Chapter 10
"I don't fear the prospect of power so much as the potential pain of losing a loved one.
There. I said it. My greatest fear.
Happy now?"
~You Know Who.
Meet the Family
Polly laughed herself silly, clutched her sides, and fell over onto the bed.
Naruto flushed to the very roots of his hair as she snickered at his plight. "Its not funny!"
"Yes, it is!" her legs flailed weakly in the air as she continued to giggle, rolling too and fro. "You beat her bloody and she enjoyed it! She's a sub! Ha! Did she call you "daddy" too?!"
"POLLY!"
His wife's delighted laughter continued to reverberate through the house, much to his chagrin; she showed no signs of stopping anytime soon. If anything she was tickled pink. For the life of him, he couldn't see why. This woman had threatened their children to draw him away and yet somehow, Polly wasn't irked in the least.
Did she have that much faith in him...?
"Anissa." She rolled the word on her tongue, tasted it on her lips now as she sat up, trying to sound it out. "So that's her name. Not bad, not bad at all. Tell me you didn't kill her."
...I did not.
She waggled a brow his way. "Did you at least bed her?
He shook his head-and a pillow bounced off it. "What was that for?!"
His wife granted him a lopsided smile. "You really are too loyal for your own good. How many times do I have to tell you its fine. I want you to be happy."
A muscle jumped in his away but he stubbornly forced it down as he scuffed a boot against the floor and glared sullenly into the bedroom carpet. "M'happy with you."
"And you can be happy with other people, too." she patted his cheek. "So, what's she like? Tell me everything. Spare no detail~!"
Naruto did just that her. Long, loudly, and at length, with more than a few expletives besides.
By the Polly was laughing even harder.
"She's a sub, definitely." his weary wife wiped a mirthful tear from the corner of her eye. "For all her claims about strength and power and ego, she kept telling you to hit her harder. And you had her panting like a dog once you got her pinned."
Heat crept up the back of his neck. "What makes you so certain?"
"Dear," she crossed one scarred leg over the other, inadvertently drawing his eyes there, "I may not act like it much of the time, but I AM a woman."
A rusty chuckle escaped him. "Lemme guess, you drink and know things?"
She beamed and mimed holding a shot glass. "Precisely~!"
He sat beside her and she scooted closer, laying her head on his shoulder, but only for a moment. Her eyes sought his as she climbed into his lap; from there, her hands cupped his face and dragged his face down to hers. An electric thrill shot through him, causing his hands to settle on her waist; to which she deepened the kiss, planted her legs on either side of him, pushing him down. He tried to protest, fearing she'd have another relapse but her mouth silenced his, her tongue tangling his to kill the words dead before they could ever be spoken.
"Are you sure...?"
"Very." she shrugged off her her shirt, baring her bosom to him as she kissed his chin. "I have a little energy today. I think I can-ack!"
A violent cough rattled her body, wracking her with spasms.
"Polly?!"
"I'm fine!" she waved his concern down frantically as her breathing evened out. "Just let me breathohdamnit!"
He tugged her hand away from her mouth and saw the blood there.
"M'sorry...
"You have nothing to be sorry about." He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Anissa said her people could treat you...
"Oh, honey I'm still alive." she stifled another cough behind a palm. "Thinking of the future now will only ruin the present moment." something gleamed behind her bright eyes and he wasn't sure he liked the look of it. "Speaking of which, where is our resident invader now?
Here at last,he smiled. "With the kids and under heavy guard."
Her face lit up at that. "They wanted to meet her?"
"I wouldn't say meet so much as beat."
"Ohhhh...I'm sure they had a few choice words for her...
(.0.0.0.)
He found Anissa exactly where he'd left her; standing in the living room with the kids dangling off her like a living jungle gym.
Joshua was trying to drag her down to the ground by the throat from behind, Samantha had ahold of one arm, then Jessica and Luca her legs, while Amanda, still youngest of all, had contented herself to sit on her feet. It served as a somewhat strange sight by itself all things considered, yet oddly enough, she wasn't trying to hurt any of them.
Not that she could mind you, given she was being watched by no less than three shadow clones, each more than capable of intervening if she tried to do anything foolish.
And yet there she stood, her face carved from stone, seemingly resigned to her fate. Fine by him; humiliation was the least of her punishment.
A mighty Viltrumite, reduced to a child's plaything; and all because he'd told her to stand still.
How quaint.
He flicked out his phone and snapped several pictures, to her eternal chagrin.
Annissa's head whipped his way with such force that she nearly broke her neck. "Delete those images at once!"
"That depends," he held the phone over her head, "are you strong enough to take this from me?"
Her face turned a pretty shade of pink. No...
"That's what I thought."
She squirmed a little, and belatedly, he realized what she wanted.
"Do it."
He sighed. "Kurama, no."
"C'mon, what's the harm. Do it!'
"No means no, fuzball!"
"DO! IT!"
"Alright, alright. Twist my arm why don'tcha...
He patted Anissa's head, idly mussing up her dark hair. "Good girl."
She tucked her chin into her chest and refused to look at him, but he didn't miss the pleased smile she wore, nor the sudden flushing of her face.
Red! Her face was so red like roses right now!
Bloody Viltrumintes. He would never understand the lot of them. They claimed to represent absolute strength and yet Anissa had rolled right over him once he beat her into the ground and now she was blushing like some stricken schoolgirl. Where had the wicked warrior gone, the cruel conqueror, the monster who'd threatened his children just to get his attention? She was practically a puppy now compared to the bloodthirsty beast he had beaten down only a few hours ago...
.
..
...perhaps that was an understatement.
Kurama chortled softly in his head. "Almost like a bitch in-
'C'mon, man. There are children present."
"Daaaaad! Why isn't she dead?!"
Eve's whine drew him back to the present and belatedly he realized his children were clamoring for his attention. Her and Joshua perhaps loudest of all; the others hadn't been present when she ambushed him, but now they were glaring daggers at the intruder in their home. Well, he supposed they thought she was an intruder...
"Now, now," He held up his hands before his children could start world war three, "Death is too good for her. Besides," he let his gaze settle on said Viltrumite with intent, daring her to object. "Your mother wants a word with her, which means Anissa and I have...come to an arrangement. That said, she's sorry for what she did now, isn't she?"
Anissa held her tongue...right up until he began cracking his knuckles.
...yes." she muttered under her breath, bowing her head low, cheeks flushing. "My apologies. It won't happen again."
Samantha smiled. "Good...
CRACK!
An open palm shrouded in pink light struck Anissa's face at mach one, snapping the older woman's head back with an audible crack to knock her airborne, sending her rocketing upward. No sooner had she done so than Eve conjured a wall of pure energy and pinned her against the ceiling, crushing her there. He didn't miss the Viltrumite's startled expression; not in the least; and so he stood by as his eldest daughter floated up her way, grabbed her by the hair, and smashed her forehead against hers.
...because if you ever, and I mean EVER try to hurt any of us, I'll kill you."
Joshua whistled down below as the other children applauded her brutality. "Daaaaaamn, sis...
Anissa stared at her for a long moment, then looked back to him with a smirk. "You've raised your offspring well. They'll grow up to be strong."
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose to stifle a small smirk. "I don't wanna hear that from you."
Eve reluctantly released her, allowing her to alight upon the floor once more.
Little Jessica raised a hand. "How do we know you're stronger than her?"
"Oh, that's easy."
He grabbed the recovering Anissa by one wrist, wrenched her arm behind her back and planted a boot there. Heel grinding against her spine, he drove her down to her knees.
Much to his annoyance, she gasped happily at the pain, face flushed. "H-Harder..."
Eve and Joshua absolutely gagged. "Ewwww! Gross, gross, gross!"
Naurto heaved a sigh. "Seem this is my life now...
(.0.0.0.)
Polly leaned back into her pillows, wearing a smug smile. "Well, well! Aren't you a beauty. You must be Anissa. Its a pleasure to meet you face to face."
The warrior lifted her chin to meet her stare. "This is not the first time we have met."
His wife tittered dangerously. "But it is the first time we've spoken, silly girl."
A spark passed between the two women.
'Yeah, not getting between that.'
"Nope!"
Naruto dragged a hand across his face. No doubt she was talking about the time they'd seen her spying on them from afar. Sneaky little voyeur. In truth, he half-expected Anissa to bite back at that little bout of verbal assassination; imagine his surprise when she didn't. Instead, she tilted her head just so. "Correct. And you...you are stronger than appear. Stronger than you know.
