Bang!
Watching Hawkeye still struggling and causing headaches for everyone nearby, Artoria shrugged, stepped up, and punched him with precisely controlled force, sending him flying three meters. Everyone froze.
"Look, since he's mind-controlled, just knock him out—problem solved."
No matter how Artoria explained, the label of 'violent woman' seemed permanently stuck. She didn't care. She dismissed her holy lance and drew the Adamantium blade she'd recently forged. Time for a proper workout: a sword of nearly fifty jin felt weightless in her hand. More Chitauri surrounded her; she raised the blade and slashed, not even using much strength. It cut like tofu—Chitauri and weapon alike were cleaved in two.
"Such a sharp weapon—is it a katana?"
Natasha, standing nearby, had a much easier time with both Tony and the powerhouse Artoria beside her, plus the black-and-white Spider-Men forming a twenty-meter perimeter, defending while attacking at leisure. Artoria's new weapon reminded her of Hawkeye's; though he used arrows, he handled a blade well. Hers resembled his, though his was longer and more curved.
"It's a mò-dāo—you can call it a Tang blade. And it cost a fortune!"
Thinking of those dozens of jin of Adamantium, Artoria's mouth twitched. Even she felt the pinch; she'd hoped for twin blades, but the metal had only stretched to one. Without 'black-eats-black' acquisitions and a bit of 'borrowing,' she couldn't have afforded it—upgrading the hyperion was out of the question, far too extravagant.
"Hey, folks—sorry I'm la—who's this?"
While chatting with Natasha, Captain—who'd been directing Police evacuations—finally returned, smashing one Chitauri aside with his shield. Spotting the newcomer Artoria, and glancing at Gwen and Spider-Man, he curiously asked.
"Artoria Stark. Pleased to meet you."
"Oh! I'm Steve Rogers. Nice to meet—"
Hearing the name Stark, Captain America blinked, but the battlefield was no place for small talk—especially with a familiar behemoth approaching.
"What are you doing, Hulk?"
"┗|｀O′|┛ Aargh—!"
"Something's wrong with the big green guy."
Spider-Man was first to be sent flying. Tony watched, furious, but Artoria saw the problem: Hulk's eyes weren't right—only the whites showed, faintly glowing. Now Hulk lunged straight at her.
"Captain, no time for pleasantries. See that big portal? Take Thor and close it—fast."
She'd almost blurted 'Cosmic Cube,' but dodged Hulk's pounce and bit her tongue. She outlined the plan: let her hold the line here while the two of them handled the sky. Stark Tower no longer felt as menacing, yet her instincts screamed that danger was right beside her.
"Roger."
Hesitating only a second, Captain deemed her plan sound, shouted to the airborne Thor, and sprinted toward Stark Tower.
"You go too—all of you. I'll handle him."
"Bro, you as well."
Artoria told Gwen and Natasha. Gwen hesitated, nodded, and swung away with Natasha in tow. Tony had meant to stay and guard his kid sister, but when little sis gave orders he obeyed, hauling up Spider-Man and leaving. Now only the possibly mind-controlled Hulk remained; after Artoria dodged his pounce he crouched motionless.
"Still hiding, unknown 'guest'?"
She casually chopped down a few reckless Chitauri, pocketing a handful of saint quartz fragments without breaking stride, then slashed at thin air—her instincts told her someone was there, and they meant her serious harm.
"You're interesting, little girl."
Proxima Midnight stepped from stealth, eyeing the scrap of cloth sliced from her suit, wondering how Artoria had seen through the stealth tech—technology far beyond this Planet's level.
I hate what people call me.
Seeing that software, which looked neither Asgardian nor Mutant—purely alien sci-fi—Artoria's eyes flashed with wariness. It was, after all, her interference that had altered the plot. As the Ancient One had warned, as an anomaly, even if she did nothing, the world would shift simply because she existed. This blue-skinned alien woman was the butterfly effect stirred by Artoria herself.
Artoria dared not confirm, dared not even consider, that if this ripple was caused by her very existence, then when the time came to fight Thanos the difficulty might jump straight from hard mode to hell mode—something she refused to accept.
Very well, madam. I'd thought this Planet held nothing of worth, but the moment I saw you I knew I was wrong. You are qualified to join us. I believe the great 'Emperor of the Universe,' Lord Thanos, would agree. Therefore, I now invite you to join our ranks.
Her words stunned Artoria. She'd expected a solo duel, not an olive branch. Honestly, it tempted her; with her strength she could easily protect family and friends under Thanos, and that random choice—Thanos himself—had ways to evade it and could be bargained with.
Thanos stood at an absolute theoretical apex, resetting the Universe, and that had nothing to do with Artoria. To put it bluntly, what happened to the Universe was none of her business.
Well? Becoming a vassal of the great Emperor of the Universe is nothing to be ashamed of, madam.
Seeing Artoria waver, Proxima Midnight smiled brightly; though her terrifying skin made the grin look ghastly, it was sincere, and she pressed on.
Sorry—my answer is NO.
Cutting her off, Artoria declared her decision with iron resolve. Proxima Midnight froze; she hadn't imagined anyone refusing Thanos's recruitment. The smile vanished, replaced by a stern stare.
Why?
Her question made Artoria laugh.
Tempting as your offer is, I refuse—because Father loves nothing more than telling self-important people NO!
She voiced the cringe-worthy line without a shred of shame; after all, this world had no JoJo to sue her for plagiarism. Artoria's flamboyant grin left Proxima Midnight fuming.
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