Remnant's Mightiest Heroes!

by I Am The Prophet

A day came unlike any other when Remnant found itself conquered by an alien force. On that day, eight students escape seeking a way to save their people. On a world filled with the universe's mightiest heroes.

40. Dark Winter Part 4

Remnant's Mightiest Heroes!

Chapter 30: Dark Winter Part 4

[~[~]

The Milano

Peter Quill, piloting the Milano, leaned back in his seat and watched the burning planet fade into the distance. The Guardians of the Galaxy have just finished rescuing more refugees from the Fire Demons' onslaught. They'd been hopping from planet to planet, doing their best to help those caught in the crossfire. That didn't mean they saved everyone, but it was better than saving no one.

Feeling a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction, he stood up from his seat and stretched himself. Without another word, he turned on his heel and went to the common area. As he entered, he was greeted by the sound of running water and the scent of soap. The rest of the Guardians are taking turns in the shower, washing away the soot and ash from their latest battle.

Rocket, Gamora, Adam, Drax, Groot, and Mantis were all gathered in the common room waiting their turn for their turn to use the shower. Given her lack of presence, Phyla is the most likely person using the shower right now. Adam Warlock looked clean as a whistle, likely due to some quantum magic bullshit. Peter is still puzzled on how Groot cleaned himself after Rocket banned him from using the shower after finding out he's been drinking it instead of using it to clean. But he chalked it up to Groot being Groot.

"Well, that was a doozy," Peter said, sinking into a nearby chair. "I think I'm going to need another shower just to be sure."

Rocket snorted from the workbench where he is working, "Yeah, well, at least you weren't frozen like I was."

Gamora, who was quietly playing a game on the Nintendo Switch that Peter bought from his last visit on Earth, glanced up and let out a snark, "Frozen is a new one for a guy who keeps building bombs. And each one tends to detonate immediately."

"Hey, that bomb helped us with the Fire Demons," Rocket said, pointing a small finger at Gamora. "It's not my fault that some krutackin' idiot would come in and accidentally hit the Death Button and kill plus freeze everybody in its radius."

"So, as I find myself repeating again every time, why do you keep adding the Death Button?" The zehoberei woman asked in exasperation. Drax, who has been sharpening his knives for the duration of the wait, looked up at his fellow Guardians.

"Perhaps Rocket is trying to blow us all up and failing miserably if I may add."

"Or maybe he's trying to help us fly?" Mantis asked innocently. "Is that why you keep doing it?"

"Indeed, Rocket," Adam, who had been quietly observing the scene, finally spoke up. "Your penchant for the immediate detonation button is quite perplexing. Perhaps you find a certain satisfaction in the sudden, unexpected cessation of existence?"

Everyone couldn't help but sweat drop at the golden guy. Adam's propensity for using long, fancy words, made worse by his penchant for alliteration would never cease to annoy them. They had given up trying to get him to change that a long time ago.

Rocket, however, seemed unfazed. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"I'm starting to think you just want to see things explode," Peter said with a straight face. Rocket looked at him before his face split into a grin.

"Maybe you're right."

Everybody laughed. As they continued to banter, Peter couldn't help but smile. Despite the dangers they faced, there was always a sense of camaraderie among the Guardians. After everything, they needed a momentary break from the grim reality of their mission.

"If I ever meet a kid who wants to be a firefighter," Peter muttered to himself, "I'm going to do everything in my power to help them out. Maybe I'll even help start the Firefighters of the Galaxy."

"Don't we already fight fires?" Drax asked. Peter couldn't help but let out a sigh. As usual, Drax is way too literal to tell a metaphor when he hears one.

"No, I'm talking about people who are trained to deal with fires," Peter clarified. "They're people who have sworn to save lives, prevent and suppress fires back on Earth."

Peter did not miss the scoff that came from Rocket. He knew that the raccoon did not have a high opinion of Earth. He constantly made it clear every time his home planet was brought up. Although he wasn't wrong in calling it a backwater planet.

"You have warriors dedicated to the war against fire?" Drax asked in amazement. "They sound incredible!"

"They should be. Whenever you hear a siren, you can expect the Firemen and their big red truck to come driving by to save the day. They arrive on the scene ready to hose the fire with water—"

"These firemen sound wasteful with their water," Drax said abruptly. "Water is meant for drinking not fighting."

Peter was about to reply when the rest of Drax's sentence stopped him. It took him a full minute to process what Drax is implying. He looked at the other Guardians, who's faces tell him that they too are befuddled as well.

"Okay, I'm curious. How do your people fight fires Drax?" Peter asked as he takes a seat next to Gamora. "Beat them to a pulp with your bare fists?"

"Yes," Drax replied as if it were obvious. Everyone just stared at him in disbelief. They knew that the Kylosians are an underdeveloped race of literalists and fierce tribal warriors. But not to this extent. At that moment, Phyla came out of the shower in a sleeveless undershirt and pants.

"The shower is open for anyone," Phyla announced. She noticed the atmosphere of the room. "What's going on?"

"Drax is just telling us how his people fight fires," Peter answered, not taking his eyes off Drax. "Turns out his people just beat them into extinguishment."

"Really?" Phyla asked incredulously at Drax. "Don't you get burned that way?"

"We did," Drax confirmed with a nod. "But our natural healing factor and skin made their attempt to burn us alive futile. We also attempted to develop weapons meant to fight against fires."

Rocket raised an eyebrow at that. "Really? What kind of weapons?"

"Fire-slaying swords, fire-poison arrows, fire-crushing hammers, and we even told it stories about fire-eating monsters in hopes of scaring them off. As well as throwing rocks. Or course those didn't work. They were only useful in cutting down trees that have been set aflame to prevent the spread. Then came Fire-Stomper Grok. When his village came under attack by forest fire, Grok stomped it out as if it were a particularly stubborn insect. From that day forward, the tradition of stomping out fires became our valuable technique in the fight against fire."

"Drax why didn't your people just use water?" Gamora asked in disbelief. "Nearly every living being in the Galaxy needs water to survive. Surely they should've figured out by now that water is the natural enemy to fire."

Drax blinked owlishly. "We didn't know that was a thing. Water is for drinking. Not for fighting."

For one long moment, nobody said a word. Groot just stood so still he could've been an actual tree. Even Adam looked perplexed. The silence is broken by Rocket bursting out in laughter. The bipedal Racoon fell to the floor clutching his stomach and legs kicking in the air.

"You didn't know it was a thing?" Rocket guffawed. "EVERYBODY knows it's a thing! Even the most primitive societies know that!"

"I am Groot," Groot voiced his disapproval at Rocket's mockery. The kylosian fixed the laughing raccoon with a glare.

"Our people are warriors, not water-throwers," Drax said defensively. "We fight our enemies head on. Even destructive forces such as fire."

"You could have saved yourselves a lot of trouble," Rocket chuckled as he wiped a tear out of his eye.

Any further discussion is cut off when an alarm blared. The Guardians looked at each other for only a moment before they rushed to the flight deck. By the time Peter took his seat at the Captain's chair, the other Guardians are already at their stations. Gamora's is connected to the Milano's navigation. Groot, despite his limited vocabulary, oversees communications. Rocket's is that of the Milano's tactical and weapons systems. Drax…well, he just watched the screen and everything else around him. The others take over whenever any of them are indisposed.

They've been through enough missions to know what it meant. Another distress signal. Which means more Fire Demons to fight.

"Talk to me Groot," Peter ordered. "Where is it coming from?

"I am Groot," Groot reports. Normally it would be hard to communicate with the Flora colossus species. They discovered that anyone who spends long enough with Groot eventually start to understand him. It's like there's some sort of telepathic component involved.

"Oh, don't tell me…we're going back to Earth?" Rocket asked with all too familiar disgust. "That backwater planet again? Can't we let the Avengers handle this one? They've got plenty of experience dealing with extraterrestrial threats without us."

"I am Groot," Groot insisted, pointing at his screen. He brought it up on the viewport which doubled as a display. Immediately, the audio began broadcasting a foreign alien language.

"Okay, I take it back, maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all," Rocket said with interest. "I recognize that language. This is a Korbinite emergency signal. Those guys are such badass pacifists that even the Kree and Skrulls would think twice before picking a fight with them."

"Their empire is also the most peaceful," Gamora added. "Their colonization efforts aren't won through war but through diplomacy. But if push comes to shove, they are more than capable of waging war. Although there is barely a time where they ever resorted to that."

"So, they win battles without lifting a finger?" Drax asked. "That's amazing! They should've been the greatest empire in the galaxy."

"But given the Korbinites' historical inclination toward tranquility and their formidable capacity for both defense and diplomacy, is it not somewhat disconcerting that they have issued a plea for assistance?" Adam asked. "Should not such an unexpected display of vulnerability incite a degree of apprehension among the Guardians?"

That…is actually a good point. For once, the Guardians weren't annoyed by Adam. If a galactic superpower like the Korbinite Empire is having trouble, then the situation is getting even worse. It wasn't anything new. They promised Richard that they would help with the Fire Demon Onslaught. So far, they helped hundreds if not thousands of refugees escape a fiery death.

"Gamora, set a course for the Solar System," Peter ordered without hesitation.

"I'm on it," Gamora declared grimly as she inputs the coordinates. "Approaching jump point in three…two…one…"

The Milano moved as a hexagonal portal materialized in front of them. It's a wormhole that the Universal Neural Teleportation Network generates to allow ships to fast travel across the universe. As soon as they entered the wormhole, they exited from one planetary system in the galaxy and into the Solar System.

Specifically, the location of the distress call. Which is the massive warship coming up on their viewport. That is also the target of a swarm of fire demons flying in its direction.

"That's…a lot of fire demons," Mantis whimpered.

"No shit," Peter growled as he tightens his grip on the controls. "Rocket, fire weapons."

"On it!" Rocket said with a growl as he activates the weapon systems of the Milano. Outside, two blasters opened up at the sides and fired on the fire demons. Yellow energy projectiles tore into fire demons, blowing them into smithereens. The barrage continued to cut a swath into the fire demons.

This attack drew the attention of the fire demons. Some of them broke off from the horde to pursue them. Even though they couldn't hear it, as their no medium for sound to travel in space, they could tell they are shrieking in rage.

"Hold on to your butt's people," Peter yelled before he quickly added. "And I'm talking metaphorically Drax! Don't actually hold your butt!"

Peter steered the Milano in a sharp turn to avoid the incoming fire demons. The ship narrowly evaded the fiery enemies. He could've sworn that their fire left a scorch mark on the hull. An act that they would rue as the Milano swerved into position and fired on the approaching fire demons. Like fish in a barrel, the fire demons rushed into a barrage of the Milano's guns.

"Groot, hail that warship," Peter ordered. "Tell them that we're here to help, find out why they aren't helping us, and ask them how we can help."

"I am Groot."

"If their weapons aren't firing, the AI operating it must be down," Gamora said. "Each of their ships are run by an AI. It controls everything. Weapons, navigation, and everything!"

"So, it's like Skynet?" Peter asked.

"What does a net in the sky have to do with anything?" Drax asked.

"It's not like that," Peter began to explain. "You see, Skynet is the main antagonist of—"

"Focus on flying Peter!" Gamora yelled. Peter clammed his mouth and did another barrel roll to avoid another charging fire demon.

