"The power of fear..."
At the pinnacle of what had once been Stark Tower, Vilgax stood with arms spread wide as though embracing the entire world. The transformed structure now served as a dark beacon, radiating malevolent energy across the globe while drawing sustenance from the terror of billions.
Originally, he hadn't fully grasped the magnificent potential of Cul's inherited abilities. But now, as waves of fear from every continent rushed toward him like space tributaries feeding a dark ocean, the power felt like injecting hundreds of tons of concentrated enhancement directly into his already formidable physiology.
The sensation was intoxicating, pure strength without pain, unlimited growth without consequence.
Moreover, compared to the crude augmentations he had used in the past, the Fear entity's primal authority provided comprehensive improvement across every aspect of his being. The more terror he absorbed from suffering populations, the more dramatic his qualitative evolution became.
With such overwhelming strength, it was no wonder that the Serpent Cul had once been King of the Gods, ruling Asgard before Odin's rise to power.
Vilgax smiled with deep satisfaction as space energy flowed through his enhanced form. He already ruled this world, now he merely needed to consolidate control and wait patiently for Ben Parker to fall into his carefully prepared trap.
As for the pathetic rabble defending Earth, his subordinates would handle such trivial opposition.
New York City - Sewers
Peter struggled through the narrow maintenance tunnel like an injured animal seeking shelter. His enhanced suit had protected him from the worst of Harry's pumpkin bomb explosion, but the confined space and secondary detonations had left him battered and disoriented.
Thanks to the vibranium composite weaving, the bomb's concussive force hadn't killed him outright. He had managed to find a drainage access that led to the sewer system, squeezing through gaps that would have been impossible for someone without his... former flexibility.
But his current condition was far from encouraging.
Vibranium could prevent kinetic trauma, but it provided minimal protection against extreme temperatures. Peter was certain his skin had been burned raw beneath the protective material, and every movement sent waves of pain through his abused body.
"Coughcough... sewers," he wheezed, stumbling through the echoing tunnels. "I love sewers."
In the past, Peter had despised New York's underground infrastructure. It seemed like every major crisis in his superhero career inevitably led to him hiding in these filthy, claustrophobic passages.
"My affinity for sewers is definitely better than my luck with women," he muttered with bitter humor, then froze as heavy footsteps echoed from deeper in the tunnel system.
The sound reverberated through the dark spaces with an ominous, rhythmic quality that raised every hair on the back of his neck.
Peter shuddered, his fear-addled imagination conjuring disturbing possibilities. "Could be alligators... I heard rich people sometimes dump exotic pets down here. Or maybe some kind of experimental creature, mutant turtles or something equally ridiculous."
His guesses proved remarkably accurate.
From the tunnel's depths, a massive shadow approached with deliberate steps. The figure possessed a protruding snout like a crocodile but walked upright on two legs like a human. Most unusually, it wore what appeared to be a torn laboratory coat.
The creature spoke first, its voice carrying familiar intellectual cadences despite the reptilian vocal cords.
"Peter? Is that you?"
"Dr. Connors?" Peter immediately recognized his old mentor, though relief was tempered by wariness.
If even Harry was trying to kill him, who could say whether Connors had also fallen victim to whatever psychological warfare was affecting everyone else?
"It's me, don't be afraid," Connors assured him, his massive form moving with careful deliberation to avoid seeming threatening. "I've changed appearance, but I'm not out of control."
Peter's tension eased slightly at the familiar warmth in Connors' voice.
"Thank God you're here, Dr. Connors," Peter said, exhaustion and desperation pouring out in a rush. "I don't know what's happening in the outside world. I've lost my powers completely! The streets are in chaos, and Harry actually tried to murder me..."
"And I've suddenly become this," Connors replied ruefully, gesturing to his reptilian transformation with clawed hands. "Though I must say, this is considerably more controlled than my previous experiences."
Both men leaned against the tunnel walls, taking a moment to process their shared predicament. Connors curled his massive form into the smallest possible configuration while explaining his circumstances.
He had recently returned from Primus, where he had been working with Eunice. on planetary transformation projects. His Earth-based ecological laboratory had become too small for the scope of his research, so they were developing a complete ecosystem on the artificial world.
The work had progressed smoothly with the Reality Stone's assistance, Eunice.'s transformation capabilities were advancing rapidly toward completion. Connors had returned to Earth to handle some administrative matters when the fear-wave struck.
"Ben once explained the concept of the totem to me," Connors mused, studying his scaled hands with scientific detachment. "I've always worried that I might revert to this monstrous form again."
His fears had manifested with supernatural precision.
"But you're not going insane or losing control?" Peter asked with puzzlement.
