Pairings: Ayo & Aneka, Bobbi & Hunter, Thor & Storm, Rogue & Remy, Matt & Jessica Drew, Piotr & Kitty, Logan & Bruce
Explicit Content: n/a
Warning: Contains spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: End Game
The Dora Milaje are the most elite group of warriors in Wakanda. Like the King's Guard, the members come from every tribe. Unlike the King's Guard, the members are all women. As such, they are often underestimated by foreigners, a circumstance they use to their advantage. But now as they fight against Thanos' army of beast-like aliens, they only have their skill in battle to rely on.
They, like the other warrior groups, are scattered across the plains between the forest and the city. The single opening in the protective dome around them limits the number of aliens able to get onto the battlefield from the forest, but it only slows down the stream, concentrates it to one area. From there they spread out, trying to fight their way to the city, to the Mind Stone in Vision's head.
Near the center of the field, Aneka of the Dora Milaje twirls her spear around her waist to keep the aliens back before swiftly using it bash three on the head in quick succession. She stabs a fourth in the chest. To get it back out, she has to plant her foot against its shoulder and pull. Almost immediately it goes into another alien.
Her focus is singular. It's partly training. It's partly because Ayo is with Princess Shuri, removing concern for her love's safety. If Ayo were here on this field with her, it might be different. Then again, being able to see her might put her mind at ease. If asked, Aneka would say she prefers knowing Ayo is safe.
She hears a gunshot just before an alien in her periphery jerks backward and falls in a heap.
The bullet came from the blue woman with the bright red hair, the one called Mystique. She slowly walks closer, a gun in each hand, pointing and shooting at aliens. "I'm going to need one of those spears soon," she predicts.
Fighting nearby, Nakia responds, "Running out of bullets already?"
"That's why I use poles," Mockingbird shouts. The 2-foot batons swipe away extended arms, clearing the way for her to give the alien a headbutt. "I can lend you one of mine."
Mystique fires another shot before commenting, "It's awfully small."
"They extend."
It's better than trying to use her guns as bludgeoning weapons. "I'll let you know when I need it." She fires two more shots.
"I think I'll be able to figure that out."
Nakia would laugh if she wasn't trying to avoid getting slashed to death. She ducks a swipe before planting her spear, using it to swing around and kicking the alien before stabbing it.
Mystique has been noting the beautiful and deadly fighting style of the Dora Milaje. "Any chance you'd teach a foreigner your fighting technique?"
Nakia and Aneka exchange a look. "No," Aneka replies.
"Maybe if she impresses Okoye," Nakia adds.
"And decides to join us."
"I'm good at joining." Mystique's skin ripples, changing her appearance to match Aneka's. "Not so good at staying joined." She fires a few more times before returning to her blue skin. "Are mutants allowed to join your group?"
"We don't have mutants."
"You think you don't have mutants," she corrects. "I can just about guarantee you do." She aims her weapon but only gets a click when she pulls the trigger. She tries her other weapon. It fires two more bullets before it, too, is empty. She curses under her breath as she holsters her weapons. Almost immediately, there is a four-foot pole in front of her face. It's being held by Mockingbird. Mystique takes it. "Thank you."
"Just give it back when you're done."
"Depends on how much I like it."
Mockingbird extends the baton she kept. "Give it back. Please." She points at Mystique with her weapon. "I'll find you when this is over." Then she takes off.
"Where is she going?" Nakia asks.
The former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent doesn't hear the question. Her mind is focused on getting to Lance Hunter. If Mystique has run out of bullets, odds are he has or is about to, too. Her eyes scan the battlefield as she runs to where she last saw him. "Hunter!" She hears gunshots and fights her way over to them.
There are more gunshots in the other direction.
Mockingbird growls in frustration. "Hunter!" This is getting her nowhere. And though she hates to use it, she decides to go on comms. "Hunter, where you at?"
"Hell if I know," comes the reply. Then he adds, "I'm near Captain Marvel if that helps."
"It does." She takes off running as soon as she spots Captain Marvel. She's out of breath when she sees him. "How are you on ammunition?"
"Three clips left after this one." He glances at her between shots. "What happened to your other baton?"
"Mystique ran out of bullets." She gives him an apologetic look.
"Guess when I run out I can see if I can find a weapon." He takes one more shot before having to change the clip. "Maybe I'll use an alien arm," he jokes.
