= Chapter 166. When Taking Control =
Commentary on Chapter 166. When You Take Control If anyone would like to support your favourite and invaluable author with deeds rather than words (although I appreciate comments with your detailed opinions just as much), please do: 5469980470822129 - Sber Three days later. 15 October, 2014. 9:37 am.
Reed Richards' lab.
Mr Fantastic has been studying the Negative Zone data. The radiation was powerful and, in theory, quite capable of returning his best friend to human form... but only for a day!
Reed disappointedly removed his goggles and tossed them aside.
Rubbing his eyelids, the Smartest Man on Earth began to reflect on the findings.
Peter had indescribably advanced the resolution of Ben's problem with his research, for which Richards would be eternally grateful to Spider-Man.
However, they were still unable to find a power source powerful enough for the Creature to permanently control his stone form, and return to human form.
- Honey, is everything okay?
Reed jerked his head and turned around at the voice. Sue was standing next to him, looking worriedly at her fiancé.
He and the Invisible Lady had delayed the wedding ceremony quite a bit. An unexpected and extremely unpleasant acquaintance with the King of Atlantis played a huge role in the postponement of the date, as well as the competent resolution of the political precedent that the angry monarch himself had created.
- It's all right, darling," the brunet kissed his bride's palm. - Still consumed by Ben's question.
- Reid," Miss Storm looked pityingly at her favourite man. - You've had this problem for a long time, you need to learn not to give all your time to it... you're doing the best you can.
- And it's not enough," Richards grimaced.
Sighing, Susan thought about repeating the same lecture again, but her intention was interrupted by the sudden appearance of their old friend in a bright flash.
- 'Hello folks,' said one Friendly Neighbour with a wave of his palm. - Am I interrupting?
- Not at all, Peter," the blonde smiled. - It's good to see you.
- You're just in time, I've been studying the Negative Zone energy," Richards returned to their most important question.
- Calm down, Reed," Spidey put his palm out in front of him. - Exhale, I've made up my mind," Pete smiled, taking off his mask.
- WHAT?! - exclaimed the fantastic duo in shock.
And if Sue was simply surprised beyond belief, Reid was truly shocked by the words of his friend, ally and colleague in scientific research.
- How... WHEN?! - sharply stretched his neck a few metres Smartest Man on Earth, bringing his face, with bulging eyes, closer to the Spider.
- 'I must admit, I've been preparing this remedy for a long time,' sighed the Amazing Wall Climber. - However... in the end, only the strongest will make the hardest choice, right? - The brown-haired man smiled slightly and pulled out a seemingly ordinary wristwatch from his belt. - I've built a regulator into it, so Ben can control his own transformations.
- Can I... see it? - Mr Fantastic asked, not taking his eyes off the unknown device.
- Sure," the Web Thrower handed over the device. - Just don't open the panel of the energy element, it's extremely powerful, and if you open the shell, it becomes unstable.
Here Peter was blatantly lying. But it was already hard enough for him to give up a shard of Cosmic Cube in favour of his friend. He didn't want Richards to start digging into the matter.
- Unstable? What if they exploded on Ben's arm? - Susan glanced at her watch incredulously as Reed silently examined the invention.
- The case is made of vibranium, yes, I had a stockpile of that rare metal, a souvenir from a hunt for some smugglers, don't ask," the Wallbreaker raised his hands. - So Ben's hand is safe, but if the energy element comes in contact with the external environment of any space... it will probably burst or fade, lose its power in either case, and I'm not sure if there is a similar "battery" in our or any other dimension with enough energy to eliminate Ben's problem.
The naked eye could see the grimace on Mr Fantastic's face at the agony of the choice: to give in to his scientist nature, which does not tolerate mysteries, or to trust his old friend who warns him and finally sleep well, knowing that Ben's problem is solved.
Guilt wins out in the end.
- I hope they're working," the brunet sighed.
- I'm sure our blue-eyed Creature won't mind checking it out," the Friendly Neighbour deftly intercepted his own invention from the scientist's hands. - I don't want to say what he's trying on the new gadget for, I don't know if it will work, what's the idea?
The idea was silently endorsed in agreement.
- Come on, Ben and Johnny are upstairs playing video games.
The journey to the living room took minutes.
- Ha, I'm in the lead, Boulder! - shouted Johnny frantically, fuelled by adrenaline.
- Not for long, Matchstick," Grimm excitedly supported the rival shout.
