Sorain
The eternal DM
- Location
- Nexus, looking down over all there is.
... That makes so much sense it kinda scares me.
The Valkyrior (MCU Thor/Worm)
- Thread starter Heather Sinclair
- Start date
Ursine
Concerned Citizen
- Location
- Home, Sweet Home
It makes the Star Wars prequels better as well.
It might improve Black Swan as well, but I never saw that.
It would explain why a random Queen/Senator was such a disturbingly good shot.
Unless there were some really badass scenes in the Senate that got cut because... The director was an idiot?
Why even talk about bloody Ultron when the fic is YEARS away from then? None of this Ultron post-spamming has anything to do with the fic except add tens of pages to the thread
- Location
- Existance
Oh good, I'm not the only one who's getting sick of it.
- Location
- Crackship Space!
Ultron can be freely discussed in the proper place, the AoU Movie Thread.
Click here for that Thread.
Click here for that Thread.
Someone who didn't watch it on opening weekend probably isn't following AOS that closely either.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Aww... Has Dr. Bong not finished his degree yet? He did wonders for Deadpool's sanity, I'm sure he could help both Thor and Taylor just as well. Taylor in particular as I believe he has many insights to share for recovering villains.
http://marvel.com/universe/Doctor_Bong
I just realized, he has BOTH HANDS in this pic.
So, how long do we have to wait for the inevitable scene where a resurrected Mouse Protector shows up, takes a young Squirrel Girl under her wing and the hamtastic duo defeat everyone in both universes ever, thus silencing any possible vs debate?
wkz
Probably on the other side of the world from you
It silences every other possible VSs, but the Mouse Protector vs Squirrel Girl debate will last for eternity....
Winter is Coming 4.2
Heather Sinclair
Verified Force User
4.2
10880 Malibu Point, Malibu, California, 90265 – June 5, 2011
I take it back. Pepper Potts is a freaking lawyer-like machine. I dislike lawyers and their machines. Whenever one shows up my life always become infinitely more annoying. Stark seemed to be enjoying himself though.
After typing her thirty-fifth point into my pad I looked up at her. "Anything else you'd like me to bring up with the Director?"
"There's no way he'll approve half of that," Stark said.
"That's not the point. This is just to prove he's listening and not just sending…." Pepper looked apologetically at me before continuing. "Sorry… a flunky to make promises he has no intention of keeping."
"Pepper," Stark warned. "Please don't antagonize the girl that can flood the place with swarms of insects. At least not until I figure out a way to counter them. I'm thinking ultrasonic... what?"
She looked back at him and like he was speaking Pig Latin. "Tony."
"What? She can really do it. Bug-Girl, do the thing with the flies you did earlier."
I narrowed my eyes at him, attempting to look as confused as possible. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Apparently, I'm Nick Fury's flunky. I don't do fly tricks."
He stood and pointed at Pepper while walking away. "When you wake up in the middle of the night and there's bed bugs staring at you with their beady looking eyes, don't say I didn't warn you."
Pepper shook her head. "I'd apologize for him, but I gave up that job at the end of April, and I don't really think you're a flunky. Nick Fury has a habit of inserting himself into our lives for the last few years, usually through intermediaries. I've learned to be cautious and wait until everything is in writing."
I nodded. "Which is why you're the CEO of Stark Industries – I get it."
She studied me for a few seconds before prompting me. "You never did say what you did on your team. I don't think I've heard anything about you in the news."
With a smile, I stood. "That means I'm doing my job properly. With the mess that went on last week, I'm sure our anonymity will be a thing of the past soon enough."
Reaching out my hand, I summoned my armor at the same time. "I'm called Valkyrie."
Pepper's eyes widened and I watched at her mouth dropped open, but she recovered like a pro. I suppose having a boyfriend that's a superhero dulls you to most shocks. She limply shook my hand before I heard Stark coughing as he entered the room with a drink in his hand.
"Hey, armor is my shtick. Jarvis, where was she hiding it? You know what? Nevermind. I'll review it after she leaves." He looked me over with a critical eye. "Don't those wings on your helmet throw off the balance? It looks heavy, and exhausting. What kind of metal is that? Jarvis?"
"Unknown sir."
He reached up and Pepper grabbed his hand. It wouldn't matter anyway; As soon as he made his move I dispelled the armor.
"Wh… you have to tell me how you did that. Where'd it go?"
"Heavenly Realm," I returned.
"Okay, now you're just being… me." He spun on Pepper. "Is this what you meant when you said I was acting insufferable?"
"Which time?" she shot back off the cuff.
I had a feeling Pepper had a will of cast iron, and I patted myself on the back for suggesting that he not be a regular team member.
