Hello everyone we are back with another chapter of The Marvelous Devil, happy Valentine's for all! Sry it took a hot while, this chapter went through quite a few changes. With that out of the way let's get onto the reviews:
Bromega2477: Damn right.
Spiral-Voltron-Zero0Q1: It was an incredible game and I can't wait for the Rising Tide dlc. Who knows. Maybe I will, maybe I won't do epic titanic monster battles that shake the foundation of the world...Enjoy!
Jebest4781: Thanks man, glad you enjoy it and hopefully enjoy this one.
Yakuza2010: An interesting, I do have a few 'what if' futures that collide with the present Ragna (Or at least a future point Ragna...ya get what I mean fuck time) that introduces major villains for the sagas. I'll see if I can do this one, since I don't know if I'll have Lady Death in my series anymore but we'll see. Enjoy!
Blindluck92: I haven't played Baldur's Gate 3 so fair, but the GOTY are rigged anyways so I don't really care that much. Oh Kraven's got plans, and he is going to enjoy this Hunt ever so much. But before him we got one problem to deal with and he's about to make his debut. Damn right he genderbent the guns, shits hilarious. Honestly that's how I feel like Kyrie would be if she had some sort of power, be pretty funny if they ever did a DMC sequel anime to five...but I doubt it which blows. Ragna is gonna keep falling into the hole of hero complexity and it will be so much fun writing. Kyrie is HER, enough said lol. Enjoy!
Phoinex Slayer5: Not anytime soon, but I got plenty of cool new things to show in this series that I think everyone will like. Enjoy!
With that out of the way, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and enjoy the story!
Chapter Ten: Rage against the Green Machine!
(The Marvelous Devil)
"Now entering Red Grave City, home to the First Church of the US, please enjoy your stay." A hostess' voice echoed over the microphone as passengers left the plane. One in particular adjusted his hat to avoid any suspicious stares from security. He was lucky that fake ID was still working, but now he just needed to get out of Red Grave and someone in the forest or mountain ranges that separate it and Metropolis. He needed to keep everyone from….HIM.
"...Guh….Not now." He growled, clutching his arms as someone pushed him aside and didn't even acknowledge them. He ignored the growing anger, pushing past others and waiting in line. Unaware that not far from him, someone watched, using glasses to shield his eyes.
"Eyes on the target, General, I have eyes on Banner, over."
"Very good, Agent Blonsky. Prepare the task force and take that bastard out."
"Roger, General." With that the man stood up and slowly trailed after the man known as Banner, hoping to take out this monstrous threat once and for all. Before that thing causes any damage to the city.
(The Marvelous Devil)
"..."
"Mr. Redgrave."
"..."
"...Mr. Redgrave."
"..."
"Ragna?"
"...Ragna!"
"h-Hmm? Huh? What?" Ragna shook his head, looking up to see Aunt Leslie and Cass sitting on opposite ends of him at the dinner table, and in the center was his laptop with someone staring right back at him. No, he couldn't go to the annual hero celebration Red Grave has once a month with the girls, no he had to be here in a meeting that involved both his caretakers and…..her.
"Glad to have you back in reality, I know you have no care for this as we do, but do try and at least act like you wanna graduate this year." The individual said, a small glare in her eyes as she crossed her arms.
"Of course, so sorry. Wouldn't wanna miss your fifth date this month? Surely be a great disappointment for him, Miss Granville." Ragna retorted, a small glare in his eyes. Grace Granville, the 'Dean' or Principal of Redgrave Academy that works alongside Leslie. She was a late-twenties of african descent, wearing a golden necklace over her black long sleeve and long grey pencil skirt.
"Ragna!" Cass and Leslie whispered harshly. The main reason for them being here was to be a mediator and to calm Ragna since he was always such a spitfire when it came to those with authority like Miss Granville unless they were family.
"She started it!"
"If we can please move on, do you know why you are here, Mr. Redgrave?"
"Let me guess, you and Mr. Harrington 'found' more evidence of me being in the secret place behind the girl's locker room? The one I had no idea because I DIDN'T DO I-!"
"Ragna. Enough, or you're grounded." Leslie shut it all down, a disappointed frown on both her and Cass' lips, making the hybrid lean back and grumble about unfairness.
"Mr. Redgrave, if I may remind you, can you recall how many days you had missed last year before winter break?" Miss Granville asked.
"Uh, no…but I'm sure you're gonna give me the answer." Ragna mumbled the last bit as Granville cleared her throat.
"Over twenty-six days missed, sometimes twice a week." Granville listed.
"Okay, but I did make up those days with tons of homework and I have passable grades." Ragna argued, so what if he had the lowest grade in Science, that was not his forte.
"So what if I don't have straight A's, I mean what student does? I bet Flash doesn't." Ragna argued.
"Flash has a future in sports, and students like Karmi are examples of why Red Grave Academy is considered the top schools in the US." Granville stated. Karmi, Miss Granville's prize student and in Ragna's opinion a 'teacher's pet' but he was lucky to barely interact with her, the only time he does is when she is partnered with Penny in a class and he likes to go visit his girlfriend. Otherwise he could care so little about, or other 'intellectuals' like Lunella, Harry, and any other. What made it so hard was when it was rubbed in his face by other students or even some teachers like Harrington. He was the black sheep, though in his mind he was awesome and way better than those jerks, which is why he will never be afraid to bite back…..which usually got him into a lot of trouble.
"Well, we all can't be the Perfect Students."
"You can if you tried, Mr. Redgrave."
"To be fair, Miss Granville, Ragna has been doing very well this year than last year even with the tardiness." Cass added, placing a comforting hand on Ragna's shoulder. She knew Ragna was trying his best, even if he does make things difficult he does care. Deep. Deep. DEEP down inside.
"Perhaps, but these last few weeks have been quite difficult, what with the school being completely destroyed and now a student who gives more migraines than my nieces-!"
"Those poor kids-OW!"
