"Coulson, leave the alien ship overhead to Tony. You two need to get inside the building as quickly as possible, take control of the mind-transfer device, and send that ship back to the opposite side of the time gate."
Nick Fury arrived on site, finding Coulson with a grave expression. "I just confirmed with Tony. That orb above us is a terrifying weapon. If the alien completes it, it could wipe out all life on Earth."
That's why he couldn't linger at the hotel, watching the situation spiral into chaos.
"Director, the enemy is incredibly tough!"
Coulson wore a helpless look.
The agents they had dispatched were powerless against the two mutants.
Even Hawkeye and Natasha were no exception.
Some agents had collapsed with sunken chests, barely breathing; others hid behind vehicles, occasionally firing, but unable to inflict any real damage.
"Sh*t, where did these two guys even come from?!"
Black Egg muttered under his breath.
There was no denying that the appearance of Rhino and Boarman had created a massive obstacle for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operation.
Even Hawkeye, the strongest among them, couldn't break through their defenses, let alone fend off their terrifying attacks.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Bullets rained from all directions, bouncing harmlessly off their thick, armor-like skin.
Clang! Clang!
Hawkeye switched to explosive arrows.
Boom!Flames and shockwaves engulfed Rhino and Boarman, but only slowed their steps slightly and drew minor blood.
Though damaged, their combat effectiveness remained unaffected.
"Damn it!"
Hawkeye gritted his teeth.
Not only were they well-defended with thick "health bars," but their speed, strength, and attacks were formidable. Breaking their defense through archery alone was nearly impossible.
Boom!
Boarman drew Hawkeye's attention. Rhino lunged from the side, sending him flying again.
Natasha tried to intervene, to no effect.
Boarman flipped a car, pinning agents beneath it, laughing with cruel delight at their pained expressions.
"Brother, we're invincible now!"
Boarman bellowed, smashing the car with his massive fists.
Several agents spat blood, collapsing, lifeless.
"Damn it!"
Natasha gritted her teeth.
Nearby, Coulson and Black Egg looked grim.
A small-time New York gang had initially seemed insignificant, but now they had brought S.H.I.E.L.D. operations to a halt.
It was a slap to Black Egg's face.
"You're beautiful… makes me want to ruin you!"
Boarman aimed at Natasha, striking her violently. She flew into the air, landing weakly, her combat capability drastically reduced.
Hawkeye tried to assist, but Rhino blocked him.
Smack!A single slap sent Hawkeye flying, crushing a car beneath him and landing amidst surviving S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, powerless and dazed.
"Heh heh, die!"
Rhino laughed arrogantly, his belly shaking as he approached defenseless agents.
"No!"
Black Egg drew his gun, trying to stop Rhino.
In a flash, an arrow shot like lightning.
Whoosh!It struck Rhino.
"Huh?"
Rhino noticed the threat, raising his hand to block.
Boom!The arrow exploded like a falling meteor, sending shockwaves in all directions.
This was far more powerful than Hawkeye's explosive arrow.
Stars danced before Rhino's eyes. He staggered back under the impact.
When he recovered, a green figure descended from the sky.
"You are…"
Rhino recognized him.
"Green Arrow?"
Though previously imprisoned, Green Arrow had appeared before his capture and was one of the most prominent heroes at the time.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Suddenly, manhole covers flew from the streets.
Four green figures leapt from the sewers, striking dynamic poses in the air, landing in battle formation before Rhino and Boarman.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?"
Boarman looked at them, then at Green Arrow.
"You're so green!"
He laughed, mocking them: "Might as well dye your hair green or wear green hats, you'd fit right in."
A white web shot from above, covering Boarman's eyes.
Bang!A lean figure appeared behind him, kicking Boarman into a wall, debris scattering.
The ground was gouged.
The agents regained a glimmer of hope.
Spider-Man!
Now three superheroes had arrived.
In reality, more were on the way.
Daredevil silently infiltrated the TCRI building, taking out Foot Clan ninjas, closing in on Shredder and Karai.
Venom, Eddie Brock, stayed aloof, recording the scene from above, waiting for the right moment to act.
Rhino and Boarman had no chance to taunt before being overwhelmed by Green Arrow, Ninja Turtles, and Spider-Man.
Despite their toughness, facing equally strong or stronger opponents left them helpless.
Spider-Man's webs created distractions.
Green Arrow's varied arrows tormented Rhino and Boarman relentlessly.
"Spider-Man!"
Green Arrow called: "Go inside and help Daredevil. We'll handle this here."
"Daredevil!"
Spider-Man nodded, then glanced up at the nearly completed alien ship.
"What about that thing?"
"Cyborg's about to move," Green Arrow said, smirking. "Besides, Iron Man's already working on it."
"Got it."
Spider-Man didn't question further.
He knew Batman, not yet arrived, was watching everything.
Batman would have coordinated their assembly the moment the situation demanded.
Nick Fury breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew Batman wouldn't stand idly by.
After confirming S.H.I.E.L.D.'s incapacity, Batman would call in the Justice League.
"Batman… Spider-Man… Daredevil… Ninja Turtles… Green Arrow… Cyborg… Venom…"
Black Egg muttered, eyes serious.
"Not all of this is in your hand…"
Considering DC characters not yet in the real world, Black Egg was troubled.
Green Arrow and Cyborg were originally fictional. Even Batman fell in that category.
He was convinced Batman hid deeper cards, explaining his knowledge of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secrets, even Hydra's hidden operations.
"Batman…"
Black Egg whispered, a mix of relief and unease.
Relief, as reinforcements were coming after S.H.I.E.L.D.'s setbacks.
Unease, because a mysterious power now existed on Earth, with Batman as its representative.
As he pondered, a deafening explosion sounded overhead.
Looking up, Black Egg and Coulson saw fireworks-like flashes through the clouds.
Iron Man, Tony Stark, advanced toward the nearly completed circular alien warship.
Black Egg learned from Tony it was called the War Fortress, controlled by an alien named Longe.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Tony pushed forward but was blocked by the fortress' defenses. Energy blasts stopped him in his tracks.
Within fifty meters, he'd be bombarded back to the starting point.
Tony's armor pitted and battered, energy dropping rapidly.
"Sir, energy at 57%…"
J.A.R.V.I.S. reported.
Tony gritted his teeth.
If he didn't enter the fortress soon, it would be complete—double its current combat strength.
"Damn it!"
Determined, Tony commanded: "Deploy all missiles!"
"Understood!"
Hidden mini-missiles fired at the War Fortress.
New Yorkers watched in awe and fear.
Steel Man's retreat induced despair.
"Go, Iron Man!"
"Where's Batman?"
"Other heroes, why not help?"
They watched the missiles intensely, no smiles, only tension.
A hole appeared on the circular ship, extending a platform.
A robot stood atop, a pink jellyfish emblem mocking Iron Man.
"Jellyfish?"
Tony squinted.
Boom!His missiles were blocked by near-impenetrable defenses.
A terrifying energy beam hit him.
Tony's armor froze, his body immobilized.
"Sir, armor frozen by ice!"
J.A.R.V.I.S.: "Formed by energy beam, cannot be broken quickly. Good luck."
Tony plummeted, eyes wide.
Despair spread among the people, fearing New York's destruction.
Whoosh!
A figure streaked from the sky, catching the falling Tony.
"Cyborg!"
New Yorkers recognized him.
At the same time, a sleek black car streaked through the sky.
"That's the Batmobile!"
"Batman! He's finally here!!"
(End of Chapter)