Chapter 139: The Dawn of Sun (7)

Timeline: November 13, 1995

Time:7 Am

Loe Halloway stood on the rooftop, the morning sun just beginning to paint the sky with hues of orange and pink. He took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling up into the crisp air. Beside him, Chris Hilton approached, his steps hesitant but determined.

"Hey, Loe," Chris began, his voice breaking the silence.

Loe turned slightly, exhaling a plume of smoke. "What?"

"Um, just wanna say that I haven't forgotten those days," Chris continued, his eyes earnest.

Loe merely looked at him, continuing to smoke without a word.

"I mean," Chris went on, "when I heard my daughter's words, I kind of lost my mind. I forgot about the old days when we fought to protect New York. Those days...," he trailed off, gazing into the distance, "they were the hardest, compared to this."

Loe took another drag, the cigarette glowing briefly. "I know, right? So don't be a baby about this situation. It's like you've never experienced hardship before."

Chris laughed, a short, self-deprecating sound. "Yeah, I'm fucking stupid, aren't I?"

Loe smirked, still not looking directly at him. "Yeah, you really are." He took another drag and then, in a softer tone, added, "I'm glad you're back, Chris."

Chris smiled, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Right, and also I'm glad We finally told Michael about everything, about what happened those days."

Loe nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, I'm glad too. I'm tired of hiding it from him. He has the right to know everything."

Chris nodded in agreement. "Yeah," he said, feeling a weight lift off his chest as they stood together, the dawn breaking around them.

Loe took another drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly. "Now what?" he asked, glancing at Chris.

Chris looked confused. "What?"

"What are you gonna do?" Loe clarified.

Chris sighed, understanding what Loe meant. "I'm going to apologize to the public. But without Maxwell, they won't believe what I say. Maxwell's disappearance makes it look like he's responsible for everything. To them, it's like he's guilty by default. That's why..." He paused, meeting Loe's eyes. "I need to find him first."

Loe nodded thoughtfully. "Is that so..." He took another puff and then said decisively, "Then I'll help you find him."

A genuine smile spread across Chris's face. "Thanks, my friend."

Loe gave a small nod, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Let's get to work."

.......

[Meanwhile Michael side]

"Hey, Michael," Mark called out, catching my attention.

I turned to him, offering a smile. "Hey, Mark. What's going on?"

Mark hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I just want you to know..."

I cut him off, sensing where this was heading. "Hey, I told you, you don't need to apologize anymore. I already understand, and... it's already in the past."

Despite my reassurance, Mark persisted, "I'm sorry, really, Michael."

I sighed and looked at him, trying to convey my sincerity. "Okay, apology accepted. So don't say sorry again, okay?"

Mark nodded and chuckled, "Yes, sir."

We both laughed, and I decided to change the topic. "So, how's your day? I heard about the Kingpin cases."

Mark's expression shifted to one of frustration. "Well, um, me, Emily, Daredevil, and Thomas Halloway have been trying to find Kingpin's location, but every time we get a lead, he suddenly disappears."

I sighed, understanding his frustration. "That's tough, buddy."

I already knew that Kingpin was a slippery bastard, always good at hiding from those he couldn't defeat. That's just how he operated.

I looked at Mark and said with confidence, "Don't worry about those things. I'm sure you'll find him."

Mark met my gaze, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Yeah... Thanks, Michael."

I grinned and clapped him on the back. "Hey, what are best friends for?"

Mark laughed, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Yeah, right."

Mark then remarked, "And Michael..."

I turned to him, curious. "Hmm?"

Mark continued, "Shouldn't you be in school now? I mean, it's Monday."

I waved off his concern with a grin. "Don't worry, I already asked for some time off. I've been working my ass off 24/7 while other teachers have their breaks."

Mark chuckled, teasingly adding, "It was your clone who worked his ass off, not you."

I shook my head, defending my position. "Hey, that clone are still me. And when he disappear, all his memories, hard work, and energy pass onto me. So, after the clone gone, I also feel his tiredness. So It's still me."

Mark laughed and conceded, "Suit yourself, man."

......

[Meanwhile Peter side]

Walking through the busy school corridors with Mary Jane and Harry by my side, I soak in the morning sun streaming through the windows, lighting up the floor.

