Blackout
*Baxter Building, New York City
"Well….I can't see anything wrong….technically speaking you're the image of health" Reed said as he shined a light in Viktor's left eye.
Viktor and Laura had gone straight to the Baxter building to consult Reed Richards as he seemed to be the most reliable expert in this field or any field as a matter of fact. Reed was wearing a lab coat over his FF uniform and had a pair of very sciencey goggles on his head as he inspected Viktor closely. Callus was also present and was perched on Viktor's shoulder like he always did.
"Then what the hell was that spasm?" Laura asked by Viktor's side
"I think that was simply a reaction to the temporal flux taking place within Viktor's mind, a rip or tear in reality may have opened up and he was within close range of it, that is probably what caused the spasm" Reed said with an underlying uncertainty
"Probably?" Laura asked, identifying the way Reed explained it.
"I….I don't know….I know the effects that temporal displacement has on humans, but Viktor isn't human, I don't even know whether he ever has a normal human, so I don't have any frame of reference whether his mind should work like this or not" Reed explained as best he could to the couple
"Well…that's comforting" Viktor commented as he sat up in the medical chair.
"I don't understand it….the buzzing in your head should have faded away months ago…but for some reason it is still loud enough to do that to you" Reed said as he put his hand to the bridge of his nose.
"Listen Reed, I don't care what the hell is causing it, the only thing I care about is whether you can find a way to make it stop" Viktor said as he ran an armoured hand through his hair.
"I…..I think I may have one or two ways…though they won't be pleasant and I want to make sure I have all the variables down first" Reed said as he put his science goggles down on his desk.
"Well it's better than nothing" Viktor said
"You don't mind if I run a few additional tests do you Viktor?" Reed asked, his inner scientist shining through
"Go ahead" Viktor said
A ringing sound started up in Laura's ear and she quickly reached up and pressed a finger to it, thus turning on her radio. Viktor was not wearing his radio due to the fact that he preferred not to get an earful of buzzing again so soon.
"This is X-23" Laura confirmed
"X-23, we are running into a bit of trouble down town with a gang of punks, mind giving us a hand?" the voice of Luke Cage came from the other side of the radio
"Sorry Luke, but I don't think I can…" Laura began until Viktor grabbed her shoulder firmly. Laura looked back at Viktor who simply gave a nod for her to go.
Laura sighed
"I'll be right there" Laura said as she turned off her radio and before exiting pecked Viktor on his cheek. Viktor smirked as Callus cawed at her for a bit of attention.
"I didn't forget about you Callus" Laura said scratching the crow's head before turning towards the door.
"I'll be right back ok?" Laura said
"I'll be fine Laura, I'm not a dog" Viktor chuckled as Laura smiled and left the room to go and assist the others.
"You two seem to be getting along well" Reed smiled as he walked over to Viktor with an empty syringe
"Swimingly actually, though she seems a bit too protective at times" Viktor smiled
"With the way that you go head first into danger, I'm not surprised" Reed said as he motioned for Viktor to roll up his sleeve. Viktor rolled up the coat sleeve on his right side and proceeded to roll up the sleeve of his undershirt to show his large right bicep.
"It's just the way I roll Reed, you can't save the day without taking a few risks" Viktor said as Reed inserted the syringe into Viktor's arm and drew the blood into it.
"Taking risks eh? That's a great trait for an Avenger to have" Reed smiled as he took the syringe from Viktor's arm and put a piece of cotton on to stop the bleeding.
"Not just for an Avenger Reed, but for anyone who wants to make a difference, you guys took a risk when you, Sue, Johnny and Ben went into space and got your abilities" Viktor said earning a chuckle from Reed.
"Yeah, I guess you're right on that front, taking risks does tend to help in this line of work" Reed smiled
"Great to see you agree"
"Of course, now about ways to stop the buzzing" Reed said gaining Viktor's attention
"Yeah?" Viktor asked
"How do feel about Brain Surgery?" Reed asked picking up a scalpel, Viktor's eyes widened and Callus uttered a loud and nervous squawk.
*Avengers Mansion, the Next Day
*WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
Carol was busy down in the Gym part of the mansion, really laying into a specially designed punching bag that was made for guys like Thor and Hulk who could pack one hell of a punch. It was hard creating punching bags that could take the amount of impact that even one of Carol's punches contained as the ones that Cap and Peter used wouldn't last very long with use.
