Chapter Ten
The moment Azhek slammed his boot down, the asphalt exploded! The sudden force caused all four Lokis to fall to the ground, this allowed Azhek enough time to charge a psykic bolt. The illusions disappeared while the real Loki was sent into a wall.
The attack was effective, but Azhek suddenly felt drained. “I must have put more power in that, than I thought…” He mumbled, straightening back up and readied himself for another round with Loki.
“You worthless peasant!” Loki shouted, as he stood back up, pointing the staff at Azhek. “I will make you-!” He was cut off by a blast of lavender energy, sending him down the street.
“Wait… That could only have been…” Azhek looked to hi left and saw Twilight!... Flying? She actually had her lavender feathered wings, left hand glowing with energy while the right had her staff, she was even in her costume! “Princess!” He called out.
Twilight quickly flew over to him, landing next to the metal giant. “Lord Scarab, are you alright?” She asked, inspecting his armor, for any injuries.
“I will be fine, what are you doing here? These mortals are after you. You need to stay somewhere safe.” Azhek said, mag-locking the pistol to his hip and wrapping an arm around her, protectively. “It is far too dangerous out here.” His gaze went straight to where Loki flew to.
“I won’t leave my friends to fight a battle, especially one that is because of me, when I can help.” Twilight said, looking for Loki herself.
Captain America, with Spider-Man and Deadpool, ran up to them. “Lord Scarab is right, Princess. You’re their objective and it will get far too dangerous, with Loki here.” Captain American said, turning around to face three out of five recovered villains. “We need to get you to safety before-!”
“I can recover?” Loki said, appearing in front of the three villains. “I must say, your skill in sorcery is quite surprising, Princess.” Loki took a combat stance with his staff. “Let us see how you fair against me?”
The three mortal heroes formed up in front of Twilight, while Azhek towered behind her. They were ready to fight. “What are our chances of winning?” Twilight asked, preparing her magic.
“With horn head added to them? Low.” Deadpool stated, pulling out two of his pistols. “That guy will make it hard to fight the rest.”
“Then leave him to me. I know his tricks now, and I will not underestimate him again.” Azhek said, his helmet locked on to Loki. “You four, focus on the other three. Deadpool, you handle Kraven. Captain, you and Princess are on the giant mutant. Spider-Man, lock down Venom.” The group nodded, Spider-Man finding it strange that Captain America wasn’t issuing the plan. When Azhek built up enough psykic energy, he suddenly yelled. “Advance! Let’s bring them down, before they do any more harm!”
“Right!” The others yelled, going after their respective targets. The moment Graven pounced, Deadpool started to unload everything his pistols had on the Hunter. When Venom lunged out, Spider-Man drew him away from the others, by using his web-shooters. That left Abomination, who was trying to protect himself from Twilight’s spells and Captain America’s shield.
Azhek walked over to Loki, heqa staff ready, while the Norse God just looked at him. “I see you reserved me for yourself, Protector… Do you wish for another lesson in illusionary magic?” Loki asked, with a cocky grin.
“You will not fool me again, ‘Loki’. This time, I will not hold back.” Azhek said, his psykic energy sky rocketing, allowing him to reach the highest level and block everything else out. The eyes of his helmet started to glow, with all the energy he was pulling from this world’s Great Ocean. “With the Twilight fighting alongside the others, I can focus everything I have on our battle.” He thought, bits of the ground and rubble floating around him.
“Interesting show, Protector… But not good enough to intimidate me!” Loki shot a blast of energy from his staff! However, Azhek slightly moved to the right, Loki’s attack hitting Abomination instead. “W-What? How did you…?”
“Dodge your attack?” Azhek finished for him, his voice becoming monotone. “Simple. My Cult is the best with foresight… The ability to see into the future.” He held his left hand up, and hit Loki with a blast of psykic lightning, the moment he tried to move away. “And, as their leader, I am the most gifted with the art.”
Loki was in agonizing pain! The blast sent a powerful bolt of energy throughout his body. “H-How then… Are your spells so powerful!?” He managed to ask.
Azhek walked up to the fallen god, picking him up by his raven hair. “Because I am the favored son of the Primarch, Magnus the Red… The Sorcerer King.” He said, Loki still reviving in agony. “Which means, I have learned a great deal of things from him.”
