A/N: This follows on the heels of my fic Siege Tactics. If you wanna know what happened on the team-up mission then feel free to read it :)
Otherwise, continue with this tale and let me know what you think. Enjoy :)
The Devil you know
The Latverian Hydra Base mission has ended and the Blackbird has returned home. The motley crew team-up of X-Men and Avengers are greeted by Charles Xavier and Iceman. Charles has Logan and Iceman escort their new guest, the Winter Soldier, to a spare office. Cyclops was going to follow but he has to check on Jean. She passed out during the mission pushing herself to heal a deep wound that Captain America had received from an enemy teleporter who looked like a red version of Kurt. She woke up a few minutes before they landed. He and Logan escorted their guest from the Blackbird… now he wants to see to his wife.
"Are you okay?" Scott asks concerned as he approaches Jean and Storm. Their white-haired teammate excuses herself and heads off with a promise of talking later. Storm then runs into Steve and those two chat for a minute.
"I'm fine." Jean says giving a weak yet reassuring smile. Scott frowns.
"You don't look fine, Jean." He says as he caresses her cheek. Jean sighs.
"I pushed myself on this mission." She admits as she leans into the comforting touch. "Maybe too hard, too fast."
"Jean?" Comes Steve's voice breaking into the moment. Jean and Scott both look at Captain America. "Thanks… for what you did. I'd still be healing from that gut wound right now if you hadn't helped." Steve says with a friendly smile as he extends his hand out to Jean. She looks at the offered hand and takes it. Steve then gently shakes her hand. "I'm debriefing everyone in the War Room." The super soldier then adds and walks away. Natasha takes his hand as he goes. The two X-Men follow. The others are already there, save for Logan who is guarding Charles in case the Winter Soldier tries to rabbit again.
"Good work, everyone." Steve starts with a smile. "We got out with our targets and no one was captured, killed, or severally wounded. I call that a homerun." The X-Men all smile and congratulate a job well done. Colossus gives a hurrah. Sam joins in but Barton and Natasha just look impassive.
"What the hell." Clint says with a smirk and joins in by clapping. He nudges Natasha's arm but she rolls her eyes and crosses her arms… though she does smirk as she gives Steve hungry eyes.
"But that doesn't mean it's over. Hydra has other establishments out there, other places to hide and plan." Steve says in his Captain's voice and everyone listens.
"They have a telporter as well." Barton speaks up.
"Yes, they do… and it's hard to determine how many more Mutants they will rally to their cause." Steve says. "All of us have to be vigilant now. No more of this isolationist attitude. All Heroes have to work together for the liberty of all. United we stand… or Divided we fall." Steve finishes.
"Azazel." Kurt says and everyone goes quiet as they look to the blue devil. "He said his name vas Azazel und dat he vas a Neyaphem." Kurt adds in a distant tone. "The teleporter, the vun like me."
"There's two people I know who could shed some light on what exactly a… kneed-ya-"
"Nee-ya-feem." Kurt says pronouncing the name slowly for Steve when the Captain's voice trails off.
"Thank you… as I was saying… there are only two individuals I know of who could help clarify what a Neyaphem is." Steve says testing the new name.
A phone call and an hour passes before Steve, Storm, Kitty, Colossus, and Kurt have all congregated up on the front courtyard which is south facing. They watch the clear blue sky when suddenly…
"There! I see the red cape." Storm says as she points to the southeast. Then Thor is spotted by all as he zooms towards them and plummets from the heavens to impact the paving stones of the courtyard. They buckle and shatter under the force of the impact. Dirt is kicked up and small broken stone shards skip about on the paved area. Everyone has to react defensively to protect themselves from any flying debris. Steve uses his shield while Kurt stands behind him, Colossus metals-up, Kitty uses her phasing to let any flying debris pass harmlessly through her and Storm.
"Sorry about that. I'll aim for the grass my next visit." Thor says sheepishly to the frowning X-Men (though Colossus grins excitedly at meeting another super-powered Avenger) as Thor walks over with his red cape and long blonde hair flowing. His sky blue eyes light up at the sight of Storm. "Is this the Weather Witch I've heard so much about?" Thor says excitedly in his booming voice as he eyes her more closely.
