Chapter 8
"So it is death!"
That is the only warning that the Avengers got before the Serpent Sisters lunged in to attack them. Python was the one who led the attack. The mace at the tip of her tail smashed into Captain America's shield. The thud that followed from the impact was enough to see Python and Captain America flung in opposite directions of each other. The two leaders of the opposing teams went to fighting against each other.
Captain America didn't need to think twice as he flung his shield at Python as the other Avengers started to fight with the other two members of the Serpent Sisters. The shield whacked against Python's face before it rebounded back to him. He watched as Python rubbed her swore nose from where his shield had smacked against her face. Her tail with the mace at the end of it smashed into the ground as blood easily flowed down from the wound. Not thinking again he flung his shield back at Python, but he could only stare as his shield was whacked away from the Serpent Sister by her mace tipped tail.
The shield landed with a heavy thud on the sandy ground. Captain America could only watch as Nightshade snuck up behind Python. The black and red Dragonoid was close to the ground that her belly was touching the sand. He noticed a quick look of disgust cross through Nightshade's optics as she locked onto the Serpent Sister that he was fighting. The other Avengers were going against the other Serpent Sisters.
The fight was already taken a good amount of the desert that was outside of Hamunaptra. Even the skies above the desert was not clear as Vision, Iron Man, Thor and Falcon gave the ground based Avengers air support in against the giant snake that had been Viper. Tentomon and Wanda had both formed a protective circle around Ant-Man who was holding Wasp close to him. The two sizechangers had went into themselves as they kept each other protected. Wanda was using her powers to move anyone who was getting to close to the two sizechangers as Ant-Man talked to his lover in hopes that she was going to come around soon. Tentomon was also protecting them and Izzy who sat on the sand looking at his laptop. He had been given a way to communicate with the Moonray along with the other Avenger team that was at the moment looking for the dagger in England. They had hoped that they did not need to get in touch with the other team. Izzy was having problems with getting in touch with either the Moonray or the other team. They needed a way to get Wasp out of the desert and somewhere she could get medical attention. Something that she needed more than lying in the arms of the man she loved.
Python used her tail and picked up his shield. The mace that was attached to her tail dug into the sand before erupting from under the sand and under the shield. With the mace it was easy to pick up the shield that had been dropped to the ground. Her tail brought the shield up off the ground and the oldest Serpent Sister examined the round shield as her tail brought Captain America's shield up to her face to examine it. Her clawed fingers got a grip of the edge of the shield when her tail brought it close enough for her hands to take it.
"Interesting use of a shield, Captain America!" Python said as she studied the shield that she held in her hands. She studied it as if she had never seen a shield before. She looked at the front of the shield that was painted with the red and blue strips along with the star in the centre. She then flipped the shield to view the leather straps that kept the shield attached to his arm when he was using it to shield his body from attacks.
Python looked back up at Captain America as the other Avengers and her Sisters fought in the desert. They were so close to Hamunaptra that they could not lose the fight and be forced to retreat. If they retreated then Seth was a step closer to the Book of the Dead and regaining all of his powers. They could not allow Seth to regain his powers. He was already bad enough without all of his powers that the Avengers were starting to recruit many more creatures than they would have before. Even with the Avengers doing this they were still finding it hard to keep up with him.
The oldest Serpent Sister was about to through the Vibranium shield back at Captain America but something big and heavy landed on top of her. Python grunted in pain as something stood on top of her. Python tried to use her tail but again a heavy weight was placed onto her tail. Her body and tail was immobilised by her unseen attacker. Flicking out her forked shape tongue she got a scent of her attacker. The smell of metal and other smells that she had not smelt in 3000 years was picked up. This was a new attacker. Looking at the shadow on the sand she could see the basic shape of Nightshade. The Dragonoid had managed to sneak up and attack her without her knowing that she was there. She had to admit that Nightshade had skills if she could sneak up on her the first Hunter. She had hunted everything from elephants right up to the other Gods. Now she had allowed some machine from another world to get the better of her.
