----------------------------------------
Hammerhaven, two hours after the attack began,
Justin stood at the edge of the grand main square in Hammerhaven, his eyes trained on the Asgardians gathered before him. Around him, some of the Earth's most powerful leaders or their representatives were arrayed like pieces on a chessboard, a parade of forced smiles and stiff posture. President Ellis stood to his left, flanked by Secret Service agents, while Alexander Pierce hovered nearby, his usual air of cool arrogance only slightly marred by the tension in his eyes. Both men wore carefully neutral expressions, but Justin could feel the simmering resentment beneath the surface.
Mixed with the feeling of frustration, as they were all stuck here, while the US military performed terrorist actions on home soil.
They all knew what was happening while they wasted time on this.
Justin's heart pounded with frustration, though his outward demeanor remained calm. His implant buzzed every few minutes with updates from Nail, the reports detailing the destruction being wrought across the United States by the rogue power armors - the armors acting like drones, turning on his factories, offices, and clinics. The attacks weren't happening in Hammerhaven, of course. That would have made them easy to repel. Instead, they were targeting his operations all over the country, and not every facility had the defenses in place to fend off a fully armed, armored assault.
The most recent update had been particularly grim. Nail had whispered in his ear: Four factories gone. Hundreds dead. And the carnage was still unfolding.
Ellis and Pierce should have been dealing with the same chaos, considering these attacks were happening on U.S. soil. But instead, they were standing there, forced to watch Thor and his Einherjar prepare to leave, bound by the unspoken agreement between them that Earth couldn't look weak in front of Asgard. The entire square was lined with SHIELD agents, Secret Service personnel, and assorted guards from various world leaders, their faces pale and strained. Everyone knew what was going on, yet no one could make a move until the damn aliens were gone.
Thor, for his part, appeared utterly oblivious to the rising tension in the air. Standing atop the grand marble steps at the heart of Hammerhaven's main square, he was in the middle of a long-winded speech. His booming voice echoed through the streets, as if unaware that the world leaders arrayed before him were barely listening. His words were full of talk about friendship and brotherhood between Midgard and Asgard, about how, should any troubles arise, his hammer would be ready to answer the call.
Justin kept his polite smile in place, but inside, he wanted to scream. Just leave already, he thought, clenching his jaw. All he could do was stand there, his hands neatly folded in front of him, waiting for the Asgardians to finally go.
Even when they weren't even doing anything, they managed to make his life more annoying.
Nail's voice came through his implant again, soft and precise. "Sir, casualties are now estimated at over a thousand. The rogue power armors are continuing to hit our key facilities, though Storm has successfully protected the New York offices."
Justin's teeth ground together as he forced a nod, as if agreeing with something Thor had said. His eyes flicked briefly to Ellis, whose face was now twitching in barely contained frustration. The U.S. President was a smart man.- he had to be boiling inside, knowing his country was under siege by his own forces, yet bound by decorum to stand here, smiling at Thor's speech. Pierce looked equally strained, his eyes flicking over to Justin every so often, as if seeking an explanation or an outlet for his frustration.
If this was a normal diplomatic party, they could have made their excuses, but this was a different planet. Alien diplomats, no one wanted to be the ones left out or making a bad impression on their new 'allies'.
Thor's speech finally began to wind down, his face glowing with the pride of a man who thought he had just accomplished something great. With one final, grand gesture, he raised Mjolnir high into the air, calling out, "Midgard and Asgard will now be allies for eternity!"
He expected cheers obviously. Instead, the crowd - made up mostly of politicians, diplomats and military brass - responded with a half-hearted smattering of applause. Their claps were more perfunctory than anything, a polite gesture rather than true enthusiasm. No one was in the mood for celebration when things were this uncertain.
Even people generally disliking the US were walking on tiptoes, if the US military was going rogue, that was an issue that got the entire world panicking, who knew who could be next?
Thor's smile faltered for a moment, clearly confused by the lukewarm response. Freyja, ever perceptive, stepped forward and laid a gentle hand on her son's arm, guiding him back. Her gaze turned toward Justin, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she approached.
"I thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Hammer," Freyja said in a tone that was both regal and warm, her voice carrying easily over the muted buzz of the square. "Though I must say, it wasn't necessary for you to maintain such a front during the battle you're facing right now. I wouldn't have taken offense."
Justin stiffened slightly, though he kept his face a perfect mask of calm. Of course, she knew. Why wouldn't she? The queen mother of Asgard wasn't blind to what was happening on Earth, even as her people prepared to depart. Fucking Magic no doubt, or Heimdall and his cheating peepers… But there was no way in hell he was about to discuss Earth's, or Hammer industries internal security matters with an alien, no matter how well-meaning she appeared.
"I'm afraid this is as much for the people behind me as it is for yourself, my lady," Justin replied smoothly, his tone impeccably polite. He inclined his head in acknowledgment, giving away nothing else.
Freyja's smile widened, the amusement in her eyes growing. "I see. A show for appearances, then." She took a step closer, extending her hand toward him for a handshake. "This is Midgarda custom, no?" Her tone was playful, but there was a glint in her eye that made Justin wary.
He took her hand, the warmth of her grip surprising. As they shook, he felt something slip into his palm - a small, thin piece of parchment, neatly folded. Freyja gave him a knowing look, her eyes dancing with mirth.
"Another Midgard custom," She said with a wink, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "For subterfuge. I saw it in one of your moving pictures." She sounded genuinely delighted by the concept. "The location of your target, as provided by Heimdall."
Justin blinked, glancing down at the parchment now nestled in his hand. He hadn't expected that. His pulse quickened, the implications of what she had just handed him sinking in. Sinister.
He quickly schooled his features back into calm neutrality and bowed his head slightly. "I thank you, my lady," He murmured, his voice carefully measured. His mind, however, was racing. I have you now, Sinister.
Freyja gave him one last, appraising look, her smile softening into something almost cryptic. "Soon, I would think," She said, her voice carrying a note of quiet mystery that made Justin raise an eyebrow. "Yes, any day now." She added, humming melodically.
Before he could respond, she turned and rejoined the throng of Asgardians, her graceful steps taking her back toward Thor's side. The God of Thunder raised his hammer once more, calling out for Heimdall in his booming voice. A heartbeat later, the sky above Hammerhaven lit up with the swirling colors of the Bifrost. The air vibrated with the hum of ancient magic, and within moments, the Asgardians were gone - vanished in a brilliant flash of light.
The moment the light faded, Justin's polite facade cracked, his expression hardening as he turned his gaze toward the remaining humans. President Ellis was already moving, his security detail quickly surrounding him as they began escorting him away from the square - no doubt heading for a secure bunker, no way they were risking using Air Force One right now. Ellis shot Justin a withering look as he passed, clearly displeased with the events of the summit.
"Good riddance," Justin muttered under his breath, already thinking ahead to what needed to be done. Ellis had been useful, but Justin was getting to a point where who was the head of state of any given nation didn't matter.
They'd all have no choice but to fall in line.
Europe had been the test bed.
Alexander Pierce did not leave so easily however, Justin noted with distaste. As Ellis disappeared into the crowd, Pierce approached, his own contingent of SHIELD agents ensuring no one else came near them. His expression was calm, almost jovial, but his eyes were sharp and cold.
"Justin," Pierce said, his tone light, though there was an unmistakable edge to it. "You didn't feel the need to inform me that you'd already made a deal with Asgard?"
