Marvel - The Void

3rd POV:

They were incredible lucky. The excuse that the emotional upheaval made them dead tired, was not such a great excuse when the risks were so great.

Melina, remembering the two love birds yesterday, left them alone. She knew her son enough to know he was very responsible. It was also the weekend, so they could sleep as long as they wanted.

And so it was that the two woke up, this time properly, without being disturbed. 

Bell already saw it in the night, but Gwen saw it only now. It was clear there was dry blood everywhere on her body, even if faint.

Before she could apologize again, it was Bell that first opened the conversation.

''Morning let us see to your wounds,'' he smoothly instructed, acting completely normal.

''Morning,'' Gwen replied back, while sitting on the bed. She became red in the face as she could see Bell knee down and remove the band aid around her tight. She was still embarrassed, but he already saw her in her underwear yesterday. So why should she act too weirdly?

''I was right, you do have a healing factor,'' Bell told her as they both looked at the place on her tight. Smooth skin was visible and no scar in sight.

Well, at least now Gwen knew why she was no longer aching.

''Bell, what about all the blood on me? I can't return like this. And I have no clothes. My parents are probably wondering where I am, if they haven't already broken down the door to my room,'' she was starting to panic. She did say that she would find an excuse for her absence, but now that the time came she drew a blank.

''Have you read no comic books or learned anything from your father? Or something else of the sort? The best lies are half truths. Tell your parents you were worried sick and needed company. You spent time at my place. If they ask how you escaped, remind them of the fire escape near your window. As for the blood? You know where the bathroom is, one moment,'' Bell offered her a solution while removing the rest of her band aids from her body. Afterwards he moved to his closet and picked out some clothes.

''Here. Now go and take a shower,'' Bell handed her one of his shirts and some pants. They would be over sized for her, but at least she would no longer move around near naked.

Gwen took the clothes shakily and nodded and made her way to the door. Bell grabbed her arm.

''What are you doing? Dress now or did you plan to walk down the hallway and risk mother catching you. It is not THAT much dry blood to dirty the clothes,'' Bell chastised her. Gwen suddenly felt much better. That was what made her apprehensive in the first place, though her relief was quickly replaced by feeling silly.

---

''There you two are. Oh my,'' Melina greeted while preparing breakfast. She did was set to do some operations later on, but it was still early enough that she wanted to spend a little time with them, even if they slept in. She did make the comment at the end when she saw Gwen wear Bells clothes, and also having some wet hair, clearly having taken a shower.

''Sit, sit. I'm making breakfast, we can converse. No, you too will sit,'' Melina commanded Bell when he moved to help her in the kitchen. He stopped and then slowly sat down near Gwen.

''Tell me. How long have you two been together,'' Melina asked while moving around the kitchen.

''It is a rather recent development. We planned to tell everyone sometime later,'' Gwen replied when Bell wouldn't. But also a small part of her wanted to remind him of what he was in now, before he could change his mind.

''Well. I'm glad you two finally got together. I half feared that Bell would spend the rest of his life alone. But also, Eve and I had a bet going on. To see who would crack first. You know how it is,'' Melina fake whispered conspiratorally to Gwen while casting a 'angry' sideways glance at Bell.

''Wait, you two expected us to get together? Was dad in on this bet too? Or did he bet on Peter?,'' Gwen scrunched her nose a little at the thought. She loved Peter, but as a brother. Now that she said it out loud in her head, she wondered why she never saw Bell as a brother.

Oh right. He was too distant to form a proper brotherly relationship with and they all only truly tied the knot after he saved them during the Hammer expo. And by then she developed a crush on him.

''Oh, heavens no. Men can be romantic, but they are not as inclined for love gossip. Besides, can you imagine your father entrusting his princess to another man,'' Melina gushed. Gwen cast a side way glance at Bell and he just shrugged. Most of this was news to him as well.

''That said. I trust Bell. And I am really happy for you two, but I have too confirm. You didn't do anything... risky?,'' Melina asked setting down the plates and pouring them some tea.

Gwen went beet red at what she was implying and began sputtering.

''We are expecting,'' Bell replied making Gwen sputter even more.

''Oh, well I am glad then. Make sure to wait a while, until you are older before doing that. I am too young to be a grandmother,'' Melina replied back. Gwen sputtered even more now, choking on her own spit at her mortification. Bell patted her on her on the back.

Melina cast Gwen a small smile. She knew her son. What mother wouldn't, even if it was difficult sometimes to connect to him. She knew when he was being sarcastic.

Before they could continue to converse, Melinas phone rang and she picked it up, when she saw that it was Evelyn.

''One moment. Eve, good morning. How can I help you? Your daughter? Yes, she is with us. Oh? Oh, OK. Fell free to come then. Alright goodbye,'' Melina talked into the phone and then hang up before casting Gwen a look. Gwen winced having heard her mothers frantic voice, with her enhanced senses.

''You ran away from home?,'' Melina sounded disappointed.

''I ... was terrified for my father and did not handle it in the best way,'' Gwen slowly gave the excuse. Melina mistaking her hesitation for embarrassment and nodded in understanding. Then she smiled proudly. So she was terrified and came to her son, huh.

''Of course. You are always welcome here. Your parents will arrive here in a few minutes. Oh, until then. Do you want to me to show you some of Bells baby pictures,'' Melina decided to go about her duty in embarrassing her son. Weren't all mothers supposed to show his significant other baby pictures in order to embarrass him?

Gwen sought permission from Bell, not wanting to risk push him away by souring his mood. Now that she understood how delicate he actually was, she was much more aware of her interaction with her.

Bell on the other hand, could not care less. Babies were disgusting and embarrassing. All of them. There was nothing he was ashamed off as everyone went through the same rite of passage.

Besides what right did a wretch like him have to ruin their fun?

''Sure,'' Bell gave his approval.

---

''Oh, here is Jack in our small pool we once had trying to teach him how to swim. Oh and here Bell is trying out something beside the baby formula for the first time. You were always such calm child. I remember your grandmother telling me that babies could be a nightmare. I think I was rather lucky in that regard,'' Melina gushed and addressed Bell at the end. Gwen was sitting beside her on the couch looking down at Melinas lap and the photo album. Bell was leaning on the couch watching over their shoulder.

Gwen liked the time spent here, but she could not help but note that Bell looked bored , impassive or melancholic even from early on in life.

Ding 2x.

''Oh that must be them. ... Oh, will you open the door please, Bell,'' Melina said, sitting back down as she wanted to stand up. Bell was already on his way to the door and opened it.

George burst in and Evelyn looked apologetic. He looked around until his eyes finally landed on Gwen... and her garb.

''Where are your clothes?,'' George asked Gwen while casting Bell as suspicious look. Before she could answer he bolted up the stairs and entered Bells room, no one followed him.

Evelyn apologized profusely, while Gwen just sat still, tense, her heart pounding in her ears.

''If your clothes are here then why do you wear his?,'' George asked coming back down and holding her clothes.

What?

Gwen looked perplexed at the clothes and then at Bell. Did he not find the suit? She knew did not get around to changing the sheets yet. Did her father not notice the blood or all the band aids?

''George, for fucks sake. Calm down and let the two speak. You are conducting yourself inappropriately,'' Evelyn hissed out.

''Well?,'' George asked with forced calmness, hid eyes looking into Bells.

''Dad, it is my fault. I was terrified for you and wanted comfort, so I snuck down the fire escape staircase,'' Gwen went with Bells suggestion.

''I already figured out how you escaped. We will talk about your recklessness later. You, I asked you a question,'' George asked him.

Bell did not anticipate George wanting to arrive at their house. He could have of course asked Gwen to go change back into her clothes, answering her questions later. But he knew George was only using his 'obvious' suspicious as a pretext to confirm his actual suspicions. Seeing him barge in like that immediately confirmed it for him. There would have been no stopping him going into his room and snooping around.

