Rainbow Dash: Aerial Avengerby The BricklayerChaptersMare-Vel Adventures #2: The Obligatory Backstory IssueMare-Vel Adventures #3: Girl, You Really Got Me...Mare-Vel Adventures #4: The Hands of the Mandarin!Mare-Vel Adventures #5: First FlightMare-Vel Adventures #6: HomecomingMare-Vel Adventures #7: The Ring is the ThingMare-Vel Adventures #8: Big Trouble in Little ChinaMare-Vel Adventures #9: The Mane EventMare-Vel Adventures #10: Flying HighMare-Vel Adventures #12: EpilogueMare-Vel Adventures #1: Take OffMare-Vel Adventures #11: Higher, Further, Faster BabyMare-Vel Adventures #2: The Obligatory Backstory Issue“I have to ask,” Philip Lawson said as he sat down beside Soarin’ and Rarity in the reception area. His mind was still a blur from what he’d seen in that room, Rainbow bathed in gold light and floating several feet above her bed. It reminded him of that movie he’d seen once, just less creepy. “...how did… No, that’s not right. Why did Rainbow join the US Air Force?” “She said it was just because she wanted to fly free, in the skies above,” Soarin’ answered with a small little shrug. “I never questioned it, seemed like a good enough answer to me, right?” “Dear, then she’s not telling you everything,” Rarity shook her head. “There’s more to it than that. I assume you’ve heard of Captain America?” Soarin’ gave her a flat ‘are you kidding me’ type of look. “That’s a dumb question, of course I’ve heard of Captain America,” Soarin said before humming a little tune. “...Who'll give the Axis the sack and is smart as a fox? Who's making Adolf afraid to step out of his box?” Everyone’s heard of Captain America.” “Well, Rainbow Dash had quite a fond admiration for Captain America. Though I’ll admit it wasn’t as much as her dreams of wanting to be in the Air Force, she at least let us know that they were their favorite superhero as far as she was concerned. In fact, I think Stars and Spangles probably played a part in making her want to join the military,” Rarity went on. “Though I don’t know about you, I saw the appeal more in the Star Sapphires more than anything. The ability to create hard-light manifestations of anything is something to die for.” Helped kept her mind off things as well, Rarity thought. “...You’d just want to create diamonds to adorn your dresses, wouldn’t you?” Soarin’ deadpanned. He decided against mentioning that more often than not, the Star Sapphires’ rings brainwashed their users. Rarity blushed at Soarin’. “You know me far too well, darling. Yes, I admit that having a ring like that would work wonders for my latest line, but still, I’m no superhuman. I just have to make do with what I have.” “We’re getting off-topic,” Philip said. “So, Rarity, is it? You’re saying Captain America is the reason why Rainbow wanted to join the US Air Force?” “Oh yes, quite,” Rarity nodded. “Rainbow’s always been quite the little patriot. You should see her at Independence Day celebrations! Why there was one time that… well, I suppose you don’t need to know about that, mhmm?” Soarin’ looked curious but decided not to pry. Another time, then. Rarity’s phone let out a little ping. “Oh dear, that’d be Fluttershy. She and Rainbow’s parents are on the way. Brace yourself.” “B-Brace myself?” Philip asked in confusion. “Why would I want to…?” Both Rarity and Soarin’ gave him a look of sympathy. Soarin rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. He said: “You’ve obviously never met Rainbow’s parents have you?” The front door opened, revealing Fluttershy reassuring an older couple. The male had faint traces of rainbow hair. Huh, Philip had always thought Rainbow had dyed it that way. Apparently not. “N-Now, I’m sure Rainbow’s just fine,” Fluttershy nervously stammered out holding her hands up in a calm reassuring manner. “Oh, of course, she is. She’s part of the Air Force now, isn’t she?” The male spoke with a boisterous, jolly tone of voice. “Our little superhero, Rainbow Dash. Gone from playing with toy planes to flying real ones! Oh, I’ve never been so proud…” A small semblance of a tear crept out of his eye socket. “You didn’t tell them?” Rarity leaned over to Soarin’. “...I thought that was your job,” Soarin’ said before his voice turned to a low whisper. “What was I supposed to tell them? ‘Oh, hi Mr. and Mrs. Dash. Your daughter’s been involved in a horrific plane crash and was caught in the engine’s explosion.’ Yeah, bright idea. Give the poor woman a heart attack.” “I just told them the basics, that Rainbow was in the hospital,” Rarity whispered. “Didn’t want to give Windy a heart attack. Oh dear, I just remembered. ...someone’s looking after Scootaloo right?” “Fleetfoot’s been keeping an eye on her, hopefully, she won’t blab,” Soarin’ said. Inwardly, he doubted she would. Fleetfoot was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them. He got up off his chair. “Where’s my daughter,” Windy shouted. “Where’s my Dashie, I want to know what’s happened to her!” “Mr. and Mrs. Dash,” Soarin’ said. “Pleasure to see you again, just wish it was under better circumstances.” “H-hi!” Windy Whistles awkwardly waved at Soarin’ as she took a few steps forward. She had to admit that she felt exceptionally out of place speaking to someone from the Air Force. Many different topics for conversation ran through her head, but first and foremost was her daughter’s welfare. “How is Rainbow Dash?” Windy finally asked. “Well, ah, this might be hard for you to take but…” Soarin’ said, looking at a loss to explain. He turned to Philip and Rarity and mouthed ‘help’. “Doctor Philip Lawson, Division of Military Science,” Lawson said as he walked up, shaking both of their hands. Fluttershy looked at the handsome man, before blushing and stopping herself. “Earlier today, at a little past 18:00 hours, your daughter and I were on a test flight and sadly, the fueling process hadn’t quite been completed. My fault, I admit. We crash-landed in the lakes just west of here. Rainbow pulled me out, but then… The engine exploded and Rainbow was caught up in it. We managed to save her life, but we don’t know when she’ll wake up. When, not if. When.” “So it’s not fatal?” Windy Whistles let out a massive exhale as a huge weight was taken off of her shoulders. “Oh, thank goodness. I couldn’t have bared to see my baby be taken away like that…” “...I was expecting more crying, honestly,” Soarin’ mumbled before he let out a little yelp of pain. Evidently, Rarity had heard the comment and twisted his ear ever so slightly. “G-g-g-gah! Alright, alright, I give! I’m sorry about that!” He whispered while trying to beat Rarity’s arm to release his ear. “Can we see her?” Bow asked, and Philip considered it for a moment before nodding. He gestured for them to follow. As the small group reached Rainbow’s room, Philip gestured for the two men in suits to leave. “I should warn you, there are things that-” “We can handle it,” Bow said tight-lipped. Lawson nodded, before nervously opening the door. To his surprise, he found Rainbow back in her bed. No glow, no floating. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. One less explanation, at least for the moment. “Rainbow…” Windy breathed, stroking her daughter’s head. She watched the slow rise and fall of her chest. “Last time we were in a hospital like this, you’d just been born. Funny that.” 31 years ago... Windy Whistles laid on a bed, legs splayed out far apart as every muscle in her body tensed up. She was constantly having to take breaths. Sweat was running down her forehead, and her belly so huge that it was almost like a balloon ready to burst. She was about to deliver her baby. Bow Hothoof was holding her hand as much as he could, while a group of qualified midwives stood around her to make sure that the delivery was a success; one of them standing right at the area where her legs met. “GOOD GOD, DOES IT ALWAYS HURT LIKE THIS?!” Windy screamed in agony as she tried her hardest to push out the baby. Her pitch had climbed so high that it was almost like she was another person entirely. “Come on, honey. You’re almost there. Just stay with me, alright?” Bow gave his advice as he wrapped his hands around his wife’s hand. “Just a few more pushes and this will all be over. We’ll finally have our baby. Just stay calm.” “Stay calm? How in the nine hells am I supposed to stay calm with all this pain?!” Windy writhed in agony as she pushed once again, having to take multiple deep breaths in the middle of it. When the breathing beats stopped, she addressed Bow again. “I don’t know about you, Bow, but this is the worst kind of pain I’ve ever had in my entire life!” “You’re doing great, Mrs. Whistles,” one of the nurses commented as she held Windy’s other hand. “Just keep on pushing for us. Soon, this will all be over.” “Y-yeah… But no real promises, alright?” She looked into the midwife’s eyes with tears in her own. This pain was overwhelming every other sensation and feeling in her body. “All for the baby. All… for the baby.” She took another set of breaths and pushed out again, wailing as high-pitched as she could as the pain returned. Every single part of her hurt, and her body even twitched in places, but she knew that she had to keep on going, that this would only stop if she pushed out hard enough. So, buckling down and taking another set of breaths, she gave it all of the effort that she could, and with one final scream and push, it all came to an end. The midwife by her legs reached into Windy Whistles and finally pulled out a newborn baby, still with its umbilical cord attached to Windy’s insides. Even despite the overwhelming noise that Windy had been making, the baby was still sleeping peacefully in the midwife’s hands. “Congratulations, Mrs. Whistles. It’s a beautiful girl,” she finally said as she held the baby up to Windy and Bow. “She’s… she’s beautiful…” Windy whispered holding her daughter close. “Look Bow, she even has your hair!” “Aww… she does, doesn’t she?” Bow brushed his hand across the baby’s tiny tufts of hair as gently as she could. “The prettiest rainbow I’ve ever seen in all my life, isn’t it?” “Rainbow. That’s perfect.” Windy finally cradled her baby close to her chest. “I’ve got just the perfect name for you. Rainbow Dash.” And with that, the baby gently twitched its arm and planted it on Windy’s face, lightly smacking its lips together and moaning something softly as it nuzzled into her new mother’s body. She didn’t understand it yet, but this woman was going to be one of the most important things in her life. “...and look at you, you’ve grown up to be so strong,” Windy whispered. “Bet you never imagined you’d be where you are now five to ten years from when you were born. Hell, we never imagined it!” “You okay, Mrs. Dash?” Philip said. “Please, call me Windy,” Windy said. “You saved my daughter’s life, so you’re at least entitled to that. Careful Soarin’, if you don’t snatch up my daughter, this one might!” “Madam!” Soarin’ said with a bright blush, stammering up a storm. “I… I don’t think the Air Force actually allows internal fraternization! The Captain would have my head!” “Mhmm, shame really,” Windy said trying not to look at her daughter, just lying there possibly never to wake. “You’re her kind of man. Kind, gentle, understanding. I’ve seen you babysit my granddaughter, you’re good with kids as well. I’ve seen the way Rainbow looks at you. If that ain’t love honey, then I don’t know what is. Take it from someone who’s married, love is something that can pass you by in the blink of an eye and unless you don’t seize your chance… Well!” Here, she leaned into Bow’s chest, nuzzling into him. Bow ran his fingers through his wife’s shockingly red hair, kissing the top of her head. “Come on Dash,” Fluttershy whispered just watching the slow boop boop boop of the heart monitor. Every second felt like agony, not knowing if Dash would wake up. Maybe Philip had been lying. Being nice. “Wake up. Captain America wouldn’t want you to lay here like this, so…” 19 years ago: Washington DC, The Smithsonian. “...Welcome to the Smithsonian. Visitor information booths are available on the second level.” a woman over the PA said. Rainbow Dash, now twelve years old and wearing a loose-fitting blue dress, wandered into the titanic Smithsonian museum with Windy Whistles and Bow Hothoof. She was now large enough to the point where she was almost as high as their torsos, yet still much smaller than they were. But that wasn’t the reason why she was here. Instead, she was here for one thing and one thing only; the Captain America exhibit. There was an ACTUAL exhibit being made for the greatest superhero ever made, and she just had to go and see it. “Where do you think it’ll be, mom and dad?” Rainbow asked as she tugged on their hands with energy. She had been exceptionally stoked about this trip with her parents; so much so that she had to let every single man, woman, and child around her know about it in the days leading up to this one. “Just right this way dear,” Windy said as Dash began to race ahead of her parents. Windy pulled her back. “Now now, don’t worry. The exhibit will still be there when we get there. It’s not going to be leaving any time soon.” “You sure? I don’t know much about museums and stuff, but I’m pretty sure that there’s gonna be a ton of people there. And a lot of ‘em are gonna surround all the cool stuff. I wanna get there before all the awesome stuff gets totally cramped by everyone else,” said Rainbow. Bow ruffled her hair. “Hey, I can’t blame you for being excited. It’s Captain America! But I don’t want you to get lost okay?” he said kneeling down next to her. “It’s a big museum, and mommy and daddy don’t want to lose you.” “Ah, c’mon! I won’t get lost, mom,” Rainbow just scoffed cheekily and tipped her arm dismissively. “I’m not gonna get lost. I’m just gonna stay at that exhibit the second I find it. Ya won’t be losin’ me any time soon.” “But just to be on the safe side. Besides, would Captain America want you to leave your dear old dad behind?” Bow asked. “Not a chance.” Rainbow shook her head. “Cap’s probably got their own family. Cap would hate to leave them behind or put ‘em in danger like that.” Eventually, they reached the exhibit. It couldn’t be any more American unless it had a slice of mom’s apple pie and the Star-Spangled Banner playing. Reds, whites, and blues decorated the exhibit, and in the middle of it all? Mannequins depicting the Captain and the now legendary Howling Commandos. Above the mannequins, a quote from the late Dr. Abharam Erskine. The man who would be credited with inventing the legendary serum that would create Captain America: A subtle, but moving tribute to the late scientist, killed in an Axis attack. “You must promise me one thing: that you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier... but a good man.” Rainbow knew all of the names of the Commandos, of course. What true Captain America fan didn’t? Sergeant James Buchanan ‘Bucky’ Barnes. Corporal Tim ‘Dum Dum’ Dugan. Lieutenant and Lord James Montgomery Falsworth. Jacques Dernier. Private Jim ‘Jimmy’ Morita. And finally, Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Jones. A narrator was speaking over the voices of the bustling crowd, telling the Captain America story: “A symbol to the nation. A hero to the world. The story of Captain America is one of honor, bravery, and sacrifice. Denied enlistment due to poor health, Captain America was chosen for a program unique in the annals of American warfare. One that would transform them into the world's first super-soldier…” All around the exhibit, old wartime footage was displayed. Nothing too violent, but enough for you to get the general idea of just who Captain America was. “..wow…” Rainbow breathed out even as the narrator continued. “Battle-tested, Captain America and the Howling Commandos quickly earned their stripes. Their mission? Taking down HYDRA, the Nazis’ mad science division. Most fearsome of all was their opponent, the Red Skull: Johann Schmidt. Their campaign against the Red Skull may have quickly turned the tide of the War, Hitler ordering new Wunderwaffens and driving Germany to the brink of bankruptcy all in fear of the Allies’ new super-soldier.” “Were they that scared of Captain America, dad?” Rainbow asked in a low whisper. “Apparently so, Rainbow,” Bow said, remembering a story from his father. Rainbow’s Grandfather, Rainbow Blaze. He and his men had been bogged down in a terrible blizzard in the French Alps and were surely about to be killed by Nazi snipers. Then, from out of nowhere Captain America appeared, the famous shield being used to deflect shots and cover Blaze and his men’s escape. Without Captain America… well, his daughter probably never would have been born. Bow would forever hold a debt to the legendary soldier for that. “...were inseparable on both schoolyard and battlefield. Barnes is the only Howling Commando to give his life in service of his country.” a narrator said as the family passed Bucky’s section of the exhibit, a solemn little tribute to the legendary sniper. To Bow’s surprise, he saw his grandmother on another section of the exhibit. He raced off, Windy and Rainbow sharing a confused look as they followed. “That was a difficult winter. A blizzard had trapped half our battalion behind the German line. The Captain and the Commandos, they fought their way through a HYDRA blockade that had pinned our allies down for months. They saved over a thousand men, including the man who would… who would become my husband as it turned out. Even after they died, the Captain was still changing my life,” said the woman, Agent Peggy Carter. “Wait… is that grandma?” Rainbow whispered and Bow nodded. “...so the Captain saved my grandpa?” “Yes, Captain America did just that,” Bow nodded. “I wanted you to see this exhibit, not just because of how big of a fan of the Captain I know you are, but because of this.” “I want to be like Captain America when I grow up. Be a soldier, and save lives,” Rainbow whispered as she turned her gaze back to the Captain’s uniform. Bow smiled at her, Windy just looking concerned. “That you will dear, I’m sure you will.” Bow said. “Remember dear?” Bow said. “That you thought our daughter becoming a soldier wasn’t a good idea? It wasn’t her killing people that you disapproved of, it was you knowing what kind of challenges she’d face. Being a woman, you… worried that she’d be treated as inferior to the others.” Soarin’ knew why Windy was so worried. As Spitfire and Fleetfoot could attest, Rainbow being in the Air Force would not be easy for her. He remembered her first day of boot camp all too well… It was basic training, that’s when Rainbow got her first taste of how bad it’d be. She was climbing from rope to rope, several feet off the ground. Her signature hair was done up in a ponytail, shining in the sun. Voices shouted below her, one male, in particular, being a standout. Hoops, aka her and Fluttershy’s old school bully before Sunset Shimmer came along. “You don't belong out here! You're not strong enough! You'll kill yourself!” Rainbow ignored him, swinging to the next rope, her face visibly strained. But even as she slid down the second rope -the ground rushing up to meet her- she wouldn’t give Hoops the satisfaction of seeing her weakness. Dust and dirt flew as Rainbow hit the sand, groaning in pain. “They'll never let you fly!” Hoops said. “If you can’t climb those ropes, what good are you?” Rainbow spat in his face to a chorus of low ‘oooooohhhs’. She picked herself up off the ground, and grabbed the rope, before pulling herself up it. “She’s too emotional,” Soarin’ muttered from the crowd as Rainbow clambered up the rope, inch by inch. She grabbed at each section with a noticeable hint of frustration and rage. “If she keeps this up…” Rainbow reached out and grabbed the next rope, and the next. A low chorus of gasps echoed from the crowd below. “You were saying?” Spitfire said from beside him, though if this question was directed at him or Hoops, Soarin’ couldn’t honestly tell. Hoops let out a snarl and a sharp curse before he and his buddies stomped off. Spitfire sighed, if you asked her the only people who weren’t supposed to make it were those idiots. Rainbow leaped off the final rope and landed on the ground, barely looking winded. From nearby, Fleetfoot murmured: “Show-off.” She had to laugh when Rainbow in a rare moment of clumsiness tripped and her face met tree. “Look at that, Rainbow Dash? More like Rainbow Crash!” Fleetfoot mocked and soon a chorus of laughter sprang up around the crowd. The name stuck. If Rainbow ever got into a plane, well that would be her call sign. Rainbow let out a low growl, even here she couldn’t escape that damn nickname. But she didn’t let her annoyance show other than a slight grimace. They didn’t mean anything by it, they didn’t know the history. How clumsy she used to be and how Hoops and Score used to love mocking her with that name. Besides, pilots got embarrassing call signs all the time right? And if she could look past this, well… she’d show them all. Of course, the day's events were far from over. Rainbow was walking back to her barracks when suddenly she was dragged into a dark corner. “Hoops, Score,” Rainbow said as she found herself surrounded. “Look, guys, if you want to go after chicks, pretty sure this isn’t the way to do it. Your mothers know where you are this time of night?” “Shut up Crash!” Hoops shouted. “Oooh, name-calling,” Rainbow said. “Real mature. Of course, you neanderthals probably don’t have all the higher brain functions figured out.” Wasn’t really professional of her, Rainbow knew, but damn if that jibe didn’t feel good. What happened next was all really a blur really. One moment Rainbow found herself shoved up against a wall, and the next she was lying on the ground with Hoops and Scores above her. They held locks of her hair in one hand, and a knife in the other. In an act of extraordinary pettiness, they’d cut off almost all of her ponytail, leaving an ugly little piece just barely hanging on. Hoops and Score tossed the hair locks at her, before walking off laughing. Rainbow glared at them, before walking off to her barracks hoping nobody had seen. As soon as she got to her quarters, she went into the bathroom and let out a choking sob. All of the day's events had finally caught up with her. Sliding down against the wall, she let the tears flow. “Rainbow, are you alright?” Soarin’ said from outside the bathroom door. “It’s me and Spitfire. Spits, she… she saw Hoops and Score laughing about something, they mentioned you. So I thought I’d…” “SHUT UP!” Rainbow said before choking back another sob. “I don’t want to see you right now.” “But I…” Soarin’ started. “Oh, don’t give me that. You were mocking me along with those two bastards. I heard you. Too emotional, right?” Soarin’ flinched, so she had heard that. Spitfire glared at him from behind, her eyes boring into the back of Soarin’s skull. His shoulders slumped. Rainbow was right, he was an ass. “...I was wrong, I’m sorry. I’m a jerk,” he said softly. “But are you really going to let those two idiots get you down? I knew you back in high school, Rainbow. You didn’t let anyone get you down, and you’re sure not going to start now are you?” Rainbow nodded softly. “No… I’m not.” “Now open the door, let me and Spits see how bad it is okay?” Soarin’ said kindly before Rainbow opened the door. Spitfire’s fists clenched at the sight. “Bastards…” she muttered. “I’ll report them to the base commander, no way in hell they’re getting away with this.” “Here,” Soarin’ said, helping his comrade up. “I know it looks bad, but I grew up with several sisters. I learned how to handle hair, and how to cut it. I think I might be able to salvage some of this.” In hindsight, Rainbow knew that was the moment she probably fell head over heels for him. Rainbow showed up that next day with a new haircut, almost resembling a mohawk in some regards. A bit boyish, but spunky and actually sorta practical given it wouldn’t get in the way. “Whooo, looking good Crash!” Fleetfoot said. “Keep this up, and you actually might start to be cool!” Rainbow simply just flipped her off. “Block it out, block it out. She doesn’t know the history behind it...” The jokes continued all throughout the day. A few even joked about if Rainbow had suddenly changed gender, not helped at all by her admittedly boyish figure. Rainbow had always considered it lean, like a swimmer’s body but it didn’t gift her with really great breasts. Something she got no end of grief about, sadly. Thankfully, some of the nastier jokes were soon shut down with looks from both another pilot -Surprise, who Rainbow swore was related to Pinks- and of all people, Fleetfoot. Huh, guess she wasn’t a total bitch after all, Rainbow thought to herself. The clouds burst that day during a good long run, and Fleetfoot cackled: “On your left!” as she raced by Rainbow. That just spurred her on even harder. Rainbow was catching up to Fleetfoot, the mud not even bogging either woman down. “You’re like a little photon, aren’t you Flatfoot!” Rainbow teased. “Quick on your feet and with your mouth!” “Oh shut it Crash,” Fleetfoot said. “Just because you’ve got your new ‘do, it doesn’t mean you get to be all high and mighty!” “Alright, what’s your problem?” Rainbow shouted as the two unwittingly took a tumble into the mud being covered with the stuff. And I do mean covered. Their hair, their jogging uniforms, everything. “Ever since I got here, you’ve been like this!” “It’s called hazing, you idiot!” Fleetfoot shouted, wiping away some of the mud before Rainbow tackled her back into it. “There’s hazing and then there’s being a bitch Flatfoot!” Rainbow snarled, before Fleetfoot socked her. Shrugging, she said: “Not my fault you can’t take it.” “You want to know why I can’t ‘take it’?” Rainbow shouted rubbing her jaw, fighting back the urge to sock Fleetfoot in return. “That name was given to me by Hoops and Score! That name tormented me throughout childhood! But I moved on. And now it’s fucking back thanks to you!” “Alright, so I messed up, I get that,” Fleetfoot said. “But how was I supposed to know? You didn’t say a word to anybody about this! And anyway, seems like you didn’t move on at all. You’re still getting into a hissy fit over what’s a fairly dumb nickname anyways. Hell, it’s pretty damn tame compared to some of ours, like good old Shitfire. So shut up, and suck it up.” Rainbow was struck silent. After all, Fleetfoot was exactly right. She hadn’t moved on at all. She was supposed to be all grown up, and mature. And yet here she was getting into a mud wrestling match with her future wing mate over it. “You done?” Fleetfoot asked as she helped Rainbow up. “...yeah, I’m done,” Rainbow muttered rather ashamed of herself. “Good, now while I can’t promise I’ll ever be friends with you Cr… Dash, I’ll try to tone it down a notch.” “And… And I’ll be a bit less of a brat about that nickname, Flatfoot.” “Oh, shut up Crash.” Rainbow still slept soundly on through the night. Her parents and friends had long since fallen asleep as well. Her dreams were full of weird visions, things she couldn’t quite make sense of. They were of worlds beyond the stars. Beyond Earth. In them, she saw things she couldn’t understand. Two great armies, fighting for control over the galaxy. A soldier’s weapons shifted, from that of twin swords to a massive laser cannon that blew away enemy forces. Green elf-like aliens were swept away and then incinerated before her very eyes. Rainbow knew she had to do something, and charged forwards letting out a yell. “STOP!” Soon, her feet had left the ground as Rainbow found herself running over the side of a cliff. But amazingly, she didn’t fall. No, she flew. No craft to speak of. She felt like Superman. She had the power to stop this. And then her whole world was bathed in a golden glow... She shot up like a rocket and rubbed her eyes. Oh, okay. What was that glow? Was that… oh, okay, yeah, now she remembered. The explosion! Lawson! She had to get out of here! “Ugh…” Rainbow moaned as she tried to climb out of her bed. Wait, why was everything so… sterile? Oh, of course. She was in the hospital. And if she survived that explosion then… “Lawson…” Rainbow whispered as she turned her head to spy the military scientist. And Rarity, and Soarin; and Flutters and… “Mom, dad?” Rainbow smiled, wiping away a tear. Poking her mother in the shoulder, before giving her a gentle little shake. Her mom let out a soft little moan as she stirred. Her eyes soon shot wide awake. “Rainbow…” her mother whispered before practically tackling her daughter in a hug. “It’s okay mom, I’m here. I’m awake, I’m alive…” Rainbow said as her mother sobbed into her shoulder. “I promise, I’ll never scare you like that again. Ever.” Author's Note Okay, so I was told I rushed past some of the more boring bits. I accept that criticism. Now, a few things. Not as many things to go over as last time, but a few. One, the gender neutral pronouns for the Cap. If, and this is a very big if, I do a sequel, it'll allow me to stick whoever I want inside the suit. Fair enough right? Also, a huge shout out to Shadowmane for taking the time out of his life to help me with Bow and Windy. I cannot write those two for the life of me. Is Captain America being the inspiration for Rainbow's career strictly needed? Probably not, no, but I thought it was a nice little touch. Also, I do want to know, did I go too far in boot camp? One of the problems I did have with Carol's film debut was how much of it felt like a feminist power fantasy -not my words- and some of the backstory was kinda cringy. ...and yet I go and top it for my piece. YMMV. Mare-Vel Adventures #3: Girl, You Really Got Me...“Ugh, finally!” Rainbow shouted as she punched the air, discharged from the hospital. “Thought if I was going to spend any more time in there, I’d start bouncing off the walls! Seriously, I know hospitals are supposed to help you get better and all that, but really, they’re probably not supposed to drive you nearly insane!” “Yes, well, you’re… you, Rainbows,” Fleetfoot said, having drawn the short straw to greet Rainbow as soon as she got out of the hospital. Well, that and she’d been watching her kid. And her cat. Fleetfoot shuddered; who knew one animal could be so… so scary? “And what’s that supposed to mean, huh?” Rainbow said, narrowing her eyes at her quasi sorta-friend. “Well, it’s a pilot thing, am I right?” Fleetfoot said. “We don’t like to be crammed up in one spot for too long. We’re like cowpokes in that regard. We’re off to the next… oh, no wait, that metaphor doesn’t work, does it? Aaaagggh, point being, we don’t like being cooped up anywhere for too long. We’re supposed to be, well, free as a bird.” “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, and this bird you'll never change…!” Soarin' sang along, making both Rainbow and Fleets look at him. “...you see, this is why nobody asks you out to parties,” Fleetfoot drawled. “You’re such a dork, Farmboy.” “Excuse me, I’ll have you know that I’ve got girls just lining up to go out to parties with yours truly,” Soarin’ said and both Rainbow and Fleetfoot looked at each other before bursting out laughing. “You sure they aren’t your sisters?” Fleetfoot asked. “Cause really, haven’t seen anyone asking you out that you don’t need to chaperone to their prom.” “Girls, where? I don’t see anyone lining up on any blocks!” Rainbow teased, punching him in the shoulder. “But hey, you keep on dreamin’ Clipper, eh?” “...jeez, way to kick a guy in the ego…” Soarin’ mumbled. “Besides, I think we all know there’s only one girl for you, Farmboy,” Fleetfoot said. “Not who I’d pick for you, but no accounting for taste!” “W-What’s that supposed to mean?” Soarin’ said, his voice taking a slightly higher pitch than the norm. “Oh, come off it,” Fleetfoot said. “God knows there’s only one reason why you’d stay at Rainbow’s bedside for so long!” Rainbow flushed an interesting shade of red taking in this new information, she had been certain Fleets and Soarin’ had been seeing each other on the down-low. And yet here Fleetfoot was, acting as Soarin’s wingman. To HER! ...Um, okay, yeah Rainbow needed a fair amount of time to unpack this information. “She needed a friend, that was all,” Soarin’ reaffirmed, making Rainbow deflate a little. Yeah, she knew she shouldn’t have gotten her hopes up too high. “Besides, I didn’t see any of you guys coming out to visit her.” “Hey, we’ve got lives beyond our crushes,” Fleetfoot said and Rainbow’s face turned even redder. This, of course, went unnoticed by either Soarin’ or Fleetfoot. “Speakin’ of which, ooh that gives me an idea. Hey, Crash, up for celebratin’ your discharge? There’s this club I know, okay? Run by Misty’s little sister... or was that cousin? I’m never sure. Annnnnnnnnnnnyways, quite the little place and pretty popular amongst the gang.” “Oh yeah, then how come I’ve never heard of it?” Rainbow asked her friend, giving her the suspicious eye. “You run in different circles from the rest of us, Crash,” Fleetfoot responded. “You’ve got your friends from Canterlot High, plus Pinks is always the one finding you a place to party. You’ve never asked what clubs we frequent, so we’ve never had any reason to tell you. Simple as that.” “Um, yeah, sure. I’m game. What the hell?” Rainbow shrugged as she walked to her car, Fleetfoot opening the door for her. A little blur tackled Rainbow, hugging her tight. “...hey munchkin, good to see you too.” Rainbow suddenly looked at Fleetfoot, with a suspicious eye. “Hey, no, before you ask I didn’t corrupt her or anything like that,” Fleetfoot said holding up her hands in a defensive posture. “Surprise and I both took turns watchin’ the little flier. Was nothing but a perfect angel. And she still is.” “Why’d you think Auntie Flatfoot would corrupt me, mom?” Scootaloo asked, seemingly missing the dirty ‘look’ Fleetfoot sent Rainbow. Soarin’ suppressed a little snort. “...No reason…” Rainbow said weakly, remembering the time when Fleetfoot led the whole barracks in a chorus of Ninety Nine Bottles till Spitfire had to come in and break it up. In any event, Rainbow found herself at home and crashing on her couch, watching -for whatever reason- crappy reality TV, before she heard a soft ‘mrf’ as her cat clambered up to meet her. “Hey, Chews…” Rainbow said, petting her cat on the head, and soon the purrs started. “...good to see you too. God, I’m turning into Rarity, aren’t I? Crazy cat lady, am I right?” Chewie looked offended. “...Not that this is a bad thing, of course…” Rainbow quickly corrected. She swore that cat was too intelligent for her own good. Gave her the creeps at times, actually. “So yeah, mommy’s going clubbing, and Fleetfoot’s picking the venue. Really wondering if I should be worried. Ah, it’ll probably be a whole lot of nothin’ really…” This last part came out as a mumble as Rainbow drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Soarin’. It was their wedding day. Soarin’ was in a nice tux, everything for once just turning out right with the world. The newspapers would all report it to be perfect, and they’d be the envy of all. Pinkie, having been ordained as a rabbi, presided over it all. “...and I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride. Soarin’ lifted her veil, and Rainbow was leaning in to kiss him. Their rings had already been placed around their fingers, and vows had been said. Suddenly, Soarin’s skin turned a bright blue, and Rainbow jumped. “Soarin’... you’re blue,” she said. “So I am, something wrong?” Soarin’ asked as if it was the most perfectly natural thing in the world. Wedding bells chimed before the sound turned to that of bombs exploding. The whole world shifted into that of a ruined wasteland. The guests began changing, into those green elf-like beings from before. They were coming to take her, they were coming to take her planet! And Rainbow struck, her hands glowing gold with cosmic power… Rainbow shot awake, moonlight shining in through her window. She opened her hands, panting and sweating hard. No glow. God, what was happening to her? Far across the world, Detroit Steel rocketed to the first possible Mandarin hideout, pieced together from his previous transmissions. Inside it, Silver Zoom. Landing outside a garage, Silver Zoom ripped the doors open. He suppressed a facepalm as behind those doors were a bunch of women in traditional garb at sewing machines. “Oh. Captain, unless the Mandarin's next attack on the U.S. involves cheaply-made sportswear, I think you messed up again,” the older pilot said in annoyance, his helmet retracting. The gaggle of women swarmed the metallic armor-clad man. They fawned over him, shaking his hand and running their hands all over his armor. “Yes, you're free, uh, if you weren't before. It's... Of course. Yes, ma'am. Detroit Steel on the job. Happy to help. No need to thank me, ma'am. It's my pleasure.” Silver Zoom gave an awkward little salute before flying up into the atmosphere. Spitfire back in the control room gave a sigh and slumped back in her chair. “...well, that was a bust.” “Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll get him next time,” said Justin Hammer from beside her. “Truth, justice, and the American way never fails!” Spitfire gave him a look, lowering her famous shades. “...by the way, been meaning to ask. Detroit Steel?” “It… It tested well in focus groups okay?” Justin Hammer stammered out, and from the look on Spitfire’s face she didn’t exactly believe him. And she let him know it too. “Bull,” Spitfire said. “You’re just trying to copycat Captain America. ...with none of the charm, and looking like some Chinese knock-off.” “Yes, well, Captain America didn’t have sweet-ass laser cannons and a giant chainsaw now, did he?” Justin practically whined. “He did if you count that one terrible movie with the dinosaurs…Savage Land, Savage Heart indeed!” High Winds muttered in the back of the room, going ignored and wondering if she should grab some popcorn. Answer: yes, as her boss was just getting started. “Well, Captain America didn’t need them!” Spitfire said. “The Cap had America's ass and a shield, and that’s all the Cap needed. End of story!” “He used guns…” Justin weakly pointed out. “And you’re using a gun and you’re overcompensating,” Spitfire said. “Hey, what do the ladies tell you? Cause I’mma tell you right now, it ain’t what you think it is.” “Hey, now Cap? He was the pick-up truck,” Justin said. “Detroit Steel? The full-on Lamborghini!” “You’re not helping your case, you know that right?” Spitfire drawled. “Because really, a Lamborghini? That’s just screaming you got a tiny one in your pants.” “Oh really? What would you know? How would you even know?” Justin said snidely. “Want to find out?” “No more than I want to find out with Tony Stark,” Spitfire said with a sarcastic sneer. By now, the entire room was watching the back and forth. “Hell, bet he’d be even more entertaining anyways. Pretty sure that mile-long list is for a reason.” “I doubt that given his missiles probably speak for his prowess,” Justin said. “His missiles are very good, so I think they do,” Spitfire said with a little lascivious grin that let everyone know she was winning this argument. It also let High Winds know more than she ever really needed to know about her boss. “Oh, you know what?” Justin said. “Fine, when Silver Zoom gets back I’ll take Steel up, and then I’ll show you just how good my missiles are.” “Yeah sure, that’ll be interesting to watch. It’ll be even more interesting to see you end up in a full-body cast drinking through a straw!” Spitfire said. “I’ll send flowers.” “...Oh, ye of little faith. I’ve logged over 300 hours!” Justin said. “In a simulator?” Spitfire said. “...cause pretty sure I heard High Winds commenting that when she took you up, you ended up pukin’.” In the background, High Winds nodded a small ‘yes’. “That was a once in a lifetime fluke,” Justin said. “And that’s all I’m saying on the matter.” “Puker, puker!” Spitfire mocked. “Ladies, please, you’re both pretty!” High Winds called out with a cackle. Justin meanwhile, stormed off. “...I thought he’d never leave,” Spitfire mumbled, wiping the sweat from her brow. “God, what a pig. Surprised he didn’t start oinking.” “Yes, ma’am. I know ma’am,” High Winds nodded in sympathy. “Oh, by the way? Lawson’s been waiting outside for about… oh, a half-hour or so? I lost count, but you’d better go greet him. Looked important.” Spitfire swore under her breath before climbing out of her chair to greet the man. “So, I’m assuming by the way I saw Justin storm past, I missed something good?” Philip said with a wry little smile. “Depends on your definition of good. Man’s such an idiot. Like, how did he ever get a contract?” Spitfire steamed. “Because we’re cheap?” Philip said with a sigh. “Oh, been meaning to tell you. Rainbow’s out of the hospital. Fully discharged, but…” Spitfire noticeably perked up at this. “Well, that’s one piece of good news. Hated seeing her in that bed. I sent her some flowers, even while Soarin’ was being all puppy-dog eyed at the foot of her bed. Don’t tell her, though, okay?” “About Soarin’?” Philip said. “Because I’m pretty sure you’d have to be the densest woman on the planet not to notice… well, that.” “About the flowers, I got a reputation to keep up,” Spitfire said before she frowned. “But… from the look on your face, I’m guessing there’s something more you have to tell me right?” “Rainbow… well, she was bathed in the prototype’s fuel. She came away with… abilities,” Philip said delicately. Spitfire looked at him, lowering her shades once more. “Out with it Lawson, no time for beating around the bush.” “I saw her floating above her bed, glowing. I’m just wondering what else she can do…” “Well, only one way to find out,” Spitfire said. “No reason to treat her like a circus freak, we’ll just watch and observe. Nothing more. Understood?” she asked. Philip nodded. “Understood, ma’am.” Cloud Nine was this little place just off main street, used to be this old warehouse till it got reconverted. Rainbow had heard a few stories about it here and there, but she’d never actually experienced it for herself. Fleetfoot had vouched for this place, and keep in mind she was one of the more party-hearty members of Rainbow’s squad. Nowhere near as bad as Surprise, but pretty close really. “Name, please?” the bouncer at the door said. She was a huge woman, bristling with muscles, and skin like chocolate. A cigarette was in her mouth, the woman lighting up a smoke. Rainbow’s eyes widened in surprise before she let out a grin as she hugged her. “Hey, yo G!” Rainbow called out. “Haven’t seen you in ages! Thought you’d skipped town, actually. Went back home to tu famila.” “Bah, mi famila’s currently too big of a mess for me right now, ya dig? Mama just got herself a new piece of eye candy to lug around, Rainbow,” Gilda said as both Fleetfoot and Soarin’ looked on in shock, never knowing Rainbow was actually intimately familiar with the bouncer. “So, yeah, decided not to head back home. Ugh, no thanks, chica. I’d rather not see who mama’s playing with this time. ‘Sides, the bossman would really hate to lose his best hired muscle.” “Ah, yeah, I get you,” Rainbow said. “Still, tell your family I said hi, ‘kay?” “Told you Rainbow, not going back to them at the moment,” Gilda said. “Yeah, sure you’re not,” Rainbow said, not really believing her. Patting her friend on the back, she said: “You always end up drifting back home eventually. You’re like me, you’d never leave anyone in a pinch.” “Ugh, you had to play the loyalty card didn’t you?” Gilda grumbled lifting up the rope to let her by. “You can go on in, go on scram chica! Don’t let me catch you ‘round here again, alright?” Rainbow flipped her off as she was let by, Soarin’ and Fleetfoot sharing yet another look. “Didn’t know you knew the bouncer,” Fleetfoot remarked with a look towards her friend. “So, what else you not telling us? Got a super-secret girlfriend anywhere that we should know about?” “Why is it that everyone assumes with my rainbow hair I’m some sort of lesbian icon?” Rainbow drawled. “It’s natural, for the last time. It’s not dyed. What, you think my parents named me Rainbow because I was a redhead?” “Well, I mean, you do sorta set my gaydar on fire…” Fleetfoot said in a teasing tone. “But really, what was that with you and G? She never talks to any of us like that!” “Ah, well you know how it is,” Rainbow said. “Childhood friends and all that. We both went to the same elementary school together. Gilda and her aunt moved out here from Mexico, so there you go. Guess we sorta liked some of the same stuff. Same bands and all that. Plus, we were both the new kids along with Flutters, y’know? Everything sorta just… fell into place I guess.” “Huh, you keep on surprising us Crash,” Fleetfoot said. “Doting mom, cat lover, and now apparently you’ve got connections in just about every part of town. What else are you holding out on us? It’s not superpowers is it?” Rainbow said with a little smirk: “Wouldn’t you like to know?” The bass pounded in Rainbow’s ears as the threesome entered the club, multi-colored lights dancing all across the floor, which was a sea of moving and grinding bodies. The walls shook with each reverberation of the music, drinks flowing and the party seemingly unable to stop. Rainbow found herself shoving aside a clearly wasted, barely legal couple, necking each other. Inhibitions had been tossed aside, something Rainbow was no stranger to seeing. People were letting loose and showing their other sides. Rainbow knew in a few hours she’d be driving home some wasted Wonderbolts and dealing with her Captain’s disapproving glare. Worth it. She hadn’t had a chance to let loose and enjoy herself a little since before the whole Mandarin business started. She needed her time off. She heard a holler, and saw Lightning Dust waving her and Fleetfoot over. A strawberry sunrise was in each hand, the woman instantly recognizable by her lightning bolt jacket The woman looked half-wasted already, her blond hair a bit of a mess. “So, the life of the party has arrived!” Lightning cheered and raised her glass high. “No, I’m not the life of the party, you are Dust,” Rainbow said. “I’m just the girl who’s going to be driving you all home when you all inevitably crash.” “Hee hee, good one,” Lightning slurred. “You… you see what you did there? Combining your callsign and the word… anyone? Guys? Did anyone see what a perfect pun she just made there?” Okay, more than half-wasted, Rainbow corrected herself. Well, this was going to be fun. Somewhere deep inside, she was already having regrets in agreeing to all of this. “Breathe Rainbow, this is normal. Besides, you’re here to have fun. Let Lightning be Lightning, let her be a bit of an idiot. It’s what she’s best at anyways. You weren’t like this before, oh wow did military training do a number on you. You being the responsible one for once? Huh, now there’s a surprise. You used to be the type of gal to jump at the chance to do shit like this. Then again, you weren’t chaperoning before were you, with all eyes on you. Co-workers waiting for you to screw up again like you did with Lawson and the Asis.” Rainbow had heard the mutters of course, when she was laid up in her hospital bed. About how she had proven herself unfit for duty, crashing that prototype as she did. Never mind the fact that it was Lawson who’d forgotten to run fuel checks. But nope, don’t blame the head of the military science division. Blame the girl who was in the pilot’s seat. Someone had to take the blame for wasting a billion dollars, and as long as it wasn’t the guy who was actually responsible... Unaware of Rainbow’s worries and internal grumblings, Soarin’ and Fleetfoot sat at the bar. “Hey, how’d you get invites to this place anyways?” Soarin had to ask, his drink temporarily set to the side. The music shifted to something faster. “This place is like, so exclusive!” “Oh Farmboy, don’t you ever change. I went to high school with the owner. I really ought to introduce you, Abby’s a wonderful woman. And hey, if you and Crash don’t work out…” “M-Me and…” Soarin’ sputtered. “Hey, you know the rules! There’s no-” “-Internal fraternization, yeah yeah, I know. You’re so by the book Soar, I can see why you and Rainbow work well together. You need to loosen up,” Fleetfoot yawned. “Well, you can still date Rainbow on the down low, long as the Captain doesn't find out.” “I… I…” Soarin’ murmured. “Which is the real reason why we’re here,” Fleetfoot said. “See, I’ve been tired of you and Rainbow making puppy dog eyes at each other. It’s really sickening. Look, I know the hair thing was real sweet of you and all, but seriously man, act on those feelings of yours! Me and the squad are gettin’ real tired of you and Crash not really progressing anywhere. Go on, you goof, ask her out for a dance. Might get you somewhere. Hell, maybe it’ll get you a lot of somewheres. If you two end up screwin’ in a bathroom stall somewhere, win-win!” “You’re a real criminal mastermind…” Soarin’ muttered, not sure if he should be in awe of Fleetfoot or scared of her. “I know, it’s one of my greatest qualities!” Fleetfoot beamed before shoving Soarin’ off. “Now go on, go ask her to dance!” Soarin’ nodded nervously before walking off. Fleetfoot raised her glass, took a sip and smiled. Damn, was she a genius or was she a genius? Her eyes began to wander, now who would be the perfect little conquest of her own? Soarin’ wandered through the mess of dancing bodies, quickly finding Rainbow thanks to her distinctive hair. Even in this mess of color, it shone like nothing else. He sucked in a breath, nothing ventured… nothing gained. “Hey Soar,” Rainbow said. “I… yeah, thanks for staying at my side when I was laid up. Been meaning to get around to thanking you for that, just… was never able to. You didn’t have to do that you know, you could have just sent flowers.” “But I wanted to,” Soarin’ said. “Someone had to, why not me?” “You have a life you know, it doesn’t have to revolve entirely around me,” Rainbow said. “B-Besides, it’s not like… we can, you know, date.” “So?” Soarin’ said. “I’ll get promoted, then we can do something about that.” “Pretty sure Spitfire won’t just up and promote you to lieutenant just so you can date me,” Rainbow said as their bodies moved and grooved to the sound of the beat. “She’s never been that nice, you know.” “Mhmm, I don’t know. She can come around. Besides, Lieutenant Soarin’ Skies. I kinda like the sound of that,” Soarin’ replied. “What do you think? Rolls off the tongue, don’t it?” “Don’t get too ahead of yourself,” Rainbow replied. “Besides, there are other girls in your rank. I mean, you seem pretty damn close with Fleetfoot really…” Ah, there was the rub. Soarin’ laughed. “You jerk!” Rainbow snapped looking ready to slap him. “I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you, Rainbow. At least… not entirely anyways,” Soarin’ affirmed. “It’s just… me and Fleetfoot? You honestly think we’re dating?” “Well, uh, yeah!” Rainbow said. “You two are like kit and kaboodle half of the time, real chummy. So it’s only natural to think that…” “No, we’re only good friends. Just good friends, that’s all,” Soarin’ corrected her. “We’re more like brother and sister actually, the thought of dating her… okay, eww.” “Sure got everyone on base fooled,” Rainbow muttered. “But yeah, best you give up on me Soarin’. Go… go date Surprise or someone actually your rank. I’m… yeah, I’m not who you should be dating really.” God, she thought to herself. This hurt. She wanted to date Soarin’, she really did. But he was one too many ranks below her for it not to be against the rules. If either of their superiors found out… Yeah, Rainbow was probably in deep enough trouble as it is. Best not to dig herself any deeper, really. “Hey, you alright?” Soarin’ asked as they managed to pull themselves away from the dance floor, and back to the bar. “No, of course I’m not alright. I just smashed my own heart to a pulp, and now…” Rainbow sniffled gesturing for a cola. “No, it’s something else,” Soarin’ said, sitting down next to her. “You look like you’ve been about to bolt all evening. Alright, just because we can’t date right now doesn’t mean-” “You’re still going to keep on holding out hope?” Rainbow asked with a small bitter laugh. “It’s all I can do, right?” Soarin’ asked. “Now go on, tell me what’s bothering you. Not the dating thing, as we’ve pretty much well established that bit, but the other thing.” “It’s… well, ever since I wrecked the Asis I’ve been getting… looks. You’ve probably missed them, but ever since I got back to base? Well, everyone’s been giving me a wide berth. Never mind the fact that I wasn’t even the main person at fault here, it was Lawson who forgot to properly fuel his own craft!” Rainbow ranted. Unknown to her, her hands started to give off a faint light. Soarin’s eyes drifted down to them, but it was only for a brief moment before the glow stopped. “...but because I’m a woman, I have to be the one to shoulder the blame!” “No, it’s not that,” Soarin’ said, trying to figure out how to put this without coming off as an asshole. “If it was me or Silver Zoom we’d have gotten the same looks as well. We’re trusted to keep those craft in the air, and when we don’t…” “So you’re saying it’s still my fault, is that it?” Rainbow seethed. “I know, it’s not fair. But the higher-ups never get charged with anything,” Soarin’ grumbled. “It’s always the grunts who get it. Then again, maybe I’m only speculating. Maybe if Lawson had been the one to crash his own plane, he’d be the one getting the looks. Point being, someone has to shoulder the blame of crashing the prototype.” “...and it has to be me,” Rainbow sighed. “You’ve sure got a way of making a gal feel better about herself, you know that right?” Before either could say anything more, there came another problem. A problem named Lightning Dust, drunk as a skunk and letting just about everyone in the vicinity know about it. “So, yeah, she gets to go up in the plane, and yet I don’t,” Lightning rambled and Rainbow’s shoulders sank. Of course, Lightning’s now infamous ego had come out to play. “I mean, what does she have to offer that I don’t? The skank! Who’d she screw anyways to get her lucky shot? Her boss? Cause… cause pretty sure that there’s rules and laws against it!” Fleetfoot, thankfully saw where this was going and shared a nod with Surprise. Together, they tried to head this off at the pass before it got any worse. “Alright, I think you’ve had enough, Lightning,” Fleetfoot said, placing a firm hand on her friend’s shoulders. Surprise pulled up a barstool, gently guiding Lightning to it. “Now, you want to sit down for a moment? I’ll call you a cab, please just don’t embarrass yourself any further.” “Embarrass… embarrass myself?” Lightning slurred and almost immediately Fleetfoot knew she’d said the wrong thing. “Only one who’s embarrassing herself is Rainbow Crash Dash. Did… did any of you here know she got in a fight with Fleetfoot on one of her first days of boot camp? Mud-wrestled her, straight to the ground. Oooh, I’d have loved to have seen that, probably was hella sexy!” “She’s right,” Surprise said. “You’ve had enough Light-” The crowd gasped as Surprise went down in a blur of motion, holding her now bleeding nose. “That’s enough!” Rainbow shouted as she wrestled Lightning to the ground. “Oh, look, you’re trying to play hero? Stick up for your friends?” Lightning continued. “Bet your boyfriend really likes that, turns him on ri-” Rainbow’s fist shot out, but to her surprise, she sent Lightning all the way across the room to a chorus of gasps. She crashed into the DJ’s mixing booth, and Rainbow looked at her now glowing hands in surprise. Surprise acted fast even as Fleetfoot dialed 911. “Alright folks, nothing to see here, move along now! It’s just a scene from a movie we’re doing, that’s all!” “What… what did I do…?” Rainbow asked herself, as her hands crackled and burned. Soarin’s eyes widened and he breathed out a single word. “...Rainbow?” And if the night couldn’t get any more dramatic, well the Mandarin begged to differ. “Dear Mrs. Robinson, your boy died today He died a brave man far away…” said the Mandarin across screens all over the US, from the barroom to even the White House, a snippet of a certain Alabama 3 song playing in the background to improve the narrative. “Isn’t that how it goes? The song? Makes a good point, doesn’t it? Because really, is Afghanistan all that different from Vietnam? Make up an excuse, go to war in some far-off country and drop a few hundred bombs. Ruin a couple thousand lives, destroy a few towns. America, the land of the brave and the free, right? So what does that make the rest of the world?” People talked and the White House worried, just as the Mandarin wanted. On the screen behind him, scenes of warfare were shown. Explosions, soldiers on the march, and gunfire in bombed out houses. The Mandarin cradled a rifle on the screen. “Lovely instrument of destruction isn’t it? Used by everyone and their mother. Russians really knew their stuff. But back to the lesson. 20 years in Vietnam, and coming up on 20 years in Afghanistan. Want to make it 30, America? Improve upon your previous failure? What are you really fighting for? Ask yourself that. Is it worth it, all of this death and destruction?” He gave a little smirk, as even up on Capitol Hill a certain President Madison Mare watched in ever-growing rage and anger as her country and choices were insulted by this… this madman! “So, is it? Is all of this death and taxpayer dollars really worth shoving your weight around? Mhmm, it’s not my place to judge. It’s the American public’s. I’m just a teacher, not a courtroom judge. But this is my lesson. See, there’s plenty of factories where you make your weapons of war. Consider me removing a few of them a little favor to you. Less weapons of war, less lives to be ruined. Oh, I’m sure you’ll rebuild, of course you will. But this should keep you out of some innocent lives for a bit, and that’s all I really want.” Across the nation, tank and helicopter factories were each given little gifts. Soon, blazes spread across their grounds and smoke choked out their interiors. Workers burned to death, and ashes rose high into the night sky. “Don’t worry Madison, my lessons are soon to end, but a word to the wise. Your little Detroit Steel? He won’t be able to stop me, and actually don’t send him after me. I’d hate to rob some innocent family of their father…” Author's Note Okay, so yeah the obligatory romantic drama that comes with every Marvel story. First off, want to give a huge shout out to The Final Firedancing Fiend for helping to clarify how the internal fraternization bit works. Also, I got a few questions. Does the romance feel... forced, or awkward, or anything like that? Also, the Mandarin. My proofreader remarked that he feels whiny or too ranty right now, I was personally going for creepy with a side of thought-provoking. Did I do that right, or is Red right? Please, give me your thoughts and comments below. Mare-Vel Adventures #4: The Hands of the Mandarin!“Explain to me what happened, again,” Spitfire sighed at her desk. “You’re saying Lieutenant Dash suddenly blasted Master Sergeant Dust straight across the room? Is that it?” “Mhmm, pretty much,” Fleetfoot replied. “Me, Surprise, we all saw it. Still working out what we saw, but we saw it. Ma’am, Rainbow’s been off since the ASIS crash, something’s going on with her. Hell, something’s been off about this whole thing. You sure she didn’t gain superpowers from the crash?” “That’s a leap in logic Fleets,” Spitfire said. “We’re living in the real world, not in some comic book.” “And yet Rainbow… well, you heard what Rainbow did,” Fleetfoot replied. “I know what I heard, not what I saw,” Spitfire replied. “For all I know, Rainbow just punched Lightning Dust very hard and you guys were drunk enough to assume ‘superpowers’.” “I dunno, Lawson was pretty quiet on that plane of his. It could be powered by some fancy alien tech for all I know, and when it crashed...” Fleetfoot went on, starting to pace in worry. “I dunno, there’s something off about him. The whole squad’s picked up on it, nobody’s said anything but there’s something weird about the guy.” “And this is relevant how?” Spitfire said peering at Fleetfoot through her glasses. “I have one of my best pilots in the hospital for… apparently blasting another pilot across the room with an energy blast. Got scientists from some government agency with an acronym I can’t be bothered to remember running tests on her, apparently. I don’t actually give two hoots in hell about Lawson and whatever secrets he’s apparently hiding. What I do give two hoots in hell about is my pilot. So unless you’ve got news relating to her, GET OUT!” Fleetfoot noticeably flinched from Spitfire’s order, barked at her like that of an angry guard dog’s. Holding up her hands in a defensive manner, she nodded weakly. “Okay, okay. Getting out, ma’am. Jeez…” Quickly scampering out like a cowed puppy, Fleetfoot shut the door with a noticeable sense of urgency. Spitfire sighed and placed her face into her hands with a groan. Taking off her sunglasses, she rubbed her temples. This week was getting worse all the time… Another knock at the door. “Look, Fleetfoot, if this is about you coming up with another excuse for…” Spitfire grumbled. “Then you can just save it, alright? Superpowers don’t exist, end of story.” The door creaked open. “Then you’re living in a different world than I,” said a man’s voice, and in walked this man in a nicely trimmed and rather sharp suit. He had short brown hair, maybe nearing middle age. “My name is Agent Philip Coulson. I represent a certain division of the United States Government. We call ourselves the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division.” “Try fitting that one on a business card,” Spitfire deadpanned. “We’re working on it,” said Coulson, taking a sip of his coffee. “We’ve met before. Well, not ‘we’ we, but we were at the Detroit Steel testing.” “Oh right, I saw some of you suits hanging around,” Spitfire remembered. “You all looked very official, men in black types. All sweltering in the heat, honestly if your division can’t provide you with a cold glass of water…” “I’ll send a complaint up the ladder next time I’m back at the base,” Agent Coulson said. “But yes, Lieutenant Dash. You’d be surprised at what makes it onto the internet. We’re working to scrub all footage from anyone’s web page, Youtube or anywhere else we can find. Maybe replace them with cat videos, everyone loves those right?” “Can you just get to the point?” Spitfire asked with a sigh. “You believe superpowers don’t exist, I’m here to educate you to the contrary. Superpowers do exist, they’re just not public knowledge. Wouldn’t want to freak the public out, right?” asked Agent Coulson. “Go deep on the Dark Web, and you’ll find plenty of evidence to the contrary of your beliefs.” “So what you’re saying is…” Spitfire trailed off. “Oh yes, quite,” Agent Coulson replied. “One of these days, superpowers will be out in the open. We’re, or should I say my boss is on the lookout for any individuals with special abilities, it was pure luck we found Rainbow.” “So what, is this the part where you swear me to secrecy and take Rainbow away to some black site lab?” Spitfire said, reaching for her gun under the table. “The swear you to secrecy part, yes. The black site lab part, no. Ideally, we’d like to take her to Project Pegasus. You can look it up on Google,” said Agent Coulson. “But something tells me you’d fight me tooth and nail to stop me. In any other situation, I’d tase you until you were a drooling mess on the carpet and watch Supernanny, but then again my boss ordered me to make nice.” “Well, glad we understand each other then,” Spitfire replied dryly. “I’m not letting anyone pick apart one of my best pilots.” “Your loyalty is to be admired. In any event, you should know Philip Lawson was working for us. Developing a new fighter jet for our division, maybe one day it’d make it’s way to the Air Force. However, that’s only the first half of the story,” said Agent Coulson digging some files out of his suit. He laid them on Spitfire’s desk, and her eyes widened as she saw a glowing cube of energy in one of the many pictures provided. “We call it the Tesseract, some sort of ‘cosmic cube’ we dredged up out of the ocean shortly after WW2 ended. The Nazis were all abuzz about it, apparently Hydra had it before us.” “And you don’t think you should have left it in the ocean?” Spitfire deadpanned. “Anything Hydra finds interesting, chances are it’s probably going to blow us all to kingdom come if you poke and prod at it long enough.” “Well…” Agent Coulson flushed. “...and you did just that didn’t you?” Spitfire sighed. “Let me guess, you reverse-engineered it or rather Lawson reverse-engineered it, and instead of just leaving it well enough alone AS YOU SHOULD HAVE, you stick it in the ASIS.” “Yes… that is what happened,” Agent Coulson admitted. “Our working theory is that the explosion tossed cosmic energy onto Rainbow, but that shouldn’t be enough to…” “What, a bath of cosmic energy isn’t ‘enough’ to give someone superpowers?” Spitfire deadpanned, in a skeptical tone of voice. “Something had to catalyze it,” Agent Coulson said. “Had to make the energy active. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t live in a world based on comic books. Just getting bathed in cosmic energy won’t be enough to give you superpowers. Something had to have activated that energy… But what?” Spitfire’s eyes narrowed after she thought for a moment. She reached for her phone and dialed a number. “Soarin’, get Lawson in here. I want to talk to him.” So how did it start? How did the saga of the Mandarin begin? Well, the name itself, it meant adviser to the King. And the first Mandarin was exactly this, an adviser to the great Ghengis Khan himself. His name, alas, has been lost to history. But what little we do know involves him being behind some of Khan’s greatest campaigns, Ghengis spoke of him often as his most trusted and only friend in a court of lions. That was centuries ago, this was now. The year was 1968, the height of the Vietnam War. Yes, feel free to play your Fortunate Son and get that Forrest Gump reference out of your head. Okay, have you done that yet? Good. The man that was responsible for ‘creating’ the Mandarin as we know him was one John F. Walker. Born in the little town of Custer's Grove, Georgia, our Captain was currently mud deep in the jungles of Vietnam. It had been a hot and sweaty campaign, and word had reached him that the Viet Cong were holed up in a town just a mile or so away, on the river. Control the river, control the supply lines for this entire region. It was crucial that this town was re-taken. “So, boys, you all know the mission. Get in, get out, and make sure nobody who even thinks the word ‘Red’ is left alive.” said Walker as they slashed through the jungles, rushing through the underbrush like devils under the coating of darkness. Nothing good could come of their arrival, and just like Afghanistan in the coming decades, with war brought atrocity. Families displaced, homes reduced to rubble. All in the name of freedom and security. Whatever helped the men of the Strategic Scientific Reserve sleep at night. Whatever helped the soldiers sleep at night. “Who’s strong and brave here to save the American Way…” someone hummed under their breath, and John smiled to himself. He’d always idolized Captain America, thought that the world always needed a new one. Someone to hold up the values of America, what she stood for. If he had to be the one to do the holding, so be it. “So, John,” asked another of his troops. “You got a girl back home right? Waiting on you with mom’s sweet sweet apple pie? A hug and a kiss for you?” “Oh, fantasize about your own girlfriend, Bill!” John laughed, gently punching the man in the shoulder as they continued their long, slow march through the undergrowth. “Pretty sure she’s beautiful enough for you!” “Assuming he even has one!” another of John’s troops hollered and laughter lit up the forest. Another slash and another fern fell to their swords of flame. John wiped the sweat off his brow and sighed. Another day on the job, he got all the dirty work. All in the name of Freedom, right? Those people back home, the civilians, the ones protesting the war? They didn’t know what it was like out here. They hadn’t sweated and toiled in the hot sun, they hadn’t shed blood for their country. They didn’t have the right to call themselves Americans. No, when you bled and died for your country, that was when and only when you had the right to call yourself a true American. Captain America hadn’t gone into battle against the German war machine just a few short decades prior because they worried about what people back home thought of them. No, they had a job to do and they just did it. They signed up to kill Nazis, and they killed Nazis. John had signed up to kill the Viet Cong and so he killed the Viet Cong. He was a soldier, he did what he was told. He pointed his gun, he carried his rifle and he marched through some of the worst conditions imaginable just so the communist reds wouldn’t get a foothold here. So what if some people died, this was war! A little bit of blood spread was inevitable. Simple as that. War was an ugly business, yeah, but it was war. The people back home didn’t understand that, they hadn’t jumped headlong into battle with fear of death at their side. They hadn’t charged into battle, boots trench deep in mud with rifle in hand and the Marine Corp at their side. The full might of the USA was bearing down on Vietnam like a thunderstorm, no a hurricane and John Walker was just another cog in the machine. His codename may have been the US Agent, but he was a simple soldier, nothing more. Gunfire split through the town, as the soldiers of the 20th Infantry Regiment charged in. Screams of the dying filled the air, with the thunder of guns accompanying them. The tiger in John’s chest beat out a symphony, a symphony of death, and his thoughts were filled with the awards he was sure to receive for striking a blow for freedom. A tower came crumbling down, a massive brass bell crashing to the earth giving out its final ring. The town was Sơn Mỹ, a name that would eventually go down in infamy after the events of today. Walker would later be charged with criminal offenses, though he would not receive a conviction. Absolute bullshit, he’d call the charges. He was just doing his duty. The most shocking episode of the Vietnam War? Every war had it’s ‘shocking moment’. WW2, the Jungholzhausen massacre. But they had it coming, those in the Waffen SS. And these reds had what was coming to them, he reasoned. War was war. Such was the way of things. What he did not know however was that troops under his command had been one of many platoons that had slaughtered families. One child amongst many had been deprived of his family, and the image of John Walker’s infamous red and white shield had been forever burned into his mind. Xin Zhang was that child, and in a few decades he’d go by a codename of his own. The Mandarin. To John Walker’s credit, if he had known, he might have felt shock and horror at all of this. But to Xin, that didn’t matter. The stars and spangles were now his enemy, and he would train himself to one day topple the USA. He traveled the world, learning the ways he might defeat any enemy he would come across. His mother said he was descended from that Mongol adviser who helped lead Ghengis Khan to victory. His mother said he was destined for greatness. And then his mother was slaughtered like a dog. Rage coursed through his being, fueling his fire. In another life, the Mandarin might have never come to being, or maybe he would have in but a different form. Perhaps a hero. We may never know. There were legends about Ghengis Khan of course, of how he had been gifted a suit of armor by his loyal adviser, and ten rings of great power. The rings had been passed down to his children, or at least that had been Khan’s original plan. Then his children proved themselves unworthy, and so what did Khan do? He scattered the rings in hidden temples all around the globe, hoping one day someone might prove themselves worthy of their power. Xin intended to find these rings. Rumors tended to travel fast in the criminal underworld, and Xin had immersed himself in it’s depths. He studied in darkness, learning every ability he could. Every trick of the trade. Every form of self-defense imaginable, from Muay Tai to Savate. He wanted to be the man his mother always dreamed he could be. He wanted to do her proud. As for John Walker, eventually, the US pulled out of Vietnam after years of mounting protests. The Winter Soldier Inquiries had found most of his squad guilty of unspeakable things. Things John Walker never imagined they could do. He had never been convicted of anything, but public opinion in the new era’s ‘Captain America’ had fallen right to the floor. He’d been quietly shuffled off into a place where he couldn’t do much damage. And he hated every moment of it. The Strategic Scientific Reserve went by a different name now. They called themselves the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. What a mouthful, John grumbled to himself. The year was 1986. The war had long since been over, at least to most people. John longed for it, he had been reborn in combat. He’d found himself a purpose, and just because a few men committed unspeakable acts, that purpose had been ripped away from him. Some things had changed, some had not. The enemies were still the Soviets, but instead of jungle wars in foreign countries, it was now a ‘cold war’ of sorts. No violence, no bloodshed. It was an age of spies and paranoia now. For his part, John Walker had been relegated to mostly occasional public appearances, to show the strength of the US. To show it wouldn’t fall to Gorbachev’s evergrowing reach. Right now? He found himself on an archeology dig in the Sahara of all places following an old lead dug up by director Peggy Carter. Back during The War, a Hydra plane had gone down here, carrying… something. The Soviets couldn’t have it. Not now, not ever. They’d reached out to local help, as who knew the desert better than those who lived in it? Agreements were signed. People sworn to secrecy. Whatever they found here could never be spoken of. Oddly, it wasn’t all bedouins and the like. There was a man from Asia amongst them, looking to be in his early twenties. He seemed more focused than the rest, like he had a purpose beyond just living day to day in the desert. “Afternoon!” John greeted the digger, who didn’t meet his eyes. “So, you’re Chinese right?” “Vietnamese, actually,” the man corrected. “Long way from home, aren’t you?” John said. “The same could be said about you,” the man replied and John laughed. “Fair enough!” he agreed. “So, what brings you all the way out here?” “What brings you all the way out here?” the Vietnamese man replied. Tents dotted the landscape, pure white as snow. The sun beat down hard like the devil’s inferno, and sweat rolled down everyone’s faces like tidal waves. John sniffed his armpit and recoiled. God, he stunk! He spied a set of rings on his new friend’s fingers. It caught his attention. “Interesting rings,” he remarked. “You get it in a marketplace?” “Something like that,” said the Vietnamese man even as his shovel hit metal. A shout rang out over the pit as more shovels unearthed their prize. Hidden deep beneath the sands, the desert finally gave up its secret. The infamous swastika shone in the sun. Nazi gold, at least of a sort. Soon, the plane was pried open, and out came a box covered in jade and ancient texts. Before anyone could kick it open however, there came more shouting. Desert bandits! Nobody knew where they had come from, it was like they’d appeared out of nowhere. Xin smiled to himself, even as John roared out: “The devil the luck! It’s like we’re excavating Tutankhamun's tomb or something!” John went for his gun and fired off several shots topping a bandit from off his horse. Xin took advantage of the chaos and the confusion, reaching into the box and ripping a ring from it. It glowed at the touch. Even as dust kicked up, Xin broke into a sprint and kicked another of the men off of his horse. The winds began to howl, and someone let out a shout of: “Sandstorm!” Xin covered his face, and his horse galloped across the sands. John and his men would be fine, he had what he’d come for. The Vortex Ring was his, and now he could continue his search for the next ring. One always eluded him, the Remaker. The most powerful of them all… That was then, this was now. That was the Sahara Desert in Egypt, this was the United States and the city of Canterlot. “Want to explain something?” Spitfire asked, peering through her glasses at Philip. “Out with it Lawson! You know something we don’t. I’ve got a pilot being poked and prodded at by the Strategic Homeland… whatever and I want answers. What do you know?” Lawson sighed. “First off, my name isn’t Philip Lawson. It’s Mar-Vehl,” he said as his entire form changed. Gone was the appearance of a simple blond scientist, and instead that of a blue-skinned man, straight out of a sci-fi pulp novel. “Geheneris Hala'son Mar-Vehl, Captain of the Kree Void Navy.” A small breathy “Good lord!” came from Agent Coulson, the man taking several steps back in shock. “So you’re an alien,” Spitfire said with Mar-Vehl nodding. “It was implied, yes,” the space soldier said. “I assure you, I bring you no harm. I’m only here to study Earth.” “Funny job for a Captain to be doing…” Spitfire said skeptically. “Yes, well, we all have our hobbies. I’ve always been interested in your planet, you call it Earth, the Kree call it C-53. Guess which name I prefer more, actually…” Mar-Vehl chuckled. “Honestly, my race has no sense of imagination…” “Coming from someone who’s basically named ‘Marvel’?” Spitfire laughed. “You want to explain what you’re really doing here before I shove this boot of mine somewhere where the sun don’t shine?” “...am I supposed to guess where that is?” Mar-Vehl asked not really familiar with as many Earth phrases as he’d like to be. “Your ass!” both Agent Coulson and Spitfire yelled in unison. “I already said, I came to study Earth.” “As a prelude to invasion?” Agent Coulson asked. “Because usually, that’s how this goes, right? You report back to your superiors on our defenses and then everything goes all War of the Worlds. I’ve seen the movies. I’ve got an entire Netflix catalog of alien invasion movies. Just ask Agent Romanoff.” “Trust me, if the Kree were to come, they’d have come in force. Earth would have never stood a chance,” said Mar-Vehl. “To them, Earth’s… boring. Another planet to add to the list, C-53 is just ‘there’.” “You said ‘would’ as in past tense. What makes you think we stand a chance now?” Agent Coulson asked, his and Spitfire’s guns still trained on Mar-Vehl. “That… may be down to me. You asked me what’s wrong with Lieutenant Rainbow,” Mar-Vehl sighed to himself. “I may or may not have performed an involuntary blood transfusion.” “You did what?” Spitfire snarled. “It was the only way to save her life!” Mar-Vehl shouted back. “She was dying, and I couldn’t just stand around doing nothing! Your Earth doctors wouldn’t be able to save her, so when nobody was looking I gave her some of my blood. I didn’t think it would even do anything, I swear!” “And yet Master Sergeant Dust is inclined to disagree,” Agent Coulson deadpanned. “Oh, I don’t know how we’re going to explain this one to her family.” “Say it was a gas explosion,” Mar-Vehl replied. “Isn’t that what you usually go for? I’ve seen some of your government's excuses, they’re pretty bad and yet people still buy them anyways.” “Man’s got a point,” Spitfire agreed before grumbling to herself: “I can’t believe I’m agreeing with the alien. Hell, I can’t believe I’m even talking to an alien…” “I’m happy to expand your horizons then,” Mar-Vehl chuckled before he sighed to himself. “But… yes, I’m the reason why Lieutenant Dash has superpowers.” “I’m assuming you know just what superpowers she has?” Spitfire asked on a whim. “By my calculations, she should have all the abilities of a Kree, at the very least. Her muscles would be enhanced beyond normal human capacity, she would be gifted with superhuman speed, strength, and reflexes,” Mar-Vehl theorized. “So she’s a regular Captain America, great. What about the energy blasts?” Spitfire asked. “They’re technically photonic blasts,” Mar-Vehl corrected her. “I don’t care!” Spitfire shouted back. “She was infused with the energy of the Tesseract, or at least some of it. I can only guess what that cosmic radiation did to her after I activated it. Which I did not intend to do, by the way,” Mar-Vehl replied. “And yet you did anyways,” Agent Coulson sighed, rubbing his temples. Oh, General Fury was going to love this. “So what do you think she’ll be able to do? Beyond the whole… blasting someone into a wall bit and all.” “I can only theorize,” Mar-Vehl replied. “It could be anything from transforming like a Skrull to-” “I’m sorry, a Skrull?” “Another alien race,” Mar-Vehl informed. “Nasty bastards, look like orcs from World of Warcraft. For the Horde!” “For the Horde!” Agent Coulson agreed on reflex. “Oh, did you see the new expansion? I have a few complaints but…” “Can we get back on topic here?” Spitfire asked, annoyed. “The superpowers, please?” “Yes, right…” and if it was possible for a Kree to flush, Mar-Vehl was probably doing so. “She has the ability to manipulate the very energy of the cosmos. I’m theorizing, completely unbound, she would have the abilities of exothermic manipulation, flight, energy absorption… Basically, she hit the lottery.” Spitfire and Agent Coulson shared a look. “...oh dear lord.” “One way to put it I guess,” Mar-Vehl admitted. “I… I gotta contact Director Fury,” Agent Coulson said rapidly. “He needs to know about this.” “And have your Strategic Homeland boys crawling all over my base again?” Spitfire asked. “No damn way I’m going to allow that to happen!” “Look, you heard La… Mar-Vehl yourself. Rainbow’s a living binary star now, she needs to be…” “Poked and prodded at?” Spitfire challenged. “Restrained,” Agent Coulson said before sending the woman his best reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, we don’t treat people like lab rats. We’re not that kind of agency. Oh, and one more thing?” “What’s that?” Spitfire asked. “Call us SHIELD.” Miles away, in Afghanistan, Silver Zoom found himself with a new challenge. Obviously, you couldn’t just wait and watch for a pot to boil, so you had to do something else in the meantime. Namely, clear out some terrorist scum from a village and give some villagers some peace of mind. And nothing said ‘clearing out terrorist scum’ like a giant mech suit. Landing in the middle of the occupied village with an almighty earthshaking thud, and a near-perfect three-point landing, Detroit Steel advanced. Gunfire rattled off the giant mech suit’s star-spangled hide, red white, and blue flavored justice about to be dispensed. Someone hidden in the blown-out walls of what was once someone’s family home trained a rocket launcher on the suit and fired. Smoke and fire erupted from Detroit Steel’s metallic hide, the massive armor suit sliding backwards in the sand. Silver Zoom winced, his hud flashing as it designated heat signatures all around him. One arm went up, and bullets flew as the mech suit’s heavy cannon went ‘rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat!’ with gold shell casings littering the ground as terrorists were turned to bloody chunks. The squirt beeped out a warning as another missile came screaming towards it. Silver Zoom sidestepped, before ripping up a piece of rubble out of the ground and tossing it towards the oncoming instrument of destruction. WHOOOMMP! A searing blast of heat scalded the suit, turning blue to gray. Like a deadly dancer Detroit Steel became, spinning in a blaze of gunfire. Dust and sand were kicked up in the process as the terrorists reaped the whirlwind. Like a beautiful disaster, the battle became, the blood and violence a poetic metaphor for this part of the world. A masterwork of artistic chaos, with the giant metal boot of America attempting to step in and save the day. And then all went silent, as a tank fired upon the giant suit sending it crashing into the ruins of another house. Treads cracked the earth, rattling and shaking as the massive mechanical monster moved in for the kill. Detroit Steel’s eyes had gone dim, the tank closing in. Then, eyes glowed a sharp gold as the beast awoke, chainsaw revving up for doomsday as it sliced the tank in half. The molten metal fell to the earth, the great beast scoring another kill. But every great beast had the perfect hunter to bring it down. And today, that hunter was Xin Zhang. Great lightning scorched Detroit Steel’s hide, the air scorched with ozone. “Like an obedient dog, you come.” More lightning ripped through the air, slashing and striking at America’s great war machine. It staggered, armor scorching and smoking. “Are you one of Stark’s little toys?” Xin asked. “Seems like something he’d build, really. You’ve got a great grift Stark, sell the people out here weapons, and then you come to blow them up! Rinse and repeat!” With a wave of his hand, Silver Zoom found himself frozen to the ground as the robed man stepped forwards. “The Mandarin, I presume?” Silver Zoom grunted out, as he lurched forwards, struggling to free his suit from the ice. It began to crack and shatter, but before he could move again, he felt a great pressing force. Stronger than anything he had ever felt before, actually. It weighed down upon him, pressing him deeper and deeper into the earth. “So, the first thing you do is try and attack me, Stark?” the Mandarin asked, and with a wave of his hand summoned a glass of wine. “Come on, I thought you were a businessman. A jet setter right? Have some class. Want some? Cabernet Sauvignon, imported from the old country.” “So you’re a man of culture and a terrorist,” Silver said. “Huh, cute.” “Ah ah, not a terrorist. A teacher,” said the Mandarin, taking a sip of his wine. “There is a difference.” “Doesn’t matter to me. You’re about to be a dead teacher!” said Silver as he finally broke free, with Xin sighing. “Oh well, I try to educate… It seems I must inflict punishment instead,” he said before armor covered him, black as carbon. “Hey, I thought you were Chinese,” Silver asked. “Not some sort of Samurai!” “I am a Shì,” said the Mandarin, nearly caving in Silver’s armor with one punch. “Again, another lesson I must impart. This armor was gathered by the great Ghengis Khan himself! At the height of his power, he conquered nearly four times the amount of land of Alexander the Great. Hmm, not so ‘great’ when you put it that way…” “Yeah, a real role model,” Silver said, slashing at the Mandarin with the suit’s chainsaw, only he be blasted back by a firebolt. The Mandarin reached out, grabbed him, and lifted him overhead before slamming him bodily into the earth. “I believe this match is over,” said the Mandarin as a ring on his hand began to glow. “Another time, then? Maybe we can discuss this like more civilized people at a later date. But until then, consider this a message to your United States. The Mandarin is power!” And with that, Silver Zoom found himself teleported away, and left at the doorstep of the White House... Author's Note So... yeah. Few things to note. Yes, the Mandarin's still very much a 'Yellow Peril' type villain, there's no getting away from that. But here, at least, he didn't suddenly wake up and decide to be evil. Nope, he has a backstory. Always important for a good villain. Also, John Walker AKA US Agent. I knew from the moment I was conceiving this Mandarin's backstory I wanted to use him. While Captain America always stood for 'The Dream', John Walker stands for everything else. The ugly side of America, it's bigotry and intolerance. I'm so pleased he's going to be in the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, especially if they're adapting what I think they are. Mare-Vel Adventures #5: First Flight“Terror struck the hearts of the people of the nation today, as the hero, Detroit Steel was graphically struck down by the Mandarin in Afghanistan earlier today,” said an anchor woman. “Details of the attack are unclear, but Detroit Steel is in a critical condition and might not survive. He has been rushed off to the hospital and we are pending more news on the situation.” “Fighting in Afghanistan intensified earlier this afternoon, as superhero Detroit Steel fought and lost against the insurgent criminal, ‘The Mandarin’, in a ferocious battle,” another outlet was reporting on the same story. “Eyewitnesses who witnessed the battle were lucky to have even survived, but they were noticeably terrified by the sight of their hero knocked to the floor in a seemingly-lifeless pulp.” Another gave a similar report. “Will Detroit Steel survive? That’s what the people of the world are asking as earlier today, his body was carried off to the hospital,” it said. “These injuries come as a result of the battle he had against the infamous Mandarin, who locked horns with Detroit Steel in a seemingly equal battle, ultimately ending in The Mandarin destroying Detroit’s cybernetics and leaving him in a critical state.” A hand flicked to another station. Another report. “The people of Afghanistan, and to an extent, the world, were horrified to see the seemingly invincible superhero by the name of Detroit Steel be defeated by the Mandarin and left in a near-death state earlier today. These reports were captured by brave reporters who were left in a state of mental shock at the sight of such a graphic aftermath. Paranoia among them and the populace has hit an all-time high, and now, the powers of the world are starting to fear for their lives.” The on-screen images changed, now displaying the President at a press conference. “Madam President!” someone shouted as cameras flashed, the iron-willed woman stepping on stage. “What is your response to this brutal attack?” One could easily see the President grip her podium tightly. “Detroit Steel was your response to the Mandarin’s brutal terrorism, right?” another reporter asked. “It’s clear he’s sending you a message, leaving him on the White House front lawn, beaten and broken!” Madison adjusted her mask, before speaking into the microphone. “Yes, it is a message. But America will not, no she WILL NOT bow to the whims of this terrorist. We didn’t found our great nation all those years ago only to kowtow to the whims of one lunatic! The Mandarin is a terrorist, plain and simple. He likes to style himself as a teacher, as this great all-knowing fountain of wisdom. He is nothing more than a madman. A rabid dog that we need to put down.” “And how do you intend to do that?” one reporter asked over the clamor. “Detroit Steel was your first and last hope right?” “The man will survive, and the suit can be repaired. Upgraded even. We will put a stop to this man’s reign of terror!” Madison said firmly. “He thinks he’s a god. He’s nothing more than a man.” She slammed her fist down on the podium as she finished that sentence, subjecting herself to another wave of paparazzi flashes and frenzied reporters asking for more information. She chose to remain silent until something really pressing was brought to her attention. “How do you plan to stop the Mandarin,” someone asked, a man in a sharply dressed suit and looking vaguely Asian asked. “More guns, more bombs? Flush him out of hiding by destroying everything around him?” “Your point?” Madison asked. “Why give the Mandarin more reason to hate you?” the man asked. “You’d only be proving his point if you once again, activated the great American war machine.” “Because we are at war,” Madison fired back. “We’re not trying to cater to the whims of one man. We’re trying to stop him. Him and his band of radical insurgents.” More news reports were soon to follow after this. “Shock gripped the White House today after radical questions were asked,” the first reporter from before said over the TV. “A nation divided!” “Not for the first time, questions have been asked about…” Rainbow couldn’t take it anymore. “Shut it off.” Spitfire didn’t know how it’d happened. She’d basically signed away her best pilot to the government. Had her tossed in some think tank, to be poked and prodded at. She wasn’t happy. Congradu-fucking-lations Spitfire, she told herself. You really won the award for Boss of the Year. Meanwhile, all the while, the President gave patriotic speeches about how they were going to beat the Mandarin. While Silver Zoom lay in a coma and his suit was basically worth only slightly more than scrap. God, this was such a mess. A white-hot burning rage coursed through her. How had things gone so wrong, so fast? Aliens, government agencies, and all the while a terrorist ran rampant! This year just kept getting better with each passing day… The Mandarin laughed to himself. He’d been in that whole mess they called a press conference, and no one was the wiser! He’d practically thumbed his nose at Madison Mare, flipped her the bird, and nobody had noticed! Pride surged through his veins, confidence gripping him. It was like he was on a high. He’d waltzed into the White House, nobody had noticed him, and he’d waltzed right back out. He might as well have mooned them. And what were the results of his little jaunt? Confusion, disarray! The whole nation was a mess, everyone fighting amongst themselves. Trying to figure out what to do with him. So much for safety and security, apparently. They called themselves the most powerful nation on Earth. That was a joke, and not even a good one! He had to be honest with himself. It was a miracle it’d survived this long. Time for another lesson, America. He’d expose the ugly truth, show them for what they were. And nobody could stop him. Deep within the Mojave lay a massive collection of structures, hidden away from the world and nestled within miles and miles of burning desert and cold winter nights. Everyone thought Area 51 was the government’s big secret. Where they hid away things like crashed alien spaceships and secret government projects and radical new technologies. That was the biggest lie in America. Ask yourself, is something really a secret if everyone knows about it? In the 80s, NASA and S.H.I.E.L.D. joined together in a little alliance, and tossed their biggest brains together in a secret think tank. They called it the Potential Energy Group/Alternate Sources/United States or in short, Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. Rainbow really wasn’t in the mood to appreciate the irony. The second biggest lie in America was that when you got taken away by the men in black, you’d never be seen again, and you’d be poked and prodded and policed and other p words for the rest of your days. Again, that was just another tall tale everyone told everyone else for kicks and giggles. Okay, it wasn’t exactly the last word in luxury, it was incredibly sterile and smelled like a hospital but as far as Rainbow knew, nobody was prying her open while she was asleep. The Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility, huh? J.D E.M.F didn’t really roll off the tongue. What was with all of these acronyms anyways? Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, did someone really want their acronym to spell out S.H.I.E.L.D? For that matter, was there a S.W.O.R.D? “Your food sucks, by the way,” Rainbow said to the agent outside her door, watching her. Stabbing a sausage with her fork, she shoved the food inside her mouth, before swallowing and saying: “It feels like I’m back in high school. Did anyone who knows me tell you that I hated high school? What is all of this, anyways? S.H.I.E.L.D? How come I’ve never heard of it?” “Secret government agency, remember?” Coulson commented, watching Supernanny on his phone. He drawled: “We’re not exactly advertising ourselves in the phone books.” “Well, true, but for a top-secret organization, you’d think you’d have better grub!” Rainbow said, shoving more food into her mouth. “Like, it’s barely better than the mystery meat I was served back in high school! And I’m pretty sure that stuff was made from cow dong!” “S.H.I.E.L.D. The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. Your tax dollars at work. Hard work. We keep our fingers on America's pulse, and believe me, America has veins in every section of the world,” said Coulson. “And apologies, the good stuff won’t arrive till later this week. We only get deliveries out here once a month.” “So you’re saying you’re basically giving me the leftovers?” Rainbow asked, offended. “Turns out, if you want to keep your secret base a secret, finding someone who’s incredibly discrete is… tricky,” Coulson replied before laughing lightly. “I kid, of course, it’s actually just government red tape!” “And letting your little pet project die of potential food poisoning isn’t enough to say ‘screw it’ and start cutting through some of that tape?” Rainbow snarked. “It’s not that bad!” Coulson returned. “It’s actually very nutritious, now eat up!” He sighed, if someone had told him Rainbow was going to be this much of a pain in his ass, he would have passed this job off to Agent Ward. Or Agent Romanoff. ...No, definitely Agent Ward. Romanoff would have killed her by now. “So what’s the matter with me Doc?” Rainbow asked in an amused tone with a grin that reminded him way too much like Stark. “Give it to me straight! Am I dying? Do I need a blood transfusion? I’d be happy to drop my pants!” No, definitely Agent Romanoff, Coulson sighed to himself. “So what do you want from me?” “What do I…” Coulson sighed. “Sorry, that’s not the case. Contrary to your belief, you are not the center of my universe. I have bigger problems in the northern regions to deal with. Something about a Native American monster, trashing campsites and ripping people limb from limb.” “So, I’ve got superpowers! Let me kick its ass!” Rainbow said. “You can. But you won't. We're the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Note the word ‘Homeland’. We're not currently authorized for foreign ops,” Coulson explained. “Aside from that, you aren’t even an agent. I cannot in good conscience send anyone not under my command into danger.” “Hello, superpowers! Superhero!” Rainbow laughed. “Besides, a qualified jet pilot on the side. I think I’m more than able to handle whatever your problem is! Hell, I bet I could handle the Mandarin if you turned me loose!” “Turn… turn you loose?” Coulson asked eyes widened in shock before his voice turned harsh in anger. “This isn’t a game, despite what you think! We don’t even know what your powers are, or even if they’re permanent! Forget setting you on the Mandarin, we don’t even know if your powers will last the week!” Rainbow’s face fell, and she sighed. “...yeah, you’re right. It’s just…” she sighed again, deeper. “All my life I’ve worked to earn some respect, fighting sexist jackasses for a chance to sit in the cockpit. Emphasis on cockpit by the way, apparently. And even now, when I’ve got freakin’ superpowers I can’t do anything! I’m supposed to sit back while some lunatic puts everything I love in danger, my friends, my family, my daughter!” “Well then,” Coulson said as he stepped into the room. He smiled, not a smile that promised pain and suffering but a warm, friendly and understanding smile. “Perhaps it’s time we discover what your powers actually are then, hmm?” Rainbow grinned. “I can roll with that.” Rainbow felt the power course and surge through her. Her outfit had been coated in every sensor known to man, registering… well, Rainbow didn’t actually care to remember what they were registering. It didn’t matter. She felt the warm sun on her face, and starlight rushing through her body. A gentle breeze rustled her rainbow locks, and her whole body crackled with energy. Her palms glowed with soft gentle light, and the earth cracked beneath her. No backing out of this now. They told her she needed a limiter, that apparently whatever had been done to her, her whole body was drawing power from the very fabric of the universe itself. For her own safety, she had to be held back. They expected she might explode if she ever took the limiter off. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t have some fun, even with one hand tied behind her back. Nobody for miles around, except for a couple of guys in a van. Well, she might as well give them a show. The air cracked as she took off towards the skies, the wind scything into her as she took one great leap. She felt faster than a speeding bullet, to borrow that old cliche. The ground was coming up fast again, and it shook as she slammed into it again. And then it gave out from under her before she leapt forwards towards a mountain. She reached for more speed, more power, and for a moment she thought it was enough. And then came the mountain, rising up to greet her. Crashing into it, she slammed into miles of earth and rock, the entire thing coming down all around her. Rainbow felt a frustrated scream barrel it’s way up from her throat, before she pushed forwards, grasping for open clear air. Past the earth, past the rock, past the dust and towards the shining sun. And like an answer, it came. It reached out and touched her, the warm sun cascading all over her body. Not sunlight, no, she realized. Starlight. The air thundered as she took flight into the sky. Not leaping. Flying. Rainbow laughed in glee, thinking to herself: “If only Scootaloo could see me now!” The wind was tearing at her, grasping at her, begging at her to stop defying it. But, no, she decided. No, she wouldn’t. She would never stop. She lived for the sky, the sun and the clouds and the ground rushing beneath her. Gravity was bowing to her every whim, she was openly mocking it. How fast could she go, how far could she fly? There was only one way to find out, wasn’t there? She circled back around, cutting and scything through the air. The van was barely a blip below, the agents like ants. Coulson watched as a blur of light rocketed overhead, trailing gold energy like the sun behind her. It was like a comet had entered Earth’s atmosphere, and was scorching overhead. His sunglasses fell away from his face, another agent letting out a breathy, whispered: “Dear god…” Rainbow let out a cry, the deserts of Nevada soon behind her. Surging forwards, people all across the West Coast would report seeing a blur of energy in the sky above. Pictures would be taken, videos of speculation would be posted on the internet. Nothing would ever come close to the truth. There was a new wonder of the world. Her. Maybe it sounded arrogant. But it was undeniable there was nothing else like her. The rumbling pressure continued to build, pressing itself against her forehead. It stayed there for a moment, before it cracked wide open in a sonic explosion. Rainbow knew the sensation, she’d felt it before in her jet. This was something different though. It wasn’t caused by machinery. It was caused by her. The Pacific Ocean welcomed her into the deep blue. The water was cold, beyond freezing. It gripped her tight like vice. Rainbow knew she should have been crushed, even as she saw the seabed. But impossibilities seemed to be a regular thing with her now. She shouldn’t be able to fly. She shouldn’t be able to leap tall mountains in a single bound. She shouldn’t be able to fire off photonic blasts. She shouldn’t be able to do any of this. And yet she was. Down here in the crushing darkness, there was peace. Tranquility. Calm. And Rainbow’s nerves tightened as her determination hardened into resolve. Up she shot, a geyser left in her wake and her arms spread wide to greet the sun. She smiled, feeling that seabreeze on her face. Doing a slow twirl in mid air, she floated back down towards the water. Hovering above it, she contemplated running on water. That’d put her in some very special company. Oh, what the hell! Like a bullet from a gun, she rocketed over the Pacific as the miles passed her by. The sensors had long given up the ghost, ripping away from her. Her clothes were beginning to catch fire. She knew she should stop, less she made her debut in the nude. But dear god, this was so much fun! Look out world, here came Rainbow Dash! Taking off into the skies again, she turned her sights to the south. Why stop at one continent? Why not grace another with her presence? Her body blazed with light, the woman spinning in midair her eyes looking towards the sun. It gave her power, along with every other star in the sky. Giving it a two fingered salute, she grinned before pouring on the power and rocketing towards South America. There were a bunch of drug lords and jungle warlords and plenty of other scumsuckers that needed dealing with anyways, rooting out. She knew she should turn back, she’d proven how powerful she was. But what would Captain America do? On the news, she’d heard of everything coming out of South America. And now she had the power to do something about it. Just one. She could grab just one, make her point and show that criminals had a new power to fear. She felt, dare she say it, marvelous. Unknown to her, other eyes had been watching her flight. An American military base, a few miles below had her on radar. “Couldn’t even run an ID check, nothing like we’ve seen before!” one of the soldiers said to his superior. “We’ve cross referenced with all known databases, and man if this is a missile it’s nothing…” “Like you’ve seen before, I heard,” Commander Wind Rider sighed. “Is it stealth?” “No sir,” someone else said. “It’s tiny!” “What are we dealing with here…?” Wind Rider muttered before making up his mind. “Get Raptors in the area, I want that thing shot down!” Someone let out a call of: “Bogey spotted!” Rainbow realized too late, before she heard the roar of two engines. The screaming, the howling of F-22s. Going into a spin, she barrel rolled left, the two jets turning and flying after her. “Well, you’ve really stepped in it now, haven’t you!” Rainbow scolded herself. “Ballroom, this is Whiplash 1. I’ve got the bogey in my sight.” the pilot said to his command. “What is it!?!” Wind Rider demanded. “I have no idea!” Whiplash 1 replied, in shock as he watched the tiny target fly with the skill and precision of one of their own. “No radio contact, or anything! Whatever it is, it can’t hear me! Or it’s choosing not to.” “Well then…” Wind Rider said. “You know what to do.” And like that, Whiplash 1 fired a missile. Rainbow heard it, and panicked. She knew it was a heat seeker, and right now she had to be lighting up the whole damn sky. No way to lose it, unless… Oh this wasn’t going to be fun. She dropped, mile after mile before lighting herself up again and tossing a blast of pure photonic energy. The blast sent her spirling, her ears ringing before she was up and away and high above the twin jets. Flying past Whiplash 1, she tossed him a salute before rocketing off. “Uh, base… you’re not going to believe this but…” Whiplash 1 said. “...I think I just saw a woman.” “You saw a what?” Wind Rider asked, barely able to believe his ears. “The bogey!” Whiplash 1 shouted. “It’s a flying woman!” Never knowing of the shock she’d probably just caused, and the government cover ups probably soon to follow, Rainbow continued her quest. There was a compound, just a short walk ahead of her. “Rainbow, what are you doing?” Coulson’s voice crackled in her ear. “I’ve got reports flying in from everywhere, strange lights in the sky, the Pacific Ocean erupting! A strange woman defying gravity!” “Uh… saving the world?” Rainbow asked. “Hello, superpowers! You honestly don’t expect me not to do anything with them, right?” “Rainbow!” Coulson shouted. “You… I… you don’t even have a mask!” Rainbow slapped mud all over her face, gathering it from the forest floor. “Now I do!” Rainbow said before crashing through the compound walls. “Rainbow!” “Sorry, you’re breaking up!” Rainbow replied before faking the sounds of static. “I must be getting out of range! Hey, maybe you should check on that? Bye!” Gunfire pelted her, the bullets bouncing off of her energy shield with comical ease. Her clothes were covered in scorch marks and burns. Okay, if she was going to be a successful superhero, she really needed to get that fixed. Oh well, live and learn, right? Slapping a thug aside, she grabbed another’s rifle from her hands and broke it in half over her knee. More soldiers came, and she blasted them away with pure photonic energy. Gathering power in her fist, she slammed it into the earth. Soldiers were tossed upwards by the shockwave, and Rainbow grabbed a tree before slamming it into them like the world’s largest baseball bat. “Annnnnnnnnnd they’re out of the ballpark!” she called, watching them fly. Lunging forwards, she suddenly felt a great force hit her. Smashing through compound walls, Rainbow groaned and rubbed her face feeling blood. Her eyes widened, the soldier turned superheroine letting out a gasp. She was actually bleeding! And she saw why. A tank. Of course the damn drug kingpin’s soldiers had a damn tank! Firing blast after blast as she climbed out of the rubble, she ripped into it’s armor. The air thundered with the sound of a shell, and Rainbow sidestepped, feeling a scorching heat behind her as the earth erupted in an explosion. The tank fired again, and Rainbow punched forwards striding through the explosion. Her shield was seared away, before it recovered in a flash of gold. Ripping into the tank with the force of a titan, she pulled armor away exposing its fleshy innards. It would be so easy, Rainbow thought to herself as she saw the two quivering, whimpering soldiers inside. Way too easy, she thought with a frown. “Hello there,” Rainbow said striding forwards, watching one of the soldiers practically shit his pants at the sight of her. She saw him go for his gun, and barely felt a tingle as the bullets bounced off her, gold casings splattering in the mud below. “What… what are you?” the terrified soldier asked. “I’m... “ Rainbow started to answer, before realizing she hadn’t actually come up with a codename for herself. “You know, I haven’t figured that out actually! ...you mind if you wait right here while I do that? ...suppose I can’t just call myself Mistress Marvelous, right?” “No, I’m pretty sure that’s taken…” the second soldier whispered nervously. Rainbow’s face fell. “Damn, you’re right. Copyright’s a bitch. Oh well.” Lowering herself in close, she watched the soldier faint in fear. And then she turned to the other one. “What… what are you going to do to me?” the first asked. “This,” Rainbow answered, finger-flicking him into unconsciousness. Marching forwards, she met with more resistance though little of it was any real concern. Elbowing one soldier, she grabbed another by his wrist and flipped him into the earth. Another she just slammed into the trunk of a tree. “Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite, so don't let me have any rights…” Rainbow hummed as she backhanded two soldiers trying to sneak up on her. She eventually found the main building, and saw the terrified kingpin and his general hiding away behind the safety of a window covered by iron bars. And she knew immediately what to reference. Okay, Coulson was probably going to kill her, but she just stopped some major drug trafficking so all was well and good… right? Putting her hands on her hips, she called out: “General, would you care to step outside?” Spitfire had seen the news. “Mysterious Flying Woman Takes the Nation by Storm!” “Who is she? Is she here to help or to harm?” “Wonder, Amazement! Shock, Awe!” She wasn’t an idiot, even without any real clear pictures she knew exactly who it was. Giving out a sigh, Spitfire mumbled something to herself under her breath. ...well, it wasn’t like anyone could ever stop Rainbow whenever she put her mind to something. “Besides…” she mused. “With the Mandarin on the rise, and Detroit Steel practically scrap, we may just need a marvelous new solution…” The Mandarin let out a roar of rage. Someone was challenging him, he knew it! The Americans, they had to be behind this. It was awfully convenient that the same week he trashed their Detroit Steel, they showed off some new miracle of science. Some new amazement. Maybe they’d finally done it, replicated the famous serum that gave Captain America his powers! Or worse, improved upon it. The wheels just kept turning, the great American war machine just kept grinding out new and dangerous weapons. Afghanistan, like Vietnam before it would be alight with fire. He emphasized with the peoples of the Middle East, he really did. For over twenty years, they’d been under siege by the West. The Americans, they never knew when to quit. Go in, say they were ‘defending the world’ against some foreign threat. The excuses changed. From communism to terrorism. But the same basic intent was always the same. He had to defend them. They weren’t his people, but like his people they suffered oppression from the United States of America. From guns and tanks and bombs, to now superhumans. Miracles of science! And there was nothing more horrifying than a miracle. The door had been opened, the die cast. It wasn’t an age of warfare anymore, no. You could feel it in the air. A new energy, crackling and distinct. It was the age of heroes. They’d call this amazing woman a hero, of course they would. And they’d call him a villain, because every superhero needed a supervillain to oppose her. Batman had his Joker. Superman had Lex Luthor. Wonder Woman, she had Ares. And this woman would have him. He’d crush her. Of course he would. A miracle was nothing before an experienced warrior. Ghengis Khan, his ancestor had taken down everyone who had opposed him. And now he, his ancestor, followed in his footsteps. He’d crushed Detroit Steel, and he would crush this woman. But like Khan, he needed an army to do so. The Americans had their super soldier serum, he had his own. Desperate times called for extreme measures. Very extreme measures. The Mandarin broke into a laugh. Let her come! He’d be ready! The time of his ascension was nearly at hand. All he needed now were the rings. Yes, the rings. They’d been scattered throughout the world years before, and all but a few were now in his grasp. And then he’d show the world a true miracle. True to Rainbow’s predictions, her handler had words for her. “What did you do?” Coulson demanded. “You should have kept yourself secret, we were only testing your powers!” “So what? I bagged a bad guy for you didn’t I?” rainbow shrugged, now in a new pair of jeans and shirt. “I mean, can’t you be happy for me?” “Yes, I am… I am happy for you, but that’s not the point!” Coulson stormed. “What if your powers suddenly gave out mid-flight? We’d be fishing you out of the ocean for years!” “But they didn’t, so there!” Rainbow huffed, crossing her arms. “You’re reckless, stubborn, and a danger to yourself and to your family,” Coulson reprimanded. That hit home, hard, and Rainbow blanched. “Excuse me?” she hissed. “What if I had to go home, tell your daughter that you’d gone splat in the ocean or been shot to death by South American guerilla soldiers?” Coulson pointed out before sighing. “I… I just don’t want to be the man who has to do that. So next time you decide to do something crazy, you need to stop and think. You can’t just go charging into things, powerful as you are. Sometimes the greatest superpower is knowing when to show restraint.” “But I’m practically invincible…” Rainbow muttered. “Yes, practically. But not completely,” Coulson continued to lecture. “You can shrug off most bullets, but not a tank shell from the looks of it. You can bleed. You got lucky today. What about tomorrow, or what about the next day or the day after that?” “I… yeah, you’re right,” Rainbow finally sighed. “I don’t want to admit it, but you’re absolutely right. I was stupid, I know. It’s just… there’s way too much crap going on in the world today, and here I can finally do something about it! I don’t know where my superpowers came from, but I swear I’m going to use them to make a difference… It’s what Captain America would do.” Coulson, for a moment however brief, looked approving before his face returned to its usual impassive mask. “Actually, about that…” he said. “We actually do know where your powers came from.” “From me, actually.” said a voice and a familiar blond stepped into the room. “Lawson?” Rainbow asked, before his form shifted. “My name’s not Lawson, it’s actually Mar-Vehl,” the alien explained with a smile. “And congratulations Rainbow, you’ve just taken your first steps into a larger world…” Author's Note Okay, so yeah. Few things to talk about here. One, first and foremost. Originally, I was going to make Rainbow half-Chinese. Quills and Sofas made a point of it, however, that even if I was doing it to avoid 'white woman against Asian man' I might be stepping in some other unfortunate implications if I don't portray Chinese culture right and just casually make Rainbow Chinese. Good intentions, bad execution. Secondly, the flight scene. The big moment. Yeah, I was inspired by Man of Steel along with Dreadnought, which is a great read by the way. You should go pick it up. But what can I say? It's such a great scene. Also, yeah, I know, Rainbow shouldn't be bleeding from a tank shell. But I made a point of neutering her powers, at least for now, just so she can actually be challenged. She'll get there, don't worry. Mare-Vel Adventures #6: HomecomingReturning to the base gave Rainbow an… odd feeling really, hearing the roar of jet engines above her. That could have been her up there right now, really. Taking to the skies without the need for a metal shell around her body, just her and the endless horizons. Just her and a sea of blue. Looking down at her hands, they crackled with golden light. Forcing the power away and back into her body, she sighed. Alas, she was forced to hide her powers. Better the world didn’t know what exactly she was. A soldier, with the powers of a goddess! They’d be afraid of her, and the nations of the world would be afraid of the US and the power it now possessed. So, despite wanting to take to the skies once again, she would have to suppress her desire to do so. “So much for Rainbow Dash, Aerial Avenger, eh?” But even as she stepped onto the concrete street that led up to her house, and was tackle-hugged by a purple-haired blur, she found that maybe she didn’t mind. She had all she needed right here. “Welcome home…” Night had fallen over HammerTech Industries, most people had already gone home, leaving nothing but a skeleton crew of security guards and the odd, passionate scientist behind, going about their work, like any other day. The only thing out of the ordinary the entire day had been a malfunctionof the coffee machine, but even that was quickly solved. But, there was an ominous aura in the air, almost as if someone was watching them from the shadows outside. “Hey, Bob? What are you looking at out there? Did a squirrel steal your wallet again?” It suddenly called out from behind one security guard, quickly followed up by a hand on his shoulder. With a sudden scream, Bob jumped around, staring directly into his colleague’s face. “God damn it Wayde! Never do that again!” He shouted at the other security guard. “And no, it’s just… I got the feeling we’re being watched, that’s all. And that only happened once! You don’t need to bring this up every night!” “Aha, sure. Just like the time, you said a giant bulldog that just appeared out of nowhere, or when a frog with a hammer flew by. You really need to stop smoking weed on the job! Now, get back to your post! You can be paranoid there,” the other guard grumbled, already about to walk off again. His exit was, however, loudly interrupted by the sound of metal crashing into each other and subsequently bending, followed by the roar of an engine. Both guards spun around, seeing a group of five armored trucks driving past where their gate had previously been and straight towards them. On all of the trucks was a painted logo, resembling ten bloody rings. About halfway there, the closest truck lowered his window, a man dressed entirely in black combat gear leaning out, holding what looked like some sort of grenade launcher. Before any of the two could even ask what was going on, glass was already shattering, as several black scattered across the ground next to them, only to release a grey-green cloud. Within seconds, the two of them were coughing like crazy, gasping for air on the ground, about two dozen of the masked figures storming into the building. One of them was barking out orders, shouting over the sounds of the men storming the building. Anyone who tried to stop them were quickly gunned down. And then the men parted, letting by someone in red-gold robes with cascading black hair. The robed man tossed his gas mask aside, chuckling. “A great man once said this,” said Xin Zhang. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. He was fooling himself. Soon the nations of the world will fear me!” He made his way through the halls, with more guards attempting to stop him. They were better armed than the last ones, perhaps unsurprisingly given what these labs developed. “Another cog in the great american war machine…” “Put your hands behind your head, and get on your knees!” a guard shouted. “Get on your knees right now!” The Mandarin did neither. “It’s a pity really. You could have been something great. And instead you choose to take up arms against the innocent. I am naught but a simple teacher. Ready for your lesson?” “On your knees!” the guard barked. And the Mandarin struck, one of his rings glowing as he blasted the guard into a wall with a wave of pure sound. The other found himself unable to move, the gravity around him growing impossibly heavy. The Mandarin struck him across the leg via a kick, bones cracking as he toppled to the ground with a scream of pain. But, the moment the second man hit the floor, four more guards stormed down into the main hall, weapons drawn and aimed at the invaders. The Mandarin simply snapped with his fingers, one of his rings once more glowing up, before every piece of ammunition the men were carrying went up in flames, their weapons quickly reduced to scraps and shrapnel as it ripped into the guards. And just to make sure, all four were thrown against the next best wall by a sound blast before they had even hit the floor. “Just the proof that you are as easily broken as the weapons you wield like they were your life,” he shook his head before moving past their mangled corpses. With alarms going off all around them, the Mandarin and his followers quickly advanced deeper into the building. They knew where they had to go and nothing would stop them from reaching their destination. More guards tried to stop them, but the Mandarin with a wave of his hand allowed ice to creep up into their body armor. It sprouted like flowers, erupting from underneath. Xin would admit he rather enjoyed the terrified expressions on their faces. In fact, their faces were the only things that were visible, the ice almost completely encasing them.