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“Isabel Packer,” recited the announcer, “Wayne Panbaum.”
“Here he comes!” said Mary Jane excitedly, grabbing Jessica and Malcolm’s knees to get their attention.
Jessica gave Mary Jane a look. She moved her hand off her knee. Mary Jane, Malcolm, Jessica, and Bobbi sat in the bleachers of the Empire State University football arena as they watched for Peter among the many seniors adorned in cyan blue graduation robes and caps.
“Peter Parker.”
“WOOHOO!” screamed Mary Jane, leaping to her feet and waving her arms, “YOU GO, TIGER!”
This was only barely audible among the other shouts of “SPIDER-MAN!” from the crowd. It had only been a few months since Peter’s identity of Spider-Man had been published to the world.* Peter had taken to avoiding being seen around campus now that he had become a celebrity, though there was no avoiding it at a public graduation.
*In Jessica Jones & Spider-Man: Secret Identity Crisis
Peter rushed off the stage to make room for the next graduate. Jessica rolled her eyes and got up to leave.
“Where are you going?” asked Mary Jane.
“We’ve been sitting here long enough,” said Jessica, “I saw him graduate. Now I’m leaving.”
“We’re supposed to wait until-”
“Hey, down in front!” shouted someone behind them.
“You want to try that again, asshole?” demanded Jessica, spinning around and glaring.
“Holy shit,” whispered someone else, “That’s Jessica Jones!”
Jessica let out a sigh. People were starting to recognize her in public more and more these days too.
Suddenly a bright green flash appeared directly in front of Jessica's face, briefly blinding her. She saw something out of the corner of her eye and snatched it. It was a bundle of envelopes. Confused, Jessica examined the envelopes. There were three of them. One was addressed to Jessica Jones, one was addressed to Bobbi Morse, and one addressed to Peter Parker.
“What was that?” asked Malcolm in bewilderment.
“Let’s find out,” grumbled Jessica, opening her envelope and expecting the worst.
***
“Charles,” said Ororo as she walked in, “What is it?”
“See for yourself,” said Xavier, handing an envelope with his name on it to Ororo.
“When did this arrive?” asked Ororo.
“It manifested out of thin air right here moments ago,” he said.
“Oh dear,” said Ororo.
Charles Xavier, read the letter, Your world has been claimed by Hela, Goddess of Death. She is issuing a challenge to all the world’s champions. She will await you at the northernmost pole of the planet. You are receiving this letter because your X-Men are considered among such champions. Whether you accept this challenge or not, this world will be taken.
Yours,
Loki
“Loki?” wondered Ororo aloud, “Like the Avenger?*”
*Loki indeed served with the Avengers in Avengers: Part of the Team
“I presume,” said Xavier.
“What are we going to do, Charles?”
“We’re going to answer,” said Xavier, “Loki is correct; the X-Men are one of our world’s best chances against this new threat.”
“Are you sure?” asked Ororo, “We don’t have the numbers-”
“I’m going to reach out to Scott.”
“...really?”
None of the X-Men had had any contact with Scott Summers since he left the school to form a team with several other students.*
*In X-Men: Queen’s Gambit, Fool’s Folly
“Yes,” said Xavier, “This threat is real. I can sense Hela’s mental presence. She’s only going stronger. We can’t leave anything to chance.”
“Very well,” nodded Ororo, “I’ll notify the team and prep the Blackbird.”
***
“This is crazy,” muttered Peter, “Why would Loki side with someone like that?”
“Are you kidding?” scoffed Bobbi, “It’s Loki.”
“What’s bothering me is the challenge,” said Jessica, “Why bother giving her location away like that? Gathering all of us in one place? Plus Loki? I smell a trap.”
Peter, Jessica, Bobbi, Cindy, and Malcolm had gathered in Peter’s dorm. Jessica, Peter, and Bobbi had all read their letters, inviting each of them personally to the challenge.
“They’re not gathering all of us,” grumbled Cindy, who hadn’t received an invite.
Jessica pulled her buzzing phone from her pocket. She raised her eyebrows at the caller I.D.
“Who is it?” asked Bobbi.
“Micro,” said Jessica, answering the phone.
Jessica was referring to David Lieberman, who operated under the name Micro while working with Frank Castle, AKA The Punisher. Jessica and Peter had met the two and befriended them by chance some time ago,* though not long ago Frank and Micro had retired from the vigilante life after confessing their feelings for one another and facing down and killing Frank’s greatest enemy, Billy Russo.**
*In Spider-Man & The Punisher: He Broke In
**In Punisher: Jigsaw
“Yeah, Jessica,” said Micro, sounding uncertain and confused, “Did you or Peter get a weird invite that appeared out of nowhere?”
“Uh-huh,” nodded Jessica, “Frank get one too?”
“Sure did,” said Micro, “This can’t be real, right? The Goddess of Death?”
“Believe it or not,” said Jessica, “it is possible. Especially if we all- Wait a minute.”
Jessica realized something.
“I’m hanging up on you.”
“Jessica, wait-”
Jessica hung up the phone and dialed another number.
“Hi Luke,” she said, “This is going to sound weird but did you get-”
“A magical letter challenging me to fight the Goddess of Death?” responded Luke Cage, “Yeah, we got one for the whole office.”
“How many people got these?” wondered Jessica aloud.
Now it was Peter’s turn to raise his eyebrows at the caller I.D. on his phone. He quickly answered it.
“Yes, Captain?” he squeaked nervously.
“Captain?” said Malcolm.
“Steve?” asked Mary Jane.
Peter nodded.
“Hello, son,” said Steve on the other end of the phone, “I’m guessing you got one of those letters too?”
“Yeah!”
“It sounds like just about every former Avenger got one,” said Steve, “We’re all going to meet in the hangar of the Triskelion.”
“Can we even get in?” asked Peter.
The Triskelion had gone unused since the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D.*
“Yes,” said Steve, “Natasha has the old codes. How soon can you be there?”
“Maybe a couple of hours?”
“Alright,” said Steve, “See you then.”
Cindy waved frantically at Peter and pointed at her face.
“Wait!” said Peter suddenly, “Is it alright if we bring a friend along?”
Jessica pointed at the phone in her hand.
“Is it alright if we bring a few friends along?” clarified Peter.
