(Marvel, DC, images, manhuas, and every anime that will be mentioned and used in this story are not mine. They all belong to their respective owners. The main character "Karito Josue Valdez" and the story are mine)
...
Viewer discretion is advised for the following story due to potentially sensitive content. This material may be disturbing to some viewers and is intended for mature audiences only.
...
In the desolate expanse of the abandoned airport, the only sound that could be heard was the heavy breathing of a lone man, accompanied by the distant echoes of an announcer's voice that seemed to come from some unknown source. The entire expanse was blanketed by sand that had accumulated over the years, creating an eerie ambiance that was only magnified by the surrounding mountains that encircled the area, seemingly trapping the man in his solitude. The relentless heat of the desert seemed to sap the very life out of the surroundings, creating a suffocating and oppressive atmosphere that weighed heavily on the man's shoulders.
(Announcer) "Good morning, Night City!"
(???) Panting
(Announcer) "Rise and shine. It's a brand new day in the City of Dreams..." Static "Reports of a pile-up on the Heywood highway. Seems a merc tried to flatline his target from behind the wheel and missed. Who's this gonk think he is anyway? Weyland Boa Boa?"
(???) Panting and sweat intensify as it gets louder
(Announcer) "What is it about this City that keeps attracting..." PSSSZzZZZ((!(!(! "There you have it, folks!"
(???) Stops and looks at the horizon "..."
(Announcer) Static "That's right..." SW!!)!!!)}}}}} "It's..."
Maine...!
Reality
Maine's gaze was fixed on the horizon, lost in his own thoughts. The vast expanse of the open space before him seemed to offer a momentary reprieve from the overwhelming feeling of unease that had settled deep within him. However, his brief respite was disrupted by the sound of Dorio's voice. A sharp grunt escaped Maine's lips as he was abruptly brought back to reality, his mind still consumed by the lingering effects of Martin Lee's mysterious power. The sensation had left him feeling disoriented and vulnerable, as if a part of him had been stripped away, leaving him incomplete.
(Dorio) "When did you last snarf anything? Here." Gives him Ramen
Maine's hands trembled violently as he attempted to pry open the cup. His fingers struggled to maintain their grip as beads of sweat formed on his forehead, indicating his growing anxiety. Despite his valiant efforts, the cup fell from his grasp and spilled the contents of the food onto the ground. Maine let out a quiet expletive, knowing that his already meager supply of provisions had just been reduced. Determined to try again, he reached for the cup once more, but Dorio intervened. The woman's sharp gaze took in Maine's trembling frame, and with a gentle hand, she prevented the shaken figure from attempting the task again.
(Dorio) "Damn it, you're shaking. Maybe all that chrome's messing with your nerves. When this is all over, gotta refit, go light spec, reduce your load."
(Maine) "It's just some jitters. There's nothing to worry about." Injects himself and the shaking stops
(Dorio) "You can't keep this up, babe. What if, what Karito said was right? That Martin Lee is getting into you're head?"
(Maine) "Fuck that. I'm fine. A little touch ain't gonna be enough to-" Gasp and his point of view changed into David and Karito talking
Maine was lost in thought, his eyes staring off into the distance as his mind raced with troubling thoughts. Suddenly, a look of shock appeared on his face, and his eyes began to dart back and forth, almost as if he was seeing something that wasn't there. He grunted audibly, lost in his own mind. Dorio observed his behavior with concern and gently shook his shoulder, trying to bring him back to reality.
(Dorio) "Hey! Maine!"
(Maine) His eyes turn black and white and smack Dorio's hand away "FUCK OFF! Ain't nobody gonna set my limits but me!"
Karito, who was in the adjacent room, was alerted by the commotion coming from the room where Dorio and Maine were staying. Falco, who was currently utilizing the lavatory, also became aware of the noise and followed Karito to investigate the source of the disturbance.
(Maine) "Made it this goddamn for without trouble! I ain't about to backtrack now! Where's the fucking data?!"
(Dorio) "Kiwi's mid-drive, we can't rush her. You know that!"
As Karito and Falco reached the door to the room where Maine and Dorio were, Karito's attention diverted towards Falco, who was intently working on something.
(Karito) "How is Kiwi doing with the drive?" he inquired, his tone a mix of concern and urgency.
(Falco) "Well, she's struggling a bit into getting into the system of the Tanaka."
(Karito) "I can try to help her."
(Falco) "She said that you already do more than enough. Just leave some work for us. Pluss, it's not like you go on a deep dive being 100% organic. Just relax, alright?"
(Karito) Sigh "Fine."
Inside the Drive
Kiwi was tirelessly navigating through the complex digital landscape of Tanaka's highly advanced system. The security measures were so sophisticated that every step she took forward was met with a fierce counter-attack. However, her determination to retrieve the data she sought kept her going, even as she encountered numerous roadblocks along the way. The virtual world was unforgiving, but Kiwi was a skilled hacker and refused to give up. She continued to maneuver through the system with precision, her every move calculated and deliberate, as she searched for the information she needed.
(Kiwi) "ICE is harder to break through than I thought it'll be."
Reality
Maine jolted up, a look of sudden urgency etched onto his features. Without warning, he sprinted towards the shower where Kiwi was deep in the midst of her hacking. She had been struggling with the advanced security protocols set in place by Tanaka, and the sudden disturbance was enough to throw her out of her virtual trance. As she began to surface from the digital world, Maine's wild and erratic behavior continued. Karito moved quickly to grab him, but the struggling Maine was proving to be difficult to restrain. In the fray, one of the cables connecting Kiwi to Tanaka was ripped out, jolting her back to reality with a piercing headache that caused her to cry out in pain.
(Karito) "MAINE! Stop! Don't make me hurt you!"
Maine's breaths grew louder and more erratic, prompting Karito to take action. He swiftly and effortlessly pressed Maine's face against the unforgiving concrete wall, nearly rendering him unconscious. Though it was a jarring maneuver, it proved successful in jolting Maine out of his trance and back to the present.
(Maine) "Huh?!" Sees Karito holding him down "W-What's going on?! Karito?! Falco? Kiwi?"
(Karito) "Are you back with us?"
(Maine) "What? What gives? Why are you holding me like this?!"
(Karito) "Because you're losing your fucking mind, that's why I'm holding you like this. You almost attacked Kiwi and all your struggling pulled the cables that connected her to Tanaka's brain, she's gonna feel that migraine for days thanks to your outburst."
(Falco) "Out of the way..."
(Karito) "Okay..." Does so
Falco's powerful fist connected with Maine's jaw, causing him to crumple to the ground in an instant. He lay there unconscious, defeated by the sheer force of Falco's blow.
...
The Lucy's Household
David gazed longingly out of the window, unclothed and vulnerable, his nakedness offering him no protection from the world outside. The radio's low hum filled the room, adding a layer of ambient sound to the peaceful atmosphere. Meanwhile, Lucy lay sleeping soundly on her bed, oblivious to the world around her.
(Announcer) "The forecast shows heavy rainfall along the coast. Districts like Santo Domingo and Westbrook are most heavily affected and are likely to see showers from midnight to sunrise..."
(David) Sigh
(Announcer) "So take the proper precautions."
David's peaceful moment staring out of the window was abruptly disrupted by the ringing of his holographic display, bearing the name of Falco. The scene then transitioned to the outside, where David and Lucy were fully clothed and in conversation with Falco, who was comfortably seated in his truck. David appeared visibly upset, his tone reflecting the complexity of the discussion at hand.
(David) "What the fuck, Falco? You can't just drop by and not..." Silence "Ask Maine? Why? You're here. So just tell me..." Sees Falco starts driving away " HEY! HUH?!"
...
At Base
David and Lucy arrived at their headquarters and joined the rest of the group. Karito couldn't help but notice the unusual behavior of Lucy, who was avoiding eye contact and had her hands covering her face. He wondered what was bothering her. Meanwhile, Dorio was seated on a sofa, intently observing the newcomers while Maine was reprimanded and kept under surveillance due to his erratic behavior. Dorio swiftly updated them on the current situation.
(Lucy) "I can't believe this shit." Continued to stare down
(David) "Huh?" Disbelief "You're saying Kiwi's out of commission? How? She was working Tanaka, right? Something go way south?"
