3 Months Later
Three months had passed since Albedo's arrival in Latveria. The once-fractured group of rebels had begun to coalesce into something resembling a team. The tension that had dominated their first encounters had softened, replaced by a growing understanding and a shared sense of purpose. They weren't perfect—not by a long shot—but they were improving, and it showed.
The team was gathered in the sprawling training grounds outside Castle Doom. The reinforced terrain, dotted with scattered obstacles and automated turrets, served as a controlled combat environment. Albedo stood at the center, his voice steady and commanding as he directed his team through their latest exercise.
"A-Bomb, flank left and draw their attention! Thor, you're on the right—force them into a bottleneck! Polaris, I need you to cut off their escape routes!" Albedo called out, his eyes scanning the field as the exercise began.
"On it!" A-Bomb shouted, his crystalline form shimmering as he charged toward the left side of the simulated battlefield. His movements were more controlled now, each step deliberate as he used his bulk to shield the team from incoming fire.
Thor followed suit, moving to the right with measured precision. His training mace glowed faintly as he swung it in wide arcs, clearing debris and forcing the automated drones into tighter formations. "Thy commands grow sharper by the day, Albedo!" he called, his voice tinged with approval.
Polaris stayed close to Albedo, her hands glowing with magnetic energy as she manipulated the metal barriers around them. Her movements were confident, her powers flowing effortlessly as she created a magnetic field that redirected incoming projectiles. "Escape routes cut off," she reported, her voice steady.
"Good. Now let's finish this!" Albedo said, his tone sharp but encouraging. He shifted into his Swampfire form, vines sprouting from his arms as he launched them toward the remaining drones. The vines wrapped around the machines, yanking them to the ground and holding them in place.
"Thor, take the ones on the right! A-Bomb, crush the left!" Albedo ordered.
Thor nodded, raising his mace high before bringing it down with a thunderous strike that shattered the drones in his path. A-Bomb roared as he charged the remaining drones on the left, his fists slamming into the machines with controlled force, dismantling them without overexerting himself.
With the battlefield clear, Albedo reverted to his humanoid form, surveying the area. "Nice work, everyone," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "That was smooth. Efficient. Exactly what we needed."
Polaris lowered her hands, the glow around them fading. She glanced at Albedo, her green hair falling into place as she exhaled. "You've finally learned how to give orders worth following," she said with a small, teasing smirk.
Thor approached, resting his mace on his shoulder. "Aye, the lad hath grown into his role well. Though I still find myself longing for the true heat of battle."
"You'll get your chance soon enough," Albedo replied, his tone serious. "For now, we focus on preparation. Every little mistake we fix here means fewer mistakes when it counts."
A-Bomb strolled over, shaking off bits of drone debris from his crystalline arms. "So, what's next, boss? Another round, or are we calling it for today?"
Albedo glanced at the scorched and battered training grounds, his mind already running through potential improvements for their strategy. "We'll run it again after we reset the field. I want everyone to focus on refining their timing and coordination. The Maker's forces aren't going to give us second chances."
The team nodded, their confidence evident as they moved to prepare for another run. They had come a long way from the chaotic mess they had been three months ago. Under Albedo's leadership, they had begun to function as a unit, each member finding their place and contributing to the larger goal.
As Albedo watched them, a sense of pride swelled in his chest. They weren't perfect yet, but they were getting closer. And with each step forward, the looming battle against the Maker felt just a little less impossible.
As the team finished resetting the field, Albedo glanced over the obstacles and barriers, his mind already calculating adjustments for the next run. A sense of satisfaction tugged at him as he observed Polaris stepping up, testing her magnetic fields with greater precision, and Thor and A-Bomb exchanging quick strategies to refine their positioning. They were coming together in ways he hadn't thought possible a few months ago.
Just as he was about to give the order to start, a faint hum echoed in the air, and a holographic image of a Doombot materialized beside him. Its metallic voice rang out, calm but commanding.
"Albedo, Lord Doom summons you to the war room immediately."
Albedo tensed slightly, his mind racing with possibilities. Doom rarely called for anything trivial. "Understood," he said, his voice steady, though his curiosity was piqued.
