Daenerys

"They are still smart enough not to let us into the city," Ser Jorah stated as he walked beside Daenerys. Surprisingly for Essos they had been blessed with a cool day, with the sky having been cloudless at night before a thick overcast struck them in the morning, ensuring the sun never got a chance o obake the hard packed ground they were walking upon. As such for once Ser Jorah wasn't sweating in his leathers while Dany had been able to don a coat made of red dyed leather herself.

"I figured they would not," Daenerys stated. "That is the problem with our reputation… it causes people to be overly cautious."

"I worry they are prepared to not honor our agreement," Grey Worm said. His words were stiff, straight and true like the best arrow, so Dany didn't hear any worry in his tone but she knew it was there. After all, she was feeling the same fears.

But a Khaalesi was strong. They did not waiver. 'The horse will not bear a rider who trembles, not the rider stand for a horse who quivers'. Her bloodriders had told that too her once and she knew they were right. No one would follow her if she gave into her fears. So, even with her council, she had to push her fears aside and be the voice of reason and strength.

"If they do not then they will suffer greatly," Daenerys informed him. "Bruce wishes to return to Westeros as does The Hulk. We can not return until we have claimed these cities and all they hold. Wars cost money… Viserys was wrong about many things but even he understood that. We must have their coffers. And more than that I must show the people of Westeros who I am."

"They know who you are, Khaalesi," Ser Jorah stated.

"Do they?" Daenerys asked as they continued to walk from their camp to the arena. "Perhaps… but I want them to now as I see myself, not as they have been informed by the Usurpers bootlicks. Or what the fawning sycophants who believe they can control me because I am just a little girl. Westeros… Westeros respects only strength. The Usurper was stronger than my brother so he became king. Maegor was stronger than his brother so he became king. And when he proved weaker than another he was forgotten. Westeros will never embrace me if I do not come to them, having proven myself stronger than all other challengers. The cities of Slaver's Bay brought to ruin by my hand, with not just an army of warriors but an army of former slaves singing how I am the Breaker of Chains?" She smirked. "Oh… they will see me as a queen then.

"So we must take the city if we wish to return to Westeros. The Hulk longs for it. If Meereen refuses to submit… the Hulk will break their gates open for us." She smirked slightly. "They have already lost… this pageant is merely a play put on to soothe their fragile egos."

Daenerys had decided to bring a quarter of her army with her to witness the 'battle' that was to come that would determine the fate of Meereen. Just enough that the Masters (Good, Wise, Kind, she honestly couldn't remember what false adjective these ones placed before their names) would think twice about attacking her outright. But not so many that she would be crippled if they tried to flank her in an ambush. The Dothraki had come with her not only because she knew that the Unsullied would be able to follow her left instructions to the letter but also because the Dothraki would provide the roars and cheers needed to convince the Meereeni that she had brought more than she actually had. She had told them that if they were to be clever, to not drink anything that was provided, nor eat any food lest they be poisoned. No… they were to sit and cheer but also observe, being ready to attack if need be. In exchange she promised that they would break open the wine casts that night and celebrate for they would be replenishing their stocks once she had full control of Meereen.

The last of the Slaver's Bay cities had clearly decided that this was to be a grand celebration. On the high walls of the city there were banners with the Harpie that the people worshiped as well as green faces that represented The Hulk. People were standing high above her, making merry out but she knew it was more jeer than cheer because they were convinced that she was marching to the end of her campaign. Along the path great poles had been hammered into the earth and strung from them were thin bits of cloth that flapped and fluttered in the breeze, creating the feeling that she was walking directly under a rainbow.

The Masters had clearly decided to be just as colorful as the robes they wore as she approached were far more elaborate than they had been during their first meeting. Gast especially, who had applied paint around his eyes, to his cheeks, and below his bottom lip. He smiled and gestured for her to join him once more in the great roofed viewing stand that had been created, Daenerys smiling and bowing her head in agreement.

'Don't look at him,' she thought as she spotted Ser Barristan already seated, looking down at the arena floor. 'Don't look at him. You will only reveal the plot if you do so.' She forced herself to continue to stare downward and ahead as she took her seat, watching as slaves raked at the arena floor to make sure the sands were ready for the blood that was about to be split. 'Or that they believe will be split.'

