Avengers

Avengers Island
Monitor Room

Clint Barton sighed as he twirled an arrow in one hand, resting his chin in the other with an elbow perched on his armrest. Just past the monitor array he sat in front of was a large, holographic projection of the planet, scanning for various threats the Avengers needed to keep tabs on. On the monitors themselves, there was a continuous cycle of news broadcasts and headlines.

He played over the incident that stuck him with this monitor duty. A riot at the Raft, attempted breakout. The Avengers went in to contain it and Hawkeye was using blunt arrows against an MGH-enhanced prisoner. Except another arrow—a lethal one—appeared out of nowhere and killed the inmate.

Based on the evidence, it was decided that Clint should be resigned to monitor duty pending further investigation. And further investigation is exactly what Clint was in the midst of doing right at that moment.

A beeping noise drew his attention to one of the monitors. Clinton set his arrow down on the console and leaned over the keyboard, his eyes fixed on the screen. Security footage he’d managed to download from the Raft.

The incident was captured by two different cameras. There was one on Hawkeye, drawing back an arrow. Clint hit the pause button. He entered a command to enhance, selecting the area of the screen around the arrow.

It was definitely blunt. The arrow that killed the prisoner had a pointed head. So it couldn’t have been the one Hawkeye was clearly firing in this shot.

Clint checked footage from other cameras. Most of it was locked out. Some of the cameras that may have captured a better angle just read FILE NOT FOUND when Clint tried to access their recordings.

“Goddammit…”

The door to the monitor room opened. Clint looked over his shoulder and saw the Avengers butler, Edwin Jarvis enter carrying a tray with a cup of coffee. Behind Jarvis was Maria Hill, SHIELD’s liaison to the Avengers.

Jarvis set the tray down and took an empty mug from Clint’s console, replacing it with the fresh one.

“Thanks, Jarv,” said Clint as he took the cup and sipped the coffee.

“Of course, Master Clint,” said Jarvis.

Hill stepped closer, looking over Clint’s shoulder at the monitors. “Is that footage from the Raft?”

“Maybe,” said Clint.

Hill folded her arms over her chest. “Do I want to know how you gained access to those files?”

“Probably not.”

She sighed. “Barton, you shouldn’t be doing this. Technically, I should be reporting you for this.”

“Yeah, but you’re not,” said Clint, turning the chair to face her. “Which means you know just as well as I do that I’m gettin’ a bum rap.” He pointed at the monitor with FILE NOT FOUND written on it. “Why is it the footage from the camera that could clear or convict me conveniently missing?”

“It was chaotic, anything could happen. The best thing to do is—”

Hill was cut off by the sound of Jarvis clearing his throat. She sighed and looked at the butler.

“If I may, Agent Hill, it seems strange to me as well that these specific files are unavailable. Master Clint, if you’re willing to let me give it a go…”

Clint nodded and climbed out of the chair, taking the coffee mug. “Sure thing, Jarv. Go nuts.”

Jarvis took the seat and went to work on the computer. Hill just shook her head.

“And what is Jarvis going to—”

She stopped when she noticed the things he was typing in. Hill looked closer, kneeling over to peer at the monitor over Jarvis’ shoulder. She looked at him, then to Clint and finally back to the monitor again.

“A civilian shouldn’t be privy to some of those commands.”

“A proper gentleman’s gentleman adapts to his employer’s specific needs, Agent Hill,” said Jarvis.

She glanced at Clint, who had a smug look on his face. “Jarv’s ‘privy’ to things that probably Nick Fury doesn’t even know.”

“Sir? Madam?”

Clint and Hill looked back at the screen. There was a SHIELD security screen, requiring high-level access in order to proceed. Jarvis leaned back in the chair, looking at Hill. “I’m afraid this is beyond my limited knowledge. But it seems we are on the verge of learning a truth of sorts.”

Now, Hill felt Clint’s eyes on her too. She bit her lower lip and thought about whether or not to proceed. Finally, she gave a sigh.

“Okay, out of the way. I’ll handle it.”

Jarvis slid the chair away from the keyboard so Hill could enter in her credentials. At almost the exact same moment, a klaxon blared throughout the monitor room.

“What’d you do?” asked Clint.

Hill took a breath and shut her eyes. “That wasn’t me, you moron. We have a situation.”

With a simple command, Hill pinpointed the source of the alert. The holographic globe turned, with a locator dot indicating a spot in Long Island. A zoomed-in image of the target location extended outward from that indicator, showing the outside of a factory with the Stark Enterprises logo on the side of the building.