“Do I perceive the icy fingers of fear clutch your heart... just as the ice itself now tears at your armor?” Breaking through another door with a kick, the Mandarin sighed to himself. Did nobody in this place present an actual challenge? And then he saw the red dots cover his body as he entered a large open room. “On the ground!” someone shouted. “On the ground, or we will open fire!” Sighing to himself, the Mandarin reached out. “Yes, you will.” But it wasn’t he who was blown to pieces. “Oh look, drone strikes,” the Mandarin remarked with a grin. “Shame about Hammer technology. I’ve heard they’ve had such bad targeting computers.” It wouldn’t be long now. His target was in the next room over. All that he needed to do now was… Suddenly, something erupted from the wall, grabbing him and pulling him upwards. “Ah. Of course.” The robotic arm slammed him into a wall, before tossing him to the other end of the room. Lights flickered as the impossibly massive form of Detroit Steel, but not strode into view. The Mandarin sighed to himself, Hammer did know he’d trashed this thing once right? “Working late, Hammer?” Xin mocked. “I believe in overtime!” Justin called back, one of the suit’s arms surging forwards attempting to splatter Xin all across the room with a punch. The Mandarin leaped backwards, spinning in mid-air before landing on the floor in a slide. Taking a stance, his rings glowed in the low light. “Unpaid, of course,” Xin deadpanned. “Well, it’s not like anyone’s complained before!” Justin returned, the suit’s chainsaw arm revving up. Dodging a swing from the weapon, the Mandarin flipped backwards. “Oh, they probably do. Quite loudly at that. You just ignore their complaints, that’s all. You’re selectively deaf. If it doesn’t benefit you somehow, you manage to block it out. How admirable.” “Oh, you flatter me!” Justin beamed. “So this is the part where you attempt to kill me right?” the Mandarin sighed. “I just know a big fat government pay check is heading my way if I kill the greatest threat to America right now!” Justin laughed, his massive machine running towards him. “You see dollar signs, I only see disappointment,” lectured Xin, easily dodging the wild swing. “You could contribute so much to the world, instead all you offer is only bloodshed!” Justin slammed him into a wall with a fist. “Talk talk talk,” Justin said, punching the Mandarin again before he had a chance to recover. Spiderweb cracks erupted out from where he lay. “That’s all you ever do! I’m more a man of action!” Then, jolts of electricity erupted up his arm, traveling up the armor. Taking advantage of the moment, the Mandarin surged forth, kicking Detroit Steel in the face. The armor stumbled back, staggering even as Xin landed in front of it. Spinning gracefully, the Mandarin made a ‘come forth’ gesture with his hand. Accepting the challenge, Justin urged the Detroit Steel armor forwards at surprising speeds. Propelled forth by jets, it came upon Xin at a speed he thought impossible at its size. “How…?” he whispered. “You do realize I only keep the best bits for myself right?” Justin’s voice crackled through the armor’s speakers. “There’s only so much that the public gets to see! The military called half of my upgrades completely unnecessary!” Firing a series of missiles at Xin, he barely managed to destroy them with jets of fire from his ring. “WELL, WHAT’S COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY NOW, HUH KIDDIES?” Justin laughed almost manically. “You’ve got an even bigger ego than Stark,” said Xin, kicking a missile back towards Justin, who made the armor side-step it. The Mandarin did a series of cartwheels, dodging shots from the suit’s gatling gun even as bullets riddled the walls behind him. “Congratulations, you must be so proud.” Another one of his rings glowed, and veins of ice spouted all over the suit before the Mandarin began flinging blasts of wind at Justin. His suit took a stumble, and then it took a topple, crashing to the ground and landing in a small crater. “Disappointing,” said Xin as he looked behind him at the smoking mess. “I was actually hoping for more of a challenge. But I guess I expected too much from Justin Hammer!” “What do you hope to gain by this attack, huh?” Justin roared as he climbed out of his armor. “Free publicity, if you wanted an autograph all you could have done was ask!” Rifles were trained in his direction from Xin’s men. The Mandarin sighed, gesturing for them to lower their arms. The point had been made, no need for another body to bury. They’d caused enough carnage today. There were always casualties, but there was no need for unnecessary ones. He was a teacher, not a monster. He didn’t cause massacres. “Oh, if anyone ever wants an autograph from you…” the Mandarin rolled his eyes before a sinister smirk crept its way up his face. “But really! An attack? Don't disappoint me now by thinking small, Mr. Hammer... I've just declared war.” Using one of his wings to blow a door down, the Mandarin stepped into a lab. Curled up behind an overturned metal table was a dark-haired woman, cowering in fear. “Ms. McGowan!” the Mandarin greeted politely. “A pleasure for us to finally meet. I’ve been looking forward to this meeting for a while now.” No response. “Now, now, no need to be afraid. I’ve not come to harm you. No, I’m here to offer a proposition.” “As if anyone would want to work with you!” It came back from behind the desk. “Oh, I think you’re wrong on that end. As you can clearly see, I’m not alone. And, unlike Hammer’s men, they do not follow me for the money. No, no, they believe in what I want to achieve and create! And I’d like you to join me on my mission. Your magnificent mind will be used for something better than giving Hammer more ways to make money,” he calmly returned. “You could help far more people that way and I know you want to do that,” he continued, tapping on a white mug with a pink and light blue Captain America star on it. Once more, there was no response. “I’m sure, this is not the America that they’d want it to be. The Howling Commandos, they fought for one nation under god with liberty and justice for all and what did their efforts amount to? NOTHING! A nation sending its children to die to fill the pockets of those who couldn’t care less about them. A nation that does not care for the future of this planet. A nation that doesn’t accept its own sons and daughters for who they are. And a nation concerned more with hating each other than striving to be there for each other. I intend to wake America up from this dream that has long since become a nightmare, but I need your help for this. I know we can make a difference!” Charlene McGowan considered his offer. And… she considered her situation. The growing costs of medical bills, the legal costs and the debt she was in. Mountains of stress she’d been piled under. She’d always tried to suggest new things like gene modification to Justin, ways for her to make a profit for once in her goddamn life. But he always tossed her suggestions aside, too concerned with the business of making war. And here this man was, offering her an out! The question was, should she take it? …it was barely a question at all wasn’t it? “So what do we do?” she answered, and the Mandarin smiled. “Excellent!” “DON’T YOU DARE, MCGOWAN!” roared Hammer. “YOUR LIFE BELONGS TO ME! Everything you’ve worked so hard to build, you want to throw it all away for him? Your life, your reputation? Just so you can prove a point?” “I think we’ve heard enough from you, thank you,” said Xin, blowing him into a wall. “Oh, I’ve been so rude! I forgot to give you my card!” His flame ring lighting up, he burned ten interlacing rings into the walls… “Shock gripped the business world today as HammerTech Industries found itself attacked by the Mandarin and his forces. It seems his message is being sent loud and clear,” said one newscaster as behind her, an image of the Mandarin’s logo lay burned into a wall. “No longer will he be hiding in the shadows! It seems that the future of the nation hangs in the balance. We cut live to our reporter in the field, Coco Pommel for her thoughts on this whole disaster.” “Yes, this is all incredibly terrible,” said Coco, her blue hair blowing in the breeze. Behind her was HammerTech, crime scene tape surrounding it. “They came late last night, like a hurricane according to eyewitnesses.” Rushing up to Justin Hammer, who had been raging at everyone, she asked him: “Mr. Hammer, Mr. Hammer! What are your thoughts on this?” “I’ll tell you my thoughts!” Justin snarled. “That man’s playing with fire! He’s got some nerve attacking me at my own workplace! All just to prove a point! He’s trying to show that nowhere is safe from his claws! Well, I, Justin Hammer, dare him to come back again!” “You dare him?” Coco asked, sounding concerned. “Are you sure that’s wise?” “Of course I dare him! This is a matter of pride now! He’s thumbing his nose at me!” said Hammer, blowing on his cigar. Coco visibly wrinkled her nose. “Cigar? No? Shame! Anyways, where was I…?” “The Mandarin.” Coco reminded him. “OH YES! Him! He killed several of my best men, and he’s cost me huge profits! Disgusting man really. Like, could he at least go and attack Stark? Maybe knock him off his golden throne? Huh, eh?” The screen cut back to the newscaster. “So there you have it folks, and now for the weather!” Of course, others had their thoughts on this development... “And I tell you, this is just the start! This lunatic, he’ll be back! Attacking honest working American businessmen, like Justin Hammer! But I doubt that will be all! No! He isn’t working alone! They never do! No man can operate on this without funds! And I tell you, folks, this is definitely connected to Russia!” An old man shouted through his podcast. He was the face of the rather controversial site “TheDailyBugle.com”, Buried Lede. “Those Russians are up to something! Super Soldier experiments! Humans and animals alike! Research on robots and other weapons! They are even looking into mythology to find their own gods! Ha! Pathetic! And that Mandarin character must be their newest scheme, him and that flying woman! A miracle they call her! I call her a threat to national security! A dark star on the horizon, if you will!” Buried continued to rant and rave at the camera. “And our government does nothing against them! It’s pathetic! President Madison Mare, I implore you to something before those Ruskies overrun our way of life! Are we not the greatest nation in the world, or are we not the greatest nation in the world?” he thundered. “We can’t lay down while we’re overrun! Do you want to be known as the president who let the Russians take us over, or do you want to be known as the one who pushed them back into the cold where they belong?” The screen changed again, this time to the Madam President, questions fired at her fast and furious. “No, I don’t believe that the Mandarin is a work of Russia, no matter what internet theorists say. He is a very real threat, that much is true, but he belongs to no one country. He is a ronin, a samurai without a master to make a comparison. A lone wolf. But rest assured, we will put him down.” “...idiot,” the Mandarin sighed as he turned off Buried’s podcast with a shake of his head. “The man is clearly going senile. He’s good for a laugh, but he’s just another symptom of the American disease. He deserves to be cut out, like a cancerous tumor. They’re arrogant, thinking themselves the top nation in the world. It will be such a pleasure to cut them down to size.” He strode into the next room. It was honestly surprising how America had stayed alive this long. They fought amongst themselves, for petty reasons. Class and race and other nonsense. It was time for that to come to an end. A new era of freedom and equality was what the world beckoned for, and he would be the one to lead it into that new age. Just like his ancestor, Ghengis Khan once did. “Ms. McGowan, how goes the formula?” he asked, leaning over the woman’s shoulder. “Do you believe it will work?” “I’m… working on it. But it has proven, a bit more… challenging to get right. I’m not sure if it is ready for the next stage yet. It should… if my calculations prove to be correct, but… I’m unsure if I’m being honest,” she sighed, holding a syringe in her hand as she did so. “Unsure?” the Mandarin asked. “You’re a genius, I have no doubts you can make this formula viable.” “I… Maybe you’re right. It’s just… This could be dangerous and I haven’t really had any chances for long-term testing yet, or how it reacts to certain genes or genetic illnesses, or god knows if it could cause mutations or something similar,” McGowan continued, tightening her grip on the syringe lightly. “I’d just rather be sure.” “We don’t have time to be sure,” said Xin, taking the syringe from her hands. “It’s time for a field test.” “Wait!” McGowan shouted if to no avail. “Are you sure about this?” “Well, if this fails, you can consider it something to learn from,” Xin shrugged. “If it works, it works!” Several of his men were lined up along the wall, saluting him. “They’re like dogs, incredibly loyal to me,” Xin went on. “They’d even die for me. Don’t you just wish you could find that anywhere else?” Injecting one of his men, the Mandarin just watched what happened next. “How do you feel?” McGowan asked, a concerned look on her face. “Uhm… Good, a bit hot maybe,” he awkwardly returned, before tugging on his collar. “Uff, yeah, a bit hot. How didn’t I notice that before?” “You feel hot?” She returned, her eyes nervously looking the man up and down. “Yeah, a bit… No, wait, a lot actually. Why is it suddenly so hot in here? Can someone activate the air conditioning?” The man continued, before adding, far louder and more forceful: “And fast! It feels like I’m in an oven! Man! It’s so damn hot!” The man didn’t even notice how his veins started to glow a fiery red until they looked like his blood had been replaced with lava. McGowan took a step back, clasping her hands over her mouth as the man noticed himself. “What- What the hell is this! It’s hot! It’s so hot!” His screams echoed through the room, just as the veins on his neck burst open, letting the glowing liquid shoot out of them right into the face of another man. In an instant, his face had gone up in flames and he was running around like a chicken without a head, before collapsing in a burning heap. The first man, meanwhile, tried desperately to hold shut the gushing wound in his neck, only causing his hands to erupt into flames as well. Liquid oozed out of his eyes, like burning tears. All over his body, the phenomena repeated itself. The Mandarin and McGowan could only watch in horrified fascination. Ten seconds later and there was nothing left of him besides a bright, orange sludge and the smell of burned flesh as it ate its way through the concrete floor. “I guess he did feel hot,” said Xin, his voice numb before he turned to glare venomously at his chief scientist. “...be sure this mistake doesn’t happen again. Otherwise I may inject you with it!” “Y-Yessir…” Charlene whispered scampering off. Unaware of the developments behind the scenes, Rainbow continued on with her life. “....a flying woman?” Fleetfoot scoffed at one of her fellow pilots. “Don’t be daft! That’s impossible! Clearly fake news strikes again! The tabloids just get more and more sensational. Next thing you know, Tony Stark will suddenly decide to become a saint and stop making weapons, and go into business selling clean energy for the world! Honestly…” Rainbow smirked to herself, oh if only Fleetfoot knew. That smirk turned to a frown, it was doubtful anyone would see the miracle woman ever again. It was a nice thought though! “Hey Rainbow, you alright?” Soarin’ asked her over lunch. “Something looks like it’s eating at you, like seriously! You haven’t touched your food!” Rainbow looked down, huh. So she hadn’t. “Sorry, it’s just… I’ve had a lot on my mind lately,” Rainbow muttered to herself. “More than you’ll ever know…” she thought before shoving her lunch towards Soarin’. “Here, you take it.” “...well, who am I to pass up free food?” Soarin’ mused to himself. “...shame it’s not pie, I wonder if we can get some of that Apple family pie snuck onto base? It’s always been finger-licking good!” “Probably best not!” Rainbow teased. “I’ve seen you with pie, it’s kinda scary actually!” Her mind found itself wandering to recent revelations… “Waaaaaaaaait, wait, wait! So let me get this straight,” she said, gesturing wildly to Lawson, or Mar-Vehl apparently. “You’re an alien, from outer space and… oh Jesus, yeah, it’s official. I’ve finally gone crazy. Maybe I just bumped my head in that crash landing and I’ve been in a coma and this is all just some wild dream…” “Was you flying a dream?” Mar-Vehl pointed out and Rainbow wisely conceded his point. “I’m from a distant planet, far from here. It’s called Hala. Why I’m here is not important, but I am truly sorry for what I did to you. You’ll never have a normal life now.” “Why would you be sorry?” Rainbow laughed flexing her muscles. “Are you kidding me, this is great! I can fly! I’m basically bulletproof! I can shoot laser beams from my hands!” “Photonic blasts, actually...” Coulson corrected, going unheard. “You’re… taking this better than I expected,” Mar-Vehl remarked, eyes widened in surprise. “Well, duh! I’m a freakin’ superhero right now! This is awesome!” Rainbow blabbered. “Didn’t you see me?” “Unfortunately, I would advise against going on another little adventure like that again,” Mar-Vehl said. “I’ve seen what this world’s like. They are simply not ready for you. They’ll hate you, they’ll be afraid of you. Imagine, just for a moment that you decide to go public. People are already afraid of others for something as simple as their race or their religion. Can you imagine what might happen if they saw you?” “Man, this is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me since I got cleared to fly, and you want me to keep quiet about it?” Rainbow grumbled. “You’re no fun at all! And you know what, for a space alien I’d have expected you to be cool! Instead you’re just like the suit over there!” Coulson ignored the insult. “I’m gone,” Rainbow grumbled, waving them off. “You want me to keep quiet about my powers, you do you! But me, if I hear someone in trouble? Don’t expect me to lay down on the job!” “Oh well, at least you understand me…” Rainbow sighed to herself, running a hand through Chewie’s fur, hearing her rumble up against her. “I mean, what? I’ve got superpowers now and I’m supposed to just pretend I don’t? How messed up is that?” Oh, that was a mood! Talk about irony! The phone rang, and through a series of events Rainbow found herself at Rarity’s personal boutique in the city. The bell rang as she entered, and Rarity soon swept her up like a hurricane, babbling rapidly about something or other. She honestly couldn’t catch all of it. And then she saw the costumes. Like, serious wall to wall superheroics. In all shapes, sizes, and colors. Giving Rarity a dull look, she played dumb, “...wow, you got inspired huh?” Rainbow remarked. “This flying woman must have struck like lightning!” “Don’t play dumb dearie,” Rarity said giving her an equally deadpan look. “I know it was you. I remember the accident. It didn’t take me long to put two and two together. So, well, if you’re going to be out flying and doing feats of derring do, well! You simply must do it in the proper garb!” So Rarity took her through a multitude of outfits, some great and others… not so much. “...Really Rares?” Rainbow drawled, her legs bare to the world and basically wearing nothing but a swimsuit with a cape. The red and black was nice, and the domino mask was classy, but… she felt very exposed! “I look like a stripper! A desperate stripper.” The next one wasn’t bad, black on white. Very primary. A blazing star insignia was across her chest. “Hmmm, getting there but maybe a bit too Pink Floyd, shine on me you crazy diamond,” Rainbow said. “Way too monochrome!” The next one was… yeah, okay it was terrible. It was too skintight and she was pretty sure the leotard was giving her an epic wedgie! The lightning bolt was a nice touch though, and she did like the waist scarf thing. But otherwise… “Rarity, did I say to you that I wanted to wear something classic, something probably politically incorrect and kick butt in giant wedge heels? NO!” “...right,” Rarity nodded seeing how uncomfortable it really looked. “I see your point! Oh, don’t you worry, I have others!” “Swell…” Rainbow drawled. The next was much better. Like the black and white one, it covered everything and looked nice, except… “I’m pretty sure the white on red is going to get me sued,” Rainbow said, noting the giant thunderbolt across her chest. “Like this is basically asking for a lawsuit!” The next one? Covering, but it like the others had problems. “No, just no,” Rainbow said, totally unable to focus her eyes on just one thing as she looked at herself in the mirror. “The 60s called, they want their psychedelia back!” Rarity vetoed that one as well, seeing her point. Finally, however, she broke out into a grin upon seeing Rainbow strut out in the perfect mix. It was a nice mix of red, blue, and a little bit of gold. Rainbow smirked, turning to see herself from behind, looking over her shoulder. Just one thing was missing. Grabbing the waist scarf from that other costume, she wrapped it around herself. Slamming a fist into her outstretched palm, she felt energy crackle under her skin. “Perfect,” Rarity said with a grin that perfectly mirrored Rainbow’s own. “Très magnifique! Oh, I sometimes amaze even myself with my genius! It’s scary really! Oh my, you look like you’re ready to take on the world!” “Oh yeaaaaaaaaah, now this is nice,” Rainbow said with a cocky grin. “Take this pink ribbon off my eyes .I'm exposed and it's no big surprise. 'Cause I'm just a girl, oh, little old me. Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite! NOT!” Rainbow couldn’t resist, she knew she was probably getting ahead of herself, but she just had to. Burning a hole in the air, she took to the sky. Letting out a cry, she called out: “OH YEAH!” as the great wide open stretched itself in front of her. Nothing but blue horizons from here on in… Well, maybe. Because turning on the news the next morning warranted this stunning horror from the Mandarin. Time for another lesson. “True story about fortune cookies. They look Chinese, they sound Chinese, but they're actually an American invention. Which is why they're hollow, full of lies, and leave a bad taste in the mouth,” he said as a building burned behind him. “My disciples just destroyed another cheap American knock-off, The Chinese Theater. Madam President, I know this must be getting frustrating, but this year of terror is drawing to a close. I’m almost done instructing you. And don't worry, the big one is coming; your graduation.” Author's Note You didn't think I'd leave you with a happy ending to this chapter now did I? Oh no, that isn't me. Not to worry though, I'll soon be resolving that cliffhanger as I do plan to have another chapter later this month. Consider it an early Christmas present. Huge thanks to Layton13 by the way, he took time out of his schedule after I'd finally swallowed my pride and asked for help. You can see his influences through the chapter, the use of 'Buried Lede' and McGowan for example. ...I was just going to use Maya Hanson from MCU honestly, but he came up with an even better idea. So thanks muchly! Mare-Vel Adventures #7: The Ring is the ThingAuthor's Note Honestly, I'm pretty sure I had some other better title for this chapter, but I forgot all about it... Mare-Vel Adventures #7: The Ring is the Thing Despite a brief reminder of terror, life went on. The US, ironically, seemed to be standing united against the Mandarin and didn’t let his lectures divide him any further. Just yesterday in fact, Rainbow and Scootaloo had found themselves invited for dinner by a local muslim family! And now for a night on the town… “I dunno, Fleets,” Rainbow sighed, still fiddling with her dress. “This… this isn’t really me, y’know? I’m in lady stilts! I can hardly move, much less fight!” “Why would you need to be fighting?” Fleetfoot asked. “It’s just a night on the town!” “You never know, there could be a mugger or something!” Rainbow shrugged, at a guess. “He could come at me right, with a knife, and because I can’t move right I’ll be stabbed and bleed out and it’ll all be your fault!” Fleetfoot giggled. “You’re being paranoid, besides you’ve got mace in your purse!” “If you say so…” Rainbow mused before out of the corner of her eye, spotted a man stumbling around seemingly in confusion. “...oh joy, if he comes over here and throws up on my dress, there will be hands thrown. There will be hands thrown!” Fleetfoot tried to help him to a bench. “Alright, I think you’ve had a little too much of the happy juice. Come on bud, let’s get you sitting down, what’s your name sir? Is there someone I can call to help you home? Do you have your keys on you, can I borrow them?” Fleetfoot as she laid a hand on him, noticeably flinched at the touch. A burning sensation made its way up her hand, and she staggered back. “...wow, you’re hot.” “Oh come on Fleets,” Rainbow groaned with a very noticeable roll of her eyes. “This isn’t the time to be…” “I’m not flirting with him, honest!” Fleetfoot shot back. “He’s just really hot! Maybe it’s a type of fever…?” And then the man practically ignited, his veins glowing a bright orange as his eyes burned. Like hellfire. “...what the what?” Fleetfoot gaped taking a few nervous steps back. “Okay, yeah… that’s not normal!” “Gee, you think?” Rainbow deadpanned as the man staggered forwards, still glowing like magma. Rainbow honestly hoped he didn’t erupt. “...man, since when did our lives go cray-cray for crayola?” And then he launched a fireball at them, and Rainbow shoved Fleetfoot to the ground as a car exploded somewhere behind them. People screamed, and began to clear the street. “...okay, I’ll echo your statements Fleets!” Rainbow said, looking up. “What the what?” She dodged another fireball, the magma man advancing forwards. “You walked right into this one: I've dated hotter guys than you!” Rainbow said in a snarl, shoving a dumpster in front of the man as improvised cover. Hiding behind it, she scrambled around inside her purse for her cell. With a curse, she pulled it out before dialing a number. “Okay, let’s hope knowing you pays off somehow, Suit, because right now I could really use you!” All she was met with was a dial tone, and then the magma man blasted right though the dumpster. Fleetfoot pulled her along by the arm as they kept running. “Lady stilts Fleets, seriously!” Rainbow barked. “What’d I tell you? I can barely run in these!” Eventually, she gave up, and pried off her heels chucking one at the magma man. It missed his head, unfortunately. All the while, she continued trying to reach Coulson. Finally, she heard his voice. Letting out a sigh of relief, Rainbow quickly realized she may have let out that sigh a little too soon. “This is the desk of Special Agent Phil Coulson, if you have a message for me please leave it for me after the tone. If I can’t come to you right now, I truly apologize! I may be in a raid on World of Warcraft, so sorry! I’ll be sure to get back to you when I can!” Rainbow let out a long frustrated groan. “...come on Coulson, damn you… pick up!” she grumbled to herself. “God, I hate Suits!” Cosmic energy crackled under her skin, and for a brief moment her veins glowed gold. Forcing the power down, Rainbow continued running. It would be so easy, she mused to use her powers right now and stop this madman before he caused too much destruction. But Mar-Vehl was right, much as she hated to admit. To give credit to the martian, he was right. Humanity simply wasn’t ready. Miracle Woman or not, love would give way to fear eventually. And plus… if people saw her, all fingers would be pointed directly at the military and she’d be called some new thing created by their special weapons program. So… she just had to wait and hope Coulson would pick up eventually. (Though, really, watching the magma man blow up cars right and left, the temptation to give in and cut loose was there. She just hoped S.H.I.E.L.D. would pick themselves up off their asses and get here soon, because she wouldn’t be held accountable for what happened next if they didn’t get here.) Another blast of fire went flying, and Fleetfoot yelped as it narrowly missed her head. Rainbow heard a scream, and down came a telephone pole. And S.H.I.E.L.D? They were nowhere in sight. Rainbow took a deep breath. Fine, screw it. She wasn’t waiting round for the suits any longer. Pulling out a pistol from her purse, she took several potshots at the magma man. Bullets melted before they could even reach him, so Rainbow tried another tactic. Taking aim, she fired at a gas tank directly behind him and watched the magma man go flying. He crashed into a wall, bricks going flying. “...well, that’s that...?” Rainbow wondered aloud, as Fleetfoot fell down, sliding exhausted against a wall behind her. Was it really that easy? Couldn’t have been… Then she watched bricks and mortar begin to melt and catch aflame, the man beginning to ooze his way out of the rubble. And he burned like a demon, leaving footsteps of fire in his wake. “...crap,” Rainbow muttered to herself deciding that clearly, plain human ingenuity and basic training wasn’t gonna cut it. “Alright then…” And like barely a second had passed, she was here, gone, and back again this time dressed from head to toe in blue, red and gold. A domino mask lay slipped over her face, and her hair sparked gold with energy. “...and you are?” she asked, her voice reverberating with power. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Fleetfoot gaping. “No, seriously! You want to tell me where you came from Hot Wings, or do we skip right to the part which I put you in the infirmary?” “LONG LIVE THE MANDARIN!” the magma man thundered out. “Well, simple, eloquent, to the point,” Rainbow deadpanned, side-stepping a fireball. “Bet your boss really loves you. All ‘grrrrr’, all talk, no brains! Like, just saying, if I was working for a terrorist I wouldn’t out myself in public for everyone to hear!” And then the creep breathed fire at her. Like, seriously breathed actual fire, a whole wall of flame. “WOAH, OKAY!” Rainbow yelped sidestepping it, and really not wanting to find out if her costume was fireproof. Last thing she wanted was to be fighting psychos in the nude. “Okay, so you can breathe fire now. Okay then!” Drawing back her fist, she blasted him through a fence with pure photonic energy. Nodding smugly to herself, Rainbow walked off and strode towards her friend, intent on helping her up. And that’s when she heard the distinct crackle of flame. Sighing to herself long and hard, Rainbow readied for a fight. Whirling around, she tossed another photon blast at the fireball, before powering on through the man breathing more fire at her. Punching through the fire, she elbowed the terrorist in the face before kicking him in the shin. She heard the crack of bone before she flipped him head over heel into the pavement. “And that is that,” Rainbow nodded to herself before with the squeal of tires, a van pulled up with more men filing out of it. And one by one they ignited, veins glowing like lava. Rainbow sucked in a breath and cracked her knuckles, before shouting at them: “Alright, listen up! I hope you can hear me! Something you need to know. First there was nothing, then there was everything… Then the good Lord saw fit to bring me into the world to kick the asses of those who need it most. So get ready ’cause this day or the next, it’s coming.” Despite Rainbow rolling for intimidation, she wasn’t really effective. It must have been a nat 1, as the fire-empowered terrorists charged at her. And thrusting out her hands, she fired photonic blasts at two coming from either side, flooring them. Slamming her boot into the earth, the ground quaked and it rippled as the men toppled over. “I’m sorry… sorry I’m a badass!” Rainbow cackled, on a high before the air seemed to grow hotter and hotter. Tugging at her costume, even Rainbow began to feel sweaty. She heard the scream. “LONG LIVE THE MANDARIN!” the first of the group was yelling as he began to light up. His skin became like molten magma, and very quickly it became obvious what was about to happen. Time seemed to slow down, and Rainbow braced herself as she put herself between the man and Fleetfoot. Energy erupted outwards, cascading into a fireball as heat and flame passed through her and for a brief horrible moment she thought she was going to die. But then… nothing. She felt energy rush up through her body, flaring up along her veins flowing like water and instead of being incinerated, she felt the energy become one with her. She drank in its power, basked in it with her skin rippling as she sucked it in. It felt surprisingly natural, actually, like it had always belonged to her. Throwing an arm upwards, the fire erupted in the sky like a bursting star. The explosion’s center was now just a pile of ash. Just a pair of boots really.. The remaining Mandarin goons stared at her in shock, before Rainbow blasted them all down and with a shrug, said: “...what, you’ve never stopped an explosion before?” Now she could see if Fleetfoot was okay. Striding up to her, Rainbow helped her friend up. “...who are you?” Fleetfoot whispered. Rainbow gave her a cocky grin. “...fake news huh?” she drawled. “Wait… wha… huh?” Fleetfoot stammered out, trying to figure out who this was. Her expression was pretty comical as it finally dawned on her. “...oooooooooh, you bitch. I should have known!” “Ta-da?” Rainbow couldn’t stop smiling as Fleetfoot drank it all in. “...well, I gotta admit, I shoulda seen this coming,” Fleetfoot said. “You get superpowers, well this is pretty much the next step innit? Oh man, Soarin’ is gonna love this. Like, every guy loves a girl who can kick their ass. They never say they do, but secretly? It really turns them on! But seriously, I shoulda seen this coming, like after the Suits dragged you off…” “Well, I wouldn’t say they dragged me off per say…” Rainbow mused. “Yeah, they totally did!” Fleetfoot refuted. “...yeah, they totally did,” Rainbow nodded along before she heard the sound of multiple cars pulling up. She turned to look. Black, nondescript. Yep, right on time! Sighing to herself, she said: “...speaking of the Suits!” Spreading her arms wide in a welcoming gesture, she called out: “Hello boys! What took you so long? Traffic?” She laughed a bit at her own lame joke, and watched as Coulson stepped out of the lead car. “Hello Rainbow, we need to talk.” he said. “Yeah, we do,” Rainbow replied and braced herself. Oh, this was going to be fun. The news stations had a field day upon the new heroine’s unveiling. “New weapon, or a real life modern day Captain America?” said a newscaster early that next morning. “That is the question the nation is now asking itself. Nobody knows her name, but we do know that maybe after years of absence, America has itself a new hero. Arriving suddenly out of nowhere, Ms. Marvel as the nation is calling her thwarted a terror plot by the Mandarin! We go to our reporter on the street, Coco Pommel, for reactions from the populace.” “Thank you Mary,” said Coco as she held up a microphone to anyone and everyone she could. “Now, I’m here in downtown Canterlot, Colorado for reactions from the townsfolk. I, along with everyone else I’m sure, are very interested in what they think of their apparent hometown hero.” “I think it’s nice,” said a young Pakistani-American girl, looking incredibly cheery despite her mother’s stern appearance. “I mean, us girls? We’re so rarely represented in the media, like usually we’re kicking as… sorry, mom, butt in skin tight clothes and as cool as that is -sorry again mom!- well! Honestly, this is kind of a refreshing change if you ask me. Uh, #Feminism, I guess?” “Her uniform is still skin tight though,” said the girl’s mother. “But it looks practical. So, progress! She’s too cocky, too arrogant though,” “She’s just sure in her own abilities mom!” her daughter complained. “Hush, Kamala. I’m speaking,” said the older Khan. “Humility is the mark of a great superheroine, she could stand to learn some.” “Do you believe she’s the new Captain America?” Coco pressed. “Maybe?” shrugged Kamala, not really sure actually. “I dunno! But I’m totally rooting for her! Mind, she does need a new name though. Ms. Marvel, really? Who came up with that? It makes her sound like a housewife!” Coco went around town, interviewing other members of it. “Man, talk about sexy! Like, that is a woman who can kick my ass anytime!” said a guy, his girlfriend giving him a deathly glare. It was doubtful that the relationship would last much longer, Coco guessed. “Like, she is fine! Man, I envy the Mandarin, having to go up against her!” “It’s nice for someone for women to look up to!” said his girlfriend. “Like, uh, it’s totally a male dominated hierarchy! Total sausage party, us women need another foot in the door!” Justin Hammer, on a visit to the local military base also had his thoughts to give. “Man! Okay, I admit, I’m jealous. Like, I’m not sure who was tossed in what radioactive waste pit, but they came out swinging! Like… cosmic man! I haven’t seen something so awesome since I was last on weed!” Another man, far older than the rest and drawing the woman as a comic character was interviewed. Adjusting his sunglasses, he spoke: “Honestly, now that is something truly inspired! Credit to whoever designed her costume. It’s something I’d think of! To her, I say: “Luck's a revolving door, you just need to know when it's your time to walk through.” I honestly believe it’s her time. Onwards and upwards. You know, I honestly believe that one person can make a difference. 'Nuff said. I think she is that person. There is a type of person who helps others simply because it should or must be done. They do it because it is the right thing to do and it is indeed without a doubt, the mark of a real superhero. Excelsior!” “Words to live by, indeed!” Coco agreed. “Ms. Marvel, if you’re out there, I hope you’re listening. We’re all rooting for you. Back to you Mary.” “Well, I’m on Coco’s side. We’re all rooting for you Ms. Marvel, and it seems your entire town is behind you. While we don’t know of your origin, your intent seems clear enough. If you’re out there, listening to this… We’re glad you’re here now.” Rainbow wiped a tear away as she shut the TV off. They actually believed in her. She couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day. Now, if only managing her personal life was so easy… “Alright, okay, who just stopped a guy from blowing up Main Street?” Rainbow chorused as she stepped inside Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S’s main building. S.H.I.E.L.D presumably wanted to run some tests on her or something, maybe to make sure she didn’t blow up like Hiroshima or something. Gesturing to herself, she exclaimed: “This guy!” “I wouldn’t get too cocky if I were you,” said Mar-Vehl. “Those were just the footsoldiers.” “Yeah, so? I easily creamed their asses!” Rainbow scoffed. “Bring on the main event! I want an actual challenge!” “You sure about that?” Soarin’ asked, and Rainbow’s head swiveled so hard to meet his eyes she thought she might have whiplash. “The Captain here just informed me that the Mandarin’s rings, they’re apparently Kree tech. You really sure you want to pick a fight with the Mandarin?” “Uh, yeah? He’s a terrorist, and I’m the woman with superpowers. I’ve even got a name now! Ms. Marvel, which okay yeah, I sound like a superpowered housewife but still! Bring it on!” Rainbow smirked. “I dunno,” Soarin’ mused. “I’m just sayin’, you should be careful!” “Fine then, don’t believe in me,” Rainbow muttered. “You’re like all the rest anyways…” “Rainbow, wait!” Mar-Vehl called after her. “You can’t beat him alone!” “Watch me!” Rainbow snapped. Stomping off, she didn’t miss the heartbroken look on Soarin’s face. But, she ignored it. Better not to have him and the good Captain dragging her down. She was her own woman now! Rainbow hadn’t been the only one watching that broadcast. So had Xin Zhang. He’d seen it all. “So, the people have someone to put their faith in. Smoke and mirrors from Madison Mare, to hide her fear. She fights me with a weapon! Well, there’s more where those men came from. The formula’s been perfected now. My Extremis agents are ready to move out, and while this attack was foiled, what about the next? And the one after? Ms. Marvel can’t be everywhere at once after all! And the big one is coming. I hope Madison is ready.” After all, he knew he was! They’d never see him coming, what he had planned. His spies, planted in every corner of the globe were on the lookout. There were only two rings left to find. The Spectral ring and the Remaker. Once the ten rings were reunited, he could continue Ghengis’ legacy, bring order to the world and finally avenge his parents. Closing his eyes, he could still remember the gunfire and the screams. The swelter of Vietnam, and the gentle putter of river boats on their daily fishing trips. Nobody thought the war would come to them, but yet it did. And his whole town paid the price. He paid the price. Slamming a fist into a nearby wall, he chastised himself for his loss of control. He couldn’t lose control, not this late in the game. He was this close to success, he could almost taste victory. And then came in one of his men, and by the look on his face, he knew what he had to say before the words even passed his lips. “So, let the race begin. S.H.I.E.L.D will be after that ring as well, they’re not stupid. I’m sure they’ll figure out how important the rings really are as well. They’ll send their best,” he thought as a grin creeped its way onto his face. “I welcome the challenge.” You know how the strangest of things were hidden in the most ordinary of places? Well, as it turned out, through a bit of satellite tracking, an energy similar to that of the one that the Mandarin was constantly emitting could be found under the Hollywood sign. “...Hollywood?” Rainbow drawled as she clambered down into some caves. “More like Hollyweird.” Rarity was by her side, fiddling with her geode. “Ugh, I can’t believe you dragged me into this! My new boots are all muddy! You could have given me more warning, like let me get into some proper spelunking gear!” “I did warn you!” Rainbow said, rock crunching underneath her boots. Holding up her hand, she was using golden photonic energy to light the way. A soft glow filled the cavern, painting it in cosmic light. Their path illuminated, they pressed forwards. “You said we were going to Hollywood!” Rarity almost whined. “I thought that meant we’d be schmoozing with stardom, not… not going walking in a cave! Completely different set of attire, darling.” Rainbow cast another glance at Rarity’s now ruined dress. “I thought we’d find the ring in a museum or something!” Rarity grumbled, crossing her arms with a small huff. She pouted for a little bit, saying: “Rings are always in museums, and I’d assumed that your friends in S.H.I.E.L.D would come up with some excuse. Like that the ring was stolen and that it needed to be brought back to its proper owners. Art theft, true white collar crime! Something worthy of a novel!” “...and finding a hidden cave under the Hollywood sign isn’t worthy of a novel? Hell, this is like National Treasure!” Rainbow shrugged. “...oh, what I wouldn’t give to be in an adventure film. Oh, I’ve always had dreams of starring in movies you know. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be in a musical alongside Dexter Blueblood!” Rarity rambled. “And it wouldn’t just be faked for the cameras! Our love, it would become real! Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hand in marriage, and of course I would say, ‘Yes!’ We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is what I would become upon marrying him. The Princess of Hollywood! And he? He would be the man of my dreams.” Rainbow stared at her friend, and after a long silence, she muttered: “...you’ve got problems,” and then added with a sigh: “Yep, this is totally us failing the Bechdel test!” And then they found themselves in front of an impossibly majestic temple. Hidden away from the world for centuries, now revealed once more. Rainbow let out a low whistle, okay consider her impressed. “What is it?” Coulson’s voice crackled over the radio. “You’ve found something?” “...yeah, it’s definitely a something! Suit, I believe we’ve found your ring!” Rainbow replied. She remembered being incredulous that S.H.I.E.L.D believed this was where the ring was, but… well! “We’re going in.” “Be careful, you don’t know what’s behind those doors.” Rainbow nodded and as soon as she opened the doors, reacted fast. She heard the sound of metal slicing through the air, and thrust both of her arms outwards utterly destroying twin falling axes. “...Wow, this is just like a Daring Do film. The good ones, not the shitty reboots,” she muttered seeing the melted steel. “A few years ago, you'd have been geeking out about that,” Rarity commented, nervously sidestepping what remained of the booby trap. “Yes, well a demented terrorist bent on taking over the world sorta puts a damper on that sort of thing,” Rainbow deadpanned. “Touche,” Rarity agreed, before she let out a shriek as she brushed past a spiderweb. “AAAGGGHHHH!” “...oh come on Rares, don’t be the Willie Scott of this adventure,” Rainbow groaned. “Be the Marion Ravenwood, she’s actually cool.” “...you do realize she fell in love with the main hero, rigggggghhhht?” Rarity said flirtatiously, but Rainbow just shoved her away as they entered the main room. In the center, on a plinth, was the ninth ring. Rainbow could feel it radiating power. And then the wall exploded as the Mandarin himself strode in the room. His goons weren’t even present, just him. “So glad we finally meet,” said Xin with a bow. “A pleasure!” “Wish I could say the same,” Rainbow growled, her body crackling with cosmic energy as she floated several feet off the floor. Rarity wisely took cover behind some statues. Slamming a fist into her palm, Rainbow then pointed at Xin, declaring: “Your reign of terror ends here!” “...does it?” Xin commented, one of his rings lighting up as Rainbow felt crushing gravity pull her to the floor. He slammed a fist into her gut, making Rainbow nearly double over. Spinning, he roundhouse kicked her into a wall. Freezing her in place, Xin dashed for the ring. Rarity knew she had to act fast, and she leaped from cover, tackling Xin to the floor even as Rainbow freed herself. “Rarity, what are you doing?” Rainbow shouted. “What does it look like?” Rarity asked, tasering the Mandarin. “Saving you, dearie!” “Are you?” the Mandarin said, twisting her arm and Rarity let out a scream over a sickening crack! Shoving her into a statue, Xin reclaimed the ring. Rainbow dashed forwards, only to be swept into another room by a cyclone. Winds sprang from Xin’s hand, and their target bounced off statues like a human pin-ball. Gale force winds kept her from moving forwards, and gravity increased once again as Rainbow desperately tried to inch forwards. “Come on!” Rainbow roared, and watched in shock, eyes widened as Rarity tased the Mandarin again. Taking advantage of his shock, she pried off two of his rings. Blasting him into a wall with cyclonic winds, she then released Rainbow from the crushing forces of gravity. And then the storm roared, as Earth’s newest champion rushed forwards glowing a bright gold and eyes burning with righteous indignation. “Very well then!” The Mandarin snarled, metal twisting around him to form armor. Launching fireballs at Rainbow, he readied for battle. Emerging from the fire, Rainbow grabbed him by the neck and tossed him upwards. Throwing him through earth and stone, he slammed into the ceiling of the floor above. But everything was an opportunity, and he had a new ring to try out. It glowed as he slammed a fist into the floor, and cracks began to spread out as the entire ceiling began to come down atop Rainbow and Rarity. All bonds between the atoms and molecules had been ruptured, and now down rubble rained down around them. Some of it was shattered apart by punch, or blasted to ruin by photonic energy, but it was rapidly becoming evident that this temple was falling to pieces. Rainbow knew she had to run, and wrapping her arms around Rarity, flew out of the temple. Watching it come down, she could only hope that the Mandarin wasn’t quite as lucky. That he’d been caught up in his own stupidity. Sadly, it was not to be, and out from the collapse he emerged protected by armor. “YOU THINK THAT CAN STOP ME?” he thundered. “I AM THE FUTURE, AND YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP THE FUTURE?” The two traded powerful blows, the cavern shaking with every punch. “Well, uh, yeah? It’s kinda what a superhero does. Stop nutcases like you!” With that, she headbutted him, shattering his helmet. He staggered, but grabbed Rainbow and tossed her into a cavern wall. Ripping his stolen rings off Rarity’s fingers, all nine glowed with the light of the cosmos. “...now, where were we?” the Mandarin mused to himself, before a malicious smile -promising only pain and suffering- crept its way up onto his features. “Oh yes. Now I remember. Time to die.” “Easier said than done, buster, because even with my back against the wall -- I don't give up!” Rainbow said charging up a photonic burst. Thrusting her arms forwards, she released a beam of energy, beautiful but deadly. With every intent to cut open the Mandarin’s armor, Rainbow kept up the power. And the Mandarin responded in turn, freezing the energy burst in mid-air before tossing a fireball. Rainbow side-stepped it, before bursting forth and pile-driving the Mandarin out into the open. Through earth and stone she pushed him, and suddenly they were in the middle of downtown Los Angeles. Hitting him with a car, she shattered his armor. Rainbow leaped over creeping vines of ice reaching up to get her, before slamming a fist into the street. The earth rippled, and it shook and suddenly Xin was skywards. He smashed into a building, and honestly, that was probably that. Well, to Rainbow’s eyes anyways. Dusting herself off, she sighed. “Such a waste, he could have been a true hero. Not this ‘teacher through pain’ crap,” she mused. “All of the power, and look what he decided to do with it.” But when the smoke cleared, out emerged the Mandarin. Rainbow’s jaw just dropped, and so caught off-guard was she, that she was now wide open. The Mandarin grabbed her, slamming her into a wall. And then he did it again, and then again. Three times he beat her, her head now bruised and probably close to bleeding. “And with you gone…” said Xin. The battle was actually pretty public, people watching on all sides. Cameras and smartphones had been pulled out, and really common sense had been thrown to the wind. Rainbow wanted to croak out a warning, but the Mandarin had hit her in the throat. “I can lead the world to a new and brighter age. A better age.” “You have no idea what a real leader is. A leader has to project confidence. Fight for what she believes in. But never stop questioning, wondering how to be better,” Rainbow spat in his face, wheezing out her words. “You’re nothing but a maniac.” “Believe what you want,” said Xin, slamming her into the earth. Her energy crackled and faded away, its owner beaten. “I have a new world to shape, you won’t be part of it. And I doubt the old one will miss you. You’ve been broken, shattered. Your spirit is now beyond repair. And now the whole world knows it.” And with that, he flew off. Coughing, Rainbow tried to pick herself up off the ground only to let out a cry of pain. Tears in her eyes, she whispered: “Soarin’, Mar-Vehl, you were right. I couldn’t beat him alone…” Mare-Vel Adventures #8: Big Trouble in Little ChinaAuthor's Note Super super sorry this took too long to write, time got away from me and all of that. The holiday season was crazy. In any event... here, take this chapter. It's dangerous to go alone! Bit shorter than usual, but I figured it didn't need to be any longer than this. Mare-Vel Adventures #8: Big Trouble in Little China “Horror washed over Hollywood today, as this image was played…” Rainbow couldn’t tear her eyes away, even as she rewatched the scene play itself out. The Mandarin had grabbed her, slamming her into a wall with the force of a hurricane. And then he did it again, and then again her body sparking with a golden glow as cosmic forces attempted to defend her. Three times he beat her, her head now bruised and probably close to bleeding. “And with you gone…” said Xin in a dark tone, gesturing all around them to where people with smartphones had gathered as the battle lent itself to a public display. “I can lead the world to a new and brighter age. A better age.” “You have no idea what a real leader is. A leader has to project confidence. Fight for what she believes in. But never stop questioning, wondering how to be better,” Rainbow spat in his face, wheezing out her words. “You’re nothing but a maniac.” “Believe what you want,” said Xin, slamming her into the earth. Her energy crackled and faded away, its owner beaten. As he began to fly up into the sky, cameras followed him as he looked down at his broken opponent. “I have a new world to shape, you won’t be part of it. And I doubt the old one will miss you. You’ve been broken, shattered. Your spirit is now beyond repair. And now the whole world knows it.” Yes, this was true and due to her own hubris and pride she’d failed to see it coming. A random interview flickered onto the screen, a civilian’s thoughts on the matter. “I dunno man, before I thought she could save us. Now though… It’s like reality just hit me square in the face. The Mandarin’s powerful, and she’s… just not. I don’t want to welcome our new overlord, but it looks like I just might have to.” Rainbow had dragged herself out of bed, unable to watch this any longer. Her fist trembled, in it the remote which sparkled with that same cosmic energy from before. “Yeeeeeeeeeah,” said Spitfire, her base commander leaning up against the doorway. “It is pretty disgusting to watch, isn’t it? How quickly the crowd turns, eh? One defeat, and suddenly you’re worth nothing.” With a sigh, she watched the tv and shook her head. “They’ll probably be repeating that same story for a week, while they… do nothing I guess. Fret and worry while The Mandarin? He’s still out there. Forgive me for sounding like a cynic, but some people would do nothing while they wait for a hero to save them.” She sat down in a nearby chair, placing her now famous sunglasses on a table. “Well, what can they do?” Rainbow had to ask. “The Mandarin’s too powerful to take on in single combat, even by me.” “Because you hold yourself back,” Spitfire said, poking her in the chest. “You’re one of the best and brightest of us, sure you make mistakes and you stumble but then you soar. It just takes a few false starts before you’re ready to fly.” “So that’s what this is?” Rainbow said, looking to the TV where another citizen criticized her very public failure. “A false start? A sputter on the runway, my engine not quite ready to take off?” “Mhmmm, basically,” Spitfire said. “I know it seems bad right now, but honestly? It gets better.” “Why do I have a feeling you’re not talking about my prospective life as a superhero?” Rainbow asked, the thought niggling at the back of her mind. Like Spitfire had something else to say. Her superior laughed, almost in bitter fashion. “Of course I’m not. Life in the military for the fairer sex… it’s much harder. We’re judged a lot harsher for our mistakes. I’ve had to fight just to get where I am, just as you’ve had to. So what, are you going to give up, lie down in the mud and watch the world trample all over you?” She turned to give Rainbow a serious, yet admiring look. “Or are you going to soar?” Spitfire asked. “Your whole life, you’ve looked up to Captain America. Great role model, can’t say I blame you. But it’s time to ask yourself a question. Forget what Captain America would do… What would Captain Rainbow Dash of the United States Air Force do?” Rainbow sputtered out, her words having a few false starts before the reality broke through. “Captain? I’m a Captain now?” Spitfire smiled proudly as she pinned the rank medal to her chest. “Congratulations Captain,” Spitfire said before there was a ‘look’ in her eyes, something that Rainbow couldn’t quite place. “Alas, now you must retire from the pilot’s seat.” “R-Retire?” Rainbow asked, angrily as a fury overtook her. “E-Excuse me? I’ve worked my whole life to sit in one of those chairs!” “Ah, but now you don’t need to, do you?” Spitfire pointed out. “You can fly on your own, I let you go because something tells me that you’ve got bigger and better things ahead of you. It’s not just your country that needs you now. It’s the world. So go get him, girl. Crash?” Here, she put a firm hand on her shoulder. “Make me proud okay?” “Y-Yeah,” Rainbow stammered, still caught a little off guard. “But… but he’s so powerful, how do I stop him?” A new voice joined them. “Rainbow, in all of my years as a Xenobioligist for the Kree Empire,” said Mar-Vehl, back in his Lawson disguise. “I’ve seen some truly amazing species, I’ve explored galaxies hoping to expand the Empire. But that was before I crash landed on Earth. Humanity has some of the greatest potential I’ve ever seen, maybe one day they could impress the rest of my kind as they impressed me. They can do anything they set their minds to, and that includes you. Now sure, you’ve stumbled but I know you can fly. Now let me help you take off, okay?” He stretched out his hand, and Rainbow took it. Far across the world, tall skyscrapers rose up from a maze of concrete and hidden amongst them was a secret. One that must never be told, but was about to come to light. “It’s been in my private collection for years,” Xi-Wang Khan, head of a banking conglomerate said to his newest guest. “It’s been passed down from generation to generation in my family, you understand. Some say it was found by Ghengis Khan himself. Myth and rumor, you must understand. But I’ve seen the news coming out of America. This… Mandarin as he calls himself -disgusting name by the way, he advises no king- has nine rings. Nine of ten. I fear this is the last one he seeks.” “Don’t worry, Mr. Khan,” Coulson nodded as S.H.I.E.L.D agents locked the ring away in a specially sealed box. “We won’t let anything happen to it.” “I’ve heard the rumors,” Xi-Wang said fearfully, pressing his fingers together nervously. “...if you collected all ten rings, you could reshape the world.” “Myth and rumor,” Coulson said calmly, in an attempt to reassure him though truthfully he was beginning to believe such things. After all, with all of the power the Mandarin had displayed nobody had apparently seen his upper limits… “The Mandarin is just a power mad terrorist. You know what we do with terrorists?” “I assume you deal with-” Xi-Wang started before Coulson finished for him. He cocked his gun. “Yes, we do. We put them in the ground.” Then, the door exploded outwards as smoke poured into the room like a thick encompassing smog. Shouting was coming from somewhere behind it as red dots lit up the wall. Gunfire thundered as two agents failed to draw their guns in time and golden casings littered the floor as blood began to pool on the wood below. Xi-Wang and Coulson had dropped to the floor just as the shooting started, taking cover under a table. Peering out from under the table, they could see boots rushing by and making their way towards the case. “We have to get out of here!” Xi-Wang whispered frantically, over the shouting. “That case though… the ring’s in it and we can’t let those men have it!” “Not to worry,” Coulson said, pressing a button on his lapel and little jets sprouted from the case making it fly towards his hand. “I got this.” “Get down to the garage,” said his new best friend, handing him a collection of keys. “There’s some cars down there. Fast ones. Perfect for what you Americans call a ‘clean getaway’.” They ran and hid behind one of the room’s many display cases, the lead mercenary shouting orders to search the room in Hispanic. “Unfortunately,” Coulson shook his head, shooting down one of the mercenaries with a blue bolt of energy from his gun. He then deadpanned: “I doubt anything about this will be clean.” “Fancy gun,” Xi-Wang remarked, studying the blue crackling energy at its tip. “You Americans and your toys.” “It’s called an I.C.E.R. Incapacitating Cartridge Emitting-” Coulson started before thinking the better of it as the mercs crowded around their incapacited comrade. “Oh, never mind.” He took an escape out a side exit, rushing down fire escape steps and avoiding elevators. One hand was on his weapon, ready to draw it again at a moment’s notice and the other wrapped tightly around the case handle. Fast and frantic, he traversed levels well aware of the stomping of footsteps somewhere above and the shouts of anger. Every so often, he whirled around to check behind him. But nobody had apparently caught up to him, and so he hurried down. Then, from out of nowhere several mercenaries burst from another room. Through a door they came, two handcuffing him to the wall via magnets. Coulson acted fast, kicking the third in the stomach and making him smash up against the railing. He strained, rushing to free himself even as one dude drew a knife. Kicking the man in the arm with his knee, the trained agent watched the knife fly through the air, It landed in between wall and hand-cuff, and with a little bit of effort Coulson pulled free. The first guy recovered, and drew back his fist for a punch with Coulson ducking under it. He shoved the first merc into the second making them both crumple to the floor with one rolling down some steps. The third and final henchmen rushed with a baton in hand, slamming it into Coulson’s shin. The agent let out a cry of pain before smashing the briefcase into the third’s skull. The henchman crumpled to the floor, after landing against the wall. So the escape continued, Coulson smashing a door down with a shoulder charge as he ran into what looked to be a parking garage. There was the squeal of tires from somewhere behind him. He dared not look back, though he could see a reflection in a car’s window. A big black BMW, ominous and menacing as it prowled onto the scene like a big cat. “There he is!” someone else shouted. “Get him!” Bullets flew as Coulson ducked behind another car, glass windows shattering even as the side was riddled with bullets. “Rich guy, couldn’t even afford his own private garage?” the agent uttered with a roll of his eyes. “What am I even looking for...? What, is it all decked out in gold or something?” Then he spotted what he was looking for, a crimson-colored Aston Martin. The latest model even! A spy’s car for getting to the latest martini, for a secret agent in the real world. It wasn’t Lola, but it’d do in a pinch. “That’ll do!” he decides, getting in and gunning it. Two gunmen dived out of the way as Coulson pulled out into the busy city streets with a roar of the engine. The radio played, astonishingly apt in music choice for the scenario. “This is Agent Coulson!” the agent shouted into his comms, seeing several cars rush out of nowhere from behind. “I am surrounded and I need assistance. I have a package in transport, the Mandarin must not get his hands on it. This goes out to all cars, do you read me?” The roar of an engine, even as an armored car pulled up beside him. Wisely, Coulson smashed into it sending it driving into a building wall. “That’ll buff out,” the agent muttered, wincing at the damage to his own car. “...right?” The tires squealed in protest as he swerved down a corner into another street, the back end flying out spitting up smoke as Coulson wrestled with the wheel. Eventually, he managed to get the snarling beast back under control. Under the hood, 715 horses snarled and whinnied in protest, Coulson trying to reign them in as $304,995 worth of metal rushed through the streets. Buildings flew by in a blur as the garnet-red sports car, skin like wine raced over the pavement sticking to it like hot glue with white eyes peering out in almost demonic fashion. The steel beast would not give in so easily and was just barely tamed. It ate up the road like it was for breakfast, even as predators closed in to seal it’s fate. Swerving left, the Aston pounded the pavement hugging the road. From either side, two cars closed in. Corvettes came from either side, exhausts spitting hot orange flame as vibrant as the paint job. Like lightning, they raced to the Aston’s side. Coulson was sweating, knowing he was boxed in. Slamming a foot hard on the break, he fell back before doing a perfect J-Turn and heading the other way in a cloud of smoke. Swerving down a side street, the walls closed in. No room to maneuver, but that also applied to them. Smashing into a market stall as he swerved onto another street, wood flew everywhere and fruits splattered his windshield. Coulson honked the horn screaming out an alarm as shoppers ducked for cover. “This is definitely not Lola,” the agent thought to himself as he searched the dashboard on reflex, realizing that there were no hidden buttons on this car. “What I wouldn’t give for an oil slick right about now…” He looked behind him, doubling down on that thought as one of the flame-orange Corvettes emerged from where he had been just several seconds before. Going into a drift, Coulson smashed through another market stall as he landed on a main street. Flooring it, the engine roared as all 715 horses galloped into another stampede. Dodging traffic, the agent maneuvered his car through openings as masses of metal surrounded him on every side. Through his rear view mirror, he could faintly see a flash of orange. Like hell itself was after him. “Gotta keep moving, get to the docks,” Coulson reminded himself. “Your bus out of here is there.” Now where was his backup? A sleek silver BMW was next to him, and the driver was rolling down his windows. From the backseat, a gun was aimed squarely at him. Coulson ducked even as bullets whistled over his head, some riddling the car with the clatter of metal. The massive car closed in, grinding against his own vehicle’s side in a shower of sparks. There was the cock of a gun’s hammer, a pistol aimed squarely at his head. Then, something whistled through the air and the BMW went up in a fireball and a cloud of smoke. From behind it, a big SUV was closing in and peering out the sunroof was someone in a dark leather coat. “Yep, still got it,” the man smirked, addressing his fellow agent, and adjusting his sunglasses. In his hands was a bow, drawn back for the next shot. “Nat would say this is just like Budapest all over again, but between you and I, I remember it very differently!” “There were a lot less casualties that day,” a second voice crackled in over Coulson’s comms, Asian-accented before the sounds of grunting and fighting joined it. “Sorry Coulson, but your ride from the docks is shot. No easy boat tour of the harbor for you.” “Damn it, they were onto us,” Coulson sighed. “Their hackers are good, I’ll give them that. So, Melinda, do you have any other suggestions?” “I’ve re-routed a chopper your way,” his fellow agent replied, and overhead came the whirl of propellers and the whine of an engine as a black helicopter rocketed overhead. “How do you feel about a bit of climbing?” Coulson knew what she meant, having seen the chopper heading for the hills outside of the city. Taking a hard right, he jerked the wheel as the tires squealed out in protest. An arrow flew overhead, and one of the corvettes crackled with electricity pulling to a halt. The driver inside was spitting and swearing even as Coulson passed him by. “You’re home free!” Barton shouted even as the SUV he was in planted itself in the middle of the street, to hold back any other enemies. “You might say I have an eye for this sort of thing!” “Hahaha, you’re very clever Clint,” Coulson returned. “You’re already starting on your dad jokes aren’t you?” In any event, Coulson was soon swerving onto the highway and starting up the slow climb up the swerving hillside roads. Nobody seemed to be following him… for now at least. For how long this moment of peace would last… he wasn’t sure. Sparing a glance to the passenger seat, he saw the briefcase shaking. “So much trouble for so small an item. You’d have thought it was the One Ring I was carrying inside it!” And the cars closing in from behind, engines shrieking out a warning as their lights peered out of the gloom were the Nazgul. Their master, the Mandarin, would be the Witchking. And just like the One Ring, all would be lost if he were to get his hands on it. With a roar, another car dared to pull up beside him. An Audi, midnight blue and closing in. It pressed him to the side of the wall, bricks ripping through metal in a shower of sparks. Coulson’s car was pinned. “Come on…” the driver grunted, Coulson biting back a swear. “Oh, Xi-Wang is going to hate me for this. This… this will buff out right?” He pushed back, the Audi pressed up against the guardrail and threatening to take a tumble. Below, sharp rocks and the unforgiving pavement awaited over the side. The Aston roared, swerving around another corner and climbing higher with the Audi nipping at its heels. Coulson’s eyes widened as he saw another car rocketing towards him. Pulling to the side, he watched as both this one and the one behind crashed into each other colliding in a massive fireball. Blasting through the flames, his hood scorched and tires threatening to burst under the pressure he took another turn. “Another narrow escape!” Coulson thought to himself as the tires gripped the road before coming onto a long straight. The high rises of downtown broke through smog, evening turning to night as colorful neon lit up the dark. His car’s headlights lit up the road ahead, though more lights were joining them as the mercenaries closed in still in identical cars. From behind, engines howled out their songs as the prey began to be boxed in. Twin cars were on either side of Coulson now, their drivers both pointing guns at him. He ducked, even as twin shots scythed through the air. Blood stained windscreens, both of the mercenaries shooting the other in the head. “I pity the people who have to wash out those rentals,” Coulson chuckled, in a dry joke. “How do you explain blood and brain matter on your seats and on your windows? It must be a nightmare to fill out those forms.” Just a few minutes now, and he was a free man. “Now, all we have to do is worry about stopping the Mandarin,” Coulson thought. “And prying those other rings off of his fingers. Easy peasy right? Something to figure out over a bowl of mac and cheese.” A sole man was in front of him now, in the middle of the road and apparently suicidal. Then his veins lit up, glowing like magma. From his mouth, came hot caustic death and the very road began to melt as Coulson’s car began sinking down into it. “Oh…” he thought as he took note of the situation. “Ohhhh shit!” Coulson reacted fast, grabbed the briefcase and dived out of the car drawing his gun. He fired two shots. One in the knee, making the magma man stagger and another in the chest felling him. Two more enhanced men, eyes glowing red with rage approached. Coulson ducked under a punch before making a run for it. Breaking into a sprint, he saw the helicopter just a short distance ahead. “Let’s hope all of those cheeseburgers and ramen cups from all of those late night stakeouts won’t come back to haunt me!” Coulson said to himself as he ran. There was a roar from somewhere behind him, one of the Mandarin’s agents no doubt. A burst of fire ripped through the sky, thrown in anger and frustration. “Well, let’s hope they rage quit,” Coulson mused to himself. “I don’t get paid enough to deal with enhanced!” Then, right in front of him and to his horror the chopper began to sink into the earth in melting lava even as it’s atoms fell apart. It sliced in half, the two pieces disintegrating as a man stood behind it. His hands glowed with a rainbow of light, as he adjusted his suit. “The Mandarin, I presume,” Coulson said. “How did you survive Rainbow kicking your ass?” “I saw something different from where I stood,” the Mandarin drawled. “I believe I kicked her ass. But as to answer your question, nothing a little bit of Extremis couldn’t handle. You’ve seen it’s effects already, actually. I owe credit to Ms. McGowan. You’d be amazed what people can do once you offer them true freedom.” “Or a big fat check.” Coulson returned. “Keep your friends rich, and your enemies rich, and wait to find out which is which. That’s what Stark says right? It’s a wise quote, even if he’s part of the great American war machine,” the Mandarin admitted. “But I digress. I offer true freedom. Think, agent. Ms. McGowan would have been stifled under Hammer’s iron fist. I allow her to think what she wants to think, to build what she wants to build.” “And what if she builds something that would kill the world?” Coulson asked. “No, she won’t. You want to protect the world but you don't want it to change,” the Mandarin replied. “S.H.I.E.L.D, they’re like the rest of the governments of the world. Hell, they bow down to the World Security Council like a dog. You’re their bitch.” “So who would you replace them with?” Coulson asked, aiming his gun at the Mandarin. “You?” “If I must,” the Mandarin shrugged. “Out with the old, and in with the new as I always say.” “You want to protect the world but you don't want it to be protected by anyone but yourself,” Coulson refuted. “This isn’t about safety, this is about your ego.” “I’m a descendent of Ghengis Khan,” the Mandarin replied. “It is my right to rule.” “So is Xi-Wang,” Coulson replied. “You don’t see him mounting a campaign.” Coulson was blasted into a tree by cyclonic winds, before the Mandarin ripped open the briefcase and placed the final ring on his finger. He felt a rush of power surge through him. The Mandarin was now looming over Coulson, his veins glowing with the power of the Ten Rings, now united once more. “Well, we’ll find out who’s right soon enough, won’t we?” Mare-Vel Adventures #9: The Mane EventAuthor's Note So... yeah. Going to try and finish this before Shang-Chi hits theatres. Going to do these quick little chapters and hopefully, get out one a day. Mare-Vel Adventures #9: The Mane Event “I know… I know, I’ve rambled on enough and honestly I suspect you’re pretty bored of me by now. So how about we cut to the main event. Madam President, the wait is over. Bang!” the Mandarin laughed, holding up his fingers with all ten rings sparkling and shining. “It’s time we get down to business, I know I’ve been leaving you hanging and waiting in anticipation. So much anxiety, right?” “Well, like I said, the wait is over. It’s time. Sunday Sunday Sunday! Gather around, grab a seat. Your uncle Mandarin is done