Reticence Saga
Severed Web
Chapter 10: Return to the Savage Land, Part 5
Omnirus stared in horror as Cyber and his companions, minus Kala charged towards the base. "I'll say this, your friends really get into the spirit," said Kala.
Omnirus facepalmed. "How did we end up in this situation?"
While Omnirus was glad to have fixed the glitch in his Omnitrix that trapped him in female form, it wasn't enough. He needed to upgrade, especially with the Lynches at a new power level. That said, he couldn't just walk into the Galvan Institute of Science and steal the blueprints.
Anyways, Omnirus needed the best genetics technology this planet had to offer to make any modifications to the Omnitrix, which narrowed down options quite a bit.
"Why not just break into Jumba's old lab?" said Cyber with a twitch.
Dark Start sighed, "That won;t work. The NSC control that system. Even you'd have trouble."
"Not to mention leaving this universe won't be as easy as getting in," said Leroy, "The Combine watch all the main portals."
"The Combine? They sound like seafood," giggled Cyber, the others sighing.
Omnirus said thoughtfully, "We need a dimension nobody would expect us."
"Unless you've gotten a spaceship, I don't think you really got anywhere to go," said Dark Start.
"Shut up. There's got to be a ship somewhere we can knick," said Omnirus annoyed. He sighed. "And we don't need a ship, Dark Start. We need parts for the evolution drive on this thing," he snapped, pointing to the Omnitrix.
"You sure you wanna mess with that?" asked Leroy.
"If Albedo can make it, so can I," said Omnirus.
"You don't know how he made it," said Leroy.
"Don't I?" asked Omnirus, tapping the side of his head, "Galvans have a photographic memory when it comes to technology. I have all the plans right up here."
"Ok...what's the plan?" said Dark Start smugly.
"I know of at least three organizations that could have the genetic technology I need to upgrade myself," said Omnirus before motioning to a display board, "We'll start with the easiest: Oscorp."
"Oscorp, isn't he some big shot villain?" said Cyber eagerly.
"Not anymore," said Dark Start, "The guy completely quit after he was cured of the Green Goblin the second time."
There was a murmur of agreement before the door behind Omnirus opened and Kala said calmly, "What about the Lynches?"
"If we time this right, they'll be away on some mission and won't be around to interfere," said Omnirus, "Anyways, these aren't places that SHIELD is likely to pay attention to."
Kala smirked at that. "Good...we could have some fun later," she said before glaring as Cyber made mock vomit noises.
"Maybe, if there's time," said Omnirus a little quickly.
"Aw..." pouted Kala before walking off.
Cyber sneered, "How long you gonna keep her?"
"This is not a long-term relationship," said Omnirus.
"She's useful though," said Dark Start calmly, adding, "We'd have never gotten past the lockdown in the vents if she hadn't melted the way out."
"You're just as capable of doing that," said Omnirus, "It'll mean more trouble for us the longer we keep her."
"It also means that draconic pain will pull his punches." snapped Leroy.
"Only when she's in firing range," said Omnirus, "Otherwise, he'll be after the rest harder than ever."
"Might be worth a laugh if you made her kill him," snickered Cyber.
"As if that'll ever happen," said Omnirus, "Trust me, the sooner she's gone, the better. Unless you want Matt to make the accident that gave you your new limbs look like a little tumble down the stairs."
Cyber glared, "That was an accident. I didn't set the fuse right."
Omnirus and Dark Start exchanged a glance. "Ok, gonna ask the opinion of the only other one here who isn't crazy," said Omnirus, "Dark Start, your thoughts?"
"I think she's a danger. If she reboots her memories, we'll have a pissed-off 700 series that suddenly remembers she isn't a medic. That said, she could make a good spy if the teams compromised," said Dark Start after a bit.
"Since when have any experiments been spies?" asked Omnirus.
"Isn't Nosy designed to be a spy?" asked Leroy.
"I said spy, not gossip monger," said Omnirus, "We're not really designed for subtlety."
"Except she could spy on Matt's team with a suitable cover," sighed Dark Start.
"The only way she'd do that is if she had her memories and if she had her memories, she wouldn't work with us," said Omnirus, "Kala is disposable goods, end of discussion."
"Well...use her while you have her then. She's a 700 series combat experiment," sneered Dark Start, leaning in and whispering, "And trust me, if she hadn't imprinted on you, she'd have killed all of us without breaking a claw. I would have."
"Turning back to business: Oscorp has pretty well-known shady dealings, particularly in the genetic experimentation area. It's produce more than its fair share of villains," said Omnirus, the display screen showing villains such as Venom, Lizard, Rhino, Vulture, and Carnage.
Dark Start laughed, "Oh please, those are the work of Otto Octavius."
"Yeah, he left Oscop long- Is that a kangaroo?" asked Leroy, noticing one of the villains.
Omnirus paused to look at the screen. "Huh, so it is. When did he appear? Anyways, Octavius was working on genetic experiments under Osborn's orders. The symbiotes at least were intended products. And I'd be rather surprised if Osborn didn't keep Octavius's confiscated notes and tech."
