#pegging this beast of a man must be so satisfying
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Oh and then there's my wip that's just straight up pw/op about pegging Michael
PEGGING MICHAEL ??...!:@<@;
#ask me anything#omfg#listen#pegging wesker is easy#but Mikey???#i'm soooo curious to see gow you're gonna write it !!#pegging this beast of a man must be so satisfying#i want to
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Beyond Lovers || Chp. 13
{More Than Friends Sequel}
Chairman!Jaehyun AU x CEO!Reader AU
Summary: You find yourself falling deeper and deeper in love with the former CEO after overcoming your fear of love. Although there were rough patches, both of you are now stronger than ever. However, you realize that maintaining a relationship and a company at the same time can be very difficult, especially if someone is out to destroy the both of you.
Masterlist
{ Previous / Next }
Yuta gave you a death glare as you laughed at his current state. The two of you were in Osaka, surrounded by deers and tourists. You somehow convinced Yuta to feed the deer, but he ended up running the other way in fear as the deer dashed towards him. It’s been roughly two weeks since you came to Japan with Yuta and the more time you spent with him, the more he opened up to you. At first, he was the arrogant cousin and heir to the chairman of YG, but now, he was just Nakamoto Yuta.
Through this trip, you found out that he was more than just the “bad boy” CEO everyone pegged him for. Indeed, he was moody, but ultimately, he was just a misunderstood guy going through life’s challenges. One evening in Tokyo, while the two of you walked down a rather quiet street, he confessed his deepest secret to you. You were shocked to hear what he had to say, but this made you trust him even more. He tore his walls down and opened up to you. He told you he was actually adopted into the Ahn family because his father died when he was just five years old.
Looking back, you now realized why he disliked Emily so much. She was always privileged and sheltered her whole life, but Yuta had gone through so many struggles throughout his entire childhood. You resonated with him and felt much closer to him. At first, the two of you promised to help each other due to a shared interest in bringing Emily down, but now, it was much more than that. You both knew the pain of abandonment and loneliness. This was much more than a partnership now.
~~~
“Are you ready?” Yuta looked at you with anticipation as the both of you entered the elevator to the hotel lobby.
You nervously clicked your heels, “Does it look like I’m ready?”
More anxiety builds up in the pit of your stomach as the elevator slowly approached the tenth floor of the building. You sighed out, “How slow can this elevator get?”
Yuta laughed as he rests his hand on your shoulder, “Don’t worry young one, you’ll get over your nerves after your first time.” The elevator came to a stop and Yuta stepped out as the door opened. Winking at you, he said teasingly, “You have to pop your presentation cherry someday.” You rolled your eyes and followed behind him.
Today was one of your most life-changing moments and the reason you came to Japan in the first place. You and Yuta created a proposal to make sure Emily wouldn’t be able to mess with NCT or your friends anymore. If the presentation goes smoothly with the Japanese investors, your idea would be even stronger when proposed to make it official in South Korea.
Despite your anxiousness, you were more than ready to show Japan what NCT is made of. You could hear the noises of businessmen chattering as you walked toward the direction of the conference room. You went over the main points of your proposal in your head before the buzz from your phone snapped you out of your thoughts. You quickly glanced at your phone while walking down the hallway. Memories of the terrible day flashed before your eyes as you stared at your phone screen.
My Love 😇💙: I know you’re still mad and you have every right to be mad. Maybe I’m just selfish but please do me this one favor. Come back and meet me at the gardens. I want to make things right.
You tried your best to ignore his text, but as your hand went to turn the doorknob to the conference room, your phone buzzed again. A pang of guilt struck you.
My Love 😇💙: I won’t hurt you, I promise.
You never meant to make him feel that way. Truth be told, you know he didn’t mean it. After all, he never hit you. It was a spur of the moment that had you both traumatized.
His last text endlessly replayed on your mind. Even as you walked into the conference room and Yuta cued for you to start, all you could think of was how Jaehyun must have felt.
Yuta cleared his throat abnormally loud and spoke in Japanese, “Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules for this abrupt meeting. I am Yuta, current CEO of SM, and this is y/n, CEO of NCT.”
You received a strong, but subtle, tap on your back from Yuta and you snapped out of your thoughts. Trying your best to push Jaehyun out of your mind, you spoke into the mic attached to the podium in English, “Today we are here to introduce to you all the future of NCT.” You clapped your hands and the lights in the room turned off. Everyone’s attention shifted to the projecting screen as you smoothly went over the key points of the proposal.
When the lights were turned on again, you turned your attention towards the investors. With a bright smile you concluded in Japanese that Yuta has taught you beforehand, “We would love for you to partake in this history-making event. Thank you for your time.”
The room was silent for a second, your nerves were starting to settle in again, but the investors exchanged approving glances and applauded. You and Yuta bowed and exchanged satisfied expressions before he asked the investors, “Are there any questions about today’s proposal?”
A few hands shot up and Yuta strategically answered every one. Your mind quickly drifted back to Jaehyun’s previous text as Yuta occupied the curious investors. He was wrapping up the questions and you were prepared to end the meeting before a hand shot up from the very back of the room. A familiar voice spoke in English, “What are we waiting for? Let’s start now.”
~~~
By now the investors have left the conference room and are heading back to their offices. You told Yuta to wait for you in the car while you clean up and he willingly complied. You flashed a tight smile to the man walking towards you, still shocked by his previous, confident statement before ending the meeting. “Long time no see Nana.”
Jaemin sent you a warm smile and pulled you down to sit on one of the conference chairs, “Ditto.”
You stared at him as he sat next to you, stunned that he was here in Japan and at this meeting. You slightly nudged him, and said with a small smirk on your face, “You look different.”
He laughed and ran his hand through his gelled hair. With a dramatic pose, he said in a husky voice, “Do I look sexy?”
You rolled your eyes, playfully hitting him on the arm. “I haven’t heard from you since I left to Paris.”
He chuckled lightly while rubbing the back of his neck, “Yeah… Well, you didn’t exactly respond back after the charity ball incident…”
Your eyes widened as guilt took over you, “I’m so sorry Nana! I never got back to you! Everything was so hectic and my phone just blew up and-”
You felt Jaemin place his hands on your shoulders and he chuckled, “It’s ok y/n. Calm down, take a deep breath. I know your mind has been running like crazy after all that’s been happening. I get it.” He took one hand off your shoulder and ruffled your hair, “Stop panicking, you look too cute.”
You gave him a playful glare as the two of you continued to catch up. “So… Are you officially working as Starship’s heir now? Thanks for telling me by the way.”
Jaemin sighed and replied, “I kept that away from you because you were one of the few people who treated me for me. A lot of girls used me for my status and I didn’t want that from you.”
Faking an offended reaction, you told him dramatically, “You thought I would do that? Na Jaemin, I am hugely disappointed in you!”
He rolled his eyes, “Anyways, I have been working for my father now, but we’re not particularly close. I’m just trying to make my mom happy by dealing with ignorant businessmen and annoying heirs, aka Princesses like Emily Ahn. Hence my appearance here in Japan,” he quickly changed the topic, “So, how’s life treating you Miss CEO? Jaehyun treating you right?”
As soon as you heard him mention Jaehyun your gaze lowered to the floor. You tried your best to be vague as you told him, “Being CEO is pretty hectic. I got a lot of work to do, as you can see. I’m just trying my best to make NCT a success and my friends happy.”
Jaemin gave you a skeptical look as you avoided his stare, “Are you not telling me something y/n? Why are you avoiding my last question?”
You mumbled a quick “It’s nothing,” before Jaemin waved his hands in front of your face, “Hello? Earth to y/n?” He then gave you his signature “nagging” look and said sternly, “You better spill princess.”
Sighing you asked him, “You won’t let me go unless I tell you huh?”
He gave you a curt nod as he loosened the tie around his neck, “I got all day y/n.”
And so, you began telling him everything from Paris until now, in this very conference room. You let out a sigh as Jaemin looked at you blankly. “So you’re now all caught up with my life.”
He looked at your small figure, sighing from the recent events that you laid out on him. It was silent for a good ten minutes before he chuckled, “You know, it’s not my first time seeing Jaehyun like that. He’s the beast and you’re the beauty.”
You gave him a questioning look and Jaemin continued, “From what I know, he’s angry because he cares. Take me for example, he almost sent me to the hospital just because we shared the same blanket in the freezing cold living room.” You gave him an apologetic look as he brought up the time Jaehyun barged into your apartment. He continued telling you, “And during the charity ball, he would’ve lost his composure and beat up a reporter if I haven’t held him back.”
He laughed as your eyes widened in shock. “Na Jaemin! What do you mean he almost beat up a reporter!”
“See, this is what I’m trying to tell you.”
You asked him furiously due to frustration, “What are you trying to tell me?! Now you’re just making me think my boyfriend has violence issues!”
With his arm propped up on the table, he sighed and facepalmed, “Why are you always so clueless about these things…” He then muttered, “Now I know why you didn’t even realize my crush on you.”
You leaned closer and asked, “What did you say? I couldn’t hear the last bit.”
Jaemin immediately sat up straight and dismissed his previous words, “Nothing! Anyways, my point is Jaehyun gets worked up every time you’re in danger or is threatened in any way. It’s probably killing him that he almost hit you, keyword almost. You even said it yourself, he’s your boyfriend. You saying that out loud confirms that you still have feelings for him,” sighing, he looked at you, “the rest is up to you to decide.”
You were dazed, feeling guiltier as his words settled in. He suddenly placed his hands on top of yours. As if he read your mind, he told you gently, “Don’t feel guilty because it’s not your fault. Go with what your heart tells you. If you feel like he doesn’t love you, leave him. But if you still have that lingering feeling, go meet with him and talk it out.”
For a moment, the two of you stayed like that. You tried to consider Jaemin’s words and Jaemin stayed beside you, letting you think. You placed your free hand on top of his and said softly, “I think I know how I feel now. Thank you Nana, for always telling me the things I can’t see.”
He gave you a warm smile and leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on your cheek. “I’m always here for you y/n. Just call me and I’ll be there.”
———
• Surprise! The one and only Heir!Na Jaemin has arrived in the sequel~ •
• Any Team Jaemin out here reading this chp 👀 •
• STREAM MOONWALK 🌘 •
#nct#nct 127#nct dream#nct imagines#kpop#wayv#nct 127 smut#nct angst#kpop social media au#kpop texts#nct texts#nct social media au#nct jaehyun#nct smut#nct fluff#nct scenarios#nct headcanons#nct 127 jaehyun#nct 127 imagines#nct 127 social media au#nct 127 series#nct 127 angst#nct 127 fluff#nct 127 texts#jaehyun imagines#jaehyun texts#jaehyun social media au#jaehyun smut#jaehyun angst
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A Familiar
Waylon stared skeptically into the dusty walk-in closet tucked into the back room of Leon's shop. Books, tomes, bottles, and random cleaning supplies dangled haphazardly off of various shelves, and what Waylon thought was a desk and matching chair were buried beneath a piled of... towels? Clothes? Waylon couldn't tell, and it made him a little nervous. There was something to the right of the desk that looked like it might be a broom, but it in front of it were stacked unused shelves for the bookcase beside it, and on top of those- a stack of actual books. Why the shelf hadn't been put together to hold them- Waylon wasn't about to ask.
“Leon hasn't touched this room in years,” Rudi said from behind him, and Waylon turned to glare at the immaculately dressed familiar. Compared to Rudi's playful smirk, Waylon was clearly not amused. Rudi always looked out of place in Leon's homey little shop, dressed in a tailored three-piece suit with his long hair perfectly quaffed and tucked neatly behind his ears. Despite his time here, Waylon still hadn't grown used to the contrast in his appearance compared to his humble, earthy surroundings, and Rudi spending most of his time with Waylon did not help with that.
“It's a room?” Waylon asked, and he glanced back through the doorway, his skepticism increasing.
“Yes,” Rudi huffed, and his brow twitched in a way that signaled to the witch he'd said something to annoy the taller man. Unfortunately for Rudi, Waylon had made it a secret pass-time of his to irritate the fruit bat as often as possible, and he was always extra pleased with himself when he managed to do so without trying.
“Well, it looks like a closet.”
“Alright then,” Rudi let out a long-suffering sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose, “then should I tell Leon you don't want it as a personal workspace? That's why he's having you clean it out.”
That caused the crease in Waylon's brow to disappear, and excitement lit up his honey brown eyes. Having a workplace of his own in the shop meant he'd have full access to all the books and supplies here at his disposal, which Leon had already granted him, but to have a workspace within arms reach of said items would be more convenient. Plus, it meant more complicated spells could be worked on with Leon nearby, and there were certain things he was instructed to wait for assistance with before practicing. Now he had a space in which to practice those specific spells, and the elated swell of excitement in his chest caused him to look at the closet in a completely different way.
“No- no! Sorry, I definitely want the space...”
It was cute, in Rudi's opinion (which he would rather die than admit to), how easily excited Waylon became with even the simplest magick. There was a passion to learn in the witch that he admired.
He knew his suggestion to give this little space to Waylon was the right one. (Also, something he would rather die than admit). In time, Waylon would be able to expand the little room on his own using magick, but this was a perfect place to start. Leon had agreed.
Rudi tilted his head as he watched the young witch enter the room and start to poke around.
“What does he want me to do with what's in here?”
“Toss it, unless you want to keep it yourself. There shouldn't be anything of real importance in there, from what Leon was saying. Just- don't open any unlabeled bottles. If there are any in there, we should have Leon look at them. Also, anything that looks odd- don't touch- and if it looks out of place just- you're smart, Waylon. If you're unsure, just ask.” Rudi shrugged, and with a soft rustle of leather and the blink of an eye, Rudi disappeared. He reappeared in his fruit bat form, hanging upside down from the rafter above the desk leading into the shop.
Taking that as a signal, Waylon set to work.
Waylon wasn't the type to waste anything if he could help it, so first, he tackled the shelves. Once those were cleaned and clear, and the pile of shelves beside the desk returned to the pegs, he could use them. That made room for any of the other miscellaneous items he knew he'd decide to keep, including the pile of cloths that, when cleaned, would have a place to rest. Books were moved to shelves to be read and sorted later, bottles were separated into piles of filled and empty, labeled and not, and the cloth was separated into different bins depending on the type and it's potential use.
It wasn't long after the top of the desk was clear that Waylon noticed the sheen of sweat formed on his brow. He reached up to wipe it away with the back of his wrist, but based on the texture of his wrist across his forehead, that was a mistake. He was pretty sure he just smeared dust across his forehead, and that was when Waylon noticed the dust particles floating through the air.
“Time for a break I guess,” he hummed to himself, to let some of it settle. If he tried to continue now he'd he kick more up, and Waylon was surprised that he hadn't started coughing or sneezing already.
Waylon sank into the seat of the newly cleared chair with a satisfied sigh. As he did, his foot knocked against the inside of the desk, and with a soft 'click' a tiny seam appeared in the wood next to his shoe.
At first Waylon didn't move, as he wasn't sure of what he was seeing, but after a moment his curiosity won him over, and he leaned down to run his fingers along the seam. With a little pull, a small door swung open, revealing a secret compartment. Rudi's words echoed through his mind, warning him about anything weird, and Waylon quietly debated with himself. This wasn't really... “weird”- by itself. Secret compartments were a pretty non-magical thing, and it wasn't an unlabeled bottle, so...
Waylon glanced at the door and listened for any sound from Rudi, or the shop. When there was none, he dropped on all fours so he could peer inside. It was dark inside, but Waylon could make out something small and flat. He reached inside, and after gently tracing one of the edges, he recognized what it was.
“Huh...”
The witch leaned back so he could sit cross-legged on the floor, and out of the compartment he pulled a maroon, pocked-sized, leather-bound book. Waylon turned it over to inspect the spine, and when he saw no title a crease formed between his eyebrows. What kind of a book had no title, or no inscription of any kind on the outside? Journals perhaps, but why would Leon keep a journal tucked away inside an abandoned desk? It must not be that important if he forgot about-
It was then Waylon noticed a shape pressed into the bottom right corner of the cover, and he squinted at the small shape. A weasel? A ferret? An oddly shaped rat? Waylon wasn't positive, but before he could think about his actions, or heed the warning Rudi had given him barely an hour and a half before, Waylon opened the little book.
“Ah!” Waylon shouted and slammed his eyes shut as a blinding white light flashed outwards from the book. The sound of rushing wind filled his ears, and a gust swept up around him, knocking the books, bottles, and shelves- all of his hard work- onto the floor. Waylon covered his head with his arms to shield himself from the falling debris, and in his surprise, the book slipped from his hand. As soon as it hit the floor between his feet the light faded, and the wind stopped, leaving the young witch surrounded by silence that felt almost painful.
