Tales of The Multiverse
Chapter 12
The offer, Heroes of The Emblem
-Earlier in New York-
"So, how did you make your way to this realm?" Wonder Woman asked as she stood in the bedroom of the Avenger's Mansion where the Sailor Senshi were resting, a hand held curiously to her chin.
"Well, we have a special teleport ability, where if we combine our energy and focus on where we want to go to, we can transport ourselves, and those we wish to take along with us," Sailor Moon replied.
"We were able to picture Hannah's companions and even Lucia especially. It's how we got here specifically," Mars added.
"But...due to the nature of the attempt, it took a lot out of us...we might've been able to teleport you to Annet if we weren't so drained...ah..." Mercury groaned a little.
"It's ok, just relax," Wonder Woman said as she went and put a hand to Mercury's head before looking in Jupiter's direction, seeing her looking rather distraught, prompting her to approach. "I can't help but notice you seem particularly troubled over Hannah. Surely it's not merely because you sound alike?"
"No...but...atop of her being an orphan, she seemed so exceptionally lost and alone, and with now being thrust head first into this large expansive world without anyone to really turn to I...just feel I should take care of her. I almost feel like we're related somehow. But maybe it's because I've sort've been through a similar experience. Not exactly obviously but still I can relate better than most," Jupiter replied. "I just...couldn't stand the thought of her being in that state, not when I could do something about it."
"Well, you're certainly an Amazon," Wonder Woman commented.
"Wha...me an amazon?" Jupiter asked, a bit stunned by the statement.
"Many people have a misconception of what amazons are. While true, amazons are indeed strong, cunning and powerful warriors, that isn't all that we are. We have the strength to defend ourselves, and those who cannot do the same for themselves. But above all else besides honor, we pride ourselves on love and compassion. And we bestow that love and compassion upon others in whatever way we can, be it keeping them safe or being there for them like a mother, or a caring sister. That is the heart of a true amazon. And I can see you have that heart," Wonder Woman replied. "Keep that conviction, and we will succeed."
-Elsewhere minutes later-
Everyone had huddled inside of a presently empty warehouse, with only minimal light as Vicki Vale finished recounting the particulars that happened in her world.
"Now that I take a proper moment to look, you do look different from what I know but yet...also still so many similarities," Vicki said.
"And what of me?" Catwoman asked curiously, getting a bit of an unusual smile from Vicki.
"In all honesty, you're a far cry from the Catwoman I know. You look so much more...dignified, refined, and even act a touch more, regal in a way. I dunno you just have a more pleasant air about you compared to...the air I tended to get from Catwoman, and even the other women in Gotham from where I'm from," Vicki replied. She then gave Vinnie a look momentarily. "And aside from him making a pass at me earlier, you guys are a lot more pleasantly inviting." she then mildly motioned her thumb at Vinnie briefly as she talked.
"I hate to say it but it kinda sounds like your Gotham is a lot more of a mess than ours," Batgirl said.
"Trust me I can't really take offense to it," Vicki assured her. "If I did I'd be a bit of a sleaze myself."
"But how did you actually get here?" Batman asked.
"Well...that I'm not entirely sure. One minute I'm walking along, and suddenly there was this explosion that knocked me clean off my feet. Next thing I knew I was looking metal mouse in the face," Vicki replied.
"Hey! The name's Vinnie, not metal mouse," he protested, feigning heavy offense but he was clearly hamming it up.
"Well, right now we may have more of an advantage. That is, if you're willing to help us out?" Mega Man asked.
"Not that I'm pressed for time or business here presently but...what do you want me to do?" Vicki asked.
"Nothing dangerous. At least it shouldn't be. All you need to do is just help us locate someone. You're kinda one of the more normal people we have. Outside of Jennifer and Helen here, but the enemy has seen Jennifer so, chances are you're the last person someone would expect to see or suspect of doing something," Mega Man replied. "And don't worry, we won't be sending off alone, we'll be searching too but a bit more discretely. You'll be more easily able to search in the open and such."
"I can see how that may or may not get hairy in either sense. So, whom am I going to look for?" Vicki asked.
-In Nottingham-
The heavy rain hadn't really stopped for a good while, and presently Looda was doing a bit of a slow cautious walk through the town, as reported, the place was empty and just had this eerie haunting feel to it. She ended up jumping a bit when she heard the church bells start ringing loudly. Now heavily curious she started sprinting her way to the church to see what was going on. It was a bit of a run but she didn't have terribly far to go as it was kind of out of town. Inside Friar Tuck was busy pulling on the long heavy duty rope tethered to the bell, making it ring and ring while while the small grey mouse priest was playing on the organ, which was quite a feat all things considered.
"Friar Tuck...I don't think anyone is coming," he eventually said.
"You're right Saxton but, maybe this old church bell will give those poor people some comfort," the Friar replied as he stepped out of the room. "We must do what we can to keep their hopes alive." to which Saxton silently nodded in mild depression while sister mouse was presently sweeping outside of their mouse hole.
"Ohhhh...how can there be any hope with that, tyrant price John taxing the heart and soul outta the poor people?" she asked.
"Yes those poor people..." the Friar paused as he went over and opened up the donation for the poor box open and as to be expected, it was empty. "Look, our poor box is like our Church. Empty." With that suddenly something seemed to spark in the little sister as she hurried back into her hole, but as she started to come back out, everyone looked in surprise when they heard the front door open, seeing the rather pleasant sight of Looda's tall slime frame in the doorway as she took a few steps inside and closed the door behind herself, having a look around the place as she began to walk between the row of pews.
"Well I'll be, it's that nice servant of the queen!" she said a bit excitedly.
"Color me surprised. I didn't expect you to be a religious type, have a seat," the Friar said, now rather lifted in spirits to have someone enter the building that was of welcome company.