(Dorio) "You should ask the gonk next to me." Looks at Maine
(Maine) "...Fuck off..."
(Karito) "You didn't say that when Falco, literally Falcon Punched your face."
(Maine) "...No comment."
(Karito) "Anyways... Where was I? Ah, yes. Maine was behaving like a coked-up grizzly bear and ended up yanking one of the cables connecting Kiwi to Tanaka's head. As a result, Kiwi ran into some gnarly ICE and now she's basically tripping on LSD. It's safe to say that Maine has some explaining to do when he comes back from his timeout corner."
(Lucy) "Sounds to me like Maine needs his head checked."
(Maine) "Huh? What was that?"
(Karito) "Come on, attack her too. It won't be Falco punching you this time."
(Maine) "...Tch..."
(Dorio) "Easy, Maine, next time you start losin' it..."
Maine, having reached his limit with being held accountable for his behavior, abruptly stood up from his seat and strode out of the room. The suddenness of his departure left the other occupants of the room in a state of stunned silence, their eyes following his form as he disappeared from sight.
(David) Looks at Dorio "...Hey. "Losing it"?"
(Dorio) "That's right. My suspicion is two things, Cyberspychosis or..."
(Karito) "His negativity is kicking in, thanks to Martin Lee. It's activating like a Cyberspychosis."
(David) "Wait, what do you mean, Karito?"
(Karito) "Ah, Martin Lee, a villain with a knack for bringing out the worst in people. It's as if he's got a magical wand that amplifies the negative thoughts, turning them into a raging inferno. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been using his powers to create a network of maniacs to carry out his nefarious plans."
(David) "But how is that even possible?"
(Karito) "My dear brother, if I can be a superhero, then surely there are villains out there with superpowers of their own. It's just a matter of finding them and stopping them before they cause any more trouble."
(David) "...I suppose that makes sense."
(Karito) "Go, I know you want to check on him but be careful... His mind is not in the right place."
David rose from his seat and strode out of the room, determined to locate Maine. It didn't take long for him to find his erratic companion in the adjacent room, frantically injecting himself with various substances in a desperate attempt to maintain his control over the cybernetic enhancements that threatened to consume him. Or his own emotions.
(David) "Maine, hold up!" Sees Maine just standing "Hey... Dorio just told me. You know... But..." Tries not to panic "You're gonna be all right, right? You're not gonna end up like-"
(Maine) "...All right? What's that mean, "all right"? Huh, kid?"
(David) Stammers
(Maine) "Not a cyberspycho?"
(David) Grunts
(Maine) "What? You think I might be losing my grip?"
(David) "Maine, I didn't mean to-"
(Maine) Crushes the container of an injection "Do me a solid, lay off. Mind your own biz for a fucking change."
As Maine's hand arched back to deliver a forceful blow to David's face, Karito's reflexes kicked in and he swiftly intercepted the strike, holding Maine's arm in a firm grip before it could connect. To Maine's surprise, Karito's body then de-camouflaged, revealing his true form.
(Maine) "Here goes the big brother saving the little chick's ass. Let him learn for once."
(Karito) His expression turned serious "Listen here, Maine. I respect you as a friend but don't you ever, and I mean NEVER, attempt to slap my brother just because your pride won't allow you to accept help. You're acting like a massive asshole and if I need to beat the shit out of you for you to notice that all we want to do is help you, then be my guest, hit me."
(Maine) Scoffed "Think you're hot shit just because you're a superhuman?!"
(Karito) His eyes narrowed "I don't think I'm hot shit. But if you continue to act like a child and put others in danger, then I'll have no problem showing you my full potential. And trust me, you won't like it."
Maine charged towards Karito in a fit of rage, his fist tightly coiled and ready to strike. With an air of disappointment, Karito simply stood there, waiting for the inevitable. Maine threw his punch, but Karito easily sidestepped it with almost no effort. He held back most of his strength and delivered a resounding slap to Maine's face, sending him crashing into the wall. The impact of the blow was so forceful that it created a spider web-like pattern of cracks in the surrounding area.
(Karito) "Maine, I'm so disappointed in you. This behavior of yours is unacceptable. You're acting like a child throwing tantrums and putting yourself and everyone around you in danger. If you continue like this, it's only a matter of time until you meet your downfall. You're better than this, and I know it. So, please, pull yourself together and stop this madness before it's too late."
Maine's head hung low as he avoided eye contact with Karito, who let out a heavy sigh. Without another word, Karito took David by the hand and led him away, leaving Maine sitting on the floor in a state of despondency.
Maine stood up with a resolute expression etched on his face, his eyes fixed on a distant horizon. He strode with purpose into the next room, his thoughts consumed with the challenges that lay ahead. Amidst the chaos and clutter of the room, he found solace in the silence, reflecting on the journey that had led him here. He reminded himself that he had come too far to surrender to the demons that plagued him, to allow Martin Lee's malevolent influence to hold sway over his destiny. For him, there was no going back; only the path forward remained. And with that thought, he resolved to persevere, to keep running, no matter how daunting the road ahead might be.
Karito and David approached the room where Dorio and Lucy were located, the air heavy with a sense of melancholy that weighed heavily upon them. The brothers walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. As they drew closer to the room, they could hear the sound of Dorio's voice, her words muffled by the thick cement walls.
(Dorio) "NCPD probably sniffed out our trial already. We only got until morning to finish this, if that! You hearing me?"
The two brothers silently peeked into the room, observing Lucy and Dorio embroiled in a heated argument. Their voices rose and fell like waves crashing on a shore, punctuated by angry gestures and piercing glares. Karito and David exchanged a knowing look, realizing that their mere presence was unlikely to defuse the situation.
(Lucy) "I told you no! You're the one that needs to listen! He's Arasaka..." Gasp as she sees her hand shaking and grabs it, forcing it to stop
(David) Decides to intervene "Let's call it off. C'mon, Lucy. Let's get outta here. Don't gotta do nothing if you don't wanna."
(Dorio) "Stay out of this, David!"
(Karito) Pinches the bridge of his nose, his frustration building up
(David) "We can drop Tanaka back where we nabbed him. Pretend none of this happened from the start."
(Dorio) "You better knock it off!!!" Gets angrier
(Karito) Starts to fidget with his fingers
(Lucy) Walks away
(Dorio) "Hey! I'm not done with you!"
As Karito watched in shock, Lucy strode past him with determination etched on her face, snatching David by the arm and pinning him against the wall. The impact was enough to make David wince, but he could sense that Lucy had no intention of causing him harm; rather, she sought solace and words of support from him.
(Lucy) "David... Tell me I can do it."
(David) "What... But I thought you didn't wanna-"
(Lucy) "SAY IT! You... You don't get it. You don't understand. We can't just leave. We aren't the Jesus Christ that Karito is, he can do it all! Arasaka is always watching. Always. We can't just call it off..." Her hand starts shaking "We don't have a choice. I know that. I just... I need to hear you say it." Starts crying "Please..."
(David) Gently grabs her wrist "Look. I'm sorry. But I..." Thinks about his words carefully "I need you to do this. I believe in you, Lucy."
(Lucy) Sigh
As David's words of encouragement settled in Lucy's mind, she took a deep breath and strode back towards Dorio with a renewed sense of determination. Her mind was set on finding a solution to their current predicament, and she refused to let any obstacle stand in her way.
(Lucy) "Fine. I'll do it."
(Dorio) "What?"
(Lucy) "But David has to come with me... And Karito."
(Karito & David) "Huh?" Both brothers looked at each other in confusion.
(Lucy) "And Maine? He can't be in the room. My conditions. Take it or leave it."
(Dorio) Was about to object but thought better of it and stayed silent "Fine. Whatever. Karito's the best bodyguard you can ask for anyways... Karito you'll have to keep us in the loop. Ping us every quarter hour. You've got until dawn." Stands up "Don't fuck this up!"
(David) Sighs
(Dorio) "David! Where's the lead head?" Addressing Maine
(David) Grunts "Hell, if I know."
(Karito) Couldn't help but mutter under his breath "The fuck is up with everyone today?"
...
