Marvel stories:
Chapter 1: An unexpected test
Dark green flames blazed around her it's every spark licking at the young woman's exposed flesh, it was just a matter of time before it consumed her but for some reason the girl wasn't afraid. Gazing at the her surroundings it was pretty obvious her family's vacation home wouldn't make it, she'd never really cared for it but watching it go up in flames was upsetting. Clawing at the ground beneath her she was extremely confused as it didn't burn, dragging herself forward she was about to call out for help when another set of flames popped up right next to her. Seconds later there was a deep rumbling noise which caught her off guard, impossible as it sounded the noise reminded her of a big cat.
"Don't tell me you're giving up already, aren't you supposed to be unique?" A voice that cut into her very soul like a thousand icy needles questioned it's tone both mocking and inquisitive, before she could reply an dark portal opened and several black creatures with multiple jaws snarled at her. Growling at her they opened both jaws revealing several rows of dagger like teeth, she knew it was just a matter of time before one lunged at her. Reaching for the nearby beam she pulled it up before inching away from the creature, unfortunately the creature kept advancing on her undeterred by the young woman's attempts at protecting herself.
"Get away from me." She cried out before knocking the creature upside its head, growling at her it bit down on the wooden object snapping it in half. Roaring at her its companion began advancing on the young woman, scooting further back it ended with the young lady realizing nothing could stop her attackers. Growling with each step it cornered her eyes flashing in rage, opening its mouth the creature unleashed a stream of black fire at her. Crying out in pain the young woman looked down at her feet surprised they didn't look any different, it was almost like the creature's blast was only meant to scare her.
"Dengar stop playing with your food, it's just a matter of time before she unleashes her power." the voice explained as the young woman contemplated grabbing another beam, unfortunately the rest were covered in flames. Advancing on her the creatures began growling and preparing to unleash another stream of flames, crying out in a mixture of panic and determination she grabbed at the beam. Despite knowing it was gonna hurt the young lady didn't have any other choice, swinging it the young woman nearly cheered when it knocked one creature unconscious.
"Seems your pets aren't very durable, maybe you should just give up and run away." She explained as the voice laughed at her false bravado, opening another portal several more creatures walked through it. Growling at her the young lady sighed in frustration knowing it meant they weren't leaving, it also meant she was quickly running outta options. Raising both hands the young woman prepared for her untimely end, it was just a matter of time before one caught her unprotected neck and ripped through it.
"Resistance is pointless my dear, it's just a matter of time before you run out of weapons." the voice explained as her pets resumed advancing on her, counting each one it was pretty clear something wasn't right. Seconds earlier their numbers were much larger and yet she hadn't defeated any of them, grabbing at the nearby plank she contemplated bashing one across the face. Despite her best efforts the young lady understood it was merely delaying the inevitable, sighing in frustration the young lady realized using her powers was quickly becoming an necessary evil.
"Back off you useless mutts." She growled before her eyes lit up which made the creatures back off, grinning at their sudden fear it was just a matter of pushing her advantage. Raising both hands the young lady unleashed her powers on the black creatures, within seconds ice covered the ground and encased the black monsters in a frozen grave. Gazing up at them she contemplated flexing her powers just a little, considering everything she'd dealt with until now a little revenge would've been nice.
"Deary you're inexperience is showing, it took both of your adoptive parents to defeat me and you're not them." the voice explained as another portal opened in front of her, seconds later a new figure emerged wrapped in dark green robes. Both of her eyes were sparkling and it didn't look very friendly, it was just a matter of time before she unleashed her own powers. Raising both hands it made any ice she'd conjured until now disappear in a sea of flames, it was an unnecessary show of force but the young lady needed an overwhelming defeat.
"Seems like you're worried about my powers." She explained before raising her own gaze and unleashing more ice, cowering from the ice her would be opponents seemed terrified. Despite knowing her powers couldn't defeat the opponent it could give her some much needed breathing room, calling upon her powers ice started covering the young lady's arms. Giving her opponent a less than flattering gesture she rushed at the monsters, stabbing a couple it encased them in an nearly unbreakable ice.
"Worried is a strong term it's more like interested, it's only natural since we're family my dear little Mari." the woman explained as she unleashed another wave of flames, sure it melted her ice but it also destroyed her monsters. Grinning as the realization dawned on her niece's face it was beyond delicious, it was her fire real opportunity at meeting the young woman and she didn't feel like wasting it. Sure attacking your family in a dream wasn't the normal way of introducing yourself but nothing about their family was normal, grinning just a little she raised another hand and quenching the flames.
"Might wanna consider just having dinner next time, summoning vicious monsters isn't exactly a good idea." Mari explained as the young woman racked her brain thinking of who this lady could possible be, she'd already met her uncle and this woman reminded her of the guy but she wasn't his lover. Something about her was oddly familiar but she couldn't place it right now, summoning more ice the black creatures looked at their mistress waiting for commands. Raising both hands the woman directed her monsters to attack, dashing forward the creatures were snarling at her and gnashing their fangs.
