The Ten Rings Arc #4
Program: Monster, Iron Heart, Wiccan
Monster:
Year 1
You rolled over to your side with a groan. Your body still hurt from.the collar and the drug that was still flowing through your system.
Enchantress: You make a lot of noise, you know.
You looked over your shoulder at the girl was was leaning against the wall just outside your cell.
Enchantress: I have to say, I thought you'd be more entertaining. Doom made you out to be something great.
Y/N: WHy dOn'T yOu TaKe ThIs CoLlAr oFf aNd I'lL sHow yoU wHat I cAn rEaLly dO?
You coughed as you sat up.
Enchantress: Actually, I prefer having a collar on most men.
You let out a low dry chuckle.
Y/N: You remind me of someone I knew.
Enchantress: Felicia? Or was it Cat?
You shot her a look as she smirked.
Enchantress: I remember Taskmaster telling me about how he used her to get to you. That plan failed but, we did do some damage.
You just glared at her as she looked at you.
Enchantress: You have some fire to you. I like it~
You chose to ignore her before you laid back down and rolled over. Mindlessly playing with the small piece of metal that was sticking out of the bed frame.
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Riri: So, this is Bleecker Street?
Billy: I've been through this way before. I always did get a..strange feeling when I walked past this place.
The two stood in front of the address Wanda had given them. Both were in their uniforms.
Riri: I don't think flying through the window is a good idea.
Billy: It does look expensive.
Riri: What should we do?
Billy: Knock?
The two looked at each other before they walked over to the door. Riri lifted her hand to knock, but the door opened on it's own.
The two looked at each other before Billy pushed the door open the rest of the way. Inside, they found a massive green tentacle monster fighting a man.
Billy/Riri: Uh....
Horror: Death awaits you, Strange!
Dr. Strange: They all say that.
Riri: Should we come back?
The monster noticed the two new arrivals and screeched.
Horror: Interlopers!
Billy: Hi.
Strange escaped the creature's grasp as Riri and Billy jumped in the fray. Riri fired off a blast while Billy began a chant to stop the beast.
Riri: I guess it's a good thing your door was open!
Strange: I was the one who opened it. Welcome to my home, Riri Williams and Billy Kaplan.
Strange relased an ice spell at the same time Billy's own spell took affect. The creature stopped long enough for Strange to freeze the beast.
Strange: A pity that our friend Zetok the Merciless decided to pop in at the same time.
Riri: Looks pretty solid. Mind if I just...blow it?
Strange stepped out of the way as Riri fired off three small rockets which shattered the creature. Strange and Billy stood behind Riri.
Strange: Well, your methods are very...direct.
Billy: But it works.
Strange: Very well. Now, shall we talk?
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You laid on your bed when you heard someone approach your cell again. You sat up and found Taskmaster standing there.
Y/N: What do you want?
Taskmaster: I just wanted to check in on you. Also, I wanted to apologize for hurting that girlfriend of yours. Whichever one it is you're dating.
You raised a brow.
Y/N: What?
Taskmaster: You know, the Van Dyne girl. Hank's daughter.
Y/N: Nadia?
Taskmaster: Whatever her name is.
You just rolled your eyes.
Y/N: What do you really want?
Taskmaster stood there for a moment before he looked around.
Taskmaster: I just wanted to talk. I knew your mom, you know.
That caught your attention. You looked over at the man as he stood there.
Taskmaster: I was a Striker. Just like she was. Just like that parasite on your arm.
Y/N: Bullshit.
Taskmaster: It's true. That's why I haven't killed you.
You narrowed your eyes at him as he sighed.
Taskmaster: Look, I don't want to torture you. Much. Think of it as respect for my fallen allies.
Y/N: If you were a Striker, then why are you working with the Ten Rings?
Taskmaster: Despite times. Tell me, do you even know what Godslayer means?
Godslayer? You've heard that title quite a bit ever since the first AIM base.
Taskmaster: No? Fine. Let me give you a history lesson. The truth behind the Strikers. And you.
~~~~~~~~~~
20 Years Ago....
The Strikers were an odd group. All of us came from different backgrounds. All of us misfits. Outcasts. But we had one thing in common.
The Creator.
He was the one who found us. Brought us all together.
I was the youngest one there. Only 18 at the time. SHIELD had given me work here and there, but it was never anything consistent. So when the Creator came to me, I was more than happy to join.
I was a dumb kid back then. Eager to prove myself and make a name. The Strikers gave me that opportunity.
I remember the day that started it all. I was the newest member.
Creator: Thank you for coming in.
Taskmaster: Of course. What do you need me for? A mission?
Creator: Yes.
I recalled looking over and seeing the people I would be going with. A man known as Moon Knight, and Codex. Your mother.
My mentor.
Creator: The mission is a simple recon. You know what to do.
Of course we did. And we did it well. It was a ship that was suspected of holding a shipment of weapons. Of course, me and Moon Knight could've done it one our own. We had enough skill. But with Codex, Elise, we were unstoppable.
We ended up on the ship with the weapons. And from there, we found something. Something that shouldn't have been there.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Y/N: What was it?
Before he could answer, more footsteps approached the cell.
Doom: What are you doing here?
Taskmaster looked at his leader as he reached the cell, Enchantress at his side.
Taskmaster: Just checking on the prisoner.
Doom: Are you now? It sounds like you were giving him quite the history lesson.
He turned to you as you sat there.
Doom: Godslayer.
You glared at him as he waved his hand at the door. It opened and you stood up to face him. He entered your cell.
Doom: I see. You want the collar off, don't you?
Y/N: Go ahead. I'll be good.
Doom chuckled at your lie as he reached out and grabbed the collar. He activated it and took it off.