Nightshade's metal claws then picked up the shield that she had dropped in the sand beside her. Her metal claws picked up the shield. "Cap' catch!" she shouted as she flung the shield back to the leader of the Avengers.
Nightshade looked back down at Python who was struggling under her paws. She had struck fast in keeping Python's tail pinned to the ground with her back foot. The mace could do series damage to all of them and looking at the other Serpent Sisters she could see that they all had weapons attached to their tails along with the weapons that they were carrying. "Don't even think about it Python! This ends here!" Nightshade said. She opened her jaws as black sparks sparked at the tips of her sabres. She was surprised that Python had managed to turn her head and face her. Growling at her Nightshade allowed the sparks to get much larger and more power behind them.
"Thanks for that Nightshade! Now we just need to keep the Serpent Sisters from following us to Hamunaptra!" Captain America said as he approached Nightshade. He was glad that she was still keeping Python under her clawed paws.
Nightshade looked back at Captain America. She was still keeping her paws on Python and was not for letting the old member of the Sisters up. "The only way we can prevent them from coming after us is if we end their lives! That is the only way that I can think of!" she replied. She kept her attention on Captain America that she did not notice the transformation that was happening with Python. Her systems were already starting to act up because of the magic interference that was spreading from Hamunaptra that they were not picking the change of mass that was happening underneath her.
Captain America also didn't notice the change that was happening underneath Nightshade's paws. He was too busy occupied on looking up at Nightshade's red optics. The optics that were looking down at him as she was no doubt planning over everything that they were going to be facing in the middle of the desert. They knew that at night she would transform into her vehicle form to allow Wasp a chance to be inside. She would have transformed into her jet and got her to Cairo where she could see medics but that had been when the Serpent Sisters had attacked them. Wasp needed medical attention and Steve knew that Nightshade was the fastest Avenger to get her to where she needed to go.
"Nightshade they are just soldiers who are following orders from Seth! They might be forced to be doing this!" Captain America argued right back at her. He was not afraid to talk back to an alien creature that could easily crush him with her paws and then for good measure use her lightning to damage his nerves. He was also not afraid of the fighting that was around him. He had been in the worst of fighting during the Second World War against HYDRA. He was used to being in the middle of conflict that he could argue with Nightshade.
"I don't think so, Rogers! You show the way that Imhotep reacted to the Serpent Sisters! They are not just your normal average solider following orders! No they are much worse and need to be dealt with!" Nightshade argued back. She was slowly beginning to feel that something was off about all of this. Why was Python not shouting up at her. Why had she not yet gone through the armour on her back with claws?
Nightshade let out a growl when Captain America gave her a look. It was a look that she knew that he didn't agree with her and her plan. It was so annoying when he didn't agree with what she was planning. If she had known humans wouldn't listen to what she was telling them then she would not have done anything to help the humans in the first place a century ago. But Galvatron said that she had a soft Spark when it came to the humans and their world. Shaking her horned head Nightshade fought the urge to argue with Captain America like a sparkling after a Energon treat. They were in the middle of a battle that needed all the Avengers in the game. They already had two members who were not in this fight and they couldn't allow two more members to be arguing on what they should do.
Nightshade looked back down at Python. Her optics widened just as Python attacked her. The head a giant python's head smacked into her head. The helmet that covered her head bashed against Nightshade's metal horned head. Python was much larger than Nightshade and with enough force Nightshade was off of Python and was lying in the desert sand as the huge snake prepared to strike Captain America.
Captain America watched in horror as Python towered above him. The snake was huge. It was about the same size as the Midguard Serpent that had attacked the Avengers Tower. Thor had been so focused on that he should be the only Avenger who took out the Serpent but with team work with the other Avengers Thor had managed to stop the Serpent.
He was brought back to the world by the sound of hissing. Python's huge shadow had fallen on top of him. Her black tongue flicked out just like every other snake that he had seen over the years. Granted those snakes had always been smaller than him and they were not as terrifying as Python was. Taken a step back he prepared to make a move. He hoped that he was faster than Python.