His wife steeped her frail hands and laid her chin atop them. So I've been told. I understand you have designs on my husband.
Anissa nodded. "Your mate, yes."
"Husband." Polly corrected her with a smile. It was...well he could't call it a nice smile per se, but it wasn't nasty either, more of a smirk bordering on a sneer. "I don't know how Viltrumites do things where you're from, but here we hold onto the ones we love." She laughed suddenly, a soft-yet-brittle-sound. Times like these reminded him why he loved her Brooklyn accent; it never really emerged unless she was riled up like this.
That earned a baffled blink from the warrior woman. "Love?"
"Oh, dear." Polly's smile thinned. "You don't know what love is, do you?"
"I am familiar with the concept, but I fail to see how that factors into this equation."
He could sense the lie, plain as day. She was masking, trying to hide her true intentions from Polly. It wasn't working of course. She'd always been clever.
"...seems I have my work cut out for me." His wife's bright gaze flicked back to him, and too late, he glimpsed a spark of impish mischief therein. "He's quite the catch, isn't he?
"Oi!"
Anissa nodded. "He is."
"He's even better once you get his trousers off and-
Kurama cackled as heat speared up the back of his neck and lanced into his cheeks.
"Ladies! I am standing right here!"
"Yes you are, dear." Polly patted his head. "Which is precisely why we're having this conversation."
...don't I get a say in this?"
Polly giggled. "Nope."
"I really think I-
"Nooope~!"
"Listen-
Her laughter overrode him. "N~o~p~e!"
...blast. He forgot just how damnably stubborn she could be when she wanted something. Even with her body broken, her mind remained sharp as a tack; no, sharper. As her physical form faded she'd only become more brilliant in his eyes...and all the more determined to live with what little time she had left. It was so easy to forget sometimes...
"You should listen to her." Anissa butted in. "Your mate-erm wife, is clearly a warrior of the mind. She wants what's best for you."
Polly hummed dangerously at her. "Should I take that remark as an insult or a compliment...?"
"The latter," came the reply. "It is highest that I can think to give you at the moment."
"Hmm," She licked her lips luridly and beckoned her way. "You'll do. Come here."
Anissa needed no more encouragement. She stalked forward to the bed.
Naruto dug his heels in and didn't budge, even when she began to...
...disrobe.
Polly noticed naturally; of course she did. She was his wife. She'd always been able to read him like book. She didn't make any demands of him, nor did she try to command him. She simply held out a frail hand in silent invitation. It was for him to take, or not at all.
"You really want that threesome, don't you?"
She granted him a lopsided grin. "Its on my bucket list, sooo...
.
..
...screw it.
If she was pushing this hard for it, he might as well indulge her. It was the leas the could do. Rolling his shoulder, he stalked forward, shedding his shirt as he went. The smile on Polly's face lit a spark in his deepest heart of hearts. He made it halfway to the bed before Anissa grabbed his arm and yanked him down to join them.
"Wits aside," she flicked a glance up and down Polly's body as they helped her undress. "Your body is frail. How do you intend to engage in such activities?"
His wife laid back, gasping as the latter kissed her collarbone, then her neck, followed by her chin. "Slowly, gently, carefully...ah!"
Naruto drew her into his lap, relishing in the delighted noise she made as her lips found his-
A portal burst open behind them, swirling with green light.
Angstrom Levy came charing through from within, paused at the sight of them, then balked.
"Oh! His eyes widened, then his face reddened. "I'm not interrupting, am I?"
Polly hummed. "Not at all."
"Not yet." Anissa growled under her breath, one arm over her bosom. Speak quickly before rip out of your tongue.
"None of that." Naruto drove the flat of his hand into the back of her head, drawing a whine from her. "No violence!"
"But whyyyy?"
"Because he's a friend," he chided her, gaze sweeping back to the dimension hopper. "And he better have a good reason for interrupting...
Angstrom stepped back with a sweeping bow and indicated the portal from whence her came. "I have something wonderful to show you, but it seems you're a bit...occupied at the moment." he scratched the back of his head with a rueful laugh. "I suppose it can wait! Tata~!
Quick as can be, he hopped back through and vanished, leaving them to their debauchery.
Silenced reigned, but only for a moment. Its reign was brief and ended quickly.
"Now, then." Naruto shared a glance with Anissa. "Where were we?"
Polly saw it and grinned impishly up at them. "Be gentle?"
They jumped her.
Chapter 11
"Sir, are we actually considering this?"
"Against my better judgement...yes. Think about it. All that power in the hands of one person...its best we keep him happy...for now.
"For now?!"
"Until we find a way to turn the tables. In the meantime, give our friends in Japan a call. See what they can dig up.
After all, I don't waste talent."
~You Know Who.
Wanna Go Out
Anissa lay in bed and stared at the ceiling.
It held no answers for her.
Nor did the fan above.
On and on it turned, round and round it went, a cycle without end. Were she the philosophical sort, she might've made a remark about the circle of life, or perhaps the endless loop of violence her people had become mired in as of late. She was more than powerful to reach up and crush said spinning device if she wished, but breaking it wouldn't change anything, wouldn't stop the cycle.
It would just be more of the same; strength over substance; and with it, the slow death of the Viltrum Empire, not in glorious battle, but dying a death of a thousand cuts.
And there wasn't a damn thing she could do about it.
Ha! The irony almost made her laugh.
Deep thought had never been her strong suit; she often did as she pleased, when she pleased, with whom pleased her. Such had been her way for hundreds of years now. She lived by strength, followed strength, and one day, she would die to someone stronger than her. It wasn't the best life, but it was her life and she'd been...not content, not satisfied, not really, but willing to put up with it.
Until her world turned upside down.
Suddenly, she wasn't the strong one anymore. Or rather, she still was, but she'd found someone stronger than her. Been beaten, battered, broken, bent over and bred.
Truth be told, she rather enjoyed that last part in particular, having experienced it most thoroughly these last few days. Over and over.
Turning her hand about, she smirked and regarded the bite indentation upon her knuckles fondly, a mark hard enough to bruise.
It would vanish in time, as all her injuries inevitably did, but she would remember this mark. This, and every other left upon her body. Each one had been etched into her memory, never to be forgotten. Rough sex was the best sex, she found. Pure, no-holds-barred, coital bliss in its finest form, two warriors marking one another over and over. A seething carnal haze in which she could dominate and be dominated in return. Mostly the latter, if she was being wholly honest with herself. She wouldn't be walking straight for the rest of the day; already she found herself looking forward to the next round.
There it was; her problem. Did they ruin her? Or had she simply been ruined to begin with?
That was the question, wasn't it? She was a proud warrior of the Viltrumite Empire. She'd murdered so many she'd long since lost track. Planets quaked when they heard her name. Civilizations surrendered when they saw her in the skies of their world.
Yet here she was, wearing not a stitch of clothing, having a lazy day in bed, uncaring as the afternoon sunlight poured in through the window.
It had taken less than a month to break her down.
She'd let herself be...domesticated.
Once upon a time, the concept might've galled her. Going native, they called it. Soft. Not long ago, she would've happily razed this planet in the name of glory. Now she found herself thinking of children. The oldest girl of Uzumaki, Eve, absolutely loathed her. The second oldest, Josh, tolerated her. The remaining spawn of Uzumaki were a mixed bag. All in all, the children were...tolerable.
She didn't want one of her own.
No.
Nay.
Never.
She'd break the jaw of anyone who said otherwise.
Thragg would chide her for such weakness.
Conquest would beat her to death.
Thula would scoff.
Nolan...
.
..
...what was Nolan playing at?
He was the one who'd asked for her help in the first place. Did he know this would happen? Had be betrayed the cause?
Had she?
Since her defeat, she'd scarcely left the house, much less this room. Was she addicted? Brainwashed? Intoxicated? Yes to numbers one and three, not so two.
She didn't have an answer. And so her brow furrowed as she kept staring at the ceiling, lost in her own thoughts all alone.
"Just what the hell am I doing...?"
A soft sigh beside her answered that question. "Enjoying yourself?"
The Viltrumine woman rolled over, naked as the day she'd been born, without an iota of shame.
Besides, she didn't have the energy to rise at the moment.
