Chapter 38

I stepped through the shimmering portal, and the bustling streets of New York City surrounded me. The air was thick with the scent of hotdogs and freshly baked pretzels, mingling with the rumble of traffic and the chatter of pedestrians. Neon signs flickered overhead, casting a warm glow over the iconic skyscrapers that reached up towards the cloudy sky.

I marveled at the vintage cars lining the streets, their chrome trim and rounded fenders a stark contrast to the sleek modern vehicles I was used to. The sidewalks teemed with well-dressed businessmen and women, their hats and suits a testament to the formality of the era.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder as I took in the sights and sounds of 1960s New York. The city pulsed with an energy that was both familiar and foreign, a vibrant tapestry of history and modernity.

As I turned the corner, a massive billboard caught my eye, advertising the latest album from a popular artist. 1968 - the date confirmed I had arrived in the right era.

I let out a sigh of relief as I confirmed the year - 1968. This was the right time period, the one I had been searching for. The Minions movie took place in the late 1960s, and I needed to make sure I arrived at the correct moment to have the best chance of recruiting those mischievous creatures to join the Hestia Familia.

You see, I had been worried about getting the timing right. The Despicable Me universe had different time periods, with Gru's childhood taking place in one era and the main events of the movies happening in another. I couldn't afford to make a mistake and end up in the wrong time, or else my plans to expand the Hestia Familia could be derailed.

I've noticed that if I focus on a specific movie, I can open a portal that will drop me roughly in the timeframe when the story takes place.

For a series, though, the time periods I arrive in tend to be random - it all depends on pure luck. I could end up in the middle of the main events, or I might show up at the beginning or end. There's no real way for me to control it.

As I stood on the bustling streets of 1960s New York, I knew I had to be cautious. The Minions were a wily bunch, and if I didn't time my arrival just right, I might miss my chance to recruit them entirely. I couldn't afford any mistakes.

I took a deep breath, trying to recall what I knew about the Minions from the movie. If I remembered correctly, Kevin, Bob, and Stuart were on a mission to find the most despicable villain to serve as their new boss.

The question was, had they already left their icy cave hideout to begin their search? Or were they still holed up, waiting for the right moment to set out?

I scratched my chin, considering the challenge ahead. Finding the Minions would be tricky, since I didn't know if they had already set out on their mission to find a new villain boss. But I had a hunch that Villain-Con in Orlando might be my best bet.

From what I recalled, Villain-Con was the premiere event for up-and-coming evil masterminds. It wasn't the kind of thing just anyone could attend - you had to have a certain level of notoriety and villainy to even get in the door.

That meant the Minions would likely be there, scouting for their next boss. If I could just get myself to Villain-Con, I was sure I could track them down and convince them to join the Hestia Familia instead.

The only problem was, I had no idea how to actually get into the event. I have not done much that would consider me a villain, so I definitely didn't fit the profile of a villain. And I couldn't exactly just waltz in and start causing trouble, either. That would kind of defeat the purpose.

I mulled over my options, trying to come up with a plan that wouldn't get me immediately thrown out. Maybe I could disguise myself as a supervillain...or perhaps I could try to sneak in with another group. Either way, I knew I had to be careful. The last thing I wanted was to blow my chance at recruiting the Minions before I even made it through the doors.

The idea hit me like a bolt of lightning. It may have sounded stupid, but it just might work. All I had to do was become the biggest, baddest villain this world had ever seen, and the Villain-Con would have no choice but to invite me.

Not only that, but Kevin, Bob, and Stuart would be drawn to my villainous prowess. They'd see me as the ultimate boss they've been searching for and would want to serve me without a doubt.

I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of this sooner. With my newfound ghostly powers and spider powers, I could easily transform myself into an unstoppable supervillain. Hestia might not approve, but this was too good an opportunity to pass up.

First, I needed to come up with an intimidating supervillain persona. Something that would strike fear into the hearts of even the most hardened criminals.

As I paced around the streets, a myriad of potential supervillain names swirled in my mind. I needed something that would strike fear into the hearts of my enemies while also capturing the essence of my newfound powers.

"Ghostly Arachnid?" I mused, shaking my head. "No, too generic."

I tapped my chin, thinking harder. "Spectral Stalker? Nah, that sounds more like a horror movie villain."

Suddenly, it hit me. A name that perfectly encapsulated the blending of my ghostly and spider-like abilities.

"Phantom Spider!" I exclaimed, a wicked grin spreading across my face. "Yes, that's it! Phantom Spider - the ultimate villain who can strike from the shadows and ensnare his foes in a web of terror."

I grinned to myself, already picturing the plan forming in my mind. As the "Phantom Spider," I would need to make a grand entrance and ensure everyone in Orario knew my name.

