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!
After the opening cocktail hour had ended the guests were all escorted to their seats. Councilman Richard Strange stood at the center of the grand ballroom, as he prepared to address the gathered guests. The room had quieted down, and all eyes were on him as he began his speech about the importance of giving back to the community.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Councilman Strange began, his voice projecting with a sense of earnestness, "I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for being here tonight. This fundraiser is not just an event; it's a testament to the power of compassion and unity."
"As many of you know," Councilman Strange continued, "Our city faces its share of challenges. Poverty and hunger affect the lives of too many residents. It's heartening to see the difference we can make when we come together as a community..."
The guests listened attentively, their expressions reflecting a mix of empathy and support. Councilman Strange's words resonated with them, reminding them of the power of collective action.
As Councilman Strange continued to speak passionately about the work of the volunteer-run food kitchen in Eclipse, Alex couldn't help but feel moved by his words. They scanned the crowd, their eyes filled with admiration for the individuals who had come together to support this noble cause.
However, their eyes were drawn to a woman moving discreetly among the guests. She seemed to be dressed elegantly, blending in seamlessly with the affluent attendees, but her actions told a different story.
Alex's keen observation skills didn't miss a beat. They noticed the woman skillfully dipping her hand into the pockets of certain men, lifting coin-purses, and slipping away unnoticed. It was clear that she was a pickpocket, targeting the wealthier guests.
Gwenella and Steven were still engrossed in the councilman's speech, unaware of Alex's discovery. Deciding to investigate discreetly, Alex decided to excuse themselves. "Hey guys, I'm going to get some fresh air."
"Is something the matter? Are the earplugs malfunctioning?"
"No, no. I just need to get some air, I'll be back."
They followed the pickpocket through the crowd, keeping a safe distance to avoid suspicion. The woman was nimble and quick, expertly maneuvering through the elegant gathering. Alex had an idea on who this person was and knew that stopping her would require finesse and a careful approach.
Alex reached into the spare compartment of their robotic arm and took out a pair of sunglasses, and put them on. They had not shared their identity with this person.
Finally, when they reached a slightly less crowded area, Alex made their move. They stepped in front of the woman, blocking her path. "Not so fast," they said in a low, stern voice.
The woman, startled, looked up at Alex. Her expression was a mix of surprise and defiance. She wore an eye mask, had dark hair and striking green eyes, and her elegant attire contrasted sharply with her illicit actions.
Before Alex could say more, recognition dawned in the woman's eyes, as she recognized the voice. She broke into a mischievous grin. "Well, well, if it isn't my old friend, the Ghost Spider. Fancy seeing you here."
Alex couldn't help but smile. "Black Cat, as I live and breathe. I see you're up to your old tricks."
Black Cat chuckled. "What can I say? Old habits die hard. But hey, it's all in good fun, isn't it?"
Alex leaned in closer, their tone serious but not unkind. "You might want to rethink your definition of fun, especially at an event like this. These people are here to support a charity."
Black Cat's expression softened slightly. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But a girl's gotta eat, you know? These rich folks are part of the old guard, and can afford to lose a little pocket change."
Alex sighed, torn between their loyalty to an old friend and their commitment to the greater good. "Look, I get it, but there are better ways to make a living. You could use your skills for something more meaningful."
Black Cat raised an eyebrow. "Like what? Joining you as a goody two shoes?"
Alex nodded. "Actually, yes. I could use someone with your talents. There's a lot more at stake here than pickpocketing. There's a dangerous group operating in the city, and we're trying to stop them."
Black Cat's green eyes sparkled with intrigue. "You've piqued my interest. Who is this 'dangerous group' of people you're trying to stop?"
Alex hesitated with their answer, "The…Children of the Cosmos."
Black Cat guffawed, and looked at Alex. "Wait, you're serious? The bald street preachers at every street corner are dangerous zealots or something?"
Alex nodded, "Yeah, they may seem like a bunch of kooks, but they've been gathering followers and making moves in the shadows. Rumor has it they're after some powerful artifacts that could do real harm in the wrong hands."
