This fanfiction draws inspiration from the creative ideas and original content of L3187, including the characters Alex Algird, Dave and Goron Algird, Driada, Crazdal, Xanad/Adam Watcher who are creations of L3187. You can show your support for them by following L3187 on TikTok. Thank you for your support!
Sunchild and Starchild returned to their clandestine hideout at the compound in the forest near Rix. Their faces etched with exhaustion and defeat. They had been sent on a perilous mission to eliminate the enigmatic vigilante known as the Ghost Spider, but it had ended in failure. Leaving them battered and bruised, and worse, their compatriot the Moonchild was taken. Their report to The Way, their leader and master, was filled with disappointment and grim news.
The room was dimly lit, and The Way sat in a high-backed chair, their fingers tapping impatiently on the armrest as they waited for the report. When Sunchild and Starchild recounted their harrowing encounter with the Ghost Spider and the mysterious savior who had intervened, The Way's face contorted with rage. They clenched their fists, their knuckles turning white, and then with a thunderous roar, they sent a flagon of wine crashing against the wall, shattering it into a thousand pieces.
"This is unforgivable!" The Way seethed, their eyes blazing with fury. "You two have failed me when success was crucial! Incompetence will not be tolerated in the ranks of the Children of the Cosmos!" Their voice rumbled with fury as they berated their subordinates, "Incompetence is a luxury we cannot afford, especially now!"
Sunchild and Starchild bowed their heads, shame washing over them. They knew that The Way's anger was justified, but it did little to ease the sting of their failure. The both of them absorbed The Way's wrath in silence. They knew the consequences of their failure, and they could feel the weight of their leader's anger pressing down on them.
As The Way paced the room, their mind raced with anger-fueled thoughts. "It can only be the work of the Sorcerer Supreme. Who else could come to the aid of the Ghost Spider with such power? They are are wicked. They are evil! They must be conspiring against us, I have no doubt."
Sunchild, desperate to offer a solution, spoke up tentatively and mustered the courage to speak, "My Way, the Sorcerer Supreme is a formidable adversary, and rushing our plans could lead to disaster. Perhaps we should consider negotiating for Moonchild's release. If we rush into further confrontations, we risk her safety."
The Way's eyes bore into Sunchild, their anger intensifying. "Negotiate? We do not negotiate with those who oppose us! We show strength, not weakness." The Way's eyes were manic as they thought aloud, "No! The plan must be followed to the tee. Next the mass sacrifice must proceed, and it must be more magnificent than ever before. The power we obtain will crush any opposition, even the Sorcerer Supreme."
Sunchild, though loyal to The Way, couldn't help but voice his reservations. "My Way, I implore you to reconsider. Hastily advancing our plans might lead to more losses. We should gather intelligence, plan meticulously, and strike at the most opportune moment. Our followers are devoted, but they are not invulnerable."
The Way's resolve remained unyielding, and their decision was final. "No, we have dallied long enough. I will not allow the Sorcerer Supreme and the Ghost Spider to thwart us any further. Prepare for the mass sacrifice immediately. We will seize the power we need, and none shall dare to challenge us again."
With a heavy heart, Sunchild acquiesced, realizing that The Way's determination was absolute. The Children of the Cosmos were now embarked on a treacherous path, one that could either lead to their ultimate triumph or their devastating downfall.
A black void of nothingness.
That was where Alex was, a disconcerting sensation enveloped them, like falling into an endless chasm. In this inky abyss, time and space seemed to lose their meaning, leaving only the suffocating darkness.
At first, all was silent, and Alex felt a palpable sense of isolation. An eerie emptiness surrounded them, a void so deep and chilling that it sent shivers racing down their spine. It was a dead wasteland, a place forgotten by existence itself, where nothing thrived and nothing withered.
In the heart of this desolation, Alex's gaze fixated on a lone figure, shackled and chained to an invisible torment. The captive was draped in tattered garments that hung limply from their frail frame, which appeared to have been worn down by the relentless passage of time. Their features, though obscured by a curtain of hair, seemed strangely familiar to Alex. A sense of recognition welled up within them, but it remained frustratingly elusive, like the fleeting shadow of a long-forgotten memory.
