Rising of the Avenging Heroes
ESKK: Here we go now let us begin the third chapter people, enjoy.
(Start Pub)
Morgan was at the table playing cards as it was clear she was doing it for some time now. Her winnings were getting bigger as she smirked at her opponent knowing what came next. The others saw what she was doing and began to get a bit worried Morgan may write a check she can't cash. "Well buddy just down to you and me." Morgan said with a smirk on her face as she looked to her opponent.
"Yeas seems so." He said a bit nervous with how Morgan was cleaning everyone out. "You pretended to be a novice didn't you?" He asked to which Morgan smirked.
"Well of course how else was I going to join in on this?" Morgan said and thus the man growled with how short he was on coins now. "But by the looks of it seems to me your short on funds." Morgan said as she looked to the guy.
"Shut up little bitch!" He growled to which Morgan had an idea.
"Hey nothing to be ashamed of I'm willing to compromise. Tell you what if you go all in and loose I'll take that slave girl as comp for the difference." Morgan said showing she wanted the Slave Girl who had returned and was shock to what she heard. The man growled to this but didn't seem to give before Morgan smirked to him. "Unless of course you're worried I'll clean you out." Morgan taunted and thus the man growled and pushed the coins forth.
"All in." He said glaring at Morgan and thus she smirked. The man looked nervous as Morgan gestured for him to call first and thus he then put his hand down to show what he had. "Full House." The drunk gambler said and thus Moran smirked to her opponent.
"Geez dammit all." Morgan said as the man smirked to her. "If only you had a better hand." Morgan said putting her cards down shocking the man to no end at what he saw.
"WHAT THE FUCK!? A ROYAL STRAIGHT FLUSH!?" He yelled as he saw the legendary unbeatable hand as Morgan smirked to her foe. "But how?!" He called out at what he saw as Morgan smirked to him.
"I'm just lucky." Morgan said and thus got ready for the next part. "Now pay up buddy the coin and the girl." Morgan said as she smirked at her foe. "I'm assuming you know how to apply those brands right?" Morgan asked as she looked to her opponent.
"No... But I know of someone who can." The man growled and thus both were on their feet and thus both the group and the drunkard walked up to the now scared girl.
"Before we do, she has a name?" Morgan asked as she looked to the man.
"Don't know don't care." He said to which Morgan glared at the man. "Hey Tanuki Mario girl what's your name?" Morgan asked as she looked to the girl in question but fear held her tongue.
"Hey girl she asked you a!" The drunk began only for Morgan to stop him with a glare.
"R-Rapthallia." She admitted to which Morgan smiled and raised a comforting hand on her head.
"Nice to meet you." Morgan said honestly wanting to help this Demihuman as best she could. The girl was surprised to see this before she looked and saw the rest of Morgan's group show up surprising the man in question.
(Scene Break Blacksmith)
After meeting with a Slaver whom Skaar's had ruined the business of Skaar was the hero of the hour when it came to it. Still they agreed to bind her to James seeing as they didn't really have the whole statues thing he did. Of course the commission came out of their pockets and as much as the HATED to do it, it was better than letting her continue with the drunkard in question. SO here they were entering the weapon shop again as Morgan put her winnings on the table upon arrival.
"Oh it's you guys." Erhard said as he looked to the group and took notice of Raphtalia. "So what's with the girl?" He asked if not a bit concerned right now.
"Long story short I won her in a game of cards." Morgan explained as she pushed the coins torts the man. "Find her some equipment I may have a few designs for her later." Morgan said as she looked to Raphtalia as she wondered if she can fit the role of Black Widow among them.
"Alright I'll see what I can bring in." Erhard said and thus he went to find something for the girl.
(Later Erhards shop the next day)
From the changing room Raphtalia came out dressed in an outfit belonging to new players in video games. As she came out James looked to Raphtalia and nodded to her while Morgan smiled. "A bit small but hey if we let Pym hang out with us you can to." Morgan said with a smile on her face before nodding to James to start.
"Ok let's see you draw your knife ok." James said as his words surprised the girl. He then moved his body a bit to sow an orange balloon to the girl and thus scaring her. James then held the monster torts her and in turn James went to calm. "Ok I want you to stab this thing." James said as the girl couldn't do it.
"No." She said to which James sighed to her.