"Religious? I came here to see if anything was the matter," Looda replied before having the purpose of the premises dawn on her a bit. "Oh...is this what...is this what the common folk call a sacred site? A Holy Church?" feeling suddenly a bit humble she removed her helmet and slid it into one of the pews as she continued her approach.
"You've never been to a church before have you?" the Friar asked.
"You mean you've never even attended a religious gathering?" the priest asked as he turned around, a bit stunned.
"No I'm afraid I haven't. Not that religion is outlawed where I'm from it's just...we never seemed to have need of one. I suppose we never really entirely believed in faith. Or at least a faith that wasn't in ourselves and our abilities," Looda replied. "I...hope I haven't said anything offensive."
"No not really. But, admitting what you have, well, why not start now?" the Friar asked.
"Start? Start what?" Looda asked curiously.
"Oh! Friar Tuck," the sister said as she held out a coin. "We saved this. It not much but, please take it, for the poor."
"Your last, farthing?" he asked, a bit astonished. "Oh, little sister, no one can give more than that." he said as he gently took it and put it into the box's slot with a satisfying clink.
"Bless you both," he said with a smile. Looda was left a bit confused by his statement but after a moment of reflection, realized how potent and meaningful a gesture of when someone gives it there absolute all, with all the best intentions when they don't have anything to give, means more than those who have more to give.
"Heh heh, we were just saving it for a rainy day," the priest chuckled as he resumed playing a bit.
"Well it's rainin now! Heh heh heh! Things can't get worse!" the Friar laughed. To which at first Looda smiled and even chuckled at the technical joke he made as both looked out a broken window as some rain was getting in, but quickly covered her mouth upon hearing what he said.
"You shouldn't..." she tried to say, but gasp in horror when she heard the door slam open, prompting her to look to see the Sheriff striding on in as if on a demented cue.
"Howdy Friar!" he said as he strode on in in his usual sauntering strut. As such he was oblivious to Looda's presence, which allowed her to leap up to the rafters to hide, much to everyone's surprise but they quickly focused on him. "Well it looks like I dropped in just in time."
"What's that big belly bully want here?" the priest asked in a hushed anger.
"Father, shh!" the sister shushed him as the Sheriff went right up to the poor box and opened it right up without even so much as batting an eye, had a smug expression on his face at the sight of the farthing.
"Weelll, what have we got here?" he asked no one really as he took it out.
"Now just a minute sheriff, tha tha that's the poor box!" the Friar protested in exasperation.
"It sure is, and I'll just take it to poooor prince John. Every little bit helps," the sheriff replied as he flicked the coin and then put it into his coin purse.
"Ohhhhh, you put that back!" the sister protested.
"And his majesty blesses you too, little sister," the sheriff replied, not phased by the anger around him. Looda was aghast at this display, and was about ready to drop kick him into the next century but realized he might not be alone.
"You thieving scoundrel!" Friar Tuck shouted as he approached with a shaking fist.
"Now take it easy Friar, I'm just doing mah duty," the sheriff replied as he crossed his arms and turned his back slightly.
"Collectin taxes for that arrogant, greedy, ruthless, no good prince John!?" Friar asked in a fury, questioning how that's any form of duty to be proud of.
"Listen Friar, you're mighty preachy, and you gonna preach yourself into a hangman's noose!" the sheriff retorted as he wagged a finger at him, and Looda saw visually the Friar mentally crack.
"GET OUTTA MY CHURCH!" he bellowed, taking them a bit by surprise. "Out! Out! Out!" he began shoving and bouncing himself into the sheriff, taking him right back out the front door.
"Ohhh dear me!" the sister said while the priest seemed rather enthusiastic about this development as they went to see what was going on outside while Looda did come down she watched from afar a bit.
"You want taxes!?" the Friar demanded as he was now squaring off against the sheriff with a stick while he was armed with a sword, but Friar Tuck clearly had him on the back foot as he swung rather precisely. "I'll give you taxes!" he jabbed him in the gut and then squarely bonked him on the head.
"Give it to him, give it to him! Give it to him Friar!" the priest cheered as he danced on the front step. But about then the sheriff made a swipe that cut the stick, and made another that the Friar just ducked, although as he tried to continue to fight, one of the vulture archers came from a tree and yanked his hood over his head while the sheriff whipped out a large neck cuff on a chain.
"You're under arrest for high treason against the crown!" he said as the Friar managed to knock the vulture away but was spinning and swinging a bit wildly before getting cuffed around the neck from behind.
"Oh no!" the sister said in dismay as they started marching him off.
"Ohh...there there mother," the priest said as she started crying into her apron before they realized something and looked back to see Looda walking a bit slowly to the alter before standing before it in silence, soon kneeling down slowly and then gazed upwards to the heavens, a silent time of prayer had begun.
-Back with the others-
Vicki was presently wandering the town by herself technically, but was having her eyes peeled for the individuals her new companions had told her about. If anything they were bound to pass through and she was sorta the only one who might keep them from flying into a blind defense panic mode. Meanwhile not too far, Annet and the others had pulled up outside of a store while she, Lila, and Carrie got out of the car, as Fernandez, Shanoa and Deedlit remained in the van.
"Are you sure you should go out?" Lila asked.
"Trust me, I don't think I stand out that much. And besides, I've been tracked down to specific places no one should really know I was there, but they still got the information anyway, and it wasn't because I stood out," Annet retorted. "So, I guess while not desirable, I'm used to being spotted and then taking care of it quite handily."
"Example?" Carrie asked.
"How about being shot at while on the streets of New York where the gunshot sounded like a balloon pop just when the bullet whizzed by my face, and then having to take down a ton of mobsters, take down several cars, and then end up in a building with a custom made tank of sorts that tried to gun me down, and I'm still here," Annet replied.
"That...wasn't entirely what I meant but I get your point," Carrie nervously chuckled.
