Chapter 1: Gary

Gary was always a Spider-man fan.

Even now, even as he recruits the army. He have collected numerous comic books and went to various comic cons. He loved Tobey Maguire's performance in the Spider-man movies, and Doctor Octopus, who played exceedingly well by Alfred Molina, was his favorite, and forever will be, villain ever to be played in a Spider-man movie. He have even dreamed of creating a super-hero comic book someday, to follow in the Marvel master, Stan Lee.

But that was a long time ago. I mean, a real long time ago. That was when a time where innocence wasn't wasted, went cities weren't destroyed. That was a time when blitzkrieg was returned and have bombed the British country skies, and when chemical weapons weren't spilt. That was a time the sky was once blue, and the sun was seen. You'd be lucky if you ever see one clear cloud nowadays—they were all covered in pollution. That was a time when Gary was only 10.

Now this is reality. Now this is the future. W2 is in war against all of the countries. They make a faction containing different countries that hated the States, and that hated politicians or countries that is in peace with the States. The whole world is at war. But, they dared not call this a World War III, after what happened to the first two... but, that is just the way it is. And Gary's used to it.

But he still loves Spider-man. He'll forever will be. He wished Spidey to take part in this war at some way, to be a spy or something. Now Gary is recruiting the British army--- a point where no return. But hey, the world needs help after all. The ones who need peace, or want peace for the matter, want this war to be over with again.

And, W2 is kind of smart. Just think, they haven't used atomic weapons at all...or yet. They might've used chemical weapons. They might've contaminated certain arms with deadly diseases. At least they're smart enough not to blow up the world...yet.

Gary watched nervously at the man in front of him. He just turned in his registration form.

"No...physical experience?"

Gary gulped. He always has been a scrawny kid. The one with brains, he has done well in the school that was provided. And he was always the comic fanatic of course—but that doesn't matter. He have done some exercises, but not enough for a record.

"I guess so..." Gary answered, with no nervous tone in his voice. At least he knows how to mask his emotions. He was used to doing so, as that he was always picked on.

The man studied Gary for a while. "Hmm..." the man mused for a while. "But you do extremely well with Math and science."

Gary wanted to smile, but didn't. He was always proud when someone comes up to him and say he is good at Math and Science. And that fact, he never gets tired of it.

"Brilliance is not a gift," Gary nodded, "but a privilege used to help mankind...something I've always believed in, sir." Gary wanted to laugh. Doc Octavius' famous words. Of course, he have always liked the good doctor, both comic and movie, the guy has so many similarities with the web-head himself. He was the guy with eight arms...with things that was originally used to handle radioactive atomic materials. Gary tries to imagine himself with eight arms, seeing himself kick W2 ass in the battlefield...but his mind was cut short when the lieutenant in front of him "ahemed".

The lieutenant nodded, soaking in Gary's words. "Yes...and mankind needs all the help she can get." He looked up at Gary, then back at his file, then back at the boy again.

"Okay...Gary...Porter, right? Gary Porter?"

Gary nodded nervously.

"'Tell you what. I'll recruit you. But you got to promise me you wouldn't give up the moment you entered in."

Gary's moods were brightened. "Yes sir! I won't let you down!"

The comic book fanatic made salute.


Catholic bells rang. Many people entered into a church, the noise quieting down. A woman was sitting by the organ, playing the church's entrance song, 'Jesus Bleibet meine freude'.

A priest approached the front, and all eyes faced upon him. He opened his bible, and began to read through it, while the people chatter, as more church members enter the church building.

As soon as the last person entered, who wore a black leather trenchcoat, the organ ended, and the pastor faced the crowd. Church session was about to begin.

Otto Octavius sat in the far back, as he has always did. Ever since Peter was back alive, he was determined to earn God's forgiveness, so he could see Rosie when his time was up. He attended this catholic every Sunday, and has prayed every night. He even wore a golden cross, which once belonged to Rosie.

And he'd go along with his friends, who each forgave him for his past crimes. Peter Parker, Mary Jane Watson, May Parker...and even Harry Osborn. He and Osborn still glare daggers at each other, they still look like they would rip each other heads off...if it weren't for Peter to referee between the two. Now it is the almighty that he needs convincing.

But, other than the fact that he was still into hiding and that the world have to refer Peter as 'Ben Reilly' now for every time they see him (Peter returns back as Spider-man, and it really confused the big apple), everything was returning back to normal. Otto's life-threatening wounds were healing. He wasn't sick anymore. He tries to return all that weight he had before he 'killed' Peter, and he exercise everyday, to build up his strength to use against the baddies. He works side-by-side with Spider-man now, with the Green Goblin helping occasionally.

Otto's friends sat in the row in front of him, and he sat in the empty back. They would sit in the same spot and position every Sunday. And Otto, he would pay attention to every words of Reverend Johnson's sermon.

Peter turned around in his seat, facing the good doctor. Otto raised a brow.

"What?" the older man asked with a whisper.

"Nothing. Funny, how just two months ago, you tried to kill me." Peter answered.

It has been two months since Otto's personal end-of-the-world.

He was in the brink of death, the brink of being broken, the line between sane and insanity. If it wasn't for the fact that Peter came back from the dead, all hell would've broken loose. Thank God for that.

Otto smiled at his friend. "I'm so glad things have changed."

The boy nodded.

"And now, the daily prayer," the priest have said after his sermon.

The members each went into their knees, and began to say the prayer in a low choir.

Otto went into his knees, closed his eyes, and placed his two hands together, and began to recite the prayer in which he have gotten from memory:

"Our father, thou art in heaven, hollowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth...as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses. As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil, for thine is our kingdom, the power, the glory, forever and ever...amen."

God, please forgive me for all of the sins I have done, for breaking the rules among the 10 commandments, Otto have thought, the actuators not interrupting.

But soon, the good doctor will be placed to an ultimate test.


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