telling stories. It’s Rocky vs Drago. Ali vs Superman. The USA Vs… well me. I’ve been building up to this, hyping you all up. Are you ready? I can’t hear you. A famous American cartoon character once said: “I have the power!” Well, now I have the power. “Run and hide all you want, don’t worry I don’t really care about any of you. I only want one woman. I want to become President. Lead this country into a new brighter era. And if you try to get in my way, consider yourselves enemies of the state. “And if you think your Captain Marvel can even hope to stop me, well… heh, you’ve seen what I can do. I’ve beaten her before, and honestly she can step right up with any little comeback mechanic she wants. Unstoppable force… meets an immovable object. “Goodnight, sleep well. Tomorrow is a brand new day. The dawning of a brand new era. I can’t wait to step into the light with you.” “Right this way folks, just take this exit. Calmly now, single file, and no shoving!” Soarin’ directed, trying to avoid being trampled as he ushered staff out of emergency exits. “You have nothing to worry about, don’t worry we’ll handle this guy!” “That may sound like platitudes to the panicking populace,” Mar-Vehl said, back in his Lawson disguise. “They’ve seen the Mandarin’s true power now. I highly doubt the US military will be able to stop him.” Tanks were rolling down the streets, cannons trained to the sky. “Then the Mandarin must love the smell of green. Because I think those tanks disagree with your statement,” Soarin’ said. “If you want, you can hide behind their guns. There’s not much that can stop one of those shells from blowing a hole in someone’s side. And fancy rings or no fancy rings, a big boom is a big boom.” “What’s that expression? It’s not over till the fat lady sings?” Mar-Vehl remarked, hands behind his back as he walked up to a window. “The opera is approaching its climax, but I’m not sure it’ll end the way it's intended.” “Stop waxing poetic and get to the point,” Soarin’ demanded. “Me, I’m thinking if the Mandarin didn’t want to get his ass kicked, maybe he shouldn’t have stuck it out so far. Who does he think he is? He claims to be proving a point, making life better for everyone. Then why is he doing it as such a blatant Yellow Peril stereotype?” “Mhmmm, I admit his goals are noble but his aims are very flawed,” Mar-Vehl acknowledged with a nod. “That being said, there’s only one person who can stop him now that he’s got all Ten Rings.” “But she’s not here,” Soarin’ said. “We are.” “But will you be enough?” a voice said in his mind. “Mhmmmmm, credit where credit is due. You’re intending on putting up quite a fight. Attempting to squirm out of my grasp before you die. You can stand down now and you won’t be harmed. You are only obstacles in my way. Move or you will be moved.” “...damn it, telepathy huh?” Soarin’ said to himself before sighing. “A few weeks ago, that would have sounded completely crazy and now… my life’s basically become something out of a comic book.” Mar-Vehl wasn’t phased. “I am Geheneris Halason Mar-Vehl, Pluskommander of the Kree Void Science Navy. Deactivate all weapons and shut down, this is a direct order. Hand the rings over, and this doesn’t have to get messy.” “Empty words from someone who doesn’t dare face me in battle. Instead you just-” “Hide away from the world, like you?” Mar-Vehl returned in challenge. “The Kree Empire has seen your kind, you talk the talk but you can’t walk the walk. You have all the power in the world and yes, maybe you could change it for the better. But this isn’t changing it, this is promising to rule it via fear and terror.” “That’s the only thing people understand. I am just a simple shepherd, guiding his flock,” the Mandarin replied. “The world’s had years to change and what does it do? It continues to tear itself apart.” “So violence is met with more violence, is that it? One man can’t change the world, especially not with how you plan to do it,” Mar-Vehl said. “I see what you are now… a dog to be put down. It’s dirty ugly business, but it must be done.” “Yes, so it is…” the Mandarin trailed off, before a wormhole opened streets away. Loud explosions filled the city, tank shells turning to bubbles before they even reached him. “Now gaze upon your new master, America, and tremble.” “He’s here,” Mar-Vehl said, pulling off his glasses as he revealed his true form. Then came a knock at the door. “What is it?” Then the door was blown off, and both Mar-Vehl and Soarin’ were blown out the window by an Extremis-fueled staff member. “Damn!” Mar-Vehl swore to himself as molecules shifted and a pistol formed in his hand. “I never would have expected… No, I should have seen it. Soarin’, get out of here. Get to your suit. No… just run. This isn’t a battle you can win.” “And leave you alone?” Soarin’ said, drawing his sidearm and firing off a shot. With a loud BANG! the Extremis soldier fell to the ground with a hole in his head. “No, looks like we’re both up shit creek now.” “You’re a fool,” Mar-Vehl said. “But a brave one nonetheless.” A military van smashed through the blockade and slammed into a tree, with more Extremis-fueled soldiers filing out. Flames licked their special battlesuits, the men literally burning with anger. “They’re hot under the collar,” Soarin’ said. “Maybe they just hated the midtown traffic.” Mar-Vehl let out a war cry, his weapon shifting into a sword. He was a blur of motion, his white suit shining in the sun as he dashed from enemy to enemy cutting them down. He whirled on his heel, slashing through one of the Mandarin’s soldiers as two more rushed him from behind. Again his weapon shifted, becoming a massive cannon fed by tubes from his back. One shot, two birds with one stone. “DUCK!” Soarin’ shouted, shoving Mar-Vehl to the ground as a blast of hot flame ripped through the air just where they’d been standing a few seconds before. “Thank you, I… admit I’m still used to fighting as a unit. Expecting others to have my back,” Mar-Vehl said, dusting himself off. Another Extremis soldier surged towards him with surprising speed, using his own flames as jets. One arm wrapped around his throat. Soarin’ couldn’t help, he was busy trading punches with another soldier. So Mar-Vehl shoved his knee into his opponent before grabbing the staggering terrorist by the shoulder. Pulling him upwards, the Kree warrior spun him around before tossing the Extremis agent at one of his fellows. Soarin’ meanwhile bashed his opponent upside the head with the butt of his gun. “They just keep coming, they’re going to overwhelm our position! And we haven’t even gotten to the big boss enemy yet!” “Now will you get to your suit?” Mar-Vehl asked with a little sigh, his weapon morphing into a shield to hold off streams of fire from two different attackers. “Become the star-spangled metal man with a plan to get out of here.” The Mandarin meanwhile made his way towards the White House, not really bothered by the attempts to stop him. A tank rolled out from a sidestreet, main cannon aimed squarely at him. His ring glowed, and the main gun began to hang limply. “Don’t be alarmed, I’ve heard this happens to 3 in 5. Performance issues aren’t that uncommon really.” The very street began to melt under the massive vehicle sucking it down into the gooey concrete. The crew inside leaped out as the tank vanished from sight. Another tank was rolling up, and with a wave of the Mandarin’s hand collapsed into a small tidal wave of water. The men inside trained their guns on him, but another of the villain’s rings began to glow. “Where is he? I can’t see him!” “It just became black as night!” “Fire, shoot him! He’s in here somewhere!” The Mandarin strode on by listening to the sounds of chaos behind him. “I heard something! There, I heard him right there!” A gunshot rang out, and a body slumped to the floor while his killer smirked in apparent triumph. And the Mandarin? He just continued his stride. More soldiers ran up, only to be sucked up into a vortex and thrown out onto the street. Barricades were simply blasted away by cyclonic winds, their master enshrouded in gales. The Mandarin thrust his hand out, and another ring glowed, sending out a powerful wave of energy smashing through barricades. It glowed again, and two tanks were seemingly attracted to each other. They were pulled together, the magnetic forces inescapable. Smoke rose high from their smashed bodies. “None of you are worthy to challenge m-AAGH!” The Mandarin flew backwards, slamming into a tree as a helicopter hovered low above the rooftops with its minigun spiraling up for another series of shots. The Mandarin powered through with each bullet turning to bubbles before thrusting his hand as yet another ring glowed. A bolt of pure lightning erupted from his finger and smashed through the gunship sending it spiraling down. The man waited for the crash and the explosion, but none came. His eyes widened, seeing Detroit Steel holding the smoking hulk of steel and military hardware. “Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?” the man asked. “You can’t stop me, no matter what you do.” “Yeah, well forgive me if I give it the good old college try,” Soarin’s voice echoed out of the mecha, chainsaw spinning up. “Welcome to America, jackass!” One punch sent the Mandarin flying, as he smashed into a building with bricks and mortar flying everywhere. “You should have just stayed in your cave,” Soarin’ said, his suit’s minigun spiraling up and ready to dish out death. “From Silver Zoom, here’s a little gift of appreciation. A little thank you for sending him into early retirement. It’s better than flowers.” The Mandarin glowed with a violently red aura as he flew up and over out of the gun’s range only for Detroit Steel to leap forwards and bodyslam him back to earth. He picked himself up, and rolled out of the way from a deadly chainsaw swing and another of his rings glowed. Suddenly, Detroit Steel felt like he was in the grip of a black hole and finding it impossible to move. Mind, his gun still worked and the Mandarin was kept on the defensive with his own armor barely managing to keep him powering through the shots. And yet the mecha was still moving by some miracle, even as ice raced up its legs to grip it tightly and hold it still. “FOOOOOOOR HALA!” came a war cry, the good Captain leaping out from behind Detroit with sword in hand. The Mandarin leaped back as the Kree slammed his sword into the ground, before pulling it out for another swing. “For Earth!” Mar-Vehl rushed towards the Mandarin, ready to impale him on a bloody blade. The Mandarin sidestepped and encased his fist in lightning with one knuckle ready to cave Mar-Vehl’s skull in. The Kree warrior whirled and blocked the blow with his blade before sliding backwards as a stream of fire erupted from the Mandarin’s other fist. And again, Detroit Steel’s minigun had its eye on target. Thinking fast, the Mandarin shoved Mar-Vehl in front of it with the Kree warrior quickly summoning his shield. And in his other hand, a laser pistol. Several shots made the Mandarin stagger before Mar-Vehl changed his shield into a more familiar shape. As the Mandarin dodged and weaved to avoid Soarin’s shots, a round disk bounced off several buildings before colliding with him. The Mandarin spit and swore as he smashed into the side of a van. “Very well then… if you won’t submit to me, your rightful ruler then I’ll find someone you will submit to. BOW!” His hand shot upwards and a beam ruptured the sky, a hole in the walls of reality growing bigger and bigger with each passing second. And then an unearthly roar, turning to a screech. “From the realms beyond our own, came a dragon. The ancient monks called it Shao-Lao the Undying,” said the Mandarin, his face contorted with maniacal glee. “So what, I wonder, would they call this?” And sickly green claws gripped the hole in the world, pulling it open wider and wider with sounds like thunder. A repeating foom, foom, foom. Fins and fangs peered through the hole and the great dragon roared to the world... Mare-Vel Adventures #10: Flying High“Now do you see the futility?” the Mandarin asked as the massive serpent slithered down from the sky, another ear-splitting roar cutting through the air. “This world never belonged to you.” “Boy, you’ve sure taken a ride on the crazy train haven’t you?” Soarin’ said, still held in place by heavy gravity. “Oh give a man power and he turns into a megalomaniac. So when did this become less about showing the world how flawed America is and more about how massive your own ego is?” “You misinterpret,” the Mandarin said. “I only do what I must. I saw a world that was broken, and I aim to fix it. The weak, the incompetant, they must be cleansed in fire and whatever’s left will rise from the ashes.” With a roar, he charged forwards before being blasted across the street by pure light. “Now stay down, maybe third time’s the charm here huh?” Rainbow asked as she floated down, wearing a brand new suit. Unlike the last one, this one looked less like something from a costume shop and more like a proper suit built for battle. “Sorry I’m late, but the hero always has to make a big entrance! Love the new threads, compliments to S.H.I.E.L.D. Now, how’s about we break it in by ripping those rings off your fingers?” “You couldn’t defeat me before, and that was before I had the Ten Rings,” the Mandarin said, launching disintegration beam after disintegration beam at her. “What makes you think you can beat me now?” Rainbow chuckled, slamming her fists into the street sending up rubble to take the blasts. She leaped over the final beam and slammed her fist into the villain shattering his helmet. “Because this time I’m not going to stop until you’re a greasy smear beneath my fist. Yeah, you’ve had your fun but now your time is done. Hey, that rhymes,” Rainbow said, blocking a punch from the villain. “Good grief, I don’t care what excuse you have for being the way you are. You’re still completely insane. Boo hoo, give me your sad backstory and see how much I care.” Another punch made the Mandarin stagger before one of his rings glowed and a hand of pure concrete wrapped itself around Rainbow and it began to squeeze. A burst of energy shattered the hand before two more burst from neighboring buildings. Rainbow threw her arms out, and held back both hands only to be hit with one of the largest blasts of lightning in the history of lightning. The clouds above began to boil and crackle, before jagged bolts of energy burst forth sending her rolling along the ground. Many hands snaked forth from the streets and Rainbow continued punching and punching and punching. Like the heads of a Hydra, each hand she destroyed was replaced by two more. “You’ve come a long way in just a short period of time,” the Mandarin continued to monologue. “You’re ready to stand on your own as a superheroine, and if you were faced with anyone else you might have just defeated them. But I am beyond you. I have the powers of all ten rings! I am a god!” “Yeah? Then why do you need help to defeat me?” Rainbow asked, shattering the last of the fists with an energy burst before rising up above the rubble. “You’re looking pretty puny from up here.” “RRRRRRRAAAAGH!” the Mandarin yelled, tossing a bolt of lightning like a spear. Rainbow dodged that. He leaped off a stone ramp before encasing his fist in fire. “Yeah yeah, yell and scream all you want. Pretend you’re in a martial arts film or something, I don’t know,” Rainbow said to the Mandarin, before grabbing him mid-leap and throwing him aside. “If you excuse me, I gotta go rock the dragon.” She rocketed forwards, leaving behind a comet trail of light as the great dragon let out a hiss with fins shaking. Rainbow flew under it, firing blasts into a scaled belly. A tail whipped out and smacked her away, before the creature’s throat began to glow blue. Pure cosmic energy erupted from the beast’s mouth tearing into Rainbow’s suit before a scream began to rise up from her throat. And then, a blast of energy, not from the dragon itself, slammed into its belly. A certain Captain stood on top of a roof, holding a shoulder-mounted cannon. And Rainbow was falling to earth, denting the roof of a car. “Rainbow!” Soarin’ shouted, having climbed out of his suit and running towards her. “Come on come on, please don’t be dead…” He could see Mar-Vehl holding the dragon off, but for how long he wasn’t sure. Gently smacking Rainbow’s face, he hoped and prayed for her safety. “Please, wake up…” “Oh… Hey, Soar,” Rainbow whispered, blinking slowly and moaning in pain. “Sorry, I know I said I was the hero of the piece but right now I’m not looking very impressive am I? I’m… I’m not sure I can stop him. The Mandarin’s right, I’m just not powerful enough.” “Bull,” Soarin’ said, helping her to her feet. “Sure, you took some hits but it’s not like you to give up. You always get back up, it’s part of who you are. I… admire that about you.” “Doesn’t mean a thing if I can’t stop him. But… you’re right. I’ve got to see this through. I’m done being lectured about what I can and can’t do. I’ve been through hell to be where I am now and… Oh, okay yeah I suppose I should stop talking and just start backing up my boasts huh? Words are just that, words. A real hero puts her money where her mouth is,” Rainbow said. “And right now, I’m just pissed off enough to make sure nothing gets in my way anymore. Especially not rambling nutcases with gaudy jewelry.” “That’s my girl,” Soarin’ said. “People said you were just that, just a girl. I don’t think you’re just a girl anymore. Honestly, if Captain America could see you now…” “Hah, please, he’d be wishing he was me,” Rainbow said, floating a few feet above Soarin’, with a gentle hand caressing his face. “Stay right here, I’ll be back in a minute.” With that, she took a chance and gently kissed him. “Now… if you excuse me, someone needs a good old-fashioned-reality check. And I intend to deliver it. Mandarin, special delivery for you. PAIN. The Captain had America’s Ass. Me, I have her abs.” With that, she flew off back to battle. Soarin’ laughed to himself. What a woman! Rainbow didn’t let anything stand in her way, blasting through Extremis agents with bursts from her palm, and when a certain dragon flew back towards her all she did was roll to the left a little. Flying above the massive green serpent, she directed blasts of energy into its back. With a cocky grin, she got in close, and wrapped her arms around its neck. Pulling it upwards, she flipped the entire dragon and threw it. Hissing and spitting, the beast snaked back towards her with blue flashes of light racing up its throat. The creature let her have it, cosmic light bursting free. Rainbow was generating energy of her own, a gold stream of starlight erupting from both of her hands and cutting through the dragonbreath. She closed in and punched it square in the face with a powerful left hook and then a jagged uppercut. The beast rose up above her, fangs bared and back spines bristled with fins shaking in rage. More flames erupted from its throat with Rainbow holding them back with her own energies. She stamped her foot, the ground buckling and caving in beneath the dragon’s feet. It sunk down into the concrete, another burst of energy from Rainbow sending part of a building collapsing down on top of it. And then, a flaming whip wrapped around her. “Oh right, almost forgot about you,” she said to herself, before being pulled into a building and then swung around and smacked into another. Wrenching herself free of the fire, Rainbow rocketed towards the Mandarin pushing herself off a building as it fell and collapsed behind her into rubble. She flew up and around summoned lightning bolts, the villain fighting desperately against the superpowered woman. And then, she felt it. Something reaching into her mind, trying desperately to get in. “Get out… get out of my head!” Rainbow screamed, feeling the Mandarin poking and prodding at her mind. “I said… GET OUT!” And then all went white, and she found herself in a great massive expanse. It was featureless, devoid of anything noteworthy. Rainbow stepped forwards, the ground feeling like water and rippling outwards. And then, music. “Cause I'm just a girl, oh, little old me Well, don't let me out of your sight Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite So don't let me have any rights…” “Good song,” the Mandarin said. “Sums up the problem society has with females really. You’re not meant to be doing anything other than looking pretty. It must have been hard for you, enrolling in the military.” “Oh great, here we go, more of your lectures,” Rainbow said, throwing a punch as the world rippled. “I said I was about done with your mouth.” “I’m here to teach. Go on, just pull up a seat.” Rainbow just tossed the chair at him, and the world rippled again. “Didn’t you just hear me?” Rainbow asked. “I said I’m not really interested in your lectures.” In the real world, the Mandarin staggered. “You’re just a rambling nutcase, changing his preachings to whatever bullshit happens to suit you in that particular moment,” Rainbow said, striding forwards, leaving ripples in her wake. “And really, Fin Fang Foom. Really? You had to summon the dragon with the most racist name on the planet? I thought you were supposed to be progressive!” The Mandarin was stepping backwards, realizing he may have made a mistake. “You don’t get it, do you? Despite everything life throws at me, I keep getting back up. To fight again. Sure it’s never been easy for me, but nothing worth doing ever is. And… you know, honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. No challenge, no satisfaction. I was always a competitive little brat,” Rainbow said, closing her eyes. “But thanks, for showing me who I needed to be. For helping me to fly higher than ever before. Higher, further, faster. And you know, this gets me thinking…” Rainbow’s whole body began to glow gold, her veins shining with light. And when she opened her eyes again, they were glowing white-hot like that of a star. “I've been fighting with one arm tied behind my back. But what happens... when I'm finally set free?” Coulson saw her suit’s readings going through the roof back at the base. “Rainbow, what are you doing?” he shouted into the comms. “Your readings are spiking!” In Washington DC, the woman finally set free of her cage strode forwards glowing with all of the light of the galaxies. Street lamps burst, cars sparked as the heroine’s hair stood on end glowing gold with cosmic energy. Her fist slammed into her palm, unleashing a burst of energy far more powerful than ever before. “I’ve finally grown into my own,” Rainbow replied. “I didn’t see it before, just how much power I had and how much I was holding myself back. I’m not afraid. I’m embracing it, actually. I glow, and I burn.” She rocketed upwards just as Fin Fang Foom took flight, freeing himself from his pit and both flew higher and higher until space embraced them. The stars were their backdrop, a little blue orb below as all you could see of them became green and gold trails of light. They traded powerful blows, each striking the other again and again. Rainbow kicked the beast in the chest before flipping away and blasting it with cosmic power. The dragon roared and slammed her into the moon itself before getting a face full of energy. Rainbow ran, leaving a gold trail of light behind her. Then, she was behind the beast, having run around the entire moon in only a few seconds. It didn’t have time to react, and was slammed into the lunar surface and lay there defeated. Rainbow chuckled, her hair still standing on end and her eyes still glowing. Now for the Mandarin. Flying back to Earth, she allowed herself a smile and a laugh. Finally, the power was hers, and the world was hers to protect. Mare-Vel Adventures #12: EpilogueSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Mare-Vel Adventures #1: Take OffFunny how life works out, right? You’re born, they tell you what you’re going to do with your life, and they pop that little pink or blue tag on you, and bam. Life starts before you can even crawl. You’re shoved off into that little niche of life, and expected to just conform. Women aren’t allowed in the military, they say. You’ll never make it out of boot camp, they say. Rainbow Dash begged to differ. All of her life she’d looked to the skies, saying: “Yeah, that’s where I want to be.” High, further, faster, baby. Like Maverick from Top Gun. ‘I feel the need for speed,’ yeah, that one. She probably wasn’t anywhere as good looking as Tom Cruise, but she wanted to be up there. Her parents, loving as they were, bore no real illusions as to how far Rainbow would realistically make it. They tried to sway her off into different paths. Something a bit more down to earth. There were the jokes of course, about why they called it a cockpit. Haha, very funny. Real witty. In any event, despite all odds and expectations and against a hell of a lot of sexism… Bam, she was up there within several years. Okay, her call sign could be a bit better. Like Crash, really? That did wonders for her confidence. But she was up there, free as a bird in the skies. Nobody to answer to but her commanding officer. Right now though, Rainbow’s mind was on issues there were decidedly more down to Earth. The Mandarin: showed up about a year and a half ago. Real screwball, nobody was sure who he was or where he came from. All they did know was that he threatened America’s way of life. “Some people call me a terrorist, I consider myself a teacher. So America, ready for another lesson? In 1864, in the little town of Sand Creek, Colorado the U.S. military waited. They waited until the friendly Cheyenne braves had all gone out hunting. They waited to attack and slaughter their families left behind, and claim their land,” the Mandarin said as he came on screen, with his signature robe and long black beard. His hair was done up in a top knot, and a pipe was in his mouth. He looked like someone’s demented grandfather, I suppose you could say. But with none of the charm. “Thirty-nine hours ago the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait was attacked. I did that. A quaint military church filled with wives and children, of course. The soldiers were out on maneuvers, the braves were away. “ The screen flickered, and gasps echoed throughout the room as the remains of an air-force base were shown. Smoking ruins with bodies scorched by the explosion lay about the area. “President Madison Mare, you continue to resist my attempts to educate you, ma’am. And now, you've missed me again. You don’t know who I am, you don't know where I am, and you'll never see me coming.” The Mandarin’s image disappeared, and his logo once again appeared: ten rings of varying colors with crossed swords in the middle of them. “...welp,” Rainbow said as she sucked in a breath, still in that state of veritable shock. “...Just…” A fist slammed into the wall, and Rainbow turned to see Fleetfoot with a look of rage on her face. “Damn it,” she muttered. “The Mandarin’s out there, and here we are just sitting on our asses doing nothing! We’re part of the United States Air Force, for God’s sake! And what are we doing? Nothing! We should be out there finding this guy and firing a missile up his ass!” “Easier said than done, Fleets,” Soarin’ said, rubbing her shoulders. Rainbow had to resist grumbling something under her breath, trying to not let the jealousy show. “Finding the Mandarin? Easier said than done.” “Yeah yeah, I know. It’s like Fox says. “All attempts to find the Mandarin have so far proved unsuccessful” and all that rot. God, can’t they get Stark to build something to find this asshole?” Rainbow knew the name, of course. Tony Stark, son of Howard Stark. He’d been on pretty much every magazine cover you could think of. GQ, Wired, Popular Mechanics, Time, Playboy, Vanity Fare. (Ugh to that last one.) The lot. He’d been called many things. Visionary. Genius. American patriot. Graduated summa cum laude from MIT at age 17. Rainbow had been just barely passing high school at 17! If there was a weapon you needed, Tony Stark had it in his brain and was most likely designing and developing it. Shame this American patriot couldn’t find out who the Mandarin was, eh? Where were the heroes when you needed them? Passing by Captain Spitfire’s office, she overheard a conversation from within. Rainbow knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop, but she just couldn’t help herself. “So what's really going on? With Mandarin. Seriously, can we talk about this guy? Cap… Half of the squad is ready to go up there and bomb the hell out of Kuwait in just hopes of finding him!” “A lot of it’s classified, Soar,” Spitfire said. “You know that.” “But-” Soarin’ started. Spitfire let out a sigh. “Alright, there’s been nine bombings thus far, the public only knows about three. Here's the thing, nobody can ID a device. There's no bomb casings. We’re at a loss.” “So we’re just supposed to sit on our asses then?” Spitfire sighed again. “HammerTech is coming up with something, word says. Not sure what exactly, but there you go. It's something. It’s a something.” HammerTech, Rainbow knew, was another company vying for the weapons manufacturer pie. Stark was his own thing, a lone wolf. He did what he wanted, didn’t always mesh well with authority. So others stepped into to grab what contracts he didn’t. They didn’t always live up to their expectations, -as who could replace Stark?- but they generally delivered. Rainbow -along with everyone else- hated to think of the day Stark wanted to get out of the weapons-making business. Yeah, that'd be a day. “Well, a something’s better than a nothing I suppose…” Soarin’ murmured. Rainbow returned to her housing later that night, her mind still a blur from the day’s events. The Mandarin. The Mandarin. Nine attacks, nine bombings. Every day seemed to come up with something new relating to the bastard, and yet none of it was information anyone could actually act on. It was just absolutely disgusting. The US had some of the best intelligence in the world, and yet nobody could find out a damned thing about this guy. Someone should be fired. The way Rainbow figured it, it’d take a bombing at the NSA Headquarters -god forbid- before anyone actually got up off their asses to do something. “Rainbow, you alright?” Soarin’ asked as he walked up, presumably on his late night run. He did this every odd day, went out at night just to jog in the cool evening air. Rainbow didn’t judge, hell, sometimes when she felt up to it she joined him. “Saw you left the building in a bit of a rush back there. Did that Mandarin broadcast get to you?” Soarin’ was a nice enough guy, Rainbow supposed. A bit of a dork, sorta dense at times with a bit of an obsession with pie, but… he was nice. Probably one of the only pilots who didn’t crack jokes at her expense. Yeah, not all males were women haters, Rainbow knew, but pilots had a certain amount of pride. It was really a dick measuring contest with them, who could fly the highest, the furthest, the fastest. You get the general idea. Rainbow really loved to outfly all of them. Seeing those smirks fall off their faces was totally worth it. “Yeah, suppose you could say that,” Rainbow admitted before turning to Soarin’. “HammerTech, really?” Soarin’ winced, his shirt stained with sweat. “...you weren’t supposed to hear that.” “Yes, well, you’re hard to ignore,” Rainbow said with a soft smile. “Nine bombings? And you get HammerTech of all companies? Hammer’s an idiot, you know that right?” “He’s provided before,” Soarin’ said. “Half of the armaments on our jets are from HammerTech.” “Okay, missiles and guns are one thing, but building something to find the Mandarin?” Rainbow asked. “That’s another. Why not get Stark to make something? Pretty sure he’d be happy to take down a terrorist. It’d really feed his ego.” “HammerTech was the first to offer, from what I heard, and command’s getting desperate,” Soarin’ shrugged. “They’ll take anything by this point. If HammerTech fails…” “If?” Rainbow snorted. “More like when.” Soarin’ wanted to look like he wanted to reprimand Rainbow, but was utterly failing to hide his amusement. All the same… “If HammerTech fails, it goes to Stark to find the Mandarin.” “Stark’s going to love this, cleaning up after Hammer’s messes. You’ve seen the Twitter wars right? The two can’t stop firing shots at each other,” Rainbow said with a small little snort. “They’re hard to miss,” Soarin’ said with a small smile. “But yeah, Hammer should be showing up here tomorrow with his little demonstration.” “God, that’ll be something to look forward to. Want to place bets on whatever he’s got will blow up on the start up,” Rainbow remarked. “RAINBOW!” Soarin’ shouted again, though it was obvious he was trying to hide his mirth. “What, just sayin’,” Rainbow shrugged. “Fine fine.” “50 bucks,” Soarin’ said. Rainbow looked honestly surprised. “Wheelin’ and dealin’ on base grounds? Cap would bust your ass if she ever caught wind of it…” Rainbow said. “...well then, let’s make sure she never finds out okay?” Soarin’ chuckled. That light little smile, that playful demeanor? It reminded Rainbow of what she could never have, and it hurt. Soarin’ was Fleetfoot’s man. She was a lucky woman, really. Soarin’ was possibly the most charming man she’d ever met in her life, and god she missed a chance to snatch him up. Fleetfoot beat her to the punch. The worst part of it all was, well, it’d taken Rainbow a bit to realize what she wanted from Soarin’. Was it a crush? Yeah, definitely. At least 20% was a crush. Awesome. Bidding Soarin’ a good night, Rainbow walked into her house, and was almost immediately blindsided by a little blur. “...hey squirt, I’ll get dinner on in a mo’, I promise. Let me just take a shower okay?” Rainbow whispered to her kid. Her kid. Scootaloo was Rainbow’s world. She was the second reason why she got up there in the wild blue yonder. Not just to prove the boys wrong, but to protect house and home. This was America, the greatest country in the world and Rainbow aimed to keep it that way. Some fought for Mom’s homemade apple pie and a bald eagle, Rainbow fought for her family. “Did you…” Scootaloo said in a soft whisper. “Did I what?” Rainbow asked gently, noticing her daughter’s scared tone. She had a sneaking suspicion as to what happened. Damnit, she’d told Scootaloo to stay away from the news. “Did you see him? Did you see the Mandarin, mom?” Scootaloo asked. “I did sweetie, but squirt? What have I told you about staying away from the news?” Rainbow chided gently. “It always gets you all worried these days. Didn’t I put on some cartoons for you? Justice League, right?” “Yeah, but the Mandarin. He high-jacked the TV. Took control of it or something.” Scootaloo mumbled, Rainbow running a hand through her hair in a calming fashion. “I… I couldn’t help myself. It was like a trainwreck, I couldn't tear my eyes away.” “I understand…” Rainbow said. “Now go wash up, okay?” Scootaloo nodded before darting off. Rainbow let out a deep sigh. She tried, she really did. Gods, she hoped Justin Hammer actually had something good to show tomorrow. She really needed to feel as if this creep could be stopped. Rainbow slammed a fist into her palm. “Careful Mandarin, better hope I don’t get to come after you…” Justin Hammer, Rainbow felt, just had to be talking out of his ass. He just had to be. She, early in the afternoon, needed to get up and get into a dress uniform and go out into the hot sun for this guy? Mind you, she did have to admit she was fairly impressed by the big mech suit he’d brought with him. Overloaded with enough weapons to make you question who was overcompensating for something. Wait, was that a freakin’ chainsaw on one arm? Wow, talk about showing off. Then again, a Mandarin sliced in half with a single swing seemed pretty appetizing. And there was enough firepower to bust the ruins of the bunker you just busted. Seemed to take a few cues from Captain America, though. Like dear god, was it covered in patriotism. She honestly half expected it to -at the push of a button- start blaring the Star Spangled Man With a Plan bit. Or Jimi Hendrix’s take on the Star Spangled Banner. One of the two. “... If it were any smarter, it'd write a book, a book that would make Ulysses look like it was written in crayon. It would read it to you. This is my Eiffel Tower. This is my Rachmaninoff's Third. My Pieta. It's completely elegant, it's bafflingly beautiful, and it's capable of reducing the population of any standing structure to zero. I call it Detroit Steel,” Hammer rambled as he gestured to the massive mecha behind him. “Four and a half tons of USA! Four and a half tons of peace and security made in the grand old U. S. of A! Say hello to The Mandarin’s worst nightmare!” A loud round of applause greeted the man, and Justin adjusted his glasses before flashing two peace signs. “...well, you can’t say he doesn’t know how to present something,” Soarin’ mumbled over the cheering crowd. “That’s a hell of a sales pitch.” “Yeah, it’s a sales pitch. They’re supposed to sound good,” Rainbow said before she deadpanned: “Now watch it fall over and blow up. Hammer never makes anything good. He’s the poor man’s Stark.” “Oh, hush,” Fleetfoot said, swatting at her arm. “Who'll rise or fall, give his all for America? Who's here to prove that we can? Hammer, clearly!” Rainbow gave her a look. “...he’s not Captain America, Fleets. May I remind you that…” Hammer chose that moment to walk over. “Oh ho, does someone have doubts about me?” he asked, wrapping an arm around Rainbow’s shoulder. A cuban cigar was currently in his mouth, Rainbow coughing from just being near it. “Well, yeah. I mean, you make weapons. Not mechs. This is a bit of a step up, right?” Rainbow asked. “...you trying to outdo Stark? I mean, props for thinking of the giant mecha first but still, this is all new to you.” Hammer laughed. “It’d be all new to Stark as well if he got in the game,” he remarked. “I’d personally love to challenge him to a duel. Whatever suit he comes up with, and mine! Then when he loses, I’d invite him to suck it! Please, Stark’s a blowhard!” “A blowhard who’s been on the cover of Popular Mechanics practically every other week,” Rainbow remarked. “Just sayin’. Call me crazy, but if he made a suit, I’m sure it’d blow yours out of the water!” “Rainbow, just be nice! Hammer’s a guest,” Fleetfoot hissed out. “Besides, with that thing? The Mandarin will be toast in no time!” “Burnt toast, actually,” Hammer said with a small wink in Fleetfoot’s direction, making her giggle. Rainbow nearly barfed. “Because yes, that is a flamethrower!” “Wow, flamethrowers, missile pods, and even chainsaws,” Rainbow said in the most spectacularly deadpan tone she could muster. No small feat, I assure you. “One might think you’re overcompensating for something!” A low ‘ooooohhhh’ echoed out from the crowd. Justin looked unimpressed. “Oh, so you do doubt me?” “Very much so, actually,” Rainbow nodded. “Heard the rumors of your first mecha suits, actually. Didn’t one end up twisting a pilot’s spine 180 degrees?” “I’d like to point out he survived,” Justin said with a little dismissive wave that did wonders for both Rainbow’s confidence and already low opinion of the man. “But in light of that little failure, I’ll be happy to tell you that won’t ever happen again. In fact, I can assure you that this is unmanned. Got the best programmers in the world. Nothing will go wrong. In fact, I can prove it to you Lieutenant Dash. Got a whole little demonstration lined up. Got it all squared away with the base commander!” This, Rainbow decided, she just simply had to see. Hammer had to be confident if he was risking what Rainbow presumed was his only suit. If it got blown up, buh-bye big bucks military contract. So, there was this guy, Philip Lawson okay? Friendly enough sort, through really Rainbow only knew him in passing. But he was in charge of… well, Rainbow wasn’t sure what he was in charge of. But yeah, he was directing tanks to box in and kill Detroit Steel. The air thundered with the sound of cannonfire, the tanks slowly closing in on Detroit Steel. Their treads rattled the ground, kicking up dust and dirt while Detroit Steel stood its ground. “...hey, you think this is how Mobile Suit Gundam starts for us?” Soarin’ had to ask as he and his squad watched from a very safe distance. “Like, unmanned suits being put to military application. You gotta admit there are some similarities!” “You’re such a weeb, Soar,” Rainbow teased. “I just want to see Hammer finally put his money where his mouth is.” “Not to worry everyone!” Hammer announced. “I’ve already promised to pay for damages!” “Whose damages? Ours or his?” Rainbow had to wonder aloud. Her jaw soundly dropped when Detroit Steel blew a hole through one of the tanks. Good god, if they weren’t unmanned… A chorus of gasps followed her own. Huh, okay then. Maybe this suit had potential. Rainbow bore witness to the chainsaw rev up with an almighty whine, thirsty for grease and engine oil. It slashed, and all was silent. Next, Detroit Steel turned its flamethrowers on the final tank, making it back away before another slash rendered it into scrap. Okay then. Maybe Hammer was onto something. Maybe. Fleetfoot was in a mood, Rainbow discovered as the days wore on. Not her business to pry. At least… not until Fleetfoot was all up in her face about things. It’d been a week since Detroit Steel’s first spectacular showing and HammerTech had been awarded a one billion dollar contract to stop the Mandarin. Stark must have been furious. Privately, Rainbow wondered just how Hammer had suddenly got the know-how to build a functional mecha suit. He was a bit of a joke honestly, everyone knew that. He couldn’t program to save his life. There had been rumors of course, there always were. That Hammer had some help building Detroit Steel. There’d been a guy in a suit, classic government type lurking around the base that day. Nobody bothered to catch his name; there’d been several men in suits. All of them from different government organizations. What was one more? Mind you, he’d apparently had good taste in rides. A classic Corvette, whoo! Rainbow couldn’t even land herself a nice bike. That was a Suit’s paycheck for you, she supposed. “So what’s eating you?” Rainbow asked Fleetfoot, having finally had enough of her ansty demeanor. It had rapidly been getting on her nerves. “You’ve been pacing around the commons all afternoon. Somebody die? If you want, I can talk to the Captain. Probably get you some paid leave.” “It’s not that,” Fleetfoot said quickly. “That guy, Lawson? He’s been scouting around the base looking for a test pilot for some fancy new jet of his.” “And let me guess, you drew the short straw,” Rainbow teased. “Need an airsick bag, a little plushie to go with you Flatfoot? It’s just a jet, nothing new you haven’t seen before!” “You’re a jerk,” Fleetfoot grumbled. “Sadly, it’s not me they want up there. Really pisses me off, I’m the best pilot on base!” “Evidently not, considering they passed you up,” Rainbow said, Fleetfoot glowering at her. “Yeah, haha, real rich coming from you…” Fleetfoot grumbled practically stomping off. Soarin’ watched her leave. “Geez, what crawled up her ass and died?” Rainbow had to wonder. “You mean you don’t know?” Soarin’ said. “They want you Crash.” “M-Me?” Rainbow sputtered, sure she’d misheard. “You’ve got to be joshing me. Like, seriously. Go on, pull the other one why don’t you?” “No, Lawson’s apparently asking for you specifically,” Soarin’ said before laying a supportive hand on her shoulder. “This is what you want, right? You, up there in the wild blue yonder? Isn’t that what you said to me? You’ve got to say yes!” “Surely there’s got to be a catch,” Rainbow muttered to herself. “I’m nowhere near that lucky around here. So who do I have to screw to get in that cockpit?” she asked bitterly. “No catches,” Lawson said as he walked in. “So, you in?” Soarin’ was flashing her a thumbs up. It would have been a fool’s idea to say no. Most people would have practically jumped at the chance to prove themselves when offered to get in the air test flying this new aircraft. Rainbow was no different. Straight shot to respect, hello! “Uh, yeah?” Rainbow asked. “Bring it on!” It was only an hour later that she was inside Lawson’s new bird. “Can you fly this thing?” Lawson asked as he strapped himself in, Rainbow in the cockpit seat. The controls revealed themselves, part of the cockpit shifting aside as two joysticks came into view. Rainbow raised an eyebrow. That was definitely new. Certainly not standard issue. “It’s a jet,” Rainbow said, running through her primary system checks. “It’s like second nature to me by this point.” “Fair warning, Dash, this jet is probably unlike anything you’ve ever seen in your life,” Lawson said as Rainbow flicked another switch. “A jet’s a jet, what more do I need to know. It’s got controls, instruments, two wings and an engine. This thing could be a biplane for all I care and I’d still be able to fly it,” Rainbow said as the two massive hanger doors began to open. “So watch me, flyboy.” “You’re confident,” Lawson said as the engines began to whir to life with an almost unearthly hum. They sounded absolutely like nothing Rainbow had ever heard before, the cockpit’s controls glowing with an almost luminous light. Rainbow paid it no mind. There could be all the fancy toys a pilot could want and it still wouldn’t distract her. MInd you, she couldn’t say the same about most pilots. She’d make a mental note to tell Lawson not to have so many gimmicks in his little plane when it reached mass production. “...shouldn’t I be?” Rainbow said. “It’s just a simple test flight. One loop around the mountains and back again. Higher, further, faster baby.” “It’s just…” Lawson said, inwardly wondering how much he should divulge. If Rainbow knew why he was here, why he’d truly come to the base… well, she’d probably be scared out of her mind. She seemed confident, but was she really ready? “You know what our work here is for right?” The tarmac was beginning to fly by in a blur, and slowly but surely the wheels retracted as the Asis hit take off speeds. The ground below slowly began to get smaller and smaller, till the buildings became like scale models. The unearthly hum began to increase in both tone and pitch, leaving Rainbow to wonder just what exactly this bird ran on. Some new type of top-secret super fuel? Some of Stark’s tech maybe? Probably wasn’t even worth asking about, given it was labeled top-secret for a reason. “That’s a stupid question isn’t it?” Rainbow asked. “It’s to help end all wars, right? Isn’t that what we’re here for?” Lawson sighed. “Yes, but sometimes the wars are bigger than you know…” he murmured to himself. “What was that?” Rainbow asked as she sent the craft into a spin. “Didn’t quite catch that last bit!” “Nothing! Hey, careful!” Lawson shouted as Rainbow pulled the jet into a steep climb. “You want to see what this baby can really do, right?” Rainbow said, the jet on a sharp bank as it rocketed around mountain passes. “So shut up and stop being a backseat driver!” Some people got their adrenaline junkie fix by storm chasing or going out into the jungle with leopards or mountain climbing. Not Rainbow. Up here? She could go full throttle to her heart's content and she even got paid to do it. From 0 to Mach 2 in just under a few minutes, now that beat them all. Porsches, Bugattis, Ferraris? Pah, they had nothing on this shit, thank you very much. Sonic booms over the American heartland and then gone in a split second? Yeah, this was how she rolled. The miles flew by like nothing, the base just a distant memory. Now she was over a series of lakes and forests, and making her final run back to base. Going into a barrel roll, Rainbow let out a whoop of joy. “God, this thing kicks ass!” Rainbow shouted over the engine, stripping through the sky like it was nothing leaving nothing but a streak in her wake. “Don’t overdo it, Lieutenant,” Lawson warned as Rainbow rocketed over a lake leaving a massive wake in her trail. As Rainbow climbed again, the trees started to look like toothpicks. “Just get us back to base, that’s all you need to do.” He was beginning to wonder if he’d really made the right choice for his pilot. “Right, right,” Rainbow muttered. “You had to kill the fun. First mission in weeks, and I’m not even allowed to enjoy myself just a bit. Murderer of fun, that’s what you are. You’re like a murderer of fun in way too tight pants.” Lawson looked out the window, nothing but clear blue skies all around them. Not even a cloud. “Wonderful view, isn't it?” he said in awe. “Yeah, it is…” Rainbow whispered. “Wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.” Then, warning alarms began to flash all over. “I… didn’t do that,” Rainbow said slowly. “I swear, I didn’t touch anything!” “It’s not you,” Lawson shouted. “It’s me, I forgot to check to see if the Asis had been fueled properly!” “How do you forget to fill up a jet with fuel?” Rainbow shouted back. “Do you forget to load your gun as well? Sit tight, we’re going in for a landing and it’s not going to be pretty!” The ground was coming up fast, a veritable sea of green before her. Rainbow smashed the Asis through trees, snapping them like twigs before slashing through the ground. Earth and sand were tossed up, the Asis carving a path through the dirt like a massive knife blade. “Lawson? Philip?” Rainbow asked as the cockpit window went flying of its own accord, jettisoned to the side. “You alright?” “Yeah, been better. But there's nothing I can’t walk off. Any landing you can walk away from...” Philip said as he climbed out of his seat. Rainbow swore he was bleeding blue, but passed it off as her imagination. Right now she had bigger concerns, like where the hell were they? “Phone still works, I’ll call in our location.” Small mercies, really. “...doubt they’ll ever let me fly anything again,” Rainbow muttered seeing all of her hopes and dreams come crashing down all around her. She choked back a sob. “...yeah, it’ll be weeks of cleaning the dishes and then I’ll be lucky to even get near a jet after this.” As they walked away from the wreckage, Lawson turned as he heard something. The low hum was starting to turn into a whine. “RUN!” Philip shouted, and Rainbow broke into a sprint. The world went white, and then it went blue. A glow filled Rainbow’s vision before all went silent as pain rushed up to greet her. Rainbow faded in and out, voices ringing out in her ear. Vague notions of fear and concern, and the whole world was one of white. She let out a moan of pain, before fading back into darkness again. She awoke to the sound of beeping machines, and a light shone in her face before fading back again. A third waking moment came, and she looked to her hand. It glowed gold. Then darkness consumed her for the final time. “She’s going to be alright?” one Rarity Belle nervously fretted over her friend’s fate. She’d been the first to hear, and was the first to arrive at Canterlot General Hospital. “Surely you can tell me something. I… I’ve been asking the doctors and nurses and nobody will tell me anything!” Philip tried to soothe the concerned woman, who was close to hyperventilating. “She’s… she’s going to be fine,” he said, lying through his teeth. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure what Rainbow was going to be. “She’s been through a lot, but your friend’s a tough woman. It’s just right now she needs her rest.” “If… if you say so,” Rarity said. “I’m going to see Soarin’. He’s been pacing up a storm in the lobby and… poor dear. Rainbow doesn’t really know how lucky she is…” Philip nodded before as Rarity walked off, he passed two men in suits and entered Rainbow’s room. His eyes widened. Floating several feet above the bed, bathed in a golden almost holy glow was Rainbow Dash. “Oh boy, you’ve really gone and done it this time,” Philip thought to himself. “So, how are you going to explain this one to your superiors, Mar-Vehl?” Author's Note Welcome, Earth's Mightest Avenger. So yeah, this is more of a personal project of mine. Not expecting it to do well, but I'm doing it anyways. Taking the Iron Man 2008 approach, it's all going to be self-contained. No stingers leading seemingly up to something bigger. It's just going to tell a single story. Admittedly, I am worried about the characters I chose. Mandarin, Detroit Steel/Justin Hammer. Those are all from Iron Man's rogues gallery. In my defense, a lot of Captain Marvel's enemies would require a fair bit of set up that I don't think a single story can do. Plus, I'm trying to keep away from the cosmic side of Marvel for the most part. And hey, I got Lawson so... And yes, the Mandarin here isn't going to be revealed as some washed-up actor from Britain. Hugely entertaining as Trevor was, he was a disservice to the plot. I want my ring bearing archenemy damn it! Thank the Celestials for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Blow it out of the ballpark for us as the Mandarin, would you Tony Leung? I swear, going to watch the film just for you and your character. But yeah, if you're a comics reader -I assume you are- you'd remember Mandarin's rings and their many powers. Those are the exact reasons why I chose Mandarin, given I figure he could put up a fair fight under the right circumstances. Leave your thoughts and comments below, please. Need to know what I'm doing right, what I'm doing wrong, etc. Mare-Vel Adventures #11: Higher, Further, Faster BabyAuthor's Note Sorry I didn't give a proper upload yesterday, had to get some help to deliver a suitable finale. Huge thanks to Layton13, give him a shout huh? Mare-Vel Adventures #11: Higher, Further, Faster Baby “So…” the Mandarin chuckled, seeing a comet flying back towards the Earth and rupturing the upper atmosphere. “She’s finally become who she was always meant to be.” He flexed his fingers, all ten rings glowing. “I relish the challenge,” he said, raising up rubble and ripping up the streets with golden cracks forming beneath his feet. “In another world, in another time she might have been the hero this planet needs. But I refuse to let that woman stand in the way of my brave new world. So says the Mandarin!” “COME ON!” Rainbow roared as she rocketed towards the man like a bullet from a gun, glowing with starlight and a fist stretched forwards. “I guess it’s time then, to see who really deserves to lead humanity into a bright new age,” the Mandarin said, the Remaker ring glowing as a fist of earth uppercutted Rainbow. “So come, face the changing of the guard with grace and dignity.” “That’s just it, isn’t it?” Rainbow said, shooting a blast of cosmic energy at him, the Mandarin summoning a black hole to suck it all away. “I don’t want to lead anyone into any new brighter era, I just want to be me.” The Nightbringer ring glowed once more with dark light, the Mandarin summoning spectral swords and leaping upwards to face her. Rainbow summoned cosmic energy into her hands, malleable light reformed and thrown as an arc of energy. The Mandarin leaped over it, slicing into her suit and drawing blood as a scream escaped from her throat. Unleashing even more energy from her palm, it rocketed her arm backward, directly at the assailant. Eyes widening, the swords raced in front of him, before colliding with her elbow. For a few moments, they stood strong, before cracking all over, quickly spreading across the whole construct until it burst into a thousand pieces. Using the force of her counterattack, Rainbow pulled herself around, before shooting herself directly at the Mandarin, who had used the few precious moments to leap backward. “You fight well,” the Mandarin said, raising his hand and Nightbringer glowed again. Spikes erupted from the air, cascading out like thorny roots and racing towards Rainbow. “I’m impressed.” “I’m not looking to impress you,” Rainbow said, shooting upwards even as the spikes raced after her. She was above them, and blasting cosmic energy straight through them. “You hear?” She was behind the Mandarin, shoving a knee into his chest only for it to pass right through the man. The spectral ring was glowing before the villain solidified once again, wrapping a hand around her throat. “Very well then, just take my compliments all the same though as you die screaming,” the Mandarin said, tossing her through the side of a gas station. Cosmic energy collided with fuel lines and up the building went in a massive fireball. And then the fire began to die down, and choked upon itself as it was sucked into Rainbow’s body with the woman’s aura crackling with life. Remaker glowed, as the Mandarin raised up concrete, again and again, to shield himself from her blasts. Nightbringer glowed, a beam of dark energy shooting out from the Mandarin’s palm to smash straight into one of Rainbow’s own blasts. Pieces of road, cars, and glass were flying all over the place as both energies clashed, only for Rainbow’s blast to fizzle out rather quickly, the beam rocketing towards her. If a simple projectile wouldn’t work, fighting fire with fire would surely do the trick. Once more their energies slammed into each other, the street and surrounding buildings quickly being ripped apart, as she unleashed her own beam. Pieces of the debris were thrown her way, before evaporating before ever hitting her, still, she could feel her feet being pushed back inch by inch. That was when her second hand rose, pointed at the ground behind her. If she was getting pushed back, she just had to push in the opposite direction, simple as that. The moment the second beam burst from her palm, she felt an immense weight being lifted from her other arm. Within seconds, she could feel she was making progress, gaining foot in their beam struggle. “You learn fast,” the Mandarin said, being pushed back. All around them was a crater, the very ground scarred by their battle. “I admire that about you.” “Are you fighting or flirting?” Rainbow asked, punching him in the face and breaking his nose with blood squirting onto her fist. Another punch passed through the Mandarin, his Spectral ring activated once again. The man reformed briefly, to grab her by the leg and hoist her up. This proved to be a bit of a tactical error, the Mandarin found as he was blasted into a car by cosmic light. “So I have to ask,” Rainbow said, climbing out of the crater. “Okay, assume you take control. You’re suddenly big bad Mr. President, I have to ask you something. What makes you think anyone will listen to you? You didn’t get elected, you staged a coup. You took over like a tyrant. Your authority isn’t valid.” She side-stepped a lightning spear tossed at her. “You brute force your way through any problem presented to you. You’ll be ruling the country if only through fear. You’ll be forcing people to change.” “All the same, everything will finally be-” “Exactly as you desired it to be?” Rainbow asked. “Will it though? People will only be listening to you because they’ll be scared of the consequences. The world will only be making sense because you force it to. That’s not heroism or real change or whatever the crap you want to call it. That’s tyranny.” The Mandarin was floating above her, with pieces of street surrounding him. He launched them at her, the woman just smashing through the projectiles with her fists. “No answer? Good, then I guess I’m starting to get to you aren’t I? Now I’m the one doing the lecturing,” Rainbow said, firing off another blast that the Mandarin just phased through. “You can dish it out, but you can’t take it can you? When someone applies your tactics to you. You fancy yourself a teacher right? Well sit down Jack, because class is in session! I’m taking over. Leave your things at the door.” The Mandarin launched another blast of dark energy at her, only for this time Rainbow to not even bother powering through it. Instead she just absorbed the energy into herself. She slammed a fist into her outstretched hand, a clap of energy shooting out from her. “Honestly, I’ve given up caring about the trash you keep spouting. It’s just that. Trash.” Narrowing his eyes, the Mandarin lit the Daimonic Ring up as the ground started to shake. At first, the dust started to flow towards Rainbow, before quickly bigger and bigger rocks and pieces of debris were hurtling towards her. But as she tried to attack once more, her body didn’t move as she intended to, instead, being pulled back by an immense force. That was exactly when massive chunks of the ruins around them started moving, directly at the center of the gravitational pull, her. At first, she simply tried to blast them to pieces, which worked well enough, the problem was the pieces that were still racing towards her. After the second chunk she had shattered like this, she hissed. This wasn’t gonna work. The sudden feeling of being punched in the stomach knocked her out of her thoughts, quickly followed by a similar sensation all over her body, as more and more debris were forming around her. It only took a few seconds till she was buried under a small mass of stone, cars, and anything else that had halfway survived their fight till now. Inside, she felt the pressure on her body growing with every passing moment, as if she was about to be squashed like a spider. Breathing grew harder, as the rocks pressed into her chest and air out of her lungs. She just wanted out! Right! Now! The battlefield erupted into a blinding light in an instant, a searing hotness washing over everything. As the light dimmed, the ball of debris was gone, in its stead Rainbow hovered over the ground, energy radiating from her, as she glared down at the Mandarin. “Okay, so you want to play? Let’s play.” Rainbow rapid-fired punches at the man shattering his armor and ripping his suit to shreds. When the smoke cleared, there stood the Mandarin stripped of all royal regalia and his chest bared to the world. To his credit, he looked more amused than anything else and was glowing with an aura of his own. He seemed to accelerate as the Spin ring glowed a bright green, and no that wasn’t right Rainbow realized. Time around her was slowing down. And yet because of this, he might as well have gained the ability to move faster than her. He was rapid-firing punches like a Jojo character complete with his own war cry. He was now to the left of her and kicking her down the street. She bounced several times smashing into the pavement, before rocketing upwards to gain some height. The Mandarin followed, the Daimonic ring glowing again as he gave a cocky grin. His own personal gravity bent to his will, and he was floating. “Yeah yeah, I get it, you’re going all Chinese Kung Fu Jesus on me,” Rainbow said as the two flew up above the city. “Big deal. Whoopee de-do. I’m still going to rip those rings off your fingers.” One of the Mandarin’s rings glowed, and Fin Fang Foom flew out of a portal with fangs and claws bared as the dragon snaked around Rainbow and bound her up like he was a constrictor snake. In a house in Canterlot, sat a girl glued to the TV who could only watch as trails of light ripped through the sky. She prayed to whatever god that was listening that her mother would survive this fight. “Come on Mom, you can do this… You got this…” Scootaloo said to herself, on the edge of her seat. Rainbow had freed herself with another energy burst and was gunning for the Mandarin. Time slowed down once again as the world ground to a halt. Fist met face, and both Rainbow and the Mandarin slammed into each other skin bursting and blood flying. Time resumed and both flew backwards a bit. Another hole in reality was opening up her, and the Mandarin slowed down time once again and threw her into it. “You SEE? I CAN KEEP UP WITH YOU! THE WORLD DOESN’T NEED YOU!” the Mandarin screamed, all around them was a great expanse of nothing. No stars, no lights, just a void of darkness. “I AM THE ONE WHO WILL LEAD IT INTO THE NEW ERA!” “And you’ll do it through fear, anyone who steps out of line? What happens to them, then?” Rainbow said, suddenly finding herself without power. With a dark horror, she realized her binary state didn’t work in here. “You’ll keep on killing and killing until only those who agree with you are left. What does that say about you huh? You’re not some bright new visionary, you’re just a tyrant. A rabid dog who needs to be put down.” “I am…” “What the world needs? Good grief,” Rainbow said, floating backwards to dodge a blast of fire. “Give it a rest, the people are afraid of you. You’re not helping to advance the world, you’re only dragging it backwards. What does it take TO GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL!?” Her last resort, a pistol strapped to her side. She fired, blasting the Mandarin’s finger clean off. The world rippled and a hole began to grow as Washington called out to her from below. “Damn you… Can’t you see? I just… I just wanted to help…” The Mandarin whispered, clutching his bleeding finger as the Remaker ring tumbled back to Earth. “You’ve seen the state of the world, how…” “Yeah, I know, it’s not perfect but no one man is going to change that,” said Rainbow. “It’ll take all of us, together.” And finally, something seemed to shine in the Mandarin’s eyes as cheers and shouts came up from the streets below. But they weren’t for him. “Yes… you’re right, I finally do see. I see that…” he whispered again. “I see that I’m not the one the world needs. Can you do something, for me?” “...?” “Please, if I can’t change the world, you do it instead,” the Mandarin said, shocking Rainbow. Not that she had much time to think about it, as he kicked her through a closing portal. “The world doesn’t need an adviser. It needs an example, and I am not it.” “Come back, with me!” Rainbow said as she began to fall. “To a prison cell or a firing squad?” the Mandarin said, shaking his head. “No, I don’t think so. The world doesn’t want me, they want you. Now go, do what I couldn’t. Change the world, Rainbow Dash. Be a Marvel. Goodbye.” He had just enough time to smile before the wormhole closed and Rainbow shut her eyes, tears stinging her face as she fell with energy spent. She fell faster and faster and faster… Then, darkness.
