Remnant's Mightiest Heroes!
Chapter 23: Let's Get Mischievous
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November 14 17:00
Avengers Mansion, New York
"So…how long has it been?" Jaune asked with wide eyes as he leaned on Pyrrha's shoulder.
"Hmm…" Weiss casually checked the clock on her scroll. "I'd say it's been about less than three hours."
"Three hours and he's still hasn't had enough?" Blake asked.
"Well, he is the God of Thunder," Pyrrha pointed out. "He once said that he fought thousands of Frost Giants on Jotunheim once."
The Remnantian teens ducked to avoid a flying Creep. It crashed against the base and fell unmoving. The bone-white mask had cracked upon impact. Both of its legs have been bent backward, breaking them. Slowly, it has begun to disintegrate. They watched it for a few seconds before they turned to the person responsible for its demise.
Thor is grinning like a mad man as he took on waves of Grimm. After Ruby designed a program to generate holographic Grimm in the H.A.R.M. room, Thor asked to test. When he easily beat the Beowulf she sent against him, he asked for more. Seeing it as a challenge, Ruby began spawning more Grimm of various types to take on the Avenger. The prince of Asgard insisted on taking on all varieties of Grimm at once.
Ruby was worried that Thor is biting off more than he could chew. But her concerns faded as she witnessed the fight. With Mjolnir in hand, Thor decimated the holographic Grimm. Twirling his hammer, he reduced a multitude of Grimm to dust. With a swing of Mjolnir, he cracked the bones masks like they are eggshells. Sometimes, he would add lightning to his strikes to vaporize the Grimm instantly. Any that got too close were blown away by the wind just to give him breathing room.
Sometimes, he will forgo his hammer and use his bare hands. Any thought of Thor being helpless without his hammer is banished the moment he wrestled an Alpha Ursa to the ground and crushed its skull underfoot. According to Norse Mythos, he is also the Asgardian god of strength, which he's proving firsthand. When a Boarbatusk launched itself in its spinning attack, the Avenger simply punched it into a group of Grimm. Yang burst out laughing when he shoved a Deathstalkers stinger up a Beringels behind. Then, when Ruby called up a Goliath, Thor broke off one of its tusks and stabbed it into the head.
But it was the lightning that made them cheer. Calling Mjolnir to his hand, Thor channeled his power. A cloud of thunder is formed above him, and lightning rained down upon the Creatures of Grimm. They didn't have time to give one last groan before they were instantly vaporized. The amount of electricity made the Remnantian concerned not for their health, but the simulator.
"J.A.R.V.I.S. can the H.A.R.M. room withstand this?" Ruby asked.
"Certainly Ms. Rose," the A.I. butler replied. "When he first built the H.A.R.M. room for the Avengers, Stark installed surge protectors so that it can withstand Thor's lightning powers. To be frank, Thor is one the reason it took so long for construction to complete."
"What were the others?" Nora asked in curiosity.
"Dr. Banner when he is having one of his 'episodes', Ms. Valkyrie."
"He's not wrong," Blake said as Thor zapped a Beowolf into nothing. On the ground are scorch marks where lightning has struck. Thor didn't look winded from the millions of Grimm that he had fought. He looked to Ruby rose with a smirk.
"At least try to make it a challenge."
That irked Ruby and she gave an ear-splitting grin. "Okay…you asked for it!"
Ruby called up the holographic interface and scrolled through the Grimm. Briefly, her finger hovered over the image of a Nevermore. She swiped it away and settled on a Wyvern, a Grimm that emerged during the Invasion of Remnant. But she swiped that away as well and selected a Grimm she only saw in her digital textbooks. Weiss had been looking over her shoulder and saw what she selected. The heiress's eyes became wide as saucers.
"Ruby! Are you dumb? We're not even near the ocean!"
"Hey, he said he wanted a challenge," Ruby said as she tapped the icon. "And this the biggest that I can find!"
"I hope so young Rose," Thor called having overheard their conversation. "I fear that I'm getting soft if this is all the Grimm have to offer."
"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet!" Ruby yelled as the H.A.R.M. generated the Grimm type she selected.
From behind Thor, a gigantic Grimm materialized. It is bipedal and looked aquatic with four humanoid limbs and a long tail. It has four gills on each side of its neck and a collection of dorsal plates protruding from its back, with red webbing between each plate. Its head is reminiscent of a porpoise skull with a mouth filled with sharp teeth. Three pairs of yellow eyes glared at the Asgardian, who turned to look at this new foe. The Avenger gave a feral grin.
"That's more like it."
The Leviathan roared as it opened its maw and let out a stream of electric fire towards him. Realizing the danger, the heroes in training moved to safety while Thor stood his ground. Gripping Mjolnir tightly, Thor brandished his weapon to intercept the attack. The mighty hammer gave off a glow as it began absorbing the energy breath attack with a hum. It continued for several seconds before the Leviathan ceased its attack. Then, Thor brandished Mjolnir and redirected the energy it absorbed back at the gigantic Grimm. It struck the Leviathan dead in one of its arms and caused an explosion. When the smoke faded, the Leviathan howled as its arm fell, blasted off by the blast.
Taking advantage, Thor spun his hammer and used its weight to launch himself in the air. Seeing him, the Leviathan swiped at him with its remaining clawed hand. It swats him out of the air and sent him crashing into the side of a cliff.
"Thor!" Ruby cried out in worry. To her relief, Thor is alright and standing up. His eyes are focused on the stomping Grimm.
"You hit hard," Thor appraised. "So, for you…I'll hit harder."
Once again, he twirled his hammer by its leather thong and flew towards the Grimm. Again, it breathed out its energy breath. This time, Thor threw Mjolnir to meet the blast. The hammer absorbed the energy of the attack as it soared into its mouth. It must've hit its uvula because it snapped its mouth shut and reared back its head. Thor continued to fly until set himself onto its head. He held out a hand to the skull. The Grimm twisted uncomfortably and almost shook him off. But the battle came to an end as Mjolnir erupted from its head and returned to his hand.
It stood still as a statue as if it was taking time to register the fact that he's dead. Then, its black essence began to float off it as it fell. The holographic earth shuddered as its body crashed. Triumphantly, Thor walked off its skull and let himself fall. Landing on his feet, he walked towards the awestruck Remnatians who ran out to meet him.
"That…was…AWESOME!" Nora cried out.
"What a sick way to kill a Grimm!" Yang grinned.
"Mjolnir returns to my hand no matter what," Thor said. "It was a lesson I learned long ago from my brother Loki. That's one of the good things that I've learned from fighting with and against him."
"You mean like that time where you had to dress up like a princess?" Jaune asked before Pyrrha clapped a hand onto his mouth. But Thor just let out a hearty laugh.
"Ah, yes! My most humiliating moment!" Thor guffawed. "I must admit, it was funny. But it was all worth it if I got Mjolnir back. Though I wonder how Midgard was able to find out about that."
"Probably the same way they wrote the other myths and legends," Weiss said. "So how did the program go?"
"Yeah…how did my program go?" Ruby chimed in, mimicking Weiss' question.
"You've done an exceptional job young Rose," Thor's words brought a smile to her face. "Your knowledge and experience in fighting these Creatures of Grimm have truly created a magnificent gauntlet."
