coming but it was just a distraction. Hawkeye jumped into the air and fired an arrow at the ground near Captain America’s feet. Once it struck the earth, it unleashed a sonic wave, messing with Josiah’s equilibrium. He struggled to maintain his balance and hurled the circular shield at the arrow. The shield destroyed the arrow and ricocheted off the ground.

Hawkeye fired another arrow, this one releasing a net, but Captain America dodged out of the way. He jumped and grabbed the shield as it flew from its ricochet point, quickly twisting in mid-air and hurling it at Clint.

The archer reacted quickly, firing an explosive arrow that knocked the shield off its collision course. But he didn’t realize that was Cap’s distraction. The Super Soldier landed behind Hawkeye silently and quickly tackled him from behind, knocking him to the ground.

Nightcrawler held the bowl with his tail and began to applaud his friend’s victory. Josiah offered a hand to Clint, but the archer swatted it away and grumbled as he got back to his feet.

“I can manage,” he said. “That was a cheap shot.”

“What’s Barton’s problem?” asked Hill.

“Pride,” said Kurt. “Perhaps it would do him good to get knocked down a peg from time to time.”

“Whatever, I need to find Stark.” Hill continued her trek towards the main building. Tony Stark stood outside the building, a tablet device in his hand as he conferred with the technicians. His eyes were hollow and he hadn’t shaved. His dress shirt and pants were wrinkled and he wore no tie or jacket.

“What’s going on?” asked Hill.

“What’s going on is I’ve got a job to do and I don’t have time to waste on you,” said Stark. Hill had come to expect his gruffness, but today it seemed even greater than usual.

The Vision rose from the ground, hovering above it as he shifted from intangible to solid. “Anthony, I have just completed the adjustments to the security mainframe you requested.”

“Good, maybe now we can see about getting some actual security on this damn island,” muttered Stark. He looked at the technicians. “Do I pay you people to stand around or do I pay you to work? I’ve told you what needs to be done, now go do it!”

The technicians grumbled as they shuffled away. Stark made some more notes on his tablet as Hill and the Vision watched him. He could feel the SHIELD agent’s eyes on him and finally spoke up. “Something to report, Agent?”

“We had a meeting scheduled for this morning, Stark. Or did you conveniently forget that little fact?” asked Hill.

Stark didn’t even look up from his tablet. “Like I told you already, I’ve got more important things to do than worry about your feelings of inadequacy.”

“I’m part of this operation, Stark. Now you can either start working with me, or I can go back to my superiors at the UN and—”

“Then go back to them!” spat Stark. “I’m getting fed up with these verbal sparring matches with you, Hill! You know what your job is, if you don’t like your assignment, I’m not the one who can do anything about it. Go bitch to Nick Fury, I’ve got work to do.”

Stark stormed off before Hill could offer another retort. The Vision still hovered nearby, watching her with his arms folded across his chest, his face completely unreadable, as always. That was when Hill realized her hand had been resting on her sidearm during her entire altercation with Stark…

THE SQUADRON SINISTER STRIKES!

Part III

By Curtis Fernlund and Dino Pollard

Manhattan
Alphabet City

“The hell are you doin’?” shouted the old manager from the side of the wrestling ring. “You gonna let ‘im walk all over ya like that? C’mon! I wanna see some fire in ya!”

“Still the old slave driver, I see?”

The old man glanced over his shoulder but then did a quick double-take. A woman with long, red and white hair stood in the gym, garnering quite a few glances from men in the gym. The old man smiled and walked over to her, throwing his arms around her body. She happily returned the embrace with a smile of her own.

“Now ain’t you a sight for these old eyes!” he said, laying his hand on her cheek. “Never thought I’d see ya again, Mimi!”

“It’s just Melissa these days,” Melissa Gold said with a smile. “How are you, Billy?”

“Ah, y’know me,” said Billy, waving his hand dismissively as he went back to the ring. “Still doin’ what I do best. Remember them old days? Back when you were in the ring?”

Melissa nodded. “How could I forget? Back when I was a Grappler.”

When she first ran away from her abusive home life, Melissa developed a hard personality to survive on the streets, which she referred to as Mimi. It was during this period that she was recruited into a group of female wrestlers called the Grapplers by Poundcakes. Billy had been responsible for her training back then, conditioning her for the job.

“Those was different times,” said Billy. “I seen ya, y’know. On the tube. Gone from Grappler t’ Avenger, that’s pretty impressive, Mimi.”

“Melissa.”

“Right, right. Old habits an’ all that.”

