Hello and welcome to the long awaited chapter 2. To start off, I apologize for taking so long to get this chapter uploaded, but there were reasons why it took so long.
One: I had other stories to work on and I focused on them.
Two: When I released the first chapter of this fanfiction, hardly anybody viewed it and no one reviewed it. Yes, it has some reviews now, but not when it was released. I blame myself though since it probably came out of nowhere for most of my viewers.
Three: I had never been to the military before and I don't plan in joining, so I had to look elsewhere for information on how military training works.
Anyway, I've heard what some of you said and I have answered your calls. Be warned though that because I have no personal knowledge on military training or even what happens at the United States Military Academy, I've probably made mistakes that make this chapter look like swiss cheese. If I messed up, please feel free to point it out.
Chapter 2: United States Military Academy
A week later, Flash had made his way to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, about 50 miles north of Manhattan. Once he was there, he made his way into the place and found several soldiers walking from one side to the other in all directions. Walking alongside him were nearly 1200 other cadet candidates like him, most of which were affected by the 9/11 incident in one way or another.
They all continued to walk around until they arrived at the admissions offices where they met several people who were interviewing each and every candidate one by one. Only one cadet candidate was allowed in each office at a time to ensure that no one could interrupt an interview and the cadets could speak honestly. When it was Flash's turn, he met a young woman who seemed to have a serious look on her face sitting at the desk. This woman was fairly tall, standing up to 5'9" (1.7526 meters), had a slender yet muscular build, short brown hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. She was wearing a typical military commander outfit and she had a serious look on her face.
"And who are you," said the woman.
"Eugene, Eugene Thompson, Ma'am," Flash answered. "But everyone back home calls me Flash."
"Flash Thompson, I see," said the woman. "I'm Commander Maria Hill of the United States Marine Corps."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Ma'am," said Flash, thinking he made a mistake. "I thought this is where I could sign up for the United States Army."
"It is," Maria confirmed. "I also have the rank of commander in the U.S. army."
"Wow, that's so cool," said Flash, getting a bit too excited. "I've heard that that rarely happens. You must be special to have that honor."
Hill then slapped her hand on the desk with a discussed look on her face, not impressed with Flash's immaturity. "Enough! You came here to join the United States Military in order to help our country, as you say in your profile, but I'm already beginning to have my doubts!"
Flash stood there, feeling intimidated.
"I hope there hasn't been some sort of mistake," Hill glared a bit. "It says here that you were a bully in High School, especially towards one Peter Parker."
"I won't deny that," Flash sighed. "I was a different person back then, but I'm not like that anymore."
"I hope so, because I have no patients for bullies," said Hill as she continued to read Flash's profile. "It also says that you were inspired by Spider-Man, is that correct?"
"Yes, Ma'am," said Flash. "I've always been a fan of Spider-Man ever since he first appeared in New York some time ago."
"Spider-Man is a menace to society," said Hill. "That at least is what they say in the Daily Bugle."
Not wanting to sound immature towards Hill again, Thompson controlled his emotions and answered, "Maybe, but you shouldn't believe everything you read."
"Indeed not," said Hill. "Now then, Thompson, you may think that being in the military is all fun and games, like playing laser tag, having water gun fights, or even having food fights at school. But you're wrong…"
Flash gulped upon hearing this, knowing all too well that Hill was about to get serious.
"Being in the military is a life or death lifestyle," Maria continued. "It's a lifestyle where, if you make just one mistake, you're as good as dead. I'm going to break you and several other cadet candidates, build you back up, and then break you again until you either quit or become a soldier. One thing you should know, I won't be going easy on any of you, no exceptions. Do I make myself clear?!"
"Yes, Ma'am," said Thompson, though meekly.
"I can't hear you," said Maria, sounding a bit louder.
"YES, MA'AM," Thompson shouted.
"Good," said Maria.