"So, all we need to do is find a black site that only Oscorp knows about, blast our way in, escape with the tech all without attracting an Overwatch hit team," said Leroy.
"Not all the tech," said Omnirus, "There ought to be a way to narrow down what we need. Cyber?"
"There's only one place he'd keep it: under Oscorp Tower," said Cyber, suddenly all business, "It'll probably be accessed from his personal floor."
"Sounds just like him," said Leroy.
"Simple enough. We break in, hack the elevator and loot the place," said Omnirus.
"Simple indeed," agreed Dark Start.
"The rest of the parts seem simple. The last one could be a problem," said Dark Start.
"We'll see if we need anything more when we're finished," said Omnirus.
"You don't listen well, do you," said Dark Start.
"Ok, let's start planning this out," said Omnirus, "We should get in Osborn's office while he's out to lunch."
Cyber grinned, "Lunch? I keep hearing that New York does the best pizza."
Leroy perking up, "Pizza? Where?"
Dark Start put a paw to her forehead and groaned. This was going to be a growing headache. "ENOUGH!" she snapped, blasting the table with a flame orb. "Can we please concentrate...or no pizza," she added, Leroy and Cyber looking horrified at that.
Deciding to capitalize on this, Omnirus said, "Whoever does the best work on this mission gets to choose the toppings."
Dark Start actually looked impressed as Cyber and Leroy got looks of concentration as Omnirus said, "This is actually one plan Miss Kala might be useful."
"How so?" asked Dark Start. "Fires make good distractions," said Omnirus.
Security at Oscorp Tower had seen it all. Lizards, people with robotic tentacles, symbiotes, the IRS, but a red koala was a new one. "Found it in the parking lot," said the guard holding it.
"Was it breathing fire or spitting acid?" asked another guard.
"No...just in a doorway, shivering," said the other, the first peering closely, "But it's gonna turn into some six foot tall monster and try to eat us...right?" The first guard shrugged before they both shivered.
"Somethings wrong with the universe. It's Sunday and no attack?" said the first.
"Yeah, this could be one of Octavius's traps. Just watch. It's gonna grow a coat of slime and go nuts," said the second.
There was a pause, the koala raising an eyebrow in confusion before the guards shivered. "This isn't normal," said the second nervously.
"Maybe she's a vanguard for an invasion from outer space," said the first guard.
The koala just rolled her eyes. Just what have these guys been through to make them that paranoid? She looked around, climbing onto the desk before seeing the fire alarm...just what she'd been told to hit. Creating a small ball of hot plasma in her hand, she threw it straight at the alarm.
"Oh thank God, she is evil," said one of the guards with relief as the alarms began to ring.
The koala rolled her eyes before shooting hot plasma at both of them. The two ran for it as more alarms began to ring. "Omnirus, honey, I think I have their attention now. Do we need survivors?" she asked pleasantly.
"People look for killers with a lot more determination than plain troublemakers," said Omnirus, "Just keep their feet hot."
"My pleasure, honey," said Kala happily, several bullets bouncing off her, Kala turning to see some more interesting opponents firing at her from the lifts.
Meanwhile, Omnirus and the other three were looking in Norman's office. "Swanky," said Dark Start, looking at a portrait of Norman Osborn.
"Don't get distracted. If he decides to, he has plenty of weapons which can go through us," hissed Omnirus angrily, looking at the walls for a switch or a keypad.
"You know, half the reason these things are here..." muttered Dark Start before moving the portrait.
Omnirus blinked, seeing a revealed keypad. "That is so cliche," he muttered, climbing up and looking at it, before keying in the correct code.
"How'd you know the right code?" asked Leroy.
"He left his fingerprints on the keys," said Omnirus.
"Nice," said Dark Start, a section of wall opening to reveal a lift, a calm female voice saying "Welcome, Mr Osborn." The experiments got onto the elevator which headed straight down. After a minute, the lift stopped, the voice saying, "Please remain still for biometric scan."
The experiments exchanged panicked looks at that. "Biometic scan invalid...please remain still for disintegration," said the voice, two guns folding down from the roof.
Cyber immediately extended a blaster from his right arm and blasted both guns. "Nearly forgot my gun's better than theirs," he said.
"Level one security breached...activating level two," said the computer, the doors opening.
"What's level two?" asked Leroy.
Several gliders flew into position before shredding the lift car.
"Oh," said Leroy before they started falling.
The glider drones approached slowly before one hovered to aim down, only for it to be sliced down the middle.
"So, do we have to stop at this floor or keep going down?" asked Dark Start.
The drones began firing again at that, a hiss heard below, the group looking down to see the floor was being flooded with acid...strong from the smell.
"Norman must really want people to stay out," said Leroy.
"Ya think? GET THESE TIN CANS!" snapped Omnirus, hitting his Omnitrix.
