Gathering Intel
The next day dawned bright and clear… and Natasha awoke slightly frazzled and a little disoriented. She sighs heavily and grumbles as she moves. So this is what normal people call a ‘hangover’… more like a head-pounding, gut wrenching slice of hell.
Once her own enhanced healing gets her through the pain and sickness… Natasha is out of bed and freshens up. She then dresses in a new black dress with red accents and silver chest plate. She is impressed that it fits her so well. She then puts on her own stun gauntlets and combat boots before heading to the lounging room where she is greeted by Lady Sigyn.
“I trust you enjoyed yourself last night?” Sigyn asks with a smile. The knowing nature of the look is somewhat troublesome to the spy.
“I did.” Natasha replies then looks down. “I’m sorry… about yesterday.” Her eyes then lock with the other woman’s own. “I said what I said and it offended you. I tend to get snippy when I’m pulled out of my element… or in this case… Realm.” Natasha then adds in an apology that is all her.
“It’s alright… I understand.” Sigyn starts as the sadness swirls in her dark green eyes. “You would understand… if you could never be with Captain Rogers again.” That hits close to home and Natasha’s bright, ocean-hued eyes lock fiercely with Sigyn’s deep emeralds once more.
‘I’d fight for him.’ Natasha thinks sharp as adamantium. Sigyn smiles and gives the Mortal woman a respectful nod at her force of will. It would be enough to break her free of any mind control hold… even that of the Phoenix… if only for a second.
“Yes… you would… and it’d be an epic struggle, but would you persevere against an unstoppable force?” Sigyn asks the shorter, red-headed woman. Natasha freezes for a moment. She doesn’t think… or at least she tries not to. Her body goes into that ready mode just before a fight breaks out on a mission… yet she just stands there… still as a statue.
“I’d do what needs to be done.” Natasha states firmly.
“For love.” Sigyn states simply. “Oh, Lady Natasha… what we do for love makes us all the more powerful… but it can also reduce us to our most vulnerable state, causing us to be powerless in the face of the inevitable.” Natasha hears the advice in those words and finally lets the tension she feels fall away. Her stubbornness and determination to blame this woman fully for Loki’s behavior two years ago ebbs away. Especially, in light of what she already knows.
“Sounds like Odin is due a Father of the Millennium award.” Natasha sasses with a cocked brow and shoulder shrug. “Really looking forward to meeting the guy now.” She adds just as sarcastically. Sigyn smiles at the sass.
“Your sarcasm is not wrongly placed… but be warned that there are those upon this Realm that will take offense to such cutting words.” Sigyn warns lightly.
“So? He ain’t my king… in fact, I don’t kneel to kings.” Natasha then says giving a pointed look into the Asgardian woman’s green eyes. “But I do know how to play them.” She then smiles knowingly.
“Careful, Lady Natasha… those words will definitely lead you into trouble here.” Sigyn cautions. Natasha eyes the slightly taller blonde.
“Well, us Mortals like to speak our mind even when it does us no good. Perhaps you high and mighty Asgardians need to hear something besides all the ass-kissing for once.” Natasha then states firmly. Sigyn chuckles at the Mortal woman’s spirit.
“I like you, Natasha of Midgard.” Sigyn says with a smile then waves her hand and suddenly a golden necklace materializes into place around the spy’s throat. The pendent at the end is a golden disk in the shape of a bird rising from flames with emerald eyes. “Perhaps you are right… Asgardians could use a dose of Mortal candor.”
“What’s this?” Natasha asks as she looks at the bobble.
“It is the symbol of my protection… so that when you speak your mind, others may refrain from violence directed at you… least they face my wrath.” Sigyn replies calmly.
“You’re not going to fly away then?” Natasha asks with a lilt of humor. Sigyn raises a sculpted brow at the jest made of her leaving Loki. “Too soon?” Natasha then asks with a smirk.
“You Mortals are something else.” Sigyn just says with a shake of her head letting the slight slip past her like the breeze. “Come there is much to do this day.” She says then leads Natasha out to the balcony. Sigyn floats up to stand on the railing.
“Come… join me.” Sigyn says suggestively as Natasha approaches. Natasha then takes the hand that is offered by the strange Asgardian and she climbs up to stand next to her hostess.