"Hello?" Alex hesitated for a moment, their voice trembling as they attempted to bridge the vast, silent chasm between them and the captive. "Hey! Can you hear me?" They called out, their words echoing through the void.
But there was no response, not a flicker of acknowledgment from the prisoner. The chains that bound them appeared to be forged from the very essence of despair, unyielding and relentless. They seemed to penetrate the figure's very soul, anchoring them to this desolate wasteland.
As Alex continued to call out, an inexplicable ache gnawed at their heart. It was a sensation of profound sorrow, as if the suffering of the captive had become their own. The familiarity of the figure haunted them, like a half-forgotten melody that played just beyond the edge of memory.
Desperate to understand, Alex took tentative steps towards the captive, their footsteps echoing softly in the void. With each step, the familiarity grew stronger, and they couldn't help but feel a deep and inexplicable connection. They reached out a trembling hand, fingers brushing against the captive's hair, and in that moment, the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
It was then that they realized who this person was, or at least an idea of who this person was. "Zev…?"
Before they could delve deeper into this revelation, a disorienting sensation swept over Alex, pulling them away from the captive and back into the waking world. They awoke with a start, gasping for breath, their heart pounding in their chest.
The dream of the desolate void was still fresh in their mind. It had felt so real, and the sense of familiarity with the chained figure lingered, haunting their thoughts. Rubbing their eye, Alex couldn't shake the eerie feeling that the dream held some deeper significance.
Sitting up in the comfy chair Steven had summoned, Alex took a deep breath, trying to clear their mind. The room around them was still bathed in the warm glow of the Mystic Mysterium, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness of the dream.
"What was that dream about?" Alex mumbled to themself, their brow furrowing in confusion. They couldn't deny the nagging feeling that it meant something, but the meaning remained just out of reach, like a distant memory they couldn't quite recall.
With a sigh, Alex decided to focus on the task at hand. They glanced over at Steven, who was still working diligently on their suit. "Steven, how's the suit coming along?"
Steven looked up from his work, adjusting his tri-lensed glasses. "It's coming along nicely," he replied. "The modifications are almost complete. Your suit will be better equipped to handle the threats we'll face."
Alex nodded, appreciating the distraction from the enigmatic dream. "That's good to hear. I can't wait to see what you've done with it."
Steven smirked, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "You won't be disappointed."
As Alex settled back into the chair, their thoughts drifted back to the dream, the chained figure, and the unsettling feeling that there was something they needed to uncover.
Steven looked at Alex, "Okay it's ready I just need to…" He noticed the look on Alex's face. "You okay?"
Alex shook their head slightly, still trying to shake off the lingering unease from the dream. "Yeah, I'm okay. It's just... I had this strange dream, Steven. It felt so real, and there was someone there. Someone I thought I knew, but I can't quite put my finger on it."
Steven raised an eyebrow, concern evident in his expression. "A dream, huh? Sometimes dreams can be cryptic, filled with symbolism. Maybe it means something, or maybe it's just your mind playing tricks on you. Do you want to talk about it?"
Alex thought it over, but shook his head, "No, I'm okay for now. We can look into that after this Children of the Cosmos fiasco is over and done with."
"Okay," Steven nodded before turning back to Alex's spider suit. "Come over here for a second Alex.
Alex got up from the chair and went over to Steven. Steven was waving his hands over Alex's spider-suit, They saw an orange glow emanate from his hands. In a blink of an eye, the spider suit vanished.
Alex looked around, "Wait where did my suit go?"
He had his left hand cleaned tight, as if he was holding something in it Steven grinned, "Give me your right arm."
Alex looked at their right arm, their skeleton arm covered by the special outer shell for the frame of his robotic cover. They willingly gave their arm over to Steven
"Thank you," He thanked them, and with his left hand he tapped Alex's hand, on top of the knuckle of his middle finger.
Alex felt a swift tingle of electricity jolt his hand. It didn't hurt them, on the contrary, it was pleasant in a way. They looked at their hand and saw a spot on their hand. Alex went to try and wipe it off, but Steven stopped them.
"No, no. Using your left index, and middle fingers. Tap the spot twice," Steven instructed Alex.
