Across the universe, there are billions of points of light representing the millions of worlds that are inhabited. However, only one of these worlds will be the primary focus of this story. In this world, located within the kingdom that appears to have been constructed around and out of ice and snow, droplets of lava fall from the sky. These droplets originate from a massive warship that spews lava wherever it travels.
The floating fortress sailed through the sky as the lava beneath it melted the ice. When it reached the ice kingdom, it crashed into several of the standing pillars and shattered them like glass.
When it came close enough, the fortress dropped some giant wrecking balls with spikes and crashed into the ground to anchor the ship. As it started to lower itself, the doors to the ship opened up and an entire army of Koopa Troopas stood with their weapons raised. These were essentially giant turtles that had yellow bodies and wore a green Koopa Shell. A handful of them wore blue spiky shells with wings. They all charged out of the ship and formed ranks.
After they had all finished, another species known as Magikoopas appeared among the troops. Wearing blue robes and hats resembling those of a wizard, these creatures also wield golden wands. Considered to be a high-ranking member of the Koopa Troop army, this individual serves as a personal advisor to King Bowser.
Who is Bowser? You're about to find out.
"Behold! The King of the Koopas!" Kamek the Magikoopa announced, stepping aside.
A special large door then opens to reveal The King of the Koopas, also known as Bowser. He differs greatly from the rest of the Koopas, who appear primarily as bipedal tortoises. His iconic features include a large, spiked shell, horns, razor-sharp teeth, and a shock of red hair. In addition, while most Koopas seem to be herbivorous and prefer fruits and vegetables as their diet, Bowser, due to his sharp teeth, prefers meat, particularly from victims he hunts down and captures, though he has, on occasion, consumed vegetation. He is physically powerful and can breathe fire.
He marched out of the airship and marched down the aisle as his troops shook in terror. He made his way to the castle of ice and snorted out smoke from his nostrils. "Open the gates!"
Then there were a few figures approaching the gates to the kingdom. However, when the ice made them appear larger than they were, it was revealed that they were only penguins. The king penguin growled when he saw Bowser, for his reputation is known throughout all of the kingdoms in this world.
He commanded his troops, "Attack!" As all the penguins charged out of the kingdom to defend it.
All of them charged and scooped out piles of snow to make snowballs, which they threw at Bowser. However, he just stood there watching as they continued to do so, even pulling out some catapults with larger snowballs on the giant turtle. Kamek quickly teleported away using his magic to dodge an incoming ice block, which ended up hitting one of the troops behind him.
The King Penguin then halted his troops and saw it as a valiant attempt. "That is but a taste of our fury!" he announced proudly. "Do you yield?"
Bowser chuckled and saw it as pathetic. "I do not," he said.
With that, Kamek used his magic to send the penguins flying to be captured by their troops. And with them out of the way, Bowser took in a deep breath and then sent a blast of his fire breath out to the ice, melting everything within seconds. However, he didn't completely finish off the kingdom as he saw the glowing light coming from the center of the kingdom.
As Bowser began to march off towards it, Kamek used his magic to send a few ice blocks to be used as steps. Bowser used them as he made his way upwards and finally reached what he had been searching for.
What he was searching for was a giant glowing box with a question mark on all sides. Raising his fist as high as he could, he smashed into the box, causing it to crack.
When the box exploded, pieces of the question mark flew in every direction, leaving behind only a giant yellow star. It was rumored that whoever possessed this power would be invincible, able to lay waste to their enemies. And now it was in Bowser's hands. This was the only thing he needed to keep anyone from opposing his rule, and he could now begin to conquer the world.
"HAHAHAHA! I finally found it!" Bowser cheered triumphantly as his plan finally came together. "And now, no one can stop me!"
"Well, it seems that this is the point where I make my entrance."
Peter Parker is wearing a new suit design that is based on athletic wear and compression clothing. The most prominent aspect of the suit that distinguishes it from other Spider-Man suits is the white spider symbol.
The suit retains the classic red and blue color scheme, but features a large white spider on the chest in place of the traditional black. The spider has long legs that extend to the thin blue piping of the suit. The shoes have also been modernized, featuring a sneaker-style design rather than knee-high boots.
The suit is equipped with several technological advancements to increase its overall efficiency, including a built-in camera, radio, and communication system. Additionally, while wearing the costume, it's fitted with unstable molecules that leave Spider-Man odorless and scentless.
Moreover, the lenses of the suit's mask are expressive and can squint inward and outward. The lenses have a built-in AR heads-up display system, allowing Spider-Man to analyze his surroundings in great detail; he can also view his web fluid, his current health status, and his global position.
In addition to technological enhancements, Peter has also further improved upon the material design of his Advanced Suit. Each color on the outfit represents something specific in functionality. The red parts of the suit are made from a reinforced, thicker material, providing Spider-Man additional armor and protection. The blue areas add flexibility. The white sections, located on his gauntlets, feet, and chest, are composed of carbon fiber and are designed to absorb as much impact as possible, offering maximum protection.