"I am Groot," came the voice of Groot. The flora colossus is pointing at his screen.

"Okay, transfer the call over to me. I doubt that the Korbinite who answers the call is going to be able to understand you," Rocket ordered. Once Groot did that, Rocket spoke to his screen, "This is the Guardians of the Galaxy. I'd ask what your situation is, but I think we can skip the part where you yell 'We're under attack by fiery demons' part. Lucky for you, we're becoming very good at killing these things."

"Rocket! Good to see you in such dire times!" came a strong and boisterous voice. One that the Guardians are more than familiar with. The image of a blonde man dressed in Asgardian armor sealed it.

"Thor, is that you?" Rocket asked, staring at the screen in surprise. "Well, I'll be damned. What is the god of thunder doing on a krutackin' Korbinite warship?"

"I assume the same thing as you. Answering a cry for help. A few others and me. But there's not enough time. We have a ship full of Korbinite refugees in cryostasis. The fire demons have already destroyed Korbin, and they are coming to finish them off."

"Flark, that sounds bad," Rocket cursed. A reaction mirroered by the other Guardians who are listening in. "Just one question. I know for a fact that the warship has an AI managing it. Why isn't it helping out?"

"Skuttlebutt is offline to conserve energy," another voice spoke. Stepping into the image is an orange skinned humanoid dressed in red armor. He is slightly taller than the Asgardian prince.

"Okay…are you a korbinite?" Rocket asked. "You sure look different than the ones I've seen."

"I've been…modified. I am Beta Ray Bill. Sworn protector of the last of the Korbinites that are preserved on this ship. All non-essential functions have been shut down to direct power to the cryobay. Regrettably, that includes the self-repair to conserve the little energy stores we have left. As I'm not an engineer myself…"

"I see," Rocket said, nodding his head in understanding. "Alright, Bill. Funny name for a ship aside, I might be able to help get your ship back up and running. I myself am an engineer. I just need to take a look at what we're dealing with."

Peter did not miss the look of hunger in Rocket's voice. He knew for a fact that he wanted to do more than take a poke around the Korbinite vessel. But he knew Rocket's little raccoon heart was in the right place. Plus, he's their best engineer and possibly the best person he could count on to get the Skuttlebutt back into operation.

"If you can bring my brother back online, me and my people will be forever in your debt," Bill said. "I will get the hangar doors open—INCOMING!"

The transmission is abruptly cut off. Rocket didn't know what happened until Gamora shouted, "Fire demons have breached the bridge!"

Rocket looked at the viewport and cursed under his breath. While he had been talking with Thor and Bill, some of the fire demons reached the Skuttlebutt. They must've figured that the occupants of the ship would be on the Bridge.

Of course, he knew that with Thor around, there wouldn't be anything to fear. The guy can take down Thanos entire army of outriders and emerge victorious. But with the Korbinite refugees onboard a dead ship, he can't cut loose on the risk of killing getting them caught in the cross lightning.

"Alright, everyone to the cargo bay," Peter declared, breaking Rocket out of his thoughts while getting up. "We're going to board the Skuttlebutt."

"What about the fire demons?" Drax asked, pointing a finger. "The ones we're already fighting?"

"The Milano is just one ship with limited firepower," Peter countered. "As much as I hate to admit it, she's not equipped for a full-scale battle. She can only avoid getting swarmed for so long. Eventually, those fire demons are going to catch up and demolish. Not to mention that we can't fit all those refugees on board. The Skuttlebutt on the other hand is a fully equipped warship and already has the refugees onboard. If we can get that ship back online, we will have more firepower and exterminate the fire demons."

"Besides…the Milano's got autopilot. She can provide us with covering fire if it calls for it."

"Wait, wait, wait," Rocket said slowly in disbelief. "This ship has autopilot. After all this time?"

"Yes, she does," Peter confirmed. He didn't say out loud that the 'autopilot' is him. An interface within his helmet allowed him to operate the Milano even from a good distance away. There is no telling what Rocket would do if he learned about it. Especially since he keeps modifying his ship while he's asleep.

"Okay," Gamora said as she got up from her seat. "I'm guessing that we're going out the airlock and into the fire?"

"Yep," Peter nodded. "Anyone who can't breathe in space grab a holographic space suit."

The Guardians nodded and proceeded to move out of the flight deck. Rocket was supposed to be the last to follow until Peter stopped him.

"Just one more thing. Do you still have your paws in the ship's system?"

Rocket raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Peter said as he pressed an earpiece on the back of his right ear. Materializing in pixelated blue light around his head is a silver helmet with glowing red lenses. For what he and the Guardians are about to pull, it will provide him with the protection and oxygen.

"Then hit the music!"

[~]

Skuttlebutt

The Skuttlebutt's bridge had become a chaotic battlefield. Fire demons, with their fiery forms and glowing eyes, are clawing and biting at the group of heroes. They have broken through the bridge windows, intending to end their lives. If it weren't for the blue energy field that appeared where the windows were, the bridge would've been depressurized and they would've been flying out into space.

"Thorn! Watch out!" Yang shouted, deflecting a fire demon's claw with one hand before punching it in between its legs. Ember Celica fired a shell, blasting the fire demon's lower section.

Ruby, who was about to be squashed beneath a fire demon, dodged the attack in a burst of rose petals, her silver eyes wide with fear. "I'm fine!" she yelled back, swinging her Crescent Rose in scythe form. Her beloved scythe decapitated the fire demon. It became as though its body fell to its knees and met the same end.

Thor roared, his voice echoing through the bridge. "Fear not, friends! The God of Thunder shall protect you!" He raised Mjolnir high above his head and hurled it at a group of fire demons. The hammer crashed through the creatures, sending them flying.

Weiss moved gracefully through the chaos, her eyes locked on a fire demon. With a flick of her wrist, she activated her semblance. A glyph appeared beneath the demon, which she was channeling liquid helium from Myrtenaster. The icy substance flowed from the glyph, coating the fire demon in a chilling frost. The creature howled in pain as its fiery form began to freeze. Weiss seized the opportunity, her sword slicing through the frozen demon with a satisfying crunch.

Blake moved fluidly between fire demons trying their hardest to pound her into a fiery death. All they managed to do was hit a shadow where Blake would reappear from out of nowhere and execute them with a well-timed slash with Gambol Shroud. But sometimes, the fire demons would hit a shadow imbued with liquid helium. When the shadow is 'killed', the fire demons find themselves with frozen limbs. An opening that Blake promptly took advantage of.

Monica, her form shimmering with energy, moved through the chaos at a speed that seemed impossible. She phased through the fire demons, appearing behind them before they could react. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a blast of energy, vaporizing the creatures instantly.

Dr. McCoy, his muscles rippling beneath his spacesuit, moved with a grace that belied his massive size. He dodged the fire demons' attacks with ease, his agility and strength on full display. With a powerful punch, he sent a fire demon flying across the bridge. The creature crashed into a wall, its flames extinguished.

Beta Ray Bill, his eyes filled with a burning rage, moved through the chaos with brutal efficiency. His fists hit with a force that seemed to defy physics. Each punch was a devastating blow that sent fire demons flying. The destruction of Korbin is still fresh on his mind, which fuels his vendetta against these creatures. With every enemy he fell, he felt a pang of satisfaction, a small measure of revenge for the countless lives they had taken.

Despite their best efforts, the fire demons seemed endless. As they struck down one creature, another took its place, their numbers seemingly inexhaustible. The crew fought with desperate determination, their strength beginning to wane. If they fell here, then that would leave the sleeping Korbinite refugees wide open to extinction.

"They just keep coming!" Weiss yelled. "We need to do something about the open windows, or they're just going to keep coming!"

"There's a shielding switch!" Beta Ray Bill said. The korbinite pointed at a switch on the console that glinted ominously, offering the promise of safety. However, it was too far away, guarded by a horde of fire demons. The situation was becoming dire, and the heroes faced the very real possibility of being overrun.

Suddenly, the Skuttlebutt's sound system erupted with a cacophony of distorted guitars and pounding drums. The music blasted through the bridge, a jarring contrast to the chaos of the battle. The heroes and fire demons alike were taken aback by this unexpected development. The fire demons paused in their attacks, their glowing eyes filled with confusion.

"What is this?" Bill asked, twisting his head in confusion. "What is that noise?"

"I think it's…music," Ruby said in confusion. Yang, her eyes still locked on a fire demon, smirked.

"Hey, I kinda like this. Who's playing?" She glanced around, trying to spot the source of the music.

Then, through the shattered windows of the Skuttlebutt, a group of colorful figures burst into the bridge. Nearly all of them wore identical blue-and-red uniforms with a golden flame shield with a star pattern emblazoned on their chest. They landed on their feet with a flourish, their weapons drawn. Some of them are coated in a hologram-like shell. The fire demons turned to stare at the new arrivals. A man at the front looked up, red eyes gleaming in excitement, and shouted in sync with the lyrics the song was playing.

"We'll bring hell down from above!"

Then the new group charged at the fire demon. Recovering from their unexpected arrival, the fire demons ran to meet them. There came an exchange of fire with blasts of frost, gunfire, metal, and wooden fists. The heroes are grateful for this brief respite. Some of them wanted to collapse on the floor but they didn't. Instead, they stared at the new arrivals.

"I suppose I should get some introductions out of the way," Thor said to the Remnatian teens and Korbinite warrior. "Team RWBY and Beta Ray Bill, I present to you the Guardians of the Galaxy! These valiant warriors have come to aid us in our time of need."

A man with a silver helmet raised dual blasters and fired. Instead of an energy projectile or laser, what shot out of the guns were waves of cold that encased a group of fire demons in ice. Without looking, he aimed his blaster behind him and fired a blast of lightning, disintegrating a second group of demons. On a third group, he fired a blast of water that extinguished their flames. For the frozen group of fire demons, his guns shifted into melee weapons, and he began hitting them, causing them to shatter into pieces.

"Over there we have Star-Lord, the leader of the Guardians. A skilled warrior and a master of the element guns."

A green-skinned woman, with cold and calculating eyes, moved through the chaos of battle with grace that belied her deadly nature. With a swift flick of her wrist, she disarmed a fire demon with a silver sword. Then she proceeded to disarm the creature's comrade with a series of precise strikes. Sometimes she went as far as to dismember their legs or decapitate them. Drawing a pistol from her belt, she fired a barrage of bullets into a group of fire demons, her aim deadly accurate as each shot hit the head.

"The zehoberei woman is Gamora, the deadliest woman in the galaxy. A master of combat and a deadly assassin. Although usually, she would only be fighting with a sword. It's sort of her thing."

"We've been fighting to prevent intergalactic demons hellbent on setting the galaxy aflame," Gamora asked having overheard the Asgardian prince talking. "You think I'm going to stop all of them with a sword?"

Thor lifted his Mjolnir. "I'm fighting them with only a hammer."

"A mystical hammer that shoots lightning," Gamora countered before continuing to fight fire demons.

"Wait, fire demons have been appearing all over the galaxy?" Blake asked, half yelling over the battle. Gamora turned to her.

