a
part of him still thought this was a horrible idea. while he could
easily make it real and leave the other with marks of a fight, he
didn’t think those he worked for would actually believe him. they
knew that very few if any of the targets he went after got away.
there had been some that had, of course, but most of them rarely did.
and somehow he was supposed to make this look good enough to force
the hand of those he worked with. steve knew it wouldn’t be easy but
at least they’d both get what they needed out of this encounter; him
attempting to bring him him, the other running free having won their
so called fight.
his
eyes looked both directions, knowing they didn’t have much time left.
if they were going to do this they would need to start sooner rather
than later. the agents that were on their way wouldn’t be swayed
easily as the ones currently swarming about. and once those new ones
arrived on scene there would be nothing more he could do. which meant
he needed to deck this kid and hope for the best.
“no,
it’s not the best option,” he told him, shaking his head. “but
i don’t see any other choice, do you?” they’d finally found
something that would work for both of them and it was time to get
things moving. when he’d arrived at the scene he never thought things
would end up like this. he’d honestly thought he would drag this kid
in and that would be the end of it. now, he was seeing things a
little differently and he’d end up looking at those he worked with
closer than he had previously. steve just wished that there was a
better way for them to handle this. violence wasn’t something he
normally condoned but given that neither of them were going to walk
away from this without some sort of victory this was the only option
they had left.
sighing,
he knew he’d have to do this and he’d have to make it look real.
fighting someone he could easily handle. making it look good he could
easily handle. fighting with no good reason behind it? that would be
a little easier said than done. but he would so this kid could get
away and not have to worry about whatever shield had planned for him.
“i’ve
made my choice,” he growled back, taking his right fist and
lashing out at the other. since it had to look good he couldn’t allow
the other to know when it was coming. technically, he could drag the
kid back with him but they’d come to a solution they both had agreed
on. to go back on that would be to go back on his word and he’d made
a habit of actually sticking to his word. and steve knew the other
would prefer to run away on his own instead of allowing shield to get
their hands on him.
there were always other choices and options. one’s that could possibly be a better solution than the decision that was agreed upon. the only problem was that ky didn’t believe any of them would work.
shield wanted him. as for what? he didn’t know. deep down, he didn’t really care either, but being handed over to them wasn’t an option. being dragged in was possible – even a choice he would have gone with years ago – just not now. nor did he believe he’d ‘allow’ himself to ever be in their custody – not with what vague rumors he’d heard.
therefore, this choice of staging a fight would have to suffice. it would have to work in two parts; making sure ky got away and making sure it looked real. though, real was an odd word – more so it had to look like it wasn’t staged and that both himself, and rogers got away with-out too much damage.
victory wasn’t assured in this little ‘staged’ game of theirs. rather, it was a hope that both sides wouldn’t break their agreement. if that happened, there would be far dire consequences for whoever lost. more so, if ky lost (something he knew was possible), and thus he wanted to prevent such an outcome.
being ready was something ky knew he’d never be; training (that he lacked) or otherwise. it was only a matter of time before one of them enacted the first blow – rogers just seemed to take the initiative.
a sharp blow right to the torso. something he figured he’d be able to detect before, it happened, but ky was more distracted with the ‘what if’s’ than their actual agreement.
a grunt escaped his lips. then a moment later he grinned.
the time for thinking about what could happen after the fact was over. now, was the time to send his own punch back – if only to continue on with the spectacle.
while ky didn’t know what rogers was fully capable of, the choice to go ‘softer’ than usual was something that was done out of necessity rather than want. this agreement was so ky wouldn’t fall into shield’s clutches.
all the same, he took a step back, and then slammed his right foot forward; to kick at rogers. that way, maybe he could gauge just how far rogers would go, and in turn it would work the same way in his mind. if anything… ky was holding back for the moment.
Had he been smiling, that remark would serve to dampen any pleasant expression he felt obligated to showcase. If given the choice he’d…rather not return to such a state of inadequacy, with it being enough for him that he’d be forevermore branded with the accursed label of being the unworthy one. Even after newly forged uru was once more placed in his hand.