Black Cat's playful demeanor shifted, and she became more contemplative. "Artifacts, huh? That does sound interesting. But why would I join you? What's in it for me?"
Alex knew they had to make a compelling case to persuade Black Cat to join their cause. They leaned in a bit closer, their voice low and persuasive. "Think about it, Cat. If we can stop the Children of the Cosmos, we not only prevent them from wreaking havoc on the city but also ensure that these powerful artifacts don't fall into the wrong hands. It's a chance to make a real difference."
They continued, "And as for what's in it for you, well, we have resources, connections, and the means to keep you off the radar of law enforcement. You won't have to constantly watch your back. Plus, there's the satisfaction of knowing you're using your skills for a noble cause, not just for personal gain."
Black Cat considered this for a moment, her eyes narrowing in thought. "You make a tempting offer, Spider. But I'm not one to make hasty decisions. I need some time to think it over."
Alex nodded understandingly. "Of course, take your time."
A sly smile played on Black Cat's lips. "For now, I think I'll return some of these 'borrowed' items discreetly before anyone notices."
Alex smiled, relieved that they had made progress. "That's a good idea. We wouldn't want any unnecessary trouble tonight, and Cat, thanks for considering it. I think you'll find that fighting for the greater good can be quite an adventure."
With a wink and a nod, Black Cat vanished into the crowd, leaving Alex to return to the fundraiser.
Back in the grand ballroom, Councilman Strange was wrapping up his speech, and the guests erupted into applause.
Gwenella and Steven, still unaware of the encounter with Black Cat, were delighted to see Alex return. "Feeling better?" Gwenella asked.
Alex smiled and nodded, not wanting to reveal their recent activities just yet. "Much better, thanks. Let's enjoy the rest of the evening."
Suddenly Steven felt a buzzing erupt on his wrist. A sigil glowed faintly on his skin, "Actually, you two enjoy yourselves. I have to skedaddle."
"What? Why?" Gwen asked her friend.
"Our houseguest has woken up," Steven said, as he gathered his coat.
"Should I come with you?" Alex offered to accompany him.
"No, I would appreciate it if you were here. Just in case."
Alex nodded, "Right, you can never be too careful. Just be careful as well and get me if you need help."
"I will," Steven discreetly made his way out of the fundraiser. He walked onto the street, and went into an alleyway where he casted a portal back into the Mysterium. He walked in and with a wave of his hand was in his sorcerer attire.
Steven walked slowly back into the room where they left Dominique. He summoned a tray of tea once more and some biscuits. "Right, well let's hope this time goes better than the last." This time he knocked on the door, "Hello?"
He heard rustling inside.
"Listen, I know you're the Moon Knight, so know this. I am Steven Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme of this realm. I'm pretty sure you know what that entails, and the respect I am due." Steven composed himself, "I have some tea, and biscuits, and I'm coming in."
As Steven entered the room, he found Dominique, the Moon Knight, sitting on the edge of the bed. Her silver and white costume, adorned with crescent moon motifs, stood out in stark contrast to the room's otherwise mundane decor. Her hood and mask were down, and she regarded him with a mixture of caution and curiosity.
Steven placed the tray with tea and biscuits on a nearby table and took a step closer, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. "Dominique, I understand you may have some questions, but I have some as well. So, let's hope that we can fill each other in on the missing pieces."
He poured two cups of tea for both of them. Steven levitates a cup over towards Dominique, and she took it then began to drink from it.
Dominique took a sip of the tea, her expression still guarded. "Alright, Sorcerer Supreme, what do you want to know?"
Steven settled into a chair opposite her and leaned forward slightly. "First and foremost, how did you get involved with the Children of The Cosmos, and The Way?"
