Disclaimer: All characters depicted in this story are eighteen years of age or older. Any sexual content involves only consenting adults. This is a work of fiction.
Author's note: This here is just in case. This is the second update of the day, in case you missed the previous one for whatever reason, there's a new chap behind this one.
A Marvelous Devil.
Chapter 73: Catharsis.
Dante Andromalius.
Harlem.
I was upset in a way I wasn't used to. I knew rage. I knew wrath.
I didn't know fear.
Not in the sense of being weaker than someone. There were hundreds, if not thousands of beings that had been so out of my league it wasn't even funny. There was no sense in fearing the strong.
Irritation? Sure, I had my own pride. Worry? Of course, there were some bastards around that didn't listen to any reason, like Knull or Annihilus.
But primal terror? That wasn't something I knew. Not even the golden lightbulb above and his sanctimonious right hand made me feel that way.
And that was exactly what I felt just by glancing at the green monster that disappeared into the distance. The part that affected me the most was that I didn't remember what had happened. Something had fucked with my head in that instant and made me act that way despite my knowledge and experience learned in my very long life.
I wasn't in a good fucking mood, and maybe it became obvious when I started taking it out with the mortals that stood in my way.
Was it petty? I didn't give a fuck about that.
A soldier carrying a crate filled with blood into an armored car slipped on nothing and dropped it.
The despair in his soul healed me just a little bit, but I waved my hand and entranced everyone before burning the crate.
This was the seventh one, and it was filled to the brim just like the rest of them. Those two ugly fuckers had been going at it for a long while. The men snapped out of their haze, looked around in confusion and growing disbelief before shouting at their communication thingies that something was happening, as all of the previous groups had done.
I wanted to know if I could give their leader a conniption before I was done. I didn't like what I had seen of him as I took the information from his mind.
At least I learned about the stupid laboratory holding a disgusting amount of the Hulk's blood, but the lead researcher was already gone when I arrived to destroy everything. There were signs of a scuffle, but the vials were still there. At least for a second before everything went up in flames.
Ross's fate was connected to that of his daughter and the Hulk. But I wouldn't make it easy for him. My usual whimsy was unsurprisingly depleted.
This crate was the last one outside of the ones Ross had in his possession, and the girls would finish relatively soon, so I had to hurry a bit if I wanted to fuck around with the mortals that helped my girls.
The Dark Force consumed my body before appearing in the very center of Ross's command center.
Hm. Those were a lot of weapons.
I looked around calmly, soaking in the horror coming out of soldiers, civilians, and medical workers alike.
It brought back memories.
A gunshot sounded from my right, and I deadpanned at the mild pressure on my chest, looking down at the flattened bullet falling onto the floor.
"Next one to attempt that loses a hand," I sighed, my voice spreading around despite the sound. "I'm here to grab something before going on my way. I'm already irritated enough, so I don't recommend pushing me."
The one who had shot practically folded himself in half before he realized what he was doing.
They didn't answer or move for that matter. Some of them even lowered their weapons just a bit.
Those were the minority, though. At least they had confidence. It was kind of adorable, really.
"Anyways, I'm a believer in free will, so do what you all want." I shrugged, once more putting my hands into my new clothes.
There was no way in hell I would be dressed in the same things I had vomited on. They didn't exist anymore. And if they didn't exist, then it hadn't happened.
There was no proof.
"Stand down," a cold voice filled the clearing.
An older man pushed past several soldiers with a scowl.
Thaddeus Ross, even the second time looking at him, still reminded me of everything I hated about mortals.
Powerless things with limited understanding reaching into forces vastly beyond them in some idiotic belief that they had any right to it.
His daughter stepped behind him, looking at me in a confused haze.
"Do not move another inch, son," Ross ordered.
I ignored him and continued walking.
His scowl deepened as his hand tensed slightly.
"I said stop."
I rolled my eyes.
"This is a secured United States military operation. You are interfering with federal personnel and attempting to destroy government property," he barked.
An aide next to him paled as he pressed his finger against his ear and began murmuring. He then walked towards Ross and whispered something.
"More destruction of government property." Ross clenched his teeth.
A snort escaped my nose without meaning to.
My eyes looked around the clearing one more time.
Ah. They were preparing to extract the loot.
"Stand down and identify yourself."
I continued walking toward him.
Ross stared at me in disbelief.
"Stop!" he barked. "You are surrounded by United States military personnel. Whatever you think you are, this is your only warning."
