Heroes Rising Fiction: Tricking the Trickster Part 15.5

Hotwings took a mic from the robot and spoke as he waved to the crowds. “It is with great pride that we accept this. Our opponents were fierce. I wanted to personally thank The Wizard for both contributing to this battle and for being instrumental in helping defeat the villain Spirit of...”

“ENOUGH OF THIS!” Midgardsormr shoved Hotwings aside and grabbed the mic from him. He spoke into it while glaring at the lines of heroes waiting for their moment in the spotlight. “Our victory came today because your most favored team of heroes RAN FROM BATTLE! YES, EARTH, THE HEROES YOU COME TO WORSHIP AND HAVE THE GUTS TO CALL THEMSELVES AVENGERS RAN FROM BATTLE. ONE LOOK AT OUR MIGHT, AND THEY CHANGED DIVISIONS, ALTERED THEIR ENTRY FORMS, AND PLAYED THE SYSTEM SO THEY WOULDN’T HAVE TO FACE US!”

The people in the massive audiences gasped and murmured, some even called out boos. The leagues below were shocked.

Metaphysic and DaMon tried to coax Midgardsormr off the stage, but the giant serpent shoved the heroes over and continued. “COWARDS! ALL OF THEM. THIS MEDAL IS MADE SWEETER KNOWING THE PITIFUL YELLOW STRIPES THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE. TO HELL WITH THE LEAGUES WE CRUSHED IN THIS WAR, IT WAS THE ONE WE DIDN’T FACE THAT TRULY ATTEST TO OUR MIGHT AND GLORY. THANK YOU, AVENGERS, FOR SHOWING US YOUR TRUE COLORS! NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT YOU TRULY ARE, I NO LONGER AM HERE TO DEFEND THIS EARTH, I THINK IT’S ABOUT TIME THE EARTH KNOWS THE POWER OF WMD-BLACK ORDER! AVENGERS, AVENGE THIS!” He threw the mic right through one of the holographic screens, destroying its ability to stay active.

With that, his league followed him off the stage and out of the arena. Most of the heroes there were not sure what to make of this. The Avengers sat, seething, one being held back by two others.

Chaz, EB, and Gar waited for Director Nova to say something. All watched this blustering announcement with a tinge of fear in their eyes.

“Sir?” Gar started. “What do you make of this?”

“I don’t know. The Avengers league did scramble in the end to change divisions, so not to face certain opponents. I didn’t expect anyone to make such a deal about it, but that Midgardsormr is never at a loss for attitude.”

EB asked, “do you think he’ll try something drastic. To show off.”

Gar asked, “would he go and attack the Avengers outside of League Wars?”

“I don’t know. He is hard to predict. He is often a lot more bluster than action. But he is not one to tangle with. We’ll just have to keep our eyes on him. I’m not too concerned just yet.”

Gar pointed out, “They weren’t the only ones who tried to use that loophole to change positions.”

“Regardless, this is just a contest. As long as they do their jobs and keep this planet safe, I don’t care what place they made in League Wars.”

Just then Chaz jumped when his console beeped. “Uh...what’s that? Oh, looks like a message.” He pressed a button on the computer.

Dr. Hostetter’s voice came over the comm, “Doctor Nova...”

“It’s Director.”

“Oh, sorry. Sir, we might have a problem. Come down to my lab.”