CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Come in Stranger
Wanda Maximoff
Crack.
I wake with a start, shooting up from where I had curled beside Vision within the hollowed out log. My eyes scan the dark jungle, the plant life caught in the moment between nightfall and morning, their red threads of light growing dimmer as the first dredges of sunlight seep through the canopy.
I wait, body tense, ears straining as I listen for more movement.
It could just be some kind of animal, could maybe be Steve returning with Bruce or one of the others. Or it could be one of the hunters, closing in on our hiding spot.
My fingers curl automatically, but I wait to call forth my power, counting on the darkness within the log to hide us. One of my hands goes to rest on Vision's chest protectively. I will not let anyone touch him.
Heart racing, I wait, and I listen.
"Wanda Maximoff?"
I go rigid at the sound of my name, coming from a deep, unfamiliar voice, and my heart begins to pound even faster. Not the alien hunters, unless they had technology to mimic our speech. But even if that were the case, how could they possibly know my name?
"We mean you no harm," the voice says again, softly, coaxingly, and from not too far away. "You or Vision."
They know us, they know where we are. I let my power surge to encase my hands, casting a brief look at the still sleeping Vision before I uncurl my legs and stand. Whoever they are, if they are lying, I will rip them apart before I let them come near him.
Feeling my power weaving around me, I cautiously move to the log's opening, my eyes searching the trees.
Two men stand there, one dark skinned with dreadlocks pulled away from his face, his eyes glowing gold, the hilt of a huge sword peeking over his back. The other is pale, dark haired, wearing all black and seemingly unarmed.
People. Actual people in this miserable place. Could it be?
My eyes go scarlet. "Who are you?" I demand, my voice low and deceptively soft.
Their eyes go to my hands, to the crimson energy pulsating around my fingers as I show them I am not to be taken lightly, as I show them that I am a threat.
"I am Heimdall, Watcher of Worlds, and this is Loki, brother of Thor," the warrior speaks first, watching me closely as he says the last few words, even as his companion gives him an irritated look. "We hail from Asgard."
A jolt goes through me. "Thor?"
He nods. "We are his friends, allies. We too, have been hunted by the Dravec on this planet, managing to evade them for weeks, killing when we can. Steve Rogers found us, and Thor has joined him in his search for Bruce Banner. They sent us to offer you and Vision aid."
It sounds too good to be true. My mind is reeling, never having expected to see another human face here in the jungle. It's jarring, like waking up from a dream, and to hear that Thor is here, that we are not alone on this planet…
If it's true, my heart will swell with so much hope it could burst.
If they are lying…
I clench my teeth, eyes flicking to the dark haired man, Loki. His head is tilted ever so slightly to the side, his face contemplative, curious as he stares back at me.
Loki of Asgard, brother of Thor. Leader of the attack on New York City all those years ago, when I was still young. The owner of the staff that reforged my brother and I with great power.
"I have heard of you," I tell him darkly. "I know what you have done."
His lips curve almost imperceptibly, as if he's pleased, but trying not to show it, and before he can utter a word, I stare deeper into his pale blue eyes and look into his mind.
It's different from reading the alien, even from reading men on Earth. Swaths of colors and images and sounds snake around my mind, skittish when I reach out for them, slithering away and leaving only the barest of glimpses behind.
But it's enough.
A moment later, he takes a stumbling step back, his face shocked and furious as he regains his ground, taking a few aggressive strides toward me. "How dare you?"
I hold my ground, gazing cooly at him before dismissing him with a glance and turn back to Heimdall. The dark skinned man spreads his arms, palms raised. "Read away, if you must. I have nothing to hide."
I don't need to. I saw enough in Loki's mind, and I can feel the honor and truth emanating from Heimdall's words, from his very being.
They aren't lying. Thor is here in the jungle, helping Steve to find Bruce. We aren't alone anymore, and Vision-Vision actually stands a chance. Something in my chest twists, rises; relief and hope and caution. Caution, because you can never fully trust a hope, because life likes to dangle it in front of you before snatching it away.
"You're not alone," Heimdall says, his deep voice soothing over me, and I give him an odd look. It's like he was the one reading me. "Not anymore. May I take a look at your friend?"
His request is gentle, and though I instinctually bristle at the thought of a stranger going near him, I can read his intentions clear as day. He is a good man, an honorable one, and he genuinely seeks to help us.
There's a power there, one I can't name. It's in his eyes, in those bright, golden eyes, something that draws me, something that pierces through me as if my very soul is laid bare before him. Watcher of Worlds, he said. How long has he been watching?
