Reticence Saga
Severed Web
Chapter 19: Scythe
Not a lot of people remembered precisely what happened when Bahfeliz cast her spell over Manhattan. Mostly those who weren't affected by the magic. Lady Nega had protected herself from its influence, but she didn't know much of what happened. So she was talking to someone who was out that night.
"For the last time, I DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT IT!" yelled Manticora, throwing her bed at the doorway, Lady Nega and Falcore ducking down.
"I think she doesn't want to talk about it," he said sarcastically.
"I don't need to hear every detail," said Lady Nega, "I just need to know if you saw anything important."
"Everyone turned into bloody cats except for Matt who turned into a werewolf!" snapped Manticora's voice.
"Matt was a werewolf?" asked Lady Nega.
"So was that stupid doppelganger of mine," snapped Manticora, "Only she was bigger."
"Crap...maybe she finally snapped and bit him," suggested Lady NegaMorph.
"Might be time to check the SHIELD files for updates," said Falcore.
"Urgh...fine. Last thing I need is them getting stronger," Lady Nega muttered.
Getting into the SHIELD database wasn't too much trouble. In fact, the security on the files for Matt's team were so low, it may as well be public access.
"Let's see...upgrades...no...no power changes...new team mate...Taelina...oh crap," she muttered.
"You know her?" asked Falcore.
"I knew her briefly. Not long after she came aboard, Matt sent me out on that fool's errand," said Lady Nega, "But it was more than long enough. If she's here, they just got alot more dangerous."
Falcore said, "Why not give more of us the same upgrade you gave my girlfriend?"
"Because just one of her is more than enough superego," said Lady Nega.
"I've more than proven that I don't have an ego," said Falcore icily.
"Sara didn't have much of an ego either before she got Legendary, and look what happened to her," said Lady Nega.
"So, that being out, I assume you have a plan?" said Falcore.
Manticopra yelled "I am not being upgraded in any way"
"I think we need something more specialized," said Lady Nega, "Something that's specifically designed to take down the Lynches."
"Yes, cause that always works," muttered Falcore.
"Be quiet, I need to think" said Lady Nega, drumming her fingers together.
"I hope this is a better plan then mutating my girlfriend again," said Falcore.
"I said be quiet," snapped Lady Nega. She steepled her fingers together before asking, "When has a dragon gotten close to losing?"
"During your prom when Spider-Woman kicked your butt," sneered Falcore.
Lady Nega glared at Falcore before thinking about it. "Yes, that symbiote did have rather impressive abilities. The only problem is that symbiotes are weak to fire," she said.
"They can be electrocuted too," said Falcore.
"Yes, that's a problem too," said Megan, "Now if only there was something that can absorb that energy."
"Don't look at me. I don't know any energy eaters. Why not ask the freaks who tempted my girlfriend into mutating again?" said Falcore icily.
"Somehow I doubt they'll have any constructive suggestions," said Lady Nega, "They tend to say things like 'work with what we're giving you or we'll tattle on you'."
Falcore paused, "Did...they send anything new?"
"DNA from some newer specimens," said Lady Nega, "Including this...Dragon thing." She showed a hologram of something that looked like a large purple lizard with long feelers on its head, but appeared to be secreting green slime.
goodra
"Ew..." yelped Falcore.
"Yeah, one of the pseudo-legendaries apparently," said Megan, "Not sure what the point of it is though."
"Well, Dragons there are resistant to Fire, Water, and Electricity," said Falcore.
"Yeah but... Wait... Of course, we need to fight dragon with dragon."
Falcore paused before pointing at the hologram, "Surely not that. I mean we're villains but some things are just...cruel."
"Don't be ridiculous," said Lady Nega, "I'm not talking about that kind of dragon, I meant this kind of dragon." She spread out her wings and lifted up her tail with its draconic head on the end.
"Oh...ok...so where we gonna find one of those?" asked Falcore, walking over to the latest supplies from her...alien friends and looking at a vial that had a picture of some sort of flaming falcon thing on it.
"We've got it right here," said Lady Nega, flexing her arm and poking her bicep.
Falcore turned to look, pocketing the serum before saying, "Are you sure you want a clone?"
"Not quite. Just a little DNA will do," said Lady Nega before going to a refrigerated safe and opening it. "This will make up the bulk," she said, taking out a high-tech container, the glass inside showing a writhing red mass with veins of black covering parts of its surface.
"Hey...hey...is that what I think it is?" said Falcore with worry.
"Yep, been saving it for a rainy day," said Lady Nega.
"You're not really going to feed that thing your blood and hope for the best, are you?" asked Falcore.
"I wasn't..." said Lady Nega before looking at it, "You know, maybe we should go to the experts for this."
"Experts?" asked Falcore doubtfully.
"Yeah, as in the genius who made this stuff in the first place," said Lady Nega.
"No, that guy's a fruit loop who sided with Hydra," said Falcore.
"He's also a very brilliant geneticist and expert in nanites," said Lady Nega, "If he can't splice me an anti-dragon symbiote, I don't think anyone can."
"Ok...I suppose that makes sense. There is one problem though," said Falcore.
"That being?" asked Lady Nega in an annoyed tone.
"That there are things living in the Hudson that have more money than us and I doubt he works for charity," said Falcore.
"Well...he's been looking for a sixth for his anti-Spider-Man group for a while. If we shell this as a potential member..." started Lady Nega.
"He will still want money." pointed out Falcore
"Hmm...guess it's time to hit the banks again," said Lady Nega.
"Yes, rob a bank in New York, superhero capital of the world." muttered Falcore, walking out.
"I'll have you know that I've been robbing banks long before I created you," said Lady Nega, "Back when it was just me and...Gary..." Some of her vigor seemed to sputter out like that.
Falcore rolled his eyes, before looking at the vial and muttering, "And when your pet monster goes nuts and tries to kill us, I'll have this."
Gary had been a little...edgy lately. About half of it was because during the Cat's Eye Moon, he had been practically the only person on the Triskelion who didn't become a cat (being already a weregoyle) and had to keep everyone else from doing anything stupid. The other half was his usual aching for Megan.
Matt walked out a door, spotting Gary. "Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, walking over.
"That you sleep in a better bed than I do," growled Gary.
"Look, I'll try and talk to Fury but he's not here half the time...and if he says no I'll insist. You can come stay at the coffee shop. We already have a half-dragon and daedric werewolf staying there, why not a gargoyle too?" said Matt.
"I may be better off on the roof," huffed Gary, "It already sounds like a kennel inside."
"Hey, Taelina only came here to stop Bahfeliz, nothing else. She can't get back till the ship arrives and according to NegaMorph, that's not far either...a month at most," said Matt.
"And I wonder how the situation will have gotten weirder by then," said NegaMorph, appearing out of the shadows. Gary yelped and jumped backwards at that. "You know, that was hilarious the first seven times," said NegaMorph, "But now it's starting to get annoying."
"Then use a door," said Matt, holding up an ominous pair of fingers.
"Oh no," muttered NegaMorph. There was a 'snap' and a 'pop'. "You know, one of these days, you won't be able to do that anymore," growled NegaMorph as he came back together, "And you better have not gotten me angry on that day."
"Then stop teasing Gary. He's got enough on his plate," snapped Matt.
"I'm not even doing it on purpose now," said NegaMorph, "He's always thinking I'm going to bite his head off."
"You literally threatened to do that once," said Matt calmly.
"You had it coming," said NegaMorph.
"Yes...but you don't threaten Gary with head biting cause he's dating your niece with her consent," snapped Matt, clicking his fingers again.
The pop wasn't as big that time. "Keep winding me up, Lynch," growled NegaMorph as he reformed, "You're going to end up with a shorter casket."
"Hey, Gary, you think I can get NegaMorph to hit the statue of liberty?" said Matt.
"Guys, guys, I think we're getting a little wound up," said Gary, "Maybe we should go out and have some drinks."
"This isn't France, Gary," said Matt flatly, "You're still underage for drinking here."
"And when I get drunk, I melt into a puddle. Literally," said NegaMorph.
"Really?" said Matt with an evil grin.
"So what do guys do here for bonding experiences?" asked Gary.
"I dunno. Build a shed?" asked NegaMorph.
"NegaMorph, your grasp of male comradery is extremely fallible," said Matt.
"What do you expect? I'm not even actually male. I just prefer not to be called 'it'," said NegaMorph.
"Ok, boy's night out. Chris is still recovering so it'll just be us three," said Matt.
NegaMorph raised an eyebrow, "What's still wrong with him?"
"Look, I'm telling you I'm ok..." said Chris.
Taelina said in a bored tone, "Yeah...sure..." before holding up a laser sight, Chris twitching before trying to pounce on the light.
"Yeah...cured," said Chloe with a bored tone.
"He's...getting there," Matt said.
"So what'll we be doing?" asked NegaMorph.
"How about seeing a movie?" asked Gary.
"What kind of movies do they have here?" asked NegaMorph.
"No superhero films for obvious reasons," said Matt, checking his wristcomp.
"Not unless they do DC films here," said NegaMorph.
"Shh... You wanna get sued?" snapped Matt.
"I'd rather it not be a romance film," said Gary.
"Not even romantic comedy?" asked Matt.
"No...romance..." snarled Gary.
"And for decency's sake, no musicals," said NegaMorph.
"Agreed, musicals will result in violence," said Matt.
"What else?" asked Gary.
"Oh, there's a horror-comedy playing," said Matt cheerfully, "It's even from my home. Shawn of the Dead."
"It's not a zombie movie, is it?" asked Gary.
"Erm...yessss..." said Matt carefully.
"I don't really care for zombies. Megan tried to create a small army of them once. We went to a cemetery and-" started Gary.
"They tried to eat you?" said Matt.
Gary shook his head, "No, they formed a union to get her to pay them."
"To quote this modern age, 'pics or it didn't happen'," said NegaMorph.
Gary sighed at that before Matt said, "What about Hot Fuzz? Same dark comedy, no zombies."
"What's that supposed to be about? Evil stuffed animals?" asked Gary.
"Not exactly. It's a cop film," said Matt.
"So what's the dark comedy about?" asked Gary.
"It would spoil it if we told you," said NegaMorph.
Meanwhile, Lady Nega was finding out it was...well just as hard as expected to get in contact with the good doctor.
For obvious reasons, his services weren't openly available. And his old Hydra contacts wouldn't have been any use. Everyone knew that Dr. Otto Octavius had quit Hydra and there was no love lost between them. Not that Lady NegaMorph was foolish enough to reach out to Hydra for information.
"Come on...pick up...this is the last connection," snarled Lady Nega.
Eventually, a quiet though firm voice was heard. "Who is this?" demanded the voice.
"A customer," said Lady NegaMorph, at the end of her tether.
"I don't have time for telemarketers," said the voice.
"I want to hire your services," snapped Lady Nega.
"Do you even know to whom you are speaking?" asked the voice.
"Doctor Otto Octavius, the genius creator of the symbiote," said Lady Nega smoothly.
The voice sounded pleased by this. "Well now. You seem to have gone to great lengths to find this number," said Dr. Octavius.