***
A light lit up on the keypad. The hangar door let out a groan as it slowly began to rise. Jessica Jones, Spider-Man, Mockingbird, Daredevil, Silk, Frank Castle, Luke Cage, Danny Rand, Misty Knight, and Colleen Wing all entered. Those with costumes were wearing them. They had all met up and left New York together, arriving in Washington D.C. to join the other Avengers in the hangar.
She-Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, and Captain America were already there in their uniforms as well. The New York heroes walked over to join them. One by one they shook Captain America’s hand. Those that hadn’t met him before introduced themselves.
“Welcome aboard,” said Captain America as he shook Frank’s hand.
“Captain America, sir,” said Frank, “It’s an honor, truly it is, sir.”
“Wow,” whispered Spider-Man to Jessica, “I think that’s the… peppiest I’ve ever seen Frank.”
“Let me just say, sir,” continued Frank, still shaking Cap’s hand, “you’re an inspiration. I’m a huge fan.”
“Um… glad to hear it,” nodded Cap with a smile, not recognizing the man before him as the Punisher.
“I must have read every one of your comics,” continued Frank, still shaking Cap’s hand, “Every single one.”
“...you know those are mostly propaganda,” said Cap, “Right?”
“Uh, Frank,” said Luke, tapping Frank’s shoulder, “Maybe we let the others introduce themselves to the captain, huh?”
“Of course,” said Frank, half bowing his head to Cap as he walked off, “Sorry.”
“Holy shit,” whispered Jessica to Peter, “He’s almost as much of a fanboy as you.”
Peter shrugged and offered an embarrassed smile.
With everyone gathered, the Avengers all began boarding the large quinjet at the center of the hangar. It just so happened to be the exact same model as the one the Avengers rode into their fight with the Phalanx almost two years ago.*
*In Avengers: Part of the Team
“Bobbi,” said Black Widow, grabbing Mockingbird’s shoulder, “We need you up at the controls with me. We’re the only ones who can pilot this thing.”
So Black Widow and Mockingbird took their stations in the cockpit. Everyone else finished strapping themselves in and awaited the takeoff.
“Alright everyone,” said Black Widow over the intercom, “Let’s send Death home packing!”
***
The great cosmic being stared down from the distant heavens, observing the gathering of champions as they all neared the existential threat to their planet. The being, Uatu, considered the oddity that this was the third time in as many solar cycles that zyr gaze had been drawn to this planet. As the Watcher, it was Uatu’s duty to ponder the meaning of this. It was well forbidden however, for zyr to interfere. So instead Uatu continued to watch the gathering of heroes approach their enemy.
“We’re almost there,” muttered Mockingbird.
“There it is,” said Black Widow, gesturing out the window as the quinjet descended below the clouds.
The twisted castle of black metal sat towering in the middle of a large, blackened wasteland. The dead earth had melted away the snow around the castle for miles, creating a deathly domain of Hela’s influence.
“Hold up,” added Black Widow, “Scanners are showing another high speed aircraft in the vicinity.”
A small black jet rocketed past the quinjet as it fired out of the clouds. Neither Black Widow nor Mockingbird recognized it, but the Blackbird had arrived and brought the X-Men and their allies with it.
The Blackbird made its approach to the castle. One of the many pointed spires from the castle launched off the building, flying into the sky as another one quickly grew in its place. The spire went directly for the Blackbird. Black Widow and Mockingbird gasped as the projectile struck the Blackbird perfectly and went directly through it, shredding the jet to pieces.
There was a puff of purple smoke several miles away in the sky. Closer inspection showed a little over a dozen individuals falling from the smoke and plummeting toward the ground. Nightcrawler had managed to teleport them all out before the ship was struck. The X-Men ceased their fall with the help of Jean Grey’s telekinesis, which she then used to gently lower them to the ground.
Then the ground below them opened into an enormous fissure, emitting dark green smoke as it opened wider and wider. Most of the X-Men tumbled down the chasm immediately. Storm and Firestar made attempts to fly out, but the smoke became tangible and dragged them down too. Jean used the last of her strength to telepathically find Hela and send that information to Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler grabbed onto Rogue and Cyclops and teleported away. The fissure closed up, sealing the remaining X-Men with it.
Inside the castle, Hela was standing at the window admiring her victory. She had easily blown the ship out of the sky and quickly disposed of the champions onboard who wished to challenge her. Now there was no trace of them left. Loki stood several feet behind her, also admiring her work.
That’s when a puff of purple smoke appeared between the two of them. Nightcrawler, Rogue, and Cyclops stood ready to fight. Hela raised her hand to respond, but Cyclops had already ripped his visor off his head and fired the full force of his concussive blast directly at Hela. Hela let out a cry of frustration before firing back with an even more powerful burst of deathly green energy. Cyclops disappeared as the dark green substance engulfed him.
Hela grimaced as she noticed several tears in her cloak. Then she spun around to face Nightcrawler and Rogue, who had teleported directly behind her. Hela raised her hand to block them. Rogue met Hela’s hand with her own bare one, gripping it tightly. Hela cried out as she felt her godly life force begin to drain through her hand.
“NO!!!” roared Hela.
Chains made of bones fired from the floor at both Nightcrawler and Rogue, entangling both of them. Nightcrawler emitted several puffs of purple smoke as he tried and failed to teleport out of the grasp. The chains tightened and pulled Nightcrawler and Rogue down to the floor, where they were dragged down deep with the rest.
“They almost got you,” noted Loki with amusement.
“No,” asserted Hela, “but they did come closer than expected.”
“Your cloak is torn.”
“I’m aware.”
Hela’s sole garment, a black cloak that extended the length of her body and formed a cowl and headress at her head, served a greater purpose than a mere aesthetic one. When Hela agreed to rule Hel, she bound herself to that realm. The garment, which served as both her smallclothes and her outer attire, was her loophole around this curse. So long as Hela wore the garment, she could freely travel and exist outside of Hel.
“You still have the others to contend with,” said Loki.
“I’m not concerned,” said Hela, “Soon this entire planet will be under my domain and I will have no need for this cloak while residing here.”
“They’ve landed,” said Loki.
“Yes,” said Hela.
The quinjet had turned away and veered off during Hela’s battle with the X-Men. Learning their lesson from the Blackbird’s obliteration, Black Widow and Mockingbird quickly landed the quinjet before it could be blown out of the sky. The passengers quickly disembarked and began their ground assault on the castle.
“Here they come,” said Loki.
“They will fall,” said Hela as she slowly raised her arms, “Every one of them.”
