Chapter 20: The Incident
Brittany Hammer
On her way to Principal Moira's office to show him the startling new tech from her student, Brittany Hammers tested the device. She zoomed in and out, seeing the numbers on lockers as if she were standing in front of it.
She wondered if she could purchase the prototype from him. She shook her head at the thought. That would be unwise to tempt her student with money, money she knew the boy lacked. To think the boy has a proof of concept and a working prototype.
Brittany was in awe of what one of her most infamous students had created. Her poor vision, a genetic quirk that women in her family had had always been a thorn in their side, now she could remedy that with the technology presented by the boy.
Don't forget also that there was infinite room for growth. Could people who are blind be cured? From the data she briefly reviewed, it was heavily redacted to be sure the bionic eye was directly attached to the optical nerve.
She understood the science with her biochemistry background. She could, in theory, figure out how the attachment to the optic nerve was done so smoothly without a medical professional was done. Still, for now, that part was locked away by Jeremy.
She felt it was limited on purpose. However, that only made her smile predatorily as a businesswoman and inwardly clap for her students' forward thinking.
Being a Hammer, she had a more in-depth understanding of what had occurred and the shadow battle over the controlling interest in York industries; technically, Jeremy York, the prodigal son of the assassinated creator and former CEO, should be the apparent heir, but all wasn't cut and dry as one would expect, the internal struggle that had been ongoing since the boy father passing had cause stock to decline and other companies sharks to circle sensing a feeding frenzy.
But, things may shift once the board, the few holdouts, and the ones that hadn't shut the child out and attempted to steal his birthright might rally behind him, especially now that his father was an intellectual, once-in-a-generation genius, unlike the starks In every way, Sebastian York immigrant from the Caribbean's, no former education had parted the waters that we're generational hegemonies in the tech and pharmaceutical industries by his lonesome, his wife.. she shuttered, her hand wiping a loose tear, Yuko was her former classmate and friend.
So many of their friends had failed the boy. Those afraid of their uncle and aunts hadn't stepped in; even the boy godfather had washed his hands of the child, not wanting to step into the murky waters that would come from the succession war.
Even though she had done nothing when the boy was failing, dealing, and doing drugs, all the teachers and counselors knew and stood by, watching the waters parted by his father drown out the legacy that he left behind.
Brittany took a deep breath before knocking on the door. If not for the boy alone, then for her friend Yuko York, she would step in, even if she knew it was because he had shown promise. She was still and always a Hammer; if his family fought over the company, hers would fight over the abandoned genius.
She raised her hand to knock on the door, her mind made up, but things weren't as cut and dry, and fate had had her plans.
"Ms. Hammers," a security agent bellowed, causing her hand to only rapt the door once before she turned.
'S.H.E.L.D agent?' She questioned.
'Why does he seem so alarmed,' she thought.
"How can I-"
The agent cut her off, sputtering. "Fight inside classroom M110. We need to alert the principal. The agent moved past her as she stood stunned.
The door opened, and she met eyes with another agent; the principal was already in discussion.
Cole Stephens
Back in the classroom, minutes before the incident.
The artificial intelligence teacher assistant came online, undoubtedly activated by the departing Ms. Hammers—the A. I began detailing patent submission and intellectual property laws.
Cole held in a chuckle, a smirk appearing on his face instead. 'Way ahead of you, Ms. Hammers.'
The artificial intelligence teacher pointed ahead, its finger pointing at each student's desk, as it beamed a packet of data onto their pads.
Midtown High, being lauded as the best of the best of Manhattan schools, would represent its city against other schools in other cities and districts.
The top twenty winners would receive five thousand dollars in scholarships. That would go far; most of the student body weren't the kids of the influential. The top five would receive the scholarship, free trial testing, and manufacturing for their product. The top three would not only garner everything the top five and twenty would receive but also an internship with Oscorp.
This could be beneficial to the new mask he was presenting. He couldn't submit the bionic eye, unfortunately, being the guidelines had stipulated against older inventions.
He could easily win. He didn't think a student could top him if he went all out. He had the system
to assist, and what mind, power, or force could outperform it? He was sure the system was the most potent item/existence in the Marvel universe.
'I need to start another project,' he thought before shelving the thought on the science fair.
He did want to get a better understanding of how far along Oscorp was with the super soldier serum, and even better if he could obtain one of their radioactive spiders. Not knowing which universe he was in had left his knowledge a mixed bag. In one universe, there were countless spiders around, and in another, the radioactive spiders were destroyed.
He could feel the Oscorp heir gaze on him, among others; Flash's stare would have burned holes into his back if the boy had laser eyes. He was ignoring Flash. He looked up from the the tablet and locked eyes with the daunting heir, Harry Osborn.
Would you believe that Harry's gaze held traces of killing intent? It's not substantial, just a calculated resolve to follow through. He smiled, an inkling of his intent leaking through as his visage grew fearsome in Harry's gradually risen eyes.
He smirked and withdrew himself again, fitting all that he was back behind a particular mask crafted for the everyday person to gaze upon.
It didn't take a rocket scientist to understand how he garnered the goblin ire. Elizabeth Allen, who in some universes had married Harry Osborn and had his child, who by his estimation was quite the brain, unfortunately, she hid it behind her beauty.
'I guess that's how she caught Harry's eye and got approval from his overbearing, far-reaching father to marry her.'
