Yo guys, thanks for the reviews and the hype of the last chapter and, slap on the head moment for me, I didn't give you guys the title of the opening arc.
Originally I wanted just to call it the Fall of Ultron but I think the title of this chapter better suits the arc name.
Victory… for now. That shall be the name of the current arc that is kicking off Season 4. It is a grand victory that they achieved but one not to last, unfortunately. Because, no matter who wins or loses, trouble always rears its ugly head. This arc is one I have been dying to do, well, most of them I've been dying to do. All of Season 4, really. The first four arcs are gonna be all about what I love to write.
Characters.
Sure action will be here and there but these arcs are gonna be all about characters. Their mindsets, development all of that good shit that makes a story engaging. And I hope my comrades and I can deliver.
Dear God, I know we're insane cuz this season is gonna be loooooong. I already have the first four arcs outlined, all the way up to Chapter 139 and Christ, that's barely, and I do mean barely reaching the quarter mark of the season. There is just so, so fucking much we're gonna do.
So just quickly, just wanna address something that is brought up that I knew some people would point out.
Ultron's last moments. Or rather, the anti-climactic action. Everyone loved the conversation he and Tony had at the end but the action was a bit off and that was intentional.
We already had a gargantuan set of action pieces and that was for Ultron Imperative. We didn't want a prolonged action chapter again for Ultron's last stand as we already technically did one for the last arc. The previous chapter is also meant to reflect a sort of repeat. In Age of Ultron, after everything that happened, Ultron perishes away from everyone else by the hands of Vision, a quiet, subtle and non-bombastic scene and in this, it's repeated but on a much larger scale. He isn't thwarted or destroyed in the middle of a grand climactic battle. He's broken, beaten down and spent as he was the first time, either standing in a barely held-together body or on his knees.
Like poetry.
Alright, that's enough nonsensical explanations. Let's keep moving.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.
Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 112: Victory… for now.
VICTORY!
After a long, grueling multi-pronged assault, news begins to spread of the defeat of the AI menace known to the galaxy as Ultron!
The galaxy begins to see the armies of the genocidal being collapsing and falling apart, victory being achieved on multiple fronts across the stars!
As many begin to celebrate the insurmountable achievement, in parts uncharted, a meeting between a new cosmic player is underway, one that will undoubtedly play a crucial part to come in the stage of the galaxy.
As this report was sent over to the rest of the known galaxy, a meeting was taking place.
The makeshift representatives of the Galactic Republic with their Avengers allies stood before a contingent of blue-skinned and red-eyed humanoids. Rather than stay on the battlefield where Ultron was defeated, their gathering place was taken to a ship, a Chiss Ship specifically.
This was suggested by Thrawn as a means of brokering a peaceful discussion, especially for the Chiss. He knew that the Republic was here in force and despite this being the home turf of the Ascendancy, the fleet that had come to greet them wasn't exactly prepared for such a strike force.
And that's discarding the Jedi and Avengers they had present with them.
Right now, a tactful and calm meeting was needed and secretly, Thrawn hoped that this was the chance that he had been waiting for.
For the Chiss to enter the galactic stage and tell the galaxy what they know.
Perhaps these Avengers and Ultron will be the push needed for the Chiss to see that they can't stay isolated in their corner of the galaxy anymore.
"We are here in this neutral ship as you requested for this discussion. Now talk." Spoke the head of the Chiss contingent, being Admiral Ar'Alani.
"First and foremost, we come here not to bring you any harm but to eliminate a threat to all life." Obi-Wan Kenobi was the first to speak.
"Which we did." Tony Stark immediately butted in. "You're welcome, by the way."
"Tony." Steve said in exasperation, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"What? You know it's true. Guys, come on, back me up here." Stark said, turning to the other Avengers who had their own mixed reactions of annoyance and amusement.
The Chiss regarded the billionaire in bewilderment when the Jedi took back control to steer the conversation back into the more serious matter at hand.
"Master Kenobi speaks the truth." Luminara diplomatically said. "Our purpose was one of good intentions. A being by the name of Ultron was fleeing from our systems after a prolonged battle against us."
"He existed for the sole purpose of exterminating all sentient life and replacing it with his own." Anakin chimed in.
Ar'Alani and the people beside her spoke to themselves for the briefest of moments before the admiral of the bunch spoke up. "We haven't received any reports about this issue."
"Primarily due to us not wanting Ultron to find his way towards the Ascendancy." Thrawn now stepped in. "I and the others stationed back in the "known" galaxy agreed we didn't want to risk him causing havoc in our territory."
The Jedi and Avengers eyed Thrawn for a moment, questions of their own in mind for him but opted to keep that to themselves for now.
"I understand your misgivings with how things are conducted in the Ascendancy, Thrawn." Ar'Alani stated. "But this is a rather serious matter that we should have been notified of."
"I understand, but our precaution took precedence."
"And how would that be possible, Mitth'raw'nuruodo?" Spoke one of the Chiss beside Ar'Alani.
"Despite the assistance of the AI aligned with the Republic, chances of the message being intercepted could've been high."
"AI?" Another Chiss spoke up. "You mean more like this Ultron you speak of?"
"Those are ours." Scott and Peter said in unison, both cringing upon realizing they sounded like kids in a school classroom.
"They're good guys." The former lamely added on, his head hanging in slight embarrassment with Hope flicking his temple.
"Ignore the peanut gallery," Tony said.
"You're part of it." Barton deadpanned.
"Just know that the Tincan asshole is dead and you guys are safe." Tony went on. "Win-win."
"He's not wrong." Thor said with an 'uh-huh' nod that made some of the Avengers palm their faces.
"Guys, can we just…" Nat left the statement unfinished, gesturing to the meeting at hand.
"Right, right, sorry." Tony said.
'You don't sound sorry.' Were the collective thoughts of the Avengers, Jedi and Clones.
"Look," Steve now stepped forward, standing between both parties. "I know you all have a lot of questions and frankly, so do we with what we're learning here. But now isn't the time for these lengthy discussions. We just came out of our last battle with Ultron but we know it's not over."
"There is much that needs to be done in the rest of the galaxy." Now T'Challa spoke up. "The cleanup, recovery, many lives to save who have been kept within the Foundries of Ultron."
"A better time can be chosen where our governments can meet and discuss further matters." Plo Koon stated. "But at this time, we cannot do so. Too sudden and in a time of uncertainty. Our responsibilities are needed elsewhere."
The Chiss contingent were silent in this matter, regarding the large ensemble of individuals until they came to a conclusion.
"When would be the best time to meet again?"
-Scene Cut-
Time passes for the galaxy at large. The worlds that were hit in the final battle against Ultron were rebuilding. Relief efforts were at an all-time high, though it was mitigated by how much was needed. A complicated endeavor with people requesting countless aid in both healing and clean-ups.
This can be considered the easy part of the aftermath. The rest, however, wasn't.
Only a week had passed since Ultron's defeat yet the previous conflicts remained at the forefront of the minds of many.
Tensions were still high, all due to the war between the Republic and the CIS having never ended. People wondered when the ceasefire would conclude, either restarting the fighting between both sides again or officially ending things once and for all.
Yet, despite all that, the cleanup and relief efforts were the top priorities of the people of the galaxy.
A distraction and a rather legitimate one to keep their minds off the war between the Republic and CIS and focus on simply helping each other. Ultron's campaign had devastated many worlds, worst of all, turning some into dead worlds.
Planets such as Geonosis, Kamino and Cato Neimoidia were rendered lifeless and barren, crippling Republic and Separatist morale, economies and armies which led to a disaster on varying levels.
For the Clones, there was a clear and present feeling of loss and dejection with only small amounts of closure.
Kamino was their homeworld, the only planet they were able to call home and it was taken from them. The only consolation they had was Ultron's demise, the being responsible for the annihilation of their homeworld being destroyed not long after.
Then there was the Separatist Alliance and the ramifications of Cato Neimoidia's destruction.
This was not only the homeworld of many of their high-ranking members within the Separatist Council but they also held sway within the galactic economy for both sides.
"It's a mess." Hope Van Dyne remarked, looking at the news reports that kept on coming in from all corners of the galaxy.
"That's one way to put it." Scott muttered, glancing at images and still frames of people carrying bodies away, pulling out some from rubble, helping those who were injured and so on and so forth. And this is still days later after the one fight came to an end.
"Oh man." Katy Chen held a sad frown, seeing the destruction left behind on Mandalore. "This is just… I mean… how'd you guys deal with all this before?"
"One step at a time." Clint assured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's never easy but you gotta do what you can with the power that you have."
"Feels like we need a lot of power then." Shang-Chi muttered.