As we walk, Harry's voice breaks through the chatter, filled with concern. "My dad's acting weird again, man," he confides, his brow furrowed with worry.

Intrigued, I lean in closer, eager to hear more. "What happened?" I inquire, my curiosity piqued.

Harry shakes his head, his expression troubled. "It's like he's talking to himself," he reveals, his voice laced with unease.

My heart sinks with worry. Could the Green Goblin, that menacing villain, still be influencing Harry's father? I quickly decide to tell Michael about this, realizing how dangerous it could be if it's true.

Just as I'm getting lost in my thoughts, Harry's voice snaps me back to reality. "Hey, Pete, you there?" he asks, breaking my train of thought.

I quickly shake off my distraction, offering a sheepish grin. "Oops, sorry, I was lost in thought there, hehehe," I admit, trying to brush off my momentary lapse.

I quickly shake off my distraction, offering a sheepish grin. "Sorry about that, guys. I was just lost in my own head for a second, hehehe," I chuckled, trying to play it off as no big deal.

Harry gives me a puzzled look, clearly wondering why I seemed lost in thought. "Okay..." he responds, sounding a bit unsure of what to make of my sudden distraction.

Sensing the need to change the subject, I turn my attention to Mary Jane, hoping to lighten the mood. "Anyway, MJ, how's it going with the cheerleader squad? I heard you got elected as the captain. Is that true?" I asked, trying to steer away from the serious conversation about Harry's dad.

Mary Jane's face lights up with pride at the mention of her newfound role. "Yep, and I'm grateful for their support in voting me as their leader," she responds, her voice tinged with excitement.

Unable to contain my admiration, I offer her a sincere compliment. "Well, you're the best cheerleader I've seen, so I expected nothing less," I remark, genuinely impressed by her talent and dedication. 

Mary Jane laughs modestly, brushing off my praise with a playful retort. "Oh, you jest," she replies, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

As we walk together down the school hallway, our laughter fills the air, echoing off the walls. We may have our worries and concerns, but in each other's company, we find solace and joy.

.....

[Meanwhile]

Maxwell Dillon's change from admiring Chris Hilton to despising him is clear as he faces the suit, a powerful tool built by Chameleon. This suit isn't just about strength; it's a symbol of Maxwell's desire for revenge.

Maxwell Dillon's shift from looking up to Chris Hilton to despising him is all thanks to Chameleon's manipulations. Maxwell doesn't realize he's being played like a puppet by Chameleon. He's being used to carry out Dr Doom's plans without even knowing it.

Maxwell's voice sliced through the tense atmosphere like a blade. "Is it over?" he questioned, his tone tinged with impatience.

Chameleon, working swiftly on Maxwell's suit, assured him, "It's almost done." He then suggested, "How about powering up the orbit sun for our goal?"

Maxwell's eyes sparkled with anticipation, a sinister eagerness evident in his gaze. "Roger," he declared, his voice filled with determination.

With a sense of purpose, Maxwell steps closer to the imposing structure known as the orbit sun, a monument to their shared ambition. His gaze falls upon Dr. Doom, a figure of authority and malevolence.

"Sir," Maxwell acknowledges, his voice tinged with a simmering intensity.

Dr. Doom regards him with a steely gaze, acknowledging his presence with a nod. "You are here, Maxwell," he states, his words laden with expectation.

Maxwell wasted no time in expressing his motive, his words laced with bitterness. "I'm here to power up the orbit sun, sir," he stated plainly, his determination clear.

Dr. Doom's expression remains impassive as he acknowledges Maxwell's determination. "Good. You know I'm expecting a lot from you," he remarks, his voice a low rumble of authority.

But it's Maxwell's next words that truly expose the depth of his animosity. "I'm only doing this to take down that damn Chris Hilton who ruined my life!" he spits out, his seething hatred for his former idol unmistakable in his tone.

Dr. Doom's lips curved into a twisted smirk, his eyes radiating with malicious satisfaction. "Your dream will come true once we finish this project," he promised, his words carrying a sense of inevitability and vengeance.