"And I've blasted things bigger so I think we're safe then, I'm convinced," Lila said as they entered. They were walking in a bit slowly as they glanced about, technically browsing, trying to figure what to buy. However suddenly a crash outside made them whirl around, to see their van get front ended and sent spinning for a bit by a large semi cab, which then shot out grenade rounds into the building through the glass, and they exploded into a smoke cover that flooded the building. Everyone stared gasping and coughing while having a hard time seeing, although Annet and Lila both saw a large metallic arm with a big clamp on the end of it burst in and head for Annet.
Annet was alarmed as she staggered slightly, but Lila shoulder checked her aside, only to get grabbed instead.
"Lila! Ah!" Carrie yelped as she tried to help her friend, only to get knocked over when the arm swiftly yanked her out.
"Lila no!" Annet cried as she darted out, and leaped through the open gap as the semi drove off, revealing there were several and witnessed Lila get pulled inside one of them. Before she took off though she went and had a look in the van, seeing the engine was smashed, and while everyone was sprawled about and dazed inside, they looked to be fine.
"Doouuhhhh what hit us!?" Deedlit protested as she was presently a bit upside down.
"Are you alright?" Annet asked.
"Aside from being spun and tumbled about like a dice shaker we seem to be fine," Shanoa replied.
"I got to save Lila!" Annet said as she started running off.
"Annet wait!" Fernandez called before suddenly they saw Vicki looking in from another window.
"Ummm...ah...this isn't what you think?" Deedlit said, rather unsure of herself.
"Was that Annet Myer?" Vicki asked. "Never mind." she then ran off slightly before seeing Annet sprinting at insane speeds after the semis. Realizing she had no chance of catching up she quickly pulled out a device she was given and aimed it.
"What are you doing!?" Fernandez yelped as she opened the back door.
"Calling in the cavalry," Vicki replied as she then fired, and a small bat shaped device hit one of the trailers and started beeping and suddenly several devices picked it up. Meanwhile Annet caught up to one of the trailers and took a quick leap, grab onto one of the pipe backing as she hung on for a bit as they then made a turn, starting to head up onto a highway. However she heard a thunk before she could start climbing she heard a thunk above her before seeing Mega Man peer down at her.
"Well I was sure hoping to find you under a better circumstance, Annet," he commented.
"What!? Who are you?" she asked in disbelief before Spider-Man landed next to her. "Huh!?"
"We gotta save the introductions for later, but mind filling us in why we're chasing these speeding semis?" he asked as he grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her up towards Mega Man he then pulled her to the top.
"We gotta save Lila! She got grabbed by mistake!" Annet replied. "She's in one of these semis."
"Alright, we'll get her out, but which one is she in?" Spider-Man asked as Mega Man ran to the front and leaned over, seeing the cab empty.
"If I had to guess the leader of the pack. There's no one driving these," he stated. But then a mechanical whirring got their attention as slats opened up and some turrets came out, prompting them to look back at the Batmobile, and the bikes closing in.
"Shoot! Mega, you get to the main truck and get these to stop," Spider-Man said before stomping a turret out, to which Mega Man started sprinting, leaping from semi to semi, blasting some of the turrets along the way. There were a total of six semis, and once Mega Man got onto the lead one, he heard something, prompting him to get down and hold his ear against the roof.
"HELP! Somebody get me out of this! AUH!" he heard Lila screaming, as she was presently just dangling from the arm and swaying, being held by her upper body with her arms pinned to her sides.
"Don't worry, we'll get you out, just hang on," Mega Man said. Meanwhile as the Batmobile and the bikes were evading some shots being fired at them, Shanoa landed atop of the Batmobile as she had dark glowing purple wings coming from her back.
"Whoa, where'd you come from!?" Throttle asked in shock.
"She's with me, she can help!" Annet called.
"Observe!" Shanoa said as she held her arms up, and a large sword form in her hands which she brought down, wrenching through a good chunk of the semi, revealing the robotic innards.
"Wuhoo! Now that's my kinda lady!" Vinnie exclaimed.
"Guys, Annet's friend Lila is in the main truck, you can toast those other ones," Mega Man said over an intercom.
"All we needed to hear. You heard the blue wonder boys, wreck em!" Throttle order.
"Like ya needed to tell me!" Modo replied as he charged forward, firing a blaster from his forearm to take out a few turrets. About then the top of the Batmobile opened as Catwoman climbed out.
"Mind giving me a lift ahead?" she asked Shanoa, who quickly took her a couple semis ahead and set her down, before whirling about and firing large energy bolts into the cabs, causing a lot of sparks as the blasts tore through a bit. Mega Man started making his way towards the cab of the main truck when he heard a thunk behind him, making him turn in surprise to see Neifirst standing behind him as her hair and cape whipped about wildly in the wind.
"You found Annet in a bit of a mix up it seems. Apparently the energy she gives off is similar to that of a Chaos Emerald, so Eggman is after her. But, I'll be taking her if you don't mind," Neifirst requested.
"Fat chance you will," Mega Man replied.
"Fine, if you want a duel, I'll go to more your level," Neifirst said as she reached and drew an elegant looking sword from the void. While not the saber she stabbed Catwoman with, it was obvious she was still deadly with this. Upon hearing the technical fight go on above her, Lila managed to reach into her jacket and pull out her combat knife, and while not the best position began picking at the front of the clamp with it as she was able to move her arms enough to do so, as only her upper arms were pinned. Mega Man fired a few shots at Neifirst, and she just elegantly danced and twirled around the shots with a form of grace that would take just about anyone off guard. But he managed to keep his wits about him when she made some swipes and thrusts at him, evading with a few quick leans and back steps, but she pushed her advantage and then firmly kicked him off the trailer and onto the roof of the cab. Although only for a moment as he rolled off and bounced off the hood, managing to grab onto the grill and catch a momentary glance of what he assumed to be Eggman, and what he knew was the Joker. But it wasn't long since the grill came off at the top and he was teetering back rapidly.
