In the Shadows
From the darkened observation room, Nick Fury watched the chaos unravel on the monitors. Beside him, Quake folded her arms, her expression grim.
Fury narrowed his eye, his voice low and calculating. "Iron Man walking away? Smart play. If one of them's a Skrull, he just rattled their cage."
Quake glanced sideways. "You think that'll force a move?"
Fury gave a short nod. "The right kind of pressure always does."
---
In Wakanda
Beneath the glowing light of the Vibranium throne room, T'Challa stood tall, his voice firm as it echoed through the hall.
"Prepare the border defenses. Alert the War Dogs. We will not be caught off guard."
The Dora Milaje bowed in unison and strode out with military precision. The tension in the air was thick—Wakanda would stand ready, no matter who the enemy turned out to be.
---
In a Dim Warehouse
Captain America paced slowly, his shield resting at his side. "Everything's going according to plan," he said, his tone steady. "Now, we Skrull can move fast."
Suddenly, a voice cut through the dim light.
"You don't have to worry about tgis."
From the shadows, Mockingbird stepped forward. Her face shimmered, shifting until her true form—the Skrull Queen—stood revealed.
Cap's kneeled down. "Yes, my Queen."
---
In the comfort of his home, Ben chuckled, watching the events play out on his private feed.
"So Mockingbird was the Skrull Queen all along…" he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "Didn't see that one coming."
But behind his laughter was a calculating calm.
"I wonder how Carol plans to clean up this mess," he mused. "If she can't… I'll step in. One way or another."
---
Aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier
As the aircraft touched down, Agent Clay Quartermain stood ready, saluting the incoming guests.
"Welcome aboard, General Ross, Mr. Talbot, Doc Samson."
He led them through the sleek, metallic corridors of the helicarrier, past agents and screens humming with activity, and into the command center where Acting Director Maria Hill waited.
Ross didn't waste time. "Maria, you know why I'm here. I need the Hulk's blood. Now."
Hill met his stare, steel in her posture. Beside her, Doc Samson frowned deeply. "And what exactly are you planning to do with it, General?"
Ross scowled. "You know what I'm planning. We need a countermeasure. If this Skrull threat escalates—"
Hill hesitated, then finally handed over the vial. "This doesn't leave the helicarrier without clearance."
Samson's voice was tight. "I hope you know what you're doing, Ross. That blood could cause more destruction than it ever prevented."
Ross merely pocketed the vial and turned. "Let's pray we never have to find out."
---
By the Mountain Lake
The gentle ripple of water and rustle of trees created a rare sense of calm. Banner and Hawkeye sat side by side on a wooden dock, fishing rods in hand. The sun shimmered across the surface of the mountain lake.
Banner cast his line lazily into the water and sighed contentedly. "It's my one day off this month," he said, smiling faintly. "I really wanted to spend it fishing with you."
Hawkeye chuckled. "Figured you'd pick something relaxing. Just don't Hulk out if the fish don't bite."
Banner gave a dry laugh. "Deal. But if one pulls me in, you're diving after me."
"Not a chance."
The two friends shared a moment of quiet, unaware of the chaos about to unfold elsewhere.
---
Aboard the Helicarrier
In a sterile lab hidden deep within the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier, the Winter Soldier worked in silence. He held a vial of crimson serum in one hand, and a sample of Banner's blood in the other.
"This is it," he muttered. "The final piece."
He injected the mixture into a willing subject strapped to the table. For a heartbeat, all was still—then the man's body convulsed violently. His muscles expanded, his skin turned a burning shade of red, and his eyes ignited with fury.
The Red Hulk was born.
Alarms blared as the newly transformed beast tore through walls and sent Mandroids flying. The helicarrier shuddered under the onslaught.
---
On the Bridge
Maria Hill barked orders as lights flashed red. "Send out the distress call—now!"
Captain America Skrull received the message and turned to Wasp. "Maria Hill just called in an emergency. We need to recall Banner and Hawkeye to the Mansion—immediately."
"What's going on?" Wasp asked, her voice tense.
"Red Hulk. He's loose. And he's tearing this ship apart."
---
Arrival at the Helicarrier
The Captain and Wasp arrived to find chaos. Fires raged and Mandroids lay in pieces. The Red Hulk towered above them, roaring as flames licked from his body.
"Wasp, we have to stop him—now!" Captain Skrull shouted.