"Perhaps because I'm not actually afraid of losing control," Connors theorized. "I know that if I became dangerous, the Plumbers have numerous methods to prevent me from causing harm. The fear is manageable when you trust the safety net."
He studied Peter with professional concern. "Some force has materialized our deepest anxieties. You're afraid of losing your powers because, without them, you're 'just' Peter Parker. There's nothing wrong with being a Parker, of course, but your cousin sets a rather intimidating standard for comparison."
Peter winced at the accuracy of that assessment.
"So Harry's afraid that you and Ben abandoned him during some crisis?" Connors continued analytically.
"But we did save him!" Peter protested. "Multiple times! Even the equipment he uses was personally designed by Ben!"
"Obviously, our memories have been altered," Connors concluded with the same logical approach that Norman Osborn had reached independently. "The enemy can modify our recollections without our awareness. The opponents we face aren't just Dark Elves or Vilgax, they're our former friends and allies, turned against us through manufactured trauma."
His expression grew stern. "Even knowing this, we must rally ourselves. This isn't the time for despair."
"You're right, but..." Peter slumped against the wall like a defeated animal. "I've lost everything that made me useful. No spider-sense, no enhanced strength, no wall-crawling. I couldn't even lift a truck earlier. If it weren't for the suit, Harry would have killed me..."
He quoted his uncle's philosophy with bitter irony. "Uncle Ben always said 'with great power comes great responsibility,' but what happens when you have no power at all?"
"You're underestimating yourself, Peter," Connors said firmly.
"I'm being realistic," Peter countered. "Without abilities, there's no responsibility to fulfill."
"What if I told you there might be a way to restore your capabilities?" Connors asked carefully.
Peter's head snapped up with desperate hope.
"Theoretically," Connors continued, "setting aside the mystical totem aspects, your abilities originated from a spider bite. We simply need to replicate that exact process."
"But where would we find another mutant spider?"
"Ben administered a second-generation enhancement formula, remember? The genetic template should still be recorded in the Primus database. With access to that information, I can use controlled decay formulas and gene mutation devices to create an identical spider."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Peter asked, energy returning to his voice.
Both men immediately began navigating the sewer system toward the Primus Building, hope replacing despair for the first time since the crisis began.
Primus Building - Executive Level
Fortunately, Felicia Hardy and Mary Jane Watson had avoided the worst effects of the fear manipulation, or rather, their fears had taken a very specific direction. Both women were terrified that Ben would be seduced by some other woman, which had initially led to them fighting each other with supernatural intensity.
After an exhausting stalemate with no clear victor, they had reached a strategic decision: temporarily set aside their rivalry and form an alliance against external threats. If they were going to fight, they should eliminate the competition first.
"He has far too many potential romantic interests throughout the universe!" Felicia declared with righteous indignation, pacing across the office like an agitated predator. "I'm certain the women at Plumber headquarters all have designs on him, that Caiera, the blue-toned aliens... The most serious threats are Brunnhilde and some alien princess named Looma!"
Brunnhilde was genuinely beautiful in Felicia's assessment, not the one from the movie shown, but a authentic Valkyrie with classic Nordic features, impressive physical attributes, and the kind of athletic grace that appealed to heroic types.
Looma represented an even greater concern. "I've heard Looma been systematically winning over Uncle Ben and Aunt May Parker, preparing her dowry and planning a wedding for months! What a calculating witch! She thinks she can claim the position of primary wife, absolutely delusional!"
"That four-armed alien?" Mary Jane offered a different perspective. "I think Wanda is the one we should worry about!"
"Actually, Wanda and Eunice. have something going on together," Felicia revealed with insider knowledge.
"You're being naive, Felicia," Mary Jane replied with worldly sophistication. "What if Eunice. is also involved with Ben? The three of them could form a triangle, or even stack themselves into a pyramid formation!"
"That's impossible!" Felicia protested. "Eunice. was created by Ben, she'd call him 'father'!"
"What's impossible about it?" Mary Jane asked with a knowing smile. "They're not actually blood relatives. Besides, men love being called 'daddy' in the right context."
Felicia's expression darkened. "He's asked you to do that?"
Mary Jane nodded matter-of-factly. "Frequently... though sometimes we reverse the roles."
"It seems we definitely need this alliance," Felicia concluded grimly.
Their strategic conversation was interrupted when Peter and Connors emerged from the building's service areas, having navigated the sewer system to reach Primus through maintenance tunnels.
"You always take the unconventional route, Doctor," Peter observed with tired humor.
"No choice, there aren't many entrances large enough for my current physique," Connors replied apologetically.
Their arrival attracted the attention of other Primus personnel who had taken shelter in the building. Most appeared unharmed but visibly shaken, their fears centered around personal mortality and the prospect of global conquest rather than the psychological manipulation affecting the heroes.