Does a bear inform the fish it's about to be a meal? He thought with a smidgeon of amusement. If Ellis was getting superfluous soon, Pierce was getting uppity, Nail was watching them closely, and HYDRA had been making waves lately…
Including dealing with the Hellfire Club, and the Mandarin on the sly.
It made Justin think they'd outlived their usefulness.
Justin slipped the parchment Freyja had given him into his pocket with a smooth, practiced motion. He turned to face Pierce, one hand in his pocket, the other casually hanging at his side. "Pierce, we're allies of a sort, but that doesn't make you my nursemaid. I don't need to tell you everything." He drawled, an amused quirk to his lips.
Pierce's smile tightened, his eyes narrowing. "Not much of an alliance, then."
"Maybe not," Justin agreed, shrugging slightly. "Do you wish to end it?"
The words hung in the air like a challenge, and Justin watched with some satisfaction as Pierce's face momentarily froze, his eyes narrowing as if he were considering his options. But in the end, Pierce's expression twisted into a grimace, as though he'd swallowed something bitter.
"No," Pierce said finally, though his tone was clipped. "I am just… Expressing my displeasure at being kept out of the loop."
Justin let out a low, humorless chuckle. "Speaking of being out of the loop, why did SHIELD fail to check for backdoors in the goblin power armors? Especially after the Green Goblin became a thing…"
Too bad he'd already taken Ross, he'd have really enjoyed watching the man realize his warnings way back when - had come to fruition.
But he couldn't taunt the dead. And Ross was unfortunately no longer with them.
So sad.
Anyway…
"It seems a little bit of an oversight, don't you think?" Justin added, just to twist the dagger a little.
Pierce's face tightened further, his lips pressing into a thin line. "We did check."
Justin raised an eyebrow, his voice dry. "Should I compliment your utter incompetence, then?"
Pierce's jaw clenched, the faintest twitch of anger flickering across his face. Justin felt a surge of satisfaction in treating Pierce like nothing more than a buzzing irritant - an obstacle to be swatted away rather than someone he needed to fear.
Pierce remained rigid, his face an impassive mask despite the palpable frustration radiating from him. "I suspect infiltration and subversion of the reports," He said, his voice tight with barely contained anger.
SHIELD or HYDRA same difference in competency, Justin thought derisively. He smiled, sharp and mocking. "So, incompetence, then. Good to know." He checked his wristwatch nonchalantly, as if dismissing the conversation entirely. "Oh look, time flies. I need to deal with this attack, seeing as SHIELD isn't doing much to help." His tone dripped with contempt as he casually turned on his heel, walking away from Pierce without a backward glance.
"Justin…" Pierce growled, his voice low with warning.
But Justin didn't stop, didn't acknowledge him further. He was done with Pierce, done playing games with the so-called ally who seemed more like a liability by the day. Instead, he strode toward his offices, Domino and a contingent of his personal security team falling into line beside him like clockwork.
The tension in the air was thick as they walked, Justin's mind raced, sorting through the reports Nail had fed him over the past hour. The damage was already catastrophic for his reputation, and the losses were stacking higher with each passing minute.
Storm, Yelena, and Phantazia were already on the ground, leading the H.A.M.M.E.R. team to pacify the rogue armors. But even with their expertise, there were simply too many targets, and the damage was spiraling out of control.
As soon as they entered the towering structure of Hammer Industries' headquarters, Justin's calm mask slipped, his expression darkening as the automatic doors sealed shut behind them. The tension that had coiled in his chest during Thor's agonizingly long farewell speech now surged to the surface.
"Nail, any new information?" He asked sharply, his voice carrying through the halls as they made their way toward his private office.
Nail's voice, soft and composed, responded instantly in his ear. "Sir, the tally now includes five factories that are completely destroyed, two others in major disrepair, and two office buildings gone. Additionally, seven Panacea clinics have been wiped out."
Justin's teeth clenched as he absorbed the news, his eyes narrowing in frustration. "Casualties?" He asked, though he already knew the answer wasn't going to be good.
His average employees did not have Extremis, they just had access to Panacea at differing levels depending on their position. His security teams all had the treatments, but lacked flight capabilities to truly contest the Goblin armors before they got in range and began firing missiles and bombs.
"The death toll is still being calculated, but it has reached over one thousand civilians. Many of your employees were caught in the initial attacks," Nail added, her voice tinged with something close to regret, though the AI remained mostly clinical in her delivery.
Justin growled deep in his throat, a vicious sound that made Domino glance at him out of the corner of her eye. The attack wasn't just on his factories and clinics; it was an attack on his reputation. Whoever had orchestrated this knew exactly how to strike, where to hit him where it hurt.
They're trying to weaken me, to undermine my power, he thought bitterly. Murdering my people…
Striking just as he'd made a big deal about protecting humanity… Making him out to be a liar…
"How many of the armors are left operational?" He demanded, his fists clenched tightly as he resisted the urge to take out his anger on the nearest piece of furniture. He'd deployed the Iron Legion, but they'd been too far away to stop most of the attacks.
Not to say they'd been ineffectual once they got there, just… Too little too late, and now he'd have to deal with governments freaking out that he had a drone army, during a crisis where a drone army was attacking.
Perhaps he should have kept the Legion back…
"Less than fifty remain," Nail confirmed. "Storm and the others are actively hunting them down. New York's operations are intact - Storm managed to protect it entirely without any damage, somewhat assisted by local heroes stepping in immediately."
Domino let out a low whistle. "New girl's got game," She murmured, her tone more impressed than surprised.
Justin gritted his teeth, his eyes glowing faintly with barely contained fury. "Not now, Domino," He snapped. His mind was already calculating his next move, weighing the possibilities. This attack had come at the worst possible time - just as he was showing the world that he was the only one who could protect them, this happened.
He fished into his pocket, pulling out the small piece of parchment Freyja had slipped him during their handshake. It was a curious move on her part, she was definitely Loki's mother, but Justin wasn't complaining. The contents of the parchment - Sinister's location - could be the key to get something out of this entire mess.
"Nail," He said, his voice tight with focus, "I want every satellite available around this location, in case he escapes again." He unfolded the parchment, scanning the coordinates written in Freyja's neat hand. "I'm going for Sinister. Right now."
Domino's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of concern passing over her usually unshakable expression. She coughed lightly, her voice a touch hesitant. "Uh, boss, are you sure about that? You're not letting your anger cloud your judgment, are you?"
Justin shot her an irritated look, his fists still balled at his sides. "Shut up, Domino. You're coming with me, and we'll be fine," He said curtly.
Domino sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. "Eileen is going to be so pissed at me," She muttered under her breath, her tone half-joking but tinged with real frustration. "I need a raise…"
"Actually we'll make one stop first…" Justin said, opening a portal.
"Oh, fantastic…" Domino said sarcastically, looking through the portal as they stepped through.
----------------------------------------
Malibu, California,
Tony Stark stepped through the front door of the Malibu mansion with his arms full of shopping bags, expertly kicking the door shut with his hip. The warm, salty ocean breeze filtered in through the large windows, filling the air with the scent of the sea as the house's ambient lighting flickered on in the hallway in response to his arrival.
"Honey, I'm home! And I bring gifts!" Tony called out with his usual bravado, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips as he sauntered down the hallway, arms weighed down with brightly colored bags.
Pepper appeared from the living room, a relieved smile on her face. Her gaze flicked to the collection of bags in Tony's arms, her brow lifting in curiosity before her expression settled into something more deadpan. "Someone's in a better mood," She remarked, her voice wry. "But, Tony, why are all the bags from Victoria's Secret?"
