Naruto In Marvel Universe Chapter 15: Give Me Shelter

The clomping of boots on tile echoed through the hall, accompanied by the clicking of heals, the two synched together in a chorus of a brisk walk towards their destination. His arms folded behind his back, Att-La.s.s had a rather stoic look to his face, seemingly not caring that he was meeting with a fellow captain and one of the current admirals of the Kree fleet over the recent failure of his Atlas Squadron. Walking behind him was his subordinate, Commander Minn-Erva, the woman's face was the perfect display of professionalism, though a gleam of worry could be seen with the ever few but present twitch at the corner of her lips.

Walking through the pair of double doors and the two guards stationed there, the two Kree officers walked into the middle of the office, stopping in front of the desk in the center. Sitting behind that desk was Admiral Cee-Zarr, the look on his standard Kree blue face as Att-La.s.s entered the room showed his age, his frown nearly reaching the patch of greying facial hair on the bottom of his chin. Standing to the side of Cee-Zarr was Captain Kell-Varr, his wavy green locks reaching down to his brow as he gave Att-La.s.s a hard look. The middle-aged captain was one of Kree's top soldiers and Cee-Zarr's right hand man, with many believing him to take the admiral's place when he stepped down.

"I a.s.sume you know why you're here, Captain Att-La.s.s, Commander Minn-Erva." Cee-Zarr said, starting the meeting off rather slowly as he leaned back in his seat, the chair creaking loudly as he did.

Minn-Erva gave a quick nod, "Of course Admiral." Giving a side glance at Kell-Varr "Captain." She said with a nod towards the man.

Att-La.s.s sighed in slight agitation at his subordinate's attraction towards his fellow captain, but let it slide for the moment as he said, "I do, Admiral Cee-Zarr."

The admiral nodded, "You're little…squadron, has caused quite a mess. Their battle with that Uzumaki fellow caused thousands of Units in damages, damages that have been demanded be paid for. Then you have the brutal torture of Gog 'The Knowing,' a Sovereign citizen whom had strong connections with his home world's government. Are you truly that thirsty for battle that you wish for us to start another war while we are at the cusp of ending one that has lasted for generations?"

The captain under question scoffed, "Their 'Gold High Priestess,' may be a proud woman, but not even she would dare attack us over an informant. Especially one with such loose lips from what I've heard. He was a liability; they know it and we know it. As far as their battle with 'The Celestial,' they were simply trying to recover an important Kree artifact that had been stolen by some n.o.body and a rodent and its talking tree. Had he been captured along with them, or at least killed like the rest of his little group, this wouldn't even be a problem." His shoulder grew tight with agitation as he continued, "Now, I don't know about either of you, but to me this little incident has been nothing but embarra.s.sing. An embarra.s.sment I could not let stand. Or do you want our enemies to think of us as weak?" He asked rhetorically.

"We are on the brink of peace captain. We cannot afford you to act so callously. This whole debacle could be considered just as embarra.s.sing as the one you have been trying to rectify by some, some who we are trying to form a pact of peace with." Admiral Cee-Zarr tried to explain, "If you keep undermining these talks, you will ruin everything we have worked for."

"We?" Att-La.s.s asked, "Don't you mean you and your lapdog?" He said while looking pointedly at Kell-Varr, "I have been trying to win a war, not give up when things get monotonous. I'm trying to make sure that we never have to go to war again with these people. Not by putting a barrier of paper between the two opposing sides, but by taking one of those sides out of the equation entirely."

Kell-Varr looked at Att-La.s.s in shock, "You can't be serious? It's talk like that that Morag was destroyed. Do you really wish to follow Roarok's path? Is the fact that his son Ronan is following in his footsteps not enough for you to see how slippery of a slope that is?"

Cee-Zar interrupted Att-La.s.s as he was about to speak, his voice holding a dangerous edge to it as he did, "If you endanger these talks of peace again, I will strip you of your rank and make you wish your fate is as quick as Roarok's was…understood?"

Captain Att-La.s.s narrowed his eyes, he and Cee-Zarr entering a battle of wills through eye contact for several seconds before the captain conceded, "And what of Uzumaki? He's too dangerous to be allowed to roam free."

Cee-Zarr sighed, "I agree. His capturing of Blastaar and his interference with the thief is too high profile for us to simply ignore him. I'll request a bounty be put on his head, dead or alive for twenty million Units."

"Is that all, sir?" Att-La.s.s asked.

The Admiral nodded, "That is all for now, you are to stay grounded until further notice."

"What about Zephyr? The battles there are still quite intense."

Captain Mar-Vell answered that question, "The only reason the fighting on Zephyr continues is because Admiral Yon-Rogg has refused to stand down. Usually this would const.i.tute a court martial, but almost every other high ranking official agrees with the admiral, with me being the black sheep in the situation. That means that the only way to get him to stand down is for me to send my troops, which are currently occupied. The last thing I need is you going off to make the situation worse. You're to stay grounded until the armistice has ended, understood?"

