Wasp groaned as she set the Quinjet down at her location. Despite her best efforts, she drew the short straw and ended up with the Alaska destination. She wouldn't have minded as much if the area was a bit further south.
But, nope. She got the spot smack dab in the middle of Glacier territory. Miles of frozen wasteland stretched as far as the eye could see.
The terrain was so uneven that it took the Quinjet a while to find a safe landing spot.
That being said, there is one upside to her being here: she gets to show off her new winter gear.
For the occasion, Wasp designed a new winter coat that wasn't too puffy and incorporated the best thermal lining she could get her hands on. This wasn't too hard for her; she's been in the fashion industry long enough to know all the trade secrets for sourcing the fabrics you need.
In keeping with the theme, she made the collar puffy, similar to the fuzz around the neck of a Hornet. While she usually designs her costume inspired by Potter Wasps, Janet felt a new design would keep things fresh.
Certainly better than letting it gather dust with the rest of her costumes. So many different styles and designs she created and Tony says she can't wear any other than the suit she wore when the Avengers formed.
She understands branding and marketing values, but come on. Wearing the same outfit for more than a week is so tacky.
At least now she has a reason to switch it up. Primarily black, she has a thermal layer underneath, with a soft insulated layer in the middle, and finally a waterproof outer layer to ensure that even a high-flying hero like herself can stay warm and stylish without looking like a marshmallow.
Flying out of the Quinjet, Wasp made her way down an icy crevasse. It was quite a drop and certainly not a place you could navigate without serious climbing gear or superpowers.
Eventually, she reached a cavern at the bottom. A strange glow illuminated the area. Tracking the light source, she discovered what looked like a peculiar stone. It was egg-shaped and slightly bigger than her, a few centimetres at most. With a symbol carved into it.
Activating her comms, Wasp flew closer to the stone.
"Guys, I think I've got something. Some kind of glowy, magic-looking rock. Hang on." She said as she fluttered closer to it.
The glow felt warm. Likely radiates some kind of magic. She reached out her hand to touch it.
Suddenly, something dropped down from the roof and landed next to her. The impact kicked up snow and knocked the Tiny Heroine back.
Wasp managed to catch herself in the air as she looked back at the spot, her eyes wide with fear as the snow cloud settled and she identified who it was.
Emerging from the mist stood the hulking form of the Abomination, his green scales reflecting the light off the stone, and his massive frame easily dwarfing hers.
"If you've got any last words for your friends, now's the time," the Gamma Monster snarled at her.
Fear gripped her heart as the Abomination loomed over her.
"Anyone want to switch spots?" she squeaked out.
Iron Man arrived at his location. Kings Canyon, Northern Territory, Australia. The energy signature he was tracking led him down into a deep cave system near the bottom of one of the canyon walls.
Flying down, he eventually located the source of the energy signature. Just as Janet described. A glowing magic rock. The Mineral composition, he couldn't make heads or tails of. His scanners couldn't get a reading on anything other than this thing was radiating some serious power. Made the energy source in his heart look like a triple-A battery.
Suddenly, her comms went out, and Iron Man grew concerned.
"Jan repeat. What's happening?" Iron Man ordered.
At first, all he got was static. The ID comms were receiving some kind of interference. So Iron Man switched to his armour communicators and boosted the signal.
Suddenly, her voice came through loud and clear.
"It's a trap! Abomination is here!" The sound of fighting and her screams echoed before the transmission was cut off.
Panic filled Iron Man's body. "Wasp, get out of there! Wasp!"
No answer. He had no clue whether she heard him or not. The fact that he had to boost his signal to receive her meant that the others hadn't received her transmission, meaning he was the only one aware of her situation.
"Magical energy source located. Warning, pulse in progress," JARVIS reported.
Iron Man looked to the stone. If Abomination is at one of the sites, then the other Masters of Evil are likely involved in this, and these stones are part of their plan.
Well, not on his watch. If he could just grab this stone, he could blast out of here and get to Wasp before Abomination could hurt her. He knew the Masters' roster and had upgraded his armor since their last encounter. He was more than prepared for anything they…
The moment he reached for the stone, something blasted into his armor at astonishing speed, sending him flying as he cried out in pain.
Iron Man was hurled across the cave and smashed against the wall, falling down in a heap.
Getting to his feet, Iron Man saw a streak of light shoot across the cavern at such high speeds that his armor could hardly register it.
Suddenly, it came to a stop, allowing the Armored Avenger to see his attacker.
His eyes narrowed as he recognized the culprit.
"Laser!" He shouted.
"That's Living Laser, Iron Man." The energy Villain corrected. "Living, as in something you're not going to be in about five seconds."
Iron Man glared at the villain. Living Laser, aka Arthur Parks. A scientist who worked with laser technology. Until he grew greedy and decided to use his laser technology to become a criminal. An accident after his first battle against Iron Man caused his entire body to be turned into photons. As a result, he has to use that suit to remain solid. In typical villain fashion, he blamed Iron Man for his current state and vowed revenge on him ever since.
"You have no idea how much I've been looking forward to this." Living Laser stated as his body glowed with yellow energy and he shot towards Iron Man.
Meanwhile, Wasp narrowly avoided Abomination's massive fist. The Gamma Monster punched the side of the cavern, cracking the solid ice wall and causing a minor tremor.
Despite his impressive strength, his body wasn't built for agility or dexterity. As a result, Wasp easily danced around his strikes as he tried to swat her like a fly at a picnic.
This allowed Wasp to overcome her initial shock and regain her usual vigour. She berated herself for being frightened by him, considering her last major fight had involved facing a cosmic entity from outer space.
A big, lumbering, muscle-brained doofus like Abomination is nothing compared to that.
"I don't know if you heard him, but Iron Man recommended you run." She threatened, raising her fists with stinger energy radiating from them.
Abomination responded by attempted to swat her in between his hands. Only for Wasp to immediately dodge around his bulky paws and zap him with her stingers.
Wasp was no fool. She knew that the hide of this Gamma Brute was too thick for her little blasts to do anything substantial. But, through her training and experience, she knows that even the toughest armor, has a soft spot.
Flying around his arms, the Winsome Avenger flew right next to the villain's right ear and blasted a powerful stinger blast into the ear canal.
Abomination grunted in pain as he clutched his ear, allowing Wasp to fly around and blast him right in the eye.
The Gamma Villain roared in annoyance as he flailed his arms around to try and hit the tiny heroine. But Wasp easily avoided every strike.
"You're done, do you hear me? There's no escape for you!" Abomination roared as he continued his rampage.
She smirked. Her opponent was frustrated and off balance, the perfect state as she dived to the ground, building speed, and shot towards his right leg, aiming for the joint behind the knee. Wasp charged and flew as fast as she could before spinning in the air and landing a flying kick right in the soft tissue.
While Wasp is not a scientist, she's hung around with them enough and is a well-educated woman in her own right. She understands the rules of the Square-Cube Law and the Theory of Relativity.
So, a woman of her size and weight, shrunken down to the size of a wasp and moving at accelerated speeds, would be able to hit with enough force to buckle the knee of an unsuspecting Gamma Mutant, knocking him off balance as she shoots for his head, grabs his left earlobe, and yanks him to the ground.