"We'll find you something," she promises.
xxx
Eitri runs his thumb along the edge of the axe. He runs his fingers over his beard to collect loose hairs. He finds one and uses it to test the sharpness of the blade.
"It's ready," Brokk insists in a soft voice so the Asgardian can't hear.
He continues to ignore his brother. Instead he picks up the great axe-hammer to give it one final inspection. "King Thor."
"Yes?"
"Stormbreaker is yours. May you treat each other well."
Thor holds out his hands and takes his new weapon with reverence. "Thank you, Eitri. Thank you, Brokk." He turns to his companions. "Now we go to Midgard to join the fight."
"Let me prepare the pod," Rocket says as he gets up.
"The pod is too slow. We go by way of Bifrost." There is a definite twinkle in his eyes.
Rocket shrugs. "Okay, but I'm comin' back for my pod." He looks at Brokk. "Unless you're willing to trade for it. Maybe a flamethrower?"
"We have no use for a pod," the dwarf tells him. "It'll be here waiting for you when you return."
"It was worth a shot." He and Groot walk over to Thor. "So how does this work?"
"Like this." He pictures the battle and slams the handle of Stormbreaker onto the ground.
Immediately the three of them are surrounded by a bright white light with flecks of color that whooshes them away.
"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Rocket yells.
"I am Groooot!" His smile is almost as bright as the Bifrost.
Thor is also smiling. "Almost there."
Their feet hit the ground. Thor throws Stormbreaker before the lights of the Bifrost dissipate. He watches with great satisfaction as the axe end buries itself into the neck of an invader, blue blood pouring out. He holds out his hand, and Stormbreaker returns to it. "Bring me Thanos!"
"Thanos isn't here." The voice is from above. "At least not yet," Storm tells him as she drifts to the ground. "I was worried."
"You need not have been."
She grabs him by the back of the neck, pulling him into a short but strong kiss. "I'll give you a more proper welcome later." She's already rising off the ground. "For now, put that new weapon to good use."
Rocket looks up at him. "Nice."
"She's my girlfriend," he brags.
"Okay. I'm gonna go kill bad guys now." He trots off as he raises his rifle and begins to shoot between steps. "Damn, there's a lot of 'em." He keeps shooting. "Come on." He sees a wall of them heading for him. "Come on! Get some! Come on come on!" He feels a hand grab the back of his shirt and lift him up. The world starts to spin, and he keeps firing. "Yeah! Come on!"
After about three turns, he's put back on the ground. That's when he looks over to see who it was. The guy is tall with a nice gun and a shiny arm. "How much for the gun?"
"Not for sale."
"Okay. How much for the arm?"
Bucky looks at him with narrowed eyes before walking away.
"Oh, I'll get that arm," he mutters under his breath. Then he sees something else that's shiny, and it's more than just an arm. It looks like an entire guy. He's gotta check this out. "If that guy comes apart," he says as he makes his way to the metal man.
Jessica Jones hears the words and looks to see where they're coming from. "Is that a talking raccoon?"
M'Baku glances over. "Yes. And there's a fighting tree over there. And you are a tiny woman who hits harder than the entire Border Tribe put together. It is a day of many amazements in Wakanda."
She looks him up and down and notices just how hot he is. She wouldn't mind getting to know him physically. "Tell you what, I'll let you buy me a drink after this is over, and you can tell me about all of them."
He grins. "I'll let you buy me a drink, and you can impress me with your strength."
"I think I can think of something."
xxx
Loki appears where the Bifrost was seen. "Thor?"
Thor smiles at his brother. "Loki! Look, I have a new weapon." He holds it up. "I call it Stormbreaker."
After the initial relief, his eyes widen as he takes in the massive size. "Very impressive." He's not sure what to say next. "Mother is with Hel. Her body is on Vanaheim."
Blue eyes sadden. "I'm sorry. I told her to go with the others."
"She's as stubborn as we are." He realizes his mistake. His head dips slightly as he corrects, "Was. I'm glad you're here."
"I didn't miss it," Thor says, meaning the battle.
"No. And the others are safe. Thrud is safe," he assures him.
"Thank you." Thor tightens his grip on Stormbreaker. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some revenge to seek."
Loki gives a small bow. "Then do not let me keep you. Just don't be too reckless."
"Says the epitome of chaos."
"Epitome? Congratulations on learning a new word," he teases.
Thor raises Stormbreaker as though readying to hit Loki. "Don't make me."
He raises a hand and wriggles his fingers. "Toodles." With that, he disappears.
