Chapter Text
Despite going up against a God, Jake didn’t hesitate jumping into action. The sooner Marc was ripped from his clutches the better.
All Jake had to do was make Khonshu regret his current deal.
And so, Jake began to infiltrate their missions. He interfered during fights. He led the body astray. When Marc was instructed to kill, Jake would take over, and take Khonshu's targets out in an amateur fashion. He created big gaps in Marc’s memory. He misplaced the trinkets Marc was tasked with protecting in their flat.
Everything Jake did was under the guise of making Marc look incompetent. With time, he figured Khonshu would realize his mistake, and come crawling back to him. Jake was determined to get Khonshu away from Marc; he did everything he could think of. So determined in fact, his actions became arrogant, careless. Jake didn't realize his method was full of oversights until it was too late.
One day, Khonshu caught onto what he was doing. Jake didn't know what set him off. He would never know because Khonshu didn't confront him about it. No, the bastard went after Marc.
He berated Marc for his sudden unprofessionalism. When Marc grew defensive, he threatened to take Layla on as his new avatar if he kept this up.
Khonshu was full of shit, but Marc didn’t know that. How could he when he saw no other options on the table? So Marc complied.
After that, Jake scrapped his plans. Screw being fucking secretive.
From that day on, he would make it clear to Khonshu who he was, and who he wasn’t.
He stole the scarab from Harrow’s guards on Marc's behalf. He defended Steven in that ice cream van. He took out those three on the cliff, as bloody as can be, all the while having exchanges with Khonshu. There was no denying who was carrying these acts out.
Each time he fronted, he searched for the perfect opportunity to gainer Khonshu's attention.
However, every single one of his calculated moves meant nothing in the end. What finally convinced Khonshu was something neither of them expected.
When they returned to the land of the living, Harrow just couldn’t help himself. He just had to attempt killing them again. In front of Layla again. The sick bastard was practically asking for Jake to front.
Leading up to this, Jake was very precise on how he carried himself in front of Khonshu.
But this time, it was pure unfiltered rage.
Despite being held down by the cane’s power, Jake found the strength to get up. Before Harrow could process, he was thrown to the ground, his body skidding across the pavement. Jake walked off. He was saving him for later.
He took down the men who shot at Layla, using their own guns against them. He shot them in the head once, twice, who fucking knows. Who fucking cares. Layla was safe, and that's all that mattered.
Jake moved onto the rest, firing away indiscriminately. Some ran for cover, while others put up a fight they couldn't win. Guns were shot on both sides. It was all pointless, of course. His suit took no damage. But that didn't stop Ammit's disciples from trying, even as the body count grew. He didn't notice Layla trembling as she watched it unfold.
When he ran out of bullets, he used his blades, slashing away at the hands that dared to grab him, and the throats within reach. The screams were deafening, even catching the attention of Khonshu from above, but Jake was oblivious to it all. All he noticed was that his blades were growing dull.
As he continued his murder spree, Khonshu feasted on the bloody carnage left in Jake’s path.
When he crushed the windpipe of Harrow's last follower, Jake made his way over to him.
Harrow still laid on the ground, too paralyzed with fear to get to his feet. Jake grinned from ear to ear. Oh, how the almighty cult leader had fallen.
Jake pushed the body farther than he’s ever done before, but he was still able to conjure the strength to hold him down
He held Harrow's cane with one hand, and pressed his other arm against Harrow's throat, putting all his weight into it. Jake didn't register Harrow's fearful eyes, or the way he squirmed beneath him. He didn't notice him gasping for air like each intake was his last.
Fury had taken over his entire being. He couldn't think logically. His sense of empathy was stripped from him. If it weren't for the suit's healing factor, his boiling blood would have seeped right through. Today was Harrow's turn to lose his life. Only then would Jake come down from his emotional high –
His vision was blurring. Goddammit, someone was going to take his place.
He pressed his arm further down, savoring the moment for as long as he could. Harrow choked at that, and Jake flashed him one last smile.
Today, Harrow would die, whether he was the one taking him out or not.
Unbeknownst to him, Jake had won in more ways than one.
..
..
..
Jake stumbled backwards in bed, breathing sharply as he took in his surroundings. He was back in their flat.
He shouldn't be surprised by the sudden change in location. He blacked out for, hell, who knows how long? But his body still went into shock, the adrenaline from that day still coursing through his veins. He had Harrow, he was about to kill him, and now he wasn't in Cairo at all.
Jake threw the covers back and stumbled out of the room.
He shouldn't be feeling as pissed as he was – Marc and Steven were away from the lunatic, preferably in the ground by now – but he couldn't help himself. He wanted to be the one to see Harrow's eyes go still, and to hear his last heartbeat. He wanted – no, he had to be the one to end his life.
He thought letting Khonshu take advantage of Marc was his last mistake. But then, this sick bastard had to shoot them dead, and Jake was unable to do a damn thing. He let them down twice. Twice. Taking out Harrow was mandatory for him at this point. But he just had to lose that opportunity –
"You did well."
After all of his successes, of course Khonshu showed up after one of his failures. Cheeky little shit.