The now admonished captain didn't bother to respond, simply turning around sharply before bursting through the door, Minn-Erva quickly following after him. The commander ran up to her captain's side as she asked, "What now sir?"

The man didn't say a word at first, the two of them exiting the hall into the main part of the building before leaving it entirely. Now finally away from prying ears he spoke, "Contact Ronan the Accuser, see if he's still in contact with the t.i.tan, tell him where the thief is heading, but make it seem like the hit was his idea, can't have it coming back to us, now can we?"

"Of course not sir, right away."

-x-

Location: The Planet Sovereign

-x-

Naruto, looking out Kus.h.i.+na's winds.h.i.+eld, gazed out in wonder at the technologically advanced planet he had just landed in. Darkness had befallen the city, the golden glow of the s.h.i.+ning buildings lighting up the city in a beautiful display. Rain pelted against the M-s.h.i.+p with a rat-tat-tat, purple lightning dancing along the clouds, the wind sc.r.a.ping against the side of Kus.h.i.+na, forcing Naruto to steer against it to keep him from drifting. Bringing the s.h.i.+p down, he landed it onto one of the landing strips littered along the area.

Getting up, Naruto walked down to the lower deck to one of the locker doors. Putting on a brown hooded coat that went just past his upper thigh, he zipped it up to his chest. Walking over to the seated Speed he looked at the screen he was watching.

"Talks between Empress Adora and High Ruler Monn-Arrc continue, though several reports indicate that talks have hit a road block over the Battle of Zephyr. While most fighting has gone on hold, the conflict in Zephyr is escalating by the day thanks to the arrival of Admiral Yon-Rogg, with the Admiral reportedly refusing to cease his invasion of the now decimated moon." The Krylorian news man reported as images of destroyed cities, civilian casualties, and soldier skirmishes, "Civilian casualties count into the hundreds of thousands, and may eventually reach into over a million. The Kree invaded the moon for its strategic purposes nearly five years ago, and is now one of the most intense battles of the Kree/Xandar War. Several key moments including the de facto birth of Drax the Destroyer, who arrived on the moon and was responsible for the death of hundreds of Kree, Sakaaran, Xandar, and Zephyr soldiers before his capture, the ma.s.sacre of 500 Zephyr civilians by Sakaaran soldiers, and the battle between Nova Centurion Guur and Kree Captain Mar-Vell that destroyed half of the city of Zen."

"It's crazy huh?" Speed asked, the man leaning back in one of the chairs with his feet propped up on the table, "The treaty to end the war of all wars hangs on a stupid moon on the border of the Nova Empire."

"Why don't they demand their people enter a cease fire?" Naruto asked.

"They have." Speed answered, "And Yon-Rogg has ignored all orders to stop, with Nova Empire soldiers being forced to fight back in order to prevent them from taking over the moon all together."

"And they don't just take him out…why?"

"Why don't you just do it? I'm still pretty p.i.s.sed I missed all the action a week ago." Kurama grumbled.

"It's a delicate situation. Most people don't believe the treaty will go through, and that Zephyr is too great of a strategic post to simply give up just because it mighthelp the treaty talks go smoother." Speed said.

Naruto sighed, "But it could help end the war. Doesn't that make it worth the trouble of following the cease fire?"

Speed shook his head as he got up, "Not really." Walking over to the bay door he said, "So are we going or what? We finally get to Sovereign and you wanna talk about a war you're not even involved in? Are you gonna miss me that much?"

"No." Naruto said, looking at the screen for a moment longer before turning it off, "You have no idea how happy I am to get rid of you, you curly haired a.s.shole." Opening the bay door he was half way down when a swarm of golden dressed men with laser bolt rifles in their hands pointed at Naruto and Speed's direction, "Well…f.u.c.k."

"I say we blow 'em all away." The Biju said viciously.

"Kurama…just shut up. Jeez."

-x-

Location: Idinis Village of the Planet Interdis

-x-

Heavy footsteps crunched against the dry dirt path that lead into the village of Idinis. The man's dark brown cloak sweeped against the ground, with his hood pulled up to cover his head almost entirely. Looking into the horizon he could see the outline of the village, his trek coming to a halt when he felt a drop of water splash onto his shoulder. Raising his head up, he extended his hand out, just barely catching another drop hit his palm. It was almost immediately after that a downpour of rain came down hard, drenching the man in just a few moments.

Giving a heavy sigh, the man looked around him looking for cover, with his eyes panning over to a small shack a few dozen yards away. With a slow pace, the man made his way to the shack, opening the door slowly. The smell of blood stung his nostrils almost immediately, the life liquid sprayed all over the inside of the shack, with the owner being a man that looked be a Sovereign citizens.h.i.+p, his body brutally beaten and dismembered, with his throat slit open so it deep he might as well of been decapitated. His body having begun to rot, with the local insects beginning to eat away at his flesh, their buzzing vibrating along the small shack.

