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Description
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, the Defender; New York Airspace

All around the command center of the Defender S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel were busy monitoring the situation on the ground between the meta-human/military presence and Godzilla. All news and information pertaining to the battle or even the evacuation was being checked and double-checked. Meanwhile, at the helm of the center surrounded by a number of screens, Director Nick Fury was currently in session with someone.

“So you’re saying you won’t help this time, Namor?” Fury asked after hearing the recent response from the ruler of Atlantis.

“Correct, Fury.” The Atlantian king confirmed, speaking to him via the monitor. “As it stands this creature, this ‘Godzilla’, is not threatening Atlantis’ borders. Nor has it since it has slept for as long as you claim it has.”

“And what’s to stop him from deciding to stop by for a nice piece of fried fish when all this is over?” Fury both asked and speculated. “Like I said, this thing can survive for long periods underwater. And it’s attracted to different types of radiation. And last I checked Atlantis has its own personal power source that could be ringing the dinner bell for him.”

Namor sneered before saying “Do not try to trick me with your so-called logics, Fury. My sources tell me the beast is after the meteor that crashed into my very waters. If the energy from it is what it’s after then it should manage to sate its hunger.” Fury tried to say something before Namor cut him off, continuing with “Until I’m considered otherwise, this is a surface-world affair and nothing more. Good day, Director.”

With that Namor cut off connections, Fury sighing out of annoyance before saying “I swear that guy’s motivation goes around more than a Ferris wheel.”

He turned before Coulson came up to him and said “Sir, we’ve a problem. Ground troops just reported that connection with Cap and the team in Avengers Mansion has gone dark. And the entire building is in lockdown.”

Fury’s brown furrowed before asking “Any word from Agent Romanov?”

“Nothing.” Coulson responded. “All forms of communication are blocked, due to some type of interference. It might be some sort of scrambler or something that was initiated during the lockdown.”

Fury shook his head, saying “Always the paranoid type, aren’t you, Stark?” After that he looked back to Coulson and asked “Is there any way in?”

“Aside from knocking on the door and hoping someone answers we’re unsure about that, sir.” Coulson answered.

Fury turned back to the monitors and said “Tell me Coulson, is it just me or does all of this seem pretty damn odd to you too?”

“Frankly, Director Fury, I think it stinks worse than Stark’s jokes.”

Fury nodded a smirk before someone had said “Director! Urgent news! Thor and Captain Marvel are down, sir! And the rest of the team is trying to fight off Godzilla without Cap’s lead.”

Fury let out a loud “Damn!” before thinking for a moment. “Alright. Bring us down! And patch me through into all coms. And get someone to open up that mansion. I want to know just what the hell’s going on down there.” As everyone scrambled to fulfill his orders Fury looked down as the Defender descended further to the ground, saying “Whatever’s going on Cap, you’d better get it done and over with soon. Lord knows we need you now.”

*****

Avengers Mansion; Sub-Labs

As Cap and the other heroes stood at the other side of the room Baron Zemo and his collective cabal of villains from Hydra stood ready as well. Anaconda still held Mr. Fantastic in her grip but the hero remained calm while Cap addresses the situation.

“This is a big risk for you, Zemo.” Cap said, still standing ready with everyone else. “Come right to our doorstep. And for what? This space rock?” he pointed to the meteor behind him and his team.

With a chuckle Zemo replied “I thought you were a man of strategy, Captain. With all of your more powerful friends busy fighting the monster in the city I knew that the less valuable members of your group would be here.”

“Hey!” Hawkeye said, offended, with his arrow pointed at Constrictor. “Who you calling ‘less valuable’?”

Zemo continued with “Besides, you’re not the only ones who see the potential this meteor holds. Its power could be limitless. And in the hands of Hydra, such power could procure our rightful place over this entire world.”

Cap, taking control again, said “Normally I’d be inclined to beat the self-righteous snot out of you, Zemo. But today’s not an ordinary day. So I’m giving you the chance to put down my friend, Dr. Richards, and leave now.”

“Such a generous proposal, Captain.” Zemo said, his eyes narrowing. “But here’s my counter offer!”

With a snap of his fingers Zemo’s men began their attack. Crossbones opened fire with his weapons, Cap managing to block via his shield, while the others charged. After recovering Cap was quick to throw his shield, it bouncing off Bushmaster before bouncing all the way back to his hand. Meanwhile Mr. Fantastic managed to make himself more elastic in Anaconda’s grip, slithering out of her hands before wrapping his own body around hers.

From there everyone erupted into a furious melee. Mr. Fantastic and Anaconda continued to struggle while Hawkeye faced off against Crossbones, Black Panther battled the recovered Bushmaster, Beast tackled with Constrictor, Black Widow went hand-to-hand against Viper, and Captain America found himself going shield to sword against Zemo himself.

As their weapons locked, the two old foes staring each other in the eye, Zemo taunted with “The best part about this, Captain, is knowing that without you your friends outside are lost while fighting that beast! Even if you win one battle, you will fail the other!”

“Don’t count on it!” Cap said before kicking him back, Zemo recovering before the two engaged again.

All the time as hero and villain fought all around the room Jean Grey was still unconscious, not even waking to the sounds of battle.

*****

New York City, West Side.

On the west side of the island of Manhattan Spider-Man was busy fishing out both Hulk and She-Hulk from the Hudson River. During the initial stages of the fight with Godzilla he stayed on the sidelines, snapping what pictures he could from afar for the Daily Bugle. It wasn’t until he’d seen the Hulks flying overhead after getting hit by Godzilla that he realized what happened. He was the one to confirm to Captain America that he would make sure they were alright before slinging off to find them.

Sure enough his search had brought him to the Hudson where he could see the two swimming to shore. A quick web-shot to help pull them further in all the faster before both hopped back onto the surface.

