Begin Again In Marvel

POV Rio

Today was the day I decided to start moving more pieces on the board. I needed to remove certain pieces from Earth to make my position stronger. Thus my first stop was Peggy Carter. I decided against a disguise and instead made sure I couldn't be observed. Once I was certain it was secure I entered Peggy's room.

Peggy: "Who are you?"

Rio: "Someone here to offer you a deal. One where you benefit greatly. I imagine you feel different."

Peggy: "I feel so clear. Like I am no longer ill. What did you do?"

Rio: "Some simple magic. It has temporarily made you healthier and more lucid."

Peggy: "Magic? That exists?"

Rio: "Oh yes, it is quite real. Some humans even use it. Not that you would want to meet them."

Peggy: "You mentioned a deal. What is it?"

Rio: "I offer to restore your health and youth. I also offer to reunite you with Steve Rogers. All I want in exchange is that you retire with him in my realm and give your loyalty to never betray me."

Peggy: "That sounds too good to be true. How can I be certain you will hold up your end of the bargain?"

Rio: "Simple, we will sign a magic contract that the cost of breaking is death. If you break it you die, if I do I die. Beyond that I am positive you can feel I am telling the truth. You are an experienced super spy."

Peggy: "All of this sounds nice but Steve is gone. Even if he somehow escaped the plane he would have been found by now."

Rio: "Oh Rogers is most definitely alive. He will die after another decade or so if he isn't retrieved but he is in a hibernation of sorts. Look for yourself."

I summon a mirror to show her Steve Rogers covered in ice.

Peggy: "Gasp. He is really alive?! Why don't you go retrieve him now?"

Rio: "A few reasons. 1 I have no use for him. 2 you are needed to convince him to sign my deal. 3 if I remove him it will only cause him problems."

Peggy: "Problems? What kind of problems?"

Rio: "I have seen many of his possible futures. Most don't end well. If you let me I can show you his most likely path should I not interfere."

Peggy nods and I tap her forehead making a gong sound as she faints. After a few minutes, she wakes back up and starts crying.

Peggy: "Is he destined to die?"

Rio: "In some timelines, he goes back in time to stop it but ends up just messing up time. However, that can't happen anymore. Most Time Travel is disabled in this Universe."

Peggy: "What do I have to give up in this deal of ours?"

Rio: "Not much. You will be forbidden from interfering with Earth. You swear loyalty to me. You retire in my realm. Lastly, you convince Steve Rogers to sign as well. I will let you know I have no interest in you or Rogers's skills. Nor the Super Soldier Serum. You would be given a nice home to live in and have all you could need. Part of the reason I am doing this is so you two can have the happy ending you deserve."

Peggy: "You keep saying realm. What does that mean?"

Rio: "My realm is a dimension that is isolated from the rest of reality. It is probably the safest place in existence. Many magical and mythical creatures live there in harmony. I have made it into the place where all those that humans have rejected can live in safety and peace."

Peggy: "What if I refuse to sign?"

Rio: "I will erase the memory of this conversation and you will go back to how you were before."

Peggy: "Are you human?"

Rio: "No, I am an Alicorn. Think of it as a horse of mythical legend."

Peggy: "I agree."

Rio: "Excellent now let us go somewhere secure and I will bring Rogers. Once you convince him you can sign."

I take Peggy to Sanctuary and I bring Rogers and quickly heal him to wake him up. It takes a few minutes to explain things and then he talks with Peggy. It only takes 10 minutes before both of them sign the contract.

Rio: "Perfect welcome to Sanctuary. Let me introduce you to the other residents. I will tell you right now that almost everything here is Sentient unless stated otherwise. I will not have you discriminating against my citizens. Understood."

They nod.

Rio: "Good now let's get going."

2 Days Later...

I was getting ready to meet with the next person on my list. Bruce Banner. With me was Milotic who was going to ensure Bruce stayed calm. We teleport to the small apartment Banner is staying at and I have Milotic wait in the other room at first. Once Banner arrives I speak with him.

Rio: "Dr. Banner it is nice to meet you."

Bruce: "Ah, who are you and how did you get in here."

Rio: "I am just someone here to offer an opportunity. I am sure you have noticed you are calm, not scared, panicked, or angry. Just calm."

Bruce: "Wait, I am not angry. I feel so calm. What did you do to me."

Rio: "Technically nothing. I just set up a magic array that makes those inside be more calm and less prone to being upset."

Bruce: "Magic? That doesn't exist."

Rio: "Now let me start by telling you what I am offering. I am offering a job. A way out of your current deplorable situation. Safety from the military and the numerous spies currently spying on you right now. Lastly, help with your current situation."

Bruce: "What do you want in exchange and how do I know you aren't trying to trick me?"

Rio: "I want your assistance in working on numerous projects I am doing. Many will be off-world. As for how you can know I am not trying to trick you is simple. Your gut has no doubt vouched for me but if you refuse then I will erase your memories and leave. But before you do I want you to meet your possible coworker should you agree. Milotic please come in."

