It was a familiar sight for me, I wish it wasn't. But with the choices I've made, the actions I've taken….no, I've never grown accustomed to this place. And I hope to God I never do.
The green grass could have fooled me for a field if it weren't for the stone pillars sticking out of them. A reminder of every mistake I've ever made on the job, or even before it became my job.
Under a cloudless sky, a light breeze blew past me as I stared down at the grave. A new one, one of many new ones after what happened.
Olga Marie Animusphere, that had been her name...she reminded me of Jonah, kind of. Nicer looking than Ol' JJJ, but had that same sort of angry boss pride to her. But I knew she wasn't like Jonah, in the end and even when the middle began.
Jonah was forthright in all of his choices, Olga-she seemed the type to rack over every thought, every choice she made. Whether it was the right one in the moment. Least, that was my take on her.
I just met her, the same day she died.
Dead-Because You Couldn't Not Be A Superhero. That's what it read under her name. A little jab, just like Uncle Ben's grave.
Dead-Because You Looked Out For Number One.
And Jean Dewolff's,
Dead-Because You Couldn't Get A Clue.
There were more gravestones out here. Some read the same thing.
Dead-Because You Couldn't Get There In Time.
Dead-Because You Couldn't Just Kill That Red-Headed Monster.
Dead-Because The Juggernaut Collapsed A Building.
Dead-Because Wolverine's Tougher Than You.
Dead-Because You Didn't Notice A Pumpkin Bomb.
The new ones, they read something else. And I agreed with it wholesale.
Dead-Because You Didn't Stop Lev.
Mary Jane, Aunt May, Matt….everybody I ever knew-their names read that.
I felt hollow, I didn't have any anger left. Down on my knees, I had dried out any tears I had. All I could do was stare at each and every new name. I know it was more than just the people I knew. But I don't think my mind could handle the magnitude of it.
Selfish, right?
I felt, I heard, the shifting of ground, the parting of grass of someone walking.
I breathed in, breathed out. Picked myself up from the ground and turned to meet whoever had come here. My own personal purgatory. This wasn't Hell-my hell was a lot worse than this.
"Peter, you couldn't have known." Strange said to me, wearing his usual attire, his red cloak of levitation billowing in the wind as he looked at me like a sad kid, who just messed up.
What does he know?
"Yeah, and where were you?" I felt anger return. "This was in your ballpark! How could you not know this was going to happen?!" I point at him, and barely constraint myself from throttling him by his fucking cape. "Why weren't you there…." I felt tears well up in me eyes, I knew this wasn't his fault, I knew I shouldn't blame him.
Strange doesn't say anything, at first. He diverts his eyes from me and looks to his own grave. "It was under my nose….and out of my control."
What the hell was that supposed to mean?!
He shakes his head. "I'm already gone, Peter, somewhere I can't get out. Still conscious, yet lifeless." Reality hazes. "At the end though, just before it, I helped where I could. Sims and Carpenter made sure of that-" He laughs, there was no humor in it. "-how the hell did she see it coming?" He wondered, wracking his temples.
I can barely make out his features now, he takes steps towards me and places a hand on my shoulder.
This would be the last time I would ever see Stephen Strange, I think. It felt like it.
"Good luck, and see you when it's all over-"
I then woke up.
"Who's a good boy? You are! You are!" Unfamiliar female voice saccharinely spoke.
"Mkyuu…." Foud said hesitantly.
"Species withstanding-I have never seen anything cuter than you~~" She beamed.
"Ugh…" Peter raised himself from where he laid, his eyes adjusting to the light of the room. His body ached, everywhere he knew he had been hit or used to attack someone.
"And there he is, like any good hero-waking up when the enchanting teacher character makes their appearance~~" She appraised, putting her hand on her chest and swooning.
Humble much? Peter quips in his head, keeping it on the down low. Don't need anybody figuring it out. He inspected himself and found he was in a clean mystic code, "What the?"
"We took the pleasure of taking you out of the rag you made out of our mystic code ….amazing physique by the way, some would say-its just begging to be immortalized,"
Did she check me out when I was unconscious?! He thought in sheer horror.
"And I saw those little gadgets-you make them? Because they're not bad-but I have a few ideas for how you could improve them!" She was a brunette, same as him-though with ocean blue eyes and long luscious locks-splendid in how the lights of the room hit them.
