Shout Outs: Thanks to Sonar for reviewing the story. Thanks to Nindragon for reviewing the story.
Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Trials
"Come to me…"
"I'm trying!" Michelle replied as she ran blindly, unaware that there was a sudden breeze beginning to be picked up. Her tears blurred her eyesight and she couldn't see what was in front of her but she stopped halfway of the path.
She fell down to her knees as the tears were threatening to be released since it began to shake her body from being suppressed for a long time.
"Mom! I've missed you! Things had been so different. Why did you go away?" Michelle sobbed as she threw herself on the figure.
"My sweet…child…remain true to who you are…"
"I…I need you…" Michelle croaked. "I don't ever want to let go."
While this was all happening, Flash grunted as he shifted some rocks that had been fallen, from what he didn't know. He then went under a blockage before he straightened himself up and a blast of wind blew at his face which made him raise his hand up in order to properly see what was ahead of him.
Flash titled his head to the side with a frown on his face as he felt that the air—where he currently was—somehow felt different. It was filled with evil, naturally but at the same time, it felt hauntingly peaceful. He squinted his eyes as he stared ahead.
Michelle?
At least that's who he thought it was when he was able to make out the sitting figure who was on the floor. But what was she hugging at?
Whatever she was hugging, it didn't looked like a person at all. It was completely made out of shadows that creepily hung over at Michelle.
"Michelle!" Flash yelled.
He pressed his feet together and began to push against the wind.
Oh Flash...
Flash turned around as he thought he heard a voice. Maybe he was imagining it? But at the second time around, it grew louder.
Wait a second...Why do you bother saving her? She doesn't mean anything to you... Forget about her...she's useless anyway. But instead...focus on you.
Flash stared almost in a trance-like state as a bright light came in, creating a zing sound as it appeared. And then, the white light vanished and in its place was a sword.
You have a thirst to prove yourself that you're better than the rest of the people. If you take this path, take this sword, you can finally get want you always wanted! Kill Mysterio and take what is rightfully yours.
Flash suddenly found himself at the sword (even though he had no idea how he has gotten here so quickly) and he stared at it. Flash lifted his hand and began to move towards the weapon.
That's it. You're almost there...
As he was about to grasp the handle, he suddenly stopped.
Wait...what are you doing?
Just like that, images started to appear in his mind; most of them contained Michelle and then, in a blink of an eye, Flash felt himself returning back to normal while the voice screeched.
NO! IF YOU TAKE THE OTHER PATH, YOU WON'T EVER GET WHAT YOU TRULY WANT!
Flash narrowed his eyes. "Sorry but your time is up."
And then, he grabbed the handle and headed towards Michelle while the voice was screeching in pain as it began to disappear. Once there, Flash lifted the sword and then he sliced through the misty figure.
There was almost stillness, an eerie silence as the shadow broke like glass before it died down; even the wind seemed to have died.
Flash let out a gasp as he panted heavily, taking slow shaky breaths before he let the sword fall down as he collapsed on his knees.
"Alright…" Flash said after a heavy silence. "Let's get out of here."
Michelle nodded. "What…what happened?"
"I'm assuming Mysterio played tricks on us," Flash answered as he picked her up. "You see whatever you wanted to see and same goes for me."
"Right…damn, Mysterio is a pain in the ass," Michelle muttered.
"Y—yeah…"
Spider Man groaned as he flickered his eyes open. For a brief moment, his vision was blurry and it was hard to get a focus on his surroundings.
He winced, feeling a slight headache coming in. All he remembered was the sudden blast before being knocked down and then nothing.
A coughing sound came, interrupting Peter and he looked to the right to see Iron Man who was pushing himself up.
"Iron Man!" Spider Man exclaimed as he scrambled up, rushing towards his mentor.
"Nice to see you to, kid," Tony grunted.
"What happened?"
Tony winced. "Well, I must admit that whatever happened a few seconds ago was my fault but just know that I saved your ass."
Peter snorted. "Please, like I need saving. But what are you doing here in general? With the police?"
Even though he had a mask, Tony raised an eyebrow. "I believe I'm saving you. I think that should be pretty clear."
Peter slightly glared. "I don't need saving. I had it under control."
"Yes, I can see that and you're doing a fine job at it," Tony said sarcastically. "And I believe this is yours," he threw an object at Peter who caught it and he stared longingly at them.
"My web shooters?"
Tony smirked. "I'm guessing you would need them, wouldn't you? They certainly wouldn't fit me. Now, I'm assuming your friends are with you?"
Peter winced. "Uhm...yeah..."
"Where are they?"
"Er...I might've told Flash and Michelle to look for Ned..." Peter laughed nervously.
