MU: Midnight Suns Ep 8 | Corruption

Trigger warnings

Violence, swearing

Las Vegas, a bustling destination that's on countless peoples' bucket lists. A place known for being hell and heaven depending on who you'd ask. The Sin City. No one would question why demons and demonic rituals took place within this city. One could argue that this was the perfect place to summon such a creature, or rituals to grant powers to someone powerful. For many this was just a normal day in Sin City, but it was clear something was wrong. The city of sin was somehow worse than before. As if it had all been amplified; every aspect was. Even the police were haywire and different. Laws were not in order anymore.

Through a sudden sparkling circle stepped Stephen. His cloak bellowing around him as he stepped forwards and took a quick look around the rooftop. Wrinkling his nose in disgust when he looked down upon the streets dirty beneath. Having seen a drunkard stumble by while loudly singing the national anthem. While the stench of demonic essence hit his nostrils.

“Coast is clear,” he hummed, turning to the portal as the rest stepped through. Swirling his hand to cancel the spell once Wanda, the last, stepped out.

“How will we find her?” she asked while hovering over to Stephen's side, taking her own look of sorrow across the people below.

“I can sense her. This city is filled with sin but her presence is not one I’d ever forget,” Ghost Rider stated as he stood by the ledge, looking down at the people walking along the sidewalk below them.

“Well… that does make it easier,” Wanda commented, looking over at Rider with a small smile as she did.

“No, it does not.” Stephen quickly shut it down. “Any demon stands stronger with all the energy they can absorb from the people here. She will be even stronger than before, and likely will heal from any blow using the sin around her.”

“Your doubt is unsettling, Doctor. If it’ll make you more comfortable, I will be the one confronting Lilith. The rest of you can look for the book,” Rider said as Daredevil lifted his hand to hold the side of his mask.

“Change of plans! Marc just informed me that we’re not looking for books, but pages of the Darkhold. They’re on their way here.” Rider growled as he stood up, the flames on his skull burning brighter.

“Nothing has changed. I will locate and defeat Lilith, you find the page! I will return,” He said before leaping off the building and landing on the ground, the concrete beneath his feet shattering from the impact of his landing.

“I fear he is correct. Let us start searching. Make sure to check everything, whether it be ordinary or not. You will only know the pages you are looking for once you see them. For not even I know their appearance.” Stephen explained briefly before he stepped forwards, vanishing into a portal that sealed moments behind him. Revealing that he was mere blocks away, and headed down a flight of stairs.

“I suppose… you search low and I search high?” Wanda asked Daredevil, an awkward smile present on her face. Which she did not know he couldn't see. Listening to his response. “Let’s search together. I’m sure we’ll find what we’re looking for with two sets of eyes.”

Wanda and Daredevil spent the next couple of hours walking across rooftops, watching from above as the citizens below were unaware of the guardian angels. Wanda rubbed her arms as the weather grew colder. So she snapped her fingers for a jacket to appear on her, snuggling into the warmth like a teddy bear. Daredevil chuckled before looking back to continue their uneventful search.

“Rider seems to be taking this pretty personally. Do you think he’s going to try to convince Lilith to stop?” Wanda asked, seeing Daredevil’s crimson eyes with his head only turning slightly to her. “I highly doubt it. He knows that she wouldn’t simply just give this up.” He pointed out.

“So far she’s been after Artifacts, the Darkhold, and now missing pages from the Darkhold. What could she be planning?” he asked himself, scratching his chin as the thoughts inside his head pondered.

“The Darkhold itself is powerful enough. She could destroy the entire world if she wanted to.” Wanda explained, clearly sharing his thoughts despite her focus being on the environment around.

“So she’s trying to achieve higher goals? Like what? Our solar system?” He asked with a joking tone, only it quickly faded away when he sensed Wanda had grown tense. “No…our universe as we know it.”

A loud scream echoed between the buildings and pierced into Daredevil’s ear. He quickly turned his head in the direction it came from and rushed toward the opposite side of the building. Once he looked down and before Wanda could even ask, Daredevil leaped off the ledge and in a rush she quickly followed behind him.

