MARVEL: TOAA

"The Avengers failed, and we fell apart. All I want is to return to my little home and see my children. These people lack conviction—they won't go far," Hawkeye muttered, taking out a worn family photo from his pocket. It showed his wife and three children, his sole reason for holding on in these grim times.

For Hawkeye, the heroes had already lost their way. When Tony Stark and Thor left, they abandoned more than just their comrades—they abandoned their purpose. Now, any semblance of glory was long gone.

Natasha, regaining her composure, said, "I want to help them, but what they've done is horrifying."

"Human nature has never withstood the test of survival," John said, breaking the tense silence. He was weak but lucid. "Ravion warned you about this, but you chose not to listen."

"John, you're awake!" Reina's anxious face finally softened into a smile as she hovered protectively near him.

John offered a faint smile. "Don't worry, Reina. Ravion and I will handle everything." His voice carried a confidence that belied his small, fragile frame.

Captain America interjected, "How can a hero turn a blind eye to disaster?"

John tilted his head and replied, "Heroes don't get drunk and beat innocents to death. Your team had the strength to escape the void. Tony Stark's ingenuity would have found a way, but now he's gone. Without him, your hope is gone."

Since the Hulk's death, the Avengers' unity had fractured beyond repair.

Pausing, John continued, "Have you ever heard the Eastern poem: Hibiscus texture is cooked with fragrance; milk is used as wontons, and people compete to taste it?"

Captain America frowned slightly, confused. John elaborated, "When people are starving, women and children often become the first... sacrifices."

"Ugh." Natasha stumbled to a corner, vomiting as the grim realization struck her. Her mind flashed back to the atrocities she had witnessed—a gory testament to humanity's darkest impulses.

"What's wrong with Natasha?" Reina asked innocently.

"She just remembered something unpleasant," John said gently, not wanting to burden her with the horrifying truth.

Captain America and Hawkeye exchanged glances. John's grim words hung heavily in the air. Captain America's unwavering belief in redemption compelled him to speak. "I won't give up. No matter how dire the situation, everyone deserves a chance."

John studied the man for a moment before muttering, "You're like an Eastern monk—a bald one at that—but your determination is admirable."

Captain America, confused but sensing the compliment, responded with a simple, "Thank you."

"Bang."

The room shook as Ravion teleported back into the shelter. His piercing red eyes immediately scanned the area. He saw the "refugees" greedily devouring food they had no right to.

The sight of them—people he had risked himself to save—gnawing like animals ignited a deep anger in him. Their fear of his power barely contained their desperation. Even the children, whom he had protected before, now cowered behind the adults, their eyes filled with mistrust and resentment.

Ravion didn't need telepathy to understand their thoughts—bitterness and curses aimed at him for simply existing. His face hardened, but a soft voice broke through his rage.

"Ravion, don't mind them. They're just desperate moths drawn to a flame," John murmured.

Ravion strode into the conference room, his towering presence silencing everyone. Reina ran to him immediately, clinging to his side.

"You were brave, Reina," Ravion said, his voice softening as he knelt to pat her head. "You protected John and his food. I'm proud of you."

Reina beamed under his praise, nodding eagerly.

Captain America stepped forward cautiously. "Thank you for helping us... and I'm sorry about the food."

"You don't need to apologize for them. I won't accept your apology anyway." Ravion's tone was cold, his trust in Steve already eroded.

Without his Stark-designed mental shielding device, Steve's inner thoughts were laid bare. Ravion could see Steve's desperation—his hope that Ravion would protect these broken people. But Ravion had already made his decision.

John spoke, breaking the tension. "This shelter can be yours. Ravion will take us elsewhere to find safety. We don't belong here anymore."

From the moment Stark and Thor had barged into their sanctuary, John had known it was only a matter of time before they would need to leave. Their presence had disrupted the delicate balance, and now even the sanctuary felt unsafe.

John explained, "Reina and I don't have the power to protect ourselves. No matter how strong Ravion is, there will always be situations he can't handle alone. We need a place where we can grow stronger safely."

Ravion silently agreed, though his expression betrayed his frustration.

Suddenly, the ground began to shake rhythmically. Heavy, measured thuds echoed closer.

"Enemy attack!" Ravion's telepathic abilities instantly alerted him to the presence of danger. He moved swiftly, shielding Reina and John beneath him as the tremors grew louder.

"Boom!"

The roof of the shelter was ripped away as massive metal fingers tore into the ground. Captain America rushed to the entrance, his face hardening as the enemy came into view.

A colossal robot in the shape of an ape loomed above them. Its metallic form gleamed menacingly in the dim light, its eyes—one large, one small—glowing with eerie energy. Through the glass viewport in its head, a crew of strange apes could be seen in the control room.

At the center of the control room sat a massive green gorilla, its neck adorned with bone-like chains made of skulls. Beside him stood a golden-furred ape wielding a hammer and a mandrill in a sleek, steel suit.

"Hahaha! Found you!" the green gorilla roared. His voice reverberated like thunder. "Ape Avengers, move out!"

The giant robot's mouth opened, and apes of various shapes and sizes leaped out, each equipped with bizarre armor and weapons. Thirteen of them landed in the ruined shelter.

Two of the apes, both humanoid in appearance, stopped in front of the conference room. One had mechanical wings and a round shield; the other wielded a bow and arrow.

The winged ape smirked at Steve. "You must be Captain America."

The other ape, armed with a bow, pointed it at Clint Barton. "And you must be my human counterpart. You look so... weak."

Clint gritted his teeth, drawing his own bow in response. "Try me."

The battle for survival was about to begin.