AN: I don't own Demon Slayer or Marvel's Avengers
Chapter 4
A Demon Among Gods
Flashback- 2008
Afghanistan Desert
Shit.
Shit indeed.
This could have been better.
He hadn't anticipated the impact to be so forceful and abrupt. Yet, there he was, surviving amidst the sand, surrounded by fragments of metal and contorted steel scattered throughout the sandy dune where he had landed.
Tony Stark reckoned it was a lot to handle, but at least he had escaped the accursed cave. That was one problem solved, yet now he faced another challenge: how on Earth would he find his way out of the desert?
Once again, another problem arises.
Tony paused to clear his mind, seeking a solution. With the prototype in ruins and its components strewn about, he realized he would need a more giant suit than planned initially. Nonetheless, it was a commendable first effort at constructing a suit from scraps.
"Not bad," Tony commented. "Could have gone better, but might need to make an easier opening this time," he muttered to himself, realizing he was in the middle of nowhere.
Oh, joy…
"Well, better get a move on then," Tony pushed himself up onto his feet, determination etched on his face as he set off in search of a shelter. Each step was fueled by a blend of hope and urgency, guiding him through the wilderness as he sought refuge from the elements.
After all, he had defiantly escaped the grasp of death itself.
He sure as hell can do it a second time.
…
Never mind, this might take a while.
Minutes ticked by, and Tony felt on the verge of collapse. What felt like an hour to the playboy was indeed an hour, as he had counted. The scorching desert heat was taking its toll on Tony, compelling him to fashion his sole shirt into an impromptu hood.
The fact that he had been confined for three days in a secluded cave with inadequate medical care due to terrorists detaining him against his will did not aid his situation. The intense heat permeated his entire body; the bones in Tony's arms were under duress, nearly yielding to the extreme temperatures of the desert.
Jesus, he didn't know what was going to happen to him.
Tony's body swayed dangerously, the world around him blurring as darkness threatened to swallow his vision.
Just as fatigue began to overwhelm Tony, he spotted a figure emerging from the void. His eyes narrowed in focus, taken aback by the unexpected appearance of another soul in such desolation. The industrialist paused, taking a moment to discern the stranger's features.
The stranger wore a brown uniform, topped with what Tony could only assume was a green and black checkered sweater. To the billionaire, it seemed absurd; the desert was notoriously hot, and long sleeves were far from ideal. Tony found the choice of attire peculiar.
However, the most peculiar detail Tony observed on the stranger was not what he initially noticed. It was the mask adorning the stranger's face, white with red and black accents, featuring pointed ears, narrow eyes, and a snout-like nose. To Tony, it bore a striking resemblance to a… fox.
…
A fox?
Okay, now Tony has seen everything.
Before Tony could speak, the stranger addressed him in a tone of concern, contrary to Tony's expectations. "Hey! Are you okay?"
Huh?
What the hell?
Tony blinked in surprise; he didn't expect to hear words of concern, especially from someone unfamiliar.
"Here, drink this." With an air of mystery shrouding him, the stranger in the fox mask reached into his small crossbody bag and produced a water bottle, extending it toward me with a hint of a knowing smile.
Tony hesitantly accepted the bottle, acutely aware of his desperate need to quench his thirst. Ordinarily, his paranoia and heightened alertness from the past three days of captivity would have made him refuse the offered drink. Yet, his desperation to alleviate his thirst prevailed.
With a swift motion, Tony downed nearly half the bottle, the liquid burning pleasantly as it slid down his throat. He met the masked stranger's gaze with a grateful nod, a silent acknowledgment of the unexpected camaraderie between them. "Thank you." With an appreciative nod, Tony expressed heartfelt thanks to the mysterious masked man, his eyes shining with admiration.
The masked man inclined his head ever so slightly, a subtle acknowledgment that held a world of mystery in its simplicity. "You're very welcome. I'm just glad I found you right before it was too late."
"Ain't that right?" Tony nodded in agreement, but an intriguing glimmer of curiosity danced in his eyes. What unanswered question lingered in the depths of his mind, beckoning for exploration?
How did the hell did this guy stumble onto him out of nowhere?
"Wh-Who are you? Where did you come from?" Tony asked, his voice edged with unease, paranoia clouding his mind.
"I was just wandering around the desert, looking for something, when I found you, " the masked man admitted.
Tony knew there had to be more of a reason than that. Who else would be walking in the desert, wearing a fox mask, of all things?
"But why? Why were you looking for, exactly?" Tony asked, eager for answers.
"I'm looking for a small piece of humanity, in a way as how you call it, a self-discovery journey." The masked stranger spoke, his voice dripping with intrigue. Tony hesitated for a moment, processing the weight of the words before he slowly nodded, a flicker of understanding igniting within him as he began to grasp the stranger's mystifying motives.
Oh, a journey about self-discovery, that explains it… For the most part.
"How long have you been wandering around for?" Tony asks, pondering the masked man's genuine motives.
"Heh, I could say the same thing about you. After all, it is rare to find other travelers in this scorching desert."
Tony chuckled. "Heh, touche."
The masked stranger answered, "We aren't far from civilization; I can take you back somewhere and get you help. You look like you're about to faint at any moment here."
"You aren't wrong about that, Mister Wanderer." Tony confidently delivered a joke, effectively using humor to diffuse the tension in the situation. "Say, I do have a question: you wouldn't happen to know the U.S. Army around here by chance?"
"U.S. Army?" The masked inquired, utterly unaware of what it be.
With that response, Tony's suspicions were solidified, leaving no room for doubt. The playboy sighed, knowing he could ask other questions for another time. "Never mind," he said quickly. "Anyway, lead the way to civilization; my legs are killing me from walking in the hot desert all day."
"Yosh! No problem, it's only a few minutes from here. I even set up a tent close by here in case it's too far to walk."
That's one bright side, at least.