There was an audible belch being heard, some turning to see Jessica Jones lounging on one of the couches in the HQ of the Avengers on Coruscant. She pulled a large bottle away from her mouth, wiping her lip and giving the Armored Avenger a particular look.
"Mind telling us why we all have to be here, Stark?" She rudely asked. "We all got our own shit to do, ya know."
"It's standard practice, Hennesy." Tony responded. "Avengers meeting after every insane battle is our procedure."
"I doubt us all being here is mandatory. It's been days already and not everyone is trained for whatever shit is going on now."
"You don't have to be trained for this sort of thing, Ms. Jones." Steve respectfully said.
"Ew, don't ever call me that, soldier boy." Jessica said with a scrunched-up face. "I know you come from a fancier time but I ain't one of those dames and belles from the 40s."
"Yeah, that's clear as day." Luke Cage dryly said. "And fancier times? He came from the worst war in human history, how is that fancy?"
"Meh." Jessica waved off, downing her bottle before pulling out another from seemingly nowhere.
"Where do you keep all those bottles?" Iron Fist asked in slight bewilderment before glancing towards the mystics in the room. "I mean… did you guys teach her some pocket dimension spell where she keeps all of them?"
"No." Mordo plainly said.
"But she was insistent at one point." Strange said with half-lidded eyes.
Jessica said nothing, flipping the sorcerers off as she drank from her bottle.
It was then that someone cleared their throat, gaining the team's attention.
"Um," Hector Ayala felt a bit awkward in being the one to speak right now but he did so all the same. "So like… what's gonna happen now?"
"What do ya mean, Hec?" Clint asked his fellow father.
"Well," White Tiger rubbed the back of his head in thought. "I mean, not to sound… ah, forget it, I don't why I bothered."
"Nah, come on, you can't do that." Jennifer said, shaking her head. "What's on your mind, Hector?"
He was quiet for a moment, mulling it over before sighing.
"Just gotta ask, what's next for us? The team and all. We are still sticking together, right?"
He got looks of bemusement.
"Of course we are." Captain Rogers stated. "Do you think we're just ending the team like that after this?"
Hector shook his head. "No, no, it's just I've been wondering about all this," He gestured in a vague manner to the HQ. "And how, well, let's be real here, the twelve or thirteen rather, you guys did a lot so is going home on your mind?"
The heroes who have been here the longest all held contemplative looks when asked this and it was clear that this was something they had been thinking about.
"I mean," Scott scrunched his face up. "It would feel weird if we just up and left."
"We've made a lot of friends and connections here." Hope tacked on.
"Some in more ways than others." Natasha said, shooting a glance at the Avengers who were now in more intimate relations with the residents of the galaxy.
"And one in progress." Tony tacked on, a shit-eating grin that deserved to be punched by his best friend.
Instead, Rhodey settled for an annoyed groan and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Oh, so you and Lumi are finally movin' forward, huh?" Sam remarked with a grin of his own getting War Machine to flip him off.
Several of the Avengers who were aware of what Sam and Tony were referring to smirked or chuckled silently in amusement when Thor stepped forward.
"I do believe that despite our defeat of Ultron, our work here is not yet completed." The Thunderer declared. "I myself intend on traversing this galaxy with Jane, Selvig and Darcy for our own purposes. I am still seeking further leads on the Infinity Stones. Perhaps answers or trails can be found in the stars here."
"There's also the Sith Lord that is in power at this time." T'Challa brought up. "But I believe we all have a fair idea of who it is."
Without any prompt, the rest of the team who knew who Panther was referring to spoke aloud in unison.
"Palpatine/It's Palpatine, right?/That wrinkled prune Chancellor." Were the hodgepodge response.
Tony snorted. "Yeah, I think that was a given."
"Who's he again?" Luke asked.
"The Chancellor. Tap, if you would." Natasha said, the AI producing a holo-image of the elderly-looking politician. "This old bastard."
"A repeat of what happened with SHIELD, if you would." Wilson remarked, making a few frown.
"So this old geezer is in charge of the Republic?" Jones asked for clarity. "And it's a lot like what happened three years ago?"
"Oh man." Robbie Reyes grunted, looking away from the visage of Palpatine. "Not even in front of the real thing and the Spirit is ready to lash out. He's doused in sin."
"And reading his mind is difficult." Wanda stated, narrowing her eyes at the image.
"With our experience, it's likely that whatever the situation was that started the war before our arrival, he must have played a hand in it." Steve said, crossing his arms, bearing an intense gaze. "This guy needs to be taken care of."
"It's not just him." Vision said. "Lest we forget, there is still the matter of removing the chips implanted within the Clone Army. So long as they remain within their heads, they pose a threat to us, the Jedi and Republic to whoever takes control of them."
"Just one problem after the other." Hector murmured.
"I've been looking them over." Stephen Strange now stepped forward. "With the technology here, there is a likely means of removing the chips from their minds without any damage."
"A proper scan and we should be able to get them out." Shuri chimed in. "I've reviewed your findings. We just need to scan one Clone and if they're all the same, whatever procedure is best can be implemented across the whole army."
"Who knows about these chips anyway?" Katy inquired, feeling herself squirm and subconsciously reaching up to touch the side of her head.
She and Shaun hadn't interacted much with the Clone Troopers, only a small amount of time during their first visit to Tython. But afterward, during the campaign against Ultron, the pair bore witness to the fearless and selfless bravery the Clones all held and to think these men had the chance of being mind-controlled wasn't something that sat well with them.
Jessica Jones was in the same boat, a feeling of revulsion and anger welling up within her at the thought of the Troopers losing their free will so suddenly.
"What else can we do?" The detective suddenly asked. "Who even knows about this?"
"Only a few Jedi and Senators." Pietro answered.
"People we trust." Rhodey added.
"And the Clones themselves?" Jones tensely inquired.
"Not yet." Steve responded.
"But we'll rectify that soon enough." Hope assured.
"Yeah, but we still gotta worry about the Chancellor first." Scott reminded everyone. "So long as that old coot's in power, I mean… if he really is this Sith Lord that the Jedi have been looking for and we know about, I bet ya he's trying to figure out how to restart the war."
"This guy needs to be deposed." Sam said.
"But we must do so tactfully." T'Challa cautioned. "Him being so suddenly removed from power in a time of unrest and uncertainty may lead to unintended consequences."
"How?" Danny questioned. "We're removing a dictator from power."
"But leaving a vacuum in return." Rhodey pointed out.
"Why not just get a new Chancellor then?" Hector suggested. "These guys are all politicians, yeah? Should be easy."
"It's a bit more complicated than that." Celeste Morne now spoke. "He's the figurehead of the Republic and if he is suddenly ousted as the one who is the cause of the war-"
"A lot of bad shit will follow." Bucky Barnes surmised with a grim tone. "Happens all the time in politics. Anything that's done, good or bad, there's always an avalanche of bullshit that follows."
"But wouldn't it be better if we get this bastard out?" Katy asked.
"Again, the blowback is the problem." T'Challa stated. "Bast knows the fallout of the Republic and the rest of the galaxy will be."
"And I've read up on some of the history of this galaxy with Ahsoka and Barriss." Peter put in his own two cents. "When stuff like this happens, even the best intentions always lead to some crap storm that no one can predict."
"It is an unfortunate cycle." Vision mused.
"So what do we do then?" Cage asked in a collective sense.
The Avengers all fell silent in this matter as they mulled it over for a few seconds until Steve spoke again.
"We can't leave this place." He said resolutely. "Frankly, with everything we've done here, I don't see how we can just up and leave, go back to Earth and only come along for emergencies. The Avengers now have a duty and responsibility to Earth and this galaxy."
"Lovers aside," Matt said, face inscrutable, yet his lip twitched upwards after hearing some of the reactions. "The Avengers have created a substantial impact and presence in this galaxy. To up and leave would be wildly irresponsible."
"Alright, then I guess it's time." Tony spoke up, walking to stand in the middle of the gathering of heroes. "Friday, Tap, if you would."
The room darkened somewhat and a moment later, a holo-display of a ship, a Venator appeared.
Only it was not a Venator but an altered version of it. The ship was heavily modified, taking on the characteristics of the Heli-Carriers that were once used by SHIELD and several other ships used by the Republic fleet.
"I give you the Avengers Astro Carrier." Tony said, grinning proudly at his work, a good number of the Avengers marveling at what they were looking at. "A work in progress but I figure the Republic is willing to loan us a Venator for us to get started on it."
"Whoa~ Mr. Stark, Scott and I talked about making something like this." Peter said in awe.
