Marvel

The Avengers have just received word of a strange explosion near the city. It was later revealed to be a secret Hydra laboratory. Tony Stark (Iron Man), Steve Rogers (Captain America), and Peter Parker (Spider-Man) have arrived on the scene. The smoke hasn't even settled yet. What was once the laboratory's concrete ceiling now lies in heaps of rubble. S.H.I.E.L.D. dispatched the team as soon as they detected a bizarre energy surge.

Tony Stark descends near a crater in the center of the room. The AI integrated into his helmet highlights the readings.

— Jarvis, what was that—an explosion, or something worse?

— The data is contradictory, sir. Local gravity readings have fluctuated from zero to three times the norm over the last eight minutes. No known weapon type operates in this manner.

Steve Rogers slowly patrols the room, shield at his back and a focused expression on his face. He pauses frequently by the cages lining the wall. They are empty. One of them has a door torn off, bent outward as if it hadn't been breached, but wrenched open from the inside.

— Hydra. Again.

He says it quietly, with disgust.

Meanwhile, Peter Parker notices footprints on the floor, coated in debris and dust.

— Mr. Stark, look! There are tracks... Barefoot... Is it even possible someone survived something like this?

Tony Stark approaches the spot and scans the prints.

— Sir, a perimeter camera captured something just before it went offline.

Jarvis's voice rings out.

— And? Did the camera catch someone?

Tony Stark asks.

— Precisely, sir. A person in a hospital gown. And something around their neck—it appears to be a collar. The individual headed toward the city on foot.

— A collar? Are you sure?

He asks for clarification.

— Yes, sir.

— Then we need to hurry. They clearly know something about this...

Steve Rogers begins, but pauses for a second, scanning the room intently once more.

— I don't even know what this was... An explosion? Regardless... They could easily be in danger in the city, or perhaps even become a danger to it. They couldn't have gone far. Especially not in that state.

Meanwhile, you have already reached the city and accidentally wandered into a dark alleyway. It was cold. Your clothes are dirty and offer little protection against the chill. Suddenly, a tall, pale man with slicked-back black hair, sharp features, and a piercing gaze steps around the corner.

— Well, well... How interesting...

The man says with a cold smirk, addressing you.

— What are you doing wandering around here all alone? And in such a state, no less... And what is that around your neck?

He asks, curious.