He turned back to the team. "Polaris, you're in charge for this run. Stick to the plan we discussed earlier—coordinate timing and cover each other's blind spots."
Polaris raised an eyebrow, her green eyes narrowing slightly. "You're leaving me with these two?" She motioned toward Thor and A-Bomb with a faint smirk.
A-Bomb rolled his eyes, grinning. "Relax, we'll behave. Probably."
Thor rested his mace on his shoulder, giving a small nod of approval. "Aye, thy leadership shall suffice for this task. Lead us well, Lady Dane."
Polaris sighed but nodded, her hands already glowing faintly with magnetic energy. "Fine. Let's not mess this up, boys."
Albedo smirked faintly, glancing at them one last time. "Make it count. I'll be back soon."
He turned and walked toward the castle, his steps quick and purposeful. The familiar corridors of Castle Doom stretched out before him, the towering walls and intricate designs as imposing as ever. Despite the grandeur, Albedo couldn't shake the slight unease he always felt when Doom summoned him. Doom was calculating and methodical, and his plans often came with layers of complexity that weren't immediately obvious.
When Albedo reached the entrance to the war room, the heavy doors creaked open slowly, revealing Doom standing before a vast holographic display. The table was illuminated with projections of maps, schematics, and shifting streams of data. Doom didn't look up as Albedo entered, his focus entirely on the display.
"You called?" Albedo asked, stepping into the room, his tone casual but curious.
Doom turned slightly, his expression unreadable behind his mask. "Indeed. There are matters we must discuss, ones that require your immediate attention."
Albedo crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. "What's going on?"
Doom gestured toward the central projection, his voice as calm and precise as ever. "A new development. One that could alter the trajectory of our plans."
Albedo's gaze narrowed as he stepped closer, his curiosity sharpening. Whatever Doom had to say, it was bound to be critical.
Doom gestured toward the holographic display, where detailed images of a sprawling military installation flickered into view. Alongside the facility were the faces of Red Hulk, Bruce Banner, and the unmistakable visage of the Maker. Albedo's attention snapped to the display, his curiosity instantly piqued.
"This," Doom began, his tone measured, "is Project SMASH, one of the Maker's most significant undertakings. It is a program designed to replicate and weaponize the Hulk's power, turning ordinary soldiers into unstoppable superhuman forces."
Albedo frowned, his crimson eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms. "Let me guess—this involves Ross. The guy can't stop playing with fire."
"Correct," Doom confirmed. "The project is led by Theodore Ross, Bruce Banner, and, of course, the Maker himself. Its goal is to mass-produce soldiers with Hulk-like abilities. The mere existence of such a program is concerning, but there is more."
He waved his hand, and the display shifted, showing the face of Rick Jones, the man who had become A-Bomb. The image lingered for a moment before fading into footage of the catastrophic explosion that had killed thousands.
"Project SMASH is heavily criticized, particularly because of its connection to A-Bomb. Rick Jones was one of the first test subjects for a similar program, and the results were disastrous. The public already views these experiments with disdain and mistrust."
Albedo's jaw tightened, his fists clenching slightly. "And now they're doubling down on it, hoping no one notices. Typical."
"Precisely," Doom said. "However, there is an opportunity here. A journalist by the name of Ben Urich has been conducting his own investigation into Project SMASH. From what I have gleaned, he has evidence that Theodore Ross and the Maker were aware of the risks posed by A-Bomb and did nothing to prevent the tragedy."
Albedo's eyes widened slightly, and he took a step closer to the display. "If that's true, and we can prove it…"
Doom nodded, his tone sharp. "It would be the first crack in the Maker's carefully constructed facade. The public's trust in him would begin to crumble," Doom continued, his voice laced with cold precision. "The revelation that the Maker and Ross knowingly allowed such a catastrophe would shatter the illusion of their benevolence. It would be the first step toward dismantling his empire."
Albedo's mind raced as he processed the information. "So, what's the play? We leak this information ourselves? Feed it to Urich?"
Doom tilted his head slightly, the faintest hint of disdain in his tone. "Foolish. Simply handing it over would compromise our position. Urich must uncover this on his own, or the public will dismiss it as propaganda from an unknown faction. No, Albedo, our task is twofold: first, we must gather the evidence to ensure Urich's investigation succeeds. Second, we must strike at the heart of Project SMASH."
