CHAPTER 382 RESPONSIBILITY
<span style="font-weight:400">Peter Parker was an actual nerd. Where Andrew Garfield and Tom Hond were the hot model version of him, my version was the Rick Moranis version, minus the sses at the moment. The short kid had brown hair, and a very average face. Skinny as a rail he looked like he was ready to blow over at any moment. To an untrained eye at least.
<span style="font-weight:400">To my well trained eye, he was actually very well bnced. It was like watching a cat walk, but a dog stuck in a cat’s body. Whatever changes that had urred with the spider bite were still very new to him.
<span style="font-weight:400">As he walked up to me I could see why I wasn’t able to hone in on his Spiritual Energy, it was very different than when I saw him the other day. Where it was a weak me of power before, he was like a growing inferno. His skinny arms were actually dense muscles that the kid still didn’t know how to use.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Peter, it’s okay,” Gwen said as she walked beside him. I closed the romance book I was trying to read. These high schools only had crap ones anyway. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m not going to kill your Uncle,” I assured as Peter walked up. No longer wearing sses his eyes were focused behind the long bangs. “But I am going to tell you some hard truths…truths you may not want your friend to hear.” I eyed Gwen.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">She gave me a hurt look. “It’s okay, right Peter? I know you were bitten. I assume this is about that? Weston really did save you. I thought for sure you were going to die.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Trust me, you probably don’t want her to hear this,” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hey, I thought we were partners,” Gwen said, giving me a look. I frowned, looking from her to Peter.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s alright…” Peter said in a weak voice. “I trust Gwen.” I chewed my lip. There were some renditions where Gwen knew what Peter went through. And she was there when he was bitten, which I didn’t think happened in theics. Then again I wasn’t in any of them either. Considering what to do I decided to say fuck it.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Acting like I was putting the book away above me I swung my arm down and it flew at Peter. His hand moved up instantly, grabbing the book out of the air. His hair moved out of his face from the wind of the throw, but his hand held steady.
<span style="font-weight:400">“As you may have noticed, you are going through some alterations,” I said. “Hair growing in weird ces? Your voice changing? Weird hardenings in your body, especially in the morning.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh my god, shut up,” Gwen said.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">I held back a smile. “Like puberty, you are going through something very special. But the changes are very…arachnid in nature,” I admitted. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Arachnid?” Peter asked. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yep, the 8-legged freaks. Able to pick up things many times their own weight. Some have precognitive abilities. Climbing on walls-” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I did that!” Peter said excitedly, his eyes wide. “O-on ident. I got stuck on the wall.”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good. The changes are taking effect. It feels like it’s still growing too,” I said. “You have been given the power of the spider. Being bitten by a radioactive spider has be the least of your worries.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What do you mean?” Peter asked. Gwen was silent, realizing that she really should not have stayed for this.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I mean the world is changing, quickly. Mutants are bing more prominent. Everyone is working on some way to be stronger and better. That explosion at the Baxter Building the other day. You remember that?” They nodded. “I was there. Reed Richards and his associates were hit with Gamma rays and given powers not unlike yours.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I heard they were still in aa,” Gwen said.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“They are, but I have connections all over. Trust me, it will be out soon, they too have super powers,” I said. “I have my own, as you saw Gwen. The world is awakening into its true nature.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s that?” Peter asked, nervous as he studied me. I felt that he was a nerd down to his bones, the type of sci-fi nerd to read fanfics and daydream about being in his own adventure as the protagonist.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Chaos,” I admitted. “These changes are happening to good and bad people alike. The universe is indifferent to who it gives these powers to. So I am giving you a heads up about what you should expect. I hope that you will be one of the good guys.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are you one of the good guys?” Peter asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I think so,” I said. “There is a lot going on, especially in this city. Watch yourself. I’ll give you my number and if you’re not sure what to do, or you need help, you can give me a call.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What about my Uncle?” He asked, nervous as he asked the true question that was affecting him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I saw it in a dream,” I said. “You uh used your powers to turn to the wrong side. Your Uncle was killed because of it. I don’t know for sure it will happen, but it can. Just keep an eye on him over the next few months. Learn your powers and maybe help the world a little when you can, alright?” He frowned but nodded. “And remember, with great poweres big headaches.”
