Chapter 7: The Other Guy

Within a dark area of the world of Remnant, where the terrain was nothing more than a barren waste save for the dark pools of black liquid that were visible, and purple crystals emerged from the ground, a thunderstorm of lightning erupted overhead. To an average person it just added to the atmosphere of the environment, but was actually cosmic in origin.

Throughout this wasteland, the Grimm that patrolled these lands all looked up at the storm until all of a sudden, the clouds began to rotate into the vortex that created a massive blue portal in the sky. A single object fell from the portal and hit the barren ground with the force so hard that it shook the ground, somehow startling the Grimm. Nearby was a lone castle-like structure made from the purple crystal that punctured the surface.

Otto Octavius grunted in pain as he looked at his surroundings, but unfortunately was too weak and passed out from exhaustion. As he did this, he could've sworn he saw a figure approach him.

Otto groaned as he slowly regained consciousness once more ashe awoke from his slumber. Breathing slowly, he began to piece together what he remembered. Working with Hydra, getting captured by S.H.I.E.L.D., crossing paths with Spider-Man, then getting sucked into a portal to who knows where.

Now fully remembering what had happened, Otto finally took in his surroundings. He was in some sort of prison cell made red rock with oddly black metallic bars that seemed more organic. As he looked at himself, he was still wearing his brown uniform, and back harness for his mechanical arms.

"What is this?" Otto demanded, "Why am I here?"

"That...is what I would like to know."

Otto looked out of the cell and noticed a man with slightly tanned skin in a gray overcoat with yellow linings, giving off a formal, yet very smug presence.

"Who are you?" Otto demanded fiercely

"How about you tell me before I give my own name, eh?" the man replied, but Otto wasn't in the mood for games and simply remained quiet. The man raised an eyebrow at Octavius' stubbornness, "The silent treatment I presume? I was only trying to be polite. I am Dr. Arthur Watts, former well-renowned scientist."

"Never heard of you." Otto calmly muttered

Watts shrugged, "Well that shouldn't be surprising at all. Everyone in the world believes I'm dead. Now, I believe we should talk of something more pressing. If I may ask, who are you exactly, and did you fall from the sky right outside the castle."

"I only answer to those who are worth my time, Watts." Otto said, insulting the claimed scientist

"Well then you are in luck then." Watts replied, "Because there is someone very eager to speak with you."

Watts then moved out of the way to reveal a mysterious witch with a deathly white skin tone and white hair. She wore a black robe that completely obscured her feet.

The witch then walked forward and stood with a calm and patient look on her face.

Rather than show a sign of fear, Otto simply crossed his arms in annoyance, "And who are you supposed to be witch?"

"I am Salem." she answered, "I rule this castle, and I was the one who pulled you from the crater you left in my lands. Now I wish to know who you are."

"Very well, if you must know." Otto sighed, "My name is Dr. Otto Octavius, scientist, former head of Oscorp, and current enforcer for Hydra."

"A rather interesting name…" Salem muttered, "One that does not follow the color-naming rule…"

"Oscorp?" Watts muttered, "Never heard of it."

"It is one of the world's most powerful corporations, specializing in genetics, robotics, and weaponry." Otto added, "Though in my opinion it has fallen behind because of my removal."

"Still never heard of it." Watts smugingly remarked, "I'm sure you just hit that pathetic head of yours and mistook it as the Schnee Dust Company, a corporation I already know you have no control over.

Otto looked at Watts like he had ten heads, "What on Earth are you talking about? I've never heard of that company in life."

"Earth? We are in the world of Remnant. Just what exactly is this 'Earth' you speak of Octavius?" Salem questioned, gaining interest by the second

"Remnant…?" Otto muttered, "Great, I go from one back water world to another."

Watts couldn't help but chuckle at what he thought was a joke, "Another world? I don't think aliens such as yourself are crazy."

"In a way, I am an alien. One that is leagues above you." Otto retorted, "I fell through a portal that connected our worlds. It brought me here."

"Well now I know you are definitely joking. There is no such thing as alternate realities." Watts remarked, starting to see Otto as ridiculous.

"Where I am from, that theory has been proving more than once. There are infinite worlds, some similar, some completely different. Each separate from another." Otto briefed them on the multiverse theory

"A parallel universe…" Salem muttered

"Forgive me your grace." Watts said to her, "But you really believe that this nutcase of a man is from another planet? For all we know he could be a spy for the Atlas Military, or Ozpin."

"I do." Salem replied, "You weren't out there when it happened Watts. I saw Octavius himself fall from the sky, by a power even I do not know about. Tell me Otto, why did you come here?"

"An old adversary of mine got in the way." Otto explained, "I assume he too was sucked into the portal, to where I don't know. I have no business in this world, let alone wish to interfere with anyone. Of course, I simply can't go anywhere while stuck in a cell."

"I see?" Salem muttered, "Perhaps I could be of some assistance. Allow me to strike you a bargain: You shall be free from this cell if you agree to work for me. Offer us your knowledge and I will do everything in my power to get you home."

Otto thought for a moment as he stood within the cell. He may not have known who this Salem well, but he was no idiot. He knew she was offering him an ultimatum, no more no less..

"And if I were to say no?" he asked

Salem raised an eyebrow before she simply raised her hand slightly and a red glyph formed underneath Otto. Several black hands grabbed him and pulled him down to his knees, while soon began to straggle them.

"Hrgk-uhgh!" Otto grunted as he was strangled

"Painful isn't it?" Salem said to him, "Creatures of Grimm are under my full command. They feed off of negative emotions, and one of them could end your life."

Otto grunted even more before grinning, "You have your tricks...I have my own."