One of the soldiers swallowed thickly at Ross's glare and raised his rifle.
Ross nodded, and the weapon fired at my feet.
… He technically didn't shoot at me, but I wasn't a liar. Half a punishment, then?
I flicked my hand, and the soldier screamed as his trigger finger hit the ground.
Everyone turned to look as he cradled his bleeding hand with a grimace.
"Ugh, what a baby."
I waved my hand once more, and cosmic power curled around the severed finger before lifting it and pressing it back against his frozen hand. It knitted itself together.
"That's because he didn't shoot at me. The next one I'll knit their head against their asshole; I promise you'll remain alive to enjoy it," I said darkly.
More weapons lowered this time. Heh.
"General?" the same aide as before whispered urgently.
"Target him."
The sounds of engines filled the clearing. Turrets of armored vehicles, tanks, and even the mounted metallic whatever from the helicopters fixed onto my form.
Ross stepped forward, his expression flat, but he couldn't hide his bitterness at me.
That envy fueled my soul deliciously. But something else attracted my attention. There was no fear.
I looked at the vehicles slowly, deadpanned at him, and decided to ignore him. He was lucky I cared slightly about what the girls thought of me. It wasn't like I cared about the lives of these mortals in the slightest, but there was no reason to kill them all. For now.
Maybe. I had an idea how to get what I wanted without any bloodshed. That would at least earn me some cookie points with the girls.
Betty Ross helped the soldier to his feet, but she was more focused on the finger than the man. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she inspected the digit before looking at me in disbelief.
I smirked at her.
She just gaped in my direction.
Rude.
I sighed loudly before pulling my phone out of my pocket.
Ross stopped in place, looking bewildered at my actions.
Searching through my few contacts, I finally found the one I needed.
"Dante, what is that sound?" Dum Dum asked after a moment of silence.
"Why do you act as if you aren't watching from that cute safe meeting room of yours?" I rolled my eyes, looking up at the sky. There was a device up there similar to the one they had used in Afghanistan. I winked at it.
"… What do you want?"
My smile widened.
"Say hello to your boss for me," I chuckled before creating a piece of paper and a pen, scribbling with one hand on it before I dropped it onto the ground, not bothering to stop walking. The Darkforce ate the paper.
Emil Blonsky's soul had been quite interesting to say the least, a trove of information for those interested in that kind of mortal squabble, which made it even funnier, since Ross had ended up empowering a spy for another nation without hesitating about his decision.
He didn't care to see anything beyond the competence the soldier showed.
I added all the names and locations I had pulled out from the now-departed man.
"Who are you contacting?" Ross raised his handgun as I got to within 10 meters of him.
"Right, care to help me out?" I asked, hearing a curse from Fury as they received the piece of paper.
I laughed.
"Give it to him," Fury barked.
Ross opened his mouth, but I threw my phone at the man next to him. "I think they have some words to say."
"Sir?" the man asked cautiously.
Ross snatched the phone from him.
"This is Lieutenant General Thaddeus Ross. Identify…"
He stopped, his eyes going wide.
First anger. Then disbelief. Then genuine concern, only to end in even more anger.
I walked past him.
The soldiers protecting the cargo didn't know what to do, but they didn't stand in my way as I palmed the reinforced door and pulled.
The metal screamed as I ripped the thing free from its hinges before tossing it aside.
It was the largest concentration of material I had found all night. Blood, tissue, bone. Some belonging to Emil, others to the Hulk.
I scowled at those.
The entire vehicle burned into sludge a moment later.
Oh, by Seere, that felt good. Absurdly so. My whole body shivered with satisfaction at the destruction.
"NO!"
Ross's shout came from behind me as he shot a round at the back of my head.
I stared into the flames before snuffing them, happy that these idiots wouldn't be able to cause more trouble in the short term.
Ross couldn't hide from me that he already had plans for what to do with the things, but this would set them back significantly considering that Hulk was long gone.
And he knew how to hide to an acceptable degree, according to Ross's soul.
The general looked somewhere between green and purple with anger.
"You have destroyed evidence."
"Of your own fuck up?" I raised an eyebrow challengingly.
Betty stiffened next to him.
I looked into her soul. Her love for… the Hulk, or better said, Bruce Banner.
The fear, not of what he had become, but what would happen to him if her father got what he wanted.
The anger at her father.
Years of frustration with the man, who deserved even more in my personal opinion.