Maybe those eyes can see what's wrong with Vision. Maybe he can show me how to use my powers to heal him, to fix him.
Finally, I nod, and he gives me a small smile. Taking a step out and away from the log, I let him go past me to Vision's side, but instead of following him, I turn back to Loki, who has drawn nearer, his eyes still angry, his face calculating.
"You will not do that again," he warns in a low, even voice. "Or you won't like the consequences. No one enters my mind without permission. I am a prince of Asgard, and I will be treated as such."
"I will do what I have to," I remark, sorting through the glimpses I got into his mind, through the stories Clint told me those long months we'd been locked in the raft. "If I recall correctly, you have never hesitated to invade and manipulate the minds of others."
Loki's eyes narrow. "That was in the past. Are you telling me you don't believe people can change?"
It's my turn to look at him sharply. How much does he know about me? How much has Thor told him? His lips begin to curve, eyes gleaming, and I know that I just gave myself away, that he'd made a gamble, and I'd walked right into it.
Bastard.
"I don't trust you," I say flatly. "I've seen enough to know that you're volatile. Fate is forcing us to become allies here, but if you so much as think of double crossing us, I will know."
Loki's eyes rake over my face, over the power I freely show him. "You are quite the weapon in Stark's arsenal, aren't you?"
Loki is trying to get under my skin again, to take back some of the power I'd took from him by delving into his mind without his consent. It's a good play, one that might have worked on me years ago.
"I am," I reply firmly, taking a step towards him. "And believe me when I say, you don't want to know what all I'm capable of."
Loki's eyes are glittering, a smile playing on the corners of his mouth, his voice nearly a purr as he murmurs, "Oh, I think I very much do."
Though it goes against all of my instincts, I turn my back on him, ducking inside the hollowed out log. When Loki makes to follow, I flick out a hand, a wall of crimson barring his path. Looking over my shoulder, I arch a brow and say, "Stay. Someone needs to keep watch."
Loki concedes, baring his teeth in a mockery of a smile, and I feel his calculating gaze on my back as I move further into the log to kneel by Vision opposite Heimdall.
Vision does not stir.
I look at Heimdall's worn face, at those golden eyes glowing brighter raking over Vision's wound. Hope is coiled so tightly in my chest, it could snap at any moment. It could snap the moment this dark stranger opens his mouth.
"Can you help him?" I ask softly, hardly daring to breathe.
Not human, not versed in our technology or science the way Bruce Banner is, but maybe...maybe…
"I possess not the power nor the skill to heal him."
I wait for the snap in my chest, for the sinking sensation as that brief hope is swept away-
"But these eyes have seen much," Heimdall admits. "And they see much now. I believe I can guide you through it."
I let out a shaky breath. "Really?"
He gives me a smile, the warmest I've seen in days. "Are you ready?"
Looking down at Vision's closed eyes, his slack face as his chest rises and falls. "I'm ready."
Tony Stark
"Reflector panels engaged," T'Challa murmurs as he angles the ship into a smooth descend. I can't see anything as we soar through dense layers of gray and white clouds, but I clench the metal handle on the low ceiling above me tighter, leaning forward, like if I stare hard enough, I can see straight through the clouds to the land below.
The ship vibrates beneath the metal boots of my Ironman armor, the cloud cover causing mild turbulence as we shudder through them, and then suddenly we are free, T'Challa changing the angle of our descent.
"Holy shit," Sam breathes beside me.
I stare through the cockpit window, at the endless sea of green jungle stretching across the landscape below us in every direction. T'Challa slowly brings us down until we are close enough to see the thick canopy the tops of the trees create, an impenetrable ceiling preventing us from having any idea of what's happening below.
Natasha had radioed in several minutes ago with coordinates of where the last alien scouting ship had landed, our best bet to finding the others, and T'Challa is wasting no time getting there.
Hopefully our camouflaged presence goes unnoticed.
"The vein on your forehead is pulsing."
"It tends to do that in your presence. Have you noticed?" I don't bother scowling at Rhodey.
"Maybe it senses my infinite wisdom and gets intimidated."
I roll my eyes. "Yeah I don't think wisdom is what it's sensing."
"Well, gentlemen, should we start placing bets?" Clint asks from behind me.
"Bets on what?" Sam asks, half turning over his shoulder to frown at Clint. "Whether or not we get shot down before we land?"
