Chapter 13 The Great Blackwell Reunion
Penske
July 23rd, 2017
2:39 PM
USCC Oregon
Mediterranean Sea
"I have thousands of troops deployed in nearly every region, every continent, every country known to man saving billions of lives from this global warfare on my command," I said to Secretary Mattis.
After sending Cage and the rest of Valor Team along with additional troops to the said island of Meridian Prime, I spoke to the Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis of the United States who had come aboard for a fleet inspection. Lucky for us, Washington D.C hadn't been hit by ConDef and President Trump was safe and sound.
"If this Ares or ConDef gets any other bright ideas," I continued. "Make no mistake Secretary Mattis, this is the next World War and your armed forces are ready."
"The last order to DEFCON 3 was given by Secretary Rumsfeld over fifteen years ago," said Mattis.
"I know. I flew a patrol myself that day during my years in JSOC."
"How much do believe in this Ares story Commander Madsen speaks of? The Pentagon does not believe in fables."
"Fables are stories with happy endings, Secretary. Chances of this story having any of that are slim to none. That's how much I believe it."
"And how much faith are you putting in this Caulfield girl Madsen spoke of as well? I don't trust one bit a young adult like her would have the willingness to take this on."
"Do not underestimate her either, Mattis. She has my respect after nearly giving her life during the battle of Portland and she may have all the willingness in the world to do so again."
Max
July 23rd, 2017
2:41 PM
USCC Oregon
Mediterranean Sea
Chloe, Alex, and I took a helicopter over to the USCC Oregon with David and his team as well as the Lebanese POW named Dhaled with Captain Cage flying. Rachel and Frank took Bryan's place back over. They followed our bird back to the ship and we both landed next to the runway together. Once we were off the helicopter, we were greeted by Admiral Gavin Penske and the US Secretary of Defense on the flight deck. David shook hands with the admiral and secretary.
"Sir," said David gripping his hand with the admiral's and the secretary's after. "Secretary."
"Secretary Mattis? This is unexpected," said Cayce. "What invites you to the party?"
"Secretary Mattis has been sent here for a flight inspection," answered Penske. "President's orders. Where's Caulfield?"
"You won't have to look far, Admiral," said David.
I show my face to the admiral's and he smiles for a warm welcome.
"Maxine Caulfield, long time no see," he said.
"It's an honor, Admiral," I said. "We haven't seen eye-to-eye since Portland."
"Chrysalis will never forget what you did in Portland. And neither will our national security."
"President Trump sends his regards," said Mattis.
"President Trump?" I thought.
"When David and his step-daughter informed us of your potential endeavor," said Penske. "We didn't think twice before informing our superiors. But understand this, not everyone believes your Ares story, but everyone is indeed open to the fastest solutions to stopping this war that has already spread like a pandemic."
"You won't be disappointed, sir," I said. "There's so much I have to tell everyone assuming they'll buy my story."
"We've scheduled a debriefing in no less than two hours for your statement. I expect you'd be ready by then."
"Whoa, wait," said David. "Admiral, Max may be our newest advisor in this war but she has no experience with debriefings."
"This isn't a talent show, Commander. You vouched for Caulfield earlier and I expect the same from you during the debrief so everyone in CIC doesn't feel like they're sitting down for tall tales. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," replied David.
"Admiral, where are my fighters?" Dhaled asked. "I was told there were few who made it out of Beirut before it fell."
"Only a few, Colonel," said Penske. "They've checked in with the refugees along with civilians who made it out as well. I've even recruited your fighters to defend the fleet in their honor."
"Thank you. Beirut may be lost, but my cause in not."
Admiral Penske and Secretary Mattis left the flight deck and so did three of David's team who were Captain Cage, Sergeants Newblood and Logos, and Lieutenant Heard. Colonel Dhaled walked away with them also. We had the rest of us to talk to.
"Wow," said Alex. "President Trump sends his regards, huh? Cherish that."
"I'm sure the President is too busy building barbwire and sandbags around the White House than he is building walls between the boarders because of this war," said Chloe. "Cherish that indeed."
"Commander Madsen! Commander Madsen!" A woman's voice hollered over.
"Dr. Hendricks? What's going on?" David asked.
"What's going on is that I've made an extraordinary discovery," said the doctor named Hendricks. "Everything I've been studying about the Eternium and EJ's book had made me understand how this war started. It would be better if I explained it to you in my lab so I can show you everything."
