Ben studied the glowing holographic screen before him. "Vision has also joined the Avengers," he said, nodding slightly as Vision's image appeared among the ranks of heroes.
In the corner, Black Widow's profile blinked as "Pending." In Universe 8096, she was the last recruit yet to be fully confirmed.
Bruce furrowed his brow, leaning forward. "Vision? I didn't know he was part of the team. What does that mean for us?"
Ben, his tone calm and confident, replied without hesitation. "Since I have Ultron's data... I know Vision too. They're connected. He was supposed to be Ultron's perfect evolution—but he chose a different path."
Bruce paused, eyes narrowing in thought. "So you think he can be trusted?"
Ben looked up, voice firm. "He chose to be more than what Ultron made him. That says something."
The conversation stuck with Bruce long after they said goodbye. As he stepped outside into the city streets, a brief sense of peace washed over him. For once, he felt like he could live freely.
But that feeling didn't last.
The moment Bruce turned the corner, he stopped cold. Thunderbolt Ross stood in front of him, flanked by members of the Avengers. Behind them, smoke still curled from the ruins of a demolished city block.
"You did this, Banner," Ross growled, pointing. "You lost control."
Bruce's eyes widened. "No! I didn't do this—I swear!"
But no one moved. The tension snapped like a wire. Red Hulk lunged first.
The battle erupted with force. Hulk fought back, desperate to defend himself without hurting the people he once called allies. As the dust swirled and the city shook under their blows, Red Hulk grinned—too wide, too confident.
Then, in a stunning moment, Red Hulk stepped back and shouted, "You want the truth?! I am Ross!"
Gasps rippled through the Avengers.
"You set this up?" Captain America asked, stunned.
Ross smirked. "I needed the world to see the Hulk as a monster. And I had the power to make it happen."
But his triumph was short-lived. Now aware of the deception, the Avengers turned on him. Together, they overpowered Ross and brought the truth to light. The battle ended, the city left in ruins—but the truth had emerged.
As Ross was led away in cuffs, Stark muttered, "All that power, and still couldn't win without lying."
Bruce stood before the Avengers, his expression heavy with disappointment. "I would've helped all of you. But no one even gave me a chance to explain," he said, his voice steady but pained. "If this is what being an Avenger means... maybe it's not where I belong."
The room fell into silence. No one dared speak, their guilt hanging in the air.
Captain America stepped forward. "Bruce, we made a mistake. We let fear guide us instead of trust."
Bruce shook his head gently. "Sometimes an apology isn't enough, Steve. I need time... and space."
He turned and walked away, each step marking his quiet exit from the team that had once been his family.
**
Bruce wasn't running from responsibility—he was searching for something deeper. Inspired by Ben, whose holographic messages had emphasized living life to the fullest, Bruce began a journey across the world.
He explored, helped people quietly, and sought inner peace beyond the chaos of battles and mistrust.
Back at the Avengers Tower, the remaining team members grappled with regret.
"We should've had his back," Wasp muttered, clenching her fists. "We all know Bruce would never hurt innocents."
Thor placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Even gods make mistakes. But we must atone for them with action."
**
Meanwhile, Ben watched their missions unfold from a distance, his own connection to the multiverse giving him a unique view. Though not in the field, he found joy in their courage and sacrifice. "They're not perfect," he said to himself, "but when they stand united, they shine."
**
Elsewhere, at Hank Pym's lab, Wasp and Iron Man were engaged in a tense conversation with the elusive scientist.
"Hank, we need you back," Tony urged. "Ultron's legacy isn't yours to carry alone."
Hank shook his head, barely looking up from his workstation. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I can't face the team… not after what Ultron became."
Janet stepped forward, her voice soft. "You don't have to face it alone. We can rebuild. Together."
But Hank didn't respond. His mind was elsewhere—haunted, restless.
Defeated, Wasp and Iron Man left the lab. Moments later, a thunderous explosion shattered the silence.
They rushed back inside, only to find the lab in ruins and Hank's broken goggles among the wreckage.
"No…" Janet whispered, falling to her knees. "Not like this…"
**
At the funeral, Tony stood at the podium, somber and reflective. "Hank Pym was more than a genius. He was our friend… and a hero who deserved better."
Cap embraced Jan gently, offering silent support as she wiped away her tears.
But the moment of mourning was pierced by a new storm—Nick Fury approached them, his tone grave.
"The explosion wasn't an accident," he said. "Hank Pym was murdered."
Stunned, Tony asked, "By who?"
Fury handed over a classified file. "We have one lead—he'd been tracking the Serpent Society before his death. It's time we finish what he started."
