(P.O.V Coil)
He knew that he was facing some setbacks lately but this, this was never in the cards that he saw coming. Especially since everything else seemed to be working out so well for him leading up to this moment. Sure, he had some debts that were better left paid but he was well on his way to getting exactly what he wanted.
All the pieces are set in place to fall over in exactly the way he intended. Exactly as it was supposed to be. It was almost like divine intervention with how easy it was. His Power was impressive there was no doubt about that but it should have taken far more effort from him to get where he was.
Hell, even getting his power in the first place was a miracle in itself. After the nightmare of Eillisburg he chased after the power that was only available to those blessed by fate. How could he not?
The hordes of monstrous bodies swarming him and his colleagues with tooth and nail still haunted his dreams. A man he had known for years torn apart limb from limb and his organs played with like a sick toy for the creatures inhabiting that cursed land. The monstrous strength which allowed a deformed creature to tear apart concrete as it burst through a wall to get its yummy treat. The speed that allowed buzzing hornets to fly through Jane with the force of bullets.
All of that was clear to him and it was a horrible thing to witness. A truly horrible thing that he yearned for as his comrades were killed over and over. He was sure that every single person who arrived in that hell wanted the same.
It was not like they were like the ignorant masses. The PRT was designed to deal with cases like those after all. Every single one of the Troops they assigned to Eillsburg knew what a Trigger Event was. He was sure more than one of their last thoughts was bemoaning that they could not be special enough to qualify for that.
As they were torn apart and devoured for more flesh to add to the pile they could probably only think about that little fact. The fact that he was not one of those chosen from above to ascend beyond the mortal realm still burns at him to this day. Honestly, the sheer rage he felt over not being chosen might have turned him into the man he is today.
Running because it was all he could do. Sacrificing people who trusted him with their lives to live a single second more. Luring fools to their demise so he could arrive at the limited exit point. Over and over again he would sacrifice all that he had to ensure that he was the one who lived that day.
That sort of ruthless determination meant that even as a mortal man who was unclaimed he was able to walk out of that hell hole. Something, not even those chosen by some sort of fate could attest to. It proved exactly how special he was.
So what if he was not chosen? He would just have to ascend beyond his mortal limits from his own efforts. For who really is special, those chosen or those who claw their way to the top?
He was determined to prove that even the fates themselves misspoke when they denied him.
So he chased shadows and demons in the dark in search of what he truly needed. The power he knew would let him shed this mortal frame.
Dead end after dead end. Killing and killing to prove himself in the eyes that always seemed to follow him even if he could never catch them. Finally, he managed to pry a secret out of the mouth of a petty dealer who liked his clientele a little young. Power was not just something that was given to the chosen. It could be purchased just like anything else. You just had to find the proper channels.
That Channel is Accord. That was probably the trickiest trial he had to get through to access the Power he craved. Thomas had heard everything he needed to know about that crazed man after all. He was always moments away from shooting someone and was prone to tearing people apart for some sort of nonexistent transgression that they could not possibly understand.
Thankfully Luck seemed to be on his side even if fate was not.
Thomas was one of the individuals who had access to the documents Accord sent to 'solve' all the problems in the world. They were honestly absurd and relied heavily on every single person in the document to do their job exactly as listed. Not a spec of tolerance for human error and the likelihood that others would not have such noble notions.
He almost laughed when he saw the thing. For a man with such a fearsome reputation in the city of Boston, he could be surprisingly naive. Innocent in a way that simply could not be possible. That disconnect was the reason that the documents stuck with him throughout all these years.
It was only as Accord's name left that Dealer's name that everything seemed to click. It was not an innocent naivety that found those plans so absurd. It was because Accord quite literally could not allow a world in which his words were not followed to a tee. That even a single digit being out of his grand plan would send the man into a never-ending rage.
That nugget let him worm his way into Accord's good graces. It was still a struggle even knowing the rules behind the game. It was not like he treated every single person with the same set of nonsensical rules after all. People were different and the roles that they played in his plans had to be different as well. He had to send a lot of people that fit his build, face, hair, and personality to get the information he needed.
He had to offer absurd amounts of money to get them to go to Accord but it was not like they lived to collect that bill. Still, while he was confident it was nerve-wracking walking into Accord's office all of those years ago. Thankful he was able to get through that meeting and get what he really wanted. He also managed to get a sort of friendship with the control freak which served him well in the years to come.
