The fight was lost. Hydra was just too powerful. Everyone was exhausted, and severely wounded. They could not go on. Ward walked forwards and pointed his gun at them. "Sorry that it had to end this way. Though we all knew that in the end, one of us had to lose. Is there anything else you'd like to say?" Coulson looked at him, his eyes filled with hate, but he kept silent, refusing to play his game. Even Leah lost all her sass, and just closed her eyes, crying, and preparing for the bullet. "Alright then, have it your way." Ward said. "Kill them." He then said to his soldiers. But before they could fire, another fire appeared between the Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, circling around and forming some sort of portal. Through it, walked the last person they had ever expected to see again: Nikki. But she looked different. Her hair was wavy, and two braids that originated from the sides of her head, met in the middle, on top of her other hair. She was wearing armour of some kind, gleaming red and orange, like a burning fire, and with fiery red phoenix on it. It had a little chainmail skirt on the bottom, with some orange feathers rather than fabric, and black boots. Diagonally across her body, a couple of knives were strapped to a belt, the blades black, and the hilts beautifully decorated. To her side, the staff was strapped to another belt, the symbols glowing red. "Nicole…?" Coulson asked, confused. But she ignored him and addressed Ward directly.
"You are really starting to annoy me." She said. "But I am going to give you one more chance to take your things and leave. I advise you to take it."
Ward let out a little laugh, but he was clearly surprised, and unsure of what to do. So were the soldiers, who now slowly lowered their weapons.
"Who are you then? Another child that Coulson recruited? Are you really their last line of defence?" Ward asked mockingly. "What are you going to do?"
He pointed his gun at her. But Nikki didn't look scared or angry, just annoyed.
"Ward, you are such a piece shit. Can't you please just die?"
Ward laughed. "Sorry, I've got other plans. It's much easier if you just die. Then again, you are already dead, coming here all alone…"
A small smile formed on her face.
"Whatever made you think that I'm alone?"
Suddenly, a couple of more portals opened, and out came multiple other woman, all dressed in a similar kind of armour that Nikki was wearing, and holding swords, axes, bows, and other weapons. And yet they all looked different. Some looked human, other Kree or Asgardian, and there were also a couple of alien species that the team did not recognise. Up in the sky, more portals opened, and from them, a flock of phoenixes flew down, their beautiful feathers practically glowing. They landed next to Nikki, between the Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, the largest landing right next to her. They screeched, and a few of the soldiers put down their guns and got to their knees, panicked. Nikki spoke up again, calmly, but in a strange language no one could understand. As she gestured to Ward, who was now slowly stepping back. "Di'jun kai, hij kili!" She then gestured to the S.H.I.E.L.D. team and said "Ak'ki! Ai Kirakai!" They looked on in shock. "What's that supposed to mean?" Daisy stammered, but Nikki had already turned back around and grabbed the staff. The symbols started to grow brighter, before two blades slid out from the ends. They were pitch-black, but beautifully decorated. Then she, and all other woman jumped forwards. The Hydra soldiers kept fighting, shooting around wildly at the new opponents, but it was useless. In the middle of it all, Nikki was jumping around, crossing of enemy after enemy. The entire sword was longer than she was, but she wielded it around with ease. Occasionally, she would grab the hilt in the middle, and pull it apart, leaving herself with two longswords in both hands. Everywhere was fire, as the army casually breathed it around.
The entire battle didn't take all that long. In a couple of minutes, the last Hydra soldiers were either dead, or defeated. The warriors surrounded the last surrendered soldiers, waiting for further instructions, as Ward was held separately, and was being tied down. Nikki walked over to the S.H.I.E.L.D. team, her sword retreated into the staff again. "Are you all right?" She offered her hand, but no one took it. "We're fine." Agent May said quietly.
"Sorry it took so long, but you must understand that I first wanted to make sure that you couldn't handle it on your own, before bringing in the big guns."
"What are you?" Fitz asked.
But Nikki brushed him off by saying. "Later. Not here, not now. Come on, follow me." She turned around and walked away. The team hesitantly followed. She stopped just in front of where the largest bird was now standing, looking out over the team. It towered out over them, being at least twice as tall as any human. "Get. Down." Nikki hissed to them. Leah looked at her in surprise. "Excuse me?" Nikki looked her in the eyes, and it was clear that she was dead serious. "Kneel. That's the queen." Simmons shot a quick look at the bird, before she, and the team did as they were told. Nikki however, didn't kneel. The bird caught fire, and when the fire had disappeared, a woman was standing in its place. She was beautiful, with long flowing hair, and wearing a long fiery red, feathered dress. On her head was a beautiful crown. Nikki walked over to the queen, before bowing her head down respectfully. She then threw all her grace away, and ran over to the woman, wrapping her arms around her, and pulling her into a hug. The queen returned the hug, though a little more gracefully, before softly kissing the top of her head. "Melorae…" She said softly. But that was all they said. Nikki took a step back, as they both held up their left arm, and took each other's hand. A white glow came from it, as their eyes lit up as well. They stood like that for a while, in silence, before the light faded away, and they let go. The queen now turned towards the team, that was still kneeling, unsure of what to do.
"You may rise." She then said. "Melorae tells me that she owes you many things, and a friend of hers, is a friend of mine" She gave a kind and gentle smile.
The team got up, surprised. She spoke English? And when did Nikki tell her that?
"Apparently, she has made a couple of mistakes. You must forgive her for that. My daughter is still young, and impulsive, and has a lot to learn." Nikki lowered her head, as she hid her face in her hand, as she slowly turned red. But the queen continued.
"However, apart from that, you have taken loving care of her, and for that, I am grateful, and clearly in your debt. Who among you is the leader?"
No one moved, until Nikki looked Coulson in the eyes, and nodded her head to the side quickly. He stepped forwards and stopped right in front of the queen and the princess.
"If you would please present me with your left hand." She held out her own as well. He shot a quick look at Nikki, who nodded, almost imperceptibly. The same happened as before, a white glow coming from their hands, and their eyes lighting up. This time, it was a lot quicker, and the connection was broken before anyone could have guessed what was happening.
The queen spoke again. "If you or your people are ever in need of aid, my army will be at your disposal." She gestured at Ward, who was now completely tied up, with nowhere to go. "Please accept this gift as well. Now, if you'd excuse me, and leave me to talk with my daughter." Coulson gave a small bow and walked back. Nikki and her mother were facing each other again. Nikki let out a small cry, as a tear rolled down her face.
"I am going to miss you, mother." She said softly, before her mother hugged her again. "I wish I could come with you."
"I know, Melorae, but you have to wait just a while longer. I will be awaiting your return." She kissed her forehead and put her hands on her shoulders. "Stay strong, my daughter. I am so proud of you." Nikki took a step back, as the queen transformed back into a bird, and flew up. All other warriors did the same and followed her. She spewed fire from her beak, which formed another portal. And then, they were all gone.
Nikki's armour caught fire, changing her clothes. After that, she was just standing there, like the Nikki that they knew before. Normal, human clothes, her hair loose, and a little messy, and a young, playful look on her face.
"Ommygosh! My mom made you her Kirakai! Do you have any idea what an honour that is?" she excitedly screamed. Coulson looked surprised. "She did what? What the hell just happened? Who were those people?" Nikki opened her mouth, as though she was going to explain, but she hesitated, and closed it again. She looked at Ward. "Not here, not now. First things first, what do you want to do with him?"