Chapter 28: Unveiling the Shadows: A Flashback of Heroes' Encounters

Harlem, New York

As the dust settled from the intense battle with the Hand and the Ten Rings fighters, the Defenders group found themselves surrounded by Wolverine and the X-Men, along with a few Avengers members who had arrived on the scene. Tensions ran high as questions and accusations were thrown around like daggers.

Shang-Chi, still reeling from the shock of Death Dealer's sudden arrival and the disappearance of Blake's body, desperately searched for answers. However, before he could make any headway, Iron Fist, a fellow Defender, stopped him, demanding to know who Shang-Chi truly was and what his connection was to the enemy.

Meanwhile, Luke Cage, known for his unyielding demeanor, stood his ground against the Avengers and X-Men, refusing to explain himself. Wolverine, with his claws slowly unsheathing, sensed something different about Luke Cage and questioned him about his mutant-like scent.

Tensions continued to escalate until Iron Man, descending from the sky, intervened to calm the situation. He urged everyone to get along and not resort to violence. Logan, unimpressed, threatened to peel Iron Man out of his suit if he didn't stay out of it. Storm, with her calming presence, stepped forward to ease the tension and mediate the situation.

However, Jessica Jones, never one to hold back, pointed out the hypocrisy of the Avengers and X-Men, who seemed to appear only when something big happens, like when the power blast occurred leaving the Defenders to battle the Hand alone in the shadows. She reminded them of the countless lives lost and the families torn apart by the Hand's ruthless assassinations.

Shang-Chi, frustrated by the arguing, shouted above the fray, drawing their attention. He warned them about the true threat they were facing: The Mandarin. He revealed that the Hand was merely a faction under the control of this dangerous adversary, whose capabilities far surpassed anything they had encountered before.

Iron Man was taken aback upon hearing the name "The Mandarin." He questioned if the villain was still alive, as he had believed him to be dead. Shang-Chi confirmed that The Mandarin was very much alive and that his presence made the situation much more dangerous and complicated.

Jessica Jones demanded to know how Shang-Chi was familiar with The Mandarin. In response, Shang-Chi began to recount a chilling flashback from his past, a series of encounters that revealed the depth of The Mandarin's malevolence and power.

As he recounted his story, the heroes listened in silence, realizing that the battle they thought they were fighting was merely a shadow of the true darkness that lay ahead. The time for unity and cooperation had come, for The Mandarin's threat loomed over them all, and the shadows of betrayal and secrecy had to be unveiled if they were to stand a chance against this formidable foe.