Hello everybody and welcome back. So, we are getting into the full part of this story, and like I said in chapter one, I have enough content for this story for another 30+ chapters. Thus, this is not going to be a short story by any means.
Hope you all enjoy this chapter and please drop a comment.
I DO NOT Own any of these as they are and were created by their respective creators. Marvel is owned by the late Stan Lee via Disney. Phantom of the Opera (PotO) is owned by Andrew Llyod Weber. LofZ : TP and OofT by Shigeru Miyamoto. Fire Emblem by Shouzou Kaga. Black Butler by Yana Toboso. And finally, Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 13 Journey's Beginning
Steve's POV.
The others and I, with Natasha in my arms, watched as Wanda, James, Amelia, and the masked man disappeared before our very eyes. I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that a whole new disaster was on our hands. Yet now we didn't know who this evil was and what to do about it. The dragon-like creature who tried to help was now gone as was Wanda, James, and Amelia and the usurper.
Chaos reigned as the monsters which held several Asgardian warriors in their hands turned on Stefan. Said warrior gladly battled the beasts as he cried, though he was raging, killing every monster in a single blow or two, a testament to his skills as a legendary warrior and his battle knowledge. Link and Zelda battled as well, seasoned warriors themselves. Rin and Kagome healed those who were injured in the battle and covered those who were killed, which were quite minimal.
The Avengers, not knowing how to battle these beasts, did their best to ward them off as Link, Zelda, and Stefan came to kill them. Seeing their tactics, the other Avengers and I leaned on them and once all the beasts were defeated, I went back to Natasha and we went over to a disheveled Stefan, who was still crying. Yet as Natasha and I approached him, he fell to his knees, sobbing quietly, grieving.
I asked hesitantly, "Stefan?" Said man looked up at me, red rimmed eyes still spilling tears. Though he did raise a brow, "What happened?"
Stefan spoke with a stuttering, raspy voice, "That man is… is Ragnar… he was after Amelia's power, the Triforce and to get revenge against her for some past events… Ragnar has transformed us all into spirits as the land is now covered in Twilight. That Asian dragon with the ball inside its mouth you saw was the guardian of this realm, his name is Lanayru, and Ragnar took his spiritual energy to take power. The reason why James and Wanda are now invisible to us is that they each now possess a piece of the Triforce. I assume James has the Triforce of Courage and Wanda the Triforce of Wisdom. Amelia, who has the Eternity Gem, is with them, captured by Ragnar… Amelia… MY AMELIA!" Stefan agonized, screaming into the Twilight covered palace.
He lied though; the Eternity Gem now was fused within him. He could use it to save everyone, but it would be at the cost of his own life. Like with the Triforce, the Eternity Gem had specific requirements for its power to work. To work against Ragnar and Ganondorf, he could use the Eternity Gem, but he would have to give up his own life for the realm, leaving Amelia heartbroken. That is why when split into the Infinity Stones, the powers each one had almost always brought ruin to the people who used it.
"Is there anything… we can do?" Natasha asked quietly, weakly. She leaned heavily into me, as if without me, she'd collapse into a sobbing mess. She knew just as mush as I and everyone else here the obvious truth; very little hope now lay before them for a peaceful future with this invasion.
Stefan shook his head, "No… There… there is nothing we can… possibly… do… we are useless… All we can do is pray that James and Wanda can save us. They're our only hope now." Stefan choked out before he ended up sobbing in sorrow again, turning away from the group to save face.
Dread spread through me; hopeless dread filled me. Nat whimpered, before she started to break down just like Stefan, also feeling hopeless. I looked around as our family tried to pick up the pieces, all of us still dressed in our wedding attire, though now torn and dirty from sweat, blood, and dirt. Servants peeked around corners, and warriors stood around trying to make sense of the chaos.
We sat there for a few minutes, not knowing what to do until Stefan pulled himself together and stood, ordering loudly, his leader side showing, "Everyone! Evacuate the city! There is evil afoot here! Get to the surrounding countryside towns and stay there! THOR! Send your warriors out to bring your people away from Asgard for those towns! There will be a sea of blood if they are not evacuated!"