"I guess I'll be taking another moment of your time."
"David, wait," I said. "Before you go, where are my parents? Are they still safe inside?"
"They're in the refugee deck if you want to see them," said David. "But I should warn you, they're not too pleased about this suicide journey you've taken upon yourself to go about."
"I know. And frankly, it was never my choice."
"With respect, Commander," said Alex. "It was I who brought her into this and she agreed to it. That goes for my dad too."
"Oh, and one more thing, David. Thank you for coming after us. We're grateful. You won't regret it."
David lightly smiled as an expression of "your welcome" and left with Kristine and Cayce with Dr. Hendricks. Then Bryan, Frank, and Rachel joined us for a conversation of theirs.
"Who were those guys you were just talking to?" Frank asked.
"Admiral Penske and the US Secretary of Defense," I answered. "Just about every political being knows about my involvement. Thanks to David and Chloe for pouring the beans. And no, not your beans."
"And what would the secretary be doing on a ship like this?" Rachel wondered.
"Just a simple flight inspection. President Trump sends his regards he says."
"Is Fernando doing alright?" Alex asked. "Where's him and Kristen?"
"They took Fernando to the refugee deck," said Bryan. "Kristen is taking good care of him there."
"Uncle Bryan," I said. "Should we discuss what we should have a long time ago?"
"First, I should see your father. Then I can keep my promise."
"By the way, Max," said Rachel. "You won't believe this, but I saw a lot of our old Blackwell friends on the refugee deck. Warren, Kate, Victoria, you name 'em."
"Are you serious?" I asked.
"This war has made a smaller world for each of us. You should stop by and say hello if you're up to it. I saw Steph down there too, Chloe. Being her same old self."
"Just when our minds were full enough already from this war," said Chloe.
I shake my head in disbelief. Guess our next stop was the refugee deck for an early high school reunion.
Chloe, Alex, Rachel, Frank, Bryan, and I stepped inside the Oregon and were escorted to the refugee deck by the crew. We went through security giving them our IDs and belongings before entering the deck with the other refugees. Once we were passed security, the place seemed crowded. We were all coming here expecting a shit hole but everyone on board seemed to be fed and sheltered.
Most of the refugees were families sheltered near bunks and triages. Provided with sleeping bags, lanterns, and vendors for food and drinks. This was rather the most decent and charitable refugee area I've ever seen compared to ones you see on internet articles. I even spotted an area where kids were occupied by a dude playing shadow puppets. Which is going to be the closest they'll get to a happier place in the middle of this war.
"Christ, look at all these people," said Alex. "While we were all wasting time doing something about this war compared to all these good citizens."
"Welcome to the reality of warfare, Alex," said Rachel. "The fact that Fernando broke a leg for us, we're just lucky he's in a safer place on this deck."
Then Kristen who was in the middle of the crowd spotted us as soon as we walked in.
"Max, Alex, there you are!" She called out through the crowd and ran to us. "Thank goodness you're all okay!"
"As you were, Kristen," I said. "Rachel told me Fernando's doing fine down here."
"He's been better if that's what you mean. He's by one of the bunks playing some stupid Marvel role-playing game with some girl named Steph and a couple of other dorks our age."
"You know who Steph is?" Chloe asked. "Where is she?"
"Max, I'm going to find you're parents and make an agreement with them," said Bryan. "You can waste time with your friends while I do that and I'll come to find you when we're ready to talk."
"Thanks, Bryan," I said. "I look forward to them yelling at me to death for the lies."
Rachel and Frank split from Alex, Chloe, and I to meet with Rachel's parents James and Rose who were taking refuge here as well. The three of us strolled across the refugee deck skimming through every aisle of bunks and triages set up for refugees. Our first set of refugees to meet was Kate and her family. Her sisters Lynn and Laura as well as her parents Richard and Mary. We stepped inside their aisle to say hi. Kate was playing cards with her siblings while their parents kept watching.
When Kate spotted me approaching with Chloe and Alex, her face lit up with happiness. The kind of face I was given when entering her hospital room four years ago. Her attention was soon followed by her sisters and her parents after them.
"Max? Chloe? Is that you!" Kate called. "It is you!"
Kate and I hug each other tightly. Embracing our reunion.
"It's good to see you again too, Kate," I said.
"What's up, Kate?" Chloe said. "Miss me, too?"