Tony's eyes widened in faux innocence, as if the question had truly stumped him. "Is that any way to greet a hardworking man who comes home with a little something, something for his girl?" He raised his eyebrows and put on his most exaggerated charming expression, holding the bags up like a trophy.
Pepper crossed her arms, biting back a smile, though the twitch at the corners of her lips gave her away. "Is it really a gift for me? Because it seems like you're the one who's going to enjoy it the most," She fired back, her eyes narrowing playfully.
Tony swept past her with a loud kiss on the cheek, heading toward the kitchen nook, his stride light and carefree. He dropped the bags unceremoniously on the counter and went straight for the espresso machine, giving it a light whack to coax it to life. "Isn't my enjoyment your enjoyment or something like that?" He quipped, glancing over his shoulder at her with a mischievous grin. "Like, in sickness and in health? For richer or poorer? You know, the usual?"
Pepper followed him into the kitchen, leaning against the counter as she folded her arms, pretending to be exasperated though her amusement was clear. "Not quite how that works, but I'm glad you're feeling better."
Tony hummed in agreement, tapping the side of the espresso machine again as it whirred to life. "It's weird, right?" He said, his voice quieter now, more contemplative. He turned to look at her fully, the weight of his thoughts momentarily flashing in his eyes. "I mean, I'm still upset. But… I've made my decision, I've chosen a way forward, and it's like this… Mountain has been lifted off my back."
Pepper's expression softened as she moved closer, slipping her arms around him from behind, resting her head lightly against his back. "I'm happy for you, Tony," Ehe said softly, her fingers trailing gently over his chest. "Are you going to share what exactly you've decided? Or do I have to guess?"
Tony smiled at the warmth of her touch, leaning into her embrace for a moment before turning around to face her, his arms wrapping around her waist. "Don't worry, it's nothing involving the Playboy Bunny of the Year. That's next month." He grinned as Pepper swatted at his shoulder, laughing as she tried to hide her own smile.
"Jarvis, what's he up to?" Pepper said, raising an eyebrow in Tony's direction, her tone mock-serious as if seeking out a secret Tony wouldn't tell her. "You're always with this lughead. Spill."
Tony snorted. "Like Jarvis would ever betray the bro code, right, Jarv?"
Jarvis's calm, British voice filled the room. "I'm afraid, sir, that the 'bro code' does not supersede Mrs Stark's' level of access. He met with Justin Hammer approximately two and a half hours ago, and took a portal back to California."
Pepper's eyes narrowed as she looked up at Tony, who winced slightly at the revelation.
"Uh, Pep… What're you doing?" Tony asked nervously as she grabbed his face in both hands, inspecting him as if searching for something.
"Just checking for signs of mind control," She said, her eyes narrowing further as her hands remained on either side of his head. "Why are you happier after seeing that monster?"
Tony grimaced, letting out a sigh. "Okay, look, I forgot you kinda hate the guy." His voice dropped, taking on a more apologetic tone.
"Sir," Jarvis interrupted dryly, "Should I remind you of the purchase you made earlier today, specifically to beg for forgiveness when Mrs Stark found out?"
Pepper's unimpressed gaze bored into Tony as he let out a more exaggerated sigh. "Jarvis!" Tony exclaimed. "Bro code!"
"My apologies, sir," Jarvis replied, unbothered, "But I am still following the standing protocol: when it comes to Justin Hammer, report everything to Mrs Stark."
Tony groaned. "Not on me!" He shook his head, wagging a finger, "I don't know who made you this snarky, buddy…"
Pepper remained silent, her arms crossed and her foot tapping impatiently. "Tony…"
Tony sighed, shoulders slumping. "Okay, okay. So, I might have signed Stark Industries on for a few deals with Hammer to develop… Space. A space fleet, asteroid mining. And, y'know, a few other minor things."
Pepper's expression didn't change, though she slowly nodded. "Financially, that's… Well, it'll be amazing. It'll make up for the losses we've taken in the electronics market, but Tony… Hammer? Really?"
Tony looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "I owe him one, Pep. And… Look, if you take a good, hard look at the world right now, do you see a better option? Just look at what he's done. What we could do if we worked together."
Pepper closed her eyes, rubbing her temples as if trying to stave off a growing headache. "Tony, he's destroying governments."
Tony winced again, clearly uncomfortable with her words. "Yeah… But Pep, tell me people have it worse right now. What have the governments really done to help? Every disaster we've seen, every threat… The government can't handle any of it." He brightened up momentarily, "And he's going to give me access to Pym particles, Pep, Pym particles!"
That alone made it worth it. He wasn't blind to Hammer's faults. He just… Saw that everyone else sucked just as bad, but Hammer was actually improving things. So it gave him only one real alternative.
Pepper sighed, her hand dropping as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "That's not a good enough reason to upend democracy, Tony. Just because the government is struggling doesn't mean someone like Hammer should have free rein."
Tony frowned, the conflict clear in his expression. He stepped forward, taking her hands gently in his. "Tell me to fight him, and I will." His voice was reluctant, but there was sincerity in it.
Pepper was silent for a long time, her eyes closing as she leaned into his chest, her thoughts swirling. Minutes passed in quiet contemplation as Tony held her, his heartbeat steady beneath her cheek.
Finally, she spoke, her voice soft. "I'll follow your lead."
Tony let out a sigh of relief, holding her tighter.
In his mind, he replayed the moment in Hammer's office. The moment Justin had handed him the remote. The moment that had changed everything.
Tony could've let Ross go. He could've reported Hammer for kidnapping the man, gone to the government and fought Hammer every step of the way.
Or…
He could press the button. Get revenge for Rhodey. Join Hammer, and in doing so, improve the lives of millions. Maybe billions.
As he stood there, holding Pepper close and breathing in her familiar scent, Tony knew he couldn't regret it.
Ross had died screaming.
And Tony…
He was okay with that.
----------------------------------------
New York City,
Jean Grey landed softly on the rooftop of a high-rise building in New York City, her feet barely making a sound as she touched down beside Storm, who was already perched on the edge. The wind tugged at their hair and clothing, carrying the distant hum of city life up from below. Storm sat with her legs dangling off the side of the building, gazing out over the sprawling urban landscape, her long white hair flowing freely in the wind. She patted the ledge next to her, inviting Jean to sit down.
"What's the news?" Jean asked quietly, not quite sure how to talk to Ororo now that they weren't on the same team anymore. It felt strange, distant. Their shared history stretched back so far, but now, things were different. The line between them felt palpable, like an unspoken boundary she didn't know what to do with.
Storm didn't seem fazed by the change, though. She gave a small nod toward the city, her voice calm, but a faint shadow of frustration darkened her expression. "No more threats spotted in the vicinity of New York. We're basically just waiting for the all-clear that all the armors have been taken down."
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Jean glanced at her, sensing the underlying tension. "It sounds like it's been rough."
Storm's mouth quirked in a grim smile. "You could say that. It's… Unsettling, knowing the soldiers trapped inside those armors had no control. They were turned into drones, their voices…" Her voice trailed off, her frown deepening. "I tried to take them down without killing anyone, but… It's power armor. Some needed more force than others, and I'm not sure I always succeeded."
Spiderman had honestly been more successful than her at that. His webs were perfect for non lethal takedowns, even if he couldn't handle the amount of enemies Storm could.
They'd been lucky New York had so many local heroes, or the damage could have been horrible.