In a flash, he was in Ghostjaws form. "That was supposed to be Stinkgrade," he said, "But I can still work with this." He lunged at one drone and crushed it between his jaws.
Cyber, smirking, said, "So...Like that Ben kid's Omnitrix"
Omnirus paused and muttered, "Oh blitznak."
Another drone flew at him, only for Omnirus to pass through it, its battery in his jaws. Spitting out the battery, he said, "This is one of the reasons I need that upgrade."
"Escalating to level 3...3 minutes to removal to vacuum seal...sending emergency transmission to Mr Osborn."
"No time to lose," said Omnirus, "Let's get what we need and go."
More gliders came out of almost everywhere to hinder them as they searched. It seemed Osborn had alot of things in his basement...ranging from pieces of an Iron Man suit painted blue, white, and red to what looked like a gatling cannon.
"Where does he keep the biological stuff?" snapped Omnirus before his Omnitrix started beeping a cooldown warning. "Oh crap," muttered Omnirus as he turned back, just in time for a laser blast to knock him through a door...and into a storage room.
"Is it? Yes!" said Omnirus before hurrying in. He looked around quickly, seeing materials from as far away as the Tunguska strike, before seeing what he needed.
"Octavius's genetic extractor," said Omnirus, "Perfect for getting the essence out of any species. Or do a little DNA tailoring." He took a small box off his belt and shone a light on the extractor. The extractor disappeared into the light which went back into the box. Omnirus put the box back on his belt and called, "We got the gizmo. Let's go!"
"What about Kala?" called Dark Start as they scampered up the elevator shaft.
"With any luck? No way she could beat all the armed guards..." he began as they forced the door open to see a dozen dazed guards and Kala smirking on top of the pile with her arms crossed. "...at once..." said Omnirus
Cyber said, "Wow...is it wrong that she looks hot now?"
"That had better be a pun on her fire powers," said Dark Start.
Omnirus said awkwardly, "Yes...that..." Leroy nodding innocently...about as innocently as the puppy next to his poop. Dark Start sighed before blasting the other three with water orbs.
"Don't be jealous. I was designed to hit hard," said Kala, jumping down with a smug expression, Dark Start glaring.
"So, we getting pizza now?" asked Cyber.
"A brief lunch break then we need to get the next part," said Omnirus.
Kala walked over to Omnirus before saying, "Why not treat us girls?"
Cyber picked up Kala and threw her out a window. "WE EARNED THAT PIZZA!" he snapped.
Kala jumped back in, a grin on her face. "Oh, I've been wanting an excuse," she laughed. She picked up Cyber and threw him out another window, only for a grappling hook to snag her and drag her through.
Omnirus sighed. "Urgh...CYBER, STOP KILLING OUR NEW MEMBER!"
"Just a little rough and tumble, boss," called Cyber.
Kala jumped up. "It's not like he could have taken me. I was made too well," she taunted, "Now are we going to get that pizza or what?" She walked by the group, apparently unaware of the 'Kick Me' sign taped to her back.
Cyber smirked. "You 700's have forgotten how to have fun," he said as he scuttled after her.
The next place took a little more work to find. "Why are we poking around a subway station in Brooklyn?" asked Leroy.
"At least it's not the sewers," said Dark Start. Omnirus was busy taking measured paces and checking the bricks.
"Honey...is this some sort of hide and seek?" said Kala in a bored tone.
"More like a treasure hunt," said Omnirus.
"Then where's the X?" said Cyber with annoyance.
"Not an X..." said Omnirus before brushing some dust off a brick, "A Z." He pushed on the brick, making it click.
A section of brick wall moved away. "So when are we shot at?" said Kala smugly.
"I've thought of that," said Omnirus before pulling an extending wire from the back of Cyber's head and plugging it just inside the door.
"Hey, hey, heee-She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes, I HATE YOU! She'll be coming round the mountain when she cooooomes..." sang Cyber, his eyes turning blue.
"No, no, that's not right," said Omnirus before twisting Cyber's antenna. That made Cyber break out into yodeling.
Said yodelling was punctuated by the odd death threat against Omnirus before he finally stopped. "Oh thank God," said Cyber desperately.
"That should turn off the traps in the halls," said Omnirus.
"I really...hate you...that singing got wrote to my root files," snapped Cyber.
"Would you rather be shot at?" asked Omnirus.
"YES!" snapped Cyber.
"Let's just get this done. Me and Leroy have something fun planned later," said Kala angrily, walking past them. "So whose secret base...is..." Kala paused when she saw a red insignia depicting a skull with six tentacles. "Hydra...ARE YOU NUTS?" she snapped, shaking Omnirus till his eyes rattled.
"Relax, Hydra is a mere shell of its former glory since the Red Skull is no longer in command," said Omnirus.
"Still...wait...Z...oh God, not the talking telly," she sighed.
"Who else would have the bioengineering tech to upgrade my Omnitrix?" asked Omnirus
"You mean this is Baron Zemo's lab?" asked Leroy.