Realizing he only had a couple seconds he slipped his feet under the bumper pulled himself down at an angle, making the grill slam and grind on the pavement, before he managed to quickly climb and maneuver himself under the cab, climbing with his back to the road as there was a good bit of space there, he scaled to where he managed to climb onto the underside of the trailer.
"Hey little buddy!" Modo said as he pulled up and grabbed onto him, and pulled him onto the bike. "It's dangerous to check out the underside of these things while in motion!"
"Well I wasn't checking the craftsmanship," Mega Man retorted. About then they heard a clinking noise and looked to see a smiling grenade bouncing their way. Not wasting a second Mega Man quickly maneuvered himself and bunted it a good ways into the air before it exploded.
"Yeah we better stick back a bit," Modo commented as he eased up on the speed a bit. About then though, Annet made a flipping leap onto the lead semi and looked up at Neifirst in surprise as she approached.
"You, are a difficult woman to find, Annet Myer," she spoke while Annet quickly assumed a combative stance as her sword materialized in her hands. "Come now. Must we do it the hard way? It'd be easier if you'd just come along my dear." she made a gentle come hither motion with her fingers.
"I won't go anywhere with you! Get out of my way!" Annet demanded.
"Not even if I made an offer?" Neifirst asked with a coy tilt of her head, only to flick her sword to bat away one of Annet's boomerangs in an instant despite how fast Annet threw it, but she got it as it came back to her like always. "Force it is then." Annet charged at her and made a few good solid swings, which Neifirst merely weaved through and deflected with her sword as well. As the two of them dueled Modo and Mega Man saw this development before Modo got an idea.
"Hey, darlin, mind giving him an easy ride?" he asked.
"Darlin?" Mega Man asked in bewilderment before looking at the bike in surprise.
"Come on, you earned it just now. Don't worry, she'll handle the rest," Modo replied as he got out of the seat, and to Mega Man's surprise the bike stayed stable, giving him plenty of time to get on which he didn't waste.
"Sentient alien bikes from mars. Color me impressed," Mega Man commented.
"Just take care of her and she'll take care of you," Modo said before he leaped onto the side of the trailer. As this went on, Catwoman was making her approach and saw the duel going on, seeing Neifirst weave past Annet when she charged, only to get floored by a kick to the back.
"If you're done I have someone I want you to meet," Neifirst said as Annet rolled onto her back.
"Like I'd entertain whatever guest you may have," Annet replied.
"Oh really? Not even a dear, dear departed sister, whom you shed tears over?" Neifirst asked coyly, holding up a hand somewhat casually.
"...what?" Annet asked with wide eyes, soon gazing at Neifirst's palm as she slowly moved her hand down in offering to help her up.
"It's no lie, come, and you'll see her again," Neifirst said, before glancing back for a brief moment and leaned her head to the side, Modo's metallic fist going through her hair before she grabbed it. "Ahhh. The Biker Mice. And the one called Modo. Quaint you'd be the first to try and oppose me." she turned around to face him, still holding onto his arm although not with the intent to restrain it.
"Quaint in what sense?" he asked.
"Quaint that I might have an actual enticing offer for you. Especially you in particular," she replied, lightly tapping her finger upon his metal arm before he drew it back and launched a kick her way which she evaded.
"I already turned down an offer once, what makes you think you have one better?" Modo asked before he launched a flurry of blows her way. Catwoman knew she had to make some sort of move but wondered how to best go about it since Neifirst was the sharpest enemy she ever faced. However inside, Lila finally managed to wrench the clamp open enough that she then forced it open the rest of the way by spreading her arms, grunting and gasping a little once she landed on the floor. Running to the door she managed to shoot it open and kick it the rest of the way, gasping when she saw what was going on a bit, prompting Catwoman to look down at her in surprise.
"Hey, catch!" she called as she threw her whip to her, prompting Lila to catch it, and then jump as Catwoman pulled her onto the cab with ease. "So you're Lila, huh?"
"Yes but, Annet's in trouble isn't she?" Lila asked as she then looked over to see the current situation, as Neifirst was just toying with Modo.
"Hmmm, I may have an idea. But that may depend on what you can do. Neifirst has a high level of awareness, trying to shoot her may give her time to react," Catwoman said.
"Ok, if you can distract her, I maybe able to do something," Lila said as she drew her knife again, and Catwoman saw it begin to glow a bit.
"...alright, but it'll be just one shot, so make sure you make your move right," Catwoman said. About then though, Modo tried to catch Neifirst off guard with his tail to knock her off her footing, however Neifirst jumped and spun when she felt it, doing a spin kick to his head, knocking him stumbling off of the trailer, but he caught himself on the edge. But as he was stumbling, Annet tried to rush Neifirst, only for Neifirst to elbow her square in the chest, knocking her back down.
"Don't make me hurt you more than I have to Annet," Neifirst ordered, before hearing a faint thump noise and just side stepped enough to avoid a leaping kick by Catwoman, whom upon landing on the foot, turned and sent a firm kick with her other leg to Neifirst's face, but she leaned back enough for it to not land. "You again, Selina?" she quickly put her the palm of her other hand upon the sole of Catwoman's boot and firmly shoved it away, making her hop back slightly, but turned and quickly lashed her whip out. Which just missed as Neifirst took a step back but then they heard a very distinctive stabbing sound as her eyes widened and pupils shrank. A pained gasp of air left her mouth as she went limp for a moment, as Lila had managed to stab her in the back, and due to the energy she poured into it prior, made the pain Neifirst was feeling even worse. But within a few seconds Lila yelped loudly as she got elbowed in the gut and knock down, sliding slightly as she pulled the knife out as a result.