"Okay, maybe I deserved that, just this one time. Let's not make a habit pointing out my many faults in front of the guest."
Pepper rolled her eyes and then returned her attention to me. "We'll hear back from you…?"
Waving the pad slightly I said, "I'll submit this to Director Fury when I return this afternoon. It's up to him when he answers, but I think it'll be soon."
Stark reached up and poked at my arm. "Just checking to see if it's stealth tech; in which case I would have been impressed. Holo emitters?"
"I'll see myself out."
"Jarvis."
"Right this way Ms. Hebert."
~O~
That was exhausting. Checking my watch I noted that I'd only been there for an hour and a half. It seemed like at least four or five minimum. The gardeners were still there and I even got a smile out of the guy that nodded at me earlier. He was a little rough around the edges, but… nice.
The ride back made me wish I'd flown instead. It seemed like it was taking twice as long on Malibu Canyon Road, but at least the scenery was nice. That was until I reached the midway point and the tunnel under the mountain was blocked off for construction. Only one lane was being allowed through and an extremely bored looking flagman approached the SUV.
I rolled the window down before he reached the front bumper.
"Sorry ma'am there's a stalled car blocking the open side."
Blowing out a frustrated breath, I explored ahead with my bugs. It didn't take long seeing as how a lot of them were hiding within from the midday heat. Thing was, there was only one large SUV inside, no work crew, and definitely no stalled car. The other end was completely blocked off, and not just to one lane.
I flicked my eyes from the tunnel to the guy that was almost to my window and saw him finish pulling a large pistol from behind his back.
Too long; it had been far too long since I'd even felt the least bit threatened. I'd become complacent over the last month while on this new Earth. Sure, I'd played with my bugs. My range hadn't changed much, if at all. But I used them more for eavesdropping and tagging than I did for creating swarms, practicing with my clones, and gathering attack teams.
Ducking to the side only saved me from immediately being shot in the middle of my chest. White searing heat ripped through my left shoulder as I summoned my armor complete with full face plate.
"Mother fucker!" I screamed.
Several more shots were spent, ricocheting off the armor and embedding themselves into the interior. When I realized he wasn't making any progress with his pistol I pushed myself up and grabbed at the door handle. My arm wasn't working properly, forcing me to open it with my right hand.
"No! You get back here, asshole!" I yelled at him as he started backing off while reloading his pistol.
We were in the mountains. Thousands of trees were loaded with their springtime leaves. Wildflowers littered the valley to the right. Tens of thousands of bugs were at my disposal and I called all of them.
The SUV in the tunnel vomited forth three others. My bugs were already going to work on their weapons and more were coming for clogging barrels, webbing triggers, and swarming the men themselves. I heard their screams, so did the guy leveling his pistol at me again.
Triggering my com, I only had to wait for a few seconds before Sharon answered.
"Taylor, what's…." I cut her off before she could go on.
"I'm under attack. Four men, three armed with some serious…"
A loud thump sounded from the tunnel. A cloud of white smoke was all I saw before whatever it was impacted with my SUV. Heat washed over me and the concussion wave blew me off my feet and across the street. My bell was rung. I was stunned, trying to make some kind of sense of the flashing lights in front of my eyes, and wondering why I couldn't hear anything anymore, except for the blood rushing in my ears.
Instinctively, I rolled, knowing if I stayed still that would be bad. Finally, the Earth Bet part of my brain started to swim to the forefront. My bugs swarmed the area mapping the layout, eliminating line of sight between all of us, and displaying my enemies clearly enough. Scrambling to my feet, I swayed until my equilibrium stabilized.
Two down in the tunnel, still thrashing, one guy motionless not too far from my SUV, and the last one was steadily approaching me with a very large weapon in his grasp. My bugs were all over him stinging with virtually everything I had: wasps, bees, hornets. Other fliers were dropping off dozens of ants and he wasn't slowing down. The only thing I could think was that his outfit must have been seriously padded, but I was working on that. Several of my bugs were already finding open seams and burrowing under for a more direct attack. Others began tearing at the first layer of fabric and making their own way inside
He still ignored them, but at least he couldn't see me. That gave me the advantage.
I backed off and skirted left, while I had a number of spiders drag over the pistol from my initial attacker. Having been blown to the side of the road by the explosion, it wasn't too far away.
There was a yell of frustration from him as I let loose with the non-poisonous stings and went all out on this guy. He dropped his weapon and started smacking himself at the neck and head just as my spiders had done their job and armed me.
