"Wow, so that's a Helicarrier."
High above in the sky flew a quinjet. Its sleek and clean design cut through the air like butter. Inside were four occupants. Sharon Carter was currently piloting the jet, and Pietro, dressed in his vigilante outfit, was looking out from the co-pilot seat towards the large transport vehicle in the ocean water.
It strongly resembled an aircraft carrier but was much more extensive and sleeker in design. On its surface were several other quinjets and aircraft parked at the ready. Dozens of crew members walked back and forth, performing their duties, and some other personnel ran in straight lines. It was an impressive sight.
"Are the other ones bigger than this one?" Wanda said with slight fear. She was dressed in her personalized black uniform and long red jacket. "They can't be… right?"
"I'm afraid they are." Sharon nodded and flew them over a landing pad. A man dressed in orange was signaling that they were good to land. "This is only the first generation. The newer ones are also packed to the teeth with heavy artillery."
"We can worry about those later." Harvey said and flipped his black hood on. He wore the black and white uniform that Haley and Alex made for him. "Focus on why we're here."
Everyone nodded and stayed quiet. Wanda turned her head to watch as Harvey walked up to his secured motorcycle at the back of the jet. Wanda always knew that there were several sides to Harvey. It just never occurred to her to think about it.
Harvey's first side was the one she was most familiar with. The one that smiles happily, jokes with her and her brother, and doesn't worry about life's troubles. The one that comes home and eats dinner with her. The second one was when he became Vengeance. A severe and no-nonsense attitude and deposition replaced his personality. Harvey's eyes took on a cold and dark look, but he never looked at any of them like that. No, he would never direct that cold, piercing stare at them. The final side to him was when he became the Ghost Rider. It was as if Harvey was there and not there simultaneously. He became someone else, someone new. Someone with the power that could accomplish anything.
But despite all that, Wanda still loved him. Despite his faults and changes in personality, he was still Harvey. You can't just accept all the good parts of a person and ignore all the ones you don't like. No, you either accept all of them or nothing at all. And Wanda accepted him entirely.
The jet rocked slightly as it made landfall. The ramp on the rear slowly descended, and bright white light filled the jet's interior—the loud sounds of the deck flooded in alongside a strong gust of wind.
"How are we gonna play this?" Pietro said as he walked over to Harvey's side. Harvey frowned and looked back at everyone in the jet.
"We stick to Fury's plan. Let's focus on the mission." Harvey said and began walking out of the jet. "Let's do this."
Wanda and Pietro had to squint as they stepped out onto the deck. Once their eyes adjusted, they couldn't help but look around in awe at everything around them. Harvey couldn't help but smile at that.
"I have to go meet Fury." Sharon said as she walked up beside them. She motioned to Natasha, who was walking towards them. "Natasha will show you around. I'll meet up with you three later.."
The three nodded, and Sharon walked away with a slight wave. As she passed Natasha, both agents exchanged a subtle nod. Wanda smiled as Natasha walked up to the trio and embraced her.
"Nat!" Wanda said happily and let Natasha go. The older woman smiled beautifully and turned to the two younger men.
"Hey, boys." Natasha said and hugged Pietro. As she was about to embrace Harvey, he took a half step back. Natasha chuckled and slapped his chest. "Alright, no hugs in public for Mr. Dark and broody."
Harvey frowned and felt a slight blush grow on his cheeks. Up in the air, another quinjet flew over to the Helicarriers and descended onto its landing pad. Natasha grinned and told them to follow her. Once they were at a safe distance, they saw the jet's hangar door fold open.
Two men made their way down onto the deck of the ship. The first man, Phil Coulson, was dressed in a black suit. To Phil's left was a man dressed in an old brown leather jacket and a striped button-up shirt with darkly colored khaki pants. He was tall and a mountain of muscle; his blonde hair fluttered softly in the wind, and his blue eyes scanned the hectic environment around him. The man's name was Steve Rogers.
Phil watched as the small group approached them and motioned to Steve with a smile. "Agent Romanoff, Maximoff twins, Miller. Meet Captain Rogers."
Steve smiled at everyone and nodded respectfully. "It's nice to meet you all."
Harvey and the twins nodded back. Natasha smiled back but then turned to Phil. "Hi. They need you on the bridge; they're starting the face trace."
"See you there." Phil nodded and walked off towards the bridge. Leaving behind the group of five.
Steve smiled and then turned to the twins. "I'm sorry, but I haven't heard about you. Did they bring you in last minute?"
"We're the Calvary." Pietro said and held a hand out, which Steve shook. "Pietro Maximoff."
"Wanda Maximoff." Wanda said and shook Steve's hands as well.
Steve smiled at them, but it seemed slightly strained. "It's nice to meet you two." Steve then turned his head and saw Harvey. Realizing filled his face.
"Harvey Miller." Steve said and held a hand out in greeting. "I've heard a lot about you, son. Very impressive work."
