(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)
The clock struck midnight, casting an eerie silence over the sprawling Militech complex. A solitary office glowed in the darkness, a beacon of activity in an otherwise desolate landscape. Within, the director and his secretary were the only signs of life, their presence were the only ones there through the empty halls. Despite the late hour, the woman couldn't bear the suffocating silence and decided to strike up a conversation with her boss, seeking to break the tension that hung in the air like a heavy curtain.
(Woman) "Director Evans."
(Evans) "What?!" Surprised " What the hell? How long have you been standing there?"
(Woman) "My apologies, sir. I did knock a few times."
(Evans) "It's alright. Tell me what is it you need?"
(Woman) "It's getting late. May I go home for the day?"
(Evans) Sighs
(Woman) "My apologies... I ask only because I have plans for the evening."
(Evans) Annoyed "Shall I adjust all our deadlines to accommodate your personal schedule?"
(Woman) Stammers "N-No, sir. It's just... My son got into the Academy... he said it was thanks to someone... he didn't tell me who. And I... I wanted to surprise him."
(Evans) Attitude changes "Delightful! Another legacy hire. Please extend my congratulations. Find someone to fetch the UG2 sample and you are free to go."
(Woman) "But at this hour, they've all gone home."
(Evans) Disgruntle groan
(Woman) "It's no problem, sir. I'll grab the sample myself."
(Evans) "How very kind of you. Fetch it and then get out of my sight."
The woman complies with the task assigned to her and navigates through several corridors until she reaches a closet. After a brief search, she locates the requisite sample and sets off on her return journey to the director's office. However, upon her arrival, she observes a peculiar sight: the lights of the director's office are turned off, leaving the entire floor in darkness. Her curiosity piqued, she tentatively enters the room and calls out to inquire if the director is still present.
(Woman) "Uh... Dictor Evans, I..." Looks inside the office "uh?"
As she swiftly scanned the room, her eyes were first drawn to a young man with an imposing stature, huddled in a corner with his knees pressed against his chest and his breathing erratic. He clutched his gun tightly, his knuckles turning white with tension. Then, her gaze traveled to the Director's table and what she saw next made her gasp in horror. The man she had just spoken to lay lifeless on the floor, his head split open by a bullet fired from the gun of the man in the yellow jacket standing in front of her. The box containing the samples slipped from her trembling fingers, crashing to the floor with a loud thud. The man in yellow spun around to face her, his eyes wild and his breathing ragged. Blood dripped from his cheek, but it was not his own. Her eyes locked onto the menacing barrel of the gun and she could feel the beads of sweat forming on her brow. Despair consumed her, yet she summoned the courage to ask one final question before the man with the yellow jacket obliterated her existence with his glowing yellow eyes.
(Woman) Voice breaks "B-But why?"
...
Spider-Man was cloaked in his stealth mode, silently extracting valuable intel from the Militech base through his computer. Meanwhile, his comrade David had ventured out to ensure that the perimeter was secure, for the eerie stillness of the building was beginning to unsettle them. In just a few moments, the web-slinger had gathered all necessary information and set out to locate David. With his heightened senses, he detected David's presence on the floor above, but there was something amiss about his demeanor. Fearing the worst, Spider-Man hastened his pace toward his ally.
As he drew closer, he heard the sound of a muffled gunshot, and his instincts kicked into overdrive. A woman stood in front of David, cowering in fear as the gun was aimed at her. Spider-Man could tell from her countenance and attire that she was not involved in whatever David was caught up in, and did not deserve to become collateral damage. With lightning reflexes, he used his powers to break through the floor and raced towards the woman at a breakneck speed. He saw the bullet coming dangerously close to her face, and knew he had to act fast.
Acting on pure instinct, Spider-Man employed lateral repulsion to propel himself towards her at an even greater speed. Just as the bullet was about to hit its mark, he caught it between his fingers. To his surprise, the catch was aided by his symbiotic partner Toxin, who elongated his arm with its unique capabilities. The woman, now safe in Spider-Man's arms, recognized him and clung to him tightly, pleading for protection.
However, the hero was torn as he witnessed his brother in a frenzied state, realizing what he had almost done. He had nearly taken the life of an innocent woman, had it not been for Spider-Man's timely intervention.
(Woman) "S-Spider-Man! Save me! Please!"
(Spider-Man) "You'll be fine, ma'am. I'm here now." He touched her forehead and used his hacking skill
(Woman) "What are you...?" Falls asleep
The hero, with calculated precision, gently places the unconscious woman down, employing his advanced hacking skills to erase her memory of the harrowing encounter. Spider-Man's mind races as he struggles to come to grips with David's inexplicable and unnerving behavior. With a sudden surge of anger, he swiftly pivots and tightly grips David by the collar of his jacket, forcefully demanding answers from him.
(Spider-Man) His voice was laced with anger and disbelief as he spoke to David. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" His words were delivered with a silent scream, his frustration evident.
(David) He stammered as he tried to explain himself. "K-Karito, I...I don't know what-"
(Spider-Man) But he cut him off, realizing that they didn't have time for this. "Forget it, there's no time for explanations. We need to get out of here, now." Spider-Man's tone was urgent, his eyes darting around the room as he searched for an escape route.
David nodded, still shaken by his own actions. He followed Spider-Man, his mind racing with guilt and confusion. As they left the building, he couldn't help but wonder what had come over him.
As the two slid into the luxurious leather seats of Falco's car, an eerie silence enveloped them. Despite the calm exterior of the hero, Falco could sense an unmistakable air of tension emanating from him.
(David) Lets out a deep sigh as he enters the car, his expression heavy with worry.
(Kiwi) Turns to face Spider-Man, her tone firm. "What happened in there, Karito?"
(Spider-Man) His mask doesn't allow his expression to be seen, but his voice is steady and confident. "The base probably had a jammer. It's likely why communications went MIA."
(Kiwi) Narrows her eyes slightly. "I don't think that's accurate. Our connection was stable throughout."
(Spider-Man) His mind races as he tries to come up with an explanation. "That's... strange. Maybe there was some interference from a nearby device."
(Rebecca) She groans as she enters the car, her voice bored and uninterested. "Man, oh man. That gig was a snore."
The tense atmosphere inside the car was palpable, with no one daring to break the suffocating silence that seemed to hang in the air like a thick fog. Karito was fuming with anger at what had transpired back at the Militech base, his jaw clenched tightly as he stared out of the window, lost in thought. David, on the other hand, looked nervously at his brother every now and then, unable to shake off the guilt he felt for his role in the near tragedy.
Rebecca, ever the chatterbox, tried to make small talk in an attempt to ease the tension, but her efforts were met with stony silence from Karito. Realizing that her attempts were futile, she eventually gave up and resigned herself to the oppressive silence that permeated the car. Each passing minute felt like an eternity, as they drove back to base in complete silence, with nothing but the sound of the engine and the occasional sighs of the passengers to break the stillness.
...
(Secretary) "The Guardian and his cohorts are becoming increasingly audacious as time goes on. They've now infiltrated our Arasaka facility and disrupted our operations. Not only is he adhering to the original anime storyline, but he's also stealing vital information about our 'Darks' faction."
(Dark Norman) "I have my doubts about the extent to which the Guardian could have acquired any relevant information from the lab's research on this world's Arasaka's countermeasures."
(Secretary) "The relevance of the information is not the issue at hand. What if the Guardian decides to enter the Dark Dimension once again and has an easier time traversing it? That realm is supposed to drive every fictional character who isn't a dark, completely insane. It's the embodiment of Hell for everyone else, except for us 'Darks'. His cunning is only increasing with time."
(Dark Norman) "I must concede that the Guardian has exceeded everyone's expectations by seemingly ignoring what is supposed to be the most dangerous place in fiction, far surpassing Warhammer 40K's own worst place by incalculable amounts."
(Secretary) "And that game is renowned for being worse than death itself, lore-wise. What should we do? Every time we try to track the Guardian and his allies, they simply vanish from our radar."
(Dark Norman) "Let things progress as they are. The Guardian is unlikely to cause a dimensional split by drastically altering the story. We will see him in the final 'episode' of this dimension's story. Once the Guardian is eliminated, we can secure this dimension's existence and trap it in the Dark Dimension along with the rest."
(Secretary) "Understood, sir."
(Dark Norman) "And where are we in the current plot?"
(Secretary) "At the moment, the episode is at 05:05 minutes. The Arasaka higher-ups, who work under your command, have started to make their move towards Faraday."
