Issue #8 (May 2018)
Written by Dan Dolan Featuring: Jocosta
Josiah Bradley
Tommy
Will
Patriot
Artemis
Hulkling
Riri Williams
Queen Divine Justice
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Hayley Mills v. Lindsay Lohan - Part OneThe Hideout, NYC
Riri was pretty much done. Event after event, crisis after crisis she had stood by the sidelines as her team was tossed to the winds and usually only ended up on top at the very last second. Now a seeming goddess had literally crashed through their “hideout” (what an inappropriate name considering how often they are “found”) and held their much maligned leader in her grip. Would it ever not be terrible? Would there come a day in the future where they might be able to come out ahead, instead of always being taken unaware… The young woman in question a fiery blond, toned muscles and anachronistic wardrobe currently had Josiah slammed against a wall. “Get away from them!” The woman screamed, seemingly referring to the Young Avengers themselves as the “them” she was protecting. All around them the ground shook, the floor of the Hideout even beginning to crack. Teddy tried to hurl himself over Will and Tommy only to only catch the quieter twin as Will shot forward hands alight already with their red hue. “Hey Stevie Nicks!” Will shouted, “Let’s end this landslide shall we?” A pulse of red light grew out from Will’s hands but Thrud turned to him an stamped her foot down sending a tidal wave of stone and cement up through the ground upending the probability manipulator where he stood. “Will!” Teddy, Tommy and Victor shouted at once. “We’re done here.” Riri snapped, still staring at Thrud but reaching out to press a button on the console beside her as she did so. Thrud lifted her foot once more but a sudden line of light, like a white laser pointer, hit her in the foreheand; sending her to the ground. With a loud slam she landed on her back causing the building to shake one last time, toppling a good portion of debrii on the “goddess” herself, before finally settling. They all froze for a moment taking in their status and Thrud’s, there appeared to be no major injuries (save for Josiah probably getting quite the bruised neck) and Thrud seemed to be unconscious. They gave it a few moment to be sure before beginning to move. “What was that?” Jocasta asked turning to Riri. “That was Michael… still looking out for us. I set up the Iron Manacle system as security remember? I used the footage it took from Michael’s perspective. The footage of us. Anyone he didn’t regard as “good” is automatically tracked and can be instantaneously disabled by a localized repulsor beam at the press of a button. “Intriguing… I myself would be foreign to your Michael… why did it not include me?” Jocasta mused completely without offense. “It can translate the expressions of our faces based on our experiences to judge who the threat is…” Riri answered, uploading the footage to one of her floating gadgets as she did so. “How convenient…” Said a new voice. A “pretty” blond man, muscular and well dressed, stood framed by the hole in the wall Thrud had made framed by a man the size of the Hulk in gold armor and a butch young woman brandishing an energy bow, “We’ll take it from here…” “And you are?” Patriot asked helping Tommy to his feet, Teddy doing the same for Will and so on as the others recovered from Thrud’s “attack”. “We’re the Pantheon.” A voice from behind the smarmy blonde man, who quickly stepped aside, said soon revealed to be a face that some among them recognized rather alarmingly… the child-like trickster god Narfi. “Oh my GOD.” Kate snapped quickly getting her bow in place. “Stop, I can’t handle the drama… I’m not him.” The man they would have sworn was Narfi said with a sigh, “I’m called Agamemnon but my true name is Vali. Twin to Narfi and son of Loki. I am the leader and progenitor of the Pantheon, included therein are Paris,” Vali gestured to the haughty blond man, “Atalanta” the athletic woman “and Ajax” the armored brute, “Now that pleasantries have been exchanged… Stand down and we won’t tell your parents.” He mocked in a “whiny teenager” voice. “What the…?” Kate groaned as Josiah stepped forward. “The Pantheon has no jurisdiction here.” He said solemnly. “We received a direct attack from that one.” He pointed at Thrud and followed her here where she was now attacking your group. I’d say some thanks should be in order for taking her off your hands.” Josiah sighed. “Josiah do you know them?” Chanté asked. “By reputation only. They are a foreign aid organization, occasionally dabbling in super-crime. All descended from the demigod known as Vali Halfling AKA Agamemnon, son of Loki as he said. The Hulk worked with them for a time.” “Yes… before Agamemnon went mad, turning on his brood in a murderous rampage… is that not right?” Jocasta proffered, coming to stand between the Young Avengers and the Pantheon. Vali waved his hands impatiently. “Old news. I’ve long since recovered.” Though even as he said this, some of his group didn’t look quite too enthused or comforted by his words. “You will surrender the