"Yes! We've been responding to distress calls all over. But there's only so much we can do. Even the Nova Corps is getting overwhelmed."

Their attention is drawn away from her by a roar. A green skin man, who unlike his compatriots didn't wear a top and thus exposed his torso and tribal markings, charged into a group of fire demons. Muscles rippled as he swung his arms that sent the fire demons flying in all directions. His punches were like battering rams, smashing through the creatures with ease.

"Next we have Drax the Destroyer, a Kylosian warrior of immense strength and sworn enemy of Thanos," Thor explained. "Fair warning, his people are literal, so metaphors will fly over his head."

"Nothing flies over my head Thor," Drax called out as he grabbed a flying fire demon over his head and ripped it apart. "My reflexes are too fast."

Thor just gestured in Drax's direction as if he just proved his point. Team RWBY's sweat dropped at this. The next two people they saw took them by surprise. Standing atop a towering tree-like alien's shoulder is the raccoon they saw in the transmission. He fired a laser rifle twice his size and fired laser after laser at the fire demons with deadly accuracy. The tree alien swiped his massive arms at any who got close. Despite being made of wood, he didn't seem to be catching fire.

"He's so cute…" Weiss cooed at the raccoon. Suddenly, a fire demon's head exploded right above them. The raccoon, who just shot that fire demon, is now glaring and aiming his weapon in their direction.

"Who said that?!" He demanded. "Nobody calls me krutackin cute 'cept me!"

"Rocket, lower your weapon," Thor ordered sternly. "They are not our enemies, and they didn't know your hatred of being called certain things."

Thor and Rocket glared at each other for a few seconds before the raccoon changed targets and shot another fire demon. The god of thunder gave team RWBY an apologetic look.

"Over there is Rocket Raccoon, a brilliant Halfworlder engineer, and a skilled marksman. You'll have to forgive him, he dislikes being called numerous things. He once hated being called a raccoon at one time. The flora colossus he's standing on top of is—"

"I AM GROOT!" The tree man roared as he pummeled another fire demon. Then Groot proceeds to morph his arm into a dense tangle of vines and pierce through several fire demons at once. He thrashed them around for a while, knocking away more fire demons in the process, he ended their misery.

"He is Groot," Thor simply said.

"Ruby! Weiss! Blake! Yang!" A woman with bug-like features skipped over to them. "It's so good to see you again!"

"Um…what?" Ruby asked in confusion. Mainly about the fact that she knew their names.

"Or is this our first meeting?" She said as she put a finger on her chin. "From your confusion, it must be the case."

"What?" Weiss asked in bewilderment.

"Did I get your names wrong? I'm sorry, I can never accurately recall anyone's name correctly. Was it Little Red, Snow White, BB, and Goldy Locks? Are those your names?"

"No, you got it right the first time," Blake stammered with a raised finger. The woman clapped her hands together with joy.

"That's great! I'm sorry about Nate. It's bad that he got stuck with a crap-sack future."

"Who the hell is Nate?" A red-eyed Yang asked, getting annoyed.

"Easy," Thor spoke while raising a hand to placate them. He addressed the bug woman, "Mantis, we need you in the present. You know…fire demons running around?"

"Oh yeah," the woman named Mantis said, turning around to fire a blast of green energy at a fire demon that was charging at her from behind. The blast struck the demon in the face, causing it to stumble. It fell flat on its face and skidded to a stop in front of Mantis. It was still alive. Until Mantis promptly brought up her leg and stomped on its head. Repeatedly. She didn't stop until it was completely reduced to dust.

"Greenie is right. Stomping is more effective in putting out fires," Mantis chirped before turning back to Team RWBY. "So anyway, as Thunder Pants aptly states, I am Mantis. Priest of Pama and Guardian of the Galaxy's empath. We take ass, and kick names!"

"I think you got that part mixed up," Yang points out. Suddenly, they are encased in a golden dome that protects them from fire demons who decide to gang up on them. They are bisected at the waist by a sword with a starburst hilt. The owner is a woman wearing a cloak. Her hood his pulled down, revealing short white hair and a golden mark on the right side of her face. Around her wrists are glowing golden bands.

"There we have Phyla-Vell, better known as Quasar, Kree super-soldier wielder of the Quantum Bands."

"Not to complain, but we could use some assistance," Quasar declared as she created a series of energy blades, which she hurled at some fire demons, slicing through them with ease.

"They're just going to keep coming," Ruby yelled over the sounds of battle. "Bill mentioned that there's an emergency shielding switch that can close the windows!"

"I see the switch!" A golden man with a glowing stone on his forehead proclaimed. He floated above the battlefield. With a wave of a golden staff, he fired a blast of energy that vaporized a group of fire demons instantly. The golden guy willed himself to the ground and stalked toward the shielding switch. A fire demon lunged towards him. But the guy paid him no heed as he promptly backhanded the creature. He didn't stop until he reached the switch. Without hesitation, he pulled the switch.

There is a slight rumbling as metal plates close where the broken windows are. Fire demons who have been flying towards the opening now crashed into the alien alloy walls.

"Now that the fiery fiends can no longer receive reinforcements…" the golden man declared before glaring at the remaining fire demons. With a flick of his wrist, they are encased in golden forcefield bubbles. Closing his hand, the bubbles slowly shrank. The screeching fire demons trapped in each of them tried to break out. Key word being tried. Their efforts dwindled as they were crushed by the forcefields. Once they were the size of a ping pong ball, the golden man banished the forcefields. Obsidian dust scattered to the ground. All that was left of the fire demons.

"And finally, we have Adam Warlock, a powerful cosmic being and a master of quantum magic," Thor finished introductions. Blake felt a twinge of fear. Specifically at the name. Her mind flashed to a certain main in the White Fang. One with a blood-red katana, indiscriminately murdering people for the crime of siding with humanity. She shook her head at those thoughts. He is not here, she told herself. She isn't her.

Her teammates noticed her reaction. Before they could ask, they were approached by the Guardians of the Galaxy.

"Those sheets are going to keep the fire demons from entering the bridge," Rocket said as he climbed down Groot. "But that doesn't mean there aren't other entrances. You can expect these krutackin devils to crawl through the ship's damaged areas."

"Then we'd better get to work," Star-Lord said as he holstered his element guns and deactivated his helmet. "Hey, Thor! Good to see you. So, what do we get—"

The leader of the Guardians is cut off when Ruby appears in front of him in a burst of rose petals. Her eyes are sparkling with excitement.

"Those element guns! They're amazing! How do they work? Can I see them up close?"

"Yeah, sorry about that. My sister is a dork when it comes to weapons," Yang said to a stunned Star-Lord as she and the others approached.

"Um, sure…" Star-Lord said slowly. Deciding to humor her, he gestured to his guns. "These are Clarice and Terry. We've been together through thick and thin."

"You name your weapons too?" Ruby asked.

"Pardon me," Weiss interrupted before fixing the Guardians with a prim and proper look. "We're grateful for your assistance. We're—"

"They're Team RWBY! A team of huntresses from the Remains of their home world!" Mantis exclaimed. A flustered Weiss could only let out incoherent sputtering noises. Her teammates Ruby and Yang giggled at her chagrin.

"Yeah, sorry about her," Peter said apologetically, glancing at Mantis. "Mantis can see multiple timelines. As well as the past, present, and future. Just don't be too surprised if she starts revealing your private information. I speak for all of us that it comes with experience."

"I see..." Weiss said, feeling a little unsettled. Yang stepped forward.

"So, was that you who played that song over the loudspeakers? It was very catchy, and I liked your entrance. Badass."

"Thank you. Glad to see you liked Zero to Hero by my favorite band, Star-Lord. If you're interested, look up the album Space Rider. That's where you'll find it."

"Maybe I will."

"Thor, do you have a sister?" Quasar asked, looking at Jane.

"I'm not his sister. I'm the Mighty Thor," Jane introduced. The Guardians stated between the two in confusion.

"Wait, there's two Thors?" Mantis asked.

"I am Agent Monica Rambeau of the Sentient World Observation and Response Division. Or S.W.O.R.D. for short," Monica introduced. She gestured towards her colleague, "This is Dr. McCoy, one of our scientists."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Beast greeted.

"S.W.O.R.D.? You mean that wannabe Nova Corps?" Rocket asked.

"I don't see any swords on you," Drax pointed out, but everyone ignored him.

"I guess as to how you made your extravagant entrance," Dr. McCoy spoke up. "But shouldn't you be reduced to corpses upon exposure to the vacuum? None of you seem to have any space suits on."

At Dr. McCoy's question, Rocket pulled off a large hemisphere off his back and showed it to everyone.

"This is what we call a holographic space suit," Rocket explained. "Easy to store and easy to deploy. Unlike your crummy Earth tech space suits. Got plenty of them back on the Milano."

Rocket tossed it over to Dr. McCoy, who deftly caught it in a massive hand. The doctor looked at the device in fascination. Team RWBY couldn't help but look at their spacesuits in comparison.

"If we can all focus on the matter at hand," Gamora cuts in an attempt to steer the conversation back. "We've got a defunct ship that is currently under assault by fire demons. There are also Korbinite refugees in cryosleep. Who is in danger of extinction? We need to get them out of here. Bill, is there a way we can fix the ship?"

"There is," Bill confirmed. "Skuttlebutt is low on energy. What's left is being directed to preserving my people and the operating systems. But there is a way to restore my brother to full power."

"Wait, you could restore power to the ship the whole time?" Yang asked. "Why didn't you use it? And why do you call your ship brother."

"He was created the same time I was," Bill explained. "We've fought side by side to protect our people. As for why I haven't used it… if I did, your system wouldn't have a Sun anymore. All of the planets that depended on it would fall out of orbit and life would perish."

That last part took everyone aback.

"Wait…are you saying that to get your ship up and running it would need to devour a sun?" Weiss asked fearfully.

"Yes. It's an emergency measure placed in case we get stranded without power. But me and Skuttlebutt swore that we would never use it in systems filled with life. We will never allow anyone to suffer the same fate as our home. Nor could we commit extinction just to preserve our skins. My people would never stand for it, and I would be ashamed to face them for committing such a heinous act."

Even though it could've saved his people, Beta Ray Bill didn't pursue it at the expense of everyone in the Solar System. Nobody wanted to imagine if they could live with making such a decision. Thor placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a proud look.

"I swear by the Allfather we will ensure your people's survival. They will not go extinct. Whether by the hand of the fire demons or the lack of power."

"Power huh…" Rocket muttered, drawing everyone's attention. The raccoon is looking around the room. Everyone watched him scan the room. Peter's eyes widened as he realized that something was cooking in his friend's brain. Rocket's eyes lingered on Mjolnir and Thunderstrike before cracking into a smile.

"Guys…I've got an idea."

[~]

Rocket came up with a plan to restore power to the Skuttlebutt without sacrificing the sun.

The first phase of the plan involves utilizing Mjolnir and Thunderstrike as energy conduits. These Asgardian weapons are capable of channeling and projecting, in his words, a krutackin amount of electricity. Something more than enough to serve as an alternative energy source. By drawing power from them, Rocket hopes to provide a steady stream of energy to the Skuttlebutt.