"Was that Loki?" Steve asks as he fights his way over.
"Aye. You just missed him."
He grunts in disappointment. Seeing an alien running towards him, he uses the shield on his right arm to bash its head. "You up for this? After what happened on Asgard –"
"After what happened on Asgard, I have to do this." Thor quickly changes the subject. "By the way, this is a friend of mine – Tree."
A short tree a few yards away shoots out his arm toward three aliens. It extends, piercing all of them before lifting them up. He turns to the new man. "I am Groot."
Feeling a bit stunned by what he's seeing, Steve replies with the courtesy he was taught. He places a hand on his chest and replies, "I am Steve Rogers." His mind at first thinks it might be a wood nymph, but that doesn't seem right.
Thor continues, "There's also a rabbit running around here somewhere. He's particularly violent but a good soul."
"A… violent rabbit."
"Yes."
"Okay." His head tilts. "Like Killer Rabbit violent?" he asks, thinking of that silly movie about King Arthur and his knights.
"I don't understand. This one is called Rocket, and he's carrying a large gun." Thor hopes that helps.
"Got it. Different type of violent. Thanks." He decides to make this clear to everyone and goes on the comms. "Everyone, we've been joined by Thor, a tree named Groot, and a rabbit with a gun named Rocket."
"It's a raccoon," Bucky replies. A few other voices agree.
"Make that a raccoon."
"I wanna see!" There is clear excitement in Wade's voice. "Where are they?"
Steve chuckles to himself. Then he takes a breath and heads back to battle.
xxx
Daredevil has never been in a battle this big. The sounds, loud in Spider-Woman's ears, are deafening to him. It reminds him of when he first got his powers as a boy, how the constant incessant din caused him pain to the point of catatonia. If he wasn't able to focus his mind to only the immediate sounds and smells, he'd be curled up in a ball covering his ears and unable to move.
He does his best to stay downwind of Spider-Woman. Her familiar scent is helping him keep his focus narrow. If pressed, he'd also admit he likes the way the air crackles when she uses her venom blast. The odor, once it hits whichever alien she's targeted, is much less pleasant, as are their squeals of pain.
"You good, Devil?" Spider-Woman asks. "Getting tired yet?"
"Don't worry about me, Spider." He ducks beneath a clawed swipe then uses an uppercut that knocks the alien back.
Spider-Woman uses the alien's momentum to slam its back into her knee. "Don't tell me who I can and can't worry about."
He hears the tease in her voice. "I just meant I'm okay."
"You're more than okay," she replies with a bit of huskiness.
Magik laughs. "Good for you, Spider-Woman. Get what you want." She decapitates one alien and slices the four limbs off another.
Glancing at Daredevil, Spider-Woman grins. "I already have."
Daredevil stops suddenly, arms out as though trying to balance himself. "Does Wakanda get earthquakes?"
"Earthquakes?" both ask as they move to block any aliens heading to him.
"The ground is..." He's not sure how to describe it.
Spider-Woman recalls, "Carol said there's someone here who creates earthquakes. Might be them."
Aero's voice comes over the comm. "They're digging under the shield. Very fast. Get back!" From her position in the sky, she calls up the wind to push those fighting out of the way of a massive vehicle coming out of the ground, its huge blades tearing up the earth. There are at least five others coming up out of the ground.
The shield crackles before disappearing completely allowing the aliens to join the fight along the entire tree line. They swarm in with renewed vigor. In front of them, the vehicles with their five massive blades are destroying the field and anyone or anything in its way.
Magik sees one of the vehicles heading toward a group of Border Tribe warriors. She opens a portal to get herself between them. She stares down the five blades coming at her. Raising her sword, she arcs it in a circle, creating a portal that opens back toward the trees. But it isn't big enough. That might be good.
Psylock lands next to her. "Need some help?"
"I wouldn't say no."
She waits for the portal to split the vehicle then uses her telekinetic power to lift the remaining half. The blades are still whirring as she pushes it toward the part now heading to the trees.
The two smash into each other, metal grinding and screeching against metal until a distorted mass thumps against the tree trunks and stops.
xxx
Wasp and Ant-Man are horrified when they see the damage the vehicles are doing.
"We can go big," Ant-Man suggests. "Really big. Get them off the field."
"They'll cut us no matter how big we get," Wasp points out. "Better to go small, destroy them from the inside."
"We'd need a way to get over there. Fast." He looks around.
She goes immediately to the comms. "Aero, Ant-Man and I need a strong gust of wind."