"Isn't being kept a watchful eye because he can leave class whenever he wants, as I have been getting such reports of Mr. Redgrave here shutting down his computer and leave during the class session." Granville informed, Ragna's shrinking down to dots as he peeked over at Cass and Leslie, both cocking eyebrows up in annoyance and waiting for confirmation.
"...It was the Cold War, no one wants to learn about that anymore!" Ragna stated, shrugging his shoulder.
"Mr. Redgrave, I know you have no care for your future bu-!"
"Now, now. From what Cass has told me, Ragna does have a dream job in mind, a good future on his shoulders." Leslie interrupted, surprising both Granville and Ragna.
"He does?"
"I do? I mean I do! Wait, how do you know about that?" Ragna asked.
"I heard when you were talking with the girls the day after the academy incident." Cass answered.
"...Why were you listening in on my conversations? Wait, what else have you been listening on?"
"..."
"...Cass?" Ragna asked, only to interrupted as Granville cleared her throat.
"If this is true, I am quite curious on what it is, Mr. Redgrave." Granville asked, leaning forward a bit in curiosity. One one hand she didn't believe that a freeloader like Ragna had the slightest clue in mind for a job, but on the other hand she would be lying if she wasn't curious. From the first day Ragna arrived at the school he had been disrespectful and quite lecherous with his out-of-hand comments to the opposite sexes body. Ragna felt his mouth suddenly dry up a bit, not just out of nervousness but also out of embarrassment. He still hasn't told anyone, and whether or not it is his fault is up for debate honestly, and now it felt like it was harder and harder to keep it a secret.
"Uh….It's uh….it's a surprise!" Ragna quickly lied, shrugging his shoulders.
"And may I ask why?"
"W-Well, I know how much this has made everyone from my Auntie Leslie, to Cass, to even Miss Roman worry so much about me. B-But why spoil the surprise, gotta keep y'all guessing." Ragna chuckled with his hands behind his head.
"Of course, and this clearly isn't some lie to get yourself out of this because you possibly might not have an idea." Granville stated with a smirk on her lips when Ragna's eye twitched. Ragna may love women, but Miss Granville always had a way to piss him off, much like everyone that wasn't close to him.
"Well it's a good thing this isn't a lie, and something I fully wish to invest in. Maybe have a little trust in me."
"Trust goes both ways, Mr. Redgrave, just like the school trusts you to behave like a good model student."
"You mean the ones who pick on those lesser than them, just like every other school, and only stop it when its convenient." Ragna argued, memories flashing through his mind of when they would pick on Penny, and other kids….but mostly him and his Penny.
"Okay, I think that was some good progress. Thank you so much Miss Granville and I hope you have a happy day." Cass said, hoping to defuse the situation.
"Yes, I have to get ready for a date tonight."
"Ragna, do you have anything to say to Miss Granville." Leslie ordered with a 'be nice' gesture. She knew the principal can be a little hard to work with, she works with the woman, but Ragna was no saint when it came to respecting those that weren't close to him.
"...Good luck." Ragna growled, a deep growing anger gnawing at the back of his head.
"I'm not sure I am gonna need it-!"
"It's for your date, he's gonna need it."
"OKAYBYE!" Cass quickly ended the call and closed the laptop, the hybrid refusing to look up as both women stared down at him with disappointed expression on their faces.
"...I'm not apologizing."
"Ragna, you're on thin ice when it comes to the school, could you just try and work with them until you graduate next year." Cass pleaded.
"Hey, I am trying, they're actin like I have failing grades. I'm passing my classes and turning in my work…..when I get the chance."
"We know, sweetie, but Ragna you're also one slip up from being expelled from the academy. We just want you on the right track." Leslie said, placing a hand on his shoulder. She wanted Ragna to do the right thing, his own choices so long as they are healthy. She hasn't had the chance to speak with Ragna since the academy incident and she has a lot on her mind, but right now she needs to know Ragna is okay.
"Hey, I am doing great and I just wanna make sure this dream job is just perfect." Ragna explained, standing up from his seat.
"And is it?" Cass asked.
"...Yeah! It's Perfect like me! And totally safe too!" Ragna lied through his teeth with a nervous grin. Truth be told the last couple days were still rough on him, even when he kept on saving civilians and getting on the RCPD bad side, not completely his fault FYI.
"Well so long as it is what you want, My little Morningstar." Leslie cooed, pinching Ragna's cheek, using her nickname she has called him ever since he was six.
"Auntie."
"Well so long as it's far from those dreadful hero stuff I am onboard, I can't stand those uptights in tight jerks." Cass grumbled, walking over to the kitchen ignoring Ragna's small frown. He had nearly forgotten that Cass has a metaphorical hate boner for heroes and super powers in general….which made this whole secret identity thing harder.
"Yeah….nothing hero related…..Hey, I'm gonna take a walk around town. I'll be back." He kissed Leslie's forehead, waving goodbye as he unintentionally stomped his way down the stairs and out the cafe.
"...Was it something I said?" Cass muttered, rubbing her head, always hating when she upsetted Ragna.
"No, Cass. You know how much he adores superheroes, he just needs to not be so sensitive on the subject." Leslie explained, sitting across from the younger woman. She always knew how much Cass adored Ragna, almost like a surrogate son in….well not replacement but it filled a void in her heart when she lost those dear to her.
"I just wished he understood that people like THEM aren't to be trusted, and that they are just as dangerous as the villains they face. Sure maybe not like the Spider-girl's in New York but that is two heroes compared to the rest of the world." Cass sighed as she set whatever dish she was about to clean.
"I love that boy, and I just want him to have a bright future." Leslie smiled softly, memories of Ragna and Cass' first meeting after he lost his memories. They hit it off like peanut butter and jelly, nearly as inseparable as Ragna and her.