Melissa watched the match and Billy’s screaming at his wrestlers grew more intense. The match itself became more violent. The blows they were striking were extremely harsh. “Billy, something’s wrong…”

“Whaddaya talkin’ ‘bout? Ya been away from the ring so long, ya forgot how t’ wrassle?”

“Not like that.” Melissa jumped over the ropes and moved into the ring. One of the wrestler’s had his opponent on the ground and continued to pound on his face. The victim was bruised and bloody, thick welts appearing on his skin. Melissa opened her mouth, using her sonic powers to blast the attacking wrestler back.

“What’s going on, Billy? Those were killing blows!”

“I…I dunno…” said Billy, looking as if he were in a trance. “Not sure why I thought it’d be okay.”

New Jersey

The Blur fidgeted in his chair, constantly staring at the clock. “I’m fuckin’ bored. This wait is killing me.”

“Live with it.” Nighthawk was a man of few words, perched above in the rafters. His leather-clad form was almost completely shrouded in the shadows.

“It’s the Humor. It’s getting to you,” said Hyperion.

“An’ why isn’t it getting to you?” asked the Blur.

“Because he’s from another planet, you imbecile,” said Nighthawk.

“So are we,” said the Blur.

“No, we’re from another dimension,” said Nighthawk. “There’s a difference.”

“The Watcher assured me this will pass,” said Doctor Spectrum. “We have to remain unified.”

“Oh shut up!” said the Blur. “I’m getting’ a little sick of your haughty attitude!”

“Your command is faltering, Spectrum,” said Hyperion with a grin. “You’re starting to lose control.”

“Stay out of this,” said Doctor Spectrum.

“Wait, wait, wait, that’s all you ever wanna do!” The Blur moved from his position on the couch, and in a flash he was right in front of Doctor Spectrum’s face. “I’m tired of waiting, bitch! We were promised things an’ you and your Watcher buddy better deliver, or else I’m gonna be really pissed!”

“We should be ready to strike soon,” said Hyperion. “The Avengers will fall into turmoil. Once the Humor starts affecting them, we strike.”

“I was born ready,” said the Blur.

“Not to mention stupid,” said Nighthawk.

The Blur looked up into the rafters. “You wanna come down here an’ talk shit to my face?”

Nighthawk dropped to the ground, holding a throwing blade between his fingers. One he held right in front of the Blur’s face. “Is this close enough?”

“That’s it!” said Doctor Spectrum. “It’s time to move ahead with the next phase of the plan.”

“Which is?” asked Hyperion.

“The final assault, on the United Nations,” said Doctor Spectrum. “It’ll throw the world’s politics into complete chaos. Accelerate what the Humor already started.”

Avengers Island

The team minus Scott Lang, who was a reservist and Carol Danvers, still hospitalized, gathered around the round meeting table. Storm was the one to first address the team, standing from her seat.

“I think we have a problem,” she said. “I’ve sensed a disturbance. It’s reflected in the weather to a certain extent.”

“There’s a lot of tension going around,” said Hill, glaring at Iron Man. “Isn’t that right?”

“Well, does SHIELD have anything useful to offer us?” asked Iron Man. “That is your job, isn’t it? Liaising? So why don’t you liaise?”

“I’ve been a little bit busy, what with all the attacks on the Island,” said Hill. “I’ve seen better security at inner city high schools.”

“The security improvements have already been made,” said Iron Man.

“‘Bout damn time,” said Hawkeye. “Should’ve been your first order of business before you moved the team into this place, Tone. Got no idea why you kept kicking the can down the road, Mr. Futurist. Y’know, if I were leading this team—”

“Except you’re not,” said Iron Man. “Don’t forget your place in the hierarchy, Barton.”

“There’s a massive lack of structure in this group,” said Captain America.

“So what, you volunteering yourself for team leader now?” asked Hawkeye.

“I didn’t say that.”

“Sure seems like it!” Hawkeye stood, leaning over the table. “Just ‘cause you’re carrying that shield doesn’t mean you’re good enough to follow in Steve’s footsteps. And just ‘cause you call yourself Captain America doesn’t mean you can lead this group.”

“I’ve got no interest in leading, Barton. I’m not so arrogant to believe I know everything.” Captain America’s eyes went from Hawkeye to Iron Man and back. “Unlike some I could mention.”

“Hey, Clint knows more about leadership than you ever will!” said Songbird.

“Yes, because he’s done such a stellar job up ‘til now,” said Captain America.