Mare-Vel Adventures #2: The Obligatory Backstory Issue“I have to ask,” Philip Lawson said as he sat down beside Soarin’ and Rarity in the reception area. His mind was still a blur from what he’d seen in that room, Rainbow bathed in gold light and floating several feet above her bed. It reminded him of that movie he’d seen once, just less creepy. “...how did… No, that’s not right. Why did Rainbow join the US Air Force?” “She said it was just because she wanted to fly free, in the skies above,” Soarin’ answered with a small little shrug. “I never questioned it, seemed like a good enough answer to me, right?” “Dear, then she’s not telling you everything,” Rarity shook her head. “There’s more to it than that. I assume you’ve heard of Captain America?” Soarin’ gave her a flat ‘are you kidding me’ type of look. “That’s a dumb question, of course I’ve heard of Captain America,” Soarin said before humming a little tune. “...Who'll give the Axis the sack and is smart as a fox? Who's making Adolf afraid to step out of his box?” Everyone’s heard of Captain America.” “Well, Rainbow Dash had quite a fond admiration for Captain America. Though I’ll admit it wasn’t as much as her dreams of wanting to be in the Air Force, she at least let us know that they were their favorite superhero as far as she was concerned. In fact, I think Stars and Spangles probably played a part in making her want to join the military,” Rarity went on. “Though I don’t know about you, I saw the appeal more in the Star Sapphires more than anything. The ability to create hard-light manifestations of anything is something to die for.” Helped kept her mind off things as well, Rarity thought. “...You’d just want to create diamonds to adorn your dresses, wouldn’t you?” Soarin’ deadpanned. He decided against mentioning that more often than not, the Star Sapphires’ rings brainwashed their users. Rarity blushed at Soarin’. “You know me far too well, darling. Yes, I admit that having a ring like that would work wonders for my latest line, but still, I’m no superhuman. I just have to make do with what I have.” “We’re getting off-topic,” Philip said. “So, Rarity, is it? You’re saying Captain America is the reason why Rainbow wanted to join the US Air Force?” “Oh yes, quite,” Rarity nodded. “Rainbow’s always been quite the little patriot. You should see her at Independence Day celebrations! Why there was one time that… well, I suppose you don’t need to know about that, mhmm?” Soarin’ looked curious but decided not to pry. Another time, then. Rarity’s phone let out a little ping. “Oh dear, that’d be Fluttershy. She and Rainbow’s parents are on the way. Brace yourself.” “B-Brace myself?” Philip asked in confusion. “Why would I want to…?” Both Rarity and Soarin’ gave him a look of sympathy. Soarin rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. He said: “You’ve obviously never met Rainbow’s parents have you?” The front door opened, revealing Fluttershy reassuring an older couple. The male had faint traces of rainbow hair. Huh, Philip had always thought Rainbow had dyed it that way. Apparently not. “N-Now, I’m sure Rainbow’s just fine,” Fluttershy nervously stammered out holding her hands up in a calm reassuring manner. “Oh, of course, she is. She’s part of the Air Force now, isn’t she?” The male spoke with a boisterous, jolly tone of voice. “Our little superhero, Rainbow Dash. Gone from playing with toy planes to flying real ones! Oh, I’ve never been so proud…” A small semblance of a tear crept out of his eye socket. “You didn’t tell them?” Rarity leaned over to Soarin’. “...I thought that was your job,” Soarin’ said before his voice turned to a low whisper. “What was I supposed to tell them? ‘Oh, hi Mr. and Mrs. Dash. Your daughter’s been involved in a horrific plane crash and was caught in the engine’s explosion.’ Yeah, bright idea. Give the poor woman a heart attack.” “I just told them the basics, that Rainbow was in the hospital,” Rarity whispered. “Didn’t want to give Windy a heart attack. Oh dear, I just remembered. ...someone’s looking after Scootaloo right?” “Fleetfoot’s been keeping an eye on her, hopefully, she won’t blab,” Soarin’ said. Inwardly, he doubted she would. Fleetfoot was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them. He got up off his chair. “Where’s my daughter,” Windy shouted. “Where’s my Dashie, I want to know what’s happened to her!” “Mr. and Mrs. Dash,” Soarin’ said. “Pleasure to see you again, just wish it was under better circumstances.” “H-hi!” Windy Whistles awkwardly waved at Soarin’ as she took a few steps forward. She had to admit that she felt exceptionally out of place speaking to someone from the Air Force. Many different topics for conversation ran through her head, but first and foremost was her daughter’s welfare. “How is Rainbow Dash?” Windy finally asked. “Well, ah, this might be hard for you to take but…” Soarin’ said, looking at a loss to explain. He turned to Philip and Rarity and mouthed ‘help’. “Doctor Philip Lawson, Division of Military Science,” Lawson said as he walked up, shaking both of their hands. Fluttershy looked at the handsome man, before blushing and stopping herself. “Earlier today, at a little past 18:00 hours, your daughter and I were on a test flight and sadly, the fueling process hadn’t quite been completed. My fault, I admit. We crash-landed in the lakes just west of here. Rainbow pulled me out, but then… The engine exploded and Rainbow was caught up in it. We managed to save her life, but we don’t know when she’ll wake up. When, not if. When.” “So it’s not fatal?” Windy Whistles let out a massive exhale as a huge weight was taken off of her shoulders. “Oh, thank goodness. I couldn’t have bared to see my baby be taken away like that…” “...I was expecting more crying, honestly,” Soarin’ mumbled before he let out a little yelp of pain. Evidently, Rarity had heard the comment and twisted his ear ever so slightly. “G-g-g-gah! Alright, alright, I give! I’m sorry about that!” He whispered while trying to beat Rarity’s arm to release his ear. “Can we see her?” Bow asked, and Philip considered it for a moment before nodding. He gestured for them to follow. As the small group reached Rainbow’s room, Philip gestured for the two men in suits to leave. “I should warn you, there are things that-” “We can handle it,” Bow said tight-lipped. Lawson nodded, before nervously opening the door. To his surprise, he found Rainbow back in her bed. No glow, no floating. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. One less explanation, at least for the moment. “Rainbow…” Windy breathed, stroking her daughter’s head. She watched the slow rise and fall of her chest. “Last time we were in a hospital like this, you’d just been born. Funny that.” 31 years ago... Windy Whistles laid on a bed, legs splayed out far apart as every muscle in her body tensed up. She was constantly having to take breaths. Sweat was running down her forehead, and her belly so huge that it was almost like a balloon ready to burst. She was about to deliver her baby. Bow Hothoof was holding her hand as much as he could, while a group of qualified midwives stood around her to make sure that the delivery was a success; one of them standing right at the area where her legs met. “GOOD GOD, DOES IT ALWAYS HURT LIKE THIS?!” Windy screamed in agony as she tried her hardest to push out the baby. Her pitch had climbed so high that it was almost like she was another person entirely. “Come on, honey. You’re almost there. Just stay with me, alright?” Bow gave his advice as he wrapped his hands around his wife’s hand. “Just a few more pushes and this will all be over. We’ll finally have our baby. Just stay calm.” “Stay calm? How in the nine hells am I supposed to stay calm with all this pain?!” Windy writhed in agony as she pushed once again, having to take multiple deep breaths in the middle of it. When the breathing beats stopped, she addressed Bow again. “I don’t know about you, Bow, but this is the worst kind of pain I’ve ever had in my entire life!” “You’re doing great, Mrs. Whistles,” one of the nurses commented as she held Windy’s other hand. “Just keep on pushing for us. Soon, this will all be over.” “Y-yeah… But no real promises, alright?” She looked into the midwife’s eyes with tears in her own. This pain was overwhelming every other sensation and feeling in her body. “All for the baby. All… for the baby.” She took another set of breaths and pushed out again, wailing as high-pitched as she could as the pain returned. Every single part of her hurt, and her body even twitched in places, but she knew that she had to keep on going, that this would only stop if she pushed out hard enough. So, buckling down and taking another set of breaths, she gave it all of the effort that she could, and with one final scream and push, it all came to an end. The midwife by her legs reached into Windy Whistles and finally pulled out a newborn baby, still with its umbilical cord attached to Windy’s insides. Even despite the overwhelming noise that Windy had been making, the baby was still sleeping peacefully in the midwife’s hands. “Congratulations, Mrs. Whistles. It’s a beautiful girl,” she finally said as she held the baby up to Windy and Bow. “She’s… she’s beautiful…” Windy whispered holding her daughter close. “Look Bow, she even has your hair!” “Aww… she does, doesn’t she?” Bow brushed his hand across the baby’s tiny tufts of hair as gently as she could. “The prettiest rainbow I’ve ever seen in all my life, isn’t it?” “Rainbow. That’s perfect.” Windy finally cradled her baby close to her chest. “I’ve got just the perfect name for you. Rainbow Dash.” And with that, the baby gently twitched its arm and planted it on Windy’s face, lightly smacking its lips together and moaning something softly as it nuzzled into her new mother’s body. She didn’t understand it yet, but this woman was going to be one of the most important things in her life. “...and look at you, you’ve grown up to be so strong,” Windy whispered. “Bet you never imagined you’d be where you are now five to ten years from when you were born. Hell, we never imagined it!” “You okay, Mrs. Dash?” Philip said. “Please, call me Windy,” Windy said. “You saved my daughter’s life, so you’re at least entitled to that. Careful Soarin’, if you don’t snatch up my daughter, this one might!” “Madam!” Soarin’ said with a bright blush, stammering up a storm. “I… I don’t think the Air Force actually allows internal fraternization! The Captain would have my head!” “Mhmm, shame really,” Windy said trying not to look at her daughter, just lying there possibly never to wake. “You’re her kind of man. Kind, gentle, understanding. I’ve seen you babysit my granddaughter, you’re good with kids as well. I’ve seen the way Rainbow looks at you. If that ain’t love honey, then I don’t know what is. Take it from someone who’s married, love is something that can pass you by in the blink of an eye and unless you don’t seize your chance… Well!” Here, she leaned into Bow’s chest, nuzzling into him. Bow ran his fingers through his wife’s shockingly red hair, kissing the top of her head. “Come on Dash,” Fluttershy whispered just watching the slow boop boop boop of the heart monitor. Every second felt like agony, not knowing if Dash would wake up. Maybe Philip had been lying. Being nice. “Wake up. Captain America wouldn’t want you to lay here like this, so…” 19 years ago: Washington DC, The Smithsonian. “...Welcome to the Smithsonian. Visitor information booths are available on the second level.” a woman over the PA said. Rainbow Dash, now twelve years old and wearing a loose-fitting blue dress, wandered into the titanic Smithsonian museum with Windy Whistles and Bow Hothoof. She was now large enough to the point where she was almost as high as their torsos, yet still much smaller than they were. But that wasn’t the reason why she was here. Instead, she was here for one thing and one thing only; the Captain America exhibit. There was an ACTUAL exhibit being made for the greatest superhero ever made, and she just had to go and see it. “Where do you think it’ll be, mom and dad?” Rainbow asked as she tugged on their hands with energy. She had been exceptionally stoked about this trip with her parents; so much so that she had to let every single man, woman, and child around her know about it in the days leading up to this one. “Just right this way dear,” Windy said as Dash began to race ahead of her parents. Windy pulled her back. “Now now, don’t worry. The exhibit will still be there when we get there. It’s not going to be leaving any time soon.” “You sure? I don’t know much about museums and stuff, but I’m pretty sure that there’s gonna be a ton of people there. And a lot of ‘em are gonna surround all the cool stuff. I wanna get there before all the awesome stuff gets totally cramped by everyone else,” said Rainbow. Bow ruffled her hair. “Hey, I can’t blame you for being excited. It’s Captain America! But I don’t want you to get lost okay?” he said kneeling down next to her. “It’s a big museum, and mommy and daddy don’t want to lose you.” “Ah, c’mon! I won’t get lost, mom,” Rainbow just scoffed cheekily and tipped her arm dismissively. “I’m not gonna get lost. I’m just gonna stay at that exhibit the second I find it. Ya won’t be losin’ me any time soon.” “But just to be on the safe side. Besides, would Captain America want you to leave your dear old dad behind?” Bow asked. “Not a chance.” Rainbow shook her head. “Cap’s probably got their own family. Cap would hate to leave them behind or put ‘em in danger like that.” Eventually, they reached the exhibit. It couldn’t be any more American unless it had a slice of mom’s apple pie and the Star-Spangled Banner playing. Reds, whites, and blues decorated the exhibit, and in the middle of it all? Mannequins depicting the Captain and the now legendary Howling Commandos. Above the mannequins, a quote from the late Dr. Abharam Erskine. The man who would be credited with inventing the legendary serum that would create Captain America: A subtle, but moving tribute to the late scientist, killed in an Axis attack. “You must promise me one thing: that you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier... but a good man.” Rainbow knew all of the names of the Commandos, of course. What true Captain America fan didn’t? Sergeant James Buchanan ‘Bucky’ Barnes. Corporal Tim ‘Dum Dum’ Dugan. Lieutenant and Lord James Montgomery Falsworth. Jacques Dernier. Private Jim ‘Jimmy’ Morita. And finally, Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Jones. A narrator was speaking over the voices of the bustling crowd, telling the Captain America story: “A symbol to the nation. A hero to the world. The story of Captain America is one of honor, bravery, and sacrifice. Denied enlistment due to poor health, Captain America was chosen for a program unique in the annals of American warfare. One that would transform them into the world's first super-soldier…” All around the exhibit, old wartime footage was displayed. Nothing too violent, but enough for you to get the general idea of just who Captain America was. “..wow…” Rainbow breathed out even as the narrator continued. “Battle-tested, Captain America and the Howling Commandos quickly earned their stripes. Their mission? Taking down HYDRA, the Nazis’ mad science division. Most fearsome of all was their opponent, the Red Skull: Johann Schmidt. Their campaign against the Red Skull may have quickly turned the tide of the War, Hitler ordering new Wunderwaffens and driving Germany to the brink of bankruptcy all in fear of the Allies’ new super-soldier.” “Were they that scared of Captain America, dad?” Rainbow asked in a low whisper. “Apparently so, Rainbow,” Bow said, remembering a story from his father. Rainbow’s Grandfather, Rainbow Blaze. He and his men had been bogged down in a terrible blizzard in the French Alps and were surely about to be killed by Nazi snipers. Then, from out of nowhere Captain America appeared, the famous shield being used to deflect shots and cover Blaze and his men’s escape. Without Captain America… well, his daughter probably never would have been born. Bow would forever hold a debt to the legendary soldier for that. “...were inseparable on both schoolyard and battlefield. Barnes is the only Howling Commando to give his life in service of his country.” a narrator said as the family passed Bucky’s section of the exhibit, a solemn little tribute to the legendary sniper. To Bow’s surprise, he saw his grandmother on another section of the exhibit. He raced off, Windy and Rainbow sharing a confused look as they followed. “That was a difficult winter. A blizzard had trapped half our battalion behind the German line. The Captain and the Commandos, they fought their way through a HYDRA blockade that had pinned our allies down for months. They saved over a thousand men, including the man who would… who would become my husband as it turned out. Even after they died, the Captain was still changing my life,” said the woman, Agent Peggy Carter. “Wait… is that grandma?” Rainbow whispered and Bow nodded. “...so the Captain saved my grandpa?” “Yes, Captain America did just that,” Bow nodded. “I wanted you to see this exhibit, not just because of how big of a fan of the Captain I know you are, but because of this.” “I want to be like Captain America when I grow up. Be a soldier, and save lives,” Rainbow whispered as she turned her gaze back to the Captain’s uniform. Bow smiled at her, Windy just looking concerned. “That you will dear, I’m sure you will.” Bow said. “Remember dear?” Bow said. “That you thought our daughter becoming a soldier wasn’t a good idea? It wasn’t her killing people that you disapproved of, it was you knowing what kind of challenges she’d face. Being a woman, you… worried that she’d be treated as inferior to the others.” Soarin’ knew why Windy was so worried. As Spitfire and Fleetfoot could attest, Rainbow being in the Air Force would not be easy for her. He remembered her first day of boot camp all too well… It was basic training, that’s when Rainbow got her first taste of how bad it’d be. She was climbing from rope to rope, several feet off the ground. Her signature hair was done up in a ponytail, shining in the sun. Voices shouted below her, one male, in particular, being a standout. Hoops, aka her and Fluttershy’s old school bully before Sunset Shimmer came along. “You don't belong out here! You're not strong enough! You'll kill yourself!” Rainbow ignored him, swinging to the next rope, her face visibly strained. But even as she slid down the second rope -the ground rushing up to meet her- she wouldn’t give Hoops the satisfaction of seeing her weakness. Dust and dirt flew as Rainbow hit the sand, groaning in pain. “They'll never let you fly!” Hoops said. “If you can’t climb those ropes, what good are you?” Rainbow spat in his face to a chorus of low ‘oooooohhhs’. She picked herself up off the ground, and grabbed the rope, before pulling herself up it. “She’s too emotional,” Soarin’ muttered from the crowd as Rainbow clambered up the rope, inch by inch. She grabbed at each section with a noticeable hint of frustration and rage. “If she keeps this up…” Rainbow reached out and grabbed the next rope, and the next. A low chorus of gasps echoed from the crowd below. “You were saying?” Spitfire said from beside him, though if this question was directed at him or Hoops, Soarin’ couldn’t honestly tell. Hoops let out a snarl and a sharp curse before he and his buddies stomped off. Spitfire sighed, if you asked her the only people who weren’t supposed to make it were those idiots. Rainbow leaped off the final rope and landed on the ground, barely looking winded. From nearby, Fleetfoot murmured: “Show-off.” She had to laugh when Rainbow in a rare moment of clumsiness tripped and her face met tree. “Look at that, Rainbow Dash? More like Rainbow Crash!” Fleetfoot mocked and soon a chorus of laughter sprang up around the crowd. The name stuck. If Rainbow ever got into a plane, well that would be her call sign. Rainbow let out a low growl, even here she couldn’t escape that damn nickname. But she didn’t let her annoyance show other than a slight grimace. They didn’t mean anything by it, they didn’t know the history. How clumsy she used to be and how Hoops and Score used to love mocking her with that name. Besides, pilots got embarrassing call signs all the time right? And if she could look past this, well… she’d show them all. Of course, the day's events were far from over. Rainbow was walking back to her barracks when suddenly she was dragged into a dark corner. “Hoops, Score,” Rainbow said as she found herself surrounded. “Look, guys, if you want to go after chicks, pretty sure this isn’t the way to do it. Your mothers know where you are this time of night?” “Shut up Crash!” Hoops shouted. “Oooh, name-calling,” Rainbow said. “Real mature. Of course, you neanderthals probably don’t have all the higher brain functions figured out.” Wasn’t really professional of her, Rainbow knew, but damn if that jibe didn’t feel good. What happened next was all really a blur really. One moment Rainbow found herself shoved up against a wall, and the next she was lying on the ground with Hoops and Scores above her. They held locks of her hair in one hand, and a knife in the other. In an act of extraordinary pettiness, they’d cut off almost all of her ponytail, leaving an ugly little piece just barely hanging on. Hoops and Score tossed the hair locks at her, before walking off laughing. Rainbow glared at them, before walking off to her barracks hoping nobody had seen. As soon as she got to her quarters, she went into the bathroom and let out a choking sob. All of the day's events had finally caught up with her. Sliding down against the wall, she let the tears flow. “Rainbow, are you alright?” Soarin’ said from outside the bathroom door. “It’s me and Spitfire. Spits, she… she saw Hoops and Score laughing about something, they mentioned you. So I thought I’d…” “SHUT UP!” Rainbow said before choking back another sob. “I don’t want to see you right now.” “But I…” Soarin’ started. “Oh, don’t give me that. You were mocking me along with those two bastards. I heard you. Too emotional, right?” Soarin’ flinched, so she had heard that. Spitfire glared at him from behind, her eyes boring into the back of Soarin’s skull. His shoulders slumped. Rainbow was right, he was an ass. “...I was wrong, I’m sorry. I’m a jerk,” he said softly. “But are you really going to let those two idiots get you down? I knew you back in high school, Rainbow. You didn’t let anyone get you down, and you’re sure not going to start now are you?” Rainbow nodded softly. “No… I’m not.” “Now open the door, let me and Spits see how bad it is okay?” Soarin’ said kindly before Rainbow opened the door. Spitfire’s fists clenched at the sight. “Bastards…” she muttered. “I’ll report them to the base commander, no way in hell they’re getting away with this.” “Here,” Soarin’ said, helping his comrade up. “I know it looks bad, but I grew up with several sisters. I learned how to handle hair, and how to cut it. I think I might be able to salvage some of this.” In hindsight, Rainbow knew that was the moment she probably fell head over heels for him. Rainbow showed up that next day with a new haircut, almost resembling a mohawk in some regards. A bit boyish, but spunky and actually sorta practical given it wouldn’t get in the way. “Whooo, looking good Crash!” Fleetfoot said. “Keep this up, and you actually might start to be cool!” Rainbow simply just flipped her off. “Block it out, block it out. She doesn’t know the history behind it...” The jokes continued all throughout the day. A few even joked about if Rainbow had suddenly changed gender, not helped at all by her admittedly boyish figure. Rainbow had always considered it lean, like a swimmer’s body but it didn’t gift her with really great breasts. Something she got no end of grief about, sadly. Thankfully, some of the nastier jokes were soon shut down with looks from both another pilot -Surprise, who Rainbow swore was related to Pinks- and of all people, Fleetfoot. Huh, guess she wasn’t a total bitch after all, Rainbow thought to herself. The clouds burst that day during a good long run, and Fleetfoot cackled: “On your left!” as she raced by Rainbow. That just spurred her on even harder. Rainbow was catching up to Fleetfoot, the mud not even bogging either woman down. “You’re like a little photon, aren’t you Flatfoot!” Rainbow teased. “Quick on your feet and with your mouth!” “Oh shut it Crash,” Fleetfoot said. “Just because you’ve got your new ‘do, it doesn’t mean you get to be all high and mighty!” “Alright, what’s your problem?” Rainbow shouted as the two unwittingly took a tumble into the mud being covered with the stuff. And I do mean covered. Their hair, their jogging uniforms, everything. “Ever since I got here, you’ve been like this!” “It’s called hazing, you idiot!” Fleetfoot shouted, wiping away some of the mud before Rainbow tackled her back into it. “There’s hazing and then there’s being a bitch Flatfoot!” Rainbow snarled, before Fleetfoot socked her. Shrugging, she said: “Not my fault you can’t take it.” “You want to know why I can’t ‘take it’?” Rainbow shouted rubbing her jaw, fighting back the urge to sock Fleetfoot in return. “That name was given to me by Hoops and Score! That name tormented me throughout childhood! But I moved on. And now it’s fucking back thanks to you!” “Alright, so I messed up, I get that,” Fleetfoot said. “But how was I supposed to know? You didn’t say a word to anybody about this! And anyway, seems like you didn’t move on at all. You’re still getting into a hissy fit over what’s a fairly dumb nickname anyways. Hell, it’s pretty damn tame compared to some of ours, like good old Shitfire. So shut up, and suck it up.” Rainbow was struck silent. After all, Fleetfoot was exactly right. She hadn’t moved on at all. She was supposed to be all grown up, and mature. And yet here she was getting into a mud wrestling match with her future wing mate over it. “You done?” Fleetfoot asked as she helped Rainbow up. “...yeah, I’m done,” Rainbow muttered rather ashamed of herself. “Good, now while I can’t promise I’ll ever be friends with you Cr… Dash, I’ll try to tone it down a notch.” “And… And I’ll be a bit less of a brat about that nickname, Flatfoot.” “Oh, shut up Crash.” Rainbow still slept soundly on through the night. Her parents and friends had long since fallen asleep as well. Her dreams were full of weird visions, things she couldn’t quite make sense of. They were of worlds beyond the stars. Beyond Earth. In them, she saw things she couldn’t understand. Two great armies, fighting for control over the galaxy. A soldier’s weapons shifted, from that of twin swords to a massive laser cannon that blew away enemy forces. Green elf-like aliens were swept away and then incinerated before her very eyes. Rainbow knew she had to do something, and charged forwards letting out a yell. “STOP!” Soon, her feet had left the ground as Rainbow found herself running over the side of a cliff. But amazingly, she didn’t fall. No, she flew. No craft to speak of. She felt like Superman. She had the power to stop this. And then her whole world was bathed in a golden glow... She shot up like a rocket and rubbed her eyes. Oh, okay. What was that glow? Was that… oh, okay, yeah, now she remembered. The explosion! Lawson! She had to get out of here! “Ugh…” Rainbow moaned as she tried to climb out of her bed. Wait, why was everything so… sterile? Oh, of course. She was in the hospital. And if she survived that explosion then… “Lawson…” Rainbow whispered as she turned her head to spy the military scientist. And Rarity, and Soarin; and Flutters and… “Mom, dad?” Rainbow smiled, wiping away a tear. Poking her mother in the shoulder, before giving her a gentle little shake. Her mom let out a soft little moan as she stirred. Her eyes soon shot wide awake. “Rainbow…” her mother whispered before practically tackling her daughter in a hug. “It’s okay mom, I’m here. I’m awake, I’m alive…” Rainbow said as her mother sobbed into her shoulder. “I promise, I’ll never scare you like that again. Ever.” Author's Note Okay, so I was told I rushed past some of the more boring bits. I accept that criticism. Now, a few things. Not as many things to go over as last time, but a few. One, the gender neutral pronouns for the Cap. If, and this is a very big if, I do a sequel, it'll allow me to stick whoever I want inside the suit. Fair enough right? Also, a huge shout out to Shadowmane for taking the time out of his life to help me with Bow and Windy. I cannot write those two for the life of me. Is Captain America being the inspiration for Rainbow's career strictly needed? Probably not, no, but I thought it was a nice little touch. Also, I do want to know, did I go too far in boot camp? One of the problems I did have with Carol's film debut was how much of it felt like a feminist power fantasy -not my words- and some of the backstory was kinda cringy. ...and yet I go and top it for my piece. YMMV.
Mare-Vel Adventures #3: Girl, You Really Got Me...“Ugh, finally!” Rainbow shouted as she punched the air, discharged from the hospital. “Thought if I was going to spend any more time in there, I’d start bouncing off the walls! Seriously, I know hospitals are supposed to help you get better and all that, but really, they’re probably not supposed to drive you nearly insane!” “Yes, well, you’re… you, Rainbows,” Fleetfoot said, having drawn the short straw to greet Rainbow as soon as she got out of the hospital. Well, that and she’d been watching her kid. And her cat. Fleetfoot shuddered; who knew one animal could be so… so scary? “And what’s that supposed to mean, huh?” Rainbow said, narrowing her eyes at her quasi sorta-friend. “Well, it’s a pilot thing, am I right?” Fleetfoot said. “We don’t like to be crammed up in one spot for too long. We’re like cowpokes in that regard. We’re off to the next… oh, no wait, that metaphor doesn’t work, does it? Aaaagggh, point being, we don’t like being cooped up anywhere for too long. We’re supposed to be, well, free as a bird.” “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, and this bird you'll never change…!” Soarin' sang along, making both Rainbow and Fleets look at him. “...you see, this is why nobody asks you out to parties,” Fleetfoot drawled. “You’re such a dork, Farmboy.” “Excuse me, I’ll have you know that I’ve got girls just lining up to go out to parties with yours truly,” Soarin’ said and both Rainbow and Fleetfoot looked at each other before bursting out laughing. “You sure they aren’t your sisters?” Fleetfoot asked. “Cause really, haven’t seen anyone asking you out that you don’t need to chaperone to their prom.” “Girls, where? I don’t see anyone lining up on any blocks!” Rainbow teased, punching him in the shoulder. “But hey, you keep on dreamin’ Clipper, eh?” “...jeez, way to kick a guy in the ego…” Soarin’ mumbled. “Besides, I think we all know there’s only one girl for you, Farmboy,” Fleetfoot said. “Not who I’d pick for you, but no accounting for taste!” “W-What’s that supposed to mean?” Soarin’ said, his voice taking a slightly higher pitch than the norm. “Oh, come off it,” Fleetfoot said. “God knows there’s only one reason why you’d stay at Rainbow’s bedside for so long!” Rainbow flushed an interesting shade of red taking in this new information, she had been certain Fleets and Soarin’ had been seeing each other on the down-low. And yet here Fleetfoot was, acting as Soarin’s wingman. To HER! ...Um, okay, yeah Rainbow needed a fair amount of time to unpack this information. “She needed a friend, that was all,” Soarin’ reaffirmed, making Rainbow deflate a little. Yeah, she knew she shouldn’t have gotten her hopes up too high. “Besides, I didn’t see any of you guys coming out to visit her.” “Hey, we’ve got lives beyond our crushes,” Fleetfoot said and Rainbow’s face turned even redder. This, of course, went unnoticed by either Soarin’ or Fleetfoot. “Speakin’ of which, ooh that gives me an idea. Hey, Crash, up for celebratin’ your discharge? There’s this club I know, okay? Run by Misty’s little sister... or was that cousin? I’m never sure. Annnnnnnnnnnnyways, quite the little place and pretty popular amongst the gang.” “Oh yeah, then how come I’ve never heard of it?” Rainbow asked her friend, giving her the suspicious eye. “You run in different circles from the rest of us, Crash,” Fleetfoot responded. “You’ve got your friends from Canterlot High, plus Pinks is always the one finding you a place to party. You’ve never asked what clubs we frequent, so we’ve never had any reason to tell you. Simple as that.” “Um, yeah, sure. I’m game. What the hell?” Rainbow shrugged as she walked to her car, Fleetfoot opening the door for her. A little blur tackled Rainbow, hugging her tight. “...hey munchkin, good to see you too.” Rainbow suddenly looked at Fleetfoot, with a suspicious eye. “Hey, no, before you ask I didn’t corrupt her or anything like that,” Fleetfoot said holding up her hands in a defensive posture. “Surprise and I both took turns watchin’ the little flier. Was nothing but a perfect angel. And she still is.” “Why’d you think Auntie Flatfoot would corrupt me, mom?” Scootaloo asked, seemingly missing the dirty ‘look’ Fleetfoot sent Rainbow. Soarin’ suppressed a little snort. “...No reason…” Rainbow said weakly, remembering the time when Fleetfoot led the whole barracks in a chorus of Ninety Nine Bottles till Spitfire had to come in and break it up. In any event, Rainbow found herself at home and crashing on her couch, watching -for whatever reason- crappy reality TV, before she heard a soft ‘mrf’ as her cat clambered up to meet her. “Hey, Chews…” Rainbow said, petting her cat on the head, and soon the purrs started. “...good to see you too. God, I’m turning into Rarity, aren’t I? Crazy cat lady, am I right?” Chewie looked offended. “...Not that this is a bad thing, of course…” Rainbow quickly corrected. She swore that cat was too intelligent for her own good. Gave her the creeps at times, actually. “So yeah, mommy’s going clubbing, and Fleetfoot’s picking the venue. Really wondering if I should be worried. Ah, it’ll probably be a whole lot of nothin’ really…” This last part came out as a mumble as Rainbow drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Soarin’. It was their wedding day. Soarin’ was in a nice tux, everything for once just turning out right with the world. The newspapers would all report it to be perfect, and they’d be the envy of all. Pinkie, having been ordained as a rabbi, presided over it all. “...and I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride. Soarin’ lifted her veil, and Rainbow was leaning in to kiss him. Their rings had already been placed around their fingers, and vows had been said. Suddenly, Soarin’s skin turned a bright blue, and Rainbow jumped. “Soarin’... you’re blue,” she said. “So I am, something wrong?” Soarin’ asked as if it was the most perfectly natural thing in the world. Wedding bells chimed before the sound turned to that of bombs exploding. The whole world shifted into that of a ruined wasteland. The guests began changing, into those green elf-like beings from before. They were coming to take her, they were coming to take her planet! And Rainbow struck, her hands glowing gold with cosmic power… Rainbow shot awake, moonlight shining in through her window. She opened her hands, panting and sweating hard. No glow. God, what was happening to her? Far across the world, Detroit Steel rocketed to the first possible Mandarin hideout, pieced together from his previous transmissions. Inside it, Silver Zoom. Landing outside a garage, Silver Zoom ripped the doors open. He suppressed a facepalm as behind those doors were a bunch of women in traditional garb at sewing machines. “Oh. Captain, unless the Mandarin's next attack on the U.S. involves cheaply-made sportswear, I think you messed up again,” the older pilot said in annoyance, his helmet retracting. The gaggle of women swarmed the metallic armor-clad man. They fawned over him, shaking his hand and running their hands all over his armor. “Yes, you're free, uh, if you weren't before. It's... Of course. Yes, ma'am. Detroit Steel on the job. Happy to help. No need to thank me, ma'am. It's my pleasure.” Silver Zoom gave an awkward little salute before flying up into the atmosphere. Spitfire back in the control room gave a sigh and slumped back in her chair. “...well, that was a bust.” “Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll get him next time,” said Justin Hammer from beside her. “Truth, justice, and the American way never fails!” Spitfire gave him a look, lowering her famous shades. “...by the way, been meaning to ask. Detroit Steel?” “It… It tested well in focus groups okay?” Justin Hammer stammered out, and from the look on Spitfire’s face she didn’t exactly believe him. And she let him know it too. “Bull,” Spitfire said. “You’re just trying to copycat Captain America. ...with none of the charm, and looking like some Chinese knock-off.” “Yes, well, Captain America didn’t have sweet-ass laser cannons and a giant chainsaw now, did he?” Justin practically whined. “He did if you count that one terrible movie with the dinosaurs…Savage Land, Savage Heart indeed!” High Winds muttered in the back of the room, going ignored and wondering if she should grab some popcorn. Answer: yes, as her boss was just getting started. “Well, Captain America didn’t need them!” Spitfire said. “The Cap had America's ass and a shield, and that’s all the Cap needed. End of story!” “He used guns…” Justin weakly pointed out. “And you’re using a gun and you’re overcompensating,” Spitfire said. “Hey, what do the ladies tell you? Cause I’mma tell you right now, it ain’t what you think it is.” “Hey, now Cap? He was the pick-up truck,” Justin said. “Detroit Steel? The full-on Lamborghini!” “You’re not helping your case, you know that right?” Spitfire drawled. “Because really, a Lamborghini? That’s just screaming you got a tiny one in your pants.” “Oh really? What would you know? How would you even know?” Justin said snidely. “Want to find out?” “No more than I want to find out with Tony Stark,” Spitfire said with a sarcastic sneer. By now, the entire room was watching the back and forth. “Hell, bet he’d be even more entertaining anyways. Pretty sure that mile-long list is for a reason.” “I doubt that given his missiles probably speak for his prowess,” Justin said. “His missiles are very good, so I think they do,” Spitfire said with a little lascivious grin that let everyone know she was winning this argument. It also let High Winds know more than she ever really needed to know about her boss. “Oh, you know what?” Justin said. “Fine, when Silver Zoom gets back I’ll take Steel up, and then I’ll show you just how good my missiles are.” “Yeah sure, that’ll be interesting to watch. It’ll be even more interesting to see you end up in a full-body cast drinking through a straw!” Spitfire said. “I’ll send flowers.” “...Oh, ye of little faith. I’ve logged over 300 hours!” Justin said. “In a simulator?” Spitfire said. “...cause pretty sure I heard High Winds commenting that when she took you up, you ended up pukin’.” In the background, High Winds nodded a small ‘yes’. “That was a once in a lifetime fluke,” Justin said. “And that’s all I’m saying on the matter.” “Puker, puker!” Spitfire mocked. “Ladies, please, you’re both pretty!” High Winds called out with a cackle. Justin meanwhile, stormed off. “...I thought he’d never leave,” Spitfire mumbled, wiping the sweat from her brow. “God, what a pig. Surprised he didn’t start oinking.” “Yes, ma’am. I know ma’am,” High Winds nodded in sympathy. “Oh, by the way? Lawson’s been waiting outside for about… oh, a half-hour or so? I lost count, but you’d better go greet him. Looked important.” Spitfire swore under her breath before climbing out of her chair to greet the man. “So, I’m assuming by the way I saw Justin storm past, I missed something good?” Philip said with a wry little smile. “Depends on your definition of good. Man’s such an idiot. Like, how did he ever get a contract?” Spitfire steamed. “Because we’re cheap?” Philip said with a sigh. “Oh, been meaning to tell you. Rainbow’s out of the hospital. Fully discharged, but…” Spitfire noticeably perked up at this. “Well, that’s one piece of good news. Hated seeing her in that bed. I sent her some flowers, even while Soarin’ was being all puppy-dog eyed at the foot of her bed. Don’t tell her, though, okay?” “About Soarin’?” Philip said. “Because I’m pretty sure you’d have to be the densest woman on the planet not to notice… well, that.” “About the flowers, I got a reputation to keep up,” Spitfire said before she frowned. “But… from the look on your face, I’m guessing there’s something more you have to tell me right?” “Rainbow… well, she was bathed in the prototype’s fuel. She came away with… abilities,” Philip said delicately. Spitfire looked at him, lowering her shades once more. “Out with it Lawson, no time for beating around the bush.” “I saw her floating above her bed, glowing. I’m just wondering what else she can do…” “Well, only one way to find out,” Spitfire said. “No reason to treat her like a circus freak, we’ll just watch and observe. Nothing more. Understood?” she asked. Philip nodded. “Understood, ma’am.” Cloud Nine was this little place just off main street, used to be this old warehouse till it got reconverted. Rainbow had heard a few stories about it here and there, but she’d never actually experienced it for herself. Fleetfoot had vouched for this place, and keep in mind she was one of the more party-hearty members of Rainbow’s squad. Nowhere near as bad as Surprise, but pretty close really. “Name, please?” the bouncer at the door said. She was a huge woman, bristling with muscles, and skin like chocolate. A cigarette was in her mouth, the woman lighting up a smoke. Rainbow’s eyes widened in surprise before she let out a grin as she hugged her. “Hey, yo G!” Rainbow called out. “Haven’t seen you in ages! Thought you’d skipped town, actually. Went back home to tu famila.” “Bah, mi famila’s currently too big of a mess for me right now, ya dig? Mama just got herself a new piece of eye candy to lug around, Rainbow,” Gilda said as both Fleetfoot and Soarin’ looked on in shock, never knowing Rainbow was actually intimately familiar with the bouncer. “So, yeah, decided not to head back home. Ugh, no thanks, chica. I’d rather not see who mama’s playing with this time. ‘Sides, the bossman would really hate to lose his best hired muscle.” “Ah, yeah, I get you,” Rainbow said. “Still, tell your family I said hi, ‘kay?” “Told you Rainbow, not going back to them at the moment,” Gilda said. “Yeah, sure you’re not,” Rainbow said, not really believing her. Patting her friend on the back, she said: “You always end up drifting back home eventually. You’re like me, you’d never leave anyone in a pinch.” “Ugh, you had to play the loyalty card didn’t you?” Gilda grumbled lifting up the rope to let her by. “You can go on in, go on scram chica! Don’t let me catch you ‘round here again, alright?” Rainbow flipped her off as she was let by, Soarin’ and Fleetfoot sharing yet another look. “Didn’t know you knew the bouncer,” Fleetfoot remarked with a look towards her friend. “So, what else you not telling us? Got a super-secret girlfriend anywhere that we should know about?” “Why is it that everyone assumes with my rainbow hair I’m some sort of lesbian icon?” Rainbow drawled. “It’s natural, for the last time. It’s not dyed. What, you think my parents named me Rainbow because I was a redhead?” “Well, I mean, you do sorta set my gaydar on fire…” Fleetfoot said in a teasing tone. “But really, what was that with you and G? She never talks to any of us like that!” “Ah, well you know how it is,” Rainbow said. “Childhood friends and all that. We both went to the same elementary school together. Gilda and her aunt moved out here from Mexico, so there you go. Guess we sorta liked some of the same stuff. Same bands and all that. Plus, we were both the new kids along with Flutters, y’know? Everything sorta just… fell into place I guess.” “Huh, you keep on surprising us Crash,” Fleetfoot said. “Doting mom, cat lover, and now apparently you’ve got connections in just about every part of town. What else are you holding out on us? It’s not superpowers is it?” Rainbow said with a little smirk: “Wouldn’t you like to know?” The bass pounded in Rainbow’s ears as the threesome entered the club, multi-colored lights dancing all across the floor, which was a sea of moving and grinding bodies. The walls shook with each reverberation of the music, drinks flowing and the party seemingly unable to stop. Rainbow found herself shoving aside a clearly wasted, barely legal couple, necking each other. Inhibitions had been tossed aside, something Rainbow was no stranger to seeing. People were letting loose and showing their other sides. Rainbow knew in a few hours she’d be driving home some wasted Wonderbolts and dealing with her Captain’s disapproving glare. Worth it. She hadn’t had a chance to let loose and enjoy herself a little since before the whole Mandarin business started. She needed her time off. She heard a holler, and saw Lightning Dust waving her and Fleetfoot over. A strawberry sunrise was in each hand, the woman instantly recognizable by her lightning bolt jacket The woman looked half-wasted already, her blond hair a bit of a mess. “So, the life of the party has arrived!” Lightning cheered and raised her glass high. “No, I’m not the life of the party, you are Dust,” Rainbow said. “I’m just the girl who’s going to be driving you all home when you all inevitably crash.” “Hee hee, good one,” Lightning slurred. “You… you see what you did there? Combining your callsign and the word… anyone? Guys? Did anyone see what a perfect pun she just made there?” Okay, more than half-wasted, Rainbow corrected herself. Well, this was going to be fun. Somewhere deep inside, she was already having regrets in agreeing to all of this. “Breathe Rainbow, this is normal. Besides, you’re here to have fun. Let Lightning be Lightning, let her be a bit of an idiot. It’s what she’s best at anyways. You weren’t like this before, oh wow did military training do a number on you. You being the responsible one for once? Huh, now there’s a surprise. You used to be the type of gal to jump at the chance to do shit like this. Then again, you weren’t chaperoning before were you, with all eyes on you. Co-workers waiting for you to screw up again like you did with Lawson and the Asis.” Rainbow had heard the mutters of course, when she was laid up in her hospital bed. About how she had proven herself unfit for duty, crashing that prototype as she did. Never mind the fact that it was Lawson who’d forgotten to run fuel checks. But nope, don’t blame the head of the military science division. Blame the girl who was in the pilot’s seat. Someone had to take the blame for wasting a billion dollars, and as long as it wasn’t the guy who was actually responsible... Unaware of Rainbow’s worries and internal grumblings, Soarin’ and Fleetfoot sat at the bar. “Hey, how’d you get invites to this place anyways?” Soarin had to ask, his drink temporarily set to the side. The music shifted to something faster. “This place is like, so exclusive!” “Oh Farmboy, don’t you ever change. I went to high school with the owner. I really ought to introduce you, Abby’s a wonderful woman. And hey, if you and Crash don’t work out…” “M-Me and…” Soarin’ sputtered. “Hey, you know the rules! There’s no-” “-Internal fraternization, yeah yeah, I know. You’re so by the book Soar, I can see why you and Rainbow work well together. You need to loosen up,” Fleetfoot yawned. “Well, you can still date Rainbow on the down low, long as the Captain doesn't find out.” “I… I…” Soarin’ murmured. “Which is the real reason why we’re here,” Fleetfoot said. “See, I’ve been tired of you and Rainbow making puppy dog eyes at each other. It’s really sickening. Look, I know the hair thing was real sweet of you and all, but seriously man, act on those feelings of yours! Me and the squad are gettin’ real tired of you and Crash not really progressing anywhere. Go on, you goof, ask her out for a dance. Might get you somewhere. Hell, maybe it’ll get you a lot of somewheres. If you two end up screwin’ in a bathroom stall somewhere, win-win!” “You’re a real criminal mastermind…” Soarin’ muttered, not sure if he should be in awe of Fleetfoot or scared of her. “I know, it’s one of my greatest qualities!” Fleetfoot beamed before shoving Soarin’ off. “Now go on, go ask her to dance!” Soarin’ nodded nervously before walking off. Fleetfoot raised her glass, took a sip and smiled. Damn, was she a genius or was she a genius? Her eyes began to wander, now who would be the perfect little conquest of her own? Soarin’ wandered through the mess of dancing bodies, quickly finding Rainbow thanks to her distinctive hair. Even in this mess of color, it shone like nothing else. He sucked in a breath, nothing ventured… nothing gained. “Hey Soar,” Rainbow said. “I… yeah, thanks for staying at my side when I was laid up. Been meaning to get around to thanking you for that, just… was never able to. You didn’t have to do that you know, you could have just sent flowers.” “But I wanted to,” Soarin’ said. “Someone had to, why not me?” “You have a life you know, it doesn’t have to revolve entirely around me,” Rainbow said. “B-Besides, it’s not like… we can, you know, date.” “So?” Soarin’ said. “I’ll get promoted, then we can do something about that.” “Pretty sure Spitfire won’t just up and promote you to lieutenant just so you can date me,” Rainbow said as their bodies moved and grooved to the sound of the beat. “She’s never been that nice, you know.” “Mhmm, I don’t know. She can come around. Besides, Lieutenant Soarin’ Skies. I kinda like the sound of that,” Soarin’ replied. “What do you think? Rolls off the tongue, don’t it?” “Don’t get too ahead of yourself,” Rainbow replied. “Besides, there are other girls in your rank. I mean, you seem pretty damn close with Fleetfoot really…” Ah, there was the rub. Soarin’ laughed. “You jerk!” Rainbow snapped looking ready to slap him. “I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you, Rainbow. At least… not entirely anyways,” Soarin’ affirmed. “It’s just… me and Fleetfoot? You honestly think we’re dating?” “Well, uh, yeah!” Rainbow said. “You two are like kit and kaboodle half of the time, real chummy. So it’s only natural to think that…” “No, we’re only good friends. Just good friends, that’s all,” Soarin’ corrected her. “We’re more like brother and sister actually, the thought of dating her… okay, eww.” “Sure got everyone on base fooled,” Rainbow muttered. “But yeah, best you give up on me Soarin’. Go… go date Surprise or someone actually your rank. I’m… yeah, I’m not who you should be dating really.” God, she thought to herself. This hurt. She wanted to date Soarin’, she really did. But he was one too many ranks below her for it not to be against the rules. If either of their superiors found out… Yeah, Rainbow was probably in deep enough trouble as it is. Best not to dig herself any deeper, really. “Hey, you alright?” Soarin’ asked as they managed to pull themselves away from the dance floor, and back to the bar. “No, of course I’m not alright. I just smashed my own heart to a pulp, and now…” Rainbow sniffled gesturing for a cola. “No, it’s something else,” Soarin’ said, sitting down next to her. “You look like you’ve been about to bolt all evening. Alright, just because we can’t date right now doesn’t mean-” “You’re still going to keep on holding out hope?” Rainbow asked with a small bitter laugh. “It’s all I can do, right?” Soarin’ asked. “Now go on, tell me what’s bothering you. Not the dating thing, as we’ve pretty much well established that bit, but the other thing.” “It’s… well, ever since I wrecked the Asis I’ve been getting… looks. You’ve probably missed them, but ever since I got back to base? Well, everyone’s been giving me a wide berth. Never mind the fact that I wasn’t even the main person at fault here, it was Lawson who forgot to properly fuel his own craft!” Rainbow ranted. Unknown to her, her hands started to give off a faint light. Soarin’s eyes drifted down to them, but it was only for a brief moment before the glow stopped. “...but because I’m a woman, I have to be the one to shoulder the blame!” “No, it’s not that,” Soarin’ said, trying to figure out how to put this without coming off as an asshole. “If it was me or Silver Zoom we’d have gotten the same looks as well. We’re trusted to keep those craft in the air, and when we don’t…” “So you’re saying it’s still my fault, is that it?” Rainbow seethed. “I know, it’s not fair. But the higher-ups never get charged with anything,” Soarin’ grumbled. “It’s always the grunts who get it. Then again, maybe I’m only speculating. Maybe if Lawson had been the one to crash his own plane, he’d be the one getting the looks. Point being, someone has to shoulder the blame of crashing the prototype.” “...and it has to be me,” Rainbow sighed. “You’ve sure got a way of making a gal feel better about herself, you know that right?” Before either could say anything more, there came another problem. A problem named Lightning Dust, drunk as a skunk and letting just about everyone in the vicinity know about it. “So, yeah, she gets to go up in the plane, and yet I don’t,” Lightning rambled and Rainbow’s shoulders sank. Of course, Lightning’s now infamous ego had come out to play. “I mean, what does she have to offer that I don’t? The skank! Who’d she screw anyways to get her lucky shot? Her boss? Cause… cause pretty sure that there’s rules and laws against it!” Fleetfoot, thankfully saw where this was going and shared a nod with Surprise. Together, they tried to head this off at the pass before it got any worse. “Alright, I think you’ve had enough, Lightning,” Fleetfoot said, placing a firm hand on her friend’s shoulders. Surprise pulled up a barstool, gently guiding Lightning to it. “Now, you want to sit down for a moment? I’ll call you a cab, please just don’t embarrass yourself any further.” “Embarrass… embarrass myself?” Lightning slurred and almost immediately Fleetfoot knew she’d said the wrong thing. “Only one who’s embarrassing herself is Rainbow Crash Dash. Did… did any of you here know she got in a fight with Fleetfoot on one of her first days of boot camp? Mud-wrestled her, straight to the ground. Oooh, I’d have loved to have seen that, probably was hella sexy!” “She’s right,” Surprise said. “You’ve had enough Light-” The crowd gasped as Surprise went down in a blur of motion, holding her now bleeding nose. “That’s enough!” Rainbow shouted as she wrestled Lightning to the ground. “Oh, look, you’re trying to play hero? Stick up for your friends?” Lightning continued. “Bet your boyfriend really likes that, turns him on ri-” Rainbow’s fist shot out, but to her surprise, she sent Lightning all the way across the room to a chorus of gasps. She crashed into the DJ’s mixing booth, and Rainbow looked at her now glowing hands in surprise. Surprise acted fast even as Fleetfoot dialed 911. “Alright folks, nothing to see here, move along now! It’s just a scene from a movie we’re doing, that’s all!” “What… what did I do…?” Rainbow asked herself, as her hands crackled and burned. Soarin’s eyes widened and he breathed out a single word. “...Rainbow?” And if the night couldn’t get any more dramatic, well the Mandarin begged to differ. “Dear Mrs. Robinson, your boy died today He died a brave man far away…” said the Mandarin across screens all over the US, from the barroom to even the White House, a snippet of a certain Alabama 3 song playing in the background to improve the narrative. “Isn’t that how it goes? The song? Makes a good point, doesn’t it? Because really, is Afghanistan all that different from Vietnam? Make up an excuse, go to war in some far-off country and drop a few hundred bombs. Ruin a couple thousand lives, destroy a few towns. America, the land of the brave and the free, right? So what does that make the rest of the world?” People talked and the White House worried, just as the Mandarin wanted. On the screen behind him, scenes of warfare were shown. Explosions, soldiers on the march, and gunfire in bombed out houses. The Mandarin cradled a rifle on the screen. “Lovely instrument of destruction isn’t it? Used by everyone and their mother. Russians really knew their stuff. But back to the lesson. 20 years in Vietnam, and coming up on 20 years in Afghanistan. Want to make it 30, America? Improve upon your previous failure? What are you really fighting for? Ask yourself that. Is it worth it, all of this death and destruction?” He gave a little smirk, as even up on Capitol Hill a certain President Madison Mare watched in ever-growing rage and anger as her country and choices were insulted by this… this madman! “So, is it? Is all of this death and taxpayer dollars really worth shoving your weight around? Mhmm, it’s not my place to judge. It’s the American public’s. I’m just a teacher, not a courtroom judge. But this is my lesson. See, there’s plenty of factories where you make your weapons of war. Consider me removing a few of them a little favor to you. Less weapons of war, less lives to be ruined. Oh, I’m sure you’ll rebuild, of course you will. But this should keep you out of some innocent lives for a bit, and that’s all I really want.” Across the nation, tank and helicopter factories were each given little gifts. Soon, blazes spread across their grounds and smoke choked out their interiors. Workers burned to death, and ashes rose high into the night sky. “Don’t worry Madison, my lessons are soon to end, but a word to the wise. Your little Detroit Steel? He won’t be able to stop me, and actually don’t send him after me. I’d hate to rob some innocent family of their father…” Author's Note Okay, so yeah the obligatory romantic drama that comes with every Marvel story. First off, want to give a huge shout out to The Final Firedancing Fiend for helping to clarify how the internal fraternization bit works. Also, I got a few questions. Does the romance feel... forced, or awkward, or anything like that? Also, the Mandarin. My proofreader remarked that he feels whiny or too ranty right now, I was personally going for creepy with a side of thought-provoking. Did I do that right, or is Red right? Please, give me your thoughts and comments below.
