Chapter Text
Kennedy and Fitzgerald dragged Marc's corpse out of the shallow pond, found Ammit's ushabti, and handed it to Harrow.
Everyone let out a massive sigh of relief at seeing the real Harrow. They never thought they would be so glad to see the cult leader's face again.
"They found Ammit's ushabti, though," Steve said, extremely concerned. "That's not a good thing."
"We already knew that Harrow unleashed Ammit when all those souls poured into the Duat," said Stephen.
"Marc's in the Field of Reeds and Steven's dead," Layla said in a hoarse voice. "How are they going to get out now?"
Marc didn't think it was fair that he ended up in the Field of Reeds after everything he's done while Steven, who was so good, didn't. He didn't know why the scales didn't balance because he shared everything important about his life with Steven.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way, Marc Spector, Steven Grant, whoever else might be in there," Harrow said, placing the Scarab of Ammit on the body.
"Jake Lockley," Marc muttered.
"Sometimes we need the cold light of death before we can see reality."
Khonshu couldn't believe he ever decided that Harrow would've been a good choice to be his avatar. He was nothing compared to Marc Spector.
"So…when's Harrow going to see reality? Because I don't think it's going to be anytime soon," said Rhodey.
Layla was hidden in the chamber and she watched as Harrow held up the ushabti to his cultists, who bowed. "Who wants to heal the world?" he said.
All of them scowled.
"He's doing the exact opposite of healing the world," said Sam.
Harrow transformed the staff into a battle axe. He and his followers left.
"An axe? As if that thing wasn't bad enough," said Scott.
Layla ran to Marc's body and wept. She kissed his forehead and rested her head on his chest in grief.
Tears burned in Layla's eyes and her lower lip trembled, Marc's face crumpled, and everyone's hearts twisted.
She noticed the scarab on top of the body and activated it.
A smile crept on their faces.
"Harrow's a fucking idiot for leaving the scarab there," said Tony.
Layla smirked. "He's left me a direct path to him through Ammit's ushabti."
"She doesn't even need the scarab because Harrow's going back to the Chamber of the Gods," said Loki.
Marc had a concerned expression as fear pooled in his stomach. Layla was going on a suicide mission by going after Harrow and Ammit by herself; she had no backup.
Meanwhile, Harrow and his cult were driving when they reached a police checkpoint. "What are you doing on this road ?" an officer asked in Arabic.
"Trying to get to the Pyramid of Giza to unleash a goddess that wants to kill a bunch of innocent people," Shang-Chi summed up.
Harrow and his cultists got out of the car, causing the police to point their guns at them. An officer demanded that he show his papers. "I don't need to show you my papers. You need to show us your soul," Harrow said.
The group balked at hearing that.
He used the staff to remove all of the officer's souls except one.
They blanched at seeing Harrow instantly kill multiple people.
"This is the face of a good man. You don't need this anymore," he said, removing the officer's walkie-talkie.
"I'm assuming this is how Harrow recruits people to his cult," said Clint.
Kennedy commanded the cultists to move the bodies out of the way. Layla was disguised as one of the followers and unsheathed her knife.
Marc shook his head sadly. "Please don't do this."
"He killed you and Steven!" Layla snapped.
"But you won't survive," he warned. "That staff is dangerous and he'll kill you like he killed all those officers."
"Don't do it," Taweret spoke through a dead officer's body. "Layla, wait. I am the Goddess Taweret. Layla, it's Marc who's telling you to stop."
They looked at the dead officer's body in complete astonishment.
"…Can you guys do this?" Natasha asked Thor and Loki, who shook their heads. The two gods had bewildered expressions as well.
"What the hell is this? He's dead," Layla said.
"Not completely," said Layla. Marc wasn't dead but Steven was.
"And I'm talking to you through dead people right now. So what?" Taweret said.
Everyone snorted.
"That's a good point," said Bucky.
"It's not like we haven't seen other people possess dead bodies, including their own," said Tony. The Avengers' eyes flickered to Stephen, who rolled his eyes.
Layla, Steven, and Marc had a look of confusion on their faces.
She told Layla that Harrow was too powerful to stop alone and to find and release Khonshu so he can revive Marc.
Khonshu hoped Marc would somehow make it out of the Duat.
"You can be my avatar. Marc says wonderful things about you," Taweret said happily.
Marc choked, Steven thought it was a fantastic idea, and Layla froze at the thought of being someone's avatar. "No," she said, quickly.
"Taweret is one of the better gods," Thor pointed out. "You've seen her, she's not like the other Egyptian gods."
"Even so, I've seen what Marc went through with Khonshu and I'm not doing that to myself."
Marc didn't know why he had been so concerned about Khonshu making Layla his avatar when she wasn't interested in being anyone's avatar. But he wasn't surprised that Taweret would want Layla as her avatar, and of course, he would say wonderful things about her. Who wouldn't?
"But I don't know if Marc can get out of the Duat now, and Steven's frozen in the sands," said Wong. "There needs to be an avatar fighting Harrow and there's no one else. As Taweret said, Harrow is too powerful to stop alone."
Layla bit the inside of her cheek. "That's true."
"No, I'll fight him on my own," Layla said, getting back into the truck in disguise.
"I think you should take her offer," Marc told Layla quietly. She looked at him in shock.
"Why?!"
"Because Taweret's right. Harrow's too powerful and she's not like Khonshu. Not all the gods are awful, you've met Thor. You won't survive if you decide to go after Harrow yourself without any powers."
Layla didn't think there was much left to live for if Marc and Steven were dead.
"And I'm sorry. I should've trusted you to take care of yourself and you don't deserve to be treated the way I do."
Layla's eyes softened. "Thank you," she said quietly.
Harrow and his cultists were climbing the Great Pyramid of Giza.
"Isn't that illegal?" Kate said.
"They're literally a part of a cult that's murdering a bunch of people. Do you think they care if it's illegal or not?" Clint said.
