Chapter 6-
Oy vey. You all are so freaking nice it'll break my freaking heart (at which point I'll duct tape it back together and keep writing XD). So! Another shout out to challengerlover for being super supportive, your comment brought a smile to my face and made my year. :) Another shout out to VBallPanda, creator if Pat, whose been super supportive in the real world (not that I oppose the virtual one XD)!
Sorry for the one day delay, I lost internet for a bit and I was busy most of yesterday.
Important notice: This chapter will be explaining how Task Force 0 met, and why they were hired, etc. :) I hope you all find it enjoyable, if you don't then I apologize, but it was necessary to up the mystery. ;)
The usual warnings (language and violence, GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS). Oh, and a warning for mentioned nudity, but I don't write M so it's not inappropriate or anything, and there's no smut.
Shall we?
Mures
Downtown New York
3 Weeks Ago
"Your warehouse sucks!" growled Yael Schäfer loudly.
Ai, these idiots were getting on his nerves. First they snatch him just like Tenebris did 2 years ago, then they chain him to a chair and beat him every day. Some message they're trying to send. Beating up the leader of an opposing clan is definitely a mistake.
The Mures Clan was really just a bunch of assholes that thought they were the coolest thing since Shakespeare. God, the poor suckers. They thought they had him good, didn't they? What a bunch of sad sacks. Sad soon-to-be-dead sacks. You don't mess with his Clan. There was a reason Schäfer was the best, even Tenebris knew that. Tenebris. Geesh. Bigger jerks than Mures. Smarter, definitely smarter, but meaner.
Giving an almost bored sigh, Yael tensed his arms, yanking tightly on the chains. He felt them weaken considerably. Another strong tug and a link snapped, releasing the chains. Yael scoffed, standing up and stretching his sore arms. He'd let the Mures have their fun for a good few days, and it'd earned him some bruises. The scars and cuts had already healed, while he couldn't get rid of the big stuff, his accelerated healing dissipated the smaller.
"Yo! Mures! Come and get me!" he shouted, holding his arms above his head. "For God's sake. What the hell does it take to get some idiots around here?" he muttered to the empty room. Stalking over to the nearest metal wall, he pounded his fist on it angrily. "Come on assholes!"
The door opened with a loud screech and Yael rolled his eyes. "'Bout damn time."
The door closed behind her, locking shut, as it could only get opened from the outside. Yael figured the warehouse must've been sound proof or something, because the woman who stepped in looked completely oblivious to his banging. A woman stood at the door with a lunch tray in her hand. Her eyes widened and she dropped the tray with a clatter and a gasp.
"Whoo boy," chuckled Yael. He cracked his knuckles and gave a grin as the younger lady chirped in fear. "You're new here, aren't you? Yea, I bet you're pretty freaked out, huh?"
Walking towards her at a leisurely pace, Yael smirked fondly. The lady pressed herself against the wall, her hand rapping on it anxiously. "Not gonna lie, you've got the right to be." He admitted to. "Because, here's the the thing sweetheart, I simply cannot let you leave this room with all of your body parts in tact…or with your heart still beating, for that matter."
The woman paled and Yael, moving with speed like lightning, jabbed his fingers into her throat. Blood sprayed across his face and he grinned, swiping his tongue over his lips. Mm. Nothing like fresh blood to wake you up in the morning. Something—who the hell knows what?—met Yael's fingers and he yanked it quickly out of the woman's neck. She gurgled, collapsing onto the floor and convulsing.
"Now darling," he said gently, crouching down by her head. "You wouldn't know where I could find my swords, would you?"
She choked, clawing at the bloody mess of her neck.
"Hmm, I'll take that as a no," carelessly nudging her out of the way, he stepped over the choking woman and slammed his fist into the lock of the door. Something shattered in the lock and Yael opened it easily. Lucky for him, the door opened outwards, not inwards. That would have been a terrible hassle.
"Ah, hello," Yael gave another fang-lined smirk as he met a muscular man patrolling outside. Blood from the woman inside leaked out from inside the door and the man eyed it before raising his weapon. Yael made jazz hands. "Ooh, scary."