girl to us. She is our responsibility not just for her unprovoked attack on us but because she is family.” Paris said as he stepped forward to stand next to his ancestor. Josiah merely rolled his eyes, but the man’s tone seemed to have a greater emotional effect on the kids, particularly Eli and Chanté than the earlier attack even had. “Calm yourself Paris, we can handle this civilly. Look what she’s done to their base,” Vali smarmed picking up a piece of the Iron Manacle security system that had been damaged in the young woman’s entrance, “They hardly want her here after what she’s done. Speaking of which, we’d be more than happy to compensate for damages…” “Can I have that back please?” This came from Riri, shocking most present with her boldness, said politely but firmly as she stepped up to Vali, hand held out for the Iron Manacle piece. The demigod smiled and handed it over right away. Once she had it in hand she moved to stand back with the others, Kate wrapping a protective arm around her. “I can barely think straight…” Tommy sighed, “and I thought traversing the multiverse was complicated…” “The boy is right.” Josiah snapped, “This is out of hand. Agamemnon, Vali… whatever you call yourself, we need to talk.” “Agreed. Paris remain here while--” “No.” Jocasta interrupted, “I have just reviewed every piece of data available on your group and Paris’ previous behavior and empathic powers leave me with no other conclusion than that he cannot be trusted around my charges.” The robotic woman said definitively. “You, Josiah AND Paris will adjourn to Josiah’s office. I will remain here with the others you have brought.” Paris looked like he might explode with rage but Vali just nodded. “Of course. Atalanta,” He called to a tomboyish young woman with short brown hair, “You’re in charge then till we get back.” She nodded but said nothing. “Jocasta,” Josiah called, “Get the girl secure?” The robotic woman nodded in the affirmative. Neither adult noticing as they talked: Riri calling Kate, Chante and Eli over to show them something on her drone. The kids’ faces were troubled as they watched and only grew more so as they watched Jocasta remove Thrud from the room with help from Teddy and Atalanta. “Crap…” Eli gasped. Thrud awoke bound, in unusually strong restraints she noted, the first thing she saw was a silver apparition of a woman, an automaton whose glowing red eyes somehow managed to be kindly instead of unnerving. “Would you like some water?” The artificial woman asked. Thrud thought about “soldiering up” and refusing but soon nodded, giving into weakness… as they always expected of her. The woman nodded back and marched off, revealing as she did so four others standing just behind her: The Maximoff twins, Hulkling and Victor Mancha each seemed to represent a different emotion as they looked at her. Tommy was pure nerves, his brother was clearly amused, Teddy was ready to throw down and finally Victor was impassive, barely emoting at all. “I wouldn’t try anything…” Victor said, seemingly out of genuine want to help, “Those cuffs were made by our own genius Riri. Made to contain a demon called Billy… should he ever return… I think they’ll be more to handle an unstable Asgardian.” “I was trying to help you…” Thrud muttered. “That’s what you said.” The more dominant of the two twins spoke first, “We’re kind of wondering what you meant by that.” “My father… Thor. He destroyed my life.” “I never even knew Thor had a daughter.” Teddy mumbled. “Neither does he…” Thrud said, with some sense of satisfaction, “After… what he did to me… I went to my Uncle Loki… he was all too happy to help me strip any memory of me from my father, my mother, Grandfather Odin… anyone who stood there and watched…” Tommy looked like he wanted to comfort her but after a moment thought better of trying to do so. At this moment Chanté came to join them. “Kate’s managing to keep the “god squad” occupied, challenging Atalanta to an informal archery contest. It seems that whole Athena/Arachne story isn’t so farfetched because these divine type are as competitive as you can get… Have you all learned anything?” “Thor may be an abusive father and Loki is her “cool uncle”, so one sexual fantasy forever tarnished and another born anew.” Will smirked. “You admire too freely mortal.” Thrud grumbled. “You presume sincerity where none exists.” Will countered, Teddy’s brow furrowing at this but Victor smirking to himself. “Good. Be willful. Be irreverent.” Thrud said in a fiery tone, “That will keep you alive! That will keep you strong. They will try to beat it out of you but you cannot let them.” “The Pantheon?” Chanté asked. “Adults. Parents. Anyone who thinks they “know better”. All they really want is to beat the free will out of us.” “Sounds like Nico’s friends.” Victor scoffed. “So you rebelled like most gods do in these kinds of stories,” Chanté mused, “You ran off, found your own cloud. Why are you here?” “Because I am not my father, I’m not like the Avengers. I don’t just think about myself first and let others suffer. I knew what they were like now I couldn’t just