~Storm's P.O.V.~
-Edinburgh, Scotland-
Corvus, Proxima, Maro, Surkea, and I were ordered by Thanos to go to Earth to fetch the Soul Stone while Ebony, and Cull would retrieve the Time Stone. They had no clue where the Soul Stone was, so I used the Force to locate the Soul Stone, finding it in a heartbeat. I then used the Force to find this android who contained the stone on his forehead. It wasn't long until we found the android in one of the streets with a woman with light brown hair. I turned towards the others. "He's over there."
Corvus grinned. "Perfect."
Corvus then pierced the android, stabbing his back. The android changed from his human form as Corvus threw him to the ground. The woman was about to attack when Proxima and I blasted her back into a store. It was about then when Maro and Surkea caught up to us. Corvus then tried digging out the stone of the android with his glaive as the android screamed out in pain. We were distracted that we didn't see the woman get up until she knocked us all back with scarlet beams. As soon as we were up, we followed where the woman took the android. Corvus and Maro fought the android, while Proxima, Surkea, and I took on the woman, who screamed out. "Vis!"
I took out my crimson red double-bladed spinning lightsaber using it against her as she used her scarlet beams as protection. Surkea used her daggers, while Proxima used a staff. The woman fought against Proxima, clashing her energy beams against Proxima's staff. She was only inches away from her face until the woman pushed her back, causing Proxima to hit a wall.
The woman then turned towards Surkea and me. I used my lightsaber before lunging towards her. My lightsaber then clashed with her scarlet energy beams. I used all my strength to push her back. She stumbled back, but stood her ground. I then used the infamous Force grip raising her up in the air before throwing her back like a tooka doll. I turned towards Surkea. "Make sure she won't get in our way. I'm going to check on Proxima."
Surkea nodded before storming over towards the woman. Once I reached Proxima, I saw Surkea hit the wall right next to me. I narrowed my eyes as I glanced over towards the woman. She used her powers to reach the roof where Corvus and the android were. I then saw the woman trying to fly with the android. I glanced over to see Proxima barely getting up. As soon as she noticed them trying to get away, she shot a blast from her staff. This sent the both of them falling down through the roof of a train station.
"Good thinking, Proxima." I commented. "Now they have no where to go."
With that, Proxima, Surkea, Corvus, Maro, and I crashed through the roof before making our way towards the woman, who protectively stood in front of the android. Scarlet beams began to build in her hands. I took out my yellow lightsaber, placing it in my left hand while my red lightsaber was firmly grasped in my right hand.
"You know, you don't have to make things so difficult. You're only hurting yourselves." Maro commented.
"You can surrender now, and give us the stone. And then we'll consider not killing the woman." I added, earning a chuckle from Corvus and Proxima. "Or you can try fighting us, and then we'll tear her from limb to limb while you watch, android."
"The choice is yours. What will it be?" Surkea inquired.
"I'd rather die than surrender!" The woman spat.
"Then so be it." Proxima replied.
At that moment, a train then passed by us, and I felt a presence behind that long train. Once the train left, we saw a silhouette of a person of the other side of the platform. Proxima then threw her weapon at the figure, but he managed to catch it with ease. He then stepped out into the light to reveal himself. I furrowed my brows. He looked very familiar, but different...the beard wasn't there before. My eyes widened. Steve? I glanced over at Proxima and Corvus with a baffled look. "Why do I recognize him?"
"He's an old enemy." Proxima lied.
Corvus nodded. "We fought him before."
"Now that's a lie." I heard a familiar voice.
I turned around to see a similar face looking back at me. She resembled so much like me...I staggered back. "Who are you?"
"Storm? It's me Maya, your sister." She replied as she furrowed her brows. "Why are you in your Dathomirian form?"
"The name's Naexle, Naexle Dooku!" I spat. "I do not know any Storm."
At that moment Proxima was kicked back into a store by a familiar man using a flying suit. He flew around, firing bullets at Corvus as a woman with short blonde hair used Proxima's staff against Corvus. I then saw two others emerge. One was a giant Loth-wolf, while the other was a young woman with red hair with streaks of black. They rushed over towards me at once, yelling out. "Storm."
I ignited my two lightsabers as I snapped. "That's not my name! I'm Naexle, Naexle Dooku! And I will kill you all."