"Please I'd rather know you can learn defend yourself when we go out into the field." James said making it more of a request then an order. "I won't make you do it if I didn't think you could handle it." James said and the girl saw the way he talked and nodded.
"Ok." Raphtalia said and thus got ready. Once she did so she charged in to attack but the Balloon chomped down on the weapon and pushed her back.
"Alright good start now try again and put some muscle into it." James said as the others saw what was going on as did Erhard. The girl nodded and thus with a roar she charged in and attacked causing the Balloon to pop in response. "There I knew you can do it, soldier." Morgan praised the girl with a smile surprising her to no end at his kind words.
"Kid I swear you're too good for this world." Erhard said as James nodded to this.
"I try to do as my father would and see the best in others." James said but he wasn't done just yet. "But I also try to stay as close to the ground as possible." He added showing he wasn't going to let Myne make a fool of him a second time.
"Sounds like a good guy." Erhard said to which James shrugged to this.
"Well twerp you got a new playmate." Hawkeye teased as he looked to Pym.
"Still she looks like she's ill." Cody said as he noted something was wrong with her and not in a suspicious sort of way either.
(Later outside)
The group was seen walking outside as they talked about how to get Raphtalia up to snuff. "Ok Torunn can probably handle sword training with her and we should try to have her do a little more than the rest in combat until she's able to catch up to us." James said as he was trying to be fair but reasonable on their plans.
"Makes sense." Morgan agreed as did Cody and Torunn.
"Well of course she's new and I'm the only other person among us who specializes in sword combat." Torunn said as she looked to the group.
"Still we should probably save up what we have left we still need a long term plan for us to make coins on a regular basis." Azari said showing he was trying to be careful.
"Still at the very least we shouldn't all stuff into one room." Morgan said to which it made sense.
"Boys in one girls in the other." James said as it seemed fair to them.
"Hey get a move on!" A voice called out and thus the group looked and saw a man with two Demi-Human slaves carrying large object to a cart. "Move your butts you stinking demi's." The man said as just then one of them tripped. "I don't have all day you little moron." He said as the Avengers looked ready to step in but had to restrain themselves from it. They couldn't afford any more heat on them and seeing as the Shield is basically the devil the man only had to play victim and then they'd have the whole country after their heads.
Just then a stomach was heard growling crying out for food and thus all eyes looked to Raphtalia. "Hey are you hungry?" James asked as he looked to Raphtalia.
"No sir." She responded but James begged to differ.
"Come on a good solder always needs a full stomach." James said as Morgan rolled his eyes and thus they were off.
"Wait what?" She asked surprised to hear this from the young red head.
"We're getting lunch." James said as he was actually hungry himself.
"Lunch?" he further asked showing just how shocked she was right now.
"Yeah grub will do us all some good." Hawkeye said and thus they headed off to the nearest pub for a meal.
(Later)
The group arrived at a restaurant with Raphtalia close on their tail. One by one they all entered until Raphtalia noticed the sign. "Um sir miss!" She called out to James and Morgan.
"What's up?" James asked as he looked to Raphtalia.
"This place." She began but Morgan cut her off.
"Don't worry about it." Morgan said as she was going to get some food into Raphtalia even if she had to stick up the place.
(Inside)
"Welcome to the inn!" The owner called out as he saw the large group enter. But once everyone noticed who entered whispers began to spread among them as the group of 8 went to the largest table they can find. Once they found a table James knew they wouldn't get served unless he spoke up thus did so.
"Hey if it's not too much trouble we'd like to order." James called out ignoring the whispers about him as best he could. But Torunn put a hand on her sword when they started talking nasty about Pym, Raphtalia, or both to show they were heard and they can talk about any one of them but those two were off limits.
"Oh um sure." The man said as he still had one more task before then.
Pretty soon he arrived to take their order and thus James got down to it. "We'll take the cheapest lunch you guys got here for 6, and two of the kids platter like the one the kid over there has." James said as it was clear who got what.
"That will be 27 Coppers." The man said and thus James nodded.
"Sure." James said as he put the coppers in the man's hand and to his shock added about five silvers there. He looked to James who acted like he didn't do so but he quickly saw through it.
"It's a tip just take it." Morgan added to which the man pocketed the silver and took the coppers so the order can be made.
"Why?" Raphtalia asked once the man was gone.