To execute this plan, they will need to identify the Skuttlebutt's energy storage cells. Thanks to Beta Ray Bill, that is easily done with the ship's blueprints to locate these critical areas. Once identified, they can devise a method to connect these cells to the Asgardian weapons. They will also need to develop a power regulator to adjust the intensity of the energy output from the Asgardian weapons to prevent overloading or damaging the Skuttlebutt's systems.

While Rocket and Dr. McCoy, much to his skepticism, work on adapting the technology for the Asgardian weapons, they will need to contend with the fire demons. To keep these creatures at bay, Rocket proposes a defensive tactic. While one group stays with Rocket and McCoy to work on getting the energy cells to accept the electricity, the others will fight off the fire demons and protect the sleeping Korbinites.

There was one more thing that Rocket needed to ensure the success of the plan—Yang's prosthetic arm.

"No, we don't," Star-Lord assured the shocked Yang. "No, we don't need her arm."

"No, seriously I need it! It's important to me," Rocket insisted while trying to stifle a laugh. The yellow-clad heroine glowered at him as Blake dragged her away. Peter confirmed that this happens a lot. Ruby, Weiss, Mantis, and Groot volunteered to help McCoy and Rocket work on the energy cells in the energy storage. For some reason, Star-Lord warned them to make sure that Rocket doesn't add a 'death button'.

"These Korbinites are amazing," Rocket calls out from inside the inner workings of the energy storage systems. His size made him optimal to perform the modifications to install the power regulator he built courtesy of a quick visit to the Skuttlebutts armory.

"I'm glad you find solar body assimilating technology to be fascinating," Dr. McCoy commented dryly. He is seated on a crate working on a device he called a portable receiver. He explained that there's a chance that Thor and Jane won't be able to get to the energy stores in time. To get past that complication, he's building the receivers to perform a wireless energy transfer directly to the energy stores. As it implies, no physical cables or wires are required. Once they are complete and connected, all they would need to do is get a bolt of lightning.

It made sense in context. Which is why Dr. McCoy is making as much as possible to broaden their chances.

"Don't get me wrong," Rocket said placatingly. "Even I'm not dumb enough to build something that devours suns and stars. You have to be a complete psychopath to do that."

"Who would be crazy enough to build one?" Weiss asked.

"I am Groot," came Groot.

"Yes we know," Weiss said to the flora colossus. Her attention turned to Ruby who was talking with Mantis.

"So, you've met us in another timeline?" Ruby asked curiously.

"Not just one, but several," the alien woman nodded eagerly. "There are so many possibilities that any future prediction or recounting of the past is muddled. But that doesn't stop me from being a badass in a fight. Tell me, do you have a dog named Ein?"

"We do! Although his name is Zwei," Ruby confirmed enthusiastically.

"Mantis?" Weiss spoke. "I'm curious about something. Right now, Earth is engulfed in a global winter spoken about in legends and mythology. Will it end?"

"Oh, Earth is already engulfed in endless winter?" Mantis asked. "Don't worry about it. After we rescue Billy's people, it will be back to autumn. Or is it summer? I mean I could be wrong but look on the Brightside. You don't hear me spouting about the bad futures that I see. Don't want to jinx us and have the universe screw us over do we?"

"No, we do not. Thank you Mantis," Ruby said sincerely. She's still fearful that Fimbulwinter would carry on its three-year schedule. By which everyone will be dead or at each other's throats. Hearing Mantis point out the possibility of Fimbulwinter ending strengthened that hope. It's all everyone has at the moment.

"I am Groot," came Groot again. Weiss twitched an eyebrow in annoyance as she turned to the flora colossus.

"Look…I don't mean to be rude, but you've already told us about your name for the past twenty-seven times!"

"Hey, his vocabulary is limited to I, am, and Groot. Precisely in that order," Rocket defended his friend, poking his head out through the opening in the Skuttlebutt's internal systems. "Sometimes 'I' is replaced with 'We' but that's beside the point. It may sound like three words, but he's saying something else. You have to spend a lot of time with him to get a grasp on him. Something we have already done."

"So, if we spend time with him, we can understand him?" Ruby asks, looking at Groot. The flora colossus nodded.

"I am Groot."

"Exactly," Rocket said. "For example, right now he said not to worry about your Earth. It survived things much worse than a blanket of winter."

"I am Groot."

"I told you before I hate that backwater planet!" Rocket exclaimed. "Don't listen to her! She's crazy!"

"Why do you hate Earth?" Ruby asked. She and her friends may be aliens far from home, but they've grown to enjoy their time on Earth.

"Why do I hate Earth? You mean aside from naming it after a lump of dirt?" Rocket asked. "I'll tell you why. First, I find it ridiculous that humans have advanced so much and yet still fight each other over skin pigmentation. Second, they bring themselves knowingly environmental havoc. Add that up together, and you get such a disgusting place that not even a Celestial would want to touch it."

"I am Groot."

"So, what if I like pizza and British Entertainment? I still hate that place! Although I do love their greatest invention: duct tape! It's handy for sealing, patching holes, packing boxes, and repairs! But other than that, Earth is one of, if not the only, the worst places in the Galaxy!"

"You're not wrong about humanity," Dr. McCoy, who had been strangely quiet until now spoke up. "Humanity, a species of remarkable intellect and boundless potential has, unfortunately, demonstrated a lamentable propensity for internecine conflict. The most trivial of distinctions, such as the pigmentation of one's epidermis, have ignited conflagrations of extraordinary ferocity. Fear an insidious emotion, has often clouded reason, leading to the persecution of those who deviate from the perceived norm."

Dr. McCoy sets his tools down and turns on his seat to look at every one. "My brethren and I have borne the brunt of this irrational prejudice. Our genetic anomalies, though not inherently malevolent, have rendered us pariahs in the eyes of many. Yet, amidst the tempest of intolerance, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of a man. A man with a vision of a harmonious coexistence between humans and our kind. A testament to his unwavering optimism and profound empathy."

"We rallied behind his dream, pledging our lives to its realization. Our journey has been arduous, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. The bigotry and violence we have encountered have tested our resolve, but they have reinforced our belief in the inherent goodness of humanity."

"Though doubt may occasionally creep into our hearts, our faith in his dream remains steadfast. We are convinced that, with perseverance and compassion, we can forge a future where tolerance and understanding prevail. For in the crucible of adversity, the human spirit can be tempered into a force for positive change."

"So yes Rocket. We may be self-destructive, but we are capable of so much more. If I am correct, galactic life has already gone through the stage of intolerance and fear of difference. They're just past it. Even if I might never live to see it, I am certain that we can get past that stage as well."

Ruby and Weiss stared at the S.W.O.R.D. doctor. They wondered what sort of species would bear such hatred from humanity. Could it have something to do with what's underneath the spacesuit? Meanwhile, Rocket just stared on with a bored look on his face.

"Whatever you say," Rocket scoffed as his head disappeared within the Skuttlebutt to resume his work. "So red and white, I overheard Mantis that you're from another planet. Is that true?"

"We are," Ruby confirmed. "Me and my friends are from a different planet. Just to be correct, it's called Remnant. Not every name that Mantis will keep saying. We're humans just like the people on Earth. The difference is that we have access to our souls which manifests as semblances. Mine allows me to burst into rose petals."

"While mine allows me to use glyphs for various effects as well as summon avatars of the creatures I defeated," Weiss added. "These are useful in our fight against the Creatures of Grimm. Monsters hellbent on destroying sapient life on Remnant."

"So, you fight these Grimm with soul powers?" Rocket asks. "Hmm…I bet Adam would be interested in that. He's got a thing with souls. Being a master of all souls and that."

"Really? Maybe I should speak with this Adam Warlock," Weiss said in curiosity. "And as much as I hate to admit, even united against the Grimm, we still have people who would fight each other over petty issues. Especially when it's just because they are Faunus—people who have an animal trait."

"Something tells me I'm going to hate Remnant," Rocket muttered.

"Of course, you would say that," Weiss accepted with a sigh. "Social injustices aside, we lived in a time of peace. If it weren't for Dust, we wouldn't have survived. And no, I'm not talking about dry powder consisting of tiny particles of waste matter lying on the ground. I'm talking about an energy source in a crystalline and powdered form. The four basic types are Fire, Water, Electricity, and Wind. Fused and—"

"Wait, wait, wait," Rocket yelled out as he crawled out of the Skuttlebutts internal section. "You're telling me your people have elemental technology? Powered by crystals?"

"Indeed, we do," Weiss said with no small amount of satisfaction. "It serves as a power source for the majority of our people's technology. From our homes to the weapons, we wield."

"Kind of like Star-Lords element guns," Ruby said before getting starry-eyed at the mention of those guns. "They're amazing! I had no idea that alien life developed such technology without Dust!"

"You bet. Spartoi Elemental technology is that awesome," Rocket agreed. "They can generate different forms of elemental energy at will. It's too bad that Quill won't let me take a look at them. Even though they only work for him. Lost technology like that is rare for weaponsmiths such as me. I'd like to be the first to recreate it."

"Quill?"

"Star-Lord. His real name is Peter Quill," Rocket explained. Ruby let out an 'ah' at that. Star-Lord could hardly be considered a real name. "Okay, I'm starting to like your planet now. Do you know where I could find it? I'd love to create my set of elemental arms."

"That's going to be a little difficult," Ruby said, her face falling. "Remnant has been conquered by a time-traveling warlord. Kang the Conqueror. I don't know how he did it, but he was able to render Dust inert. They only go inert whenever they leave Remnant's atmosphere. Yet somehow, Kang was able to replicate the effect and do it on a global scale."

"Oh…I'm sorry…" Rocket said, his ears drooping. He suddenly became awkward about his previous comments.

"Yeah, he conquered our planet. All to prevent a bad future from coming to pass," Weiss explained, her face hardening. "Turns out, the Grimm have a leader. Her name is Salem. She was a member of the Remnant's first wave of humanity. Her husband died and she wanted to bring him back to life. The Brothers, the God of Light and the God of Darkness refused and when she deceived them, they cursed her with immortality. They hoped she'd learn the importance of the purpose of life and death."

"Except that she didn't," Ruby chimed in bitterly. "She wanted to die so bad that she raised a rebellion against the Brothers, and they wiped out them except for her due to her immortality. When they abandoned Remnant, she became a creature part human and part Grimm. Ever since then, she's been trying to destroy Remnant to die. In the future Kang saw, that not only did she succeed, but the Grimm spread out among the galaxy, destroying whole planets."

Ruby and Weiss became silent. Groot and Mantis looked on at them in sympathy. Dr. McCoy's expression was difficult to make out due to the polarized visor. Rocket stared at them in abject disbelief.

"Let me get this straight…in this future, the Galaxy got destroyed by monsters all because some chick threw a suicidal cosmic temper tantrum?" Rocket asked slowly. When the rumination teens nodded, he growled out angrily, "Well I say flark her!"

"I am Groot!" Groot gasped in horror.

"I don't care if I'm swearing in front of a sweet thing! I've been doing it for a while," Rocket yelled. "Everybody's been flarked over in their life! It's no excuse to flark over everyone else along the way! That's the one thing I hate the most among everything else."

