Here we are again. Another chapter for Reading: Hela's Vanguard. Keeping it on a roll, at least trying to.
Anyway, this is obviously based on AizenTheGoat's story Hela's Vanguard. You really gotta go check it out on his account and that's not even mentioning his other fics. You missing out if you don't.
That being said, if you want to talk with myself, Aizen, and a whole slew of other writers and readers of fanfiction come join the discord server also hosted by AizenTheGoat. With nearly 500 members it is pretty much active at all times of the day and has members from Perth to Brussels and back again. An invitation link can be found on my profile or right here→ /dV9hH5zd5F
Anyway without waiting around anymore onto the story!
Having settled back into their seats after a hearty meal, most of the room stared at the odd pair of Kushina and Hela as they laughed and chatted in hushed tones, occasionally getting just loud enough for the others to make out their conversation. Between the "No! He didn't!" and the "I'm not kidding he can be such a child!" They knew the mother was soaking up stories of her son from his wife. It was a bit difficult for her to know other people knew her boy better than her, but getting to spend time with his wife was still a great time.
"Your attention please. We shall begin reading again." The Host announced before snapping once more and causing the book to appear in Sasuke's hands.
The Uchiha let out a long, suffering sigh while his teammates rolled their eyes at his reaction. He was reading about the future. How exactly did he manage to act completely uninterested?
"Thanos. Huh?" The blond says to himself as he watches the spacecraft hover above them. The citizens of Asgard had already ran into the city in a panic. The group watched as a blue beam shot out of the ship hitting the ground a few yards away from them. In a split second two figures appeared. The first was a ash grey figure short in stature who had white hair slicked back. The man had no nose and wore dark grey armor with some gold trim.
"Gunna guess neither of those are this Thanos guy." Kushina said.
"Doubt it. Evidently he is some big purple being that appears to have a scrotum for a chin." Hela said flippantly.
The Asgardian's younger brothers stared at her before glancing at one another. They had to wonder if they both had described him the same way. Unsurprisingly they most definitely had.
The second was a tab bit taller then the first. He's a reptilian looking man with scales. He wore similar armor to the first though he left his left shoulder exposed and wielded a large metal chain hammer.
"So which one of these two is Thanos?" Naruto asked Loki taking his eyes off the two.
"Neither." The God of Mischief replied. "These two are his children." He clarified.
"Really?" Hela interrupted "Truly faces only a mother could love." She mocked. Naruto chuckled and was about to speak when he was cut off by the shorter of the two invaders.
"Oh, good one…though that might be generous." Kushina said with a giggle.
"How catty. I love it." Hela replied.
Odin grumbled. "No wonder Naruto and Hela hit it off so well."
"Oh come off of it Odin. You know we are dead and getting a new chance at life with all of this. We can actually be a happy family…for once." Frigga said frowning pointedly at the end.
The one eyed god simply grumbled more and crossed his arms. One Hela was bad enough. Add in another one with some of the abilities of his son-in-law…not to mention both women would have an extremely loyal and devoted Naruto around.
Nearby Kakashi stared at Odin with a knowing look. He had to wonder, who did the supposed gods pray too when they wanted divine intervention in something?
"Hear me and rejoice." Began the short one. "For your salvation has arrived. You will have the privilege of being saved by the great titan. And in your certain death, every last one of you will become children of Thanos." He continued. "Today.." Whatever he was going to say was stopped as Thor interrupted.
"Loki. Who the hell are these two?" He asked.
"Ah, the son of Odin. My name is Ebony Maw and this is Cull Obsidian." The now named Maw introduced. "We are the children of Thanos and we are here for one thing and one thing only." He said before pointing at Naruto's staff. "The stone."
Half of the room snorted in mild laughter while the other half scoffed. As if a lackey was threatening.
Naruto lifted the staff up to his face and stared at the two through the 'C' shape. "You mean this one right here?" He asked rhetorically while pointing at it. "Yeah that's gonna be a no." He says while resting it on his shoulder.
"Shocker." Sasuke chuckled. His old rival seemed to have picked up an additional helping of snark at some point. He could appreciate that at least.