Jean sighed, wrapping her arms around her knees as she sat down beside Storm. Her posture was slumped, and her face mirrored the heaviness she felt in her heart. "It seems like there's just more violence every day," She muttered, her eyes focusing on a point far in the distance. "The mess in Europe, now this… When does it end?"
Storm glanced at Jean, her usual serene demeanor marred by a flicker of sadness. "It ends when someone wins," She murmured quietly. Her words carried a weight that Jean wasn't prepared for, but they rang with truth. It was a bitter reality, but Storm had long since accepted it.
Violence was inherently human, and wouldn't disappear, but war? War could be removed from the equation eventually. Even if the manner of the solution didn't fill Storm with joy.
"Is that why you joined Justin Hammer fully?" Jean asked, her voice soft, hesitant. She had wanted to ask this question since the beginning, but it felt heavy on her tongue, like an accusation she didn't want to make.
Storm's lips quirked upward slightly in a teasing smile. "Ah, is that the real reason you sought me out?" She asked, gently ruffling Jean's hair. "Not for my company, but to pump me for information?"
Jean pouted, a faint huff escaping her lips as she pulled away slightly. "Don't tease me, Ororo," She said, her voice a little petulant. "I just… I want to know what I'm supposed to do now. Everything feels like it's shifting, and I don't know where I fit anymore."
Storm hummed thoughtfully, leaning back slightly as she watched the clouds drift lazily across the sky. "I can't answer that for you, Jean," She said after a moment, her tone soft but firm. "Everyone has to make their own choice about where they stand in the coming days."
It was becoming clear. Even the regular citizens were seeing it.
You were either Pro-Hammer, or you weren't. There were no bystanders in this choice.
Jean's brow furrowed, her expression growing more frustrated. "Do we really have to draw lines like that?" She asked, her voice tinged with sadness. "Why can't we all just… Get along? Why does it always have to come down to picking sides?"
"It doesn't work like that," Storm replied gently, her eyes soft with compassion. She wished it were different, but they both knew better. "There are always sides. People will always choose their path, whether they want to or not."
"Yeah," Jean muttered, her head dropping slightly as the weight of Storm's words settled on her shoulders.
After a moment of silence, Jean turned her head slightly toward Storm. "Why did you do it?" She asked quietly. "Why join Hammer? Was it because of the Professor?"
Storm shook her head, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she leaned her shoulder against Jean's. Her hand reached over, grasping one of Jean's gently. "Not entirely. Although, I won't say it had no effect." She gazed out over the city, her eyes distant. "You have to understand, Jean… The writing on the wall is already there. Hammer will take over the world. In some ways, he already has."
The world economy was now tied to him to such an extent he could destroy the world by just… Stopping things, pulling back.
The rest was now simply the bloody business of making the rest of the world acknowledge the fact that Hammer held all the power.
Jean's eyes widened in disbelief. "And how can you agree with that?" She asked, her tone a mix of sadness and disbelief.
Storm looked at Jean with a serious expression, her voice steady. "Because rejecting reality does me no favors. You might see it as selling my soul, but I'm ensuring that metahumans will continue to be treated fairly. I'm positioning myself where I can make a difference, where I can influence things for the better." She raised an eyebrow, "Would you rather Emma Frost or me as an influence?"
Jean opened her mouth to speak, but Storm cut her off with a small, knowing smile. "Hammer tends to think with his… Well, you know. Like any man."
Jean gasped, her face turning bright red as her hand flew to her mouth. "Ororo… You didn't!"
Storm chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It was necessary, Jean. Every emperor in history has had a woman behind the throne, influencing his decisions for good or bad. I like to think I'll be able to help the good win out more often than not."
Her smile became somewhat impish, "And it's not like it's a chore… He even made me lose control, and that doesn't happen often anymore…"
Jean looked at Storm in a mix of fascination and horror. "But… He already has so many women around him. How can you stand that?" Her voice was barely a whisper, as if speaking it aloud would make it even more real.
Storm laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, that just means he knows what he's doing," She said with a wink, causing Jean's face to flush even redder. "Besides, for all his… Well, let's call them 'manslut' ways, he's surprisingly loyal to just a few women."
Jean shook her head, still looking thoroughly scandalized. "And you're going to be one of them?"
Storm hummed, her tone thoughtful. "Maybe. For all that he gathers women around him, he seems genuinely interested in finding 'the one.' We'll see what happens. But I need to remain close to him, Jean. To influence our future, if he turned fully to evil..."
She smiled at Jean, her eyes soft and full of warmth, though there was a trace of sadness there. "I hope you don't look down on me too much for this, Jean. It's necessary. And I'm not in any way unhappy. He saved Africa, after all. I owe him more than I can say."
Gaia had also approved of Storms choice, the environmental impacts Hammer made cleaning up the world as a byproduct of what he did, had made him a champion of Gaia in a way, although not anything official. Democracy didn't matter one whit to the spirit of Earth. And Storm had to reluctantly admit that if she had to be pick between democracy and all the benefits Hammer had brought, it wouldn't even be that difficult of a choice.
Democracy had hardly helped metahumans, the voice of the common man had been inherently uncaring of their issues, for those who knew.
Jean remained quiet for several minutes, her mind whirling with everything Storm had said. "This is so complicated," She groaned, finally letting out a frustrated sigh. She gave Storm a side hug, leaning into her friend's warmth. "I would never look down on you, but I don't think I could make the same choice."
Storm laughed, her voice light and teasing. "I hope not. I don't need the competition."
"Ororo!" Jean cried, her face flushing red once more as she swatted at her friend's arm.
They fell into a comfortable silence after that, the wind tugging at their hair as they watched the city below. The quiet was comforting, though the weight of the decisions they both faced hung heavy in the air between them.
After a while, Storm spoke again, her voice thoughtful. "You know… My position at UNESCO is open right now," She said softly, glancing sideways at Jean.
Jean bit her lip, looking down at her lap. "I don't know if I can do that to the Professor," She admitted, her voice small.
Storm nodded, her eyes distant as she thought over Jean's words. "How are they all doing, anyway?" She asked after a moment. "I've been keeping myself busy lately."
Jean looked away, her expression tightening. "Logan and Hank have both left…" She muttered, her voice barely audible, "Scott is trying to clamp down on everyone else, which is just making it so more of them want to leave, I think Kitty is almost ready to run away… She took the deaths hard…"
Storm sighed softly, her heart heavy. "Not surprising," She admitted quietly.
She hoped Logan wouldn't do something stupid, she knew recruiting him for Hammer was a non-starter.
Jean stared out at the skyline, her thoughts far away. "I don't know what I'm going to do, Ororo," She said softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Storm ruffled Jean's hair gently, her smile warm and reassuring. "Whatever you feel is right," She murmured. "Whether that's staying, joining me, or going your own way. Only you know the answer."
Jean closed her eyes for a moment, letting the silence stretch out between them. When she opened them again, she looked out at the city below, her heart heavy with the decision she'd known she needed to make for a while now.
"I don't want to stay at the mansion anymore."
"Okay."
----------------------------------------
Same time, Namibia, Africa.
Hela lounged in the warband's ruined camp, bathed in the harsh African sun as she meticulously cleaned blood from the intricate designs on one of her black leather boots. The camp was a shattered husk of what it once was - broken tents and smoldering fires were all that remained. She admired the stillness of it, how perfectly silent and dead it was now after her work. The warband had fallen quickly, and Hela had taken her time, enjoying their destruction, though the thrill had been fleeting. The enemies had been... Inadequate. She tilted her head, lost in thought, barely interested in the feeble resistance they'd offered.