"Weather Witch?" Storm asks as Steve greets Thor with a hand shake.
"Your hair is white, your eyes the color of the clear sky, and you bend the weather to your will. These are the markings of a Weather Witch." Thor says to clarify.
"You've heard of others like me?" Storm asks more curious now.
"Aye… as a child, my father told me and my brother of his travels throughout the Nine Realms." Thor starts with a smile. "There was a princess of a kingdom that was located in a sea of burning sands with hair as white as snow. She was of royal blood and seen as a goddess among her people because the winds were her friends and the rain heeded her sweet voice." Thor then sighs sadly and gives Storm a soft smile. "I can see why my father fell in love with her." Storm's eyes widen at that.
"That sounds like an interesting story, Thor… but there's another reason I have called you here." Steve says and steps aside to reveal Kurt who steps hesitantly forward and looks up curiously at the golden Thunder God. "This is Kurt Wagner. Kurt this is Thor." Steve says making the introduction.
"Hallo." Kurt says meekly as he gives a little wave and smiles nervously.
"By my father's beard! A demon of Muspelheim!" Thor says with a shout as he eyes Kurt with a start and spins his hammer in his hand as he lifts it. Steve steps between with shield raised and pleads for Thor to calm down. The blue devil's shoulders slump and his tail falls to the ground even as Thor settles.
"So I am a demon after all?" Kurt says in a wounded voice. A somber silence falls over the gathered group. Thor then eyes Kurt more closely in contemplation.
"Wait… You're a dark blue in color… every demon from Muspelheim is spawned in Hel. They come in a few colors… red, orange, yellow, gray, or black… but not blue… this is most curious." Thor then says as he steps closer to Kurt who looks up in nervous awe at the towering blonde man looming over him. "My father would know more than I… or my… brother, if he was till alive." Thor gets a saddened look upon his face and it is as if a cloud has moved before the sun. Then it passes and Thor smiles weakly. "Should you wish it, I shall take you to meet my father on Asgard." Thor then says with an assured nod of his head.
"Ja! I vish to know." Kurt says nodding his indigo head eagerly.
"What's goin' on here?" Rogue says curiously as she approaches, a warm smile on her lovely face. She eyes Thor giving him a down-up glance as he beams a smile at her approach.
"Marie, this is my friend and fellow Avenger, Thor." Steve says with a smile. "Thor, this is one of my students… Marie."
"Suga, you can call me Rogue." Rogue says with a smile to the big blonde man.
"A lovely lady such as yourself does not look to be of the outlawing type." Thor says as he takes her gloved hand and kisses her knuckles gently.
"Appearances can be deceivin'… so ah'm told." Rogue says in her southern drawl and blushes shyly. She then turns to Steve. "But seriously, what's goin' on here with Kurt?" She then asks concerned for her friend. Steve knows that Kurt saved her life once, Rogue has practically told him her life story… and she has come to view the blue devil as something like a brother. So it comes as no surprise that she'd be concerned about him.
"Rogue, I vent on a mission vith Steve und I seen another just like me." Kurt says speaking for himself. Rogue gives him a curious look.
"Like ya how?" Rogue asks curiously as her attention is all for Kurt.
"He looked just like me… only red vith black hair und he said his name vas Azazel." Kurt says and his excitement bleeds a little into his voice as he smiles at Rogue. The young woman puts her hand to her mouth to trap the gasp that wants to escape as she looks at Kurt with shimmering green eyes.
"Really? Red? With a tail as well?" Rogue then asks in a small voice.
"Ja… exactly the same." Kurt says and chuckles. "I thought he vas the Devil himself at first. I didn't think there'd ever be another who looked liked me… though there are Mystique und Hank who both are blue vith yellow eyes like me… perhaps I'm not so usual after all. I just vant to know vhere I come from. I just vant some answers." Kurt then adds with a sad smile. Rogue hugs him tightly in reassurance and Kurt hugs her back.
"Well then in that case… ah'm sure you'll find the answers soon, sweetie." Rogue says as she pulls away and smiles at her friend.
"Thank you." Kurt says to her then he looks to Thor. "Vhen can ve leave?" Kurt asks Thor. The Thunder God looks contemplative for a moment.