Abomination looked up at the ceiling, stunned. He had just been knocked over by someone many consider the weakest member of the Avengers. This cannot be happening.
Wasp fluttered over his face, looking down at him with a smug expression.
"Wow. That's embarrassing. Big Ol' Abomination got knocked down by little old me. I doubt anyone will take you seriously when they hear about this."
Abomination gritted his fangs and roared like a wild animal, launching himself to his feet. The Gamma Monster raised his arms and clapped his hands together, generating a powerful seismic clap that blasted Wasp away.
The Spiš Castle is situated at the peak of the hills in Slovakia. The castle ruins have stood for many generations and are one of the largest castles in the country, a historic site that has withstood the test of time.
Had he not come here for a specific purpose, Captain America would have spent hours admiring the history and architecture of this historic site.
But the Sentinel of Liberty had a mission to complete. As he walked through the stone structure, he eventually made his way into an open courtyard. At the centre stood a glowing stone.
He cautiously approached the mystical artifact, head on a swivel for any surprises.
Suddenly, his ears picked up the flick of a bowstring, and he swiftly dodged to the right. An arrow narrowly grazed his shoulder, cutting the fabric of his uniform.
The arrow struck the ground and detonated. Captain America dashed forward as more trick arrows rained down on him, cratering the courtyard as he avoided the explosive projectiles.
Cap soon found himself against the wall as another arrow came flying at him. Seeing the sculpture next to him, Captain America raised his shield and let the arrow strike him. The detonation rocked the ancient structure, but the Super Soldier stood firm.
While he knew that the grass and dirt of the courtyard could be replaced, the priceless historic artifacts that are part of this country's history and culture were irreplaceable.
So, if he could help it, he would not allow these items to be destroyed.
"Impressive." A voice called out from the other end of the courtyard.
Captain America lowered his shield to see Taskmaster standing atop the wall. A bow in his hand and his sword and shield strapped to his back.
"I expect nothing less from Captain America." The Mercenary called out.
Captain America narrowed his eyes. "Taskmaster. You're ability to copy skills is exaggerated. Hawkeye does not miss."
"If I wanted to hit you, I would have." Taskmaster retorted tossing the bow aside and drawing his sword and shield.
"What is Zemo planning?" The Sentinel of Liberty demanded.
Taskmaster chuckled. "As if I would tell you. All you should be worried about now it my blade going through your heart."
He launched himself at Captain America, sword raised as he brought it down in a wide arch.
The Super Soldier raised his shield and the two weapons collided.
Deep in the Amazon Rainforest, Hawkeye moved through the trees. His bow in hand and an arrow in his quiver.
He'd flown all the way to South America. But instead of heading to the party central of Rio de Janeiro, he's sweating his butt off in the stinking jungle. He liked the tropics, but only when it's by a beach with a cool drink in his hands. Not in a place where the bugs are as big as his head.
Next thing he knows, he finds a stupid rock and is now fighting some random villain. All things considered, it was a plus in his book. At least he gets to hit someone.
Only problem is. He has no clue who this guy is.
"Paste pot Pete?" Hawkeye asked as he ran across a tree branch before a stream of green liquid splashed on it. Melting it through like acid, causing it to snap and the Purple Archer had to leap off it and grab a nearby vine. Swinging like Tarzan to another tree as he took cover.
"No, wait, you're the Hypno-Hustler. Am I right?" Hawkeye guessed as he drew two arrows and fired them at his opponent.
The trick arrow flew through the air, only to be disintegrated by a pair of acid streams.
"How can you not remember who I am? You punched me in the face!" Chemistro yelled in frustration. Messing with the controls of his alchemy gun.
"That doesn't really narrow it down, pal." Hawkeye quipped as he readied his bow.
Chemistro narrowed his eyes as he aimed his alchemy gun at the Archer. "Maybe this will jog your memory!"
He pulled the trigger and fired a stream of liquid at the base of the tree Hawkeye was perched in.
Believing it was another stream of acid, Hawkeye attempted to jump to another perch. Only for his feet feeling sluggish. As if something was weighing his feet down.
Glancing down at his feet, Hawkeye's jaw dropped as he saw his feet sinking into the tree's bark. Looking around, he saw the rest of the tree was essentially melting. Branches drooped and elongated, and leaves stretched like ice cream in the hot sun.
From the looks of it, the normally solid tree was behaving just like…
"Tar," Chemistro announced in a cocky manner. "I chemically transmuted the tree's properties into tar. Remember me know, Hawkeye?"
Yeah, he did. Took him a while. But this finally clicked for the World's Greatest Marksman. Chemistro, genius chemist who invented a weapon capable of turning matter into any other kind of matter. Dude could turn water into gold. Or in this case, a tree into tar.
Now he was trapped, and he needed to think of a way out of this before his molecules got reorganised.
Mist flowed over the broken and toppled gravestones as Black Panther strolled through the site. The only light source, came from the radiating energy of the stone floating at the centre.
He had arrived in Chile a few minutes ago and his senses were on high alert.
This site had been built upon the Lay Lines of mystical energy between this world and the next. To build a gravesite upon such a place. He could not fault the people, for they knew not where they laid their dead to rest.
Not wishing to disturb the souls any more than they have. The Wakandan King elected to complete this task as quickly as possible. Or at least move the inevitable conflict to a different location.
No sooner had he stepped more than two meters from the rock a pair of missiles rained down on him.
The Black Panther swiftly dodged the projectiles as the detonated on the ground.
Panther perched atop one of the stones. Praying to Bast that the spirits will forgive him for this trespass.
Thrusters roared as Crimson Dynamo flew down from the sky. Landing between the Stone and the Cat-Themed Hero.
"I can only assume the other masters of evil have been dispatched to the remaining six locations." Black Panther theorised in a calm manner.
"Very clever, Wakandan." Dynamo responded as he stomped towards him menacingly.
The Wakandan King narrowed his eyes. Crimson Dynamo is a formidable foe. But he had more pressing matters on his mind.
"What interest does Zemo have in Asgard?" He asked, hoping to get some information out of the villain.
"It is of no concern to you. I did not come to exchange words with you, Avenger," the Russian villain responded.
Translation: He had no idea. Baron Zemo was keeping the others in the dark. But for what purpose?
"Whatever Zemo is planning, it seems that he is not utilising your abilities to the fullest," Black Panther said, standing up and walking toward the armored villain. "A man of your intellect is surely wasted engaging in such activities, such as interference."
Crimson Dynamo paused as if considering what the cat-themed hero was saying.
Black Panther continued to walk forward with his right arm outstretched in a beckoning gesture while his left hand was tucked behind his back.
"Come, let us discuss this like rational men," Panther offered, his left-hand opening and claws extending.
Executioner waited patiently next to his Norn Stone.
The Asgardian brute gripped the handle of his axe as it rested in the soft soil of the little island that was situated in the centre of a lake in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, West Virginia, USA.
The Executioner's eyes remained closed as he prepared for the coming battle.
The boom of an impact in the distance opened his eyes, and the sound of an incoming object fast approaching filled his ears.
The ground shook on the island's far end, kicking up a dust cloud as his opponent finally arrived.
Pulling his axe from the earth, Executioner turned to see the Hulk emerge from the dust cloud.
Hulk said nothing as he punched his fist into his hand, cracking his knuckles. In response Executioner grinned as he twirled his axe in his hands.
