The words Reality is often disappointing are one's Azari has heard a lot. He's heard it before when Pym was surfing old pieces of fiction and they came across something called Anime. He's heard it in a book before too. But where he really heard it was from a quote he had seen on a poster right outside an old store in New New York
But Azari truly never believed it. He thought that you make reality what you want it to be. That it's not disappointing. It's whatever you want it to be
But as he continued to step through the waste fill that was….Wakanda
He stopped believing in the whole reality thing
He continued to look through the rubble and destruction of the city and all he found was nothing
Nothing
The most technologic place in the world. A place that was hidden among others, His Home was nothing more than a pile of ash rubble and destruction of broken buildings and fractured statues
Every step they took through the city stood a piece of broken history, destroyed weapons, pieces of debris everywhere. Azari had bent down, stopping the duo in their tracks as he grabbed a broken mask. The sight only made him grip the mask harder fracturing it even more
"I….I don't understand-why-why…..this can't be Wakanda" Azari stated
Torunn's heart broke for her Brother. A face of sorrow was displayed across her face as she looked at Azari's broken expression. She's more so impressed that there were no tears coming out of his eyes but that must've meant he was at a different type of sadness
In a hesitant manner Torunn slowly approached his crouched possession
"Azari-" she tried a weak attempt to touch his shoulder but he just swatted her hand away
"NO !" he yelled making Tournn move back
In the blink of an eye there was a newfound fire within Azari's eyes
"NO THIS ISN'T MY HOME ! THIS ISN'T WAKANDA !" he shouted in anger as he sprouted to his feet
"ULTRON DIDN'T FIND WAKANDA ! HE DIDN'T ! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE ! IT WAS TO WELL HIDDEN ! NOT EVEN TONY COULD'VE FOUND IT ! THERE'S NO POSSIBLE WAY ULTRON COULD'VE FOUND WAKANDA ! NO !"
"Azari-" Torunn tried again but the young prince only shook his head in anger as he began to shake
"NO !" In an uproar of rage fire had expelled from Azari's mouth making Torunn shriek in surprise. Bringing her hand up Torunn watched as the flame escaped from his mouth and even under the predicaments they were in it was….beautiful
A giant inferno that left his mighty roar. A flame so big it would put Human Torches blast to shame as it was an orangy red pure beam of light
Sadly it ended to quickly because soon enough Azari had dropped to his knees and when he started crying his flame extinguished
Torunn had immediately rushed to Azari taking in his crying form and she hugged and held him tightly letting Azari comply crumble and fall into her hands giving total control to her
"It's not fair" Azari whimpered
"It's not fair at all" he continued to sob
And through it all Torunn held her brother and continued to cry with him doing her best to hold the Prince that had returned home
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"So tell me I knew about your parents abilities but I never quite understood Inhuman genetics. Does it pass down from parent to child like X-genes or does it make something unique ?"
"No, actually it works a little differently. Passing down from parent to child is very unlikely and rare for an Inhuman child to receive their parents powers. As they usually have their one unique spin on their abilities but As you've seen today Ahura has his father's Quasi-sonic scream but he also has astral projection, Petra is half Minatar like his Father, Leer is able to boost Inhuman abilities but his Father was able to weaken things, and Thane…..well he's just Thane"
"Oh yeah right. Son of Thanos and all"
Luna let out a short laugh as she tucked some hair behind her ear
"So what can you do daughter of quicksilver and Crystal" Franklin exclaimed making Luna smile
"Can you blast through walls and control the elements like your mom OH ! or can you run at supersonic speeds like your dad ! OH OH OH ! better yet maybe you can fly at blazing speeds and do both at the same time !"
