Chapter 112: The Avengers Officially Formed

Thor gazed at the towering energy pillar piercing the clouds above the city. He knew something was terribly wrong—the portal had been opened, and he had to rush there immediately.

Meanwhile, Dr. Banner was no different. Riding his nimble electric scooter, immune to traffic jams, he sped—albeit at a leisurely pace—toward downtown New York.

Michael prepared to knock Max out with a punch, only to see him transform into a surge of electricity and escape. Helpless, Michael could only command the battle from afar.

“How is Professor Selvig?” he asked.

Black Widow replied, “He’s unconscious, but still breathing.”

“Protect Professor Selvig. He knows that device better than we do; he’s the key to shutting down the portal. Below is the bio-lab where they keep adrenaline and the like. Wake him up quickly.”

Though Michael knew how to dismantle the device, he couldn’t just guess the solution without even glancing at it. It was better to have Professor Selvig awake to guide them.

“Understood.”

Black Widow lifted the professor with one hand and headed toward the stairwell to carry him downstairs.

Michael continued issuing orders, “Captain, you have the most credibility. Coordinate with the police and secure their evacuation plans. Spider-Man, nimble and the friendly neighborhood type, you’ll direct the crowd on which way to flee.”

“Iron Man and Gwen, take on the aerial forces. Rhodey will soon arrive with the military’s other suits to back us up. Hawkeye, position yourself at the highest vantage point to monitor the surroundings. Report to me immediately if you spot Thor or Hulk.”

“Will they come?” Tony asked, eyeing the overwhelming alien forces with unease.

“Believe in Rhodey. How many he can bring depends on his skills,” Michael said.

As for Thor and Banner, they would definitely show up—that was the allure of true heroes.

“Everyone, move out at once.”

“Got it.”

Their unified voices echoed resolve.

Everyone sprang into action. Michael watched as Max absorbed more and more electricity, his expression growing serious.

He glanced at the fire hydrant on the street and asked the Red Queen, “Do you think the hydrants in downtown New York still have water?”

The Red Queen quickly analyzed the city’s underground water supply and replied, “Sir, unless the water department or fire services are lying, the hydrants do have water, and the pressure is high.”

Michael nodded and looked at the enraged Max.

“Max, is someone upsetting you?”

“You, Michael. Why is it that you can have everything so easily, while I suffer so much injustice?”

Max’s sadness was palpable, almost to the point of tears—though his current form could not weep.

“And Spider-Man, he forgot too, didn’t he? If it weren’t for you reminding him...” Max’s voice trembled.

“You all just wanted to use me—to clear my name and give me what I deserved. Isn’t that because I gained new powers and became more valuable?”

Michael understood Max was under Loki’s influence. Yet, in some ways, that was true. Still, Michael needed to share some hard truths.

“Max, when I saw you like this, my first shocked reaction was to silence you.”

“You finally admit it,” Max sneered, unleashing a whip-like bolt of lightning at Michael—a technique rivaling that of the master of the Five-Strike Whip.

Perhaps inner turmoil dulled his aim, and the attack missed its mark.

Michael rolled, using his body to shield a fire hydrant, and continued, “I spared you because you hadn’t done evil. I even supported you becoming a hero and joining the Avengers. But what have you done?”

Under Loki’s spell, Max wasn’t fully brainwashed; rather, a different persona awakened, overshadowing his normal self. Yet that didn’t mean his original personality was gone. As Professor Selvig said, Max remembered everything clearly and hesitated over his actions, leaving himself an escape hatch to disable the magic.

“Enough talk,” Max snarled, crazed, charging at Michael.

Michael spun around and kicked the hydrant, bursting it open. A torrent of water drenched them both.

After a flash of lightning and thunder, Max collapsed, short-circuited and powerless.

Michael lifted him with one hand and slapped him to wake him up.

Max looked around, stunned and lost.

“Feeling clearer now?”

“Yes.”

Michael tossed him aside and said, “You’d better calm down. You were used by Loki; this isn’t your fault.”

“No, it is my fault,” Max moaned, clutching his head, trying to escape reality.

Michael sighed, watching him. Max was usually adept at self-regulation, but that didn’t mean he was strong. He had long been on the edge of collapse, which was why he had fully turned dark in Spider-Man. Yet recent experiences had given him some mental support, preventing an immediate breakdown.

Unfortunately, Michael wasn’t skilled with words, often making things worse.

He sighed again. “Max, if you truly believe this is your fault, then do your best to make amends instead of sitting here crying.”

Michael glanced at the fleeing crowds, feeling a pang of guilt.

He could have stopped all this from happening, but his indecisiveness had led him down this path, culminating in the present crisis.

“Director Fury, can’t you send help?”

“You finally know my name,” Nick Fury said quietly, touched despite himself.

Yet he was helpless. He wanted to curse silently—if the Security Council had their way, they’d nuke New York flat.

No one dared send a plane up; everyone knew any aircraft might carry a deadly nuclear bomb.

“I’m sorry. I can’t authorize any flights. But I have already sent the Three Warriors of Asgard and Lady Sif ahead.”

“I understand.”

Michael sighed. “Gentlemen, I have an army. Care to see it?”

Tony caught his breath. “Show me what you’ve got. I’ve got quite a few tails behind me.”

Michael had been preparing for war and now had to reveal his hand.

“When this is over, let’s register the Avengers as a company. Oh, and no Nick Fury.”

“I’m in,” Captain America said, knocking a Chitauri soldier away.

Tony smiled. “Well done. I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.”

Nick Fury rubbed his bald head, feeling shameless. He had been brainwashing agents daily, sending young people on deadly missions, and now these guys had so little shame they’d just kick him out. It was his idea, after all.

“Director Fury, stand strong under the pressure. We’re allies.”

“Fine,” Fury sighed resignedly.