Polly Uzumaki stared back at her, pale hair covering her right eye, one arm sprawled out over a pillow, wearing nothing but a smirk and a thin sheet. Weak. Human. Frail. These were the thought she had when she saw her. And yet she was the "husband" of her mate. Anissa still didn't understand the concept of marriage; but she knew it must've taken a great strength indeed to seduce Naruto Uzumaki. Not the physical sort, either...
"Something on your mind?" the dying woman smiled at her benevolently. "You've been glaring holes into the ceiling for an hour, now."
She scoffed and turned away. "Uzumaki left again."
His wife giggled. "Naruto does that. He's a busy fellow. You should try it, sometime."
Anissa clicked her tongue, refusing to look her way. "Try what?"
"Being a parent."
Urk.
Her imagination took the words and ran away with them, imagining a babe in her arms, a squalling infant with her eyes and hair color...
"Not now, of course," Polly sat up and began binding her hair into a loose ponytail, the action of which granted her a glimpse of the scars on her back. "But maybe someday. Its a wonderful feeling. You'd enjoy it, I think."
Anissa scowled her way. "You shouldn't be up."
"Dear girl, I'm hopped up on enough painkillers to floor an elephant. I'll be fine."
"If any harm befalls you in his absence...
"None of that!" Polly swept a hand back without looking and slapped her hindquarters; a gesture so weak she barely felt it. "I'm dying, I'm not naive. When my time comes, my time comes. I've made peace with it."
She bit her lip. "Death is for the weak."
"Is that what you believe?" a bright eye peeked over her shoulder, gleaming impishly. "By rights, you could kill me here and now. I wouldn't be able to stop you."
"And unleash the Fox's wrath? I think not."
"Hmhmmhmmm." Polly hummed smugly."You know, its not too late, Anissa. You can be happy. You can redeem yourself. You can have everything you've ever wanted."
She huffed, crossing both arms over her uniform. "And you believe that you know what I want?
"Naturally." Polly folded both legs beneath her, demure and seemingly healthy as can be. Anissa wasn't fooled. She could see the bone beneath the scarred skin, the veins pulsing within. They were more visible today than they had been yesterday. Her condition was worsening. "I believe you want three things." Holding out a pallid, hand, she began to count down from three fingers.
"Strength."
She had her there.
"Then, we have Security."
Also not incorrect. She held value in a given hierarchy.
"Last but not last, there's Affection."
True, she did rather enjoy being held, to say nothing of cuddles-GAH! Anissa choked. "Nonsense!"
"No?" Polly tilted her head. "You melt whenever Naruto and I touch you. Didn't you let both of us spoon you last night?"
Anissa made angry Anissa noises. "Don't make me break your neck."
"He doesn't realize this, naturally." Uzumaki's wife hid a giggle-turned-cough behind one hand. "He's a bit dense at times. Stubborn." a wry smile peeked out behind her palm. "But he's stronger than you. And getting stronger everyday."
Nonsense. Surely he couldn't exceed Thragg. Her Viltrumite instincts howled against it, and yet...
A pale finger tapped the bridge of her nose, snapping her back to reality.
"Love is a wonderful thing, Anissa." Polly leaned back, unafraid of her. "Marriage, even moreso. Someone to have and to hold, 'till death do you part. Its a shame your culture doesn't recognize it."
She batted her hand down, annoyed. "And yet you seek other paramours for him."
"Because I care." Undaunted, Polly reached out yet again, taking ahold of her face in a rare act of intimacy, one Anissa reluctantly allowed, so entranced was she by her voice. "I'll die someday." The Wife rolled her eyes when she said it; as though it were it a matter of fact, inevitable really. "Maybe not this year or the next, but with my broken body, after what the GDA did to me, I won't live to see a hundred." her lips pinched a little at the mere mention of her mortality. "And even if I did, Naruto would still outlast me. What will he have in five hundred years?"
Anissa blinked, realizing thing woman wanted an answer.
"Your children?"
Polly tutted and pinched her cheeks. "Eve, maybe, assuming she ever masters her powers, but I doubt her siblings will live that long. So what will he have?"
She was leading her somewhere with this, or maybe she was misreading her. Still, she had to ask. "Me?"
Poll's head bobbed in a nod. "You."
The realization floored her, worse than any punch.
Anissa went still, momentarily unable to process it. "You're entrusting him to me?
"Consider it a trial run. You're the first one to get a reaction out of him in years besides War Woman, and she's a whole other kettle of fish."
"Who? What is this kettle of fish of which you speak?
"Don't worry," she took one hand from her face to wave it about. "I'm working on her. Regardless, to me, my husband's happiness matters more than my own." here at last, a rare expression flashed across the mortal's face. "He's been through so much, suffered in silence for so long; I want to take that sadness and sorrow and smother it; drown it beneath an ocean of joy, and if I have to get him a damn harem to do so, then so be it. You want him, too, don't you? Sooo..."
Drawing her in, she kissed her forehead.
...take a leap of faith and help me help him. Whaddya say?"
Anissa blinked, puzzled by the saying. "Why leap when you can fly."
Polly burst out laughing. "No, no, its a saying, you silly goose."
"I am not some feisty fowl!"
Polly's laughter redoubled, until a coughing spasm overtook her. "Ack!" gasping a little, she wiped a thin line of blood from the corner of her lips. "Don't make me laugh so much. What I'm trying to say, is that this planet could be good for you."
Hadn't it been already? She certainly told a tantalizing tale and she and Naruto had more than tempted her with their bodies...no, no, focus. "How so?"
Another kiss followed, this one lingering on her lips. "Because your people know nothing of love."
There it was again, that damnable word she didn't understand.
She huffed and drew her close, pressing her sickly visage against her bosom. "Lust will suffice."
Polly grinned between her breasts, showering them with kisses. "Is it?"
Anissa hissed, and not from dismay. "Stop that."
"Why?" Another kiss. "Am I distracting you?"
"No, she growled, "Not at all."
Yes she was!
This weak waif of a woman sitting in her lap; she had no powers, no strength, her remaining lifespan might well be measured in months rather than years. And yet she had a different sort of strength. It would be easy to end her, break her body, but her mind would never break. Not even before monsters like Conquest or Thragg.
Wait. When had she begun to think of her own kind as monsters?
'Its this place,' she realized, panicking. 'This planet. They're getting to me.'
Was that Nolan's plan? Or had he fallen prey to this earth-weakness as well? She should say something, she should warn them, she should-
Polly looped both arms around her neck, using her as leverage to hoist herself upright before locking both legs around her waist. "I see the way you look at him." She kissed her neck, sending a shiver shooting through her. "He could give you a child." lips brushed the outer lobe of her ear. "A son. Would you like that?"
Anissa shot to her feet, red-faced and embarrassed. "Enough!"
Unfortunately she dragged Polly with her, still firmly secured against her lap, hanging onto her for dear life.
Naruto's wife smiled dauntlessly, wholly unafraid of being being dropped. "Hmm...that feels nice...
Not so Anissa!
In a panic -and terrified of what would happen should she harm her- the Viltrumite warrior sat back down; but the moment she did, Polly writhed upright to pin her against the pillows. One hand caged her wrists, while the other dipped lower, tracing past her stomach...lower still...
Lower.
"You'll be there to keep him occupied," Polly crooned seductively, nuzzling her nose with her own. "And when I'm gone, you'll be the one he looks to for strength. Doesn't that sound lovely?"
"He doesn't want to be occupied, and he doesn't want me-ah!" Anissa gasped, hips bucking as she mewled at her touch. "He wants you. You're the only one who matters."
Polly kissed her, silencing her protests, "And I want him to be happy, hun. Its the same thing, really. Now hold still and let me make you happy."
Anissa tried to protest, really she did; but it was no use.
Blasted woman was very good at what she did...
.
..
...resistance was futile. In a matter of moments, she was crying her name. "Polly...!
Almost on cue, a portal open behind them, swirling with green light.
Angstrom Levy poked his head through. "Is now a good time?
Polly leaned back, pouting in annoyance. "No? I need to make this girl cry my name at least three more times before I'm satisfied-
"Yes!" Anissa yelped out, peering past her captor in a panic. "Save me!"
He looked between them, noting their nakedness. "From what...?"
Polly tumbled off her with a sigh. "Relax, Levy, Naruto's not here. Did you need something?
"Hes isn't?" The dimension traveler chuckled. "I suppose that's perfect timing, then. We can surprise him."
Anissa blinked. "Surprise him...?"