The man turned when he felt a presence behind him. There, he saw a man with deep orange skin behind him, with an intricate brown robe graced around his person. In his hands was a worn tome with the symbol for the Church of Vastiology carved into the cover.

"h.e.l.lo stranger." The newcomer said cheerfully, "What brings you to a place as…grotesque, as this?" He asked as he looked pa.s.sed the mystery man into shack behind him, a look of mild disgust on his face.

The man waited a moment before say, "Just looking for shelter."

The robed gentlemen nodded sagely, "Of course, of course. Follow me, I have just the place." Turning to his right he began to take a separate path away from the village on the horizon. As the mystery man began to follow him he asked, "So what's your name? Can't be calling you stranger now can I?"

The man was silent for several seconds before saying, "Desak…my name is Desak."

-x-

Naruto allowed himself to be thrown down onto his knees, along with Speed, as they were brought before the Golden High Priestess, Ayesha. The courtroom had a very symmetrical metropolis look to it, with a gold and dark blue color scheme. Sitting in her golden throne that reached up into the ceiling was Ayesha, her lower body seemingly connected to the chair itself, her hands resting gracefully in her lap, with her golden gown looking incredibly frivolous and expensive and her hair kept behind a tight golden helm. Naruto could admit to himself that she was rather beautiful, her unblemished face looking down at them with a perfect royally pampered stoicism.

"May I ask what brings the infamous Speed Cater, recently renowned pest of the Kree Empire, and Naruto Uzumaki, the so called 'Celestial' to my planet?" Her voice incredibly holier-than-thou.

"You didn't get the memo?" Speed asked, "I've been sent here by Gog the Knowing for refuge."

"Is this guy an idiot or what?" Kurama asked, "This guy knows that this lady is the one that'll pretty much decide his fate, right?"

Naruto sighed at Speed's brashness as Ayesha raised a single eyebrow, "Gog the Knowing sent you?" Her eyes then narrowed, "So you're the one responsible for his torture and subsequent death."

For once, Speed's gusto dropped, "I…I never wanted him to die like that or anything. He was a good man, and I'm sorry if my getting involved with him is what killed him…I really am." Speed finished as he looked away.

Ayesha gave a soft hum, "Involved…right."

Naruto made to get up, only for several sets of rifles to swing over into his direction. Raising his hands in what he knew to be the universal sign of surrender, "Look…I'm trying to play nice since I've never been here and I'm not looking to make enemies, but I'm sure you've all heard of what I can do, thus making this show of force pretty stupid." After a quick standoff, the men lowered their weapons after a waving motion from Ayesha, "There we go." Lowering his arms he continued, "Now, I know that you have little to no reason to give this a.s.shole refuge. But, just consider the fact that you'd be making the last act of Gog, a man who's done your planet a huge service, well you'd be making his last act something actually meaningful."

The Golden High Priestess looked down at Naruto, bringing her hand up to rest her chin on. What Naruto a.s.sumed was some kind of advisor leaned down into her ear, whispering nothingness before she swatted him away. Lowering her arm, she said, "I shall grant your request, in honor of Gog if nothing else." Her eye then narrowed, "But…should you break a singleSovereign law, I shall personally place you into Kree hands. Is that understood?"

Speed nodded rapidly, "Yes, yes, thank you!" Getting up, he was then dragged away by one of the guards.

As one of the guards made to take Naruto away, Ayesha said, "Wait…he stays for now." Looking over at Speed one last time she said, "Oh, and Speed Cater?" When Speed made eye contact with her she continued, "I feel I should let you know the most severe of Sovereign crimes." Her eyes narrowed dangerously, "Theft."

With that, Speed was pulled away.

Naruto stood there as this was going on, his hands in his pockets as he looked towards Ayesha. Giving a soft sigh he said, "So…what can I help you with?"

"Is it true how powerful you are?" Ayesha asked, getting straight to the point.

Naruto shrugged as he spoke, "I haven't really paid attention to any of the rumors about me, mind filling me in?"

Ayesha gave an almost delightful smirk, "The rumors that you control the elements themselves, that you can manipulate an energy never seen before, that you can travel in s.p.a.ce like a Herald of the Great Destroyer. The most outlandish is that you're either the sp.a.w.n of a Celestial, or are one entirely."

The blonde warrior shrugged, "I don't know about the Herald thing, but I know for a fact that I'm not related to a Celestial in any way. As far as the manipulating the elements and an unknown energy goes, that's true." He then smirked, "But that description doesn't do any justice of what I can really do."

"Could you…show me?" Ayesha asked, hesitating at the end as she looked at Naruto with clear interest.

Naruto didn't say a word, simply reaching down into his reserves and giving it a flex. The sudden exertion of his chakra out into the world caused a pressure to fall down on the shoulders of everyone in the room. Naruto let that weight rest for a minute, watching in satisfaction as the guards that had tried to manhandle him nearly fall to their knees. Feeling they'd had enough, the ninja finally let up.

