Chapter 31: How To Make An Organization 101: Part Two
Disclaimer: I own nothing. This history has no interest in offending any party. Having the sole objective of only entertaining the readers. Enjoy~
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"Nothing personal, it's just revenge."
- Afro, "Afro Samurai
"[...]Manipulation's easily more fun!
A little guilt, a lot of force, of course you have to lie!
Remind them that without you, they'd shrivel up and die!"
- "Tough Love", in The Villains Lair (Ep 2) A Disney Villains Musical
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A.N.: Sorry for the delay. I'm busy.
Here is a 12k word chapter as compensation.
Fun fact, I'm taking more time researching than writing.
Enjoy~
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Jotunheim, Nine Realms
Loki walks through the halls of Jotunheim's palace like he owns the place. If asked, Loki wouldn't be calling this giant huddle of ice a "Palace", having grown up and lived in the golden palace of Asgard, Loki has high standards.
But the look of the place isn't what matters now, Loki has a big goal in being here.
Arriving at a large Hall, he finds himself facing a giant throne at the top of a staircase. Where an equally gigantic person with blue skin and a bald head is sitting.
"Father..." Loki says as he kneels and adopts a respectful expression on his face.
"You have no right to call me father, yet..." The frost giant who can now be identified as Laufey responds.
"My King…" Loki if correct "I bring good news. I have the means to invade and dominate Midgard, prevent Odin from interfering, and capture Thor. That would be the first step towards conquering the Nine Realms." Loki speaks.
Laufey doesn't show any reaction. "If you have the means why aren't you doing it already?" The giant on the throne asks.
"To ensure the highest success rate... I'd like to order a small army of Frost Giants..." Before Loki could finish he was interrupted by Laufey laughing.
"HAR HAR HAR!" Then he suddenly got serious. "You think I'm going to spend even one soldier on your silly plans, boy?" he asks contemptuously
"You have a lot to prove to be one of us. To earn even an inch of respect from my people." Laufey says dismissively.
"I have proof that I'm taking this very seriously" Loki doesn't let himself be shaken and removes the Casket of Ancient Winters from a pocket space.
Seeing this artifact, Laufey's eyes show eagerness and surprise for the first time since the beginning of the encounter.
It is important to remember that the Casket of Ancient Winters can be considered the most important and powerful artifact of the Frost Giants. In the last battle, before Odin finally unified the Nine Realms, he took the Casket as the spoils of war after defeating the forces of the Frost Giants, unknown to the world, he also took a baby Frost Giant as well.
That baby was none other than Loki, a Frost Giant who was born strangely smaller than the rest. And to make matters worse, he was the son of the king of the frost giants, how could Laufey keep this embarrassment alive?
For the frost giants, strength is everything. In truth, most are brutes, not nearly as magically or technologically advanced as the aesir. Loki is really a oddity.
That's why Loki was abandoned until Odin found him.
And he was raised as an Asgardian until he discovered the truth recently.
"Yes, My King. At great risk, I managed to retrieve the artifact of our race for you, to prove my worth and loyalty." Loki says, and Laufey was so fixated on the casket, he didn't notice the strange glint that flashed across Loki's eyes for a moment.
Laufey rises from his throne and moves towards the still kneeling Loki.
"You did well, with this our people will not be bullied in submission anymore." But when Laufey goes to take the casket from Loki's hands...
He groans and drops the casket to the ground.
The casket flicker green and reveals that it was, in fact, a fang disguised with illusion magic.
Laufey starts to drop to his knees.
"You... You..." He tries to speak, trying to keep himself upright but failing miserably, to gather even an ounce of strength in his body.
"I... I... I what? Poisoned my bastard of a father with the fang of my dear son Jormungand? Together with a special concoction made personally by me? Yes, I did it. Huhu You and Odin are the same. Strong people like you act so high and mighty... But they fall for such simple tricks." Loki says mockingly, the mask of obedience and subservience he previously wore completely removed from his face.
Loki approaches. And strokes his father's head mockingly. "Sleep well, 'father'. When you wake up, I will be king of the Nine Realms..." Loki finished while Laufey in his last vestiges of consciousness
After Laufey is helpless in a deep sleep, Loki begins waving his hands in a certain pattern, summoning runes and glyphs that glow green and...
*BOOOM*
A massive explosion engulfs the throne room. Reverberating through all the ice palace, alerting all the inhabitants.
After a few minutes, the throne room starts to be flooded with newly arrived frost giants.
Loki appears among the smoke, bruised and dirty.
Dramatically climbing the throne stairs. Dragging each step with great effort, holding the side of his abdomen.
At his feet is the giant form of Laufey, unconscious and with injuries even worse than Loki's.
When Loki reaches the top of the stairs he turns to the crowd that has gathered. He takes a deep breath and speaks in a loud voice.
"FROST GIANTS! I AM LOKI LAUFEYSON, AND I HAVE JUST DEFEATED MY FATHER, YOUR KING, IN FAIR AND HONEST COMBAT! PROVING MYSELF SUPERIOR AND CAPABLE OF LEADING OUR GREAT RACE TO THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACE, THE TOP OF THE NINE REALMS!"
At that moment Loki pulls out the true Casket of Ancient Winters and unleashes its power to the skies. Loki's skin color turns blue and his eyes red. Proving his heritage.
"FOLLOW ME AND HELP ME BECOME THE ABSOLUTE RULER OF THE NINE REALMS AND I GIVE WHAT YOUR ALL CRAVE! BATTLE!"
"BATTLE!" The whole crowd screams together.
"REVENGE!!"
"REVENGEE!!" All frost giants repeat and start cheering.
The excitement is so much that some frost giants even start some ruckus, fights, and dancing...
"Bunch of retards brutes..." Loki mutters in a low tone.
After a while, the crowd disperses, to spread the news that there is a new king for Jotunheim and to prepare for the great battle that will take place.
After Loki is alone, his body flicker with a green light and all his injuries disappear.
On Loki's side, space shifts, and Amora appears with a green light.
"Well, well... You never fail to amaze me with how much of a bastard you can be." She says apparently amused with the whole situation "Now what? We expect the other army of your master?" She asks.
The first part of Amora's speech doesn't shake Loki, but the ending makes Loki's face turn ugly.
"I.DON'T.HAVE.A.MASTER.!" Loki exlaims punctuating each word.
Loki's deal was an exchange, he was not sworn to servitude.
Amora only smirk furthers. "Alright, call me when you're ready for the big moment." She says disappearing.
Leaving Loki alone in the empty throne room.
....
Hector P.O.V., Day after summoning Shego and Helena
I've done my daily jog and now I'm going to have my breakfast to go to school.
Arriving in the kitchen I see Helena and Isabella preparing the breakfast table. After exchanging "Good morning's" I ask.
"Where is Shego?"
"She hasn't gotten up yet... even though I already called." Isabella answers me.
"Okay... I'll wake her up." I say heading towards the room she is in the Infinity Castle. Until she was acclimatized to this world, both Shego and Helena will live with me. After that, they will have more freedom.
There is no reason for all summons to be so close to me all the time. I even plan to put some future summons in other important countries like Russia, Japan, Greece and China.
They'll be a portal away anyway.
I knock on the door of Shego's room.
After not getting a response for the third time I just enter.
Haah~ I sigh. I should have expected this. But calm down Hector... Act natural.
In bed is a Shego sleeping like a rock, with the worst posture possible. Lucky for her she's flexible... How can she bend like that?
Problem is, she's only in lingerie, a black set that contrasts nicely with her pale skin.
Okay, Hector. Take a deep breath. Impassive face, let's go.