Elsewhere in the world, another young woman was watching footage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center with a group of fully trained soldiers. She was watching the battle between Spider-Man and Venom as the buildings collapsed and the one thing that stood out to her was the moment where Flash Thompson took on the Venom Symbiote. This woman was also tall, standing up to 5'10" (1. 778 meters), had a voluptuous yet muscular built, dark green eyes, long dark green hair which covers the right side of her face. She wore green lipstick and maintains a very form-fitting full-length green body suit that covered everything apart from her arms, knee-length light green boots, light green gloves, and a gun holster strapped to her left leg. This was Ophelia Sarkissian, also known as Viper, one of the elite agents of the infamous terrorist organization, Hydra.
"Interesting," said Viper. "The Venom Symbiote bonded to this man, yet took on a completely different form from what its usual host took on."
"Yes, Ma'am," said one of the soldiers. "We don't know how this happened, but it happened."
"It could be the key to creating our own super soldier, one that surpasses even Captain America," said another soldier.
"Indeed," said Viper. "However, we must capture the main host Eddy Brock in order to find out how to control the symbiote. Hail Hydra."
"HAIL HYDRA…!"
In the United States, Eddie Brock was brought into the Big House, a prison designed by Dr. Hank Pym known for housing criminals whose genome has been altered and offering them rehabilitation. Like the other prisoners, Eddie was to spend quality time here for rehabilitation, having been separated from the Venom Symbiote during the 9/11 attacks. As he was being escorted, he was reunited by a certain maniac, Cletus Kasady, having been caught trying to murder a family a few days after the terrorist attacks.
"Well hello again, Eddie," said Cletus.
"Cletus," Eddie groaned. "What are you doing here?
"It's good to see you to," Cletus laughed as Eddie entered the cell. "Where is your symbiote, if I may ask?"
"Stolen," Eddie answered bluntly while punching the wall. "That creep, Flash Thompson stole the symbiote from me and now it's on its way to who knows where…!"
"Oh what a pity," said Cletus. "You two were so close together."
"Shut up," said Eddie. "If there's anything I hate more than being separated from my friend, it's sharing a cell with you of all people!"
"Well better get used to it," said Cletus. "We're not getting out of here any time soon."
At the United States Military Academy, Flash Thompson and the other cadet candidates were all assembled at Eisenhower Hall for an orientation. Also there were many friends and family members for each of the cadet candidates. They were all preparing themselves for what was about to happen. Moments after everyone took a seat, General Fazekas, one of the academy's local generals, arrived to give out the orientation.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," said General Fazekas. "I welcome you to the United States Military Academy at west point."
General Fazekas informed the cadet candidates about what they were going to go through during their stay at the academy and that any contact with friends and family would be extremely limited for the next six weeks. He did not stray away from telling them of the kind of hell they were going to go through and that they all had only 1 minute to say goodbye to their friends and families. Once the orientation was over, everyone walked up to their friends and family and said goodbye to them, knowing that they would not see them again for a while.
After saying goodbye to their friends and family, Flash and the other cadet candidates, know called new cadets, left Eisenhower Hall to being their new lives.
Making their way out, the new cadets were each given physical training uniforms and a bag that would hold everything they were allowed to carry for the next six weeks. The male cadets were all heading for the academy's barber shop where they would all have their heads shaved. Flash wasn't too keen on the idea of having his hair shaved off, but he wasn't about to disobey any proto call on his first day. As they walked, several upperclassmen from the junior and senior classes escorted them, ushering them to keep moving all along the way.
Arriving at the barber shop, Flash and the other new cadets sat in chairs as the barbers shaved their hair.
"If this will help me become a good soldier and great hero, then I'll bare it as much as I can," Thompson mentally told himself. "Spidey and Cap would have done the same if they were in my shoes."
Once everyone was done having their hair shaved, they were all escorted out and towards an open area where they were each assigned to companies. Several upperclassmen from the junior and senior classes were waiting for them and were prepared to lead the new cadets. The company that Flash was part of also included people such as Duncan Matthews, Baski Quesada, Olson Kitson, Senus Buckley, Andrea Benton, and Patricia Robertson while the upperclassmen included people such as Santos Sabino, Joe Alonso, Danny Spencer, and Donna Diego.