"Aw it was nothing," Ruby said bashfully. "To be honest, some of the Grimm are ones that I and my team haven't fought yet. I just went by the basic instinct of destroying everything in sight."
"Yet you've provided yourselves a chance to fight them now," Thor countered. "Better in the H.A.R.M. room where you can prepare than when you first encounter them. I'm sure that my fellow Avengers will say the same. Which brings me to another thing…"
"Oh yeah, I'll go get you a copy," Ruby said, remembering the reason why Thor came here. "Give me a second."
Ruby called up the holographic interface and deactivated the H.A.R.M. room. The Emerald Forest faded and returned to the blank and empty room. Ruby immediately rushed out of the room in a burst of rose petals. The others had just barely exited as well when Ruby came back.
"Here you go," Ruby held out a thumb drive towards the Asgardian. Thor gingerly picked it up like it was an egg and examined it.
"To think everything is in a fragile piece of technology…" Thor muttered with a frown before he pocketed. "I'll be sure to bring this to Stark. You have my word that this will arrive safely in his hands."
"I wonder what he's going to use that for? A Grimmbuster armor?" Yang asked wryly.
"OOH! I WANT TO SEE THAT!" Ruby said with stars in her eyes.
Thor just shook his head in amusement. While he had misgivings about technology, he knew that it is neither good nor evil. It is a tool just like his hammer. How it is used is up to the person who uses it. Already, he fought several villains who choose to abuse it, but he has a teammate who genuinely wants to build technology for a better tomorrow. He can only hope that young Rose doesn't fall on the same path.
At that moment, J.A.R.V.I.S. spoke.
"Pardon me, Thor. But you have a visitor outside the mansion."
"Oh?" Thor asked with a raised eyebrow. "Who is it?"
"She's introduced herself as the Lady Sif," J.A.R.V.I.S. said, much to Thor's surprise. The teenage heroes looked at him.
"Sif? What's she doing here?" Thor wondered.
"She wouldn't say, but she did say that she needed to see you immediately."
"Tell her I'll be right there," Thor said as he immediately starts walking. The others looked at each other before they followed him. They exited the command center and walked across the foyer towards the door. Thor opened it and went outside to greet the visitor.
Standing outside is a beautiful woman with thick black hair that reaches her mid-back. She wore red and silver armor and a matching cloak with fur at the shoulders. In her hand, he carried a sword by the scabbard. Seeing Thor exit the mansion, she approached the group and stopped before them, and greeted the Asgardian.
"Thor."
"Sif," Thor greeted with a smile as he approaches her. Compared to him, she is short in stature. He turned to the Remnantian teens and said, "Teams RWBY and JNPR, meet the Lady Sif, one of the fiercest warriors in Asgard. Lady Sif, meet teams RWBY and JNPR. Warriors who hail from the realm of Remnant."
"It's an honor to meet you Lady Sif," Weiss said, giving her the proper courtesy. The others did the same while Ruby was struggling between bending her knees and bowing. She ended up doing a mixture of both.
"A pleasure to meet you. Thor has spoken highly of you back in Asgard," Sif said before her face became sadden. "He also told me what has befallen your realm. Even the injustices that you have suffered. All Asgard has known what happened. You have our deepest sympathies."
"I…Thank you Lady Sif," Weiss said with a somber expression that everyone else mimicked. The memories of Kang's invasion of Remnant are still fresh on their minds after all the time they've spent on Earth. All because of the crime of failing to stop a monster from destroying them all. The Avengers have been doing their best to dull the pain, especially with group therapy, but they can never forget it.
"We're going to take back our home," Ruby declared firmly. "And we're going to shove Kang's crap down his throat."
Seeing the look on Ruby's face made her teammates and sister team adopt the same looks. Faces hardened with righteous anger and determination. If Kang said they've failed to protect their world, they're going to work hard to prove the time-traveling conqueror wrong.
"Now that's the spirit," Lady Sif praised raising her sword to the sky. "I pray that you succeed in your saga. Should you die in the attempt, you will make fine Einherjar in the halls of Valhalla."
"Umm…okay…" Pyrrha said, not sure how to feel about that considering that she died on some alternate timeline.
"Just one question," Yang said, her eyes on Sif's hair. "No offense, but shouldn't you have golden hair?"
"I see you've read some of that Midgardian nonsense about us," Sif said with a sigh. "Not everything of what those mortals write about us is exactly true. I am the Goddess of War, not of harvest. I'm also a Vanir, not a giantess."
"Wait, aren't you also Thor's…" Nora tried to say.
"I am one of Thor's closest friends," Sif interrupts, shooting Nora a glare with her golden eyes. "He and I have fought together in many battles across the nine realms. Not wait at home like some helpless maiden."
Nora looked down with a sad expression. Ren placed a hand on her shoulder to cheer her up. From her body movements, it appears she does harbor a thing for Thor. But she didn't want to show it for personal reasons. They respectfully left it alone.
"What about Ragnarök?" Jaune asked with a raised hand. "Is most of the stuff they wrote about exaggerated?"
"No. That's one of the things they got right," Sif admitted before turning to Thor. "But we're getting off-topic. Thor, the Allfather has ordered your immediate return to Asgard. It is of the utmost importance."
"My father?" Thor asked. "If it's about his stolen treasures, I told him that I will be on the lookout for them. The same goes for the Destroyer armor."
"This isn't about the treasures stolen from Odin's Vault or the Destroyer," Sif said urgently. "The Seal of Bor's Sons has been broken."
"Broken?" Thor asked in shock. "But that spell was cast by my father and his brothers! How can it be broken?"
"I'm being sent there to find out," Sif said. "But Asgard needs you in the event Fire Demons decided to launch an attack on the Nine Realms. The Einherjar are being mobilized as we speak but we need you and your strength."
"Umm…excuse me?" Ruby asked with a raised hand. The two Asgardians looked at her and she gave a small squeak. "Yeah, we're still here. What exactly is the Seal of Boredom?"
"Bor's Sons. The Seal of Bor's Sons," Weiss corrected.
"I know that!"
"It's okay young Rose," Thor assured her gently before he became serious. "Tell me…have any of you read about the fire giant, Surtur?"
"You mean the fire giant that will bring about the Twilight of the Gods and by extension the universe?" Ren asked to which Thor nods gravely.
"Yes. The Monarch of Muspelheim and the Lord of the Fire Demons. Millions of years ago, my father battled him to prevent him from initiating Ragnarök. He succeeded in slaying him and taking the source of his power—the Eternal Flame back to Asgard. To ensure that his Fire Demons don't wreak havoc upon the Nine Realms in the absence of their master, he and his brothers placed a seal to prevent them from leaving the realm of fire."
"But now, after all these years, the seal has been broken," Sif said. "The Fire Demons are now free to invade the nine realms unfettered. Which is why we need to leave for Asgard."
"Father has plenty of warriors in the Einherjar he can call upon, Sif," Thor declared. "Especially my father. I've given my word to defend Midgard with my life."
"This is a command from the king of Asgard—your father," Sif argued. "Are you going to repeat the same mistake you made back then?"
"That was different," Thor argued back, his eyes hardening in a glare. "I was arrogant and brash, but I've learned my lesson. Father has never sent any of his forces to Midgard after the war with the Frost Giants. Right now, I am the only Asgardian here."