"I sure have," replied Kate.
"Mom! Dad! Look!" Lynn pointed. "It's her! The one who saved Kate!"
"So, you're Max," said Laura. "Kate talks a lot about you."
"Mom, Dad, this is Max," said Kate. "Max, these are parents and my sisters Lynn and Laura."
"Well, I'll be," said Mary. "It is her. The one who saved our eldest child."
"It's an honor, Mr. and Mrs. Marsh," I said.
"I'll say," said Richard. "We never had the chance to say we're forever in your debt for what you've done for Kate years ago at Blackwell, Ms. Caulfield."
"It wasn't easy, Mr. Marsh. I felt I was the only one who can do the impossible at the time."
"May the Lord bless you for your altruism, Max. I couldn't ask for more."
"Sounds like this family owes you a life debt," said Alex.
"Who's this?" Kate asked turning to Alex.
"Kate, this is Alex," I said. "My cousin."
"How do you do, Miss?" Alex asked.
"I never knew you had a cousin," said Kate. "Greetings."
"Max told me the whole roof story. Saw an article about it too. Sorry, that happened."
"So how did you all get here?" I asked. "And where were you rescued from."
"David and his team of soldiers found us hiding in our home under our cellar and Dad almost shot him trying to get in there," said Kate. "We were taken to the church in town are other people were gathered and then some…monster that burned our church down drove us away and we were all evacuated here on a helicopter with David's unit. He isn't the same man we knew at Blackwell. He may still be hot-headed at worst but courageous enough to save our lives at best."
"Sounds just like the David I know now compared to the one I knew then," said Chloe.
"Now how did you get here?" Kate asked. "Can't be a coincidence as well."
"How we got here is a complicated matter to honest," I answered. "The real reason I'm here is what David would call classified. Could we keep it at that?"
"I suppose so. It was lovely seeing you here. I hope you all stay safe."
"Likewise. We should go. I hear there are other people from Blackwell we knew before are here also."
"Take care, Max."
"You too, Kate. God bless you."
I thought for a second what Kate meant by a monster. Burning the church down. I was picturing what creature could be capable of that. Perhaps one I encountered back in Greece.
Before we could see any of our other former groupies, we see Rachel and Frank sitting down with James, Rose, and Joyce at another set of bunks. Joyce would like to see Chloe again safe from what we'd gone through on Meridian Prime. I guess it wouldn't hurt for me to see Joyce's face as well. We approach the three middle-aged parents with the two younger adults before them to say hello.
"Chloe, you're safe!" Joyce shouted with her face lit up with relief.
"Mom!" Chloe shouted back.
Joyce hugged her daughter thankful for her safety. She noticed me as well and was also thankful for her daughter-figure's safety.
"Max! You're safe too!" She said happily.
"In one piece, Joyce," I said. "In one piece."
"I'm not sure if you remember me, Joyce," said Alex. "But I'm Max's cousin, Alex. We last met eleven years ago back when Chloe's late dad was still around for that camping trip?"
"Oh, my word," said Joyce turning to Alex. "I do remember you, Alex. Bryan mentioned you when he came. You're a lot older than when we first met."
"And you, Mrs. Price haven't aged a bit. I like that. Still miss those Belgian Waffles, by the way."
"It's Mrs. Madsen now, Alex," said Chloe. "But thanks."
"I must say," said Rose. "The three of you look like you've been through a lot for someone to make it in one piece."
"I told my parents most of the story," said Rachel. "Not that they're one-hundred percent proud of my involvement, but they are proud I didn't get myself killed either."
"I'll say this much," said Frank. "There was a time when I saw Max as nothing else but a geeky ass hipster who almost killed me cold-blooded and I found it hilarious at first until I threatened her about seeing our faces again. Fast forward to today and I now call her a friend who's still geeky but also brave to risk her life for us in ways I never thought possible."
"Then I suppose we call it a team effort you all made it here safely," said James. "Which is twice I owe David's team effort for saving us all."
"Joyce, where are my parents," I asked. "Bryan said they were with you."
"Bryan just left with your parents minutes ago to speak privately about an agreement," replied Joyce. "I'm sure they'll be glad to see you're okay certainly."
"We were told to wait until they're done with that agreement. Until then, we have some other people we like to say hi to."
"Then you should spare no expense doing that then. I'm happy the two of you aren't one of the casualties of this catastrophe."