“Where did it come from?” Wanda asked as she looked around, holding her hands at the ready with her fingers flexed. Staying as vigilant as she could while she let Daredevil lead the way. “Here… they’re being quiet.” She tilted her head in confusion as Daredevil adjusted his footing, looking around as if he could actually see.

“Something… feels different.” Wanda pointed out quietly, stepping closer to him just to turn her back and scan across the area. Her fingers slowly produced magical energies. Readying a guarding spell in her mind in case the odd feeling was a threat. “Let's find them. Now.”

“No need. It seems they found us,” Daredevil said as a low growl echoed through the alley they stood in, the two standing ready with their back’s almost against each other’s. “We’re completely surrounded… you don’t by chance have a way for us to suddenly disappear?”

“Huh, you just read my mind,” Wanda expressed before she swiftly laid her hand on Daredevil’s shoulder. A rush of magic left her hand, engulfing them both in chaos magic. Rendering them invisible as Wanda moved around him. Standing in front of him with her hand still on the shoulder. Nodding slowly, then got them both out of there with a simple teleport.

“That felt weird. Even weirder, it felt like they were waiting for us.” Daredevil sat down and laid his head against the wall, his red eye’s reflecting the moon's bright glow.

“Like a glare you cannot shake…” Wanda mumbled, then looked at Daredevil. Her eyes softening before she’d sigh quietly. “They must know we’re here. Why else would beasts sit so idly? They were told to wait, for what I fear to speculate.”

“If that’s the case, why? Lilith already has the Darkhold.” Suddenly he ed the moment he saved the Suns from Lilith in Hell’s Kitchen. “What if she doesn’t need the page?” he suggested, standing up and began pacing back and forth.

“What are you on about?” Wanda questioned, raising an eyebrow. “She will need the pages to complete the book. Without them she won't have full power because not all spells are there.” She explained. “Without all spells a witch is nothing.”

“Now that’s not true. A witch is still powerful even without her spells but Lilith isn’t a normal witch.” He stopped and slowly turned as if he came to a resolution. “So why would she need Marc if the restored pages have her everything?”

“... I don't like what you are implying.” She whispered, before she'd swallow hard and answer; “soldiers. She'll have all the power, an army, but no irals. An appropriate army for a queen.”

“Exactly. Ashlynn has proven to take control of the army she can create but what about the army she can simply… turn?” Then the sudden realization hit as the distant moon’s glow became dark, the blue outline slowly fading away before turning black. “What the hell.?”

“That's bad, really bad. Come on, we have to find the rest of the Suns!” Wanda quickly spoke before her arms engulfed in red. Running towards the edge of the rooftop she had gotten him to. Pausing only when there to turn around and look at Daredevil. Nodding her head for him to follow.

“Hopefully we can get to Rider in time. Something tells me he’s walking into a trap just like us.” He quickly followed and leapt off the ledge as they traveled to rendezvous with the rest of the Suns as the sky above transformed from a beautiful blue sky into a pitch black nightmare.

The Golden Nugget

Rider pulled up to the giant hotel that soared in great heights. He exited the flaming vehicle and slammed the door behind him before he slowly entered the building to find demons in the lobby. He gave a low growl, holding his chains as the sickles rested against the floor below their feet. They slowly backed up as the Spirit of Vengeance walked through to the pools outside with a great view of the city. It was there he saw a woman at the end of the pool with no demons outside but he could easily see through her disguise. He stood at the edge of the pool, the blades resting against the ground as he stared at her.

Her head slowly tilted to the side as he looked at her. Her expression was soft as her eyes seemed to search for his. Even if damnation was but a quick look away from such a stare of the rider.

“My… oh my,” her voice echoed across the water. Forming ripples on their way to meet the rider. Where the whispers of her words echoed in between his skull. “Have you come to drag me to hell again, Rider? To wrap me up in your little chains and pull?” Her voice was laced with mockery as she spoke. The echoes continuing as every whisper became laughs.

“I’ve come to avenge the lost souls you destroyed. Your Husband wants you back in that cell and I’ll be damned if I let you hurt another soul.” His grip on the chain tightened as the flames on his skull grew brighter but even with the small threat Lilith seemed unfazed. “You seem… at ease. Why?”