As the two dried to dry themselves off Spider-Man joked “You know you might want to dry some ear and nose plugs before you go swimming next time, guys.” Both gave him annoyed looks before he said “Just saying.”

Hulk grumbled to himself before saying “When I get back I’m tearing that lizard’s tail clean off. See if he’s still so tough then!”

“Easy, big guy.” She-Hulk calmed him. “We should stick with Cap’s plan.”

“Yeah. Thing about that…” Spider-Man began before explaining the situation.

Hearing that Hulk said to himself “Then something’s wrong at the mansion. We should get back.”

“And leave everyone else to fight that thing?” She-Hulk pointed out. “No way, Bruce.” He gave her a dirty look before she corrected with “I mean ‘Hulk’. But right now you’re out best gun against Godzilla. So that’s where you need to be.”

He thought for a moment before huffing a “Fine. But both of you need to find out what’s wrong at the mansion. And fast.”

“Not a problem.” Spider-Man said. “Besides, all I got is web shooters, a big brain and a mouth to match. I doubt that’s going to make the big cousin of Fing Fang Foom turn tail and run.” He looked to She-Hulk and said “You think you can keep up?”

She smirked before jumping high into the air, thanks to her amazing strength, before landing atop a building and calling down “Just let me know if you need me to slow down.”

As she jumped onward Spider-Man shot a web up, swinging away while saying to himself “Married man, Peter. Married man!”

After seeing them run off Hulk turned his attention back to where Godzilla was, leaping as high and far as he could.

*****

Thor began to stir as someone called his man. His eyes fluttered before seeing Johnny Storm standing over him. He felt sore all over his body as he sat up, trying to remember what had happened. As he looked down he realized a good portion of his armor was brunt, some of it missing.

He stood, being helped by Johnny, before asking “What happened? Where’s the beast Godzilla?”

“He’s already reached Chelsea.” Johnny pointed out. “But are you alright, man? You took a pretty hard hit back there.”

“I will be fine, Jonathan Storm. Thank you.” Thor still groaned, feeling a pain in his ribs, before asking “Has anyone managed to slow him at least?”

Johnny shook his head, explaining “Nothing’s working! And we still can’t get back with Cap or anyone in the mansion. And…well… Carol’s down.”

Thor perked with concern and asked “Is she alright?”

“Ben and Sue were near the area. Hang on.” He turned, using his coms, and asked “Did you find her yet, guys?”

Near where Captain Marvel had fallen the Invisible Woman, while using her powers to help life rubble with the Thing, answered “Not yet. But I think we’re close.”

Finally, after moving one large piece of rubble, the Thing called “Hey, Suzy! I found her!”

She hurried over only to gasp at what she saw. Captain Marvel was alive, her outfit a little torn in places, but she was glowing blue. It was the same blue as Godzilla’s atomic breath from when she’d been hit by it.

When Human Torch asked what was wrong Invisible Woman said “We found her, Johnny. But it’s…well hard to tell if she’s alright. We’ll see what we can do.”

With that he nodded before looking back to Thor who, now angered, said “That monster is going to pay for this! All of those men dead, and all this destruction! It will not go unpunished!”

“Whoa! Calm down, Goldilocks.” Johnny said, trying to stop him. “You need to take five at least.” Thor finally sighed, nodding and sitting down before Johnny, using the coms again, said “Tony? Update for you. Thor’s fine and they found Carol.” When Iron Man asked if she was alright he said “Hard to say right now. What’s your situation?”

As he flew around, still firing at Godzilla in his Hulkbuster armor, Iron Man answered “About as well as the rest of the day’s going.”

The sarcastic remark could not be any truer. Iron Man had now taken what charge he could, leading the other heroes in the fight against Godzilla. But their attacks still proved fruitless even with aid from the military forces. Still he pressed on, stomping through New York while batting or barley flinching at their attacks.

As War Machine unloaded more firepower he said “Tony none of this is making a difference. He’s not even bleeding!”

From below, hurling debris at the monster, Goliath, along with Hercules, said “Tell me about it. Like fighting a walking hurricane. You got anymore plans, Tony?”

“Aside from strapping a big rocket to his back, which we currently don’t have, I’ve got nothing.” He answered. He thought for a moment before saying over coms “X Team? You still on standby?”

From the other end Cyclops answered “Still here, Tony. You want us to jump in?”

“Hold back.” Someone over coms said, everyone soon realizing it was Hulk. “I’ve got this one!” He leapt into the fray, managing to get higher thanks to climbing one of the nearby buildings, before calling to Godzilla “Hey! Scale-face! Ready for round two?”

This had caught Godzilla’s attention enough for him to look, only to be met by an overhead strike by Hulk right to his cranium. The monster gave a loud and painful roar before stumbling back, crashing against a nearby building as he did.

Seeing this Falcon stopped and said “Hell yeah! That’s that way to do it!”

Iron Man had a moment of relief and said “Nice one, Hulk. Got any more in you?”

The big, green hero cracked his knuckles and said “Plenty.”

Taking the charge again Iron Man said “You heard the man. Don’t let up! Give him everything you’ve got!”

Now with the Hulk helping to deliver heavy hits, one after the other, on Godzilla the others helped to join in the ensuing battle. But now with Hulk at the front Godzilla now had more to trouble advancing from his position, giving the heroes more time to bide for Cap and the others while keeping him at bay.

*****

The fight in the Mansion sub-labs had erupted as much at the one outside between the heroes and Godzilla.

Hawkeye and Crossbones had fired their weapons at one another, each one coming closer to hitting than the last but still managing to somehow one-up the other. At one point Hawkeye managed to use a flash-bang-arrow to distract Crossbones before coming up and fighting with his bow up-close and personal.

