= Chapter 183. Being proactive =
Commentary on Chapter 183. Being proactive. If anyone would like to support your favourite and invaluable author with deeds rather than words (though I appreciate comments with your detailed opinion no less), you are welcome to do so: 5469980470822129 - Sber Twenty-four hours later.
Shadow Dimension.
The ruler of the Nightmare Dream Realm sat on his bone throne and gazed into the green crystal ball.
The demonic sorcerer was irritated by the fact that he could not see what was happening to his favourite toy.
- Did the boy decide to stay awake after all? - The brunet pondered aloud.
And these reflections were interrupted by the rumbling sound of the portal funnel opening.
- What!? - The lord of the dark realm jumped up from his throne. - Who dares to invade my abode!?
A bright purple funnel highlighted three silhouettes, one of the two standing on the ground took a step.
- You know, I thought the name "Shadow Dimension" was just a brand name, but man, it's really dark in here! - said the guy in the red and blue suit. - Ever thought of hiring a designer, or going outside? Seriously, man, you're as pale as death!
In response, Nightmare soared and formed spheres of pale green fire in his hand.
- You're going to die, invaders! - Sticking out his snake tongue, the demon began to emit clots of energy.
- So, what's our plan? - Spider-Man turned to his partners, dodging the attack.
- The Arachnid has been contacted by Nightmare," Dr Strange replied. - So it's up to our young partner to break that link.
- Oh, I'd love to," growled the Spider in the silver suit excitedly. - That fucker owes me many minutes of mental peace...
- With a cool head, Arachnid," Stenolaz reprimanded his son.
- Whatever you say, Spidey," Benji nodded reluctantly.
Peter was just thinking about how he had travelled to Sanctum Sanctorum, feeling in his gut that his son's problem would be dealt with by a specialist. Or rather, a doctor.
Stefan had not failed.
The Master of Mystical Sciences scanned the Silver Spider and immediately sensed something wrong. That something turned out to be a weave wrapped around the teenager's mind. The greatest mage of Earth tried to get rid of this magic, but could not.
The weave was tightly embedded in the Arachnid's soul.
Gritting his heart, Strange summed up the disappointing conclusion: it was necessary to go to the source of magic.
And just like that, they found themselves in the Shadow Dimension.
- You miserable, miserable worms! - the demon continued to rage, spitting saliva. - Do you know what I did to the last one who tried to invade my world?! I defeated that bitch's army and made her my slave and forced her to bear my children!
- Then it's a good thing we don't have a uterus! - Spider threw back, creating telekinetic shields. - Doc, how are we supposed to beat this guy?
- We're in his dimension, you can't defeat Nightmare here," replied the mage, continuing to conjure.
- WHAT?! - The younger Parker turned to the sorcerer.
- Okay, that makes sense... Then what to do?
- Destroy the artefact with the help of which he managed, like a parasite, to eat into the soul and mind of Arachnid.
- I think I have an idea what that might be? - Benji pointed to a small crystal ball. - At least, the feel of it hints at it.
- Okay," Spider-Man straightened up. - So I'll take care of him, and you get the artefact," Wallbreaker clenched his fists. - It's good to get your timing right.
The hero in the red-blue suit was swallowed by a white-golden glow for a few seconds.
In an instant his uniform turned into a snow-black constellation and only the red edge of the lower part of his mask still pointed to the good old Friendly Neighbour.
Peter took off and created several golden spheres in his palms, launching them at Nightmare.
The demon had to dodge, for he felt the powerful energy.
- Hey, where are you going, Paleface?! What about that tirade about worms and destruction!?
In Spider-Universe mode, the Web Thrower chased after the fleeing ruler of the Shadow Dimension as his partners made their way towards the target of their arrival.
It was a good thing that Nightmare didn't have puppet minions like Dormammu.
So the orb was in the Arachnid's hands quickly enough.
- I've got it! - Parker turned to Strange. - What now, doc, smash it?
- Better get it to Sanctum Sanctorum,' Stefan nodded. - Spider!