Rocket pointed a small finger at the remnantians. "Here's what we're going to do kids. We're going to kill every fire demon and save the Korbinites. And we're going to get out of this alive! Then we're going to find your planet and throw her into the darkest place we can find and throw away the key. And if so much as die or give up in the attempt, I will hunt you down myself if these 'Grimm' haven't wiped out the Galaxy. Are we clear?"

Ruby and Weiss stared at him. Their thoughts drifted back to when Kang showed them everything about the secret history of Remnant. While Salem's story is tragic and suffering unjust, it doesn't excuse the atrocities she has committed. They don't need to be told again that she needs to be stopped after Kang.

"Crystal."

"Good. Now gather round. I just finished the power regulator and need to connect these receivers to the energy storage."

[~]

Yang burst through the door, eyes red and blazing with fury. A horde of Fire Demons, bodies crackling with infernal flames, blocked her path. She unleashed a flurry of punches, her aura shimmering with incandescent heat. Each strike sent the demons reeling, firing Ember Celica's shotguns to maximize the damage, their fiery forms scattering like embers in a windstorm. The air was thick with the smell of burning flesh and scorched metal as Yang danced through the chaos, her movements fluid and deadly. The hallway echoed with the sound of her fists connecting with demonic flesh, the rhythmic clash of metal against obsidian.

Blake darted into the fray, her movements as graceful as a panther. She lunged at a Fire Demon that had crept up behind Yang, her katana flashing in the dim light. With a single, precise strike, she sliced through the demon's fiery form, sending it tumbling to the ground in a heap of charred remains.

"Thanks," Yang said, turning to Blake, her eyes returning to their normal violet. "I could've gotten that one."

Blake shrugged. "I figured you were too busy to notice."

Yang and Blake moved through the ship, their senses on high alert. Their group is making sure that the fire demons who managed to get aboard the Skuttlebutt are exterminated. Thor and his group are outside taking on the bulk of the horde, but even they can't contain all of them.

As they ran to catch up with the rest of their group, they passed several fallen fire demons, their charred remains a stark testament to the fierce battle raging throughout the Skuttlebutt. As they rounded a corner, they caught sight of two of the people in their group. Gamora and Star-Lord are fighting back-to-back. The green woman fired her pistol and swung her sword at any fire demon who got close while Star-Lord fired beams of absolute zero, freezing the fire demons.

Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the hallway. Drax the Destroyer, the massive Kylosian warrior, burst through a nearby door. His powerful arms were a blur of motion as he tore through the ranks of fire demons, his battle cry echoing through the ship.

"The Korbinites will have their vengeance!" Drax bellowed, his voice a thunderclap. "For Korbin!

Tang watched Drax with a mixture of awe and respect. "He's living up to that Destroyer title," she remarked, her voice barely audible over the din of battle.

Gamora, who had joined them, nodded. "He earned it during his rampage across the galaxy," she explained. "He was searching for Ronan the Accuser, the man who killed his family."

Yang's eyes widened in sympathy. She looked at where Drax was demolishing fire demons while they were down.

"I'm sorry. That must've been terrible."

Gamora simply nodded, her expression grim. "You should be telling him that when he isn't destroying something. You can say that he's taking the Korbinite's situation personally."

With a flick of her wrist, she fired her pistol, the projectile piercing the chest of a charging fire demon. Before the demon could even react, she swung her sword, apparently named the Godslayer, its blade slicing through the creature's fiery form with a sickening crunch. The fire demon fell to the ground, its charred remains a testament to Gamora's deadly skill.

Blake and Yang watched Gamora in awe.

"Now that was badass," Yang said with no small amount of glee. "Out of curiosity, how did you get the title of the Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy?"

"It's a long story," Gamora replied with a grim and bitter smile. "To make it short, it comes with being the adopted daughter of Thanos. And before you ask, I have as little love for him as much as you do. With being trained to be his personal murder weapon and all. Which is how I became the deadliest woman in the galaxy."

Blake and Yang's faces became deathly pale. She and her friends were well aware of the Mad Titan's reputation. They never thought that such a ruthless tyrant who had conquered countless worlds and slaughtered billions of innocents would have the heart to adopt a daughter. Judging from Gamora's expression and disdain, it wasn't a pleasant experience.

"I'm sorry," Yang said with sincere sympathy, her voice trembling slightly. "It must've been difficult."

Gamora shrugged. "You have no idea. Here's a word of advice. Even death doesn't stop him from being a thorn in everyone's side."

"What do you mean?"

"She's not the only one who's had a tough life," Star-Lord interrupted as he smashed a frozen fire demon to bits and pieces. "When I was just a kid, I was kidnapped by Yondu and his Ravagers back in 1998. Right when I was eight years old."

"Seriously?" Yang asked incredulously. She and Blake were surprised that Star-Lord happened to be from Earth. They thought that he must be another human-looking alien like him.

"Yep. I was raised among the Ravagers. Our way of life is pretty much stealing from everyone. But Yondu did care about me. More than my dad. J'son, the former emperor of the Spartax Empire."

"Wow, so that makes you a prince?" Yang asked. She is taken aback by his darkened expression.

"Former prince," he hissed. "Turns J'son is a real jackass. He left my mom and me on Earth, where she died of cancer, and he didn't give a rat's ass about her. He was power-hungry and totalitarian and wanted me to join his ways. Makes me glad that I overthrew him."

"Yondu was the father J'son could never be," Gamora said, taking his hand. "His evil is the reason why Yondu couldn't bring himself to hand him over. When we were saving the Galaxy from Ego the Living Planet, he saved Peter at the cost of his life. He died as a Guardian of the Galaxy."

"Before I met J'son, I wanted my dad to be David Hasselhoff," Peter said fondly. "Yondue didn't have a talking car, but he did have a flying arrow. He didn't have the beautiful voice of an angel, but he did have the whistle of one. Both Yondu and David Hasselhoff went on kick-ass adventures hooked up with hot women and fought robots. I guess David Hasselhoff did kind of end up being my dad after all, and it was Yondu. I had a pretty cool dad, and I'll never forget him."

The group of heroes stood in silence. Hearing the Guardian's backstories made Yang feel something that she could relate to. Part of her is jealous of Peter's relationship with Yondu. Despite being part of a gang of intergalactic bandits, Yondu proved to be a better father figure for Star-Lord. She loved her father, Taiyang, and Summer Rose who proved to be the best mother she ever had.

Unlike her biological one, she thought darkly.

The long silence is broken by the sound of Drax's mad laughter and the screams of dying fire demons. Star-Lord, or rather Peter, looked at each other.

"We should get back to killing Fire Demons," Peter declared. "Before Drax gets way ahead of himself and gets himself in trouble again."

"Yep," Gamora agreed as they rushed to where the sounds of battle were coming from.

"Don't you think it's odd that we have time for these conversations during a life-and-death battle?" Blake asked.

"Meh. Once you're used to it, the occasional danger dialogue becomes a thing," Peter said nonchalantly.

[~]

Thor stood atop the Skuttlebutt, his towering figure against the backdrop of the Korbinite warship. He raised Mjolnir high above his head. With a thunderous roar, he hurled the hammer at the horde of Fire Demons swarming the ship. The enchanted weapon tore through space, leaving a trail of lightning in its wake. It crashed into the heart of the demonic horde, sending a wave of fiery destruction through their ranks. As the fire demons scattered in panic, Thor charged forward, his mighty hammer swinging in a whirlwind of blows. The metallic hull of the Skuttlebutt trembled beneath his feet as he crushed the demons beneath his hammer.

Thor, Jane, and Beta Ray Bill stood side by side, their forms bathed in the glow of the firelight. If they could smell in space, there was no doubt that the air would be thick with the smell of burning flesh and scorched metal as they fought off the relentless onslaught of fire demons.

"The fire demons are relentless," Thor grunted, his voice barely audible over the din of battle. They could talk in space due to a spell that Adam cast on everyone before they split.

"We need to hold them off until they're finished with the receivers," Jane said, her eyes scanning the battlefield. "We need to hold them off until then."

Beta Ray Bill grunted in agreement. "And hold them off we shall," he said, his voice filled with determination. "For the sake of my people and Korbin!"

Meanwhile, the rest of their group is providing aerial support. Photon soared above the Skuttlebutt, body shimmering with vibrant energy. The fiery attacks of the fire demons simply flew through her without harm. She retaliated by firing blasts of pure electromagnetic radiation that tore through the ranks of the demonic horde, leaving their corpses to crumble as they floated in the empty void of space. Sometimes she would give them the run around by vanishing and having gullible fire demons crash into each other.

At another part of the Skuttlebutt, Phyla-Vell fought, her quantum bands pulsing. Sword in hand, she tore through the ranks of the Fire Demons. The remains of their fiery forms scattered like embers in a gale. She flew through space, her cloak trailing behind her. She constructed several more weapons to aid her. Knives, axes, maces, even guns. At her mental command, the semi-sentient weapons attacked the fire demons.

That's nothing to say about the avatar of life, Adam Warlock. He fired golden blasts of quantum magic at fire demons left and right. Any that got close meets the end of his Karmic Staff. Charging it with golden quantum energy, he unleashed a flurry of golden projectiles. Sometimes he would throw a spell into the mix. Fire demons would find themselves in crushing prisons. Some wound up in solar vortexes where he would take out many at once.

The golden Guardian landed down on the Skuttlebutt and approached Jane. He watched as she buried Thunderstrike's head into the chest of a fire demon with fierce determination, her eyes blazing with a warrior's spirit befitting of a goddess of thunder. "A most commendable display of valor, fair maiden," he began, his voice a soothing melody. "Your prowess with the enchanted mace is truly remarkable, a testament to your innate strength and courage.

Jane, momentarily distracted by the onslaught of Fire Demons, paused to regard him. "Thanks," she replied, her voice hoarse from the exertion. "But right now, I've got a job to do."

Adam Warlock nodded understandingly. "Indeed, the fate of countless korbinites hangs in the balance," he said. "Your valiant efforts are most appreciated."

Then he approached her, his form shimmering with celestial light. With a gentle touch, he placed his hand upon her forehead, his eyes closed in concentration. A wave of warmth washed over Jane, a soothing balm that seemed to seep into her very being. She felt a sense of peace wash over her as if all her worries and anxieties were melting away.

When he finally removed his hand, Jane blinked in surprise. "What was that?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder. "I don't feel injured."

Adam Warlock smiled. "It is a healing spell, my dear," he replied. "A prophylactic measure, if you will. A means of ensuring your well-being, even in the face of the most arduous trials."

Jane's brow furrowed. "But I'm not injured," she repeated.

Adam Warlock's expression became more somber. "Indeed, you are not," he replied. "Yet, there is a more insidious affliction that plagues you, a malady that even your divine transformation cannot fully eradicate."

He paused, his eyes filled with a mixture of compassion and sorrow. Jane could hear her heart pounding into her chest as she knew what he was getting at. Each time she wields Thunderstrike, the transformation cleanses her body of toxins, but it also accelerates her death due to purging the chemotherapy as well.

"How long?"

"I'm afraid that my spell only bought you time for one more transformation after this one," Adam Warlock replied. "After that…I'm so sorry. What you choose to do with the remaining life you have will be your most valuable."

Jane just stood there, digesting this in silence. Then came Thor landing on top of a fire demon. The shrieking fire demon is silenced with a single stomp on the head.