ignore it. I watched, I waited and I followed you all…” She started, sounding more hopeful, “From afar… the “Legacy” program and all that. How I longed to take my place as Thor’s legacy… not for his sake but for my own. To truly move him into irrelevance and let a new generation step forward.” “You know about the Legacy Program?” Victor asked. “Oh yes and the Freezer… believe me. I hoped you’d be strong enough to defeat it without me having to step in. I hoped they’d raise you up like I always longed for my father to do for me but that’s not what happened… instead I watched them betray you all… again and again… and again. Like I feared they would.” “And how are you going to help us with all that?” Chanté asked, crossing her arms. Thrud smiled. “What does the Pantheon plan on doing with her?” Eli asked as Kate and Atalanta traded shots at a nearby dummy he and Riri had setup. “We will be taking her to a non-partisan tribunal and then possibly arranging for her to be returned to Asgard.” The warrior woman said with a grunt as she volleyed another bolt at the target. “Is it true that she’s Thor’s daughter?” Riri asked. “She claims so. What is known is that she is Asgardian. Trust me, we would know. The rest is just details.” Ajax, the lumbering behemoth nearly completely covered in golden armor, grunted. “Forgive him.” Atalanta said with a laugh, patting the giant’s arm, “He’s never been much for details. He’s more of a point and punch kind of guy.” Riri rolled her eyes. “Just the kind of person I’d trust around a traumatized young woman clearly struggling with complicated issues.” The engineer scoffed mostly to herself but it did not go unheard by Atalanta. “You and your team are welcome at the Mount any time. We have a long standing history of partnering with more mainstream “superheroes”. You could see our facilities.” Atalanta said in a very “big sister” tone. “I’ll keep it under advisement.” Riri said flatly. “Hey are we gonna shoot or what?” Kate challenged, sensing the tension and looking to divert it from her best friend. Chanté emerged from the back room where they were keeping Thrud and moved over to Eli, whispering something in his ear. Eli perked up at this and made eye contact with Kate, nodding as he did so. “It’s your call.” Chanté said slightly more audibly to the boy. “It’ll all depend on Josiah.” Eli concluded, his eyes now finding the door to his uncle’s office where he and the Pantheon leaders were still talking. “He may be giving us no choice.” Vali seemed giddy as he, Paris and Josiah exited the office. “So?” Eli asked expectantly. “We’ve discussed and I’ve decided the best option at this time is to allow them to take custody of Thrud.” The kids looked disappointed but unsurprised. Vali and Paris moved over to Atalanta and Ajax to begin discussing the transfer details. “So we’re just going to let this happen?” Eli asked quietly as he stepped forward, the question meant for Josiah’s ears alone. “You need to learn Eli that you’re in training for a reason. There’s a reason you don’t make the tough choices yet.” Josiah sighed. “Yet.” Eli repeated, “Yet. Meaning someday I will?” “What else has all this been for?” Josiah asked meeting his eyes. “All this? All the lies and deceptions, the times again and again where you, the Avengers and the adult superhero community as a whole has let us down, manipulated us or outright violated us? Just like what she says Thor did to her. I honestly couldn’t tell you what all that’s been for…” “Eli…” Josiah moaned. “Yes?” The boy turned with a fierceness. “Stop being so dramatic.” The older man sighed and walked over to Vali to discuss the damages to their base. Eli still raged and locked eyes Chanté, nodding at her. She seemed to understand something implicit but unsaid and nodded back. “What was that?” She asked loudly looking in the direction of where Thrud was being kept. The others, who heard nothing, perked up. “What?” Atalanta snapped, “What is it?” “Nothing.” The wakandian warrior shrugged, “Probably just Will and Teddy getting into a fight, it’s been coming for a while. I’ll go check.” Atalanta looked toward Vali suspiciously and just as he was about to say something a loud boom rung out. Before anyone could act Thrud burst from the other room, yet more pieces of the Hideout flying out like a disaster movie. In a second Atalanta and the other Pantheon members were on alert. Thrud leapt through the air at Ajax, her fists raised above her head prepared to knock him down with all her might. “Watch out!” Tommy screamed as he ran out behind her, “She overpowered us… Will, Teddy and Victor… they’re out…” Jocasta charged into the other room, Tommy sending a worried glance behind her. “Riri?!” Josiah asked turning to the console she had employed the defense program from but she was nowhere to be found. “I’ll get her.” Eli said preparing to lunge as Thrud connected with Ajax amid a struggle but as soon as he got close he was knocked back right into where Chanté stood with a grunt as both young heroes fell over. “I can’t get a decent shot…” Kate said through gritted teeth as she desperately