She wore a brown/red skirt/cowl combination with those poofy shoulders Peter remembered seeing in from old paintings. Adding on to this, she wore blue leggings and blue gloves going up to her forearms. She looked to maybe be in her mid-thirties. "I am a genius afterall-much better than what is now considered high intellect…" she says sourly, but never losing that astonishing beauty-she did not frown.
She looks….really familiar. He moved his attention to Fou (His spider-sense, it barely buzzed when he looked at him), who was at the end of bed near where the woman stood to look at him. He then quickly took note of his surroundings. I'm back in Chaldea….maybe I just passed out after Romani gave me the tylenol. This was wishful thinking, No-what happened was too real to be a nightmare. The command seal on the back of his hand, he frowned. If I'm here does that mean Mash...
The woman shakes her head knowingly, "Cut yourself some slack, Peter. You did your best-moping about doesn't suit the protagonist of an adventure like this" She suggested, her voice calming and almost motherlike in its sincerity.
"Kyuu Kyuu!" The fluffer agreed. His spider-sense, it barely buzzed
Peter shrugs, figuring it'd be best to sulk when he was alone. He was always good at that. He looks up at her. "So you know my name, yours?" He asks, trying to keep some good humor in his vocal chords.
She smiles and brushes her hair to her side. "Well, I'd think you'd know who I am simply from my many great feats in art and in science." Before Pete could answer, she introduced herself. "But, I guess my own beauty was too much for even a trained mind such as yours-my name is Leonardo Da Vinci, a collaborator of Chaldea, and its third heroic spirit summoned for its mission."
Peter blinks, "...say what now?"
Da Vinci rolls her eyes, "Time for questions later I'm afraid, and I'm sure you'll have plenty." She crosses her arms and looks to the door. "Someone very important is waiting for you in the command room."
Pushing the sudden shock of another figure of human history/myth not matching profile picture, aside-"Probably Romani, "Guess the Doc wants a sit-rep. Fair eno-" She cuts him off.
"Roman, no-no my dear, sweet summer child. He's there, sure-but he isn't the diamond in your eye~~" She blows air out of her mouth, seemingly thinking Pete is some naive child. "But, that's how it goes with your type. Always so focused on the job at hand. Respectable, but it keeps you from seeing the forest for the trees."
Fou mews in agreement.
Huh, what does she mean by that? Peter curves his brow, but lets it slide. His spider-sense didn't go off. He was good.
"So come on, daylight is burning. And this only chapter one of a story where your choices could make all the difference. But I'm sure you're used to that." She says encouragingly "Don't you just love fate?" she asks, "It may not always be grand, but it's important. Just as the many nameless heroes forgotten to the winding of time-they too could well have walked similar paths to you. And they served it well, maybe not as heroes. But as humans doing what was best!"
"Yeah, maybe. But I don't place bets on destiny, that'd make life cheap." He retorts, getting out of bed and getting himself ready to go and meet what was left of the world.
The walk to the command room was quick. And Peter saw the damage from Lev's bombs. And He remembered the mere minutes he had spent in the inferno trying to get anyone out alive. You did your best, Pete. But his best could only manage to save a few people. Still, you saved some.
He stopped, eyes drawing to the window along one of the many hallways of Chaldea. He aims his eyes upward, towards the sky. Nothing was there.
His form shimmers from reality for a moment. He squints downwards, confused. He shakes it off and continues forward.
The door to the overhead command room was in better condition than the door that led to Chaldeas, it slid open and Peter felt a knot in his chest unwind.
The room was full of monitors, a few spare technicians worked-in the middle of the room was a rectangular white table. Standing beside it was the girl from Chaldea, Mash Kyrielight. Back in the skirt and tie combo he had first met her in, glasses and all.
She was talking to the good Doctor, Romani Archaman as Peter stepped in
Thank God. He breathed a sigh of relief.
She turned her head, and smiled sweetly at him. "Oh, Senpai…" She left the table and came up to him, hand clasped behind her back and still as cute as the first time he saw her. "...it's good to see that you're awake"
He rubbed the back of his neck in a refrained manner. "Yeah…" He slides both hands into his pockets. "...and I'm glad that we both got out of Fuyuki in one piece," Really thought that was the end there.
"Romani was able to grab our consciousness before we could be erased. Probably because we were together, just like when we first rayshifted-thank you, senpai," She says softly, her cheeks reddening a twinge.
His mind trails back to the hug, before the white nothing had overtaken them. He blushes. "W-well you know…" He sputters "..I felt like I owed you-I can be a bit of a jerk sometimes. My Aunt says I get my orneriness from my mom," He smirks, "Her words not mine."
