Marvel: King of Mythology Chapter 17

Chapter 17: A Certain Kinda Drug

[Oscorp]


“We just lost connection with Taskmaster, sir!” 


A man clad entirely in black clothes yelled through the intercom. He expected an outburst, curses and possibly even losing his job.


But nothing of that short happened.


“That is fine.” The man, the one whom the guard feared, replied, “We already have enough resources and even if he was caught, he will not reveal our names.” 


The man knew that Taskmaster would prefer dying over being unprofessional, and he respected that.


Just not enough to care about the mercenary’s well being.


“In the end, he is just another paid dog.” He said, making the guard shudder. “But don’t worry, you have been doing just fine.”


“Y-Yes, sir!”


As the guard shuddered, the man on the other side of the intercom simply smirked.


To him, it was just another inconvenience.


He was Norman Osborn, he didn't do failure. The most he went through were inconveniences. 


‘The only thing that disappoints me is that I paid a little too much considering his failure.’ 


But it didn’t matter. For every dollar he lost, he made ten more.


“Norman?”


Sitting atop his alligator skin couch, he heard a familiar voice.


“The door’s open.” 


He knew who it was, and thus he immediately put on his fake smile. One that he had mastered over the years.


“I was looking around for you.” Norman heard the man say, his graying hair covering more than his usual sides.


“You seem a little too worn down, Reed.” Norman said, “I know this research has been a little too hectic, but do take care of your health. You only get one life after all.”


Something that he wanted to change in the future. 


“I know.” Reed sighed, “But if we succeed, this can be revolutionary. It can change the world as we know it.”


“True,” Norman nodded, “That is why I have two of the smartest minds, you and doctor Octavius on this project.”


Reed showed a little smile. “I did not expect this project to actually succeed when you first told me about it. But I don’t know where you procured this drug from, but with it we can succeed.”


The drug was something he had to make a certain few arrangements for, with some very unappealing people.


“You don’t have to worry about the drug.” Norman assured, “It is my responsibility and I will supply you as you need. And as far as I know, the research is already at its last stages.”


“About that…” Reed seemed a little uneasy.


“Is something wrong, Reed?” 


Reed shook his head, “No, but this stage is a little too unfortunate to work around with.”


Norman immediately understood what Reed meant. He knew that it was best to remove the issue before it could sprout into something worse.


So, he decided to fix it.


Getting off the couch, he asked Reed. “Come with me, Reed.”


Norman requested, leading the genius towards a certain glass covered corridor.


“The research that you are working on,” Norman smiled, “It can cure diseases that people think are impossible to cure. Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, even severe injuries.”


He pressed a button on the corridor, “For that, some sacrifices are essential.”


As he pressed the button, the glass that was opaque, turned transparent and revealed a man being strapped to a bed.


“You said that the solution still isn’t perfect, right?” 


Reed nodded, “It can make the person that takes it unable to understand the people and surroundings around him… in a way it makes the person insane. It makes the patient follow the first person that orders him.”


Reed frowned as he saw a nurse stabbing the man strapped on the bed, making him scream in pain.


“And it causes extensive pain when initially taken.” Reed commented, closed his eyes as he saw the man screeching.


“Don't close your eyes, Reed.” Norman said, “Look at the miracle you have created.”


Both of them saw the nurse stabbing the patient with a pair of scissors, making Reed’s eyes widen.


“Don't feel bad, Reed.” He explained, “These are not humans. These are trash. Rapists, pedophiles, terrorists.”


He turned to look at Reed, “At least, they are now helping in improving the lives of innocent people.”


Immediately, they noticed that the wound inflicted on the man started to close –heal without leaving any trace.


“This can help people to regrow lost limbs, and cure any disease.” He explained, “Imagine how many people lose their lives to diseases and accidents, how many families lose their loved ones to unfortunate causes.”


He placed a hand over Reed’s shoulder, “Do not worry about these scum, Reed. Focus on perfecting the solution. Focus on helping this world.”