"Well, guess that means all of us geniuses have something to work on together." Tony remarked. "With everything we've talked about in keeping a presence in this galaxy, it's only fair that the Avengers travel in style."
"So this is what you wanted another Infinity Gate for." Karl Mordo mused aloud.
"We're gonna be dividing up time on Earth and in this galaxy." Iron Man said. "Just one isn't enough. We're gonna need multiple."
"We have been working on replicating the gates." Wong stated with intrigue.
"There's still the matter of what we shall be doing." Doctor Strange stated. "There are many potential recruits to be had in this galaxy."
"And our own precautions to be made." Wong sagely said.
"Precautions?" Shuri inquired.
"Remember what our Order represents." The Librarian of Kamar-Taj spoke in a teacher-like manner. "We Sorcerers safeguard Earth, if not the universe, from otherworldly and interdimensional threats such as Dormammu. Spreading our knowledge both strengthens the protection we have in our universe yet also threatens it as new avenues of entry may now be made available for them."
"In that, we must maintain vigilance as our Order is likely to swell in size quite soon." Celeste solemnly said.
"Looks like we're just piling things on, huh?" Sam tiredly said.
"We're Avengers, aren't we?" Strange wryly said. "We just roll with the punches."
"Urgh." Was the audible groan that came from Jessica Jones, the detective downing a good chunk of her drink.
"You should… ya know what, it's a lost cause." Luke said, throwing his arms up.
"Oi, the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jessica indignantly slurred.
"Ma'am." Steve stoically said and it caused a full-body cringe from the detective.
"Oh God, no!" She writhed in place. "Why did you have to say that? I feel like shit now."
"Sometimes I'm amazed she's an Avenger." Wong blandly said.
"Have you forgotten who's on the team?" Hector silently said to the Sorcerer, eyeing Strange and Stark,
"Hmmm, good point."
"Ok, with that out of the way, we can focus on the important, immediate matter." Iron Man declared, gaining everyone's attention as he clapped his hands together, rubbing them excitedly.
Steve raised an expectant brow, sharing a look with Thor before turning back to Tony.
"And what would that be?" Rogers asked with a hint of wariness.
"Everything is fine for the moment, relatively speaking. Think it's finally time to properly do something we all need right now."
"Which is?" Rhodey said.
Tony's smile was telling.
"What else? Revels, of course."
-Scene Cut-
Elsewhere, in the capital city of Serenno, a meeting of the Dark Side was underway.
Within Dooku's personal stronghold was a secret chamber that he had ordered be built to conduct his meetings with his Master by unseen eyes.
"With Ultron defeated, our plans may continue."
Dooku was silent as Darth Sidious spoke.
"We must start looking for alternatives in the grand plan of Darth Bane if we are to topple the Jedi and Republic."
"I agree Master but we cannot achieve such success with the Avengers still ever-present. Even with their means of attaining a link between their homeworld, I fear their presence shall not be lessened. Their influence and reputation within the galaxy have become too noticeable. My own people are openly regarding them as the heroes that brought down Ultron, not the Jedi nor the Separatists. This is a sentiment shared across the CIS."
The Secret Sith Lord and Chancellor of the Republic was silent in this matter, a look of heavy contemplation beneath his hooded face.
"Not to mention the production of additional clones is forever beyond our grasp. The means of Order 66 has greatly lessened to a degree where they'll no longer be effective as we originally intended."
"The clones are likely no longer a viable option." Palpatine stated. "Even with the biochips within their minds, it is as you said, within the grander scope, it will only result in a short-term solution."
"Then what should we do, Master?" Dooku stressed out. "I fear our options are-"
"We take stock of what we have at our disposal and build upon it." Sidious interjected. "I see that I have been shortsighted but no longer. We must look for new means of attaining the grand plan."
Dooku frowned at this. "But Master, the time it would take-"
Once more, he was interrupted. "Time is of irrelevance. These Avengers came in and disrupted everything we have worked for in only a year's time. They may seem powerful but they do not realize what they have done."
"Master?"
"Continue your training and research, my Apprentice." Sidious ordered. "I shall do my own in due time. Currently, the reprieve is the opportunity we shall use to restructure our plans and begin to aim for more… radical means of dispensing the Revenge of the Sith."
Dooku couldn't get another word in as the transmission was disconnected, leaving the aged Force-user to stew in his own thoughts.
A deep, rather angry frown made its way onto his face, rising from his kneeling position. His fists were clenched tightly, frustration radiating from his very being.
He turned to leave, getting to the door when he stopped.
Tyranus stood there for a few moments, his eyes narrowed. Tilting his head slightly to look behind him, the former Jedi master felt something unusual.
The Force… it was in motion around him and there was a presence…
This feeling… why did it feel so famili-
"That meeting could've gone better."
Dooku whipped around, swiftly holding up his arm with lightsaber activated in hand.
The man looked about wildly, trying to locate the source of the voice in a room that was hollow and empty. There were no pillars, structures, or possible means of hiding yourself in this room, yet someone was in here with him.
He could feel it, just not pinpoint it. His eyes saw nothing and no one so he wracked his brain to what the answers might possibly be.
Was it a Force illusion?
A cloaking means, perhaps?
He took a step forward, making a slow turn with his lightsaber remaining aloft, pointing to all corners of the room.
"Where are you?" Dooku said in a deadly voice. "Show yourself."
"Come now, there is no need for hostilities."
There was a teasing nature in the voice and… again, why did it sound so familiar?
That voice… it was… no… it couldn't be?
Could it?
Shaking his head, Dooku refocused on trying to get a precise location of this presence, holding up his other hand that began to dance with Sith Lightning.
"If you wish to trifle with me, know that you trifle with a Dark Lord of the Sith." The Count darkly said. "This game you play shall end only in your demise."
There was a small chuckle that came in response.
"If you insist, Master."
Hear the voice all but next to him, the Count whirled his lightsaber to strike the intruder. However, it came to an abrupt halt with what came into his vision.
Dooku could only stare at the apparition and without realizing what he had done, his lightsaber fell from his hand. It deactivated as it fell upon the ground, an audible thud being heard around the room as the spirit before him gave him a warm smile.
"I am glad to see you are in good health, Master."
The Count's throat was dry, the man trying to form any kind of response until at last, the name that had brought him so much heartache in the past came forth.
"Qui-Gon."
The Force Spirit of his old student now had a wider, broad smile, one Dooku had dearly missed after the many years of his death.
"It's good to see you again, Master. I wish it were under better circumstances but regardless of the time, seeing you is always a gift. It has been some time, hasn't it?"
Dooku's mouth slightly opened, a tightening in his chest as he stared at the old face of his former student.
"Qui-Gon…" The old Master said once again as if testing to see if what was before him wasn't an illusion.
Sensing this, Qui-Gon Jinn smiled and nodded. "It is I, Master. This is no apparition or rather, no trick of the eye."
"How?" The Count blurted out, unable to stop himself.
"An ancient practice of the Jedi Order." Qui-Gon revealed. "One that is known only by those that you can count upon your hand. This was once well known but over the centuries, such knowledge can be lost. Though it's rather difficult as one to manifest without a proper anchor like some Sith tend to do with artifacts and locations. However, with recent fluctuations of the Force -courtesy of Ultron- I'm able to come out easier than before."
Dooku continued to stare before he threw his head back and began laughing heartily.
He didn't know where this was coming from but the why?
Quite simple.
"You've achieved immortality." Dooku whispered in reverent disbelief. "After all that I have learned of the Sith, all that they pursued in knowledge and eternal life, to know that it has always been the Jedi way-"
"All is immortal in the Force, Master." Qui-Gon remarked. "You yourself once sought the lost knowledge and found the oldest iteration of the Jedi creed, remember?
Dooku paused for a moment, going back to his time in the Jedi Order when he had Qui-Gon as his Padawan and recalled an ancient text that dictated the earliest known version of the Jedi Code.
Without thinking, he began to verbalize it.
"There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no fear; there is power.
I am the heart of the Force.
I am the revealing fire of light.
I am the mystery of darkness.
In balance with chaos and harmony,
Immortal in the Force."
Qui-Gon smiled at this with Dooku slowly looking back at him.
"Why have you come to me?"
"Because there is much to discuss, my Master." Jinn said straight away. "Much to catch up on. And… I wished to see you again. It has been so long."
There was a feeling of contradictions that came over the elder Count, his shoulders sagging.
A weight had been lifted from his heart at the sight of his former pupil yet that same weight was replaced by another feeling. A far more tumultuous one that was a reflection of his life this past decade.
"It has, my old Padawan." Came the haggard response from Dooku, a somber and tired expression visible for Qui-Gon to see. "Far too long."
