Chapter 122

Yelena's eyes moved upward, her focus shifting to the ceiling of the elevator. With a series of quick, nearly imperceptible blinks, she cycled through the various imaging layers on her helmet's heads-up display (HUD). Thermal imaging, electromagnetic spectrum, sonar echoes—each layer providing a different perspective of the world outside the metal box they were in.

The thermal imaging caught her attention as she detected heat signatures above them—multiple ones. "Ava," she murmured, her voice carrying an undertone of urgency. Yelena trusted her partner implicitly, but this was their first joint mission, and she was eager to see how they would synchronize in real-time action.

Ava nodded, her face lit up by a smile that was both confident and slightly mischievous. "On it," she said, her voice soft but determined. There was a flicker, an almost imperceptible blur, and then she was gone, phasing through the elevator ceiling and into the floors above.

Ava's heart pounded in her chest, the adrenaline rush of imminent combat setting her senses on high alert. As she phased through the solid layers of the building, her perception of the world around her changed. She could see the intertwining layers of concrete, steel, and electrical wiring like a 3D blueprint—each layer peeling away as she ascended.

As she emerged into a hallway filled with startled guards, she felt an exhilarating surge of freedom. This was the moment she lived for: the moment of surprise, the moment before the fight. She moved with a grace that was almost dance-like, her motions quick and efficient. One by one, the guards fell, incapacitated by precisely targeted strikes.

Back in the elevator, the Fantastic Four watched in silence as the floor numbers ticked upward. They could hear the faint sounds of scuffling, punctuated by surprised shouts. Then, abruptly, the elevator dinged, its doors sliding open to reveal Ava, standing amid a group of unconscious guards, her body relaxed and unharmed. "All clear," she said simply, her eyes sparkling with an unspoken thrill.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Yelena's lips as she stepped out of the elevator, surveying the downed guards strewn across the floor. "You're efficient," she commented, her gaze meeting Ava's. The praise was unspoken, but it was there in the respectful nod she gave her partner.

"This was surprisingly easy," Yelena observed. Her tone was light, almost nonchalant, but her alert eyes never stopped scanning their surroundings, ready for the next threat. Her comment echoed through the spacious lobby, bouncing off the tall glass walls and expensive marble tiles.

No sooner had the words left her lips than a series of metallic clanks echoed throughout the lobby, followed by the faint hum of repulsor technology. The lobby's large glass entrance doors slid open, and three armored figures stepped in - Iron-Man, War Machine, and Vision, all imposing figures with their suits gleaming under the building's bright artificial lights.

Their armor glinted ominously, and an array of weapons whirred to life, lighting up the room with an eerie glow. "Stand down," Iron-Man's modulated voice boomed, echoing through the expansive lobby.

Ava glanced sideways at Yelena, her eyes narrowing slightly as her lips quirked into a wry smile. "You just had to jinx it, didn't you?" she muttered. Her body instinctively shifted into a combat-ready stance, her phasing abilities priming for the confrontation to come.

There was a twinge of annoyance in her tone, but beneath it all was a spark of excitement. It wasn't every day you got to test your skills against some of the most formidable heroes on Earth. A challenge, yes—but not an unwelcome one. They'd fought alongside Genosha's finest warriors, after all. Whatever came next, they were ready for it.

As the tension hung heavily in the room, Johnny, ever the hot-head, began to flare up, literally, the flame flickering around him casting ominous shadows on his youthful face. But Yelena, keeping her composure, gently laid a hand on his shoulder, her cool gaze never leaving the three armored figures.

"We don't need you to help," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Her words, spoken in a quiet, measured voice, seemed to reverberate around the room, instantly drawing everyone's attention to her.

Turning her focus back on the armored figures, Yelena continued, "The Fantastic Four are now under the protection of the Genoshian Empire. We're merely here to escort them to our ship for extraction." She was still, a picture of tranquil authority. It was a skill she'd mastered during her time in the Red Room - the ability to hold her ground, to exude an aura of quiet menace even in the most challenging situations.