"But we need you!" Sif argued. "Asgard needs you and Odin might fall into the Odinsleep! Would you abandon your people now?"
The Asgardians glared at each other in a silent standoff. Above, dark clouds have gathered, and thunder began to rumble. It looked as though a fight was about to break out between the Norse Gods. At that moment, Ruby spoke up.
"Thor…maybe you should go."
"What?" Thor whipped his head to look at the silver-eyed girl. She was nervous for a moment before she became determined.
"You should go help your people," Ruby asked. "Before you say anything, we know that you would willingly lay down your life for Midgard. Cap told us much. But you shouldn't forget the needs of your people as well."
"But…"
"You remember that Kang invaded our home, right?" Yang added. "True, we got our butts kicked, but Remnant is still there. But if there's a bunch of fire monsters running around the Nine Realms, then you can send them back to the hell they call home. The sooner you smack them, the faster you can get back to Midgard. Besides, didn't you say that your father falling into that deep sleep thing would make Asgard vulnerable?"
"Besides, Earth isn't exactly helpless," Jaune pointed out. "You got the Avengers, the Secret Warriors, and S.H.I.E.L.D. Comrades that you have fought side by side long before we came. Do you not trust us to protect this realm while you're gone?"
"I…" Thor couldn't speak as he realized what they are getting at with their words. The Avengers exist to fight the battles that couldn't be fought by one single hero. Even though he is also the God of Strength, he cannot fight every battle by himself. A lesson that almost cost him one of his friends. He fought alongside by side with people who are more than worthy to be called Earth's Mightiest. Is he doubting his comrades on Midgard? The people he would entrust his life.
"Alright," Thor said with the air of making up his mind. He turned to Sif and said, "I will return to Asgard."
Sif seemed delighted at his answer. "Thank you, Thor."
"Team RWBY and JNPR, thank you for reminding me that this burden isn't mine to carry alone," Thor declared to the teens. "I've forgotten that even without me, Midgard is in safe hand. Now, those hands are yours. Please protect Midgard."
"We will Thor," Ruby declared, and her friends nodded in affirmation. "We've been training our lives to protect humanity and that's exactly what we're going to do."
"Your words prove your actions long before we've met. Fare thee well young warriors," Thor said as he stood next to Sif and held up his hammer. "Heimdall! Open the Bifrost!"
In a split second, he said that a pillar of rainbow light came down from the heavens and struck the two Asgardians. Teams RWBY and JNPR shielded their eyes from the light and the wind that got kicked up. It lasted for a few seconds before the light faded. When they removed them, Thor and Lady Sif weren't there anymore. In their place is an intricate rune-like marking burnt into the ground.
"Well that's going to leave a mark," Yang quipped. Everyone groaned at her pun. "So, what do you want to do before Fire Demons come and attack us?"
"Now that I think about it, Thanksgiving is coming up," Weiss said. "I asked Mr. Stark if we could help with preparations, and he said yes. I even made a shopping list. Does anyone want to come with me?"
"I'll go," Blake said. "I need to go shopping for some cat repellent."
"You mean Flerken repellent," Yang corrected.
"Whatever! I need something to stop getting that thing to stop eating my stuff!"
"Don't demean Chewie!" Weiss scolded. "I'm sure she didn't mean to eat them."
"Yeah, she made that clear," Blake said flatly before she began walking. "I'll go on ahead."
"We'll go together! Wait up!" Yang called as she ran after her. Weiss and Ruby begin to follow them. Ruby turned to look back at team JNPR.
"Are you guys coming?"
"I still need to recover," Jaune said. "But I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving."
"I know it will be grand," Pyrrha said.
"I know it will be awesome!" Nora declared. "One day a year where we get to stuff our faces to our heart's content! THIS IS THE BEST HOLIDAY EVER!"
"That's not the point of Thanksgiving Nora," Ren sighed.
"We won't be gone for long! Don't forget that it's your turn to make dinner!" Ruby said as she ran to join her hands. "Crud! Thor still has the copy of the Grimm Program!
Asgard
Thor and Sif traveled through the cosmos with the power of the Bifrost. The experience was like they are flying. The many colors of the immense dimensional energy passed them by, faster than the eye could blink. Both are silent as they travel.
After what seemed like a minute, they arrived at their destination. They stepped into a golden chamber. At the center is a pedestal in which the keeper of the Bifrost stood with his sword inserted into it. Behind them, the dimensional energy of the Bifrost died down.
"Welcome back," Heimdall said in a monotone voice.
"Greetings Heimdall," Thor said. It was then he noticed the contingent of Einherjar standing by in tight formation. All of them are dressed in armor and carrying spears and shields. Some of them are carrying swords and axes. They are fully prepared for war. But he noticed another group present.
"Is that a hunting party?" Thor asked, seeing lightly armored Asgardians mounted on white wolf-beasts. Golden armor covered the bodies of the beasts, but not much so that it will allow freedom of movement.
"It's Asgardsreia," Sif explained. "Did your time in Midgard forget?"
"Ah, the day of the Wild Hunt," Thor said, remembering. "Did you know Midgard has a festival like that? They call it the giving of thanks."
"I didn't know."
"That aside, why are we sending this band of hunters out?" Thor asked. "I thought this was an emergency."
"Your father wanted to raise morale," Heimdall answered slowly. "The Vault has been raided and the Seal of Bor's Sons has been broken. The people are dreading what is to come."
Thor grunted but he could see the truth of the keepers' words. If their morale is low, then Asgards warriors won't be able to perform their duties to their fullest. He remembered something.
"Heimdall has there been any progress in finding—"
"I am sorry to say, I have not found Remnant," Heimdall said. Thor can tell that this is frustrating him as well. There is one time when his gift of sight and hearing failed him, and it nearly destroyed a realm. He is doing his best to locate the world of RWBY and JNPR.
"I shall keep searching," Heimdall said.
"Thank you Heimdall," Thor said honestly as he and Sif walk around the pedestal. The Einherjar and Hunters stood aside to allow them passage. The warriors knew what is like to have a future that spelled your doom. They can hope that Remnant won't experience their own Ragnarök.
"I'll fly up ahead," Thor said when the arrived at the entrance. He gripped Mjolnir by the thong and begin spinning it.
"Knew you would say that," Sif said in amusement as she cleaved the air with her sword. From where she cut, a portal opened for her to step through.
"I can make a portal too," Thor pointed out before he flew out from Himinbjorg. He flew over the Rainbow Bridge that connected it to the Royal Palace of Valaskjalf. The crystals that make up the bridge are what channel the dimensional energy of the Bifrost. Surrounding it is a sea that flows to the edge of Asgard.
He followed the bridge until he came to the city. The buildings looked to be made of gold. Shining gold. Standing out is the Royal Palace of Valaskjalf. Home of the Asgardian Royal family. It stood taller than the rest, reaching out to the heavens. Thor felt he is coming back to his first home.
He landed at the entrance to the Palace. Slowly, he made his way up the steps. The Einherjar standing guard noticed his approach and stood at attention. Thor waved them off and continued his way, his footsteps echoing through the halls. Two objects flew by his head with a flutter of wings, but he knew what they are. Black feathers slowly floated to the ground in his wake.