"You have been going on for a bit about this 'Thanos' though. He's the one that wants it right? Tell him to come down here himself if he wants it." Naruto challenged, the smile never leaving his face.
Maw on the other hand did not look as happy. He narrowed his eyes and held his arms behind his back. Without turning to his partner he gave the order. "Bring me the stone."
"This will be entertaining." Hela said with a smile. One that was nothing but teeth.
Cull made a grunt of acknowledgment and slammed his hammer down before walking their way. Everyone but Naruto and Hela prepared for battle but were stopped as Naruto raised a hand. Cull sped up and jumped high into the air preparing to bring the hammer down.
"Move." Naruto ordered as they all jumped back. Not needing to use hand signs the blond inhaled a deep breath of air before expelling it in short rapid bursts. The result was wind bullets traveling faster than the eye could see. Cull managed to shield himself from three using the hammer but was eventually hit by six of them in the chest.
Naruto did not give him time to recuperate. He appeared in front of him and begun willing the air around them. He began making slicing motions with his hands in front of Cull, the mans chest armor broke effortlessly as an 'X' began appearing on his chest where the wind was cutting into him. Seconds later the wind had managed to completely cut through the man leaving only pieces of the scaled man remaining.
*No hand seals at all." Minato commented in joy.
"That's one thing. Naruto rarely uses more than one or two hand signs. His version of mastering a jutsu is that he can just use it with a thought." Kakashi explained.
"Do you know what they are talking about?" Thor asked Loki.
Loki simply gave him a look out of the corner of his eyes before eturning his attention back to the dark haired Shinobi. Thor huffed at being ignored but said no more.
"Now only one thing remains." Naruto said. Maw narrowed his eyes and raised his arms. Debris laying around began to levitate as the man prepared his attack. Naruto stared up at the ship before closing his eyes and activating his magnet release around the entire area. He raised his arm towards the ship, made a fist and began pulling.
To everyones amazement the giant ship began coming down before hitting the ground with a force that could be felt for miles. When the shaking stopped and the smoke from the impact cleared another blue beam hit the ground. This time a more imposing figure stepped out.
"His powers are amazing." Sakura said with a grin at the heights her brother figure had reached.
"Is this imposing figure that the book mentioned, Thanos?" Minato asked.
"Wait for the description and we will see." Loki pointed out.
A giant purple man stood tall. He wore golden armor with a matching golden helmet. On his left hand was a matching gold gauntlet. Though what caught everyones attention was the bright purple stone shining from just above the knuckle.
"Ah, yep that's the one." Kushina said.
"And he already has one of the stones." Minato said with mild worry.
"That's Thanos" Loki said in slight fear. Being around the mad titan always put him on edge.
"Don't worry baby brother your big sister and her husband will protect you." Hela taunted.
"I really don't think I can handle this family dynamic" The god of mischief said.
"Cause you are the baby of the family?" Kushina asked, sounding almost genuine.
"More because it's recently doubled in size…with, no nevermind." Loki wisely said as he noticed the narrowed eyes of Minato and Kushina.
"So you're the mad titan?" Naruto asked stepping forward, staff still resting on his shoulder. He noticed the giant mans eyes focus on the stone the whole time before focusing on him.
"That's the name that's stuck with me in the past years so yes. You're an interesting one though. To be able to wield an infinity stone is not something just anyone can do. Who are you?" Thanos asked.
"Naruto Uzumaki." The blond answered.
"I'll try and remember that. Now you have something that belongs to me." Thanos said looking at the stone once again.
"This is awkwardly polite for two godlike powers squaring off." Sakura commented.
"Please, without those stones there is nothing godlike about Thanos." Hela corrected.
It went without saying that she left Naruto out of that comment.
"Is that so? Funny. I was about to tell you the same thing." Naruto answered while pointing his staff at the gauntlet.
"The universe is going to be kind of boring with him in charge." Thor commented as the battles he sort of enjoyed would be a lot less common.
"Careful brother, you sound like a warmonger or something." Loki chided sarcastically.
