3rd POV:
Honestly, if Bell didn't have the understanding he gained as Supreme Imperator, he would be completely baffled at how Oscorp was still standing. But he did have the business and political acumen to understand why it was still running, despite the public basically knowing that most of the Spider Clubs usual enemies came from Oscorp.
To keep a rather tedious and boring explanation short. Money. Friends in high places. Pushing the blame on the fall guy as in 'It wasn't I, Norman Osborn, who authorized this. They went behind my back. Please, punish them'. Money. Military contracts. Money. Stockmasket and shareholders. Money.
Did he mention money?
He will mention it again.
Money.
''How the hell are we supposed to beat a sand guy?,'' Spider-Man screamed, evading a sand whip with a web pull. It was a testament to how crazy the world has gotten that he just took the gigantic sand structure of unformed mass of geometry in stride.
Actually, forget the world. He was the one chasing down a sand structure. At least the sand structure waved through the streets and the buildings without damaging anything.
''If every single point of his body is a sand stone, then there are a number of ways. Heat. Water. Anything that destabilizes the forces keeping the sand stones together,'' Ghost Spider shot back wall running before jumping with a massive leap.
''Yeah? Well, we have no heat or water. So we gotta come up with something else!,'' Spider-Man shot back.
Nexus had to say. Flint Markos ability was more impressive seeing it with his own two eyes, instead of just seeing it from the pages of a book. Ghost Spider was correct, after having scanned his structural body, with his abilities. BUT there was one more ability that could harm him, actually two, telepathy and Soul Magic. He already located the ONE sand stone where Flints mind and soul where, from which he controlled all other sand stones.
''What did he even do?,'' Nexus asked, sling shooting himself straight upwards into the sky to evade a sand blast.
''He stole a lot of money from a bank,'' Spider-Man replied, swinging around a corner. The others followed him.
Hm.
''Well, it is a clear job for my brain drive,'' Nexus said, performing a corner tether as Sandman sharply turned.
''You sure? Don't you always experience a headache afterwards?,'' Spider-Man asked.
''Buhu, my brain hurts from a small headache. I'm doing it,'' Nexus said, letting go when he reached the height point of a swing, so that he would have enough time to pull a string and activate his brain drive mode. The familiar sound accompanied it, with the neon orange cables spouting from his back.
He stood in the air for a second before shooting off after Sandman, the two after him.
It was time to decide, what Nexus should do with Marko.
Hmm.Mhm.
Ah.
Nexus only looked for the reason, as to why he stole the money, as he didn't otherwise register as a threat on his defenses.
Good old American Healthcare System screwing yet another dude or dudette over.
His son had tuberculosis, so it was a similar case to the Sam Raimi Spider-Man incarnation. And the insurance didn't want to take on the cost of all those antibiotics.
He could, on one hand, not give a fuck and simply imprison him. A lot of people fall on hard times, but they don't resort to crimes. Doing so would also ensure he would have a hatred for anything and everyone, especially Spider People, as that would most likely mean his sons death. It would also be the consequences of Markos actions catching up to him. That path would surely iron him as an enemy.
The old him would have taken that path, most likely, just for amusements sake.
On the other hand, he could show some empathy and remind humans that super powered people were humans just as well as any others. Getting screwed over by insurance probably reverberated with a lot of people. Mostly in America, but still. It also would remove an enemy entirely, which his friends had to worry about.
Decision made in seconds, Nexus flew to the side of Sandmans giant head.
''Yo, dude, slow down. I want to talk to you,'' Nexus said. Sandmans head whipped around and Nexus was forced to create a telekinetic shield as a sand whip slammed him away. Though he only flew a few meters away, quickly having regained his footing in the air via telekinesis.
''Go away. Leave me alone!,'' Sandman yelled. Nexus gave chase.
''Dude, come one You clearly are not a bad dude, you haven't destroyed any property and gone out of your way to not harm anyone. Why do you need the money? Is it the mafia? Do you owe them money?,'' Nexus asked getting hit with a sand hammer from below. Instead of flying into the air he flew in a small arc and stood before Sandmans face startling him.
''Let us help you!,'' Spider-Man yelled after them, having heard the talk and understanding what Nexus was trying to do.
''I am not a good guy. Go out off my way,'' Marko said, giving up trying to slap Nexus away. Instead he enveloped him in a sand blanket and spun him around a few dozen times, before letting him shoot off in a direction. Nexus could have stopped it, but sometimes you don't want to reveal to much power in a negotiation or else the other person will close up and become ultra defensive.
