Revamped!

[At this point, I'm just writing this story for myself. And I keep forgetting this but thank you for all the guest reviews. Those made my day].


Chapter 75: Escaping SHIELD Island Part Two

SHIELD Headquarters - 10:40 AM

"So, let me get this straight," Agent Amory Vander, Xavier SO and a man with a whole lot of clearance with SHIELD and The Academy, states, "you want to take your team and Prince Consort Imanu to SHIELD Island in hopes of rescuing Princess Iqadi although you're not a hundred percent sure that she landed there?"

"Correct," Xavier states firmly, "but there's a high chance she landed there due to the security readings coming from the island."

Based on his SO's statement alone, Xavier has a bad feeling as to where this conversation will go. The moment Imanu informed him and the others about Iqadi's highly possible jet accident on a SHIELD island, Xavier knew they had to go. He just had to discuss it with someone superior to him because not only does he need permission to access the island (if denied, they would've gone anyways) but he and his team can't risk getting in trouble with the Council again. And if there's someone who would permit him and cover his tracks, it's his SO.

"Going there for an undetermined rescue mission might result in a one-way trip, Xavier," Agent Vander warns.

"I'm aware of that but there's a security breach on that island as we speak," Xavier explains. "And Prince Consort Imanu came all this way for his wife. Wakanda could've just gone there themselves and destroyed the island to bring her home."

Agent Vander takes a moment to think that over. "Not only do we need to handle that security breach but if Princess Iqadi dies on SHIELD island, Wakanda will destroy us."

Xavier stays silent, hoping this all goes in his favour. With one hand in his pocket, he's crossing his fingers tightly.

"Xavier, this is risky," Agent Vander says, "but I'm letting you go. Someone has to inform the Council about a possible conflict with Wakanda and SHIELD Island's current state."

Agent Vander laughs a little and claps a hand on Xavier's shoulder.

"And if all this is a one-way trip?" He asks.

Xavier shrugs. "I'll find a way to send you a postcard."

-o-

Meanwhile, the others stand in the hangar of the quinjet, getting equipped and suited up for going to the SHIELD island. Considering that it's a prison island with the worst criminals on-site, they'll need the best weapons defence system SHIELD could offer.

Apollo stands to the side, leaning against the wall as he watches his friends prepare because they won't bring him. They don't want him to freak out which, he can't blame them for thinking. Ever since he got on Midgard, the one thing he's been itching to do was a battle. The little wrestling matches with his friends didn't count since they were no competition towards him. He and his muscles are longing for that adrenaline which might just distract him from his lack of memories. Who knows, maybe he came here after a battle went wrong so maybe a fight will bring back his losses.

"May I join you?" Apollo asks them again.

"We're heading to a SHIELD island that we're not allowed to visit," Daniel replies. "So, no."

"But I despise it here. And Imanu gets to go."

"My wife is in trouble," Imanu reasons.

"And she's my friend, so you all say."

Apollo has a point. It would be hypocritical of them to make Apollo stay back for the same reason they get to go.

"Apollo, do you honestly want to come?" Daniel tries questioning.

"I'm Asgardian," Apollo says proudly. "I have a better chance of surviving an exploding island than you."

Everyone is speechless. That was probably the worst argument to use. If he started with that, they would've said yes from the get-go.

"He's also royalty so appreciate that he's asking and not demanding," Imanu says in favour of Apollo.

Apollo laughs in a pleased shock as he puts a hand on Imanu's shoulder. Imanu jumps a little due to Apollo's strength although he wasn't using any of it.

"My memories may be defective but I knew that I always liked you," Apollo says.

Imanu isn't sure if that was a compliment or not but he takes it as one.

The others collectively agree to take Apollo along since they can't leave him anywhere. Besides, if Xavier was here, he would agree. Not only are Apollo's memories still not intact but his royal status along with Imanu's outweigh their SHIELD clearances any day. As they give Apollo permission to join them, Xavier walks in and starts suiting up with them. Besides, if they think back to Apollo almost blowing up Xavier, they could use that given where they're heading.