"Hail friends! I know that we're killing it, but we've still got fire demons to kill," Thor says as he steps off the fire demon. His smile faded when he noticed Jane and Adam's expressions. "What's going on?"

Adam turned to Thor, his expression serene. "Fear not, my friend," he replied. "Your beloved is safe. However, there is a matter of great import that she must discuss with you."

As Adam flies off to fight more fire demons, Thor turns to Jane and asks, "Jane, what does he mean?"

Jane looked at Thor, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and resignation. She knew that sooner or later she would have to tell him. But before she could speak, she felt her hair stand on end.

Then, the space above the Skuttlebutt as a fiery portal appeared. More fire demons came flying out, but there was someone else who stood out among them. One that isn't a demon. Flying in the center among them is a woman with flowing blonde hair that is lit aflame. A dark red ensemble clung to her curves, accentuating her hourglass figure in a way that was both seductive and intimidating. Her spiked choker and horned tiara lend her an air of regal menace.

In their peripheral vision, they could see the fire demons wearing the ship collectively shudder. Even more so as the newcomer looked around the battlefield. "What is taking you so long?" she demanded, her voice a chilling whisper. "The Korbinites must be destroyed."

"It's her! The Demon Queen!" Beta Ray Bill growled as he came running. "She and her master led the invasion of Korbin!"

The Demon Queen scanned the heroes with a cold, calculating gaze. Her eyes contacted Thor. Both almost instantly recognized the other.

"Thor Odinson," she greeted. "We meet again at last."

"Amora?" Thor asked in surprise. Beta Ray Bill looked at Thor in shock.

"You know her?"

"Aye. The Enchantress. A villain to be sure," Thor confirmed. "Amora, this is madness! How could you do this? You are Vanir! Good or evil you believe in life! The fire demons would see everything burn!"

Amora just stared at him, her fiery eyes boring into him. Then, a conflicted expression crossed on her face. The fire in her eyes faded, returning to the emerald orbs that he knew. But then they faded behind the flames that once again enveloped them.

"Once upon a time I did," Amora sneered. "But even we Vanir know that all life must come to an end. And every ending comes with a new beginning. Lord Surtur made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"Surtur?" Thor asked. "But he's dead! My father and his brothers killed him."

Amora stared at him for a moment before bursting out in laughter. All around them, the fire demons are mimicking her. Some of them went as far as to clutch their bellies.

"Oh, my poor misguided Thor," Amora wiped an imaginary tear from her eye. "Lord Sutur cannot die. Not until he fulfills his destiny and lays waste to Asgard. Thanks to the life force of the Burning Galaxy, especially Korbin serving as its forge, the Twilight Sword shall be reforged."

Jane felt a lump of ice drop down in her stomach. Somehow, everything Amora had said confirmed her suspicions. The theft of the Twilight Sword Fragments. What the horrifying cost of reforging the weapon is. Earth is engulfed in the frigid embrace of Fimbulwinter. Everything could only lead up to one thing.

Ragnarök.

"Are you telling me that you butchered my people…destroyed my home…all so you could reforge a SWORD?" Beta Ray Bill growled in absolute fury.

"Not just any sword…Beta Ray Bill was it?" Amora said, looking down at the korbinite warrior. "I wouldn't expect you to understand. This is the Sword of Doom that shall set the universe afire. Odin tried so hard to keep it out of Lord Surtur's hands. But in the end, all he did was set events predetermined into motion."

"Tell me, Amora. Were you the one who freed Loki?" Thor asked tersely. His grip on Mjolnir tightened so much it's a wonder it didn't break.

"I think we know the answer to that, my dear," Amora said. "Truth be told, you were supposed to be on Midgard when he unleashed Fimbulwinter. No matter. He will fulfill his destiny just as I and Lord Surtur will fulfill ours in time."

Jane stepped forward, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "Is it our destiny to lay waste to you, Amora?" Jane asked, hefting Thunderstrike and locking eyes with the Enchantress-turned-Demon Queen. She looked between her and Thor as if connecting the dots. When realization dawned, her face twisted in jealousy and rage.

"So…a mortal who masquerades as a goddess…I see how it is. I will tear you apart, and I will take your mace as a trophy!"

With a wave of her hand, Amora commanded her Fire Demons to attack. The creatures roared in agreement, their fiery forms twisting and contorting as they charged towards the heroes. Jane raised a crackling Thunderstrike in defense, her muscles tensing as she prepared for battle. Thor stood beside her, his grip tightening on Mjolnir, which was crackling with lightning as well.

Together, they swung at the first fire demons in their fight against Amora.

[~]

Rocket and Beast stood to admire their work, their faces illuminated by the glow of the finished receivers. Each let out a blinking red light that could be seen for miles. It was a lot of work, but they got it done.

"Alright, let's get these babies outside," Rocket said, his voice filled with excitement. "Once we get some lightning to strike 'em, we'll be able to power up the whole ship."

"So, we just get these outside," Ruby asks as she picks up one of them. It felt light in her hands.

"That is the idea," Dr. McCoy nodded. "We toss the receivers outside the Skuttlebutt out of different airlocks to maximize our chances. Then we have Thor and Miss Foster imbue them with their weapons' energy and the receivers can transfer it to the energy storage."

"I think we should each take some and split up," Weiss declared. "We could cover more ground that way."

As they prepared to exit the energy storage room, a tingling sensation spread through Rocket's fur. His raccoon senses, honed over years of scavenging and survival, were warning him of danger. Groot knew him long enough to recognize what he was feeling.

"I am Groot?"

"Get ready. We've got incoming," Rocket warned, shouldering his laser cannon.

"What he means is that we got fire demons coming!" Mantis explained. "Lots of them!"

Just as the words left her mouth, the door burst open, revealing a horde of Fire Demons. Their fiery forms flickered and danced in the dim light, their eyes glowing with a malevolent intensity.

"Oh, flark," Rocket muttered, his voice filled with dread. Just what we needed."

Without waiting, the fire demons charged at the group. Weiss acted first. Myrtenaster in hand, she summoned a glyph in front of them, forming an ice wall just before the fire demons could get close. Ruby nodded appreciatively to her partner, then she extended Crescent Rose to its full length, chambered a round, and took aim at the wall. She couldn't use her scythe at the risk of damaging something important in his room.

"We don't have time for this!" Rocket cried. "We need to get those receivers outside. If we stay and try to protect the energy storage, they'll overwhelm us, and our hard work will be wasted. We can't let a single receiver be destroyed. One of us has to get past the fire demons."

Rocket was right. The fire demons so far have proven to be relentless. Every time they take one down, another pops up in its place. If they destroy the energy storage, they'll all be sitting ducks. That includes the korbinites still in cryosleep.

Then, Ruby got an idea. It was risky and a long shot, but it just might work.

"Give me the receivers," Ruby said as she put away her precious Crescent Rose. "I can get them outside."

Everyone looked at her. Weiss immediately caught on to what she was about to do. "Ruby, you cannot be—"

"I'm fast enough to get past them," Ruby declared. "Our biggest hitters are holding off the bulk of the fire demons and Blake and Yang are too far away to get back here in time. Every minute we wait is a minute everyone is close to death. If it gets the Skuttlebutt back online, I must take that risk."

Weiss stared at her partner. She could see that Ruby was deadset on doing this and booked no room for further argument. With a sigh, she said, "You'd better get back you dolt."

"I will," Ruby said with a smile. Rocket shuffled up to her.

"Those receivers are going too much for you to carry," he said, pulling out a device. "Take this."

"What is it?"

"A pocket dimension storage vial," Rocket explained with a proud look. "This things really handy in keeping all my stuff without having to worry about the weight. Now listen to me carefully, I'm not going to explain this twice and you better give it back."

After Rocket explained to Ruby how to use it, she tested it out on the pile of receivers waiting to be picked up. Like a vacuum cleaner, the pocket dimension storage vial sucked them all in.

"Okay, you have all the receivers safe and sound," Rocket said. Just then, a crack appeared on the ice wall. "Get ready, no doubt that big chunk of ice is going to be melting soon."

Ruby nodded and got into position in front of the group. Keeping her eyes on the fracturing and melting wall of ice, she got into a runner's position. Then, behind her, a glyph appeared. Ruby looked at her partner, who summoned the glyph.

"A little boost to get you going," Weiss said. Ruby nodded in thanks for her partner's support. The ice wall finally crumbled, allowing the fire demons entry. Without a moment to waste, Ruby hopped backward onto the glyph and allowed it to propel her. Using her semblance, she increased the speed she was going. The fire demons are knocked aside by a red human projectile leaving a trail of roses in her wake. Some tried and failed to catch her.

"Good luck," Weiss said to her partner in the distance before her blue orbs focused on the fire demons, who were recovering from sudden turbulence. Weiss got ready to fight before she felt a massive hand on her shoulder.

"What?"

"I am Groot."

"Umm…what is he saying?" Weiss asked, turning to Rocket. The raccoon had an expression of surprise on his face before it split into a smile.

"Ooh…great idea Groot," Rocket said. He looked at Weiss and said, "Listen to me…Groot wants you to kill him."

"Okay, got it," Weiss said. She had just raised Myrtenaster before she registered the rest of Rocket's sentence. "Wait…WHAT?"

"He wants you to kill him," Rocket repeated. "You said that your fancy soul power allows you to summon the people you killed, right? So how about you kill him and summon another Groot? Double the muscle."

"But…but…do you even know what you are asking?" Weiss asked, her voice a high pitch. "We are about to be besieged by fire demons and you are asking me to commit murder!"

"It's not murder if the guy can revive himself," Mantis said, stepping forward. "Yeah, Sir Groot dies a lot. But he grows back from a splinter. Like this one."

Mantis held up a splinter the size of a sprig. "I can accelerate his growth with Botanopathy. Oh yeah, you don't know what that is. What it does is allow me to control the vegetation within my vicinity. What this, I can make Sir Groot flammable."

Mantis touched Groot, who just stood there and didn't react. Then, she tapped a spot on his arm, and it caught fire. Groot didn't react at all to the fire as it spread along his arm.

"How many powers do you have?" Weiss asked Mantis in utter disbelief.

"Yeah, it's helpful as we didn't want to deal with another teenage Groot," Rocket said. "Trust us. We know what we're doing. Now hurry up and kill Groot! He's flammable now, so burning him will make him die faster."

Weiss had a million things she wanted to say. How it's very, very, very disturbing that they are okay with their friend being murdered. But they turned away from her as if expecting her to do the deed. They didn't even ask her what she could summon. There a plenty of other avatars that she can call upon. Like her Arma Gigas.

But the more she thought about summoning it, the more complications she could see. Namely the energy storage room. While Weiss isn't an expert in korbinite technology, she knew the risk of cutting something important with the Arma Gigas large sword. One careless mistake and she could end up making the situation worse.

She looked at Groot, who met her with a look that seemed to be…reassurance. He took hold of Myrtenaster's blade and directed the tip to where his heart would be.

"I am Groot."

Even though she couldn't understand him, she could tell that he was insistent. He wasn't going to change his mind. But there was something in his voice that assured her that it would be alright. Weiss swallowed a lump down her throat.