"Shego, wake up." I say removing the blanket that was wrapped around her body looking like a snake.
"WHA- The world is ending?!" Shego straightens up quickly and looks around alertly.
"Breakfast" I deadpan.
"What? What time is it?" she asks rubbing her eyes. Her hair is a mess.
"It's 7:02. Let's eat. " I reply and she looks at me like I've shot her in the back.
"What? No one is psycho enough to wake up at 7 AM. 7 AM is not even a new day yet..." She says and starts to lie down again.
"First, apologize to all minimum wage workers who wake up much early than that. And second I woke up at 5 AM, exercise, tinker a little and I'm going to school. So you can wake up just to stay home. Let's go." I say
"You're the true evil one in this house. Ruthless with himself. A true madman. Let me sleep. When I wake up by myself you won't even be here..." She says as she starts to snuggle with the pillows, completely unconcerned with the level of nudity she finds herself in.
"Nope." I say and telekinetically wrap her in the blanket like a cocoon, leaving only her head out and making her levitate. "In this house, everyone eats together whenever possible."
That's one of the few rules my parents had. They were busy people. So times like breakfast, lunch and dinner were good opportunities to chat and catch up.
I will try to keep that rule.
"I'm green and I can make you high, but I'm no weed for you to roll me up like that." Shego protests as she tries to resist. It's useless, I bring her to the breakfast table and drop her in a chair.
"There aren't many rules here, but let's try to eat together. From here you can go back to bed if you like, Shego. But don't forget that you have to see the world if you want the freedom to go out... Just don't go lazy all day." I say as I sit in my seat, at the head of the table.
Shego frees her arms from the cocoon of covers and steals one of the jam buns Helena had already made for himself, completely ignoring the glare she receives from the Italian vigilante.
"Fine, don't worry. I will learn in the team." Shego says while eating.
After that, we started eating while watching the news.
Oh~ Apparently Spider-man had his ass handed to himself in a fight against Kraven.
But Spider-man won the day in the end.
But that just proves how unprepared Peter is. All it took was Kraven studying Spider-man a little and he dominated the fight almost the entire time. Spider-Man managed to get the upper hand by taking the fight to the rooftops, where he managed to trap Kraven in an absurd amount of webs and leave him there.
And I bet spider-sense saved Peter's ass from getting a tranquilizer long before this fight started. In the worst case, Peter would already be a head decorating Kraven's wall.
Eventually, Kraven was arrested because of the damage he did to people and public property, but damn... Peter was a mess. All bloodied... It's a shame he got so beaten up even with all the power advantage he has.
I know he has a little healing factor. But I don't see him healing from last night to today.
Hmm.. I'm a little worried about all this. In real life, it's easy for things to go wrong. An unlucky moment and everything goes to shit. We have several examples of "What if...?" scenarios. But at the same time, I can't control everything...
Aah~ This is tiring.
"A friend of yours?" I hear Helena ask, gesturing to the TV as an image of Spider-Man appears.
"Not really... I know him, know his secret identity too. But I'm no friend of his…" I say.
"Know his identity, huh... Typical Batman..." I hear Helena muttering.
I roll my eyes.
"I'm not Batman, I just..." I think a little about how to continue "Consider that I learned from him."
"So you're a Robin." She says making me sigh.
Aand I give up.
Let's ignore her. Seeing her smiling a little makes me realize she's just trying to get under my skin. Testing my patience, huh? Expected... It's only natural you want to know the limits of the person you work for.
This proves that summons are not super obedient to the level of going crazy for me and not admitting any disrespect to me. Like the Nazarick NPCs.
It's a healthier relationship, where you can have little teasing, flirting, fighting... And there's no problem with that. Much better this way.
I don't want puppets that don't just do what I say.
For example, in a certain situation, Shego or Helena can take a completely different approach than I would. Maybe better... I'm not arrogant enough to think I have all the answers.
I leave that to the Illuminati.
"Don't forget your appointment with the lawyer Darrow today, Master Hector." Isabella talks as she sets aside some food for herself and lazy Shego.
"Yeah, I haven't forgotten." I answer as I go looking for any news from the world of "supers".
"Master Hector... Do we need to call you that too?" Helena asks, her brows slightly furrowed. She doesn't seem to like the idea very much. Modern ideals, huh?
And it looks like she's a lot more talkative today. Good...she looks like she's getting over whatever tragedy has occurred in her world.
"Nah, call me whatever you want. Just be mindful of the place." I say nonchalantly.
"And you two…" I say taking my eyes off the TV and looking towards the newly summoned duo "Stay out of sight of everyone, okay? 'Hector' can't be related to any of you girls. And study about this world. I have a big job for you two this week." I say.
I am pleased to see the two of them nod.
After that, we just talked for a bit until it was time for me to leave.
I notice that Shego is fully awake now. My goal of getting her out of bed is complete. The worst thing is getting out of bed, then the day can go on smoothly.
...
Shego P.O.V.
Hum~This food is good.
I think to myself as I quickly collect what Isabella puts on my plate, and retract my arm under the blanket that wraps around my entire body. Leaving only my head exposed.
Isabella, I'll remember you when I'm at the top. You're a good woman.
Now that I'm awake, it doesn't hurt to research this world sooner than later. Hector told us to have a minimal sense of history and geography. Because they are probably the most different from our previous world...
Since our worlds are also of a modern level, other things must be similar.
Oh! Art is also important to check. After all, if someone doesn't know a famous singer or actor, it can be a problem to socialize.
I look at Helena out of the corner of my eye... She is my rival.
In truth, everyone is my rival, but Helena is my real adversary for now.
Isabella already has her place next to Hector, CaThulhu is a cat...
But Helena is the real danger...
Look at her... Acting like don't care. I know that she must be plotting to take the place of a right-hand woman. I can see through you, bitch...
(A.N.: Shego delusions)
I need to solidify my place as soon as possible because in the future things will only get more complicated.
If Hector can bring people from all over the Omniverse or whatever, that means he's not going to just hang out with us.
The competition will increase.
And even though I'm super awesome, the infinity omniverse must have much stronger and more capable people out there, right? Endless possibilities...
I have the "first come, first serve" advantage. I will not waste it.
So I'm going to make an effort to get used to this world and pass whatever test Hector puts me with flying colors.
He said he plans a task for us. It will be the opportunity to stand out.
I smile at Helena.
She raises an eyebrow at me. You can act innocent as much as you want, but I will win in the end.
...
Hector P.O.V.
Some hours later. After the end of school.
Grabbing my things from my locker I prepare to head home.
The school was uneventful. I honestly expected to be ambushed by Flash and his lapdogs at some point. But I just got distant looks.
Not just theirs. Pretty much everyone keeps giving me looks of all kinds... Cautious, fearful, judgmental, even lustful... High school girls are thirsty.
Peter didn't come to school today. It seems he has no excuse for his injuries from the night before.
School is tedious, but it's something I can't avoid.
I thought about using clones. But there is a big problem.
The clones I can make, either by [Clones] of Ectoplasm or [Twice] are incredibly more fragile than I am.
Seriously, even if they attack with 20% of my strength, the backslash from the attack itself will destroy them. That's the biggest problem.
When I imagine the scenario that a villain invades Midtown High, and the clone gets hit and falls apart. All my cover will blow off. Just because I'm too lazy to go to school.
It's simply not worth it.
Not to mention this isn't a Shadow Clone Jutsu, I won't receive the clone's memories. It can cause problems in the future in the case of social interactions.
And as I said, I'm afraid of abusing certain powers. Clones, see the future and now read minds. These powers can make a bad habit. I won't hesitate to use it when necessary or on someone who deserves it, but it's good to put certain limits on yourself.