(Dark Norman) "Excellent. I'm keen to see how this story will unfold. It is fascinating for both us and the readers witnessing this."
...
Karito Pov
As I sit at my computer, staring at the screen, I can feel my annoyance growing by the second. It all started with Lucy, who discovered a few months ago that our lives are nothing more than entertainment for people known as "Readers." The revelation shook her to the core, but I doubt she'd have the same reaction if I told her I was one of them. Meh, she wouldn't care anyway.
Aside from stealing some information about this world's plot, I managed to obtain a bit of intel on future plans from the Darks. Some were mundane, like the maintenance hours of certain corrupted fictional characters, but others were more disturbing. SCP Gate Guardian, for example, protects an infinite number of dimensions inside the Dark Realm, along with other overpowered characters. It sent shivers down my spine just thinking about it.
What I really wanted were the mission logs, but I only managed to get their names. Imagine having access to files for a dimension infinitely higher than any author could imagine, only to find out that they contain no content. It's a real bother, to say the least.
Some of the projects listed in the files were downright terrifying, like "Project Backrooms," "Project Russian Sleep," and "Project Ruins." I would never willingly go to those places, unless I was forced to or I'd reached a point of insanity where I was willing to risk it all.
This life is only going to get harder as time goes by. The fights are becoming more exhausting because the Darks can slightly manipulate the plot to their advantage. And that's just the lower end of the hierarchy. I can only imagine how powerful the higher-ups are.
But for now, that's been taken care of. I just wish I had more information. As for the future of this anime, my Spider-sense has shown me visions of how the plot is supposed to go, and it's not looking good. I've been in this world for 21 years, and I refuse to let the people I've grown to care about die for the sake of drama.
Thankfully, I have the power to change the ending to my liking without causing a rift in reality. But doing so means going up against the Darks and the plot itself. It's just me against two Darks and the plot, no big deal... except that it is.
Why is my life so hard?
Well, I guess I gotta suck it up. Deep breaths. It's easier said than done, isn't it? Just push through, don't let it get to you. But I know for a fact that by the time I finally get a "break", my levels of sanity will break the World Guinness Record of the most mentally unstable fictional character in fiction.
Traveling to the fictional world was more of a hassle than my past self would have thought. It was all fun and games in the beginning, but now... it's getting harder to handle. Anyways, nothing too interesting should be happening right now in this "anime". Wait, scratch that. David is starting to lose his marbles. I knew him having too much cybernetics would backfire on him anytime soon. But it was too quick, if only my foresight didn't just last a few seconds... ugh. So annoying.
...
I reluctantly got up from my bed after a restless night of fruitless investigations. As I went about my day, it seemed like things were finally going well for me. I had saved a man from a fatal fall, but my good mood was short-lived as I received a notification from my gamer system that a Dark had entered this world. Of course, it had to happen now, when I was least prepared for it. And, as always, I was the only one who could deal with it. Great.
I quickly swung down to the ground and webbed up the thief to a nearby lamp post, knowing that his fate would likely not be a favorable one. But my focus was quickly diverted to the news, which was reporting on the Dark's arrival and the havoc they were wreaking. I held out my hand and summoned a small holographic screen, desperate for any information I could gather.
(News Anchor) Talks in a poised and serious tone. "Good evening, we are interrupting our regular programming to bring you breaking news. The city of Night City is under threat by a notorious master criminal, known as the Wizard. This diabolical villain has taken control of the city's airwaves and issued a challenge to the city's hero, Spider-Man. In his broadcast, the Wizard has threatened to unleash devastating disasters across the city unless Spider-Man can solve his riddles and prevent these catastrophes from happening. The first clue given by the Wizard was cryptic, 'La Guardia was the first.' Our sources tell us that Spider-Man is now in a race against time to decipher these clues and stop the Wizard's plans before it's too late. We remind our viewers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. We will continue to bring you updates on this developing story as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for further details."
(Spider-Man) Crying internally "FUCK! Now I gotta use my brain for this shit?! Ugh! Fine!"
With a powerful leap, I soared high into the sky, continuing my web-swinging through the city. The stolen goods I had recovered from that crook would surely provide enough evidence to book him, so I left him behind as I made my way towards Gracie Mansion.
Sure enough, upon arrival, a noxious green gas was seeping out of the mansion's walls. It was clear that this was not the New York City I knew so well, as the reality had been twisted and warped by my nemesis. I knew that this was The Night City, a place where the reality-warping villain had changed even the names of former mayors.
Fortunately, my detoxification skill protected me from all types of poison, allowing me to crawl through the wrong reality's mansion in search of the source of the leakage. After some exploration, I discovered the gas was harmless, created solely to frighten rather than harm. With a swift web line, I hurled the gas tank far into the Badlands, where it disappeared into the distance.
With the first clue of my enemy's plan figured out, I decided to check on my allies and perhaps pay a visit to Rebecca. As I thought about The Wizard, I remembered that he always started with something harmless. Though he once aimed to make The Human Torch look bad, he now targeted the Guardians, namely me. In his former life, he was a celebrity, inventing lavish luxuries like his famous "air-chair" and appearing on television to showcase his skills in chess and escapology. However, with the rise of superheroes like the Fantastic Four, his fame dwindled, and he became a classic case of an envious villain.
Determined to prove that his intellect was more valuable than superpowers, The Wizard set his sights on humiliating The Torch. But every time they clashed, my fiery friend found a way to emerge victorious. In 1996, The Wizard was considered a crafty and intelligent villain, but as people moved on to better stories, he was eventually forgotten.
As I swung towards Rebecca's apartment complex, the idea of a villain using minor reality manipulation as a means of proving a point lingered in the back of my mind. But, for now, my focus shifted towards seeing my friend. I landed gracefully on the ground and shifted my form to a more casual attire, courtesy of Toxin's shapeshifting abilities.
I walked up to Rebecca's door and knocked, anticipating her warm embrace. However, instead of a warm welcome, I was greeted by the cold, hard steel of a gun pointed at my face. It seemed that Rebecca was used to dealing with unsavory characters trying to steal her or worse. But, upon recognizing me, she quickly lowered her weapon and hugged me tightly.
As I looked at her in her pajamas, a small smile formed on my face. Despite the danger that often surrounds her, she still managed to maintain her cute charm.
(Rebecca) "Hey, Karito, I was just dreaming 'bout your charming presence."
(Karito) "I highly doubt that. But hey, let's continue playing Destiny, shall we?"
(Rebecca) "Can't we partake in something more... Intimate?"
(Karito) "Ah, I see what you're getting at. You're suggesting we order food, right?"
(Rebecca) "No, you fucking idiot of a man. I was hoping for something a bit more physical."
(Karito) "Oh, I apologize for the confusion. How about we start with some takeout first?"
(Rebecca) Pouts
(Karito) Chuckles "Okay, I'm sorry. Your face is priceless. But, let's focus on the matter at hand. Maybe if you had more..." Looks at her up and down but was interrupted
As I was idly contemplating my answer, I was jolted out of my thoughts by the sight of Rebecca's television screen flashing with the Wizard's latest clue. Honestly, could this guy not have waited for a more convenient time? I mean, I was really hungry here! But no, he had to go and interrupt my important decision-making process with his nonsensical clues. Well, I suppose I'll just have to put my culinary considerations on hold for a bit longer and get back to superhero work.
(News Anchor) "Breaking news: The Wizard has interrupted a live television broadcast just moments ago with a message for Spider-Man. According to our sources, the villain has declared that he will strike next at the only building in Manhattan. However, we are left with confusion as to what he could possibly mean by this. Is this a cryptic message only known to the two of them? Is it a deliberate attempt to throw authorities off his trail? Whatever the motive, citizens of Night City are advised to exercise caution and remain vigilant as we await more information on this developing story."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the mention of the "Wizard." Honestly, does this guy ever give me a break? Instead of enjoying a nice evening of relaxation, I find myself mentally sifting through old comic book storylines, trying to figure out what this villain could possibly be up to next. It's like he's purposely trying to make me work for it, and all I want to do is kick back and chill. I much prefer using my fists and spider-sense to solve problems, but I suppose a hero's work is never done. Time to dig deep and see if I can outsmart this annoying Wizard once and for all.
(Rebecca) "More what?"
(Karito) "Well, I think the city is calling for me..." Tries to end the conversation
(Rebecca) "HELL NO! YOU'RE TELLING ME WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY! I NEED MORE WHAT, KARITO?!"
(Karito) Thoughts "Note to self, never piss off a loli." Speaks "Uhh... Wow, would you look at the time! Gotta go, bye! Disappears
(Rebecca) "...YOU SHIT!!!