Hello Master!
A tiny voice echoed through Waylon's mind, surprising him, and his eyes snapped open. Between his feet, where the book had fallen, perched a tiny white ferret with his little paws spread over the open, blank, pages.
You are the one who freed me from the book, yes?
The voice again, as Waylon stared, mouth agape, at the tiny little creature. It tilted it's head, and it's little white ears twitched towards Waylon.
Hello? Do you talk?
The ferret bumped its head against Waylons ankle, as if trying to get his attention. It was timed weirdly well with the voice...
I've been waiting for so long for someone to free me! That cranky 'ole bat couldn't take a joke- and I-
The ferret started to approach Waylon, head tilting in time with each inflection of the voice in his head-
“YOU.”
Rudi's voice, filled with a furry that made Waylon cringe, interrupted their little interaction.
The ferret let out a terrified squeak, and before Waylon could stop it, the furry creature had scrambled up his thigh and under the hem of his shirt.
“H-hey- hey!” Waylon balked as little claws scratched at his skin, but the animal was surprisingly slippery in Waylon's attempts to catch it. Once it reached Waylon's chest, it's furry little head poked up through the neck of Waylon's shirt, and it glared tiny daggers at the man fuming in the doorway.
Please Master- please don't let him get me! Rudi just can't take a joke and didn't like competition! I didn't do anything wrong-
“You lie, you little beast!” Rudi hissed, apparently he could hear that little voice too, “Leon was kind enough to take you in until you could find your own witch, and then you tried to take him away from me! Not that you had a chance- but then you fucking cursed my hair purple! It took Leon weeks to figure out how to get it out-”
Well I could'a removed it if you hadn't locked me in a book!
The ferret hissed in return, barring it's little teeth up at Rudi. That earned a glare from the fruit bat familiar, and he took an aggressive lunge towards Waylon and the ferret that made the smaller creature squeak and disappear under Waylon's shirt.
“Hey- HEY!” Waylon shouted, drawing attention to himself between the two fighting creatures. “Do ou think you two could set aside whatever beef you had so you explain to me what's going on? Like, who are you- and why do you keep calling me 'Master'?” Waylon pointed to the ferret, whose ears perked up as he was addressed, and he moved to scramble up out of Waylon's shirt through the neck.
Rudi's fury faltered at Waylon's question, and he narrowed his eyes as the little ferret crawled back down Waylons chest so he could perch on the top of Waylon's bent knee.
Waylon seemed a little apprehensive, he was still reeling from the shock of opening the book, but that didn't stop him from helping the ferret when there was a moment he seemed like he might slip. Once he was settled Waylon's hands folded across his lap, and he leveled an expectant stare at the little creature.
I'm sorry!
The ferret's head tilted and dipped in an apologetic nod.
My name is Valens! I'm a familiar- and that mean 'ole Rudi over there-
Valens' tail flicked in Rudi's direction, making the other familiar twitch.
-locked me in a book cause I played a little prank on him. I was staying here with Leon, and before that, I'd been searching for a witch to make a contract with for some time!
Tiny, little red eyes sparkled at Waylon, and the young witch suddenly felt like a bug under a microscope. He was a witch, and he didn't have a familiar, but- he wasn't a witch of any talent! This- Valens- couldn't be serious.
Silence rolled between the three, and the longer it stretched, the more pressured Waylon felt to respond. He looked over at Rudi expectantly, hoping for some sort of add-on to the conversation. Surely, Rudi had more to explain, or a denial of the Valens accusations, but it seemed both familiars had forgotten about their feud. Both had their eyes trained on him, looking expectantly in return.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” Waylon asked as his cheeks warmed. There was no way a familiar would consider him for their witch. He didn't consider himself a witch of any note, and from what he'd read, both familiar and witch benefit from a contract. Why would any familiar want to lend themselves to his lackluster abilities? He'd only just learned how to make that ball of light with ease- and that was a fairly simple spell from what he could tell. “You can't- you can't be asking to make a contract with me, right?”
Valens' pure white head tilted to the side, and Waylon was sure he could see the familiar smiling. Did ferrets have the type of muscles needed to smile?
I don't see any other witch in here. Do you?
Waylon stared, and Valens stared back as his fluffy tail swished idly over Waylon's shin.
“This is uh... a little much. Don't you like- shouldn't we like, think about it? Get to know each other?” Waylon asked, which earned a curious tilt of Valens head.
Nope! I know you're the witch for me! I just feel it in my bones. Plus, if you're Leon's apprentice, you must have some skill. So, it's a win for me either way, really. As much as I was interested in a man with Leon's abilities, contracting with a younger witch has its own benefits that we both can enjoy! I like fostering the abilities of witches, and in the long run it helps my abilities grow as well.
Waylon stared for a few more seconds before he looked to Rudi.
“Is that normal? To just- want a contract out of no where?”
“For him, yes,” Rudi chuckled, although the look in his eyes indicated that fact annoyed him. “All of us are a little different. Some of us, like him- apparently- forge contracts based on instinct. Sometimes, you simply click with a witch. Leon and I clicked when we first met. It felt natural to contract with him. Valens is an impulsive little rat, but the desire to contract like this with you is not out of the ordinary.”
“If that's true, then why were you searching so long for a witch? It seems unlikely to me that you would just.... pick me.”
Valen eased backwards off of Waylon's knee, using his little claws to scoot himself down Waylon's pant leg and onto the ground. He took a seat between Waylon's feet, and his curious expression returned.
Why wouldn't I want to pick you? Plus, it's not like I follow every impulse I have. I just follow the ones my gut says are the right ones, and you, Waylon, feel like a right one!
“I didn't tell you my name.”
I can hear it silly! In your head. Now come on, it's not every day you can make a contract with a familiar!
Waylon glanced warily up at Rudi, who shrugged.
“It's up to you, little witch. He's not a bad guy, for as much as I wish to wring his neck. He's just a prankster. He's not even that strong, so he's fairly harmless. He could be a benefit to you, and that's all I will say. If you don't want to be bound together, there are rituals that can be performed to remove him.”
Valens' ears flattened against his head as he turned to narrow his eyes at Rudi, and they perked up when he turned back to Waylon. When he turned back, Waylon was /sure/ he was smiling, and he realized Valens' adorableness was... dangerous. Those little red eyes were very hard to resist.
“Alright...” Waylon answered after a pause, and he eyed the little animal thoughtfully. “I wouldn't mind some help in my practice, so I'm down for a trial run as long as you promise to behave yourself when we return to where I spend most of my time.
I live with my boyfriend in his aunt's home. They're both vampires, and I'm fairly sure neither of them have the type of personality that would appreciate any sort of shenanigans or pranks. Anything like that could get me kicked out, both of us killed, or... I don't know. Something horrible. My boyfriend's aunt... she doesn't like me already, so I'm serious when I say you can do nothing that would put you on her bad side. Alright?”
Waylon gave Valens a hard stare.
“I'll have to clear it first with my boyfriend, to make sure you can stay there when I'm there, regardless. But, if not, I have a motor home you can stay in on a separate property. Can you agree to behave appropriately when in spaces that don't belong to me?”
Valens nodded eagerly. The adorable twitch of his round little ears made it hard for Waylon to hold his stare.
Yes! I can behave! I only played pranks because they amused Leon! I can be good, I promise.
Waylon wondered quietly why he was agreeing to this all so quickly. Maybe it was the rush of adrenaline from their encounter, coupled with the excitement of getting his own workspace? The curiosity that came with having a familiar of his own? The excitement that he could further his abilities with a little extra boost? The same desire to know the unknown, the same desire that had driven him to reach into a hidden compartment, immediately after Rudi warned him to be cautious?
Waylon could hear a voice in his head reminding him of his low impulse control, it was part of why he had spent so much time traveling, but in most cases it had rarely steered him wrong. Obviously, practicing magic wasn't nearly the same thing as choosing a random place to travel. Lack of control could be dangerous, but he trusted Rudi to stop him if this was truly unwise. Nothing about Valens said 'malicious' or 'dangerous'- and Waylon usually had a keen sense of a person's character upon a first meeting.
A soft sigh escaped Waylon's lips. At least, if this ended up not working out, the contract was breakable.
“How do we do this, then?” Waylon asked, and he watched with gentle alarm as Valens' body started to vibrate with excitement.
A loud 'pop' ripped through the air, and Waylon winced. In a single blink, Waylon went from watching a ferret shudder, to being face to face with a man with a well defined jaw, eerily beautiful red eyes, and short, tousled hair nearly as white as the fur he'd sported in his much smaller form. It didn't help that their position was rather compromising, with Valens kneeling between his thighs, trapping Waylon against the wall as his taller form towered over the witch.
“What-” but Waylon's question was cut off as Valen's lips pressed against his own. Waylon squeaked and froze, startled once again by... everyhing. Waylon remained perfectly still, frozen in shock as he tried to process what was happening. Only as Valens' lips moved against his own, as if to try and deepen the kiss, did he snap back to the present.
“Hey!” Waylon twisted his head away from Valens and thrust his arms out to put some distance between them. “I said I had a boyfriend, what the hell are you trying to do?!”
Valens pouted as he was pushed, but he relented, and he shimmied back so he could kneel a few feet away from Waylon.
“That's how you seal the contract,” Valens grumbled sheepishly, but he offered no further explanation.
Waylon was struck with the thought that this was, already, a mistake, but by the look in Valens eyes and his downcast gaze, Waylon could see there was some sort of remorse there. The familiar tugged idly at the hem of his tight black t-shirt, and as Waylon followed the motion of his hand, he was surprised to notice rips in the knees of Valens jeans. Compared to Rudi, this outfit was painfully simple. Rudi almost always wore some variation of formal wear, often suits, and Waylon didn't realize he'd come to just expect familiars to dress the same way.
“Well I highly doubt you needed to keep kissing me,” Waylon rose to his feet and swatted at his pants to dust himself off. It gave him a moment to calm the blush burning in his cheeks, and to find his words.
When he did look at Valens, he scowled as if he were trying to scold the other, but the look in his eyes said he wasn't truly upset. “Don't do that again. I don't appreciate it, and I don't think my boyfriend would much appreciate it either. I'd prefer if he liked you, at least a little. Also- no more calling me 'master'- just call me Waylon.” He reached up to give Valens' head a gentle pat, to show he'd been forgiven, and the familiar's expression brightened considerably. It was almost blinding, the smile that followed, and Waylon was again surprised, this time by how quickly Valens' mood transitioned.
A second later, Valens scrambled to his feet, and Waylon was surprised to find himself looking up at the familiar. He was tall!
“Understood, Master!” Valens chimed in a voice fitting for his size, deeper than the voice he had in ferret form. Waylon wondered if he should be shielding his eyes from the brightness of that smile.
“Waylon.”
“Oh- right- Waylon!” A gust of wind followed, and in a blink Valens was gone. Waylon felt something small press over his shoulders, and when he looked, a little white ferret perched there, head cocked and little red eyes sparkling. Valens was smiling again in his ferret form, and Waylon reached up to give Valens chin a scratch. He nuzzled into Waylon's finger, and that worry that this had been a mistake, faded a little.
Are you gonna introduce me to your boyfriend now? Valens voice asked in Waylon's head, and he looked over at Rudi.
“What time is it?” Waylon asked, and Rudi waved his hand towards the door of the shop.
“Go on, I can watch the shop for the rest of the day. Just don't try any magic until we can do some tests to gauge how your abilities have changed.”
“Changed?”
Yes! Now that the contract is made, you'll be stronger, and the type of magic and spells you have an affinity for might become more apparent, Valens chimed in, it's probably best to wait to do any spell work in a controlled setting- with someone else to help out. I could, but its safer with someone not tied to our contract.
Waylon nodded.
“Alright, see you tomorrow, Rudi!”
At the parting sound of the familiar bell above the shop door, Waylon stepped into the cool afternoon air and headed for home.
#a familiar#self para#//sorry i could probably spend hours editing this but i don't want to any more so#//here it is and I hope it's not trash XD#//i liked it so#waylon#valens
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In The Heart Of The Sea~Chapter Two- Captiancy
Summary // Writer Herman Medvillie travels to Nantucket to visit the last surviours of the Essex, ready to tell the truth about how the vessel actually went down. Thomas Nickerson hesitantly retells the story to Herman. The story of the Essex and how he met his wife.
Word Count // 1060
Warnings // Some swearing
Chapter one , Chapter two, Chapter three
‘’(Y/N), Owen. You two don’t wanna be late!’’ Peggy cried as she strolled up to her husband and sister-in-law working on the old rickety roof.
‘‘We’ll be there’‘ Owen replied as he began hammering.
‘‘No need to worry peg, We shouldn’t be too long now’‘ (Y/N) spoke as she held onto the old makeshift ladder their father had made years ago
‘’Besides, can’t have our daughter sleeping under a leaking roof, can we?’’ Owen points out as he comes down from the ladder, (Y/N) moving out of the way
‘’Who says it will be a girl?’’ (Y/N) askes as she wipes her hands on her brown skirt
‘’Well, It has to be. so can remind me why I still love the both of you when you ’re both being stubborn.’’ Owen reasons as he kissed the top of (Y/N) head.
‘’Well, if it’s to be a daughter, she’ll be a version of you, not me, Blond locks and determined to conquer the world’’ Peggy hands both Owen and (Y/N) their navy blue jackets as the trio walked down the road ‘’ I suppose after today, you’ll be trading in that tunic for a uniform?’’ Peggy asks her husband.
(Y/N) leaves the couple to themselves as she races over to the porch of the small house. In a soft basket lay a kitten. One she saved from a stray dog a couple of days ago ‘’Hey, Marie’’ the kittens tired eyes look up at (Y/n) ‘’ I’ll be gone for a while, but don’t worry auntie Peggy will look after you’’
‘’Sometimes I am overwhelmed by your good heart.’’ (Y/N) heard Owen speak, she looked over just to let out a squeal. Peggy's legs were wrapped around Owens' waist, their mouths locked.
‘‘Ew come on you two, leave it for the bedroom!’‘
Both chase siblings walked through the town of Nantucket, the blacksmith worked on perfecting sharp edges on hooks, axes and many other tools. Hooks being made by the dozen, ready to take down the biggest beast known to man.
Barrels upon Barrels are sorted near the port, the port was always busy ship either coming in or sailing out. The old spoiled food littered the sides of the street stray dogs, cat and even farm animals feast till their stomachs can no longer take it
The earliest the prostitute's start was the crack of dawn, no matter what when the two chase sibling had to travel to the bank they always seemed to favor Owen and try to get (Y/N) to join working with them. Thankfully Owen was happily married with a daughter on the way and is very protective of his much younger sister
As the two wandered into the bank multiple men shouting at the top of their lungs attempting to grab the sellers and shareholders attention
‘’Criterion is back with a fine haul. 1600 barrels.’‘ A shareholder yelled, Owen looked back at his younger sister
‘‘Bet I could bring back 2000 barrels’‘ (Y/N) let out a chuckle as she dragged him deeper into the bank.
The two approached a much older man, the older man extending his palm to Owen
‘’Good morning, Mr. Chase, Miss Chase’’ Owen grabbed the older mans hand in a firm handshake.
‘‘Mr. Mason’‘ ‘‘Mr.Mason sir’‘ Both Owen and (Y/N) spoke
‘’Come in please.’‘ Mr. Mson led the two into his office where another older man sat ‘’My partner, Benjamin Fuller.’‘
‘’Good morning sir,’’ Owen spoke as he gave Mr. Fuller a handshake
‘’Do sit down, the both of you’’ Owen sat in the middle chair, although (Y/N) refuse to prefer to stand. She stood behind Owens chair, hands on the top of the chair.
‘’Mr. Chase and Miss Chase’‘ Mr.mason wraps his arm around Owen back and my front bringing him closer ‘’I do hope you two realize who satisfied we are with the work you’ve both done for us over the years’’
‘‘Thank you, sir, on both of our behalfs’‘ Owen reassured the men
‘‘Now, one of our ships, the Essex, has just been refitted’‘ Mr.mason pushed off of Owen and walked around the large table to stand next to Mr. Fuller ‘‘ at great expense and is to go to sea. Now having made such an investment in her, we want to be sure she's in the best possible hands. So it gives us great pleasure to offer you both a position aboard her ’‘
‘‘as the first mate’‘ Mr.Fuller finally spoke, (Y/N)’s fingers tighten on the chair sat on
‘They gave Owen their word he’d be captain, what is this shit?’
