WHAT IF...? has taken you to many different worlds, and has allowed you to see many different possibilities, all of which spring from one universe: the Marvel Universe with which many of you are familiar--the Marvel Universe that has presented those possibilities for over thirty-five years. This tale of WHAT IF...? will allow you to explore that universe even further, and learn a possible truth to a missing year, as it asks the question...What if the Avengers never broke up?

Previously in THE AVENGERS: THE MISSING YEAR:

Teleporter Bethany Hallsworth agreed to join the Avengers, while the Black Widow and Jim Rhodes tricked Vault security into handing over Ulysses Klaw.

They think they can handle Ulysses Klaw? Heh. They think wrong.

All the Stark technology in the world couldn't keep me locked in this cell. The only reason I didn't blow that van to bits was because I was curious as to what the old Widow wanted with me. Now I know. She says she needs me for my connections to other "supervillains." She's using me, and that's fine. I'll play her game, for now, until it becomes inconvenient.

I'm going to play it smarter. It's all about strategy now. No more bank heists. No more working with two-bit hoods. No more terms in The Vault. And, first and foremost, no more Avengers!

"Uh, nice place, Mr. Rhodes," Beth said as her head skimmed one of the leaky overhead pipes of the cramped corridor.

Three miles off shore, in the Gulf of Mexico, sat a massive, unkempt ship that should have sunk long ago. Each time the water shifted under this complex, the floors shifted three times more; with every gust of wind, the boat's framework grew a little weaker. This was a dump. This was the Avengers' home.

"Are you kidding?!" Quasar exclaimed. "This place is trash! Um, no offense, Mr. Rhodes."

Jim Rhodes laughed. "None taken, kid. I knew when I purchased this tub that it would need a few renovations. But no one can accuse James Rhodes of not knowing hard work. Besides, I told Natasha that I could set us up in another mansion. It wouldn't have all the luxuries of Avengers Mansion, but-"

"-It would be on land," Beth muttered.

Hidden in the deep shadows of the corridor, the Black Widow's voice surprised her teammates. "I am well aware of the other arrangements we could have made, but none would have supplied the secrecy that this tanker can. As you claim, Jim, no one is currently on the ship, and no one is scheduled to come aboard for quite some time, right?"

Rhodes opened the door to the conference room. "That's right, Natasha. I wasn't even planning on stepping foot on the old girl for a few more months. My employees will be based on land for the time being."

All of the Avengers-Black Widow, Hercules, Quasar, Binary, Bethany Hallsworth, and Jim Rhodes-stepped into the dimly-lit room, which contained only a cold metal table and just enough chairs for this assemblage to sit in. The minimalist arrangement of the entire tanker made it clear that this was once a military vessel.

"Natasha, have you assembled us here to tell us of our mission?" Hercules asked. "I must admit to boredom. Even the skills of a warrior as revered as I can grow dull with time."

All at the table smiled. As long as Herc was there to lighten the mood, the Black Widow's grim attitude could not affect them. Even Natasha realized this. Still, her jagged demeanor was needed if the Avengers were going to succeed in thwarting Baron Zemo's sinister plan.

"You're in luck, Herc," Widow said. "The Avengers have just one more recruit before we can begin our assault on Zemo's scheme. Unfortunately, this recruit won't be delivered neatly into our hands like Klaw was. He also just happens to be one of the most powerful beings in the world."

Quasar rolled his eyes. "You can't be talking about who I think you're talking about."

Binary nodded. "Yeah, you better be talking about Stilt-Man!"

"I'm afraid not, Avengers," Widow replied. "We're going after the Hulk."

Meteorite, Mach-1, and Songbird streaked through the air, followed closely behind by the swift V-wing, holding Atlas, Techno, and the patriotic Citizen V. Collectively, this was the upstart superhero group known as the Thunderbolts-at the same time, they were the villainous Masters of Evil. Below them lay the bubbling swamps of Florida's Everglades. In this endlessly green area, how could they ever hope to find the jade giant known as the Hulk?

As Techno's eyes glanced over his infrared scanner, he asked, "Zemo, is this really necessary? The Hulk's no big deal. I mean, every now and then he ransacks a city or pesters the military, but so what! Must we go out of our way to find him here when there is plenty of good butt to kick back in New York? Besides, I was just getting used to our new digs in Four Freedoms Plaza."

Citizen V did not even bother to look at Techno when he spoke. His eyes remained forward, looking for anything that Techno's scanner might miss. "First, Techno, how often must you be told to never use our true names in public? Second, the reasons for our search are two-fold: to the public, we look more proactive, going after the menaces, and not letting them come to us; more importantly, the Hulk defeated us a few weeks ago, and I want vengeance."