Harrow used his staff to create a doorway into the pyramid. Selim entered the Chamber of the Gods and told the other avatars, "The disturbance. Your Gods felt it too."
"Have they now? Maybe they can get off of their asses for once," said Rhodey.
Loki and Khonshu didn't think that would happen. Thor frowned, he'd lost some faith in his fellow gods and it was wrong of them to banish themselves to the Overvoid or other places and ignore humanity.
"But what does it mean?" Hathor's avatar said. "Someone is trying to release Ammit," Yatzil said. "Harrow," Selim realized.
Everyone looked unimpressed.
"No shit. It's not like Marc and Khonshu were trying to tell them that before," America said sarcastically.
The wall of the chamber rumbled and opened to reveal Harrow, his cultists, and Layla in disguise. "You won't believe what the gods have hidden from mankind," Harrow told his cult.
"Because humans weren't advanced enough to handle it," said Loki.
Thor shifted uncomfortably. His father had hidden the Space Stone on Earth for centuries. Besides, the gods not only hide secrets from mankind but their fellow gods. How many things had Odin hidden from them?
He immediately overwhelmed and killed the avatars while Layla snuck away. He smashed Ammit's ushabti on the ground, releasing the goddess.
Everyone cursed loudly and Khonshu glared at his former avatar.
"She's a tall crocodile lady," Peter stated.
"Now how are you supposed to kill a goddess? They can't even bind Ammit to another ushabti because Harrow killed the avatars," said Wanda.
Layla had a distressed expression. Taweret's offer was looking more and more appealing, but she didn't want to go through the same thing that Marc had.
"To whom do I owe my gratitude?" Ammit asked. "Your humble disciple, my Goddess, to whom you owe nothing," Harrow said.
Bucky snorted. "Humble?"
"He really believes in all of this stuff," Bruce said, shaking his head.
Ammit told him that his scales lacked balance. He hoped his penance might correct it but he accepted the scales regardless and willingly submitted to spare the world the pain he will cause.
"That's probably the first good thing he's done," said Layla. "It's not like he's completely innocent like the other people he's killed."
"What lies ahead of you is your service to me." "How may I serve you in death?" "Your death is delayed."
"I thought her whole thing was that the scales should balance and kill the ones who don't," said Steve.
"She's as obsessed with balance as Thanos in a different way. Thanos lite," said Peter.
"She's a hypocrite goddess," said Shang-Chi.
"Honestly, I think most of the gods are full of shit with a few exceptions," said Kate. Thor hated how true that was.
"She's a hypocrite, but funnily enough, Harrow isn't," said Natasha.
"I once relied on a servant whose scales balanced perfectly. In exchange, I was bound to stone for two thousand years," Ammit said.
"Maybe because Alexander the Great was a good avatar," said Clea.
Ammit said she wanted Harrow to be her avatar because he set her free. Harrow accepted and his eyes glowed white.
A chill ran down everyone's spines.
"This isn't going to end well," said Vision.
"Harrow was bad enough without the avatar powers so I don't want to see what he's going to be like now," said Sam.
Dread pooled in Layla's stomach. She knew what she had to do and she didn't like it, but there was no other choice.
Meanwhile, Layla found Khonshu's ushabti and smashed it, bringing him back.
None of them thought they would ever be so glad to see that stupid bird again but as manipulative and awful as Khonshu was, he was against Ammit, who was the bigger problem at the moment.
"I do not sense Marc Spector in this world. He died fighting, no doubt," Khonshu said. "Fighting your war," Layla spat.
"When are the gods not fighting?" Bruce said. Khonshu, Thor, and Loki stayed quiet.
Khonshu offered to make Layla his avatar.
Marc and Steven laughed loudly, Layla rolled her eyes, and the rest of the Avengers chuckled. Khonshu was affronted at seeing everyone's reactions, he would've preferred Marc or even the other alters, but Layla was a good option if they weren't available.
"I can't believe he even has the audacity to ask," said Scott.
"Are you joking? You turned Marc's life into a waking nightmare. Why would I ever sign up for that?" Layla said.
Marc struggled to keep his smile off his face; he loved her so much.
"I'd rather be Taweret's avatar rather than Khonshu's," Layla spat.
Khonshu pouted. Ouch.
"Because you won't win against Harrow and Ammit alone." "I'll take my chances."
"I think Layla should reconsider Taweret's offer, especially since Harrow is an avatar now," said Carol.
"Marc was in crisis over you. His lack of focus got him killed. You need a plan, little bug. What I offer..." Khonshu said.
Anger welled up in everyone's chest and Layla stared daggers at the god.
"His lack of focus was because of Khonshu," said Wanda.
"So is Marc not supposed to have a personal life?" Bruce said.
"I don't care what you can offer. Marc didn't trust you. I don't trust you. We'll work together without me enslaving myself," Layla said.
The Avengers agreed with her, Marc grinned widely, and Khonshu couldn't help but feel slightly insulted. The last thing Marc wanted was for Layla to go through the same thing he did, but she wasn't caught in an awful position like he was.
"We must rebind Ammit." "How?" "Only an Avatar can do it. "I said 'no.'"
Oi, let it go, Khonshu, Marc said. Find another avatar.
She's a good choice, Khonshu said.
You can find someone else, he shot back.
"Are there any other avatars left besides the ones Harrow killed?" T'Challa asked. Marc would've liked it if T'Challa was Bast's avatar.
"I think Taweret is the only option," Layla said hesitantly.
"For what it's worth, Taweret won't manipulate you like Khonshu. I should know, I'm the God of Mischief," said Loki. "If Khonshu, Thor, and I all agree that Taweret is one of the kindest gods out there, then it means she's not like the other ones."
In the Chamber of the Gods, "Let us purify the souls of Cairo and then the world," Ammit told her followers.
Panic surged through them.
"They have to stop her," Steve said, his body feeling numb.
Khonshu appeared before her. "Time has been cruel to you," Ammit commented.