Thor nodded and shouted out orders to his people as Stefan paused before continuing shouting orders, "Call the council! The realms need to be informed! Loki! Head to the Bifrost and go to Jotunheim! They need to be informed and brought to our aid. Have Heimdall close the gates leading to any realms that are not covered in Twilight and have him return to the palace. His battle knowledge and skills will be needed elsewhere for now."
Loki objected furiously as did Thor, who squawked, "Jotumheim's relationship has since been broken with us, Stefan. They will not heed our call, but most likely go to war over our proposal. Not only that, Heimdall rarely leaves the Bifrost Gate-room, he…"
Stefan sneered, shutting up Loki and Thor fast, and flung an object at Loki, who caught it. The item was a crystal that had a glowing blue center and something that Loki felt heavily drawn to. Loki looked up in question to Stefan who still sneered, "That crystal is Jotunheim's heart, it belongs to me as I had once saved your race and theirs from destruction, by Hela, your older sister's rampage millennia ago.
"They are forever indebted to me because of it. If they refuse, just show them the crystal and they will follow you without question. If they still refused or hesitate, just return with the heart and close the Bifrost until I get the chance to go myself. As for Heimdall, tell him that Stefan of Reslutia needs his help. He'll understand the message." I frowned quite concerned about what Loki and Thor would do. Natasha clinging to me tightly, everyone still in their party wear, dirt, sweat, and blood ruining it all.
Loki nodded with resignation, hesitantly bowing his head, "Very well, my lord. I will go. Thor, my liege?" Said person nodded reluctantly and Loki disappeared.
Stefan softened his face, "Thor, Steve, Natasha, Avengers… If we are to help Wanda and James beat this new evil, we need all the help we can get. Jotunheim may very well become potential allies because of it."
"They were quite the invaders years ago, Stefan. And many times, since then, at least in attempts. They may turn coat on us in the future at any moment." Thor speculated grimly; arms crossed, his body tense.
I interjected, "Though if Stefan has the crystalline heart of Jotunheim, and the Frost Giants are indebted to him, perhaps Stefan will help to repair the relationship between your two realms."
Thor stayed silent, starting to come to an understanding. Stefan hmphed, nodding, "I see you understand youngling. Captain…" He mentioned as he turned to survey the activity around the Great Hall. People were scurrying to prepare for the journey to leave.
I asked, "Yes, your majesty?"
"Please call me Stefan, Steve. Prepare your people, come back to me at the gates to the city, and we will ride together to the Asgardian town of Trondheim. Thor, I need you with them as well. Sif, take over for Thor and keep your people safe. As much as I hate taking Thor away from you, I need him to help with preparations to aid James and Wanda. Try to keep as many of your people away from the Desert of Ruins, though I ask you to send a supplies wagon once a week for us." Stefan ordered the Asgardian Queen, who nodded, and he then turned to order a nearby guard to prepare horses and a wagon for them to travel in. Sif nodded again as Thor sent her a look of love before he joined Stefan, Natasha (now my wife), and I with the Avengers.
Thor asked, "Why Trondheim, Stefan? What's there?"
"Do you know of the prison Arbiter's Grounds in the Desert of Ruins Thor?" Stefan addressed the Asgardian king as he led them from the throne room.
Thor furrowed his brow, "Yes, why?"
"I will explain everything as we head to Trondheim, which is the town situated nearest the desert. We need to be near there and to lay low until Wanda and James figured out the way to remove the Twilight covering our world. Besides it'll be the safest place for Natasha, Pepper, MJ, Shuri, Laura and her family while we wait. Come! We leave within the next few hours. Under the cover of darkness."
Thor frowned as he walked besides Stefan and I, yet he remained quiet. Natasha disappeared with the other women to prepare to meet at the rendezvous point at the palace gates. Us men prepared in the weaponry wing, which took about a little over an hour. Many Asgardians had been preparing the city for lock down, closing things up and preparing to leave for the surrounding countryside.
