Sass
"Okay, you are upset. I get it. But that is enough."
Kate Bishop's word was calm, but also cold as the golden skinned woman was about to berate her yet again. There was a small crowd of beings surrounding her and the Magos now, some staring at the pair in fascination, others holding weapons. Everyone drew in a sudden, horrified breath as Kate stood up straight and faced the irate Orokin.
"We did not choose to come here." Kate kept her voice calm by sheer force of will. The girl waved at the Magos who was surrounded by golden energy. "She did not choose to come with me. She was sent. Yes, we are trespassing. Yes, we understand that this place has young non-combatants in it. Do you think Lorinos or Elizabeth give a damn about that?" She demanded and then continued when Brianna Executor looked poleaxed. "I don't know what your problem is, Lady, but you need to calm down."
"Calm!?" The golden woman seemed to swell as Kate met her eyes. "You-"
Stop. The word was not aloud, not was it in people's mind. It was clearly audible though as a blue form hovered into view. It had long, spindly arms and a central core that puled with blue energy. Brianna Executor, stop. They are not hostile. They are just as as confused and worried as we are. The 'thing' hovered until it was between the golden woman and Kate Bishop who eyed it warily. Neither of its appendages rose, but it was clearly blocking the path between between Kate and the golden woman. Kate Bishop. Magos Biologis Metrodora Thelema. I am Tanah. In any other time, you might be welcome, but not here and now.
"I didn't plan any of this." Kate said sharply when the golden woman opened her mouth again. "I don't know what is going on here and the last thing either of us want is a battle in a hospital for gods-sake! If I could leave, I would!"
Kate Bishop, shut up! Came from the blue metal being and everyone stared as Kate's face turned red. She opened her mouth again, but he beat her to the punch again. I know who and what you are. I know who and what the Magos is. No one else here likely will. You will not engage in your customary pre-battle conversations here. Am I understood?
"Look, Tanah, whoever the hell or whatever the hell you are! I have no idea what I am supposed to do here or why." Kate was on a roll and everyone looked bemused as she turned on Tanah.
Do you want to know or do you just want to antagonize people? The blue metal form asked, more than a bit snide. I know it is what you do, Kate Bishop, but still… Geez, girl! Making Brianna Executor lose her temper is almost as bad as making Doctor Doom lose his!
Kate went utterly still at that. Near the beginning of this mess, she had seen Victor Von Doom, the despot of Latveria. He hadn't been acting as she had expected him to. Did this one…? She went utterly still as the energy that made up the middle of the metal form flashed just a little. Sort of a wink?
Brianna Executor, I will take responsibility for our guests. Tanah said formally to the golden skinned woman who seemed as flabbergasted as Kate felt. I know what is happening and why. Maybe I can keep it from harming the tower or the children. At the very least, I can draw whatever happens away. Please? He all but begged.
"It is always something with you, isn't it, Tanah?" Brianna Executor wilted, her face losing its fearsome cast and a tired, heartsick woman peered out of her eyes. "I expect to be kept informed." That was an order.
I will. The blue form replied and then Kate, felt energy grab her and lift her. She struggled, but it was to no avail. It was like trying to arm wrestle Hercules or Wonder Man. It didn't work! Even as she growled her displeasure, she felt the energy release her and she was standing in a large room that mirrored the one she had just been in, but this one only had her, the Magos and the blue metal being in it. Tanah spun in mid-air and seemed to scrutinize Kate. If you have recovered your sass, then you are better. Good. You will need it.
"What?" Kate demanded. "What the hell is going on?"
You were catatonic when I saw you last. The metal form said quietly. Natah was not a healer, but she did quite well. The shifts between realities are normally fatal for humankind and it took a great deal of effort to heal you from damage you took in your first jump.
"The… first… What?" Kate sputtered, but the Magos laid a hand on her arm and Kate paused.
"You should have died." The Magos said softly. "What little I sensed in my own transit, if you were not prepared for such or protected from such energies then you should not have survived."