‘‘As the first mate?’‘ Owen asked the smile slipping away from his face ‘‘Mr. Mason, you promised me command of a ship after my last voyage’’
‘‘When he brought back 1500 barrels. Do you remember? You gave us your word’’ (Y/N) chimed in having her brothers back
‘‘That promise must now be deferred, like everyone else, we’ve had a lean time recently,’‘ Mr.Mason spoke now sitting in a chair beside Mr.Fuller
'’Not on my expeditions.’’ Owen pointed out flawlessly
‘’Nantucket dominates the world market that must not change. We can not afford to experiment. Essex will be captained by George Pollard Descendant of a prominent whaling family. His father also happened to be our investor.’‘
‘‘Blood Mr and Miss chase you can have all the voyages under your belt, but blood will always win out ‘’
‘‘yes but blood isn’t going to fill a ship with oil Mr.Mason, sir’‘ (Y/N) spoke with a stern tone ‘‘To successfully command, a captain needs respect. Now, what if the men don’t respect him?’‘
‘‘you both will make sure they do’‘ Mr.Fuller hissed. Owen shook his head and stood up
‘’Good day, gentlemen.’’ (Y/N) spoke as both Owen and she moved toward the door
‘’I understand your disappointment,’’ Mr.Maon spoke ‘’therefore, offered fifteenth-party. So much I have never offered a first mate. Bring back of 2,000 barrels of oil, I promise... That you will be captain next time.’’ Its seem these words Stoped Owen from opening the door
‘’You’ve promised before, Mr. Mason,’‘ Owen spoke harshly. (Y/N) grabbed a blank parchment and slammed it in front of the two old men
‘’This time we want it in writing.’’
#tom holland#x reader#tom holland x reader#in the heart of the sea#Tom Nickerson#thomas nickerson#thomas nickerson x reader#fanic#fanfiction
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Steven Universe Secret Wars chapter 9: The Masters of Evil (originally posted on August 27, 2018)
AN: And we're back everyone! Oh boy oh boy Heart of the Crystal Gems is going to be (or at the time I would post this, was) a wild ride that I can't wait to take part in with my fellow SU fans. But now it's time we return to Earth-2013 for a bit to see how our heroes will win out against evil and save the universe. Please note that some scenes may be a bit disturbing, so reader discretion is advised.
"So these Crystal Gems, they call themselves, could they be mutants or perhaps aliens?" US Senator Robert Kelly asked while he, along with a few other political and military figures, held a secret meeting to discuss the Crystal Gems.
"Based off of what this young Ronaldo chap said on his blog, they are indeed aliens but where did they come from? Why are they here? What is their purpose?" government agent Everett Ross answered with questions of his own. "Any input Thunderbolt?"
"I fear they are not to be trusted!" General Thaddeus Ross declared pounding his fist on the table. "If what this blogger says is true, then they were responsible for the monster attacks, the disappearance of the ocean, the giant hand, the earthquakes, that Chitauri invasion and Thanos! We must take action immediately!"
"Calm yourself sir, might I recommend we wait until the time is right to act?" Ross's subordinate Glenn Talbot suggested. "Talbot is right gentlemen, maybe these so-called Gems could be of use to us." President Matthew Ellis, who organized the meeting, stated. "I especially see promise in their young sidekick with the shield. Reminds me a lot of Captain America."
"What is this about gemstones I hear?" another man with silvery white hair, blue eyes, a dark blue suit and a red tie announced stepping into the room. "It seems we have quite a collection of government powers in just one room."
"Secretary of defense Truman Marsh?! We thought you died!" Kelly exclaimed aghast at the sight of Marsh appearing before them after he had seemingly perished. "I guess reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated." Truman commented with a shrug before he sat down with the men. "So tell me my friends, what brings us all together here?"
"We're not telling you until you tell us how you're alive and well Truman, if that is your real name!" General Ross shouted. "Now, when were you born, when did you die and how?"
"I was born on July 10, 1968 in Jackson, Missouri and died on May 1, 2015 in quite a nasty car accident." the former secretary of defense answered putting up a charismatic facade, but they all knew something was up with him. "Now then, about these Crystal Gems gentlemen."
President Ellis finally gave up and began explaining. "Recently, there was a large spike in alien activity originating from a town in Delmarva called Beach City, which is home to a group of odd women known as the Crystal Gems. This spike rose higher when the alien warlord Thanos invaded the town and utterly clobbered the Gems."
"Oh really, and who else was present that time?" Marsh pressed for more questions.
"Aside from those Gems, others that were present were the Avengers and those Guardian weirdos." the president continued. "Among the Avengers were Captain Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Dr. Bruce Banner, Thor Odinson, former S.H.I.E.L.D agents Natasha Romanoff & Clint Barton, Captain Carol Danvers, King T'Challa of Wakanda, Dr. Stephen Strange, Spider-Man, Dr. Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne."
Marsh's eyebrows perked when he heard Ellis mention Stark, Banner & Pym. "Well, I think I might know how to handle these Gems." he stated. "But I require that you play along with my ideas."
"Hear me, and rejoice! You have the privilege of being purged by the Great Titan." Ebony Maw, one of Thanos's minions, declared as he and the Black Order stood before the champions of Earth on Battleworld. "You may think this is suffering. No, it is salvation!" he continued on as the champions prepared to fight. The Crystal Gems & the Avengers were ready to put an end to Thanos's reign of terror while Jasper plotted on taking revenge on him for her late superior Pink Diamond. "The universal scales tip toward balance because of your fate. Smile, for even in death you have become children of Thanos."
"This is our plan everyone, we just mow them down, take on whatever else Thanos throws at us, then we blow his planet to bits and go home." Iron Man commanded.
"Hulk, Tony the Tiger, you go after Black Dwarf." he said to Hulk & Jasper. "Oscar, you and I knock Ebony Maw down a peg." he then turned to Peridot. "Nat & Woody Woodpecker go against Corvus, Danvers & LSP with Proxima Midnight and finally Garnet & Cap versus Supergiant. Are we clear on that?"
"I have one question." Pearl piped in. "Did you seriously just call me a woodpecker?!" she shouted in the billionaire's face. "Metal man got point, pointy woman kinda look like bird." Banner commented pointing at her nose before she covered it in embarrassment. "And who is this Tony the Tiger?" Jasper added. "Cereal mascot, his Frosted Flakes are just great!" Spider-Man answered. "But we don't have time to discuss food right now."
"Yes, now we fight." Garnet declared before leaping up and charging at Supergiant, who retaliated with an energy barrier while Ebony Maw summoned more Chitauri & Outriders with a snap of his fingers using his telepathy and the battle commenced.
It was at that first attack that the final battle for the fate of not just Earth, not just the human race, but all life in the universe has begun.
"Your abilities are inconsequential compared to ours!" Maw boasted tossing a crystal spire at Stark, who deflected it with a blast from his repulsors. "Yeah well I've got an alien kicking ass with me!" the armored genius responded punching him in the face. "Now Peri!"
"Just a fair warning, I'm still pretty rusty with these." Peridot cautioned aiming her plasma cannon at the minion of Thanos and fired, though she kind of missed as the energy ball bounced across the area before smacking Maw. "Hey, least you tried kid."
Elsewhere, Hulk, Jasper and Black Dwarf went all out against each other. "HULK SMASH DWARFIE, HULK HATE DWARFIE!" Bruce roared smashing as he always would while Dwarf slashed at the gamma beast's arm with his axe. "Surrender yourself monster! Thanos is almighty and his forces just as so!" Black Dwarf boasted. "Quit your bragging Dwarf and come and fight me!" Jasper challenged him. "Let me handle this Hulk, I've known him for far longer! Thousands of years even!"
"What makes you think you can best me like when we fought during the Rebellion?" Black Dwarf asked. The quartz simply responded by wordlessly grabbing him by the arm, smashing him into the ground, standing him up and then finishing it off by punching straight through his chest and grasped his literal heart in her large hand.
"You utter animal!" Black Dwarf gasped his final words before collapsing over dead. "Seems he's gotten weaker since we last fought." Jasper commented dropping her now deceased opponent's heart to the ground and stepping on it, much to the horror of everyone else present, even the remainder of the Black Order. "Jasper, what did you do?!" Steven cried in alarm. "That guy may have been evil, but deep down they were still-"
"Don't give me another about how all life is precious Rose!" Jasper interrupted the boy. "When you're faced with Thanos, it's either kill or be killed!" She then got an idea as she turned her attention to Ebony Maw. "Speaking of which..."
"Oh no, everybody retreat! Thanos is letting us die!" the Maw cried out before Jasper pounced him and hoisted him by the neck. "Uh, anyone not pissing themselves in fear wanna stop her?!" Hawkeye asked. "Allow me." Doctor Strange declared summoning a Crimson Chain of Cyttorak and wrapping it around Jasper's neck trying to pull her away. "No one try and stop me! Thanos has to pay!"
"Please great and powerful Thanos, spare my life!" Ebony Maw screamed for his master before his fear turned into rage. "So that I may exact my reven-" He didn't have enough time to swear revenge before Jasper snapped his neck before casually dropping his corpse to her feet. "By Odin's beard, she actually did it." Thor gasped. "Jasper may be violent, but not this violent." Lapis added. "I wonder if it has to do with Thanos."
Speaking of Thanos, he was too busy reveling in Jasper murdering his minions to even care. "It seems I have a potential new second in command." he muttered gleefully. "I suppose you find this satisfying as well my bride?" Lady Death only replied with a small grin. It may not have been any words out of her mouth, but it was something. "Yes, very satisfying milord." Mephisto stated. "But what of the others now?"
"Please Jasper, just stop! The Black Order don't matter now, Thanos might come down any moment!" Garnet warned Jasper. "Zip it fusion and let me exact my revenge!" the Gem warrior screamed before launching a spin attack straight at the remaining servants of the Mad Titan. "Quickly everyone, back to the moon!" Corvus ordered his surviving comrades and they made a run for it. Well, two of them did.
Before she even realized it, Supergiant was caught in the path of Jasper's attack and slammed into some nearby rubble, almost grinding her into nothing until her blood coated the Gem's hair. "Ah, feels like old times!" Jasper shouted with a sadistic grin. "Now go along you two, run back to your master. But tell him I'm coming."
The remains of the Black Order did as they were told before running off and were teleported away, presumably to Thanos's moon castle. Jasper's psycho smile then turned into a firm frown before turning back to her situational allies. "What are you all looking at?!"
"We've seen many lives taken during the war, but none as gruesome as this." Pearl mused. "And I never seen her this bloodhungry before." Amethyst added. "It seems she shares the same vitriol towards Thanos as we do, but prefers to vent it in a more physical manner." Black Panther deduced. "But what matters now is that we all work together to stop him."
"It seems the carnage has stopped for now your holiness." Mephisto deduced as the three deities watched the champions settle down from the tussle with the Black Order when suddenly, they heard Corvus and Proxima teleport into the temple, Corvus being especially furious over their master's betrayal.
"How could you Thanos?! You simply dropped us down there to be game for that Quartz!" he shouted at the titan who just rolled his eyes. "You two are supposed to be arch-enemies and now it seems you want her to become one of your new minions!"
Before the leader of the Black Order could speak any further, Thanos grabbed him by the neck and held him high in the air. "Perhaps you should think twice before speaking out against a tyrant like myself."
The Reality, Time & Soul Stones on the Infinity Gauntlet began to glow and before Corvus knew it, he found himself disappearing into dust. "What are you doing with me?!" he cried in terror. "Balancing the universe for my beloved, what else?" Thanos gave one last snide remark as his late second in command vanished with a loud scream and his glaive clattered onto the ground.
"No! No no no no no no no!" Proxima cried for her husband and picking up his weapon. "What did you do to him you monster?!" she screamed with nothing but sorrow and rage filling her eyes. "I suppose you would like to join him Midnight?" Thanos offered her preparing to disintegrate her just like Corvus. "Mephisto did say Hell is quite roomy."
Proxima Midnight simply said nothing before she plunged her late husband's namesake weapon into her chest & out her back and then, she finally collapsed dead on the floor before her master. Thanos gazed at her body before looking towards an Outrider. "Take her away." he simply commanded the alien soldier and it complied, picking her up and carrying her out.
"I suppose that pleased you as well my dear?" Thanos asked Death, but she gave no answer. "I shall take that as a yes." he answered for her before stepping outside his temple and gazing down upon the champions. "Now then, unleash the Masters of Evil!"
"Wait master, stop!" Mephisto cried interrupting his commands. "What is it that you want now Mephisto?" the Mad Titan inquired. "I have detected an unknown vessel headed straight for Battleworld, specifically the champions' current location!"
The alliance between the Avengers & the Crystal Gems had little time to rest before they spotted a familiar spaceship soaring towards them blasting "Cherry Bomb" by the Runaways. Both teams knew exactly who it was by the music alone, the Guardians of the Galaxy have come for them.
"What even is that horrible noise?" Jasper shouted covering her ears in disgust. "That's not noise, that's 70s punk rock!" Steven exclaimed. "And there's only one spaceship that could make an entrance with that." Pearl remarked.
"HERE WE COME TO SAVE THE DAA-AAY!" Star-Lord heroically declared flying the Milano downward. "How did we even manage to detect them so fast?!" Connie wondered standing next to him. "I don't know, maybe the author just wanted to introduce us faster." She-Hulk quipped before Wolverine glared at her again. "What did we say Jen?"
"Okay I'll stop the gag for good. Besides, Deadpool might appear someday too." Jen replied and Logan just responded to that with a facepalm. "That's exactly what I dread." he groaned. "We can banter later guys, look!" Wasp exclaimed pointing straight toward the group. "Excellent, let's touch down." Rocket said preparing for landing.
The Milano finally touched down and out of it came their cavalry. "Guys!" the Guardians exclaimed rushing toward their fellow heroes. "Steven!" Connie shouted running up to her best friend and hugging him. "We were all so worried for you!"
"And it seems the gang's all here! Hank, Jan, Parker, Wanda, Pietro, Vision, even Bucky!" Tony commented. "Good to see you're still alive Steve." Bucky greeted his old friend with a handshake followed by a hug. "Nice to see you too sergeant."
"I am Groot!" Groot shouted hugging Lapis and Peridot in his arms. "Groot, we missed you too!" the green Gem responded wrapping her metallic arms around the tree alien's neck. "I am Groot?" he wondered curious about his friend's new form. "Oh, these are just limb enhancers like the ones I had before I joined the Crystal Gems."
"So, you must be Jasper correct?" Rocket inquired to Jasper. "What kind of freak are you supposed to be?" the larger quartz wondered with a sneer. "Freak?! I ain't just a freak, I'm a one of a kind maniac! There ain't nobody else in this universe like me except me!"
"So how did you guys manage to find us?" Steven asked Spider-Man. "Why you can thank Scarlet Witch for tracking you down and Wolvy & Bucky for bringing us all together." the webslinger answered. "You're welcome kid, but let's stop being all heartfelt reunion-y with each other." Logan stated. "We still got a certain purple madman to take care of."
"Indeed my combatants. With the arrival of our new challengers, it's time we up the ante a bit." Thanos boomed from his moon and the champions were all surrounded in beams of light. "What's happening to us now?!" Ant-Man exclaimed. "Damn you foolish beacons, you cannot contain Drax!" Drax screamed trying to break free before he vanished along with Steven, Thor & Doctor Strange.
"Steven!" Pearl cried out before she vanished along with Carol, Natasha & Gamora, followed by Garnet, Amethyst, Bucky & Wasp, Spidey, Lapis, Mantis & Kamala, Connie, Hulk, Groot & Wolverine, Cap, Bismuth, Star-Lord & T'Challa and Stark, Peridot, Rocket & Pietro.
Next to vanish were Rhodey, Wanda, Vision, Hank & Falcon and finally Jasper, Hawkeye, Yondu, Lion and She-Hulk.
"The game has been set and our warriors assembled." Thanos declared reclining in his throne with a devious smirk. "Let the Secret Wars begin."
The first to reappear were Connie's team in the middle of an abandoned gladiatorial arena. "Where the hell are we?" Wolverine wondered. "Hulk know this place." Banner stated. "Hulk's enemies sent him here long time ago. Hulk then become a gladiator and lead rebellion against red man alongside rock thing and bug."
"Speaking of red man, is he the one?" Connie asked pointing to a red-skinned male wearing a gold war-suit standing before them. "Well if it isn't my traitorous champion." the man calmly stated unsheathing his sword. "And it seems you have a few plus-ones."
"Who are you supposed to be?!" Connie exclaimed pulling out her own sword. "So this little morsel with her own sword doesn't know who I am? How very quaint." the war-suit clad man smirked. "I am Angmo-Asan II, deposed ruler of the planet Sakaar. But you may refer to me as the Red King." he introduced himself. "Now then, shall we engage in combat?"