Thor piped up after we all were quiet as we prepared, "I remember my father mention Arbiter's Grounds years ago. Though he never explained what it was, where it was located, and why it existed. I thought it was myth. A story that was lost to legends and myths to scare children to keep them in line. I often found myself wondering if the legends were true or not. The condensed story told to me by my mother was that it was a dark and terrible place that no one should go seek out and that it's located somewhere in the Desert of Ruins." He looked to Stefan, pausing to see if he would add anything. His expression was hopeful and pleading.
When Stefan refused to talk further, Thor hummed in discontent, though he let it go for the time being as he, I, and the others finished preparations. Once we finished preparing in the armory and walked towards the city gates. We had prepared in silence, too spooked to speculate further on the events that took place only a few hours earlier. Plus, with Stefan's refusal to speak was a warning to not engage him until he blew off steam. We each would carry two bags large enough for supplies for a week. There weren't many Asgardians left around.
Stefan never turned his head to meet Thor's eye as he walked out of the armory, answering Thor's question with a serious tone, "Arbiter's Grounds is a real place, and it is an ancient prison located in the Desert of Ruins. Odin, your father, wanted most records which mentioned it, except for the most important documents, to be destroyed. All mention of the prison was to be erased from any buildings and museums. Most in your realm here eventually forgot about the prison altogether, believing it was a myth, except for Odin, Frigga, Hela, and several in the council and a few others who refused to forget. Like you said many of the stories turned it into legend and eventually… those legends turned into rarely spoken myths." Stefan stopped a moment to regard the remaining palace warriors and staff. Though he never continued when a cry if anguish was heard of a family discovering a loved one dead from across the city.
For about another half hour, too spooked to continue, Stefan led Thor and us Avengers and we prepared to leave before heading to the gate. Many were now in the half way or more through the throes of preparing the palace and city on lock down to evacuate and within two hours. He glanced out the nearest window and noticed the first few groups of Asgardian citizens leaving the city towards to countryside. Good they understand and are taking my advice. In the stables, I helped Thor and Clint prepare a wagon for the journey to Trondheim and horses as well.
I quietly listened as Stefan came walking with Thor, Sam, Scott, and Tony, explaining further, "Arbiter's Grounds is where people such as Thanos would be condemned to spend the rest of their days at. Even unto death. Beyond that if said criminal was found too evil. They would be killed, and their souls banished to a forgotten realm… a supposed realm darker than Hel.
"Many here believe this realm to be myth, and those that believe it real, believe it to be a fate worse than death if one was condemned to be sent there. That realm contains many allies though and isn't a dark realm at all. It is where Ragnar is from and the source of the evil that control him was condemned to. This realm is called the Realm of Twilight…" Stefan looked towards the gate, the women finally appearing in the stables to join them after two hours of preparation.
I frowned, haunted, "Are you sure there is nothing we can do to help? Nothing?"
Stefan turned to me, locking eyes with me, "No. Absolutely nothing. We're as helpless as new born children, Steve. Aside from preparing either for James and Wanda to come to our aid and undo this tragedy or for our deaths. And the reason why Amelia is now invisible to us is because of the Eternity gem. Best thing we can do to help is get everyone away from here and explain to Wanda and James, via messages where we have gone. Come! Before the corrupted Twili come back in higher numbers to stop us…" We all turned to stare up at the rising towers of the palace, solemn at the fate we were faced with before we all turned to journey to Trondheim. Tragedy struck again soon thereafter.
Wanda's POV.
I watched from shadows from a support pillar as the spirits of my friends and family scurried around, preparing to leave. It took close to two and a half hours to prepare. I would have to find out later where they were going as they left the city. I had to get to Amelia, who had been taken to the tower where Odin claimed as his own years prior. She had been placed in chains and led away to the tower where Odin had lived in years prior. I watched in horror as James was pulled by his hind legs to the dungeons by a corrupted Twili, who was heedless at James' body getting harmed as he dragged him.
I was conflicted. I wanted to go help James' escape from the dungeons, but I needed to go talk to Amelia about what to do and what was happening. Her knowledge and wisdom would be invaluable in this situation. In the end I decided to make my way to Amelia, James would be safe enough in the dungeons while I spoke with her. As I watched the Twili disappear with James, I made my way outside and snuck my way up to the tower that held Amelia. I tried my powers, but they didn't seem to work here in the Twilight. However, with the knowledge of Midna and her powers, I was able to use them.
