Chapter 4: Strange Alliances
The streets are about to run red. Blade (Wesley Snipes) has sensed the rising energy in the city and knows that a dark force is beginning to stir. He’s been tracking Ghost Rider (Comic), who has been hunting down criminals in the night, but Blade knows that Johnny Blaze’s methods are unpredictable and vengeful. They’re on a collision course with Doctor Strange, who believes the disturbance may have something to do with the dark magic lingering in the city.
Neon lights flicker as rain drizzles down the cracked pavement. The scent of burning rubber and brimstone lingers in the air. A motorcycle growls in the distance, the sound of chains rattling as Ghost Rider emerges. Blade stands in his path, gripping the hilt of his sword. Doctor Strange elusively steps from a shimmering portal, his Cloak of Levitation billowing.
With a voice low, firm voice Blade said “Been tracking you, Blaze. You got half the city thinking the devil himself is handing out judgment.” Ghost Rider replied with a hollow growl, (while the flames crackled around his skull) “Ain’t judgment. It’s justice.” Blade looked at Ghost Rider right in where his eyes should be and said “I don’t have time for your brand of vengeance. Something’s stirring in the dark.” Ghost Rider tilts his head, the fire in his eye holes flaring brighter. Ghost Rider tightens his grip on his chain, the metal hissing with heat.
Strange stepped forward, and then said “You two beasts battling it out would be a mistake. The energy in this city it’s unnatural. Corrupt.” Ghost Rider spits out “And where were you, Sorcerer, when the streets were drowning in blood?” Doctor Strange narrowed his eyes and said ”Keeping the real monsters at bay.” Then we got two choices. We figure out what’s coming and stop it. Or we stand around arguing ‘til it tears the city apart. For a moment, only the sound of rain and the distant wail of sirens fills the space between them. Then, Ghost Rider revs his bike, flames roaring against the night and said “You want me in? Fine. But let's move quickly. We may already be too late.” As the trio moves into the night, thunder rumbles overhead with the storm.
Outside the city The X-men have had The Scarlet Witch (MCU) go missing.The Wolverine (MCU) has been sent from the Winchester mansion to find out what happened to her and any other possible missing mutants in the city. His search leads him straight into the heart of Shang-Chi’s investigation on Doc Ock.
Steam rises from grates as Logan crouches near a set of tracks, sniffing the air. Footsteps echo behind him swift, calculated. He doesn’t move. In a low gruff voice Logan says “If you were tryin’ to sneak up on me, bub… you failed.” Shang-Chi smirking as he steps forward said “I wasn’t sneaking. You’re just jumpy.” Logan standing and cracking his knuckle said “Yeah, well, bad habit. ”I heard there ain’t too many friendly faces in this city lately.” Shang-Chi replied “Yeah, tell me about it. Been chasing down leads on a guy with metal arms. He’s stirring up trouble. And you?” Logan raising an eyebrow looked up and said “Lookin’ for a witch. Mutant. Went missing near here. Hopin’ to find ‘em before someone else does.” Shang-Chi in almost an excited voice said “Maybe my metal arm guy took your witch? We could work together.”
Before Wolverine can respond, a deep, growl rips through the air. The ground trembled. A nearby lamppost bends under an unseen force. Then . . . BOOM! The pavement explodes after Red Hulk (MCU) slid down the side of a brick wall between them, his skin glowing with intense heat. His eyes burn like molten lava. Red Hulk snarling while stomping his way towards the duo. Logan sees the threat and rolls his shoulders back,already grinning. “Heh. Let’s have some fun ya hot head” Logan growled while running. With a SNIKT, his adamantium claws slide out. Shang-Chi falls into a defensive stance and prepares the ten rings. Shang-Chi said “Is that the missing president?”