"As do I, but you have to be patient with him. Ragna is going to become an adult this year, he is simply trying to find himself, and once he has his head screwed on right it will be smooth sailing from here. The Lord will set him on the right path." Leslie explained, placing her hands together and offering a small prayer. Cass wasn't as religious as Leslie, but considering the wacky things that can go on outside she's not against the proof of God being real.
"Just give him time, he'll come around when he is ready."
(The Marvelous Devil)
"DAMN THEM! DAMN THEM ALL!" One Norman Osborn roared as he flung his chair across the room, shattering vases and antiques. His blood boiled like lava, his body ready to burst with more rage unlike any he has ever felt before. Today could not just be described as the worst day in his life, but the end of it as well. His entire board, men and women he wanted to share his vision with for a bright future…..sold his company. OsCorp, a company said to rival super corporations such as LexCorp, WayneTech, Stark Industries, and Roxxon to name a few. He spent blood and tears to make this all work, not only that but his SERUM WORKS!
It worked, it made him into an even more powerful man, one of the strongest, maybe even strongest than the late Captain America. He finally broke through that surface that we mortals have…..and those fools squashed it all. They are ready to sell his company to LexCorp, all his dreams, visions…..his heart and soul. This is who he is, they could never accept it, never see it. No one could, not his ex, not his son, no one. Because those fools, like the good old doctor, were afraid….No, they DESPISED him. Yes, yes that was it. They despised his creativity and out of the box method. He was willing to push himself….they weren't. Now, while he wallowed in self-pity and defeat, those fools went off to enjoy the hero parade, of which they will reveal the sale as if to gloat in his face even more. He thought he could trust them, but they were all the same, they all thought he was nothing more but a dreamer, a visionary.
"Well…..no more." That voice cackled in the back of his head, Norman looking up at his own reflection.
"What do you say, Norman, wanna show them what we're truly capable of. Show them ALL what our heart is telling us!."
"...Yes, I-!"
(The Marvelous Devil)
"I can do this, yes I can do this..…I am ready…Okay, maybe not completely. I mean how do I even tell them. 'Hey girls guess what I'm actually the new superhero because it turns out my dad is a legendary demon warrior who saved heaven and earth'...Yeah cause thats gonna make sense in this already crazy world." Ragna grumbled, rubbing his eyebrows sitting on the edge of a building overlooking the parade below in his hero getup. Penny and Gwen were somewhere in the parade, while Kyrie was home finishing homework wishing to join them once she's done. While the three would enjoy the festival and the heroes, Ragna would be watching from afar, which was not great.
"...Oh wait, I guess that would make sense in this world…..God~~~! Why is this so hard?" Ragna growled, staring at the street below as the parade cheered on. Currently it had several balloon floats that took the shape of many famous superheroes such as the World War II hero Captain America, to modern heroes like Superwoman, The Human Torch of the Fantastic Four, and even fricken Mt. Lady. Speaking of which, said heroine was currently waving at the crowd along with several heroes who were sponsored and no doubt wanted to spread their fame. Looking up he even noticed a building across from him, some super rich businessmen and…Harry? Yes, he could see Harry Osborn standing there with MJ who wore a pretty hot chinese silk dress. Which was also funny cause if she ever got caught today she would no doubt get canceled…..or maybe he was being paranoid, Regardless, looking up at the laughing couple, than to the laughing and waving group of heroes being praised he felt…hurt.
"...Wish I could have all that." Ragna muttered, noting the lack of Red Grave hero balloon, but maybe that was just because he was new. I mean, he had to have some sort of fan club out there on the web, he'll check when he gets back. He really just needs to clear his head, since he felt like everything wasn't getting completely better. What with school still riding despite he was still attending…..albeit he did leave a few classes just to get some fresh air. It also didn't help that with his hero persona he didn't know how Cass would take it, not very well he'd imagine, with her blatant antagonism to heroes in general. He doesn't know the reason why, and she has made it clear she doesn't wanna explain her reasons why.
"Come on, Ragna, you're a hero now. You can prove to Cass and Leslie that you can handle anything that comes at ya. I'm the Son of Sparda, the Hero of Red Grave City. I can. Handle. Any. THING."
BA-BOOM
"...Okay, that was one hundred percent me just testing Fate." Ragna muttered, looking over his shoulder to see smoke rising a few buildings behind the parade.
(The Marvelous Devil)
The man kept a casual walk, hoping to gain some ground while also trying not to look so suspicious. He just needed to find the bus that would bring him out of Red Grave and then he would be home free. The problem was getting one that goes out of Red Grave and into New York to the mountains that separate the cities to Metropolis. Not only finding a ride that will take him there, but just trying to find his way around town since he has never been in Red Grave City before. That was just one of many problems he was facing.
One of them was following him at the current moment, and he had a feeling they were waiting for him at the airport. Now the man in the suit was taking their time, slowly following him and not losing track of him. He got the feeling if there was one, more were to follow and he got an even worse feeling of who they were with. He tried to lose them down an alley that led to another building, seeing people crowded he quietly pushed through them to find himself standing in the middle of a parade. The loud cheering got a bit to him, but it wasn't enough to anger him, which was good but he didn't have time to have such small victories as he pushed through the crowded sidewalk.
"Hey, watch it/Excuse us, Sir." One blonde growled out and a more nerdy brunette chuckled as he slipped between them, looking back to see the man now with two extras behind him pushing through the crowd. He made haste through the crowd, only to stop once he saw several more men in suits walking towards him. Looking around, he quickly ran in between two buildings, the men giving chase until he quickly ran into a door on the side and slammed it shut. He knew it wouldn't hold them but luckily there was some sort of abandoned dresser in the middle of the hall no doubt being thrown out. He pushed it forward and covered the door before making his escape to the main door, only to stop when he saw two of them burst through just as the others began pushing against the dresser.
"Stop right there Doctor-!" Before one could finish his sentence, he quickly began sprinting up the stairs.