Harvey grabbed Steve's hand and shook it. "I appreciate that, sir."
"Please, call me Steve." Steve said, and they let each other go. The small group then began walking off towards the edge of the deck.
"It was quite the buzz around here, finding you in the ice. Thought Coulson was gonna swoon. Did he ask you to sign his Captain America trading cards yet?" Natasha said as Steve looked at a passing trolley
"Trading cards?" Steve asked inquisitively.
Natasha smiled humorously and nodded. "They're vintage. He's very proud."
Off on the deck stood a nervous-looking man. He hobbled back and forth in front of a fighter jet and avoided all the passing deck personnel and agents. The man was thin and dressed in an old grey suit with a purple button-up shirt. This was Bruce Banner
"Doctor Banner." Steve said.
Harvey's eyes grew in realization at the sight of the thin man. So this was the man that housed the Hulk.
///
["Can you do it?"]
Harvey frowned at the question and looked down at his secured phone. He was standing outside his home dressed in his black and white suit. He stood beside his Kawasaki motorcycle; Wanda and Pietro had just left a few minutes ago with Sharon in the SUV she pulled in earlier.
"I'm not your executioner, Fury." Harvey said tightly. "I won't treat Banner like a ticking time bomb because of something out of his control."
["I'm not asking you to kill him. I'm asking if you can stop the Hulk if he's unleashed. I have hundreds aboard this ship, not to mention that the Maximoff twins are now a part of this. I need to know if you can handle him and keep them all safe."] Fury said.
Harvey frowned and turned his head to look up at the blue sky. He wasn't exactly sure how a Helicarrier operated in the air, but the consequences would be grave if something wrong happened in that massive airship.
"If something like that happens, I'll put a stop to it." Harvey said and slid on his motorcycle. "You have my word."
///
"Oh, yeah, hi. They told me you'd be coming." Bruce said as he and Steve shook hands.
"Word is you can find the Cube." Steve said, causing Bruce to rub his hands together and look around suspiciously.
"Is that the only word on me?" Bruce said as he gauged Steve's expression. Searching for any signs of ulterior motives.
Steve shook his head slightly. "Only word I care about."
"Dr. Banner." Harvey said and walked forward to greet the man. A strong gust of wind flew past him, knocking his hood off his head. "It's an honor to meet you."
"Well, that's a first one." Bruce shook Harvey's hand. He looked at Harvey's young face with confusion. "I don't think I've heard that one yet."
"I think a man who has to control himself as much as you to keep everyone around him safe deserves respect." Harvey sincerely said. "I happen to have a similar problem."
Bruce looked at Harvey with wonder and slight suspicion. What could a kid that looked to be around eighteen years old know? Harvey picked up on his skepticism and smiled slightly.
"My name is Harvey Miller. You may have heard of the name Ghost Rider before. That's me." Harvey said. Bruce's eyes shone in realization.
"But… you're so young." Bruce whispered and turned to the Maximoff twins. "All three of you are."
"Age doesn't matter now, Dr. Banner." Wanda said. Pietro nodded beside her. "Right now, we have to do what we can to help."
An uncomfortable silence hung over the group. Natasha, however, stepped forward and drew everyone's attention. "Everyone, you might wanna step inside in a minute. It's gonna get a little hard to breathe."
["FLIGHT MODE. SECURE THE DECK."]
The entire ship began to rumble slightly as loud mechanical whirls and cranks rocked through the ship. Everyone who had been working on the deck started running off in different directions as a loud humming noise erupted from underneath the ship.
Steve looked around in confusion. "Is this a submarine?"
"Really, they want me in a submerged pressurized metal container?" Bruce said as he and Steve walked over to the edge of the ship.
Down below, enormous rotor blades were rising from the ocean's surface. Wind and saltwater blew up into the air as the powerful turbines hummed with power. Slowly, the Helicarrier began to climb into the air, amazing the new arrivals.
"I-It's flying!" Wanda said in amazement and almost lost her balance if it weren't for Harvey's hand grabbing her own to steady her. Wanda looked over at him with a small blush. "Thanks." Harvey nodded and let her go, much to her disappointment.
Pietro looked off to the side and saw another large turbine. "This is so cool."
Harvey and Natasha looked at each other. The older woman had a playful grin on her face. Harvey shook his head in amusement. "Okay, it's pretty impressive."
"Oh no, this is much worse." Bruce said as heavy winds and water blasted against him and Steve.
The Helicarrier flew higher and higher into the air, leaving behind the ocean surface below. Harvey looked over at the descending clouds and couldn't help but marvel at the technological achievement this ship was. It made him sad that he might have to destroy three of these in the future. It would be such a waste.
Natasha gained their attention and pointed at the ship's bridge. "Let's head inside."
•••
"You will have your war, Asgardian. If you fail, if the Tesseract is kept from us, there will be no realm, no barren moon, no crevice, where he cannot find you. You think you know pain? He will make you long for something as sweet as pain."