Jake turned to face him. It took everything in his power to hold back a grimace. He towered in the kitchen, his skull just a few inches away from the ceiling. Even after all this time, Jake thought he looked fucking ridiculous.
"Waited long enough," Jake said. He flashed him a grin despite how he felt. "Did you finally get your shit together?"
"I made my decision long ago."
"Oh really?" Jake asked. He crossed his arms and leaned against the fish tank. He tilted his head back. "Okay Big Bird, what's your verdict?"
His demeanor was flippant. And yet, despite Khonshu's timing, hope swelled in his chest. It's been some time since he met with the God one on one.
"Marc Spector hasn't served me in a week's time," Khonshu said, plainly. "Steven Grant was also granted this privilege."
God, he’s been waiting to hear that for so long. About goddamn time. A lump formed in his throat, but Jake swallowed it. “What have they been doing since then?”
Jake wanted to know. Desperately. He was out of commission and missed all of this. He wasn't expecting Khonshu to reveal anything, but his day was full of turns.
He tilted his skull in thought. "Mundane things of your species. I believe the most tolling event thus far was Steven discovering your rent was due.”
Jake laughed with relief. That was the most comforting thing he’s ever heard. They were really living a simple life now. A normal life free of carnage.
"So, you set them free?"
Khonshu didn't answer straight away. The longer he waited, the anger Jake was feeling earlier grew. They were free, right? Their time with Khonshu better be goddamn over or else he was going to break every bone in his body. It didn't matter to him if he was a God. It would only make the act all the much sweeter.
Finally, he spoke. "If you would like to keep them on this path, swear to become my fist of vengeance." Khonshu took one step forward, and pointed his staff in Jake's direction. "Pledge allegiance to me and become my Moon Knight."
Jake anticipated this moment for over a year now. This was everything he ever wanted. Marc and Steven were free of Khonshu's influence, and he would be taking their burden on, all the while protecting them from the low life's of the Earth. And yet, he hesitated.
"Why now?" Jake found himself asking.
"Whatever do you mean?"
Harrow escaped his clutches. He was the man that started this whole Ammit bullshit. So after failing to kill him, why was he being promoted to Khonshu's right hand man? That must mean Marc took care of him, but that only gave Khonshu more of a reason to keep him.
"As I said, you did well."
"In what way?" Jake heard him the first time; he wasn't a dumbass, he just thought the guy was being sarcastic. Now, the ambiguity of the statement made him frustrated. Was it so hard to cut the bullshit and get straight to the point?
"In what way? Jake Lockley, you slaughtered his cult in a matter of minutes," Khonshu reminded him. His voice grew boisterous, shaking the objects in the room. Jake moved to catch some of Steven's trinkets from falling to the floor. Khonshu continued on, "You were quick on your feet, using every weapon at your disposal. Even your own hands were of use to you. Your dedication to this craft is admirable."
As Jake placed the last object back onto the shelf, he was finally able to absorb what he said. Khonshu didn't care if he failed to take out Harrow; he was ecstatic that he took out everyone else. By not holding back, Jake was about to get everything he’s ever wanted. Not only did Jake secure Marc and Steven's safety, he just ensured that no one else would ever have to work with him.
As long as they lived, that is. But it wouldn't surprise him if Khonshu found a way to prolong their lifespan with that healing suit of his.
Having a God wrapped around his little finger? Jake liked the sound of that. He would take advantage of everything he had to offer, and prod him for everything that he left out.
Plus, he would be lying to himself if his ego wasn’t a part of it. It felt nice to be needed.
"Listen Birdy, before I accept your offer, I want to make one thing clear," Jake began. "I would’ve found a way to keep them away from you regardless of this deal we're making. I’m just agreeing because you need me.”
Khonshu bore down on him, but Jake didn't flinch. He knew his worth. And he knew goddamn well that Khonshu wasn't going to throw him out of the equation out of pettiness.
After a long, unnecessary pause, Khonshu spoke. "I don't need you."
His tone was sharp, yet Jake caught the way it wavered. Funny. He didn't know God's could get nervous.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, pal." Jake shrugged, then held out a hand. "Let's just shake on it, and get this partnership off the ground."
Khonshu eyed it, creating a false sense of hesitation, before shaking it once. Jake noted how firm his grasp was, as if he was afraid he would slip away if he didn't hold on tight.
Don't worry, Big Bird. He wasn't going anywhere.
Jake dropped his hand to the side, satisfied. "So," Jake began with a growing smile. "What's my first mission? Hunting down some creepy pastor for you. Fits in with your whole, 'Free the world of evildoers', and your pattern of corrupt spiritual leaders."
Khonshu placed a hand on his shoulder, and squeezed it tight. Before Jake could protest – they were technically buddy-buddy now, but that didn't mean he wanted his fucking skeleton fingers on him – Khonshu spoke. "I believe Arthur Harrow would be of great interest to you."
So, the bastard was still alive.
Jake's mouth hurt from smiling so much, but he couldn't stop.
He sealed the deal with Khonshu. His boys were safe, forever this time.
And he was going to be the one to kill Harrow after all.
Their partnership had just begun, and yet, it was already off to a good damn start.