“Why? My, Rider, can you not tell why?” she teased further, stepping close to the edge of the water before she took a step onto it. Laughing with such a cackle that even witches would be jealous of her. “You won't do anything to me with those flames, my husband cannot do anything to me. Why would I ever fear his little pet?” She stepped closer, grinning almost from ear to ear as the water started to burn and boil around her.

“I am not his pet! I came to stop you long before he came to us to make a deal! You bring chaos, destruction, and anarchy anywhere you go! All because you lost a throne? This is not the Lilith I fought to protect an eternity ago,” he stated as if those days were only yesterday. The Spirit of Vengeance could recall the pits of hell and the throne he vowed to protect… until it was too late.

“You were once. Answering to his every call, answering to him as he sat upon the throne, which you threw me off of. He trusted your words over mine. Didn't even bat an eye my way before I was sentenced to be imprisoned for eternity! I am not the Lilith you fought for; because you threw her down into a deep dark cell. Away from her rightful throne. Away from her people. Away from what made her… whole.” As she spoke to him she walked closer and closer. The water evaporated around her as her true form stepped forth from green flames. Her devilish eyes, once kind and sweet, now riddled with hate as she stared into his eye sockets. His fire barely reflecting in the green within her eyes.

“It was my mistake to allow Rex to gain an attachment to you both. I see clearly that both of you are just insane and have a lust for power. I will not allow my host to fall for the same mistake ever again!” He started to swing the chain in circles, the blade sparking a flame onto the metal that began forming a giant circle by his side as he continued to swing the chain.

She stepped forwards once more, but he was clearly not her target. For her arm lifted to the side; and grabbed onto his swinging chain. Forcing it into a fast halt that made half of it swing around her lower arm. The chain on her end engulfed itself in green flames. Almost battling against his own flame upon it. Her face twisting into morbid curiosity as she firmly held the chain.

“You misunderstand, Rider. Everything has gone so over your head it is almost adorable.” she hummed with pure bliss laced in her voice. She was almost happy to know he hadn't figured out anything. “Tell me, Rider. Would you be willing to serve?”

“I will never serve anyone ever again. It wasn’t me who served you then, it was Rex. Now I am in control and the Spirit of Vengeance will never aid you again.” his voice scratchy and low as he watched the flames battling on his chain and then he slowly turned to Lilith, flames burning in his eye sockets. “You will forever be… Guilty!”

“What a shame…” Lilith huffed before she tugged the chain. She was swift to wrap it around him, in similar ways he'd do to her, before clasping his skulls between her clawed hands. Her eyes burrowing into his eye sockets. His fire died out slowly as she whispered utter nonsense to his face. Her thumbs scratching sections off his skull. Creating beautiful dark engravings in the upper layers. While the chain battled and absorbed his flames. Mixing them effortlessly with her own. His feet stuck on a green pentagram that locked his whole body in place for her. The trap.

“Surprise bitch!” Marc screamed as he glided toward Lilith, then tackled her through the bar and tossed her through the hotel wall. “I hear this place has great service! Shame the yelp reviews always seem to be wrong.”

“You annoying little brat!” Lilith roared his way, getting up to her feet with a simple twirl of her fingers. Yet when her eyes met him, she merely smiled. Her expression softening as she clasped her hands together. “Exactly who I expected… and just on time for once.”

“I’m never late for an ass kicking! Clearly Rider beat me to it though,” he said while pulling out his crescent blades and holding them like brass knuckles. “Give up the Darkhold and I’ll make it easy for you!”

“Just like Rider. You cannot see, Marc. You are too late. He is mine, and soon you will be too.” With the words exchanged she was swift to flick her arms forwards. Sending orbs of pure green straight at his feet. Yet when they collided; the explosion behind them was red. A deep and gentle maroon that sparked almost pink at the edges. “You will all be mine! Even the Supreme has knelt and now serves me!” Her shouts were followed by maniacal laughter that echoed endlessly.

“Ashlynn! Now would be a great time!” Marc yelled out as he used his grapple to launch himself in the air and toss the darts toward Lilith. “Say goodnight, Lilith!”