They had gone along carefully with Bruce and Ser Barristan what needed to be done. Daenerys had selected Wade and Logan as her champions, for they were not only some of her most skilled warriors but, should it turn out the old man and Bruce of Tarth were lying to her, the ones that could take the most punishment while she enacted her backup plan. Her hand twitched, fingers lightly scraping against the triggering device in her bracers that would create her flames. She had another spark hidden in her belly, making her feel nice and warm, but she wanted to save that as a last resort. No… if things went wrong she needed to merely thrust out her arm and-

"Are you, uh, ready for us to begin, Khaalesi?"

She turned to Gast and smiled. "Are you?"

Gast merely smiled at that, waving for wine and goblets to be brought over. "You are confident… that is good. A strong ruler should be confident. People… they will always sense weakness and spring upon it. It is why the lion will always choose to stalk the young or the sick or the old. They understand that they are ripe to be claimed." He paused, looking at Daenerys from the corner of his eye. "I do, uh, respect you. You know that, right?"

"I know you say you respect me," Daenerys stated. "But many people have claimed to respect me and my family and then turned their backs on us or betrayed us the first moment they could."

"Such as your Westeros," Gast said idly as a slave girl brought over wine and goblets. Gast happily accepted, gripping it with two hands and almost bouncing in his seat like a child as he took a sip. But Dany waved the girl off, as did the rest of her party. "Nothing to drink?"

"A wise man once told me that only a fool or a bold man takes a drink from someone they do not trust."

"You do not trust me?"

"more than I am not a fool," Daenerys stated. Viktor had drilled it into her head that there were many ways to kill someone. Poisoned wine? Obvious. Poison the goblets so you could drink from the same cup? Better. Use a poison you had become immune to so it didn't matter what they used to drink it with? All the more clever. "And I save my boldness for other matters."

"Ah, of course," Gast said. "But back to what we were talking about… Westeros. They once respected your family. There are many in Essos who admire your forefather Aegon… once the Seven Kingdoms were much like us, always moving from one war to the next, land changing hands so quick the map makers couldn't keep up, a new king with new laws suddenly appearing only to be felled in rebellion. But Aegon the Dragon… he did what so many warlords and despots longed to do and brought the continent under his complete control. And not just for him… while there were flares ups your family ruled for 300 years. They even base all their measurements of time passing on his acts! It is… very impressive."

He paused.

"And yet… now on the throne they created sits a boy that doesn't understand why Aegon crafted it as he did." Gast looked at her with a sly smile. "Do you understand why the Iron Throne looks as it does?"

Dany smiled. "Aegon stated that he wished to make the throne as uncomfortable as possible, because a king should never be comfortable with their power." She paused. "Of course reminding all those that came before him of what he and his dragons had done was a nice benefit."

"And I'm sure helped the crown grow their coffers when he introduced his new tax on steel and all those soldiers needed new blades," Gast replied with his own smile. "I must admit, Khaalesi, I am impressed… you understand why the Iron Throne looks as it does without ever having seen it."

She forced herself not to glower at that comment. "If I had a gold dragon for every time someone thought themselves so clever to use that insult I could simply buy Meereen from you."

"And I wish we lived in such a world!" Gast said happily. "Why, I would travel to the Summer Isles and spend my days paying the most exotic whores to keep their lips forever locked on my cock while eating spiced meats and fresh cut fruits. But-" he sighed, "-we do not live in such a world, do we?"

"No, we do not," Dany answered.

"No, we live in a world where despite all your ancestors did to secure their dynasty it fell apart in 300 years. I have, uh, taken the time to study some of the history of your Westeros. Purely to make sure I understood you and your motives. And do you know what I found so interesting?" Daenerys didn't say a word, knowing he would end up speaking anyway no matter what she did or said. "The Starks have ruled the North for thousands of years. Same with the Martells in their deserts. The Arryns have rules for a long time as well. The Lannisters though… there is some interesting bits of information concerning them. Did you know that their founder was a dwarf?" He chuckled. "They don't like to admit that, like to portray him as some tall handsome man… perhaps he was handsome though, it is rude of me to think just because he is short he must be ugly. Perhaps after this is done, no matter who wins, we can discuss it more so that you will understand more about the family who truly did betray yours. Ah, but we've gotten off of point. Those families ruled for thousands of years. Your family… only for 300. And yet you come here and boost that it is your destiny to rule Westeros. Your birthright. Some would argue that the Rebellion was merely Westeros correcting a wrong. Returning to what it was supposed to be."

Daenerys squeezed her hand into a tight fist, the only sign of her annoyance.