"To where?" Aero asks.
"To the trees. Give us five seconds." She looks at Ant-Man. "You might want to get on your ant."
"Right." He shrinks down a moment before she does. A strong gust of wind blows over the entire field giving them the tailwind they need to get to one of the vehicles.
"OMG THEY ARE SO ADORABLE!" If Deadpool's hands were free, they'd be cupping his own cheeks. Since they have guns, it's only his knuckles that touch his skin. "Did you see them?" If his mask could make heart eyes, they would be doing that now.
"I saw," Colossus assures him.
Wolverine warns, "Don't encourage him." His claws are covered in blue blood.
"He's not wrong. I, too, find them adorable when they are small." Then he adds, "Wasp is also attractive when she's big."
"Good thing Shadowcat isn't here to hear you say that."
"I don't think she would care." He rips apart the jaws of an alien.
"Trouble in paradise?" Deadpool asks. "Spill the tea, Shiny. Is it because you're an Avenger? Is she jealous?"
"She is busy, and I am not there so much."
"Then how do you know she's busy?" It clicks. "Ohhhhh. She's not responding to your sexts."
"They are called texts, Wade," Colossus replies.
A raccoon in clothes runs to them. "You a robot?"
"No. I'm a mutant."
"Eh." He turns to the guy in red. "How much for the guns?"
Deadpool says the first number that comes to mind. "Five million dollars."
"I don't know what that means."
They're distracted when two blades of a vehicle stop and fall over. The rest of the vehicle keeps going, splitting off into three single wheels that continue tearing up everything in front of them.
Wade stares at it for a moment, whatever he was going to say back to the raccoon lost to time. "Well that doesn't bode well. Hey, Metal Man, do you think they could cut through you? Maybe we should try it."
xxx
There is a part of Rogue that is enjoying this. There is something cathartic about picking up an alien and throwing at other aliens, knocking them all down. Could it be part of Carol Danvers' personality? Maybe. Truth is, Rogue has never been one to shy away from a bit of violence. So it's Rogue with maybe a bit of residual Carol cheering her on.
She scoops up another alien, makes a sharp u-turn in the air, and chucks it at more aliens.
"Rogue!"
She only hears her name because she's flying low. Her head turns to see Gambit using his staff to whack the aliens around him. She rushes to where he is, kicking a hole to get to him. "You rang, Sugah?"
"Think you can call up some Nightcrawler action and get me to one of them there bladed vehicles?"
"I could do that. Why?"
"Gambit thinkin' if I can get to the part between the blades, I can blow it up. But I need a way in and a quick way out."
"I got you." She wraps an arm around his waist. Her skin goes blue before she bamfs them to the nearest vehicle, placing them at a gap near the center. She keeps hold of him as he bends down and places his hand on the metal.
"This may take un petit moment." His hand glows as his power transfers kinetic energy to the metal below. It's bigger than what he normally uses. A lot bigger. Finally he can feel the build up. It's ready to blow. "Let's go."
Rogue grabs him, pulling him close, then bamfs back to where they were. They hear the boom. Turning, they no longer see the middle of the vehicle. It's hidden in smoke. The two massive blades on the end are now flat on the ground. Blue blood oozes out from beneath them.
Gambit smiles. "Not a bad day's work."
"Day ain't over yet, Sugah." She lightly bumps against him and feels him bump back.
xxx
War Machine and Falcon are shooting missiles at one of the massive vehicles. The missles have no effect.
"I'm gone a few hours, and we get another alien invasion," a familiar voice says over the comms.
"Tony?" War Machine scans the sky and sees a ship. "Is that you?"
"In the flesh. And I brought some new friends."
"We can use all the friends we can get. Did Thanos get the Time Stone?"
"Not yet. And we prevented him from getting the Soul Stone." Tony ignores Stephen's protest at the word 'we'. "My friends want you to know they're called the Guardians of the Galaxy." Before Rhodey can make a snarky comment, he continues, "Thanos'll be here real soon if he isn't here already."
"No one's seen 'im."
"Good."
Two figures fly out of the ship – Iron Man and someone no one recognizes, later introduced as Star Lord. Both start shooting at the aliens. The ship parks closer to the city. A portal gets those on board onto the battlefield. Drax runs out with a yell and starts shooting. Gamora, Nebula, and Mantis walk through next. Spider-Man and Doctor Strange walk out before the sorcerer closes the portal.