-Scene Cut-
On Coruscant, a lot of activity was underway. Different parts of the planet were either working on repairs still left over from Ultron's assault whilst others were having festivities. Despite the trials and tribulations of Ultron's campaign against the galaxy and the looming issue of the unresolved war with the Republic and CIS, a great many citizens all wished to at least commemorate and celebrate the victory that had been achieved over the mad AI.
They wanted some semblance of joy and jubilation and after all they had endured, this was a victory party that was well deserved.
In one place, however, a long-awaited celebration was finally occurring for an assembled group of individuals.
To say that it was small would be calling water dry.
The HQ to the Avengers in the city world of Coruscant was packed to the brim with people. The entirety of the Avengers was in attendance along with many people whom they've grown to love and care for.
For starters, the Jedi whom they had associated with and had several intimate relationships were present as were well over three dozen clone troopers, be they the captains, ARCs, commandos or other Clones that chose to come.
Then were some Senators, primarily Cham, Chuchi and Padme. Mon Mothma and Bail had their own invitations but they politely declined, citing they had work to do themselves.
The Guardians of the Galaxy were also all in attendance, the ragtag bunch of assholes never wanting to miss a party.
Even some Mandalorians were brought along, making for quite the gathering within the Avengers HQ.
"Tony…" Rhodey muttered, gazing out at the packed party, almost blown away. "You definitely overdid it this time."
"Long overdue, Rhodes." Stark said to his best friend, a proud smirk on his face, placing a hand on the colonel's shoulder. "Long overdue."
Rather than make any snappy or quippy remarks, Rhodey smirked, patting Tony's back in appreciation.
"Won't be hearing a no from me, man." James released a long sigh. "Jesus, didn't realize how much we needed this."
The whole HQ was crowded with everyone mingling, interacting, drinking, laughing and just having a good time.
Over on one end of the large room was a billiards table and it was surrounded by clones, Jedi and Avengers, all of whom were betting against Plo Koon. Said Kel-Dor Jedi Master just finished trouncing Luke Cage, the man gaping at how thoroughly he'd been beaten.
"What in the-how did he-That's cheating!" The hero of Harlem argued against the loss. "It's gotta be that Force crap."
"No." Wolffe dryly commented.
"It's not." Obi-Wan Kenobi tacked on. "It's all natural."
"Somehow." ARC Trooper Comet stated, his brow twitching. "No one has beaten him."
"He's been undefeated since the Avengers introduced this game." Fives grumbled.
Though his expression didn't show it, there was a rare sense of smugness radiating from Plo as many others made grumpy noises as credits were forked over to the pile that predicted his victory. That being Ahsoka's pile.
"You're the best, Plo!" She cheerfully said.
"Now, now, remember humility and modesty is the way of a Jedi." Tholme grumpily said.
"Oh come off it, Master." Vos interjected with a deadpan. "We're all being raked over the coals here."
Within the center area of the HQ, Padme stood with Anakin, Rex, Deliah, Clint, his wife Laura and Natasha.
"They're certainly lively." Padme noted. "Is it true that Master Plo has never lost a match at that game?"
"Never." Anakin and Rex grumbled in tandem and even Natasha released a withering sigh.
"That guy is way too talented." Romanoff remarked, shaking her head a moment later.
Deliah hummed at this, regarding the pool table as the next game was set before turning to her general and the Senator from Naboo. She took a moment to make sure there weren't any Jedi nearby, leaning in with a curious look.
"Hey general," Blue said, smirking at the snort Anakin gave off at being called that by her. "I know I might be overstepping here but," She eyed Padme. "Are you and the Senator…?"
Padme's eyes widened whilst Anakin had a surprised look but it became thoughtful a moment later.
"Deliah." Rex said with a slight frown.
"Wait, Rex, you knew?" Nat said in surprise, making the Clone Captain's girlfriend look at him with a similar reaction.
"I told him a while back." Anakin revealed to them. "Had him over for dinner and told him about me and Paddy."
"It was quite the surprise for me." The Clone commented in a huff of bemusement. "Then again, it wasn't the biggest surprise to me knowing how you are, General."
"Rex, come on, no need for that formality." Skywalker said with a grin. "We're friends here having a good time."
The Clone Captain looked a bit awkward at that, making Blue let out a slight squeal, throwing her arms around him.
"By the Force, you are so adorable when you look like that, Rex." The Zeltron teased, peppering the side of the Captain's face with kisses, much to his embarrassment.
The others all chortled at the Captain's predicament whilst Laura gazed at Anakin.
"I'm curious, what's with all the secrecy?" She inquired. "You're all acting a bit strange mentioning you being married and all. Is that a problem or something?"
"Bit of both with how the Jedi is." Anakin answered in a dry manner. "As they were when Padme and I got married, they weren't exactly keen or giddy on the idea of attachments, especially with what I have with my wife. So we've kept it a secret."
"Seems like an open one." Clint's wife remarked.
"Only to you guys." Skywalker countered. "Before you came along, Barton, the other Avengers up here figured it out on their own."
Nat shrugged in agreement.
"But now, a few people I trust know as well." The Jedi said, shooting a small smile at the Captain of the 501st, who was still being smothered with affection from Deliah.
"Keeping your marriage close to the chest, huh?" Clint mused aloud. "I can relate to that."
Anakin gave him a bemused look.
"Wait, so how did you two get married?" Laura questioned with Padme holding a strained smile.
"It was a bit rushed with only 3P0 and R2 as our guests." Amidala stated. "The war had begun and we knew that in the brief reprieve, as everyone was getting ready for war, that time was the only chance we would have to make it official."
Laura hummed in thought on the matter, several thoughts crossing her mind.
"Well… since you mentioned it," She slowly said, considering each word. "With how things are right now, have either of you ever considered doing a proper wedding?"
That got surprised expressions from the married couple of Anakin and Padme, directing their gaze at Laura.
"A proper wedding?" Anakin and Padme said in unison.
"Yeah, doing it right this time." Clint chimed in, catching on to what his wife was suggesting. "Have guests, witnesses, proper party, the whole schtick. Figured you guys earned it if anything else."
Padme had a thoughtful expression on her face, turning to her husband who appeared to be considering the idea.
"Well?" She patiently said, making Anakin rub his chin in thought.
"I never honestly thought about it but-"
"Go for it." Said a new female voice, all of them turning to see Celeste Morne approaching them.
"Sorry for eavesdropping, overheard your little conversation but like I said, go for it." The Jedi Sorceress stated. "Since you guys found Tython, it's only a matter of time before you uncover some of the older rituals and ceremonies of the Jedi. And marriage for those within the Order and out of the Order are among them."
That certainly garnered quite the reaction from Padme and Anakin.
"Well, there ya have it." Nat stated. "Even with how stiff they are, looks like your own Order cherished marriages at one point."
All the while…
Pietro and Chuchi stood outside on one of the balconies of the HQ, the former having his arms wrapped around the latter. The Pantoran Senator had a glow to her, one shared by her lover and with good reason.
Last night was… yeah, that's all that needs to be said.
Riyo was just happy to be back in the arms of the love of her life after Ultron's defeat, something the speedster was all too willing to oblige with. That happiness was spilled over into Chuchi's bedroom, quite constantly in fact or… wherever they allowed it to go.
They had become intensely handsy with each other every moment they had spent together after beating Ultron. Not that they weren't already but after… you get the idea.
Right now, they just wanted to be alone… again…
They were enjoying the party but now they wanted a moment to themselves or rather, it was Pietro who dragged her away to do so. Chuchi was confused by this action but went along with him all the same.
And since it led to this quiet and tender moment, the Pantoran Senator was all the more for it.
She heard Pietro hum, making her tilt her head to gaze up at him.
"Something on your mind?" Chuchi asked and she saw a mischievous smirk appear.
"A lot, really." He was now grinning with his eyes burning with desire. "All of which involves new ways of making you scream my name."
"Pietro Maximoff," Riyo appeared affronted yet her eyes held the same love and lust her boyfriend possessed. She turned in his arms to snuggle up against him. "You truly are a reprobate. It appears that I must discipline you."
"Oh~~ so you have some new tricks of your own?" He waggled his brows and she bit her bottom lip.
"You're insatiable." She whispered.
"Right back at ya." He murmured, pulling her in for a deep kiss which she gladly reciprocated.
The Senator had been feeling this endless fire of desire, lust and love for a while now and it was reaching new heights after Ultron's defeat. She seriously couldn't fathom just how deeply she loved him and it was a feeling the speedster returned.
As they pulled away, Chuchi giggled incessantly, leaning her forehead against his, feeling all hot and bothered, her face burning with a darker hue on her cheeks.