Although I consider my rules to be very flexible, nothing like the Batman or Superman code. Which basically has crippling moral anchors on themselves.
I have to say it was hard not to give in to temptation and read certain people's minds. To make sure these people aren't a threat, like Ned or Harry... See? This power corrupt... Is too easy.
I was already arguing with myself. Like "Is not like I will reveal their secrets anyway" or "Is just to make sure".
But this is how it starts, if I'm not careful I can start saying things like "I did this for your own good" or "I'm the only one that can do this". Ugh
Well, time to go home. Too Much to do.
...
Ned Leeds P.O.V.
"So…Is Peter really alright?" Gwen asks after approaching.
"Yeah. He said that he has been hit by a motorcycle, but he wasn't hurt too much. He got lucky... But his head is killing him, so he doesn't come..." I reply.
Is a little awkward to talk to her like that. Without our mutual friend Peter.
"I see... that's good, that's good." She says looking relieved but still a little dazed. Apparently learning that Peter was hit by a car shocked her.
Peter, she is so into you. I don't know why he doesn't ask her out already.
"..."
"..."
Okay, this is really awkward. We have nothing to talk about!
We start walking to the exit, but damn, the silence is killing me.
As I try to think of something to make the situation bearable I hit a wall and nearly fall over.
Apparently, the wall held me down, so it wasn't a wall I bumped into.
"Are you okay?" Brilliant blue eyes ask me. Hector!
He is holding me with only one hand. He is Strong.
"Ah... Ah... I'm alright, thank you. Sorry to bump into you." I say. Damn, he's really huge now huh?
"Edward, Gwendolyn..." Hector nods to both of us in greeting.
"Argh! Gwendolyn? Serious? Can you call me Gwen, please?" Gwen says, she doesn't like her full name.
"And you can call me Ned, no problem." I speak next.
"Her parents chose you names so carefully, it would be a shame to shorten them, Ms. Gwendolyn..." Hector speaks calmly without changing his expression.
This guy is always like that, keeping his distance.
I think I have never seen him smiling. He is really quiet and gives that calm vibe. So it was a surprise how he reacted to Flash yesterday.
"Did something happen to Peter? It's unusual for him to miss school…" Hector says, looking interested.
"He had an accident. But it's fine... He said he should come tomorrow." I answer.
"Oh… An accident, huh? I hope that he will heal soon." Hector speaks, but there's something about his tone that's strange to me.
"Speaking of 'heal'... Gwendolyn, are you still an intern at Oscorp? With Dr. Connors? I remember you being our guide on our last trip there last year." Hector speaks turning to Gwen.
"Yeah, I'm still with Dr. Connors, why the sudden interest?" Gwen asks
"Nothing Much..." He shrugs. "I just plan on graduating early. And the research of Dr. Connors interests me and—" Hector is interrupted. by Gwen.
"Are you going to graduate early?" She asks.
"Yeah. If all goes well, I'll only stay this semester in High School... And you? You and Peter are smart... You guys can already be accepted in college, right?" He asks.
I'm feeling like the third wheel here...
"I can't..." Gwen spoke slowly. "My parents won't let me. Same with Peter. His uncles wanted him to have a full high school experience, you know?"
"Yeah… Socialize and stuff. My grandparents are the same. But they supported my decision. And it's not like I miss anything in socializing, right?" He says self-mocking, making Gwen laugh.
Oh no, Peter. He is going to steal your girl.
"Do you plan to go into the Biology area?" Gwen asks.
"Medicine in truth. I remember the work of Dr. Connors in regenerative medicine. I was interested... And I also had to make sure his research wouldn't make my family go bankrupt..." He says
Gwen laughs again.
"Ah yeah... Your family owns hospitals. I forgot..." She says
Me too. Hector is rich, but he does not flaunt his wealth, like Harry. His clothes are very casual, no expensive accessories or anything... He is pretty laidback.
"Yeah..." He spoke softly looking down for a moment.
Oh. His parents... died recently.
Gwen seems to notice it too, by her hand-to-mouth reaction.
Hector scans our reactions and speaks.
"I see. You guys know..."
"Hector, I don't mean to intrude..." Gwen starts but is interrupted.
"...but your father is a police captain, and you recognized my parents' last name." Hector deduces. Bullseye.
"Eh... Yeah... I'm sorry for your loss, Hector." Gwen speaks empathically.
"Me too, man... I know that can be hard... I mean... I don't know. But it happened recently with Peter, and...You know?" I try to speak not very successfully. Argh, this is hard!
"I understand, relax... And don't worry, I'm okay. You get used to it, do you know? The best thing to overcome is to act normally and move on. That's why I want to graduate soon... 'Time waits for no one" He says as he caresses the wrist that contains a nice watch there. He hadn't noticed because of the long sleeve. Very simple and tasteful...
I deduce it must have been a gift. After all, Hector doesn't wear accessories.
"It's good that you're okay, man. If you need anything, you can ask..." I speak. I was never very close with Hector, but I think it was more for lack of opportunity. I feel like we could be good friends.
"I am grateful." He speaks. "Well, I have an appointment now, I have to go. Send my best wishes to your boyfriend Gwendolyn." Hector says looking at his watch and turning to Gwen.
Making the girl blush hard.
"What- Peter is not my boyfriend." She responds quickly.
Oh no. Such fast negation.
Hector raises an eyebrow.
"Really? I swore you two were together..." Hector says looking interested.
Peter, be careful. I was mistaken, this guy is bad news.
"No, is that... is that... Peter never asks... I mean... We are not like that..." Gwen stutters.
"Oh~ So if Peter asks would you go out with him? Are you just waiting for him to take the initiative?" Hector asks with a hint of teasing in his voice.
"Eh- Something like that... I mean, if he asks..." Gwen stutters a little and starts looking around as if she wants to escape the situation.
Hector gives me a look while Gwen isn't looking at us.
!
I see. This guy is a real one. He don't care and asked her directly so I could tell Peter the answer.
Peter has always been skeptical about whether he should go ahead with this relationship with Gwen, although it seems obvious to anyone watching from afar... But he's always been unsure "Don't wanna risk the friendship" or something like that.
Now I know it's enough for Peter to ask.
Sorry for doubting you, Hector. You're a true bro in my heart now.
"I see.. Well, sometimes you have to go after what you want, Gwendolyn. Being passive is not a solution, believe me, I know…" Hector speaks meaningfully.
(A.N.: Hector refers to his mother letting her brother do whatever he wants. She never took action toward her brother, wanting to avoid conflict. In the end, her brother became brave enough to plot her death.)
"I see..." Gwen says and falls into deep thought.
"Anyway... Is my time now. Bye to you two." Hector says and starts walking towards the exit.
I watch Hector walk away and then look at Gwen still lost in thought.
First thing I will call Peter.
...
Hector P.O.V.
Aah~ Is really hard to resist the urge to just read someone's mind.
I plan to give the task of invading Oscorp to Shego and Helena.
It will be a good way to access their abilities. Also, stealing any research from there will be very beneficial to me.
It won't be much of a risk, after all the two are currently stronger than the Green Goblin, and I can rescue them at any time.
For a moment I thought about getting into Gwen's mind and knowing the layout of the Building or any password or whatever, but I gave up. I feel like I would miss something if I gave in to temptation.
It would be easy... But the easy way is not always the best way. Let's go through the right path.
I tested my telepathy when I got to school, I let my power go a little rampant... Only a few meters. I read the surface thoughts of the people passing. I couldn't and didn't want to identify who had each thought.
It was just training.