"Here," Angela says, passing Imanu a gun.

Imanu holds the weapon limply and stares at it as if it was some foreign object.

"Do you know what a gun is?" Angela asks.

"Of course I do," Imanu responds. "If history is anything to go by, Wakanda had guns when you were still using slingshots."

Angela blinks at that striking response and Imanu's attitude towards the weapon still doesn't change. He still shows no interest in it.

"Let me rephrase my question, do you know how to use a gun?" Angela asks him slowly.

"I don't."

"You're the ruler of a militaristic country and you don't know how to use a basic glock?"

"I refuse to fight with weapons or with combat. There is more to being a militaristic country than firing a gun."

"I respect that but what I need to know that if push should come to shove, if your life depends on it, I need to know that you won't hesitate to drop your pacifist belief and use that gun. Because whether you like it or not, you're married to a militant warrior, on the sides of SHIELD agents and Avengers' kids, and headed to a prison island that lost its control."

Imanu nods. "You have my word."

"You confuse me," Merida says to him as she finishes loading her quiver. "You would much rather go on a possible one-way trip to an exploding island that screams death with no weapons than babysit your kingdom."

"I love my wife," Imanu states. "Wouldn't you do the same for your significant other?"

Merida scoffs. "I'll update you on that when I get a husband."

Instantly, Emily and Angela's eyes widen and they both grab each other's arms. Not only did Merida say that she'll have a husband one day but she said it with such certainty that they didn't see coming. That's why Emily and Angela are so excited and giddy. Merida notices her friends beaming happily and she rolls her eyes at them. Even Xavier, Daniel, and James are a bit annoyed at the fact that they might have to live through another girl talk session about Merida's hypothetical love life.

"Are we ready?" Xavier asks them.

"If any of you say no to that, I'll fly there myself and leave you all here," James says.

-o-

SHIELD Island - 10:16 AM

The quinjet circles above the island, disguising itself with its exterior reflective panels. Their first approach was to land where Iqadi's jet crashed and start from there but the entire island from above was just a canopy of greenery that they couldn't spot a thing. With that, they just land on the beach and exit the jet.

Everything is so calm and serene, almost as if this island was paradise and not a prison.

"I would've loved to get arrested here," James comments. "Note, I didn't say stationed."

"I'm sending information about the inmates here should you run into them," Daniel says.

He sends the files and all their phones buzz at the notification. They prep their weapons, suit up, and test their communication systems to make sure they're working.

"If we all enter the innards of the island as a Scooby-Doo gang, then not only will we easily become compromised but we'll cover less ground and waste more time," Xavier says. "One half of us will patrol the island for Iqadi. The other half will do the same but head to the cliffside because that's where the agents are supposed to be."

"Let's split up," Angela offers.

That's what they do. Apollo, Angela, Merida, and Imanu are one team and Xavier, Emily, James, and Daniel are the other. They picked teams based on who was standing with each other.

"As of now, we have three hours and 15 minutes till the island blows," Xavier says. "Unless Stark can get the clock to stop ticking and restore the security system, meet back here at the ten minute before detonation mark with or without Iqadi."

Imanu tenses. "I can't do that."

"If you and Iqad die on this island, tell me Wakanda won't go to war with SHIELD."

Imanu remains silent.

Xavier looks at the others. "Got that?"

They nod.

"Good."

They part at the beach, each team heading in a different direction. The sea air is heavy this morning and a fog is rolling in, making everything look distinct and slightly unreal. Either this is a weather phenomenon or Iqadi is using this as a defence mechanism for herself. The irony of this situation is that although they're all looking for Iqadi, she's trying to hide from the inhabitants of this island.


[People, find yourself an Imanu who would go to the most dangerous place on Earth to save you].