Her Sokovian lover only roguishly smiled at her behavior before slowly, his smile lessened, being replaced with a more serious expression.
"Riyo," Pietro spoke softly yet the intensity in his eyes made Chuchi look at him in slight concern.
"Pietro?" She said his name in return. "Is everything-"
"It's fine, everything is fine." He quickly interjected, sensing the question. "Trust me."
"Then why…" Her follow-up remained unfinished yet he knew what she asked for all the same.
"Just a lot has been on my mind." He stated, his eyes briefly flickering over to Coruscant's city skyline before back onto Chuchi. "And what the future has in store for us."
Riyo's expression shifted into a contemplative and inquisitive frown.
"And what type of future are you looking at?" She innocently asked.
"One that's gonna be hard." Pietro said with a tired sigh, his girlfriend furrowing her brows at his words.
Having been in a relationship with him for over a year now, Riyo had come to learn much of his life story. Now, Pietro wasn't a man who would be considered a pessimist, far from it. He always held a cocksure attitude that bordered on arrogance but nothing overbearing. But the life he had growing up gave him a harder, grimmer undertone, one shared with his sister, being orphans in a warring state. He held a belief of optimism but was hardened by realism.
"But," Pietro turned to her, his eyes being filled with love, something that always made her knees weak. "I know that I want to be with you every step of the way. Even when we're apart. So with that said…"
Quicksilver pulled something out from his back pocket and held it up.
"I think I've shown you enough Earth movies to know what I mean when I do this." He said, slowly going down to one knee as what he was doing hit Chuchi like a ship coming out of hyperspace.
Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped, watching her boyfriend pop the box open and in it was a brilliant sapphire ring.
"Riyo Chuchi," Pietro spoke with complete love and adoration for the woman in front of him. "I don't know if it was fate or luck that brought us together. But what I do know is I thank whatever God or cosmic power is out there every day now because I have you in my life. So… will you-
"YES!" Chuchi cut him off, yelling in adulation and joy at the top of her lungs. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
She pounced on him and he instantly scooped her up, the Pantoran laughing with pure love and happiness, kissing him with all her heart and soul.
They pulled away, breathless, and their eyes locked onto each other.
"Yes, I will marry you, Pietro Maximoff." She softly said, a wide grin appearing on the speedster's face, the man laughing spinning her around, the blue-skinned senator joining in his laughter.
They pulled away for a moment for him to slide the ring on properly before she jumped into his arms again.
They were then interrupted by several individuals who came out to join them on the balcony, one of whom being Pietro's twin sister.
"Hey, is everything ok out-" Wanda stopped mid-sentence, seeing the ring box in her brother's hand and she gaped.
Katy Chen failed to notice this, looking at the couple in slight concern.
"What was that scream about?"
Chuchi let go of Quicksilver with the biggest smile she could ever muster. She was all but bouncing on her feet.
Pietro's grin had yet to fade, stepping forward to wrap his arm around Riyo's shoulders.
"She said yes." He proudly said.
"To what?" Keeli inquired.
Chuchi held out her hand, letting others to see-
"WHAT?!" Katy along with Hope Van Dyne and Scott shouted.
"NO WAY!" Peter Parker exclaimed.
"EH~ Pietro, my guy!" Sam proclaimed, stepping forward to high-five the speedster.
"What's the ring mean?" Jedi Master Luminara inquired.
"It's an Earth custom. Pietro just asked Chuchi to marry him." Hope elaborated.
"Oh~~~ Congratulations!" Unduli happily said.
"Well I'll be damned." Keeli said with a wide grin. "Looks like you're getting hitched, speedy."
The balcony became a festive place and soon it spread to the rest of the party.
Pietro basically announced to everyone and all the party-goers went about giving congratulations of their own for the newly engaged couple.
This all came to a sudden end at the sound of thunder cracking from the skies above and the landing of Thor on the landing pad of the base, hauling with him a large barrel.
"Good tidings, my friends." Thor boisterously greeted.
"Hey, Thor, nice timing." Rhodey stated.
"Yeah, Pietro there just asked his girl to marry him." Wilson said, thumbing over to the engaged couple.
Thor's expression brightened upon hearing this, throwing up Mjolnir in his hand.
"HO THERE, PIETRO!" His voice boomed over the commotion. "To your union in the stars!"
"Where even were you?" Steve asked.
Thor tapped the casket by his side. "Getting something to make this celebration better."
Cap took a moment to register the casket before realization dawned on the man.
"Is that-?"
"Indeed it is." Thor proudly stated. "Not meant for mortal men."
"So you're planning on making some Jedi and Clones hammered then." Sam dryly said.
"What is that, Sam?" Dani, Wilson's girlfriend, asked, coming up from behind, wrapping her arms around her lover's waist and resting her head on his shoulder.
"Shit that will get you plastered and have a hangover that lasts two weeks." He answered, taking a cup as Thor plopped on drop of the ale into his drink.
"That's oddly specific." Echo from nearby comments.
"Cuz we've seen it happen." Rhodey said. "Yeah, this party's about to get… well, I don't wanna say worse but-"
"Just don't spread it around too much, Thor." Rogers wryly said, being handed a full cup from the Thunder God who only smirked mischievously.
"Is Jane here?"
"Yeah, she's over there." Sam said, pointing over to a table loaded with food, the physicist giving Thor an expectant look, holding up her hand in a 'come here' fashion.
"My lady calls to me." Thor said. "Excuse me, I must make haste."
"There he goes." Rhodey idly said. "You sure we should just let him spread that around?"
"By this point, getting piss drunk is likely the best way to relax." Sam dryly said, chuckling at the flick he got to his forehead from Dani.
"Piss drunk? From what?"
They turned seeing Peter Quill, Gamora, Rocket and Cosmo nearby.
"Something Thor brought with him." Steve answered. "Ale aged for thousands of years not meant for mortal men, as he likes to call it."
"Really?" Star-Lord said in intrigue, causing Gamora to sigh aloud.
"Peter, seriously?" She said in slight admonishment.
"What? Come on, don't tell me you're not curious." Quill defensively said.
"I know I am." Rocket said, already moving to get some of that ale.
Steve stared in bemusement at the anthropomorphic Raccoon when he heard a small growl from below.
The good captain shifted his gaze down to a labrador in a cosmonaut outfit looking up at him with a slight growl.
"Captain America." Came the voice of the dog, making Rogers blink. "Great enemy of the Soviet way of life."
Steve stared at Cosmo the Cosmonaut for a few seconds of silence. It took him a few seconds to register the dog spoke and the accent was one of Russian origin.
"Is that a talking Soviet dog?" Cap questioned to make sure he wasn't hearing or seeing things.
"I am Cosmo," The Labrador proudly proclaimed. "Pride of the Soviet Union!"
"Yeah, she's like that." Quill remarked.
"Huh… I really have seen everything now." Steve blandly said, getting down on one knee to look Cosmo in the eyes. "So, I'm the enemy of the Soviet way of life, huh?"
Gamora and Peter picked up on the amused tone the Captain conveyed, one missed by the dog who barked.
"You represent the corruption of capitalist pigs everywhere." Cosmo stated with a growl, one that only caused Steve to laugh.
"Well, Cosmo, I don't know if you knew this but in case they never told you, I was missing after the end of the war for decades. Can't exactly rally against a symbol who isn't there."
"You are still enemy of great Mother Russia!" The Cosmonaut proclaimed.
"Am I?" Steve asked, clearly entertained by all this. "And are you aware that the Soviet Union is no more?"
"Preposterous." Cosmo huffed, turning away now. "Great Soviet Union is indomitable and unbreakable."
"Sad to tell you it's gone." Steve said, reaching out and scratching Cosmo's head.
"Wha-what are you-you-oh… please scratch behind ear." She whined in joy, her back leg kicking nonstop in pure enjoyment.
"That was quick." Gamora quipped, a bemused smile at the scene.
"It's Captain America." Quill emphasized. "He's just that awesome."
"Whatever you say, Peter." Gamora airily said, patting her boyfriend's cheek. "Come on, if that casket gets everyone drunk right away, let's make sure our team doesn't get completely wasted."
As the party went on, one individual stood out from the crowd, in a literal sense.
He stood apart, simply observing the party rather than participating in it. It wasn't that he didn't want to be there. No, he rather enjoyed this gathering. Gave him more time to study and learn about the people he would be working with for the foreseeable future.
Getting to know people professionally was one thing but on a more looser, personal matter, he can get to the heart of who they actually were.
It was quite the sight, really, to be in the presence of such a diverse array of-
"So this is where you've been skulking about."
Thrawn's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Wanda Maximoff, the Avenger coming over to stand next to him.
