League of Avengers

Alexander Pierce stood in his private office at the Triskelion, watching the sunset paint the Potomac in shades of amber and gold. The view had always helped him think, provided perspective when dealing with the complexities of maintaining order in a chaotic world. Today, though, his attention was focused on the holographic displays floating before him, each one showing different aspects of their newest... complications.

"The Freljordian's integration is proceeding as expected?" he asked, studying footage from the Canadian facility where Sejuani had been stationed. The Winter Warrior, as some agents had taken to calling her, moved with surprising grace for someone so formidable. Her massive flail should have been impossibly unwieldy in the confined spaces of the training room, yet she wielded it with precise control. Even in the climate-controlled environment, she insisted on wearing her traditional furs, though she had accepted some modern adaptations to her armor.

"Yes, sir," Sitwell replied, adjusting his glasses. "Though the facility staff report some... unique challenges. She's demanding about maintaining proper cold temperatures, and there have been several incidents with the climate control systems. The costs of maintaining her preferred environment are substantial."

Pierce nodded absently, switching to another feed. This one showed Ahri in what appeared to be a meditation session with Banner. The Nine-Tailed Fox sat cross-legged, her tails arranged in a perfect circle around her as soft blue energy pulsed in rhythm with her breathing. "And our more... exotic guest?"

"Dr. List is particularly fascinated by her energy signatures. They're unlike anything we've encountered, even from Asgard. The potential applications—"

"Are currently irrelevant," Pierce cut him off, turning away from the displays. "What matters is that they're settling in. Becoming comfortable. Trusting." He walked to his desk, picking up a crystal tumbler half-filled with aged scotch. "The best traps are the ones people walk into willingly, Jasper. We've learned that lesson well enough with SHIELD."

"Of course, sir." Sitwell hesitated, then continued, "There is one other matter. The operation in Belgrade..."

"Is proceeding exactly as planned." Pierce took a slow sip of his scotch, savoring the burn. "Our assets are in position?"

"Yes, sir. Though some of the scientific staff have expressed concerns about—"

"The cost of progress, Jasper." Pierce set down his glass with deliberate care. "There will always be those who fear change, who lack the vision to see what must be done. That's why we do what we do. That's why HYDRA exists." He smiled thinly. "Initiate the final phase. Let's give our dimensional visitors something to really fight for."

---

One week later

The morning air was crisp and clean, carrying just a hint of autumn's approach as Natasha made her way to the tower's training level. It had become her routine over the past week to start early, before the usual bustle of activity filled the building. Usually, she had the floor to herself for at least an hour.

Today, however, she wasn't alone.

Ahri sat in the center of the sparring mat, her tails spread in that perfect circle Natasha had come to recognize as her meditative pose. The fox-woman's eyes were closed, but a slight smile curved her lips as Natasha approached.

"I was wondering when you'd arrive," Ahri said without opening her eyes. "Your footsteps are different from the others. Lighter. More purposeful."

Natasha leaned against the wall, studying her friend. It was still strange sometimes, thinking of her that way. Trust didn't come easily to either of them, yet somehow they'd found common ground. "Couldn't sleep?"

Ahri's eyes opened, golden irises seeming to glow in the early morning light. "Dreams are... different here. More scattered. As if they're trying to tell me something, but the words are in a language I don't quite understand." She unfolded herself from her pose with fluid grace. "Besides, I enjoyed our sparring session yesterday. I thought perhaps we could continue?"

"Trying to learn all my tricks?" Natasha pushed off from the wall, already starting her warm-up stretches.

"My dear Natasha," Ahri's tails swayed playfully, "if I wanted to learn your tricks, I'd simply charm them out of you." Her tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness that made Natasha pause.

"You could try," she admitted, moving into a ready stance. "But then we'd both miss out on the fun of doing this the hard way."

They began slowly, circling each other with measured steps. Natasha had learned early on that Ahri's tails weren't just for show – they could strike with surprising force and from unexpected angles. But they also telegraphed her movements in subtle ways, if you knew what to watch for.