"I have. My name is Lady NegaMorph. I...experiment in genetic technology like yourself, though not to your level of course. However, some heroes have been...interfering so I'd like to propose a special order. I can provide the materials, and afterwards he'll make a very useful addition to the Sinister Six you're looking to create," said Lady Nega.
"Your proposal has...appeal to it," said Dr. Octavius, "Perhaps we should discuss further in person. However, you must come alone and I say where we shall meet."
"Agreed." said Lady NegaMorph.
Some time later, Megan was walking towards what remained of a disreputable asylum on Staten Island. She was currently in human form, with a bit more gothic makeup than usual and carrying a large backpack. Most people would assume she was some weird goth girl who was hunting for ghosts.
She walked through the corridors before pausing. "Ok, I'm here. Show yourself," she snapped. There was a very long pause before a door opened and a mechanical tentacle waved at her to come in. Lady Nega sighed at the theatrics before walking in. "I have the sample," she said calmly.
She raised her eyebrows when she saw Doctor Octopus. She had seen plenty of pictures of him as a sickly man with long messy hair and shriveled limbs. But he was definitely in better shape and his hair was in a short bowl cut. Even his tentacles looked more refined. "Wow, you look nothing like your profile pic," said Lady Nega, "You should update it."
"Yes, I've gotten that," said Doc Ock before one of his tentacles opened her backpack and removed the vial. "Hmm...you've made an...adequate start with your limited knowledge," he said to himself, "May I ask where you found this sample of Carnage?"
"After it spread itself over most of Manhattan?" asked Lady Nega, "You should be wondering why there isn't more of it popping up."
"Yes...yes..." muttered Doc Ock, looking at it, "So...who is this symbiote meant to kill?"
"You've heard of those new dragon-based heroes, right?" asked Lady Nega.
"Not for a while," said Doc Ock.
"Well, yeah, some of them haven't been using their dragon powers recently. But they're still around. I want them out of the way. Permanent is good, but temporary works too," said Lady Nega, dropping her human disguise.
"You realize that symbiotes are not effective against every kind of superhero," said Doc Ock, "They are particularly vulnerable to intense heat and electricity."
"Not with the idea I have in mind," said Lady Nega with an evil grin.
"That being?" asked Doctor Octopus.
"You put a little bit of me in there," said Lady NegaMorph.
"Hmm...how would that help other then make my symbiote weaker?" said Doc Ock smugly.
"You haven't heard of what all I can do, have you?" asked Lady Nega.
"I don't keep track of every newcomer in New York," said Doc Ock.
"Stand back then, I need a little room," said Lady NegaMorph as she gathered darkness around her. She let the shadows build up before pushing them back, revealing her anthro dragon form.
"I fail to see how this would help," said Doc Ock calmly, unimpressed.
"Seriously? I'm a four-armed dragoness with shadow powers. Is this even registering for you?" asked Lady NegaMorph, putting her hands on her hips.
"Not really. To quote that annoyance, Tony Stark, they have a Hulk," said Doc Ock, turning to the sample, before one of his claws plucked a scale off her.
"Ouch. That smarts," snapped Lady Nega.
"Science needs sacrifices..." said Doc Ock, looking at the scale before smirking, "This actually could work. You didn't mention you had nanotechnology."
"It's not something I boast about," said Lady Nega, "If I let word spread around, there'd be dozens of mad scientists out for my blood, literally."
"This will work perfectly for what you need," the doctor said calmly.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to watch the process myself," said Lady Nega, "I have been really curious about how this symbiote stuff works."
"Huh...I doubt there are more than 3 people on the planet who would understand my work," said Doc Ock dismissively.
"I can at least watch, right?" asked Lady Nega, one of her eyes twitching a bit, "I mean, it's not like I could replicate this myself because I'm...not smart enough." There was a literal grind to her voice as she said that.
"Fine, just don't get in my way," said Doc Ock, with a dismissive wave.
"I'll just watch from the side like a good little girl," said Lady Nega, one of her hands clawing a wall.
"And don't claw the walls," said Doc Ock, several Octobots hovering down around her.
"Sorry, been dealing with stress lately," said Lady Nega.
"No excuses, just behave. There's also the matter of my fee," said Doc Ock calmly.
"I've thought of that," said Lady NegaMorph. She opened her backpack, which was darker inside than it should have been. She pulled out 8 bars of gold and stacked them up. "Should this cover it?" she asked.
Doc Ock took one, scratching a bit off with his claw and looking closer. "To start..." he said finally.
"Hey, they're real," said Lady Nega.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they were really bricks of mud. That's a standard trick for you magic users, isn't it?" asked Doc Ock snidely.
"They're real. The robbery will be in the news tonight," said Lady NegaMorph calmly.
"Then let's go to one of my labs," said Doc Ock, "This place is rather unsanitary for delicate genetic work."
Matt's movie night out didn't quite go as planned. Sure he and NegaMorph both enjoyed the movie. Gary, most assuredly, did not.
"He...impaled...his chin...on the church steeple," said Gary weakly.
"He had it coming," said Matt. "That's supposed to make it enjoyable? Everyone 'had it coming'?" snapped Gary.
"It's an action film. The bad guys always have it coming," said Matt.
"There have to be better ways of doing that," said Gary.
"Gary, relax, it's just a movie. Nobody actually got hurt," said NegaMorph.
"Well, I don't have enough of a sadistic streak to consider that movie 'relaxing'," snapped Gary, "I mean, I would expect this from you, NegaMorph. But I thought Matt had higher standards."
"That's why it's called a black comedy," said Matt pointedly, adding, "And I've caught you reading my Judge Dredd comics. They're hardly tame."
Gary rolled his eyes and said, "And they show how society could be worse. Imagine if we ended up in that world."
Matt got a distant look, imagining that world. "Well my hometown got nuked in that soooo..." he muttered gloomily.
"NSC makes a conscious effort to keep out of post-apocalyptic worlds anyways," said NegaMorph, "Empire does too. Not much to use in those worlds that they don't already have."
"Plus I believe Dredd himself has seen off extra dimensional threats before. NSC knows when not to pick a fight," said Matt.
"C'mon, what can one guy do- Hey, look who else is here," said NegaMorph, pointing. Matt looked to see Peter and Mary Jane walk out from one of the theaters, noticeably holding hands.
Gary paused. "Wait...they're a couple?" he said in confusion.
"Yeah, they officially hooked up at the prom," said Matt, "I guess you were too busy with Megan to notice."
"Megan had her prom and I missed it?" asked NegaMorph, sounding actually sad about it.
"Well, it was the junior prom," said Gary, "Maybe she can have her senior prom on the Bladestorm."
Matt paused before picking up Gary and shaking him. "NEVER! EVER!" he roared.
"Uh, what are you doing?" Matt paused and turned to face Peter and MJ.
"Hey guys," said Matt, "Having a nice night out?" His tone was friendly even though he was still holding a dizzy Gary. The two looked to see Matt holding Gary, who's eyes were spinning gently, Matt noticing before putting Gary down.
"Uh, MJ, this is NegaMorph, Lady NegaMorph's uncle," said Peter.
"Charmed," said NegaMorph briefly, slightly doffing his hat.
"Erm...Hi," said MJ carefully.
NegaMorph rolled his eyes. "I know you wanna say it. Everyone calls me it. Just say it and get it out the way," he said in an annoyed tone.
MJ glanced around before whispering, "Why doesn't everyone notice you're an alien?"
"In this town?" said NegaMorph pointedly.
"People see what they want to see," said Matt, "And people here are pretty great at convincing themselves that someone weird is just an odd human. We currently have a werewolf demigoddess and a half-robot dragoness working at the coffee shop who regularly eats people's phones and nobody has noticed."
"In fact, the less human you look, the less likely people will try to think of you," said Gary, "If NegaMorph looked more human, he might get people thing he was a mutant or Inhuman. But like this, people prefer to think he's just a weird little man."
"Yeah, I...HEY!" snapped NegaMorph.
"So what brings you here?" asked Matt smoothly.
"Mostly just trying to get me to relax," said MJ, "I don't know why, but I've been getting the feeling that something is wrong."
"Wrong?" said Gary
"I can't really pinpoint it," said MJ, "I've done all my schoolwork, I haven't forgotten any dates, and so far nothing's big has happened regarding super crime. I just...have this funny feeling."
"Oh? I have those days sometimes. It's probably nothing," said Matt cheerfully.
"Maybe, but-" MJ suddenly winced, clutching at her head. Most alarmingly, her eyes flooded red for a second.
Matt backed up as his HUD flashed the warning for symbiote. "Erm...you ok?" he said, letting his wristcomp put a sonic grenade in the hand he had behind his back.
"My spawn...someone is hurting my spawn..." said MJ, her voice echoing a little.
"Erm...Miss MJ...is this normal?" asked Matt, getting a better grip on the grenade.
"Not for her," said Peter, "But I think I've seen this before."
"When?" said NegaMorph.
Peter pulled out his cellphone and put in a number. "Hey, Flash, have you been noticing anything weird tonight?" asked Peter.
"Naw, man. Everything cool where you are?" said Flash's faint voice over the phone.
"MJ just said something was hurting her spawn," said Peter, "Sound familiar to you?"
"You never did explain how she got infected with a symbiote," said Matt carefully.
"Ok, it's a bit of a long story so I'm just going to give it to you in rapid recap mode," said Peter before taking a deep breath.
"Morbius stole piece of Venom. Doc Ock improves piece. Piece become Carnage. Carnage starts fight. Carnage gets splattered. Carnage spreads over New York. Anti-Venom wakes up. Anti-Venom wants to cure. Led Anti-Venom to Carnage heart. Told Harry I was Spider-Man. Harry uses Anti-Venom to stop Carnage heart. Carnage regathers pieces. Carnage goes to high school. Carnage bonds to MJ. Morbius and Crossbone try to control Carnage Queen. Carnage Queen too strong. Harry, Flash, and I told MJ who we were. MJ takes control of Carnage. Carnage is stopped. Symbiote tamed and makes MJ Spider-Woman."
"She has a symbiote queen..." said Matt calmly.
"Yes, though it hasn't acted like a queen since she got control over it," said Peter.
"Good," said Matt, deactivating his grenade.
"Uh, Pete, did MJ get a piece of her suit stolen?" asked Flash.
"Not that we've noticed," said Peter.
"But we did get all those Carnage spawns, right?" asked Flash.
"God I hope so," muttered Matt to himself.
MJ let out a loud hissing rattle at that. "Uh, maybe we should go somewhere private," said Gary.
"Agreed," said Matt.
In one of his labs, Doctor Octopus was working on the Carnage spawn. "This specimen has been well-preserved," said Doc Ock, "Most symbiotes without a host don't last very long."
"I was lucky. I found the thing before that white symbiote got to it," said Lady Nega.
"Anti-Venom was a rather unique creation," said Doc Ock, "A shame it was destroyed."
"I have the technology from some benefactors to keep the sample alive without a host," explained Lady Nega.
"This symbiote will still need a host after the splicing procedure," said Doc Ock. With that, one of his tentacles extended out to a centrifuge and pulled out a vial filled with blue liquid.
"I have just the person," smirked Lady Nega.