The two brutes wasted no time as they charged at each other. Green fists and magic axe raised to their zenith as they collided on the battlefield.
Ben looked out of the window over the beautiful landscape of Russia. He was flying over an area he couldn't pronounce. But, it read as Kamchatka Krai. Snow-covered fields stretched out far and wide as picture-perfect scenery.
Ahead of him was the solitary volcano, Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Again, a name he had no chance of pronouncing. But it was still a magnificent sight to behold.
Directing Ship, they flew towards the smoking peak.
Cutting through the ash cloud, Ben started to see the glow of the lava below.
As they grew closer, Ship started to shake wildly, and he suddenly shouted in protest.
"SHIP!" Pain emanated from his voice as Ben yanked back on the controls and gained some altitude.
"Aww, Sorry, buddy. I forgot you don't like the heat." Ben apologised as he patted the Alien Blob.
He scolded himself for forgetting. Metal and lava do not mix well. Especially for a creature made of living metal.
Circling around, Ben decided to have Ship land near the peak. As close to the crater as possible without the heat bothering him.
Ben and Zed disembarked as Ship turned back into his normal form.
The Alien Avenger kneeled and gave the little blob a pat.
"Thanks for the lift, little buddy. Zed and I will take it from here. Stay here and keep watch in case anything happens."
"Ship, ship." Ship protested. Clearly not wanting to be left behind.
"Sorry, Ship. But you can't take the heat. I promise we won't be long." He gave the little alien a warm smile. "I'll be right back."
Ship did his equivalent of pouting as he lowered his head, but he gave Ben one last nuzzle before letting Ben and Zed go.
The pair walked to the edge of the Volcanos crater.
Immediately, the Teen Hero started sweating like a pig. The heat was so intense that Ben automatically moved to remove his jacket.
Holding off, the Emerald Avenger activated the Ultimatrix, turned to the alien he needed, and slammed the dial down.
"Heatblast!"
He let out a sigh of relief as the discomfort from the heat vanished completely. The Alien's natural biology made temperatures like this easy to tolerate.
In fact, to Heatblast, the lava pools looked good enough to swim in. He had never considered such an activity before, but it's certainly something he would try one day.
But, it'll have to wait as he has a mission to complete.
Zed barked as her Nemitrix glowed. Red light emanated from her body as she morphed into the giant rock-like rhino beetle creature she had previously used to fight against the Hulk during their fight.
A creature known as Crabdozer is the Natural predator of Pyronites, Heatblast's race. These creatures naturally roam their home world, which is an actual star and can ride on solar flares.
So, plunging into an active volcano is nothing to her in this form.
Heatblast patted Crabdozer's rocky hide. "Stay sharp and wait for my signal, OK? " he ordered.
Crabdozer grunted in acknowledgement.
With that, Heatblast blasted fire from his hands and feet and flew down into the volcanic vent. Crabdozer used her powerful legs to dig into the side of the vent and climbed down the wall like a crab.
As he flew closer to the Magma, Heatblast saw several pillars of rock of various heights and widths jutting out of the magma. The Fire Alien weaved through the stone towers as he searched for anything that seemed out of the ordinary.
Eventually, he caught a glimpse of something glowing out of the corner of his eye.
Not very difficult, since the magma radiated plenty of light for him to see everything clearly. While the intense heat would distort the air so much that a normal human would find it hard to make out anything. For Heatblast, he could see everything clear as day.
So, it made it easy for him to spot the purple glowing form of Wonder Man. Standing atop one of the platforms, close to the Magma's surface.
The Ionic Villain stood motionless. Behind him a glowing rock.
Heatblast immediately shot towards the energy being. Landing on the edge of the island.
"I'm warning you, Avenger, back off." Wonder Man warned. "I don't want to fight you, but I can't let you have the stone."
Heatblast considered his next move. From what he understood, Wonder Man isn't really a bad guy.
He was just someone who got involved with the wrong people and now he's trapped in a situation with no way to escape.
"Hey there. Simon right? Simon Williams?" Heatblast greeted in a friendly manner.
"Don't come any closer." Wonder Man warned again. His body glowed with ionic energy.
"Hey, it's cool, Dude. We don't have to fight. How about we just talk?" The Fire Alien offered.
Wonder Man gritted his teeth. "If you're looking for information about Zemo's plan, you can forget it. It's nothing you can stop."
Heatblast raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Who said anything about Zemo? I didn't."
Wonder Man blinked and clicked his teeth in frustration. The more he talked to him, the clearer it became to the Young Hero that this guy did not want to be here. Blurting out Zemo's involvement like that is not something a supervillain would normally do. At least, not the smart ones.
Heatblast took one step towards the Ionic being. "Look, I don't wanna fight you either. So why don't we just get out of here? You can hold the rock if you want, and we can talk things out?"
Wonder Man turned his head away. "You don't understand." He hissed. His voice straining and his body tensing. Like he was fighting against something.
The Firey Alien raised an eyebrow as he took another step forward. "What? I don't understand what? That Zemo and the other Masters are keeping you alive?"
The Ionic Being raised his head. A surprised look on his face.
Heatblast smirked. That certainly got his attention. It's something T'Challa and Hank theorised when Wonder Man showed up with the Masters of Evil when they first attacked the mansion.
From what Ben remembered, the others said that Wonder Man's body was unstable when he first transformed. Which resulted in his body falling apart and eventually evaporating into nothing.
The Avengers tried to save him, but his body disintegrated before they could. Leaving Iron Man to lament his failure.
So when Wonder Man showed up alive and well with the Masters of Evil. The Avengers best and brightest figured that they must be doing something to keep Wonder Man alive. Using that as leverage to make him fight for them.
"I'm right, aren't I." Heatblast stated, moving closer to him.
Again, Wonder Man strained his body and grimaced.
"If you know that, then you understand why I have to stop you." He said in a desperate tone. "If I don't do what they say, they'll end me with just a snap of their fingers."
He bowed his head dejectedly. Wonder Man dug himself into a hole that he couldn't see a way out of. His life was literally in the hands of a psychotic witch that could snuff him out at any moment. Whether he fails his mission or she simply feels like it.
He's only alive because they think he's useful. The moment his use runs out. It's curtains for him. Simon was already on the edge the moment Zemo brought Living Laser onto the team. A living energy being like him who can also move at light speed and shoot lasers.
Wonder Man figures it's only a matter of time before they realise they don't need him anymore and snap him out of existence.
If he wants to live. He has to prove his worth.
"What if I could cure you?"
Wonder Man's eyes snapped open as he looked at the Alien Shapeshifter in shock.
"What?" He asked, flabbergasted.
The Fire Alien shrugged. "I mean, I can't guarantee it. But…" He pointed to the Ultimatrix dial on his chest.
"My watch can do more than just turn me into aliens. It can also fix genetic damage in any being, " the Alien Hero explained. If there's any part of you that still has human cells, then it's possible the watch could fix it and turn you back to human."
Wonder Man was speechless. Could it really be true? But why would an Avenger offer to help him?
"No. No, you're lying." He responded, raising his hand. "You can't fix me. No one can."
"Can't know unless we try." Heatblast countered. "And even if my watch can't help. Maybe one of my aliens can."