Finally, he had the Power he craved after years of chasing for it. Sure it was not the monstrous strength to tear down buildings. Or speeds to rival bullets but in some ways it was well beyond what those ordinary powers were. He knew he could not exactly choose a power but there had to be something out there that had a sense of humor.
He may not have been favoured by the fates but it no longer mattered. He was the one who controlled fate from now on after all. The ability to try over and over again until all the pieces of his plans fell into place. The ability to do whatever he wished and then to wipe the board clean on a whim. It was a truly frightening thing to split reality into two separate timelines.
Once he had that the plans and plots that he only dared to think about could be tested. They could be run through over and over again so that even the mortal men he hired could take care of gods. Money seemed to flow endlessly for him and he was able to get leverage on all the people standing in his way.
From then on life started to go exactly as he needed. Dragging out weaknesses and secrets over colleagues to get certain people in the proper location. Arranging for Emily to be the PRT Director in Brockton Bay was simply perfect and he only had to place her there, her sheer presence bolstered his plans by years.
It really was almost divine intervention to have someone like Emily come into existence. She was hard on every single one of her Capes as she was traumatized by the horrors of Eillusburg. She treated even those with the best of intentions as just another ticking time bomb she needed to take care of. So she would never really be able to make waves in the Bay as she simply could not trust the Capes to do their jobs.
Beyond that, they had a fragile bond that allowed him to be placed exactly where he needed to be. Did she like him? No, in fact Thomas was fairly certain she hated him for making it out of Eillusburg while some of her dear friends did not. Still, even if she did not like him there was a certain pity that he could take advantage of to get the position of PRT Consultant.
So really having her be exactly who she was just did wonders for his plans.
Working behind the scenes sliping backdoors and agents in countless organizations throughout the Bay to get a stronger hold on this empty castle. Using honeyed words to trap useful chess pieces into his orbit while using the stick for the more rebellious ones.
It was not like he had to worry about betrayal after all. He could drag secrets out of their mind as he tore them apart over and over again to make sure that when they did try to leave his orbit he could handle it well. At least he thought he had a handle on all of this but this was not really on him. It was just another case of Fate not picking the proper person.
There was not a thing he could have done to avoid what happened and that notion blazed that spark of anger in his chest but he could do nothing. Being chained to the wall of one of his own prison cells did not really provide him with the means to get out of this. He could split the timeline all he wanted but they would both lead to him just being trapped here.
It was not even like he could talk his way out of this. The only person who visited this place was Tatteltale and she only did it to torture him. Obviously he knew that she hated him for recruiting him as he did but he thought he would be able to get her help in escape with the exact right words but then she said something that had his heart stop in his chest.
"You really are a Snake Coil. Do you think for a moment that any of your empty promises really mean anything? That some promise of wealth can hold back the rage I feel over the things you have done to me." She snarled out at him and it was far more bite than he expected from her. He usually had to spend days tearing her apart before her emotions reached a position like this.
Coil contemplated it for a moment before splitting the timeline. One in which he kept silent while the other tried to continue.
"I can see that your newfound employer is giving you confidence but do you really think you are all that valuable Tatteltale. You could have access to all of the wealth I have hoarded here just let me escape. Don't you want the whole pie instead of just a slice?" He asked softly trying to tempt her with the wealth that was just sitting beyond her reach.
She started to laugh hysterically as she looked over at him with a mocking smile on her face. That was not exactly the response he was expecting. He was prepared for rejection as the offer really was an empty promise but that look in her eyes seemed to say she was looking at a joke.
He resisted the urge to grit his teeth and throw all the anger he was feeling at her and smiled instead. While it was not the response he wanted he would be able to learn something else from this.
"Wow, how gullible did you think I was jackass? I'm not like Brian who you could string along with promises of help, I know exactly what kind of person you are Coil because you are like me even if the thought
disgusts me." She spat out after a moment before laughing again.
"Besides if I wanted to take everything you have I don't need the help of a man chained in a bondage outfit. I already have the keys to the castle here. All the wealth that you have been hiding is mine to do with as I please." She shot out with a smug smile that he enjoyed wiping off of her face but she finally said something that would help him out of this.