Following the trail of Black Panther, perched across from the Serpent Society's hidden safehouse, Black Panther adjusted his visor. "They're making a move tonight. Keep your eyes sharp, Steve."
Captain America nodded. "Let's hope we get answers."
Just then, a blur zipped across the alley. A figure in a gold and black suit tackled one of the Serpent members, sending him crashing through crates.
"What the—?" Steve muttered, tightening his grip on his shield.
The intruder fought with ruthless precision, darting in and out of sight. A name echoed through the shadows as another Serpent thug screamed, "It's Yellowjacket!"
Before they could intervene, the vigilante launched another strike—fast, efficient, and brutal.
"Hold it!" Wasp shouted, descending swiftly. Her voice cracked with disbelief. "That fighting style… No. It can't be…"
She landed between Yellowjacket and the Serpent member, holding up her hands. "Hank? Is that you?"
Yellowjacket froze for a moment, his mask obscuring his expression. "Hank Pym is gone. This world didn't want him. Maybe it'll listen to Yellowjacket."
Captain America stepped forward cautiously. "If that's really you, Hank, we need to talk—"
But Yellowjacket vanished into the night, leaving only confusion in his wake.
Ben, watching from the monitors, leaned back. "So, Ant-Man trades in ants for yellow jackets and a bad attitude. Looks like the Avengers just got more complicated."
Later Ultron also awoke.
---
Later that week, disaster struck.
A strange crimson gas spread through the city, warping civilians into monstrous red beings. The Avengers mobilized, but one by one, they too succumbed—except for Thor and Tony, shielded by their unique physiology and tech.
Tony sprinted through his lab, surrounded by blaring alarms. "Jarvis, scan the molecular breakdown. I need an antidote—fast."
"Assembling compound variations now," the AI replied.
Meanwhile, Captain America was captured during the chaos. When he awoke, it was face-to-face with a ghost from his past: the Winter Soldier.
"You?" Steve rasped, bound to a metal chair.
"Orders are orders," Bucky replied coldly, but there was hesitation in his eyes.
Behind the scenes, the truth came to light. The Secretary of Defense, Dusk—praised as a national hero—was in fact Red Skull in disguise.
Winter Soldier turned, gun pointed at his so-called superior. "I served my country. I won't serve a monster."
He freed Steve, and together, they exposed Red Skull's plan, broadcasting his confession to the world.
….
At his mansion, Ben shook his head. "Red Skull infiltrating the U.S. government… and no one noticed."
"So, their team is growing," Ben commented.
"But, this Universe is getting boring. I think I need to leave this universe for the next one," he thought, then he decided, "Unless something interesting happens in the next few days, I will leave this universe."
The Avengers, Thor, Wasp, Ms. Marvel, and Captain America, walked down the metallic corridor of Prison 42, flanking a restrained Whirlwind. The villain grumbled under his breath but didn't resist.
"We've had enough of your storms for one day," Ms. Marvel muttered, shoving him forward.
As they reached the reinforced cell, the lights flickered ominously.
"That's the third time today," Captain America noted, glancing up. "This place isn't supposed to glitch."
After locking Whirlwind in his cell, they were greeted by Clay Quartermain, his brow furrowed.
"Avengers," Clay said with urgency, "we've got a problem. The power grid's unstable, and more importantly… we've lost all external sensors."
"What?" Wasp asked, eyes wide. "How do you lose all of them?"
"No idea. But I picked up some strange blips on the Mandroid sensors. Things that shouldn't be there."
Captain America turned to Ms. Marvel. "Let's check it out."
---
Following Quartermain, Cap and Ms. Marvel headed toward the main conduit.
"This damage... it wasn't sabotage," Cap said, examining the mangled metal. "Something tore through this."
Meanwhile, a shrill scream echoed down the corridor. Thor and Wasp exchanged a glance before darting toward the sound.
They arrived just in time to see a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent collapse, bloodied and dazed.
"A creature… it wasn't human," the agent gasped. "It ripped through the control room!"
Thor's jaw clenched. "By Odin's beard... something is hunting in here."
Moments later, a skittering sound filled the air. Without warning, a swarm of insectoid creatures poured in through the ventilation shafts.
"Get back!" Ms. Marvel shouted, blasting one mid-air. Thor's hammer sang as it crushed several in a single swing.
The swarm pressed in—relentless and unidentifiable. Whatever had invaded Prison 42, it wasn't from Earth.
---
In the aftermath of the first wave, the Avengers worked to restore sensor functionality. The screen lit up—and what they saw froze the room.
A massive swarm surrounded the prison, an ocean of writhing bugs in every direction.
"We're under siege," Quartermain said grimly.
Captain America stood tall. "We destroy the gateway. If they get out... Earth's done."