"That won't be necessary," said Doctor Octopus, "I have someone on reserve who can be a host for this symbiote."
"Oh? Who?" asked Lady Nega.
Doctor Octopus activated a comm and said, "Grim Reaper, I need your presence in the lab."
Lady Nega tensed up. Her and Gary had once had a brief run in with him the year before and it had not been fun. Granted, he wasn't nearly as frightening as his namesake, but Grim Reaper wasn't a very nice person.
"You work with that creep?" said Lady Nega darkly, as the door opened
"You wanted to see me, boss?" asked Grim Reaper, walking in. Apparently, he ditched the hooded cloak Lady Nega last saw him in for a bad imitation of Galactus's helmet.
"He's one of my potential Sinister Six members," said Doctor Octopus, "Though I've been starting to doubt he can make the cut."
"You gotta be kidding. I can make the cut easy," sneered Grim Reaper, slashing out with his scythe arm, a lab computer falling into pieces, Lady Nega and Doc Ock exchanging a look that had alot to say about their views on morons.
"I don't think he'd be a good influence," whispered Lady Nega.
"No, but it will be interesting to see if he survives," said Doc Ock.
Lady Nega paused before saying "Wait, do we care?"
"Now, speaking of influences," said Octavius before holding up the vial of blue liquid, "This contains the distilled essence of your hybrid genetics and the nanite formula inside you."
"Oh...how lovely," said Lady Nega a little scathingly.
"Of course, the nanite formula needed a little tweaking to properly infuse with the symbiote," said Doc Ock, "The details may go over your head."
"You use a tyman stabilizer or bio-quantum interface?" said Lady NegaMorph absently.
Doctor Octopus chuckled and said, "It's cute when they think they know what they're talking about. This is extremely advanced science, not witchcraft."
"Hmm...I assume you included a burn virus to prevent it going into a grey goo," said Lady Nega calmly.
"Well, that is basic nanobot procedure," said Doc Ock.
"Good," said Lady NegaMorph, before the two watched Grim Reaper slash another computer to pieces. "Please let me infect him..." asked Lady NegaMorph.
"Oh, I would be happy to oblige. Now observe," said Doctor Octopus. He inserted the vial into the machine that was currently holding the Carnage spawn. The red and black goo squirmed as the blue serum was sprayed over it. It quivered before the red portions of it deepened in color until it became eggplant purple. "Interesting reaction," said Doctor Octopus.
"Indeed..." said Lady Nega, taking the vial. "Oh Grim Reaper, would you like to try a new energy drink?" she called, muttering to Doc Ock, "I bet you 50 bucks he's stupid enough to fall for it."
"Grim Reaper's blade may be 10 times sharper than his wits, but no one is that stupid," said Doc Ock.
"You've never met Morph," said Lady Nega.
"A new energy drink?" sneered Grim Reaper, snatching the vial and downing the contents.
"Pay up," said Lady Nega with a grin
Doctor Octopus grumbled before handing Lady NegaMorph 50 dollars.
"Hey...that...tasted...funny..." said Grim Reaper, twitching
Just then, purple and black slime started gushing out of Grim Reaper's mouth. He could only let out a gurgling scream before the slime started covering his body. In a matter of moments, Grim Reaper was wearing a new symbiote suit that was mainly eggplant purple with black edges. It had also made his scythe a lot bigger and edgier.
"You do good work," said Lady Nega with an impressed whistle. The symbiote turned to look at them, hissing. "Erm...how do I control it?" asked Lady Nega, turning to see Doc Ock was in some sort of safe room watching. "Oh come on, it was only fifty bucks!" she snapped before the symbiote lunged at her.
MJ had her symbiote suit on and swinging through New York a little faster before the others could change into their superhero outfits. "Hey, wait up!" called Spider-Man, swinging after Spider-Woman, "I need to invest in a quicker way to change into my costume."
"For God's sake, slow down!" called Matt, him and Gary flying after them. "Ok...when this is over...we go back to Avalar for some refresher training. My shoulderblades hurt," he groaned.
"You might need training. I've been using my wings longer," said Gary.
"Yeah, I also notice you fly slower than me," said Matt, "Assuming you're not just limited to gliding."
"Speed isn't everything," said Gary.
"It is if we want to catch up with Miss Muffet," said Matt.
"You did not just call her 'Miss Muffet'," said NegaMorph in disgust.
"Ah shut it," muttered Matt, flapping some more.
"I have to find it. Must find my spawn. Must save it from-" said Spider-Woman before she suddenly froze in midswing.
The others came to a halt, in Matt's case, hitting one of the jumbotrons before he could. "Ow...ok...why?" he groaned.
"I...I lost it," said Spider-Woman.
"Well, yeah, kinda did lose control," said NegaMorph.
"No, I mean, I can't sense that spawn anymore," said Spider-Woman.
"You mean it's already dead? Good. Our job's done," said Gary.
"I don't think it's dead," said Spider-Woman, "But...it's like it's not a piece of Carnage anymore."
"That...doesn't sound good," said Matt dizzily.
"From past experience, that usually means the symbiote piece is a brand new symbiote now," said Spider-Man.
"Oh goody..." muttered Matt.
"Do you at least have any idea of where that spawn was?" asked NegaMorph.
"A...general idea," said Spider-Woman, "But I don't think finding it will be that easy now."
"Great...a symbiote outbreak," muttered Matt.
"I hope not," said Spider-Man, "But I think I know who we should be looking for. There's only one person I know who can turn a piece of symbiote into an entirely new symbiote."
"Who might that be?" asked Gary, before pausing. "Oh no...not that man," he said in horror.
"Who?" asked NegaMorph.
"The guy who invented symbiotes in the first place," said Spider-Man, "Doctor Octopus."
"Wait, there's a guy called Doctor Octopus?" smirked NegaMorph.
"Don't laugh," said Matt, "Doctor Octopus is Spider-Man's greatest enemy, behind the Green Goblin of course."
"Uh, the Goblin's not really a problem anymore," said Spider-Man.
"Oh, ok, then he's Spider-Man's greatest enemy without competition," said Matt.
NegaMorph frowned before calling up Octavius's rap sheet from SHIELD and whistling in an impressed tone. "Ok, I take it back. I haven't seen this big a rap sheet since my own," he said.
"Well, if Doc Ock's whipping up a brand new symbiote, it'll probably be coming after me soon enough," said Spider-Man.
"Lab report regarding Symbiote Batch #7. The addition of alien blood has caused some remarkable alterations to the basic symbiote formula. This particular variant appears to have an appetite for, well, dragon-based lifeforms. Additionally, it seems drawn towards elementals. And yet its own darkness-based powers prevent it from getting close to other darkness elementals. Like two south ends of magnets trying to touch. It is quite fascinating."
"Hey, squid man, tell him to get away from me. I've been pinned to this wall for 5 hours," snapped Lady Nega, the repel effect having pinned her against the wall as the symbiote tried to grab her.
"The symbiote also shows an unusual stubborn streak. Though perhaps that may be a holdover from its host. Grim Reaper never was much of a quitter," said Doc Ock.
"OCTAVIUS, THIS STOPPED BEING FUNNY AFTER TEN MINUTES!" screamed Lady Nega.
"Very well. Symbiote, stand down," commanded Doc Ock.
Grim Reaper hissed angrily before backing up, Megan sliding down the wall. "Ok, so it attacks elementals. Do you know a way to make it not attack me?" she said sarcastically.
"I would think that once it figured out it cannot touch another darkness elemental, it would cease," said Doctor Octopus.
"Well apparently this one's a slow learner," said Lady NegaMorph. Grim Reaper hissed at that before Lady Nega said smugly, "That said, I have the perfect target for him."
However, Grim Reaper appeared to be losing interest. Tentacles were extending around his head and writhing, almost like it was smelling the air.
"Hey, eyes over here," snapped Lady Nega.
Just then, the symbiote surged upwards, pulling itself off its host. Grim Reaper crumpled into a heap, looking exhausted and missing his scythe implant.
"Erm...should it have done that?" said Lady Nega with concern.
"It appears Grim Reaper was not an ideal host," said Doc Ock. The symbiote slithered across the ceiling before going into an air vent.
"Hey, come back here! I paid for you!" snapped Lady Nega.
"Then I suggest you move quickly before a hero finds it," said Dr. Octopus.
"This is why nobody comes back for more business," snapped Lady Nega, running out of the room.
"Well, this should be a learning experience," said Doc Ock before two of his Octobots hovered over to him. "Follow them. I want to see how this turns out," he said.
Deep under the city, Omnirus and his gang had set up a cosy little basecamp. "Boss, this is beyond boring," said Dark Start, setting up a computer.
"Well, we can't check into the Ritz, can we?" asked Omnirus dryly.
"Couldn't we at least steal some food from the Ritz?" said Cyber sulkily.
"You guys aren't picky eaters. You remember that, right?" asked Omnirus.
"Yeah but we draw the line at roast rat and cockroach," said Dark Start.
"Well, I suppose there's an Italian place somewhere above us," said Omnirus.
"Suggest pizza and we mutiny," said Leroy.
"Why would you mutiny over... Oh wait, now I get it," said Omnirus, "Almost walked into that one."
"Ok...almost got the sensors set up," called Cyber, currently in one of his moments of lucidity
Just then, the machine started beeping wildly. "Cyber, did you set the sensors to play minesweeper again?" asked Dark Start before an angry roar was heard.
"Think that was a mole man?" asked Leroy.
"Knowing our luck?" said Omnirus dully.
"Maybe we can have him for lunch," said Cyber, slipping into another mania.
"Just get ready," snapped Omnirus, the beeps getting faster, indicating whatever was coming was getting closer.
Just then, one of the pipes overhead sprang a leak, though the liquid coming out of it was purple and black. "What the hell is that?" snapped Omnirus as the 'liquid' moved around before shooting at Dark Start, shooting down her throat. The 'liquid' soon started flowing over her body.
"Uh oh. I think I know what this is," said Leroy.
"Me too," said Omnirus nervously, before he and Leroy facepalmed as Cyber said "She's turning into licorice?"
Then the 'liquid' finished covering Dark Start and a pair of white eyes and a mouth filled with sharper teeth than normal opened up.
"Erm...Dark Start? I have some nice chocolate," said Omnirus carefully.
Dark Start roared before one slime-covered arm extended into a large jagged scythe blade.
"I don't think she wants chocolate," said Leroy in a dull voice before all three remaining experiments scattered screaming, Omnirus pausing briefly to throw the cocolate bar at Dark Start.
Dark Start roared before running after them. "Why does this always happen to us?" screamed Leroy
"Wait, what am I doing? If that's a symbiote..." said Omnirus before turning into Diamondblast, "Then I just need to burn it off."
"But what about Dark Start?" called Leroy.
"She's fireproof. She can handle it," said Diamondblast before shooting fire at Dark Start.
The symbiote vanished in a flash before appearing behind Diamondlbast at that. "Huh?" asked Diamondblast before the symbiote jumped onto his back. "Hey! Get off!" snapped Diamondblast. Just then, the Omnitrix sent green sparks over his body and zapped the symbiote.