''And yet what Nexus said still holds true. You might not be as evil as you make yourself out to be or you are clearly trying to turn over a new leaf, but found yourself in a lot of need of a lot of money. Why? Let us help you!,'' Spider-Man shouted after him, after receiving a small message via A.R.A.C.H.N.I.D that he was fine. Sandman was moving again, not saying anything as the two Spider People gave chase.
...
The heroes were persistent Marko thought to himself holding the bags in his hands. In the small moment it took him to stand still and swing Nexus around to shoot him away, he got an idea. He silently transferred the bags from inside his sand structure down and moved the manhole cover aside to transfer them into the sewers with a part of his sand to make a more silent getaway. And with no one being none the wiser, he would give the money to his son and run away afterwards.
Ever since he found out he had a son, he tried to turn his life around and be better. But he wasn't lying, he wasn't the nicest person before the birth of his son. He did many things he regretted by now. Fell in with the wrong crowd. Sold drugs. He even shot someone and killed them. Society wasn't kind to people like that. He would settle for watching over his son from afar.
He adjusted the bags as he walked down a sewer tunnel.
''You know, you are not as bad as you make yourself out to be,'' a voice said from behind making him whip around and see Nexus. How long has he been following him?
''Look, I don't want to harm anyone, but I need that money. Get out of my way,'' Marko said firmly, readying himself for a fight.
''Well, it depends what you need the money for. Not all crimes are the same. One thief steals for his family to provide bread, the other kills a man to steal his watch for vanity. I think you know that both are crimes, but one is less grave then the other. Is it the mafia? Do you have a family member they hold hostage?,'' Nexus tried again.
Marko looked at him for a few seconds, uncertainty flashing across his face. Eventually he made a decision.
''My son... he has tuberculosis. The money is for the antibiotics, for his treatment. Look, I KNOW you are a hero and I did bad stuff, beside stealing this money, but I NEED to get my son help. If you stand in my way, I will fight to kill you,'' Marko explained hoping to come to an understanding. He turned around to walk away, Nexus following after him.
''Ah, the american healthcare system. I get it, but you do know that they money will be traced? The insurance company won't accept your money, let alone getting your wife to go along with your scheme of using stolen money for his treatment, much as she would like too,'' Nexus pointed out making Marko stop. He turned around, a grave look on his face.
He didn't think about this. But he was right. He kew enough about the criminal underworld that he needed to bring this money to someone to 'wash' and 'launder' so that it would enter the system.
But THAT carried its own issues. It would owning the mafia a debt and once you own the mafia a debt you will never escape. They will make him their attack dog, much as he wanted to get better for his son. And possible even endanger his son, to make him compliant.
It was honestly a wonder, that he only remained a small level crook and didn't otherwise get himself involved with the mafia.
''Have you considered going to the Avengers? You are a super powered human now. Leverage every advantage you have and sell your abilities to them. You would be surprised with how many way there are to make 'legal' money quickly if you know the system,'' Nexus made him an offer. It also would be hilarious to have Stark pay out of his pocket.
Marko shook his head.
''No. I wasn't lying when I said I was a bad human. I killed someone. Both you and them would be obligated to turn me over, since I escaped prison before my time,'' Marko explained. There was also the issue that he didn't want to save other people. Sure he wanted to become a better person for his son. But he wasn't inclined to save strangers.
Nexus was about to explain that the Black Widow had a red ledger, yet was offered a clean record if she worked for them, but upon reading Marko mind he didn't bother.
Fair enough. But it was a little rich that he would do anything for his son, but then chose not to take the easiest solution.
''What if I gave you money? How much do you owe the the health care provider?,'' Nexus asked.
''Truly? You would hand over the money? Just like that? Are you like a rich person or something?,'' Marko asked hopeful, but with some apprehension.
''Or something. Tell me the number. I will transfer the money into your wifes account,'' Nexus told him.
''Just like that? Without batting an eye?,'' Marko drilled some more.
''Of course not just like that. There is a catch. I don't care what you do afterwards and I don't care what scary person you think you saw in prison or know out side of it. You and I made a deal here. If you decide to enter the hero world then good for you, otherwise never enter the criminal world again. Aside from that you can do whatever,'' Nexus told him.
The two stood there in a small standoff.
''12.567$,'' Marko eventually replied.
''And are there 12.567$ in that bag?,'' Nexus asked amusedly. Marko looked at the bags,before looking back.
''I don't think so, but anything left over could serve my family, since I am not there,'' Marko said.
Nexus hummed amused. A pity he couldn't use this as a publicity stunt, but oh well.
''Then I will transfer some extra money. Does 50.000$ sound okay? As a gesture of good faith,'' Nexus said, making Marko widen his eyes.
With his technomancy, it was not like he would behind any trace anyways.