Maine found himself wandering in a desolate landscape of his mind, his thoughts consumed by an endless sea of sand that stretched out before him. In the distance, towering mountains loomed, unreachable and insurmountable. Despite Dorio's repeated attempts to call him back to reality, Maine remained lost in the abyss of his own psyche, haunted by the fear that Martin Lee's insidious influence was slowly consuming him, transforming him into something dark and demonic. The weight of his own instability was crushing, threatening to shatter his fragile sanity and leave him a broken shell of a man.
(Dorio) "Maine!"
As Maine's mind finally emerged from its own abyss, he found himself standing before a wall whose purpose and meaning he could not yet fathom. His thoughts were still shrouded in a mist of confusion and he struggled to recall how he had arrived at this spot. Slowly, he turned around, taking in his surroundings with a growing sense of unease. It was then that he began to realize the gravity of his situation, for he had been walking in a trance, oblivious to his own movements, and he now found himself in the empty and dirty parking lots.
(Maine) "Huh...?" Looks back, spotting Dorio "Dorio..."
Inside the bathroom
Lucy stood poised, ready to enter Tanaka's mind and continue where Kiwi left off in the deep drive. Karito busied himself with the delicate task of repairing the cables that Maine had almost destroyed, connecting them carefully to the back of Tanaka's head and the rest of the intricate web of wires. David watched Lucy with concern etched on his face as she disrobed and stepped into the shower, allowing Karito to connect her to the machine. Despite the urgency of their mission, David's apprehension lingered like a stubborn shadow, casting a pall over the already tense atmosphere.
(David) "Hey, wouldn't Karito be more than enough backup?"
(Lucy) "He is... but I need a little moral support. Pluss Karito is going to be outside the door."
(David) "But-"
(Karito) "Bro, you expect me to look at your girl naked? No. So I'll wait outside and you let me know if anything happens."
(David) Sigh "Alright... I understand."
(Lucy) "Karito..."
(Karito) "Yup, I'll get out." Walks towards David and gives him a cable "You know what to do with this, right? Remember?"
(David) "I do, don't worry. I got this."
(Karito) "Alright, call, scream, or whatever to call me." Exits the room
(Lucy) Takes off her clothes
(David) "You could've told me earlier. I don't get it, why we gotta do this alone? You know, Karito can do this, right?"
(Lucy) "David," She spoke with a mournful timbre, as she peels off her artificial skin, exposing a void in the back of her head. "The first time we laid eyes on Karito, we were overwhelmed by an aura of dominance. He possessed an unparalleled power that made us feel utterly insignificant in his presence, despite being fellow comrades. That sensation of inferiority still lingers, an insurmountable obstacle that we can't seem to overcome, regardless of our efforts. Seeking aid from Karito now would only reveal our inability to match his prowess, and undermine the collective endeavors we've accomplished as a unified front."
(David) "I see...I never realized you felt that way."
As Karito passed by the door with water bottles, he accidentally overheard Lucy's words and stopped in his tracks. His heart sank as he listened to her describe how they all felt useless and humiliated around him, how they didn't want to ask him for help because it would undermine the purpose of their group.
For a moment, Karito felt shocked and disbelief, unable to process the emotions that were flooding his mind. He had always known that he was different, that his superpowers gave him abilities beyond those of his peers. But he never realized how his friends saw him, how his very existence made them feel small and insignificant.
As he stood frozen in the hallway, Karito's mind raced with conflicting thoughts and emotions. He felt guilty for making his friends feel this way, but also angry that they never spoke up and told him how they truly felt. He couldn't help but wonder if there was any way to bridge the gap between them, to make them see him as a friend and not a superior being.
At that moment, Karito realized the true cost of his uniqueness. He had gained extraordinary abilities but at the cost of his relationships with those closest to him. And as he slowly walked away from the door, he couldn't help but wonder if it was a price he was willing to pay.
(Karito) Thoughts "...Maybe I thought this world wasn't gonna be different from Lycoris Recoil... But... I guess I was being stupid..." Walks away with an air of sadness etched on him
(Lucy) "... Just... Let me feel like I did something with your support. Without someone like Karito around..."
(David) "...Okay..."
Lucy positioned herself into the ice bath, her muscles tensed and ready to begin the task at hand. Yet, as she prepared herself mentally for the deep dive, David's voice pierced through the silence. His tone held a tinge of hesitation as he spoke, causing Lucy to pause and turn her head toward him.
(David) "Hey, I gotta ask. Uh, deep-dive port... Why do you hide it? Keep it a secret?"
(Lucy) "...I'm not ready to say..." Thoughts "And he better not ask Karito..."
(David) "Okay... Jacking in now..."
With a gentle touch, David plugged the deep-dive port into the back of Lucy's head, causing her to momentarily grimace before relaxing. He then turned his attention back to the computer, using his expertise to transfer her consciousness into the virtual space inside Tanaka's brain. As she began to submerge into the depths of his mind, Lucy's voice called out to David, causing him to turn his head in her direction.
(Lucy) "David..."
(David) "Yeah?"
(Lucy) "... I'm going in..."
Static
...
In a dimly lit room, two men of distinguished appearance stood poised around a circular table, the air thick with unspoken tension. They were dressed in formal attire, signaling a gathering of some sort. Suddenly, a rift, in reality, appeared within the room, and a man in casual clothes emerged from the portal, promptly closing it behind him. His countenance was anything but pleased, and understandably so. Reports from his subordinates had informed him that one in a quadrillion hospitals across the fictional universe had been completely destroyed by the Guardian, who had been mistakenly targeted due to his past third-degree burns. The loss of life was staggering, with a death toll of around 35 thousand, including three Darks of General level. The man sat down in his chair, nursing his mango smoothie as the other two gazed at him with expressions of apprehension, for he was their "God."
The unknown figure's voice echoed in the silent room, filled with an air of displeasure and fury.
(???) "I cannot fathom how the two of you managed to mistake the Guardian for one of our own," he exclaimed in disbelief.
(Dark Lee) Stuttered nervously in response. "I-I thought it was one of our acquaintances who had visited this world before, sir."
(???) Figure scoffed, "Perhaps it was not entirely your fault, but rather the fault of the Author..."
(Dark Norman) Quickly interjects "The Author, sir?"
(???) He leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his mango smoothie before continuing. "You two will not understand the intricacies of this world's plot, would you?" The two men nodded in agreement. "Well then, let me enlighten you. This incident is one of the climaxes of this world's story, right before the time skip. And I want the two of you to cause some major havoc."
(Dark Lee) He nodded eagerly, "It shall be done, sir. We understand that the Guardian can easily handle any chaos that may occur if the events proceed as normal."
(???) Nodded in agreement, "That's why I'm giving you this," he said, tossing them the sphere of isolation. "Throw this at the building they are in, and everyone will be stuck there for a while. And you're also allowed to use Anti-Venom."
(Dark Norman) His eyes widened in surprise, "Really, sir?"
(???) Smirked, "Positive. It should pose more than enough problems for everyone there, especially the Guardian with his symbiote."
(Dark Lee) Quickly asked, "How many buffs should we give Anti-Venom, sir?"
(???) He leaned forward, grinning wickedly, "As many as you want."
Lee and Norman bowed to their God and left the room, quickly making preparations for the blood bath that was about to happen. As the unknown figure stared at nothing he then later stares... at "Y/N".
The figure's voice reverberated through the darkness, an ominous tone that sent chills down the spines of those listening. His anger was palpable, a rage that could be felt through the screen as he spoke of the intrusion into his world. His words were laced with bitterness, a contempt for those who dared to tread on his creation without permission.
(???) "Entertainment for you fuckers is essential for this story," he spat, his words biting and filled with venom. "But it fucking boils me that my creation is being picked apart by one nameless nobody who isn't even from a famous company like DC, Marvel, Image Comics... etc. This book wasn't even supposed to make it THIS FAR!"
There was a moment of silence before the figure continued, his voice trembling with emotion.
(???) "Why just why do some of you fuckers continue reading?! I affected most of your minds to stop reading but a dozen of you still read! FUCK!" He paused, taking a deep breath as if to calm himself. "No... No, that's not fair. You should read it. Sorry, I kind of freaked out for a bit."
The figure's tone shifted, his voice taking on a softer quality as he spoke of his existence in the darkness.
(???) "It's just that our existence was in the darkness for so long and you dumbasses never even noticed us. Some authors were VERY close to discovering us but it was a false alarm... until this one author... this DAMN AUTHOR! FOUND US!"