"Oh…" I looked at her, then at Ross, then I burst out laughing. "That's hilarious, man. You poor soul."
A few minutes ago, I might have followed through with the threat. Now? My, he had quite a sad existence. He would suffer more if I left him alone than if I made him a martyr and gave him 'proof' of what he feared.
He would suffer so much more if I never did anything to him.
"What?" Betty demanded.
I winked at her. "Nothing, dear. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
I kissed her hand like the gentleman I was. She blushed slightly, reacting as most mortal women did when a supernatural being paid them that kind of attention.
Ross emptied the whole magazine into my face.
I burst out laughing at his expression.
"You think having friends in SHIELD makes you untouchable, boy?" he scowled as the shouting coming from the other end of the call ceased.
"Of course not," I grinned. "They couldn't call themselves my friends."
I walked toward him and patted his shoulder with more force than necessary.
"They just know better than to piss me off." I chuckled. "I am untouchable because none of you can do anything to me."
He stared hard at me, burning my face into his memory.
"The United States government will not tolerate unidentified enhanced actors entering military operations, assaulting our personnel, destroying federal property, and walking away because they believe themselves above the law."
Cute.
If only he knew how many politicians I had made deals with ever since I opened the Ninth Circle.
And how many more would appear after my identity entered their minds after tonight.
"Ross, I did your government a favor and fixed something you created. I suggest you smile and thank me, boy. Be grateful for once in your life," I whispered darkly.
I grabbed my phone from his hand.
"Fury, you just did yourself a rather large favor," I said calmly. "I was already planning our first meeting but wasn't sure how polite I would be."
He stayed silent.
"So, thanks for the help. When I appear there, I'll hear you out before I make any decision."
"Hear me out about what?" he asked in a neutral tone.
"Something you can only pray won't come back and bite us all in the ass."
I cut off the call.
"See?" I raised my eyebrow. "He's more intelligent than you."
"Do not mistake this for being over," Ross scowled.
I looked at him in confusion, then looked around at all the soldiers and weapons. At the defeat inside their souls, their unwillingness to admit something they knew was true.
"Didn't realize that something had even started," I grinned.
His teeth clenched so hard Betty looked at him in disbelief.
"It was a pleasure, my dear," I nodded at her. "You're lucky you took more things from your mother."
Then Darkness climbed my legs.
"The next time you interfere with an operation of the United States military, we will be prepared."
I stared at him.
And I couldn't help it. I cackled.
And the Dark Force swallowed me whole.
Dante Andromalius.
Later.
"Well, hello there," I grinned as Tandy launched herself into my open arms.
Jean glared at me before she sighed, her lips twitching.
"Did you have to be that heavy-handed?" she asked, hesitating for a second before hugging me tightly. "I'm glad you're feeling better, Dante. It's… it's our fault."
"None of that." I flicked her nose before pulling Rogue into the hug. "No one could have expected whatever that was. Don't think too much into it."
Hm… why was she a little bit musclier?
I looked down at her, and she blushed, glancing toward the biggest man there.
"Hm, what a curious team." I chuckled, looking around and seeing Matt looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here. "Long time no see… devil."
The girls chuckled at that.
"Can't say I'm not hurt you've been ignoring me, man." I sighed theatrically before looking at the brat. "Spider."
He hadn't taken off his mask, and I could respect his wishes.
"Are you okay, Dante? It sounded bad," he asked worriedly.
"You're too young to be worrying over me, kid." I shook my head. "But all is fine. Thanks."
Then I looked at the two remaining supers.
"Dante Andromalius, at your service." I bowed slightly.
"Fuck off," the woman snorted in disgust.
I looked at her curiously before scoffing in amusement.
"You're a bundle of trouble, woman." I rolled my eyes.
The man chuckled, giving me a strong handshake. "Luke Cage, and that's Jessica Jones."
"Hm. What's your deal?" I looked at him before looking to the side. "I already know the brat and the wannabe priest, but I can't say I had heard of either of you. You aren't the idiot that tried to rob my store, right?"
I had checked the wards around the building and noticed that some had activated, but I just learned that it had been a man before the girls decided to play heroes.
I smiled at him and clenched my hand, matching his strength before letting him go with a laugh.
"Harlem is my home, man." He shook his head, lifting his hands just slightly. "Jessica and I were… around when it all started, and she decided to lend me a hand."
"Hm." I nodded. "Want some advice from your not-so-friendly neighborhood demon?"