"Why what?" James asked confused to the girl.
"Why are you all getting it for me?" She asked to which James shrugged to this.
"Do I need a reason, you're with us now and you looked hungry." James said as if it was the simplest answer in the world. "Besides I didn't know what you'd want and just got what we would get Pym." James said as the boy in question was waiting anxiously for their food.
(Later)
"Here you go." The man said as he served everyone their plate with Raphtalia wide eyed and smiling to it.
"Well dig in." James said as Raphtalia was all but wagging her tail now.
"It's all for me?" She asked when she heard this.
"Unless there's another girl named Raphtalia here then yea it for you." Francis said as Morgan chuckled a bit just as Pym was seen taking the greens out of his food.
Seeing him doing this the Asgardian opted to step in on the shrinking boy. "Pym." Torunn scolded as she looked to Pym.
"Come on I hate veggies." Pym said as he then pouted.
"Either eat them with your food or eat them by themselves your pick." Torunn said and thus Pym scowled and ate it with his food.
"Fine." Pym said before eating them with a scowl.
Rapthalia nodded and thus started to eat as well. Once she got the first bite in she began inhaling her food as the others each began to eat. "This is nice seriously this is nice guys." Azari said as he swore James was becoming like Tony was for them.
Just then with how fast she was eating Raphtalia had something in her throat and thus Torunn acted fast. "Here drink this." Torunn said and thus Raphtalia grabbed the cup with both hands and drank allowing the food to flow down her throat easier. "Eat a little slower so that doesn't happen again." Torunn said as Raphtalia nodded to the Asgardian.
"So how's the food?" Cody asked form his spot on the table. She then nodded with a smile to show she was enjoying the food while her mouth was full.
"Want my green?" Pym asked and thus everyone heard him.
"PYM!" They all scolded to which Pym lowered his head and kept eating his food.
(Scene Break later that day)
The group were seen gathered around a campfire after a long day of training together. The Demihuman girl's level had gone up to 3 from what they saw as she ate the fish Hawkeye caught and cooked with Azari. James had a few new shields active from both fighting Balloons and gathering materials. During the training Torunn helped Raphtalia big time since she was most used to utilizing a sword in combat and the young demi human made huge strides in this path.
"Hey guys seems I have a blending ability now." James said as he looked to the others.
"Neat that will be handy to have." Morgan said with a smile on her face.
Just then Raphtalia had a question to ask and thus looked to James and the others. "Um excuse me." Raphtalia began as she looked to the group. "Who are you and who are you really?" She asked and thus James looked to them.
"We're heroes I'm the Shield Hero." James said as he looked to the girl who was then shocked by this.
"Wait do you mean... the Four Cardinal Heroes?" Raphtalia asked shocked to hear this.
"Yeah. But we're not exactly with them. We're the Avengers." James clarified to which Raphtalia was still on the fact she was with the Shield Hero of all people. She remembered how her parents would tell her stories of the Shield Hero who was an alley to all Demi humans across the continent. James opted to try his hand on melding but as he did so Raphtalia had to ask.
"Um... Avengers sir?" Raphtalia asked to which Morgan spoke up.
"Basically put we're a group of the mightiest of heroes who came together to fight the battles no single one of us ever could. Brought together to become something more for the day we were ever needed." Morgan explained as she looked to the girls.
"We avenge the people who had been wronged by injustices and evil." Torunn explained as she tended to her sword.
"We fight the good fight never asking for a reward only doing it because it's the right thing to do." James finished off as Cody nodded to her.
"You all are..." Raphtalia trailed of as she was in the presence of what might be true heroes. "Please what do I call you!?" She asked to which James smiled a bit.
"James." James began and thus the introductions began.
"Torunn Daughter of Thor."
"Francis Barton but everyone calls me Hawkeye." Francis said as he was sharpening up one of his arrows.
"Henry Pym Hr... Just called me Pym." Pym did his introduction his own way.
"Azari T'challa."
"Cody."
"Morgan Stark."
But before Raphtalia could speak she began to cough causing James to finish up on something. "Here drink this." James said passing over a leaf cup to Raphtalia. "Don't worry Raphtalia this is just medicine I blended it will cure light colds." James confirmed as Raphtalia looked nervous to this. : Don't worry its good for you." James promised and thus Raphtalia nodded and began to drink it. But when she did she spat it out much to everyone's expectations.