50.000$ was nothing to his hundred billions. Beside for someone that could create anything out of nothing, money was worthless and only a tool at best.
''How do I know you transferred the money?,'' Marko asked skeptically.
''Go find your wife. Look into her account. If you see that there is no money, you can rob another bank. Now, shoo shoo, drop the bags and go with the wind,'' Nexus made a shooing motion.
Marko slowly dropped the bag and then stepped away. He turned into sand and ran away.
Nexus starred after him.
The next time they will see each other, Nexus will kill him, should he have broken his deal. It was the matter of principle.
...
Ghost Spider and Spider-Man worried a little about their friend as they chased the sand structure across the streets. Sure he said he was fine, but still he didn't come back till now.
The sand structure suddenly dissolved and dispersed into the ocean.
''Yo, I have the money,'' came Nexus voice through the inter com.
''Nexus! What took you so long? Are you alright?,'' Spider-Man asked.
''Yeah, I'm fine. I followed the original Marko Flints body in the sewers and he dropped the money bags before running away,'' Nexus told them. It was the truth, he just left out a few things.
So what?
''Well, we'll get him next time. Let's just bring the money back,'' Spider-Man said.
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''So your abilities are creating ice and turning yourself into ice?,'' Scott asked Robert 'Bobby' Drake.
Bobby nodded.
They were all currently in the simulation room and holding a trial for Bobby. With the Law of Solidarity getting passed down and people finding out that the School for GIfted Youngsters was a school for mutants many came to them. Some could join them, others not so much. The only person who joined them till now was Piotr Rasputin or Colossus.
Now they were looking at another potential candidate to join them.
''Well, that would make him a Omega level mutant then. Or maybe an Alpha, I'm still struggling a little with all those categories,'' Sarah said, being the only one to have free time on her hands to watch over them.
''An Omega? I wouldn't have considered him that powerful,'' Pietro remarked. Bobby nodded quickly.
Sarah rolled her eyes. Zero may have taught them creativity in using their powers, and sometimes the looked at shows from AFoxyScriptwriter to get even more ideas inhow to use their powers. But like Pietro who needed to be taught about phasing and friction, they all still lacked scientific understanding about their powers.
At least to some degree.
''Are you familiar with climate change?,'' Sarah asked making them all nod. Yeah that was still a thing, that no one could magically swish away. at least not to their knowledge.
''First the earth heats up, because CO2 traps sunlight inside and functions as greenhouse and then it eventually reaches critical levels and no sunlight can come in. This cools the earth, it freezes over, it happened in the past a few times. Naturally, of course. Theoretically Bobby could insulate the outer layer of the atmosphere with thick ice and then freeze the rest of earth over. At least I'm assuming. In other words he can bypass the tedious process of CO2 needing to build up,'' Sarah explained making Bobby widen his eyes.
At least she assumed it was the case. When it came to physical powers there seemed to be, EVENTUALLY, a limit to how much energy someone could exert. Wolverine, Quicksilver, Spyke, Talon came to mind.
But when it came to other abilities they never seemed to run out of energy. Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Madelyne, Wanda, Kitty.
It was driving Sarah mad, because the energy had to come from somewhere, she just couldn't find out from where.
''Okay, so he is, like, powerful. Let us not test if he can actually freeze the earth over. So we can all agree that we could use someone like him on the team?,'' Kitty asked. After some contemplation, they all nodded.
''Oh, well I hope I can contribute to the team, you all,'' Bobby said a little bashful. He never considered himself that powerful, but they seemed to overblow his abilities.
''n that case, we can only do for you what Zero did for us. Train you to hell and back. Trust us, you will hate us, as we did him, but you will be thankful in the end,'' Evans told him cheerfully.
''Correct. But first, we need to know where you stand. Hmm, Bobby why don't you spar with Wanda to see where yo...,'' Scott began only to get interrupted as the building rumbled. The X-Men starred at each other.
''Nevermind, Madelyne keep Bobby close to you, he will gather experience now. Wanda, please connect us telepathically. Let us move out, my X-Men,'' Scott commanded.
...
They came running upon a sight of a massive man starring up at Professor Xavier and Storm in the air. Storm was holding Xavier up with her wind as evidenced by the small tornadoes under Xaviers rolling chair.
''Come down so I can beat you up Charles,'' the massive man screamed.
''Who are you?,'' Scott called out drawing his attention.
''I'm the Juggernaut. Stay out of my way bitch. Better yet, stay where you are,'' Juggernaut laughed, before starting to sprint towards them.
''Watch out, once he builds momentum he will never stop, unless he wants too. Don't try to block him!,'' Xavier yelled out in concern to his students. It was a pain to capture his brother last time. He wondered how he escaped the holding facility, but right now he had other concerns.