I lunged towards Maya as she raised her green lightsaber, clashing it against mine. The young woman with red long hair and black streaks fought against Surkea, who was next to me, while the giant wolf fought against Maro. I let out a grunt as I pushed forth with all my strength. Once Maya stumbled back, I struck again, however she dodged just in time. Maya swung her lightsaber, which I managed to get out of the way in time.
I swung my leg, knocking her to the ground. I then raised my red lightsaber before striking it down on her. However she managed to grab her lightsaber in time, clashing it against mine. However she struggled as my lightsaber got closer and closer towards her face. I grinned as I felt her struggling.
"Please don't do this, Storm. This isn't you." Maya begged.
"I don't know how I recognize you or the others but regardless of that, I will defeat you and the others." I rebuked. "Your pleas mean nothing to me."
At that moment, I was raised from the ground. I glanced up to see the man with mechanical wings, holding me. I narrowed my eyes before I recognized him.
"Sam?" I inquired.
Upon hearing me, Sam glanced down at me rather confused. "Storm, what's going on?"
What am I doing? I've got a mission to complete. I mentally shook my head before using the Force to get me out of Sam's grip. I then gently touched the ground using the Force to guide me. As the blonde woman fought Corvus, the one I recognized as Steve joined Maya as I approached them.
"What's wrong with Storm?" Steve inquired.
"Stop calling me that! It's Naexle!" I corrected.
I whipped out my red lightsaber before striking Steve, who quickly dodged all my attacks. The woman with red hair stepped in, clashing her lightsaber against mine. She struggled as I pushed forth with all my strength, refusing to give in.
"Storm, what's wrong with you?" The woman with red hair inquired.
"She has a new purpose, as do we." Surkea replied as she clashed her dagger against Maya's lightsaber.
Maya's eyes then widened. "They've been brainwashed. All three of them...Maro, Storm, and Surkea. Steve help Nat, I'll fix them."
With that, Steve then joined the blonde woman, taking on Proxima together. I shouted out as I pushed Maya back with the Force, causing her to stumble back into the wolf before I rose Areria up off the ground. I narrowed my eyes as I tightened my grip, making her choke.
"Storm, stop it! You're hurting Areria. She's like your younger sister!" Maya yelled.
I ignored her as I threw her back against the shop. Maya turned to the wolf. "Check on her. I'll take care of them."
The wolf reluctantly nodded before going off. At that moment, Maro joined us. Before we could attack, Maya extended her hands out towards us before a bright light engulfed Maro, Surkea, and me. We all yelled out in pain as we fell to our knees. I felt as though my entire body was engulfed in flames. I could feel myself fighting between two different people as the Force light surrounded me. However as soon as the light disappeared, I regained control, feeling the power of the darkstaff leave my mind. I let out a sigh in relief as all the memories came flooding back to me. I looked up to see Steve, Nat, and Sam, surrounding Proxima and Corvus. Proxima knelt beside Glaive as she ordered him to get up. Corvus groaned as he laid on the ground. "I can't."
"We don't wanna kill you. But we will." Nat informed them.
"You'll never get the chance again." Proxima retorted.
With that both Corvus and Proxima were beamed up onto their ship, including the glaive that was in Steve's hand. Maya immediately rushed over towards us along with Allie, Areria, Steve, Nat, and Sam.
"Storm, are you all right?" Maya asked.
"I am now. Thank you, Maya." I assured her before looking over at Maro and Surkea.
Maro and Surkea groaned as they looked around, rather confused. I immediately spoke up. "Maro, Surkea."
Upon hearing my voice, they both turned to me, relieved. I placed a hand on their shoulders, trying to comfort them. "It's all right. We're no longer under their control. Maya freed us."
"Thank you, Maya." Maro said.
"Thanks Maya, it's good to see you after so many years." Surkea commented.
"Who brainwashed you?" Steve inquired.
"It was my two cousins...Hatro and Vorlega Ventress, although Thanos wanted to use me as an asset." I clarified.
~Piecor's P.O.V.~
We watched as Talbot raised us into the alien spaceship above the Lighthouse. Phil was the first to speak ."...Uh, Glenn."
"Chin up. Almost there." Talbot assured us.
We then entered the ship, seeing several marauders before us. One of the marauders spoke up. "You are now prisoners of the Remorath."
"So, what's our play?" Phil questioned.