"Jesus. No. On what our compadres are doing down under," the archer nods towards the cockpit window. "I'll go first. I bet twenty dollars that Bucky's taken out at least four on his own, has taken the weapons from their corpses, and is basically Rambo-ing it through the jungle."
Sam snorts. "I believe it. I'll bet that Steve's noble ass is leading the whole rag tag bunch-"
"Isn't that a given?"
"Let me finish," Sam shoots Rhodey a look. "And that his patriotic butt has needed saving at least twice."
"Tones, you gonna get in on this?" Rhodey raises a brow.
"How about, I bet that our teammates, our friends, could be dying or dead as we speak, and placing these ridiculous gambles on their lives like they are down there on vacation and not in some alien jungle hell being hunted like animals is a goddamn waste of time?"
The silence is deafening.
"Tony-"
"Save it," I keep my eyes ahead on the growing jungle. "I don't want to hear it right now."
God, what a role reversal. Years ago, it would have been me making the inappropriate jokes and bets while Steve reigned it back in with one of his noble, brooding comments.
"We found blood in one of their medical bays...it's Peter's."
It's Peter's.
Why would it be anyone else's? Peter Parker has a knack for getting into life threatening situations like I have never seen before. Why wouldn't the blood be his? Not that I want it to be anyone else's either. The thought of any of their blood staining some horrific laboratory is sickening, but the kid? He's my responsibility. And he's been through too much. His blood has stained too many tables.
And then to find out that my friends are being hunted by the vicious creatures that attacked us and took them? To know that the people I care about, all of whom I just got back in different ways, could already be dead, trophies for the monsters who hunted them?
Bring our boy home, May had said.
God, what if there isn't anything left of him for me to bring home? How can I face May Parker again? How can I face myself again?
My nerves are strung too tight, so tight that even my sarcastic tendencies and inappropriate humor seem to have been buried beneath the strain. Tolerance and patience levels are at zero.
And I just...I just can't.
I have to focus on the mission. I have to put every bit of myself into finding my friends, into saving the kid and bringing them home.
And let's add obliterating an entire alien species to that list.
"I bet," Clint says slowly, and I bristle, ready to snap at him. "That the spiderling started swinging on vines like Tarzan the first moment he could get."
The image in my head at that is utterly ridiculous, but...plausible. It replaces the one my own brain had supplied, of the kid running for his life through the jungle, being impaled by a spear or shot down, his mask taken like some kind of trophy.
Swinging like Tarzan. I could see that. The kid would probably have some ridiculous expression on his face, thinking himself all that and a bag of chips before slamming into some goddamn tree and falling on his ass.
Tarzan? More like George of the Jungle.
I heave a sigh, rolling my eyes. Damn it. "I bet that I kill more aliens than the three of you idiots combined."
"Oh, you're on," Rhodes takes the bet, fist bumping Wilson with his free hand.
Then Clint says, only loud enough for me to hear, "I bet Pete gets the biggest, dorkiest smile on his face when he sees you came to rescue him."
My insides clench at that, something aching in my chest at the image of the teenager's ridiculous grin, and my brain continues the image, imagining Peter running towards me, babbling about all the alien plant life and the cool moves he did and how Captain America walks on water…
"We are nearing the coordinates," T'Challa says from the front. "There's a clearing a couple miles off. We will land there, hide the ship, and continue on foot to keep our presence as unknown as possible."
"You're the boss," I say, the words rolling off my tongue. "Or, King, rather."
"I notice you did not include me in your bet, Mr. Stark," T'Challa adds, and though I can't see his face, I can imagine the perfectly arched brow as he waits for my answer.
"I've seen what you can do, Bagheera. If you don't kill more of those Predator wanna-bes than me, there's something seriously wrong. In which case, I'll help your sister stage a coup to overthrow you."
T'Challa lets out a soft chuckle. "If I can't kill more than you, Mr. Stark, I'll renounce the throne myself."
The trees grow larger, taller around us as we silently descend into the narrow clearing T'Challa located, and I let my helmet finally rise over my head, my face plate sealing over my face with a metallic whir. Lights and diagrams flicker on the display in front of me, my suit powering on.
I can hear Rhodey's doing the same, and I half turn to see Sam adjust the goggles on his face, his back shifting under the new set of vibranium wings Shuri had designed for him.
Then I look over my shoulder to see Clint staring evenly back, his jaw working as he calmly chews a piece of gum. "I'm good," he shrugs, motioning at the bow and quiver on his back, the knives lining his jacket.
"We are lucky," T'Challa rises the moment the ship touches the ground, his mask gliding over his face. "Their atmosphere is safe for us to breathe."
