Disclaimers
All characters appearing in Marvel Comics are copyright Marvel Entertainment and Walt Disney Company. All characters appearing in Doki Doki Literature Club are copyright Team Salvato. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holders.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
CONTENT/LANGUAGE WARNING –
THIS EPISODE CONTAINS PROFANITY AND CONTENT THAT MANY OFFEND MORE SENSITIVE READERS. READER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED
Two Lost Souls – Episode Fifteen Making Things Personal: Prologue
A Doctor's Office outside Tokyo two weeks after the events of the previous chapter, afternoon
"I'm not crazy." Monika insisted from her position seated across from the trim, dark-haired middle-aged woman with glasses. The woman wore black slacks, a lavender shirt partially covered by an open lab coat. Monika for her part was dressed in a tasteful ensemble of pale yellow shirt and forest green pants.
"No one is saying you are crazy Monika." The woman said gently.
"But only crazy people need therapy, right?" Monika said.
"Therapy alone seldom helps the clinically insane Monika. We typically use other treatments in such cases." The woman said. "Tell me more about the Literature Club." She made ready to take notes a pen and pad of paper in her hands.
"There isn't much more to tell really, Dr. Kefka," Monika said. "The Literature Club was a disaster. Other than meeting my future husband Ben, nothing good came from the experience."
"How did you initially feel when no one joined other than your sisters?" Dr. Ashley Kefka asked. She was laboring under the false assumption Monika and the other Doki girls were X-Gene mutants from an abusive family. That was the cover story the four had agreed to tell her.
"I felt worthless," Monika asked honestly thinking of when she learned her existence was nothing but a video game. "I felt like nothing I did mattered. That I was a failure and would always remain a failure." Monika paused before gazing into the eyes of Dr. Kefka a questioning expression on her face. "What's wrong with me, Dr. Kefka? Why are there times when I feel so empty inside?"
Dr. Kefka pen down her pen and pad on a small table that sat between the pair. "Monika in my professional opinion you've suffered a severe existential crisis. It is a testament to your inner strength that you've recovered as much as you have. Unfortunately, I believe this has created a deep seed inferiority complex which causes you to overcompensate by lashing out when you suspect others of being favored over your for whatever reason." She explained.
"Is that why I called Yuri 'a nasty cut slut' in front of my niece Annie when I discovered Annie was idealizing my sister rather than me as I had hoped?" Monika asked sheepishly hating herself for her actions in front of the child and ashamed to give voice to them.
"In my professional opinion, yes." Dr. Kefka said.
"I see," Monika said averting her gaze. "I want to be a better person, Dr. Kefka. I really do."
"I know you do, Monika. The first step is to stop hating yourself." Dr. Kefka said.
"But, how can I not hate myself?" Monika asked. "I'm a terrible person who almost destroyed her own family because of her petty insecurities. I don't deserve forgiveness or a second chance."
"I'm not going to lie Monika. It will take time." Dr. Kefka said with a warm smile. "Are you ready for the group session now?"
"I think so," Monika said her voice anything but.
Dr. Kefka left Monika alone after placing her hand reassuringly on the young woman's shoulder. She returned a short while later with Yuri, Natsuki, and Sayori. Natsuki wore a fluffy pink skirt and a plain white top. She glared at Monika and took a seat as far away from her sister as she could. Sayori wore a simple pink top with blue shorts. She took a seat between Monika and the Yuri. Yuri who was the last to be seated wore a red skirt and striped purple and brown top.
"Who would like to speak first?" Dr. Kefka asked once more taking her seat across from the girls. When no one answered Dr. Kefka picked Natsuki to speak. The pink haired girl was muttering something to herself and at first did not seem to hear Dr. Kefka. "Natsuki you seem to be preoccupied. Is there something you'd like to share?"
"Huh," Natsuki said before she remembered where she was. "Yeah, I do." She glared again at Monika. "I think this whole exercise is pointless."
"Why do you say that?" Dr. Kefka asked.
"Because Monika is conning us. She's good at that sort of thing." Natsuki said with a condescending smirk. "She has no intention of changing, not truly. She just wants to avoid consequences for her actions."
"God Natsuki," Monika said glaring back at the smaller girl. "I said I'm sorry. What is your problem? Haven't I suffered enough?"
"Typical Monika," Natsuki said laughed bitterly. "Always worried about yourself never considering how your actions hurt others."
"If this is about the bed incident,-" Monika began only for Natsuki to cut her off.
"You lied Monika," Natsuki said. "You promised me you'd always keep me safe but then I remembered it was you who, who, who put me danger. You helped him when he, he,..." Natsuki stammered trailing off.
"Helped who do what!?" Monika said clearly irritated. "Tell me what you're accusing me of, Natsuki! I have no idea what you are referring to!"
"Fine, here ya go Monika," Natsuki snapped "He tried to rape, me okay. Dad after you helped him clean out my room. He said you told him I was flirting with Ben at the Literature Clue. He said if I wanted to be a 'slut' he'd treat me like a 'slut'. There everyone knows my darkest secret, are you happy?" Natsuki began to sob heavily. "His body was so heavy. His breath hot on my neck. I, I-" Natsuki broke down she could not continue.
No one said anything for a long time. Natsuki's sobs filled the otherwise quiet room. Then Monika did something unexpected. She got out of her seat and walked over to Natsuki. She put her arms around Natsuki who surprisingly did not push her away.