Captain America, leading the charge of the many champions, signalled for everyone to stop when he noticed the earth in front of them shifting. Slowly several blackened skeletons rose from the ground, turning their skulls to look at the champions as they became animated. Soon hundreds more had risen, creating a virtual army before Captain America and his team.
“Avengers,” called out Cap, “Assemble!”
Captain America hurled his shield into the horde of skeletons before them. The disk sliced through several of the skeletons as Cap rushed into the fray himself, punching away several skeletons and retrieving his shield.
The others had engaged the skeletons now too, breaking them apart one by one as they advanced on the castle. Some, like Frank with his automated weapons, Spider-Man, and Silk with their webbing, were able to take out dozens of the foes. Luke and Danny took out a number on their own using their tag team tactics. Others, such as Jessica and Misty Knight, were having trouble with the numbers and were struggling to take the skeletons down one by one.
Luckily, Thor and She-Hulk were among them. Thor obliterated nearly a hundred of the skeletons in a single enormous burst of lightning released from his fist. Though he no longer wielded Mjolnir,* he was still a formidable warrior. She-Hulk was pounding her way through them at incredible speeds, tearing through crowds and leaving piles of bones in her wake. Hela watched the two from her window. She raised one of her hands.
*Since the events of Thor: Losers and Lovers
Thor spun on his heel as something burst from the earth behind him. An enormous greenish-black snake reared its head and let out a deafening hiss as it bared its fangs directly at Thor. Thor shrouded himself in lightning and went to punch the beast, but as the snake unhinged its jaw and came down on Thor, the lightning was snuffed out as the Thunder God was swallowed whole.
“THOR!!” cried out Spider-Man in distress.
She-Hulk ran at the snake, ready to pick up the fight where Thor left off. Then another enormous mass of green and black emerged from the ground. The strange looking substance formed a huge arm, which swung down at She-Hulk. She-Hulk punched the hand away once, but on its return it formed a fist and the two punches collided evenly. The hand then snatched She-Hulk off the ground and dragged her back down into the earth with it. The snake followed suit. Just like that, the two strongest champions were gone.
Black rib bones the size of buildings began to sprout around Luke and Danny, curling over them and forming cages.. The caged champions were soon dragged down as their cages sank into the earth.
Captain America, Black Widow, Mockingbird, Spider-Man, Jessica, Silk, Frank, Misty, Colleen, and Daredevil were back to back, preparing for their last stand as the skeletons closed in on them. Frank let out a roar as he unloaded the last of his ammo into the horde, blasting apart dozens of skeletons and sending bone shards everywhere before they ripped the weapons from his hands. Spider-Man and Silk made their way in front of the others, punching away as many of the skeletons as they could as the group was slowly overwhelmed.
“Don’t give in!” called out Captain America, “Don’t let up!”
Cap’s words of encouragement were in vain. There were simply too many skeletons. Soon the remaining fighters were fighting to break free as the horde descended on them, slowly burying the heroes in their bodies.
“NO!!” roared Frank, now punching the skeletons one by one in their skulls as they dogpiled on him, “NO!!”
Frank had only confessed his feelings for Micro a month or so ago. He had finally retired. He was finally free from his life as the Punisher. He couldn’t let all of that go now. Not after all he had been through. He let out another scream of rage as the skeletal warriors completely piled over him, snuffing out his voice.
Captain America grunted as his shield was torn from his grasp and a skeletal hand dragged him under the bodies. Silk was grabbed from behind by several different skeletons at once. Before Spider-Man could react and save her he and Jessica were grabbed by even more. Jessica and Spider-Man reached for one another as they were each dragged down as well. Soon every hero was gone, completely lost in the sea of corpses.
“That’s it,” said Hela, “The champions lost.”
“...are they dead?” asked Loki after a moment.
“By this world’s standards they are,” said Hela, “They’ve been spirited away to Hel where they will be imprisoned along with the souls of the damned, at the mercy of my servants.”
“I see.”
“We are not done,” said Hela, looking up at the sky through her window, “There remain others who would oppose me.”
“Who?” asked Loki, “I delivered the summons to every capable fighter on the planet.”
“A ship sits in orbit above the planet,” said Hela, “I know not why they’re there, but I can feel their energy waves. They’re scanning this area.”
“A ship?” considered Loki, “Interesting.”
“Prove yourself,” said Hela, turning to Loki, “I want every member of that crew dead. Take care of that and I will trust you to serve me further.”
“My teleportation spells are good,” said Loki, “but not that good. If you want me to somehow board a ship in space-”
“I will grant you access to the Hel Paths,” said Hela, “Don’t disappoint me.”
Loki looked at his hands. They were faintly glowing green as Hela invited him to use the Hel Paths. Hel Paths were gateways that led directly to and from Hel. They could be opened anywhere, allowing effortless travel across the universe by going to and from Hel. They were an even more efficient method of travel than having direct access to the Bifrost. Loki snapped his fingers, opening a gateway to Hel in front of him.
“Very well,” grinned Loki.
***
“Dying!?” cried Monica, “It’s a planet! How is it dying ?!”
“There is an spell extending from the northern pole,” explained Nebula, “It will prevent all life: plants, animals, people, anything , from beginning. Once it extends to the entire planet it will only be a matter of time before your world is completely lifeless.”
Nebula, Gamora, Peter Quill, Mantis, Phyla-Vell, Carol Danvers, and Monica Rambeau had been orbiting the planet for almost an hour now, scanning the planet for the cause of its abnormalities upon arriving to return Carol and Monica to their home planet.*
*In Captain Marvel: Objects May Have Shifted During Flight
“Is there something we can do!?” demanded Carol, “We can’t just watch Earth die!”
“If there’s something down there capable of killing an entire planet,” said Gamora, “This ship isn’t getting anywhere near it. You’re free to take it on yourselves if you like.”
“Thank you. I will,” said Carol, turning and walking for the door.
“Wait!” said Peter Quill, “Let’s at least-”
But Carol had already left the bridge. Soon there was a chime and everyone turned to the center of the bridge. A large glowing green archway had formed, with swirling green flames and black stone visible through the arch. A woman in emerald and gold armor stepped out.
“Well, well, well,” she mused, “Who do we have here?”
“Who are you?” demanded Peter, drawing his blaster.
“Loki,” she answered, “Goddess of Mischief. Pleased to meet you.”
Peter’s pants jerked themselves to the ground, exposing his bright red polka dot boxers. Peter hurriedly bent down to pull them back up. Loki snapped her fingers. The gun in Peter’s hands exploded the moment he bent over, blowing him onto his back in a cloud of smoke with his pants still around his ankles.