"Well, well, we'd better get going before night-time reaches," Tony grunted, fighting against the weight of his exhaustion as he attempted to push himself up from the ground.
Tony glanced upward to find the masked stranger extending a hand, helping the playboy rise gracefully to his feet.
"You look like you could use help."
"Thank you. By the name, I don't think I ever got your name." Tony inquired.
"You can call me, "a friend."
'Friend?' Tony mused. It seemed the man preferred to keep his identity hidden. Tony understood the reasons for the mask and secrecy; perhaps he had adversaries nearby, or was he a sought-after fugitive in this nation?
Perhaps the masked stranger recognized him. He was, after all, Tony Stark, a name that had previously resulted in his capture by terrorists. Yet, if recognition was the case, why assist in his desert escort rather than end his life? Tony was inclined to probe further, but the brilliant inventor understood his current limitations. His only option was to wait and hope for a favorable outcome.
Guess Tony will have to see for himself. As Tony was in his thoughts, the voice of the masked stranger spoke to him. "What about you? What's your name, mister?"
Seriously…
This guy didn't have a clue who he was. He was thinking about that not too long ago. Nevertheless, Tony knew it was rude not to say anything. With that, he spoke. "Tony. Tony Stark."
"Nice to meet you, Stark-san! Glad to make your acquaintance." The masked man spoke with a vibrant and buoyant tone, his words bursting with energy, his enthusiasm infectious and inviting.
"Nice to meet you too… in a way, I guess," Tony realized he was only partly meeting the man. Still, he was grateful to have some help around here.
Thirty minutes have passed.
The masked stranger then led Tony back to his tent. Once they got there, the masked stranger politely allowed Tony to go inside his tent, realizing there was more than he originally bargained for.
There was a bed alongside a couple of blankets and pillows. There was a cooler filled with water bottles. What caught Tony's attention the most was a small pot with a delicious aroma that gave the billionaire a mouth-watering urge since he hadn't eaten anything in the past several hours.
Some food would be excellent on this occasion.
The masked stranger was undoubtedly peculiar, a fact Tony couldn't deny. Yet, as time passed, Tony began to understand that the man posed no threat, contrary to his first impression. Aside from concealing his identity and being elusive about his origins, he had not committed any evil or harmful acts towards Tony.
Once inside with Tony, the masked stranger pulled a small bowl from his bag and approached the pot. Lifting the lid, he revealed a mix of noodles, fresh vegetables, and meat. With tongs, he carefully transferred the noodles into the bowl.
After finishing the bowl, the masked man passed it to Tony, who eyed the food with both curiosity and appetite. The masked man then offered Tony chopsticks, and Tony gazed at the bowl brimming with noodles. Fortunately for Tony, he had previous experience with similar meals, so he was adept at using chopsticks.
Tony started to devour the contents of the bowl, aware that it had been some time since his last meal. After all, being confined in a cave and coerced into making weapons can undoubtedly build up one's hunger.
Tony couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The masked man sat across from him, untouched food growing cold on his plate. Instead of eating, he seemed utterly entranced by the world beyond the tent's fabric walls, and his eyes fixed on something out there that only he could see.
With a surge of determination, Tony made the bold choice to voice his thoughts. "Aren't you going to eat?"
The masked man gave a faint shake of his head as if to dismiss an unspoken thought that hovered in the air. "No, I'm not hungry at the moment, Stark-san. You need to eat since it looks like you haven't eaten anything in the past few days."
Tony found himself unable to dispute that line of reasoning, and a sudden chuckle bubbled up from deep within him, catching him completely off guard. "Heh, true. Been a while, I suppose." he agreed.
As Tony began to eat his soup, which was the best thing he had eaten in a while, the raven-haired playboy couldn't help but observe his surroundings in the tent, mentally noting a few details. He noticed that many of the items were associated with a different country, and by his guess, they appeared to be from Japan. This observation gave Tony an idea about the man's nationality.
"So, hoping not to sound off-putting, but are you Japanese by any chance?" Tony posed the question directly, convinced that even if it bordered on personal, he needed to know the answer.
"Yes, I am. I left Japan years ago when I was merely a teen." The masked man nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes, as he responded to Tony's question, clearly unfazed by the question. It was understandable, of course. One never knows who they might encounter in the middle of the desert, leading to numerous possibilities at that moment.
Tony nodded, understanding what his words meant. He didn't mind it. He had visited Japan a few years ago on a business trip. It was a beautiful country, and one of the few times he had admired the scenery due to the mountains and blossom trees. It was a sight to behold at the time. "I see. So, what's your story? What brought you to Afghanistan, of all places?" Tony asked.
"Well, I said this before: I just wanted to see the world for myself, to discover what is out there for me, " the masked man said.
"You mentioned earlier that it was a self-discovery journey if I remember correctly." Tony assumed as the masked man nodded once again.
The masked man nodded. "Yes, that is correct, Stark-san."
"Well, whatever it is you're looking for, I hope you find it one day. After all, it's never too late to see the world for yourself, you know? Live a little." Tony advised. "Just don't do it like how I did it in the past days. Being stuck in this desert for days made me realize that it's perhaps time to change my ways since I realize there's more trouble out there in the world."
"Indeed, Stark-san, it sounds like you've been through much. I'm just glad I found you before anything bad could happen to you." The man in the fox mask said with a sincere tone.
Tony didn't get it. He didn't even know this stranger, yet he bothered to risk his life for him. Then again, the last stranger he trusted saved his life in the cave.
Tony would not forget what Yinsen had done for him. Perhaps it was the same with this stranger. There might be more to him than meets the eye. After all, if he intended to kill Tony, he would have done so already. However, that did not mean Tony could let his guard down; he needed to ascertain this man's motivations. At the very least, Tony just wanted to go home and avoid any trouble.
For now, he's ready to embrace the unexpected, rolling with whatever the masked man has planned for him.
