Alpha Ricter Wrote:"Will you fight for her?" Gomez interrupted, his dark eyes boring into Xander's. "Will you protect her? Bleed for her? Die for her if necessary?"

Something in Xander's posture straightened. Despite his fear, despite the absurdity of the situation, his voice came out steady. "Of course. Always."

Gomez's mustache twitched. A smile spread across his face—not reassuring, but delighted. "Excellent! Let's find out." He snapped his fingers. "Lurch!"

The massive butler materialized beside them, producing a long mahogany box from seemingly nowhere. He opened it with reverent care, revealing two dueling swords nestled in red velvet, their blades gleaming wickedly in the library's light.

"Oh, come on!" Buffy was on her feet instantly, Giles right beside her. "You can't be serious. This is—"

Morticia moved with liquid grace, positioning herself between them and the unfolding scene. With a glare, she raised one elegant finger to her lips. "Shhhhh!"

Buffy found herself actually taking a step back. Wednesday's mother radiated an aura of danger that even made a Slayer hesitate to confront. Then Morticia's severe expression softened slightly, and she winked—a gesture so unexpected that Buffy could only stare.

"Choose your weapon," Gomez commanded, gesturing to the box Lurch held at perfect presentation height.

Xander looked at the swords, then at Wednesday, then at Gomez. He was warned this might happen, but still. "This is insane. Why are we doing this?"

"You want my daughter's hand?" Gomez's voice was steel wrapped in velvet. "Then fight for it. Prove your worth to me. Show me you deserve her."

Willow leaned toward Wednesday, whispering. "Can't you stop this?"

Wednesday gave Willow a sidelong glance, her eyes flat and unimpressed. "Have you ever successfully prevented your parents from embarrassing you in public? Mine simply have a more... theatrical approach to the tradition."

tealruby Wrote:Iron Lantern gets a letter concerning a child’s stuffed toy. Which might be a demon. Or a shapeshifting creature from another planet. Or a magical animal. Maybe all of the above. And so joined by Wanda Zatara, the White Witch, and Jessica Jones, the new Question, Hermione Stark heads for America to get to the bottom of the mystery!

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Notes:
Before going further, you’re strongly advised to read Chapter 37 of Lantern Granger: On Patrol, Hermione and The…. (Or at least the ending.) Otherwise the following might not make a lot of sense.

(03-17-2026, 10:41 PM)ECSNorway Wrote: Rivera's Repairs (Book 2, Chapter 18) (Original SF GameLit)

tealruby Wrote:And so are bureaucrats. Maybe. Join us for Hermione Stark’s adventures to find out as Iron Lantern faces her most dreaded enemy – report forms!

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Notes:
As a note, these events occurred early in Hermione’s membership with the Justice League of Avengers.

(03-19-2026, 09:41 PM)ECSNorway Wrote: Lost and Found, chapter 90: In which we finally meet Nicole's Titan.

TheInkredibleKaptainKaiju Wrote:White Diamond's transformation into her true self begins.