"Good morning, new cadets," said Santos.
"Good morning sir," said the new cadets.
Santos then said, "Now listen up, while you're here, we will be leading you through your basic training. You will learn the basics of taking orders and marching in formation. That means you wait for our command and will not do things on your own initiative. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir," said the new cadets.
"Good," said Santos. "Now let's get started."
Right on que, the new cadets got themselves ready as the upperclassmen lead them through their basic training while also testing out their leadership skills. Some like Flash, Andrea and Patricia followed their instructions without hesitation while others like Duncan needed a little more persuasion.
The upperclassmen had them march in certain formations, especially parade style and single file. They also had them pick up their bags and put everything they had for their stay into their bags as quickly as possible. They did this many times before the day was over when they would take part in an event known as the Oath Ceremony.
In her office, Maria Hill received a call.
"Hello," said Hill.
"Commander Hill, this is General Dodge," said the caller.
"What is it sir," Hill asked.
"We've recently obtained the infamous Venom Symbiote and we are now studying," said General Dodge. "We're hoping that it will help create a new breed of super soldiers."
Maria Hill was shocked upon hearing this. "With all due respect General, is that really a wise thing to do? You've seen the news reports regarding the Venom Symbiote. It's dangerous. It turned Spider-Man into a violent individual and a muscle-headed news reporter into one of Manhattan's most notorious supervillains. Hell, it turns anyone who becomes bonded to it into something dangerous."
"I'm not so sure anymore," said General Dodge. "We've recently received information that during the terrorist attacks, one individual was able to bond with the Venom Symbiote and became something different. A young man named Flash Thompson bonded with it and used it to save lives while the buildings collapsed."
Maria then gasped. "Did you say Flash Thompson, sir?"
"Yes, I did," said General Dodge. "Why do you ask?"
"As it just so happens, General, Flash Thompson just joined the academy today," Maria explained.
"Thompson is in the academy," General Dodge gasped.
"Yes sir," Maria confirmed. "He's currently going through his first day at the academy as we speak."
General Dodge couldn't believe what he heard. Flash Thompson, the very individual who became a hero with the Venom Symbiote, was at the United States Military Academy as they spoke.
"Well that changes everything," said the general. "Commander, when Thompson completes his 6 weeks of basic training at the academy and his 22 weeks of training at boot camp, I want you to assign him and his company a mission to test their commitment and their tenacity. I have my money on Thompson, but we need them all in order to test out this experiment, which we will be calling Project Rebirth 2.0."
"For the record sir I still don't like this, but I understand," said Hill. "I will personally assign Thompson and his company their first mission to test out their commitment. Be warned though, I can't guaranty if Thompson or anyone from his company will go all the way and become a soldier. There's a chance that all of them might drop out."
"Good to hear, Hill," said General Dodge. "See to it that they make it through."
Hill then hung up the phone and sighed, "What is this world coming to?"
Later that day, the new cadets were all clothed in white uniforms and were led by the upperclassmen to where the Oath Ceremony would take place. Sitting in the audience were the new cadets friends and family members. They were ready to have their last look at the new cadets before the basic training officially began.
When all the new cadets assembled together, the ceremony began. In front was General Fazekas again along with Commanders James Rupert Rhodes (aka War Machine) and Maria Hill and several other officers.
"New cadets, raise your hand and repeat after me," said General Fazekas.
The new cadets did just that as General Fazekas began the Oath Ceremony. While some of them might end up leaving if they believed they couldn't handle any of this, others were stubborn enough to go at it. When the ceremony was over, all of the new cadets were dismissed and escorted to their dormitories.
In one of those dormitories, Flash, Duncan, Baski, Olson, Senus, Andrea, and Patricia made themselves at home and settled in for the night. Flash went into one of the rooms, Duncan into another, and so on and so forth.