"Eh, it's not like I had it coming anyway. But yes, speaking of finding me, I just wanted to thank you for aiding me in the desert. I don't know how long I've been wandering around out there, but I would have died if it weren't for you. You're alright, a little weird, but alright at best. So thank you." Tony showed his gratitude.
"You're welcome, Stark-san. It's the least I could do for you." Tanjiro spoke very politely.
Tony scowled. "Call me Tony, please. Stark makes a sound like an old man. I haven't even reached 40 yet; people are already treating me like a middle-aged man at this time." he joked, knowing he was still in the prime of his life… for the most part.
Tony continued what he had to say next. "But yes, you know, if you're looking for a job, I can happily put in a good word for you, depending on if you're willing to come back to the States with me."
"Maybe one day, Tony-san. But for now, I want to focus on my goal first." The masked man stated, aware that specific tasks needed to be completed before he could entertain that possibility.
Goal? Tony became curious about what he meant by that. What kind of goals was he referring to? Before Tony could ask the masked man what he meant by that, he spoke up before a word could even leave the playboy's lips.
"It is getting late," the masked man stated, rising to his feet and gazing at the sky, where a full moon was soon to appear. "We must be ready as soon as morning comes," he advised the playboy. Tony nodded, setting aside his question.
There will be another time to ask.
"Alright, we'd better get some rest then." Tony agreed.
"Good night, Tony-san. I'll keep a lookout at night, just in case any danger were to arrive."
Tony hoped not, but he decided not to argue. Instead, he placed the green blanket over himself, and as soon as his head hit the pillow, he became drowsy. The recently liberated playboy finally went to sleep.
But now, without wondering, one last thing: what was he even doing in the desert anyway?
With that, Tony drifted into sleep, already forgetting the hellish days he had spent in the cave.
He was finally free.
As the hours passed and morning dawned, Tony awoke in the tent, refreshed from a deep sleep after his desert escape. He immediately realized the masked man was absent from the tent. A sense of skepticism washed over him as he sensed something amiss. Hastily rising to his feet, Tony stepped out of the tent and saw the masked man in the distance, silently observing the expanse of the desert.
"Oh, you're awake!" he said positively.
Tony rubbed his eyes, realizing that the masked man had risen long before him. Or was it possible that he hadn't slept at all during the night?
"Come on, we must get going," the masked man interrupted Tony's thoughts, aware that there was little time to lose.
Tony nodded. "Right, lead the way, good sir."
The masked stranger nodded, leading the recently-saved playboy to their next destination. The duo continued to walk for minutes, almost becoming an hour. On the bright side, thanks to a couple of water bottles and having a bit of fresh air from the tent, it wasn't as scorching bad as the previous day, but that didn't mean that it was far from good.
Tony did wonder something: how the hell did this guy even find him? He was affiliated with the US or the terrorists who kidnapped him (Thank God for that), but it didn't answer his questions from the other day. Tony didn't want to appear ungrateful by any means, but this was beginning to get on his nerves for a bit.
He did wonder; since they were walking to find some form of civilization around here, Tony did have time to ask questions.
"So… you got family?" Tony asked for the sake of making conversation.
"I did, " the masked man answered vaguely, and Tony blinked in surprise again. He didn't expect to hear that.
"You… did?" Tony asked again, hoping he didn't set personal boundaries.
"Yeah, I had five siblings. Two sisters and three brothers," Tanjiro stated; a solemn note could be heard in the masked man's voice as Tony took note of that.
"Do you still speak to them? Your family, I mean?" Tony asked, hoping that wasn't a personal question.
"No, not since they passed away. I'm the only member in my family." The masked man, introduced as Tony, felt that he should have remained silent at that moment.
Shit. Tony knew this was pushing it. A wave of guilt washed over him, knowing he should have kept his mouth shut. "I'm sorry," Tony spoke from the heart, a deep sympathy shining in his eyes as he acknowledged the masked man's grief.
"Eh? Why are you sorry? Don't be; it was a long time ago. They're resting peacefully. Knowing that they have that peace, I know they're in a better place because of that sole reason." The masked man said, telling the billionaire playboy not to worry about his past.
Tony understood that. After all, he had experienced the loss of loved ones before, particularly his parents. Despite the complicated relationship he had with his father, Tony couldn't help but miss him, knowing that he was in a better place.
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Tony expressed regret as they proceeded to their next destination for the following ten minutes.
As Tony and the masked man continued to walk in the desert, the playboy noticed something in the sky.
Two military helicopters flew in the distance, signaling Tony's discovery. Tony started waving his hands, yelling out that he was alive.
"I'll be… They found me." Tony said in shock.
"I'm glad they did, Stark-san. Now, you can get home safely to your loved ones." Relief threaded through his voice as the masked man spoke, each word a whispered hint of the burden he had finally cast aside.
"Yeah, ain't that the truth?" Tony agreed.
As the helicopter touched down, several soldiers disembarked and hurried towards Tony; one soldier appeared to recognize Tony, approaching him with a broad smile.
"So… how was the fun-vee?"
Tony grinned at Rhodey, relieved to have an ally by his side. Basking in the brief reunion, he spun around to introduce Rhodey to the new friend he had found in the desert. But when Tony faced the spot where he stood, the masked stranger had vanished.
Gone.
Nowhere in sight to be seen.
"Hey, something wrong, Tony?" Rhodey asked, concerned.
Tony looked back at Rhodey, who immediately shook his head. "Nothing, just imagining things."
Subsequently, Tony climbed into the helicopter, escaping the nightmare he had endured for three days.
As he gazed out the window, a realization struck him: he had never learned the other's name. That was indeed a first. Yet, Tony had an inkling that their paths would cross again, not by chance, but as if drawn together by fate.
He knew that the masked man was a mystery. The only things Tony knew about him were that he was on a self-discovery journey and his name—wait a minute, hold on a second. At that moment, Tony realized something surprising.