Bobby immediately covered the ground with an ice sheet, upon hearing that. And while Juggernaut did slip, he didn't seem to lose momentum, granted he also didn't seem to build more as he didn't have leverage from which to build speed.
Scott immediately recognized that and told Wanda and Madelyne to lift him up in the air. Except that no matter how hard they tried he kept sliding towards them.
''I wasn't exaggerating when I said that he will never stop his momentum unless he wants too. Try to remove his helmet!,'' Xavier called out from the air, ready at any moment to stop his brother once they remove his helmet.
Scott quickly assessed the situation and made a plan. Though the interaction between them and Juggernaut was very brief, it was still enough to gleam what kind of person the Juggernaut was. One who delighted in destruction and someone who had personal beef with the Professor.
Zero taught him that a leader needed to be decisive and make quick decision, even if he had limited information, at least in battle. All that mattered most, was getting his people home.
Having shared his plan Wanda and Kurt nodded. As did the rest of the X-Men. Wanda rose in the air and began gathering air.
Bobby kept creating an ice sheet to keep the Juggernaut down and sliding, he began cursing him out and promising to break each of his bones. The distance they traveled was rather long as Bobby was forced to travel with him as the Juggernaut didn't want to stop.
Kurt teleported to Wanda and then he teleported her and him to Juggernaut, before teleporting all the way into space and letting go before the Juggernaut could get a hold of him.
Wanda needed to create a protective barrier as otherwise the suns radiation would kill them and /or suffocate them. By now, even if the Juggernaut wanted to stop, the vacuum of space wouldn't permit that. He teleported them back down on earth.
Seeing Kurt and Wanda nod, Scott congratulated them on a job well done.
''What did you guys do?,'' Ororo asked bringing herself and Xavier down.
''We sent Juggernaut out into space,'' Kurt shrugged. Bobby widened his eyes.
''I was hoping you wouldn't do that,'' Xavier replied gravely.
''Why? Who was that person to you, Professor?,'' Scott asked curiously.
''My brother. Much as he and I are in conflict with each other, he is still my brother. I... (*He sighed*) Nevermind. I wish to be alone and I also need to buy the materials to fix this damage. Carry along, young children, be about your day,'' Xavier said quickly rolling away. It was a difficult position for him to be in. On one hand it was his brother and on the other hand his students were almost all like his children.
The X-Men starred for a while after him.
''I'm surprised you went so quickly for the kill,'' Ororo remarked, making Bobby nod his head. Yeah, what was up with that.
''You disagree?,'' Scott asked. Ororo shook her head.
''No, I learnt much when I traveled all over Africa when I was younger. Sometimes people need to die, I just worry that this will be the default response to every one of your problems. You went for the kill far too quickly. There was the option of removing his helmet. Kitty could have done that easily in my opinion,'' Ororo explained making Scott draw his mouth in a line firmly.
''Look Scott, I know Zeros death impacted you all heavily, but he wanted the best from all of you. You. Try not to emulate him in a vain attempt to make him proud. That is something he wouldn't have wanted. This? This is something he would have done,'' Ororo admonished kindly.
Zero was a good friend and one thing she liked about him was that he didn't want people to be meek. He wanted them to express themselves in their own unique and best way. For all that he was harsh in his training he never patronized them or told them to do things his way.
Ororo sighed. Yet again she felt the sting of a friend lost.
Pity.
Scott turned his head slightly as the rest of the X-Men bar a few looked down as well.
''Try to take a few days off. I think you will all need it,'' Ororo said walking away.
''Man, this guy Zero must have meant a lot to all of you, huh?,'' Bobby tried broaching the subject. Piotr was curious as well, but was to polite to open the subject.
''He was an asshole, but damn it, I miss that guy,'' Pietro huffed.
''One of the reason we are as good as we are with our powers is because of him. His powers was only creating portals, but he kicked our butts for quite a while till we caught up to him and even then it was a toss up if we would win or lose. He was creative in using his powers. Kitty benefited most out of all of us from his suggestions on how to apply her powers,'' Evan said.
''My condolences for your friends death,'' Piotr said.
''It is fine. Take this as a lesson to what can happen at any moment in this line of field. You mustn't hesitate in defeating your enemies, for they won't extend such a courtesy to you,'' Scott told them.
Perhaps, Ororo was right. Scott gave them the rest of the day off and they all walked away to do their own thing.
Kitty, Rogue and Wanda stood together watching their friends depart and sighed.
Bell was such an asshole, but they couldn't deny that it was in a way comforting to see them all adopt such a mentality, most so for Kitty then the others, as that would mean they are more likely to stay alive.
