Phoenix Under Attack!

[hulksmashed.livejournal.com]

That's the headline people are trying to avoid.

The Hulk doesn't care. His gait brings him ever closer to the populated city, and so far, nothing seems to stop it.

There's hope that the sandstorm that just kicked up might buy them more time. A sandstorm that's the doing of Crusader, the new girl carrying Thor's hammer and Captain America's shield, who's crazy enough to try to face the Hulk without the help of her team, who have been held up by dealing with some other U.S. agent.

The storm doesn't stop him. It only slows him.

Slightly.

Comments

[ultronomicon.livejournal.com]

Crusader, however, is not alone.

A sweeping horde of robots springs forth out of the sand, unleashing a powerful barrage of technological weaponry at this monstrosity's legs, trying to upend it and keep it from advancing.

Some of them launch themelves at its head.

[rogue-starsr.livejournal.com]

Sarah keeps up the sandstorm, and waits until the first barrage of robots has sprung up, then she flings the hammer, aiming for the Hulk's chest, trying to help them upend it and push it right into the swarm.

[hulksmashed.livejournal.com]

It does manage to upend him - all the robots getting underfoot, the strong winds, the forces unleashed, the hammer's impact - it knocks him on his back...

[bi-beast.livejournal.com]

And then another set of massive arms bursts forth out of the sand, wrapping themselves around the Hulk's giant frame, trying to hold the beast in place.

In a makeshift bunker, some distance from the fight...

[hulksmashed.livejournal.com]

A thin, bespectacled man is running the show.

"Hank, get me visuals from Ultrons 20 through 40. Iron Man, quit dragging your ass, this is where it counts. Logan, get the hell out there and start doing what we pay you for - and somebody get me an ID on who this girl is! She can't be fifteen and she's got Thor's hammer! NO ONE is worthy at fifteen!"

Re: In a makeshift bunker, some distance from the fight...

[high-pockets.livejournal.com]

"Bringing up visuals now," Dr. Pym replies, tugging on his uniform, in case they need backup.

"Cap's shield, too. Did she steal it from him? Is that why Cap was so weird with Heather?"

Re: In a makeshift bunker, some distance from the fight...

[hulksmashed.livejournal.com]

"No," Samson answers.

"He would have been a lot louder and used a hell of a lot more profanity."

[spidey2099.livejournal.com]

As Morph flies them over the desert plains to get closer to the commotion, Spider-Man uses his accelerated vision to catch sight of the Hulk and Sarah.

"Down there... shock, where are these Avenger people? She's fighting that thing alone!"

[marvel-cosmic.livejournal.com]

"We are here, and you will release Captain America now!"

A bald woman floats in front of them, and releases a strong mind-shock towards Nocturne, attempting to drive her out...

[bub-snikt.livejournal.com]

... while at the same time, telekinetically launching Wolverine at the makeshift platform Morph has created.

"Ya shoulda gone home, kids... now it's gonna hurt."

[uneasy-rider.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, the girl skeleton on the bike is acting purely on instinct. First, dropping off her blue passanger in firing range, and second gunning for the bald woman who feel wrong here.

[stark-inc.livejournal.com]

"Moondragon!" Iron Man calls out with a warning. If she goes down there might not be enough plan here to adjust. Damn these people anyway!

[house-of-mystiq.livejournal.com]

Oh, crap.

She lets herself stare for a second. James. I just had to kill you. Not another one. Not yet.

At least the costume is an embarassment. She'll be doing him a favor. Really.

Pistols out. She may be useless against The Hulk, but at least she can pick off some of the hangers-on. Wrestlemania better be right this time. If it turns out they're not here to protect the Hulk, she'll make sure he lives long enough to hear her scorn.

[hulksmashed.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, the Hulk is free to be pounded by the Hulkbusters while the Avengers are occupying all the interlopers, and gradually, his direction is being changed, as he keeps getting knocked around and spun... but he never falls.

[hulksmashed.livejournal.com]

"Bi-Beast! Flank left! Box, flank right! Samson! Do your job!"

[bi-beast.livejournal.com]

A massive three fingered fist slams into the Hulk's shoulder, aiming to keep it from turning back to the bright lights of the city.

"Banner's will is our command, Skull-Brother!"

[spidey2099.livejournal.com]

"Oh, god..." Spidey says as he watches helplessly from a distance too far to cover.

"I... really hope we didn't just botch this..."

[rogue-starsr.livejournal.com]

Sarah watches from a crater made of Hulk-throw impact zone, and Iron Man twin-linked heavy repulsors. "Oh... no." she manages, before her heads drops into the dirt and the world starts to fade.

[wwii-hero.livejournal.com]

As she begins to fall, Patriot catches her.

"You okay, girl?"

[cap-a.livejournal.com]

Captain America begins to stir.

"...Wha?"

[wwii-hero.livejournal.com]

Patriot pushes his way past the Captain's allies and grabs his lapels, lifting him to his feet.

"Are you happy now, you bastard?" He turns Cap to see the body of Bruce Banner lying in the crater. "Just one more senseless death you've added to this uniform... a uniform you have no right to wear."

[cap-a.livejournal.com]

Captain America breaks the grip Patriot holds on him. "Quit your liberal whining," he snorts. "Captain America is the real patriot... not some puffed up, washed out sidekick who couldn't even die in a blaze of glory like his partner. And a patriot obeys orders."

He glances at the body of Banner. "I'm sorry someone had to die, but he had to be killed."

[wwii-hero.livejournal.com]

Patriot casts a gaze over the assembled Exiles.

"Judging by the side you were fighting on, I'm assuming the magic bracelet said something about helping the Avengers East?" he asks them.

[spidey2099.livejournal.com]

Spider-Man levels his unreadable glare at this guy.

"It told us to 'Protect the Killer.' The fact that we're still here probably means we've screwed something up."

Really doesn't wanna be stuck here.

[wwii-hero.livejournal.com]

"Well, if you're lost... I'll have Reed or someone check out your story. If you're really from another dimension, you should have a dimensional resonance different from this world." He shrugs. "It's not much, but if your story checks out... we can put you up until you figure everything out."