"So, he didn't look like a bird skeleton before?" Kate questioned. None of them could imagine it.
"Indeed. I cannot allow you to proceed," Khonshu said. "There's someone else here. Find who released him," Harrow told Kennedy.
There was a collective intake of breath at the thought of Layla being found.
Back in the Field of Reeds, Taweret told Marc that his scales were balanced, his heart was full, and the journey was over. He was holding his heart.
Marc's heart dropped to his stomach while Steven was glad that at least one of them made it to the Field of Reeds.
He looked at the field in awe, "It's so...quiet." "The peace you've always wanted but never had. You're manifesting it. No danger. No loneliness or hurt," Tawaret said.
Marc couldn't imagine that. He had never known quiet and he had always known hurt.
Bruce wondered what that would be like. Not having anyone with him was a strange thought after years of struggling with the Hulk. He was still struggling with him.
"What about Steven?" "He's gone, Marc. The Duat has him. Please enjoy your peace."
Marc shook his head. He couldn't find peace without Steven, not after everything he'd seen them go through.
"We need to go back for him." "It doesn't work like that. Leave here, and you can't return. Anyway, you don't need him anymore, Marc."
Marc always needed Steven; he couldn't have survived his childhood without him.
Marc said that he didn't find it fair that he got eternal peace and Steven stayed lost in the sands forever. He ran away from the Field of Reeds and ended up in the Duat, and found a frozen Steven half-covered in a dune.
Marc nodded firmly. Steven should've ended up in the Field of Reeds, not him. Plus, he didn't have to think twice about leaving. The Field of Reeds was beautiful, but the Duat held no significance to him.
Layla's eyes misted over. Marc was capable was immense violence but he was very sweet when he wanted to be. He could be caring and loving, but he had so many problems that prevented him from fully showing it.
Everyone's eyes softened. That was incredibly sweet, but how were they going to get out of there now?
At the Pyramid of Giza, Ammit told Khonshu that her path was set and she was there to bring balance.
"I'm so fucking tired of all these people trying to bring balance," said Tony. "First, Thanos, and now Ammit? Thanos managed to kill half of the universe!"
"I bet Ammit would've loved that," said Stephen.
"People should have free will. There shouldn't be predestined or set paths," Loki said coldly.
The Avengers grimaced; of course, that would be a touchy topic for him.
"You speak of balance, yet you choose him. Your avatar is a sinner!" Khonshu exclaimed.
"See, hypocrite goddess," said America.
"You're jealous of his loyalty," Ammit stated.
Everyone winced. That was true, Marc hated Khonshu while Harrow revered Ammit.
Khonshu wasn't going to admit that stung.
"Loyalty at what cost? An empty world for your disciples to inherit?" Khonshu said.
None of them were particularly fond of Khonshu, but they could respect that he hadn't abandoned humanity like the other Egyptian gods and that he believed in free will. He was also insistent on defeating Ammit because what she was doing was wrong.
"Don't listen to him. He only wants to keep you bound," Harrow warned.
"Obviously," said Bucky. "I think he's made that pretty clear."
Meanwhile, Marc kneeled in front of Steven's frozen body near the Gates of Osiris. "Steven, looking pretty rough, man," Marc said with a watery chuckle. "I don't know if you can hear me."
Marc hoped Steven could.
"From the moment you arrived, way back then, we were so young. You saved me. I survived because I knew I wasn't alone."
Marc remembered that he found Steven's presence to be comforting when he had been a child. It made things easier knowing that he wasn't mentally alone because he'd been physically alone ever since his brother died.
Bruce's stomach rolled. Was it the same with him and the Hulk? He hated the Hulk for a long, long time, but Tony told him that he saved his life for a reason. What if the Hulk saved his life in more ways than one?
Layla's face contorted. Every single thing she learned about Marc's childhood made her want to curl up and cry or beat up Wendy.
"You were always there, alive, full of hope. And I tried to protect that, and I failed. I couldn't protect you."
Marc hated that Steven ended up in the sand instead of him. He failed to protect Steven like he failed to protect Randall. He should've died trying to protect Steven, not the other way around.
Steven was a ball of emotions at hearing Marc's admission. So much of him made sense after seeing their childhood, which he never should've gone through. It was nice to be wanted and know that he protected someone.
Marc gasped as his hands started to freeze.
Everyone's eyes widened with alarm.
He managed to say that he wasn't going to abandon Steven as he was the only real superpower he ever had before placing his heart in Steven's hand and becoming frozen.
Everyone's heart was flooded with sadness at seeing Marc admit the truth. It was very sweet.
Bruce wished he could think about his alter the same way Marc viewed his. He felt a twinge of jealousy; Steven was a gentler alter than the Hulk was, but he had to learn to love the Hulk too.
The Gates of Osiris opened and the heart glowed before the ice melted Marc and Steven, bringing them back to life.
"It worked?! They came back?" Bucky said, baffled.
"They can bind Ammit and stop this mess," Stephen said, relieved.
Bruce was glad that Steven had someone now because he seemed so lonely before. Was the Hulk lonely?
We can share the body if you want, Marc told Steven.
We can do that?
We can try.
The two hugged. "You came back? What the hell's wrong with you?" Steven said.
Steven smiled fondly. Marc had problems and so did he, but it was nice to have someone who would always be there. He didn't remember much about his childhood, but he remembered that he didn't have very many people or anyone at all.
"Well, I did a whole little speech there," Marc said. "It wasn't that little," Steven said. The two laughed.
"So, Steven could hear the speech," said Vision.
"It's terrifying to think that all the bodies frozen in the Duat are still aware of what's going on since they're stuck there for the rest of eternity," said Wong.
Everyone else shuddered. "Let's not think about that," said Clint.
"Marc, look. The Gates are open!" Steven pointed out.
"I can't believe Osiris opened the gates. Maybe he isn't that bad," said Wanda.