"Yes,hence the Z!" snapped Kala angrily.
Leroy grinned, "Oh, this'll be good." Kala stomped down the tunnel to a blast door blocking the way and tearing it off its runners. "They learn so fast," he said.
"Let's hope she doesn't remember her lessons too well," said Omnirus.
"So? She's no longer that stuck-up brat anymore," said Leroy triumphantly.
"I don't count on it lasting long," said Omnirus.
"I was teaching her to act like a proper experiment like how Jumba would want," said Leroy, adding, "What did you think?" The others all suddenly coming down with coughs. "LET'S CATCH UP WITH HER!" shouted Omnirus a little too loudly.
A little while later, they were in a lab with several large glass tubes filled with some unknown green liquid. "Ok...which vial of kool aid do you need?" snapped Kala.
"Those aren't what I need," said Omnirus, "Zola ought to have what I need in his computer banks."
"Don't you mean Zemo?" asked Leroy.
"No, it's Zola. Try to keep up," said Omnirus.
"I am not having my head linked up to-" began Cyber before Leroy plugged him in and Cyber gibbered before singing 'Country Road' and even doing the dance. "I'll pay you anything to keep him going for a few minutes," said Dark Start to Omnirus, taking a photo of Cyber.
"I don't think it's doing anything to hack that-" started Omnirus before the computer came on. "Ok, let's see what we got here," said Omnirus.
But before he could hit the keyboard, an ugly face appeared on the screen and snapped, "Who is making zat infernal racket?!"
"Oh no, his jack goes through the user's music files, so someone here likes country western," said Leroy evilly at the screen, Cyber screaming "Unplug me you trogs or so help me!"
"Ach...you are not ze first intruders...some moron in red unt black broke in unt installed zem," snapped the face.
"Wait, what's Zola doing here?" asked Omnirus, "He's supposed to be at the bottom of the ocean."
"Every genius knows he should make backup copies of his greatest files," said Zola, "Even if zis version of me does nozing more zan make sure Zola's secrets are not pilfered by simpler minds. Such as yourselves."
"Hey, we have supercomputers for brains," snapped Leroy.
"If zat vere true, you'd know vhat you vere getting into," said Zola. Suddenly, the glass containers started bubbling with what looked like dough.
"The hell is that?" snapped Cyber, aiming his weapons at it.
The dough formed into humanoid creatures, though they looked neither handsome nor intelligent. "My synthezoids shall make quick vork of you," said Zola as the containers opened.
"Are we being attacked by potato people?" sneered Kala, throwing several plasma blasts at them. The synthezoids splattered, covering the area in doughy ickiness. "You need to invest in better security," said Kala. However, the chambers produced a new batch.
"Ze first vave isn't durable, but zere's alvays more vhere zey came from," said Zola.
"Oh nuts," muttered Dark Start as several new synthezoids formed and charged.
Kala threw more orbs, but these synthezoids didn't splatter as much. "Did I forget to mention each vave adapts to vhat destroyed ze last vun?" asked Zola.
"Omnirus...how much longer?" snapped Cyber.
"Not too long, now that I know where to look," said Omnirus before going into one of the chambers and ripping open the base of it.
Zola snapped, "Stop zat! Synthezoids, stop zat furry rat!"
Cyber laughed maniacally as he opened fire on the synthezoids. Leroy attempted to punch one out, getting stuck. "Gah...want to destroy but it's like punching a sponge...EVIL!" he snapped.
The synthezoid lifted Leroy up and started to squeeze him. "Well, if ya can't beat them...eat them!" snapped Leroy before biting off the synthazoid's head and eating it. The synthezoid collapsed into a lifeless puddle of dough. Leroy gagged and said, "Tastes like month-old poi."
"Who told you za-I mean zat is nonsense," snapped Zola.
Omnirus sighed and said, "Let me show you how to do it." Open his mouth, four long green tongues shot out, grabbed a synthezoid, and dragged it back into his mouth where he swallowed it. His stomach glowed green before he spat out a huge glob of green goo that hit the other synthezoids and exploded, taking out several chambers as well.
"Not everyone's part interstellar glutton!" snapped Dark Start.
"Don't focus on the spawn, destroy the spawners," said Omnirus, "Basic video game rules. Ugh, they did taste like month-old poi."
Dark Start and Kala sneered, Kala saying "Go long?" Dark Start smirking and throwing Kala at the cluster of tanks, Kala's body encasing in flames just before impact.
"No! Stop zat, you little gremlins!" snapped Zola.
"Hey...he called us gremlins," said Dark Start tauntingly.
"Typical German," said Kala.
"Actually, I am Sviss," said Zola.
"Who cares?" asked Leroy.
"Ok, I have what I need," called Omnirus, the experiments gathering round the computer.
"Ok...what do we do with Talkie Telly?" sneered Cyber.
"He's only one backup," said Omnirus, "Zola would have more. Besides, wouldn't be fair if he was stuck guarding a ruined lab."
