Blood of War

The first time, Grant Ward met his real father was when he was 17.

Massachusetts -15 years ago.

“After him!”

“Quick! He went that way!”

“He’s one fast little brat!”

Grant panted as he ran down the road, still hearing the police sirens going off behind, the barking of hunting dogs and shouting of men going off loudly in his ears. Grant could still smell the smoke of his now burning house. Grant’s feet ached as he kept running down the road, running from the cops. He must keep going, the son of a hated politician. He wouldn’t last a minute in prison.

Hearing the police sirens get closer, Grant knew it was over, this was it. His life was over as he knew it. How could he be so stupid? Setting his house on fire with Christian still inside it? There was no way out of something like this!

As Grant was prepared to give up and surrender his life away, he felt a strong gust of wind blow in his face, making him turn to his right to see an opening into the woods. A gruff voice echoed in his head as he wondered what to do.

“You can lose them in the woods, kid. Make your choice and quickly! They’re only a few feet away from locking your ass up!”

Grant cursed; he did have a choicer here. One, surrender and go to juvie, filled with racists, drug dealers and future criminals of America, or listen to the voice in his head and run into the woods and hope he doesn’t get caught.

.... Fuck it

Grant sprinted off into the woods, rushing past trees and bushes, jumping over rocks and stepping into puddles. Grant ran for what felt like hours, never stopping once to catch his breath. Grant looked on ahead, seeing the other neck of the woods, coming into view. Grant smiled, he might actually escape...

WHACK!

Grant felt himself bang face first into what felt like a brick wall. Falling onto his ass into the mud, Grant looked up to see a giant of a man looking down at him. The man was dressed in a brown police uniform, his pale tree trunks of arms stretched the sleeves of the shirt to the point it looked like the whole thing was about to rip off if the guy so much as flexed. His face was almost completely covered thanks to his hat.

“Ohshitshitshitshitshitshit!” Grant thought to himself, attempting to crawl away from the man, while still facing him. The man did not look to be amused by the escape attempt, walking over to him and stepping on his chest hard, holding Grant in place.

Grant grit his teeth as the man stepped on his chest, feeling like an anvil was holding him down. “Wait! Wait, okay you win.” Grant quickly said, ceasing his attempt at fleeing.

“Look, I’ll give you anything you want! Just don’t bring me back! I can’t go back there.” Grant begged, hoping the man would give him mercy. He couldn’t go back to the Wards, they would murder him!  The man grinned sinisterly under his cap, showing off his disgusting yellow teeth.

“Oh no.” The officer spoke in a deep, inhuman voice. “ You’re not going anywhere, half-breed.” The officer than grabbed the collar of Grant’s shirt, pulling him up with one hand as if he weighed the same as a bag of grapes and not a 206 lb 17 year old boy.

“Half-breed? Look, man you got the wrong guy!” Grant screamed as he felt himself get lifted off the ground. The man’s smile twisted into a smirk. “Do I now? You sure smell like it though!” The man told him, pulling off his hat, showing his face and revealing the fact... he only had one giant eye?!

“Wha- What the fuck? L- let me go!” Grant screamed, pulling and twisting to escape as he was pulled closer to the man, close enough to smell his disgusting, rancid breath.

“You know what else you smell like, Half- breed? You smell like dinner!” The one eyed monster exclaimed, appearing almost excited. The large man then threw Grant into a rock with amazing strength. Grant hissed as he hit his head on the rock, a banging sensation now in his skull, gasping for air as he felt his breath being torn from his lungs. Grant opened his eyes, to see the cyclops coming towards him.

“What should I make you, huh? Chop you up into a nice stew? Wrap you in bacon and smother you with cheese and barbecue sauce? Doesn’t matter, you’ll be delicious either way.” The man wondered, licking his lips at Grant.

“Please... Don’t kill me.” Grant said in staggered breaths. His pleas falling on deaf ears, as the monster grabbed a large branch, large enough to bash his skull in, lifting it up high to strike him down with.

