Area 11
It wasn't long before the media had nicknamed the monster stalking Area 11's sewers. The Lizard. It wasn't very creative, but for Spider-Man it was concerning that the media had someone spun this into a spectacle. But that wasn't his specialty, his was punching bad guys in the face and right now The Lizard needed one badly.
"How many?" Spider-Man asked as he swung through the city on patrol.
"After three days on the loose, The Lizard has already racked up five deaths. The cops are having a hard time identifying the bodies." Spider-Man landed on a roof top as he scanned the streets below him.
"I have to find Jacob, the longer I don't the more people die. It's my fault."
"No, it's not Miles, Jacob did this to himself. Whatever he did was his fault, not yours." Spider-Man sighed, she may have been right, but it still didn't make him feel any better. "Um Miles, I think you want to watch the nearest TV."
"What?" Spider-Man jumped down to the street, scaring a few people as he did. He looked at a nearby storefront that had a display of flatscreen TV's. It was a news announcement.
"This is a special announcement from Viceroy Cornelia herself to Spider-Man, it is an invitation to meet at the top of the Government Bureau! No action will be made against Spider-Man. I repeat, Viceroy Cornelia humbly ask to meet with Spider-Man at the top of the Government Bureau." He heard enough and swung towards the location.
"You think it's legit?" Milly asked.
"Cornelia doesn't seem to be the manipulative type; I'd go as far as to say she's a blunt as a hammer. I can trust her to at least be straight with me." As he swung closer and closer to the bureau, he could see cop cars appear more and more often, likely to alert Cornelia of his presence.
At the Government Bureau, Cornelia stood waiting for Spider-Man. Darlton and Guilford stood with her. The police chief George Stacy stood with them as well, but he didn't look pleased with the situation.
"Are we sure he'll even come?" Darlton asked.
"The Spider-Man seems to be someone who sticks to his beliefs, I believe we can expect him to come." Guilford thought himself a good judge of character. And so far, Spider-Man lived up to his expectations.
"I believe he will as well." Cornelia spoke, a frown on her face.
"Oh, I'm touched you believe in me so much. Maybe next time you can be a little bit more subtle." Spider-Man's appeared from thin air to Cornelia's right, he gave a quick wave as he walked off the railing.
"Your majesty," Spider-Man did a mock bow, but as his eyes drifted, he spotted the rest of the entourage, "Captain Stacy." Spider-Man stood back up.
"Spider-Man." George said, respectively.
"I apologize for the sudden call, messaging you through the media seemed like the fastest way." Cornelia told him, he only shrugged.
"What did you want? A big spotlight in the sky with a spider?" George said sarcastically.
"Now that you say so, maybe we can put it on the roof of the police department."
"Enough, the more bickering means more people die. I need both of you to cooperate." Cornelia's voice was stern, it was time to get serious.
"I assume you're here about our mutual reptile problem?" Spider-Man asked.
"The Lizard, what a crass name." Guilford mocked the name; it was a bit on the nose for Spider-Man's taste.
"Yes, public reports say the death toll is current at five. Unfortunately, that's not the truth." Cornelia pulled a folder from her jacket and handed it to him.
"It's not?" Spider-Man took the folder and flipped through; the horrifying truth hurt.
"Thirty deaths, not counting any we haven't even found yet. This lizard is a menace that we must get rid of. Reports from Ashford Academy a few days ago shows that you may know who this is, one of your rogues?" Cornelia spoke as Spider-Man stared with horror at the names and faces of everyone who was killed.
"No, he's not one of mine, but I know who it is." Spider-Man handed the folder back, "His name is Jacob Connors, a student from Ashford."
"A student?" Darlton asked.
"Yeah, he was researching reptile DNA to segment the part of that repairs missing limbs."
"Why?" Cornelia asked.
"His legs, they were amputated about ten years ago. I found his medical records on a hospital database back in the mainland, apparently it was a car crash. It's not hard to guess that's why he started this in the first place." It wasn't an awfully hard motive to understand, Jacob made it abundantly clear he hated life in a wheelchair.
"Did you find anything else?" George asked, obviously as it's a part of his job.
"I found some physical notes, but other than that…well I'm sure your officers saw what was left behind." A grim look fell on George's face, the police arrived soon after Spider-Man arrived. They saw the same grisly scene he did.
"Do you have the notes on you?" Guilford asked, Spider-Man nodded and pulled it out one of compartments folded very tightly.
