Disclaimer: I do not own any of the series created by 'Marvel' 'Black Star Rock Shooter' and the 'Metal Gear' Franchise or its cast of characters. All the writing written below was only copied and pasted by me, the credit for the literature belongs to their rightful owners while the majority is entirely by Cosgrove as well as anyone who posted their piece of literature to him and he decided to add in his thread of the actual 'Peter Parker Quest'. Also give out your thoughts on each chapter or ask questions in the review sections and I'll check them frequently.
Enjoy.
Publisher Notes (6/4/2014) Update
*'Chapter 1 and 25' publisher's Note has been updated
(If you have re-read either one of these chapters 'Publisher Notes' listed above you can just simply jump straight to the story, but if not keep reading below.)
I'm aware that some people might be put off by the way the narrative is written, but that can be ignored. Again this is all done for the fun and enjoyment of the players in the actual 'Peter Parker Quest' thread which is still going on now, and if anyone wants they can join or read along. But first in order to understand why the story is written the way it is you must know what a Quest is.
A quest is where you are putting players in charge of a character where a story is revealed to them and gives them more ability to affect the outcome. A Game Master is the person in charge of and overlooks the Quest and controls the plot of the story. As mentioned in the disclaimer this is Cosgrove's quest which you can search the threads for his Quest. If you want to check the archives for this quest look no more but here
-Search Google for 'Peter Parker Quest: Issue #4 - sup/tg/ - Archive'.
Anyways back to the topic, Cosgrove offers choices for players to choose from or allows them to write in their own choices to move the story forward, and depending on the majority vote 1 or more choices are picked by the game master in which he integrates it into the story. Be reassured that Cosgrove only picks the choice from the majority vote that makes sense. Some of these choices will usually depend on dice rolls. Depending on digital dice rolls adding up with the characters stats and current skills will determine if the choices fail or succeed.
These quest tend to break away from main canon as much as possible so some things will remain canon and some won't , however just be reassured that for this reason we have majority vote and dice rolls which makes the story interesting and unpredictable, sometimes we hate it but sometimes we love it.
Again Cosgrove uses many of the sources of the marvel universe, he is not just following 1 series of the Spider-Man Saga, he is using different mixes and ideas from movies, shows and the following comics however not all the players in the thread know which will be picked, again, in order to keep it more interesting and unpredictable.
Also, if I didn't mention it, there are some OC's in this quest. Some of them will be major some minor. Again I can't help it. This is Cosgrove's work and the majority of players are ok with this. So if your not into OC's, sorry but they are going be appearing, all I can tell you is they will not be the main focus but they will appear so I recommend either leaving this story now (and save your sanity while you still have it) or come in with an open mind and enjoy the ride. But understand while some may appear they won't replace already existing characters in the Marvel Universe.
Now if anyone has questions I will answer and reply in the bottom of each chapter so everyone as well as those with the same question can see it.
-Also a reader has complained about the grammar in, I tell you that will be solved in due time, understand I don't have a beta so I have to focus on both updating on new chapters as well as re-reading through previous chapters make sure there are no errors.
[THE WORLD WITHOUT]
[MAXIMUM CARNAGE]
ARC
CHAPTER 26
Roadtrip to Castle Doom
Flash Thompson was a man who lived his life as best as he could. It was a life full of regrets, mistakes and vengeance, but such was a life shaped by the misfortunes of one's youth. Now this life has ended- another in the long line of CARNAGE's lifelong spree.
Peter Parker has seen the extent of CARNAGE's strength and invulnerability as a terrifying thought courses through his mind- This, to CARNAGE, is not yet enough. If CARNAGE gains its perfect body… what will happen? What could stand in its way?
He is currently traveling with his new companions to DOOM's stronghold- a silent fortress that contains the mastermind whose machine brought him to this ruined future. Stopping only to resupply in the day and traveling day and night, they continue to keep ahead of CARNAGE's dauntless pursuit.
It has been three days for Peter Parker since he's reached this future- the horrors he has seen so far have been terrible indeed! What more lurks unseen on their path ahead?