"Target is on the move, target is on the move!" Agent Blonsky grunted as he finally pushed through the dresser and began chasing after said target. They began running up the stairs after him, Blonsky the fastest and quickly gaining ground after him, jumping over and pushing aside any object his target tried to use to get in his way until finally with a loud grunt he tackled his target through a door.
"Thought you could give us a run back in Rio? Eh, Doctor?" Blonsky chuckled as he grabbed his target and slammed him against the wall. Blonsky noticed the doctor trying to control his breathing, and from what the general has told him they would need to take it easy.
"Don't worry, the General gave me specific orders to bring you." With that Blonsky reached into his coat and pulled out a large syringe gun, it wouldn't kill the man but it would drag him off to dreamland, both he and his big friend. He stabbed it into the man's neck, some men arriving to hold him down as Blonsky injected the sedative drug. It took them a few moments, but eventually the man beneath him stopped struggling, Blonsky letting out a sigh of relief.
"...And no sign of his big green friend. Contact the General, tell him we got Dr. Banner and will need an Extraction Tank, contact ARGUS and tell them th-!"
"GAH!"
"What the fu-!" Blonsky and the agents were knocked on their backs as something began shaking beneath them. Blonsky reached for his pistol as the good doctor started to shake violently, growling and snarling in rage. Only, Emil Blonsky knew that wasn't Doctor Banner anymore, that was-
"GRRAAAHHH!" A large force flew out of the wall of the building and fell to the road below, landing in front of the parade. Suddenly all was quiet, as heroes and civilians were looked towards the large cloud of dust rising from the crater that suddenly appeared from the sky. Inside a VERY large silhouette took form as it stepped out. The first thing everyone thought of: Green. A very large and VERY green behemoth stood before them, nearly ripped purple shorts and a very enraged face as the beast roared.
"HULK SMASH!"
"...I'm sorry did he Bulk smash?" Ragna asked, tilting his head as the green enraged beast smashed his fist into the ground and ripped out a huge chunk of the road, throwing it towards the large parade group.
"Woah now!" Mt. Lady enlarged herself to catch the debris, earning a loud cheer from the civilians as the other heroes jumped into action.
"Where did this strange beast come from?" Asked the hero Kamui Woods, branches shooting out of his arms.
"What threat level could this be? Wolf? Demon?" The Hero Lightning Genji asked, reaching for his electric stun rods.
"Big guy, I bet he'll get us up a few ranks." The stone hero Granite chuckled as he popped his knuckles. The beast known as Hulk growled and snarled, glaring at the heroes. From above, Ragna stared down at the green beast, and while his nerves were screaming to face it, he also couldn't help but feel like there was something else gnawing at him. Same could be said for two girls down at the street below, their spider-senses going haywire at the mere sight of the beast.
"Penny."
"I know, let's suit up."
"Alright boys," Mt. Lady exclaimed, taking a large step forward.
"Let me show you how a pro gets it done! CANYON CANNON!" Mt. Lady roared as she jumped into the air, slamming both of her boots on top of the Hulk. The large gigante heroine waited for the applause, only to gasp as she felt her own weight began to be lifted from the ground.
"GRRRAAAHHHH!" Hulk roared as he lifted Mt. Lady off the ground, his large digits digging into her suit before he slammed her into a building, screams echoing across multiple city blocks as the other heroes raced into action. The Hulk growled as he lifted Mt. Lady once more, before lifting her towards the parade group, the heroes jumping out of the way.
BOOM
"...Ow…..Ow…..Ow." A voice mumbled from under Mt. Lady, the other heroes looking at the blonde in shock to find the giant heroine sitting up, wincing in pain as her butt was a yard off the ground.
"Ya know….I've always wanted to be sat on, but this was not it." Ragna mumbled from under Mt. Lady, his hands pressed against her left bottom, eliciting a shocked gasp from the heroine.
"PERVERT!"
"Oh relax, I just saved everyone." Ragna said, tossing Mt. Lady aside with shaky hands that were quite sore since she was probably the largest thing he has ever caught even with his newfound strength. Ragna clapped his hands together, pulling his feet two feet out of the ground from catching Mt. Lady, and began walking towards the Hulk.
"Okay, everyone. Just stand back and let Red Grave's number one hero handle this." Ragna said casually, waving the others away as he walked towards the green beast.
"...Who is this guy again?" Granite asked Kamui, who merely shrugged. Ragna kept walking towards the raging green machine, boots clacking on the road, sizing up the creature. It wasn't as big as Ancala, but something told him it was just as strong if not stronger. What really caught his attention was that immense….feeling he got when he stared at the creature, a sense of deep burning feeling that he only saw in his dreams…..or when he nearly lost it against Ancala: Rage.
"So…..does the big green menace got a name? A villainous name?" Ragna teased as he stared up at the behemoth, green eyes staring into red domino ones.
"GRAAAAHHH!"
"...Okay, Mr. Grah." Ragna muttered, wiping the spit from his coat. Looking back up Ragna had two seconds to move as a fist was hurled towards his face. Luckily he jumped at the last second, the Hulk's fist slamming into the ground as Ragna landed on his arm. He spun his body slamming his boot into the green beasts' cheek, jumping off his neck and pulling out Jekyll and Hyde firing off several rounds. They seemed to bounce off his skin but the Hulk still roared in pain. Ragna jumped off the ground and slammed his fist into the Hulk's side, ducking under a wild swing and slammed both fists into his gut. He slid under the beast delivering a swift kick to his knee knocking Hulk onto his knee.
Ragna jumped back as Hulk swung wildly, reminding Ragna of that gorilla demon or even Hydie: Wildly strong but slow. Hopefully. Ragna dashed towards Hulk ducking under a swinging fist, he kneed Hulk in his ribs. Ragna could hear them now, the low gasps of awe and flashes of pictures being taken. He could imagine the shocked but silent awe from the heroes. This could be it, this is what he needed to show everyone who he was: Ragna Redgrave the Hero….who will come up with a hero name at some point. Still, defeating this big green villain was his ticket to fame and recognition that he so rightly deserved.