What was his name?
Tony had, unfortunately, never got his name.
Nevertheless, Tony would always retain a memory of that man. Had it not been for him, Tony would never have found his way back home.
He sure knew how to make a damn good soup.
Present Time- 2012
The situation was becoming more detrimental.
Not that it wasn't too much of a surprise at this point.
Tanjiro was aware that the task ahead would be challenging. His experience with dangerous missions as a Mizunoto, the lowest rank in the Demon Slayer Corps, had presented challenges even before he encountered Zenitsu and Inosuke.
The man with blonde hair boarded the ship roughly, seizing Loki and handling him as if he were merely a stone, clearly indicating his displeasure at seeing him. Tanjiro recognized the man immediately with a quick look.
Thor Odinson.
Tanjiro recalled the man in the file who had implicated him and his comrades. Upon making the connection, he witnessed the God of Thunder hurling his brother from the helicarrier and leaping after him.
"And now there's that guy." Tony pointed out the obvious and annoying problem.
"Another Asgardian?" Natasha questioned.
"Think he's a friendly?" Steve wondered.
Tony vigorously shook his head. "Doesn't matter. If he frees or kills Loki, the Tesseract's lost," he uttered. Tony swiftly donned the suit, pivoted, and prepared to leap from the jet in pursuit of the Asgardian warrior.
Steve, on the other hand, held a differing view on this subject. "Stark, stop! We need a plan of attack!"
"I have a plan," Tony noted before jumping off the jet completely. "Attack!"
Steve swore in response to the billionaire's reckless behavior as the Star-Spangled soldier seized a parachute and pursued the armored playboy. Tanjiro realized the situation was spiraling into trouble for the entire team. Knowing he couldn't remain on the sidelines, Tanjiro understood he needed to act swiftly to regain control of the situation.
The former Demon Slayer rose to his feet, seizing a parachute. He had never needed one, considering it redundant since he had his breathing techniques, yet Tanjiro recognized this as the perfect opportunity for a trial. He recalled those American action movies broadcasted on TV, where the protagonist would leap from a skyscraper, deploying a parachute to touch down securely.
American pop culture will provide him with knowledge for this occasion… hopefully.
Tanjiro straps on the parachute, readying himself for the jump. However, before he can leap, the voice of Natasha echoes in his mind. "I'd sit this one out, Kamado."
"I don't know if I can, Romanov-san. Not when my teammates need me."
Natasha suggested. "I know you want to help, but those guys come from Legends. They are practically Gods," she advised with concern.
"That may be true, but in my experience, even those deemed as Gods prove to be merely human when it comes down to it," With determination shining in his eyes, Tanjiro called out firmly before springing off the quinjet, ready to track down his teammates and join the fray.
On second thought, Tanjiro should have planned this out better.
Soaring through the night sky, Tanjiro felt the chill of the air as it rushed past him, reminiscent of the sensation he experienced when employing various breathing techniques in battle. However, Tanjiro couldn't deny that the thrill was somewhat diminished compared to the adrenaline of demon combat, predominantly when this sensation stemmed from plummeting through the sky.
Through Tanjiro's bright red eyes, he observed Iron Man's controlled flight as he soared across the sky in pursuit of the Asgardian warrior, with Captain America out of sight. Tanjiro hoped that the Captain was unharmed, knowing that he also had to strategize his next move with caution.
Okay, this was simple. Tanjiro recalled from his training that there was a type of cord or string he could use to descend safely without slamming into the ground. Moreover, since he was a reasonable distance from the trees, it presented an ideal opportunity to utilize it.
Grasping the handle of his bag swiftly, Tanjiro released the parachute. However, the ex-Demon Slayer recognized he was perilously low and too near the trees, bracing himself for a harsh impact.
Shit!
Tanjiro realized he needed to improvise momentarily. Suddenly, an idea struck him! He had to act swiftly, as this might be the only solution to the problem.
Tanjiro inhaled deeply and swiftly drew his katana, using it to slow his descent as the trees loomed too close to his landing spot.
"Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turblant!"
Brandishing his katana, Tanjiro performed the Ninth Water Breathing technique, rotating horizontally to cleave the adjacent trees. This maneuver enabled the erstwhile Demon King to alter his stance, facilitating movement without the constraint of a stable foothold. During this juncture, the red-haired demon seized the moment to discard the parachute and leaped from one of the freshly severed trees, bounding from tree to tree in a zigzag pattern. The ex-slayer then made a stylish landing on the ground, remarkably without sustaining injuries.
What do you know? It surpassed even what Tanjiro had witnessed in American films.
Well, that was better than what Tanjiro expected.
"You're not human, are you, Midgardian?" A sudden voice pierced through the air, breaking the tense moment for the red-haired demon. Tanjiro whipped around, curiosity and urgency flooding his senses as he focused on the source of the call.
Loki stood in the middle of the forest, impressed with Tanjiro's handiwork. At that moment, Tanjiro raised his blade at Loki, not letting his guard down.
"So what if I am?" Tanjiro questioned.
"Calm down. I was making a speculation. However, I am curious about one thing: how did you see through my magic? As I said to myself, no mortal can do that without magic."
Tanjiro paused, his gaze distant as he took a moment to gather his thoughts, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady and deliberate. "Come on, Loki-san, I'm taking you over to the others. Don't try to run; if you do, I won't be afraid to restrain you," he said calmly.
With a weary sigh, Loki felt the weight of his efforts, finding a flicker of solace in knowing he had honestly tried. "Very well, lead the way, "human."
Tanjiro glanced at the black-haired Asgardian but didn't say anything afterward. Picking up a few smells, Tanjiro could smell two people who were close by him. Both were angry and caused a conflict in between.
Tanjiro knew he would intervene soon. But before he does, he needs to take care of something.