"His avatar is either dead or injured so if he wants Ammit to be stopped, he has to open the gates," Clea said.
"He knows he fucked up during the Ennead Council meeting," Kate said.
T'Challa didn't know why Bast wasn't helping. The world was in danger due to an Egyptian goddess and she couldn't even try to stop Ammit? Maybe Bast wasn't who he thought she would be and he felt uneasy at the thought. His tribe worshipped her! He was a part of the Panther Tribe and he was literally the Black Panther.
At the Chamber of the Gods, Ammit told Khonshu that he was low on faith for a god. "You'll never learn," Khonshu said.
Thor thought he was currently low on faith for a god too, or rather, low on faith toward the other gods.
The two tackled each other and started to fight in the chamber.
"Who's going to win, the bird or the crocodile?" said Kate.
"Oh look, another god fight. They do nothing but fight," Rhodey said, unimpressed.
Thor and Loki didn't want to bring attention to themselves at the moment.
A sandstorm was approaching Marc and Steven in the Duat.
There was a collective groan of frustration.
"They can't get trapped now after everything they've been through," said Scott.
Before they got trapped, Taweret saved them with her boat sailing through the sandstorm. "Osiris, you old softie! Now, run!"
"I can't believe Osiris finally did something useful for a change," said Natasha.
"Only if he didn't marry his sister," said Bucky.
"Hippo!" Steven whooped.
Steven snickered.
"The best hippo," Layla agreed. Maybe being Taweret's avatar wouldn't be that bad. She and Marc could both be avatars for a while until Khonshu finally set him free.
Marc and Steven ran toward the Gates of Osiris. Marc gasped back to life in Alexander the Great's chamber.
The Avengers grinned, Layla was over the moon to see him alive, and Marc let out a bittersweet smile. He was glad that he was back, but he didn't want to be bound to Khonshu anymore. However, he'd defeat Ammit and then that's it. It's over.
"Marc?" said Khonshu, and disappeared from Ammit.
"I bet Ammit's insulted that he disappeared mid-fight," said Carol.
Marc pushed himself to the dais and the two bullet holes fell out of his body.
"I can't believe that happened," Scott said.
"That's the least crazy thing we've seen so far," said Natasha.
Marc thought his life would be an insane Hollywood production.
The Moon Knight armor formed around Marc. "All right. Here we go," he said.
"Finish this once and for all because magical Project Insight cannot go through," said Sam.
He found Khonshu waiting outside the tomb. "I knew you'd miss me," the god said.
The last thing Marc wanted was to see Khonshu but they needed him.
"Stupid pigeon," said Steven.
"Layla turned you down, didn't she?" Marc said knowingly.
Marc and Steven laughed loudly, Layla smirked, and Khonshu looked unimpressed.
"Yes, I did," she said smugly.
Khonshu asked Marc for his help, but Mr. Knight asked how the new arrangement was going to work. "Steven Grant, I was not speaking to you," the god said.
"He still has to deal with me anyway," said Steven.
"We know Khonshu prefers Marc, though," said Wong.
Khonshu wasn't going to argue. He preferred Marc, but he didn't mind Jake either. Steven was his least favorite but he had proven himself.
"Yeah, all right. But we do come as like a package deal now, so you are gonna have to deal with me. And we did just save your life, so you're welcome for that."
Everyone's lips twitched into a smile while Marc and Steven grinned.
Khonshu would've rolled his eyes if he had them. These two were insufferable now.
He requested that their agreement be reviewed, stating that they were free to leave once Ammit was no longer a threat. Khonshu was shocked that they are willing to bargain right now but eventually agreed that he would release them both.
Marc felt lighter and Layla let out a sigh of relief at hearing Khonshu say that. Marc knew he was sick, he was never going to be cured; this was always going to be who he was, but he could still live. He could still have a life, and Khonshu wasn't going to ruin that for him anymore.
Khonshu couldn't help but feel smug at hearing that he would release them both. Not all three.
Steven asked how they would get to Cairo. "You forget, little worm, I am still the God of the Night Sky!" Khonshu said dramatically, turning the sky to nighttime.
Everyone shook their heads, exasperated.
"All these gods are so dramatic for no reason," said Clint.
"Do you remember Thor when we first met him?" Natasha asked the other original Avengers, who laughed loudly. Thor looked offended.
"Little worm? That's practically a loving nickname from Khonshu," said Stephen.
Steven said Marc could take this one. "Hurry up, idiots!" Khonshu yelled. Moon Knight flew into the sky with his moon-shaped cape.
Khonshu couldn't believe he had to interact with two idiots instead of just one now.
"I love that cape," said Kate. Marc agreed and thought it was pretty cool.
An injured Selim was crawling on the floor in the Chamber of the Gods.
"Oh, he's still alive?" Shang-Chi said.
"Not for much longer with the way he's looking," said Bucky.
Layla helped him up and the two hid in a passageway. "Are you the one who released Khonshu?" he asked. "Yes," she answered.
Marc smiled proudly.
"How do we stop Ammit?" she asked. "This chamber is our most powerful place. From here, we need to imprison Ammit in a mortal form," he answered, on the verge of death.
"Harrow," Everyone said.
"A body instead of a statue. She'd be vulnerable. Okay, how do we do it?" she said. "We need more Avatars than we have left..." he said as he collapsed and died.
"Shit, he's dead," said America.
"If he and the rest of the avatars are dead, then it means that Marc's the only avatar left," said Stephen.
"How many avatars do they need?" Clea questioned.
Two, Khonshu said. Marc repeated it to the rest of the group.
All of them glanced at Layla who bit the inside of her cheek. "I think being Taweret's avatar is the best idea now," she said.
"It'll be alright. She's not like Khonshu," Marc assured her.
"It would've been great if Thor was on Earth at the moment instead of being in space with the Guardians," said Sam.
"Taweret, are you there?" Layla whispered. "Layla!" Taweret happily shrieked through Selim's dead body. "I'm so thrilled. We're gonna have so much fun together."