The man had one helluva beer belly, and a mustache that could rival a squirrel's tail. Yael shoved the gun to the left as it fired, and jabbed a fist into the man's gut. He fell to his knees almost humorously and Yael snatched the gun, slamming it into the man's face. Something crunched and Yael continued bringing the butt of the gun down, red spattering over his clothing. Ugh. He'd have to clean the shirt now. Fuck.
Ah, well, it was worth it. Yael wiped his lips with his tongue again. He loved that. It tasted bitter, metallic, pleasurable. His sister found it unhealthy, saying he should just kill them and leave the corpses be, but he begged to differ. He was no vampire, but blood had something nice about it.
"'Scuse me, Mustache, but I've gotta go," he walked past the plump corpse and made his way down the hall. Some warehouse this was. Oh! Finally!
Two muscular men, fit to be body builders, stood between him and the exit.
"What? Four people? Bit disappointing," Yael admitted with slight disappointment.
"Jaggard," one of the two men hissed in a Russian accent, turning to the second man. "Call Pulicem, tell him the little shit from Schäfer has escaped."
"Oi…" Yael grumbled, offended that they acted like he wasn't there. "Standing right here…"
'Jaggard' pulled out a phone and clicked away, his fingers like freaking sausages on the keys. The second guy, Yael decided to call him Meat Head, lunged at Yael with arms the size of basketballs. Yael easily ducked.
Meat Head swung a meaty fist and Yael winced as it connected with his side. He then grinned, slamming his own fist into Meat Head's jaw and sending the man onto his back.
"What the hell?" the man growled. "I keel you!"
"Yes, yes, whatever satisfies your underactive mind," scoffed Yael. "You can 'keel' me after I 'keel' you. Alright Ham Head?"
"Why you little—I keel your family! I keel Schäfer!"
"Yes, well, whatever you say."
Yael slammed his foot into the man's windpipe. Meat Head grabbed his ankle and something crunched. Yael snarled in pain and brought his other foot up. "Now you're in for it, asshole!" he slammed his free foot down on Meat Head's nose. Another sickening crackle and the jerk let out a loud—satisfyingly girlish—scream, bringing his hands to the disgusting mess of blood and bone that remained.
"How long does it take you to make a phone call?" Yael turned around to find Jaggard running at him with a baseball bat held high. "Oh for—" he easily flipped Jaggard over his head, sending him onto his brother. Yael swiped the baseball bat with ease. "You shouldn't have brought this." He sighed.
All it took was four good swings and Jaggard and Meat Head were no more.
"Oh, so you did manage to make that phone call…" realized Yael as he scrolled through Jaggard's phone. He had a call to make, and it wasn't like Jaggard needed it. "Calling your mother? You are way too old for that..." he raised an eyebrow at the deformed carcass, pulling a metal chair (that Meat Head had previously been sitting on) over with a loud screech. He popped down. "Or…were too old for that."
"Hello?" he said into the phone. "Yes. I can assure you Mures is gone. Have I proven myself yet? I grow bored of these exercises. I really don't need a team. I can assassinate them myself. What do you mean S.H.I.E.L.D. is—What asshole gave away my loca—I don't care! I agreed to finish this job for you, you should get S.H.I.E.L.D. off my tail! I—"
The door to the outside world opened and a shorter man stepped in, eyebrow raised.
"Well then," Yael grumbled, a bored expression finding its way to his face. "Unfortunately they're already here. Unless this is one of yours? No? Then it's S.H.I.E.L.D. I'll call you after I figure out what they want. Oh do shut up. I'm killing people for you, not saving the world."
"Denzel Schäfer?" the man asked almost politely. He had his gun drawn and Yael held back from laughing. He was admittedly a handsome guy, with stubble on his chin and buzz cut hair. Strong British accent, that was for sure. Yael didn't answer, narrowing his eyes. The man holstered his weapon.
"Agent Lance Hunter, S.H.I.E.L.D. The Director sent me to recruit you for an assignment."
"Which would be of what interest to me, exactly?"
"It's a protection assignment."
"Yawn," Yael rolled his eyes. "I have better things to occupy my time with."
"It's simple. A month tops."
"Not interested," Yael stood, muttering to himself about the blood staining his nice leather boots. He stalked past Lance, handle on the door.