"Now you, Piecor, and I are gonna show these E.T.s who's boss. Don't worry. I can fix this." Talbot assured us.
"I really wish you'd stop saying that." Phil replied.
I nodded. "So do I."
We then followed the marauders into the hallways as the ship left Earth. Phil seemed to notice. "Pretty sure we just left Earth's atmosphere."
"Doesn't matter what galaxy they try and run and hide in. We're gonna show them who's in charge." Talbot urged.
"I feel like we're seeing this adventure a little differently." Phil confessed.
"Why use the Gravitonium?" I questioned.
"'Cause I'm our last hope." Talbot replied.
"What about the voices?" Phil asked.
"Bunch of dead losers raising a ruckus. Turns out, all they needed was a general to get them in line." Talbot explained.
"Wish I found that more reassuring. I'm a little worried about you, Glenn. It takes most people years to get a handle on their powers. You skipped the tutorial, went straight to big-boss level." Phil pointed out.
Phil's right...powers take time to master, and yet he walked out as though nothing happened. He was right to worry about Talbot, who was unstable before even going into the machine.
"You got to quit worrying, Phil. I'm feeling fine tip-top. Even brought my best wingman with me. What these alien scumbags didn't count on is squaring off against the two best military minds the world has to offer. "Talbot commented. I then cleared my throat, causing Talbot to add. "And Storm's son, one of the most powerful aliens."
"No, they most certainly did not." Phil replied.
We then entered the main room to find the leader called Quovas. "You dare to approach my ship."
"How about letting your wingman take point on this?" Phil suggested.
"We're here to negotiate a deal for Earth." I spoke up.
"The Confederacy already has a deal with Hydra." Quovas retorted.
"Thing is, Hydra doesn't really speak for all of humanity or any of it." Phil informed him.
"Hydra has spent years kneeling before me, groveling at my feet, and only then did I offer assistance. Yet you sneak aboard my ship and have the arrogance to make demands." Quovas shot back.
Talbot then intervened. "I think there's a misunderstanding. You see, this is my ship."
At his words, we grew very uneasy. Phil quickly stepped in. "Easy, buddy."
"Are you sure he's still sane?" I inquired.
"Now that you mention it...I'm kinda debating it." Phil mentioned.
Quovas scoffed. "Your impudent tone is only going-"
Talbot cut him off as he raised his voice. "I said this is my ship!"
A marauder then took out a blade, prepared to fight us. However at that moment, Talbot used his new powers against him. "Seems like you got the weight of the world on your shoulders there, pal."
He then crushed the marauder, killing him rather painfully. I winced as I heard every bone break. Once Talbot finished him off, he turned towards Quovas. "That's better. Now you. Kneel."
"I'm not sure that's the best negotiating tactic." Phil commented.
"I said kneel before me!" Talbot ordered.
I watched in horror, not knowing how Quovas would respond. However Quovas then kneeled, making the others follow his lead, surprising us. Talbot grinned as he turned towards us. "That's pretty good teamwork, Phil...and Piecor."
Talbot then let out a chuckle. "Well, not bad for a day's work."
"Got to admit, I'm impressed, though the kneeling may have been a little over-the-top." Phil confessed.
I nodded. "Agreed. Was it necessary?"
"Do not contradict me, Phil." Talbot warned before looking over at me. "And of course it's necessary, son. This is war. First we establish dominance, then we dictate terms, yeah?"
"Just want to make sure we're on the same page. Maybe now's the time to talk big picture." Phil advised.
"I'm gonna save the world." Talbot replied.
"From whom?" Quovas questioned. "The Confederacy decides what you will and will not do. It will not stand idly by while you-"
Talbot immediately cut him off. "Stand? Gee, I don't see any Confederate members standing. Phil, Piecor, you see anybody standing?"
"Hydra was never this foolish." Quovas retorted.
Talbot scoffed. "Yeah, well, where's Hydra now?"
"Your ignorance astounds." Quovas replied.
I then quickly put the navpoints together. "That's how they found us."
"Hale!" Talbot spat.
"Take me to her." Phil urged.
While Phil went inside to Hale's cell while I remained with Talbot in the main room. I watched as Talbot spoke to Quovas, who was now standing alongside the marauders. "I think it's time you tell me about the rest of your compadres."
Quovas narrowed his eyes at Talbot. "I would rather die than betray the Confederacy."