"Don't take red man lightly, that war-suit is strong. But still not as strong as Hulk." Banner cautioned the smaller girl. "Well what are we waitin' for bub? Let's do it to it!" Logan exclaimed popping his claws and charging at the Red King, who reacted with a blast of flames from the palms of his war-suit. "Your claws are nothing to me miniscule lifeform! I only want the girl with the pink sword!"
"You mean me?" Connie asked. "Yes child, I have a feeling you might be gifted in the art of swordsmanship so that is why I choose you to face me!" Angmo-Asan stated. "Do you accept my challenge young one?" he offered pointing his weapon at her. Connie hesitantly looked back & forth between the fallen king and her blade before she finally put on a brave face and pointed it at Asan. "I accept your challenge!"
"I am Groot!" Groot cried out for her before Hulk shoved him aside. "No, we only step in if little girl is in trouble." he said in a surprisingly calm and rational tone. "Otherwise, this her fight."
"Are you ready yet young one?" the Red King asked Connie, who was busy repeating "Keep my stance wide, keep my body lowered." to herself before taking a fighting stance. "Okay, come at me!" she exclaimed and the two charged at one another. Angmo made the first move with a mighty thrust that Connie quickly dodged before parrying.
"You most certainly have good form, but I've had many years of training while you are simply a novice!" the former ruler of Sakaar bragged making another attack. "Well I trained under a professional who actually fought in a war!" Connie replied preparing to block, but failed and received a cut on her arm, dropping her sword. "Well it seems this teacher didn't train you enough. Now on your knees."
Connie was then forced to kneel before the Red King who then brought his blade to her neck, pretty much preparing to execute her. "Once I'm done here with you, the other fools here will be next and then the rest of your friends will fall to Thanos!" he shouted. "Any last requests?"
"Yeah," the girl said looking up at a large figure stepping behind her executioner with a smirk. "look behind you." she declared. Angmo was reluctant to comply until he turned to discover the Hulk, looking as furious as usual, standing right behind him before he roared. "HULK HATE WHEN BAD PEOPLE HURT KIDS!" he screamed. "NOW HULK GONNA SMASH YOU AGAIN, CAUSE HULK STRONGEST THERE IS!"
"Not if I smash you first!" the Red King shouted firing missiles out of his mechanical arms at Hulk before he was suddenly torn out of his war-suit and punched downward by the radioactive beast. Wolverine & Groot then took their turn pummeling him before the tyrant had his vacant mechanical armor tipped over by a still-injured Connie right on top of him, killing him off.
"Heh heh, now little king squashed." Hulk declared chuckling before he felt a sudden pain in his chest and regressed back into Bruce Banner. "Oh my gosh, Mr. Banner!" Connie exclaimed rushing to his side. "Are you alright? Steven has healing spit that'll help you!"
"You're worrying too much kid, it's just chest pains. And please call me Bruce." Banner said. "But speaking of which, let's get that scratch on your arm checked out." He then grabbed her by the limb and closely examined the wound given to her by the late ex-ruler of Sakaar. "Doesn't seem too severe, but we're gonna need some gauze just in case."
"So I suppose you're gonna need my help Bruce?" Logan asked. "That's exactly what I was gonna say. Use your claws to cut off a bit of my pants for her." The mutant complied, carefully slicing out a portion of Bruce's purple jeans with his metal claws and handed it to Groot, who neatly tied it around the wound. "There we go, just let it sit until we can find the others and you'll be right as rain."
"Thanks Bruce." Connie gratefully said before Groot walked over to the abandoned war-suit and started looking at it. "I am Groot!" he exclaimed pointing at the machine. "What is it Groot?" the gamma radiation genius asked. "I think he's trying to say that the Red King's suit might be of use to us somehow." Connie stated. "But how?"
"Well, let's just take it and camp out here until someone finds us." Wolverine suggested putting the suit back in an upright position before they all realized Angmo-Asan was suddenly missing. "What the?! Where did that scarlet sissy off too?!" Logan cursed in frustration. "He wouldn't be able to run off like a baby so what happened?!"
Unbeknownst to them, ashes were floating around the arena before they simply decided to brush it off and find somewhere to rest while being watched by an unknown figure in a black coat.
In a wasteland covered in black sludge, Spider-Man, Lapis Lazuli, Mantis and Ms. Marvel appeared out of beams of light before examining their surroundings. "Where are we guys?" Lapis wondered. "Judging by the fact we're in space and surrounded by black goo." Peter began before Kamala started speaking in unison with him. "We must be in symbiote territory!"
"Symbiotes? Aren't they those slime creatures that go searching for hosts?" Mantis asked her teammates. "Oh you bet they are Mantis! In fact, there's actually a few of them on Earth." Kamala stated. "Like Carnage, Toxin, Anti-Venom and the big man himself, Venom!"
"Speaking of which, I think I can see one that looks a lot like him." Peter shushed them all and they patiently waited for someone to appear. "And my Spider-Sense can't track this guy. Be on your guard everyone."
It wasn't long before the symbiote leaped from out of nowhere and let out a mighty roar. "Wait a minute, you too Venom?!" Peter exclaimed in shock. "You are indeed correct human, I am indeed similar to the symbiote on Earth that you are familiar with, but in reality I am not him!" the alien explained. "When Thanos arrived on Klyntar, he ordered that we bring him one of our own, which turned out to be me before he destroyed our planet and used its remains as part of Battleworld!"
"Enough talk, we came here to kick your butt!" Ms. Marvel cried enlarging her hands. "Embiggen!" She used her Inhuman powers to try and restrain the symbiote but sadly failed. "You are insignificant to me child, I only want someone who has suffered great pain to make myself stronger!" the symbiote exclaimed slithering out of her grasp. "And I think I know just the one."
Examining each of his other opponents, Venom used telepathy to take note of whatever they've been through. Reading Peter's mind, he discovered that he was still grieving the loved ones he's lost like his parents and his uncle. For Mantis, he learned she was taken from her home and used by a powerful being who lied about how she was destined for something greater.
But for Lapis, he was hit with a tsunami of trauma. Getting caught in the Rebellion, sealed in the mirror & interrogated after being mistaken for a Crystal Gem, left behind on Earth, taken by Pearl & being forgotten for thousands of years, eventually being released & returning to her home planet only to be imprisoned once again, trapping Jasper in Malachite & torturing her for revenge and finally leaving Earth with the barn thinking the Diamonds would attack.
"Oh yes, so much pain! Negativity is maximum!" Venom screeched leaping toward Lapis and latching onto her. "Hey, what are you doing?!" the Gem cried trying to flee from the symbiote's grasp. "Gaining more power! Our abilities combined would make us unstoppable!"
"No please, let me go!" Lapis screamed in terror, not wanting to relive Malachite all over again. "I've already suffered enough!" she continued struggling but to no avail. "Don't worry Lapis, I'll save you!" Peter called out firing a web-line to stop Venom, only for the ooze creature to latch himself onto it. "Oh, walked right into that one!"
"A Gem combined with Spider-Man, this has to be a dream!" Venom cheered as he prepared to possess the two of them. "Uh guys, could use a little help here!" the webslinger exclaimed to Kamala & Mantis. "I can't keep him contained, he'll just slip out!" the young NuHuman said before she turned to the Guardian. "Wait a minute! Mantis, what can you do?"
"Well I can do lots of things like feeling the emotions of people I touch and put others to sleep." Mantis stated. "And symbiotes have a weakness to sonic frequencies, I think we got it!" Kamala declared. "I'm gonna need you to make it go to sleep Manty, but it's gonna be risky! That thing loves taking other's bodies, and it doesn't have any money to buy them dinner!"
"But what if he has money?" Mantis asked. "It's a figure of speech, now get him!" Ms. Marvel shouted and the alien obeyed with a nod, racing toward the symbiote with her hands out. "Another one wants to join I see! Well there's always enough room for everyone!"
"Don't worry you guys, I'll save you!" Mantis cried placing her hands on the symbiote's gooey form and briefly felt herself about to become one with him before she prepared to unleash her powers. "Go...to..." she muttered while her antennae glowed and Venom felt an odd sensation before he realized what was going to happen. "Oh no." he cried before Mantis let her abilities loose. "SLEEEEEP!"
The alien screamed in pain as he accidentally freed Lapis & Spidey from his grasp, wincing at the soundwaves making him tremble. "Now's our chance!" Lapis exclaimed forming Venom's liquid form into a ball before Spider-Man covered it with his webs. "Go Kamala!"
"You got it!" Ms. Marvel exclaimed tossing her enlarged fist back before giving the balled-up Venom a devastating punch, sending him off to parts unknown. "I will return!" he screamed before he became nothing but another star in the sky.
"Woohoo, we did it!" Peter cried hugging Lapis in celebration. "Yeah, you did it. I was nothing but some damsel in distress like in some of those movies." the ocean Gem said solemnly. "It was all thanks to you three that I wasn't made the slave of some goo monster."
"Aw don't feel like that buddy, I loved how you squished Venom into a little ball long enough for Peter to web him up." Kamala reassured her. "Yes, you don't have to keep being so hard on yourself. Maybe someday you can become a Crystal Gem and fight alongside your friends, especially Peridot." Mantis added. "Speaking of which, we all make a pretty good team."
"You're right Mantis. Which one of you was struck with a bolt of brilliance to find out Venom's weakness?" Spider-Man asked. "It was thanks to my extensive knowledge of supers combined with Mantis's powers that saved your asses." Ms. Marvel bragged. "But what do we do now? Seems like the others might still be fighting."
"I suggest we just camp out here until someone finds us." Lapis suggested sitting down. "At least we won't have to worry about that thing menacing us now."
"That sounds like a great idea. Too bad we don't have marshmallows and a campfire." Peter snarked and the four of them laughed, while a figure in a black cloak watched over them.
Next up was Pearl, Gamora, Black Widow and Captain Marvel appearing in the middle of a futuristic city. "Where are we?" Pearl wondered examining her surroundings before bringing forth her spear. "I recognize this place. This is obviously Hala, the home planet of the Kree race." Carol explained. "Though given the lack of wars and general unrest around here, I'd say Thanos put them on the snapping block too."
"Indeed he has!" a blue-skinned woman in green armor declared from on top of a building. Jumping down, Gamora immediately recognized their opponent. "Hala the Accuser. Who would've guessed Thanos would make you one of his minions?"
"Thanos promised that he would lock the Kree in an eternal war in exchange for my services." Hala declared pointing her staff at the four women. "But why would you want one when Thanos basically got rid of your army?!" Pearl exclaimed preparing for combat. "Sounds a bit counter-productive, I must say."
"Enough talk, fight me!" Hala exclaimed charging at them, staff at the ready. Tossing it like a javelin, Pearl narrowly avoided it before stabbing Hala in the torso, puncturing her armor. "Now girls!"
Natasha then fired her pistols before following up with a high kick that sent the Kree Accuser flying into a building. And speaking of flying, Captain Marvel charged at the villainess at high speeds, tackling Hala and pushing her through several buildings before dropping her to the ground, where she was greeted with Gamora socking her in the face and disarming her with her sword.
"It's over Hala. We've won." the former minion of Thanos declared pointing at their defeated opponent with her own staff. "No, you don't understand! If I dare lose to you, Thanos will unleash a power unlike any other!" the Accuser cried begging for mercy before she realized that her hand was already turning to dust, followed by the rest of her arm and then her entire being.
"So if his minions lose to us, they're disintegrated?!" Pearl cried out in horror. "Even if Hala was a criminal wanted across tons of galaxies, she definitely didn't deserve to end up like nothing." Danvers responded picking up her staff. There was a brief moment of silence between the four women for their fallen opponent before they split up to investigate the city while a black-covered figure watched them from high above.
Iron Man, Peridot, Rocket and Quicksilver reappeared on what looked like the Great Wall of China, but it was surrounded by rather futuristic architecture and heaps of metal near it. "So, who we fightin' now?" Rocket inquired before they heard a faint rumbling noise followed by a loud roar. Suddenly, a large green Chinese-esque dragon wearing purple made an entrance before the group, roaring once again to strike fear into them.
"Oh, hey Fin Fang Foom." Tony casually greeted the beast who glared at him in response. "A Makluan?! We gotta run!" Peridot screamed running as fast as her limb enhancers could. "You have no idea what you're up against Stark, that thing is an absolute monster!"
"What are you so scared about Dottie? I've faced this guy tons of times before, I can handle him." the Armored Avenger declared before the alien dragon swiped at him, but Tony managed to blast off at the right moment and joined Peridot in hiding.
"Oh I see, this is the classic scenario where the knight in shining armor and his trusted companions have to guard the princess from the fearsome dragon." Quicksilver snarked. "I'll provide cover while you guys think of a plan. I've known him longer so that oughta distract him longer." Tony decided before flying toward the Makluan. "Hey Godzilla, you missed me?!"
"How could I not Stark?" Fin Fang Foom growled launching a wave of fire at the Avenger. "Thanks to Thanos, I have grown so much stronger than you!" he boasted striking his human nemesis down with a knife block, but Stark responded with one last repulsor blast before he crashed down at Rocket's paws. "Anything guys?"
"Well, while you were nearly digging your own grave, Pietro, Rocket and I have decided on one plan that can take him down." Peridot explained. "And that's build a giant laser cannon!" Rocket exclaimed laughing madly. "We're just gonna need tons of scrap metal lying around to help us here."
"Oh look at that, we're practically surrounded by all the junk we need!" Quicksilver exclaimed spreading his arms out to get the others to notice the materials they required. "Okay, while you guys work on the thing I'll go and distract him next."
"Good plan Sonic." Tony answered before he began getting to work on gathering the metal. Meanwhile Peridot worked together with Rocket on the schematics of the cannon. "So we're going to need a static engine for this one? You got any P?" the raccoon stated. "I'm sure my limb enhancers could provide a good substitute. To wit, if you can help me take them off."
"Well how does that work anyway?" Rocket asked jiggling at the Gem's metallic foot. "I think you might need to press the yellow diamond on the knees and elbows." Peridot suggested while demonstrating how to do so with her left limb. "See?"
"Uh guys, any minute now!" Pietro cried continuing to run from Fin Fang Foom. "Give it time Gonzales, never rush genius you know!" Peridot shouted before Tony finally returned with the scraps they needed. "Got 'em all gang! Let's get to work!"
While the three geniuses got to work on constructing the laser cannon, Quicksilver on the other hand was running for his life away from the dragon alien who continued to launch fire from his mouth. "Why am I running like this?! I ain't no coward!" he said to himself. "I'm a damned Avenger, and ain't no one is going to bring me down!"
Just as he made his bold declaration, time suddenly skidded to a halt. Everything was completely frozen in place except for the speedster himself who took advantage of this to further inflict damage on the Makluan beast. Pietro sped forward with a strong uppercut before kicking him in the eye. He then finished it off with a punch to the dragon's privates with a giggle just as time returned to normal.
Fin Fang Foom collapsed howling in pain from the mutant's attack before getting up and glaring furiously at him. "IGNORANT WHELP!" he screamed preparing to finish things once and for all before he was met with a laser blast to the face.
Turning around, Foom discovered Iron Man now with a large cannon attached to his arm made up of various metals including Peridot's limb enhancers. "How do you like them apples Ord?!" Tony shouted charging it up again before firing at will, this time sending it straight for the Makluan's mouth. "I hope you're hungry!"
"I've had enough of this! DIE!" Fin Fang Foom finally snapped preparing to kill them all before he suddenly froze, falling flat on his face and revealing a figure in a black coat behind him. "Uh, what just happened? Who are you?" Rocket asked as the dragon faded away and the figure descended to the ground, extending his hand in lieu of speaking.
In a facsimile of the planet Xandar, Captain America, Bismuth, Star-Lord and Black Panther were next to spawn. "Geez, seems like they get attacked every other month or something!" Peter quipped. "You think this is where Thanos got his first Infinity Stone?"
"We have no time, look alive!" Bismuth shouted shoving the leading Guardian out of the path of an attack from their old enemy Titus. "Star-Lord, it's about time we faced each other again."
"Oh hey big guy, how's being put on trial by Homeworld for kidnapping a high-ranking Gem doing?" Star-Lord exclaimed cheerfully, though in actuality it was just an insult. "For your information you rapscallion, your Ravager partner had made that all up to stain my reputation! If he were here instead of you, I'd be even happier to annihilate him." Titus shouted. "Now lay down and face my vengeance."
"Leave him alone cat man!" Bismuth shouted smacking the ex-Nova Corpsman in the face with her hammer hand. "You have no right to assault an officer of the law like that you Bismuth!" Titus yelled before he felt his head being smacked by Captain America's shield. "You're no law enforcement, you're just as much of a criminal as the ones you claim to hunt down!"
