Chapter 2: Glitter, Guards, and Glorious Chaos
When your to-do list starts with "commit psychological warfare using confetti," you know your life has taken a bizarre but potentially awesome turn. Adam stood shirtless, barefoot, and half-magical in his dingy containment room, fashioning a prank so minor, so stupid, it would echo through the ranks of HYDRA as a lesson in humility.
Step 1: Fake spider made of wires, black cotton, and the crushed soul of every overworked intern in the building.
Step 2: Use Wit's Starter Spark and 10 MP to animate it.
The moment the little abomination came to life, Adam felt a smug shiver crawl down his spine. "Oh yes. Daddy's got magic now."
He crouched near the crack under the heavy steel door, gently set the spider down, and gave it a final whisper of encouragement. "Go forth, Harold. Strike fear into those who chose fascism."
Outside, one of the two bored guards leaned against the wall, flipping through a crumpled HYDRA magazine (which was mostly shirtless propaganda and Sudoku). The other was nodding off, his helmet tilted at a tragic angle.
The spider slipped under the door.
Three seconds later—
"AAAAAGH WHAT IS THAT?!"
BANG. CRASH. The scream was followed by the thunderous sound of someone tripping, a chair skidding, and what could only be described as a "manly whimper."
Adam let out a low whistle. "Not bad for a sock puppet with legs. I'm basically a magical Macaulay Culkin now."
But the fun didn't stop there.
A third guard showed up moments later, yelling angrily in Sokovian-accented English, "WHO IS SCREAMING? YOU DISTURB SUBJECTS!"
His eyes swept toward the security door—specifically the slit window where Adam stood, arms crossed, looking as innocent as a cat near a shattered vase.
"I swear," Adam said, "the spider did it."
The man narrowed his eyes. "You—are not funny."
"I beg to differ," Adam grinned. "I'm hilarious. Ask Harold."
"Oh? Oh-ho-ho?" Adam's prank sense tingled. "Is this a quest prompt I see before me?"
Just then, the power flickered. A small explosion echoed down the hallway. Something sizzled. Someone shouted "WHY IS THERE GLITTER IN THE VENT?!"
So, basically, Wanda was having a minor meltdown somewhere nearby. And judging by the flickering lights, Pietro probably just outran common sense again.
"You two are chaos gremlins," Adam muttered fondly. "We're going to be such good friends."
Later that night, Adam sat in the dim light of his cell, now upgraded slightly with a towel and some stolen crackers he bartered from a forgetful guard. The system pinged again.
But Adam's attention was momentarily stolen by something else: voices from the cell next door. He pressed his ear against the wall.
A girl's voice, angry and low. "They're experimenting again. I can feel it. The stone is awake."
Then a guy, sarcastic, annoyed. "Yeah, well, if they wake me up one more time for another injection, I'm going to throw a chair through someone's chest."
Adam's eyes lit up. "Well, well, if it isn't Wanda and Pietro. Sounds like you two are having a rough day. Guess I'll just have to make it worse—er, better."
Adam leaned back, grinning like a kid in a prank shop.
"I'm coming for you, Maximoffs. And I've got glitter."
📜 STAT & SYSTEM SUMMARY 📜
Base Stats:
• Strength: 6
• Speed: 6
• Stamina: 6
• Intelligence: 9
Magic Points (MP): 900 MP
Pranker Bucks: $600
Skill Cards:
• Wit's Starter Spark
Effect: Creates minor prank effects (glitter, spiders, phantom farts, etc.)MP Cost: 10 per usePermanent
System Notes:
• System Store unlocks at ALL STATS ≥ 15
• Pranker Bucks can be exchanged for real money (1 Pranker Buck = $10)
• Escape from facility not possible until Chapter 10
• Wanda and Pietro now within prank range – first pranks may trigger rare skill unlocks