He kept firing off rounds all over Hulk and to his surprise a few even pierced him, leaking out green blood as Ragna jumped and dodged the beast's attack. He had to thank Trish for those target practices the last couple days, and now he was seeing the fruition of that training. Though he had to admit as much as firing these two powerful pistols was fun, nothing beat using his killer demon sword. Reaching for his sword he swung at the demon, slicing at his open palm, the Hulk snarling in pain. He rolled and dodged under a fist, slicing at his enemies' side, jumping back to avoid another hit. He could probably take a punch, but why test it when he was clearly winning. The Hulk's entire body was covered in cuts, and was snarling and roaring at the hybrid clearly losing his cool. Ragna figured now was the time to end this fight, and finally earn some of that good hero life.
"Time to finish this! Let's go!" Ragna jumped over the Hulk's swinging fist and into the air, lifting his blade over his head as he fell towards the green raging machine. However, his moment of pure adrenaline and epic clash came to an end as his blade was caught within the palm of the Hulk. Ragna felt his feet dangling in the air as the Hulk stood up, glaring at the hybrid as his wounds resealed themselves.
"...Ya know, looking at you now your not that bad of a gu-!" Ragna let go of his blade to block a punch with both arms, the blow knocking him through the street until he was six feet in the ground. Hulk roared in pain as he dropped the blade, the steel sizzling as if suddenly put back in the forge. Of course all this did was merely enrage the beast, turning around to come face to face with more heroes. Before he could charge, something white and sticky landed on his face, obscuring his vision.
"Listen I get angry too when I miss the train, but there's always catching the next one." Spider-Girl mused as she landed on the ground with Ghost-Spider beside her.
"Really?" Gwen asked, glaring at Penny through her mask, who giggled with a shrug as Hulk began ripping off the webbing.
"Stand aside, Web-Slingers, let the Pro's handle this." Kamui stated as the heroes walked past the two webbed heroines, marching towards the Hulk.
"Wait, hold on we should hel-!" Penny stopped when Gwen grabbed her shoulder, the white hood heroine shaking her head. Gwen didn't see the point in jumping in when between the two of them she doubted they could leave a scratch on this green Hulk beast. Meanwhile, from several stories high MJ watched as the heroes began to try and apprehend the green beast man. Today was supposed to be a nice date for her and Harry, and while she wasn't against going to the annual superhero parade, she did wish it was a little private. Then again it did make her feel nice to be seen in this new dress Harry got her, and she did make it look good goddamn~~! Though she also hopes to make a nice impression with Harry's father, since he didn't really seem to notice her which of course can mean anything.
"I wonder if that sword hero is alright." MJ mused, hoping that new hero that showed up in Red Grave wasn't just killed. It wasn't like she had some sort of connection with him, but she didn't like the idea of any hero being killed.
"Oh I'm sure he's fine….What is that?" Harry asked, noticing something flying towards the parade, catching everyone's attention. That being said, he wondered what this object was flying towards them. Penny's and Gwen's head started buzzing like crazy, their spider-senses going off as they looked up to see the flying object.
"That….that's the prototype glider and warsuit." One of the board members muttered in shock and confusion, none of them having any idea on how it originally was stolen but whoever it was now currently wore the suit and was riding on the glider. The rider zoomed across the sky, some civilians cheering thinking it was another hero showing up to save the day. That all came crashing down, quite literally, as the green armored rider hurled a small orange sphere towards the building Harry and MJ were at, exploding upon impact.
"What now?!" Lightning Genji exclaimed, the group of heroes turning to face the exploding building.
"RRRAAAAHHH!" Hulk roared as it finally got the webbing off, glaring at the group of heroes.
"No time for that, we got bigger issues." Granite growled as he blocked a punch from the Hulk, sent flying into a concession stand. The heroes jumped in action to take down the raging beast, all the while Penny and Gwen looked up to see the green armored rider begin attacking the upper building.
"OUT AM I?!" He cackled, tossing another one of the orange spheres to a group, OsCorp's Board of Directors were instantly vaporized. The man cackled as he flew through the sky, popping the balloons, while MJ screamed for dear life.
"MJ-!" Harry's outburst was cut short as a piece of debris hit him in the back of the head, knocking him out. The piece of rail from the observation was barely hanging, the roaring of an engine caught MJ's attention, looking up to see an armored figure with yellow glowing eyes.
"Sorry to drop in, My dear." MJ screamed, only to be beaten in pure volume by the raging green beast below.
"No, I'm sorry!" The armored foe looked up only to be double kicked by both Spider-Girl and Ghost-Spider, the villain falling to the earth and crashing into a large concession stand. Meanwhile, the Hulk roared in rage, using Granite as a club to easily knock down the other heroes. Mt. Lady tried to deliver several punches, each blow shaking the multiple city-blocks, only for the Hulk to jump into the air and slam his fist into her gut. The gigante heroine immediately shrunk and collapsed onto the road as Hulk landed back on his feet.
"What do we do about him?" Ghost-Spider asked, gesturing to the green raging beast.
"Uh…..Uh, divide and conq-!"
"It wouldn't be smart to take your eyes off me." A voice chuckled behind them, Penny pushing Gwen as their spider-senses went off, narrowly avoiding an arm blade from going straight through their skulls.
"Careful now, might take your eye out~~!" The being laughed, and both heroines finally got a good look of the….Goblin? The man was covered head to toe in green armor that hugged his impressive frame that secretly reminded them of their boyfriend's new look. What did freak them out was the laughing helmet staring back at them. Almost like he was some sort of laughing Goblin.