Your eyes open behind your mask as you observe your surroundings. Alice seems to be sitting, her posture very neutral- you've noticed that unless you interact with her she doesn't do much of anything unless told to. But, considering what you've learned about her that makes sense. She's someone's brain in a cyborg body who survived Carnage experimentation with some damage to the brain which mainly caused amnesia.
Across from her is the enigmatic pod- you assume the last member of their group is in there, but other than the Doktor checking on it periodically there's been no interaction with it. Omega's been inactive, though there's a slight redness to his body's eyes- he's probably in a power conservation mode.
And there the Doktor, who other than makes you gather supplies and orders you around has been driving the truck. After one or two close calls at night she decided to stop trying to sleep and just keep driving barring necessary stopping. The longer she's been doing this, the quieter she's gotten.
And then there's the symbiote- you've been keeping an eye on it. It moves when it doesn't think you're looking at it, turning itself into shapes. You've had trouble sleeping lately, not only from the things you've seen but from worry about this thing. You grabbed it after Flash's death.
Was that a mistake?
Regardless, you've kept an eye out while you could- you've forgone a normal sleeping schedule- you've begun alternating between when you're 'on duty' guarding the truck and then you're off duty- there's nothing to read or do, leaving you only with your thoughts and nightmares.
You've managed to wash your costume- it's no longer covered in Flash's... gore, but you can't help but feel that it's still dirty, that you're still covered in his blood.
You're still a day or two away from DOOM's fortress and it's your shift.
You head to the top of the truck and look around. The clouds seem darker than before- looks like it might storm and with the temperatures that are currently around, it'll probably end up as sleet. That alone would probably be enough to report, but there's something else you notice as you travel along- there's someone following you.
They're good, too. It's hard to notice them considering that you're keeping your eyes alert like a hawk. You can't see their face, its covered by a mask, leaving long brown hair flowing behind them in the sunset's light, jumping from roof to roof after the vehicle- this region's relatively untouched making rooftop travel for you something that isn't impossible.
As you keep an eye on the figure, it looks over at you and the truck and drops to the roof it is on. It's a decent distance back. However, unlike CARNAGE's powerful, arrogant stride this is more cautious and wary and this person's movements reminds you of videos of people who perform parkour.
They seem to be following you, but they haven't made any hostile movements. Yet. But the sun has almost set.
You climb back down and open the door to the truck and get inside, closing it behind you. Alice looks your way, arms tensed, before lowering them. You head up to the driver's compartment. "There's someone following us, they have long brown hair and are wearing an outfit that conceals the rest of them. This person moves unlike CARNAGE and seems to be doing parkour to keep up, but when they noticed me looking at them, this person hid."
The Doktor nods, glancing at you. "Zell Alice zo head up, it's getting dark out. You need zo stay inside zo keep you out of CARNAGE's sights und Alice has infrared vision. I also have a line of communication vith her virelessly if needed."
You nod and head back, glancing at Alice. The Doktor will probably be talking to her periodically, so better tell her. Relaying the Doktor's orders Alice nods as the truck pauses momentarily- unlike you Alice needs it to be at a stop to safely get to the roof's outlook spot- it was added later than the truck was made, meaning no access hatch.
You sit down and glance around. Great. Nothing to do… again.
You glance over at the symbiote for a while, but so long as you pay attention to it, it plays coy. However, it only seems to be focusing on you- not on Alice or the Doktor. You. Was it because of the fact that you touched it after Flash's death?
You aren't sure. It's better to focus on something else.
Looking over at the pod, you give it a look over- there's no window to see inside. There is a screen near where you're standing, but it is currently off right now. There's a slight hum of machinery from the pod, which is cool to the touch.
It probably has an internal generator of some kind considering that it isn't plugged into anything and has been running for several days straight.
You glance around at the pod's surroundings- to one side is the symbiote's tanks and the other, next to the driver compartment, is a wall mounted rack holding the gun the Doktor has along with some sort of sword.
