C479 Spider-Man (Patreon)
Content
Not long after their battle, Peter and the group finally arrived at a place that wasn’t either barren or filled with deadly colossal creatures, Axia.
Axia was a huge and extremely technologically advanced city. Odd humanoid creatures walked the streets and flying vehicles filled the air. It stretched out before them like a metropolis of the future, a stark contrast to the desolate landscapes they had encountered earlier.
Peter smirked under his mask. ‘Yup, Kang’s here alright. Multiverse ship, here I come…’
Although everyone else was surprised and happy to find civilization inside this wasteland, they were also shocked to see the remnants of a battle at the edge of the city. Smoke filled the air, and buildings, which once stood tall, were either completely destroyed or crumbling to bits.
Floating away from the destruction, they could see a cluster of ships, each matching as if they were some sort of military or police.
Looking down at the compass in Peter’s hand, Hank and Hope watched as the dial followed the ships' trajectory perfectly.
Peter studied the compass, his expression thoughtful. "It seems she's on one of those ships."
Tony asked, his brow furrowed with concern, "Do you think she's been captured? Or is she with the people who did that?" He pointed to the destroyed portion of the city.
Hank didn’t even have to think before he shook his head, stating firmly, "Janet wouldn't do such a thing."
Peter nodded in agreement. "I guess we’ll have to go and find out for ourselves, won’t we?"
With determination in their hearts, the group decided to follow the compass's guidance once more. Peter, with a casual wave, opened up a portal to the towering citadel at the center of Axia, where the ships seemed to be headed.
It didn't take long for the rest of the team to fall in step behind Peter, especially Hope and Hank, who were more than ready to finally see their most loved one once again.
————
Upon returning to the Citadel, Kang couldn’t help but ask. “What did you see?” He turned to Janet, a curious look in his eyes. “We didn’t really get a chance to talk about it last time. But I always wondered. When our minds touched… what did you see?”
“A monster who thinks he’s a god.” She spat venomously.
[Flashback]
One fateful day, as Janet Van Dyne went about her usual routine, trapped in the Quantum Realm, her keen eyes caught something peculiar hurtling from the heavens. Instinctively, she armed herself, the familiar weight of her Wasp gear comforting against the unknown. With determined resolve, she rushed towards the impact site, her senses on high alert.
Arriving at the scene, Janet's sharp gaze fell upon a crashed shuttle embedded in the earth, its metallic hull warped and scorched. But what truly seized her attention was the sight of a strange creature materializing beside the wreckage. In a surreal display of otherworldly power, it duplicated itself before her eyes, its eerie twin leaping into a frenzied assault.
Janet's battle-honed instincts took over, and with precision, she dispatched one of the creatures, her stings finding their mark. Yet, before she could react to the imminent threat of the remaining doppelganger, it met a sudden and unexpected end, a blaster shot ringing out.
Turning swiftly, Janet's eyes met those of her unanticipated savior, a mysterious man sprawled on the ground, his weapon still smoking. Bewildered and injured, he looked at Janet and inquired, "Where am I?"
After nursing him back to health, the man, who introduced himself as Kang, revealed a tale that transcended the boundaries of belief. He claimed to be a traveler and scientist, navigating the Multiverse in his ship. However, an unforeseen mishap had left him stranded, his craft spiraling off course to this unfamiliar world.
Their mutual predicament forged an unlikely alliance as they agreed to work together, seeking to repair Kang's ship and chart a course back to their respective homes. Through countless attempts to mend the intricate Multiversal Engine Core, hope flickered dimly.
Amidst the toil of endless repairs, Janet found herself gradually opening up to Kang, sharing the fragments of her life and the deep yearning to reunite with her daughter. Kang, in turn, offered solace and reassurance, promising her a path back to her cherished family.
Time passed, and with relentless determination, they succeeded in restoring the Core. As they seamlessly integrated it with the ship, an unforeseen event unfolded. The ship, unexpectedly connected to Kang's mind, unwittingly bridged the chasm between their consciousness, allowing Janet to peer into Kang's very soul.
In the visions that washed over her, she bore witness to a chilling truth. Kang, in countless timelines and worlds, had been a harbinger of chaos, destruction, and untold death, leaving behind a trail of bloodshed and devastation. His remorseless actions painted a grim portrait.
Kang, now aware of Janet's newfound knowledge, attempted to persuade her to adhere to their original plan, sweetening the deal with promises of a safe return to her daughter only minutes after she left. It would be as if she never left. After all, his ship traveled in both time and space.
(A/N: It’s basically a multiverse hopping Tardis, minus the bigger on the inside bit. 🤔Hmm, should I have Peter and Tony make their multiverse traveling ship something like a Tardis?)
But Janet's resolve was unwavering, she knew she couldn't allow Kang to escape his sins. Nor could she allow him to leave his prison. Far too many people, worlds, and universe’s would pay the price if she did.
With a heart heavy but resolute, Janet enacted a daring plan. She manipulated the Core's size, shrinking it to a manageable scale before stealing it from the ship's clutches. Armed with knowledge and conviction, she faced the formidable Kang, knowing that defeating him head-on was an insurmountable challenge.
