Chapter 3: Backwards Business
Shang-Chi (MCU) has come to New York to protect his sister Xu Xialing (MCU) for she has business with a secretive organization, but he doesn’t trust the people they are meeting. They’ve been operating in the shadows, working with tech and magic that doesn’t sit right with him. He soon learns that the tech is connected to Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), who has been experimenting with dangerous technology in an attempt to enhance himself and others.Some of the technology Otto was working with had been recently stolen from a lab in Harlem. But Octavos wasn’t the only one pursuing that tech. Luckily Shocker secured it for him. Shang-Chi knew some of the tech was stolen but during the meeting was civil and calm but after his sister departs he decides to return to fight Doctor Octopus for more answers.
Shang-Chi with his arms crossed said "You know, I was willing to let this slide if my sister wasn’t involved. But now I hear you’ve been playing with stolen tech? That’s not a good look, Doc." Doc Ock (glances over his shoulder, smirking) "Ah, the prodigal warrior from Ta Lo. I was wondering when you’d show up again. You’ve already interfered once tonight, wasn't that enough boy?". "Not really. Something about guys in trench coats using black-market magic and stolen tech just screams ‘bad idea.’ I figured I’d check in before you set half the city on fire." said Shang-Chi.
"You think I’m some reckless amateur!? Everything I do is calculated. The technology you speak of is mine by right. What’s innovation without a little... persistence?" said by Doc Ock with a short grin. "Right. And I’m sure all those labs you ‘persisted’ into breaking weren’t using it for something a little less... villainy?" Shang-Chi said, nodding. Doc Ock walked a few steps with his mechanical arms. While looking down on Shang-Chi he said "You mistake ambition for villainy. A common error of the naïve."
Without warning, one of Otto’s mechanical arms lunges at Shang-Chi. He flips over it effortlessly, landing in a ready stance.Shang smiling says "You know, I was hoping we could just talk, but I should’ve known you’d go full ‘evil scientist’ on me." " We don’t have time for your pointless philosophy.You’re in our (referring to his arms and him) way."
Two metal arms strike toward Shang-Chi. He barely dodges one, parries the second with his bracers, and sends a sharp kick toward Otto’s ribs. The metal arms intercept his kick midair, holding Shang-Chi in place. “Even a skilled martial artist is still just flesh and bone." said Doc Ock with a sinister grin. Shang-Chi "Yeah, but you do need six arms just to keep up with me."
The lab is in chaos, sparks burst from shattered consoles, and overturned equipment litters the floor. Doctor Octopus stands tall, his mechanical arms coiling serpent like. Shang-Chi breathing heavily, calculating his next move. As Otto’s arms lash out, Shang-Chi vaults onto a catwalk. One of the arms pierces through the steel railing below, but Shang-Chi corkscrews over the strike. Instead of landing, he plants one foot on the railing’s remains and springs off into a nearby vent.The lab’s lights flicker wildly as power surges through exposed wires and equipment. While Doc-Ock tries to free one of the arms, Shang-Chi slides down a chute, emerging in a dark corridor. The lab shakes from the energy overload, and behind him, security doors slam shut, sealing Doctor Octopus inside. Doc Ock Screamed with anger “You can’t outrun me forever, boy!”
In the midst of all the other chaos, Captain America (Steve Rogers/MCU) and The Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes/MCU) are working together to take down a new Hydra faction that’s rising under the leadership of U.S. Agent (Comic), who has been manipulating his way into a position of power. Bucky’s past is still haunting him, but Steve knows that this fight isn’t just about them, it's about the future of the country.
The Avengers are no strangers to internal disagreements. Steve and Tony are butting heads over a few key Avengers initiatives and protocols.Despite the bickering, they’ve been forced to put their differences aside for the greater good. There are bigger battles ahead, and while Steve and Tony might not see eye to eye on everything, they both know one thing: When the world needs saving, the Avengers assemble. Steve’s uneasy alliance with Iron Man (Mark 85/MCU) remains a little fragile but they’ve always made a great team.
Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff/MCU) is doing business as usual and is caught in the web of a conspiracy involving Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) and Ghost (MCU). Goblin has been secretly funding a group of mercenaries trying to take out the Avengers, and Natasha has gotten too close to their operations. She knows she’s on borrowed time, but she also knows she can’t let this slide. Gathering intel on a series of mysterious mercenary movements across the globe. As an Avenger, she had seen her fair share of conspiracies. The intel she had pieced together pointed to a mastermind with deep pockets and a web of influence stretching far wider than she could have imagined. The Green Goblin, was funding an operation designed to cripple the Avengers.
She had managed to infiltrate one of the mercenary cells and had been tracking their movements for weeks. But the deeper she dug, the more dangerous the game became.Natasha had gotten too close to the heart of the operation, and now, it seemed, her time was running out. She’s going to need help.
It wasn’t just Goblin’s mercenaries Black Widow had to worry about. Ghost the enigmatic and volatile agent who had once clashed with Antman and The Wasp. Goblin was too connected, too powerful, with the genius of Egghead and Ghost, a wildcard they couldn’t afford to underestimate. But if there was one thing Natasha trusted, it was the team she had by her side.
Her fingers tapped the communicator in her ear as she activated her phone. A moment later, Clint Barton’s voice came through.”If you're calling to tell me you’ve already taken down the whole operation, I’m going to be very disappointed.” Natasha says “Not quite. But I’m getting there”
“Goblin?” asked Clint. Natasha replied “Yeah” Clint while shaking his head replied “Yeah, okay. Not exactly a walk in the park. What’s the situation?” Natasha explained “It’s a full-fledged operation. Mercenaries on the ground. Egghead in the digital back end, making sure they stay hidden and a wildcard Ghost. If I don’t do something soon and with your help, they’re going to take me out before we get another chance to finish this.”
“Alright, we’re on it. I’ll get help and head your way”, Clint said before ending the call. Clint then walked down the hall in Avengers Tower and knocked on the kitchen counter. Kate Bishop popped up from the other side of the island along with Lucky the dog. Both with pizza in their mouths. Clint then says “you gotta stop feeding him pizza he’s getting fat.”
Kate defending herself said “You’re really gonna question if I’m ready now?” Clint seriously said “Yeah,Goblin’s no joke.” Kate then cockily stated “I’ve got it covered. You forget I spent a lot of time watching you. Besides, we both know I can outshoot you” Clint chuckled and replied “Let’s not get cocky. That’s a dangerous mindset. We’ll need to work together on this.”
Kate laughed, her voice full of confidence.Clint gave a slight chuckle, looking over at the controls as he adjusted their course toward Natasha’s location. Kate with excitement said “Oh, by the way I had Stark make you a little surprise.” Kate tilted her head suggesting they go to the hanger. Clint was annoyed with her antics but went along. There sitting in the hangar was The Skycycle. Clint was actually impressed. Clint and Kate then prepared for what was going to be a long, grueling night. Clint couldn’t help but grin, watching Kate gear up with her usual enthusiasm. He had trained her well, but he knew this mission was going to be her biggest test yet. Hawkeye (Clint Barton/MCU) and Hawkeye (Kate Bishop/MCU) were now en route to assist Widow.They had arrived and the trio moved out, their weapons ready, their minds focused.