C405 Spider-Man (Patreon)
Content
Tobey, his brow furrowed in concentration, sat in front of a computer screen, analyzing data and organizing his thoughts. Eddie Brock sat across from him, a mixture of skepticism and annoyance written all over his face.
Tobey chose to work on three of the villains, Eddie Brock, Doc Ock, and Sandman. Doc Ock’s cure was currently being crafted in the fabricator and Sandman was a complicated case, so he decided to runs some tests on Eddie first.
This moment was crucial, as he needed to understand the psychological state of his former co-worker and find a way to help him now that he’s no longer being influenced by a symbiote.
Tobey glanced up at Eddie, his expression thoughtful. "Alright, we're going to run a series of physical and psychological tests to assess your mental state and identify any underlying issues that could be affecting you. It's important to understand that this is a process. Meaning, your cure may take longer than the rest."
Over the years, Tobey has read many psychology related books. As a seasoned superhero, he understood that most people, villain or otherwise, don’t just start off evil, nor do they usually think themselves evil, to begin with.
Nobody wants to be evil.
Everyone, besides sociopaths, psychopaths, etcetera, has a reason behind their actions, whether it be the way they were raised or an event that set them off course from the norm.
Tobey only hoped that Eddie didn’t fall into the psychopath/sociopath bracket since there’s no real cure for something like that.
Eddie nodded, a hint of apprehension evident in his eyes. He connected to Venom on a deep physical and mental level, which made their separation agonizing, like a druggie in withdrawal. He wasn't sure who he was without the symbiote's connection, feeling empty and powerless without it’s presence.
After taking a bunch of samples from Eddie, like blood and other fluids, Tobey placed a bunch of sensors on Eddie’s head, each of them in key positions to examine his brain, similar to an MRI.
With everything in place, Tobey took a seat and reached for a stack of papers beside him, each one filled with questions and prompts. He handed a questionnaire to Eddie. "I want you to answer these questions as honestly as possible. They'll give us a starting point to understand your mindset."
Eddie took the questionnaire, scanning through the questions before starting to answer them aloud, obviously annoyed and snarky with his replies.
Stopping at a specific question, Eddie looked up at Tobey with a raised brow. “How would I feel if my pet died? Seriously?” He asks in exasperation.
Tobey replied, his eyes glued to the computer screen. “Just answer the question.”
“I’d toss ‘em in a dumpster and move on. Who cares…” Eddie replied callously, but his brain showed a very different response.
‘Is that sadness?‘ Tobey questioned as a specific portion of Eddie’s brain lit up. ‘Maybe he isn’t as incurable as he thinks he is…’
Back at the table, Eddie continued to answer the questions, his answers almost always sarcastic.
Tobey reviewed his notes from the completed questionnaire, his eyes scanning the pages. "Alright, Eddie. We're going to move on to a series of psychological tests to further understand your emotional state and cognitive processes."
Eddie groaned in annoyance, his gaze fixed on Tobey. "What kind of tests are we talking about?"
Tobey gestured to a nearby table where various objects were laid out. "We'll start with a Rorschach inkblot test. I want you to look at these images and tell me what you see…”
…
..
.
Once Eddie was done being tortured by psychology, Tobey carefully held a small computer chip in his hands, his eyes focused on the tentacles on Dr. Octavius' back. The others watched with anticipation, knowing that this moment could be the turning point in reclaiming the villains' humanity.
The inhibitor chip in Tobeys hand holds a single purpose, to stop the AI driven tentacles on Doc Ocks back from controlling or influencing his mind, since they had to be connected to operate.
When he first made the tentacles, he had a working inhibitor chip, allowing him to control them while staying sane. But sadly, that didn’t last very long. An accident in the lab caused the chip to get fried, allowing the tentacles to influence him without his knowledge.
But with a new, working chip, Dr, Octavius should revert back to his original, kind nature that Tobey remembers. After all, there was once a time when he looked up to Doc Ock, hoping to follow in his scientific footsteps.
"Alright, Doc," Tobey called out, beckoning him forward. "It's time to fix this."
Dr. Octavius hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. He had been under the influence of his own creation for so long that the idea of regaining control seemed almost impossible. However, the calmness in Tobey's voice and the determination in his eyes instilled a glimmer of hope within him.
Slowly, Dr. Octavius approached, his tentacles twitching with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Tobey gently removed the malfunctioning inhibitor chip from the back of Dr. Octavius' neck, carefully disconnecting it from the interface.
As he did so, the tentacles reacted, sensing a threat to their autonomy. They squirmed and flailed, aiming to knock Tobey away. But their efforts were in vain.
Peter's spell, still active within Dr. Octavius' body, surged with electricity, instantly incapacitating him and his unruly appendages. The room filled with crackling energy as Dr. Octavius convulsed and collapsed to the floor, his tentacles writhing in a futile struggle before going limp alongside him.