The symbiote gave an ear-piercing squeal before shooting at Dark Start again. "Wha-" started Dark Start before she got slimed again.
"Oh, let's try this again," said Diamondblast, heating up his hands. The symbiote on Dark Start screeched before the black parts of his body turned red, the scythe blade radiating heat. "Hey, that's mine," snapped Diamondblast
Dark Start tilted her head before the red parts suddenly turned blue. "Uh, what is it doing?" asked Leroy. Just then, Dark Start shot several water balls at the experiments.
"What kinda symbiote is this?" snapped Cyber.
"Not any kind I've seen," said Diamondblast. Then the symbiote swung its scythe blade at Diamondblast. There was a loud hiss as it made contact with his hot surface. "Ow!" Diamondblast snapped.
Then the black parts changed to brown. "Uh, what's it doing?" asked Leroy before an earth ball knocked him backwards.
"It's cheating is what it is!" snapped Cyber blasting it in the back with his plasma cannon.
Just then, the shadows grew darker before a female shape emerged from them. "Get away from my new minion!" snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"Oh not you again, is that yours?" snapped Omni, pointing to where Dark Start was trying to eat Cyber.
"Yes and it cost me a lot of money," said Lady NegaMorph.
"Well can you please get it off my associate?" snapped Omnirus.
"Ahem, yes, right," said Lady NegaMorph, "Symbiote, come to me." The symbiote looked over at Lady NegaMorph before giggling insanely.
"You haven't got an actual leash for it, have you?" asked Omnirus.
"It...mostly listens to me," said Lady Nega, the symbiote saying in a hissing voice "No I don't."
"Obey your mistress, symbiote," snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"No, I'm hungry. The metal one won't give me more," snapped the symbiote, hitting the dazed Cyber again before shaking the smashed plasma cannon.
"I said obey!" snapped Lady NegaMorph, making an arm made of shadow reach out for the symbiote. However, the symbiote was pushed back as it got nearer.
"I WANT MORE!" screamed the symbiote.
"You know, I never attack you and your minions when you're not doing anything," said Omnirus, "Haven't you ever heard of professional courtesy?"
"Look, it escaped. I didn't tell it to," snapped Lady Nega, both of them not noticing the symbiote look both ways before silently run for a tunnel.
"It's a symbiote, not a puppy," said Omnirus, "You have to keep a closer eye on them."
"Oh please, it's right there," snapped Lady Nega, both turning to see Leroy.
"She went that way," he said dully.
"And you didn't stop her?" snapped Lady Nega, "That's 8 bars of gold running away!"
Omnirus said, "Like I give a-did you say 8 bars?"
"Yeah, recently stolen from the city's gold depository," said Lady Nega.
"It costs that much for a symbiote?" asked Omnirus.
"It is if you want it customized into the ultimate Shar-Slayer," said Lady Nega.
"Well...getting our help won't be freeee..." said Omnirus smugly.
"Do you think I need your help?" asked Lady NegaMorph disdainfully, "I don't see why I would have to enlist the help of sewer-dwelling squatters."
"Someone's turned hoity-toity," commented Leroy.
"Yeah...Miss 'I'm living in a condemned building'," said Omnirus smugly.
"Still smells better than your dump," said Lady Nega.
"2 gold and we help," said Omnirus.
Lady Nega smirked and said, "Deal." With that, she tossed something to Omnirus, who caught it. Looking in his hand, he only saw two gold coins. "I meant-" he started.
"Deal's sealed. No backsies," said Lady Nega. A blast of energy singed the top of her head, Lady Nega turning to look at Cyber, who was grinning insanely, his eye twitching. "Fine," she said dully, tossing a small bag out at their feet.
"Now then, where is that symbiote taking Dark Start?" asked Omnirus, snatching up the bag.
"To the nearest elemental or dragon," said Lady Nega.
Omnirus nodded before he said, "So...made a bioweapon to go after Lynch, eh?"
"If you don't keep up in an arms race, you get gunned down," said Lady Nega, "You of all people should know that."
"Ok...are you INSANE?" snapped Omnirus, "You do know Matt's killed worse than a sentient goop? He'll go nuclear."
"Matt has access to considerable werewolf magic," said Lady Nega, "Heck, his sister is currently a gamma-powered werewolf packing lightning powers. And you know it's only a matter of time before Kala gets her fire burning again."
"So...you decided to piss him off so he'd go after you?" said Cyber, currently going back through lucidity as his sanity see-sawed back towards madness.
"It...it would get him first..." said Lady Nega, sounding less convinced.
"Cyber, what did Matt do to the last symbiote to attack him?" asked Omnirus.
Cyber giggled before saying, "Blew him up good."
"Well, this one's specifically designed to attack Shars," said Lady Nega.
"And have you been able to test that properly?" asked Omnirus.
"Well...no...it's probably more likely to go after Chloe or...Kala..." said Lady Nega before starting to gnaw on her claws as her imagination tuned into the 'terror channel'.
"Yeah...were you particularly angry when you thought of this? Your minions try to say it was a bad idea?" said Omni.
"Uh...well..." started Lady Nega.
"That said, I do wonder what either of them would look like wearing that symbiote," said Leroy. Cyber cackled before making an hourglass gesture with his hands.
"Closely followed by what Matt would do to whoever unleashed it," said Leroy, joining in on the fun.
"OH GOD I'M DEAD!" screamed Lady Nega, covering her face with both hands in an exasperated tone.
"Well, it's not like Matt is that powerful right now," said Leroy. Lady Nega just whimpered.
"I told you that Lazard would turn on us someday," said J. Jonah Jameson on a jumbotron over looking a flaming city as Matt as a giant dragon stomped about. "Now he's wrecking up the whole city as Lazilla. Wait a minute, who came up with that name? They're fired!" JJJ's rant was cut short when Matt took that jumbotron and a billboard and sandwiched Megan between them. Then he lifted her up to his mouth...
"I WILL NOT BE A SANDWICH!" screamed Lady Nega, the experiments jumping back, before she grabbed Omnirus and lifted him up eye to eye. "I know spells that will trap you as your female form forever. Help me or I'LL TELL MATT YOU HELPED ME!" she screamed
"Do I keep the gold?" asked Omnirus.
Lady NegaMorph twitched before taking out another bag and shoving it in Omnirus's mouth. "If at a es?" Omnirus asked.
"So which way did she go?" asked Leroy. Cyber leaned down and sniffed the floor of the sewer. He recoiled in disgust immediately before taping over his nose.
Leroy said, "Erm...and I really hate being the voice of reason here, why not shadow Matt and his pals and wait for it to attack him?"
Lady Nega picked up Leroy and shook him violently. "I'm trying to catch this thing before Matt notices and tried to eat me!" she shrieked.
Just then, several foil-wrapped burritos fell down. "I knew you were holding out on us!" snapped Cyber.
Omnirus twitched before spitting the gold bag out, "GET HIM!"
Lady Nega stared as the experiments began fighting before summoning a scroll. "I leave all my possessions to Gary..." she began writing.
Meanwhile, Kala was not in a good mood. Considering she's being benched until she got her firepower back, there wasn't much she could do. And she didn't want to sleep under the same roof as Taelina.
Matt, on her phone, was saying, "Honey, it's not a big deal. Come on. Taelina's not my sorta girl."
"She's not pleasant company in any case," snapped Kala, "She's always talking about her superiority, she's always making snide comments about me, and she stinks up the bunker as well."
"And she's powerless. It's all bluster," reminded Matt.
"Well I don't like how she's rubbing in that I'm still 'second best'," snapped Kala.
"Well you're not second best to me and neither will she when I have her clean out the restrooms tomorrow. It's meatloaf night," said Matt with an evil cackle.
"Local meatloaf, right?" asked Kala with a hint of worry.
"Yeah, I'm not that evil," said Matt before the line clicked and went dead.
"Matt? Hello?" asked Kala. The light flickered at that, before going out, Kala moving and grabbing the blaster under her pillow. There was an unavoidable feeling of unease. Whoever or whatever was able to get in here wasn't some simple prowler.
A crash came from the next room, Kala turning to face it before peering into said room to see a smashed vent cover, and jumping as a scuttling noise was heard. Kala gulped, wishing she still had her night vision. Wait, didn't she still had night vision? She closed her eyes before, opening two green glowing eyes in time to see something speed behind the sofa...before she blasted it in half.
Kala looked at the ruined sofa and said, "That's the third sofa since we've come here. Including the one that was here when we came." There was nothing behind the remains of said sofa to what looked like an oil patch. "Ok, better call Matt now," said Kala as she got out her cell phone.
"Connecting," said the voice on the phone, as another scuttle was heard.
"Kala?" said Matt finally.
"Matt, I think we have a pest problem back at the bunker," said Kala.
"What are you talking about? Hold on. It's just a power cut. Maybe some meatloaf escaped," said Matt.
"Don't even joke about that," said Kala with a shudder.
"Ok...ok...I'm heading back. Gary, Spider-Man and Spider-Woman can keep looking," said Matt soothingly.
"Looking for what?" asked Kala.
"It's fine. I'm on my way. Should be a saferoom down the corridor. Head there, seal the door," said Matt.
"Matt, what am I dealing with?" demanded Kala.
"Look, we may be tracking a-" began Matt before something shot the phone out her hands and pinned it to the wall.
Kala immediately started shooting her blaster around the room. There was a slithering noise before something fell with a thud.
Kala spun around, spotting something on the ground, something much more solid than a puddle. She walked forward carefully before pausing in shock. "Dark Start?" she said in shock, the small experiment groaning weakly. Kala knelt down by Dark Start and asked, "What happened to you? How did you get here?"
"It's...it's...in...room..." managed Dark Start.
"Oh, that's comforting," said Kala dryly.
Dark Start shook her head before saying, "Least there's one thing here that wasn't last time."
"Since when were you ever in here?" asked Kala.
"I didn't come here by choice," said Dark Start, looking up and yelping before vanishing into a portal.
"Since when did she have a portal generator?" asked Kala. She then realised something had scared her before looking up in time for a shadow to fall on her.
To say Matt was anxious to get back home would be an understatement. Besides, since Spider-Woman lost the 'signal', their search has been directionless.
"Kala! KALA!" he called, running through the corridors, pausing briefly to grab a sonic blaster from an armory.
"Matt, I'm in here," called Kala's voice. Matt ran over to the door, kicking it open before panning his blaster around. "Matt, relax, everything's fine," said Kala's voice. Matt paused before flicking on the lights.
Kala was sat on what was left of the sofa,. looking a little shellshocked. "Honey, when you were cut off..." Matt began.
"They have...obscenely big rats in New York," said Kala, "Either something's been leaking into the sewers or they have very questionable parentage."
"Computer, what came into this room?" snapped Matt.
The base computer beeped, "Unable to comply...black box footage deleted."
"I don't think rats are smart enough to do that," said Matt.
"Unless they're not normal rats," said Kala with a shudder.
"Are you sure you're ok?" asked Matt with concern.
"It could be worse," said Kala, jokingly, "It could have been centipedes."
Matt shuddered. "Agreed, I was terrified. MJ lost one of her symbiote buddies," he said.
