Author's Note: Ahh almost there! I won't rush it though, heh. Not like last time (cough-chapterseventeen-cough… NEVER AGAIN! Ahem…, well, what new predicaments are Otto and Peter getting themselves into?
Before I forget, this one was late because I had a death in my family and I'm still not completely over it. In a nutshell, I just didn't have the heart to write over that last week. I'm sorry it's just been a rough time.
Oh yeah, I'm loving all of these reviews saying that people like how Otto's a good guy. To be honest I can't see Fred Molina's Ock as an Evil guy, unless he's possessed of course.
I'm trying to work on the new story of mine. I need some feedback on how the summary sounds so far so, if you're interested, go check it out on my profile thingy, please, I know it's short, but it should give you a good Idea of where I'm going with this. (Evil laugh)
Chapter 24: Rest and Recovery
Harry paced back and forth in front of his desk irritably as his butler entered the room with a stiff, formal bow. "He's awake, sir." Harry sighed with relief. Following his butler down long corridors, he entered the medical lab to find Eddie lying in a bed with various I.V tubes in his arm. Wearily opening his eyes, he looked up into Harry's face.
"Thank God, you're alive," Harry muttered. His arm still was in a sling and the fact that it had been bothering him over the past few days wasn't helping. Eddie smiled weakly and nodded before resting his head back. Harry glanced at the screens adjacent to the bed before turning to a doctor, "How long is he going to be like this?"
"W-Well, we don't know, however long it takes, sir," he stammered, "At least he's not in a coma anymore. But if he just stays here and rests, he should be better in n-no time." He gave him a sheepish grin before scurrying off. Harry looked to the now unconscious Eddie before glancing down to the floor and walking off.
Inside of Eddie, the symbiote stirred uneasily. We need the dark, yesss.
'I know, my friend,' Eddie thought, 'Just keep healing me and we'll find someway to strengthen ourselves.' Eddie relaxed himself. He would make Otto pay. He swore that he would numerous times, but this time, it was time to go at him with both barrels. 'When I do get my strength back…' He never finished, for he passed out into a deep sleep, and welcomed it.
Harry made his way unsteadily to the rooftop. All kinds of thoughts were racing through his mind, like: "Why did it have to be this way?" and "Why do I have to defeat Spiderman?"
"He was just doing his job…" He said to himself as he exited the stairs onto the rooftop.
"No, son…He killed me," Norman's voice spoke firmly inside of his mind. "Do NOT succumb to your feelings. We are too close to success to be interrupted now."
Harry shuddered before falling to his knees. "No…No, it stops here. I've had enough."
"Fool! By drawing back, you are showing your weakness. You care too much. That is precisely your problem. Just look at me! I made my way through to the top because I didn't let anything get in the way, you're just the opposite! You let everything get in your way, and you'll never do anything about it."
"Th-That's not true!" Harry screamed.
"...It is until I see proof."
With that, complete silence filled Harry's mind.
"D-Dad?" He called. "Dad?" Nothing…Just complete silence. Harry felt somewhat tortured by this sudden cut of his father's voice. "He's… Gone." Harry was alone on the rooftop. With one final shudder, he spoke with a sob. "Alright! Alright I'll do it…"
"…I knew you'd wisen up."
Peter found Otto that afternoon sitting at the living room table, staring at the chest plate. "Thing about like to kill me," Otto grumbled to himself.
"What're you going to do with it?" Peter asked, coming up behind him and staring at the deep grooves, "I mean, you have put that thing through its paces."
"Well, I thought of making a new one. One that will actually allow me to breathe under water. Although… I want to keep the original design." He picked up a wrench and an assortment of various things before walking over to his workbench. He began fiddling with an odd variety of things. "At least this one shouldn't take as long," he stated flashing Peter a grin… and the notes from the old one.
Peter, with a stretch walked back to his room, took out his Spiderman outfit (What was the point of hiding it anymore?) and slipped it on. He fiddled with something on his mask as he reentered the main hall and calling to Otto, "I'm going to go and check on Eddie. I'll be back in a little while."
"Take your time. MJ just left a few minutes ago for the theatre and, not to say I'm being nosey, but she won't be back 'till it's late."
Peter looked out of the window before pulling on his mask and speaking, "Really?... That's where she went…" He pushed open the glass door and into the warm air and letting himself fly. Otto blankly stared out the window before shaking his head. "What am I doing?"
You have become rather scatterbrained of late
Are you feeling okay?
How long has he been doing this?
Yes father, you are shall I say… a bit flakey
"It's okay… I know. I probably haven't been getting enough sleep, that's all," he reassured them as he turned back to his work, the actuators assisting him in various small things.
Later that night, Eddie lay in his bed, listening to the faint sounds that seemed to echo in the infirmary ward. He was still a bit sore and drowsy from the past couple of weeks, but with the symbiote inside of him busying itself with healing its host; he knew it would only be a matter of days before he was back to his old self… perhaps better than that. Eddie touched the large, white scar on his hand tenderly where Otto had driven the actuator's spike clear through. Flexing it, he sighed heavily. Inside of his mind, his thoughts were focused on one thing: Otto.