"Oh man, what a day," said Flash as he landed onto his bed. "This is not going to be as easy as I thought."
Flash then looked at a picture of Spider-Man, one of the many taken by Peter Parker for the Daily Bugle. He also looked back at how he battled Venom and helped get people out of the disaster area as the Twin Towers collapsed.
"But still, if this helps make a difference, I'll take whatever they have in store and keep going," Flash told himself. "No matter what happens never give up until you can't fight anymore."
Suddenly, Duncan barged into Flash's room and said, "Hey Thompson, I hear you're a big fan of Spider-Man."
Flash got back up and said, "And so what if I am?"
"Spider-Man's a menace to society," Duncan claimed. "You've seen the news reports on the Daily Bugle. He's about as much of a menace as those mutant freaks I used to share school with."
"Say whatever you want Duncan," said Flash, standing his ground. "You shouldn't believe everything you read. Spidey isn't perfect, but he's saved more lives than you and I can count. He even saved many people during the destruction of the World Trade Center. I know because I was there."
Duncan wasn't backing down. "Prove it."
"I've got nothing I need to prove to you," said Flash. "You're just a big bully."
"I've heard you were a bully once yourself," Duncan taunted.
"It takes one to know one, doesn't it," said Flash.
Realizing that he wasn't going to get anywhere with Flash, Duncan backed off and walked back to his room, leaving Flash in peace. Sometime later, everyone went to sleep, knowing that tomorrow was when they would begin their 6 weeks of training.
Elsewhere in the U.S., Hydra Agents led by Viper were making their way into a building, but this was no ordinary building. As they walked through, the came across what appeared to be a model building sitting on a table in the middle of a room. But this was no mere model, this was the Big House. All the Hydra Agents were disguised as security guards and were pretending to escort Viper into the prison for what they called a Scared Straight Intervention.
In his cell, Eddie was lying in his bed, staring up at the ceiling while Cletus was being his usual self.
"The Age of Carnage is here," said Cletus, repeating what he had been saying repeatedly ever since he was put into the cell. "The Age of Carnage is here! THE AGE OF CARNAGE IS HERE…!"
"Oh, will you just shut up," Eddie shouted before punching Cletus in the face. "You've been saying that ever since you got here and it's getting annoying!"
"Well it is true," said Cletus. "Ever since 9/11, there has been nothing but carnage everywhere…!"
"Oh give me a break," Eddie blew him off. "All you ever see is carnage. Carnage here, carnage there, and carnage everywhere…! Give it a rest."
Suddenly both men heard the sound of the prison doors being opened. Moments later, two "guards" showed up and opened the cell door.
"Edward Charles Allan Brock, you're being brought in to participate in a Scared Straight Intervention," said one of the "guards".
"An SSI," said Brock, feeling confused. "What the hell is going on here?"
"You'll find out soon enough, Brock," said the "guard". "Not get off your ass and let's get going."
"Fine, whatever," said Eddie as he left the cell, leaving Cletus alone. "At least I don't have to hear whatever you have to say anymore."
"Oh, you'll be back soon enough, I promise you that," said Cletus.
Eddie Brock walked with the two guards as he made his way towards a room where members of Hydra were waiting for him. Viper especially was waiting for him with some questions about a certain them Eddie possessed.
"Welcome, Edward Charles Allan Brock," said Viper. "I am Ophelia Sarkissian, also known as Viper, of Hydra."
"I've heard about you," said Eddie. "You guys were founded on the belief that humanity couldn't be trusted with its own freedom who knows how long ago. You guys even fought against Captain America and his Howling Commandos during World War II."
"You're sharp, Brock," said Viper. "I suppose you don't know why we're really here."
"I guess it's for something other than a Scared Straight Intervention," Eddie guessed correctly.
"We seek something you possessed," Viper answered. "It's the Venom Symbiote."
Eddie simply glared at Viper before saying, "What do you want that for?"