“Just relax.” Sigyn says as her hand slides around Natasha’s waist.
“Oka-aaaaaayyyyy!” Natasha starts out with a soft nervousness that is quickly replaced by startled surprise as Sigyn steps them off the balcony railing… and they fall… the weightlessness fills her tummy with fluttering and then the decent is slowed until they free float above the cobbled golden balcony that leads into the Throne Room’s great hall, Gladsheim.
Natasha can’t help but take quick glances about the columned space, which is so wide that this floor is a completely hollow level in the structure’s center. The right amount of damage in the right places… and down the tower falls. As her ocean hued eyes scan the columns in detail, she can spot subtle shifts in the color of the stones… though there are no scars… Natasha can read the damage that the Dark Elves left in the wake of their invasion.
“Malekith wanted to destroy the throne… not the palace.” Sigyn fills in the detail for the spy.
“Ya know, on Earth reading the thoughts of others is considered a violation of personal privacy.” Natasha says a touch snarkily.
“It’s something you shall just have to get used to whilst here.” Sigyn says matter-of-factly as she leads the way to the throne.
“Not like I have a choice in that department either.” Natasha mutters sarcastically knowing full well that Sigyn can hear her as she follows the Asgardian woman.
“In a moment you shall meet the others who have answered the call to unite.” Sigyn then says as she looks back to Natasha… Sigyn starts to float then Natasha floats and they go more swiftly across the vast distance. Natasha finds the short flight curious… like riding passenger in a car, only there’s no car.
They land before the throne and Sigyn nods her head to Odin as he stands tall, up high, before his massive golden throne, spear in hand, and black robe draped regally across his broad shoulders. The stern, cold glare from the signal, silvery-blue eye just made Natasha curious to see someone challenge this King that stood before her.
“And finally the Midgardian has arrived here amidst this Congress of Worlds.” Odin declares and there is muttering from a few in the gathered assemblage from all corners of the Universe. Odin then waves his hand and a golden tiara with diamonds, large and small, form Odin’s symbol… the winged eye. It manifests nestled amid her red waves.
“Let it be known by all Realms, Worlds, and Beings… that this Mortal woman, Natasha of Midgard, is under my protection. Any who harm her shall feel my wrath.” Odin then says strongly and taps Gungnir upon the golden dais… making it a Royal Decree.
“Now let us proceed to discuss the problem at hand.” Odin then says as he taps the spear once more and points it to the void of the vast dome above the throne area. An image of Thanos’ big, ugly, purple face appears above, smiling down distainly upon the Congress of Worlds. “The Mad Titan is out to gather the six Infinity Stones… and when he has all but the Tesseract, Lady Sigyn, and the Gauntlet… he will come here, to Asgard to claim them.
“So to those who possess an Infinity Stone…” Odin says as he looks directly to the Nova Corpsmen and to Natasha. She knows that the greater part of the Phoenix Force is trapped within the Earth… but she wonders what the Nova ambassadors have. Odin’s voice cuts through her thoughts, “Be forewarned… your worlds are targets to the Mad Titan… and he will see them fall. But together we can stand united and rally an armed coalition that can give that damned fool, Thanos, what he desires most… Union with Death.”
Some of the assemblage start yelling out their displeasure at the mention of the Mad Titan… others start shouting out arguments… some for, some against the formation of a Universal army. There are agreements being spoken out to having the myriad of beings coming and working together in this new venture of all Realms United.
Natasha found it very interesting, and telling, to watch the various beings crying out in a growing ramble. Seeing the seeds of democracy spread and take root made her wonder what Steve would think if he where here right now. And like that, she is lost to the thought of her better half… her noble Captain.
Him and her had spoken a few times about the Soviet Union and the following state of politics in Russia from then up ‘til today. Steve had expressed how wrong it was that she had to live in such harsh conditions. That she had to be tortured, day and night, so that they could mold her into the perfect assassin.
Natasha would always just pat his strong jaw and give her Boy Scout a sweet kiss and remind him that it led to their paths crossing… otherwise, he would’ve never met her. She’d be dead, along with her family, and that would be that. End of story for the exiled Russian Princess.