"Symbiote buddies?" asked Kala.
"Yeah, her symbiote was a queen," said Matt, "As in a hive queen."
"They have queens?" said Kala in confusion.
Matt nodded, "Only saw one once. It took out half an assault team in ten seconds."
"And you sure she's got hers under control?" asked Kala.
"Well, with a name like 'Carnage', I would be right to doubt," said Matt, "But MJ seems to have hers under control. It's one of her spawns that might be trouble now."
"Great, symbiote on the loose," sighed Kala, shaking her head, "I don't think it was that...it was...so fast...everything was a blur."
"Well, we're keeping our security on for the rest of the night," said Matt.
"Agreed" shuddered Kala.
Kala woke up with a scream before checking the clock. It had just been a few hours. She reminded herself that Matt had indeed left security on.
Well, it was morning now. Time to get up and start the day. Going to her closet, she frowned at her clothes. They seemed too brightly-colored. For some reason, she was in the mood for darker colors.
"Please state selection," asked the computer calmly.
"Oh yeah. Forgot this was a synthesizing closet," said Kala. She thought it over. She was tempted to materialize herself some leather pants and a matching jacket. No, make that booty shorts and long leather boots. But there was trying on something different and there was going too edgy.
"Please make selection," reminded the computer.
"Ok, purple t-shirt," said Kala, "No, wait, make that crop top."
"Please make up your mind," said the computer a little sassily.
"Fine, blue jeans, tight blue jeans, and boots," said Kala, "Not too high, either up the legs or at the heels."
"If you insist." said the computer, the requested clothes materializing.
Kala put on her clothes and looked at herself in the mirror. She rubbed her chin and said, "I feel like wearing a little makeup today."
"No makeup on file," said the computer.
"Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised," said Kala, "Guess this is something a girl's got to do herself."
Chloe yawned, walking towards her room. Thank God it was Sunday, meaning the cover shop was closed up. She was looking forward to some nice relaxation...so it was a bit of a shock to see her door half-open.
She sighed, sliding the door open and calling, "Gee I hope I don't have to tear some intruder limb from limb." She believed in giving people a chance to surrender or at least run away.
Her sharp ears heard the sound of someone rummaging around in her bathroom. "Ok..." she snarled, stomping towards the bathroom and throwing the door open...to find Kala going through her room's makeup kit. "Kala?" she said in shock.
"Chloe, you think I should go with the blue eyeshadow?" asked Kala, "I think that would clash too much with my hair."
Chloe blinked, her brain stalling. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" she said in confusion.
"Well, red eyeshadow would just make me look crazy," said Kala, "Oh, purple, that would work nicely."
"Yes, cause normal people wear purple eyeshadow," said Chloe sarcastically.
"Well, they do," said Kala, "Should go with the mascara today? Nah, the eyeshadow's fine enough."
Chloe paused before saying "One second." before walking over to the computer monitor in her room. "Did the base drop into some bizzaro dimension?" she asked.
The computer said, "No."
Chloe nodded before walking back to Kala. "Put down the makeup...or I will turn you into a fine paste. I'm far beyond being in the mood," she said calmly.
"Ok, ok, I'll buy my own makeup later," said Kala in annoyance.
"Kala...are you feeling ok?" asked Chloe, noticing the clothing Kala was wearing.
"Felt like trying something different today," said Kala.
"Erm...it's just that..." began Chloe, trying to find a tasteful description.
"What? It's not like I'm going full punk," said Kala.
"Has Matt not been giving you enough attention again?" asked Chloe.
"No, I'm fine," snapped Kala.
"Right..." said Chloe, already compiling a list of what's wrong for later.
"Now can I borrow your makeup or not?" snapped Kala.
Chloe paused. "Erm...no...get the hell out," she said.
"But-" started Kala.
"No! Borrow someone else's makeup!" snapped Chloe.
"But no one else wears makeup," protested Kala, "Unless you count Taelina."
"That's not makeup, that's war paint," said Chloe.
"What's the difference?" asked Kala dryly.
Chloe got a creepy grin. "Funny girl," she said, before grabbing Kala and throwing her into the corridor. Chloe closed the door and said, "I probably ought to tell Matt something is off with Kala." She glanced at her makeup kit before muttering, "And later, I'm going to get new shades. I don't know what I was thinking before."
Matt was drinking some coffee when he heard Kala. "Hey, honey," he said without turning "There's a fresh pot," pointing to the coffee jug.
"Ah, nice and hot," said Kala's voice before Matt heard extending gulping.
Matt turned to see her drinking the coffee...straight out the pot...the hot pot. "KALA!" he snapped, getting up and swatting the pot out her hand in a panic.
"I wasn't finished," protested Kala.
Matt however was checking her hand for burns. "Are you ok? Your hand should be charbroiled," he said in a panic.
"Oh it was not that hot," said Kala.
Matt raised an eyebrow and pointed to where the pot was still steaming.
"Aren't you more concerned that I was drinking that?" asked Kala.
"Yes, I'm more surprised you're still speaking and aren't rasping," said Matt a little annoyed, "What were you thinking?"
"I was thirsty," said Kala.
"You nearly got your throat roasted. What's gotten into you?" snapped Matt.
"And you notice nothing else?" snapped Kala.
"I do notice you're taking a new look today. I thought checking you for injuries might be a higher priority," said Matt sarcastically.
"Oh, thanks for noticing," said Kala sweetly, "Usually, it takes a much bolder look for you to even notice."
Matt raised an eyebrow again, "I thought we were over the Berk incident."
"Emotional scars don't fade quickly," said Kala.
"Yes but there's a point when it turns into an obsession. Also why are you dressed like date night?" said Matt.
"Felt like trying on a new look," said Kala before saying coyly, "Do you want to make tonight date night?"
"Kala...are you really feeling ok? Maybe you're still in shock?" said Matt with concern.
"Shock? No, I'm fine," said Kala, "If anything, I'm a little chilly."
"Then maybe you should be wearing a bigger shirt," said Matt dryly. Kala frowned at that, Matt saying, "Look, just let the medicomp take a look at you, ok?"
"No medicomp," snapped Kala before clearing her throat, "I'm fine, really. I just need to get warmer."
"Then go put on something other then that...swimsuit of a shirt," said Matt sternly
"Fine, I'll put on a jacket," said Kala before walking out.
"Fine," said Matt before calling after her, "Not a leather jacket!"
"How did you know?" called Kala.
"I just had a hunch," said Matt.
Taelina detached herself from the shadows. "She smells wrong. You know it. I know it," she said smugly.
Matt jumped and snapped, "How long were you there?"
Taelina chuckled. "I earnt my title as huntress," she said smugly.
"Shouldn't you be in a cell or something?" asked Matt in annoyance.
"You don't have the resources here to cage me," said Taelina smugly.
"Fine, what's off about Kala then?" Matt growled.
Taelina said, "Her scent's all wrong. She's not Kala...not completely."
"That's not adding up," said Matt.
"If you bothered to practise, you'd have spotted it already," snapped Taelina.
"There's a perfectly rational explanation for all this," said Matt.
"Yes...that is that something is possessing your mate and she needs to be in a cell," said Taelina.
"No, it's clear...that Kala's finally getting her fire powers rekindled," said Matt.
"What?" asked Taelina flatly. "Yes, that would explain her chilliness and her being able to drink scalding hot coffee. She'll be shooting flames any minute now," said Matt.
Taelina said blankly, "You're kidding. Nobody's this blind."
"It's an elemental thing. You wouldn't understand," said Matt.
"No, it''s a stupid male thing. I give up. Don't come crying to me when she wears your pelt as a cloak," snapped Taelina.
Matt barely looked as Taelina stormed out. "No wonder we never worked out," he muttered.
Taelina yelled, "You're going to get eaten, you moron!"
"Mind your own business!" yelled Matt. He sighed and went to the computer. "Do a mediscan on Kala please," he requested.
The computer said calmly, "Miss Triseptus is no longer on the premises."
"Great. I better keep an eye on her," sighed Matt.
"Locating...waypoint provided," said the computer.
"You know, I get you're worried about your girlfriend. And it's sweet that you're concerned," said MJ before yawning, "But I haven't gotten much sleep last night."
"She's acting very weird," said Matt. He'd decided to go to the one expert on symbiotes he knew, "She's acting like it's Goth Day...oh and she was able to drink coffee...from the jug without needing burn therapy after."
"Well, she used to be an alien, right?" asked Peter before stifling a yawn.
"Yes...but she also didn't go into warp speed psychosis mode like an experiment should," said Matt.
"Say what?" asked Peter.
"Experiments react...very strongly to coffee," said Matt, "Particularly when it's black as can be."
"They get high of coffee?" said MJ in a disbelieving voice.
Matt frowned before walking over to MJ's computer. "Here's some security footage of when Morph and Draco got into the coffee," he said, before pressing play.
The two of them watched as Draco laughed maniacally before ripped off a chunk of the wall and taking a bite out of it. "Uh...where's Morph?" asked Peter.
"You notice that blurring motion?" asked Matt.
"Yeah?" said MJ.
"Let me slow it down," said Matt.
The footage slowed down to see Morph with an expression of contented bliss, walking through the suddenly slo-mo chaos.
"Does...Kala act that way even when she's human?" asked MJ.
"We don't speak of the 'incident'," said Matt in an ominous tone.
"So, Kala's dressing darker, she drank scalding hot coffee, and she didn't get completely wired," said Peter, "Sorry, Matt, but I don't see how any of this has anything to do with symbiotes."
"I had one of those little ink blots chase me for a year. I am not letting one use my girlfriend as a body!" snapped Matt, slamming his hand into the wall and leaving a sizable dent.
"So what made you sure that this is a symbiote and not her elemental side waking up?" asked MJ.
"Easy. No fire elemental would dress darkly," said Matt, "So...are you going to help me or not?"
"Well, I'd like to help Kala, but you need more solid proof that it's a symbiote," said Peter.
Matt's eye twitched and he began snarling.
"Wrong thing to say?" asked Peter.
"I...am not...taking...the chance," managed Matt through gritted teeth.
"Look, there could be other explanations," said Peter.
"Such as?" snapped Matt.
"I dunno. Maybe Kala and Lady Nega swapped bodies," said Peter.
"No, her eyes woulda been wrong. You can't change the eyes," said Matt.
"I think what Peter is trying to say is that you don't really know if it's a symbiote causing her change in behavior," said MJ, "You need a way to prove that."
"As said, do normal people drink scalding hot coffee and not need time in a medical bay?" said Matt.
"Don't symbiotes avoid intense heat?" asked Peter.
"Normal ones, I had to fight one that could only merge with technology," said Matt.
"That's...pretty far out of the ordinary," said Peter. "I'm pretty sure 'ordinary' is something symbiotes can learn to get around," said Matt, "But you want solid evidence? Fine. I'll draw it out into the open. You two be ready when it comes out."
Matt peered out from an alley behind Kala, before ducking back. "Ok...going for more coffee," he muttered, peering out again to see her going into a cafe with 'open mic' advertised. "Hmm...that presents an opportunity," said Matt, "Hopefully more than just another 'disturbing the peace' ticket." He walked up before heading into the cafe. "Ok, no matter how much they try to make me, no singing," he muttered to himself, looking around for Kala.