At that moment, we heard Hale's voice. "There are six seats: Kallusians, Rajaks, Astrans all count themselves members, obviously, the Remoraths, and there are two other warrior clans."
We turned to see Phil and Hale, approaching us. Talbot was furious upon seeing her. "You? You dragged me away from my family, kept me in a hole for six months, and messed with my head. Why should I believe a single word coming out of your mouth?"
"You have every right to be upset, but the Confederacy's still out there. She's the only one who knows how they operate." Phil stated.
"Look, what I did to you was wrong, but it was all to bring us to this moment. Humankind is in terrible danger, and you you're the weapon that I was trying to build. You're the only one that can save us all." Hale explained.
"What was Hydra's arrangement with the Confederacy?" I inquired, changing the subject to the more urgent matter at hand.
"To protect the Earth from being attacked." Hale informed us.
Talbot furrowed his brows. "In exchange for what?"
"Resources. Inhumans and Gravitonium above all." Hale elaborated.
"Why Gravitonium?" Phil asked.
"Because its power is unlimited. It can bend space, build empires, and destroy them." Quovas explained.
"Couldn't you just find a fun game on your phone instead?" Phil suggested.
"I don't think they have phones...or even holopads or datapads." I commented.
"Look, we need to renegotiate our deal with the Confederacy." Hale suggested.
Talbot nodded. "I think maybe it's time we started shaking some hands."
"Impossible. The Confederacy gathering is sacred, a ceremony dating back over five of your centuries." Quovas protested.
"Well, as a military man, I'd hate to buck tradition. So why don't you bring me up to speed on protocol?" Talbot suggested.
"Even if the Confederacy were to grant you an audience, you have nothing to offer." Quovas protested.
"But if it's Gravitonium your friends want, there he is." Phil pointed out.
With that Quovas and the others helped, making Talbot look presentable. They gave him a trim on the beard along with a new suit and a robe.
"I appreciate the trim, but feels like a lot of pomp and circumstance to me." Talbot confessed.
"We need allies for whatever war is coming to Earth." Hale urged.
"Diplomacy is key." I added.
"Maybe I should come along, help navigate any choppy waters." Phil offered.
Talbot shook his head. "Best not to rock the boat. These snowflakes seem awfully precious about decorum. I think I'll just take the alien."
"Okay, but remember, tread lightly." Phil reminded him. "Try and get feel for the-"
"I already told you I can fix this." Talbot retorted, cutting him off. "How do I look?"
"Pretty cool, actually." Phil complimented.
"I can probably get the boys to rustle you up one if you want." Talbot offered.
Phil immediately denied the offer. "I'm good. Not much of a robes guy."
"I'm leaving this man in charge. Anybody here disobeys an order, you'll suffer the same pretzel logic your friend did earlier." Talbot warned before turning to Quovas. "Alright, Chuckles, let's hit it."
With that Quovas and Talbot left in a traveling machine. As they left, we looked out of the window, waiting for them to return with some good news.
"Astronauts say the view of Earth from space changes you. It's why I always wanted to be one." Hale confessed.
"Malick had Project Distant Star running inside NASA. Why didn't you go work for him?" Phil pointed out.
"Leadership had other plans for me." Hale said as she let out a sigh, turning away from the window. "Really rolled the dice letting Talbot go out on his own."
"Not to mention we have no way out if things go sideways. Artillery, I'm guessing?" Phil inquired.
Hale nodded. "Probably have enough firepower there to incinerate your entire base."
Phil then turned towards me. "Hey, how are you holding up?"
"I'm fine...I'm doing my best not to worry. I haven't heard back from my mom since she left." I commented.
"Hey, I know your mom. Storm's a fighter, and if she's in trouble then she'll find a way to get out of it." Phil assured me.
Hale raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean haven't heard back? I thought she was with you guys?"
"She was, but something came up...and it involved saving the lives of not just her other kids, but the lives of Asgardians as well." Phil explained.
I then closed my eyes as I reached out to the Force, trying to feel her. I felt something different as I searched further, I then felt immense pain as I opened my eyes. I violently shook my head. "Oh no, no, no. That can't be true."
Phil placed a hand on my shoulder. "What is it, Piecor?"
Tears filled my eyes as I looked out at the window. "It's my dad...he's dead."