Day 16
We have discovered a vast network of caves underneath a nearby mountain. It is full of discarded items that will help us on our quest. Wolverine says the place doesn’t smell right, but we are in no position to ignore such a bountiful trove of treasure. Tonight, we make camp at the mouth of the cave. Tomorrow we will enter. Hopefully, we get lucky and the cave is as empty as it looks. But if not, we will be ready.
Day 17
We are not alone. Wolverine was right, there is something down here in these caves with us. And it is following us. None of us have seen anything yet. But we can all tell that something is watching, waiting for us to let our guard down and strike. Wolverine made a joke about Medusa’s hair standing on end. If Doom had not stepped between them, I believe she would have killed him. We are all on edge. I do not plan on sleeping much tonight. I do plan on making sure our fire stays well-fed until the morning.
Day 18
Almost as soon as I closed my eyes, I was awakened by a primal scream from Wolverine. I scrambled to my feet and backed up until I could feel the heat of our still burning campfire behind me. Just beyond the light of our fire Subterranean monsters surrounded us, their red eyes burning with rage in the darkness. Medusa and Doom took up positions on either side of me then everything froze. In the space between heartbeats, I could hear the creatures breathing, could feel their hot breath exhaling in unison. That single moment was the longest second of my life. Then one of the beasts began to below, then another, and still another, until all of them were bellowing in unison; their deafening cries echoing throughout the caverns.
“Screw this” Wolverine screamed as he unsheathed his claws and lunged towards the beasts. Doom and Medusa followed suit, screaming out indecipherable battle cries as they rushed their foes. The battle was long and hard-fought. It seemed as if for every beast that was slain two more would appear in its place. Medusa snapped her hair around like a razor-edged whip, slicing the beasts to ribbons. Doom summoned mystical energies that shocked and burned anything near him, filling the chamber with stunning flashes of light. And Wolverine gutted every monster that came within reach of his claws. In the end, the party was victorious. But we all agreed that it was time to abandon these caves and make haste out into the light with the goods we had already gathered.
Day 23
We have arrived at the Black Iso Market. It is a strange place filled with summoners and champions. I am told you can buy anything here, with the right introduction. I was unaccustomed to dealing with such unsavory characters but walking with the likes of Wolverine no one gave me a second glance. I find that troubling. What am I becoming that I walk through a black market with all the apprehension of a walk in the park?
A few areas of the market were roped off and guarded. Apparently, my party was not of significant importance to warrant admittance just yet. Still, we acquired several useful items. I’m sure I shall return in time to procure those items that currently lay just outside of our price range. Perhaps then I will be traveling in better company.
Day 24
Today, I had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting Victor Von Doom. Never before have I encountered such an infuriatingly arrogant man. Full of condescension and contempt for anyone who doesn’t meet his intellectual standards. Which, I’ve gathered, is everyone. Still, he has asked to join our band and I have reluctantly agreed. The others warn me he is dangerous. I think we may need a bit of dangerous in the days ahead.
Day 26
For the first time since I arrived in this awful place, I have hope that I might find my way home. I met a man today, with confidence in his eyes and a banana on his hip. He called himself McFabio. We shared a drink and a dream, to turn the tables on The Collector and claim victory over his rigged contest. He invited me to join an alliance of like-minded individuals calling themselves The Guardian with Bald Caps. I accepted both his invitation and the ceremonial bald cap he offered me, to be worn only when engaged in sacred combat. He left me a pager in the shape of a banana, identical to the one he wore on his hip, and told me he’d be in touch. I swore that his banana would never leave my side, an oath I intend to keep.
Day 33
“I am Groot” These were the only words uttered by the strange creature we met along the road today. Just “I am Groot” over and over again. Nothing else. After failing to find any meaningful way of communicating we gave up and moved on. There were some among the party who thought that this tall, tree-like being might prove useful; but Doom quickly put an end to that talk. And after witnessing “Groot” eat pieces of itself the idea was quickly abandoned. I am happy the creature did not ingratiate itself into our party. I think if I had heard it repeat “I am Groot” one more time I would have set it on fire. Tomorrow we face Kang. Hopefully, my last entry in this journal is not about Groot.
Day 34
Over a month ago I was informed that I was fated to do battle with Kang the Conqueror and today was the day destiny had her way. It was Doom who volunteered to fight on my behalf. Time and space distorted as the two tyrants commenced battle using the unnatural forces at their disposal Kang relied heavily upon his temporal blasts, but Doom evaded them with ease before countering with his own arcane energies. What was supposed to be a climactic confrontation was over quickly, with Doom disgusted at Kang’s unworthiness. Unlike Doom I was elated, with Kang’s prone body lying on the ground I believed I was finally going home. But I was wrong. The Collector appeared and informed me that all this fight had proved was that I was a Contender. That if I was to improve my standing in his Contest, I would need to beat the Mad Titan Thanos next. Whoever that is.