"Whenever you are ready, blue one." Thor says with a nod.
Another hour passes and Kurt has a small bag packed and a navy blue hoodie on then he and Thor stand out in the open field behind the mansion. Steve, Natasha, Storm, Rogue, and Charles Xavier say their farewells and best wishes to Kurt. Thor assures them all that he and Kurt shouldn't be gone for more than two or three days at the most then Thor looks up and calls out to Heimdall… a brilliant flash of multi-colored light envelops the two and they are gone. Steve misses his new friend already but he hopes that whatever answers Kurt finds… they'll bring some measure of peace. Steve and the others then head into the mansion and go their separate ways. He and Natasha head down to the Danger Room to spar.
"I hope Kurt finds what he's looking for." Steve says as he dodges a punch from Natasha and grabs her wrist. She spins around lightning fast and locks her legs on his arm. She then uses the momentum of her swing to topple the super soldier and they roll stopping with Natasha on top pinning Steve down.
"And if he doesn't?" Natasha asks coolly as she raises her left brow and looks down at Steve. He grabs her hips and pushes her to the side to roll over and he pins her to the matted floor.
"I know of only one other person who could possibly shed some light on the subject." Steve says and goes flat against the redhead as she tries to wriggle free.
"Oh?" Natasha says in her husky tone as she stills beneath the super soldier. "And who would that be?" She then asks and slowly grazes her teeth against the side of Steve's neck to show his vulnerable spot… as well as send shivers down his spine.
"You honestly don't know?" Steve says with a breathy chuckle (oh, yeah… he's turned on). Natasha gives him a cool glare but he just smiles at her.
"Demons means magic… magic narrows the possibilities down to roughly five individuals on the Index… one of which is dead but his golden brother loves to reminisce. Hmmm… Dr. Stephen Strange it is then." Natasha says with a pleased smirk as she eyes her lover.
"Junior." Steve corrects. "Everyone forgets to say Junior."
"Right… the original Doctor Strange disappeared in the '80s. Easy to confuse them since they have the same name and choice of career." Natasha says flatly. Steve shakes his head and chuckles at her sarcasm. She quickly turns the tables by popping her right hip up hard and sudden in his momentary lapse. She rolls Steve over and straddles his groin. She brings his left arm over his throat and leans forward adding pressure. Steve is surprised to say the least and the way she slowly wiggles on him is causing his blood to rush straight down to the point of contact at their hips.
"Gottya where I want ya." Natasha says seductively as her lips brush barely over his. Steve smiles at her.
"Think so?" He then asks innocently enough before he raises his arms and lifts her up easily. She sits back against his thighs after Steve sits up. His arms slide around her slim waist to pull her flush against his front. "I've missed you." Steve adds with a warm smile as he looks into her blue eyes. For a split second, Steve finds it interesting that her eyes are bluer right now than green… Odd.
"I'm here now." Natasha says as she kisses Steve passionately and the super soldier finds it hard to think at the moment. The only thought in the good Captain's head is a question in need of answer… where should he touch the beautiful redhead in his arms first?
Several minutes and separate showers later… the pair makes their way to the dinning area since supper is about to be served. Steve and Natasha sit together and eat in peace until Rogue sits down across from Steve at the long table.
"Where'd Kurt take off to?" The southern girl asks curiously. Steve looks at her oddly. She should know this since she was present when he left with Thor.
"He left with Thor, remember?" Natasha tells the young woman flatly.
"Thor was here?" Rogue asks and her eyes go wide at that. "Ah can't believe ah missed him." She groans and huffs out a sigh as she blows a white strand of her bangs from her eyes. Steve finds this so unusual.
"You met Thor… then saw him and Kurt off before they left for Asgard." Steve says and eyes Rogue carefully. She frowns sadly.
"Ah was stuck in Beast's physical science class all afternoon." Rogue says puzzled as she blinks a little rapidly then her eyes widen as the revelation crosses her mind. "This happened before." She says and lowers her voice as she leans across the table. "Mystique."
