Daughter Dearest

twenty-four

Venus, Vaggie, Husk, Angel Dust, and Sir Pentious were standing in the lobby when green glowed brightly before seeping into the walls of the hotel, halting the conversation. They thought Venus wanting to fight was suicide.

Perhaps it was. But she wasn't going to let everyone in the hotel be sitting ducks. 

At the glow, Vaggie made her exit prompt, leaving the other four behind. 

“Just think about it — they're indestructible. The fuck are we gonna do against angels?” Husk questioned Venus. 

The Goddess stared at him, quickly becoming irate. What weren't they understanding?

“Right now on this property there are three gods, three trained assassins, three geniuses, two super soldiers, a telekinetic, someone with super speed, and an android who has power unknown to mortals — even if we can't kill them, we can damage them or capture them. . . Nothing can be truly indestructible.” 

Before anyone could say anything, Charlie and Alastor entered the lobby, the princess of Hell wordlessly going to hug Venus before they walked out the front doors of the hotel. 

When Vaggie reappeared, walking down the stairs, she was met with a confused Angel Dust and an intrigued Venus. She could sense that something had happened. Something big. 

"So-ho, uh. . . Alastor and Charlie just left like they were runnin' away from their responsibilities. Should we be alarmed?" Angel questioned. Venus could hear the slight nervousness in his voice, as though he was attempting to play it off. 

"No. We have a plan, but it includes defending ourselves against the angels." Vaggie replied, looking to the goddess who made a motion as if to say 'see!'. 

It had to have been national 'don't listen to the woman who has looked death in the face and laughed' day. 

"Uh— are you fuckin' high?" Husk asked. 

"They can be killed—" 

"Yeah! That knife lady, Camaro Carfight, killed one." One of Sir Pentious' Egg Bois cut Vaggie off. 

"Wait, you knew about this?" She questioned, getting down to his level. 

"Oh, yeah. I told Boss about it months ago." The same one replied. 

Vaggie turned to Sir Pentious, shock and mild irritation dripping from her tone. "He what?" 

"What? They say insane shit all the time! how was I supposed to know this one was true?" Sir Pentious defended himself. 

"Bank accounts are a scam created by the shadow government!" The Egg Boi closest to him called out seconds later. 

"SEE!?" 

Vaggie sighed. "What's important now is that we're going to have a fight on our hands. Look, this hotel is about to become the most dangerous place in hell, and we. . . I can't guarantee your safety anymore. I still believe in Charlie's dream. I know this place can work. But none of you signed up for this." 

She headed towards the door. "I'm gonna go learn how we can fight back, and when I come home. . . Well I'll understand if none of you are here." 

With that, Vaggie headed out the door, everyone sighing in worry for what she said. 

"Well. . . This is awkward." Sir Pentious concluded. Venus nodded in agreement at his statement. It was slightly awkward, but nothing that couldn't be shaken out of the room. 

"'Kay!" Niffty called after Vaggie.

The Asgardian Princess hummed and began walking towards the back hallway that led out to the temporary training grounds she made for her family to train. 

“Where are ya goin’?” Angel called after her. 

“To warn the others. I haven't fought properly in months, so there is only so much time to get myself in a good place once more. . . You are all more than welcome to join us if you think it would better help your combat skills.” 

★†★

They more so watched — Angel Dust keeping Niffty from running into what Bruce had called ‘the pit’ that was nothing more than a wide, one foot deep hole in the ground. The man referenced was sitting on a bench, much like most of the team was. 

They were watching Venus get into full on combat against her brother, Thor. No weapons. No magic. Just brute force. 

Both had dirt and blood on them from being thrown across the pit. They were currently tied, though the sadistic smile on Venus's face both worried and excited the gathered group of heroes and sinners. 

“Surrender.” She snarled, dodging a sloppily thrown punch, only to use her several years of training to throw herself onto his back, hooking her knee around the front of his throat, throwing them both into the rough dirt.

“Never!” Thor growled, wincing as Venus tightened her hold in him. She was using every bit of her weight to keep him down. 

“Okay, I'm calling it — Venus, you can let him go now.” Steve dropped down into the pit approaching cautiously as Venus flicked Thor's ear before releasing her grasp that restricted most of his airflow. Not enough to kill him — never enough to kill him — but enough to show just how easily she could if she wanted to. 

She stood, helping her brother up once she was steady. Wiping the blood from her nose and lips, she turned to Steve with a grin. 

“So. Who came out victorious, Captain?” She questioned, placing one hand on her hip. 

“You. Best two out of three. . . Thor can fight, but he relies on Mjölnir the same way I rely on my shield, Stark relies on his suit, and the twins rely on their powers.” He turned to the group. “Who's next?” 

Venus and Thor climbed out of the pit, allowing the next group to go in. It was Bucky vs Natasha — which was sure to be an interesting fight. 

“No hard feelings, brother, I hope.” Venus said. 

Thor grinned and shoved her. “No hard feelings.” He replied. 

The Asgardian Princess returned to her previous seat between Angel Dust and Tony, who she had been conversing with prior to her and Thor's match. 

“Why do you always go for the head?” Tony questioned, finally after several years of knowing her. She was arguably the most ruthless on the team, as no one else had the stomach to downright behead their opponents on the battlefield. 

“Because they have no chance of survival that way. With the way technology has advanced in the living world, anyone could be brought back from a fatal arrow or bullet wound. . . Mine is efficient — whether it be with a sword or my bare hands.” 

Tony just stared at her before looking away, turning to talk to Pietro instead. Their friendship was strained in a sense, but oddly hilarious and wholesome. Much like the friendship between Pietro and Clint. 

“Holy fuck! You're insane.” Angel concluded. 

Venus grinned, a bottle of cold water appearing in her hand. “You don't know half of it.” She replied, cracking the seal on the cap and downing half the bottle in seconds.