Mash nods with a slight smile. "That's who you are, senpai. We'll work it out as we go. Mr. Chulainn told me that,"
"Huh, guess he can do more than blow hot air. Good on him." He says sincerely, the guy may have been a bit too lethal for his tastes-but he helped out. He can get a sticky note in my book (right next to Wolverine). "Gonna miss him, slightly."
Mash nods in agreement.
Romani took this moment to pop into the conversation. "Don't make that sound so definitive, Pete!" He was chipper as Pete expected, though there was the tell-tell sign of bags under his eyes.
"Heya Doc," He greets the strawberry-haired medic. "Any word from the outside?" The question was in vain the moment it left his mouth. He already knew the answer, he remembered what that bastard said after he killed Olga.
"Unfortunately, Lev Laniur was accurate in what he said. The human order has been incinerated, even with the successful completion of Singularity F." He says reluctantly, he then raises his index. "However, accepting defeat is not the option Chaldea goes for. Won't be, ever. In Olga's stead we'll make sure her death wasn't in vain." He swears solemnly before turning his attention to the window overlooking the larger command room that held Chaldeas. "Follow me, but first-good job. You and Mash completed the mission to its parameters. "
Peter shrugs, but takes the compliment. If only I stayed with Olga-or got to her fast enough. What the heck did Lev do to me?
Romani sees the reluctance, "Chaldea and Mash were saved because you didn't back-down from overwhelming odds! I'm sure Olga would have respected your decision to fight, you didn't do it out of malice."
Maybe, I could have done more. "It was a team effort Doc, don't go giving me a big head-I'm not an Avenger. I'm just a regular dude," Really hope, Romani doesn't connect any dots. "If you want to thank anyone, thank Mash. She had her head on straighter than me,"
"Like you said, senpai-team effort." Mash chimed in, giving him a reaffirming smile.
Peter and Mash are led down to where he first met Olga, where he saved Team A. The room where he was chosen, and the room where he really hoped his mask burned up (kind of, sewing a new mask can be somewhat of a pain).
The globe within the machine was a heinous crimson. Taking steps towards the walkway that led to Chaldeas. Romani faced Peter and Mash, the doctor seemingly psychs himself up. Eyes closed with an intense breath and a mention of Magi*Mari (whatever that was) giving him strength. He relaxed, "Chaldeas is red, which means humanity-our history is at a null-in-void. This was confirmed when we couldn't make contact with staff outside of Chaldea. Our original theory was that this would be avoided by fixing Singularity F. However, after some recalibrating and getting Sheba back in order we found that our future wasn't taken away just because of Singularity F," The Atlas Institute's machine fires up, the rings of rotating slowly but assuredly as the globe inside changed blue and wispy in its distortion. "Time is malleable to an extent, though it will always return to its intended state eventually. Yes, if you like to say, we're able to keep someone alive who died in one specific year, they'll still live-but have different experiences. But one single change to the timeline won't change how an era ultimately ends."
Peter recalled a hypothesis raised by Reed, guess I can throw out his idea that if you travel back in time and change something-it'd just bring about an alternate universe or timeline. "That didn't happen this time, right?"
Roman shakes his head in agreement, "We discovered seven singularities (though getting a lock on them is tad difficult at the moment), in possible different key national or timely points in human history where something that defined the very nature of it occurred. Say a war wasn't won by a certain side, or a concept was never brought about by any possible originator of the idea."
He takes a shot in the dark "A paradox that can't be corrected or easily ignored by the wider world because they go against what was already established. Which means, if I got this right-the present would have to compensate to match this new timeline."
"Bingo! I think you know where I'm going with this,"
"Solve the singularity causing the continuity snag, and eventually the original timeline will be restored to what it was."
"Exactly, if these singularities are allowed to remain in existence then the foundation humanity has will never even see 2017 because its skeleton won't have the strength to reach it."
"How are we still here?"
"Chaldea had defenses in place for something of this nature, if it ever occurred. A magnetic barrier that keeps us in our original version of 2015, but as Lev said-if we reach 2017-we're goners."
Hope pulsed within Peter's very being "So what you're saying is, we're running against the clock?" Roman smirks, and nods.
"I should probably say formally. Here's how it goes: rayshift to the point in time where the singularity has planted itself-find whatever is keeping it there-claim it, destroy it. And eventually, the domino effect of these actions will return humanity to what it was."
