The Chilling Adventures of Steve Rogers: Book One (Magical Hydra Horror AU)

Sixty-Four

"Uh, Steve?" Teddy questioned, stopping the truck out front of the academy gates, "Where the hell are we?"

"My new school," Steve answered with a sigh. Leaning forward, Steve's brows furrowed. There wasn't a guard like there had been over the weekend. Solidifying to Steve that this was a trap, capital T, Trap. Grinding his teeth, Steve gestured for Teddy to continue through the open entrance.

So, Teddy did. He followed the drive at a speed much faster than Loki had taken, and parked right in front of the main entrance. Cutting the engine, Teddy didn't need Steve to direct him much further. Working on instinct, Teddy rushed around to the passenger side, and held most of Steve's weight as they started heading up the steps.

Once inside, Teddy paused. Looking over the giant metal sculpture of tentacles extending from a skull. Swallowing thickly, Teddy quietly asked, "Thought you were going to some fancy art school."

"Sure am," Steve deadpanned, "Can't you appreciate fine art when you see it."

"Ha," Teddy sarcastically stated, resituating Steve's body, so he could more comfortably hold his weight. Looking from one side to the other, Teddy prompted, "Where to?"

Closing his eyes, Steve allowed his intuition to guide him. After all, he could feel the energy rippling through the air. It was strong and undeniably intoxicating. So much so that Steve wondered if Teddy could feel it.

Opening his eyes, Steve gestured to the left, "We need to get to the lower level."

Teddy nodded and started following Steve's directions. As they reached the staircase, Teddy hesitated, "I hate to be that guy, but this seems like a bad idea."

"Trust me," Steve sighed, "I don't want to do this either. But this is all we've got. This is what I have to do."

"Damn," Teddy begrudgingly pushed open the door mostly carried Steve down the staircase to the lower level.

Outside of the floor was a sign that read: Transformation Wing. Steve swallowed around the lump forming in his throat and he grabbed the doorknob. Whatever it takes, Steve kept internally repeating as he pushed the door open. Nearly toppling out of Teddy's grasp in his haste.

Teddy adjusted Steve's body and made sure that he wouldn't fall to the floor. Then, he practically dragged Steve along the floor down the hallway. Well, until Steve abruptly told him, "Stop," outside of one of the rooms.

"What?" Teddy questioned, alarmed.

Steve looked into the room with the open door. Sad in his realization. The room was meant for him. Sure, it didn't have his name; just a simple, Room 4, but Steve knew. Steve knew that it was his. That this was the plan. Not to listen to Steve and what he wanted. But to use his loved ones until he agreed to have his terrigenesis.

A hysterical chuckle ripped through Steve as he pulled away from Teddy. Falling into the wall, Steve started walking into the room. Teddy started to follow, but Steve shook his head, "You can't."

"I can't just leave you here," Teddy said, looking around and noting how eerie it was that they were all alone.

"You can," Steve reassured. Leaning against the doorframe from inside of the room, Steve fiercely told him, "You need to leave. Go sit in the truck. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Steve --"

"I'll be okay," Steve assured, even though he didn't know if it was true. All Steve knew was that Teddy wasn't safe inside the academy. So, Steve insisted, "Go. I'll be out as soon as I can."

As Steve closed the door, Teddy asked, "What are you going to do."

Turning to face the room, the overhead lights turned on. Illuminating the sterile, lightly furnished room. It reminded Steve of a hospital room, and his skin crawled at the thought that someone was probably watching him. But he needed to do this. Clearly, Hydra wasn't going to play fair.

Over his shoulder, Steve called out, "You need to go. I'll be alright."

And for once, Steve was glad that it was Teddy instead of Bucky. Because Bucky would've argued. Teddy though? Teddy simply took his order and raced back upstairs.

Steve looked over the cot along one wall, and the desk along the other. Heart stuttering, Steve's gaze lingered on the ancient book. The book. His book. Beside it laid a pristine knife, a quill pen, and a glass container of terrigen crystals.

Tears started streaming down his face as he hobbled over to the desk. Whatever it took to protect his flerkens. Whatever it took to protect his family. To protect his friends. To protect his Bucky. That was what Steve was going to do. Even if that meant signing away his life.

Picking up the knife, Steve's hands shook as he pointed the blade at his hand. Deciding that he wouldn't go the dramatic, traditional path, Steve pricked his index finger. Letting out a gasp from the surprise rather than the pain. Not too deep just enough for the blood to bubble up and drop onto the book.

Exchanging the knife for the pen, Steve hesitated. If he signed his name in Alveus's book, he belonged to him. He'd be another Hive mind. He'd lose his free will, and would be at Hydra's beck and call.

But he had to do it.

So, dipping the quill in his blood, he signed his full, legal name: Steven Grant Rogers.

A surge of energy rushed into Steve as soon as he dropped the quill. Tears still fell from his eyes, but Steve wasn't exactly sure why. As the pain seemed to ease, Steve took in a deep breath of relief. For the first time, his lungs actually did as they were meant to.

See? Isn't this so much better? A familiar, musical voice beckoned. Instantly, Steve knew that it was Alveus, and for some reason, he didn't feel afraid.

No turning back now, Steve reasoned with himself. Reaching for the decorative knob on the glass container, Steve carefully pulled the lid off. As soon as the terrigen crystals were exposed to the air, a mist formed. It flowed through the room like the magic it was and surrounded Steve. Forming a protective stone-like cocoon, Steve could already feel the terrigenesis taking place.