Mare-Vel Adventures #4: The Hands of the Mandarin!“Explain to me what happened, again,” Spitfire sighed at her desk. “You’re saying Lieutenant Dash suddenly blasted Master Sergeant Dust straight across the room? Is that it?” “Mhmm, pretty much,” Fleetfoot replied. “Me, Surprise, we all saw it. Still working out what we saw, but we saw it. Ma’am, Rainbow’s been off since the ASIS crash, something’s going on with her. Hell, something’s been off about this whole thing. You sure she didn’t gain superpowers from the crash?” “That’s a leap in logic Fleets,” Spitfire said. “We’re living in the real world, not in some comic book.” “And yet Rainbow… well, you heard what Rainbow did,” Fleetfoot replied. “I know what I heard, not what I saw,” Spitfire replied. “For all I know, Rainbow just punched Lightning Dust very hard and you guys were drunk enough to assume ‘superpowers’.” “I dunno, Lawson was pretty quiet on that plane of his. It could be powered by some fancy alien tech for all I know, and when it crashed...” Fleetfoot went on, starting to pace in worry. “I dunno, there’s something off about him. The whole squad’s picked up on it, nobody’s said anything but there’s something weird about the guy.” “And this is relevant how?” Spitfire said peering at Fleetfoot through her glasses. “I have one of my best pilots in the hospital for… apparently blasting another pilot across the room with an energy blast. Got scientists from some government agency with an acronym I can’t be bothered to remember running tests on her, apparently. I don’t actually give two hoots in hell about Lawson and whatever secrets he’s apparently hiding. What I do give two hoots in hell about is my pilot. So unless you’ve got news relating to her, GET OUT!” Fleetfoot noticeably flinched from Spitfire’s order, barked at her like that of an angry guard dog’s. Holding up her hands in a defensive manner, she nodded weakly. “Okay, okay. Getting out, ma’am. Jeez…” Quickly scampering out like a cowed puppy, Fleetfoot shut the door with a noticeable sense of urgency. Spitfire sighed and placed her face into her hands with a groan. Taking off her sunglasses, she rubbed her temples. This week was getting worse all the time… Another knock at the door. “Look, Fleetfoot, if this is about you coming up with another excuse for…” Spitfire grumbled. “Then you can just save it, alright? Superpowers don’t exist, end of story.” The door creaked open. “Then you’re living in a different world than I,” said a man’s voice, and in walked this man in a nicely trimmed and rather sharp suit. He had short brown hair, maybe nearing middle age. “My name is Agent Philip Coulson. I represent a certain division of the United States Government. We call ourselves the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division.” “Try fitting that one on a business card,” Spitfire deadpanned. “We’re working on it,” said Coulson, taking a sip of his coffee. “We’ve met before. Well, not ‘we’ we, but we were at the Detroit Steel testing.” “Oh right, I saw some of you suits hanging around,” Spitfire remembered. “You all looked very official, men in black types. All sweltering in the heat, honestly if your division can’t provide you with a cold glass of water…” “I’ll send a complaint up the ladder next time I’m back at the base,” Agent Coulson said. “But yes, Lieutenant Dash. You’d be surprised at what makes it onto the internet. We’re working to scrub all footage from anyone’s web page, Youtube or anywhere else we can find. Maybe replace them with cat videos, everyone loves those right?” “Can you just get to the point?” Spitfire asked with a sigh. “You believe superpowers don’t exist, I’m here to educate you to the contrary. Superpowers do exist, they’re just not public knowledge. Wouldn’t want to freak the public out, right?” asked Agent Coulson. “Go deep on the Dark Web, and you’ll find plenty of evidence to the contrary of your beliefs.” “So what you’re saying is…” Spitfire trailed off. “Oh yes, quite,” Agent Coulson replied. “One of these days, superpowers will be out in the open. We’re, or should I say my boss is on the lookout for any individuals with special abilities, it was pure luck we found Rainbow.” “So what, is this the part where you swear me to secrecy and take Rainbow away to some black site lab?” Spitfire said, reaching for her gun under the table. “The swear you to secrecy part, yes. The black site lab part, no. Ideally, we’d like to take her to Project Pegasus. You can look it up on Google,” said Agent Coulson. “But something tells me you’d fight me tooth and nail to stop me. In any other situation, I’d tase you until you were a drooling mess on the carpet and watch Supernanny, but then again my boss ordered me to make nice.” “Well, glad we understand each other then,” Spitfire replied dryly. “I’m not letting anyone pick apart one of my best pilots.” “Your loyalty is to be admired. In any event, you should know Philip Lawson was working for us. Developing a new fighter jet for our division, maybe one day it’d make it’s way to the Air Force. However, that’s only the first half of the story,” said Agent Coulson digging some files out of his suit. He laid them on Spitfire’s desk, and her eyes widened as she saw a glowing cube of energy in one of the many pictures provided. “We call it the Tesseract, some sort of ‘cosmic cube’ we dredged up out of the ocean shortly after WW2 ended. The Nazis were all abuzz about it, apparently Hydra had it before us.” “And you don’t think you should have left it in the ocean?” Spitfire deadpanned. “Anything Hydra finds interesting, chances are it’s probably going to blow us all to kingdom come if you poke and prod at it long enough.” “Well…” Agent Coulson flushed. “...and you did just that didn’t you?” Spitfire sighed. “Let me guess, you reverse-engineered it or rather Lawson reverse-engineered it, and instead of just leaving it well enough alone AS YOU SHOULD HAVE, you stick it in the ASIS.” “Yes… that is what happened,” Agent Coulson admitted. “Our working theory is that the explosion tossed cosmic energy onto Rainbow, but that shouldn’t be enough to…” “What, a bath of cosmic energy isn’t ‘enough’ to give someone superpowers?” Spitfire deadpanned, in a skeptical tone of voice. “Something had to catalyze it,” Agent Coulson said. “Had to make the energy active. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t live in a world based on comic books. Just getting bathed in cosmic energy won’t be enough to give you superpowers. Something had to have activated that energy… But what?” Spitfire’s eyes narrowed after she thought for a moment. She reached for her phone and dialed a number. “Soarin’, get Lawson in here. I want to talk to him.” So how did it start? How did the saga of the Mandarin begin? Well, the name itself, it meant adviser to the King. And the first Mandarin was exactly this, an adviser to the great Ghengis Khan himself. His name, alas, has been lost to history. But what little we do know involves him being behind some of Khan’s greatest campaigns, Ghengis spoke of him often as his most trusted and only friend in a court of lions. That was centuries ago, this was now. The year was 1968, the height of the Vietnam War. Yes, feel free to play your Fortunate Son and get that Forrest Gump reference out of your head. Okay, have you done that yet? Good. The man that was responsible for ‘creating’ the Mandarin as we know him was one John F. Walker. Born in the little town of Custer's Grove, Georgia, our Captain was currently mud deep in the jungles of Vietnam. It had been a hot and sweaty campaign, and word had reached him that the Viet Cong were holed up in a town just a mile or so away, on the river. Control the river, control the supply lines for this entire region. It was crucial that this town was re-taken. “So, boys, you all know the mission. Get in, get out, and make sure nobody who even thinks the word ‘Red’ is left alive.” said Walker as they slashed through the jungles, rushing through the underbrush like devils under the coating of darkness. Nothing good could come of their arrival, and just like Afghanistan in the coming decades, with war brought atrocity. Families displaced, homes reduced to rubble. All in the name of freedom and security. Whatever helped the men of the Strategic Scientific Reserve sleep at night. Whatever helped the soldiers sleep at night. “Who’s strong and brave here to save the American Way…” someone hummed under their breath, and John smiled to himself. He’d always idolized Captain America, thought that the world always needed a new one. Someone to hold up the values of America, what she stood for. If he had to be the one to do the holding, so be it. “So, John,” asked another of his troops. “You got a girl back home right? Waiting on you with mom’s sweet sweet apple pie? A hug and a kiss for you?” “Oh, fantasize about your own girlfriend, Bill!” John laughed, gently punching the man in the shoulder as they continued their long, slow march through the undergrowth. “Pretty sure she’s beautiful enough for you!” “Assuming he even has one!” another of John’s troops hollered and laughter lit up the forest. Another slash and another fern fell to their swords of flame. John wiped the sweat off his brow and sighed. Another day on the job, he got all the dirty work. All in the name of Freedom, right? Those people back home, the civilians, the ones protesting the war? They didn’t know what it was like out here. They hadn’t sweated and toiled in the hot sun, they hadn’t shed blood for their country. They didn’t have the right to call themselves Americans. No, when you bled and died for your country, that was when and only when you had the right to call yourself a true American. Captain America hadn’t gone into battle against the German war machine just a few short decades prior because they worried about what people back home thought of them. No, they had a job to do and they just did it. They signed up to kill Nazis, and they killed Nazis. John had signed up to kill the Viet Cong and so he killed the Viet Cong. He was a soldier, he did what he was told. He pointed his gun, he carried his rifle and he marched through some of the worst conditions imaginable just so the communist reds wouldn’t get a foothold here. So what if some people died, this was war! A little bit of blood spread was inevitable. Simple as that. War was an ugly business, yeah, but it was war. The people back home didn’t understand that, they hadn’t jumped headlong into battle with fear of death at their side. They hadn’t charged into battle, boots trench deep in mud with rifle in hand and the Marine Corp at their side. The full might of the USA was bearing down on Vietnam like a thunderstorm, no a hurricane and John Walker was just another cog in the machine. His codename may have been the US Agent, but he was a simple soldier, nothing more. Gunfire split through the town, as the soldiers of the 20th Infantry Regiment charged in. Screams of the dying filled the air, with the thunder of guns accompanying them. The tiger in John’s chest beat out a symphony, a symphony of death, and his thoughts were filled with the awards he was sure to receive for striking a blow for freedom. A tower came crumbling down, a massive brass bell crashing to the earth giving out its final ring. The town was Sơn Mỹ, a name that would eventually go down in infamy after the events of today. Walker would later be charged with criminal offenses, though he would not receive a conviction. Absolute bullshit, he’d call the charges. He was just doing his duty. The most shocking episode of the Vietnam War? Every war had it’s ‘shocking moment’. WW2, the Jungholzhausen massacre. But they had it coming, those in the Waffen SS. And these reds had what was coming to them, he reasoned. War was war. Such was the way of things. What he did not know however was that troops under his command had been one of many platoons that had slaughtered families. One child amongst many had been deprived of his family, and the image of John Walker’s infamous red and white shield had been forever burned into his mind. Xin Zhang was that child, and in a few decades he’d go by a codename of his own. The Mandarin. To John Walker’s credit, if he had known, he might have felt shock and horror at all of this. But to Xin, that didn’t matter. The stars and spangles were now his enemy, and he would train himself to one day topple the USA. He traveled the world, learning the ways he might defeat any enemy he would come across. His mother said he was descended from that Mongol adviser who helped lead Ghengis Khan to victory. His mother said he was destined for greatness. And then his mother was slaughtered like a dog. Rage coursed through his being, fueling his fire. In another life, the Mandarin might have never come to being, or maybe he would have in but a different form. Perhaps a hero. We may never know. There were legends about Ghengis Khan of course, of how he had been gifted a suit of armor by his loyal adviser, and ten rings of great power. The rings had been passed down to his children, or at least that had been Khan’s original plan. Then his children proved themselves unworthy, and so what did Khan do? He scattered the rings in hidden temples all around the globe, hoping one day someone might prove themselves worthy of their power. Xin intended to find these rings. Rumors tended to travel fast in the criminal underworld, and Xin had immersed himself in it’s depths. He studied in darkness, learning every ability he could. Every trick of the trade. Every form of self-defense imaginable, from Muay Tai to Savate. He wanted to be the man his mother always dreamed he could be. He wanted to do her proud. As for John Walker, eventually, the US pulled out of Vietnam after years of mounting protests. The Winter Soldier Inquiries had found most of his squad guilty of unspeakable things. Things John Walker never imagined they could do. He had never been convicted of anything, but public opinion in the new era’s ‘Captain America’ had fallen right to the floor. He’d been quietly shuffled off into a place where he couldn’t do much damage. And he hated every moment of it. The Strategic Scientific Reserve went by a different name now. They called themselves the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. What a mouthful, John grumbled to himself. The year was 1986. The war had long since been over, at least to most people. John longed for it, he had been reborn in combat. He’d found himself a purpose, and just because a few men committed unspeakable acts, that purpose had been ripped away from him. Some things had changed, some had not. The enemies were still the Soviets, but instead of jungle wars in foreign countries, it was now a ‘cold war’ of sorts. No violence, no bloodshed. It was an age of spies and paranoia now. For his part, John Walker had been relegated to mostly occasional public appearances, to show the strength of the US. To show it wouldn’t fall to Gorbachev’s evergrowing reach. Right now? He found himself on an archeology dig in the Sahara of all places following an old lead dug up by director Peggy Carter. Back during The War, a Hydra plane had gone down here, carrying… something. The Soviets couldn’t have it. Not now, not ever. They’d reached out to local help, as who knew the desert better than those who lived in it? Agreements were signed. People sworn to secrecy. Whatever they found here could never be spoken of. Oddly, it wasn’t all bedouins and the like. There was a man from Asia amongst them, looking to be in his early twenties. He seemed more focused than the rest, like he had a purpose beyond just living day to day in the desert. “Afternoon!” John greeted the digger, who didn’t meet his eyes. “So, you’re Chinese right?” “Vietnamese, actually,” the man corrected. “Long way from home, aren’t you?” John said. “The same could be said about you,” the man replied and John laughed. “Fair enough!” he agreed. “So, what brings you all the way out here?” “What brings you all the way out here?” the Vietnamese man replied. Tents dotted the landscape, pure white as snow. The sun beat down hard like the devil’s inferno, and sweat rolled down everyone’s faces like tidal waves. John sniffed his armpit and recoiled. God, he stunk! He spied a set of rings on his new friend’s fingers. It caught his attention. “Interesting rings,” he remarked. “You get it in a marketplace?” “Something like that,” said the Vietnamese man even as his shovel hit metal. A shout rang out over the pit as more shovels unearthed their prize. Hidden deep beneath the sands, the desert finally gave up its secret. The infamous swastika shone in the sun. Nazi gold, at least of a sort. Soon, the plane was pried open, and out came a box covered in jade and ancient texts. Before anyone could kick it open however, there came more shouting. Desert bandits! Nobody knew where they had come from, it was like they’d appeared out of nowhere. Xin smiled to himself, even as John roared out: “The devil the luck! It’s like we’re excavating Tutankhamun's tomb or something!” John went for his gun and fired off several shots topping a bandit from off his horse. Xin took advantage of the chaos and the confusion, reaching into the box and ripping a ring from it. It glowed at the touch. Even as dust kicked up, Xin broke into a sprint and kicked another of the men off of his horse. The winds began to howl, and someone let out a shout of: “Sandstorm!” Xin covered his face, and his horse galloped across the sands. John and his men would be fine, he had what he’d come for. The Vortex Ring was his, and now he could continue his search for the next ring. One always eluded him, the Remaker. The most powerful of them all… That was then, this was now. That was the Sahara Desert in Egypt, this was the United States and the city of Canterlot. “Want to explain something?” Spitfire asked, peering through her glasses at Philip. “Out with it Lawson! You know something we don’t. I’ve got a pilot being poked and prodded at by the Strategic Homeland… whatever and I want answers. What do you know?” Lawson sighed. “First off, my name isn’t Philip Lawson. It’s Mar-Vehl,” he said as his entire form changed. Gone was the appearance of a simple blond scientist, and instead that of a blue-skinned man, straight out of a sci-fi pulp novel. “Geheneris Hala'son Mar-Vehl, Captain of the Kree Void Navy.” A small breathy “Good lord!” came from Agent Coulson, the man taking several steps back in shock. “So you’re an alien,” Spitfire said with Mar-Vehl nodding. “It was implied, yes,” the space soldier said. “I assure you, I bring you no harm. I’m only here to study Earth.” “Funny job for a Captain to be doing…” Spitfire said skeptically. “Yes, well, we all have our hobbies. I’ve always been interested in your planet, you call it Earth, the Kree call it C-53. Guess which name I prefer more, actually…” Mar-Vehl chuckled. “Honestly, my race has no sense of imagination…” “Coming from someone who’s basically named ‘Marvel’?” Spitfire laughed. “You want to explain what you’re really doing here before I shove this boot of mine somewhere where the sun don’t shine?” “...am I supposed to guess where that is?” Mar-Vehl asked not really familiar with as many Earth phrases as he’d like to be. “Your ass!” both Agent Coulson and Spitfire yelled in unison. “I already said, I came to study Earth.” “As a prelude to invasion?” Agent Coulson asked. “Because usually, that’s how this goes, right? You report back to your superiors on our defenses and then everything goes all War of the Worlds. I’ve seen the movies. I’ve got an entire Netflix catalog of alien invasion movies. Just ask Agent Romanoff.” “Trust me, if the Kree were to come, they’d have come in force. Earth would have never stood a chance,” said Mar-Vehl. “To them, Earth’s… boring. Another planet to add to the list, C-53 is just ‘there’.” “You said ‘would’ as in past tense. What makes you think we stand a chance now?” Agent Coulson asked, his and Spitfire’s guns still trained on Mar-Vehl. “That… may be down to me. You asked me what’s wrong with Lieutenant Rainbow,” Mar-Vehl sighed to himself. “I may or may not have performed an involuntary blood transfusion.” “You did what?” Spitfire snarled. “It was the only way to save her life!” Mar-Vehl shouted back. “She was dying, and I couldn’t just stand around doing nothing! Your Earth doctors wouldn’t be able to save her, so when nobody was looking I gave her some of my blood. I didn’t think it would even do anything, I swear!” “And yet Master Sergeant Dust is inclined to disagree,” Agent Coulson deadpanned. “Oh, I don’t know how we’re going to explain this one to her family.” “Say it was a gas explosion,” Mar-Vehl replied. “Isn’t that what you usually go for? I’ve seen some of your government's excuses, they’re pretty bad and yet people still buy them anyways.” “Man’s got a point,” Spitfire agreed before grumbling to herself: “I can’t believe I’m agreeing with the alien. Hell, I can’t believe I’m even talking to an alien…” “I’m happy to expand your horizons then,” Mar-Vehl chuckled before he sighed to himself. “But… yes, I’m the reason why Lieutenant Dash has superpowers.” “I’m assuming you know just what superpowers she has?” Spitfire asked on a whim. “By my calculations, she should have all the abilities of a Kree, at the very least. Her muscles would be enhanced beyond normal human capacity, she would be gifted with superhuman speed, strength, and reflexes,” Mar-Vehl theorized. “So she’s a regular Captain America, great. What about the energy blasts?” Spitfire asked. “They’re technically photonic blasts,” Mar-Vehl corrected her. “I don’t care!” Spitfire shouted back. “She was infused with the energy of the Tesseract, or at least some of it. I can only guess what that cosmic radiation did to her after I activated it. Which I did not intend to do, by the way,” Mar-Vehl replied. “And yet you did anyways,” Agent Coulson sighed, rubbing his temples. Oh, General Fury was going to love this. “So what do you think she’ll be able to do? Beyond the whole… blasting someone into a wall bit and all.” “I can only theorize,” Mar-Vehl replied. “It could be anything from transforming like a Skrull to-” “I’m sorry, a Skrull?” “Another alien race,” Mar-Vehl informed. “Nasty bastards, look like orcs from World of Warcraft. For the Horde!” “For the Horde!” Agent Coulson agreed on reflex. “Oh, did you see the new expansion? I have a few complaints but…” “Can we get back on topic here?” Spitfire asked, annoyed. “The superpowers, please?” “Yes, right…” and if it was possible for a Kree to flush, Mar-Vehl was probably doing so. “She has the ability to manipulate the very energy of the cosmos. I’m theorizing, completely unbound, she would have the abilities of exothermic manipulation, flight, energy absorption… Basically, she hit the lottery.” Spitfire and Agent Coulson shared a look. “...oh dear lord.” “One way to put it I guess,” Mar-Vehl admitted. “I… I gotta contact Director Fury,” Agent Coulson said rapidly. “He needs to know about this.” “And have your Strategic Homeland boys crawling all over my base again?” Spitfire asked. “No damn way I’m going to allow that to happen!” “Look, you heard La… Mar-Vehl yourself. Rainbow’s a living binary star now, she needs to be…” “Poked and prodded at?” Spitfire challenged. “Restrained,” Agent Coulson said before sending the woman his best reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, we don’t treat people like lab rats. We’re not that kind of agency. Oh, and one more thing?” “What’s that?” Spitfire asked. “Call us SHIELD.” Miles away, in Afghanistan, Silver Zoom found himself with a new challenge. Obviously, you couldn’t just wait and watch for a pot to boil, so you had to do something else in the meantime. Namely, clear out some terrorist scum from a village and give some villagers some peace of mind. And nothing said ‘clearing out terrorist scum’ like a giant mech suit. Landing in the middle of the occupied village with an almighty earthshaking thud, and a near-perfect three-point landing, Detroit Steel advanced. Gunfire rattled off the giant mech suit’s star-spangled hide, red white, and blue flavored justice about to be dispensed. Someone hidden in the blown-out walls of what was once someone’s family home trained a rocket launcher on the suit and fired. Smoke and fire erupted from Detroit Steel’s metallic hide, the massive armor suit sliding backwards in the sand. Silver Zoom winced, his hud flashing as it designated heat signatures all around him. One arm went up, and bullets flew as the mech suit’s heavy cannon went ‘rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat!’ with gold shell casings littering the ground as terrorists were turned to bloody chunks. The squirt beeped out a warning as another missile came screaming towards it. Silver Zoom sidestepped, before ripping up a piece of rubble out of the ground and tossing it towards the oncoming instrument of destruction. WHOOOMMP! A searing blast of heat scalded the suit, turning blue to gray. Like a deadly dancer Detroit Steel became, spinning in a blaze of gunfire. Dust and sand were kicked up in the process as the terrorists reaped the whirlwind. Like a beautiful disaster, the battle became, the blood and violence a poetic metaphor for this part of the world. A masterwork of artistic chaos, with the giant metal boot of America attempting to step in and save the day. And then all went silent, as a tank fired upon the giant suit sending it crashing into the ruins of another house. Treads cracked the earth, rattling and shaking as the massive mechanical monster moved in for the kill. Detroit Steel’s eyes had gone dim, the tank closing in. Then, eyes glowed a sharp gold as the beast awoke, chainsaw revving up for doomsday as it sliced the tank in half. The molten metal fell to the earth, the great beast scoring another kill. But every great beast had the perfect hunter to bring it down. And today, that hunter was Xin Zhang. Great lightning scorched Detroit Steel’s hide, the air scorched with ozone. “Like an obedient dog, you come.” More lightning ripped through the air, slashing and striking at America’s great war machine. It staggered, armor scorching and smoking. “Are you one of Stark’s little toys?” Xin asked. “Seems like something he’d build, really. You’ve got a great grift Stark, sell the people out here weapons, and then you come to blow them up! Rinse and repeat!” With a wave of his hand, Silver Zoom found himself frozen to the ground as the robed man stepped forwards. “The Mandarin, I presume?” Silver Zoom grunted out, as he lurched forwards, struggling to free his suit from the ice. It began to crack and shatter, but before he could move again, he felt a great pressing force. Stronger than anything he had ever felt before, actually. It weighed down upon him, pressing him deeper and deeper into the earth. “So, the first thing you do is try and attack me, Stark?” the Mandarin asked, and with a wave of his hand summoned a glass of wine. “Come on, I thought you were a businessman. A jet setter right? Have some class. Want some? Cabernet Sauvignon, imported from the old country.” “So you’re a man of culture and a terrorist,” Silver said. “Huh, cute.” “Ah ah, not a terrorist. A teacher,” said the Mandarin, taking a sip of his wine. “There is a difference.” “Doesn’t matter to me. You’re about to be a dead teacher!” said Silver as he finally broke free, with Xin sighing. “Oh well, I try to educate… It seems I must inflict punishment instead,” he said before armor covered him, black as carbon. “Hey, I thought you were Chinese,” Silver asked. “Not some sort of Samurai!” “I am a Shì,” said the Mandarin, nearly caving in Silver’s armor with one punch. “Again, another lesson I must impart. This armor was gathered by the great Ghengis Khan himself! At the height of his power, he conquered nearly four times the amount of land of Alexander the Great. Hmm, not so ‘great’ when you put it that way…” “Yeah, a real role model,” Silver said, slashing at the Mandarin with the suit’s chainsaw, only he be blasted back by a firebolt. The Mandarin reached out, grabbed him, and lifted him overhead before slamming him bodily into the earth. “I believe this match is over,” said the Mandarin as a ring on his hand began to glow. “Another time, then? Maybe we can discuss this like more civilized people at a later date. But until then, consider this a message to your United States. The Mandarin is power!” And with that, Silver Zoom found himself teleported away, and left at the doorstep of the White House... Author's Note So... yeah. Few things to note. Yes, the Mandarin's still very much a 'Yellow Peril' type villain, there's no getting away from that. But here, at least, he didn't suddenly wake up and decide to be evil. Nope, he has a backstory. Always important for a good villain. Also, John Walker AKA US Agent. I knew from the moment I was conceiving this Mandarin's backstory I wanted to use him. While Captain America always stood for 'The Dream', John Walker stands for everything else. The ugly side of America, it's bigotry and intolerance. I'm so pleased he's going to be in the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, especially if they're adapting what I think they are.
Mare-Vel Adventures #5: First Flight“Terror struck the hearts of the people of the nation today, as the hero, Detroit Steel was graphically struck down by the Mandarin in Afghanistan earlier today,” said an anchor woman. “Details of the attack are unclear, but Detroit Steel is in a critical condition and might not survive. He has been rushed off to the hospital and we are pending more news on the situation.” “Fighting in Afghanistan intensified earlier this afternoon, as superhero Detroit Steel fought and lost against the insurgent criminal, ‘The Mandarin’, in a ferocious battle,” another outlet was reporting on the same story. “Eyewitnesses who witnessed the battle were lucky to have even survived, but they were noticeably terrified by the sight of their hero knocked to the floor in a seemingly-lifeless pulp.” Another gave a similar report. “Will Detroit Steel survive? That’s what the people of the world are asking as earlier today, his body was carried off to the hospital,” it said. “These injuries come as a result of the battle he had against the infamous Mandarin, who locked horns with Detroit Steel in a seemingly equal battle, ultimately ending in The Mandarin destroying Detroit’s cybernetics and leaving him in a critical state.” A hand flicked to another station. Another report. “The people of Afghanistan, and to an extent, the world, were horrified to see the seemingly invincible superhero by the name of Detroit Steel be defeated by the Mandarin and left in a near-death state earlier today. These reports were captured by brave reporters who were left in a state of mental shock at the sight of such a graphic aftermath. Paranoia among them and the populace has hit an all-time high, and now, the powers of the world are starting to fear for their lives.” The on-screen images changed, now displaying the President at a press conference. “Madam President!” someone shouted as cameras flashed, the iron-willed woman stepping on stage. “What is your response to this brutal attack?” One could easily see the President grip her podium tightly. “Detroit Steel was your response to the Mandarin’s brutal terrorism, right?” another reporter asked. “It’s clear he’s sending you a message, leaving him on the White House front lawn, beaten and broken!” Madison adjusted her mask, before speaking into the microphone. “Yes, it is a message. But America will not, no she WILL NOT bow to the whims of this terrorist. We didn’t found our great nation all those years ago only to kowtow to the whims of one lunatic! The Mandarin is a terrorist, plain and simple. He likes to style himself as a teacher, as this great all-knowing fountain of wisdom. He is nothing more than a madman. A rabid dog that we need to put down.” “And how do you intend to do that?” one reporter asked over the clamor. “Detroit Steel was your first and last hope right?” “The man will survive, and the suit can be repaired. Upgraded even. We will put a stop to this man’s reign of terror!” Madison said firmly. “He thinks he’s a god. He’s nothing more than a man.” She slammed her fist down on the podium as she finished that sentence, subjecting herself to another wave of paparazzi flashes and frenzied reporters asking for more information. She chose to remain silent until something really pressing was brought to her attention. “How do you plan to stop the Mandarin,” someone asked, a man in a sharply dressed suit and looking vaguely Asian asked. “More guns, more bombs? Flush him out of hiding by destroying everything around him?” “Your point?” Madison asked. “Why give the Mandarin more reason to hate you?” the man asked. “You’d only be proving his point if you once again, activated the great American war machine.” “Because we are at war,” Madison fired back. “We’re not trying to cater to the whims of one man. We’re trying to stop him. Him and his band of radical insurgents.” More news reports were soon to follow after this. “Shock gripped the White House today after radical questions were asked,” the first reporter from before said over the TV. “A nation divided!” “Not for the first time, questions have been asked about…” Rainbow couldn’t take it anymore. “Shut it off.” Spitfire didn’t know how it’d happened. She’d basically signed away her best pilot to the government. Had her tossed in some think tank, to be poked and prodded at. She wasn’t happy. Congradu-fucking-lations Spitfire, she told herself. You really won the award for Boss of the Year. Meanwhile, all the while, the President gave patriotic speeches about how they were going to beat the Mandarin. While Silver Zoom lay in a coma and his suit was basically worth only slightly more than scrap. God, this was such a mess. A white-hot burning rage coursed through her. How had things gone so wrong, so fast? Aliens, government agencies, and all the while a terrorist ran rampant! This year just kept getting better with each passing day… The Mandarin laughed to himself. He’d been in that whole mess they called a press conference, and no one was the wiser! He’d practically thumbed his nose at Madison Mare, flipped her the bird, and nobody had noticed! Pride surged through his veins, confidence gripping him. It was like he was on a high. He’d waltzed into the White House, nobody had noticed him, and he’d waltzed right back out. He might as well have mooned them. And what were the results of his little jaunt? Confusion, disarray! The whole nation was a mess, everyone fighting amongst themselves. Trying to figure out what to do with him. So much for safety and security, apparently. They called themselves the most powerful nation on Earth. That was a joke, and not even a good one! He had to be honest with himself. It was a miracle it’d survived this long. Time for another lesson, America. He’d expose the ugly truth, show them for what they were. And nobody could stop him. Deep within the Mojave lay a massive collection of structures, hidden away from the world and nestled within miles and miles of burning desert and cold winter nights. Everyone thought Area 51 was the government’s big secret. Where they hid away things like crashed alien spaceships and secret government projects and radical new technologies. That was the biggest lie in America. Ask yourself, is something really a secret if everyone knows about it? In the 80s, NASA and S.H.I.E.L.D. joined together in a little alliance, and tossed their biggest brains together in a secret think tank. They called it the Potential Energy Group/Alternate Sources/United States or in short, Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. Rainbow really wasn’t in the mood to appreciate the irony. The second biggest lie in America was that when you got taken away by the men in black, you’d never be seen again, and you’d be poked and prodded and policed and other p words for the rest of your days. Again, that was just another tall tale everyone told everyone else for kicks and giggles. Okay, it wasn’t exactly the last word in luxury, it was incredibly sterile and smelled like a hospital but as far as Rainbow knew, nobody was prying her open while she was asleep. The Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility, huh? J.D E.M.F didn’t really roll off the tongue. What was with all of these acronyms anyways? Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, did someone really want their acronym to spell out S.H.I.E.L.D? For that matter, was there a S.W.O.R.D? “Your food sucks, by the way,” Rainbow said to the agent outside her door, watching her. Stabbing a sausage with her fork, she shoved the food inside her mouth, before swallowing and saying: “It feels like I’m back in high school. Did anyone who knows me tell you that I hated high school? What is all of this, anyways? S.H.I.E.L.D? How come I’ve never heard of it?” “Secret government agency, remember?” Coulson commented, watching Supernanny on his phone. He drawled: “We’re not exactly advertising ourselves in the phone books.” “Well, true, but for a top-secret organization, you’d think you’d have better grub!” Rainbow said, shoving more food into her mouth. “Like, it’s barely better than the mystery meat I was served back in high school! And I’m pretty sure that stuff was made from cow dong!” “S.H.I.E.L.D. The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. Your tax dollars at work. Hard work. We keep our fingers on America's pulse, and believe me, America has veins in every section of the world,” said Coulson. “And apologies, the good stuff won’t arrive till later this week. We only get deliveries out here once a month.” “So you’re saying you’re basically giving me the leftovers?” Rainbow asked, offended. “Turns out, if you want to keep your secret base a secret, finding someone who’s incredibly discrete is… tricky,” Coulson replied before laughing lightly. “I kid, of course, it’s actually just government red tape!” “And letting your little pet project die of potential food poisoning isn’t enough to say ‘screw it’ and start cutting through some of that tape?” Rainbow snarked. “It’s not that bad!” Coulson returned. “It’s actually very nutritious, now eat up!” He sighed, if someone had told him Rainbow was going to be this much of a pain in his ass, he would have passed this job off to Agent Ward. Or Agent Romanoff. ...No, definitely Agent Ward. Romanoff would have killed her by now. “So what’s the matter with me Doc?” Rainbow asked in an amused tone with a grin that reminded him way too much like Stark. “Give it to me straight! Am I dying? Do I need a blood transfusion? I’d be happy to drop my pants!” No, definitely Agent Romanoff, Coulson sighed to himself. “So what do you want from me?” “What do I…” Coulson sighed. “Sorry, that’s not the case. Contrary to your belief, you are not the center of my universe. I have bigger problems in the northern regions to deal with. Something about a Native American monster, trashing campsites and ripping people limb from limb.” “So, I’ve got superpowers! Let me kick its ass!” Rainbow said. “You can. But you won't. We're the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Note the word ‘Homeland’. We're not currently authorized for foreign ops,” Coulson explained. “Aside from that, you aren’t even an agent. I cannot in good conscience send anyone not under my command into danger.” “Hello, superpowers! Superhero!” Rainbow laughed. “Besides, a qualified jet pilot on the side. I think I’m more than able to handle whatever your problem is! Hell, I bet I could handle the Mandarin if you turned me loose!” “Turn… turn you loose?” Coulson asked eyes widened in shock before his voice turned harsh in anger. “This isn’t a game, despite what you think! We don’t even know what your powers are, or even if they’re permanent! Forget setting you on the Mandarin, we don’t even know if your powers will last the week!” Rainbow’s face fell, and she sighed. “...yeah, you’re right. It’s just…” she sighed again, deeper. “All my life I’ve worked to earn some respect, fighting sexist jackasses for a chance to sit in the cockpit. Emphasis on cockpit by the way, apparently. And even now, when I’ve got freakin’ superpowers I can’t do anything! I’m supposed to sit back while some lunatic puts everything I love in danger, my friends, my family, my daughter!” “Well then,” Coulson said as he stepped into the room. He smiled, not a smile that promised pain and suffering but a warm, friendly and understanding smile. “Perhaps it’s time we discover what your powers actually are then, hmm?” Rainbow grinned. “I can roll with that.” Rainbow felt the power course and surge through her. Her outfit had been coated in every sensor known to man, registering… well, Rainbow didn’t actually care to remember what they were registering. It didn’t matter. She felt the warm sun on her face, and starlight rushing through her body. A gentle breeze rustled her rainbow locks, and her whole body crackled with energy. Her palms glowed with soft gentle light, and the earth cracked beneath her. No backing out of this now. They told her she needed a limiter, that apparently whatever had been done to her, her whole body was drawing power from the very fabric of the universe itself. For her own safety, she had to be held back. They expected she might explode if she ever took the limiter off. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t have some fun, even with one hand tied behind her back. Nobody for miles around, except for a couple of guys in a van. Well, she might as well give them a show. The air cracked as she took off towards the skies, the wind scything into her as she took one great leap. She felt faster than a speeding bullet, to borrow that old cliche. The ground was coming up fast again, and it shook as she slammed into it again. And then it gave out from under her before she leapt forwards towards a mountain. She reached for more speed, more power, and for a moment she thought it was enough. And then came the mountain, rising up to greet her. Crashing into it, she slammed into miles of earth and rock, the entire thing coming down all around her. Rainbow felt a frustrated scream barrel it’s way up from her throat, before she pushed forwards, grasping for open clear air. Past the earth, past the rock, past the dust and towards the shining sun. And like an answer, it came. It reached out and touched her, the warm sun cascading all over her body. Not sunlight, no, she realized. Starlight. The air thundered as she took flight into the sky. Not leaping. Flying. Rainbow laughed in glee, thinking to herself: “If only Scootaloo could see me now!” The wind was tearing at her, grasping at her, begging at her to stop defying it. But, no, she decided. No, she wouldn’t. She would never stop. She lived for the sky, the sun and the clouds and the ground rushing beneath her. Gravity was bowing to her every whim, she was openly mocking it. How fast could she go, how far could she fly? There was only one way to find out, wasn’t there? She circled back around, cutting and scything through the air. The van was barely a blip below, the agents like ants. Coulson watched as a blur of light rocketed overhead, trailing gold energy like the sun behind her. It was like a comet had entered Earth’s atmosphere, and was scorching overhead. His sunglasses fell away from his face, another agent letting out a breathy, whispered: “Dear god…” Rainbow let out a cry, the deserts of Nevada soon behind her. Surging forwards, people all across the West Coast would report seeing a blur of energy in the sky above. Pictures would be taken, videos of speculation would be posted on the internet. Nothing would ever come close to the truth. There was a new wonder of the world. Her. Maybe it sounded arrogant. But it was undeniable there was nothing else like her. The rumbling pressure continued to build, pressing itself against her forehead. It stayed there for a moment, before it cracked wide open in a sonic explosion. Rainbow knew the sensation, she’d felt it before in her jet. This was something different though. It wasn’t caused by machinery. It was caused by her. The Pacific Ocean welcomed her into the deep blue. The water was cold, beyond freezing. It gripped her tight like vice. Rainbow knew she should have been crushed, even as she saw the seabed. But impossibilities seemed to be a regular thing with her now. She shouldn’t be able to fly. She shouldn’t be able to leap tall mountains in a single bound. She shouldn’t be able to fire off photonic blasts. She shouldn’t be able to do any of this. And yet she was. Down here in the crushing darkness, there was peace. Tranquility. Calm. And Rainbow’s nerves tightened as her determination hardened into resolve. Up she shot, a geyser left in her wake and her arms spread wide to greet the sun. She smiled, feeling that seabreeze on her face. Doing a slow twirl in mid air, she floated back down towards the water. Hovering above it, she contemplated running on water. That’d put her in some very special company. Oh, what the hell! Like a bullet from a gun, she rocketed over the Pacific as the miles passed her by. The sensors had long given up the ghost, ripping away from her. Her clothes were beginning to catch fire. She knew she should stop, less she made her debut in the nude. But dear god, this was so much fun! Look out world, here came Rainbow Dash! Taking off into the skies again, she turned her sights to the south. Why stop at one continent? Why not grace another with her presence? Her body blazed with light, the woman spinning in midair her eyes looking towards the sun. It gave her power, along with every other star in the sky. Giving it a two fingered salute, she grinned before pouring on the power and rocketing towards South America. There were a bunch of drug lords and jungle warlords and plenty of other scumsuckers that needed dealing with anyways, rooting out. She knew she should turn back, she’d proven how powerful she was. But what would Captain America do? On the news, she’d heard of everything coming out of South America. And now she had the power to do something about it. Just one. She could grab just one, make her point and show that criminals had a new power to fear. She felt, dare she say it, marvelous. Unknown to her, other eyes had been watching her flight. An American military base, a few miles below had her on radar. “Couldn’t even run an ID check, nothing like we’ve seen before!” one of the soldiers said to his superior. “We’ve cross referenced with all known databases, and man if this is a missile it’s nothing…” “Like you’ve seen before, I heard,” Commander Wind Rider sighed. “Is it stealth?” “No sir,” someone else said. “It’s tiny!” “What are we dealing with here…?” Wind Rider muttered before making up his mind. “Get Raptors in the area, I want that thing shot down!” Someone let out a call of: “Bogey spotted!” Rainbow realized too late, before she heard the roar of two engines. The screaming, the howling of F-22s. Going into a spin, she barrel rolled left, the two jets turning and flying after her. “Well, you’ve really stepped in it now, haven’t you!” Rainbow scolded herself. “Ballroom, this is Whiplash 1. I’ve got the bogey in my sight.” the pilot said to his command. “What is it!?!” Wind Rider demanded. “I have no idea!” Whiplash 1 replied, in shock as he watched the tiny target fly with the skill and precision of one of their own. “No radio contact, or anything! Whatever it is, it can’t hear me! Or it’s choosing not to.” “Well then…” Wind Rider said. “You know what to do.” And like that, Whiplash 1 fired a missile. Rainbow heard it, and panicked. She knew it was a heat seeker, and right now she had to be lighting up the whole damn sky. No way to lose it, unless… Oh this wasn’t going to be fun. She dropped, mile after mile before lighting herself up again and tossing a blast of pure photonic energy. The blast sent her spirling, her ears ringing before she was up and away and high above the twin jets. Flying past Whiplash 1, she tossed him a salute before rocketing off. “Uh, base… you’re not going to believe this but…” Whiplash 1 said. “...I think I just saw a woman.” “You saw a what?” Wind Rider asked, barely able to believe his ears. “The bogey!” Whiplash 1 shouted. “It’s a flying woman!” Never knowing of the shock she’d probably just caused, and the government cover ups probably soon to follow, Rainbow continued her quest. There was a compound, just a short walk ahead of her. “Rainbow, what are you doing?” Coulson’s voice crackled in her ear. “I’ve got reports flying in from everywhere, strange lights in the sky, the Pacific Ocean erupting! A strange woman defying gravity!” “Uh… saving the world?” Rainbow asked. “Hello, superpowers! You honestly don’t expect me not to do anything with them, right?” “Rainbow!” Coulson shouted. “You… I… you don’t even have a mask!” Rainbow slapped mud all over her face, gathering it from the forest floor. “Now I do!” Rainbow said before crashing through the compound walls. “Rainbow!” “Sorry, you’re breaking up!” Rainbow replied before faking the sounds of static. “I must be getting out of range! Hey, maybe you should check on that? Bye!” Gunfire pelted her, the bullets bouncing off of her energy shield with comical ease. Her clothes were covered in scorch marks and burns. Okay, if she was going to be a successful superhero, she really needed to get that fixed. Oh well, live and learn, right? Slapping a thug aside, she grabbed another’s rifle from her hands and broke it in half over her knee. More soldiers came, and she blasted them away with pure photonic energy. Gathering power in her fist, she slammed it into the earth. Soldiers were tossed upwards by the shockwave, and Rainbow grabbed a tree before slamming it into them like the world’s largest baseball bat. “Annnnnnnnnnd they’re out of the ballpark!” she called, watching them fly. Lunging forwards, she suddenly felt a great force hit her. Smashing through compound walls, Rainbow groaned and rubbed her face feeling blood. Her eyes widened, the soldier turned superheroine letting out a gasp. She was actually bleeding! And she saw why. A tank. Of course the damn drug kingpin’s soldiers had a damn tank! Firing blast after blast as she climbed out of the rubble, she ripped into it’s armor. The air thundered with the sound of a shell, and Rainbow sidestepped, feeling a scorching heat behind her as the earth erupted in an explosion. The tank fired again, and Rainbow punched forwards striding through the explosion. Her shield was seared away, before it recovered in a flash of gold. Ripping into the tank with the force of a titan, she pulled armor away exposing its fleshy innards. It would be so easy, Rainbow thought to herself as she saw the two quivering, whimpering soldiers inside. Way too easy, she thought with a frown. “Hello there,” Rainbow said striding forwards, watching one of the soldiers practically shit his pants at the sight of her. She saw him go for his gun, and barely felt a tingle as the bullets bounced off her, gold casings splattering in the mud below. “What… what are you?” the terrified soldier asked. “I’m... “ Rainbow started to answer, before realizing she hadn’t actually come up with a codename for herself. “You know, I haven’t figured that out actually! ...you mind if you wait right here while I do that? ...suppose I can’t just call myself Mistress Marvelous, right?” “No, I’m pretty sure that’s taken…” the second soldier whispered nervously. Rainbow’s face fell. “Damn, you’re right. Copyright’s a bitch. Oh well.” Lowering herself in close, she watched the soldier faint in fear. And then she turned to the other one. “What… what are you going to do to me?” the first asked. “This,” Rainbow answered, finger-flicking him into unconsciousness. Marching forwards, she met with more resistance though little of it was any real concern. Elbowing one soldier, she grabbed another by his wrist and flipped him into the earth. Another she just slammed into the trunk of a tree. “Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite, so don't let me have any rights…” Rainbow hummed as she backhanded two soldiers trying to sneak up on her. She eventually found the main building, and saw the terrified kingpin and his general hiding away behind the safety of a window covered by iron bars. And she knew immediately what to reference. Okay, Coulson was probably going to kill her, but she just stopped some major drug trafficking so all was well and good… right? Putting her hands on her hips, she called out: “General, would you care to step outside?” Spitfire had seen the news. “Mysterious Flying Woman Takes the Nation by Storm!” “Who is she? Is she here to help or to harm?” “Wonder, Amazement! Shock, Awe!” She wasn’t an idiot, even without any real clear pictures she knew exactly who it was. Giving out a sigh, Spitfire mumbled something to herself under her breath. ...well, it wasn’t like anyone could ever stop Rainbow whenever she put her mind to something. “Besides…” she mused. “With the Mandarin on the rise, and Detroit Steel practically scrap, we may just need a marvelous new solution…” The Mandarin let out a roar of rage. Someone was challenging him, he knew it! The Americans, they had to be behind this. It was awfully convenient that the same week he trashed their Detroit Steel, they showed off some new miracle of science. Some new amazement. Maybe they’d finally done it, replicated the famous serum that gave Captain America his powers! Or worse, improved upon it. The wheels just kept turning, the great American war machine just kept grinding out new and dangerous weapons. Afghanistan, like Vietnam before it would be alight with fire. He emphasized with the peoples of the Middle East, he really did. For over twenty years, they’d been under siege by the West. The Americans, they never knew when to quit. Go in, say they were ‘defending the world’ against some foreign threat. The excuses changed. From communism to terrorism. But the same basic intent was always the same. He had to defend them. They weren’t his people, but like his people they suffered oppression from the United States of America. From guns and tanks and bombs, to now superhumans. Miracles of science! And there was nothing more horrifying than a miracle. The door had been opened, the die cast. It wasn’t an age of warfare anymore, no. You could feel it in the air. A new energy, crackling and distinct. It was the age of heroes. They’d call this amazing woman a hero, of course they would. And they’d call him a villain, because every superhero needed a supervillain to oppose her. Batman had his Joker. Superman had Lex Luthor. Wonder Woman, she had Ares. And this woman would have him. He’d crush her. Of course he would. A miracle was nothing before an experienced warrior. Ghengis Khan, his ancestor had taken down everyone who had opposed him. And now he, his ancestor, followed in his footsteps. He’d crushed Detroit Steel, and he would crush this woman. But like Khan, he needed an army to do so. The Americans had their super soldier serum, he had his own. Desperate times called for extreme measures. Very extreme measures. The Mandarin broke into a laugh. Let her come! He’d be ready! The time of his ascension was nearly at hand. All he needed now were the rings. Yes, the rings. They’d been scattered throughout the world years before, and all but a few were now in his grasp. And then he’d show the world a true miracle. True to Rainbow’s predictions, her handler had words for her. “What did you do?” Coulson demanded. “You should have kept yourself secret, we were only testing your powers!” “So what? I bagged a bad guy for you didn’t I?” rainbow shrugged, now in a new pair of jeans and shirt. “I mean, can’t you be happy for me?” “Yes, I am… I am happy for you, but that’s not the point!” Coulson stormed. “What if your powers suddenly gave out mid-flight? We’d be fishing you out of the ocean for years!” “But they didn’t, so there!” Rainbow huffed, crossing her arms. “You’re reckless, stubborn, and a danger to yourself and to your family,” Coulson reprimanded. That hit home, hard, and Rainbow blanched. “Excuse me?” she hissed. “What if I had to go home, tell your daughter that you’d gone splat in the ocean or been shot to death by South American guerilla soldiers?” Coulson pointed out before sighing. “I… I just don’t want to be the man who has to do that. So next time you decide to do something crazy, you need to stop and think. You can’t just go charging into things, powerful as you are. Sometimes the greatest superpower is knowing when to show restraint.” “But I’m practically invincible…” Rainbow muttered. “Yes, practically. But not completely,” Coulson continued to lecture. “You can shrug off most bullets, but not a tank shell from the looks of it. You can bleed. You got lucky today. What about tomorrow, or what about the next day or the day after that?” “I… yeah, you’re right,” Rainbow finally sighed. “I don’t want to admit it, but you’re absolutely right. I was stupid, I know. It’s just… there’s way too much crap going on in the world today, and here I can finally do something about it! I don’t know where my superpowers came from, but I swear I’m going to use them to make a difference… It’s what Captain America would do.” Coulson, for a moment however brief, looked approving before his face returned to its usual impassive mask. “Actually, about that…” he said. “We actually do know where your powers came from.” “From me, actually.” said a voice and a familiar blond stepped into the room. “Lawson?” Rainbow asked, before his form shifted. “My name’s not Lawson, it’s actually Mar-Vehl,” the alien explained with a smile. “And congratulations Rainbow, you’ve just taken your first steps into a larger world…” Author's Note Okay, so yeah. Few things to talk about here. One, first and foremost. Originally, I was going to make Rainbow half-Chinese. Quills and Sofas made a point of it, however, that even if I was doing it to avoid 'white woman against Asian man' I might be stepping in some other unfortunate implications if I don't portray Chinese culture right and just casually make Rainbow Chinese. Good intentions, bad execution. Secondly, the flight scene. The big moment. Yeah, I was inspired by Man of Steel along with Dreadnought, which is a great read by the way. You should go pick it up. But what can I say? It's such a great scene. Also, yeah, I know, Rainbow shouldn't be bleeding from a tank shell. But I made a point of neutering her powers, at least for now, just so she can actually be challenged. She'll get there, don't worry.