As you look around, you notice that the touch screen lights up.
You look over at the screen. And you don't touch it. At all. Not the 'No.' Not the 'Yes.' Nothing.
There has been nothing good that's come out of you touching random things or messing with what you don't understand. And doing that in the grim, dark future where there is only CARNAGE is not a good idea.
So, doing the responsible thing, you head to the Doktor's area and open it. "Hey, Dok, your hotpocket is ready. Can I use the Microwave?"
You see the Doktor's eyebrow furrow as she turns back to you. "Vat?"
You let out a sigh and point at the pod. "The pod thing says it is ready."
She curses, looking outside. "Scheisse!"
Night has fallen along with the beginning of rain. Distantly, there's Carnage's distinctive cry. There's no stopping tonight. Her grip tightens on the wheel as you see it crack slightly.
Her eyes narrow as she watches the road as she seems to come to a decision. "You may activate it or not, but vat happens after is your own responsibility. Ze vone in ze pod might make it to morning fur me to open."
You glance at the pod. So, as suspected this was the Last Member…
"Wait, what do you mean 'might make it until morning?'"
"Vell, ze pod vill lose power, so unless avoken, zere is a chance it vill shut down und ze vitals will simply flatline.
"But I am unable to stop driving until ze morning."
You swallow nervously. They might die? Damn it, you really can't have another person's life on your conscience. Heading over you press the button marked 'YES.'
It pauses with a loading screen, then shows the outline of a hand.
/Please set hand on designated location/
You move to set your hand on the designated spot before your Spider-sense flares- but you're unable to figure out what's causing it. You pull back your hand, but the message doesn't change.
/Please set hand on designated location/
Seems like it might be slightly dangerous to you, but there's no other choice if you're going to wake up whoever's in there.
You glance over at the Dok. "Hey Doc, it's telling me to place my hand here."
"Vell, yes. Zat is necessary to open ze pod."
She doesn't elaborate any further.
You let out a sigh. Damn it. You place your hand against the spot as you see light cycling around your hand. There's a pause as a beep is let out as the machine lets out some cold fog, cracking open. Chains fly out of the crack, wrapping them around your arm and the room. Moving your hand back, it seems like the chains have been anchored into your arm somehow. You feel pain running through your mind for but a moment before it fades, like something went in to have a look.
The screen you had your hand against now has some other text.
/GIBSON PROGRAM APPROVAL GRANTED/
/PROMETHEUS CIRCUIT CONNECTION SECURED/
/STASIS END COMMENCING/
More and more cold fog creeps into the room, making it hard to see in the room as you hear more chains moving and spreading around.
From the center of the room you see a blue flame for a moment before it turns green and fades. As the fog clears you see a girl- a young teenager at best- sitting, covered in the chains. Green rimmed glasses frame her face along with her black hair that has a tinge of green to it. She seems to be wearing some sort of black gothic dress as well.
"I ask of you, are you my 'Master?'"
You pause. "Wait. What?"
The girl tugs on her arm which is also covered in chains as you feel yours yanked on some. Glancing from the girl to your arm and back, the girl nods.
"The Prometheus Circuit connection is established. You are my caretaker."
Abruptly, the chains begin to vanish one by one in green flames as the girl looks around the compartment.
Feeling more and more lost, you glance to the Driver's compartment to the girl and back.
Oh god…
WHAT THE FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK.
It is now official. You hate the future.
You take a deep breath. "One moment."
Heading towards the Doktor, you open the door. "Okay, so why is there a girl declaring I'm her master like something out of one of my friend's animes?"
The Doktor waves one hand on the wheel. "Vell, she vas meant to be Agent Venom's partner. Since he is gone, you have to fill in his place. Ze girl is a clone. Vell, sort of. She is, more correctly, half human und half Asgardian. Ze Prometheus Circuit makes ze 'caretaker' immune zo zhe innate illusionary powers in case ze girl turns to be as zreacherous as her progenitor- it also makes any attempts on ze caretaker's life fatal for ze hybrid.