“Sweet dreams, half blood.” The man laughed, about to swing the makeshift club down onto Grant’s head.

“Hey! One-Eye!”

A loud voice called out. The monster turned only to be impaled in the eye by a large... Stick? The monster falls to the ground dead. Grant can hear the sound of chains rattling and large footsteps coming towards him. Grant tries to back away from the sound, thinking it was another one of those things coming for him. Grant then feels sees an open hand pointed at him, looking up to see two large red eyes staring back at him.

“You need some help, kid?”

The Bus - 2013

Grant awakens screaming in his bed. Looking around him to find him back in his bunk on the bus. Grant combed his fingers through his hair, as he clutched his head in his hands. Wiping the sweat from his forehead as he sat up on the bed.

That’s twice in one week Grant has had that dream, having to relive that memory once was already difficult for him to stomach, but twice? Something felt off, like something was trying to warn him.

“Could it be him?” Grant wondered “After all these years, his method of contacting me is through my dreams?”

Grant looked at his alarm, seeing it was 5 AM. Grant decided to might as well start the day, throwing on his training clothes grant was about to head out the door, when something caught his eye. An old switchblade he had been given when he was 18, a late birthday present from him. No matter how far he went without it, the damn thing always found him.

Grant sighed, not letting such an old thing get in his head. Grant then headed out the door.

Line break

Grant knocked on the door to the med bay, seeing Simmons and Skye bickering about Skye’s refusal to stay in bedrest. It’s been a week since Ian Quinn had shot the hacker and they miraculously saved her life with the same stuff they resurrected Coulson with. Although, she may be alive, the guilt still built up in Grant as he thought about how reckless and careless he had gotten in leaving Skye alone on mission.

“This a bad time?” Grant asked, the two women stopping their conversation mid way to greet him. Skye showed off her signature warm smile. “Not if you’re here to break me out.” Skye whined, now putting on a fake British accent. “The warden has extended house arrest.” Grant chuckled in amusement as he saw the Simmons cringe and leave while muttering something about a horrible accent.

Now that the two were alone, Skye covered her face and groaned. “I must look terrible to you.” She complained through her fingers. Grant smiled. “I’ve seen worse.”

“Wow, thanks.”

“Um- No, what I  meant was. You look better than when you were dying.”

“Swingin and a-missin here, Ward.” Skye teased. Grant sighed in frustration as he looked at her, even after being shot, she still looked so bright and bubbly, not to mentioning still so beautiful.

“It’s great to see you... better.” Grant finally came out with. Skye smiled at him, the single action making his heart flutter.

The smile soon died down though as Skye fiddled with her fingers, a daunting thought obviously on her mind. “I was so stupid to go in there alone.” She admitted, but Ward quickly stopped her, holding his hand up.

“No, you can’t think like that. Warriors who keep looking at the past, only get themselves killed.” Grant told her, The quote making Skye raise an eyebrow.

“Wow, dark Ward. Who told you that? May? that definitely sounds like something May would say.” Skye joked, Grant chuckled as well.

“Victoria Hand, my old SO. She was the one who kept me on the right path when I joined Shield.” Victoria was the one who got him out of juvie in the first place, told him that he could be a good man.

Skye nodded, looking a bit envious of the strong, supporting role Grant had while in Shield. “Mm, sure wish I had someone like that. Mike Peterson too, maybe if he had someone, he wouldn’t have...” Skye trailed off, clutching her stomach where Ian Quinn shot her. Grant squeezed his face, promising the next time he saw Ian Quinn, he would make the depths of Tartarus look like a day-care for shooting his rookie.

“Hey, you can’t think like that, he let you get shot, Skye. That is something I cannot and will not forgive.” Mike Peterson may have been a man down on his luck when they first met him, but now despite Skye’s naïve and yet endearing trait of trying to see the best in people, he was a wild dog on someone else’s leash and needs to be put down.