''Your daughter was terrified and I did, indeed, comfort her,'' Bell replied to him calmly. Gwen swore one could have cut the air in half with how silent it was.

''Oh? And how did you ... comfort her?,'' George softly whispered, promising pain if he would not like the answer.

''As a boyfriend comforts his girlfriend,'' Bell was suddenly grabbed by his shirt and brought closer to Georges face. Evelyn was digging her nails into Georges biceps and even Melina stood up, ready to intervene. George ignored Gwens plea to let Bell go.

''In other words your punk ass exploited her emotional state to take her virginity. I should have you arrested for coercion,'' George warned him.

''Oh, please. We only engaged in some light petting. I didn't get off at all yesterday, your daughter on the other hand ...,'' Bell scoffed and he was shoved between the wall and George. George pinned him with his forearm on the collar bone, his arm dangerously close to his throat.

''Do you think a punk like you is worthy of my daughters affections?,'' George asked him with a dangerous edge.

''No,'' Bell succinctly replied and George scoffed at the pretentious prick. Behind all the adults back, Gwen balled her hands into fists knowing Bell was fully believing his own answer.

''It is terrifying isn't it? To watch a child grow. To know they are approaching the day they will leave your nest, 'ready' to face the dangers out in the world. I can't claim to know what you are going though. I have no children of my own, but regardless of your beliefs on me and our differences, we both have Gwens best interest at heart and her safety. You with ... your way and I with mine,'' Bell calmly pacified him. George widened his eyes a little before slowly removing his arm and the others breathed a sigh of relief at things calming down. George cast a quick look back to Gwen and then to Bell.

''So she has told you.... On the very same day that I revealed that to her,'' George remarked and Bell shrugged.

''Him? Really? Peter would have been a better choice,'' George stepped away and addressed Gwen subtly watching her posture to see if she was leaning on one leg, Evelyn gave him and elbow to his sides.

She snorted both in disbelief how Bell calmed things down as well as what her father was implying and the fact that her earlier throwaway comment proved true. She was however mortified at what Bell implied, the only reason she was handling it so well was because she knew it was not the truth.

''How long has this been going on between the two of you?,'' Evelyn asked.

''It is a rather recent development,'' Gwen replied and her father looked at her with disappointment.

''And you... engaged in that so soon into your relationship. I'm disappointed in you. Did you only do what Bell said? Or did you go all the way? Did you at least use protection?,'' George implored her feeling embarrassed, but still needing to know out of worry.

Gwen looked mortified. She was experiencing that emotion a lot recently, she noticed.

''Dad! Of course I am still a virgin,'' Gwen assured him.

''Good, no more of that until you both are adults. Now, if you excuse me, I must give Bell the talk,'' George grabbed his shoulder only for Evelyn to grab his arm again.

''No, I'm putting my foot down. I understand that was your way of worrying, but we could have find out about that without you ruining everything. As a nice little surprise, a moment that should have sparked joyful memories. Now they are tainted by your tantrum. Melina it seems I won the bet after all,'' Evelyn joked a little.

''Indeed,'' she cast a spiteful look at George for putting his hands on her child.

''For what it is worth, I don't share his inclination. Bell is a wonderful child. And Gwen? I am really happy for you two, but George is right. Nothing more sexual between the two of you until you both are adults. Now that we know you are safe, we will leave you alone. Feel freed to come back or spend another night here,'' Evelyn congratulated her daughter.

''But...,'' George began only for Evelyn to interrupt him.

''But nothing. We will the two in peace after what you did. We will have words on this. Goodbye you two have fun you two, but that kind of fun,'' she teased them a little and dragged George out, he put Gwens clothes on the couch on his way out.

...

''What was your bet anyway?,'' Bell asked curiously already moving past the encounter and distracting the women.

''Huh? Oh! We had two bets going. One who would make the first move. That was a losing bet as we both knew, if you two ever got together it would be Gwen making the first move, but obviously I had to side with you. The other bet was when exactly you would get together. I bet after school and Eve before your High school graduation,'' Melina replied.

Gwen tried to suppress a smile and failed.

''Hm. Can't say I blame you for knowing better, but thank you for siding with me anyway,'' Bell nodded thankful.

''Of course. You are my son,'' Melina told him with a thick voice, suddenly very emotional. As if the fact alone that he was her son was worthy to be showered in unconditional love.

Bell felt dirty.

He knew she would no longer love him if she knew the truth of his nature.

---

''I can't believe what happened this morning,'' Gwen despaired dragging her hands across her face. The two decided to go to the abandoned train yard after the whole morning fiasco. More like Gwen wanted to talk in a secluded place and suggested the train yard and Bell did not protest, but still.

''And you! What were you thinking, telling dad such things?,'' she bit out in frustration.

''Your father suspects you of being Ghost Spider,'' Bell gave her something else to focus on. Like a cold shower she instantly calmed down and sobered up.

''What?,'' she gasped.

''You didn't notice it, but he was watching you like a hawk. And please, you don't actually think he would have barged into my room just for suspecting us of such an activity? He would have sharply questioned us and still throw his weight around, but he would have not violated my privacy. His desire to see you safe triumphs over all else, including you 'foolishly losing your v-card to a punk like Bell'. Well so long as both of us are willing. Though rest assured he still cares about your virtue even without his first priority. He was hoping to find your costume in my room. He may respect your privacy and won't snoop in your room most likely, but he doesn't hold my privacy to the same value as yours and took his chances,'' he informed her.

''Of course, if you can sniff me out with only a few hints, then he can sniff me out as well. What father wouldn't recognize his own daughter, even in a costume? I really messed up with the ballet shoes, you are right they are too big a hint. And why for that matter did you have to give specifically that response? Could you not have chosen ANYTHING else to tell him and get him of our back?,'' Gwen moaned back to despairing.

''Oh? It is 'we' and 'our' now?,'' Bell teased her a little.

''Bell,'' Gwen snapped, needing him to be serious.

''I told you, the best lies are half truths. But when telling a lie, perception matters a lot too. If you understand a persons personality and their belief system a lie is more likely to fly past their radar. Our parents trust us, mostly because they know we are responsible, but at the end of the day we are still just children to them and that makes them have certain fears or beliefs about what we could be doing. Wrong things, inappropriate things, name it what you will.

I simply redirected the flow of conversation, dangled the carrot in Georges face distracting him from what he was actually chasing and made him chase me down the rabbit hole till he calmed down and forgot about his actual prey. For now. Don't slip up now, I assure you he still harbors suspicions,'' Bell warned her and she nodded jerkily.

Her mind however was focused on another thing aside from her father still suspecting.

The way he talked about lying, the tone of familiarity. He looked in his comfort zone. No wonder he pulled the wool over their eyes for so long about his issues. When did his issues crop up? How long has he been lying to them all, suffering in silence.

A part of her was hurting for him and another was betrayed.

Gwen bit her lip and swallowed. She wanted to change the subject and looked down at her clothes.

''How did you...? You too have some power, don't you?,'' Gwen asked him and Bell walked a little before letting his ass fall on the steel pipe near where she was also sitting.

''...Yes,'' Bell admitted.

''Thank you for saving my ass back there and giving me my clothes. May I know what power?,'' Gwen inquired.

''I... No. I promise you when my issues are resolved I will tell you immediately,'' Bell replied, disappointing her.

''Can I at the very least know, if you are like me? Will you use your power to help?,'' Gwen asked him. Frankly she was surprised he was not already helping others, what with his nature. 

But then again, it was probably for the better that he did not dress up as a vigilante. What with him not being in a right state of mind. He would probably take it too far and die in an attempt to save as many people as possible. If he felt unworthy then what was his life in exchange for theirs after all?