They used child soldiers for Norn's sake! How ridiculous was that?
Everyone knew children made better assassins and spies.
Her eyes flicked up just as a spear whizzed past her, just as she tilted her head nonchalantly, the spear neatly avoiding her by an inch. She didn't even flinch.
"Better," She mused, her voice smooth and detached, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Not by much, but better."
A figure emerged from the treeline, stepping into the decimated camp. He was dressed in animal furs and leathers, the skins of lions and tigers draped over his broad, muscular shoulders. His physique was that of a warrior - solid, honed, and lethal. His eyes, sharp and wild, gleamed with hunger, and his long, dark hair fell in tangled waves over his shoulders. His face was half-hidden beneath a lion's mane, fashioned into a headdress.
Hela was almost interested, if only she couldn't feel how weak the man was, for someone of her stature.
The man carried a confidence that bordered on arrogance, his every step exuding the energy of a beast in pursuit of its prey. His grin was feral, showing off a row of sharp white teeth. The large hunting knife strapped to his side and the quiver of spears slung across his back seemed merely accessories to his raw physical power.
"I am Kraven the Hunter," He declared, his voice thick with relish, with some accent she couldn't identify - as she barely paid attention to the ants that scurried across this planet. "I have come to hunt a god!"
Hela's smile deepened, her fingers still absentmindedly wiping at the boot. She eyed him, intrigued by the boldness he displayed. It was still useless, but at least it was amusing.
Kraven grinned wider, his eyes gleaming. "This camp was a trap for you. And you've stepped right into it, Goddess."
Hela raised an eyebrow, a glint of amusement flashing across her sharp features. She slowly rose from her lounging position, standing tall, her dark armor gleaming under the African sun. Her gaze appraised him, taking in the wildness, the hunger. Her smile became dangerous, her eyes dancing with dark amusement.
"Think highly of yourself, don't you?" She said, her voice lilting with mockery. "You're above this rabble, I'll give you that. But in this situation…" Her grin sharpened, ferocious and predatory. "You're the prey, and I'm the huntress."
Kraven let out a booming laugh, stepping forward with confidence. "We shall see!" His voice vibrated with excitement, the thrill of the hunt coursing through him. His hand hovered near his blade, eager to test himself against this formidable creature.
Suddenly, a swirling orange portal opened just to the side of them, casting warm light across the ravaged camp. Hela didn't look away from Kraven, but her eyes flickered with interest at the arrival. Out stepped Justin Hammer, followed closely by Domino, who wore her usual unimpressed expression as she surveyed the scene.
Justin ignored Kraven completely, his focus solely on Hela. "I'm going after the worm behind Apocalypse," He announced, his voice tight with suppressed fury. "After much thought.."
Domino cleared her throat, murmuring under her breath, "Nagging." The word was just loud enough to elicit an irritated twitch from Justin.
He shot her a glare before continuing, "After much thought," He said loudly, emphasizing the words, "I've decided that backup is not amiss. I figured you might want to get your own pound of flesh, Hela."
Hela tilted her head, resting her chin in her hand as she considered him. "Maybe later," She replied, her tone dripping with lazy amusement. "Mommy's busy right now." Her eyes were locked on Kraven, the tension between them crackling with bloodlust.
Kraven bared his teeth in a wide grin, the wild excitement only growing at the new arrivals. "Get out of the way, Hammer!" He growled, his voice filled with confidence. "This woman is mine!"
Domino winced, muttering, "Oh, shouldn't have said it like that..."
Justin's expression hardened, and the air around him seemed to pulse with rising power. His anger, already simmering from the recent attacks on his business and reputation, boiled over. He didn't have time for distractions, not when Sinister was within reach. With a quick motion, a small portal opened over his hand, and the glowing Power Stone slid into his grasp. Energy surged through him, crackling with unimaginable force. Hela straightened, intrigued as she watched the display, her eyes gleaming with interest.
One moment, Kraven was standing tall, confident in his hunt. The next, Justin was upon him, his hand outstretched. He slammed his glowing hand into Kraven's chest, and the world seemed to explode.
A massive shockwave burst from the impact, ripping through the earth and sky alike. Smoke and dust billowed upward as the ground beneath them split open, and when the haze finally cleared, a massive gorge stretched several miles wide in front of them. Kraven was gone, erased from existence in a single, brutal moment.
Justin's voice was flat, unyielding. "You're coming with me. Right now." His body still pulsed with energy as he opened another portal, sliding the Power Stone away.
Hela stood, her interest piqued, and sauntered over to him. She ran a finger along the edge of his suit, her lips curling into a playful smile. "Hmm, your domains are almost there, little godling," She murmured, her voice like silk. "Grab the stone again, and I believe they will settle…"
Justin's eyes flicked to her, considering the offer. After a moment, he dismissed it with a wave. "Not important right now." He motioned to the portal. "Kill everything on the other side, except Sinister."
Hela's eyes lit up with excitement, her bloodlust palpable in the air. "You do know how to show me a good time," She purred, stepping through the portal without hesitation.
Domino cast Justin a wary glance, raising an eyebrow. "You sure about this, boss? You're putting holes in continents right now. Maybe not the best time to go off half-cocked."
Justin waved her off, his expression set in stone. "We're going. Now."
Domino sighed, shaking her head, but she stepped through the portal. "Eileen's gonna be so pissed at me," She muttered under her breath as she vanished through the swirling light.
Justin followed them, stepping through the portal into a new world - the Savage Land.
It appeared Sinister had never actually been in Egypt. He'd been piloting bodies… But he couldn't hide from Heimdall. And Justin would have him now!
The sight that greeted them was one of raw, untamed beauty. The Savage Land stretched out before them, a prehistoric paradise locked away from the modern world. Towering, ancient trees loomed overhead, their thick canopies casting deep shadows across the jungle floor. The air was thick with humidity, the scent of damp earth and rich vegetation filling their lungs.
Massive ferns and lush, green vines twisted around the trunks of the trees, and the sounds of life echoed all around them - the calls of strange, ancient creatures, the rustling of leaves as something enormous moved in the underbrush. In the distance, a towering waterfall cascaded down the side of a rocky cliff, its roar blending with the natural symphony of the jungle. Far off in the distance, the silhouettes of dinosaurs could be seen moving through the dense foliage, their massive forms a reminder of the land's primal nature.
It was a land untouched by time, wild and fierce, a place where only the strongest survived. And somewhere within its depths, Sinister waited.
Justin eyed the giant tower before them that rose up through the foliage, well, let's start right there…
----------------------------------------
Twenty minutes later,
Hela tore through the ranks of the tower's defenders with gleeful abandon, moving with lethal precision. The creatures that stood in her path, from towering dinosaurs draped in crude armor working as war beasts, to pterodactyl-like men that attacked as warriors, they were all no match for her. Each strike of her conjured weapons brought them down with a sudden, brutal efficiency. Her green ethereal blades shimmered in the bright sun, carving through their ranks and leaving the battlefield littered with fallen warriors and beasts.
She sidestepped a charging dinosaur, allowing its momentum to carry it past her before sending a necro sword the size of an SUV toward it. The creature collapsed, unmoving, as Hela barely broke stride after skewering the beast. Above, winged creatures dived, their talons outstretched, but she sent them crashing to the ground with a flick of her wrist, leaving their wings shattered and unable to carry them aloft again.