The prince of Asgard eventually reached the throne of Asgard. Standing before it is his most trusted allies, the Warriors Three. Volstagg the Valorous, Fandral the Dashing, and Hogun the Grim. Volstagg, a large orange bearded warrior with a heavy frame dressed in purple armor and a red cape. Fandral, a handsome blonde man dressed in green. Hogun, a grim-faced man dressed in black with a black ushanka with horns. To the right is Sif, who arrived earlier than he.
When Thor stood next to them, they took a knee before the man sitting on the throne. Dressed in armor is an elderly man dressed in armor. His snow-white beard fell across his torso. An eyepatch covered his right eye. In his hand, he held a golden spear, a symbol of his power. Perched on his shoulders are two ravens. Huginn and Muninn. Thought and Memory.
"Father. I have returned," Thor greeted. At the sound of his voice, the ravens flew away with a flap of their wings. They are likely going out into the Nine Realms to act as Odin's ears and report what they saw.
"My son…" Odin the Allfather greeted. "You couldn't have come at a better time."
"I heard that the Seal of Bor's Sons has been broken," Thor said. "Have Fire Demons begun plaguing the Nine Realms?"
"As Heimdall and my ravens reported, not yet," Odin said. "But we must stand ready to defend the realms. Your brother Tyr has taken a hundred Einherjar to reinforce Alfheim. I received reports that the Vanir have trouble with marauders. Most of our forces are reinforcing the dwarves of Nidavellir. I need you to deal with the marauders before the Fire Demons exploit their vulnerability."
"Understood father," Thor nodded in affirmation. "But do we know how the seal got broken?"
"It's why I'm sending Sif over to Muspelheim," Odin said, turning to the warrior lady. "Whatever has done this has evaded my sight and Heimdall's. Regardless, we will find out what happened."
Thor and an inkling as to who may be responsible. Something like this is his style. He was able to evade the sight of Heimdall.
"Father," Thor spoke. "Do you think Loki might be behind this?"
At the mention of his adopted brother, Odin's one eye hardened. He could feel the animosity of Warriors Three and Sif. No one could blame them after how his schemes have almost doomed not just the Nine Realms, but the universe. But that wasn't the worst thing he had done. Ever since he discovered that he was a Jotunn, he threw away everything Odin had given him. A home, a family, and a life. It was like spitting in his face.
"No," Odin shook his head. "Loki is still trapped beneath Midgard serving his punishment."
"With all due respect father," Thor argued. "Loki has a knack for surviving defeat and for fooling even you! By the Norns, he took over Asgard once!"
"He was able to find a way to avoid Heimdall's sight, Allfather," Sif said, defending Thor. "And brought Frost Giants before we realize it."
"I am well aware of Loki's capabilities," Odin said calmly. "With a silver tongue, he can sow the seeds of discord even among our number. But only if we play into his hands. But if it eases our immortal souls, I will have Heimdall check on Loki to make sure he's serving his sentence."
"Thank you, father," Thor said. At that moment, Odin's ravens flew over them. They landed at his shoulders. His eyes widened at what they told him.
"Now, off to Vanheim with you. A fire demon has been sighted in Vanheim. I fear that more will follow."
The warriors of Asgard stood up, turned on their heels, and left Odin's presence. Their feelings are hardened like steel. Truth be told, Thor's friends fully agree with his suspicions that Loki is once again scheming another plot to seize control of the Nine Realms. But they have no way of proving that, especially to the Allfather. However, they vowed to be on alert for Loki.
No matter where he may be.
New York
"They call this a turkey?" Yang asked as team RWBY exited a supermarket. In plastic bags, they carried food for Thanksgiving. Their scrolls have an EZpay app that is linked to Stark's account. Luckily, Weiss made sure that they don't overspend as it wasn't their money. They didn't want to take advantage of the Avenger's kindness.
"Well, as it turns out, if we had started a month ago, we could've gotten a bigger one," Weiss said as she held stuffing. "But unfortunately, we have to deal with supervillains than crazed shoppers."
"At least we would get a Thanksgiving," Blake said as they walked down the road. "Who knows what would've happened if the Goblin Nation had surfaced again?"
"Or the costumed chaos caused by Jack O' Lantern," Ruby added. "Don't get me started on the guy who wore a black hole costume. Who in their right mind would wear the solar system on Halloween?"
"It's called dressing up whatever you want to be," Yang said.
"Fair point. The supermarket had a good sale anyway," Weiss concedes. Eventually, their trek took them across the central park. Some people are lingering by, either eating cheap eats or in Blake's consternation, walking a dog.
"Remember how Kraven set up his big game hunt here?" Blake asked as she looked around.
"I'm surprised that you want to remember that psycho," Yang said with a dark look.
"Being kidnapped and forced to be hunted like an animal leaves a lasting impression," Blake said. "While what he did was unforgivable, he managed to change thanks to Peter. Until his death."
"Do you think his son will take over?" Ruby asked.
"Obviously," Weiss said with a roll of her eyes. "He's Kraven's heir after all."
"I just hope that he doesn't go hunting for animal-themed supers soon," Ruby said before her stomach growled. Then one by one, the rest of her teammates growled in hungry.
"I'm hungry," Ruby spoke up.
"Well, ain't that obvious?" Yang said.
"Team JNPR is making dinner back at the mansion. Why don't you wait until we get there?" Weiss asked, crossing her arms as much as her bags would allow.
"But I'm famished, Weiss!" Ruby complained.
"Ugh! If it'll make you feel better, I can call them and see if they can give us a ride," Weiss said as she pulled out her scroll. "Saves us time and money on a taxi."
"Hey girls! Are you interested in something to eat? I'm just about to close shop."
The girl's attention turned to a hot dog stand. Next to it stood the vendor, with an apron with a hot dog log and a red cap waving at them. There is a built-in stove with a pan on top. The cart's compartment is open to let a wafting smell of cooked meat fly.
"Talk about perfect timing," Yang grinned before calling to the vendor. "Yeah, we'll take four to go!"
"A hot dog cart at this time?" Blake asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Who cares! I'm starving!" Ruby cried as she ran over.
"Are you coming, Weiss?" Yang asked.
"I will not," Weiss refused. "Hot dogs are greasy and increase risks for my health. I'm going to go call for transport."
"Your loss," Yang said with a shrug as the heiress walked away. Shaking her head, she walked after the others as they placed their orders.
"Is that strawberry jam?" Ruby asked.
"Yes, it is miss," the vendor said. "I can tell you have an eye for them. Would you like to try a Monte Cristo Hotdog?"
"Sure!" Ruby nodded eagerly. The vendor nodded and began preparing her order. After slicing the hot dog lengthwise about three-fourths of the way, he placed it on the pan alongside a hot dog bun. After a few minutes, he removed the bun from the pan and spread the strawberry jam over the inside. On the sliced hot dogs, he placed a slice of Swiss cheese. For about one minute, he let it melt and placed it on the bun.
"Here you go," the man said before turning to Blake.
"I'm sorry. I'm more of a seafood person…"
"Oh, no worries!" The vendor assures her. "I recently discovered a recipe for a Sea Dog. Want to try?"
"Gladly!" Blake said with a hungry look. After heating the pre-fried cod, he placed it into a bun, spread tartar sauce, topped it with lettuce and fried fish fillet.
"Thank you!" Blake said as she snatched it away from him. Yang rolled her eyes at him and made her order.