Python's hiss got louder and Captain America raised his shield as he prepared to make a move. In the corner of his eye he saw Nightshade using her wings to get back up on her feet. She shock herself like a dog in order to get all the sand out from her joints and armour plating. The Dragonoid focused back on Python as the massive python prepared to strike Captain America.
Nightshade opened her wings and got into her own striking position. Widening her optics range she got a good view of Captain America and Python. The snake opened her massive jaws revealing six rows of pointed teeth. An orange glow flickered at the back of her mouth as she prepared to breathe fire. Nightshade snorted at that. She had heard the stories from agents of UNIT that dragons of this planet breathed fire much like the Predacons of Cybertron. There was only a few Dragonoids who breathed fire, but it was not a element that they were mainly given when they were created.
The glow at the back of Python's throat got brighter by the second. Nightshade's back foot to a step back as her front legs lowered to the ground as she got ready to race towards Captain America's side. A mere human alone could not fight against the giant serpent alone. No they needed aerial support with something that could move faster than the serpent, hopefully. Activating the afterburners at the tip of her wings she started to plot the course that she was going to take.
She focused back on Python and she waited for the split second before she struck. She could see that Rogers had seen her and was no doubt planning to move his body in such a way that would allow him to be caught by Nightshade. This would be the first time that they had done this manoeuvre but they had spoken of it a few times. It was something that they should have practiced before they had gotten into fight.
Without any warning and at the same time Python and Nightshade made their moves. The other Avengers and the Serpent Sisters all stopped what they were doing as they watched Python and Nightshade both move towards Captain America. One had the intentions of destroying the leader of the Avengers and the other wanted to get him out of harms way.
Nightshade barrel rolled so that her back was facing Python. In an instant her front arms were reaching for Captain America. Her claws were spread wide as the human ran towards the Dragonoid. Sharp claws wrapped around his arms and with a powerful blast from the afterburners at the end of her wings Nightshade speed increased within a few wing flaps.
Python let out a blast of bright orange flames where Captain America had been a second ago. The flames almost touched the tip of Nightshade's tail as she got Captain America away from the giant snake. The snakes jaws clamped shut in the sandy. The rest of its body curled in on itself as it raised its huge head back into the sky. Its huge eyes locked on Nightshade as she glided in the sky just above the cloud line. The Dragonoid was out of range of any of her attacks. Narrowing her eyes she got a good look to see that Captain America was sitting on her back.
The sudden force of two things attacking her from the side attracted Python back to the fight that was happening on the ground. Her eyes widened when she saw not only the Hulk but also Thor coming towards her. A green fist and a hammer smashed into her face. Python let out a scream as her huge head was flung to the side by forces that she had not expected from the two of them. Hissing she watched as Thor flew over her head and the Hulk landed in the sand just beside his head before he jumped back into the air and punched Viper who had also transformed into her true form.
The giant viper was fighting Hawkeye and Black Widow. The archer was using his arrows in quick succession into vipers eyes with deadly accuracy. Black Widow was using her stings and stealth to attack and then retreat. The Avengers were a worthy enemy for the Serpent Sisters and Seth.
Python got back up as she heard the roaring of something coming towards her. Looking up she saw Nightshade in a perfect dive. Her wings were folded close to her as she got closer to the ground faster than anything she had seen before. On her back was Captain America. He must have been holding on for dear life as Nightshade got closer to the ground.
"Cap' are you sure about this? We have not practiced this manoeuvre and Python! She is one of the biggest things I have taken out with a human on my back and acting as co-pilot!" Nightshade shouted over the wind. She didn't even look around to face the leader of the Avengers. She was too busy watching the desert that was getting closer. She needed to be ready for pulling up at the last moment. Already she was beginning to charge her weapons and she was locked onto Python.