''Gwen... Are you sure?,'' Bell changed the topic. There was no response he could give that would not implicate him to be Nexus (the sword guy). She was smart and would pick up the hints.

Besides, he wanted to be sure if she had not changed her mind.

Gwen moved closer to Bell and grasped his hand in hers.

''I haven't changed my mind. I stand by what I said yesterday. I really don't know what sort of impression you have of yourself, but I assure you you have more then enough qualities that make you worthy. Let me help you, please,'' Gwen assured him sincerely.

Bell cast her a look and nodded jerkily.

He thought back to what his night whispered in his ear yesterday and made his choice.

To paraphrase what he once said to Kurt. He would try and try his best. Let that be enough in him succeeding.

He stood up and Gwen watched him.

But for now, Bell directed his attention to another matter.

''You may know ballet, but you clearly don't know martial arts. Correct?,'' Bell asked her.

Gwen widened her eyes a him.

''You want to teach me how to fight?,'' Gwen asked him, trying to come up with an excuse to avoid such a scenario. She did not know what his powers were or how durable he was. She was afraid she would hurt him.

Bell simply rolled his eyes at her. He did not need to read her mind to know what she was thinking.

Bell walked a little and picked up a train compartment before moving it a few meters and putting it back softly. He would trust her not to tattle. And should she tattle, well, he would do what must be done and break off contact with her.

He turned back watching her slack jawed expression.

''Forget me just simply teaching you about martial arts. I will teach you how to lie and many other things besides. IF you want to continue this, I would prefer you to be capable and competent. This way you will minimize the risks to yourself, great as they already are. Will you accept me as your teacher? Unless, of course, that was a one time thing?,'' Bell offered her.

Gwen quickly shook her head and hurried to clarify as there were two questions.

''No, I don't plan on stopping what I am doing. You two were right and dad himself does not believe in the government. If it weren't for me, my father would have most likely died on that tower. 6 super powered people are clearly not enough for the world. I... I want to make a difference. Even if I manage to save only one more life at the end of the day I would consider this a worthwhile endeavor. Besides The Avengers are clearly only getting called for major events and I want to help the little people. So, yes. Please teach me, Bell,'' Gwen accepted his offer.

He gave her an approving smile and she knew at once that he too was somewhere doing his own thing to help people. Even if he would not tell her, what he was doing exactly. Shame, she wanted him to focus on his mental health. But time. With time and some efforts, they would help him.

''Hm. Very well. First let us talk about how we schedule our training regimen. Fair warning. I am a slave driver. I strive for excellence in everything I do and expect the same from you,'' Bell warned and Gwen nodded determined.

How bad could he be?

---

It took every effort to appear normal as she entered her home. She ate, conversed a little with her parents. Her father clearly wanted to ask a lot of questions, but whatever her mom told him after they left made him not pry. Afterwards she took a bath. Then she collapsed on her bed.

It was just the first day and she partially regretted agreeing to be trained by him. She was already able to stretch in a lot ways from ballet and the spider bite seemed to have only enhanced that.

And yet Bell had her do stretching anyway, telling her to do it everyday by herself while he makes a more proper regimen.

Gwen never knew humans could stretch in such ways, yet Bell claimed she would be able to do it. And she did, with a little bit of his help.

Her muscles were burning.

Gwen was sure, he would owe up to his word as a slave driver. This was just the first day too.

Wait!

Gwen bolted upwards, wincing and then letting herself drop back down into her bed.

Where did Bell put her costume?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

''The few days have passed. I will have your answer. After thinking it over, do you still wish to swear allegiance to me?,'' Nexus asked the women. He was sitting in a chair and they as well, in the middle of a large meadow.

Five women and eight girls, trained as spies, assassins and the women as seductresses too, with the girls being in training.

The first option was sending them on their way, the second option was making them papers, giving them money and sending them on their way too.

Both options forced them to rely on themselves (more the first option then the second), the problem was that The Matron took care of their 'identities' and 'papers'. They did not have real papers, not anymore. With the Red Room being wiped out they no longer had papers, not even fake ones, let alone real ones. They had no one to turn to and no where to hide. They had little family to begin with too, as such girls made for easier targets.

Smart. As that made the only viable place for home the Red Room. The women were forced to return, as otherwise they would be killed or arrested. Who would have them after all the red in their ledger?

They were accountable for their choices, guilt seemed to weigh them down, but Nexus did not hate them or desire their death. He too understood the desire to live. That drive could make one do many things.

No, the only ones and truly responsible where The Matron and her soldiers. And they were dead.

The third choice he was forced to present them upon their insistence. He would give them papers, papers free from scrutiny, money and a job working under him.

''We still stand by what we said. We all wish to swear allegiance to you. All we request is that you leave the girls alone and only make use off us. Do that and we would do anything for you,'' someone he remembered introducing herself as Anya reminded him. She leaned a little forward, presenting him with a clear view of the ridge between her breasts.

Hm. Yes, Nexus understood something about desperation too. And they all were desperate.

He ignored her clear invitation.

''Hm. Your request is not unreasonable. But before I accept I will have the mettle of you. I understand I saved you, but WHAT precisely makes me so desire able as your boss. For all you know I could be worse then The Matron,'' Nexus asked them.

It was actually one of the girls that spoke up first wishing to present her observation from her own analysis, just as she was taught. 

Not that any of them were truly loyal to HYDRA. One could only speculate up from a certain age that if a person would be beautiful. And at that age indoctrination became difficult as they all remembered fonder times before the kidnapping. Especially under that harsh environment.

''We were all taught how to kill efficiently and quickly. What you did to the soldiers and The Matron was nothing short but mutilation, especially The Matron. Their death were drawn out and messy. Even if they died quickly, they did not die quick enough. Either you take joy in suffering and are a sadist or you were angered. And from what else we have observed we suspect it to be the latter, Sir,'' the girl stepped back after her assessment. Several of the other females nodding along.

Nexus rubbed his fingers against each other, giving the impression that he was in thought. 

He was not.

With the recent plans he developed he did need agents as a matter of fact. He was just putting on a show, giving them just a little bit longer to reconsider. It did make it possible for him to pretend he was not taking advantage of their desperation.

''Very well. The five of you swear allegiance to me and I will fulfill my end of the bargain,'' Nexus instructed them and the women began giving him an oath.

It was rather archaic, Nexus mused, but the spirit was there.

''Now, you will wait for a few days as my friend will make your papers, dating back several generations and with just enough mistakes to imply human error in the system. Afterwards I will contact you again. As it happens, I already have a job for you,'' Nexus told them and they nodded.

He brought them back to the safe houses afterwards.

It was only later on, that a thought entered the womens minds.

They knew their past made them untrustworthy in most peoples eyes. And yet he was pretty nonchalant when accepting their service.

Either he had ways to monitor them or the might to not worry about betrayal. 

One way or the other it did not matter. None of them planned on betraying him.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

''Ready?,'' Nexus walked though the portal and banished his sword and with it the portal as well. This time he did send a message ahead so Laura was waiting on the couch and did not jump up ready to attack him. Sarah was taking a shower and was informed by Laura he was coming.

''I am ready,'' Laura replied. The two of them walked through a portal.

''What are you dealing with this time?,'' Laura asked taking a position on the ground near Nexus. He brought out the binoculars again and the two observed the terrain.

''This HYDRA base is the largest one that houses extraordinary people. Mutants or other wise. It is practically a concentration camp. They are, of course, performing various human experiments. End goals include, but are not limited to, cloning, replication, mimicry, gathering technological advancements where possible by observing performance of various powers. And if all else fails, mind control them to make them work as HYDRA agents. The facility is ran by one Baron Von Strucker. Nasty fellow,'' Nexus summarized to her.