"OUWAHHUUUU!" Neifirst cried as her legs buckled as she seemed to finally start falling forward, but to make sure she didn't get back up Catwoman charged her and threw a punch at her face, but Neifirst's gaze and expression turned firm as she halted it by grabbing her wrist, and then flung her off to the side.
"WHUAAA GUH!" Catwoman yelped and grunted as Modo managed to catch her before she went too far.
"Well fancy that, a mouse catching a cat," he remarked.
"Now ain't the time for that levity ya big lug," she quipped. Neifirst meanwhile staggered away from that side of the trailer, gasping a bit as she looked over at Lila who finally recovered from the hit she received.
"You...you're the remaining Gate Keeper..." Neifirst gasped a bit before looking back at Annet. "Annet she's...she's waiting for you...this time she truly...is...I wanted you to meet her before she awoke...to greet her..." she inched back a bit more as her toes stood on the edge of the trailer.
"But that's impossible! How could..." Annet was at a loss for words as she realized what was going on.
"Till next time...we'll meet again," Neifirst said before holding her arms out and leaped backwards in an arching flip before vanishing. But about then suddenly the cab of the main semi exploded as some sort of pod soared.
"I told you not to hit that!" they heard a man protest.
"Who cares, things are gettin too hot around here anyway! Let them deal with mess while we get away!" they then heard Joker say as the pod then when zipping off in a bit of a frantic manner, clearly controls being fought over.
"Ummm guys? These semis are still speeding!" Batgirl said as she pulled up, which prompted Annet to look and gasp in horror as they were heading for a turn, but would instead clearly sail off into the buildings as these weren't gonna turn on their own anymore.
"These will crash into those buildings if we don't stop them!" Annet said.
"And they're a lot tougher than I thought, I only took out one," Shanoa said as she landed, followed by Spider-Man who quickly checked the situation.
"Hmmm, I have an idea. Miss, get Annet and Lila off of here," he suggested, to which Shanoa nodded, taking each by the hand and flew them off to another highway to land safely. Catwoman joining them as she jumped off and whipped a post, spinning around before gingerly landing.
"Ya got an idea web head?" Throttle asked as he pulled up and Modo got back on his bike when Mega Man moved aside.
"A crazy one but it's all we got," Spider-Man replied as he leaped back onto one semi in the back. "I'll take a front corner, and the rest with cables, take a back corner and speed ahead while I pull."
"And create a blockade!" Throttle said.
"Hey I dig it!" Vinnie said. "I think we best get back," Batgirl told Regina as they eased off as the Biker Mice and the Batmobile pulled up to one side of the lead trailer and fired grapple lines into one back side of it and floored it as much as possible while Spider-Man webbed the top front side of the trailer and yanked as hard as he could. And with both forces going they basically spun and twisted the trailer, making it soon slam on it's side, skidding as the grapples released it.
"Only one shot at this," Spider-Man said as he hurled himself forward and spun around, soon rapidly webbing the trailer to the sides of the highway, and nearby buildings as all the other semis began slamming and piling into it, making a large crashing, wrenching and screeching noise as it kept going but was steadily slowing down before Spidey landed on the side of the trailer, and then planted his feet on the ground, and they kept going and going before stopping a few inches before the turn. He then climbed up and peered over the top, looking at the smoking heap and the torn up road behind. "Well, a bit of a spectacular wreck, but I think that's all good in a days work."
"Considering what we sometimes do this is quite an improvement," Throttle remarked.
"I think we can say we actually won," Mega Man said, but he wound up feeling a pair of eyes on him, prompting him to look back and then up at the top of a sky scraper, seeing a shape at the top that wasn't meant to be there, it was tall and moving in the wind. He stared for a moment as things seemed to go silent and still, before seeing a pale face staring right back at him, and bright red eyes, and behind the glow, a mechanical look. He was a bit alarmed before looking upon hearing the others approach.
"I see you pulled off the save," Catwoman said.
"That was rather impressive I must say, I never seen anything like it," Lila commented. As they spoke Mega Man looked back and the figure was gone, but that ominous feeling he felt lingered, and that face, a weird glimpse, a connection.
~Why serve the humans? Be their protector? Soon, you shall serve a better cause. Join us. Join our empire. Be, as a King.~
A woman's voice seemed to pierce through his mind, ominous, frightening, and yet oddly beautiful all at once. He shook his head to clear it, and while still feeling a presence it wasn't as overpowering.
"You ok?" Batman asked.
"Sorry, I guess I was a bit more rattled from when I tumbled over the grill than I thought," Mega Man replied. 'I better not be going crazy...'
"Let's get off this highway and back to the regular street. We're a bit too out in the open," Spider-Man said.
"Can't argue with that," Annet said. However at the outskirts of the city about then, Mercy was waiting by the special limo, garbed in her chauffeur attire. She noted some time had passed but assumed it was only natural for things to take a bit, before she then heard a faint thump followed by the metallic thud of a body hitting the car, prompting her to look over in alarm to see Neifirst sorta sprawled against it, looking to be in quite a deal of pain.
"Mistress! What happened!?" Mercy yelped as she rushed over, soon seeing the blood coming from her back.
"Get me home...and...the medical treatment..." Neifirst gasped as Mercy took her and slid open a door, taking her inside and laying her across the wide floor, knowing what she needed to do but felt a bit terrified. Heading out and closing the door she went to the driver's side and quickly got back in, hitting various buttons and switches.
"Auto pilot...destination coordinates...ah...altitude hold...engage," Mercy said as she had to mentally walk herself through the steps as was in a bit of a panic while trying to calm herself. Once she was positive the car was doing it's job as it flew up and started coasting along she took a bit of a breath and pressed a button that opened the wall behind her to allow her into the back. Carefully stepping around she pushed a button that opened a hatch with a medical box she took out and placed near Neifirst as she knelt down on both knees. "This looks to be like a normal stab wound but you appear to be in so much pain..." she moved the cape and hair aside a bit and had a closer inspection of the wound, and Neifirst looked to be in utter agony, groaning and gasping in pain lightly, fighting the urge to just scream and cry.