My conclusion is that people have very different minds. Some think with words, others with images... Some are in a constant monologue in their own heads, and others think of nothing.
And porn. Lots of porn.. I should choose better.. A High School, really Hector?
And the amount of false people is impressive, damn... I thought my trust issues are unfounded. As an example ... There's a girl cheating on her boyfriend with his "best friend". People are assholes...
Arriving home I greet all the girls and Cathulhu and head to a separate room in Infinity Castle to wait for the lawyer.
"Call me when Darrow arrives, Isabella." I say and Isabella nods.
...
While sitting on the floor of an empty room, various stones and precious metals around me. I have an emerald floating above my palm as I try to imbue magic properties into the gem.
(A.N.: the Chakra books has the basics of magic enchantments, which he read while on the trip to the grandparents' house. There is a mention of this in the opening chapters.)
Shego is laying lazily next to me, back on the ground with her hair scattered wildly, and moving her legs, playing with discarded jewelry.
"Wow... So you can make this stuff that easy?" She asks holding up a diamond the size of a human's skull, in the shape of a human's skull.
I did it just for shit and giggles as a reference to the Indiana Jones movie.
"A Diamond is just atoms of carbon arranged tetrahedrally, for me there is no difference between making a diamond or making a lump of coal." I answer.
And it's true, that's the thing about powers... They disconnect you from common sense. These things... Diamonds, gold... Priceless things to other people. To me, they are just a little more than garbage.
Obviously, I spent my energy and biomass, time and concentration to do it. But it's so easy for me, barely worth mentioning.
More complicated things are electronic devices like smartphones... That thing is really hard.
Honestly, I love [Creation] so much that when I come back to the world of BNHA I will give Yaoyorozu a kiss.
"It's not that simple to use this power of [Creation], but it's no problem to produce giant diamonds. I can make a diamond statue of myself if I feel self-centered.
"Ooh. I want one diamond statue of myself." She talks still focused on the Diamond Skull.
Making the final touches, my hands glow green as magic is poured into the emerald. Creating a ring, I place the nail-sized emerald on the ring and offer it to Shego.
"Here. Try this." I say, realizing my mistake almost immediately.
"Oh~~" She brings both hands to her cheeks. Acting surprised and thrilled. "So early! I accept obviously. We will make a happy family, I will be a good wife, our children will the future leaders of the world, everyday I will give morning blowj-" I interrupt her, taking the ring back.
"I will make this into a necklace." I say going to pull out the yolk.
"NOO! I like this ring! Sorry!" She comes over and I let her take the ring from my hands.
She places it on the middle finger of her right hand. Hmm.. good...
When she does, a green light begins to expand from the ring, enveloping her body.
The result is that her skin has a more "normal" tone.
Shego has grey-pale skin, with a tonality a little green... Which would be a problem for her in everyday life.
I simply imbue Loki's illusion spell in the emerald.
Gemcraft or jewelcraft is a real concept apparently. But really expensive.
It's not a problem for me, so whatever...
Even normal gems can carry magic, obviously more special gems like... Monster core of anime worlds would be better. But you have to work with what you have on hand.
I used the emerald because it suits Shego. I didn't see much difference in testing with various types of gemstones... although diamonds seem to store magic better.
"Oh~ Neat." She says looking at herself.
"I prefer your normal color. But this will do.." I say making her give me a smile. "Remember to wear it whenever you leave the house."
"Yes, Boss." She responds with a mocking salute.
Isabella then comes to warn that Darrow has arrived.
I dump Shego and go meet the lawyer. From the corner of my eye I see Shego taking the Diamond Skull. I let her do what she wants.
"Just don't sell it." I say before walking through the door.
"Aye, aye sir." She says with her fake salute again.
....
Sitting in front of me is Mr. Darrow, the lawyer. I'm in another situation where I'm tempted to read a person's mind.
I'm pretty sure this guy is in cahoots with my uncle. I just don't know the level of involvement that Darrow has in the death of my parents.
My conversation with him is more of the same. He talks about my fortune, properties... But then he hits the spot I've been waiting for.
"Yes, Mr. Carvalho. Due to the fact that you are a minor, you will need a legal representative until you become an adult." Mr. Darrow speaks as he wipes his eyes.
"Oh…" I say simply and keep silent.
"So..." He says "Seeing that you're back I have an idea of your decision. But I have to ask… Do you plan on living here in New York?"
"Yes... I plan to finish my studies here." I say looking at him without blinking.
"Then I advise you to contact a relative. I believe your older uncle would be the best option. He has children of similar age to you." He speaks casually. To an ordinary person, this would seem like an innocent suggestion. But for me...
That I can see even the small changes in his body and "aura". I don't even need to read his mind to know he has ulterior motives to suggest my uncle.
Let's get these guys out of their comfort zone.
"You know, Mr. Darrow... I was thinking of seeking my emancipation. What do you think?" I speak.
My emancipation is almost ready, I will speak as if I was still thinking about acquiring it. Let's see how he will react?
Will he try to stop the inevitable? A lawyer doesn't have that authority... He would have to use someone else. My uncle...
And why would my uncle stop me from getting emancipation? This will make any judge, who hasn't been bought, see that my uncle is a greedy bastard. They are in a nice checkmate. There's nothing they can do.
So my uncle will probably use force... The force of his friend, the Kingpin. And that's what I'm waiting for. There's no way these guys can beat me in a direct confrontation. I would destroy them.
They would just give me more clues to the whereabouts of Kingpin.
I can kill my uncle anytime. I can fly to his house, walk through walls invisible and crush his heart telekinetically, making him into a vegetable with telepathy. So many ways to kill him it's not even funny.
But my uncle is the line that will guide me to find the Kingpin, and I can't destroy the Kingpin now without doing some preparation first.
"I... I don't think it's necessary. Only two more years and you will be of legal age. So much paperwork, bureaucracy... It's not like you will miss anything going to live with your uncle. He could even teach you a lot. About the administration of hospitals..." He starts to speak. As if he were a salesman.
I just stare at him silently.
And I let the silence linger.
Until he got uncomfortable as I narrowed my eyes to him.
When I let him sweat a little with my penetrating gaze, I finally speak.
"Mr. Darrow..."
"Yes...?"
"You're the lawyer of the family, right? You and your office…" I say.
"Yes. The law firm has been working with you family since your grandfather's time…" He replies bragging a little. Probably wants to show how reliable he is.
"Yeah... Your office has always helped the owner of the hospitals and the head of the family..." I say slowly
"Yes..." He speaks without understanding what I'm getting at.
"Mr. Darrow... Who is the de facto owner of the hospitals AND the real head of the Family?" I ask looking into his eyes.
I notice he starts to sweat a little, but he responds.
"Well... You are, obviously... But it's a big responsibility. A young boy like you has a long way to go… It would be better to be under the tutelage of someone more ex-" He starts to ramble, but I cut him off.
"Then! If I'm the biggest shareholder of the hospital network and the heir of the family... You and your colleagues should be treating me and my interests as the highest priority, right?" I ask casually.
"Yes…but-" I interrupt again.
"Then! If I say I want to emancipate myself... You should help me to emancipate myself, Mr. Darrow…" I say slowly. He's sweating bullets now… "Mr. Darrow... Sometimes in life, we have to choose sides. And that choice can drastically decide our future..." I say putting pressure on him "Choose wisely, Mr. Darrow..."
This guy doesn't stand a chance. With these last words, I say goodbye to the lawyer.
Now, this guy has two options. Or he comes to my side, abandoning my uncle. He will no longer pass on my information and will help me take effective control of my inheritance.