Ayesha needed to take a moment to collect herself, allowing one of her handmaidens to dab at the beads of sweat that had rolled their way down her cheek. After giving a silent gulp, she spoke, "That was…incredible."

"Thanks." Naruto said, his eyes closing into his signature squint as he gave one of his megawatt smiles, "But the amount I used is like comparing a pool to a lake. A pool's pretty big, bigger than average actually. But it's nothing compared to a lake."

Ayesha's eyes scanned up and down Naruto's form, "You are truly an impressive creature. Truly, truly impressive." Straightening her back she continued, "How is it exactly you came about such strength? Was it given to you or were you born with such gifts?"

Naruto actually had to take a second to think about that before answering, "Well, I'd say it's about half and half, some I was given some I was born with."

"So, if you were to have an offspring, they would at least have some of your abilities?"

With a raised eyebrow, he answered, "Um…yeah, I guess. Some of them anyway." Naruto put his hands in his pockets, "What's with the questions?"

Ayesha raised her chin up to improve her ability to look down on him, "I have recently come to the conclusion that I have reached the prime age for rearing a child of my own. Usually, we would artificially conceive the offspring, but I've pondered the idea of going about it the more…primitive method. The only problem with this is that I'm now in need of the other half of the equation, the paternal half to be exact."

"Oh s.h.i.+t…" Kurama mumbled, catching what Ayesha was putting down.

The priestess continued, none the wiser to Kurama's musings in Naruto's head, "And I think I've found that half." Batting her eyes slowly she finished, "That is if you except my offer of course."

"Yeaaahh…" Naruto said, rubbing the back of his had awkwardly, "No thanks."

The silence in the room was thick enough to be cut out with a knife, with Ayesha's smile dropping like a ton of bricks, leaving her face in an ugly frown, "What?" She asked, her voice holding a subtly dangerous edge to it.

"I said…no?"

"No?"

"Yup."

"I see." Ayesha said, "Well if that's the case, you are free to leave."

"She took that rather well." Kurama said, "I figured she'd get all weird about it. Maybe try and force you into it or something stupid like that."

"I know, right?" Naruto thought. Giving a small bow, he said, "Thanks for letting Speed stay on your planet when you didn't have to. I owe you a solid, so long as it isn't anything dastardly or whatever. You know what I mean?"

The golden skinned beauty gave a small smile, "Of course, I'll remember that Naruto Uzumaki. May you have safe travels."

Naruto gave a slight nod before making his way to the door. As the doors closed behind, the handmaiden to Ayesha's right said, "Pardon me madam, but can we really allow a man of such power to roam around unabetted?"

Ayesha raised a calming hand, "It's fine, a man such as him isn't the kind to look for trouble, I have a feeling it is trouble that always finds him. And even then, I doubt we would be able to take on a man of his caliber without taking heavy, if not crippling, loses. No, that man is much better suited as an ally than as an enemy."

A small smile graced the maiden's lips, "An ally for you madam, or for Sovereign."

The priestess's eyes grew sharp, "Watch your tongue girl, do not forget what I do to those that offend me."

The handmaiden backed off, "My apologies madam."

Ayesha ignore, looking at the place Naruto had stood with great contemplation, the man's show of power still fresh.

-x-

Desak sat in one of the several extra spare chairs, a cup of warm milk in his hands as he sat in front of the church leader. Taking a sip from his drink he waited for the other man to speak.

It didn't take very long for that to happen, "So…what brings you to Interdis, Desak of…" He let the sentence hang, subtly asking him where he was from.

"Zephyr." He answered.

The man nodded slowly, "I see."

Desak s.h.i.+fted in his seat uncomfortably for a moment as they sat in an awkward silence. Finally, he said, "You never told me your name."

A smile spread across the man's' face, "You never asked for it." He said in a joking manner. When Desak gave him a blank stare he decided to comply, "I am Hego, I am the head of this church here."

"Hmm." Desak said with obvious disinterest as he took a long sip of his drink.

"Are you a follower of a church or religion?" Hego asked.

Desak finished his sip as he shook his head, "No."

"Is this a cultural or personal thing?" Hego asked, "Must people in this region practice Vastiology."

Instead of answering, Desak instead asked, "Why has that corpse been left alone for so long?"

Hego raised an eyebrow, "And what makes you think we've left that body there?"

"The shack is very close to the road heading into the village with the smell of blood and rotting flesh that most mortals are unable to ignore is very strong. That and it is clear the body had been moved around from where the blood splattered and where he was resting." Desak said, saying the most he'd said in a long while.

The church head sighed, "I suppose there's no point in hiding it now. Yes, we've intentionally kept from dealing with it."

"Why?"

"Because he was a man full of sin and malice. He took pleasure in other men. That is simply something we of Vastiology cannot condone, even in death."

Desak raised an eyebrow, "So because your religion forbids it, you allow that to keep you from burying a man who's obviously payed for his so called sins?"

"I don't make up the rules, and it is my duty to follow what my G.o.ds demand."

"What your G.o.ds demand…" Desak said quietly.