"I couldn't be any happier."
After the meeting with Joyce, we see Victoria the entire former Vortex Crew now known as the Berkeley Crew with her. Taylor, Courtney, Dana, Juliet, and Hayden were. All socializing with the Queen Bee. Only people missing were Zach and Logan who now attend college football for OSU. (Oregon State University) Another young male was sitting next to Victoria who I never recognized. Must be her boyfriend she sees.
As soon as Alex, Chloe, and I enter their bunks, Victoria sees me and drags the attention of her companions towards. Graced by our presence.
"Oh, my god," said Victoria. "Max Caulfield?! Is that you!"
"Holy shit, it is her!" Taylor shouted excitedly.
"Here we go," moaned Chloe.
Victoria and her gang all stood up in excitement as I smile gleefully with them. Celebrating this reunion while we still could.
"I can't believe it's her!" Dana shouted.
"I do not know what to say to you all," I scoffed happily. "Other than I'm graced by your presence!"
"Right back at ya, Super Max!" Hayden said out loud.
"That's my line," said Chloe.
"So, this is Max, hey?" The young man next to Victoria said. "Didn't think you were this popular with everyone as far as Victoria tells me."
"What's with the accent, Jon Snow?" Alex asked noticing the foreign accent from Victoria's lover. Which must be English. "Aren't you supposed to be the watcher on the wall?"
"One, my name's Freddy Mayne and not Jon Snow. Second, I'm Victoria's partner and not the Night's Watch. I've seen that show too."
"What are you all doing here?" Victoria wondered. "And who's this clone of yours you brought with Kari Price?"
"Chloe Price," corrected Chloe. "Just call me Kari one more time."
"Victoria, this is my cousin, Alex," I said. "Alex, meet Victoria, her boyfriend Freddy, and these are her friends, Taylor, Courtney, Hayden, Juliet, and Dana. We all go back from Blackwell as well."
"I see," said Alex. "And it's Victoria the one who called you out over the Dajarrian Process, called you a selfie hoe, and single-handedly started a school insurgency against Chrysalis during your trial?"
"First of all, that's 'Daguerreian' Process to you," said Victoria. "Second of all, when you put everything else you said that way, you sound just like Chloe and Max combined. And to think Chloe herself was Max's role-model."
"Thanks for not calling me Kari," said Chloe.
"Wow, Victoria," said Alex. "We've only known each other for no less than forty-five seconds and you've already gotten to know me so well. Consider yourself a psychic."
"Anyway, Victoria," I said. "Our reasons being here are classified as David says. Who I assume rescued you all just like Kate and her family?"
"You know it, Max," replied Victoria. "One moment, it seemed like it was all over for us back in Berkeley. The next we're rescued by Captain Cage, the man who shut down our school and David, the man who was once the chief of the Blackwell cops."
"Trust me, that was Skip's job," said Chloe. "Not David's."
"I heard Warren made it here too," I said. "Should I know where he is?"
"Warren is with Brooke playing Steph Gingrich's stupid board game," said Victoria. "They're right next door."
"Then I must say it's been a pleasure seeing you again. Au revoir and you're more than welcome to take another shot of me as I hold my hipster pose on the way out."
"And don't do muscle relaxers either when we're out," said Chloe with a wink.
Alex slid her thumb across her neck at Victoria before we left to see Warren.
"Those two haven't changed," admitted Victoria.
"And now, Apocalypse pulverizes Magneto," said Steph narrating the Marvel tabletop game. "Crushing him with this telekinesis and defeating Magneto once and for all!"
Steph was playing another tabletop game with Warren, Brooke, and Fernando. Where the big bad in the game was Apocalypse, Warren played as Magneto, Brooke played as Psylocke, and Fernando played as Wolverine.
"Oh, come on!" Warren whined. "First Ultron breaks Cap's shield, now Apocalypse overpowers Magneto?! Give me a break already!"
"Dude, Apocalypse was able to break Wolverine's claws," said Brooke. "He just overpowered all of us."
"I guess that means three mutants down for the count then," said Fernando. "But I still think Galactus can overpower Apocalypse."
"True, true," said Warren. "If only Ma…Ma-Ma-Max Caulfield!"
Warren was the first young Gentleman to notice Chloe, Alex, and I by the table they were playing at.
"Hey, you're not dead!" Fernando said loudly.