"You are a disgrace to the Nova Corps if you think your mangled view of justice is cool!" Bismuth shouted preparing to engage him. "I may go to great lengths to do what I think is right, but I'm crossing the line at punishing those who look at me funny!"
"I like her." Quill commented. "Me too, I admire her passion." Rogers added as the fight between the blacksmith and the ex-Supernova continued on. "Shouldn't we try assisting her?" T'Challa suggested. "She may be strong, but I believe her alone won't be enough."
"Way ahead of you Sylvester!" Star-Lord shouted flying over to Titus and tackling him from behind. "Get off me you rat!" Titus screamed trying to toss the Guardian off his back before he was met with Black Panther slashing his face and damaging his cybernetic eye. "Again?!"
"Now!" Bismuth shouted before the captain charged at Titus & backed up his laser cannon with his famous shield. Titus tried to fight back by firing from his mechanical limb, but the shield's Vibranium construct combined with the amount of built-up energy caused a massive explosion that destroyed the arm.
"Good work everyone. Now then, let's signal the others and find someone to converge." Cap stated before they heard Titus whimpering in fear. "No, please! I can't die like this!" he cried out beginning to collapse into dust. "Thanos promised that I would regain my status in exchange for serving him, but he never told me about this part of the deal!"
"Wait, deal?" Bismuth shouted just as Titus finally faded away for good. "It's possible that all the villains Thanos has recruited might've also asked for something in exchange for their services but if they failed him, they would be eliminated." the king of Wakanda deduced. "But now we must ask, where do we go from here?"
Unknown to Black Panther, his question would be answered in the form of a mysterious figure in a black coat watching them from atop a building.
Next up were the team consisting of Jasper, Hawkeye, Yondu, Lion & She-Hulk along with War Machine, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Ant-Man and Falcon on a landscape that proved to be familiar to the Ravager. "Skrullos?! Seems like we're facing the queen and her lackey now."
"Oh goody, those two again." Jennifer flatly added. "I can only assume you faced them before?" Jasper asked the jade giantess. "You bet. They held a big secret invasion of Earth where they replaced tons of people, including me!" Pym explained. "That was a very humiliating experience for myself."
Suddenly the aforementioned shapeshifters appeared before the eight of them, the Skrull queen Veranke and her minion Kl'rt, the Super-Skrull. "Now doesn't this seem unfair? Eight of them against just the two of us." the Skrull commented before his master shushed him. "No matter my most loyal servant. We shall find a way to take advantage of this."
Lion quietly snarled at the green aliens before stepping to Hank's side. "So what are your reasons for siding with Thanos?" the scientist wondered. "Simple. If we destroy you here, Thanos will reward us with changing the timeline so that our invasion was successful." the Super-Skrull answered preparing for a fight. "And we refuse to let you get in our way!"
"That's what you think." Jasper challenged him cracking her knuckles and charging toward Kl'rt. The Skrull stretched his arms and grabbed her mid-charge, tossing the Gem around a bit before smashing her on the ground. "Don't think I can go down that easily!"
With that, the rest of the party charged toward Veranke who retaliated by ordering tons of turrets & droids at her beck and call. "Terminate them my machines!" she cried before they all fired at will. The seven of them fought back with all their might against the Skrull queen's mechanical minions.
"Remember, Veranke herself is our current objective!" Hank commanded growing larger and stepping on a platoon of robots. "You got that right doc!" Jen replied crushing another between her thighs before she saw Jasper grab the Super-Skrull by the arm and toss him around like a toy. "And I like her style!"
"Never thought I'd hear a human praising me." Jasper mused taking notice of the heroine's compliments. "But no matter, after I take down these two Thanos will be mine!" She then landed the finishing blow, tossing Kl'rt into an array of turrets, putting him in their path and eliminating him.
"Nice throw there Jasper!" Rhodey called before firing at will at the machines. Meanwhile with Vision and Wanda, they were standing back to back while Sam soared overhead and Yondu rode on Lion's back sending his Yaka arrow flying towards more turrets. "All right Vis, what's our next move?" the witch asked her lover. "I suggest that I phase through them while you mind control them into attacking one another, giving me enough time to sneak attack them."
"Good plan there my dear." Vision agreed and he faded away, leaving his beloved to curse the machines into attacking one another. As the robots began fighting amongst themselves, a large laser beam appeared from out of nowhere and reduced them all to scrap metal, its owner revealing himself as Vision.
As for Falcon, he flew straight for Veranke guns blazing and letting out a war cry, but she simply dodged them all before being tackled by Jasper. "Do you yield your highness?!" the quartz snarled gripping her arms before she began fading away into dust. "What?!"
"My queen, no!" Kl'rt screamed for his master as he disintegrated as well. "Could this be what happens to Thanos's minions when they fail him?" Hank wondered. "Because this definitely has Infinity Stones written all over it."
"It most likely is." Jasper concurred. "But one has to ask what did the Skrulls ask for in return." Just then, a figure dressed in all black appeared before them, emitting a mysterious air around him.
Next up were Garnet, Amethyst, Bucky and Wasp. "So which one are we gonna face now? Annihilus, Blastaar, maybe even Galactus?!" the small Gem asked excitedly. "None of the above Amethyst." Bucky answered, much to her disappointment. "But speaking of Galactus..."
The old soldier pointed upward to a humanoid male figure on what looked like a surfboard hovering down to them, a male that Bucky and Janet recognized very well. "The Silver Surfer?!" Wasp cried in shock. "How did Thanos find a way to brainwash him?!"
"It is simple mortal! When Thanos discovered me, he brought me under his control as one of his most powerful lackeys with the Mind Stone! And I stand here today as the Dark Surfer, your personal executioner!"
"A herald of Galactus? Impossible." Garnet muttered in fear of what someone with the Power Cosmic could do. "We have to break Thanos's control over the Surfer, he could help us out against him!"
"Roger wilco G!" Amethyst shouted tying the Surfer down with her whips. The herald struggled to free himself before he was met with a stinger blast from Janet in his emerald eyes. "What is the meaning of this?! Let me go!" the Dark Surfer screamed before becoming trapped in a headlock by Garnet. She then discovered an odd orange bulb growing on the back of his head. "That must be what's controlling him!"
"What, that little thing? Doesn't seem too hard. Just pop it and we'll be done here." Amethyst remarked just as the Dark Surfer finally broke free and flew off. "Aw dang it!"
"We got to time it just right and shoot the damn thing!" Bucky stated loading his gun. "I only got one shot at this." He carefully aimed his rifle at the bulb on the Surfer's back, making sure he had a clear view of it before finally firing. The bullet sailed skyward toward the bulb and pierced straight into it, making the bulb burst and splatter all over the Surfer's head as he reverted to his more recognizable silver coloring and crashed into the ground. "Target eliminated!"
"Must...reach...Strange..." the Silver Surfer muttered slowly regaining control of his mind. "What is he talking about?" Amethyst wondered. "He must be talking about the doctor, probably wanting to find him and talk about Thanos." Garnet deduced. "Please Surfer, tell us your business!"
"I wanted...to warn him." Norrin Rad groaned in pain. "Great danger, coming this way. Must be stopped!" The Surfer then began screaming in terror. "His arrival could herald the end of the universe! THANOS IS COMING!"
"Uh newsflash Bender, we already kinda got the message." Amethyst snarked before the herald grabbed her shoulders. "They're all dying! Billions upon billions of souls are blinking out of existence! Horrible, not a one knew what struck them!" the Surfer continued his rant before Garnet finally silenced him. "We know! Thanos has brought us all here to fight his minions and stop him! Tell us, how did he brainwash you?"
"Apologies for panicking my friends." the Silver Surfer apologized sitting down on his board. "The last thing I remember before Thanos found me was flying down to Earth to warn Doctor Strange about the Mad Titan's reign of terror before the Black Order captured me and used one of the Infinity Stones to make me his puppet. Since I was the only soul among his Masters of Evil that didn't make a deal with him, that must mean I won't be disintegrated like the others."
"That's good to know buddy, but how do we get out of here?" Janet wondered sitting down next to Silver. "I think I may know someone. Look."
The Surfer pointed toward a figure in black standing before them and smiled at him.
The final group to spawn were Steven, Thor, Doctor Strange and Drax in a locale that looked insanely familiar to the young Gem. "Is this Homeworld?" he wondered looking around at the architecture, including the large white statue in the distance. "By Odin's beard, did Thanos strike here as well?" Thor gasped in astonishment. "Indeed he did brother."
Loki suddenly appeared with a dastardly smirk on his face ready to face the four of them. "Loki, you're with Thanos too?!" Steven cried summoning his shield. "Of course I am child. But I'm not the only one." the God of Mischief replied gesturing upward to a large pillar of light that collapsed to reveal none other than Yellow and Blue Diamond.
"The Diamonds!" Steven cried in alarm. "My God." Strange added in amazement. "As I live and breathe. I've only heard stories about how my father participated in the Rebellion, but I never thought I'd be facing two of the Diamonds today." Thor stated beginning to reminisce on tales of days long past. "I still remember the story of how he lost his eye that day."
In the heat of the great war between the Crystal Gems & their newfound allies against both the Gem Homeworld and Thanos, the Allfather Odin stood back to back with Rose Quartz against an army of Topazes.
"Seems like we've bitten off more than we can chew." the leader of the Crystal Gems commented. "Do not fret my comrade! You've shown great vigor in recruiting us to your cause along with Wakanda, Atlantis, the Vishanti, the Inhumans, En Sabah Nur & K'un-L'un and we shall show that same vigor here today!" Odin declared spotting the first foe within his sight. "I suppose that white light must be their leader."
"White light?" Rose stuttered turning back to Odin in fear. "Odin, you have no idea what you're getting into! That's-" she tried to warn him but her words fell on deaf ears. "A chance for me to show these Homeworlders what I've got!" the Allfather boomed running away from his pink comrade. "For the Nine Realms!"
Roaring like an animal as he plowed through Homeworld Gems and Thanos's forces, Odin saw the white light get closer to him. "Come and fight me you filthy Diamond!" he screamed jumping high into the air with Gungnir at the ready, tossing it straight at the light.
Only for it to come flying back towards him and striking him in his right eye. The Asgardian king screamed in pain as he fell to the ground with his beloved queen Frigga being the first to rush to his side.
"I remember that man quite well." Yellow Diamond commented. "He was quite loud and foolhardy back in the day, but I assumed he wised up a bit after he lost his eye to White. But back on the subject at hand, now all of you will have to meet the same fate, especially Rose."
"For the last time, I'm not Rose!" Steven cried trying to correct the monarch before Doctor Strange shushed him. "Stand down Steven, you are quite strong on your own, but are nothing compared to two Diamonds." he stated. "Well what if they're nothing compared to me?!" Drax hollered running toward the two Gems with his daggers prepared and laughing like a madman. "Come and face me giant women!"
"No." Blue Diamond simply said striking him down with just a finger before glaring at the remaining three. "And as for all of you." she snarled just as the Sorcerer Supreme stepped forth. "I've faced quite a lot of galactic menaces, but I never knew I'd face two Diamonds." he declared summoning forth a pair of glowing red bands and flying forward. "By the Crimson Chains of Cyttorak!"
Strange tossed his arm out and entangled Yellow with the chains, but she freed herself by touching them with an electric shock, leaving the doctor open for Blue to attack next. Strange created a portal that brought him a short distance away to break his fall and prepared another spell. "By the Bolts of Balthakk!"
"Get him my Diamond!" Yellow Pearl cried from the stands with Blue Pearl sitting next to her. "What she said."
As the fight between Strange and the Diamonds raged on, Thor and Loki began locking horns once more. "What do you seek to gain from siding with Thanos again brother?!" the thunder god asked striking his adoptive brother in the face with Mjolnir. "Surely you realize that failing him with only result in horrific punishment!"
"He would've spared my life if I didn't fail him here like last time." Loki explained. "And even because of that, I still won't go easy on you regardless!" He jabbed at his adoptive brother with his spear and knocked him out cold with his magic.
Meanwhile, Steven was trying to sneak across the battlefield away from the Diamonds before he suddenly came across Drax lying down on the ground after being attacked by Blue Diamond. "Are you okay Drax?" the boy asked the destroyer as he got up. "I am very okay, for I am alive!" Drax declared proudly. "Ha-ha-ha-ha, screw you giant women!"
"I wouldn't say that if I were you Drax." Steven winced as the destroyer's insult caught Yellow's attention and she charged toward the two, preparing to assault the boy before she was stopped by Thor. "What?!" she shouted clashing with the Asgardian. "Stop this Odinson, the brat is mine!"
"What are you doing Thor?! You just abandoned me so you can save a simple child!" Loki whined. "Please everyone, stop fighting and listen to me!" Steven urged everyone. "Thanos is using the three of you as his puppets, and if you fail him, who knows what he could do!"
"Don't try and brainwash me Rose!" Yellow screamed shoving Thor out of the way and nearly stomping on Steven once and for all before she was halted by Loki of all people. "This boy is right. The Mad Titan has played us all for fools and I suppose we all know what happens when we lose."
"Loki is right, Thanos would destroy us." Blue Diamond agreed with the trickster god. "Although we naturally oppose one another, he's a greater threat to everyone." she stated and Yellow just facepalmed in exasperation. "I can't believe I'm going to do this." she muttered before turning to Steven. "Okay little one, how about this? We join forces to defeat Thanos once and for all. But this is only temporary, since you are a Crystal Gem."
"Very well then. But we need a place to stay and make plans." Strange stated before they all spotted a black cloaked male appearing out of nowhere and gesturing toward a futuristic metropolis. "Well, speak of the devil."
Meanwhile Thanos was watching everything play out from his moon shrine and looking very furious. "First the Surfer and now them?!" he roared raising his Gauntlet to the air. "They all will pay!"
"Wait master!" Mephisto cried breaking his blind rage. "I have a solution to this. Why don't I settle things myself?" he offered with a smug grin which Thanos returned. "Very well then Mephisto. You may depart, and make sure not to fail me like all the others."
"Duly noted oh great and powerful Mad Titan." the Prince of Devils replied kneeling before the dark lord. "My humble personage bows before your grandeur." The demon then disappeared from the palace, leaving Thanos smirking and Lady Death still stood motionless by his side.
Journeying their way to the metropolis, Steven attempted to make small talk with the cloaked figure. "Uh, excuse me sir but I have a few questions." he said. "Who are you, what do you want with us, where are we going?"
The figure gave no answer and continued floating forward. "And why does nobody answer when I ask important questions?" Steven mumbled before they heard a rumbling sound followed by a mad cackle. "That laugh." Loki gasped just as Mephisto appeared before the group. "So what do we have here?! The boy, his little defenders and a couple of traitors too!"
"Mephisto! You're gonna pay for scaring the Gems back on Titan!" Steven shouted preparing his shield. "Oh I'm not interested in you for the moment boy. I only want the Diamonds." Mephisto stated turning to the two monarchs. "Look at you! You're supposed to be among the most powerful beings in the cosmos and yet here you are subservient to someone you could crush underfoot!"
"Insult us all you want demon, but perhaps we could do the same to you." Yellow said preparing to strike Mephisto down before Thanos suddenly appeared. "That is what you think Yellow." the Titan declared appearing out of a portal behind the demon. "I'd like to have a word with you Mephisto."
"Why master, couldn't you arrive until after I terminated them?" Mephisto asked before he was grabbed by the neck and pulled up to Thanos's gaze. "I know you have something planned for me demon. Tell me what it is and I promise your humiliation will be less painful!" he threatened. "I refuse Thanos! Was this your own plan for me, to obliterate me when you realized my endgame?!" the devil cried fearfully.
Thanos only answered by punching him skyward with the Gauntlet and forcing him down with the Reality Stone, making sure to smash him deep into the ground. "Do you yield Mephisto. Or do you fall?"
Mephisto gave out a frightened yelp before he vanished into thin air, leaving Thanos disappointed and everyone else aghast. "Keep in mind that this is only a preview of what I can do with the Infinity Gauntlet. If I decided to, I could wipe out all of you and everyone else on this planet with just the snap of a finger. But that's for later. As for now, I'm watching you."
Thanos turned his back and began to walk away before stopping for a moment to gaze at the cloaked man. "And I'm also watching you in particular." he stated getting back to walking and then he slowly vanished. "What did he mean by that?" Steven asked glancing at their mysterious rescuer before they continued onward to the metropolis.
"There, this should last us for a while!" Connie declared rubbing some pieces of wood together given to her by Groot to make a fire. "Thanks for giving me the wood Groot."
