= Chapter 161. Full Power =
Same time.
The inner world of Peter Parker.
Spider-Man.
- Oh, really? - I'm rubbing my eyes from the bright flash.
- And it's good to see you again, Peter Parker," one cosmic entity smirks, still in its same form.
- What brings you this time, Enigma," I fold my arms across my chest, "hopefully only good things?
- The time has come," the projection nodded gravely. - Your test is coming soon, a test that will require all my power, it's time to become one, Peter.
- As if a spark wasn't enough," Raj spoke up, still a shadow of the unlit Enigma space, my inner world.
A simba slipping through the shadows looks pretty damn cool and mysterious.
- You'll be Slim Shady now," I joked to the Klyntarian. - By the way, what's up with Ani? - I ask about "daughter" to "mum".
- At the moment she has become united with me again, you could say that I am adopting your experience of communication, - the entity said thoughtfully. - So you won't be hearing us for a while, think of it as... kin communication after a long separation.
- Well, at least that's good news," Raj exclaimed, and Enigma glowed a little brighter, pushing the symbiote further into the shadows.
The Klyntarz didn't like that.
- Well, I see, - I reflect on what I heard. - Do you know what the test is?
- It is never known, - sighed the concept of truth. - All we have to do is wait and do as much good as we can.
- That's the kind of thing I'm always happy to do," I beat my fist against my palm.
- Great, you have unfinished business there, we'll talk more later," Enigma hummed, ending our communication in the inner world.
I opened my eyes in the same corridor.
Hovering a dozen centimetres below the ceiling, I was glowing brightly in my Spider-Universe suit, glowing with a blue space haze.
Never before had I felt the Enigma Force so full. Which wasn't surprising, now.
- Amazing," Essex eyed me.
- I agree," I squeezed his palm, "but we're distracted.
I pointed my palm at the scientist and, with a snap of my fingers, teleported the flask from his hands into my own.
- Give it back! - Nathaniel shouted.
His eyes turned redder, and his hands glowed with violet energy.
A kind of telekinesis, if I'm not mistaken.
The villain gathered up the junk of various origins scattered in this corridor and pointed it at me.
With a slight movement of my hand, I waved the stream away.
I raise my wrist and Sinister freezes.
Looks like it's time to test something, which is unobtrusively reminded by a small itch in the back of my head.
Enigma is the concept of truth, right? And as I recall, she had one very notable ability.
I levitate smoothly towards my opponent and land in front of him.
- Why do you want to make a future supermutant out of Jean and Scott's DNA? - I wonder, hoping the answer won't be what I expect.
Judging by some echoing, unnatural, echo in my voice, I used the power of... shall we call it the Power of Truth? Truth?
- I want to create the perfect mutant, a general, for my lord," Essex answered honestly, horrified at what he had said.
- Who is your master? - I arch an eyebrow.
- En...En-Saba...
Suddenly, the scarlet crystal in Nathaniel's forehead glowed and Sinister shouted.
- Speak! - I repeated, again affecting the geneticist.
- 'En-Sabah-Nur,' Essex repeated through the scream. - Apocalypse!
As soon as he finished, the crystal burst and Sinister turned into a withered mummy before my eyes.
- Apocalypse, then," I look thoughtfully at the disfigured shell.
A while later.
Nebraska.
Mr Sinister's secret bunker.
The clone flask's backup command switched the capsule out of standby mode. The bulb signal switched from forbidden signal to permissive.
With a mechanical sound, the closing lid pulled back, and blue smoke billowed from the device, from which a pale body fell out.
Saying nothing, the man who had fallen out slowly got to his feet and walked over to the cabinets, throwing on a doctor's dressing gown.
- He could be trouble," a pensive Nathaniel began to ponder aloud, stroking his chin.
Wild Earth.
Spider-Man.
Twirling the flask in my hands, I picked up the rest of the Sinister with my telekinesis and walked back to where I'd parted ways with my teammates.
That's exactly what I did.
After thinking about it for a while, I decided not to get used to my newfound powers. They could disappear.
