The Traveller

Chapter 1 - Nothing goes unnoticed

I was close to the energy signature my father had asked me to investigate, the amount of unwanted trouble this creature had caused would be enough to last a lifetime, here on Earth at least. This creature I was tracking was called an Empusa.

Unlike my family, I enjoyed visiting earth when I was in passing and learning more about what the mortal species was capable of. My father, the immortal called Taneleer Tivan known as 'The Collector', had left me in the care of re-discovering and collecting all sorts of species due to his lab being destroyed on Knowhere.

Space travel for myself, had always come at ease, being my most known power- was portal jumping. My ship travelled along behind me, usually arriving several days after I had, hiding itself within the confines of the planets gravitational pull until it was called on.

I had checked with my father whether this particular creature I was tracking would be deemed sufficient for capture, whether that be dead, or alive. The hologram against my palm shone within the shade of the damp forest. "Collect a blood sample, that is all." My fathers tone had commanded, the hologram shrinking back into it's key as I glanced up, thunder rolling overhead.

After being down here on the surface and tracking its destruction, a trail of dead men, it was easy enough to know what had to be done. It had the ability to shape into any female form, and looked completely human. The creature would target the male species, as the creature on most occasions disguised itself as a beautiful female, who would then lure in her prey. After having caught the male, it would suddenly transform into its most frightening appearance and devour it's prey.

I heard a branch snap about 50 meters from where I stood, my eyes snapped to where the noise had come from. Even in such dense forest, my eyesight could see even the slightest of movement. I stayed crouched under the bushes, my legs still under my body ready to spring when needed too.

I had tracked the creature to the outskirts of Red forest in Ukraine, I think the creature was a little lost. I was hoping to drive it further inwards, about 1 mile from where I was hidden, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and it wouldn't survive. There it would be weak enough for me to take the sample my father had requested, and if you knew my father, you don't disappoint his requests.

~Avengers POV~

Aboard the Quinjet, Captain Rogers gave the team a debrief, for those that were listening.

"The plan is simple, we follow the tracks that Natasha and Clint provided, bring her in and avoid the radiation radius as much as possible." he spoke with his left hand poised together in a horizontal stance.

"Cap, look your plan is great intentions and all, but from the footage we have all seen, her appetite includes flesh and blood, human flesh and blood." Tony said sarcastically. "Anybody else keen for a 5 o'clock bloody Mary?" he turned flamboyantly to the rest of the team. "With a signature ingredient of ours truly?"

"Didn't know Vampires scared you Tony" Natasha teased from one of the pilot seats.

"Ah, when they exist in real life, it's a different story Romanoff!" he retorted.

"This creature is no vampire, my friends" Thor chimed in. "It's an ancient beast, one my brother and I have only ever heard rumours of."

"I still don't understand what makes you think you can capture such a creature..." Loki sneered.

"We aren't going to capture it Loki, didn't you hear? Cap wants to wine and dine" Tony expressed.

"Are you guys sure this creature isn't... you know, some result of experimentation?" Bruce said quietly.

"Yeah seems like something outta' a horror film." Bucky suggested.

"Wow, it speaks." Clint mocked the soldier, which earnt him a short glare.

"Alright, enough." Steve called. "Give the creature a chance, if it doesn't comply we will do what is necessary like always, safety first."

With that the Quinjet lurched sideways causing Tony to almost fall into Bucky's lap, Bucky's metal arm moved swiftly to push him upright.

"Thanks Greece lightning." he nodded towards Bucky, who felt the corner of his mouth twitch at the nickname.

Loki could almost feel his eyes roll through the back of his head.

"Coming up on location, get ready" Natasha called out.

The team proceeded to prepare to jump, Clint joined Natasha in the co-pilot seat.

"Love competitive Vampires, it's always neck and neck" Clint spoke sarcastically. Earning him a slight smile from Natasha.

"We better come first then" she added.

Together they manoeuvred the Quinjet into an open field just outside of the forest.