At this point, the pterodactyl men had all broken before her, running away from the Goddess of Death as she administered her namesake. Only beasts remained, the towers defenses broken in the face of Hela's gleeful advance.
Domino, perched on the periphery of the battlefield, took careful shots, her bullets finding their mark with expert precision as she sniped down the fliers. She picked off any who thought they might escape Hela's wrath, though few managed to get that far. Each shot from Domino's gun was clean, a single bullet enough to end her targets without unnecessary effort.
As they reached the base of the tower, Justin looked up at the towering structure. The mix of ancient stonework and modern metal work stretched high into the sky, weathered yet still formidable. Its surface was carved with intricate designs and symbols, not a language he knew.
Probably whatever counted for a language amongst the natives. He looked down at a dead pterodactyl man with distaste. The Savage Land was a proper name, he'd have to make sure none of them entered the proper world - there were limits to his allowances for what constituted humanity.
At least the Dinosaurs were interesting. Perhaps he could build a park on some island somewhere…
Justin contemplated the tower. And the absolute annoyance it would be to fight room to room to get through it all, while Sinister plotted his escape.
"He'll survive a fall," Justin said coldly, his eyes narrowing. Without waiting for further comment, he summoned the Power Stone again, and as the stone materialized in his hand, his body began to glow with a pulsing, radiant energy. The power coursed through him, filling him with a sense of control and raw potential.
Hela giggled, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Oooh, you're going to set your domains if you use it now," She teased, her voice laced with anticipation. "That amount of power... It's inevitable." She eyed the stone hungrily.
Domino's face grew more serious as she glanced between Justin and the tower. "You sure about this, boss?" She asked, her tone cautious. "I know you want him, want to punish him, but is this the choice you'd make normally? To do this... Here, like this, right now?"
Justin's glowing eyes turned toward her, his expression calm but resolute. "For too long, I was passive," He said. "I avoided risks, took the careful path, trying to keep everyone appeased just enough to follow along. But it's time I stopped holding back. It's time I took what I want."
How could he rule, if he did not grab power with his own two hands?
Domino sighed softly but nodded. "As long as you're sure, boss." A small smirk tugged at her lips. "Just so you know, I'm not about to worship you."
Justin grinned at that. "I know."
With a flick of his wrist, Justin unleashed the power of the stone. He swiped his hand through the air, and the energy erupted outward. The bottom third of the tower disintegrated in a flash, the stone and earth in its path obliterated, leaving a massive crater that extended for miles.
Almost cutting the Savage Lands in half.
And that was with Justin specifically trying to use the smallest amount of power.
The tower began to fall, falling sideways as the foundation ceased to exist. Then, with a mighty crash, the ancient structure collapsed into the ground and sent clouds of dust and debris billowing into the air. Hela laughed with unbridled glee, knocking away any debris that came too close, thoroughly enjoying the show.
Justin portaled the Power Stone away, his glowing body still shining like a star. He dropped to one knee, feeling the weight of the power that surged through him. All around the Savage Land, its inhabitants stopped, their primal instincts alerting them to the shift in power. A new god had been born, and they could feel it rippling through the air, vibrating in their very bones.
Hela approached him, her steps slow and deliberate, as if savoring the moment. She sniffed the air around Justin, grinning. "Ah," She moaned softly, "That new god smell." Her eyes sparkled with dark humor. "Let's see... God of Power and Might, delicious. Humanity and civilization… How boring." She smirked, teasing him. "God of Progress and innovation, makes sense I suppose. Domination… Nice. And sex and Lust... Well... Isn't that interesting." Then she stopped, a brief look of shock on her face, before she composed herself.
Domino burst out laughing, shaking her head. "Of course." She rolled her eyes, "Sunil owes me soo much money now, he should have known not to bet against me."
Justin rose to his feet, his newfound strength settling into him like an extension of his being. He felt different, stronger, more connected to the world and its inhabitants. He grinned at Domino. "So, not much has changed then," He said. "I was already a sex god."
"Pfft, you wish," Domino retorted with a grin.
Hela studied him for a moment longer, her eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "No war or conqueror domain," She murmured. "A pity. But not half bad, for a pretender." She smirked haughtily, "At least it's not as pathetic as being a God of Thunder or Mischief."
"Shots fired," He said amused at what Loki would think, not only about his very minor domain, but about Justin somehow getting such strong ones - due to billions of prayers. He gave Hela a look, "What are you holding back though…?"
Hela pouted, "Must you notice everything." She complained, whacking him with a necrosword, Justin didn't even feel it. "Many Gods have a dozen lesser domains, not unlike you, they're usually tied to a higher domain. Like Death…" She sighed dramatically, "Sex and Lust, Progress and Innovation, Humanity and Civilization, even Power and Might… You're a God of Life…"
Justin blinked at that, it seemed he had avoided the healing domain he was loath to accept, yet still qualified as a God of Life. In some ways he supposed it made sense, he was all about progress and uplifting humanity. Hopefully it wouldn't mean he couldn't kill, now…
"Domination doesn't really fit the mold." He murmured in thought.
Hela smirked, "I agree, you're not a usual boring God of Life, perhaps you don't operate quite as such." She got a coy look on her face, "Life and… Death, an interesting pairing, don't you think?"
Justin ignored her as he turned back toward the remnants of the tower. He could sense the presence of those within - those who were not fully human. His new powers gave him an awareness of all things human, and within the wreckage, there was one presence that stood out, a human signature twisted and altered but unmistakable. Sinister.
With a mere gesture, Justin tore a portal open, the raw power of his new godhood allowing him to bend space without the need for the motion of his sling ring. On the other side of the portal, he found Sinister, buried under what was left of his tower, his once meticulous appearance now in ruins.
Justin stepped through the portal, his divine energy crackling around him, and looked down at Sinister with cold, calculating eyes.
"Hello there," Justin said, his voice calm and filled with a quiet menace.
----------------------------------------
Soon after, Hammerhaven.
Justin entered the interrogation room, flanked by Hela and Domino. The air was filled with a sort of pressure, an oppressive weight that seemed to press down on everything within the room. In the center, Nathaniel Essex - Sinister - hung suspended against the far wall, his arms and legs spread wide, held in place by Justin's sheer will. The domination aspect of his newly minted godhood in use, the power shimmered faintly around the villain, keeping him utterly immobilized. Sinister's eyes darted around in fear, his mouth bound tightly by an unseen force, preventing him from making a sound.
"Domino," Justin said, his voice flat and cold, "Get Helen."
Domino nodded, casting a quick, sideways glance at Hela as she pointed two fingers at her own eyes and then back at Hela, a silent warning for the goddess to behave while she was gone. Hela merely raised an amused brow, watching Domino leave before turning her attention back to Sinister. She idly twirled one of her necroswords between her fingers, studying him with casual interest.
"You've managed to inspire great loyalty in your servants," She mused aloud, poking Sinister lightly with the tip of her blade, slowly sinking the tip in, just enough to make a point. "It's almost… Admirable."
Justin didn't answer immediately, his eyes never leaving Sinister's quivering form. The tension in the room built like a slowly rising tide, and his silence spoke volumes. Only after a moment did he give a slight, almost imperceptible nod in response to Hela's comment. His focus was not on the Goddess of Death at the moment.
Hela, undeterred, continued to observe him with a calculating gaze. She cocked her head slightly, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. "You wield impressive power now," She said, her voice almost a purr. "While not on par with a Goddess of Death, of course… Your divinity has granted you the ability to do anything you desire." Her tone was probing, testing the boundaries of his patience.