Carol's fighting style as an Avenger had managed to evolve in her time that she had her powers, when she first got them she relied on her strength and power to turn the tide in a fight and for a long while it seemed to work to great advantage. But as the team began fighting stronger and stronger enemies, she had found it more useful to channel her power into her close quarters combat skills that she had learned in the military to give her a more competitive edge in combat.
*WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
"Have I ever mentioned how hot you look when you are sweating?" came the wisecracking voice of Spiderman from behind her. Carol smiled and ceased her onslaught on the punching bag before turning around and putting her hands on her hips. Peter had his has off while wearing the rest of his trademark red and blue outfit.
"Well….it's not that often you see me sweat" Carol panted as she tried to regain her breath
"Except for last night….and the night before…and the night before that" Peter said with a smirk
"Well…those times I had a reason to sweat" Carol smiled suggestively; Peter chuckled as Carol approached him and stopped literally an inch away from his face.
"Now…did you interrupt my workout session just to try and get me in the mood? Or did you have a real reason?" Carol said as her lips hovered dangerously close to Peter's. Peter could not explain how hard it was to avoid the temptation of just locking lips with her right then and there, her blue sapphire eyes and her soft velvet lips along with the sweat droplets running down her soft and gentle skin just make her look so much more desirable.
'What did I do to deserve this woman?' Peter thought. Carol was utter perfection in his eyes and he couldn't see a future without her.
"Well….as tempting as getting you in the mood is, I'm afraid if I did that too much, we wouldn't be able to enjoy tonight as much" Peter smiled, using all his will power not to mash his lips to hers.
"Tonight?" Carol asked
"Yeah, I booked a table for two at half six over at that Italian restaurant you like" Peter smiled
"….Did you really? Then I guess I should restrain myself…for now at least" Carol smiled seductively before she cupped his face and kissed him on the cheek.
"I guess I should go and get ready then?" Carol asked as she walked over to the changing rooms, swaying her hips as she walked, showing off her amazing figure to her man.
Peter could hardly believe he was lucky enough to get a woman like her in his life, not only was Carol, beautiful and have the body of a goddess but she was smart, strong, kind and not to mention she could take care of herself and didn't need to be constantly rescued.
She was his perfect woman and nothing could tear them apart
*Charles Xavier's School for the Gifted, San Francisco
"I'm telling ya Chuck, this isn't gonna end well for anyone, especially us" Logan growled as he walked beside Xavier who was wheeling his way through the hallways of the school
"Logan, please, cool your temper. The people of this country would not stand for something like a registration act; many of us aren't even heroes, just people trying to make their way in life" Xavier said as he moved at a steady pace.
Walking through the halls of the mansion where Logan, Xavier, Scott and the newly reformed Eric Lehnsherr. Since Latveria he had been trying to make emends for what he had done to his children and now was helping his old friend Charles run the school. The children were all in their classes in the moment being taught by their mutant teachers.
"Logan may have a point Charles, the humans have always wanted to try passing a law such as this" Eric said agreeing with the Canadian mutant
"There have been no mentions of a law yet Eric; I suggest we calm ourselves down and simply go on with our lives" Xavier said
"Eric has a point professor, all it will take is a single slip up by anyone with powers or a mask and you can be sure that a law will spring up" Scott said with concern.
"We cannot think like that Scott, the people of the world need heroes, and I don't think things will ever get that bad" Xavier said
"Ever the optimist eh Charles?" Eric said with a grin
It didn't take very long for the four mutants to reach the courtyard. The sun shone brightly outside and there was a group of young mutants including Hope Summers outside being given a Sports lesson by the X-Man known as Nightcrawler. Kurt was laughing along with the children as they were having a game of basketball though the children were having problems not using their powers to gain the edge.
"I have to be optimistic Eric….because we have to have faith in the future of this country, because if things go bad, the children may pay the price" Xavier said as his haze was locked on the mutant children in the courtyard. Deep in his heart he truly feared for their futures and hoped that the futures that had happened to Cable and Bishop would not transpire.
*later that night (about 8pm) Peter and Carol's apartment
The door to the apartment opened and in stepped Peter and Carol, Peter was still in his role as a gentleman and took off Carol's coat for her and hung it on the coat rack to the right. Carol giggled at Peter's politeness and kissed him softly on the cheek.
"What a gentleman" Carol commented as Peter hung their coats on the rack
"How did you enjoy the place?" Peter asked
"It was amazing Pete, you know you really don't have to keep doing this" Carol said knowing that Peter's wages couldn't handle such luxurious treats like this for very long.
"My girl deserves the best" Peter said as he put his arms around his girlfriend from behind her and kissed her softly on the cheek.