“What do the Terrans offer?! They are not unified under a single, global government. They are still… primitive… compared to most of us gathered here!” The large, bipedal white tiger dressed in Nova Corps gear says to the crowd.
“Ease your worries, Corpsman Titus.” Odin starts, addressing the anthropomorphic white tiger. “True… Midgard, Terra as you put it, is not governed by one ruler or council… but they do have unity in the form of groups of super-powered individuals. Each of which can rival anyone of a more advanced Race… there are some whose powers are so great, that they strike fear into the hearts of the entire Mortal World.” Odin then pauses for a moment taking a deep breath before adding, “They are well defended. What of the Nova Corps? Have you regained your numbers back, Corpsman?” A hush follows… which Odin breaks… “Now, Natasha of Midgard-”
“Just Natasha.” Natasha cuts in sharp and clear.
“Pardon me?” Odin says in near disbelief at being interrupted.
“When referring to me, just say Natasha… Old Man.” Natasha explains adding in a little sass at the end. Odin’s single eye narrows on the redheaded Mortal. He takes note of Sigyn’s sigil… and the disguised Loki seethes inside his mind.
“Very well… Natasha… tell all gathered here of the Avenger known as Hulk.” Odin declares… and Natasha starts to explain her big green teammate.
After nearly two hours of Natasha describing the more powerful members of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four (who defended Earth from the World-eater, Galactus before the formation of the Avengers), and a few individual Mutants like Magneto, Wolverine, and Charles Xavier… the newly formed Congress breaks for lunch. The feasting is held in the adjacent hall to the vast throne room and Natasha seems to be the one person everyone else wants to sit next to.
“Your world is full of interesting individuals.” Lilandra says after taking the place to Natasha’s left.
“It’s not typical for such variety among the peoples of a planet unless that world is an outpost for intergalactic travel and trade.” Nova Corpsman Dae says from Natasha’s right. The Earthling spy had wanted to sit next to the Nova Corps envoys to better gauge them and to perhaps come up with some agreement between their worlds to communicate and coordinate in the event of the future attack from Thanos.
“Your world is the most unique amongst all others in that aspect.” Lilandra then adds and takes a sip of her water.
“Must be something in the water.” Natasha says a touch jokingly.
“Oh no… it is not the water… it is the Phoenix Force. I am sure of it.” Lilandra says confidently. Corpsman Dae shrugs his shoulder and gives a noncommittal ‘meh’ to that.
“Maybe… the Kree as well as a few other beings have visited Earth regularly for several millennia… there’s just too many variables to factor in to make such a broad claim.” Corpsman Dae says and Natasha is slightly surprised by the puggish looking man’s intellect.
“It’s in the Human genetic code.” Natasha starts as she talks to both her table mates. “Bruce, the man that becomes the Hulk, once described Human DNA to me as being adaptive and full of unlocked potential. After all, Mutants are the next step in Human Evolution and if you are lucky, or unlucky enough to have a positive reaction to an experiment or freak accident… then you can be altered drastically… for better or worse.”
“The Kree have done genetic experimentation on Terra. And when put through a process known as ‘terrigenesis’, those individuals became Inhumans. The Kree were using these hybrids to give themselves an edge in the war against my people… the people of Xandar.” Corpsman Dae says to Natasha. He then asks, “Are there still Inhumans on Terra?”
“I don’t think so.” Natasha says and watches Dae closely. He gives a disappointed wag of his curly haired head as he eats.
“That’s too bad.” Dae says after swallowing his mouthful. He then drops a bombshell as he raises his glass to his face. “Guess the colony on your planet’s sole moon are the last Inhumans left then.”
“Excuse me?” Natasha says as she lowers her own glass whilst trying not to choke on her drink. “There are people on the moon?”
“Yeah.” Corpsman Dae says in a more hushed tone as he looks to her and leans in a little. “A thousand years ago the last Kree outpost in the South Rim Quadrant of the galaxy was located on Terra… in a land called Europe. The only way the Novas won was because the Inhumans had turned against their Kree masters. In the end, we helped all of them move to and live on the moon. They used the Kree ships that were left and settled at the northern pole.”