The suit was a gift from his friends at the Avengers after his encounter with an enemy of his, the Rhino. He had been slammed into the old power plant that was scheduled for demolition. He slipped on his mask and then quickly performed a backflip off the top of the Baxter Building.
"My name is Peter Parker. For the past ten years, I have been the one and only Spider-Man."
Peter swung through the streets of New York City, landing atop the Empire State Building. Afterward, he sat down and pulled out a newspaper and coffee.
Peter scoffed as he sat on the eagle's head and looked down at the city. "Ugh, what a day," he said.
"I'm going to guess and say you know what came next."
Peter fought off against the Sinister Six. The group's members included Rhino, Shocker, Blizzard, Mysterio, Scorpion, and Kraven.
"I saved the city, and then I did it again."
Peter was now fighting alongside the rest of the Avengers against Thanos.
"And again."
Peter is now helping the Fantastic Four take on Doctor Doom.
"Maybe a little too much."
Peter then joined the X-Men in their battle against Magneto and the Brotherhood.
"Then one time I broke my back."
Peter plummeted from the sky and crashed onto the ground on his back. He cracked the sidewalk beneath him and let out a groan of pain.
"A drone flew into my face."
As Peter swung towards the Baxter Building, he was struck by a drone.
"I buried my Aunt May."
Peter sighed and allowed a few tears to flow down his cheeks as he stood in front of May's grave.
"However, I handled the situation like a champion."
Peter was currently sobbing in the shower. He didn't even bother removing his Spider-Man suit; he just sobbed and continued to sob.
"Okay, fine, maybe I haven't been handling things well. But I have been receiving support and assistance from my friends in the Fantastic Four."
Peter wandered the halls of the Baxter Building, where he had been staying recently. He was happy to be close to his friends from the Fantastic Four and especially glad to have Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, as his best friend.
"They invited me to stay with them and become a member of the team. Did you think I was going to say no?"
Living with them gave Peter the familial dynamic that he never got to experience growing up. Sometimes, he admitted, he would be happy he was an only child; but he also loved the few small moments they shared together.
"Hey, Peter!" Johnny exclaimed when he saw Peter and ran over to him. He wrapped his arm around Peter's shoulder and leaned on him. "Okay, listen up; if anyone asks where I was this morning, as far as anyone is concerned, I was with you. Understood?"
"Why? Where were you really?" Peter asked, concerned about the answer.
"Nowhere serious." Johnny assured him. "You know how Sue can be though. So, if anyone asks, just say I was with you."
"Yeah, sure, whatever you want, man," Peter agreed, knowing that if he didn't, Johnny would never let him leave.
Johnny thanked him, saying "You're the best, man," before running off, leaving Peter alone.
Peter made his way down to the common room, where he found Ben Grimm, also known as The Thing, marching around the kitchen. He also had a look of anger on his face. And that wasn't a sight you wanted to see.
Ben looked around as if he were searching for something. "Hey, Peter," Ben said, "was Johnny in here?"
Peter shrugged, as if it were nothing, and walked off. "I don't know," he said. "But I did see him heading towards his room. Why? What happened?"
Ben muttered to himself as he marched down the hallway to find Johnny. "That little matchstick thinks it's funny to clog my toilet with rocks! Johnny!"
So, that's what he did. Now, Peter understood why Johnny had wanted to cover for him. However, the last thing he was going to do was lie to the Thing.
"Oh well," Peter shrugged. "He didn't hear it from me."
Peter walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see Valeria Richards, the daughter of Reed and Susan Richards, already up and about. He then took a look around, expecting to see HERBIE making her breakfast. However, when he looked around the room, he couldn't find the floating helper/babysitter robot anywhere.
"Hey, Val," Peter greeted the young girl. "Where's HERBIE?"
"Dad took him away for some maintenance," Valeria said. She was definitely as smart as her parents, maybe even smarter. "It seems like someone added in some extra coding into him to make him do stupid things."
Peter knew a troublemaker when he saw one, and Val was definitely one of them. "You didn't..."
"You're right," Valeria said, giving him a grin. "As far as anyone is concerned."
Peter couldn't help but chuckle and shudder with fear as he said, "I am both impressed and terrified by your abilities."
Valeria then chuckled, "That's good."
Peter rolled his eyes and looked over at the oven. "Want some breakfast?"
Valeria sounded way too surprised when she asked, "Do you even know how to cook?"
"You remember I lived on my own for a while before I came here, right?" Peter thought she was smarter than that.
"Yeah, but I just assumed you were eating at your Aunt's," Valeria admits as Peter looks through the cabinets.
"Fair point," Peter shrugged. "I did say I knew how to cook; I just never said I could do it well. Any special requests?"
Valeria smiled elegantly. "Pan-seared filet mignon with a shiraz sauce, if you don't mind," she said.
Peter gawked at her for a solid second before scratching the back of his neck. "I could make you pancakes and let you beat me at chess later," he suggested hopefully, hoping that she would make the compromise.
Valeria took a moment to consider the offer and then smiled. "Deal," she said. "But don't make it too easy."
Peter mumbled to himself, disgraced by how easily she had beaten him. "I never thought I could lose to you consistently," he said.