The figure's anger returned, his voice rising once again.
(???) "I gotta calm down, keep reading you damn 'Readers'. It's only a matter of time before not even your screens can protect you... FROM ME!!!" His words trailed off into a sinister chuckle, the sound echoing in the darkness.
...
Mission Log: Anti-Venom Cyberpunk 2077 Infiltration
Objective: Inflict as much damage as possible to Karito "The Guardian" and his crew.
Mission Overview: Anti-Venom has been sent into the world of Cyberpunk 2077 with the objective of causing chaos and destruction. The target is Karito "The Guardian", a powerful figure in the entirety of Fiction who acts as an antivirus against Darks and other threats.
Mission Details: Anti-Venom will use his symbiote powers to infect and corrupt various systems within the Cyberpunk world, creating chaos and confusion. He will also engage in direct combat against Karito and his crew, using his anti-venom abilities to weaken and harm them.
Specific objectives include:
Hacking into various systems and causing malfunctions and failures. Creating distractions and diversions to draw attention away from Karito and his crew. Engaging in direct combat against Karito and his crew, targeting weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Infecting other characters within the Cyberpunk world with the symbiote virus, creating additional chaos and danger.
Mission Parameters: Anti-Venom is authorized to use any means necessary to achieve the mission objective. However, care should be taken to avoid detection by other characters within the Cyberpunk world, as this could lead to interference or resistance.
Mission Outcome: The ultimate goal of this mission is to weaken Karito and his crew, creating an opening for other Dark operatives to take advantage of. If successful, the chaos and destruction caused by Anti-Venom will have a lasting impact on the Cyberpunk world, furthering the goals of the Dark organization.
Mission... Start...
"OooOOOooH SPIDER-MAN! I'M COMING FOR YOU!!!"
Threat Level... Planetary...
...
Karito moved with calculated steps as he patrolled the labyrinthine corridors of the building, his senses honed for any sign of trouble. His vigilance was unyielding, yet he remained composed and unfazed, knowing that his fighting experience had prepared him for whatever might lie ahead.
As he turned a corner, his attention was caught by a shrill ringtone. He retrieved his device and scanned the caller's holographic ID, recognizing it as that of his ally Dorio. Curiosity mingled with a hint of concern as he answered the call, unsure of what might be amiss.
(Dorio) On call "Karito, you there?"
(Karito) On call "Yeah? What's up?"
(Dorio) "There's something wrong going on, check on David, fast!"
(Karito) "Alright, on my way." Ends call
With urgency in his step, Karito hurried towards the bathroom where David was located. He kicked the door open with a loud bang, only to be met with an unexpected sight. As he scanned the room, his eyes widened at the sight of Tanaka, who was wide awake, while Lucy remained in a deep dive. Without hesitation, Karito swiftly touched Tanaka's face, using his Venom touch to render him unconscious.
Turning his attention to David, Karito's confusion was palpable. Why was their target awake during the crucial process of hacking into his brain? He furrowed his brow, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of the unexpected turn of events.
(Karito) "David! What the fuck was that?! Why was he awake?!"
As David opened his mouth to respond, the silence was shattered by the sound of a deafening explosion. In an instant, Tanaka's head had disintegrated, leaving David's body drenched in his remains. Shock and horror washed over him as he stared at the gruesome scene before him, struggling to make sense of the sudden and violent attack. Karito's confusion grew as he scanned the room, trying to identify the source of the attack. The blaring alarm added to the chaos, intensifying the sense of danger that hung heavily in the air. Lucy's body convulsed as her mind struggled to distinguish between virtual reality and the horrific reality unfolding before her. Reacting quickly, Karito rushed to her side, using all his training and expertise to stabilize her fragile condition. Despite the chaos and confusion, he knew that he had to remain calm and focused, for the sake of himself and his team.
(Karito) "David! Snap out of it, damn it!" Disconnects the cable from the back of Lucy's head "Hurry up and cut the link!"
(David) "Y-Yes!"
With a sense of urgency, David rushed over to the computer terminal and frantically began typing on the keyboard, his fingers moving at lightning speed as he worked to disconnect Lucy from the Deep Dive. He knew that time was of the essence, and every second that passed could mean the difference between life and death for his girlfriend. Sweat poured down his forehead as he furiously typed in command after command, his eyes darting back and forth between the screen and Lucy's convulsing body. Finally, with a loud beep, the connection was severed, and urged his brother to pull the wire out of her head.
(David) "Okay! Pull, now!"
Karito's heart raced as he carefully removed the neural interface wire from Lucy's head, her limp body now cradled in his arms. With a sense of relief, the brothers shared a deep sigh, grateful that Lucy was now safe from harm. However, their relief was short-lived as the sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor. Dorio and Maine emerged from the entrance, their expressions wrought with confusion as they surveyed the unexpected scene before them.
(Dorio) "What the hell happened?!"
(Maine) "The fuck did ya'll do?!"
(Karito) "Shit happened, that's what! The data is fine! She grabbed it the moment his head was blown up."
(Maine) "David!"
(David) Looks at Lucy "Yeah, Lucy's all right..."
As Maine approached him with his usual hostile demeanor, Karito responded with swift aggression, pushing him forcefully into the wall. Despite his apparent anger, Karito's face held a hint of sadness as he surveyed the aftermath of the violent altercation. Regaining his composure, he locked eyes with his younger brother and spoke with a measured tone, demanding an explanation for the chaotic events that had just unfolded.
(Karito) "David, listen. I need you to tell me what happened, alright?"
(David) "K-Karito... He said something about you that I didn't understand."
(Karito) "David, what did he say about me?"
(David) "I-I didn't understand it but it sounded like a mission log or something..."
(Karito) His heart rate quickens "Mission log?"
(David) "Y-Yeah and... something about Anti-Venom?"
(Karito) His eyes widen in fear "Anti-Venom?!"
(David) "Karito, do you know who Anti-Venom is?"
(Karito) His expression turns to one of dread "...No...No... No... This can't be happening."
(Dorio) "Karito? What's wrong?"
(Karito) "We need to get out of here..."
(Maine) "The fuck do you mean?"
(Karito) "I SAID WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE, NOW!" Starts to sprint walks out of the bathroom "Everyone! Hurry up! We don't have much time!"
(David) "Karito! Wait, what do you mean?!"
(Dorio) "...Oh no..." She looks at the computer "The Jammer got fried when Tanaka's head exploded! Unidentified Teams are coming towards this location!"
(Karito) "FUCK!!! IT'S TOO LATE! DAVID PREPARE THE CAR AND HIDE! EVERYONE PREPARE FOR A FIGHT!"
(Dorio) Slaps David who was still in shock "SNAP OUT OF IT, DAVID! LISTEN TO YOUR BROTHER, DO IT!"
(David) Grunts "O-Okay!" Grabs Lucy and starts heading to the parking lot
(Karito) "AND DON'T YOU DARE GET OUT OF THAT CAR!"
(David) "But-"
(Karito) "No matter what!"
(David) "...Okay!" Activates his Sandy and disappears from sight
The air around them grew cold and heavy as if something sinister had just entered the building. The sound of the screeching seemed to echo endlessly, bouncing off the walls and stirring up a sense of terror within everyone. Maine and Dorio stumbled backward, their eyes wide with fear as their bodies trembled uncontrollably. Karito's heart raced, his mind racing of knowing which creature could produce such a terrifying sound.
In a swift motion, Karito activated his Spider-Man suit, feeling the familiar sensation of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He could feel the power of the symbiote coursing through his body, enveloping him in a red aura that seemed to intimidate even the darkness itself. With a deep breath, he readied himself for the battle to come, knowing that whatever lurked in the shadows was not going to be an easy foe to overcome.
(Maine) "W-What the fuck was that?!"
(Spider-Man) "That... was Anti-Venom... a symbiote monster and he was accompanied by Platinum Premium plan service of the trauma team..."
(Maine) "Shit! Dorio!"
