As Chris and his team continued on, more B.O.W.s fell by their skills. It was not a challenge for them to get past the B.O.W.s, but it was quite tedius.
"This is too easy," Barrett said as he cooled his gun.
"Better too easy than very difficult," Chris added as he checked his ammunition count. "Whatever accomplishes the mission."
"Well to Barret's point, the enemies here are mostly just generic," Jill said. "When you, me, Peter and Daisy raided that base in Russia several years ago, they at least had much more variety."
"That was a major base of operations for Umbrella," Chris explained. "What we're dealing with here is something smaller and much more miniscule. Think of it less like pulling a giant weed and more like nipping the bud."
"Depends on the bud," Barrett said. "Some endure, some hide deep secrets."
"Is that a saying?" Jill asked. "Or is this something you just made up?"
"What I'm saying is that just because a problem looks simple, doesn't mean it's an easy fix," Barrett said. "I think we've all been around long enough to know that when something is too good to be true, that's because it usually is."
"We're not going to take unnecessary chances," Chris said. "That's why Leon and the others are doing recon. We wouldn't have gathered so many people here if we expected it to be simple."
"So...it's a simple assignment, yet you also gathered a large and elite group to take it on," Peter said. "Not to be rude Chris, but if this is your way of nipping a problem in the bud, it feels less like using a clip and more like spraying herbicide all over the garden."
"He's got a point," Daisy said. "I think we could have done better with half our forces."
"Probably, but we can't take that chance," Chris said. "Wesker might be here, and he's trouble enough on his own. The last time we went with a small group for a seemingly simple assignment, it turned out much worse, and Jill almost died."
"So that's it? Still worried about it happening again?" Barrett asked. "I suppose we can't blame you for that one. I'd do the same thing."
"Besides, we have reason to believe that Wesker has contacts all around the world," Chris said. "He's already worked with All for One and The League of Villains. He's even had contact in New York, specifically your enemies, Spider-Man."
"Yeah, it's quite a big club," Peter said. "Sorry you're all getting dragged into what's basically my mess."
"It's everyone's mess," Chris said. "You've done more than enough to help us against Wesker. If someone like Octavius, Osborn or even Fisk gives you trouble, we'll be there for you as well."
"How are those guys these days?" Jill asked. "Osborn and Fisk I mean. I know Octavius is dead."
"Osborn's still locked up, and Fisk...I don't know what he's doing exactly," Peter said. "Daredevil's been keeping an eye on him for me."
"None of those guys have any interest in these viruses, do they?" Carlos asked.
"Osborn can make worse," Peter said. "This may not be what Fisk would be into though. He's your typical mob boss type guy."
"I know that type of guy," Barret said. "Anyway, theories are only going to get us so far."
"Yeah, we're here to fight," Peter said.
"Is that right?" Came a familiar sounding voice from an intercom.
"Wesker!?" Chris aimed his gun. "Where are you!?"
"Sorry, I can't be there in person right now," Wesker said. "Such a shame, I would have loved to personally witness your final moments for myself."
"Hey what's stopping you?" Peter asked. "Too busy dusting off your sunglasses collection?"
"Unfortunately I do not have the time to play, I have adult matters to attend to," Wesker said. "So you children will need to play quietly amongst yourselves."
"Just wait until we find you, Wesker!" Chris warned. "You can't keep avoiding me!"
"Who says I want to avoid you?" Wesker said. "Believe me Chris, I would love to be there, but like I have mentioned, I have matters to attend to. If you happen to live long enough for me to arrive, then that's a different story. If you die beforehand, then I suppose it just means you were never going to be a worthy opponent anyway."
"I've beaten you before!" Chris said.
"Yes, but times change, and so do people," Wesker said. "Are you the same as you were that night in the mansion? Is Spider-Man the same boy who struggled against someone like The Rhino? Or Shocker? Is that little Princess with you the same girl she was before her mentor told her to make friends?"
"That friend making thing was so fucking cringe," Juri's voice was heard saying.
"Is that Juri Han!?" Twilight asked.
"Hi Princess, yeah I'm here too," Juri said. "Wesker and I got some plans to attend to. But I do like making time to play, much more than Wesker here does. So you might see me. Or...you might not. By the time you notice I'm there, you could already be dead."