He soon saw her at the counter, ordering a few slices of a very chocolatey cake. "Oh God, coconut cake," Matt muttered, sitting at a table to watch, ready to move if she went nutty from it.
Thought from this distance, it didn't look like it had much coconut in it. It looked more like triple chocolate.
"Sugar rush city," muttered Matt darkly, readying his blaster. Kala seemed to be really enjoying that cake, if her happy moans were anything to judge by. "Ok...enjoying that too much," he muttered, heading for her table.
"Matt, what brings you here?" asked Kala.
"Thought I'd pop in for a drink and wouldn't you know it, you're here," said Matt cheerfully.
"Some coincidence," said Kala, clearly not believing it.
"Just that...you feeling better?" said Matt, looking down at the chocolate cake slice remaining. "Low blood sugar?" he joked.
"I've got a big craving," said Kala, "I think I'm getting closer to getting a fire lit."
"May I have a bit?" asked Matt, reaching for the slice, only for his wrist to be grabbed.
"You can't handle it," said Kala sweetly.
"It's chocolate cake, not hard drugs," said Matt dully, trying to pull his hand free.
"Of the two of us, you're the one who has to watch his blood sugar," said Kala, "Besides, I think it's too rich for you."
"My medical nanites see to that and you know it. What's got into you? You're acting like just after the...Night Fury thing," said Matt.
"I thought we agreed not to talk about that," said Kala.
"I thought we were over it. You're worrying me, ever since that intruder thing almost got you," said Matt.
"It was just a big rat," said Kala, "Which is enough to freak out anyone."
"Kala, that's just silly," Matt said.
"You didn't see it," said Kala, shuddering.
"So tell me what it was. I know you aren't scared of rats, no matter how big they are," Matt snapped, a few other cafe goers looking at them.
"Isn't a giant rat enough to trigger anyone's primal fear?" asked Kala.
"Look, it's not Jim's fault he pissed off some Mysticonian mage while on shore leave," said Matt.
"What?" asked Kala in confusion.
"Long story, but come on," said Matt, before Kala smirked.
"Are you sure you wouldn't want some dessert?" asked Kala before shoving the cake into Matt's face.
Matt blinked, clearing some of it off before saying in a level tone, "Ok...you're coming back to the shop for a checkup."
"I don't have to go anywhere I don't want to," said Kala.
"Kala, you aren't well...are those black streaks in your hair?" said Matt, finally noticing.
"I've done some highlights," said Kala.
"Pretty sure black isn't a highlight," said Matt.
"What would you know, you freak?" snapped Kala, Matt staring in shock
"Ok, that tears it," said Matt, "We are checking you for parasites."
"Like hell!" snapped Kala, pushing Matt back. "I have no idea what I ever saw in you!" she snapped angrily, Matt noticing she was melting the parts of the table she was holding before pushing her hands off, leaving glowing red handprints in the table.
Matt grabbed someone's ice mocha, quickly said, "I'll buy you a new one," before throwing it at Kala.
Kala stared in shock as she was drenched. "You...did not..." she snarled, Matt noticing her teeth looked a little more predatory than usual.
Then someone near the door screamed, before Megan's voice was heard "THE FIRST PERSON TO SCREAM 'DEMON' GETS KNEECAPPED! I AM NOT IN THE MOOD."
"Megan, I don't have time to deal with you right now!" called Matt.
"On the contrary," said another voice before a huge amount of slime hit Matt, "We don't have time to deal with you right now."
Matt twitched, "You...jerrrrr" he managed before the smell made him faint.
Stinkgrade looked at Kala and said, "It went to her? I would have thought it would pick the host who could become a dragon."
"It's after elemental cores. She must have been closest," snapped Lady Nega, the group letting everyone flee, though she fired a fang into the phone as a member of staff tried to use it to call the cops.
"Yeah, but she hasn't gotten her fire back," said Stinkgrade.
"It will have been rekindling her elemental core, most likely through the consumption of hot foods and beverages as well as anything with sugar for fuel," said Lady Nega.
"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" snapped Kala.
"You're not the important one here, your symbiote is," said Lady Nega.
"I don't have a symbiote," snapped Kala, her hands starting to glow.
"You don't have to lie to me. I created you. Well, commissioned you anyways," said Lady Nega.
"Get away...I am sick of...of..." began Kala, looking like she was about to be sick.
"Too much chocolate cake, I bet," said Stinkgrade.
"Nope," said Lady Nega, as Kala's teeth began to lengthen into needle sharp long ones, black liquid flowing over her.
"You do have a plan to catch this thing, right?" asked Stinkgrade.
Lady Nega grinned, holding up a remote. "That's why I threw this together." before noticing the experiments were staring wide-eyed
Lady Nega turned to look at Kala. The symbiote had already spread over her, creating a skintight purple and black suit, though the black parts were flickering red. The symbiote didn't look threatening yet, though Lady Nega had forgotten how well-built Kala's body was.
Lady Nega sighed as Kala's form got more pronounced. "Why do they do that? Roll your tongues back in and get her," she snapped at the experiments. Lady Nega turn to the symbiote and said, "Some of that has to be padding. I know you can add more mass if you want to."
"Besssst potentiaaaal in DNA," the symbiote hissed evilly before trying to lunge at Lady NegaMorph, who pressed the remote, the symbiote hissing.
"Yeah, you don't think I'd have a symbiote created for me without something to keep it back, did you?" asked Lady NegaMorph, "I mean, I know you literally can't touch me, but I'm not taking the chance."
"You will not command me...my host is angry at you...soooo much delicious anger..." hissed the symbiote.
"She doesn't get a say in this," said Lady Nega, "You work for me now."
"Work for NOBODY!" hissed the symbiote, the scythe growing out her arm.
"Hah, what are you gonna do with that?" laughed Stinkgrade before the symbiote slashed out, sending a fiery energy wave into the group.
The symbiote panted as the black parts turned bright red, flames licking up and down its female body. "Something's lighting my fire," it purred in an oddly seductive voice.
Lady NegaMorph sat up. "Not a chance," she said before she pressed the remote, only for it to collapse to ash, the symbiote grinning evilly. "Oh nuts," she muttered.
Spider-Man and Spider-Woman had just arrived to where the café was. "I hope Matt didn't do something stupid already," said Spider-Man.
The two landed in time to see the door demolished, Lady Nega thrown across the street, followed by Omnirus and his gang, insane laughter heard before a female...yes, very female symbiote appeared in the doorway, something over her shoulder.
"I landed in a garbage truck," said Omnirus dizzily.
"It still smells better than Stinkgrade," said Leroy happily.
"Ah...shut up the lot of you," groaned Lady NegaMorph as the two spiders landed in front of the symbiote.
"Uh, Kala, I know you're in there," said Spider-Man, "You can fight the symbiote."
"I don't want to fight it," laughed the symbiote.
"Kala, listen, I know the symbiote gives you a lot of power, but it takes away your will. It will make you want to hurt those you care about," said Spider-Woman.
"I'm in control...AND YOU'RE IN OUR WAY!" snapped Kala, sending another energy wave that the spiders dodged, Lady Nega sticking her head out the truck in time to see the wave incoming.
"Oh blitznak," she muttered before she and the experiments were blasted off Team Rocket style.
"Wow, Kala's definitely got her fire back," said Spider-Man.
"I hope you've been able to improve that fire-retardant web fluid," said Spider-Woman before stretching out a club-ended arm and hitting Kala.
The figure she was holding hit the ground, revealing it was Matt, covered in a vile-smelling goop. "Ooooowwww," he grumbled, Kala turning to him before running over.
"You see? It's already making you want to hurt Matt," said Spider-Woman.
"Oh, I don't want to hurt him," said Kala, "I have bigger plans for him."
Spider-Woman's eyes widened. "NO!" she snapped, Kala laughing insanely before sending a stream of flame in response. Spider-Woman's symbiote jumped backwards out of instinct. "Wait, we can't let her get away," said Spider-Woman.
"I'm on it," said Spider-Man, spraying out thick webs over the flames.
Kala laughed, before noticing a fuel tanker, sending several spines into it. "BARBEQUE!" she called, sending a spark at the leaking oil.
"Oh great," groaned Spider-Man before working on dousing the fires.
Kala grinned, grabbing Matt. "Don't worry, honey, you'll feel so much better soon," before she and Matt vanished in a burst of flame.
Matt groaned as he started coming. He felt really lightheaded. Actually, no, heavy-headed, like all the blood was in his head. It took him a few seconds to realize he was upside-down, a few more seconds to see he was strung up with purple slime.
"Oh for God's sake," he mumbled gloomily, "Hello? If it's you, Splicer, I'll have you know I'm alot more indigestible now." Matt twisted around as much as he could to see where he was, though it was a bit hard to be sure since everything was upside-down to him.
"Silent treatment is not helping!" he called before he felt a familiar hug around his neck from behind. "Kala...oh thank God..." he said, before he was turned to see a symbiote face grinning at him, tongue out. Matt blinked, before screaming.
The symbiote pressed one fingertip to Matt's lips. "Ah, ah, none of that. There's no reason to scream here. It's only the two of us. Three if you want to be technical," said the symbiote in a soothing voice, one that Matt recognized.
"K...Kala? I fucking knew it. Honey, you need to fight that thing. My brain's so messed up I'll probably give you food poisoning. But I know the code to the cocoa powder back at base," Matt gibbered.
"Relax, dear. I don't intend to eat you," said the symbiote. She extended a long tongue that slid across Matt's face and neck in what was probably meant to be an affectionate gesture.
Matt shuddered. "Nooo...so many future nightmares..." he whimpered.
The symbiote sucked her tongue back and said, "The look on your face says 'no', but the color says 'yes'."
"That's cause I'm upside down and the blood IS IN MY HEAD!" snapped Matt, inching his fingers under the goop towards his ion staff.
"Well, I don't need your blood in there," said the symbiote. She grabbed Matt and plucked him off the ceiling like a ripe fruit. She set him on the ground, though still bound in slime. "Is that a better viewpoint?" she asked.
"Ow...brain ache..." grumbled Matt before finally getting a good look at her figure. "Bad symbiote, Kala didn't need a makeover. Though I admit, it's a good job...wait, why am I complimenting a sentient slimeball?" he snapped, finally grabbing his ion staff, the blade shooting out the slime covering him, burning it off and Matt rolling back, ion blade in a defence stance.
"Oh, you don't want to hurt little old me," said the symbiote coyly.
"I can skin you off Kala easier than you think," snapped Matt.
"And hurt me?" said 'Kala' smugly.
Matt lifted up a blue-striped grenade. "Sonic grenade, leftover from my symbiote killing days. Kills blobs and leave hosts standing, Miss..." he said.
'Kala' smirked, "We are called...Sear in this hosty."
"Sear? You sure that name hasn't already been used?" asked Matt.
"We checked," said Sear, "And we can back up the name." The red parts of the symbiote flared brighter as flames danced along her form.
"Ok, that's wrong. You shoulda been crispy," Matt said, backing up, adding, "And you should be scared of this." He held up his sonic grenade.