"Holy shit, it is you!" Brooke said loudly.
"In the flesh," I said.
"What are you all doing here?!" Warren asked excitedly. "You get yourselves mixed up into this war too?"
"We have as a matter of fact," said Chloe. "We wouldn't be standing here otherwise."
"Well, I never thought I'd see a face such as yours either, Chloe," said Steph. "Fancy seeing you here."
"Long time no see Steph. All the shit that has happened in this war and it brings us back together again."
"I hate to interrupt this high school reunion of yours but could I at least be properly introduced too?" Alex asked.
"Forgive my manners, Alex," I said. "Ladies and gents, this is my cousin Alex. Her and I go back from Seattle. Alex, meet Warren, Brooke, and Steph from Blackwell."
"Damn, I never thought of Max having a cousin," said Warren. "It's a pleasure to meet you then, Alex. You look just like Max. Only taller."
"I get that a lot," said Alex. "I've been told Max used to be your crush at Blackwell."
"Yes, she was and no she wasn't. Brooke here is my real partner now. And always will be."
"So how did you all get here?" I asked. "David rescue you all too just like Victoria and her friends and Kate and her family?"
"Max, you read our minds," said Warren. "Brooke and I were attending the MIT orientation in Cambridge and out of nowhere comes a ConDef mean team shooting everyone in the auditorium like nothing. And out of nowhere comes David in a Chrysalis uniform and his crew of rescue workers jump in and save the day. And out of nowhere, we meet Steph in the process too."
"If any of you are up for a Marvel tabletop game," said Steph. "Just say the word."
"A Marvel tabletop game, Steph?" Chloe thought. "Is it anything like Dungeons and Dragons?"
"Dungeons and Dragons with superheroes, of course. You up for it?"
"Hella yeah, old-timer. Max, you in?"
X/SQUARE/LM – PLAY MARVEL GAME
B/CIRCLE/RM – DON'T PLAY MARVEL GAME
"I might still have some time to kill before Bryan gets back," I said. "So, I guess I'm in."
"If Max is in, I'm in," said Alex.
"I think Brooke and I are gonna opt-out," said Warren. "You have enough players with Max, Chloe, and her big cousin Alex dropping in. You girls have fun now."
As soon as Warren and Brooke got off the table, the three of us sit down with Steph and Fernando who were still playing. I've never played a tabletop game before but I know Chloe does given her history with Steph. They could both show me how.
"How's your leg, Fernan?" Alex asked. "You still pissed at me this happened to you."
"Oh, please," said Fernando. "I was never pissed at you. There was nothing you coulda done about it. Let's just say it still hurts a little but has been better since."
"So, you're Steph Gingrich," I said. "You were Chloe's friend before I moved back to the bay."
"I know who you are, Max," said Steph. "I followed that trial of yours through the news. Chloe sends me emails too. Now, let the games begin. Who wants to play who?"
Steph had a bunch of playing characters to choose from. Magneto, Psylocke, Wolverine, Captain America, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Star-Lord for heroes. For villains to play against, there was Doctor Doom, Loki, Ultron, Apocalypse, Kang the Conqueror, and Thanos. Fernando decided to still play as Wolverine, Chloe chose Iron Man, Alex chose Star-Lord, and I chose Doctor Strange. For the villain we decided to go up against in our campaign, we chose Thanos. Then our game starts.
"Our heroes Iron Man, Star-Lord, Wolverine, and Doctor Strange are stranded on the remote planet of Titan," said Steph narrating. "The ruined homeworld of the mad titan Thanos. Who's race had been extinct for over a millennium because of insufficient resources that starved his people and stripped bare of his civilization. Since then, he had spent centuries of conquest in the cosmos hunting down the Infinity Stones to restore balance to the universe by exterminating half of all known life in it. Our heroes now come face to face with the mad titan himself. Carrying all Infinity Stones on his mighty Infinity Gauntlet."
"So, who goes first in this game and how are we supposed to win?" I asked
"If you'd like to go first, Max, you may. Just roll the dice and any number between five and ten will earn you enough points for an average charisma. Anything ten and up will get you high charisma. Anything below five will get you low charisma. Meaning the higher the charisma, the higher damage or persuasion you can do to your opponent. Land on a bonus and it'll grant you with a special ability to get you out of a dire scenario."
I take the first turn rolling the dice and it stops rolling on eight.