- Hey, guys," Stenolaz shouted from the doorway, just ahead of Reed and Sue.
- Oh, hi, Pete! - The blond greeted the spider cheerfully, pausing the game and rushing over to Parker. - Dude, where the hell have you been?!
- I've been here and there, Ogonyok," the brown-haired man happily responded to the friendly hug. - We'll exchange news later, over pizza, but now Reed and I need Ben.
- Me?" the orange man was surprised. - Why?
- A little test," Spider-Man pulled a watch out of his pocket and tossed it to the strongman of the quartet of heroes. - Here, try it on.
- Wow, sturdy," the Creature noted, noting that he hadn't crumbled the wristwatch when he caught it. - And cute.
- Consider it a gift, big guy," Peter grinned, as he watched Ben fasten the unstable molecule strap locks.
- Well, they don't fit too badly," the Yancey Street native said.
- Now turn the dial anti-clockwise and concentrate on your appearance before the transformation," Peter asked intently.
- What?" the stone hero frowned.
- Ben, please don't ask questions, just do it," Reid added hopefully.
- Your jokes are idiotic," Grimm muttered, but complied.
After the turn, the clock flashed blue, blinding everyone in the room.
- Nothing happened," Grimm grumbled, thinking that the most brilliant people he'd ever met in his life had thought of something.
- Pete," Mr Fantastic turned disappointedly, and with gradually increasing reproach.
- The shard has absorbed the image," the brown-haired man nodded nonchalantly. - Now turn the dial clockwise.
The creature was tired of following this annoying game, but he knew perfectly well that his best friend and almost family member wouldn't mock him like this. And there was something convincing in Mukholov's words, so Grimm did as he was told.
The machine went into action.
- WHAT THE HELL?! - Johnny exclaimed emotionally.
And there was something to be surprised about.
Without any special effects, except for the crust shrinking, rapidly turning into skin, and a significant change in size, Ben had regained his human appearance.
- What?" the brown-haired man frowned. - Is there something on my face?
The man touched his hooked nose and only at that moment did he notice his fingers. Normal, human ones.
The ex-military pilot's eyes widened in shock.
In the same second, naked to the waist, Grimm dashed to the nearest reflective surface.
- I... don't believe it," tears came to the hero's eyes. - I'm back!
- Congratulations, mate," the Web Thrower smiled while the others were in mute shock. - Wear the watch, don't take it off, it's how you control which form you return to," Parker then turned to the blond man. - I know what's in your head, Matchstick, don't even think about hiding your watch from Ben in a fit of idiotic pranks, I'm sure if you broke it, you'd hardly leave our beloved Blue-Eyed Creature alive.
No sooner had Storm taken umbrage at his friend's suggestion than Grimm ran up to Spidey and clung to his shoulders, almost shaking him.
- Is this your handiwork?! - Grimm inquired with wild eyes.
- Ours and Reed's, it was our extension cord that worked the hardest on the solution," Peter admitted calmly with a small smile.
But Ben didn't care.
- Thank you! - The Yancey Street native gave his friend a big hug. - Thank you, too, Stretchy! - Grimm threw himself at his best friend.
- How could I not do everything I could to help, mate? - Richards smiled brightly and nodded gratefully to Spider.
- Okay, guys, I totally understand that such an event needs to be celebrated, but I'm sorry, I can't stay, I'm already late for my birthday," Spidey didn't wait for a reply, Spidey gave the Fantastic Four a curtsy and teleported away.
Just seconds later.
Mansion X. Hank McCoy's lab.
Peter Parker.
Carrier, why did you retreat so soon, you of all people deserve to bask in the glory and gratitude, especially considering that you refused to give up a shard of the Cosmic Cube? - Raj immediately entered into dialogue with me.
Honestly? I don't feel very comfortable with shaking hands and thanking people, even superhero friends," I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. - Especially superhero friends.
You need to work on your self-esteem," the Clintarian hummed. - Repeat after me, "I'm Amazing."
I shake my head with a smile, leaving the symbiote's comment unanswered.
I step out of the small entrance cubbyhole and immediately run into Hank.
- Peter, there you are, finally!" the Beast exclaimed. - Everything's ready, we should go," McCoy gave his friend a hard look. - I realise that Anne-Marie's birthday party is not a wedding, but a man can look good in a suit under any circumstances.
- So does the couple at the gala, but my girls are busy right now," I sighed, unable to resist Hank's inquisitive gaze. - Okay," I use my Klyntar disguise to create the illusion of a dinner jacket instead of a suit. - Happy?