Loki held up her hand as a series of laser blasts assaulted her, rebounding harmlessly off her gauntlet. Phyla-Vell stood with a rifle aimed at Loki, still firing. Loki flicked one of the blasts directly back at the blaster. The blaster exploded, briefly blinding the kree. Loki flicked her wrist and Phyla-Vell flew into the wall behind her, falling to the floor motionless.
Several bullets ricocheted off of Loki’s armor. She turned to Monica Rambeau, who had drawn her sidearm and fired it at Loki several times. Loki took note of what she was wearing.
“Is that a S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform?” realized Loki, “Interesting.”
The utility belt of Monica’s uniform in question lurched upward, hoisting her uniform’s pants up to her armpits and lifting her up in the process. Loki pointed at the far wall. The pants swung Monica into the wall, knocking her out and dropping her to the ground.
Loki spun around and threw up her hand, catching something out of the air. She quickly recognized it as an impulse grenade and tossed it back where it came from: Nebula. Nebula panicked and turned to run, but the grenade landed at her feet, briefly flickering green before detonating with a gas instead of concussive force. Nebula clamped her hands over her nose to keep out the wretched smell of the gas, but fell to the ground a moment later.
Loki manifested a large knife in her hand and used it to parry a swing from an enormous black sword. She looked to see Gamora holding the blade, which was none other than the Sword of Xandar. The weapon’s notoriety had reached even Asgard.
“Who are you?” wondered Loki aloud, “And how did you get a hold of that blade?”
“I’m the most dangerous woman in the galaxy,” hissed Gamora with a smile, “so I took it.”
Gamora broke the parry and swung the sword again. Loki manifested a second large knife and used both to block another blow from the sword. Loki disengaged and spun to the side, dodging another sword swing. Loki then moved at blinding speed, rushing past Gamora while swinging her knives with precision. Soon Loki was behind Gamora and the green women's black metallic uniform fell off her body in ribbons as if it were paper, leaving only her black bra and compression shorts.
“You-!” blurted Gamora, blushing.
Before Gamora could do anything else, Loki took advantage of her humiliation and struck her in the back of the head, knocking her unconscious. The zen whoberi were strong, but even they would compare an Asgardian’s power to a god’s. The fact that she had kept up with Loki for as long as she had was impressive.
Loki turned to the one remaining person on the bridge: a strange looking green woman with antennae and black eyes.
“I foresaw this,” said Mantis sadly, “I know your plan.”
“Good,” smiled Loki, “Then you know why I have to do this.”
Loki whipped one of her knives directly at Mantis, hitting her square in the stomach as she let out a cough. Loki grinned as the knife flew back into her hand.
“That knife is coated in my own personal poison,” she said, “You’ll be dead in a matter of seconds.”
A burst of golden light smashed through the door to the room and blasted Loki, pinning her to the wall. The light dimmed to reveal Carol Danvers glowing as she held Loki against the wall with her incredible strength. Loki tried to force herself free, but this woman had physical strength comparable to Thor.
“What did you do!?” demanded Carol.
“What I had to do,” muttered Loki, “to survive.”
Carol let out a roar of anger as she punched a hole in the wall beside Loki. She then spun around and threw the Goddess of Mischief across the bridge. She fired a massive golden blast from her hands. Loki winced just before the blast struck her, blowing her armor to pieces and leaving her writhing in pain on the ground.
“Earth,” said Carol, “What are you doing to it?”
“Maybe you should be less concerned about your planet,” wheezed Loki, producing a knife, “and more worried about the immediate threat!”
Loki whipped the knife toward the unconscious Monica. Carol let out a gasp and flashed away in a golden light. Loki reached out her hand and opened a Hel Path directly beside Monica. Carol blasted the knife out of the air as she rocketed toward it, going right through the Hel Path as she did. Loki closed her hand and closed the archway behind her, trapping Carol in Hel.
Loki formed another archway. She got up and slowly made her way through this one as well, leaving the defeated crew behind. She emerged back in Hela’s castle, where she informed Hela that the threat had been eliminated.
***
Patsy walked into the lobby and looked around. This resort hotel was gorgeous, even by her standards from her days as a millionaire. Palm trees grew out of enormous planters in every corner of the enormous place. The flooring was pristinely shined and an elaborate chandelier hung over Patsy’s head. It was a fitting look for a lavish Malibu resort.
Patsy looked down at her envelope. This was where she was supposed to meet, right?
“Patsy!?” called out a familiar voice, “Patsy Walker!?”
Patsy spun around to see Squirrel Girl, in full costume, running up to her with open arms. Patsy welcomed the hug, happy to see a smiling face.
“I haven’t seen you since S.H.I.E.L.D. fell!” exclaimed Squirrel Girl, “It’s been ages!”
“It’s good to see you,” smiled Patsy, “...are you the one who sent me the letter?”
“Nope,” said Squirrel Girl, pulling out an envelope of her own, “although I reckon the same person sent me mine.”
“And mine.”
Patsy and Squirrel Girl turned to see a tired looking man in a hoodie and jeans.
“I’m sorry,” said Squirrel Girl, “Who are you?”
“Brock,” he said, “Eddie Brock.”
“...should we recognize that name?”
“...don’t worry about it,” sighed Eddie.
“Took you all long enough!” shouted a woman waltzing in from the pool area, a light shawl draped around her dark green bikini and a pair of sunglasses.
“Is that…?” said Patsy, “Who I think it is?”
“...Loki?” asked Squirrel Girl as the woman drew closer.
“Sh!” hushed the woman, “Not in front of the staff. Come on up to my suite.”
Loki’s suite was predictably lavish. The beautiful white marble flooring led through a set of glass doors onto an enormous balcony. On the other side of the suit cream-colored furniture surrounded an enormous wall-mounted television. Once everyone was inside, Loki tossed her hair as her outfit changed into a loose green top, a yellow skirt, and dark green sandals.
“Thank you all for joining me,” she said.
“Did we have to do this all the way in Malibu?” asked Eddie, “It wasn’t exactly easy to get here, you know.”
“Really?” asked Loki.
“Yeah,” said Patsy, “I had to book a last minute flight. It wasn’t cheap.”
“And some of us are on no fly lists,” added Eddie.
“Huh,” mused Loki, “Midgard is so strange.”