"Lucky, he says," Sam mutters, rolling his shoulders as he releases the handlebar on the ship's ceiling.
Rhodey pats him reassuringly on the shoulder as we group up near the ramp that will lower to the jungle floor so we can take our first steps on the alien planet. Their eyes turn to me, but, in a move that surprises even myself, I deflect to the king.
He has more experience with jungles than I do, alien or not, and something tells me his knack for strategy and team leadership are on level with Cap. Besides, who better to track down the alien hunters than another predator?
T'Challa straightens, chin raising. "Our mission is to locate and rescue everyone who was taken. We have the element of surprise on our hands, and I wish it to remain that way. Mr. Stark, Colonel, activate the camouflage reflector panels Shuri installed in your suits. You will be the eyes above while Clint, Sam and I trek the jungle below."
Camouflage reflector panels, huh? I'd already had something similar installed, but as I activate it remotely through my suit, I watch as my armored body nearly completely disappears, faint glimmers all that is visible.
Well, color me impressed, princess.
"Scout ahead," T'Challa continues, focusing his cat-like gaze on Rhodey and I. "But stay close. Use your scanners to locate signs of life, and we will hunt for tracks down below. Stay in communication, stay quiet."
The King of Wakanda looks at all of us in turn as he presses his palm against the scanner that begins lowering the ramp of the ship. "Now, let's go find our people."
"Sir, yes sir," Rhodey says, his voice impressed.
And I think maybe, just maybe, we have a shot at this. A thread of hope that usually finds itself drowning beneath pessimism and worst case scenarios is somehow stronger, brighter than it normally is, and I think that has something to do with these morons around me.
Hell, they're my morons. And if we pull this off and somehow all get back to Earth alive, I'll Oprah it up and start giving away free cars and shit to everyone.
"You heard the king," I say through my helmet, striding down the ramp and powering up my thrusters, the sounds more muffled, the lights somehow dimmer, perfect for stealth mode. "Welcome to the jungle. Let's move."
Peter Parker
A slap to my already battered and bruised face has me jerking awake, my heart going into overdrive at the sight of the masked alien face inches away from my own. It rises, moving away from me, and I slowly sit up, holding a hand to my ribs as my entire body throbs and aches.
A sharp clang reverberates through my ears, stabbing into my skull. I realize that I've been dragged into some kind of cage, and the door has just been slammed shut.
Horror crawls across my skin, the metal bars around me already closing in-too tight-too close-trapped-can't get out-
Frantically, I move my hand from my ribs to press into my chest above my heart, pushing firmly down to the point of pain as I close my eyes and take in a few steadying breaths. The world around me is spinning, my heartbeat pounding too loud, too fast, panic cinching my insides.
Okay, Peter. Get ahold of yourself. You're not dead. That's a good thing. Remember what Cap said. Take stock of your surroundings. You got this.
Slowly, my breaths even out, my heartbeat slows, all just enough for me to open my eyes and not completely lose it. Progress.
The cage is just tall enough for me to stand up, though I remain seated on the ground. There's nothing in the cage with me, just the dirt covered ground and a mound of boulders in the corner. I notice the bars are made of the same stone as the ship, but instead of craggly, it's smooth, polished.
Taking another breath, I crawl forward to grip the bars, testing them with my strength as I look out through the gaps.
I'm in an alien hunter camp.
The four of them move efficiently around the jungle clearing, cleaning weapons, restocking, talking in their strange language. A bonfire burns in the center of it all, wooden posts on either side of it connected by a metal pole with a handle, and skewered across it is some kind of alien animal, its skin black and charred from the flames beneath it.
No smoke.
My stomach turns at the smell of burnt flesh, and nearly gagging, I turn away, taking in the huge cases of weapons and supplies, the empty cages around me, the military feel of the entire camp.
These guys are the experienced hunters, the ones that have been doing this for who knows how long. And they are stocked to the teeth with everything one could need for hunting superheroes in the jungle.
Skilled, experienced, supplied.
It's a bad combo.
I feel my face go slack as I let go of the bars and slump back in my cage with a weary sigh of dismay.
Why hadn't they dragged me back to the cave? Had they realized that my companions probably would have hightailed it when I led the hunters on a wild goose chase? Had they forgotten, or thought that maybe I'd been on my own after all?
Or had they dragged my unconscious body back there only to discover an empty cave, then took me here, to their camp? Do they still plan on using me as bait? To torture me, make me scream so that the others come running? Or do they have other nefarious plans in mind?