Wonder Man seemed to consider the offer. The chance of him being human, free from Zemo's control. Finally, getting his life back.
The offer seemed too good to be true….
"Nice try. Hero." Wonder Man whispered as his eyes glowed. "But no one can help me now."
The Alien Avengers instincts kicked into high gear. He raised his hands just as Wonder Man fired crimson energy beams from his eyes.
Heatblast countered with a concentrated beam of fire from his palms. The two beams collided, resulting in an explosion that knocked them both back.
Focusing his power, Heatblast generated a flaming comet under his feet and rode it through the air like a skateboard.
Circling around, he saw Wonder Man flying towards him, his right fist cocked back.
Heatblast only just managed to raise his arms to shield himself before Wonder Man punched him with enough force to send shockwaves throughout the volcanic vent.
The Fire Alien sailed through the air before crashing into one of the stone pillars, cratering it.
Stars filled his head, along with a throbbing pain in his arms.
Once he could form a coherent thought, confusion was the first thing that entered his mind.
He didn't understand. He almost had him. Why would he…
Heatblast's train of thought was interrupted by a purple glow as Wonder Man fired a beam of ionic energy at him.
The Fire Alien swiftly rocketed out of the way as the beam destroyed the pillar, sending the rocks crumbling into the lava pit below.
As the Ionic Being turned to aim another blast at him. Heatblast's eyes narrowed. The time for talking is officially over. It's clear that Simon didn't want to be saved right now. Dude believes he's trapped and so dug his heels in.
In other words, he's got to kick his butt to save him. A method of heroics that the Young Avenger didn't mind partaking in. Combines the best parts of hero work.
Raising his hand and focusing. Heatblast channelled the heat energy into the falling boulders. Causing them to glow as veins of molten rock appeared across their surfaces.
A swipe of his hand sent the rocks flying at Wonder Man, responding to his will.
The Ionic Being was caught off guard by the sudden rain of flaming boulders, like a miniature meteorite storm. They pelted his body, knocking him down and sending him flying toward the pool of molten rock below.
He managed to catch himself in the air before hitting the lava. Not that it would harm him; his energy form was immune to the effects of extreme temperature.
Wonder Man glared up at Heatblast, who crossed his arms and grinned smugly at him.
"What's so funny?" Wonder Man asked, slightly miffed.
"Oh, just... ever seen that old movie with the big shark?" the Fire Alien replied.
Wonder Man tilted his head in confusion. "What are you…?"
Suddenly, the lava below him erupted, and Crabdozer launched herself out of the molten rock like a shark, her massive jaws clamping onto his abdomen.
Wonder Man only just managed to let out a surprised yelp before Crabdozer dragged him under the lava's surface.
With the Ionic being distracted, Heatblast took this opportunity to go after the stone. Whatever these things are, they're important to Zemo's plan. The other Masters of Evil are likely at each of the different locations. Meaning they're all fighting the villains as well.
Unlike him, they don't have any backup. So, his best course of action is to grab the stone and head to the nearest Avenger to back them up.
Locating the stone, Heatblast blasted towards it. Stretching out his hand, he reached for the magic rock.
Only for Crabdozer to slam into him, knocking him off course as both of them went screaming into a rock pillar. Smashing right through it and landing atop a neighbouring platform.
Heatblast groaned as he rolled over and raised his head.
His eyes widened in shock as he saw Wonder Man. Now several stories tall, looming over them.
"You should have listened when you had the chance." Wonder Man's voice boomed across the cavern as he raised his giant fist.
Thor flew towards an old, crumbling building. He could not recall his last visit to Norway. He remembered the times when he would come to Midgard to make merry with mortals and engage in glorious battles.
He recalled the temples the mortals erected in his honour and the prayers he would hear and answer. Such a simple age, he thought—a time when the complexities of existence and time were but frivolous worries, as he lived life for glory and battle.
The Thunderer chuckled at his youth. Truly, he was as thick-headed as his father claimed. Thankfully, he had moved on from being a careless glory-seeker and now aimed to ensure the safeguard of the mortal realm.
Thor flew through an opening in the old building. As he descended, he glimpsed various scientific machines. They all matched Captain America's descriptions exactly. One of the many things Thor liked and respected about the super-soldier's method of storytelling was his immaculate attention to detail.
Truly, had the scribes of Asgard kept such meticulous records, there would be no argument about how past events played out.
Landing in the centre of the room. Thor saw a device in the centre of the room. A cylindrical base with a glass case. Within a glowing rock with a rune carved into it. Thor immediately recognised that stone, and he pulled out his ID card.
"Avengers, I believe I have found the source of the disturbances detected by Iron Man's computer. It is a Norn stone, an artifact of Asgardian magic created by Asgard's most powerful sorceress."
"You insult me, Odinson." The seductive voice of the Enchantress suddenly spoke out.
Thor immediately got on the defensive. Raising his hammer to strike his opponent. Searching for where she may strike.
A circle of green smoke formed at the far end of the room and quickly fell to the floor. Revealing Enchantress and Baron Zemo. With the green mist emanating from the former's hands.
"Karnilla's power is nothing compared to mine." She boasted with pride.
Zemo then raised a communications device to his ear. "Dynamo, shut down the Avengers' communications."
Almost immediately, the ID card started to emit a static sound before shutting off.
Even someone as technologically challenged as Thor can understand that the device has been rendered useless.
Putting it down, Thor glared at the Emerald Sorceress. "What is the meaning of this, enchantress? Why have you brought the Norn stones to Midgard?" He questioned.
"Midgard was once the centre of the nine realms." She explained. "I am going to make it the middle realm once again. The stones are going to tear down the walls between Asgard and Earth."
Thor's eyes narrowed. This plan. It is far too excentric to have been concocted by her. Nor could this have been Zemo's scheme. A mortal such as he would have no knowledge of the Norn Stones nor how to effectively use them.
Enchantress had to have informed Zemo of their existence. But for what purpose?
These are answers he intended to gain as he stomped towards the Enchantress.
In response, Baron Zemo drew his gun and aimed It at the Thunderer's chest.
Thor smirked at the display. For a foe that Captain America deemed to be a serious threat with a cunning mind. To attempt to use such a pitiful mortal weapon against the Odinson is a laughable jest.
"You are more of a fool than I originally thought, Zemo, if you think that…"
Zemo pulled the trigger, and a green energy beam blasted from the barrel, striking the Prince of Thunder in the chest. Pain coursed through his body as Thor was sent flying back.
Thor was shocked. The weapon actually hurt him. He reached his hand to where he was shot and saw that his clothing had been scorched. Pain throbbed from the wound as he touched it delicately.
It took a moment for Thor to register. That power he felt. It was magic. Asgardian magic.
Turning his gaze to the Masked Demon's weapon, Thor noticed a small glowing green crystal attached to the base of the barrel.
"You are correct, Asgardian." Zemo said, correctly deducing Thor's train of thought. "Not only was Dear Amora kind enough to supply me with the Norn Stones. But also enchant my weapons. Allowing a *mere* mortal like me to take the head of the God of Thunder."
To punctuate his point, Zemo holstered his pistol and drew his sword. The blade glowed with mystical energy as he brandished the blade.
Thor gritted his teeth in anger as he raised his hammer.