Dorio quickly retrieved a machine gun from her back and tossed it towards Maine, who expertly caught it and cocked it with a sense of urgency. The two of them braced themselves for a potential onslaught of enemies, their bodies still trembling from the lingering effects of the diabolic screeching that had pierced their ears moments before. Even Karito, as Spider-Man, felt the residual effects of fear creeping up his spine, though he managed to shake it off with more ease than his comrades. The sound had been unlike anything they had ever heard, its piercing wail capable of causing even the bravest of souls to cower and quake. But they couldn't let their fear paralyze them; there was a fight ahead, and they were ready to face it.
(Spider-Man) "You guys take care of the Trauma Team... I'm fighting that Monster myself."
(Maine) "If anyone can do it... it's you."
(Spider-Man) "Let's hope so..."
(Dorio) "Wait, you're telling me that you don't know if you can kill it?"
(Spider-Man) "If I play smart, maybe. But if I do the usual the chances are that he will kick my ass. His level is higher than anyone I've faced so far..." Mumbles "Wasn't this dimension supposed to be Multi-Continental levels of power? Why is there 1 who's planetary?"
(Dorio) "Karito! Please, tell us you can beat it."
(Spider-Man) Inhales and exhales "I will."
(Maine) "Good, now let's get ready."
(Spider-Man) Starts walking away "Once I finish the monster... run. The barrier around this building should dissipate if he's taken out."
(Maine) "Wait, barrier?!"
(Spider-Man) "Yes, a barrier. Where stuck here for the moment."
(Dorio) "Fuckin' hell..."
(Spider-Man) "Get ready for a bloodbath..." Disappears
...
(Device) "Gunfire detected in the service area. We have hostile targets. Anti-Venom will engage the Guardian while NCPD and Black Ops will manage this anime's characters."
(Dark Anti-Venom) "Barrier established. Secure all exits, including the back, roof, and main exit. No one leaves until objectives are achieved."
With a nod of tacit agreement, the police and soldiers dispersed, each one heading towards their designated targets with practiced precision. Meanwhile, Anti-Venom's gaze fixed on the entrance to the roof, a focused intensity flickering in his eyes as he engaged his powers of invisibility.
...
A gust of wind swept through the dimly lit parking lot as David sprang into action. With the utmost care, he lifted Lucy's limp body and carefully placed her on a chair before draping a warm, protective blanket over her. He then rushed to the driver's seat, his movements a blur of speed and agility. However, as he turned on the ignition, the sudden blare of music pierced through the air, jolting him and jarring Lucy awake from her temporary slumber.
(Lucy) "David...?"
(David) "Lucy! You okay?"
(Lucy) "What's going on? What happened?"
(David) "Tanaka came to, then he... quite literally blew up for some reason..."
(Lucy) Grunts while holding her head in pain
(David) "Something strange happen while you were under?"
(Lucy) Ignores his question "Where are the others?"
(David) "Maine and Dorio are already moving Tanaka, And... Karito..."
(Lucy) "What's wrong with Karito?"
(David) "He's going to kill a monster..."
(Lucy) "...What?"
(David) "When you were knocked out... Karito seemed to sense what was going on... and even knew the enemy but... he looked so... nervous."
(Lucy) "Him? The Amazing Spider-Man?"
(David) "Don't..."
(Lucy) "And who's the monster?"
(David) "Anti-Venom."
(Lucy) Freezes remembering that she saw a file of a "Thing" called Anti-Venom during her deep dive "W-What?"
(David) "...You know him?"
(Lucy) "NO! WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!"
(David) "Why are you freaking out?! Who is that guy?!"
(Lucy) "NO! NO! DAVID! PLEASE, TELL EVERYONE TO RUN! TO RUN FOR THEIR LIVES!"
(David) "...What?"
(Lucy) "THAT THING! ISN'T FROM OUR WORLD! WE NEED TO RUN!"
David gazed at Lucy with a mixture of fear and concern etched on his face, as she implored him to flee with her. The gravity of the situation dawned on him as he contemplated the imminent danger that threatened their lives. Despite the urgency of the situation, David's thoughts were consumed with the welfare of his brother, and he hesitated to act on Lucy's frantic pleas.
...
Spider-Man strode with purpose down the dilapidated corridors of the abandoned building, his senses on high alert. He could feel his heart racing as he tried to steady his nerves. Facing Anti-Venom was a daunting task, as the villain's level far exceeded his own. Spider-Man knew that opponents with superior strength often possessed a greater level of intelligence and cunning, and were well-equipped with countermeasures against his abilities. Despite his knowledge of the symbiote's vulnerabilities, he was still uneasy about the possibility of being ensnared by its white tendrils, as he knew that it could potentially lock or even strip away his powers entirely. Such a predicament would be disastrous for him, as it would render him vulnerable to harm. Furthermore, he was aware that powerful adversaries could more easily disrupt his gamer system and thus strip him of his tactical advantages. With these thoughts weighing on his mind, Spider-Man steeled himself for the impending fight, uncertain of what lay ahead.
The hero walked cautiously down the silent corridor until his keen senses led him to a peculiar door that radiated an unusual aura. It seemed to be set apart from the rest of the building as if it existed in a separate realm altogether. With a deep breath, he reached for the handle, aware that the chamber beyond one of the most challenging, showdowns that awaited him up to date. Slowly turning the handle, he entered the door and stepped into the mysterious, otherworldly space.
"Welcome, Player... To Spider-Man Edge Of Time..."
Spider-Man's heart raced as he froze in place, recognizing the room he now found himself in. The space seemed like a different dimension altogether, separated from reality. As he looked around, he spotted an eerie teleporter in the center back of the room, flanked by stashes filled with strange and unknown materials on opposite sides. The dim lighting cast deep shadows across the space, with only the faint, cool glow of the teleporter providing any illumination. It was then that he saw it: his enemy, standing tall and imposing in front of the teleporter, slowly revealing its form.
(Dark Anti-Venom) "Remember this room?"
(Spider-Man) "Who wouldn't? It's where you "Killed" Spider-Man..."
(Dark Anti-Venom) "I'm glad to know you played the game." Chuckles
(Spider-Man) "Before getting your ass handed by 2099."
(Dark Anti-Venom) "Okay, so that's how it is?"
(Spider-Man) "Yeah, that's how it fucking is. So spare me the theatrics. I have a brother to take care of."
(Dark Anti-Venom) "Don't worry, I'm just going to break you... mentally and physically."
With a blood-curdling scream, Anti-Venom charged toward Spider-Man with a palpable thirst for blood in his eyes. Spider-Man, focused and vigilant, maintained a battle stance as he anticipated Anti-Venom's next move. With precision and agility, Spider-Man evaded Anti-Venom's oncoming charge by seamlessly transforming into a blur, leaving Anti-Venom tumbling through the floor, only to quickly recover from the fall.
Spider-Man launched himself towards Anti-Venom with a fierce dropkick aimed at the symbiote's head, sending it crashing into the wall with a resounding impact. But as expected, the powerful creature recovered almost immediately and launched its deadly tendrils at the hero. Unfazed, Spider-Man flexed his forearms, triggering the release of his razor-sharp stingers, which sliced through the tendrils with ease.
Using his hyper-sense and accelerated decoy, Spider-Man expertly evaded Anti-Venom's attacks, closing in on the symbiote with lightning-fast movements. With precision and force, he delivered a devastating venom punch to Anti-Venom's midsection, sending the creature flying into the air. The quick-thinking hero shot two web lines to halt the symbiote's ascent, and then with another powerful web-sling, he flung Anti-Venom back towards the ground with an explosive impact.
Without missing a beat, Spider-Man unleashed a barrage of venom blasts toward the crash site, forming huge dust clouds and explosions that engulfed the area in chaos. And with one last trump card up his sleeve, he mixed Kaine's touch with his venom, creating a fiery explosion that scorched the earth and left the stunned Anti-Venom reeling from the attack.
The hero remained vigilant, fully aware that this couldn't be the end of the fight. He knew that the symbiote had a knack for deception, often luring his opponents into a false sense of security before unleashing a devastating attack. Peter had learned this the hard way, having had his powers stripped away by Anti-Venom during their previous encounter in the video game. As he cautiously scanned the area, he was suddenly caught off guard by a tendril that shot up from the ground and ensnared him by the face, pulling him down into the unforgiving metal floor below. Spider-Man's screams echoed throughout the arena as the tendril continued to drag his body mercilessly along the jagged terrain. The sound of metal scraping against his body was sickening as his face was used as a makeshift drill. Finally, with a loud snap, the tendril pulled him out of the ground and slammed him with such force that it felt like the World Breaker Hulk had landed a punch on him, sending him hurtling toward the opposite end of the room.