"Wow, listen if you wanna good laugh, there's a comedy club a few blocks dow-!" Spider-Girl jumped over a swinging fist, and she had to admit this man was really fast. Delivering a kick to his jaw she also found out he was incredibly durable as well. Ghost-Spider launched herself slamming both knees into his shoulder, but the man easily grabbed her legs and swung her into a lamp post. The man chuckled, lifting her into the air again and slamming her into the pavement, slamming his boot into her face. He flinched and growled as a punch knocked him back, looking up to see Spider-Girl hurling her fist towards him, only to easily catching with one arm, surprising Spider-Girl.
"...Now I know what your thinking: Should I punch her? And I think-!" Penny bit her own tongue as his fist slammed into her cheek, sending her flying into one of the buildings.
"The answer may surprise you." The Goblin chuckled, his Glider shooting out another bomb into his palm. Only for that bomb to be pulled away by a web, Ghost-Spider hurling it into the sky where it would hit one of the balloons and explode.
"Didn't your Daddy ever teach you not to mess with what isn't yours?" The Goblin growled, two blades shooting out of his arm.
"Yeah, he also told me not to talk with stran-GERS!" Ghost-Spider ducked under a swing, delivering a blow with her knee, only for the Goblin to grab her leg and throw her back to the ground. Pulling her back he slammed his fist into her gut, cracking the ground beneath him before kicking her into a car.
"GS!" Spider-Girl swung out of the hole and landed beside her partner, glaring up at the chuckling villain. Before he could attack, a car went flying past them, all three looking over to see the Hulk manhandling the heroes.
"Heh, it seems you heroes have a handful, and I already got what I wanted." The man said as he tapped on his wrist, the glider flying back towards him.
"You're insane if you think we're gonna let you get away!" Spider-Girl declared. The Goblin hummed before shrugging his shoulders.
"You're right, but riddle me this, Spider-Girl: What goes boom and what goes screaming?" The Goblin asked as he hopped on his glider, and as if it had some sort of activation command fired off several missiles.
"You're lovely civilians! Until we meet again, Spiders!"
"God that riddle was worse than Ragna's." Gwen muttered as she and Penny jumped into action hoping to web those rockets away. Meanwhile, Hulk slammed Granite and Kamui together, before tossing them onto Genji and Mt. Lady. All four were out for the count, leaving the Hulk alone to once again begin his rampage.
"Hey, Jolly Green Bit-!" Hulk snarled as he turned around to see Ragna standing out of the crater Hulk sent him in.
"I'm still standing, and I didn't hear the bell!" Ragna challenged, glaring up at the Hulk. His grand bravado was of course a mask: Both his arms were broken, or at least they were but were slowly healing now. His entire head was ringing and his legs were shaking in pain. That's okay, he can handle this, he just needed to stick to the plan….whatever that plan was. Hulk stomped over to Ragna, glaring down at the hybrid who merely wiped his chin of blood.
"Think you got one over me just cause your strong? Ha!" Ragna spun his right arm, rolling out the kinks before glaring at the Hulk.
"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE M-guh!" Ragna's quick rage shattered as his fist was easily caught thanks to his still broken state, the Hulk lifting him into the air until they were face to face.
"..."
"..."
"...Now I know what you're thinking: Should I punch this handsome devilish man in the face? And the answer may surpri-!" If Ragna had x-ray vision, he would witness his entire rib cage shatter, his body sent through several buildings. Hulk roared to the heavens before something hit his shoulder, not enough to even scratch him but enough to get his attention. He turned around to see multiple police vehicles with the officers aiming at him, the heroes back on their feet. Yet what caught Hulk's eyes was the growing group of agents and leading them was none other but Emil Blonsky.
"GGGRRRRRRAAAAAHHHHH! HULK~~~~! SMASH!" Hulk roared, slamming his hands together and releasing a powerful thunderclap that sent nearly everything but the strongest heroes flying. Windows shattered, stones broke, and up above on the deck, MJ was still hanging on, only for the piece to break apart and for her to go screaming towards the ground. Elsewhere, passerbys those living in the apartment looked down at the crater to see someone in a costume. One individual in particular slid down to inspect the costumed hero, checking his pulse.
"Mom?"
"Stay up there, Lunella." She told her seventeen year old who was being held by her grandmother back in the apartment, as the older woman began pulling the teen into her lap. She checked his pulse…she felt it.
….Awaken…..
BA-BUMP
…..Awaken….Son of Darkness…..Son of Wrath.…
BA-BUMP BA-BUMP
…..Awaken….Sin….Awaken…Ragna-
Red eyes shot open, and before the woman could ask if he was alright, disappeared from her arms followed by a small boom.
"RRRAAAAHHHH!" Hulk's eyes widened at the sudden roar that wasn't his own, turning around to come face to face with red eyes, before his entire body went flying. MJ screamed as her body fell to the ground, but a blink of an eye and she was gone, the red hair had the wind knocked out of her as she was held close to someone's chest. She felt them stop to a halt, lowering her down until she was laying down, the redhead letting out a sigh of relief. She looked up to thank her savior, only to gawk in shock. She could not make out his visage through the mask….but she saw white locks of hair….and those crimson eyes. Those were the same ones….that day.
"It's you." MJ remembered those eyes, the one who saved her. Those red eyes belonged to the new hero of Red Grave, the one who saved her, and the one who was facing this hulking green monster.
"RAH!" Hulk landed behind Ragna, pulling his left arm back for a backhand. The blow shook the entire city block, dust flying in the wind. Once it died down, both MJ gaped in awe as Hulk's eyes widened in rage as Ragna's arm caught the fist.
(Play Number One - oldskool by Shiro SAGISU/Hazel Fernandes)
Ragna's elbow slammed into Hulk's gut, knocking the green beast back and bending him over, the hybrid jumping into the air. He spun a few times before slamming his boot into Hulk's cheek, knocking him across the street. Ragna looked back at MJ, leaning down and sniffing her hair for a moment, and MJ could've sworn she heard a low growl, before he was gone in a red flash. Hulk stood back and swung his fist, missing Ragna by inches as a boot slammed into his cheek again. Hulk went sliding across the earth, a red blur spinning across his body delivering bone shattering blow after blow that would've killed Ancala with ease.