Well, that was a total clusterfudge. In any other century, commenting on someone's body shape would be a big no-no, but in the world of Cyberpunk, it's like playing with Legos - everyone's changing their body parts left and right. Still, it's not an excuse for being a jerk. I swear, this world is making me lose my manners. Anyways, I gotta get this guy outta here before he gives me a headache and ruins everyone's day.
I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as I made my way to The Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan. It was the only building in the entire city that was right, or should I say "Wright" - designed by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. With the help of my trusty gamer system's GPS, I could track any anomalies in this dimension and locate anything that was out of place. In case my GPS functions are down I can use my Spider-Sense as well, lucky me.
As I approached the Guggenheim Museum, my eyes fixated on the peculiar sight of a translucent barrier encompassing the building. The barrier seemed impenetrable, leaving the museum-goers inside vulnerable to whatever sinister plan the Dark had in store. For now, there appeared to be no casualties, but the looming threat of danger remained. It was up to me to act swiftly and rescue the innocent before the Dark's true intentions manifested.
I tried a venom blast, but the force field remained intact. Clearly, a direct assault wasn't going to work. I needed to find the power source that was keeping the field in place. My Spider-sense kicked in, directing me to the top of the bubble. Unfortunately, the power source was still inside the field, out of my reach.
So I had to get creative. I noticed that the people inside were able to breathe and appeared to be cold, which meant that the field allowed air, light, and apparently also heat. I decided to use my Kaine's touch skill, combined with some hacking expertise, to superheat the air around the generator.
It took a few tries, but eventually, the generator was reduced to cinders, and the force field dissipated. Solving this mystery was surprisingly straightforward. All it took was some astute observation and a little bit of heat. The people were safe, and I was on to the next challenge.
I swear, this Dark is really starting to push my buttons. "Marconi's Metropolis" leading me to Radio City Music Hall was just too easy. Of course, he had to throw a fricking drill into the mix, just to make things interesting. I mean, come on! Couldn't he have just left a harder, more complex clue for once? And the fact that the other Darks are just letting him wreak havoc like this is beyond me. But I'm not one to back down from a challenge, no matter how annoying it may be. So, I quickly saved as many people as possible before unleashing a venom blast to take out that darn drill. Another crisis averted.
I let out a heavy sigh as I entered Stuyvesant Park, scanning the area for any signs of trouble. "Sir William Ramsay's Neighbourhood", what kind of clue is that? This Dark is really starting to get on my last nerves. I remembered Ramsay as the man who discovered several gases, including argon, and produced Helium-Neon, Krypton(Ironic, hehe), and xenon. And sure enough, as I reached the edge of the Gas House District, the park was filled with gas-related chaos. It looked like a fireworks display had gone awry, with explosions and fires dotting the area. I pulled out my web-shooters and got to work, extinguishing the flames and evacuating the civilians.
A few minutes later...
When can I kill this guy? I feel like my history teacher is testing me with these dumbass riddles. I've been most of the day just figuring shit out, and I'm mentally tired. I don't use my brain this much unless I actually want to... It's like telling me to do something I was going to do but I lose the motivation to do it because I was told so. Do you get me?
As I was about to take a much-needed respite, another cryptic clue was presented before me. My already taxed mind let out a frustrated sigh. I couldn't help but wonder, why must these villains always play these games?
(Dark Wizard) Speaking through the T.V. "Here's one that's beneath even you Spider-Man! Everything you need is in the phrase. "Always Walking The Plank!"
I quickly keyed in the signal I got from The Wizard using my hacking powers. Once I was in, I focused on figuring out his latest scheme. It was clear that Sixth Street and Avenue of the Americas weren't the places to look. But then it hit me, the clue "Always Walking The Plank" was likely referencing Planck's constant. With a value of 6.6260755x10^-34, it was clear that the location had to be somewhere between street numbers 626 and 755. However, this wasn't a specific address, so I had to think broader. Whatever it was, it had to be something that ran for several blocks.
And then, it clicked. The Wizard was challenging me to go "Beneath," indicating that the location was underground. A quick search revealed that there was a subway station running beneath Sixth Avenue. It seemed that The Wizard had gone to great lengths to reality-warp the station, and I had to get there fast.
Swiftly propelling myself towards the targeted area via my trusty web-slinging abilities, I was suddenly confronted with an array of formidable robots. Their sole purpose was to systematically disassemble the subway tracks. In that instant, a thought occurred to me: this rail line was not from our reality, and if left unattended, it would undoubtedly result in a catastrophic crash. The loss of life could be in the hundreds, if not more. With that realization, I had to act fast. So, I made my presence known, causing the robots to shift their focus towards me.
I begin my approach against the robots. They were no match for my power. I jumped down to the tracks and engaged the robots. With my agility and strength, I quickly took out several of them, but more kept coming. I spun webs to trap them and flung them aside, but I couldn't keep this up forever.
Suddenly, I heard the rumble of the train approaching. I had to act fast. I closed my eyes and focused, activating my hyper-sense. Everything around me slowed down, and I could see the individual bolts and screws in the track. I moved at incredible speed, using my Kaine's touch to fix the damaged parts of the track. I narrowly dodged the oncoming train as I finished the repairs, and the remaining robots were smashed and destroyed by the speeding locomotive.
I breathed a sigh of relief and checked my surroundings. The crisis was averted, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger. I had to be ready for whatever came next.
As I made my way through the bustling streets of the city, I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. All that hard work and fighting off those robots, and for what? To find out that this villain, who had caused so much trouble, was hiding out in a dingy green van tucked away in a corner. I checked my holographic GPS once more, just to make sure I hadn't missed anything, but nope, it was indeed the right location.
I couldn't believe it. Was this guy really that desperate for attention? It was as if he wanted to be caught. I mean, who in their right mind would hide in a van in the middle of a crowded street? It seemed almost too easy.
But I wasn't going to take any chances. I slowly approached the van, making sure to stay out of sight. The last thing I wanted was to alert the villain of my presence before I was ready to take him down. As I got closer, I could see the silhouette of the man inside. He seemed to be fiddling with something, completely oblivious to the world around him.
I rolled my eyes. What a fool. Didn't he know who he was dealing with? I took a deep breath, readying myself for the fight that was sure to come. It was time to show this attention-seeking villain just who exactly was he messing with.
No Pov
(Dark Wizard) "Hah! This clue will take him hours to unravel. If he even recognizes the equation! I'd give anything to see his face when-"
As the intense heat caused the van's roof to liquefy and drip onto the ground, The Wizard spun around in shock to witness the destructive sight before him. His eyes widened in disbelief as he gazed upon Spider-Man's commanding presence, descending from above to land firmly on the ground with a piercing scowl etched on his face.
(Spider-Man) "Ugh, it's you. Don't you have anything better to do than cause trouble?"
(Dark Wizard) "Bah! It's not possible! There's no way an empty-headed youngster like you could figure out my clues! Some scientists- someone who devotes their time to knowledge, not merely brawling! Someone must've helped you!"
(Spider-Man) "You really don't know me, do you? I don't need anyone's help to solve your little puzzles. And let's not pretend that you're some kind of intellectual mastermind. You're just a washed-up has-been who can't let go of the past. Pathetic, really."
(Dark Wizard) "How dare you speak to me like that! I am a sorcerer of great power! You will show me respect!"
(Spider-Man) "Respect? You want respect? Maybe you should try earning it instead of causing chaos and destruction. But I guess that's too much to ask from someone who's so desperate for attention that he resorts to playing games with people's lives."
(Dark Wizard) "YOU INSECT! I WON'T BE FORGOTTEN! I'M A CHARACTER, NOT JUST SOME ONE-TIME VILLAIN!"
(Spider-Man) Rolls his eyes and smirks. "Oh, I'll remember you alright. As just another pathetic loser who couldn't handle a kid in spandex." He reaches behind his back and pulls out a gun, pointing it directly at the Dark Wizard's head. "And as for being a character, well, let's just say your arc is about to end in a very final way. Say goodbye to your sad little life."
(Dark Wizard) He trembles in fear, realizing he has met his match in this merciless hero. "P-Please, have mercy!" he pleads.
(Spider-Man) He just sneers. "Mercy? That's not a word in my vocabulary. Goodbye, loser."
With a brutal headbutt, the Dark Wizard is knocked to the ground, sprawled out on his back, and completely vulnerable. The sound of a gunshot echoes through the villains' van as Spider-Man raises his weapon and coldly pulls the trigger. The lifeless body of the fallen villain is left crumpled and forgotten on the pavement, while Spider-Man effortlessly pockets the gun in his inventory and strides away with a detached, almost casual air.