Iron Man fires a missile at one of the vehicles. It has the same effect as the ones War Machine and Falcon used.
"Unless you've got something stronger, that's not gonna work," Falcon says over the comms.
Globs of webbing begin hitting one of the blades. "Is this helping?" Spider-Man asks just before the five blades detach from each other. Four move off. The one with the webs starts to smoke. It screeches to a halt. "That could have gone better."
xxx
Doctor Strange sees the familiar sparks of magic and follows them to his friend. "Wong!"
"Stephen! The Time Stone?"
"Safe." He puts a hand over the eye pendant he wears. "How many sorcerers are here?"
"Including me? Three."
"Three?" He's clearly not happy about that. "We're going to need more. A lot more."
Wong gives a nod. "I'll go to Kamar-Taj." He raises his arms to create the portal but is stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Hurry back," Stephen tells him.
"Are you certain you're okay?"
"No. But I'll deal with that when Thanos is dead."
"We," Wong corrects him. "We will deal with that." They hold each other's gaze for a long moment. The two of them have been through a lot. Enough to make them family. Wong puts a hand over the one Stephen still has on his shoulder. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Slowly, Stephen lets him go. "As soon as you can."
"That's what I just said." He moves his arm in a circle, golden light twirling and sparking as the portal appears. After giving his friend one last look, he steps through.
xxx
Loki is mid-twirl to bash an alien with Panteren when he notices them. He continues his follow-through before standing tall to get a better look. It is them. Anger begins to grow in his stomach. "Tony, you fool, you brought the Daughters of Thanos!"
"I know. They're on our side."
He hears the words, not that he believes them, only after he's used Yggdrasil to get in front of the two warriors. With Panteren in one hand and a dagger in the other, he glares at them.
"Loki," Nebula blurts in surprise.
Gamora smiles, not a sinister smile of Thanos, but a hopeful, relieved one. "You really made it."
"Made it?"
"Away. From Thanos. You're the reason I finally got the courage to leave him," she explains.
"And I'm supposed to believe that his favorite daughter and his most loyal simply switched sides?"
"Believe whatever you want," Nebula says. "But if we were still with him, we would have been the ones sent here for the stones, and we'd have them already."
Loki recognizes the pain in her eyes. "I know what it's like to desperately want to please a father who believes you'll never be good enough."
"And you know there comes a point where you finally stop trying."
He hears Steve saying his name over the comm, a one word question. Then he hears his brother telling him the green one is a friend.
Gamora adds, "Thanos tried to sacrifice me to get the Soul Stone. If it wasn't for your sorcerer, I'd be dead."
Loki throws his dagger between their heads with enough force to sink it into the skull of an oncoming alien. "If either of you betray us…"
"All we want is our freedom," she assures him.
Into the comm, he says, "Things have changed since I last saw them. Loyalties have apparently changed."
"So we're good?" Steve asks.
"At least until Thanos shows up."
xxx
Loki isn't the only one who has noticed the arrival of Gamora and Nebula. Proxima Midnight, Thanos' new favorite daughter, is not happy with their arrival. "We need more ships, more troops. We won't get the witch away from the stone unless things get worse for her friends."
"I can take her," a voice responds.
"Ebony Maw failed. We cannot."
"What do you mean 'failed'?"
"The Time Stone is here," she says. "We have to play this smart. Let's at least distract her."
There's a pause. "Fine. But I won't wait long."
xxx
Misty Knight has dealt with a lot of things. Mostly criminals. All kinds of criminals doing all kinds of crime. She's also dealt with things like undead Ninjas. Aliens, though. Aliens are new for her. She probably should have brought more ammunition.
She doesn't see the alien fly at her until it's almost too late. Instinctively, her right arm flies up to block. Teeth scrape against her metal arm. It's not a pleasant sound. She drops her gun from her right hand catching it with her left. She places the barrel under its chin and fires. Blue blood splatters her face.
"Ew."
"Nice shot," the Winter Soldier says before shooting another one.
"Thanks." She notices his left arm is metal. "You see that raccoon?"
"Oh, yeah."
"He try to buy your arm, too?"
He shoots again. "Yep. My gun, too."
She huffs out a laugh. "Guess my gun wasn't impressive enough."
His eyes focus on her gun then on her. "He probably only likes big guns."
"Probably."
xxx
Proxima Midnight scans the sky hoping to see the ships. The sky is clear. For now. Forcing herself to concentrate on the battle, she sees one of the Terrans she is looking forward to killing.