"We're down a lot of people, master candidates and none. The FATE system needs a few more days to get back in working order, so there's a good chance you won't have any other servants in your corner besides Mash here. Other than that, no Avengers to call, no Church, no Association, SHIELD or extraterrestrial beings to defend us," Roman wrings his neck, stretching any nerves he had out "I know the way you were chosen was haphazard to say the least Pete, but if you want the world outside our window to be how you remember it, you and Mash will have to face these seven singularities that burned away our history." His features become sharp, worried. "To make it official, let me ask you-are you willing to help us? Shoulder the burden of Chaldea and Humanity's continued existence so that better tomorrows may come to pass?"
Peter says it without a second though, "With great power, comes great responsibility, Doc. So yeah, count me in on saving the world,"
Mash smiles sweetly and Romani fist bumps the air like a kid on christmas, "Hot diggity! And like that, our course is realized. The Preservation of Humanity shall continue as our former Director originally intended. Our search targets will be the relic and grail located in the eras, just as it was in Fuyuki."
"So if there's a grail in each era-"
"Then that means we're going up against history itself. Heroic spirits of myth, history and legends will be against us."
"So to save humanity and its history, we have to go against the very people who made it. That's a fine , how'd ya do"
"That's the only way we make it!"
"The only way we get past 2017 and get back our future!" Pete finishes.
"...no matter the cost the end has in store for us. Soldier on, just as Olga-just like she wanted this organization to always do! Inspired by this idea, as my first decree as new acting Director, we're changing the name of our mission statement from the First Order, to something in vain of the magical world's highest caliber of orders. Our organization's last, most important mission is The Grand Order, and its meaning we shall take back the future and cancel our armageddon!"
For Mary Jane, Aunt May and everyone else-I'll get you guys back. And Lev will be brought to justice! So swears Peter Parker.
Back in Room 33, Pete stepped out of the shower. After drying himself off, brushing his hair, teeth and putting on a stick of deodorant. He looks in the mirror, he traces the scar across his toned chest, the one he got from Lancer. "A new one to add to the collection I guess...wonder if I have more than Matt?" He raises a brow, "Probably not"
-He wraps a towel around his waist and exits the small washroom. Steam weaves out of the threshold for a moment before the door slides closed.
He yawns, feeling refreshed-the phantoms of bruises still there somewhat. His healing factor would take care of them in a day or so. One of perks he had was granted besides stick'em powers and sixth sense for danger.
Leonardo Da Vinci is a girl. Gonna have to ask about that, He thought in passing.
He went to a small table near his bed, his duffel bag laid on it closed-but not for long. Neck, left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg, left foot, right foot-Peter had gotten dressed. A pair of grey sneakers, tan jeans, a blue t-shirt and a red plaid button-up shirt left unbuttoned.
Beside the bag were his web shooters, the broken one and the one still in working order. Won't be hard to get it fixed, and my excuse should work if anybody asks why I made these. Glad they didn't take them from me, especially after Da Vinci's comment earlier...still can't believe Da Vinci's a girl...is this another King Arthur situation?
Taking a moment, he reached for the picture in his bag, the one of the party before he left. Matt, Harry, Gwen, Mj and Him. "I'll see you guys again…" He whispers to himself.
Setting back, somewhere safe in his bag. He reaches for the red and blue's. He purses his lips, "Lev called me Little Spider, he knew who I was. But it makes more sense for him to know who I am compared to Archer," His skin still crawled when he thought about that servant, what the hell? He's just a dead guy. He narrowed his eyes, "Huh?"
Before they were overtaken for a second time, I know-That's what she said to him. She's not dumb, and I should have expected this with that way I played it. Maybe, he's just jumping to conclusions. I've kept a lid on it for a few years. It's not like an adventure will make me slip. He didn't convince himself, I'll find out if she brings it up.
A knock came at his door, Speak of the devil-though she's cuter than a devil. He quickly stuffs the tights back in his duffel, zips it closed. Gonna be really weird not wearing those for a while. He thinks to himself, approaching the door opening it and being greeted with sight of Mash, in her usual attire-but with her coat removed. Maybe she doesn't have an extensive wardrobe. Well not everyone is MJ, Pete. Still, despite that….she wears it nicely. "Heya," He leans against the side of the door, casually.
She tilts her head to the side, and smiles sweetly. "Hey, senpai."
The cafeteria of Chaldea was barren, a ghost of a person was there-which allowed Pete and Mash to just enjoy their time as their leisure.