Hego began to get defensive, "And what would you know of what your G.o.d demands of you? You who have no G.o.d."

Taking one last sip of his drink he began his tale, "I used to be like you. I too was the head of my church, my village praying to the G.o.d Kronnitt. I was a faithful follower. Daily prayers, followed any and all commandments, and punished anyone who didn't with zero prejudice. Then one day, Kronnitt demanded that he get a yearly sacrifice. Then it became monthly, then dayly. Before long, he demanded my own daughter as a sacrifice. And for the first time, I questioned my faith. I debated with my wife, my friends, my community, all of them saying I must kill my only daughter. In my uncertainty, I was visited by a being who called itself The Designate. She offered me a choice, take her gift of power and slay Kronnitt, saving my daughter and any other villagers who would be sacrificed for his amus.e.m.e.nt…or do as my faith demands. And so, I did the thing I thought at the time was the right thing to do. I presented her to him with a smile on my face. But it wasn't enough. It was never enough. And then…and then Kronnitt decided none of us were worthy, and that we all deserved to die by his hand. That was when I was confronted once again by the Designate. Again, she gave me two options. Take her power and slay the ones that have wronged the both of us, or be a good follower and allow myself to die by Kronnitt's hands." Pulling out a necklace around his neck, Desak showed allowed the glowing yellow gem to s.h.i.+ne in the dimly lit church, "The choice wasn't difficult. I used the power trapped in this gem to become the man I am today.

Sweat had begun to run down Hego's temple as he asked the million-dollar question, "And what exactly is it that you became?"

"The G.o.d Slayer...the Annihilator of Pantheons."

-x-

Speed sat in one of the various bars littered along the ghetto region of the city, the blonde-haired man sitting in his wet clothes, the heavy rain having drenched him on the way there, as he waited for his drink to be filled by the bartender. Taking the newly filled gla.s.s into his hands, he was about to take a sip when someone sat down in the seat next to him.

Looking over, he gave a dramatic sigh at the sight of his ex-fellow traveler, "What are you doing in a place like this, Uzumaki?" He asked before taking a long sip of the golden drink.

Naruto shrugged, "I just turned down a queen, or priestess, whatever the h.e.l.l she is. I need a drink." Raising his hand up, he got the bartender's attention, "I'll have what he's having." He ordered, pointing at the man sitting next to him.

The thief raised an eyebrow at that bit of information, but let it go as he gave a snort, "That's not what I meant." Gesturing behind him, he said, "Look around you idiot. You're in a gay bar." Looking him up and down he said, "I didn't know you swung that way. Makes sense if you turning down the priestess is true, even I thought she was hot."

"Me gay? Yeah you wish." Naruto said with a slight laugh, "No, me turning down the priestess was a bit of a been there done that kind of thing, as far as hooking up with royalty goes." After taking a sip he continued, "But it was mostly cause she was wanting to use me as breeding stock. Not really into that to be honest." He said, the last part coming out with a thick layer of sarcasm.

Speed shook his head, "I've said this before, and I'll say it again, you're something else Uzumaki."

"Thanks." Naruto said with a smirk. Taking one last swing of his drink, he got up from his seat, "The main reason I came here was to tell you that I'm gonna be heading over to Zephyr, see what I can do over there." Turning around, he began to walk away, giving an over the shoulder wave as he did, "I'd say it's been fun, but that would be a lie. See ya later Speed Cater, hope we never cross paths again."

Speed raised his gla.s.s, "Cheers to that." He said sarcastically, bringing the gla.s.s to his lips before downing the drink in one go. Giving a quick grimace, he waved over at the bartender for another refill. Now sitting by his lonesome, Speed sat there for several seconds. After a moment, he reached towards the holster at his side, unclipping the latch before pulling out the hydro gun that's started the whole mess to begin with. Looking it over, he mumbled, "I'm sorry Gog. I'm…I'm so sorry."

"Nice gun there." The thief spun around quickly, on instinct pulling the ancient weapon away from the stranger's line of sight. Looking at him, Speed could see that it was a Sovereign man, with standard golden hair combed back tightly on his scalp, with a thin beard wrapped around his jawline. Raising his hands up in surrender, the man gave an amused smile, "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Just couldn't help but notice that hydro gun you got there. Looks pretty old."

The curly haired man gave the stranger a long look before saying, "Yeah…it doesn't work though."

"Yeah, I figured. Those things aren't built to last very long, a few decades max." Nodding towards the empty chair he said, "You mind if I sit there?"

Speed looked the man up and down for a second before shrugging, "Sure, why not."

"Thanks." He said, sitting down he ordered a quick drink, "Names Tat."

"Speed."

"So, what brings you to Sovereign, Speed?" Tat asked.

The man shrugged, "No reason really."

"Really? Most people come to Sovereign to get away from the war, what with it being the closest neutral planet in most galaxies." Tat said matter of factly.

