= Chapter 180. The Ultimate Mission =
Commentary on Chapter 180. The Ultimate Mission 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 The next day. (20 December 2014).
The basement of the Parker house.
Spider-Man.
- Mary, I invited you to this roof for a reason," I walk from side to side, rehearsing my speech. - Yeah, yeah, I know, you guessed it from the spider web hammock," I stop and squeeze my eyes shut. - God, Parker, she's the mother of your children, the love of your life, don't be a sissy!
I exhale and look at the ring box.
I get down on one knee.
- Mary Jane Watson, will you marry me?
Of course I will, Tiger," Raj said sweetly.
That was just disgusting," I cringed at the Klyntarian's antics.
Come on, Bearer," the symbiote chuckled. - It's a fine speech, your female will agree immediately.
Yeah, thanks...
I get up and walk home.
I quietly go inside and peek into the living room.
Mary's sitting on the sofa watching TV excitedly.
- We're continuing our live coverage of the terrorist attack," the reporter said. - The counting of victims continues, but, according to preliminary data, hundreds of people, men, women and children were killed in the explosion, we continue... - the woman suddenly grabbed her ear. - In view of the facts, we are interrupting the broadcast to include the widely available video.
The reporter's face disappeared and the video came on.
And I recognise the main characters.
- What happened in Washington is a statement," the blue-skinned mutant woman said clearly. - Our brothers and sisters have been oppressed for too long. Mutants are the next stage of evolution and it's time for humans to either accept that or perish.
I'm going into the room and I'm getting closer to the screen.
- You don't know where we are, you don't know what's going on," the beast-like blond growled. - But we do. Your government has twenty-four hours.
The broadcast was interrupted and the reporter returned.
- Such was the statement of the takers. According to White House statements, the President's administration has taken over the case," the reporter continued.
- Sabretooth and Mystique," I exhaled.
- You know them, Peter? - Mary comes over and puts her hand on my shoulder.
- They were part of Eric Lehnsherr's team, Magneto... I don't know, maybe they still are," I ruffle my hair. - What have those degenerates done?
- Hela, Tiger.
I turn round and feel the touch of soft lips on mine.
When the cherry-flavoured, peachy kiss ends, I look into green eyes.
- What they did was a nightmare, but I'm sure it's being dealt with.
- Yes," I take my favourite girl's hands in mine. - Yeah, you're right, Carrot-top," I chuckle awkwardly. - I didn't come here for that at all.
- Is something wrong? - The young mother arched an eyebrow. - Well, except," she said, pointing at the television.
- Fey's out with the little ones, isn't she?
- That's right.
- And our foxes are at Aunt May's, aren't they?
- Oh, I think I see where you're going with this, Tiger...
Mary got down on her knees and started unbuckling my belt.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hush, Tigress," I try to hold the leather accessory in place.
- What's wrong? - MJ looks up at me, perplexed.
Yeah, how do I not snap out of it?
- I really, really like your idea," I snap my fingers, "but I was going to suggest a date.
- Wow," Mary's loose hair is halfway down her face, "how romantic.
- Yeah..." I shake my head, warding off the obsession. - Let's go," I take the girl's hand and drag my favourite towards the exit of the house.
- Peter, I need to change," the redhead chuckled.
- No, you don't," I kiss the mother of my children quickly on the lips. - You look great.
* In a few hours.
Washington, D.C., secret government meeting.
- What do you think of this? - the president asked, looking around at his advisors.
- Their terms are unworkable," said the overweight brown-haired man, taking off his glasses.
- I'll say more, it's unacceptable! - The man with the general's epaulettes banged his fist on the table. - We don't negotiate with terrorists who use biological weapons! - The grey-haired officer turned to the leader of the nation. - Mr President, this is exactly what has been talked about in the chambers, which is why the registration act is so necessary!
- And how will the act be useful against mutant terrorists? - asked the question, a full-bodied man of short stature with a bushy moustache.
- Not much in relation to those, Mr Trask," the General grimaced. - But it would help control the flow of superpowered people better!
- Maybe. But that's not what we have to worry about right now," Bolivar turned to Eagle One. - Mr President, one of their main demands is to destroy the Sentinels. And I warned you that they should have been involved much earlier. Before the mutants undertook what has become a national tragedy for us.
For a moment, everyone was silent, looking at each other grimly.
- What do you suggest, Dr Trask? - asked the president, who looked as if he had aged twenty years.
- A retaliatory strike," the Negro smoothed his hair. - On Genosha.
- WHAT?!
- That's absurd!
- Are you out of your mind?
- I agree with Dr Trask.
Shouts erupted from the members of the assembly.
- This would be an attack on an outside state, a kind of declaration of war," the president said with clenched hands. - Do you understand that?
- They declared war by killing seven hundred and thirty-five Americans with an unknown biological weapon. Civilians, sir.
The room fell silent again.
* Closer to tonight.
- How do you like your champagne? - I asked, clutching the spider mask in the palm of my hand.