Everyone was taken aback while Layla smiled. Marc and Steven wished Khonshu was like that but they couldn't imagine it.
"She's so…enthusiastic," said Carol.
Harrow used the staff to destroy the Chamber of the Gods, causing the ceiling to begin to collapse.
"He can't destroy the Pyramid of Giza!" Steven protested.
Taweret possessed Layla's body. "Oh! You've changed your mind. I would be delighted to accept you as my avatar."
"Based on Marc's glowing recommendation," Loki said.
Layla fell back. "Temporary avatar," she said in her own voice.
"Just until we get this mess figured out," said Layla.
She had to become Taweret's avatar in their universe as well because she didn't think the avatars on the Ennead would help so she and Marc would deal with Ammit and Harrow themselves. Two avatars were enough. Plus, if she was going to fight other threats alongside the Avengers, a team that included super-soldiers, gods, sorcerers, witches, people with flying suits, and enhanced individuals, she was going to have to upgrade. She suddenly deeply respected Natasha and Clint for fighting these battles without any powers, abilities, or armor.
She lurched back and Taweret spoke. The goddess said that Layla's father was going to be over the moon when he heard; she met him when she took him to the Field of Reeds.
Layla sucked in a breath. "He ended up in the Field of Reeds?" she said in a watery voice. The Field of Reeds was beautiful and it meant the world to her knowing that her father would spend the rest of eternity there.
"Are we doing this or what? I have a fabulous costume in mind," Taweret said enthusiastically as the chamber collapsed.
A small part of Layla couldn't wait to see what suit Taweret had in mind while Marc and Steven were extremely giddy.
"The Moon Knight suit looks fantastic so I bet whatever costume Taweret makes will be pretty good too," said Kate.
Clint couldn't believe he and Kate were getting their suits from LARPers while other people were getting their suits from gods.
Meanwhile, Moon Knight was flying over Cairo. Harrow climbed to the top of the Pyramid of Giza and chanted in Coptic, causing his staff to glow purple. The eyes of Cairo citizens glowed purple and tattoos of the scales appeared on their arms.
Everyone's stomachs dropped.
"Marc needs to fly faster and Layla needs to join the fight," Thor urged. Many awful things were happening on Earth and he could've helped stop them, especially this one. Although he wasn't an Egyptian god, he was still a god who was invested in the well-being of humans. Plus, New Asgard was on Earth too.
"Followers of Ammit, judge everyone," Kennedy commanded. The disciples grabbed people's arms and judged them, causing their souls to fly to Ammit if they turned red. Dozens of souls flew to Ammit, causing her to rapidly grow as tall as the Pyramid of Giza.
All of them were sick with fear at seeing dozens of people die for no reason.
"Again?!" Shang-Chi said. "Last time it was a soul-sucking demon and now it's a soul-sucking god? Leave people's souls alone!"
"A normal-sized god is bad enough and now Ammit's the size of the pyramid," Rhodey said.
Meanwhile, the Scarlet Scarab walked out of the rubble inside the pyramid.
Marc and Steven stared at Layla in awe, Layla's eyes lit up and she thought she looked good, and the Avengers looked at her costume appreciatively.
What's Taweret's avatar called? Steven asked Khonshu.
Scarlet Scarab, he answered.
"Khonshu says that Taweret's avatar is called Scarlet Scarab," Steven told Layla, whose heart skipped a beat.
"Scarab," she said quietly.
Marc squeezed her hand. "Like what your father used to call you. He's going to be so proud of you once he finds out."
"I hope he is. Plus, we're both avatars now," said Layla. "Thor, can you please find Tawaret and ask her to talk to me? I know you're not an Egyptian god, but you must have some kind of god network." She didn't trust Khonshu, and Loki attacked New York.
Thor nodded. "I'll find her."
"Scarlet," Wanda said, amused. "People call me Scarlet Witch."
Layla grinned. "Scarlet Scarab and Scarlet Witch."
Layla examined her suit and pulled out a pair of swords, causing metal wings to extend from them.
Marc and Steven's eyes bugged out in shock and Layla smiled widely.
"Nice wings," Sam said appreciatively.
"Thanks, your wings are pretty nice too," Layla complimented.
Marc and Harrow leaped at each other outside the pyramid and Marc kneed him in the chin.
"That was so satisfying to see," said Tony.
Khonshu tried to attack Ammit with his staff, who blocked him. They were both the size of the pyramids.
"Can you guys do that?" Peter asked Thor and Loki, who shook their heads. They were learning a lot about the Egyptian pantheon too.
"Giant Thor and Loki would be terrifying," said Scott.
Marc flew away as Harrow held onto him. Steven fronted, but he didn't have a cape so he let Marc take the body. Both of them plunged onto the street below.
Might be best for you to handle this, Steven said.
Yeah, I have the cape. I'll handle the airborne stuff, Marc replied.
Khonshu smacked Ammit with his staff, causing her to fly back to the Pyramid of Giza.
The Avengers hoped the Pyramid of Giza won't get destroyed. Shang-Chi would've been more surprised about all of this if he hadn't seen the absolute insanity that was the Dweller-in-Darkness and the Great Protector in Ta Lo.
He held her back with his moon staff. "There is so little difference in what we want for this world. Why do this dance for the rest of time?" Ammit asked. "You know the answer. I only punish those who have chosen evil," Khonshu answered.
"The worst of the worst," Natasha quoted.
"I can't believe I'm agreeing with Khonshu," said Sam.
"Khonshu's a manipulative asshole but he's doing the right thing against Ammit. At least he hasn't abandoned humanity because many people don't worship the Egyptian gods anymore," said Rhodey.
"So do I, only I don't give them the satisfaction of committing it," Ammit said, tripping Khonshu. "Be at my side."
"Ammit's a hypocrite. She chose Harrow as her avatar after everything he's done. She's giving him the satisfaction of committing evil," said Bucky.