<span style="font-weight:400">—
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What the hell was all that?” Gwen asked. We were on the bus as it drove through the city. On our way to Dr. Connors I had been practicing my Nen and other abilities until her sses were over.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Which part?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The whole bullcrap about things on the horizon or whatever?” She asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s the truth. Shit is going to be hitting the fan,” I said. “You ever heard of…jeez I can’t think of anyone that’s actually active. Anyway over the next few months or years, superheroes are going to be popping up as superviins do the same.”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What the hell makes a hero super?” She asked. “A viin for that matter.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No idea,” I admitted. “Just stronger than regr ones,” I said. “Let’s hope they don’te up with ultra-superviins someday. That would not be Plus Ultra.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Gwen scoffed, shaking her head as she looked out the window. I caught sight of her Gantz suit again, unable to picture it on her. I asked, “have you taken the suit off once?”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I shower,” she said as if that answered everything. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“In the suit?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“No,” she said, but didn’t rify. “What is it called anyway? Do you call it the Suit?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Originally it was called the Gantz suit, which stood for God Alien Neutralization Training Zenith. It was made to help people train for an alien invasion,” I said. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are aliens real?” She whispered. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes,” I whispered back. Especially in this universe. “A friend of mine called it the ARMIS suit. umtion Reinforcement for Marginalized Individual Suit.”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why that name?” She asked with a frown.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The nanobots umte where they are needed, and reinforce. And it was designed to help marginalized people.”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hmm ARMIS? I kind of like it,” she said. I nodded, but she began again. “What kind of aliens are there?”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“There are the Skrulls and Kree. I always get them mixed up. One is green and the other looks like us…I think. I’m pretty sure they are both bad. I don’t know any of the other types. But there are a lot out there.” Guardians of the Gxy was part of the Marvel Universe and they were always going to weird aliens. “As many different races as there are different people on Earth.”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How do you know all this stuff?” She asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The real question is why you believe me,” I said, eyeing her.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">She thought about it for a moment then shrugged. “I don’t know. I always kind of thought there was more out there. You think we can travel the stars someday?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You and I?” I asked, perking up. “Stick with me and I can guarantee it. I’ve been to a lot of different ces. I’ll show you around.” She smiled wide, her Haki glowing with more hope. I couldn’t help but wonder if I could keep the promise.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Here’s our stop,” she said standing up. Pulling the brake we were off the bus and walking toward a more residential area outside of town. Tall homes all around us we were in the very rich neighborhood.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Jeez, being a scientist pays this well?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I guess,” she said. “I came here once for a meet and greet with all the interns.” She eyed me. “You really think Peter has super powers now?”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Pretty sure,” I said, but felt some jealousye to her. “Don’t worry about it. The Gantz suit will make you pretty strong too.” She let out a sigh but nodded. We walked in silence as we continued on. Eventually we came to a house that looked like all the rest.
<span style="font-weight:400">Red brick exterior, a bay window out front, 1 car garage to the side, steepled roof, they were all pretty standard. Old me would have gone crazy for a ce like this. It was weird to think I never really owned a house in my other worlds. Then again other Weston had the Capsule house, that was good enough.
<span style="font-weight:400">Gwen walked up the front door and knocked. “Dr. Connors?” We waited, nothing happened, but I felt someone inside.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Keep going,” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Dr. Connors!” Gwen kept knocking. After the 3rd break the person inside finally moved. Coming quickly to the door I could tell their Haki was off.
<span style="font-weight:400">Grabbing her wrist I pulled her back and pushed her behind me as the door was opened forcefully. Gwen jumped and I was ready to fight but who met us was a tall man in a nnel shirt and long beard.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Gwen?” The man asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Dr. Connors, hello,” she said, stepping around me. “Sorry to bother you. I just…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, it’s fine,” the man said. Wiping crust from his eyes he looked out the door to the sun. “What time is it?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“About 4:30,” she said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sorry,e in. Please.” He walked in. Gwen and I shared a look but followed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sorry about the mess?” The man said. He began pushing papers on his dining room table into a pile. “Do you want something to drink? I’m still on an energy drink high so I have plenty.” There were cans of Red Bull all over the floor.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No, thank you,” Gwen said. She looked at me but I couldn’t think what to say. The man in front of me was different than I expected. About 6 foot 2 inches he had brown hair. A scraggly beard. And looked more like a hippie than a scientist. There was something off about him that I couldn’t ce.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I just wanted to check on you. It’s been a while and I wanted to make sure you were okay,” Gwen said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s nice,” Dr. Connors said. He yawned widely. “Sorry, I guess I need more energy. One sec.” He walked over to the kitchen and I finally noticed what was wrong.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Has he always had two arms?” I asked as Connors stepped out.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What? Yeah, of course,” Gwen said. “Why wouldn’t he have 2 arms?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I uh…I thought he didn’t,” I said. In theic Dr. Connors lost one of his arms and became obsessed with Lizards. Since they could regrow their tails he wanted to mix their DNA with his and try to grow his arm back. That was his whole viin story. The experiment went bad and he turned into a reptilian version of the Hulk. Green too, not very original.
<span style="font-weight:400">He walked back out and I began to study him. Looking at the Spiritual Energy of his legs they seemed to be made of flesh as well. Curious if I was even on the right track I found something off on his side.