Sear sent a blast of fire that knocked the grenade back. "We are a unique symbiote," she said before frowning, "Unfortunately, the one who created us wanted us to stay unique."
"GET OFF MY GIRLFRIEND!" roared Matt, shifting to anthro form and sending a plasma ball at her.
Sear leaped over the plasma ball and said, "Unlike other symbiotes, we cannot spread to others, cannot make more of ourselves, not unless our creator wants us to."
"Oh thank God," said Matt with relief,
Then Sear said with an evil grin, "Well...at least when our creator replaces that remote."
"Well, one of you is more than enough. I doubt anyone will want to make you spawn more," said Matt.
"Settle down," said Sear before shooting fire at Matt, "Can't have you wasting all your strength."
"GET OFF KALA!" screamed Matt, Sear snarling and punching him in the chest before pinning him against the wall.
"Fine...if you want it like that..." before she kissed him, slime spreading over Matt from the point of contact. Matt made muffled yells and tried to struggle, but the symbiote was spread quickly over him. Meanwhile, Kala's body was becoming more exposed as the symbiote left her.
Kala finally let go, her eyes refocusing before she screamed, falling back as the now blue-highlighted symbiote stretched. "Now...this is better," he said smugly before noticing Kala. "Yes, much easier to work with. You are weaker without me, even weaker than Matt is normally. You will be easy to dominate," said the symbiote sinisterly.
Kala pushed herself back. "Get away!" she screamed, before she paused. "You were in my head...you used me to...oh God, bushi-bu!" she said in horror.
The symbiote grinned, igniting a plasma flame and extinguishing it. "He is definitely stronger," he sneered before looking at Kala properly. "What to do with you...food or host? This one's core should be enough for just one till I get round this gene lock," he sneered, advancing.
"I said get away!" screamed Kala before her hands lit up with flames.
"Really? I can ignite blue fire in my claws, and I absorbed your own fire immunity, and you'd think there would be a little thanks for the improvement to your DNA," said the symbiote scathingly.
"Get back!" yelled Kala, shooting a more concussive blast of fire.
The symbiote blinked after the fire stopped, shaking the soot off before he muttered to himself darkly, "At least my current host knew good work when he saw it." The symbiote squinted as Kala's fire flared up more. "You might want to turn it down," said the symbiote, "You're going to burn the place down."
"I'll be fine and you'll be roasted!" snapped Kala, the symbiote sighing before smirking. "Hmm...just...enough..." he said thoughtfully, a small sphere forming out of the goop in his hand, Kala pausing as she spotted it. "It's just a small seed. It needs fertile soil," said the symbiote.
"Not a chance!" snapped Kala, before the symbiote shot a tentacle out his arm, grabbing and pulling her close.
"I preferred Sear anyway," he said, shoving the sphere down her throat.
"I told that moron Kala was not the one he knew," snapped Taelina, the group having been told about what had happened at the cafe.
"In his defense, this is a very atypical symbiote," said Spider-Man.
"I smelt it the second I saw her. He should have locked her away before that creature manifested!" snapped Taelina angrily.
"I had my suspicions too," said Chloe, "The way she was getting into my makeup."
Taelina turned slowly to look at Spider-Woman, before grabbing a kitchen knife and throwing it, the blade in the wall next to Spider-Woman's head. "Another one..." she snarled, grabbing another knife before Chris and Chloe grabbed her.
"She's got hers under control," snapped Chloe.
"Lies! You cannot trust parasites!" snarled Taelina before Chris punched her.
"She has more self-control than you do," snapped Chloe.
"I trusted Lynch and now he is in the clutches of the parasite!" snapped Taelina.
"Well until Matt's back, I'm in charge here," snapped Chloe.
"You in charge?" asked Taelina mockingly.
"Do we need to have another dominance asserting lesson?" growled Chloe, her eyes glowing yellow and sparking.
Taelina paused before laughing. "Fair enough, but we need a plan. The parasite will expect a rescue attempt," she said.
"Well, I doubt we can burn them off now," said Chloe, "Any other suggestions?"
"Symbiotes have always shown a vulnerability to electricity in my experience," said Spider-Man.
Taelina grinned at Chloe evilly, "Our heavy hitters."
"Hitters?" asked Chris, before Taelina tossed a spark of lightning into a light, blowing it out.
"My daedric blood is sealed, but not my old skills," she said calmly.
"Still, probably ought to have a backup plan," said Spider-Woman, "If it can adapt to fire, it can probably adapt to electricity as well."
"Surely there were weapons made to fight these things," said Taelina.
Chris said, "Full rack of S-45 sonic rifles."
Just then, Spider-Woman clutched her head. "You ok?" asked Spider-Man.
"I can sense it again...it's...it's at the waterfront," Spider-Woman managed.
"But I thought you weren't connected to that symbiote," said Spider-Man. "Maybe my symbiote's learned how to connect to that one," said Spider-Woman.
"Then we have a hunt," smirked Taelina, before Spider-Woman looked horrified.
"Wait, I think I know what put it on the radar," said Spider-Woman.
"What?" asked Chloe.
"I think it just made a spawn," said Spider-Woman.
"Oh...shit..." muttered Chloe, before snapping at the computer, "Tell me nothing en-route."
The computer paused before saying, "There are 5 NSC vessels in range...1 has altered its heading. ETA to arrival, 2 hours."
"Yeah, let's nip this weed in the bud before pest control gets here," said Chloe.
Not far away...
"Ok, so the first attempt didn't go very well. But on the bright side, we found Dark Start," said Lady NegaMorph.
"As much as I need my daily cardio, don't you have your own flunkies for backup?" asked Omnirus.
"SILENCE! I'M PAYING YOU TO HELP ME!" snapped Lady NegaMorph, adding, "And the last thing I need is Falcore saying 'I told you so'" in a mocking impression of Falcore.
"Anyways, we should find that symbiote before it starts spawning," said Leroy.
"You'd think I'd create a symbiote that could go Gremlins on me?" asked Lady Nega.
There was a chorus of 'Yes' at that and Dark Start, still dizzy, called "I can see hamsters."
"Trust me, I only wanted one dragon-hunting slime. That's why I had Doc Ock sterilize it," said Lady Nega.
"More like its reproductive functions have been locked, not unlike the Shar-Ekta females," said Cyber, fluctuating into genius mode for a minute.
"Then why does this doohickey you had me make say there's two now?" called Cyber.
"Impossible. There can be only one of it," said Lady Nega.
Cyber walked over and showed her the new remote, which showed two dots.
"That must be a glitch," said Lady Nega, "There should only be one. But at least they're close so we won't miss it."
"Are you sure?" said Omnirus, looking at it.
"Yes, there are only specific ways to make that symbiote spawn," said Lady NegaMorph, "If it had any success on its own, the offspring would be weak and frail."
"What if it was plasma-powered when it did it?" said Omnirus.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no..." said Lady Nega, starting to panic.
"Well, it'd only be a weak little thing," said Leroy.
"Even a weak symbiote can wipe the floor with us on the right host," said Cyber.
"Yeah...plus it would get the NSC's atten-" said Omnirus before there was a thud, the group seeing that Lady Nega had fainted.
Leroy suggested, "Steal her wallet?"
"Where do ladies keep wallets?" asked Cyber.
"I don't care. Let's just steal anything valuable," said Omnnirus.
Considering time was growing short, the group decided to take the express route. Most of them were groaning when they exited NegaMorph's shadow portal. "You guys should do that more often," said Chloe, "It toughens you up."
"Yes, it's hardly worse than your standard Oblivion portal," said Taelina.
"Then why did you look so traumatized when you came out of me earlier?" asked NegaMorph.
"Because I was coming out of the wrong hole," said Taelina darkly.
"They're in there," said MJ, her suit forming over her.
Taelina sniffed and said, "There's only two. That's good. We can take them."
"Great, you said it," said Chloe dully.
"Let's hurry before there are three," said Spider-Man.
The group headed into the building to hear a few cackles in the distance as well as a conversation.
"Just rest up. Feed on the fire. Eventually, we'll be able to make more," said a male voice.
"I'm hungry. There's no chocolate left," snapped a female voice.
"Oh, that's easy enough to get," said the male voice, "Humans do love their chocolates."
"No, why do we have to hide here, doing nothing, honey?" snapped the female voice with an angry hiss.
"Because you're too weak to hunt right now," said the male voice.
"We're stronger than everyone," snapped the female, the group peering out to see two symbiotes arguing. They were both purple, the one bonded to the male had blue highlights. But the female one had black highlights that only flickered red, mostly when she was talking.
"Yes, we are stronger. But heroes here have a habit of finding a way around that," snapped the male.
"Then can't we pick off some of the weaker ones until we're stronger?" asked the female.
The male sniffed the air before grinning, "Yes...but why go out when the foods delivered itself?" slowly turning to look at the group's hiding place
"No point in waiting now," said Taelina before throwing a lightning bolt at the symbiotes.
The two symbiotes scattered with laughs, into the shadows. "Taelina, is that you?" asked the male.
"Yes and I'm going to have your hides made into rugs," snarled Taelina.
"Oh, that's so cute coming from a fleabag who could only get me as a date by brainwashing me," sneered the male, the female snapping "I KNEW IT!"
"Ha, pay up, NegaMorph," said Chloe. "What are you talking about? I'm the one who bet against Taelina's charms," said NegaMorph.
"And sister...the one with a mental defence like a revolving door. What use are you?" sneered the male from somewhere above.
"Hey!" snapped Chloe, sending a lightning bolt upwards.
"Missed...and the queen who gave up her role," laughed the male
"America's a democracy for a reason," said Spider-Woman.
"You're a traitor to your species, o'queen," snarled the voice before a blue energy bolt shot down from the rafters at Spider-Woman, melting a hole in the floor.
"Yeah, watch out for the plasma bolts," said NegaMorph.
"THAT THING'S MATT?" snapped Chloe, twitching as her gamma contamination started to kick in.
"Took you long enough," sneered the symbiote, "And you say I'm a slow guesser."
"MATTHEW JAMES LYNCH, GET YOUR BLOB-COVERED BUTT DOWN HERE!" roared Chloe.
"Make me," said the symbiote before waggling an extra-long tongue at Chloe.
Chloe glared, aiming a blast before she was tackled by the female and thrown into a wall and diving at Chris.
"And this would be Kala," said Chris before firing his sonic rifle.
Kala staggered back before laughing insanely. "With Matt's singing?" she giggled before lunging.
"I was worried about that," said Chris before swinging the rifle like a bat.
Kala yelped as she was knocked to the side, Matt landing with an evil grin. "Sister, I'd like to pick your brain."
"And I'd like you to brush your teeth," said Chloe.
"Oh, good one," sneered Matt before his left hand twitched, a large scythe blade appearing.
"Nice scythe. Too bad you were always lousy with swordfighting," said Chloe.
"You'd think that," sneered Matt, sending a blast of energy out at her.
The plasma blast pushed Chloe back a bit, but her gamma-enhanced physique didn't take much damage. "Spidey, any suggestions?" she asked.
"Spider-Woman, you can sense them again. Can't you give them orders?" called Spider-Man.