God, I'm going to be sick.
I hope Bucky and Bruce made it out okay. I hope they got out of there the moment I led off the other hunters and are hiding somewhere safe while Bucky heals up. I hope they run into the others.
I also sort of hope they'll come to rescue me.
Because right now? My chances of escape are nonexistent.
Trapped-I'm trapped-they're going to strap me down-cut me open-not again-not again-I can't-
I bury my face in my hands, pulling my knees up to my chest as my palms slide up to rest against my forehead, my fingers tangling in my hair and yanking as I try to center myself. My whole body is shaking, the reality of the situation and the events of the past few days all crashing down on me at once.
I don't regret what I did, leading them away from Bucky and Bruce. I'll never regret that. But that doesn't mean I'm not beyond terrified at what's going to happen to me now.
Have I survived through all that I have, just to die in some cage in the middle of an alien jungle? It's wrong, it's so completely unfair to have beat Hydra, to have overcome Venom, and then to be tortured and killed off world like none of it mattered.
I want to go home. My breathing hitches, and I can't stop shaking. God, I just wanna go home.
"Hey, man. You ok?"
I jolt violently, jerking up and looking wildly around at the sudden voice that sounded off way too close to my ears. But no one is there.
What the hell? And what was that accent? I don't think I've ever heard it before, and the closest thing I can compare it to is Australian, maybe...New Zealand? The only time I've heard an accent from New Zealand is from the documentaries on the making of The Lord of the Rings.
I nearly let out a hysterical laugh. God, I'm such a nerd. A psychotic, losing my marbles nerd. This is it. I've finally cracked. I've finally lost my mind, huddled in a cage. I'm surprised I'm not rocking back and forth and talking back to the voices in my head.
"Over here, yep, there ya go, bit further, this big pile of rocks in the corner," continues the voice, and I turn wide, incredulous eyes to the boulders in the cage with me. Not boulders. A man, an alien, made completely of stone and sitting up against the bars. "Hey there. Name's Korg. 'M made of rocks. Stuck in this cage, same as you."
I'm gaping at him, mouth hanging open. Is this really happening right now? "Uhh….hey?" I manage, brows furrowed in confusion. "Oh. Um, I'm...I'm Peter."
"Nice to meet you, Peter. Captured by the Dravec as well, yeah? Terrible. I've been hiding out for weeks in a quarry on the other side of the mountain," Korg explains in his heavily accented voice, sounding entirely unperturbed that he's locked in a cage and about to die. "Made sense. I'm made of rock, quarry's made of rock. Perfect spot to hide, if you know what I mean."
This is by far the strangest thing that has ever happened to me. And that's saying a lot.
"Anyways, they got me in the end, didn't they? Saw my buddy Meik crawling across the quarry in the distance, stood up to wave, and he fell right through a crack in the rock," Korg frowns at me. "Fell to his death. I felt so guilty I let myself get captured. And here we are."
"I'm...sorry about your friend," is all I can think to say. I can't believe I'm talking to another alien, one who's been here for longer than I have, one who's been hunted and captured, just like me. My mind is whirling. "Where do you come from? How'd you get here?"
"I'm Kronan, originally. Yeah, an entire planet of rock beings. Everyone was decent, but they all had their faults, bit of rock humor for you there, so me and mum left, ended up on Sakaar where she met her boyfriend, who's a bit of a dick. Became a gladiator because I tried to start a revolution-"
"Wait, a gladiator?" I sit up straighter. "You mean with Dr. Banner?!"
"Ah no, sorry. I don't know a Dr. Banner. I know a Ban Hur, if that's who you mean? A bit purple, very tentacle-y and whatnot."
Oh. Duh. "Sorry, I mean the Hulk? Big green guy?" I ask hopefully.
"Oh! You mean the Grandmaster's Champion! Yeah, no, never fought him myself. I did all the warm up fights, which worked out fairly well for me, all things considered. Anyone who faced the Champion perished. Well, all except the Lord of Thunder."
My heart stops. Lord of Thunder?! "Please tell me you mean Thor," I plead, almost daring to hope.
"Yeah, that's the one. Helped him lead the second revolution. Then a third in Asgard, I reckon, if you're keeping track, which I am."
"You were with Thor," my voice rises in excitement. "You were with Thor and the Hulk when their ship was attacked! You got kidnapped with them!"
"You sound pretty excited about this, which is a bit confusing, seeing as it was all pretty terrible and traumatic, and we're both now in a cage waiting to die."