"You wish to test your metal, Mortal. Then have at thee!" Thor cried as he and Zemo charged one another. Swinging their respective weapons as they clashed against each other.
"What do you mean all communications are down? Why?" Iron Man yelled as his armor took another hit from Living Laser. Knocking him down.
"External interference," JARVIS responded before another impact made his head rattle.
The armor's integrity was still holding together, but it wouldn't last. Living Laser was striking his suit at near-light speed, making each impact hurt like hell.
Thankfully, it was only near light speed. While Laser could convert himself into light energy and move at light speed, he hadn't fully mastered his powers and, therefore, had to come out of his light form to strike Iron Man. This slowed his velocity and reduced the impact force.
Had Living Laser actually hit him while travelling at light speed, given his weight as a 185-pound man travelling at a velocity of precisely 299,792,458 meters per second and travelling a distance from anywhere inside this cavern ranging between 6 to 50 feet, by his calculations, he'd be hitting Iron Man with a force of over 4 quintillion pounds. Enough to paint this entire cave system with his armor and organs.
So, thank his lucky stars that Living Laser had lousy aim.
Still, that didn't mean that his slower punches were any softer.
Each impact had the force of a howitzer shell, sending him flying with each strike.
He tried to retaliate with his repulsors, but Laser was just too fast. His tracking system couldn't lock onto the light villain, nor could he activate his shields in time to block an attack.
The shields drained too much power. If he kept them active, he'd run out of juice. But they were too slow to bring up before a hit.
"Having fun yet?" Living Laser asked rhetorically.
Another flash of light and he punched Iron Man in the faceplate, sending him flying into the cavern walls.
The Armored Avenger groaned as he dislodged himself and blasted his repulsor rays.
Living Laser easily dodged the blue beams as he shot towards the Billionaire at blinding speeds. Striking him from behind and sending him crashing into a rock platform.
Breathing heavily, Iron Man steadied himself, his HUD flashing warnings. That last hit definitely compromised the armor's integrity. Another hit to the back would completely destroy the suit, leaving him vulnerable.
"What are you even doing here, Parks? What is it you're after?" Iron Man asked, trying to stall for some time as he worked on a plan.
"Zemo wants something." Living Laser responded offhandedly. "Don't know what, don't care, because I'm doing exactly what I want, turning you into a smoking pile of ash."
Iron Man sneered. That wasn't much, but it'd have to be enough. Deactivating his external speakers, he spoke to his AI. "JARVIS, analyse his fight patterns."
"Analysing." The AI responded as he prepared for another round.
Wasp was not doing well. Despite her best efforts, she still wasn't a match for Abomination's brute strength.
Once again, on the ground with Abomination looming over her.
"You're useless, bug. You know that, right?" The Gamma Monster said as he tried to crush her under his foot.
The Size Changing Heroine quickly flew away to dodge it. But Abomination didn't let up. He pursued her like a hungry predator. Swinging his massive fists, each time they came close to her, she would dodge, but the force behind each blow would cause a gust of wind that caused her to falter.
Despite his brutish nature, Abomination wasn't an idiot. He knew his fists couldn't hit her while she was at her current size. But, what he could do was get inside her head. Make her slip up and allow him to finish her.
"Even the guys with no powers, with the shield and the bow, even they'd put up more of a fight. You? You're nothing." He snarled as he drove her into a corner.
With her mobility limited, Abomination smirked as he had her cornered. She is certainly rattled by his words. The knowledge that she is the weakest of all the Avengers would cloud her judgment. Allowing him to take advantage of that insecurity.
Cocking back his fist, he launched a powerful right hook at the Insect themed Heroine.
However, Abomination's plan to shake the Winsome Wasps' confidence failed spectacularly. The Size Changer swiftly dodged his fist at the last moment, causing his forearm to embed itself deep into the ice wall.
Abomination grunted in frustration as he tried to free his trapped limb. His position made it hard to get any leverage to free himself.
With her opponent trapped, Wasp flew up to a clump of ice above the Gamma Villain.
She noticed the area growing weaker the more Abomination shook the cavern. Cracks spread across the frozen surface until it was just one nudge away from collapsing.
Something she planned for during the whole fight.
This guy called her weak. Thinks she's nothing.
"Maybe so," She responded as her hands glowed with yellow energy. "but I'm still gonna kick your sorry hide."
Letting out a battle cry, Wasp blasted the ice with her stingers. The structure gave way and unleashed an avalanche of snow and ice that rained down on Abomination. Burying him under tons of frozen rubble.
When the snow settled, all that remained was a pile of ice.
Wasp flew down and landed atop of the ice mound. Hands on her hips as she stood triumphantly.
"Hehe, I should of brought my camera." She mussed as she thought about what the others' expressions would be when she tells them what happened. "No one's ever gonna believe…"
Suddenly, Abomination's paw sprung from beneath her feet. The Size-Changing Heroine was enveloped by his massive fist, trapping her as the Gamma Villain pulled himself from his icy prison.
The Gamma Brute glared down at Wasp with an annoyed expression. But, quickly smirked as he revelled in the fact that he finally caught her.
Loosening his grip slightly, he allowed Wasp's head to poke out of his fist while he still had a tight hold on her to keep the Insect Heroine from escaping.
Her panicked expression delighted him. The realisation of how helpless she really is.
He enjoyed it so much that he couldn't help but pour salt in the wound.
"When I'm done with you. I'll crush that bug-loving boyfriend of yours. Then I'll tear that Alien Shapeshifter limb from limb." He laughed at the thought of getting his revenge on those two.
Wasp froze as dark shadows fell over her eyes. Did this guy seriously threaten Hank and Ben in front of her? This monster thinks he can just threaten the man she loves and her little brother and get away with it?
Abomination laughed so much that he didn't notice the pressure building in his hands.
Wasp's eyes glowed blue, and her body followed suit as she started to grow.
By the time the Gamma Mutant noticed the change, it was too late. Wasp burst from the Abomination's scaley paw, and he stepped back in shock as she grew larger and larger till her shadow cast over him.
In a matter of seconds, the Wonderful Wasp grew 50 feet tall. She glared at the Gamma Villain as she punched her fist into her palm threateningly.
"Buddy, you just made a BIG mistake!" She said severely. "You wanna mess with Ant-Man and my little bro? You gotta go through me first!"
Abomination was still frozen in shock, unable to comprehend what he was seeing as Wasp raised her right foot and brought it down atop his head.
Meanwhile, Hulk and Executioner continued to brawl at the lake. The Gamma Giant reeled his head back to avoid the Asgardian's enchanted axe from taking his head off. With the blade just cutting a few strands of his hair.
In retaliation, Hulk threw a series of blows to the Executioner. Punching him in the face and attempting to follow with a blow to the gut. Only for the Asgardian brute to sidestep the Gamma Hero and counter with his own haymaker to Hulks face.
The blow knocked Hulk off his feet and sent him splashing into the shallow waters.
Dazed for a second, the cool water quickly cleared his mind as his eyes opened in time to see Executioner standing over him, axe raised above his head as he swung it down at his chest.
Hulk swiftly rolled out of the way to avoid the attack. Getting to his feet, Hulk grabbed a nearby log and swung it at the Villain.
