Unlikely Alliances

Darius found himself wandering through Hell's Kitchen later that night, his mind racing with the thrill of his powers. The city was a playground, its structures no more permanent than the cartoons he had loved as a kid. His powers gave him limitless freedom—but also a creeping sense of disconnection. Everything felt malleable, unreal.

He had no grand plans for world domination, no desire to save people or destroy them. He wanted only to tear down the structures that had once bound him—SHIELD, Hydra, the Avengers, all of them. His loyalty was to chaos.

And then, as if summoned by his thoughts, a figure emerged from the shadows: a woman clad in black, with glowing green eyes and a staff that shimmered with ethereal energy. Enchantress.

"You're not from around here, are you?" she asked, her voice dripping with curiosity.

Darius tilted his head, amused. "What gave it away?"

"Your powers. They're not... earthly. You walk like a man who knows the rules but doesn't care about breaking them. I like that." She twirled her staff, eyes narrowing. "I'm in need of someone like you."

Darius grinned, the corners of his mouth stretching in a way that shouldn't be possible. "Someone like me, huh? And what exactly do you need?"

"The Avengers are getting in my way again," she said, her eyes flashing. "I'm planning something big, but I need a distraction. Someone who can keep them occupied long enough for me to finish my work."

Darius's grin widened. "You want me to tangle with the Avengers? Sounds like fun."

Enchantress took a step closer, her voice lowering to a near whisper. "In exchange, I can offer you knowledge. The true nature of your powers. You think you're some trickster, but there's far more to the Nika fruit than even you realize."

Darius's eyes flickered with intrigue. He knew the fruit was powerful, ancient even, but he had always assumed it was just another strange ability in a world filled with mutants and gods. If Enchantress was right, if there was more to his power...

"Alright, you've got my attention. But don't expect me to play the hero."

Enchantress smirked. "I wouldn't dream of it."