- Got it, - Stenolaz turned round in flight. - Coming!
Dr Strange prepared to open the portal as Peter rushed towards his partners.
- NO! - screamed the Nightmare wildly, rushing after him.
Starting to fly backwards, Spider-Man pointed his palms at the demon, firing off volleys of energy.
It was enough to knock the ruler of the Shadow Dimension off the trail.
And get away.
As the silhouettes flashed in a flash of teleportation Nightmare was left alone.
- GRAAAAGH!
* At the same time.
Sanctum Sanctorum.
Peter Parker.
- Well, this journey has been an educational and... quick one," Mr. Grey Whiskey remarked.
- I can only say I'm happy about that, Doc," I replied, mentally lifting the Captain Universe veil from my face. - So, what now?
- May I, young man? - The sorcerer held out his palm to a hushed Benji.
The Arachnid silently handed the artefact to the sorcerer.
While Stefan went to perform the ritual, I approached my son.
- Hey, Benji, everything's going to be okay now," I said, lightly rubbing his shoulder. - We've solved the problem. Well, almost.
- Yeah," the brown-haired man nodded.
I gave Silver a reassuring pat and stepped back. It's better not to be annoying, the situation is already difficult.
- So, what have we got? - I ask a question, approaching my mentor in the mystic arts.
- The artefact that Nightmare used to enhance his mental ability to enter the minds of sleeping people to devour their dreams," Strange looked at me. - I'll break that bond within the hour, and then I'll have to return the orb to Nightmare, it's best not to quarrel with entities that command entire dimensions, even if they are such parasites. But don't worry, he won't harm your partner again, we've left a clear message, and if necessary I'll issue some small amulets, for prevention.
- Thank you, Stefan," I nod gratefully, understanding the subtleties of the balance of creation.
- It's my pleasure, Peter," the brunet replied and returned to his magical manipulation of the artefact. - Arachnid, would you sit in the centre of the circle?
Benji silently walked to where he had been instructed and waited.
I stepped aside, waiting for the results.
* At this time, the Borderline.
- The bullfighter, let's go! Toreador-toreador-toreador.
- Will you stop it?! - Jessica snapped at Carl's aria.
- I'm sorry, grouch," Lycos laughed, turning down the speaker.
- I can't believe it," the girl rested the back of her head against the metal grating. - I tried to escape eleven times... And all the time he brought me back.
- Yeah, Spider-Man clearly doesn't let go of a situation when he does the right thing," the blond man nodded, scratching his beard.
- The right thing! - Drew exploded. - 'He's forcibly restraining me! And you too, by the way!
- Oh, no, no, no, no, no," the scientist pointed his palm with a clasped marker at the girl. - In this situation, despite the outward similarities, we have different attitudes towards our apartments altogether, look," Lycos spread his arms apart in his 4x4 chamber. - This place is great! Especially after the upgrades. I'm fed three times a day, allowed to continue my own scientific research, no miserable jungle humidity, and most importantly," the blond tapped his skull with his index finger. - He sits still and is afraid to show his beak.
- So here's the thing," the brunette stood up, "are you afraid of your mutant schizophrenia? - Agent Arachne approached the bars and squeezed them with her palms. - What are you even working on? What does Parker want with you?
- I'm working on a cure," the blond shrugged and turned away. - I answered, so you answer now, Peter showed you the truth, so why do you persist?
- The truth?! He brainwashed me and planted false memories! - Carl just snorted at Drew's outburst.
- Are you really that naive? - The scientist inquired. - It seems like you both had the same training, so tell me, if he had a way to get into people's heads, wouldn't he do his best to brainwash you as much as possible, and then you'd be eternally loyal to him and not question anything he says? - Lycos tapped his finger on the blackboard. - 'I think that would be the most logical option.
- Maybe he can't do that," Jessica replied, but looked away.
There was something in Lykos's words, Jess felt, that Parker really could do that.
- I highly doubt that Spider can't do that," the blond man scratched his beard again, looking away.