Captain America who was holding onto her neck leaned in closer to where her audio sensors where. He didn't know if she needed him to be close to hear him or if she could hear him over the roaring wind without any problems at all. "We have no choice Nightshade! And like I keep hearing in all the movies about man and machine having a bond that allows them to overcome a lot of issues!" he shouted over the wind. He knew from the way Nightshade shock her head that she heard him just fine, but him shouting was a way for him to hear what she was saying. "We are just about to prove that theory!" he shouted over the wind again. He held on tighter to Nightshade as she got closer to the ground and picked up speed once again. He gritted his teeth as his ears began to pop from the pressure that was coming from the sudden decent from the air.
"If you are sure about this!" Nightshade responded as she came in closer for the attack. Her wings kept close to her body as she got closer to Python. Python who had opened up her mouth. Once again the leader of the Serpent Sisters was preparing the attack the leaders of the Avengers and the Elemental Guardians.
Nightshade prepared her shields for the oncoming fire attack that she was going to have to face. It was either that or watch as Captain America melted in the flames. Flames that she knew she had a better standing against with her shields at full power. Nightshade barrel rolled until her back was facing the ground. Her scanners alerted her that Captain America had tightened his hold on her neck as she had done the manoeuvre. Titling her head she was able to see that she was just to past Python's head. The orange glow of the flames that were emitting from Python's mouth was getting brighter and brighter by the second.
The sound of a human grunting beneath her altered her that Captain America was in position. Letting out a roar she folded her wings closer to her body she lifted higher into the air. With little movements from her tail she was heading back towards Python's mouth. Nightshade came level to level with Python's massive jaws when she opened up her huge black wings with snap.
A blast of fire exploded out of Python's wide open jaws as black lightning zapped out of Nightshade's. The two attacks exploded against each other. Nightshade flew past the fire ball remains of the explosion as she took to higher skies above Python's head as Captain America flung his shield at Python's exposed head. The giant snake hissed as she felt the shield hitting her in the back of her head.
Nightshade landed on top of Python's head. Her sharp metal claws dug into the thick scales of the massive Python. She lowered herself down so that Captain America could leap onto her back. The supersoldier who was faster than any other human was running up to Nightshade after he had picked up his shield but he nor Nightshade had time to react.
A shadow fell onto Captain America. The soldier looked at his attacker a second too late. The third Serpent Sister had leapt on Python's head when Nightshade had landed on her head to pick up Captain America. The third Serpent Sister was still in her humanoid form as she fought against the other Avengers. Her longsword was covered in green blood along with black blood. The wounds that she had inflected would not kill the two Avengers she had struck, no that was what she was going to leave that for the desert heat.
Cobra flicked her forked tongue as she looked at the two Avengers who stood on her oldest sisters head. Yellow eyes narrowed she could not help it as her hood emerged from where it was hiding as she made herself look bigger. She took a step back when Nightshade opened her wings and dropped to the ground. The tactical member of the Serpent Sisters had her eyes on Captain America. It was time for the Avengers to pull back. She did not agree with killing them on the spot, she wanted to see them fall back and begin to panic before they took to killing them. Python agreed with her but she wanted to have a few deaths in the first fight, something that Seth wanted. Viper wanted to kill them all, but Cobra only killed when she had to kill.
Nightshade followed Cobra's gaze and began to move towards the leader of the Avengers. Her sharp metal claws leaving dents in her scales. Her tail swept behind her as she stopped when Cobra had looked towards her. It was like a cat facing against another cat. They would not attack until the other made the first move. Nightshade let out a hiss that Cobra returned with her own hiss.
Cobra moved faster than Nightshade could move. The Serpent Sister stabbed Captain America with her staff that she held in her other hand.
The supersoldier leapt back but it was already to late. The poison had been injected into the supersoldier. He looked at the small rip in his uniform before he looked back to Cobra to see that she was retreating off of her sisters back. He almost had a heart attack when metal claws wrapped around his body before he was flung into the air. A second later he heard the clamping of huge jaws clamping shut behind him. His feeling heavy he did not hear Nightshade given the order to fall back. Nor did he feel the sudden drop as Nightshade fell into a huge tunnel along with a few other of the Avengers. He did not hear the Serpent Sisters laughing as the Avengers fell back. What he did fell was his body beginning to fell funny before he didn't fell normal in his own skin.