Part I: The Awakening/Mission: Some Assembly Required

==Mission: Some Assembly Required==
Doctor Banner apologizes to the team for the delays via the communications link. He explains that it is just he and Steve stationed at the Tower, and his condition is affecting him. Captain Marvel tries to support him, while Caretaker impatiently asks when his findings will be ready.
Banner starts cutting in and out due to interference on the comms channel, but the words "complete defensive grid failure" can be clearly heard. Banner is able to tell the team that there are incoming Hydra gunships and missiles, and then some kind of blast cuts the channel for good. Iron Man and Hunter head to Avengers Tower.
They exit a portal in mid-air near the Tower. Iron Man catches Hunter and they spot Captain America fighting with Hydra on the roof of the tower. As they land and join him, Banner radios the team to ask them to handle the Hydra troops while he gets the defensive systems back online. 
After the Hydra troops are defeated, a group of Hydra helicopters arrive and fire missiles at the Tower. Iron Man stops most of them but one makes it through, breaching the top few floors of the building. Banner informs them that the arc reactor is going critical due to the explosion, but Iron Man sends him the shutdown codes.
Captain America notices a projectile hurtling toward Hunter and blocks it with his shield. It turns out to be another gamma bullet fired by Crossbones from one of the helicopters. He leaps down and along with another group of Hydra soldiers, engages the heroes.
Crossbones is defeated and cornered against an open ledge. He is about to use some sort of device when Captain America's shield knocks it out of his hands and off the side of the building. Banner's voice comes over comms, but he is speaking abnormally, and suddenly there is a gamma burst from inside the Tower.
With the heroes preoccupied, Crossbones leaps off the side of Tower. Moments later it's clear he jumped to a waiting helicopter as it flies into view with him aboard. Banner is hanging onto the elevator's rope ladder and taunts the heroes, thanking them for the gamma accelerator he has taken from the Tower. Hunter explains that Banner has been corrupted by Lilith.
Iron Man pleads with Bruce to fight off Lilith's influence. Banner continues his taunting, daring Tony to kill him, but Tony stands down. Banner hits the button on the same device that Crossbones tried to use a few minutes earlier, and a series of explosions begin to rock Avengers Tower. The team narrowly escapes back to the Abbey.
== That Night ==
Tony is deeply shaken by the loss of Bruce. He is also disturbed that he had the opportunity to save the world and put a single friend's life above that. He takes his anger out on Doctor Strange until Strange throws him out of the Forge. Hunter tries to talk with him later. Tony blames himself for not seeing the signs that his friend was slipping away.
Hunter meets Steve, who is unsure they should trust Hunter. He is worried about Lilith's potential influence on their child. After they speak, Steve realizes Hunter is on their side and apologizes.
Caretaker warns Hunter that while Banner has a brilliant mind, the greater threat is the Hulk under Lilith's control. Agatha encourages Hunter to continue their exploration of the grounds as it may prove fruitful for the fight against Lilith. 
Hunter goes to sleep and dreams again of Lilith. She claims that she didn't compel Banner, but instead released him from the shackles of those who would control him. She draws a parallel to Hunter, saying that Hunter will stand by her side freely when the time comes. She urges Hunter to pierce the veil of false prophecy and wake up, and with those last words the dream is done.
== The Next Day ==
Doctor Strange is concerned that Tony may be suffering a relapse of depression, and asks everyone to be on the lookout for signs of that. Carol hates seeing Tony like this, and doubts she could have taken the shot if she had been in his position.
That night, Hunter dreams of Scarlet Witch, following her to the edge of the Wild Cliffs as she calls out their name.
== The Following Day ==
Agatha seems to know about Hunter's dream. She urges Hunter to save Wanda, saying that Lilith cannot be defeated without her. Hunter leaves Agatha to find the Midnight Suns.
As Hunter nears the Mirror Table, several Avengers and Caretaker are discussing strategy, ultimately agreeing on Captain America's recommendation that taking back the Sanctum is the top priority. 
Hunter stops to check on Caretaker, who is curious as to why the Suns are absent. Continuing to look for the Midnight Suns, Hunter learns from Spider-Man that Blade was headed to the Chapel earlier. Hunter heads there.
Next: Part I: The Awakening/Mission: Sneaking Out
Category:Story