"I am Groot." Groot replied before Rocket spoke up. "So, the gang's pretty much all here!" he stated reclining on Bismuth's shoulder. "We're all a bunch of jackasses around a campfire brought back together by some jackass we don't know about who thinks he's all mysterious by dressing in clothes that completely hide him and not speak at all!"
"Hey, speaking of the gang being all here, there's still someone missing." Amethyst remarked. "What about Steven?" she asked. "That's right. We're still missing Steven, Point Break, Dumbledore and Tattoos." Iron Man answered. Just then they heard a familiar voice. "Hey guys!"
"Oh speak of the devil and he shall appear." Hawkeye snarked as Steven finally reunited with the other heroes. "Steven!" the Crystal Gems cried rushing to hug the child. "We were all so worried for you Steven!" Pearl exclaimed. "Who were you up against, how'd you do, what happened after that?" Amethyst asked. "We're just happy you're all right if you can't tell." Garnet calmly remarked. "And it's good to see the rest of you as well."
"Thank you Garnet. I can assure all of you fought well today." Thor proclaimed. "Actually my friends, it's not just us four that came here." Doctor Strange nervously stated turning around and gesturing something forward, that something being Loki, the Diamonds and their Pearls. "Surprise!" Loki exclaimed with a mischievous grin on his face while Yellow just face-palmed.
Everybody present was completely at a loss for words at the sight of three of their enemies before them, especially Captain America, Rocket Raccoon, Hulk, Bismuth, Pearl and Lapis.
"I'm sorry, am I dreaming or are the Diamonds standing right in front of us and not wanting us dead?!" the blacksmith exclaimed trying to comprehend what's going on. "Aw geez, for the record miss, we didn't capture her because there was this big guy trying to kill us." Rocket groaned. "And I suppose you also heard about how he "kidnapped" one of your own."
"T-the Diamonds?! Steven, are you crazy?!" Lapis began to panic and tried to fly away before she felt her ankle entangled in a string of web. "Lapis, wait!" Spider-Man cried out trying to pull her down. "Man, you're tough! Can someone give me a hand?"
"I got this long-legs." Rocket stated firing an electric net launcher that managed to bring Lapis back to the ground. "Look Tidal, I know you're kinda afraid of Homeworld and you don't wanna do anything with them, but I don't think you would abandon everyone else all willy-nilly!"
"I know Rocket, but you've met them before. Why aren't you as afraid?" Lapis asked beginning to calm down. "Because trust me blue, I've met far worse people than those two." the mercenary stated before Spidey decided to speak. "And I know what it's like to run away. You remember how I mentioned how many times I was like Spider-Man no more, right?"
"Yeah. Can you give me one reason you quit one time?" Lapis asked. "It was because I lost someone close to me one faithful night. This someone was the only girl I ever loved and this villain just took her away from me." Peter answered. "She got much better and became a crimefighter in her own right, but that night still haunts me even today."
"Who was this girl?" Lapis asked again, but Peter started to get a bit teary-eyed under his mask and dodged the question. "That's not important! But what's important is that you don't always have to run away thinking that can instantly solve your problems. You gotta face them head on." he said bringing the Gem in for a hug, who returned it with a smile. "Thanks Pete."
"Okay, it was fun being sentimental and all that, but let's just discuss the REALLY big elephant in the room." Star-Lord exclaimed. "Just who, the hell, are you?!" he exclaimed to the cloaked figure, who simply sighed and actually said a full sentence. "Well, you got me."
The man finally ditched the cloak to reveal his red hair & red and white bodysuit under a brown leather jacket. Out of everyone, this man caught the eyes of the Avengers and Steven. "Don't you just hate it when you have to not talk to keep being mysterious?" the man snarked. "Bet you all didn't see me coming."
"Eros?" Cap gasped in astonishment. "I'm sorry, who?" Amethyst said. "I remember him. Thanos made him appear in my dream." Steven said. "Are you Thanos's brother?"
"Of course I am sport. What's your name?" Eros asked Steven. "My name is Steven Universe, and these are all my friends the Crystal Gems." the boy introduced himself and the Gems. "Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl, Connie, Peridot, Lapis Lazuli and Bismuth. And there's also Jasper and Yellow & Blue Diamond."
"You got a whole harem of Gems? Oh baby, why couldn't I have your life?!" Eros exclaimed before trying to make his move on Garnet. "Hey there sweetheart, name's Eros, but the ladies call me Starfox!" he purred sensually. "You know among all the types of babes I usually fall for, the strong silent types are usually among my faves."
"Say another word or I'll make sure you're physically incapable of talking." Garnet calmly threatened Starfox, who nervously backed away in response. "Okay, I'll cut it out! Sheesh, can't please everyone."
"Tell us Eros, why have you assembled us all here? Not just us, but some of our enemies as well!" Thor asked the Eternal. "Funny story Goldilocks. In fact, the Gems here are the very reason I assembled y'all here today." Starfox explained before apologizing to Steven. "And I sincerely apologize for calling them your harem kid, I didn't realize it was kind of a touchy subject and I won't bring it up again. Capiche?"
"So he and Thanos are brothers?" Lapis wondered. "I seriously don't get why there are so many siblings that look nothing like one another." she deadpanned much to Loki's chagrin. "I told you back on Asgard, I'm adopted!"
"Okay so gather round ladies and germs, it'll be like telling stories around the fire!" Starfox coaxed them all into sitting with him around Connie's impromptu campfire. "So you all know Thanos, right? Big scary guy that wants to wipe out half of the universe because some lady told him everything was getting too big which somehow turned him on? Well what if I told you-"
"That it was because he was ostracized by his people for looking different?" Steven interrupted the Eternal's explanation. "Correctamundo squirt!" Eros applauded him before getting back to his story. "Anyway, when our peaceful little planet of Titan was doomed due to some ecological crisis, Thanos had the bright idea of killing off half of its population to save the rest. And to them, it was a big no-no and they kicked him out!"
"So being shunned by his people, then exiled because his way of solving a problem was too drastic?" Connie wondered. "You know now that you tell us, I can actually understand where he's coming from."
"Nice assumption there sweetheart. Moving on, Thanos thought he was finally lost until he heard of Lady Death, who also thought that the universe was getting too big and a match made in Hell was born." Starfox continued telling his story. "She gave him his own army to carry out her wishes and the first thing he did? Kill off half the people of Titan before that crisis could call dibs."
The Eternal continued on before Steven tapped Gamora on the back. "Uh Gamora, there's something Pearl and I want to tell you." he said to the Zenwhoberi. "Yondu, Cap and Bucky need to hear this as well."
"Why, is something the matter kid?" Bucky asked while the two Gems led them somewhere hidden from the rest of the party. "Something is the matter, and I couldn't stand not telling you." Steven continued before letting out a solemn sigh. "It's about Rose."
"Why, what about Rose?" Rogers wondered before the boy motioned for Pearl to speak. "Rose Quartz was actually Pink Diamond." she revealed to the four of them, to their absolute shock and confusion. "What the?!" Yondu gasped turning his head back & forth between the two rebels and the Diamonds. "You mean to tell me I was helping one of them all those years back?"
"Exactly. Which begs the question, how did you get involved with Rose? You should be like really old right about now." Steven wondered. "As a matter of fact kid, I often forget when I first met her and Pearl." Yondu explained scratching his chin. "Maybe it was thousands of years ago or maybe on my way to fetch Quill for his pappy, I don't know."
"As for me, I have a much clearer answer: time travel." Gamora stated. "Among the various training regiments he put his children through were sending us to the distant past to assist his younger self. And yet somehow this didn't alter the timeline. It's just as nonsensical as it sounds."
"So a tyrant was helping us fight tyrants. Talk about cruel irony." Bucky muttered before turning to his best friend. "What are your thoughts Steve? You seem awfully quiet."
The captain let out a sigh and finally began to speak. "Listen, I want to be mad, I want to feel betrayed but I just can't because I've been through this before." Steve stated before looking at Bucky and then at Tony in the distance. "Sometimes when you've hidden a secret for so long, it can have disastrous consequences when it gets out. Does anyone else know yet?"
"No, just me and Pearl for now. Maybe we should break it to the other Gems when all is said and done." Steven answered before he felt his idol's hands touch his shoulders. "Trust me Steven, no matter how they feel about it, I'm sure things will turn out fine nonetheless." he confirmed with a warm smile. "Now come on, let's go rejoin the others."
The six rejoined everyone else around the fire as Starfox's story ended. "Hey guys, where were you? Y'all missed the best part!" he exclaimed. "I was on my feet against Thanos, like a man-"
"I think we've heard enough you." Yellow Diamond interrupted him. "Now then, how about we rest up and think of a plan?" she suggested. "That's good big lady, but let's leave the plan making to me." Stark cockily stated much to her frustration. "I'm a natural leader and strategist here! Leave this to a professional!"
"Big talk coming from someone with such a long neck!" Tony insulted the monarch. "Speaking of which, how's the weather up there?!" he continued jeering. "If we weren't on the same side, I'd kill you on the spot." Yellow growled and the two continued arguing. It was about to reach a boiling point before Star-Lord interrupted them both. "Guys guys, calm down! Why don't we let me do the planning? After all, there'd be less risk of being murdered by giant women or your dignity tainted by someone with an ego huger than his mansion?"
There was dead silence between the Homeworld monarch and the armored human before Tony simply said "Wow."
The next morning, the champions had awakened and assembled before Captain America. "Okay everyone, today we finish this." the captain declared. "We've been under Thanos's thumb for far too long and it's about time we make him pay. Now we may be naturally opposed to one another, but today we stand together as one against a common threat. As Gems, as gods, as heroes, as humans, as-"
"As my prey." Thanos boomed appearing seemingly out of nowhere to everyone's alarm. "Were you spying on us the whole time?!" Garnet exclaimed as they all geared up for battle. "You could say that my dear Garnet." the Mad Titan answered. "I could just wipe all of you out with just my fingers, but I'd rather extinguish you all one at a time. Starting with you brother."
"Long time no see Big T, when's the last time we ever clashed?" Starfox asked, his voice now more serious yet still keeping a laid-back tone. "Been about like 500 years ago? Lost count after another hundred." The Eternal cracked his knuckles and prepared for a rematch years in the making and zooming forward with cosmic energy surrounding his hands before Thanos punched him in the face, sending him flying across the city.
However, Eros got up with only a few bruises and stated "Is that the best you got?" He let out a mighty yell charging at his brother again and unleashed a mighty uppercut that sent him sky high. "Get out while you still can guys!"
"But what about you?" Peridot exclaimed preparing to flee. "I'll be alright, I can take Thanos!" Starfox said. As for Thanos himself, he was descending back towards the ground when he noticed his trusted stasis gun falling with him. Seeing this as an opportunity to please Death, he grabbed it and aimed at the fleeing champions. "I've got you in my sights!"
Thanos pulled the trigger and fired a bolt at Connie, who didn't notice it until she heard someone scream in pain. That someone was Hawkeye, putting himself in harm's way all for the life of a fellow skilled human in a world of superpowered beings.
"Clint!" the other five main Avengers cried out for their teammate rushing to their side. "Are you okay Clint?! Please speak to us!" Natasha shouted shaking her partner's unconscious form. "I'm okay guys, just a serious concussion." the archer groaned. "And I'm feeling a bit numb in my shooting arm."
Just then, Eros was tossed back to the ragtag band of saviors by Thanos who was looking rather furious. "You've gotten soft brother! I demand a real challenge!" the titan boomed. "I'd like to take that offer." Jasper declared stepping forward. "Are you nuts Jasper?! You know how strong Thanos is!" Amethyst cried to her fellow quartz. "I know runt, but if I die here then I'm going to die settling things with Thanos once and for all."
"Very well then Jasper. I've been waiting for that rematch for the past thousands of years." Thanos stated removing his armor and getting into a fighting stance. "Go ahead, give me all you got."
"With pleasure titan. But first," Jasper said before she turned to Steven and the others. "all of you outta here, now!" she commanded. "Why Jasper?!" Steven exclaimed before he was cut off by a loud "GOOO!"
"Well, you heard the big lady." Tony commanded leading everyone else away from the city. "Is there a place where we can recover?" he asked. "Let's go back to Earth! Well, the fake Earth really, but you know what I mean." Steven suggested as he and Connie hopped on Lion's back. The boy only looked back at Jasper as her final showdown with the Mad Titan began and he only said "Not right now Steven, not right now."
The two brutes screamed at one another as their fists locked together. They struggled to push each other down until Jasper gave in, collapsing to the ground before Thanos leapt high into the air. "Is that all you got?!" the soldier roared spindashing straight toward him. "Because I've got more for you!"
"Come on!" Thanos boomed opening himself up and catching Jasper in his arms, holding her in a bear hug. "Don't underestimate me monster!" she howled giving her arch-rival a mighty headbutt, freeing her from his grasp and the two fell back down to the ground. "I have to say Jasper, you haven't gotten rusty one bit."
"Ditto Thanos. But when I'm done, your precious Gauntlet will be nothing but rust!" Jasper cried charging towards the dark lord again, but she was knocked down with a single punch that sent her flying into a nearby building, making it topple to the ground.
When she finally came to amongst the rubble, Jasper pulled her hair from her eyes to find a familiar face that she thought was long gone. "M-my Diamond?" she stuttered at the very sight at her late superior Pink Diamond standing before her. "I can't believe it, you're here! You were never shattered! I am just so happy to see you again!" Jasper began crying before taking a knee. "Tell me, what are your orders?"
Pink Diamond opened her mouth and began to speak, but she was interrupted by Thanos's large hand striking her in the torso where her gem was and smashed it in his hands, killing her. "I know what it is like to lose my dearest Jasper." the titan said cupping her chin and budging her head to meet his gaze. "To feel so desperately that you're right yet to fail all the same."
"You-you monster! You couldn't!" Jasper screamed before she spotted some teal spikes growing on her arm. "No, no! I can't go through this again!" she cried. "The mind is a fickle thing, isn't it? One moment you're seeing things, and the next you feel like you're going mad." Thanos continued revealing the glowing Mind & Reality Stones in his gauntlet. "And reality can often be mundane as well. But not anyone with these stones, one of which I used to heal your corruption. Sadly, it seems to be wearing off."
"Sadly?! SADLY?! The only thing that's sad is that you used my greatest failure against me!" Jasper howled as her corruption worsened. "And yet here you are kicking back as millions die under your thumb! I may be a brute, but I know where to cross the line!"
"But the universe and its resources are finite my friend. If those are left unchecked, life will simply cease to exist. At least, that is what Death made me believe when we first met." Thanos continued without a care for his opponent's condition. "I must ask you my friend, any final wishes?"
"Please...tell me what really happened to her." Jasper gasped finally giving up hope. With a smug grin on his purple face, Thanos gave no answer. "Y-you, you insane bastard!" were the quartz's final words before she fully became corrupted once more, a quadrupedal beast with spikes adorning her form, a lack of eyes and sharp teeth.
"I am truly sorry." Thanos muttered with a hint of actual regret in his tone before he grabbed Jasper's gem and ripped it from her face, poofing her. "You were a mighty opponent Jasper, but alas. There must always be a clear winner." he commended his inactive foe before dropping the gem on the ground and stepping on it, shattering her once and for all. Without a word, he turned the other way and stepped through a portal back to his shrine to Death.
However in the distance, the Silver Surfer remained behind to spectate on the fight and with a solemn bow of his head, he returned to the others.
Upon finally arriving at the facsimile of Beach City, the group took a moment to catch their breath. "That was just intense! Felt like we were gonna die there!" Amethyst exclaimed falling flat on her back. "Indeed, half of the time I felt like we were going to be crushed by debris." Pearl added sitting down on the deck. "Hey wait a minute, aren't we missing someone?"
"Yeah, where the hell did Silver Bells go?" Wolverine asked when just then, Norrin returned to them. "Where were you big boy?" Starfox asked him. "And what happened to the big lady?"
The ex-herald of Galactus was silent for a moment before finally giving an answer. "She's dead." This proved to be a great shock to our champions as they took a moment of silence to honor Jasper's sacrifice against Thanos.
"What now?" Thor asked breaking the silence. "Well normally I would have something made to kick his ass, but we got nothing right now." Tony replied before Groot spoke up. "I am Groot!" he exclaimed pointing at Pearl's gem. "Oh that's right, you gave me the Red King's warsuit in case we needed it." she stated. "So we're going to need your help Stark."
"Good idea big guy, but we need to buy some time in case Thanos tries to show his ugly mug at us." Tony remarked. "Seems like we're gonna need all the help we can get here. Rocket, Thor, Peridot, Lapis and Bismuth, you're gonna help us make a godkiller. The rest of you go take him on until we're ready."