"I'm no biologists so I can hardly understand a quarter of what it says. More pressing is that this isn't the final formula, the computer he used was trashed. I'm having a hard time putting it back together, but for some reason there is no signs of any storage drives. So even if I did, we'll still be fumbling in the dark." Spider-Man shrugged; the missing memory was concerning because of its implications. Did Jacob really have control when he transformed into that monster?
"I believe we have an expert that can help." Darlton mentioned as the doors to the rooftop were abruptly opened as Tony Stark himself arrived.
"Speak of the devil." George groaned.
"Sorry I'm late, I was just finishing up theoretical DNA splicing. But I guess now you can say it's not very theoretical." It seemed Tony's ego arrived before he did, as always.
"Stark, can you decipher this?" Guilford handed over the formula, Tony took it and looked it up and down.
"This doesn't look like a final formula." He said as he turned it.
"It isn't, it's an early version." Spider-Man said.
"Oh, thanks kid. Short answer, no I can't. Long answer, it'll take me weeks to even begin to get close to solving this. The final formula could be anything." Tony handed it back, Cornelia shook her head in disapproval.
"We don't have weeks; we need an answer fast." A fast answer…hmm.
"I think I know someone who can help us." Spider-Man said.
"Who? I'll have them brought to Area 11 immediately." Coming from Cornelia, he believed she could, but even the power of a princess of Britannia can't get him.
"I don't think you can, this guy doesn't really take house calls. And he's not Britannian." The signs clicked for Tony and he groaned.
"Ugh, not him." Tony messaged his head.
"Who are you talking about?" Cornelia asked confused.
"Reed Richards, head of the Future Foundation. He's a close friend of mine and happens to owe me a favor."
"He's also a weirdo, no normal person goes to space and comes back with stretchy arms." Stark waved his hands in an attempt to imitate Reed's powers. Of course, it left Cornelia confused.
"That doesn't negate the fact that he is the smartest man on the planet, if anyone can figure this out it's him." Stark didn't like the declaration, but he bit back his retort.
"How reliable is Richards?" Cornelia asked.
"Very reliable and trustworthy. I'll consult with him and see what we can do about Connors, in the meantime we're gonna have to mitigate attacks." Cornelia agreed and nodded.
"In an hour I'll be announcing a curfew, I've already ordered an increase in police patrols as well. The military is also spread thin, between the Black Knights and the Chinese Federation, we have a laundry list of security issues. I hate to ask for a favor again…"
"Then don't, protecting the city is free of charge. All I ask is that you reign in the boys in blue, can't very well do my job when I could be arrested." Spider-Man walked to ledge preparing to swing away.
"Done. I trust I can leave Richards to you?" Cornelia asked.
"Of course, you can always trust your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man." He walked off the ledge and swung away.
x-x
Ashford Academy
Ashford was quiet after Prom night; classes were shut down and many of the students decided to live with their family off campus.
"…luckily, the insurance can cover for the gym wall, however catering and other amenities are coming out of pocket. Not accounting for the loss of students…it's not great." Milly sat down in her seat exhausted.
"This is a nightmare." Rivalz slouched in his chair, exhausted as well.
"It's certainly not an ideal situation, but we have a duty to the student body to keep working." Lelouch sat defiantly and he wasn't the only one.
"We have to work hard!" Shirley beamed like the sun, with a smile as large too. After prom, the two had finally come to an impasse. There was no more 'would they, won't they', now just a blossoming relationship.
"I wish I can be as cheerful as you." Rivalz moaned. The door to the council room opened and in stepped Miles.
"Hey Milly, can I talk to you in private?"
"Oh, hey Miles, finally decide to give the council some of your time?" Rivalz asked sarcastically.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Miles asked, the sound of irritation in his voice.
"It means ever since prom you've been neglecting your duties while we've had to pick up your slack. At least with Kallen she has a reason, you have just decided to leave us high and dry." The room grew tense.
"Rivalz…" Milly started but was interrupted.
"Oh, I'm sorry I've been a little busy lately dealing with the aftermath of this fuckup." Miles said
"And we haven't? We've been having to deal with this mess too y'know!" Rivalz gestured to the mountain of paperwork.
"Oh, because this is really damn important!"
"Stop it both of you!" Milly shot up, ending the argument. Miles scoffed and left the room.
"And there he goes, leaving us with the work again." Rivalz sat back in his chair fuming.
"How about we just take a break, I'll be right back." Milly walked out the door after Miles who wasn't that far away.
"Miles wait!" Miles stopped and turned to her.
