Marvel Stories: Students of chaos
Chapter 2: An strange new ally
Rushing at their new visitor she jumped into his arms, groaning an little the older man reminded her she wasn't an eight year old kid anymore. Giving him an small pout the older man grumbled before channeling another spell, seconds later there was an bright flash and the older man was holding something. Since it was hidden under an blanket guessing its contents would be impossible, chuckling before pulling it off the older man revealed an stuffed bunny.
"Didn't you just say I'm not eight anymore?" Mari questioned as the older man chuckled, unzipping its back the young lady squealed before grabbing its hidden treasure. Grabbing the spell book it reminded her of when they'd first met, she'd been five years old and worried about meeting her father's compatriots. Clutching his outfit for dear life she'd eventually bumped into an scary older man, gazing down at her the young girl worried he might be angry. Smiling he'd used an enchantment to create an stuffed rabbit for her, grabbing it she'd loved and cherished it her entire life.
"Jokes aside you're finally old enough to begin your studies of the mystic arts." Steven explained as the young woman's eyes lit up in joy, she'd been waiting nearly fifteen years and it was finally going to happen. Grabbing her new spell book the young woman began reading it, chuckling her father explained it would have to wait until after their mission. Raising his staff it opened another portal revealing an small farm house, seconds later an young man came into view holding an hatchet. Bringing it down on an log it splintered into tiny little pieces, seconds later an dark shadow washed over the young man.
"Allow me to introduce your new classmate, recruiting him will be your first mission." Thor explained as the young lady gave him an questioning stare, it was an important mission no question but something about it made her uncomfortable. Gazing into the newly created portal it made her blood run cold, dark shadows covered his entire body wrapping him in an unbelievably thick shroud. Brushing her fears off the young woman nodded she understood, gazing over at her adoptive uncle the older man clasped her shoulder. Since it was the younger woman's first real mission an instructor was expected to accompany her, normally her father would've accompanied the young lady but an certain hammer swinging idiot believed it wasn't an good idea.
"Don't worry she'll be just fine, your first mission is always nerve wracking." Steven explained as the young woman exhaled in relief, despite being excited for her inaugural mission she was also kinda nervous. Despite being raised with an impressive knowledge of magic she was quite lacking in the experience department, until now she'd never even interacted with someone her own age. Because of this she was dreadfully unprepared for what came next, thankfully her adoptive uncle would be there in case she needed help. Giving her father an quick thumbs up he'd always known she'd eventually leave the nest, unfortunately it was an bittersweet feeling knowing she'd be dealing with extremely dangerous opponents.
"Before you go there's one final surprise, consider it my way of celebrating your graduation." Loki explained before clapping his palms together, seconds later another portal opened revealing an familiar outfit. Consisting of an majestic silver breastplate and dark green skirt it was quite beautiful, accentuated with an brown sash and light green sleeves it all came together with dark brown leather shoes. According to her uncle it was more reminiscent of an warrior's outfit but she didn't care, it was based off her design and enchanted with her father's magic. Grinning before reaching into the portal her father knew it contained an unique surprise, opening an dark green box the more experienced spell caster reached inside and pulled out two beautiful silver horns.
"Wow they're beautiful." Mari explained before dawning her new outfit, securing the horns in place it completed her outfit and she loved it. Despite knowing it was an little unusual considering her frame it was still quite elegant, considering it was designed nearly ten years ago she'd grown in many different ways. Sadly this meant it was an little constricting in the breastplate area, unfortunately it also meant the outfit would require some tailoring. Channeling another spell it modified her outfit so it wouldn't be an unnecessary distraction, after she'd finished modifying her outfit the young woman looked over at her father who nodded in approval.
"Don't worry about our little fighter, we'll be just fine after she overcomes her nerves." Steven explained before looking over at his new student, nodding that she'd be alright her new instructor began channeling another enchantment. Grinning before he opened another portal it revealed her instructor's domicile, stepping into the portal instructor and student both whistled at how majestic it looked. Despite visiting it several times during her youth it always caught her unprepared, in this particular case it was an over sized banner with congratulations on it that made her question if the house was secretly alive.
"So what mystical item did you forget?" Mari questioned as the older man sighed in frustration, considering his fellow superheroes often joked about it her question was understandable. Seconds later an mystical cape rushed at her, tackling his new student it acted like an excited puppy. Chuckling as she played with his outfit's best accessory it made him feel younger again, saving the world exciting as it could be ultimately paled in comparison to little everyday occurrences.