<span style="font-weight:400">Some kind of liquid stored in a pouch there was a tube leaving it and going right into…his groin.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh fuck,” I said realizing he had no dick. My own dick ached in sympathy for his own. I finally understood the man in front of me.
<span style="font-weight:400">Obsessed with getting his arm back in canon, I didn’t understand why he would care. I would much rather lose an arm than my eyes like Demoness, but she didn’t spend her life trying to get eyes back. But this man was missing his dick. I would kill who I needed to kill and make deals with whatever devil I had to to get my dick back.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s wrong?” Dr. Connors asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">I frowned, ying through it all in my mind. “Gwen, why don’t you step outside?” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What?” She asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Do I know you?” Dr. Connors asked, studying me for the first time.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Gwen, head outside,” I ordered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No,” she said, unsure what I was doing. I saw the disc of the suit under her shirt. I hoped that was enough.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What’s going on?” Dr. Connors asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ve been on the trail of something for a while,” I said to him. “My family was killed in a car crash. On the truck that hit us was a barrel with the Oscorp hexagon logo.” Dr. Connors stiffened. “Inside that barrel was a blue goo. A goo that made me fuse to whoever I touched.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Dr. Connors heart rate increased. Beginning to sweat he looked from me to Gwen. “I heard that a man named Connors was involved with criminals. A criminal named Barracuda and the other called…Kingpin.”
<span style="font-weight:400">With that Dr. Connors began to grow and turn green. “Gwen! Out!” I said, pushing her toward the door. I jumped at the half lizard man, punching him in the face. He was thrown through the wall, but finished transforming.
<span style="font-weight:400">Scuttling on the tile floor with his long ws he was 9 feet tall, and had a long maw that looked like it belonged on a T-Rex. Huge teeth, head and ws he was much bigger than I imagined.
<span style="font-weight:400">The lizard man hissed at me and met me head on. ws scratching at me, my Nen took the majority of the damage but my topyer of skin was scratched. I began pushing Armament Haki into my body wherever he scratched.
<span style="font-weight:400">Punching and hitting him for all I was worth he took the blows but bounced back, surprising me by how durable he was. I shot Sparks into him, but they never went further than his scales. The electricity streaking along his body he bit into my shoulder causing me to yell out.
<span style="font-weight:400">Punching him in the eye as I continued to yell as I hit him over and over. His eye socket became a bloody pulp but he flung me to the side and I hit the wall hard. Crashing into a TV I was stunned for a moment. Shaking my head I moved to fly at him but hesitated as Gwen jumped at him.
<span style="font-weight:400">The muscles of her Gantz suit bulged and she punched him in his one good eye. The Lizard took the hit, then with a snarl his long ws extended out and sliced her through the middle.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No!” I roared, mming into him with all the speed I could muster. Using Timeflow I hit him 12 times in quick session in his middle and he was thrown through the wall into the garage.
<span style="font-weight:400">Uncaring what happened to him I turned back to Gwen. She was lying on the floor. Blood and guts pouring out of the suit.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Fucking idiot,” I said moving to her in an instant. I felt resistance to using the power but forced my Timeflow again. Ripping the Gantz suit open in a smooth motion I should have pushed her out of there. The suits were great against blunt damage, not so much against shear. The Timeflow ended and I began to panic.
<span style="font-weight:400">I pushed her innards back inside as she coughed up blood. “I did it,” she mumbled. “I helped.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You helped so much, babe,” I said, wiping sweat out of my eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Babe?” She asked weakly, but I ignored her. Charging my hands with electricity I truly listened to what was wrong with her. Her body speaking to me, I understood a little better what Medici meant.
<span style="font-weight:400">The body was its own mind. Everything connected, doing its own part. Like the parts of my brain that controlled my Powers the body had its own voice telling me what needed to happen and where.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s going to be okay,” I said more to her than me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I know,” she said, smiling slightly as my hands glowed brighter.
<span style="font-weight:400">“This is going to hurt,” I said and pushed the power into her. She cried out as the electricity crackled against her nervous system, forcing it to do what Imanded.
<span style="font-weight:400">Gwen cried out in pain as I held her down. The rips in her stomach sealed up and scabbed over but the healing wasn’t done. The insides were the worst of it. Power moving down from her nerves into her bowels they lit up as well. She began to shake but I continued, feeling the damage rather than seeing it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Long seconds she convulsed then with a ragged sigh she finally passed out. I kept up with the work making sure I got everything. Talking to her body over and over as I scanned it. When it was mostly healed I stopped and sat down.
<span style="font-weight:400">Blood covering my hands, I was sure it was on my face as well. Gwen’s stomach was covered in blood and I had ripped the suit too much. Inadvertently revealing her breasts.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Shit,” I mumbled. Standing up I looked through the hole in the wall. I couldn’t see or feel Connors. “Double shit.” Looking around I grabbed the Red Bull he had opened and chugged it. My night was going to be a lot more annoying.