(Spider-Man) "Waste of my time. Not even worth using my powers." Uses his hacking skill to restore this reality back to its original state "Fuck..." Sigh "I'm so annoyed and now tired..."
As Spider-Man was preparing to leap into the sky and web-swing his way home, his phone started ringing. He let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew using his hacking skills on a wide range took a lot of his stamina, and he was already exhausted from the day's events. However, he also knew that Kiwi didn't call unless it was relevant, so he answered the call.
(Kiwi) On call "Oh hello there, Kari! Are you ready to join us and save the day?"
(Karito) "Yeah, I can come over now. What's the situation?"
(Kiwi) "David's acting weirder than a three-eyed cat, and we have a new request to take down some bad guys. Gotta keep an eye on your bro, right?"
(Karito) Sighs "Yeah, I guess so. I'll head over there soon."
(Kiwi) "Fantastic! See you in a jiffy, my heroic friend." hangs up
(Karito) "There goes my nap, my patience, and my hunger. Goddamn it."
Spider-Man let out a deep sigh as he shook his head in disbelief at his recent streak of bad luck. Despite his sour mood, he knew he couldn't let it show and made his way to the designated battle zone where he and his team were set to take on a dangerous gang. His top priority was to make sure his brother David was safe and sound before leaving him to fend for himself. With his trusty web-slinging skills, he quickly navigated his way through the city, finally arriving at the scene of the battle. What he saw was a gruesome sight, with Rebecca laughing maniacally as she and David took down the mob of enemies, leaving behind piles of lifeless bodies. David appeared to be okay, but Spider-Man knew that looks could be deceiving. Suddenly, a gangster threw a grenade in their direction, but before anyone could react, Spider-Man swiftly shot a web at the grenade, causing it to bounce back toward the thrower. The gangster and a few others were blown to smithereens. Another gang member tried to take advantage of the chaos, but David hesitated when he aimed his gun. Memories of a past mission flooded his mind, causing him to freeze. The gangster saw this as an opportunity and took cover, but Spider-Man wasn't having any of it. With a single, powerful punch, he landed a devastating blow to the gangster's face, causing it to explode on impact.
(Spider-Man) "The fuck was that?" Looks at David angrily
(David) "I, uh... My bad." His eyes were one of horror
As the adrenaline of the battle began to fade, the trio piled into Falco's car and began their journey back home. David was the first to exit the vehicle, despite being nowhere near his penthouse. Karito couldn't help but furrow his brow in confusion, a sentiment that was mirrored by Rebecca who was seated in the front seat. She slowly turned her head to gaze at Karito, her eyes conveying an unspoken message. Karito felt a sense of exasperation wash over him as he realized what she was trying to convey through her gaze.
(Karito) "Falco, drop us here."
(Falco) "Huh?"
Without a word, Falco acquiesced to Karito's unspoken request as he stepped out of the car, accompanied by Rebecca.
(Rebecca) "So you finally caught on to my subtle hints." Snickers
(Karito) "Let's just head over to David's place and see what's going on, although I think I already know."
(Rebecca) Grinning "Sure thing! Can you give me a piggyback ride then?"
(Karito) Raises an eyebrow "What? Are you kidding me?"
(Rebecca) "Come on, don't be such a stick in the mud. Live a little!"
(Karito) "I'm not a jungle gym, Rebecca."
(Rebecca) "Well, that's no fun." Pouts.
(Karito) Sigh "Alright, you win."
(Rebecca) "Yay!"
Karito acquiesces to Rebecca's request and hoists her up onto his back, giving her a piggyback ride. The two set off towards David at a light jog, with Rebecca playfully exclaiming "Go my steed!" Karito cannot help but let out a chuckle at her playful banter.
With Karito carrying Rebecca on his back, the duo jogged towards David's direction. As they approached him, Rebecca's voice boomed out, demanding his attention. David turned around to face them, his expression blank and tired.
(Rebecca) "Yo, David!"
(David) "The hell are you two doing?"
(Karito) "She apparently is too lazy to walk."
(Rebecca) "No, I'm not! You're back is just comfy."
(David) "No after-party, then?
(Rebecca) "You expecting me to drink with some old farts?"
(David) "I can't promise I'll be any more fun."
(Karito) "I can bullshit on that. You remember the pranks we used to pull."
(David) "That's because you pranked me with the things you built!"
(Karito) "Hey, it was funny seeing you try to do what I do. It was adorable."
(David) "NO, STOP!"
(Karito) "Aww, you getting shy~?" Snickers
(David) "No, seriously."
(Rebecca) "You wanna talk about it as we walk?"
(David) "Uh, Sure."
(Rebecca) "Nova!" Places her chin on Karito's head
The trio marched forward with a solemn gait. The silence between them was thick and palpable, as though each were lost in their own thoughts. However, after a few moments of walking, Rebecca decided to shatter the oppressive quietude, initiating a conversation to lighten the mood.
(Rebecca) "So, how have you been doing, David?"
(David) "Meaning?"
(Karito) "Well, let's talk about the time you froze and almost got killed."
(David) "Look, I just froze up, 's all."
(Karito) "David, you've been freezin' up a lot lately. First at the facility and now this?"
(Rebecca) "I knew it was something like that when I saw you angry."
(David) "Guys... I'm fine."
(Karito) "David, you're seriously telling that to someone like me?"
(David) Looks down
(Karito) "David, me and Rebecca always keep an eye on you. You know how overprotective I can sometimes get."
(Rebecca) "Exactly, you know, ain't no one I watch as close as I watch you... Besides, watching Karito..."
(Karito) "What was that?"
(Rebecca) "Nothing, you chroom!"
(David) Chuckles
(Rebecca) "Come on, David. What's the matter?"
(David) "...It's nothing..."
(Karito) "Cut the shit, David."
(David) "It's not your problem, Karito."
(Karito) Gently places Rebecca on the ground and forces David to look at him "I dare you to say that to me again, the fuck did you just tell your brother? I fucking changed your diapers, feed you, and loved you my whole entire life. And I'll be damned to ignore my little sibling's obvious struggles."
(Rebecca) "It's not your problem anymore, David. It's ours, I put my life in your hands every time we're on missions."
(David) Looks to the side in shame "...I know."
(Rebecca) Sighs and steps beside Karito looking up at David "I've been thinking."
(David) "Hmm?"
(Rebecca) "Go light on your chrome for a while. Don't worry. Karito and I always got your back!"
(Karito) "That was probably the cutest thing you've done since we've met."
(David) Snorts
(Rebecca) "O-Oi! I'm trying to be serious here, dumbass!" Blushes but recomposes herself "Remember the fire-wielding psycho that zeroed my bro?"
(David) "'Course..."
(Rebecca) "I... I can't see you end up like him."
(Karito) "I agree... Who else could I call my blood-related brother but you, my one and only little brother."
David's expression shifts from one of surprise to one of genuine gratitude as he looks upon his sibling and Rebecca, his mouth slightly agape. A fleeting moment passes before a warm smile breaks out on his face, conveying his appreciation for their concern and care.
(Karito) "Just doing my role as the Big Brother." Summons a sprite and drinks it
(Rebecca) "Just doing my role as the sister-in-law." Smiles
(Karito) Almost chokes on his drink and coughed
As the words "sister-in-law" slipped out of Rebecca's mouth, David's and Karito's faces lit up with surprise. The younger sibling couldn't help but let out a chuckle, and soon David joined in. Karito, however, was not amused. His expression shifted from shock to confusion to disbelief, and he opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water.
Rebecca's laughter echoed through the air, punctuating the comical scene. Karito tried to retort, but the words seemed to escape him. He scrunched up his face in frustration, and Rebecca knew she had won this round of teasing. With a smug grin on her face, she snickered at Karito, who could only shake his head in defeat.
...
The darkness that surrounded Karito seemed to grow thicker and heavier, smothering him with an unbearable weight. The silence was broken by a chorus of voices, all screaming at him in unison, each word slicing through his consciousness like a jagged knife. They whispered in his ear, shouted in his face, and echoed inside his head, driving him to the brink of madness.
Karito's heart pounded in his chest as he tried to make sense of the words that tormented him. He could feel the sweat trickling down his spine as he struggled to fight back the terror that threatened to consume him. He tried to run, to escape the nightmarish realm, but his legs refused to move.