"Oh? No plots against your sister and brother-in-law?" Odin asked.
"Oh look daddy comes to the rescue of his favorite yet again." Hela jumped in.
"Sensei, your holidays are always going to be terrible." Kakashi said to his teacher quietly.
"That's where your wrong Kakashi. Why do you think I picked your team as a Jonin? I thrive on this sort of stuff." Minato happily chirped back.
The silver haired man stared at his teacher for a while before sighing heavily.
"That explains way too much shit to me." He said turning his attention back to the story.
"I see. Maw, take care of the others. I'll get the stone myself." Maw nodded and began his attack while Thanos stared down the blond. Naruto knew Thanos was on a different level than the other two, the way the man carried himself was proof of that. Most would be sweating in apprehension knowing that a titan was heading their way, but not him.
"Pfft." Sakura said getting looks.
"Sorry, just the thought of Naruto backing down because of someone being tough. If he hasn't completely changed over time he'll probably be excited to the point he will be looking to jump his wife's bones afterward." Sakura explained.
The room nodded and Sasuke prepared to continue reading before something clicked in his mind and he suddenly looked at Sakura more sharply.
"Sasuke, I'm telling this as your friend. You don't want to open that door." Kakashi said clearly.
Sasuke looked at his teacher then back at Sakura who seemed to be caught up in a memory. That stung. Kakashi was probably right on this one though.
After years of being sealed away and his power being unmatched in the world, he felt a shiver of excitement run up and down his spine. An opponent who would put up a hell of a fight. He was by no means a battle maniac but even he couldn't resist a good battle every now and then. He gripped the staff hard and the space stone began glowing, as if ready for the fight as well.
"Battle is exhilarating." Thor agreed.
"It can be." Minato added in. "It can also be sickening."
The ground underneath Naruto broke as he charged at Thanos. The mad Titans eyes widening at the speed.
Naruto went for a punch that Thanos tried to anticipate but it was a fake out as Naruto twisted his body in to give a heel kick, but Thanos was just as quick. Grabbing Naruto by his heel, he started to spin, going so fast that all the others would be able to see was a golden purple blur.
"Wow, I didn't expect that purple thing to move so fast." Kushina said in surprise.
Releasing Naruto, Thanos gave chase. Striking Naruto while he was still flying until finally grabbing the man by the face and slamming the back of his head in the ground.
All of them, including Odin looked displeased at that.
Usually that would of taken a normal person out but not our favourite Blond. He did not even have time to reach for the staff as Naruto got back up rolling his neck with a cheeky smile "Not bad old timer. You ready to get serious now?"
Thanos gave a chuckle, taking off his armor bar his Gauntlet. "You have a lot of spunk warrior, I admire that. Something I use to have when I was younger"
"Oh God." Kakashi said as he saw the start of a possible rivalry brewing. He then rolled his eyes at the look sent him by Hela.
Naruto was once again on Thanos, rearing his tight fist back as the Mad Titan did the same.
A massive shockwave followed sending Asgardians flying. Thor could only look in awe at the powerful display in front of him.
Loki watched in unease, hoping things would go his favor. If his brother in law couldn't beat the titan, no one would.
Hela watched in pride. Pride that her husband could go toe to toe with one of the most powerful beings in the universe and hold his own.
The readers shared the same expressions with pride showing clearly on his parents' faces and as much as it was hidden behind its mask, Kakashi's face shared the same look.
Sakura looked a little stunned though she knew Naruto was impossibly strong, and Sasuke was less than surprised though he couldn't help the twinge of jealousy at what his former rival has achieved.
Standing in the middle of the busted street was the two. Naruto's fist meeting Thanos' as the two battled for dominance.
Then with a roar and a blinding light Naruto was in his most powerful form. His armor glowing white as his six paths power was activated for the first time in what felt like forever. With his now enhanced strength he sent Thanos skipping along the street from the power of his punch.
That alone though would not be enough to stop Thanos. The man regained his footing and got on the defensive. Naruto appeared in front of him and began throwing combinations of punches and kicks which were deflected. Likewise Thanos tried using his bigger form to try and cause as much damage as he could. One of his punches was actually caught by the blonde before being tossed aside.