"We do not wish to engage in any hostilities," Yelena added, her gaze unwavering, "But let me be perfectly clear, we will not hesitate to protect ourselves and the Fantastic Four if necessary."

Her words echoed in the silence, creating a dense atmosphere that even Vision seemed to sense. The android's typically passive face appeared to ripple with a faint flicker of concern, his digital eyes scanning the assembled group.

Iron-Man, however, couldn't help but chuckle at the entire situation, the sound distorted and metallic through his suit's speakers. "Well, isn't this a diplomatic mess," he quipped, his suit's mask sliding up to reveal his smirking face. "I'm just glad I'm not the one having to explain this to the UN."

Despite the tension of the situation, a trace of humor twinkled in his eyes, a sign that this standoff was, for him, just another day in the life of a superhero. But underneath the jest was a hint of something else—concern, perhaps, or caution. This was a new development, a potential threat to the established order. And despite his joking demeanor, Tony Stark was not a man to take such things lightly.

As Iron Man's laughter echoed in the enclosed space, Vision, his face devoid of expression, finally spoke. His voice, modulated and synthetic, carried a note of measured caution. "This situation is far from ideal, Tony," he observed, his crystal-blue eyes observing the Russian operative, "We don't know much about the Genoshian Empire, but from what we have gathered, they are a formidable force."

The Synthezoid's voice, while emotionless, seemed to reverberate with an underlying warning. "Engaging in conflict might not be in our best interests. After all, our primary duty is to protect, not escalate situations," he continued, his gaze meeting Tony's through the red glare of the Iron Man helmet.

Rhodey, his arms crossed over his chest and his armor whirring in response to his slightest movement, interjected, his voice gruff. "Politics be damned, Tony," he growled. His words, soaked in a mix of annoyance and concern, hung heavily in the air. "We can't let Reed and the others just walk away. They're our friends."

Each individual word punctuated the tense atmosphere like a gunshot, a clear indication of his resolution to prevent their departure. His loyalty and sense of duty, as palpable as the hum of his armor's repulsors, were as evident as ever.

In the midst of this tense standoff, Yelena, calm and collected as ever, turned towards Sue, her expression unreadable behind the facade of steel-like resolve. Leaning in, she whispered in a voice barely audible, "Get ready to make a quick exit. As soon as the situation escalates, I want you to use your force field to levitate everyone towards the sky as quickly as possible."

Her voice, hushed yet clear, carried a sense of urgency that wasn't lost on Sue. Her eyes widened slightly, but she gave a small nod, acknowledging the plan. Underneath her poised exterior, Sue couldn't help but feel a ripple of apprehension. This was it, the moment of truth.

"Look," Tony began, his voice carrying a note of firm resolve. "We have a job to do, and that's to bring Reed and the team in. Let the U.N. handle the Genoshians." His declaration filled the space, leaving no room for negotiation. His helmet's eyes met Yelena's gaze, their glow piercing through the relative dimness of their surroundings.

Rhodey, taking Tony's words as a cue, surged forward, his suit's powerful thrusters igniting with a searing, metallic roar. He was a blur of grays and reds, his intent clear and unyielding.

Sue reacted instantly. As the low hum of her force field resonated through the air, she quickly fashioned a platform beneath herself and the Fantastic Four. With a swift upward thrust, they began ascending at a rapid speed, the world around them blurring into a whizzing spectacle of colors.

Just as Rhodey was about to make his move, Ava emerged before him. There was a slight smirk on her face as she delivered a powerful blow to his suit's core. The sheer force of her strike sent a jarring shockwave through the suit, causing it to flicker and stutter. Rhodey's momentum ceased abruptly, and he hung in mid-air for a second, an expression of surprise flashing across his face as his suit lost power.

Yelena took advantage of the momentary disarray. Her body shifted, her suit activating its propulsion systems. In an instant, she was airborne, darting up the shaft like a bullet, her sights locked on Tony. The wind whistled past her as she surged upward, her mind focused and clear. 'I need to buy them time,' she thought, her heart pounding in sync with her accelerating speed.