The Asgardian Warrior easily countered the Gamma Brutes attack, slicing the log with one fluid motion. His centuries worth of combat experience shined through as he rammed the hilt of his axe into Hulk's stomach, causing him to double over and once again take aim for his neck.
What he didn't expect was Hulk jerking his head up in a sharp motion. The back of his head connected with Executioner's chin, stunning the Brute and making him stumble back.
Hulk immediately tackled the Executioner, grabbing him by the back of his collar and pants, lifted him over his head and hurled the Asgardian Villain across the lake.
Executioner bounced across the top of the water like a skipping stone before sinking into the lake.
A break in the fight allowed Hulk to take a deep breath. While he was enjoying the battle. It was starting to wear him down. Unlike his fights with Thor, Executioner was strong, but not on the same as the Prince of Thunder. He made up for that with his fighting skills. Keeping Hulk on his toes and having more close shaves than he cared to admit.
It was starting to tick him off.
His moment of respite was brought to a close when Executioner rose from the water. The Asgardian raised his axe over his head and brought it down into the ground.
A surge of water erupted from his strike. The wave flowed over Hulk, who braced himself for the tidal surge.
Suddenly, the ground beneath his feet started to shake. Before Hulk could even begin to understand what was happening, the ground split in half. Parting like the Dead Sea, the chasm opened up beneath him, sucking Hulk down into the watery depths.
As Hulk sank, he looked up to see Executioner swimming after him. Axe at the ready as their fight continued.
Heatblast formed a ball of fire in his hands. He focused his power as he condensed the heat as much as possible before unleashing a concentrated inferno at the giant Wonder Man.
The Ionic Villain responded by firing a purple beam of energy from his left hand. Its size and power equalled that of Heatblast's as the beams struggled to overpower each other.
Meanwhile, Crabdozer had scaled the rock pillar to Wonder Man's right and leapt off it, opening her jaws and aiming at his face.
Wonder Man quickly raised his right arm to defend himself. Her jaws clamped down, but Wonder Man showed no sign of pain as he waved his arm and sent Crabdozer flying across the cavern towards the wall.
Acting fast, Heatblast put his fingers to his mouth and let out a loud, high-pitched whistle.
Crabdozer's eyes widened as her Nemitrix glowed. Immediately, her body changed. She shifted into a large insectoid creature resembling a bee or moth. It was purplish-grey, had sharp fangs, four legs, two sharp teeth, a dual stinger on her tail, two antennae on her head, and four wings.
This creature is Hypnotick, a predator of Big Chill's species.
Before she hit the wall, Hypnotick went intangible and phased into the rocks. She phased out next to him as he patted her head.
Being from the same planet as Big Chill, Hypnotick is immune to extreme temperatures the same as Big Chill, so the heat from the volcano has no effect on her.
Which is really handy as she doesn't have to be limited to one form in a single environment.
But it still won't be enough to take on Wonder Man.
"This isn't going well, huh girl?" Heatblast asked rhetorically.
The Alien Avenger knew the Ionic Being was tough. He was able to take on Iron Man, Giant-Man and Captain America all at once. Ripping through Iron Man's armor, including the Hulkbuster suit, with ease before his body broke down.
Then there's the location of their fight. An active volcano like this limits Ben's transformation choices. Most of his aliens aren't able to survive in a place like this, and those who can have a different problem to deal with.
He can't just go all out to fight Wonder Man. Doing so risks destabilising the Volcano and causing an eruption, which can result in molten rocks being flung to nearby towns and settlements or an ash cloud causing a volcanic winter that could spread across most of the continent or neighbouring countries.
So far, Heatblast had been his best choice. Given his control over fire, heat, and limited terra kinesis, it is one of his most versatile forms and a serious powerhouse. He should have the home-field advantage here.
However, Wonder Man is just as versatile. Maybe even more so. Considering he's a being completely made of energy. A varied powerset, energy projection, flight, super speed, super strength, size increase and a seemingly bottomless stamina reserve.
This puts Heatblast at a huge disadvantage. He's fighting with an arm and a leg tied behind his back.
He and Hypnotick quickly dodge another blast from Wonder Man. The Fire Alien and Ghost Bug fly towards the lavas surface, with Heatblast skimming the surface. Hypnotick flutters over to another pillar and perches on the rock face.
Taking cover for a second, Heatblast tried to think up a strategy. What alien could he possibly use to gain the advantage without awakening the Volcano?
His eyes drifted to the boulders that fell into the magma, splashing molten rock on the side of the rock wall. He watched as the lava dripped and cooled, solidifying into rock.
That's when it clicked in his head.
He messed up. Heatblast doesn't have the home-field advantage here because this environment isn't Heatblast's home.
The Fire Aliens home planet is a Star. A literal Sun in space. Comprised of plasma and burning gas. Not magma and molten rock.
So, for a true home-field advantage. There's only one alien for the job.
Tapping the Ultimatrix dial, Heatblast transformed in a flash of green light.
The flash alerted Wonder Man, who turned his attention to the source. He quickly moved over to the area and found his opponent.
Only to find something he hasn't seen before.
It was a humanoid alien whose body consisted entirely of symmetrically formed yellow-lime stone. His stone is darker in some areas: between his shoulders and forearms, from his lower torso down to his knees, and on his palms. He also has two darker-coloured spikes coming out of each arm. He has smaller spikes on his legs, and his hands have three fingers, the middle one being larger and spade-shaped. He wears theUltimatrix symbol on his chest.
Wonder Man's eyes narrowed. "Finally changed form, huh? Zemo said you would. Though he said, you'd go for your walking furnace one."
The Alien Avengers eyes narrowed. So Zemo predicted he would come here? Meaning, that Wonder Man being his opponent really was intentional. Put one of the Masters of Evils powerhouses in an area that would clip his wings.
This was a pretty smart plan that certainly would have worked if Zemo had known about all of Ben's aliens, not just the ones Ben showed on the news or used against him.
"Sorry to disappoint." The Alien Hero replied. "While NRG couldn't make an appearance today. This guy will make a good substitute. Trust me…"
He then raised his right hand, and the rock pillar next to Wonder Man started to shake.
The Ionic Villain turned his attention to the stone tower as it cracked and crumbled. However, instead of falling down, the rocks reshaped themselves. Forming together and transforming into a giant hand.
Focusing, the Shapeshifting Hero clenched his fist, and the giant hand followed his actions as he cocked back his fist and struck forth. The Stone Hand responded and punched Wonder Man in the face, sending him stumbling into the side of the cavern.
The Alien Hero smirked. "This guy ROCKS!"
The alien known as Rocks chuckled at the pun and commanded the stone around him. He could feel his connection to every mineral that made up this Volcano's structure, from the solid sedimentary that layered atop each other as it grew to the magma that flowed beneath the very surface.
He smirked as Wonder Man regained his footing, aimed his arm at the Stone Alien and fired a beam of ionic energy at him.
Rocks turned and dashed towards the edge of the platform and jumped off just as the beam sliced the top of the spire. The Alien Teen focused his power and summoned a rock platform from the pillar, which he landed on.
A wave of his hand and, several more platforms appeared from the rocks as he jumped from platform to platform. Reaching out with his left hand, he summoned several boulders from the walls which floated in the air on his command.
Rocks then punched his arm forward, and the floating boulders launched at Wonder Man at the speed of a missile. Striking his body with enough force to knock him back again.