"Say yes and you'll get 20 Mil."
Yael stopped, peering back over his shoulder. His black bangs shuffled into his eyes and he was quick to flick them out, wine red eyes sparking with interest. "20 Mil?" he repeated.
"You heard me," agreed the Brit.
"Who am I protecting?" Yael disliked the idea, but he admittedly had nothing else to do this month. A few more kills, but nothing important. He could assassinate the Mayor another day.
"The Challengers. A six person team of superheroes. Plus three villains, two of them enhanced."
"Sounds interesting. I've heard of the Challengers before. They're the teenagers, aren't they?"
"Yep."
"Hmph," Yael frowned. He disliked children. They were loud and obnoxious and flooded with hormones. "Must be a damn good assassin if your little clubhouse is willing to pay 20 Mil for one mercenary. An assassin my level."
"That's the point. Hopefully a decently sized team can bring us enough time to track the assassin down."
"Has he killed anyone yet?"
"The assassin? No. The idiotic bloke hasn't managed it, although they've seriously injured three of the members. We'd like to keep it at a zero death count."
"Figures," scoffed Yael. "Alright. For 20 Mil."
"You should know you'll be working with a bloody team."
"I figured as much. As long as they aren't idiots."
"Good, they're not," Hunter turned and joined him at the door.
"Oh," Yael added as the two left the corpses behind. "And I'll have to pick up my dog first."
"…dog?"
~AOS~AOS~AOS~
S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy Dormitories
Dorm 129
3 Weeks Ago
Maria Cortez screamed as the hideous humanoid alien crashed through the glass doors to the restaurant. Another followed it in and together the two began firing purple bolts of energy at tables and people. Men and women cried out, singed holes burned into their bodies as they took their last breaths.
Maria cried out as her father was thrown backwards, clutching his chest. She threw a fork at the alien in mad fear and it screamed at her with a gravelly caw. It lifted its weapon and fired again. Maria turned.
"Mom!" the 16 year old shrieked. But Maria's mother was dead before she hit the ground, her heart had been burned away, eyes wide and mouth agape.
Maria felt tears flee her eyes and she jumped under a booth, sobbing as the alien neared. She was the only one still alive in this restaurant. It had been her mother's birthday. They had agreed to eat out. A nice day out in the Big Apple. And now.
A claw-like foot crushed tile and a loud whir sounded as the gun recharged. Maria curled in on herself, pulling her knees up and pressing herself away from the alien. It ripped the table away, throwing it behind itself.
And just as Maria felt it was the end, a red, white and blue shield jammed into the alien's head, spurting oily dark blood at Maria. Maria gasped, sobs wracking her body. A muscular man snatched the shield from the dead alien's head and slammed it full force into the second. He grabbed his shield again and jogged over to Maria.
"Come on soldier, on your feet," the man ordered. He was clad in blue. And—Holy crap. It was Captain America. He set both hands on her shoulders and she looked at him anxiously, completely positive this was some sort of insane dream. "I need you to get to the nearest building and head to the basement. Can you do that for me?"
She nodded and she did. While Captain America saved the world, she ran to the next building and mourned her parents. And when—
Maria woke with a start. God. Flashbacks. She hated them. And S.H.I.E.L.D. dorms smelled kinda crappy, which was unpleasant to wake up to.
"You okay, Maria?"
"Fine Stace'," answered Maria. Enter Stacy Jenkins, dorm mate, close friend, bit of a nerd. She was studying to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. engineer.
"M'kay," Maria heard Stacy adjust in the top bunk. Meanwhile, she flung her legs off the edge of her bunk and scrubbed her face with her hands, giving a long sigh. She snatched her watch off the bed stand.
"It's almost 6."
"Already?" Stacy grumbled. "Fine…" she shuffled and a minute later her feet popped over the edge, toes painted indigo blue.
Maria got to her feet and pulled off her top, putting on a new one. She would shower after training. She slipped her S.H.I.E.L.D. jumpsuit on over her t-shirt and shorts and tied her hair up.
"Hey M," Stacy cooed from the top bunk.
"No, Stacy."
"Please, just once!"
"Fine…"
Maria took a deep breath and released. She grinned as she felt her body shift into someone else's. A happy smile formed as she heard Stacy mutter 'holy shit'. "Ta da."
