Marvel: Dragon King

"Let me get this straight, you're telling me that the god those cultists believe in exists?" Ororo said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, she gave Ragnar a thoughtful look. "And you prevented him from waking up?"

"Well, he's not a god, but technically the first mutant and a strong one at that," Ragnar corrected, nodding, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "But I did prevent him from waking up."

"You did something good," Elliot said, smiling as he patted Ragnar on the shoulder.

"But next time you make that kind of huge move, you better inform us, otherwise many innocent people would suffer," Sicilia said, sighing, her hand stroking Ragnar's hair with a worried look in her eyes.

Although Sicilia was fine with Ragnar's ruthlessness toward his enemies, she didn't want him to become a monster who only thought about getting stronger and completing the mission.

"I know. I didn't expect it would sink like that," Ragnar said with a wry smile, rubbing his neck.

"Wait..." Ororo started, her voice trailing off as if she wasn't sure if she should even ask. "Are you going to just believe what he said is real? Why? Because he's your son? I'm not saying it's not true, but..." She trailed off again, a frown forming on her face.

Growing up on the streets, Ororo had learned to read people like an open book. She could sense the subtle shifts in their gazes, the way their hands moved, the unspoken language of their bodies.

Although Ororo wanted to believe what Ragnar said was true, she couldn't believe him just by his words without any evidence.

It was a survival skill, a way to navigate the treacherous currents of the slums. And she could see it clearly in the way Elliot and Sicilia looked at Ragnar, a fierce protectiveness, a deep well of love and perhaps a touch of worry.

Ororo wanted to believe what Ragnar had said, but she couldn't simply take his word for it. She needed evidence.

"Well, that played a huge part in our decision," Elliot said, nodding with confidence, his voice tinged with a hint of pride. He continued to pat Ragnar's shoulder, but Sicilia moved with lightning speed, slapping his hand away.

"Not helping," Sicilia said, her gaze flashing with irritation. She glared at Elliot for a moment, then turned to face Ororo. "We can't explain it to you," she said, her voice firm yet reassuring. "But we are sure Ragnar isn't lying."

"Don't you believe me?" Ragnar asked, a hint of challenge in his voice as he stepped in front of Ororo. "The murals, hieroglyphs, and even statues in the cave should have proven what I said is somewhat true." He leaned in, his eyes locking with hers.

"I wish I could tell you everything, but I can't. But trust me, what I'm saying is true. It's more than just a story." Ragnar said before sighing as he couldn't possibly say to Ororo how he knew Apocalypse was even there in the first place.

"I know, I'm just trying to wrap my head around this," Ororo said, her gaze fixed on Ragnar's, but her voice held a hint of doubt. She couldn't deny what he said was true. Even the small golden pyramid that disappeared, was proof.

"Can you let me out first?" Ororo asked. She needed a moment, a breath of fresh air to clear her head. She shook her head, walking toward the door and pulling her hood over her head.

"Don't—" Ragnar started to speak, his hand instinctively reaching out to Ororo's back, but then he stopped.

Sicilia's hand moved like lightning, grasping his shoulder and squeezing gently, her eyes conveying a message without a word.

"We can't force her if she wants to leave. Let her," Sicilia said softly, her voice laced with a hint of disappointment. She then turned to Ororo, showing a soft smile.

"How about you tell us where you want to go, and we'll drop you off there?" Sicilia kept her tone calm, comforting Ororo, knowing everything that happened today must have been shocking to her.

Ororo pursed her lips, her mind racing. She couldn't deny their sincerity, but a part of her still held back. She looked at Ragnar, a brief smile gracing her lips, and told them where she wanted to go.

The RV began to change direction, flying toward the slums of Cairo, stopping above a small house.

"Are you really not going to think about it again?" Ragnar asked, his gaze fixed on Ororo as she stepped out of the RV.

"I...I still have something to do," Ororo said, her smile a bit strained. Deep down, she longed to see the world, to experience everything Ragnar had promised. But she knew the other kids couldn't survive without her help.

"Then looks like I'm gonna try to invite you another time then," Ragnar said, accepting her decision calmly but a cunning look appeared in his eyes. He turned, waving as the RV soared to the sky.

"Next time," Ororo whispered as she watched the RV disappear from her sight. She shook her head, her hood falling back, her face etched with a mixture of sorrow and hope.

Ororo then jumped from the roof, landing gracefully on the ground, and pushed open the door of the house, the familiar weight of responsibility settling back upon her shoulders.

"Ororo!" A little girl, barely taller than Ororo's knee, shrieked with excitement, as soon as she entered.

A small boy, trying to appear mature, asked, "Do you get to trade today?"

Ororo smiled, her heart swelling with warmth. She scooped the girl into her arms, hugging her tightly. "I didn't today, but next time, for sure." She ruffled the boy's hair.