The Alien Avenger punched his stoney fist into his palm. "Round two, Grapefruit."
Wonder Man gritted his teeth before letting out a battle cry as he launched himself at Rocks. His fist raised above his head, and Rocks summoned a pillar of rock from beneath his feet that launched him into the air to meet his enemy.
Back in Norway, Thor raised Mjolnir to block Zemo's sword. The two weapons clashed, generating a spark of mystical energy.
Thor gritted his teeth in frustration. Baron Zemo's skill with his blade matched Captain America's skill with his shield. He struck with the speed and ferocity of a demon.
Combine that with the mystical energy that Enchantress has imbued the blade with, and you have a warrior who is able to fight on par with the Prince of Asgard.
"Iron Man did exactly as I knew he would, the fool." Zemo boasted as he parried Thor's hammer. "He divided the Avengers. And while they may have defeated my masters of evil as a team, individually, they will fall."
He raised his sword above his head and swung it down in a long arch. Thor held Mjolnir with both hands and raised it to block the sword's blade on his handle.
An awkward move to perform with a weapon like Mjolnir. With the handle being as short as it is, using it as a parrying weapon is not an easy feat. Usually, the Warhammer would knock away any opponent or shatter any weapon that went against it.
It was not meant for a duel such as this. Any other warrior would be unable to wield the weapon with such proficiency.
But Thor is unlike any other warrior. He skilfully blocked and parried each of Zemo's strikes as Zemo attempted to disarm the Asgardian, only for Thor to kick him in the gut and send him flying.
"Think to test your strength against mine, Mortal?" Thor challenged as he held his hammer aloft.
Zemo slid across the floor but remained on his feet as he brandished his blade. Seemingly revelling in this fight.
"I have no need to, because your defeat was planned before you even arrived," Zemo stated.
Suddenly, a green beam struck Thor in the back. The Enchantress smiled as she fired her mystical beam. The Prince of Thunder quickly tried to counter her spell by raising Mjolnir into the beam and generating his own magic aura. Blue mystical lightning formed around the hammer, creating a barrier that partially blocked the Sorceress's beam.
With a mighty yell, Thor released a pulse of energy that dispelled the Enchantress's beam. He then slammed Mjolnir into the ground and unleashed a blast of lightning that flowed across the floor toward the Asgardian witch.
The Enchantress responded by raising a dome of magical energy to defend herself and repel the Thunderer's lightning.
However, with his back turned, Thor was left wide open as Zemo pulled his sidearm and blasted Thor in the back with a mystical beam.
Pain coursed through his body as he felt his body tense up from the magic. Thor fell forward, Mjolnir falling from his hand and bouncing a few feet ahead of him.
Groggily, Thor tried to reach for the Mighty Weapon. Only for Enchantress's green boot to stomp on his hand. Digging the sharp, high heel into his skin, causing even more pain.
Enchantress looked down on him with disappointment. "Fool. You had your chance to escape this. But you turned your back on me."
She waved her hands, and mystical rings appeared around his body, restraining him and lifting him up. She also placed a dome shield around Mjolnir for extra insurance.
Thor glared at her. She was referring to when she saved him from Ultron.
When Ultron went rogue and tried to kill the Avengers, Thor was almost killed by the malevolent machine. However, the Enchantress intervened at the last moment, using her magic to whisk him away to a realm where she kept him under her charm until he could break free.
She had promised to spare him from the pain of what was to come.
It would seem this was the plan she was referring to.
"For your arrogance, Midgard will pay the price." She finished before turning to the Norn Stone.
Enchantress raised her right hand and aimed it at the mystical rock. Her magic flowed into the Norn Stone, causing it to glow brightly.
Around the world, Avengers and Masters of Evil continued to brawl against each other.
Each side focused on the other, all while oblivious to the Norn Stones as they glowed brighter and brighter.
Suddenly, a bright beam of blue energy blasted into the sky. Cutting through the upper atmosphere and going into space.
Eight beams erupt from Earth's atmosphere. The Mystical energy then starts to swirl and bend, with whisps of energy flowing out of each beam as the cosmic constellations begin to align and take shape.
While it was impossible to see from planet's side. Out in deep space, a wandering spacecraft might be able to make out the formation of a large tree.
In South America, Hawkeye launched several trick arrows into the canopy above Chemistro. The arrowheads burst, and acid burned through the trunks, causing branches to rain down on the Alchemy Villain.
Chemistro aimed his Alchemy Gun and fired a stream of liquid into the falling branches. The chemical substance immediately turned the branches into steam, providing him with cover.
Hawkeye narrowed his eyes as he notched another arrow and fired it into the mist. Just before it entered the cloud, the tip exploded and unleashed a large net over the smoke screen.
Suddenly, the mist cloud turned into a solid rock shelter, with gaps around the base as the net landed harmlessly atop of it.
Chemistro then fired his alchemy gun again, turning the grass beneath Hawkeye's perch into a white gas cloud that quickly rose to his level.
With Hawkeye quickly firing a grapple arrow, he swung away from the rising gas. Based on the coloration and density, he recognised that it was likely to tear gas. But he wasn't about to risk inhaling toxic chemicals on a whim.
Landing on another branch, Hawkeye notched another arrow and prepared to continue the fight.
Black Panther tossed several of his daggers at the Crimson Dynamo. The Russian villain grabbed a nearby headstone and used it as a shield before transforming one of his hands into a Gatling gun and firing a barrage of energy bolts at the cat-themed hero.
The Wakandan quickly flipped over debris and sought cover from the attack. But Dynamo wasn't about to let up as the metal hatches along his shoulders opened up and launched a salvo of missiles at him.
"Coward! Come and face me like a man!" Crimson Dynamo taunted as he transformed his other hand and took aim.
Black Panther took cover, combined two of his daggers, and turned them into a spear.
"You wish to face each other as civilised men, yet you engage in combat," Black Panther replied in a mocking tone.
"It is how Men settle differences, Da? Fighting as equals and not cowering behind a shield." The Armored Villain stated.
Panther glanced behind his cover and surveyed the surroundings. "Yet, it is you who hides behind armor."
Dynamos' eyes narrowed behind his visor. "Do not think me a fool, Wakandan. I know that suit of yours is more than ceremonial garb."
He adjusted his scanners and eventually locked onto a strong vibrational energy signature. The Russian villain smirked as his suit stomped forward towards the source.
"Weaving Vibranium into the fabric. Did you really think I wouldn't notice? You people pride yourselves on having superior technology and an advanced civilisation. Yet you hoard it all for yourselves." He closed in on the vibrational source.
"Because you fear that if you do share with the world, you would soon realise that your only advantage is your precious resource. And the rest of the world would quickly leave you behind."
He locked onto the signal and primed his weapons. Throughout this entire fight, he's been attacking Black Panther relentlessly, striking the vibranium suit and forcing the special metal to absorb the kinetic energy of his attacks.
The Panther's suit could shield him from all sensors, making it nearly impossible to track him. But after studying the Wakandan King's suit for so long, Crimson Dynamo discovered that vibranium emits a unique energy signature whenever it absorbs too much energy.
Now, he finally has a lock on the Panther's suit, meaning there's nowhere he can hide from him.