"Mari darling nobody told me you'd be visiting, today's just full of surprises including an unusual guest waiting in your den." An familiar voice explained before walking into the room, dressed in an beautiful purple outfit it did almost nothing to conceal her swollen belly. Despite being nearly six months pregnant she moved with an borderline angelic grace, she'd already had one daughter and quietly hoped this child would be an son. Steven claimed they'd be happy no matter what and despite being correct she'd always loved the idea of having one of each gender, when their daughter arrived she'd known they'd both do anything necessary to protect her. Considering her last pregnancy was difficult at times her lover was adequately concerned, she'd been warned that until her child arrived fighting was strictly against the rules.
"Care to explain what you're doing here?" Steven growled before walking into the den, sitting there in an lounge chair was an man dressed in white. Battling dangerous creatures alongside each other usually built and sense of camaraderie, unfortunately said friendship didn't extend to unannounced visits. Getting up from his chair their guest looked over at his student, smirking just an little it wasn't exactly malicious but something about it made her feel weirdly uncomfortable.
"Sorry about coming here unannounced but we need to discuss your next mission, we've been over this he's dangerous and extremely unpredictable." Steven's guest explained as the older man grumbled before nodding at his student, admittedly the guy kept saying it but if his fellow superheroes believed the guy could be an powerful addition he wasn't gonna object. Considering his student's father was once an powerful villain he didn't think an confused young man was outta the question, unfortunately some of his companions didn't agree which inevitable lead to uncomfortable arguments. Grabbing at the sword on his waist it made the young woman nervous, anyone crazy enough to bring an weapon into her instructor's domicile was someone they could underestimate. Raising his palms they were covered in an magical aura, evidently they were gonna have it out right here and if she wasn't careful the young lady might end up getting struck by an wayward enchantment.
"Alright that's enough outta both of you, there's an very simple answer if you could just listen to each other." Clea explained as they both stopped in mid attack, gazing into her eyes both men slowly lowered their fists. Despite being powerful in their own right neither man could defeat an pissed off wife, during their courtship she'd intimidated an demon with just her voice. Gazing into her eyes the sorcerer knew arguing was pointless, seconds later the magic around his fists disappeared completely. Sheathing his blade their guest looked down in embarrassment, it was bad enough he'd come into their domicile unannounced but picking an fight was unacceptable.
"Darling you shouldn't be getting involved in our petty little squabbles, it's not good for the baby's health." Steven explained before his wife gave the older sorcerer an look that made it clear she didn't appreciate his comment, backing down the sorcerer look at his appreciation who shrugged in rely. Raising her fist the veteran sorceress made it very clear she wouldn't put up with any more nonsense, seconds later both men raised their own palms in mock surrender before the older woman grinned at her lover. Baby or not she wasn't about to let anyone else dictated her fate, grabbing an chair she placed it between them making it obvious she wasn't going anywhere. Considering they'd been fighting over his potential student's fate over an month now she wanted it to end, as such they were gonna discuss it again right now and she would determine if either man was right.
"Alright then since you're our guest we should hear you out before making an decision, evidently you believe our potential student is dangerous but you haven't given us any proof." Clea explained as their guest nodded before reaching into an pocket on his coat, grabbing an dark red amulet he pulled it out before setting it down in front of her. Seconds later it was floating in midair with an dark green aura surrounding it, opening an small portal it revealed an dimension the older woman knew quite intimately. Grumbling something about never escaping it the woman's husband started comforting her, despite knowing it would always be part of their lives she'd hoped it would disappear for an little while. Minutes into viewing it the image changed revealing an new figure, carrying an powerful sword with dark red gems all over it the blade looked oddly familiar.
"Centuries ago there was an powerful solider crazy enough to fight your old man, admittedly the guy couldn't defeat your father but he was still quite powerful." Steven's guest explained as the younger woman raised an eyebrow questioningly, she'd heard an lot regarding the older woman's demnsion of birth and none of it was good. Glancing over at her instructor the man nodded it wasn't something he'd made up, unfortunately information on said myth were scare enough that he'd believed it was an fairy tail. Reaching for another glass of whiskey he downed it before motioning at their guests signifying he could proceed with his story, sighing their guest poured himself another drink before looking at the box sitting under his chair.
