36) Mirage (1)

The day was sunny and bright, and Peter was chilling on top of a multi-story building eating a sandwich with the cool breeze in the air. He finished his food off and brushed his hands getting rid of any crumbs.

Peter had a complete look at a five-star hotel in front of him and he watched as the people below carried out their daily lives. It looked like some kind of event was happening in the hotel Peter was curious but he decided to let it be. 

Over the cars honking from the streets, he heard someone talking in the alley next to him. Peter couldn't quite hear what he was saying and decided to get closer to look and listen. 

A man dressed in a yellow metal-plated suit with black lining and small glowing circles beaming blue. He had greasy brown hair and round glasses with acne "I can do this. I'm so close why should I stop now, come on Albert" he said hyping himself and starting to breathe in and out. 

'That's an interesting outfit alright.' thought Peter. 

The man slapped himself and started to fiddle with something on his wrist and Peter couldn't make out what it was. With a press of a button, blue lights flickered around the man's face and turned into a more distinguished and handsome face.

All of a sudden he had a chiseled jawline and clean shaved beard. Metal earrings appeared and his hair turned curly and black fading into a purple color. 

"What the fuck was that?" muttered Peter, taken aback. 

The mystery man fixed his outfit and walked out of the alleyway opting for a large smile. He started to head towards the hotel walking through the traffic. 

'Did that man just change his face? Did someone lace my sandwich with crack, what is happening?' thought Peter. He decided to swing to the other side and placed himself on the wall. 

The man walked into the lobby and showed an invitation for a wedding to the receptionist before heading inside. The room was full of people in suits and dresses with tables laid out with heaps of food and drinks. 

Near the middle was a woman dressed in a long and glamorous wedding dress talking to some other guests. Albert started to stride towards her taking a glass of champagne with him.

The bride finished her conversation with the other guests and Albert introduced himself.

"Mary, how are you?" he asked. 

"Hey, I'm doing fine. I'm sorry if this is rude but I don't seem to recognize you, who are you?" replied Mary with a smile.

"I'm Albert, I know I've changed a little" replied Albert smiling back.

"Albert? You're Albert? Wow, you've changed. HEY HARRY, COME MEET ALBERT" she replied calling over her fiance. 

Albert's smile faded and his eyes filled with jealousy. A well-built man shuffled through the crowd towards Mary and placed his arm around her waist.

"Where's Albert?" he asked.

"He's right there" she replied pointing at the man.

"You're joking," Harry said shocked. He leaned for a hug "What a glow-up man, you look great seriously." and Albert reciprocated hesitantly. 

"Thanks," Albert said.

"Look man thanks for coming. I know I've done some terrible things to you in the past and I would love to apologize to you now. You didn't deserve what I did and I was just some immature asshole and I've built up my regrets. I want to you enjoy your time here and now that I'm truly sorry and I know this doesn't make up for it but I hope it's a start. Please enjoy the celebration and I must say you are looking great man, love the style." responded Harry before taking himself and Mary to talk to some other guests that came up to them.

"You're right, an apology isn't enough. I want more" Albert muttered. He stood on top of a table and the guests started to stare at him. He pulled out a gun and shot at the ceiling. 

"WTF" screamed Harry and Mary while the other guests backed away screaming in fear creating an empty circle in front of Albert.

Albert threw a black duffel bag on the floor, "PUT ALL YOUR WALLETS AND VALUABLES IN THE BAG!" he yelled. He jumped down from the table and pressed a button on his gadget and two more of him appeared with a gun in their hand.

"Why are you doing this Albert?" questioned Mary.

"Now you want to talk to me. It's too late for apologies or forgiveness and as soon as I entered this lobby I was already too far in to give up now. I'm not invisible anymore and stop calling me Albert. Call me Mirage." responded Mirage making another hologram who started to dance in the lobby.

"That's some cool tech you have there" interjected Peter. 

While his clones continued their routines, Mirage looked back at Peter aiming his gun at him. "What are you doing here Spider-Man?" he asked.

"You know me?" asked Peter pointing at himself confused. 

"Who hasn't? Everyone watches the Avengers tryouts on TV, of course I know you," responded Mirage.

"Really, what did you think of my segments?" asked Peter.

"It was alright, I preferred Tigra's and Quicksilvers but yours was up there. Wait what am I doing." Mirage shot the ceiling again and pointed the gun back at Peter.

"Back down Spider shit head" he added.

"I'm afraid I have to kick your ass instead" responded Peter. 

"Wow, how scary. What can a big house spider even do?" replied Mirage, pressing a button causing his clones to instantly shift and copy his movements. "Let's tango" he added, siping at his gadget causing one of his clones to run towards Peter. 

"Game on" replied Peter. 

Mirage pressed some buttons again and threw a punch which his clone emulated.

Peter dodged and punched back causing the clone to disappear in a blue light.

Peter looked back at where Mirage was and saw an ungodly amount of clones around the room emoting and mocking Peter. 

 "This looks tedious," Peter told himself.