"That girl is creepy as hell sometimes," Barret said.
"Good looks wasted on such a sadist," Carlos said.
"If you do wish for a proper challenge, I can supply you with that," Wesker said as he pressed a button to open some pods. "You have about five minutes to prepare."
"Oh, it's five this time?" Peter sarcastically asked. "Guess that seven-minute generosity is gone."
"What do you suppose he's sending?" Barret asked.
"It might be a new type of B.O.W." Chris said as he pulled out a shotgun.
Peter checked his web cartridges, ensuring that they were as full as possible before turning his attention to the medic girl beside him. "Hey, are you doing okay there, Rebecca?"
"I'm fine, you don't need to keep worrying about me," Rebecca said as she checked her own ammo count.
"I know I don't need to, I want to," Peter said. "You haven't been as active in the field lately. I don't want you to get overwhelmed, especially against Wesker."
"I chose to do this," Rebecca said. "It's fine Peter, I'll get through this. I've held it together against the Queen Leech and one of Wesker's earlier Tyrants. I've grown just as much too."
"Yeah, I know," Peter said. "You got this."
"We all do," Rebecca said.
Chris glanced back at the girl, feeling a hint of worry. "Rebecca, you've always been better than you believe yourself to be. But sometimes, you psyche yourself out. A lot of people succumbed to the trauma of Raccoon City, I hope you're not trying to repress anything that might lead to a nervous breakdown."
Within moments, the group could hear some thundering footsteps, each of them readying their weapons as they heard something getting closer.
"Did everyone load their clips?" Chris asked.
"I double checked, everything is loaded," Carlos said.
"Same on this end," Jill said. "Whatever it is that's coming won't get the drop on us!"
Rebecca checked her guns, realizing that some of them were not completely loaded, "Oh no..."
She quickly began checking each of her magazines, with Peter immediately noticing and worrying about the girl. He still kept a firm gaze up ahead, hoping to stop whatever was on its way.
Within moments, an army of monsters that resembled Mr. X had arrived, almost taking this group of heroes by surprise.
"Looks like Wesker's been busy," Chris said.
"How advanced do you think these things might be?" Carlos asked.
"Given all the time that the likes of Wesker have had to perfect these B.O.W.s, I'd say highly advanced," Jill said.
"Well that's concerning..." Peter said.
"Spidey, you got the least to worry about," Carlos said.
"Yeah, with your abilities, and mine, there isn't much to worry about," Quake said.
"Well keep in mind that Wesker knows what we can do," Twilight said. "Plus, he's had access to All for One's research, these monsters could end up being similar to a Nomu."
"Well, a Nomu is no match for us," Daisy said as she got into battle position. "And neither are these things!"
The monsters immediately charged at the group, prompting them to begin their attack. Chris had thrown a grenade to stun a bunch as Daisy used her gauntlets to blast the monsters.
Jill, Carlos and Barrett opened fire on the creatures as Peter dashed in to punch a bunch of them out.
Rebecca desperately tried to reload, just as a monster got in close to her. The girl panicked and tried shooting but her gun got knocked out of her hand and she was grabbed by the neck.
As Peter kept fighting, he saw the girl in incredible danger. "Rebecca!" While knocking another monster away, he rushed over to punch a hole through the Tyrant, getting its attention as Peter hit an uppercut that knocked the creature's head off, prompting it to release Rebecca as it fell over dead.
"Gross," Peter moved the monster out of the way while trying to avoid the splattering blood before focusing on the girl he saved. "You alright, Rebecca?"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," Rebecca said. "I just...behind you!"
Peter turned and stopped a tyrant from punching him and returned the punch that sent him flying back.
Barrett continued firing from his machine gun, "Gotta say, these creatures are pretty durable."
"Their coats are bulletproof," Chris said. "Try going for the head."
"Yeah, sure thing," Barrett said as he focused fire on the heads of the monsters.
"Even if we go for headshots, they still seem kind of strong," Carlos said.
"Oh how will any of you survive this?" Wesker taunted from the intercom.
"Hey, come and fight us yourself!" Carlos demanded. "Like a man!"
"You still have not earned it," Wesker said.
"Wesker and his twisted sense of humor!" Jill fired at more of the tyrants. "I gotta say, this is proving much more difficult than I hoped."