Silence reigned once again, and the girl turned to her memories, once again trying to convict Spider of lying.
But she found nothing compromising either.
* A little later.
Sanctum Sanctorum.
Spider-Man.
- Done," Stefan said, opening his eyes.
After Strange's words, I lift my eyelids myself, stopping my meditation, slowly landing on the floor after taking off a bit.
- Hela," I walked over to my son, who remained seated in the same position. - How are you doing?
- Better," Benji was still masked, and I couldn't see his eyes, even though his voice gave away my boy's lostness. - Can we get out of here?
- Yes, of course," I turned to the mage and nodded gratefully. - Thank you, Stefan.
- Glad I could help," the brunet inclined his head in return. - Good luck, Spider-Men.
Opening the portal to the Harlem base.
As soon as I closed the funnel, Benji tiredly removed his mask, pacing to the couch.
- In my opinion, our visit to the other dimension was quite successful," I began from afar, approaching the descendant, who was sprawled jelly-like in the living room.
Parker, however, only lay silently.
I sigh heavily.
- Listen, son...
- I screwed up," the Arachnid sullenly stretched out, raising his head. - I failed to realise what was going on, gave in to fear... And started acting like scum.
- Ben...
- Don't say anything, Dad," the boy raised his palm. - No amount of trying to calm things down would help. I screwed up," the brown-haired boy clutched his head, clutching his hair fiercely. - And this time, it wasn't just me.
Before I could react, a red symbiotic feeler came out of Benji's shoulder.
- I'm sorry, kid, but this is where we part ways," my son said sadly to Rez, who stared at his host in incomprehension. - Take him away, dad.
- You uv...
- We knew it wouldn't be forever," Benji interrupted painfully. - Just... take it away," and then added in a whisper. - I've caused enough pain to those around me as it is.
I guess even I don't know something...
Silently I walk over to my son and place my palm on his shoulder.
Trying to force a symbiote from its host is a challenge, especially against the symbiote's will, and I don't want to hurt Ben or Rez.
Let Raj talk to his own son.
We stand in complete silence for a while. Until red threads of symbiotic matter begin to run down my arm, from the Arachnid's body.
Res... Unhappy, I'll talk to him in my subconscious, so we'll be inaccessible for a while, Bearer," Raj warned.
'Understood, brother,' I replied to the Klyntarian. - Good luck.
There was a void in the place where I usually felt the symbiote.
- If you need me," I spoke to my son again.
- Understood," the brown-haired man simply nodded, not looking up. - It's okay, Dad, I can handle it.
However, I just sit down in front of my son and look into his eyes.
- You don't need to be alone," I say confidently. - You have your aunts and uncles, your mums, me," I try to convey all my fatherly affection. - You're not alone, son.
- Thanks, Dad," the brown-haired man sighed, but with a smile. - You're making me sad! Aren't we Spider-Men supposed to be perpetually positive wit? - Silver asked with a cheeky grin.
He's trying to be brave.
- Of course," I chuckled. - It's a canonical event," I shrugged, rising. - Don't sleep here tonight, they're waiting for you at home," I put on my mask. - I have to go to the lab first," I open the portal. - But, son," I turn my head to my descendant again. - Seriously, come home tonight.
Ben just nodded.
I go through the funnel, close the portal, and find myself inside the lab, inside my lab.
Raj likes to joke that it's for me to 'teach while I teach'.
You're already bored.
It's a little weird, Ani, I know," I walk over to the chair and reagent table. - But it was also too easy to get used to such a constant connection in my head.
I look round the equipment, thinking about where to put Reza when he and my symbiote are done.
Or should I give him to someone else?
I continue my musings as I walk out into the common room.
- Hela, Peter," I hear an awkward call.
I turn around and look questioningly at Jessica, who is tentatively holding onto my shoulder.
- Yes?
- Can we talk? - There's a certain determination in the green eyes. Commentary on Chapter 183. Being proactive. I hope everyone survived yesterday)