"It's so bitter." She gagged and thus James was calm about this.
"So what it's good for you and it will help, trust me." James said as he honestly wanted to help her get better.
"Um ok." Raphtalia said and thus looked to it.
"Ok pinch your nose and down it to make it go down." Morgan said and thus Raphtalia saw what Morgan meant and did so. When she did her entire body shivered at the bitterness of the medicine which caused a small laugh from them.
"Great we got another kid among us." Francis said from his spot as Pym glared.
"Hey!" Pym called out as he was the first kid who was with them.
(Scene Break that Night)
The Avengers were scattered around the camp either resting or keeping watch. Morgan was keeping an eye on the fire while James was working on blending more medicine together. "So I guess we're taking in strays from now on." Morgan joked as James looked to her.
"Hey it was your idea, Morgan." James countered as Morgan chuckled a bit.
"Yeah well one of us would have done it, just be glad it was me." Morgan said as she'd rather win her then buy a slave.
"Yeah thanks for that." James said knowing Morgan could gamble with the best of them.
"Well at least our walking bug zapper is sleeping soundly." Morgan said and nearby they saw Azari asleep and as he snored a bit his markings from his power glowed in rhythm to his breathing. A bug flew at him and when it did it went off like a bug zapper and killed it. Pym was drooling nearby while in a sleeping bag as the others were also in sleeping bags.
"Yeah." James said as he then noticed how Raphtalia was tossing and turning nearby. Just then Raphtalia shot up screaming while reaching out as if grabbing someone causing the entire camp to wake up.
Their dead! Their dead." She cried out as she was having a night terror.
"Hey what's wrong?" James called out as everyone started to gather around to help Raphtalia. "Just calm down." James said trying to help Raphtalia as best he could. "Everything's ok." James said as he began to hug Raphtalia.
"They're gone my mother my father they're both gone." she cried out as James hugged Raphtalia close as he looked sad as well.
"It's ok." James said rubbing her back to help sooth her. "I know what it's like." James said finally as Raphtalia began to finally calm down. "We all do... the hurt never leaves but if you can endure it then it will be alright." James promised as he held the girl close while the others stood nearby in case they were needed as well.
(Scene Break the next day in town)
"Hmm." The man who owns the drug store said as he looked over the medicine James had made as on the counter were two basket. One basket had herbs and the other had medicine in them. "Very impressive if I do say so myself. Are you well versed in making medicine Sir Hero?" The old shop owner said as he looked to James.
"Actually yesterday was my first try." James admitted as he looked to the old man.
"Really?" He asked surprised to hear this.
"So which is more profitable selling herbs or medicine?" Morgan asked taking charge in this.
"Due to the waves impact medicine has been flying off the shelves lately so rather than herbs I'd pay more for your friend's medicine." The old man said to Morgan who nodded to this.
"I see." Morgan said as she could see how they could use this to fill their wallets up. Her eyes then went to the shelves where she saw an old chemistry set of sorts before she looked to James getting an idea.
"In total this is worth four silvers." The old man said and thus Morgan had an idea.
Morgan then looked to the old man before she began to speak. "Listen you wouldn't happen to have any tools you don't use?" Morgan asked as they all saw she had an idea.
(Outside)
Pym and Raphtalia sat outside together as they saw a group of kids outside playing. With them were Cody, Azari, and Torunn who were standing about or leaning on the wall. Pym and Raphtalia looked out to the kids who were playing with a ball.
"Hey guys!" James greeted as he and Morgan came out and saw the youngest members looking to the kids with a ball. "Hey Pym, Raphtalia." James began getting their attention as Raphtalia's ears twitched in response. "Would guys like a ball like that?" James asked as he looked to the two.
"Yes/no!" Pym and Raphtalia said at the same time causing them to look at each other.
"Well at least one of you is being honest." Morgan said and thus they all agreed to spoil them a little.
(Later)
James held a ball out to the happy and shocked Pym and Raphtalia as they looked to the ball. "You guys can play without once we're done with work but you gotta share it got it?" James asked as Pym nodded to this.
"Got it no problem!" Pym called out as the two were still kids in the end.
"Of course!" Raphtalia said and thus they were in agreement on what to do.