"she is ze last project of Wyler Gibson before he died und she vas left un mine hands for vatever reason. Her age is around eleven to tvelve und ze caretaker is to act as ze moral compass for ze hybrid."
You blink behind your mask as you try to process all of this. "Oh. Okay."
Closing the door behind you, you sit on the bench and rest your masked face in your hands. And then you begin to scream internally. You aren't sure how long it lasts- nor do you care.
All that matters is getting the hell back to the past, curing Felicia, and then making sure this future never, ever happens. Ever. In fact- you should probably just destroy all time machines. They're nothing but trouble.
"Hey, are you done? I did make a request."
Taking deep breaths, you're innately aware of a tugging on your arm as you subconsciously hear the rattle of chains. The girl is looking at you, slightly annoyed.
You look at the girl. You know how Uncle Ben and Aunt May would act to you acting rudely to the girl- it wasn't even her fault really. 'Make the best of a bad situation, Peter- you're a good kid so you should try to be a good role model.'
You miss them.
Still, you should make a good first impression.
"Sorry about that. I've had a rough week. The situation is that the person you were supposed to have as a caretaker didn't make it, so I had to fill in his stead. Right now we're being chased by a monster wearing the face of someone I knew with a God complex the size of Texas. This monster also has a bunch of clones that look like me that it eats along with a minion known as the Jackal that has other monstrous beasts with him. But they only come out at night, it seems"
"Currently, we're trying to get to Doctor DOOM's fortress to meet up with him."
She nods her head as you finish. "Understood. So, anyone that is not part of the group you are with until reaching this 'Doctor DOOM's' fortress is to be viewed as potentially hostile and anything encountered at night is an enemy, correct?"
You stare at the girl who looks at you through her glasses. "Uh, yeah- that's about right. But if you encounter someone be sure to ask me before you do anything, alright?"
"Understood."
The girl gets out of the pod and stretches before sitting on the bench near you and looks around. "Professor Gibson's lessons only gave me a basic understanding of morality and the chain of command other than basic standards such as language and hygiene. What am I supposed to do until hostiles are encountered?"
She pauses and looks minutely embarrassed as she takes off her glasses and moves to clean them. "My apologies, the Professor's lessons said you should always introduce yourself first, especially in a situation that involves someone you'll be working with for an extended period of time. He called me Stella, so I suppose that is my name."
She looks over at you.
"And you are?"
You pause and take of your mask, looking down at it. "I hardly know anymore."
She pauses and frowns as you try to give her a cheerful grin. "Well, let's say that when I'm on the job with the mask on I'm Spider-man. Otherwise, I'm just Peter. Nice to meet you, Stella."
You move to shake her hand, but she stares quizzically at your hand. Finally she seems to get it, excitedly, she grabs your hand and shakes it roughly. Man, she's got a STRONG grip. "That was 'shaking hands' right? The Professor talked about that. How did I do?"
You smile, shaking your hand to stretch out the soreness. "Well, for a first attempt, it isn't bad. You might want to be a little more gentle with your grip, not many people are as tough as I am. But you'll get better at it. Like my Uncle Ben says 'Peter, if we all gave up the first time we tried something because we failed, nobody would get anywhere. Just remember that failure is just the first step to success!'"
Stella glances at you. "Your 'Uncle Ben?"
Nodding you give her a wistful smile. "Yeah. After my parents died, he and my Aunt May helped raise me. They've done a lot for me, I'm grateful to have had them. I miss them."
Stella's expression turns downcast. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you sad remembering things."
You look at her before pausing. In this situation, if it were him Uncle Ben would've… You bring your hand down and ruffle her hair as she gives you a confused look. "No, it's fine. I love my Uncle Ben and Aunt May and they would want me to talk about them, especially if it could help someone else. They were happy when they could help others out, especially if they could help someone find their way."
"That reminds me of the professor…"
"The Professor?"