Or rather, I know that at some point they will disappear, so it's better not to be influenced by false omnipotence.
You have such wonderful powers? That's great. Then I'll use them while I can, but don't abuse them.
That's the responsible thing to do.
That's why I "disguised" the Universe Spider shell under my standard red and blue suit. The application of cosmic powers even looks more spectacular that way.
I return to the central lab and, to my surprise, find an unfinished fight. More precisely, almost all of Essex's clone handmaidens have been neutralised, but my old green raptel-like acquaintance, who has suddenly appeared, is fighting.
- Get out of my domain, you miserable insects! - Sauron bellowed, firing lasers from his eyes.
When did he learn to shoot lasers out of his eyes?! It's one of my favourite powers!
I want to do that too!
However, I just shoot out an organic web, forming a small ball, and throw it at the back of the pteranodon's head like a snowball.
- You haven't changed since the last time I saw you," I fold my arms across my chest, still the same squeaky squeaky squeak.
- YOU?! - surprised mutant. - The last time I saw you, you had more arms!
- Times have been hard, so my hands are smaller," I shrugged. - But all right, we're not here for idle conversation," I let out a claw.
Sauron suddenly faltered, looked around, and then... tried to run away.
Really? - Raj was surprised.
I was shocked," I answered the Klyntarian, watching the pteranodon scurry away like a cowardly hen.
I raise my hand and, having saturated my natural telekinesis with cosmic force, nail it to the ground.
Somehow it reminded me of the gravitational force of a guy with the same name...
- Spidey, what happened?! - exclaimed Bobby, looking at me, or rather, slightly to the right, with all eyes on me.
And a pale Kitty turned away. 'Ah, yes, the remains of Essex are hovering close by, aren't they?
- I was interrogating our good friend, but, suddenly, the crystal in his forehead exploded and... there, - I explain, awkwardly shuffling from foot to foot, under the strange looks of the X team, of different directions.
Wolverine and... Cyclops, for example, are even happy about this development, while humanists Ororo and McCoy look a little disappointed.
- Hank, will you examine the remains? - I ask the furry one a question.
- Sure," the Beast sighs, "I just need to find a bag or something.
- Got it," I put the desiccated body on the surgical table and move towards the hushed Sauron, thinking about Essex's last words.
Apocalypse... perhaps he is the threat Enigma had in mind?
I wonder if this sort of thing doesn't bother me much because of my exposure to cosmic energy. I don't feel any nervousness at all.
I'm squatting in front of the pteranodon.
- So, did you have a good flight?
To my surprise, the reptile slowly began to turn human.
Huh, I forgot.
- Welcome back, Dr Lycos," I grin at the lost scientist.
- He's... gone? - Carl stared at his hands in shock. - He never left of his own free will... thank you! - the man cried out sharply and clenched my palms. - Thank you, whoever you are!
- I'm more interested in who you are," Magneto flew over to us, his arms folded across his chest in displeasure. - And why did you attack? Are you a mutant?
- That's right," the blond sighed. - However, my mutation is not quite ordinary ...
- Briefly, he's a sort of mutated version of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, only his Hyde is scaly and has wings," I explained a little disinterestedly, interrupting Lykos.
Eric only nodded at my explanation.
- Looks like we're done here," Logan and Scott came up to our trio. - Thanks for your help," Summers nodded to me personally.
- You're welcome, Slim," I shrugged.
- So, are we going home? - Jimmy asked a question.
- Doesn't Hank want to explore the lab?
- You gave him another problem with the Essex remains, bro," the Canadian grinned. - Good work, kid.
Praise from a master, well worth it.
- Anyway, I was also planning to stick around for a while, meet some people, finish up a long adventure, if I may say so," I looked at the ceiling thoughtfully.
- Well, we can wait on the plane, and there's no telling how long it'll take us," Cyclops pointed behind me, indicating the pile of clones and the lab.
- Thanks, Scott, but I'll probably make my own way home," I nod, then turn to Carl. - Pack up, Doctor, we're going together.
- Me?" The blond guy went pale.