News broadcasts filled the monitors, showing a man in dark green armor attacking the news helicopters. The computer froze the broadcast and the holographic globe vanished, revealing now a hologram of the Avengers’ file photo of that armored man.

[Subject: Bullski, Boris. Alias: Titanium Man,] offered the computer’s voice.

The computer quickly ran through the other superhumans that were recorded by the news cameras, placing holographic images of them as well.

[Subject: Identity unknown. Alias: Fatale.] [Subject: Angar, David. Alias: Angar the Screamer, Scream.]

“Why’d they want that place?’ asked Clint.

“There’s a joint project between SHIELD, Stark, and the Wakandan government,” said Hill. “Also, that’s the place where Ultron created Jocasta.”

“Only one thing to do, then.” Clint grabbed an unoccupied terminal and selected a command from the menu: ASSEMBLE. That would send a beacon to all active Avengers, notifying them to return to the Island immediately. Clint grabbed the arrow he’d been twirling and turned towards the door.

“And where are you going?” asked Hill, rising from the chair.

His shoulders fell and he turned to her. “You’re kidding, right?”

“You’re still suspended.” Hill pointed at the chair.

Clint sighed and walked over to the seat, slumping into it and focusing on the computer. “Fine…”

GROUND ZERO

Part II

By Curtis Fernlund and Dino Pollard

Stark Enterprises
Long Island

Boomerang watched as Titanium Man battled the security forces clad in Guardsmen armor. The mercenary rubbed his chin in curiosity. “TM’s gone up against Stark. Shouldn’t he be able to take out these nobodies without a problem?”

“He’s putting on a show.”

Boomerang turned to look at the beautiful blond dressed in green who had answered his question. Behind her was a tall, imposing figure with well-defined musculature and holding a massive axe in his hands.

“Putting on a show until the Avengers arrive,” said the Enchantress.

Boomerang gestured with his thumb to the burning wreck of metal. “And those news choppers? Is that all part of the show?”

Bloodaxe grunted, his grip tightening around his namesake. The Enchantress held up her hand to calm her warrior, staring hard at Boomerang.

“You’ve been a terrorist and an assassin in the past, Myers,” she said. “Now a few cattle slain for the cause bothers you?”

Boomerang opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out. He scoffed and looked away from her.

“Look.” The Enchantress pointed up at the sky at the one remaining chopper. “We only need one to document the Avengers’ downfall. Now come.”

Boomerang looked at her again, reluctantly walking behind her as she proceeded to one of the buildings. The Enchantress gestured for Boomerang to enter first, which he did. But before Bloodaxe could step inside, the Enchantress placed a hand on the broad chest of the man who had once been the Squadron Sinister’s Hyperion.

“When the Avengers arrive, engage,” she said.

Bloodaxe turned his back to the door, staring at the field of battle. A grunt indicated his understanding.

Quinjet

Scott Lang sat at the controls of the plane, while Iron Man stood from the co-pilot’s seat and stood to address the rest of the Avengers. His helmet faceplate flipped up to reveal the face of Tony Stark beneath it.

“We don’t know much about what these guys are up to. What we do know is that at least three have been identified—Titanium Man, Fatale, and Scream.”

Melissa Gold stared down at her hands at the mention of Scream. The Vision gave her a concerned look. “Your former partner?”

She nodded, tightening her lips.

“Kurt, Ororo, Maria’s files on Fatale have her listed as an X-Factor operative?” asked Tony.

“Ja, briefly,” said Kurt Wagner with a nod.

“She has been missing, presumed dead, for some time,” added Ororo Munroe. “When she joined X-Factor, we were cautiously optimistic she’d changed her ways.”

“Doesn’t always work like that though, does it?” asked Josiah X as he tied the red bandana over his face. He turned his attention to Tony. “What’s this place up to, Stark?”

“There are some classified joint projects being developed here in concert with Wakanda and SHIELD.”

Kurt raised an eyebrow. “Classified?”

“This could be a Masters of Evil cell, and the ones we’ve seen so far could just be a small team,” said Tony. “Cap’s in charge of getting the hostages to safety. Storm, you’re our eyes in the sky, provide help where you can. Ant-Man, Vision, and I are after Titanium Man. Nightcrawler, Fatale’s a teleporter, that makes you best suited to take her on. And Songbird?”

“Angar.” Songbird looked up, her face now like stone. “I know. I’m on it.”

Tony gave her a nod and a faint smile. His faceplate flipped down and the blue LED lights that served as the armor’s eyes lit up brightly. “Find us a safe zone to touch down on.”

“Yeah…about that…” said Scott. “We’ve got a problem.”