"I'll just have a regular," Yang said. "With mustard and ketchup."
"Already done," the man said as he held out her order. Yang gratefully took and tried to pay for it. To her surprise, the vendor stopped her before she even pulled out her wallet.
"No need to pay me. Consider it on the house."
"Really? Thanks a lot, man," Yang said as she rushed over to join her friends. She didn't even notice the vendor smirking sinisterly.
"MMM!" Ruby hummed in contentment as she ate her hot dog. "This is the best! Who knew the combination of meat and jam can be so good!"
"Ditto," Blake said as she happily munched on her sea dog.
"This is good," Yang said with her mouth full. "We should come back here often."
"Definitely!" Ruby eagerly agreed. Then, her gluttonous joy became replaced with seriousness. "But we have other things to worry about."
"Yeah," Blake said, narrowing her amber eyes. "If Thor is right, Earth could be attacked any moment by fire demons. We need to prepare."
"Seems easy enough," Yang said as she scarfed down her hot dog. "They're fire demons, right? Why not just douse them with water."
"An excellent idea, but I would try dousing them with frost instead," the vendor called out. "Being spawns of Surtur himself, they're not used to the cold. Especially Jotunnheim."
"Right. Heat vs. cold. Thanks for the tip," Yang said nonchalantly. They continued chatting for several seconds before they froze. "Wait a minute…how do you know that much about fire demons?"
"Oh, it's common knowledge among the Nine Realms," the vendor said with a smug grin. "But if Thor never told you, I guess you're ignorant as the rest of Midgard."
Before they could say anything else, the vendor change. He gave off an ethereal green glow as he changed. The apron and cap are replaced by poison green garments and a golden horned helmet. He carried himself with an air of superiority that would pass on in Atlas. The remnantians eyes widened as they recognized him from the Datacrux files.
"You're—"
"Loki the god of mischief. Thor's brilliant brother," Loki Laufeyson declared. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Oh, and please aim your weapon at me if it makes you feel safe."
The heroes in training immediately whipped out their weapons. Together, they charged at the trickster god who revealed himself. To their astonishment, they didn't feel their attacks connect. Rather, they passed through an apparition that vanished. Their feet skidded on the ground to stop their momentum. Looking around, Loki reappeared in a puff of green smoke with a frown on his face.
"Now that was rude. All I did was say hello. Has Midgard fallen behind on their manners?"
"Why are you here?" Ruby demanded with a cross look but didn't charge. None of them did. They are warned that Loki is fond of using illusions to trick his opponents.
"As I said, I wanted to meet the strays that my dear brother has picked up," Loki repeated pompously. "And what else but to get revenge on my brother and his meddling band of heroes. It's been a difficult life for me…being locked up beneath the Yggdrasil and all."
"Your punishment is well earned," Yang growled, keeping her fists up. "So, anything you want to say before we send you back to Helheim or whatever the hell you were jail?"
"Just one question," Loki said simply with that smile. "Did you enjoy the hot dogs?"
They didn't understand why he would ask that. Then their eyes widened in horror when they remembered that he was disguised as the hot dog vendor before he revealed himself. That he made their hot dogs.
"What did you do to our hot dogs?" Blake demanded, looking at where she tossed her sea dog aside just in time to see it fade in a puff of green smoke. "Did you poison them?"
"I thought about it. But not even I am that merciless," Loki said airily without care. "No, the hot dogs are merely…enchanted."
"Enchanted!" Ruby yelped just as she has begun to feel weird. Yang and Blake showed similar reactions as they began to glow green. Soon, they are covered in clouds of green smoke. Loki turned his head to the sky when he heard a loud low bass sound.
"That is your cue to run."
While her friends were eating hot dogs, Weiss is still on her scroll which is dialing Jaune Arc. Much to her frustration, he didn't seem to be picking up. She was about to dial again when she remembered that his energy was sapped by the Destroyer and is weak now. Cursing her forgetfulness, she tried to call the others. But she only got the same result.
"That's odd…" Weiss said, looking at her scroll. "Nobody is picking up."
It's an unspoken rule that they should answer each other's calls. Especially in their line of work. Unless something has happened, they should be picked up in case of an emergency. Given how she didn't get a response to her texts, it's likely the latter. Now she isn't thinking that they may be in danger, but something must've happened.
"Nora probably dropped hers in the toilet again," Weiss muttered. She was about to contact someone else to give team RWBY a ride when she heard a low bass sound. The heiress looked up and tried to find out where it was coming from.
"What's that?" Weiss wondered. Then she heard rustling coming from nearby bushes. Instincts that have been developed as a huntress kicked in and she instantly became on guard. She remembered that was the direction that she left her friends to stuff their faces with greasy hot dogs. To be honest, she wanted to try one, but that would spoil her appetite. But there is no way that she was going to admit that.
"Very funny guys," Weiss called out. "For your information, Halloween is over so why don't you come out."
"SLAY THE SWINE!"
Weiss was startled by that shout. That didn't sound like any of her friends. Then, three things came out of the bush. But they weren't human. Rather, they are three differently colored pigs. One red, another black, the last one golden. With squeals, they bounded across the field towards her. And what was Weiss' reaction when they got close to her?
"OH MY GOSH, YOU'RE SO CUTE!" Weiss cried out as she knelt and begin hugging them one by one. "Aw, where did you come from?"
"Ow! Weiss it's me!"
"Huh?" Weiss looked up when she heard her partner's voice. She sounded close, but she couldn't see her. "Ruby? Where are you?"
"Down here…you're…crushing me…" Weiss became still. Slowly, she looked down at the red pig that she held in her arms. It was looking back at her with its beady and strangely silver eyes.
"Hey."
"Agh! Ruby?" Weiss cried out as she lets go of the pig in shock. "Is that you?"
"Yes, it is her, Ice Queen," the gold pig spoke in Yang's voice. "As is Yang, and Blake. Together, we make the three little pigs."
"Yang?" Weiss whipped her head towards the golden pig. "What's going on? Why are you pigs?"
"There's no time to explain!" Blake the black pig explained fearfully. "We have to get out away before they catch up!"
"Who catches up?" Weiss asked.
As if the universe itself wanted to answer, another party made its way from out of the bush. Riding on wolf-like beasts are men dressed in bronze-plated armor. They are armed with a variety of weapons such as spears, bows, and axes. Weiss wondered who they were. She didn't have time to ask as they spotted the three pigs.
"There they are!" One of them cried out with a pointed finger. "SLAY THE SWINE!"
"Slay the swine?" Weiss asked before her eyes went wide and turned back to her friends, who were starting to teeter away. "Wait…are they talking about you?!"
"Gee, what tipped you off?!" Yang yelled. "The fact that they are trying to FREAKIN' KILL US?!"
"Weiss! Look out!" Ruby cried out. Weiss heard the twang of a bowstring. Looking at the source, she saw that the archers have aimed their bows upward. With a sinking feeling, she looked up and saw a volley of arrows flying upwards. Then, they dipped down and fell to earth. Fell towards them!
Immediately, Weiss drew out Myrtenaster from its nano-compact form. She used her semblance to create a glyph that shielded them from the arrows. Most of them bounced off the Glyph while some soared over it and hit the ground, nearly missing the three pigs. When it subsided, Weiss lowered the glyph and glared at the hunters, who glared back at her.