Ahri struck first, a swift combination of kicks that Natasha deflected, watching for the tell-tale shift in the tails that would signal a follow-up strike. There – two tails whipped toward her legs while another aimed for her head. Natasha dropped, rolling beneath the attack and coming up inside Ahri's guard.

"Better," Ahri approved, dancing back before Natasha could capitalize on the position. "You're learning to read the patterns."

"Pattern recognition is survival." Natasha launched her own attack, a series of strikes designed to test Ahri's defenses. "In my line of work, missing a detail usually means—"

The tower's alarm system suddenly blared to life, cutting her off mid-sentence. Both women instantly shifted from sparring mode to alert readiness.

"Ladies," Tony's voice came through the speakers, sounding unusually serious, "fun time's over. We've got a situation. Briefing room, five minutes."

---

A new yet familiar voice joined the conversation as Thor strode into the room, his red cape swirling behind him. "My friends! I return with news from Asgard, but I see there are more pressing matters at hand." He clasped forearms with Garen and nodded respectfully to Darius - their shared battle in New York had forged a warrior's understanding. Then his eyes fell on Ahri, her nine tails moving with subtle grace as she stood near Natasha, and his expression shifted to one of surprise.

"It seems Runeterra has sent more of its champions during my absence," he noted.

"You missed a few arrivals," Tony replied. "Meet Ahri. And that" - he gestured to the briefing screen showing the video call with Sejuani - "is Sejuani, the Winter Warrior. Currently giving our Canadian facility's heating bill a workout."

Thor studied Sejuani for a second before nodding to her in greeting, before turning his attention back to Ahri. "I remember well the tales of your world from our earlier discussions, but I confess I did not expect more visitors. I would hear of your journeys when time permits."

"I look forward to sharing stories," Ahri replied with a slight smile, her tails swaying. "Though perhaps after we deal with the current crisis?"

"Indeed," Garen agreed, stepping forward. "It is good to see you again, Thor. Your return is well-timed."

"The God of Thunder's hammer will be welcome in this fight," Darius added pragmatically. Their past battles together had earned him a measure of respect for Thor's capabilities.

Garen and Darius had claimed opposite corners of the room – some habits died hard, even after months of working together. But the tension between them had evolved from outright hostility to something more like professional wariness.

"Now that we're all here," Nick Fury's image materialized on the main screen, his expression grim, "we can begin. Thirty minutes ago, a terrorist group seized control of the Belgrade Institute for Advanced Research. They're holding approximately forty hostages and threatening to release an experimental biochemical agent unless their demands are met."

The satellite imagery zoomed in, showing a modern complex of interconnected buildings surrounded by armed figures. Heat signatures indicated concentrations of people in several locations throughout the facility.

"What kind of biochemical agent are we talking about?" Bruce leaned forward, studying the facility's layout with professional interest.

"Originally? A prototype for accelerating plant growth in harsh environments." Fury's eye narrowed. "But with minimal modification, it could be weaponized to accelerate cell growth in human tissue. The results would be... unpleasant."

"These terrorists," Garen spoke up, his military training evident in his bearing, "what do we know of their capabilities?"

"That's where things get interesting." Fury gestured, and new images appeared – close-ups of the armed men showing their equipment and formations. "Their gear is military-grade, latest generation. Their tactics suggest extensive training. This isn't some random group of extremists. These people are professionals."

"Good," Sejuani's voice carried a hint of anticipation. "A worthy challenge at last."

"This isn't about glory," Steve cautioned, though his tone held no rebuke. He'd come to understand and respect the warrior culture his new teammates came from. "These people are willing to kill innocent civilians to achieve their goals. We need to stop them, but we need to do it smart."

"Agreed," Darius rumbled. The Noxian general had adapted surprisingly well to modern tactical thinking. "What's our insertion point?"

Tony brought up a three-dimensional model of the facility. "The main complex has three primary entrances, all currently under heavy guard. But there's a network of service tunnels underneath – maintenance access, emergency exits, that sort of thing. Less heavily defended, but also more restrictive in terms of movement."

"Two-pronged approach," Natasha suggested, already seeing the strategy forming. "One team creates a diversion at the main entrance while another infiltrates through the tunnels."