In an instant, Red Hulk lunges, fists slamming into the ground. The shockwave sends Logan and Shang-Chi flying. Logan crashes through a rusted car parked on the street, but he’s already healing as he rises, chuckling. “Oh yeah. I missed this.”Shang-Chi kips up, adjusting his footing and says ”You have a weird definition of fun.” Red Hulk roars, charging the duo again. Logan meets him head-on, stabbing through his searing-hot chest. Logan’s hands are completely burned from a single stab and smoke rises from his claws as Red Hulk grabs him and hurls him into the nearby brick wall. Shang-Chi moves in, striking with pinpoint precision using the ten rings, aiming for pressure points but Red Hulk barely flinches as the rings bounce off his burning red flesh. Red Hulk swings wildly. Shang-Chi dodges, barely, landing a kick to Red Hulk’s jaw but the monster doesn’t budge he becomes more enraged. Logan, bloodied and burned but grinning, cracks his neck as he lunges back in.
The Wolverine says “Alright, Clifford. Round two.” Red Hulk stares at the duo, steam rising off his body, fists clenched. Then Red Hulk roars loudly, raising both fists high then, suddenly, his glowing red eyes widen. His expression shifts not from confusion, but something else. His red burning fists lower just slightly, the heat around him dimming. Then he leaps into the sky, disappearing into the city, leaving only a ruined street and fire embers. Shang-Chi looked at Logan and said “Okay. That was… weird.” Logan narrows his eyes at the sky where Red Hulk vanished. “Yeah. Ain’t like Ross to leave his whitehouse and go MIA.”
Shang-Chi said “Considering Ross is the President, shouldn’t he have control over Red Hulk by now? I mean, after his whole… incident with Captain America (Sam Wilson/MCU)? I thought he got help from the raft and Bruce Banner (MCU).” They exchanged a look. The mystery deepens. Their investigation continues.
The Avengers team Captain America (Steve Rogers/MCU),The Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes/MCU) and Iron Man (Mark 85/MCU) have entered the city and U.S. Agent (Comic) stood in the heart of the Hydra city stronghold, his once-pristine uniform now battle-worn, his grip tightening around his shield.Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes fought side by side, just like old times. Steve’s shield whipped through Hydra soldiers, bouncing off walls and returning to his grip with practiced precision. Bucky moved like a ghost, his vibranium arm crushing weapons, his pistol spitting sharp, efficient shots.Above them, Iron Man blazed through the battlefield, repulsors lighting up the dark like controlled lightning. Tony Stark was all business, his Mark 85 armor a masterpiece of efficiency. Despite his issues with Steve, tonight they were allies.Because Hydra had to die.
Walker had spent weeks manipulating, scheming, and rising within Hydra’s new order. But even he knew this was the final stand. The doors burst open. Steve Rogers stepped in first, shield raised, battle-hardened but determined. Bucky Barnes was right beside him, rifle at the ready, eyes locked on the man he once considered an ally.“Walker,” Steve called out, voice steady but cold. Walker smirked, though there was no humor in it he was angry. “Took you long enough.” Bucky’s finger hovered over the trigger and said “Last chance. Stand down.” Shields clashed. Fists flew. Bucky ducked under a wild swing and drove his metal fist into Walker’s ribs. Steve struck high, knocking Walker back into a console.
U.S. Agent then charged like a human battering ram, shield raised Only for Bucky to meet him mid-charge. CLANG! Vibranium met vibranium as Bucky’s arm caught Walker’s shield. For a moment, the two locked eyes of one former soldier were manipulated by the system against another. Walker grinned and said “You should’ve stayed brainwashed, Barnes. You were more useful that way.”Bucky didn’t hesitate. He punched Walker so hard his helmet cracked.Walker let out a roar and lunged. BANG! A single gunshot rang out. Walker’s body jerked mid-air, a bullet piercing straight through his chest. Bucky lowered his gun. Walker gasped, stumbling back, eyes wide in shock. He clutched at the wound, blood seeping through his fingers. His knees hit the floor as he choked out his last breath.The remaining Hydra forces were falling apart, retreating in disarray. The war was over.