"A sorceress? Here?" A hunter cried out. "Don't interfere with our hunt!"
"Don't any of you have respect for the New York hunting laws?" Weiss yelled back. "You need a DEC permit!"
"You speak of permission?" The hunter asked incredulously. "We have the consent of the Allfather!"
"Allfather? You mean Odin, Thor's father?" Ruby yelled out from behind Weiss. "Are you guys' Asgardian? We're friends of Thor!"
"Talking pigs? And three of them?" A hunter with an ax cried out with a feral grin. "Excellent! I will hang their heads above my fireplace! Next to the others."
He leaped off his mount with his ax raised. Revolving Myrtenaster's chamber, Weiss sent a fireball towards the hunter. It struck him out of the sky, but not enough to knock him out. Instead, Weiss used the opportunity to switch vials and conjure up an ice pillar. It struck the leader and sent him upward.
"Run!" Weiss cried out as she turned on her heel and ran. Her friends-turned-pigs ran after her, as fast as their little legs can carry them. Behind them, they heard the roar of the hunter's mounts as they ran after them.
"I don't want to know what he meant by others," Blake squealed as they ran.
"Let's not stick around to find out!" Weiss yelled as she heard a bowstring twang. "And they don't seem to be in a listening mood!"
She conjured a series of glyphs in front of her. Together, she and the three pigs skated across them. Her quick thinking came just in time to avoid the next volley of arrows. The hairs stood on the back of their necks or hides as they were dangerously close. One of them nearly hit Yang in the behind.
When they reached the end of her glyphs, a hunter leaped out from the right. The snarling beast was about to sink its fangs into Ruby. With a squeak of right, Ruby burst into Rose petals to avoid it. It snapped at thin air before it landed.
"The red one is a fast hog!" the mounts rider cried out. "Fast hogs taste good!"
"I do NOT taste good!" Ruby yelled with tears in her eyes.
"We need to get some distance between us!" Weiss cried out as she saw a hunter throw a spear at Blake, only to hit a shadow. That seemed to only excite the hunter more. Biting her lip, she created a glyph before her and thrust her weapon into it. From a gigantic Glyph, a wall of ice erupted from it. It stood between them and the hunters. The heiress can hear their cries of frustration from the other side.
"That should slow them down," Weiss said with a huff and looked at her aura meter. It was dangerously close to the yellow. She turned to the three pigs and asked, "Okay…will someone tell me what's going on?"
The pigs opened their mouths to speak. Before they could, they heard singing. It came from a street musician that is performing a one-man-band act.
"Catch a pig dance a jig and never let him go ~"
"Hey, buddy, can you play something else?" Yang called. "We're kinda having an off day!"
Weiss slapped her forehead at Yang's stupidity.
"You think it's a good idea to talk while you're a—"
"Off day?" The street musician spoke in a posh voice. "On the contrary, it is an exalted day."
Weiss's eyes widened as the man suddenly shifted into another form. The Blanchette recognized him from reading the Datacrux files. The heiress knew that his schemes nearly brought the universe to ruin. She knew even ass as the three pigs yelled his name.
"Loki!"
"Yes, it is I! Loki! The prince of lies and master of mischief!" Loki introduced with a dramatic bow. Weiss steeled herself and brandished Myrtenaster at him.
"What are you doing here?" Weiss asked heatedly.
"He's the bastard that turned us into pigs!" Yang yelled out.
"And ruined hot dogs for us!" Ruby added.
Weiss looked at both before glaring at Loki.
"You're responsible for this?!"
"A little bit of my mischief," Loki admitted with a shrug. "Think of it as a welcome gift to the Nine Realms and a taste of what's to come. It's a shame that you didn't want a hot dog. It's quite rare to see a snow-white boar."
"Well, you're going to change them back now," Weiss declared. At that moment, she heard the ice wall behind her crack.
"If I, were you, I would focus on running," Loki said as he looked at his fingernails like they are more interesting than her. "For today is Asgardsreia. The day of the Wild Hunt."
"The day of the Wild Hunt?" Weiss asked, getting a sinking feeling.
"Once a year, a band of Asgard's finest hunters form a party and ride off to skewer a prize boar. To be eaten at a feast held later tonight in the halls of Valhalla."
"And thanks to you, my friends are the prize?" Weiss growled. She was torn between skewering him and running away. The choice was quickly made when the ice wall came crumbling down. Gritting her teeth, she gave the evil god one last glare before she took off running.
"Come on!" Weiss called out to the pigs. They ran after her as the mounts of the hunters roared.
"If it's any consolation, they'll probably taste terrible!" Loki calls out before he vanished. No sooner did he disappear than the hunters rush past the spot he stood.
"I don't know if that made me feel better," Blake said sarcastically.
"It shouldn't," Yang yelled. "What the hell are we supposed to do?"
They heard a roar behind them. One of the hunters is steadily gaining on them. If they stop running, he will catch up. However, Weiss doesn't have as much endurance as the rest. Although the training from Bootcamp helped her, she is feeling the toll. Then, an idea occurred to her. One that will buy them time.
"We'll…Loki did say they wanted a boar," Weiss muttered before she created a summoning glyph a few meters in front of her. From out of it came a white Boarbatusk. Weiss and the pigs ran around it while it charged towards the hunters.
"The sorceress summoned a boar!" A hunter cried out as the Boarbatusk curled up into a ball and spun. It crashed into the Hunter and his mount, knocking him off.
"I'm not a sorceress!" Weiss yelled out and then whispered to herself, "Although…technically…"
"Thor mentioned that Loki is a sorcerer, right?" Ruby pointed out. "He was able to change us into pigs…so how bout we get him to change back?"
Weiss was about to refute that idea when it hit her. True, Thor mentioned that Loki was the most powerful sorcerer in all Asgard. Yet there is no chance that Loki is going to change them back. But therein lies the solution to their problem. Loki used sorcery to turn her friends into pigs. And to lift a sorcerer's spell…
"Ruby, that was a great idea!" Weiss cried out.
"Really?" Blake asked while struggling to keep up. "I figured you are sarcastic about him changing us back."
"Of course, Loki isn't going to change us back," Weiss said, not missing a pace. "But that doesn't mean we can't go to other sorcerers to remove the spell. Think about it! Loki is a sorcerer, and he used a spell on you three. It's going to take a sorcerer to remove the spell! Luckily, Doreen gave me the address of someone who can help us!"
At that moment, she heard a squeal from behind. Looking behind her, she saw to her dismay that the hunters finally cut down her Boarbatusk summon. As it died, it slowly evaporated like the Grimm it represented. Now, their eyes are directed at them.
"We need to get to Doctor Strange. FAST!"
"I'm serious Wanda. Why not change the menu a little?"
"All you want to add are sweets, Pietro."
The Maximoff twins are walking down a street in New York. The two Avengers are currently off duty until they are called upon. Right now, they are discussing the upcoming Thanksgiving feast. Their teammate's families will be joining them. Of course, they knew that he isn't coming. Not that they mind. They already have their family with them.
"But aren't you tired of the same old thing every year?" Pietro complained. "Let's say we get a little crazy like add gummy worms, toast, popcorn, and some other stuff."