Yes, I don't think the Ka-Zara tribe will be very happy to see our brave reptiloid.
- Don't worry, doc, the locals won't kill you, you're under my protection," I clapped the man on the shoulder, which made him tilt slightly. - Oops, miscalculated, I apologise.
- I take it this isn't the first time you've been here? - Logan grinned, folding his arms across his chest.
- I've had a life before you, claw," I joked lightly.
- Whatever you say, bro," Jimmy seemed satisfied with the answer, then turned away and walked toward Thunderstorm.
- Well, I'm glad, but we have to go, good luck with all this," I put my hand on Lycos's shoulder and we teleported to Blackbird.
- They're not going to kill me, are they? - The blond man tugged nervously at the collar of his dressing gown.
- Not as long as I'm around," I answer calmly.
- That's comforting," the man gulped noisily.
The journey to Ka-Zara's village, to my surprise, was quite long, even though I could feel the aura of familiar living beings, thanks to the cosmic amplification.
However, the progress was hindered by dinosaurs and even other members of the Wild Earth tribes.
It's like all the toothy ones are starving," I said to Raju.
I like it," said the Clintarian, "it's a workout for your abilities, and the horror cries of that marshmallow are seriously entertaining.
You're a sadist, mate.
No, it's just that with his other self trying to kill us a couple of times, I didn't feel much compassion for him," the symbiote explained.
You're right," I tossed several Tyrannosaurs aside with my telekinesis.
By the way, Bearer, have you thought about...?
visiting that pyramid you were talking about? - I'm getting ahead of my partner's statement.
Silence was an agreement with the conclusion voiced.
Honestly, I didn't want to rush into anything. You know, after those jumps across the multiverse I realised that I need more power. Plus, we now know that the Unimaginable... is probably behind those spiders. I have to be confident in myself, in my own strength, to stand up to something like that.
You are already strong enough, especially NOW.
Enigma's power doesn't last forever, even though the spark has been a serious help before, but I need to strengthen all of that, the same telepathy, get more proficient in magic...
You know you can't be all-powerful, right? There's always going to be someone at the top.
Well, thank you for your faith," I hummed.
No, Bearer, I mean... you're strong, strengthening your skills is good, but avoiding this story forever isn't going to work.
I don't know.
Wait... are you scared?
Of course I'm fucking scared, Raj! I've lost six months. Six months! And now you're suggesting I investigate all this multiverse bullshit, get in the arsehole myself and for what, so I can never come home again?!
Why do you think...
Because in these stories, the hero never comes home! - I clamp my eyelids shut. - To his family.
I'm sorry, Peter, I didn't mean to," the symbiote apologised quietly.
Forget it," I exhaled. - I just want to be home. Here and now.
The main thing is not to miss the moment when the threat becomes unstoppable...
Yeah, I know. I know.
The rest of the journey was silent.
Of course, Raj is right, sooner or later something will have to be done with the other Spiders and the Knight, it's not for nothing. But I have just as many threats here: Thanos, sudden information about the Apocalypse. And I'm sure something else is slowly creeping up.
Okay, we'll save the big stuff for later. It's a good thing I don't have to face these threats alone. All I have to do is prepare, strengthen and develop my own abilities.
That's what I'm doing.
It's true, Enigma's power is at an advantage right now, so I should slow down a bit, get on with my life, the additional research I've been putting off.
And most importantly, my family.
- Stop, who's coming!
We were met at the gate with spears by a squad of five guards.
- A ring guard, how familiar," I sighed, staring at the point in front of my face. - Tell Ka-Zar that Spider-Man has arrived, I think he remembers.
- Solad, that's right you remember Spider!
Some of the guards began to look at me with a little recognition and surprise.
- But he had six arms," the chief scratched the back of his head thoughtfully.
- I've solved that problem," I commented additionally.
The guys look at each other confusedly, and their slowness is starting to get a little tense.
- Who is it with you? - questioned this Solad belligerently, catching on to the unfamiliar part of the equation.
- He won't give you any trouble, you have my word," I raise my palm. - Honest Pioneer's word.