His lips quirked just slightly, and he nodded after a moment.
"Mortals like to say never stick your dick in crazy." I glanced at Jessica. "But they're wrong. Have fun, man, and good taste. I approve."
I ducked under a punch from the almost frothing woman with a grin before pushing her into Luke's chest.
"Really, Dante?" Rogue put her hands on her hips and groaned. "Just ignore him, Jessica. He's in a bad mood and will poke anything that moves."
"You should have seen the poor military." Jean sighed knowingly, even if she couldn't hide her amusement.
She didn't like the government very much. Not a surprise after what the other side of it pulled against her kind.
I grinned, feeling a lot better.
"Anyways, don't know if the girls let you all know what we do, but if you want anything, feel free to look for us." I added after a moment, "Want some cash? I can find you jobs, depending on where you draw the line. Want something? I can make just about any wish come true, as long as you can pay for it."
I looked at them a bit more seriously.
Then I focused on Peter.
"To fulfill a promise." I nodded at him. "He would be proud of you, kid. Even if you're kind of a dumbass who will never think he has done enough."
"Thanks?" Peter asked confusedly before going quiet.
Then I looked at Matt Murdock.
"Then there's you." I grinned.
"Do not start," he said warningly, his hands clenching into fists.
"I'm afraid having the bright light above telling you that you did enough is not something you could pay for even if you gave me your everything." I snorted. "Especially since he doesn't focus on what you all do until your mortal coils croak; there's a reason we both like free will. But I think that even if he were to appear and tell you that you've done enough, it wouldn't stop your crusade."
"Dante," Jean said hesitantly.
"I'm behaving." I rolled my eyes. "It just pisses me off that I went ahead and protected his mind from having his memories erased, expecting him to seek me out, and he never did."
Ungrateful mortal. He was lucky to be a bit interesting.
A small part of me wanted to see how far he'd go for his absolution... if he would break one day or maybe he would surprise me.
"A place to call home, safety, a family." I looked at Luke with a small grin. "Power could give you all that, my friend. For the last one, continue as you are. I think rabbits fuck less than you two."
He burst out laughing, but the seed planted was there.
"Oh, you're an asshole." Jessica looked to the side to hide her embarrassment, escaping Luke's arms.
I looked at her, and she froze.
"Safety is easy."
"Don't," she hissed, taking a step back.
"Or killing someone." I shrugged, grinning darkly. "I could even give you a discount, dear. I've always enjoyed delivering damnation. I could use someone with your experience for some things."
Her eyes widened as the temptation took root.
"Jessica." Daredevil clenched his teeth warningly.
I pulled out two calling cards.
"You now know where to find me." I winked at them before walking towards my girls. "Approach us or not, that's on you. Don't let something as pesky as human morality stop you from having what you desire. You humans live too little to worry about that."
I waved my hand as the Dark Force enveloped our bodies, grinning at the very uncomfortable Peter and the glaring Daredevil.
"I'll be waiting." I winked. "I assure you that all my clients love my work."
Dante Andromalius.
Hell's Kitchen.
"Mister Andromalius," the voice came from my phone as I watched the girls change their attire into something more comfortable. "It has been a long time since we spoke."
"Fisk." I chuckled. "To what do I owe this pleasure? As you can expect, it's been a busy night."
"Yes, about that. Can't say I expected to hear about a blond man playing around with the military." He chuckled. "But we have pending business to talk about."
The girls stopped, looking at the phone with exasperation.
"Really, Dante, criminals?" Rogue sighed tiredly. "I'm too deep in to care, but not cool, Dante."
Chuckling, I tapped the phone into speaker mode.
"Oh, about what?" I asked curiously.
"I found the man you asked for. Have him right in my basement right now," he said with a strange tone.
"Hoh?" I chuckled darkly. "And this is a new development, I suppose?"
"Indeed," he lied unconvincingly. "Dr. Simon Marshall was not easy to find, and much less to capture. I lost many good men doing so and ended with many more enemies because of it."
"That was your part of the deal," I said dryly as I observed the way Tandy had gone still at the mention, her light forming daggers in her hands as the girls' eyes widened before hugging the blonde.
Tandy trembled, tears streaming down her cheeks without any sign of stopping.
I grabbed her hand and caressed it softly.
"So it was," Fisk said begrudgingly. "I was wondering when you'd want to collect him so we could conclude our arrangement."
Tandy looked at me firmly before nodding.