I was able to figure out how to hide, being able to change form as needed as I made my way to the tower. As I neared the entrance of the desired place, I changed myself into a spear on a suit of armor that was missing one. I hoped no one would notice as I eavesdropped on the conversation coming from beyond the door. I listened, stifling my gasps of shock and fear as the conversation continued. Amelia's calm, yet sad voice bleeding out from beyond the door.
"… if you just listen Josiah, I will explain why…" Amelia said calmly, but the Twili usurper who invaded interrupted.
"NO! Even with the letters and gossip stone, you never truly came to explain before… mother… Why should I listen to you now?! Until I get those Triforce pieces for my lord, you'll suffer for what you have done. Your precious friends will be forever in Twilight because of it. See you later… mother…" Murder sounded when he said mother to Amelia. The Twilight usurper came crashing through the door in a rage, causing me to gasp quietly as I watched him disappear down the spiral staircase.
The Twili guard on duty disappeared to go get food for Amelia, who I heard sigh in defeat. Whether she groaned in pain, sadness, or resentment I could not tell. I cautiously changed back, and I went into the room and looked around. I noticed immediately that Amelia was placed in heavy chains and shackled.
She had been given new clothes to wear. A flowing skirt of black linen and silk fell to the floor, and she had a black piece of fabric which she had made into a nice half top to cover her chest. She had placed her hair into a half do, the side of her hair she braided to lay on top of her hair in back, which had turned into a dark brown color. What stood out, was the large pair of beautiful, dark beige dragon wings on Amelia's back.
The other thing that stood out was the iron collar that was around her neck, a chain attached on the back of it. Occasionally, it faintly glowed an angry red causing Amelia to wince in pain slightly. The chains attached to shackles on her wrists and ankles, quite long and heavy, were connected to the floor. Floating, I rushed over to her, quietly saying, "Amelia! Are you alright?"
She snapped her head to me, eyebrows furrowed and her mouth bent in a frown, "Wanda… Why are you here?! You're supposed to be long gone from here!" She stood, but I came to her.
I stopped and stood in front of her on the sill she had been sitting on. "I couldn't leave because I need help to undo all this chaos. And knowing that I know very little of anything relating to Ragnar and my new powers, you're the only one I could truly know and trust to help. Besides I need advice on how to rescue James. He somehow was changed into a wolf, Ame. He needs me and I him to help undo this all. You know it's just James, you, and myself in this situation. I need help Amelia. Please… What do I do?"
Amelia sighed, defeated, sitting down again, "The powers you gained are because you now possess the Triforce of Wisdom combining with your own powers. But it will not be enough." She paused, looking over the twilight covered Asgard for a moment before turning to me again, saying, "You're right… you need James. And the reason he's a wolf is because he now possesses the Triforce of Courage. That last piece, the Triforce of Power, was claimed by an unknown evil, Ganondorf maybe?" She looked outside twilight covering the land, confoundment on her face.
"Ganondorf? Who is he?" I asked, fear and curiosity coming to the forefront.
Amelia waved her hand, dismissing my question, "That doesn't concern you right now youngling. You're not ready to face him yet, if he truly is behind this situation. The Triforce is a power having been created by God through my sister, Farore Nayrudin or Hylia for short. It is a power, when all three pieces are joined together, that is a balance between power, courage, and wisdom. It's a power that reviles the Eternity Gem's, yet it has different requirements. This Twili, Ragnar, wants all three pieces to rule over all of humanity, space and earth bound. I am afraid. For he also is familiar with stories of the Infinity Stones, yet he doesn't know they have been fused to make the Eternity Gem. And I don't think he wants them though…"
I paled, even in the Twilight, weakly saying, "Do you think he would go after the Eternity Gem? And is there something I can use to cover my hair to help us on the journey? To cover my identity? And… why did he call you… mother?"