Black Panther used all his advanced combat skills and tactics against Bushmaster. Often the snake-man humanoid lashed out with the wrist-mounted blades he used, often missing or Panther dodging them with nimble prowess. Even when he managed to pin Panther against a wall with both blades keeping him trapped Bushmaster only had a moment of victory before he managed to kick him away. To further the fight Panther revealed two vibranium blades he had been hiding, now wielding them against the deadly villain.

Black Widow and Viper had been matching each other in hand-to-hand combat throughout the fight. Both showed their skills even when unarmed and both managing one moment of upping the other. At one point Viper had called Widow’s moves “old fashioned” before Widow managed a good punch to the nose and said how “no school like old school” before they fought again.

Beast grappled with Constrictor, who managed both his whip-like weapons around his arm and neck. At first it seemed as though the villain had the advantage but it turned out to be a ploy by Beast, who soon used his mutant abilities to leap high and grab a railing from above. He hoisted Constrictor up before forcing him to let go and fall to the ground.

Seeing this Beast chuckled a quick “Seems to suffer from high anxiety.” Before leaping back into action.

And throughout all these fights Captain America and Baron Zemo continued their personal epic duel of fates. The sting of metal against metal while fist and kick and feint and block were thrown into the mix. Both were skilled fighters as well as leaders, further proven by their tenacity and skills against each other. Even when Zemo managed to disarm him Cap proved skillful enough to hold him at bay with his bare hands before recovering his shield.

After being kicked against a machine Zemo stumbled, only to see the still sleeping Jean Grey. He acted fast before Cap could reach him, holding his blade over her and making sure Cap saw. He stopped, calling for everyone else to, stopping all the fighting long enough for everyone to see what was happening.

Zemo chuckled and said “Your one failing, my dear Captain. You emotions have the better of you. Now disarm. All of you!” Cap was the first to drop his shield, everyone else raising their hands or dropping their weapons afterwards. “Now then, good Dr. Richards, you will help procure this meteor’s transfer to one of our facilities. And if anyone tries anything, the young lady here will die.”

Cap, staring down Zemo, only said “You should’ve walked away while you still could. But you never learn.”

“Don’t act so high and mighty now, Captain. Not unless you want the poor girl to wind up a few feet shorter when she wakes.” Zemo threatened with the blade at Jean’s neck.

Cap, un-phased, only said “Funny thing about the smaller things. Sometimes you tend to forget them.” With a smirk he finished with “But I don’t.”

Suddenly, before Zemo could ask what he was implying, something had knocked the sword out of his hand. Some invisible force that followed up with an uppercut to the leader of Hydra. As he fell back the other villains looked confused before that same force suddenly punched Bushmaster across the face.

The other villains all looked around, trying to see who or what it was, while the heroes managed to recover their weapons and begin yet another fight. During this one, however, the invisible force was aiding them to one-by-one take them down.

Zemo recovered in the middle of this commotion and, after seeing this, asked “How? It can’t be Susan Richards. And it can’t be the Pyms. They’re all outside! How? How is this happening?”

A small voice said “That would be me.” Before a figure materialized in front of Zemo and Cap. With a smile he said “Hi. I’m Ant-Man. The NEW Ant-Man.” Seeing Zemo’s reaction he shrugged and said “Yeah, I tend to be looked over sometimes.”

After that he gave a hard shot to the nose, knocking Zemo back. As Ant-Man turned back to him Cap shook his hand, saying “Thanks, Scott. I knew having you around would help.”

“Well feels nice to be needed.” He responded. “Besides fighting giant monsters was more Hank and Janet’s thing. I just enjoy making a good entrance now-and-then.”

After looking to see the others had managed to apprehend the other villains Cap said “Shut down the lockdown procedures, Beast. Let’s get back in the game and-”

“No!” Zemo said before anyone had managed to reach him. He held a device in his hand, saying “I have my own contingency plan! The truck my compatriots and I arrived in has enough explosives to bring this entire mansion down over our heads. Just one push and we’ll be buried as the pharaohs of old. Quite the ultimate and fitting end, wouldn’t you agree?”

Everyone went still, Hawkeye commenting “Why do they always have to go with explosives as a last ditch plan?”

Cap, taking the lead, said “Don’t do it, Zemo. At least let the others go. You can take me if you want, but not my team.”

“All the more sweeter then.” Zemo declared before saying “Goodbye, Captain A-AACCK!”

Before anyone knew it Zemo seemed in pain. He held his head before eventually dropping the detonator. To everyone’s collective relief it didn’t fall on the button that would’ve set off the explosives. They still looked at Zemo who fell to his knees, looking around at the others who were as confused as him, meaning none of them were doing it.

All together Zemo and the heroes looked to see who was doing it: Jean Grey. She was standing with her eyes flaring yellow. This was an indication she was not in full control of her actions. Only when Beast had called for her to stop did Jean finally let Zemo go. He fell to the ground, stunned by the mental attack, but alive; as per Ant-Man checking for himself.

“Jean?” Widow asked. “Are you….?”

Before she could ask Jean said “We have borrowed the body of this native. We apologize, but her mental capacity exceeds most others. And we have need to speak with you.”

Hearing all of this Panther noted “I believe that answers the first twenty questions I’m sure we had.”

Cap stood forward and asked “Are you the ones who came in the meteor?” When this was confirmed he then asked “Why are you here? Professor Xavier had read your mind…minds before. He said you were running from something.”

“Yes. We recall him. The other native who had abilities much like this female.” The Entity possessing Jean Grey said. “And he is correct. We have fled our planet because it has been destroyed.”

“Oh don’t tell me.” Hawkeye began. “Thanos, right?”

“Or Galactus?” Mr. Fantastic asked. “Was it him?”

“No.” it answered. “We are running from something far worse. We are running from a monster, one that will come to and destroy your planet as it did ours.”