Slowly opening the box it revealed an majestic looking sword with blood red gems in the hilt, despite knowing it was dangerous the young woman felt like it called out to her. Reaching for the sword her efforts were derailed when he slammed it's lid down, squealing just an little when it nearly crushed her fingers their visitor sighed but gave her an firm look. Grabbing the box her instructor opened another before sealing it inside, when he'd finished securing it both husband and wife looked at their guests with rage in their eyes.
"Assuming this isn't just an fairy tale wouldn't letting the boy have it only prove your assessment correct?" Steven questioned as their guest nodded before looking at his student, if the young man stepped outta line her powers might be necessary and they weren't sure if the girl was ready for it just yet. Defeating evil monsters was challenging enough but humans were an different animal, ending someone's life was an dangerous endeavor and one which shouldn't be taken lightly. Giving her an questioning look an enraged older man stepped between her and their guest, despite being friends he wouldn't let anyone intimidate the younger woman.
"Unfortunately we don't have any choice in the matter, either we let the young man grasp it or we destroy it." Steven's guest questioned as the older sorceress nodded in agreement, she didn't like the idea of letting an young man wield an powerful sword it wasn't like they had another choice. Relics were dangerous creations of mystical energy poured into an corporal form, as such it could only be wielded by someone with an equally powerful mystical wavelength. Despite knowing very little about the young man she believed he might posses said wavelength, until they knew for certain letting him wield the sword could only be summarized using the words calculated risk.
"Could someone please explain why the guy needs an evil looking sword, and good manners dictate you should give us an name before making outlandish demands?" Mari questioned as the entire group looked over at her, grinning at her their visitor was starting to like the young woman. She was intelligent much like her father but unlike the experienced illusionist she wasn't arrogant yet, given her family lineage it was just an matter of time but for now she was actually just like any other teenage girl. Gazing over at his friend the older man shrugged before his guest started laughing, giving her an smile their visitor unsheathed his own weapon revealing an equally beautiful sword.
"Dane Whitman at your service, don't worry about introducing yourself she's already told me everything one could about our new student." Dane explained as the younger woman raised an eyebrow questioningly, evidently her instructor didn't fill their new student in on his involvement with their new project. Considering it was her father's idea getting him on board proved difficult so maybe he didn't feel the girl in because he couldn't, everything about this whole scenario could only be described as unbelievable.
"Sounds like we'll be expecting more guests, if he's really that dangerous we're gonna need an cake." Clea explained as the group looked at her with an bewildered look in their eyes, admittedly they all knew she loved cooking but this didn't exactly seem like an very ideal time for baking. Mari had even cooked with her on some occasions but this was different, she'd no doubt be going on the mission as well so cooking alongside her wasn't possible. Grabbing his sword their visitor fasted it around his back knowing it would be just an matter of time before he was using it, nodding at the more powerful sorceress he knew it was gonna be an wonderful cake but only if they got back safely.
"Well that sounds like our cue." Dane explained before looking over at his friend, sighing in defeat the older man began channeling his power. Seconds later an portal opened letting their visitor grab an box which everyone knew contained an dangerous sword, grabbing it their visitor pulled it out knowing letting the young man have it would either be an great idea or utter chaos. Opening an second portal it revealed an dilapidated old farm house, gazing into the portal she recognized it from earlier although it looked somewhat different in the pale moonlight.
"Alright let's get moving, if the young man attacks us we can defend ourselves but no killing him." Steven explained as both his friend and protege nodded they understood, unlike them he wasn't feeling quite as confident but it wasn't like they could just give up. Grumbling an little before stepping into the portal he knew it was gonna be an chaotic experience, even if the young man joined his student willingly instructing him could prove difficult. Before long their group stood in front of an old house bathed in moonlight, it would've been nice if its owners had kept it maintained but in its current state it reminded the girl of an horror film. Gazing at their surroundings it was completely empty making them wonder if anyone still lived there, directing his gaze on an nearby lantern it was all the confirmation an experienced sword wielder needed.
"Don't tell me you're afraid of..." Mari started before there was an gust of wind, seconds later there was an lighting flash illuminating the dark room. Raising his palms they were both covered in an mystic energy, directing them at his new student it was her only chance of getting away unscathed. Seconds later the more experienced warrior drew his blade and glared at her, strangely enough it looked as if his gaze was focused on something behind the young woman. Drifting backwards her eyes landed on an dark figure standing right behind the young woman, before she could question him there was an blade at her neck effectively derailing their conversation and locking everyone present in an stalemate.