From the harness Otto wore on his back, his four mechanical arms sprouted out and broke through the cell wall. Pushing both Watts and Salem into the wall behind them, pinning them. The glyph under Otto then disappeared, along with the Grimm.

Otto then let the two go and stared at them with his arms crossed, "But...I accept your terms. As long as you claim that I work with you. NOT for you."

Salem couldn't help but smile, "Of course."

Salem sat within her castle's main hall around a large table along with several other figures. One of which was Watts, the others being a man with a ponytail crouching on a chair, a large muscular man appearing to be sleeping, and a young woman in a red dress.

Otto then entered the room, the sound of his robotic arms hitting the ground filled their ears.

"Welcome Otto." Salem greeted him

"I assume these are the rest of your...team?" he questioned

"Indeed." she replied, "You my left is Tyrian, he is a species known as the faunus."

"Hmm." Otto muttered as he stared at the man

"Hehe, are there people like me on your 'world'?" Tyrian asked

"As a matter of fact there are." Otto replied, "But seem more like a pathetic rip-off of the mutant race. I prefer Mac Gargan over you in any situation."

Tyrian looked at him with a sneer on his face. While Otto looked over at the other two facing him.

"The others are Hazel and Cinder, the latter being my protégé." Salem continued, "And one of my most devout followers."

"Hmm…" Otto muttered before turning to look at the witch, "If I may guess, your ultimate goal is world domination I presume?"

"More or less." said Salem, "But yes, my goal is somewhere within that category."

"Then there are bound to be adversaries." Otto continued as he strolled around the room, "Who are the heroes of this world?"

"The huntsmen are warriors of Remnant" Salem answered, "They train to fight my creatures to ensure the safety of the kingdoms."

"I see...Have they ever fought a Mad Titan? Or shapeshifting aliens?" he asked them all only to receive equal stares of confusion, "Then this world is quite boring. Though with me on your side, conquest will be nothing more than child's play at best."

"What do you propose, Otto?" asked Salem

Otto turned to look at her, "You Grimm, are truly fascinating. But they lack potential in all its forms. A heart and soul, not to mention intelligence at best...How would you like to command an army of...metahumans?"

This got Salem intrigued, "And what exactly is a metahuman?"

"To put it simply, they are humans." said Otto, "They look like us and talk like us. But they are genetically-altered with abilities that are beyond the peak of human abilities. My world has its fair share of them, but there is one who has been a thorn in my side for the past four years. One who I despise and respect at the same time...Spider-Man."

"Spider-Man?" Cinder questioned, "Are you saying that bug is from your world?"

Otto rushed over and stared at Cinder, "Are you saying that Spider-Man is here!?"

Cinder took out her scroll and showed him news footage of Spider-Man stopping White Fang robberies all over Vale.

Otto sneered at the video, "Then he will be a threat to us!"

"I fought him." Cinder said to him, "He's nothing more than nuisance. I am leagues above him and his powers."

"Oh really?" Otto replied, "Then why was THIS on you!?"

Using one of his arms, Otto managed to remove a small object off of Cinder's neck.

"What is that?" Cinder asked

"It's one of the bug's inventions." Otto explained, "A Spider-Tracer as he calls it. A device that displays a tracking beacon. You think he's a nuisance? You. Are. Wrong."

Cinder sneered in anger before taking the device and crushing it with her hand.

Watts on the other hand was still unsure, "Pff, please. That petty excuse for a bug isn't a threat in any form. I've seen him on the news. He's inferior to my intellect and all of ours."

Otto quickly grabbed Watts with one of his arms and pulled him close, "Do NOT call him inferior! Underestimate Spider-Man for a mere second, and he'll ruin everything. Right under your noses. He is not only powerful, but possesses a brilliant mind. One that can rival the smartest genius of my world. Spider-Man displays limitless potential and is a limitless danger."

"Hmm…" Salem muttered before speaking, "So you're saying that this Spider-Man is a threat?"

"Indeed." Otto replied, "If he finds out that I am here, in this world. He will stop at nothing to put an end to my plans...Unless I can create a metahuman army for you. With it, you shall possess the most powerful force on Remnant."

Salem smiled before turning to Cinder, "Take Octavius to the White Fang Facility in Mountain Glenn, there he will remain to conduct his work."

Otto followed Cinder through the underground caves of what was once Mountain Glenn. This particular area was once a lab used by the deceased Dr. Merlot.

"Hmm...yes this place will be useful indeed." Otto muttered, "Quite a mess, but that'll be taken care of."

"Your identity will remain a secret from most of White Fang, save for Roman Torchwick and Adam." Cinder replied, "They will refer to you as 'The Doctor' to the subordinates."

She then created a fireball in her hand, and gave Otto an unnerving smile, "And let me make this crystal clear to you, Octavius. Whatever Salem says to or about you, remember this: You are below me. I control you, and you will do as I say. I am her grace's protégé after all. And if you have the slightest sign of uselessness, you will be dealt with accordingly."

"Take your pathetic threat out of my office now child." Otto retorted, "You want a metahuman army? Then let me work."

"Hmm." Cinder muttered before leaving the room. Once she left, Otto looked around, he saw cameras in his lab. Of course they were suspicious of him, as he was new to their plans. But that didn't stop Doctor Octopus one bit. Upon pressing a button on his wrist, the cameras now played a video loop of Otto working in the lab. All while the real Otto walked into a nearby closet

"Pesky little Cinder…" he hissed, "Thinks she is above me? Even that witch Salem. I will show them true superiority. After all…"

Using one of his arms, he opened up a section of his harness before pulling out a glowing blue object. The Tesseract was still with him, and he managed to hide it from the witch all this time.

"...This will prove to be useful…"

Otto then opened a portal with the cosmic object and walked through it.