"Oh? Not so loyal are you but I should have expected that considering my current position. Trying to make a play for King since your new one toppled me?" He spoke out with an amused lilt to his voice. He could use this. If he pointed out this disloyalty to the one really in charge here he could maybe earn his freedom. He just had to play his cards right and he would live to see another day.
Once he was out of this place he could start over and find a way to take back everything he lost here.
Tatteltale just looked at him with that insurable smile on her face that seemed to scream she knew something he did not.
"Perhaps are you planning to tell the boss man about how I have my finger in the pie?" She asked as she took out a gun. Coil scoffed with a smirk on his face. What did it matter if she killed him here, in the other timeline he could catch her off guard.
As long as he kept silent she would not be able to get any clues that would lead to her demise.
Seeing his nonchalant attitude in the face of death she still had that annoying smile on her face. She chuckled before getting back into the almost hysterical laugh she used earlier.
"You really are a joke boss." She spoke out sarcastically with an amused grin on her face. " Go ahead use that little tidbit, it does not really matter. Bossman really does not care about the pie he took from you. I have the go-ahead to play around with it as I please. Unlike you, he takes this shit very hands-off. As long as he has his girl safe and sound he does not really give a shit about any of this other crap." Lisa shot out as she put the gun down.
The smirk on his face faded into a scowl. She could be lying but she was the one in power here. She did not need to lie over something like this when she quite literally could shoot him whenever she pleased.
Of all the players who could have torn him down it had to be a love-struck boy who knew nothing. All that effort and blood sacrificed for a literal fool to take it from him leaving all that he had to his little pet. If he was not feeling such blinding rage over it he might have even laughed at the stupid notion of this.
It's alright he could still work at this. He had more information after all. He went to say something else to gather more information but Tattletale looked at him with that stupid look on her face and a smile that seemed to almost split her face.
"Let me tell you a secret rat, Bossman knows all about your little coin trick. He knows your real power. He is planning on running a little experiment on you and promised me whatever I want if I let it happen." She spoke out with a sharp smile that had his heart drop. Surly she had to be bluffing. There was no way someone could have found out what his power was.
Unless this fool came from Them. No, that was absurd he still owed them and he really had nothing that could interest people like that. So that was off the table so this boy must be bluffing.
"Oh, did I scare the little experiment? Well, you should probably close your timeline. The boss man will be here soon and he needs your powers to conduct his experiment." She shot out with a sly smile and a knowing look. He felt his heart pound crazily as he cut out the timelines instinctively.
In the original timeline, he jolted slightly in his chains as the information he learned was too shocking for him to handle for a moment. Before he could recover Tatteltale let out a sigh.
"Aww man, I was hoping that I would be the one who told you that you have been had, Snake. Looks like you used your Power and the other me had her shot. I would call her a lucky bitch but her theoretical existence was cut down when she spilled the beans. Which theoretically sucks for her but that fate was better than most theoretical me's right Rat?" She questioned with a tight frown that had him shuddering in fear.
She knew far more than any one was supposed to and judging from the rage burning in her eyes she knew exactly how he used the stick to get her to talk.
Before he could try to weasel his way out of this the door to his cell opened up and the Cape that ruined his life entered. The spotless white suit and knowing smile on the boy's face irritated him to no end.
Seriously of all the people who could have defeated him, it had to be him. A boy who triggered over his little girlfriend being locked in prison. A love-struck fool that should have been so easy to manipulate but before he could even attempt it he was captured and locked away.
Cole Diamant the bane of his existence.
"Well, are you ready Lisa? I know you want to have vengeance but this really might lead to his death." The fucking child spoke out as he addressed his pet.
Tattletale looked over at his chained frame with a knowing look but said.
"Well, you said you needed him Boss man so who am I to deny that? But can I ask if his death would be painful?" She asked with a sly smile and she went towards the boy and leaned on the boy. The boy seemed confused about the sudden contact but he was too naive.
Physical contact is the base of affection. Once he grew used to her touch he would slowly fall for his pet. His pet would not want the leash around her throat to be too tight and she was going to seduce the naive boy. He would laugh at his foolishness but he had more pressing things on his mind.
Like the potential death that was dangling in front of him. The boy was going to use him in some way and it might lead to his death. Even knowing what his power was capable of, the boy thought it was likely that Coil would die.
He did not like the sound of that.