- It' s great," Mary smiled, dropping her slip-on shoes, which flew a few metres and landed on the roof. - I should have done that back at the beginning of the evening," the redhead tucked her feet under her with a smile.
- MJ, it's been a long time since I've had a date, but I didn't just invite you to drink champagne and enjoy the views of our favourite city," I said, fumbling in my pocket for the box.
- Surprise me, Tiger," the young mum winked, tucking her loose red strands back into place as the wind blew by.
- Remember... remember when I promised you that I would change your last name to Parker? - Without waiting for an answer, I pull a velvet box out of my pocket and open the lid. - My love, will you marry me?
- Oh my God, Peter," MJ put her palm to her lips, raising her emerald eyes to me, which were wet. - I... we've had this discussion, haven't we?
- Fey knows about it," I nodded quietly. - Also, that story with Del...
- Peter...
- No, Mary, wait," I squeeze the girl's palm that was resting on the web. - 'I've decided I'm going to set conditions, the girls will manage on their own, without me... no contact with other women. Just you and Kitten, Carrot-top. Forever.
- Tiger," Mary moved closer and kissed me softly.
- I know it was important and... - thin fingers lay on my lips, not letting me finish.
- Shh," Miss Watson smiled softly for now. - Peter Benjamin Parker, I will marry you.
I smile and, taking out a ring, put it on the ring finger of my favourite woman's left hand.
- Oh my God," Mary grabs a strand of her hair. - There's so much to think about! The guest list, the ceremony, the cake ...
I interrupt the young mother with a kiss.
- Carrot-top, relax," I smile, gently breaking the contact between our lips. - We'll have plenty of time, and now, let's just enjoy this moment and each other.
Once again we fall silent, merging into a kiss.
* 21 December 2014.
Early morning.
- The decision to convene this conference did not come easily to me," the older, heavyset man said, gripping tightly to the pulpit with the eagle emblem on the front. - The series of terrorist bombings that struck Washington has changed us all. Irrevocably," the president squinted, blinded by the camera flashes. - The terrorists said it was a statement. Well, we're going to make a response, too. Tonight we show that the United States is not to be trifled with!
* At the same time.
Parker house. Peter Mary and Fey's bedroom.
Spider-Man.
With a lazy yawn, I slowly blink awake.
I lift my head slightly and savour what I see:
MJ lying on my right shoulder, her red strands spread across the pillow.
On my left is Felicia, planting her foot on me.
And the girls are holding hands that converge on my stomach.
Idyllic.
Just thinking about how to most gently wake my favourite women, a voice cries out in my head.
Carrier!
Ani?! - I'm surprised, as I haven't heard Sparkle in weeks. - Hello! Welcome back.
Later, Peter Parker," came a voice similar to Sparkle's, only older.
Here's Mum," Raj joined the conversation.
What's going on... WOO!
I don't have time to say anything, because I'm teleported and hovering in the air, about ten metres above the water.
Where did we go?
While I was formulating the question, my symbiotic suit reflexively crawled on (thanks to my brother, or I didn't even have a family suit...), and then, immediately after, my spider-style Captain Universe uniform formed on it.
'The time has come, Champion, it's time for you to do your duty and save them,' Enigma said.
Who?
The mutants.
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay," I know what it's about, remembering yesterday's report. - From what? The military?
No. Them.
I obey the weightless urge to turn my head and see them coming.
An armada of familiar blue-purple robots, led by the biggest one I've ever seen. Not ten not twenty.
Hundreds.
Guards.
Yes. They were sent by the U.S. government as a revenge strike against the mutants. Stop these machines from committing genocide. Your primary target is the TriStar. And now I will give you access to my full level of power. Unlimited.
Wait, I'm the one who used to fight with limits?!
In response, I feel a familiar power surging through me, only more so. And it's all accompanied by a bluish-gold glow.
Well, thank you, that would come in handy in Hell...
We're in the neutral waters of the Atlantic Ocean, right?
That's correct. No laws apply here. Except the primordial laws.
- Defence of the innocent, energy spheres form on the palms of your hands. - Let's go!
I accelerate my flight, heading for the inexorably approaching death machines.
The Sentinels' sensors picked me up and the robots opened fire with their missile launchers and energy cores.
I doubt they sensed I was a mutant. Rather, it was an energy blob that appeared on the way to the target.
Without much trouble levelling volleys, creating material obstacles or simply dodging in flight.
- My turn, boys! - I point my palms and open fire.
There are dozens of mechanical dubolomov, and the TriStrazh is a giant, whose volleys I can only dodge.
But I'm stronger.
And right now, every cell is telling me that Enigma found me for this very moment.
Not to stop Thanos from invading or anything.
But to protect the innocent citizens of Genosha who ran away oppressed for who they are and not responsible for the terrorist acts of the Brotherhood members.
Still don't understand what the idiot politicians were thinking...
Capturing several dozen rockets fired at me and ferrying them into the cast iron woodpeckers.
Eventually, a TriStar separates from the Guardian formation.
- Stay out of the way," the machine stated emotionlessly in a mechanical voice.
