AN: Story's Shadow and I are back with another update. This and possibly the next chapter will explain key plot points and set things in motion for the coming battle against Imperious. We hope you all enjoy.
-NYC, S.H.I.E.L.D. Camp, The Next Day-
S.H.I.E.L.D. soldiers found themselves standing with the new Continuum soldiers that had emerged from the golden portals. The men and women who prided themselves on their strength and seeming inability to be impressed found themselves almost dwarfed before these warriors. Their golden armor gleamed in the sunlight like the sentinels of old. Though given others experiences with some Asgardians, they felt that this wasn't that unfamiliar to an extent at least.
Some of the S.H.I.E.L.D. officers even questioned why they needed to guard the camp while these people now in the war. Director Fury had informed his agents to not grow content in this new state or to lose their vigilance, their enemy was still out there. He'd agreed to Crusader having command of the camp with the lead S.H.I.E.L.D. operative still having a leadership role. Crusader would be here temporarily as he informed Fury that he had orders of his own.
The Continuum soldiers turned their heads at seeing a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative carrying in a young woman who was visibly scarred from an attack, her glasses in part shattered.
The visors of the Continuum's armor glowed a bright gold before taking their normal color and nodded to them. One of the S.H.I.E.L.D. nurses hurried over as the man's chest heaved and managed to carefully hand her over to the nurse.
"Q-Quick, she needs to be a check up."
"Right. It's going to be ok."
The nurse nodded his head and hurried to one of the tents. One of the Continuum soldiers turned to the operative, who managed to stand up straight despite his obvious tired state.
"What news do you have to report?"
"The...Some of those things are taking to hunting through the park, I found her there. Ironheart managed to cover our retreat as she attacked a small group of them. There might be more people there."
The soldier nodded.
"Good work, get some rest."
"N-Need...Need to get some people out there to look for more survivors."
The soldier nodded and turned to one of their kinsman.
"Inform Lord Crusader of this."
The soldier nodded and rushed to one of the tents. The S.H.I.E.L.D. operative laughed a little, which regained the attention of the Continuum solider.
"Yes?"
"I...I thought he'd step into a portal or something to get there."
The soldier was quiet a moment before they laughed.
-Command Tent, A Few Minutes Later-
Crusader nodded to the soldier with the news.
"Thank you for this information. I will prepare a list of our warriors and theirs to search through Central Park."
The soldier saluted before exiting the tent.
Vixen turned to him.
"Let me go, I can help look for them."
Crusader turned to her.
"We need you on the battlefield. With your friends, you can cut through the legion he has occupying this territory."
"I've been working on my tracking with Sensei Metatron."
Crusader raised an eyebrow at this, a small smile on his face.
"Really?"
"Yeah, Sensei Metatron has been a big help with this kinda stuff."
Crusader nodded before he looked over a holographic image of the city.
"With young Iron Heart and her drones flying through the city, she may give us an opportunity to send in some recon and stealth units or at least a few operatives."
"Vanguard?"
"Yes, I discussed this with Eagle before you arrived in the tent. He's preparing at most a few of his team to arrive. I may send word to some of our more covert units for their expertise here."
"I know Director Fury has agents going through the city still."
Crusader nodded.
"Like the many I've studied, Nick Fury is a resourceful man. He's the first one I've met, he lives up to his reputation."
"He's a hard man to impress though I know he means well."
"He does. He's been treating good, I trust?"
Vixen nodded which earned a smile from her father.
"Good, good. With this universe's Avengers scattered across the world at this point, we will in large part be needed to clean up the armies here. Captain America is meeting with most of Vanguard and this country's president to strategize the defense. Our forces are preparing to move across the globe, we know some will more readily accept our support than others. Wakanda has pushed back its invading force for now and with the army this universe's Asgard has sent, there's more power ready to push back many of the legions here. Still, Imperious will send more."
"Do you want me back in the fight now?"
"Soon, not yet. There's one thing I believe needs to be done."
-Medical Area Of The Camp-
The nurse stitched up the young woman's wounds then gave some antibiotics.
"Don't worry, you're gonna be just fine. I have more patients to see to, I'll back in no time."
The young woman nodded from her bed before the nurse left, closing the door to her tent. Though not long after this, it was opened and another person entered. She closed it and turned to the young woman. Then she pulled off the veil as Cassandra revealed her face.
"Cornelia?"
Cornelia almost laughed.
"Yeah, hello kitty cat."
"I don't know if I'll get used to being called that by this world's people."
"Don't worry, there's worse things to be called."
"Yeah, we both know that. That aside, what are you doing here? I thought your group was hiding?"