Iron Man stepped towards the controls and stared out the front windshield. There was a figure flying through the air, coming right towards them. A man with a crimson mask and wielding a giant axe. He raised it over his head with both arms and threw it forward.

“Abandon ship!” shouted Iron Man. He grabbed Ant-Man and moved to the side of the plane just as the axe cut through the windshield, spinning straight down the center of the tube.

Vision phased and the axe passed right through his body, while Nightcrawler grabbed Captain America and teleported the pair to safety. Storm and Songbird relied on their own powers to escape the ship and once they were clear, the remains of the Quinjet exploded.

A series of teleportations brought Nightcrawler and Captain America to solid ground. As soon as they touched down on the surface, Nightcrawler groaned and hunched over. Captain America placed a hand on his friend’s back.

“You okay?”

The mutant nodded and spat. “That many jumps…just need a minute.”

“Too bad you’re not gettin’ one!”

Captain America spun, just as a foot appeared out of nowhere and struck him straight in his chest, throwing him onto his back. He jumped to his feet and reached behind his back, reading the shield.

Right before his eyes, he watched as another blow knocked Nightcrawler on his ass, the assailant gone again. Captain America offered his free hand to his teammate and Nightcrawler accepted it, using it to help him stand.

“I think we’re under attack,” said Captain America.

“Really? Hadn’t noticed,” said Nightcrawler.

“Fatale?”

Nightcrawler nodded.

Captain America kept his eyes peeled. He saw a flash of light and threw the shield. Fatale materialized in the shield’s path and jumped, landing on it while it flew and bounding forward. She flipped, bringing her legs down on Captain America.

He blocked, moving on defense. Whenever he tried to land a punch, Fatale teleported out of the path and went for an attack on Nightcrawler, who did his best to keep out of reach.

The shield returned and with it in hand, Captain America charged at Fatale, who had just materialized to strike at Nightcrawler. The shield-bash threw her to the ground, but she was up in a moment, drawing a pair of daggers.

Captain America and Nightcrawler prepared for another volley of attacks when the ground rumbled. Bloodaxe had landed, clutching his weapon tightly between his hands.

“Take the girl, I’ll take the axe man,” said Captain America.

Nightcrawler drew his own weapon and activated the energy blade developed for him by Stark. “With pleasure.”

As Songbird flew over the property, she was slammed by a sonic attack, one that not only assaulted her ears but also affected her mentally. For a moment, the entire world turned upside down and she began plummeting.

The ground grew closer. Songbird tried to concentrate, focus.

She held her arms out to the sides and wings constructed of sonic energy from her carapace extended from her back, allowing her to swoop just before she would have struck the ground.

There was energy all around. Songbird could tell it was of a sonic nature and she watched as it gathered into a central point, forming into the image of a dead man.

“Hey, Mimi,” said Scream. “Been awhile.”

“David…” muttered Songbird. “I thought I released you, set you free from being Scream. How are you…”

“Back?” Scream chuckled. “It’s amazing how things can turn. One minute I’m some mindless beast being used by the CSA, the next I’m nothing. And then, I wake up. Able to take form, think for myself…even speak again. Here, let me show you!”

Scream narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth. The power of the sonic attack was enough to bring Songbird crumbling to her knees as her perception of the entire world descended into absolute chaos.

Iron Man set Ant-Man down atop one of the buildings and landed himself. He looked at the engineer. “You okay?”

“Think I may have lost some of my lunch inside this helmet, but otherwise yeah, I’m fine,” said Ant-Man. He concentrated, using his helmet’s technology to summon reinforcements.

Iron Man looked down, seeing ants crawling along the surface of the roof. A flying one came closer and Ant-Man jumped, shrinking down in size and mounting the insect.

“I’ll see what I can see,” said Ant-Man and then flew off with his reinforcements following.

Iron Man’s AI warned him of an incoming attack. He activated his thrusters and turned, just moments before the Titanium Man slammed into him.

The two armored men plummeted, crashing through one of the buildings, bursting past floor after floor before reaching the ground level. The Titanium Man stepped back for a moment, trapping Iron Man in constrictive force rings and then beginning to pummel him.

The Titanium Man’s armor gave its pilot even more strength than Stark’s own suit. And what was worse, Bullski himself had been given genetic treatments by the Russians in order to enhance his strength.

Iron Man diverted his power to the unibeam and a powerful blast of energy shot right into the Titanium Man’s chest, the force blowing him back outside. A quick scan of the building showed there were life signs present.

“Scott, I’ve located the hostages. Start getting them to safety.”