As the distance between her and Tony closed, Yelena's resolve hardened. The confrontation was inevitable, but she knew she had a job to do. A job that she intended to see through to the end. As she drew closer to Tony, she braced herself, preparing for the impending clash.

Air swirled around Yelena and Tony, creating a vortex of kinetic energy as they engaged in an intricate aerial dance. Tony, with his suit's advanced propulsion, darted and swooped around Yelena with a fluidity that was both daunting and impressive. His movements were a testament to years of experience and countless battles.

Yelena, in her equally sophisticated suit, kept pace with him, their figures painting streaks of light against the backdrop of the darkening sky. Every thrust, every turn, every maneuver she made was carefully calculated, her primary objective being to keep Tony at bay. The raw power of her suit coupled with her expert handling made her a formidable adversary.

Tony, trying to get past Yelena and reach Sue, would every so often attempt to accelerate past her. But each time, Yelena would intervene, forcefully propelling him back. The sound of clashing metals filled the air as she intercepted his advances, the momentum from their impacts creating shockwaves that reverberated across the area.

As Yelena and Tony engaged each other, Ava was on the ground engaging Vision. Unlike the violent aerial spectacle above, Ava's interaction with Vision was a surreal ballet of phased attacks and counterattacks. Vision, with his ability to alter his density, phased in and out of tangibility, making it hard for Ava to land an effective strike. Their battle was a silent, eerie spectacle, a sharp contrast to the fiery confrontation in the sky above.

Despite the intensity of the situation, Yelena found a moment of introspection amid the chaos. Her heart pounded in her chest as she forced Tony back once more, her eyes never leaving the spectacle of Sue and the Fantastic Four growing smaller in the distance. She was more than a protector in this moment. She was a promise that Genosha was making to the world: they would stand for their own, no matter the odds.

Simultaneously, Ava's mind raced as she calculated her moves, understanding the intricacies of Vision's phasing. Their clash was less of brute force and more of strategic moves, like a chess game played at the speed of light. As Vision shimmered and blurred in front of her, Ava felt a twinge of admiration for the android's calculated yet powerful style. But she couldn't afford to lose herself in the spectacle. She knew she had to make her move. Her fists clenched, she charged, ready to face whatever the Vision had to throw at her.

***

As they ascended higher and higher, the buildings below started looking more like miniature models, the cityscape a labyrinth of light. Ben couldn't help but feel a twinge of vertigo, his stomach lurching slightly as he glanced down.

"Geez," he muttered, gripping onto the sides of Sue's force platform, "how high are we planning to go?"

Before anyone could respond, Johnny, who was scanning the night sky, caught sight of a new source of light. It was a dazzling spectacle, unlike anything he had seen before. High above them, against the star-speckled canvas of the night sky, an iridescent glow began to materialize. It looked as though a rift was opening, emitting brilliant, shifting hues of light that pulsed against the darkness.

"I think... there," he stuttered, pointing upwards. His voice echoed the awe they all felt, his gaze locked onto the celestial phenomenon unfolding above them.

Reed, squinting through his glasses, also noticed the radiant glow. His brow furrowed as he watched the iridescent lights ripple across the sky, giving birth to a massive silhouette that appeared to hover in the heavens. His analytical mind raced as he observed the display, eventually settling on the conclusion.

"That's... that's a ship," he finally said, a tinge of marvel seeping into his voice.

Sue, despite focusing on her levitation, took a brief moment to glance upward. The sight was indeed breathtaking, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos unfolding beneath them. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked up at the distant, glowing spectacle that was their destination. As the wind whipped her hair around her face, she took a deep breath, concentrating harder than ever before.

"Almost there," she whispered to herself, the force platform under them pulsating with energy as she propelled them higher and higher towards the otherworldly glow in the sky.

***

Vision was not one to be easily perturbed, but Ava's ability to phase in and out of physical reality at will was proving to be a formidable challenge. The constant flickering of her presence, visible one moment and gone the next, was disorientating even to his advanced processing capabilities.

He launched himself at her, his form shifting into an intangible state to counter her. Yet, in the moment he expected contact, Ava phased out, leaving him to fly through thin air. He swiftly turned mid-air, his cape billowing behind him, his synthetic eyes scanning for her presence.