"With one extra touch," said Kala, pulling out an iPod.
"You vouldn't dare," said Zola.
The experiments exchanged gazes before starting to cackle evilly, till Dark Start said, "Omnirus, you know I've not trusted Kala since you brought her into the gang. I say she does it."
"Let's see what she's got," said Omnirus.
Kala smirked, sauntering over and first, plugging the charger in, which got some approval...meant it wouldn't stop, before she reached for the play button and paused. "Cover your ears," she warned.
Omnirus's eyes widening in horror, the others looking confused before Kala folded her ears down and hit play…
"So, how long do you think Zola will last?" asked Kala.
"Well I 'accidentally' disabled his self shutdown system. How long till the others stop screaming when we try to turn the radio on?" asked Omnirus, the others of their team staring the thousand-yard gaze and shaking, Dark Start muttering "The screeching...not...possible..." except for leroy who was giggling to himself and rocking back and forth.
"What did you get from Zola, anyways?" asked Kala.
"The adaptors for his synthezoids," said Omnirus, "After all, what is evolution if not adaptation?"
"You do realise Lynch could still cook you like an egg, right?" warned Kala.
"Ok...our last target is AIM..." said Omnirus, showing a few photos.
"Aim...don't they just sell stuff like this? Rob a bank or two and buy it," said Leroy.
"They tend to be choosy about their customers, especially if they're aliens," said Omnirus.
"They said no, didn't they?" teased Kala.
"Let's say the last time I went there, I...made a scene at customer's service," said Omnirus.
2 days ago...
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WON'T SERVE ME? Just cause I needed a box to get on the desk..." roared Omnirus.
"Sir, it is company policy to not provide service to illegal aliens," said the receptionist in a bored tone.
"Hey, that's just wrong," said Omnirus.
The receptionist said, "I meant illegal aliens from other planets."
Omnirus paused before shrugging. "Fair point. Look, I have the cash. I robbed a dozen ATMs to meet the price," he said, lifting up the 'box' he'd been on, a bag twice as big as him, the receptionist simply raising an eyebrow.
"That is still not going to work. Our surplus Nanotech repair module has already been sold and our remaining one is in use. There is a waiting period of 1 year if you wish to wait," said the receptionist in the same infuriating tone, before squishing Omnirus's hands into the desk as he slammed them palm down.
Omnirus's eyes watering before he tried, "And...who was it...sold to?"
"That would be her, over there," said the receptionist, gesturing with her head.
Omnirus turning to see a helmetless scientist leading out Megan and two anthropomorphic animals, one looked like a peregrine...but the other one looked like a lioness, though with a thick mane. More noticeably was the scorpion's tail. "MEGAN!" he snapped.
He stomped up as Megan turned, Megan saying "Omnirus...what brings you here?" in a tone that was a little too friendly.
"You have something of mine," growled Omnirus.
"You knew I was here and didn't look me up? I'm hurt," said Megan.
"I need that nanotech," said Omnirus.
"So do I," said Megan, "You have any idea how hard it is to clothe these minions?"
"You're a sorceress. Summon some brownies to tailor them," said Omnirus in an annoyed tone.
"Oh...a little 'short' on time?" sneered Megan, the bird and lioness taking a step forward before she raised a hand. "You're not getting this. But you're welcome to try. My friends are very protective," she warned in a serious tone.
"So be it," said Omnirus before slapping his Omnitrix. In a flash, he transformed into Frankenvine.
"Oh lovely...Falcore? Prune him," said Megan, the bird lunging and making several swipes with its wing arms.
"Ha. Didn't feel a thing," said Frankenvine before suddenly he fell in neat slices.
"Hmm, chopped salad," said Megan, "If I only I remembered the dressing."
Omnirus glared before timing out and reaching for his Omnitrix again only to feel a stinger at his throat "Say the word, mistress," said the lioness, coldly before the receptionist said "No killing...not even club soda gets it out of the carpet."
Omnirus was about to snap that stinger off when he was suddenly picked up. "And you...get out," snapped the receptionist.
Omnirus glared. "Get off me you..." he began, the others not seeing what he was looking at before he said weakly "Yes, ma'am."
"And that's when I bit her and took out the 20 strong mutant team she called for," said Omnirus proudly to the others.
Dark Start said carefully, "Mutant...commandos..."
"So they blacklisted you," said Kala.
"Oh yeah...and Megan's got the only spare. I'm proud of the kid, she made some tough minions," Omnirus admitted.
"So are we going to steal it from her?" asked Kala.
"Not a chance. Bird boy sliced through Frankenvine's armor like it was wet paper. Unless any of you are volunteering to go in first," said Omnirus darkly.
"So what is the plan?" asked Dark Start.
"We're going straight to the manufacturer," said Omnirus.
"We're gonna attack AIM? What if they have a receptionist on guard?" laughed Cyber.