The voices grew louder, more insistent until Karito felt like he was drowning in a sea of sound. The accusations hurled at him were enough to make him sick with guilt and shame. He felt like he was suffocating like there was no escape from the accusations that rang out in his ears.
As the voices continued to taunt him, Karito felt himself beginning to break. He could feel his mind slipping away, consumed by the horror of his own guilt. He wanted to scream, to lash out at the apparitions that tormented him, but he couldn't find the strength.
Murderer.
Child Killer.
Ruiner.
Torment.
The weight of his past experiences bore down upon him like a vice, squeezing the life out of him with each passing moment. The memories of the pain and the suffering that he had endured were etched deeply into his mind, refusing to let go of their hold on him. He was a prisoner of his own nightmares, trapped in a world of endless torment.
Despite his best efforts, the memories refused to fade away. They repeated themselves over and over again, like a broken record stuck in an infinite loop. And as each moment passed, the doubts and the fears grew stronger, slowly devouring his very soul.
He knew that he was not the same person he had once been. Something had changed in him after the events of Lycoris Recoil, something that had taken a piece of his heart and soul. He was more vulnerable now, more susceptible to the horrors that lurked in the shadows.
The nightmares came more frequently now, each one more terrifying than the last. They were like harbingers of doom, warning him of the horrors that awaited him in the future. He could feel the impending sense of doom, like a dark cloud that hung over his head, waiting to unleash its fury.
He was terrified, paralyzed by the thought of what lay ahead. He wanted to wake up from this nightmare, to escape the horrors that had taken hold of him. But he knew that there was no escape, no way out of this living nightmare.
Just die, will you?
GASP!
...
Karito Pov
As I opened my eyes, beads of sweat trickled down my forehead and dampened my pillow. The insistent presence of the recurring nightmares had disrupted my sleep once again. It was as if I had never truly woken up from the haunting realm of my dreams.
I couldn't bear the thought of experiencing the same agonizing pain over and over again, yet it seemed that my mind was intent on playing a never-ending loop of my deepest fears. I had to force my gaming system to initiate a "Forced Sleep Mode" to have any hope of getting a good night's rest, I just forgot to activate it this time... I was too tired.
The nightmares had become more vivid and overwhelming, like a looming storm that threatened to swallow me whole. I could feel the weight of my own fragility pressing down on me, as if a single misstep could shatter me into a million pieces.
My heart raced with the thought of what would happen if I reached my breaking point. How much more of this could I endure before I reached the point of no return? The uncertainty and fear gnawed at me, a constant reminder of my own mortality.
I rose from my bed, the cool air sending shivers down my spine as I walked towards the fridge. My parched throat ached for some relief, and I reached for the juice bottle. Tilting it back, I guzzled the contents down in a single, satisfying swallow, savoring the taste on my tongue before I exhaled deeply. Tossing the empty bottle into the trash, I turned my attention to the window, gazing out at the world beyond. Lost in thought, I was jolted back to reality by the appearance of a call ID hologram, flickering in the corner of my eye. My heartbeat quickened as I read the name displayed before me: Lucy. With a sense of urgency, I answered, hoping that it was not another threat against my brother and the rest of our group.
(Karito) On call "Hey... Lucy, what's wrong?"
(Lucy) "Karito, David fainted and is bleeding!"
(Karito) "...I'll be right there." Hangs up
It would seem that I am not the only one succumbing to the strains of our current predicament, am I not right, David?
...
David Pov