*****

Outside Avengers Mansion

Five minutes ago Spider-Man and She-Hulk had arrived, gathering the stationed military forces after everyone explained the lockdown situation. After a moment of thinking how do get in She-Hulk had started with trying to punch down the door.

After the third punch proving not to work Spider-Man commented “Maybe trying the doorbell would be better?” She looked back, sneering, before he followed up with “OR we can try tapping mores code or something?”

A second later they were both shocked to suddenly hear the sound of things opening from the inside. Everyone stood back as the doors slowly opened, revealing Cap, Beast, Widow, Hawkeye and Ant-Man, all carrying one or two of the Hydra villains in the process.

Seeing this Spider-Man asked “Don’t tell me you guys were having a party the whole time, were you?”

Ignoring this She-Hulk asked “Cap? What the hell happened in there? Everything went dark and we couldn’t reach you.”

Ant-Man stepped forward, showing some large device, while Cap explained “They used this. Some sort of scrambler. Curtesy of the Tinkerer. That’s how they cut us off.” After that he said “We can explain the rest later. What’s the situation with Godzilla?”

An explosion in the distance caught their attention, prompting Spider-Man to say “Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

*****

As he continued to fire on Godzilla, Hulk now grappling around the monster’s maw, Iron Man called over the coms “Don’t let up! Keep up the pressure!” Suddenly he heard Cap’s voice say “Tony” prompting him to say “Cap! Where have you been? Taking another ice nap?”

“Zemo and Hydra.” Cap answered. “I’ll explain later. What the hell happened?”

Iron Man gave a quick summary of “Carol and Thor are down. Hulk’s in the game, and we’re giving Monstersaurs-Rex everything we’ve got!”

“And?”

“Well it’s pissing him off, if that helps.”

Someone else over the coms had said “Yeah, well maybe this will cool him off.”

“Fury?” Cap said, surprised. “Where are you?”

“Look North. Very North.” Fury answered, making everyone look to see as the Helicarrier descended from the sky. “Might want to clear the field, boys and girls. Time we brought in the real ‘big guns’.”

Hearing this the Vision, after trying to laser beam Godzilla, called “Back! Everyone back, now!” As everyone either flew or ran further away he stopped and called “Hulk! Get clear!”

Despite this he still grappled with Godzilla’s mouth, saying “No! I’ve got him right where I want him. Just get away, metal-head.” With that Vision continued to back away via flight as the helicarrier came closer and closer. Hulk, meanwhile, managed to force Godzilla’s jaw open while saying “That’s right, you son of a bitch! Smile for me!”

The helicarrier’s weapons were primed and armed, all pointing towards Godzilla’s location now. On Fury’s word they awaited to fire, seeing Hulk still fighting the monster. As Hulk managed to force his jaw open Godzilla’s scales began to glow and hum again. Before he knew it Hulk was hit by the atomic breath straight out of the monster’s mouth, sending him flying back into a building.

With that Fury took the opportunity and ordered “OPEN FIRE!”

Before he knew it Godzilla was soon battered and barrages by all of the helicarrier’s firepower. Guns and blasters of all variety and size rained down on the giant lizard, taking some of the large buildings down with him. Dust and smoke and debris all covered the area and all anyone around could hear or see was Godzilla’s roars admits the sounds of explosions and cannon fire. Even after Vision found the Hulk, still alive and picking himself up from the building he crashed in, they too could see the heavy hit Godzilla was taking.

In front of Avengers Mansion, as everyone else watched, Cap gave a distressed “Fury….” Before everything finally settled. Everyone held their breath as the massive dust cloud began to clear, Cap seeing something and calling “Fury, look out!”

He was the first to see that not only was Godzilla still alive and standing but his spikes were glowing blue again. Fury and everyone else on the helicarrier saw this, he ordered for a retreat to the starboard side. With a fast and groaning jerk to get away. The monster spewed its fire breath, managing to take down one of the front propellers of the helicarrier in the process.

The ship began to drop, Fury calling for some action to try and get everything back in order. As the massive battleship tipped Godzilla turned, continuing on his path towards the mansion yet again and not caring what became of the helicarrier at this point. Thankfully Iron Man, War Machine, Vision and even Storm and Falcon all flew over to try and support the ship before it could crash into the city.

Even as they managed to stop it the helicarrier still started to fall, Storm saying “It’s….too….heavy…”

Iron Man, fighting like the others, said “Friday! Put all power to the emergency thrusters!”

[Remaining power at 45%, and dropping.] she answered back.

“Could…really use some….muscle…right about…” Falcon began before something else swopped in to help.

Seeing who it was Storm shouted with relief “Thor!”

The god of thunder helped to keep the helicarrier afloat, War Machine saying “Thank you, god! Seriously!”

As the ship leveled out Fury said over the coms “Good work, people. Keep her afloat while we tried to put in reserve power to the other thrusters.”

Thor still seemed hurt but continued to hold with the others, saying “Someone…has to stop that monster!”

“How?” Falcon asked. “We’ve tried everything else!”

“Not everything.” Someone called.

“Carol!?!” Iron Man said, surprised to hear her over the coms. “You’re alright!”

“And madder than ever!” she said, her tone supporting her statement as she flew by the others.

When she did she was so fast that all anyone could see was a streak of blue. For a moment they almost thought it was one of Godzilla’s fire attacks, only he was far away at this point. The streak continued to fly towards the giant beast before flying in front and cutting him off from stepping towards Central Park.

Hovering there was Captain Marvel, her body glowing blue as before. Despite the wounds she had, and the tearing in her uniform, she still looked ready to fight. Her fists glowed with energy as she raised them towards Godzilla.

“Hey, ugly, how about a taste of your own medicine!” she exclaimed before firing a heavy blast of energy towards him.

As Godzilla roared from being hit, everyone watching, Spider-Man’s initial reaction was “Hot…damn…” before saying “Dammit, Peter. Married man!”