"Sorry Milly, I just have a lot weighing on my mind. I'll apologize to Rivalz later." Milly sighed in relief; she didn't like her friends fighting.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" She asked.
"I talked with Cornelia; things are worse than what we thought to be." Milly was afraid to ask, "She's going to announce a curfew tonight, I wanted to let you know in advance so you can prepare the school."
"Thank you, but I sense you won't be staying in." Miles shook his head.
"I'm going to make a quick phone call and then going out to find Jacob. The faster we find a cure for him the more lives I can save. I just hope we don't have to resort to killing him." Miles gaze fell to the floor, obviously these last few days had been hard on him. Milly put a hand on his shoulder with a small smile.
"If anyone can save Jacob from his own mess, it's you Miles. I know you can do it." Miles gave a small thanks before leaving.
When he arrived at his room, he took out his phone and made a call.
"Miles! How are you doing?" Reed answered the phone immediately, he was always an attentive person.
"Reed, how is France treating you?" Miles sat on his bed, preparing to listen to some of Reed's infamous long-winded rants.
"I don't know how a country can treat me, but the Future Foundation is going well? Oh, Miles, do you know how much money is sunk into the war economy each year?" Miles felt like it was rhetorical. "Trillions of dollars! Yet even with so much money spent, the idea of reaching beyond our little mote of dust we call Earth is hardly thought of. Satellites are common, yes, but space travel is so very drastically behind. Imagine what we could do if we applied the research and resources, we use to wage war into rockets to travel into the stars! We could have reached the moon by now, perhaps even Mars!" Reed usually went on these tangents whenever he was worked up or inspired as he puts it. All he could do was sit and wait.
"Oh, I'm rambling again, sorry Miles. What can I do for you?"
"Reed, how well do you know DNA splicing?"
x-x
Yesterday, Ashford Academy
Lelouch sat with Suzaku on the patio outside, Nunnally had been taken by Sayako for a stroll. She felt guilty for not being there during prom, Lelouch vehemently disagreed, but the maid's sense of honor was too resolute to believe otherwise.
"So, what did you want to talk about Lelouch?" Suzaku asked, enjoying some tea Sayako made.
"Prom has brought some unfortunate revelations, some that I can't bare the burden of." Lelouch solemnly put down his cup of tea looking at Sayako and Nunnally across the field.
"Lelouch?"
"Suzaku, you have to promise me. Promise me with all your heart and even more…"
"Lelouch, what are you talking about?" Suzaku asked concerned, he was worried for his friend.
"Promise me that if anything were to happen to me, that you would protect Nunnally with your life. Business has taken me away from Nunnally more than I want, plans for our future need to be made."
"If you're in trouble I can…"
"No, your help won't be necessary, I can handle it myself. Recent events have me concerned for her safety, and I know you can protect her." Suzaku looked at his friend with stern eyes.
"I will protect her with my life." Lelouch thanked him.
Present
Suzaku looked back on that day as a solemn oath, but today he had to break one.
"Due to recent events, the execution of Kyoshiro Tohdoh has been pushed forward. Warrant Officer Kururugi, you are tasked to execute this criminal of the state. Do your military proud." Suzaku was to kill the man that taught him, his mentor before the war. He hadn't spoken to Tohdoh since, and now the first time they'd meet in years would be with a gun in his hands.
x-x
Black Knights Hangout
"We will break out Tohdoh tonight, you all have your mission tasks. Moveout!" The Black Knights scattered to their Knightmares and prepared to launch.
"The time has come to prove yourself, Zero." Asahina said watching the Black Knights follow Zero's orders.
"I have nothing more to prove. Meet up with your Holy Swords, the plans have been forwarded to your Knightmare." Asahina nodded and moved to his Knightmare.
"I'm ready to go." Steve walked up beside Zero, combat ready, shield and all.
"Good, I've secured you an opening to get into the jail cells, get in and free Tohdoh. Backup will breach through the outer wall when you confirm his safety. On the chance they have already killed him, you will have to sneak out on your own."
"Doesn't sound too hard." Steve shrugged with a small smirk.
"Your bravery is admirable Captain. Now go, we are on a timetable." Steve nodded and left as well.
The plans were set, now it was time to earn the Black Knights a valuable chess piece. After C.C. failed to contact the Chinese Federation, this would more than make up for it. Revised plans aside, Tohdoh was an essential piece to the future of the Black Knights.
Military Base
The night was quiet, and the soldiers stationed at the Tokyo military base stood on watch. But it seemed some were thinking more critically than others.
