C671 Spider-Man (Patreon)
Content
A few days had flown by since the Avengers had undergone their remarkable transformations. The Compound V experiment, which initially filled the air of the Avengers tower with a mix of excitement and uncertainty, had concluded successfully.
Almost every member and several trusted agents had received their doses, emerging with powers that ranged from the astounding to the amusing. But for Peter, the aftermath was just a backdrop to a far grander plan.
Peter didn’t linger to witness the full extent of everyone’s newfound abilities. His mind was preoccupied with a more complex challenge: the creation of gates that would link this universe to countless others.
This endeavor wasn’t just a scientific curiosity; it was a means to quickly and efficiently find his fellow successor candidates. He was even given a way to track them.
A holographic system-like panel capable of finding a successor, as long as they’re in the same universe, of course. It also displayed a number that represented the remaining candidates.
[66/69]
Peter stared at the number, a contemplative look on his face. ‘I’ve killed Knull and Centurion, which means someone else managed to either kill themselves, which is a possibility but not very likely, or they killed another successor.’ He wondered who it was,
Sadly, he would have to wait to find out since the functionality of his little boom from Death was limited. It only showed a number of remaining successors and detected those within the same universe, meaning he would have to go searching throughout an infinite multiverse in order to complete his mission.
‘Yeah, no thanks…’ Peter thought, refusing to bother with the massive workload.
So, to overcome this limitation, Peter’s solution was as ambitious as it was crazy: to link his universe with others, creating a network of gates that would allow his tracker to bypass its limitations and more easily detect its targets.
Peter’s plan was strategic. By expanding these gates, he could significantly simplify the task of finding his enemies—or potentially, allies.
It was an elegant solution that would enable him to monitor the progress from a distance, sparing him from the legwork that came with personally scouting the multiverse.
And best of all, Peter didn’t plan to lift a single finger in the process. After all, why bother with the grunt work when he has a whole new Multiverse organization ready and waiting to take the job?
Of course, he would still have to do some prep work to make it all happen. After all, the concept was sound, but the execution would be far from straightforward.
Inventing a device capable of such feats required not only a profound understanding of quantum mechanics and interdimensional physics but also a touch of Magic and Runes to speed things along—elements that were within Peter’s reach, thanks to his unique genius intellect and abilities, many of which taken from powerful cosmic entities.
As Peter sat in his brand new workshop on the island that housed the Watchmen, surrounded by schematics and materials, he could feel the weight of the task ahead.
The room was a chaos of creativity and science, with holographic displays showing complex equations and simulations of the gates in operation.
Peter, with his trademark blend of humor and determination, sifted through the data, occasionally talking to himself, muttering as his mind raced.
“Okay, let’s see… If we adjust this here, maybe we can reduce the power consumption… Or, you know, accidentally create a black hole. Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t…” he mused, his fingers dancing over a holographic interface.
As he delved deeper into the intricacies of his project, Peter’s mind occasionally drifted to his comrades, wondering how they were adapting to their new powers. He imagined Tony tinkering in his lab, trying to find practical applications for his saliva control, or Steve, coming to terms with his extreme increase in power.
But for now, those thoughts had to be pushed aside. The task at hand required his full attention. The creation of the gates was not just a step towards fulfilling his mission; it was a leap into the unknown, a challenge that Peter was ready to get started as soon as possible.
With a final glance at the schematics, Peter set to work. The hours ahead would be long and demanding, but he was undeterred. This was the beginning of something new, a project which he could dive head first into.
…
A week had sped by since Peter set his mind to creating the gates that would link his universe to countless others. The workshop, once a storm of activity and chaos, now held a victorious silence. The first gate stood completed, a testament to Peter’s dedication and brilliance.
In the heart of his workshop, a metal, octagon-shaped gate stood, humming with power and the faint glow of runes, Peter prepared for the gate’s inaugural test.
The device itself was a marvel—a compact structure infused with a blend of magic and advanced technology, embodying Peter’s vision. Despite its size, which was about as wide as a small window, it had the capability to bridge universes, a feat that would have been deemed impossible by most.