“What’s going on?” asked Patsy, “Does this have anything to do with Jen? I haven’t seen her in over a day!”
“Or that crazy black spot at the North Pole?” asked Squirrel Girl.
Although neither the letters nor Steve Rogers’s mission had been publicly announced, various governments across the world had taken note of the enormous patch of black that had engulfed a percentage of the North Pole. No military had taken action yet.
“Yes,” said Loki, “Some time ago, Hela began amassing military power. Jane Foster, Brunhilde, and myself confronted her on the matter and learned that she was preparing for an invasion of Midgard. In a bid to save myself the same fate as Jane and the All-Mother, I agreed to help Hela with the invasion.* Hela asked that I gather the Earth’s champions to fight her. I did. Thor, She-Hulk, Captain America, just about every person on this planet who has dealt with this kind of thing before. They came. She ended them all in moments.”
*Read more in Thor, Goddess of Thunder: Flight of the Valkyrie
“Jesus…” muttered Eddie.
“Jen…” whimpered Patsy, “...is she?”
“We can still save them,” said Loki, “I gathered you three for a reason.”
“Because we have what it takes!” declared Squirrel Girl proudly.
“That,” nodded Loki, “and the fact that you could be left out of the initial wave without anybody even noticing.”
“Wait a minute,” realized Eddie, “You picked us because we’re nobodies!?”
“And losers, yes,” confirmed Loki.
“...thanks,” mumbled Patsy.
Patsy couldn’t help but think about how Jennifer hadn’t even told her about the invitation. She had really thought she would trust Patsy more by now.
“So why were you the one gathering the champions?” asked Eddie.
“I’m feigning allegiance to Hela,” said Loki quietly, “The ruse must continue for this plan to work, do you understand?”
“Good old Loki!” smiled Squirrel Girl, “Always willing to change sides for the sake of doing the right thing!”
“Honestly I just do it to be dramatic,” shrugged Loki, “and I don’t care for Hela. As you imagine, she is quite the half-sister to have.”
“You’re related!?” realized Squirrel Girl, “That makes sense. I really see the resemblance.”
“Hurry up and free your friends,” said Loki, losing her patience and summoning a green arch with the snap of her fingers.
“What are you saying?” asked Patsy nervously.
“I’m telling you to go to Hel.”
***
“So…” said Misty, “This is death, huh?”
“I was expecting worse,” grumbled Jessica.
“The demons are pretty scary,” acknowledged Colleen.
The demons Colleen were referring to varied greatly in size and shape: massive horned beasts, twisted humanoid abominations, imposing troll-like creatures, and many more. They all shared one thing in common: empty eye sockets that emitted a green flame. This was Hel.
A number of demons had gathered around a pit. The pit was blocked on all sides by a fence made of contorted black metal. The pit itself roared with black and green flames, dancing and lurching at the spectacle above. The spectacle in question was suspended from black metal spires over the pit: Misty Knight, Jessica Jones, Colleen Wing, Mockingbird, and Black Widow.
The five humans had each been hooked to a spire. Jessica, Colleen, and Misty were all hooked by the back of their jackets, looking nervously down past their feet to the fire. Black Widow was hooked by the back of her utility belt, trying her best to distribute the weight in a way that didn’t cut into her or wedgie her. Mockingbird got the worst end of the deal, having been hooked by a spandex jumpsuit that had slowly been making its way up farther up her butt as they hung there. They had been suspended for what felt like an hour already and their clothes had held out. Jessica was beginning to suspect they were enchanted to hang there somehow. She wasn’t scared of falling in at this point.
“If we fall in and die,” said Misty, “What happens? We’re already in Hell.”
“With one ‘L,’” added Mockingbird through clenched teeth, “They’re similar, but-”
“I know, I know!” said Misty angrily, “You’re really determined to earn that wedgie you’re getting, aren’t you?”
“Watch it!” barked Jessica.
“They’re going to drop us in eventually, right?” asked Colleen, now sounding nervous, “That’s why we’re up here?”
“Or this is the rest of our eternity,” said Black Widow.
“God, I hope not…” whimpered Mockingbird.
“This is the afterlife,” said Black Widow, “We don’t know the rulebook here.”
“I’m still not convinced we’re dead,” said Jessica.
“My point is that anything can happen,” said Black Widow.
In that exact moment a black strand of web-like substance shot down and stuck onto Black Widow’s side. The next thing they knew she was yanked off the hook and pulled away. The demons broke out into an uproar as the same thing happened to Misty, Colleen, and then Jessica. Finally, a strand shot down onto Mockingbird’s boot.
Mockingbird chuckled nervously before she was flipped upside down and yanked upward. The yank failed to unhook her jumpsuit, forcing the spandex up into her butt and crotch as she was pulled upward. The tension in the web got tighter as the spandex forced its way in deeper. Then Mockingbird’s boot flew off completely and she swung back down, dropping into an even worse wedgie. With her disheveled hair and missing boot exposing a pink polka dotted sock, Mockingbird was starting to look ridiculous.
The next web fired down and latched onto the part of the jumpsuit hooked to the metal. This time Mockingbird was pulled up and away by the wedgie before landing in an alcove with the others and Hellcat, Squirrel Girl, and Venom.
“Sorry about that,” offered Venom.
“What are you guys doing here!?” demanded Jessica.
“We’ve been sent to free you guys,” explained Hellcat, “Any idea where the others are?”
“I don’t know,” said Colleen, “but I’m not going anywhere without Tsuru .”
“Who’s that?” asked Hellcat.
“Her sword,” explained Misty.
“Let’s search the building,” suggested Jessica, “with any luck we’ll find both the sword and the others.”
“Alrighty!” said Squirrel Girl, “Let’s go find them!”
The group snuck out of the alcove and into the prison’s halls. Soon they were overrun with demons charging at them. Venom took the lead on the charge, taking out a number of them with their webs. Hellcat and Squirrel Girl followed closely behind. Jessica and Mockingbird each took down a few demons as they followed. Colleen and Misty moved back to back ready to use their fists.
Venom gave them an opening to make it through the demons and into a corridor. The team rushed through the opening as Venom struggled to keep the demons at bay. Venom leapt into the corridor just as the others made it in, slamming the door shut behind them.
They came across a large cell made of black metal. The bars were close together, leaving little to no ability to see inside. The locks on the cell were many and held it tightly shut with chains of black metal. The heroes heard a low growl from inside the cell. On the other side of the door behind them, demons were already trying to break their way in.