Omnirus grabbed Cyber with his tongues before swallowing him. He swilled him around for a few seconds before spitting him back out, covered in awful green slime. "Anyone else wanna make jokes?" snapped Omnirus, the others shaking their heads. "Ok, they said they're using the nanite device themselves, meaning it's probably in their main lab," said Omnirus.
"And where in the world would that be?" asked Leroy.
"Deeper inside, I did manage to nab this off Megan," sneered Omnirus, holding up a leaflet which opened up into a map, apparently showing where customers could and could not go.
"Think AIM guards its vent as well as every other place?" asked Leroy.
"Only one way to find out," said Omnirus with a grin.
"I...need...a...bath..." groaned Cyber.
Kala and Dark Start looked up at the main doors of the lab. They were the distraction, as there was certain some sort of alarm the receptionist could see, especially around the vents, where the others were. "So, what do you have in mind?" asked Kala.
"A catfight is a surefire way to grab attention," said Dark Start.
"It would, but I don't think we're anyone's types," said Kala, indicating their small, furry bodies.
"There's always the poor lost puppy thing. Worked for 626 more than once," suggested Dark Start.
"I think these people would be more interested in taking the puppy apart than caring for it," said Kala, "Besides, I already did that one at Oscorp."
"Good old-fashioned rampage?" suggested Dark Start.
"Kinda, obvious, isn't it?" asked Kala.
"Maybe just a fight between supervillains," said Dark Start.
"But where are we going to get-" started Kala before Dark Start hit her with an earth orb.
Omnirus listened as several distant booms were heard. "And we're off. Men, let's do this," he said, the group heading further in, to a hatch, seeing the guards get a message and run towards the entrance. "Oh, and I shouldn't have to remind you, but don't touch anything unless you know what it is. We don't want to start a grey goo catastrophe," said Omnirus.
The trio landed on the floor, several suited technicians scattering with yells of panic, one running for the alarm. However, Cyber blasted the alarm before the technician could reach it. "No alarms, egghead," he giggled, pinning the guy.
"You'll never get out alive," snapped the technician as Omnirus quickly found the nanite device, tearing it out the wall.
"Wow, that was easier than even I expected," said Omnirus.
Just then the doors burst open and a voice snapped, "What is going on in here?!" Omnirus, Leroy, and Cyber turned and stared in bewildered fascination. It appeared to be a giant head with tiny arms and legs sitting in a hover chair.
"You...you were the alien that attempted to steal from one of AIM's customers. Now you come to steal from your intellectual superior?" snapped the head, "I, MODOK, have not built up AIM's industry to have it robbed by extraterrestrial vermin. You shall pay dearly for your transgressions!" When the experiments didn't respond, MODOK asked in an annoyed tone, "Are you even listening?"
"He's like...a flying Mr. Potato Head," said Leroy distantly.
"Yeah...he's just missing the glasses and big nose," said Cyber faintly.
MODOK glared before firing a blast that sent the experiments flying like ten pins. "My abnormal features are the price I pay for my vast intelligence and considerable mental powers," said MODOK before several desks lifted off the ground. "I think that's a fair tradeoff," he said smugly before the desks threw themselves the experiments.
"Oh blitznak!" yelped Leroy, the group dodging as more things were thrown.
"I was expecting to fight tech, but not like this," said Omnirus.
"You cannot stand against MODOK, but it will be interesting to see what makes you run," sneered MODOK.
"Run? Good idea," said Omnirus as he activated his Omnitrix, "Going XLRWolf." He pressed it and was transformed into Stinkgrade. "Ha, I knew reverse psychology would work," said Stinkgrade.
He twitched as the Omnitrix flashed and he swapped to XLRWolf, a small line of text on the Omnitrix saying "Laugh this off., smartass." "I really need to fix this thing," said XLRWolf with annoyance.
"Let's just run before Mr. Potato Head does something wooorrrrrr..." began Leroy before his eye crossed.
"For alien lifeforms, you aren't as great as you boast to be," said MODOK.
"Hey, Leroy's just a bit thick, that's all," snapped XLRWolf, before holding up the nanite device. "Want this?" he teased.
"Give that back, you thieving cur!" snapped MODOK before blasting at XLRWolf.
"Missed me, oooh so close...wanna try again?" taunted XLRWolf, shooting back and forth between shots. "You know what's the biggest disadvantage of a big head?" asked XLRWolf before zooming up close to MODOK, "Big headaches." He split his muzzle open and blasted MODOK with his sonic howl.
MODOK yelled, floating back, trying to clutch his head. "And you have the disadvantage of gloating," he snapped, blasting XLRWolf.
Omnirus twitched, feeling MODOK worming around in his head for something to use against him...blitznak to that. He grabbed a canister and threw it at MODOK with a yell of "OUT OF MY HEAD!" The canister bounced off the top of MODOK's head, making the floating head let out a yelp of pain. "Aw, arms too tiny to put an icebag on your head?" taunted Omnirus.
"Foolish animals...you dare attack me?" snapped MODOK.