Her hands clenched in fury, as she sipped on her tea. "That odious cockroach, The Way. Opener of the Way! What a joke." Obviously, she was not a fan of The Way. "It started centuries ago, my Master, my real master was vanquished. Torn asunder, and cast into a black pit of despair, by a God I had never seen before. A god with many eyes, and an evil smile. I tried to fight him, but was sent…somewhere. I don't know where, but I was imprisoned for the longest time."
Steven listened intently, his brow furrowing as Dominique recounted her tale. "The God with many eyes... that sounds…familiar, and you were imprisoned for centuries. I can't imagine the torment you must have endured."
"I expected torment and torture, but there was none. I was simply cast aside, like a toy no longer being played with," Dominique teared up before composing herself.
He took a sip of his tea before continuing, "But how did you become involved with The Way and the Children of the Cosmos? Were they the ones who released you from your imprisonment?"
Dominique nodded, her gaze distant as if reliving painful memories. "Yes, they were the ones who found me, or rather, their leader, The Way, did. He freed me and in exchange, I was to serve his cause." She paused, her grip on the teacup tightening. "I was desperate to escape my prison, to regain my power and seek revenge on the God who had imprisoned me. So, I agreed to help them."
Steven's expression remained neutral, though he felt a twinge of sympathy for Dominique's plight. "I understand your desire for revenge, but it seems that The Way and the Children of the Cosmos have their own sinister agenda. They're after powerful artifacts, and I believe they pose a threat not just to this realm but to others as well."
He leaned in closer, his voice lowered. "I have reason to believe that they've been manipulating events and gathering followers for some dark purpose. Do you know what that purpose is?"
Dominique shook her head. "I was kept in the dark about most of their plans. The Way is secretive and only reveals what he deems necessary. But I do know that he's obsessed with obtaining these artifacts, believing they hold the key to unlocking great power."
She sighed, her frustration evident. "I made a deal with the devil, Sorcerer Supreme. I wanted my freedom, but now I see that it came at a high cost."
Steven regarded her with a measure of understanding. "Sometimes, we make choices in desperate moments that we come to regret. But now that you're here, perhaps we can work together to stop The Way and the Children of the Cosmos from achieving their goals."
He leaned back in his chair, his tone becoming more determined. "I'll need your assistance in unraveling their plans and putting an end to their threat. In return, I can offer you protection, guidance, and the opportunity to use your abilities for a nobler cause."
Dominique considered his offer carefully. She knew she was in a vulnerable position, and her choices had led her down a treacherous path. "Very well, Sorcerer Supreme. I accept your offer. But make no mistake, I have my own agenda as well, and once this is over, I will seek my revenge on The Way."
"Good," Steven sighed. "Well I was hoping to spend more time at my father's fundraiser, but I guess that wasn't in the cards for tonight."
Dominique looked at Steven, "Fundraiser? For the food kitchen?"
Steven was surprised, "Yes, why do you ask?"
Dominique rose up and put her mask and hood back up. "We need to go."
"Why? What is going on? What about my father's fundraiser has got you riled up?"
"The Way needs a mass sacrifice to power his message to the universe, and he plans on poisoning all of the guests at the fundraiser to do it!"
Steven's eyes widened in alarm at Dominique's revelation. The urgency of the situation became clear, and he wasted no time. "We need to stop this, now."
He stood up from his chair, his mind racing as he considered the best course of action. "Is there a specific method or location they plan to use for this poisoning? Any details you can provide would be crucial."
Dominique nodded, her voice urgent. "The poison is concealed in the wine that's being served to the guests at the final toast. The Way has enchanted it to take effect gradually, ensuring maximum suffering. We must act quickly."
Steven summoned a portal with a wave of his hand, ready to step through. "Let's go back to the fundraiser, and we'll discreetly neutralize the threat. We can't let The Way succeed."
The two of them stepped through the portal, leaving the Mysterium behind, and emerged back in the grand ballroom where the fundraiser was in full swing. The guests were mingling, unaware of the danger that loomed.