''Big base, many enemies. Big enough that they could not hide the base and had to restrict and prohibit entrance in the area. It is clear to any observer that this is a military complex. Many victims too you say? I thought you worried that the sighting of victims would risk alerting other HYDRA bases and make them scurry in the wind. That was the whole point of making us hide in the first place,'' Laura pointed out curtly. Did he have some kind of plan?

Yes, well, he said that before pulling the stunt with observing the entire earth. There was no point in going with that plan anymore as he know knew every HYDRA agent. Not even Arnim Zola was slick enough to escape his telepathic probe with him being an AI now. The few other HYDRA bases that had victims and people to rescue required him to use telepathy to cure their mind control and he would not bring Laura for that, preferring to keep that card close to his chest.

But also, not all of the mind control victims were good people under that mind control. Yes, he was essentially hiding his dirty laundry from Laura, not wanting to sour their relationship by making her watch him kill 'victims'. She did grown on him as a ... friend.

There is also the fact that some of the more tricky HYDRA heads required powers that his swords could not reasonable replicate. Not without raising eyebrows at least. Those required personal intervention as the bombardment from the Triskelion would not be enough.

Look at him moving up in the world, he sarcastically commented in his own mind. It would also be nice to part on good terms assuming they never meet again. Doing that would also not sour all the things he taught her, in their borderline therapy sessions and make her discard their lessons.

This would actually be their second last time together after busting some HYDRA bases together after the Red Room. All those victims were bunking together in of the biggest safe house he had after he have them papers and a new identity. When all this is over they could depart and make their own life. They were thankful enough to fulfill his request and hide.

''Indeed. You observed correctly. This will be the last HYDRA base containing human victims. And the second last time we go out together. As for the rest of the HYDRA bases. I already scouted them out and for them I have something else planned in mind. There are no victims in those bases, so you don't need to worry,'' Nexus assured her.

Laura was confused why her chest clenched at the prospect of losing him.

''In other words you will enter that base with a bang. This big plan, when do you plan on putting it in effect?,'' Laura asked him putting the binoculars down.

''In a little more then a week,'' Nexus replied.

Lauras chest clenched again. She was starting to get confused and annoyed. She had super healing, she should not have any chest problems.

''I see. Well then, whenever you are ready,'' Laura gestured. She would just rail behind him as she did the past few times.

---

''And how are the twins performing? Were our predictions right about the scepter enhancing their powers. Does Pierce suspect anything, that we have stolen the Scepter?,'' Strucker asked his scientists looking at the Scepter on the table.

''We only had the scepter for almost a week. And while it seems to affect the brother in some way, he was noted to gain increased speed, the sister can claim no such thing. The scepter does not affect her, but she still continues to slowly gain energy from somewhere,'' the scientist replied.

''We still don't know from where?,'' Baron asked.

''No, Sir. We are still investigating, But we believe it has something to do with the brother possessing the X-Gene and the sister not.''

''What of our other subjec-'' his questions came to an abrupt halt as the ceiling gave in and a figure burst trough, falling on him. The sword cut the Baron in two and before any one could react a rain of swords pierced through the scientists and soldiers in the command room. At the same time a rain of swords also took care of the soldiers on the rest of the base.

Honestly?

Nexus was starting to see the appeal and why so many people in his first life loved the concept of Gilgamesh throwing his arsenal around. It was versatile, deadly and efficient.

Thought unlike Gilgamesh, his swords simply appeared and then began moving. There was no Gate of Babylon or golden portals. And his powers extended beyond that, he was just using his powers this way to not cause panic, by being perceived too powerful, as well as making other people underestimate him, if they were not good enough to feel his energy.

He doubted the HYDRA heads that needed his personal intervention would be as smooth to kill as those normal humans.

Laura jumped through the hole after him and landed on her feet. She looked at the carnage in front of her.

''When you said you will hit them hard and fast I expected to take this at least as long as all the other bases. I did not expect you to practically kill everyone in seconds. Foolish. One should always bring 100% to the fight,'' Laura chastised and followed Nexus in looking down at the Scepter.

''Perhaps, perhaps not,'' Nexus replied.

''What is this?,'' Laura asked.

''This is something I have now seen for the third time. All I know is that it releases some gamma radiation,'' Nexus pondered.

First in Lokis hands, then in S.H.I.E.L.Ds hands as well as files and now here. Well, he did eventually want to seek this thing out and see why so many people coveted it. So might as well.

''Whatever it is, it is clearly important, so might as well take it,'' Laura suggested to him. He nodded and picked it up, before throwing it through a portal in his pocket dimension.

''Let us search for the buttons. One of them should surely release all those prisoners,'' Nexus told her.

He made sure to 'fail' in his search and let Laura find the button.

''How many do you think there are?,'' Laura asked as Nexus pressed the button and the two watched the cell doors opening.

''It seems to be about 14. Let us go before they panic and we have issues on our hands. They are probably wondering what killed the guards around them,'' Nexus told her.

---

''What happened here?,'' one of the younger prisoners asked seeing the swords sticking out of the guards and blood pooling everywhere.

''Forget that, we need to escape this fucking cages. Whatever killed them might be after us as well,'' another prisoner began slamming himself into the cage, clawing and pushing.

Alas they cages were designed specifically for each individual. They could not use their powers to flee their cages. Even afterwards, they could only use their powers in limited amounts as they had inhibitor collars. The only one they kept constantly changing was that red energy women as her power kept growing. They always sedated her before doing so.

''I don't want to die, I don't want to die,'' a girl began weeping. her situation was already bleak and she feared she would eventually die here. But being directly confronted with the possibility of death brought new terror into her.

Meanwhile Pietro and Wanda moved to the end of the wall that was connected to a glass wall with holes in it to let air in. Sound would travel if they talked and they often did so as their cells were always next to each other.

The benefits of being 'volunteers' and complying.

''Wanda, what now? Should we attempt to flee. Our plan is in ashes,'' Pietro whispered.

''It is not. Perhaps we are being rescued. Either we have what we wanted from the Baron. It was only a matter of escaping that was the questions afterwards. Are you alright?,'' Wanda asked worried for her brother.

''Yes, I am. I don't understand however. He already gave us powers with those horrible experiments why try that Scepter on us? Why is it doing something on me but not you?,'' Pietro asked. He was glad of course. Not being affected meant his sister was safe, but of course he was worried for himself too. He did not want her to be left alone in the world.

Before she could answer the doors opened.

The prisoners slowly came out of their cages looking around.

''Hello, there. You are being rescued. Please do not resist. Step forward in an orderly fashion for me so that I can unlock your collars,'' a guy called to them from the entrance to the hall of cages.

He waved his hand showing them they keys he picked up from the head scientist. Laura stepped from behind him and watched the victims.

''Rescued? Really?! Did you really kill them all by yourself or did the woman help as well?,'' the youngest eagerly ran forward to him. Some of the other prisoners attempted to pull him back, since they did not trust the two individuals, but he was too fast.

''He did most of the killing by himself,'' Laura was the one to reply as Nexus was unlocking the collar. More like all the killing, but she wanted to save at least some of her pride.

''That is so cool. How do you do it? Do you forge the sword or do you call them from somewhere? My power is only suppressing other powers. I know, pretty lame. They actually used me to design those collars, they told me,'' the boys babbled away as the others stepped forward and had their own collars unlocked.

And finally Wanda stepped last. She had the thickest collar of them all. Nexus suspected it was because she was the only one not to have the X-Gene.

Hm.

He did read the Barons mind between the time he burst through the ceiling and cutting him. He was using the Scepter to try and force mutation on the X-Gene. That seemed to coincide with what he read from Xaviers unreleased research. High stress situations could force the awakening of the X-gene earlier then normal, which the Baron regularly achieved with his experiments. Xavier also suspected further mutation being possible. Something he called secondary mutation on the X-Gene, short secondary mutation. Baron was trying to force such a thing on the victims here with the Scepter.