Due to the Lev's betrayal, and a lot staff being in the area of the Command when the incident occurred-most of the kitchen staff had been taken out, leaving only a singular person in the staff-who was currently hulled up in his room and coping with the fact that his friends and coworkers were gone.
With this, Chaldea remaining staff members had to stick with MREs' for the time being.
Taking a seat in the middle of the hall, Pete and Mash opened up the bags and began to dig in.
Okay….what now? Ask about the weather? Yankees? Why is Leonardo Da Vinci a chick?! Should I have just said screw it and punch Lev the first time I met him? An uncomfortable and baited silence came over the teens. Wonder if she's still angry at me for abandoning Olga to fight, or trying to leave myself in Singularity F so she could live. She doesn't look it but…
"Senpai?"
She snapped him out of his stupor. "Yeah?"
She frowned a little, taking a breath in. "I'm still kind of mad at you."
She must be a telepath He nods, "That's fair," It's really fair,
"But I'm not...it's complicated. I'm glad we made it, that I can see you again...but I don't like that you kept throwing yourself into danger when I was there...it felt like you didn't trust me to protect you." she downcastedly told him.
"Mash, I do trust you...I admit the way this partnership started wasn't on the best of terms…" He remembered the look she gave when he pushed against her shield. "...and I probably didn't garner you any confidence with some of my actions," it was on the tip of his tongue, the reason he couldn't just back down. Hell, I basically I'm superhuman in my words and actions without directly saying it.
Mash sighed, "But you feel you can't back down, right?"
Peter's eyes widened as Mash continued.
"I like that about you, that you want to help and can. But it also makes me feel as though I'm being lackluster in my duties as your servant. And that, if you're not careful, you'll slip and I won't be able to see you again."
"Like with Archer," That would go down as one his dumber moves.
"Uhuh, but I know I can't stop you...even if I tried-you'd bite back. That's how capes are, right?" Her lilac eyes met his hazel, serious in their nature. Peter had to hand it to her-she was a smart cookie.
He lets out a soft chuckle. "...got caught slipping. Yeah, that's the stereotype I guess." He wasn't mad in the slightest, she wasn't Ock, Goblin or any of the other psychos he had met and trounced over the past few years. "When did you figure it out?"
"The moment you rescued me, senpai. But it became concrete when we fought Lancer."
"Halloween costume, not a good explanation, right?"
She chuckles, "I might have believed you, but you talked about the Avengers with so much reverence. So you're either a big fan, or someone who knows what it's like to be in their shoes."
"Come on, I'm not an Avenger. Those guys go through stuff I could never imagine-I mean, I usually just stop muggers or guys just trying to make a big score with a dumb gimmick. I've never saved the world like they have, just a small corner of it." He admitted.
"Like the Doctor said, they're not here. Give yourself more credit, senpai. I've never saved the world either-we're in the same situation...and it wasn't just you who failed at the end."
"Mash, you did everything right-"
"I could have saved Olga...stopped her like you did, but...I couldn't move. Like something was making me stop and just let it happen. Whatever Lev is...he made me afraid," she cringes.
"Same here, at least you didn't have an aneurysm. Least you didn't….go crazy…" He palmed his forehead. Some date, Peter thought glumly,
"You punched Lev, I wasn't able to do that." She clenched her hands, not in anger, it was regret.
"You did bonk King Arthur on the head. That's up there with being pretty kickass!" His voice was genial, trying to cheer her up. The curve of a smile forms, but the lament has set in. "You'll have another chance to wipe that smug grin off of his face, with any luck-we'll see his ugly mug when Doc and crew get the coordinates set for the first singularity. I'll even give you first dibs!"
"That's...thank you, but am I...senpai, Peter...do you think I'm worthy to be your servant?" She was glad Pete was trying to make her feel better, but a staunch part of her wanted to know that her master would let her play the role she was given. "Will you allow me to fight by your side, and defend you if you can't defend yourself?"
Peter takes a moment, he looks at the back of his where the escutcheon-like marking dwelled. He looks up at her, as she waits for his answer. He didn't exactly like the whole setup. Mash being possessed because he couldn't get her out of the command center and the whole master/servant dynamic from what he gathered made him feel rather skeevy in a way. He could only imagine what a sicko would be in this situation and it made him shudder-but he wasn't that. His Aunt and Uncle had raised him well, so maybe he could recontextualize the concept a bit.
He looks back up at her, and grins. "Worthy? lady after the crap we've been through-I wouldn't want any other shield wielding superhuman by my side. I'd be dead already if it weren't for you-in other words-you can't get rid of me, and I can't get rid of you," He spoke genuinely, "So to make it official-" He raises his fist to her, "partners?"