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Bell gave Wanda a slap on the butt as she was cooking in the HQ,making her jolt and cast him a deadpan.
''So watchya cooking?, Bell asked shamelessly.
''Gulash,'' Wanda said, cutting a few vegetables.
''Again?,'' Bell remarked.
''The benefits of being a head cook. I can decide what to make for dinner. When will the others come?,'' Wanda asked.
''In an hour or so. They are all occupied with something. Still Gulash is getting stale. Maybe I should make something else,'' Bell wondered.
''Well, suck to be you. I was here first, better luck next time,'' Wanda playfully gave him the tongue.
''Or perhaps, I can simply snap my fingers and make another dish,'' Bell teased.
''Aw, but Bell, surely you wouldn't undo all your girlfriends hard work off cooking. That would make me so sad,'' Wanda theatrically fanned her face with her hand as she puffed her lips and tried to make her eyes a little teary.
Bell grinned and gave her a kiss on the temple.
''Then again saying no to a dish cooked by you sounds like a travesty. Carry on, little witch,'' Bell reasoned seriously making her smile and return to her cooking in satisfaction.
''By the way, have you been regularly visiting the Sanctum Sanctorum and reading up on all the stuff there?,'' Bell asked. Wanda nodded.
''Yes, after reading about Chthon I continued to read upon all other threats and stuff. By the way I found out more about Chaos Magic. Apparently it is the oldest and first form of magic, neither good nor evil,'' Wanda began.
''Yes dear, I have read the scrolls as well. Still am reading them in fact. Please get to the point,'' Bell wanted her to hurry up. No reason to beat around the bush.
''I was wondering if going to Mount Wundagore would help me gleam more about my powers. No wait don't make that face. It is not the Darkhold. Surely going there would not be a problem,'' Wanda quickly hurried along as she saw Bell close his eyes and tilt his head upwards.
''First of all, thank you for asking. Second of all, thank you for genuinely asking. If you had spent more time reading, you would have found out what Mount Wundagore is exactly. It is Chthons temple and the space closest to his pocket dimension that he enclosed himself in. He inscribed dark rituals into its walls and did a shit ton of other stuff there too. The Darkhold is merely a copy of said rituals as most people don't dare to go there, for good reason.
In other words, his magic is strongest there.
Hell, if anything, you going there will accelerate possession more then you touching or reading the Darkhold. In other words bad idea. Very bad idea,'' Bell patiently explained.
There was also the fact that Mount Wundagore was closed off magically by the Sorcerer Supreme, so that Chthon worshipers wouldn't speed up his resurrection. It would be easy for him to get past the barrier, but he rather not risk Murphys law by approaching that place preemptively.
Chthon wasn't his run of the mill enemy. He had millennia of experience over him. That mattered a lot, despite how much he trained with his training puppet clone.
''Oh,'' Wanda simply said, a little bashful. Bell rubbed the area around her kidneys a little.
''What is the matter, Wanda? Chthon is dangerous, yes, but there is no need to hurry. We have time to prepare for him,'' Bell inquired. She turned her head a little to hide her face.
''Alright then, once we eat I will teach you how powerful telekinesis actually is. I know I said that I wanted you to express yourself, but clearly you need a more hands on approach. Once we are done eating though,'' Bell declared, seeing her refuse to answer. Funny, her and Wanda seem to have some things in common after all. Both so easy to devalue themselves.
Wanda nodded and resumed cooking.
---
The two were in another dead dimension courtesy of Bell.
''Alright. Unlike reality warping that can ignore causality and effect, telekinesis is rooted by logic and science a little. If you understand these two you can achieve a plethora of things. Remember that I said telekinesis can allow you to stand on the shoulders of giants, even if you will never be able to kill them and eventually will be overwhelmed by their power? (*Wanda nodded*) See that planet over there? Watch the surface,'' Bell said.
Wanda did so and watched as one small point of light lit up on the surface of the planet. Then another and another until the entire surface was covered in light points.
''What did you do?,'' Wanda asked.
''Keep in mind. I only used telekinesis. I split an atom. i trust you know what happens then?,'' Bell asked.
''You created a makeshift nuclear bomb?,'' Wanda asked amazed. Sure she could have done so previously as well, before getting nerfed, but she didn't know she could do that with telekinesis alone.
''Yes. Now watch,'' Bell said, closing his eyes and forming a titanium ball in his hands from nowhere.
''There is no way you did that only using telekinesis. That is matter manipulation, entirely different from telekinesis,'' Wanda denied. Bell threw the titanium ball over to her making her catch it.
