= Chapter 158. Imperius Rex! =
Commentary on Chapter 158. Imperius Rex! If anyone would like to support your favourite and invaluable author with deeds rather than words (although I appreciate comments with your detailed opinion no less), you are welcome to do so: 5469980470822129 - Sber Two weeks later.
14 September, 2014. 16:45
Baxter Building.
Reed Richards' lab.
Spider-Man.
- Looks like space radiation is a dead end, Reed," I exhaled, rubbing my tired eyes.
- So, let's focus on Negative Zone energy," Richards nodded implacably.
For a week now, every day, for twelve hours, the smartest man on the planet and I have been working on finding a cure for Ben.
After the party in the Tower and a very personal discussion with Del, it's been a fortnight, and I've been able to devote that time to science projects, research, and the harmonious division of work and leisure time.
The days had been incredibly calm and peaceful, so nothing had jerked me around.
There were no missions with the Avengers, no unexpected Shield missions from Mr Ferocious, who was very methodically hunting for anything with the name HYDRA in it. Training and a bit of political issues with the X-Men. Plus the Anna-Marie bracelet issue has been thoroughly taken care of by McCoy and me. We'll have to find out when Helma's birthday is, so we can make her happy in time.
A pleasant moment during these days was also the clarification of a very important point: Jess's child is not Zebediah's! Oh, I remember how happy Pearl and I were about the result, and since pregnant brunettes are not allowed to drink, I drank for two while celebrating.
After that, I took some of my time introducing Flint to Shield, Fury personally. As useful as the Sandman was as my personal debtor, Marco was too normal a guy with a tough fate to be treated that way. Though maybe I should have waited and then offered him a place as my personal bodyguard.
Yes, alas, I had to deal with the adventure I'd gotten myself into because of my abominable inability to control myself when it came to my family.
"Parker Industries.
How much is in that phrase? The name?
A whole plan, its own scientific organisation, a company that can compete with the major mastodons of the market, like Oscorp or Stark Industries, to say nothing of Hardy Consolidated. Yes, if the CEO, in the person of me, didn't have a tonne of things pulling in different directions, threatening to break. And this isn't even about the Tombstone money laundering.
I mean, look at it this way: My household, my family, my kids, a pregnant Fey, and a plan I can't quite put in place that involves my Carrot-top. Peter Parker's life: Work, friends. And, of course, Spider-Man.
Right now, Reed and I are puzzling over Ben's situation.
And then there are the Avengers, especially Thor and HG, actively cutting me off the line of communication demanding clarification about Mjolnir. I didn't think the Asgardian would call me like a drunk ex...
Then the X-Men, where Cain is no longer able to cover for me because, without asking my opinion, Charles and Eric dragged me into the council on mutants and Foundation affairs, introducing me to Angel, with whom we had not yet been introduced to each other. Looks like I'll never be able to get away from the meetings of this coalition.
Dr Strange keeps sending me astral projections, and we spend nights discussing the idea of the Illuminati and future candidates for such a team. I can't even sleep at night anymore! At least I'm physically rested.
I'm not talking about patrols, let it be Spiderbots, warning or various rescue organisations or my twins living in the Big Apple.
And then there's the major project with the Fantastic Four. Where I crumple. Because I've found a solution to Ben's issue. The Mind Stone and Ani suggested it, except.
Am I willing to sacrifice such a thing?
- Only the strongest will make the hardest choice," I said thoughtfully.
- What are you saying, Peter? - The bearded scientist turns towards me.
But not quietly enough.
- Just thinking, Reed," I reassure Mr Fantastic. - So you're saying Negative Zone energy?
And before Richards can return to the scientific background of our discussion, Junior Storm bursts through the door.
- People, you need to see this now! - screams the Torch Man in his fiery form.
- What's wrong, Johnny? - frowns the FF leader, unhappy that we are being distracted from such an important study.
- A huge wave! Trident! A man in swimming trunks! - Jonathan's voice is all over the place.
- Slow down, Matchstick," I put my hands out in front of me. - A man in a bathing suit?
- Turn on channel 3J!
Reed's lab had a plasma.
Mr Fantastic reached out, pulled a remote out of the pile of scientific junk on the table and switched on the TV.
- I remind you that we are reporting live from a helicopter over Lauer Bay and... this is a must-see, dear viewers.
The frame changed and the reporters captured huge waves moving towards New York City with a small silhouette towering over them. The 3J Communication staff were equipped with the latest generation of cameras so they were able to zoom in on the image, showing a tall, frowning, dark-haired man holding a trident and wearing only green swimming trunks with a gold belt.
When I noticed the ridiculous wings on his ankles, I knew there could be no mistake.