Activating his thrusters, Dynamo darted around the Panther's cover and opened fire, blanketing the area with his ordnance.
However, when the dust cleared, all that remained was a vibranium spear sticking out of the ground, its shaft glowing with vibraniums energy.
Crimson Dynamo's eyes widened in realisation, but it was too late. Black Panther leapt down from above and struck the armored villain's glass dome, cracking the glass before flipping behind him, slashing the armor's back, and leaving deep claw marks as Dynamo cried out of pain and fell forward.
Black Panther stood over the villain. "Perhaps you are correct, Dynamo. But I do not believe I have anything to fear from you."
Crimson Dynamo started to rise. His dome was cracked, and his suit's outer shell was damaged. But it remained functional.
"Do not underestimate me so easily, King," Crimson Dynamo spat as he stood up and faced the Wakandan King, side on. "Even Stark had enough sense to never let his guard down around me."
Black Panther narrowed his eyes as he got into a fighting stance. "You would be wise to understand. I am not Iron Man."
With a burst of speed, Black Panther rushed the Armored Villain, aiming to take out the hydraulic systems on the Dynamo's right leg before taking out his arm.
Crimson Dynamo smirked as he transformed the arm facing away from the Panther into a new weapon.
The moment Black Panther leapt, Crimson Dynamo aimed his arm at the Wakandan King, revealing a familiar weapon shaped like a satellite dish.
The cannon unleashed a powerful sonic wave at point-blank range to Black Panther's face.
"ARGH!" Black Panther screamed as he clutched his ears, the sonic blast forcing him back.
The pain, the sensation, the weapon. Panther recognised it all. It was the same design as the Klaw's sonic cannon. But greatly enhanced.
Crimson Dynamo chuckled as he continued to fire his sound waves. "You are right, Wakandan. You are no Iron Man. He would have assumed that I had upgraded my armour since our last battle and planned for it. You, on the other hand. You think you are always superior."
Black Panther continued to scream and writhe in pain. Suddenly, the sonic waves stopped, only for Dynamo's metal boot to slam down on top of him, pinning the Panther to the ground.
"How does it feel, King? To be under the foot of someone you deemed inferior."
The pain still rang in his ears. But the Black Panther could make out some of Dynamo's dialect. Although he made adjustments to improve sound absorption to counter Klaw's weapon, he failed to consider that someone else might get their hands on his design and enhance it.
Now, like a fool, he has fallen for the villain's trap as Dynamo pressed down, crushing him into the dirt.
Meanwhile, Captain America and Taskmaster continued to duel each other.
The Super Soldier thought he'd gained the advantage when he managed to disarm Taskmaster of his sword.
That proved to be false, as it only increased the mercenaries' efficiency by allowing them to focus on shield combat, mimicking each other's moves blow for blow.
The pair backflipped to opposite ends of the field and proceeded to throw their respective shields at each other.
A metallic clang echoed across the open courtyard as the metal discs collided and caused both to clatter on the ground.
"So predictable," Taskmaster stated, shaking his head in disappointment.
"You should respect your elders, son. You might learn something," Captain America bantered.
He then jumped forward and performed a spin kick, which Taskmaster easily avoided. Captain America pressed his attack with a series of punches and jabs, but the Copycat villain effortlessly blocked each one.
"I already know everything I need from you, Captain," Taskmaster replied as he parried the Super Soldier's right hook and struck him in the chest with an open palm, his fingers curving in like claws.
"I've been studying the fighting moves of all the Avengers." He ran on all fours like Black Panther and began using the Wakandan panther fighting style.
Captain America went on the defensive as he moved to block Taskmaster's strikes; he had many training sessions with Black Panther, so he knew his fighting style well.
The mercenary can mimic his moves perfectly, even imitating the feint that Panther does when he's about to perform a leg sweep.
Leaping over the attack, Cap attempted to punch Taskmaster in the face, only for the mercenary to switch up his fighting style, pivoting out of the way and judo-throwing the Sentinel of Liberty over his head.
"But the one I've been paying attention to the most has been Tennyson." He stated as he charged forward and performed his own spin kick, which Cap dodged, only to follow up with an elbow strike to his face and finally grabbing onto his head, flipping over his body and then tossing Captain America onto the floor with a loud thud.
Even with the pain throbbing in his body, he recognised that move. The Flying Ophiuchus Supplex. One of the moves that Rath uses in fights. The elbow strike as well, that was Kickin Hawk's move when incorporating his elbow blades.
Fortunately for him. He's fought every one of those forms and knows their moves off by heart.
Taskmaster switched fighting style again. This time incorporating an agile, acrobatic combat style, just like Spidermonkey.
The moment that Taskmaster got in range, Captain America dodged under his right hook and delivered an uppercut to the Copycat Villain's jaw before finishing with a double palm strike to Taskmaster's abdomen.
Taskmaster performed a backwards flip to gain some distance. Panting heavily as he touched his chest. A look of surprise on his face. Been a while since he was caught off guard like that.
"Ok, nice. Kenpo, Taekwondo and jujitsu." He complimented. Listing off the fighting styles he witnessed Cap use.
He clenched his fist and got into a fighting stance. "My turn."
The pair engaged in another brawl. Taskmaster displays several different fighting styles, switching between them with ease: karate, Krav Maga, Savate, kung fu, and Aikido, to name a few.
Eventually, Taskmaster managed to get Cap in a headlock. Restraining his arms and holding him in place.
"Zemo has some big plans for you, Captain," Taskmaster said as he restrained him. "But for me, you're just a stepping stone for me to get the Tennyson device."
Out of the corner of his eye, Captain America noticed his shield sitting a few feet from him.
"You'll find that's easier said than done." Captain America stated before headbutting Taskmaster in the face. Stunning him enough to release his grip and clutch his face.
With his body free, Captain America rushed to his shield. Scooping it up with one hand and tucking it under his arm as he ran up the wall until his momentum ran out before he pivoted and tossed his shield at full force.
Taskmaster performed a butterfly twist to avoid the shield as it sailed under him. The patriotic weapon bounced off the stone walls and started to return to its master.
The Mercenary landed on the ground in a three-point landing; his left arm stretched out as the shield passed over it. As it did, Taskmaster subtly opened his palm, and his fingers lightly brushed the inside edge of the shield before it returned to Captain America's awaiting hand.
No sooner had he caught the metal disc, Captain America immediately noticed something was off. That shield has been his closest companion for many years during the war. It's a part of himself, an extension of his body. He knows every part of that shield better than anyone.
So when he caught it in his hand, he immediately noticed that the weight was off.
Flipping it over, he noticed a small black device attached to the underside of the shield.
Before he could even attempt to figure out what it was, a burst of electricity surged from the device, shocking the Super Soldier.
Taskmaster grinned as he released his thumb from the device in his hand. The electrical surge stopped, and Captain America collapsed. His body was numb from the shock as his nervous system was completely stunned.
His mind was fuzzy as he could feel his consciousness drifting. But he fought against it and forced his eyes to stay open.
As he did, he saw Taskmaster walking towards him, and his chuckle echoed in his ears.
"I'm faster than you think, Captain." The Mercenary gloated. He then knelt down to look the Super Soldier in the eye. "Not only do I know your fighting style. I know exactly when you are going to throw your shield…. And that you always catch it."