Chapter 3
“You’re fucking Daredevil?” Myk said, “Holy fuck dude. I’m-” Myk let out a huff, “I said it once, I’ll say it again. Holy fuck dude.”
“It’s a long story. One I’d rather not tell. More importantly, it’s a secret I keep not only for the sake of protecting myself, but also the people that I love,” Matt stated.
“Okay, I get that,” Luke said, nodding.
“I don’t” Danny said, holding his hand in the air, “you’re blind.”
“Yeah, we’ll,” Matt retorted, “sight is overrated.”
Myk inhaled. “Ohhhh, certain things make a bunch more sense now. Like it’s how we both can tell the thing, that no one is gonna say, but we can just tell by the air, y’know”
Matt chuckled. “Yes, I do know.”
For context, living with enhanced senses meant that one can tell when people are related- because everyone has a smell, which smells like a combination of their parents.
Luke interjected. “Look, guys, we need to come up with a plan here.”
“The only plan, is how we get these people off our backs, ideally one that doesn’t incriminate us,” Jessica added.
“Incriminate us? What are you talking about?” Danny said.
“We get caught, we most likely go the Raft, just saying.” Myk said, “at least I will, for sure. And I have no intention of going back, thank you very much.”
“The Raft?” Danny asked.
“Yknow, that big floating prison in the middle of the ocean where you sit in your cell 24/7, and the only human contact you have is fellow super powered adjacent ‘criminals’” Myk said, using air quotes for criminals. “Not fun, do not recommend.”
“Wait,” Matt said, “you’ve been to prison?”
“Eh, yeah, for like two and a half months. Accords this, accords that, governments thinking I’m gonna become a supervillain. You know the deal.” Myk replied, giving a thumbs up.
“I didn't get sent there,” Luke stated, “and I just got out of prison.”
Myk shrugged. “I have no clue. I was the only non-Avenger there, so, who fucking knows. I also was publicly against the accords, and had a few slip ups, so there is that.”
“Skipping over that detail for now,” Jessica said, looking to Matt for a moment, before settling on Myk, “and we will be crossing back to that later,” earning an eye roll from Myk, “none of us were on police payroll. What we did back there was trespassing, aggravated assault, vigilante bullshit.”
“I mean, kind of yeah, if you say it like that,” Myk said.
“Well there’s one cop I think we can trust,” Luke said. “I think we should bring her in on this.”
“No,” Matt said, waving his hand in front of him, “that would be putting her in danger.”
“As will anyone who goes up against the Hand. As for doing this any legal way, we’ll uh,” Danny said, pointing at Luke and Myk, “you both saw what happened when you tried that.”
“Is that what you call that?” Luke asked.
Myk let out a laugh, “do not fucking say that, Danny. You call that trying it the legal way? I had a front row view, and you literally just walked in there, and said ‘I know what you did, who you are, and I’m gonna take you down’ and nearly got your ass kicked. Four people had to come in and save your dumbass. Literally brought a glowing fist to a gunfight, goddamn.”
Danny sputtered for a moment, “it started that way, at least. I mean c’mon, I even put in a tie!” He said, pointing at his suit.
Myk let out a sigh, sliding down in their chair for a moment and putting a hand over their eyes.
“Legal or not, you can’t go up the Hand. Not even with what your hand can do.” Matt said definitively.
“It’s Chi,” Danny said.
“Like the Dragon Ball movie? Or that lego show about animals?” Myk said, earning a confused glance from those around the table. “What, no one knows? Goddamn it, everywhere I go it’s the same story.”
“What I’m saying is, going at them head on, that will get you killed.” Matt reasoned.
Danny looked at them all as if the answer was simple. “Only if we do it alone.”
“You think five of us powered fuckheads can take down an ancient organization with who knows what, and a shitton of people and weapons?” Myk asked, leaning forward.
“Yes!” Danny said. “You saw what we can do. If we worked together again, it could save everyone?”
“What are we,” Jessica said, “the rip-off Avengers? No way.”
“Look, these people took everything from me. I’m gonna take them down, one way or another.” Danny stated.
“I wanted to help one kid, one family,” Luke said.
