Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

As the icy mist slowly settled over the entrance of the High Mountain Hotel, sealing off their unwelcome departure, Duke exhaled a long plume of smoke, the bitter taste of the cigar lingering in his mouth. There was no time left to hesitate. The situation in Bilgewater was spiraling faster than he'd anticipated. If Gangplank wanted a war, Duke would give him one, but not without setting his own pieces on the board first. His eyes flicked toward the horizon, where the docks vanished into the fog. It was time to visit Miss Fortune. If she refused to cooperate, then she too would be swept away in the storm to come.

Dockside warehouse alley, inside an abandoned storage unit.

Duke stepped aside to let Jayce vent his frustrations properly. They hadn't been in Bilgewater for even two full days, and already, so many chaotic events had driven Jayce to the brink of a breakdown.

Letting him blow off steam wasn't a bad idea.

"Time to pay her a visit. If she doesn't cooperate, I'll abandon the original plan. Quick strike, clean retreat. Forget about Bilgewater altogether."

Duke instinctively reached into his pocket and pulled out a malt candy. Just as he was about to pop it into his mouth, he glanced at the candy, hesitated, then pushed it into Neeko's mouth instead.

"So sweet!"

"Right?" Watching Neeko's cheerful smile helped ease the heaviness weighing on Duke's mind. He gently ruffled her hair, then casually pulled out a handheld game console, originally meant for Jinx, and handed it to Neeko.

"Play for a bit. I've got something to take care of."

"Okay!"

Straightening up, Duke shot a look to Lister, signaling him to keep an eye on everyone while he stepped out. Then, calling for Pride to follow, he left the warehouse.

His next stop: Miss Fortune. And by tomorrow, he'd deal with Gangplank.

Everything had to happen fast, so fast that Illaoi wouldn't have time to react. He would help Miss Fortune rise to power, have her spread Janna's faith, and seize control of Bilgewater.

He would make it his second stronghold.

The original plan had been simple: come to Bilgewater, support Miss Fortune, eliminate Gangplank, then use the Harrowing to consolidate her rule.

From there, he could take his time refining his hold. This pirate city, once under his control, would generate more wealth than he could count.

But plans never kept up with reality.

On their first night in Bilgewater, Gangplank's men came knocking. Duke retaliated with force, but the pirate lord responded immediately, sinking Duke's ship, killing his crew, and plastering wanted posters of him across the city.

It was only their second day, yet Duke was already forced to adjust his plans, and speed them up.

As Duke walked through a narrow alley, Pride trailing behind him, he glanced down at the waterway and the razorfish darting back and forth.

"Come out," he said calmly.

"I know Sarah sent you to keep tabs on me. Now take me to her."

Several figures emerged from the surrounding shanties. After exchanging a few glances, a rough-skinned man rasped, "Please, follow me, Mr. Duke."

"Hm."

Storing Pride back into his system, Duke followed the group. They weaved through the twisted maze of the lower harbor's alleys until they boarded a small boat. Navigating through Bilgewater's complex water channels, they evaded all eyes and finally arrived at Miss Fortune's ship, the Siren's Call.

"The captain is waiting for you in her quarters. This way."

Once aboard, Miss Fortune's first mate appeared and led Duke to the cabin door.

"She's waiting inside. I won't disturb you further."

"Alright."

Duke pushed the door open. The first thing he saw was Miss Fortune's back, her slender waistline framed by the dim glow of the cabin.

He cleared his throat.

"Well, well, pretty boy finally decided to come see me?"

Miss Fortune turned, leaning casually against a workbench scattered with tools, gunpowder, and bullet shells.

Clearly, she had been hand-loading her flintlock rounds before he arrived.

"I came to deliver a final ultimatum."

Duke pulled up a chair and sat down. Miss Fortune lit a boxy cigar with practiced ease.

"Then say what you came to say."

"Tomorrow, I'll wipe out Gangplank. I need a new leader to step up and take charge of Bilgewater, to manage this place for me."

Cough! Cough! Cough!

Miss Fortune choked on her cigar smoke, glaring at Duke with a mix of shock and exasperation.

"Did you drink too much? Burn your brain?"

"I'm perfectly sober. You know the situation I'm in. I had planned to move slowly against Gangplank, but the bastard's counterattack was faster than I ever expected."

"Gangplank's rule over Bilgewater isn't just intimidation. It's built on how brutally he crushes anyone who dares oppose him."

"Anyone who offends him, he destroys completely, before they even become a threat. He's held that throne for decades."