"Have you seen Thor? Have you seen anyone else while you've been here?"
"No, I haven't. Just my good friend Meik, who's gone now. And you. What's your story, bro?"
I blink, excitement dying, thrown off by an alien made of rocks calling me "bro". "Oh, uh, I'm from Earth, with the Avengers. That's where we got taken from. Thor's an Avenger too."
"Is he? That's very interesting. Are there many of you? What exactly are you avenging?"
"Six. And uh...Earth, I guess? How many of you got taken?"
"Well, including me and Meik, there were five of us. Everyone might be dead though, for all I know. I think the Dravec mean to use me as bait, which is rather pointless, if everyone's dead and all."
For an alien who's had such a hard time and is in such a dire situation, he comes across as fairly nonchalant. It's weird, but sort of endearing, I guess? Kind of makes everything seem not as bad, if he can talk about it so casually.
I still don't believe Thor can be dead. I've never met the guy, but he's a freaking god. Korg didn't see what happened to him, which means he has to be out there somewhere.
"Who're you bait for? Are your friends still alive, or did they fall down a stone chasm to their imminent deaths as well?" Korg asks with a tilt of his head.
"No, no they're still alive. My friends will come for me," I reply, my insides twisting at the words.
"That's nice. Hope they don't all die horrible deaths coming to save you and falling into the terrible traps the Dravec are no doubt building as we speak, leaving you with the crushing weight of guilt on your shoulders for the rest of your short life before you get killed too," Korg says cheerfully.
Holy shit. I stare at him. I want to be rescued. I really, really do. But I don't want any of the Avengers to fall into a trap the aliens will lay. I don't want any of them to get hurt or die trying.
Which means...I have to escape. I have to get out of here before the torturing and the screaming starts, before they can use me as bait.
And I'm no longer on my own.
Keeping an eye on the Dravec moving around the camp, entirely unconcerned that their captives are speaking to each other, I move as close to Korg as I dare.
Korg lifts an eyebrow. "Whoa, hey man, I like you and all, but this cage is pretty cramped already. If you could kindly move back to your side, it would be much appreciated."
I catch sight of a herd of alien creatures tethered to the trees just outside of the clearing. Seeing them only in glimpses between the bushes, I spot scaled hides, metal saddles and armor stretching across broad backs, the gnashing of fanged teeth.
Bingo.
"Hey Korg, what do you say to starting a fourth revolution?"
A/N:
SO. Hi. Long time no see. I hate it when fan fiction authors list the excuses that have kept them from posting for a long time. But, here I am, giving you my excuses. In all fairness, I think they are pretty legit.
First, there were the fires. That sucked, but me and my family and friends are all ok! Thank you everyone for the thoughts and prayers.
Then, I saw a massage therapist, and a doctor, and both informed me that my wrists were shot, and that I needed to take a two week hiatus from any typing, writing, drawing, etc., which turned into over a month due to the amount of pain. Carpal Tunnel is a bitch, guys.
Third, my laptop, my beloved computer, got what is commonly known as the blue screen of death, shortly after I was advised to give my aching wrists a break. Despite all my efforts, there is no bringing my laptop back. :( It's been super hard, super depressing, and I have no funds with which to purchase myself a new computer. I am currently typing on my stepmom's laptop, only because she and my dad are on a two week vacation in Mexico, and I am housesitting for them.
All that being said, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE! I know it's hard, and I know I left you guys at a very mean point. I thoroughly apologize and appreciate your understanding due to my ridiculous circumstances. I hope to post as much as I can during these two weeks with computer access, to maybe even finish out the story as part of my apology for taking so damn long to update this story. A huge thank you to all of you who are dutifully sticking around, to those who will review this chapter, and to those who have sent me private messages to check to see if I am ok.
I am ok. Broke, laptop-less, and suffering from carpal tunnel. But ok. LOL.
ALSO DID YOU GUYS SEE THE CAPTAIN MARVEL TRAILER? EEEEEEK!
ANYWAYS! A massive thank you to PippinStrange, who is not only the world's finest beta and best fangirl, but who was also incredibly supportive to me during my torturous hiatus from writing. LONGEST MONTH OF MY LIFE. I could not have done it without you! If you guys haven't checked out her work, do so ASAP. I know of a few projects she is working on, including her work in progress Where They Go, which heals a llll the Infinity War wounds and makes my heart so happy. Best writer and author I know, and I am so beyond honored and lucky to have her in my life.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTINUED TO LEAVE ME REVIEWS! You guys seriously made my day, even during the hardest and most frustrating ones when all I wanted to do was cry and scream because of how badly I wanted to write, and haven't been able to.
