43 Chapter 41: A DC Universe
After having finished their bath, Ethen and Natasha decide to visit the dwarves, since Natasha found some faults with her 'Dark Star' Armor. As they walk into the forge, they hear marry sounds of people partying. On the second floor inside of the dwarves secret workshop, they find Wanda, Sindri, Brok, and Pikapool drinking, gambling and partying.
''Is there a reason to party, that I am not aware of?...'' Asks Ethen, as he finds Pikapool once again drunk. ''... Didn't you already have enough liquor in your system?''
''I will never have enough...'' Looking at his trembling hand, Pikapool asks himself. ''... My blood/alcohol ratio is all good... Why is their blood in my alcohol anyway?''
That said Pikapool once again topples over, once again instantly falling asleep. Seeing the cute snorting mouse, Wanda comments. ''Ow, look how cute he is!''
''This isn't cute. This guy definitely drinks too much...'' States Natasha. ''... I think we should ban hard liquor for now until he is sobered up.''
''Stay away from my precious!'' Shout two half-drunk dwarfs in unison.
Shaking his head, Ethen asks them. ''Okay, no ban, but Nat and I are not here for that! There are some issues with her armor. Are you guys sober enough to fix it?''
''I have to be dead before I am unqualified to work with metal!...'' Shouts Brokk, downing a large cup of ale. ''... Now let me see the armor and let me hear about your issues.''
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Half a day later, Pikapool finally sober, Ethen decides to finally return to his Multiverse. Not wanting to guard Wanda anymore, Carol forces Ethen to take Wanda along. Wanting to learn more about her lover, Natasha also joins in. Since Tonya has still not returned from her Universe, Pikapool has to stay behind to open the Multiverse Gate for her.
Still not happy about having to stay behind, Pikapool still grumpy about it, tells himself, while opening the Gateway to the DC Multiverse. ''If only I had the Ultron Source code already.''
''Stop complaining...'' He is told by Wanda, who looks more and more like a friendly tourist than a prisoner. ''... This is exciting.''
That said, the Gate opens and the three companions walk right in. Going down his corridor of light, Natasha spots a silver medallion laying in the distance on the floor. Intrigued by it, she separates from Wanda and Ethen to take it.
Seeing Natasha walk away from him, Ethen shouts. ''No, Nat. We have to stay together!''
Not even hearing him, Natasha reaches the medallion. Now up close, she is able to make out three different sized and colored pearls embedded in it, while fetching it off the floor.
Before she knows it, the silver of the medallion is gone and the three pears invade her right hand. The red and yellow pears embed themselves into the outside of her hand, while the blue one into her elbow joint. Fascinated by the pearls, Natasha gets the sudden urge to touch them. The Moment her fingertips are supposed to touch the red pearl, they only touch her own smooth skin. Looking at her right hand now, the pearls are gone like an illusion.
''Nat... Natasha?!...'' Asks Ethen, who together with Wanda have walked over to her. ''... Nat are you okay?''
Pulled out of her head, Natashas eyes refocus. ''Yes!''
Feeling that something is wrong with the woman Wanda asks. ''Are you okay? Really?''
Shooting Ethen and Wanda a genuine smile, Natasha tells them. ''Yes, I am fine. Thanks for asking.''
''You are welcome.'' Say Wanda and Ethen simultaneously, before looking into each other's eyes for a long drawn out moment.
''Oh, stop it will you!'' Scolds Natasha Ethen, while elbowing his chest.
Knowing what he did, Ethen asks innocently. ''What?''
''Stop acting innocent!...'' Tells him, Natasha, before explaining. ''... She is a minor.''
Able to speak for herself, Wanda comments grumbling awkwardly. ''No, I am not. I am 23 years old!''
Shortly after, Natasha, Wanda and Ethen exit the Gateway and arrive in a bustling metropolis, people everywhere hurrying around the bustling streets in between tall otherworldly skyscrapers.
Looking around, surprised, Ethen tells the woman with a huge smile. ''This place somehow feels familiar.''
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While Natasha, Wanda, and Ethen explore the city of New Kandor, Pikapool opens the Multiverse Gate to let Tonya and a guest in. Seeing the woman, he recognizes the female guest. ''AnnaSophia Robb?''
Frowning the woman wearing a female version of Captain America's uniform greets him. ''Hello, Mr. Pool. My name is Sharon, Sharon Rodgers.''
''Which one?... '' Asks Wade, shaking hands with the woman. ''... What is your relationship with Steve Rodgers?''
Looking a bit sad, Sharon tells him. ''He is my grandfather. He and grandma Peggy died a couple of days ago.''
Feeling the sad mood take hold, Tonya asks the fat mouse. ''Anyway... Where are the others? I need to ask Ethen if Sharon here could stay with us for a while since her relationship with the authorities of my reality isn't on good terms currently.''
''Great, another hotty!'' States Pikapool, checking out Sharon's well-proportioned body.
Frowning, Tonya asks. ''What do you mean with another?''
Knowing that he has said too much, Wade simply says. ''I have said nothing!... Nothing about the cute little Redhead named Wanda...'' Seeing an unhappy Carol enter the Gate room, he says. ''... Ah, there you are, Carol!''
Jumping down from the altar, he hides behind Carol to avoid Tony's line of questioning, thinking. -Now you owe me big time Ethen.-
Seeing the unhappy Carol, Tonya asks her. ''Hey Carol... Something wrong?''
''Year. A colony of Skrull refugees needs to relocate again since the planet's authorities have changed their minds about them staying...'' Carol explains. ''... I wish there was a place I could send them to where they could stay indefinitely.''
''How about Prime? It is a universe with a single sun and planet?...'' Asks Tonya, before realizing that she is a bad host to Sharon. ''... Oh, sorry I completely forgot... Sharon, Carol; Carol, Sharon.''
Shaking hands Carol tells Sharon. ''Some people also call me Captain Marvel.''
''Nice to meet you. I am sometimes called Captain America, despite that being by Grandpas alias...'' Sharon tells Carol before both say and nodding simultaneously. ''... Captain.''
Turning to Tonya, Sharon asks. ''Now what was that about a planet called 'Prime'?''
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While Carol, Tonya, and Sharon start planning to find a refugee colony on Prime, Ethen notices something strange about the city of New Kandor. Aside from the many different alien races, that live seemingly peaceful with each other and advanced technology, it is mainly the all-encompassing peaceful atmosphere that creeps him out.
Following along the stream of people through the shopping district, the three tourists reach a huge place with an even larger monument in its center. The moment, Ethen sees the statues on top of the monument, he forgets to breathe.
Looking at the two figures of a man and a woman, Natasha asks Ethen. ''I guess you know them?''
Nearly choking his own tong, Ethen tells her with glossy eyes. ''My mom and my dad...''
Looking up to the monument, Natasha and Wanda see a man wearing a mostly black suit, red cape with additional red applications on his shoulders and arms, most eye-catching the silver 'S' shaped coat of arms nearly identical to Ethens. The woman beside the man breathtaking beautiful like a goddess with her long black hair wearing mostly golden armor.
Walking closer to the monument they get close enough for the woman to read the engraving at the foot of the monument.
-The High Councilor and Lady Diana-
Reading the dedication, the situation turns awkward, as Natasha, Wanda, and Ethen are suddenly all alone on the plaza as a group of armored vehicles come their way with advanced looking machine guns mounted on top...
