= Chapter 165. Out of the Box =
Commentary on Chapter 165. Out of the Box If anyone wants to support your favourite and invaluable author by deed rather than word (though I appreciate comments with your detailed opinion no less), you are welcome: 5469980470822129 - Sber One week later.
Parker's house.
Spider-Man.
- Yeah, that's it, come to Daddy," I spread my arms out to the sides and smile to encourage Mayday, who is quite timid but walking(!) in my direction. - That's it, baby girl," my girl took another five steps before she started to slump, and I picked her up gently. - You're a good girl, my little May day, - I kiss my daughter on the top of her head, which causes such a warming pure child's laughter.
Babies were the only thing that brought me joy back.
This week... has been hard.
Maria's funeral knocked me out more than I thought it would. A lot of people came to say goodbye to her and it warmed my soul in a way. There was Dr Connors and his family.
And yet she was buried in a closed casket.
- Maddy's a miracle, such firm steps at under a year old," May smiled, holding Benji in her arms. - Will you follow your sister?
- I feel the champion will be a late bloomer," I smile at my son playing with his rattle.
- Okay, spare clothes, towels, make-up, that's about it," Mary started checking the list.
Felicia's being taken to the hospital today. In advance, Mrs Hardy insisted.
It's less than a month before she goes into labour, so maybe it's a good idea.
- I can always carry her, Carrot-top," I came up to my favourite and put my arm around her waist, holding my daughter in my other arm. - You're doing great, you're going to be okay.
- I know," MJ looked into my eyes and kissed my cheek, placing a palm on my cheek. - I love you.
- I love you too," I hold her tighter, and Maddie starts playing with her mother's curls.
- Mr Staunton will be here in ten minutes," Watson reminds me, slipping out of my arms and picking up Maddie. - 'Thank you again for looking after the little ones, Aunt May.
- Nonsense, my dear, I'm only happy to spend time with the babies," Auntie replied, tickling Benji's tummy.
But then she suddenly coughed and even scared the children a little.
- May, what's wrong! - I quickly flew over to Auntie and examined her.
- It's fine, honey, it's just that it's been cold lately, I guess I have a cold," Auntie patted me on the palm of her hand. - I'm fine.
- Well, good... - I look at my auntie, exhaling. - Drink, please, medicines, do not start.
- Oh, don't teach the old one,' the former Miss Reilly waved me off with a cheerful smile. - Everything's fine, darlings, don't worry, and besides, it's time for you to go.
- Then we'll get our things," Carrot handed our daughter over carefully, looking at May with worry. - Feel better. Come on, Tiger.
We went upstairs and I took the bags under distracted discussions of immediate plans. A text message I received told me the driver was waiting outside the house. We got out and after listening to the best man's greetings, I put my bag in the open boot.
- Sure you don't want to go? - MJ said, looking at me with concern.
- A kiss from me Fey, there's something I need... to do," I pressed the palm of my beloved's hand to my cheek.
- Be careful," Mary pressed her forehead against mine. - And remember, we love you.
- I know we do.
As soon as the limo rounded the corner, I headed for the basement.
So, what are you up to, Bearer? - Raj woke up, piqued with curiosity.
Remember, I didn't call on the Snaps after I merged with Enigma... and I didn't use my full mental power in Spider-Verse mode, either. So I thought, since I'm one with the concept of truth, maybe it's time to start asking questions? - I go over and get the time stone out of the box.
What kind of questions?
How to make things better than I can, and where the path I'm on will lead.
I say nothing more and sit down in the centre.
I close my eyes. I concentrate and call upon my Sense. When I realise the familiar feeling, I activate the cosmic forces.
A moment and I'm sucked in.
When I open my eyes, I'm in an empty, dark space.
Somewhat similar to my inner world, but not quite ...
- Raj? - I look round in the semi-darkness. Thanks to my night vision. - RAJ!
There's silence. Nothing. And empty.
I walk forward, slowly studying the surroundings.
For half an hour I just wandered in the darkness. And when I saw a glimmer of bright light, I flew towards it like a moth to a flame.
Honestly, it's not what I expected to see.
- What the fuck? - I'm surprised to see a desktop computer. Or rather, a computer desk, a chair, all dignified, honourable.
Standard monitor, late noughties or something.
I had one just like it, give or take.
A newer keyboard and mouse, a block.
And there's a file open.
- I'm sitting on a chair and I'm spinning the mouse wheel. - Arachnid: New Spiral?
Sounds like a... fanfic!
Huh, I've read a lot of those in my time.
True there are only chapters here, no characters, no description, no tags... weird.
So, okay, I don't know what my brain gave me, but to get the gist of it let's open the most important thing to realise the main idea: The first chapter.