She wasn't prepared but she was found quickly and brought to me for aid. I did. She had help after her first slip. Tanah replied. I am not your enemy, Kate Bishop. Please? Calm down?
"I know what I have to do!" Kate said quickly. "I know what-" She broke off as Tanah flashed brightly. "Hey!"
Do you? There are at least five different players in this, Kate Bishop. The hovering metal form was calm, but readiness sang in his tone. All are pulling you in different directions. Elizabeth and Lorinos both want you to kill her but for vastly different reasons. Elizabeth's siblings want you to save her like she has worked so hard to save them on occasion. And then there are the wardens and the Bladeborn, neither of whom trust the other. I am probably missing a couple of manipulators, but those are the major players. At least I can keep Jesse from getting into this. That would really mess things up.
"So many forces. All arrayed against the others?" The Magos inquired. "A five or more way conflict?'
Lorinos Orokin and Elizabeth are in conflict across multiple realities. Tanah replied. The wardens and Bladeborn are pushing and pulling, trying to maintain order and balance between the realities but they cannot work together. There is too much anger between them for trust to develop. Elizabeth's siblings are the wild card here. They want to save her and will do anything to save her.
"They can't." Kate said slowly.
I know that. You know that. They know that, but they refuse to accept it. Tanah was sad now. I never met the Empress in this timeline and the more I learn? The happier I am about that. Natah said that her friend always had plans within plans and plots within plots. What has happened to you seems like one of her plans, convoluted to the point of making even a synthetic brain hurt. Efficient, effective and brutal were apparently her watch words.
"So I have heard." Kate snapped. "I can do it!"
Shooting Elizabeth with an arrow tipped with Fulgurite will kill her. Tanah replied and both Kate and the Magos went utterly still. Neither had spoke of that. Or did you think I know nothing of the reality that the Magos originated from? Tanah had a firm grasp of sarcasm it seemed!
The Magos spoke again, but this time in a language Kate did not know. Tanah replied in the same language and the Magos went utterly still. Back and forth it went as Kate tapped her foot in annoyance. Finally Tanah spoke in a language Kate did know.
I cannot help you, Magos. I am seeking my own way. Was the metal being sad? I have done far worse than you did for far longer and there can be no absolution for such as me. Only whatever I can do to atone. Asking that in such a way was rude to Kate Bishop, Magos.
"I know." The red robed woman said with a sigh. "I apologize, Kate Bishop. This is outside of my experiences."
"Mine too." Kate allowed and unbent a little. "I don't want to kill her but that may be the only choice, no?"
More than likely, yes and it has to be in this reality. Tanah said firmly and both females stared at the metal form. Balances have been upset and must be reset. She died here, but her energy was taken and warped by that fool. He tried to control something that cannot be controlled. He had neither the patience nor the ability to control her. She expected his attempt to kill her and it didn't.
"So…" Kate shook her head. "I don't understand."
It would take many hours to explain what happened and why in full detail. We do not have time and I do not have all the details even now. Tanah was grim now. Suffice it to say, the fool had no idea what he was doing. He wanted a very powerful energy source and was denied that by the sacrifice of the old Grandmaster of the Dead. Then he wanted Elizabeth as his slave and he had no idea what he was trying to control. She broke free and he was denied any prize that time by her sister and the new Grandmaster of the Dead. She was confined, for her own safety and everyone else's. When she got free of her confinement, Elizabeth attacked Lorinos across the realities and he has been fighting her off ever since. They are evenly matched in many ways. He has had time to develop allies in many places. She already had allies in many places and she is far more dangerous in person than he could ever hope to be. He is losing, but he is dangerous in his desperation.
"Hence me." Kate said softly. Tanah made noise of agreement and she continued. "I used tech that I had no idea how to use and it made me unstick from my reality. What happened to me? I lost consciousness in the just after a battle."