Skye winced at the harsh commentary. “You didn’t see him, Ward. He was- he wasn’t himself; it was like Ian Quinn was controlling him somehow.” Grant’s heart tugged at the pleading look on Skye’s face, but Grant stilled his heart, needing to stay skeptical. As someone once told him. Emotions are like wild horses, kid. If left unchecked, they can lead you to the worst of places. Although perhaps, he wasn’t one of the best people to take advice from.

Grant sighed, knowing Skye wasn’t going to stop believing that there was still something human left in Peterson. Putting a hand on her shoulder, pushing her gently back into the bed. “You should get some rest, I’ll be back soon, okay?” Grant told her. Skye nodded, smiling as she drifted back to sleep. Grant stood over, sweeping a misplaced strand of hair to the side of her face.

“Rest easy, love. I’ll be back soon.” Grant said quietly, getting a text from May to meet them in the briefing room.

Break Line

“New orders, Shield’s detecting massive energy readings in the skies above the California- Nevada border.” May told them as they all save Coulson and Skye. Grant was starting to grow at Coulson’s growing absence, it was starting to affect the team.

“Where’s Agent Coulson.” Grant asked. His words more of a statement rather than a question.

“Taking personal time.” Was all May said, but that was not enough for Grant. “That’s a couple days straight.” Grant told her, but May gave him a look that told him to back off and Grant begrudgingly did so.

“These are the same readings Dr Selvig and Dr Foster picked up in New Mexico and in London.” The young woman explained, Grant turned away and cursed in his mind as to what that meant. “Isn’t that just perfect.” He thought sarcastically.

“They herald the arrival of an Asgardian.” Fitz immediately turned to Simmons in excitement. “Thor?”

“Not sure, either way. Shield wants us to be the welcome wagon.” May told them. Grant scoffed, after what happened with the berserker staff, Grant would say they have been more than welcome.

“O-ok fine. No cause for concern right?” Fitz said, looking at anyone who would agree with him, but finding none amongst them. “Asgardians are allies.” He added.

“Loki wasn’t.” Grant told him. Loki killed nearly half of New York, Grant would say it wouldn’t be long before more started to get the same idea. Asgardians may deem themselves as honourable, but they were still the closest things to Gods and at the end of the day. Gods are greedy and vain creatures who eventually bring a lot more harm than good.

Grant knew that first hand.

Line break

Well, good news. It was an ally. Lady Sif revealed herself and told them she was hunting a sorceress by the name of Lorelai who control men’s minds. she explained what Lorelai could do and what she wants on earth. It being fame, money and worship.

“Just like any other God.” Grant thought as he prepared himself to head out on mission to retrieve and capture the Asgardian. As Grant got ready, he picked up the old switchblade sitting on his nightstand. Grant wondered if he should bring it with him, it could be useful against Lorelai. Grant stood there for a moment, taking in the sight of the object in his hand.

“......No.” Grant told himself as he set the blade back down where it once was. If he was going to do this. He was going to do it as an Agent of Shield and nothing else.

Line Break

They tracked down Lorelai to a trailer park and home to the motorcycle gang Lorelai had bewitched.

“Lorelai’s tastes run toward palaces, castles.” Sif commented as they approached the bar, Lorelai was in. “This is far more humble than her usual abode.”

“The draw wasn’t the atmosphere; it was the manpower.” Grant speculated. It was a rather simple deduction. If Lorelai was so vain, she wants an army to protect her rather than do the actual fighting herself.

“How many men does she have in there?” Coulson questioned the wating police back up but found they did not answer. Grant had a bad feeling about this, the fact they were just two men, definitely not enough for reinforcements and the looks the cops were giving them made Grant feel uneasy.

“Have you seen the suspect?” Coulson asked them again. This time they were met with a reaction from the cops. “We have. “One of the officers answered. Then, the cops pulled out their firearms, aiming them at the Shield agents. Grant cursed as they walked into a trap.

“And she’s beautiful.”

“Fuck!”

Within seconds, they were being hosed down with gunfire. Bikers started pouring out of the bar carrying rifles and fired at them. Grant and Coulson quickly ducked for cover, hiding behind a police car and returned fire, knocking out some of the assailants with their new ICERs courtesy of Fitz.