Everyone watched, a mixture of awe and concern etched on their faces. The villains looked down at themselves, fearing the same would happen should they step out of line.
Peter stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute. "Tobey, now's your chance. Replace the chip while they’re down."
Tobey nodded, his hands steady as he inserted the newly fabricated Neural Inhibitor Chip into the vacant slot on Dr. Octavius' neck. As the chip clicked into place, a wave of tranquility washed over the doctor's face. His furrowed brow smoothed, and the haunted expression that had plagued him for so long faded away.
Dr. Octavius blinked, his eyes opening in astonishment. It was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and for the first time in a long while, his mind was clear and free from the incessant voices that had tormented him.
Simultaneously, the tentacles on his back, once rebellious and uncontrollable, twitched and then stilled. No longer animated by their own will, they lay dormant, awaiting Dr. Octavius' command.
Tobey stepped back, a small smile playing on his lips. "There you go, Doc. It's over now."
Dr. Octavius slowly rose to his feet, his gaze focused on his newly subservient tentacles. He flexed each of them experimentally, a sense of wonder evident in his eyes. "I... I can't believe it. They're under control."
A relieved sigh escaped Tobey’s lips as he recognized the old Dr. Octavius’s return. “Welcome back, Doc. I’ve really missed you…”
“I-It’s good to be back…”
…
Once he was done with Doc Ock, who probably won’t want to go by that name anymore, Tobey turned his attention to Flint Marko(aka Sandman).
Carefully studying some notes and research materials spread out before him, Tobey had a few ideas. The molecular alteration caused by the super collider had granted Marko the ability to transform his body into sand, giving him control over every grain in his surroundings as well. It was a unique and challenging condition to tackle, but Tobey was determined to find a cure.
Sitting in the makeshift lab that was once Happy's living room, Tobey meticulously went over the data, looking for any clues or patterns that could lead him in the right direction. He had access to advanced equipment and technology thanks to the Stark Industries Fabricator, which greatly aided his research.
As he analyzed the information, Tobey's mind raced through various possibilities. He considered the nature of Marko's transformation, pondering the intricacies of sand manipulation and the molecular structure of his altered body.
After some studying, Tobey finally formulated a plan. He decided to focus on destabilizing the molecular structure of the sand particles that composed Marko's transformed body. If he could disrupt the cohesion between the sand particles, it might weaken Marko's control and eventually reverse the transformation.
With a clear objective in mind, Tobey set to work, gathering the necessary materials and preparing the equipment. Thankfully, he only had to request something and either the Fabricator would make it, or Peter would portal it over in a matter of seconds. He carefully calibrated the devices, ensuring accuracy and precision in his experiments.
Sandman stood nearby, observing Tobey's preparations with a mixture of curiosity and hope. He had long yearned to find a way to revert to his human form, to leave behind the life of a supervillain and just be a father.
Tobey approached Sandman, his gaze filled with empathy. "I believe I may have a solution," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "But it's important to note that this is an experimental process. There are risks involved, and I can't guarantee any accidents won’t happen. Are you okay with that?"
Sandman nodded, determination etched on his face. "I'll do whatever it takes. Just get it done."
After witnessing Dr, Octavius turn from a raving madman to the calm and collected man he sees before him, Marko wanted the same for himself and his family. No matter the cost.
Tobey's determination matched Marko's as he guided him to a specially designed chamber, which he only just finished crafting. The chamber was equipped with various devices and mechanisms intended to interact with Marko’s sand-form on a molecular level.
"Please step inside," Tobey instructed, his voice steady and confident.
Marko entered the chamber, a hopeful yet worried look on his face. Tobey initiated the procedure with a tap on his keyboard, activating the mechanisms that would generate controlled disturbances within Marko's molecular structure.
As the experiment commenced, Tobey monitored the readings and feedback, making precise adjustments to the parameters. The chamber pulsed with energy as the devices worked in tandem, attempting to disrupt the cohesion between the sand particles.
Marko's form wavered as patches of sand began to appear and disappear all over his body, his face displaying a mixture of discomfort and anticipation. He gritted his teeth, steeling himself against the potential side effects that may occur.
Time seemed to stretch as Tobey continued his work, his focus unyielding. Gradually, the sand particles within the chamber began to lose their fluidity, becoming more agitated and unstable.
Suddenly, a surge of energy cascaded through the chamber, accompanied by a blinding flash. Tobey's heart skipped a beat as he observed the reaction, hopeful that his efforts were yielding positive results.
When the light subsided, Marko stepped out of the chamber, his form solidified in its human appearance. His expression held a mix of wonder and relief as he looked down at his hands, unable to call forth a single grain of sand.
"It worked…" Marko whispered, his eyes growing watery. His voice filled with a mix of shock and gratitude.
…
Stood at the back of the room, Norman’s face began to twitch for a moment, unnoticed by the rest of the room. Suddenly, a dangerous look flashed over his eyes before disappearing, a kind facade returning.
A/N: 1917 words :)