Turning sideway I lifted my newly acquired pistol and tracked a direct line to this guy's chest. Two shots sounded. He jerked like he was stung – finally – and then retreated, jumping through the flames of my SUV. It wasn't enough to kill them all, but I'd lost a number of bugs that were still trying to sting him through his outfit.
He landed on the other side of the street. It had to have been a good twenty foot leap off the side of the mountain and down into the valley below. It wasn't a straight drop by any means; definitely survivable, which I found out seconds later when he was making tracks through the brush faster than any human should be allowed to run.
I only spent about three seconds contemplating chasing him down by air, but I could already feel the inside of my armor slick with far too much blood. I needed to seal the wound or I'd wind up bleeding out.
~O~
I found a nice tree to relax against as I worked my magic with my bugs. I had lengths of dragline silk at my disposal, and found a number of Red Velvet ants who were being airlifted around searching for anymore threats. Several tarantulas were on guard in the branches above, and I finally felt somewhat safe again. It wasn't my best work. That would have to wait until later.
Relying on my armor was stupid. I was stupid, complacent, and slow. That would have to change.
The burning pain in my arm was already slowing to a constant throb, and that probably wasn't good. I was well familiar with what going into shock felt like. Passing out would be a very bad thing, considering the good guys were hopefully on their way.
I wish I could hear something with my own ears.
~O~
I blinked and felt the low thumping before I could focus enough to listen through my bugs. My vision swam before I could focus enough to see one helicopter landing on a roadside pull-off, while two others were spitting agents from theirs via drop-lines.
Forming a clone I sent it off toward the helicopter that was powering down. Sharon hopped out along with Sarah right behind her and Hill at the end.
Speaking with my swarm I said, "I'm over here."
From the looks on their respective faces I remembered I hadn't pulled that specific trick with them as if yet. It wasn't something that was going to be weighing on my mind. Instead of worrying about it, I threw up a few arrows and dispersed the clone.
"Oh god," Sarah said and covered her mouth before she looked away.
I almost had enough energy to chuckle – almost.
Sharon didn't bother saying anything at first. She just tossed the med kit she was carrying to the ground and started going to work.
Hill was barking orders to her men, so I spared her a clone. "The one that got away went that way. Just under six foot, shoulder length hair, full body armor, including a full facemask, built very solid, and he's got a metal arm – the left one. He's a cape – probably a brute of some sort. He took a full swarm of my bugs for a good thirty seconds before I got under his uniform and he flinched."
She stared at my clone and then looked back at me. "Got it. Let us do our job, Valkyrie."
"Taylor," Sharon said, getting my attention. "Stay awake. I'm pretty sure you've got a concussion and this arm… it's bad. Is this spider webbing?"
She packed it heavily and started winding gobs of gauze to keep it in place.
"Medivac was right behind us… Taylor?"
~O~
It was the burning in my nose that made me flinch away and wake up to see a guy in a yellow hazmat suit looking down at me. Apparently, Thor had some ad-hoc revenge with the smelling salts.
"Agent Hebert, I'm told you can disperse these insects and spiders. Do so, so we can treat you."
Staying perfectly still I looked around and saw a transparent wall with Brunnhilda just on the other side.
"Crap," I managed to squeeze out. "Boss is here."
"Yes," the guy in the suit said. "Apparently, she has magical healing stones. Can we get this nonsense out of the way, before… gah!"
A face full of bugs usually stops people from being annoying, even if they're perfectly safe in one of those silly suits.
The door slid open and my boss casually walked in as if she didn't have a care in the world.
"There is a reason my valkyries always wear their armor, Taylor."
I just closed my eyes and grimaced. Painkillers would have been really nice at the moment. Call me somewhat annoyed that they hadn't given me any. When I reopened my eyes between Brunnhilda's fingers was a small red gemstone that she was holding over my shoulder, touched it to the blood and then squeezed it, crushing it into a fine powder which rained over my wound.
Bone and muscle rolled within; I felt every single movement and just the thought of it was making me nauseous, but within seconds the pain was gone. I wasn't sure if the whole thing didn't just fall off until I turned my head to the side. As I did, my ears popped and the buzzing of my bugs let me know I could hear again, and not just through their senses.
Brunnhilda's eyes locked onto mine and she stared me down. "Summon your armor and follow me."
The guy in the hazmat suit was just standing there looking wide-eyed at my boss. "You shouldn't be… that's impossible."
Reaching up, I ran my hand over where my wound should have been. Minutes ago it was hamburger. I don't know what kind of round was in that pistol that guy used on me, but it wasn't normal. Either that or it was a very high caliber; with my luck, probably both.