“This… I…” Reed didn’t know what to say, he knew that torturing humans was wrong even if they were criminals.


But on the other hand, he knew that it was all for the greater good.


“I will.” He finally gave in, planning to finish what he started.


“Perfect.” Norman gave him a bright smile, “But keep your schedule free. We have to go to MidTown University for their little inventions.


His son had been out of town for a while, but he was also participating in the fair. So, there was no way Norman was going to let this event go to waste.


“I have to go, don’t I?” Reed sighed while Norman laughed.


“Yes, yes you do my friend.”


All while he looked at the patient, a different kind of smile creeping up his face that only he could understand.


Smile that was sinister and hid a ploy far darker than Reed could imagine.


…

…


[Manhattan, New York City]


“You said your name was Nosferatu?” Spiderman huffed, sitting on the ground and staring at Taskmaster –making sure the mercenary pulled no stunts.


Nosferatu…


Should have gone for something else, but the damage is done.


“It is the name I am going with.” 


He stared at me funny, “Interesting choice of a name.”


“Shut up.”


And he did, surprisingly.


“So, how long have you been a hero for?” He asked after quite a while, the longest he had gone without yapping.


“I am not a hero,” I said, “But a week.”


“What you did today, helping me and saving drugs from plaguing this place.” He looked above, “That is no less than a hero.”


Hero…


That word truly did not suit me.


“I saved no one.” I said, “You could have made it out alive even without me.”


“A hero isn’t someone who simply saves a person’s life.” He said, “A hero is someone that is there when he is needed. And you were here today, when you were needed.”


That…


I don’t know.


I didn't reply.


“But it is fine if you do not want to take the mantle of a hero,” He said, “It can be taxing and takes a toll.” His tone suddenly changed, “But yeah, don’t fall to the dark side.”


A Star Wars reference, huh?


“I am a fan of Vader.” I said, “Might just join the dark side.”


“Then you will need a metallic suit,” He laughed and I followed suit.


“But thank you.” He finally said, “Couldn’t have done it without you.”


Again we sat in silence for an awfully long time, until I finally heard something.


“Is that a chopper?”


“It is,” He nodded, “They are here.”


“Who?” I asked, unaware who he meant.


He stood up, and as he did, the sound of the helicopter got louder until it was fully visible.


“S.H.I.E.L.D” He said.


“Who?” I genuinely had no idea who he was talking about.


“Think of them like those secret agents that protect you from terrorists, just in this case… make those terrorists people that wield superpowers or aliens that want to kidnap you.”


At this point, I was not even surprised that aliens existed.


“So, you like… work for them?” It made much more sense that he worked with an organization, especially when dealing with drug cartels and all.


“I do.” He explained, “Quite a lot of people, with and without powers do. It is way bigger than you can imagine.”


And he expects me to believe that such a massive organization remained in the dark?


Yeah, I believe him.


This world is fucking crazy after all.


I can turn into Hercules and Nosferatu so why wouldn’t a secret organization exist?


“But…” He suggested, “If you do not want to be interrogated by them or bug you to death expecting you to join them, you should go.”


That was not a suggestion I expected to hear. Most employees would want others to join their organization.


But not him.


Maybe that’s why he was a hero.


He didn't fit the norms.


<<Equipment Duration Left: 5 minutes>>


And well, I also had no choice but to leave.


But not before thanking the hero.


He wasn’t all that bad.


“Thank you, Spiderman.” I extended the hand, which he took in a confused daze.


“For?”


“For protecting the city.” I said, “And for continuing to protect it.”


He laughed, “You don’t have to mention it. It is my job as someone with powers.”


That was a good belief.


“And a wise man once said, with great powers comes great responsibilities.”


This made me smile.


Maybe he was right.


Maybe it was worth trying to help others and improving the world.


After all, there was a purpose for everything.


Even the powers that I had.