Continuity be damned. If the goblin ever appeared before Cole, he would put the menace down without pause or mercy, be it father or son; something about Harry had irked him, and he just couldn't put his hand on it.
The Artificial Intelligence teacher assistant hologram slowly walked around the class, up and down the aisle, and continued its lecture, only stopping when a student didn't pay attention or was talking.
Cole went through the remaining notification, tuning out the lecture, and paused when he read over one in particular.
System message: Villainous Assasin Crippled. The Hand relationship: Inreconcialble.
Rewards: Upgraded Bat-Utility Belt
System message: Nemesis created: Molot Boga
Objective: Defeat your nemesis 1/3. Reward: Uknown
Nemesis? That was new. And Molot Boga? He couldn't recall that particular villain. 'Must've been an outlier.' Cole concluded, not placing this Boga character in his eyes.
'Whoever you are, thanks for the upgrades.' Cole had to hold in another bout of laughter.
He quickly brought his interface up but specifically focused on the contents of his Batman Utility Belt.
Infrared flashlight
Smoke capsules
Chaff Grenades
Forensic analysis kit
First aid kit
Lockpicking tools
Kryptonite Ring
Tear gas pellets
Micro-processor power source
Micro-recorder
Batline spool + grappling gun
Batarangs
Miniature laser torch
Bat-shaped handcuffs
Various incendiary capsules (including plastique and thermite)
Rebreather and gas mask
Tracker
Cryo capsule
Sedatives
Radio Scrambler
Toxin illusion of death
Mini explosives
Light grenades
Anti-fire foam
Grenades iron filings
Silver nitrate
Ultrasonic transmitter (to attract bats)
Small mobile device (Connected to the Batcomputer)
Taser gun
Acid dissolver
Aquatic creature repellant
Chloral hydrate
Gag
Beanbag gun
Echo is a device that takes control of a car and turns it into a Batmobile.
Pop-out katana
Anesthetic Nose Plug
Bat-Tery
Ghost punching gloves
Lollipops
Magical Key-House of Secrets
Interesting. He remembered The Echo device, a system that takes control of a vehicle and turns it into a Batmobile. The only problem is the car needs Wayne tech inside makeup. He sat back in the chair in deep thought.
'Another avenue he would have to exploit. It's not that he can't, but he didn't have the time to start car manufacturing; if Elon Musk could do it, why couldn't he?'
Ghost punching gloves is a magical armament. It held an enchantment that allowed Batman to beat ghosts literally. He hoped this wasn't a sign that he had to contend with ghost-like beings.
Magic key that opens any door directly into Zatanna's home, which was Shadowcrest or the House of Secrets, which was across the street from the House of Mystery. His heart thudded inside his chest. That tidbit of information that surfaced inside his head made his heart flutter.
He was skeptical about toying with magical items at this stage; not understanding what earth he was on had left him out of the loop pertaining to magic society.
Kamar-taj was also a place he had hoped to visit; he had the potential to do magic, and his occultism ability had put a lot of magical information into his mind. It's nothing groundbreaking at its current level, but a few cantrips and wards could be helpful, especially if he could mix the two with technology.
Magic was an exciting topic; unlike Zatatra, who was Homo Magi, a branch of Homsapian not unlike Home Superior or Mutantkind, Cole didn't know if he was also Homo Magi; the system had only defined him as Inhuman-Mutant, which was already out of his expectation.
The key had appeared in his hand, heavy atop his palm, as indescribable energy was detectable by his burgeoning magical senses; he quickly vanished the item from the physical world as the residue energy of the thing marginally faded, so great its presence it would linger in the area for hours.
He didn't want to risk someone or anything, sensing the energy ripple from the item; unfortunately, that was out of his hand, as he could not mask a magical signature. He was still excited, regardless of the small shock he had received.
He now had the means to train in the arcane and another base or dimension only he could enter. There was another thing the system had keyed him in on: he didn't need to use the key again. The system could key into the dimension just by him willing it when he touches a door handle.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period. Cole leaped from his seat, but not before Liz brushed her hand over his and smiled teasingly.
"See you next period, lover boy," Liz said provocatively. Cole felt their eyes turn to stare at him. Harry Osborn regarded him but soon reverted his eyes; the earlier showing had scared the teen.
Cole stared at Liz's retreating figure but didn't deem her incessant teasing deserving of a response. It would only encourage her. It was a common occurrence for her to tease him.
Going through Jermey's memories, he didn't recall them ever interacting in high school. He summed up many factors, one being the constant active healing factor; he was healthier, leaner, and more pleasing than previously, and he wasn't the brooding Jeremy anymore.
Cole's indifferent face caused classmates to leer and utter profanity at him. Some even whispered and pointed at him without regard. He collected his stuff and began to exit the class.
His phone thrummed inside his inner pocket, and his eyes landed on a breaking news headline.
'Tony Stark Press Announcement!'
"Shit!" He said aloud, causing the students to turn around and stare at him like he grew an extra pair of eyes.
An indescribable feeling engulfed him, and the little sense of urgency that he carried intensified. He knew things were occurring but didn't anticipate the accompanying emotions and sensations.
It was the beginning. His hands balled, and he stood rooted in place, causing students to break around him. The prologue of Marvel was near; Tony Stark's emergence was the last check of fate.