The grand hall of the Delacroix Hall was adorned with decadence that befit the city's elite. Glistening chandeliers hung from the lofty ceiling, casting a warm, amber glow over the lavish decor. The air was filled with the soft murmur of conversation, clinking glasses, and the gentle hum of live music drifting from a hidden corner. It was the scene of Richard Strange's highly anticipated fundraiser, an event that had drawn together the wealthiest and most influential figures in the city.
Unbeknownst to the guests, a sinister undercurrent flowed beneath the surface of this extravagant soirée. The Children of the Cosmos had orchestrated a chilling plot to send their message to the universe, and tonight was the night of reckoning.
The Children, disguised as waitstaff, moved gracefully among the attendees, their bald heads concealed beneath wigs of various colors and styles. Their attire, seemingly unremarkable, hid bottles of red wine filled with a potent poison that would soon bring about death and chaos. Their eyes held a steely determination, for they were the instruments of The Way's dark design.
And then there was The Way, the enigmatic leader of this malevolent cult, draped in the guise of a distinguished guest. They wore an impeccably tailored suit, their every move exuding an air of confidence and intrigue. Inwardly, they reveled in the macabre excitement of what was about to unfold.
As The Way navigated the sea of oblivious partygoers, their lips moved in a whisper, reciting a manic poem that mirrored their inner turmoil and anticipation.
"The stars above shall bear witness, to the darkness, to our soul's confession. Forgive my discretion, forgive my obsession, and forgive my aggression. In wine's deceit, the message will be complete. The poison's deadly kiss, shall seal their fate, no chance to capitulate, in abyssal distress."
Each word dripped with malice, resonating with the impending calamity that would soon befall the unsuspecting guests.
The Children, their disguises impeccable, moved with impeccable precision, expertly distributing glasses of poisoned wine to the unsuspecting revelers. The crimson liquid sparkled enticingly in the light, a harbinger of doom masquerading as an elixir of pleasure.
The Way, standing at the heart of the opulence, watched the unfolding drama with a mix of fascination and sadistic delight. They knew that chaos and death would soon reign in this room, the perfect canvas for their horrifying message to be etched into the universe.
Pretty soon it was time for the final toast for the night. The wine was being handed out to all of the guests.
Alex and Gwenella were hanging out in the corner when they were given two glasses of wine. Gwen looked at the waiter, before turning to Alex.
Gwenella furrowed her brow, a flicker of suspicion crossing her face as she glanced at the glasses of wine. "Alex, something doesn't feel right about this. Did you notice anything unusual?"
Alex took a discreet sniff of the wine and noticed a faint, unnatural odor. Their spider senses wildly went off as they detected something amiss. "You're right, Gwen. There's something off about this wine. It's not just wine. It smells strange, almost like chemicals." They poured in out of the glass, and Gwenella followed suit.
"So, you too, eh Spider?" Alex and Gwen turned around to see Black Cat dumping her wine out on the floor. "Cyanide, would be my guess, either that or an extremely large dose of strychnine."
"This is bad, Alex, do you think it's The Children doing this?" Gwenella panicked.
Alex's mind raced as they considered the dire situation. The revelation of cyanide or strychnine in the wine was deeply alarming, and it pointed to the unmistakable hand of The Children of the Cosmos. They had to act swiftly to prevent a catastrophe. "It's highly likely, Gwen. The Children of the Cosmos have been up to no good, and this poisoned wine is probably part of their plan!"
The room buzzed with the excitement of the impending toast, and the guests raised their glasses, unaware of the deadly trap set for them.
"We need to act quickly," Alex said urgently. "We have to prevent anyone from drinking this poisoned wine."
Gwenella nodded, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of The Way or the disguised cult members. "But how do we do that without causing a panic?"
Black Cat, always quick on her feet, had an idea. "I'll create a diversion. If we can draw everyone's attention away from the wine, we can discreetly dispose of the glasses without causing a scene."
Alex and Gwenella exchanged a quick glance, recognizing the value of Black Cat's plan. "Alright," Alex agreed. "You create the diversion, and Gwen and I will take care of the glasses."
Black Cat flashed a mischievous grin. "Leave it to me."