Description
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, the Defender; New York Airspace

All around the command center of the Defender S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel were busy monitoring the situation on the ground between the meta-human/military presence and Godzilla. All news and information pertaining to the battle or even the evacuation was being checked and double-checked. Meanwhile, at the helm of the center surrounded by a number of screens, Director Nick Fury was currently in session with someone.

“So you’re saying you won’t help this time, Namor?” Fury asked after hearing the recent response from the ruler of Atlantis.

“Correct, Fury.” The Atlantian king confirmed, speaking to him via the monitor. “As it stands this creature, this ‘Godzilla’, is not threatening Atlantis’ borders. Nor has it since it has slept for as long as you claim it has.”

“And what’s to stop him from deciding to stop by for a nice piece of fried fish when all this is over?” Fury both asked and speculated. “Like I said, this thing can survive for long periods underwater. And it’s attracted to different types of radiation. And last I checked Atlantis has its own personal power source that could be ringing the dinner bell for him.”

Namor sneered before saying “Do not try to trick me with your so-called logics, Fury. My sources tell me the beast is after the meteor that crashed into my very waters. If the energy from it is what it’s after then it should manage to sate its hunger.” Fury tried to say something before Namor cut him off, continuing with “Until I’m considered otherwise, this is a surface-world affair and nothing more. Good day, Director.”

With that Namor cut off connections, Fury sighing out of annoyance before saying “I swear that guy’s motivation goes around more than a Ferris wheel.”

He turned before Coulson came up to him and said “Sir, we’ve a problem. Ground troops just reported that connection with Cap and the team in Avengers Mansion has gone dark. And the entire building is in lockdown.”

Fury’s brown furrowed before asking “Any word from Agent Romanov?”

“Nothing.” Coulson responded. “All forms of communication are blocked, due to some type of interference. It might be some sort of scrambler or something that was initiated during the lockdown.”

Fury shook his head, saying “Always the paranoid type, aren’t you, Stark?” After that he looked back to Coulson and asked “Is there any way in?”

“Aside from knocking on the door and hoping someone answers we’re unsure about that, sir.” Coulson answered.

Fury turned back to the monitors and said “Tell me Coulson, is it just me or does all of this seem pretty damn odd to you too?”

“Frankly, Director Fury, I think it stinks worse than Stark’s jokes.”

Fury nodded a smirk before someone had said “Director! Urgent news! Thor and Captain Marvel are down, sir! And the rest of the team is trying to fight off Godzilla without Cap’s lead.”

Fury let out a loud “Damn!” before thinking for a moment. “Alright. Bring us down! And patch me through into all coms. And get someone to open up that mansion. I want to know just what the hell’s going on down there.” As everyone scrambled to fulfill his orders Fury looked down as the Defender descended further to the ground, saying “Whatever’s going on Cap, you’d better get it done and over with soon. Lord knows we need you now.”

*****

Avengers Mansion; Sub-Labs

As Cap and the other heroes stood at the other side of the room Baron Zemo and his collective cabal of villains from Hydra stood ready as well. Anaconda still held Mr. Fantastic in her grip but the hero remained calm while Cap addresses the situation.

“This is a big risk for you, Zemo.” Cap said, still standing ready with everyone else. “Come right to our doorstep. And for what? This space rock?” he pointed to the meteor behind him and his team.

With a chuckle Zemo replied “I thought you were a man of strategy, Captain. With all of your more powerful friends busy fighting the monster in the city I knew that the less valuable members of your group would be here.”

“Hey!” Hawkeye said, offended, with his arrow pointed at Constrictor. “Who you calling ‘less valuable’?”

Zemo continued with “Besides, you’re not the only ones who see the potential this meteor holds. Its power could be limitless. And in the hands of Hydra, such power could procure our rightful place over this entire world.”

Cap, taking control again, said “Normally I’d be inclined to beat the self-righteous snot out of you, Zemo. But today’s not an ordinary day. So I’m giving you the chance to put down my friend, Dr. Richards, and leave now.”

“Such a generous proposal, Captain.” Zemo said, his eyes narrowing. “But here’s my counter offer!”

With a snap of his fingers Zemo’s men began their attack. Crossbones opened fire with his weapons, Cap managing to block via his shield, while the others charged. After recovering Cap was quick to throw his shield, it bouncing off Bushmaster before bouncing all the way back to his hand. Meanwhile Mr. Fantastic managed to make himself more elastic in Anaconda’s grip, slithering out of her hands before wrapping his own body around hers.

From there everyone erupted into a furious melee. Mr. Fantastic and Anaconda continued to struggle while Hawkeye faced off against Crossbones, Black Panther battled the recovered Bushmaster, Beast tackled with Constrictor, Black Widow went hand-to-hand against Viper, and Captain America found himself going shield to sword against Zemo himself.

As their weapons locked, the two old foes staring each other in the eye, Zemo taunted with “The best part about this, Captain, is knowing that without you your friends outside are lost while fighting that beast! Even if you win one battle, you will fail the other!”

“Don’t count on it!” Cap said before kicking him back, Zemo recovering before the two engaged again.

All the time as hero and villain fought all around the room Jean Grey was still unconscious, not even waking to the sounds of battle.

*****

New York City, West Side.

On the west side of the island of Manhattan Spider-Man was busy fishing out both Hulk and She-Hulk from the Hudson River. During the initial stages of the fight with Godzilla he stayed on the sidelines, snapping what pictures he could from afar for the Daily Bugle. It wasn’t until he’d seen the Hulks flying overhead after getting hit by Godzilla that he realized what happened. He was the one to confirm to Captain America that he would make sure they were alright before slinging off to find them.

Sure enough his search had brought him to the Hudson where he could see the two swimming to shore. A quick web-shot to help pull them further in all the faster before both hopped back onto the surface.