Speed put down his drink, "Alright, what's your deal? What's with all the questions? I'm just a guy that wants to get a drink, get drunk, and maybe get laid. Is that too much to ask?"

Tat smirked, "No…no that's not too much to ask for at all." As he said this, a gleam in his eye appeared that caused Speed to blink, "So, you've had your drink, you look pretty drunk right now. That only leaves getting laid."

The curly haired man shared Tat's smirk, "And where exactly would I find a way to cross off that last item on the list?"

"How about the alley way out back?" Seeing Speed's eager smirk, Tat got up, "Meet me outside in two minutes." With that, he paid for his drink and then made his way to the door.

Speed raised his hand up one last time, getting one last refill. Swinging his head back, he downed it in one gulp, feeling the liquid run down his throat with a sweet burning sensation. Looking at the hydro gun in his hand for one last second, he holstered it. Looking at the time on his Uta to see that two minutes had pa.s.sed. Paying for his drink, Speed exited the bar. Walking into the ally way, he made his way to the back of the bar as he looked up to see that it had stopped raining.

Looking around, he called out, "Hey, you here?" Thinking he heard something behind him, he turned around, only to see nothing there, "h.e.l.lo?" Seeing something out of the corner of his eye, he turned around sharply, pulling out the hydro gun as he shouted, "Hold it!"

The person behind him stopped, with Speed seeing that it was a woman. In the golden haze of the city above, he could barely make out the woman just five feet away from him. She was beautiful, he could say that much, with flawless emerald skin and thick black hair with pink highlights that contrasted her skin tone amazingly. Around her body was a tight black body suit that showed off her curvy features nicely, with a variety of weapons scattered around her person. The woman didn't even bother to raise her hands, instead looking at him with a stare that could freeze lava.

The hydro gun began to click and rattle as his hand began to shake, taking a cautionary step backwards only to feel himself b.u.mp into someone. Quickly getting away from them, he saw it was another woman. This one's skin was a royal blue, with the middle of her head having a darker color of blue run down her face like a stripe. Placed on top of her bald scalp was a piece of metal, with a matching piece running around her eye and the side of her head, giving her a cybertronic look. Her body suit was just as form fitting as the other's, though hers was a dark purple.

Paying attention to the second woman proved to be a fatal mistake for Speed however, as the first woman closed the gap between them with a surprising amount of speed. Quickly pulling out what looked like a cylinder, she flicked out the blade that was hidden inside, the metallic sheeng the blade made as it was extracted quickly being followed by the sound of flesh and bone being sliced through, along with the pained scream of Speed as he clutched the newly made stump that was his arm. As his hand and hydro gun fell to the ground, so did he, his knees. .h.i.tting the wet pavement with a solid splat. He wasn't allowed much time to mourn his lost appendage, as he felt the second woman grab ahold of his throat before he was picked up and slammed into the wall behind him. All he could do was gag in desperation, the woman's surprising strength crus.h.i.+ng his windpipe with brutal efficiency.

This lasted several moments before the first woman spoke, "Nebula, stop playing around and finish him. We still have our other target."

Nebula turned her head harshly, "Don't you think I know that sister?" With that, Nebula twisted her hand, yanking the neck that was in her grasp at an angle, effectively snapping his neck like a twig. Releasing the corpse from her grasp, she didn't bother to watch as it slumped to the ground in a heap. Reaching down, the blue skinned woman picked up the hydro gun. Thunder boomed across the sky as Nebula and Gamora walked out of the ally way, leaving the corpse they created behind.

-x-

Naruto couldn't help but find himself amazed by the bustling city around him. As the storm subsided, the goings on of the city continued with even more fervor. Truly, it was amazing how advanced some of these societies were compared to his world or Earth. Sure, there were a few that were behind the curve, even by his standards, but places like this were a humbling place to be.

"It's funny to think that a good handful of people on Earth don't even believe life elsewhere in the universe exists. And here we are, on a planet that is lightyears away from Earth as far as technology goes. Kinda makes me wish we had a camera, just to shove it in their faces when we get back." Kurama said, he himself impressed by the new world around them.

"Yeah, I know right?" He thought with a smirk.

The blonde continued his walk, his form sticking out of the crowd like a sore thumb on account of most of the people there being golden skinned. The walk was ended when Kurama spoke, "You feel it…don't you?"

"Yeah." Naruto thought, "I count two."

"Same. One of them is spewing out killer intent like a faucet, it's pretty hard not to ignore."

Naruto nodded, slipping out into one of the various alley ways. Stopping in the center, he waited as he began allowed Sage Mode to activate. Checking the kunai strapped to his forearm hidden under his sleeve, Naruto let the two people following him get into their positions, one behind him and another in front, blocking both exits.

Feeling he'd waited long enough, he called out, "I know that you guys know I know you're there, there's no point in trying to ambush me. Might as well show yourselves."