The darts got engulfed in blue fire as Ashlynn sprinted through the destroyed entrance. Hopping over the crater left behind from the previous explosion effortlessly. The darts collided with Lilith just as she reached the demoness. Letting her slide under the hail of green fire shot her way before she bounced back to her feet. She twirled the daggers she had been given, curiosity of Elsa. They were glowing blue from her flames, and made her able to effortlessly stab them into Lilith's shoulders. Causing the former queen of hell to scream in pure agony.

She held on as best as she could, ripping the daggers out before stabbing them into Lilith's sides. The demoness gasped for air in response, before her sharp green eyes lowered. The darts attached to her chest, which previously weakened her, evaporated in green flames. Ashlynn’s blue battling for any oxygen as it was almost snuffed out.

“You little hybrid dare to hurt me?” Lilith wheezed as she grabbed Ashlynn's hands. Gripping onto her and the daggers while her fire roared out in all directions. Almost swallowing the blue from Ashlynn. “Zarathos… he never trained you to face me. So don't you dare think for one second that I will let you put me back into that hole!!” Her roar was enough to rattle the room around them. Making Ashlynn flinch as she swiftly ripped the daggers back out.

Before Ashlynn could move further she felt a surge of pain throughout her whole body. Worse than she had ever felt before. She realised quickly that she only held one dagger, because Lilith stuck the other into her hand and shoved her back. The blue flames flickered and roared around her as she stumbled back. A trail of red blood following her steps. Blood unable to be burnt by hers and Lilith's flames. Before she, abruptly, fell to her knees and screamed in despair. Her scream sending waves of blue flames in all directions. Flinging Lilith out the other end of the building, but also burning everything in vicinity.

When the ring of blue was gone she was all that remained in that spot. Even massive sections of the buildings were turned to nothing but ash. Her hands clutching her sides, scratching for her back, which was cut clean open. The wound was deep and deadly. Had she not been what she is; she'd have been dead on the spot. Yet there she sat, curled together and crying in agony as her sliced open back bled profusely. Her fire now only being active at the core of the wound. Protecting the exposed flesh and bone.

Marc knelt beside Ashlynn and hesitated to even give an attempt to wrap her with his cloak. The wound’s size alarmed Marc but he looked down at her and then quickly grabbed one of his darts and then a small vial from his belt.

“Fair warning… this might hurt a lot,” Marc warned as the vial was opened and flames bursted out from it, holding Ashlynn firmly so she wouldn’t squirm away in pain. “Please tell me you can handle flames?”

“JUST DO IT!” Ashlynn almost screamed in his face. Trembling as she tried to squirm even though she battled to stay still. “It hurts!! It hurts so much!” She sobbed.

He took a breath before smearing the bursting flame at her wound. Watching as it slowly cauterized the wound, dragging the flame along the large cut as the smell of burnt skin made Marc scrunch his nose underneath the mask. Once he finished, he slid the vial back into his belt and ripped off part of his cape to wrap it around her body, tightening it by tying a knot. “There… that’ll have to do until we get you to Strange,” he said moments before Lilith lunged at Marc with a blade but he blocked it with his truncheons just in time. “I’m not that easy to take down, Lilith. You’re gonna have to try harder than that!”

“I expected as such,” Lilith huffed his way. Staring blankly for a few seconds before she lifted a hand at her side. Scarlet's leg was immediately caught within her grasp. The Spider yelled in pain as she dug her nails in, engulfing his whole leg in green. She swiftly turned, then slammed him down into the ground. His whole body grew stiff as green strings and fire wrapped around him. Mimicking his own web as another green pentagram appeared beneath him. Locking him in place just like Rider. “Pathetic insect.”

Marc growled as his eyes flashed a faint blue, pushing Lilith off of Scarlet and using his grapple to launch him towards her like a catapult and used his feet to slam her into a wall. Suddenly he felt a metal chain wrap around his body and yanked him off of his enemy. What he saw on the other end made his stomach sink. It was Ghost Rider, engulfed in green flames and his jacket replaced with armor riddled with metal spikes. “All will bend to her will, Marc. Give in.”

“What the hell… what did you do?!” Mark shouted, turning to see Lilith brushing off the dust on her arms before walking towards him.