Exhaustion has overtaken me. My body feels like it's carrying the weight of the world, every movement an immense struggle. My head throbs with a dull ache, as if a screwdriver has been plunged into my skull. The lines between reality and illusion blur before my eyes, and I see things that cannot possibly be there. Shadows dance and twist, taking on impossible forms. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, hoping to steady myself. But even the air I breathe feels thick and heavy, as if it's resisting my every inhalation.
My body aches and every movement feels like a struggle. I try to lift my arm, but it feels like a ton of bricks. I let out a soft groan, and that's when I hear footsteps coming towards me. Doc appears in my field of vision, and he's still the same old Doc.
(Ripper Doc) "Morning, cupcake."
(David) "...Doc."
(Ripper Doc) "Symptoms lettin' up at all?"
(David) Sigh "...Yeah."
(Ripper Doc) Creepily wiggles his fingers "When they start?"
(David) "...What?"
(Ripper Doc) "Shaky hands, dizziness, nausea. Usual suspects."
(David) Sigh "...A little while ago."
(Ripper Doc) "Shoulda hollered the sec they appeared."
(David) "...Didn't seem like a big deal."
(Ripper Doc)"À̸̲̥l̶͓̐́l̶̞̩̆ ̷̦͂ẗ̶͈̪̈́h̶̙͎̿i̴̳̇s̸͚̑ ̴̨̦̾͘c̵͎̺̏h̴̙͕́͠ȑ̸̪̭o̴̡̘̾m̵͓̉e̴̛͓'̵͖̙͐̏s̵̥̓ ̷̙̰̔c̸͕̀͜a̵̙̋ť̴̼c̵̮̈́̕ḫ̵̛̰į̶̈́͌n̵͇͇̆ǵ̷͈͘ ̴̭̠̐u̸̻̓p̸̝͑ ̴̳͖̽w̸̤̰̽͝i̴̟͙̕t̴̹̑ḥ̷̋͠ ̷͙̇̈y̷̧͉͑͂o̸͎͎͛ṷ̴̝̍̔,̴̰̑͜ ̶̎ͅḒ̴̍̀ą̶͈͝v̶̡̈́̎e̵̼͉͗̈́y̸̩͙͛̕.̶͎̦̈́ ̴͖̳͒I̷̥̔ ̵̦̣̉̈m̴̰̣̀ê̴͍̕ȃ̶̻̪͛n̶̖̓̄,̵͚͐̚ ̸̗̆s̶̠͕͋̍h̶̰͙͘i̴̩͛t̶̳̮͗ ̶̱̓͠š̸̼̌ţ̶͇͘ȉ̷͈͍̔l̷̛͍l̴̜̰̏ ̶͖͂͜b̴͈͍͋̀l̶̪͒o̶͚̽̔w̸̹̉͋s̶͉͙͒ ̷̭̆m̶̖͕̾̚y̷͖̎ ̷͙̿̌m̸̪̈͐i̵̻̊ñ̵̦̂d̵̢̰̒̕ ̸͎͂͝y̷̛̎͜ò̴̼u̸̧͌ ̶̫̳̑̑ķ̷̈́̔ě̵̫͙́p̴̦̓̿ͅṫ̷̥͒ ̵̨̥͘͝ĭ̷̙͈͊t̵̞̅͜ ̷̺̾͝t̴̰͖͘o̶̤̫̐g̵̨͑͠ę̵̇̋t̴͈̃́h̷̨̪̾̅ȇ̶̦r̵̠͒̍ ̵̯͌ẗ̵̞́͑ḧ̴̝̳́͝i̷͇̖͗s̶̹̯̒ ̸̼̒ĺ̴̢̘̊o̷̤͂ͅn̴̡̗͗̾g̸̠͔̚͘.̷͙̿͋͜"
(David) Sigh "...Whatev. Why now?" Starts hyperventilating slowly while clenching his teeth
(Ripper Doc) "Y̷͍͙̾͛ȯ̸̥̜u̸̙͆̆ ̵̙͊̿ẘ̷̟̐ã̴̯̓n̴̠̳͑t̷͇̍͜ ̷̘́m̴̜̂͝y̴͍̜̽̀ ̶̗̈́͑ͅp̷͉̮̃̓r̸̺̹͒o̵͉͛f̵̱̪͐ẹ̶͛̓s̷̠̈̐s̴̟͝ỉ̷͙̑o̷̥͊̈ñ̶̝͈ä̴̞̱́̌l̵͈̈́̄ͅ ̶̥͌o̶̧͑̓p̷͎̗͠i̵̬̟͆n̶̺͗ỉ̷͇ö̶̭́n̶͑̂ͅ?̴̰̑̒ ̴̗̈́̓ͅỲ̷̭o̵̲͉͑u̴̦͗͐ ̶͎̿̏b̴̝̻͠ë̵͎́̽ŝ̴͈t̶͓͎̄ ̵̹͙͆͐l̴̹̥̒i̸͔͒̆f̵̀ͅt̵̩̯̿ ̸̹̭̚y̸̩̽o̵̱̐̇u̸̘͆ͅr̶̦̪̽͝ ̵͍͑p̴̟̋̆e̶͓͖͝d̷̢̈́ā̶͚̈́l̷̡͂̎ ̸̙̽͘o̶̧͝f̸̲̋̈́ ̴̛͈ẗ̴̬̻́h̵͙̟̚ë̶̯͊ ̷͚͑́m̵͕̯̊è̶͔ț̸͙̃̕â̴ͅl̵͉̪̀͗,̵̧͔͐͊ ̵̭̀c̶̨̎͠h̵̨͕͗o̷̬͗ȍ̵̯̓m̵̟̦̈́.̵̱̃͜ ̷͙̰̀Ẏ̸̡͚̀ṓ̶̺ȗ̷͇̹'̶͙͂r̸̡̩͠e̵͇̔ ̸̓ͅa̶̲͛̍b̴̨̢̍o̸̧͌ŭ̶̮ţ̵̳̈́̆ ̶̳̙̏t̴̢̠̿ỏ̷͈ ̷͚͖̅d̴̟̪̕r̸͍͗̉ì̶͔͇v̸̨̤͊͋e̷̲̗̔́ ̴̫̀h̷̞̎e̵͍̅̓ä̶̘́d̴͚͌̂-̷͚̜̈́f̴̠͙̆ǐ̶̫̾ͅr̸̰̦̐̈́s̵̒͠ͅt̷͉̪͂͝ ̶̛̯ò̶͇f̵̯̊f̴̢̬̾͑ ̸̞͝t̸̹̭͆h̸̳͐͜é̴̮̗ ̷̢́̓ͅc̴̳̾l̶̜̑͋i̶̤͛f̷̩̈͜f̸̦̰̾ ̸̨̞̔̈́w̵͎͓̔i̵̯̼̍̕t̵̯̀̇h̷̠͛͘ ̶̲̝̿͆n̸̢̢̾̄o̴̠̲̍̐ ̷̲͝w̵̧̼͗ă̵̦ỵ̵͔̅ ̸̙̻͒b̸̳͖̿͝ä̷͕́͗c̵̠͋k̶̭̹̄͑ ̴̙͍̑̆û̶̅ͅp̸̘͑.̸̝̓"
(David) "Yeah. Just give me fucking stranger meds, then." Gets angrier
(Ripper Doc) "Ẃ̷̢̳̼́e̵̳̎̊́l̴͚̉̈̑l̷̫̊,̶̛̞̹̭ ̷̧̒s̶̨̛̱̆̕ḧ̷͈̰́ḭ̶͋t̶͚͝!̶̡̛͍̋͛ ̷̥͔̉Ȩ̶̝̻̏̈́i̸̭̙̫̐̕t̸̘͉̀̕͝h̴̊ͅè̶͝ͅr̸̨͈̟̈́ ̴͉̥͝ͅẏ̴͖o̴̗̥̲̽ů̵̩̣̥͆̑ ̸̧̀͘͜á̸̰̯͒i̴̩͘n̷͖̓̽͘'̴͇̹̳̀̀́t̸̪̪̹̓̾̇ ̸̪̌̀͋h̷̪͊e̸̲̋̈̈́ą̶͖͌͜ṟ̴̓̓́į̶̠́̔͆n̷̛̼͒̂g̵̫̙̊̏̏ ̸̩̂̾͝m̸̫̞̃̓e̷̪̱̓̀͋,̴̢͕̽ ̷̬̦͋c̶͚̳͈̔h̶͉̫͖͊ŏ̴͕͓̠͆͋ó̸͚̻m̶̲̞͂̉̂,̵̢̓͘ ̸̡̞͚̄̈́ǒ̶̦͙͈r̴̞̲͔̒͆ ̵̡̘͋ÿ̴̘̼͖́o̷̡̠̕ͅu̶̗̲̰͠'̸̼̩̔r̷̯̤͗͗ẽ̷̗̞ ̷͎͒ą̶͊͐͆l̶͇͔̉͌ȓ̸̛̜ȩ̵̲̄͂ă̴̻̙̌ḏ̶͚̪̈̋̇y̵̥̰̘͑̌̚ ̴̧̮̘̚͝o̶̲̫͔̽f̶̠̹͗f̴͚̆ ̵̻̕t̸͕̝̐ḥ̶͇̭͑e̵̟̲̎ ̸̢̘̮̎d̶̟̬́̆̂è̷̲͚́̐e̴̦͋p̶̫̦̐ ̵̫͉̱̀̎̉ḙ̷̛̊̽n̴̥͖͌͜d̶̢̨̺̽̇̓!̵̗͠ ̸̡͛A̸̼͆̈́̅s̵̹̈́̌k̶͉̱̻̈̃͊i̶̜͗n̴̻͍̫̓̆g̷͙͇͛͠ ̵̛͕f̴͙̰̍͝o̵͉̊͐͊r̴̮̓ͅ ̸̮͚̌m̷̥̻̎ȋ̷͎ṛ̵͗̏̈́a̸̘̓̌c̶̬̅͋̽͜l̸̨̐ē̶̫̹̾ ̵̫̙̮̾͂d̵̙̜̊͌ͅr̶̨͝ǘ̸͙ģ̶͚̎̑s̴͉͙̺͘ ̷̯́̉a̶̠̯̐͑̀n̶̳͐̈́d̶̡͚̬́̏ ̵̞̙͕͂p̵̦̟̟̆i̸̠̮͆̀͐x̶̞̖̽͂̉i̵͎̮̥̽͆͘ě̴͙͓̟̇̔ ̴̬̜͌͛̋ͅd̶͎͈́̑͊ǘ̸͈͉s̸̖͆̇͝ť̶͔͇͌-̵̺͈͈̈́"
Out of a desperate impulse, I sprung onto my feet and clenched Doc's throat in my grasp, slamming him against the wall with a violent force. My voice was filled with a palpable sense of irritation and anger.
(David) "Listen. Didn't come here for your gonk jokes! Just take my FUCKING MONEY! A̵̢̧͕̩͖͕̫̮͊N̸͎̩̪̱̙̓͠D̴̪̘̟̂̿̀͌́͂͒̈́͊͋̉̒̎͒͘͘͝ ̵̢̯͈͙̖̹͓̤̥̫̠̠̯̰̞͖͋̀̅͛͆̎̇̏̓̑́́̓̉̚̕G̴̩̞͖͌̔͒̍͌̔̒̋̿͆̿͝Į̵͚̗͖̂̍̈́̐̇͛̍̊̈͑̇̄̎͠͠V̴̢̡̹͚̬̬̖̦͓̭͓̦̪̯̲̉̆̎̐̑̊͒͗͆̀͝͝͝E̷̝̪̻̠̠̰͕̬̱̜̜͈̩͍͛̾͆͜͜͠͝ ̵̡͖̺̜̪̞̜͓̺̰͙̲͚̼͋͗̓̌̍ͅM̵̢̢̻͙̈̄̔͗̆̀̓̆͌̆͆̄̑̏̀̐͠Ę̶͔͈̺͗̈́̍̀͐͐̅̿͛̂͘͠ ̷̢̞͎̖̱͍̋̀͑̇͐̈́̾́̒͂̾M̷͍͙̔̆̓͐̈́̽̋̌͠͝Y̶̧̞̞͙͉̰̮̳͚̘̟̻͕͉̗̳͂̋̑̀͒͋̽̅̇̄͂̓͜͠͝͝͝ ̴̫̞̿͗̓̏̈́̌̽͗́̿̆̂̕̚F̵̠̠̍͛̀̌͐̆͌͌̅̃̕Ü̸̧͇͔͔̏̎̓̔̽́̉̂̏̚͠͠͝C̶̠̪̹̫͈̣̟̜̽̎͆̈́̽͒K̴̬̹̹̣͓̂̿̾̋̑͛̓̅͊̈̚͝͝I̷̛̼̳̊͋̉̈́̿̏͐̑́̂̐̆́́͋͝͠Ń̷̢̨̛̛̬͚̭̪̪͍̦͚͓͔̘̬͚̎͆̏̍̀͋̋̾̊́̒̑̕͘G̵̡̘̗͓͂̅̒͜ ̸̢̫̦̟̖̖͎̦͔̫͕̠̮̞͉̹̬̐̿͐̔͊͛̅̇̏͆̏̀͗̀̑̓͘͘ͅM̵̲̬̟̜͎̻͙̻̜͈̓͋Ë̴̢͈̱̯̝́͒͊̊̌̔͆̐̌͂̋̇̈̏̑͑̚ͅD̵̢͎̪̲̠̘̦̳͇̰̹͈̪̍̈́͆͑͒͆̇̎͂̄̂́̈̽̅̈́S̵̢͇͕̦̱̯̦̳͖̝͈͖̬̱̬̏̔̎̈̈́̂̒̋͘̕͜!̶͖̌̾̉̿̽̌̒̕"
I felt myself unraveling, my thoughts fragmenting like a corrupted file. But my grip on reality was restored by Lucy's voice calling out to me, and the sudden sound of a loud crack echoing outside the walls of Doc's clinic. The door flew open, and there stood Karito, his expression shifting from shock to seething anger as his gaze fell upon me.