"Ssssh," Monika said soothingly. "What he did was wrong. What I did was wrong. There is no possible justification for rape and there is no justification for my actions either. I don't deserve you in my life Natsuki or Sayori or Yuri. I'm a terrible person." Natsuki continued sobbing into Monika's shoulder as she clung to Monika. The session ended not long afterwards. No one felt emotionally able to continue.
Parker Estate a week later, morning
"How do I look?" Ben asked checking his hair for the millionth time in his small pocket mirror. He had recently dyed his hair blonde as it been during his previous heroic stint.
"Like a douchebag," Natsuki said. "But a classy douchebag."
"Gee thanks Natsuki," Ben grumbled.
"Anytime Benny," Natsuki with a toothy grin.
Ben, Kaine and the Doki Girls were all decked out in semi-formal wear as were Peter, Mary Jane and even little Annie. A very special guest was about to arrive. Each wanted to make a good impression but none more so than Ben or Kaine.
"Relax Ben," Monika said
"What if she doesn't approve of my fashion sense? What if she doesn't approve of me?" Ben said.
"I'm sure she will. You have nothing to worry about." Monika said.
"But you don't know for sure you can't. W-," Ben began only for Monika to stop him by placing a finger to lips.
"She's here," Monika said softly.
"Grandma," Annie squealed running up to Aunt May.
"My how you've grown." Aunt May said picking up Annie with a grunt of effort.
"Aunt May these are my clones I told you about although I consider them my brothers Ben and Kaine. This is Ben's wife Monika and her sisters Yuri, Sayori, and Natsuki. Yuri is also Kaine's girlfriend." Peter said making in introductions. Yuri blushed at his words.
"They have your memories, Peter?" Aunt May inquired giving Ben and Kaine each a good look.
"Up until several years ago, they do. They share my childhood memories." Peter answered.
"And you're Spider-Man and Mary Jane is Spinneret?" Aunt May said.
"Yup," Peter said.
"Sorry, we didn't tell you sooner." Mary Jane said sheepishly.
"Don't blame MJ, Aunt May. I was afraid the shock of finding out might jeopardize your health. I convinced her not to tell you." Peter said rubbing the back of his head rather awkwardly.
"Peter Benjamin Parker I'll have you know I'm stronger than you think young man." Aunt May said. "You shouldn't have kept me in the dark so long." Aunt May put Annie down. She walked up to Ben and Kaine. "I apologize for Peter's stubbornness. I have three boys now it seems."
"I can't tell you how long I've waited for this moment," Ben said tearing up slightly. "I took the names Ben and Reilly in honor of you and Uncle Ben. I always hoped we would meet outside of my memories. I never gave up that hope even during my years alone on the road."
"You poor dears." Aunt May said hugging Ben. "From what Peter has told me both of your lives must have been so difficult." She beckoned Kaine to join them which he did in a group hug. "I don't know if I can make up for what happened, but I'll try."
"There is nothing to make up for. It wasn't your fault." Kaine said when the trio ended their embrace after a few moments.
"Whatever the case, we're a family now and I expect us to act like one." Aunt May said. "If it is okay with you girls I'd like to treat my special boys to a dinner out."
"Enjoy yourselves," Mary Jane said. It was not long before Aunt May left with Peter, Ben, and Kaine.
"Looks like it's just us girls," Yuri said.
"Let's have a slumber party," Sayori said excitedly.
"We're already staying here how can we have a slumber party?" Natsuki pointed out.
"We can watch a movie." Sayori suggested.
"An anime movie," Natsuki said brightening, however, everyone else save Annie groaned.
'"I'll pick the movie." Monika said.
"Sure, why not," Natsuki said. Her relationship with Monika had greatly improved since the first group therapy session. Although understandably slow the healing process had begun.
"We have a plan." Mary Jane said. "Monika picks the movie, but nothing too risque." Mary Jane glanced down at her daughter. Chatting happily The women and the young girl made their way to the cinema that was part of the Parker Estate.
Secret Laboratory of Doctor Octopus somewhere in Japan
The cyborg Green Goblin destroyed a series of flying drones with his wrist-mounted laser blasters. "How much longer?" He said in his electronically enhanced voice.
"We need a plan before we strike." Superior Octopus said knocking several drones out of the air with his metallic tentacles.
"Precisely," Fractia said disabling several more drones with a flurry of well-placed ninja stars.
"I told you two already I have a plan." Green Goblin said. "We strike at Peter Parker's weakest point."
"Which would be?" Superior Octopus asked.
"His aunt May Parker," Green Goblin said.
"And how exactly do you propose we do that?" Superior Octopus asked. Truth be told Otto had something of a soft spot for May Parker who he once almost married. However, if it meant getting his company back he would put his personal feelings aside.
"We infected the old bat with a bio-weapon known as Devil's Breath I obtained from a crime boss called Mr. Negative, along with the only known sample of its antidote." Green Goblin elaborated. "We then lure Spider-Man to us with the promise of giving him the antidote if he can defeat us. Naturally, we set a trap so we can dispose of him once and for all."
"Not bad," Superior Octopus said. "Throw in him signing control of Parker industries over to me and we have a deal."
"I only care about killing Spider-Man after I've ruined his life." Green Goblin said. "His company doesn't interest me you can have it."
To Be Continued
Author's Note One – Dr. Kefka used to operate Ravencroft Asylum during the original Clone Saga. I felt she would be a good fit here.