Puffing on her cigar, Miss Fortune gave Duke a sharp look.

"So what's your point?"

"My point?" She flicked some ash off. "My point is, I've got my crew and we're just trying to get by. That's all."

"Don't you think you're playing it a bit too safe?"

"Playing it safe?" She raised an eyebrow. "What are you implying?"

"Gangplank's your sworn enemy. How much longer are you going to keep swallowing your pride? Wait until after the Harrowing's over, just to watch him rise to even greater power?"

"And what do you expect me to do?" Miss Fortune's voice cracked with frustration. "Gangplank's forces and resources far outweigh mine. I've barely managed to pull together this ragtag crew!"

"You think I haven't endured? I've tolerated that bastard for over ten years!"

"Well, your chance for revenge is here."

Duke leaned forward.

"You've got the skills. I believe that. But I understand why you're cautious, you don't want your men risking everything on a gamble."

Miss Fortune shot him a glance, arms crossed beneath her chest.

"So what do you want from me?"

Duke leaned in close, the scent of gunpowder thick in the air. He whispered softly, "I can give you everything."

"Everything?"

She pressed her finger to Duke's forehead and nudged him back gently.

"Careful there, kid. Big words break teeth."

"I'll show you what I can do."

Duke gestured to Edith. Edith immediately activated a projection array, splitting the feed into dozens of segments, each showing a different target.

"Goldtooth Bobby, Blackhand Blake, Sea Scorpion Dean..." Miss Fortune read the names aloud, her eyes widening with each frame.

"You see, I can control whether these people live or die, with just a thought. Do you believe me?"

Miss Fortune narrowed her eyes. "Prove it."

"Pick one."

"That one, Walrus Lazu. Bastard stole a shipment from me last week. Cost me a ton of Sea Serpents."

She pointed to a fat, tusked man in one of the frames. Duke snapped his fingers.

A second later, blood erupted from the back of Lazu's skull.

Duke crossed his legs.

"Send someone to confirm."

Miss Fortune, still skeptical, summoned her first mate Raven and gave the order. Less than half an hour later, Raven returned to the cabin and gave her a solemn nod.

Miss Fortune's mask of composure cracked. She fumbled for another cigar.

Snap!

Duke grabbed her wrist and leaned in.

"Now do you believe me?"

"How did you do that?"

"I told you. I control life and death in this city now, including yours."

Just then, a new frame appeared in the projection, showing Miss Fortune herself, with Duke's hand holding hers in real time.

"What is it you really want?"

Trying to keep her cool, Miss Fortune asked quietly.

Duke released her wrist and picked up the cigar she'd dropped.

"I told you. I'm taking down Gangplank. Then I need someone to become the new Pirate Queen."

He clipped the cigar's tip and lit it slowly.

"And that someone is you."

"But nothing in this world comes free."

"I know," Duke said, puffing on the cigar. "That's why, once you control Bilgewater, you'll follow my lead on the big decisions."

"I won't touch your cut. You'll get your full share. You'll be this city's queen."

He passed the cigar to her.

"So what's your choice?"

"Gangplank has Illaoi behind him. The two of them have... personal ties."

"Illaoi's a True Believer of Nagakabouros. She'll back him. And me? I've got no divine favor."

Miss Fortune's voice wavered slightly. Duke glanced at the amulet glowing faintly on her neck.

"Divine favor?"

He looked to the window, where winds were swirling wildly outside.

"Well, now I do."

Bang!

The window burst open, and Janna descended from the storm, her figure slowly emerging through the howling winds.

"Duke," she frowned, glancing between him and Miss Fortune standing so close together. "Why did you call me here?"

As a god of order, Janna had come into Nagakabouros's domain, an unwelcome intruder. She was clearly uneasy.

Miss Fortune stared at Janna, then back at Duke, her voice trembling.

"You're... you're a True Believer too?"

"So what's your decision?" Duke asked again.

Miss Fortune closed her eyes, her mind racing through risks and rewards. When she opened them, determination flashed within.

"Promise me, if I follow you, there'll be a way out."

"You have my word."

Duke handed the cigar back. Miss Fortune took it, placed it between her lips, and inhaled.

"I just realized... you have some really dangerous eyes."

"I like them."

"I like them too."

A smile crept across Duke's face. They had reached an agreement, at least for now.

Meanwhile, Janna stood in the corner, completely lost.

Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?

Why are they smiling? Should I smile too?

I just want to go home and cuddle Orianna...

End of chapter...

To be continued...

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