"How delusional is she to think that Khonshu would ever join her?" America said.
"Considering she's planning magical Project Insight, pretty delusional," said Steve.
Harrow hit Marc with his staff and was about to hit him again before the Scarlet Scarab flew in and kicked him back.
Marc and Steven looked at Layla with wonder.
"That's one of my favorite moves! Fly in and kick them. It works every time," said Sam.
"I'll keep that in mind," Layla smiled.
Marc looked up. "Layla?" he said confused.
Marc snorted. If he hadn't seen her transformation into becoming the Scarlet Scarab, he would be incredibly confused too.
Harrow shot a blast from his staff, but Layla blocked it with her wings causing him to fly back.
Marc and Steve looked at her in awe while everyone else looked impressed. Layla smirked; she looked good.
Marc ran to Layla and the two hugged. "Oh, baby. Thank God you're okay," he said.
Layla's heart warmed.
"How did you get back?" she asked.
Layla wheezed with laughter. "There's not enough time to explain that. It's probably the craziest story possible."
"Their Duat journey was crazy," said Peter.
Steven fronted and the Moon Knight suit turned into the Mr. Knight suit. "Wow, you look amazing. What are you wearing?"
"The Scarlet Scarab suit," Steven said proudly.
"She does look amazing, though," Marc said.
"Why fight, knowing you will fail?" Ammit asked. "Because it is my choice! The very thing you take away," Khonshu said.
"Exactly!" Loki said. "You cannot take away people's free will!"
"Hey, I'm really jazzed about showing you these new skillsets we have," Steven said. "All right, show me what you got," Layla said.
"Please don't start rhyming after punching someone this time," said Clint.
Steven's cheeks flushed.
Mr. Knight ran toward the disciples and the Scarlet Scarab flew.
Marc, Steven, and Layla's chests warmed. What any of them wanted was companionship and they had it now. Layla and Marc were finally in a good place for once because there were no secrets, and Marc and Steven had come to an arrangement where they worked together and shared the body. Things were looking up and Marc couldn't believe he had finally gotten his shit together.
Steven took down the disciples with his truncheons and dodged a blast from Harrow's staff.
Steven was smug, Marc's brows shot up, and everyone else was impressed.
Mr. Knight threw a truncheon at Harrow, who knocked it away with his staff, and it ricocheted to Moon Knight, who caught it and hit a disciple with it.
Everyone was taken aback at how quickly Marc and Steven kept switching.
"Great teamwork," Steve complimented.
We do make a pretty good team, Steven told Marc.
Bruce felt a twinge of jealousy at how seamlessly Marc and Steven worked with each other. He and the Hulk never got to that point, but he'll admit that he never tried either.
Ammit bit Khonshu's torso.
"I can't believe this is how gods fight," said Bucky.
Marc and Layla both fought Harrow until he hit his staff against the ground, causing them to fly back.
"Someone needs to get that staff away from him, it's causing too many problems," said Carol.
"The true problem is Ammit. Khonshu's dealing with her for now but it needs to end soon," said Stephen.
He was about to judge Layla, but Steven tackled him.
There was a collective sigh of relief.
Steven punched Harrow and neatened his Mr. Knight suit before kicking him.
Steven looked impressed toward himself while everyone else snorted.
Harrow kicked him across the street. Marc flew out and hit Harrow, who was about to hit him back before Layla grabbed his staff.
"Yes!" they cheered.
Marc held Harrow back and she tried to break it, but he shot a blast at a van full of people which overturned and was about to hit a teenage girl.
Their fear spiked.
"Harrow's an asshole for aiming at innocent people," said Peter.
"Considering he's completely okay and enthusiastic about killing children, I don't think he cares," said Tony.
Layla flew toward the girl and got her out of the way. She stopped the van with her super strength. " Are you an Egyptian superhero? " the girl asked in Arabic. " I am ," Layla answered.
Layla smiled widely.
She tore the door off the van and helped the people out.
"Super strength is so useful," Layla said. A lot of the Avengers understood what she meant.
Harrow aimed a blast from his staff toward Marc, who blocked it with his Moon Knight suit. "Had Ammit been allowed to rule, young Randall's life would've been saved, your family would've been happy," Harrow taunted, getting closer to Marc. "She needs only remove one weed from the garden. You."
Marc's breath caught while Layla and the rest of the Avengers scowled.
"That absolute arsehole," Steven spat.
Marc threw a Crescent Blade at Harrow, who deflected it with his staff and pinned Layla's wing against a car.
"No!" Layla cried. Marc was fighting Harrow all alone and her stupid wing was pinned to the car.
Sam winced. That had never happened to him, but Bucky had torn one of his wings off at the Triskelion which wasn't great.
Harrow shot another blast at Marc, who fell back. He saw Ammit strike Khonshu down and he saw the disciples shooting at Layla who protected herself with the one wing she had left.
A nameless dread engulfed all of them. It didn't look good at this point when Khonshu was getting beaten and Layla only had one wing left.
Harrow plunged his staff into Marc's chest, but Marc blacked out and woke up just before chopping off Harrow's head with the axe.
All of their eyes widened while Marc and Steven paled.
"Jake?" the two yelped.
Layla realized that Jake only fronted when Marc or Steven couldn't handle the situation.
"That wasn't you, was it, Steven?" Marc asked. "Not a chance, mate," Steven said, looking horrified at the dead bodies around him.
Marc and Steven felt ill and everyone else shared a look of alarm. Khonshu felt proud of Jake for easily disposing of the disciples; Jake listened to what he was told, unlike Marc and Steven.
Bruce winced. He knew what that was like, there was a reason why he and the Hulk didn't get along most of the time and it was because of the destruction that the other guy caused. If Steven thought Marc was bad with violence, then it was only because he hadn't met Jake yet.
"Marc? What the hell was that?" Layla asked, shocked. "I blacked out," Marc said, panicking.