As the guests prepared to raise their glasses for the toast, Black Cat sprang into action. She skillfully maneuvered through the crowd, as she did she brushed up against a man. Black Cat shrieked, "How dare you!?"
Adam Watcher was taken back by the dark haired beauty, "Erm, what?"
She pointed at Adam Watcher, "This man has laid his hands on me!"
"What, no I didn't!" Adam Watcher was a bit taken aback.
Meanwhile, Alex and Gwenella discreetly moved through the room, collecting the glasses of poisoned wine. They poured the deadly contents into potted plants and emptied the glasses into hidden containers. The room remained blissfully unaware of the danger they had narrowly avoided, thanks to their quick thinking.
The diversion created by Black Cat had successfully drawn the attention of the guests, and they were too engrossed in the drama unfolding before them to notice the disappearance of the poisoned wine.
Councilman Strange, who had been engaged in conversation with some of the guests, turned his attention to the commotion. "What's going on over there," He muttered to himself, a concerned furrow forming on his brow.
The Way, who had been observing the events with a sense of anticipation, now felt a growing unease as the guests' attention shifted away from the toast. Something was amiss, and the meticulous plan was unraveling before their eyes.
Black Cat continued to berate Adam Watcher, accusing him of inappropriate conduct, while Gwenella and Alex disposed of the last of the poisoned wine. They could feel the tension in the air, a palpable sense of danger that hung over the room like a dark cloud.
With the glasses emptied and the danger averted, Gwenella and Alex retreated to a corner, their hearts pounding with adrenaline. They watched as the guests, now focused on the unfolding drama, seemed to forget about the poisoned wine.
Councilman Strange, growing more concerned by the second, made his way toward Black Cat and the accused man, determined to defuse the situation. "What's going on here? Is everything alright?"
Black Cat, in the midst of her act, shot a quick glance at Alex and Gwenella. It was a subtle signal that the danger had been averted. She then turned to Councilman Strange with a sly smile. "Oh, Councilman, I apologize for the commotion. It was just a little misunderstanding. Nothing to worry about."
"Absolutely not! This strumpet lied about me assaulting her!" Adam Watcher was infuriated to say the least.
Councilman Strange, looked at Adam Watcher, "Well you must have done something to the poor girl to make her think you did!"
Adam was going to retort, but noticed the tide in the room was turning against him. He groaned in annoyance and left, "This isn't over Strange!"
Councilman Strange watched as Adam Watcher left the scene, his expression troubled but relieved that the situation had been defused. He turned to Black Cat with a stern look. "I expect better behavior from our guests, but thank you for handling the situation. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll address the guests and try to get the event back on track."
Black Cat nodded with a smirk. "Of course, Councilman. I'm sure you'll handle it with your usual grace."
As Councilman Strange stepped onto a raised platform, the room gradually quieted down, and all eyes turned to him once more. He cleared his throat and began to speak, his voice projecting with a sense of authority and sincerity.
"Ladies and gentlemen," He said, "I apologize for the momentary interruption. Let us now raise our glasses for the final toast of the evening, a toast to the power of compassion, unity, and the strength of our community." He looked at his glass. "That's odd, I thought there was wine in my glass."
Aida looked at her glass as well, "My glass is empty as well, Beloved!"
Everybody murmured as they agreed with the Councilman. The doors swung open, as Steven came in with some actual wait staff with glasses of champagne. "Here Dad, I have something far better!"
Richard Strange smiled and chuckled, "Ah thank you son, you are a definite life saver!"
Steven smiled, and laughed nervously, "Oh you have no clue Dad!" He walked back over to Alex, and Gwen and then let out a large sigh. "That was close. You guys take care of the poisoned wine?"
"Yeah, but how did you know?" Gwen asked Steven.
"Dominique told me, she said that this was all to fuel some sort of ritual." Steven looked around and saw Black Cat. "Well hello, and who might you be?"
Black Cat chuckled as she told Steven her name, "Seeing as how I am among friends, Felicity Hardwell."