"Where can I go?" he mused to himself. Harry had already divulged all of the new scheme's details; now he just needed a place to carry it out; one that would be a benefit to them. Out loud to himself, he began blurting out possible places in the city. None of them seemed to either appeal to him or especially Venom.
No, we need sssomewhere dark, it hissed as it tried to improve his senses. Try you hearing now, my comrade.
Eddie tried to find a sound to lock onto. When there was none, he made the symbiote cover his right hand and shot out a thin strand of black 'webbing' and waited for it to hit the far wall before focusing his hearing on the reverberating SPACK. He silently counted to himself as he listened to the echoes ring around the room starting out being extremely loud and slowly entering a decrescendo. Eddie grinned triumphantly.
"So I'll be able to turn these improved senses on and off right?" He asked.
Well… That'sss my job, I have accesss to your brain functionsss, ssso…If we are sssynchronized, then we could be unssstopable. I only have your hearing done and mossst of your old ssstrength, but trussst me. When I'm completely done, you'll be better than you ever were.
Eddie smirked. He liked the sound of that. But the issue of a suitable place that Venom would like was still fresh on his mind. "I hope I'm not imposing, but… I know you were forced into the sewers for a while…and…. Well, do you know of any places?"
Venom laughed, 'tsss about time you invoked my knowledge of something. It thought for a moment, Yesss I do know of a place to the North West of the Island that could indeed prove ussseful. You Jussst have to do your part and ressst while I heal you.
Eddie's mood sulked a bit. "Very well… but when I'm as you say completely done, you shall lead me to this place you speak of."
Yesss, yesss I will. Get back to bed! I can't work while you're jumping about!
Harry wasn't having a good night as well; he had lain awake nearly all night troubled by his late father's words. "I don't know if the gas is wearing off or what!" He spoke sharply. He was… somewhat enjoying the silence and peace of mind… but it wouldn't be enough for him to forget everything. He had thought about just exterminating himself but his father had reprimanded him sternly stating that "That was the coward's way out!"
Harry sighed. Though true, Eddie had his own inner demons… but what troubled him was that he got along quite well with Venom. Why couldn't he get along with his father? It was a thought that troubled him deeply and he couldn't bear it.
"Am I really just fooling myself? Could it be that I'm just insane?" He asked himself for lessee, um…probably the seventy-fifth time that night. He turned his head to the window, where thin streaks of light were filtering through. The digital clock on his bedside table flashed in bold, red letters: 5:34 am. Harry sighed irritably and turned over on his side. Well, maybe he could get a few minutes of sleep before anything major happened that day.
What literally only seemed a few minutes later Harry awoke to find himself lying in the same position as he had when he lost consciousness, but… this time, light flooded the room. "Wha? What time is it!" he panicked, looking over to the clock: 12:13. "Aw Damn!" He cursed, throwing the covers off of him. A gentle knock on the hardwood door startled him.
His butler, Bernard, entered the room with a clean pair of trousers, a light blue button-up and a tie. "I'm dreadfully sorry sir. I didn't want to wake you sooner since word was that you weren't sleeping, but it's past lunch time." Bernard spoke with a small smile.
Harry spoke with a gentle tone, "How- How's Eddie?"
"Master Eddie? Oh… he's asleep now sir, but may I say, He's looking much better than before." The butler added with a smile. Bernard walked over and laid the clothes on the bed before returning to the bedroom door and giving a bow. "I shall see you at lunch sir." And with that he left.
Harry climbed out of bed and stretched. Still wearing his black wife-beater and light blue boxers, he walked over to the window and looked out. Hoping to only fall asleep for a few minutes, he ended up falling asleep for almost seven hours. Hastily, he pulled on the trousers and the light-blue button-up, securing his tie on last. Before grabbing a quick bite to eat, he would have to go down and check on Eddie. He casually walked down the long corridors to the infirmary, waiting patiently in earnest for his father's presence to awaken.
The metal doors parted to reveal the medical room. Doctors bustled about, same as always in the day, Eddie lay on a bed in the back.
Harry walked over to him and examined the scars. "Wow! He's gotten much better, hasn't he?" he asked the doctor who was busy running some tests on him.
"Yes sir. It also seems that the symbiote has not only been healing him, but improving him." He answered.
At that moment Eddie stirred and sat up.
"Hey man, how're ya' feeling?" Harry said, patting his back gently. Eddie stood up shakily and stretched. "Ugh… How long have I been out?" He rubbed his head.
"A few hours," Harry said curtly. He was beginning to get a light headache; all the more reason to get away from people so he wouldn't snap at them. "I honestly think you should rest for just one more day. Venom seems to be doing a good job in healing you and… I just want everyone to be certain that you are in fighting position." Eddie stared at Harry for a moment before sighing heavily and sitting back down on the bed.
