Chapter 17: Darkened Winds (Part 1)
The next day came. The Royal Asgardian family was disheartened that Astrid had slipped out of the Tower without saying a word. Not even a small written note was left behind. Clearly, she was still quite furious at Odin, and had no intention of forgiving him any time soon. Frigga had advised him that trying to force it would only make her angrier, and that this kind of rage would only dissipate with time. He really, really, really wanted to make amends with the girl who would be his son's heir (no doubt), but he knew that his love was right. So, he elected to learn more about the technologies within the "Tower of Stark", to quote him (and, by extent, many other Asgardians).
He was currently learning more about Tony's high-quality television. As he watched the news, he couldn't help but think of how many comparisons he could draw between the various monitors and his fiercely-loyal Gatekeeper, Heimdall. Perhaps it was because of the humans informing him of what was going on throughout Midgard (albeit from a Midgardian's point-of-view), or perhaps it was because of the fact that he could see it all, right in front of him. Either way, it was a marvel in and of itself.
"Enjoying my dad's stuff, I see!"
He turned sharply to see the daughter of the "Man of Iron" leaning over a counter, a large grin plastered on her face. She was holding a small black device, of which the ages-old king had seen many different versions of. Judging by the "headphones" attached to it, she was going to use it to listen to music. She chuckled.
"Not that I entirely blame you, old man. My dad invents stuff on a regular basis, and he's so loaded that we've always got the latest things! It's the best life!" She continued, waving her hand about. Odin was taken aback for a moment, but then he remembered that she was the daughter of the Man of Iron. Like father, like daughter.
"You truly are your father's daughter, Lady Serah. You even have his dry insults."
Serah burst into open laughter.
"Hahaha! Old man, get with the times!"
She fell over.
"Haha! I mean, I get that you're from Fantasyland and all of that, but… hahahaha…. Thunder Lord over there never told you anything? Haha! I mean, come on! At least he knows how to use a toaster!" She laughed. Odin narrowed his gaze at her for a moment, but decided to ignore her and resume watching the news. Soon enough, Serah stopped laughing and returned to using her headphones.
"What is that?!"
The Asgardians in the room all focused on the television. Serah felt the tension rise, and pulled her headphones off, letting them rest on her shoulders. She walked over to the large screen set. On the screen, there was a smoking stage, people running about, and overall, a scene of chaos. Serah looked closely at the screen.
"World-famous 'Starlight Siren' concert in Miami, Florida attacked by unknown forces? How the hell could they not know who it was?! Almost anyone who'd want to kill her is on a list that they'd check!" Serah demanded incredulously.
"There is more! Look!" Thor insisted. Serah focused closer.
"Miraculously, the 'Starlight Siren' was saved by a… OH MY FREAKING GOD!" Serah realizing what was on the screen. Or rather, who was on the screen.
Astrid had quickly grabbed the Starlight Siren, and flown far away. The star in question was panicking and in complete and total freak out mode. They landed on a rooftop a good distance from the ruined stage, where Astrid set the Siren down. The bundle of nerves that was the music star rapidly scooted back.
"Okay, thanks for saving my life, but just who are you?! How can you freaking FLY?!" She demanded, hyperventilating.
"My name is Astrid Foster. I can fly because... well, my dad's Thor, to keep it simple." Astrid explained calmly.
"Your dad's THOR?! As in Thor the AVENGER?! Oh, god, I... I-"
"Calm down, calm down! You're getting way too worked up!"
It took a good few minutes, but, finally, the Starlight Siren calmed down. Astrid sat next to the famous girl. The latter sighed, and then noticed Astrid's Bakugan container by her waistside. She smiled.
"Is that a Bakugan case?" She asked.
"Yea. I use the Ventus Attribute. Do you Brawl?" Astrid asked in turn.
"Sometimes... You know, something really cool happened last night!" The Siren beamed.
"Oh yeah? Tell me about it-wait, I'm getting ahead of myself! What's your real name?"
"It's Sage. I found a talking Bakugan!"
In that moment, she pulled out what was clearly a Darkus Bakugan. It was mostly black, with some purple, and small tinges of grey and red. Astrid looked closely at the Bakugan for a moment, and smiled.
"Well, it's clearly Darkus, but what's its name?"
The Bakugan opened itself up.
"The name's Bahamut! Don't forget it!"
"So you have found yourself a partner as well, Bahamut."
Astrid turned to face Odin, who had perched himself on her shoulder. She stared at him incredulously.
"You know him, Odin?!" She demanded.
"Verily. He is the Black Dragon, Bahamut. A bit reckless, but quite capable in battle."
"Well, if it isn't Odin! Good to see you're still breathing, old friend!"
"Yes, truly. The Shiva Sisters, Brynhildr, and Alexander have all found partners as well."
"Nice! It'll be good to see some old friends!"
"Terribly sorry, but I cannot allow that."
During the mini-conversation that Bahamut and Odin had (during which Astrid and the Starlight Siren had been staring at them the whole time), a figure had shown up. He possessed a similar outfit to the Savage Nymph when she'd attacked, and Astrid recognized the nature of the outfit, though it was clearly more themed for Aquos.
"You're in bed with the Savage Nymph, aren't you?!" Astrid demanded. The figure raised an eyebrow, and chuckled.
"I do not lay with that madwoman… very few go near her. However, if you mean to ask if I am an… ally of hers, then yes, I am." He replied, leaping down to their level.
"If you know who she is, then you should know why I am here, Maiden of Thunder." He added calmly.
"Yea, you're here to steal our Bakugan!" Astrid exclaimed.
"Steal? You make it sound like a crime. Maiden of Thunder, we do not steal. We merely wish to bring about a new world… even if that means we must cripple our opponents." He explained cooly.
"Liar! You steal other people's Bakugan! There is no justification for that!" Astrid snapped.
"And you attacked my show! You could've killed millions of innocent people, you monster!" Sage added.
"I had no intention of hurting your admirers, Starlight Siren. Most of them do not possess Bakugan that are worth my time. You two, on the other hand-"
"Just who do you think you are, you murderer?!" Sage demanded.
"...I am the Luna Diviner of the Black Empire. If neither of you will surrender your Bakugan to me… then you leave me no choice."
The Luna Diviner pulled out a Gate Card, and his Capture Card. Astrid and Sage pulled their Gate Cards out, Ventus and Darkus, respectively.
"Bakugan, field, OPEN!" All three exclaimed in unison.