The unexpected heros

Cole stood in the center of the room, his expression serious as he addressed the group. "If we're going to survive in the MCU and make any real impact, we need money, influence, and allies. Without those, we're just sitting ducks in a world full of gods, monsters, and organizations that could squash us without a second thought."

Sage, leaning against a bookshelf with her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "And how do you suggest we start acquiring all that?"

Cole turned to her, his tone confident. "That's where you come in, Sage—sorry, Jessica." He paused. "Actually, what do you want us to call you? Sage or Jessica?"

Jessica's expression softened slightly, though her posture remained composed. "In this world, I'm Jessica Bradley. That's my real name, and I'd prefer if you call Bradley or just Jessica. 'Sage' can stay in the past."

Cole nodded respectfully. "Jessica it is."

With that settled, he continued, "Your role as a consultant for advanced technologies puts you in a unique position to help us gain influence and resources. If you can leverage your knowledge and connections in this world, we'll have a foundation to work from."

Jessica nodded thoughtfully, her demeanor calm and composed. "Fair enough. I'll see what I can do. Building influence and finding the right allies won't happen overnight, but I'll start laying the groundwork."

"Good," Cole said, turning back to the group. "As for allies, that's something I can help with. There are people in this world who could be useful to our cause. Some of them operate in the shadows, others right in the spotlight. Names like Daredevil, Spider-Man, and even The Punisher come to mind. They're unpredictable, but they fight for their own sense of justice."

Khalil tilted his head, intrigued. "And you think we can convince them to help us?"

"It won't be easy," Cole admitted. "Each of them has their own motivations and trust issues. But if we can present ourselves as allies—people with the same goal of protecting this world—we might stand a chance. At the very least, we'll know who's out there and what they're capable of."

Dean Fogg adjusted his glasses, chiming in with a measured tone. "Building relationships with such individuals is a calculated risk. They could either become valuable assets or dangerous obstacles, depending on how we approach them."

Cole nodded in agreement. "Exactly why we need to be smart about this. We observe, we learn, and we make our move when the time is right."

Jessica's lips curled into a faint smile. "Sounds ambitious. But then again, I've never been one to shy away from a challenge."

"Neither have I," Cole replied, his voice steady. "This is a long game. We don't need to rush, but we need to stay sharp. If we play our cards right, we'll not only survive—we'll thrive."

The group exchanged glances, a quiet determination settling over them. The plan was bold, but it was a start. Together, they were ready to carve out their place in this new, chaotic world.

While Jessica focused on securing money and influence, Cole dove into research online, piecing together where they stood in the MCU timeline. He leaned over a laptop, the glow of the screen reflecting his focused expression.

"Okay," Cole muttered, scrolling through articles and videos. "Spider-Man already active, Tony Stark's been Iron Man for a while, and here's the big one—Bruce Banner's accident already happened. That means the Hulk exists, and Emil Blonsky is probably not far behind." 

Dean Fogg, who had been skimming through a thick tome at the corner of the room, glanced up. "Why does that matter? Understanding where we are is important, yes, but the Hulk's story won't directly intersect with us. At least, not yet."

Cole tapped the edge of the laptop, a spark of an idea forming in his mind. "That's the thing. The Hulk's powers—gamma radiation and all that—they come from something deeper. The One Below All. That's not just science; it's supernatural. If we're looking for ways to give Aureon more power, what if we use someone like the Hulk?" 

Painkiller's voice echoed faintly in Khalil's mind. "Ambitious. I like where he's going with this."

Khalil, leaning against the wall, raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to get the Hulk to cooperate? He's not exactly the 'let's sit down and chat' type."

Cole grinned. "We don't need to go after the Hulk himself. Not yet, anyway. Emil Blonsky—Abomination—is the real target. He gets his powers from the Hulk's blood. If we intercept him, knock him out, and let Aureon work his magic, we might be able to siphon enough of that energy to boost Aureon."

Dean adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "It's a bold plan. Draining power from Abomination, assuming it even works, will be extremely dangerous."

"I know," Cole said, his tone steady. "But Aureon already confirmed it. He said as much in my head. As long as we can render Blonsky unconscious and I get close enough to touch him, Aureon can do the rest."

Jessica, still typing away at her computer in the corner, paused and looked up. "That's risky, but it has potential. Abomination will be a powerhouse once he gets that injection, so timing will be everything. We'll need to act fast—before he fully understands his own strength."