Did any of you see Korg coming, by the way? LOL! I never intended to put him in the fic, but suddenly, there he was, and boy was he hilarious to write. I hope I did him justice, as he was absolutely hilarious in Ragnarok.
Blaney: I am so glad you loved this enough to devour the first two stories, and that you are enjoying the third installment also! Thank you so much for your patience and understanding with the fires and all the other circumstances! You are amazing
StarStepper: GOSH I KNOW. IM SO SORRY TO LEAVE YOU HANGING LIKE THAT. Tormenting is in my blood. Although this amount of time was completely unintentional I swear. lol
Puppens101: WOW OMG. Thank you for your review! The Dravec should be legit terrified of you, my friend! Lol! Thank you for your support and encouragement regarding the fires and all the families with us! Everyone is safe and the fire is out and doing well! THANK YOU! I'm so glad you are enjoying this!
Guest: THANK YOU! For your review and well wishes. I know you Oregonians get your fair share of fires too, so I hope you have stayed safe as well!
Guest: Thanks!
Thebookworm33: Gaaaaaah your review made me ridiculously happy. LOL. I loved all your fingerling more than you could know! And I love hearing your favorite parts! I am so happy to hear how you are enjoying it and hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!
Myxes: Thank you! I do enjoy me some cliffhangers, that's for sure!
Sparklydog9: LOKIIIIIIIII
DarylDixon'sLover: So far so good!
AppleSpongeCake: YAS GURL. ASS KICKING IS COMING, I PROMISE
Bethisafan77: Thank you so very much for your good thoughts! They definitely helped! And thank you for your kind review! I am so happy you are enjoying this fic!
EmilyF.6: Ahhhhhh thank you for reading! Thor and Bucky will meet soon! ;)
Guest: GAH I KNOW! Glad I could make you laugh with THAT rabbit, lol. And it seriously SLAYS me when I give someone goosebumps, so omg, thank you so much for telling me that/ Don't you worry, Okoye will get her revenge!
Kairianna864: YES! I'm so glad it was worth the wait, and hope this one was too! I love my Ragnarok boys! Thank you for your kind words!
Jeyfeather1234: I KNOW I am so mean. But yay for the Asgardians being ok!
GinaBoo: HEY! Thank you for your kindness regarding the fire! We are all doing well! And I am so glad you enjoyed the chapter, and that I was able to give you chills! I have seen the Venom trailers! Everytime I see one, all I want to do is continue this universe, as I don't get how there can be a Venom without Spiderman, lol! I definitely am looking forward to the movie, mostly so I can get more scene ideas for the CMFU ;) Hope you are doing well!
cargumentluv: Thank you for your prayers! They were so appreciated, more than you know. Hope this chapter was worth the long wait!
gammathetaalpha: Thank you! For the review and your prayers!
LoonyLovegood1981: YES PIETRO! Gah, I loved Age of Ultron so much. Yay for the Thor and Loki scene catching you off guard and being funny! That made me happy! And poor Peter the rabbit! Lol! Luckily our boy has another ally now! Seriously, thank you for your prayers, they were beyond appreciated!
KiernanCo: Thank you very much! I hope your cousin and her husband have stayed safe through all this craziness, and I thank you for your kind wishes! Glad you are enjoying the story!
Shannon K: I am also sad to those who lost so much during the fire. THank you for your kind thoughts and prayers! They worked miracles! Glad you love the story still!
Kirby Lane: Lol! I promise I won't tell Bucky or Stark about your enjoyment for Peter whump, as long as you don't tell on me either, because i live for that kind of shit. lol. I'm glad you liked the Loki burying Thor alive bit, I cracked myself up writing that. AND OMG YOUR REVIEW THO! XD. I am beyond honored that you could even consider me close to on par with the Marvel writers, and having access to a secret Marvel lair. I WISH! LOL! That truly made my day, my life rather, and I am so happy! Thank you so much! I wish I could make these into movies, gosh I would just die! I am so glad to have you as a reader and reviewer, and hope you enjoyed this chapter after such a long wait!
Shadow-wolf78: Thank you!
The Striking Storms: Thanks! :D
Guest (Sara B.): Yes the team is so close to coming altogether! The Dravec truly are a horrific race. It hurt my heart to write that scene for poor Okoye and Shuri, but don't worry, they will avenge their fallen. And I also love Natasha, Okoye, and Shuri as a team! I loved the Okoye/Nat/Wanda mix in Infinity War, so this was my ode to that.
tbex27: WOW! I am beyond honored that my stories are the reason you created an account! Thank you! And thanks for all your well wishes about the fires! CA is terrible when it comes to fire season, isn't it?