It did beg the question of what Wanda was then, as she did not have the X-gene.

The moment he unlocked Wandas collar he was flung back from a scarlet energy surge. He quickly dismissed all his swords as they all were thrown away from her and he did not want the victims to be cut up by his swords. He also made the split second decision to lower his defenses a little as he slammed into a metal pipe and his forearm was sliced open. He began bleeding.

Laura sprang up from her place and unsheathed her claws. She lunged at her and Pietro put himself in front of his shocked sister. It was completely instinctual and foolish he realized a second later as he should have just picked Wanda up and dodge the attach with his super speed.

It was Nexus that saved their lives as he grabbed Laura by the waist and stopped her momentum.

She struggled only to slowly stop moving as some clarity returned to her. And with it more of her awareness. She turned to Nexus forearm when she smelled blood and resumed her attempt to skewer them with renewed vigor.

Some of the other prisoners picked themselves up during this time.

''What was that? You never did that before,'' one of the victims asked. None of the victims were harmed aside from Nexus.

''I ... I don't know. I'm sorry,'' Wanda replied guilty and stepped from behind her brother to his side. She should not have been capable of this. As far as she was aware she could only inflict nightmares on a person and affect the mind in small other ways. As well as read the mind of others.

''I can probably answer that. The collar was probably like a dam and when I removed it a lot of 'water', aka energy, was released and you could not have stopped the flow. Or maybe you lacked the control. Either way, if SOMEONE could calm down, we could converse about the course of action now,'' Nexus warned Laura with some bite.

His theory was not wrong. Nexus did see the special device they attached her to when they sedated her and exchanged her collar for a better one, when he read the Barons mind.

She locked angry and frustrated, but in the end obeyed him and sheathed her claws. He let her go and she stood beside him, looking worriedly at his forearm.

''I'm so sorry about your arm,'' Wanda told him feeling guilty.

Yes, they did volunteer to Struckers experiments to gain powers and enact revenge on Stark. And they did plan on running away from here eventually, but even if they had no plan what to do after Stark is dead, they did not want to harm people if they did not deserve it.

''It is fine. The risks come with the job and I had far worse. Anyway, the question of what we should do with you all is important. Did any of you have a home or family, before you arrived her?,'' Nexus asked.

They all shook their heads.

''Mhm. Well in that case you have a few options. We part ways and you try to make your way out of this forest by yourself. Or we could bring you to Xaviers School of Gifted Youngsters. He will pick you up and provide you with papers and an home. There will be many others like you all too,'' Nexus told offered them. Laura cast him a look.

''And ... this school. Is it really a school or is it a pretense for something like this. Is it a concentration camp?,'' one of the victims asked tensing.

''No. Xavier has a reputation and a bleeding heart, especially for those like you and him and all others like you. You will have no need to worry there, you will be safe. If you won't take my word for it, there is always option 1,'' Nexus assured and reminded them.

It was unsurprising, but all of them chose option 2, after some debating amongst themselves.

Laura and Nexus watched as the rescued prisoners made their way over to the mansion/ school. Nexus did open a portal a little far away, right outside where he knew their defenses ended, or more like their observation range ended. At least on the technical side.

Wanda and Pietro were the last to go, she apologized again profusely and asked him if there were any bad feelings between them. He assured her there were not. Then they too departed.

For now they had no other place to be, so they would use this as their home. If their plan required it, they could always run away and get revenge on Stark.

''You know, it makes no difference anymore. If you want I can bring you and Sarah here too. The time of window is too small to do anything realistic about it, even if they find out now. It takes a while to move a base inconspicuously and without attracting attention or moving their agents to capture you back,'' Nexus offered her the choice, even if he did want to force her into some more therapy sessions.

''You said that this would be the second last time we would be together, despite this being the last HYDRA base containing victims. Who then is the last person or people you plan on hunting down?,'' Laura asked.

''After WW2 HYDRA was post prevalent in the USSR, specifically Russia. When it fell, there was much confusion and HYDRA split in many branches. They already tried to imitate the ancient lore of hydras, like in the tale of Hercules, but it was at this point that the most branching and splitting occurred. So to speak.

In that confusion, oversights happen all the time and one Baron Helmut Zemo used that opportunity to change his life style, from an intelligence officer to the quiet and easy life. A farmer in Sokovia.

It was over a women of course. Not because he has an actual guilty conscience. And now he has a son. My informant assured me that the women and child are ignorant to the ideology of HYDRA or his past, but I can not allow even of speck of HYDRA to exist after my big plan.

As they are fond of saying: Cut one head off and two shall takes its places.

No. I must be like Hercules and burn its entire corpse to ashes with fire.

If ripping a husband and father from two innocents makes you queasy then I understand. I will, as agreed, drop you two off here,'' Nexus explained the truth to her. It was a big decision and he wanted her to make an informed choice.

''I will come with you. Knowing what I have seen it will be brief, but ... I like this, even if I am just a tag along,'' Laura told him having made the decision quiet quickly.

Nexus nodded.

''If it is any consolation, we can terrorize him a little and hunt him down like prey, before I kill him. He has done the same with his victims, even if he did not participate directly and let his goons do the deed,'' Nexus promised her.

Besides, he need his fix. It has been quiet a while since he toyed with a leech. Actually toyed and not just granted them a quick and brutal death.

''Good. now to the serious matter. We need to treat your wound. How bad is it?,'' Laura asked worried. She never actually saw him take a hit as most enemies died to quick, before they could fight back. But is seemed he was just a normal human in constitution and did not posses a healing factor like her.

Nexus made a show of inspecting it.

''It will probably need stitching and the blood has dried up so it needs cleaning as well. And with the position I can't do it myself,'' Nexus analyzed.

''Come to us. Sarah can help you,'' Laura quickly offered.

''I suppose that would be optimal. Let us go,'' Nexus acquiesced and opened a portal.

---

The moment they stepped through the portal Laura looked around and spotted Sarah making food in the kitchen. She ran a little and leaned on the counter.

''Drop making the food and help Nexus. He has been hurt,'' Laura instructed and Sarah quickly turned around in surprise, catching Nexus shaking his head behind Lauras back.

Oh?

Oh!

He has been 'hurt' and of course he needs help. Though a part of her wondered if he really was insane enough to get hurt for the purpose of helping her daughter or if he could control his healing, if he had any.

''How bad is it?,'' Sarah played along.

''Not that bad. It only needs some stitching and cleaning,'' Nexus replied, getting rid of his jacket and showing his wound.

Holy shit, it was really bad. He was right that it needed stitching and cleaning, but the chance was enormous that he could gain an infection. He was acting quiet nonchalant, so Sarah was sure he definitely had a healing factor. She hoped.

''Oh, you are right. In that case, Laura, you help him. I'm not finished with the food,'' Sarah replied turning back to making food.

Laura starred at her incredulously. Wasn't she the one that tried teaching her about being grateful and stuff? Sarah seemed pretty ungrateful now. Besides, unlike scavenging she was never taught anything about medicine as the HYDRA agents judged for it to be no need, what with her healing factor. She was completely incompetent in that department.

Before Laura could explode on her Nexus sat on the couch and began ordering her around.

''In the bathroom there is a First Aid Kit. Go and bring it here, you will be the one to stitch me and don't forget to wash your hands throughoutly,'' Nexus instructed her with a no nonsense tone.

Laura hesitated for a brief moment wanting to argue, wanting to rage at Sarah. Instead she feel back into the familiar habit of following orders. It helped that the orders came from Nexus.

''Hm. The blood has scabbed. Pour a lot of disinfectant on it till it becomes moist then pry the scabs gently with the sterilized band aid,'' Nexus instructed her again after she came back, having done exactly as intructed.