Ragna moved with the agility of a cat, narrowly avoiding Hulk's deadly blows because IT knew one hit and the body would not get back up. He dashed and ducked, blitzing to grab his sword, slashing it across Hulk's chest. The green beast roared as he slammed the ground, but Ragna disappeared and reappeared, stabbing his blade into Hulk's hand. The Hulk roared in pain before his jaw was shut tight by a fist uppercutting him into the air. Hulk landed back on his feet and ripped out huge chunks of the earth out of the ground, hurling them towards Ragna. The hybrid dashed across the street, jumping into the air and slicing through the flying debris, tackling the Hulk. He jumped away sheathing his blade and crossing his arms, a low growl escaping his throat.
The beast stood back up, pulling his arms back and releasing a monstrous thunderclap, sending everything and shattering everything around him. Ragna stood his ground, disappearing as Hulk went to clap again, this time catching both hands and barely stopping them from hitting. He jumped into the air and slapped both palms onto Hulk's ears, disorienting that behemoth. However he was unlucky as Hulk backhanded him into a building, though because of the pain in his ears it wasn't all of his strength. Hulk turned back to the hole he made with Ragna and stomped towards it, only to find it empty. His eyes widened when he felt two boots on his lower back side, looking over his shoulder to see Ragna hanging onto Hulk, his fingers ripping into the skin before dragging across Hulk's shoulders. Green blood sprayed over the sidewalk as Ragna jumped back, a low growl escaping his throat. Green blood dripped down his fingertips, the hybrid holding his hand up until it was over his mouth. He opened his maw, tongue hanging out to taste the green blood.
"...H-Huh? What the?" Ragna's eyes returned to normal, his locks shrunk back, and he shook his head wondering what just happened. The last thing he remembered was being held up by the Hulk before he saw darkness. He could've sworn he was in someone's arms before….was he asleep? Sleepwalking? He looked down to see his hands drenched in green liquid, and looking up to the healing claw marks on Hulk's shoulders he was able to put two and two together. Hulk growled as he stomped towards Ragna, the hybrid not fast enough to reach as the green fist hurled towards him.
KRA-BOOM
"Ah, ah, ah. We'll have none of that." Ragna's eyes snapped open as golden locks filled his vision. Boots breaking the ground below as two hands kept Hulk's fist at bay.
"Trish?"
"I came all the way here to begin our training session, when I find you fighting this….thing." Trish pushed Hulk back as lightning danced across her body.
"And I think that's enough of that. Sweet dreams, Son of Sparda."
"Hu-!" Before Ragna could react, Trish had placed the palm of her hand on Ragna's forehead and sent a single volt of electricity through his brain. Ragna's body went limp and into Trish's open arms, Hulk charging at them. In a flash of lightning Trish disappeared as Hulk slammed the ground, repeatedly punching it.
"Again. We'll have none of that." Hulk looked up, his eyes widened as Trish floated in the air: Ragna in one hand, and a bolt of lightning in the other.
KRA-KOOM
(The Marvelous Devil)
"...Mmm…."
"Welcome back to the land of the living." Trish teases, Ragna slowly opening his eyes to stare up at his ceiling. He looked down at his body to see a pile of bandages laying at the end of his bed, and his body completely healed.
"...That wasn't a demon, was it?" Ragna asked.
"Nope. It sure was strong though. You should consider yourself lucky to be a Son of Sparda otherwise a straight punch like that and you would've been mangled. Just like that Granted Hero-Granite-Whatever, his arms got busted by that beast." Trish explained, gesturing to her phone showing the heroes being carried in ambulances and yet putting on a show like they weren't just beaten by that green powerhouse.
"And the Hulk?"
"That thing disappeared as soon as I was gone. Guess it didn't wanna stick around." Trish finished as Ragna stared down at his hands.
"...I couldn't beat him." Ragna muttered, a hand running through his raven black locks.
"Don't take this as a sign of defeat, but as a means to keep pushing." Trish said, hoping to push Ragna out of this hole before he falls right in. To her surprise, a switch must've flipped cause Ragna had an intense glare in his eyes.
"You're right, Trish! I'm gonna keep training, so I can get stronger and the next time I won't lose against that Hulk or ANYONE else!" Ragna declared triumphantly. Hulk may have won the battle, but the war has just begun.
"Well, glad to have you back at one hundred percent."
"...Trish, did you give me a bath while I was out?" Ragna noticed his body was not only healed, but his hair was wet and he smelled fresh.
"..."
"..."
"...I think we'll postpone training for the next two days, give ya time to heal up and focus on that school work you principal wants ya to work on."
"Wait, how long have I been knocked out? Hold on, how do you know about what my Principal been saying, are you spying on-!" With a snap of fingers and a flash of lightning, Trish was gone, leaving Ragna alone with his own thoughts.
"Ragna?" Of course those thoughts were pushed aside when he heard Cass' voice outside his room. Taking a deep breath, Ragna hid the bandages and walked towards his door, opening it slightly to peek out seeing Cass.
"Hey Cass."
"Sweetie, why didn't you tell me you were home, the dinner is cold." Ragna looked over at his alarm clock to see it was ten past eight, meaning he was out for nearly five hours.
"Oh, uh-Sorry Cass, just been thinking a lot and needed to clear my head." Ragna lied, opening the door to stare down at Cass. While he would never admit it out loud, before Penny and the girls, Cass was a childhood crush for him. She was one beautiful woman, with ample bosom that rivaled if not surpassed Penny's, to a large bubble butt he would love to be pressed against his face. Even just her lips were enough to get him ri-!"
"Ragna, did you just growl?" Cass asked, wondering if she misheard that strange noise.