"Mystique?" Steve says puzzled at first. The name is familiar then it clicks and his own eyes widen as he looks at Rogue. "Female Shapeshifter. Expert in hand-to-hand combat. Used to work for a Mutant Terrorist known as Magneto."
"Then she put in some time with S.H.I.E.L.D." Natasha says as she sips at her drink. "She started out giving us the dirt on Magneto then we put her combat skills to use tracking down all of her former associates connected with The Brotherhood of Mutants. Eventually, her shape changing ability returned but she stuck around."
"That's surprising." Steve says and shakes his head. "From what I've read, she seems to not want anything to do with Humans."
"She saved Nixon's ass back in '73. So ask yourself this… why does a woman do anything?" Natasha then asks Steve the rhetorical question. He just shrugs his shoulders silently at his girlfriend not knowing what to say to such a loaded question. Natasha just smirks at him as she says, "Because she can… because it's convenient… because it will help her out in the long run. Take your pick."
"In other words… only she knows why she does anything." Steve says.
"She's a shapeshifter… she'll just morph into whatever gets her through the situation." Natasha then says. "She's one of many S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents who went AWOL after the Hydra take-over. My guess… She used S.H.I.E.L.D. to gain intel and access to the best tech and weapons around."
"She could stir up a whole lotta trouble now." Steve comments.
"Yeah… so then the real question is… why is she here?" Natasha then says and arcs her left brow as she looks at Steve. The super soldier thinks about the meeting with Thor and then his and Kurt's subsequent departure. The pieces are falling into place.
"I think the real question isn't why… but who." Steve then says sternly as he looks between the two women.
Kurt's yellow eyes are wide as they dart around the inside of the Bi-Frost Observatory. His heart is racing as he gives a breathy smile to Heimdall, the Gatekeeper from under his hood.
"Dat vas amazing!" Kurt says excitedly.
"Welcome to Asgard." Heimdall says in his stoic way.
"Hallo… I am-"
"Kurt Wagner… or Nightcrawler." Heimdall answers as he eyes the blue devil with his amber eyes and wears a small smirk.
"How do you-"
"My All-seeing gaze spied you more than a few years ago… when you attempted to assassinate the leader of one of Midgard's most powerful governments. You are of a curious appearance so I followed you for several days." Heimdall answers simply.
"Oh?" Kurt says and falls speechless at the reminder of his less than admirable moment.
"How has Asgard fared since I left?" Thor then asks the Gatekeeper.
"The Realm Eternal has repaired itself of the damage wrought by the Dark Elves, Lady Phoenix has returned, and so has another familiar face." Heimdall says with a knowing smile that is surprisingly warm upon the usually stoic face. Thor just gives a puzzled and thoughtful look to the Gatekeeper. "Go and see for yourself." Heimdall then says.
"Come, blue one… let me introduce you to my father." Thor then says and Kurt nods as they exit the Bi-Frost Observatory. Kurt's yellow eyes widen and he gasps as he looks ahead at the ribbon of rainbow lights and the golden city sprawled out on either side of it.
"This is Asgard." Thor says as he gestures in a slow arcing sweep with his right hand and hammer. "Relax, my friend for now…" Thor starts as he grabs Kurt's travel pack by a strap and whirls Mjolner then throws it. "We fly!" Thor shouts mightily as he and Kurt shoot into the sunny sky.
Kurt screams as he watches with darting eyes the sight of the sea and Rainbow Bridge zipping past below them. He then sees they are headed straight for a huge golden gate. Kurt panics and teleports from Thor's grasp only to reappear clinging to the larger man's back. Thor only laughs heartily as the gate opens at their approach and they move through without interruption. Kurt opens his eyes and breaths a sigh of relief though he still clings to Thor's red cape. The blue devil tenses again as they close in on the large balcony that serves as the royal feasting hall and antechamber to the throne room.
They swoop in and land skidding across the feasting table knocking golden plates and goblets from the surface before coming to a halt. The two are smiling and laughing at their entrance. Only the few servants attending to setting the feasting table for the evening meal to come witness this. Kurt teleports them from the table top to stand proper upon the stone floor.