“They’re on us from both sides, pretty hard to get a clean shot!” Ward said to Coulson as he tried to shoot some of the bikers.

Coulson turned to Sif who was deflecting the bullets with her shield. “Your Ladyship, can you give us a little cover?” Coulson requested, to which Sif obliged. Kicking a trailer closer to the bar, blocking them from cover. Coulson whistled in surprise. “Quite a literal interpterion.” Coulson muttered, before waving to the Asgardian. “Thank you.”

Meanwhile, Grant and May took down the rest of the bikers quickly. Once, they were done. Grant shouted out the all clear. Coulson then started giving out orders, telling Grant to go around the building and surround them. Grant nodded, moving quickly.

Grant goes around the back, making sure to check his blind spots. One of the biker then jumps out at Ward, attacking him with a chain, which Ward easily dodges. Grant then holds up his hands to the guy.

“Look... I’m sure you’re a reasonable guy.” Grant glances at the man’s nametag. “Rooster... Rooster? Really?” This angers the biker, making him attack Ward, but Ward dodges the attacks, grabbing the chain and knocking him out with a right hook. The biker lands his ass on the ground, not looking to get back up again soon. Grant sighs, glad the fight is over and goes to retrieve his ICER. As he does however. Someone jumps down out of nowhere, Grant spins around, aiming his ICER, to see a beautiful woman looking at him.

“You’re a warrior.” The woman says, the sound of her voice catching Grant off guard, Grant then remembers what she can do, putting his guard back up and speaks to her. “I am, so get your hands up and down on your knees.” Ward orders. The woman laughs, as if he is some kind of show pony putting on an act for her. “Men kneel before me. I do not kneel for them.” Lorelai says, getting closer to him. Ward begins to look over the woman’s head hoping to see someone else to back him up.

“Gonna need some back up over here.” He called out, but then Lorelai placed a hand on his shoulder, the overwhelming sensation making Ward drop his guard. “That is not what you need.” The sound of her silk voice and her lovely touch drove Grant over the edge. Making him drop his gun and hold Lorelai in his arms. Nothing else in this world mattered, only her, she was everything.

“Take me away from this place.” She ordered. Grant nodded, taking her hand and stealing the key’s off of Rooster. Grant then sat Lorelai on the bike before getting on it himself, igniting the motorcycle, making it roar awake.

“Take me somewhere worthy of a ruler, of a queen.” Lorelai asks of him, a place immediately pops in Grant’s head. “I know just the place.” Grant says, driving off into the sunset. May comes around the back just in time to see Ward drive off with Lorelai.

May grimaces as she looks on at the pair. The stern woman then touches her comm.

“Coulson, we have a problem.”

Line break- 3^rd person

Meanwhile, far above the clouds stands a city that shines off of the light of the sun, the buildings look to be carved out of marble and gold. Extravagant statues and pieces of nature, sublime waterfalls and fountains surround the divine city. Magnificent white temples and structures are built throughout the city, people are flowing and out carrying gifts of worship. Plates of fruit and gold, amazing pieces of art are placed on the stairs of the temples as signs of respect for it’s rulers. This was more than just some paradise, this was Mount Olympus, home of the gods. In the middle of the city, holds a grand colosseum, the building so beautiful that it shines amongst the rest of the buildings. We go inside the building to find individuals of sublime beauty all sat around the colosseum.

12 seats are stood in the middle, most are filled as the vacates look down at hole that shows as to what had just transpired. One of the gods, dressed in a blue and white toga sat in the middle and largest of the twelve thrones stands, deadly thunderstorms rage through the skies as lightning crackles around the large man, this was Zeus, king of the gods. His dazzling blue eyes stare down at earth, furious at the events that just happened. Zeus raises his hand, a lightning bolt appearing within, the weapon looking deadly and ready to destroy someone to ashes. The god points to Ward and Lorelai driving on the road to Las Vegas.