“I’m the first to admit when I’m in over my head, and this is way past my threshold,” Jessica offered.
“What are you talking about? Bulletproof” Danny said, pointing first at Luke, “Blind ninja” towards Matt, “whatever it is you two are” to Jessica, and Myk.
“Fuck you too” Jessica said, giving Danny a glare.
Myk also gave him a glare, “I second that, asshat. At least be creative.”
“Look I tried being a one man army and it failed,” Danny continued, ignoring their statements, “but this? This feels like something else is at work here. The four of us show up to fight a criminal organization at the same moment, how obvious does it need to be? This?” He said, waving an arm around the table, “cannot be an accident.”
“Okay, I know you mean well,” Matt said kindly, “but, we’re not whatever you think we are. We are five, very very different people, and while we all were trying to do some good, we need to be rational about how we proceed.”
Matt stopped for a second, tilting his head. Myk looked in confusion, listening out, before standing, “someone’s coming,” Myk said, as Matt whispered, “Oh you’ve got to be kidding me.”
An old man with one hand walked in, causing the four others to rise, speaking slowly. “This,” he said, “is one shitty excuse for a hideout.”
“Stick” Matt said.
“Matty,” Stick replied, pointing at Myk with their sword. “You’ve clearly been busy.”
“Who the hell are you,” Jessica asked.
He sheathed his sword against his back. “I’m the guy that’s gonna help you save New York.”
-=-
“How’d you find us Stick?” Matt asked, leaning a hand on the table.
“Wait a minute, you know this guy?” Luke questioned, giving Matt a look. “You seem to know everyone involved in this.”
“It’s complicated,” Matt stated.
“Then uncomplicate it!” Jessica urged.
“He’s one of them,” Danny said, pointing in Stick’s direction.
“The Hand?” Luke asked.
“No- there’s another organization” Danny reasoned.
“We call ourselves the Chaste.” Stick said, turning to face the group.
Jessica looked to Myk and Luke, “God, these names are killing me.”
“I know right? Wait, if you’re the Chaste, does that mean-” Myk chuckled, placing a hand over their mouth.
“And we’re the only reason the Hand hasn’t already won the war. We follow the Elders of K’un Lun,” Stick continued on,, bowing towards Danny, “and the Immortal Iron Fist.”
“The Chaste is my army?” Danny asked.
“For fuck’s sake, an army? Really?” Myk said.
“Yes, really. Get your kid in check, Matty. We don’t have time for this shit,” Stick ordered, turning to Matt for a moment before turning back to Danny. “The Chaste was your army. They’re all dead now, every last one. Except me.”
“How come no one told me?” Danny said.
“There are things I don’t know.” Stick replied.
“So? Why are you here, Stick?” Matt said.
“I’m here,” he said, walking closer to Danny, “Because this one, the Immortal Iron Fist, living protector of the ancient city, is still a thundering dumbass.” Stick pulled a phone out of Danny’s jacket pocket, throwing it on the floor and crushing it with his foot. “New rules kid, shit like that gets you killed.”
“Well-” Danny said, “I just tried to call Colleen, tell her where we were- where is she?”
“Safer than we are. Small mistakes, personal ties,” he said, whipping his head in Matt’s direction, “these are what they’ll use to end you.”
Myk went still for a moment, as Jessica asked, “What happened to you and your hand?”
“I cut it off to free myself-” Stick started, before Myk interrupted.
“Shit!” Myk said, pulling their phone out, “My idiotic self forgot to turn my location off. Hold on guys.”
Jessica gave Myk an odd look, “You share your location? With who?”
Myk was typing rapidly away, “Just Malcolm. Y’know, in his line of work, he’s fucking paranoid, I’m fucking paranoid. Shit, let me text him and tell him I’m staying with my friends for the night, and that my phones gonna die, before he sends the hounds when he gets home.”
“You’re living with Malcolm?” Jessica said, looking at Myk with concern, “Really. Malcolm?”
“Yes, temporarily. Got into a few fights with Aunt J since I've been back, well, and before I went away, but still. Temporary, just until I can find some roommates and stuff. Separately, yes, we’re both messes, but y’know, put us in a room together and we’re responsible! The guy's been a part of my life since I was born.”