Lokis head snapped to the side. His breathing was shallow and quick. He tightened the spear in his hand and glared at nothing in particular. Standing up from the chair he was sitting on, he walked out of his private room and entered a long hallway. All around him were the mind-controlled scientists and agents he acquired back where he found the Tesseract. But before Loki could make his way to the cube, a voice to his side stopped him.
"How was your private talk with the Other?" Amora said from her spot against the wall. "Is the Chitauri ready for the incoming invasion?"
Loki breathed deeply and regained his composure. It would do him no good looking weak in front of the Enchantress. "The army is ready and waiting."
"Good. After all, with that guy as our backer, we should have no problem taking over this dingy ball of dirt." Amora said with a smile, but then that smile turned sharp and conniving. "Once that's done, that spear will be mine."
Loki squinted his eyes at the magician. The spear in his right hand suddenly felt heavier. Gripping it tighter, Loki smiled handsomely. "But of course, my dear Amora! That was the deal! I take over this planet, and you will finally have what you've always wanted… my brother. He will be deeply and unmistakably in love with you."
Amora grinned and nodded. "As he should be. He does not know what he is doing, falling in love with one of Midgard's peasants. It's ridiculous!"
"My brother's love for Midgard is a mystery, but it won't last long." Loki said and looked around for Amora's lovesick puppy. "Where is Skurge?"
Amora turned her head and looked uninterested. "He's off sharpening his axe somewhere. Never mind him, when do we begin our next phase?"
The two then began walking through the dark hallway. As they passed the mind-controlled people, they stopped what they were doing and bowed respectively to them. Loki couldn't help but smile at that. This was the type of respect he deserved.
"I shall tell you soon. Patience, my dear. First, I have some business to attend to." Loki said and walked deeper into the makeshift lab. Amora stayed back, an annoyed frown on her face.
Loki saw Erik and Betty working inside a small makeshift room. In the center was a large, intricate device. Loki smiled at it. That device would open the gates of war soon enough.
Erik looked up from the large tank he was working on and noticed Loki's presence. His glowing blue eyes shone in awe. He walked up to the hanging plastic tresses and smiled.
"Hey! This is wonderful. The Tesseract has shown me so much. It's- it's more than knowledge, it's truth." Erik said with a happy smile.
Loki smiled and looked down thoughtfully. "I know. It, ah- it touches everyone differently."
"Yes, it's truly wonderful!" Betty said fanatically and stood up from the laptop she was typing on. "It feels like I'm finally close to understanding how to accomplish my life's goal! It's so close."
Loki nodded and turned to Clint. At some point, Loki grew annoyed that the man wouldn't listen to him; he seemed only to follow Amora's orders. So, with a humorous smile, she commanded Clint to listen to him.
"What did it show you, Agent Barton?" Loki asked.
Clint turned to him, his green eyes shining in disappointment that Amora was not speaking to him. "My next target."
"Stick in the mud. He's got no soul. No wonder you chose this, this tomb to work in." Erik laughed at Clint. Earning him a glare from the agent.
"Well, the Radisson doesn't have three levels of lead-lined flooring between SHIELD and that Cube." Clint said quickly. Erik only brushed him off and went to continue his work alongside Betty.
Loki looked at Clint thoughtfully. He was impressed by the human's advanced thinking. "I see why Fury chose you to guard it."
"You're going to have to contend with him, sir. As long as he's in the air, I can't pin him down. And he'll be putting together a team." Clint said as he and Loki walked through the small laboratory, passing by busy personnel.
Loki frowned at that revelation. He would have initially brushed that comment off, but there have been a lot of interesting developments on Earth. "Are they a threat?"
"To each other, more than likely. But if Fury can get 'em on track, and he might, they could throw some noise our way." Clint said, and they turned a busy corner. Loki glared at Clint for a second but looked forward.
"You admire Fury." Loki said.
Clint pressed his lips, and his eyes began to twitch slightly. "He's got a clear line of sight."
"Is that why you failed to kill him?" Loki stated, and Clint stopped walking. Loki turned back and stared at the agent.
"It might be. I was disoriented, and I'm not at my best with a gun." Clint said evenly.
"I want to know everything you can tell me about this team of his. I would- test their mettle." Loki said with his back turned to Clint. He now stood inside a small round cavern. "I am weary of scuttling in shadow. I mean to rule this world, not burrow in it."
Clint nodded. "That's a risk." he said.
"Oh yes." Loki said as he turned around with a broad, challenging grin.
"If you're set on making yourself known. I could be useful." Clint said, and Loki approached him with an excited grin that promised untold evils.
"Tell me what you need." Loki said with childlike wonder.
Clint approached a table off to the side and opened a large crate. He pulled out a black folded stick-like device, and with a snap of his arm, the device snapped open to reveal a bow. Clint's green eyes stared into Lokis.
"I need a distraction… and an eyeball."