"Her name is Kate Bishop," Natasha began, her tone calm but tinged with admiration. "I happened to meet her in the park. She was being attacked, and I stepped in to rescue her. After that, she became fascinated with superheroes. She took it upon herself to learn archery, melee combat, and even swordsmanship. She didn't leave any stone unturned when it came to honing her fighting skills."
Natasha shrugged lightly, a rare smile playing on her lips. "Surprisingly, she's incredibly talented. Her combat skills and precision with a bow are exceptional. With proper training, she could very well be the next Hawkeye."
Thor crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. Definitely talented, he thought. Otherwise, how could she be considered the second generation of Hawkeye? Despite his inner musings, he asked, "But wouldn't Barton be the most suitable person to train her?"
A flicker of awkwardness crossed Natasha's face. "You'd think so, but Barton refused. He said he's focusing on training his daughter right now and doesn't have the time to take on another apprentice—especially a female one."
Thor tilted his head, unconvinced. Natasha sighed and added, "It's probably just an excuse. Barton might have his reasons, but let's be honest—archery training is a bit... intimate. It often requires hands-on demonstrations and close proximity. It's not something most people are comfortable teaching to someone of the opposite sex unless it's family. Teaching his daughter is fine, but taking on a female apprentice like Kate? Let's just say Barton is a good man who knows how to avoid rumors."
Thor let out a soft chuckle. "Makes sense, I suppose. Still, why come to me? I'm not exactly a paragon of moral restraint.."
Natasha shot him a sharp look, her voice dripping with mockery. "Don't flatter yourself. I didn't ask you to teach her because of your sparkling reputation. And don't even think about bending the rules, Thor!"
Thor blinked, slightly taken aback. "Widow, are you slandering me in front of everyone? Doesn't your conscience ache?"
His exaggerated expression of offense drew laughter from the three young girls nearby, their giggles filling the room. The tension eased, and Natasha's playful jab had the desired effect of keeping Thor in check.
Later, Wanda intercepted Natasha at the castle's door. "Sister Natasha," Wanda began, her voice tinged with curiosity, "why do you keep teasing His Highness today? You even started sparring with him in front of others."
Natasha leaned against the doorframe and smiled mischievously. "Thor is an old scoundrel. He has a way of charming people and taking them home when he feels like it. These girls idolize him to the core. If I don't shatter their illusions a little, who knows how crowded this castle will get with admirers?"
Wanda's eyes widened in admiration.
That night, the three girls shared a single room. Private quarters weren't assigned yet, but they didn't seem to mind.
"I always thought Lord Thor was this untouchable, godlike figure," Gwen Stacy said, her voice thoughtful. "But seeing him today, I realized he has a playful, down-to-earth side."
"Yeah," Kate Bishop agreed. "I used to think superheroes were living in a completely different world from us. But now, they feel so much closer."
Felicia Hardy leaned back on her bed, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Honestly, seeing this side of Thor makes him feel much more approachable."
The other two nodded in unison. If Natasha had overheard their conversation, she might have been tempted to burst into the room and correct their perceptions.
While laughter echoed in the room, a looming crisis brewed light-years away. On a distant, barren planet, a group of strange, alien beings worked tirelessly, operating a massive machine of bizarre design. Their appearance was grotesque, their forms angular and unnatural, as if plucked from a cosmic nightmare.
Five years ago, these aliens had completed the design of their weapon, but they had decided to wait. Acting prematurely could have jeopardized their plans. Now, the time was ripe.
One of the aliens, a towering figure with luminous eyes, manipulated the machine's controls. A sequence of buttons illuminated in rapid succession, and the final lever was pulled. As the leader pushed the main valve forward, the machine roared to life, emitting a dazzling light that engulfed the surrounding sky.
If this planet had been inhabited, the spectacle would have drawn countless eyes. Fortunately, it was located in a remote part of the galaxy, far from any prying witnesses.
The heart of the machine began to open, its mechanisms whirring ominously. The aperture widened steadily, revealing an enormous spacecraft concealed within. With a deafening boom, the spacecraft launched into the void, its engines blazing a path through the stars.
Inside the command center of the ship, a towering, burly figure stood at the helm. His purple skin glistened under the fluorescent lights, and his imposing presence filled the room. He gazed out at the universe before him, his expression unreadable.