“What do you think is in there?” wondered Hellcat out loud.
“Whatever it is,” said Misty, “it must be terrifying if even demons want it locked up this bad.”
“I say we let it out,” smirked Jessica, “Give these demons something else to worry about.”
“Anyone else think it’s strange that these demons use mechanical locks?” pointed out Squirrel Girl.
“This world isn’t exactly as it appears,” explained Hellcat, “We sort of perceive it in our own way.”
“I’m not complaining,” said Venom, placing their hand on the lock and letting the symbiote go inside and unlock the device.
“Are we absolutely sure about this?” asked Black Widow as she nervously peered inside the open cell, “The denizens of Hel itself wanted whatever this is locked away. Are we sure it’s a smart idea to free it?”
But Venom had already unlocked the cell door.
“I’ll be damned,” smiled Jessica.
Frank Castle knelt before them in the cell, restrained by dozens of feet of black metal chains. His ankles were manacled to the wall, his thighs were cuffed to one another. Layer after layer of chains held his arms behind his back, where they were manacled to the wall as well. A black panel gag was strapped to his furious face. His skin was a deep red as veins bulged on the sides of his head.
Frank suddenly relaxed his muscles and breathing when he saw the familiar faces.
“Venom?” requested Jessica.
“Yup,” they said, placing a hand on the chains and sending the symbiote all throughout.
One by one the chains around Frank loosened. His wrists were uncuffed from the wall, but still restrained by the chains around his upper body. Those gradually loosened as the thigh and ankle cuffs popped off. Soon Frank was grabbing the chains with his hands and ripping them off his own body. Finally, he unfastened the strap around his face and pulled out the panel gag.
“Wow,” scoffed Misty, “I guess even demons think the Punisher is one scary mother.”
“You okay?” asked Mockingbird hesitantly.
“We’re in Hell, aren’t we?” said Frank after a moment.
“One ‘L,’ but yes,” replied Mockingbird.
“Sounds like it’s open season for me,” said Frank, getting to his feet, “Nothing and I mean nothing is going to keep me here. Anyone know where my weapons are?”
“Yes, actually,” said Colleen, “I can feel Tsuru . Assuming they’re keeping it with our other things, it’s all on the floor below us.”
“Let’s get going.”
The team made their way past more guards and down to the floor below, where they quickly regained all of their gear. The fight out of the prison proved to be easy once they began the escape. They were completely free of the building shortly thereafter.
The three saviors took it upon themselves to explain the situation. The others listened intently.
“Loki?” said Jessica when they finished, “As in, the one working with Hela? The one who sent us written invitations to our literal deaths?”
“I think that was part of the ruse,” said Hellcat.
“Figures,” grumbled Jessica.
“Once we free the others, she told us to activate this stone,” said Squirrel Girl, holding up some sort of ancient Asgardian rune, “She’ll create a way out and we’ll be free.”
“What about Hela?” asked Mockingbird.
“She says she has a plan for that too,” said Venom.
“And we’re just supposed to go off that?” asked Misty.
“What other choice do we have?” asked Colleen, “It’s our only way out of here.”
“How do we find the others?” asked Frank.
“Loki says this place works in a peculiar way,” said Hellcat, “There’s no finding to be done. There’s no space here.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean!?” demanded Jessica.
“That we’re already where we need to be,” realized Mockingbird, pointing.
Everyone followed Mockingbird’s finger and saw a crowd of demons gathered around someone on his knees. The discarded star spangled shield beside the crowd gave away who it was. Steve’s cowl had been torn away, along with patches of his costume. His wrists were bound with black chains behind his back. He was panting. When he raised his sweat-soaked and bloody head, they saw he had a black eye.
“Steve!” called out Black Widow.
“Stay away,” warned one of the demons in an echoing voice, “It’s not often we get a soul like this down here. We intend to have our fun with it.”
Another one of the demons punched Steve in the side of the head, sending him down face first into the dark crimson dirt.
“Alright, everybody,” said Black Widow as they readied their weapons, “Let’s-”
“ RRRRRRAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!!! ”
Frank had already started a charge straight at the crowd, automatic weapon in either hand. As soon as he was in range he began gunning down the demons as they ran at him, clawing and biting at him with razor-like teeth and claws only to be blown away one by one. He continued fighting his way through until he was at the center, where he put himself between the demons and the weakened Steve.
“Is he always like this?” asked Black Widow.
“Yes,” said Jessica.
Venom leapt over the heads of the demons and landed beside Steve and Frank, joining Frank in his assault on the crowd. The others joined the fray and soon the demons were all down. Venom was able to untie the chains from Steve’s wrists. The captain slowly rose to his feet.
“Those bastards,” whispered Frank, “This place really is Hell.”
“The others,” coughed Steve weakly, “Where are…?”
Steve collapsed as both Mockingbird and Black Widow rushed to his side to lift him back to a sitting position. We winced as he felt every bruise, cut, and cracked rib. The demons had really done a number on him.
“I’ll stay here with him,” said Mockingbird, “Misty and Squirrel Girl too. More demons could show up any second. The rest of you go find the others.”
Hellcat nodded and spun on her heel, running off. Venom, Black Widow, Jessica, Frank, and Colleen followed shortly behind her. They eventually made their way to another prison, this one taller and more fortified than the last. Venom used their powers to get the group into the alcoves where they managed to sneak inside again.
“This must be where they’re keeping the really strong ones,” realized Misty.
“Here’s the plan,” whispered Hellcat, “We find and free She-Hulk and Thor first. They’ll be the most helpful in freeing the others.”
The team made their way deeper into the fortress. They eventually made their way into a room filled with cauldrons boiling molten black metal. The heat of the room was suffocating, their visions obscured by the steam and heat. They could barely make out something inside a cage suspended over one of the cauldrons.
“Jen!” called out Hellcat, “Jen! Is that you!?”
“Patsy!?” gasped She-Hulk from inside the cage, “Patsy, what in the world are you doing here?”
“Guys,” said Frank, readying a pistol, “Demons coming.”
“Helping you!” shouted Hellcat back up at She-Hulk, “That’s all I’ve wanted to do, Jen!”
“...what?!”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Loki’s challenge?” asked Hellcat, “Don’t you trust me?”
“I didn’t want you to get hurt!”
“That’s what I’m saying,” whined Hellcat, “I want you to trust me to protect myself !”
“Guys!?” yelled Jessica back as she punched a demon away, “Another time maybe?”