Without looking at her, Justin responded, his voice cold and biting. "You're not a very patient woman, are you?"
Hela's laugh was dark and lilting, filling the room with a sound both haunting and beautiful. "I am very patient, Justin. I've spent a millennia waiting, plotting. Patience is one of my finest qualities."
Justin scoffed, finally glancing at her with a sharp glare. "Yet you think my newly elevated status means I'll be fooled into granting your wishes?"
Hela's lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes gleaming with something dangerous. "Your wishes as well, you just don't realize it yet."
Justin shook his head, his attention shifting back to Sinister. He flexed his power slightly, and a crack echoed in the room as Sinister's legs were crushed beneath an invisible force. Sinister's face twisted in pain, but the legs immediately began to heal themselves, knitting together with astonishing speed - some experiment of his own design, no doubt.
He would have recognized it if it was Extremis.
"You're wrong, Hela," Justin said, his voice low and deliberate. "I know exactly what I want."
Before Hela could respond, the door swung open, and Domino returned, this time with Helen Cho in tow. Helen immediately dropped to her knees in front of Justin, bowing her head with reverence.
"Praise be to Hammer," She murmured, her voice trembling with devotion.
Justin waved her off, his expression indifferent. "None of that. Get to your feet. I want the interrogation serum. We're going to bring all the pain we can to maximum levels."
Helen stood quickly, her movements shaky but eager as she made her way to the table where a collection of tools and vials were neatly arranged. Her eyes flicked back to Justin every few moments, as if awaiting further instruction or approval.
Justin leaned in close to Sinister's face, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You might think I'm going to ask you questions, that I'll offer you a chance to make yourself useful, maybe even bargain for something." His presence intensified, the weight of his divine power pressing down on Sinister until it felt like the air itself was squeezing him. "But you're mistaken. I'm not here for information. I just want you to hurt."
Sinister's eyes widened, panic flickering behind them as he tried to struggle against the invisible bonds, but it was futile. He could do nothing but stare into the cold, merciless gaze of Justin Hammer, a newborn God.
And in no way was he the God of Mercy.
Helen approached with a syringe in one hand and a scalpel in the other, her expression one of barely contained excitement. As she moved closer, she glanced over at Hela, clearly curious about the Goddess of Death standing so casually nearby. Her eyes darted between Hela and Justin before she hesitated and asked Hela, "Would any children of his be demigods?" Her voice was soft, almost shy, but filled with a deep seated curiosity.
Justin sighed audibly, his frustration barely concealed as Domino covered her mouth, struggling not to laugh.
Hela's amusement grew, a smirk playing on her lips as she regarded Helen with an arched brow. "Most likely," She said in a smooth, almost teasing tone. "I've never dealt with this kind of raised divinity in person, but I suppose you'd have to… Yest it to be sure." There was a knowing glint in her eyes as she looked back at Justin.
Justin pointed at Helen, his tone sharp with authority. "Do not test it," He ordered, his words layered with the weight of his domination aspect. The force of it pushing down, making it harder to resist his words.
Helen shuddered, clearly feeling the power of his command wash over her. "Yes, sir," She replied quickly, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked away, focusing instead on preparing the serum.
Hela chuckled under her breath, amused by the dynamic in the room. She paced slowly, occasionally glancing at Sinister with mild interest. "You know," She said idly, "For all the power in this room, it's interesting to me that you choose to indulge in such… Small things." Her eyes flicked to Justin, a playful challenge in her gaze. "Crushing bones, inflicting pain - it's so... Mortal. Don't you think you could be doing more?"
Justin shot her a dark look. "I'm doing exactly what I want to do, Hela. This is personal." His eyes turned back to Sinister, narrowing as his hand tightened into a fist, the sound of bones crunching faintly filling the room again.
Sinister tried to scream, but his mouth remained bound, the sound of his agony locked inside his throat. His body writhed as much as the invisible restraints would allow, but there was no escape, no respite from the torment.
Helen stepped forward, syringe in hand, her movements precise as she prepared to administer the serum. She glanced up at Justin, waiting for his nod before she moved closer to Sinister, carefully injecting the serum into his neck.
"You'll feel everything now," Helen murmured to Sinister, her voice almost clinical, detached. Watching in curiosity."No matter how fast you heal, the pain will remain."
Justin watched as well, his expression cold and unyielding as Sinister's body tensed, his eyes wide with the realization of what was happening. There was no escape from this. No bargaining. No reasoning.
And Justin reveled in it.
As Sinister convulsed, Justin stepped back, his posture relaxed but his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He turned to Hela, who had been watching the entire ordeal with a mixture of amusement and intrigue.
"I could do a lot more," Justin said, his voice calm, almost conversational now. "But sometimes… This is what's needed, something… Simple."
Hela chuckled softly, twirling her necrosword in her fingers once more. "Oh, I do understand. Pain has its place, after all." She smiled darkly, her eyes glittering with approval. "But do try not to lose yourself in it too much, Justin. After all, a god should aspire to something... Grander.. Personal pain is nothing compared to the pain of a nation, a planet."
Justin didn't respond, but his expression remained as cold and resolute as ever. He knew exactly what he was doing. And for now, Sinister's suffering was just what the doctor ordered.
He couldn't let loose on Earth, not yet. Not without declaring war.
He'd pick his enemies apart, just like Sinister. Wring all the information out of them, after they'd suffered to the point of begging to share it.
Then…
God-Emperor didn't sound too bad, now did it?
----------------------------------------
A day later, Washington D.C.
The Oval Office was a hive of tension. President Ellis sat at his desk, hands clenched into tight fists as he surveyed the room. Cabinet secretaries, generals, and Alexander Pierce, the head of SHIELD, stood or sat around him, all locked in a heated argument. The atmosphere was thick with frustration, anger, and simmering fear.
"Hammer's going too far," One of the generals blustered, his face flushed with indignation. "This isn't how things should work! He's acting like he's in charge of the country!"
Ellis leaned back in his chair, bitterness etched into every line of his face. "And what exactly do you suggest we do about it?" He asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Taken a look at Europe lately, General?" His eyes gleamed with a dark sort of humor. "Did you see what happened to their leaders when they tried to stand up to him? They're all running for cover while Hammer picks them off one by one." He made a gesture of disgust, "Hell, he isn't even doing it himself, the people are doing it for him!"
The general swallowed, clearly unsettled, but before he could respond, Pierce stepped forward, his expression cool and measured.
"Antagonism serves no one," Pierce said, his voice calm, though there was a sharp edge to it. "Hammer has been… Good to this country, for the most part." He reminded them, his eyes sweeping across the room.
That set off a flurry of protests from several cabinet secretaries. They spoke over one another, voices rising in indignation as they laid out their grievances against Justin Hammer. He'd undermined the government, cut them out of deals, and left Washington looking like an afterthought. Big business, the media, the public - all eyes were on Hammer Industries now, not the White House.
"He's destabilized everything!" One cabinet secretary shouted. "The government's barely holding on to its authority! The man's practically built a state within a state!"
"The economy is thrumming, sure," Another one said, "But we're losing control! The people aren't looking to us for answers anymore. They're looking to him!"
Ellis slammed his hands down on the desk, silencing the room in an instant. He glared at his cabinet, frustration and weariness etched into his features. His presidency had been a trial of constant crisis, and this - dealing with Hammer - was proving to be the most exasperating of all.