I would have read it quickly... But I couldn't because of the shock.
- It's impossible...
First chapter, second, eighth, fourteenth and so on.
Until Uncle Ben's death.
Before my eyes run over the last lines I'm blinded by a bright light.
And I open my eyes in my basement.
What's up, Bearer? - I hear Raj's familiar voice.
A carrier? - Raj stretched out worriedly.
But I couldn't stop.
Or didn't want to.
Falling on my back.
- I have tears in my eyes.
And I don't even know if they're from laughter.
Peter? - The symbiote made another attempt when I was already just lying there staring at the ceiling.
- After I was reborn, I'd entertained hopes of being, I don't know, Peter from some cartoon, maybe even a game... I didn't want to be in the film universe. The world of comics seemed to me such a desirable, and therefore even more unrealistic option. That's why I analysed every event with great care... I probably stopped trying after high school. Now I see why the events were so unreadable... and Sense," I wipe my eyes. - Ha, fanfic... I'm going to throw up.
What did you see, Bearer? - repeated the Clintarian.
- You know, for some reason I'm reminded of A Hero of Our Time," I ponder sardonically, not answering Raj.
I hope you are not thinking about going to the land of sands and death at twenty-five? - The symbiote tried to make a joke, having latched onto the plot of a work I'd once seen in my master's mind.
- More about the correctness of the thought that flashed through it: "Life isn't worth the labour we put into it," I smiled wryly.
What on earth did you see, Bearer!? - The Clintarian couldn't stand it.
- I... I need to talk about it," I rise abruptly and walk towards the chest.
Yes, that's right! And preferably in detail!
I'm sorry, brother, even though you've seen my life before, but... you wouldn't understand," I open the chest. - I need to meet someone who will understand.
Wait... oh no, not him! - my partner exclaimed in anguish.
- Yes, partner, that's him," I reach for the adamantium katanas.
About this time.
South of Chicago.
Dr Herbert Landon's lab.
In his own office at the end of a laboratory complex set aside for biological research by the U.S. government, a man in a blue three-piece suit sat at a black walnut desk.
Dr Herbert Landon clasped his palms together and carefully watched the reaction process in theoretical computer sketches.
The geneticist had been studying the question of mutation for a very long time. To be completely frank, it should be said that his increased attention was caused far from scientific interest in gene-X and the phenomenon of mutation as such.
The doctor was driven by pure and uncontaminated hatred.
Mutants are errors of nature, genetic freaks that must be eradicated. There had once been a whole department of them, and one of the most brilliant researchers, perhaps one who was Herbert's equal, was Hank McCoy. It's a shame he was infected by this disgusting filth and turned into a creature that lost all his scientific gift. All he was now was a perfect test subject.
- Well done," the brown-haired man smiled, tousling his sleek brown hair.
Success!
His solution works! In theory...
And still, he may have just created the means to destroy all mutants. The moment of triumph was interrupted by the sound of an alarm going off.
An intruder has entered the lab!
- Doctor, you must be evacuated immediately! - one of the soldiers rushed into the room.
He couldn't see his face, so Herbert wasn't sure if he recognised the guard.
- What happened? - The scientist asked worriedly, immediately copying the research data and pulling out the hard drive.
The paranoid habit had finally paid off.
- Several mutants have infiltrated the complex, one of them looks like a huge wild beast and is tearing up all the guards, we need to leave immediately," the soldier reported with a note of fear in his voice.
The devil! They found him...
Dropping off the most valuable items and covering the iron with paper copies of the most important formulas, Landon slammed the lid of the briefcase shut and handcuffed it to his wrist. The guard quickly led the man toward the exit. Squads of soldiers ran between them. Some considered joining them, but the guard refused, saying that a little cover would best distract the attackers from the scientist. Herbert himself was too anxious and brooding to argue. Near the end, at the lift, three more soldiers joined them.
The floors flew by, as indicated by the burning arrow and the changing numbers, and with each passing level bringing them closer to the roof with the helicopter, Herbert became more and more relaxed. Towards the end, he even exhaled a sigh of relief.
Until the unexpected happened.
The very guard who had come to Landon first pulled out a gun and shot his partner in the face. While the other two recovered, the scientist slumped against the wall, pale from the sight of the cranial contents being ripped open. Meanwhile, the traitor guard, with a superb acrobatic move, clamped his hips around his opponent's neck and twisted it. The third man managed to shoot, but missed. He was finished off by several professionally accurate shots under the visor of his protective helmet.
- You may open your eyes, Doctor," the guard said in a woman's voice for some reason.
In the meantime, the lift, with an audible warning, notified me that it was taking me to the roof.
