Chapter Text
A DARK ALLEY- MIDNIGHT
There is a sudden scream from an side street, the sound of a rat scampering. It’s nothing Mosquito isn’t used to, but what’s really disturbing her is that trail of blood heading into that alleyway over there…
It certainly isn’t the kind of trail she’d leave, she tended to be much more… violent with her work. Often, at the scene of her crimes, there’d be way more blood than this. She unholstered her bow and held a steady hand over her quiver, just in case.
Step by step, she made her way into the pitch black alley. It was the typical scene. Some scum propped up against two trash cans at the very end. She kicked the corpse, making sure he was dead, before looking around for any sign of a killer. It looks like they had the same goals as her, she was actually planning to catch this guy eventually, but he’d always evade her. Whoever it was, they were certainly more efficient than she was at this. She looked over the body in more detail, hoping for at least a clue on who did this.
A few lacerations and gashes. A bruised up face, a few teeth missing, a bloody nose.
The killer seemed to be a curved blade-like object, lodged firmly into the victims chest. She pulls it out, watching the fresh blood ooze from the open wound and pool on to the ground. She amusingly (or rather childishly) observes that the man looks like he’s peeing blood. Mosquito chuckles to herself, and examines the object more closely.
It has a bladed edge, and is crescent shaped. It’s an all-white colour, and has a slightly metallic sheen to it, albeit now stained with crimson. It was ornate, almost ancient, she felt as if she could snap it just by holding it in-between her fingers.
Before she could examine it further, however, the object was pulled out of her fingers. It seemed to be attracted to something unseen, like a magnet.
The crescent travelled above her, to the rooftops. There was a man up there… Mosquito craned her neck upwards to catch a better glance.
He was clad in all white, a cape billowing out behind him. His outfit was adorned with small crescents and other details, and the pointed hood he wore cast a shadow across his whole face- apart from his eyes. Those shone bright, and peered down stoically at Mosquito. She looked admirably up at this mystery man.
But as soon as she spotted him, he vanished with a dramatic flick of his cape.
Mosquito fluttered up to the roof, her wing mechanisms sparking in protest.
No… he was gone. It was like he didn’t want to stay around. Which she got. These streets weren’t getting any safer, that’s for sure. She sits on the edge of the roof, swinging her feet and staring at the stars. What a beautiful night…
Its a shame she’s got no one to experience it with.
———
A HOUSE- LATER ON
Marc Spector took off his hood and stared at himself in the mirror. He was looking more and more unkempt by the day. The bags under his eyes had grown, his stubble had gotten greyer… He sighed and rested his head against the cold surface of the mirror. Khonshu was overworking him, he couldn’t keep this up… he was staying awake all night just to go on some stupid wild goose chase. And that girl. Who was that girl? He was aware of the vast amounts of murders in that alley, he hoped she was alright.
He shut his eyes, just trying to recollect his thoughts and relax…
“Marc Spector…”
The voice seemed to be all around him, yet inside his head at the same time. That guttural tone, that ghostly echo…
“Ugh… Khonshu…” He sighed
He opened his eyes reluctantly, dreading what he would see.
Just as expected. Back in his mind.
The sands of his mind-created desert stretched on for miles, a lonesome pyramid in the distance. The winds whipped, the sand stinging his eyes and scratching his skin. He could feel a presence… no, three presences behind him. No prizes in guessing who they are…
He turned around.
Khonshu was stood, tall and imposing, peering down at Marc as he held his half-moon staff ready, his skeletal features terrifying as always. On his left was Jake, desperately trying to light a cigar, but failing each time. On his right was Steven, adjusting his cuff links, but he glanced up at Marc with a brief smile.
”Jake… Steven. It’s good to see you both again.” He greeted the two. Khonshu tilted his head.
“You aren’t going to say hello to me, Marc?”
“I- I was getting there!” Marc stuttered. “What do you want, anyway? You didn’t have to bring me in here…”
“You didn’t want to see us, Marc?” Steven looked at him with sad eyes. God that hurt, Marc had known him for so long… he didn’t mean to upset him.
“No, Steven… I- I wanted to see you. Jake, too.” He nodded at the taxi driver, who responded by tipping his flat cap.
Jake laughed. “Nah, I get it kid. I didn’t really wanna see your ugly mug either.”
“Jake!” Steven protested.
“Oh… Steven.” Marc smiled.
“SILENCE!”
Marc flinched, looking up at Khonshu. “Sorry… what did you bring me here for?”
“That girl…” The God said, his empty eyes sockets staring through Marc’s very soul. “She interests me. I think she’d be a suitable match for my next avatar… if anything unexpected happens.” The old deity adjusted his moon staff as he spoke, leaning down to look at his Fist Of Vengance.
Marc huffed, clearly unimpressed. “Is that it? Is that all you brought me in here for? To discuss a replacement?”
“Not just that… She seems to be clearing out the alleyways very effectively, even killing people that aren’t threats to anyone. I need you to find her. Put her on the right path to become my new Moon Knight.”
“Tutor my replacement… Fine, whatever. You can let me go now.”
“Very well. Goodbye, Marc Spector.” Khonshu raised his hand, the winds in his mind desert picked up. The light was fading and Marc took the opportunity to wave goodbye to Steven before…
Before…
He was back at his sink again. He sighed, placing his head in his hands.
“God damnit Khonshu…”