- I don't know what you meant, but let's go," the guard sighed.
The rest of the guard also began to move, but now the weapons were mostly aimed at Carl.
Moving through the village, many of the villagers I even recognise, and they, mostly children, respond in kind. The little ones are even more excited about me than the adults.
And here, the chief's hut.
A senior guard separated from us and, just a minute later, Ka-Zar flew out of the structure, looking at me dumbfounded.
- Spider?!
- Hello, blondie? - I raise my hand. - How are you?
In response, he only comes close to me and hugs me sharply.
- How glad I am to see you, old friend! - smiled all thirty-two ghost of the Wild Land. - And you, put away your spears now!
After the order from the leader, the guards not only hid their weapons, but they themselves, pale, moved away a few metres.
- Let me invite you to the table, my friend, I think we have much to discuss.
Oh, there's Shanna with baby Matthew in her arms.
- I'd like that," I nod, following the jungleman.
Later.
The roof of Manchester's secret K-Ozor research lab.
- So, sweetie, did you find what you're looking for? - came Creed's growling voice over the radio, full of malicious mirth.
- Shut up and take me away," Raven replied irritably, trying to keep a neutral expression on her face for the five guards scattered around the perimeter. - And don't even think about causing a massacre," the mutant chimera said seriously.
- But why? - asked a question, like a small child, Sabretooth. - It's only five little people.
- You can't attract attention, this project is too important! - now growled the redhead.
- Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay," Victor stretched out. - But only if you ask me to. Tenderly.
- Blowjob for the whole flight, last offer, - because of irritation, Darkholme's yellow eyes flashed for a second, disrupting the brunette-scientist's perfect disguise, but nobody noticed it.
- You got it," the mutant grinned.
The transport chopper landed smoothly, one of the guards courteously opened the door to the cabin, letting the scientist in. The steel partition and darkened glass monolithically concealed the inhuman beastly appearance of the pilot and the mutants quietly left the scene of their crime.
- Seriously," Creed looked in the rearview mirror, "you got what you needed.
- Of course I did," Mystique grinned, moving to the front seats and opening the briefcase. - Dr Herbert Landon's files, and according to them, the professor is working on a means of eradicating all mutants.
- We'll pay him a visit," Victor grinned again, so much so that even Raven flinched. - By the way, I haven't forgotten about our agreement," the blond relaxed in his chair and stretched out his legs. - Please get to it.
- Okay," the redhead sighed and leaned over, tucking a strand behind her ear.
More later.
Wild Earth.
Peter Parker.
- And that's actually how I travelled with my team to you, and after the mess at the castle, I came here," I finished. - By the way, these ribs are delicious, Shanna," I praise the hostess' cooking.
- Thank you, they're from a triceratops," the blonde smiled.
- So this is Sauron," Ka-Zar glared glumly at the pale Lycos.
The saber-toothed tiger supported his master, also growling at Karl, which did not add to the latter's ruddy complexion.
- Like I said, not really, they're different personalities, so hold your horses, hot guy," I lightly nudged the blue-eyed one.
- I realised that after you stopped me," he snorted. - But I still don't like him.
Ka-Zar's remark was interrupted by a rather loud rumbling in Carl's stomach.
- Yeah, I can see that, that's why you don't feed him," I chuckled. - There's a sacred rule of hospitality.
- Not for those who kidnapped my wife and almost left my son motherless," Zabu said adamantly.
- Your right," I nod and move the plate of leftover ribs to the scientist. - I hope I'm not insulting the master with this?
- No need to offend a friend for his kind heart," the man snorted.
Laikos only nodded gratefully and gulped down the food.
Eat-eat, dinosaur, I need you full of energy.
- So, Spider, what are you going to do? - Shanna changed the subject, ratcheting up the tension.
- I'll take the professor, so don't worry, Wild Earth won't hear about Sauron again, everything is my responsibility, - I nod. - And as for the rest... I'll relax a little, I'll take care of my personal affairs, it's high time.
- Well, then, let's drink to the endeavours! - Ka-Zar raised his glass.
Shanna and I seconded the toast.