Or he stays with my uncle. He will pass on my information, which will make my uncle despair and do something drastic. And I'll turn the tables, because there's no chance of me losing to whatever Kingpin does. They still think I'm a normal teenager.
It's a win-win situation.
I'm giving this last chance to Darrow and his office. They worked for a long time with my family. He can make things run smoothly for me.
After I return to my couch, Helena appears beside me seemingly out of nowhere. One of the powers I gave her was [Invisibility].
I don't even need to ask as she's already talking.
"I bugged his car, as you asked..." She says.
I remove a device from my inventory.
Strange, huh... Reading minds is amoral, but putting hearing devices in someone's car doesn't...huh, Hector? Why? Why is it a power? There is a limit for invasion of privacy? Well... whatever. My morals are flexible.
I hear Darrow drive around town for a bit until he makes a call.
...
Leopold Darrow P.O.V.
What was that? Hector didn't speak like someone his age...
Does he have an idea about the deal I made with Alexander?
He at least suspects, I think.
And now? What do I do? I have to choose a side.
My law firm works with the Belluci for a long time. A member of the Howling Commandos, like the founder Belluci has a son that becomes a lawyer, and he is the first to represent the Belluci family. When it was just a single hospital.
So this partnership between the law firm and the hospital network began.
Can he really risk 50+ years of partnership for a dozen of grands?
The best choice would be to remain passive, no matter who wins in this dispute between Hector and Alexander nothing would affect me. But now...
I already made the deal with Alexander... If I backdown now and Alexander ends up winning in the end...
Obviously, I know of Alexander's ambition to become Hector's guardian. In two years he could become the true owner of the hospital network.
This is the business world. Hector's mother never bothered with the administrative part. Alexander has been taking care of everything since the death of Hector's grandfather. Alexander probably wants to buy the hospitals at a low price. Hector would live a quiet life... And Alexander would fulfill his ambition.
But it seems that Hector is not so simple.
Dialing Alexander's number, I contemplate my options.
"Darrow, I assume you called me to let me know how the meeting went." I hear Alexander's grating voice on the other end of the line.
"Yes, Mr. Belluci, I have good news..." I reply. He always liked being called "Mr. Bellucci". To feel like the head of the Family.
I maintain my voice impassive. "Hector intends to continue living in New York and… he hasn't shown much resistance to living with a relative." I say.
I choose to side with Hector. That is what my gut feeling is telling me to do. And I always trusted my gut feeling... I'm a pragmatic person, but sometimes you have to make a bet.
A year ago when I first met Hector's mother, I saw right away that she wasn't an ambitious person. And so I accepted Alexander's proposal to help him control hospitals legally at that time.
The bet paid. Even with Alexander not being the legal owner, he never had any interference from his sister, everything went well. I profited a lot. That was a gamble. Pragmatically I should have sided with the legal heiress, but I felt it wouldn't give me the best results.
And now I'm feeling the same in this conflict between Alexander and Hector.
Taking Hector's side is the right choice. The emancipation plan is plausible and a smart move. He'll have to act fast, I'll work on it...
I have some dirt of Alexander too, like embezzlement... Which if it turns into a dispute in the court can be used against him.
Hector is young, I can become a person he can trust if I help him now. And the main reason...
I hate Alexander. That man is truly unpalatable...
Ungrateful, petty, condescending...
He was a profitable partner while he lasted. But now, I have a better option.
"I did not mention your name, Mr. Belluci, to not scare the boy. But in time he will see for himself that you are the best option, have patience." I say to placate the poor guy, who doesn't know that his little sandcastle will be destroyed by the new waves.
"Yes, yes…" I keep replying slavishly. "Give me time. We still have two years. The kid has no interest in hospitals, just like his mother…" I keep talking.
After a few minutes of listening to his annoying voice and a rant about how when he gets what is rightfully his I will be rewarded, the call finally ends.
Focusing now on driving, I sigh.
"I'm sorry, Alexander. It was a pleasure doing business with you." I sigh without feeling even an ounce of guilt.
....
Helena P.O.V.
"I'm sorry, Alexander. It was a pleasure doing business with you." I hear the lawyer's voice on the device Hector is holding.
"Oh~ It's looks like he's on your side." Shego speaks from my right to Hector. Everyone is listening to the talk. "But what's the story between you and your uncle?" She asks.
Hector just commented that he had a score to settle with his family. Which was one of his goals.
"Well, about Darrow... I don't trust him. But I can use him. And about my uncle...He killed my parents." Hector says seriously.
"!"
This surprised me. He looks into my eyes before looking away to the listening device in his hands.
"Well... He didn't perform the act himself, but he colluded with a bigshot of the criminal world, the Kingpin. So basically I have two targets, my uncle and the Kingpin." Hector speaks normally as if he were commenting on the weather.
"These guys are problematic? They have powers?" Isabella asks. Hector is strong, if he knows who the culprits are, I don't understand why he hasn't already taken matters into his own hands.
"No, normal humans. Kill them will be easy. Although I still don't know the whereabouts of the Kingpin. But I'm not looking too hard either." Hector says as he rolls the device between his fingers.
"Why?" I can't help but ask.
My relatives are taken from me too. Well, my family is part of the mafia, and a part of me feels I have no right to complain that they died for the line of business my parents lived in. But anyway...
These things cannot be rationed.
I wanted revenge. I want to kill all responsible and all connected with them.
How can Hector resist simply teleporting to where his uncle lives and ripping his head off his shoulders??
Hector looks at me with a look full of deep meaning, as if he understands everything just because I said the word "why".
"Huhu" He chuckles humorlessly "Well, I thought long and hard about my vengeance..." Hector begins.
"As I would even weigh the consequences. Killing my uncle is easier than eating a piece of cake. I can use my telepathy to sense his mind from here to his house and simply lobotomize the bastard." Hector speaks in a tone that causes a shiver in my scalp.
"My 'dear 'uncle is so insignificant that he doesn't even know he's already a dead man. I will kill him, but it will be at the right time. Whether or not the bastard's death can bring attention to my person... Even if it's only a 1% chance that people will start to distrust me. My uncle is just not worthy of even that small percentage." Hector speaks nonchalantly.
"Kingpin on the other hand is a little more complicated... Just a tiny bit more complicated. I would first have to find the fat bald bastard that looks like it came out of a NTR hentai... Oh, this almost gives my ideas. HUHU" Hector speaks with a dark chuckle.
"Anyway… I'm new to dealing with criminal syndicates, I admit, but even I know that if a bigshot like Kingpin just disappeared the power vacuum would cause chaos and eventually affect innocent people. I want to know everything I can about Kingpin... so I can get his criminal empire to myself." Hector announces.
From the corner of my eyes, I can see Shego's eyes practically glowing.
"And my last reason... My parents... Are good people. Better than me. They wouldn't want me chasing revenge. That's why I'm careful not to affect ordinary people by the way, regarding the memory of my relatives..." He says "If I'm going to walk this dark path, which I know would be scolded if they are alive... I'll at least be careful, there is no need to be haste and hurt others who are not the target of my vengeance." Hector concludes.
Or not, because it continues almost as an afterthought.
"You know, a while ago I thought about giving up on killing my uncle and Kingpin and just handing them over to the authorities." He mutters with a dazed look on his face. "It would be what my parents would want, I'm sure of it..." He speaks so low that I can barely hear him.
"BUT I eliminate this thought as fast as it appears in my mind" Hector says suddenly, his face morphing slightly "I know very well that justice is flawed to the ones with money and power... They will be free in no time. And this... and this... disgusts me in a way I didn't think was possible." Hector leans forward a little and puts his hand on his face.