"I could be wrong, of course. After all, I am not from Westeros. My family has merely steered Meereen for over a thousand years."

"One might argue that you are long overdue to be toppled."

"Ah, you Targaryens. You have never met a rule you did not want to pitch into chaos. In fact-" he smiled at her, slightly but it was still there, "-your history has shown when you have run out of other kingdoms to topple you turn inward. Destroying yourselves time and again and again. Brother battles brother. Sister battles brother. Nephew battles uncle. And not just recently either… I heard an, uh, interesting story only a short time ago." He lowered his voice and leaned in close. "Did you know that your brother Rhaegar was plotting against your father? He planned to marshal all the lords of Westeros to him and depose Aerys and make himself king. Rather bold, I must say. Of course he got cold feet when your father arrived at the tournament he had helped hold in secret… and then the Northern girl attracted his eye." He pulled away and shrugged. "But that is only a rumor of course. Only a rumor. I suppose that is something you do not need to worry about, seeing as you will be the last Targaryen."

Daenerys felt the fires in her belly churning in outrage at that reminder. Yes, she and Viserys had been the final two. With his death and the witch cursing her womb to never quicken Dany would be the last of her house. The blood of the dragon lords would die with her. The Vaelyreons had held no dragon eggs and what blood of Old Valyria existed was now watered down and muddied thanks to mixing with countless others. She was the last pure blooded child of that once mighty empire and it would die with her.

But… rather than feel despair… she felt determination warming her blood.

"All the more reason to ensure that my name lives on forever, is it not?" she asked with a slight smile of her own. "When one knows there is nothing left but legacy… well, that is a rather powerful motivator."

"Yes… facing the end of all things does motivate one to be cunning." He looked down towards the arena. "Ah, they are about to begin. I have some lines… a moment."

A trumpet sounded and Gast rose, holding out his hands as a slave brought a great speaker horn over, holding it up so that the Master wouldn't need to sully his fingers touching it. It was just another piece of evidence that the Masters of Meereen had been allowed to rule for far too long. For all his mockery of the Iron Throne and what it stood for it was clear that Gast and the rest of the Masters, who were now sitting about idly sipping their wine and feasting on fruits that the slaves brought them, had not learned the lesson. They were far too comfortable in their power for Dany's tastes.

'Would I have been like them, had life been different?' she thought to herself as Gast waited for everyone to quiet down. 'Had my father lived and I grown up in Westeros, in the Red Keep with all its splendor, would I have become as at ease with power as they are?' She mentally frowned. 'Yes. Viserys expected me to be a soft thing. His little meek sister. Rhaegar would have demanded as much as well, I believe. And my father too.' She looked down at her hands, rubbing her fingers along the calluses that had formed from holding reins. 'But the Dothraki have taught me how to be a leader. The Daenerys that could have been… I would have torn her down from her tower when she sniffed at my arrival.'

"My friends, my friends," Gast said, the speaking horn making his words carry out to all that were seated in the arena. Daenerys scanned their faces, seeing that her forces were outnumbered… but she would take the Dothraki Horde and the Unsullied over the plump and weak Masters that now sat in the area, thirsting for blood. "Today we settle at last the matters of Meereen and who shall control it. We do so in the old ways… the better ways. Rather than waste the blood of Meereen we shall instead allow champions to decide who shall rule. The Great Masters of Meereen-"

Dany knew she should have been focused on how many roared at that, cheering not just from the stands but from the walls of the city. How they waved their flags and roared out their praise to the Harpie. She should have wondered if the slaves had been forced to cheer as well. But… she found herself more focused on the fact that they were there GREAT Masters.

"-or Daenerys of House Targaryen."

There were plenty of boos and jeers but her Dothraki roared with approval, matching the Meereeni in pure volume. It made her feel warmth that had nothing to do with the flames blossom in her chest at them screaming out their approval for their Khaalesi.

"And now… the champions! Logan of the Dothraki! The Wolverine!"

Down in the arena there were several shack-like structures where the fighters had been allowed to go earlier in the morning to prepare for the battle to come. While the outcome had already been determined by Dany and her allies they had to keep up appearances and thus she had sent Logan and Wade ahead. Besides… should the Meereen try to weasel their way out of the agreement it would be good to have her strongest fighters at the ready.