“Copy that.”

Iron Man activated his boot jets and flew after the Titanium Man.

And in the shadows, a hulking figure watched.

The Vision and Storm hovered in the air, with the android Avenger surveying the scene. He watched as Captain America stayed on defense against Bloodaxe, Nightcrawler and Fatale dueled, Iron Man kept up his attack on the Titanium Man, and Songbird was at the mercy of Scream.

Captain America was the most outclassed at the moment and could have used the Vision’s help more than anyone else. But his attention kept drifting to Songbird.

“Storm, assist Captain America.”

“Vision, what—?”

The Vision said another word, already flying towards Songbird and Scream. Storm watched him depart with a sigh and redirected the winds to carry her towards Captain America and Bloodaxe, calling down lightning on the super-powered opponent.

Avengers Island

Clint watched the entire fight transpire from the monitor room, grinding his teeth. Between his memory and the computer’s files, all the players had been identified.

“Another set-up…” he mumbled.

“What do you mean, Master Clint?” asked Jarvis.

“Think it’s pretty obvious.”

“Maybe to you…” muttered Hill.

Clint scoffed. “C’mon, Hill, think.” He turned his attention to the computer and brought up the archives from the recent missions. “The Wrecking Crew attacks us for no reason. Then the Mad Thinker and the Squadron Sinister. Our ‘defensible’ island.”

“You think it’s all intended as distraction,” said Hill.

“Bingo.” Clint snapped his fingers. “Question is who?”

“The Masters of Evil?” asked Jarvis.

“Or Hydra?” asked Hill.

Clint clicked his tongue. “Don’t think so. All intel we’ve managed to get—which yeah, isn’t a whole helluva lot—says that since Andreas Von Strucker took over Hydra, he’s been involved in some kinda three-way turf war with the Cowl’s Masters of Evil and Zemo’s Thunderbolts.”

“So much for your efforts at reforming them…” muttered Hill.

Clint ignored the comment and leaned over his keyboard. “We’re lookin’ for someone with a hard-on for the Avengers. Someone who knows we need to be outta the picture for whatever it is they’re planning…”

Stark Enterprises
Long Island

The Enchantress walked through the dark hallways in the bowels of the factory with Boomerang right behind her. She held her hand out in front of her, palm up, and a glowing sphere of light provided the only information they needed, flickering off the walls.

“You ready to tell me what we’re doing here?” asked Boomerang.

Amora just smiled and continued walking in silence. She finally stopped when they reached a pair of heavily reinforced doors. Turning slightly and looking over her shoulder, she flashed Boomerang a seductive grin.

“We are procuring an item for an associate.”

The Enchantress waved her hand and the globe moved to a stationary position. She placed both hands on the door and sparks crackled, causing her to pull back. She frowned, rubbing her hands.

“It lies beyond this portal.”

“So why not just blink or wiggle your nose or whatever voodoo that you do?” asked Boomerang.

The Enchantress scowled. “Stark and T’Challa are not fools. They have had enough dealings to know the threats posed by mystics such as myself. This door has been warded against my magicks.”

“Hunh.” Boomerang bit his lower lip while staring at the door, his arms folded. Finally, he shrugged. “Guess we’re done here, then. Because if you can’t get through that thing, I sure as hell won’t have a chance.”

Amora rolled her eyes and sighed. “Have you failed to notice there is no power running to this part of the complex?”

“What do you mean?” asked Boomerang.

“The mystic defenses remain, but the technological defenses are in flux after cutting the power. Those toys you wield should have something designed to disrupt the more mundane defenses.”

Boomerang frowned at her tone but moved over to the security check. He removed a small boomerang, looking over the keypad mechanism. As he tapped the boomerang’s tip against the keypad, it started to smolder and dissolve the mechanism.

The corridor rumbled and the doors started to part. The glow globe moved inside the room, illuminating it. The Enchantress was the first through the doors, approaching a figure in the center of the room, imprisoned in a chamber.

Boomerang stayed outside the doors, just looking in.

The glow globe’s light was reflected off the surface of a humanoid being made entirely of silver—the Super-Adaptoid.

“What the hell?” asked Boomerang.

The Enchantress ignored him and approached the tube. She laid both hands on its surface and a bright light emerged from her palms. Boomerang covered his eyes to shield him from the light.

Once it faded, the tube, and the Adaptoid, were both gone.

“Go, aid your allies,” said the Enchantress, giving him one final look as she herself began to fade.

“Yeah…right…” Boomerang turned from the chamber, running back down the corridor, realizing he’d been duped.

To be continued…

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