How I hoped this fucker wouldn't be in my reality!
A carrier? - surprised my partners when I unwittingly broadcast my displeasure.
I'm talking about mine," I replied to the voices in my head.
Meanwhile, Sue and Ben ran into the lab, most likely following the report in the living room.
- Looks like we need to figure out what's going on," Susan suggested.
- Maybe we should leave it to the Avengers. - Richards suggested, casting a slightly guilty look at Ben.
After I brought hypotheses so close to solving the riddle, the smartest man on the planet decided not to give up until he found a solution.
- I don't know why you're even talking like this, Stretchy, but when Ben Grimm sees a pointy-eared idiot sending huge waves over the city, he really wants to kick his arse! - slammed his stone fist against his fist, with righteous indignation, the Creature.
- 'I agree with Ben,' The Invisible Lady walked over to her almost-husband and gently took his hand. - 'Honey, is everything all right?
- Yes, everything's fine, Sue," Reed reverently clenched the palm of Storm's still Storm's hand and looked at her lovingly. - I'm sorry, I've made a fool of myself. Everyone into the Fantastic Machine! - the leader of the Four commanded with concentration.
- Are you with us, Spiderweb? - Grimm looked back at me questioningly.
- You didn't have to ask, Ben," I said, jumping into the chair next to Johnny.
The high-tech transporter flew out of the open ceiling compartment, and I continued to think.
I should probably make something clear: I fucking hate Nemore!
Of all the existing comic book characters in all the universes I know of, it is Nemore, as a relatively positive or anti-heroic character that I can't stomach, I just can't stand! Even some supervillains in my eyes seem better in comparison with this fish...
Most likely, the first thing I would be asked would be, what did he do to deserve this?
It's simple, his character, his decisions, his views, all of it makes me fiercely irritated.
Disgusting qualities for a leader, and Mackenzie also as a person is a dick, remember even the moment that he constantly molested Sue, and often she was married to Reed long ago and gave birth to his children.
I think it's disgusting behaviour.
I remember back in the days of Superior, when Otto was contemplating confessing to the Avengers that he had stolen my body... in the sense of Prime Peter's body, the scriptwriters arranged for him to have a conversation with Nemore as his conditional opposition.
And I'm so burned. Yes, Dr Octopus has the above qualities too. Octavius is indescribably proud, arrogant, self-righteous and moderately cocky, which ultimately ended his journey as Spider-Man.
However, Otto had a right to this behaviour! I mean, growing up, a tyrant father, an intellect that wasn't recognised, the need to achieve everything in life on his own, a ridiculous appearance and problems with the opposite sex because of it, eternal competition, there were plenty of factors.
And Mackenzie? He almost always got everything without any problems!
Maybe there were arguments in Atlantis about whether or not you had the right to rule us, half-Atlantean and blah, blah, blah, but there's a bit of a loose end...
Nemore was a hero in World War II and he knew Steve! So he's at least eighty years old, so it's an open question as to why he's still the same arsehole decades later.
In short, it's not Aquaman who sucks here...
- We're getting closer," I was brought out of my thoughts by the voice of the leader of our, at the moment, five.
I involuntarily cast a glance at the focused Miss Storm, and then turn around. The giant waves of ocean water do indeed look monstrous, and as we flew, Nemore had almost reached the shores.
No sooner had I asked my allies a question, about the plan to confront this watery thing, than there was a loud rumbling sound, as if a war horn had been trumpeted.
I hope that wasn't...
But it was.
The silhouettes of various sea monsters began to flicker in the water.
That arsehole used the Horn of Proteus!
- I'm going to need a trump card, I'm going to stand up to my full height.
- What are you doing, Spider? - Johnny looks at me in bewilderment.
- I'm levelling the odds," I tune into my accumulated Spider Universe charge. - I'll take care of the creatures in the water, and you knock out that fish on the beach," I jump off the Fantastic Machine.
- Peter! - Susie screams.
As I fall, a discharge sweeps across my body, embodying a space suit, and I am already calmly frozen above the water, levitating.
I put my palms forward releasing waves of Enigma power energy.
The monstrous liquid seems to hit the rocks, getting smaller and then spreading out.
- What happened?! - Nemore exclaims.
- You'll discuss it with my friends," I reply to the surprised Submariner, teleporting in front of him.
I grabbed the brunet by the neck and, with all the superpower I could muster, threw him to the beach and dived into the water.
I don't think the monsters are backing off, do you?
I'm answered by the huge octopus tentacle of a giant cephalopod hitting me from my right side.