Milotic: "Milotic!" (Hi Mr. Banner!)

Rio: "This is Milotic, she has the ability to make anyone seeing her be calm and can soothe even the greatest of wraths. If you can eventually befriend her you can call her Naga otherwise call her Milotic."

Bruce: "What is she? I have never heard of a species like her. Also, did you mention I would be working off-world?"

Rio: "Her species is called Milotic. You have never seen her because she is not from Earth. And yes you would be working on other planets. If you haven't been able to tell yet I am not human either."

Bruce: "Wait!? You aren't human? What are you? Also, did you say her species is Milotic but her name is also Milotic, isn't that confusing?"

Rio: "No, I am not human. I am an Alicorn. A mythical horse-like being. As for Milotic, yes it would be confusing if there were more of her. Now before we go further I would like to make something clear. Hulk is not a monster but a misguided child."

Bruce: "What are you talking about? That is nonsense."

Rio: "Let me put it this way. How long has it been since the Hulk first appeared?"

Bruce: "2 years or so. Why?"

Rio: "What happens when a 2-year-old is attacked and people are being mean to them?"

Bruce: "Well they would cry and throw a tantrum... wait."

Rio: "Yes it is what you are thinking. Hulk is a child who you brought into this world and every time he comes out he is attacked and screamed at. People try to hurt him. Tell me does the Hulk run away or attack everyone he sees?"

Bruce: "Well he attacks the army."

Rio: "But he runs away. Nothing the military has can hurt him that much but he runs away instead of killing everyone nearby. There is almost nothing on this planet that can stop the Hulk. So why do you call him a monster?"

Bruce: "Well I... I uh. He hurts people."

Rio: "In self-defense or to protect others. You cannot deny the facts in front of you. Now I can use a spell that can allow Hulk to speak freely of you. I would like to speak with him."

Bruce: "I... Sigh. You can do it."

I cast the spell and a spectral Hulk appears he blinks but doesn't freak out and instead looks at me then Milotic before smiling.

Rio: "Nice to meet you Hulk. I am Rio."

Hulk: "Hulk like you and pretty snake."

Rio: "I want to ask you if you would like to come with me. I want to help you and give you a childhood if you let me."

Hulk: "Banner not let Hulk go. People hurt Hulk. Hulk not like that."

Rio: "Now I want to tell both of you ways I can help you. The first is something I want both of you to do regardless. I want both of you to forgive each other and become friends. The second is I could fuse both of you into one. The third option is I separate both of you into separate bodies."

Hulk: "Hulk hates Banner. Hulk never forgive Banner."

Rio: "Before either of you decide I would like to show you what your future will likely be. If you want that is."

Bruce: "You can do that?"

Rio: "Yes, and I will show each of you separately. I will show you Hulk but you have to promise me you won't get angry and smash things."

Hulk: "Hulk promise."

Bruce: "Are you sure that is safe?"

Rio: "I trust Hulk to keep his promise."

Bruce: "Sigh. Okay, how does this work?"

Rio: "Sit down and I will impart the memories."

Banner sits down and I tap his forehead making a gong sound and he faints. Once he wakes up he looks a bit frightened and sad.

Bruce: "Is that really the future?"

Rio: "Time is a river, even the tiniest changes seen can lead to a cascade of effects downstream. If you join me I swear I will not let such a future pass. Now switch with Hulk please."

Banner switches out and Hulk appears. His weight rushes the chair he is sitting on.

Rio: "Now I want you to remember what you will be seeing hasn't happened and I won't let it happen."

Hulk nods and I insert the vision into his head. Once he wakes up I am glad I put up numerous wards.

Hulk: "Raaargh! Hulks Smash Thanos!"

Rio: "It's okay Hulk you are safe here. You don't need to fight."

Hulk looks around and remembers where he is before setting down the table he had picked up. Then he leaves and Banner is back.

Bruce: "That went surprisingly well. I have seen what you have shown me and I am willing to work with you. But before I leave can I know if I can see Betty Ross again?"

Rio: "Of course. Both of you can visit her. You just need to ask ahead of time and I can set up a meeting. Now let's get with signing the contract. This is a magical contract just stating what I will give you and what you and Hulk will give in exchange. Both of you will need to sign the contract."

Bruce: "Sure."

Banner and Hulk sign the contract and I take them to Gaia to introduce them to their other coworkers. I also showed them their living accommodations. Banner was a machine gun in the questions he kept asking.

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Authors Note:

Despite the name of the chapter Rio was being more kind in his deals and not doing what Clavicus Vile would do. Then again he did make several people sign magical contracts and make deals but semantics. This chapter is meant to show why Captain America and Hulk weren't on the list of possible Avengers. That and I wanted Steve to get the happy ending he deserved without time travel shenanigans. Plus Bruce Banner is another brilliant scientist who can help the Imperium do research. Lastly, Hulk deserves a childhood and not to be fighting all the time or dealing with things no child should have to. I hope you enjoyed the Chapter and until next time Ciao.