Viper then showed footage of Flash Thompson being possessed by the Venom Symbiote during the 9/11 attacks. "As you can see, a mere citizen was able to bond with the symbiote during the destruction of your beloved World Trade Center and became a valuable warrior in the fight to save many lives when they collapsed, including yours. So you're going to tell us, how was that possible?"
"How should I know," Eddie questioned, feeling shocked upon seeing his "friend" bonded to another. "I was unconscious when that happened and something like this has never happened before. All I know is that the Symbiote was bonded to Spider-Man before it bonded with me after Spidey dumped it, so perhaps whatever semblance of being a hero that was in Spidey that it absorbed somehow resurfaced."
"Is that right," said Viper with a smile on her face.
Eddie then realized what was going on, "You're going to weaponize the Symbiote, aren't you?!"
"A little late to realize that, Brock," Viper smirked as one of the Hydra Agents knocked Eddie out. "We will have the Venom Symbiote and we will use it to create our own breed of super soldiers. Take Cletus too."
The Hydra Agents then left the room, some carrying the unconscious Eddie Brock away while others returned to the cells and abducted Cletus Cassidy. And yet, through out that entire time, none of the real guards did a thing to stop them.
At the USMA the following day, Flash and the other new cadets were up early and were getting to know one another after some early morning training. Flash was sitting with Andrea and Patricia and the three were forming quite the bond.
"So you're saying that you were a high school bully at Queens' Midtown High," Andrea asked.
"Yeah," Flash admitted. "My father works as a police officer for the NYPD, but he abused me and my sister and I ended up taking out all of my anger and frustration out on everyone around me. My most frequent victim was Peter Parker, whom I always called Puny Parker up until recently."
"What made you change your ways," Partricia questioned.
"Apparently, it was Spider-Man," said Flash. "He was so heroic and I looked up to him because he always put others ahead of himself. Say whatever you want about him, but the Daily Bugle isn't always right."
"Yeah, I'm sure it isn't," said Andrea, "But still, the fact that you decided to turn your life around from high school bully to someone working in the military, that's something…"
Flash then sighed in depression and said, "Actually, I decided to join the army after witnessing the destruction of the World Trade Center. I was even at ground zero of the event, helping Spider-Man fight Venom."
"Damn," Andrea and Partricia both gasped.
"You're lying," said Duncan who was sitting further away from the three.
Flash, Andrea, and Partricia all looked towards Duncan.
"Excuse me," said Flash.
"There's no way someone like you would ever get involved in an even like that," Duncan answered. "Besides, that area was closed off by the police, don't you read the news?"
Flash simply shook it off and decided to ignore Duncan, knowing full well from his own experience as a bully that he was just trying to get some attention. Andrea and Partricia did the same.
"Hey, don't ignore me," Duncan raised his voice.
Santos came in. "Sid down, Matthews…!"
Duncan did just that, not wanting to get on the upper classmen's bad side.
"As for the rest of you, it's time to continued todays training," Joe told the other new cadets. "Get off you butts and get into formation."
The new cadets all got up and got back into formation for today's basic training. Duncan was left in the dust as a form of punishment.
From afar, Maria was observing what happened. "He could have started a big fight with Matthews, but chose to ignore him instead. He's definitely showing quite a bit of self-control, I'll give him that, but just how far can that go?"
As Flash and the other new cadets continued their basic training, Maria walked off.
Later that day while everyone was resting, Santos approached Flash, having taken interest in Thompson himself. "Thompson?"
"Yes," said Flash.
"When Matthews tried to get your attention, you had the option to jump at him and start a fight with him," said Santos. "But rather taking the bait, you chose to ignore him and continue your conversation with your fellow new cadets. I don't mind, it's good to have someone who thinks before he acts, but what made you choose to ignore him?"
Flash took a deep breath before answering, "It's because he's a bully and he was just trying to get attention by mocking my favorite superhero. As an ex-bully, I know how a bully thinks and I wasn't going to let him draw me into an unnecessary fight."