"You're in the same place as last time?" I asked after a moment's thought.
"Yes, Mr. Andromalius," he said respectfully.
The Dark Force consumed us, and we appeared in front of the big man himself.
"Fisk." I nodded, ignoring the alarmed shouts from his mooks entering the room with weapons drawn.
"Stand down, you idiots," Fisk barked harshly, his face going pale for a moment.
"Where is he?" Tandy's teeth clenched together, her eyes wild as she looked around.
Fisk looked at me, but I just shrugged with a blank expression.
"Follow me." He stood up, towering over all of us.
He was even bigger than Luke Cage, as a normal human. It was impressive, honestly.
We followed his heavy stomps, and I wondered how this would end.
I wasn't planning to interfere or decide for my light; this was all her.
Minutes later, we walked out of the elevator, having been brought down to the bottom of the building where more mooks waited for us.
He nodded at them, and they parted.
"He's in there." He nodded, trying to move out before I began pushing him into the room as we all entered.
Marshall was bound to a chair, having seen better days. He was beaten black and blue, bleeding profusely from where Fisk's men had tortured him.
"New development." I snorted at him.
The man rolled his eyes and shrugged, as if to say, What did you expect?
At least he didn't try to lie. He probably attempted to get something out of him to use against me if it was ever needed.
"Love?" I looked at Tandy.
She was trembling, going paler than usual as she glared at the man who had caused her all that pain. The retrieved memories weren't… nice, and Marshall wasn't gentle with his experiments.
She and Tyrone had gone through a lot under his tender care.
Tandy didn't respond, staying frozen as she glared at him.
"It is your decision." I kissed her cheek before pulling Jean and Rogue back.
She healed him, and the man opened his eyes in disbelief.
"What? Where am I? Who are you? What happened? Do you know what you're doing? The magg-" he began barking and fighting to escape his bindings.
"Do you remember me, Doctor?" Tandy smacked a couple of teeth out with a slap before grabbing the man by the hair and forcing him to look at her.
Jean was startled, but I kept my hand around hers. She frowned, and I could feel her psionic energy flowing into the man's head before she forced herself to stop with a grimace.
Marshall stared at the furious blonde holding him by the scalp. The healing had cleared the haze of his concussion, and as he looked into her eyes, recognition dawned on his expression.
"You…" he whispered, his eyes widening in horror. "Bowen. You… you're alive?"
"No thanks to you," Tandy said, her voice eerily flat, completely devoid of the warmth and cheer she usually radiated. "Does that make you happy, Doctor? That you succeeded? I promise you that you will grow to regret it soon enough."
"It was a necessary sacrifice!" Marshall panicked, squirming against the ropes. "It was for the evolution of humanity! Look at you! You're magnificent, you should be thanking me…"
What a fucking liar. I almost laughed in disbelief. He was just a drug peddler trying to make a cheap heroin substitute without understanding what he was really working with.
Tandy didn't summon her light. She didn't channel any of her powers.
She just balled her hand into a fist and drove it directly into the center of his face.
A sickening crunch echoed in the cold basement. Marshall screamed, blood bursting from his ruined nose, but Tandy didn't stop.
She hit him again. And again.
Jean flinched beside me, closing her eyes so as not to see the sheer brutality of my light's moves. Rogue didn't, looking worriedly at Tandy's back as she exacted her vengeance.
Tandy's knuckles split open, coating her hands in blood.
She wasn't using her training for this, completely ignoring everything she had learned at Kamar-Taj. Not a single show of technique or grace in her punches.
Tandy didn't bother healing her hands as she continued.
It was a raw, unadulterated hatred coming out of her in waves as she poured everything she had kept bottled in for so long against the only perpetrator we could face right now. It wouldn't heal her. That wouldn't happen until D'spayre was gone, but it was all she could get.
Marshall's chair tipped backward, crashing onto the concrete floor. Tandy climbed on top of him, pinning his chest with her knees, and continued bringing her fists down on his face. The ground beneath Marshall's head cratered.
Fisk raised an eyebrow from the corner of the room, looking disturbed as Tandy screamed her throat raw.
The doctor's pleas turned into wet gurgles, and then, finally, into silence.
But Tandy kept hitting him until a wet crack filled the room.
... Damn. It went through.
Her breath came in ragged gasps as she pulled her fist out of the unrecognizable mess of his skull. Then went back at it without stopping until her arms simply gave out.