While the magic red stone apparently healed what ailed me, it didn't do much of anything else. I still felt like I'd been decked by Lung himself. That's why it seemed like I was dragging myself in Brunnhilda's wake. Every bug in the room was following behind, compressed into a clone to keep the area as clean as I found it. It was a medical center of some type. SHIELD's, if the black eagle symbol on the wall meant anything.
Once we were free of the area, Brunnhilda found a way outside to a courtyard. She spun around, fire already blazing in her eyes.
"You were not this careless in your previous life."
I grit my teeth and rode it through. She was right, and I knew it. It was the only reason I wasn't up in her face.
"Four mortals, Taylor. Between your powers and the gifts I bestowed upon you this should have been child's play."
"One of them was a cape." It sounded lame even as I said the words. "I wasn't… expecting it."
She sighed and looked extraordinarily disappointed with me. "Did you not suspect foul play when you noticed the aura of death upon the mortal that approached you?"
Spotting a bench nearby, I took a seat. "I haven't been using it."
"In the Allfather's name, why not? You are a valkyrie!"
"Because I don't like seeing when people are going to die around me!"
Brunnhilda reached up and rubbed at her forehead as she turned away.
It was one of the worst powers someone could have, in my opinion. I couldn't look at one of my friends and coworkers like that. One day, they come into work and there's a nice dark black aura sucking in the light around them – how was I supposed to deal with that. "Oh, by the way, you'll be dead soon. Have a nice day."
There was no preventing it happening. It wasn't like I could tell them to load up on the body armor or even to lock them in a sealed room all nice a safe. When their time was up, it was over.
"Gather your personal items; you're returning to Asgard."
"What?" I nearly jumped to my feet, but honestly I lacked the strength. "It was a mistake. I won't do it again."
God, I sounded like a spoiled kid having her car keys taken away from her.
"I should never have sent you on this mission. I thought your previous experience was enough, but you do not have ample training as a valkyrie. I will replace you with one of the others."
Forcing myself to stand, I stilled my face to keep anguish I was feel from being shown. "Please. You're right; I've been letting this place make me feel safe when it's obviously anything but. I made a mistake. I'm not a thousand years old, but I'm not stupid. I learn, and this was a big lesson."
She pursed her lips, judging me. "Heimdall watches you. I receive frequent reports. You've grown soft in your position. You run in the mornings and do nothing else to improve yourself. No weapons training, no use of your gifts. Pah! You have a prince of Asgard within arm's reach and you have yet to ask him one worthwhile question.
"He is a fount of knowledge, Taylor. A warrior of unmatched regard and you treat him as if he wants nothing more than to bed you. Give me a single reason why I would allow you to remain."
I could feel my ears burning and my cheeks reddening at the dressing down. It wasn't my first, but it was probably the most deserved.
"I don't belong in Asgard," I returned as evenly as I could.
"The training would do you well."
"It probably would, but these people need me. We're starting something good here, and I still haven't found whatever it is Odin sent me to look for, whatever starts this mess in the future."
Brunnhilda looked to the side. We were starting to draw some interest from passers-by. Her spear appeared in her hand a second later and she rapped the bottom of it on the stone beneath our feet. A blue pulse of light shot out in every direction.
"Listen to me. We have little time and privacy. What you seek is the Tesseract. We have sent envoys where Odin secreted it on Midgard. The place was destroyed and the Infinity Stone missing. It is out there in this realm – this we know, nothing else. You will be given one last chance, Taylor. If I see that you are not performing as you have in the past, then I will return you to Asgard until such time as you are better prepared.
"You are now aware of how I expect you to improve." Wings appeared on her back and she looked up to the open skylight. "Do not speak of the Infinity Stone, and do not fail me a second time."
"I won't."
She reached out, setting her hand on my shoulder. The anger and disappointment was already gone from her face. "You have the opportunity to become one of my best, Taylor. Eat your apples."
10880 Malibu Point, Malibu, California, 90265 – June 5, 2011
I take it back. Pepper Potts is a freaking lawyer-like machine. I dislike lawyers and their machines. Whenever one shows up my life always become infinitely more annoying. Stark seemed to be enjoying himself though.
After typing her thirty-fifth point into my pad I looked up at her. "Anything else you'd like me to bring up with the Director?"
"There's no way he'll approve half of that," Stark said.
"That's not the point. This is just to prove he's listening and not just sending…." Pepper looked apologetically at me before continuing. "Sorry… a flunky to make promises he has no intention of keeping."
"Pepper," Stark warned. "Please don't antagonize the girl that can flood the place with swarms of insects. At least not until I figure out a way to counter them. I'm thinking ultrasonic... what?"
She looked back at him and like he was speaking Pig Latin. "Tony."