Black Widow notices her approaching. "Back for a re-match?"
"One you won't survive."
"Only because I was not there," Okoye informs her.
She looks down her nose at the Wakandan warrior. "We'll see." Her first strike is to Black Widow followed quickly by one to Okoye. Both are blocked.
The three women exchange blows. Black Widow and Okoye attempt to flank the invader, but Proxima Midnight shifts and turns to prevent that from happening.
"You're outmatched," Proxima tells them. "Give up."
"Yibambe!" Okoye yells as she lands a blow to her lower back.
"What she said," Black Widow adds with a tilt of her head toward Okoye. She runs forward then slides to use her stun baton on Proxima's leg.
At the same time, Okoye strikes with her spear in quick succession, the third finally landing a blow. The fight continues. Proxima continues holding them off until her head jerks back, her body following.
Silver Sable lowers her rifle and walks forward. She turns to Black Widow and says, "You always take too long. You take even longer now. Hard to believe that's possible."
Black Widow ignores the words, preferring to check if Proxima Midnight is truly dead. "You missed."
"She's down, isn't she?"
Now also looking, Okoye clarifies, "You hit her horn."
Her response is to shrug.
A black boot jostles Proxima Midnight. With a groan she opens her eyes. "I'm going to enjoy killing you."
"I used to be like you. Kind of." Black Widow moves her batons to her left hand. She steps back. "Care to finish what you started?"
She starts to get up. "Gladly."
"I wasn't talking to you."
That's when Proxima notices the third woman aiming a long gun at her. The barrel is the last thing she sees. Hatred of Earth and its inhabitants is the last thing she feels.
Silver Sable doesn't miss this time. One shot goes to the head. Two to the chest. A loud growl makes her turn to the left in time to see a young woman in green with the biggest antler things she's ever seen stab down repeatedly at the alien she's jumped on, the alien that had clearly been coming for her. "Thank you, antlered one."
"You're welcome." She sees Black Widow kneeling by a body.
Silver Sable walks over to the horned woman lying motionless on the ground. "Why did you let me take the final shot?"
"It was yours to take," Black Widow replies. "And my ego doesn't need the kill." It's hard to tell if that's meant to be a jab or not.
Death appears among them. She looks at the body on the ground. "She's dead."
"You sure?" Okoye asks. She uses the blunt end of her spear to jab the side of what was a Daughter of Thanos.
"She's sure," Black Widow replies looking up into the pale face of Death. She stands, her body weary. "You taking her?"
"No. One of the other Deaths can have her. I have more important fighters to see to."
Hel puts a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Sorry we're keeping you so busy."
"It's not you." Her dark eyes scan over the battlefield. "I and those like me exist to make life precious. Thanos and his children have never understood that."
"Who are you?" Okoye asks. Before her eyes the pale young woman changes, skin darkening and face transforming into that of a cat. "Bast?"
Death holds up a hand to stop the Wakandan from bowing to her. "Only one aspect of Her. She trusts me to lead her people across the barrier." Her head turns. One of her ears swivels back. "I'm needed." She turns her head to Helena who still sees the white-skinned young woman with the black hair and the small tattoo beneath her eye. "This needs to end soon."
"It will. One way or the other," Hel replies. Her shoulders drop. "I just sounded like my Da, didn't I."
Natasha shrugs then says, "Little bit. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Come on. Let's go kick more alien ass. It'll make you feel better."
xxx
Aero feels the air shift above. She looks up. "Are we expecting more helpers?"
She's answered with laser fire from ships breaking through the clouds.
"Not allies!" Black Panther orders, "Anyone in the skies, see what you can do. Shuri, how much longer?"
"We're more than halfway."
"Understood. Wakanda, any ships we have with guns, send them here." He knows they will be outmatched, but they need to buy more time.
Portals begin to open across the battlefield. Wong and a slew of sorcerers from Kamar-Taj step through as the laser fire from the ships increases. "Shields!" Wong yells. His arms and hands use muscle memory to complete the movements needed to create a shield. He focuses the round golden disc above his head, enlarging it to cover those around him. Other sorcerers do the same, and soon most of the field is protected by them.
At the back of the line, Grid looks over at Sera. "I can help. I can help with this."
"Then do it! Do it, and I'll write a verse just about your deeds."
He nods in excitement. Then, concentrating on the nearest ship, he raises his hands. "Please work please work please work." He sends out an EMP blast. His aim is true, and it hits the ship with a whoomph.