Atlas slammed his fist into his palm. "I swear, that green goon isn't going to get the best of me this time."

Ping! Techno's eyes lit up as his scanner detected a large object to the west that had to be the Hulk. "Ze-uh, Citizen V, the scanner's found something. I'm adjusting the V-Wing accordingly. It's the Hulk-has to be."

Citizen V nodded. "Very good, Techno. Meteorite, we're changing course. You three should do so as well."

Techno's voice suddenly took a more discouraged tone. "A hundred meters and closing, but it looks like the Hulk might have some company already. My scanner's showing six other smaller forms near him, and a lot of different energy readings."

Just as Citizen V assumed that the scanner had read an armed military battalion, his eyes focused on one woman: the Black Widow. It had been two months since he had last seen her, since she had refused his offer to join the Thunderbolts. Oh, if she had only accepted, things would have been so much easier. In fact, the world would have already been his, after she had given him the codes to the Avengers' files, and had helped to ensure public trust.

But no time to dwell on what might have been-there may have been a threat to his scheme here and now, for gathered alongside the Widow were Hercules, Quasar, Binary, Klaw, and a young woman he had never seen before. Though he had never faced many of these foes directly before, he was well aware of their abilities, and, more importantly, their weaknesses. After all, it was his nature to know more than most-which was why he was most troubled at the inclusion of Klaw in this assemblage of former Avengers. He had no idea what role this fellow villain played, and that upset him. As the V-Wing drew closer to the battle, it became apparent that Klaw and the Hulk were somehow connected to each other, while the others were against them.

"Greetings Avengers! You've got assistance from the Thunderbolts!"

Once the Avengers determined the area where the Hulk was last scene by the public, Beth used her blinding teleportation powers to instantly transport the team to the Hulk's vicinity. Thanks to some contacts that Black Widow coerced Klaw to develop, Beth's blinding effects could not faze the Avengers.

Of course, that was fifteen minutes-and two broken ribs-ago. The Hulk broke through Quasar's Quantum Band constructs with ease. Binary's stellar energy blasts barely effected the powerful giant. Beth's power could only send her and the Hulk to another area, where he would do just as much damage. Klaw's sound blasts combined with Hercules' strength were the only advantage the Avengers had, but the Hulk eventually defeated the Prince of Power.

"If you want Banner, he's not here," the Hulk said. "The Hulk is all there is, and the Hulk wants to be left alone once and for all!"

As Black Widow recuperated from a swat from the goliath, she saw a most troubling sight with her blurry peripheral vision. A few hundred meters away, the Thunderbolts were coming.

Not now! Black Widow thought. It's too soon for Zemo to see us assembled like this. If he suspects that the Avengers have, in fact, regrouped, he may feel that we pose a threat to his sinister scheme. Right now, the element of surprise is all I have. If that's taken away, what happens?

In the midst of her concerns, she formed a plan.

"Klaw! The Hulk isn't your enemy any longer," she cried over the Hulk's roars, "Shoot me!"

Without asking why, Klaw smiled, took aim, and laughed. "Heh. Gladly." A buzz of sonar energy sent the Widow several feet backward, into the shallow murky swamp.

At the sight of this, Quasar stopped his futile attacks on the Hulk and asked, "Why'd he do that? Klaw's turning on us!" Quasar was ready to turn his Quantum Bands on Klaw, when-

"No Quasar!" Binary exclaimed. "Widow told him to do that! She's up to something. And looking over there, I see why."

The V-wing drew closer to the battle.

"Greetings Avengers! You've got assistance from the Thunderbolts!" Citizen V proclaimed. "Thunderbolts attack!"

At his command, Meteorite began firing blasts at Hulk, and Binary joined in. "Can't let you upstage me, Meteorite, is it?" Binary's assault was as furious as Meteorite's, but only for a time. Soon, her powers began to fade slightly. "What in the world? I didn't expect my blasts to do much to the Hulk, but this is ridiculous!"

"No problem, doll!" Atlas said. "I've faced the Hulk before, and he even beat me! That means it's payback time!"

Hercules looked at the charging Atlas with contempt, for this was the man that humiliated him so many years ago, when the Masters of Evil attacked Avengers Mansion. You speak of payback "Atlas," and one day I assure you that you will know the meaning of the word, by my fist! But not this day. To engage you in combat would imperil Natasha's plan, and I could never do such a thing to her. Thus, another day, "Atlas."