With that, Azhek slammed Loki into the ground! The force actually shattering the asphalt, Loki spitting out blood. The Astartes picked him back up, and threw the Norse God into a nearby wall. When Azhek was about on top of him, again, Loki quickly vanished.
“Are you running now? That is rather ungodly.” Azhek shouted, nonchalantly looking around.
Loki reappeared, away from Azhek, hiding in a nearby alley. “I have to find a way to get past his so called ‘foresight’.” He thought, looking back out into the street, Loki could see the others fighting, the Astartes still looking for him. When Twilight turned her back to his direction, sending a few spells at the mutant, he smirked. “There!”
Loki aimed his staff at the princess, still smirking, before sending out a blast of energy! Twilight, only barely catching the sound and light, turned to see the incoming blast. Though, just as the blast closed in on her, Azhek’s shadow suddenly covered her. The Astartes quickly creating a kine-shield, and blocked Loki’s attack! Strands of energy being sent all over the place, and flew out towards the others. Kraven and Deadpool dodged the scattered shot attack, Venom not being so lucky. Spider-Man managed to pull Doc Ock to safety. Captain American used his shield to deflect the shots, and Abomination just took the hits.
Loki couldn’t believe what he just saw, his attack being scattered so easily. Before he could ask, the sounds of powerful engines roared overhead. When they all looked up, the group were greeted by the sight of the SHIELD Helicarrier lowering itself. “Mortal Minions… I believe that is our cue to leave.” Loki yelled, Venom barely crawling up to him, Abomination rushing up.
“Why are we abandoning the hunt, coward!? We can still win!” Kraven argued, moving back to Loki.
“My brother is on that carrier… He is far more than a match for us all.” Loki said, Kraven needing no other explanation. “Now then… We shall meet again. Princess, Protector, until then.” With that, the group was gone within a green flash… This only left Doc Ock, who lost his robotic limbs.
After a few moments, one of the Helicarrier’s transport ships slowly came down. The group, with a webbed Doc Ock, watched while the ramp lowered and Director Fury stepped off. “It is good to see that everyone is alright, and minimal damage to the city, too.” He commented, as a large blonde hair man, with strange armor and a hammer, followed him.
“Director Fury… Thank you for arriving when you did. Even with Lord Scarab battling this ‘Loki’, I don’t know how long we could have held out.” Twilight, feeling somewhat weak and her wings disappearing, said… It was obvious she used up a lot of magic during such a short period of time.
“This red giant has done battle with my misguided brother?” The blonde man asked, eyeing Azhek up and down. “Truly, you must be a master in sorcery to be on his level.”
“I’ve had plenty of time to practice-!” Azhek was cut off, when Twilight suddenly collapsed. Spider-Man quickly catching her and handed her over to Azhek. “We need to get the Princess back to Stark Tower, she has used up too much of her natural magic, and needs to rest.” He said, gently picking her up and carrying the much smaller girl bridal style.
“Quickly, get her into the transport. We’ll fly you straight there.” Fury said, the group boarding it while Captain American and Deadpool dragged Doc Ock with them.
-Dr. Doom’s Fortress-
“You all still failed!?” Dr. Doom roared, his powers exploding around his body. “What is worse, Dr. Octavious was captured!”
“This… ‘Lord Scarab’ is stronger than you said he was, along with being a fast learner.” Loki said, calmly, while he eyed Dr. Doom without much care. “Before SHIELD arrived, I discovered his weakness, though.”
Dr. Doom looked at Loki, with interest. “Oh? Pray tell what that may be?” He asked.
“The girl, this ‘Princess’. He actually threw himself in front of my attack, knowing his spells in such protective arts weren’t that strong, just to protect her.” Loki answered, grinning some. “You wish to defeat him, we must strike her.”
Dr. Doom placed both hands together, letting out a low cackle. “There is only one person I know that can do that… However, it makes me sick just thinking about contacting him.”
“B-Boss… Y-You don’t mean…” Abomination asked, backing up. Dr. Doom just gave a slow nod. “But he’s a lunatic! No telling how much damage he’ll cause!”
