"Alright, what do we do next?" Spider-Tom asked honestly, deferring to Mark's opinion, which was tantamount to acknowledging Mark's leadership.
After all, Mark had gained Doctor Strange's recognition. And even though he didn't want to admit it, Mark seemed more reliable than him. From this perspective, Spider-Tom was still a child at heart—someone who hadn't fully matured, lacked initiative, and always wanted to rely on something or someone.
"First, let's gather our team," Mark said.
"Our team?" Spider-Tom questioned.
Mark nodded, "First and foremost, your 'logistical tech support' and your 'brain.'"
"You mean Ned and MJ?" Spider-Tom suddenly understood.
"Yes," Mark confirmed.
In "Spider-Man: Homecoming," Ned used a few ordinary school computers to assist Spider-Tom in a reconnaissance mission. Although not perfect, his abilities were quite impressive. As for MJ, her intelligence and bravery matched Mark's earliest impressions of her from the comic book version, not the movie version.
Moreover, MJ provided a special buff for Spider-Tom. However, Mark's reference to "team" wasn't limited to just these two.
There were also two other Spider-People from different parallel universes!
Mark had gone to see this movie specifically to watch the interactions between the three versions of Spider-People. Now that he had the chance to meet them in person, he couldn't pass it up.
Regarding the origins of these two young Spider-People, Mark had given up hope. Given that both previous villains had come from different parallel universes, there was a high probability that these two were not from the same universes he had visited.
But whether or not he knew these young Spider-People personally, their identities as Spider-People were indisputable. So, it was entirely reasonable to bring them here in advance.
However, finding the two of them wouldn't be easy, and they would need logistical support.
Thinking about this, Mark felt somewhat regretful.
He had been so focused on talking about the villains that he had forgotten about this. Doctor Strange was impatient by nature, and upon hearing about Venom, he had immediately set off. Mark now wished he had asked him to open a portal and bring the two young Spider-People here before leaving.
Mark had to face the consequences of his decision. He instructed Spider-Tom to call Ned and MJ over first and see if they could locate them using Ned's technology.
Spider-Tom had no doubts about this plan. Mark's ability to bring in his friends for assistance was a recognition of sorts. After bidding them farewell, he left the Sanctum Sanctorum.
As Doctor Strange and Spider-Tom departed one after the other, the underground chamber became much quieter.
Mark turned to Octopus Doctor and Lizard Doctor, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation. A somewhat mischievous idea crossed his mind.
What if he went to the parallel universe he had visited before and brought the temporarily reformed Octopus Doctor to this world to meet the other Octopus Doctor? He wondered how that encounter would unfold.
"Mr. Mark, it seems like you're thinking of something rather impolite," Octopus Doctor observed Mark's expression and furrowed his brow slightly.
"Oh, no, it's nothing impolite," Mark chuckled and changed the subject. "But I am curious, Doctor Octavius, do you remember what happened before you appeared here?"
"Before I appeared here?" Octopus Doctor was intrigued by Mark's question and began to think. "I remember I was in my makeshift lab, and I had control over the sun's energy again. Then, Spider-Man showed up. I think I should have fallen into the river along with my solar energy, and then... I died?" Octopus Doctor's expression shifted from surprise to hesitation as he spoke.
Anyone who discovered they should have died would likely have a similar reaction, right? With that in mind, he raised his head, his eyes filled with a hint of supplication.
It seemed like he was confirming this fact with Mark, the Time-Space Spider-Man who possessed the ability to traverse parallel universes, while hoping it was just an illusion. Otherwise, what would he be?
A ghost?
Unfortunately, Mark nodded without hesitation. "You're right. In your world, you indeed died. During your second experiment, the miniature sun went out of control once more and was about to cause a catastrophe. At that moment, you chose to be buried under the sea along with it."
"Oh, I see," Octopus Doctor's gaze became somewhat vacant. "So, am I a ghost now?"
"Ghosts? No, no, no," Mark shook his head repeatedly. "While there might be spirits, even demons, there are no ghosts. Well, not that I've encountered anything that I've mentioned."
"What about me?" Octopus Doctor's eyes brightened slightly. No one wanted to know they were already dead.
Mark explained, "For certain reasons, at the very moment before you died, you left that world and came here. So, in a way, the people who just left, the two of them, are responsible for saving your life."
Octopus Doctor nodded, lost in thought.
"Hey, little bug!" At this moment, Lizard Doctor, who had been silent, growled softly, catching the attention of both Mark and Octopus Doctor. "You know me, which means you've been to a world where I exist?"
Mark turned to Lizard Doctor and said, "Yes, but hasn't anyone taught you manners, Dr. Connors?"
"Hehehe... manners? What's that?" Lizard Doctor chuckled softly, his voice sounding like two stones grinding against each other, rather grating. "Did I succeed in that world? Did I establish a great lizard kingdom?"
Mark sneered. "A lizard kingdom?"
In the next moment, he flashed across more than ten meters in an instant, even crossing through the magical barrier, appearing inside Lizard Doctor's cell.
Lizard Doctor reacted quickly, growling and lunging at him.
Mark made a simple move, clenched his fist, and raised it.
Bang!
A loud noise echoed through the entire underground chamber.
The whole place seemed to tremble for a moment.
Lizard Doctor was slammed heavily against the top of the cell, and when Mark withdrew his hand, he fell heavily to the ground.
Mark placed his foot on Lizard Doctor's head, sneering, "The Lizard Doctor from that world was killed by me. If you want to die, I can send you off too."
"Hey, hey! Calm down," Octopus Doctor, oddly enough, acted as the voice of reason. "That wizard who can perform magical feats probably didn't lock us up here just to have us killed, did he? You're also an outsider, killing someone on his turf might not be a good idea."
Mark applied pressure with his foot, causing Lizard Doctor's skull to creak and gradually crack. Clearly, his skull was being subjected to tremendous force.
However, Mark was careful not to kill Lizard Doctor. Even though h is skull was damaged, with Lizard Doctor's regenerative abilities, recovery would be a breeze.
°°°
Hungry for more chaps? Then check out our pătreon!
Link: Påtreon.com/BaphometFiction
I post 10 advanced chapters of this fanfic there.