"Strange makes his best effort to reason with Thanos," said Steph. "But Thanos refuses to see the errors of his ways and attempts to strike down Strange. But little does Thanos know Strange was only stalling as the other heroes prepared to ambush him."
Chloe rolls the dice and lands on a nine.
"Iron Man flies downward onto Thanos. Holding a massive chunk of scrap than he crushes Thanos with. But Thanos blasts his way out of the scrap with the Power Stone from his gauntlet. The other heroes make their next move.
Alex roles the dice and lands on a seven.
"Star-Lord is the next hero to drop in and fires lasers out of his blasters as he flies around with his jetpack. Then drops an electrical trap on Thanos that restrains his left arm with a chain of lightning."
Fernando roles the dice and lands on a ten.
"Wolverine leaps onto Thanos and impales him with his razor-sharp claws. Stabbing him countless times bleeding him to death with sever stab wounds which are unfortunately not enough to yield the mad titan. As Thanos himself snares the angry mutant and pins him to the ground with his big purple hand."
It was my turn to roll the dice and I land on the number eleven.
"Jeez, Max," said Chloe. "That's only your second roll and it higher than ten!"
"Strange uses his portals for Wolverine to escape from Thanos's grasp," said Steph. "He also uses the portals for Wolverine to jump through while strikes Thanos with his claws until he impales Thanos again. Only this time using his claws to restrain him from his backside like keys to locks. Strange also uses his magic lasso to restrain Thanos's right arm."
"Nice one, Max," said Fernando. "But I would have used my claws to cut his head clean. Not restrain him."
Chloe takes her turn and roles on an eight.
"Iron Man takes Thanos right arm and does his best effort to remove the gauntlet off his hand. Star-Lord lands on the ground and questions Thanos what he had done to his lover Gamora. Thanos confesses he had to kill her to get the Soul Stone. Star-Lord is furious and starts hitting Thanos in the face. Someone must stop him."
Everyone one of us rolls the dice and make and try getting a high score to keep Thanos restrained and fail utterly as all of us land below five all of a sudden. Chloe lands on a four, Alex lands on a two, Fernando lands on a three, and I land on a one.
"What the fuck, a two?" Alex complains.
"Fuck you, a four?!" Chloe gripped.
"Wonderful, a one," said Fernando.
"All of our heroes lose their grip on Thanos thanks to Star Lord's anger," said Steph. "And are tossed around like plastic dolls failing to disarm him from his gauntlet. Thanos depowers Star-Lord and Wolverine with his Power Stone and are officially down for the count. It is now all up to Doctor Strange and Iron Man to defeat the mad titan once and for all."
Chloe and I are the only ones who can roll the dice now that Alex and Fernando are out of the game. Lucky for us, we both land on high enough numbers. Chloe land on twelve. I land on fifteen.
"Despite our heroes' failure to strip Thanos from his gauntlet," said Steph. "Strange and Iron Man prevail. Thanos shoots a blast of energy from his Power Stone but Strange shields himself with his mirror power. Iron Man shields himself with his nano shield. What Thanos does next is even worse. Thanos utilizes his Power Stone to break the moon of Titan apart causing a meteor shower to rain down on our heroes."
I roll the dice again to determine how Strange survives the incoming shower. I land on sixteen. Chloe rolls the dice to determine Iron Man's survival odds. She lands on eleven.
"Strange flies around with his Cloak of Levitation. Iron Man flies around with his jump boosters. So that they can both dodge the meteors plummeting the surface and exploding on impact and both barely survive the mass chaos Thanos causes. In one final effort to stop Thanos, Strange multiplies himself into multiple forms of himself with his magic and every one of Strange's forms surround Thanos mid-air, and they all whip out magic lassos that restrain Thanos's arms and attempt to rip him open limb from limb. Thanos hollers in agony but then combines the powers of the Power and Soul Stones to depower Strange, wear down his multiple forms, release him from his restraint, and place Strange down for the count. It's just Iron Man and Thanos now."
Chloe rolls the dice but lands on a devastating four.
"Iron Man equips his nano swords to battle Thanos but fails to deliver a blow when Thanos counters his attacks, pulls away his sword and stabs Iron Man in the abdomen. Deliver a blow to him instead. Iron Man shivers in pain and falls on the ground once Thanos pulls out the sword from his skin. 'You have my respect, Stark. When I'm done with you, only half of humanity will exist. I hope they remember you.' But there is still one last hope for victory. Which now rest in the hands of Strange."