(Scene Break Later that day)
The group were at an inn as James rung the bell to call someone for them. "I'm coming!" The man called out but then when he saw them stopped realizing who was in his in. "The Shield hero is here." He said surprised to see James and his party here.
"I'd like to rent two rooms for me and my party." James said as he looked to the man.
"This one tends to scream at night I hope it will not be a problem." Morgan said as she knew night terrors were no laughing matter.
When they got no response Torunn stepped up and showed her sword from under her cape. "You will let us stay will you not?" She asked as the sword sparked with thunder showing she was not playing.
"Yes of course I'll prepare the rooms at once!" He called out and ran off realizing Torunn had some power in her.
"Remember one for guys one for girls!" Morgan called out and the man heard her.
"Understood!" He called out causing James to sigh at them doing that.
"Sorry we have to do this James but right now survival is important, it's not that different from the things we've dealt with before." Morgan said knowing James didn't like doing things like this. She then directed her attention over to Raphtalia and then had an idea. "Hey Raccoon girl." Morgan said getting Raphtalia's attention. "Do you like music?" Morgan asked hoping this may help her. Then then pressed another button on her watch and thus her bag then opened up to reveal built in speakers in this form.
*Insert Stand by Me by Florence and the Machines
(Start Montage)
The group in turn began to spend the next several days performing varying tasks that had need of them. First the scene showed the Avengers and Raphtalia in the village market to which James saw her eyeing some sweets. The result ended up being Pym and Raphtalia getting said treats for their own.
Following it up was Hawkeye giving Raphtalia a long overdue haircut to which the Demi-Human Girl greatly enjoyed by the end of it. She was clearly happy about it as the group was impressed with how good a job Hawkeye had done. Some were even wondering what other skills he had that none of them knew about.
AS they days went on the group were eating at an inn that Torunn had gotten a day job at and was not at all happy about it. While she tried to play the whole happy to see you folk's routine her eyes was screaming to roar out but she let it be.
They were then scene in a library as Cody and Raphtalia was reading a book together Cody so he can learn the local language better and Raphtalia to help Cody out. The two shared a small laugh when they got to a funny part of the book they were reading as they were clearly growing close.
Next up was Azari treating a small bruise on Raphtalia's cheek as James provided the healing solution for it. It stung but it was to make her feel better and sometimes to heal a little pain was needed first.
They eventually came to a night as James was using the tools he got from the drug shop owner and was making some more medicine. As he did so he looked over to the sleeping form of Raphtalia and Pym both of which looked like siblings when sleeping. Pym was sprawled out and drooling showing he was having a good sleep. Pym was then seen getting up and heading to find a glass of water no doubt to quench his thirst.
When morning came Raphtalia was embarrassed that she wet the bed while Pym was defending that he was not the culprit since he crashed on the sofa not too far from the bed. Everyone listened to the two but when James raised his hand Raphtalia flinched. But instead of pain James put a comforting hand on her head to show that it was ok.
More events followed as Morgan and James sold more medicine to the shop owner while Morgan did most of the talking. They walked away with more coins in them as so far they managed to stay afloat thanks to this but there was no telling when and how that would change.
IT was then followed by the group once more at an inn this time Torunn wasn't working there as she was eating with the others. Here they looked more like a makeshift family eating, laughing, and just generally being a pain to each other in a good natured way.
*End OST
(End Montage)
(Scene Break Forest)
The group were now in the forest once more as Raphtalia was fighting against the Monsters as she swung her dagger at them left and right. Once the Balloons were taken care of James looked to Raphtalia with the others. "Ok I think we can go a little deeper into the forest now." James said as he figured now was a good as time as any to test themselves a little.
Just then a red icon appeared for James where rustling in the woods was seen. From it an odd looking rabbit came out and looked to them. "Ah it's adorable." Morgan said as she saw it.
Just then the rabbit jumped and went at Raphtalia. "Look out!" James called out and thus got his arm bit for it. "Raphtalia now's your chance kill it!" James called out as he looked to the Demihuman girl.
"I... I can't it'll bleed if I stab it." Raphtalia said as she was now scared. "I hate blood." She said showing her fear.