"The dynamic in the battle has completely shifted in Naruto's favor." Thor said.
"He has Thanos on the defensive already…" Loki had witnessed it but sti it was a hard pill to swallow.
Using that brief window did a jumping spin kick to the face that landed and managed to have the titan stumbling back briefly. He didn't have much time to recuperate thought as the blond was on him. Naruto buried the staff into the ground at the handle and quickly launched four chakra enhanced punches to the chest and ribs in the blink of an eye. If the grimace on the titan's face was any indication he would say they were doing their job inflicting damage even through the armor.
Calling his staff to him using his magnet release, in a split second, he thrusted forward using the curved end to grasp the mans throat and lift him into the air. On his left hand a mini Rasenshuriken formed which was then flicked into the mans chest sending him flying away before detonating creating a massive dome of energy.
The dome glowed purple for a few seconds before dispersing. Thanos walked out of the attack, body releasing some smoke, and multiple cuts here and there along with a few bruises on his face but relatively ok.
"After all that and he just looks a bit roughed up." Sakura said in horror.
"Have faith in my husband." Hela said fully confident in Naruto.
"An interesting attack." He admitted "It's been a while since someone was able to harm me this much." He added. The mad titan raised his gauntlet up and let the stone glow ominously. "It seems I'll have to take this more serious than I anticipated. However, I'll give you one last chance to hand over the stone before I'm forced to take it from you."
"You know you never did say what you wanted the stones for. Enlighten me." Naruto said, his space stone matching the glow of the power stone.
"Well seeing as how you won't be alive much longer I'll humor you. The universe is over populated. Too many mouths not enough to go around." He began. Naruto nodded his head in agreement that there was too many people with not enough resources.
"With the infinity stones I can snap my fingers and half the universe will cease to exist. Some would call it genocide but I call it mercy. Saving them from imminent starvation." He finished.
"Right. What about after they're gone? People could just start reproducing again and this problem would repeat itself. See, I have a better idea. With the infinity stones I can create unlimited resources. Enough to go around for everyone.
"Is he going to…" Sasuke began with narrowed eyes.
"It's likely." Sakura said simply.
"That would actually be the funniest way for this to end." Kakashi commented with a chuckle knowing what the two meant.
I'd end world hunger, war over resources and much more. Which is why I'm going to have to take the stone from you." Naruto said as he spun the staff quickly before slamming it into the ground.
"If you do that all living creatures would depend on one being. They'd stop striving for greater heights. I'd love to continue a philosophical conversation but I have a universe to balance. I'll be taking the stone." Thanos said as a beam of purple light erupted from the gauntlet.
"Huh, guess not." Kakashi said.
"Tsk, give it time." Sasuke knowingly said. He hadn't been persuaded the first time either.
Narrowing his eyes Naruto spun the staff rapidly in front of him, similar to how he did to Thor and managed to hold off the attack. Unlike Thor's attack however, this had a lot more power behind it as he had to quickly step aside as the attack became too much. Had he held on longer the staff would have broken.
He ducked quickly to avoid a power stone enhanced punch before smacking away another fist, returning one of his own. It made contact but didn't stop the titan. He had to hand it to him, even in his rusty six paths form the man could still hold his own.
"That's just scary actually." Minato quietly stated having seen the six paths himself.
He threw a straight right which was caught by Thanos before being his with an infinity stone enhanced left had which sent him flying. The mad titan wasn't finished as he rushed forward and once more let off a purple beam of energy from the gauntlet. This time, the beam hit its target.
Naruto grit his teeth as his body was no longer in peak condition to handle the six paths form at the moment and the concentrated energy from the infinity stone was doing more damage than it should have. He barely managed to leap to the right to avoid an energy blast but was caught by a kick to the chest by the giant. His back hit the solid gold wall of a building which managed to stop him from being sent further.
"He's doing this well against Thanos with a handicap." Thor realized feeling incredibly smaller than he had before being brought to the Nexus room.
