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Mikael sits in his office, going through his papers when his head scientist enters the room. His footsteps echo on the dark concrete floor but Mikael doesn't flinch at the noise. Instead, he keeps his gaze trained on the file that he is holding in his hands and gestures for the man to take a seat.

The man sits down in the plain black armchair and fixes his wire glasses as he awaits for Mikael's attention. The desk that stands in front of him is devoid of any personal mementos or photographs. Instead, it is littered with confidential papers that seem to have been haphazardly arranged due to a lack of interest. The man's gaze then trails over to the bookshelf to his right. 

On one of the shelves sits one lonesome photo that features two young children. The girl and the boy hold giant smiles on their faces, allowing their naivety and innocence to shine through. The black HYDRA uniform that the two wear is barely distinguishable in the dark lighting of the photo which confuses the scientist. He knows that none of the children have ever been allowed to take photos of themselves. 

But he does not question it because the young boy is obviously Mikael as the resemblance is uncanny. It seems like he has barely aged at all since this photo was taken. However, he gulps as he recognizes that the young girl is none other than Alexandra Williams.

Or Trickery, as she is now called.

Thankfully, the scientist's train of thoughts is broken when Mikael clears his throat as he places the documents that he had previously been reading back in its pile on the desk.

"You called for me Мастер? / Master?" The scientist questions, anxiously wringing out his hands in his lap. Despite Mikael's cool facade, he was an intimidating man that nobody ever wanted to see angry which put the scientist on edge.

Because when Mikael gets angry, people lose their lives. 

And this scientist wants to walk out of this office with his heart still beating.

"I did, Maxwell." Mikael answers, cleaning up the papers on his desk. "I want to hear about the soldiers. How are they?" He asks.

Maxwell lets out a relieved sigh, glad that this is all he is wanted for. "Her progress and abilities are exponential. If she continues to advance at this rate, there is no doubt that she will be one of the best assets that HYDRA has acquired." He informs Mikael.

"And what of the Winter Soldier?" Mikael questions, maintaining a stoic face.

"Zola has attached the prosthetic arm and it seems to be a suitable fit. Both are still complicit and are beginning their intensive training." Maxwell explains and Mikael nods his head.

"Good, -" Mikael states and opens his mouth to continue on but another voice beats him to it.

"Sorry Мастер, but I do have a question." Maxwell inquires and Mikael raises a brow at him, surprised at his boldness in the face of his superior.

Luckily for Maxwell, Mikael chooses not to comment on his lack of proper etiquette. "Go ahead." He responds. 

"Was it worthwhile to use Alex- Trickery to convince the Winter Soldier to join HYDRA  when it caused such a regression of her mental state?" Maxwell asks and he almost immediately regrets his question.

Mikael's eyes flare with anger and his body becomes stiff in the chair. "Should you really be questioning your superiors on the method of such a matter when it caused the desired outcome?" He growls, reminding Maxwell of his place.

"No, Мастер." Maxwell answers, averting his gaze to his lap in shame.

"It had been two years and nobody had even made any progress with him." Mikael says angrily. "It took me five minutes. And I also found out that she can read peoples memories. Which, if I recall correctly, should be your job." Mikael continues and he ends with a sardonic smile as he sees that he struck a nerve as Maxwell gulps and falls further back into his seat.

"Yes, Мастер." Maxwell mumbles before he gulps timidly. "However, I do also have a request to ask of you if you don't mind?"

Mikael almost laughs at this. "You, Maxwell, have a lot of balls to ask for a request after that insult." He grins, pointing a finger at Maxwell derisively.

"I-I know Мастер, and I'm sorry if I offended you. I did not mean it to be of an insulting nature." He stutters nervously and his withered face flushes with color in embarrassment.

Mikael grins wickedly at Maxwell, enjoying how he has turned the old man into a quivering mess. "Continue, Maxwell."

Maxwell takes a deep breath in, trying to muster up as much courage as he can before he speaks. "I-I... I would quite like to see her if that is poss-"

"No."

Maxwell gapes at Mikael, surprised at how quickly that he was shut down. "But Мастер, she has the gift of our ancestors, the first believers of Hive. She could be as powerful as Alveus." He pleads.

Mikael chuckles at Maxwell's comment, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's just a myth, Maxwell. I wouldn't waste my time with such utterly foolish thoughts."

"But how can they be myths when you have the proof of such powers sitting right before you." Maxwell continues, gesturing to the door of Mikael's office.

Mikael sighs at his insistence and pushes himself up from his chair. He swiftly picks up the pile of files on his desk and walks over to the filing cabinet to his left. "Do you know the story of Alveus, doctor?" He asks calmly as he organizes the files with his back to Maxwell.