''Ah my dear Watson. I assure you this is elementary science my dear. Let me explain. Are you familiar with virtual particles?,'' Bell asked. As much as he was complaining about having had to learn about science, because he previously thought his reality warping was grounded on logic, he can't deny the sheer benefits he received from learning all that stuff. He was sure to use some of that stuff for his company.
''No what is that?,'' Wanda asked.
''So empty space is not really empty. Something called Hawking radiation exists. I already tested this out and confirmed it. Essentially with space expanding particles pop into existence and collide because of Quantum fluctuations. This destroys them. Matter and anti-matter. Or more commonly known as virtual particles. If you get so precise with your telekinesis you can grab those virtual particles and create stuff. Essentially it is matter manipulation with extra steps,'' Bell explained to her.
''Can you teach it to me?,'' Wanda asked eagerly. Bell nodded and then shortly slapped her hands as she immediately began forming matter in front of her.
''Hey? What gives?,'' Wanda asked shocked. It was one thing to have him slap her butt, but he wasn't the kind to beat them in an abusive way otherwise.
''You unconsciously used reality warping. You need to unlearn that and only use telekinesis for now,'' Bell admonished.
Wanda rubbed her hand a bit and then thought about something for a few seconds not willing to immediately jump back into training.
''Before we continue, you once said something about conceptual attacks?,'' Wanda asked.
''Yes. It is the highest form of reality warping. And every 1% has one conceptual attack or the other. Remember Jean telling us about the White Hot Room? Something like this. Imagine that telekinesis is an S-Rank ability, then ... Gae Bolge woud be an SF-Rank ability. No matter what you do it WILL pierce your heart, unless you have another ability that can conceptually stop it. Like a shield that always blocks. Or a shield that blocks one attack to save someones life. Stuff like this,'' Bell explained.
''Once we deal with Chthon, I want you to teach me proper reality warping. You know this stuff so much better then me. No, Bell, I can be taught by you and still express myself with my powers,'' Wanda quickly shot his rebuttal down, when she saw him open his mouth. He sighed and reluctantly nodded.
''Although I should give you a fair warning. Even I, despite training for virtually centuries, have only a couple of conceptual attacks under my belt. Conceptual attacks are extremely hard to come by, since it requires the persons perception to be warped and distorted in a way that is VERY unnatural to how usually human minds compute. In other words it will be a long and hard road ahead of you,'' Bell explained.
Now that he was thinking about it perhaps that is an explanation as to why the Sisterhoods teacher could escape his and Stranges eyes. That only left the question on how that teacher conceptually accomplished that. Without knowing that, he would not be able to counter it. At least not without exceeding immense amount of efforts.
Wanda nodded firmly and resolutely.
Good.
As Bell loves to say, nothing worthwhile is ever easy.
And she does need to pick up her slack as she couldn't let Jean and Bell face on the bigger threats out there by their lonesome.
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Spider-Man swung through the night.
It was fine, since it was a friday and he literally had nothing else to do. Not that a lack of sleep would really impact him since his spider power constitution made it so that he did not easily tire.
Still it was a quiet night.
---
Wilson Fisk was holding his event talking with random nobodies at his charity event and putting on a general approachable and friendly facade for these people and the cameras.
It was the usual drabble that he was forced to entertain at these events. Alas, it was for a noble sacrifice.
A servant came and approached him to inform him that it was time, making him nod.
Fisk took up the stage and softly tapped the microphone a few times to draw attention to his large figure.
''Ladies and Gentleman, esteemed guests, I would first like to thank you for taking the time out of your day to attend this event. As many of you know my company, Fisk Industries, regularly host such events to raise funds for various charities. Schools in Africa, Cancer research, rebuilding of infrastructure in war torn countries and so and so forth. Today I have personally decided to sell the Radiant Ruby on an auction today. It is a ruby that has been in my familys possession for quiet some time, for several generations in fact. And today I have generously decided to sell it for the betterment of mankind.
May I present to you the Radiant Ruby,'' Fisk clearly and softly spoke with his public persona.
His servants brought in a small pillar and removed the clothing to reveal the encased Radiant Ruby by a box of glass, only for the box to be empty.
Several guests gasped.
''It seems that someone stole my possession. No matter I trust in the competence of the NYCPD. Merely be merry, while I go inform the authorities. I apologize for the inconvenience,'' Fisk promptly apologized and removed himself from the stage.
He was carefully hiding his fury under composed pretense. He specifically told his henchmen to increase their security since he knew it was a very real possibility that someone would attempt and steal the Ruby. That he would suffer such a humiliation...
''Go check on Vanessa and Richards. And someone bring the head security guard to my office. I want him to explain himself. Dismissed,'' Fisk said curtly. Making his henchmen nod.