Suddenly the floor below them started moving as it began to separate, much to everyone's surprise.
"What the hell is this!?" Carlos asked as what looked like molten liquid was below them.
"Oh, I decided to throw a little surprise in there," Wesker said as many of the tyrants fell into the burning blaze. "I do hope you all like surprises, I put a lot of thought into this one."
"You're such a fucking scumbag, Wesker!" Carlos shouted as he stayed to the side.
"Wow, how rude," Juri said over the intercom. "And Wesker was being so nice in treating you all to a nice surprise too."
"I got this!" Twilight was about to use her magic when suddenly she was rammed out of the room, courtesy of a mysterious swordsman.
"Who in the hell!?" Barret asked.
The swordsman glared at everyone once more before charging in to attack Twilight, the girl quickly blocking with her forcefield.
"Wait...is that Vergil!?" Chris asked in disbelief.
"Sounds like you've all been reacquainted," Wesker taunted. "Sorry Peter, but I doubt your wife will be of much assistance."
"I'm so gonna get you for that!" Peter rushed after Vergil, but a tyrant had grabbed him and tried pulling him into the molten liquid below.
"PETER!" Chris fired at the monster's hands, weaken its grip to leg up just as Peter used his webbing to stick to the ceiling.
"Quick! To the end of the room!" Jill ordered as everyone rushed to the other side. They had to be fast as a door was about to close shut.
Rebecca however stumbled over a down but still moving Tyrant as it tried to grab her as well.
"Rebecca!" Peter called, using his webbing to grab the girl and pulled her away before the Tyrant could fully grab her.
Once on the other side, the door behind the others was completely shut, leaving Chris's team sealed away from Peter and Rebecca.
"Dammit!" Chris grabbed his radio and spoke to it with urgency. "Peter!? Peter are you there!?"
"Yeah, I'm here," Peter said, the hero suspended over the molten liquid while holding Rebecca close.
"Looks like we're trapped, let's find a way around this building and meet up again," Chris said.
"Sounds like a good idea," Peter said. "But um...where exactly should we go?"
"I'm not sure, I'm going to make this up as I go," Chris said.
"You guys do what you need to, Rebecca and I will be fine," Peter said.
"Of course...and while we're at it, we'll try to contact your wife," Chris said. "Hopefully she's okay."
"I hope so too, but she's a strong woman," Peter said. "If anyone can handle herself, it's Twilight."
"I will contact you later," Chris said, then placed his radio away. "Let's go."
"Hey um...now that Vergil's here, what's our plan?" Carlos asked.
"Same as always, stop whatever Wesker's up to," Chris said. "We knew things could get dangerous, that's what we signed up for."
"Wesker has a lot of connections, so of course he was going to make good use of them," Jill said. "What we can't afford to do right now is slow down. Let's keep moving and find out which room Wesker's hiding in, and put a stop to both him and his nutty sidekick."
"It looks like Wesker's planned much better this time," Daisy said. "For him to have that many monsters at his disposal. It's terrifying."
"What's terrifying is any of this stuff getting loose and destroying the world," Chris said. "Now, get moving."
"Wait, we should contact Leon," Jill said.
"Right," Chris grabbed his radio again. "Leon, are you there?"
In another room, Leon and his team are fighting for their lives against various B.O.W.s, from Lickers, to Ivy Plants, to Chimeras and Eliminators.
"What the hell is this!? A monster gathering!?" Bruce asked as he fired his gun.
"Back away!" Applejack whacked a few monsters with a nearby pipe while Remy killed some with his cards.
"Gonna run low if I'm not careful," Remy said as he pulled out his staff. "Gotta know when to hold and when to fold."
Leon dodged an oncoming Licker and fired at it three times in the head with his handgun. He then used his knife to stab an oncoming Eliminator and fired at it twice to kill it.
An Ivy Plant tried to spit poison, but Leon leapt away and pulled out incendiary grenade and flung it, burning not just the plant, but some nearby monsters.
"Great work, Leon!" Clint said as he fired his arrow at an eliminator. "Let's keep this up!"
Leon then heard his radio going off, "Leon, are you there!?"
"Chris!?" Leon grabbed the radio, "Hey, is this important? We're kind of busy!"