"Sorry about this, Loki-san." Tanjiro apologized.
Before Loki had the chance to inquire about the former Demon Slayer's meaning, he suddenly experienced a karate chop to his neck. Tanjiro had struck, rendering Thor's brother unconscious on the ground.
Alive but unconscious.
Tanjiro followed the scent trail, aware that his intervention was inevitable to prevent a more significant conflict. Quickly moving through top speed, utilizing one of his breathing techniques to move as fast as he could, Tanjiro noticed two people engaging in combat. One of them was his teammate, the Iron Man, battling against the Asgardian God known as Thor.
"Shakespeare in the park? Doth, mother know you wearth her drapes?"
Thor snarled. "This is beyond you, metal man." he roared before continuing. "Loki will face Asgardian justice!"
"He gives up the Cube, and he's all yours. Until then, stay out of my way, tourist."
Just as Tony mentioned that Tanjiro was aware of Stark-san treading carefully, the red-haired Slayer realized he needed to intervene before things got out of hand. Seizing the moment, Tanjiro embraced his hero complex.
"Total Concentration Breathing!"
Extending his hand into the open air, Tanjiro merged his inherent strength with the augmented power of a demon. He seized the top front of the hammer; as it felt cumbersome, he rapidly performed a series of actions. To cope with the weight, Tanjiro intensified his muscle power and summoned his body's physical capabilities to their peak. He then propelled the hammer toward the Asgardian God, sending it off its intended path and into the dense, shadowy forest.
"That's enough," Tanjiro said as both Tony and Thor stared in shock.
"Kamado, it took you long enough. I thought you were back at the jet with Romanov." Tony's relief surged as he spotted the red-haired demon in the fox mask, an infectious smile lighting up his face.
"Well, I would have been. I needed to see if you and Rogers-san were okay." Tanjiro said worryingly.
"Who are you?" Thor questioned. "Are you aligned with these humans?"
"We don't have to do this. Can't you see we all have the same goal?" Tanjiro attempted to reason. "Let's just calm down, and we can talk this through."
"Don't tell me what to do, fox," Thor was surprised as his hammer rushed back to him, safely returning to his right hand. Instead of throwing it again, he lifted it as high as possible.
Thunder rumbled throughout the forest as Tanjiro, underneath his mask, looked in shock, reminded of the mighty Thunder-breathing styles his once friend, Zenitsu, had done in the past. However, it was more aggressive as Tanjiro could barely look straight into the light and began to cover his eyes by reflex.
However, due to the enhanced smell he had carried since he was a child, his nose picked up Stark-san as the armored playboy rushed behind Tanjiro, and the armored billionaire took the lightning strike as Iron Man was sent to a tree, only for him to recover quickly and rush back to where the God of Thunder was as Tony unleashed a blast of energy, sending the Asgardian God to a tree, before sending a punch to his direction.
Shit, Tanjiro knew this was becoming a bit of a hassle to comprehend.
At that moment, Tanjiro had a quick idea, knowing what he needed to do.
Tomioka-san, one of your techniques is about to come in handy in this situation.
Granted, while it may not have been one of Tanjiro's unique abilities, that didn't mean he couldn't be given access to use it. Taking a deep breath, even with the chaotic thunder in the background, Tanjiro needed to be calm as he felt his body getting lighter, knowing this technique required no distractions at all.
"Eleventh Form: Dead Calm!"
Suddenly, Tanjiro achieved a state of serenity, shielding himself from the intense light of the thunderous blights. He raised his katana and, with extraordinary swiftness, dashed towards Stark-san and Thor. The red-haired demon summoned his demonic power to halt the skirmish, executing a mighty slash that cleaved the Earth, stopping the armored playboy and the Asgardian warrior in their tracks.
"What the hell?!" Tony exclaimed.
"What the?!" Thor commented.
"Enough!" Tanjiro exclaimed. "If we are done here, we need to get a move as quickly as possible before Loki gets away again!"
Both Tony and Thor stood in shock, not expecting to see what kind of powerhouse the masked man was.
"What are you?" Thor asked in wonder. "You're not… human, are you?"
"I'm just a simple wanderer. I could say the same thing about you, Thor-san. You don't have that much contact with humans, do you?" Tanjiro assumed, noticing the foreign scent from the Asgardian.
From his scent, Tanjiro could discern a raw power emanating from him. He was filled with energy yet accompanied by a sense of honor and a touch of loneliness stemming from being a stranger in a land to which he did not belong.
Almost like him.
"In a way, yes, that is correct, unfortunately," Thor confirmed with reluctance.
"I know how you feel-." Tanjiro started to speak before being interrupted by Tony.
"Okay, what on Earth was that, Kamado? How did you even do that, you know, that water-bending shenanigans you got going there?" Tony arched an eyebrow and asked comically as a bead of sweat shimmered down Tanjiro's masked forehead."
"It's… complicated, Stark-san," Tanjiro awkwardly scratched his head, realizing this conversation would be uncomfortable. "Look, something good did come up on all of this; Thor-san's going to come quietly with us and help us deal with the situation around here."
Thor raised an eyebrow, a decisive spark igniting in his gaze as the words resonated with undeniable power. "And when did I ever say that?" he questioned harshly.
"Oh, you wanna go again, Shakespeare?" Tony challenged.
A frustrated tick mark etched itself onto Tanjiro's forehead, his patience wearing thin from their incessant bickering. "Enough, guys! This needs to stop! You two are grown men; this is the time to act professionally in a situation like this!"
"He's right. That's enough." A voice called out from the bushes, revealing to be Captain America, who popped out of nowhere. "There are bigger things on the matter here!" The Star Spangled Soldier shouted above the clamor of the two adults locked in a heated argument, his voice ringing with urgency as he tried to capture their attention.
"Now, first thing's first. I don't know what you plan on doing here." Steve shifted his focus to Thor, whose face was twisted with a fierce anger that radiated intensity.
