𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐔𝐒𝐒𝐘

Chapter Sixteen: Deal with the Devil

As I stepped out of my room for the first time in a week, I could see the refulgent beams of sunlight streaming through a nearby window. I moved closer, marveling in the beauty of the outdoors that I had deprived myself of for so long. Birds were singing hymns of joy from somewhere in the distance, and their tunes caused sparks of joy to ignite in my saddened heart.

A moment passed before I felt my stomach rumble, and I remembered why I had left my room in the first place. I decided to pass by the window and head downstairs to where my friends were probably waiting for me, to make myself some food. As I began to make my way down the steps, I could hear raised voices in another room, belong to Glitch, Thor, and JD. I was unable to tell what they were saying, but it made me happy to hear their voices once more.

No sooner had I stepped onto the first floor of the Maximoff household than a voice shouted my name.

"WONDER!"

I turned to see Glitch running towards me, a look of relief and joy on their face. The moment I saw them, I couldn't help but smile for the first time in what seemed like forever.

"Wonder, I'm so glad you're out, finally-"

They stopped just before they reached me, and a part of me wanted to hug them, to feel the warmth of a friend again, but I decided against it. Far more pressing matters were at hand, and I cleared my throat to speak to the people who were congregating before me.

"I need food." I announced dramatically.

Wanda, who looked incredibly happy that I was finally out of my room, instantly ran back to the kitchen to prepare a delightful brunch for me.

"Wonder," Vision greeted, looking just as relieved as the others. "Welcome back."

"We really missed you." White told me. "We were horrified to hear about-"

He paused, unsure if saying Technoblade's name would trigger more grief within me or not.

"Techno's death." I finished. "Refusing to say what happened doesn't change the fact that it did happen. I learned that during my week in my room."

Thor stepped forward, his hand rising to rest on my shoulder. "We're here for you, if you need anything. Just let us know what you want."

"Oh, that reminds me!" I exclaimed. "I want revenge on Quackity!"

"I thought you'd say that..." Glitch murmured.

"When I woke up this morning, I felt an odd emotion permeating my sadness, and I soon realized that it was my raging hatred for Quackity. He brought us to this point, and he needs to pay for what he's done."

"Looks like the five stages of grief got really out of order," JD muttered.

"I'd normally give a speech about how revenge wouldn't help anything," Vision said. "But I won't."

"Thank you, Vision." I smiled. "Now, does anyone have Quackity's phone number? Or the one for Las Nevadas? I wanna set up a time today when we can fight."

"Are we going to the Nuclear Power Plant?" Thor asked while Vision began to fumble with his phone, looking for Quackity's number in his contacts; he had gotten it when he applied for his bartending job.

"That would be a bad idea." I told him. "We've played on his turf before. We need to go somewhere where he doesn't have the upper ground."

"That's smart." Glitch remarked as Vision handed me his phone.

"Thank you." I said, nodding to him, before dialing the number and pressing the phone to my ear.

Quackity picked up on the third ring. "Hello?" he asked.

"Quackity." I greeted coldly. "How's your casino doing?"

"Wonder, you were there. My casino is gone." he replied agitatedly.

"I know." I smirked. "Just reminding you."

"How's Technoblade doing?"

I froze. "Damn you and your comebacks." I said while Quackity cackled on the other end of the line. "I didn't call you to trade emotional wounds. I called because I want to give you physical wounds; AKA revenge."

"You want revenge on ME?!" he shouted. "You blew up my casino! I want revenge on YOU!"

"Well that's settled!" I exclaimed. "When and where do we meet to exact our revenges? And don't say at the Nuclear Power Plant, cause you have an advantage."

A pause on the other line.

"Today, at 3:35 pm. At Pepe lake." he stated.

"Wonderful." I replied. "A peaceful park. Not many people will be there."

"Speaking of people, tell me who you're going to be bringing." Quackity demanded. "I'll choose my squad wisely based on your choices, so neither of us are outnumbered."

"Rather smart, for someone like you." I remarked, before turning to my friends. "I'd like to bring Glitch, Thor, and Vision; my best friend, a warrior, and someone who doesn't know how to fight."

"Hey-" Vision protested.

"That's easy to match." Quackity told me. "I'm bringing Monty, my partner, Ballora, who still thinks you killed her, and Waylon. He doesn't look like someone who can fight, to be honest- but don't let Monty hear me say that."

"I'll be sure to tell him you said that." I replied.

"NO-" Quackity yelped, before I hung up the phone.

"Why didn't you bring me?" JD asked.

"Cause as far as I'm concerned, you're partly responsible for Techno's death." I told him flatly. "I'd punch you in the face if it wasn't for Thor and Glitch being here."

"You have my full permission to punch him." Thor said, his normally warm eyes laced with rage as he looked at JD.

"Oh really? Well then..." I raised my hand, balling it into a fist, but before I could punch JD, Wanda's voice came from the kitchen.

"Wonder! Your food's ready!" she called.

"Oh boy! Food!" I exclaimed, turning from my friends and dashing towards the kitchen. Thor and JD glared at each other for a moment before following me. Glitch, Vision, and White, filled with confusion, soon made their way to the kitchen as well, and we all sat down at the table to eat our food.