She sat on her knees beside his resting arm on the couch and started pulling out things. Nexus positioned his arm a little so that the liquid would not immediately move down his arm, but roll slowly and stay a little on his wound.

''Does it hurt?,'' Laura asked worried.

''No. Continue pouring a little more, I doubt it is moist enough,'' Nexus assured her, but then made her focus back on her task.

After a while of pouring some more disinfectant Laura picked up the band aid. And it was here that her hands began trembling a little.

Doubts began creeping in. What was she doing? Her hands were only made for killing. What if she messes up? What if she is not good enough to save her friend? What if... What if...?

With trembling fingers she began using the band aid to pick at the scabs, she began panicking a little when new blood began pooling out, but Nexus told her to continue.

''Why remove the scabs?,'' Laura asked confused and swallowed thickly.

''Because of bacteria. If a wound is not properly treated and disinfected, infections can occur thanks to the bacteria beneath the scab. We need to remove the bad scab and have the right kind of scab, the clean kind of scab. Does that make sense?,'' Nexus explained to her patiently. She nodded quickly in understanding.

Eventually she removed all the scabs. A lot of blood was pooling out by now.

''Take this rope and tie it around my biceps. We need to slow down my blood flow in the arm or else we will get nothing done. But be mindful, once we do that we are on a time limit. If blood stops flowing through my arm for too long necrosis can set in and I will lose it. Be at ease, we will untie the rope long before that happens, but it does mean we will need to start again,'' Nexus handed her a rope.

Laura began sweating a little on her forehead. Her fingers felt sticky ans she wondered if it was because of the blood or her sweat. She picked up the rope. After putting it around his arm she looked at him before tying the knot.

''Tighter. Tighter. Yes, good. Now tie the knot. Yes, just like that. Pick up the band aid and disinfectant again and start cleaning the wound of my blood,'' Nexus ordered her.

She did just that, this time the blood flow was slowing down.

''Now pick up the needle. You ever stitched? (*Laura shook her head paling*) No? Don't worry, I will be with you every step of the way. I trust I am in safe hands. Pick up the needle and the thread. You want to puncture me one end of the wound,'' Nexus assured her.

''Won't that be painful for you?,'' Laura asked worried.

''No, I am used to pain,'' Nexus waved her concern off. More like dampened his pain receptors a lot.

''You want to push the flesh together before puncturing it. No, too much. No, still too much. You want to push the flesh very softly together,'' Nexus corrected her patiently.

With every mistake she made she only became more nervous, but eventually she got it right and the needle went trough his skin. Puncture after puncture, instruction after instruction, in and out, the needle formed a pattern until eventually she reached the end.

''Good. Now just disconnect the thread from the rest of it. Do not attempt ripping it. That would only worsen the wound by pulling on the stitches. Cut it with something,'' Nexus told her.

Instinctually she unsheathed a single adamantium claw and cut the thread from the needle as well as the other end.

Seconds later she recognized what she did and starred at her claw in wonder. All her tension and stress pouring out of her like a water fall.

''We are no quiet done, Laura. Please pick up the disinfectant again, this time just pour very little of it over the wound and then apply the band aid around it,'' Nexus instructed for the final time.

This time she moved calmly, but still quickly and with clarity. After wards she removed the rope around his biceps.

Nexus made a show of inspecting her work and then hummed.

He put his hand on her head and rubbed her hair affectionately. She closed her eyes and leaned into it, giving herself to his praise for a job well done.

''Why don't you pack everything and bring the First Aid kit back to the bathroom? Afterward we can enjoy a nice dinner,'' Nexus suggested, this time his voice was back to its usual self as he had no longer any need to orders her.

She nodded and went to the bathroom after packing everything. Instead of immediately going back to the living room after putting the kit away she starred at her hands. After a while she unsheathed her claws and traced the flat of her claws in reverence.

It was so simple.

It did not amount to much in the grand scheme of things, cutting the thread with her claws. She could have just as well used a knife or scissors.

But ever since she could think, she only thought of her claws as weapons and thus herself as a killer.

It was so simple.

But for the first time ever she looked at her claws as tools.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bell tapped his finger on the table quickly and repeatedly. He was sitting on his chair in his room.

He planned on hunting the more troublesome HYDRA heads by himself throughout the next week, but for now he was currently free and with nothing to do.

Sooo... Stan?

Actually, there was something he could do. He could start reverse engineering the spider serum and then give it to Peter. Sure it will take him a few days, but by then he will start hunting down the HYDRA heads. He planned on doing it after Project: Insight, but what with him having free time now he could move it up.

Or!

He could hunt down the final HYDRA agents, who were not agents at all and cure them form their mind control.

Or!

Bells tapping increased in frequency.

No.

NO!

He was just making excuses now. What will he say after Project: Insight? If one tried hard enough one could always find excuses to not do something. Oh, he needs to do this. Oh, he does not have time for that. Oh, he has no interest in that. Oh.... Oh.... Oh....

Bell stood up and began pacing in his room.

No.

He has resolved himself to try, for Gwen and mother and all the others. And if he was honest, he needed to find some sort of solution as all this back and forth could not be good for those around him. What if he snaps and does something he will truly regret?

Sometimes a faulty weapon is more dangerous then a functioning one or a completely useless one.

He began hyping himself up mentally.

He will go to that pizzeria, Papi's Pizzeria. He will sit there and start talking. About his past li... about stuff. He will talk, Stan will talk and then... and then.

Oh god, he was getting dizzy and the noise picked up again. He sat down on his bed. He couldn't do this. He couldn't. The thought alone.... there was nothing more terrifying.

...

...

...

...

NO!

He sprang back up. He tuned out the noise and ignored the bile in his throat.

NO!

He will go to Papi's Pizzeria! He will talk! He will confess! If he was too much of a coward, then he will confess over time! He will admit his sins! He will verbalize all his crimes! And hopefully at the end of it, Stan has some advice for him.

Some way to make up. Some way to repent.

Bell sent his body on autopilot before he loses the wind under his sails.

---

Bell arrived pale as a ghost to Papi's Pizzeria. Some sweat was trickling down his temples and he looked visible sick. His hands were clammy. And he felt as he was lugging a mountain behind him, every step closer to his destination felt heavier and heavier. And it felt like an age passed till he arrive here, the time it took from his home to here much longer then usual.

Unknown to him or more like he failed to notice thanks to his state of emotions, his control faltered and his energy sipped out and reacted to his emotions. The street lights took too long to switch colors, too many people suddenly had need to walk somewhere and so the walking speed was slower then usual. Rush hour at a time there should be none, only a few hours passed after most people go to work after all. Someone specifically asked for his help when he passed by someone trying to load their couch into a truck, for moving to another place. And so on and so forth.

But while his dread was sipping out, so too did his resolve. And that was working in his favor.

In the end there was no earth ending event to distract him. No situation that needed his intervention or a large group that happened to need rescuing.

Nothing of the sort.

Just a pale as a ghost man looking at Stan.

''Bell, it has been a few months. I have feared you have almost forgotten me. Come take a seat, take a seat,'' Stan tried to lighten the mood a little, after seeing that Bell was clearly not in his right state of mind. He made it so that the others would not pay attention to them and their conversation.

Stan watched as Bell moved slowly and took a seat at the table.

''Now, before we talk and converse as friends, I wish to give you a warning. Never do what you did with that Black Hole again. That is one of the few things where I or my Living Tribunal are putting our foot down among other things.

You can use still use Black Holes, but not to kick start the Big Bang, and thus the reformation of the universe, early. In other words make sure the explosion is massively mitigated, especially from massive Black Holes.

Those things must follow their natural cycles. I'm not angry or punishing you, as it was already a dead universe. But I am giving you a warning this one time. Never do that again,'' Stan immediately began with a grave tone. He was serious about his warning, but not so much about punishing him or fighting him.

