Exiles: Monarch
Decisions and Sacrifice
"Clarice?" Mimic asked. "Whats the mission?"
"Yeah, whats the big deal?" asked Morph.
"You guys, according to the Tallus, without our intervention, in six months Peter Parker will take his own life," she said, the shock from something else.
"What?" asked Beak.
"After that the populace, and mainly the super-humans, refuse to believe that he took his own life," She continued. "A civil war starts that claims half the population of the earth inside of two years. In the third year a biological agent is released. The problem is that it is carried outside the planet because of the extraterrestrial immigrants. The bio weapon quickly consumes the galaxy, leaving it as a feast for Ego."
"Jesus Christ," Calvin said in disbelief.
"Is our mission to stay here that long?" asked Victor.
"No… yes…" she cringed. "our mission is… is…"
"What is it Clarice?" Cal asked, concerned at how difficult this was for her.
"We have to leave someone here," she said, though not saying everything.
"He needs a nanny?" Morph asked, turning into a frumpy nurse.
"No," she clarified. "Whoever stays behind is supposed to be his bride."
That brought a silence to all of them. "Um… is he bi or gay?" Beak asked nervously.
"the Tallus says no," Clarice answered. Beak and Victor heaved a sigh of relief.
"It has to be me," Blink said resolutely.
"Why you!" Calvin protested.
"You think Namora would be willing to?" she retorted.
"I'd be willing to volunteer her," said Victor gruffly. He didn't like the idea of leaving the Pup behind to be some concubine.
"They can't ask this!" Calvin roared. "You can't do this!" he yelled at Clarice.
"Cal," she yelled back, "We're talking about trillions and trillions of lives. Your chance of getting home." She turned her face downwards. "I'll gladly never see where I came from again, but the rest of you all have places to be…" she looked at Beak. "People waiting for you."
Morph stood. "No, it doesn't have to be you," he said. "I'm willing to stay. You go." They all stared at him. Morph rolled his eyes, though it was hard to tell, and turned into a busty brunette in a French maid outfit.
At that moment, Peter and Namora walked in. Namora kept looking back at Peter, beating back a smile.
"How are you all?" Peter asked. "Have you heard a word of your mission?" he was truly interested.
"Yes," Clarice said tentatively. She motioned for her team to sit back down and for Peter to sit next to her.
"Mr. Parker… the mission is…" she paused, not sure how to explain it to him. "The mission is you."
"Am… am I doing something wrong?" he asked. "What, do I need to give up power?" all the worries that had been filling his head flooded back to him.
"no, no, no," Blink said kindly. She looked at the ground, then explained to him what she had just explained to the group.
"Wha… no…" he said in response.
"That's basically where we are," Morph agreed.
"That's…" Namora began, but she was cut off when Peter growled.
"That's disgusting. I mean you ladies are lovely, but asking you this is like whoring you out. I refuse. Tell the Time-rankers or whatever that mission not accepted Mr. Phelps."
Both girls looked at him with admiration. Morph spoke up, "they aren't the only option." He changed into a busty red-head this time in school girl attire.
"Sorry Morph," he said kindly, "But not just no, HELL NO."
Morph actually laughed at the joke.
"This isn't funny guys," Blink interrupted. "The Tallus is telling me that if we leave without completing this mission, the chances not only increase, but the timetable moves up."
"You cannot force him to marry," Cal said, with a hint of anger in his voice.
"This is for the good of the multi-verse," Blink countered. She was crying. Crying at the thought of what she would have to do.
"How about we all sleep on it," Beak suggested. "We just head our separate ways, and just chill for now."
"Fine," Cal said, storming off.
"Cal!" Clarice called after him as she followed him.
Namora floated up into the air, looking at the room, and then swooped out into the hallway.
Victor hauled himself to his feet, nodded to Peter and walked out.
Morph hadn't moved. He watched as Beak slowly walked out.
Peter sighed, and headed for the throne room.
"Not to step on anyone's lines here," Morph said to the empty room as he shifted to Ben Grimm's face, "But what a revoltin' development"
Beak had once again gotten lost, and once again wound up in the Throne room. Parker was again at the window. "Hey," he called, not running away this time.
Peter looked to see Beak. "Hey kid," he said sadly.
"Cal wait up," Clarice said, finally blinking into his path. "Stop!"
"What is it Clarice?" he asked, sounding annoyed.
"Okay, you don't get to give me that attitude," she said, offended. "Stop acting like I'm trying to hurt you."
"I'm sorry, it just seems you're all too ready to give up… on the team."
She sneered, "Oh that's not it and we both know it."
"Okay, fine," he relented. "What about us?"
"Cal, there is nothing I would love more than to give this up with you. To just settle down on some nice earth, far away from all of this. Have Mr. Creed come over on Sundays for dinner. Maybe even have children. With you." She put her hands on his chest. "I've had that dream for a long time Cal. I love you… I wish we could have that… with all my heart."
"but," Calvin added.
"But we both know we'll never have that," she continued. "They Time-Breakers are gonna keep sending us from reality to reality until we die…" she was crying now. "But…" she wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "God I hate this life."
He put his arms around her, holding her lovingly. "I want that too Clarice. I want more, I want…" he paused. "I want to marry you. I want to live with you for the rest of my life."
"But all we can ever do is want Cal," she said sadly.