"I know you're bummed" Harry said, very concerned, "but it's probably better if you don't push yourself… we don't want a repeat of last time, do we?"
"I guess not," Eddie sighed as he ran his hand through his short, thick blonde hair. "Go out first thing tomorrow," Harry sighed again as he walked away and back to his office. Whenever Venom was going out, he would send him to look for the perfect location, one that would be of an advantage to them. As he walked back, he prepared himself for his father's evening ranting.
Back at the flat, Otto had managed to pry himself from his work and go up to the rooftop with Rosie next to him. Peter, MJ and May joined them shortly after.
"So, how far have you gotten, Edison?" Peter asked with a smirk. Otto gave him a sneaky look, "Why do you care?" he asked returning the playful smile. "Actually, I'm almost done with it. It's a good thing I took notes when I was building the last one, huh?"
"Yeah, you've been working on that thing since breakfast. It's about time you took a break," Rosie said with a sly smile. Peter grinned, knowing that they were about to start teasing each other.
"Well, what do you know?" Otto said with a grin as Rosie slapped him on the shoulder, "Ahasheslappedme," he laughed. Peter and MJ laughed to themselves and held each other close.
If there ever was a thought that Peter and Otto were thinking that was the exact same thought and was at the exact same time, it was now, and was one thing: 'The calm before the storm.' They so far had not let the others sense their tension, but they both knew that if Eddie woke up from his coma, Which thanks to Peter's little excursion and 'Check-up' on them, Eddie was found to be alive and well, not to mention probably improved.
It didn't take long for Otto to doze off with Rosie leaning against him. MJ too snuggled up to Peter and sighed. Her eyes snapped open and she almost called out "Oh my God! What time is it!"
Otto woke up instantly, "I didn't do it!"
MJ looked at him, "Otto what time is it?"
Otto checked his watch. (Yes a watch. His gauntlets are inside the apartment.) "It's 8:30, why?"
MJ stood up and nearly toppled over, only to be caught by Peter. "I have to be at the manager's office in ten minutes!" Peter looked at her before taking her by the waist and swinging down from the roof. "I'll take you myself, I'll be right back!" He said darting down the hallway. He returned merely moments later as he pulled on his mask. "Let's go!" He said, as she climbed onto his back and wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he threw himself out of the window. Otto watched as the red and blue form of his partner and his girlfriend swing away into the city.
Flinging out weblines at every chance in order to gain speed, Peter sped through the air, landing on a rooftop and launching himself off into the air. MJ watched as the street below draw away from them then suddenly lurch forward as Spiderman landed on the ground. MJ slid off and lifted the mask to kiss him. "I'll see you at home… Thank you!"
And with that, she disappeared into the backstage office.
Peter was up and off when the sound of another alarm went off.He followed it to a small jewelry store that sat right on the southern edge of the park. Peter silently slipped in through a shattered window and sat on one of the rafters where he could clearly see the criminal. He was bald with a thick red beard. He wore all black, (As pretty much all crooks do) and was too busy to notice the young superhero above him.
Spiderman managed to pick up the faint noise of air being displaced followed by Cat's feminine laugh and Otto's voice, "Well, well, look guys… a Fuzzy Billiard Ball!" Peter broke into laughter as he flipped down and onto the floor.
"Looks like we all got here at the same time, huh?" Cat asked standing next to Otto.
"Yes, a real predicament… well, Ladies first, don't you think Spider?" Otto asked, a smile in his eyes appeared from behind his sunglasses.
Otto and Peter relaxed against the wall as they watched Cat go head to head with 'The Fuzzy Billiard Ball,' as Otto liked to refer to the criminal. When he was at last unconscious, Peter spun enough webbing around him to keep him contained. "That should keep him there until the cops arrive," he said crossing his arms.
Otto checked the time, "Hey Pete shouldn't MJ be getting out about now?" Peter walked over and inspected the glowing digital numbers. "Yeah. Hey, I'll see you guys around." With that, he disappeared.
As soon as Otto got back to the apartment, the phone rang. "At this time of night?" Picking it up, he heard Kurt's voice, panicked and rushed.
"O-Otto, you have to get over here now! S-Something terrible has happened."
"Kurt, Kurt! Calm down! What's wrong?" In the background he heard what sounded like flames and screams. The line went dead. Peter, who had just gotten back with MJ, came forwards with a puzzled look.
"Peter, we have to go, now!" Otto said slamming the receiver down and running to the window.
"Otto, it's almost ten, who was that?" Rosie asked, coming up from the library.
"It's Kurt and I think something's really wrong!" he called back. "I promise," he said in a softer voice, "I promise I'll be back by morning."
Rosie stood for a moment "…Be careful."
Otto gave one last doleful look back before following Peter. MJ, who was on the couch, stood up and walked over to her, "Where are they going?"
"I don't know, but… I have a feeling that something is wrong."
Muahaha I'm an Evil author, ain't I? CLIFFIE!