As the two dried to dry themselves off Spider-Man joked “You know you might want to dry some ear and nose plugs before you go swimming next time, guys.” Both gave him annoyed looks before he said “Just saying.”

Hulk grumbled to himself before saying “When I get back I’m tearing that lizard’s tail clean off. See if he’s still so tough then!”

“Easy, big guy.” She-Hulk calmed him. “We should stick with Cap’s plan.”

“Yeah. Thing about that…” Spider-Man began before explaining the situation.

Hearing that Hulk said to himself “Then something’s wrong at the mansion. We should get back.”

“And leave everyone else to fight that thing?” She-Hulk pointed out. “No way, Bruce.” He gave her a dirty look before she corrected with “I mean ‘Hulk’. But right now you’re out best gun against Godzilla. So that’s where you need to be.”

He thought for a moment before huffing a “Fine. But both of you need to find out what’s wrong at the mansion. And fast.”

“Not a problem.” Spider-Man said. “Besides, all I got is web shooters, a big brain and a mouth to match. I doubt that’s going to make the big cousin of Fing Fang Foom turn tail and run.” He looked to She-Hulk and said “You think you can keep up?”

She smirked before jumping high into the air, thanks to her amazing strength, before landing atop a building and calling down “Just let me know if you need me to slow down.”

As she jumped onward Spider-Man shot a web up, swinging away while saying to himself “Married man, Peter. Married man!”

After seeing them run off Hulk turned his attention back to where Godzilla was, leaping as high and far as he could.

*****

Thor began to stir as someone called his man. His eyes fluttered before seeing Johnny Storm standing over him. He felt sore all over his body as he sat up, trying to remember what had happened. As he looked down he realized a good portion of his armor was brunt, some of it missing.

He stood, being helped by Johnny, before asking “What happened? Where’s the beast Godzilla?”

“He’s already reached Chelsea.” Johnny pointed out. “But are you alright, man? You took a pretty hard hit back there.”

“I will be fine, Jonathan Storm. Thank you.” Thor still groaned, feeling a pain in his ribs, before asking “Has anyone managed to slow him at least?”

Johnny shook his head, explaining “Nothing’s working! And we still can’t get back with Cap or anyone in the mansion. And…well… Carol’s down.”

Thor perked with concern and asked “Is she alright?”

“Ben and Sue were near the area. Hang on.” He turned, using his coms, and asked “Did you find her yet, guys?”

Near where Captain Marvel had fallen the Invisible Woman, while using her powers to help life rubble with the Thing, answered “Not yet. But I think we’re close.”

Finally, after moving one large piece of rubble, the Thing called “Hey, Suzy! I found her!”

She hurried over only to gasp at what she saw. Captain Marvel was alive, her outfit a little torn in places, but she was glowing blue. It was the same blue as Godzilla’s atomic breath from when she’d been hit by it.

When Human Torch asked what was wrong Invisible Woman said “We found her, Johnny. But it’s…well hard to tell if she’s alright. We’ll see what we can do.”

With that he nodded before looking back to Thor who, now angered, said “That monster is going to pay for this! All of those men dead, and all this destruction! It will not go unpunished!”

“Whoa! Calm down, Goldilocks.” Johnny said, trying to stop him. “You need to take five at least.” Thor finally sighed, nodding and sitting down before Johnny, using the coms again, said “Tony? Update for you. Thor’s fine and they found Carol.” When Iron Man asked if she was alright he said “Hard to say right now. What’s your situation?”

As he flew around, still firing at Godzilla in his Hulkbuster armor, Iron Man answered “About as well as the rest of the day’s going.”

The sarcastic remark could not be any truer. Iron Man had now taken what charge he could, leading the other heroes in the fight against Godzilla. But their attacks still proved fruitless even with aid from the military forces. Still he pressed on, stomping through New York while batting or barley flinching at their attacks.

As War Machine unloaded more firepower he said “Tony none of this is making a difference. He’s not even bleeding!”

From below, hurling debris at the monster, Goliath, along with Hercules, said “Tell me about it. Like fighting a walking hurricane. You got anymore plans, Tony?”

“Aside from strapping a big rocket to his back, which we currently don’t have, I’ve got nothing.” He answered. He thought for a moment before saying over coms “X Team? You still on standby?”

From the other end Cyclops answered “Still here, Tony. You want us to jump in?”

“Hold back.” Someone over coms said, everyone soon realizing it was Hulk. “I’ve got this one!” He leapt into the fray, managing to get higher thanks to climbing one of the nearby buildings, before calling to Godzilla “Hey! Scale-face! Ready for round two?”

This had caught Godzilla’s attention enough for him to look, only to be met by an overhead strike by Hulk right to his cranium. The monster gave a loud and painful roar before stumbling back, crashing against a nearby building as he did.

Seeing this Falcon stopped and said “Hell yeah! That’s that way to do it!”

Iron Man had a moment of relief and said “Nice one, Hulk. Got any more in you?”

The big, green hero cracked his knuckles and said “Plenty.”

Taking the charge again Iron Man said “You heard the man. Don’t let up! Give him everything you’ve got!”

Now with the Hulk helping to deliver heavy hits, one after the other, on Godzilla the others helped to join in the ensuing battle. But now with Hulk at the front Godzilla now had more to trouble advancing from his position, giving the heroes more time to bide for Cap and the others while keeping him at bay.

*****

The fight in the Mansion sub-labs had erupted as much at the one outside between the heroes and Godzilla.

Hawkeye and Crossbones had fired their weapons at one another, each one coming closer to hitting than the last but still managing to somehow one-up the other. At one point Hawkeye managed to use a flash-bang-arrow to distract Crossbones before coming up and fighting with his bow up-close and personal.