TeamCaptain2016: Thank you! Yes, fires are truly scary, and I hope the season is over now! Thanks for the well wishes!
Andy Frost: I DON'T KNOW, I CAN'T HELP MYSELF. IT'S WHAT I LIVE FOR. LOL.
Seawell: Thank you for both the reader side of you, and the empathic as well. Thank you for your well wishes and advice and consideration, you are truly amazing and kind hearted, and I so appreciated reading and rereading your review. Thank you soooooooooooo much, Truly. Your prayers are very appreciated, as well as your patience and understanding. AND LOL TO YOUR EXTRA REVIEW ABOUT THE HOLY GRAIL RABBIT! LOL! "IM A RABBIT" OMG I WAS DYING! XD! GLAD YOU ENJOYED THAT SCENE!
Leiah Cloud: Wow, Finland! I'm honored to have a reader from so far! Thank you for your well wishes, your congratulations, and review! I really hope to get my book published someday, and hope you can read it! And yay! Glad you are enjoying the fic still! Thank yoU!
screechyfangirl: YES!
Guest: The Dravec aren't aware of infinity stones. But if they had been given the chance, I have no doubt they would have tried to take the mind stone from Vision. Fortunately for the Avengers, Wanda hasn't let them anywhere near Vision in order to take it and learn to harness its powers for themselves
Padfoot: Thanks! Peter is my favorite character, and as these stories are part of a series and collective universe, he will always be my focus, but I do try and expand to include even more characters with each installment. :) I'm so glad you are enjoying!
gandalf537: Yay! Thank you for your review and prayers! Both were BEYOND appreciated!
SummerMistedDragon: BECAUSE I AM MEAN AND I AM SO SORRY ABOUT THAT!
icotnoir: Thanks! :D
Shoyzz: I KNOW I'M SORRY! I am so happy to hear how much you are enjoying this, and Loki! Hope you liked this chapter as well!
Guest: Lol! OMg thank you! I used to be terrified of action scenes, and now they are my favorite ! Thank you so much!
Whoa: THANK YOU! thanks for your understanding about the fires, and your love for this universe!
Guest: YAY!
BlueberryPie39: WOW! Better than Harry Potter? That is sacrilegious! lol! but thank you so so so much! Made my day!
fireapple9: Thank you, me too!
Fangirl2213: Thank you!
Heroes21: THANKS SO MUCH! I love art nearly as much as i love writing!
momocandy2: LOL! Your review tho! XD XD XD! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and that you continue enjoying it while at work and scaring your coworkers! That seriously made me laugh! THank you!
pjoandcrimorelli4eva: Sorry about the wait!
monkeybaby: Thank you!
KHARAKI TAKAN: Thanks
Fantasyland: Thank you so much! Sorry for the delay!
Heroes21: I missed you guys too! Thank you for your encouragement!
Guest: Thank you so much, and I am honored that this is your lifeline and enjoyment! So sorry about how long it took for this chapter! And thank you for what you said about my book! I truly hope I can get it published!
IDon'tWannaGo: Gosh, your name tho! My heart! So glad you are enjoying!
Guest: Don't die or cease to exist! And enjoy the Spiderman game! lol!
Guest: Thanks!
EmPro8: I am very glad you are enjoying this so far. I do my best to remain in character and semi true to Marvel, though I know I put my own spin on it. Glad it reads semi-realistic, in regards to the MCU :) Passing as canon is my ultimate goal and my FAVORITE thing to read from reviewers, so seriously THANK YOU! I try so hard! lol!
MewWinx96: Hi! I am so glad you like this story so far! I've stayed safe, so thank you!
ImmortalDragon123456: Thanks! :D :D :D :D
OH MAN! The amount of reviews seriously floored me. I have the best reviewers and support group a fan fiction writer could ask for. Thank you to each and every one of you, and I'd love to hear from you again! I MISSED YOU ALL SO MUCH! SO GOOD TO BE BACK!
COMING SOON:
Chapter Fifteen: I Won't Back Down
We catch up with Bruce and Bucky, both who are determined to save their younger, brasher teammate, and who run into a surprise of their own. We also follow Clint and the others as they experience this hellish alien jungle that their comrades have been stuck in for too long. As for Peter and Korg….LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION