Chapter 47: The Gathering pt. 2
Oberon vs Gavin: Stranded by Fabvl
Gavin flew towards Oberon on his newly formed smoke cloud and delivered a powerful punch to the god of Magic's face, causing him to float backwards. The rage in the boy's eyes was almost as sharp as Wolverine's claws as the two struggled against each other, the pseudo vampire hissing and flashing his saliva coated fangs at the white haired man's face.
'This boy is truly different from other humans.' Oberon noted in his mind as he struggled with Gavin. With a mighty heave he managed to get from in front of the Statue of Liberty and then flip Gavin over his shoulder and towards the bay. He then used an energy beam to blast him deep into the water.
Gavin struggled against the beam and then made him smoke swirl around him as he willed it to use the oxygen and hydrogen atoms in the water to convert it into more smoke and then made it swirl around him, causing a whirlpool to form above, which he rose out of before resuming hovering on the smoke cloud he was using before.
"Just how strong are you, Mutant?" Oberon asked.
Gavin glared at him as he let out a deep and angry sigh. "I am no simple mutant, Oberon. I AM A GOD!" He roared as he blasted off towards the man again. He was in front of him in a second, his arm reared back for a punch. The fairy king quickly put up his arms to block the blow. He succeeded, but the force behind it still sent him flying.
The destination he was sent to was the ground below the Empire State Building, which Gavin appeared right in front of him again and kicked him towards the sky, sending him crashing through every floor and popping out of the spire and the top before Gavin punched him back towards the ground and into an abandoned warehouse. Landing in front of it, Gavin filled the building with his smoke before crossing his arms.
"Almighty PUSH!" He yelled as he extended his arms, causing the building to push inside out around the King of Avalon. And elsewhere, The others were witnessing the whole thing thanks to the Cybots lent to them by Mr. Reynard.
"Is… Is he really this powerful?" Xanatos asked with wide eyes as he watched the feed.
"Yep. He really is this powerful. Me and my sister can confirm that." Johan nodded. Katerina was still outside the barrier, trying to stay out of the fight for as long as she could until she could find an opportunity to make her move.
Rogue, meanwhile, was holding Damian, who was cowering in fear. He didn't like seeing his father that angry, not one bit.
"Shhhh. It's okay, Damian. It'll all be fine." Rogued cooed quietly to try and comfort him.
Meanwhile, Broadway was bringing Goliath and the other gargoyles to see Spider-Man, they were gonna need his help to stop Oberon and calm down Gavin.
"Hey Spidey! Where are you?!" Broadway called as he and the others glided through the skies, Chelsea following close behind with her wings out.
"You'd think a web slinger would be easy to spot from the air. Shows what I know." The dragoness noted as she looked around for Spider-Man.
"He's bound to be around her somewhere… There he is!" Lexington said as he spotted the spider themed hero swinging from his webs around the city, seeing that everyone was asleep.
"Let's go, guys!" Broadway said as he flew towards the masked hero. "Hey Spidey! Up here!" He called the young man.
Spider-Man looked up and waved as he landed on a light post in a crouched position. "Hey guys. Man am I glad to see you, the whole city's fallen asleep!" The web slinger said before noticing Chelsea. "Friend of yours?"
"Chelsea Marks, dragoness. How's it going?" Said woman greeted him.
"Not so good. I just saw two guys duking it out near the Empire State Building before one of them through the other into a warehouse and made it turn inside out!" The boy stated, flailing his arms around for emphasis.
"Oh no, it's getting worse. We need to move, now! Let's go!" Chelsea said, urging everyone to head to the fight.
With Gavin and Oberon, the tables had turned slightly against the pseudo vampire and he was getting batted around like a racket ball, punch after punch and kick after kick he was sent through buildings and skidding through the streets until Oberon used his powers to tie Gavin up by bringing some lamp posts to life.
"I tire of this. Give up now, boy." The man said before conjuring a sword and making it float in front of the boy's throat. "Or die." He told him. Gavin snarled before he turned to smoke and surrounded Oberon before he reformed around the man and let out a loud hiss before sinking his fangs into the man's neck.
"NGH!" Oberon grunted in pain The bite caused Gavin to slowly start to drain the Fairy King's life force, causing him to become progressively weaker. The man groaned as he fell to one knee, his energy drained. Gavin panted as he fell to his knees as well, his strength also taxed. The two breathed heavily as they glared at each other angrily.
"Why… do you… insist on… defying me in… such a way…?" Oberon questioned as he sat there.
"Because... you have... no right... to take... what isn't... yours…. you pompous old buzzard!" The boy growled as he struggled to his feet. The white haired king also struggled to his feet and gritted his teeth in anger, only to smile seconds later.
"You… Impress me, young one. Tell me, if you were to defeat me in battle, what would you like as a reward?" Oberon questioned.
"I'll let you know when my mind isn't a mess." Gavin managed to reply as he continued panting. Oberon continued to grin as his strength returned.
"Then let us CONTINUE!" He yelled as he suddenly grew to a massive size and kicked the pseudo vampire clear across the city into the force field surrounding Xanatos tower. Gavin let out a pained cry as he impacted the force field and crashed to the ground, unconscious.
Oberon then started to squeeze the energy field around the building, but its power sapping capacities started to cause him to shrink until he was half the size he was previously, and was then suddenly swarmed by a squad of Steel Clan composed completely of iron.
These robots' attacks caused even more damage and made Oberon shrink even more, using up more of his power. Right around this time, the Gargoyles, Chelsea and Spider-Man showed up.
"Let's see if this guy's okay with being a little tied up." Spider-Man said as he started firing webs at the giant Fairy. Oberon blinked when he felt something hit the side of his face. He moved his hand to where he felt the impact and was surprised to find webbing there.
"What in the world?" He muttered in confusion. The next set of sticky ropes swung and wrapped themselves around Oberon until he was completely tied around him until he was completely tied and unable to move.
"I got him!" Spidey yelled as he swung around Oberon's legs in an attempt to trip him.
"This will not hold me!" The large fairy exclaimed as he started struggling against the webs. The Steel Clan quickly came back around and started blasting away at him, trying to weaken him further. The combination of the two attacks soon caused Oberon to trip and fall, and just in time for the Cybots to surround him and create an energy dampening cage, which sapped even more of his power.
Meanwhile with Gavin, he was slowly trying to get up, but unfortunately for him, his healing factor was overtaxed and he barely had enough strength to stand up. However, his determination and sheer force of will refused to let him give up. He glared up at Oberon as he floated out of the cage and caused it to snow, before he jumped with enough force to shatter the ground under him and grab Oberon and then hurl the two of them through the force field and crash onto the stone castle atop Xanatos Tower.
"I… Refuse… To go down…" The boy growled, fists raised, barely conscious at this point. He was acting on base instincts now.
"Your tenacity is admirable, mutant. The same can be said for your power." Oberon couldn't help but praise. "However, you are at your limit. It would be for the best if you surrendered. You need not harm yourself further." He added with folded arms.
Gavin glared at him before a cascade of blood poured out of his mouth, he had a punctured lung and several broken ribs, which were just beginning to heal. "The way of the warrior, says to accept death, before dishonor." The boy growled. "And I refuse to accept dishonor!" He yelled as he charged at the man in a blind lunge, smoke forming a massive claw around his left arm.
Oberon sighed as he effortlessly dodged the attack and gave Gavin a hard chop to the neck, incapacitating him. "Forgive me, but this is for your own good." He told the unconscious boy. However, he too fell to his knees in exhaustion. "Any longer and I would have surely collapsed… Having to use all of my power against a mortal… I never would have thought it was possible." He gasped in deep breaths. It was then that the barrier deactivated, Xanatos deciding that it was of little use now that Oberon had gotten through it with Gavin.
"Now I think it's time you left." Xanatos said as he stepped out in his Gargoyle armor, which was composed of iron. He then turned to his father and Devin, who were with him. "Pop, Devin, If you would?" He asked.
"Of course, son/Mr. Xanatos." The two replied as they restrained Oberon with the metal mutant using his arms to make a pair of iron cuffs to hold his arms while the entrepreneur's father pointed an iron harpoon at him.
"Now, sir!" Devin yelled. The man pulled the trigger and the harpoon lodged itself into Oberon's chest, causing him to shrivel. "Now for phase two." The metal mutant said before he turned to liquid metal and coated the King of Avalon's entire body in his iron composed body, sapping his power all but completely, and stayed there.
"Bested by mortals… I never thought this day would ever happen." The weakened man said to himself as the gargoyles along with Spider-Man, Chelsea and Katerina arrived.
"Huh, well look at this. Never thought I'd be lucky enough to see this day." The eldritch woman mused as the group approached, getting nods from the gargoyles.
"It is an occasion for the ages, to be sure." Owen nodded as he suddenly came walking out of the castle. He then looked at Oberon with a slight smile. "So, Lord Oberon, did you enjoy your little death match with an Omega Level mutant?" He asked in a rather cheeky manner that Oberon seemed to recognize.
"So, you chose to serve a mortal, have you?" The defeated king asked knowingly. Owen smirked and then started to chuckle before spinning around until…
"Heeeeere's Puck!" A cheeky white haired fairy said as he stopped spinning before he hopped over to Gavin who was currently being held in a protective grip by Chelsea. "Well well well, even when you were on your last legs your full power was able to push his majesty to his limits. Now that's what I call strong! Wouldn't you say, lord?" Puck said while knocking on the boy's unconscious skull before turning to Oberon again.
"I must admit, he has gained my praise for being able to do so. The descendant of Tiamat, who is holding the boy, was another unexpected surprise." He replied, causing Puck to look surprised.
"Wait wait wait, Tiamat's descendant?!" He wondered as he looked at Chelsea, who looked back at him before he looked back at his King. "Are you certain, my lord?" He inquired.
"Quite." The King grunted as Devin finally set him free. Puck nodded before he lept back to the man.
"As interesting as that is my liege, that is not why I am here. I am here because I wish to explain to you why I stand against you now. So as not to incite your wrath." The younger fairy told his boss.
"Then please do explain." Oberon ordered tiredly.
"I'd be delighted to! And I even have visual aids!" Puck smiled, the mention of said aids seemed to excite Damian and Alex, who had somehow figured out a way onto the balcony, much to Rogue and Fox's dismay.
Puck then went on to tell the tale of how he came to take the form of Owen Vaguely and how he came under the employ of David Xanatos. Each of the statues he created as visual aids also kicked Oberon around for good measure, which caused Damian and Alex to both giggle and laugh.
"And when I revealed myself to Mr. Xanatos, I gave him a choice: one wish from the Puck, or a lifetime of service from Owen." The fairy continued. "And to my still eternal astonishment: he chose Owen. I cannot tell you how surprised I was at that."
"And this is why you stand against me now?" Oberon asked irritably, his strength slowly returning.
"Not if you don't force me to. Why don't you postpone the Gathering for a while? I'd be happy to stay behind and train young Alex until then. That way he can stay with his parents and no further violence has to occur." Puck explained.
"That sounds reasonable." Spider-Man said, causing everyone to look at him, and a few of the others to facepalm at his awkward timing.
"Oberon does not negotiate, he COMMANDS!" The King of the fairies roared as he sent a shockwave of magical energy all over the place.
"Alright, that's it! X-Men, ATTACK!" Chelsea yelled as Spyke, Rogue, Kurt, Kitty, Jean, Scott, Devin, Lance, Roxy, Wolverine and Storm all charged at Oberon with her to stop him. Spider-Man and The Gargoyles followed suit.
"Fox, get the kids out of here!" Johan exclaimed as he brought out an iron combat knife. The woman nodded before she picked up Alex and Damien before heading back to the bedroom, both infants giggling the entire time. Katerina followed her to keep her safe as well.
Needless to say, the X-Men were all giving the God of Magic a run for his money, especially with their teamwork. Oberon was mostly impressed with the stronger of the group, but on the whole every member of the team got his attention.
However, when Jean stepped up to the plate, the fairy King seemed visibly worried as Kitty sunk his waist deep in the ground with her intangibility.
'She is graced by the Phoenix Force! But-How?!' The man thought as Jean used her powers to blast him repeatedly with telekinetic blasts before creating a dome around him for Scott and Chelsea to let loose their blasts inside. Oberon roared in pain as he was assaulted by the blasts, leaving him with some nasty burns when the attacks stopped.
"ENOUGH!" He yelled as he blasted out of the stone and froze them in place. He glared at all of them before he stomped towards the bedroom after Fox and the children, only to find Xavier and Katerina in his way, along with Fox who had a gun.
"If you expect me to stand by and let you take my son, you've got another thing coming." The gingerette mother said firmly as she aimed her gun at him.
"Stand aside. The child is to come with us." The man told her before his gaze wandered to Damian, who was cowering behind Alex due to how bright the lights were. "As well as that one… He seems to have a magical connection as well." He added, taking a few steps towards the two infants.
"I don't think so!" Katerina growled before sending a wave of eldritch energy at him, causing him to stagger back. As he regained his bearings, he froze when he saw tentacles sprouting out of the floor and walls along with eyes that had six tentacles each floating in the air… And those eyes were all looking right at him.
"W-what in the…?!" He muttered as he looked around and saw them everywhere.
'He's vulnerable to my powers? Good. Hopefully I can subdue him.' The eldritch woman thought before sending another blast at Oberon, making his insanity worsen.
At this time, Titania had arrived as well, and the others were finally able to get free of Oberon's immobilization spell, and saw that Katerina had the man cornered.
"Well, looks like Cthulhu's got this handled." Scott muttered, getting Titania's attention.
"I'm sorry, what?" She asked in confusion, his words partially unheard by her.
"It's a name for a rather horrifying fictional creature that our friend over there happens to be a mutant variation of." Evan explained.
"I am familiar. The Old Ones have been a rival of ours for a very long time." Titania nodded. Everyone looked at her in shock.
"Vait, they actually exist?!" Kurt questioned in disbelief and a little bit of horror.
"Indeed." The woman nodded as her husband managed to regain his composure, before blasting Katerina back with a spell and conjuring sealed chains to bind her in place.
"Out of my way." He said, knocking both Xavier and Fox aside as he approached both Alex and Damian, but before his hand could touch either of them…
"NO!" Fox yelled as she surprised everyone by sending out a blast of magical energy, sending Oberon through the wall. Titania looked at where her husband was sent in surprise before looking back at her daughter.
"How did you do that?" She inquired.
"I have no idea." Puck said, shaking his head. Everyone else seemed equally confused.
"Okay, so she has magic? Since when?" Chelsea wondered.
"I got nothing." Scott replied with a shake of his head, along with everyone else. Oberon then came back into the room with an angry look on his face.
"Enough is enough!" He yelled as he approached the two infants, only for Goliath to get in his way.
"Wait, your majesty! With her outburst of magic, this entire fight is rendered unnecessary!" He said. The white haired man turned to the hulking gargoyle and looked at him.
"What are you going on about, Goliath?" He questioned, his leg unknowingly right next to Damian who was inspecting the fairy king curiously.
"With Fox's outburst of magic, there is no need for him to go to Avalon. He can stay with his parents and learn how to use his magic here." The purple skinned gargoyle explained.
"And what of the other one?" Oberon inquired, looking down at Damian who seemed to be playing with his cape, and nibbling on it with his still growing teeth.
It was at this point that Gavin slowly started to wake up from his position on Wolverine's back. "... Touch him… And you're dead." He growled before passing out again. Goliath and Oberon looked at him briefly before turning back to each other.
"If he truly has magic, then he can simply learn alongside Alex. There is no reason to tear him away from his own family, either." The gargoyle clan leader explained.
"And if it pleases you, my liege, I could teach the boys." Puck added cheerily, picking up both infants. "I do pride myself on my sunny disposition after all." He smiled as Alex started to pull on his left ear and Damian pulled on his right.
Titania smiled as she went up to Oberon. "Yes, Puck would make a wonderful teacher. And I think that the two would be great influences on each other. Don't you agree, my lord?" She asked her husband.
"Hm… Very well. You shall be their teacher, Puck." Oberon decided. "However, your actions tonight will not go unpunished." He added seriously.
"I understand, my lord, you'll hear no arguments from me." Puck told the man, handing Damian and Alex to Rogue and Fox. "And I also understand if my actions cannot go unpunished of course. After all, I did step a bit out of line." He added sheepishly.
Oberon raised an eyebrow at the latter remark. "Humility? That is certainly new from you." He said before being silent for a moment, looking at the boys, Gavin, the X-men and then Titania he then made up his mind. "Your punishment will be this: you are forbidden from using your powers, save for when you are teaching or protecting the boys, and additionally you shall be henceforth banished from Avalon's paradise until both Xanatos and Alexander's lives are finished. Do you understand, Puck?" He questioned his servant.
"Completely, my liege. I do so appreciate your leniency." Puck nodded with a respectful bow.
"Very good. Now then, come my queen. We must return to Avalon." He beckoned his wife as he undid Katerina's chains, allowing her to move freely again.
Titania nodded before she went to Fox. "I will miss you my daughter, do be well." She told her.
"This still doesn't change what you tried to do." Fox snapped.
"Oh, but who is to say this isn't what I wanted to happen all along?" The Queen of Avalon asked before whispering something into her ear. She then kissed both her daughter and grandson on the cheek before she went to Gavin, Rogue and Damian. "And as for you, young Damian and Gavin. I hope that you will watch over my family in my place. Especially you, little one." She added, patting the blue infant's head as he purred happily. "Do keep an eye on Alexander, won't you?" She asked him.
Damian only responded by cutely patting her nose with his little hands, causing the fairy queen to giggle lightly at the action. With that she then joined Oberon.
"Until we meet again." She said cheerily.
"Which for all of your sakes, best not be soon." Oberon added as the two disappeared. As soon as they were gone everyone collapsed in exhaustion. This was a nightmare none of them would ever forget.
(Elsewhere)
Mystique was in the Cerebro room getting the last preparations ready. Her cover may or may not have been blown while everyone was gone, so she wasn't going to stick around to find out. Once everything was done, she quickly turned into Roxy and exited the school and started walking down the streets before turning back to normal.
Phase one of her plan was complete, now it was on to phase two. Though as she left, another figure hopped onto the Institute grounds. She was a young girl with brown hair, mocha shaded skin, a scrunched up nose and green eyes.
It was Laura, Logan's unknown daughter. And she was here for one thing and one thing only right now…
"Alright dad, time for us to have a little 'talk'." She said as she walked towards the Institute building.
Dragon Emperor0: And that is it! The arc is finished and boy did Gavin take a massive L this chapter!
ThermalsniperN7: No kidding. Seriously, he gets smacked into a force field after breaking a few bones, and decides it's nothing to worry about before throwing himself at Oberon… What a boss.
Dragon Emperor0: Next chapter we'll be starting something really special. We're gonna have the X-23 saga start early. Which means Laura will be joining the Institute soon. Heh, and Chelsea is gonna become a stepmom.
ThermalsniperN7: Yeah, she's probably gonna need some help. I mean, she is getting this dumped on her all of a sudden.
Dragon Emperor0: Yep. Anyway, let's see you guys next week!