11 Chapter 9

Melizandr POV

The last few months have certainly been eventful. Long story short, I have become quite a bit of a celebrity. Let me explain, it all started with a conversation with Tony who put the idea forward, It was meant to be sort of PR stunt, to make the public more receptive towards me and any other aliens that may or may not arrive on Earth. Loki's invasion had sown fear and distrust towards aliens in the hearts of the common man and they may react negatively should another alien race makes contact with Earth even if they do come in peace. And as the resident alien besides Thor who already had a decent reputation because of the Norse Mythologies, I was the best person to do it . It also helped that I already had fans both in the form of people I have directly saved and the 'internet simps' as Tony called them.

I was first taken to a press conference where they held a little meet and greet for me. It was originally meant for the entire Avenger's roster but aside from Tony, the other had declined for one reason or the other. Steve said he wasn't prepared to answer some of the harder question the people would have. Though I strongly suspect that it was because Stark wanted him to perform one of his old performances when he was selling war bonds. Thor was still off world so he probably would be a no show. And Natasha and Clint were secret agents so obviously they would say no. Honestly, I'm surprised that their employers haven't been trying hide their involvement. So that left me and Tony who later decided to use the press conference for my official public debut. He then spent the days until the press conference to coach me on public speaking etiquettes, what to say and what not to say to make people feel more comfortable towards me and many more.

I went to the Press conference and was met with a crowd of photographers and journalists as well as ordinary civilians. My appearance made the room erupt into people trying to talk over one another until I silenced the crowd by raising my hand. "I shall do my best to answer any and all questions that you have as such is the purpose of this conference. So why don't we try to begin without any interruptions." I said before taking a seat at the central podium.

The conference went better than I hoped. I had simply given a brief introduction of myself, talked a bit about Tamaran and vaguely talked about how I got here. After that, I let the press, ask their questions.

"How did you get your powers?"

"Most Tamaraneans are able to fly since birth. The other powers however, I got after a life threatening experience."

"Will you share your technologies with Earth?"

" I'm afraid that I didn't arrive on Earth with any type of tech and I am not really well versed in any technological areas even that of my people. Even if I were, there are intergalactic laws that prevent me from imparting them to less technologically advanced planets.

"Is there any chance that Tamaran will declare war on Earth?"

"No. Tamaraneans, while a warrior race, prefer to remain peaceful with other races. As such they would not seek war with anyone especially not with the planet that granted Asylum to one of their royalties.

"Where have you been staying since you came to Earth?"

"I'm afraid I cannot tell you as my 'landlord' probably want to avoid public attention."

"Why have you been travelling across the planet?"

"This is my first time in another planet and I wanted to go sight seeing."

"What are your thoughts on the current political scene of America?"

"As I am still unaccustomed to political aspect of this planets nations, I choose to remain neutral when it comes to the matter of politics."

"Can you eat human foods?"

"Yes. I can. I especially like mustard and pizza."

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"No I am single at the moment."

"Whats your cup size?"

"Some where between C and D"

These were just some of the questions I was asked. Other people had tried to get a rise out of me by making baseless accusations or tried to twist my words but thankfully, Tony's teachings helped me move around those questions. Of course it didn't end with the conference as Tony made several social media accounts in an effort to further boost my reputation. At times it even felt a bit excessive but I appreciated his efforts.

Things seemed to die down a bit after a few more months and thanks to Stark funding, New York had been completely rebuilt. I watched newly repaired late at evening before flying away the city. I had been neglecting my training a little so I wanted to go and train by myself away from civilization. Of course I could gone to back to the Himalayas but I find that an occasional change in scenery prevents my routine from becoming monotonous.

I flew to a beach isolated by hills and began setting up. I had taken the liberty creating magical practice dummies with the help of other sorcerers and even the monks of Kun Lun. The sorcerers gave them artificial life and helped the monks imprint their skills in to the dummies. These dummies provided me with sufficient amount of challenge without me having to hold anything back when fighting them. They also had several enchantments that made them fairly durable against my attacks. I spent the next few hours sparring with the dummies before changing into a swimsuit and taking a swim in the ocean. I then sunbathed on the beach to dry myself off and to to replenish the energy I expended over the course of the day unaware that I was being watched.