“Well, if they helped save the planet then I’ll keep their secret.” ‘For now.’ Natasha adds in her mind. That was the first bit of useful information she got that day. An unspecified number of superpowered people living on the moon… Tony would love to hear about that… but Natasha decided that useless the need called for it, she wouldn’t say a single word about the Inhumans. The last thing the Earth needed was Tony flying around the moon in one of his suits possibly starting a war with such a reclusive group. Nope… better to not know and let them be.
___________
After lunch, Natasha went down to the Asgardian training grounds observing how Thor’s people approach combat. She was impressed by their tremendous strength and even speed of foot and hand, but while their fighting style utilized those traits to great effect… they did a lot of moves that left them open more often than not… especially in their ‘finisher’ moves.
Natasha then noticed the Nova Corpsmen come down to train over at the archery range nearby. The three Novas had their helmets on… the purple, starburst stones were glowing in a slow pulsating manner. Then as the purple light started to flare, the purple auras surrounded their bodies and they began to float off the paved yard. Corpsman Titus’ large paw-like hands began to glow brighter and he discharged a burst of the violet energy at a target… which exploded in a burst of purple fire.
Corpsman Dae had talked earlier during lunch about how the Nova Corps are utilizing the power of the Infinity Stone they hold. It is the Mind Stone and apparently when parceled out, like what Armin Zola did with the Tesseract, the wild psionic energy is contained becoming much more manageable allowing the wearer to focus it and use it at will. Apparently, it gave them the ability to fly… to generate force fields… and to launch blaster-like attacks.
Titus was obviously the better flier for combat whilst Dae seemed a bit more cautious in the air as she approached them. Natasha scanned the area around her with a quick glance and she saw the Kree delegates looking at the Nova Corpsmen.
Positioning herself just right, Natasha watched the Novas and waited… and sure enough… one of the Kree delegate strode over with blue head held high all prim and haughty. She didn’t react to the approach until the Kree man spoke first.
“You’re from Terra.” He stated rather than asked. “Unusual that such a primitive world be full of such potential.” He then ‘meh’s giving a slight shoulder shrug in dismissal.
“I’ve heard that a lot lately.” Natasha says coolly as she keeps her eyes on the airborne Novas who are now flying in a fast circle around the palace before zooming past. “Didn’t know we were so special to everyone.” She then adds and eyes the Kree delegate just as coolly. The blue man’s strange eyes narrow before he can find his words.
“Not to everyone.” He says haughtily.
“Just most?” Natasha supplies and the Kree man seems incensed at that.
“Typical Human.” The blue man spits out.
“Free thinking with a strong rebellious streak and more stubborn than anything else known in the Universe?” Natasha says and makes sure she angles herself so that ol’ Blue Man Group here can see her special necklace.
“Disrespectful.” The Kree says snippedly. “And above all-”
“Careful now… you just might insult me with what you say next.” Natasha butts in causing the Kree man to huff out his frustrations before storming off. ‘I wonder if every Kree acts like they have a stick up their ass?’ Natasha thinks to herself as the blue man returns to his peers. Natasha’s ocean hued eyes then roam over the gathered warriors here to train… and her eyes lock with another blue man… only his skin is a paler blue and he has a pair of folded metal wings upon his back. She finds him curious and unnerving at the same time.
Before she can think to look away, she hears a familiar voice boom from across the training grounds. She looks and sees Thor… with a strange fellow who looks like a dark blue devil complete with wagging arrowhead tipped tail and yellow eyes. She’s about to start over there when she notices the silver-haired Angel guy approach after Thor leaves just as quickly as he appeared. The Warriors Three including Sif are with the blue devil and the Angel guy stands in their way… even attacking with his metal wings as he attempts to scissor cut the devil’s head off… but Volstagg’s well placed battle axe (in front of the devil’s surprised face) prevents this. There is an exchange of words and soon the devil is escorted away to the training squares… leaving the Angel guy behind to brood.
Curious… Natasha begins to head over. She watches as the blue devil spars with Fandral for a few minutes then with Sif then with Sif, Fandral, and Hogun. The blue devil wins… easily every time since he teleports in puffs of dark smoke that create a BAMFing sound. She is impressed that the devil displayed a more chaotic approach to his tactics… not just getting behind an opponent, but going more above or even lower to the ground at times.