Mash looks puzzled for a moment, before nodding and fist bumping him. "Partners, thank you, senpai!"
"Of course….one little caveat to that though,"
Mash raises a brow with a frown that Pete found kind of adorable. "Like what?"
The teenage vigilante puts simply, "Keep my secret,"
"Oh...I actually don't know who you are," She says bashfully, "I'm not really into the superhero phenomena like Doctor Roman,"
Pegged Doc for an anime fan, sort of like Harry-but actually, no-no I can see it. Does he know? Nah! He assuages his worries.
Pete picks himself up from his seat, takes a quick look around, the coast is clear, before kicking off his sneakers and leaping to the ceiling. He clings to it on all fours and looks down at Mash with a confident grin. "I go by Spider-Man!"
Mash smiles at the gesture. "That explains the goo that came out of those device, its webbing,"
"Yup!" He drops to the floor and lands straight up. "So, we have a deal?"
"You're my Master, senpai! How could I say no?" Let's get stronger together, senpai. She blushed, feeling warmth.
Unknown to her, Pete diverted his gaze from her as his face became reddened. Cool it Parker-we're just friends...
Doctor Romani Archaman, trying to stay awake with a mixture of coffee and a sprinkle of energy drinks, looked over the casualty reports from the last day or so.
He was currently hauled up in his office within the infirmary. At the moment, Team A and two others were currently being readied for the cryostasis process.
He let out a deep sigh and placed down the current report he was reviewing to palm his forehead. He gulped down some joe and gagged as he felt a twinge of heartburn. "Eeh...maybe I should change to decaffeinated..." He commented to himself.
Two-hundred, two-hundred out of two-hundred-and-nineteen were dead or Team A and other twos' case out of commission with no sign of waking up anytime soon.
Two hundred people Romani had either known the names of, or had seen in passing on a day to day basis.
As someone of his field, he had been taught to cope with death-but it was never easy for him. Ever since he could remember, he'd always felt like he was running out of time-as odd it sounded, he couldn't help but try to grant others more if they were at death's doors. But when he couldn't, well, I wanted to hide….I kept forward though. Marisbury was always one to give me a good kick to ass. During his very short time on this Earth, he had seen the world. Seen it change to the era that had been incinerated.
He remembered seeing it on the news, Metallic man saves refugees from terrorists. The next day, New York's Daily Bugle dubbed him Iron Man. Though no one had a clue who he was or if was even human at the time.
After a period of weeks, with various appearances of Iron Man taking out terrorist encampments and having a fight with a large iron monger on a highway-Billionaire philanthropist, Anthony Stark came out to the world as Iron Man.
This was 2007.
He wasn't the first, the previous years had ongoing sightings of a green goliath roaming the homeland of America, the modern era's current spirit of vengeance, Daniel Ketch (he had been a thorn to the side of the Clocktower when they attempted to cleanse witnesses. And some would consider him a lappdog to the church) and various other vigilantes that had popped up around the globe.
Going back even further-it was Captain America and the Invaders during the Second World War which began the precedent that most of the modern day capes would hope to achieve and honor
But it was Iron Man who had been the one to officially start this new heroic age as Romani liked to dub it.
That same year, Reed Richards and his group would go into space and be hit by cosmic radiation.
2008, a god without need of the throne, would appear on Earth. This was something maguses could not begin to comprehend.
In 2009, Captain America would be found and he'd begin to adjust the present.
Cynical maguses like to call it the Age of False Gods, the Age of Fools et cetera. Romani could have agreed with that, the world wasn't what the capes tried to uphold. It had all sorts of monsters under the cover. Wolf's in sheep's clothing that just as much kill you or pretend to be your friend to just get higher in life.
That's what you need to be in order to be a proper magus, Romani considered.
But, the capes rebuked that notion unknowingly.
And Romani was kind of glad they did, much to Marisbury and even Olga's chagrin when he had made the shy comment of supporting the ideal of the capes every once in a while.
But how could he not, even if he had seen the world's true face, he had also been at ground zero of invasion. Been there with Marisbury when the skies were torn asunder and Loki and Annihilus launched their attack around the globe. While the Association and Church would have waited to come up with a plan, the heroes acted. In the end, their actions paid off.