"Dinner is so boring, our kind are better suited for combat wouldn't you agree my dear?" the woman explained as her niece sighed before unleashing another wave of ice, catching two of her pets off guard it froze both in a solid chunk. Grabbing the nearby beam she froze it and began swinging it around, smashing it against the lead monster it cracked into a million pieces. Smiling as the pets began circling her it was just a matter of time before she was rendered unconscious, she wouldn't let the monsters kill her but it was more fun keeping the girl on her toes.
"Combat is supposed to be a fun way of judging each other's strength, your little pets kinda ruin that experience." Mari explained before moving a strand of dark brown hair away from jade green eyes, in most people's eyes they were dazzling but in her mind it only served as a reminder of her mixed heritage. According to her father it was something that made her unique but she didn't agree with him, gazing at the creatures she realized her powers were only delaying the inevitable.
"Don't get it twisted young lady, in combat power is everything and honor means nothing." the woman explained as her pets started advancing on the young lady, each one was dangerous and if the young lady somehow defeated them she'd just unleash more. Grinning as the young lady raised both palms in defeat she'd already known it would end this way, waving her pets off the young woman looked at her opponent with tears. Considering everything the older woman had done until now it shouldn't have mattered, instead she found herself wanting to console an frightened yet powerful young lady.
"Stupid freaking mutts, it was bad enough deal with the fire and instead of getting a reward you unleashed dangerous monsters on a scared young lady." Mari cried as the older woman rushed over and began stroking her, it was confusing but something about the older woman seemed kinda familiar. Grinning as she looked into the younger woman's eyes it reminded her of a frightened deer, seconds later the young lady eyes were glowing deep blue. Raising both hands she unleashed another wave of ice, groaning at the idea of being duped it quickly encased the older woman.
"Don't get me wrong it's appreciated but you shouldn't give opponents tactical advice, it will thaw in a couple of hours but you're gonna be stiff for a day or two." Mari explained as she looked over at the mutts and grinned when several began panicking, it was kinda nice seeing the creatures worried about her powers. Getting up she looked over at the woman encased in her frozen prison and contemplated destroying it, under different circumstances she would've been ecstatic but this felt different.
"Consider that your final mistake deary, well then it's been nice knowing you." She explained as dark green flames roared to life melting all of her ice, groaning in frustration the younger lady brace herself for an dangerous counterattack. Raising both palms the woman unleashed another sea of dark green flames, it made her creatures start hollering and filling the young lady's heart with dread. Growling in rage she unleashed another blast of ice, sadly it didn't matter as the flames instantly burned it away. Before she could react there was a flash of light and more ice sprung up covering her like a shield, when it finally dissipated a cloaked figure stood before an excited young lady.
"Get away from my daughter." A voice she knew quite well explained before raising his staff, slamming it down on the green flames it evaporated. Glaring over at the older woman he contemplated unleashing a powerful blast, nodding at his daughter she got up and joined him in challenging their opponent. Combining their powers would hopefully be enough to overpower her, grabbing onto his staff the young woman unleashed all of her powers in one concentrated blast. Grinning as the flames destroyed her pets it was a beautiful sight, screaming in pain the creatures disappeared in a puff of dark blue smoke.
"Aww that's so cute it's like you've gotten protective in your old age, it's just a matter of time before your changing diapers and putting her kids down for nappies." the woman explained as her father groaned in disgust, just thinking about entertaining little kids was more than a little disturbing. Sure he'd grown in the last couple of decades but even hearing the word grandfather upset him, it would be at least three decades before he even considered raising another munchkin. Raising his staff into the air he contemplated unleashing another powerful blast of ice, unfortunately it was getting a little cramped resulting in the building giving off a loud creaking noise.
"Sounds like your jealous of my relationship with her, maybe if you quit being so distant we could instruct her together." Mari's father explained as the young woman gave him a confused look, it was almost like they cared for each other but it didn't make any sense.
"Dad, maybe you could explain who our unknown visitor is unless you'd rather keep fighting us?" Mari questioned as the older woman gave her a little smile, admittedly she did like fighting but right now it didn't seem like a very good idea. Reaching up with both hands it caused her opponents to shudder, giving them a quick wink she pulled her cloak off revealing the woman's identity. Gasping as she recognized the woman from a picture in her father's study it was an understandably confusing scenario, grinning before setting his weapon down the girl's father clasped her shoulder.
"Mari allow me to introduce your Aunt Hela, she's kinda weird but still a part of our family." Mari's father explained before his traditional outfit materialized, golden horns sat atop beautiful green robes accentuating his godhood. Groaning as the realization finally sunk in the young woman felt quite annoyed, it was some kinda test from her uncle and it was one she'd probably failed. Squaring off against powerful goddess was a new experience for her and one she didn't particularly enjoy, admittedly this was her first real experience dealing with a goddess but it sucked.