"It was a blade charged with special ESP properties...Lila Alphon's power is so...potent..." Neifirst gasped. "Just...hurry..." Mercy gulped a bit, but knew what she had to do as she took out the required tools and equipment from the box. She first began to administer some purification fluids to the wound, and carefully wiping it in as Neifirst silently winched in pain for a moment, although she eventually let out a soft whine as Mercy heard her nails starting to drag a bit. Mercy knew that Neifirst was used to pain a bit, and rather durable by all accounts but seeing her in this much pain was unnerving. Regardless she did what she could to continue to apply treatment, blotting the blood before then taking out the medical needle and thread, really focusing to steady her hands she starting sewing the wound shut.
"Ah...owuh...hah..." Neifirst yelped a little, but had managed to keep herself from moving.
"Just...a few more threads..." Mercy said as she kept threading and pulling before finally having her wound sealed as best she could for now, but Neifirst was still in pain, she required full treatment, this was just an emergency treatment to give them time.
"Haman..." Neifirst gasped.
-Elsewhere-
An older woman had just helped Haman finish putting on a new uniform of sorts. It was composed of a dress jacket of sorts, very dark in color and had puffy shoulders and a military cape that was dark on the outer side while the interior was a deep red. She had on a pair of snug purple pants and dark colored boots. The only thing that wasn't really meshing with her attire was her hair, still in the long pigtails.
"Well, the uniform is a perfect modest fit for once," the woman said. Whom had the same type of eyes as Haman, although hers were more violet color, but had the same hair color as Haman, and she was a much older woman, a more regal and refined look to her in a long satin dress, with a stylized pony tail. "Only thing is your hair."
"I know Marlene, but...I dunno," Haman said as she reached up and undid the pull ribbons and let her long hair fall and hang loose. She tries to move it and stylize it like Neifirst's hair but it didn't really work. "I'm not really sure what sort of hair style I should use to make my hair more, well, have a more important air to it? I can't really describe it."
"You're trying a bit much to emulate our adoptive mother," Marlene remarked. "Although I suppose that can't be helped. She has chosen you to be her heir but, just don't push yourself. I don't think she would want that." her eyes then gazed off as she recollected what had happened some years ago when Haman was even younger, having been taken in by the military to experiment and hone her abilities. They were going to be taking a bit of a toll, but then that fateful day occurred.
'It's hard to forget when she entered our lives, that explosion at the facility, I had rushed to see what had happen, worried sick for Haman's safety before I saw her for the first time, striding out of the flames as her cape an hair billowed in the hot air, carrying dear Haman in her arms. She told me to get ready and retrieve Serrana, she was to take us away from the conflict and war going on, that she'd protect us from it. Naturally I was speculative but the way she looked at the unconscious form of Haman...it spoke a lot. She never let go of her for the longest time, it took a bit of our journey before Haman finally awoke, and became rather curious on Neifirst's appearance, not frightened or anything.
Haman never knew our parents so when Neifirst asked if she could be her mother, the embrace they shared as a result was perhaps the most beautiful moment I ever saw, and maybe the only time I've seen Neifirst look so happy. She hasn't become cold or anything, and still lovingly tends to Haman but...her disposition has changed. I don't doubt she has the best of intentions for all of us but...'
"Is something wrong?" Haman asked, snapping Marlene out of her daydream.
"N...no. Sorry. I was just thinking of something. But maybe she can do something with your hair when she gets back. I don't think she'll be gone much longer," Marlene replied.
-Back with the heroes-
Annet couldn't help but stare at the huge group that was looking for her, let alone how they looked and such.
"Wow, and I thought I traveled with a colorful bunch," Deedlit remarked.
"Y...you're a real elf aren't you?" Jennifer asked as she walked up.
"As a matter of fact I am. Ah!" Deedlit yelped when Jennifer hugged her suddenly.
"Sorry, just you're of the first mythical beings I felt I could approach, and didn't feel so imposing," Jennifer commented.
"Hey, I'm not imposing am I?" Vinnie asked, prompting her and Deedlit to look over for a moment before they looked back at each other.
"Ignore him," Jennifer said.
"So...you were all looking for me? What for?" Annet asked, but then looked at Lucia in surprise as she approached, feeling the unusual aura around her.
"Annet, the multiverse is in grave danger. It's being threatened to be torn asunder. You're the only one who can save it. Please, you must help us," Lucia requested rather humbly and urgently.
"Wha...me? But how can I help?" Annet asked, rather taken aback by this.
"You're the one I saw in my vision. When the Multiverse is on the verge of destruction, you bring it back from the brink," Lucia replied. "If we can perhaps take measures to prevent it from reaching that point it'd be more desirable."
"Is...this some sort of prophecy?" Regina asked.
"This is more of a premonition. When a divine being sees a version of the future it's a vision," Batman corrected.
"D...divine?!" Annet's group exclaimed.
"N...no wonder your aura felt so pure! You're a goddess!" Fernandez stated. "Although...it's...rather weak...is it suppressed?"
"Unfortunately not of Lucia's own will," Mega Man said. "She's basically been afflicted by a power sapping curse."
"We don't even know if it's an actual curse," Link corrected.
"In either case, we have found Annet. So all we need to do now, is keep her save, find the rest of the Emeralds, and get Hannah back," Jack stated.
"Chaos Emeralds?" Annet asked.
"What are those?" Lila asked.
"We're not entirely sure, but they're fist sized gems of some type of power," Jill replied.
"They sting something fierce," Jennifer quipped.
"Especially if you try and tap into them wrong," Catwoman added. "Although if I had to guess, that isn't really a feature, and more of a reaction to the current energy fluctuation of the Multiverse."
