AN: Story's Shadow and I are back. Hopefully this chapter will make everyone excited for what's to come next, and going forward. Just so you guys know: I'm going to be moving in Mid November, so our schedule could be delayed as a result. Though it'll make the reunion sweeter. Unto the action.
-Director Fury's Office, A Few Days Later-
The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. looked over reports from his agents on security of New York City while he sipped some coffee. His good eye slowly moved across the sentences, not missing a single detail. With the rescue that succeeded a month ago, Fury had ordered that there be constant sweeps of the city as to better keep it safe.
"No sightings within Manhattan...curious."
"Call from Base Homestead."
Despite the AI's emotionless tone, Fury's one eye narrowed.
"Close the office then answer."
The door to his office locked and the windows had metal shudders that blocked any sight in or out of it. The holographic image before him showed a dark image of a blank figure from their shoulders up. Someone cleared their throat on the other end.
"Director Fury, you wanted us to inform you of any anomalies across the country."
"What have you detected?"
"We don't believe it's serious, nothing that's likely to be a threat. There's just some civilian reports and comments of unknown activity near the local area here."
"What kind of activity?"
"Just the usual superstitious and misidentified accounts with also the likely chance of being from drunken idi-"
"What are these people reporting?"
"Sir, we don't believe there's any real concern here. There's just people misreading what's just-"
"Agent, what are people reporting?"
The person on the other end didn't reply at first. Fury's one eye narrowed slightly, though he waited. The person on the other end sighed.
"Some have supposedly witnessed sightings of strange entities moving in the night not far from the local town. Supposed UAP activity. Some have said they think there's been some unknown figures watching the town before they disappear."
Fury rubbed his chin.
"How often are their reports of eyewitness testimony of this kind."
"It's not very common, though you have some idiot say they've seen a UFO or something every now and then."
"Have you detected any readings of unknown energy? Any missing persons cases?"
"Last we've checked none for either."
Fury grimaced partially.
"Continue to monitor the area and be sure to continue to report any other possible strange or unknown activity."
"As you wish, sir."
Fury tapped his fingers on his desk, grumbling.
-Unknown Location-
Vanguard sat around the table in their conference room. Eagle sat at the head, looking over reports from scouts about the situation on Earth. He sighed as he pushed them to the side.
"There are possible signs of our enemies find ways onto Earth through more secretive means. Scouts are reporting possible tears within the fabric of the space in and around Earth."
Cougar turned to his commander.
"What is it, sir?"
"Scouts are reporting possible tears in the fabric of reality, on Earth."
Hyena grumbled.
"Imperious is preparing for his invasion."
Scarecrow's fingers tapped on the table.
"Where are these holes located?"
Eagle moved one hand in front of him then a holographic image of Earth appeared before the team. He pointed his finger to a few locations where red dots appeared.
"Various locations across the planet. Many are targeted on the United States."
Rabbit and Osprey turned to one another, seemingly having a conversation without speaking while Whisper was quiet as they gazed at the map. Hyena grumbled to himself.
"Because of Crusader's daughter? Maybe Imperious wants to take the place that poses the greatest threat?"
Cougar nodded at this.
"It makes sense. With Vixen's friends given holy weapons and Vixen having the most powerful weapon in existence, that group are the Dragon's greatest threat."
Eagle turned to Cougar and nodded.
"In her hands is the very blade the halted his former campaign. If she were to use it against him she could stop him like her father did."
Hyena turned to his commander.
"What if the Dragon gains the Infinity Stones before she can strike back?"
Eagle rubbed his chin.
"Then he'd be halted again at most. When Crusader wielded the Blade of Heaven, he and the Dragon couldn't overpower one another. We may be doomed to another war like this again later."
Scarecrow shook their head.
"The treaty has been all but broken. Imperious has to fall or the universe may fall. He has to be stopped."
Hyena turned to them.
"What would you suggest?"
"Nothing without Crusader's command."
Hyena sighed.
"...Right..."
Eagle nodded.
"All we can do for now is convert strategies and defensive measures."
Hyena shook his head.
"Still, we should create plans if it is coming to war."
"Such as?"
"Use the energy and spell that was used to find the Dragon's flagship and then destroy it."
Cougar's eyes widened slightly at this before eventually they narrowed. He turned to Eagle.
"We can mount a two pronged assault. One group attacks the ship while the other sabotages the ship? We can destroy his mobile commander center."
Eagle shook his head.
"Given the rescue mission the humans and the Faunians pulled off, Imperious won't risk his ship not being under constant vigil and patrol. He'll have a soldier for every foot of space standing guard and small squads patrolling the ship. We wouldn't be able to get within the ship without having to deal with at least a few of his soldiers."
"Than we cut them down."
Eagle sighed.
"Your strategy is understandable, but even if we destroyed his ship he would escape and make another."
"Then we don't let him escape."
"Even if Imperious didn't have just one of those stones, his magic and martial prowess is already too strong. Most of us wouldn't survive the fight let alone capture him."
Cougar sighed.
"Sorry, sir."
"No need to be. Such suggestions of yours have won battles and wars before...unfortunately, Imperious is just one of the greatest threats to the multiverse...and despite our strength we haven't truly defeated him. One mistake could cause everything to crumble before him. We need courage, yes. We must also be strategic."
Cougar nodded.
Hyena sighed.
"Commander, I'm not asking to rush in rashly. Instead we make it look like we are."
Eagle crossed his arms, sighing.