(Karito) "David put him the fuck down."
(David) Gasps and lets go of Doc
(Ripper Doc) Coughs
As I stood there in front of Doc, I could sense the tension in the air. The atmosphere had changed from comically crazy to hostile and strained. Doc, clearly upset at what had happened to him, handed me three bags of his most potent medication. His expression was one of bitterness and resentment, blaming me for the events that had transpired. As I took the bags from him, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
(Ripper Doc) "There... Your last scrip. Nine times the standard dosage, good for nine days. It'll send you rollin' over the edge and straight into hell."
(David) "I-I'm sorry, Doc. You didn't deserve that..."
(Ripper Doc) Sighs "Don't waste your breath, Davey. Not like you're ever coming back here anyway." Sighs once again "Just yesterday a punk kid pushing XBDs for a quick buck. Go on. Become that legend. Or whatever the fuck you mercs do."
The words of Doc echoed in my mind, leaving an eerie feeling as we walked out of the clinic. The silence was deafening as we left him there, crumpled on the floor, clutching his throat in agony. Not a single word was exchanged between us, each lost in our own thoughts and emotions.
My footsteps echoed through the empty streets as I walked alongside Karito and Lucy. My mind was still reeling from the events at Doc's clinic. I was lost in thought until Lucy's voice broke the silence.
(Lucy) "David! Wait!" David continues walking faster "What was that?"
(David) "Don't tell the crew."
(Karito) "The fuck you mean, 'Don't tell the crew'?" Clicks his tongue and grabs David's shoulder "Hey! I'm talking to you, bro!"
My anger consumed me, and I couldn't bear to speak to anyone, not even my own brother. The frustration and fatigue were getting to me, and I felt like I was at my breaking point. So, in a moment of impulse, I pushed my brother's arm away, hoping to shake him out of his constant naivety and ignorance. He looked at me, visibly shocked, as did Lucy. I knew then that I had crossed a line, and that I would probably regret my actions later on.
I had foreseen the inevitable turn of events. Karito's expression contorted into anger, and he pressed his palm against my chest, causing me to wince in pain. As if by a sudden surge of supernatural power, he lifted me off the ground and hurled me into a nearby fence, still clutching his hand onto my chest. The sensation was unbearable; it felt as though my flesh was being peeled off, layer by layer. The agony was visible, etched onto my face for all to see.
(Lucy) "Karito, don't!" she cried out, her eyes wide with fear as she saw Karito's anger rising.
(Karito) "Tch." He lets go of David, his eyes still locked onto him with a fierce glare.
(Lucy) She stepped in front of David, her voice stern and filled with concern. "Your body, your mind. They have limits, David. You knew that, hell, Karito warned you multiple times." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "If normal meds can't cut it, it's time to slow down. I can't watch you do this to yourself. Scale back your cyberware."
(David) "I can't do that," He replied, his voice shaking slightly.
(Karito) "Huh?! Why not?!" His voice boomed with frustration.
(David) "You should know better than anyone, Karito! Because of Maine and our mother! Both had plans for me and you. Left us with things to do! We aren't finished yet."He replied, his eyes locking onto Karito's.
(Karito) "Of course, I know! But what's the point if you're losing your mind along the way?!" His fists clenched tightly by his side, his eyes darkening with worry. "Look at yourself, David! You can barely contain your fucking sanity with all this cyberware! Just can't keep this up, you'll turn into a cyberspycho!"
(David) "I'll be fine..." His voice trailed off, his eyes looking away from his brother's piercing gaze.
(Karito) "FUCK YOU! YOU AREN'T, DAMN IT!" His anger flared, his fists now shaking by his side.
(David) "YES, I WILL! YOU KNOW WHY?!" His voice rose, his eyes now locked onto Karito's once again.
(Karito) "FUCKING WHY?! HUH?!" His voice boomed through the empty alley.
(David) "BECAUSE YOU ARE SPECIAL! I HANDLE THE SANDY LIKE NO ONE ELSE! YOU HAVE SUPERPOWERS! THAT MUST MEAN SOMETHING! WE ARE SPECIAL! WE THE MARTINEZ FAMILY ARE SPECIAL!" His voice rose with passion as he spoke, his hands balling into fists.
(Karito) "We aren't! We are still human! Just because we can do things other people can't don't make us above others. We can still die! We can still suffer! We are still mortal!"His voice was low but filled with conviction.
(David) He punched the fence beside him in anger. "BUT WE AREN'T, EVERYTHING YOU DO IS NOT NORMAL, KARITO! YOU TALK ABOUT IT LIKE IT'S NO BIG FUCKING DEAL BUT IT IS! EVERYONE IN THIS FUCKING CITY SEES YOU LIKE A SUPERNATURAL BEING! NO ONE UNDERSTANDS YOU! LIKE SOME FUCKING ANOMALY! BUT I DO! BECAUSE I'M YOUR BROTHER! WE ARE FAMILY! THAT MEANS THAT WE AREN'T NORMAL, RIGHT?!" His voice broke with emotion as he finished speaking.
(Karito) "W-What?" His eyes widened in shock and confusion, his heart racing with fear and uncertainty as he processed David's words.
(David) "If it wasn't for you I would've killed that woman. She had 2 children... it reminded me of us... of what we don't have and I almost took her life. I almost made them orphans like us. I've killed so... so many people... we both have... I'm sure you know the feeling. Losing count of how many bad guys you've either captured or killed. Just grew numb from the feeling. But I know that I'm not the only one who's losing their mind, right?" His voice was strained and desperate, his eyes pleading for understanding.
(Karito) "..."
(David) "We ain't normal, Karito. Like everyone says about us. We are different. This struggle we both carry is the weight of superhumans."
(Karito) "David, you're wrong..." His voice was low and shaky, his eyes downcast as he struggled to find the right words to say.
(David) "I'M NOT!"
(Karito) "YOU ARE!" His voice was rising, filled with a mix of anger and frustration as he finally found his voice.
(David) Scoffs "WHY DON'T YOU GET IT?!"
(Lucy) "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Her voice boomed through the room, cutting through the tension like a knife. Her eyes were stern and unwavering as she looked at both brothers, her presence commanding their attention.
(David) "NO, IT'S NOT! You know, Lucy? When Maine died, I didn't expect you'd leave us."
(Lucy) Eyes widen "...I...I had to...." Her voice was trembling, her eyes filling with tears as she recalled the painful memory.
(David) "I'm not mad."
(Lucy) "...Why not?"
(David) "You deserve a way out of this life. You aren't on our level." His words were laced with a mixture of bitterness and regret.
(Lucy) Voice shakes "D-David, no I... I'm not trying to-"
(David) "So you want to come back?"
(Lucy) Sighs and looks away "I... Can't quite do that yet. Need just a little more time."
(David) "What for?"
(Lucy) "...It's just..." Looks at Karito for a moment and looks away "There's some I have to do."
(David) "And you can't tell me?"
(Lucy) "... I wish I could..."
(David) "Then say it."
(Lucy) "Can't..."
(David) "B-But why? Why are you two like this?! DON'T YOU TRUST ME?!"
(Lucy) "I... I'm sorry..." Lucy's voice trailed off, her eyes downcast as she struggled to find the right words to say.
(Karito) "I do. The thing is your perspective of things," He interjected, his voice gentle but firm as he spoke.
(David) "What?" His face changes into confusion
(Karito) "Let's not pretend that we're invincible or better than anyone else. We may have some unique abilities and advantages, but we're still human. Even with all your cyberware, you're not immune to the consequences of overloading yourself. And I, with my own superhuman abilities, have made big and even disastrous mistakes. We're all susceptible to breaking, physically and emotionally. But the beauty of life is that it's resilient, and we have the power to be resilient too. If we ignore the warnings from our bodies and the people who care for us, we're only digging our graves deeper. So let's not be foolish, let's acknowledge our limitations and use our strengths to overcome them. We may not be perfect, but we're capable of greatness."
(David) "..."
(Karito) "Just promise me, that you'll be fine."
(David) "...I will..."
(Karito) "And I'll save you no matter what, alright?"