“This is what I said would happen! The half-blood is too dangerous to be left alive!” The god raged. The god then felt a soft hand on his shoulder, turning to see a stunning woman, dressed in a white dress, wearing a golden crown smiling gently at the man, rubbing his shoulder in an attempt to calm him. Hera, queen of the gods soothed her husband by rubbing her hands across his broad shoulders.

“Husband.” The woman cooed softly. “I do agree with you, but I don’t anger is the greatest approach. The man looked at his wife, nodding his head and sighed, breathing in and out in an attempt to calm himself. The thunder soon begins to quiet down as does the lightning emanating from the man. “You are correct, my dear.” The man admitted. “But the half breed must be dealt with, he cannot be left breathing.”

“That would be unwise, father.” A second goddess speaks out. She was adorned with beautiful golden Greek armour; her flowing brown hair framed her beautiful face perfectly. Her stern grey eyes looked calculating and strategic. The woman stood proud and unapologetic. There was no doubt as to this was. Athena the goddess of wisdom and strategy in war. Zeus flared his nose at the thought of his opinion being questioned, but tried to remain calm when looking at his favourite daughter.

“Athena, explain yourself.” The king of the gods demanded. Athena nodded, looking down at the couple still driving on the road. “This could be an opportunity for us to put the boy in our debt. If, we save the boy from the Asgardian’s magic, he could be indebted to us, leading us to request his true place on Olympus with ones who can handle his divine blood.”

Zeus rubbed his neatly trimmed beard in thought. “Hmmm, sounds strategic enough.” Zeus then looks at the rest of the gods. “Well, what do the rest of you say to Athena’s plan?” The second Zeus had asked that question, the rest of the gods stood and began an uproar.

“What if the boy cannot be controlled? He could destroy the foundation of Mount Olympus as we know it!” Shouted Demeter, goddess of the harvest.

“What if the mortal refuses, are we to continue bending over backwards for some half breed welp?” Roared Poseidon, god of the seas.

“A Demigod in Mount Olympus? Have you gone mad, stepdaughter?” Scoffed Hera.

The shouting would not stop, this was how the gods usually discussed things. None of them would cease to stop the screams and roars of the council. “SILENCE!” Zeus roared, thunder drummed above the screaming match and throughout the city, lightning crackled around them as they all stopped their bickering to look at their king. The god of thunder looked enraged, wielding his legendary lightning bolt in his hand. The shouting soon died down as the gods all sat down to listen.

Zeus sighed, calming himself as he too sat back down in his throne. He then raised his hand. “If we all, cannot decide. Let us put it to a vote. All in favour of saving the boy?”

Seven hands shot in the air, Athena amongst them along with Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Hermes, Dionysus and Aphrodite.

Zeus nodded. “All not in favour?”  Zeus, Hera, Hephaestus and Poseidon raised their hand. Zeus sighed in disappointment. “Very well. Apollo, Artemis. You are tasked with saving the whelp, leave immediately and do it quickly. The god of the sun and goddess of the moon nodded their heads, bit Hermes looked to be confused. “Father, should we not also task Ares with this?” The council then looked into the one empty seat, the seat covered in black leather and decorated with bones of fallen enemies and spike. A truly menacing seat, for the god of war

However, Zeus remained firm in his decision. “No, he has proven to be a liability when it comes to the boy. You two, go! Do not return until you have rid the boy of the witch’s magic. Also, do be sure to show the Asgardian why you do not bewitch those of Olympian blood.”

Line Break- May

This was not good, not only was Ward a trained specialist and one of the best agents Shield has ever had, but he also knew every single one of their tactics and protocols. So, that meant Lorelai knew every single one of their tactics and protocols. May passed by the med bay, seeing Skye type furiously at her laptop.

“Got anything yet?” May asked, Skye shook her head, still entrapped within the screen of the computer. “Nothing.” Skye stated. “No sign of Ward, Lorelai or anything. It’s like they have completely disappeared off the edge of the world.” Skye exclaimed. May nodded in understanding. That was to be expected, that’s exactly what the academy taught them, how to disappear without a trace left. Ward could be anywhere in the world by now and they wouldn’t have a clue.