They launched into action, dodging debris and energy blasts as they battled the powerful creature. But every strike seemed to make him angrier, stronger.
"This isn't just Hulk strength," Wasp gasped. "It's something worse."
Then, a voice crackled over the comms: "This is Falcon—I couldn't reach Banner in time. He's gone."
"What do you mean gone?" Captain Skrull snapped.
"He's been taken."
---
Back at Avengers Mansion
The Red Hulk had already arrived.
In the Mansion's hangar, a streak of red smashed through the reinforced walls like paper. Hawkeye spun around, too late. The beast swatted him aside like a fly, and Banner barely had time to react before being seized.
The Red Hulk turned, his eyes glowing like coals. Then, with a mighty leap, he disappeared into the horizon—taking Banner with him and leaving devastation in his wake.
---
Far from Avengers Mansion, Bruce Banner groaned, fighting the numbing effects of the tranquilizers coursing through his veins. His body trembled, muscles bulging as the green hue crept over his skin.
With a roar, he transformed into the Hulk.
Red Hulk stepped forward, fists clenched. "Finally, you're awake."
Hulk growled, eyes locking with his crimson counterpart. "You made a big mistake."
The battle exploded into a flurry of punches and shockwaves, trees snapping and rocks shattering as Hulk and Red Hulk clashed.
"I'm an Avenger!" Hulk bellowed, slamming his fists into the ground, sending Red Hulk flying.
Just as Red Hulk rose for another strike, energy blasts and arrows rained in. Wasp, Hawkeye, and Captain Skrull America leapt into the fray.
"You're not fighting alone, big guy!" Hawkeye shouted, loosing another explosive arrow.
Wasp zipped around the Red Hulk's head, disorienting him. "Let's cool this hothead down!"
With a coordinated assault, the team finally overwhelmed Red Hulk, forcing him to retreat, growling in frustration.
As the dust settled, a sense of calm returned—until Glen Talbot and the Hulkbusters descended from the sky.
"This ends now," Talbot ordered. "Hulk is coming with us."
Hulk snarled, fists raised again, but Captain Skrull America raised a hand. "Stand down, Hulk. If you go willingly, we can fix this… from the inside."
With a reluctant grunt, Hulk calmed, slowly shrinking back into Banner. "I'm trusting you," he muttered.
Later, aboard the Skrull Command Ship, Captain Skrull America reported, "The Hulk is neutralized. The Avengers are fractured and vulnerable."
Ben, watching this unfold from a hidden base, clenched his fists. "Captain Skrull America is too good at playing Steve Rogers' part... even manipulated Hulk like a pawn."
He turned to a screen, watching Banner in restraints. "But I won't let him go down like this."
Moments later, Ben soared through the skies, phasing through walls with ghostlike ease. Within seconds, he reappeared at his own mansion—Banner unconscious at his feet.
Banner stirred, blinking in confusion. "Where... where am I? Why did you free me?"
Ben stepped forward and pointed to a massive holographic display. The images of Captain Skrull America and Mockingbird, now revealed as the Skrull Queen, flickered on-screen.
"You needed to see the truth," Ben said calmly. "They're Skrulls. They've infiltrated Earth, taken the identities of your allies... and you? You're just in the way."
Banner's eyes widened in shock.
Eager to jump back into the action, Bruce Banner turned to Ben. "Let me help. They'll need the Hulk out there."
Ben shook his head, calm but firm. "No. Not yet. Watch for now. When the moment comes, we'll act. Trust me."
Though visibly frustrated, Banner nodded and settled in beside Ben, eyes glued to the holographic screen displaying the chaos unfolding across the world.
The feed showed the Skrull Queen in heated conversation with Captain Skrull America. Their expressions were tense, their words sharp. The reason soon became clear—news had reached them that the real Captain America and a group of others had broken free from their Skrull prison.
"So Steve escaped," Banner muttered, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I knew they couldn't hold him."
Ben chuckled. "Of course. No one's ever really led the Avengers like Steve. Not even a shapeshifter can fake that."
As they watched, the Skrull impostor quickly issued commands. "Deploy squads to Wakanda, New York, and Washington. We need control before they rally."
"They're making their move," Ben said grimly, eyes narrowing.
The screen flickered to a flashback sequence. Banner and Ben leaned in as the narrative revealed the truth behind Steve's escape.