James in turn knew he had to get through to Raphtalia and thus hoped he had more of his father in him for this. "Raphtalia listen! There's a wave coming that can end everything, we have to get as strong as possible all of us or we're all dead. We're only strongest when we're together even when we're apart we're united because in the end monster or evil so long as one man or woman stands against evil then they are an Avenger and so long as there's one Avenger standing then evil will never win!" James said as he looked to Raphtalia. "I know you're scared because we've all been there and it's ok." James said looking to her knowing full well what she was going through. "If you can't fight that's fine when the Wave comes we'll hide you and come back once it's over but if you want to stand with us then we can't watch your back if you want to fight with us then you're an Avenger!" James said as Raphtalia looked fully understanding what James meant.
The others would have stepped in but it was evident that the son of Captain America wanted this Demihuman to grow strong. Thus she grabbed her short sword and proceeded to pick it up for battle. "If fighting for truth and justice makes one an Avenger." Raphtalia said as she got ready to fight. "Then... I'm an Avenger too!" She called out and attacked with her weapon raised. Seeing this James moved the rabbit in front of him and let Raphtalia stab it causing its blood to spew out while it cried out in pain.
Everyone was impressed that James words held truth. In the end he truly was the son of the First Avenger the son of Captain America. As the creature died it became clear to them all that this was reality and not a video game which meant there were very real consequences to their actions both good and bad.
"Congratulations kid." Morgan said as she then tapped each of Raphtalia's shoulders and then walked passed her. "You're an Avenger now." She said while walking away from Raphtalia who then began to smile in response.
"Welcome to the club kid." Hawkeye said as he passed by Raphtalia rustling her hair as James smiled happy to see Raphtalia willing to conquer her fear.
(Scene Break Erhard's shop)
Later that day after the Avengers had finished up training and leveling up they had gathered at the blacksmith shop as James dropped off a small pouch of coins onto the counter. "What kind of weapon can I get for that?" James asked as he looked to Erhard.
"Well the time has come to get the little miss a real sword then." Erhard said before he went to the side to get just the sword for her. "One on the short side is a good place to start." Erhard said while digging through a small box of used weapons. "Here's a nice little item a preowned iron short sword." Erhard said as the Avengers saw the weapon and knew the stronger stuff may cost them more coins.
"Hey listen sorry to jump in like this but with the equipment we have is there a village or town nearby we can travel to?" Azari asked as Morgan nodded to this.
"Yeah we need to start getting higher tiered stuff to spend and materials to make new things." Morgan said as Erhard understood the inventor's mindset on this.
"Well with your combined numbers and skills I'd say just about anywhere. But with her and how things are for you lot the only place that comes to mind would be a small village called Lute." Erhard said and thus Morgan heard this.
"Well then looks like we know where to go." Cody said as he knew Skaar wanted to get out of this village fast.
"Road trip!" Pym called out in a small cheer ready to head out.
(Scene Break Village of Lute)
The Journey to Lute was not a long one but in the end they arrive in one piece. James and Morgan were with Raphtalia as a meager merchant on the side of the road was looking over the rabbit pelt they got. "How much?" James asked as he looked to the man with some hope.
"I'd say... about two silvers give or take a copper." He said and thus James heard this and sighed.
"I see." James sighed but Morgan had objections.
"Hey know any places around here where someone can make a lot of money fast?" Morgan asked as she looked to the man who began to think it over.
"Well now that you mention it." He began looking to where the mines were located. "The ore coming out of the mines outside the walls should fetch decent amount but..." The man trailed off and thus James had to ask.
"But what? Is there a catch?" James asked with concern over this.
The man then looked to James with concern. "Ever since the first wave came it's become home to a bunch of dangerous monsters. These days nobody wants to go anywhere near that place." The man said as Morgan heard this.
"Monsters huh?" Morgan smirked as she had an idea.
"I don't know what our summoned heroes are doing but if you ask me it isn't much." The man scoffed as he saw the stooges for what they were a trio of absolute idiots.
(Later)
The group had arrived outside the Mine entrance as they grabbed whatever tools they could get. In James case he scanned a Rope and saw that it gave him a Rope Shield. But it also came with a new skill and thus James opted to try it out. "Airstrike Shield!" James invoked and to his shock a green energy shield appeared before him. He was surprised for a moment before looking between the two shields.
"Is something wrong sir?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to James.
"It's nothing let's go ok." James said and thus they were all off.