“I returned him to the service of his Queen. I made him my soldier, my Ghost Rider.” she hummed, stepping closer to him while gaining a smile. After two steps the former Scarlet, now emerald green, spider walked up at her side. Tilting his head, as he spoke no words. “I gave him my hand, my power. Just as I did with the insect. Just as I did with the Supreme. Just as I will do with you.” she explained, leaning down towards Marc as her hand reached out. Her fire spreading from her shoulder to the tip of her finger.

Just as the green flame was about to travel onto Marc’s hood, spark’s flickered behind Lilith as a portal formed showing Doctor Strange walking through with a herd of demons. Just like Scarlet and Rider, Strange was also possessed, his cloak now black and his attire green. Marc felt useless seeing his allies turned against him as he hung his head in defeat. “My lady, the rest of the Suns will be arriving shortly. I recommend we retreat… you can convert the Moon Knight when we find a safe place.”

“Mmm. You are correct. The Scarlet Witch is one I cannot overpower at this time. Soon, with all of you, she will us.” she spoke to them with delight before she turned around. Nodding her head towards Stephen who stepped aside with a bow. Raising a hand for her to grab as he proceeded to lead her through the green portal. Scarlet following without his usual bounce present in his steps, his Spider-Man side wiped clean for the sake of a soldier persona. While Rider trailed last, dragging Marc along effortlessly through the portal.

“No!” Ashlynn stumbled towards the portal, having been fighting to bring her back on her feet. Yet she was multiple feet away as the portal closed. The last sight being Rider swinging Marc's limp and defeated frame over his shoulder. “No no no,” she repeated, stumbling forwards onto her knees. The portal closing with a flash of green. Leaving here in the dust covered aftermath, crying, wrapped in sections of Moon Knight's cloak. Which she just brought closer around herself with a sob. “No… I couldn't help them…”

Daredevil, Wanda, and Blade arrived shortly afterwards and stood in shock as they took in the aftermath of the battle. Wanda and Daredevil rushed to Ashlynn and knelt beside her to make sure she wasn’t injured but then they saw the ripped cloak of Marc’s cape which led to the concern they felt being amplified.

“What happened here?” Daredevil asked as they slowly helped Ashlynn to her feet.

“She took them,” Ashlynn cried out, struggling to stand even with the help. Causing Wanda to go to her other side and offer as well. “Lilith took them… I couldn't do anything to stop it. I-I tried to break Rider out of her spell... it was… was impossible.” She struggled to speak to them. Only for her to flinch and stumble forwards as Wanda had touched her back to provide comfort. She kept a hold of the cape, but the wound was briefly on display.

“I… Ashlynn I'm so sorry,” Wanda quickly apologized, moving forwards but Ashlynn just backed up. Only for Blade to be at her side, quietly laying a cold hand on her shoulder. Muttering through a strained expression; “who did she take.”

“All of them!” Ashlynn shouted in response. “Strange, Scarlet, Rider and… and Marc.” She calmed down as she spoke. Pulling the cloak section around herself. “She corrupted their minds. They… they are hers now. I don't… I was useless.”

“We’re not done yet,” Blade said, walking down the steps and holding out the page they had found in Los Angeles. “We still have the advantage here. We’re gonna get them back and then we’re gonna put Lilith in the ground. Fuck the deal.”

“I owe Marc so… I’m not giving up. I’m in,” Daredevil commented as he stood next to Blade, both standing stoically as if someone was taking a picture. “Are you ing us, Scarlet Witch?”

“... you bet. Count me in,” Wanda expressed, mustering a smile despite the worry. Her head then turned to Ashlynn, whom she offered a hand. “You may be wounded now. But you and I together will be able to heal you, so that you may fight with us.”

“... I'm in.” Ashlynn mumbled, finally rubbing her face clean of tears before she grabbed Wanda's hand. Smiling at the other who returned it, and then ed her on the walk to the other two. “But… before we do. I know someone who can help us.”

To Be Continued.

#MS

Thanks to Will for writing this chapter with me!

Will: Marc, Rider, Blade, Daredevil

Me: Ashlynn, Lilith, Wanda

Small cameo from Zay: Scarlet

Title card made by Emma

Cover image edited by Will