Black Panther used all his advanced combat skills and tactics against Bushmaster. Often the snake-man humanoid lashed out with the wrist-mounted blades he used, often missing or Panther dodging them with nimble prowess. Even when he managed to pin Panther against a wall with both blades keeping him trapped Bushmaster only had a moment of victory before he managed to kick him away. To further the fight Panther revealed two vibranium blades he had been hiding, now wielding them against the deadly villain.

Black Widow and Viper had been matching each other in hand-to-hand combat throughout the fight. Both showed their skills even when unarmed and both managing one moment of upping the other. At one point Viper had called Widow’s moves “old fashioned” before Widow managed a good punch to the nose and said how “no school like old school” before they fought again.

Beast grappled with Constrictor, who managed both his whip-like weapons around his arm and neck. At first it seemed as though the villain had the advantage but it turned out to be a ploy by Beast, who soon used his mutant abilities to leap high and grab a railing from above. He hoisted Constrictor up before forcing him to let go and fall to the ground.

Seeing this Beast chuckled a quick “Seems to suffer from high anxiety.” Before leaping back into action.

And throughout all these fights Captain America and Baron Zemo continued their personal epic duel of fates. The sting of metal against metal while fist and kick and feint and block were thrown into the mix. Both were skilled fighters as well as leaders, further proven by their tenacity and skills against each other. Even when Zemo managed to disarm him Cap proved skillful enough to hold him at bay with his bare hands before recovering his shield.

After being kicked against a machine Zemo stumbled, only to see the still sleeping Jean Grey. He acted fast before Cap could reach him, holding his blade over her and making sure Cap saw. He stopped, calling for everyone else to, stopping all the fighting long enough for everyone to see what was happening.

Zemo chuckled and said “Your one failing, my dear Captain. You emotions have the better of you. Now disarm. All of you!” Cap was the first to drop his shield, everyone else raising their hands or dropping their weapons afterwards. “Now then, good Dr. Richards, you will help procure this meteor’s transfer to one of our facilities. And if anyone tries anything, the young lady here will die.”

Cap, staring down Zemo, only said “You should’ve walked away while you still could. But you never learn.”

“Don’t act so high and mighty now, Captain. Not unless you want the poor girl to wind up a few feet shorter when she wakes.” Zemo threatened with the blade at Jean’s neck.

Cap, un-phased, only said “Funny thing about the smaller things. Sometimes you tend to forget them.” With a smirk he finished with “But I don’t.”

Suddenly, before Zemo could ask what he was implying, something had knocked the sword out of his hand. Some invisible force that followed up with an uppercut to the leader of Hydra. As he fell back the other villains looked confused before that same force suddenly punched Bushmaster across the face.

The other villains all looked around, trying to see who or what it was, while the heroes managed to recover their weapons and begin yet another fight. During this one, however, the invisible force was aiding them to one-by-one take them down.

Zemo recovered in the middle of this commotion and, after seeing this, asked “How? It can’t be Susan Richards. And it can’t be the Pyms. They’re all outside! How? How is this happening?”

A small voice said “That would be me.” Before a figure materialized in front of Zemo and Cap. With a smile he said “Hi. I’m Ant-Man. The NEW Ant-Man.” Seeing Zemo’s reaction he shrugged and said “Yeah, I tend to be looked over sometimes.”

After that he gave a hard shot to the nose, knocking Zemo back. As Ant-Man turned back to him Cap shook his hand, saying “Thanks, Scott. I knew having you around would help.”

“Well feels nice to be needed.” He responded. “Besides fighting giant monsters was more Hank and Janet’s thing. I just enjoy making a good entrance now-and-then.”

After looking to see the others had managed to apprehend the other villains Cap said “Shut down the lockdown procedures, Beast. Let’s get back in the game and-”

“No!” Zemo said before anyone had managed to reach him. He held a device in his hand, saying “I have my own contingency plan! The truck my compatriots and I arrived in has enough explosives to bring this entire mansion down over our heads. Just one push and we’ll be buried as the pharaohs of old. Quite the ultimate and fitting end, wouldn’t you agree?”

Everyone went still, Hawkeye commenting “Why do they always have to go with explosives as a last ditch plan?”

Cap, taking the lead, said “Don’t do it, Zemo. At least let the others go. You can take me if you want, but not my team.”

“All the more sweeter then.” Zemo declared before saying “Goodbye, Captain A-AACCK!”

Before anyone knew it Zemo seemed in pain. He held his head before eventually dropping the detonator. To everyone’s collective relief it didn’t fall on the button that would’ve set off the explosives. They still looked at Zemo who fell to his knees, looking around at the others who were as confused as him, meaning none of them were doing it.

All together Zemo and the heroes looked to see who was doing it: Jean Grey. She was standing with her eyes flaring yellow. This was an indication she was not in full control of her actions. Only when Beast had called for her to stop did Jean finally let Zemo go. He fell to the ground, stunned by the mental attack, but alive; as per Ant-Man checking for himself.

“Jean?” Widow asked. “Are you….?”

Before she could ask Jean said “We have borrowed the body of this native. We apologize, but her mental capacity exceeds most others. And we have need to speak with you.”

Hearing all of this Panther noted “I believe that answers the first twenty questions I’m sure we had.”

Cap stood forward and asked “Are you the ones who came in the meteor?” When this was confirmed he then asked “Why are you here? Professor Xavier had read your mind…minds before. He said you were running from something.”

“Yes. We recall him. The other native who had abilities much like this female.” The Entity possessing Jean Grey said. “And he is correct. We have fled our planet because it has been destroyed.”

“Oh don’t tell me.” Hawkeye began. “Thanos, right?”

“Or Galactus?” Mr. Fantastic asked. “Was it him?”

“No.” it answered. “We are running from something far worse. We are running from a monster, one that will come to and destroy your planet as it did ours.”