"Enough!" He barked. They all fell silent. Ellis turned his gaze to Pierce, narrowing his eyes. "Tell me SHIELD has a way to stop him from going too far. I'd rather not be deposed the way the Slovakian prime minister was." The sarcasm in his voice barely masked the underlying fear. Hammer's power was growing, and Ellis could feel the ground beneath his feet slipping away.
Pierce, ever the calm voice amongst braying donkeys, remained composed, his expression betraying nothing. "Of course, we do, Mr. President. SHIELD has contingencies for every situation. You can always count on SHIELD." His words dripped with confidence, but there was a quiet intensity in his gaze, as if daring anyone to question SHIELD's capabilities.
Ellis, though, wasn't entirely convinced. He looked at Pierce with skepticism, his lips pressing into a tight line. Still, for the moment, he chose not to push further. Pierce was one of the few people he had left to rely on, and alienating him now would be disastrous.
The Vice President, sitting quietly through most of the exchange, finally spoke up, his tone mild but laced with sarcasm. "Hammer made himself the sole arbiter of the deal with Asgard. Surely, we aren't just letting that stand, are we?"
Pierce grimaced, glancing at Ellis for permission to address the issue. Ellis waved his hand impatiently, urging him to continue.
"My Vice President," Pierce began, his voice taking on a measured tone, "I understand, and I agree, the lack of respect inherent in the way he bulldozed us all at the summit was… infuriating. But in the end, America - and SHIELD - will be the biggest recipients of this windfall."
The Vice President raised an eyebrow. "You mean outside of Hammer Industries, of course."
Pierce's lips tightened, and he forced himself to nod. "Yes, outside of Hammer Industries. But what choice did we have? Did you want to demand Asgard break their word and deal with us instead?"
Ellis rubbed his temples, his frustration mounting. "This is all pointless. There's no use crying over spilled milk," He muttered, his voice low and bitter. "We lost that battle. Now give me strategies going forward. How can we turn this ship around?"
Silence blanketed the Oval Office as the room's occupants exchanged uncertain glances. For all their bravado, no one had a clear answer.
The tension was broken when the door to the Oval Office swung open. A military aide rushed in, his face pale, a dispatch clutched tightly in his hand. He quickly crossed the room and handed the paper to the Secretary of Defense. As the secretary read the message, his face blanched visibly, all the color draining from his skin.
Ellis's heart sank at the sight. He'd come to recognize that look - the look of someone about to deliver yet another catastrophe. His eyes closed for a moment as if bracing himself. "What's wrong now?" He demanded, his voice a mix of exhaustion and irritation.
They were still dealing with part of the US military going rogue for God's sake! The press and Congress both were cutting him to ribbons! What could possibly have happened now?
The Secretary of Defense swallowed hard before speaking, his voice solemn and heavy. "China has invaded Taiwan."
Of course they have… Ellis thought, wondering briefly if being President was worth it anymore.
For a moment, the Oval Office was utterly silent. The words hung in the air like a bomb waiting to go off.
Then, all at once, chaos erupted. Cabinet secretaries shouted over one another, generals barked orders and questions, and the once-organized room devolved into utter pandemonium.
Ellis just looked at Pierce, and the abject shock on his face did not fill him with confidence.
Has SHIELD even gotten anything right in the past two years? He wondered, even as he prepared himself for the worst.
Worst of all, his first thought?
Call Justin Hammer.
He grimaced.
We've lost already.
----------------------------------------
Hammerhaven,
Justin sat in the war room of his Hammerhaven headquarters, surrounded by the quiet hum of technology and the glowing screens that covered every inch of the walls. Before him sat most of his inner circle - Yelena, Domino, Phantazia, and Sunil. They each bore the weight of the last twenty four hours in their expressions, a mix of exhaustion and calculated determination. It had been a brutal day.
Nail, his AI, floated silently in the background, projecting a detailed hologram of the damage report. The final death toll stood at over 1,200. His factories, though equipped with world-class security, had been no match for a coordinated strike from power-armored soldiers. Entire facilities reduced to rubble, civilians caught in the crossfire, their bodies crushed beneath debris. The eerie glow of the report's statistics seemed to make the air heavier.
Justin leaned back in his chair, feeling the constant hum of whispers in the back of his mind - a side effect of his recent ascent to divinity. Prayers. He could hear them all, faint and persistent, from people across the globe. An aspect of his domain of Humanity, he was fairly certain.
Certainly Hela and Thor and those like it did not get prayers like this.
And those he knew personally? They were deafening by comparison. Helen Cho, in particular, was like a constant murmur in his ear, always offering praise or praying for his approval. He could ignore it if he focused hard enough, but it was still there, like a buzzing fly he couldn't swat away.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts, focusing on the present. "So… It was the Mandarin?" He asked, his tone cold, cutting through the room like a blade.
Sunil was the first to speak. "In all likelihood, yes. We don't have concrete proof, but based on Osborn's last known location and his movements, it points to the Mandarin being behind this."
Yelena leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table, her gaze sharp. "Of all your enemies, he's the one most likely to sow chaos like this. The timing, the precision, the scale - it fits his MO. With China now attacking Taiwan and creating an international crisis, it lines up too perfectly. He's trying to destabilize both you and the U.S."
Phantazia, catching Yelena's glance, took over seamlessly. "It's all designed to hit at the heart of your perceived invincibility, sir. You've built yourself as the one who can protect Earth, and now that narrative is being ripped apart. You're seen as tied to America, and now both you and America look weak if you don't act. But if you do act, especially in the wrong way, I'm certain that's exactly what the Mandarin wants."
Justin remained silent for a moment, his fingers steepled as he considered the implications. The Mandarin. A relic of an older era. A man who, while not necessarily a powerhouse compared to what Justin had become, was a master of manipulation, strategy, and chaos. The Mandarin had exposed Justin's greatest weakness - his vast reach. He was everywhere, but being everywhere meant being stretched too thin to protect everything.
The destruction of his factories, the loss of life - it wasn't just a blow to his company; it was a direct hit to his reputation. He had built himself up as the guardian of Earth, the man who could secure its future. And now, with these attacks, that very foundation was cracking. People would talk. The world would see the cracks in his armor, and they would doubt him. His enemies would grow bolder.
He could feel the rage bubbling beneath his cool exterior. The Mandarin was small in terms of personal power - at least, in comparison to Justin's newfound divinity - but that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous. The fact that Nail couldn't even find him or his web of assassins and terrorists, only added to the problem. The man was a ghost, striking from the shadows, picking his targets with surgical precision.
"He's exposed a weakness," Justin said, finally breaking the silence. "I can't protect everything. Not if I'm spread this thin." It was reality, Hammer industries were global, they were everywhere.
Yelena and the others exchanged glances, knowing full well that Justin's next decision would shape the course of their future. War with China? Retaliation against a phantom enemy? Neither were ideal outcomes, but something had to be done.
"If I allow him to keep taking pot shots at me," Justin continued, his voice low and dark, "It'll destroy my credibility. The world's already watching. I'm supposed to be the one who can protect Earth. If I can't even protect my own people…"
His words trailed off, leaving an unspoken question hanging in the air. How far would he go to preserve his empire?
Justin leaned back, closing his eyes briefly as he let the weight of the decision settle on his shoulders. He opened them again, and when he spoke, there was a finality to his words.
"If he wants war, let him have it."
His inner circle straightened, their expressions sharpening as they absorbed the gravity of his statement.
"We're in the endgame now," Justin said, his voice cold and resolved. "Let chaos reign. When the dust settles, I'll come out on top."
The room fell into a deep, tense silence. They knew what was coming.
War.
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