(In the Mines)
James held a torch in his hand while Raphtalia held a pickaxe. Nearby Azari used his marks to light the way as Pym stayed small to be a floating lightbulb.
"So will we need Skaar if possible?" Cody asked as knew Skaar was itching to come out.
"Skaar?" Raphtalia asked as she never heard or met anything called Skaar.
"Oh right you haven't let him out since..." Morgan said as she then looked to Raphtalia and then back to Cody. "Um Raphtalia where you ever in a cage in Melromarc recently like in a tent area?" Morgan asked as she got worried for this.
"Yes I was so tired and weak I didn't know what was happening at times, all I know was that some giant plowed through and destroyed the entire shop." Raphtalia said revealing she had NOT seen Skaar during his rampage.
Thank God for small miracles she hadn't seen Skaar so if he has to come out she'll probably freak out. "Hey guys look." Azari spoke as he let the light from his body dull as they saw a light at the tunnels end.
Eventually they arrived at a big cavern with light filtering in and crystals all providing natural light and that's not even factoring in the stream of water. "Think this is it?" Pym joked as he saw the cavern that was clearly their target location.
"Come on let's get to work." James said taking a pickaxe ready to start mining.
"Alright people grab a pickaxe and get to work we're not being paid to stand around." Morgan said as she got ready to work as well.
Thus the Avengers minus Cody, Pym, and Raphtalia began to mine as they went about retrieving what they could. As they hit the crystal they were careful as to avoid breaking it more then was needed. "At this rate we should have enough to keep us afloat for a while." Cody said as he oversaw the task.
Just then the younger members looked and saw something on the ground. "Footprints?" Raphtalia asked as she looked to them.
"Looks like for a dog." Pym said as he shrunk down for a better look.
Just then Azari was about to hit the ore again when his senses picked up on something. "Guys we got company!" Azari called out taking a battle stance. Everyone looked and saw what Azari meant. Raphtalia began to panic as she looked and saw something appear from the cave. It was big, angry, and hungry as its glowing red eyes glared upon them.
"Scatter!" James called out and thus he ran over to Raphtalia and grabbed her just as the monster pounced.
Torunn and Morgan, now in her armor, got out of the way and began to fly while Pym flew upward. Nearby Azari jumped away while Cody and Hawkeye ducked and cover. As James jumped off the edge when he saved Raphtalia he used the Rope Shield to lasso onto the rock to keep from falling. James used the momentum to swing back upward and was on another ledge but still within reach of the monster. "Raphtalia are you ok?" James asked as he looked to her.
"Dog... Dog Monster killed all the villagers even my mother and father." She gasped as she was clearly scared now. James looked to the monster and then back at Raphtalia.
"Is that the same monster that killed your parents?" James asked worried if she could do what came next.
"No." She admitted and thus Cody came in from his spot.
"But it's of a similar species right?" Cody asked and thus the Demihuman girl nodded to him.
"This is it then." James said as he took a battle stance. "Raphtalia you need to bury this demon so you can find the strength to stop this tragedy from happening again." James said as he glared at the monster. "My friends and I... we all lost our parents to a monster the same monster that we defeated years later." James said as he looked to the now surprised and shocked girl. "You need to live on and prevent other kids from going through what you did, you owe it to your parents you ARE THEIR LEGACY!" James called out as he looked to Raphtalia.
"You're an Avenger now Raphtalia and your job is to protect others and avenge the wrongs done to them by evil and injustice." James said before granting one last bit of hope to her. "I have faith in you." James said and thus they went at it. "Avengers Assemble!" James called out and thus they all charged into battle. James blocked an attack from the monster while Hawkeye fired an arrow at it. Nearby Cody kept a visage for an opening while Azari jumped in and stabbed at it with his gauntlets. The Monster roared out and forced them all back before biting down on James' shoulder drawing blood.
"James!" Pym called out and flew into battle. HE flew around the monsters head and proceeded to fire his stingers at it forcing it to release James. Once that was done Torunn roared out and slashed at the monster with her sword while Morgan fired her repulsers at it.
"Torunn hit me!" Morgan called out and thus Torunn sent a powerful bolt at Morgan charging up her armor.
She saw on her hub that her armor was now at 400% power to which she then fired it off at the Monster blasting it back. It then roared out showing it was stubborn. It charged in and attacked forcing Morgan and Torunn to get out of the way. James seeing they were struggling with this looked over to Cody knew what needed to be done. "Cody get Raphtalia out of here now!" James called out surprising the duo.