"Honestly? Maybe, it depends on his luck. It could range from him being sealed into a never-ending void till the end of time or to be thrown into literal hell. He might also be just killed plain and simple but again it all depends on his luck." The boy spoke out confounding words that he seemed utterly confident in.
He knew that Cape powers were odd but what was the range of options being here?! His potential fate seemed to bolster Tattletale's sprites as she looked over at him with an amused smile dancing across her face. He wanted to scream and shout a number of promises to get his release but before he could act he had a bottle shoved into his mouth and was forced to drink the liquid down.
At first, he tried to fight it off but the moment the liquid touched his tongue he felt an almost out-of-body experience. He could still feel everything his body was doing but he no longer felt in control.
After he finished drinking that liquid the chains holding him in place were released but he could not move an inch. His body only looked towards the boy and smiled dumbly.
"Hey friend. I need you to use your power and draw let's say 15 cards in the other timeline. Then you give me the good ones. Can you do that for me, friend?" The boy asked while presenting a deck of tarot and before he could scream at the fool for whatever he did to him he felt his body react.
"Sure! I can do that for you Cole! You really are the best!" His voice spilled out of his mouth with enthusiasm that he had never felt before in his life.
He could only look on in numb horror as his body followed the boy's request with an earnest enthusiasm that he felt sick looking at. He split the timeline and put his hand on the deck. He tried to draw a card but he felt a sort of force that was demanding how many cards he was planning to draw.
He could tell that he physically could not draw any cards unless he declared up front how many he drew. Coil relaxed for a moment but the personality driving his body right now apparently still qualified as him as it declared it was going to draw 15.
Then he could finally draw his cards but he felt like there was this sense of amusement watching over him as he did so.
The first card he drew was The Sun, suddenly he had a vial that oddly reminded him of the vial he drank from Them. He also had a Decanter that seemed light but filled at the same time.
He instinctively knew what these things did.
The Vial was really like the vial he gained from Them. Offering him something called experience points, he had no idea what they would give him but they felt important. The Decanter was endlessly filled with water and could quite literally pour out a Geyser if commanded.
He felt completely baffled at what appeared before him but his hands continued to draw cards.
Next was The Vizier which provided him with a slip of paper. A question that is written on this paper will receive a truthful answer. No matter what you ask it. He felt his heart drop as more crazy things appeared before him.
What sort of power could do this!?
The next card was Euryale which depicted a Gorgan looking at him. Those eyes felt like they were consuming him as he felt something chaining down a part of him and he had no idea what it was.
Next was Gem and a pile of gold and gems appeared at his feet which had his pet looking over with interest. Trying to reach for the wealth but the boy held her back. He was looking at him with concern that had his weary mind spinning.
Another Gem and even more wealth were falling at his feet.
Next was the Flames and he felt a brand burn into his chest. A brand that seemed to scream all the sins that he has done in his life as a malicious laugh bloomed in his ears. Something was going to come after him and it was something that made him shudder to think about.
The boy looked around the room with clear worry on his face but looked back at him to gauge what happened next.
Another Sun and he felt even more bitter as another Vial appeared in his hands and a cloak that apparently let the wielder breathe underwater appeared in his other hand.
As he went to draw the next card he felt a certain amount of dread. Like something terrible was about to happen to him.
The Void was drawn and he felt like something was torn out of him. The very thing that made him what he was pulled and stuffed into one of the gems at his feet.
"Such a shame, I was hoping he would have drawn The Moon." The boy muttered out as the world faded around him. The timeline violently closed as his connection with his body was closed off.
When that happened Coil felt thankful that the drawing happened in the other time-line as feeling his soul torn out of his body was agonizing. Before he could rejoice he felt his hands forcefully reach towards the deck to draw. He could tell it was not even the personality the boy put in charge of him that was doing this.
It was some other force that was ensuring he would draw the cards he said he would.
"Oh, that's a shame. I was hoping his power could side step that little caveat but you win some you lose some. Want to shoot his kneecaps out before he dies? Figure something horrible is about to happen to him." The boy spoke out and his pet reached for her gun without a second of hesitation.
As the gun fire rang out he could do nothing as history repeated itself with his draws.
He knew what was coming and the cards Fate dealt him really was a bitter truth to swallow.
(Done)
Alright, that's all for now but I really got to post publicly more often. If I don't post in a week someone message me, I tend to get too caught up with things to pay attention.