Chapter 64 :Sinister Six

Good day to you all ! Let's not lose time since I'm at work and I still haven't started when I type these words…

First a reminder : I have a Patréon page you can find by searching Cathbel on the website's search engine. There, you can find advanced chapters and other stories. And you can show your support by throwing money at me ! Also, please leave a comment, a review or a stone.

Now, let's talk about a fan fiction I found on the app with the same name. The force is not a Quirk by MrChaos. A crossover story between Star Wars the clone wars and MHA. I have to admit that, at first, I was skeptical of the premise. But it actually works well in my opinion. I won't spoil anything, I'll just suggest you check it out !

Enjoy the read !

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Should I quip, or not ? I ponder idly as I make my way closer toward Doc Ock. I ain't about to get close to the massive beefcake of a man… Actually, that's debatable. He's much too big to be completely human and I'm wondering whether it's a suit, or some kind of dermal armor his alter power activated.

Anyways, the point is, I won't get close to him ! Not that I need it anyway… I can use a program to get my ink to him and set it up so that it knocks him out. Easy, peasy !… Oh, man… I just jinxed it, haven't I ?

« Rhino, charge ! » Doctor Octopus orders just as he sees me approaching. « Don't stay still and avoid the ink ! »

So, like a good little soldier, the Russian mobster starts running like a chicken whose head's just been cut off : messily, aimlessly. He glances at the ground from time to time, obviously searching for my ink. Not that it'll help really…

I can program my ink with target-lock before unleashing its full effect. Obviously, I'll make sure the ink is… invisible ! What he's doing, while making it harder for my ink to catch up to him, doesn't make it impossible. Especially since he can't pinpoint where the attack will be coming from.

Although I say that, it doesn't prevent me from glaring at Doctor Octopus fiercely and getting annoyed. The man knows about me. About my powers. How ? They're not exactly easy to figure out… At least, I don't think so.

While my mind ponders on those questions, the rest of my body engages the mad scientist in a brawl. You'd think a nerd like this guy would make for a poor fighter… You'd be wrong ! While he's not unbeatable, his extra limbs and, I'm guessing, his intellect, makes facing him challenging. He reacts pretty well and quickly. Thankfully, I too, have extra limbs ! And I have at least another advantage over him… Discounting my arcane knowledge and powers.

I don't have bones !… Which is something I've only recently taken as something other than an annoyance. So, grappling is pretty much impossible. I can contort in anyway I need or want and because of this, my tentacle strikes are as devastating as whip strikes. As a matter of fact, they might even be more destructive, since I am no longer just a regular ol' Joe !

The problem is… With more power comes a greater sense of confidence. And with it lies arrogance. That's what almost causes me to end up a pancake. I'm not sure I wouldn't have survived. I don't have bones to break and my constitution is similar to rubber now. However, my internal organs are still relatively weak. At least, that's what I think… There was also the chance of getting a hole poked in me, which I am pretty positive wouldn't be conducive to my health.

Anyways, here I am, playing around with the mad scientist because I don't feel much pressure, you know ? So, we exchange blow for blow, and I feel good about myself for something I never considered myself good at : physical altercations. That's when the ground starts rumbling. Slowly at first. I don't pay any mind to it because I know that Quake is around. And then, the vibrations grow closer to me. Stronger, too.

Whether it's conscious or unconscious, I finally look around… There it is, or rather he. Rhino. At some point, he had turned back around and started charging me. Now, he's almost upon me, his head lowered and his horn aimed dangerously toward my midsection. Reacting more on instinct that anything else, I fling myself to the side, my foot slipping through the mechanical tentacle.

The next moment, I'm on my feet/tentacles again. And look in the direction of Rhino and Doc Ock. The former hasn't stopped running. Whether it's because his momentum is too great or… Perhaps, he simply doesn't to give me a chance to use my magic on him. Octavius' knowing smirk is all the confirmation I need… Which also raise another problem.

The Sinister Six is a known group, usually composed of Spider-Man's villains. It stands to reason that they attack him. Having all experienced loss against him solo, facing him in group increases their chances. At least, that's how it was in the comics… In this reality, Peter hasn't yet encountered and defeated them all. He stopped Rhino's rampage once. Prevented Toomes, AKA Vulture, from robbing a jewelry store. I think that's it… Can't be sure since I'm not Peter's mama and the guy is pretty active on the hero scene. And that in spite of our agreement to train… Says he simply can't look the other way when people are in trouble.

Personally, I don't really have that problem… Always gotta look out for Number One !

Anyways, the Sinister Six shouldn't exist right now. Granted, my understanding of how the group was formed can be flawed… I've mostly only read the Ultimate comics of Earth-1610. Perhaps there are other versions of the group forming for other reasons. Seems like this is one of them.

« You prepared for us. » I remark, eyes narrowed.

« Indeed ! » Octavius easily agrees. « While your appearance is revolting, it seems you possess the cephalopod's vaunted intellect. In addition to your other, more arcane, abilities. » He sighs and shakes his head : « Frankly, this whole skirmish is beneath me ! However, my employer is… annoyed with you and your little group. Annoyed by your actions, but also interested in figuring out what makes you all tick. He's paid a substantial sum for us to capture or kill you all… »

I… was not expected that. I mean, don't bad guys usually monolog when they're sure of their victory ? The fight's barely started ! And then, it hits me.

I nod and comment :

« You're making a rookie mistake ! » I punctuate my realization by slapping two tentacles together. Doc Ock raises an eyebrow in question and I shake my head : « Sorry… Please, continue your monologue ! »

Only, it seems that was not what I should have said…