Alex, out of curiosity, did as Steven had asked them. They tapped the spot twice, exactly how Steven had instructed them. Before they could blink their Spider-suit erupted from the spot and had covered their entire body, mask included. "Whoa!"
Steven smirked, "Yeah I figured you'd like that. You don't have to take time to change in back alleys anymore. Just two taps to suit up, and two taps to take it off."
Alex tapped the spot again, and the suit retracted back into the spot again. "That's amazing!" They tapped the spot again and the suit came out again.
"If you get it torn, damaged, or stained. You just press the spot back and forth, and the suit will reset itself, like it's brand new!" Steven took a knife out from underneath the workbench's tool chest, and slashed Alex.
"Hey!" Alex recoiled and stepped back away from him. They looked on their chest for the wound, but there was nothing there.
Steven showed Alex the knife. Its serrated teeth were now damaged. "You won't have to worry about getting slashed or stabbed from normal knives, and blades. Enchanted weaponry however, should still give you pause. Maces and clubs will still hurt you as much as they do, so be careful."
Alex took off his mask, "Yeah, I will. Thank you Steven. You did put in the resistance to energy sapping in my suit, right?
"Of course, I made sure that was the first thing I put in." Steven nodded, "I have to pat myself on the back, this is some of my best work."
Alex looked at Steven, "Steven you've gone above and beyond. Thank you so much!" They gave their new friend a hug.
Steven was a bit surprised, but slowly returned it, having been a bit deprived of physical touch for some time, "You're welcome. Now then, onto Moonchild."
Alex broke the hug and nodded. "What are we doing, Steven?" Alex asked, eager to learn how they could help free Moonchild from The Way's control.
Steven glanced at the book he left on his workbench and then back at Alex. "The Way's control seems to be a form of psychic manipulation. To break it, we'll need a counter-mind influence, something strong enough to disrupt The Way's hold. I've found a ritual that might work, but it's risky."
Alex nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "What do we need to do?"
Steven explained, "First, we need to weaken Moonchild's psychic defenses. I can do that, but it'll leave me vulnerable, so you'll need to keep an eye on me and protect me while I perform the ritual. Once her defenses are down, I'll use the ritual to try and break The Way's control."
"How should I protect you? I don't have any psychic powers."
"Protect me in any way you can," Steven said as he rummaged through his workbench for what he needed.
Alex clenched their fists with determination. "I'm ready, Steven. Let's do it."
Steven nodded and began to prepare for the ritual. He moved to a clear area of the room and began drawing intricate symbols on the floor in chalk while muttering incantations under his breath. The symbols glowed with a faint blue light as he worked.
Alex stood guard, their senses alert for any sign of danger. Moonchild watched them with a mix of fear and anger, her eyes shifting between her captors.
As Steven continued the ritual, the atmosphere in the room grew tense. The air seemed to crackle with energy, and Alex could feel the psychic presence of The Way resisting the intrusion. It was a battle of wills, and they knew they had to hold firm.
Suddenly, Moonchild's body convulsed, and she let out a piercing scream. The symbols on the floor glowed brighter, and Steven's brow furrowed in concentration. The battle for control raged on.
Alex's heart raced as they watched Moonchild's struggle. The psychic duel between Steven and The Way was taking a toll on her, and they felt a surge of anger toward the cult leader for subjecting her to this torment.
Moonchild thrashed around in the force field. Throwing herself against the ways like a person in the throes of manic hysteria.
With determination burning in their eyes, Alex took a step closer to Moonchild, offering her what support they could. "Stay strong, Moonchild," They gave her what comfort they could. "We're here to free you from The Way's control. You're not alone in this."
Moonchild's gaze met Alex's, and for a moment, a flicker of recognition and hope appeared in her eyes before The Way's influence clamped down once again, and she charged at Alex again only for her to be tossed back by the force field. That brief connection fueled Alex's resolve.
They turned their attention back to Steven, who was now pouring all his energy into the ritual. The symbols on the floor pulsed with an ethereal light, and the room seemed to vibrate with unseen power.
The battle in the psychic realm escalated, and The Way's resistance grew stronger. It was a test of endurance, and Alex knew they couldn't falter. They whispered words of encouragement to Steven, knowing that his strength was the key to breaking The Way's hold on Moonchild. "Come on Steven, I believe in you! Show the Way why you're the Sorcerer Supreme!"