"HAHA. I often hear that it's good to abandon revenge... That no good comes from it... That you would only self-destruct... Thay you would become like the people you want revenge on... That living happily is the best form of revenge… huhuh" Hector starts to laugh.
"HAHAHA WHAT A LOAD OF BULLSHIT!!! THE ONES THAT TALKS THIS FLOWERY SHIT ARE PEOPLE WHO NEVER LOST ANYONE BY THE HAND OF A ANOTHER PERSON!!! HAHA" Hector suddenly exclaims.
His eyes... His eyes are dangerous.
"Did you know? I stay awake thinking not about my relatives... Not about the happy moments... I stay awake thinking about they killers! The mere thought that those responsible for their deaths are out there... Living leisurely... Happy! Sleeping, eating, drinking, fucking... That they are enjoying the things that have been denied to my parents so easily! Feeling safe... Taking everything for granted..." Hector's face is distorted now, veins spread through his neck and temples.
"...MAKE ME WANT TO PUKE" Hector spat with all disdain of the world. "I never thought that feeling hate for someone could affect my body like this... My stomach churns, my ear buzz, like an itch that I can't scratch off... huhu... huhu" Hector says with his hand still in his face, clawing like he wants to peel his skin off. Between the spaces of his fingers, I see his eyes glow dangerously red as if reflecting his mood.
"I never thought I could hate someone so much, that I want to shred them with my own hands. I want to end them, end everything that they love... And I want them to know that is me and the reason that why they are gonna die!"
Not only me, I see that even Shego and Isabella are looking at Hector in silence. Petrified.
Even Cathulhu has the hairs on his neck standing up.
And so fast that it almost looked like it was all a hallucination... Hector is back to normal with an impassive face.
"Sorry for scary your guys. I was just venting." He speaks calmly.
Cathulhu goes to sit on his lap and Hector strokes the cat's back leisurely, a small smile on his face.
"Hmph!" Shego snorts. "Scare me? You need more than that to scare this bad girl here. I confess... I'm almost called you daddy and asked to choke me. But you don't scare me." She says crossing her arms and leaning back on the couch.
I roll my eyes, this girl is too horny. But Hector just gave a light laugh.
"Well, everything in it due time. There's no need to rush. When I need it, I hope you can help me Helena... You're more experienced than I am with this criminal underworld stuff. "Hector says turning to me.
I just nod.
"I'll go out for a bit, don't wait up for me. You can eat dinner without me." Hector speaks getting up.
And opening a portal to an unknown location.
Huff.
I release a breath that I don't know that I was holding.
Hector... is dangerous.
He's different from the other heroes I've met in that they have a strict moral code. No one fears Superman, that guy doesn't operate like that... He wants to give people hope.
Even Batman has his bottom line.
But Hector... His moral code is too fickle. He has no moral chains or restraints. He is unpredictable. And that kind of person is the most dangerous.
A poor comparison would be the Joker, I know Hector is not monstrous like that fucker. But the fact that you don't know what's going through his mind, and that he can change so fast makes the two of them a bit similar.
Anyone sane feels the Joker.
I have personally seen what he is capable of...
I've also personally seen what a Batman without restraints is capable of...
I sigh again.
It's too early to try to judge Hector. I will tread on thin ice meanwhile.
I know from my jokes that he's not an arrogant bastard who doesn't admit even an iota of disrespect so I don't think he's that bad.
But he's young, he can change.
Especially on the path he's on.
I will try to help him, with the experience I have. It's the least I can do to repay for the second chance I got.
Isabella and I get up to continue with our assignments, but Shego remains seated.
"Are you going to stay there Shego?" Isabella asks curiously.
"...I'm a little wet. Hector is so hot full of righteous anger. I think I just marked this couch. You guys can go ahead." Shego speaks without looking at us.
I just sigh.
This group is gonna be okay?
....
Hector P.O.V.
*Sigh*
Sometimes I lose control, huh? Oh better... I want to lose control.
I was holding back too much. I tell Jean to loosen up more, not to hold back too much, not to get to the point of exploding... And here I am doing the same.
I need to punch something. Just let it go for a few minutes.
The idea that someone always has eyes on me restricts my actions.
Well, I'm going to beat up some criminals while I'm walking around New York. I won't break anyone's bones at least, self-control is important.
.....
*Haah*
I feel better now.
I blitz in some mugs, these guys didn't even see what hit them. I don't want my debut to happen yet.
If I exist, people will have countermeasures to me.
Heroes are always at a disadvantage because they are in the light, while villains can be in the dark. Plotting, knowing everything about the hero, choosing the better time for the confrontation...
I don't want to give a free advantage like that. And I'm not a fame seeker.
In the future, I will need a good image to fight against prejudice against mutants (meta-humans), but it can wait. I have to make my debut at a good time, when they really need me. To increase my reputation.
Sell the image that I appear when the world needs me the most or some bulslhit like that.
Receiving a cool breeze of the night while on top of a skyscraper, I continue to observe the building in front of me.
Oscorp...
I try to keep my prejudice against people in the Marvel world to a minimum. Not judging before knowing. But Norman Osborn... He's on my kill list.
There are people that anyone who knows the world of comics would kill in the first chance they got in case they were transported to this fictional world... And neither are the super-powerful guys. They are those normal psycho guys. Like the Joker, Lex Luthor, Norman Osborn... These guys are the ones that can cause the most damage.
Well, this world could have a different Norman than I'm used to, maybe he's a saint... But I'm 99% sure he is the Green Goblin. Just that 1% that's holding me back from nuking his home.
I really, really hope it doesn't have resurrection bullshit in this world. But I'm not very optimistic. I need some power that gives me the ability to "True death" or something. Like the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, or other soul destroyer bullshit.
I've been watching Oscorp for two hours, looking for a target for the little "unconventional interrogation" that I planned.
And I think I just find the guy.
Using various eye powers I can see people coming in and out of the building very well. And even see a little inside the building.
Middle age, lab coat, no wedding ring, signal of stress, his shoe is a little dirt with mud... The rain happens two days ago. He must live alone. Shouldn't have a wife or girlfriend doing chores for him.
And I saw him talking in whispers with Norman Osborn. And he uses the elevator a lot. Going to some secret facility, my friend?
By the way, Norman Osborn looks nothing like Willem Dafoe, thanks Jack Kirby. I would feel bad if I had to punch Willem Dafoe in the face.
I hope Xavier doesn't look like Patrick Stewart too. I can't slap Patrick Stewart in his bald head...
Well, anyway our dear Doctor... Stromm. Mendel Stromm, I see it on his badge. Huhu, is he a geneticist? I will be lucky if he is...
I follow his car.
...
Now I'm waiting in a dark corner of Dr. Stromm house. I barged in while he parked the car.
Watching him open the car, I look at him go through a routine of taking off his shoes, hanging up his lab coat, getting a drink from the fridge, and sitting on the couch and relaxing.
Well, if you're so tired. Let me help you.
Using [Somnambulism] imperceptibly I watch the doctor fall asleep.
Time to learn a little about Oscorp.
As I said before, I don't want to trivially invade people's minds. But I also won't hold back too much when I know the benefits will be great and can help a lot of people.
Green Goblin is already a thing. And he was certainly born at Oscorp.
Don't worry doc, I won't tell anyone your fetishes or something.
Approaching the unconscious scientist, I place my fingers on his temples, to make it easier. And delve into his mind...
An unknown amount of time passes.
I'm being very careful not to mindbreak him. I will only mindbreak girls through the power of D.
And... Jackpot.
This guy works in the secret OZ Serum Project. Developed to the military.