Yes, it seems that they did not identify me as a mutant, otherwise they definitely would not have had a dialogue.
- Let's get this over with, tin man! - I ram the extermination mechanism.
Did I mention I hate robots?
The big guy's driving, but the energy shields are saving his hull from a royal dent. Or a complete hull rupture.
Pushing off the car, I spread my arms out to the sides.
Closing my eyes, I try to feel the pulses from each Guardian.
They start firing at me again, but I reflexively create a shield-sphere of cosmic energy, completely blocking any damage.
Abruptly, I open my eyes and send out destructive waves aimed at the Guardians.
The robots are torn apart, crumpled, driven into the water.
Watching how multi-tonne mechanisms, each, priced in millions of dollars, simply turns into a pile of scrap metal... is scary, but priceless.
- It's you, isn't it? - I turn to him.
A multi-metre purple-red hulk with three faceplates.
It has everything: the toughest hull, all sorts of weapons, even some sort of recovery mode.
TriStranger... funny how me and my connection to the cosmic force have the same fate as ProtoParker.
Utterly silently the robot's footsteps ignited more violently, burning litres of fuel and propelling this behemoth forward, with the sole purpose of destroying me.
I close my eyes.
However, instead of the planned concentration of cosmic power in the palm of my hand for one devastating and final shot, I find myself in my mind.
- Well, here we are," the Enigma Force spoke thoughtfully.
- Ummm... really? - I arch an eyebrow in disbelief. - You mean you wanted to talk to me just as I'm getting ready to strike a major blow?!
- Yes," the cosmic entity turned monolithically to me. - Because after that, I will leave you, as my essence is to send you onwards, - a projection with the golden face of Enigma appeared. - There are myriad threats in the universe, Peter, trillions of lives and an infinite number of events to prevent or fulfil.
- I understand," I lowered my eyes shamefacedly.
Sometimes I forget how big everything really is. Even when you consider my situation.
- Most importantly," the entity turned to me, "I want to say thank you. Throughout my cycle of life, I have met many noble champions and, I have to say: you have impressed me.
- Thank you," I smile gratefully.
- My daughter will stay with you, - this near frank moment of tenderness is over and, as I realised, it's time for the official summing up. - The main thing to note is that your body has learnt to accumulate cosmic energy much better, now the one-month limit has disappeared for you. One week and the cosmic power is in your hands. With the restrictions... it's basically the same as before.
- Understood, without total omnipotence, - I raise my hands.
Well and good, because, inadvertently, to go crazy from the power is not long...
- Further, - continued Enigma, - my gift. A kind of gratitude.
- For what? - I wonder. - I mean, you've had hundreds... Thousands of other champions, do you give gifts like this to everyone?
- Only to my favourites," smirks the cosmic force. - Okay... Maybe Ani put in a good word for you.
Ha! Thank you, Sparkle!
- What's the gift? - I cough, trying to hide my smile.
- As you know, I am the Universal Concept of Truth, my defining gift you were able to experience at the moment of our complete unity, so the ability I gave you will be related to that.
In the darkness, to my right, a real spark shone with blinding snowy light.
- No one will be able to lie to you now," Enigma said with all sorts of triumph. - Of course, in order to avoid known risks, you yourself distribute this gift at will.
The Power of Absolute Truth...
- Thank you, - I quietly thank you for such a thing.
- It was my pleasure, Spider-Man," the cosmic entity smiled. - Now let's finish the job.
I open my eyes as if I had covered them for a moment.
From my raised left palm bursts a powerful golden-white destructive volley, literally vaporising the air in its path.
The beam hits the TriStranger.
The robot is thrown back, but it tries to fly forward.
Until the second the energy expands, enveloping the mechanical giant.
I clench my palm, and the energy repeats the motion.
The weapon designed to destroy life begins to spark, its plating melting.
Finally, it ends in a huge explosion, and the wreckage of the TriStrategy begins to fly into the sea.
One second and I'm back in my inner world.
- So this is what it's all about? - Palms out to the sides. - Not because of Thanos' attack, not because of other realities, global natural disasters threatening to destroy the universe of events, we became united because of an attack on mutants?
- Everything is connected, Peter. What you did is as important as destroying the black holes on GalKit-Ala 5. Everyone has a role to play," Enigma smiled. - Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Once again I find myself back in reality, and the sound of the ocean pulls me out of my musings.
And the voice of an old friend.
She's gone.
Don't be sad, Sparkle," Raj said, cheering up the redhead. - At least we're together.
You've become sentimental because of your son, eh, Rajic? - asked the cosmic entity with amusement.
I'm trying to cheer you up, and she?!
The renewed bickering of my voices in my head only made me smile.
Enigma's gone, but the power's still with me. I'm betting that's until tomorrow.
Which means there's no time to lose.
Teleporting away. Commentary on Chapter 180. The Ultimate Mission *She said ) - .ru/i/lpKhlyGeoD31BA
* Perfect morning - .ru/i/53CZCdCzkG29EQ
Same as always, unloading on the twentieth for a select few ;)- /di12hoykl