"So you used to be a bully," said Santos. "That's interesting. I guess it's true when they say it takes one to know one. I may not be a commanding officer, but think you'll make a fine soldier yet, if you choose."
"Thanks sir," said Flash as he got back to training.
In a part of the Appalachian Mountains known as the Catskill Mountains, there was a large laboratory building settled in the forest. Inside, the Venom Symbiote was contained within a large test tube where Dr. Aaron MacKenzie, a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, studied it. He took a piece of the symbiote and placed it in a petri dish before placing it under a microscope to get a better look at its physical makeup.
Just then, Katherine Glover, a Captain in the U.S. Army Special Forces, entered the room to check on Dr. MacKenzie's progress. "Find out anything doctor?"
"Nothing yet, Captain," said Dr. MacKenzie. "I've only just started studying this thing, but all I understand so fare is that outside of that containment tube, it needs a host to survive."
"Take as much time as you need," said Captain Glover. "The one who was able to use that thing to protect others should be arriving in about seven months. Everything must be ready by the time he and any other candidate arrive."
Captain Glover then left the lab and Dr. Mackenzie got back to work on studying the Venom Symbiote.
Over the course of the next six weeks Flash and the other new cadets went through a lot of basic training. Duncan continued to try and get Flash's attention like a bully, but much to his annoyance, Flash ignored him every single time. Flash also got to know his upper classman Santos a lot better along with Andrea and Partricia. Maria watched from a distance as Flash and the other new cadets continued their basic training. She was keeping an eye on this new cadet as he progressed.
On the final day of the new cadets' six weeks of basic training, Flash, Duncan, Baski, Olson, Senus, Andrea, and Patricia, along with Santos, Joe, Danny, and Donna were approached by Commander Hill.
"Good morning everyone," said Hill. "I'm Commander Maria Hill of the United States Marine Corps. I'm sure some of you recognized me as the one who interviewed you when you first arrived here. I'm here to inform you that you select individuals, both new cadets and upperclassmen alike, have been selected to take part in an experiment known as Project Rebirth 2.0."
"Project Rebirth 2.0," said Flash.
"That's right," said Hill. "It's the U.S.'s second attempt at a super soldier. You'll all receive information regarding the process once you're all at boot camp where your real training will begin. Be full warned though that this program will be risky, so if anyone wants to back out, please speak out now."
There was no response.
"Good," said Hill. "Now go pack your things, all of you. You'll be leaving tonight at midnight."
Hill then left the new cadets and upperclassmen to go and make preparations.
Somewhere in Europe, Hydra was keeping both Eddie Brock and Cletus Kasady were being kept in testing tubes to keep them from using their symbiotes, if they still had them. They had been kept in these testing tubes for the past six weeks and so far, Hydra hadn't learned much, especially from Brock as they found out that he was almost a useless test subject without the Venom Symbiote.
"How are things going," said Viper.
"All we've learned is that the symbiote and the host work together as one in order to reach their maximum potential," said one of the scientists. "We just don't know how."
"Indeed not," said Viper as she saw Brock and Kasady writhing in pain. "What we need is to find the Venom Symbiote and restore it to its original host. If we managed to crack the code on how the Venom works with its hosts, we'll be able to find out how to apply that to the Carnage Symbiote and any other Symbiote for that matter."
And that was chapter 2. Again, I'm pretty sure I made a big mistake in how i presented how things go at the USMA at West Point and if I did, I'm sorry. But the one flaw I made that was probably the most obvious was that this chapter only glanced over what goes on there. The one thing I know that is the main reason why this chapter was so flawed is that I have no one to proof read it, so if anyone wants to proof read the chapters on this fanfiction, please send me a Private Message. What I'm sure that this chapter did get right however was the build up of Hydra and Project Rebirth 2.0.
Now the next chapter will take place at Fort Benning as Flash and the other cadets begin their real training. Again, if anyone can help my by proof reading these chapters, please send me a Private Message.
Chapter 3: Boot Camp