The mental blast having reverted Omnirus back to normal, he was waiting for the Omnitrix to recharge. "It wasn't in the plan, but we're holding our own, aren't we?" he said.
"Leroy's still a veggie," called Cyber, Leroys eyes just black and white spirals, Leroy making faint burbling noises.
"You're the tech expert. Do something!" snapped Omnirus.
"He's not a robot," snapped Cyber.
"He's still a cyborg. We're surrounded by high tech. Figure something out!" snapped Omnirus.
Cyber looked around for something not broken before yelling at Leroy, "Wake up or no coconut cake."
Leroy twitching before his eyes went back to normal and his hissede "Who took coconut caaaaake?"
Cyber pausing before pointing at MODOK. "He did," he said childishly.
"QUEESTA!" yelled Leroy, jumping at MODOK, who only hovered a few feet to the left, causing Leroy to crash into a computer and get stuck.
Omnirus just sighed. "I am so sorry about him," he said before realising a battle was still on and using the classic experiment move known as the 'facehugger'.
However, MODOK just blasted him away before he got close. "Oh please," said MODOK dismissively, "You're behaving even more brutishly than at the start of this."
There was a beep from where Omnirus landed and a green glow. "About time. Now don't screw me over again," said Omnirus before hitting his Omnitrix. This time, he turned into Stinkgrade and stayed that way.
"Finally! Now to deal with Mr. Potato Head," Stinkgrade sneered.
Stinkgrade flew at MODOK, only to splatter on a forcefield that MODOK had around him. "Do you really think I'd let you get that close to me, insect?" sneered MODOK.
Cyber finally paused, finding a canister marked 'experimental...do not open it, this means you AIM Bob.' In Cyber's head, a saner version of himself was saying 'This could be a very dangerous device. Before we should even consider using it, we must study to find out what it does and what precautions... And you just decided to eat it.'
Cyber burped, the rational voice saying "That's it...I quit...you're on your own" the voice getting fainter before there was the sound of a slamming door.
"Needed salt," said Cyber before burping.
"Oh tell me you didn't." said Stinkgrade, he and MODOK staring open mouthed
"No creature could possibly that stupid," said MODOK.
"Oh, he's not stupid. He's totally bonkers," said Stinkgrade.
"I feel tingly," said Cyber happily, his plasma blaster getting a blue glow.
"DOWN!" yelled Stinkgrade before partially merging with MODOK's hoverchair and forcing him down.
Cyber looked down his blaster and got a singed face as a blast of blue blackened his face. "Oooooh...white noise disintegrator...I LOVE IT!" he giggled, aiming and firing in random directions before hearing a faint noise from ground level. "Cyber? Be a pal and stop shooting the support pillars." in Stinkgrade's voice
"You miserable little imp!" snapped MODOK, flying up and charging his head blaster, "I shall reduce to your component molecules!"
Just then, Stinkgrade leapt up and fully merged with MODOK's hoverchair, giving it a more cocoon-like experience. "Ok, let's settle you down," said Stinkgrade as he started making adjustment.
"No, hehe, stop it. heehee, you're-you're wrecking my-" started MODOK before bursting into uncontrollable high-pitched laughter.
"Can we go now? I wanna test this thing on Lynch," cackled Cyber happily.
"Just a second more...there," said Stinkgrade before separating from MODOK, letting him crash on the floor.
"You're going to pay for-" said MODOK before grunting as he tried to get off the floor. But with his anti-gravity generator disabled and his limbs too small, all he could do was pathetically rock back and forth.
"Sit this one out," sneered Stinkgrade before timing out back to Omnirus. "Ok, let's go. Cyber, call the girls and tell them to abort."
"Wait! You can't leave me like this!" yelled MODOK.
"I don't see why we shouldn't," said Omnirus.
"Perhaps we can work something out," said MODOK, "Perhaps you are in need of more tech."
"Unless you have an evolutionary transmutator, I don't think so," said Omnirus.
"I don't have one...but I know where you can find one," said MODOK.
The group paused, Omnirus turning, "Oh, do tell..."
"A new group chased my scientists out of a region in the arctic called the Savage Land. They appear to be using a transmutator," Modok said.
"Is that so?" asked Omnirus, "And where exactly is the Savage Land?"
"Not in the Arctic," said Cyber, "The Antarctic. Not the South Pole itself, but it can't be far off."
"Thanks Modok," said Omnirus, jumping up and throwing a laptop at the villain's feet, "Now you can fix yourself."
"Now let's find the girls before they draw any attention from real heroes," said Cyber. "Just a sec," said Omnirus before pulling Leroy out of the computer.
The group walked carefully towards the entrance, dazed guards seen everywhere . "Ok...if the receptionist has them, we just run," said Omnirus carefully, before all three tensed up at laughter from the entrance hall. "Oh, that better not be what I think it is," said Omnirus.
The group peered out to see Kala, Dark Start and the receptionist sharing some tea "...and I swear...he was a lady for 2 years," said Dark Start, the receptionist laughing.