*****

Outside Avengers Mansion

Five minutes ago Spider-Man and She-Hulk had arrived, gathering the stationed military forces after everyone explained the lockdown situation. After a moment of thinking how do get in She-Hulk had started with trying to punch down the door.

After the third punch proving not to work Spider-Man commented “Maybe trying the doorbell would be better?” She looked back, sneering, before he followed up with “OR we can try tapping mores code or something?”

A second later they were both shocked to suddenly hear the sound of things opening from the inside. Everyone stood back as the doors slowly opened, revealing Cap, Beast, Widow, Hawkeye and Ant-Man, all carrying one or two of the Hydra villains in the process.

Seeing this Spider-Man asked “Don’t tell me you guys were having a party the whole time, were you?”

Ignoring this She-Hulk asked “Cap? What the hell happened in there? Everything went dark and we couldn’t reach you.”

Ant-Man stepped forward, showing some large device, while Cap explained “They used this. Some sort of scrambler. Curtesy of the Tinkerer. That’s how they cut us off.” After that he said “We can explain the rest later. What’s the situation with Godzilla?”

An explosion in the distance caught their attention, prompting Spider-Man to say “Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

*****

As he continued to fire on Godzilla, Hulk now grappling around the monster’s maw, Iron Man called over the coms “Don’t let up! Keep up the pressure!” Suddenly he heard Cap’s voice say “Tony” prompting him to say “Cap! Where have you been? Taking another ice nap?”

“Zemo and Hydra.” Cap answered. “I’ll explain later. What the hell happened?”

Iron Man gave a quick summary of “Carol and Thor are down. Hulk’s in the game, and we’re giving Monstersaurs-Rex everything we’ve got!”

“And?”

“Well it’s pissing him off, if that helps.”

Someone else over the coms had said “Yeah, well maybe this will cool him off.”

“Fury?” Cap said, surprised. “Where are you?”

“Look North. Very North.” Fury answered, making everyone look to see as the Helicarrier descended from the sky. “Might want to clear the field, boys and girls. Time we brought in the real ‘big guns’.”

Hearing this the Vision, after trying to laser beam Godzilla, called “Back! Everyone back, now!” As everyone either flew or ran further away he stopped and called “Hulk! Get clear!”

Despite this he still grappled with Godzilla’s mouth, saying “No! I’ve got him right where I want him. Just get away, metal-head.” With that Vision continued to back away via flight as the helicarrier came closer and closer. Hulk, meanwhile, managed to force Godzilla’s jaw open while saying “That’s right, you son of a bitch! Smile for me!”

The helicarrier’s weapons were primed and armed, all pointing towards Godzilla’s location now. On Fury’s word they awaited to fire, seeing Hulk still fighting the monster. As Hulk managed to force his jaw open Godzilla’s scales began to glow and hum again. Before he knew it Hulk was hit by the atomic breath straight out of the monster’s mouth, sending him flying back into a building.

With that Fury took the opportunity and ordered “OPEN FIRE!”

Before he knew it Godzilla was soon battered and barrages by all of the helicarrier’s firepower. Guns and blasters of all variety and size rained down on the giant lizard, taking some of the large buildings down with him. Dust and smoke and debris all covered the area and all anyone around could hear or see was Godzilla’s roars admits the sounds of explosions and cannon fire. Even after Vision found the Hulk, still alive and picking himself up from the building he crashed in, they too could see the heavy hit Godzilla was taking.

In front of Avengers Mansion, as everyone else watched, Cap gave a distressed “Fury….” Before everything finally settled. Everyone held their breath as the massive dust cloud began to clear, Cap seeing something and calling “Fury, look out!”

He was the first to see that not only was Godzilla still alive and standing but his spikes were glowing blue again. Fury and everyone else on the helicarrier saw this, he ordered for a retreat to the starboard side. With a fast and groaning jerk to get away. The monster spewed its fire breath, managing to take down one of the front propellers of the helicarrier in the process.

The ship began to drop, Fury calling for some action to try and get everything back in order. As the massive battleship tipped Godzilla turned, continuing on his path towards the mansion yet again and not caring what became of the helicarrier at this point. Thankfully Iron Man, War Machine, Vision and even Storm and Falcon all flew over to try and support the ship before it could crash into the city.

Even as they managed to stop it the helicarrier still started to fall, Storm saying “It’s….too….heavy…”

Iron Man, fighting like the others, said “Friday! Put all power to the emergency thrusters!”

[Remaining power at 45%, and dropping.] she answered back.

“Could…really use some….muscle…right about…” Falcon began before something else swopped in to help.

Seeing who it was Storm shouted with relief “Thor!”

The god of thunder helped to keep the helicarrier afloat, War Machine saying “Thank you, god! Seriously!”

As the ship leveled out Fury said over the coms “Good work, people. Keep her afloat while we tried to put in reserve power to the other thrusters.”

Thor still seemed hurt but continued to hold with the others, saying “Someone…has to stop that monster!”

“How?” Falcon asked. “We’ve tried everything else!”

“Not everything.” Someone called.

“Carol!?!” Iron Man said, surprised to hear her over the coms. “You’re alright!”

“And madder than ever!” she said, her tone supporting her statement as she flew by the others.

When she did she was so fast that all anyone could see was a streak of blue. For a moment they almost thought it was one of Godzilla’s fire attacks, only he was far away at this point. The streak continued to fly towards the giant beast before flying in front and cutting him off from stepping towards Central Park.

Hovering there was Captain Marvel, her body glowing blue as before. Despite the wounds she had, and the tearing in her uniform, she still looked ready to fight. Her fists glowed with energy as she raised them towards Godzilla.

“Hey, ugly, how about a taste of your own medicine!” she exclaimed before firing a heavy blast of energy towards him.

As Godzilla roared from being hit, everyone watching, Spider-Man’s initial reaction was “Hot…damn…” before saying “Dammit, Peter. Married man!”