"I love you, you know" Peter said with love and adoration filling his eyes.
"What did I do to get such a good man?" Carol said
"Probably be the most beautiful woman on the face of the planet" Peter said as he and Carol walked into the longue but just as he pulled Carol around to lock his lips to hers they were interrupted.
"MEOW!"
Peter and Carol instantly turned towards where the sound had come from and saw that they had been interrupted by Carol's cat, Chewie, sat on the couch
"Chewie…..great" Peter said, a little annoyed that the fat cat had gotten in the way, Carol however smiled and went over to her favourite kitten and sat on the couch next to him.
"Hey baby, did you miss mommy?" Carol smiled as she scratched Chewie under his chin thus making him purr. Peter sighed and went over and sat next to Carol, Peter then put his arm around her shoulder.
"Well I guess we can still enjoy what's left of the night" Peter said
"I guess we can, what's on?" Carol asked
"Hmmmm, Oh what about this?" Peter said flicking through the channels
"A horror movie? Really?" Carol asked
"What? If you get scared you can just…I don't know, hold onto me" Peter said
"Peter, I fight aliens, Psychopaths, rapists and murderers all the time…I don't think that…..'The Fly' will scare me" Carol said
"Give it a chance…if you don't get scared then you can do whatever you want with me afterwards" Peter said
"Is that a proposition I hear Mr Parker?" Carol asked with a raised brow
"You bet Ms Danvers" Peter smiled
"…Ok, let's watch" Carol said as Peter used to remote to turn on the television.
*Stark Energy power plant, 50km outside New York City
The wind was blowing through the trees and the night sky made the surroundings seem peaceful and quite. But just outside a certain power plant financed and created by Stark industries however there seemed to be an accident waiting to happen.
A single figure walked slowly towards the gates to the plant, his walking was slow and deliberate as if he had a purpose. It was the same man whom was watching Viktor last night and he did little to hide his appearance. He kept his hand wrapped around his katana, his index finger was resting on the trigger attached to his sheathe. The metal of his boots were clanking as he walked along the stone ground and he soon reached the gate.
The gate was made of simple steel and the figure simply smirked, his smirk could be seen as he didn't have his armoured visor covering his mouth.
"Pathetic" he said before he drew his Katana and in the blink of an eye the gate was shredded to ribbons, the man's reflexes were so fast that to the average human eye he didn't draw his sword at all. Once the gate was shredded he walked past the shredded metal and into the plant.
However the guards had seen this and ran as fast as they could, surrounding the man thus making him halt. The guards then put their hands on their pistols, there was at least 10 men gathered around the taller man.
"Ok shitbag! You're under arrest for breaking into Private property" the man said
"…..Shitbag…hmm…..I like that" the silver haired man said with a grin as he put a hand to his katana handle
"HEY DON'T YOU FUCKING MOVE!" another guard shouted drawing his gun
"…I never understood why people feel the need to shout in battle….why waste your voice when you are about to have your throat sliced open" the silver haired man said with a smile
"What the fu…" another guard began until the man's visor clanked around his face and eyes flared in red in the blink of an eye he drew his Katana and swung it in a wide arc before sheathing it in the style of an ancient Japanese Samurai. With a click as the katana went back into its sheath and the man's visor retracted.
"Sorry to cut your sentence short hehehehe" he chuckled as he began walking again, as he took his third step, all the Guard's throats opened up and blood sprayed from their wounds, the guards then fell to the floor, dead.
The man kept walking towards his destination but on the way he looked at a security camera and flipped the bird at its lens. It didn't take long for the man to find the centre of the energy plant.
A Stark Arc reactor
"Lights out ladies and gents" he cackled as he drew his Katana and gave it a flourish before stabbing it into the centre of the arc reactor. Electricity then went straight from the reactor and into the blade thus straight into the man who smiled widely.
The electricity covered the man's form and when that happened his red glowing eyes flashed glowing blue. The energy from the reactor soon drained into the man and the lights around the room sparked out. As he drew his sword from the now hollow reactor he smiled, blue crackling energy surrounded his blade and his body. He smiled widely before sheathing his sword back.
"Have fun fixing this Stark" the man smiled before he walked out of the plant but as he found himself walking over the bodies of the Plant guards he took a glass vial from his belt and emptied the contents onto the floor.
A bright yellow powder
"Hehehe….Don't keep me waiting" He said as he looked over the now blackened city deprived of light.