Oh.. Damage in the lab last year and no one knows who is responsible? The birth of the Green Goblin...
Heh... This guy even knows the formula. I see... The OZ serum is another rip-off of The Super Soldier Serum of Dr. Eskrine.
Using my Genius Intellect and my meta-knowledge I can see where they are going wrong.
If I'm not mistaken Eskrin used Vita-rays to empower his machine. Because to create muscle mass, energy is needed... That's why Red Skull is... a Red Skull, he didn't use Vita-rays.
Oscorp is using another form of radiation, which is what probably connects the user with the Goblin Force or whatever.
By the way, the Hulk was also another project to create a super soldier, but they wanted to empower the machine with gamma radiation... Well, everyone knows the consequences now.
I also focused on the layout of the Building and passwords.
Well, looks like I have everything I need.
As a thank you, I will cure some of this guy's problems, like his back, his bad blood circulation and others.
I will use this information for Shego and Helena to break into Oscorp. I could do it, and maybe it would be more efficient. But I need to test them and they need to be put to use.
Even if they fail, it won't be a big loss.
And if it's a success, I'll have access to several more kinds of research. Oscorp is the birthplace of various Spider-man villains... Oh.
In some media... Norman worked with Kingpin, right? To create these villains... Hmm... Another thing for the girls to try to figure out.
Well, let's go back to training.
...
Next day is more of the same.
Peter returned to School.
I at least say hello to Gwen and Ned now, but they were more focused on Peter. So I didn't interfere and just got alone again.
Not that I care, obviously...
Well, the fanboy part of me wants to befriend Spider-Man, but I won't force it.
And Flash still hasn't tried any revenge. Boring school day.
...
Arriving home, after greeting the girls and cat, Isabella comes to talk to me.
"Master Hector, the food that you ordered has come this morning."
"Is it so? Excellent. Show me." A huge amount of food is stored in the back of the house. Huhu, now I can make a little progress.
With a wave of my hand, I keep everything in my storage.
"I'm leaving today, don't wait for me." I say
"Wait... Take me with you, I'm bored of my mind here." Shego speaks.
I think for a bit but decide against it.
"Not today. But relax, still this week I will give you something to do." I say to the pouting Shego.
Better go before she convinces me, that dark upper lip is one of my weaknesses.
...
Sewers of New York
One of the good things about having meta-knowledge is that you know about secrets.
When I "merge" with my "I" of this universe it was already a little late in the storyline and I missed some good opportunities. Arc Reactor, Radioactive Spiders and others... And Captain America was probably retrieved from Iceland already.
But I know a lot of things that people can't even imagine. I know about secret locations...
I know about Wakanda, I know there are the Savage Lands in Antartica, of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, New Rome on Amazon, Titan (Homeworld of Thanos) is a moon of Saturn and I think some Olympians live on Venus...
I know about Sanctum, K'un-Lun and the gateways to other dimensions.
Less important and not so secret... I know that the Morlocks live in the sewers below New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
I found them while doing my recon.
The Morlocks, forgotten and shunned. They rarely appear. No one cares for them. Whether it's the people of this world or the writers...
Let's change that a little bit.
...
And it looks like it's my lucky day.
Looking at the big space underground. Damn, this place is trash...
I see the community of about... two hundred? There are men, women, children and the elderly.
Almost all have strange appearances. But it doesn't affect me at all. I spent a month in the world of BNHA, I saw all kinds of people. A person who has thorns is not so creepy, people of the Marvel world. Chill out...
And there are some who just have different skin color, really? It's so cool different skin colors...
Really... People are lamb. Propaganda really took away people's ability to think for themselves. I'm sure that if people weren't manipulated, people would find these differences very nice and attractive...
That woman with Rainbow skin for example. I'm sure many men would simp for her. And there are some that don't have any difference from other humans externally...
But I understand why they are here. The powers are activated at some inopportune moment were they're discovered by the community they lived in and persecuted.
At the moment everyone is gathered watching two people fight. The two have not unusual in appearance. A man and a woman.
From the feelings I'm getting from my empathic feedback, this fight is not for entertainment. Like a Coliseum...
The Woman is having her ass handed to her. And I recognize her... Is Callisto, the leader of these people. Until she is defeated by Storm sometime in the future...
I see. They are deciding who will be the next leader. And it looks like the giant, muscular guy is going to win. I don't recognize him... My Marvel Knowledge is lacking...
But he is strong. Alpha-level... Spatial Power... He is fading... merging with the space and attacking the Woman mercilessly from blindspots. Callisto is weak, she's like Captain America without the training, but with a weak healing factor.
She is gonna lose this. And it seems no one wants her to lose.
Huuum... Time to be the Hero... Or villain. Huhu
Watching Callisto take a hit she won't recover from, I resolve to make my big entrance.
...
Third Person P.O.V.
The Morlocks... As Hector said, they are mutants in which circumstances prevent them from living normally in society. The most common factor is their appearance.
They usually have weak powers and live by raiding the surface for supplies.
Unfortunately, there are far more than just over 200 that Hector is seeing here. There are other places like these. The sewers extend for many miles. That's why life underground is difficult, there's competition even here. Too many mouths to feed... No income.
There are few people who can help like Xavier or Magneto... But for unknown reasons they don't extend an olive branch to their fellow mutants.
Due to harsh living conditions, it was decided that the strongest would lead the Morlocks and there is currently a battle going on to decide the next leader.
The two combatants are Callisto, as Hector rightly points out, a woman with short black hair and a slim build, she uses an eyepatch on her right eye. She just has reflexes, strength and regeneration a little above normal.
Her opponent is different. His is Strong. Mikhail Rasputin, the Elder brother of Colossus and Magik. He's an obscure character who hasn't appeared much. So it's not strange that Hector doesn't know.
He is Alpha-level with the power of Spatial-warping. He, like his younger sibling, is very tall and with a strong build. He has black hair tied in one ponytail and some ugly scars on his face.
He is destroying Callisto. But nobody wants to see him as a leader. The reason for everyone's unease is that... Mikhail is a radical, maybe worse than Magneto and the Morlocks don't have the strength to go along with him in his crazy ideas of attacking the surface population.
That's why Callisto is resisting with everything she has, to prevent the new leader from driving the Morlocks to extinction.
Many Morlocks are watching the fight, but They are powerless to intervene. Masque, Calliban, Bliss, Marrow, Strigor, Madin and even Heavy-hitters like Brute and Hump.
*PAAH*
"Urgh..." Callisto is beaten to the ground. Mikhail is simply in a league above her.
It can disappear into space and attack from any direction, it even has energy-beam attacks.
"Amazing, woman... I appreciate your bravery. It would be a waste to have to kyou." Mikhail speaks with a Russian accent.
Callisto wipes the blood from the corner of her mouth and tries to get up.
"Mikhail… Do you even understand your role as a leader? I won't let you use us as tools!" Callisto responds by gritting her teeth.
"And what? Are you content to live here like rats? Cowards..." Mikhail spat "The humans are the ones that need to hide from us." He speaks with an insane gaze.
Callisto knows that arguing with Mikhail is pointless, but she has no other option.
She tries again to get up, but Mikhail puts his huge foot in her back.
"I win, woman. The Morlocks belong to me now."
Callisto doesn't want to accept it, but there's nothing she can do. She can barely move.
At that moment she hears a deep voice that seems to echo throughout the underground.
"Oh~ So that's how you guys decide your leaders? Very convenient for me. Can I participate?" The speech attracts everyone's attention.
A man in a black cloak slowly descends to the ground from where he was floating.
"Identify yourself, stranger!" Mikhail shouts.
When the stranger touches the ground he speaks.