"What? Don't feel like mingling?"
"Oh no, no, I have." Thrawn replied calmly. "I am just taking a moment for myself."
She playfully squinted her eyes at the Chiss, leaning close to him with Thrawn raising a brow at her behavior in return.
"I don't have to read your mind to be sure, do I?" She jokingly said, making his lip twitch upwards.
"No, ma'am, I can promise you I did indeed mingle as you so asked."
"Hmmm," She kept her playful expression of suspicion as she pulled away. "Alright, I'll believe you. For now."
"For now?" Thrawn parroted. "What must I do to assuage this accusation?"
Wanda hummed to herself, crossing her arms and shrugging her shoulders. "Well, I guess you're technically doing it now talking with me, no?"
Thrawn found himself smirking slightly at this. "So it would seem."
The pair fell into a comfortable silence, just watching the party in their little corner until Wanda broke the silence.
"So then," She said conversationally. "Looks like the plans you made and our tactics are turning heads."
Thrawn glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"Word is you'll be getting a promotion quite soon."
Rather than deny it, Thrawn bobbed his head to the side for a moment, taking a sip of his beverage.
"Admiral Palleon told me not too long ago." He admitted. "It appears I've impressed enough people for a promotion, far sooner than most would expect."
"Bet that's gonna ruffle more than a few feathers." Wanda noted.
"Likely but it was something that could have been avoided, so to speak, if one Avenger hadn't, how did she phrase it? Catch me in a storm of thoughts?" Thrawn lightly inquired. "If my thoughts hadn't been as loud as you say they were and you not literally dragging me into a meeting, well, suffice to say, my ascension would have taken far longer perhaps."
"Ascension? What, you wanted to grow?"
"Military life is all I've ever known." The Chiss truthfully said, something Wanda detected. "And this might seem arrogant but I have seen too many times, incompetency leading large groups and throwing away lives and resources all for the sake of vanity and ego than unfortunate circumstances and overwhelming odds. I wish to make sure that these types of scenarios are dwindled to the barest of minimum and to do so, I need to rise up the ranks of the Republic army."
Wanda gazed upon him with an inscrutable look.
"Is this coming from a place of empathy? Ambition?"
"Duty." He answered resolutely. "It is one born from a place of duty."
The Scarlet Witch regarded the man, her intrigue with him growing.
"Not many people have this type of mindset." She noted. "But is there more to what you want?"
"Ms. Maximoff, after your revelation of the ability to read minds, I have come to the decision that withholding information from you to be a detriment." The red-eyed man smoothly said, seeing the woman puff her cheeks momentarily.
"You don't need to be so formal, Thrawn. Just call me Wanda."
Thrawn simply inclined his head in her direction, getting a flat look from her yet she saw a tinge of amusement in his eyes and she scoffed good-naturedly in response.
"So, a promotion eh?" She casually said. "I bet that's gonna ruffle a lot of feathers for a newcomer to get such attention so suddenly."
"I expect stiff resistance." Thrawn noted. "No matter what the structure or circumstance, there are those who could never quite accept rapid rises in ranks."
Wanda only hummed again, gazing at the stoic-faced Chiss who's eyes held deep contemplation.
"Tell me, Wanda," He spoke up, making her tilt her head at him. "I understand that now that you've reconnected with Earth, there is a likelihood of your team returning to your home."
"Well, yes, of course." Wanda bluntly said. "But it's not like we're just up and abandoning the galaxy. We've done too much here to just up and leave it. I have Merrin and Illyana to worry about, Natasha has Mara and there's also Grogu. And that's just the kids."
Thrawn was silent all this time, simply letting her rant till she appeared to get everything out of her system.
"But still…" Wanda swayed from side to side. "It'll be good to go home. Wanna come with?"
That question caught the Chiss a bit off guard by this sudden offer, making him fully turn to her.
"What brought this on?"
Wanda shrugged. "I remember our first meeting. You talked about learning from different places about art, culture and all that. Earth has all of that and more. You could say it's a planet that has the diversity of the galaxy on it. Even more than Coruscant I bet."
"Truly?" Thrawn murmured, now more interested.
"More than you know. Music, art, all of it and…" Wanda reached for something in her coat and pulled out a book.
Thrawn blinked at seeing such a thing. Books were certainly a rarity, if not an item of a bygone era in this galaxy of immeasurable time and date.
To see one in front of him was certainly a surprise.
The book was held out for him, Thrawn reading the title aloud.
"The Art of War?" He said aloud, clearly being drawn in by this title. "By… Sun Tzu? Am I pronouncing that correctly?"
"Close enough." Wanda said with a smile. "I think you would really find this book to your liking, Thrawny. It's right up your alley."
Thrawn now looked at the Scarlet Witch inquisitively. "You… got this for me?"
"Yeah." Wanda confirmed. "You seem like the type."
He quirked a brow at that. "I have a type?"
"Kind of easy to deduce. I know a fellow book reader when I see one." She cheerfully said. "Or at least someone who likes reading like I do. And you'll find a lot of that on Earth."
Given the time of reprieve, Thrawn thinks it might be time to explore more of what Earth has to offer. And if he had the chance to actually go see it in person, he couldn't deny the intrigue he held in the homeworld of the Avengers. What kind of planet must it be to produce such beings of extraordinary skills, powers and abilities?
"Perhaps I will take you up on this offer." Thrawn remarked, inclining her head at her, the Scarlet Witch giving him a friendly smile.
"I shall hold you to it."
Over on the other side of the room…
"You know Skywalker, you should really consider getting yourself an upgrade." Bucky Barnes said, holding up his metal arm. With a brief clench of his fist, the segmented lines on his arms expanded and from the gaps glowed the same ethereal energy that comes from the magic of Masters of the Mystic Arts. "Can do so much more with it after Celeste and the rest of the guys touched up on it with their magic."
Anakin looked at the metallic arm, clearly impressed by it, watching the arm fold back to its usual self.
"Scott and Peter tried something like that a while back when they first came here." Anakin revealed.
"Oh? And what did they do?"
The Jedi knight let out a sheepish yet amused sigh at the memory. "They uh, well, we… ended up with a hand cannon that blew up a wall in the Jedi Temple."
Bucky raised a brow at that.
"Just a wall?" He expectantly asked.
"Ok, like a dozen." Anakin exasperatedly revealed, making Bucky snort. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up."
"But have you considered doing it properly?" Bucky asked. "Wong and Shuri I bet would hook you up with something special. Hell, maybe build in a lightsaber in your arm."
"I already got two." Anakin pointed out, patting his belt where two sabers hung.
"You can hide one in the arm." Danny Rand abruptly chimed in. "Ever thought about that?"
Both men gave the martial artist a bewildered look.
"Where'd you even come from?"
All the while, tucked in a corner, with a clear view of the one conversation, Rocket was eyeing the Veteran and Jedi. More specifically, he was eyeing their robotic appendages.
"I'm gonna get one of their arms, one way or another."
"What's your fixation with robotic limbs?" Wes Journ asked with a 'what the hell?' face.
Rocket glances slightly at his fellow Guardian. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"It's a long story."
"We've got time."
"That I'm not willing to share."
"How's about I hammer you with that Ale drink."
"You're on."
Not far from the pair, a young Padawan was conversing with two Sorcerers.
"So how exactly does Sorcery work?" Barriss asked the present Sorcerers.
"It is one born from knowledge, understanding and being able to open your mind to perspective and knowledge." Wong said in a lecture-like tone. "Akin to your Jedi ways. There are of course differences but your foundation serves enough of a basis for you to expand on and learn. Celeste is more than enough proof of that."
"Once The Ancient One gave the rundown on the fundamentals, grasping at the higher understanding of how Sorcery functioned began to snap into place." Celeste added on, showing a little flourish with a wave of her hands, something that enraptured the Mirialan.
"Is it possible for me to learn?" Barriss tentatively asked.
"Sure, why not?" Celeste said with a bright smile. "Our Old Master believes most Jedi have the aptitude to learn at a greater pace than most and we're gonna be having our own "academy" here, if you wanna call it that, soon enough. You can be one of our first students."
The party went on with talks, laughs and interactions from the hodgepodge of people all assembled in this one location.
One Jedi Master, in particular, was idly drifting about the place, lost in his own thoughts until…
"My dear Obi-Wan."
The Jedi Master seized up, easily recognizing that voice and slowly turning to see the Duchess of Mandalore, holding a beaming yet tired smile.
"Satine." He evenly said, coughing awkwardly.
Her expression fell yet mischief danced in her eyes, the Mandalorian placing her hands on her hips. "That's all? That's the greeting I get?"