---
''Attention to all NYCPD. The Radiant Ruby was reported stolen by Wilson Fisk. Be on the look out for any suspicious activity,'' the police dispatch was played by A.R.A.C.H.N.I.D in Spider-Mans intercom.
Wilson Fisk? Fisk Industries? He wasn't actually all that far away from that location. Might as well take a look, since a bird eye view would make it easier to spot anything suspicious. At least easier then a frog perspective.
With a twip he changed directions as he ended his web swing in one direction.
Since time was off the essence, he decided to glide with his web gliders. It was certainly faster then swinging after all. He landed on a buildings pole as he ended his web gliding and pulled himself upwards with a web zip.
A.R.A.C.H.N.I.D was a highly intelligent AI and was helping him as well as he scanned the city landscape around the Fisk Industries building.
Spider-Man raised an eyebrow as he caught the sight of white hair dancing briefly atop the rooftop of a building. Yes, A.R.A.C.H.N.I.D you don't need to mention that as he caught the sight as well, but he thanked it anyways.
He silently began swinging himself after the person. After almost a minute he caught up to her. And it was a her.
White hair, black leather with a tail cat and googles.
He silently crept on the water reservoir as he watched her inspect the reported stolen Ruby.
Spider-Mans Bell senses were tingling.
Why did she suddenly stop to inspect the Ruby, when she knew people were chasing her? Something did not compute. Spider-Man analyzed her belt. There were a few things he could immediately make out.
Like a grappling hook. Pellets. And what was probably smoke bombs. And then there was also the small pouch that seemed to be able to hold something. But if there was something or not he knew not.
Hm.
He pulled out a small spider robot from his own belt and gestured for A.R.A.C.H.N.I.D silently what he wanted it to do, by focusing his lenses more and more on the pouch each time he stroke the rim of his lenses a little. Eventually A.R.A.C.H.N.I.D. replied in affirmation and took over the spider bots controls. It was specifically designed to be as silent as possible. Unless she had super senses, she wouldn't be picking anything up. That said it was time to spring his own trap.
In Bells own words. Give your opposition what they want. Play to their tune. Eventually they will come to learn that it was them that danced in the palm of your hands all along.
''It seems everyone dresses with an animal motif nowadays. What do they call you?,'' Spider-Man asked once A.R.A.C.H.N.I.D reported the spider bot behind her back. Now it was time to focus her attention on him.
The white haired woman stilled and then smiled sultry as she turned around and spotted Spider-Man on the water reservoir.
''Ah, Spidey. I was wondering if you and I would meet tonight. They call me the Black Cat,'' Black Cat introduced herself.
''And they call me the Spider-Man,'' he said as he hopped down from the water tank. He drew himself up and tensed his body, as Black Cat sultrily strolled over to him and trailed he clawed glove across his chest.
''Oh, I know. I have heard many good things about you and your friends. A shame that you are the only one out of the three of you that doesn't have a girlfriend. Maybe we should change that,'' she huskily wondered out loud and tilted her head.
''Respectfully, I have a girlfriend,'' Spider-Man said grabbing her wrist and shoving it away from his chest. He had no interest in getting touched inappropriately by anyone beside Sophia.
Although, immediately after saying this he wanted to kick himself. he remembered Ghost Spider telling him that anything he revealed about himself could put his civilian person in danger and risk his identity being found out. He barely managed to suppress a wince at his blunder.
''Oh my, playing hard to get. That is fine, you can dump her and be with me,'' Black Cat shamelessly flirted.
''Why have you stolen the Radiant Ruby?,'' Spider-Man asked. Maybe she was like Marko Flint, but he doubted it.
Black Cat pouted as she held the Ruby to her side. She moved her hand as Spider-Man tried to grab it.
''Come now, Spidey. Don't be a spoilsport. You can't mean to tell me that it is always work, work, work with you. I KNOW you and I can have a little fun. Don't worry, I won't tell your 'girlfriend','' Black Cat purred.
Spider-Man suppressed a smirk. Bingo.
''If you won't cooperate then I can only assume you have no good reason to steal the Ruby,'' Spider-Man said before lunging for her. A smoke bomb exploded in his face and he easily found her thanks to his hearing and her footsteps. He ran out of the smoke cloud and leapt over the gap of two buildings, trying to web zip himself the rest off the way. Only for there to some no webs out of his web shooters.
Oh she was good. Spider-Man thought as he landed on the wall and crawled the rest up, before quickly running after her, very quickly closing the gap between them.
Fine then, he will rely on good old parkour.