"What? She can really do it. Bug-Girl, do the thing with the flies you did earlier."
I narrowed my eyes at him, attempting to look as confused as possible. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Apparently, I'm Nick Fury's flunky. I don't do fly tricks."
He stood and pointed at Pepper while walking away. "When you wake up in the middle of the night and there's bed bugs staring at you with their beady looking eyes, don't say I didn't warn you."
Pepper shook her head. "I'd apologize for him, but I gave up that job at the end of April, and I don't really think you're a flunky. Nick Fury has a habit of inserting himself into our lives for the last few years, usually through intermediaries. I've learned to be cautious and wait until everything is in writing."
I nodded. "Which is why you're the CEO of Stark Industries – I get it."
She studied me for a few seconds before prompting me. "You never did say what you did on your team. I don't think I've heard anything about you in the news."
With a smile, I stood. "That means I'm doing my job properly. With the mess that went on last week, I'm sure our anonymity will be a thing of the past soon enough."
Reaching out my hand, I summoned my armor at the same time. "I'm called Valkyrie."
Pepper's eyes widened and I watched at her mouth dropped open, but she recovered like a pro. I suppose having a boyfriend that's a superhero dulls you to most shocks. She limply shook my hand before I heard Stark coughing as he entered the room with a drink in his hand.
"Hey, armor is my shtick. Jarvis, where was she hiding it? You know what? Nevermind. I'll review it after she leaves." He looked me over with a critical eye. "Don't those wings on your helmet throw off the balance? It looks heavy, and exhausting. What kind of metal is that? Jarvis?"
"Unknown sir."
He reached up and Pepper grabbed his hand. It wouldn't matter anyway; As soon as he made his move I dispelled the armor.
"Wh… you have to tell me how you did that. Where'd it go?"
"Heavenly Realm," I returned.
"Okay, now you're just being… me." He spun on Pepper. "Is this what you meant when you said I was acting insufferable?"
"Which time?" she shot back off the cuff.
I had a feeling Pepper had a will of cast iron, and I patted myself on the back for suggesting that he not be a regular team member.
"Okay, maybe I deserved that, just this one time. Let's not make a habit pointing out my many faults in front of the guest."
Pepper rolled her eyes and then returned her attention to me. "We'll hear back from you…?"
Waving the pad slightly I said, "I'll submit this to Director Fury when I return this afternoon. It's up to him when he answers, but I think it'll be soon."
Stark reached up and poked at my arm. "Just checking to see if it's stealth tech; in which case I would have been impressed. Holo emitters?"
"I'll see myself out."
"Jarvis."
"Right this way Ms. Hebert."
~O~
That was exhausting. Checking my watch I noted that I'd only been there for an hour and a half. It seemed like at least four or five minimum. The gardeners were still there and I even got a smile out of the guy that nodded at me earlier. He was a little rough around the edges, but… nice.
The ride back made me wish I'd flown instead. It seemed like it was taking twice as long on Malibu Canyon Road, but at least the scenery was nice. That was until I reached the midway point and the tunnel under the mountain was blocked off for construction. Only one lane was being allowed through and an extremely bored looking flagman approached the SUV.
I rolled the window down before he reached the front bumper.
"Sorry ma'am there's a stalled car blocking the open side."
Blowing out a frustrated breath, I explored ahead with my bugs. It didn't take long seeing as how a lot of them were hiding within from the midday heat. Thing was, there was only one large SUV inside, no work crew, and definitely no stalled car. The other end was completely blocked off, and not just to one lane.
I flicked my eyes from the tunnel to the guy that was almost to my window and saw him finish pulling a large pistol from behind his back.
Too long; it had been far too long since I'd even felt the least bit threatened. I'd become complacent over the last month while on this new Earth. Sure, I'd played with my bugs. My range hadn't changed much, if at all. But I used them more for eavesdropping and tagging than I did for creating swarms, practicing with my clones, and gathering attack teams.
Ducking to the side only saved me from immediately being shot in the middle of my chest. White searing heat ripped through my left shoulder as I summoned my armor complete with full face plate.
"Mother fucker!" I screamed.
Several more shots were spent, ricocheting off the armor and embedding themselves into the interior. When I realized he wasn't making any progress with his pistol I pushed myself up and grabbed at the door handle. My arm wasn't working properly, forcing me to open it with my right hand.
"No! You get back here, asshole!" I yelled at him as he started backing off while reloading his pistol.
We were in the mountains. Thousands of trees were loaded with their springtime leaves. Wildflowers littered the valley to the right. Tens of thousands of bugs were at my disposal and I called all of them.