"I don't think so," said Spider-Woman, "There was stuff I had to give up to maintain control."
"It's the best we have," called Chloe, backing up from the slashes from Matt.
"Well, I'll give it a try," said Spider-Woman, "But if I start to go Carnage, you guys better snap me out of it."
Chloe yelled "NOW!" as Matt tried to snap at her.
"Symbiotes, stand down," called Spider-Woman.
Matt paused at that, shaking in place before hissing, "No...need...to...feeeed."
"Your queen commands you to let the humans go," said Spider-Woman.
Kala hissed angrily, before reluctantly letting go of Taelina, Matt though seemed to be fighting back. "They...aren't...humans..." snarled Matt's symbiote. Kala blinked, before grinning evilly and starting to try and eat Taelina again.
Just then, a jagged mouth open on Spider-Woman's face and she snapped, "I said let your hosts go right now!"
Kala hissed in fear, the symbiote falling of her, though Matt hissed angrily, "I don't...recognize...you"
"I am the one that spawned you and I am ordering you to leave your host now!" snapped Spider-Woman.
"NOOO!" roared Matt, sending a blast of plasma at her.
The blast hit Spider-Woman, sending her flying into a wall. "Mary Jane!" cried Spider-Man.
Matt laughed insanely before heading for the nearest door. However, as soon as he stepped outside, something clicked underfoot. Matt looked down only for a bubble of sonic energy to form around him and started blasting him with very loud noise. The symbiote shrieked in agony, clutching its head, before it began to peel off.
"Huh, nice trap, Chris," said NegaMorph.
"I didn't set it up," said Chris.
"That would be my doing," said a man walking into view, a man with greenish skin and a beard of short quills.
"Hey, it's...uh...um..." Spider-Man paused as he tried to think.
"Haze Mancer. Been a while, hasn't it? That symbiote's my bounty," said Haze, shouldering his rifle at the group.
"I don't know who this guy is, but I don't think I'd trust him with a symbiote," said NegaMorph.
"Well that's just a shame," taunted Haze.
"Well, we can take this guy," said Chloe.
"Oh, I wouldn't try, missy," said Haze. He poked Matt with his gun and said, "Your boy here's pretty weak from that sonic whammy. Probably wouldn't take a lot to put him down for good." At that, he aimed a blaster at the unconscious Matt. "So I'd let me be on my way. It's gonna save you on funeral expenses that way," said Haze.
Chloe said reluctantly, "Let him go."
"Wise decision," said Mancer.
He threw two orbs that seeked out the two symbiotes hoovering them up before floating back. "Pleasure doin' business with you heroes," Haze sneered, before tossing a canister down, a bright flash blinding everyone.
Once everyone could see again, they could see that Haze Mancer was long gone. "I can't believe he got away like that," said Spider-Man.
"That guy was professional," said Chloe.
"Uuuuurgh," groaned Matt at that, a similar groan heard from Kala.
"We better get these guys to Connors," said Spider-Man, "Symbiotes tend to leave their hosts drained."
Kala grumbled as she woke up, noticing that she was on a flame retardant bed. "Urgh...I am gonna kill whoever made that symbiote," she grumbled. She lifted her hand made small flames appear on each fingertip. "On the other hand, it did jumpstart my fire powers," she said.
She looked around, remembering her symbiote saying something about enhancing her DNA's potential before spotting her reflection, causing her eye to twitch. "Maybe Matt won't notice," she said before pausing, "Oh who am I kidding? What guy wouldn't notice his girlfriend's bust getting bigger? Then again, Matt is rather thick..."
"First I find out where I am," she muttered before seeing the SHIELD sign. "Oh nuts," she muttered.
A voice on the intercom said, "Please remain lying down. This is standard procedure for post-symbiote cleansing and verification."
"Bite me, I woke up in an improved body with a bigger-why am I getting angry?" said Kala.
"Residual hormone flux. Symbiotes thrive on adrenaline," said the voice on the intercom.
"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" snapped Kala.
"You'll be high-strung and testy for a while until your brain chemicals settle," said the voice.
"I AM NOT TESTY!" screamed Chloe, sending out a fire fury
"There may also be a correlation between your fire powers and your temper," said the voice.
"Where's Matt?" snapped Kala.
"He's resting. He took a worse drain than yours, not to mention the shock that sonic attack did to his internal organs," said the voice.
"I want to see him right now," said Kala sulkily, adding, "Mostly cause the room's on fire."
"We'll see you moved to a new room shortly," said the voice, "You may need to wait for Matt to recover a little more first."
"Erm...the fire's rather big now," said Kala nervously.
"Don't you have control over fire?" asked the voice.
"Not when the walls are on fire," said Kala with concern.
Just then, Chloe's voice was heard on the intercom. "You need to focus," she said, "You can stop the fire as easily as you can start it."
"Chloe, lemme out!" snapped Kala.
"Kala, if you're going to have your elemental powers back, then you need to keep your control over them," said Chloe. Kala concentrated at that, the flame flowing into her. "That's better," said Chloe's voice.
"Now then, where's Matt?" snapped Kala.
"He's resting. He may be able to talk soon, but he won't be on his feet for at least a day," said Chloe.
Kala frowned at where a camera was, "I want to see him...NOW!"
"Very well. Please wait a few moments," said the first voice.
Kala frowned as she was led through the corridors to another secure room. "You have to understand that Lynch is in a delicate state right now," said one of the SHIELD medics, "That sonic attack rattled up his insides pretty badly."
"I wanna see him," said Kala stubbornly.
"Fine, but don't touch him and don't get him excited," said the medic.
Kala frowned before walking into the room they indicated and pausing in horror. Matt was hooked up to several machines, apparently asleep. "Oh...oh," she managed walking up carefully. "Matt?" she asked tenderly, gently shaking his arm.
"Kala...that you?" asked Matt drowsily.
"Yeah...yeah, I'm so sorry. This is my fault," said Kala, leaning over him to hug him.
"Ah, ah, Kala, don't touch," said Dr. Connors.
"It's ok," said Matt weakly.
Kala glared. "Yeah so butt out...sorry," she said, getting her temper under control.
"His nanites are doing a remarkable job of repairing his injuries though," said Dr. Connors, "But right now, he is very tender right now and he won't be on active duty for at least 24 hours."
"This was my fault so I'm staying with him till he's well," snarled Kala, her eyes literally blazing with flames.
"Kala, this is a no-smoking facility," said Matt.
Kala frowned. "That's not funny," she said.
"Definitely a sign he's on the mend," said Chloe dryly.
Falcore winced as he heard Lady NegaMorph yell, "THOSE SYMBIOTES WERE MINE, YOU CUT-PRICE BOBA FETT!"
"I believe the Earth expression is 'finders keepers'," came the reply.
"I can literally reach down the phone and choke you, you little thief!" snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"So sorry, but someone's already paid me a good amount to catch these things. And interdimensional travel ain't cheap these days," said Haze Mancer.
"I just bought those! Who paid you off? I want a name!" snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"Sorry, but that's a breach in customer confidentiality," said Mancer.
"Grah! This isn't over, Mancer," snapped Lady Nega, smashing the comm in rage.
Falcore walked forward. "There is always the backup plan," he said, showing the vial he'd taken with a smug smirk.
"Not in the mood, Falcore!" snapped Lady Nega.
"Well, my girlfriend already proved it's reliable. Just saying," said Falcore.
Lady Nega glared at him, a black aura flaring around her. "I'm about one smart comment away from going on a dragon tantrum," she snarled, "I suggest you back away."
"I'm not trying to be smart. I'm simply suggesting we use tried and tested technology," said Falcore with a bow.
"Leave," snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"As you wish, my lady," said Falcore, bowing once more before walking out.
Lady NegaMorph snarled before flaring up into her dragon form and letting out an enraged roar.
She paused as she heard a smug voice in her head, "What's wrong? Villain work not working?"
"Shut up!" snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"Hmm...Falcore even offered you a working solution..." taunted the voice.
"I do not need this right now!" snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"Hmm...you want me, the person you bodysnatched, who chased my boyfriend away after convincing him I was an irredeemable monster, to stop annoying you...hmm...NAAAAH!" said the voice.
Lady NegaMorph let out an angry roar, shadow fire shooting out of her mouth.
"So mature. Did it occur that, horrible as it was, your little Articuno hybrid worked?" said the voice.
"So what?!" snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"And those splitters gave you another vial? And you have at least one more competent minion?" said the voice in a 'talking to idiots' voice.
"And those birds would fly the coop if they think they're powerful enough to get away with it," snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"Your first hybrid didn't," said the voice pointedly.
Lady NegaMorph snorted and said, "Like I trust them. I'm getting some ice cream."
"And another thing, don't ruin my body," said the voice, "I don't want to have to work off so many pounds when I get it back." The voice added "You know, Falcore's gonna take that serum one way or another. You're more likely to keep him loyal if you let him. Food for thought."
"All I want is comfort food," snapped Lady NegaMorph.
"Ok...have fun when he rebels," laughed the voice, adding, "You won't be much of a villain if you chase your underlings away."
"Just be quiet," snapped Lady NegaMorph.
Of course, the entire thing was being watched by Doctor Octopus's octobots, which have avoided attention as they watched Lady NegaMorph try to recapture her symbiotes. And he found the whole thing rather underwhelming. "That is the last time I make symbiotes for someone else," said Doc Ock.
"I have traced the bounty hunters employer to source," said one of his drones.
"Excellent. I need to speak with him," said Doctor Octopus before turning to another monitor.
"Connecting," said the drone.
A few seconds later, Taskmaster's face appeared in the monitor. "Octavius, you look better than when I last saw you," said Taskmaster.
"Thanks to one of my newer formulas," said Doc Ock, "Speaking of new formulas, your alien bounty hunter has captured that symbiote."
"I know, he already told me," said Taskmaster, "Though I get the feeling I won't be seeing the surplus."
"He kept one?" said Doc Ock coldly.
"Maybe. From what I heard, the spawn was weak and sickly. Might not even survive the trip," said Taskmaster.
"Still, it's remarkable that it was able to figure out a way around the gene lock I put in it," said Doc Ock, "Even if the offspring is too weak."
"I wouldn't put it past Haze to fix it. He tried to sell me several 'custom' symbiotes," said Taskmaster.
"And where would he get those?" asked Doc Ock, "I should be the only source of them."
"Well, he's not from this neighborhood. Probably even further away than we think," said Taskmaster.
"I trust you'll use the symbiote better then its last owner," said Doc Ock.
"Oh, I intend to make good use of it," said Taskmaster.
"You realize that SHIELD will be coming after you soon," said Doctor Octopus.
"Good, I've been wanting a rematch with Spider-Man for a while now. And I'll be ready," said Taskmaster.
After a considerable time, we have a new chapter. This is actually a two-parter, but it won't take too long to get to the second part. I figured I'd post the 19th chapter on the last day of 2019 and the 20th chapter on the first day of 2020. Anyways, this features a rather atypical symbiote, as you can see. And we're not done with it yet. We'll be dealing with it in the next chapter. Keep an eye out for it and please review.