Then, she materialized, her fist coming straight at him. He adjusted his density to steel-like hardness just in time to block her punch. The impact vibrated through his arm, surprising him with its strength. She was stronger than she looked.

As he grappled with her, his processors were working overtime, running simulations, analyzing her movement, and her phasing pattern. If he could figure out her rhythm, perhaps he could predict her moves.

"Your abilities are fascinating," Vision commented, his voice a calm contrast to the turmoil of their battle. "A constant flux between the tangible and intangible."

Ava smirked, disappearing before his eyes once again. "You haven't seen half of it," she responded, her voice echoing from an indeterminate location.

Vision steeled himself, his advanced AI mind relentlessly trying to decipher the secrets of Ava's phasing. It wasn't just about the fight anymore; it was a riddle he was determined to solve, a puzzle that kept evolving with every passing second. As a being of logic and knowledge, he couldn't help but feel a certain admiration for this unpredictable opponent. But he also understood the stakes were high, and he couldn't afford to lose.

High above the city, Tony and Yelena whirled in an aerial dance of lightning-fast punches and daring maneuvers. Yelena's agility and combat techniques were a stark contrast to Tony's more direct approach, but both were warriors in their own right.

"Is it always like this with the Genoshians?" Tony asked, his voice colored with sarcasm even as he engaged thrusters to avoid another of Yelena's high-speed assaults. "Stealing our heroes in the middle of the night?"

"No," Yelena responded coolly, her eyes locked onto Tony's. "We usually just make our own."

As the verbal sparring continued, Yelena felt a familiar sensation – the unmistakable tingle of Pym Particles at work. She vanished from Tony's sight, her body shrinking to the microscopic level.

"Boss," chimed Friday, Tony's AI assistant. "I'm detecting traces of Pym Particles in the atmosphere."

Tony's eyes widened behind his helmet's visor, his mind racing to comprehend the implications. "She shrank herself..." He started scanning his surroundings, searching for signs of Yelena's re-emergence. But by the time he made the connection, it was already too late.

Without warning, Yelena was back, her size returned to normal in a split second. She delivered a swift kick to his midsection that packed an unbelievable force. The impact sent him spiraling downward, crashing into the ground with a resounding clang.

From high above, Yelena watched Tony's descent. The mission was paramount – protecting the Fantastic Four from any further altercation. And she was willing to do whatever it took to ensure that outcome. Her stern gaze remained on the plummeting Iron Man as he vanished amidst the cityscape below. She hoped the message had been clear: the Fantastic Four were now under the protection of the Genoshian Empire.

Tony couldn't help but shake his head, a pained smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "This is all so ridiculous, you know," he called out, his voice echoing in the empty streets. "The SRA, the fights, all of it."

There was a bitterness to his tone that suggested he didn't find any of it funny. There was a deep-seated frustration there, a regret. Tony had seen what unchecked power could do, he had been a part of it. The collateral damage from their battles was evidence enough. Oversight, regulation... as much as he hated to admit it, they needed it.

"But hey," Tony called out, lifting his arm to point at Ava, a smirk growing on his face. "We'll let you off easy this time. But don't expect us to hold back next time."

His comment was met with a puzzled look from Vision, his vibrant eyes flicking back and forth between Tony and Ava. It was clear to the synthetic being that neither side had held back in their respective fights.

"What do you mean, 'hold back'? We used full force," Vision asked, his voice carrying an undertone of disbelief.

Tony shrugged, his smirk widening. "It's a human expression, Vis. Just a little bit of humor to lighten the mood."

Ava chuckled, a low, hearty sound that echoed off the surrounding buildings. "Next time? You're awfully optimistic, Iron Man," she shot back, her voice brimming with amusement. "Just keep your nose out of Genoshian business and there won't have to be a next time."

And with that, she activated her suit's flight system, propelling herself upward into the night sky. Tony could only watch as she disappeared from sight, the faint hum of her suit's engines the only indication she had ever been there.