"Not in its entirety, Мастер." Maxwell answers and Mikael rolls his eyes in annoyance, knowing that Maxwell had resorted to subterfuge to hide his true reasoning from him.

"Many, many years ago, a man from a Mayan tribe stumbled upon something he shouldn't have. Most say it was aliens, others say witches and some say it was God's will that turned him into whatever it was that he had become." Mikael begins, rifling through the cabinet as Maxwell sits and listens.

"Alveus, as they called him, was considered by his people as a God. Today, he would be called an Inhuman."

"Alveus had the power of possessing the bodies of dead humans and controlling other Inhuman's minds. For those who believed it was aliens, it is said that Alveus used his abilities to lead them through many great intergalactic wars." Mikael continues as he returns to his seat opposite Maxwell, who is seemingly enraptured in the story.

"But then he began desiring more power. And his thirst came with a price."

"He rebelled against the aliens and drove them away from earth. But his people did not see this as a win. They questioned his desires and grew fearful of his power. They became so afraid of Alveus that they banished him from Earth forever. And it is believed that he is still stuck on that planet, awaiting for his loyal followers to bring him back to Earth so that he can become our ruler once again." Mikael finishes and watches as Maxwell nods intently.

"That's an interesting story, Мастер." He comments and Mikael nods his head in agreement.

"But what's more interesting is the reason that I told it to you." Mikael says."When people see someone that holds an unexplainable, omnipotent ability, they become afraid. They don't like the idea that someone can hold so much power over their lives."

"And when people become afraid, they become irrational. They begin to act illogically and act on impulse rather than knowledge. And that's what the humans did to Alveus." Mikael continues, watching as Maxwell still remains enthralled in the conversation.

"Now if that story is true, we can't afford to make the same mistake with her."

 "She must operate in the shadows. She must not be more than just a myth. A story that parents tell their children to get them to go to bed on time. She must remain hidden from the world, known only to a few select individuals who I deem trustworthy." Mikael informs him.

"Yes, Мастер." Maxwell nods in complete agreement.

"But you, Mr. Williams..." Mikael trails off with an ominous voice. "You are not trustworthy enough to protect her secret."

Immediately Maxwell's mouth falls open at the accusation and he nearly pushes himself out of the chair in outrage. "I am Мастер!" He reassures Mikael pleadingly. "Please, I am trustworthy!"

"No, the mantle of her protection falls onto me now and you knowing her secret holds a great danger over her." Mikael explains as Maxwell shakes his head in firm disagreement.

"Please Мастер, she's my granddaughter!" He begs which makes Mikael laugh mockingly.

"Did that matter when you spent years experimenting on her? Turning her into what she is today." Mikael retorts and quietly pulls open the top drawer of his desk. Maxwell is left gaping like a fish at Mikael's comment as he struggles to find an acceptable answer. 

"I-I had no choice! I did everything in my power to keep her safe." He stutters, not even believing his own lies.

Mikael shakes his head disdainfully at the sorry excuse for a man sitting in front of him before he rises up to a standing position. He glares at Allie's grandfather with a look of pure hatred in his eyes. 

"And your death will ensure her safety." Mikael snarls before he lifts up his gun and shoots Mikael point-blank in the head. 

Maxwell lifelessly falls back into the chair, oozing stark red blood from the wound in his forehead. Mikael ignores the splatter of crimson blood on his dark HYDRA uniform as he looks down at Maxwell in disgrace. 

He had shot without a second of hesitation and without regret. 

And he doesn't care because Maxwell wronged Allie.

He experimented on her for years when she was nothing more than a child. He allowed her to remain believing that she had no family left. He caused her immeasurable pain, both physically and mentally.

And anyone who wrongs Allie deserves punishment.

"You are not her family now." He growls at the corpse of Allie's grandfather before he walks out of his office and orders someone to dispose of the body.

To put the body with the rest of Allie's dead family. But they aren't her family now. 

No, Mikael is all that she has left.

And she is all that he has left too.

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Hey everyone,

TRICKS IS OFFICIALLY OVER!!! OMFG CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!!

Firstly, I owe you guys all a huge thank you! There is no way that I would have ever got here today without all of your reads, comments, and votes. You guys might not know but just seeing a little comment like 'omg!' or 'love this' gives me the motivation to keep going. They brighten up my day and to see that we have 4.7 THOUSAND reads is absolutely mindblowing!!!

I owe you guys all so much and I can't thank you enough for your patience and your support.

And now, for the last time.... 

Onto the questions!

1. What did you think of the Teaser?

2. What do you guys want to see in the sequel?

3. What has been your favorite part of Tricks?

KEEP READING FOR THE TITLE REVEAL OF THE SEQUEL! ;)