"I'll keep it brief," Chris said. "Wesker knows we're here, he set a trap using highly intelligent tyrants similar to the Mr. X creature you and my sister fought in Raccoon City. We got separated from Peter and Rebecca due to a trap, and Vergil's here."
Leon raised his eyebrow in worry, "Wow that's a lot to take in. But on our end, we think we found a room with top secret files. Too bad it's heavily guarded."
"That just means Wesker has something he wants to protect," Chris said.
"Got that right," Leon said as he fired at a Chimera. "I'll talk to you later."
"Leon!" Claire warned as she gestured to some oncoming Hunters.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Natasha said as she fired from her SMGs.
"Starting to wonder if coming here was a good idea!" Applejack said, bashing more enemies, and grimacing from all the blood. "Ah was never really good at this."
"Applejack, you fought Changelings," Remy said as he whacked an oncoming Hunter. "You can handle these creatures!"
"He's right," Leon fired again. "Believe in yourself"
"Sure, I'll try," Applejack said as she fought some more.
Within his room, Wesker kept an eye on everything he could, particularly finding Leon's presence bothersome. "I should do something about that meddling cop."
"Send some more of those tyrants," Juri said. "Meanwhile we gotta hurry up with our own plan."
"In due time," Wesker said. He then received a call from a familiar number.
"Wesker, it's Martin Li," the man said. "Do you have the materials that I requested from that old Umbrella factory?"
"Yes, but I should warn you, some of these viruses may be unstable," Wesker said. "If you wish to play your part in the Nomu scheme, then you will need to be quite weary."
"I am aware of the risks," Martin Li said. "But I must do what I can to stay in this game. I can't let All for One have all the fun, and it sounds like he's planning something monumental."
"We will have it for you soon," Wesker said. "For now, we still need to squash some bothersome pests. Including a Spider you're all too familiar with."
"A task I am all too familiar with attempting," Martin Li said. "Try to finish the job."
"Of course," Wesker said as he ended the call. "Now then, let us-" Suddenly another call was under way. Wesker recognized this number too, and immediately looked bothered, "Don't tell me..."
"Wesker!" Came the voice of Tron Bonne. "Wesker, I think I know a way you can last in this war against the Heroes and keep up with All for One!"
"Tron..." Wesker said.
"You have all this great B.O.W. type stuff and all, but what about some good old fashioned technology?" Tron asked. "How many of your suppliers can handle that?"
"We have contact with The Tinkerer," Juri said.
"Yeah but that old man is past his prime," Tron said.
"He has a granddaughter who's just as good," Juri said.
"She's just a rookie, you need someone with experience, and youth!" Tron said. "Now here's what I'm thinking..."
"For the love of..." Wesker lamented. "Why must I put up with this?"
"Because even you are too soft hearted to do away with this brat," Juri said.
"...You have quite the mouth on you," Wesker commented, earning a smug grin from Juri.
Outside the facility, Rouge the Bat was seen trying to get into contact with anyone who could assist Chris. "I'd go there myself, but I might get in the way. Plus, I don't think Sally would appreciate me being around the T-Virus. I don't want her getting too paranoid."
As she tried making contact, she heard a familiar voice, "Rouge?"
"Hm? Oh, is that you Cloud Strife?" Rouge asked.
"Yeah, seems like you were trying to get my frequency," Cloud said. "Looks like you finally found it."
"Yes, there's trouble in an old warehouse in Japan, I'll send you the coordinates," Rouge said. "It has to do with Wesker, and may also involve your old buddy Sephiroth."
"Speaking my language," Cloud said. "Looks like I'll actually get the drop on him this time. I'll bring Tifa with me, just send me the coordinates."
"Sure thing, and thank you," Rouge said.
"No, thank you," Cloud said as he looked to the distance. "Will this be the end of our little cat and mouse game, Sephiroth? Or do you still have a bunch of continues left?"
Within the Factory once again, Rebecca and Peter were seen trying to navigate through a new area. Peter kept a close eye on danger, and also relied on his Spider-Sense while Rebecca stayed close to the hero.
"Are you feeling alright?" Peter asked.
"Who me?" Rebecca asked. "Yes, I'm fine."
"Seems like you had a rough time earlier," Peter said. "I know you said you're alright, but did you only say that because Chris was there? Or did you mean it?"