"You've been watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and we've been over this Pietro," Wanda said firmly. "I get that you eat as much food as the Hulk, but the traditional food is a cornerstone of the national identity. If we change it, the feast wouldn't be traditional now, will it?"
"Alright…if they are even considered traditional, will you consider?" Pietro asked. Wanda gave him a look over her shoulder and saw her brother's pleading face.
"Fine…" Wanda sighed. "Show me."
Pietro clapped his hands together in joy. He whipped out his phone so fast Wanda could've sworn a wind kicked up from his hand. His thumb was a blur as he inputs words into the search engine of his cellular browser. In less than ten seconds, he passed his phone to her. Wanda took it and read it over. What she saw made her unimpressed, but she expected something like this.
"Most of these are desserts," Wanda said flatly. "Last I checked, you have plenty of junk food in your room."
"First of all, I have bought those allegedly," Pietro said defensively. "I told you several times that I don't steal anymore. Second, that is just the first tab. Check the other."
Wanda stared at him before she tapped on the second one. Unlike the previous tab, this one has a list of actual Thanksgiving meals. Some of them are traditional dishes. But some are different but would qualify.
"Okay, I'll admit that the whole roast is a change of pace," Wanda said. "I'm sure Thor it would remind him of home."
"See, now you are getting it," Pietro said with a grin.
"Be sure to run this by Weiss," Wanda said. "She and her friends are helping with the preparations. I'm surprised that they would volunteer like this."
"I don't think Remnant had a holiday like Thanksgiving," Pietro said. "Nora seemed especially excited that she'll be able to stuff her face. I think I heard that she wants a rematch with Hulk. I think I'll join in on the festivities."
Wanda just rolled her eyes at him. Then, she grew serious.
"Speaking of teams RWBY and JNPR," Wanda said with a sad frown. "I've tried scrying Remnant again. Again, I got nothing."
"Remnant is a planet, Wanda. It could be lightyears away from Earth," Pietro reminded, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Don't push yourself. Besides, Carol is already on a mission to find it."
"But I want to do this, Pietro," Wanda insisted as she pushes his handoff. "Thor's friend hasn't found Remnant. What if Carol never finds it as well? What if I am…"
She let that sentence trail off as they are approaching the entrance to central park. Pietro knew what she was talking about. It was something that has been plaguing her for as long as she told her brother.
"Sister, we've been over this. It wasn't your fault. You don't know if you've affected Remnant as well."
"And you know what my powers are capable of," Wanda argued. "First the X-Men and now I've caused—"
Whatever Wanda was about to say was caught off when Pietro suddenly disappeared. In a split second, Wanda is standing behind Pietro was supporting Weiss. It looked as if she nearly bumped into them. Pietro must've used his super-speed to move her out of the way and catch the white-haired teen before she fell.
"Weiss?" Wanda asked, clearly surprised that she was here. Strangely, three different color pigs are trotting after her. The heiress was about to push off Pietro when she realized who she bumped into.
"Wanda! Pietro!" Weiss said, clearly not expecting them. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."
"It's alright Weiss," Pietro said as he helped her up. It was then he noticed the pigs. "Um…what's with the pigs?"
"They're not pigs!" Weiss corrected shrilly. "They're Ruby, Blake, and Yang! They've been turned INTO pigs!"
"What?" The Maximoff twins yelped.
"Yeah, we've been turned into pigs," the golden one that they assume is Yang spoke. "And if you make any pig jokes, I will go hog wild on you!"
"I figured you would be the one to make them," Blake said.
"Not in this case!"
"Let me guess…a sorcerer cast a spell on you?" Wanda asked. Thanks to her Witch Sight, she can see things beyond what normal humans can. She can see a thin green aura surrounding the pigs.
"How did you…you know what, that's not important at the moment," Weiss said. "Right now, I need to get to Doctor Strange so he can reverse this!"
"Aw is that all? You forgot the best part!"
That line is the spawn of one trickster god. The heroes found him leaning against a lamp post with his arm crossed. Loki was giving them an evil grin before he vanished in a puff of green smoke. The two Avengers were on guard the moment they saw him.
"Loki?" Wanda asked before she realized something. "Wait…is Loki responsible for this?"
Before Weiss could answer, they heard running paws beating against the ground. The pigs' ears became agitated with fear.
"Oh yeah…one more thing…" Ruby said dreadfully as the hunters came bounding toward them.
"Destroy anyone who stands in the way of our feast!" The lead hunter ordered.
"Feast?" Pietro asked. Weiss gestured to the three pigs at her side. The Maximoff twins widened when they realized the situation.
"Okay, we'll talk more later," Wanda declared as her eyes glowed red. Instantly, her clothing became her Scarlet Witch uniform. Weiss is at her side with Myrtenaster at the ready. "For now, we need to deal with this. Pietro, can you—"
The rest of Wanda's sentence became distorted as time seemed to slow to a crawl for Quicksilver. To him, the world became still as a painting. Still. The hunters have frozen in movement, some of them already leaped into the air. Arrows that were let loose came to a stop along with spears. Even his sister was beginning to fire a hex bolt.
Flexing his fingers, he got to work. With his super speed, he sped towards the hunting party. Ducking and weaving among them, he began to mess with the ones trying to kill his friends. Flicking a finger on a lead hunter caused his skin to ripple from the impact. Knocking another hunter in the back of the head, he made two hunters riding side by side punch each other. Just to get another kick out of this, he removed a spear from a hunter, curled his fist, and made him punch himself with a slight tap of his finger on the elbow. Once, he grabbed a hunter by the pants line and pulled so hard he flipped upside down over his mount.
Satisfied with his work on the hunters, he focused on the mounts. Quicksilver considered his usual treatment when he got a better idea. He ran back to Avengers Tower and came back with his arms full of duct tape rolls. Smirking, he taped the beasts' legs together. Just for good measure, and to make sure they don't eat any not-pigs, he taped their mouths shut as well.
With his work done, he sped back to where his sister and Weiss are. Just before time caught up with him, he seemed to have realized something. He sped away from Wanda and Weiss for what seemed to be a split second. When he came back, he is dressed in his uniform. Crossing his arms, he waited for it to unfold, but not until he redirected a few arrows and spears that have been fired at them.
"—run and get…" Wanda stopped with her eyes wide. "Oh…never mind."
Even Weiss is flabbergasted at what just happened. In a split second, the hunters chasing them suddenly punched each other or themselves in the face, flipped off their seats, or just suddenly punched by an unseen force. Their mounts gave a strangle bark as they crashed into the ground, their limbs tied up to prevent their fall. Everyone in the hunting party crumpled to the ground. Weiss and Wanda just stared on while Pietro stood there with a smirk.
"That was…astounding, Pietro," Weiss said to the speedster, who gave a short bow. "I'm sorry to ask, but do you think you can take them to Doctor Strange so he can undo Loki's spell?
She expected him to just run off with her friends. To her surprise, Pietro just shook his head and gestured to Wanda, who coughed into her hand. Weiss stared at her for a moment before she remembered a crucial detail about her.
"That's right! You're a witch!"
"Doctor Strange isn't the only one the Avengers go-to for all things involving magic," Wanda said with a smile. "Magic is my birthright, and I can manipulate it since the beginning, and I've studied it under the Sorcerer Supreme. Otherwise, I wouldn't be called the Scarlet Witch."