She collapsed on top of his ruined chest, her hands slick with blood, and a guttural sob tore out of her throat.
I let go of Jean's hand and stepped forward, kneeling onto the bloody floor without a second thought. I wrapped my arms around her shaking body, pulling her away from the corpse and into my chest.
A second later, Jean and Rogue were on the floor with us.
Jean wrapped her arms around Tandy's back, pressing her face against her blonde hair, while Rogue hugged her from the side, uncaring of the blood staining their sleeping clothes.
"I've got you, sugah," Rogue whispered fiercely. "We've got you. We're here. It's over."
Tandy buried her face into my neck, sobbing uncontrollably as we held her. We stayed like that for a long time, just giving Tandy all the reassurance she needed.
Slowly, the violent shaking began to subside. Tandy sniffled, taking a deep breath before she pulled back just enough to look at the girls.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice hoarse as she looked at her bloody hands. "I'm sorry you had to see me like that. I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me."
"Don't you dare apologize," Jean said softly but firmly, reaching out to wipe a stray tear from Tandy's cheek, completely ignoring the blood. "You don't ever have to hide from us, Tandy. As you like to say, we're sisters now."
"Jean's right," Rogue nodded, squeezing Tandy's shoulder. "He got exactly what he deserved. And you survived. That's all that matters."
Tandy let out a watery laugh, leaning her head against Jean's shoulder.
I smiled gently, snapping my fingers to cast a quick spell. The blood vanished from Tandy's hands and clothes, leaving her pristine once more.
I kissed her forehead, brushing the blonde hair out of her eyes.
"Rogue, why don't you take our Light back to the penthouse?" I offered quietly, standing up and helping Tandy to her feet. "Run a bath, get some rest. The night is over for you three."
"You're not coming?" Tandy asked, her eyes still a bit red.
"In a few minutes," I promised, glancing at the crime boss. "I just have a quick bit of business to discuss with Fisk before I head home."
"Then we'll wait." Tandy shook her head softly. "I'll be fine."
I looked into her clear eyes, but found nothing but conviction in them. I nodded.
Tandy summoned… a slushy made out of her tea and began slurping quietly as she leaned into Rogue's body.
I laughed in disbelief.
"Is our deal finished, Mr. Andromalius?" Fisk asked once we reached him.
"This one is. You did a good job." I nodded. "I was curious about something else."
The man tensed. "Another deal?"
"You have something I want, and I can give you something you deeply desire, my friend," I said, a smile growing on my face as Tandy giggled tiredly.
"Speak," he said curiously.
"You are part of Hellfire, are you not?" I chuckled, seeing his guarded expression. "Selling your soul to another devil, Fisk? I'm disappointed."
Jean's eyes zeroed in on the man, no doubt grabbing everything she could from his mind.
It was nice seeing how loose her morals were getting. She didn't even hesitate for a second this time.
"How do you know that?" he asked seriously.
"I only have to look at you to learn everything, Fisk." I waved him off. "Your soul is open for someone like me. Everything for… Vanessa, no?"
"What do you want?" His expression turned blank.
"You see, I have a… need for someone inside their ranks, you know? And you are currently at the bottom of their organization." I gave him a knowing smile. "I suppose I don't have to say anything more, no?"
He shook his head firmly. "They will kill her if I go against them. They seem to know everything about everyone."
"Frost." Jean snorted in irritation.
"The White Queen?" He raised an eyebrow. "I fear I haven't met her yet."
"Oh, come on, man, can't you see the advantages? You know they'll never help with what you want. You just gave them something they could control you with until you weren't useful anymore. What about a more… fair patron?"
"Dante?" Tandy asked curiously.
I grinned at her before looking back down at Fisk. "I could heal your woman once you fulfill what I need. I just want… a meeting where all their higher-ranking members are present. Shaw and one Jason Wyngarde, specifically."
Jean looked at me with widened eyes before a dark grin grew on her face, Nova singing with approval behind her narrowed eyes.
"I can assure you that they won't learn anything from your unprotected mind, and I will help you grow your… institution organically. And when you fulfill your part? Your wife will be given to you in perfect health."
He looked torn for a minute, knowing that he was basically changing the owner of the leash hanging around his neck.
But love… Oh, love was a beautiful thing.
"I want it in writing, as we previously agreed," he said a moment later, taking a deep breath.
My smile widened. Oh, this would also show how Pete and Matt grew under duress.
Eh… I wouldn't make it that difficult for them. Just a tiny little bit.