Maxwell's nod is eager, his expression contorting into a malevolent grin. "I can't wait, sir, for that to happen," he replies, his voice laced with dark anticipation. In his mind, Maxwell sees himself as a key player in the grand scheme, unaware that he is merely a pawn manipulated by the likes of Dr. Doom and Chameleon. To him, the orbit sun isn't just a tool—it's his ticket to revenge, fueled by a hatred that consumes him.

........

[In the Fantastic Four headquarters]

 Reed Richards' curiosity was piqued as he examined the strange cubes before him in the Baxter Building's lab. Each one seemed to hold a mystery of its own, but none more captivating than the one containing a luminous green marble. As he observed it closely, his mind raced with questions.

"What is this?" he muttered to himself, his scientific curiosity driving him to unravel its secrets.

Suddenly, the tranquil atmosphere of the lab was shattered by the appearance of an unexpected visitor. Reed's eyes widened in astonishment as the portal opened, revealing the figure of Doctor Strange stepping through.

"You-you are Doctor Strange!" Reed exclaimed, his surprise evident in his voice.

Doctor Strange acknowledged Reed's recognition with a nod, his focus fixed on the cube in Reed's possession. "Yes, it's me. And that," he pointed to the glowing marble, "is the Time Stone. It belongs to me, and I must retrieve it."

Reed's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean it's yours?" he inquired, puzzled by the sudden claim.

Doctor Strange's expression grew somber. "Look, There's a danger looming, one that threatens not just New York City, but the entire world," he explained gravely.

Reed's curiosity turned to concern. "What danger?" he pressed, eager to understand the urgency of the situation.

Dr. Strange's insistence grew more urgent as he implored Reed to relinquish the Time Stone, ignoring Reed's words.

"Give it to me," he urged, his tone tinged with a sense of gravity.

But Reed Richards stood firm, unwilling to yield without understanding the full extent of the danger at hand.

"I've told you about the danger!" Reed reiterated, frustration evident in his voice.

With a heavy sigh, Doctor Strange attempted to convey the gravity of the situation. "I've seen countless outcomes," he explained wearily. "In many of them, countless lives were lost, and World faced destruction."

Reed's eyes widened in shock and concern. "What? What do you mean?" he pressed, his mind racing to comprehend the dire implications.

But Doctor Strange hesitated, his gaze filled with the weight of countless unseen possibilities. "I can't divulge the specifics," he admitted reluctantly. "To alter the timeline could lead to unforeseen consequences, potentially making matters worse."

Reed Richards, the brilliant scientist behind the Fantastic Four, understood the seriousness of Doctor Strange's warnings. He thought deeply about the concepts of time theory and paradoxes, knowing how dangerous it could be to mess with time.

Reed let out a heavy sigh, accepting that Doctor Strange wasn't going to reveal more about the dire future he foresaw. Although Reed was frustrated by the lack of details, he grasped the dangers associated with altering time. Still, his determination to help remained steadfast.

Reluctantly, Reed acknowledged Doctor Strange's secrecy, recognizing the perilous implications of altering the timeline. "Okay," he sighed, his tone betraying a sense of resignation. "I get it. Just tell me the plan, and I'll see what I can do to improve it."

Dr. Strange said, "Okay. Now give me the Time Stone," his tone firm and unwavering as he extended his hand expectantly.

As Reed reluctantly handed over the Time Stone, his mind buzzed with questions about the impending danger Doctor Strange had foreseen.

"Now tell me your plan," Reed pressed, eager to unravel the mystery shrouding the fate of New York City.

But before Doctor Strange could elaborate, his attention was drawn elsewhere. "What is that?" he exclaimed, pointing towards the distance.

Reed turned to follow his gaze, only to find emptiness where there should have been a presence.

Confusion clouded Reed's features as he realized Doctor Strange had vanished into thin air. "Shit," he muttered under his breath, cursing his own naivety.

Meanwhile, in another dimension, Doctor Strange faced Dormammu with a sense of resolve. "I am sorry, Reed, but I have to handle this on my own," he declared, steeling himself for the task ahead.

"Now, shall we begin?" Doctor Strange asked, his tone tinged with determination as he prepared to confront the looming threat head-on.

To be continued