Obi-Wan felt himself stammering slightly. "It's just… with what… the last time we-"
"Ah~ yes, the typical Jedi response." Satine said, throwing her hands up in exasperation though it was clear to most that this was an act.
Unfortunately, Kenobi wasn't catching on as the memories of their last time spent together came rushing back.
He grunted slightly, looking away and feeling heat building up to his face though he managed to control himself well enough to prevent his face from getting a new color. However, this didn't go unnoticed by Satine who smiled coyly, walking up to the Jedi Master and placing her hand under his chin, making him look back at her.
"Oh? What's this I see? My fearless Jedi acting shy and reserved? That's not the Obi-Wan that I know and love."
'Damn this woman.' Were Obi-Wan's thoughts, fists clenched tightly.
"Satine I-"
He was silenced with a kiss, making the man's mind shut down for a brief few seconds until Satine ended with a satisfied smile.
"Worry not, my love, I made sure to corner you away from the prying eyes of the Jedi. Though I believe that most would forgive such actions tonight." She said in a sultry voice.
"You truly love doing this to me, don't you?" Kenobi said with half-lidded eyes with a half-hearted glare.
"Almost as much as you love your snark and me loving you." Satine cooed, running a hand through his beard. "Come, I wish to go for a walk in this building and I do believe my heroic Jedi Knight needs to accompany his lady love."
"Satine…" Obi-Wan said with a strain in his voice.
She tutted him, placing a finger on his lips. "You know that last time I came here, my life was in danger. You wouldn't want a repeat of last time, no?"
She left little to no time for him to argue against this as she took his arm into hers and guided him out of the main area of the party to a more private setting.
They clearly had a lot of catching up to do.
This was all picked up on by Matt Murdock, the man smirking to himself as he could sense the mixture of emotions radiating from Obi-Wan with his temperature, heartrate and breathing. Truly, it was entertaining to hear and sense such a Jedi with renown calm, collection coolness be reduced to such a state.
"Having a good time old friend?"
Matt's smirk turned into a smile as he recognized who it was that was nearby.
"Chirrut." The lawyer greeted. "Baze. And you are…?"
The Avenger turned to the female Zabrak with them.
"Sugi. We've met. Sorta."
"I believe that applies to almost all of us here." Murdock stated, gesturing to the group in general.
"Good point."
"It's good seeing you again, Matt." Chirrut said with a knowing smirk, one shared by his blind brother-in-arms, making Baze roll his eyes at the pair.
"Yes, you're looking quite well." Matt retorted with a professional demeanor, now causing Baze to groan, hiding his mirthful smirk. "New robes?"
"Yes, how can you tell?"
"I like the brown shading."
"I was hoping you would see that."
"Kriff me, you weren't kidding, Malbus." Sugi snorted. "Here I thought they'd have some dignity."
"I don't know when or why they started doing this but they love doing it around me." Baze dryly said.
"So he annoys you too, huh?"
The quartet turned to see a redhead Mandalorian looking particularly uncomfortable. Why is that, you might ask?
Normally, she would be in her armor, what she felt most comfortable wearing.
You can thank her sister for coercing her into her present attire.
"Bo," Matt said with a pleasant smile.
The Mandalorians jaw clenched and her cheeks heated up yet she came up to the blind lawyer all the same.
"Matt."
"You look lovely." Daredevil said, making Bo narrow her eyes.
"Are you really blind or-"
"No, no, I can hear it, smell it, feel the fabric through the air." Matt quickly said. "Very smooth, comfortable, no?"
Bo-Katan felt extremely out of place wearing something as fancy as this nonsense her sister garbs herself in. Yet being complimented by Murdock… she hated and loved the feeling it gave her. "Freshly tailored."
"I can only imagine how it appears on you."
She really didn't want to say what she was about to say right now.
"You… can feel it directly, if you wish."
Wisely, Chirrut nudged his fellow Guardians to leave the pair be.
While these Guardians shuffled away, another was conversing with a certain Thunderer about weaponry.
"How does using a hammer work?" Wes Journ asked, looking down at Mjolnir, which Thor was holding up for him to examine. "Looks a bit uncomfortable with the size."
"Practice." Thor stated, making a small swing. "It took me centuries to master Mjolnir and I still have yet to learn all its secrets. My father told me that they will be revealed to me in time, battle and when I attain greater knowledge."
Wes opened his mouth to ask what that would entail when a booming laugh was heard, one Journ had grown accustomed to hearing.
"Let us drink more of this poisonous swill that shall intoxicate us further!" Drax happily exclaimed, his arms wrapped around Dax, Fenn, Wrecker Kraglin and HK.
"Ha ha, Yeah!" The genetically altered clone boisterously said, a large tanker in hand with the rest of the Bad Batch watching on with neutral but expectant expressions.
"Hopeful suggestion: Perhaps this can cause a great series of violent scraps to occur? It would not be the same without one."
"Someone shut HK off." Peter Quill's voice was heard over the commotion.
Thor looked indignant upon hearing this. "Poisonous swill? How dare you consider this glorious ale as such!?"
"Thor…" Tony and Steve said at the same time. "Come on."
They gestured to the party and saw that at least half the partygoers were well and good to be considered hammered and plastered.
Most of the Clones, some of the Avengers and a few Jedi were starting to feel the effects.
Clearly, many mistakes will be made this night. The hangovers in the morning will attest to that.
"I don't feel anything." Spider-Man abruptly came down from above, hanging upside down from a webline and holding a cup upside down.
"What the- Parker?" Tony gawked at him and was now looking around at everyone, jabbing a thumb at the webhead. "Who gave Peter beer?"
"Relax Tony, he'll be fine." Steve assured, having Tony turn to the Super Soldier, jaw dropping and pointing at him.
"YOU?!" Stark reared back, not believing what he just heard. "Steven Rogers."
"Kid's earned it." Rogers assured. "Besides, he's not most mortal men, as Thor put it."
"Oh my God, so that's Steve's dark side." Tony shook his head, an overdramatic look of anguish and heartbreak appearing. "Underaged alcoholism."
Steve just rolled his eyes as Tony prattled on.
"Is this like a war thing? War ages you immediately? Peter is still only just a teenager. This isn't like the olden times, capsicle." Tony placed a hand on Rogers' shoulder, a pained and remorseful expression now on display. "I can't believe I have to be the responsible one here."
"Oh brother."
Scott and Hope watched on as Peter took another swig, now chatting up Iron Fist and Shang Chi.
"Wonder what kind of drunk Peter is?" Ant-Man said.
"Depressed, I think." Hope dryly said. "Or hyper loving. I know that's how you are."
"You know you love it."
Hope made no moves to object to that statement. Scott was a happy, Huggy drunk. Can be a bit on the depressed side but he always showers her with affection.
The pair saw him begin to swing around and both chimed in.
"Don't drink and swing." They said in a parental manner.
As the party went on, some more people got drunk, others were magically cured whenever one of the Sorcerers saw they were going overboard, only to get hammered again.
"Doesn't he have the best smile?" Katy said, slightly tipsy now, pointing at Kit Fisto, the Nautolan Jedi Master having said smile, amused by the archer's current state.
"He really does." Shang-Chi drunkenly said.
"Right?" Tony tacked on. "Slap that on a cereal brand and it'll sell like hotcakes."
"Separate funding for the Jedi Order does sound like a good idea." Bail Organa offered. "You would be less reliant upon the Senate."
"And a cereal brand deal is the way to go." Katy giggled.
"I just might consider it." Kit quipped.
And in the midst of these funny interactions were more… spicier intentions.
One of which being a certain Jade giantess who had a target locked on, a target that appeared out of place without his brothers around him.
She sauntered over to him, making sure that she presented herself in a manner that would make most men drool at the sight of her. But she knew she had a challenge in this particular man which she all the more accepted.
Once getting close enough, the Clone Commander of the 212th noticed her presence and opened his mouth to greet her when he took stock of what she was wearing and more specifically, how she wore.
It was a white dress with one shoulder strap up with the other loosely hanging, the dress going up to her calves with splits on the side that showed off her legs and a window to her ample bosom with her hair down yet still wild and free that added to her dangerous sex appeal.
Cody was a trained soldier of war, raised from birth to hold unbridled and unrivaled discipline. And it was what allowed him to recompose himself as She-Hulk casually leaned on the wall next to him.
"So Cody," Her voice came out in a husky tone, something that was the first step in chipping away at the man's stonewall defense.
He cleared his throat and internally, Shulkie smiled.
'Step one, complete.' She mentally congratulated herself, impressed by the man's aptitude to remain focused on her face.
"Ms. Walters." He greeted.