"The name is Eidolon, nice to meet you all. I'm the next leader." Eidolon speaks as a matter of fact.
"Preposterous" Mikhail growls as he sets out to attack Eidolon.
"You are very strong for someone unknown." Eidolon speaks while making a barrier defending himself from Mikhail's fist.
"Do you recognize the names Natalia Romanova, Mikhail Ursus, Dimitri, Valentin, Piotr…" Hector begins listing Russian character names.
Mikhail is an enigma to him, he wants to know if he has anything to do with something he knows.
This guy has a Strong power, he knows how to use it. He can't be a nobody.
"Do you know my foolish brother?" Mikhail speaks as he disappears into the void.
"Oh… Brother? Who?" Eidolon asks interestedly as he stands still.
Eidolon moves his head to the side an instant before a fist comes out of nowhere trying to hit him.
"!"
Everyone is schocked, even Mikhail.
Mikhail tries again and again. Punches, kicks... Blows from all angles.
Mikhail starts attacking faster and faster. Showing a speed and mastery of his powers that he didn't need to show against Callisto.
But nothing touches Eidolon.
"C'mon... Answer please. I need to decide how much strength I will use against you" Eidolon speaks casually as he jumps up, dodging two arms that emerged from the floor and tried to grab Eidolon's legs.
"Argh... Piotr is my brother." Mikhail unconsciously responds because Eidolon used [Truth] on him.
"Eh- Really? I really didn't know. I can't kill you now, huh." Hector decides to capture Mikhail and take him to the Xavier Mansion as a gift on his next visit.
Knowing a little about Colossus' personality, he should care about his brother. Even if Mikhail is a villain.
Eidolon also has a keen interest in Mikhail's power.
Callisto looks at the battle with wide eyes, she has been brought into the crowd by other Morlocks. Well, "Battle" would be an exaggeration... The new guy, Eidolon is toying with Mikhail.
When Eidolon gets the answer he wanted he settles into the ground and waits.
Mikhail again disappears and goes on the attack.
And when he reappears...
Is Eidolon's turn to disappear.
Faster than the eye can see, Eidolon appears behind Mikhail with his hand outstretched. Back to back, he doesn't even turn to watch Mikhail turn into a cloud of blood and gore.
"!"
Everyone's eyes widen at the scene, but like magic, or as if time is turning back.
The cloud of blood coalesces and becomes Mikhail again as if he had never been attacked.
Eidolon used [Overhaul], just for the shock factor.
Mikhail falls to his knees on the floor with a dazed expression. It is possible to notice that he no longer has the scars on his face. Eidolon took advantage and healed Mikhail just to sow some good faith with the X-men in the future.
*tap tap*
Walking slowly, Eidolon goes behind Mikhail and grabs the top of his head.
Mikhail appears to suffer some shock before passing out.
Hector wasn't kind enough to take his power away gently.
Silence prevails on the place.
Hector lets people get a little more nervous, to have the biggest effect on his next performance.
He turns and faces each one, one by one.
Many shy away from his gaze, others stare.
When Eidolon feels the mood is ideal, he speaks up.
Utilizing various powers, Eidolon increases the dramatic factor.
His voice reverberates throughout, calm and soothing.
"Look at your guys..." He says as he walks, occasionally patting a child's head. "Ostracized and forgotten just because you are different. Living in these atrocious conditions..." Eidolon gestures around.
"ARE YOU GUYS SATISFIED??" he exclaims. All flinch.
Soon after, he again uses a calm tone.
He approaches Callisto, a golden light extends from his hand. Healing all her injuries.
Hector also releases bubbles that clean the place, creating a pleasant smell, and some plants that probably are kept by someone with sunlight power... That barely managed to survive also start to grow healthy.
The place looks brighter... The water now runs clean.
Even people start to feel comfortable.
Eidolon dramatically waves his hand, his mantle flutters and a large amount of food appears.
"I want to change this... You guys don't deserve this..." Eidolon says looking at the ceiling in melancholy. "I want to give your guys, your own spot under the sun too. EVERYONE HERE IS HUMAN TOO! WE DON'T BLEED LIKE THE PEOPLE ABOVE? WE DON'T CRY IF WE ARE HURT? WE DON'T BECOME SCARED OF THEM WHEN THEY COME TO BEAT US? BE WHO YOU ARE ARE NOT YOUR CHOICE!" Eidolon exclaims, each word making the listeners' blood boil and hearts beat faster.
"There's nothing wrong with you all... In my eyes, your all are beautiful people" Eidolon speaks softly as he stretches a kid's cheek.
Callisto is still on the floor in shock. She looks at Eidolon as if she is seeing her savior.
Eidolon turns to her again.
"Believe in me when I say that better days are coming, my friend…" Eidolon says as he extends his hand to Callisto. She unconsciously holds.
"Everything is gonna be alright…" He continues saying in a tone of voice that reaches the deepest parts of everyone's hearts.
"Do you know why...?" he asks softly looking at Callisto's hopeful eyes.
"... Because now..." Eidolon allows himself to smile, but no one sees.
"... I'm here."
The first step is taken.
...
A.N.: Oh boy, All For one would be proud.
Hello, my dear readers.
I hope everyone likes the chapter.
You know, the concept of fanfic where the MC tries to change the prejudice against mutants isn't new. But I never see anyone approach the Morlocks. Only because they are weak? Because there's no waifu? Because there is nothing to gain? Meh. Is easy to save Jean, right? Many benefits... But take almost 1000 people under his wing, and gain nothing. Protect and feed them... Give them hope.... Now I want to see someone do this.
Let's talk about some things, bear with me a little.
First of all, maybe I should apologize.
In the previous chapter, there were some comments about my statements about Africa. You know, that talk about hunger, despair.. I mean I wasn't generalizing. Only idiots generalize, I like to think of myself a little better than an idiot. But the MC was commenting on the bad things he noticed. And he has hunger, ethnic and other conflicts in Africa. But it's obvious that not all of Africa is like that. Anyway, my knowledge about Africa comes from movies and documentaries. Forgive me if I offended someone. *bows head*
Moving on, about the fact that Hector didn't go talk to Jean about his discovery. Well... There's a reason. hear me out.
The damage is already done. All Hector will do if he's going to reveal the truth is increase Jean Snap's earnings. Hector is not ready, Jean is not ready. Hector plans to reveal the truth, make no mistake, but in maybe two months. Two months is enough time for Jean to train and for maybe Hector to gain something useful in the Gacha that can help Jean.
You don't like it, Hector doesn't like it and I don't like it. I would also like the Hector-jean relationship to run smoothly, but things don't happen that way, right? You have to make choices. And if you put the small relationship between the two vs. the lives of millions of people... You know what Hector chose. He's prepared for Jean to hate him, but he won't risk it now. Human relationships are complicated, my friends. Not everything is black and white.
Now one last thing.
You may have noticed in this chapter that I paid special attention to Hector's moral dilemma and the power of telepathy. In my opinion, the power of telepathy is the most corruptible of all... Seriously, doing things without consequence... It changes people. In truth, Hector is very afraid of becoming crazy or developing a god-complex. The bad thing about going crazy is that you don't notice it yourself, right?
Hector will avoid using it as much as possible but will use it if the situation requires it. I hope I managed to convey Hector's moral stance on this issue.
Oh... I almost forgot. I hope I'm getting the personality of the characters right. I am very concerned about this. Give me your opinions.
Shego is a little too horny. I would imagine her this way if she wasn't from a public free cartoon.
That's all.
Stay good, my dear readers.
Till next time.
I will try to write faster.
I can't promise anything.
Bye Bye