Stick started walking closer, hand out, before Jessica and Myk could continue. Myk stepped back, “No. Phone stays. Just let me- there we go, location off- finish my text, and” Myk paused for a moment, clicking send and turning the phone into force off mode. “Force off. Perfectly useless at tracking locations now.”
Stick shook his head, before walking back to the open area. “Like I was saying, I need your help.”
Matt let out a laugh. “Alright, here it comes.”
“Here what comes?” Luke asked.
“This is what he does,” Matt said.” In response to Danny asking how they knew each other, he pointed at Stick. “You saw me fight. I learned to fight from him.”
“You’re a blind lawyer, you’re Daredevil, and you’re a member of the Chaste?” Danny asked confusedly. “How?”
“No-” Matt said, getting defensive, shaking his hand. “Uh-uh, I never joined his war. Hey Stick- you and I need to talk,” he said, voice raising as he turned and walked away, motioning for Stick to follow.
“Anything you need to say, you can say in front of us” Luke said.
“I think we should give them a minute,” Myk said, “They kinda look like they need to have a word.”
“That’s right, this is between me and Stick.” Matt said, voice raising once more.
“We are all in danger here,” Luke
“I don’t know you, My. Cage, you seem very nice, but let me tell you, with this old man, nothing is sacred.”
“Kid, its not just one of us this time, it's a whole goddamn city we’re talking about,” Stick said passively, head moving around the room.
“We’re talking about their lives, Stick, the lives of their loved ones. You can’t just take that away, not this time.” Matt said.
“Wait, I’m confused, what?” Jessica asked.
“The tremors that shook this place are nothing compared to what's next. The Hand has done this before- Pompeii, Chernobyl, events the history books like to call ‘catastrophes’ just cover-ups. Cause New York is next, and the only thing keeping Manhattan crumbling to dust,” he said, holding up five fingers and moving them in front of him, “is the five of you.”
“Alright, I am done with this tinfoil hat shit.” Jessica said, picking up her bag and starting to walk away.
“Wait, where are you going?” Danny said cautiously.”
“I tried to hang in guys, I really did, but I’m not buying what this guy is selling.” Jessica said.
“I mean, we shouldn’t be forcing anyone in on this- you have to want to do this. To be fair though, this does sound kinda insane.” Myk said, scratching the back of their neck.
“Yeah, kid’s right. I’m outta here.” Jessica said, “I suggest you follow me. I can walk you home, it’s pretty late out.”
Myk looked hopeful for a second, before looking around the table, as Stick let out a yell, “Shut up and sit down! No one’s leaving.”
Jessica gave him a flat look, turning around and walking out, Luke following close behind. Myk went silent for a moment, before saying, “yeah, that's not how we do things,” and following the two.
Myk opened the door to the back entrance, kicking the door all the way open, and placing one of the broken down cardboard boxes, that sat in the hallway, between the door lock, so it wouldn’t lock them out. They gave Jessica and Luke a second, until Jessica started to walk away.
“Jessica!” Myk said, chasing after, as Luke began to walk inside. She turned, looking back at Myk, a small smile on her face.
“Yeah?” she said. Myk stopped right in front of her, holding out a hand. “May I please see your phone.”
Jessica raised an eyebrow for a moment, before pulling one out of her pocket and handing it over, after unlocking it. Myk quickly opened the text messaging app, and typed in a message, clicking send to an unknown number.
“There.” Myk said, handing it back. “Thats my number, and my address. I respect your decision, hell, I’m even contemplating walking away from this shit because of that asshole guy, but, I think I need to do this. Just-” Myk said. “I don’t know what, or why we haven’t talked before, but if you wanted, after all this was over, maybe we could talk?” Myk whispered, giving a small smile.
“I would love that.” Jessica said. “Don’t die in there. And if you are stuck, and need help, doesn’t matter what it is, when it is. Call me. Even with this shit.” she said, pointing to the restaurant. “I have a feeling we’re gonna need to have a long conversation, about all this shit. Everything else, too. I promise.”
“Sounds great,” Myk said. ‘Don’t worry about us though. We’ll be fine. Great, even. I promise to be the responsible one. And, with enough energy, I can hopefully keep everyone pretty safe.”