He hadn't even finished his sentence when the one behind him jumped out. Turning swiftly, he pulled out his kunai, raising it up just in time to block one of the blades that was swung down on top of him. Seeing that there was another in their hand, Naruto quickly caught the owner's wrist, stopping the blade just as it was about slice out his stomach. With a quick Spartan kick, he drove his foot into their stomach and sent them flying back. The person attacking him proved to be rather nimble, as they landed in a roll before stopping at a crouch. Quickly turning around, Naruto blocked another blade, this time he was forced to hold his ground as the strength behind it nearly rivaled his own. The two struggled for a second, before she managed to slide her blade back before bringing it down on his torso, cutting him down. The look of victory on the attacker's face quickly fell when Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Gamora and Nebula, famed daughters of the Mad t.i.tan. You know, it says a lot about a person if even Iknow who you are. So, what can I do for two of the greatest a.s.sa.s.sins in the galaxy?" Naruto asked, perched on the side of one of the buildings, looking down at the two a.s.sa.s.sins with a smirk on his face, "Has Thanos finally decided to send someone after the Naruto Uzumaki."

Nebula narrowed her eyes up at Naruto, "I've never heard our father mention you, not once." She said, with Gamora nodding her head in agreement, "We're here because of the contract put on your head."

That caught Naruto's attention, his eyebrow raised in curiosity, "Really? How much am I worth?"

It was Gamora that answered, "Twenty million Units."

That caused Naruto's ego to deflate, "Seriously, that's it? Well that's disappointing." Seeing no reason to continue the conversation, he was about to jump down and finish them when Nebula spoke.

"But it's 200 Million if we bring in you and the thief, and we're already half way there."

That caused Naruto to pause, "So, Speed is…"

"Dead…yes." Gamora answered, with Naruto able to see the regret that managed to worm its way onto her face, if only slightly. Nebula however, the blue skinned woman had a look of sick satisfaction on her face, looking up at Naruto with a bloodthirsty smirk.

"I see."

Nebula's eyes widened as she heard Naruto's voice right behind her, causing her to turn around swiftly, only to get a swift fist to the jaw. The force of it was enough to send her flying several yards away, causing her to land on her shoulder in a splat against the wet pavement. Quickly getting her bearings, she rolled to the side just in time to avoid the foot that came down where her head had once been. The pavement cracked and fissured from the force of the stomp, though Nebula didn't pay it much mind as she was busy getting up to her feet and blocking Naruto's barrage of attacks. Nebula did her best to dodge and strike back with her blades, but it was proving to be quite difficult as Naruto moved with a vicious speed she'd never seen before.

Having enough, the woman gave a roar as she swung the blade in her left hand, with Naruto ducking under it to allow the tip of the sword to hit the metallic wall behind him, the blade carving into it in a flurry of sparks. As Naruto came up from his dodge, he sent two quick jabs towards Nebula's jaw and cheek, the woman unable to block, the pair of punches causing her to stumble back. Naruto, about to keep up the attack, was forced to dodge to the side as Gamora swung down on his person. The woman gave a battle cry as she thrusted her sword into Naruto's midsection, only for him to break apart in a vast burst of electricity thoroughly shocking Gamora and nearly driving her to her knees.

Nebula, having watched the skirmish, was unable to look for the now missing blonde, as a pair of hands wrapped around her the underside of her jaw. Before she knew it, she was being picked up and thrown over Naruto, the blonde warrior then bringing her down head first to the ground below, the force of it driving half of her head into the pavement. Turning from his handy work, Naruto threw a spin kick into Gamora's temple, nearly dropping her to the floor from the power behind it.

Naruto smirked as he waited for the two of them to get up, "You guys are pretty good, I'll admit. I haven't had a fight like this a good while, feels good to cut loose."

Gamora straightened up, holding her head gently as she said, "I can say the same."

Nebula finally got up, glaring b.l.o.o.d.y murder at the blonde, "I'm going to take great pleasure in ending your life."

His smirk getting wider, Naruto spoke, "You're welcome to try, Smurfette."

The woman didn't bother looking confused at Naruto's name for her, instead charging forward like a feral beast. With a renewed vigor, Nebula swung her blades around with barely contained skill, the air whistling off their edges as they zoomed pa.s.sed the dodging Naruto, blocking what he could with his wind infused kunai. The sounds of clas.h.i.+ng metal and flesh was all that could be heard in the alley way, echoing across the parallel buildings in a nearly hypnotic chorus. Naruto did his best to keep her at bay, going for places he knew would slow her down. But with each bone he heard brake, for each elbow or knee he felt nearly snap, the areas would seem to s.h.i.+ft and fix themselves as she continued her barrage. Feeling he had to test just how durable she was, Naruto sent a strong kick to her abdomen sending her flying back. Forced to roll, Nebula came to a stop in a crouch, looking up as she was about to go back into the fray, only to seeing Naruto was already in her s.p.a.ce with his fist drawn back with a blue energy wisping along his fist.