"But we're outnumbered," Wasp said. "Even with the Avengers—"
"We're not alone," Cap interrupted, eyes narrowing. "We've got inmates."
---
Under Cap's direction, a defense force was hastily formed. From the high-security cells emerged a ragtag lineup: The Leader, AIM drones, Blizzard, Whirlwind, Executioner, Radioactive Man, Absorbing Man, Captain Marvel, and even the monstrous Abomination.
"You really expect us to fight with these guys?" Ms. Marvel asked.
"We don't have a choice," Cap replied. "They want to live too."
Wasp, Radioactive Man, and Absorbing Man were placed in reserve. Meanwhile, Ms. Marvel and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents fortified the control room.
"They're coming," one agent said. "Fast."
The bugs hit hard.
Out of the swarm rose Annihilus, his chitinous form towering above the rest, clutching a glowing wand.
With a roar, he commanded the swarm forward.
Blasts lit the hallway. AIM drones were the first to fall, disintegrated by the insects. Blizzard screamed as they overwhelmed him. The Abomination, surprisingly noble, hoisted the injured Leader onto his back and retreated.
"We hold!" Captain America shouted. "No one gets through!"
Pushed back to the cell block, the defenders made their last stand. Wasp, Radioactive Man, and Absorbing Man unleashed everything they had to cover the retreat.
Inside, Captain America pointed to the upper balcony. "You, you, and you—secure the control room. Abomination, take the Leader with you."
In the chaos, Annihilus stormed into view again, shrugging off attacks.
"He's not going down," Ms. Marvel gasped. "Nothing's working!"
…
"I still have to go. Carol needs me," Ben said firmly, his eyes glowing with resolve.
With the urgency, Ben used the powers of Big Chill and soared through the air, phasing effortlessly through the prison's dimensional gateway. The swirling vortex of energy didn't even slow him down.
Inside, chaos had taken hold.
Swarms of alien insects crawled over every surface, overwhelming defenders. Explosions and panicked shouts echoed through the labyrinthine prison. The Avengers were locked in a brutal fight against Annihilus, the insectoid warlord, whose control wand pulsed with dark energy.
In the control center, Captain America barked orders while coordinating with S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, the Abomination, and the Leader. Odd as the alliance was, survival came first.
Ben arrived silently above the battlefield, observing the struggle. "Annihilus isn't going down with brute force. I need to think differently," he muttered.
He descended—his sudden appearance turning heads.
Captain America narrowed his eyes. "We don't need your help, not after what happened with the Skrull."
Ben didn't flinch. "I'm not here for you. I'm here for Carol. And I'm ending this."
Without waiting for approval, Ben exhaled a freezing blast—his signature Icy Breath. A shimmering frost wrapped around Annihilus, phasing into his body and locking him in place. The insect overlord froze mid-roar, entombed in solid ice.
"Problem solved," Ben said casually, floating down to Carol, who ran into his arms without hesitation.
Moments later, Ben and Carol vanished through a portal, leaving the stunned Avengers behind.
Thor broke the silence with a grin. "Well… he did save the day. Should we celebrate?"
Captain America sighed. "Alright. But keep Annihilus and that wand locked up tight."
The Avengers secured the prisoners and began repairs. Despite the damage, there were no casualties—a rare win. Captain America greeted the incoming S.H.I.E.L.D. reinforcements with a steady hand.
"Welcome to 42," he said. "You've got a hell of a shift ahead of you."
---
Later rhat night, at Ben's Mansion, the stars outside shimmered as Ben and Carol stood on the balcony, arms around each other.
"There's something I need to tell you," Ben began. "I'm a Multiverse Traveler. I'm leaving this universe soon."
Carol blinked. "Multiverse? Like… other versions of reality?"
Ben nodded. "Exactly. Infinite worlds. Infinite possibilities. But it has to stay secret—for your safety."
"I understand," Carol said softly. "So… are you asking me to come with you?"
"I am," Ben replied, gently taking her hand. "But only if you're ready."
Carol hesitated, then smiled faintly. "I want to… just not yet. There's still work for me here."
Ben conjured a small, glowing device and handed it to her. "This links to me—tied to my DNA. If you ever want to find me, activate it, and the portal will bring you straight to me."
Carol held it close. "Thank you."
They shared one last quiet night together—full of warmth, laughter, and bittersweet love.
---
Elsewhere – Earth Begins to Shift
As Ben prepared to depart Universe 8096, something stirred. A strange, stone-like material began to spread across the globe—emerging from four distinct locations. One of them… dangerously close to Stark Tower.
The Avengers, unaware of this new anomaly, returned to base—unaware of the storm looming on the horizon.