Pirate Captain(Who is obviously a cannon fodder who wont live past this chapter) POV

"You sure we cant keep her , boss? Its been a while since we had since me and the boys had some 'fun'. I mean just look at her. No wonder someone's paying half a million units for her." He heard his first mate speak with barely concealed lust. And he knew that the others were also in the same exact situation. Even he myself had to control myself lest he forget his mission. Business has been stagnating these days with Xandar, Shiar and even the Sovereigns had raised their guards all because of that accursed Kree, Ronan the Accuser. It has been almost a year since he had last had a decent bite to eat that wasn't the processed nutrient goop they had to recycle from their excrements. They couldn't even make port since they didn't even have enough units to bribe a guard like they had done so over the years. So when the Collector personally came to him with a job, he knew he couldn't afford to screw it up. Even if all he wanted to do whenever he looked at the gorgeous woman infront of him was to break her and turn her into a plaything for him and his crew. The Collector wanted her unharmed and unspoiled and he would deliver even if he earns the ire of his crew.

"Enough. Prepare to attack on my signal." I barked as I powered up my armour and sonic rifle.

"Come on. Its just one bitch. Do we really have to go through all this just for a one girl." The first mate spoke once more but readied himself anyway.

"Did you not read the dossier I uploaded about her. Do not underestimate her". The captian replied with barely controlled rage.

"Again. Its only one person. I can do this with my eyes closed. Watch this " he said before charging at their target by himself.

"No! Don't...." the Captain tried to stop him but failed.

Melizandr POV

The first sign that something was wrong came when I heard something huge riding towards me from the direction of the hill. I got up to find a 15 ft humanoid robot with telescopic arms and stubby legs stomping towards me. The attacker in question raised its arms and they began slithering towards me. I somersaulted over the arms before firing a charged starbolt that hit his chest and managed to knock him on to his back. He then began to use the arm to try and hoist himself back up which, unfortunately for him, left himself completely vulnerable to me. I flew down next to him and formed an energy blade made from the combined energies of my starbolts and Eldritch magic. And then with a single horizontal slash, the blade extended cutting through the arms like with barely an effort.
The now literally disarmed mech fell back down with a loud 'thunk'. Not long after the cockpit hissed before opening revealing a purple skinned humanoid alien with small spikes over his body. He came out holding an energy rifle, his face filled with fear as he opened fire on me.

I dodged the first few shots before I fired a small starbolt at the weapon causing it to explode before he could fire another shot. I then grabbed him by the neck and lifted him off the ground before bringing to my eye level.

"Talk! Who are you and why have you attacked me?" I demanded as my free arm was glowing threateningly.

"The.....there is a bou....bounty on your head." the alien replied with fear.

"By whom.?" I asked once more but before he could answer, he was shot through the head spraying his blood over me and his mech. In a panic, I let go of his corpse and looked for the shooter. I spotted the said shooter ontop of the hill, accompanied by 7 others. Each wearing robotic exosuits just like the first one but different variety of weapons.

I fired several starbolts at them before flying closer. They attacked me with electrified nets, rockets and other projectiles which I evaded before flying into one of the robots. I lifted it off the ground and held it in front of me as the others opened fire on me. I then increased my speed with the robot still in my grasp before ramming it into another one of it's companions putting both of them out of commission before evading a large hammer swing from one of the other attackers.

I then conjured a pair of Eldritch blade then stabbed it into the where the cockpit was.

I then channeled a starbolt through the blade causing an explosion within the suit before it fell silent. I then grabbed its hammer before bringing it onto the cockpit for good measure.

The surviving attackers began to regroup while providing suppressive fire for their slower teammates. I tried to advance towards them only to overwhelmed by their attacks and even got shot twice, forcing me to back away. One was in my right arm above my gauntlet and the other just below my ribs. Thankfully, my armour absorbed the brunt of the attack but even if it hadn't, I probably wouldn't have suffered much damage considering they were using non lethal rounds. Whoever hired them needed me alive.

I kept my distance looking for an opening while the surviving attackers were huddle together, most likely try to formulate a different plan of action when we heard a boom from the sky.

I looked up and saw a flaming object coming right at us. The attackers ceased firing and put up a barrier while I myself placed at barrier around my self tried to keep away from the epicenter of the would be crash zone.

The object hit the ground with a loud boom, sending tremors and dust everywhere. I cautiously waited for the dust to settle while keeping my guard up. A few minutes later, the dust began to clear up and the first thing I saw was my attackers who were behind their barrier seemingly unscathed. I then spotted the thing responsible for it all. It was a heavily damaged spaceship.

I was about to go an get a closer look when it hissed open and a gigantic robotic figure stepped out, armed to the teeth as its mechanical eyes fell right on me with what looked like a smug smirk.