(David) "...Okay..."
(Karito) "...Just... Don't wake us worry like that again."
(David) "I'm sorry... I promise when all this is over. I'll turn it down a notch with the cyberware..."
(Karito) "It's fine."
(Lucy) "...Thank you, Karito..."
(Karito) "Whether you asked for my help or not, I was still going to help."
(David) "...Lucy... Can you... Not come back?"
(Lucy) "I have to do something first..."
(David) Looks down and then at Karito
(Karito) "...Well I got my point across. So I'm leaving."
I bid farewell to Karito as he swung away gracefully, using his web-slinging abilities to reach his destination with ease. With his departure, a palpable tension settled between Lucy and me. The atmosphere grew thick with unspoken words, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
(David) "...Maybe... We should part way..."
(Lucy) "Huh?! W-Wait! David, it's not that I swear! Please!"
(David) "Then tell me what's wrong."
(Lucy) "I-I..." She pauses giving David a shocked face "...I gotta go."
(David) "Huh? Go Where?" Confused face
(Lucy) "...I really need to."
(David) "...Sure."
(Lucy) "We'll talk when I get home. But please. Wait for me." Her hair covers her distress and runs away in the opposite direction.
As I gazed out into the expanse of the city, I couldn't help but feel a sense of overwhelming confusion wash over me. When had the simplicity of life become so shrouded in complexity? It seemed as if each passing day brought with it a new set of challenges and obstacles to overcome. The once familiar path I had been on now felt like an endless maze, with no clear direction or end in sight. I couldn't help but wonder, was it just me, or had the world become more convoluted? Perhaps it was a combination of both, but one thing was for sure, the road ahead would not be an easy one to navigate. Maybe even impossible.
No Pov
As she dashed at full tilt, Lucy's heart thundered in her chest, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Her keen eyes darted about, searching for the slightest sign of the elusive signal she felt pulsing through the air. With a burst of adrenaline-fueled energy, she sprang upwards, scaling the towering edifice with the skill of a practiced acrobat. As she reached the summit, she stood tall, surveying the sprawling metropolis below with an eagle-eyed gaze. Concentrating fiercely, she initiated her scanning protocols, her fingers a blur as they danced over her sleek cybernetic interface. All around her, the din of the city fell away, replaced by the faint thrum of her own heartbeat and the electronic hum of her gear as she searched for the source of the mysterious signal.
(Lucy) "This NetIndex... Same 'runner as before." Zooms in "There you are." Calls Karito
(Karito) Picks up "I swear if it's more drama..."
(Lucy) "Hey... Kari, I know you're tired after what happened but... I found another one of those grunts the Darks are sending, come over as fast as you can just in case."
(Karito) Sighs "Fine... I'll be there in a sec. If it's a normal Dark you can kill him. He's not immune like the others."
(Lucy) "Alright, I'll take care of it then." Hangs up
Lucy stepped into the warehouse, moving with the careful and quiet grace of a predator. Her target was vulnerable, lost in a deep dive that left him oblivious to the danger lurking in the shadows. With swift and practiced movements, she looped a metal wire around his throat, intending to choke him into submission. But as her fingers tightened on the wire, the man's form shimmered and flickered, revealing that he was not human at all, but a machine in disguise. A smirk twisted his metallic features as he effortlessly shrugged off her attack.
At that moment, Lucy realized her grave mistake. The runner had not been alone, and his accomplices had been waiting for just such an opportunity to strike. They unleashed a devastating attack that overloaded her cyberware, causing her to cry out in agony as the world around her exploded into a frenzied, glitchy mess. Struggling to breathe, she gazed up at the figures looming above her, her mind reeling as she tried to make sense of what was happening.
(Faraday) "So simple. And here, I expected fireworks."
(Lucy) She Whimpers and falls unconscious
(Faraday) "Looks like we just landed our ticket into Arasaka. Magnificent work, Kiwi"
(Kiwi) Calls someone "Mr. Osborn. It's done."
(Dark Norman) "Good. Take her. I'm going to pay the Spider a visit." Hangs up
...
Spider-Man swiftly and fluidly swung through the cityscape, his movements graceful and precise. As he approached Lucy's location, his Spider senses heightened, alerting him to potential danger. Just as he was about to make his entrance through the window, he was blindsided by a sudden attack. A glider, propelled by a malevolent force, collided with him at breakneck speed, leaving him defenseless and vulnerable. The blades of the glider pierced his chest, eliciting an anguished cry from the hero. As his vision began to blur and fade, Spider-Man gazed up to behold the malicious visage of his enemy, The Green Goblin, cackling with sinister glee.
(Dark Green Goblin) "HAHAHA!! We meet again, Spider!"
(Spider-Man) "Y-YOU! I'LL KILL YOU!"
(Dark Green Goblin) "You can try, but it's not the time yet! HAHAHAH!"
Spider-Man's body was being dragged along with the Green Goblin's glider, the blades in his chest tearing at his already wounded body. The force of their speed made it impossible for him to move, and he was forced to endure the painful ride as they crashed through walls and obstacles, with Spider-Man serving as a human battering ram. The cacophony of destruction finally came to an end in the barren wastelands of the Badlands. With his last ounce of strength, Spider-Man grabbed one of the pumpkin bombs from the Goblin's arsenal and hurled it, causing an explosive chain reaction that sent them both crashing to the ground. As he struggled to rise, Spider-Man winced in pain as he pulled the blades from his chest. But his respite was short-lived as the Green Goblin launched a brutal attack, pummeling him with blow after blow. With his back against a boulder, Spider-Man summoned his strength and used his Venom touch to repel the Goblin, sending him flying. As the villain crashed into the rocky terrain, Spider-Man stood up, coughing blood into his mask, and raised his fists, ready to continue the fight.
(Dark Green Goblin) "We are approaching the conclusion of this anime, are we not?"
(Spider-Man) "Indeed."
(Dark Green Goblin) "As a gesture of benevolence, I extend an invitation for you to join our ranks, or alternatively, engage us in combat."
(Spider-Man) "Do you truly believe I would ally myself with tyrants, oppressors, and psychopaths?"
(Dark Green Goblin) "Your position is rather hypocritical, Spider. You are not much different from us in terms of your psychological makeup. In fact, I predict that you will eventually become so desensitized that you will lose all sense of emotion."
(Spider-Man) "Perhaps. But I have no intention of joining your nefarious clique."
(Dark Green Goblin) "I am curious, however, as to why you persist in portraying yourself as a hero, despite the disdain you encounter in various fictional universes. Despite your best efforts to vanquish darkness, many remain oblivious to the pain and suffering you have endured as both a hero and a former reader. So why bother?"
(Spider-Man) "Because not everyone is capable of selflessness, and those who are often limit themselves. I cannot explain why I was chosen for this role, but I will fulfill my duty to the best of my abilities."
(Dark Green Goblin) "Consider the vastness of fiction, Spider. It encompasses infinite layers of dimensionality, countless multiverses and omniverses, and an incalculable number of characters and concepts. Yet despite this vastness, you and I, a Dark and a Guardian are unique. We exist beyond the realm of protagonists and antagonists, beyond comprehension by even the readers themselves. We are the angel and the devil, the good and the bad voices within the minds of real people. I offer you a chance to join us, to realize your full potential, and achieve greatness beyond the limits of 'The Guardians.' Why fight a losing battle when you can accomplish so much more with us?"
As the Dark Green Goblin slowly pivots to face the portal that has materialized behind him, he halts his motion abruptly, as if a sudden realization has struck him. With a sly grin that betrays the malice lurking beneath his exterior, he utters a final line that drips with ominous portent.
(Dark Green Goblin) "I implore you to contemplate my proposition, Spider-Man, for the ramifications of your rejection shall be dire. Our next encounter shall not end well for you, for I shall ensure your demise."
As the Green Goblin departed, the spider-themed hero found himself alone with his thoughts. Spider-Man tightly balled his hand into a fist, his frustration palpable. The emotions he had suppressed throughout the day surged back to the surface, overwhelming him. Spider-Man's scream of anger pierced through the air, a guttural roar that emanated from the depths of his soul. It was a sound that carried with it the weight of all the frustration, pain, and anger he had been bottling up inside for too long. It was a cry that shook the very ground he stood on, sending shockwaves rippling out in all directions. His muscles tensed, veins bulging, as he poured all his energy into the outburst, his body quivering with the force of it. It was a sound that would haunt the memories of any who heard it, a raw expression of the anguish and rage that had consumed him.
Why is everything so agonizing?
To Be Continued...