attempted to aim. Atalanta scoffed. “Now watch this amateur.” She smirked raising her energy bow and with a relaxed and steady aim she loosed a bolt of light that hit the goddess square in the temple once more sending her into unconsciousness. Riri emerged from the other room, smiling. “Are they alright?” Josiah sighed. “Yes, yes. Just fine. Knocked out is all. She somehow managed to get Will into those “Billy cuffs” and then knocked out Teddy and Vic. Will’s pretty pissed, Jocasta’s trying to get him out now.” “How…” Josiah gasped dumbfounded “She did say she worked with Loki before…” Chante added with a groan as she rose to her feet, reaching around to rub her now aching back, “Maybe he taught her some tricks?” Just on the other side of the room Ajax, breathing heavily, as he too stood up, laughing as he did. “So soon Atalanta? I was having fun. She’s one of the best I’ve faught since the Hulk!” The gigantic man said giddily to which Atalanta rolled her eyes. “Glad you had fun.” Chantẻ said snidely. “Chante that’s not like you.” Josiah chided, though weakly, “We owe them our thanks… yet again I suppose.” “You’re right.” Chante nodded, “I’m sorry” She said turning to the Pantheon and their diminutive leader. “Not necessary.” Vali smirked like a car saleseman, “Happy to help.” “Do you mean that?” The Wakandian asked brightly. “Why yes.” Vali continued, taken off guard, “What can we do to help you?” “Well a lot of us here… no offense Josiah, I’ve grown uneasy with the brand heroism we’ve exposed to thus far. Atalanta kindly offered to give us a tour of your mount earlier… is that still open?” “Chante I…” Josiah was at a loss for words. “Unc, it’s okay we’ve got some cleaning up to do here and we can give Jocasta a hand with the sleeping beauties out back.” Eli smiled putting a hand on his uncle’s shoulder. “Well if it’s alright with Josiah of course my dear, come, partake.” Vali smiled, “Any of you who are interested may come!” “I’d love to see your technology. With your combination of earth and Asgardian tech it must be wondrous.” Riri said stepping up next to Chanté. “I’ll stay and help here.” Kate smiled. “I will too just to make sure Will’s okay.” Tommy said nervously, he almost looked ready to faint. Riri paled at the sight of him. “Tommy, he’ll be fine. He’s swearing a blue streak per usual. Why not come along with us. Get your mind off Will for a second and do something a little daring.” The young genius said as she slung an arm around Tommy’s shoulders, causing him to blush. “Oh… okay.” He stuttered. Josiah looked as if he weren’t sure how to process this turn of events but the “call” of something to worry about in the back room was a familiar feeling and he clung to that rather than the uncertainty of their little expedition. He stood sentry nonetheless as Chante, Riri and Tommy boarding their plane, locking eyes with Chante in particular. “You’re in charge over there.” He said, his tone serious. The girl saluted him as a response, the great bay door closing as she did so obscuring her from view and they were off. Riri listened as Vali went on and on about the wonder of the mount and of their fine, not at all copied from the Quinjet, skyship they now flew in. Paris stood behind him meanwhile looking displeased. Ajax was cozied up to Atalanta who seemed to be losing her patience but played along to his nagging attentions for the time being, clearly used to them by now. Thrud had awoken again but made no noise and never struggled. “Should be very exciting.” Chantẻ said to Tommy as he looked over at the goddess. “It better be.” Tommy snapped in a tone usually more associated with his twin, “Lord knows Teddy can’t hold this for long.” Tommy said turning back to the captive Thrud. “No worries,” The Wakandian smiled smoothly “Everything’s going according to plan.” Josiah exhaled loudly as he turned, he Eli and Kate making their way to the backroom to check on the others. As he walked though his uncertainty grew… why had he let them just leave? Why had they wanted to? How could Thrud have gotten out of those so called “Billy level” cuffs… This last question hit him just as he hit the doorway to the room where they had been keeping the goddess and the sight he found startled him more than any in recent memory. In Riri’s cuffs was none other than Jocasta… seemingly made inactive by Riri’s flying drones that hovered around her head. The drones were being controlled by… Victor. Victor who stood just behind the captive android, next to Will… who fidgeted uncharacteristically, Teddy was nowhere in sight: instead next to the others stood… Thrud. “What the Hell?!” Josiah raged, a rage that only grew as he now realized Kate was aiming an arrow at him. “Don’t worry it’s a non-lethal trick arrow.” Kate winked. “Eli…” Josiah groaned turning to his nephew, “What is the meaning of this?” “Well I disagree with something you said before Unc.” Eli said stepping up to the older man, “I think I am ready to make tough decisions.” And with that the boy pulled back and his fist was the last thing Josiah saw before the world went dark… TO BE CONTINUED… |