"I'm going to regret this…"

Hand shaking, she plunged Myrtenaster into Groot's chest. Remembering Rocket's 'advice', she used her weapons vial of Horton Cells to set Groot aflame. His brown bark became charcoal. Groot simply smiled at her as the light faded from his eyes. That was how she knew that he was dead. That she killed him.

With trembling hands, Weiss withdrew Myrtenaster. She couldn't stop the short scream as she did the deed. She watched as the ashen tree corpse that is Groot collapsed to his knees. Said knees broke apart as the flora colossus' body crumbled into ash, his form reduced to a pile of charred remains. Weiss stared at it with shaky eyes. Her knees trembled, threatening to fall as well.

Then, a hand fell on her shoulder. Turning her head, Weiss found Mantis bug eyes looking at her in comfort. Suddenly, she felt herself calming down. She figured that it must be her empathy at work. Mantis is using her powers to calm her down. With a small smile, Mantis held out her hand, the splinter resting on the palm.

Weiss watched in amazement as the splinter shook in the palm of Mantis. Then, the splinter jumped off her hand as it began to sprout. Its roots dug into the ground and its branches reached towards the ceiling. Within minutes, the tiny sapling had grown into the towering figure of Groot. His form is identical before being burnt. The living tree stood tall and proud, his eyes filled with a serene determination.

"I…am…GROOT!"

Weiss couldn't help it. Seeing the flora colossus alright filled Weiss with relief. She didn't believe Rockets and Mantis' claims until now. Without a word, she hugged Groot, not caring about his bark-like skin. Groot is taken aback for a few seconds before he returns the hug.

"Please don't ask me to do that again," Weiss begged to which Groot nodded.

"I am Groot."

"What did I tell you? Nothing to worry about!" Rocket yelled over his shoulder. He is firing headshots at the fire demons. Dr McCoy is in the process of ripping one's head off.

"Now hurry up and summon that Groot!"

"Better get move on, Ice!" Mantis calls out as she runs off to join the battle. Weiss felt a little irked at this reaction. It felt like they were dismissing an emotional moment for her. She released the Flora Colossus so he could move to assist the others. Groot glanced over his shoulder to look at Weiss and nodded.

Nodding in acknowledgment, she raised Myrtenaster. Focusing on Groot, she focused on her semblance. On the ground, a new glyph appeared on the floor. Each of her summons has a unique glyph to them. For the Arma Gigas, its glyph has swords. A Nevermore has its feathers. But this one has vines entangling intertwining with each other around a very familiar face.

Three fire demons made it past the heroes' blockade and rushed toward her. They didn't get far as a massive birch arm reached out from the glyph and grabbed the leading fire demon by the face. Lifting itself out of the summoning glyph is another Groot, resplendent blue eyes boring holes into the fire demon it held.

With a bellow, the Groot lifted the fire demon and smashed it into burning rubble. Then it turned on the other two fire demons. One of them raised a fiery sword for an overhead slash. It would've struck if the white Groot hadn't suddenly sprouted an extra pair of arms and caught it. While its second pair of harms held the fire demons, the original set morphed into blades and stabbed through it. But it didn't stop there. The arms elongated, and like spears, pierced the third fire demon.

Satisfied with its first kills, the white Groot withdrew its limbs and stomped over the ash piles that are the remains of fire demons. It stood shoulder to shoulder with the real Groot, who sprouted extra arms to mimic his doppelganger. Together, they stood against the rest of the fire demons.

"WE ARE GROOT!" they bellowed in synch.

Weiss, who is watching her new avatar with mixed emotions, simply smiled and said, "That you are."

[~]

Ruby raced down the hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. Behind her, a horde of Fire Demons surged forward, their fiery forms flickering in the dim light. She had been separated from her team during the chaos of the battle, and now she was alone, trapped in a labyrinth of burning corridors.

As she ran, Ruby reached out mentally, her mind connecting with Adam Warlock's spell. She thought of Beta Ray Bill, the noble warrior of the Korbinites who was fighting on board his ship. His image appeared in her mind, his face etched with determination.

"Beta Ray Bill," she thought, her voice at a high octave. "Can you describe the airlocks? Rocket and Dr. McCoy have finished the receivers."

Beta Ray Bill's response was immediate. "The airlocks are large, circular structures," he said, his voice echoing in her mind. "They are usually located near the outer hull of the ship. Look for this symbol. Hurry! The Demon Queen has appeared, and she's brought reinforcements."

Ruby nodded, her mind racing to even ask what a Demon Queen is. She knew she had to find the airlocks quickly before the Fire Demons caught up to her. She continued to run, her eyes scanning the walls for the symbols Beta Ray Bill had described.

But when she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes widened in alarm. More and more fire demons were closing in, their fiery forms a menacing wall. She didn't keep count, but she didn't remember that many fire demons chasing her before. Immediately, Ruby knew she had to think fast. She couldn't afford to stop and open an airlock. If she did, then they would be on her, and it would risk destroying the pocket dimension storage vial. She didn't want to know what Rocket kept inside it and what would happen if it broke.

Suddenly, an idea sparked in her mind. She remembered the hangar, located at the far end of the ship. It was a massive structure, with a large opening that led to the void known as space. Fortunately, she remembers where to go. Ruby knew she'd get an earful from her teammates, specifically Weiss and Yang, but it was the best idea she could come up with at the moment. Besides, her suit would allow her to breathe.

With a deep breath, she steeled her resolve to keep running. Ignoring the fire demons, she focused on ahead. She put more aura into her semblance to speed up. The demons behind her cried but she didn't care.

It took her a few seconds to realize that she was passing through the cryobay. Her breath caught in her throat. The once-quiet chamber was now a chaotic battlefield, filled with the flickering forms of Fire Demons. Some of the Korbinite pods were damaged, their glass cracked and shattered. Ruby's stomach churned with dread.

Without hesitation, Ruby charged into the fray. Her blood boiled with anger as she saw the innocent Korbinites in danger. Without stopping, she unfurled and swung Crescent Rose with a fury she had never known before, her blade slicing through the Fire Demons with ease. She fought with a savage intensity, her blade a blur of motion. She slashed and hacked, her strikes filled with raw fury.

But the fire demons were relentless, their numbers overwhelming. She knew she had to lure the fire demons away, to give the sleeping Korbinites a chance to survive. Luckily, she already had lots of fire demons chasing after her. It shouldn't be a problem adding more to the mix.

"Come on, you cowards!" she shouted, her voice filled with contempt. "Is that all you've got? You can't even beat a little girl?"

The fire demons roared in anger, their fiery forms twisting and contorting. They attempted to close in on Ruby, but she zipped past them. Ruby burst out of the cryo bay, her lungs burning from the exertion. She ran down the familiar hallway, the fire demons hot on her heels. When all of this is over, she's going to be training as if she's running for a marathon.

As she reached the hangar, she saw the massive doors open to the void of space. Without hesitation, she ran towards the exit, her heart pounding in her chest as she was about to perform the stupidest stunt she had ever done in her life. Taking a deep breath, she jumped through the magnetic field, her body weightless for a moment before she was pulled into the vacuum of space.

The sensation was overwhelming. Ruby felt herself spinning, tumbling through the void. The stars twinkled above her, distant and cold. If it weren't for her spacesuit's insulation, she would no doubt be freezing to death. She was alone, floating in the fast expanse of the universe.

For a moment, Ruby felt a wave of panic. She is floating helplessly, alone, and terrified in space. But then, she remembered her mission. Without a moment to waste, took out the pocket dimension storage vial she received from Rocket. Carefully as she could, and remembering Rocket's instructions, she thumbed the button. She watched the devices floating out of the vial and into the darkness, illuminated only by a blinking red light that no doubt could be seen for miles.

The fire demons, the ones pursuing her, can also be seen. And by the gods, there were so many of them. Part of her felt a surge of pride realizing that they would be caught in the lightning blast that was coming. They'll be vaporized in the process of recharging the Skuttlebutt.

But then the red huntress realized that it would vaporize her as well. In her haste, she didn't think of a way to get back to the Skuttlebutt after getting this far. The distance between her and the warship is getting smaller by the minute. Ruby wasn't sure if swimming skills apply in space.

Deciding to get some help, she tried to take advantage of Adam's spell and call for help. Just before she could, she suddenly felt the weight of gravity. It didn't take a second for her mind to process it before her body hit a metal floor.

"What the?" Ruby wondered out loud as she lifted herself. To her utter astonishment, she found herself back in the hangar of the Skuttlebutt. How did she get back here? That question was answered when she noticed the glowing portal of blue energy a few feet away from her. As Ruby propped herself up, the portal vanished, as if it was never there.

"Okay…that was weird but not unwelcome," Ruby says slowly as she picks herself up. Briefly, she wondered who was responsible for the portal. But she chalked it up to someone fighting in space seeing her. Right now, all that mattered was getting the Skuttlebutt back up and running.

"Thor! Jane!" Ruby cried, imagining the faces of the gods of thunder. "The receivers are deployed. Feel free to let loose some lightning!"

Unbeknownst to her, she is being watched. Standing in the shadow of the Scimitar stood a cloaked figure. The golden reactor core on their chest let out a soft glow. From beneath the hood, glowing golden eyes with white pupils stared at the silver-eyed huntress with relief at her survival.

For now, they will keep themselves hidden as planned. The time when they first met will come. Of that, they have no doubt.

[~]

Thor and Jane fought side by side, their forms bathed in the glow of both their weapons lightning and the flames of the fire demons. With their godly strength, their blows demolished them with ease. Lightning flew from the heads of Mjolnir and Thunderstrike, striking the nearby fire demons that dared to challenge them.

Their Demon Queen, Amora, watched all of this with a look of indifference. It seemed that she didn't care how many of her forces were being decimated. Case in point, she unleashed two torrents of magical fire. While Thor and Jane blocked them easily with their weapons, which absorbed the energy. But the fires they didn't absorb hit the metal plating of the Skuttlebutt. The flames twisted and writhed, their heat intense and suffocating. As the fire raged, more fire demons began to emerge from the flames, their forms even more twisted and grotesque.

"Seems to me that we got to take out the Queen," Jane yells out loud. "As long as she's around, there's going to be more fire demons popping out."

"So, it would seem, Jane," Thor called out as he hammered away another fire demon. "Take her out then the fire demons won't replenish their numbers."

That would be easier said than done. Something that Thor would find out the hard way. The prince of thunder threw Mjolnir at Amora, hoping to knock her off balance. But the Enchantress turned Demon Queen simply raised a hand and erected a fiery barrier that surrounded her. Not only did it not hit her, but Mjolnir also went around her barrier and hit him in the abdomen. With the force that he'd thrown, Thor was knocked down.

"Ooph," Thor grunted as his back hit the metal hull of Skuttlebutt. Straining himself, he looked at his hammer with a frown. "Huh. That usually worked."

He kicked himself up, grabbing Mjolnir as it floated in space, and rejoined his allies in the infernal onslaught. Jane unleashed another barrage of lightning that tore through the ranks of the fire demons. Then she brought her mace and turned a fire demon's head into embers. Beta Ray Bill is attacking with righteous fury, swinging his fists into fire demons foolish to stand in his way.