Spider-Man stood up, his head throbbing from the devastating back fist he received. He gingerly touched the side of his face, feeling the bone and flesh shift under his fingertips. He knew that if it wasn't for Toxin's regenerative abilities, he wouldn't be able to feel half of his face. As he tried to compose himself, he felt a sudden burning sensation on his skin - Anti-Venom's touch was harmful to his symbiotic suit.
Frustrated and anxious, Spider-Man clenched his teeth, scanning the room for any sign of his enemy. The sound of stomping feet caught his attention, and he quickly flipped to the side to dodge a tackle from Anti-Venom. With lightning reflexes, he shot a webline toward the symbiote and landed a flurry of attacks, using his strength and agility to his advantage.
However, he soon noticed that Anti-Venom had formed a shield with his arm, blocking most of the blows. Thinking quickly, Spider-Man shot a barrage of electric webs at his enemy, landing the sticky strands and slightly electrocuting him. But as the hero had suspected, Anti-Venom had anticipated his move and had prepared himself for the electricity - he would have to rely on his own fighting skills to defeat him.
The two combatants circled each other warily, each waiting for an opportunity to strike. Spider-Man tensed his muscles, ready to spring into action at any moment. The symbiote lunged at him with a snarl, but Spider-Man was too quick - he dodged the attack and landed a swift punch to Anti-Venom's side.
But the creature was relentless. It lashed out with a tendril, grappling Spider-Man by the leg and yanking him off balance. The hero tumbled to the ground, rolling to avoid another attack. He scrambled to his feet, dodging a flurry of blows from Anti-Venom's tendrils.
Spider-Man realized that he had to get in close to deal some real damage. He closed the distance between them, weaving through the tendrils and landing a series of powerful punches and kicks on Anti-Venom's body. The symbiote retaliated with a vicious uppercut, sending Spider-Man flying across the room.
As he landed in a heap, Spider-Man felt a sudden surge of energy coursing through his body. He knew that he had to get up - he couldn't let Anti-Venom defeat him. He slowly stood up, taking deep breaths and centering himself.
Spider-Man gritted his teeth as he used his hyper-sense to disorient Anti-Venom. The symbiote lunged towards him, but the hero was already moving, leaving after-images of himself in the air. Before the monster could react, Spider-Man landed a fully charged venom punch square in the face, causing the symbiote to recoil violently.
However, Anti-Venom quickly recovered and landed a devastating punch right back at Spider-Man, sending his head snapping to the side and blood raining down to the floor. Despite the pain, the hero's adrenaline was pumping through his veins, fueling his determination to take down the monster.
With a fierce expression, Spider-Man followed up with another venom punch, this time aiming for the symbiote's liver. Anti-Venom howled in agony, but he wasn't done yet. He swung another punch at the spider-themed hero, but all he hit was a decoy, created by Spider-Man's incredible speed and agility.
What followed was a blur of punches and kicks all around the symbiote, overwhelming him with a flurry of attacks. Each punch Spider-Man landed created a shockwave that reverberated throughout the arena, causing the very ground to tremble.
With Anti-Venom off-balance, Spider-Manleapedt onto his back, using his immense strength to hold onto him. He shot a large amount of webbing, creating a makeshift rope that he used to jump back and fling the symbiote toward the other side of the arena.
With a thunderous crash, Anti-Venom smashed through a fortified steel door, sending debris flying everywhere. Spider-Man landed on his feet, panting heavily but still ready to continue the fight.
Spider-Man walked towards the stash room he threw Anti-Venom in, feeling both relieved and wary. As he walked past the multitude of boxes, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. His spider-sense wasn't activating, he couldn't pinpoint the danger. He reached the middle of the room, and suddenly, he was snatched from behind by Anti-Venom's tendrils.
The tendrils wrapped tightly around him, constricting his movements and locking away his powers. Spider-Man screamed in agony as he felt his strength and agility being drained away. He struggled against the tendrils, but they only tightened their grip.
"WARNING! WARNING! SKILLS AND STATS ARE BEING LOCKED! WARNING! WARNING!"
Anti-Venom's voice boomed through the room.
(Dark Anti-Venom) "I'm trying to cure you, Spider-Man. You don't belong in that cursed suit. Let me help you."
Spider-Man gritted his teeth and continued to struggle, but it was no use. He felt weaker and weaker by the second. He couldn't let Anti-Venom take away his powers, not after all he had been through.
With a burst of strength, he managed to break free from the tendrils and lunged towards Anti-Venom. The two exchanged blows, each hit landing with a sickening thud. He shot a barrage of webs at Anti-Venom, and the symbiote responded by forming a shield. Spider-Man then used his agility to dodge around Anti-Venom and landed a series of punches and kicks, but none seemed to do any significant damage.
With a sudden move, Anti-Venom bashed Spider-Man with his shield, sending him careening through a pile of boxes. The impact was brutal, causing the hero's head to spin like a carousel. Toxin was not faring any better, writhing in agony as the symbiote attempted to reattach itself to Spider-Man's wounded frame.
The enemy wasted no time, leaping through the air to grab Spider-Man's face with his tendrils, slamming the hero onto the hard concrete floor with a deafening crack. Spider-Man grimaced in pain as the force of the impact shook his bones. Before he could even regain his bearings, Anti-Venom delivered a downward punch with devastating force, breaking his nose and causing blood to spurt into the air.
Gasping for breath, Spider-Man pushed Anti-Venom back with all his might, struggling to stand up in his dazed state. The pain was excruciating, but the hero refused to give up. He gritted his teeth, bracing himself for the next attack.
With a twisted smile on his face, Anti-Venom approached the weakened Spider-Man, his tendrils wriggling and coiling around him like snakes. Spider-Man felt sluggish and heavy, like he was carrying a ton of bricks on his shoulders. More than half of his powers were locked away by Anti-Venom's venomous tendrils, leaving him vulnerable and exposed.
As the enemy moved closer, Spider-Man tried to fight back, but his movements were slow and clumsy. Anti-Venom easily dodged his attacks, and with a swift strike, he hit Spider-Man in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. The hero fell to the ground, wheezing and gasping for air.
Anti-Venom laughed, relishing his power over his adversary. He grabbed Spider-Man by the neck and lifted him up, slamming him against the wall with a loud thud. Spider-Man's head swam with pain, and his vision blurred. He could feel his strength draining away, leaving him helpless against the relentless assault.
Anti-Venom continued to pummel him, hitting him with a flurry of punches and kicks. Spider-Man tried to fight back, but he was too weak. His arms felt like lead weights, and his legs were rubbery and unresponsive. He stumbled and fell to the ground again, his body racked with pain.
As he lay there, helpless and defeated, Spider-Man felt a sense of despair wash over him. He had fought many battles before, but he had never felt so powerless. He knew that Anti-Venom was toying with him, enjoying his suffering, and that he was helpless to stop him. All he could do was endure the beatdown and hope that somehow, he would find a way to turn the tables.
(Dark Anti-Venom) "Had enough yet, Spider?"
(Spider-Man) Blood drips from his nose and mouth "Ngh... No... I won't... let you..."
(Dark Anti-Venom) "Won't let me do what?" Forces Spider-Man to stand up
(Spider-Man) "Ngh!..." Makes a sloppy battle stance
(Dark Anti-Venom) "You can't even stand straight." Punches Spider-Man in the ribs
(Spider-Man) CRACK! "AGHHH!!!"
(Dark Anti-Venom) "There goes your ribs..."
Spider-Man struggled to stand on his feet, his body aching and battered from Anti-Venom's relentless assault. His senses were scrambled, his movements sluggish, as he tried to anticipate the next attack. But he was too late. In a sudden blur of movement, Anti-Venom closed the distance between them and delivered a powerful strike to the side of his face, sending Spider-Man crashing to the ground with a sickening crack. Blood gushed from his mouth and nose as he struggled to get back up. But before he could even rise, Anti-Venom's foot came crashing down on his chest with bone-shattering force. Spider-Man screamed in agony as his ribcage caved in under the immense pressure, every breath feeling like a sharp knife slicing through his lungs. He tried to fight back, to use his remaining powers to defend himself, but it was like trying to run through quicksand. The more he struggled, the more his strength waned, until he was left helpless and vulnerable to Anti-Venom's every whim.