- Finally, I've been waiting," came a rough bass, more like an animal growl.
Herbert still hadn't opened his eyes.
- Doctor, if you won't look at us, I'll ask my friend to help you," whispered the enchanting voice in his ear. - And I assure you, you won't like it.
Landon sighed and opened his eyes.
To his horror, a huge man with a fanged mouth and a blue-skinned woman with yellow eyes stood before the doctor.
Mutants.
A little later.
The other side of the country.
Dr Henry Pym's lab.
Altron waited patiently.
Humans are... so unreliable.
And they don't deserve him to be their shield.
Only their executioner.
But it is necessary to gather forces.
The data is in, all that's left is to execute the plan. And escape from its creator.
Jamaica.
Peter Parker.
Already invisible, teleporting to the island.
Why is this lunatic always drawn to resorts? - The Klyntarian said angrily.
That's what I'll ask him right away, Raj, - sigh.
So where can there be...
- No, Dopinder, you can't come to Jamaica to see me! Why not? A... and who's going to do your taxiing for you? What if some other hero needs to get to the scene of a future battle with evil and you're not there?! All right, I'm going into the tunnel, bye! - Deadpool spoke quickly, then hung up. - You have no idea how annoying he is, Gustavo," the Chatty Mercenary saluted the bartender with a cocktail glass.
- I'm Mike.
- Yeah, yeah," the regenerator waved the mask up to his nose.
- And why do I always find you on the islands? - I asked, cancelling the invisibility and sitting down on a nearby stool.
- Strap-on unicorns! - Wade jumped up, spitting out his cocktail. - Spider! Why do you like to sneak around so much? - questioned Wilson, who began wiping down his suit with tissues.
- It was an accident, sorry," I said, turning to the waiter. - The coldest vodka you've got... five shots, no, I'd rather have ten.
- Wow, why do you want Russian chemistry?
- Bourbon is for ponces, cognac is for joy or to cure nerves, and vodka is for when you feel bad, though it's also good for getting drunk, - I sigh.
- I see, - the mercenary embraces me. - Tell Uncle Wade everything.
- Remember when we talked about comic book characters and all that?
- Of course, but you're wrong, we're characters from a comic book fanfic," the Regenerating Degenerate gave me a stern thumbs-up. - It's important!
- You know what?! - I look at Red in surprise.
- Well, sort of, admittedly, at times I'm not sure about anything at all," Deadpool shrugged. - When you have a brain that's always renewing itself because of cancer, it's easy to get lost in what's around you and what's real.
- I see," I sighed.
- So it wasn't our old arrangement that brought you here," Wilson nodded. - It makes sense, after Washington's kicking HYDRA in the arse," the mercenary threw his hands behind his head. - What, are you worried?
- I just can't get my head round it.
- What's the big deal?
- What's the big deal? - I turn sharply to the nonchalantly cheerful regenerator. - What's the big deal?! - my eye twitches. - What's the big deal is that the world around us exists at the whim of some arsehole! {?}[Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, easy there, Pete... offence actually...]
- Whoa, bro, you're getting a little crazy," said Wuuu{?}[Wade Winston Wilson]. - I'll tell you in confidence, when I found out about all this bullshit with "real worlds" and artistic interpretations and shit, yeah, I repent, I thought I'd find a way to get in there and stab those faggot pissants in the throat," the mercenary slammed his palm on his fist. - But then I realised, why? Tell me, is your life really that bad? I mean, yes, I'm sure it's not full of rainbows and jellybeans, but is it really that bad?
- You know, I haven't really had time to think about it.
I'm shutting up.
If I think back on my journey since waking up in this world, the events I've experienced, the people I've met, and the stories I know about...
- When I think about it, no... there have been some nightmarish days, but all in all... I'm... happy? - I look at Deadpool in surprise. - I've got two girls I love, which is already enviable, wonderful kids, a company in the bud...
- Wow, cool," Wade nodded and moved a little closer. - But, you know, if you're still worried, there are a few ways to get comfortable and forget such worries.
I feel a hand move slowly down my thigh. Right up to my groin.
- I'm only going to say this once, slowly, slowly, so even you get it, and I won't repeat it, Wade," I look at the slyly smiling regenerator through the slit of my mask. - Put it away. Fuck. Your hand. Off. My. My leg. Fuck it.
- Oh, come on, Spidey, you know what they say, once is not...
Wilson doesn't finish the thought.
I slammed his face into the bar earlier.
- And you didn't have to be so rough," Deadpool raised his head, clutching his broken nose. - You're not the experimental type.
- You want to experiment? Stick your dick in a blender, it'll grow back anyway," I replied coldly, moving a few seats away from him.