The SUV in the tunnel vomited forth three others. My bugs were already going to work on their weapons and more were coming for clogging barrels, webbing triggers, and swarming the men themselves. I heard their screams, so did the guy leveling his pistol at me again.
Triggering my com, I only had to wait for a few seconds before Sharon answered.
"Taylor, what's…." I cut her off before she could go on.
"I'm under attack. Four men, three armed with some serious…"
A loud thump sounded from the tunnel. A cloud of white smoke was all I saw before whatever it was impacted with my SUV. Heat washed over me and the concussion wave blew me off my feet and across the street. My bell was rung. I was stunned, trying to make some kind of sense of the flashing lights in front of my eyes, and wondering why I couldn't hear anything anymore, except for the blood rushing in my ears.
Instinctively, I rolled, knowing if I stayed still that would be bad. Finally, the Earth Bet part of my brain started to swim to the forefront. My bugs swarmed the area mapping the layout, eliminating line of sight between all of us, and displaying my enemies clearly enough. Scrambling to my feet, I swayed until my equilibrium stabilized.
Two down in the tunnel, still thrashing, one guy motionless not too far from my SUV, and the last one was steadily approaching me with a very large weapon in his grasp. My bugs were all over him stinging with virtually everything I had: wasps, bees, hornets. Other fliers were dropping off dozens of ants and he wasn't slowing down. The only thing I could think was that his outfit must have been seriously padded, but I was working on that. Several of my bugs were already finding open seams and burrowing under for a more direct attack. Others began tearing at the first layer of fabric and making their own way inside
He still ignored them, but at least he couldn't see me. That gave me the advantage.
I backed off and skirted left, while I had a number of spiders drag over the pistol from my initial attacker. Having been blown to the side of the road by the explosion, it wasn't too far away.
There was a yell of frustration from him as I let loose with the non-poisonous stings and went all out on this guy. He dropped his weapon and started smacking himself at the neck and head just as my spiders had done their job and armed me.
Turning sideway I lifted my newly acquired pistol and tracked a direct line to this guy's chest. Two shots sounded. He jerked like he was stung – finally – and then retreated, jumping through the flames of my SUV. It wasn't enough to kill them all, but I'd lost a number of bugs that were still trying to sting him through his outfit.
He landed on the other side of the street. It had to have been a good twenty foot leap off the side of the mountain and down into the valley below. It wasn't a straight drop by any means; definitely survivable, which I found out seconds later when he was making tracks through the brush faster than any human should be allowed to run.
I only spent about three seconds contemplating chasing him down by air, but I could already feel the inside of my armor slick with far too much blood. I needed to seal the wound or I'd wind up bleeding out.
~O~
I found a nice tree to relax against as I worked my magic with my bugs. I had lengths of dragline silk at my disposal, and found a number of Red Velvet ants who were being airlifted around searching for anymore threats. Several tarantulas were on guard in the branches above, and I finally felt somewhat safe again. It wasn't my best work. That would have to wait until later.
Relying on my armor was stupid. I was stupid, complacent, and slow. That would have to change.
The burning pain in my arm was already slowing to a constant throb, and that probably wasn't good. I was well familiar with what going into shock felt like. Passing out would be a very bad thing, considering the good guys were hopefully on their way.
I wish I could hear something with my own ears.
~O~
I blinked and felt the low thumping before I could focus enough to listen through my bugs. My vision swam before I could focus enough to see one helicopter landing on a roadside pull-off, while two others were spitting agents from theirs via drop-lines.
Forming a clone I sent it off toward the helicopter that was powering down. Sharon hopped out along with Sarah right behind her and Hill at the end.
Speaking with my swarm I said, "I'm over here."
From the looks on their respective faces I remembered I hadn't pulled that specific trick with them as if yet. It wasn't something that was going to be weighing on my mind. Instead of worrying about it, I threw up a few arrows and dispersed the clone.
"Oh god," Sarah said and covered her mouth before she looked away.
I almost had enough energy to chuckle – almost.
Sharon didn't bother saying anything at first. She just tossed the med kit she was carrying to the ground and started going to work.
Hill was barking orders to her men, so I spared her a clone. "The one that got away went that way. Just under six foot, shoulder length hair, full body armor, including a full facemask, built very solid, and he's got a metal arm – the left one. He's a cape – probably a brute of some sort. He took a full swarm of my bugs for a good thirty seconds before I got under his uniform and he flinched."
She stared at my clone and then looked back at me. "Got it. Let us do our job, Valkyrie."
"Taylor," Sharon said, getting my attention. "Stay awake. I'm pretty sure you've got a concussion and this arm… it's bad. Is this spider webbing?"