"I...I honestly don't know," Rebecca said. "I feel like I should be used to something like this."
"No one is," Peter said. "If I'm being honest, this whole thing is kind of terrifying, even for me. Don't be too hard on yourself."
"I have to be though," Rebecca said. "I can't always be rescued, can I?"
"Hey, you've rescued others, haven't you?" Peter asked. "Like you've said, you've encountered this before anyone in Raccoon City."
"Yeah, I have..." Rebecca said, recalling her first adventure, and how it ended.
Years into the past, the first nightmare of the T-Virus was coming to an end.
Billy and Rebecca had entered a mysterious incinerator room alongside a worn out Sunset Shimmer, the girl wiping her head after all that running.
"This place is a maze," Sunset lamented. "And everywhere I go, some stupid zombie is there. That or some big, grey guy with claws."
"Rebecca and I killed that thing, so you don't need to worry," Billy said. "Of course, you managed to kill a bat creature, so I'm not sure why you're worried yourself."
"That was terrifying!" Sunset shouted in despair.
"Can we focus please?" Rebecca asked as they continued down the hall to the main room. "The sooner we find the exit, the sooner..."
The girl stopped when she saw something horrible. Several leeches were spread around, almost like a nest of sorts. Billy looked just as disgusted as Rebecca while Susnet looked terrified.
"I don't think we went the right way," Sunset said.
"Oh but you have..." Came a voice from afar.
"Huh? Who said that?" Billy asked.
Not too long later, the young man in the white robe had walked into view, taking the trio by surprise.
"Welcome young ones, so glad you could make it," the man said. "So glad you could join the party. After all, it's set to become your memorial."
"Who are you!?" Billy asked.
Suddenly the man transformed into a much more familiar looking face. Standing before this trio was no longer the mysterious young man, but a ghost returned from the afterlife.
"Doctor Marcus!?" Billy asked in disbelief.
"No...you can't be," Rebecca said.
"I've seen this guy's face," Sunset said. "Who is he?"
"An old Umbrella researcher," Rebecca said. "But...he's supposed to be dead. No one knows what happened."
"I can elaborate, young woman..." Marcus began. "Ten years ago, Spencer had me assassinated."
"Spencer?" Sunset asked.
"Ozwell E. Spencer. Umbrella's Founder," Rebecca clarified.
"Correct, it was in the middle of my research," Marcus continued. "He sent his dogs after me, along with those two troubling men."
Spencer vividly remembered that day. While he was experimenting on his leeches, a group of Umbrella agents burst into the room and opened fire on him. The last thing he saw before he died were the duo of Albert Wesker and William Birkin."
"Aw...time to die, Doctor..." Wesker taunted.
"I'll be taking over your research," Birkin boasted, cackling sadistically right afterwards.
"Wesker...Birkin..." Marcus uttered with his last breath before succumbing to his wounds.
After his death, Marcus's body was thrown into the sewers, left to rot. Unaware to Umbrella, his Queen Leech had escaped and had entered Marcus's body through his mouth, which attributed to his revival.
"Something wonderous happened after my assassination," Marcus continued. "It took the T-Virus inside of my Queen years to procreate my new life..."
Returning to the present, Marcus had resumed his youthful appearance once again.
"I live..." Marcus boasted. "Now I will have my revenge on Umbrella! Then the world will burn in an inferno of hate!"
"I don't get it!" Sunset said. "If your grudge was against Umbrella, why would you take it out on those people on the train!?"
"Scum that associate with Umbrella, do not deserve to live!" Marcus declared. "They are part of the problem, and the world that Umbrella sought to make their own, will crash and burn."
"You're insane!" Sunset scolded.
"Call it what you will, child," Marcus said. "The world is already a cruel place, I am merely the embodiment of honesty in a world full of lies. People cling to Umbrella and Shinra, desperately treating them like Gods while those like me suffer the most! Why shouldn't others feel what I do!? It's only fair!"
"Bastard..." Sunset cursed.
"We'll make you pay for what you've done!" Billy threatened.
"We will see which one of us will die!" Marcus declared in a maniacal tone, then suddenly vomited an unusual secretion.
Within moments, leeches began pouring out of his mouth like a waterfall, an action that disgusted the trio of Rebecca, Billy and Sunset, while also worrying them as Marcus began to transform once again.