"You!" Thor says to a passing Gnome servant. The child-sized being stops to listen to the Prince of Asgard. "Send word to my father that I have arrived with a guest and we seek his council at once." Kurt watches the large man with a bulbous nose and pointy ears nod his head hurriedly then take off. Thor then leads Kurt into the huge throne room which Kurt gawks and gaps at as they make their way to the foot of the golden throne.
"This is the seat of the greatest Realm in the Nine." Thor says to impress his new friend. Kurt looks thoughtful for a moment then teleports to the top of the dais and inspects the Seat of the Watchtower. He then 'ports away to stand once more with Thor at the foot of the stairs.
"It's just a chair." Kurt says with a shoulder shrug. "A pretty one… granted… but still just a chair none the less."
"I find this new attitude that Midgardians have towards centralized power… amusing as well as refreshing." Comes a woman's voice and the two men turn.
"Lady Phoenix!" Thor booms out as his eyes widen and his grin appears… but then his joyful look falters and he just looks at the beautiful woman sadly.
"Please… call me Sigyn. It is nice to see you again Thor." Sigyn then says and embraces the much taller blonde man.
"It has been too long, Lady Phoen- I mean Sigyn." Thor says as he offers a sad smile. "I wish Loki could be here to see you… for you are as beautiful as you have always been." Sigyn then gives Thor a sad smile of her own.
"Who is your friend?" Sigyn then says as she notices Kurt and the blue devil perks up at her inspection of him.
"My name ist Kurt Vagner though sometimes I am called Nightcrawler. I am a-"
"Neyaphem… or half by the looks of it." Sigyn says stunning Kurt into silence. "You didn't know, did you? At least not until very recently." Sigyn says as she focuses upon Kurt's mind and knows what he knows.
"What has happened recently? Besides my son bringing another… Mort-… What is this? Why is there a Devil in my throne room?" Odin says as he strolls up with a grim look upon his face. His one eye is solely upon Kurt who suddenly wants to disappear and hide in the shadows somewhere.
"Father, this is my friend… Kurt Wagner. He is also known on Midgard as Nightcrawler. Kurt this is Odin, my father and King of Asgard." Thor says introducing the two.
"Hallo." Kurt says sheepishly. "I am sorry for mien intrusion… but I just had to know vhat a Neyaphem is and vhere do they come from. A recent encounter on Earth revealed to me that there may be more to me than being a Mutant." Kurt finishes and hangs his head though his yellow eyes look forlorn at Odin.
"I know all too well the dangers of learning something new and secret about ones self. My second son learned the truth of his heritage and he went mad over it. Will you suffer a similar fate, I wonder?" Odin then says as he studies Kurt closely with his one eye.
"All mien life I have been the outcast. Some have been kind to me… many, not so much… but I have faith in the good vithin others to see beyond what is before their own eyes. Faith that they can look deeper vithin to see the truth of the man I am and not the monster they perceive me to be." Kurt says and he suddenly sounds older and wiser. Odin studies the shorter blue devil for a moment longer.
"Very well… but be warned that knowledge rarely brings peace…" Odin starts with a warning. "Neyaphem are a Race from Muspelheim that sought to improve their station… so they left in a mass exodus during the Convergence five thousand years ago. They sought to conquer the World of the Mortals but the Cherybim had already made an alliance with the Humans. The Angels fought against the Devils and they were pushed back through another portal that lead to Hel where their Race has been consigned to for all eternity."
"So there ist no vay to escape for them?" Kurt asks curious and sympathetic.
"There are secret ways to cross between the Realms but those pathways present dangers all their own… especially crossing to and from Hel." Odin then says.
"But it can be done?" Thor asks curiously.
"Yes." Odin says to Thor.
"Would this…" Kurt starts and disappears only to reappear up by the golden seat once more. "Count as a vay to cross between Realms?" Kurt asks then disappears to stand before Odin once more. Odin studies the blue devil more carefully now.
"Perhaps. I'll have my best scholars look into it." Odin says.
"If only Loki were still alive… I know he could puzzle this out instantly." Thor says with a sad sigh. Odin pauses to narrow his single eye at Thor but says nothing as he turns.
"Thank you… for talking to me." Kurt says respectfully and nods his head to Asgard's King.
"Think nothing of it." Odin says a bit gruffly and walks away.