A boy, younger by just two years, stepped forward, his voice filled with earnest determination. "I told you we can help you. Although we're not mutants, we could still help." 

Other boys and girls, all smaller than Ororo, gathered around her, their faces filled with a mixture of hope and concern.

Ororo's smile faltered. She knew they meant well, but she also knew their intentions were dangerous. She knelt down, her gaze meeting the boys. "You know those adults won't let you go. You're kids, and if you get caught…"

"You're a kid too Ororo," the boy said, his voice barely a whisper as he lowered his head.

Ororo's heart ached. "But I'm the oldest of us here. And it's my duty to—"

"Is this the reason you won't come with me?" The familiar voice made Ororo stop. Her eyes widened as everyone turned around, looking at the door at Ragnar entered the house.

"Why are you here? I thought you guys left?" Ororo asked, her voice edged with a mixture of surprise and a touch of apprehension as she gently set the little girl down.

Rang grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You'll be surprised at how stubborn I can be." He crouched down, offering a friendly smile to the little girl. 

"As for my parents, they just parked the RV somewhere. They'll be here soon."

The little girl tilted her head, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Is he a new big brother?" she asked, looking up at Ororo, her innocent question cutting through the tension.

Ororo's smile faltered, a wave of sadness washing over her. She reached out, rubbing the girl's hair, she met Ragnar's gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "You know I still can't leave with you, right? I…I have responsibilities here." She thought he would give up seeing her situation.

Ragnar, however, remained focused on the girl, ignoring Ororo's words. "What did she say?" he asked, his brows furrowed, the language she spoke was different from English.

Ororo sighed, a weariness settling over her. "She was asking if you're the same as us, abandoned." she said, her voice flat, a hint of bitterness clinging to the words. She knew Ragnar was deliberately avoiding her question.

"Is that so..." Ragnar stood, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. He seemed to be weighing his words carefully. "Then tell her I'm not. I have a loving parent, and a big house," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of teasing.

Ororo's face hardened, her gaze fixed on Ragnar. She could feel the sting of his words, like salt rubbed on a fresh wound. "I won't tell her that," she said, her voice tight with suppressed anger.

Ragnar chuckled slightly, he met her gaze, showing a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Then tell her, my house is big enough to take you all in." His smile was playful, but there was an underlying sincerity to his words.

Ororo froze, her breath catching in her throat. She knew what he was implying. "Why? Why are you doing this? Just so I can come with you?"

Ororo couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope, she also wanted to leave, and if the kids could come with her, it would be a deal she couldn't refuse.

"Your potential, is one of the reasons," Ragnar shrugged, walking around, looking around their house, "You'll become someone strong in the future,"

"Huh," Ororo scoffed, disbelieving what Ragnar said. "How did you even know that?"

"Didn't you notice?" Ragnar stopped, turning his head, a grin on his face. "I didn't lie to you from the start. I might hide things but I never lied."

"I'm not going to pretend this is some selfless act. But the only thing I can promise, the only thing I can guarantee, is that you'll have an interesting future beside me." Ragnar said, walking in front of her offering his hand toward Ororo.

"So, would you like to come with me? Not just for you, but for all of them." Ragnar glanced at the children huddled behind Ororo, his eyes softening, his voice filled with seriousness.

Ororo's gaze flickered between Ragnar's outstretched hand, a beacon of hope and the children's confused expressions, a reflection of her own uncertainty. Her eyes finally settled on the boy who had offered her a chance at something more.

The weight of her decision pressed down on her, a future for herself and the children a future she desperately needed, a future she wasn't entirely sure she deserved. 

A future Ororo might have to fight for.

But Ororo was a survivor. She'd faced too much hardship, too much loss, to let fear paralyze her now. 

This was a chance, a gamble, a bet Ororo was willing to take. She couldn't see any future for them here to begin with.

"I'll come with you," Ororo said, a smile lighting up her face. She reached for Ragnar's hand, her fingers closing around his, a spark of hope igniting in her chest. But even as she did, a shadow of uncertainty crossed her features. 

"But I need your parents confirmation," Ororo said softly, her voice barely a whisper. She knew that in the end, it wasn't Ragnar who would decide if she, or all of them, could come.

Ragnar's lips curved into a knowing smile. "You can ask them yourself," he said, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "They are already here." He looked toward the door.

Ororo followed his gaze, a wave of apprehension washing over her as the door creaked open.

Elliot's head slipped through the doorway as he looked at everyone curiously, showing a smile, "Hello chil–"

"Ah! An adult! hide!" A boy screamed as the kids scrambled around the house hiding from Elliot, even the girl hid behind Ororo making Elliot's smile twitch leaving him frozen stunned speechlessly.

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End of Chapter, it's not enough isn't?

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[A/N: I created new chapters but the Patreon members didn't like it, so it looks like my imagination are still dry.]

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