When you fell, you would have kept falling forever but Natah found you as you fell and brought you to me for healing. Tanah was resigned now. I don't know how she found you or why, but she did. Moments after that, Elizabeth and Lorinos both found out about you and started to plan on how to use you against the other. They were both stymied when I sent you back to your own reality but then Elizabeth's siblings took matters into their own hands, paws, appendages, whatever and kidnapped you for their own use. That was sour.
"I volunteered." Kate said weakly. "I wanted to help her!"
They kidnapped you. There is no other word for it. They pulled you out of your reality without so much as a 'by your leave'. They were not rough and they put their request in terms that resonated with you as an Avenger. Tanah said softly. Of course you wanted to help! You are a hero! It is what you do! They knew how to manipulate you. How to make you want to help them of your own free will. No brainwashing needed except to hide where you got the weapon. You wanted to help. The last was kind instead of sour and Kate swallowed hard.
"I… I do." Kate said slowly. "Is that wrong of me?" She demanded, halfway to angry.
"We are not in your reality, girl!" The Magos spoke up, her own tone halfway between calming and chiding. "Your rules may or may not apply any more than my world's do."
Helping people is not in and of itself a bad thing, Kate Bishop. Tanah seemed to settle easily into 'lecture mode'. Helping others is a core tenet of what I believe, but you always have to be aware of what is going on around you. Of consequence. The power to do things alone is not a reason to do them. Kate made a noise of confusion and Tanah tried again. Tell me, is Tony Stark from your world a hero?
"He tries to be." Kate was pushed into instant defense of her teammate.
And when he is drunk? Tanah was relentless.
"He is better!" Kate protested.
Considering how many weapons are built into his armor, he better be. Tanah said firmly. It is against the law to drive a ground vehicle of any kind while intoxicated in most places that have any rules at all. Do you have any idea how many laws he breaks flying and fighting as an Avenger while drunk? Do you know how much collateral damage he has caused because he couldn't see his targets due to inebriation?
"Yes." Kate was sad now. "Yes, I do. But it is not the same. I am not drunk!"
You are also not thinking clearly. Tanah retorted. Antagonizing a scared Orokin in the middle of her power is a bad idea! She wouldn't likely kill you, but she can and will hurt you if you endanger any of her people or guests. Lorinos and Elizabeth both have eyes in this tower. They are coming and the last thing that anyone here wants is a pitched battle between those two in here with a bunch of sick kids in the crossfire!
"Then send us somewhere else!" Kate had paled. "Anywhere!"
I tried. I can't. Tanah admitted softly. Brianna tried. She can't. I have Jesse trying to figure out what is blocking us and I have moved us to the most remote portion of the Tower. I called for help from many people I know, but I have not received a response yet. I may not. Certainly not in time.
"Wait…" The Magos said slowly. "You just moved us."
Within the tower. Tanah was grim now. I tried to shift you to the outside, to a remote location and I could not.
"So whatever will happen, is going to happen here." Kate said softly shivering slightly. "Why here?"
This was Lorinos' secret base for a very long time after he wrested control of it from the previous owner. Tanah replied, energy flaring from the metal form's housing. Many horrors were done here. Many lives snuffed out in the name of power and greed. Brianna Executor took control from him, but he had to have built in safeguards. Back doors. Traps.
"Okay. We have a very powerful enemy on the way and his opponent will come." The Magos said in a quiet voice. "Do we have allies?"
Most of the Tenno in this time and place are confused by events that have transpired. Tanah heaved an all too human sigh. And even if they could? Fighting an Orokin on ground he chooses is a bad idea. The Tenno will pick their time and target. As to whether they can win? No one knows.
"So, we stand alone." Kate said softly. "I need a bow."
A flash of golden energy and a rack of weapon appeared nearby, The same one Kate had seen on her first stop! The golden bow hanging there called to her as it had before but the Magos was right there even as Kate took a step forward. This time there was music, beautiful music! She was losing herself in the music. It was so beautiful and it resonated so strongly inside her. She had to pick it up. Test its draw. Hold it close. Use it!
"NO!" The Magos all but screamed that as Kate reached for the bow, grabbing the girl with both hands. "She is not your toy!"