“Alright, let’s see if all this hard work pays off,” Peter said with a grin, his fingers hovering over the activation console. He had chosen a peaceful universe for the first connection, one he had scouted beforehand. This universe, devoid of all sentient life, would serve as the perfect testing ground for the gate’s capabilities.
As he initiated the sequence, the gate hummed to life, its surface shimmering with a kaleidoscope of lights. Peter watched, holding his breath as the portal stabilized, then exhaled in relief and excitement as the gateway opened, revealing a serene landscape on the other side.
“Success! Now, let’s talk security, shall we?” Peter mused to himself, his gaze returning to the console.
The security features of the gates were nothing short of extraordinary. First and foremost, they were hidden, virtually undetectable to anyone not in possession of a Watchmen Multiverse hopping watch.
This alone would deter most from even discovering the gates. However, should this first line of defense ever be breached, the gates were equipped to incinerate anyone or anything unauthorized upon contact.
“But why stop there?” Peter chuckled, recalling the myriad of security measures he had installed.
With a blend of magic and technology at his disposal, Peter had crafted approximately a thousand different security features. Each one was more complex and dangerous than the last, designed to ensure that the gates remained exclusively under his control.
The size of the gates, too, was part of their security. Initially small, they would be made even more inconspicuous and secure through the use of Pym Particles, shrinking them to a completely imperceptible size.
This feature was crucial, for Peter had no intention of using the gates for travel; their sole purpose was to connect his universe with others, serving as conduits for his larger plan.
After all, he already had three different ways to travel the multiverse, his star-shaped portals, his Tardis, and the Watchmen watches. Why would he need to bother with gates?
Standing back, Peter admired his work—a gate that served as a bridge to other universes with all of the security needed to help him sleep peacefully at night.
It was the first of many, a foundational piece in what would become a vast network, a spider’s web stretching across the multiverse.
As the test concluded and the gate deactivated, leaving the workshop in tranquility once more, Peter couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation for what was to come. This project, ambitious and daunting, had begun as a mere concept. Now, it was a reality, marking the start of an unparalleled venture into the unknown.
The path ahead would be long, filled with challenges and discoveries. Yet, with the first gate a success, Peter felt ready. Ready to expand his network, to explore and connect with the multiverse. This was just the beginning, and the journey ahead was his to shape.
And with that, Peter turned off the lights, leaving the workshop in darkness. Tomorrow, he would start the work of mass-producing these gates. And after that, his Watchmen would be tasked with spreading them throughout the multiverse, weaving his web for him.
————
Meanwhile, within the shadowed halls of a realm untouched by time, Immortus and Rama-Tut, the two remaining leaders of the Council of Kangs, convened. Their meeting was one of urgency and concern, a rare occurrence for beings who saw themselves above the temporal affairs of the multiverse.
“Centurion’s fall was unexpected,” Rama-Tut began, his voice echoing off the ancient stones. “I must admit, this version of Spider-Man is quite impressive...”
Immortus reluctantly nodded, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. “Centurion was a fool, always leaping without looking. His death is no loss to our council. However,” he paused, weighing his next words, “as you said, this Spider-Man poses a potential threat.”
Rama-Tut nodded, the lines of time etched into his face deepening with concern. “Indeed. If he could eliminate Centurion, it stands to reason we might be next. Such a fate is… undesirable.”
The room was thick with the weight of their deliberations, as the two figures considered their options. To them, the multiverse was a chessboard, and they were the players who moved the pieces. Peter Parker, however, had become an unforeseen player, one whose next move they could not predict.
“We must act,” Immortus declared, his decision echoing with finality. “Strike before he even considers us targets. Our response must be swift, and decisive. The entire might of the Council of Kangs shall rain upon his universe.”
Rama-Tut’s eyes gleamed with a mix of apprehension and excitement. “An all-out attack, then. We mobilize at once.”
With that, the two leaders set in motion a plan of monumental scale. Across time and space, the resources of the Council of Kangs were summoned, preparing to launch an assault that would shake the very foundations of Peter’s universe.
A/N: 1684 words :)