“Right,” said Hellcat, “Jen, can you get out of there?”
“Well I could bust free no problem, yeah,” said She-Hulk, “but I’d fall right into the vat of who-knows-what below.”
Hellcat turned to Venom, hoping they could help. Unfortunately the symbiote was currently fighting off more demons than the rest of them combined. Hellcat had to think of another way to make sure She-Hulk landed safely.
“I’ll catch you!” decided Hellcat, leaping up the sides of the cauldrons and getting into position.
“Patsy, you can’t-”
“Jen, please!!”
“GUYS!!” screamed Jessica.
“Just… Have faith,” said Hellcat.
She-Hulk paused for a moment. Then she nodded. She lifted both fists into the air and pounded them down onto the bottom of her cage. The black metal gave way as she began her drop toward the boiling vat. Hellcat leapt up and at her. She used her retractable cat claws to hook the back of She-Hulk’s sports bra and yank her with as they both flew over the vat and landed safely on the other side.
She-Hulk smiled down at Patsy, whose mask had slipped off during the feat. Patsy chuckled. She-Hulk mussed her hair.
“Tall, Green, and Scary!” shouted Jessica, “We could use your help over here!”
She-Hulk bounded over the vat back to the other side, where the others were still fighting demons. She-Hulk made quick work of them, being completely unaffected by their claws or flames. Hellcat regrouped with the team and they made their way to the next room.
Fighting their way past the seemingly endless hordes of demons, the group made their way to the bottom of the fortress. They made their way down and into the dungeon, where a warrior was chained up and roaring in rage. Venom quickly freed Thor and the prison break began.
She-Hulk and Thor effortlessly tore through the prison, destroying countless demons as they broke free every last prisoner. Spider-Man, Silk, Luke Cage, Danny Rand, Daredevil and the X-Men’s team were all freed in no time.
“Is that everyone?” asked Squirrel Girl.
Steve and Ororo both looked at one another and nodded. Each of their teams were now completely accounted for.
“Alright,” said Hellcat, readying the stone, “I hope this works…”
***
“Loki,” said Hela, not moving her gaze from the window, “Where have you been?”
“I’ve been about my own business,” said the slender God of Mischief as he strutted in.
“You serve me,” said Hela coldly, glaring at Loki, “You don’t have your own business.”
“About that,” mused Loki, manifesting a suit of green and gold armor around himself, “I’ve been rethinking our arrangement.”
“You can’t possibly mean to betray me now,” scoffed Hela, “Not after my opposition has been completely obliterated. You stand alone.”
“Oh sister,” mused Loki, “I’d never try something like this alone. Who do you take me for, Thor? Ridiculous. Besides, haven’t you heard? There’s a new Goddess of Thunder these days!
Loki snapped her fingers. Hela turned to the center of the room as a Hel Path opened directly in front of her. There was a flash of light, a crack of thunder, and then a lightning-shrouded hammer came flying out of the portal directly at Hela. Hela gasped as the lightning exploded in a spectacular flash, blasting her through the window and far away from the castle before she landed on the blackened earth. She looked up at the tallest tower of her castle from which she had been blasted. She saw Jane Foster standing beside Brunnhilde at the window.
“No!” hissed Hela, “They were never defeated at all, were they!?!”
“One of Loki’s illusions,” smiled Brunhilde, drawing her sword, “We figured you wouldn’t notice us hiding out on your turf if you thought we were done for.”
“Once Loki had access to your Hel Paths,” explained Jane, “It was only a matter of timing.”
“Traitor!” cried Hela up at the castle, “I granted you the Hel Paths and you use them to betray me!?”
“Yup,” said Loki, snapping his fingers again.
Another Hel Path opened in the sky above Hela’s head. A huge burst of golden energy blasted out of it and pummeled Hela, leaving an enormous crater on the ground. Hela rose from the dust, arms starting to tremble. Across from her, Carol Danvers stood basked in golden energy.
Hela let out a roar as she swung her hand. The ground at Carol’s feet burst into smoke and wrapped around her tightly, squeezing her body and straining the bones and muscles as it compressed further and further.
“I’ve learned my lesson,” said Hela, “I’ll destroy your corporeal bodies. There will be no returning to the land of the living for you!”
Hela tightened her fist as Carol let out a cry of agony. Jane and Brunnhilde leapt down at them, Hela caught both of them in the same smoke. Hela chuckled to herself as she levitated herself up to Loki’s level, carrying the women with her as she continued to slowly crush them.
“Clever trick,” mused Hela, “Saving all the strongest champions for when I’m complacent. You never really killed the crew of that ship, did you?”
“Nope,” said Loki, “I did use a special poison on a few that would induce temporary death though. Then it healed the apparent injuries shortly afterward.”
“Why!?” demanded Hela, “Why spare a crew of nobodies!?”
“I needed them for this.”
“For wha-? Oh no…”
Loki teleported away just as the roar of the engines became deafening. Hela spun around and released her grip on the others with a gasp as the nose of the spaceship crashed into Hela with all of the force of a meteor strike. The blow crushed Hela through the walls and floors of her castle as she lay under the heap of metal in a crater at the foot of a horribly damaged castle. Then the entire castle came down among Hela’s screams.
Carol regained her strength as she was falling, bursting back to full energy and pulling Jane and Brunnhilde away from the crumbling tower. In the distance, the Guardians slowly descended to the ground on jetpacks. Indeed, none were injured and Mantis’s wound had even healed.
“I can’t believe you wrecked our ship,” mumbled Gamora, “Again. How many of these are we going to go through?”
“Hey!” protested Peter, “You agreed to the plan!”
Once Monica was on the ground Carol rushed up to her. The two kissed.
“Just in time,” mused Loki, holding up an Asgardian rune, “It seems as though the others are ready.”
Loki snapped again and opened one final Hel Path, out of which poured the many fallen champions as they gathered before the ruins of Hela’s castle. The portal snapped shut just as the last of them exited.
“ RAGH! ”
Everyone turned to the rubble as Hela, headdress contorted and cloak in near tatters, slowly rose. Green flames rose behind her, silhouetting her shadow across all of them. Her eyes glowed as she glared them all down.
“You think that’s enough to stop me!?” demanded Hela in a demonic voice that echoed through the heavens, “I’m Hela! Queen of the Undead! Ruler of the Damned! Soon you will see- Yipe!”
The flames dissipated in a flash as Hela keeled over and winced. That’s when the others noticed Squirrel Girl standing on Hela’s back and yanking up on black fabric around her waist. Hela let out a wail as her skin flashed green and black.
