Chapter 3: Ravion's Glory

"Bang!"

Ravion teleported directly onto the cruise ship's deck, tension evident in the air.

"Hey, don't move," said Hawkeye, already aiming his bow and arrow at the towering figure.

The archer had just fired a rope arrow to help people evacuate when the sudden appearance of a massive mechanical being interrupted him. Standing three meters tall, Ravion's presence exuded an imposing aura, and the swaddled baby in its arms made the scene even stranger.

The crowd, already frightened by the chaos around them, instinctively backed away, leaving Hawkeye and Ravion to confront each other in an uneasy standoff.

"Sorry, we mean no harm," Ravion said, raising a hand to signal its peaceful intent.

Hawkeye hesitated but lowered his bow slightly when his eyes fell on the baby. The swaddled child, with its chubby face peeking out, didn't scream "villain" to him.

"Can't say I've ever seen a big guy like you carting around a baby to wreak havoc," Hawkeye remarked, finally relaxing his stance. Years of SHIELD training had prepared him for the bizarre, but even this felt like a stretch.

"Everyone, keep moving! Single file off the deck!" Hawkeye barked, waving the crowd along before turning back to Ravion.

"Hey, big guy, care to help us out?" he asked, eyeing the mechanical being's apparent strength and teleportation abilities.

Ravion's glowing eyes turned toward the distant black storm clouds. "I'm sorry, Mr. Barton. I understand your intentions, but Alioth is approaching. Your efforts will be in vain."

Hawkeye's confusion deepened. "Who's Alioth?"

Ravion's mechanical voice resonated, calm yet grim. "The black cloud you see on the horizon. Alioth is a temporal pRaviontor. It consumes everything in its path. This place—" Ravion gestured around—"is the Void, the end of time. No one escapes Alioth."

"What are you talking about?" Hawkeye asked, brow furrowing as he glanced toward the storm clouds.

Ravion explained, "Your ship has been pulled out of your universe. This is a dumping ground for things the Time Variance Authority deems dangerous to the timeline. Alioth enforces their judgment by devouring everything here."

The explanation sent a chill down Hawkeye's spine, but he was quick to adapt. Years of life-or-death missions demanded it. Tapping his earpiece, he called the rest of the team.

"Team, we've got a problem here. Can anyone explain how we ended up in... wherever this is? And don't tell me someone just drank too much saltwater."

Iron Man's voice crackled through the comms. "I didn't drink saltwater, but I may have sipped something stronger. Where's the enemy, though? Can't punch what I can't see."

"Focus, Stark!" Captain America's firm tone came next. "I'm fighting alongside Thor and Hulk against some heavily armed forces. They don't look friendly."

Black Widow chimed in, "It's not just armed forces. Someone used what looked like a temporal beacon to create a portal. After they left, a flash of light brought us... here."

"Boom!"

The transmission was interrupted by Hulk smashing into the cruise ship's deck, leaving a massive crater before rolling off into the dirt. Moments later, Thor staggered into view, wielding Mjolnir. He rose into the air, summoning thunder to strike his green comrade.

"Sorry, comrades!" Thor called, clearly slurring. "Hulk and I were merely... sparring. A friendly bout of honor!"

Captain America's stern voice cut through. "Sparring? Thor, thousands of people are in danger because of your so-called honor! Pull yourself together!"

Thor laughed drunkenly. "Relax, Captain. We've faced worse. What's one more scrape with doom?"

John Lang, nestled safely in Ravion's arms, sighed at the chaos unfolding. "They're drunk. That explains everything."

Ravion nodded solemnly. "Indeed. Their actions have disrupted the timeline in a significant way. The Time Variance Authority intervened, but your team's interference complicated matters, leading to the entire ship being pruned to the Void."

"Pruned? So this is like some cosmic trash bin?" Hawkeye asked incredulously.

"More like an execution ground," Ravion corrected. "Alioth ensures nothing escapes."

The archer's face hardened as he processed the grim reality. "How do we stop it?"

"You don't," Ravion replied. "My advice is to run. Save who you can. Supplies are limited here, and survival isn't guaranteed."

Before Hawkeye could respond, Ravion vanished, teleporting into the cruise ship's luxury shopping mall. It wasted no time gathering essentials—diapers, formula, food, and blankets—all bundled into a makeshift pack slung over its shoulder.

"Ravion," John Lang's voice cut through their telepathic link. "I need Thor's genes."

Ravion paused. "Thor's?"

"Yes," John Lang explained. "His Asgardian lineage could hold divine power. Copying his genes might enhance my mutant abilities."

Ravion hesitated. "Understood, but I have a request in return. There are ten individuals here—pure of heart and untainted by this chaos. I wish to save them."

The baby fell silent for a moment before replying. "Ravion, you're not my servant. You're free to make your own choices. I won't stop you."

The Sentinel's glowing eyes softened, reflecting a humanity it shouldn't have possessed. "Thank you, John Lang. But I sense hesitation in your thoughts."

The child sighed. "I am human. Selfish desires come naturally to us, and suppressing them is what we call strength. But you, Ravion, you are beyond us. Your choices reflect the best of humanity."

"I appreciate your trust," Ravion said.

Before the conversation could continue, a deafening roar echoed as the black storm of Alioth loomed closer. Ravion turned, determination burning in its eyes. "John Lang, hold tight. Let's do what we can—for those who still have hope."

With that, Ravion teleported back into the chaos, ready to defy the storm and claim a small victory against the Void.