Mare-Vel Adventures #6: HomecomingReturning to the base gave Rainbow an… odd feeling really, hearing the roar of jet engines above her. That could have been her up there right now, really. Taking to the skies without the need for a metal shell around her body, just her and the endless horizons. Just her and a sea of blue. Looking down at her hands, they crackled with golden light. Forcing the power away and back into her body, she sighed. Alas, she was forced to hide her powers. Better the world didn’t know what exactly she was. A soldier, with the powers of a goddess! They’d be afraid of her, and the nations of the world would be afraid of the US and the power it now possessed. So, despite wanting to take to the skies once again, she would have to suppress her desire to do so. “So much for Rainbow Dash, Aerial Avenger, eh?” But even as she stepped onto the concrete street that led up to her house, and was tackle-hugged by a purple-haired blur, she found that maybe she didn’t mind. She had all she needed right here. “Welcome home…” Night had fallen over HammerTech Industries, most people had already gone home, leaving nothing but a skeleton crew of security guards and the odd, passionate scientist behind, going about their work, like any other day. The only thing out of the ordinary the entire day had been a malfunctionof the coffee machine, but even that was quickly solved. But, there was an ominous aura in the air, almost as if someone was watching them from the shadows outside. “Hey, Bob? What are you looking at out there? Did a squirrel steal your wallet again?” It suddenly called out from behind one security guard, quickly followed up by a hand on his shoulder. With a sudden scream, Bob jumped around, staring directly into his colleague’s face. “God damn it Wayde! Never do that again!” He shouted at the other security guard. “And no, it’s just… I got the feeling we’re being watched, that’s all. And that only happened once! You don’t need to bring this up every night!” “Aha, sure. Just like the time, you said a giant bulldog that just appeared out of nowhere, or when a frog with a hammer flew by. You really need to stop smoking weed on the job! Now, get back to your post! You can be paranoid there,” the other guard grumbled, already about to walk off again. His exit was, however, loudly interrupted by the sound of metal crashing into each other and subsequently bending, followed by the roar of an engine. Both guards spun around, seeing a group of five armored trucks driving past where their gate had previously been and straight towards them. On all of the trucks was a painted logo, resembling ten bloody rings. About halfway there, the closest truck lowered his window, a man dressed entirely in black combat gear leaning out, holding what looked like some sort of grenade launcher. Before any of the two could even ask what was going on, glass was already shattering, as several black scattered across the ground next to them, only to release a grey-green cloud. Within seconds, the two of them were coughing like crazy, gasping for air on the ground, about two dozen of the masked figures storming into the building. One of them was barking out orders, shouting over the sounds of the men storming the building. Anyone who tried to stop them were quickly gunned down. And then the men parted, letting by someone in red-gold robes with cascading black hair. The robed man tossed his gas mask aside, chuckling. “A great man once said this,” said Xin Zhang. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. He was fooling himself. Soon the nations of the world will fear me!” He made his way through the halls, with more guards attempting to stop him. They were better armed than the last ones, perhaps unsurprisingly given what these labs developed. “Another cog in the great american war machine…” “Put your hands behind your head, and get on your knees!” a guard shouted. “Get on your knees right now!” The Mandarin did neither. “It’s a pity really. You could have been something great. And instead you choose to take up arms against the innocent. I am naught but a simple teacher. Ready for your lesson?” “On your knees!” the guard barked. And the Mandarin struck, one of his rings glowing as he blasted the guard into a wall with a wave of pure sound. The other found himself unable to move, the gravity around him growing impossibly heavy. The Mandarin struck him across the leg via a kick, bones cracking as he toppled to the ground with a scream of pain. But, the moment the second man hit the floor, four more guards stormed down into the main hall, weapons drawn and aimed at the invaders. The Mandarin simply snapped with his fingers, one of his rings once more glowing up, before every piece of ammunition the men were carrying went up in flames, their weapons quickly reduced to scraps and shrapnel as it ripped into the guards. And just to make sure, all four were thrown against the next best wall by a sound blast before they had even hit the floor. “Just the proof that you are as easily broken as the weapons you wield like they were your life,” he shook his head before moving past their mangled corpses. With alarms going off all around them, the Mandarin and his followers quickly advanced deeper into the building. They knew where they had to go and nothing would stop them from reaching their destination. More guards tried to stop them, but the Mandarin with a wave of his hand allowed ice to creep up into their body armor. It sprouted like flowers, erupting from underneath. Xin would admit he rather enjoyed the terrified expressions on their faces. In fact, their faces were the only things that were visible, the ice almost completely encasing them.“Do I perceive the icy fingers of fear clutch your heart... just as the ice itself now tears at your armor?” Breaking through another door with a kick, the Mandarin sighed to himself. Did nobody in this place present an actual challenge? And then he saw the red dots cover his body as he entered a large open room. “On the ground!” someone shouted. “On the ground, or we will open fire!” Sighing to himself, the Mandarin reached out. “Yes, you will.” But it wasn’t he who was blown to pieces. “Oh look, drone strikes,” the Mandarin remarked with a grin. “Shame about Hammer technology. I’ve heard they’ve had such bad targeting computers.” It wouldn’t be long now. His target was in the next room over. All that he needed to do now was… Suddenly, something erupted from the wall, grabbing him and pulling him upwards. “Ah. Of course.” The robotic arm slammed him into a wall, before tossing him to the other end of the room. Lights flickered as the impossibly massive form of Detroit Steel, but not strode into view. The Mandarin sighed to himself, Hammer did know he’d trashed this thing once right? “Working late, Hammer?” Xin mocked. “I believe in overtime!” Justin called back, one of the suit’s arms surging forwards attempting to splatter Xin all across the room with a punch. The Mandarin leaped backwards, spinning in mid-air before landing on the floor in a slide. Taking a stance, his rings glowed in the low light. “Unpaid, of course,” Xin deadpanned. “Well, it’s not like anyone’s complained before!” Justin returned, the suit’s chainsaw arm revving up. Dodging a swing from the weapon, the Mandarin flipped backwards. “Oh, they probably do. Quite loudly at that. You just ignore their complaints, that’s all. You’re selectively deaf. If it doesn’t benefit you somehow, you manage to block it out. How admirable.” “Oh, you flatter me!” Justin beamed. “So this is the part where you attempt to kill me right?” the Mandarin sighed. “I just know a big fat government pay check is heading my way if I kill the greatest threat to America right now!” Justin laughed, his massive machine running towards him. “You see dollar signs, I only see disappointment,” lectured Xin, easily dodging the wild swing. “You could contribute so much to the world, instead all you offer is only bloodshed!” Justin slammed him into a wall with a fist. “Talk talk talk,” Justin said, punching the Mandarin again before he had a chance to recover. Spiderweb cracks erupted out from where he lay. “That’s all you ever do! I’m more a man of action!” Then, jolts of electricity erupted up his arm, traveling up the armor. Taking advantage of the moment, the Mandarin surged forth, kicking Detroit Steel in the face. The armor stumbled back, staggering even as Xin landed in front of it. Spinning gracefully, the Mandarin made a ‘come forth’ gesture with his hand. Accepting the challenge, Justin urged the Detroit Steel armor forwards at surprising speeds. Propelled forth by jets, it came upon Xin at a speed he thought impossible at its size. “How…?” he whispered. “You do realize I only keep the best bits for myself right?” Justin’s voice crackled through the armor’s speakers. “There’s only so much that the public gets to see! The military called half of my upgrades completely unnecessary!” Firing a series of missiles at Xin, he barely managed to destroy them with jets of fire from his ring. “WELL, WHAT’S COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY NOW, HUH KIDDIES?” Justin laughed almost manically. “You’ve got an even bigger ego than Stark,” said Xin, kicking a missile back towards Justin, who made the armor side-step it. The Mandarin did a series of cartwheels, dodging shots from the suit’s gatling gun even as bullets riddled the walls behind him. “Congratulations, you must be so proud.” Another one of his rings glowed, and veins of ice spouted all over the suit before the Mandarin began flinging blasts of wind at Justin. His suit took a stumble, and then it took a topple, crashing to the ground and landing in a small crater. “Disappointing,” said Xin as he looked behind him at the smoking mess. “I was actually hoping for more of a challenge. But I guess I expected too much from Justin Hammer!” “What do you hope to gain by this attack, huh?” Justin roared as he climbed out of his armor. “Free publicity, if you wanted an autograph all you could have done was ask!” Rifles were trained in his direction from Xin’s men. The Mandarin sighed, gesturing for them to lower their arms. The point had been made, no need for another body to bury. They’d caused enough carnage today. There were always casualties, but there was no need for unnecessary ones. He was a teacher, not a monster. He didn’t cause massacres. “Oh, if anyone ever wants an autograph from you…” the Mandarin rolled his eyes before a sinister smirk crept its way up his face. “But really! An attack? Don't disappoint me now by thinking small, Mr. Hammer... I've just declared war.” Using one of his wings to blow a door down, the Mandarin stepped into a lab. Curled up behind an overturned metal table was a dark-haired woman, cowering in fear. “Ms. McGowan!” the Mandarin greeted politely. “A pleasure for us to finally meet. I’ve been looking forward to this meeting for a while now.” No response. “Now, now, no need to be afraid. I’ve not come to harm you. No, I’m here to offer a proposition.” “As if anyone would want to work with you!” It came back from behind the desk. “Oh, I think you’re wrong on that end. As you can clearly see, I’m not alone. And, unlike Hammer’s men, they do not follow me for the money. No, no, they believe in what I want to achieve and create! And I’d like you to join me on my mission. Your magnificent mind will be used for something better than giving Hammer more ways to make money,” he calmly returned. “You could help far more people that way and I know you want to do that,” he continued, tapping on a white mug with a pink and light blue Captain America star on it. Once more, there was no response. “I’m sure, this is not the America that they’d want it to be. The Howling Commandos, they fought for one nation under god with liberty and justice for all and what did their efforts amount to? NOTHING! A nation sending its children to die to fill the pockets of those who couldn’t care less about them. A nation that does not care for the future of this planet. A nation that doesn’t accept its own sons and daughters for who they are. And a nation concerned more with hating each other than striving to be there for each other. I intend to wake America up from this dream that has long since become a nightmare, but I need your help for this. I know we can make a difference!” Charlene McGowan considered his offer. And… she considered her situation. The growing costs of medical bills, the legal costs and the debt she was in. Mountains of stress she’d been piled under. She’d always tried to suggest new things like gene modification to Justin, ways for her to make a profit for once in her goddamn life. But he always tossed her suggestions aside, too concerned with the business of making war. And here this man was, offering her an out! The question was, should she take it? …it was barely a question at all wasn’t it? “So what do we do?” she answered, and the Mandarin smiled. “Excellent!” “DON’T YOU DARE, MCGOWAN!” roared Hammer. “YOUR LIFE BELONGS TO ME! Everything you’ve worked so hard to build, you want to throw it all away for him? Your life, your reputation? Just so you can prove a point?” “I think we’ve heard enough from you, thank you,” said Xin, blowing him into a wall. “Oh, I’ve been so rude! I forgot to give you my card!” His flame ring lighting up, he burned ten interlacing rings into the walls… “Shock gripped the business world today as HammerTech Industries found itself attacked by the Mandarin and his forces. It seems his message is being sent loud and clear,” said one newscaster as behind her, an image of the Mandarin’s logo lay burned into a wall. “No longer will he be hiding in the shadows! It seems that the future of the nation hangs in the balance. We cut live to our reporter in the field, Coco Pommel for her thoughts on this whole disaster.” “Yes, this is all incredibly terrible,” said Coco, her blue hair blowing in the breeze. Behind her was HammerTech, crime scene tape surrounding it. “They came late last night, like a hurricane according to eyewitnesses.” Rushing up to Justin Hammer, who had been raging at everyone, she asked him: “Mr. Hammer, Mr. Hammer! What are your thoughts on this?” “I’ll tell you my thoughts!” Justin snarled. “That man’s playing with fire! He’s got some nerve attacking me at my own workplace! All just to prove a point! He’s trying to show that nowhere is safe from his claws! Well, I, Justin Hammer, dare him to come back again!” “You dare him?” Coco asked, sounding concerned. “Are you sure that’s wise?” “Of course I dare him! This is a matter of pride now! He’s thumbing his nose at me!” said Hammer, blowing on his cigar. Coco visibly wrinkled her nose. “Cigar? No? Shame! Anyways, where was I…?” “The Mandarin.” Coco reminded him. “OH YES! Him! He killed several of my best men, and he’s cost me huge profits! Disgusting man really. Like, could he at least go and attack Stark? Maybe knock him off his golden throne? Huh, eh?” The screen cut back to the newscaster. “So there you have it folks, and now for the weather!” Of course, others had their thoughts on this development... “And I tell you, this is just the start! This lunatic, he’ll be back! Attacking honest working American businessmen, like Justin Hammer! But I doubt that will be all! No! He isn’t working alone! They never do! No man can operate on this without funds! And I tell you, folks, this is definitely connected to Russia!” An old man shouted through his podcast. He was the face of the rather controversial site “TheDailyBugle.com”, Buried Lede. “Those Russians are up to something! Super Soldier experiments! Humans and animals alike! Research on robots and other weapons! They are even looking into mythology to find their own gods! Ha! Pathetic! And that Mandarin character must be their newest scheme, him and that flying woman! A miracle they call her! I call her a threat to national security! A dark star on the horizon, if you will!” Buried continued to rant and rave at the camera. “And our government does nothing against them! It’s pathetic! President Madison Mare, I implore you to something before those Ruskies overrun our way of life! Are we not the greatest nation in the world, or are we not the greatest nation in the world?” he thundered. “We can’t lay down while we’re overrun! Do you want to be known as the president who let the Russians take us over, or do you want to be known as the one who pushed them back into the cold where they belong?” The screen changed again, this time to the Madam President, questions fired at her fast and furious. “No, I don’t believe that the Mandarin is a work of Russia, no matter what internet theorists say. He is a very real threat, that much is true, but he belongs to no one country. He is a ronin, a samurai without a master to make a comparison. A lone wolf. But rest assured, we will put him down.” “...idiot,” the Mandarin sighed as he turned off Buried’s podcast with a shake of his head. “The man is clearly going senile. He’s good for a laugh, but he’s just another symptom of the American disease. He deserves to be cut out, like a cancerous tumor. They’re arrogant, thinking themselves the top nation in the world. It will be such a pleasure to cut them down to size.” He strode into the next room. It was honestly surprising how America had stayed alive this long. They fought amongst themselves, for petty reasons. Class and race and other nonsense. It was time for that to come to an end. A new era of freedom and equality was what the world beckoned for, and he would be the one to lead it into that new age. Just like his ancestor, Ghengis Khan once did. “Ms. McGowan, how goes the formula?” he asked, leaning over the woman’s shoulder. “Do you believe it will work?” “I’m… working on it. But it has proven, a bit more… challenging to get right. I’m not sure if it is ready for the next stage yet. It should… if my calculations prove to be correct, but… I’m unsure if I’m being honest,” she sighed, holding a syringe in her hand as she did so. “Unsure?” the Mandarin asked. “You’re a genius, I have no doubts you can make this formula viable.” “I… Maybe you’re right. It’s just… This could be dangerous and I haven’t really had any chances for long-term testing yet, or how it reacts to certain genes or genetic illnesses, or god knows if it could cause mutations or something similar,” McGowan continued, tightening her grip on the syringe lightly. “I’d just rather be sure.” “We don’t have time to be sure,” said Xin, taking the syringe from her hands. “It’s time for a field test.” “Wait!” McGowan shouted if to no avail. “Are you sure about this?” “Well, if this fails, you can consider it something to learn from,” Xin shrugged. “If it works, it works!” Several of his men were lined up along the wall, saluting him. “They’re like dogs, incredibly loyal to me,” Xin went on. “They’d even die for me. Don’t you just wish you could find that anywhere else?” Injecting one of his men, the Mandarin just watched what happened next. “How do you feel?” McGowan asked, a concerned look on her face. “Uhm… Good, a bit hot maybe,” he awkwardly returned, before tugging on his collar. “Uff, yeah, a bit hot. How didn’t I notice that before?” “You feel hot?” She returned, her eyes nervously looking the man up and down. “Yeah, a bit… No, wait, a lot actually. Why is it suddenly so hot in here? Can someone activate the air conditioning?” The man continued, before adding, far louder and more forceful: “And fast! It feels like I’m in an oven! Man! It’s so damn hot!” The man didn’t even notice how his veins started to glow a fiery red until they looked like his blood had been replaced with lava. McGowan took a step back, clasping her hands over her mouth as the man noticed himself. “What- What the hell is this! It’s hot! It’s so hot!” His screams echoed through the room, just as the veins on his neck burst open, letting the glowing liquid shoot out of them right into the face of another man. In an instant, his face had gone up in flames and he was running around like a chicken without a head, before collapsing in a burning heap. The first man, meanwhile, tried desperately to hold shut the gushing wound in his neck, only causing his hands to erupt into flames as well. Liquid oozed out of his eyes, like burning tears. All over his body, the phenomena repeated itself. The Mandarin and McGowan could only watch in horrified fascination. Ten seconds later and there was nothing left of him besides a bright, orange sludge and the smell of burned flesh as it ate its way through the concrete floor. “I guess he did feel hot,” said Xin, his voice numb before he turned to glare venomously at his chief scientist. “...be sure this mistake doesn’t happen again. Otherwise I may inject you with it!” “Y-Yessir…” Charlene whispered scampering off. Unaware of the developments behind the scenes, Rainbow continued on with her life. “....a flying woman?” Fleetfoot scoffed at one of her fellow pilots. “Don’t be daft! That’s impossible! Clearly fake news strikes again! The tabloids just get more and more sensational. Next thing you know, Tony Stark will suddenly decide to become a saint and stop making weapons, and go into business selling clean energy for the world! Honestly…” Rainbow smirked to herself, oh if only Fleetfoot knew. That smirk turned to a frown, it was doubtful anyone would see the miracle woman ever again. It was a nice thought though! “Hey Rainbow, you alright?” Soarin’ asked her over lunch. “Something looks like it’s eating at you, like seriously! You haven’t touched your food!” Rainbow looked down, huh. So she hadn’t. “Sorry, it’s just… I’ve had a lot on my mind lately,” Rainbow muttered to herself. “More than you’ll ever know…” she thought before shoving her lunch towards Soarin’. “Here, you take it.” “...well, who am I to pass up free food?” Soarin’ mused to himself. “...shame it’s not pie, I wonder if we can get some of that Apple family pie snuck onto base? It’s always been finger-licking good!” “Probably best not!” Rainbow teased. “I’ve seen you with pie, it’s kinda scary actually!” Her mind found itself wandering to recent revelations… “Waaaaaaaaait, wait, wait! So let me get this straight,” she said, gesturing wildly to Lawson, or Mar-Vehl apparently. “You’re an alien, from outer space and… oh Jesus, yeah, it’s official. I’ve finally gone crazy. Maybe I just bumped my head in that crash landing and I’ve been in a coma and this is all just some wild dream…” “Was you flying a dream?” Mar-Vehl pointed out and Rainbow wisely conceded his point. “I’m from a distant planet, far from here. It’s called Hala. Why I’m here is not important, but I am truly sorry for what I did to you. You’ll never have a normal life now.” “Why would you be sorry?” Rainbow laughed flexing her muscles. “Are you kidding me, this is great! I can fly! I’m basically bulletproof! I can shoot laser beams from my hands!” “Photonic blasts, actually...” Coulson corrected, going unheard. “You’re… taking this better than I expected,” Mar-Vehl remarked, eyes widened in surprise. “Well, duh! I’m a freakin’ superhero right now! This is awesome!” Rainbow blabbered. “Didn’t you see me?” “Unfortunately, I would advise against going on another little adventure like that again,” Mar-Vehl said. “I’ve seen what this world’s like. They are simply not ready for you. They’ll hate you, they’ll be afraid of you. Imagine, just for a moment that you decide to go public. People are already afraid of others for something as simple as their race or their religion. Can you imagine what might happen if they saw you?” “Man, this is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me since I got cleared to fly, and you want me to keep quiet about it?” Rainbow grumbled. “You’re no fun at all! And you know what, for a space alien I’d have expected you to be cool! Instead you’re just like the suit over there!” Coulson ignored the insult. “I’m gone,” Rainbow grumbled, waving them off. “You want me to keep quiet about my powers, you do you! But me, if I hear someone in trouble? Don’t expect me to lay down on the job!” “Oh well, at least you understand me…” Rainbow sighed to herself, running a hand through Chewie’s fur, hearing her rumble up against her. “I mean, what? I’ve got superpowers now and I’m supposed to just pretend I don’t? How messed up is that?” Oh, that was a mood! Talk about irony! The phone rang, and through a series of events Rainbow found herself at Rarity’s personal boutique in the city. The bell rang as she entered, and Rarity soon swept her up like a hurricane, babbling rapidly about something or other. She honestly couldn’t catch all of it. And then she saw the costumes. Like, serious wall to wall superheroics. In all shapes, sizes, and colors. Giving Rarity a dull look, she played dumb, “...wow, you got inspired huh?” Rainbow remarked. “This flying woman must have struck like lightning!” “Don’t play dumb dearie,” Rarity said giving her an equally deadpan look. “I know it was you. I remember the accident. It didn’t take me long to put two and two together. So, well, if you’re going to be out flying and doing feats of derring do, well! You simply must do it in the proper garb!” So Rarity took her through a multitude of outfits, some great and others… not so much. “...Really Rares?” Rainbow drawled, her legs bare to the world and basically wearing nothing but a swimsuit with a cape. The red and black was nice, and the domino mask was classy, but… she felt very exposed! “I look like a stripper! A desperate stripper.” The next one wasn’t bad, black on white. Very primary. A blazing star insignia was across her chest. “Hmmm, getting there but maybe a bit too Pink Floyd, shine on me you crazy diamond,” Rainbow said. “Way too monochrome!” The next one was… yeah, okay it was terrible. It was too skintight and she was pretty sure the leotard was giving her an epic wedgie! The lightning bolt was a nice touch though, and she did like the waist scarf thing. But otherwise… “Rarity, did I say to you that I wanted to wear something classic, something probably politically incorrect and kick butt in giant wedge heels? NO!” “...right,” Rarity nodded seeing how uncomfortable it really looked. “I see your point! Oh, don’t you worry, I have others!” “Swell…” Rainbow drawled. The next was much better. Like the black and white one, it covered everything and looked nice, except… “I’m pretty sure the white on red is going to get me sued,” Rainbow said, noting the giant thunderbolt across her chest. “Like this is basically asking for a lawsuit!” The next one? Covering, but it like the others had problems. “No, just no,” Rainbow said, totally unable to focus her eyes on just one thing as she looked at herself in the mirror. “The 60s called, they want their psychedelia back!” Rarity vetoed that one as well, seeing her point. Finally, however, she broke out into a grin upon seeing Rainbow strut out in the perfect mix. It was a nice mix of red, blue, and a little bit of gold. Rainbow smirked, turning to see herself from behind, looking over her shoulder. Just one thing was missing. Grabbing the waist scarf from that other costume, she wrapped it around herself. Slamming a fist into her outstretched palm, she felt energy crackle under her skin. “Perfect,” Rarity said with a grin that perfectly mirrored Rainbow’s own. “Très magnifique! Oh, I sometimes amaze even myself with my genius! It’s scary really! Oh my, you look like you’re ready to take on the world!” “Oh yeaaaaaaaaah, now this is nice,” Rainbow said with a cocky grin. “Take this pink ribbon off my eyes .I'm exposed and it's no big surprise. 'Cause I'm just a girl, oh, little old me. Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite! NOT!” Rainbow couldn’t resist, she knew she was probably getting ahead of herself, but she just had to. Burning a hole in the air, she took to the sky. Letting out a cry, she called out: “OH YEAH!” as the great wide open stretched itself in front of her. Nothing but blue horizons from here on in… Well, maybe. Because turning on the news the next morning warranted this stunning horror from the Mandarin. Time for another lesson. “True story about fortune cookies. They look Chinese, they sound Chinese, but they're actually an American invention. Which is why they're hollow, full of lies, and leave a bad taste in the mouth,” he said as a building burned behind him. “My disciples just destroyed another cheap American knock-off, The Chinese Theater. Madam President, I know this must be getting frustrating, but this year of terror is drawing to a close. I’m almost done instructing you. And don't worry, the big one is coming; your graduation.” Author's Note You didn't think I'd leave you with a happy ending to this chapter now did I? Oh no, that isn't me. Not to worry though, I'll soon be resolving that cliffhanger as I do plan to have another chapter later this month. Consider it an early Christmas present. Huge thanks to Layton13 by the way, he took time out of his schedule after I'd finally swallowed my pride and asked for help. You can see his influences through the chapter, the use of 'Buried Lede' and McGowan for example. ...I was just going to use Maya Hanson from MCU honestly, but he came up with an even better idea. So thanks muchly!
Mare-Vel Adventures #7: The Ring is the ThingAuthor's Note Honestly, I'm pretty sure I had some other better title for this chapter, but I forgot all about it... Mare-Vel Adventures #7: The Ring is the Thing Despite a brief reminder of terror, life went on. The US, ironically, seemed to be standing united against the Mandarin and didn’t let his lectures divide him any further. Just yesterday in fact, Rainbow and Scootaloo had found themselves invited for dinner by a local muslim family! And now for a night on the town… “I dunno, Fleets,” Rainbow sighed, still fiddling with her dress. “This… this isn’t really me, y’know? I’m in lady stilts! I can hardly move, much less fight!” “Why would you need to be fighting?” Fleetfoot asked. “It’s just a night on the town!” “You never know, there could be a mugger or something!” Rainbow shrugged, at a guess. “He could come at me right, with a knife, and because I can’t move right I’ll be stabbed and bleed out and it’ll all be your fault!” Fleetfoot giggled. “You’re being paranoid, besides you’ve got mace in your purse!” “If you say so…” Rainbow mused before out of the corner of her eye, spotted a man stumbling around seemingly in confusion. “...oh joy, if he comes over here and throws up on my dress, there will be hands thrown. There will be hands thrown!” Fleetfoot tried to help him to a bench. “Alright, I think you’ve had a little too much of the happy juice. Come on bud, let’s get you sitting down, what’s your name sir? Is there someone I can call to help you home? Do you have your keys on you, can I borrow them?” Fleetfoot as she laid a hand on him, noticeably flinched at the touch. A burning sensation made its way up her hand, and she staggered back. “...wow, you’re hot.” “Oh come on Fleets,” Rainbow groaned with a very noticeable roll of her eyes. “This isn’t the time to be…” “I’m not flirting with him, honest!” Fleetfoot shot back. “He’s just really hot! Maybe it’s a type of fever…?” And then the man practically ignited, his veins glowing a bright orange as his eyes burned. Like hellfire. “...what the what?” Fleetfoot gaped taking a few nervous steps back. “Okay, yeah… that’s not normal!” “Gee, you think?” Rainbow deadpanned as the man staggered forwards, still glowing like magma. Rainbow honestly hoped he didn’t erupt. “...man, since when did our lives go cray-cray for crayola?” And then he launched a fireball at them, and Rainbow shoved Fleetfoot to the ground as a car exploded somewhere behind them. People screamed, and began to clear the street. “...okay, I’ll echo your statements Fleets!” Rainbow said, looking up. “What the what?” She dodged another fireball, the magma man advancing forwards. “You walked right into this one: I've dated hotter guys than you!” Rainbow said in a snarl, shoving a dumpster in front of the man as improvised cover. Hiding behind it, she scrambled around inside her purse for her cell. With a curse, she pulled it out before dialing a number. “Okay, let’s hope knowing you pays off somehow, Suit, because right now I could really use you!” All she was met with was a dial tone, and then the magma man blasted right though the dumpster. Fleetfoot pulled her along by the arm as they kept running. “Lady stilts Fleets, seriously!” Rainbow barked. “What’d I tell you? I can barely run in these!” Eventually, she gave up, and pried off her heels chucking one at the magma man. It missed his head, unfortunately. All the while, she continued trying to reach Coulson. Finally, she heard his voice. Letting out a sigh of relief, Rainbow quickly realized she may have let out that sigh a little too soon. “This is the desk of Special Agent Phil Coulson, if you have a message for me please leave it for me after the tone. If I can’t come to you right now, I truly apologize! I may be in a raid on World of Warcraft, so sorry! I’ll be sure to get back to you when I can!” Rainbow let out a long frustrated groan. “...come on Coulson, damn you… pick up!” she grumbled to herself. “God, I hate Suits!” Cosmic energy crackled under her skin, and for a brief moment her veins glowed gold. Forcing the power down, Rainbow continued running. It would be so easy, she mused to use her powers right now and stop this madman before he caused too much destruction. But Mar-Vehl was right, much as she hated to admit. To give credit to the martian, he was right. Humanity simply wasn’t ready. Miracle Woman or not, love would give way to fear eventually. And plus… if people saw her, all fingers would be pointed directly at the military and she’d be called some new thing created by their special weapons program. So… she just had to wait and hope Coulson would pick up eventually. (Though, really, watching the magma man blow up cars right and left, the temptation to give in and cut loose was there. She just hoped S.H.I.E.L.D. would pick themselves up off their asses and get here soon, because she wouldn’t be held accountable for what happened next if they didn’t get here.) Another blast of fire went flying, and Fleetfoot yelped as it narrowly missed her head. Rainbow heard a scream, and down came a telephone pole. And S.H.I.E.L.D? They were nowhere in sight. Rainbow took a deep breath. Fine, screw it. She wasn’t waiting round for the suits any longer. Pulling out a pistol from her purse, she took several potshots at the magma man. Bullets melted before they could even reach him, so Rainbow tried another tactic. Taking aim, she fired at a gas tank directly behind him and watched the magma man go flying. He crashed into a wall, bricks going flying. “...well, that’s that...?” Rainbow wondered aloud, as Fleetfoot fell down, sliding exhausted against a wall behind her. Was it really that easy? Couldn’t have been… Then she watched bricks and mortar begin to melt and catch aflame, the man beginning to ooze his way out of the rubble. And he burned like a demon, leaving footsteps of fire in his wake. “...crap,” Rainbow muttered to herself deciding that clearly, plain human ingenuity and basic training wasn’t gonna cut it. “Alright then…” And like barely a second had passed, she was here, gone, and back again this time dressed from head to toe in blue, red and gold. A domino mask lay slipped over her face, and her hair sparked gold with energy. “...and you are?” she asked, her voice reverberating with power. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Fleetfoot gaping. “No, seriously! You want to tell me where you came from Hot Wings, or do we skip right to the part which I put you in the infirmary?” “LONG LIVE THE MANDARIN!” the magma man thundered out. “Well, simple, eloquent, to the point,” Rainbow deadpanned, side-stepping a fireball. “Bet your boss really loves you. All ‘grrrrr’, all talk, no brains! Like, just saying, if I was working for a terrorist I wouldn’t out myself in public for everyone to hear!” And then the creep breathed fire at her. Like, seriously breathed actual fire, a whole wall of flame. “WOAH, OKAY!” Rainbow yelped sidestepping it, and really not wanting to find out if her costume was fireproof. Last thing she wanted was to be fighting psychos in the nude. “Okay, so you can breathe fire now. Okay then!” Drawing back her fist, she blasted him through a fence with pure photonic energy. Nodding smugly to herself, Rainbow walked off and strode towards her friend, intent on helping her up. And that’s when she heard the distinct crackle of flame. Sighing to herself long and hard, Rainbow readied for a fight. Whirling around, she tossed another photon blast at the fireball, before powering on through the man breathing more fire at her. Punching through the fire, she elbowed the terrorist in the face before kicking him in the shin. She heard the crack of bone before she flipped him head over heel into the pavement. “And that is that,” Rainbow nodded to herself before with the squeal of tires, a van pulled up with more men filing out of it. And one by one they ignited, veins glowing like lava. Rainbow sucked in a breath and cracked her knuckles, before shouting at them: “Alright, listen up! I hope you can hear me! Something you need to know. First there was nothing, then there was everything… Then the good Lord saw fit to bring me into the world to kick the asses of those who need it most. So get ready ’cause this day or the next, it’s coming.” Despite Rainbow rolling for intimidation, she wasn’t really effective. It must have been a nat 1, as the fire-empowered terrorists charged at her. And thrusting out her hands, she fired photonic blasts at two coming from either side, flooring them. Slamming her boot into the earth, the ground quaked and it rippled as the men toppled over. “I’m sorry… sorry I’m a badass!” Rainbow cackled, on a high before the air seemed to grow hotter and hotter. Tugging at her costume, even Rainbow began to feel sweaty. She heard the scream. “LONG LIVE THE MANDARIN!” the first of the group was yelling as he began to light up. His skin became like molten magma, and very quickly it became obvious what was about to happen. Time seemed to slow down, and Rainbow braced herself as she put herself between the man and Fleetfoot. Energy erupted outwards, cascading into a fireball as heat and flame passed through her and for a brief horrible moment she thought she was going to die. But then… nothing. She felt energy rush up through her body, flaring up along her veins flowing like water and instead of being incinerated, she felt the energy become one with her. She drank in its power, basked in it with her skin rippling as she sucked it in. It felt surprisingly natural, actually, like it had always belonged to her. Throwing an arm upwards, the fire erupted in the sky like a bursting star. The explosion’s center was now just a pile of ash. Just a pair of boots really.. The remaining Mandarin goons stared at her in shock, before Rainbow blasted them all down and with a shrug, said: “...what, you’ve never stopped an explosion before?” Now she could see if Fleetfoot was okay. Striding up to her, Rainbow helped her friend up. “...who are you?” Fleetfoot whispered. Rainbow gave her a cocky grin. “...fake news huh?” she drawled. “Wait… wha… huh?” Fleetfoot stammered out, trying to figure out who this was. Her expression was pretty comical as it finally dawned on her. “...oooooooooh, you bitch. I should have known!” “Ta-da?” Rainbow couldn’t stop smiling as Fleetfoot drank it all in. “...well, I gotta admit, I shoulda seen this coming,” Fleetfoot said. “You get superpowers, well this is pretty much the next step innit? Oh man, Soarin’ is gonna love this. Like, every guy loves a girl who can kick their ass. They never say they do, but secretly? It really turns them on! But seriously, I shoulda seen this coming, like after the Suits dragged you off…” “Well, I wouldn’t say they dragged me off per say…” Rainbow mused. “Yeah, they totally did!” Fleetfoot refuted. “...yeah, they totally did,” Rainbow nodded along before she heard the sound of multiple cars pulling up. She turned to look. Black, nondescript. Yep, right on time! Sighing to herself, she said: “...speaking of the Suits!” Spreading her arms wide in a welcoming gesture, she called out: “Hello boys! What took you so long? Traffic?” She laughed a bit at her own lame joke, and watched as Coulson stepped out of the lead car. “Hello Rainbow, we need to talk.” he said. “Yeah, we do,” Rainbow replied and braced herself. Oh, this was going to be fun. The news stations had a field day upon the new heroine’s unveiling. “New weapon, or a real life modern day Captain America?” said a newscaster early that next morning. “That is the question the nation is now asking itself. Nobody knows her name, but we do know that maybe after years of absence, America has itself a new hero. Arriving suddenly out of nowhere, Ms. Marvel as the nation is calling her thwarted a terror plot by the Mandarin! We go to our reporter on the street, Coco Pommel, for reactions from the populace.” “Thank you Mary,” said Coco as she held up a microphone to anyone and everyone she could. “Now, I’m here in downtown Canterlot, Colorado for reactions from the townsfolk. I, along with everyone else I’m sure, are very interested in what they think of their apparent hometown hero.” “I think it’s nice,” said a young Pakistani-American girl, looking incredibly cheery despite her mother’s stern appearance. “I mean, us girls? We’re so rarely represented in the media, like usually we’re kicking as… sorry, mom, butt in skin tight clothes and as cool as that is -sorry again mom!- well! Honestly, this is kind of a refreshing change if you ask me. Uh, #Feminism, I guess?” “Her uniform is still skin tight though,” said the girl’s mother. “But it looks practical. So, progress! She’s too cocky, too arrogant though,” “She’s just sure in her own abilities mom!” her daughter complained. “Hush, Kamala. I’m speaking,” said the older Khan. “Humility is the mark of a great superheroine, she could stand to learn some.” “Do you believe she’s the new Captain America?” Coco pressed. “Maybe?” shrugged Kamala, not really sure actually. “I dunno! But I’m totally rooting for her! Mind, she does need a new name though. Ms. Marvel, really? Who came up with that? It makes her sound like a housewife!” Coco went around town, interviewing other members of it. “Man, talk about sexy! Like, that is a woman who can kick my ass anytime!” said a guy, his girlfriend giving him a deathly glare. It was doubtful that the relationship would last much longer, Coco guessed. “Like, she is fine! Man, I envy the Mandarin, having to go up against her!” “It’s nice for someone for women to look up to!” said his girlfriend. “Like, uh, it’s totally a male dominated hierarchy! Total sausage party, us women need another foot in the door!” Justin Hammer, on a visit to the local military base also had his thoughts to give. “Man! Okay, I admit, I’m jealous. Like, I’m not sure who was tossed in what radioactive waste pit, but they came out swinging! Like… cosmic man! I haven’t seen something so awesome since I was last on weed!” Another man, far older than the rest and drawing the woman as a comic character was interviewed. Adjusting his sunglasses, he spoke: “Honestly, now that is something truly inspired! Credit to whoever designed her costume. It’s something I’d think of! To her, I say: “Luck's a revolving door, you just need to know when it's your time to walk through.” I honestly believe it’s her time. Onwards and upwards. You know, I honestly believe that one person can make a difference. 'Nuff said. I think she is that person. There is a type of person who helps others simply because it should or must be done. They do it because it is the right thing to do and it is indeed without a doubt, the mark of a real superhero. Excelsior!” “Words to live by, indeed!” Coco agreed. “Ms. Marvel, if you’re out there, I hope you’re listening. We’re all rooting for you. Back to you Mary.” “Well, I’m on Coco’s side. We’re all rooting for you Ms. Marvel, and it seems your entire town is behind you. While we don’t know of your origin, your intent seems clear enough. If you’re out there, listening to this… We’re glad you’re here now.” Rainbow wiped a tear away as she shut the TV off. They actually believed in her. She couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day. Now, if only managing her personal life was so easy… “Alright, okay, who just stopped a guy from blowing up Main Street?” Rainbow chorused as she stepped inside Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S’s main building. S.H.I.E.L.D presumably wanted to run some tests on her or something, maybe to make sure she didn’t blow up like Hiroshima or something. Gesturing to herself, she exclaimed: “This guy!” “I wouldn’t get too cocky if I were you,” said Mar-Vehl. “Those were just the footsoldiers.” “Yeah, so? I easily creamed their asses!” Rainbow scoffed. “Bring on the main event! I want an actual challenge!” “You sure about that?” Soarin’ asked, and Rainbow’s head swiveled so hard to meet his eyes she thought she might have whiplash. “The Captain here just informed me that the Mandarin’s rings, they’re apparently Kree tech. You really sure you want to pick a fight with the Mandarin?” “Uh, yeah? He’s a terrorist, and I’m the woman with superpowers. I’ve even got a name now! Ms. Marvel, which okay yeah, I sound like a superpowered housewife but still! Bring it on!” Rainbow smirked. “I dunno,” Soarin’ mused. “I’m just sayin’, you should be careful!” “Fine then, don’t believe in me,” Rainbow muttered. “You’re like all the rest anyways…” “Rainbow, wait!” Mar-Vehl called after her. “You can’t beat him alone!” “Watch me!” Rainbow snapped. Stomping off, she didn’t miss the heartbroken look on Soarin’s face. But, she ignored it. Better not to have him and the good Captain dragging her down. She was her own woman now! Rainbow hadn’t been the only one watching that broadcast. So had Xin Zhang. He’d seen it all. “So, the people have someone to put their faith in. Smoke and mirrors from Madison Mare, to hide her fear. She fights me with a weapon! Well, there’s more where those men came from. The formula’s been perfected now. My Extremis agents are ready to move out, and while this attack was foiled, what about the next? And the one after? Ms. Marvel can’t be everywhere at once after all! And the big one is coming. I hope Madison is ready.” After all, he knew he was! They’d never see him coming, what he had planned. His spies, planted in every corner of the globe were on the lookout. There were only two rings left to find. The Spectral ring and the Remaker. Once the ten rings were reunited, he could continue Ghengis’ legacy, bring order to the world and finally avenge his parents. Closing his eyes, he could still remember the gunfire and the screams. The swelter of Vietnam, and the gentle putter of river boats on their daily fishing trips. Nobody thought the war would come to them, but yet it did. And his whole town paid the price. He paid the price. Slamming a fist into a nearby wall, he chastised himself for his loss of control. He couldn’t lose control, not this late in the game. He was this close to success, he could almost taste victory. And then came in one of his men, and by the look on his face, he knew what he had to say before the words even passed his lips. “So, let the race begin. S.H.I.E.L.D will be after that ring as well, they’re not stupid. I’m sure they’ll figure out how important the rings really are as well. They’ll send their best,” he thought as a grin creeped its way onto his face. “I welcome the challenge.” You know how the strangest of things were hidden in the most ordinary of places? Well, as it turned out, through a bit of satellite tracking, an energy similar to that of the one that the Mandarin was constantly emitting could be found under the Hollywood sign. “...Hollywood?” Rainbow drawled as she clambered down into some caves. “More like Hollyweird.” Rarity was by her side, fiddling with her geode. “Ugh, I can’t believe you dragged me into this! My new boots are all muddy! You could have given me more warning, like let me get into some proper spelunking gear!” “I did warn you!” Rainbow said, rock crunching underneath her boots. Holding up her hand, she was using golden photonic energy to light the way. A soft glow filled the cavern, painting it in cosmic light. Their path illuminated, they pressed forwards. “You said we were going to Hollywood!” Rarity almost whined. “I thought that meant we’d be schmoozing with stardom, not… not going walking in a cave! Completely different set of attire, darling.” Rainbow cast another glance at Rarity’s now ruined dress. “I thought we’d find the ring in a museum or something!” Rarity grumbled, crossing her arms with a small huff. She pouted for a little bit, saying: “Rings are always in museums, and I’d assumed that your friends in S.H.I.E.L.D would come up with some excuse. Like that the ring was stolen and that it needed to be brought back to its proper owners. Art theft, true white collar crime! Something worthy of a novel!” “...and finding a hidden cave under the Hollywood sign isn’t worthy of a novel? Hell, this is like National Treasure!” Rainbow shrugged. “...oh, what I wouldn’t give to be in an adventure film. Oh, I’ve always had dreams of starring in movies you know. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be in a musical alongside Dexter Blueblood!” Rarity rambled. “And it wouldn’t just be faked for the cameras! Our love, it would become real! Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hand in marriage, and of course I would say, ‘Yes!’ We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is what I would become upon marrying him. The Princess of Hollywood! And he? He would be the man of my dreams.” Rainbow stared at her friend, and after a long silence, she muttered: “...you’ve got problems,” and then added with a sigh: “Yep, this is totally us failing the Bechdel test!” And then they found themselves in front of an impossibly majestic temple. Hidden away from the world for centuries, now revealed once more. Rainbow let out a low whistle, okay consider her impressed. “What is it?” Coulson’s voice crackled over the radio. “You’ve found something?” “...yeah, it’s definitely a something! Suit, I believe we’ve found your ring!” Rainbow replied. She remembered being incredulous that S.H.I.E.L.D believed this was where the ring was, but… well! “We’re going in.” “Be careful, you don’t know what’s behind those doors.” Rainbow nodded and as soon as she opened the doors, reacted fast. She heard the sound of metal slicing through the air, and thrust both of her arms outwards utterly destroying twin falling axes. “...Wow, this is just like a Daring Do film. The good ones, not the shitty reboots,” she muttered seeing the melted steel. “A few years ago, you'd have been geeking out about that,” Rarity commented, nervously sidestepping what remained of the booby trap. “Yes, well a demented terrorist bent on taking over the world sorta puts a damper on that sort of thing,” Rainbow deadpanned. “Touche,” Rarity agreed, before she let out a shriek as she brushed past a spiderweb. “AAAGGGHHHH!” “...oh come on Rares, don’t be the Willie Scott of this adventure,” Rainbow groaned. “Be the Marion Ravenwood, she’s actually cool.” “...you do realize she fell in love with the main hero, rigggggghhhht?” Rarity said flirtatiously, but Rainbow just shoved her away as they entered the main room. In the center, on a plinth, was the ninth ring. Rainbow could feel it radiating power. And then the wall exploded as the Mandarin himself strode in the room. His goons weren’t even present, just him. “So glad we finally meet,” said Xin with a bow. “A pleasure!” “Wish I could say the same,” Rainbow growled, her body crackling with cosmic energy as she floated several feet off the floor. Rarity wisely took cover behind some statues. Slamming a fist into her palm, Rainbow then pointed at Xin, declaring: “Your reign of terror ends here!” “...does it?” Xin commented, one of his rings lighting up as Rainbow felt crushing gravity pull her to the floor. He slammed a fist into her gut, making Rainbow nearly double over. Spinning, he roundhouse kicked her into a wall. Freezing her in place, Xin dashed for the ring. Rarity knew she had to act fast, and she leaped from cover, tackling Xin to the floor even as Rainbow freed herself. “Rarity, what are you doing?” Rainbow shouted. “What does it look like?” Rarity asked, tasering the Mandarin. “Saving you, dearie!” “Are you?” the Mandarin said, twisting her arm and Rarity let out a scream over a sickening crack! Shoving her into a statue, Xin reclaimed the ring. Rainbow dashed forwards, only to be swept into another room by a cyclone. Winds sprang from Xin’s hand, and their target bounced off statues like a human pin-ball. Gale force winds kept her from moving forwards, and gravity increased once again as Rainbow desperately tried to inch forwards. “Come on!” Rainbow roared, and watched in shock, eyes widened as Rarity tased the Mandarin again. Taking advantage of his shock, she pried off two of his rings. Blasting him into a wall with cyclonic winds, she then released Rainbow from the crushing forces of gravity. And then the storm roared, as Earth’s newest champion rushed forwards glowing a bright gold and eyes burning with righteous indignation. “Very well then!” The Mandarin snarled, metal twisting around him to form armor. Launching fireballs at Rainbow, he readied for battle. Emerging from the fire, Rainbow grabbed him by the neck and tossed him upwards. Throwing him through earth and stone, he slammed into the ceiling of the floor above. But everything was an opportunity, and he had a new ring to try out. It glowed as he slammed a fist into the floor, and cracks began to spread out as the entire ceiling began to come down atop Rainbow and Rarity. All bonds between the atoms and molecules had been ruptured, and now down rubble rained down around them. Some of it was shattered apart by punch, or blasted to ruin by photonic energy, but it was rapidly becoming evident that this temple was falling to pieces. Rainbow knew she had to run, and wrapping her arms around Rarity, flew out of the temple. Watching it come down, she could only hope that the Mandarin wasn’t quite as lucky. That he’d been caught up in his own stupidity. Sadly, it was not to be, and out from the collapse he emerged protected by armor. “YOU THINK THAT CAN STOP ME?” he thundered. “I AM THE FUTURE, AND YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP THE FUTURE?” The two traded powerful blows, the cavern shaking with every punch. “Well, uh, yeah? It’s kinda what a superhero does. Stop nutcases like you!” With that, she headbutted him, shattering his helmet. He staggered, but grabbed Rainbow and tossed her into a cavern wall. Ripping his stolen rings off Rarity’s fingers, all nine glowed with the light of the cosmos. “...now, where were we?” the Mandarin mused to himself, before a malicious smile -promising only pain and suffering- crept its way up onto his features. “Oh yes. Now I remember. Time to die.” “Easier said than done, buster, because even with my back against the wall -- I don't give up!” Rainbow said charging up a photonic burst. Thrusting her arms forwards, she released a beam of energy, beautiful but deadly. With every intent to cut open the Mandarin’s armor, Rainbow kept up the power. And the Mandarin responded in turn, freezing the energy burst in mid-air before tossing a fireball. Rainbow side-stepped it, before bursting forth and pile-driving the Mandarin out into the open. Through earth and stone she pushed him, and suddenly they were in the middle of downtown Los Angeles. Hitting him with a car, she shattered his armor. Rainbow leaped over creeping vines of ice reaching up to get her, before slamming a fist into the street. The earth rippled, and it shook and suddenly Xin was skywards. He smashed into a building, and honestly, that was probably that. Well, to Rainbow’s eyes anyways. Dusting herself off, she sighed. “Such a waste, he could have been a true hero. Not this ‘teacher through pain’ crap,” she mused. “All of the power, and look what he decided to do with it.” But when the smoke cleared, out emerged the Mandarin. Rainbow’s jaw just dropped, and so caught off-guard was she, that she was now wide open. The Mandarin grabbed her, slamming her into a wall. And then he did it again, and then again. Three times he beat her, her head now bruised and probably close to bleeding. “And with you gone…” said Xin. The battle was actually pretty public, people watching on all sides. Cameras and smartphones had been pulled out, and really common sense had been thrown to the wind. Rainbow wanted to croak out a warning, but the Mandarin had hit her in the throat. “I can lead the world to a new and brighter age. A better age.” “You have no idea what a real leader is. A leader has to project confidence. Fight for what she believes in. But never stop questioning, wondering how to be better,” Rainbow spat in his face, wheezing out her words. “You’re nothing but a maniac.” “Believe what you want,” said Xin, slamming her into the earth. Her energy crackled and faded away, its owner beaten. “I have a new world to shape, you won’t be part of it. And I doubt the old one will miss you. You’ve been broken, shattered. Your spirit is now beyond repair. And now the whole world knows it.” And with that, he flew off. Coughing, Rainbow tried to pick herself up off the ground only to let out a cry of pain. Tears in her eyes, she whispered: “Soarin’, Mar-Vehl, you were right. I couldn’t beat him alone…”
Mare-Vel Adventures #8: Big Trouble in Little ChinaAuthor's Note Super super sorry this took too long to write, time got away from me and all of that. The holiday season was crazy. In any event... here, take this chapter. It's dangerous to go alone! Bit shorter than usual, but I figured it didn't need to be any longer than this. Mare-Vel Adventures #8: Big Trouble in Little China “Horror washed over Hollywood today, as this image was played…” Rainbow couldn’t tear her eyes away, even as she rewatched the scene play itself out. The Mandarin had grabbed her, slamming her into a wall with the force of a hurricane. And then he did it again, and then again her body sparking with a golden glow as cosmic forces attempted to defend her. Three times he beat her, her head now bruised and probably close to bleeding. “And with you gone…” said Xin in a dark tone, gesturing all around them to where people with smartphones had gathered as the battle lent itself to a public display. “I can lead the world to a new and brighter age. A better age.” “You have no idea what a real leader is. A leader has to project confidence. Fight for what she believes in. But never stop questioning, wondering how to be better,” Rainbow spat in his face, wheezing out her words. “You’re nothing but a maniac.” “Believe what you want,” said Xin, slamming her into the earth. Her energy crackled and faded away, its owner beaten. As he began to fly up into the sky, cameras followed him as he looked down at his broken opponent. “I have a new world to shape, you won’t be part of it. And I doubt the old one will miss you. You’ve been broken, shattered. Your spirit is now beyond repair. And now the whole world knows it.” Yes, this was true and due to her own hubris and pride she’d failed to see it coming. A random interview flickered onto the screen, a civilian’s thoughts on the matter. “I dunno man, before I thought she could save us. Now though… It’s like reality just hit me square in the face. The Mandarin’s powerful, and she’s… just not. I don’t want to welcome our new overlord, but it looks like I just might have to.” Rainbow had dragged herself out of bed, unable to watch this any longer. Her fist trembled, in it the remote which sparkled with that same cosmic energy from before. “Yeeeeeeeeeah,” said Spitfire, her base commander leaning up against the doorway. “It is pretty disgusting to watch, isn’t it? How quickly the crowd turns, eh? One defeat, and suddenly you’re worth nothing.” With a sigh, she watched the tv and shook her head. “They’ll probably be repeating that same story for a week, while they… do nothing I guess. Fret and worry while The Mandarin? He’s still out there. Forgive me for sounding like a cynic, but some people would do nothing while they wait for a hero to save them.” She sat down in a nearby chair, placing her now famous sunglasses on a table. “Well, what can they do?” Rainbow had to ask. “The Mandarin’s too powerful to take on in single combat, even by me.” “Because you hold yourself back,” Spitfire said, poking her in the chest. “You’re one of the best and brightest of us, sure you make mistakes and you stumble but then you soar. It just takes a few false starts before you’re ready to fly.” “So that’s what this is?” Rainbow said, looking to the TV where another citizen criticized her very public failure. “A false start? A sputter on the runway, my engine not quite ready to take off?” “Mhmmm, basically,” Spitfire said. “I know it seems bad right now, but honestly? It gets better.” “Why do I have a feeling you’re not talking about my prospective life as a superhero?” Rainbow asked, the thought niggling at the back of her mind. Like Spitfire had something else to say. Her superior laughed, almost in bitter fashion. “Of course I’m not. Life in the military for the fairer sex… it’s much harder. We’re judged a lot harsher for our mistakes. I’ve had to fight just to get where I am, just as you’ve had to. So what, are you going to give up, lie down in the mud and watch the world trample all over you?” She turned to give Rainbow a serious, yet admiring look. “Or are you going to soar?” Spitfire asked. “Your whole life, you’ve looked up to Captain America. Great role model, can’t say I blame you. But it’s time to ask yourself a question. Forget what Captain America would do… What would Captain Rainbow Dash of the United States Air Force do?” Rainbow sputtered out, her words having a few false starts before the reality broke through. “Captain? I’m a Captain now?” Spitfire smiled proudly as she pinned the rank medal to her chest. “Congratulations Captain,” Spitfire said before there was a ‘look’ in her eyes, something that Rainbow couldn’t quite place. “Alas, now you must retire from the pilot’s seat.” “R-Retire?” Rainbow asked, angrily as a fury overtook her. “E-Excuse me? I’ve worked my whole life to sit in one of those chairs!” “Ah, but now you don’t need to, do you?” Spitfire pointed out. “You can fly on your own, I let you go because something tells me that you’ve got bigger and better things ahead of you. It’s not just your country that needs you now. It’s the world. So go get him, girl. Crash?” Here, she put a firm hand on her shoulder. “Make me proud okay?” “Y-Yeah,” Rainbow stammered, still caught a little off guard. “But… but he’s so powerful, how do I stop him?” A new voice joined them. “Rainbow, in all of my years as a Xenobioligist for the Kree Empire,” said Mar-Vehl, back in his Lawson disguise. “I’ve seen some truly amazing species, I’ve explored galaxies hoping to expand the Empire. But that was before I crash landed on Earth. Humanity has some of the greatest potential I’ve ever seen, maybe one day they could impress the rest of my kind as they impressed me. They can do anything they set their minds to, and that includes you. Now sure, you’ve stumbled but I know you can fly. Now let me help you take off, okay?” He stretched out his hand, and Rainbow took it. Far across the world, tall skyscrapers rose up from a maze of concrete and hidden amongst them was a secret. One that must never be told, but was about to come to light. “It’s been in my private collection for years,” Xi-Wang Khan, head of a banking conglomerate said to his newest guest. “It’s been passed down from generation to generation in my family, you understand. Some say it was found by Ghengis Khan himself. Myth and rumor, you must understand. But I’ve seen the news coming out of America. This… Mandarin as he calls himself -disgusting name by the way, he advises no king- has nine rings. Nine of ten. I fear this is the last one he seeks.” “Don’t worry, Mr. Khan,” Coulson nodded as S.H.I.E.L.D agents locked the ring away in a specially sealed box. “We won’t let anything happen to it.” “I’ve heard the rumors,” Xi-Wang said fearfully, pressing his fingers together nervously. “...if you collected all ten rings, you could reshape the world.” “Myth and rumor,” Coulson said calmly, in an attempt to reassure him though truthfully he was beginning to believe such things. After all, with all of the power the Mandarin had displayed nobody had apparently seen his upper limits… “The Mandarin is just a power mad terrorist. You know what we do with terrorists?” “I assume you deal with-” Xi-Wang started before Coulson finished for him. He cocked his gun. “Yes, we do. We put them in the ground.” Then, the door exploded outwards as smoke poured into the room like a thick encompassing smog. Shouting was coming from somewhere behind it as red dots lit up the wall. Gunfire thundered as two agents failed to draw their guns in time and golden casings littered the floor as blood began to pool on the wood below. Xi-Wang and Coulson had dropped to the floor just as the shooting started, taking cover under a table. Peering out from under the table, they could see boots rushing by and making their way towards the case. “We have to get out of here!” Xi-Wang whispered frantically, over the shouting. “That case though… the ring’s in it and we can’t let those men have it!” “Not to worry,” Coulson said, pressing a button on his lapel and little jets sprouted from the case making it fly towards his hand. “I got this.” “Get down to the garage,” said his new best friend, handing him a collection of keys. “There’s some cars down there. Fast ones. Perfect for what you Americans call a ‘clean getaway’.” They ran and hid behind one of the room’s many display cases, the lead mercenary shouting orders to search the room in Hispanic. “Unfortunately,” Coulson shook his head, shooting down one of the mercenaries with a blue bolt of energy from his gun. He then deadpanned: “I doubt anything about this will be clean.” “Fancy gun,” Xi-Wang remarked, studying the blue crackling energy at its tip. “You Americans and your toys.” “It’s called an I.C.E.R. Incapacitating Cartridge Emitting-” Coulson started before thinking the better of it as the mercs crowded around their incapacited comrade. “Oh, never mind.” He took an escape out a side exit, rushing down fire escape steps and avoiding elevators. One hand was on his weapon, ready to draw it again at a moment’s notice and the other wrapped tightly around the case handle. Fast and frantic, he traversed levels well aware of the stomping of footsteps somewhere above and the shouts of anger. Every so often, he whirled around to check behind him. But nobody had apparently caught up to him, and so he hurried down. Then, from out of nowhere several mercenaries burst from another room. Through a door they came, two handcuffing him to the wall via magnets. Coulson acted fast, kicking the third in the stomach and making him smash up against the railing. He strained, rushing to free himself even as one dude drew a knife. Kicking the man in the arm with his knee, the trained agent watched the knife fly through the air, It landed in between wall and hand-cuff, and with a little bit of effort Coulson pulled free. The first guy recovered, and drew back his fist for a punch with Coulson ducking under it. He shoved the first merc into the second making them both crumple to the floor with one rolling down some steps. The third and final henchmen rushed with a baton in hand, slamming it into Coulson’s shin. The agent let out a cry of pain before smashing the briefcase into the third’s skull. The henchman crumpled to the floor, after landing against the wall. So the escape continued, Coulson smashing a door down with a shoulder charge as he ran into what looked to be a parking garage. There was the squeal of tires from somewhere behind him. He dared not look back, though he could see a reflection in a car’s window. A big black BMW, ominous and menacing as it prowled onto the scene like a big cat. “There he is!” someone else shouted. “Get him!” Bullets flew as Coulson ducked behind another car, glass windows shattering even as the side was riddled with bullets. “Rich guy, couldn’t even afford his own private garage?” the agent uttered with a roll of his eyes. “What am I even looking for...? What, is it all decked out in gold or something?” Then he spotted what he was looking for, a crimson-colored Aston Martin. The latest model even! A spy’s car for getting to the latest martini, for a secret agent in the real world. It wasn’t Lola, but it’d do in a pinch. “That’ll do!” he decides, getting in and gunning it. Two gunmen dived out of the way as Coulson pulled out into the busy city streets with a roar of the engine. The radio played, astonishingly apt in music choice for the scenario. “This is Agent Coulson!” the agent shouted into his comms, seeing several cars rush out of nowhere from behind. “I am surrounded and I need assistance. I have a package in transport, the Mandarin must not get his hands on it. This goes out to all cars, do you read me?” The roar of an engine, even as an armored car pulled up beside him. Wisely, Coulson smashed into it sending it driving into a building wall. “That’ll buff out,” the agent muttered, wincing at the damage to his own car. “...right?” The tires squealed in protest as he swerved down a corner into another street, the back end flying out spitting up smoke as Coulson wrestled with the wheel. Eventually, he managed to get the snarling beast back under control. Under the hood, 715 horses snarled and whinnied in protest, Coulson trying to reign them in as $304,995 worth of metal rushed through the streets. Buildings flew by in a blur as the garnet-red sports car, skin like wine raced over the pavement sticking to it like hot glue with white eyes peering out in almost demonic fashion. The steel beast would not give in so easily and was just barely tamed. It ate up the road like it was for breakfast, even as predators closed in to seal it’s fate. Swerving left, the Aston pounded the pavement hugging the road. From either side, two cars closed in. Corvettes came from either side, exhausts spitting hot orange flame as vibrant as the paint job. Like lightning, they raced to the Aston’s side. Coulson was sweating, knowing he was boxed in. Slamming a foot hard on the break, he fell back before doing a perfect J-Turn and heading the other way in a cloud of smoke. Swerving down a side street, the walls closed in. No room to maneuver, but that also applied to them. Smashing into a market stall as he swerved onto another street, wood flew everywhere and fruits splattered his windshield. Coulson honked the horn screaming out an alarm as shoppers ducked for cover. “This is definitely not Lola,” the agent thought to himself as he searched the dashboard on reflex, realizing that there were no hidden buttons on this car. “What I wouldn’t give for an oil slick right about now…” He looked behind him, doubling down on that thought as one of the flame-orange Corvettes emerged from where he had been just several seconds before. Going into a drift, Coulson smashed through another market stall as he landed on a main street. Flooring it, the engine roared as all 715 horses galloped into another stampede. Dodging traffic, the agent maneuvered his car through openings as masses of metal surrounded him on every side. Through his rear view mirror, he could faintly see a flash of orange. Like hell itself was after him. “Gotta keep moving, get to the docks,” Coulson reminded himself. “Your bus out of here is there.” Now where was his backup? A sleek silver BMW was next to him, and the driver was rolling down his windows. From the backseat, a gun was aimed squarely at him. Coulson ducked even as bullets whistled over his head, some riddling the car with the clatter of metal. The massive car closed in, grinding against his own vehicle’s side in a shower of sparks. There was the cock of a gun’s hammer, a pistol aimed squarely at his head. Then, something whistled through the air and the BMW went up in a fireball and a cloud of smoke. From behind it, a big SUV was closing in and peering out the sunroof was someone in a dark leather coat. “Yep, still got it,” the man smirked, addressing his fellow agent, and adjusting his sunglasses. In his hands was a bow, drawn back for the next shot. “Nat would say this is just like Budapest all over again, but between you and I, I remember it very differently!” “There were a lot less casualties that day,” a second voice crackled in over Coulson’s comms, Asian-accented before the sounds of grunting and fighting joined it. “Sorry Coulson, but your ride from the docks is shot. No easy boat tour of the harbor for you.” “Damn it, they were onto us,” Coulson sighed. “Their hackers are good, I’ll give them that. So, Melinda, do you have any other suggestions?” “I’ve re-routed a chopper your way,” his fellow agent replied, and overhead came the whirl of propellers and the whine of an engine as a black helicopter rocketed overhead. “How do you feel about a bit of climbing?” Coulson knew what she meant, having seen the chopper heading for the hills outside of the city. Taking a hard right, he jerked the wheel as the tires squealed out in protest. An arrow flew overhead, and one of the corvettes crackled with electricity pulling to a halt. The driver inside was spitting and swearing even as Coulson passed him by. “You’re home free!” Barton shouted even as the SUV he was in planted itself in the middle of the street, to hold back any other enemies. “You might say I have an eye for this sort of thing!” “Hahaha, you’re very clever Clint,” Coulson returned. “You’re already starting on your dad jokes aren’t you?” In any event, Coulson was soon swerving onto the highway and starting up the slow climb up the swerving hillside roads. Nobody seemed to be following him… for now at least. For how long this moment of peace would last… he wasn’t sure. Sparing a glance to the passenger seat, he saw the briefcase shaking. “So much trouble for so small an item. You’d have thought it was the One Ring I was carrying inside it!” And the cars closing in from behind, engines shrieking out a warning as their lights peered out of the gloom were the Nazgul. Their master, the Mandarin, would be the Witchking. And just like the One Ring, all would be lost if he were to get his hands on it. With a roar, another car dared to pull up beside him. An Audi, midnight blue and closing in. It pressed him to the side of the wall, bricks ripping through metal in a shower of sparks. Coulson’s car was pinned. “Come on…” the driver grunted, Coulson biting back a swear. “Oh, Xi-Wang is going to hate me for this. This… this will buff out right?” He pushed back, the Audi pressed up against the guardrail and threatening to take a tumble. Below, sharp rocks and the unforgiving pavement awaited over the side. The Aston roared, swerving around another corner and climbing higher with the Audi nipping at its heels. Coulson’s eyes widened as he saw another car rocketing towards him. Pulling to the side, he watched as both this one and the one behind crashed into each other colliding in a massive fireball. Blasting through the flames, his hood scorched and tires threatening to burst under the pressure he took another turn. “Another narrow escape!” Coulson thought to himself as the tires gripped the road before coming onto a long straight. The high rises of downtown broke through smog, evening turning to night as colorful neon lit up the dark. His car’s headlights lit up the road ahead, though more lights were joining them as the mercenaries closed in still in identical cars. From behind, engines howled out their songs as the prey began to be boxed in. Twin cars were on either side of Coulson now, their drivers both pointing guns at him. He ducked, even as twin shots scythed through the air. Blood stained windscreens, both of the mercenaries shooting the other in the head. “I pity the people who have to wash out those rentals,” Coulson chuckled, in a dry joke. “How do you explain blood and brain matter on your seats and on your windows? It must be a nightmare to fill out those forms.” Just a few minutes now, and he was a free man. “Now, all we have to do is worry about stopping the Mandarin,” Coulson thought. “And prying those other rings off of his fingers. Easy peasy right? Something to figure out over a bowl of mac and cheese.” A sole man was in front of him now, in the middle of the road and apparently suicidal. Then his veins lit up, glowing like magma. From his mouth, came hot caustic death and the very road began to melt as Coulson’s car began sinking down into it. “Oh…” he thought as he took note of the situation. “Ohhhh shit!” Coulson reacted fast, grabbed the briefcase and dived out of the car drawing his gun. He fired two shots. One in the knee, making the magma man stagger and another in the chest felling him. Two more enhanced men, eyes glowing red with rage approached. Coulson ducked under a punch before making a run for it. Breaking into a sprint, he saw the helicopter just a short distance ahead. “Let’s hope all of those cheeseburgers and ramen cups from all of those late night stakeouts won’t come back to haunt me!” Coulson said to himself as he ran. There was a roar from somewhere behind him, one of the Mandarin’s agents no doubt. A burst of fire ripped through the sky, thrown in anger and frustration. “Well, let’s hope they rage quit,” Coulson mused to himself. “I don’t get paid enough to deal with enhanced!” Then, right in front of him and to his horror the chopper began to sink into the earth in melting lava even as it’s atoms fell apart. It sliced in half, the two pieces disintegrating as a man stood behind it. His hands glowed with a rainbow of light, as he adjusted his suit. “The Mandarin, I presume,” Coulson said. “How did you survive Rainbow kicking your ass?” “I saw something different from where I stood,” the Mandarin drawled. “I believe I kicked her ass. But as to answer your question, nothing a little bit of Extremis couldn’t handle. You’ve seen it’s effects already, actually. I owe credit to Ms. McGowan. You’d be amazed what people can do once you offer them true freedom.” “Or a big fat check.” Coulson returned. “Keep your friends rich, and your enemies rich, and wait to find out which is which. That’s what Stark says right? It’s a wise quote, even if he’s part of the great American war machine,” the Mandarin admitted. “But I digress. I offer true freedom. Think, agent. Ms. McGowan would have been stifled under Hammer’s iron fist. I allow her to think what she wants to think, to build what she wants to build.” “And what if she builds something that would kill the world?” Coulson asked. “No, she won’t. You want to protect the world but you don't want it to change,” the Mandarin replied. “S.H.I.E.L.D, they’re like the rest of the governments of the world. Hell, they bow down to the World Security Council like a dog. You’re their bitch.” “So who would you replace them with?” Coulson asked, aiming his gun at the Mandarin. “You?” “If I must,” the Mandarin shrugged. “Out with the old, and in with the new as I always say.” “You want to protect the world but you don't want it to be protected by anyone but yourself,” Coulson refuted. “This isn’t about safety, this is about your ego.” “I’m a descendent of Ghengis Khan,” the Mandarin replied. “It is my right to rule.” “So is Xi-Wang,” Coulson replied. “You don’t see him mounting a campaign.” Coulson was blasted into a tree by cyclonic winds, before the Mandarin ripped open the briefcase and placed the final ring on his finger. He felt a rush of power surge through him. The Mandarin was now looming over Coulson, his veins glowing with the power of the Ten Rings, now united once more. “Well, we’ll find out who’s right soon enough, won’t we?”
