Chapter 12

The appearance of the heinous creature caused, unsurprisingly, dread and terror in the hearts of the refugees.

However, Earth's mightiest heroes were ready to defend the helpless masses, if the need arose.

But, other than his quirky remark, addressed at the still stunted Black Widow, the monster … just stood there?

It's one remaining tail, that was not used to support the unstable celling, was hypnotizingly swerving around the beast, almost as if it was … restrained for a while, and finally found a breath of fresh air.

After a few seconds of silence between the avengers and the strange, alien looking creature, it turned Its head and looked in the direction of a cowering mother, with a baby still in her hands.

The mother was quietly praying, but it didn't help all that much at the moment, considering she was stuck in a dead end, with her only way out being where our devourer silently stood.

Then … the creature spoke once again, only this time louder than before and with no amusement found in its tone.

"You … Almost all of you are scared of me … and that's good."

"It means that your brains are functioning just as intended ... it means that some strand of an ancient instinct is still there within you, telling you what to fear."

Then he pointed his bladed tail at the cowering mother, and continued his totally friendly and not morally ambiguous monologue.

"Especially you, you are praying to your god to save you, as if I haven't already..."

"… So, I am telling this to all of you just once, because I don't particularly enjoy repeating myself."

"Even if your instinct is screaming at you to run … there is no need to, for I am … a benevolent Monster."

"How! How can I believe you ...you foul demon!" yelled the mother, tears starting to form in her eyes.

At this, after a last act of lifting the several ton celling with ease, almost as if it was made from styrofoam and not cement, and throwing it over the board, the beast suddenly shifted his form, no longer a frightening creature, but … a little boy?

"Well, I am the world's most honest shapeshifter alive … that's got to count for something, right?" Said the boy, with a smirk slowly forming on his smug looking face.

Only to have his moment abruptly ruined, when an embarrassed Wanda grabbed one of his ears and pulled it up.

"I told you not to be rude, I told you to leave a nice impression … and you go ahead and terrify half of Sokovia's Capital!"

"Ow, ow, ow! Ok! Ok ... I'm sorry …"

"... *sigh*, you better be."

The witch then let go of the boy's ear and gently grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the now confused avengers.

"Everybody, met Victor … he's, uhm, my trusty familiar." Lied Wanda, straight through her teeth.

"Hello, mighty heroes ... nice to finally meet you in person." said the boy, throwing a cheeky smile at each of them.

"...Ok, I will stop you right there. First you were a bird, then an Octopus-human-snake thing, and now you are a kid?" Asked Stark incredulously.

"Yes … what an incredibly observant response, Man of steel, you truly are a genius,"

"Hey, you don't get to be sarcastic right now."

"I most non-certainly wasn't!"

"Clint look, the third party that you were telling me about is just as malicious as you described it, and so scary!"

"...just shut up Steve."

"So … about that treat, I kind of heard about this really underground thing called jellybeans, … I'd say 10 Kilos worth of the stuff is acceptable..."

{… Why jellybeans?}

'Look man, the kid's body had some in his pocket, and they are absolutely, undoubtedly the second-best thing ever.'

{Really … what's the first then?}

'Hunting really powerful prey for sure.'

{I had a feeling you would say that.}

'... and Wanda's hugs, I think …'

{…}

'Don't judge me, okay? They are really warm, and I love warmth.'

{No, I'm not judging you … just a bit surprised to be honest.}

"No uh, not happening, think about your teeth Victor." interrupted Wanda.

"But my teeth can-"

"Still no, I don't want you to get chubby."

"..."

{Hah, the primeval predator can't eat jellybeans because he is a glutton and will get fat. What a worthy title for a Japanese light novel.}

"I can't even get chubby!"

"... alright then, I'll buy some for you on the way back … home."

"Oh, uhm, and where exactly is home?"

"I … I don't know yet, but we'll figure it out, together." she said, gifting my eyes a warm and caring smile.