"Agent Hill, ma'am!" Stacy laughed, saluting.
The perk of super powers. It was nice, being able to shape your appearance on command. The trick was that she could only shift to someone she saw, in person or otherwise. If she hadn't seen them than consider it out of the options.
"Agent, what're you doing in bed! Up and at 'em!" God. Agent Hill would never say that. Ah, well, still enjoyable.
"Yes ma'am! Sorry ma'am!" Stacy was still chuckling as she clambered down to the carpeted floor, getting into her own jumpsuit.
Moments later the two girls crowded into the small bathroom, Maria back in her own body. Maria stuck her toothbrush into her mouth, brushing furiously. She had 15 minutes to get across the building to her training. Yay.
"So, any men in your class, huh, Mini Maria Hill?" teased Stacy.
"Eh, there're a few," she admitted.
"Okay, any men," Stacy's eyebrows went wild, wiggling up and down.
"Oh God, you've got to be kidding me," Maria rolled her eyes. "I don't have time for that kind of thing."
"Uh huh," Stacy smirked. "You're telling me that you don't have time for a sexy man?"
"Yes," she answered confidently.
"Psh. You're no fun."
"Get out. I gotta pee," Maria grumbled, herding her friend out of the bathroom.
Stacy stepped out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Maria leaned on the sink, continuing to brush her teeth. She didn't actually have to pee. Stacy was just bothersome at times. She peered into the mirror fondly. Pearly white teeth stared her back. White toothpaste foam filled her mouth and she spat it into the sink.
"You liar!"
Maria cocked an eyebrow. What the hell? She opened the door. "Stacy what're you—? Um…"
Leaning against their doorframe, arms crossed, was a tall boy with rugged bluish black hair and narrowed blood red eyes. He scoffed in a bored manor and raised an eyebrow at Stacy's serious blushing session. Maria frowned, toothbrush paused mid-brush. She glanced back at Stacy, who was fanning herself with her hand. She cupped a hand over one side of her mouth, so the young man couldn't see what she was saying.
Smokin! She mouthed.
Maria scowled and turned back to the man. She turned around and spat in the sink, leaving her toothbrush on the counter and wiping her mouth hastily. Maria marched forwards, grabbing the man by the arm and closing the door behind her.
"Take your time, lovebirds!" called Stacy from inside.
Maria looked back up at the young man to see him smirking, sharp fangs shining down at her.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she shoved brought her arm up to his throat, emergency knife in hand, and held it to his throat. Sneak attack training wasn't unusual, so no one paid them any mind.
"Trust me, if it was up to me, I wouldn't be here," he answered, voice elegant and prideful.
Maria was disgusted by his attitude. "Who the hell are you?" she pressed the knife closer, drawing a drop of blood.
"Yael Schäfer, mercenary and assassin," he answered, smirk fading. "Now I suggest you release me, sweetheart, or it is going to be a terrible day for you and your friend."
Maria's eyebrows furrowed and she brought the knife back, sheathing it. Yael stood up a bit straighter. He swiped his thumb over the small scratch on his neck, and licked the blood off of his thumb lightly. Maria's face twisted in disliking.
"Can I help you with something?" she finally gritted out.
"Yes, in fact, you can," he agreed, putting both hands behind his back and titling his head a bit. Maria took note of the two swords buckled to a sheath on his back. "Apparently, the director of this…fine establishment…" he looked around with a grimace. "Finds interest in your talents."
"What?" Maria gaped. "The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. wants me on an assignment?"
"That is what I just—"
"What's the assignment?"
"Protection. Agent Hunter can explain it when we return." He paused, humming. "Hopefully it includes killing of some sort…I'm getting restless…"
Maria gave another frown.
"Right…Stacy! I'll be back, okay?"
"Have fun on your date!"
"Shut up, Stacy!" Maria snapped back. "Let's go." She growled, turning and marching down the hall.
~AOS~AOS~AOS~
'Fueled Up!' Gas Station
3 Weeks Ago
This sucked.