"So, in essence we are all in one big team deathmatch." The soldier's friend could only look at him at astonishment.
"Wow, you really are that stupid?" The other man said, before the other could retort a shield flew at their faces and knocked them out.
Steve moved the bodies to a nearby alley and approached the door, he retrieved a hacked key card that was given to him by Zero and swiped it through the keypad. The light lit green and the door unlocked for him.
"Zero doesn't disappoint." Steve opened the door and slipped through.
Steve had to find the detention blocks, thankfully once again Zero came in with a detailed blueprint of military base. By coincidence, the detention blocks weren't that far away.
As Steve entered the nearest building, he heard a conversation between a couple of soldiers. As he walked closer, he could see two soldiers in a break room drinking from cups. "Hey, did you hear who is gonna execute the terrorist?" The soldier on the left asked.
"No? Why should I?" The other soldier asked.
"I heard it's gonna be that Eleven kid from the Special Corps, I know a guy who is on guard with the base captain, and he heard from one of his friends over hearing the Eleven talking to the base captain about executing the terrorist." The two soldiers had a laugh at the irony of it all as Steve walked past the two.
In the detention block, Tohdoh sat on the floor meditating. It kept him at ease with his imminent death.
"I heard they changed your executioner, terrorist." Tohdoh's guard taunted him from the other side of his cell. Tohdoh didn't feel the need to respond or give him the satisfaction.
"You should be glad it's someone you know, it's gonna be Warrant Officer Suzaku Kururugi." Tohdoh opened his eyes to see his jailor, the look in his eyes showed his sincerity. The cruelness of it all was Tohdoh understood why and how. He took care to get updates on Suzaku after the war and knew he joined the Britannians.
"Not gonna talk, huh? You Elevens sure know how to keep quiet." The jailor chuckled and walked away. When he did Tohdoh closed his eyes again and meditated.
"Gah!" The voice of the jailor cried out in pain and Tohdoh opened his eyes just in time to see an object return from where he came from.
From his left, another Britannian walked out. He was different from the rest of the others, he wore a navy-blue costume with a silver star, and a red, white and blue shield. His helmet also had a silver 'A' on it.
"Kyoshiro Tohdoh?" The man asked.
"Who is asking?" Tohdoh questioned.
"Captain America, and I'm hear to get you out." The Captain aimed his shield at the gate locked and slammed it. The lock crumbled and the door opened to his freedom.
"Who are you with?" Tohdoh asked as he stood up.
"The Black Knights, your Holy Swords came to us and Zero could hardly say no."
"So, Zero sent you to rescue me?" Tohdoh walked out of his cell to the Captains side.
"We aren't out of the oven yet Tohdoh-san. N1 to K1, package is secure, requesting for exfil." The Captain spoke into his earpiece.
"Confirmed N1, Q1 the Holy Swords are coming to you now. Let the package know exfil will be hot." Tohdoh could barely hear the voice of Zero over the earpiece.
"Got it, get ready for a fight Tohdoh."
The outside of the military base was bombarded with explosions as six Knightmares burst through the wall. The red Knightmare with the claw shot towards the barracks, while the four identical Knightmares attacked the Knightmare depots housing the Britannian Sutherlands and Glasgows.
Inside the building however was Suzaku Kururugi, already running towards the mobile A.S.E.E.C. base housing the Lancelot.
Tokyo Settlement
"In order to precisely understand what I'm working with; I'll need a DNA sample. If you can get me a vial of this patients' blood, I can create a suitable agent to reverse the effects."
Miles stood on a nearby repeating Reeds words. He was going to have to fight Jacob again, he didn't like the sound of it, partly because the last time they fought Jacob pretty much threw him around like a chew toy.
And then there was Rivalz, god what an annoying prick. What did he know? Did he go out into the city to fight criminals every night? Did he know anything about risking his life for people he didn't know?
"Can anything go right?" Spider-Man messaged his head as irritation set in.
Out in the distance he could hear an explosion, of course that never brought anything good.
"I guess not." Spider-Man sighed as he swung off.
Looking at the new Spider-Man Miles game for PS5 has got me thinking about his costumes. That white, black, and red design is super cool looking. Also, Spider-Cat is cute. Reed is coming physically some time soon, I'm still on the fence on which version to bring forward. 616 Reed is always a good start…but I was also kinda thinking of Earth-65 Reed since there's so little about him I can explore a bit with his character. Make him into his own thing, y'know? Anyway, enjoy the chapter, the next one will be a doozy.