First, I'd need to put on a show - something big and flashy that would catch the attention of every villain in the city. Maybe I could orchestrate a daring heist, stealing some priceless artifact from under the noses of the authorities. Or perhaps I'd launch a full-scale attack on one of the larger Familias, demonstrating my power and cunning.

Either way, I knew I had to make a statement. The Phantom Spider couldn't be some forgettable, run-of-the-mill villain. No, I had to become a force to be reckoned with, someone that even the gods would fear.

With my ghostly abilities and spider-like powers, I was confident I could pull off any scheme I set my mind to. All I had to do was put on a good enough performance to earn an invitation to Villain-Con. Then I'd have the perfect opportunity to recruit the Minions and expand the Hestia Familia's reach.

...

The Bank of America was a bustling hub of activity, with customers coming and going to make their transactions. Guards were stationed in every corner, maintaining a vigilant watch over the proceedings. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary on this day.

Suddenly, the lights in the bank began to dim, casting an eerie glow throughout the hall. In the center of the space, a figure emerged, his web-like patterns and glowing green eyes immediately capturing the attention of everyone present. The customers and guards grew cautious, unsure of who this newcomer was and what his intentions might be.

The Phantom Spider, as he introduced himself, surveyed the scene with a sense of confidence. "Greetings, one and all," he announced, his voice echoing through the hall. "I am the Phantom Spider, and I've come to make a withdrawal from this fine establishment." He paused, allowing his words to sink in, before continuing, "So, if you would all be so kind as to step aside, I'll be on my way."

The Phantom Spider's eyes narrowed as the guards stepped forward, their weapons drawn. "Surrender now, or we'll open fire!" the leader of the guards commanded.

The Phantom Spider let out a chuckle. "Wise men know when to back down," he warned, his voice laced with amusement.

The leader's face hardened. "Fire!" he barked.

Bullets flew through the air, but to the Phantom Spider, everything seemed to move in slow motion. His spider-sense warned him of each shot, allowing him to effortlessly dodge the projectiles. With a flick of his wrists, he unleashed a barrage of webbing, ensnaring the guards and flinging them around the bank's interior. Some slammed into the floor, while others were pinned to the walls, struggling against the adhesive substance.

A handful of guards rushed him, their batons raised. The Phantom Spider met their charge, his movements a blur as he dispatched them one by one. He struck with precision, his fists and feet finding their marks with devastating effect. The guards fell, their cries of pain echoing through the hall.

As the last guard crumpled to the ground, the Phantom Spider paused, surveying the carnage around him. A satisfied grin spread across his face. "Well, that was easier than I expected," he mused, striding towards the vault.

The customers in the bank screamed and ran outside. The alarms in the bank rang, but Phantom Spider paid them no mind. Phantom Spider is in front of the vault and phases through it using his ghost powers when he steps inside. He saw large stacks of money and gold.

The Phantom Spider gazed upon the vast wealth before him, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. This was exactly what he had come for - the riches that would fund his ambitious plans. Wasting no time, he began scooping up the stacks of cash and gold, filling a large duffel bag he had brought for this very purpose.

Phantom Spider then opens a shimmering portal and with a grunt, chucks all the duffel bags filled with money into it. The vault, once brimming with wealth, now stood empty as Phantom Spider had cleared it out completely.

Satisfied with his haul, Phantom Spider turned and phased through the vault's thick walls, leaving the ransacked bank behind. As he exited the building, he could hear the wail of approaching sirens.

The sirens wailed as police cars surrounded the bank, their lights flashing against the night sky. Officers spilled out of the vehicles, weapons drawn and trained on the figure standing amidst the chaos.

The Phantom Spider regarded the scene with delight, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Well, well, it seems I have an audience," he announced, his voice carrying an edge of theatrical flair.

Stepping forward, he spread his arms wide. "I am the Phantom Spider, and I'm here to tell you all that I will be the greatest villain the world has ever seen!" His laughter echoed through the night, a hint of madness lacing his words.

The police officers tensed, their fingers hovering over the triggers of their firearms. "Freeze!" the lead officer commanded, his voice booming. "You're under arrest!"

The Phantom Spider's gaze swept over the assembled officers, his amusement palpable. "Under arrest?" he scoffed. "I think not."

With a flick of his wrists, he unleashed a barrage of webbing, ensnaring the officers and their weapons. The police opened fire, but the Phantom Spider's reflexes were lightning-fast, and he effortlessly dodged the bullets.

"Pay attention, my dear friends," the Phantom Spider taunted, "for you are about to witness the beginning of my reign as the most notorious villain in history. MUAHAHAHA!"

Leaping into the air, he fired a web-line and swung away, his laughter fading into the night as he disappeared from sight, leaving the bewildered and disarmed officers in his wake.

///

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