“It’s refreshing to see a familiar face around here.” Natasha says as she approaches Sif first. The dark haired woman smiles widely at the Midgardian.
“Greetings, Natasha.” Sif starts. “Glad to see you amongst us this fine afternoon. Care to test your skills upon the sands?”
“Why not?” Natasha says then looks to the blue devil. “Let’s spar.” She says to him and he gives a somewhat surprised look as he towels off.
“Ja… sure. But zis one vell be my last, I think.” The blue devil says as he drops the small towel on the stone railing.
“All I need is one round.” Natasha then states as she struts out onto the sand covered paved courtyard. “One last thing before we start… don’t go easy on me… ‘cause I won’t go easy on you.” She adds as she turns to face him ten paces away.
“Okay.” He says a bit nervously. Natasha watches his eyes and sees them flicker up to look over her shoulder… he then disappears in a puff of indigo smoke… Natasha rolls forward just in time as he reappears behind/above her. She returns upright but crouched, Natasha throws two Widow Bites back at the emerging blue devil…. but he simply teleports again before they touch him. There is a pause of a few seconds before he reappears ten feet overhead. Natasha quickly rolls away but his tail snags her leg.
“Got ya!” Natasha says as she quickly punches her stun gauntlet to the devil’s tail. He is immediately reduced to a shaking halt as he stands before her. Natasha then quickly frees her leg and leaps up to wrap her thighs around his neck… then she rolls bringing him forward into a roll as well. This promptly places him flat on his back with the Black Widow crouched over him… stun gauntlet sparking in warning as she holds him down by the collar of his leather uniform.
“I yield.” The blue devil says meekly as his yellow eyes look worryingly from the gauntlet to Nat’s eyes. She nods then gets off him. He quickly flips up to crouch on the sandy ground before her.
“You, my dear, were truly spectacular!” Fandral says as he claps and smiles proudly at the beautiful Mortal. “Besting this good fellow seemed like an impossible dream… and I’d think someone was pulling my leg if they told me of this match and I hadn’t seen it. This calls for a celebration! To the Ale House!” Fandral declares.
“Here! Here!” Volstagg agrees with a cheer and they start heading away from the training grounds and towards the city proper.
“Guess we’re going.” Natasha says to the blue devil.
“Ja… guess so.” He agrees quietly then gives the redhead a smile. “I am Kurt by the vay… I am also known as Nightcrawler.” He then adds introducing himself… even reaching out a hand to shake. Natasha looks to the three-fingered, gloved hand… then she looks up into the kind, yellow eyes.
“Natasha… Black Widow among the Avengers.” She then says after giving a firm, quick shake.
“You are an Avenger?” Nightcrawler asks curiously.
“Just like you’re an X-Man.” Natasha says to the blue devil.
“You know of za X-Men?” Nightcrawler then says a bit surprised.
“Yep.” She answers simply and walks on. Nightcrawler hurries to catch up. Natasha then spends the next few hours with Thor’s friends and Nightcrawler before the blue devil is called away by an Asgardian scholar. The spy watches as the two leave… and she can’t help but feel like there’s something about this scholar… something familiar… but she can’t quite seem to place her finger on it… so she excuses herself from the rousing arena of the ale house and shadows Nightcrawler and the scholar.
She watches from a safe distance with a ‘burrowed’ dull, brown cloak thrown over herself and with the hood up to hide her fiery hair. The two talk for several minutes before the scholar gets up and walks away after an exchange of farewells. The redhead’s eyes linger on the blue devil… then a blue flash from the scholar’s direction draws Natasha back to following the scholar… but he is gone. Vanished into thin air.
As the spy puzzles over this she hears Thor come in and land near the blue devil. He then collects Nightcrawler and with a swift twirl of his hammer, they are gone… flying off in a hurry to reach the Bifrost.
She ponders upon the scholar’s disappearance once more… and finds it still rather peculiar that the slow-paced man would disappear so suddenly from this spacious park. Things are starting to get evermore curiouser.