Luna just couldn't help but laugh at Franklin's enthusiasm towards her. Truly it's been a long time since anyone's ever been this interested in her
"No. sadly none of that" she stated bringing Franklin's mood down
"Oh"
"I'm an Empath" Luna smiled
"I can feel others' emotions and read other's minds to direct what emotion their feeling. Along with being able to change to what they feel"
"Oh, well that's still pretty cool too. Like imagine Galactus shoes up one day and you make him feel sad about killing people. I mean me personally I've made him my personal bitch before but you know everything's not a competition" he said and all Luna did in response was a small eye roll
Luna and Franklin continued to walk the halls of the Attilan castle mainly because Ahura tasked Luna with the job due to being the one who vouched for him. Even with his cosmic battle with Thane Ahura didn't trust him could've been because he's never seen anyone survive his Quasi-sonic scream when he was amped by Leer
"These are our rooms. We all live on different wings depending on who our parents are. Ahura get's top floor while Im below him, then Leer, then Petras, then Alecto leaving Thane at the bottom" Luna said
"So depending on who your parents are determines where you sleep at night ? hmm, growing up me and Valeria just slept in the same room because we shared a house with human walking experiments
Luna had just let out a small laugh
"Truth but don't feel all bad, we have the best seats in the house all things included"
"What does Ahura have a soundproof room or something"
Letting out another Laugh Luna bit her lip
"Something" she stated just making Franklin smile when they locked eyes
Coming face to face with a blank door Luna had placed a handprint on the keypad next to the door and soon enough it opened up
"Since you're gonna be our guest for a while I figured I'd give you my guest room on my floor. Because no offense buttt-"
"Everyone on your team hates my guts" Franklin said making Luna laugh once more
She truly did have a cute laugh Franklin thought
"Yeah, something like that"
The two had entered the room and it was pretty nice as rooms went. A bed a couch sofa fluffy pillows it had it all
"Wow, this room is more comfortable than my entire home"
"Heh, why thank you. I have been told to have the most comfortable floor in the castle"
Franklin was truly taken back by how nice the guest bedroom was. But as he continued to observe the room he was quickly stopped when Luna pressed a soft kiss to his cheek making him blush immediately. Franklin's cheeks grew hot red and he had immediately stood still like an icicle as Luna's cheeks were red too while she held back a heavy smile
"Enjoy the stay, I'll come get you when me and the team have puppy ready so we can find your sister"
Franklin couldn't even muster out a word. He just watched Luna wave goodbye and leave the room letting the sliding door close before he finally said something
"Pretty….."
"She's definitely into you" a voice squeaked making Franklin jump
Immediately out of nowhere Pym had sprouted into regular size and Franklin held a shocked and wide eyed expression as his jaw had dropped
This day just kept getting more and more crazy
"PYM ! WHAT THE HELL !...WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE ! HOW DID YOU EVEN KNOW I WAS HERE ! ? wait WHY ARE YOU HERE !"
Putting his hands up in defeat the small pixix tried to calm Franklin down
"Look I know it's been a minute since we've seen each other. You know the whole-" Pym only expressed his hands in a flurry of emotions trying to explain their fight and all but Franklin just shook his hands stopping him
"Ok ok ok ok, new question, what do you want? Because as you can see i'm busy here"
"Look I have a problem and I need your help to solve it"
With a groan Franklin just dropped his head in defeat
"What's your problem"
"RIGHT ! ok umm…..here it would be better if I show you"
Franklin only rose his eyebrow in confusion watching as Pym walked towards a flower pot but soon enough the boy genius had risen his hand and stuck out his pointer finger and with a singular touch he transformers the natural green flower to solid steel metal making Franklin give a shocked expression
"OH….your right that is a huge problem
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After his tears had dried and he had regained his strength again Azari had taken the task to search his home
Even if it hurt like hell he knew he needed to do it. For closure. And for reassurance that he was doing the right thing even if he was doing it for a lost cause
"Hey Torunn"
Moving a pile of debris away the blonde asgardian looked up at Azari
"Yeah"
"I uhh…..just thanks you know, for being there for me. During all of this truly. If you weren't here for me I…..I really don't know what I would've done"
Torunn only smiled
But here smile faded before she could even get a word out as immediately her eyes lit up in a shocked expression as she forcefully pushed Azari out of the way before bringing forth her sword to swing and clash with the newfound attacker
Azari didn't know what was happening as he was pushed into a pile of debris but when he shook his head to looked up he found Torunn in some sort of clash with some blue armored warrior who held a spear against Torunn's sword
The armored warrior was wearing some sort of blue african armor and it was cleary new to both of them as neither Azari or Torunn have seen anything like it
Striking back her sword Torunn sent the warrior stumbling back before she launched in the air and with a roar smashed down on the debris below splitting the building in half half missing the warrior completely as it evaded her attack