"Now, now," Jen chided playfully, lightly tapping his arm and tutting. "I'm far too young to be called Miss, Commander. Remember what I said last time."
"Yes, yes, of course." Cody coughed into his hand. "Jennifer."
"Jen works too, Cody." She-Hulk teased, keeping her saucy smile in place. That didn't seem to affect him that much so it was time to see what else she could do to make the man break. "I hope you've been enjoying yourself tonight."
"It's… different than what I am normally accustomed to." Cody admitted, adjusting the collar around his neck. "Far too relaxed for my taste, though."
"Your men seem to be enjoying themselves." Walters pointed out, gesturing over to several locations.
The ARC troopers were either getting more drunk or still trying in vain to beat Plo Koon who performed yet another physics-defying hit on the white ball that spun around and knocked in his assigned stripes into their holes before the last one being the dread 8 ball.
Once that went in, the clones, Jedi and Avengers who were around the table all threw their arms up in defeat and agony.
"Least they're keeping their "warrior" spirit intact." Cody sarcastically said, watching Boil being laughed at by a slightly drunk Waxer for his spectacular loss.
"I still don't understand how someone like him can get that good." Walters spoke in genuine astonishment.
Cody saw her expression and snorted. "How long did it take for him to beat you?"
"Five turns." Jen gritted out, eye twitching. "Five."
"He let you go first, didn't he?"
Walters huffed, blowing hair out of her face, hearing the Clone Commander chuckle to himself. She smirked to herself, remembering the purpose of her approaching the high-ranking Clone officer.
"Now Cody~"
The Clone seized up slightly as he felt her fingers brush up against his neck.
As this seduction mission was ongoing, it was observed by a Clone Captain with his Zeltron girlfriend.
"Oh jeez." Captain Red was torn between pity and amusement at the sight of the stalwart Cody in a position he had never been in before. One he was all too familiar with due to the woman draped around him at this very moment, her head resting upon his shoulder and cheek. "Cody… he is not prepared for someone like her."
"Mmmm, no he's not." Delilah drawled out, slightly inebriated. "She is coming after him with a purpose."
"Really?" Rex dryly said. "What you've seen this before?"
She let out another hum, this one more sensual, making the Clone shiver due to her leaning against him when she did so.
"Of course," She giggled slightly, turning to pepper his cheek with small kisses. "After all, I recognize the technique. How else would I have captured the heart of the man who captured mine?"
Rex shifted about, not pulling away from her but squirming all the same.
"Don't you think it's a bit too soon to go and say stuff like that?"
"Hmmm, maybe to some but not to me." She whispered into his ear, loving the way he shuddered against her.
"You Zeltron really are insatiable."
Hearing that last word seemingly activated something within Deliah and this was aided by the alcohol in her system. She had been constantly gazing at her lover during the duration of the party and a burning sensation had been growing, accelerated by liquor.
Blue bit her lip repeatedly, constantly snuggled and nuzzled up against the Captain in more ways than he was used to. Despite being in a relationship with her, Rex wasn't fully used to such a thing and he wasn't accustomed to such public displays of affection.
And Deliah knew that.
She respected that.
Yes, she had her fun with the way she teased him and all but she was also respectful in knowing when to push his boundaries and when to leave things as is.
However, as soon as a good drink and Zeltron pheromones enter the stage and start mixing together…
Putting on a sensual and lustful smirk, she promptly wrapped her hands around his arm and began pulling him away.
"Deliah?" Rex said in confusion.
"Come on." She said, slightly needy in tone. "We need to go now."
"What? Why? What's wrong?" He asked in slight concern.
"I need to get you somewhere alone otherwise, I'll need to charge everyone for the show." Blue hurriedly said, now picking up the pace, missing the bug-eyed look of her lover, the Captain realizing just what she was insinuating.
"D-Deliah!" He cried out in vain as she found an empty guest room and quickly pulled Rex in and shoved him inside, dashing in a moment later, slamming and locking the door shut.
In the midst of all this, Blue and Rex failed to notice Steve Rogers and Aayla Secura standing not far down the corridor, having witnessed all this.
"Oh my," The Twi'lek Jedi murmured. "She's… determined."
Captain America gruffly chuckled sympathetically. "Poor Rex. I'm torn between feeling sorry and happy for him all at once."
"I always heard that Zeltron were quite intense with their desires," Aayla quietly said. "But to actually see it in person is quite the sight."
Wisely, Steve took Aayla's hands into his and pulled her away for their privacy. He mentally sent out a small prayer for Rex, hoping the novice would make it through the night.
God knows he needed it.
Steve and Aayla walked around the HQ base, momentarily about to head back to the party when Aayla abruptly took the lead and led them to Steve's personal quarters.
He was curious as to what she wanted, remaining silent as they were now in his bedroom, standing in the middle with the two gazing at one another.
Steve squinted slightly, a raised brow that queried as to why she had brought them here and Aayla responded by silently placing her arms around his shoulders, looking deeply into his eyes.
"I just… wanted to talk to you." Aayla quietly said. "Feels like I just wanted to know a few things."
Her lover said nothing, simply waiting for her to go on.
"Ultron's beaten but the war isn't over." She muttered. "And… I am unsure of what will happen next."
Steve gave her an understanding gaze gently rubbing her hips, feeling goosebumps forming as he did so.
"Are you nervous about something?" Steve softly asked with Aayla making a face.
"It's just what Ultron said. That we're not ready for what's coming next."
Rogers now frowned at that. "You're worried."
"Of course I am." Secura frustratingly said. "There's so much on my mind. I wish to be glad that Ultron has been disposed of at long last but now I dread what other unseen threats are coming for us. The start of the War was at least predictable looking back at it. Senate corruption and the negligence of the Jedi caused the war that you all stumbled into. Since then, it's one revelation and sudden development after the other. Some good with you and your team. But others bad to worse."
"You think something else might be coming."
"I don't want to say think," Aayla shook slightly. "I know it. And I hate that."
Steve didn't respond for a few moments, his heart aching at the sight of his lover in such a state.
Gently, he placed a hand under her chin, making her look up at him and he gently leaned down to place a chaste but loving kiss upon her lips. They stayed that way for a few seconds, Steve pulling away, Aayla leaning forward wishing not to part from him.
"Aayla," He murmured. "I understand how you feel. It's frightening, not knowing what can come to threaten everything we love and care for."
He leaned his forehead on hers and inhaled deeply, reaching up to place a hand on her cheek, one she affectionately leaned into.
"But this is why we have each other." Steve's blue eyes bore into hers, conveying nothing but love and faith. "We have our friends and loved ones. We have them to stand strong and reason to be strong. Selfless compassion, right? The Jedi Way."
Aayla let out a small 'hmph', moving her head up and down, enjoying the warmth of her lover's hand.
"Not entirely like that but…" She let out a sigh. "I don't even know why I needed to do this. We're supposed to be celebrating yet here I am, bringing the mood down."
"You're not." Steve assured. "I'm always here to talk with you, you know that."
"I know." She murmured. "And so am I."
Steve smiled broadly at that and pulled away. "Come on, I bet some of the others are wondering where we wandered off to."
Hearing this, a gleam came to the eyes of the Jedi Knight. Placing her hand on his chest, Steve raised a brow when he felt a Force-enhanced shove make him stumble back. The back of his legs hit the foot of his bed and he fell on it.
He looked up at Aayla, about to ask just what was that for when he noticed the look in her eyes.
Wordlessly, she reached for a strap from the back of her garments and in an instant, her clothes fell away, leaving her standing in front of her love in her natural state.
"I think they can survive a bit longer without us being there." Aayla said in the most sensual voice Steve had ever heard from her before she pounced on him.
AN
I know, I'm shameless.
But yeah, a lot happening here.
The Avengers talking about their place, Dooku and Qui-Gon, the party, Pietro proposing, all that good stuff.
Now, to be frank, this chapter was originally intended to be far longer than what we have here. Like, way, way, waaaaaaaaaaaaaay longer.
But several things came to mind and happened.
One, that would mean we'd be on this chapter far longer than needed. This was meant to be another short chapter, a simple one conveying the aftermath and small celebration of Ultron's defeat.
Two, I had announced earlier that an old story of mine, Spirit Unto Dawn, would be getting the Infinite Wars treatment. Which means reboot.
And three… I am really tired as I write this note.
So please, if you have any questions or whatever, feel free to leave it in the reviews or PM me.
I'd make this longer, but I wanna go to bed so good night folks, thanks for reading.
OH YEAH, Are you guys cool with She-Hulk and Cody? Or do you want her to be with someone else? Let me know in the reviews, will ya? Thanks.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.