"Yes, but not isolating. A few people were hiding in the park today and a few of those things attacked. I managed to see them off without revealing myself to the humans, but a few more of those creatures found and attacked me. The man who brought me in managed to pull me away as Ironheart flew in. I don't think the people here know I'm Inhuman? Do they-?"
"Some do. It shouldn't be an issue for those guarding the camp."
"Who are those guys in gold?"
Cat's hears flattened a little as a small frown appeared on her face.
"They're called the Continuum...their leader's daughter, another one of us, is with him right now. I've heard his men talking about protecting the humans here."
"Well...it makes since. Do you think they know what we-?"
"I'd be surprised if they didn't. Despite what the humans might feel...them being here...isn't a comfort to me."
"...Because your home?..."
A tear rolled down the Cat's face before she nodded.
"They could've helped us, if they're as good as they're said to be...but they didn't."
"W-What're you gonna do?"
Cassandra was silent for a few moments, the same look of anger on her face though Cornelia also saw her agony. The Cat then spoke.
"We'll do what we can to end Imperious with or without them...they'll just know that they won't be received with as much praise as they first believed."
"O-Oh."
"Is your group safe?"
"F-For now."
"We'll come to help as soon as we can. For now, you need to rest."
Before Cornelia could respond, Cassandra put the veil back on and left the tent.
Around one of the common tents, there was a small aura and hum of golden energy that made civilians pass around it without even glancing upon it. Continuum soldiers and S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives did notice it though they continued to make their rounds within the camp. Inside it sat the Faunians (including Vixen and Vulpine) and Crusader.
The Continuum Commander sat straight up in the chair across from the trio, Vixen sitting next to him and Vulpine sitting halfway between either small group. Vixen felt her ears a little low though her eyes were alight with curiosity and interest.
Metatron sat between Cassandra and Jacob, his golden yellow eyes locked on those of the Continuum. The Wolf had felt the surge of power when these people from another realm emerged. The warrior before him fitted in gleaming golden armor reminded him of what the Lion Lords wore into battle. He mused to himself Uduak would find it worthy of a king though perhaps it would befit a Lion better though the it would need some adjustments. The Wolf didn't need any time to recognize the markings on the armor though he said nothing, he waited and listened.
Vixen noticed the Wolf's steely calm while the Cat had an expression annoyance while the Hedgehog seemed almost on edge though held a more defensive form. She inhaled slowly then exhaled.
"Well, I'd like you three to meet my father: Crusader."
The Continuum commander nodded to them.
"I've heard good things, this meeting has been too long awaited."
Metatron nodded at this.
"As we've heard about you."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I want to thank you for helping taking care of my daughter. When I learned that the three of you were helping guide and protect her, it warmed my heart."
Jacob nodded, slowly.
"We look after our own."
"I trust you will look after her in the battles to come?"
Cassandra nodded, her face still marked with irritation.
"You heard Jacob."
Crusader had hoped that before he'd brought this next, inevitable point up in this conversation that the tone of the room would be at least composed and calm. He noted the Wolf was the only one of the Faunians who had this whereas the Cat and Jacob were both on edge, the former's claws threatening to cut into the bed under her.
He sighed.
"I won't try to move us away from what was going to happen. You have grievances and questions about what happened with your home."
Vixen gasped though not loudly.
"D-Dad, are you sure it-?"
Crusader nodded then turned back to the trio. Jacob, to Crusader's partial surprise, spoke up first.
"Vixen's told us of your people and your war with the false dragon...why didn't you continue your war to prevent what happened after?"
Crusader sighed.
"The war had become more perilous than what we'd first suspected it would be. Imperious was a more formidable foe than any of us expected, his magic was immense in power and his cunning matched that. Countless skirmishes ended with more of our warriors injured or slain as time went by. He was learning about our strength, managing to pick away at our armor though we still cut down his soldiers."
Cassandra's nose curled and almost threatened to break as her mouth trembled.
"...You could've have finished him...Vixen said you had a weapon that could end him...why?...Why didn't you kill him?! You saw what happened to our home!"
Vulpine turned to Crusader after he saw Vixen trying not to flinch. Crusader fixed his eyes on the Cat as he sighed.
"I did...what I found...was beyond a tragedy. What Imperious did will be avenged when he's finally defeated, he will not be allowed to continue his rampage across reality. My people will right this wrong."
"Did you see her?"
"Her?"
"My daughter...my little girl."
Tears streamed down Cassandra's face despite the mask of rage on her face.
"She was just a kitten! I couldn't protect her! Why didn't you?!"