In the meantime, Songbird faced off against Klaw, sound-to-sound. Just as Mach-1 was prepared to assist Songbird, he received a fist to the face, courtesy of Beth.

"Not so fast, Rocket-Lad," Beth said through gritted teeth.

A few feet away, Black Widow looked on with intrigue. Beth's anger was genuine. Her sole reason for joining the Avengers was to make the Thunderbolts pay for their betrayal. Her chance was here, and the Widow hoped that Beth would not let her anger compromise the team's mission.

Beth put a fist into Mach-1's unarmored stomach, sending him to his knees. "Who are you?!" Mach-1 asked in pain.

"That's Limbo!" Black Widow said.

Beth caught on. "That's right, and Klaw and I intend to take the Hulk back to our...er...lair. And you can't stop us, V. Nor can you, Widow." She then took the charade one step further. "Klaw, get ready. We're getting out of here!"

"Whatever you say." With a flash of light, Beth, Klaw, and the Hulk were gone.

"Curses!" Citizen V said. "The combined might of the Avengers and the Thunderbolts should have been enough to defeat a two-bit hood and a teleporter!"

"You'll get them next time, Citizen," Black Widow assured. "As for the Avengers, I'm afraid there is no such thing."

"Oh?" Meteorite replied.

"That's right. Herc and I just happened to be in the area when we heard that the Hulk had gone on a rampage in a nearby city. Binary was vacationing in Miami, and Quasar was-"

"-Visiting an old Project: Pegasus buddy!" Quasar said, bailing the Widow out.

"I see," Citizen V nodded. "But some time back you said that you were reassembling the Avengers."

"Yes, well, things didn't go as well as planned," the Widow claimed. "Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, all the others, they were the heart of the Avengers. Without them, the team is destined to fail."

"Well the offer I made some months ago is still on the table," Citizen V said. "The Thunderbolts would be glad to have you."

Black Widow smiled at Zemo's persistence. "The thing about a Widow, Citizen V, is that she works best alone."

Black Widow, Hercules, Binary, and Quasar returned to the tanker via a Jim Rhodes-piloted biplane a few hours later. The team was savoring the downtime after their first successful mission as best they could on this disheveled tub.

Binary found Hercules in what passed for the kitchen, downing ale.

"I thought I'd find you here, Herc," she said as he poured a second glass.

"Aye. James keeps a lovely stock of ale on this vessel. A lovely stock of ladies, as well!"

Binary giggled and joined him at the table. "You flatter me. You mind if I ask you something?"

"Anything, Carol," Hercules said as he offered her a glass. With a slight hand gesture, she refused.

"You've dealt with decreased power levels, right? I mean, you had your strength cut in half."

Hercules took a sullen tone. "Indeed. My father, the almighty Zeus, saw fit to deprive me of my strength and my immortality. For that, I may never forgive him."

"Well, you see, today, when we were fighting the Hulk, I felt my power level drop quite a bit. It took me by surprise there. Still does. I guess what I'm asking is, should I tell the others?"

Hercules put his massive hand on Binary's back. "The choice is yours, but I will tell you this: Avengers do not keep secrets."

"Heh. This whole team is a secret," Binary acknowledged.

This statement seemed to trouble Hercules much more than it was meant to. "Aye, it is."

Binary rested her head on her hands. "I don't know, Herc. This whole power situation has me so confused."

The still somber Olympian poured her a glass. "This will ease your worries. Drink," he insisted.

Binary took the glass. "Well, if you say so." Like an amateur, she sipped the ale. That one taste invigorated her, and she downed the glass.

Black Widow entered Beth's quarters, where she saw the young woman sitting on the bed, hemming a red, wavy outfit.

"Good evening, 'Limbo.'" she said with a smile.

Beth looked up from her work with a grin. "I'm thinking about keeping that, actually. It sounds good."

Widow joined her at the foot of the bed. "I don't know why I bothered to change clothes. This leaky tanker has me about as wet as that swamp did." Both women laughed. "I admire your composure today," the Widow continued. "You could have gone off on the Thunderbolts. We all could have. But you didn't. You were brilliant. You were a real hero."

"Thank you," Beth replied. "I've got a good trainer." After a pause, Beth asked, "You know what you said to Zemo? That the Avengers are doomed to failure without Captain America and the rest?"

"Yes."

"Well, do you really think that's true? Do you think we can't make it without them?"

"Let's hope we can," the Widow replied.

NEXT ISSUE: You thought you read all the story in THUNDERBOLTS #3? Think again!