"Alright what genius thought setting me up against the goddess of death was a good idea, wait let me guess its supposed to be a learning experience right?" Mari growled before lunging at her father, grabbing his staff the older man used it deflect an rather sloppy attack. Grinning at her the older man raised his staff making an now crumbling building disappear, seconds later the young girl was back in her normal room looking at the ceiling. Sitting up the young lady was greeted by her father smirking like an idiot, shoving him backwards the young lady got up and looked over at her aunt. Despite knowing she wasn't really in danger it upset her, it meant her father believed she wasn't ready to become a her just yet.
"She did quite well considering her opponent, given that we both struggled against her it's an understandable result." A new voice this one much deeper explained before she looked over at him, sure enough it was her uncle's idea which meant she'd probably ended up getting an meaningless lecture. Groaning a little she rubbed her arms which felt like they'd been scorched, neither arm showed damage but they felt a little off. Standing up the young woman's uncle marched over to her before pulling the girl onto her feet, smacking her back it was powerful enough to make her cringe.
"Ouch somebody's in deep trouble and based on that idiotic scenario it's probably you uncle, aren't you supposed to be watching over humanity right now?" Mari questioned as her uncle laughed in a deep booming voice, sadly it meant the guy believed his joke was actually funny. Groaning in mock frustration the young woman slugged his gut, acting like it hurt she laughed before rushing at her meathead uncle.
"I needed to see if you were ready for a new type of class, it was a forgone conclusion but you passed." Thor explained before the young woman gave him a little smile, it wasn't the answer she'd expected but one which gave her motivation. Grabbing her locket form a nearby table she placed it around her neck before looking over at him, smiling just a little the more experienced brother looked over at his siblings. Both had come a long way in the man's eyes and it was because of this he'd requested their presence, despite going a little too far his sister played her role admirably.
"Wait a minute brother you can't be serious, my daughter's not just ready she's going to crush it." Loki explained as the young woman blushed at her father's praise, blushing just a little the young woman stared at her locket.
Opening it she looked at the image of her mother before closing it, she'd never met the lady but if her father's stories were any indication she was quite beautiful. Based on what little information she had they'd met during a chaotic era in his life, it wasn't exactly planned but their daughter was an unexpected miracle. Despite his best efforts the young woman seemed intent on following her example, it was ultimately her father's decision but evidently the man respected her commitment.
"Anyone care to explain what class he's talking about, wait don't tell it's gonna be some kinda course in how we're supposed to use our powers right?" Mari questioned using her best uncle Thor voice making her father snicker, it was a little funny but ultimately she'd needed to be a little more understanding. Giving his brother a slight nod the older man pulled out a notebook, smiling before passing it over to her she was more than a little concerned. Whenever her uncle started giving out presents it was more than a little concerning, actually his last present was a beautiful recreation of his weapon so maybe it would be a good one.
"Congratulations on becoming the first member of a brand new kind of school, we're still thinking about names so don't get too excited just yet." Loki explained as the young lady glanced down at her notebook, evidently they weren't confident in their decisions because it read secret. Raising his palms in mock surrender the older man raised his weapon, seconds later another portal opened in front of her. Grinning as the portal deposited an unknown box it was covered in rubies and skulls, opening it the young woman found herself entranced by it's contents.
"Wow it's beautiful." Mari exclaimed before reaching into the box, before she could even feel it's hilt the young woman's uncle slammed it closed. Grabbing it the older brother passed it over to his sibling, gazing into his eyes the young woman saw an previously unknown emotion inside them. Considering everything he'd done over the years it must've been something very dangerous, raising both hands in surrender the young woman's gaze drifted onto the box.
"Mari whatever happens you can't open that box, it's not meant for someone like you." Loki explained as the young woman nodded that she understood, anything powerful enough to make her uncle worried couldn't possibly be good news. Seconds later the girl's uncle looked over at his brother who sighed before nodding, using his staff it opened a portal and deposited the box. Closing the portal he looked over at his daughter, because of her kind nature the weapon inside could only be a determent. Disappearing in front of her eyes the young woman knew it was for the best, even so the image of a dark black sword lingered in her mind.
"Actually we've just found it's new user, we'll let you two investigate." Thor explained as the young woman looked over at her father, it was kinda concerning that he'd just explained how dangerous it was and yet he was sending them off looking for its new owner. Giving him an scrap of paper it contained the new user's address, based on her father's reaction it must've been somewhere completely unexpected. Setting the paper down it made his daughter laugh before pocketing it, it wasn't a dangerous place in any way though it could be ungodly hot. Raising his staff the young woman's father placed it down on the ground, seconds later they were both in front of an unassuming house where if their information was accurate she'd find her new classmate.