The laser fire immediately stops as do all of the lights. And the propulsion. And then it drops.
"Oh no!" He opens his comm. "Ship. Ship is falling. Someone help those below."
"On it." Quicksilver rushes to the area below the ship. It's hard to tell just how big it is. Lucky for him it's falling straight down. He decides to start from the center and work his way out, sort of like a pinwheel. It also helps that he doesn't have to bother with the aliens. Some he gets to before they have had time to notice or register the falling ship. Others are already running away.
As the ship gets closer, it's easier to see how large it is. Quicksilver is only just able to get the last person away.
Mystique smiles at him. "Well aren't you a fast, strong man."
He lets go of her and clears his throat. "Very."
"Thank you. I suppose I owe you now."
"Only doing my duty." He nods and runs away before he can get into trouble.
Just as the ship hits, a bright streak of light flies through another ship from back to front, destroying it. Captain Marvel looks back at her work and smiles. Then she sets her sights on another one and flies straight for it.
At the other end of the field, Storm calls to Aero. "You take the one on the left. I'll take the one on the right. Let us meet in the center. Over the forest." She flies right, calling the wind to rage.
The two ships are no match for the power these two women have over the Earth's skies. Air gusts and air pressure are changed at their thought. No matter how much power or how hard the steering, the ships can't avoid the coming collision. They crunch together, metal screeching against metal, flashes of explosions followed by muffled booms until Aero and Storm calm the winds and allow the mangled mess to fall onto the trees below.
Captain Marvel flies through the fifth and last ship while others destroy the last of the blade vehicles. Are they winning this? For some, evening thinking it jinxes it.
xxx
Bruce is still in the Hulkbuster armor. If he wasn't, he wouldn't be chasing Cull Obsidian into the forest. He jumps and lands in front of the large creature. "Oh no you don't. This isn't gonna be like New York, pal. This suit has already kicked the crap outta the Hulk."
The massive orange-green alien swings his hammer at the metal. It's yanked out of his hand and thrown away. He grabs one of the metal arms before kicking the small of the back.
The force causes Bruce to slam into the front of the suit. He can taste blood on the left side of his mouth, and his head is buzzing a bit. Maybe he was being overly optimistic. Or maybe Tony's head is just harder. He blocks the thought from his mind. Instead he concentrates on telling his body to turn in order to add power to his next punch.
Cull Obsidian takes the punch. He's been hit harder by Thanos. He punches back, sending the metal suit far enough away to give him time to retrieve his weapon.
Bruce regains his footing then runs to Cull Obsidian, hoping to get to him before he can pick up the weapon. He's too late. Once again, he's yanked by the arm. But instead of getting a kick, his back is struck by the hammer. "Hulk," he calls out. "Hulk. I know you like keeping your entrances to the last second. Well this is it, man. This is the last, last second." Alarms go off, and lights blink chaotically as one of the metal arms is pulled off.
Hulk rises to the surface to yell, "No!" He returns to Bruce's subconscious.
Before Bruce has a chance to curse, he gets another blow from Cull Obsidian that knocks him down. He looks up and sees the hammer raise above the alien's head. This could be very bad.
Suddenly a familiar form appears between them, his claws out and dripping blue blood. "If anyone is gonna tear him apart, it's gonna be me," Logan growls.
The hammer swings down. It clangs against the adamantium covering the bones of Wolversine's forearm. He stabs the claws of his other hand into Cull's new arm where the metal meets flesh. He twists his hand before bringing it down, severing it again.
Cull howls in pain. When he pulls the hammer back again, his limb drops onto the grass. He strikes again. There's less power behind it this time, but he's not aiming for metal like before.
Wolverine ducks under it before propelling himself forward. His claws sink into the alien's stomach. He's pushed back and stumbles, finding his balance again in time to see the large alien running away, a wide trail of blood chasing him.
"Logan?"
He doesn't turn around. "Bruce."
"You saved me." The voice is naked, no distortion from a helmet or speaker.
"That should'a been Hulk's job." His jaw clenches, and his claws slide back into his hands before he slowly turns. "You and he have another fight?" Yep. Seeing him hurts as much as he thought it would.
"He's afraid. Thanos beat him."
He looks back at the space the alien disappeared. "Was that Thanos?"
"No. He's not here. Not yet anyway," Bruce explains. "You look –"
"Don't," Logan tells him. "Don't matter how I look. Not when you don't want to see me."