*a few minutes prior
"You scared yet?" Petr asked with a smirk
"…Of….of course not" Carol said
"Then why are you clinging to my arm so much?" Peter asked with a raised brow, Carol couldn't help but blush as Peter was totally right. She found the movie to be unnerving at the very least and it was pure instinct that made her cling to his arm, she never felt like this unless she was around Peter. The more time she spent with him the weaker her emotional wall would become, she couldn't even stop herself blushing anymore.
"If it makes you comfortable, I'm pretty scared too" Peter said as he caressed her hair
"Really? And why would a science geek like you get scared?" Carol joked to try and relieve a little tension
"…Well…I got my powers from an arachnid….and this guy becomes a monster from something as little and harmless as a fly… after I became Spiderman I was always a little scared about something like this happening….becoming a monster and hurting the people I love" Peter said before he gently kissed Carol on the forehead
"I'm…..well…..I'm scared for a different reason" Carol admitted
"Really? The mighty Carol Danvers is scared of something...go ahead and tell me" Pete asked as he held her close to him.
"The separation" she said
"I'm sorry?" Peter asked
"…the two people in the movie…they…they seemed happy together until the unexpected happened…and it didn't take long for something even worse to separate them even further…that's happened to me at least 3 times in my life" Carol said, Peter could see that she had hidden feelings about the subject.
"…I'm scared of that happening again….I find myself happy and content…..but something takes that happiness away" Carol said as her eyes teared up. Peter was about to say something until all the lights in the room went off, in fact the entire street went black, every light, television, and lamppost went off as the power went dead. Chewie was not bothered as he was fast asleep on the floor.
Peter actually felt Carol's grip on him tighten as they were absorbed by the darkness.
"Carol, wait there for a second, I'll be right back" Peter said soothingly as Carol relinquished her grip on him. Peter's enhanced spider like eyesight allowed him to see in the dark like it was still day, Carol's eyes however could not get used to the darkness as fast.
"Hey, Im right here ok" Peter said as he came back holding a lit candle, due to the amount of generators that would get blown up by supervillains and whatnot, Peter always kept a few candles on hand.
Peter then sat back next to Carol and pulled her into a loving hug as the candle illuminated the room around them. Peter got a look at Carol and saw that her eyes were still teary, but her eyes were now locked on the candle.
"Carol?" Peter asked as Carol's gaze didn't break for a second.
"…That's me….I've always been alone….as much as I would like to think otherwise Pete, that will always be me….alone….flickering in the dark" Carol whimpered as she looked at the candle. The time when Mystique infiltrated her mind in Latveria sprang to mind and Marcus' words echoed in her mind.
'Such compassion is wasted on you Carol, he will leave you just as everyone else has' Marcus' voice echoed, still harbouring that sinister tone that made her skin crawl.
Peter saw the look on her face and knew exactly what she was thinking. He then reached into his pocket and took out another candle, he lit it and put right beside the other candle.
Carol looked confused as Peter lit another candle unnecessarily and looked him in the eye.
"If that's you…then that's me…You aren't alone Carol, I'm with you…I'll never leave you" Peter said before he cupped her cheek in his hand, wiping away a tear with his thumb.
"I love you Carol Danvers…..I'll always be there for you" Peter said with upmost love and sincerity. Carol smiled as a tear dripped down her chin. Their lips slowly met and they shared a kiss of love and passion from the depths of their hearts.
If only they knew of what was to come.
I wanted to do that scene for so long! (which one you ask? Well take a guess) I wanted Carol and Peter to have some genuinely sweet and loving moments for two reasons 1) to show how far they have come as a couple in two years 2) to make what is coming soon all that more heart wrenching.
I also want to point out to some other viewers that if they are looking for another Peter/Carol civil war story then check out RebornDarkPhoenix's 'Love and War' and Patrickthenobleman's 'The Spider, the Bird, the Law and the Goblin' (these two are awesome, trust me)
Just to clarify as well that the Silver haired guy with the Katana did not just commit the 'Stanford-esque event' that this story will have, he is just having a bit of fun :)
Please let me know what you guys thought (I don't care if you are anon or not just give me some feedback) all critisms help me make good decisions.
-what did you like?
-what was that yellow powder that our mystery man dumped on the floor?
-who do you hope to see?
And finally a Dakkaman777 special:
WHO WOULD WIN IN A FIGHT? VIKTOR OR BETA RAY BILL? (NO HOLDING BACK) AN ALIEN GRANTED POWER BY A GOD OR FIRE AND DESTRUCTION MADE FLESH?
SEE YOU GUYS NEXT CHAPTER! :D