- Quite," McCoy nodded, smiling. - After all, we must look splendid at the moment of our triumph!
- Did you remember your bracelets, triumphant?
- In the name of Shakespeare! - waved his clawed paws at the blue-haired man. - Follow me.
With a smile I follow the spiritualised scientist.
At last the Brain of Team X has finished creating the suppressor bracelets based on my schematics from the world of HYDRA and refined with the help of the Mind Stone. It's not like we want to dry up our Rascal, just give the ability to not turn people comatose with a touch.
There was a creative mess in the lab of the Big and Blue Clod of Fur.
- Well, where are they," McCoy began to rummage through the schematics and pieces of metal left on the table. - Aha, here they are, the beauties!
Under the light of the lamps, the mutant pulled out two dark orange buckled wide rings.
- Skilful work, my friend," I praised my fellow scientist, looking at the invention.
- If it weren't for your blueprints, they would be impossible," the furry one replied, wrapping the gift in a gorgeous package.
- We can praise each other all day, but I think it's time to go to the celebration," I pointed upwards with an outstretched finger.
- You're right.
We take the lift up to the mansion together.
The living room greets us with a real crowd of mutants, judging by the presence of all the X's, alcohol and the absence of a bunch of schoolchildren, the kids are either on holiday (which may be nothing new for many boarding schools, but this is an unusual school), or it's a private party.
- Hey, hello, Spidey! - appeared with the distinctive sound and smell of a teleporter in a lilac haze.
- Hey, Kurt," we clap hands. - Where's our birthday girl?
- She's accepting presents," the mutant points to the group in the distance. - I advise you to get in line, there are plenty of people who want.
Having finished his sentence, the elf teleported again.
Nodding to each other, together with Hank we move towards the rambunctious crowd.
- Oh, hello, Peter," a blue-eyed blond man with a very distinctive feature: snow-white wings came out to meet us. - Hank.
- Warren," I nod to the mutant billionaire. - How's the foundation going?
We shake hands.
- You know, some successes, some temporary setbacks, turning into positive resolutions through hard work, - Angel turned his palm.
- Yes, I've been going through the reports sent to me, - I nod.
- I don't want to interrupt you, but maybe you can discuss everything in detail later, because I really need to congratulate Rogue. - Beast said impatiently.
- Of course," the guy nodded and saluted us with a champagne glass.
Mostly all the currently active members of Team X were crowded around Helma, I mean field operations, of course. And Magneto, of course.
- Thank you so much, Ororo," the brown-haired woman hugged her friend with a smile.
- In Africa they used to weave such shawls from the finest silk," the weather lady smiled. - I thought you would like it.
- And believe me, baby, driving to Liberia, even on a Blackbird, was an adventure," Wolverine grinned.
- Logan, how many times have I told you not to use team vehicles for personal use? - Scott fixed his glasses.
- I stopped counting and listening after the third, Slim," Howlett sipped his bourbon.
- There's always arguments and bickering whenever I'm here," Lensherr grinned. - Charles had not taught his successor leadership skills well, it seemed.
- I got straight A's in combat training," Summers said, his glasses shining.
- Wow, we're just in time, the fire's coming! - I'm making the situation a little bit better with my appearance.
- Pete! - My shaggy-haired brother stood out of the ring.
- Cain," I hug my brother, patting him on the back. - It's been a long time, - I turn to the crowd of mutants. - People. Beautiful birthday girl," Rogue nodded.
- Hi, Peter," Jean smiled at me.
- Spidey," the crowd cheered in unison.
- Glad you could make it," the southern woman smiled at me.
- How could I miss it," I stepped back to McCoy, "especially since Hank and I have a special gift for you," I elbowed the mutant in the ribs.
- We've been working on these for a long time, Anne-Marie," the scientist began excitedly. - Happy birthday, and if you would be so kind as to put them on now.
- Sure," the mutant woman took the box with interest. - Any earrings with newborns? - smiled the brown-haired girl.
- Almost," I hummed.
Unpacking the box, Rogue pulled out the bracelets.
- These are bracelets," the girl nodded, believing the monochrome mechanisms in the palms of her hands, metal glinting. - 'Um... thanks, boys.
- Fasten them on your wrists and press the green button," I instructed.
- Okay, ready," the mutant girl announced, having done as instructed.
Now the action was closely watched by all those who had not dispersed.