We were likely all to lose this game but I roll the dice anyway for what it was worth and what it was worth was odds I thought wouldn't be in my favor in this game. I land on a bonus.
"A bonus!" I exclaimed.
"In dire need of a victory," continues Steph. "Doctor Strange calls out for the cosmic being known as the Living Tribunal. A celestial entity that oversees and maintains the balance in reality who Strange believes can save Iron Man."
Steph pulls out a figure of the Living Tribunal to add to the campaign. Then continues the narration.
"Strange freezes time and space to travel to the far reaches of the cosmos and finds the Living Tribunal isolated in the far reaches of the galaxy and speaks to the tribunal. 'Living Tribunal, I've come to bargain' says Strange. 'Why have you come here, outsider?' asks the Living Tribunal. 'No one has ever bargained with the Living Tribunal.' 'A great evil threatens to annihilate half of my universe. That evil is Thanos. Save my friend and we can stop this evil together.' The Tribunal agrees to Strange's bargain and gives Iron Man the life and strength needed to defeat Thanos with the life essence given by the Tribunal himself. Thanos sees Iron Man still has life left in him to fight on. Thanos says 'Let your death be the final word in the story of the Avengers!'"
It was time for Chloe to finish Thanos with one last roll of the dice. Landing on the highest number of them all.
"Twenty!" She exclaimed.
"Iron Man leaps onto Thanos's gauntlet attempting to pull it out from him again but fails again. Thanos says 'A puny mortal in an iron suit is no match for the power of Thanos! I am…inevitable!' Thanos snaps his finger with the gauntlet but nothing happens. Only a click is heard and Thanos see that all the Infinity Stones are gone. Which are all now in the hands of the Iron Man. The Infinity Stones attached themselves to Iron Man's armored glove just like the gauntlet. The stones all power up in his suit as the armored Avenger himself says his last words. 'And I…am…Iron Man!' The Iron Man snaps his finger and the power of the stones turns Thanos into dust. Defeating the Mad Titan once and for all. But the cost was too great. The polarity of the stones kills Iron Man in the ultimate sacrifice to kill Thanos. Our other heroes Star-Lord, Wolverine, and Doctor Strange mourn the fallen Avenger. But at last, the universe is now safe and sound in the aftermath of the great battle on Titan. The end."
"Wow, you two were awesome at this," said Fernando. "You've beaten Warren and Brooke's record by a million!"
"A million, Fernan?" Alex thought.
"Well, not a million but as the people in Mexico would say, 'Una verdadera victoria!'"
"A real victory? Sure. I wonder if this kind of superhero fight is gonna be just like when we encounter…you know who again."
"And why would you say a thing like that, Alex?" I asked her.
"And why wouldn't I? We've both seen what those psychos are capable of. They had me restrained to a table with needles floating around me to torture me and almost turned me into Hellraiser, they mind mind-probed Fernando like Kylo Ren, and they had Hephaestus chase you across the New Exodus colony like the Incredible Hulk."
"Max and Alex," said Bryan from behind us. "It's time."
I turn back to Alex worriedly. Not sure if I was ready to see my parents again or not but it was now or never. Bryan also still had a promise to keep to us. More importantly to me.
"You ready for this?" I asked my cousin.
"I guess we're doing this," she replied. "I think our time is overdue."
"Bryan, can Chloe come for our talk?" I asked my uncle. "I'd like her to hear the story too so I don't have to explain it myself."
"Why would I want to come?" Chloe thought. "It's about my thing with…you know what is why."
"If that's her choice, Max," said Bryan. "She may."
"I'll come," said Chloe. "Thanks for the game Steph. Say hi to Mikey and Drew for me."
"Anytime, Chloe," said Steph. "It's been a pleasure."
Note: I hope you're getting cozy in quarantine from this worldwide pandemic but at least now there's hope we can go outdoors again with any restrictions and precautions necessary as places are only gradually reopening. At least I'll have stuff to do in this age of social distancing such as writing this story. We'll all get through this virus together and we'll all find a way to fight it and stop it together.
I also like to say that my spring college semester is over and I'll be writing more now while I still can. The next chapter is one of those chapters I've been waiting to write for a long time and you'll understand why soon.
Until next time, stay tuned, stay safe, and stay golden!