Logan emerged dressed in new leathers, made for him just for this battle. They were bright yellow like the sun with blue and black accents, with a cowl that came up over his face and tuffed hair while leaving his hairy forearms bare. Though she was high up Daenerys could see his scowl as he looked about and she knew he was sniffing the air, scenting out if there were any threats nearby. He hadn't yet popped his claws but she knew he was ready to release those blades from his hands if the need arose.

"Wade Wilson! Deadpool!"

"Thank you Meereen!" Wade called out, waving to the crowd and blowing them kisses as he stepped onto the arena floor. "Man, it was warm in there! Tight too! But oddly smelled of rose water! Now I know what it's like to fuck Margaery Tyrell's asshole!"

Ser Jorah just rubbed his chin. "He is our champion…" he bemoaned.

"So long as he can win he can say whatever he wants," Daenerys assured him.

"Bruce of Tarth! The Incredible Hulk!"

Bruce stepped out of his shed. No… the Hulk stepped out, wearing his armor, weapons at the ready. He grit his teeth and growled as he looked at Logan and Wade, flexing his great muscles before driving his foot long the ground, clearly geared up to rush forward and attack. They would have to put on a good show, so she wasn't accused on treachery (which she was doing… Dany wasn't going to deny that, even if it was just to herself), so she knew that there would come to blows, but Bruce had assured them that the Hulk was desperate to find Brienne again and he would put aside for once his love of a good fight if she could get him back to Westeros.

It was a price she was more than willing to provide. A pardon for the man… all because he had wanted to help his cousin? She would have given it to him even if he wasn't helping her.

'And,' she thought to herself, 'even if he refuses to reveal how he became The Hulk… to have him and his cousin fighting for me would be a boon.'

"Khaalesi," Domino said, looking about. "Something is wrong."

"What do you mean?"

Domino gestured at the crowd. "They are not cheering."

Dany looked out at the Meereeni… and felt her heart freeze in her chest.

When she'd first been introduced to the Hulk the Great Masters had roared their approval of his brutal actions in killing the other fighter. But now they were silent. No flags were waved. No cheers went up.

Silent.

"And now!" Gast called out. "The Champion of Meereen!"

Daenerys' head snapped so hard in Gast's direction she could hear her bones pop.

The Great Master turned and smirked at her. "Did you really think we didn't know about your little meeting with Bruce and Whitebeard… or should I say Ser Barristan the Bold?"

"My queen," Selmy whispered, looking at her fearfully, "I didn't-"

"He didn't," Gast assured her. "He was more loyal to you than he was to us. But… as I stated we have ruled far longer than you." He turned to the horn. "And we shall rule Meereen for another thousand years!"

The crowd cheered.

Ser Jorah grabbed Dany's arm as she moved to rise. "No… we must let this play out."

She hated that she knew he was right.

"While the Hulk was Incredible," Gast proclaimed, "the Great Masters have found one that can surpass even him! One that is truly the strongest there is!"

Down below Dany could see Logan and Wade tensing, the Hulk slowly turning to the fourth shack, body tense and agitated.

"None stronger than Hulk!" the green warrior roared. "Hulk strongest!" He began to look about the stands, daring someone to argue against him. "HULK STRONGEST!"

Gast merely continued on.

"I present the champion of Meeren!"

The shack trembled, the door rattling.

"Exiled from the city of Braavos!"

The entire structure shook again.

"The Unstoppable-"

The entire wooden building exploded, revealing the champion.

He was larger than the Hulk.

That fact along made Daenerys grip her seat all the harder.

Nearly ten feet tall, the figure who marched out of the remains of the shake looked more like a fallen god than a mortal. Boots so big they could crush small ponies with a single step. Arms as thick as the fattest of the Great Masters that sat around her. His armor was the color of old blood covering his massive chest and shoulders but leaving his biceps and forearms completely bare. His helm was a massive dome, with only two holes for his eyes and another for his mouth.

"-Cain Marko! THE JUGGERNAUT!"

The arena didn't explode in cheers as one might have expected.

Instead all were utterly silent as they took in the monster that slowly, almost casually, walked towards Logan, Wade, and the Hulk.

That was how Dany was able to hear Wade cry out, "Chaos you cunning fucker! Why didn't you tell me about this! I would have worn my white pants!" He took a step forward, head slowly forced to tilt up as Juggernaut came closer and closer to him. "Oh, you probably get this a lot but I am a HUGE fan! 'I'm the Juggernaut, Bitch?' Classic! You know its always been a dream of mine to see my face reflected in your helmet as you stormed towards me with murderous intent."

The Juggernaut lashed out, grabbing Wade and picking him up with one meaty hand.

