Plasma57: thank you
Ilikehats2: you already know who he is
Chapter 33: Confliction and Denial
(In Avenger's Tower, All Hallows Eve)
Halloween... the day where anyone can be anyone/anything they want: a cowboy, a doctor, a dragon, a bandit, etc. But tonight the pleasantries for the assembled individuals at Avengers' Tower have been put aside for a mission. Tonight they have to assault the castle fortress of Dracula himself... The irony of it all… But it was no joke; tonight the worlds of the living and the dead will be connected. This is when the vampire king and his army will be at their strongest. All who are taking part in the castle siege are preparing for what laid ahead.
"Gear up everyone, leave nothing behind." Cap said. "You heard the man! Get ready for the battle!" Red-Hulk bellowed. "Yes sirs!" The SHIELD troopers called out as they prepared everything.
The guns' rounds being utilized in the missions have agents of gamma radiation, concentrated to only stun and temporarily immobilize vampires. They didn't know how many would be in the castle, so some of the heroes had equipped themselves with various other weapons which will have the same effect as the bullets.
"Is everyone efficiently armed?" Coulson asked.
All waiting to leave nodded.
"Good luck everyone. We'll keep watch with the Agents of SMASH's camera bots. What they will record will be only transmitted to SHIELD headquarters." The agent of SHIELD added. "That makes it so much better." She-Hulk grumbled. "Good luck." Coulson said.
Fury walked up and faced those assembled to go in this mission.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today your mission is to assault Dracula's fortress and stop his plans. He has an army of vampires and compelled minions. There's no telling how many of them are lurking in there. Tread with caution, keep your sense sharp, and protect one another. We don't know the exact nature of what he's doing in there, but you must stop him. Get in, stop him, find the kidnapped, and get out. Good luck and be careful. We'll be watching" The Director of SHIELD said.
Nick nodded and walked off with Coulson. As everyone walked out to the jets waiting for them, Tiger was pulled off to the side by Aunt May for a quick chat.
"Don't worry Ms. Parker, we'll get him back. There's no nothing to worry about." Tiger said. "Dear, I know that you'll get Peter back. But I'm also worried about you." May said. "W-What?... " White Tiger stammered. "You know what I'm talking about." She replied. "Ms. Parker I…" Tiger started to say when May said, "Ava, you're a strong and beautiful young woman. My boy is goofy yes... and hard-headed… but he has a heart of gold. He cares for you, dear. And I truly believe he loves you, and you him."
Tiger felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"Ms. Parker I have to..." She tried to say, but May interjected again by saying, "Please don't deny your feelings. If you do, you'll regret. Please… embrace what you feel." Aunt May pleaded, taking Ava' hands in her's.
Black Widow walked back into the tower to see what was taking White Tiger.
"Ms. Ayala! Time to go!" Natasha called. "I have to go." Tiger stuttered and walked off.
Aunt May sighed and walked off. Tiger and Widow walked towards the True Justice, everyone having gotten onto the different aircraft taking them to the fortress.
"Was that…" Widow started to ask. "Nothing." Tiger replied quickly.
Natasha looked at her with an unreadable expression. Tiger didn't look at her, to many thoughts were going through her already conflicted mind. When the jets had loaded everyone and everything going on the mission, they took off. Everyone was silent, waiting for their time of arrival.
'I'm not in love with him! How could I be! I mean... come on!' Tiger growled in her mind.
Iron-Fist noticed her frustration and knew what was causing her to be in a turmoil.
"My friend, you are at war with your emotions. That won't help you in the battle to come." Fist said. "I'm fine Danny." Tiger hissed. "Conflicting emotions are a double-edged sword, it can cut both ways. You must make peace with the truth." Iron-Fist calmly replied. "I know what the truth is. And it's not what you're thinking." Tiger snarled, irritation thick in her voice.
The other heroes were looking at her with various expressions.
"Easy girl, just calm down." Power Man urged. "Yeah Tiger, it's ok." Iron Spider added. "Man I didn't ever think you and Spidey would have feeling for one another. But man was I wrong!" Agent Venom chuckled. "I don't have feeling for him!" Tiger snarled.
The situation wasn't going well. Her stubbornness was keeping her from concentrating on what lays ahead.
"Please try to calm down, we need to get ready." Hulk said. "My green friend is correct, the battle ahead will be most disastrous if not all the warriors are prepared." Thor added. "I am prepared." Tiger hissed. "Young lady… why is it so difficult to accept the truth?" Doctor Strange asked. "I don't…" Tiger started to growl but Strange continued, "I've read Peter's mind before, some of his best moment have been in your company. One thought I remember him thinking was: 'Ava is really special; I haven't met anyone like her before. I'm glad to have met her.'… Or something along those lines."
Tiger was speechless for a moment, her cheeks were burning up.
"We're here!" Cap called out.
Everyone completed final preparations for the attack. The jets soon landed and all passengers moved out. But Widow stopped Tiger for a moment.
"Ms. Ayala, your emotions are conflicting you. But please keep your mind straight as an arrow. This is a mission, you need to be ready." Widow explained. "Don't worry; I plan to see this mission completed successfully." Tiger replied, conviction in her voice.
Black Widow grinned then nodded. The two women moved out with their allies towards the castle. Cap and Wolverine are at the head of the group. Everyone capable of flight is walking. They were trying to make as little noise as possible. Everyone was in stealth-mode, their version of stealth anyways. Soon they arrived at the bush line where Cap and his recon team used to spy on the vampires. To their shock, there weren't any guards outside. Even more surprising: the gates are open.
"Are they in mist form?" Cloak whispered. "Hold on, let me check." Jack whispered in reply.
He inhaled the scents around him.
"No, there aren't any outside." Jack replied. "I can't find their scent outside." Logan added. "Zabu doesn't smell them out here either." Kazar said. "Move out. Be careful." Captain America said.
With caution, everyone hurried to the fortress.
"We move with caution. Stay together." Cap ordered. "Tight formation." Red-Hulk added.
The bunched together, but in a strong, yet flexible formation as they moved inside the fortress. After walking about 40 feet inside and with no one left outside, the doors slammed shut and locked.
(Not fucking again!)
Mists slithered around the group, circling them. Those there readied themselves. A familiar voice laughed with sinister glee.
"No…" Hannibal gasped. "Well isn't this not a surprise." The voice chuckled as a man in all white walked into view.
A cocky, arrogant smirk is on his face. His ice blue eyes locked on everyone present.
"The eclipse spells the end for all freaks." The mystery man snarled.
To be continued…