It was clear he was trying to make his way to Amora. After he smacked away a few fire demons, he leaped towards the one who helped destroy his home. Rearing back a fist, he punched the barrier surrounding Amora. The force behind that punch was enough to send tremors into the barrier. Thor did not doubt that he could've broken the barrier if Amora hadn't sent him flying back with a fireball.

"Are you alright, Bill?" Thor asked. Beta Ray Bill gave him a deadpan look.

"If the Demon Queen thinks fire is going to take me down, she has no idea how long I've been fighting her fire demons."

With that, Beta Ray Bill rushed back into the fray. Thor was about to join him when he heard Ruby's voice in his head.

"Thor! Jane! The receivers are deployed. Feel free to let loose some lightning!"

The prince of Asgard's eyes widened. Looking over his shoulder, he could see blinking red lights moving along the horizon. If it weren't for Rocket's forewarning, he would've easily mistaken them for stars. He broke into a smile. The time has come for them to turn the tables on their foe.

"Bill! Jane!" Thor spoke in their mental link. "I'm going to charge the Skuttlebutt. Keep Amora occupied."

His allies replied not with words but with action. Hearing that the Skuttlebutt will soon be back online filled them with renewed vigor. Thunderstrike crackled with lightning, making each of Jane's strikes send shockwaves through the demonic horde. But Bill is the most affected. He fought with renewed ferocity, his bare hands becoming more deadly to his hated foe as he punched them left and right. No matter how many come at him, his resolve remained unwavering.

Satisfied that they would be alright in keeping the heat off him, Standing atop Skuttlebutt, he raised his hammer high above his head. Even space didn't stop the storm clouds from gathering. Their fury is a reflection of his own. With a thunderous roar that echoed across the battlefield, he called upon the lightning, the most powerful he had ever unleashed. Above the sky would be torn asunder as a torrent of lightning arcs down from the heavens. The bolt struck the receivers with a blinding flash, powered by Thor's divine intervention. The receivers hummed with energy, their lights growing brighter with each strike. As lightning continued to fall, the receivers began to glow with an intense blinding light, their power surging through the vacuum of space.

Jane fought with a ferocity that belied her delicate appearance. Her Thunderstrike, her enchanted mace, cracked with lightning, each strike sending a shockwave through the demonic horde. She dodged their fiery attacks with a grace that was both surprising and inspiring, her movements fluid and precise. She fought with an unwavering determination, her eyes filled with a cold, calculating fury.

As she cleared a path through the Fire Demons, she approached Amora, her eyes locked with the Enchantress's. Even while floating in space, the Demon Queen stood tall, her form bathed in a sinister glow. She raised her hands, and a torrent of flame erupted from her palms, engulfing the area in a fiery inferno.

Jane did not flinch. She charged forward, her Thunderstrike raised high. The flames licked at her, but she pushed through, her determination undeterred. She swung her mace, the lightning crackling around her, shattering the flames and dispersing the Fire Demons.

"Is that all you've got Amora?" Jane taunted, her voice echoing through the chaos, her words a sharp contrast to the roaring inferno that surrounded them. "I was starting to think that your chances with Thor were so slim because you're a bitch! Turns out it's just because you're this pathetic!"

Amora's eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger crossing her face. With a growl, Amora lowered her barrier, her form emerging from the flames. A single wave of her hand made the fire demons give Jane a wide berth.

"The rest of you go after the Korbinite," she hissed with venom. "You are mine to deal with, personally."

"The demonic creature roared in agreement, their fiery forms twisting and contorting as they charged towards the Korbinite warrior. Soon, it was just Jane and Amora facing each other, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. The space between them crackled with tension as the two powerful women prepared to clash. Thunderstrike hummed with energy, while Amora's hands glowed with a sinister, otherworldly flame.

"You think you and Thor were meant to be together?" Amora sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "You are delusional, Jane Foster. Thor doesn't realize what he wants. And you who stole him away, with your petty schemes and your pathetic charms, could never truly have his love."

Jane's eyes narrowed. "Oh, please," she scoffed. "You only wanted Thor for his power, just like all the men you've seduced. And yeah, he told me all about it. I even did my research. On Earth, we call a woman like you a gold digger. And it suits you."

Amora's face flushed with anger. "How dare you!" she exclaimed. "I am a goddess, far above such petty concerns."

"A goddess?" Jane laughed without an ounce of humor. "More like a spoiled brat who thinks she's entitled to everything she wants. You're nothing but a parasite, leeching off the power of others."

Amora's eyes narrowed. "You will pay for your insolence," she hissed, her voice laced with venom.

With a roar, Amora unleashed a blast of magical flame at Jane, her eyes filled with fiery fury. Jane met her with a counterattack. Gripping Thunderstrikes leather strap, she spun the uru mace in front of her, deflecting the flames. Taking careful steps forward, she approached the Demon Queen.

When she got close, Jane gripped Thunderstrike by the hilt. With a swift movement, she swung Thunderstrike, the enchanted mace cracking with lightning. The blow connected with Amora's head, sending the Demon Queen reeling backward. Amora stumbled, her vision blurred. For a moment, she was disoriented.

Jane did not let up. She pinned Amora to the ground, Thunderstrike pressing against the Demon Queen's throat. Amora struggled to break free, but Jane's grip was ironclad.

"You're weak," Jane taunted. "Despite being an Asgardian, you have no combat skills whatsoever. You rely on your minions to do your fighting for you. No wonder you're so pathetic."

Amora's face contorted with rage, but she was powerless to resist. As Jane had Amora pinned to the ground, a figure emerged. Jane looked up just in time to see the flat of an axe knock her off the Demon Queen. Regaining her footing, she found a big man dressed in Asgardian armor staring back at her, his eyes filled with a cold, calculating fury. His presence allowed Amora to stand up and brush herself off.

"Thank you, Skurge," she said, her voice laced with a hint of gratitude. "You have saved my life."

Skurge nodded, his expression impassive. Amora turned to Jane, her eyes filled with contempt.

"You see, Jane," she said, her voice dripping with smugness. "My lack of combat skill is why I have Skurge and minions. I could've easily destroyed you with only my magic. Although Skurge's new Bloodaxe has yet to taste another god's flesh. But then I figured that it would be a waste."

She paused, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "After all, you're already dying."

Jane's eyes widened. She knew Amora was referring to her cancer, but she couldn't believe that the Enchantress knew about it. Amora picked up on her shock and chuckled at it.

"Your mind is easy to read. Of course, I would know all about it," Amora said smugly. "But that's not important. What matters is that you are dying, and there is nothing you can do about it."

Suddenly, Amora adopted a look of panic. A barrier of fiery magic erupted around her and Skurge, shielding them from the incoming fire. As Jane looked up, she saw the turrets along the Skuttlebutt hull coming to life, their energy cannons crackling with power. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a torrent of flame at the turrets, hoping to disable them before they could inflict serious damage.

The turrets retaliated, their beams of energy striking the barrier with a blinding flash. The barrier held, but Amora could feel the strain. With a feral roar, she raised her hands, and a wave of fiery energy surged from her palms, striking the turret with a devastating force. The turret shuddered, its energy cannon sputtering and failing.

Amora turned to face the other turrets and continued to unleash her magic. The turrets retaliated, their beams of energy striking the barrier, but Amora held firm. The turret that Amora disabled repaired itself and joined the counterattack.

Meanwhile, Jane watched with realization as the Skuttlebutt's systems were coming back online. The ship's defenses were reactivating, and the weapon systems were regaining their power. The fire demons, caught between the ship's firepower and Amora's magic, were being decimated.

The tide of the battle was turning. The Skuttlebutt was fighting back, and the fire demons were on the brink of defeat. Amora watched the carnage with a growing sense of dread. She knew that she had to act quickly, or she would be trapped.

With a final burst of energy, Amora unleashed a powerful spell, creating a portal that would transport her and Skurge to safety. She grabbed Skurge's arm and pulled him through the portal. As they vanished, Amora spared one last look at Jane.

"This is far from over, false goddess of thunder. Ragnarök has only just begun."

Those were her last words before she and Skurge vanished. Jane stared at the space for a moment before returning to the battlefield. The fire demons were overwhelmed by the Skuttlebutt's firepower, and their bodies were reduced to ashes. A wave of relief washed over Jane as it finally set in.

The Skuttlebutt was saved. The Korbinites were safe. And Amora, the Demon Queen, was gone.

She felt someone's presence coming behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she found Beta Ray Bill standing beside her. His eyes are filled with a mixture of exhaustion and triumph.

"We did it," Jane said her voice barely a whisper.

He nodded, and despite the lack of lips, he seemed to smile. "We did," he replied. "Skuttlebutt lives…and my people as well."

They turned to the others, who were slowly recovering from the battle. Thor, Quasar, and Adam landed on the hull, looking no worse for wear. Jane turned to Thor, who was coming to her side, his eyes scanning the battlefield.

"We did it, Thor," Jane said, her voice filled with pride. Thor nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.

"We did. And now, we must make sure the last of the fire demons have been eradicated."

"I'm certain my brother already made sure of that," Beta Ray Bill claimed. "This ship is his body."

"All the same, we'd better make sure that the others are alright," Thor insists. Everyone nodded. As they began to walk away, a sudden disturbance in the void caught their attention. A shimmering figure materialized behind them, revealing the Avatar of Heimdall, the All-Seeing. The Asgardian had projected himself from the Bifrost, his stoic expression etched with a mix of relief and sorrow.

"Thor," he said, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "The threat of Fimbulwinter has ended on Midgard."

"Really? That's great!" Thor declared. "Everyone! Fimbulwinter has ended! It shall threaten Midgard no more!"

Over the link Adam set up, a wave of joy washed over everyone. Their voices are filled with jubilation. He could swear he heard Rocket declare that he knew that Midgard would be safe. The winter had been defeated. But before they could fully savor this victory, Thor noticed that Heimdall didn't share their enthusiasm.

"Heimdall? Is something wrong?" Thor asked. He knew the keeper of the Bifrost to know his moods. But a small part of him screamed that he wouldn't like what he was about to hear. Heimdall took a deep breath and spoke. His voice filled with a deep sadness.

"It's Balder…"

[~[~]

Greetings and Bienvenue readers.

I apologize for being offline for so long. I had to deal with a few personal issues that kept me busy from writing. As a way of an apology, I broke my promise to focus on another fanfic to write another chapter that is longer than I intended.

The Fimbulwinter section of the Ragnarok arc is nearing its end. And soon the Heroes will be entering Ragnarok itself. What awaits them they ask? Well, I'm going to make you wonder as I'm an incorrigible tease. Although be assured that Beta Ray Bill will get Stormbreaker sometime in this arc.

For the Guardians of the Galaxy, I'm having their characters be a fusion of their variants in other media. For example, I've merged Mantis comics, MCU, and video game versions (Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (2021), and Marvel Rivals).

While I like hearing others' ideas and constructive criticism, I already have my own and will not let the story be written by anyone else. Unless of course, I meet some unfortunate end.

I'm so happy that RWBY is being adopted by VIZ Media and I can't wait for RWBY Vol.10.

Thank you for reading. If any of you have a TV Tropes account, any assistance in updating the TV Tropes page would be greatly appreciated. Especially the characters section.

Until Next Time