Steven smiled back, but then looked at Alex. "Where is Dominique?"
Alex was confused, "You mean she isn't with you?"
"NO!"
Everyone turned to the manic looking man in the middle of the hall. His yellowed teeth bared as he threw a tantrum.
The Way watched in seething frustration as their carefully orchestrated plan to poison the guests at Councilman Strange's fundraiser unraveled before their eyes. The drama with Adam Watcher had drawn attention away from the poisoned wine, and the guests had safely raised their glasses in a toast, oblivious to the sinister plot that had almost unfolded. "NO! NO! NO! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!"
Everyone watched as The Way was having a meltdown in the middle of the Fundraiser.
Steven crossed his arms, "Well, I guess we won't have to look hard to find the Way."
The Way's outburst drew the attention of everyone in the room. Councilman Strange, Steven, and the others couldn't help but watch as the enigmatic leader of the Children of the Cosmos unraveled in a fit of anger and frustration.
The Way's followers, the disguised cult members, exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that their grand plan had gone terribly awry. Their confidence had been shattered, and they now faced the consequences of their failure.
Alex stepped forward, a determined expression on their face. "Well, it seems The Way has lost their way," They quipped, drawing some chuckles from their friends.
Councilman Strange, flanked by his wife, Aida, approached The Way with a stern expression. "What is the meaning of this disturbance? You are a guest at this event, and your behavior is unacceptable."
The Way, their face contorted in anger and frustration, turned to Councilman Strange with a manic gleam in their eye. "Unacceptable, you say? You have no idea what is truly unacceptable, Councilman. Your little gathering was meant to be a grand sacrifice, a message to the cosmos was to be fueled by your deaths, and you have thwarted it!"
Councilman Strange's voice remained steady, despite the bizarre turn of events. "A sacrifice? A message to the cosmos? You've clearly lost your mind. I suggest you leave this event immediately."
The Way's laughter rang out in the hall, a haunting sound that sent chills down the spines of those present. "Oh, Councilman, you are so naive. The cosmos is unforgiving, and you have no idea what forces you meddle wi…"
The Way was interrupted by a white boot connecting with the side of their face. They landed onto a table, which then flipped over on top of them. They got up and growled, "Who dares strike The…" The Way stopped as they looked up upon their former Moonchild, now fully restored to her original identity of The Moon Knight. "Oh fuck."
The grand ballroom fell silent as The Moon Knight approached the Way, her silver and white costume glimmering in the ambient light. The once-chaotic scene had now transformed into a tense standoff between The Way and The Moon Knight.
The Way struggled to regain their composure, their manic laughter replaced by a sense of dread. "You... you were imprisoned, cast away deep into the confones of your own mind!. How are you here?"
Dominique's voice was cold and resolute as she spoke. "I may have been imprisoned, but I have returned, and I won't allow your madness to continue. I am going to kill you now, and nobody is going to stop me!"
The Way recoiled in fear, "To me my children! Kill the traitor!"
The loyal members of the Way charged at Moon Knight with their blades drawn. The guests have all started to run away as Moon Knight began to thrash her former compatriots.
Steven got his parents and led them away, "You need to get out of here!"
Richard shook his head, "I can't leave these people here!"
"I'll handle it Dad!" Steven changed into his Sorcerer robes again, as he opened a portal out of the hall.
Aida was shocked, "Stoney how are you doing this?"
"There's no time!" He shoved his parents through the portal to safety. "Gwen! Get in!"
Gwen didn't argue as things were popping off outside of her control.
"Call the constables as soon as possible!" Steven looked at his parents or a brief second before closing the portal. He turned around to see that Moon Knight was making short work of the cult members.
Alex had changed into his Ghost Spider suit where nobody could see him and went off into the fray to help Moon Knight.
Felicity had gotten a broom, snapped it off from the brush and used it as a bo staff to fight off more cult members.
Steven took a breath before casting a few spells and flew over to join his friends in the fight.