"But who's gonna lead us against him?" Connie asked before looking at her best friend. "Me? But I'm not ready yet!" Steven exclaimed before Garnet calmed him down. "Then consider this your first leadership training exercise." she benignly declared. "Garnet's right Steven, you were born to lead the Gems just like your mother before you." Captain America stated. "Don't feel so scared right now, we'll all be with you every step of the way."
"As Gems." Yellow Diamond added. "As gods." Thor followed up. "As humans." Connie said holding her friend's hand. "As heroes." Spider-Man declared. "As champions." Pearl said. With those words of encouragement, Steven turned to face the horizon before them with his shield raised up high. "Thank you everyone." he thanked them all before letting out a battle cry of "Ultimate Alliance, assemble!"
This was a day unlike any other where the forces of good and evil were forced to band together under a common threat. Although their conflicting alignments prove to be a problem, they knew they had to set their differences aside for the final battle. On that day, the Ultimate Alliance was born.
And that was it for The Masters of Evil! Sorry to keep you waiting everyone, but hopefully this was all worth it! Join us next time for the final battle with Thanos in Forever Fight as One. But for now, I think I'm going to take a load off and maybe get back on a smaller story. That's right, we are really truly going back to the clash between One Punch Man's Saitama and Villainous's Black Hat in Black Fist! Until then, catch ya later.
Dedicated to Steve Ditko
November 2, 1927-June 29, 2018
Without your strange mind, we wouldn't have gotten such spectacular characters.
#steven universe#the avengers#fanfiction#crossover#steven universe secret wars#steven quartz universe#garnet#amethyst#pearl#captain america#iron man#thor odinson#incredible hulk#hawkeye#black widow#connie maheswaran#lapis lazuli#peridot#jasper#bismuth#captain marvel#black panther#doctor strange#spider-man#guardians of the galaxy#thanos#and tons of others that would take up too many tags
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Bloomin' Ross pt36
Cass plan is put into action as pirates finally come upon the ship. New length champion at near 2700 words. Darn these are getting long.
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"Why do I have to be the one up here?" Eugene called down from the castle waving a sizable white cloth tied to a staff at the approaching ship, its black flag marking it as a pirate ship.
"Stop talking and looking down here before they figure out what's going on!" Cass answered in a harsh whisper glaring from Eugene to the ship that was only now slowing in its approach as it began a listless turn to bring its hall against theirs.
Cass ducked her head back under the deck and turned to find Rapunzel, Rose, and Max who looked anxious behind her. Well, except for Max, who frowned in grim determination a sword held in his teeth. "You all remembered how it happened last time," They nodded and above Cass could hear Eugene shouting something overly friendly greeting to the pirates asking for assistance. "They'll secure us with grappling hooks first then set out the planks when they do we'll take out one. That'll funnel their forces. Raps you stay to the back, Max you watch out for her."
"Right," Rapunzel and Rose said at once, and Max snorted nodding his head. The clanging rain for grappling hooks on wood caused them all to tense with anticipation. The boat lurched as the ropes were pulled taut and Cass' stomach swam a little. She clenched her teeth and forced down the sickness, deeper in the hold Fidello whinnied sorrowfully causing Max to look back worriedly.
"Fidello will be alright Max; you have to stay with us." Rapunzel laid a hand on his side and looked up at him apologetically. The stallion nodded, and the sound of planks slamming down onto the deck came down from above.
"Now!" Cass called, and they charged up from the hold, but as the old saying went the first casualty of any battle was the plan. Cass' eyes shot wide as she saw three planks set out between the ships, not two. She hesitated for a moment her brain screaming for an idea.
"Pyrepy burn that plank," Rose voice cut through Cass' thoughts like a knife and she saw the blacksmith and her fiery canine companion run for opposite planks. The pup reached his first and with a deep breath blew a gout of flames across the dry plank. The pirates already halfway across skidded to a stop as the wall of flames surged across their access point. The one behind collided with the ones in front, and they began falling over each other. Cries ended in heavy splashes as they fell to the open water below the ship.
Rose reached the other plank a split second after her pup reached his and as they had planned she gripped the end and began lifting it, her muscles straining as the men on the plank weighed it down. Some lost their balance and fell, but others pressed forward. Cass rushed to Rose's side, and Rapunzel arrived a moment later, and with a collective pull, they dragged the plank free of the pirate ship's deck. The was another echo of cries as the girl released the plank and it and its occupants dropped into the water below.
It was a minor victory as the pirates came surging over the remaining plank. Rose and Cass turned on the pirate hoard and drew their swords, putting themselves between the pirates and the Princess.
Swords rang out as they clashed usually followed by the sound of a solid fist striking flesh. Rose defected a blade her heavy boot knocking the air from a pirates stomach, Cass steeping around her to catch another pirate's sword bracing the flat of her blade against her palm and shoving over the deck with a strong push. Rose's pommel thumped into a pirate's skull as he charged at Cass' back before the pair stepped past each other to parry blades intended for the other's back.
Max was a fury, the sword in his mouth flashed moving more like a whirling beam of light then a weapon catching weapons two at a time. Even Cass felt a little sorry for the pirate flung across the deck by his bucking hooves.
Behind him Eugene and Rapunzel took care of whatever riff-raff slipped past the others, Eugene sword catching the deadly blades and Rapunzel's frying pan sending them to an abrupt dreamland.
A loud yelp drew Rose attention to the burning plank; a few brave pirates had leaped the flames and made it to the deck. Emboldened by their comrade's success other's now came over, only for the weakened burning plank to fall out from beneath them. But one that had made it across held the pup by the throat in one hand. "Pyrepy!" Rose raced to the pup's rescue unnecessary as it was as the pup burst into flames and the terrified pirate tossed him away cradling his burnt hand.
"Rose!" Cass called to her battle partner, but before she could reach the other girl's side, a large figure dropped down between them.
Dressed in what must have been a fine brown leather long coat the portly man had one pegged leg, the opposite hand was a hook, he wore a black tricorn hat and sported a scraggly beard. One eye was a cold blue, and the other had a scar drawn across it was a pale white. "Ye should be worryin' 'bout yerself lass." He spittled through gaps in his yellow teeth as he released the rope he had swung over on and snatched a curved sword from his side.
Cass narrowed her and swung who she guessed the be the captain; his blade slapped hers away with enough force to leave her arm feeling weak then shot up for her throat so quickly Cass had to retreat a step to save herself. As soon as the blade had passed, she rocked forward on the balls of her feet and attacked again swiping out on his hook side this time knowing his peg-leg would be hard to maneuver on. Instead, his hook hand shot up and caught the blade. Cass' eyes went wide, and suddenly, faster than she thought to be possible for the large lame man, he closed in on her, his hook scraping along Cass' blade. She tried to pull away but found she could; the pirate captain had gotten his hook across the crossbar of her sword.
He clucked down at her as Cass' hand pulled at the sword, unwilling to release it to the pirate captain's grasp. The captain didn't attack Cass his eyes sweeping across the deck appraisingly. He saw a couple of his pirates struggling with the sword-wielding horse, and the long-haired Rapunzel toss her hair up to one of the yardarms her eyes fixed worriedly on him.
"Lash," The captain said as a tall, handsome man with raven hair and green eyes dropped next to the captain singing on a whip which fell back to his hand in a neat coil with just a flick of his wrist. "Take care of that beast."
"Aye Captain," The man nodded and strode towards Max the way Cass might have strode up to another servant.
"Cong!" The captain looked over his shoulder; all the other pirates stood away from the connecting plank as a huge monstrous figure started across it. Cass would be hard-pressed even to call it human just a massive furry body with no face. "Why done you have some fun with the golden-haired one." The most unexpected giggling rose out of the figure, and it stopped three-quarters of the way across the plank.
Cass thought for a moment she saw a pair of tiny eyes open on the creature's head, then suddenly sets of eyes shot open all over the figure and she couldn't help but shutter. Suddenly Cong's body flew apart, and Cass realized what each set of eyes was as a hoard of monkey's surged past her leavy an unbelievably scrawny man behind an armed raise as he pointed to Rapunzel, "Go play with her pretty, pretty hair."
"Let's see if you can remember you place horse." With a flourish, Lash's whip cut through the air at Max, but the stallion just stepped forward swinging his sword and slicing the stinging end of the whip off. He watched it drop to the deck with a satisfied snort but looked back up to find Lash gone. Suddenly, the pirate dropped onto Max's back, and the remaining length of the whip was thrown across the horse's neck and pulled tight constricting around the stallion's throat. "That's sword's not much good now huh?" Lash mocked, but he was right, Max could turn the sword on a rider, and he felt unable to breathe right.
The monkey surged past the horse leaping at Rapunzel as she attempted to swing herself up by her hair. One grabbed her barefoot it's strong finger holding on tight as the other monkey grabbed hold of its tail. Rapunzel cried suddenly finding herself too heavy to swing away and dropped back to the deck. "Eugene!" she cried out as the monkeys descended on her like a furry mob.
"Hey, get away from her," Eugene ran towards the pile, only to suddenly have a length of Rapunzel's hair shoot out and wrap around his sword. With a surprising strong tug, the sword was ripped from his hand and tossed away, a second length captured his wrist and with an even stronger tug, drew him into the pile.
With a twist, Cass pulled her sword free of the distracted captain's hook. She growled, he had been ignoring her, like she was no threat at all, it was worse than being beaten by him, he was acting like she was no threat at all. Cass shook the worst of the anger off, she needed to be clear-headed, she underestimated the lame man, but he was a skilled swordsman, and she couldn't afford any more mistakes. However, it was then that, as it is want to do, the ocean suddenly shifted and the change in motion throat through Cass like a blow. Her stomach churned violently, her intestines spasmed, and Cass had to fight to keep herself from retching, it all zapped her strength, and suddenly it was hard to stand.
The pirate captain looked almost confused for a moment; then he smiled wide showing his yellow teeth. "Aye, I see what we have here, yer just a sickly little landlubber." He chuckled and kept a grip on her sword and glared up hatefully at him; it was all she could manage. "Well don't worry lass I got an ol' pirate ready for that," He said raising his sword, "Tell ol' Davy Jones that Captin Wylie sent ya."
"Cassandra!" Cass heard the cry before she saw Rose dive between her and Wylie. She had her sword up, but Wylie's sword slammed into her's with such force that it drove Rose's sword back into her shoulder. The blacksmith crashed to the deck with a cry of pain as her brown shirt grew dark then a deep red across the shoulder. Cass' will gave out, and her sword clanked to the deck as she dropped down and wrapped her around Rose's chest. Cass cradled Rose in her lap and as the other girl writhed in pain from the fresh wound.
The Captain just chuckled again, "Two fer the price of one, oh happy day." He raised his sword again posed to skewer them both when suddenly there was a defining snapping sound and a thump as the captain lost his balance. Cass and rose looked down to an arrow buried in the deck, the captain's pegleg broken in half.
The captain fell to his knees, and this time the pair heard the sound of something cutting through the air. The sound of snapping rope caught up to their ears, and Cass turned back to see one end of Lash's whip come way free in his hand. Max heaved in a breath of air and bucked violently throwing the now unsecured man from his back.
"No not now," Wylie cursed and looked back in time to see the sails of his ship burst into black smoke billowing flames. Out of the corner or his eye, he saw some creature flapping around obscured by the fire and the flames. He heard it more than he saw it as the smoke poured across the decks faintly obscuring everything. There was a heavy swoosh, and thump Wylie looked up to see a figure standing over him, a wild figure in a brown fur clock and a main of hair to match their face covered in an eerie mask that made their face look flat. The captain swung out at the figure who suddenly caught Wylie sword with their own which had suddenly appeared in the figure's scaly hand, its blade tinted green. Sparks flew from the clash, and the figure's sword burst into flames. Wylie jumped in fear at the sudden flames, and the figure's foot swung out and kicked the sword from his hand. "Kill 'em, ye wretched seadogs!"
The pirates hesitated for a moment and jumped as a gout of flames that made Pyrepy's look like a torch flame, shot out across the back of Rapunzel's ship. Everyone searched for whatever had attacked, but all they heard was another whoosh of the wind. Suddenly the hoard of monkey's raced across the deck back to the safety of their master; several tails licked by tiny flames.
The figure didn't wait another moment for the pirate; they leaped into a group of them knocking one down with a slam of their shoulder. The immediate danger spurred the pirates into action, but the figure was almost supernatural in how it fought. Impossible fast, explosions of fire dazing pirates before they could strike, Cass could almost swear she could see smudges of green in the air the figure would slice with its flaming sword before causing the bursts of fire. Soon, what pirates remained on their feet ran for the safety of their burning ship. Suddenly the pirate ship surged up in the water knocking several of the fire-fighting pirates to the deck.
"Looks like I won't be takin' another part of you today Onesie." The figure spoke, the nature of their voice impossible to discern through the muffling of the mask. The figure grabbed one of the grappling hooks the had fallen loose of the banister and hooked it onto the captain's jacket.
The pirate ship surged unnaturally away from Rapunzel's ship and dragged Wylie over the side, "I'll kill ye ya bas-" Wylie curse cried up from over the ship and were cut short with a splash.
The figure turned back to face Cass and the other's again as the pirate ship plunged through the water away from them. Cass realized that Rapunzel and Eugene had come up behind them the Princess' hair disheveled and Eugene still trying to untie a length of it from his arm. "Yer safe now friends," the figure reassured, though Cass silently eyed them suspiciously.
"Thank you~!" Rapunzel had no such suspicions as she raced past Cass and practically jumped at the stranger throwing her arms around their neck laughing with relief. The stranger's laugh joined the Princess', their arms wrapping around her returning the tight hug.
Finally, Rapunzel released the stranged her who continued to chuckle reaching for their mask, "Och lass that's the best thank I've ever gotten savin' someone befer." As the mask came away it was clear the stranger was a woman, a pretty one too who looked down at Rapunzel with smiling green eyes. "The name's Ardra!"
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Savage Survey
Main Timeline
Ross 128b, Ross 128 System
26 ADE (2230 AD)
___________________________
The ground shook as massive plasma engines breathed fire onto the planet’s surface. No kind of spacecraft had ever visited this planet before, not even before the terraforming of other planets in the system.
This particular ship’s two-man crew had been dispatched by Imperial Intelligence to investigate energy readings that were not similar to any others in the system. The readings were extremely faint as if hidden underground, but Imperial detection systems were top tier and almost nothing escaped their sensors.
“Oy! Newman! Get those survey tools out and ready to go. If those readings are coming from underground we can use the subterranean reader to pinpoint that signal.” The ship’s captain yelled.
Newman was a new member of Imperial Intelligence, and as such was assigned to duties much less dangerous than senior members. These duties included investigating signal sources and rumors that may cause some kind of panic amidst the public. He made his way down the ramp being careful not to allow the large hover container to crush him on the way down. This container held what his boss referred to as “the subterranean reader.” The reader used ground-penetrating radar to map any possible underground caverns as well as structures, or devices, contained therein.
Newman ran a hand through his short brown hair and frowned as he opened the container and pulled out the reader. After placing it on solid ground, the holographic control screen hummed to life and gave him three options, one of which was greyed out and unavailable. The first option anchored the device to the ground with metal pegs. Once this was done the second option became available which was used to begin the scan.
“Newman! What’s taking so long!?” His boss yelled from the ship.
“I’m starting the scan, Kain, calm down before you give yourself a heart attack!” Newman yelled back, giving no second thought to the fact that Kain was his superior.
“You know what!?” Came the beginnings of a response. “You right, Doc says I’m too stressed out. You get that scan started?” Kain asked as he came out of the ship to assist his subordinate.
Newman was now setting up the plasma shield to protect the scanner against outside weather.
“Yep, just now. All that’s left to do is wait.” He replied, putting a cigarette in his mouth and offering one to Kain.
“Great, let’s hope spot number one is spot ‘only’ one.” Kain said boredly. “It sure as hell better be considering we’re right at the coordinates that dopey freighter captain was talking bout.”
Newman rolled his eyes and sat down on a rock near the reader, taking glances at the holo screen every once in a while to see if they’d picked up a reading. So far all the reader was picking up were some naturally occurring caverns in the planet’s crust but beyond that there was nothing special. It could take several hours to fully read an area with the reader, so the two would simply have to be patient and find a way to pass the time. In light of this Newman stood up, took a final drag of his cigarette, and flicked the butt over the edge of a small cliff to their left.
“Welp, I’m gonna go for a walk, take a look around this place.” He said stepping over the rock he had just been sitting on and heading down at the cliff face via a small trail along its side.
“Alright, be careful, and don’t be long. If you die, I’ll kill you!” Kain said with a laugh.