“True, but he’ll do the job. Not to mention, that annoying Spider-Man will freeze before him. Now, leave.” The group nodded, Dr. Doom waited until they all left before he picked up a nearby phone. He dialed a few numbers, and allowed the phone to ring until someone picked up. “Osborne? Its Von Doom… I have a proposition for you, and it involves Spider-Man.” He gave an evil, low, cackle.
-Stark Tower-
The transport hovered over the penthouse’s walk way, the ramp lowering down. “Captain Rogers, do you mind taking the Princess to her room?” Fury asked, as they walked off the transport. “I need to talk with Captain Ahriman.”
Steve looked up at Azhek, who simply nodded and gently handed Twilight over to him. “Be gentle… She’ll be rather fragile in her weakened state.” He said, the Captain giving a nod as he carried the unconscious princess inside. “Now, what troubles your mind, Director?” Azhek asked, after the others went inside, and the transport took off with Doc Ock
“I saw your reaction when Loki attacked Twilight… Adding how you’ve been acting around her, and how you talk to her.” Fury faced Azhek, who faced him in turn. “I think there is more to you, then you’re letting on.”
“Is that so? What makes you say this?” Azhek asked, tilting his head.
“I have been on many protection details, and missions… Yet, I have never thrown myself in front of something that could reduce me to ash.” Fury said, moving close enough for only Azhek to hear him. “Except for those I hold dear, and loved family members.” Azhek suddenly twitched, which answered Fury’s question. “All I have to ask, now, is ‘how’?”
“If it wasn’t for your help, mortal, I would have wiped your feeble mind clean by now.” Azhek threatened, venom in his voice. “I’ll ask my own question first… How do I know if I can trust you with my Legion’s secrets?” He asked, a tight grip on his heqa staff.
“I hold many secrets, in my profession. The kind that would make our whole world go into mass hysteria and panic.” Fury said, not even flinching. “But the only answer I can give you is…” He leaned in, his one eye locked on Azhek’s golden mask. “You can’t.”
Azhek eyed him, carefully. Something about how he said that, allowed him to simply nod. “Alright… I will tell you. However, if this information leaves your lips, you’ll have thousands of Astartes hunting you down.” Azhek said, Fury giving a nod before the Astartes started the tale.
-Canterlot Castle-
Celestia slowly walked down the hallway, Guards Heavy Hoof and Star Shine trailing behind her. “Princess? What is it you’ve called us for?” Heavy Hoof asked.
“Because, the two of you have safe guarded my secret since Twilight was born… Even helped keep her safe when she was in the Castle.” Celestia answered, as they kept walking down the hall. “I have the feeling, at one point, we will go to Twilight’s side in that world. Shining Armor will be one, and I want you two to come.”
“We would be honored, Princess… Especially if we can be of assistance to young Princess Twilight.” Star Shine said, the two guards smiling.
“It is the least I could do, since the two of you took that oath of silence… And helped keep an eye on Twilight.” Celestia said, smiling at them before approaching a large door. “Shining Armor already has his own set… You two need a set worthy of my personal guard.” When the doors opened, both guards nearly had their jaws hit the floor.
-Prospero, Magnus’ Chambers-
The Primarch had gathered all of his Captains, and Cult Leaders, each one proudly displaying their station. He eyed each, the assembled group anxiously waiting to find out why they were so urgently summoned. “My sons… My mind has been plagued with concern. Your dearest sister is in danger, Azhek has gone to protect her… However, our foe has yet to reveal his real hand, or himself.” Magnus said, each leader gripping their weapons at the mentioning of Twilight being in danger
“My lord, what can we do? The Legion cannot leave our precious sister in such danger, even with Captain Ahriman there! He is only one Captain!” One of the leaders said.
“Agreed, we must deploy the Legion! With you at the Photep’s helm, our whole fleet would bear down on that world.” Another said, others in agreement.
“She is lucky to have you all, as her brothers.” Magnus smiled, crossing both arms. “However, when the time comes, at least three Fellowships shall follow me, and only the Photep shall go.”
“My lord, but why? Every Astartes is willing to throw down their lives for her.” One cult leader said, Magnus nodding.
“Because we cannot abandon our duty to the Imperium and my father. I will take what is needed, the others will await our return.” Magnus said, as he gave a light sigh. “And, if fate is on our side, with Twilight safely home.” He looked to his best, and brightest, sons. “Knowledge is Power…”
They all saluted him “Guard it well!”