Tucking its hands together almost like it made an X across its chest with its arms, the blue armored warrior had let go and launched a strong blue shockwave attack. One that knocked Torunn back completely into a destroyed building and the armored warrior watched as the building had come crashing down upon her
Appearing out of nowhere Azari had jumped into the fight with his metal rod immediately swinging his electrified staff at the warrior, expect it was to no prevail as the attack was easily ducked letting Azari come face to face with the blue warrior
Twirling his Rod in his hand The Armored Warrior had tilted his head a little through its mask. Almost like it was observing Azari's features. His pure white eyes and static lighting that was radiating from his white hair the warrior didn't have a lot of time to observe as immediately Azari had attacked swinging his rod at it
Clashing his rod with it's spear the two had went back and forth with one another clash for clash
Going for an up attack the warrior had blocked Azari before twirling it's spear then jousting a low attack one that Azari blocked before twirling his rod behind his back and jumping up to perform a heavy slam down
Azari's attack was so strong that when his rod came in contact with the spear a large blue shockwave blasted the two in opposite directions knocking them both into different sections of debris
Azari had let out a series of coughs when he had began to risen from the debris but was soon stopped when the armored warrior threatened his life with a spear to his neck
It seems like the little blast had done more damage to her than to him as now Azari could see the warriors face revealing to be a bald dark skinned woman with a hint of rage and hate in her eyes
"State you claim here !" her muffled voice yelled at Azari
Putting his hands up in defeat Azari had spoken
"My Name is Azari T'challa, son of King T'challa and Queen Ororo. Rightful heir to the Throne of Wakanda….or what's left of it-"
"LIES !" the woman yelled threatening him with the spear once more
"THE KING AND QUEEN HAD DIED WHEN THE ROBOTS CAME ! IF THERE WAS A PRINCE WAKANDA WOULD'VE KNOWN !"
"I'M TELLING THE TRUTH ! SWEAR" Azari cried but the woman wasn't buying it
"YOU COME TO MY HOME ! OUTSIDERS AREN'T ALLOWED !" she yelled before thrusting the spear head on
CLINK
Letting out a gasp Azari had caught the spear mid swing right before it was about to impale his neck
His face showed a face of hatred and anger, as he let out an animalistic growl. Lighting began to strike all around them as his eyes grew pure white and the woman only looked around in shock of what was happening as slowly he began to rise to his feet as the lighting grew stronger
"I"
"AM"
"NOT"
"AN"
"OUTSIDER !"
A giant panther made of black electricity had formed behind Azari making the armed woman's eyes go wide as she both physically and mentally gasped
It was true
There was a prince
And this boy was it
Sending the attack towards her the black panther had pounced at the woman sending her flying into a nearby pile of debris and onto the ground below fully destroying her mask and such only leaving her face to be shown to Azari. A bald headed black woman with gold bindings around her neck
With the spear held in his hand he turned it over to see a named engraved in the wooden carving
Okoye
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The metal sounds of the cell opening were something James was all to used to by now that he hadn't even brought his head up too look
But when he heard the sounds of a girls whimper that's when he rose his head
Coming into the cell Ian held a blonde girl by her hand tightly. Luckily Ian had some humanity left in him and didn't hit her, no bruises or bleeding or anything but she had definitely been crying. Alot. James could tell by the tried up tears and her fearful expression. She was older than James young adult age but by the looks of the way she flinched when Ian let her go she's definitely been here longer than he has
The two boys said nothing to one another. Only locked eyed as ian had pulled a combat knife from one of his pouches and dropped it on the floor to let it clatter
James was only left confused though as he just looked at Ian and then the whimpering quivering woman
"What is this ?" James said
"Your ultimatum" Ian replied as he walked towards James before hitting him straight in the gut
The strike was loud and it made the girl flinch and start to cry more as it left James kneeling on the ground for a second
"Here's your choice so listen Brother and listen well. You wanna leave. You gotta kill her" Immediately the girl sobbed no and shook her head already James refused but Ian just turned to the girl and pointed
"You wanna leave, you pick up that knife and slit his throat"
The girl's tears had gotten heavier as James had slowly risen to his worn out feet
"I'm not…..gonna kill her" James mustard out but Ian just gave a glare at James before rolling his eyes
"Well ok then" Ian said before approaching the girl
Grabbing her by her hair she began to cry as he pulled her up to him putting her in a tight position ready to snap her neck. Her cries and sobs only made James more angry as he tried to pry free. If only he could just get free
"IAN ! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS ! WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO MUCH" James shouted in all his anger and might. His muscles bulged and his blood boiled as he desperately wanted to get free from these chains and beat his half brother within an inch of his life
" DO YOU WANT ME TO APOLOGIZE ! HUH IS THAT IT ! WELL I'M SORRY ! OK ! I'M SORRY DAD FEEL IN LOVE WITH MY MOM AND HAD ME ! I'M SORRY I STOLE EVERYTHING FROM YOU ! I'M SORRY YOU WERE FORGOTTEN AND ABANDONED AND HURT FROM THE WORLD ! I'M SORRY ! IS THAT IT ! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR !"