“Then consider this my statement of intent.” Entirely unfazed by such threats, Thor taps into the well that stores his formidable power, causing his eyes to cast off a dazzling effulgence as static built up to tangible extremes around the restored lord of storms. “We are not meant to be allies, and it is an unfortunate thing to admit that we once were on the same side.”
This fact had knotted rather painfully in his riling guts, falling back into his arrogant and boastful ways with the recovering of his status. Had he learnt anything from his all-too public humbling and humiliation, it is that might and power were the most important aspects of life to him. “Be you gone now, and let us pray that we are never destined to speak again.”
As the reborn God finished, a low feral growl escaped the Demon’s lips. One, that was done out dissatisfaction with the intent rather than the God himself. Ky knew that Thor was formidable – a reason he wanted him on his side-, but getting there was proving to be quite difficult.
When the God was unworthy, it was far easier to coax him into doing what he wanted. Offer a bribe of redemption or power and he’d have the Unworthy one at his side. A worthy ally. One, that Ky wanted – no, needed at his side in this, but there was lingering doubt he’d obtain it once again.
“You can’t accept you were once like me.” Not exactly like him, but close enough in Ky’s mind. Someone who was forced to play by another set of rules. Someone, who had to fight against anyone who stood in their way.
Whether it be by fate or something else… Ky was losing ground. Allies were hard to come by and he needed someone by his side. More importantly, he needed a friend, but admitting that wasn’t going to happen. Not when it was quite clear in his mind that since becoming worthy again… Odinson was no longer capable of being those things.
Not since that declaration of intent. A declaration, that made Ky’lar Richardson furious. “But you can’t deny the truth, Odinson. With or with-out your intervention this will happen – you’re just too blind with worthiness to see it.”
“Sneaking around at night is one thing,” he said, gesturing to the area they currently stood in. “This is another.” Even Ky knew that it was dangerous to be in this side of town at night. However, the reason he was here was not entirely similar to her own – someone had called for him. As for why? He didn’t know nor did he think that little piece of information was important for the moment. In truth, all it meant for him was it dragged himself out of his hotel room, and that was a good thing… most of the time. “You should get out of here.”
Of those that had made strides to humanise the tumultuous youth, Odinson had made several attempts. Contributed his efforts to see if something good could be made of someone so predisposed to villainous, motivated by his own unworthy state. Though he had yet to find success– and would need to recover from his own rut of damaged spirit first before making any significant process in this venture– he remained undeterred. The parading of Thori was but another step towards something beneficial for the both of them, thinking it beneficial if Ky was visited by something that showed all devils were as cruel and terrible as the stories about them foretold.
“As does this one. He has tussled with Toothgrinder far too frequently.” It seemed ridiculous, for a hel-hound and a goat to be found fighting. Fortunately, Toothgrinder was no mere grass muncher; taller than the blond himself and as long as a small car, the legendary caprine could hold his own with many a god when necessary. “Thori is…a unique case. He was named by my brother and stayed with him as a pup before being separated. He deigned to stay by side after I freed him from the Collector’s cells, and hasn’t budged since. Perhaps you might be able to coax him away for a while? I imagine you both will have much to discuss.”
The part of Ky’lar that wanted to ask questions about the Collector and Toothgrinder was silenced as he started to scratch behind the Ears of Thori. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t have asked them, but rather, it was deemed unimportant for the time being. Ky never had much experience around animals. Nor did he attempt to be around them actively. This hel-hound -sentient or otherwise- was the first one he’d ever been around longer than a few short moments.
"Doubtful,” he said, letting a deep sigh escape his lips. “You know better than most how i am around… anything.” Usually, Ky was disastrous, but even he knew this wasn’t the usual sort of animal. No, this was something different, and deep down… he knew he’d be able to get along with hel-hound. All he had to do was convince himself that he was worthy – no, he deserved to be around such a creature. Especially when his record around anyone – beast or otherwise- wasn’t entirely decent.
“However, I will give it an attempt.” It was the least he could do at any rate. To at least try to be better than he usually was.