"I've come to put an end to Loki's schemes!" Thor cried out indignantly.
"Then prove it. Put the hammer down." Steve commanded.
"Uh… yeah, no. Bad call! He loves his hammer!" Tony advised the Captain.
Even Tanjiro, though slightly annoyed by Tony's demeanor, couldn't help but concur with him, sensing the agitated aura emanating from the God of Thunder, which the red-haired demon recognized as an ominous sign.
"You want me to put the hammer down?!" Thor asked, anger creeping into his voice. He then backhanded Tony as Tanjiro looked in stupefaction, realizing he needed to stop the Asgardian God before he could harm the Captain with his weapon.
"Thor-san, wait!" Tanjiro endeavored to halt as he extended his right hand.
As he did so, the red-haired demon observed the Asgardian God leap into the air, hammer raised high, while Steve lifted his shield. In a sudden clash, the hammer struck the shield, unleashing a formidable shockwave throughout the forest.
Thor was suddenly pushed to the ground. He found himself in unfamiliar territory and realized he might have underestimated the humans of this world.
Unperturbed by the shockwave, Tanjiro alone maintained a composed expression beneath his mask.
"So… are we done here?" Tanjiro asked.
"Yeah, yeah, we're done," Tony reluctantly said, and Thor nodded his head, agreeing with him.
"What happened, Rogers-san? Did you get lost here?" Tanjiro asked, concerned for The Captain.
"Uh… my parachute got stuck," Steve said lamely. "Took me a while to realize what was going on here."
Tanjiro is glad he wasn't the only one who struggled with opening the damn parachute. "You're not the only one, Rogers-san." With an exasperated sigh, the red-haired demon shot The Captain a knowing look.
With a sense of urgency, the four hurried back to where Loki lay, the weight of worry etched into Thor's expression. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward his fallen brother, heart racing, desperate to reach him.
"Brother! Are you alright?" Thor asked in great concern, running toward his brother's unconscious body.
Oops. Tanjiro went a little overboard. At the very least, it was for a good reason. He couldn't let Loki-san escape in case he had any tricks up his sleeve.
"Sorry about that; your brother is fine, Thor-san. I just had to make sure he couldn't escape, to make sure the situation wouldn't grow bigger here." Tanjiro assured, hoping this would not lead to another issue arising.
Fortunately, Thor comprehended the reason with great clarity. "Well, you're aren't wrong about that. Loki can be a handful to deal with sometimes. You know, family matters and such." Thor said, acknowledging the trouble his brother could cause most of the time. Nevertheless, as his family at the moment, he knew he could not abandon his brother under any circumstances.
Tanjiro nodded in understanding, his heart swelling with conviction. In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, he firmly believed that family was one of the few constants that truly mattered.
Back at the Shield Helicarrier
After what felt like an eternity, they finally returned from the mission, their long-awaited arrival sparking a mix of relief.
Tanjiro and his teammates continued to watch the monitor, listening to the conversation between Director Fury and Loki.
"He really grows on you, doesn't he?" Dr. Banner stated as Loki continued to taunt Fury, giving a quick jibe at The Avengers.
"Sooner or later, Loki's gonna drag this out," Steve said before turning his attention to the God of Thunder. "So, Thor, what's his play?"
Thor let out a heavy sigh, a storm of thoughts brewing in his mind. He knew this was a pivotal moment that demanded his full attention and careful discussion. "He has an army called The Chitauri," he revealed to the team. "They're not of Asgard or any world known. He means to lead them against your people. They will win him the Earth." A shadow flickered across Thor's face as he uttered those words, his expression transforming into a stormy visage. "In return, I suspect for the Tesseract."
Tanjiro and Steve stood wide-eyed, nearly speechless, as the shocking information hit them like a tidal wave.
"An army?" Steve questioned. "From outer space?" he asked, intrigued.
"So he's building another portal." Bruce mused before lending his thoughts. "That's what he needs Erik Selvig for."
"Selvig?" Thor inquired.
"He's an astrophysicist," Bruce explained.
"He's a friend." Thor countered back.
"Loki has him under some kind of spell, along with one of ours." Natasha speculated.
"He's your partner, isn't he?" Tanjiro spoke, his words infused with deep understanding and compassion.
Natasha stood quietly before the fiery-haired demon, a heavy silence hanging between them. He could see in her eyes that he grasped the gravity of the situation, a tense understanding that spoke volumes without a single word exchanged. Tanjiro did not need to use his keen sense of smell to detect the melancholy emanating from Natasha; her expression revealed everything when she realized who Tanjiro was referring to.
"I wanna know why Loki let us take him. He's not leading an army from here." Steve voiced his thoughts in the conversation.
"I don't think we should be focusing on Loki," Bruce interjected into the conversation. "That guy's brain is a bag full of cats; you could smell crazy of him."
Tanjiro understood that this conversation was unlikely to yield a positive outcome. From his past experiences in the Demon Slayer Corps, he had learned never to speak ill of someone's family. After all, he was speaking from experience.
Even if they were a power-hungry megalomaniac criminal at the moment, Tanjiro, despite his tendency to see the good in most people, knew this conversation would inevitably lead to an awkward moment.
"Have care how you speak." Thor attempted to defend his family. "Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard, and he's my brother."
"He killed eighty people in two days." Natasha retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"He's adopted." Thor defended weakly.
Yeah, it's awkward. Tanjiro didn't even need to use his nose to detect the uneasy vibes emanating from the Asgardian prince after he uttered those words.
"I think we should focus on the mechanics," Bruce interjected. "Iridium, what did they need the Iridium for?"
"It's a stabilizing agent." Tony voiced in, walking in with Coulson. He handed something to the Shield agent, which turned out to be a stack of files, before saying something to him. The playboy walked in with the same egotism from before.