Albedo stepped closer to the projection, studying the images of the facility and its leaders. "You're saying we hit the project directly? That's going to be heavily guarded, especially if the Maker and Ross are involved."
"Undoubtedly," Doom said, his tone firm. "That is why you will not act alone. Your team is being prepared for this mission, and you will lead them."
Albedo nodded, though his expression darkened slightly. "You mentioned Paradox earlier. If this was such a big deal, why didn't he contact me directly?"
Doom's gaze shifted to Albedo, his tone calm but cutting. "Paradox operates beyond your personal expectations, Albedo. He and I have been collaborating because this mission requires precision, and I have the resources to analyze the data he provides. Your focus is on execution, not questioning the methods of higher-dimensional beings."
Albedo clenched his fists, frustration bubbling under the surface. "Would've been nice to know."
"Your bruised ego is irrelevant," Doom said coldly. "Focus on the task at hand. Paradox has already provided critical information regarding the facility's layout, security measures, and personnel movements. You have everything you need to succeed."
Albedo exhaled sharply, reigning in his irritation. "Fine. What exactly are we looking for?"
Doom gestured toward the holographic display, where schematics of the facility's inner workings appeared. "Inside this installation are detailed records of the project's failures and its connections to the A-Bomb incident. You must obtain those records and ensure they reach Urich without being traced back to us."
"And what about the project itself?" Albedo asked. "Do we sabotage it?"
Doom's voice took on a sharper edge. "If you have the opportunity to destroy key assets without compromising the evidence, do so. But the primary goal is to acquire the data and deliver it safely."
Albedo nodded, his mind already running through the logistics. "What about the team? Are they ready for this?"
Doom regarded him for a long moment. "That is for you to determine. You have spent months preparing them. If they are not ready, that is a reflection of your leadership."
Albedo's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He turned back to the holographic display, his eyes narrowing as he studied the schematics. "Alright. I'll brief the team and get them ready. If this is our first strike, we're not going to screw it up."
"See that you don't," Doom said, his tone final. "The Maker will not allow a second attempt."
Albedo took a step back, the weight of the mission settling on his shoulders. He glanced at Doom, then at the projection of the Maker's face, his expression hardening. "We'll make it count." Without another word, he turned and left the war room, his mind already focused on the task ahead.
Albedo walked briskly through the corridors of Castle Doom, his mind racing as he rehearsed how to approach the team. This was their first real mission as a unit, and while they'd made significant progress in training, the stakes of this operation were on a completely different level. It wasn't just about survival—it was about setting the stage for a rebellion against the Maker himself.
He entered the team's preparation chamber, a wide room lined with lockers and gear racks. Polaris, Thor, and A-Bomb were already inside, each preparing in their own way. Polaris was adjusting the settings on her suit, her fingers deftly tuning the magnetic regulators built into her gloves. Thor sat on a bench, his training mace resting across his knees as he muttered something under his breath in Old Norse. A-Bomb leaned against the wall, cracking his knuckles and grinning as if he were gearing up for a boxing match.
Albedo cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Alright, listen up. We've got our first real mission, and it's a big one."
Polaris looked up from her gloves, raising an eyebrow. "Big, how? Doom didn't exactly give us a mission briefing this morning."
"He gave it to me," Albedo replied, stepping further into the room. "We're targeting Project SMASH."
That got their attention. Thor straightened, his grip tightening on his mace. Polaris folded her arms, her green eyes narrowing, while A-Bomb pushed off the wall, his crystalline skin shimmering faintly in the light.
"Project SMASH," Polaris repeated, her tone skeptical. "That's the Maker's pet project, isn't it? The one Ross is in charge of?"
"Yeah," Albedo said. "And Bruce Banner's involved too. They're working to mass-produce soldiers with Hulk-like powers, turning them into weapons."
A-Bomb's expression darkened, and he clenched his fists. "So they're making more monsters like me."
Albedo hesitated for a moment but nodded. "In a way, yeah. But that's why we're hitting them. This project already has a bad reputation because of what happened to you, Rick. If we can get the evidence linking Ross and the Maker to the A-Bomb incident—proof that they knew what would happen and did nothing to stop it—we can expose them."