Stella looks at you and nods. 'While a lot of his videos were lectures and simulations, I knew him when I was littler. He was a cheerful man with white hair and a beard who took care of me and talked with me. He always made sure to tell me to remember that I was a person too and that while people might not like me sometimes and might treat me as strange or as a weapon, that I should look for the best in life and try to be happy- that I was special- I was given powers to protect people and that one day they'd understand how special I was and appreciate me for it."
She draws quiet. "…he taught me things, but even as he got older and more gaunt in the videos he made sure to repeat it in all of his messages but his last. The last message… it was his goodbye. He wanted me to know that he would always be proud of me, no matter I might do. But he sounded tired and weak, too. He wasn't my father, not really… but I like to think that he was…"
She glances over at you. "…And then there were new lessons by other people. Lessons on how to use weapons, follow orders and that I would be punished for failing to follow the orders. Killed if I betray my caretaker. When those were done… I woke up and met you."
She swallows nervously and steels herself.
"Who was right? Am I a weapon or am I a person, Peter?"
You pause and look at her. Really look at her. Until now, you've been dealing with her as someone or something you're forced to deal with. Until now, where she poured out her own emotions, her own fears. There's no way she's not human. But, even if you say so, it doesn't mean she'd accept it herself.
Not to mention, that question is something that's weighed you down as well.
With your superhuman abilities, you could probably do whatever you wanted- you could have become a thief or criminal- it's unlikely anyone could have stopped you if you put your mind to it. But that's not what you did, was it. No, you tried to stop crime- to become a hero, even as a self-interested one.
But even so, this doesn't apply to just you. Look at Flash- even though he probably could have been somewhere safer, he wore that symbiote and fought for what he believed in. He put his mind and body at risk- you'll never be able to forget his smile as he went to extend his hand to shake yours. He made a choice to do what he believed in, right to the very end.
But, conversely that also goes the other way, too. People consumed by their internal monsters, who lash out at others. Gwen's stalker, the Hobgoblin's attacks…CARNAGE, too- who through away its very humanity to appease its own selfish ego.
You look down at your mask- not really looking at it but what it inspired- Flash's proud Agent Venom and Gwen's foul CARNAGE.
Ultimately… people are who they choose to be.
You glance over at a worried looking Stella.
"…I think that's a choice you'll have to make yourself, Stella."
Looking back down at the mask, you remember the choices you've made.
"And it's a choice you can't just make once, either. It's a choice you have to make every day."
Your mind pictures more and more people who changed ever since you met them- Felicia when you first met her as the mysterious Black Cat compared to the Felicia you said goodbye to before heading to this future. The Flash you remember bullying you versus the Flash you saw die- a proud soldier with a smile on his face. The Gwen who designed your costume with you and the Gwen that became CARNAGE.
"…And for us - For people like us, who suddenly find themselves looking out at a crazy world and not knowing what the hell we're supposed to be doing in it... I can tell you that just remembering that with great power comes great responsibility can completely define you."
You glance over at her. "But you should always remember- you always have a choice, Stella. What people think of you means nothing compared to who you choose to be."
She looks away, her hands playing with her dress. She doesn't look your way for a little while- you're not sure how long but you wait- wait for her to make that choice herself. And finally she looks back over at you, unsure and hesitant.
"I'm Stella. That's WHO I choose to be. Anyone who doesn't like it can just... Just deal with it!"
You smile and ruffle her hair. "Just remember that, Stella."
She smiles and nods before looking away. "H-hey, Peter… could you tell me more about your family? I can't meet them, but I think I would have liked to. T-that is… if you don't mind?"
Smiling softly, you lean your head back. "Not at all, let's see. What's a fun story…"
You don't know how long you went on telling her stories, but eventually as you finish a story, you feel her head fall against your torso as you hear her lightly breathing. You lightly move her on the head, as to not disturb her.
"G'night, Stella"
Resting your arms above your head, you drift off to a dream free of nightmares. When next you awake, it's to someone shaking you awake. Opening your eyes, Stella smiles at you behind her glasses. "Hey, Peter. The Doctor says we should go and get supplies, so we need to get moving!"