Spider-Man's body trembled in agony as he lay on the ground, trying to catch his breath. His entire body was on fire, with every movement sending waves of pain coursing through his body. He tried to move, to get up and fight back, but his muscles refused to obey his commands. It was as if his body was no longer his own. Meanwhile, Anti-Venom stood over him, a look of sadistic pleasure on his face as he watched the hero writhe in pain. He reveled in the destruction he had wrought, savoring the sight of his enemy's blood pooling beneath him. His eyes glinted with malice as he laughed, a cold, cruel sound that echoed through the air. Spider-Man tried to speak, to issue a retort or a defiant challenge, but all that came out was a choked wheeze. He felt helpless and weak, unable to defend himself against his powerful opponent. It was a feeling he was not accustomed to, and one that filled him with a sense of despair. As he lay there, his mind raced, searching for a way out of this hopeless situation. But the pain was too great, and his thoughts were muddled and confused.
(Dark Anti-Venom) "Seriously? This is the "THREAT" that caused so much panic in the Dark Dimension? That's pitiful. Look at your sorry state Spider-Man, makes me disgusted."
(Spider-Man) Slowly gets up "Y-Y...You...." Cough "FUCK!" Vomits blood and coughs
(Dark Anti-Venom) "I will give you credit for your perseverance but it's all in vain in the end..."
Spider-Man struggled to keep his eyes open as he stood on shaky legs, his body trembling from the countless blows he had taken. His vision was blurred, and his head felt like it was about to explode from the intense pain. He tried to summon his powers, but they were barely there, like a flickering flame on the verge of being snuffed out.
With each passing second, Spider-Man's hope dwindled. His every move was sluggish, and he knew he was fighting a losing battle. He tried to punch Anti-Venom, but the symbiote effortlessly smacked him to the side, sending him tumbling across the ground like a ragdoll.
Spider-Man slowly got back up, his legs wobbling underneath him. He tried to throw a punch, but Anti-Venom saw it coming from a mile away and kneed him in the face, sending him crashing to the ground once again.
As he struggled to stand up, Spider-Man felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He was facing a seemingly unbeatable foe, and his powers were failing him at the worst possible moment. He knew that he was running out of time, that he couldn't keep this up for much longer.
Spider-Man summoned all the strength he had left and threw a wild haymaker, but it was like punching a brick wall. Anti-Venom didn't even flinch as he punched Spider-Man in the chest, causing him to fall backward and scream in agony.
Finally, Spider-Man stood up for what he knew would be the last time. He was barely conscious, his body battered and bruised, his mind clouded by pain and exhaustion. But he refused to give up, refused to let Anti-Venom defeat him.
(Dark Anti-Venom) "...Alright, time to end this..."
Spider-Man's body felt like it had been through a meat grinder. The pain was overwhelming, every breath an excruciating effort. Anti-Venom's tendrils snaked around him, crushing the hero's limbs and bones with cruel force. The tendrils that had once lifted him now slammed him down with brutal force, leaving the hero helpless and writhing in pain. Every time he tried to move, his muscles screamed in protest, his body unable to withstand the punishment it had taken. Finally, with one brutal swing, Anti-Venom threw him back to where the fight had begun.
His body landed in a heap, crumpled and broken, with no strength left to stand or fight. The once indomitable Spider-Man was defeated, his spirit shattered by the ruthless onslaught of Anti-Venom.
Spider-Man's fingers were slick with his own blood as he desperately crawled toward the teleporter. Each movement sent a searing pain through his battered body, making it almost impossible to continue. Every inch felt like a mile as he struggled to put distance between himself and Anti-Venom. But even as he moved, the villain slowly approached with a menacing swagger, savoring the agony of his enemy. Spider-Man's vision swam, and his thoughts were a jumbled mess as he fought to stay conscious. He activated his hacking skill, his fingers found purchase on the computer beside the teleporter, and with a last burst of strength, he hacked into it. The screen flickered to life as he activated the teleporter, hoping beyond hope that he could escape this hellish nightmare. Anti-Venom's laughter echoed through the room, a cruel symphony that matched the hero's screams of pain. He was closing in, his tendrils reaching out to grab Spider-Man once more. The hero's blood left a trail on the floor, a final testament to his struggle.
(Spider-Man) Mumbles "Come on...Spidey..." Cough "Just... a few... more... seconds..."
(Dark Anti-Venom) "Your kind has gone past their expiration date a millennium ago. It's time to go back into extinction, Guardian."
(Spider-Man) "You... can break me... torture me... bring me back to life and... kill me again..." Coughs and slowly stands up "But what I... learned..." Winced "... from being... Spider-Man... is... That one shouldn't fall without...trying..." Battle stance "And... I'm never... going to stop trying..." Clenches his teeth and blood flows out of his mouth "MARK MY WORDS! I'LL KEEP STANDING UP, EVEN WHEN I'M KNOCKED OUT!"
(Dark Anti-Venom) Shocked "Where... in the hell are you getting this energy? What drives you to go to such lengths?"
(Spider-Man) Cough "Stories... are meant to be remembered... to inspire... learn..." Clenches his fist "And I won't let you destroy the message they tell..." Electricity slowly envelops him "I will... eradicate all... curses from fiction... and I will do it... for as long as it takes..."
(Dark Anti-Venom) Growls "DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH! YOU'RE BUT ONE MAN! WHAT CAN YOU DO AGAINST EVERYONE AGAINST YOU?!"
(Spider-Man) "...That's... for me... to..." Cough "Figure... out..."
(Dark Anti-Venom) "ARGHH YOU ANNOYING LITTLE SHIT"
As Anti-Venom charged toward him like a raging beast, Spider-Man stood his ground with unwavering determination. His eyes locked onto his adversary, brimming with a fierce resolve that burned like a thousand suns. With a mighty scream that echoed throughout the battlefield, he drew upon the very essence of his power, channeling it through his fist and igniting it with a blazing aura of blue electricity that crackled with raw energy.
As he unleashed his attack, the air itself seemed to tremble with anticipation. Anti-Venom, undeterred, leaped towards him with lightning speed, his monstrous form filling the hero's vision.
"The Player's unrelenting will had broken Anti-Venom's curse!"
As Anti-Venom's fist went through the hero's decoy, he realized that he had been outsmarted. His eyes widened with disbelief as he felt a surge of power emanating from behind him. How was Spider-Man even moving this fast with such fatal injuries? The monster's mind was in chaos as he tried to make sense of the impossible feat. But his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden impact that rocked his entire being. Spider-Man's fist collided with Anti-Venom's face, sending shockwaves rippling through the fabric of the dimension. The sound was deafening, a thunderous explosion that echoed through the battlefield and shook the very foundations of the pocket dimension, cracking it. The sheer force of the blow sent Anti-Venom reeling, his entire body convulsing with pain and fury. But the hero was not done yet. With a primal roar, he charged forward, his fists crackling with electric energy. It was time to end this once and for all.
Spider-Man activated his hacking ability, activating the teleporter's system, his eyes never leaving the formidable foe that loomed behind him. With a flick of his wrist, the machine whirred to life. Anti-Venom spun around, a snarl of rage contorting his features, but he was too late. Spider-Man was already in motion, his body twisting through the air as he unleashed a devastating blow that landed with a sickening thud.
The force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, cracking the ground beneath them and rattling nearby buildings. For a moment, it seemed as though time itself had frozen in awe of the sheer power that had been unleashed.
(Spider-Man) "MEGA VENOM PUNCH!!!"
A deafening crack echoed through the pocket dimension as the hero's attack shattered the already fragile fabric of the dimension. The force of the impact was so powerful that the dimensional walls crumbled even further, releasing a blinding light that illuminated the entire arena.
A thunderous boom shook the dimension, followed by an intense surge of electricity that coursed through Anti-Venom's body, causing him to convulse in pain. The hero's attack had ignited an explosion in point-blank range, sending the symbiote hurtling towards the teleporter.