"I know, Hyena...but I won't risk any of your lives over a battle that won't likely succeed let alone with any possible chance of one of you dying."
Hyena slowly nodded.
"Aye, sir."
Eagle turned to the others.
"We need to hear other plans."
Scarecrow nodded.
"These tears in the fabric of reality need to be investigated. They may be doorways for the Dragon's armies to march through. Or maybe they're deliberate places to draw attention away from where he may strike. He has already sent soldiers into New York City."
"Which has caused too much destruction already."
Rabbit turned to Eagle.
"Perhaps he means to attack there again?"
Eagle rubbed his chin.
"Possibly. With our defensive measures being a focus there, he may wait to strike till he can gather more forces to assault the city?"
"Unless he sends a small group for a stealth mission?"
Osprey's statement made Eagle nod.
"That is another possibility. With our defenses, though, such a group would find it very difficult to evade our tech and magic."
Whisper turned looked from Osprey and Rabbit to Eagle, stopping themself from speaking before the words came out.
"M-Maybe Imperious has something we've never seen? Maybe a new kind of weapon or soldier?"
Vanguard turned to them with Scarecrow nodding.
"It's plausible. Given how the war ended with a stalemate, the Dragon may have found or created a new way to wage war. Despite his fury, he's not a fool. He knows we have the strength to hold him off, at least for a time."
Hyena's teeth gritted and one hand clenched.
"He may send strike teams to test the defenses...perhaps try to shake or destroy morale."
Eagle nodded.
"In the war, his soldiers often were used to find weaknesses in our lines or strike at our strongest to occupy them for a time. He may be using the same strategy. It sometimes gave him the edge in battles for a time."
Rabbit looked to Osprey, who nodded, before speaking.
"What might he use?"
"He has had different warriors lead attacks and armies. Wraith's cruelty and bloodlust made him dangerous for even seasoned warriors to face as he utilized tactics that would shock and disturb his enemies. It's why he was labeled a high priority target in battle and also one of the most dreaded foes."
Scarecrow slowly nodded.
"It took time for him to mold his generals into commanders and agents of his armies and will. He doesn't have enough time to make many more like him and Stalker."
Eagle nodded.
"Which is why he may have another already prepared or at least is still readying one."
Hyena's teeth gritted.
"Then we'll cut them down. One of the reasons his armies were so difficult to overcome was become of their greater numbers. Despite the average soldier he had not being a match for a Continuum warrior, their numbers often bogged us down with some being overwhelmed in time. It's why battles took hours."
Eagle sighed, one hand going to his face.
"Don't remind me...all that mayhem is still a haunting memory. Many of our people paid the ultimate price in trying to stop him."
"Which is why we should be prepared to launch against these tears in reality while coordinating with the main military."
Scarecrow nodded.
"Hyena's right. We cannot afford to not have measures taken to hold off any attacks."
Whisper had one hand on their chin, their eyes seemingly looking into space. Eagle turned to them.
"Whisper? Your thoughts?"
Whisper gasped slightly before their attention went to Eagle.
"P-Perhaps having gateways near these focal points? So if an attack does happen, we can respond within minimal times?"
Eagle nodded.
"A reasonable tactic. The Dragon may sense this and might try to find a countermeasure, but we could respond if needed."
Whisper slowly nodded.
Eagle then turns to a group as a whole.
"Scarecrow, Hyena, and Whisper will remain here while the rest of you will scout out these tears on Earth. Be sure to remain hidden and undetected.
Rabbit nodded as they, Osprey, and Cougar got out of their chairs. They saluted Eagle then left to prepare for the mission. Eagle then pressed something on one of his gauntlets.
"Sir, you wished to hear my report?"
The other remaining members of Vanguard watched as Eagle listened to a response they couldn't hear. Their commander often used the most secure lines to communicate with other high level officers and leaders to organize and strategize without anyone listening in. Though despite not hearing the other's voice, the others knew who Eagle was speaking with.
"Yes, I've sent out the usual squad of three to scout and study. Yes, tears within reality on Earth have been sensed and located. We can't say for certain of what their purpose is, but one reasonable theory is that they're gateways for the Dragon's armies. Vanguard has been discussing possible countermeasures for this possibility."
Eagle's eyes slightly narrowed. Scarecrow, Hyena, and Whisper remained silent despite recognizing their commander's expression. The commander of Vanguard nodded.
"Yes, the positioning of soldiers is one of the countermeasures. We can have portals ready for troops to respond to an invasion."
Eagle nodded a few times as he listened.
"Yes, the Dragon's flagship is still being searched for. He doesn't keep it in one location for long. Possible strategies have been suggested for assaulting it."
Eagle nodded again, sighing.
The other members of Vanguard shared a look upon seeing this. Scarecrow nodded to Hyena, who grumbled slightly but nodded. Whisper nodded their head back towards Eagle whose expression softening.
"Yes, sir. We're keeping track of her. The remaining Faunians are still with her. She's still dealing with grief over the truth coming out about the other Fox...Yes, sir, we'll make sure to keep watch...I cannot say how the other Faunians will act in the future. For now, their aligned with the humans. And what about you, sir? What are your thoughts of how to respond? Yes, of course. Any other commands? Very well, until next time."
Eagle pushed the same thing on the gauntlet. He sighed as he looked to those still present.
"We have work to do."
AN: Imperious making new weapons and new kinds of soldiers... be prepared to see the full extent of that deadly plan of Imperious. We'll see you all next chapter.