I am Nemore, I can control sea monsters, king overlord, blah, blah, blah, blah! Well, nothing, we'll end up in a world of giant arachnoid spider monsters, then I'll look at you! - I think irritably, dodging three giant great white sharks.
I form golden spheres of cosmic energy on my palms and throw them at the waterfowl.
An explosion, and the fangbangers swim away with their tails tucked.
- Now you, cephalopod! - I shout at the octopus with cloudy, whitish eyes.
I accelerate, flying in the water, and hit the monstrous creature right in the bob.
Honestly, I don't want to kill them anyway. It's not their fault they're obeying the call.
I throw the octopus back a few metres and, seeing that the animal is not going to fight me, retreating, I fly upwards.
I get out of the water, levitating in the air and only my toes touch the ocean surface.
Just as I'm about to look round, I see Johnny thrown back.
- I got him! - I fly up and grab the Torch in his flaming uniform.
- Thanks, Pete," the blond nods, reliving the shakeup, then notices. - You're flying!
- Consider it my mutant powers," I wave him off and turn towards the beach. - Looks like the waterman's kicking, doesn't it?
- It does," Storm agrees irritably.
- Let's go help," Torch urged, seeing Nemore engaged in a fist fight with the creature.
- Don't even think you'll be able to defeat me, landlubbers! - shouted the half-Atlante throwing back his stone opponent. - IMPERIUS REX!
The submariner thought to lunge at Reed, but Mr Fantastic was blocked by the Invisible Lady's force field.
- I don't know who you are, fair maiden, but if you surrender, I'll let you be my concubine after I kill the others," Nemore smirked, looking at the blonde.
Sue only grimaced in response.
- Only in your fantasy! - I declared, diving at Mackenzie.
- Here comes the sneaky ignoramus, attacking like a cowardly rat! - shouted Nemore, trying to pierce me with his trident.
In response, I only lifted the surprised Atlantean with my telekinesis.
- I attacked you in the face like a warrior, so shut up!
I knock my opponent into the sand and do my favourite trick, changing the molecular structure of the loose material into hardened concrete.
I don't know how long that'll last in the case of a floatplane.
- In the name of Proteus, release me! - the brunet bellowed.
- Why did you attack New York?! - I ask a question, trying to get Nemore to stop me.
- That's right, this is where we ask the questions, fishy! - Johnny joined me as the rest of the Fantastic Four looked at my altered costume in surprise.
- You land-dwellers," the Atlantean drawled in disgust. - Polluting the ocean, dumping waste, killing sea creatures, and you think you can get away with it?! Never!
I see that the hardened sand is cracking into small cracks.
Let's try a different approach.
I'm putting my palm on Mackenzie, trying to dry him out. He'll be more cooperative in his weakened state.
But as soon as I try to put my plan into action, a thin palm rests on my shoulder, the molecular composition of which I recognise as the Invisible Lady.
- Wait, Spider-Man," I turn to Sue, "let me talk to him, please.
The blonde's eyes are a little startled at my actions and abilities. Although, most likely, she just didn't expect this.
Still, I wanted to ask the blue-eyed girl a question.
- Even after all his insults, you want to talk to the man who was going to flood the southern shore of Manhattan and kill your partners, Susie?
The Invisible Woman was surprised at my assessment and reacted with little dislike for such an intransigent stance.
Still, Nemore is a really bad influence on me...
- That's what makes us different from them, Spider, - Miss Storm raised her bright eyes to me, in which confidence burned, - isn't it?
And then I realised how I might look from the outside.
- You're right," I nod and step back. - Sorry, let's go.
I'm approaching the creature when Sue fixes her full attention on the brunet.
- I'm all for you on this one, Weaver," Grimm leaned in slightly, whispering in confidence. - I have to admit, though, that fishhead's got quite a kick," the blue-eyed man rubbed his stone jaw.
- Thank you, Ben," I shook my head in support of my friend.
- You're welcome, Spiderweb," the Yancey Street native clapped me on the shoulder, but this time I didn't even feel a twinge from his strong stumps, the strength of which he sometimes doesn't calculate. Especially in the case of super-endurance guys like me. - When did you build up your muscles, mate, at the time of the next costume change? - the stone-skinned man hinted at my changed position and appearance.
- Something like that," I folded my palms behind my back, watching the show.
All in all, it was a lot to watch.
Sue was trying to play good cop and talk constructively, while Nemore just gave her a greasy look, arrogantly introduced himself, and said that everyone should bow down before the King of Atlantis.
Reed took out his clipboard and started studying the brunet like an exhibit, which the half-Atlante didn't like, and he didn't hesitate to deliver it with insults.
Johnny, on the other hand, was bitching, pissing the Submariner off.