Amelia nodded as she raised her making an ancient mask appear. Just my size. Amelia looked to me, "I don't know Wanda. He may go after it if he discovers its existence. But I don't know. We'll have to be wary and keep him from following that lead. As for this mask, it is a piece of the fused shadows of the Twilight royalty. Only those who are royalty or are given permission can use them. I possess this piece because I am a friend of the faithful Twili who see me as worthy to wield them.
"They were scattered here in your universe between five of the nine realms because of past interlopers trying to use them to take over a different world, which isn't surprising to say that the realms are now covered in twilight…" She paused for a moment, uncertain, and in thought. She seemed sad, angry, yet depressed and ashamed. She looked to me again and continued as she handed me the mask.
"I give this piece to use Wanda. You now have all rights to use it now. And for him calling me mother…? Explanations for that will have to wait until later… As for the realms, I figured out from his bodyguard's mind that he was able to cover five of the major realms in twilight. The other four he considers not worth the time to change at this point since Heimdall closes them off. Earth is one of those four realms not changed. Do you understand?" I took the piece of fused shadow and put it on, my hair coming out the top and resting on the rim. A hair shackle appeared, and I used it to put my hair up, letting it rest on the mask's rim.
I answered Amelia's question once I have the mask on comfortably, "Yes, I believe I understand."
The left eye piece covered my eye, yet I could see beyond it with my new powers. Amelia sighed, continuing, "You'll need to get the other five pieces to create the full fused shadow, Wanda. I have a map that will tell you which realms each are located in. That same map will also be able to tell you and show you the lay out of the realm once you arrive in it. That way you will be able to locate all five. Be aware, even though the five realms are covered in Twilight, the Twilight covers all the areas under each realm's jurisdiction, meaning entire super galactic clusters could be covered in Twilight. Even though that is the fact, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding the guardians whose light has been stolen."
I nodded, though a few lingering questions were on my tongue, yet I bit my lip to stop myself from asking, knowing time was limited and I ran the extreme risk of being discovered by Ragnar. Amelia noticed my expression, my hesitance and sadness, "What's wrong, Wanda dear?" She lifted my chin, concern on her face even as she knew the risk herself. She was willing to answer my questions despite it.
"Well, it's just that we finally had true peace, our wedding was just a few short hours ago, and now a new unknown enemy is threatening it all. Plus, are my children going to be alright while I am in this form? Will we win? Are you going to be alright while James and I are gone?"
Amelia's face withered in trepidation and uncertainty, her shoulders dropping to a hunched position, and I understood. She was going to be doing a lot of sacrificing for me, knowing that the future was uncertain. For everyone. "I… I understand. I thought we did as well Wanda. I though as everyone else that we had peace. As for your children… Enoch came to me while Ragnar brought me up to this tower. And he explained to me that they are going to be fine. They'll develop normally as you and James go and gather the tools needed to defeat Ragnar. As for winning, I do not know. And that worries me.
"Peace is now a distant thought and disaster is inevitable. That is if you choose not to do anything. It all depends on you and James. I will do my best to help you both so you can defeat Ragnar. But as far as that I cannot help you further aside from advising you on what to do. As for myself, I will be fine Wanda. I am willing to suffer whatever comes to make sure that this disaster is undone."
Our attention was quickly diverted when she and I heard the door to the tower bang open. Amelia stood suddenly, knocking me off balance from the sill. She quietly, yet urgently ordered me, ushering me towards the window, "Quick! Leave! Go, find James and rescue him! He's in the dungeons somewhere. Come back to me as quickly as you can, and I will send you off! GO!"
I nodded before I disappeared out the window and descended towards the palace's base. Never looking back to see Amelia's downcast face, a tear slipping down her check.
Bucky's POV.
I slowly woke up after falling unconscious earlier. I remembered a piece of the golden treasure from Amelia enter me, causing a surge of pain and power in my body, yet it had faded just as quickly. I recalled the pain suddenly spiked as my body changed forms, yet I fell unconscious as the pain became too much to handle. I hadn't felt that much pain since HYDRA's experiments and torture sessions on me years ago. Though I was feeling less fearful and more courageous because of that treasure. And so, wherever I was, I had to escape and get to Wanda.
