Chapter 24 : Determination
Author note : Hey, guys ! Just to inform you that I'll take a break for about a month or so, after this chapter. Anyways, enjoy !
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Finally. Finally, I'm back on Earth ! I've spent my whole summer and then some on an alien world where I was the smallest existence there. Even the rats were bigger than me ! Except they weren't called rats, of course. After Gagna and I finished the first working prototype, we made a couple of other ones based off of the work we did on it. Now, I'm satisfied with it. We've even managed to set the ink better by inscribing it into the red hot metal. I don't think that, had it been regular ink, this would have worked. It's great that magic works in mysterious ways, isn't it ?
The belt and the buckle to go along with are things I want to wear every time I leave the house. It's a tool, a weapon and a focus for my power all wrapped into one. Kind of like a wizard's wand in Harry Potter. Except, it might be even more of a cheat. Well… in time, at least.
For now, I'm satisfied that I don't need to use my pen to work with my power anymore. Since I'm basically writing and drawing with my mind, my focus and image training plays a big part and I'm still getting the hang of it. The same goes for the ink constructs. In fact, it's actually even harder in this case. I don't know how they do it in the DC comics… The Green Lanterns, those freaks who can keep several constructs or one big elaborate one going for a long time… If that was the only thing they did, but they also fight, or save people or some other shit !
I want to sigh, feeling a little discouraged, as I walk with Cory back to school. Oh, that's right ! School started back up again a week ago, which means… Yeah, I missed a bit of it, already ! Another thing… Spider-Man started to make his appearance in New York. Which means that Peter Parker, the most probable candidate, already got bitten by the famous spider. I'm kind of bummed to have missed that ! The bite itself probably happened last year. In several iterations, Peter is bitten during a school trip, so that's why I think it happened last year.
He's not fighting crime just yet, only working as a wrestler and appearing on TV shows. Therefore, I don't think uncle Ben's dead yet. Otherwise, the teenager would be on a war path to find the criminal… I wonder if he had the 'great power comes with great responsibility' pep talk ?
Anyways, now it's back to school for Cory, Doreen and I. We'll meet the Squirrel-Girl there. I really missed them. I missed them all. What I didn't miss however, is the constant fear of something happening right around the corner. With me being back in New York, I'm reminded of how much stuff happened in this city ! There are too many heroes and villains who made this city their home… And that's not even counting the possible world ending events.
This time I can't prevent the sigh from escaping my lips…
« What is it, now ? » Cory asks, in a fed-up tone.
Perhaps because we've spent so much time together, Cory is aware - and increasingly annoyed - of my bad points. She knows that I'm usually a lazy bum… If my parents don't push me, I won't make much effort either in school or my extracurricular studies. I mean… I like to play and experiment with my ink, but now that I know the impact it has on my physique, I've toned it down. Plus, I need to put more and more effort to see any progress in the effects of my ink. Frankly, it's discouraging.
My new toy… I mean, my new awesome belt buckle brings a new wind that renewed my interest and passion, but… I don't expect it to last.
Instead of answering Cory's question, I ask her :
« Was there a lot of lessons during the past week ? »
She shrugs :
« Not really… You know how the first week is : we mostly reviewed a few things from last year. Lessons will pick up from now on, so… You haven't missed much, if that's what has you depressed. »
Again, I don't answer. I'm not depressed ; I'm fed up. With myself. I know what awaits me in this reality. I know that, if I don't work hard, I'll never be able to defend myself and yet… It doesn't change the fact that I'm a lazy asshole ! It's like… I expect people to save me if I'm in trouble or something. I know about the heroes of this reality and I'm becoming increasingly more aware about my parents' power… Is this why I behave like this ?
Do I actually need a bullshit life-changing event like Peter Parker or Bruce Wayne to get my head outta my ass ? I grit my teeth as the thought of losing my parents crosses my mind. I shake it, as much to deny the thought as to change my mindset. I'll start working harder from now on !
I'll still be a coward, and I'll probably continue to drag my feet… But I can't keep going like this ! Otherwise, I'll really lose something important to me. Just as I spot the familiar face of Doreen waiting for us, I see another one, head down and hunched over like a nerd and a school victim. Peter Parker… I haven't spoken to him much since he's a year younger than me and all. Okay, I've decided !
If I really am to take this world and reality seriously, if I really am to make an impact… I'll start by helping out one of the most popular super-heroes of all-time !
I don't notice it until a few seconds later, but I'm clenching my fist. Whether that's to pump myself up or something else, I have no idea.
* * * * *
Okay, so… Construct are nice, but ! I'm still a noob at making them - and especially - and keeping them up. Besides, my artifact isn't all powerful : beyond a certain radius, the hold over my ink disappears. It's actually made some pretty big messes on Nidavellir…
That's why currently, I have my gazer watching over the Parker's house. Peter's drive to fight crime originated from his guild over his uncle's death, and the last life lesson he didn't pay attention to. At least, that's the case in many versions. In the first movie, before he went on to fight in the arena, they argued in his uncle's car and he basically told him to 'get lost'. Then, his uncle was shot when a thief tried to carjack him. In the Ultimate universe, Peter was going through a transition of sorts that changed his position in his school. He crashed at one of his former bully, Kong, while there was a big party. His uncle found him, tried to get him to come home… Before Peter bolted, once again, after a few choice words.
I expect it to be similar here. While 'Great power comes with great responsibility' is a great saying that became a trope, there's another one which probably impacts a teenager boy much more : 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Imagine being a nerd and the victim of bullying on a daily basis in high school. In a fishbowl society like that, where popularity was considered of paramount importance, when you get a modicum of power… Won't you use it ? It's basically what Peter did with his wrestling and appearances on TV shows. Granted, the guy was smart enough to do so while hiding his identity. Still, it doesn't mean his personality was warped in some way. Or at least, altered greatly.
He's already butted heads with Eugene 'Flash' Thompson. Though frankly, given how much of a dick the guy is, I completely understand and agree with that ! Unfortunately for the egghead, his parents are just as much dicks as he is and sued the Parkers when Flash broke his hand against Peter's. I mean… Wasn't he the one punching ? Why should they pay for the injuries he inflicted on himself ? Did they sue the city when little Flash fell and bruised his knees while in the seventh grade… Or whatever grade that happened ? Will they sue the school and the football league when Flash's head injuries will come to light ? I mean… The guy plays football ! He's used to being injured.
I sigh as I watch from a nearby rooftop the scene displayed on my notebook. The Parker's house is peaceful. Wonder how long that'll last…