Vixen gasped at this, though she saw the nod from Vulpine. With Vulpine having voiced his feelings about Faunia and himself, it didn't truly surprise her he was siding with Cassandra.
Crusader noted Vulpine's reaction, turning to him.
"If we had, that possibly would've meant either killing you or imprisoning you then putting you on trial on your world."
"It would've been just."
"Maybe we could've discovered and freed you of manipulation Imperious had over you."
"I would then choose then what I've decided now."
"There could've been forgiveness."
Cassandra and now Jacob now shot up with anger, which earned a look of partial surprise from Crusader. The Cat spoke first.
"Forgiveness?! If he'd been freed before anyone died, yes, there could've been forgiveness! But not now! Not after everything that's happened!"
"You spit on our people's memory!"
Crusader raised his hands in a calming motion.
"Please, there's no need for hostility. We are here to talk, not fight. There should be no bad blood here or at the least not venomous words here."
Vulpine turned to Crusader.
"We both know how this story ends for me. They more than deserve to not hold back their anger."
"I'm not so certain myself of that."
Cassandra's claws flexed though not at Crusader.
"Do you intend to prevent our people from being avenged?"
Crusader stood up though not out of anger or defense, Jacob stepped forward and placed a hand in front of Cassandra.
"Our people have suffered so much, we have nothing left. There's no future for our people now...all we have left is to avenge them."
Crusader's face fixed with sadness at this.
"You truly believe there's no hope?"
Streams of tears ran down the Hedgehog's face.
"Can you not tell, my lord?"
The Continuum was a bit surprised at the last part of his sentence.
"I'm not a lord to you."
"Yes, it was just something my family to note about those who have such positions regardless of how we may feel about them."
The Continuum commander nodded at this.
"Your family raised you well."
"Now I hope to honor them by avenging them by at the very least in killing Imperious and his forces."
"A loyal lad."
Jacob gently nudged Cassandra to sit again and she did so reluctantly, though she locked her tearful angry gaze on Crusader. Crusader sighed as he sat down.
"Though your friend's question deserves an answer."
Vixen turned to him.
"Are you sure?"
He nodded before turning to the Faunians.
"I was locked in combat with Imperious personally, our armies clashing with one another. Despite the roars of battle and meeting of weapons and magic...but my focus was on him. He was empowered by conduits of energy that were intricately tied with forces of the universe while I held a weapon forged with the divine realm and gifted to me personally by the mightiest of the Archangels. Our powers colliding caused the landscape to unravel. The energy made the land go ablaze and the sky tremble. What's worst was the one roar he'd unleashed which wiped out my entire army right before my eyes. I knew he'd be powerful, but I didn't foresee it laying waste to my soldiers whose own magic, technology, armor, and weapons were nothing to scoff at. If we'd gone any further, all that we know that existed could've and with little doubt, would've been destroyed in the process."
Crusader turned to Vixen.
"Hand me the blade, please."
Vixen unsheathed the weapon, its golden light gently glowing as it hummed with power. Crusader took it in his hands and the light and hum grew greater though not overpoweringly strong. The Continuum looked to the trio, an almost mournful expression on his face.
"This was forged in the Heavenly City, if this had clashed with the Infinity Stones of the universe Imperious wielded for much longer during our battle...I fear that we wouldn't be having this conversation."
Cassandra could feel its warmth from where she sat, the embers of a great fire were within the weapon. She felt her pyromancy grow in strength some as well sensing the fire that radiated in an aura around it.
"The fire that forged it-"
"-is the one that warms the Heavenly City."
Jacob's hands were on his knees as he studied the weapon, the runes in the blade and its craftsmanship made him sense the protective measures that had went into it.
"My father would sometimes take me to some of the more skilled blacksmiths in Faunia, ones who made armor and weapons for some of the more wealthy lords. Sometimes for those most honored individuals there was magic fused with the metal."
Crusader eyebrows lifted up a moment, intrigued.
"Really?"
Jacob nodded.
"Depending on the buyer or the one who the weapon would be gifted to, the magic varied. For some, the magic was for it to slay evil or when in the hands of a noble soul the weapon would defend against even the most formidable foe. Though with the magic of our home all but gone, any weapons that may remain pale in comparison to their former strength."
Crusader's face shifted with sadness at this.
"They sound much like the weapons or armor some of our people are blessed with. This blade is the perfect example: being utilized to purify and slay evil, when in the hands of a righteous soul it becomes stronger as time goes on. One must be wise and composed when wielding it though, as the power is too great for some to battle with."