Cole leaned forward, his voice calm yet determined. "Exactly. When the Hulk eventually comes to New York to fight Abomination, we'll make our move. We wait until Hulk finishes the fight and Abomination is unconscious. Then, we step in and take him."

Jessica raised an eyebrow, her tone analytical. "Take him? And then what? We can't exactly drag him through the streets unnoticed."

"We'll need somewhere secure," Cole continued. "A place tough enough to hold him until we're ready. And we'll have to figure out how to teleport him there without anyone noticing."

Dean Fogg stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Teleportation could be arranged, but it would require significant preparation. I'll need to research what magical resources this world offers and see if they're compatible with our needs."

Jessica crossed her arms. "And what happens after? Holding someone like Abomination is one thing, but controlling the situation is another. This will draw attention—big attention. S.H.I.E.L.D., the military, maybe even Hydra."

Cole nodded, acknowledging her point. "You're right. That's why timing is everything. We can't afford to fumble this. Aureon needs to be ready, and we need to act fast."

Khalil spoke up, his voice steady but firm. "And if something goes wrong? We'll need a plan B—a way out if things get messy."

"Agreed," Cole said. "We'll work on contingencies. But if we pull this off, Aureon gets the power he needs, and we get one step closer to leveling the playing field."

Jessica exhaled slowly, her sharp eyes locking onto Cole. "It's a gamble. But if we plan this right, it might just work."

Khalil leaned back in his seat, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Guess we're going to be playing babysitter to a giant rage monster. Can't wait."

Cole leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the room as he spoke. "If we're going to contain someone like Abomination, we need a proper base—secure, spacious, and isolated. A regular safe house won't cut it."

Jessica crossed her arms, her tone practical. "Agreed. We'll need to scout for a warehouse or industrial facility—something sturdy enough to hold him and remote enough to avoid drawing attention."

Dean Fogg adjusted his glasses, considering the logistics. "It can't just be any warehouse. It needs to be discreet and off the radar. Something we can reinforce, both physically and magically, to ensure no one stumbles onto it."

Khalil folded his arms, leaning against the wall. "And it needs to be ready before we make our move. We can't risk handling Abomination without a secure location."

Cole nodded, his expression serious. "Once we have him contained, Aureon can siphon his gamma radiation through me. He's not coming here physically, so I'll be the conduit."

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "That's risky. You're saying the power will pass through you?"

Cole met her gaze, his tone steady. "Yes. Aureon said it'll work as long as Abomination is unconscious and I'm in direct contact with him. The base is critical because this process will take time, and we need to keep him subdued."

Jessica sighed but nodded. "Then we can't cut corners on this base. I'll start scouting locations tonight. Once we find the right place, I'll handle the logistics to secure it."

Dean Fogg inclined his head in agreement. "I'll prepare magical barriers to ensure containment and keep others from detecting what we're doing."

Khalil glanced at Cole. "And what happens if something goes wrong during this siphoning process?"

Cole's expression hardened. "Then we deal with it, whatever it takes. But Aureon seems confident it will work, and for now, that's what we have to go on."

Jessica smirked faintly, a touch of her confidence showing. "We'll find the right place. I'll make sure of it."

Cole stood, signaling the meeting's end. "Alright, we've got a plan. Let's stick to it. For now, rest up. Tomorrow, we start making this happen."

As the team dispersed, Cole and Jessica walked out together, heading in separate directions toward their respective apartments.

"You think we'll find the right place in time?" Cole asked as they reached the street.

Jessica glanced at him, her sharp eyes reflecting her determination. "We don't have a choice, so yes. Goodnight, Cole."

Cole gave her a small nod. "Goodnight, Jessica."

Meanwhile, Khalil stayed behind at Dean Fogg's place, his thoughts lingering on the risks they were taking. Painkiller's voice echoed faintly in his mind.

"Using yourself as a gamma siphon? Sounds like a recipe for disaster. I hope you're ready."

Khalil muttered aloud, "Cole is the one taking the risk this time, not us."

Dean, catching the comment, raised an eyebrow but didn't pry. "You're welcome to stay here tonight. Plenty of space and far quieter than wherever you've been."

Khalil gave a grateful nod. "Thanks. I think I'll take you up on that."

With the day's plans set in motion, the team took their separate paths for the night, each preparing for the challenges to come.