Ivy Mayeton huffed, watching the decoder work its magic. She'd paid good money for this tech. Hard earned money that she didn't intend on wasting. Finally, the ATM clicked and bills began flooding out. Not much, not noticeable, but enough to satisfy. A good fifty dollars. She carefully folded the bills and slipped them into her pocket, pulling the hood on her blue striped hoodie up.
She crossed her arms as a light breeze chilled her neck and sent shivers up her arms. Ivy sent an unhappy gaze up at the gas prices. "You people are getting robbed." She muttered, sweeping her gaze over the men and women filling their cars. Back in her old life she could've just paid someone and the gas station would be wiped from existence. Did she miss that life? No. Not at all. Her parent thought she was a freak, and now the only person she actually trusted, her stupid idiotic asshole of a best friend, gave her out to the press, leaving her to run from the authorities. Yay.
God. She hated that life. She was never going back.
Besides, this life was much better. Killing people for pay. It kept life interesting, even if she didn't get that much out of it.
A small bell sounded as Ivy pushed open the door to the gas station food mart. A tougher looking elderly man sent her a grumpy glare from under two bushy eyebrows. Ivy raised an eyebrow and snatched two candy bars and a bottle of soda. She walked up to the counter and set them down.
The man rung them up and Ivy noticed a small silver ring hanging from a chain around his neck.
A middle aged woman and man walked hand and hand along the sidewalk. The woman pointed out a small shop across the street. Agreeing, the man and woman waited for a red light and the walk signal, and then began trotting cheerfully across the street. It was then that the man let out a shout of pain. He and the woman went flying, slamming hard into the pavement.
The man awoke to agony, blinking away black spots. People crowded him and blocked his view of the woman. Blood splattered the concrete. A drunken man sped away in a red car. The crowd parted for a split second and the man saw the blank eyes of his wife. She was dead.
Ivy flinched.
"Hey, lady," the man said gruffly, holding out the candy bar and looking impatient.
"I—I'm sorry for your loss," Ivy announced before she could stop herself. "That man was a drunken douche bag."
The man's eyes narrowed. "How the hell did you know about that?" he growled.
Ivy's eyes widened. "I—I didn't." She quickly corrected.
"Who the hell are you?!" he snarled, snatching for her hood.
"Get off!" She shouted immediately, shoving his hand away. Her hood was ripped from her head. The man kept her hood in a vicelike grip, turning to a police sketch.
"Oi! You're the Mayeton girl!" he marveled.
"Leave me alone!" she was panicking now, clawing at his hand. The man reached for his phone and Ivy's eyes widened. She ripped her pocketknife from her pocket and jabbed it into the man's arm. He let out a howl and reeled back. S
Ivy jerked her knife from his arm, cutting open her own hand in the process, and snatched her soda, making a run for it.
Shit. Shit. Shit. She was dead. She was so dead. DeadDeadDead. She was dead.
A loud screech interrupted her thoughts and Ivy stopped abruptly, feet skidding on the asphalt, as an expensive black sports car veered to a halt in front of her. The windows had been tinted, and she couldn't see a thing inside, but that quickly changed as the front window rolled down. Inside sat a woman with black sunglasses, her long brown hair drawn back in a bun. Ivy frowned. The woman was about her age, maybe a bit older, and behind her, in the driver's seat, sat a serious looking young man with tousled black hair and devilish eyes.
While Ivy had expected the woman to say something cliché, something along the lines of 'come with me if you want to live' or otherwise, that wasn't the case. Instead, the woman's lips parted and she spoke in a tone of seriousness:
"Move your ass."
Ivy obliged, quickly moving out of the way as the woman pulled out a gun and fired two rounds into the nearest gas pump. It sent a blaze out of the gas pump's hose and forced the civilians into a mad panic. Meanwhile, without receiving welcome, but assuming she could, Ivy yanked open the back door and hopped in.
Slamming the door shut, Ivy let out a short breath of relief.
"Easy on the doors," hissed the young man from the front, slamming the gas.
Ivy felt confusion rise as hot breath met the back of her neck, she spun, facing the second backseat and nearly shouted as a husky breathed another hot puff of air in her face. It looked bored, legs folded and taking up the left and middle seats as it sprawled out. It's tongue lolled lazily and Ivy unintentionally pressed herself against the door, away from the mutt.