Naruto's wife clapped her hands, delighted. "Is it finally finished, then?"
Angstrom sketched a deep bow and gestured to the portal.
"Come and see...
(.0.0.0.)
"I hate her."
Mark ducked a punch. "Eve-
"I hate, hate her!"
Blocked a kick that came barreling in at his face. "Will you just-
"I hate, hate, HATE her!"
"Alright, alright! I get it!" He hastily caught the right cross she threw at him, clumsily blocked with his forearm, then struck out at her ankle with his heel to trip her up and send her sprawling. "Stop trying to murder me!"
Train with me, she said.
C'mon, it'll be fun, she said.
You'll learn how to fight, she said.
Lies!
To her credit, Samantha righted herself slowly on the grass and didn't attack him again. Maybe it was the grimace on his face that did it, or the bruise on his cheek. Maybe it was the wary look in his eyes. Maybe she finally realized just how close she'd come to hurting him.
Regardless, she tucked her head into her chin and glared at the ground as she mumbled something under her breath. "...rry."
The younger Grayson planted a hand to his ear, cocking his head just so. "What was that?"
She looked up at him with a sniffle, eyes wide and watery. "M'sorry...
Urk. His heart. Girl had no business being that cute...!
He flailed for a new topic. "Is she really that bad?"
"Anissa is the literal worst!" Eve tore up a chunk of his yard with her powers and flung it into the air. "She's been squatting in our house forever! Why do Dad and Mom even keep her around?!"
Mark winced at the gaping hole she'd left behind. "Don't forget to put that back, or mom'll freak...
Eve huffed, but did as he bid. He patted her head, causing her to lean into him.
All the way into him, you know? He was growing up, and so was she.
His poor heart.
Distraction! Now! "You said your folks like her...then shouldn't you?
She squirmed against him. "Why should I? She threatened to kill me and my siblings!"
Yikes. Josh hadn't been kidding. She really was pissed off. "And didn't she get beat up for that...?"
Eve went back to glaring at the ground again. "Well, yeah...
"And she apologized after?"
"Sure...
"Has she done it again?"
A sullen growl was his reward. "No?"
He shrugged. "Then its all good, yeah?"
Eve glared up at him. "You're supposed to be on my side!"
Wuh-oh, angry friend!
"I am!" He flung up his hands. "Definitely. One-hundred-percent, no a thousand percent!"
She squinted at him, still doubtful. "Josh didn't put you up to this?"
...nope."
"You hesitated."
"Dunno what you mean." Warily, he slung an arm around her shoulders and steered the conversation to safer waters. "Look, your powers are badass. Hers aren't. If she does trying anything you can, I dunno, toss her into the sun or something."
Much to his horror, Eve actually seemed to genuinely consider it. "You think that'd kill her?"
"Eve, no. I was joking." he pinched her cheek, drawing a whine from her. "No tossing people into the sun. Supervillians do that. You're not a villain."
Annoyed, she batted his hand away. "Didn't your dad drop somebody from orbit the other day?"
"Yeah, but the guy lived!"
"How...?
"I dunno. Besides, I'm sure he had his reasons."
Her brow furrowed. "For letting someone almost burn up in the atmosphere...?"
Now it was his turn to bridle, just a little. His temper stirred and he stubbornly quashed it down. Eve didn't understand. She thought her Pops was the best hero, and maybe he had been, once upon a time, but his Dad was the greatest hero ever. Nobody could say anything bad about Omni-Man. Mark wouldn't believe it.
He absolutely refused.
"Look," he managed, gritting his teeth to force a smile, "I don't have my powers yet, so I can't pretend to understand what its like. If I want to fly, you have to help me. If a bad guy starts smashing up the street, all I can do is run away. If the world needs saving, I have to watch and hope for a miracle...
Eve squirmed all over again. "Mark...
He took his arm from her shoulders. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, be grateful for what you have. You're like, probably the most amazing person in the world. I'm just..me."
"You're not just you!" She grasped his hand before it could fall. "You're the best boy I know!"
"That's kinda of you to say, but...
She took a deep breath, steeled herself, and then: "You wanna go out?
He blinked, floored by the sudden question.
"Out where?"
"No, no," she waved her hands, flailing a little. "I mean out. Like out, out."
"I don't follow."
Eve kissed his cheek. "Out."
Ohhh. Realization broke like the dawn and a glorious dawn it was.
To be fair, Mark thought most girls were icky. But not Eve. No, never Eve. "Aren't we a little young for dating...?
"Mom always says the earlier bird gets the worm. Or the fish." she tapped a finger to her the chin. "I'm pretty sure it was the fish...besides, that Amber girl across the street kept staring at you." huffing a little, she drew his arm closer, all but hugging his limb. "She can't have you. You're mine."
Mark snorted, shocked and awed and bemused all at once. "Samantha Eve Uzumaki, was that a joke...?"
His best friend-and-maybe-girlfriend grinned. "Maybe. C'mon, lets get some ice cream. My treat.
She took flight, taking him into the air with her.
She held his hand the entire way.
Best!
Daaay!
Everrrrrr!
(.0.0.0.)
This was the worst day ever.
Naruto took a seat before Cecil, and planted his arms on the table, face carved from stone.
Cecil stared back at him, wearing a grimace all his own.
The very world seemed to hold its breath, waiting.
Neither budged an inch, but then, finally:
One of them spoke.
"Lets talk."
Chapter 12
"Hey...the actions that you're taking now...
Are they based on the ideals you cling to? Or are they based on actual truths?
And if they are...how much of the truth do you think you know?"
~You Know Who.
Deal with the Devil
Naruto felt good.
More than good, he felt strong, back to his prime, better even.
Amazing what a little prep time could do, no?
Alright, a lot of prep time.
But still!
Grinning, he pushed off against the weight trying to grind him down with both hands, forcing the massive hydraulic press back through sheer force. He felt the machine try to resist, try to hold, but it couldn't. Not against him.
Sure enough, it began to buckle, as all machines did; until finally, with an angry squeal of steel, it yielded to him.
Blue eyes bled red as he fed more chakra to his muscles, the golden shroud around him gleaming a baleful shade of smoldering scarlet.
Pushing harder, he forced it up until he felt something given the machine, and with a triumphant twist of his wrists, he tore the whole thing free from its mooring snd flung it across the room.
Startled scientists and terrified technicians fled in droves, scattering like ants before an earthquake.
The machine cared naught for them; it landed hard upon steel-plated flooring, gouging a great deal as it went before, finally striking a wall where it came to a juddering halt.
Naruto sprang to his feet, quite pleased with himself. "There!" laughter bubbled out of him, darkly exultant as he pivoted to face the responsible party. "Satisfied now?!"
Director Cecil Stedman regarded him from a raised platform above, the latter of which lowered after a moment's pause to bring them face to face.
Donald adjusted his glasses beside him, rattling off the readings from an electronic tablet of some sort. "Speed, strength and stamina all increased by...bya percentage of...
He choked on the last word and tugged at his collar, visibly distressed.
Cecil glared at him, scarred face twitching in agitation. "Well? Don't leave us in suspense. Spit it out."
"Yeah, Donny," the blond in question crooned, knowing full well what the answer would be. "Tell 'em."
"Its over nine thousand, sir."
Naruto couldn't quite contain a bark of laughter.
A pall fell over the entire room as everyone heard those words. Judging by the smell, someone had soiled themselves.
Having a sensitive nose came with some drawbacks, ya know.
Still, he lifted his chin and preened, basking in their fear as much as their adulation. Maybe they'd remember this the next time one of their number got uppity ideas about experimenting on him and his.
Cecil whistled, alarmed, but quick to hide it like the soldier he was at heart. "Neat trick. How'd you pull that off? Lemme guess, pushups, situps and plenty of juice?"
Ohoho, so he did get the reference after all. Always nice to treat with someone who appreciated the classics. Even if he didn't entirely trust him.
"What can I say?" He shrugged a shoulder, reveling in his former friend's scowl. "I trained all day yesterday."
"Now you're just yanking my chain. Since when could you pull off a stunt like that?"
"Recently. And it ain't a trick." He sucked in a deep breath and let it out in a cloud of scalding steam as the last of his overcharged chakra bled off, leaving him a little winded. "Its a form achieved through sacrifice, taking two forms of energy and smashing them together to create something new."
Alongside a a great deal of pain, but he was hardly about to reveal that to someone who might become his enemy.