He opens his mouth to reply, but no words come. Finally, he says, "You deserve someone better."
"You're a fucking coward."
The words sting. "Yeah. That's why I have Hulk. Only he's a coward now, too."
Logan takes a step toward him. "The running away I get. I ain't happy about it, but I get it. The being stranded on some lost planet that has weird time shit going on, not your fault. But after?"
"I know."
"Do you?"
"I'm sorry." Bruce struggles to stand up in the ruined metal suit. "I don't expect you to believe me, but it's true. I was dealing with a lot, and you…"
"Deserve better?" Logan puts his hands on his hips. "I deserved a clean break. I deserved a goddamn explanation."
"I didn't have one."
"All you had to say was you didn't love me anymore."
"That would have been a lie," Bruce tells him. "I didn't want to lie to you."
Logan stares at him for a long while. The sounds of the battle are muffled here in the woods, but they are still there. "So what's the truth?"
Bruce looks away. "You said it yourself. I'm a coward."
"And that's enough for you to be okay losing me?"
He doesn't know how to answer. "Seems so."
"I don't care how many degrees you got, Doc. You're an idiot. We were happy." He catches the assumption in that sentence and adds, "I thought we were happy."
"We were," Bruce confirms. "But it was never going to last."
Logan's brows scrunch together. "So you enjoy it while it does. You don't fuckin' break it off." There's a boom that shakes the trees. "Nothin' lasts forever, Bruce. Someday even I'm gonna die. I gotta go. There're still invaders to kill."
"Logan?" He can feel the hurt in the eyes that are now focused on him. "Thanks. For saving me." The sight of Logan walking away fills Bruce with more fear than Cull Obsidian's hammer.
xxx
Cull Obsidian stumbles through the trees. He hears Corvis on the comm calling for Proxima. The witch isn't going to leave. He needs to enter now. Proxima doesn't answer. Corvis calls her name again.
Still no response.
Cull answers in his own language agreeing that Corvis should go in. They must not fail Thanos.
"Where's Proxima?" he demands.
In grunts and syllables few humans would be able to pronounce, he tells Corvis not to worry about that now. Get the stone. Proxima can take care of herself.
A branch breaks near him, causing him to freeze. His eyes search as he tightens his grip on his hammer.
"I see him. Don't move, Child of Thanos!" Drax commands as he strides toward Cull, knives visible in his hands. "I remember you. You were there when Thanos killed my people. Now I'm here to kill you."
He squares his shoulders and forces himself to ignore the pain in his arm and stomach. Even in this condition, he knows he can take on this Kylosian. Then something drops onto his shoulders, and he hears the word 'sleep' before the world goes black.
Drax stares at Mantis. "I was going to kill him."
"You can still do that," she reminds him as she steps away from the sleeping form.
"But then he won't see me do it," he complains.
"Is that important?"
"Yes. He needs to know it's to avenge my family."
She looks back at Cull. "You could leave a note."
He considers it for a moment. "How would he read it?"
"Oh, right." They both stare at the body for a while before she suggests, "I could wake him."
"Yes. That would be best."
"Okay." She steps over to him again. She bends down and places a hand over his head.
Drax prepares his stance. His knives are held in a firm grip at his sides. "This would be better if he wasn't already hurt."
Mantis looks up at her fellow Guardian. "Should we wait until he's healed?"
"No. I want to kill him now. Then I will kill Thanos."
"Okay." She looks down at the sleeping face. "Wake," she commands then runs away.
Drax waits. When he's sure the creature is conscious, he says, "Stand up. Then I will kill you."
Mantis watches the fight, shouting out an encouraging word to Drax whenever she thinks he needs it. It seems unfair how long Cull's hammer is compared to how short Drax's knives are. But she's happy to see her encouragement work, and she claps when Drax finally pulls one of his knives out of Cull's eye.
Drax roars in triumph, arms raised above his head. Then he sheathes his weapons and kneels next to the body. "This is for you, my beloved Ovette, for you and Kamaria."
"Do you think they can hear you?" Mantis asks with curiosity.
"I do not know, but I hope so. I hope they see what I have done and are proud."
A/N: So this took a lot longer to write than I wanted. Sorry about that. I'm finding writing these battle scenes to be harder than I anticipated. I hope they read okay. At least I finally got to write some Bruce and Logan again.
Thanks to Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely the writers of Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: End Game for creating the initial inspiration.
I hope you are all well and enjoying the fall. Until next time…