She packed it heavily and started winding gobs of gauze to keep it in place.
"Medivac was right behind us… Taylor?"
~O~
It was the burning in my nose that made me flinch away and wake up to see a guy in a yellow hazmat suit looking down at me. Apparently, Thor had some ad-hoc revenge with the smelling salts.
"Agent Hebert, I'm told you can disperse these insects and spiders. Do so, so we can treat you."
Staying perfectly still I looked around and saw a transparent wall with Brunnhilda just on the other side.
"Crap," I managed to squeeze out. "Boss is here."
"Yes," the guy in the suit said. "Apparently, she has magical healing stones. Can we get this nonsense out of the way, before… gah!"
A face full of bugs usually stops people from being annoying, even if they're perfectly safe in one of those silly suits.
The door slid open and my boss casually walked in as if she didn't have a care in the world.
"There is a reason my valkyries always wear their armor, Taylor."
I just closed my eyes and grimaced. Painkillers would have been really nice at the moment. Call me somewhat annoyed that they hadn't given me any. When I reopened my eyes between Brunnhilda's fingers was a small red gemstone that she was holding over my shoulder, touched it to the blood and then squeezed it, crushing it into a fine powder which rained over my wound.
Bone and muscle rolled within; I felt every single movement and just the thought of it was making me nauseous, but within seconds the pain was gone. I wasn't sure if the whole thing didn't just fall off until I turned my head to the side. As I did, my ears popped and the buzzing of my bugs let me know I could hear again, and not just through their senses.
Brunnhilda's eyes locked onto mine and she stared me down. "Summon your armor and follow me."
The guy in the hazmat suit was just standing there looking wide-eyed at my boss. "You shouldn't be… that's impossible."
Reaching up, I ran my hand over where my wound should have been. Minutes ago it was hamburger. I don't know what kind of round was in that pistol that guy used on me, but it wasn't normal. Either that or it was a very high caliber; with my luck, probably both.
While the magic red stone apparently healed what ailed me, it didn't do much of anything else. I still felt like I'd been decked by Lung himself. That's why it seemed like I was dragging myself in Brunnhilda's wake. Every bug in the room was following behind, compressed into a clone to keep the area as clean as I found it. It was a medical center of some type. SHIELD's, if the black eagle symbol on the wall meant anything.
Once we were free of the area, Brunnhilda found a way outside to a courtyard. She spun around, fire already blazing in her eyes.
"You were not this careless in your previous life."
I grit my teeth and rode it through. She was right, and I knew it. It was the only reason I wasn't up in her face.
"Four mortals, Taylor. Between your powers and the gifts I bestowed upon you this should have been child's play."
"One of them was a cape." It sounded lame even as I said the words. "I wasn't… expecting it."
She sighed and looked extraordinarily disappointed with me. "Did you not suspect foul play when you noticed the aura of death upon the mortal that approached you?"
Spotting a bench nearby, I took a seat. "I haven't been using it."
"In the Allfather's name, why not? You are a valkyrie!"
"Because I don't like seeing when people are going to die around me!"
Brunnhilda reached up and rubbed at her forehead as she turned away.
It was one of the worst powers someone could have, in my opinion. I couldn't look at one of my friends and coworkers like that. One day, they come into work and there's a nice dark black aura sucking in the light around them – how was I supposed to deal with that. "Oh, by the way, you'll be dead soon. Have a nice day."
There was no preventing it happening. It wasn't like I could tell them to load up on the body armor or even to lock them in a sealed room all nice a safe. When their time was up, it was over.
"Gather your personal items; you're returning to Asgard."
"What?" I nearly jumped to my feet, but honestly I lacked the strength. "It was a mistake. I won't do it again."
God, I sounded like a spoiled kid having her car keys taken away from her.
"I should never have sent you on this mission. I thought your previous experience was enough, but you do not have ample training as a valkyrie. I will replace you with one of the others."
Forcing myself to stand, I stilled my face to keep anguish I was feel from being shown. "Please. You're right; I've been letting this place make me feel safe when it's obviously anything but. I made a mistake. I'm not a thousand years old, but I'm not stupid. I learn, and this was a big lesson."
She pursed her lips, judging me. "Heimdall watches you. I receive frequent reports. You've grown soft in your position. You run in the mornings and do nothing else to improve yourself. No weapons training, no use of your gifts. Pah! You have a prince of Asgard within arm's reach and you have yet to ask him one worthwhile question.
"He is a fount of knowledge, Taylor. A warrior of unmatched regard and you treat him as if he wants nothing more than to bed you. Give me a single reason why I would allow you to remain."