"No hard feelings, Point Break," With a sly grin dancing on his lips, Tony leaned in closer to Thor and quipped. He then continued, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm. "You got a mean swing. Also, it means the portal can open as wide and stay open as long as Loki wants," he added as the billionaire turned to face the rest of the crew. "Raise the mid-mast, ship the topsails. That man is playing GALAGA! Thought we didn't notice, but we did."
Tanjiro looked on with a poker expression, realizing that the man was indeed being himself. You haven't changed at all, Stark-san.
"How does Fury do this?" Tony inquired, sighing in the process.
"He turns." A Shield agent, who turned out to be a black-haired woman with blue eyes dressed in a Shield uniform, commented sassy.
"Sounds exhausting." Tony declared mildly dramatically. "The rest of the raw materials. Agent Barton can get his hands on it pretty easily. The only major component he needs is a power source. A high energy density, something to kick start the Cube."
"When did you become an expert in thermonuclear astrophysics?" The black-haired woman inquired.
"Last night. The packet, Selvig's notes, and the Extraction Theory papers. Am I the only one reading this?"
"What does Loki-san even need to do to achieve this?" Tanjiro asked.
"He's gotta heat the cube to a hundred and twenty million Kelvin just to break through the Coulomb barrier," Bruce explained as Tanjiro titled his head in confusion.
Cou-what? Barrier? What barrier?
Tanjiro was reluctant to ask more questions, but the situation was becoming more intricate than he had expected. Although Tanjiro was intelligent, well-educated from his travels around the world after defeating Muzan, and skilled in combat and emergencies, this perplexed him beyond his comprehension.
Beyond his expertise, he ought to have heeded Lady Tamayo's advice before her passing, yet even Tanjiro understood that the situation surpassed her level of understanding.
"Unless Selvig has figured out how to stabilize the quantum tunneling effect." Tony made his assumptions as Bruce decided to make his counter to Stark's theory.
"Well, if he could do that, he could achieve Heavy Ion Fusion at any reactor on the planet."
"Finally! Someone who speaks English!" Tony exclaimed in happiness.
Steve and Tanjiro watched the two geniuses discussing the project as they shook hands with each other.
"Is that what just happened?" Steve asked, his gaze piercing through the air and locking onto Tanjiro's. Tanjiro felt an undeniable pull to nod in agreement; the Captain's words struck a profound chord within him, leaving no room for doubt.
"I'm wondering the same thing myself, Rogers-san," Tanjiro admitted as he stood resolute, wondering what on Earth had just happened.
As Tony and Bruce continued to chat about the collisions and whatnot, Nick Fury came into the room with a different topic to discuss.
"Dr. Banner is only here to track the Cube down. I was hoping you join him." Fury explained in the room.
"I'd start with that stick of his. It may be magical, but it works an awful lot like a HYDRA weapon."
Fury shook his head. "I don't know about that, but the Cube powers it. And I'd like to know how Loki used it to turn two of the sharpest men I know into his personal flying monkeys."
"Monkeys? I do not understand." Thor said in confusion as the blonde-haired God looked around, wanting an answer.
"I do!" Steve called out of the blue. "I understood that reference." He said, sitting up and grinning as Tony rolled his eyes at the comment.
Tanjiro couldn't help but chuckle, realizing the tables had turned. It was unexpected that The Captain would be the one cracking jokes, leaving the playboy irritated by the remark.
Regardless, Tony proceeded to ignore the Cap's lame joke and turn his attention to Dr. Banner.
"Shall we, doctor?" Tony asked.
Bruce smirked. "Let's play some."
As Dr. Banner and Tony exited the room, the group began to disperse. Fury led Cap and Natasha to the following location within the helicarrier, leaving Tanjiro and Thor alone.
Right as Tanjiro began to walk out, he heard Thor's booming voice call out to him.
"You there, warrior. I wish to speak to you." "Thor's voice boomed across the room, catching Tanjiro's attention. His brows knitted together in curiosity as he tried to decipher what had prompted the mighty God to summon him. What could Thor possibly want to discuss?"
The scent emanating from Thor conveyed an air of sincerity, leading Tanjiro to understand that the Asgardian had more to discuss.
"Ah, sure. What is it, Thor-san?" Tanjiro asked.
"I've been awful curious about something about your nature, considering you are not a normal "Midgardian" as I heard from my brother, Loki," Thor watched the red-haired man with keen interest, an unmistakable sense that there were layers to his character that transcended initial impressions, igniting a curiosity that beckoned him to delve deeper.
Tanjiro appeared confused by that statement. "Normal? What do you mean by that, Thor-san?" he questioned The God of Thunder.
Thor continued. "What I mean is, how were you able to halt Mjolnir? No mortal should be capable of that, as only those deemed worthy can wield it."
Tanjiro perceived the suspicion emanating from The God of Thunder. He was aware. Deep down, he held a secret realization: Tanjiro was far from an ordinary human.
Tanjiro inquired, wondering what did the blonde-haired Asgardian mean by that. "Worthy of wielding it? Are you saying that not just anyone can wield it? That there's a specific requirement to do so, unlike the ease with which you handle it?"
Thor nodded. "Yes, that is correct, warrior," he said with ease. "Although, that doesn't answer my question. What are you, Midgardian?"
Tanjiro looked around the room as he wanted to make sure that no one was around to see this.
"Alright, Thor-san, I'll tell you, but you can't tell anyone else. Not right now, at the moment." Tanjiro said, knowing the Asgardian warrior needed to be patient at this point.
Thor nodded, knowing this was going to be an intriguing answer revealed to him.
Twenty minutes have passed.
After everyone began their next objective, Tanjiro knew it was time, but he needed to be cautious. He did not want to reveal his secrets to everyone—at least not yet. He would disclose his secrets one day. After all, he knew that moment would come eventually.