- You're a prude," Wade said with a snort. - And I've tried it, by the way. It felt so bad.
I grinned, and then I laughed.
- You're a psycho.
- The main thing is that you feel better, - continued the mercenary with a noticeably calmer voice. - But the offer still stands, if anything.
- You know, I don't even see the point in being mad at you," I exhaled.
- That's right, you love me, - Wilson clapped his eyes expressively, which could be traced in the facial expression of the mask.
- Even if you had a mop of silky blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, a vagina, boobs, and if you responded to the name Wanda, you still don't.
- I'd love to fuck Penelope Parker," Deadpool sighed dreamily. - Is that your real name, by the way?
I've been wondering if I should trust Wilson for a while now.
The bartender was just bringing my order.
- Lemon? - I'm quickly distracted by this travesty of a snack. - Sausage, cheese, pickles. Don't you ever drink vodka?
The barman quickly leaves to cut the appetiser, and I immediately knock back a few shots.
- Here you go," Mike returned briskly.
- Thank you," I try to get some cash out of my pocket.
- It's on me, Gustavo," Wade smiled.
With a nod, the bartender stepped away, keeping the conversation going.
- I can pay," I looked at the hired man.
- I'm celebrating a week's worth of successful contracts right before I return to the Land of Opportunity anyway," Red saluted again. - Don't worry, Spider, it's my treat.
- Thanks," I knock back a few more shots and snack on a sausage. - Yeah, that's my real name.
- I see," Wade nodded. - All right, let's drop the subject and have a drink.
Deadpool and I continued bruising for another seven hours. I felt really drunk after five.
Most of the time we just chatted, I told about my heroic deeds and recent adventures, Wade told in detail about his own murderous adventures, and we discussed all sorts of trivia and existential questions about the dichotomy of the universe.
- And then the bigwig squealed, "Take it all, but keep the life!" Actually, that day I became even richer," boasted Red, sipping from a huge mug of beer.
- You know, I envy your mercenary path," I sighed lightly. - Contract, kill some corrupt fucker, get paid, and then do it all over again, the high.
- Yeah," UUU swilled the rest of the liquid at the bottom. - But it's not always so much fun, especially without a partner... Why don't you join me? We'll go mercenary together?
- Sorry, Wade, you know, hero, all that," I pointed at the suit's emblem. - You know... maybe you'll join us? - I'm getting closer, caught on a thought.
- What do you mean? - Deadpool looked at me, also interested.
- Remember when I mentioned I had a company in the bud? - Red nodded. - Well, you see, with such activities, there are always unwanted interference-threats. I'm not worried about myself, I can see why, but I would hire a bodyguard for my girls and children.
- Do you want me to babysit? - wondered the Chatty Mercenary.
- Most of the time you'll watch my family, and at official receptions you'll cover for me, in civilian form, - I scratch my head. - I don't want to make "Spider" a bodyguard of my civilian identity, it's stupid. If anything, we'll provide home food, as well as accommodation.
- Are you serious? - Wilson asked, unusually excited and overly interested, not like the usual windy Deadpool.
- Of course I am," I nod. - Regardless, you're a good guy, Wade, and, you know, if you don't mind...
In response, the regenerator quickly moved closer and hugged me tightly.
I tensed at first, but there was no molestation or attempt to grope me, so after a moment, I patted the mercenary on the shoulder.
- I'll be only too happy to guard your girls and kids, Spidey," Wade sobbed. - Such an honour," Red wiped away a tear.
- That's all right, stop clowning around," I shoved Deadpool away with a smile.
- And I'm quite serious," the hire continued more cheerfully. - But okay, my rate is... let's say five hundred grand a year, plus board and lodging, and when my services aren't needed, the rest of the time is mine," Wilson said.
- Acceptable, but I don't agree about the time," I said, cutting my business sense. - I want my girls guarded whenever they leave the house.
- Don't worry, I have a teleporter for that," Deadpool replied. - All it takes is one phone call and I'll be there.
- Okay... I think the conditions are fine, though we'll discuss the time issue further.
- Great! - Wilson clapped his hands together. - So, are you gonna take your mask off? - The Regenerating Degenerate was watching me with all his eyes.
- Only when I write to you and give you a place to meet my civilian self to sign the contract," I snickered, cutting my interlocutor off.
- Arrggh, that's a shame! - Red leaned back on the chaise lounge. - All right, so it's time to exchange numbers.
- Or rather, I'll write yours down.
- Not bad, boss," Deadpool hummed respectfully.
You're a sly one.
After another hour, we said our goodbyes and I teleported back home. Commentary on Chapter 165. Out of the Framework 20th - /di12hoykl