Newman had to chuckle at that little joke, it wasn’t often that Kain’s bad jokes were actually funny. “Don’t worry about me,” he said and continued down the path until the reader and Kain were both out of the sight.
Newman loved taking the time to get to know a planet’s ecosystem if it had one to offer. Lucky for them this planet had breathable air and a temperature that was actually bearable. It sported a rocky composition and there must have been bodies of water of some kind because the cloud coverage was dense and overcast and the air was humid but cool. Moss grew in this area and the area surrounding their landing site, which told of constant rain and moisture in the air.
Interestingly enough, none of the land seemed to have been disturbed by anything artificial, so it was unlikely that there was anything of sentient intelligence living here. If there were something sentient living here, it would be hunter-gatherer tribes of some kind of maybe even more primitive than that.
Unless they’re just super eco-friendly. Newman thought as he spotted a body of water, a small lake, further down the trail and over a small hill. The lake was just large enough to possibly be home to several different kinds of life, but Newman wasn’t about to go swimming.
Upon approach to the shore there was nothing out of the ordinary. The beach itself was rocky with no sand to speak of, but the spot was peaceful enough. Newman managed to find a decent enough sized rock to seat himself on while waiting for word from Kain of any activity.
The surface of the water was calm, and Newman guess it was probably only about a mile across to the other side of the lake. As he stared out onto the serene surface doubt began to creep up on him. There was so much rock here and the only source of vegetation was the moss growing on said rocks. It was highly unlikely that anything lived here or that they would find anything below the surface.
Screw it, may as well enjoy another smoke while I have the time. Not like there’s anything else to do. He thought, cracking a small smirk.
Just as he put the cigarette to his lips he noticed small ripple brush against the rocky shore of the lake. Such a strange thing because he hadn’t noticed any other disturbance from anywhere else in the lake. Puzzled, he continued on lighting his cigarette, this time keeping a steady eye on every part of the lake that was in his immediate vision.
Without averting his gaze, Newman patched into Kain’s radio signal. “Hey, Kain?” He chimed.
“Yeah? What?” Came the reply.
“You got anything on that scan yet?” Newman inquired.
There was a brief silence on Kain’s end of the radio.
“Nope, nothing yet. Why? You see something?” Kain asked.
Newman decided to wait a moment to reply, taking a couple of drags off of his cigarette. No other ripples had happened yet.
“Maybe… A ripple in the lake down here. It could have just been a small breeze. Not really feeling one though.” Newman said, narrowing his eyes as he continued to gaze out at the water.
“Huh, that’s pretty weird. This place kind of gives me the creeps. Keep an eye on it will you?” Kain said from the other side, sounding a little more than a bit concerned.
“Yeah, yeah.” Newman was with Kain in that he was already tired of this planet. It was always a little creepy coming down to an uninhabited world. Newman himself had dug up several old films from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries about alien organisms sneaking their way onto starships and mutilating an entire crew. Nothing like that had happened yet in his career, but one could never be too careful.
The lake ripped once again. The ripples seemed to be originating from the center of the lake. Newman immediately notified Kain.
“Yeah, so. That ripple thing just happened again… and again.” Newman said as the lake ripped yet again, this time originating from a point closer to the shore. “The point of origin is getting closer to me.” Newman said as the lake rippled yet again.
“Alright, start heading back. The scan is almost done so we can move onto the next, hopefully less creepy area.” Kain said over the radio.
Newman didn’t respond. Instead he turned tail and began running up the hill just as he could hear the water in the lake begin sloshing around.
Don’t look back. Don’t look back. Don’t look back. Newman could not help it and turned back just in time to see a gigantic tentacle surge out of the lake and launch straight for him.
“Oh shit!” Newman yelled. He lunged to the left and the tentacle barely missed him. “Fuck this planet! We need to leave!” He yelled as he broke to the top of the hill.
“What in the hell are you-- oooh no.” Kain muttered as he saw Newman coming up the hill with what appeared to be a gigantic octopus right on his tail.
“Start the fucking ship!” Newman yelled as one of the tentacles reached out and wrapped itself around his ankle. “It’s got me! Oh god it’s got me!”
Kain ran back up the ramp of the ship as fast as he possibly could and grabbed the first rifle available to him from the weapon rack on the wall. “Don’t worry buddy I’m coming!” He cried. He ran back off the ship and carefully aimed at the tentacle that had tripped Newman. Kain fired three shots, hitting the beast and causing it to recoil and let out a ferocious roar. The tentacle released Newman’s leg and he scrambled toward Kain’s position.
The beast lunged forward again, lifting its tentacles into the air and revealing its massive, and oddly toothed, beak. Kain fired three more rounds into its beak, causing it to retreat further.
“Ship’s ready, let’s GO, Kain!” Newman yelled from the cockpit. The engines roared to life and the ship began to hover off the ground.
Kain turned and ran, jumping back up onto the ramp and crouching as it began to close. He wanted to make sure that the beast would not attempt to attack the ship. Satisfied, he ran up to the cockpit and strapped himself in.
Just as the ship began to point its nose upward and move, something caused the entire craft to shudder. After checking the rear camera, both Newman and Kain realized it had grabbed hold of one of the landing gears before it had retracted all the way.
“This thing really wants to eat us!” Kain cried.
“Quick hit the afterburners, cook that sucker alive!” Newman said in a panic.
Kain hit the controls for the afterburner and suddenly the ship jolted forward at full speed. The two could hear the monster screaming as it burned. Within moments they were already in the upper atmosphere where Newman halted the ship in orbit.
“So,” Newman breathed, sweat rolling down his brow. “You in the mood for some seafood?” He asked with a chuckle.
Kain looked at his partner incredulously. “Are you--?”
“No I’m not serious! Did we get any of that scan data?” Newman replied.
Moments passed as Kain tapped away at the holographic screens in front of him. “Eh, we got the underground scans for the area. No flora, definitely fauna. It looks like there’s an entire underground cave system connected to that little lake of yours.” Kain stated, rather robotically.
Newman let out a slow sigh. “So there’s an entire ecosystem of those octopi things down there? Imagine that one being a small one,” he joked.
“That is not funny. That thing tried really hard to eat us. We have to put out an advisory to any future teams that go down there to survey. We’re not equipped for this.” Kain replied.
“True.” Newman sighed. “We should get out of here. I want to be as far away from this place as possible.” He said.
“Agreed,” Kain said as the ship began moving away from the planet. “I’ve had enough of this world.”
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:: Dear Nicolas Jaar::
This is another edited entry of a previous post, I wrote it drunkenly, in despair, on Sunday night / Monday morning...
I haven’t written for a long time, my life has been a series of misadventures, mishaps, missteps and misjudgements. It’s also been an awful lot of fun, now I’m lying in bed taking 2 rest days to recoup, fast and detox and attempt to get back to level ground again. Last night I was laid out on the sofa necking cider and cramming chocolate hob nobs into my mouth whilst Sunny in Philadelphia crackled on the monitor and my ex tapped his feet in his computer chair. It was the final scene in a spiral of consumption and intoxication: on fire with emotion and insatiability, bouncing from place to place in the darkness, with knobbly gnarled knees, a scratched face and a progression of shorts and dresses as the backdrop was engulfed by thick hot sunshine, beating down over this metropolis I call home.
Field Day is this week, you’ll be here soon, they’ve been prepping for over a month, as you enter the mile end part of Victoria Park you are greeted by gates and fences for as far as the eye can see. At first it was just the large cocoon like structure they were erecting by the road, which is where I assume you’ll be playing, but now its expansive, the 3 metre tall green fence encompasses the entire length of park that I walk on my way to work. There’s a large screen at the entrance, at first it confused me on Saturday because it was displaying information about Field Day, advising not to buy tickets from touts and that Saturday was sold out, they must have been testing it.
You must travel from sphere to sphere landing in these shrines to music, where so much love and dedication is put into you being there, these structures that take weeks to erect, which only shelter you for a short time, I hope you appreciate that. There has been so much advertising for Field Day, posters seem to grace every part of London that I travel through, by my studio in Clerkenwell, in Hackney Wick as I walk to work, on the walls of the places in East London I’ve been revelling in. When I walk past the posters specifically of you, I touch your face, not because I’m in love with you Nicolas Jaar, you are now a manifestation of freedom to me.
So then, Tuesday, my open studio’s, all around the studio an energy building from the temporary structures being erected in the adjacent car parks, sheds plonked lovingly in the front and a multimedia installation by shazed dawood, arching against the side of the building. It felt exciting, many of my neighbours in the studio expressed surprise at how there seemed to be an anticipation building, a lot of money had gone into Clerkenwell design week, the audience was tidy, well presented in light flowing fabrics and glossy shimmering eye makeup.
I’d been in the studio solidly for 3 days preparing the installation that is my life, gently folding christmas decorations over heaters and sprinkling flowers under chairs, pegging my clothes up overhead. By the evening it was time to let people inside, there had been promise of a set of art based philanthropists coming to the studio, but it never surfaced and although to me this was a matter of easy come easy go I think to others it might have engendered the evening with disappointment. As I surveyed my studio at 6pm I was satisfied with what lay before me, an odd sort of forest populated by these objects that have travelled with me from place to place for so many years, it was poignant and melancholic, a sight we rarely get to see, our lives in all their finery, as decoration, suddenly making the usefulness of everything you’ve ever possessed somehow obsolete.
People came, many friends I’d contacted last minute walked into my museum, took their shoes off and sat with me on the dirty duvet covers and sofa bed which has never served the purpose it was supposed to have had. What became clear and now is startlingly apparent is that I am selling remnants to friends, no collectors or third parties have expressed any interest in buying anything thus far, it’s people that have touched my life somehow who are walking through my doors, to pick up a little memento of our time together. This is heart warming and has given me a new perspective on how my art travels, what it means and to who. I sold more than I was expecting, particularly to one woman who recently sent me a message that spoke to my soul, about what my art meant to her, about how even after fucking 2 cucumbers you still have to do your washing and tidy up. We haven’t spent a lot of time together but she means alot to me.
And I think that’s a large part of what’s happening here, for the first time in months I have the space to reach out to all the people in my life that mean something to me, invite them to come see what I have accumulated and lived with, to purchase any of it if they desire but mostly to use this piece as a backdrop to re establish relationships.
Outside of this Tuesday was a naughty, silly sort of evening, a collection of me and my neighbours convened and regressed to a childlike state. Stealing a box of prosecco and gulping it down on a bench nearby, laughing and behaving with reckless abandon. I paid for the theft the following day, as karmically no bad deed goes unpunished, at least for me anyway, but I also finally got to know the creatives that reside by me a little better and start to build the foundations for friendships that will blossom as time passes.
I wonder if the bank holiday has been a factor in the ensuing debauchery that’s taken place and the hijinks I’ve been running through. It’s not an alien topic in these letters, I’ve addressed it previously, something about bank holiday weekends just always seems fertile and strange.
On Thursday, I sold a picture of my ex husband to a complete stranger, it was one of those images that's burned into my psyche, I remember the weekend I took it as if it’s just passed. He’s lying on a pulled out sofa bed, the covers still lapping over his legs, with the laptop I’m now typing on, perched on him and an ashtray precariously placed on top of it, in his hand is a cigarette, thick plumes of smoke ebbing out of it are illuminated by the light in the background coming from a partially opened window. His face is one I recognise as I’ve seen it so often, he’s rubbing sleep from his eyes and I just know he’s at that brittle stage where he needs to be left alone or he’ll be rude.
It was at my sister and ehr ex husbands house, we went down to see them and walked about the park, drank lots of lager and wine and sat in their studio apartment talking and jesting till the early hours, then he and I went on to Alton Towers and were both to delicate to enjoy any of the rides. So instead we spent the majority of the time huddled together in the rainy gardens in matching cagoules, we won a cuddly toy each, grey and goo, matching seals and stayed in a lovely b&b in the surrounding area, which is leafy and has a fairytale like quality.
I sold the photo for £3.
Spurred on by the emotional discharge of such a transaction I went to meet a friend and go out to Alibi, a fairly notorious club in Dalston, well known for being a bit of a dive bar and for accommodating the surrounding area’s punters once kick out time has occurred. Without fail Alibi has provided me with some unique and bizarre nights and it didn’t disappoint again, we rolled through a series of interested suitors, talking to a kind man who took the time to read the last entry I wrote you, indulging in whatever was on offer and enjoying the attention we received.
Once outside at the end of the night I found myself in the midst of a group of Frenchmen, who I hadn’t seen in the club, always the driving force for travelling onwards to an after party I encouraged them in their pursuit of the next venue and waved goodbye to my friend who disappeared into the night with the kind man. We ended up in the kitchen of a neat anthropologists house, divided into groups, I sat with a visiting financier and heckled his friends for not speaking to the host, I get bossy when I’m drunk. But they wanted to go to bed so then we ended up in Haggerston Park in crisp morning light, on the cycle tracks which I walk past daily. For a while I just ran around the track but gravity intercepted and I fell a few times, they came over to pick me up and, in a feral state I then veered into the bushes alone, allowing the inner beast to take over and guide me, for some reason this is not the first time this has happened in the same park, after a night at Alibi, I guess these whims are somehow guided and we end up repeating ourselves in the most unusual of ways.
Eventually I launched out of a bush, covered in blood from scratches and scrapes, at a lady who was taking her dog for a morning stroll. She was kind and atypical of the area we were in, having lived out her own odd creative life before becoming more settled, we spent a while together, concern rife in her face rather than horror, and then I charged my phone in a plumbing supplies shop and managed to get in touch with the frenchman I’d been with earlier, who had my bag.
He was an unusual and strangely innocent kind of man, in the throes of finding a house to move to as his 3 year relationship had ended due to his careless lifestyle. In his eyes was a gentle acceptance, a total lack of judgement or ego. We went back to the beautiful top floor flat he was staying in and spent several hours enraptured by each other, slept for a bit and had food in a local pub which was a favourite haunt of mine and my exes before we broke up. He looked at me like he was in love with me and I felt enveloped in this and safe, broken from kissing and behaving like a savage in the park it was healing to have this moment with him. Then he went on to a bar and I met my friends and hung out on her stoop listening to music and laughing for a few hours before getting back to my exes and dragging myself to bed.
I was broken on Saturday.
On Sunday I’d kept seeing some characters that exist on the perimeters of my job, I’d never seen them outside of work before, or inside of work for a while either, so seeing them twice in one day from a distance was unusual and leant an odd tint to the day. I was so broken, my face healing from kissing friction burns, my knees covered in deep scrapes, my eyes puffy and delicate, that I’d never of approached them, so instead just waved and wondered what they were upto. My friend came to visit at the end of the shift, to check out the bar I work in, which is going to be the location of a few arts based nights I want to hold and curate. We decided to go out again, the energy of the weekend still pulsing through us.
More random events and switching of locations ensued, meeting people on the canal, going to a warehouse party for a little while, wandering the streets with a horny mancunian boy and taking him to the boat under the bridge to drink my cider, wading through a downpour, powerful heavy rain which cut through the night and somehow perfectly enshrined the hot beauty of the day.
Then taking a taxi to meet my frenchman in Shoreditch at a house party in an expensive place across the road from the church. This frenchman clearly wandered in circles which were wealthier than mine I thought as we sat at another window looking out over the city whilst he despairingly mapped out the details of his finances, he earned 4x the amount I did a month, and why he had no money. Because he kept spending it on trips, parties and the excesses that go alongside such things. He said he wanted to give up but part of me was saddened by that thought, in all truth if he wants to spend his life from party to party dancing and singing songs I don’t know if I’d consider that a waste, he seemed otherwise content with his choices as far as I could tell. Anyway I got back to my exes around 5am on Monday morning, he shouted at me, I wrote you the original draft of this entry, ate crisps, I’ve eaten a lot of crisps this week, and passed out.
Then I crawled out of bed again, somehow managed to put makeup on and get out of the house and to work, fuelling myself on coca cola and alka seltzer. Last night is another story I won’t write about now.
I’m lying here now, fully accepting of the fact that I won’t be getting dressed or leaving the house, content with this and now I’ve written down the vast portion of what’s happened able to see the patterns and just why this week has not been a write off. I’ve been panicking, worried that I won’t sell all of my things, perhaps also spurred on by the fact that I haven’t produced anything this week, which is rare, essentially unheard of, for me. But being an artist is not just centred in the act of making, I remember watching a talk with your father that illustrated this point.
You have to live, observe, digest and distill what’s going on around you. I guess I’m getting better at these days of reflection but have not had a solid moment of living in quite some time, I’ve met so many people in the last few days, have messages and new contacts etched all over my phone and got to spend time with someone totally out of my normal realm who gave me a kind of unconscious care that healed and centred me, despite it being brief.
I’m happy Nicolas, I hope you are to.
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