Making his way to an empty room, Tanjiro used his sense of smell to detect if anyone was present. Fortunately, no one was there. It was just him and the Asgardian Prince, as Tanjiro could not disclose his secrets to everyone.
At least not all at once.
Once Tanjiro had gotten his bearings, he turned to face Thor, who was becoming more curious about the red-haired man's mysterious nature.
Finally, Tanjiro spoke, hoping to make sense with the Asgardian Prince. "First thing, Thor-san, do you know what a demon is?" the red-haired man asked.
"Demons? I heard many stories that these creatures roamed around in Midgard for centuries, that they were wars between demons and humans, trapping humankind into a vicious cycle with them. Demonkind that existed long ago before I even set foot in this world."
"Yes, that is correct, Thor-san. They were an ancient race of monstrous beings who enjoyed eating human beings, becoming predators to them." Tanjiro explained the myths of the demons he knew when he lived in that era. "However, not all demons were born like that; some were even human before succumbing into a murderous beast as they begin to lose memories from their past life when they were only human."
"You clearly just said that they were an ancient race; how ancient are you speaking of, warrior?" Thor asked curiously.
Tanjiro took a deep breath first before going into the details of his unknown background. "From where I was born, around the Taisho Period in Japan, before the first World War began in the United States, around where demons roam free, where there was a war between humankind and demonkind at best."
"In Japan, wait a moment. Are you perhaps referring to the Oni?" Thor asked as Tanjiro knew what he meant by those words.
"Yes, the demons from my homeland, my country," Tanjiro affirmed, then posed another straightforward question. "Thor-san, what do you know about 'The Oni'?"
Thor began to explain from his knowledge. "I recall numerous tales from my younger days. The Oni, creatures that wander Midgard—or Earth, as you might say—are merely man-eating monsters growing stronger by the day. Their might is said to challenge even the Gods of Asgard, possessing almost supernatural strength, agility, and resilience, nearing immortality. According to legend, these creatures are nocturnal, hunting their prey under the cover of darkness. Their origins remain a mystery, even to the residents of Asgard, with little known about them. Rumors suggest they have been extinct for decades, either perishing or dwindling in numbers." The Asgardian prince elucidated, disclosing all the knowledge he possessed about the demons from the past decades during the ancient wars.
Tanjiro nodded, knowing the Asgardian Prince knew his history of the past. "Yes, demons have been around for decades, only before becoming an extinct race, over time as humanity got the better of them."
Tanjiro should know, after all. He was the cause of the extinction of the Demon race.
"Interesting, but wait there, warrior, what you said before, that you were born there… how would you even know the history, considering this is decades after that era of war?" Thor inquired, puzzled as to how the red-haired man could possess knowledge of events that occurred decades before his birth.
There was the tricky question. Tanjiro knew this conversation would eventually lead to his history. Even if he was careful about hiding his trail, he knew eventually someone would find out about his past.
After all, trouble came looking for him, but he knew it was nothing new.
Thor looked in curiosity at the red-haired man. "Thor-san, can I ask you a question?"
"Yes, what is it, warrior?" Thor inquired.
"You said you have been on Earth before, that the previous year was the first time you've been set in this world." Tanjiro inquired, and Thor nodded his head, confirming that was indeed true.
"Yes, that is correct, warrior, but not to sound ill, but what does this have to do with your background, if I may ask?"
"Yeah, about that," Tanjiro spoke before closing his eyes to reveal his other side.
In an instant, Tanjiro spun around to meet the gaze of the Asgardian warrior, a fierce determination etched across his face. Thor's eyes widened in genuine astonishment, caught off guard by the sudden shift in the young man's demeanor.
Tanjiro's eyes narrowed into slits, the scar on his forehead expanded, and his teeth transformed into razor-sharp fangs. Claws sprouted from both of his hands, and the red-haired man took on an appearance more beastly than mortal, confirming that he was indeed not human.
Thor gazed in astonishment, a flicker of understanding dawning on him as he recognized the truth in his brother's words.
"The Oni… You're one of them! Wait, that would explain why you're here, warrior, but they went extinct. How are you even alive?" Thor began to ask many questions as Tanjiro knew the situation got a bit tense due to the God of Thunder nearly acting out to Tanjiro's secretive side.
"To answer your question, Thor-san, yes, I'm not a human but a demon," Tanjiro unveiled the truth to the Asgardian Prince, whose eyes widened with a mix of intrigue and astonishment, clearly captivated by the revelation.
"Not just any demon but a Demon Slayer."
AN: Hello Everyone! Chapter Five of The Last Slayer is here!
Special thanks go to Meraj Alimi (King 101) for checking the grammar!
Yep, Tanjiro has revealed his secret to his Thor! Don't worry; it will lead up to an interesting conversation in the next chapter as considering this story is following the events of the movie with Tanjiro inserted, things are about to get hectic next time. We'll also get more time with Loki, and more flashback scenes will occur from Tanjiro's past.
Maybe Tanjiro meeting some other Marvel characters during his time when he was traveling around the world, like a certain Wakanda King or a particular Winter Soldier. You have to wait and see! Wink-Wink!
I hope you guys enjoyed the flashback scene with Tony as well. Yes, Tony does somewhat remember Tanjiro but isn't sure who he is at the moment. Once again, it will be explained further in the next chapter! Let's see if it will be an enjoyable reunion. Also, wait until the other Avengers react to Tanjiro's demon side, like Thor's reaction, which again will be further explored in the next chapter!
Also, yes, without going too much into detail, Tanjiro does know blood demon arts, considering he does have Muzan's blood inside him. Still, he chooses to stick with regular Breathing Styles at the moment for a reason that will be explained in the next chapter!
There's also a nod to the scene where Tanjiro can halt Mjolnir, so it's up to anyone's interpretation of what that might lead to!
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Enjoy these five updates from me! Check out the other fics that were updated today. I will be taking a small break from writing due to personal reasons involving family and education studies. I appreciate your support!
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