Marc's blood ran cold. What exactly did Layla watch him do for her to look at him like that? He'd like it if Jake stopped letting him take control of the body right before murdering someone because it was a very disorientating sight to wake up to.
Ammit dragged Khonshu's body.
Fear trickled down their spines at seeing Khonshu beaten.
"Get Harrow. I know how to stop Ammit," Layla told Marc.
"Bind him to Harrow's body," said Wanda.
They brought Harrow to the Chamber of the Gods and the two recited a spell to confine Ammit inside Harrow's body. "You can never contain me. I'll never stop," Ammit said through Harrow's body before falling unconscious.
They looked at Ammit, extremely unimpressed.
"Pathetic," said Stephen.
"Finish it, and leave neither of them alive. While he lives, so too does she," Khonshu urged. Marc conjured a Crescent Blade and grabbed Harrow's body, "I have to finish this. If not, I'll never be free." "Marc! You have a choice. You are free," Layla reminded.
Marc had a mixed expression on his face. He could kill Harrow and destroy Ammit, but he hated killing people even if it was someone as bad as Harrow. Besides, Steven didn't like killing and he hated disappointing Steven more.
Layla didn't care if Harrow died or not, but she had seen the toll each life took on Marc and how Khonshu manipulated him and she wanted him to make his own choices, not to feel like he had to do it because Khonshu told him to.
"The choice is vengeance. We cannot take the chance that Ammit finds a way out. She will kill again," Khonshu said. "Now you sound just like her. You want them dead…Do it yourself," Marc said, putting Harrow down.
Khonshu huffed. If Jake was fronting, he would've killed Harrow without hesitation. Marc and Steven were becoming very irritating to deal with, especially now that the two were agreeing.
Steven and Layla felt a swell of pride, and Marc felt like he could breathe easier.
"Now, release us." "As you wish," Khonshu agreed. The ceremonial armor of Khonshu faded away.
Marc felt like a massive weight had been lifted off of his shoulders and Layla smiled.
I'm going to miss the suit, though. I looked good, Steven said. Marc pinched the bridge of his nose.
Steven found himself back in the psych ward in Dr. Harrow's office. He asked him if this was what reality looked like.
Everyone shared a look of confusion.
"This isn't what reality looks like. Why are they back in the psych ward when they left the Duat?" Thor questioned. No one had an answer for him.
"But do you believe that Khonshu and Ammit are real?" "Do I? No."
Clint scoffed. "He doesn't know anything."
"Dr. Harrow isn't even real," said Stephen.
Marc's face darkened as he leaned forward, "And what if we disagree, Doc? What if we believe something different?" "Then our work here continues," Harrow said, walking away and leaving bloody footprints.
Their eyes narrowed.
"The bloody footprints?" Peter said.
"Hey, you see that, don't you?" Marc asked. "Oh, yeah, I see it," Steven answered.
"I have no idea what's going on," said Shang-Chi.
"I've had no idea what's been going on the entire time," said Bucky.
"Why am I bleeding?" Harrow said, shocked.
"That's what happens when you put glass in your shoes," said Tony.
"Yeah, I don't think you know as much as you think you do," said Steven. "And while it is tempting to accept your diagnosis, Doc..." Marc trailed off. "We'd rather go save the world. Laters, gators," Steven said. The system woke up in Steven's apartment.
"Thank God, they finally left the fake psych ward," said Clint.
"Steven? You there?" Marc asked. "Mmm," Steven sleepily replied.
Marc let out a shaky sigh of relief. It was real. All of it was real.
The fish tank had two fish.
Everyone smiled.
"Not-Gus finally got a friend," Layla said warmly.
"Can't believe it worked," Steven said. "I can't believe you live in this fricking mess," Marc complained.
Oi! Steven exclaimed.
There are a bunch of books everywhere! Marc said.
I like books.
I know you like books, but would it kill you to clean up a little?
Fine, I'll tidy up.
He tried to walk over the sand but fell on his face as the ankle restraint caught him.
"Why are they still using the sand and the ankle restraint?" America asked.
"There's still Jake," said Steven.
"They don't know about him, though," Bruce said, pointing to the screen.
Harrow was in the Sienkiewicz Psychiatric Hospital in London.
Khonshu's face soured at seeing that Harrow was alive.
"Sand," he said as he knocked over a cup of coffee.
"But it's not sand? It's coffee," Peter said.
A nurse told him it was time for bed before a man took Harrow's wheelchair. " I'll take him, " he said in Spanish and told the orderly to calm down. The man's face wasn't visible.
Everyone's brows drew together and Khonshu felt smug. He knew Jake wouldn't let him down.
He escorted Harrow outside the hospital and they passed dead bodies.
Their mouths turned dry.
"Who is that?" T'Challa asked.
He shoved Harrow inside a white limousine and kicked the wheelchair aside.
Marc looked at the limousine with suspicion since he had a similar white limousine. He looked closer at the limo and his eyes widened in shock. That was his limousine! Who stole his car?!
Harrow laughed as he saw Khonshu sitting in front of him. "You can't hurt us," he said.
Khonshu laughed. That's right, he couldn't hurt him, but Jake could.
"Why did Khonshu steal my car?" said Marc.
"You have a limousine…?" said Stephen.
"Yeah."
"Mercenary money," said Natasha.
"You wanna know something? Marc Spector truly believed that after he and I parted ways, I wanted his wife to be my avatar. Why would I ever need anybody else when he has no idea how troubled he truly is? Meet my friend, Jake Lockley," Khonshu said.
Marc and Steven let out a strangled noise, Layla's eyes widened in alarm, and the color drained from everyone else's faces. Loki was extremely impressed with Khonshu's manipulating skills.
"Are you joking?" Layla said, feeling a jolt of anger. "He didn't let them go!"
"Marc and Steven only told Khonshu to let both of them go, so he did. Jake was never mentioned," Natasha realized.
"Because we didn't even know Jake existed!" Steven exclaimed.