"Either way, Annet, are you with us?" Gwen asked.
"I must admit, this is my first big adventure in a long time so, I'm up for it," Deedlit commented.
"In truth...while I hadn't planned on going back into the fray, I cannot sit idolly by and let chaos rein unchecked," Fernandez said.
"And I swore not to let tragedy strike a third time," Lila stated.
"If the forces of darkness are at work again, I too cannot merely sit by and let others suffer," Shanoa added.
"I had made a vow, as long as I live, I will not let the world be utterly destroyed by anyone or any thing. I will not break that vow. I don't know if I can truly bring the world back from the brink like you say...I don't have that kind of power within me. But, I will use what I have to keep it safe. I...must admit it's...rather heartening to know I'm not alone in this fight anymore," Annet said with a soft smile.
~As enthusiastic as I was, little did I suspect how much my life was going to change from that moment onward, how many friends I make. Let alone, that one particular someone down the line~
-Aboard the dimensional vessel-
At this point, Hannah was getting a bit stir crazy and knew she had to do something to get off the ship and escape. She eventually wandered back to where she heard the communication call before, and she heard a beeping sound coming from there, and heard someone coming from the other corridor, prompting her to duck back and peer just enough to see Volcana run on in. Apparently that was an emergency line.
"Mercy? What's wrong? You look frantic," she heard Volcana say a bit startled.
"It's your sister, she's been incredibly wounded! I'm taking her back home now she needs medical attention!" Mercy replied.
"What!? A...alright, we'll hold on that invasion and head back," Volcana said. She then began typing on the keypad. "We'll be warping there in a few minutes." she set up the warp and destination before cutting the communication before she heard faint brief clinks, realizing it wasn't too different from the sound she was making a few seconds ago. Running out and rounding the corner she caught a glimpse of Hannah sprinting away.
"Doh for crying out loud..." Volcana muttered as she realized what was going on as she darted off after her. Hannah was really pushing herself as she scanned for signs, indicators and whatever to help give her some sort of indication of where to go and presently as she figured there had to be an aerial drop section since she has read about those and knew of parachutes. Before much longer though she eventually found herself in a vehicle hold area and saw the mechanisms that made the one section open and lower like a ramp. She took a quick look around and saw a set of lockers, prompting her to rush over and manage to open one, finding what she was looking for. However before she could reach in she heard a burning crackling noise below her, making her look down in alarm to see a flame in front of her feet and the locker, soon rising up and making her stagger backwards, and then look over to see Volcana standing where she came from. "Now look here Hannah. I'd rather not get rough but if you force me I'm shoving you back in the cell." she held a ball of fire in her hand as she slowly walked into the room while Hannah cautiously stepped back.
"Look, I realize you're trying your best to be hospitable and accepting, but in truth, I just don't belong here," Hannah said, holding up her hands.
"Nah ah. We ain't having cold feet here, just calm down and we'll sort this out properly. We are adults aren't we?" Volcana asked.
"Age has nothing to do with it," Hannah retorted, grabbing a nearby tool and hurled it across the room, catching Volcana a bit by surprise, but what alarmed her was what it bashed into, an override lever for the hatch.
"Are you crazy!? We're about to warp!" Volcana protested before there was an intense gust of wind as the hatch quickly began opening, she just managed to grab a solid hold of a frame to keep herself from being sucked out, meanwhile Hannah went tumbling backwards before spiraling out, a quick flash emanated from outside as they started going through a warp vortex, and Hannah flew out into it, soon colliding into the swirling colored wall, or what was perceived as a wall before passing through it. However after a quick flash as Hannah was spat out, she let out a horrified shriek of terror, because she realized she had made a rather fatal error as she got spat out of the vortex, while alive, several hundred or so feet in the air. At least that's what she assumed as she went tumbling downwards, frantically flailing as she just zoomed downwards. But then she began to hear a voice calling, one she didn't recognize but once she managed to focus in on it because she didn't really have any other alternative.
"Hey! Listen very carefully! If you don't want to die, relax, and simply spread out your arms and legs, and if it helps, close your eyes! Just stay calm!" at first Hannah was a bit bewildered but rather than struggle to see who was talking Hannah closed her eyes and tried to right herself, holding out her arms and legs just right, and she could tell she had her back to the sky and in an unusual sense did feel her decent having slowed a bit considerably.
"That's perfect! Now don't you move a muscle! No matter what!" another voice said.
"O...okay..." was all Hannah could muster, feeling her heart pounding, incredibly dizzy and disoriented, but all she could do was just stay still. Her eyes still shut she felt a large looming presence over her and closing in fast, she wanted to look but did as she was told and just held very still and didn't open her eyes at all. And then she felt it, what appeared to be a large hand of some sort, gently wrapping around her body below her chest and she then felt very secure. Opening her eyes and looking over she stared in utter shock, a white dragon had her in it's giant talon hand as it started diving downwards to the ground before righting itself and gently landed on it's two big feet, promptly placing Hannah upon her own. And as she looked up, the dragon started glowing and then suddenly faded out of sight, making her think it was gone at first until she realized there was a green haired girl with pointed ears, garbed in an elaborate pinkish red outfit, looking like a child was now before her.
The outfit was pale purple color and was an ornate looking small dress style robe. With a pale transparent sash around her neck, and unique armlets around her forearm and wrists. But the most striking thing was the eight pointed tiara on her one, with one big prong in the middle that pointed straight up and had a point at the bottom, while the remaining six points were spread out in a fashion like that of wings.
"There you are, safe and sound!" she said happily, and with that Hannah legs gave out and landed on her butt with a firm whump. "Huh? Are you alright?"
"...y...you...you...you're a...a dragon?" Hannah asked.