Stan was fully confident he could beat Bell, so long as he he did not have access to the other power he could feel in him. The same terrifying power and presence as he felt around the multiverse cluster.

That unending abyss, where even his power meant nothing or very little.

He would never kill Bell, even if he did see a few versions of him die in the multiverse and nothing happened. But he personally had no wish to test and risk the ire of his benefactor. If Bells benefactor could grant him an aspect of that power, then he or she must be terrifying indeed. Bell too maybe, but so far none have unlocked that part of their power.

But so long as he could convince and impress Bell that he could and would take action if he pushed this issue again and make him comply, Stan would be happy. 

So yes, he did have an ulterior motive to talk to him by trying to reduce the destruction Bell could cause to the delicate system he worked so hard to create. But he was also truthful when he said that it was lonely at the top and wanted someone to converse with. Maybe even as a friend.

Ironically color immediately returned to Bells face and he stopped looking sick. While it was a warning, one he received, it was also a distraction that he latched on to.

''I have received your warning loud and clear. But if I may ask some question for some better clarity?,'' Bell inquired.

''Of course, ask away,'' Stan told him.

''You talked about natural cycles of the universe. Please expand on the matter, if you would,'' Bell requested and Stan nodded.

''When every star dies, when every planet freezes, when the gods die out and light vanishes and leaves everything in darkness. When matter settles and motion means nothing, one power remains. Gravity. Matter attracting matter.

Eventually the explosion turns into and implosion. In the vacuum of space when even energy is still, the gravity will affect matter even from lightyears upon lightyears away. They approach each other and approach each other and then a Black Hole reaches its natural end.

Boom.

Big Bang.

And BECAUSE matter was so close together after the explosion it will also be close together when star dust starts making celestial bodies.

Now what happens if the bodies are too far apart? After the explosion matter will still be far apart and thus the likelyhood that celestial bodies form is decreased. Right now there are about 36 galaxies less, thanks to the early restart. It will take several reruns until that world corrects itself back to its constant galaxy numbers,'' Stan explained grabbing two glasses and filling them with cola.

''I see. Does that mean that fate exist, if you talk about a constant number that stays the same despite a rerun?,'' Bella asked and took the the offered glass.

''Dear me! Nothing of the sort. Fate does not exist, people are responsible for their own choices. That does not mean that probability does not exist or that someone is making moves from the shadows to achieve a certain event for one reason or another. That said, me personally I would like there to be a certain number of galaxies. Guilty as charged for indulging in my fancies,'' Stan shrugged his shoulders.

''Who is the Living Tribunal?,'' Bell asked next.

''A body I made with the extension of my will. He is following a set of directives I have imbued in him so that I have less duties. Like me, there is only one of him in the entire multiverse, though both of us can be at multiple places at once. What he does is keep the balance of the universe and hold court between cosmic entities,'' Stan replied.

So basically a puppet clone then, Bell concluded.

''One final question and then we can talk about something else. Anything else I need to watch out for? Things I should not do?,'' Bell inquired playing with his glass a little.

''As I have already hinted, you can go to other universes, you can even act there a little, you can even stay there for an eternity, but in no way or form should you intervene too much or take too much from another universe. The first example that springs to mind is your stunt with the Black Hole. But other examples include, sucking out all the energy from another universe and eliminating the cycle, rewriting the laws of physics, eliminating the barriers between the universes and that uphold the multiverse. And so on and so forth. Basically don't do anything that affects the entire universe and you are golden.

Oh and whatever you do, do not make a deal with the One-Below-All. Aside from the things I mentioned you can do pretty much whatever,'' Stan explained.

Bell nodded slowly making a note not to risk his wrath or displeasure again.

''A moment. One-Below-All? I see that hell and heave exists here. Fascinating,'' Bell muttered to himself. Stan frowned.

''What? Do you mean to tell me that where you came from there are no hells or heavens?,'' Stan asked him perplexed.

''Hells and heavens? What do you mean by that?,'' Bell asked.

''Well, different cultures have different forms of afterlife. The gods and many other entities have created pocket dimensions to house the souls of people. Be aware however that some of those entities have created pocket dimensions to entrap souls and use them to power themselves up,'' Stan replied.

''That is not what I have been told. I have been told that all souls go through a cleansing process before they get shoved back down into the body of a newborn. In other words no hell or heaven. And I am inclined to take his word for it. Tell me, do souls sometimes just disappear? Especially at the rebirth of a universe. You did tell me that 'when ALL gods die', so those pocket dimension will cease to exist. Where do the souls go then? Do they stay in stasis till life sprouts in an universe?,'' Bell reasoned.

''No. No. Don't be ridiculous. Souls don't just cease to exist. After the pocket dimension collapses souls go to.... souls go to....,'' Stan started looking stumped and looked down at his glass with concentrated effort.

Bell watched as the gears slowly turned in Stans mind. he gave him his time until he widened his eyes a little.

''Holy shit. I never noticed. I don't think I even remember making souls. I just knew and they were always there. Everything else I tinkered with. And you are right. I have no idea where souls go at the end.

That explains so much, on the other hand,'' Stan mused to himself in amazement.

''Oh? What do you mean?,'' Bell asked.

''As I said, there are entities that use souls to power themselves up permanently. But it is an incredible slow process, with minimal gains and slow progress. They often die, before their practice amounts to anything. Now I know it is not because a soul is not valuable, but because it returns to that system you described. That cleansing process. It must take souls and thus power away from the demons and they can not make up the difference. Not enough to truly matter anyway. I'm sure if I look hard enough I will notice other blind spots aside from those two examples,'' Stan sounded giddy. Like a child having found a new toy to play with. Stan always wondered why the demons never gained too much strength from their practices. From everything he knew, it should have worked. Now he knew that he was missing one piece of the puzzle. A piece he completely overlooked. Or was he made to overlook?

''What are souls anyways?,'' Bell asked Stan bringing him back down to earth.

''Huh? Oh they are basically containers for the mind as well as the very system by which the mind gets attached to the body. There is no mind without a soul. It simply does not exist. There is no body without a soul if it has a mind. It simply does not exist,'' Stan informed him.

''Soooo, does that mean that Artificial intelligence can not be sapient and sentient at the same time? Does that mean that AI can not have a will, not like all the other living biological beings?,'' Bell entered in a philosophical discussion curious for insight.

''Hmm. Well, god created humans in his image. Or so the saying goes. Why shouldn't humans have created AI in their image. If they can act the part then shouldn't they be considered living beings? Even without a soul,'' Stan argued.

''But mimicking something does one not make something,'' Bell counter argued.

''Imitation is the greatest form of flattery,'' Stan shot back.

Most would not consider that an argument, but Bell understood what he was implying. And what his actual argument was.

''Hm. I suppose you are right. What, indeed, is reality? Is it perception? Or is it a state of mind? Or something else? Humans clearly can not perceive reality as it truly is, because they lack the biological equipment. So which reality is the true reality? That which we observe or the unobservable? Our perception of reality is an imitation of the unobervable reality. And yet we judged that imitation worthy enough to work with it everyday and treat it as real enough. Why then should Artificial intelligence not be real enough to BE real, in spite of the imitation? Excellent argument. I can offer no more counterargument in this discourse,'' Bell closed the discourse. It did give him new insight and made him reevaluate his idea about androids as a police force.

''Wait, seriously? I'm surprised I convinced you of my argument. Don't humans fear artificial intelligence, because of the dangers involved? Not that they will be a threat to you, but still,'' Stan muttered at the end and rubbed his chin.

''I like to remind you of our previous conversation and what I said. Sapient life has the unfortunate tendency to see the worst of itself in others. They do not truly fear Artificial intelligence. They fear themselves and AI is just the unfortunate target for their outlet. That does not mean that AI does not have other dangers of course. But that is another matter entirely,'' Bell pointed out and Stan nodded in understanding.