So, you were using Layla as a way to manipulate me into doing what you wanted? Marc snapped at the moon god.
Yes, he admitted. There was no point in hiding it from him now.
Marc felt like he was about to burst from rage at seeing the extent of Khonshu's manipulations. This time, you're letting all three of us go—Marc Spector, Steven Grant, and Jake Lockley.
And if Jake decides he wanted to continue being my avatar?
He's not going to.
Jake Lockley rolled down the visor. "T oday is your turn to lose ," he said in Spanish and shot Harrow.
Marc and Steven groaned loudly and Layla's stomach dropped. None of them particularly cared if Harrow lived or not, but they cared that Khonshu was still being a manipulative asshole and didn't truly let Steven and Marc go.
Jake drove the limousine away. The license plate said 'SPKTR'.
"That son of a bitch stole my limo!" Marc yelled. You absolute asshole, Jake. You stole my limo, he told his alter.
Our limo, Jake Lockley corrected. He liked cars.
We have a limo? Steven excitedly said.
My limo, Marc stressed. You can't even drive, Steven.
I'd still like to have a limo. But Jake, why do you want to work for Khonshu? Steven asked.
Jake sighed. How was he supposed to explain that he liked the work that Khonshu gave him?
I don't want to work for Khonshu anymore. Any of us, Marc said.
If that's what both of you want, then okay. None of us are working for Khonshu anymore, Jake agreed.
Thank you.
"Is it stealing if you guys share the same body?" Scott asked.
"Yes!" Marc exclaimed.
"So, do you guys want to join the Avengers? The offer is always there," Natasha said.
"I'll help out if you guys ever need me, but I don't want to join," said Marc.
"Alright. Layla?"
"I'll join," she replied.
You're an absolute idiot, Marc. You've turned down the Avengers! Steven said.
Do you want to work in a museum or do you want to be in a situation where people will get killed? Marc asked.
A pause.
Museum.
That's what I thought.
One of the Watcher's portals opened and brought in all of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Jane Foster, and Valkyrie.
Shang-Chi, Marc, Steven, Jake, and Layla stared at the Guardians of the Galaxy. They were…aliens. Shang-Chi supposed his mother was technically an alien too since she was from another dimension, which was weird to think about.
Can you two see this? Marc asked, pinching himself to see make sure that he wasn't hallucinating the aliens.
Yes, Jake said in disbelief.
Why are they blue and green? Steven asked. A pause. Is that racist?
Mantis's eyes lit up at seeing Steve. "Steeeeeve!" she yelled happily, running and tackling him in a hug.
Steve awkwardly patted her on the back. "Hi, Mantis," he said warmly.
The Guardians and Avengers greeted each other as the Guardians took a seat. Thor's heart skipped a beat when he saw Jane and instantly stood up; Loki snorted.
Jane was taken aback as she saw who she was in the room with and froze as she saw Thor. She blinked in surprise at seeing his haircut and eyepatch. "Hi," she said, breathlessly.
"Hi," Thor said, staring at her. She looked beautiful.
"You look good," she said tenderly. She thought that the haircut looked good, like really good, but she thought Thor always looked good because it was Thor. "But what happened to your eye?" she said, concerned.
"Oh, my sister cut it out," he said casually.
"Your what?!"
"Uh…" he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "It's a long story. She destroyed Asgard."
Jane stared. Did she hear that properly? Asgard was destroyed?!
"You're wonderful with words, brother," Loki said.
Jane's eyes bugged out as she saw him. "You're supposed to be dead!"
"It didn't stick—" Loki tried to say, but Thor interrupted saying, "He faked his death."
She marched towards Loki and slapped his face. "That's for making Thor think you were dead!"
He howled with laughter and she looked at him as if he was insane. "What's wrong with you?!" she asked. She decided to ignore him for the moment and faced Thor. Her face softened as she placed a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright—well, it's not alright—but our people are strong. New Asgard is going to be our home now," he said. He explained what happened after they broke up—his father's death, Hela, Sakaar, and Ragnarok causing an ache to push against her heart.
"What's up with Thor and Lackey?" Valkyrie asked Bruce. "They're being gross and more brotherly than usual."
"Loki is supposed to die," he said.
Valkyrie froze and hit Loki on the arm. "Ow! What was that for?" he yelled.
"Don't die, idiot."
"I'm not planning on it."
Thor explained to Jane and Valkyrie why they were there and introduced the Guardians of the Galaxy and the newer members of the Avengers.
"Well, that sucks," said Valkyrie.
"The multiverse?" Jane said, awed. Her brain instantly started thinking about the possibilities.
"We're creating a multiversal research group and you would be a good addition. Your work on the Convergence won you a Nobel Prize, we could use you," said Stephen.
"Of course, I'll join! It's the multiverse!"
"Oh hey, it's the lady I sucked the Reality Stone out of," Rocket said, looking at Jane. She had a puzzled expression.
Natasha introduced Shang-Chi to the Guardians. "Shang-Chi, this is Gamora and Nebula, our space friends I was talking about," she said. "He's like us. He wasn't taken like we were but his dad trained him to be an assassin when he was a child too," she told Gamora and Nebula, whose faces hardened.
"Are you going to kill your father?" Gamora asked.
Shang-Chi balked. "No!"
"You should," Nebula encouraged.
"He abandoned his younger sister, but he's going to make it up to her," Natasha added. Gamora winced and Nebula clenched her jaw.
"You also abandoned your younger sister?!" Shang-Chi realized, seeing their expressions.
"Gamora did," Nebula said, crossing her arms.
"It's complicated. I had to get out of there and took the first chance I got," Gamora said.
His eyes softened. "I know the feeling."
Text appeared on the screen. The next recording is about Thor.
"Great, we're switching from Egyptian gods to Norse gods," Layla said.
"At least Thor's not like the other asshole gods," Marc said, glaring at Khonshu.
Thor and Jane kept sneaking peeks at each other while the other one wasn't looking.