"Why yes I am! Why are you so surprised?" the little girl asked before it quickly dawned on her and got pretty excited. "Oohhh! I'm your first dragon! I get it now! This is quite an honor for both of us!" about then though Hannah's attention turned to another astonishing sight, a young woman wielding a lance or spear came gliding down upon a pegesus, and soon softly landed next to them. The woman had long smooth blue hair, not too dissimilar to Lucia's, and had similar eyes, but her face structure was a bit different in some respects. More over she was wearing a red dress with a white breast plate that had a unique design on it, and had on shoulder pads of a similar make, white gloves, thigh high stockings, and a pair of white boots. The gloves were about as tall as opera style, but were fingerless.
"Well, that was a bit of a close one. Was that a portal you got tossed out of or, was it a teleportation spell really gone awry?" she asked. But she then blinked upon having a better look at Hannah. "Oh my, I've never seen that style of dress before."
"I...Iah...ah...huh...haaw..." Hannah stuttered as she shook a little, very much beyond a loss for words at the moment.
"Caeda, I don't think she's feeling well," the little girl said.
"Obviously after having a harrowing fall. I'm amazed she's still remaining conscious. Unless that's her cue to pass out?" Caeda asked, but Hannah just blinked a few times before taking a deep breath. "Guess not. Oh! How very rude of me, I'm Caeda, and this is Tiki."
"So, what's your name miss?" Tiki asked.
"H...Ha...I'm...Hannah..." she gasped a little.
"Hannah?" Caeda asked with a mild tilt of her head and a smile. To which Hannah closed her eyes and took a few more breaths before letting out one final slow exhale.
"Hannah Dundee." she finally rose back to her feet, thankfully being steady.
"That's a rather lovely name, Hannah. You're an incredibly lucky woman," Caeda chuckled.
"Is everything alright?" suddenly a young man's voice spoke, prompting Hannah to turn around and go rather wide eyed to see a bit of a large crowd approaching, but at the front was a young man with short blue hair and eyes, garbed in mainly blue garb and armor. He had a very strong royal air about him and was very handsome, so much so Hannah couldn't help but blush as she saw him.
"Yes Mar Mar! I caught her just fine! She's perfectly alright," Tiki replied excitedly.
"Mar Mar?" Hannah asked, a bit stunned.
"It's just a nickname Tiki gave me," he chuckled. "I'm Prince Marth. I must say you gave us quite a start Ms. when we saw you fall out of that portal in the sky. Although, not nearly as much of a start you had to be sure. Are you alright?" his polite manner and soft speaking nature was throwing Hannah for a bit of a loop, and above all, he was a handsome prince. The fact her heart was doing several flips in her chest by this point and her face feeling hot didn't surprise her as she felt like she landed into a fairy tale, but then again she had sorta had the acquaintance of a princess but here she was meeting and being politely addressed by a handsome prince, humility hadn't felt any stronger.
"I...I...I'm alright now just...I've...never met a prince before I'm...humbled..." Hannah honestly spoke, holding her hands together and lowering her head a bit, acting like a shy school girl.
"Well you needn't be. But from where do you hail if I may ask? That's a rather unusual garb," Marth said. Hannah had to pause a bit as she struggled a bit internally with who she was but realized, she is who she's been these past several years of her life, and in truth, nothing has happened that has really changed that.
"I'm Hannah Dundee, Ambassador of Wassoon," she replied.
"An ambassador? Why Marth, she's a representative of her country!" Caeda said a bit excitedly.
"Well, not entirely by choice," Hannah stated.
"Huh? Not by choice?" Caeda asked, a bit bewildered.
"I do believe that does require a bit of an explanation. How does one become an ambassador by some level of choice?" Marth asked.
"Well you see...man it really hasn't been that long but it almost feels like a lifetime ago...but regardless, I was apart of a convoy to another, kingdom set in the sea. A rather moderate size convoy. But then we...were attacked by poachers..." Hannah replied.
"Poachers? Why would animal butchers attack people?" a woman with long green hair in a pony tail asked.
"In truth retroactively speaking they're a ruthless gang of bandits that had weaponry from a corrupt governor and they destroyed the convoy...I never thought on it much but...I'm the only survivor...so being the only representative that made it, I had to become an ambassador because, no one else could," Hannah replied. She had to cut a lot of details out but, she kept enough facts in to help give them a good way to mentally picture her situation in a way they could comprehend.
"That's horrible..." Caeda said, rather aghast by this.
"Well, you're free to come along with us, Hannah. After all, safety in numbers and we have a number of good scouts to keep an eye out for trouble. You can rest easy," Marth said. "Speaking of which, we should make camp, it's getting late."
-Elsewhere-
Haman was presently heading out into the town, wanting a little bit of air when suddenly she saw her mother's limo speed through the air towards the medical wing, and not a few seconds later the vessel that had carried Hannah appeared with it's cargo hatch open, and Volcana soared out after the limo.
"What the...what is...oh no...mother!" she cried as she quickly spun on her heel and darted for the medical wing as fast as she could. it took her about twelve or so minutes to arrive as it was a long run from where she was but she made excellent time considering. Eventually she found Mercy and Volcana in the waiting area. "What happened to mother!?"
"I didn't think it was possible but, they somehow got her in the back!" Volcana protested as the gestured the stab area on her own body.
"Thankfully, the wound didn't hit anything major but due to the nature of the blow, it hurt a lot more than it typically would. Not that a knife to the back was anything to shrug off but, the mistress was in a lot more pain than normal, especially by her own standards," Mercy said.
"But will she be alright?" Haman asked.
"She should recover in a short while, the procedure shouldn't take very long," Volcana replied. "Only thing is that I have to wonder how miffed she'll be that Hannah slipped through our fingers at the last minute..."
"Hannah?" Haman asked.
"We'll discus it later. I'm not really in the mood for much else," Volcana replied.
"Rightfully so..." Haman agreed.
Chapter end.