"Damn he's powerful enough on his own. That stone just amplifies his power even more. Gonna have to end this." He thought as he brought his right hand up. On his finger tips five different colored spheres materialized, each being a different element combined with a mini rasenshuriken. He slammed the staff into the ground before tossing the spheres into the portal that had opened.
"Sometimes I forget just how much of a genius you actually are, Naruto." Kakashi chuckled at the new technique being used by the blond.
Getting his bearings together he flew forward and met with the titan once more. He landed and blocked two punches before kicking the man in the chest sending the man stumbling back slightly. Taking a deep breath he exhaled it all in one breath releasing a single line of pressurized air.
Thanos saw it coming and managed to duck, had he turned around he would have seen pieces of some of the buildings of Asgard being sliced like butter. As he looked up he noticed the blond was missing. He realized too late to look behind him as he felt a sharp pain on his spine. The blond had hit him with the bottom end of the staff right in the center of his back. Even with the special armor the staff managed to break through and make contact.
The group awed at Naruto's abilities. Healthy fear and respect for him grew in all of their hearts and a certain goddess of death locked her lips at the showing of power from her lover.
Naruto saw the titan drop to a knee as a result of the chakra enhanced stab to the back and saw it as his best opportunity to end it. He teleported in front of Thanos and delivered a strong enough uppercut to the chin that managed to lift the man into the air. He slammed his staff into the floor and opened a portal above the man. Out of it came the five orbs he had previously created.
At point blank range Thanos didn't have the time to protect himself and could only brace himself for the impact. Not wanting to be caught in the attack the blond allowed himself to be pulled backwards into the blue portal and got out of the area.
"He is able to think up such elaborate and devastating strategies on the fly." Odin said in mild awe. He had forgotten to an extent his son-in-laws skills. He hated to admit it even mentally, but Naruto was like a perfect combination of his three children.
Naruto reappeared a couple thousand feet away where the others were battling Maw. Everyone turned when they felt the ground shake followed by a big explosion.
"So I take it Thanos has been handled darling?" Hela asked. She noted he had some bruising in the face along with some bits of his amor broken. He spit up a bit of blood.
"Is it weird that seeing him fresh from a fight kind of…" Hela wondered aloud.
"Not at all, when Minato would come back from battle. Mmmm" Kushina said.
"The same for me and your father. You probably don't want details, but there is just something about your man coming back and needing a bit of tender care while having that powerful energy from victory about him." Frigga stated as her eyes flashed with remembered moments from eras ago.
The majority of the room shifted awkwardly as the three women easily grew friendlier with one another. Sakura especially as she wanted to be a part of the little group.
"Should be. He's really durable. Took some of my powerful attacks head on and still fought like nothing happened. We'll find out in a few." He asked before looking at a panting Maw who was floating atop of a piece of debris.
"You guys having trouble with him?" He asked as he began to float.
"It's his telekinesis that's the problem." Thor answered.
"Hmm, Naruto needs more powerful allies." Sasuke commented getting a series of glares.
"I didn't mean you. He needs more along with you the other two won't cut it." He said looking at Hela.
"Oh, well then, yes I agree." Hela nodded causing Thor and Loki to lose their glares for exasperated looks.
"He has great control over it. Once we get too close he simply levitates and uses the surrounding area against us." Loki answered. He was going to add more when they had to move out of the way of a purple beam.
Maw widened his eyes at what he saw and quickly rushed to his masters side. Thanos stood in front of them once more, though not as he had before. The man no longer had most of his upper body armor. Only a small bit remaining on his left shoulder. His helmet all but gone. He was sporting multiple burns along his body and the front of his forearms were cut up so badly you could no longer see his purple skin on them.
"He's lucky to be alive. Still he took that attack better than I imagined he would." Minato said.
"Master are you alright?" Maw asked as he levitated objects around them to act as protection.
Taking a few deep breaths the man replied. "I'll live. It seems I greatly underestimated not only his strength but the control he has over the space stone. We're going to have to return for it some other time." This greatly shocked Maw as he'd never seen his master retreat, but he was not one to question orders.