The girls tears started to slow as she grew calmer but Ian just kept his stern look
"I come back in 10 minutes, if neither one of you are dead I finish the job myself"
With his final words he threw the girl to the ground letting her fall right next to the knife before he had made his leave
James didn't know if it was because of the girl or not but the slam to the cell seemed way heavier as now it was just them together
Quietly the girl had laid there and continued to weep leaving Jamess to look around tiredly. No sleep for 15 hours was really getting to him and the last time he had eaten something was the singular protein bar Ina fed him which by his calculations was 3 hours ago
Man James has never been this tired in his life
Shaking his head James knew he had to power through it because this was it. This was his chance to not only escape but do what he did best and help someone else
"hey…..Hey ma'am hey" he said getting her attention
Through her dirty golden locks the girl slowly grew face to face with James making him flash a smile
"Look, I promise I will get us out of here I promise, I just need you to do me a favor"
Pointing over to his jacket hung up next to the metal tray where his widow bites where and his old torture section the girl had slowly follwed suit of where she needed to look
"I need you-I need you to go over there and get me my Jacket and my gear. Once I get that I can get free of these chains and I can get us out of here"
He had a plan and he knew it would work but the girl just shook her head as she continued to cry
"There is no escape" she cried her voice was broken and shattered
"I've been here for months. Trapped in his endless cycle of torture"
Slowly her hand spread to the knife as shakingly she had risen to her feet
"There were more people….more of his victims-I….." she sobbed "everyone who's ever tried to escape has ended up dead and i'm the last one" she stated before reverting back to crying again
"Hey I understand your fear, trust me I do" James said as he tried to calm her down
But the girl just shook her head
"If I kill you…then I get to leave. This nightmare will be over"
The way she held the knife with two hands James knew she couldn't possibly go through with it. She seemed like she wouldn't hurt a fly
"Ok think about it, if you kill me and he doesn't let you go then what ? you would've gotten rid of your only sure fire escape plan and now you're at his mercy but…if you help me. I can get us out of here and I can get you back to your family. So tell me, do you want to throw everything away for a gamble ?"
There was a long pause and silence in the air and for a moment James almost smiled
But the smile immediately faded when she charged at him
Grabbing the knife right before it was going to hit him James quickly disarmed the girl and threw the knife away on the ground not letting go of her
Her cries and sobs got heavier again except this time James was actually here to comfort here as softly he cuffed her face in his chained hands making her look at his calming sea blue eyes
"Hey hey no no, just look at me. Just look at me. Look at me" he cooed
Her sobs turned into slow whimpers and soon enough her whimpers turned into sniffles before she came to a stop and looked at him fully
He just flashed a calming smile
"There. See. i'm not such a bad guy right" he said and for once shining moment the girl had actually laughed and smiled
"Look we're gonna take things slow ok, let's gain each other's trust so we can get out of this ok"
The girl nodded her head and James took her hands in his
"Alright good let's start out with names ok. My name is James. What's your name"
The girl licked her lips in a hesitant manner and her voice cracked a little but soon enough he got a name reveal
"V-Va….Valeria"
Almost like his world came down James's eyes went wide
"Your Franklin's sister"