"Huh? Oh, uh no that's just my stomach. Guess I haven't eaten in a while. I'll be down in a few, thanks again Cass and…"
"Ragna?" Cass noticed Ragna's features sadden, before she gasped as he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into a hug. Due to his height she was always pressed against his chest…..her hands slowly trailing up and down his muscles.
"I'm sorry again, for making you guys worry. I'm just trying to get my life back on track, it's been a crazy couple weeks. Thanks for being understanding…Love you." With that Ragna separated from Cass and closed his doors, leaving the blushing older woman out in the hall.
"...Oh, if only I was a few years younger." Cass moaned in defeat, walking down the stairs back into the kitchen. Back in his bedroom, Ragna was staring at his own hands, envisioning the green blood on his hands. He didn't know what happened to him, but whatever he did to the Hulk….wasn't him, or maybe it was? He didn't know what he did, but it was proof that he can become stronger.
"I can do this. I can become stronger, I can win. I am Number One Baby!"
"Ragna?! Are you cheering for yourself?!"
"...NO!"
(The Marvelous Devil)
Ragna loves pumping himself up.
Achievement Unlocked: Eat your greens (Lost to the Hulk)
Yes, before any Hulk fans lose their mind, Ragna did not win the fight nor was he going to, and he pretty much fought the equivalent of first issue Hulk. I'll admit I'm not one of the bigger Hulk fans, not to say I hate the guy he actually has one of my favorite storylines and honestly the better stories in current comics, but I've never been interested in him as say Thor or Iron Man. That being said unlike the MCU I never slept on Hulk and know his power...or a general better idea and his personalities. Technically you can consider this a 'fusion' of Savage/Devil Hulk and for those who don't read Hulk comics...you know you should read them it would take to long to explain. It's also why I didn't have Ragna full on fight Hulk at this current moment (Hydrogen Bomb vs Coughing Baby) since I have this unwritten rule where I don't have it where my character beats a fictional character (Like Thor, Superman, HULK, etc) with the exception of like...ten characters that are powerhouses cause I don't find it fun. Stalemate? Pretty much fun. Hard earned battle where you might lose in the end? Definitely fun. That being said, ADJ Ragna at the end of Volume 1 would've beaten this Hulk lol but he also has like two years ahead of TMD Ragna...but he's gonna catch up soon. Anyways I didn't wanna spend long fights just because I wanted to show the difference between Ragna and Hulk in terms of strength, and I wanted to throw in some of my more favorite jokes.
Another thing I wanted to talk about is the introduction to the Green Goblin himself! So yes obv as I have said before we're basing on the Raimi movie for now, comics design later just because I am more familiar with it and it has been a while since I read the Spider-Man comics. Honestly, I tried to think of how I should introduce him, and what better way than killing people, causing mayhem and leaving without even introducing himself. This also plays into the next chapter building up to the first C-(Character)Arc, I know originally had it where the next arc would begin right after this one, but I had a new idea and this next chapter does work for my next arc and for Ragna and MJ. Also no this is not Raimi MJ, this is pretty much OJ Comics Pre-OMD good old 'Tiger' MJ. I miss those days...Fucken Marvel. Anyways next chapter is much more focused on her and Ragna to continue the harem since there is still a harem going on. OBV Emil Blonsky while shown wasn't to major but that will be addressed next chapter as will the Penny and Gwen bit I had planned but I scrapped it just because of limited numbers. That bit with Ragna stopping Hulk's hand was entirely referencing FLCL, you'll know what scene I am talking about. Also, what we saw is what I'll call 'Instinct Ragna' for now, what is that? Who knows, I'm not gonna tell ya.
This chapter went through like several changes: First I was gonna have either Jennifer Walter/Bruce's cousin arrive with General Ross to try and stop Bruce near the end, resulting in him running away. Another version I was gonna have either Power Girl or Stars & Stripe (MHA/Cathleen) knock out Hulk resulting in his capture. Ragna would've woken up in the hospital meeting Jen and then we'll cut to his room. Then I decided to settle with Trish to save the day, why? Just cause I wanted to do some cool lightning stuff with her, plus this would make sense in timeframe for when they train so she would go looking for him. I was also gonna have it where Goblin taunts Hulk but doesn't straight up fight him. Another scene I would've done is Ragna trying to talk with Spider-Girl and Ghost-Spider but it doesn't go so well. The reason I scrapped this is literally cause of the next chapter but that is spoils for later. I'm pretty fine with this revised chapter, it's another slice of Life (Of sorts) while also moving the plot of the volume along. I want every volume to imagine it like a season of a tv show. While their are overarching plotlines, each arc will be solved within the same volume. It's not the end of the storyline I've created, but it is the end of that adventure. Like Court of Sin, that arc ended with Ragna stopping Magnus, but had I continued with ADJ that would've gone on for the Order of the Sword saga. Of course with the revised version I got a more stronger storyline...at least for me. Anyways I enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope I can get the next chapter out soon.
I've been thinking about once I am done with Volume One I'll begin posting the first chapter of several specials (The movie esque side stories like Heaven's Shadow) just because I would like them out...IDK, I just really wanna post them. What are your guys thoughts on the story so far? What do you like, what do you not like? What do you think I can improve on? Etc, etc. It's still quality over quantity as I wanna take my time with the story, but sometimes chapters like these don't need to be some Shakespearean literature. I'll come back when I got the time and rework some stuff if I wanna but I am satisfied for now.
Next time on TMD: As Ragna continues his training he also tries to earn the love of his city, but that is easier said than done. It also doesn't help that other heroes seemed distrustful of him and his antics, even the likes of the spider heroine's who he butts heads with when facing off against their poisonous adversary the Scorpion. Meanwhile, Norman's mind descends into madness as the Goblin within begins to take over, and even more dark forces begin to move into place across the board. Can they defeat these villainous foes? Can Ragna earn the love of the city? Is there someone out there who loves the hero of Red Grave City? Find out next time on The Marvelous Devil: Eye of the Devil.
Until next time! Zer0the0mega108 out!