Crusader gently moved his fingers along the sword's blade, the magic within it glowed brightly for a few moments.
"It's why I trust Vixen to wield it."
Vixen smiled at this.
Cassandra's furious expression softened some at hearing this.
Metatron's arms were crossed, his eyes on the blade though he said nothing. Crusader turned to Vixen.
"I just ask you to be more careful in the future."
Vixen sighed.
"This war...part of me wanted it...to stop Imperious and avenge everyone whose lives he destroyed...it's just when I have the blade in my hands...it just...it..."
Crusader sighed.
"It brings out your emotions, presenting your deepest feelings involved in the combat. For you, it was rage at Imperious and your desire to see him brought to justice. Your hope for this to end well is not something to be shamed by. Just know that this is war, nothing everything may go as we hope...not even for those of us with such divinely granted power."
Metatron nodded at this.
Cassandra turned to him, her ears now dropped.
"...We can still wish to see the monsters punished for what they did..."
Vulpine nodded at this.
"We will."
Vixen gasped at this, a small tear on her face. She saw the look of both determination and resignation on his face. Despite her conversations with him, she knew he wished for himself to die to at least in some small way for his wrongs to be righted. Her ears fell at this too.
Jacob noticed this. He took a breath then sighed.
"We can't predict how this war will go. While we understand this enemy better than any of us did before...we are still moving to take an advantage we can whether defensive or offensive."
He was quiet for a moment then turned to Crusader again.
"I am wondering though...why have you now reentered the war with the false dragon? Your daughter explained your people's sworn duty is to protect the humans...but he's conquered other Earths which had other populations of humans...why now?"
Crusader sighed and nodded.
"Observant...things have changed...we honored the treaty for as long as possible...standing aside as eventually he went quiet in activity. Though we tried to keep an eye on him...but his magic was stronger than expected even without the Infinity Stones...our power couldn't detect him well enough to have a clear image of his actions...despite that, we didn't sense any activity that we could link back to him. It was as if it had all gone quiet, this being years after I adopted my daughter. Then he motioned for his forces to take this universe's Earth...it was why we've only gotten into the war now, we were caught off guard. It took too long to prepare our armies."
He then handed the weapon back to Vixen, who sheathed the blade.
"Now we're here, aiming to end his threat. I just pray we can do this with as little bloodshed as possible."
Cassandra frowned though not venomously.
"I don't know about that, I want the heads of that monster and all of his servants."
Jacob rested a hand on her shoulder.
"We have to win the war first."
Crusader nodded at this.
"Your friend is right...the war has to be won first...and I know it won't be simple. Even with my soldiers and the holy weapon in my daughter's hands, our enemy's power and cunning threaten everything and everyone."
Cassandra's hands clenched into fists as she remained seated, tears dropping onto the floor.
"It shouldn't matter...it won't matter...I want him to suffer for what he's done."
Crusader sighed.
"That won't be easy, trust me."
Cassandra's face shifted with a mix of emotions.
"I'll take his head myself, for what he did to my little girl."
The Continuum commander turned to Vixen, his face shifting with different emotions as he looked her despite her gazing at Vixen.
"It weighs on you."
Everyone turned, seeing Metatron having spoken to Crusader. The Wolf had been nearly silent during this conversation much to Crusader's surprise. He'd heard Metatron Arch had many a wise word for those around him in nearly any situation, despite knowing this what the Wolf said earned his full attention.
"What do you mean?"
"When you couldn't continue your battle with Imperious, you knew what would come."
"As I said, there was no other way."
"That didn't and doesn't bring you comfort though. You long for there have been another way, a way to defeat him that spared all those who would later come to suffer because of him. Every life that was destroyed because of his designs of total control over all the known worlds, they haunt you."
Crusader's eyes widened at hearing this.
"What?"
"I feel it...the burden of what you did eats at your soul every day, yourself wishing that destiny had intervened and her hand would spare you and all of those who would suffer because of the false dragon. I will be honest, your explanations and your burden brings me no comfort for what happened to my home and to her children and I fell it never will...that doesn't mean I don't pity you."
Crusader gasped at this, his gaze locking with the solemn and sad gaze of the Wolf.
Metatron's eyes gently watered as tears slowly ran down his face, his golden yellow eyes seemed almost resigned in their despair which Crusader saw. The Continuum commander sighed as he leaned back in his seat, feeling a wave of sadness wash over him. He hadn't expected to experience this with the Faunians. While he knew that at least one would rage in anger and pain, he didn't consider that he'd be pitied and even sympathized with.
