SPIDER-MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
PRODIGY: PART 2
DISCLAIMER: All characters in this fanfic are the property of Marvel Comics and the creators of the animated series (though some might be created by me, they're not that important so if Marvel wants them, they can have them). This fanfic is purely for others to read and hopefully enjoy. If I wanted money for this, I'd submit it to Marvel and let them deal with it.
NOTES: This carries on from the moment where PRODIGY: PART 1 ended. It seems due to the amount of ideas I have for this story, this will carry on to another chapter. So ignore what it said in Part 1 about this being the conclusion. I hope no one dislikes that idea. And to those who have sent me reviews, I thank you and you've given me a good feeling about this fanfic. If anybody else has comments or questions, I'd love to read them. And any questions will be answered in Part 3.
Peter just stared at the intruder in his room. Being confronted by a powerful enemy in civilian gear made him a tiny bit afraid of what would happen next. Or worse, of what would happen to Aunt May if he refused to co-operate with the Doctor's seemingly unusual demand.
"Ok, I have to say that is the strangest request I've ever heard. Why me? And what do you mean 'ways of the octopus'? And what exactly is your goal?"
Doctor Octopus just smiled. "You're inquisitive. I like that; it's something a scientist needs to be. Your questions are fair and shall be answered in due time, Mr. Parker. But now, you must come with me this very instant. There is not much time and I would like to start your training immediately."
"And if I refuse?"
Ock continued to smile. "You should know Mr. Parker that asking that question is extremely dangerous. The consequences are never quite what anyone expects. In this case, I could make your dear Aunt's last moments on this planet terrifying for the both of you."
That caused Peter to get angry. "If you so much as touch a single hair on her head I'll…….."
"You'll what, Mr. Parker? The way I see it, you can't do much of anything right now except come with me."
"Tough luck Octavius, I'll fight you till the bitter end"
That last remark caused Octavius to laugh. "My my, aren't we the gallant one? I like that sort of spirit; it's exactly what I need."
Octavius' laugh caused Aunt May to wake up. Concerned, she walked into Peter's room
"Peter, is everything….. PETER!" She looked in horror as her beloved nephew was confronting a large, frightening man who had burst through the wall.
Doctor Octopus turned to face May. "Greetings madam, no need for alarm. I'm just here to borrow your nephew for a while. Don't worry; I'll take good care of him"
"No, I won't let you!" May tried grabbing his arm but the tentacles prevented that.
"Aunt May!" Peter tried to get his aunt's attention. May looked at Peter with concern. "It's ok Aunt May, just go back to sleep and I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Peter……" And with that, May fainted
Ock smiled again. "A wise choice Mr. Parker. Get dressed, bring anything you wish and we'll be on our way."
Ock turned around while Peter got dressed. This gave Peter the chance to pack his Spider-Suit and other tools in case they'd be needed. "I'm all set, Doctor Octavius."
"Good, then we shall leave now. Allow my tentacles to hold you. Do not worry, they will be gentle." Peter was reluctant, but had no choice. The tentacles held him gently.
"And off we go then!" And with that, Doctor Octopus and his reluctant student Peter Parker, traveled into the night.
(CUT TO OCK'S HEADQUARTERS)
Peter thought carefully about his escape plan once they reached their destination. He knew Octavius would be a tricky man to escape from. He knew that although Octavius was a proud man, the old tick of stalling the villain with flattery would be of no use, as his tentacles would be able to notice any attempt to creep away undetected.
"Think Peter, think. What's the one thing that could distract Octavius from his work long enough for me to escape?" Peter thought long and hard of a plan with no room for error but every time he thought of something, he always forgot to take the tentacles into account.
"Great, not only do I have to escape from Octavius but his 'friends' as well. What I wouldn't give to have been bitten by a spider with MacGyver's DNA!"
They reached their destination. Back at the warehouse where Peter had been earlier that night as Spider-Man.
"Home sweet home, Mr. Parker." Octavius let Peter down gently.
"It's uh, quite cozy Dr. Octavius.
"Please, now that we'll be working together, call me Otto. May I call you Peter?"
"Of course, Dr…. I mean, Otto."
Peter followed Octavius in. Octavius pulled up a chair for himself and then a chair for Peter at a near workstation. Peter looked around. Even though he had been in here not hours before, he hadn't taken the time to properly observe the surroundings for it appeared that the building had undergone a refurbishing.
"I like what you've done with the place"
"Oh, this was from a generous benefactor. I'm very impressed by all this too. It allows me to begin again. But this time, I won't be alone. And this, Peter, is where you come in."
"Me?"
"Yes. Your appetite and your passion for science reminds me of myself when I was your age. I was ready to take on the world and felt the up most confidence in my abilities. But getting money was the hard part. I came by hard times and I hoped Mrs. Hardy would have been able to give me the funding I needed to complete my goal. Alas, look at me now. I'm seen as a monster, a freak of nature. But I intend to change all that. With your help, we can advance in the fields of science and show the world how powerful we can be!"
"So you want me to aid you in rebuilding your work?"
"Correct, Peter. I have faith in your abilities. That is why I came for you tonight. I apologize for intruding at this time of night but I wish to train you. So that you may help me. And so I may help you."
"You mentioned training me in the ways of the octopus. What exactly did you mean by that?"
"Well, I figure since my own metallic arms have been a great help to me, if I were to ever train a student, they would need their own set of metallic arms." At that point, Ock got up and went over to a terminal and pressed a button. A wall opened up and revealed a new, slightly thinner pair of metallic octopus arms. Almost an exact replica of the Doctor's own arms.
Peter stares at the arms with a huge shock "Are you saying you want ME to be the next Doctor Octopus!"
"If I should perish before our goal is complete, yes. That is what I meant by training you in the ways of the octopus."
"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Doc. Science is not there for us to hinder mankind, it's for us to help mankind. What you're proposing is a partnership based on criminal activity and I do not want to be a part of that."
"I'm afraid you have no choice!" Ock grabs Peter with one tentacle and the other set of arms with another. "If you won't co-operate willingly, I'll have to force you into it!"
Peter can't do a thing. His struggle does not bring him any closer to freedom. And before long, it's too late………..
CLANK! The arms have joined with Peter. He tries to remove them but notices he'll need a control for that. "And three guesses who holds that." He thinks to himself.
It seems for now all he can do is play along and wait for a window of opportunity.
END EPISODE