Mare-Vel Adventures #9: The Mane EventAuthor's Note So... yeah. Going to try and finish this before Shang-Chi hits theatres. Going to do these quick little chapters and hopefully, get out one a day. Mare-Vel Adventures #9: The Mane Event “I know… I know, I’ve rambled on enough and honestly I suspect you’re pretty bored of me by now. So how about we cut to the main event. Madam President, the wait is over. Bang!” the Mandarin laughed, holding up his fingers with all ten rings sparkling and shining. “It’s time we get down to business, I know I’ve been leaving you hanging and waiting in anticipation. So much anxiety, right?” “Well, like I said, the wait is over. It’s time. Sunday Sunday Sunday! Gather around, grab a seat. Your uncle Mandarin is done telling stories. It’s Rocky vs Drago. Ali vs Superman. The USA Vs… well me. I’ve been building up to this, hyping you all up. Are you ready? I can’t hear you. A famous American cartoon character once said: “I have the power!” Well, now I have the power. “Run and hide all you want, don’t worry I don’t really care about any of you. I only want one woman. I want to become President. Lead this country into a new brighter era. And if you try to get in my way, consider yourselves enemies of the state. “And if you think your Captain Marvel can even hope to stop me, well… heh, you’ve seen what I can do. I’ve beaten her before, and honestly she can step right up with any little comeback mechanic she wants. Unstoppable force… meets an immovable object. “Goodnight, sleep well. Tomorrow is a brand new day. The dawning of a brand new era. I can’t wait to step into the light with you.” “Right this way folks, just take this exit. Calmly now, single file, and no shoving!” Soarin’ directed, trying to avoid being trampled as he ushered staff out of emergency exits. “You have nothing to worry about, don’t worry we’ll handle this guy!” “That may sound like platitudes to the panicking populace,” Mar-Vehl said, back in his Lawson disguise. “They’ve seen the Mandarin’s true power now. I highly doubt the US military will be able to stop him.” Tanks were rolling down the streets, cannons trained to the sky. “Then the Mandarin must love the smell of green. Because I think those tanks disagree with your statement,” Soarin’ said. “If you want, you can hide behind their guns. There’s not much that can stop one of those shells from blowing a hole in someone’s side. And fancy rings or no fancy rings, a big boom is a big boom.” “What’s that expression? It’s not over till the fat lady sings?” Mar-Vehl remarked, hands behind his back as he walked up to a window. “The opera is approaching its climax, but I’m not sure it’ll end the way it's intended.” “Stop waxing poetic and get to the point,” Soarin’ demanded. “Me, I’m thinking if the Mandarin didn’t want to get his ass kicked, maybe he shouldn’t have stuck it out so far. Who does he think he is? He claims to be proving a point, making life better for everyone. Then why is he doing it as such a blatant Yellow Peril stereotype?” “Mhmmm, I admit his goals are noble but his aims are very flawed,” Mar-Vehl acknowledged with a nod. “That being said, there’s only one person who can stop him now that he’s got all Ten Rings.” “But she’s not here,” Soarin’ said. “We are.” “But will you be enough?” a voice said in his mind. “Mhmmmmm, credit where credit is due. You’re intending on putting up quite a fight. Attempting to squirm out of my grasp before you die. You can stand down now and you won’t be harmed. You are only obstacles in my way. Move or you will be moved.” “...damn it, telepathy huh?” Soarin’ said to himself before sighing. “A few weeks ago, that would have sounded completely crazy and now… my life’s basically become something out of a comic book.” Mar-Vehl wasn’t phased. “I am Geheneris Halason Mar-Vehl, Pluskommander of the Kree Void Science Navy. Deactivate all weapons and shut down, this is a direct order. Hand the rings over, and this doesn’t have to get messy.” “Empty words from someone who doesn’t dare face me in battle. Instead you just-” “Hide away from the world, like you?” Mar-Vehl returned in challenge. “The Kree Empire has seen your kind, you talk the talk but you can’t walk the walk. You have all the power in the world and yes, maybe you could change it for the better. But this isn’t changing it, this is promising to rule it via fear and terror.” “That’s the only thing people understand. I am just a simple shepherd, guiding his flock,” the Mandarin replied. “The world’s had years to change and what does it do? It continues to tear itself apart.” “So violence is met with more violence, is that it? One man can’t change the world, especially not with how you plan to do it,” Mar-Vehl said. “I see what you are now… a dog to be put down. It’s dirty ugly business, but it must be done.” “Yes, so it is…” the Mandarin trailed off, before a wormhole opened streets away. Loud explosions filled the city, tank shells turning to bubbles before they even reached him. “Now gaze upon your new master, America, and tremble.” “He’s here,” Mar-Vehl said, pulling off his glasses as he revealed his true form. Then came a knock at the door. “What is it?” Then the door was blown off, and both Mar-Vehl and Soarin’ were blown out the window by an Extremis-fueled staff member. “Damn!” Mar-Vehl swore to himself as molecules shifted and a pistol formed in his hand. “I never would have expected… No, I should have seen it. Soarin’, get out of here. Get to your suit. No… just run. This isn’t a battle you can win.” “And leave you alone?” Soarin’ said, drawing his sidearm and firing off a shot. With a loud BANG! the Extremis soldier fell to the ground with a hole in his head. “No, looks like we’re both up shit creek now.” “You’re a fool,” Mar-Vehl said. “But a brave one nonetheless.” A military van smashed through the blockade and slammed into a tree, with more Extremis-fueled soldiers filing out. Flames licked their special battlesuits, the men literally burning with anger. “They’re hot under the collar,” Soarin’ said. “Maybe they just hated the midtown traffic.” Mar-Vehl let out a war cry, his weapon shifting into a sword. He was a blur of motion, his white suit shining in the sun as he dashed from enemy to enemy cutting them down. He whirled on his heel, slashing through one of the Mandarin’s soldiers as two more rushed him from behind. Again his weapon shifted, becoming a massive cannon fed by tubes from his back. One shot, two birds with one stone. “DUCK!” Soarin’ shouted, shoving Mar-Vehl to the ground as a blast of hot flame ripped through the air just where they’d been standing a few seconds before. “Thank you, I… admit I’m still used to fighting as a unit. Expecting others to have my back,” Mar-Vehl said, dusting himself off. Another Extremis soldier surged towards him with surprising speed, using his own flames as jets. One arm wrapped around his throat. Soarin’ couldn’t help, he was busy trading punches with another soldier. So Mar-Vehl shoved his knee into his opponent before grabbing the staggering terrorist by the shoulder. Pulling him upwards, the Kree warrior spun him around before tossing the Extremis agent at one of his fellows. Soarin’ meanwhile bashed his opponent upside the head with the butt of his gun. “They just keep coming, they’re going to overwhelm our position! And we haven’t even gotten to the big boss enemy yet!” “Now will you get to your suit?” Mar-Vehl asked with a little sigh, his weapon morphing into a shield to hold off streams of fire from two different attackers. “Become the star-spangled metal man with a plan to get out of here.” The Mandarin meanwhile made his way towards the White House, not really bothered by the attempts to stop him. A tank rolled out from a sidestreet, main cannon aimed squarely at him. His ring glowed, and the main gun began to hang limply. “Don’t be alarmed, I’ve heard this happens to 3 in 5. Performance issues aren’t that uncommon really.” The very street began to melt under the massive vehicle sucking it down into the gooey concrete. The crew inside leaped out as the tank vanished from sight. Another tank was rolling up, and with a wave of the Mandarin’s hand collapsed into a small tidal wave of water. The men inside trained their guns on him, but another of the villain’s rings began to glow. “Where is he? I can’t see him!” “It just became black as night!” “Fire, shoot him! He’s in here somewhere!” The Mandarin strode on by listening to the sounds of chaos behind him. “I heard something! There, I heard him right there!” A gunshot rang out, and a body slumped to the floor while his killer smirked in apparent triumph. And the Mandarin? He just continued his stride. More soldiers ran up, only to be sucked up into a vortex and thrown out onto the street. Barricades were simply blasted away by cyclonic winds, their master enshrouded in gales. The Mandarin thrust his hand out, and another ring glowed, sending out a powerful wave of energy smashing through barricades. It glowed again, and two tanks were seemingly attracted to each other. They were pulled together, the magnetic forces inescapable. Smoke rose high from their smashed bodies. “None of you are worthy to challenge m-AAGH!” The Mandarin flew backwards, slamming into a tree as a helicopter hovered low above the rooftops with its minigun spiraling up for another series of shots. The Mandarin powered through with each bullet turning to bubbles before thrusting his hand as yet another ring glowed. A bolt of pure lightning erupted from his finger and smashed through the gunship sending it spiraling down. The man waited for the crash and the explosion, but none came. His eyes widened, seeing Detroit Steel holding the smoking hulk of steel and military hardware. “Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?” the man asked. “You can’t stop me, no matter what you do.” “Yeah, well forgive me if I give it the good old college try,” Soarin’s voice echoed out of the mecha, chainsaw spinning up. “Welcome to America, jackass!” One punch sent the Mandarin flying, as he smashed into a building with bricks and mortar flying everywhere. “You should have just stayed in your cave,” Soarin’ said, his suit’s minigun spiraling up and ready to dish out death. “From Silver Zoom, here’s a little gift of appreciation. A little thank you for sending him into early retirement. It’s better than flowers.” The Mandarin glowed with a violently red aura as he flew up and over out of the gun’s range only for Detroit Steel to leap forwards and bodyslam him back to earth. He picked himself up, and rolled out of the way from a deadly chainsaw swing and another of his rings glowed. Suddenly, Detroit Steel felt like he was in the grip of a black hole and finding it impossible to move. Mind, his gun still worked and the Mandarin was kept on the defensive with his own armor barely managing to keep him powering through the shots. And yet the mecha was still moving by some miracle, even as ice raced up its legs to grip it tightly and hold it still. “FOOOOOOOR HALA!” came a war cry, the good Captain leaping out from behind Detroit with sword in hand. The Mandarin leaped back as the Kree slammed his sword into the ground, before pulling it out for another swing. “For Earth!” Mar-Vehl rushed towards the Mandarin, ready to impale him on a bloody blade. The Mandarin sidestepped and encased his fist in lightning with one knuckle ready to cave Mar-Vehl’s skull in. The Kree warrior whirled and blocked the blow with his blade before sliding backwards as a stream of fire erupted from the Mandarin’s other fist. And again, Detroit Steel’s minigun had its eye on target. Thinking fast, the Mandarin shoved Mar-Vehl in front of it with the Kree warrior quickly summoning his shield. And in his other hand, a laser pistol. Several shots made the Mandarin stagger before Mar-Vehl changed his shield into a more familiar shape. As the Mandarin dodged and weaved to avoid Soarin’s shots, a round disk bounced off several buildings before colliding with him. The Mandarin spit and swore as he smashed into the side of a van. “Very well then… if you won’t submit to me, your rightful ruler then I’ll find someone you will submit to. BOW!” His hand shot upwards and a beam ruptured the sky, a hole in the walls of reality growing bigger and bigger with each passing second. And then an unearthly roar, turning to a screech. “From the realms beyond our own, came a dragon. The ancient monks called it Shao-Lao the Undying,” said the Mandarin, his face contorted with maniacal glee. “So what, I wonder, would they call this?” And sickly green claws gripped the hole in the world, pulling it open wider and wider with sounds like thunder. A repeating foom, foom, foom. Fins and fangs peered through the hole and the great dragon roared to the world...
Mare-Vel Adventures #10: Flying High“Now do you see the futility?” the Mandarin asked as the massive serpent slithered down from the sky, another ear-splitting roar cutting through the air. “This world never belonged to you.” “Boy, you’ve sure taken a ride on the crazy train haven’t you?” Soarin’ said, still held in place by heavy gravity. “Oh give a man power and he turns into a megalomaniac. So when did this become less about showing the world how flawed America is and more about how massive your own ego is?” “You misinterpret,” the Mandarin said. “I only do what I must. I saw a world that was broken, and I aim to fix it. The weak, the incompetant, they must be cleansed in fire and whatever’s left will rise from the ashes.” With a roar, he charged forwards before being blasted across the street by pure light. “Now stay down, maybe third time’s the charm here huh?” Rainbow asked as she floated down, wearing a brand new suit. Unlike the last one, this one looked less like something from a costume shop and more like a proper suit built for battle. “Sorry I’m late, but the hero always has to make a big entrance! Love the new threads, compliments to S.H.I.E.L.D. Now, how’s about we break it in by ripping those rings off your fingers?” “You couldn’t defeat me before, and that was before I had the Ten Rings,” the Mandarin said, launching disintegration beam after disintegration beam at her. “What makes you think you can beat me now?” Rainbow chuckled, slamming her fists into the street sending up rubble to take the blasts. She leaped over the final beam and slammed her fist into the villain shattering his helmet. “Because this time I’m not going to stop until you’re a greasy smear beneath my fist. Yeah, you’ve had your fun but now your time is done. Hey, that rhymes,” Rainbow said, blocking a punch from the villain. “Good grief, I don’t care what excuse you have for being the way you are. You’re still completely insane. Boo hoo, give me your sad backstory and see how much I care.” Another punch made the Mandarin stagger before one of his rings glowed and a hand of pure concrete wrapped itself around Rainbow and it began to squeeze. A burst of energy shattered the hand before two more burst from neighboring buildings. Rainbow threw her arms out, and held back both hands only to be hit with one of the largest blasts of lightning in the history of lightning. The clouds above began to boil and crackle, before jagged bolts of energy burst forth sending her rolling along the ground. Many hands snaked forth from the streets and Rainbow continued punching and punching and punching. Like the heads of a Hydra, each hand she destroyed was replaced by two more. “You’ve come a long way in just a short period of time,” the Mandarin continued to monologue. “You’re ready to stand on your own as a superheroine, and if you were faced with anyone else you might have just defeated them. But I am beyond you. I have the powers of all ten rings! I am a god!” “Yeah? Then why do you need help to defeat me?” Rainbow asked, shattering the last of the fists with an energy burst before rising up above the rubble. “You’re looking pretty puny from up here.” “RRRRRRRAAAAGH!” the Mandarin yelled, tossing a bolt of lightning like a spear. Rainbow dodged that. He leaped off a stone ramp before encasing his fist in fire. “Yeah yeah, yell and scream all you want. Pretend you’re in a martial arts film or something, I don’t know,” Rainbow said to the Mandarin, before grabbing him mid-leap and throwing him aside. “If you excuse me, I gotta go rock the dragon.” She rocketed forwards, leaving behind a comet trail of light as the great dragon let out a hiss with fins shaking. Rainbow flew under it, firing blasts into a scaled belly. A tail whipped out and smacked her away, before the creature’s throat began to glow blue. Pure cosmic energy erupted from the beast’s mouth tearing into Rainbow’s suit before a scream began to rise up from her throat. And then, a blast of energy, not from the dragon itself, slammed into its belly. A certain Captain stood on top of a roof, holding a shoulder-mounted cannon. And Rainbow was falling to earth, denting the roof of a car. “Rainbow!” Soarin’ shouted, having climbed out of his suit and running towards her. “Come on come on, please don’t be dead…” He could see Mar-Vehl holding the dragon off, but for how long he wasn’t sure. Gently smacking Rainbow’s face, he hoped and prayed for her safety. “Please, wake up…” “Oh… Hey, Soar,” Rainbow whispered, blinking slowly and moaning in pain. “Sorry, I know I said I was the hero of the piece but right now I’m not looking very impressive am I? I’m… I’m not sure I can stop him. The Mandarin’s right, I’m just not powerful enough.” “Bull,” Soarin’ said, helping her to her feet. “Sure, you took some hits but it’s not like you to give up. You always get back up, it’s part of who you are. I… admire that about you.” “Doesn’t mean a thing if I can’t stop him. But… you’re right. I’ve got to see this through. I’m done being lectured about what I can and can’t do. I’ve been through hell to be where I am now and… Oh, okay yeah I suppose I should stop talking and just start backing up my boasts huh? Words are just that, words. A real hero puts her money where her mouth is,” Rainbow said. “And right now, I’m just pissed off enough to make sure nothing gets in my way anymore. Especially not rambling nutcases with gaudy jewelry.” “That’s my girl,” Soarin’ said. “People said you were just that, just a girl. I don’t think you’re just a girl anymore. Honestly, if Captain America could see you now…” “Hah, please, he’d be wishing he was me,” Rainbow said, floating a few feet above Soarin’, with a gentle hand caressing his face. “Stay right here, I’ll be back in a minute.” With that, she took a chance and gently kissed him. “Now… if you excuse me, someone needs a good old-fashioned-reality check. And I intend to deliver it. Mandarin, special delivery for you. PAIN. The Captain had America’s Ass. Me, I have her abs.” With that, she flew off back to battle. Soarin’ laughed to himself. What a woman! Rainbow didn’t let anything stand in her way, blasting through Extremis agents with bursts from her palm, and when a certain dragon flew back towards her all she did was roll to the left a little. Flying above the massive green serpent, she directed blasts of energy into its back. With a cocky grin, she got in close, and wrapped her arms around its neck. Pulling it upwards, she flipped the entire dragon and threw it. Hissing and spitting, the beast snaked back towards her with blue flashes of light racing up its throat. The creature let her have it, cosmic light bursting free. Rainbow was generating energy of her own, a gold stream of starlight erupting from both of her hands and cutting through the dragonbreath. She closed in and punched it square in the face with a powerful left hook and then a jagged uppercut. The beast rose up above her, fangs bared and back spines bristled with fins shaking in rage. More flames erupted from its throat with Rainbow holding them back with her own energies. She stamped her foot, the ground buckling and caving in beneath the dragon’s feet. It sunk down into the concrete, another burst of energy from Rainbow sending part of a building collapsing down on top of it. And then, a flaming whip wrapped around her. “Oh right, almost forgot about you,” she said to herself, before being pulled into a building and then swung around and smacked into another. Wrenching herself free of the fire, Rainbow rocketed towards the Mandarin pushing herself off a building as it fell and collapsed behind her into rubble. She flew up and around summoned lightning bolts, the villain fighting desperately against the superpowered woman. And then, she felt it. Something reaching into her mind, trying desperately to get in. “Get out… get out of my head!” Rainbow screamed, feeling the Mandarin poking and prodding at her mind. “I said… GET OUT!” And then all went white, and she found herself in a great massive expanse. It was featureless, devoid of anything noteworthy. Rainbow stepped forwards, the ground feeling like water and rippling outwards. And then, music. “Cause I'm just a girl, oh, little old me Well, don't let me out of your sight Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite So don't let me have any rights…” “Good song,” the Mandarin said. “Sums up the problem society has with females really. You’re not meant to be doing anything other than looking pretty. It must have been hard for you, enrolling in the military.” “Oh great, here we go, more of your lectures,” Rainbow said, throwing a punch as the world rippled. “I said I was about done with your mouth.” “I’m here to teach. Go on, just pull up a seat.” Rainbow just tossed the chair at him, and the world rippled again. “Didn’t you just hear me?” Rainbow asked. “I said I’m not really interested in your lectures.” In the real world, the Mandarin staggered. “You’re just a rambling nutcase, changing his preachings to whatever bullshit happens to suit you in that particular moment,” Rainbow said, striding forwards, leaving ripples in her wake. “And really, Fin Fang Foom. Really? You had to summon the dragon with the most racist name on the planet? I thought you were supposed to be progressive!” The Mandarin was stepping backwards, realizing he may have made a mistake. “You don’t get it, do you? Despite everything life throws at me, I keep getting back up. To fight again. Sure it’s never been easy for me, but nothing worth doing ever is. And… you know, honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. No challenge, no satisfaction. I was always a competitive little brat,” Rainbow said, closing her eyes. “But thanks, for showing me who I needed to be. For helping me to fly higher than ever before. Higher, further, faster. And you know, this gets me thinking…” Rainbow’s whole body began to glow gold, her veins shining with light. And when she opened her eyes again, they were glowing white-hot like that of a star. “I've been fighting with one arm tied behind my back. But what happens... when I'm finally set free?” Coulson saw her suit’s readings going through the roof back at the base. “Rainbow, what are you doing?” he shouted into the comms. “Your readings are spiking!” In Washington DC, the woman finally set free of her cage strode forwards glowing with all of the light of the galaxies. Street lamps burst, cars sparked as the heroine’s hair stood on end glowing gold with cosmic energy. Her fist slammed into her palm, unleashing a burst of energy far more powerful than ever before. “I’ve finally grown into my own,” Rainbow replied. “I didn’t see it before, just how much power I had and how much I was holding myself back. I’m not afraid. I’m embracing it, actually. I glow, and I burn.” She rocketed upwards just as Fin Fang Foom took flight, freeing himself from his pit and both flew higher and higher until space embraced them. The stars were their backdrop, a little blue orb below as all you could see of them became green and gold trails of light. They traded powerful blows, each striking the other again and again. Rainbow kicked the beast in the chest before flipping away and blasting it with cosmic power. The dragon roared and slammed her into the moon itself before getting a face full of energy. Rainbow ran, leaving a gold trail of light behind her. Then, she was behind the beast, having run around the entire moon in only a few seconds. It didn’t have time to react, and was slammed into the lunar surface and lay there defeated. Rainbow chuckled, her hair still standing on end and her eyes still glowing. Now for the Mandarin. Flying back to Earth, she allowed herself a smile and a laugh. Finally, the power was hers, and the world was hers to protect.
Mare-Vel Adventures #12: EpilogueSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Mare-Vel Adventures #1: Take OffFunny how life works out, right? You’re born, they tell you what you’re going to do with your life, and they pop that little pink or blue tag on you, and bam. Life starts before you can even crawl. You’re shoved off into that little niche of life, and expected to just conform. Women aren’t allowed in the military, they say. You’ll never make it out of boot camp, they say. Rainbow Dash begged to differ. All of her life she’d looked to the skies, saying: “Yeah, that’s where I want to be.” High, further, faster, baby. Like Maverick from Top Gun. ‘I feel the need for speed,’ yeah, that one. She probably wasn’t anywhere as good looking as Tom Cruise, but she wanted to be up there. Her parents, loving as they were, bore no real illusions as to how far Rainbow would realistically make it. They tried to sway her off into different paths. Something a bit more down to earth. There were the jokes of course, about why they called it a cockpit. Haha, very funny. Real witty. In any event, despite all odds and expectations and against a hell of a lot of sexism… Bam, she was up there within several years. Okay, her call sign could be a bit better. Like Crash, really? That did wonders for her confidence. But she was up there, free as a bird in the skies. Nobody to answer to but her commanding officer. Right now though, Rainbow’s mind was on issues there were decidedly more down to Earth. The Mandarin: showed up about a year and a half ago. Real screwball, nobody was sure who he was or where he came from. All they did know was that he threatened America’s way of life. “Some people call me a terrorist, I consider myself a teacher. So America, ready for another lesson? In 1864, in the little town of Sand Creek, Colorado the U.S. military waited. They waited until the friendly Cheyenne braves had all gone out hunting. They waited to attack and slaughter their families left behind, and claim their land,” the Mandarin said as he came on screen, with his signature robe and long black beard. His hair was done up in a top knot, and a pipe was in his mouth. He looked like someone’s demented grandfather, I suppose you could say. But with none of the charm. “Thirty-nine hours ago the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait was attacked. I did that. A quaint military church filled with wives and children, of course. The soldiers were out on maneuvers, the braves were away. “ The screen flickered, and gasps echoed throughout the room as the remains of an air-force base were shown. Smoking ruins with bodies scorched by the explosion lay about the area. “President Madison Mare, you continue to resist my attempts to educate you, ma’am. And now, you've missed me again. You don’t know who I am, you don't know where I am, and you'll never see me coming.” The Mandarin’s image disappeared, and his logo once again appeared: ten rings of varying colors with crossed swords in the middle of them. “...welp,” Rainbow said as she sucked in a breath, still in that state of veritable shock. “...Just…” A fist slammed into the wall, and Rainbow turned to see Fleetfoot with a look of rage on her face. “Damn it,” she muttered. “The Mandarin’s out there, and here we are just sitting on our asses doing nothing! We’re part of the United States Air Force, for God’s sake! And what are we doing? Nothing! We should be out there finding this guy and firing a missile up his ass!” “Easier said than done, Fleets,” Soarin’ said, rubbing her shoulders. Rainbow had to resist grumbling something under her breath, trying to not let the jealousy show. “Finding the Mandarin? Easier said than done.” “Yeah yeah, I know. It’s like Fox says. “All attempts to find the Mandarin have so far proved unsuccessful” and all that rot. God, can’t they get Stark to build something to find this asshole?” Rainbow knew the name, of course. Tony Stark, son of Howard Stark. He’d been on pretty much every magazine cover you could think of. GQ, Wired, Popular Mechanics, Time, Playboy, Vanity Fare. (Ugh to that last one.) The lot. He’d been called many things. Visionary. Genius. American patriot. Graduated summa cum laude from MIT at age 17. Rainbow had been just barely passing high school at 17! If there was a weapon you needed, Tony Stark had it in his brain and was most likely designing and developing it. Shame this American patriot couldn’t find out who the Mandarin was, eh? Where were the heroes when you needed them? Passing by Captain Spitfire’s office, she overheard a conversation from within. Rainbow knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop, but she just couldn’t help herself. “So what's really going on? With Mandarin. Seriously, can we talk about this guy? Cap… Half of the squad is ready to go up there and bomb the hell out of Kuwait in just hopes of finding him!” “A lot of it’s classified, Soar,” Spitfire said. “You know that.” “But-” Soarin’ started. Spitfire let out a sigh. “Alright, there’s been nine bombings thus far, the public only knows about three. Here's the thing, nobody can ID a device. There's no bomb casings. We’re at a loss.” “So we’re just supposed to sit on our asses then?” Spitfire sighed again. “HammerTech is coming up with something, word says. Not sure what exactly, but there you go. It's something. It’s a something.” HammerTech, Rainbow knew, was another company vying for the weapons manufacturer pie. Stark was his own thing, a lone wolf. He did what he wanted, didn’t always mesh well with authority. So others stepped into to grab what contracts he didn’t. They didn’t always live up to their expectations, -as who could replace Stark?- but they generally delivered. Rainbow -along with everyone else- hated to think of the day Stark wanted to get out of the weapons-making business. Yeah, that'd be a day. “Well, a something’s better than a nothing I suppose…” Soarin’ murmured. Rainbow returned to her housing later that night, her mind still a blur from the day’s events. The Mandarin. The Mandarin. Nine attacks, nine bombings. Every day seemed to come up with something new relating to the bastard, and yet none of it was information anyone could actually act on. It was just absolutely disgusting. The US had some of the best intelligence in the world, and yet nobody could find out a damned thing about this guy. Someone should be fired. The way Rainbow figured it, it’d take a bombing at the NSA Headquarters -god forbid- before anyone actually got up off their asses to do something. “Rainbow, you alright?” Soarin’ asked as he walked up, presumably on his late night run. He did this every odd day, went out at night just to jog in the cool evening air. Rainbow didn’t judge, hell, sometimes when she felt up to it she joined him. “Saw you left the building in a bit of a rush back there. Did that Mandarin broadcast get to you?” Soarin’ was a nice enough guy, Rainbow supposed. A bit of a dork, sorta dense at times with a bit of an obsession with pie, but… he was nice. Probably one of the only pilots who didn’t crack jokes at her expense. Yeah, not all males were women haters, Rainbow knew, but pilots had a certain amount of pride. It was really a dick measuring contest with them, who could fly the highest, the furthest, the fastest. You get the general idea. Rainbow really loved to outfly all of them. Seeing those smirks fall off their faces was totally worth it. “Yeah, suppose you could say that,” Rainbow admitted before turning to Soarin’. “HammerTech, really?” Soarin’ winced, his shirt stained with sweat. “...you weren’t supposed to hear that.” “Yes, well, you’re hard to ignore,” Rainbow said with a soft smile. “Nine bombings? And you get HammerTech of all companies? Hammer’s an idiot, you know that right?” “He’s provided before,” Soarin’ said. “Half of the armaments on our jets are from HammerTech.” “Okay, missiles and guns are one thing, but building something to find the Mandarin?” Rainbow asked. “That’s another. Why not get Stark to make something? Pretty sure he’d be happy to take down a terrorist. It’d really feed his ego.” “HammerTech was the first to offer, from what I heard, and command’s getting desperate,” Soarin’ shrugged. “They’ll take anything by this point. If HammerTech fails…” “If?” Rainbow snorted. “More like when.” Soarin’ wanted to look like he wanted to reprimand Rainbow, but was utterly failing to hide his amusement. All the same… “If HammerTech fails, it goes to Stark to find the Mandarin.” “Stark’s going to love this, cleaning up after Hammer’s messes. You’ve seen the Twitter wars right? The two can’t stop firing shots at each other,” Rainbow said with a small little snort. “They’re hard to miss,” Soarin’ said with a small smile. “But yeah, Hammer should be showing up here tomorrow with his little demonstration.” “God, that’ll be something to look forward to. Want to place bets on whatever he’s got will blow up on the start up,” Rainbow remarked. “RAINBOW!” Soarin’ shouted again, though it was obvious he was trying to hide his mirth. “What, just sayin’,” Rainbow shrugged. “Fine fine.” “50 bucks,” Soarin’ said. Rainbow looked honestly surprised. “Wheelin’ and dealin’ on base grounds? Cap would bust your ass if she ever caught wind of it…” Rainbow said. “...well then, let’s make sure she never finds out okay?” Soarin’ chuckled. That light little smile, that playful demeanor? It reminded Rainbow of what she could never have, and it hurt. Soarin’ was Fleetfoot’s man. She was a lucky woman, really. Soarin’ was possibly the most charming man she’d ever met in her life, and god she missed a chance to snatch him up. Fleetfoot beat her to the punch. The worst part of it all was, well, it’d taken Rainbow a bit to realize what she wanted from Soarin’. Was it a crush? Yeah, definitely. At least 20% was a crush. Awesome. Bidding Soarin’ a good night, Rainbow walked into her house, and was almost immediately blindsided by a little blur. “...hey squirt, I’ll get dinner on in a mo’, I promise. Let me just take a shower okay?” Rainbow whispered to her kid. Her kid. Scootaloo was Rainbow’s world. She was the second reason why she got up there in the wild blue yonder. Not just to prove the boys wrong, but to protect house and home. This was America, the greatest country in the world and Rainbow aimed to keep it that way. Some fought for Mom’s homemade apple pie and a bald eagle, Rainbow fought for her family. “Did you…” Scootaloo said in a soft whisper. “Did I what?” Rainbow asked gently, noticing her daughter’s scared tone. She had a sneaking suspicion as to what happened. Damnit, she’d told Scootaloo to stay away from the news. “Did you see him? Did you see the Mandarin, mom?” Scootaloo asked. “I did sweetie, but squirt? What have I told you about staying away from the news?” Rainbow chided gently. “It always gets you all worried these days. Didn’t I put on some cartoons for you? Justice League, right?” “Yeah, but the Mandarin. He high-jacked the TV. Took control of it or something.” Scootaloo mumbled, Rainbow running a hand through her hair in a calming fashion. “I… I couldn’t help myself. It was like a trainwreck, I couldn't tear my eyes away.” “I understand…” Rainbow said. “Now go wash up, okay?” Scootaloo nodded before darting off. Rainbow let out a deep sigh. She tried, she really did. Gods, she hoped Justin Hammer actually had something good to show tomorrow. She really needed to feel as if this creep could be stopped. Rainbow slammed a fist into her palm. “Careful Mandarin, better hope I don’t get to come after you…” Justin Hammer, Rainbow felt, just had to be talking out of his ass. He just had to be. She, early in the afternoon, needed to get up and get into a dress uniform and go out into the hot sun for this guy? Mind you, she did have to admit she was fairly impressed by the big mech suit he’d brought with him. Overloaded with enough weapons to make you question who was overcompensating for something. Wait, was that a freakin’ chainsaw on one arm? Wow, talk about showing off. Then again, a Mandarin sliced in half with a single swing seemed pretty appetizing. And there was enough firepower to bust the ruins of the bunker you just busted. Seemed to take a few cues from Captain America, though. Like dear god, was it covered in patriotism. She honestly half expected it to -at the push of a button- start blaring the Star Spangled Man With a Plan bit. Or Jimi Hendrix’s take on the Star Spangled Banner. One of the two. “... If it were any smarter, it'd write a book, a book that would make Ulysses look like it was written in crayon. It would read it to you. This is my Eiffel Tower. This is my Rachmaninoff's Third. My Pieta. It's completely elegant, it's bafflingly beautiful, and it's capable of reducing the population of any standing structure to zero. I call it Detroit Steel,” Hammer rambled as he gestured to the massive mecha behind him. “Four and a half tons of USA! Four and a half tons of peace and security made in the grand old U. S. of A! Say hello to The Mandarin’s worst nightmare!” A loud round of applause greeted the man, and Justin adjusted his glasses before flashing two peace signs. “...well, you can’t say he doesn’t know how to present something,” Soarin’ mumbled over the cheering crowd. “That’s a hell of a sales pitch.” “Yeah, it’s a sales pitch. They’re supposed to sound good,” Rainbow said before she deadpanned: “Now watch it fall over and blow up. Hammer never makes anything good. He’s the poor man’s Stark.” “Oh, hush,” Fleetfoot said, swatting at her arm. “Who'll rise or fall, give his all for America? Who's here to prove that we can? Hammer, clearly!” Rainbow gave her a look. “...he’s not Captain America, Fleets. May I remind you that…” Hammer chose that moment to walk over. “Oh ho, does someone have doubts about me?” he asked, wrapping an arm around Rainbow’s shoulder. A cuban cigar was currently in his mouth, Rainbow coughing from just being near it. “Well, yeah. I mean, you make weapons. Not mechs. This is a bit of a step up, right?” Rainbow asked. “...you trying to outdo Stark? I mean, props for thinking of the giant mecha first but still, this is all new to you.” Hammer laughed. “It’d be all new to Stark as well if he got in the game,” he remarked. “I’d personally love to challenge him to a duel. Whatever suit he comes up with, and mine! Then when he loses, I’d invite him to suck it! Please, Stark’s a blowhard!” “A blowhard who’s been on the cover of Popular Mechanics practically every other week,” Rainbow remarked. “Just sayin’. Call me crazy, but if he made a suit, I’m sure it’d blow yours out of the water!” “Rainbow, just be nice! Hammer’s a guest,” Fleetfoot hissed out. “Besides, with that thing? The Mandarin will be toast in no time!” “Burnt toast, actually,” Hammer said with a small wink in Fleetfoot’s direction, making her giggle. Rainbow nearly barfed. “Because yes, that is a flamethrower!” “Wow, flamethrowers, missile pods, and even chainsaws,” Rainbow said in the most spectacularly deadpan tone she could muster. No small feat, I assure you. “One might think you’re overcompensating for something!” A low ‘ooooohhhh’ echoed out from the crowd. Justin looked unimpressed. “Oh, so you do doubt me?” “Very much so, actually,” Rainbow nodded. “Heard the rumors of your first mecha suits, actually. Didn’t one end up twisting a pilot’s spine 180 degrees?” “I’d like to point out he survived,” Justin said with a little dismissive wave that did wonders for both Rainbow’s confidence and already low opinion of the man. “But in light of that little failure, I’ll be happy to tell you that won’t ever happen again. In fact, I can assure you that this is unmanned. Got the best programmers in the world. Nothing will go wrong. In fact, I can prove it to you Lieutenant Dash. Got a whole little demonstration lined up. Got it all squared away with the base commander!” This, Rainbow decided, she just simply had to see. Hammer had to be confident if he was risking what Rainbow presumed was his only suit. If it got blown up, buh-bye big bucks military contract. So, there was this guy, Philip Lawson okay? Friendly enough sort, through really Rainbow only knew him in passing. But he was in charge of… well, Rainbow wasn’t sure what he was in charge of. But yeah, he was directing tanks to box in and kill Detroit Steel. The air thundered with the sound of cannonfire, the tanks slowly closing in on Detroit Steel. Their treads rattled the ground, kicking up dust and dirt while Detroit Steel stood its ground. “...hey, you think this is how Mobile Suit Gundam starts for us?” Soarin’ had to ask as he and his squad watched from a very safe distance. “Like, unmanned suits being put to military application. You gotta admit there are some similarities!” “You’re such a weeb, Soar,” Rainbow teased. “I just want to see Hammer finally put his money where his mouth is.” “Not to worry everyone!” Hammer announced. “I’ve already promised to pay for damages!” “Whose damages? Ours or his?” Rainbow had to wonder aloud. Her jaw soundly dropped when Detroit Steel blew a hole through one of the tanks. Good god, if they weren’t unmanned… A chorus of gasps followed her own. Huh, okay then. Maybe this suit had potential. Rainbow bore witness to the chainsaw rev up with an almighty whine, thirsty for grease and engine oil. It slashed, and all was silent. Next, Detroit Steel turned its flamethrowers on the final tank, making it back away before another slash rendered it into scrap. Okay then. Maybe Hammer was onto something. Maybe. Fleetfoot was in a mood, Rainbow discovered as the days wore on. Not her business to pry. At least… not until Fleetfoot was all up in her face about things. It’d been a week since Detroit Steel’s first spectacular showing and HammerTech had been awarded a one billion dollar contract to stop the Mandarin. Stark must have been furious. Privately, Rainbow wondered just how Hammer had suddenly got the know-how to build a functional mecha suit. He was a bit of a joke honestly, everyone knew that. He couldn’t program to save his life. There had been rumors of course, there always were. That Hammer had some help building Detroit Steel. There’d been a guy in a suit, classic government type lurking around the base that day. Nobody bothered to catch his name; there’d been several men in suits. All of them from different government organizations. What was one more? Mind you, he’d apparently had good taste in rides. A classic Corvette, whoo! Rainbow couldn’t even land herself a nice bike. That was a Suit’s paycheck for you, she supposed. “So what’s eating you?” Rainbow asked Fleetfoot, having finally had enough of her ansty demeanor. It had rapidly been getting on her nerves. “You’ve been pacing around the commons all afternoon. Somebody die? If you want, I can talk to the Captain. Probably get you some paid leave.” “It’s not that,” Fleetfoot said quickly. “That guy, Lawson? He’s been scouting around the base looking for a test pilot for some fancy new jet of his.” “And let me guess, you drew the short straw,” Rainbow teased. “Need an airsick bag, a little plushie to go with you Flatfoot? It’s just a jet, nothing new you haven’t seen before!” “You’re a jerk,” Fleetfoot grumbled. “Sadly, it’s not me they want up there. Really pisses me off, I’m the best pilot on base!” “Evidently not, considering they passed you up,” Rainbow said, Fleetfoot glowering at her. “Yeah, haha, real rich coming from you…” Fleetfoot grumbled practically stomping off. Soarin’ watched her leave. “Geez, what crawled up her ass and died?” Rainbow had to wonder. “You mean you don’t know?” Soarin’ said. “They want you Crash.” “M-Me?” Rainbow sputtered, sure she’d misheard. “You’ve got to be joshing me. Like, seriously. Go on, pull the other one why don’t you?” “No, Lawson’s apparently asking for you specifically,” Soarin’ said before laying a supportive hand on her shoulder. “This is what you want, right? You, up there in the wild blue yonder? Isn’t that what you said to me? You’ve got to say yes!” “Surely there’s got to be a catch,” Rainbow muttered to herself. “I’m nowhere near that lucky around here. So who do I have to screw to get in that cockpit?” she asked bitterly. “No catches,” Lawson said as he walked in. “So, you in?” Soarin’ was flashing her a thumbs up. It would have been a fool’s idea to say no. Most people would have practically jumped at the chance to prove themselves when offered to get in the air test flying this new aircraft. Rainbow was no different. Straight shot to respect, hello! “Uh, yeah?” Rainbow asked. “Bring it on!” It was only an hour later that she was inside Lawson’s new bird. “Can you fly this thing?” Lawson asked as he strapped himself in, Rainbow in the cockpit seat. The controls revealed themselves, part of the cockpit shifting aside as two joysticks came into view. Rainbow raised an eyebrow. That was definitely new. Certainly not standard issue. “It’s a jet,” Rainbow said, running through her primary system checks. “It’s like second nature to me by this point.” “Fair warning, Dash, this jet is probably unlike anything you’ve ever seen in your life,” Lawson said as Rainbow flicked another switch. “A jet’s a jet, what more do I need to know. It’s got controls, instruments, two wings and an engine. This thing could be a biplane for all I care and I’d still be able to fly it,” Rainbow said as the two massive hanger doors began to open. “So watch me, flyboy.” “You’re confident,” Lawson said as the engines began to whir to life with an almost unearthly hum. They sounded absolutely like nothing Rainbow had ever heard before, the cockpit’s controls glowing with an almost luminous light. Rainbow paid it no mind. There could be all the fancy toys a pilot could want and it still wouldn’t distract her. MInd you, she couldn’t say the same about most pilots. She’d make a mental note to tell Lawson not to have so many gimmicks in his little plane when it reached mass production. “...shouldn’t I be?” Rainbow said. “It’s just a simple test flight. One loop around the mountains and back again. Higher, further, faster baby.” “It’s just…” Lawson said, inwardly wondering how much he should divulge. If Rainbow knew why he was here, why he’d truly come to the base… well, she’d probably be scared out of her mind. She seemed confident, but was she really ready? “You know what our work here is for right?” The tarmac was beginning to fly by in a blur, and slowly but surely the wheels retracted as the Asis hit take off speeds. The ground below slowly began to get smaller and smaller, till the buildings became like scale models. The unearthly hum began to increase in both tone and pitch, leaving Rainbow to wonder just what exactly this bird ran on. Some new type of top-secret super fuel? Some of Stark’s tech maybe? Probably wasn’t even worth asking about, given it was labeled top-secret for a reason. “That’s a stupid question isn’t it?” Rainbow asked. “It’s to help end all wars, right? Isn’t that what we’re here for?” Lawson sighed. “Yes, but sometimes the wars are bigger than you know…” he murmured to himself. “What was that?” Rainbow asked as she sent the craft into a spin. “Didn’t quite catch that last bit!” “Nothing! Hey, careful!” Lawson shouted as Rainbow pulled the jet into a steep climb. “You want to see what this baby can really do, right?” Rainbow said, the jet on a sharp bank as it rocketed around mountain passes. “So shut up and stop being a backseat driver!” Some people got their adrenaline junkie fix by storm chasing or going out into the jungle with leopards or mountain climbing. Not Rainbow. Up here? She could go full throttle to her heart's content and she even got paid to do it. From 0 to Mach 2 in just under a few minutes, now that beat them all. Porsches, Bugattis, Ferraris? Pah, they had nothing on this shit, thank you very much. Sonic booms over the American heartland and then gone in a split second? Yeah, this was how she rolled. The miles flew by like nothing, the base just a distant memory. Now she was over a series of lakes and forests, and making her final run back to base. Going into a barrel roll, Rainbow let out a whoop of joy. “God, this thing kicks ass!” Rainbow shouted over the engine, stripping through the sky like it was nothing leaving nothing but a streak in her wake. “Don’t overdo it, Lieutenant,” Lawson warned as Rainbow rocketed over a lake leaving a massive wake in her trail. As Rainbow climbed again, the trees started to look like toothpicks. “Just get us back to base, that’s all you need to do.” He was beginning to wonder if he’d really made the right choice for his pilot. “Right, right,” Rainbow muttered. “You had to kill the fun. First mission in weeks, and I’m not even allowed to enjoy myself just a bit. Murderer of fun, that’s what you are. You’re like a murderer of fun in way too tight pants.” Lawson looked out the window, nothing but clear blue skies all around them. Not even a cloud. “Wonderful view, isn't it?” he said in awe. “Yeah, it is…” Rainbow whispered. “Wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.” Then, warning alarms began to flash all over. “I… didn’t do that,” Rainbow said slowly. “I swear, I didn’t touch anything!” “It’s not you,” Lawson shouted. “It’s me, I forgot to check to see if the Asis had been fueled properly!” “How do you forget to fill up a jet with fuel?” Rainbow shouted back. “Do you forget to load your gun as well? Sit tight, we’re going in for a landing and it’s not going to be pretty!” The ground was coming up fast, a veritable sea of green before her. Rainbow smashed the Asis through trees, snapping them like twigs before slashing through the ground. Earth and sand were tossed up, the Asis carving a path through the dirt like a massive knife blade. “Lawson? Philip?” Rainbow asked as the cockpit window went flying of its own accord, jettisoned to the side. “You alright?” “Yeah, been better. But there's nothing I can’t walk off. Any landing you can walk away from...” Philip said as he climbed out of his seat. Rainbow swore he was bleeding blue, but passed it off as her imagination. Right now she had bigger concerns, like where the hell were they? “Phone still works, I’ll call in our location.” Small mercies, really. “...doubt they’ll ever let me fly anything again,” Rainbow muttered seeing all of her hopes and dreams come crashing down all around her. She choked back a sob. “...yeah, it’ll be weeks of cleaning the dishes and then I’ll be lucky to even get near a jet after this.” As they walked away from the wreckage, Lawson turned as he heard something. The low hum was starting to turn into a whine. “RUN!” Philip shouted, and Rainbow broke into a sprint. The world went white, and then it went blue. A glow filled Rainbow’s vision before all went silent as pain rushed up to greet her. Rainbow faded in and out, voices ringing out in her ear. Vague notions of fear and concern, and the whole world was one of white. She let out a moan of pain, before fading back into darkness again. She awoke to the sound of beeping machines, and a light shone in her face before fading back again. A third waking moment came, and she looked to her hand. It glowed gold. Then darkness consumed her for the final time. “She’s going to be alright?” one Rarity Belle nervously fretted over her friend’s fate. She’d been the first to hear, and was the first to arrive at Canterlot General Hospital. “Surely you can tell me something. I… I’ve been asking the doctors and nurses and nobody will tell me anything!” Philip tried to soothe the concerned woman, who was close to hyperventilating. “She’s… she’s going to be fine,” he said, lying through his teeth. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure what Rainbow was going to be. “She’s been through a lot, but your friend’s a tough woman. It’s just right now she needs her rest.” “If… if you say so,” Rarity said. “I’m going to see Soarin’. He’s been pacing up a storm in the lobby and… poor dear. Rainbow doesn’t really know how lucky she is…” Philip nodded before as Rarity walked off, he passed two men in suits and entered Rainbow’s room. His eyes widened. Floating several feet above the bed, bathed in a golden almost holy glow was Rainbow Dash. “Oh boy, you’ve really gone and done it this time,” Philip thought to himself. “So, how are you going to explain this one to your superiors, Mar-Vehl?” Author's Note Welcome, Earth's Mightest Avenger. So yeah, this is more of a personal project of mine. Not expecting it to do well, but I'm doing it anyways. Taking the Iron Man 2008 approach, it's all going to be self-contained. No stingers leading seemingly up to something bigger. It's just going to tell a single story. Admittedly, I am worried about the characters I chose. Mandarin, Detroit Steel/Justin Hammer. Those are all from Iron Man's rogues gallery. In my defense, a lot of Captain Marvel's enemies would require a fair bit of set up that I don't think a single story can do. Plus, I'm trying to keep away from the cosmic side of Marvel for the most part. And hey, I got Lawson so... And yes, the Mandarin here isn't going to be revealed as some washed-up actor from Britain. Hugely entertaining as Trevor was, he was a disservice to the plot. I want my ring bearing archenemy damn it! Thank the Celestials for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Blow it out of the ballpark for us as the Mandarin, would you Tony Leung? I swear, going to watch the film just for you and your character. But yeah, if you're a comics reader -I assume you are- you'd remember Mandarin's rings and their many powers. Those are the exact reasons why I chose Mandarin, given I figure he could put up a fair fight under the right circumstances. Leave your thoughts and comments below, please. Need to know what I'm doing right, what I'm doing wrong, etc.
Mare-Vel Adventures #11: Higher, Further, Faster BabyAuthor's Note Sorry I didn't give a proper upload yesterday, had to get some help to deliver a suitable finale. Huge thanks to Layton13, give him a shout huh? Mare-Vel Adventures #11: Higher, Further, Faster Baby “So…” the Mandarin chuckled, seeing a comet flying back towards the Earth and rupturing the upper atmosphere. “She’s finally become who she was always meant to be.” He flexed his fingers, all ten rings glowing. “I relish the challenge,” he said, raising up rubble and ripping up the streets with golden cracks forming beneath his feet. “In another world, in another time she might have been the hero this planet needs. But I refuse to let that woman stand in the way of my brave new world. So says the Mandarin!” “COME ON!” Rainbow roared as she rocketed towards the man like a bullet from a gun, glowing with starlight and a fist stretched forwards. “I guess it’s time then, to see who really deserves to lead humanity into a bright new age,” the Mandarin said, the Remaker ring glowing as a fist of earth uppercutted Rainbow. “So come, face the changing of the guard with grace and dignity.” “That’s just it, isn’t it?” Rainbow said, shooting a blast of cosmic energy at him, the Mandarin summoning a black hole to suck it all away. “I don’t want to lead anyone into any new brighter era, I just want to be me.” The Nightbringer ring glowed once more with dark light, the Mandarin summoning spectral swords and leaping upwards to face her. Rainbow summoned cosmic energy into her hands, malleable light reformed and thrown as an arc of energy. The Mandarin leaped over it, slicing into her suit and drawing blood as a scream escaped from her throat. Unleashing even more energy from her palm, it rocketed her arm backward, directly at the assailant. Eyes widening, the swords raced in front of him, before colliding with her elbow. For a few moments, they stood strong, before cracking all over, quickly spreading across the whole construct until it burst into a thousand pieces. Using the force of her counterattack, Rainbow pulled herself around, before shooting herself directly at the Mandarin, who had used the few precious moments to leap backward. “You fight well,” the Mandarin said, raising his hand and Nightbringer glowed again. Spikes erupted from the air, cascading out like thorny roots and racing towards Rainbow. “I’m impressed.” “I’m not looking to impress you,” Rainbow said, shooting upwards even as the spikes raced after her. She was above them, and blasting cosmic energy straight through them. “You hear?” She was behind the Mandarin, shoving a knee into his chest only for it to pass right through the man. The spectral ring was glowing before the villain solidified once again, wrapping a hand around her throat. “Very well then, just take my compliments all the same though as you die screaming,” the Mandarin said, tossing her through the side of a gas station. Cosmic energy collided with fuel lines and up the building went in a massive fireball. And then the fire began to die down, and choked upon itself as it was sucked into Rainbow’s body with the woman’s aura crackling with life. Remaker glowed, as the Mandarin raised up concrete, again and again, to shield himself from her blasts. Nightbringer glowed, a beam of dark energy shooting out from the Mandarin’s palm to smash straight into one of Rainbow’s own blasts. Pieces of road, cars, and glass were flying all over the place as both energies clashed, only for Rainbow’s blast to fizzle out rather quickly, the beam rocketing towards her. If a simple projectile wouldn’t work, fighting fire with fire would surely do the trick. Once more their energies slammed into each other, the street and surrounding buildings quickly being ripped apart, as she unleashed her own beam. Pieces of the debris were thrown her way, before evaporating before ever hitting her, still, she could feel her feet being pushed back inch by inch. That was when her second hand rose, pointed at the ground behind her. If she was getting pushed back, she just had to push in the opposite direction, simple as that. The moment the second beam burst from her palm, she felt an immense weight being lifted from her other arm. Within seconds, she could feel she was making progress, gaining foot in their beam struggle. “You learn fast,” the Mandarin said, being pushed back. All around them was a crater, the very ground scarred by their battle. “I admire that about you.” “Are you fighting or flirting?” Rainbow asked, punching him in the face and breaking his nose with blood squirting onto her fist. Another punch passed through the Mandarin, his Spectral ring activated once again. The man reformed briefly, to grab her by the leg and hoist her up. This proved to be a bit of a tactical error, the Mandarin found as he was blasted into a car by cosmic light. “So I have to ask,” Rainbow said, climbing out of the crater. “Okay, assume you take control. You’re suddenly big bad Mr. President, I have to ask you something. What makes you think anyone will listen to you? You didn’t get elected, you staged a coup. You took over like a tyrant. Your authority isn’t valid.” She side-stepped a lightning spear tossed at her. “You brute force your way through any problem presented to you. You’ll be ruling the country if only through fear. You’ll be forcing people to change.” “All the same, everything will finally be-” “Exactly as you desired it to be?” Rainbow asked. “Will it though? People will only be listening to you because they’ll be scared of the consequences. The world will only be making sense because you force it to. That’s not heroism or real change or whatever the crap you want to call it. That’s tyranny.” The Mandarin was floating above her, with pieces of street surrounding him. He launched them at her, the woman just smashing through the projectiles with her fists. “No answer? Good, then I guess I’m starting to get to you aren’t I? Now I’m the one doing the lecturing,” Rainbow said, firing off another blast that the Mandarin just phased through. “You can dish it out, but you can’t take it can you? When someone applies your tactics to you. You fancy yourself a teacher right? Well sit down Jack, because class is in session! I’m taking over. Leave your things at the door.” The Mandarin launched another blast of dark energy at her, only for this time Rainbow to not even bother powering through it. Instead she just absorbed the energy into herself. She slammed a fist into her outstretched hand, a clap of energy shooting out from her. “Honestly, I’ve given up caring about the trash you keep spouting. It’s just that. Trash.” Narrowing his eyes, the Mandarin lit the Daimonic Ring up as the ground started to shake. At first, the dust started to flow towards Rainbow, before quickly bigger and bigger rocks and pieces of debris were hurtling towards her. But as she tried to attack once more, her body didn’t move as she intended to, instead, being pulled back by an immense force. That was exactly when massive chunks of the ruins around them started moving, directly at the center of the gravitational pull, her. At first, she simply tried to blast them to pieces, which worked well enough, the problem was the pieces that were still racing towards her. After the second chunk she had shattered like this, she hissed. This wasn’t gonna work. The sudden feeling of being punched in the stomach knocked her out of her thoughts, quickly followed by a similar sensation all over her body, as more and more debris were forming around her. It only took a few seconds till she was buried under a small mass of stone, cars, and anything else that had halfway survived their fight till now. Inside, she felt the pressure on her body growing with every passing moment, as if she was about to be squashed like a spider. Breathing grew harder, as the rocks pressed into her chest and air out of her lungs. She just wanted out! Right! Now! The battlefield erupted into a blinding light in an instant, a searing hotness washing over everything. As the light dimmed, the ball of debris was gone, in its stead Rainbow hovered over the ground, energy radiating from her, as she glared down at the Mandarin. “Okay, so you want to play? Let’s play.” Rainbow rapid-fired punches at the man shattering his armor and ripping his suit to shreds. When the smoke cleared, there stood the Mandarin stripped of all royal regalia and his chest bared to the world. To his credit, he looked more amused than anything else and was glowing with an aura of his own. He seemed to accelerate as the Spin ring glowed a bright green, and no that wasn’t right Rainbow realized. Time around her was slowing down. And yet because of this, he might as well have gained the ability to move faster than her. He was rapid-firing punches like a Jojo character complete with his own war cry. He was now to the left of her and kicking her down the street. She bounced several times smashing into the pavement, before rocketing upwards to gain some height. The Mandarin followed, the Daimonic ring glowing again as he gave a cocky grin. His own personal gravity bent to his will, and he was floating. “Yeah yeah, I get it, you’re going all Chinese Kung Fu Jesus on me,” Rainbow said as the two flew up above the city. “Big deal. Whoopee de-do. I’m still going to rip those rings off your fingers.” One of the Mandarin’s rings glowed, and Fin Fang Foom flew out of a portal with fangs and claws bared as the dragon snaked around Rainbow and bound her up like he was a constrictor snake. In a house in Canterlot, sat a girl glued to the TV who could only watch as trails of light ripped through the sky. She prayed to whatever god that was listening that her mother would survive this fight. “Come on Mom, you can do this… You got this…” Scootaloo said to herself, on the edge of her seat. Rainbow had freed herself with another energy burst and was gunning for the Mandarin. Time slowed down once again as the world ground to a halt. Fist met face, and both Rainbow and the Mandarin slammed into each other skin bursting and blood flying. Time resumed and both flew backwards a bit. Another hole in reality was opening up her, and the Mandarin slowed down time once again and threw her into it. “You SEE? I CAN KEEP UP WITH YOU! THE WORLD DOESN’T NEED YOU!” the Mandarin screamed, all around them was a great expanse of nothing. No stars, no lights, just a void of darkness. “I AM THE ONE WHO WILL LEAD IT INTO THE NEW ERA!” “And you’ll do it through fear, anyone who steps out of line? What happens to them, then?” Rainbow said, suddenly finding herself without power. With a dark horror, she realized her binary state didn’t work in here. “You’ll keep on killing and killing until only those who agree with you are left. What does that say about you huh? You’re not some bright new visionary, you’re just a tyrant. A rabid dog who needs to be put down.” “I am…” “What the world needs? Good grief,” Rainbow said, floating backwards to dodge a blast of fire. “Give it a rest, the people are afraid of you. You’re not helping to advance the world, you’re only dragging it backwards. What does it take TO GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL!?” Her last resort, a pistol strapped to her side. She fired, blasting the Mandarin’s finger clean off. The world rippled and a hole began to grow as Washington called out to her from below. “Damn you… Can’t you see? I just… I just wanted to help…” The Mandarin whispered, clutching his bleeding finger as the Remaker ring tumbled back to Earth. “You’ve seen the state of the world, how…” “Yeah, I know, it’s not perfect but no one man is going to change that,” said Rainbow. “It’ll take all of us, together.” And finally, something seemed to shine in the Mandarin’s eyes as cheers and shouts came up from the streets below. But they weren’t for him. “Yes… you’re right, I finally do see. I see that…” he whispered again. “I see that I’m not the one the world needs. Can you do something, for me?” “...?” “Please, if I can’t change the world, you do it instead,” the Mandarin said, shocking Rainbow. Not that she had much time to think about it, as he kicked her through a closing portal. “The world doesn’t need an adviser. It needs an example, and I am not it.” “Come back, with me!” Rainbow said as she began to fall. “To a prison cell or a firing squad?” the Mandarin said, shaking his head. “No, I don’t think so. The world doesn’t want me, they want you. Now go, do what I couldn’t. Change the world, Rainbow Dash. Be a Marvel. Goodbye.” He had just enough time to smile before the wormhole closed and Rainbow shut her eyes, tears stinging her face as she fell with energy spent. She fell faster and faster and faster… Then, darkness.