"They're not talking about me," said Omnirus through gritted teeth.
"Really? I don't think anyone else of us was a girl when we first teamed up," said Cyber cheerfully.
"It was not that long," snapped Omnirus.
"Was it?" asked Leroy, "Kinda lost track of time, what with the different rates it passes in-"
"SILENCE!" screamed Omnirus before covering his mouth as the receptionist snapped "Who said that?"
"Nobody, nobody," Omnirus whispered desperately.
A shadow fell across him and he looked up slowly to see the receptionist. "Didn't I throw you out?" she asked icily.
"I had an appointment with your boss," said Omnirus.
"I'm sure." said the receptionist, grabbing Omnirus by the neck and throwing him at a flat trajectory through the wall next to the entrance. "Everyone else gets to walk out..." she said, smirking as the other experiments turned into blurs that exited the building.
After a long flight, the experiments had landed in the Savage Land. Finding the piece of tech they were looking for was not very easy in this prehistoric jungle.
"This place stinks. My joints are rusting," snapped Cyber, blasting a mosquito the size of a small dog.
"How can there be any technology in this place?" asked Kala.
"Technology is what keeps this place from freezing over," said Omnirus.
"Yeah...and how long would we have to run before everything refroze if we broke it?" said Leroy in a rare show of intelligence, everyone turning to look at what was left of their ride.
"I told you not to let Cyber drive," said Kala.
"We're not after the climate controls. We need an evolutionary transmutator," said Omnirus, "There's one down here. I'm picking up its energy signature."
"And where is it?" snapped Kala.
Omnirus looking at the view. "In...the middle of a patch of skunks and flowers with biohazard symbols…" muttered Omnirus in confusion.
"Uh...any other places?" asked Dark Start.
"Looks like its been used in two cities...too..." muttered Omnirus, Leroy wandering over to some flowers
"Well, it shouldn't be that hard to get it from a bunch of skunks, right?" asked Dark Start.
"Yeah, right Leroy? ...erm...Leroy?" asked Omnirus.
Leroy grunted and turned around, looking a bit more brutish before with a considerable overbite, lower forehead, and larger, hunched shoulders.
The group blinked before going back to planning. "Looks fine to me," said Dark Start.
Kala said, "But he has-"
Omnirus grabbing her and snapping, "HE...LOOKS...FINE! I'm not getting distracted by killer bird men and demonic receptionists this time."
Leroy grunted before grabbing Kala by her antenna and dragging her away. "Ok, you have five seconds to let me go, mister," said Kala in an annoyed tone. The others watched as she was dragged out of sight before jumping back as a literal mushroom cloud rose and Kala walked round the corner, dusting herself off. "We're fixing him," she said darkly.
Omnirus said in a squeak, "Yes, ma'am..." a blackened Leroy staggering after Kala.
"Getting too much for you, isn't she?" teased Dark Start.
Look, it was one night and she spent it all playing the Pokemon card game," snapped Omnirus sulkily.
"Ok, that was the last thing I would have thought of," said Dark Start.
"Get your mind out the gutter. I have some standards," sighed Omnirus, checking the scanner, "Ok...given what happened to our new cave experiment, I vote we avoid the flowers."
"Ok, where's the other transmutator?" asked Dark Start.
"It's...moving?" said Omnirus, puzzled.
"It's what? That means something has it. If it's in the stomach of a Spinosaurus, I quit. I saw that film," snapped Cyber.
"It's not in a stomach...I hope," said Omnirus.
"That was doubt!" snapped Cyber.
"It's your fault we don't have a getaway car," countered Omnirus.
"Hey...if you weren't lovey dovey with your card partner," sneered Cyber.
"I wonder if those flowers could affect a cyborg?" asked Omnirus wonderingly.
"Let's just get the damn thing," snapped Cyber.
As it turned out, the transmutator was not moving because it was in the stomach of a dinosaur. Rather, it was in the possession of a certain wall-crawler. "Why on Earth would he be down here?" asked Dark Start as they watched Spider-Man get off the dropship and into the EGIS lab.
"And why would he go into the camp of the only people with the firepower to take us out?" moaned Omnirus, sobbing against a tree from stress, "This is all Lynch's fault! It has to be!"
"How could it possibly be his fault?" asked Kala.
"He has a...an aura of villain bad luck. Just being near him makes plans come unstuck," snapped Omnirus in a paranoid voice till Cyber, with a deadpan look slapped him across the back of your head.
"We can at least check what they're up to first," he said, causing the others to shudder...when Cyber was making sense, everyone was in trouble.
There's another chapter. As you can see, this one is mostly flashbacks to explain what Omnirus's gang has been up to and why they're down in the Savage Land. It also ties in with the Ultimate Spider-Man show. Though MODOK and AIM are more connected with Avengers Assemble, but they're still in the same universe. But tomorrow, we'll be focusing on Omnirus's attack in the present. Keep an eye out for it and please review.