Hive had quickly identified the obstacle to his dominion the so-called Superman.
"I’ve gathered Inhumans for you, my Lord," Gideon said, bowing deeply. "You can bend them to your will and reclaim your title as king."
Hive’s gaze swept over him coldly. "Are you giving me orders?"
"N-no... of course not."
"I’ll do as I please," Hive said, stepping forward. "Let’s move. I want the Inhumans brought before me. And summon what’s left of Hydra."
He turned, voice rising with imperial arrogance.
"I’ve returned. Hydra is mine now. And soon, Earth will kneel."
Kaecilius remained silent at the side, watching Hive posture like some ancient warlord. It was almost amusing.
The creature clearly hadn’t adjusted to the modern battlefield or the new gods who walked it.
Even with a horde of Inhumans, Hive had no idea what kind of world he’d returned to.
Gideon nodded, motioning for his daughter, Spence, to bring in the captured Inhumans.
Sirens blared through the estate. One of the monitors blinked to life. Security feeds showed someone breaching the perimeter.
Daisy Johnson. Quake.
"Damn it!" Gideon cursed. "They found us already?! That damn Superman!"
If it weren’t for Nolan leaking the truth about the Malick family’s ties to Hydra’s inner circle, S.H.I.E.L.D. would never have moved this fast. Gideon’s carefully crafted veil of plausible deniability had evaporated overnight.
And now, the blade was at his throat.
"We’re out of time," Kaecilius said calmly. "Others are coming."
Hive narrowed his eyes. "You presume to command me?"
Kaecilius didn’t even look his way. "I’m warning you."
Hive said nothing but noted it.
Daisy led the charge.
A wave of concussive force burst from her palms, sending Hydra’s guards flying.
Gunfire erupted. May ducked behind a pillar and barked out orders: "Daisy, Lincoln draw their fire. We’ll flank."
Daisy darted forward, unleashing seismic blasts that shredded the forward line. Even the modified Hydra soldiers couldn’t withstand it.
Blades flashed from nowhere. Ninja silhouettes surged into view.
"The Hand?" Daisy muttered, barely dodging a sword slash. "They’re working with Hydra now?!"
Lincoln crackled with electricity, deflecting an incoming strike. "Guess it’s a crossover episode."
Daisy unleashed another pulse, scattering the ninjas like bowling pins.
Then—a beam of gray energy ripped through the air, headed straight for her.
A red-white-blue blur intercepted the blast. Steve Rogers staggered, shield smoking.
"That... was new," he muttered, brushing off stone-like dust. "It tried to petrify me."
More figures emerged from the estate.
One after another—Inhumans.
Some had wings. Others radiated fire. One bore glowing eyes filled with malice.
"For the King!" one roared.
Steve tightened his grip on the shield. "Yup. Hive’s back."
From the clouds, Iron Man dropped in.
"Okay, I officially hate everything about today," Tony quipped, surveying the enemy numbers. "That’s not a squad—that’s an Inhuman army."
Fire met repulsor blasts. Lightning met stone. Vibranium met claw and flame.
The courtyard became a warzone.
"Where’s the king bug?" Steve grunted, deflecting another strike.
And then they saw him.
A lone figure walked forward, slow and regal. Tentacles coiled from his head like a living crown.
He didn’t shout. Didn’t posture.
He just stood there—silent—and yet every Inhuman seemed to bow with their eyes.
Tony narrowed his gaze. "That’s Hive? Man’s got a face only a parasite could love."
"KILL HIM," he ordered.
A storm of powers flew at Iron Man—flame, wind, petrification, plasma.
The Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. scrambled to hold the line.
Tony fired. Cap shield-bashed. Daisy screamed as another quake wave knocked enemies into the wall.
"Hold the line!" Rogers yelled.
A golden shockwave slammed into the battlefield.
Cracks split the earth. Dust flared into the sky.
From above, a figure descended like a comet, cape rippling, eyes glowing faintly.
Superman had arrived.
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