“Sif said Lorelai was very vain, so look for anywhere luxurious. five-star hotels, mansions, palaces. Anywhere that serves lobster and champagne with diamond glasses. Look into it.” May advised. Skye nodded, May began to walk away, but hearing Skye called her back .

“Hey, May?” May looked at the younger woman, her brown eyes filled with worry and sadness. “We’re going to get him back right?”

“... I don’t know. Ward is a trained specialist, Skye. If he does not want us to find him, it will take a lot of effort to track him down.” Was all May said, before marching away. As May walked down the halls of the bus, she started to feel the ground shake beneath her, May grabbed the railing to stabilise herself. Coulson came stumbling in, clinging to the railing for dear life.

“Why do I have the feeling this is more than just your average earthquake!” Coulson said loud enough in order for May to hear him. “Another Asgardian maybe?” May retorted back. Coulson rolled his eyes. “Oh c’mon! Two was already enough!” He whined. Eventually, the earthquake stopped and Coulson and May stared at each other in cation, listening for any sign of an unwelcome visitor, but everything was as silent as the grave.

Coulson shrugged. “Hm, maybe we got lucky this time.” He said. May wasn’t that convinced, still listening for any unusual noises.

“Agent Coulson!” Simmons’s shriek ranged all the way across the plane. Coulson growled in frustration, May jumped into action, rushing in the direction the scream came from with Coulson following closely behind her.

The pair run down to the brig to find Fitzsimmons and Skye being held at gun point or... Arrowpoint? As a beautiful woman with braided raven black hair, dressed in black combat pants and a silver leather jacket aims a bow and arrow made of silver at the young scientists.

“Calm yourselves mortals, you stand in the presence of an Olympian! Cease your screaming!” The woman said, while aiming her very sharp and pointy arrow at Simmons. “Hey, Katniss Everdeen! if you want them to calm down, maybe you put the bow and arrow down, besides we have you outnumbered!” Coulson told her. The woman aimed her weapon up high to face them, her face scrunched in outrage at the comparison to a movie character.

“Woahwoahwoahwoahwoah, Sis! We’re here to help them, not rob them blind!” A second voice came in, a handsome young man stepped in front of the woman in silver, his shoulder length curly blonde hair shined throughout the room like he radiated light. His attire consisted of white dress trousers and a silk golden button up. He too carried a bow and quiver like the woman, but his was slung on his shoulder.

“This is helping!” The woman insisted, “I am defusing the situation, Apollo! You are decreasing my dominance in the situation. Step back!” The blonde man scoffed, before covering his nose and mouth in frustration. “Arty, I love you and all, but there was no situation to defuse! You’re just way too intense! Now put the bow and arrow down before you poke an eye out.” The man said gently, moving the woman’s down. Once, she did, the young man turned and showed them a bright smile, his perfectly white teeth almost making May go blind.

“Sorry about her! She just watches a lot of action movies and she really doesn’t socialise much, again sorry! Anyway, we are looking for Grant Ward, if you would help us find him, we would be most appreciative.” The man said, flashing his eye blinding smile again.

“Apology accepted, but just who the hell are you people and what the hell do you want from Ward.” Coulson told them.

“They are Lady Artemis and Lord Apollo. The sun and moon twin archers of Mount Olympus.” Sif answered for them. The Asgardian warrior coming up behind May and looking down at the two gods. “An honour to meet you, My lord and lady.” Sif bowed. Apollo returned the gesture, while Artemis just crossed her arms and looked at all of them in suspicion.

Coulson’s eyes widened at the sentence, while May tried to hide it. In her head, all she kept thought was. “Another pantheon of gods? How many actually are they?”

Fitz spoke out from his frightened state after being held hostage by a scary woman with a bow and arrow. “That’s... Cool and all, but what the hell do you guys want with Ward?” He questioned.

“The boy is our nephew and a demigod of the Olympian pantheon.” Artemis answered. “We have come to retrieve him and bring him home.”

The team all gasps including May. One thought going through all their heads. “What. The. Fuck?!”