Steve nodded. "That's what I was thinking. Tony, you'll lead the frontal assault with Thor, Darius, and Sejuani. Make it loud, make it obvious. Draw their attention and keep it."

"Subtle as a hammer," Tony grinned. "My specialty."

"Natasha, Clint, Ahri, and I will take the tunnels." Steve continued. "Our priority is locating and securing the hostages. Garen, you'll be our flex position – be ready to reinforce either team as needed. Bruce..."

"I stay in reserve unless things go completely sideways," Bruce finished with a slight smile. "The Other Guy isn't exactly suited for hostage rescue."

"One more thing," Fury added. "Our sensors are picking up unusual energy readings from inside the facility. Could be related to the biochemical agent, could be something else entirely. Stay alert, and call it in if you encounter anything out of the ordinary."

"When do we move?" Ahri asked, her tails swaying with controlled energy.

"Gear up and be ready in twenty," Steve ordered. "We'll finalize tactical details on the flight over."

As the team dispersed to prepare, none of them noticed the small, nearly invisible drone hovering outside the tower's windows, its enhanced sensors recording everything. In his office at the Triskelion, Alexander Pierce watched the feed with satisfaction.

"Initiate Phase Two," he spoke into his secure line. "And make sure our asset is in position. It's time to see what our interdimensional friends are really capable of."

---

The Quinjet's cargo bay had never felt quite so crowded. Between Thor's cape, Sejuani's flail, Darius's axe, and Garen's sword, simply moving around required careful navigation. Tony had opted to fly alongside rather than try to squeeze the Iron Man armor into the already cramped space.

"Review the tactical approach," Steve called over the engine noise. "Tony's team hits the main entrance here." A holographic display showed the point of attack. "Maximum visibility, maximum noise. Make them think that's our only play."

"While they're focused on us," Thor grinned, twirling Mjolnir, "your team enters through these tunnels." The display shifted to show the underground access points.

"Maintenance shaft on the eastern side," Natasha confirmed. "Security is minimal – two guards, standard rotations. We can handle them quietly."

"The hostages are being held in three locations," Clint noted, checking his arrows one final time. "Main laboratory, conference room, and cafeteria. All on different levels."

"We'll need to split up once we're inside," Steve acknowledged. "Natasha, you and Ahri take the lab. Clint and I will handle the conference room. Once those groups are secure, we converge on the cafeteria."

"And the biochemical agent?" Bruce asked from his position near the cockpit.

"Secondary priority," Steve replied firmly. "We secure the hostages first. Then we deal with any other threats."

Meanwhile in another jet Sejuani tested the weight of her flail, ice crystals forming along its length while Bristle was snorting, still not quite comfortable on the jet. "These terrorists," Sejuani's voice crackled through the comms, her tone carrying that familiar hint of anticipation. "You're certain they're well-trained?"

"Having second thoughts?" Clint raised an eyebrow.

"No," the Winter Warrior's smile was cold as her homeland. "Looking forward to a real fight. These past weeks of training have left me... restless."

"Just remember," Steve cautioned, "our goal is to save lives, not take them unless absolutely necessary."

"We remember," Darius spoke for both himself and Garen. The two warriors had learned to adapt their combat styles to this world's different rules of engagement, though it hadn't always been easy.

"Five minutes to drop point," the pilot announced.

As they finalized the assault plan, Thor found himself impressed by how well the team had continued to integrate new members in his absence. The way Ahri moved in perfect sync with Natasha as they discussed their approach to the laboratory spoke of hours of training together. Garen and Darius had clearly grown more comfortable working within the team structure since he'd last seen them in action.

Steve looked around at his team – this strange mixture of soldiers, spies, gods, and interdimensional warriors that somehow worked together better than anyone could have expected. "Watch each other's backs in there. We don't know everything we're walking into, but we face it together."

As the Quinjet began its descent, Pierce's words from earlier that day echoed in his secure bunker: "Everything proceeds according to plan. Soon, we'll know exactly what these beings are capable of. And then... then we'll know how to control them."

The real game was about to begin.