“Her garment!” realized Brunhilde, “It’s the only thing allowing her to exist outside of Hel!”
“...is Squirrel Girl doing what I think she’s doing?” asked Jessica.
Hela screeched as Squirrel Girl yanked the black smallclothes even higher, causing bursts of green flame to flare out of Hela’s face.
“So the only thing keeping her in this plane is being wedged up her butt?” chuckled Black Widow, “No wonder she’s in pain.”
“Noooooooooooooo!!!” cried Hela, bursting away in an explosion of green flames as Squirrel Girl scampered away.
“...is that it?” asked Spider-Man, “Did we win?”
“Oh yes,” smiled Loki, “My sister won’t be returning to Midgard ever again after a defeat that humiliating. Trust me.”
There was a collective tension that was released at that moment. It was palpable. Everyone shared a moment of relief. There were even some chuckles. Soon the soft chuckles grew into cheers and cries of joy. Everyone hugged their friends and cheered along with those around them.
“...is that… Carol Danvers?*” Black Widow asked Mockingbird, nodding up at the glowing hero floating high above their heads.
*The three were recruits together in Mockingbird: Bygones
“Sure is,” said Mockingbird, “Looks like she’s been empowered somehow.”
“I’ll bet her wedgies really hurt now,” grinned Black Widow.
“Shut up,” frowned Mockingbird with a slight blush.
“Jane,” noted Brunnhilde, “You’re back to… human.”
“Yeah,” shivered Jane in her civilian clothes, no longer protected from the weather by her godhood, “I think Mjolnir got buried somewhere-”
“Jane Foster,” smiled Thor, walking over and handing her Mjolnir, “I believe you dropped this.”
Jane sighed with relief as her armor and leathers returned to her. Then she shook her head in confusion and looked back at Thor.
“You just held Mjolnir!” she realized.
“I did!” laughed Thor, “How about that?”
Thor had been unworthy of lifting Mjolnir for some time. Jane couldn’t believe what she was looking at. Thor didn’t seem too affected, offering her his hammer with a smile like he didn’t have a care in the world.
“Don’t you want it back?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” dismissed Thor, “Mjolnir chose you , Jane Foster. In these years of podcasting and exceptional food, I’ve learned that I don’t need a throne or hammer to give my life purpose.”
“So this is your new home then?” asked Brunnhilde.
“Oh no,” said Thor, “Podcasting has been a wondrous experience, but it is time I see the Nine Realms and beyond again. I quit the podcast weeks ago.”
“Very well,” said Jane, preparing Mjolnir, “We’ll give you a ride back to Asgard in that case. Loki, are you coming?”
“Unless there’s a Bifrost Gate nearby that I don’t know about,” he said, “yes. Now that Hela’s gone, so are the Hel Paths.”
Jane swung her hammer upward as the four were engulfed in a rainbow light from above.
“This was amazing,” said Carol, floating up and above the other heroes, “This is what the world needs! A team of exceptional individuals to-”
“We already tried that!” shouted Jessica up at her.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I know you’ve been off planet for a while, Carol,” explained Black Widow, “but while you were gone, Hill created a superhuman strike force called the Avengers. We stopped an alien invasion. Hill got promoted to Director. Then Hill turned out to be an authoritarian maniac. S.H.I.E.L.D. was dissolved over the civil rights violations. Now there’s no Avengers and no S.H.I.E.L.D.”
“...hm,” said Carol, floating up in the air silently for a moment.
Then Carol rocketed off into the sky, disappearing as a gold glint in the distance.
“...well,” said Bobbi, taking off her mask, “I guess we should get going too.”
The group turned and began to head over to the Quinjet for their return to the United States.
“Wait a minute,” realized Nebula, “We don’t have a ship. We don’t have a way out of here.”
“Hey!” shouted Peter, chasing after the other heroes, “You guys have room for a few more? Please?”
The Guardians all ran off after the other crowd. When Natasha and Bobbi were getting ready, they turned around to see the entirety of the X-Men, Scott’s team, and Guardians of the Galaxy all hoping to bum a ride. Natasha sighed.
***
“This way,” said the secretary.
Peter Parker and Jessica Jones followed the woman through the hallways of the Pentagon. Peter didn’t know what to expect, but Jessica was already on edge. She didn’t trust the Department of Defense much more than she had trusted S.H.I.E.L.D.
The previous day, Carol Danvers had delivered a press conference on behalf of the DoD announcing the return of the Avengers. Beyond that she hadn’t said much, but Jessica and Peter had both been contacted privately by Carol to meet with her.
“Ms. Danvers,” said the secretary as she led Jessica and Peter into an office.
“Thank you,” said Carol, looking up from her paperwork, “Have a seat, you two.”
The muscular woman had trimmed her roughly cut hair into a slick pixie cut. With her dark green and black suit and full face of makeup, the new haircut seemed to be the only thing about this new look that she was comfortable in.
“What’s this about?” demanded Jessica.
Carol sighed.
“There’s no easy way to say this,” said Carol, “Steve fought for you, he really did. He had me convinced. It’s just the DoD…”
“The DoD what?” asked Peter nervously, not liking the sound of Carol trailing off.
“The DoD has only approved individuals who were members of the previous Avengers to join the new initiative,” said Carol, “I understand that you two have fought by their side and by every account-”
“But we’re not really Avengers,” said Jessica bitterly.
“...correct,” said Carol.
Jessica clenched her jaw, turned away, and let out a short burst of a yell in frustration. She was furious. Not for her own sake; she didn’t want to even think about being an Avenger. But Peter was different. He deserved better than this.
“So…” said Peter quietly, “I’m not on the team…”
“Not yet.”
Jessica and Peter both looked at Carol in confusion.
“I convinced the DoD that the team needs more members,” said Carol, “They’ve agreed to conditionally allow new members if they have completed a rigorous training program.”
Carol pulled out a manilla folder and handed it to Peter. Jessica walked over and looked over his shoulder. Inside were sketches of what looked to be students milling about the Triskelion. Various forms were filled out with material Peter didn’t understand. The label on the folder read ‘Avengers Academy.’
Jessica stared at the sketches and then looked at Peter. His face was expressionless. Jessica wasn’t sure how he was taking all of this.
“...Peter?” she asked after a moment.
“Guess it’s back to school,” smiled Peter with a sigh, “and I just graduated, too.”