“It’s not up to you. Just be careful, alright kid? You’ve got this. Text me when you turn your phone back on. And if you need someone to cover with Malcolm,” she said, starting to walk away, “let me know.”
“Okay. Thank you,” Myk said, nodding to Jessica and turning back to walk inside, throwing the cardboard back into the wall as they walked back, locking the door once more.
-=-
Myk walked into the four sitting at the table, Matt demanding to know why Stick was here. Stick opened his mouth to reply, before pausing and letting out a chuckle. “Well look at that. Kid’s got more balls than their parents, Matty. Welcome to the fight, kid.”
“Are you sure you want to be here, Myk? I know they know you chose our side, but still-”
Myk sat down in the chair next to Matt, crossing their arms. “I’m here. I’m here cause I’m two layers deep, and I don’t want others to get hurt. And y’know, I do enjoy living in New York. I’ll be a part of the team. That’s all. So? Don’t stop talking on my behalf.”
“As I was saying,” Matt said, “There are no second chances with him. You either end up dead, or holding the people you love and getting the privilege of watching them die. So yes, Danny, he wants something. Maybe the city is at stake,” he reasoned, “that is important, I get that, but imagine for the rest of your life, only knowing you made it worse by getting involved.”
“So let us hear all the sides. Make a rational decision. Let’s not jump in headfirst.” Myk said, picking up their plate and continuing eating. Matt stood up and walked away for a moment, to collect his thoughts.
Danny continued eating, never having really stopped. “How are you both still eating?” Luke asked.
“Takes a lot of energy to summon my chi,” Danny said, getting a skeptical look, “What? You’ve seen it in a fight.”
“I like it better on the side of my fight, not the side of my face. What about you, kid?” Luke said, turning his head toward Myk.
“Basically the same thing,” they said. “Using my powers takes energy, just like going on a four mile run would. I don’t normally eat this much, but I figured hey, gonna need some energy.” Myk paused for a moment, rifling through their bag. “I also have these.” They pulled out a tiny energy shot from their bag, holding it up with a grin. “Haven't really tested it yet, but I keep a couple on me just in case maybe they’d help.”
Luke chuckled, “Thats certainly a theory.”
“So, team names? If we’re gonna fight together, we at least have to have a cool name. Avengers is taken already- but thats a dumb name, because it indicates they were so shitty at their job that they lost, and now have to avenge the fallen. Any ideas?”
“We’re not a team, kid. I’m not looking for super friends.” Luke said.
Myk held up a finger. “Ah, thats where you’re wrong. We are a group of people, working together, therefore, against a common enemy, we are a team. And not saying we should do this again, but in case there is ever another life-threating super problem, shouldn’t we have each others numbers, just in case?”
“That’s sadly, not how it works.” Luke said.
“C’mon, I had some super friends on the Raft. It would be useful as hell to be able to call them right now and say ‘dude, fucked up shit is happening, you want in?’” Myk reasoned.
“That is true” Danny said, “Why don’t you call them?”
“We all got taken to different places for being released, so I didn’t really have time to exchange numbers. They could find me, probably.” Myk said, gaining a sad look. “They were pretty fun. At least, fun for being trapped in a room, with like 5 other people in different rooms nearby, half asleep for some of the time, y’know?”
“Yeah” Luke said. “I get what you mean.”
“Plus,” Myk said, “wouldn’t it be nice to have some friends that you could call up now and then, have a get together, and complain about power related shit with someone that knows what you mean?”
Before anyone could respond, Matt and Stick walked halfway back to the table. “Someone’s outside. Get ready.” Danny stood, ushering the workers to the back, as Luke and Myk joined the other two in the front.
“What are we facing?” Myk asked, pulling their mask out of their pocket and putting it back on.
“Guns. Lots of them. Fully loaded. Try listening,” Matt said. Myk nodded, taking a breath in, and focusing their senses outwords, hearing clicks of guns.
Stick sniffed the air. “Well I’ll be damned.”
“This wouldn’t be my first choice, but I am a sucker for fortune cookies,” the woman from the meeting said.
“Hey, man, don’t shit on the food. It was pretty good, not gonna lie” Myk said, turning towards the woman, earning a chuckle from the woman.