I stood and shook my head and I immediately felt something was off. I opened my eyes and looked around. I looked at my hands… though now they were the paws… of a wolf… I was a wolf. A rather large black wolf with brown and gray markings. Somehow, shockingly, my left arm had changed along as well. Everything felt different yet familiar. I smelled so much more than when in human form, mostly foul, some neutral, a few good. I sensed things that I never sensed before. The environment was charged with a dreadful sense, my fur standing on end and the dungeon was dimly lit with only two lanterns, adding to the ominous feeling, my body tense and slightly shaky. I heard shrieks of evil beasts and those twisted creatures.
I looked around trying to figure out how to escape from this rather archaic prison cell with bars and a padlock. Hmmm… even if I could get out of this chain the door is locked… There was a box in the corner of the cell, covering the bars where it stood. I wonder… I look down to my left front paw and realized someone hand placed a shackle on it and it was chained to the floor. Realizing it was useless, yet still trying anyways, I tried using my fangs to gnaw at the links. A sound then caused me to stop and look up.
Something stood on the other side of the bars of the cell. I dropped the chain from my mouth and growled, my teeth bared, ears back. An impish girl stood on the other side of the cell, a mask on covering her left eye. Red and orange hair was coming out the top and pulled into a ponytail. Her unnatural eyes were yellow whites, with orange and red irises, and black pupils. Unnerving. She smiled at me and came forward, somehow passing through the bar. I growled louder as I backed up several steps in apprehension, yet I went silent and perked up when the girl said, "I found you!" Wait… That's Wanda's voice!
"Finally, I found you! James are you alright my love?" Wanda asked, her change in appearance finally sinking in. I lunged forward on top of Wanda, licking her as a wolf does, though very un-James like compared to the normal way I reacted. Just like a wolf or dog.
"I'm guessing you're just fine, James… Buck… Bucky! Get off me, you big lug!" Wanda laughed. I didn't as I continued to lick her, too happy to know she was alright. Soon I lifted off her and sat looking at her, wagging my tail. Wanda! Are you alright?! Is everyone else alright?
Wanda looked at James' left paw, frowning, "Let's get you off of these chains love." She closed her eyes and put her hands, palms facing close together. A ball of fizzling black and red energy appeared and disappeared just as quickly when Wanda separated her hands. The chain links broke four down from where I was shackled on my vibranium wrist. I jumped, surprised at the loud snap the chain made from breaking. The chains would rattle against my paw and any hard surface as soon as I would walk or run.
Wanda laughed, "Surprised?" I looked to her, eyes wide, as she materialized on the other side of the bars. "Yes, I am alright, love. As for everyone else, I don't know. Come, find your way out of the cell. I believe that box near the bars may be a way. Once you're out, we need to find our way to Amelia. She can tell us more."
Yawning Wanda stretched her arms above her head and looked at me with a cheeky smile. I looked at the box, sniffing it. Growling, I smashed it as best I could being a wolf. Once it was broken and the debris cleared, I discovered a hole underneath the bars that I could dig out of the ceil. Some prison cell…
Once I finished digging out of the cell, I looked around the dank empty prison hallway looking for Wanda. Suddenly, she landed on my back, causing me to bark, snarl, kick, and growl to try to get her off my back. But after several failed attempts, I crouched, growling with her on my back. "James do not worry. I wouldn't hurt you. Would it be fine if I rode you like this, ne? I can't always float everywhere. It can be tiring and slow." I huffed, standing, nodding reluctant and annoyed.
"We need to get to Amelia. She'll know what to do and how to proceed in this situation. She's locked in one of the towers. We'll need to make our way to the room through this sewer system though. Are you alright with that?" Wanda mentioned. I huffed again in agreement.
In the cell over from mine there was a passage to the sewer system, though it was blocked by a gate. However, on the ceil next over, a chain near the ceiling looked as if it were the chain to open it. Wanda whispered out, "Hold on, if I use my hair and you jump, we can open that gate." I jumped up, and Wanda used her hair, which had formed into that of a giant hand, to grab it. The chain gave way to our combined weight and the gate opened.
Hope you all enjoy this week's chapter! See you all later!
WS. Z.