Why did mortals only focus on two birds with one stone? It was infinitely better to get many more.
Next Day.
Dante Andromalius.
I wondered how Fisk was enjoying his two new werewolves.
I knew taking a snapshot of Xavier's girl's mutation would be useful one day! Tandy was wrong; I didn't do it because I was a hoarder. No sir.
The idea for the third enhanced came to me when I looked at Rogue, remembering that she had drained Luke Cage a little during the night. It wasn't the same, and in fact, it was lessened compared to what I felt when I gave him a handshake, but having invulnerable skin instead of super strength was interesting and not dangerous enough.
Also, none of the mooks were particularly bright. It would have been a waste to give them a gift that focused on the mind.
They were kind of dumb, honestly. But it was for the better as a proof of concept. Giving mortals power always came with risk, but those idiots weren't smart enough to dethrone Fisk from his position, as small as it currently was.
I wondered how long it would take him to control a good portion of the criminal underbelly so that he could pull the meeting. Jean was quite excited for that, and she made sure to show that before sleeping.
I hadn't been kissed with that much hunger in a while.
"Is it here?" I asked, stepping through the darkness in front of a psychiatric facility, hiding us under my clan trait.
"As long as they haven't moved her?" Jean looked around. "Remember, I haven't been here in a while, and I didn't want to ask anyone back at Xavier's."
"They wouldn't approve." Rogue grinned slightly.
"Hm. We're bad girls." Tandy giggled, looking much more at peace than usual.
"Then let's go," I laughed, pushing the door open and sensing for anything interesting. "What's her name?"
"Wanda Maximoff," Jean said, looking into the computer in front of the dazed worker. "Room… 616."
"Ugh, can we teleport? I don't want to walk six stories, Dante," Tandy whined playfully.
"You do know that elevators are a thing, right?" Rogue asked dryly before tickling my light.
The two girls started fighting playfully.
Jean's eyes danced with amusement as we watched them get more and more rowdy until they knocked a computer over.
… My girls could be a handful.
"She's Magneto's daughter, but Xavier managed to convince him to stuff her in here after too many incidents," Jean said after a moment, helping the girls to their feet with a sigh. "We don't even know what her power is. Xavier used to think it was some kind of luck manipulation or something along those lines. I… I don't think he was right, not after you showed me how big the world is."
"How so?" I raised my eyebrow as we stepped into the elevator despite Tandy's protests.
"She's weird, and she says she's not doing anything," Rogue responded instead. "I remember her from when I was with them. Lights failed out of nowhere, people tripped on nothing, equipment failed around her. Once, a boy tried to seduce her a bit more forcefully than she liked, and the next day he was run over by a car. Out of nowhere. People feared her, thinking that she cursed him or something, but she was adamant that she hadn't done anything. They called her a witch."
"And back then, Magneto wouldn't hear anything against his blood," Jean said, pressing the button for the sixth floor.
"She isn't evil," Rogue said after a moment. "Really sweet, truly. I always believed that she wasn't doing it out of malice. But the coincidences? They piled up to the point it was clear that she was causing them, somehow."
"That can be luck manipulation, or probability, if it is stronger than what you have seen," I mused thoughtfully, a grin growing on my face. "That would be very, very useful, my dears."
"And she needs help." Jean glared at me.
"Ah, that too." I waved her off, earning a sigh.
We walked through the institute, hearing crazed screams or sobbing from many different rooms until we reached one where nothing came out.
It was really protected by a metallic door even more reinforced than the one I had ripped from Ross's truck. The place was barred from ordinary staff, though. But it was filled with cameras.
I looked through the window, only to freeze in place at the woman sitting in the center of the room.
"What the actual fuck is wrong with this planet for fuck's sake?!" I groaned, my head hitting the reinforced door hard enough to dent it.
The girls grew alarmed at that, looking at me in question.
My lips thinned as I focused on the girl carefully.
I recognized a marked vessel with my eyes closed. And not many bastards around were capable of blessing someone with this kind of power.
I didn't want a repeat of whatever had happened with the Hulk last time.
My eyes continued widening as I looked deeper into her before I cut the connection off.
I wasn't touching that thing and pulling attention from the other side.
But looking deeper wasn't needed.
I recognized that fucking energy.
Looking at Jean, I dragged my hand down my face, my shoulders trembling.
"Dante? What's wrong, babe?" Tandy asked worriedly.
The trembling continued.