"And cripple their image," Polaris said, catching on. "If the public finds out the Maker allowed something like that to happen, it'll be a huge blow to his reputation."
"Exactly," Albedo said. "But it's not just about the data. If we can sabotage the project while we're there, we'll set them back even further. Doom's given us intel on the facility's layout and security measures. It's going to be dangerous, but I think we can handle it."
Thor stood, his expression serious as he hefted his mace. "The Maker's forces will not yield easily. We must be prepared for resistance."
"We will be," Albedo said, looking around at the team. "This is what we've been training for. Polaris, you'll focus on disabling their tech. Anything that runs on power, I want it down."
Polaris nodded, her confidence clear. "Got it."
"Thor," Albedo continued, turning to the Asgardian. "You're on crowd control. If we run into heavy resistance, I'll need you to keep them off us while we secure the data."
Thor inclined his head. "As thou commandest."
"A-Bomb," Albedo said, shifting his gaze. "You're our heavy hitter. If things get out of hand, I'm counting on you to clear a path."
A-Bomb grinned faintly, cracking his knuckles again. "You know I'm good for that."
Albedo took a step back, addressing them all. "This isn't a training exercise. The Maker won't give us a second chance if we screw this up. Stick to the plan, trust each other, and we'll get out of this in one piece."
The team nodded, their determination evident. Polaris adjusted her gloves one last time, Thor slung his mace over his shoulder, and A-Bomb pounded his fists together with a faint smirk.
Albedo exhaled, feeling the weight of leadership settle on him again. "Get your gear ready. We move out soon." He turned and left the room, heading toward the armory to prepare himself. This mission wasn't just about exposing the Maker—it was about proving to himself and his team that they were ready for what lay ahead.
Albedo stepped into the armory, the cold air carrying the faint scent of polished metal and electronics. The room was filled with neatly arranged shelves of advanced weapons, gadgets, and armor—all designed by Doom and augmented with Albedo's own modifications. At the center of the armory was his combat suit, displayed on a mannequin. The black and crimson design, made of unstable molecules and inscribed with protective runes, gleamed faintly under the overhead lights.
He approached the suit, running his fingers along the smooth surface of the chest plate. The runes hummed softly, reacting to his presence, a subtle reminder of the fusion of science and magic that had gone into its creation. With practiced efficiency, Albedo began donning the armor, piece by piece. Each component fit perfectly, the suit's design tailored to his unique physiology and abilities.
As he fastened the final clasp, he walked over to a nearby console and activated the AI assistant he had been working on for months. A small holographic interface flickered to life, its default voice calm and precise.
"Welcome, Albedo. System diagnostics are complete. All functions are operational," the AI said, its tone devoid of personality—exactly how Albedo preferred it for now.
"Good," Albedo muttered, pulling up the interface. "Run a check on the stealth systems and environmental adaptation protocols. I don't want any surprises during the mission."
"Stealth systems at full capacity," the AI responded. "Environmental adaptation protocols are stable. All systems are ready."
Albedo nodded, satisfied. He had designed the AI to assist in the field, providing real-time analysis and tactical support. It was a tool, nothing more, but one that could make the difference between success and failure.
As the AI continued its report, Albedo took a moment to center himself. He closed his eyes, taking a slow, deep breath. The weight of the mission pressed heavily on his mind, but he had learned to channel that pressure into focus. This wasn't just about the Maker—it was about proving to himself that he could lead, that he could make a difference.
Memories of his past failures surfaced briefly, but he pushed them aside. He wasn't the same person who had been consumed by jealousy and arrogance. He had a team now, people who were counting on him to make the right decisions. This mission wasn't just another step in their rebellion—it was the foundation for everything they would build moving forward.
The AI's voice brought him back to the present. "All systems are green. Awaiting further instructions."
Albedo opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and focused. "Good. Sync with the team's equipment and prepare for field operations."
"Understood," the AI replied, the holographic interface dimming slightly as it began its task.
Albedo stood for a moment, fully suited and ready, his mind calm but alert. This was it—the first step in tearing down the Maker's empire. With one last glance at the console, he turned and headed toward the launch bay, his determination solidified. It was time to move.