Still, Cecil wouldn't be Cecil if he didn't ask. "What kinda energy we talking about here?"
He quirked a brow. "Does nuclear fusion ring a bell?"
Cecil blanched. "Well...shit."
Bingo.
"Used to be it would kill me." He held up a clawed hand, watching idly as the jagged digits shrank back into human fingernails. "Its not a form Kurama and I particularly enjoy using regardless."
"And lemme guess, you've perfected it?
"Not perfect," he wagged a finger his way, chiding him sternly. "Nothing's perfect. I'm just become more efficient at bleeding off my life force.
Donald grimaced. "Isn't that...unhealthy?"
He grinned. "I've got a lot. Every Uzumaki does. Remind me to tell you about Mito Uzumaki sometime."
"Who?"
"No one you need concern yourself with." He changed the subject before the man could try to dive into his ancestry. "You know, I could probably lift something heavier if you like...?"
The bespectacled man took a step back, sputtering at the very notion. "Please don't, that was the heaviest weight we had."
"At the moment." Cecil interjected. "Give us time, I'm sure we'll cook up something that'll blow your socks off.
Naruto grinned toothily. "Make as many toys as you like, I'll happily break them all."
Kurama batted the back of his head. "Oi."
Right, right, don't provoke them. Cecil had offered him the proverbial olive branch by allowing him to use this facility in the first place, so he knew he should respond in kind. After all, he was here to make peace...
.
..
...more or less.
"How's the eye?" he asked, just a little spitefully.
The man touched a hand to the right side of his face, and the eyepatch there. "Hurt like a bitch, thanks for asking. C'mon." Without waiting for his answer, he pivoted on his heel and turned to leave. "We have what you asked for...
Naruto planted both hands in his pockets and moved to follow, shoulders tense, just in case it came to a fight. "I'm surprised you had the guts to go through with it."
Cecil glanced over his shoulder, glowering at him with his good eye. "What can I say, you said a pound of flesh, more or less, and I need my hands. Think of it as a peace offering."
"Peace, huh...?"
It certainly spoke well of Cecil that he'd been willing to maim himself in the first place. Most would've balked at it, tried to beg, plead, escape even. And yet he hadn't. He'd taken responsibility -and an eye- without missing a beat. In that, at least, he had proven himself honest.
"Glad to say you're being reasonable about this." his would-be-ally muttered as he led him deeper into the white room, past another array of experiments.
Naruto glowered at his back. "Was what happened to my wife and kids reasonable?"
"Come on, kid, you know I had nothing to do with that...
"Your organization did; you're lucky I haven't burned the GDA to the ground."
It wasn't an idle threat, and they knew it. He was still working his way through the ranks, eradicating anyone connected to the Project without hesitation. Most of them had died. Slowly. Others gave their cohorts up in an ugly attempt to save their own hides-not that it did. For all his cut and burn approach, however, he still hadn't found the true mastermind behind it all.
Hence why he was here today, treating with the man he'd once called friend.
"I appreciate your restraint." Cecil paused before a keypad and placed his hand upon it. "Heaven knows that's in short supply these days."
"Do you? Seems like you're still treating me as a threat."
Cecil sighed. "I treat everyone as a potential threat, you know that."
He made a fair point there, loathe though he was to admit it.
From there Cecil lifted his eye-patch, exposing a bionic red eye. A scanner flashed forth, followed by a distinctly metallic chime and door irised out of the metal, permitting him access. He strode through and Naruto stalked after him, only to pause when he saw what lay within.
He'd expected an ambush. There wasn't one. Instead a simple room awaited them beyond, replete with bland, padded white walls and folding table replete with two cushioned chairs and a bottle of water set before each. Cecil took one, pulled out a chair, sat and gestured for him to do the same.
Naruto lingered at the threshold. "Padded walls. Really? Do you think this place would hold me?"
Cecil shook his head. "Not at all. Its for my protection as much as yours."
A muscle jumped in his jaw. "How so?"
"In case you decide to throw me."
"Ah." He supposed that was fair given his temper, but trust didn't come so easily to him these days. He stayed put.
Cecil noticed. "For the love-look, the walls aren't reinforced; and even if they were, we both know you could blitz your way out of her faster than I could teleport."
"Isn't that expensive?"
"Very." he clicked his tongue, grimacing at the mere mention of it. "So don't make me do it."
...fine. He wasn't going to get any intel lingering out in the hall like a little bitch, so he took the plunge, grabbed a seat, and flounced into it.
Cecil sighed heavily through his still-mending nose. "So, are we square?"
"That depends entirely on you." he met his gaze with a blank stare of his own. "You gonna give Brandyworth his job back? Guy's practically an uncle to my kids but he's been out of work long before this whole debacle started."
"Doctor Elias Brandyworth," Cecil emphasized the man's full name and rank, "Will be gainfully employed by the GDA first thing tomorrow morning. We'll put him to work making up for his past mistakes."
"Mistakes?" a muscle jumped in his jaw at the phrasing. "The man was practically an uncle to Eve and my kids. If you've harmed him...
"You think I have a death wish? He's fine-will be fine." he amended at his cross look. "You have my word."
Words, words, words. That was what it came down in the end, didn't it?
Planting one fist on the table, he leaned forward to glower at the maimed soldier. "You once told me something; we can either be the good guys, or we can be the guys that save the world."
"Yeah, I said that. Why? What are you up to?"
"You need to change that viewpoint of yours; it's gonna land you in hot water one of these days." He held up his free hand, palm open, then his fist, weighing them both before him. "I like to think of myself as the good guy, and I've saved the world on a daily basis. After everything that's been done to me, I could've easily become a villain. Who's gonna stop me? Nolan?"
"Kid, I get your point, but I've got literal powerhouses flying around my country and you?" he palmed his forehead then proceeded to drag said hand down his scarred face. "You're the equivalent of a living nuke who just bench pressed enough weight to lift a freaking planet. What's next, the moon?"
A blonde brow rose. "If I must."
"All right, all right, fair play." he held up both hands to ward him off. "Have it your own way."
"You said you had information for me. That was the deal. I take your little test and you give me the guy who started this mess.
Cecil grimaced. "I do have information," he hedged, "But you might not like it.
"I'll be the judge of that. Fork it over."
Cecil withdrew a file from his jacket and slid it across the table. "You're welcome."
Naruto tore it open with a flick of his wrist, parting the manila envelope with ease.
Almost immediately a file slid out, and with it a pair of faded photographs, each worn by time. In the left a costumed face stared back at him, wreathed in emerald green. The other was a more familiar visage. One he hadn't seen in years. A bald african-american man, possibly in his late thirties, with something of an athletic build. His face was friendly, his smile warm.
His eyes widened. "Is this...?
"Green Ghost." Cecil reaffirmed with a nod, tapping the photo with a finger. "Not the current one with the Guardians, the original, back in our heyday."
Naruto leaned in to inspect the image warily, the beginnings of a frown tugging at his whiskered cheeks. "What about him?"
"He went dark the same day you did," Cecil replied, "Vanished off the face of the earth, left his suit and that weird green stone of his behind. Nobody's seen him since."
"And you think he's responsible?"
"I think its a lead." Cecil countered quickly, not wanting to get his hopes up, but unwilling to deny the possibility either. "He was a real secretive fellow. No address on file, no known relatives, we didn't even know his real name. We've taken to calling him John Doe-
"John Stewart, actually."
The agent blinked. "You know him?"
"I did." he traced the second photo with his thumb. "At least, I thought I did." he hated himself for the doubt that crept into his words even as he spoke them. "We were friends. Sure, there were things we disagreed on, who doesn't, but... we had a barbecue with him and the Guardians almost every other Sunday. Bastard always did make the best steak this side of the block."
Something dark and ugly curdled in his chest.
John wouldn't have been able to stop him, not alone, not for long, but his powers he could've immobilized him. He'd always been weak against ghosts; certainly those he couldn't hit. It would've been easy for him to stab him in the back, thereby giving someone else the chance to take him out. He never would've seen it coming. Not from him. Not John. No.
But why?
He didn't know.
It concerned him.
"Naruto...
...I'm fine.' He would make himself now. taking a deep breath to center himself, he fixed Cecil with a stern stare. "Where is Stewart now? I wanna word with him."
Cecil heaved a sigh and he knew, he just knew he wouldn't like his answer. "We can't find him."
Knew it.