“This isn’t a good time, Norrin.” Ky’s tone was far sharper than usual; a bite to it that was quite unpleasant to most as he shot a glare at the other. The pervious hour, there had been a fight; not with the usual violence, but with words. No, it wasn’t necessary to invoke that sort of response – not unless Ky did something drastic… like he was planning. “It’s best you left.”
“Thori appears to be found of you.” Remarkably, between all the statements of ‘murder!’ voiced by the sentient hel-hound, it is approval that the blond manages to gleam from his barking and yapping, a talent he developed in the weeks he had spent exploring space. During that time, his companions were the stocky canine that paced before his recognised master, a mystic goat that had been like a friend to him since boyhood, and the immense malaise that piled on his back like unwanted weight. It had seen his attitude towards most things turn, in the most delicate of terms, crabby as a consequence. “I am not surprised. Each of you hail from similar reaches of the inferno. Perhaps you would like to take him for, ah, ‘walkies’ sometime.”
There was an old saying that Kin (no matter where they were from) called to Kin. More so when they were from similar areas. Ky never agreed with the claim he was from hell, but would never deny it either. In his mind, he was born on earth, but slowly… he was starting to accept that it wasn’t the full case of the matter. He had always been more feral than human. More distant than most and less agreeable. For as much as he tried, as much as everyone around him tried, he never was able to ‘conform’ to how most humans acted. He never was really ‘there’ and his focus was scattered. However, over the years he’d managed to figure out what was lacking, and found a balance. Something that worked… on most days. Something that centered him and kept him from being eternally at war with himself. Accepting the fact of where he was from – his more prominent half- was just the start. A reason to why he kneeled down and moved to touch the top of the hel-hound’s head to rub it gently. “Most animals growl, bite, nor run in the other direction. Animals on Earth don’t like me that much.” Neither did most people really, but that wasn’t the point.
It was madness.
Steve was aware of what he had done – but regret was not something that pained his mind. The relief of knowing that Bucky would come back was more than enough to make this deal worth it. Whatever price the demon would make him pay, it would be worth it. He just… couldn’t lose Bucky all over again. One time had been enough. To see him disappear before his very eyes after Thanos snapped his fingers and wiped out half of the life in the entire Universe? To set a damn balance? It was absolutely horrifying. How many people had lost their loved ones? Their parents, siblings – a loved one? Thor had lost his brother. Shuri had lost her brother. Everyone had lost someone in this battle and yet… Steve was the one crazy enough to make a deal with a demon to bring Bucky back.
How would they react if they knew? How mad would they be if they became aware of what he had done? There was always another way. There was always some… back door that could help them win. Prevail. But this time? Steve wasn’t so sure. Maybe there was some way to deal with Thanos and defeat the Titan – but he couldn’t do it alone. He would never be able to do it without Bucky. He needed that support. That safe haven that would make him see that everything was alright. Bucky was his best friend. The last tie to a past that seemed a lifetime away. A constant memory of the man he once was… and the man he was now.
“I’m sorry.” Steve sighed and contemplated the sunset inWakanda. Everyone was indoors. They were mourning and devising new ways to track down Thanos and kill the bastard once and for all. Thunders shook the ground. Thor was probably the one who was the most pissed about it and while Steve knew that he should find the Asgardian and seek to share words of wisdom, he simply could not. Instead, he would sit in the woods. In the exact place, he saw Bucky vanish while waiting for either his friend – or the demon to appear.
Madness was one way of putting it. Ky should have asked for more – should have, but didn’t. Truth be told, bringing anyone back was a massive undertaking.
However, as monumental as it was, it was a challenge that Ky never really could pass up. If he did, the consequences of said actions would have had to be quite dire, and for the time being… they were not.
No, he’d go through with this arrangement, and deal with whatever side effects there possibly would be. If it was bad? Well, he’d deal with it, but only on his own terms. And only if it came to that point.
Bringing one man back should have been easy; a simple hop, skip, and jump between realms. He’d done it before countless times, but this was a bit more tricky. Maybe it had been due to the simple fact that trillions had died. Maybe it had just been due to Thanos – either way, it proved difficult to track the one in question down.
He almost has given up when he had found him. It wasn’t where he’d originally thought to look, but sometimes the last place to find someone was the more unexpected route.
