Chapter 97: Creating Chaos

Mystique slunk through the shadows of the abandoned warehous Her yellow eyes, ever watchful, took in every detail of the Sinister Six's hideout.

"Honestly," she thought to herself, "for a group of supposed supervillains, their security is laughable. I've seen preschools with better defenses."

As she rounded a corner, she caught sight of her first target – Doctor Octopus, the one with 8 arms, hunched over a workbench, his mechanical arms weaving an intricate dance as he tinkered with some device.

Mystique's lips curled into a wicked grin. "Time to show the results of my training. Law is really a lovingly despicable man to have shown me how to use my powers to cause chaos," she murmured, her form rippling and changing.

Moments later, a perfect replica of the Vulture strode confidently into Doctor Octopus's workspace.

"Octavius!" she barked in the Vulture's raspy voice. "We need to talk about your leadership of this group. Or should I say, lack thereof?"

Doc Ock's head snapped up, his mechanical arms bristling. "Vulture? What are you blathering about?"

"Don't play dumb," Mystique-as-Vulture sneered. "We all know you're not cut out for this. Your plans always fail. We ambushed Spiderman just as you planned but he still escaped. You said that your plan was fail proof. Maybe it's time for someone else to take charge."

Doc Octoper's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Is that a threat, you overgrown pigeon?"

"Maybe it is," she retorted, leaning in close. "What are you going to do about it, noodle-arms?"

Before Doc Ock could respond, Mystique ran away from there and shifted again, this time into the form of Electro.

'What is wrong with him today?' Doctor Octopus thought stupified at the scene. He decided to follow him.

Mystique ran towards another room where she found Mysterio.

Seeing Electro running towards him, Mysterio asked "What are you up to, Electro?"

Mystique did not reply and kept on running towards him as she sent a lightning shock(courtesy of some tech the Death Surgeon had provided). Mysterio got a little burnt from that as he looked ragingly at 'electro'.

"Oops," she said in Electro's voice, feigning innocence. "Did I do that? Guess I'm just all charged up about this leadership debate."

Saying that, Mystique disappeared and changed into someone else.

For the next hour, she flitted between the forms of the various Sinister Six members, sowing discord and suspicion at every turn. She whispered doubts in Rhino's ear as Sandman, questioned Vulture's loyalty while wearing Mysterio's visage, and generally turned the group's paranoia up to eleven.

They knew something was wrong but

None of them could figure out what was happening. After all, they were not aware or had heard about any shapeshifter and it was their first time dealing with one.

By the time she slipped away, the Sinister Six were at each other's throats, hurling accusations and insults with as much fervor as they usually reserved for fighting Spider-Man.

As Mystique made her escape, resuming her natural blue-skinned form, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of professional pride. "And they say shapeshifting is just a party trick," she mused. "If the brotherhood mutants could see me now... they would not be thinking my abilities are useless in a fight. God, I love my new job. Well, and I kinda love my employer too. So there is that."

Mystique tapped her communicator, connecting with the rest of the team. "Phase one complete," she reported, a hint of smugness in her voice. "The Sinister Six are about as unified as a sack of angry cats right now. You're welcome."

Emma's cool voice came through the speaker. "Excellent work, Mystique. Rendezvous at the designated location. It's time for phase two."

As Mystique melted into the night, she allowed herself a satisfied smile. The real fun was just beginning.

Spider-Man crouched on a telephone pole upside down overlooking the warehouse district, his new allies spread out around him. The night air thrummed with tension as they waited for Mystique's signal.

"So," Peter said, breaking the silence, "does anyone want to play I Spy? I'll start. I spy with my little eye, something beginning with 'A'."

"Abandoned warehouse?" Quicksilver guessed, vibrating with pent-up energy.

"Antisocial arachnid?" Emma suggested dryly.

"Annoyingly anxious allies?" Gambit chimed in with a grin.

Peter sighed. "Actually, I was going for 'Impending Ass-kicking,' but I guess that starts with an 'I'. My bad."

Before anyone could respond, Mystique's voice crackled through their comms. "Get ready, darlings. The hornet's nest has been thoroughly kicked. Time for phase 2"

As if on cue, the warehouse door burst open, revealing the Sinister Six in all their dysfunctional glory. Doc Ock's mechanical arms were tangled with Electro's crackling form, while Sandman and Rhino seemed to be having a very aggressive shouting match. Vulture circled overhead, occasionally diving to peck at Mysterio's domed helmet.

"Wow," Spider-Man quipped, "and I thought my family reunions were awkward."

"Time to kick some ass. Go! " Emma said acting as the current leader of the team.

The heroes or rather 1 hero and 5 mercenaries sprang into action.

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