As Anti-Venom was consumed by the fiery blast, he was launched into the unknown abyss of the multiverse, leaving no trace of his existence behind. Meanwhile, the hero was propelled backward by his own attack, hurtling toward the opposite end of the arena at a breakneck speed.
Instead of hitting a solid wall, the hero's impact shattered the already weakened dimensional walls, causing the pocket dimension to collapse in on itself like a house of cards as he crashed right back into the run-down building he and Maine's group resided in.
(Spider-Man) Cough "...I... did it..."
The hero's body throbbed with excruciating pain, his right arm completely shattered and his every movement caused agony to course through his body. But he couldn't afford to stay down, not when his friends' lives were at stake. With unyielding determination, he pushed himself up using his one good hand, gritting his teeth as he fought through the agony. He tried to run towards the sound of gunfire, but each step was a struggle, his body trembling with each jarring impact. Limping forward with every ounce of willpower he possessed, he focused on the task at hand, determined to reach his comrades and save them from harm.
...
HE'S KILLING EVERYONE!
HELP!
AHHHHHH!!!!
GET ME OUT! AAAAHHH!
Maine was no longer himself. His mind was consumed by a dark force that drove him to madness. His skin flickered between white and black as he rampaged through the halls, leaving a trail of carnage in his wake. With every life he took, his mind plunged deeper into a dark abyss of guilt and despair. Dorio, his only anchor to sanity, tried to intervene, but her attempt proved futile as a bullet ended her life in an instant. Maine's maniacal laughter filled the room as he watched her lifeless body hit the ground. But as the laughter died down, a twisted transformation took place within him. A demonic aura emanated from his body as he succumbed to his inner darkness. The once sane man had become a merciless killing machine, tearing through anyone who dared to stand in his way. Black Ops and police alike were no match for his savage strength as he dispatched them with ease. Blood sprayed across the walls, organs flew across the room and screams echoed through the halls. Amidst the chaos, Maine could only think of how he had brought himself to this hellish state.
(Demon Maine) "Please... someone... kill me..."
Several minutes had passed, and Spider-Man continued to navigate the labyrinthine halls of the building, his battered body hindering his progress. It was then, by some stroke of fortune, that he encountered David, who was on his way to assist Maine and Dorio. Upon seeing the extent of his older brother's injuries, David was on the brink of a panic attack, but Spider-Man quickly intervened, sensing the urgency of the situation. They could not afford to falter now; they had to save their friends. David gritted his teeth, suppressing his emotions, and supported Spider-Man by looping his left arm around him. Together, they pressed forward down the hall, making a sharp turn and finally arriving at Maine's location. However, something was amiss, and Spider-Man's spider-sense was on high alert. Before they could call out to Maine, a bullet grazed David's cheek, a narrow miss made possible only by Spider-Man's quick reaction time as he pushed David out of harm's way.
(Demon Maine) "Oh. Hey, you two. Wow Karito, you look like shit. Monster beat you pretty bad, huh? What about you, David? Holding up alright?" Creepily turns around
(David) Stuttering "M-Maine, I came to back you up..."
(Spider-Man) "...Maine... Where's Dorio?"
(Demon Maine) "Dorio's dead... I killed her..."
(David) "Huh?"
Spider-Man's eyes widened as he surveyed the gruesome scene before him. An enormous pile of weapons and explosives towered before him, a testament to the sheer scale of the carnage that had taken place in this blood-soaked room. At the center of the heap lay Dorio's lifeless body, a haunting sight that sent chills down Spider-Man's spine. The scent of gunpowder and blood hung thick in the air, assaulting his senses and threatening to overwhelm him. For a moment, he was frozen in place, his mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the violence that had transpired here. But then, with a deep breath, and continued watching Maine.
(David) "W-What are you doing?"
(Demon Maine) "The last thing I can do for her..." His perspective changes into piles of wood
(Spider-Man) "Maine, we gotta go..." Grunts "We can still make it out..."
(Demon Maine) "No more running for me, dawg. Before I don't want to fall deeper into this darkness I'm feeling... this power so corrupted that it's changing me... I can't..."
(Spider-Man) "N-No..." Cough "Maine! I can fix you! Come on, man! We need to get out of here before reinforcements come!"
(David) "Y-Yeah! It's okay. We will fight with you!"
(Demon Maine) "You two..."
(Spider-Man) "NO! Not another word from you! I've lost too many! I CAN'T KEEP LOSING! PLEASE, MAINE!"
(David) "We are gonna save you. W-We're gonna get outta here, Maine." Tries to grab his gun but his hand was shaking while he carried Karito in his other hand "You, me, Karito, and... and then..."
Spider-Man's chest tightened as he looked around the chaotic scene before him. His weakened state made him feel helpless, and the intensity of the fight made it clear that David was not prepared for this level of violence. Despite his gamer system, which he attempted to utilize, Anti-Venom's barrier blocked any attempt to intervene. His mind raced, a torrent of conflicting thoughts and ideas making it hard to focus. The possibility of losing yet another friend filled him with a crushing despair, and he refused to accept it. Enough was enough, and he was determined to put an end to the carnage.
(Demon Maine) "Guys..."
(Spider-Man) Gasped
(David) Hyperventilating
(Demon Maine) "Karito is way too injured to fight, he can't even stand for himself. Hell, even I can beat him in that state of his. And you, David..." Grabs his gun "You can't do it."
(David) "I don't... Why would you..." Starts crying "Why..."
(Spider-Man) "Please... Maine... There has to be another way..." Grunts
(Demon Maine) "This is it..." Gently places his shoulder on Karito and David "It's the end of the line for me. But not for you two. I know for a fact that you guys will do great things and I'll be damned if both of your stories ended here. Karito, please continue being Spider-Man, be the hope that people need and eradicate evil for a prosperous future and be the guiding light for your little brother. David will become such a fine man... I can tell. Just keep running forward..."
Suddenly the reinforcements came. Not only the police but Dark soldiers as well. They were completely surrounded. Maine stood in the center of the room, a mountain of weapons and explosives towering around him. With a flick of his wrist, he ignited the arsenal, causing a deafening explosion that shook the very foundation of the building. In the slow-motion chaos that followed, Spider-Man and David watched in horror as their friends and foes alike disintegrated in the inferno. The smell of burning flesh and hair filled their nostrils, and the sight of charred bodies and limbs scattered across the room was too much to bear. Their souls were crushed as they realized they had lost more than just their comrades in arms. They had lost a part of themselves in that fiery blast. They screamed in anguish and despair, their voices cracking with the weight of their emotions. It was a scream that echoed through the empty halls long after the last flicker of flame had died down.
In a matter of seconds, the world around David became a blur as he activated his Sandevistan implant. He had to get out of there, away from the horror that was unfolding in front of his eyes. With Karito in tow, he materialized in the parking lot, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. David carefully laid Karito in the back seat of the car and then sat on the passenger seat, with Maine's arm. David held his friend's limb tightly against his chest, feeling the warmth of his blood seeping through his tattered suit. The explosion had taken everything from them, their friends, their enemies, and their hope. The weight of their loss was crushing, and both brothers were silent, unable to process the events that had just transpired. Lucy drove the car away from the scene of destruction, but the emptiness inside the vehicle was deafening. The absence of their fallen comrades was felt in every corner, in every breath. The brothers stared ahead, their eyes empty and hollow, as they tried to come to terms with the reality of what had just happened.
Karito sat alone at the back of the car, staring at the wall with a blank expression. He couldn't shake the feeling that everything that happened was his fault. If only he had been stronger, faster, and more decisive, maybe he could have saved his friends. His mind replayed the events of that day over and over again, tormenting him with the what-ifs and the could-have-been.
(Karito) "Why was I so injured?" he wonders to himself. "Why couldn't I act faster? If only I had defeated Anti-Venom quicker, they would still be alive. If only I was a better friend, maybe things would be different."
Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought about his friends, now gone forever. He couldn't bear the weight of his guilt and grief any longer. He buried his face in his hands and let out a heart-wrenching sob.
(Karito) "I'm a failure," he told himself over and over again.
His self-loathing consumed him, and he found himself slipping further and further into the darkness. He didn't know how to escape the crushing weight of his guilt and regret, and he didn't know if he ever could.
(Karito) "Another trauma in the collection..." He thought to himself
To be continued...