More importantly, he had found what was requested, but found it difficult to remove him. Not that it stoped him – Ky knew well enough to play with the strings of fate. He’d done so before and managed to get away with it ( granted someone had to clean up the mess after words).
Just before returning back to Earth, he paused as he thought about how many more people wanted to make deals, but decided against it. No, he wasn’t going to press his luck – nor did he need a visit from the living tribunal ( again ) as one warning was enough. He doubted he’d get another.
“Perfect,” he said, practically dragging Bucky through the portal behind him – a little worse for wear -, but that was mainly due to the fact the both of them traveled what seemed like centuries. Nothing a little fresh air could clear up.
Still, he’d done his duty, and decided to leave Bucky just near the place he was ‘dusted’. He’d not remember the trip (or so Ky hoped he wouldn’t) or anything after the ‘dusting’. All Bucky would remember (if he did things right) was the events right before the ‘dusting’. A simple trick, but one that could prove complicated if someone interfered or poked too much about the subject.
However, for the ‘reunion’ Ky decided to stay hidden for a moment before taking his leave. His work was done and he wasn’t prone on doing something else like this anytime in the near future.
this was the very thing he was attempting to avoid; enemies on all sides and nowhere to turn. well, he could have just gone home, but that would have been worse than simply placing his back against the wall. in his mind, he fought, and thought better when his options were limited. the same options that lead him into this little ‘situation’ with real blood on his hands. not to say that he hadn’t had blood on his hands before, but this was different. this was something he tried to avoid, but his habits never did fade away. the wrong word, the wrong look, and then everything turned right back to how it should be. or so he kept telling himself over in over again in his head.
❛ this isn’t – ❜ a lie, he wanted to finish with what it looked like, but it was exactly what it looked like. a simple chat, that was all this should have been, but they asked too many questions. asked the wrong (or even right ) ones and now they were dead – just his luck. ❛ — crap. ❜ the only thought on his mind was to run – get out of there, but something held him in place. maybe his own sense of morality or maybe it was a slight twinge of regret. whatever it was… he didn’t like the feeling of it.
❛ privacy isn’t a luxury people like us can often afford. ❜ the sentiment spoken airily, as casual as if they were simply two friends partaking in small talk. not that nat considered herself like him, exactly, but like him there were too many eyes watching for her at any given moment. and like him, it was not probable that she would remain out of their sights forever. unfazed by his disrobing, the former agent leaned back in her chair, brow raised as if in challenge. ❛ i wouldn’t mind a beer, if you’re offering. ❜ it wasn’t as though she was trying to drag this out — not really — but enhanced or not, even spies could use a rest from time to time, and she wanted to enjoy the lull in activity ——even if only for a moment. ❛ and then maybe we could have a little talk. ❜
it was common when he was alone that he wore close to nothing. pants were usually what he had on most of the time; easier that way, far more than attempting to deal with a shirt. still, he grabbed another beer, and tossed it her way. if anything, maybe being decent would benefit him for once, but even that was doubtful. ❛ privacy can be bought and sold, ❜ he said popping open the can. ❛ sometimes you can keep it for a good long while, but other times? not so much. ❜ not that cared. killing whoever interrupted or was watching easy…. most of the time at least. however, even then, he knew that was a way to get tracked – possibly what lead him to this situation. ❛ a reason to why i keep on the move. especially due to my own little… family matters. ❜ though, calling his family ‘arguments’ little was a massive understatement.
❝ I mean, I would have preferred you to be gone forever, but, we can’t all have what we want, now can we? ❞ Saccharine sweet and with entirely too much teeth, Felicia grinned up at Ky as she leaned into him. It was a job she needed him for, no matter how much she hated it.
❝ Now, just keep that little smile on your face and look at me like I put the stars in the sky. I’ll have those jewels in no time. ❞
❝ No, we can’t always have what we truly want, can we?❞ No matter how hard he tried in all reality. ❝ Now, if you’re wanting me to smile… more and especially play my part.. ❞ He trailed off for several moments as his attention shifted from the ground back to her. ❝ You’re going to have to let me have a little fun after this is over. ❞
Hellfirebound 