The air in the Avengers Compound's strategy room was thick with a tension that even the state-of-the-art climate control couldn't dissipate. Around a massive holographic table, a gathering of heroes—some legends, some from other worlds, all united by a singular, overwhelming threat—listened as Quentin Beck's distorted, disembodied voice concluded its briefing. No one truly knew what the man in the fishbowl helmet was thinking, but his knowledge of the Elementals was their only guide.
"So, that's the situation," Captain America's voice cut through the silence, his gaze sweeping over the faces in the room. "Four targets. They're scattered, which gives us an advantage, but we have to strike simultaneously. We'll split into teams, hit them hard and fast. Once a team finishes its objective, they immediately move to support the nearest engagement. Understood?"
Nods of agreement rippled through the group.
"Alright, let's assign targets," Steve continued, tapping the hologram. A projection of a swirling vortex of wind appeared. "First, the Wind Elemental. It can fly, so we need air support."
"I'm in," Colonel Rhodes said without hesitation, his hand raised.
Max Dillon, still looking slightly out of place in his civilian clothes, shifted uncomfortably. "I can't go near the water one. My powers… it's not a good mix. I'd just short myself out."
Thor, who had been listening intently, turned to him with a confident grin. "Then you will join me, friend Max. We will face the wind together. The God of Thunder and a master of lightning—a fitting partnership, wouldn't you say?"
Max's eyes widened slightly. "Yeah… yeah! I think I can follow the path of your lightning, ride it right into its core, and blow it apart from the inside."
The second Peter Parker, ever the thoughtful engineer, leaned forward. "Max, can you handle that kind of altitude? The Wind Elemental flies high."
"I can," Max confirmed, a flicker of his old insecurity showing. "But… it would be a whole lot easier if I had a stable power source. Something like an Arc Reactor."
All eyes turned to Tony Stark. He studied Max for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "You've been vouched for," he said finally, his gaze flicking to the second Peter. "And since he trusts you, I'm willing to extend the same courtesy."
Tony snapped his fingers. With a soft whir, a maintenance bot rolled over, presenting a transparent case. Inside, glowing with a soft blue light, was a brand-new Arc Reactor.
"Thank you," Max breathed, his eyes locked on the device.
Tony plucked it from the case and tossed it to him. "Don't let us down, Zappy."
"I won't," Max promised, his face set with grim determination. He hadn't expected such a direct show of trust.
Tony waved a dismissive hand and turned his attention to the two alternate Peters. "Alright, Spider-Men. Show me what you're working with. Suits on the table."
The second Peter blinked. "What? Why?"
"I've designed a few upgrades for our local arachnid," Tony explained, gesturing vaguely at the third Peter. "I want to see if they're compatible with your tech."
The first Peter shook his head politely. "Oh, that's very generous, Mr. Stark, but I'm all set. Harry already hooked me up with a new suit." He pulled down the collar of his shirt, revealing the sleek, advanced fabric of a new black-and-red uniform underneath.
"Alright, one down," Tony nodded, then looked at the second Peter. "What about you, Pete number two?"
A wide grin spread across his face. "Well… I wouldn't say no to a test drive! Honestly, I've always been a little jealous of the kid's high-tech armor."
"Knew it," Tony smirked. "FRIDAY, bring up Spider-Armor Mark XV."
A section of the wall slid open, and a mannequin displaying a stunning new Spider-Man suit glided into the room. It was a marvel of nano-weave fabric and articulated plates, glowing with subtle energy lines.
"Whoa… so cool," Peter whispered, stepping forward to get a closer look.
Tony then turned to the second Gwen Stacy. "Sorry, I didn't account for a Spider-Woman. My designs are a bit… form-fitting in the wrong places for you."
"It's okay," Gwen said, shaking her head with a small smile. "This one works just fine."
"Maybe," Tony countered, "but I can definitely help you upgrade your gear. I've got some off-the-shelf web-shooter enhancements and impact-dampening mods that should slot right in."
Gwen's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Mr. Stark!"
"Don't mention it."
Natasha Romanoff brought the group back on track. "Since the electricity duo is handling the wind, I'll take the Water Elemental."
"I will join you," Mysterio chimed in, his voice echoing from the speakers.
"Scott how about you?" Clint Barton asked.
Scott Lang stroked his goatee thoughtfully. "The Earth Elemental is my best bet. I figure I can shrink down, get inside it, and find the core. Standard Tuesday for me."
"I'll go with you," Bruce Banner added. "Hulk can provide the brute force to crack its outer shell."
Marko, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "The Earth Elemental is in Africa, right? In a desert?" At Steve's nod, he continued, "The sand there will maximize my abilities. I can take it head-on."
Harry Osborn and the first Peter looked at each other and nodded. "We'll go with them," Harry declared. "We can't fly, and our webs won't do much against water. The earth mission is where we can do the most good. We'll end it fast and move to support the others."
"That leaves one," Hawkeye said, his voice grim. "The Fire Elemental. Beck, you said that's the one that destroyed your world. And it's hiding in a volcano."
"I can deploy a squadron of drones to keep it contained," Tony offered. "If it emerges, we can hold it off until the other teams are free."
"No!" Mysterio's denial was sharp. "Your drones use conventional munitions. Metal bullets. You can't let it absorb any more metal. That's how it grows."
Tony's brow furrowed. "Fine. Plan B. The Iron Legion. I'll deploy a unit armed exclusively with energy weapons."
Captain America stepped in, his focus purely tactical. "Have you pinpointed its location?"
"We have," Beck confirmed. "Mount St. Helens. In Washington State."
A wave of shock went through the room.
"What?!" Barton exclaimed. "That's an active volcano!"
"Was," Tony corrected, rubbing his temples. "It's dying. The Elemental is draining the magma chamber, absorbing all the heat. Activity is dropping fast. Which is bad for us, because it's getting stronger, but good for the local volcano monitoring network. They can probably take a long vacation."
The grim humor did little to lighten the mood. The volcano was surrounded by tourist areas and towns. A battle there would require a massive civilian evacuation. This was a job the Avengers couldn't handle alone. Tony immediately notified General Ross and the White House, making it clear that local authorities needed to clear the area. That would leave them free to focus on the fight.
"Everyone, get your gear," Tony announced, already turning to help Gwen with her suit modifications. "Let's hope this goes smoothly."
The large group broke apart. Teams formed, strategies were finalized in hushed tones, and the weight of a global war settled onto their shoulders. Peters and Harry's team headed for the Quinjet, knowing their fight on the African sands was the only one they were truly equipped for. In the sky, a creature of wind awaited its masters of lightning. By the sea, a monster of water churned. And deep within a dying mountain, a being of pure fire feasted on the Earth's core, waiting. The heat it generated, thousands of degrees hot, was a challenge that even gods and monsters would hesitate to face.