"Don't mind him, he won't bite unless he has reason," eased the man from the front, although it didn't calm Ivy's nerves, because the creep gave a fang-filled smirk through the mirror. Ivy gave an attempt at a smile to the husky.
"Isabelle Mayeton?" the woman asked from the front seat.
Ivy hastily grabbed the back of the passenger's seat and clung for dear life as multiple weaving turns were taken.
"Just Ivy," Ivy corrected, sending a glare at her old name. She peered out of the window, watching everything speed by in a blur. Her piercing blue eyes blinked warily. Who the heck were these people? She decided to go for a less direct approach. "How did two lowlifes like you manage something this nice?"
Ignoring the offensive comment, the man spoke up first. "Let's just say we obtained a rather large quantity of money recently."
"And you will too, if you agree to this job," Maria added. "Agent Maria Cortez with S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Yael Schäfer, pretty much the opposite," scoffed the man (apparently Yael).
"A S.H.I.E.L.D. gig? How much money are we talking?" inquired Ivy, her eyebrow creeping upwards.
"20 Mil if you behave," answered Maria.
Ivy sputtered. "20 Mil?" she hadn't had that kind of money in years. Scratch that. She'd never had that kind of money. Her parents had, but she never got any of it.
"So," Yael sighed, "Not that we need a lowlife like you," he glared into the mirror. "But are you in?"
Ivy paused, thinking. She glanced at the husky, and swore she saw it nod. "Yea. Yea I'm in."
~AOS~AOS~AOS~
'Whedon Apartments'
Apartment Structure
Border of New York City – New York
3 Weeks Ago
Astaroth Briar woke to a cold breeze entering through an open window.
The breeze sent chills up his bare back. He pulled the plain white cotton sheet up to his chin, attempting to blink away tiredness. Astaroth rolled over tiredly, blinking at the 20 year old man lying on his right. Sunlight streamed into the room from the only window in the small apartment bedroom, the open window, and car horns sounded quietly in the distance from the street 23 floors down. A black cat stretched from her seat at the two men's feet.
"Ev," Astaroth said quietly, prodding his sleeping boyfriend with his knee.
Evan gave a groan, rolling over so his back was facing Astaroth. Ignoring the many scars painting the warm brown skin, Astaroth rolled his eyes and lifted his head, resting it on Evan's bicep.
"Evaaann…" he cooed. Evan opened one eye, peering up at him expectantly, a look of grumpiness on his face. "Make me breakfast?" Roth gave his best smile. Meanwhile, Venin clambered up to the two and nudged Evan's back.
"What time is it?" muttered Evan tiredly in return.
"Um…it's…" Roth rolled back onto his back, and then over so he was facing the opposite direction of Evan. He snatched his phone off the bedside table and clicked the on button. 5:42 blinked back at him. Shoot. Better not tell his grouchy boyfriend that. "Time for you to make me breakfast?" he finally decided, unsureness creeping into his tone. He gave another guilty smile. Venin matched with a guilty head tilt.
"It's bloody early, isn't it?" groused the assassin.
"Yup," agreed the merc.
"I'm tired," stated Evan.
"Breakfast," grinned Roth.
Venin mewed.
"I just bought cereal."
"Hm. I suppose that could work." Roth gave an exaggerated sigh. "Will a certain gorgeous British animal shifter be joining me?"
"No. He most certainly will not," responded Evan shortly. He attempted rolling over.
Astaroth snatched his shoulder. "What kind of cereal is it?" he prodded.
Evan rolled his eyes. "Lucky Charms."
"That's going to a problem," Roth frowned.
"Why?" Evan perked up, concern filling his almond-shaped teal eyes. His animalistic qualities poked through and Roth was reminded of a wide eyed puppy.
"Because," Roth cracked a grin. "I just so happen to be allergic to luck."
Evan barked a laugh and Roth smirked at the accomplishment.
Giving a huff, Evan turned to his boyfriend, nearly crushing the black cat, who hissed and jumped away. After glaring, Evan spoke up tiredly. He cringed first at the sunlight, and then threw one arm over his eyes. "Fine. There's an apple pie in the fridge."
"You made pie?!" Astaroth marveled childishly. Venin's head poked up from behind her owner's, matching Roth's young amazement.