You immediately tried to pop out your claws, but the drugs were still in your system and you ended up falling forward. Then, suddenly, your head began to ache.
Y/N: Gahhh!
Venom: Kid?
Y/N: Wha....what's going on?
Doom: Do you feel it?
Your eye began to blink an odd color.
Doom: Tell me, boy. Do you know what you are? Who you are?
Y/N: M-My name is...Y/N...Romanoff.
Doom suddenly kicked your face which caused you to fall over.
Doom: Try again. Who are you?
You suffered in the floor as you got back to your knees.
Y/N: My name is...Y/N Romanoff.
Doom grabbed a handful of your hair and punched you, sending you to the ground.
Doom: Do you want me to tell you?
Your eyes began to flicker a strange purple color as you looked at the man before you.
Y/N: Who am I?
The man smiled under his mask.
Doom: My greatest creation. The Godslayer.
He grabbed the collar and slammed it back around your neck which caused Venom to cry out again. You felt yourself grow weaker as Doom walked out of the cell with the door closing behind him.
Doom: The ritual will take place on the full moon in three days time.
Your head stopped aching and your eye returned to normal as Doom walked away. Taskmaster stood there for a moment before he also left.
You sat up and felt the blood start to drip from your nose. You slowly lifted your head and stared at Enchantress through your hair. She was staring at you.
Y/N: What?
Enchantress: Nothing.
She turned and left, but waved her hand. You suddenly felt the blood stop and your nose heal. You raised a hand to it and found the green mist leave your hand.
You sighed and lowered your head.
----------------
Strange: Have a seat. May I offer you any refreshments?
Billy: Water for me.
Riri: You have any orange pop?
Strange raised a brow.
Strange: Pardon me?
Riri: Oh, sorry. I forgot where I was.
Riri cleared her throat as she sat down.
Riri: Do you have any...soooooda?
Strange: That's bad for you. You need to protect your teeth.
Riri suddenly found a cup of tea in her hand while Billy had a glass of ice water.
Strange: Now, you are here for answers. Wanda had called ahead and explained most of the situation to me. The Ten Rings. This came at a peculiar moment.
He raised his hand and an illusion of an object appeared in his hand.
Strange: This is the Stone of Hala. Alone, it is not noteworthy. But when welded by someone with arcane knowledge, working in concert with others, it is a threshold between realities. A portal of unfathomable power.
Riri: Midnight's Fire must've stolen it! Or someone else from the Ten Rings.
Billy: But could a two bit ninja wizard really be able to take it?
Riri: He did say that he was working with powerful forces from all over the world. He was looking for a way to access the Wellspring of Power or something....
Strange: What did you say?!
Billy and Riri looked at each other.
Riri: The Wellspring of Power.
Strange rubbed his chin before he got up and flew over to a bookshelf. He looked through the books before he pulled one out and looked at it. He placed it back on the shelf before he flew to another shelf where he grabbed a scroll. He then returned to the two.
A table appeared and Strange placed the scroll down before he opened it up. Riri and Billy joined him at the table where they looked at the scroll.
Strange: The Wellspring of Power. Many have spent their lives looking for it. Others have found the gates but never made it back.
Billy: Wait, these are rune symbols. Norse.
Strange: Yes. The spring has it's origin in the norse homelands. However, those gates closed long ago.
Riri: But, there's more gates. More ways to get to it, right?
Strange nodded. He casted an illusion and revealed an image of a city.
Strange: The gateway you seek is in the land of the Black Panther himself. Wakanda.
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You rubbed your arm as you sat on your bed. The tray of food remained untouched since that Maximus guy dropped it off a few hours ago.
You just stared at the roof before you smirked when you felt something snap. You slowly pulled the small piece of metal off the bed frame and held it up. You then lowered it to your hand and placed the tip of the metal to your finger.
You had been reading more books that Wanda had given you. But the one that always caught your eye was the Book of Ruins.
So you began to dig into your skin. It hurt like hell, but you didn't even care.
You stopped when heard footsteps and quickly hid the metal piece.
Enchantress: You should eat.
You looked over at the girl who was standing there.
Y/N: What do you care? I could just kill myself now and destroy whatever plan you all have.
Enchantress just smiled.
Enchantress: I wouldn't let you.
Y/N: You know, I still don't get what it is you guys are doing. If you have the Wellspring of Power, what do you need me for?
Enchantress leaned against the wall.
Enchantress: Simple, really. You're the Godslayer.
Y/N: Everyone keeps saying that. What does it mean?
Enchantress: It means you were created to destroy the gods themselves. A weapon to stop even the ancient races. And Doom needs you to become his weapon again.
So, that's why he kept you here. Why he called you his greatest creation. The Godslayer was supposed ro destory the gods. But, why?
Enchantress: I'm afraid that's all I know. If it being honest, I'm only working with these fools in order to get what I want. Once the Ten Rings has you under our control, I can use you to take Asgard. I can claim the throne.
Y/N: Good luck with that one. Thor and Beta Ray would kick my ass and then kick yours.
Enchantress: Silly boy. You still don't see just how powerful you really are. Shame, really. It would make things much easier.
She sighed before she walked over to the door and placed her hands on the bars.
Enchantress: You know, I think I heard Taskmaster talk about your mother before. Codex? Elise?
You gritted your teeth as she leaned even closer.
Enchantress: You're a lot more interesting than the other guys here. I think I'll make you my pet once everything is said and done.
She laughed to herself as she left. You just shook your head and pulled the piece of metal back out. You then got back to work.
Within the next 20 minutes, your fingers were bloody.
But the symbols were carved perfectly.
Now, you waited.
You waited, with a grin.
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