Steven's face contorted with effort as he continued the ritual, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. The struggle between his will and The Way's grew more intense with each passing moment. It was as if they were locked in a mental tug-of-war, and the outcome hung in the balance.
As the minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity, Moonchild's screams became more desperate, and her body writhed in agony. It was a heart-wrenching sight, and Alex's anger toward The Way intensified. They knew they couldn't let this continue.
Summoning every ounce of their determination, Alex took a step closer to Moonchild. They extended their hand, palm out, and placed it on the force field. They focused their thoughts on breaking through the psychic barriers. "Moonchild, or whoever you are," Alex called out, their voice unwavering. "You're stronger than this. Remember who you are. Fight back! Fight back against the Way!"
Moonchild's eyes met Alex's once more, and this time, the glimmer of recognition held. It was as if a crack had formed in The Way's control, and through that crack, a flicker of her true self shone through. "My…name…is…Dominique."
Encouraged by this small victory, Alex pressed on. "You're not alone, Dominique! We're here with you, and we won't give up. Now fight back! You can do it!"
Moonchild's struggles became less violent, and her screams softened into labored breathing. It was a sign that The Way's control was weakening, but the battle was far from over.
Steven, his face contorted in concentration, seized the opportunity. He channeled his energy into the ritual with renewed determination, pushing back against The Way's influence with all his might. "Let her go, you bastard!" Steven swore aloud as he felt the balance of the fight shift in his favor. The symbols on the floor blazed with brilliance, and a surge of energy coursed through the room. It was a moment of reckoning, a clash of wills that would determine Moonchild's fate.
With a final burst of effort, Steven shouted the incantation, his voice resonating with power. The symbols on the floor erupted in a blinding flash of light, and a shockwave of psychic energy rippled through the room.
Dominique's body went limp, and she collapsed to the floor, her eyes now clear and free from The Way's control. The oppressive presence that had hung over the room dissipated, leaving a sense of relief in its wake. Steven was catching his breath, but managed to cancel the force field between them and Dominique
Alex rushed to Dominique's side, helping her to sit up. She looked disoriented but aware. "Dominique, are you okay?" Alex asked, a tone of concern was in their voice.
Dominique blinked, her gaze focusing on Alex. Her mask fell to the ground, and shattered into several pieces. "I... I think so," She whispered, her voice trembling. "Thank you, both of you, for saving me." That was the last she spoke before she started trembling again.
"Steven? Steven, what's happening?"
Steven struggled to get himself steady, but stumbled over. "Move over Alex."
Alex moved over so that Steven could get a look at Dominique. Who was on the ground in the middle of what appeared to be a seizure of some kind. Before Steven could examine her closer, Dominique rose up into the air, aided by some sort of otherworldly power.
Steven watched in astonishment as Dominique levitated off the ground, her eyes shone a radiant, ethereal light. It was a sight that defied explanation, and he could feel the presence of powerful, otherworldly energy emanating from her.
"Alex, stand back," Steven cautioned, his eyes fixed on Dominique. He knew that whatever was happening, it was beyond his understanding, and he needed to be cautious.
As Dominique floated in mid-air, her body began wrapping itself in some sort of white cloth. Soon her body was engulfed in the white wrappings. A cloak appeared from out of nowhere and flowed from her shoulders, as a hood placed itself over her head. It was as if she had tapped into a wellspring of cosmic energy, and it coursed through her with an intensity that was both beautiful and terrifying.
Dominique landed before Alex and Steven in this new form. Alex tried to approach her, but Steven stopped them. He raised an arcane shield before the two of them. Steven addressed Dominique, "Who exactly are you? And who do you serve?!"
She turned towards a shocked and surprised Alex, and Steven. A golden crescent was emboldened on her chest. "I was my master's right hand of vengeance, but no longer. I am a soldier with no country, a warrior without a war. I am The Moon Knight, and I…I…" Dominique held her head. "I think I need to lay down…"
Without warning Dominique fell back to the ground. Her suit then retracted back from whence it came. Leaving just Dominique laying on the ground.
Both Alex and Steven were speechless, as they could not begin to fathom what they had just witnessed.
Alex blinked, "What the fuck?"