There had been small-scale otherworldly incursions in the past (though they originated from Earth for the most part) The Dire Wraiths in Rio De Janeiro during the 80's (though the Association/Church did their usual work to call it just a terrorist attack). The Lilin insurgency in the 2000's (once again, muddled under rumor or conspiracy with the efforts of the Association). Everything had been maintained like it always had been-but nothing like this scale had happened in modern memory.
He remembered the look Strange gave Marisbury when it began, and what he said-"As sorcerer supreme-it's my duty to protect this world. Yao may have gone along with the Association's rules, but I'm not him. So if you excuse me, Director of Chaldea, I'm going to save my home!" Marisbury couldn't believe it.
Many maguses cried foul when Annihilus was put on trial and put in prison with a life sentence-saying that he should just die (and vying to experiment on him). Romani felt that it was refreshing in a way, that not everything had to end in death.
He took another sip from his coffee, and looked at what remained of the candidate pool Chaldea had mustered over the years.
Kirschtaria Wodime, a magus of great acclaim. Could have ran Chaldea if one thing or another was different.
Ophelia Phamrsolone, born from a prestigious mage family. She was a quiet and respectful person.
Hinako Akuta, standoffish to say the least. She usually kept in her lane with her nose usually in a book and deep refusal to have any sort of medical exams done on her.
Beryl Gut, the guy was...a wolf in sheep's clothing. A scumbag with friendly smile--and Romani didn't know if it was a blessing or a blight that he survived.
Kadoc Zemlupus, this guy actually seemed genuinely friendly. A magus not from a family with a creed of any kind but was resourceful despite that. Nevertheless, the Acting Director never put credence in bloodline for everything.
Daybit Sem Void, a smart guy though an enigma. Romani could never get a beat on him, and the Nevade native seemed to prefer it that way.
Madelyne Pryor, an enigma as well. She was suggested by a former adviser of Chaldea's genetics program-a now krakoan, named Nathaniel Essex (the only success Marisbury had in contacting the island nation). She was neighborly, though a bit guarded when some tried to peruse her past.
And Scandinavia Peperoncino, an exceptionally genial gentleman that could just get about anyone to have a conversation with him-no matter how standoffish.
The only full team of masters that remained, Team A. He had known them, some were friendlier than others, he'd remember Ophelia trying to get Mash out of her shell. Some he didn't exactly get or trust all that much, Void always seemed a bit off honestly-but that fact that they were in this state of living death was something he didn't wish on anyone.
All these people were saved by the actions of Peter, and Romani was grateful for that. Not a lot of people would have done that for people they didn't know. But it made sense, the kid was Spider-Man, maybe….even so I have to make sure it doesn't slip that I know. That'd ruin the trust we've built up and we need him and Mash to get through this.
Having a cape in their pocket was something he didn't see coming, any of the numerous incongruities brought on by their current master was headache worthy. No read on his bios, when we tried to analyze his blood it went missing. Along with accessing any files from what we have from shield-it comes up as 'redacted'! But this wasn't what was going to give Romani a headache, he was the man on the wall now, the Director. Poor Olga, sorry I was always a pain in the ass for you. He thought glumly.
He honestly didn't know if he could shoulder the burden of this, he had done plenty of things in life, experience after experience. Worked with blue collar and white collar joes-but this was about restoring was taken away from them. He wondered what that big red cheese without a name or Magi*Mari would say. Probably something hopeful or inspiring, he sighed.
He leans back in his chair and stairs up at the ceiling. We lost a lot, but I can't buckle-not with everyone counting on me to do what needs to be done. I'll make sure Mash and Pete have a world to see tomorrow, the next day and the next. She deserves it for everything we did to her….
He hears the sliding of the door, the closing. He looks straight to find Chaldea's third servant strolling in with a mischievous grin on her face. "Still moping and drowning your sorrows away with caffeine I see,"
"Yeah...I'm a piece of work...I can admit that all day until the cow comes home," He says disparagingly, "How goes maintenance on FATE?"
Da Vinci shrugs and raises her hands up carefreely, "Should take only a few more days-but that's not what I came to talk to you about~~" She says trickly, as she reaches into attire.
Romani's eyes widened in horror, "That better not be another toy, we can't have another incident like last summer-they're still finding gunk in washrooms!" He warned, eyes almost scornful.
She puffs and rolls her eyes, "Roman, nothing ventured, nothing gained-stop being such a sourpuss!"
"It's called not being a pervert Da Vinci!"
"We both know what your search history is,"
Romani shuts up, as Da Vinci hides something behind her back. "So, you want me to guess? I'm kind of busy-a lot of paperwork piles up when someone you've known for years decides to just blow up everything!" He says bitterly.