This time however, he was not changing his age, rather he took on the form of a humanoid leech, one that leapt before the trio, looking ready for a fight.
"What in the actual fuck just happened!?" Sunset asked as she nervously took a few steps back.
Marcus extended his arm and attempted to slam it down on the trio, all three leaping out of the way.
"No time to theorize, just destroy this thing!" Billy shouted as he fired from his shotgun.
"Don't worry," Sunset said while readying up some magic. "With my power, I can easily-"
Marcus then whacked Sunset hard enough to slam her head first against a pipe, leaving Sunset with a nasty gash on her head as blood began tickling out.
"Sunset!" Rebecca pulled out a Grenade Launcher and fired at Marcus, blasting the creature and stumbling him back. She fired again to weaken the monster more while Billy opened fire from his shotgun.
"Rebecca, check on Sunset!" Billy kept his gun aimed. "I'll keep Marcus busy!"
Marcus attacked again, with Billy dodging to the side while Rebecca ran to check on Sunset.
"How are you feeling?" Rebecca asked as she helped Sunset sit up.
"Where am I?" Sunset asked as Rebecca cleaned the blood off of her head with a gauze.
"Try to stay conscious," Rebecca said as she made a quick remedy out of a green herb. She began applying it to Sunset's cut, causing pain for the girl. "I know it hurts, but bear with me for a moment."
"Leech?" Sunset asked as she gestured to some oncoming leeches.
"Don't move!" Rebecca fired at the leeches, the sound of gunfire causing Sunset to flinch as Rebecca made sure no leech got past her.
Billy was still firing out of his shotgun, though after several rounds, he heard an empty click from his weapon. "Crap, out of ammo!" He then took a whack that sent him flying back first against a wall. Despite his pain, Billy managed to pull out a magnum. "Don't think I'm giving up!"
Despite Sunset's injuries, Rebecca felt just as concerned about Billy. Of course she knew her duty was to tend to the injured first, but seeing Billy in danger was nagging at her.
"Rebecca...help Billy..." Sunset said. "I'm fine...just go."
"I can't leave an injured civilian unattended!" Rebecca said.
"Better that than Marcus destroying the world!" Sunset scolded before briefly holding her head in pain. "This guy is the reason all those people on the train were killed! He wants to spread this virus across the world! Focus on stopping him, and keep this world that much safer!"
Rebecca still felt conflicted, the girl looking between Marcus and Sunset. Reluctantly, she picked up her grenade launcher and focused on the nearby monster.
"Marcus!" Rebecca loaded some acid rounds into her weapon. "I won't let you contaminate the Earth!"
Rebecca fired at Marcus, the acid effectively burning the leeches and slightly weakening the monster.
"Keep it up!" Billy urged as he fired as well from his magnum.
Despite her pain, Sunset forced herself up and weakly aimed two of her fingers at the leech monster, "Die...!"
She blasted once to weaken Marcus, though the magic wasn't as strong as she liked, she still got some damage done, a situation that both Billy and Rebecca took advantage of as they continued to attack.
Marcus attempted to send more leeches to attack, but the villain's stature was weakening due to all the damage he sustained. This allowed Billy and Rebecca to attack once more with a synchronized gunshot mixed with a blast from Sunset.
Blood began spurting out of Marcus as the mutated villain succumbed and fell over, seemingly dead.
"Is that it?" Billy asked.
"I don't know, but I don't want to stick around and find out," Rebecca said. "Come on, let's get Sunset Shimmer out of here."
"You don't need to tell me twice," Billy said as went to check on the girl.
Sunset was already on her feet, but was still very woozy from what had just happened, "Sweet Celestia...why does the room look like it's spinning?"
"Hey, come on," Billy said as he assisted the girl. "Let's get out of this place."
"Sure, which way?" Sunset asked.
Rebecca looked around and spotted a strange door on the other side of the room. "Over there! That looks like a way out!"
The group approached the double doors, noticing two panels to insert a pair of keys. Fortunately for them, both keys were already inserted.
"At least we don't have to find more keys," Rebecca said.
"This felt too easy," Sunset asked.
"We just fought a giant leech creature, I'm perfectly fine with easy," Billy said.
"Same here, now let's not waste any more time," Rebecca said as she and Billy turned their respective keys.