I could feel my ears burning and my cheeks reddening at the dressing down. It wasn't my first, but it was probably the most deserved.
"I don't belong in Asgard," I returned as evenly as I could.
"The training would do you well."
"It probably would, but these people need me. We're starting something good here, and I still haven't found whatever it is Odin sent me to look for, whatever starts this mess in the future."
Brunnhilda looked to the side. We were starting to draw some interest from passers-by. Her spear appeared in her hand a second later and she rapped the bottom of it on the stone beneath our feet. A blue pulse of light shot out in every direction.
"Listen to me. We have little time and privacy. What you seek is the Tesseract. We have sent envoys where Odin secreted it on Midgard. The place was destroyed and the Infinity Stone missing. It is out there in this realm – this we know, nothing else. You will be given one last chance, Taylor. If I see that you are not performing as you have in the past, then I will return you to Asgard until such time as you are better prepared.
"You are now aware of how I expect you to improve." Wings appeared on her back and she looked up to the open skylight. "Do not speak of the Infinity Stone, and do not fail me a second time."
"I won't."
She reached out, setting her hand on my shoulder. The anger and disappointment was already gone from her face. "You have the opportunity to become one of my best, Taylor. Eat your apples."
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Gazing Eye
Compound, Lidless, Always Watching.
well an apple a day and all that
I feel Brunhilda is not wrong, but not right either.
Taylor was slacking, but I don't think she's wrong to do so. Taylor's spent 2 years in a permanent state of combat, more so than any normal soldier. She needs downtime. She needs to let herself relax somewhere.
Also don't really understand the threat to take her back to Asgard. That's against the original deal. The original deal Taylor agreed to was that she'd do the one job, and after that if she wanted she could quit and stay on MCU Earth. Brunhilda shouldn't be able to threaten to drag her back to Asgard against her wishes. She could force her to quit being a valkyrie, which would mean giving up the nifty bonuses, but Taylor lived without those before.
Also the death sight is kind of out of no where. It wasn't mentioned anywhere before now.
Taylor was slacking, but I don't think she's wrong to do so. Taylor's spent 2 years in a permanent state of combat, more so than any normal soldier. She needs downtime. She needs to let herself relax somewhere.
Also don't really understand the threat to take her back to Asgard. That's against the original deal. The original deal Taylor agreed to was that she'd do the one job, and after that if she wanted she could quit and stay on MCU Earth. Brunhilda shouldn't be able to threaten to drag her back to Asgard against her wishes. She could force her to quit being a valkyrie, which would mean giving up the nifty bonuses, but Taylor lived without those before.
Also the death sight is kind of out of no where. It wasn't mentioned anywhere before now.
Silver W. King
King of Adventures
- Location
- The Nasuverse
It was mentioned, but I don't think in-story.
Really liked this line. Finally someone calls her out on her stereotype.
Z000
If this is trash, then find me in the dumpster
- Location
- Viet Nam
Winter Soldier and HYDRA with element of surprise and intel and the only thing they manage was to hit Taylor in the shoulder before getting swarm in bug
what are these moron doing
they know how powerful she is and they expect to take her down with 4 guy and a thaw out popsicle
what are these moron doing
they know how powerful she is and they expect to take her down with 4 guy and a thaw out popsicle
Well, looks like Taylor got her wake up call. If the Winter Soldier isn't enough to restore her Earth Bet paranoia, nothing will. I mean I like the way she's been communicationg and all. Nice change, but the Warlord shouldn't disappear entirely when it comes to these situations.
Too bad for the rest of them though, bug surveillance around the clock for everybody. Sitwell better make himself scarce. Being tossed into traffic by Bucky will be the least of his worries if Taylor catches up with him.
Bring on the Asgard bugs!
Too bad for the rest of them though, bug surveillance around the clock for everybody. Sitwell better make himself scarce. Being tossed into traffic by Bucky will be the least of his worries if Taylor catches up with him.
Bring on the Asgard bugs!
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From Brunhilda's POV, Taylor nearly died and Taylor is, at least in Brunhilda's mind, 'one of hers': she's responsible for Taylor and if she needs to be taken back for more training (or Downtime on Asgard where it's safe...) then that's what she's going to do.
It's better than bringing her back dead (again)
Also, Taylor has a job to do and she isn't doing it.
Amberion
Mighty #9
That shoulder wound was lethal. If Brunnhilda didn't have those magic gems of healing, Taylor'd be either dead or laid up for months.
Z000
If this is trash, then find me in the dumpster
- Location
- Viet Nam
it not easy doing Taylor character
she all over the place depending on how you see her in the original source material
every one see her differently and that kinda when into any her characterization when writing about her