Escalation
Avengers 2000
Disclaimers: All characters are property of Marvel Entertainment and henceforth Disney, I don't own anything here.
Spoilers: some for the movies specified in the Fandoms ticket
SHIELD HQ
Nick Fury stood in his dimly lit office, the soft glow of a holo-display casting sharp shadows on his face. He scrolled through the latest reports on the series of assaults against AIM installations. The screens cycled through stark images: scorched ruins, twisted wreckage, and scattered bodies of AIM operatives. His expression remained impassive, but the gleam in his one good eye betrayed a deep, measured satisfaction.
He swiped to the first report.
First Assault – AIM Research Facility, Chicago
The feed displayed Spider-Man and Daredevil moving with practiced precision. Spider-Man darted through the compound, his webbing tangling AIM guards like marionettes, while Daredevil struck from the shadows, every attack calculated and efficient. The synergy between the two heroes was undeniable.
“Kid’s getting the hang of it,” Fury muttered, a trace of approval in his voice.
Second Assault – AIM Chemical Plant, Detroit
The screen shifted to Logan and Punisher. The brutality was undeniable—Logan’s claws shredded steel and flesh with equal ease, while Punisher’s arsenal turned the facility into a war zone. The destruction was staggering, chaotic yet effective.
“Messy,” Fury said under his breath, though the faintest smirk betrayed his respect.
Third Assault – AIM Weapons Lab, New York
Back to Spider-Man and Daredevil, their methods a sharp contrast to Logan and Punisher. They dismantled the lab’s defenses with surgical precision. Then came the arrival of Logan and Punisher, their overwhelming force turning a coordinated operation into a decisive rout.
Fourth Assault – AIM Base, Miami
The final report displayed the culmination of teamwork. Spider-Man and Daredevil infiltrated the lower levels with ghostlike stealth, taking out key targets. Above them, Logan and Punisher wreaked havoc, their methods explosive and unrelenting. The base was reduced to rubble, AIM’s operations in the region obliterated.
The last image lingered: the four standing amidst the smoldering ruins. Fury leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a rare flicker of pride in his eyes. This wasn’t an official team, yet their results spoke louder than any SHIELD report ever could. Still, the work wasn’t done.
“Good work,” he murmured, closing the file. “But there’s always more.”
He tapped another screen, bringing up a new file. This one focused on Ghost Rider. Johnny Blaze’s fiery crusade against AIM had left a trail of burned-out facilities and terrified whispers in its wake. Blaze’s methods were unorthodox—hell, downright terrifying—but the results were undeniable. Fury scrolled through the reports, pausing at one grainy image of Blaze mid-transformation, flames licking the edges of a charred AIM lab.
“Blaze,” Fury muttered, shaking his head. “Always the lone wolf.”
A soft chime broke his concentration. An incoming communication—encrypted, but familiar. Fury tapped the console, and Johnny Blaze’s voice crackled through the speakers.
“Fury,” Blaze said, his tone rough and direct. “Got something for you. AIM’s cooking up something big. They’re calling it Project Omega. If we don’t shut it down now, everything we’ve been doing? It’s just the opening act.”
Fury leaned forward, his attention sharpening. “You sure about this? Intel’s not usually your thing, Blaze.”
Blaze’s voice hardened. “I’ve seen enough. This isn’t just weapons or tech. They’re tampering with forces they can’t control. This Omega thing? It makes MODOK look like an amateur. I can’t take it down alone. I need backup.”
Fury considered this. If Blaze was right, AIM’s desperation after the recent assaults might have pushed them into dangerous territory.
“You’ve got it,” Fury said. “Send me the location. We’ll take care of it.”
There was a pause on the line before Blaze spoke again, his voice edged with something deeper. “One more thing. This isn’t just AIM. Someone’s bankrolling this. Someone big. When you find out who, you’ll know why I’m in this fight.”
The transmission ended abruptly, leaving Fury staring at the darkened screen. He tapped a command, pulling up a detailed map of AIM’s remaining known installations.
“All right,” Fury muttered to himself, his lips curling into a faint grin. “Time to take the gloves off.”
Somewhere, on a Lonely Road
The SUV slowed to a stop at the desolate crossroads, its headlights piercing through the swirling mist of the moonlit night. The landscape was barren, with only the distant rustle of wind and the faint chirp of insects to break the silence. Nick Fury stepped out, his trench coat swaying in the breeze, his solitary eye scanning the scene with practiced precision.
Ahead, two figures stood waiting. Johnny Blaze leaned against his motorcycle, the bike’s chrome glinting faintly in the dim light. His posture was relaxed, but his burning gaze betrayed a simmering urgency. Beside him loomed Blade, clad in his signature black leather, his sunglasses catching the reflection of Fury’s headlights. The tension in the air was palpable.
“Blaze,” Fury said evenly, striding toward them.
“Fury,” Johnny replied, nodding in acknowledgment before gesturing to his companion. “This is—”
“Blade,” Fury cut him off, his tone unreadable. “The Daywalker. I’ve heard about your work with the vampires.”
Blade inclined his head slightly, his voice calm and measured. “And I’ve heard about yours. Nice to finally meet.”
“Likewise,” Fury replied, allowing a faint smirk. Then his face hardened. “But pleasantries can wait. Let’s get to the point. What the hell is Project Omega?”
Blaze pushed off his bike, crossing his arms, his tone grim. “AIM’s ultimate project. They’re trying to create a self-sustaining energy source, tapping into forces they barely understand. If they figure out how to weaponize it—and trust me, they will—it’s game over for everyone.”
Fury’s eye narrowed as he considered the implications. “How close are they?”
“Close enough that we’re out of time,” Blaze said. “They’re in the final testing phases. If we don’t shut it down now, it’ll be operational. And once it’s online, no one’s stopping them.”
Fury nodded slowly. “Location?”
Blaze glanced at Blade before answering. “Austin, Texas. They’ve got a massive underground facility disguised as a corporate campus. It’s heavily fortified, but we’ve tracked enough movement to know it’s their main hub. That’s where Project Omega is being developed.”
Fury rubbed his chin, processing the information. “Austin. That lines up with chatter we’ve picked up. AIM’s been funneling resources into Texas for months. Looks like it’s all coming together.”
Blade finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “If Omega is as dangerous as it sounds, we’re out of options. We go in, and we go hard.”
Fury met his gaze and nodded. “Agreed. Subtlety isn’t going to cut it this time. But we have one advantage—AIM doesn’t know we’ve connected the dots yet. That gives us the element of surprise.”
He turned back to Blaze. “You’ve done your part bringing this intel to us. Now it’s SHIELD’s turn to take this down.”
Blaze’s eyes burned faintly, the hint of his Rider persona flickering just beneath the surface. “Just make sure it’s done right, Fury. I’ve seen what happens when people underestimate AIM.”
Blade stepped closer, his presence imposing. “If you’re planning to hit this facility, you’re going to need all the help you can get. I’m coming.”
Fury’s gaze flicked between the two men, weighing the offer. After a moment, he nodded. “Good. We’ll need heavy hitters if we’re taking on AIM’s main base. Let’s move—every second we waste is another second they get closer to unleashing hell.”
Without another word, Fury turned and climbed back into his SUV. Blaze swung onto his motorcycle, revving the engine, while Blade strode to his black Charger parked nearby.
The quiet road returned to silence as the convoy roared into the night, each man knowing the battle ahead would decide the fate of countless lives. The final confrontation with AIM was at hand, and failure wasn’t an option.
TO BE CONTINUED...