I, by the way, would have loved to join my friend, too, but I had to keep the concrete trap completely fixed on Nemore.
In the end, having achieved nothing, Miss Storm turned with a question in her eyes to her fiancé.
- 'So, I think we should proceed as follows,' Reed spoke, rubbing his beard. - We are prepared to listen to all your grievances, King Nemore, and then pass them on to the UN or help you with your preparations.
- I don't need prompting! - Mackenzie snarled at Richards, but then he was silent through clenched teeth.
- There's no need to be rude when they're trying to be nice to you," I replied, showing that he was in the wrong.
- There's no need for violence, Spider-Man," the scientist nodded at me, basically sharing the carrot and stick approach. - So, your decision," the leader of the Fantastic Four turned to the disgruntled Submariner again, "is to allow me to go to Atlantis?
- I'm ready to receive the ambassador," the brunet said as dismissively as possible and threw another greasy look at Sue. - I'm sure your mate won't mind, right?
Judging by the smirk, Nemore understood the relationship between Miss Storm and Mr Richards.
- Don't even think we're going to let Susie go with you, fishhead! - Grimm was ahead of Reed in his negative exclamation.
- I was talking to your leader, not you, stone plebeian," the Submariner gritted his teeth.
- Then listen to her younger brother's statement in addition," Storm cut in, his eyes widening. - Just lay a hand on my sister and I'll make fish fingers out of you!
To my displeasure, however, Sue was clearly going to agree and even stepped forward.
- I'm with...
But before the Invisible Lady could finish her line, Reed took her palm in his.
- Can we talk? - The groom looked into his bride's eyes and Miss Storm, biting her lip, nodded.
As the future couple moved a few metres away from us, Nemore was left with, to put it bluntly, a part of HF that wasn't the most sympathetic to him, and a part of me that wasn't sympathetic to him at all.
- So, I'm left with brainless statues with no voice," the Submariner smirked, clearly wanting to take advantage of the situation.
The Fakel Man, who had been extinguished, flared up again, and the creature clenched his fists.
- You know, in principle, I'd share the opinion that some practices suck, like whaling, which is still not banned in Asia," I said. - But you arrived here all dressed up, and instead of lobbying for your own position as leader of an entire underwater state, you... decided to flood New York? - I'm raising my hand. - Are you out of your mind?!
- You don't get to judge me! - replied the pompous atlante.
- I even wonder what Steve would say about your actions," I fold my palms behind my back again.
- Who? - The brunet arched an eyebrow.
- Well, you know, the leader of the Howling Commandos, with whom you fought against the Nazis, the one Captain America, recently returned to our good old mortal world, - I calmly explain.
- WHAT?! - Nemore's face stretched. - You're lying, the Captain died a long time ago!
- Get on the internet in Atlantis and google who the Avengers are.
Honestly, I'm not surprised he hasn't heard of the Invasion from his depths either...
Meanwhile, while Underwater was speculating, the future Richards couple returned.
- We've made a decision," the blonde began, staring into Mackenzie's brazen eyes, which I thought I'd seen a bit of confusion at the mention of Rogers. - Either my entire team goes with you to your kingdom and we work together, or you stay here and we wait for Shield agents to investigate the terrorist attack you almost committed, Nemore," Sue folded her arms under her chest. - Your decision?
The submariner gritted his teeth, but it seemed that some thought processes had begun in his cauldron.
Better late than never.
- All right," the fish-headed man exhaled. - But this one won't do," he nodded in my direction.
- Spider... - Mr Fantastic turned to me, clearly wanting to persuade, thinking that I would resist.
- No problem, Spidey," I raised my palms, "I'm only too happy to stop the torture of being around arrogant and arrogant czars," I nodded at the newly agitated Nemore.
- Then, could you release him? - I could see that Richards also disliked the Submariner.
- No question," I nodded and turned to the brunet. - I'll warn you right away, my winged one, if you try to attack, I'll drive you into the ground again and give you such a sunbath that my hot friend will seem like a snowman to you," I nodded at Storm.
Whether the threat worked or not, after I returned the concrete trap to sand status, Nemore was in no hurry to attack me again.
He has a brain," Raj said in the tone of a scientist who'd made a startling discovery.
Or a well-developed instinct for self-preservation," Ani echoed.
And so, having managed to get Nemore to sit in the Fantastic Car next to Ben, who was not particularly happy about the prospect, the team set off on their adventure.
A call from Fury on my communicator made it clear that I wasn't going to be bored either, I needed a report. Commentary on Chapter 158. Imperius Rex! For those who are particularly immersed, the next chapter is already up - /di12hoykl. Plus a new suggestion, also concerning Arachnid)