"Are you sure you can change them back?" Weiss asked. "I mean…your magic is called Chaos Magic. And that doesn't exactly help my confidence. No offense."
"None taken. But I do know witchcraft. I think I know a spell that can revert your teammates to normal. Just give me a minute and I'll have your friends back to normal."
"Okay," Weiss said, deciding to trust Wanda's judgment. She looked back at the hunters and said, "But what do we do about them? They're a hunting party sent from Asgard and they're more than happy to turn my friends into a roast."
"Right. Pietro, can you move them someplace else?" Wanda asked her brother.
"I can move the hunters, but the beasts might be another problem," Pietro said, looking at the tied-up beasts still struggling against the duct tapes. "Those things are too heavy for me to move."
His sister turned her attention to the beasts and waved a glowing red hand over them. One by one, the mounts began to give off a similar colored aura. Weiss could've sworn that they levitated a few inches off the ground. Then she realized that Wanda must've diminished the effect of Earth's gravity to make them lighter for him to move.
"You've got yourself five minutes," Wanda said to Pietro. "Will that be, okay?"
"Five minutes? Might as well give me all the time in the world," Pietro sneered as he kicked off from the ground. Before Weiss could blink, the hunting party is gone.
"Good riddance," Yang squealed.
"While Pietro is taking care of them, I will take care of you," Wanda said as he approached the three little pigs. She held out one hand. In a flash of red light, a red tome appeared in her hand. The title of the book is etched in gold.
"Darkhold?" Weiss read off the cover. "Is that some kind of book of spells?"
"Yes, Weiss. That's one of its names," Wanda said as she opens the Darkhold. "It's also known as Book of the Damned, or otherwise the Bible of Black Magic. Trust me, there's a reason it's earned those names. The Darkhold can corrupt the reader's mind and a dangerous obsession over it."
"And you're sure it's a good idea to, have it?" Weiss asked nervously. She flinched when she saw the pigs glare at her before hanging her head in regret. "I'm sorry Wanda. I'm just worried what would happen if you become corrupted by such an evil object."
"Now that's the perfect word to describe it," Wanda laughed mirthlessly. "I don't blame you for being nervous of me. If I had the chance, I would've destroyed the damn thing. But I have no choice. It's bound to my body and soul whether I like it or not. I must live with it. Okay, I found the spell. Stand back."
Dismissing the Darkhold, she held a hand towards the pigs. Her eyes glowed red as well as the pigs. It lasted for several seconds before the pigs became enveloped in scarlet smoke. Weiss cover her mouth to block the cough, but it never came. When the smoke cleared, there stood her friends in their regular forms.
"I'm not a pig?" Ruby asked as she patted herself down. When she confirmed that she isn't, she petal burst to Weiss and wrapped her in a hug. "Yay! I'm not a pig anymore!"
"We're not pigs, anymore," Yang said before she turned to Wanda and offered her a fist. "Thanks, Wanda. You're a lifesaver!"
"You're welcome, Yang," Wanda said, bumping her fist against hers. She turned to Blake, who was feeling her the top of her head. Wanda grew worried that her spell didn't work out as intended.
"Blake. Did I—"
"Nope, they're still there," Blake said as she took her hands off, revealing her cat ears. "Sorry for worrying you, Wanda."
"No worries, I'm just relieved," Wanda said. Then, wind flew past her as her brother reappeared.
"Took them outside the city limits," Pietro said. "But I don't think they're going to give up hunting the three little pigs before they realize that they are human. Hell, civilians might get caught in their rampage."
"Then what do we do?" Ruby asked.
"I can take care of that," Wanda said, looking around for something to use. She noticed the arrows and spears that littered the ground. Smiling, she waved her hand over them. Two arrows and a spear glowed red and changed into pigs. With a slight tweak with her magic, she changed the colors to match the would-be victims of the hunters.
"Pietro," Wanda called when she was done. Pietro nodded and in a split second, the pigs disappeared with him. Team RWBY watched him go with interest. It was impressive that Wanda turned simple objects into living beings. Wanda must've read their thoughts because she said to them.
"If you think that's great, you should've seen me turn Thor's lightning into butterflies."
"Okay, I am willing to trade my semblance for reality-warping magic after this episode," Yang said. "And speaking of Thor, we need to talk to that guy about hunting ethics. What's going to happen to the pigs?"
"Undoubtedly, they will be hunted down in your place once the hunters wake up," Wanda said. "Thanks to my magic, they will be edible so they will be fooled. I hope you don't mind Blake."
"Considering that this is the second time I've been hunted like an animal, I'm willing to let it slide," Blake said before she marched up to Yang and slugged her arm.
"Ow!" Yang rubbed the sore spot even though her aura protected her. "What was that for?"
"Next time someone gives us free food, it probably means something is suspicious," Blake snapped.
"You're blaming me?" Yang asked in disbelief. "Don't forget you ordered too!"
"Both of you stop fighting!" Ruby interposed herself between them. "What's done is done. The important thing we can take from this is simple…make our hotdogs!"
Blake and Yang stared at each other for a moment. Then they both became apologetic and backed off.
"While I somewhat agree with our leader's logic, we have another thing to worry about," Weiss said. "Loki said that this is just a taste of what is to come. He's up to something and given his track record, it can't be anything bad."
"Agreed," Wanda said with all seriousness. "The rest of the Avengers needs to be alerted. So will your friends."
"Oh, crud! Team JNPR!" Ruby cries out and pulls out her scroll. "I forgot! We need to warn them! Loki could've turned them into pigs with his evil hot dogs!"
"I already tried! they didn't pick up!" Weiss pointed out, showing her call history. "Not even J.A.R.V.I.S. is responding."
"Something is wrong," Wanda said. As soon as Pietro reappeared, Wanda used her telekinesis to pull out his phone. They didn't have their earpieces with them, so they must use phones to communicate. Grabbing it, Wanda dialed the first number under 'Contacts—Avengers'.
Fortunately for them, someone responded on the first call.
"Hey Pietro," Tony Stark spoke cheerfully. "How are you spending your day off? I would go to Saint George. They make the best corndogs."
"We're still in New York, Tony," Wanda said with a roll of her eyes as she puts him on speaker. "I'm calling to report that team RWBY has encountered Loki in central park."
"Whoa! Did you say reindeer games is here?!" Tony asked in surprise. "We haven't even got past Thanksgiving yet!"
"Yes! Loki showed up and turned my teammates into pigs!" Weiss said. "And before you make any little pig jokes, please note that we were chased around central park and almost killed.
"Yeesh, Snow White, relax!" Tony said, losing some of his usual snark. "You're not the only one who got an unexpected visitor."
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked. Everybody was feeling dread in their stomachs. It increased when they heard Tony's answer.
"Avengers Mansion got attacked while you were playing keep away. It was an old friend of ours…Simon Williams."
[~][~]
Greetings and Bienvenu readers!
As you can see, I am not dead. This fic has not yielded. Remnant's Mightiest Heroes shall and will continue!
While things are starting to heat up in the Nine Realms. Team RWBY has encountered Loki, the god of mischief, and went on a merry chase to stay alive. But as Loki said, this is a taste of what it is to come. What does that entail? You'll have to find out later.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you have an account, please help fill out the TvTropes page.
Until next time.