He scoffed and leaned back in his chair. "Excuse me? You're the GDA. Finding people is what you do."
"Yeah, well, we can't find this guy." came the counter. "Haven't had any luck at all. At the time I thought it coincidence, or someone was going around knocking off Heroes, but...
"But...?"
"But nothing." Cecil thumped a fist on the table, momentarily losing his temper. "Stewart vanished like his namesake. If he's alive and involved in this-he probably skipped down-fled the country if he knew what was good for him. Which means he's not in the states."
"If you're saying he's out of your jurisdiction-
"Between you and Nolan, the entire world feels like my godsdamned jurisdiction these days." Another photo slid across the table, one he didn't recognize. "The current Green Ghost is a girl by the name of Alana, as you know, and surprise surprise, she's working with the Guardians, just like her mentor before her.
He stiffened. "Are you saying she's involved."
"Hardly. She young; wasn't even born back when this happened. Still, she might know something, maybe ask her.
He took the photo, folded it, and tucked it into his jacket pocket. "Ohhhh, I'll do more than ask...
"Please, don't." it was a testament to their former friendship that he didn't make it an order.
Even so, the remark sparked something in him. "I don't work for you, Cecil."
"Don't I know it." Stedman dragged a hand down his face, inadvertently tugging at his eyepatch as he went. "You're a rogue asset. Off-leash. Trying to control. You would be like trying to put handle bars on a hurricane." he shrugged. "Can't be done. Lets face facts, you're the only bastard on this planet, who can fight Omni-Man to a standstill. To say nothing of any other interstellar...friends.
Did he know? "Have you been spying on me?
Cecil rolled his remaining eye. "Course, I've been spying on you, I'm trying not to piss you off."
"Doing a rather poor job of that...
"Buddy, I've already prevented three assassination attempts, five kidnappings, and at least seven bombings on your property. And that was just this week...
He grimaced. It had seemed strangely peaceful as of late. "I can handle it."
"But you shouldn't have to, kid." much to his surprise, his old comrade stood, circled round the table and laid a hand on his shoulder. "If you spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, expecting someone's tack you, or stab you in the back you're going to become a paranoid wreck. Is that what you want, for you, or your kids?
His temper strained against its leash, chomping at the bit, itching to lash out. He shouldn't have come here, shouldn't be entertaining this offer in the first place. He was already livid with Cecil, seeing him, face-to-face, or only provoked him further. Despite that, he somehow wrestled it down.
And then the oaf opened his mouth. "Look, I get it, I fucked up, but-
"You did more than that!" Naruto burst to his feet, slapping the man's hand aside as he went, eyes wild, "They had me hooked up to machine for years, my kids grew up without me! I'm trying to make up for years of absence and my wife...!
His throat closed and he choked, unable to finish the word.
He pivoted and lashed out at the first thing he found.
Namely, the wall.
Credit where it was due, the padded cell held, absorbing his punch; until it didn't. The sheer concussive force behind it, the magnicent momentum was simply too much. Material shredded, metal warped, twisted, bulged outward, blasting a gaping hole through and out the other side. A series of shocked faces stared back, took one look at his blazing eyes and fled in fear.
Shame stirred within him, but he shunted it aside, dragging a hand across his face. There could be no denying it now; his temper wasn't what it once was. 'I used to be calmer than this. Need to stay in control...
Cecil didn't dare approach him; which was good, he'd lose an arm if he did, but when he spoke there was genuine sorrow in his voice. "How much longer does Polly have ?
He bit back on a growl. "I don't know."
"We could-
"I said I don't know dammit!" he glared at the ceiling. "I'm looking into ways to keep her alive, and happy, if nothing else."
He knew what Stedman would say next and hated him for it. "If, and I do mean IF, she passes away...
"What's wrong Cecil?" He rounded on him, looming large, fingers clenching into claws at his sides. "Afraid I'll snap? Go postal? Lose my mind? No." he shook his head, blonde, bangs, swinging, "I have a family to protect, friends I can't neglect, so I'm not taking chances here." And then, because he saw the doubt in his eyes. "I do what I must for the ones I love. If that means cultivating a few friends here and there, then so be it. I don't waste talent. Neither do you."
Somehow, the man stood his ground. "Friends, huh? Like old Angstrom Levy? And the Mauler Twins? Or this Anissa girl you've become so fond of?
A blond brow rose. "Anissa?"
"Don't play coy; you and little-miss-alien tore things up on the eastern seaboard and nearly rutted like a pair of wild animals. That's hard to miss. No idea what she said to get you so riled up, though...
It was both a statement and a question all wrapped up in one; the man was fishing for answers.
His lips pursed, forming a thin line of defiance as he refused to take the bait.
"You don't wanna share? Fine. Congrats to you and Polly on keeping her contained by the way; but it still doesn't change the fact that you're keeping some pretty shady company...
Naruto bristled at the insinuation. "What choice did I have?! You left me to rot!"
"This again?!" Cecil flung up a hand. "I didn't know! If I had, I would've busted you out of there in an instant. If I weren't running this place, I'd be out there busting kneecaps with you."
"Words, words, words." He whirled away from Stedman. "You talk the talk, but don't walk the walk...
"Don't I?" his former boss didn't back down. "I could be an ass about this. The GDA's got egg on its face; we look like shit because of what happened to you; we've bitten that bullet. Haven't blamed you, or asked you to make a statement exonerating us. But at some point you have to accept that we're on the same side."
He craned his neck back to glare at him. "And which side is that...?"
"Earth." Cecil was actually brave enough to elbow him, which made him tougher than most. That, or suicidal." Something big is coming, kid. I don't know what, or when, or where, but it is. Call it an old man's intuition. And when it does, we need to be ready to stand against it. All of us. Together."
The ghost of a smile graced Naruto's face despite his best efforts to hide it. "You're not that old."
"My point still stands. We were friends once. Partners." so speaking, he offered him his hand. "You did good work for the GDA back when you were Fire Shadow. Not that you aren't anymore." He waved that hand about to ward him and the subsequent temperature spike off until the blaze in his eyes faded. "You were hero to the people, a beacon. You still can be."
"Under your supervision?" Naruto couldn't keep the sneer from his so voice, so he didn't. "I think not. I have a family to raise now - I won't be taking orders from you. Neither will my children."
Cecil shook his head, surprising him yet again. "I'm not asking you and yours to work for me, but with me. God knows I wish I could do the latter, but I know you'll never agree to that; not after what you've been through. Do what's best for your family. If not for the sake of our friendship, then for them, I won't be around forever. The next guy who takes my spot might not be so agreeable."
He scoffed. "Is that a threat? I thought you don't do threats."
A shrug was his reward. "Wish I could say people change, but they don't, not really. All I'm asking, is you keep an eye on Miss Space Invader. She's up to something, and I don't like the look at it.
He waited for more, but it never came. "That's it?"
"That's it." Cecil's head bobbed once in a grim nod. "I'll admit, I have some ulterior motives. Your kid, and Mark, they're good friends. Someday they might be something more. A kid with even a fraction of their powers would be...
"Invincible?" he offered.
A chuckle. "Not the word I'd use...
He was making some very good arguments, much to his annoyance.
And he was so very tired of being angry with one of the few friends he had left.
Cecil pushed the envelope further. "Look me in the eye, and ask me again if I was involved in that shitshow. You can tell if someone's lying, can't you? Tell you what, if I am, you can tear my head off. How's that sound?"
Facing him fully he took a step forward to glower down at Stedman, once and for all.
"Were you involved?"
"No." An immediate response, stoic in its surety.
Naruto blinked, momentarily taken aback by what he found in the man's remaining eye; or rather the lack thereof. No doubt, no uncertainty, no guile. He was telling the truth. Whatever his motivations now or in the past, Cecil Stedman didn't have anything to do with that dark, devastating day.
And he did have his family to look out for.
What was the saying again?
The devil you know?
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't believe I'm even considering this...
To his credit, Cecil didn't perk up. He was better than that. He simply planted both hands in his pockets and waited.
Bastard was good at that. Waiting. Making sense.
He wasn't above making deals with good guys or bad guys; the problem was, Cecil was technically neither. The emotional part of him wanted to just tear his head off anyway, and be done with it, to eliminate all possibilities, even if he hadn't been involved.
But he made a valid point...
Still, he had to be wholly certain.
"What separates a man from a slave, Cecil?"
His old friend blinked at that, briefly taken back. "What kinda question is that?"