She jumped over another gap between buildings and shot her grappling hook to pull herself the rest of the way to the roof top. Spider-Man performed an enhanced leap. Rounding around a small wall he was greeted with a claw to his face. He grabbed it and ducked under it. Before he could do anything Black Cat performed a jump that hugged her thighs around his head.
With a spin she tried to twist in a way that would force him to let go off her wrist. Spider-Man complied and let go, but only to grab her calf with his sticky fingers and spin her around into the wall.
She picked herself up with some effort after grunting and wheezing having the air knocked out of her lungs.
''Wait, you want to know why I stole the Ruby? My father was taken hostage by the mafia. They threatened to kill him if I wouldn't help them undermine Fisk business. Please, let me go! You have to understand what is at stake here,'' Black Cat pleaded. Spider-Man stopped his advances at that info drop.
Black Cat pushed herself with some effort from the wall and put her hand on Spider-Mans masked cheek.
''Please, Spidey, let me go,'' Black Cat pleaded with fake sincerity.
Spider-Man said nothing for a while, but only after removing her hand from his cheek.
Eventually he held out his hand.
''Give me back my web cartriges and then go save your father,'' Spider-Man told her.
''Do you want our help?,'' Spider-Man asked after she quickly gave him his cartriges back.
''No, Spidey. No offense, but the mafia is not the usual villains you deal with. Still thank you for offering. See you around, Spidey. Hopefully under better circumstances next time. You know, you are not as bad as JJJ made you out to be,'' Black Cat said before jumping over the edge of a building.
Way to lay it on thick, Spider-Man said to himself watching her depart. Her acting skills lacked Bells authenticity.
Still, why would the mafia want to undermine Fisk? Assuming that was true. Or better yet, why associate Fisk at all with the mafia. Stark and Osborn were also rich, yet he caught nothing, not even a whisper, about them working with the mafia.
Something stank here.
Once a few minutes have passed, he held out his hand and the robot spider scrawled into his hand to deposit an object before moving itself back into his pouch. He turned the object over in his hands.
An USB, huh?
While he did initially have the intention to deliver the Ruby back to Fisk, the situation has changed. He couldn't make any decision without finding out more.
He would have to look over this with his friends.
Oh, buhu, Fisk was gonna lose a small loan of a few millions. Cry him a river, this seemed bigger.
He web zipped away, after putting the USB in his pouch on his belt.
---
Not as bad as JJJ made them out to be.
...
And stupid, she thought mirthfully.
The Black Cat undressed as she arrived back in her mother suite. She held the Ruby in her hands. As beautiful as this was, it was mostly a diversion.
Let Fisk think that someone stole the Ruby, meanwhile the true theft was that of the data.
She put the Ruby in her drawer, least her mother find it. Even if it was a diversion, she was a kleptomaniac.
She grabbed her cat suit and opened the pouch where she knew she put the USB in. Time to see where her father was imprisoned.
Her mirthful smirk disappeared.
The pouch was empty.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reaver carefully held the torch to the wall. This was not what he expected when he entered the Pyramids of Giza. All the walls mentioned was that Amon Ra defeated a great evil and that was that.
Which, great. Except he needed something more substantial.
It seems after all he will scour the entire continent of Africa. Well, not the entire continent, that would be a huge waste of time. But he would speed up the search through various methods.
Push comes to shove, he will seek out Amon Ra. OR he would search Mount Wundagore, now that Wanda has put that idea in his head. But that was an absolute last resort, if Amon Ra proved a dead end.
Still...
Reaver guided the torch around the blackness.
He didn't expect this.
This kind of technology did not belong in an ancient sarcophagus. Using his abilities to scan the area, he noticed an almost dead person entombed in it.
It seemed that whatever was here, was trapped after a great battle. Though the hieroglyphs spoke more of divine figure that was supposedly god on earth. Something, something, something propaganda speak for the 'god' bit more of then it could chew and got humbled hard and his followers await his supposed return or some such.
Quiet frankly he drew a blank here. The scrolls in the Sanctum Sanctorum did not mention anything about that and his meta-knowledge came short on who this could be. Since the corpse was dead, yet not there was not activity for him to read his mind.
He could kill it and not tempt murphys law.
The problem was that this was a holy place. Even he could tell that. And he wasn't talking about the peoples belief of this being a holy place, but it was genuinely filled, with what he believed to be divine energy.
Alas since he never saw divine energy, he could not be completely sure.
In the end, he decided not to tempt his luck further and decided to leave. He already risked a lot by entering the pyramids despite, having found that out.
Whatever that creature was. It was long dead and so his followers as well. It would not get revived.
Coming out of the pyramid he watched the night sky and sighed.
Alright then, time to play the stereotypical desert music as he walked across the desert with his trusty camel.
Onwards to Kenya.