"Boom, boom, boom!"
Over the HYDRA base in Siberia, Tony Stark soared in his Iron Man armor, circling above the fortress. A missile pod popped out from his shoulder, launching Jericho missiles in rapid succession. They exploded against the rising energy shield, unable to penetrate.
"Shit. J.A.R.V.I.S., analyze the energy level of that turtle shell in front of me."
The corner of Tony's mouth twitched. The energy field surprised him, but he wasn't worried.
"Hey, Tony, watch your language," came Steve Rogers' voice through the comms, stern as always. At the same time, Rogers hurled his Vibranium shield, the disc cutting a clean arc before knocking down six HYDRA soldiers in one throw.
"Come on, old man. This isn't your era anymore—it's ours."
Tony smirked, never caring much for Steve's self-seriousness. But even as he argued, a red warning dot appeared on his visor.
"Mr. Stark, high-energy signatures are rapidly approaching," J.A.R.V.I.S. reported.
Tony's eyes narrowed. The psychic scepter had already caused abnormal fluctuations, but this was something else. The red dot was closing in at Mach 8.5—faster than his own suit.
"Well, looks like the dance floor's filling up. Do the staff get to join?"
He masked his concern with sarcasm, but his face had turned grim. Behind the red dot, J.A.R.V.I.S. projected an image of Sokovia, the nearest city.
"Damn it… one thing after another. J.A.R.V.I.S., deploy the Iron Legion."
As HYDRA operatives spread terror through Sokovia, Stark finally unleashed his backup plan. The Iron Legion descended from the skies, moving to restore order in the city.
Meanwhile, Allens streaked toward Siberia. Though the quantum bridge teleportation was faster, he wasn't rushing. The curtain hadn't fully risen yet.
As he flew, the long-silent Rise of Heroes system stirred.
Ding! Congratulations, host, for evading pursuit from future Captain America Rogers again. Reward: one random draw.
"Open it," Allens ordered without hesitation, diving into the system's turntable of dazzling abilities.
The draw is complete. Reward: Mechanical Control.
Allens' eyes gleamed. Mechanical Control… Micah Sanders' ability from Heroes. The power to manipulate intelligent machines.
Though the show had only shown ATM hacks and minor feats, Allens knew its true potential was far greater. And it came at the perfect time.
"Machine control… even Ultron counts as an intelligent machine."
Suspended high above Strucker's base, Allens watched as the Avengers broke through HYDRA's defenses below. Inside, they were already clashing with the Maximoff twins—Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. Pietro's super speed had the Avengers struggling, and Clint Barton lay seriously injured.
Tony Stark had slipped inside the base. Allens' body shimmered with blue light before he teleported directly in behind him.
Tony had just removed his armor, walking into the dimly lit chamber, when his breath caught.
"What the hell… these HYDRA lunatics are experimenting on a Leviathan?"
A massive steel Leviathan loomed in the center of the room. Stark's face hardened at the sight. So stunned was he that he didn't notice the woman who had appeared silently behind him.
"Shhh."
Scarlet Witch crept up, pressing her hands to Tony's temples. Her power surged, pulling his darkest fears to the surface.
Tony staggered as visions consumed him.
"Tony Stark… drown in your own mind."
Wanda sneered, watching him writhe before turning her gaze to the psychic scepter resting beside the Leviathan. She reached for it.
"Captain, I've secured the scepter," Tony said shakily after forcing himself free from the illusion. He copied the base's data to J.A.R.V.I.S. and opened comms.
"Hey, Tony, isn't this supposed to be your youthful prime? Why is an old man like me moving faster than you?" Steve taunted over the channel.
"Grandpa's getting snippy again," Tony muttered, rolling his eyes. His sarcasm didn't quite mask the flash of anxiety in his gaze. Still, he retrieved Loki's scepter and made his way back to the team.
"Wanda, did it work?" Pietro appeared at her side in a blur, eyes fixed seriously on his sister.
"Of course. Watching him collapse under his own fears was… amusing."
Before she could say more, a mocking voice drifted from behind them.
"'Bury yourself with your own wisdom'? Cute line. But tell me—do you really think that'll work on me?"
Wanda and Pietro froze.
"Who the hell are you?" Pietro snapped, and in the next instant, he blurred into motion, aiming to crush the intruder with his speed—
Only to find himself… crawling. His body lagged like lead, his lightning-fast steps reduced to the plodding pace of an ordinary man.
"What?! My powers… they're gone!"
"Allow me to introduce myself," the stranger said, eyes glinting with malice. "Allens. The one destined to erase the Avengers from existence."
Before Pietro could react, Allens' leg whipped out in a savage kick. The blow launched him across the chamber like a ragdoll. Stripped of his speed, Pietro Maximoff was nothing more than a frail young man.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to [Arron Mardling] for joining my Patreon page!🎉Your support means the world to me. 🙏
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
I upload 2 chapters daily on Patreon!
There are 70+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Check out my new Naruto fanfic!
[Naruto: My Nine-Tails Keep Multiplying!]