“That directed at me?” asked Songbird.

“Maybe we should all just calm do—” began Nightcrawler.

“Stuff it, fuzzball!” said Hawkeye.

“Watch how you address him, Barton,” said Storm.

“Or what?” asked Hawkeye. “You’re nothing but a poor substitute for Thor, y’know that, lady?”

Hill threw up her hands. “I don’t know why I even bother wasting my time.”

“Good, then get out,” said Iron Man. “We don’t need you around, we never wanted you around, we were doing just fine before you showed up!”

The Vision just watched the events transpire, monitoring the escalation in the arguments with his hands clasped together and his chin resting lightly on his two outstretched index fingers. The door opened and Jarvis entered with a tray of refreshments. He was shocked at the scene before him, but the Vision noticed heightened levels of stress in the Avengers’ faithful butler as well.

“What in god’s name is going on?” asked Jarvis, raising his voice to try and overcome the arguing Avengers. Each of the members quieted their voices and looked in Jarvis’ direction. He set the tray down on the table, glaring at each member like a disappointed father.

“Never in all my years of service have I seen such immature behavior!” he said. “You are supposed to be Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. I suggest you start acting like it and put an end to this pointless squabbling!”

Jarvis’ scolding had all the Avengers think about the words they just said. A deathly silence fell over the crowd and Jarvis left the meeting room in a huff. The Vision stood and finally had his say.

“I have noticed this influence on all your personalities. Heightened levels of stress and aggression. I have noticed it among the staff on the Island as well. I do believe there is a root cause of this behavior.”

“He’s right,” said Iron Man. “We have to—”

A red light and a loud alarm sounded in the room. Hill’s hand went to her mobile, which was also blaring and quickly brought it up on the device. “We’ve got a SHIELD priority alert coming in.”
“Vision?” asked Iron Man.

“I’m bringing it up on the monitor,” said the Vision. The large monitor before the meeting table activated, going straight to live news coverage at the United Nations. The Squadron Sinister were there, holding the delegation hostage. Doctor Spectrum spoke, demanding that all authority be ceded to her and her teammates.

“Think it’s connected?” asked Captain America.

“No doubt,” said Iron Man. “Hill, contact Scott immediately. With Carol still out of commission, we’ll need all the help we can get.”

Hill was already sending out a message on her mobile unit. “I’m on it.”

“Everyone else, get to the Quinjet,” said Iron Man.

“Avengers Assemble,” said Hawkeye with a grin.

Wall Street

From the opulence of her high rise office, Amora the Enchantress watched the news report of the Squadron Sinister’s attack on the United Nations. Her eyes paid no heed to Doctor Spectrum. Instead, the Enchantress focused her gaze on the three male members of the team.

Blur…

Hyperion…

Nighthawk…

Her thumb idly stroked the edge of the large, Asgardian artifact. Plots were forming in her head as she contemplated who might be worthy enough to wield the Bloodaxe…

The Docks
Bridgeport, Connecticut

Jacob Fury thought and watched as the heavy padlocks popped open at his whim.  He pulled them free, tossing them aside feeling nothing, a pall of melancholy hanging over him, depression.  He pulled the heavy, iron-sheathed fire door aside, ignoring the grinding screech of rusty metal and stepped into the darkness of the warehouse.

Rats scrabbled at his presence as he held the key before him.  A radiance oozed from the unearthly metal lighting his way as he stalked through the musty, mildewed rooms and corridors of the old, abandoned building.  He had purchased it years ago when times were better and Zodiac was on the rise.  If not for the ambitions of Aries and Van Lundt things might have ended differently…

Sagittarius might not have sold his soul…

Link might yet live…

And Virgo…

Jacob Fury shook his head to dismiss unwanted memories as he made his way into the dank bowels of the warehouse.  It smelled of mold and must, water dripping from old pipes and a chill wind whistling through cracked windowpanes.  He would have to pay a visit to the Courtesy Company he had employed to care for the building; though of course he had died so they probably figured they were in the clear.  Still, he had paid a fee and expected results.

He paused at the next door, considering…

The Alpha batch had proven too unstable and he had shut down their gestation before they had reached maturity.

Beta had proven better, though only half of the eleven had survived.

Gamma had of course been a disaster and easily defeated by the Defenders.

Delta was still developing, but he only needed one of them for his plans, and with the Key he was certain that she would fulfill his desire.

“Virgo…” he said as he slid the next door aside, stepping through into the dark beyond…

NEXT: The final battle between the Avengers and the Squadron Sinister!