"You what?! Peter, you fool! You literally had send your friends in danger! It's a deathtrap and—wait, Flash is here?"
"Unfortunately..."
Tony sighed. "Where's Ned?"
Peter grimaced. "He got kidnapped. Which is why I'm here in the first place. I don't know where he is but I fought Mysterio."
Tony bit his lip as he let out a sigh. "Peter…" he muttered. "Mysterio is gone."
Peter frowned as he whipped his head to the side and saw that the nasty villain was gone once again. He groaned.
"How am I supposed to fight him if he keeps on disappearing!?" Peter roared. "I swear I'm going that get bastard."
Just as Peter got up, Stacy came along.
"Alright then. What's the plan?"
Peter lowered his head as he tightened his fists. "No. I need to do this by myself. I already had put you enough danger."
He started to walk until a hand blocked his way. He looked up and saw Iron Man who gave a small motion with his head.
"Maybe you don't have to everything by yourself. Trust me, I know. I know we all want to do everything by ourselves but that wouldn't get us nowhere. You friends, Spider Man, don't push them away. You need them. Just like they need you. I didn't brought Stacy for the heck of it—you know that."
Iron Man took a step back as he was next to Captain Stacy.
"You're the leader now. We will all follow you."
Peter stared at them before he spoke. "Alright then. Iron Man, scan the place for any signs of Mysterio. Captain Stacy, ready your men so that they are ready."
Stacy grinned. "Yes sir."
Iron Man deactivated his scanner and turned his attention to Spider Man. "I've got a lock."
Mysterio sneered as he walked down the hall of the room; his cape swishing behind him. That little brat was being more persistent than he thought and he was getting on his nerves.
"Who…who's there?" the whimpering voice came.
"Don't worry," Mysterio hissed as he lifted the blindfold, revealing a beaten up Ned. "It'll all come to an end. You'll see."
"Where's…Spider Man?"
Mysterio grinned maliciously. The poor boy was relying on his friend and he still yet has to come. "Ahh…I'm afraid he's not coming. You see, he already got what he needed. He doesn't need you anymore…and neither does the rest of your friends."
"That's not true…"
The fiend let out a cackle. "You think I'm lying? Fool! He had all this time in the world and he still didn't came. Some friend he is."
"He'll come…I know…he will…"
"Shhh…" Mysterio hushed him by placing his finger on Ned's lips. "Save your breath. You'll need it…"
"And what are you going to…do?" Ned shakily asked.
Mysterio smiled sadistically as he placed both of his hands firmly on the chair's handles, leaning closer to Ned so that he could feel Mysterio's breath which made Ned wince, cowering back a little.
"I'm going to make your friend…suffer until he begs for death."
Spider Man landed in the clearing. He was so close to Ned as well as getting out of this mad place. Peter was sure that he wouldn't go to another amusement park as long as he lived.
Ned, I'm coming.
As he entered another station, a whoosh sound came and it sounded as though something invisible had entered but it was unaware to Peter.
"You're really stubborn boy. Stupid, stupid boy," the voice echoed in a ghostly manner.
Spider Man stopped in his tracks as he looked around the abandoned room.
"Show yourself!"
The voice laughed. "You think you're strong, aren't you? Wake up, Parker. We both realize that the world has already come to an end."
Like a mist, Mysterio appeared from behind coming closely on to Peter before he entered through him, standing in front of him.
"Now…let's see the true power of Spider Man…"
All of a sudden, Peter felt a tremendous amount of pain that coursed through his body. He fell down to the ground, writhing in agony and it felt like white hot knives had pierced through him. He wanted this pain to stop, feeling his body wanting to explode. Peter screamed from all the pain, moving around in his spot in attempt to get rid of the agony. His jaw opened, sending in more pain and out of his mouth, black mist-like liquid poured out. He wanted it to end and during this brief moment, Peter considered that if this was dying, maybe it wasn't that bad. As soon as it started, it was gone, leaving a breathless Peter.
He glanced behind, turning around to see a black particles appearing from thin air. He felt tense all of a sudden as this one felt even more sinister. More disturbing than Mysterio if that was even possible. It was eventually formed completely and Peter could now see the outline of the shadow. But as it became clearer, Spider Man widened his eyes from shock as his throat went dry and all he could hear was Mysterio's menacing voice.
"Now this will truly be your end…"
Author's Note: And of course, Peter went into a trap…*clap, clap* but only NINE more chapters left! Hang in there guys but thank you so much for your support! I had never gotten this much support for any of my book series so this REALLY means a lot to me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you! And just what was the thing Mysterio had 'created'? I'll give you three guesses ^^ What happens next? Find out! Toodles!