"You're no fun...but you're right, here!" She places the red cloth item on Romani's desk, face up with the white lenses looking up at him.
Romani mouth goes agape somewhat.
"I found it when we were clearing the command room of debris-I figured you want to see it," Da Vinci before beginning to exit the room, "I've found some new inspiration, so I'm going to get started on a design for our protagonist~~" She waves, leaving Doctor Romani Archaman alone with web pattern mask.
He takes it into his hand and sits back in his chair. He blinks a few times.
He clicks his mouth, "Huh, well that puts a fine point on how he knows Stephen Strange."
"Have a good night, senpai!" The lavender head beamed with a soft smile, a few inches from the door frame the lights in the hall dimmed outside the master of Chaldea's room.
That was still a hard pill for him to swallow, everything from the past day was a hard pill for him to swallow.
The brunette gave her a casual nod, "You too...you too..." He could feel the night coming, internal clock, maybe. Or perhaps even after his few days of recuperation-he was tired, more like drained.
"Something wrong?" Her lilac eyes were a pleasant sort of keen.
Peter put on a brave face, though he figured his melancholy was still visible "Tired" he laughed, "I'm fine, promise" he smirked.
Mash took the answer, "Not too unusual, I've read that even after resting for a long period of time, an individual can still feel lethargic"
"And I don't get much sleep in the first place, so this is hitting me kind of like the Punisher's battle van" he snarked, only to get a blank look from Mash. "Really angry dude, has a skull logo and a gun fetish. Not a fun guy to meet-trust me" He's gone too, Pete. He was a monster, sure but...not even he deserved this.
"Can't be any more off putting than King Arthur…" she trailed off, seeming conflicted about any possible answer she could grant her master.
"Well she was corrupted-bright side is, if we ever run into her again, she'll be back to her normal self."
"I hope so"
He laughs to himself "And I'll have a list of questions pertaining to her family tree. 'Cause it doesn't really add up. It was already kind of screwed with the whole uncle-son sitch but now there's a layer on top of that." He rolled his eyes in consideration, "I mean, Morgan can be a guys name, though why would they genderbend the big bad of Arthurian lore. Sexism? Maybe? Meh."
"You're guess is as good as mine…" she inhales, "...thank you for letting me be your confidant. I've never been something like that before. It feels like I'm actually a regular girl" her cheeks reddened out of a reserved giddiness.
Pete gave her a soft though drowsy smile "Pleasures all mine, can't exactly be a good team with a secret like that…" Plus, I won't have to worry about my 'fan club' for a while. The thought should have made him relieved, instead, it drove home that the world he was in now was solid and he couldn't go back to his friendly neighborhood.
Mash turns away, satisfied. "See you tomorrow, master…" she waves, leaving the parker boy from Queens to his own devices.
The door to Room 33 closes, Peter turns to his abode. He weakly walks to his bed, his body tenses, his breath becomes shallow as his eyes redden.
He collapses to his knees, and let's his chest hit the mattress. Clenching its material, the boy cries. With a haggard voice he apologized and pleaded for this to all be a nightmare. He stains the covers with his tears.
"Dammit..." When he ran out of tears, he sat on the bed and stared at the picture of him, Matt, Gwen, Harry, Johnny and of course, the girl he had wanted to spend the rest of his life with, Mary Jane Watson "...I'm sorry…"
Peter Parker looked at that photo for the next few hours. And when sleep overtook him, he saw his hell...
Glossary:
Lilin: A species of demon said to be descended from Lilith, one of the first angels that rebelled with Lucifer before God banished them to Hell.
Dire Wraiths A subspecies of the alien race known as the Skrulls with abilities and a mana supply that can allow them to wield something similar to magecraft from the Age of Gods. They were defeated by an extraterrestrial known as Rom.
Annihilus: The insectoid tyrant of the alternate dimension known as the Negative Zone, an omega level threat whose only goal was gaining more power for himself and slaughtering all who crossed him. With the help of the trickster god, Loki, to have his armies enter Earth's reality. He sought to conquer Earth, setting ships at eight points around the world before beginning to try to pierce the planet's shell. The areas pierced were innocuous upon reflection. Barren areas of Russia, Scandinavia, China, India, Greece, Britain, South America, and of all places, the Florida Everglades. All while his army, lead in part by Loki Laufeyson, attacked the populace of Earth. As for why he was trying to break the planet's shell, he has not revealed the reason, even after heavy sedation and varying interrogation tactics.