The sky above New York began to swirl, opening a tear that revealed a chaotic mixture of swirling colors and cosmic winds. Doctor Strange hovered above the city, casting spells to try to contain the rip, but something—or someone—was fighting him from the other side.
"Come on... hold," Strange grunted, sweat dripping from his brow.
Just as it looked like the tear would expand further, a powerful burst of energy erupted from it, sending Strange hurtling backward. From within the tear stepped a hooded figure, wielding a staff crackling with raw energy. They looked around the city with a malevolent sneer.
"Who the hell are you?" Peter Parker, now in his Spider-Man suit, landed next to Strange, helping him up.
The figure turned, eyes glowing with purple energy. "I am Nihil, harbinger of the Multiverse's collapse."
"Well, that doesn't sound good," Peter quipped, trying to mask his nervousness. "Strange, what's the plan?"
Before Strange could respond, Iron Man rocketed in from the sky, landing with a thud beside them. "Whatever the plan is, it just got a lot more metal," Tony said, his mask flipping up to reveal a confident smirk.
The figure, Nihil, raised their staff, and reality itself seemed to warp around them. "You're too late to stop what's coming. The multiverse has already begun to unravel. I am but the first of many."
Just then, a swirl of green energy appeared beside them, and Loki stepped out from a portal, grinning from ear to ear.
"Well, this is quite the gathering," Loki remarked, glancing at Nihil. "You seem... ominous. I like it."
"You!" Strange pointed accusingly at Loki. "This reeks of your doing."
Loki raised his hands in mock surrender. "For once, this isn't my fault. Though I am intrigued."
Tony gave a frustrated groan. "Are we seriously considering trusting him?"
Strange sighed. "We might not have a choice. The multiverse is in danger, and we need all the help we can get."
Nihil, growing impatient, pointed their staff at the heroes, and the air around them began to shimmer. "You're too late. The Guardians of the Multiverse will fall, and with it, all of reality."
Before they could react, the tear behind Nihil grew larger, and out stepped figures from across the multiverse—versions of familiar heroes twisted by darkness. A black-suited Captain America with glowing red eyes, a Scarlet Witch twisted by malevolent forces, and a Thor wielding a dark version of Mjolnir.
"Oh, come on!" Spider-Man said, eyeing the dark counterparts. "Evil versions of ourselves? This is so cliché."
"Doesn't make them any less dangerous," Tony said, his suit adjusting for combat. "Alright, Strange. What's the play?"
Strange conjured a portal, his eyes narrowing. "We need to gather reinforcements. There's only one group that can stop this."
"And who might that be?" Loki asked, curious.
Strange looked at them all seriously. "The Guardians of the Multiverse. If we're going to save reality, we're going to need more than just the Avengers."
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