The two stood in comfortable silence sipping on their coke.

''By the way, may I congratulate you on entering a relationship with Miss Stacy,'' Stan suddenly said.

Wha...? Oh! When Stan said, he could only see things that Bell affected indirectly, Bell understood thing like the Black Hole.

''I see. I must thank you for pointing out that oversight of mine,'' Bell thanked him politely, even thought he was annoyed at Stan. And at himself, for the blunder for not having already erected mental barriers around his loved ones to shield them from telepathic attacks. Or at least not read anything of value from their minds as this way was more inconspicuous.

Stan chuckled a little.

''Don't take it to heart. And you are welcome. That said, your reality warping is not quiet enough to keep me out from your loved ones minds. No offense. if you wish to stop me completely you best get to using your other powers. Know however that I have full confidence that whatever shield and defenses you erect will keep everyone else out,'' Stan pacified him a little.

Bell sighed his frustration away.

''Thank you. I hope to make it work,'' Bell replied instead of continuing to stay angry.

''Aha. I knew there was an ulterior motive for you seeking me out. So, is that why you looked pale as a ghost when you came in?,'' Stan asked and Bell nodded.

Stan ignored the small voice in his head that called him out on his hypocrisy. As if he too, did not have an ulterior motive for talking to him.

''Well, come on. Hit me. What troubles you so greatly, that you looked like you would keel over any second?,'' Stan encouraged.

Bell closed his eyes and sighed, trying to gather his courage. When he thought he managed to do so and opened his mouth, it moved several times, but no sound came out.

He closed it looking in frustration.

Stan was rubbing his chin analyzing him. He could not read his mind, but he was several quadrillion years old. he recognized the signs.

A situation like him required a firm hand with just the right amount of softness. And of course he would lend him his hand to help him.

''Forget it, we don't need to talk today. Let us do something from your bucket list instead. The smallest thing on it. No, that is non negotiable,'' Stan shot him down quickly when Bell moved to speak.

''I have noticed that you let you mother pick your food and clothes for you. She doesn't even know what your favorite food is and whenever you make food, you make the dish that she made the previous day. So, chop chop, today you will eat a food from your bucket list,'' Stan explained.

Bell began sweating, the noise returning.

He was almost tempted to bolt, being put in the spot like that, but in the end he stuttered his answer.

---

Stan came over with a trail holding two bratwurst and two pieces of bread. The bratwurst was inlaid the bread like a hotdog, but only with ketchup and no other additions. There were also two plates with pommes and curry rindwurst.

A true traditional german specialty. Their pride and joy aide from beer and bread. Or so Bells german friend once boasted.

Bell avoided trying it out. His heart still forced him to put it on his bucket list, despite him determining to never touch the bucket list.

Stan put the trail with the food on the table and picked his own portion of the food to his side. They were in Berlin. Bell did not pay attention to much besides as Stan touched him and the two were immediately transported here after he gave his answer.

''I have to say, interesting choice of food to have on your bucket list. Well then, shall we dig in?,'' Stan asked him, picking up his fork, clearly intending to start with the pommes and curry first.

Bell was paralyzed and was not moving, He simply starred at the food with an incomprehensible expression. 

''Well, what are you waiting for? Come on, I won't dig in without you and the food is getting cold. Eat,'' Stan instructed making him jump.

Bell swallowed put picked up the fork with clammy hands as if almost on autopilot.

He brought the food to his mouth. He did eat pommes and rindwurst individually. prepared as dished by his mother. Though he knew american rindwurst was not the same as german one. So he might as well only have eaten pommes.

Today however he would eat his friends suggestion consciously, intentionally and actively. That made all the difference.

''Well?,'' Stan snapped when Bell held his fork for a while to his mouth. Bell jumped a little and then in one bite bit down on the food.

It tasted like the most wonderful thing in the world, despite how simple it was.

It tasted vile, he never wanted to eat it again. Bile was starting to trail up his oesophagus. He was about to vom....

No.

Just no.

Bell swallowed down his bile and it stung a little, but it passed quickly.

For the first time in ever Bell made the conscious decision to side with his heart, between the two of his sides. Up till now he remained impartial, but Bell had to give his hearts argument credit.

If he was already being coerced...

But he was not being coerced, his heart quickly corrected.

...

...

...

If he was already eating this food for the first time, then he would not have the memory tainted by vomiting all over it and denying himself.

He owed it to his friend and the food too, to treat them better then that.

Bell relaxed a little and put another portion of food in his mouth with his fork.

''How come, this dish specifically made it on your bucket list,'' Stan asked kindly eating along with him.

Bell sighed trying to gather his courage.

It was made easier with Stans stunt by softening him up.

''In my previous life. A friend of mine suggested it to me. A german friend. he would not stop boasting about it. I wonder what his favorite food was,'' Bell chuckled at the end there.

Stan hummed.

''You know. You never did answer my question of what you were in your previous life,'' Stan pointed out.

Bell tapped his fingers a little on the table, stopping to eat for a bit and looked off into the distance. He turned around.

''Where would you like me to start?,'' Bell asked him.

''Where all stories start. The beginning,'' Stan replied leaving the matter to him. he did not want to apply to much pressure on him at once and drive him away. This was a lot of progress for now. Bell could talk until he felt truly uncomfortable and then they can pick up the conversation another day.

''The beginning, huh? I was born to one mother and one father. And I was raised as a single child. No siblings. Honestly, my childhood was pretty much perfect. No bias, of course,'' Bell joked a little, looking so tired but smiling fondly.

''Of course.''

''We were not rich, but I never wanted for anything. I suppose it helped that i was content with what I had. My parent had the means to buy me stuff, but I am sure in some way they were glad I never requested much.

I was doing Jack and Melina a disservice all this time. They are good parents. They are excellent ones in fact. I love them in my own way, Jack has died and while I miss him and will miss Melina too when she dies, they can never replace my first set of parents.

Then I started going to school. I was good in most subjects, excellent in a few and hated a few others too. I had a crush on a girl for a while. But was too chicken shit to confess, so that never went anywhere.

I was content. I remember that time fondly. But the inevitable march of time catches up with all of us and I became an adult. Funny. When you are a kid you want to grow up so quickly since you never get to do 'cool adult stuff' and yet when you are an adult you wish for nothing more then to return to simpler times. The dichotomy of mankind. Always wanting what they can't have.

I went to college. I was together for a short while with a woman. We broke up since we had too many differences. A few months after I completed my master studies and became a software engineer, both my parents died in a car crash.

For the next two years I lived alone by myself.

You know how some of the people adopt the mindset that they do not want to care about politics? Well, politics cares about you. I was drafted to war,'' Bell finished his final bite of the bratwurst. In the end revealing the beginning of his dirty secret.

''Because there is always a war coming,'' Stan put it gravely.

''Ha. Aptly put,'' Bells mirth quickly vanished however and was replaced by sadness. He was looking down at his empty plate.

Stan watched him for a while, waiting to see if Bell would talk more. But it came as no surprise to him that that was all Bell was willing to tell for today. Either way, Stan considered today a success and a step in the right direction.

''Do you want to have another filling?,'' Stan asked kindly, refraining to mention that he wanted another as well. Bell had to make his own decision this time, completely free from any influence.

Bell continued to stare at his empty plate for a while. He fulfilled one thing from his bucket list. There was not reason to repeat the action.

But...

Bell closed his eyes.

''Yes... Yes..., I would love another filling, please,'' Bell nodded and starred off into the distance again.

They ate their next portion quietly this time. Neither one talked.

Bell ate the second portion free from any demons.

Heh, his friend was right. 

It was delicious.

(A.N.: 13958 words. Hope you enjoyed.)