"Money?" Naruto ignored his remark and ticked down his fingers, impatiently counting them one by one. "Power? Fame. No. A man chooses. A slave obeys. Maybe you're a slave to your government, or maybe you're doing what you think is right. And maybe you believe that. It doesn't matter. Because I don't care about your government. Are you a man, Cecil? Or are you a slave?"
Cecil planted his feet, crossed both arms before his chest, lifted his chin and stared him dead in the eye. "A man. And I always will be."
He granted him a nod. "Good answer."
"What, you want some song and dance about how we should be friends again? Let bygones be bygones? Act like nothing happened?"
"No." here at last his smile faltered a little. "We're well past that. I don't work for you, and you certainly don't work for me; but you're right, we can't afford to be enemies anymore, either."
"Comrades, then?" he offered him his hand again. "If you can stand to work with me."
Naruto accepted it and shook, squeezing the man's fingers until he drew felt the bones beneath creak. "I've already taken my pound of flesh. We're square..."
For now, the words were left unspoken. Cecil might screw up in the future, and if he did, there would be a price to pay.
It would likely be his life.
"That's fair," Cecil squeezed his hand in return, not as firmly, he couldn't, he simply didn't have that kind of strength, "Its like you said. I don't waste talent. I use it. And you? You're one talented sonovabitch."
"My mother was a wonderful lady, thank-you-very much."
Cecil exhaled ad dropped his arm. "Heh. You know, for a second there, I thought things were going to get ugly.
In another world, they might have. He had no counter against him, no leverage that wouldn't result in mutually assured destruction.
And if he tried laying a hand on his children, on his wife, they both knew where that road would lead.
Despite his capitulation, he had the upper hand here.
Not Cecil. Not the government. Him.
"You get one opportunity." he raised a finger, waving it before his face. "You turn on me, and I will tear your entire organization down on your balding head. Are we clear?"
"Another shot at the hair, huh? We can't all have demigod genes."
Naruto growled. "Cecil."
"Alright, alright. We're clear. Crystal."
A small part of him released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Right, then. They were in the clear. Nothing could stop him now.
Kurama growled sullenly in his ear. "Don't jinx it."
Almost on cue, his phone rang.
"What did I just say?!"
Irritated, he snatched it from his pocket and placed it to his ear. "What?"
One of the Mauler Twins answered. "We've got trouble."
He heard an explosion in the background.
His eyes widened.
(.0.0.0.)
A building crumbled in the chaos of battle.
Beneath it, a little girl screamed and covered her face, desperate not to see the end of her life.
War Woman raced their way, knowing she wouldn't make it in time.
Someone beat her to it.
A figure carved from of golden fire caught the rubble with one arm and wrenched it aside, safely lowering the collapsing building to the street before it could crush anyone. He pivoted and she glimpsed the child nestled in his arms, giggling a little as he said something and patted her head. He set her down and shooed her toward her parents.
"Naruto...?"
That smile faded the moment he saw them.
Oh gods, he wasn't here to help them, was he?
Sure enough, he confirmed it a moment later was he stepped between them and the Maulers.
They were, all of them, here. Darkwing, the Immortal, War Woman, Red Rush, Aquarus, Martian Man even the Green Ghost herself.
She still didn't feel good about their chances.
"You seriously couldn't help yourselves, could you?" His voice once so sunny and smiling, now dripped with the darkest derision as he stood between them and their fallen foes. "Did they even start this fight? Or did you?
The Immortal bridled. "They're building some sort of machine in that warehouse behind you! Help us destroy it!"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Of course they're building a machine, I paid them to."
Darkwing choked. "You what?!"
Realization dawned, and War Woman winced within it. "Its for Polly, isn't it?"
He winked her way. "I'll give you two guesses, first two don't count...
Red Rush inched forward. "They're wanted criminals."
"They were, I'll give you that." Naruto's nod was curt, almost militaristic. "Now they work for me. There's a difference." Pivoting, he helped the big bruisers to their feet, muttered something to them, and sent them on their way. "Off you go. Battle's over. There's work to be done.
With a smirk, the big blue brutes wandered back into the warehouse. None dared follow them for fear of crossing Fire Shadow. Not even the Immortal himself, for all his surly staring.
When he made to leave however, War Woman caught him by the wrist. "Hold a moment! We need to talk."
Blank blue eyes met hers, deep and fathomless as the ocean. "Do we? I have nothing to say...
He walked away, only for her to grab his wrist. "Not this time! Talk to me!
His gaze flitted down to her fingers, still gripping his arm. "Let go."
She didn't; if only because she knew what he would do. "Not until you hear me out!"
"I'm warning you...hmm?" His phone rang again, but this time, he knew who it was. He took great pleasure in raising it high and showing her the Caller ID. "Would you look at that? Its for you.
War Woman accepted it. "Hello?"
Cecil's voice snarled at her through the speakerphone. "The fuck're you doing? I just made peace with the kid! Get outta there."
"But the Maulers-
"I didn't know they were with him. Now clear out. Preferably before He levels a city block."
The rest of the Guardians hesitated as the phone was passed around to each of them in turn.
Naruto retrieved it from Red Rush last, grinning ear to ear. "Go ahead. Do as you're told. After all, good soldiers follow orders."
Her spirit bridled at the challenge; if only because she knew what would happen. It hurt her to see him like this; all sharp, jagged edges, his smile a razor's edge ready to cut. They had been such close friends, once. She might've snatched him up for herself before Polly came along.
Where had everything gone wrong...?
Aquarius raised a finny hand, oblivious to the danger. "It's seven to one, chum."
Blue eyes blazed red. "I like those odds."
No one moved.
"You want me to call Nolan?" Naruto held up his phone anew, prepared to end the call with Cecil and summon someone far worse. "Because I can. I've got him on speed-dial, and lemme tell you, he won't be happy you've interrupted his vacation with Debbie."
Green Ghost raised an anxious arm. "I say we leave."
"Ha!" Naruto barked a laugh, sharp and angry. "This girl's got a good head on her shoulders. You know what? Fine. This is good timing. I've been meaning to talk to you anyway. Y'see, I have several questions for little miss Green Ghost over there...
War Woman looked to the girl in question. The poor waif waved her arms, showing she had no clue.
Her ignorance -supposed or otherwise- didn't save her. Nor any of them for that matter.
Kurama burst from Naruto's back in golden glory, arms crossed before his chest.
The blond began cracking his knuckles, one by one.
"You're gonna give me answers."
(.0.0.0.)
Polly stepped through the portal after Angstrom Levy, stepping forth into another dimension without fear.
The room itself had seen better days -as had this world- but she supposed that was the point.
After all the greater the risk, the greater the reward.
Anissa was only a few steps behind, warily emerging through the green gateway with a sullen scowl. "This is your home in another dimension...?"
"Bit of a fixer-upper, isn't it?"
She huffed.
It was all she could do not to smile at her and tickle her ribs. Such a skittish Viltrumite. For all her claims of strength and pride, she really was quite fearful towards the concept of change. As though she weren't changing already. Naruto had laid the groundwork there, the railroad tracks, if you would.
It fell to her to run the train over them, straight into her heart.
Full steam ahead!
Choo-choo~!
Alas, all those thoughts and more were wiped away as she beheld her prize. Levy had left it in full view for her, the smug bastard.
Her eyes widened at what she found there, one hand coming up to cup her mouth. "Is that what I think it is...?"
"I do not understand." Anissa shook her head as she gazed at the machine. "What even is that...?
Polly allowed herself to smile.
"A solution."
Levy sketched a low bow as she looked his way. "It took me quite some time to find a universe like this, let alone what you were looking for, nevermind intact." he had the good grace to look suitably embarrassed at least, but she supposed that was a given, since Anissa had barely paused to throw on a night-gown before following him; or a sweats and a hoodie in her case. "For what its worth, I hope you succeed."
Such a charming young man. "And I'll be sure to relay word of your assistance to Naruto."
He beamed. "Would you? I didn't do this for him...
Polly patted him on the back like a proud parent. "You did this because you wanted to help. That's what you do, isn't it? Help people."
He stood just a little taller, pleased by her praise. "I suppose so."
"And this world? Is it safe?"
A distant tremor rattled the ceiling above them. "Not as such, but that's what have your friend for."
Poor Anissa, relegated to being a bodyguard. She probably didn't enjoy it.