The force from the attack sent a shock wave through the alley way, causing the various puddles littered along the ground to ripple harshly, with Nebula finding herself wedged in a wall. The metal warped around her, it helped her stay propped up inside preventing her from falling face first to the ground below. Gamora, who had watched the fight, looked at her sister's p.r.o.ne body in complete shock. n.o.body had ever beaten her sister so easily before.

She raised as brow at Naruto, the warrior not bothering to try and finish Nebula off while she was down, "Why aren't you going for the kill, surely you're not that n.o.ble?" She pondered out loud.

Naruto, who was currently stretching out his arms for the next fight, raised a brow at Gamora, "Do you want me to kill her?"

Gamora narrowed her eyes at him before she charged, her sword poised to strike him down. As she swung it down, Naruto blocked it with his kunai. The two of them entered a sword lock, their faces just inches apart as they stared into the other's eyes, "My father trained us to take every opportunity we could, to kill whenever the opening showed itself, to never show mercy not even to your allies."

Naruto's own eyes narrowed as he looked at Gamora, "It sounds like he's trying to make you into a living weapon." He said, the image of Haku flas.h.i.+ng into his mind.

"That's exactly what we are. The children of Thanos are the weapons of Thanos. We kill in the name of our lord, no matter who they are. We have no prejudice, no fear, no hesitation. We are an extension of his will." Gamora said, her words coming off almost as a recitation.

"Is that really what you think of yourself? As some mindless tool?" Naruto asked, pus.h.i.+ng into the lock causing Gamora to start taking steps backward, "That's f.u.c.king stupid! n.o.body is just a weapon, you're a person, with your own desires and ambitions."

With a surprising show of strength, Gamora shoved Naruto back, swinging her blade wildly, "You don't know anything! The things I've done, the things I'll do…I don't deserve anything else! We are what our parents make us!"

"But he isn't your father, is he? Not really anyway." Seeing her shocked face he continued, "You want to know the thing about weapons?" Engaging her in another dance of clas.h.i.+ng blades, Naruto blocked and parried as he waited for the opening he needed before throwing his hand out and catching her blade in between his thumb and the rest of his hand. With a quick twist of his hand, Naruto snapped the sword in two, "The thing about weapons is that when a weapon breaks, it loses its usefulness." Punching her in the face he continued, the woman sent sprawling to the ground, "And that's exactly what will happen to you. One of these days, you'll break. And when that happens, I can't see a guy like Thanos keeping you around for very long. Is that really the kind of life you want? To fear the day you're killed the moment you're no longer a tool but a burden?"

Gamora listened to every word, huffing as she mulled over Naruto's words. As she was about to speak, she saw her sister move. Having gotten herself out of the hole she made seemingly unnoticed, she had snuck up behind Naruto with a dagger poised in her left hand. As she noticed Nebula however, so did Naruto, the grip on his kunai tightening as he began to add even more wind chakra to the blade.

"Nebula, no!" Gamora shouted, raising her hand out towards her sister as she was about to bring her dagger down on Naruto's neck. This proved fatal.

"AAUGH!" Nebula screamed, clutching her left shoulder in pain as she fell to her knees in utter agony. Shaking from both pain and fury, she collapsed down on her good side, looking down at her now severed arm, the dagger that had been in her grasp now laying uselessly in her limp hand. Tears began to roll down her eyes, her mouth agape as the pain shooting through her shoulder finally caused her to pa.s.s out.

Still poised from his strike, Naruto watched with a frown on his face at the downed daughter of Thanos. Looking over at Gamora he said, "I'm sorry about that, but this kind of thing has to be expected in this line of work. Hopefully she doesn't hold a grudge." He finished as he robbed the back of his head, "Look…I meant what I said. You don't have to be the daughter of Thanos. You can just be…well, Gamora. Think about it." With that, he disappeared in a Body Flicker, leaving behind the mess he had created.

-x-

The sound of a crackling fire echoed throughout the dimly lit forest, lighting up the area in an eerie orange hue. Inside the blazing inferno, among the cracking timber, was the body of Gog the Knowing. His lifeless body laying upon the bon fire as the fire ate at his flesh and bone. Standing next to the fire was Desak, the smell of burning flesh not seeming to bother him in the slightest as he gazed down at the deceased man.

"May your travels through the other realms be lacking in burden and hards.h.i.+ps. May your next life be free of pain or suffering. May your time among the G.o.ds give you incite and clarity." Desak mumbled as he clutched at the gem hanging from his neck.

"Is that a prayer?"

Not bothering to turn around, he said, "Yes."

The person behind didn't say anything at first, simply nodding at the other man's answer. Before long they said, "I don't mean to interrupt…but have you by chance seen a man named Hego? He runs the church not far away from here and we were supposed to have a meeting, but he wasn't there."

Desak spoke after a few seconds, "He's dead."

"Whwhat?" The man asked, clearly startled by the answer.

"I murdered him." Desak clarified, still not looking at the man as he spoke, simply listening as he heard him stutter for a few seconds before running away, more than likely to inform the authorities.

Giving one last look at the now falling apart corpse before walking away, continuing his quest to find the so-called Celestial.