They went through the door and found what looked like an elevator leading toward the top of the facility.
"That might be a way out," Billy said. Upon getting on the platform, Billy had activated the machine and started sending them up.
When part of the way up, they heard a loud rumble as a wall was knocked over, taking them all by surprise.
"What just happened!?" Rebecca asked in confusion.
Billy looked down and saw something awful, "It's the Queen!"
From below, a further mutated Marcus was seen coming up the shaft.
"Is that really a Queen?" Sunset asked, the girl still feeling a bit woozy. "Pretty sure Marcus is a guy."
"Not the point!" Billy said as he tried getting the lift to move faster.
To make matters worse, a message was heard over the intercom, "The self destruct system has been activated. All personnel evacuate immediately. Repeat..."
"Who activated the self destruct system!?" Rebecca asked in disbelief.
Billy kept trying to rig the device, frustration building in the former marine. "Can't this stupid thing move any faster!?"
The Queen Marcus rushed up the shaft and toward the two fleeing survivors, much to their horror.
"Oh shit!" Billy shouted as Marcus destroyed the Elevator, sending the trio flying up and into a vacant building.
Once back on their feet, the group noticed Marcus getting closer. Billy immediately pulled out his shotgun and blasted while Rebecca attacked with her grenade launch.
Woozy as she felt, Sunset still wanted to fight. She levitated a gun into her possession and opened fire on the monster.
"Die already you freak of nature!" Billy said as he kept firing.
Marcus shot some acid at the group, prompting them to quickly dodge and maneuver backwards, hoping to put distance between themselves and the monster.
Sunset kept firing, but the moment he was out of ammo, she tossed the gun aside and readied some magic, "I'll just blow it up! Then-"
The monster then whacked Sunset aside before doing the same to Billy and Rebecca.
As the monster moved forward, it felt an unknown burning sensation. Rebecca was the first to notice and understand the situation.
"Billy! Sunset! This monster can't handle the sunlight!" Rebecca said.
"So now it's a vampire?" Sunset asked, before thinking it over. "Then again, leeches do suck blood."
"We need to open the windows!" Rebecca noted.
Billy looked around and spotted a nearby valve handle, "Quick! Follow me!" The three ran over to the device, before glaring back at Marcus. "You two, unlock the windows. I'll use my charm to distract Her Majesty."
"Again, pretty sure that's a guy," Sunset said.
"Focus!" Billy scolded as he pulled out his shotgun and went to distract Marcus with gunshots. "Over here!"
Rebecca was quick to turn the Valve Handle, though knowing Billy was in danger did not ease her mind much.
Sunset also did her best to turn the Valve fast enough to help open a hatch. She looked up and saw that some progress was being made.
Billy kept firing at the monster until he heard a click. His shotgun was out of ammo. Quickly he placed it away and just focused on firing from his handgun.
"Come on! This way!" Billy said as he did his best to keep the creature distracted. However it did notice Rebecca running by, prompting it to chase after her. "NO! Rebecca!"
"Huh!?" Rebecca saw the monster coming towards her. Quickly she pulled out her grenade launcher and fired an Acid Round, which stung the monster long enough for her to keep moving without consequence.
"I'm still not done with you!" Billy shouted as he kept firing. "Don't you ignore me!"
Meanwhile Sunset had ran to another Valve Handle, quickly turning it, though not without glancing at Billy and Rebecca. "This is so stressful!"
Rebecca then ran to the final Valve Handle and began turning it. Billy kept firing at the monster, anticipating Rebecca finally opening the window. Though he did get a bit of the monster's acid on his exposed arm, burning the marine as he stumbled back in pain.
"Dammit!" Billy did his best to ignore the burning sensation as he kept firing at the monster. Sunset went to go help but she was whacked aside, then quickly had to avoid any acid coming her way just as Marcus focused back on Billy.
Fortunately, Rebecca finished turning the final Valve Handle. With that, the hatch overhead opened, exposing the creature to direct sunlight as it began to burn.
The pain the Queen Leech felt was immense, the creature desperately trying to find any shade that it could and recuperate.
It was here that Rebecca called out to one of her partners, "Billy!" She threw over ammo for the Magnum that Billy had as he quickly reloaded and aimed.