"Nonsense." Sure enough, Anissa's scowl deepened as she scowled at her salvation. "You do not need this. My people may be able to cure you-
Polly rounded on her, a hint of steel in her gaze. "And how far away is that cure? Will I even live to see it? Or will your "regent" scoff at me and cast me aside?"
The silence was her answer; she didn't know for certain.
"Make no mistake, I may be dying," she sniffed up at her, quietly indignantly, "But I don't intend to go quietly."
No, she needed this. A cure or a stopgap, she wasn't sure which, but something was better than nothing, and this "something" would buy her precious time. As for Naruto...well, this was either gonna blow her husband's socks off...or piss him off right and proper. She wasn't entirely sure which; she supposed that made it all the more exciting.
Pivoting to face her unlikely allies, Polly Uzumaki coughed once into a fist, cleared her lungs, and stood tall.
From there, she tugged up her hoodie, clasped both hands behind her back with a smile.
"Shall we begin~?"
The roof ruptured above them, raining down dust and rubble on their heads.
"Well, well, well." A masked figure in gold and black and orange descended from on high, lazily gliding down through the gap, long golden cape trailing behind them as they smiled. "What do we have here? A group of rats scurrying in my maze? I didn't think there was anyone left."
Her poor, injured heart skipped a beat.
"You can run, if you like." he flicked a hand their way, almost dismissively. "After all, its been so long since I had someone to chase. I'll even give you a head start."
Angstrom backed up. Polly didn't blame him. The poor fellow wasn't equipped to fight something like this.
Something like him.
Already her blood- what little of it she had left-ran cold through her veins.
Who was that? She couldn't quite tell with the mask, but that voice, those colors, that smirk...why, it almost looked like...no, no, that couldn't be right. Angstrom had already explained as much. This was a different dimension. The rules -people!- were altered here, weren't they? Different circumstances, different events, different people. Had to be. After all, that couldn't be...there was just no that was...no. She refused to even utter their name, to honor their existence by acknowledging them any further than she already had.
Polly gulped, still quietly anxious despite herself, such was the horror of what she was facing. "Anissa? Now would be a good really good time to let the monster out...!"
The Viltrumite regarded the newcomer for a long moment, cracked her neck once and smiled. "What have we here? A challenge?"
The intruder blinked, squinting at the warrior woman behind his carefully constructed facade. "Who the hell're you?"
Her hand closed around his face, levering him into a wall. "Your worst nightmare."
"Yeah, no."
He turned his face aside with a bemused, slugged her in the stomach hard enough to make Polly and Angrstom flinch, leaving her doubled over, retching for air; from there he raised both fists high and delivered a mighty hammerblow to her back, smashing her into the floor. She struck the ground, bounced once, tried to roll over and rise-
"Heeey, I remember you now." laughing, he planted a boot on her stomach, grinding her down, preventing her from getting up. "You're the bitch that jumped me awhile back. Didn't I kill you already? Are you a ghost? Did I finally lose my mind?"
Anissa grunted and grabbed onto his heel, to no avail; no matter now hard she tried, she couldn't extricate herself. "Damn you...!"
"Damned, huh? "The Stranger leaned over her, leering. "That about sums me up, huh? I've been damned for awhile now thanks to you and your little empire; and here I thought I'd seen the last of your kind since Thragg. Now," he growled, grinding his boot into her torso, "I don't know who brought you back to life or how after I tore your head off, and frankly I don't care. But I know this.
A savage grin split the Stranger's face, wide and feral.
"I'll enjoy killing you even more the second time!"
His fist descended like lightning.
Polly cried out. "Naruto!"
Paused, now.
"Polly...?"
Baleful blue eyes swung her way. That was all the confirmation she needed. She tugged down her hood, freeing her hair, revealing her face to him.
"You too, huh?" The Stranger saw both and hissed out a breath trapped somewhere between a sob and a snarl. "I'm seeing all sorts of ghosts today...
"I'm not a ghost." she took a trembling step forward, one hand over her heart. "I'm real. Come and see for yourself."
He stepped off Anissa's battered body, just as she hoped he would, giving her the chance to drag herself away.
Angstrom hissed out a breath and tried to grab at her sleeve. "Don't...!"
Polly slipped out his grasp; well that she did too; because the Stranger stood and removed his mask. Much to her horror, he looked exactly like her husband. A little leaner in the cheeks perhaps, a bit angrier, eyes bright and sharp, but it was undoubtedly the spitting image of her her husband.
He touched a hand to her cheek. Her face. Her forehead now, wholly at a loss.
"You're as beautiful as the day I lost you..." he muttered again, bereft. "But you died...I saw you." He glared at Anissa, scowling as she hauled herself to her feet. "You, I killed. And you," he looked to Angstrom, confused. "I don't know you at all, I've never met you." his brow furrowed as he squinted his way. "Who the hell're you?"
Was this a universe where everything went wrong...?
"Stop," she begged of him, hands fisting against his costume. "Just stop. Let us take this machine and go and we'll leave you in peace."
"Leave?" panic bloomed in his eyes. "No," he shook his head, latching onto her arm. "No, you can't leave, I won't let you."
Oh, dear.
Anissa stumbled upright, wiping a thin line of blood from her lips, "We weren't asking...
"Naruto" craned his neck back to regard her intently. "You have spirit. More than my Anissa did." an ominous scarlet energy began to stem from his stomach, boiling around his shoulders. "I'll give you a choice. Would you rather be torn apart like Conquest? Strangled like Thula? Or would you rather be trapped in the sun like Thragg? Choose wisely now...
Conquest? Thula? Thragg? More names she didn't know.
Yet she did know none of them stood a chance against him. Not here.
"And you, dimension hopper." Her-not-husband scowled at Angstrom. "Maybe I should kill you on principle. If you die, there's no way home for them."
Levy drew back, frightened, but unwilling to bolt without them.
"I could let you run," the scowling blond mused. "But you might return. Bring reinforcements." A hand rose, brimming with a wrathful sphere. "I can't have that...
"Kill me if you like." Levy lifted his chin, not in defeat, but defiance. "He'll stop you."
"He?" The false Naruto looked between him and Polly, paused now. "You can't be talking about Nolan. He's gone. Which means..." She saw the moment realization dawned behind those baby blue eyes, and the savage smile that followed. "Another me! Ha! So she was right about the whole multiverse theory after all!" Still clutching her tight, he leaned forward to regard Angstrom. "Tell me, what's this other me like? Is he strong? Does he have-
Anissa spat blood upon the floor. "Nothing like you...
He backhanded her in a blink, sending her flying. "Broken bitches shouldn't speak unless spoken to...
Polly struggled in his grasp, to no avail. She couldn't break free.
She was the only one he'd listen to, and he'd lost her.
Wait. That was it.
Her.
A wild idea dawned in desperation. A mad idea. A beautiful, brilliantly bombastic idea.
The Maulers. Weren't they working for Naruto? Their cloning tech might not be able to help her just yet, but they COULD help this iteration of him; couldn't they? It hurt her to see him like this; for him to have fallen so far, his world in ruins, devoid of their children, of his Anissa, of anything and everything that could ever make him smile. Surely he deserved better. Did he not?
This was clearly a world where he'd relied on her and her alone. With her passing, he'd fallen apart. Broken. She shuddered to think what might've become of their children.
Had they died? Or were they taken?
No, don't dwell on it.
That said, any clone of her the Maulers made wouldn't exactly be his Polly now, would she? By his own accounts, she was already dead and gone. Some might argue that something was better than nothing; others might say this would be akin to spitting on the grave of "this" Polly Uzumaki by replacing her with a copy.
It was a risk.
A gamble to be sure.
Perhaps the riskiest bet of her lifetime.
Still, she'd made worse wagers than this and they'd paid off.
After all, was not life itself one gigantic gamble? The house always won sooner or later...
Time to see if she could beat the odds, one last time.
"Come back with us." she took him by the hands, idly stroking his palms in a way she knew relaxed the original. "Let us help you."
He scowled, but the tension began to bleed from him, further proof he was so like her husband. "And how can youhelp me?"
She took a deep a breath, steeled herself, and took the plunge "...we can give bring your wife back."
His knees nearly buckled for a moment - until his eyes snapped into scarlet slits.
Angstrom slapped a palm to his face. "Damn bleeding heart...
Her not-husband paused, considering her. And then:
His hands tightened around hers.
"Explain yourself. Quickly."