Something stung Kate's arm and she cried out as the music faded from her mind. The bow hung there in the rack, glistening, beautiful, but silent now.
"I…" Kate was gasping for breath as the Magos pulled her away from the rack. "What-?"
"That is a trap. One meant to corrupt you. Someone was trying to take control of you." The Magos snarled, afar cry from her normal clinical kindness. "And this one would have let it happen." That was to Tanah who hadn't moved.
Anything I do will cause far more problems than it solves. Tanah replied. I am here to make sure this mess does not spill over into the tower. No more, no less.
The hovering blue metal form moved away from the pair, giving the rack with the bow a wide berth. Then he was gone. Or invisible. Or something.
"I need a bow." Kate said weakly as the Magos scanned her. "I… But not that one!"
"Good girl."
The Avenger and the Magos both went utterly still as a woman in a golden gown appeared nearby. In form, she was old, her face wrinkled with the lines of both rage and laughter. At first glance, aside from the beautiful golden gown, she looked fairly normal. Until you saw her eyes, that is. The golden power that sang within those eyes did not hide the insanity that lay in them. Elizabeth, last Empress of Orokin, smiled wide as Kate Bishop gawked at her. Then Kate clamped her mouth shut and nodded.
"So… Is it monologue time?" Kate asked, her tone halfway between tired and snide.
"No." Elizabeth replied, her own tone musing. "The time for talk has passed, I am afraid."
"Will it hurt?" Kate asked. "Whatever you do to me?"
"No." For a moment, the madness in Elizabeth's eyes faded and sorrow rose. When she spoke, it was quiet, almost reflective. "For what little it is worth, I am sorry for what the others did to you. When I first sensed you, I thought you were like me. Able to do breach the barriers between realities naturally. That tech is dangerous, girl."
"I needed it." Kate all but pleaded. "I couldn't fight them as I was! I couldn't protect anyone as I was! I needed the tech to fight AIM!"
"As always, the road to hell is paved with good intentions." Elizabeth shook her head. "You wanted to stop evil and in doing so, you may very well have damned yourself." Her face was desolate when she looked Kate in the eyes. "And you would do it again, wouldn't you, Avenger?"
"It is what I do." Kate agreed. "Now?" Elizabeth nodded and moved a bit to the side as golden energy flared nearby and several forms started to coalesce into being.
"Now." Elizabeth agreed, her own form shimmering. Her gown vanished and dark armor replaced it. A rifle was in her hands, all golden curves, but glowing an ominous shade.
But then...
"Hello Kate." Kate Bishoip went utterly still as Captain America stepped out of the golden light, followed by the rest of the Avengers! Iron Man! Black Widow! Hulk! Thor! Kamala! Black Panther! And following then all…
"It is time to go home, Kate." Clint Barton, the original Hawk-Eye, said as the team took up position Between Elizabeth and the smiling golden male form that finally coalesced.
"I… No." Kate said softly as her team mates readied themselves for battle. Against Elizabeth and from their stances? Kate too. Far from cowed, Kate just sighed. "Not again! What did he tell you this time?" Lorinos had tricked the team before and they had all been a bit irate about that.
"We are not here for him, Kate." Cap said firmly. "He got us to you, we are taking you home."
"Out of the goodness of his heart, of course." Kate sneered at the Orokin who stood behind the team of Avengers, sneering as other golden lights appeared nearby. More allies for him coalescing. She stood ready to fight even without a weapon and… Wait a minute! Why was Clint winking at her? And.. His fingers were moving on his bow! A form of sign language! A signal she knew so well! 'Assemble'! Kate grinned wide and then looked at Lorinos as her team shifted in place. A formation she knew so well. And… What was Black Widow carrying? Was that Kate's gear that shimmered for a moment in invisibility tech that wasn't 'quite' working right here?
"You are so screwed, pal. Avengers? Assemble!" Kate sneered at Lorinos Orokin as golden forms started appearing around Lorinos again and the Avengers charged.
They did not charge Elizabeth!