"I'm going to rip you in half now."

Wade laughed. "Oh, that is just a Juggernaut thing to-"

Daenerys could only watch in horror as the Juggernaut grabbed onto Wade's lower half with one hand, his chest with the other, and like a man tearing open a warm biscuit ripped Wade in two, his blood and intestines dangling from his severed bits.

"Well, a bit messy but certainly good first blood!" Gast declared. "Would you like to give up now Khaalesi?"

"She ain't allowed to give up," Juggernaut boomed out, dropping the chunks of Wade he was holding.

"I can't feel my legs!" He screamed in terror… only to reach out and touch the torn off limbs. "Wait, no, there they are."

The Hulk let out a roar at that and charged Juggernaut, Logan snarling and unsheathing his claws as he raced right after the Hulk. But that proved to be a mistake as the Juggernaut managed to step out of the way of the Hulk, grabbing onto his arm and using his own momentum to spin him around, striking Logan and throwing the two of them into the wall of the arena, dazing them.

"She ain't allowed to give up," Juggernaut repeated. "I've been lookin' forward to a good fight for a while now and you ain't takin' it from me."

"Well, uh, she can if she doesn't want to pit her champions against you anymore. That was a really impressive display." It was clear that Gast was a bit startled by the Juggernaut calling back up to him, refusing to listen to him directions. "Can… can we get… how about some cheers for our champion? Really, great guy. Great guy. Has really helped Meereen-"

Juggernaut leaned down, snatching up the pieces of Wade before he reared back and hurled them right at Gast, Wade screaming in surprise as his two halves slammed into the viewing area Daenerys was in, spraying them all with his innards. Daenerys looked over to find that Wade had ended up with his head buried between his own legs, cock pressed against his face.

"You know I heard there was a minstrel who removed a few of his ribs so he could do this," Wade said, his voice muffled.

"I ain't your champion," Juggernaut said, rolling his shoulders. "Meereen goes to the strongest? Ain't that why we are here? Determine which one of you cockless wonders gets it? Either the horse whore who likes to stick dragons up her cunt or you painted up freaks who would somehow manage ta cut yourself with a fucking spoon?" He chuckled even as the Hulk let out a groan, slowly pushing himself away from the wall and rubbing his head. "Lookin' around… I think the strongest… is me. Marko… the KING OF MEEREEN!" He suddenly leapt into the stands, the Hulk and Logan watching him soar over them before he landed amongst the Great Masters, fists the size of boulders slamming down and reducing the now terrified Great Masters into bloody puddles. "And I don't care how many of ya I have to kill ta get get ya ta bend the fuckin' knee!"

"Uh…" Gast said nervously, watching as those in the stands, the lesser of the Great Masters but still Great Masters, began to panic in utter terror, clamoring over each other as the Juggernaut tore a swath of destruction through their ranks. "I think a new agreement might be… made between us?" He looked at Daenerys with a mix of worry and hope.

"Swear to bend the knee," Dany said.

"I'll bend, uh, whatever you want." He quickly added, "My queen."

Daenerys nodded before calling out. "Logan! Hulk! Slay that imposter! The Queen of Meereen demands it!"

The Juggernaut turned and stared. Right. At. Her.

"Maybe you shouldn't have said that out loud," Jorah said nervously.

Dany found herself nodding as Juggernaut lifted up a Great Master by the head before squeezing his fingers, popping the man's skull like a pimple. "Yes… I believe I've made a tactical mistake. I am open to suggests from my Small Council."

The Hulk roared and suddenly slammed into the Juggernaut, meaty fists pounding on his armor… and not even making a dent. The Juggernaut actually LAUGHED at that even as the Hulk bellowed and slammed away at him, trying everything he could to crack open the breastplate and helm the giant wore and get to his more pliable flesh. Logan, for his part, had knitted himself back together and snarled before beginning the climb towards the stands.

"Run," Domino said as the Great Masters fled in their direction, becoming a great wave of bodies that might very well crush them before the Juggernaut even got to them.

"Yes," Daenerys said as Ser Barristan grabbed her arm and began to tug at her. She saw Ser Jorah wrapping an arm around Domino, though the woman looked like she needed no encouragement to escape the coming carnage. Grey Worm reached down and snagged Wade's upper body, cradling it in his arms. "I believe that is… sound advice. Fall back, develop a plan of attack."

"Don't forget my legs!" Wade cried out as they made back for their camp.