Yawning, you get up and stretch. Heading outside with Stella in a moderately untouched area, you don't see any signs of people, but there's shops nearby. The Doktor is filling gas from a gas-station. According to the Dok, there's some areas that still get power and refills here and there so that vehicles like the one you're in can refuel. The further you get, the more there'll be, along with the chances of there being people.
Stella walks by your side. As you two are the only ones that need to eat, the hour or two given to you to grab food is a kindness granted grudgingly by the doctor. Seems like there might be a superstore a little ways off.
You suspect there's nothing there, but you look at the Gas Station to find what you suspected- there's nothing in there that's good. Everything's either been looted or is rotten. Letting out a sigh, you scratch at your head and look over at Stella.
"Hey, how about we head to the grocery store. Maybe there'll be something there."
Nodding Stella moves to leave when she's stopped by Alice, who hands her the sword and revolver, in a sheath and holster respectively on a belt... "These are yours. If leaving the vehicle, they are required."
Stella looks at them then puts the belt on after a moment. She moves to head off before looking back. "I'm taking these because I'm going to use them to protect people. I'm not just a weapon- I won't become like you!"
Alice seems to freeze up for a moment as Stella walks up to you. As the two of you walk off you glance back to see Alice watching Stella, one hand clutching her other arm's shoulder, that hand rapidly opening and closing.
Stella grabs you by the arm, tugging you forward. "C'mon Peter, let's go!"
The two of you head off to the grocery store looking for food.
As the two of you look around, you find several canned foods whose expiration dates haven't passed. There's a few good ones, like a few cans of soup, but there's also several …not-so-good ones like asparagus. Yuck.
Once you two have found everything needed you stop with Stella outside on the bench and sit down with her. Stella glances over at you. "What's wrong, Peter?"
You run a hand over your chin. "Well, it's about what you said to Alice, earlier. That wasn't appropriate. Even if you don't like Alice, it was incredibly rude to say, especially to her face."
Stella looks away, crossing her arms. "I don't get why- she's cold and won't talk to me. I bet she hates me."
Letting out a sigh, you tiredly ruffle her hair. "Things aren't that simple, Stella. Alice… she's had a hard life…"
You take a few moments to tell her everything you've learned about Alice. When you're done, Stella clutches at her dress. "I messed up, huh?"
You ruffle her hair again. "Maybe, but everyone makes mistakes, Stella. You're young. The important thing is you learn something from them. You need to have sympathy towards others- you need to try to understand where they're coming from and respect the hardships they've been through."
She pauses and looks at you. "What about people like CARNAGE? Should we try to understand her?"
You let your hand rest on her head. "Well, there's a limit, Stella. Someone who does unforgivable things like that, there's definitely a need to understand why they are the way they are- but you can't always do that, people are complex things. Even so, to take a life is a heavy thing, Stella, it shouldn't be done easily or lightly- not at all if you can help it".
"…When you take a life, it doesn't come back, ever. What they might have done, for good or ill, is forever gone and that becomes a weight that will forever lie on your shoulders. Anyone who can easily take another's life without a care is dangerous- they've abandoned their humanity to become a monster."
Stella looks at you. "So, it's fine to kill CARNAGE then, right?"
Shaking your head, you look up at the sky. "No, because even then that's still a life. If you choose to kill CARNAGE it doesn't mean you can take her life without a care- doing so means you're no better than her- it can lead to a slippery slope that maybe that's the best way to deal with all criminals. And then you're no better than CARNAGE anyways."
Stella pauses and furrows her brow. "…but that's stupid. Why is killing criminals who kill innocent people bad?"
Poking her gently on the nose, Stella looks at your finger cross-eyed. "And that goes right back to the heart of the issue, Stella. You need to have sympathy and take into account the circumstances of others firstly. What if say you had no money but needed to feed the person you loved most- so you get desperate and try to rob someone, but they fight back and in the struggle you accidentally kill them. Is this hypothetical person as bad as CARNAGE?"
Stella looks at you, confused. "No. It was an accident."