Vixen's eyes were wide at seeing this, now sensing the emotion that welled within her father. While in the Continuum realm before she came to this universe's Earth, she had this subconscious or instinctual feeling that she couldn't explain whenever the people there she was around were experiencing/expressing certain emotions. With her training with Sensei Metatron, she slowly began to grow in her reading and sensing of others' emotions and mindsets.
She felt the overwhelming wave of sadness, regret, and pain coming from Crusader. His normal stoic and confident energy was now the most vulnerable she'd ever seen and sensed. The Continuum commander's eyes then fell upon the Wolf, an unsteady yet calming breath emerging from him.
"Your compassion does you credit. I'm glad to know you are now taking part in teaching my daughter."
Vixen felt a tear roll down her face, smiling, as she gazed at her father.
Metatron turned to Vixen and stood up.
"If there's nothing else, I must retire to another attempted meditation. We shall continue training soon, for now, take time to spend with your father."
Vixen nodded which the Wolf returned. The Wolf then turned to Crusader and bowed lightly.
"Lord Crusader."
This action surprised Crusader and the Wolf left before the Continuum could respond. Cassandra and Jacob shared the same expression of surprise with Vixen before the former two exited.
Crusader stood before the gathered group of Vixen, the Secret Warriors, the Faunians, Director Fury and Lady Elise through holographic images.
"Now that we have all gathered, I feel that we must prepare for what Imperious plans for this universe and the rest of the known realities."
Elise nodded.
"With his campaign to conquer this universe, he'll seek to obtain all the Infinity Stones of this universe. He already has the Space Stone and we suspect he knows where the Mind Stone is and is preparing to have it brought to him. We can't confirm either way, his magic is blocking ours from completely assuring whether this is true or not."
Crusader nodded, arms crossed.
"Which is why we will be sending a team into your universe's space to obtain the rest before Imperious to weaken his hold and campaign. Director Fury has agreed to send half of the Secret Warriors with Continuum aid and guidance. I believe I know which will be most capable for this task: Quake, Ms. Marvel, America Chavez, Iron Heart, and Inferno."
Director Fury turned to Elise and Crusader.
"Will you be sending any of your soldiers with them personally?"
Elise turned to Crusader, who noted her expression. The commander turned to Director Fury.
"Our soldiers will arrive when they are called."
"Do you know the locations of the other Stones?"
"Yes though because of our enemy's magic and our need to consolidate our forces, we cannot spread ourselves too thin."
"Is he blocking you from obtaining them?"
"As we are him though things can change, that's why the moment must be seized."
Elise nodded.
"Our concern lies with his ability to take them while we defend this world. You know what he has done with other universe's Infinity Stones before."
A grim expression fixed on Director Fury's face.
"...Yes, we do."
Crusader turned to the Secret Warriors.
"Are you prepared to take this mission?"
They began to discuss this with one another. Some expressed worry from being far from home, others thought they might get lost in space, some wanted to stay on Earth and fight. Vixen gazed at them with concern, fear slowly building within her at hearing their words.
Metatron noticed the look of surprise and worry on Vixen's face and then snapped his fingers, which made the group go quiet and turn to him.
"This quest won't be easily accomplished, the false dragon's reach is vast and we cannot delay in our attempts to defeat him. You must all be in agreement with one another to see it through. If you've learned anything from your time in training with me and my students it's that all things must be in unison to truly succeed. You may have a counter idea in mind for this quest which isn't unwelcome, you must be in agreement. What say you?"
Lady Elise turned to Crusader, her eyes a little wide in surprise and with a look of what her old friend recognized as being impressed.
The Secret Warriors turned to one another, which they included Vixen in on. They then turned back to their elders and Daisy stood up.
"We accept."
Metatron nodded.
"So let it be done."
The Wolf turned to Crusader, who nodded to him. The Continuum commander turned to those gathered.
"Then it's time to prepare you for this mission."
AN: That's right, half the team is going into space to look for the Infinity Stones... and we've already got exotic locations and entire civilizations in mind. Buckle up its going to be a wild and bumpy ride. Also be sure to check out Story's Shadows YouTube Channel: "Lost in the Story with Jeremy Mize" as he is doing another movie review as we head into this Valentines day... and let's just say... this movie requires... 3 reviewers to talk about it... That's right this 1998 Trainwreck of a film staring Leonardo DiCaprio will have three reviewers, all of them on the Nobel Patriots. While Story's Shadow will lead the review, DreamStoryWeaver and myself will join him as guest critics. I can safely say, this is my number one most hated film... I'm going to enjoy ripping apart this horrible film. We'll see you all there once that review is public. So grab your popcorn and get ready for madness.