Throughout the world, various monsters had materialized: fire demons, ice elementals, fallen angels, and Dark Elf warriors. They were conducting systematic attacks on population centers, but their focus seemed to be intimidation and injury rather than wholesale slaughter.
After all, only living people could continue generating the fear that powered Vilgax's space enhancement.
"Deploy all combat robots to engage them," Felicia and Mary Jane ordered simultaneously, their alliance already proving strategically sound.
Plumbers Orbital Command
"Most Plumber agents remain combat-capable, but they can probably only handle standard-level threats," Norman Osborn reported grimly as he coordinated the global response from the space station.
"What about the enhanced assets? Where are the Thunderbolts?" an aide asked.
"Black Panther is still in Wakanda, there's also a high-energy enemy attacking there. They've requested assistance from headquarters."
"Tell them we can't spare the resources," Norman replied without hesitation. "This disaster is affecting the entire planet. Even with full Plumber mobilization, we lack sufficient personnel. There's no extra strength to provide international support."
"Contact the Masters of the Mystic Arts, we need their assistance," he continued.
"The Sanctum Sanctorum mages are already engaged," Azmuth reported efficiently.
A global tactical display materialized, showing energy fluctuations at the three Sanctum locations in New York, London, and Hong Kong, plus additional magical activity in the Kunlun region of China.
The screen shifted to street-level footage of yellow-robed sorcerers wielding rose-colored energy constructs, battling fire demons with techniques that resembled elegant sword work rather than conventional spellcasting.
"Primus combat robot groups have been mobilized and are deploying worldwide," Azmuth continued. "Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers, and William Baker have already been dispatched to priority targets."
"Three agents aren't sufficient!" Norman snapped. "Where are the others?"
"Harry Osborn attacked Peter Parker in Manhattan. Peter Parker is currently at the Primus Building with Dr. Connors, attempting to restore his abilities."
"Damn it, Harry's been compromised," Norman realized immediately.
"The Winter Soldier and Falcon are engaged in combat with each other," Azmuth added. "Daredevil appears unaffected by the fear manipulation..."
Norman had little interest in street-level heroes during a space crisis. Their impact on the battle's outcome would be minimal, and Earth still desperately lacked sufficient superhuman assets.
"When will reinforcements from Sakaar arrive?" he asked urgently.
"Now, Director Norman!" The voice belonged to Beta Ray Bill rather than Azmuth.
"Request permission to open the particle collision portal," Bill's transmission continued, bringing hope to every Plumber listening. "We're bringing substantial forces. Expand the aperture to maximum capacity."
Norman immediately diverted Power Stone energy to the particle collider systems.
Moments later, a colossal space gate opened beyond Earth's atmosphere, its diameter rivaling the Moon itself. Through that portal came a massive vessel that resembled a space fortress more than a conventional starship.
Aboard the flagship, Bill addressed his assembled forces with military precision.
"Everyone, our enemy is Vilgax and his eight Sky Hammer Messengers. Their power levels are extraordinary, defeating them through direct confrontation would be extremely difficult. Therefore, saving Earth's population is our primary objective. We need to contain Vilgax and the Hammer wielders while waiting for the Chief and additional support."
Not all Plumber forces were participating in this operation. In addition to Ben's absence, the rescue team sent to Heaven remained unreachable. The dwarven craftsmen were still attempting to forge new artifacts, but completing them before Ben's arrival seemed increasingly unlikely.
Fortunately, they had acquired numerous powerful weapons during the Nidavellir campaign, significantly enhancing their collective combat capabilities.
The eight Hammer Messengers they faced included the six who had previously surrendered to Vilgax, plus two newcomers who had been empowered on Earth through the artifacts' influence.
"I believe Malekith is dead," Bill observed grimly, studying energy readings from the eight hammer-signatures. "Vilgax eliminated him preemptively and absorbed his accumulated power, just as he did with other space entities."
The tactical situation was becoming clear: they faced an enemy whose strength increased with each victory.
"Wanda, Pietro, you'll engage Sindr the Ash Queen," Bill assigned with careful consideration of power matchups. "Nebula, take a strike force to support Wakanda. Vanir warriors and Plumber agents will assist Earth's defenders in major population centers."
Bill hefted his own weapon, the Universal Hammer that had once belonged to Ronan the Accuser, now enhanced with additional Asgardian enchantments.
"Plumbers," he declared with the authority of someone who had faced space-level threats before, "prepare for battle!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Writing takes time, coffee, and a lot of love.If you'd like to support my work, join me at [email protected]/GoldenGaruda
You'll get early access to over 50 chapters, selection on new series, and the satisfaction of knowing your support directly fuels more stories.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~