- Well, let's get started, - I take off my gloves. - I bet you wanted to know what it was like to crawl up walls.
- I thought about it, handsome," the birthday girl smiled a little more faintly. - But then I decided that the experience wasn't worth your coma.
- I mean, you'll never know what it's like," I held out my brush. - Please take my hand.
- You started celebrating early, kid? - Logan wondered.
Everyone but Hank stared at me in mute shock.
But primarily Rogue herself.
- Are you crazy?! - The brown girl looked at me wildly, as if I'd swear at her with the filthiest of words.
- Anne-Marie, it's safe," McCoy interjected.
- 'Trust us, pretty girl, like I said, we've been working on them for a long time,' I wink at the mutantess.
Helma gives Hank and me a worried look, then turns back to the other members of Team X, who are frozen and clearly uncomfortable.
Some of them are looking at us with a certain mixture of negative emotions.
Seriously, do they think we'd make fun of Rogue for THIS issue?
I'm fine, but a blue fur rug?
- If there's anyone in this world I'd trust with my life, it's Peter," my clone folded his arms across his chest. - If he asks me to trust him, I should trust him.
- I agree with the young man," Magnus stepped forward. - If the Spider is so eager to experience the full range of sensations of absorbing your powers, then there's no need to stop him, my dear," the Lord of Magnetism smiled encouragingly.
Wait a minute... so he's Rogue... And stop!
- Nice to meet you, by the way, Peter,' the grey-haired man hummed.
Great.
That's great!
- So, why don't you check out the gift already? - I try to speak only with the confidence I feel.
I used a hundred per cent correct technology... only McCoy could fuck up... and fuck it, I was already in a coma!
Exhaling, the shatka stomped a little on the spot, and then, slowly approached me and began to reach out, barely perceptibly, a trembling hand.
And, lo and behold, the contact of fingers.
- Huh, static electricity," I commented on the small discharge that caused Rogue to jump back a couple of metres, but I grabbed her palm and intertwined our fingers. - Now you don't have to be afraid, friend, happy birthday," I winked again at the mutant who couldn't believe what was happening.
Admittedly, everyone who heard our discussion was in approximately the same state.
Only Hank exhaled faintly.
- They'll probably eat up the battery a lot, so you'll have to recharge them often or keep them on the weakest mode... but that's what the reminder beeper is for.
My comment seemed to shatter the fragile dome of calm.
Kitty squealed, even Peter standing nearby was stunned.
Pride was also brought out of her stupor by Rogue, who looked up at me, then looked down and began groping my hand with both palms. Went over every finger, every phalanx.
- I... I touch you... and I don't devour you! - The emerald eyes were really burning with shock.
And tears were already showing.
- Yeah, and I'm sure your fans will be very grateful if you test the technology on them, Eric's already looking wolfish," I nod towards the frowning Magneto. - And by the way, where's Remy?
My question was ignored.
The birthday girl cried and threw her arms around everyone who came to comfort her.
Most notably Hank.
Well, at least those are tears of joy.
The party had begun a new phase called "Let a beautiful Southern woman squeeze you."
- You've outdone yourself, brother," Cain saluted with a glass of whiskey as we managed to break away from the group at the bar.
- It's been a long time coming, bro," I sit down next to him, "I'm glad it worked out.
- So, cheers, huh?
- Cheers.
Cheers and drinks.
- So, what's next? - the clone asked.
- Company, genetic... very important genetic project, - I shake the liquid in the glass. - I was thinking of making a couple of suits for myself, and Fey's labour is just around the corner... there's something to do.
- Life isn't boring," the brown-haired man grinned.
- Right," I turned and looked out the window.
I feel like I've forgotten something...
- Hey, spiders, are you tired? - Jin came over to us and leaned on Cain's shoulder.
- We're taking a break from the hustle and bustle," my brother replied and kissed his girlfriend. - They let you go quickly," Parker pointed behind him with a nod of his head.
- Don't get too excited, I'll be back," the redhead flicked Tarantula on the nose, causing him to growl playfully.
It was a little awkward to be around them... not that I was embarrassed like a red-haired maiden.
- I have a rather important question for Peter," the telepath brought me back into the conversation.
- I'm listening," I prepared to listen.
- Felicia has already been taken to the hospital, can I visit her?
- Of course," I nod.
- Do you mind if I come for a visit?
- You don't have to ask, you're practically family," I wink at her, pulling out my phone. - Let me text you a schedule with visiting hours.