"But if you didn't know the circumstances- all YOU know is that this person mugged and killed an innocent old man. Then how could you know? After all he was just a criminal who killed an innocent old man."
Stella looks away, wrapping her arms around herself. "I didn't…"
Putting an arm on her should and lightly squeezing it, you smile down at her sympathetically. "I know. That's why I'm trying to teach you. You're young and you'll make mistakes, but it's the job of those of us older than you to try to make sure you don't make mistakes you'll regret for the rest of your life."
Stella wipes at her eyes. "…Thanks, Peter."
Ruffling her hair, you get up with your bags of groceries. "Don't mention it."
Stella pauses and looks back at you, nervous. "Hey, can we look around a little more? I… don't want to head back yet."
It's been about forty minutes- you still have an hour and twenty minutes or so. There would be enough time to go and take a quick look through the nearby shopping district.
You looks around. "Sure, let's go. But we've got to be quick, alright?"
She nods as the two of you head towards the shopping district. The two of you stick together the entire way- Stella looks at and grabs several dresses that look like they might fit her as you do the same with some interesting looking fabrics you don't think you've seen before.
Stopping by several electronic stores and the like, you grab several radios and whatever else you can get- there's slimmer picking from years of abandonment and neglect- there's a few places that have been looted, too.
Wait- Pokémon? HELL YES.
Grabbing several portable consoles and computers you can find you console yourself with the fact that this is all for the best- you grab a books including a sports almanac. Stella watches you. "So, it's fine to take whatever we want then? I thought stealing was wrong…"
You look at the stuff you've got, a little embarrassed. "Well, normally no. If there's people here that own the shop or place then it's wrong for sure. But this place hasn't been touched for years and it isn't likely the people will come back. It's best for these things to get some use out of them rather than rotting away, unused."
She glances at you, more than a little dubious before looking down at her dresses embarrassedly. "So let's go back, right?"
You strap the supplies you've gathered into the bags you have- you got two blankets and pillows- one for each of you- as well. Carrying them isn't hard as the two of you hurry back to the truck. Alice is sitting on the back of the trunk as the Doktor is pacing.
"Finally- vat."
The doctor stares deadpan at you. "Vhy do you have so many zings?"
Scratching at the back of your neck, you let out a nervous chuckle. "Well, we got food, but we got other things like blankets and pillows and a few things for me to tinker with instead of sitting around doing nothing."
The Doktor shakes her head. "Vatever. Let's go."
Loading up the truck you sit in the back with Stella and Alice. "Sorry for earlier, it wasn't nice, what I said."
Alice shrugs. "It does not matter."
Stella nods and heads over to you, who has powered up two portable gaming consoles. "Now, my dear Stella, you will learn my ways of life."
You spend time playing the game, blocking out the symbiote and everything else, instead focusing on teaching this girl the joys of video gaming. Alice gets up to leave to lookout on top sometime later. It's impossible, but you swear she seemed to be annoyed whenever you gave certain advice to Stella.
As she closed the truck door you swear she shook her head at you in disapproval, like you were doing something wrong.
Eh, her loss.
ONE DAY, TWO NIGHTS REMAIN UNTIL DOOM'S FORTRESS IS REACHED
End
To Be Continued...
Review
Publisher Notes:
Stella:Obviously Stella is an OC, and she's a not going away any time soon. So either learn to cope with this and enjoy the ride otherwise your free to come and go. Her appearance is based on Dead Master from the 'Black Star Rock Shooter' franchise. I uploaded her pics onto my profile if anyone wants to get an idea of how she looks like.
Peter's Costumes: I will also post pics of each of Peter's costumes in my profile so that you can better visualize what he wears.
Professor Gibson: He is also an OC so don't bother searching for him. So far he does not appear in the story only mentioned.
Alice: I will also post pics of her in my profile.
Time-skip: Before anyone complains the final scene in the last chapter is purposely skipped in the beginning of this chapter. You will see what happened after in the future chapters as flashbacks in Peter's journey to Castle Doom.