Thanos flexed the gauntlet and let off a powerful scream before slamming a fist to the floor. The ground shook and exploded, the shockwave destroying everything in it's path courtesy of the power stone. Naruto and the group had no choice but to move as to not be hit. In that time Maw and Thanos were beamed back into their ship and quickly began ascending back into the sky.
"Damn. At least they stopped Thanos from getting another stone." Loki grumbled but tried to reassure himself.
"In time Thanos won't stand a chance. Naruto was handicapped for this battle." Hela said.
"But the Mad Titan will grow stronger with time as well." Thor said with a grin look on his face.
"Should we try and stop them?" Asked the valkyrie as they were running.
"No." Answered Naruto. "I've reached my limit for now. I've been sealed for too long that my body won't handle my full power at the moment. I can still access my most powerful form but it doesn't do the same damage it used to. We'll have to let them go for now. He'll be back."
"That will be something to see." Minato said somewhat excited to see his son truly go all out.
Finally they turned back and saw that they were in the clear. A large part of Asgard had been turned to rubble but nothing that couldn't be rebuilt.
"This is bad." Loki began. "He'll see you as a major threat now. I'm certain he's going to collect the other stones before saving you for last. Once the other five four are in his possession he'll be almost impossible to deal with. Even if you have a stone."
"Then we'll have to stop him from getting the others. Or at least beat him to some of them." Hela responded. "Do any of you know anyone who might have some information?" She asked her brothers.
"It's kind of like an adventure story starting. This will be even more fun than I thought." Kushina commented excitedly getting a grin from her husband as he agreed.
They said nothing for a moment before the God of Mischief smiled. "Actually yes." Everyone turned to him. "As a matter of fact my brother happens to know of a few people who might be able to help us out."
Thor's eyes lit up as he knew who his brother was talking about. "Yes Loki is right." He said before turning to one person who seemed really out of place. "Banner. Looks like we're going to be meeting with the Avengers." He said happily.
"Well that is an interesting name." Kakashi commented.
"Fitting though." Thor said.
"Yeah, cause they avenge things rather than save them." Sniped Loki getting a heated glare from Thor.
"Who are the Avengers?" Naruto asked in confusion. Having never heard of the group. Hela shrugged her shoulders equally confused.
"They're earths mightiest heroes." Thor replied. "They'll be of great help I promise you."
"Alright. So where is this earth?" Naruto asked ready to go.
"It's Midgard." Hela answered.
"Oh. We'll have to use the Bifrost then as I don't know exactly where we're going so I can't use the stone." He said.
"Wait, I just realized that stone essentially let's him use the hiraishin without tags." Minato said excitedly.
"Min-" Kushina began.
"No I mean actually even better it's amazing. Oh I'm so proud and jealous, but mostly proud of course." Minato rambled.
"Why can't you be a cute father like him?" Hela asked.
"I am a warrior and a king." Odin said gruffly.
"I mean he pretty much is too though. Butchering armies singlehandedly, ruling as an absolute monarch till death or abdication…" She pointed out.
"Read the story." Odin huffed at Sasuke.
"I'm not one of your subjects, old man." Sasuke snarled.
"Sasuke please." Sakura asked.
"Whatever." The Uchiha said.
Odin simply glared while mentally complaining about the youth always being such a pain.
"Very well, I don't believe we damaged it during the battle so we should be all set. Let's be off." Thor said as they began walking.
As they walked Naruto couldn't help but wonder what kind of beings were in Midgard. If Hela's brothers knew them then they must be powerful. He shook his head of those thoughts. He wrapped his arm around the goddess of death and continued their walk. All he knew was that he had infinity stones to collect as his greatest battle was rapidly approaching.
"Aw even while just walking holding on to each other like that." Kushina cooed.
"He is very handy and touchy feely. It took getting used to but I wouldn't have it any other way now I suppose." Hela said with a placid smile.
"You may take another break if you wish." The Host declared as the book disappeared from Sasuke's hands with a snap and a flash.
And that is that. I hope you enjoyed.
Till Next Time