Evan smirked, peering at them from under his arm. "Yea. I made pie. It was supposed to be for tonight, but obviously it's needed now."
"Thank you and I love you," Roth pulled himself over to Evan and pecked him on the lips before slipping out of the awkward tangle of sheets and blankets. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and wrapped one of the cream colored sheets over his shoulders like a cape.
Roth pulled the sheet closed on the front and Venin jumped onto his shoulder.
"Going back to bed now," announced Evan lazily.
"Mhm," agreed a satisfied Roth.
"Save me some pie."
"Mhm."
Venin gave a sound that scarily resembled a snicker.
"Shut up, Cat."
"You love her."
"Shut up, boyfriend."
Astaroth wandered past the living room tiredly, rubbing his eyes with one hand, and heading for the kitchen. His sheet dragged behind him like a long coat. Venin purred on his shoulder, curling around his neck and making a living fur collar.
The sound of someone clearing their throat made Astaroth freeze. Venin hissed loudly and Roth spun around. His brown eyes narrowed, glinting purple, and he stuck his hand out defensively, purple fire-like chi energy dancing on his fingers.
The sorcerer was met by a bored looking young man, probably his age, with pale skin and wine red eyes. The man sat on his couch casually. Beside him sat a woman with the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo printed on her chest, and in Evan's lounge chair was a brown haired woman in a hoodie. The three eyed the flaming power on his hands before returning to their casual demeanor.
The woman in the hoodie's eyes trailed downwards and she raised her eyebrow in an unimpressed manor. Roth unlit his hand immediately, pulling the sheet over his legs and covering everything else. His eyes turned back to their usual color as Venin hissed loudly at the intruders and he clutched the sheet tightly.
The hell were these people?
"Evan…!" he called uncertainly, eyes flicking between the three silent intruders.
"It's in the fridge," came the annoyed reply.
"Evan, babe, you might wanna come here!" repeated Astaroth. The intruders made no move to stop him, so he continued. "There are people in our living room!"
"Not funny Roth," Evan rumbled.
"Evan!" Astaroth gritted out tautly, hugging the sheets closer as the man on the couch gave a fanged smirk. "There are people in our living room, and I am only wearing a sheet!"
That got his attention.
Evan came out, now clad in an oh-so-frightening pair of heart boxers, a gun in hand. He blinked cat-like eyes, black slits for pupils. Astaroth figured he'd morphed them from human to cat in order to catch every small movement. Evan pointed it at the man on the couch, flicked it over to the first woman, and then the second.
"Get out of my apartment."
"Nice place you got here," the S.H.I.E.L.D. woman complimented.
"Get out, or I swear to God I'll shoot you."
"Good luck with that," the man retorted.
Meanwhile the hoodie woman continued studying them. Astaroth shifted uncomfortably, Venin gave a low rumble of growling. Evan loaded the gun.
"My name is Ivy," hoodie woman said. "This is Yael Schäfer," she gestured to the man. "And Agent Maria Cortez." The woman. "We'd like to recruit you for a mission."
Astaroth turned to Evan and Evan narrowed his eyes, confused.
Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, and drawing the sheets closed again, Astaroth raised a bewildered eyebrow.
"Can we…er…can we get you some pie?"
Heh. Ain't they just the sweetest? Poor Evan. Getting bothered by Roth. XD
So this chapter finished at a whopping 5,700 words. :D
I figured you all didn't need to hear the run down on what the team's assingment was again. :) How did everyone like that? I quite enjoyed it actually. I hope the action lovers found interest in Yael's backstory. I hope the friendship lovers found interest in Maria's, and the mystery fans liked Ivy's, and the romance fans enjoyed Evan/Roth's. How'd I do? I thought it went well. I had way to much fun writing this.
Let me know who's your fav, who you liked, what you enjoyed. :)
I'll update this and Spoof soon! Promise! I just had no internet all yesterday. -.-
Haha, anyways, I'm back now. ;) Love y'all! Thanks for all of your sweet comments!
-AG
Ps. To: challengerslover: you should totally get an account! I'd love to chat more with you, about this story or otherwise. ;) Possibly even organize a character of yours for the story? :)