“Alexandra.” Stick said, turning around.
“Stick. Y’know, I thought it was a good idea, if we all talked this over. Like adults. Even you, Mykola.” Alexandra said with a smile.
“The fuck did I do to you? Oh, that’s right, I refused your orders and quit without giving two weeks. Shit, sorry I guess?” Myk said as the rest of the group started to walk closer, Myk trailing behind.
“What do you want?” Stick asked, tilting his head.
“You’ve surprised me, Stick. So resourceful in your old age.” Alexandra said, standing and meeting them halfway.
“What have you become in yours?” Stick said with a huff.
“Determined,” she replied, turning her attention to Danny. “Mr. Rand, I’m sorry your exit from our meeting was so abrupt.”
Danny scoffed as Alexandra moved closer, pausing in front of him. “You tried to kill me.”
“Them maybe,” she said shrugging her shoulders, “but not you. My orders were clear. This organization has always had a great deal of respect for the protector of K’un Lun.”
“Your respect means nothing to me,” Danny growled, standing a little bit taller than before. “My only purpose is to take you down.”
“A task you’ve repeatedly failed to do. Perhaps its time to consider some alternatives” Alexandra offered.
“Fuck it, I’m saying it. If Danny switches sides, I’ll fucking annoy you- Danny and Alexandra, a lot.” Myk said, “And I’ll punch a wall.”
“I’m not switching sides,” Danny said, glancing at Myk for a moment. “There are no other alternatives, Alexandra.”
She sighed. “There are always alternatives. That-”
“Cut the shit. What do you want, Alexandra.” Stick said.
“The same thing I’ve always wanted. To bring light into the dark, to bring life, where there is death” She said simply, looking at Danny with a smile.
“For someone who wants to bring life, you sure have killed a lot of people” Luke retorted, gaining Alexandra’s attention for a moment.
“I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced,” Alexandra said.
Luke gave her a steely look. “Let’s keep it that way.”
She sighed, walking around the table, attention back on Danny. “I can see you formed a bond here. And while that may give you comfort, I promise that is temporary.”
“And you’re ‘offered bond’ is a guarantee loss, for a shit ton of people, so, not exactly a win-win situation, y’know? At least we’re all on the same page,” Myk said, stepping closer.
“Let me tell you why you should join us then.” Alexandra said, “I’ll assemble all the resources this organization has to offer. Can you remember the last time that all the fingers of the Hand came together, don’t you Stick?”
“A goddamn culling,” Stick said.
“And New York is so densely populated.” Alexandra said in a low tone.
“You’re just giving more reasons to not trust you?” Myk said, “Threats, really? Daniel, don’t do this.”
Alexandra stepped closer to Danny, “Imagine how many lives you could save, by coming with me. I might even let them go free.”
“You go with them, I’ll take you out myself,” Stick said.
“You need to think this through, Mr. Rand.
“And you need to leave, now.” Luke said, standing closer. Myk walked next to him, giving a nod.
Alexandra sighed. “Fine then. Just like you, Stick. Only speaks in violence.”
Suddenly, the front door was kicked in, and the woman with swords- with newer swords, because Myk had melted them on their way over to the restaurant.
“Go on, my child,” Alexandra said as Elektra- the sword woman, walked closer. “Fight for the side of life.”
“Wait, that’s Elektra, right?” Myk said, looking at Matt, “Matt, you recognized her. Twice.”
Matt was silent for a moment, as Stick made a groaning noise, muttering something in the background. After that moment, he raised his head, taking a step towards her.
“Elektra,” he said, causing the woman to pause for a moment. “Elektra Natchios. Its me, Matthew.”
She turned her head, looking Matt up and down, opening her mouth to speak, before remaining silent, as suddenly, a car crashed through the wall, ramming into Elektra, knocking her onto the ground harshly, out of the way, leaving her dazed.
Out from behind the car walked Jessica, slowly walking over and standing between Myk and Matt. “So,” she said, “Who missed me?”
“All of us,” Myk said, “literally all of us.”
Elektra slowly got up, and Stick drew his sword. Everyone else raised their fists, ready to fight her.
It was time.