"Hey! Queeny! Feast on this!" Billy said as he fired the gun, one bullet completely destroying Marcus.
The remains of the Queen Leech fell into the elevator shaft just as the explosion went off.
"Billy!" Rebecca called as she assisted Sunset.
"Rebecca! Sunset! Hurry!" Billy said as he ran with the girls toward the exit. Within moments, the entire Training Facility blew up, courtesy of the bomb set off by William Birkin.
From the distance, both Wesker and Sephiroth could see the facility reduced to nothing. For Wesker, it just meant that he had to return to his S.T.A.R.S. team and resume his masquerade. For Sephiroth, it meant he must explore the Spener Mansion to see what else may have happened regarding the virus.
With the job done, Billy, Rebecca and Sunset had made their way to a nearby cliff, with Billy removing his handcuffs and throwing them to the distance, then fell back, finally taking a moment to rest after the long night.
Rebecca looked down and spotted a building, "That must be the old mansion that my boss Enrico was talking about."
"Someone lives there?" Sunset asked. "Talk about wanting to be away from civilization. Unless it's connected to that building that just blew up. Hope the owner doesn't mind. If he's even still alive."
Rebecca wasn't sure what to make of it, but she did make a promise to her boss. She turned to Billy and then pulled his dog tags off, much to the man's confusion.
"I guess it's time to say good-bye," Rebecca said as she placed the dog tags around her neck. "Officially, Lieutenant Billy Coen is dead."
It didn't take Billy long to figure out what Rebecca was trying to do as he decided to join in on her story, "Yeah, I'm just another one of those zombies now."
"Faking your death huh?" Sunset asked. "Hey, if you need a place to hide out for a while, I can hook you up. Are you okay with traveling to Europe?"
"Well, it seems like a nice vacation," Billy said.
"Then let's go," Sunset turned to Rebecca. "Are you coming?"
"I have orders to meet my boss," Rebecca said. "I should let him know what happened."
"You came with a squad, right?" Sunset asked. "Do you know how many of them are still alive?"
"...I really don't know, I could only confirm one death," Rebecca sadly stated. "But, I'll hold out hope that the rest made it. We can let the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team know about this too, and expose what's going on."
"Seems like something shady is going on with Umbrella," Sunset said. "Be careful though, they have connections. Especially with Shinra, and that place has its own accusations to deal with."
"I'll be fine, you two just get to safety," Rebecca said.
"Okay...I hope I'll see you again, Rebecca," Sunset said.
"Same," Billy added.
Rebecca then offered a salute to Billy, to which the former marine returned. Sunset chose to stay out of this and allowed the two their moment of mutual respect.
With that done, Rebecca offered one last smile for Billy before being on her way. The girl did not look back, she only looked forward toward her next goal.
"Thank you...Rebecca," Billy said as he offered her a thumbs up before leaving as well, the man joining Sunset Shimmer as the two moved on as well.
Back in the present, Rebecca had to wonder how Billy was doing. Unknown to almost anyone, she would maintain contact with him throughout the years.
As Peter and Rebecca kept walking, they heard someone up ahead, "Hey, who's there!?" Peter held his webbing. "Don't do anything stupid now!"
Rebecca aimed her gun, ready to fight if she needed to.
"Wow...straight to the threats," Came Sunset's voice. "And you call yourself a hero."
"...Sunset Shimmer?" Peter asked, this taking Rebecca by surprise.
"No way..." Rebecca walked over to the girl. "Sunset!? You're here!?"
"Yo, Rebecca, long time no see," Sunset said as she pulled Rebecca into a quick hug. "You need to visit more often, my gym gets lonely without you."
"Sunset, what are you doing here!?" Peter asked.
"My friend here detected some trouble," Sunset said as she gestured to the oncoming Half-Demon Mercenary.
"Sup Spidey?"
Peter could not believe his eyes, "Dante!?"
"It's been a while," Dante said as he aimed his gun at Peter and Rebecca. However they were not his targets. His target was behind them, that being an oncoming zombie.
"Whoa..." Rebecca said. "I didn't even know one was following."
"Come on, Rebecca, you're better than that," Sunset said. "So...Peter, anything interesting to tell us?"
"Oh, you have no idea," Peter said, the hero preparing to fill the two in on what he has come across.