"What?!" Cody cried out shocked to hear this.
"We'll buy you some time to escape just do it?" James called out as he wasn't going to let any of them die this day.
"What but James!" Cody called out but James looked to the two.
"We'll be right behind you just go!" James urged but Raphtalia was wide eyed by this.
"No we won't abandon you we're friends... we're family!" Cody called out and thus knew what he had to do and right now Skaar agreed. "Raphtalia what your about to see don't panic." Cody said as he then saw the two headed monster blast the heroes.
"Dammit this stupid dog won't die!" Torunn yelled while glaring at it wondering if Fenrir was in anyway the same.
Once the monster was free in response Cody roared out and charged straight at it letting the transformation begin. The Monster roared out and when it swung its body it hit Cody so hard he flew and hit the nearby wall and fell down seemingly dead. "CODY!" Raphtalia cried out in horror when she saw Cody get hurt. The Monster looked at Cody and gave him an odd look and sniffed him wondering where he came from. The two heads looked at each other before shrugging and going after the group Raphtalia was ready blade in hand for what may be the end.
But before it could do so something grabbed it from behind and pulled it back. As the monster was dragged away it was swung across the cave where it ended up hitting the wall. Cody's vest was being removed as it was now just torn and useless but the pants and sandals remained. The being who now stood where Cody fell was large with bulging muscles as it had a combination of grey/green skin. On his back was the same sword Cody carried around but never used as it was now clear on why.
The large being roared at the monster showing nothing but pure rage and contempt against it. The Monster then roared back and attacked only for the new arrival to stop its chomp on him before pushing it back with brute force alone. "Alright Skaar!" Hawkeye called out as Raphtalia was surprised by this.
"Wai that's Skaar?!" She asked shocked to see this but noticed something else. "Btu where is Cody?" She asked and in turn James spoke up.
"Inside Skaar. Skaar and Cody share a body with each other but their bond is symbiotic thanks to an unknown power Skaar had." James said as Skaar roared and attacked the monster.
"Skaar attack!" Skaar roared out and punched the monster before taking out his sword to attack. "Now Skaar slash!" He called out and was giving the monster what for.
"Skaar!" Cody called out from within Skaar.
"Cody ok?" Skaar asked worried for his friend.
"I'll be fine don't kill it restrain it!" Cody said as Skaar didn't like this.
"But monster!" Skaar defended as he wanted to take this monster down.
"Just listen this is for Raphtalia for once don't smash." Cody said and thus Skaar sighed to this.
"Fine!" Skaar said and thus got to work. Skaar was a brawler as the Monster tried to fight off this foe. But it was clear he was not giving up without a fight. As the battle progressed Skaar stopped one head and used that same hand to punch the other one. Once he did so he flipped the entire beast over and smirked. SKAAR SMASH!" he roared and grabbed the monster before throwing it across the room.
The Monster then managed to get on its feet again only for Skaar to grab it from the back and hoist it up to present the target of the killing blow. "Raccoon girl now!" Skaar called out and thus Rapthalia saw the opening. She then charged at the monster and stabbed it in the chest. Hawkeye then rejoined the battle and shot arrows at one of the heads while Torunn decapitated the other head. Blood spewed out as with a final death roar the monster fell down dead.
Skaar roared at it but was met with no response and thus the area was clear. "Good job Raphtalia I'm so proud of you." James said smiling at Raphtalia. She then teared up remembering her own father and ran over to James and began hugging him for dear life. "Please don't leave me please I don't want any of you to die." She wept into James arms.
"We'll never do that do you Raphtalia we're family now aren't we?" James asked as he looked to the shocked Raphtalia.
"Family?" She asked shocked to hear this.
"Of course, Avengers are family and family never gets let behind." Skaar said as he walked in stretching his legs a bit. It was clear for all to see that this group had grown closer after their ordeal. But they were Avengers but more than that they were a family orphans they may be they still chose to fight the good fight for the sake of all. They were Avengers and thus they stuck together united and beyond that they stayed together as one team as one family. But only time will tell to show what's in store for them so fight on as one Avengers.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well here you go a new chapter that I hope you all leave a review for it. Now then until next time I will again say ja-ne.