Harnessing a series of growth discs, Janet magnified the Core’s size by 1000 times, turning it into a potent weapon, which she used to distract Kang as she escaped.
[Flashback End]
Kang's shoulders rose in a nonchalant shrug, a stark contrast to the gravity of their conversation. "When you can see time the way I do, you don’t get to close your eyes." He paused, the weight of Janet's accusation causing an invisible ache. Although he would never admit it, Kang had trusted Janet far more than he ever trusted anyone else. Inwardly, he lamented, 'If only she didn’t see what I’ve done, what I’m going to do… Things could have been different…'
Janet pressed on, her voice heavy with disappointment and anger. "And you’re the only one who sees?"
Kang met her gaze unwaveringly. "I am the only one that can see it’s broken."
A bitter retort escaped Janet's lips. "And who broke it?"
Kang's admission was stark, devoid of evasion. "I did. Every version of me. My variants throughout the Multiverse. Playing with time, like children. But I saw how it ends. I saw their chaos spreading across every reality in existence. Universes colliding… Endless incursions… I saw the Multiverse… And it was dying. All because of them. Because of me. So, I set out to fix it."
Janet's voice trembled in accusation. "You mean you started a war. And now you want to wipe away any universe that’s a threat to you. That’s what monsters do."
Kang's response was unapologetic, a glimpse into the mind of a conqueror. "That’s what conquerors do, Janet. We burn the broken houses, villages, towns, cities, worlds, and universes. And then we rebuild them anew."
Janet refused to relent, her words filled with condemnation. "You don’t care about saving anything or anyone. You only want revenge because they beat you. You started a war and they finished it. You lost and you hate it. You can’t lie to me, I’ve been in the psychotic little head of yours. I know the real you."
Kang's eyes held a depth of pain as he responded, his voice tinged with an anguish only he could understand. "You do, don’t you? And you’re right, I have lost. You have no idea what I have lost. And I will burn them out of time for what they’ve done to me."
Janet's tone turned somber as she pointed out the stark consequences of his actions. "You’ll be wiping out entire timelines and universes. Murdering trillions and trillions of people."
Kang's response was chilling in its detachment. "I wish that mattered, Janet, I really do. But it’s doesn’t.”
As Kang's final words hung in the air, a sudden, golden portal materialized behind Janet, causing both her and Kang to turn in surprise. The portal emitted an otherworldly light, and its appearance was nothing short of astonishing.
From the shimmering portal, a group of individuals emerged, their presence commanding attention. Among them, Peter led the way, wearing his Spider-Man suit, his expression hidden under his mask.
Peter looked around the high-tech chamber for a moment before asking, "Yo, you guys don’t happen to have a bathroom do you? We’ve been traveling for a while and I was too scared to, you know, out there. I mean, what if some quantum creature swims up my stream or shoots up my a*s while I’m not looking?" His voice reverberated through the room, cutting through the tension with ease.
Janet, still in shock from the unexpected turn of events and the odd question, managed to stammer, "Umm, you’ll have to ask him…" But her words were cut short as her gaze landed on her aged husband, Hank Pym, who stood beside Peter.
Tears welled up in Janet's eyes as she called out, her voice trembling, "H-Hank?"
Hank, equally moved, stepped forward, but before he could reply, Janet's attention shifted to a young woman standing beside Hank. It had to be her daughter, Hope.
In a choked voice, Hope called out, "Mom?"
"Jellybean?" Janet whispered, her nickname for her daughter, disbelief and joy mingling in her voice.
Hope couldn't contain herself any longer. She rushed into her mother's arms, tears streaming down her face as they embraced, a reunion they thought impossible until this very moment.
Hank moved to join the heartfelt reunion, but Kang had seen enough. With a snap of his fingers, he froze everyone in place, their movements coming to an abrupt halt. Panic and frustration swept through the group as they struggled to move, finding Kang's power unyielding.
“Congratulations, Janet. You’ve finally reuniting with your family…” Kang spoke, his voice laced with a sinister satisfaction. Then, his gaze turned toward the newcomers, curiosity gleaming in his eyes as he addressed the group.
"How did you manage to come here?" Kang inquired, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement. "And more importantly, how did you open that portal? Is there a sorcerer among you? It’s been a while since I’ve killed a Master of the Mystic Arts."
As Kang questioned their arrival, Peter, who had easily overpowered Kang's hold on him, strolled around casually, examining the technologically advanced equipment within the chamber. He couldn't help but praise Kang.
"You've got quite the lair here," Peter commented nonchalantly. "It's been a while since I've seen one like this. Lately, it’s been pretty lacking as far as evil bases go, but this is impressive. I’ll give you that.”
Kang raised a single brow, surprised that someone could so easily slip out of his hold. “You are…?” He asked.
“Spider-Man.” Peter answered as he turned back to Kang. “Anyway, where’s the bathroom? You might want to be quick because I’ve been holding it for a while.” He warns as he gestures to some nearby equipment. “Though I could relieve myself here, but I wouldn’t want to hose down your tech. After all, it’ll be mine soon so I want to keep it in good condition.”
A/N: 2000 words :)