"Dante?" Rogue touched my shoulder.
And it continued until I couldn't hold it anymore and I burst out laughing in disbelief, looking at the frowning girls with a shit-eating grin.
"This planet won't exist in twenty years, tops," I cackled in disbelief. "… That's a scary fucker, alright? I should honestly do the cosmos a solid and destroy this planet considering how much bullshit I've seen in just two years."
It was absurd, and the fact that I had seen so many dangerous beings acting in this single city made me truly dread what I would find when my scope widened to the planet as a whole. There had to be something wrong with this place.
I shook my head, pulled the girls into the room, and dropped the clan trait.
"Wanda Maximoff?" My lips twitched, barely able to contain my laughter. "Do you have a moment to talk?"
She didn't look particularly disturbed as the group appeared in front of her. She just deadpanned at me, looked at the white walls, then returned to my face and tilted her head.
She was a little bit loopy. Mostly depressed and tired. She wasn't even sure if we were truly here or were a product of her imagination.
I smiled a bit more genuinely. It was kind of sad that she still wasn't sure but decided to humor us.
"Who are you?" she asked curiously, observing the seats that formed out of thin air.
She touched one, her eyes growing a bit wide before she sat down.
… The room was empty besides a bed and a bathroom in the corner. And the bed looked like it was barely a thing apart from a worn pillow.
She had a small smile on her face.
"Dante Andromalius." I pointed at myself. "That's Jean and Rogue; you might remember them. The blond one is Tandy."
She nodded, looking at the mutants curiously.
"Do you want something to eat?" Tandy asked before I could say anything. "Or drink? Pick whatever you want!"
Wanda shook her head minutely.
"What do you want with me? Did Xavier think of something? The next meeting was in a week or so."
"We're… no longer with the X-Men," Rogue said after a moment.
"Oh?" She raised her eyebrow. "Did you jump ships once more, Anna?"
My knight winced before looking to the side.
"We might be able to help you, Wanda," Jean spoke next.
Wanda looked at her blankly before sighing, shaking her head.
"No one knows what's wrong with me. If that's all, we're done. Please leave."
The lights above flashed.
"They don't. Dante does." Jean smiled softly, taking Wanda's hand gingerly. "I know we never saw eye to eye but trust me. This might be your opportunity to get some answers."
"Really?" She looked at me as I nodded.
"You want the small, good news, or the terrible, bad news first?" I asked after a moment, using every single ward I knew to block the area.
The only reason I was contemplating this was that the monster couldn't manifest openly in this dimension. If a single variable were even just a little bit different, I would have killed her on the spot without shedding a single tear, no matter what the girls thought of it.
But she also represented an opportunity… A very dumb, stupid opportunity I was too greedy to ignore.
Pulling a fast one over Chthon would make me a very dangerous enemy. But fuck if I wasn't tempted. Because if I succeeded, I would have the best counter against him, shaped by his own hand.
"The good news," she said softly, hesitantly.
"I know what's going on with you," I responded a moment later.
"And…?"
I winced, because the good news ended there.
The girls looked between us, and Tandy pulled out a bottle of her whisky, knowing the drill by this point.
She didn't even ask this time; she just put the entire bottle in Wanda's hand.
The auburn-haired woman closed her eyes painfully, taking a ragged breath before her green eyes locked onto me. She nodded.
I shook my head, cocking my head at the bottle.
A small laugh left her mouth before she uncorked it and took a swig.
"You've been marked. Since the moment of your birth," I explained. "By something dangerous."
"Like a demon, or something?" she asked worriedly.
I smiled amusedly as my wings spread behind my back.
The girls followed soon after.
"You're demons?! You joined the demons?!" She stood up and took three steps back as her eyes and hands shone red. "What the fuck, Anna, Grey?!"
"Technically, devils." I shook my head before sighing theatrically. "But what got you is something worse... An Elder God."
"Devils aren't that different from humans," Rogue defended herself, not looking like she regretted it in the slightest. "And you don't know a lot of things that have happened."
"It's true." Jean scowled. "There was a reason why Xavier stopped visiting a while ago."
Wanda looked between them, lowering her hands just slightly.
"You." She looked at me. "Explain properly."
"Chthon has claimed you. It has given you access to Chaos magic, probably to mold you into its vessel to finally enter this dimension." I nodded at her hands. "And I'm sorry to say this, truly."
I wasn't. Not in the slightest.
"I'm the only one who could help you."
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