Chapter 283: I Told You That Already
Inside S.W.O.R.D.’s orbital command ship, Vision rose ghost-like from beneath the control console. He extended a hand, ready to access the data stream—
Thwip!
A strand of white webbing snapped out of nowhere and glued his hand against the console with a sharp smack. Vision narrowed his pale eyes, tilting his head toward the direction of the silk.
A figure crouched atop the console, wrapped in a red-and-blue suit, giant white lenses fixed squarely on him.
"Hey," Spider-Man called, his voice sharp but tinged with humor, "who the heck are you supposed to be? And what are you doing here? Actually, scratch that—first things first: why does your face look like it belongs in a morgue?"
Vision locked eyes on the newcomer. His internal systems flickered as his networked database began its search. Within a fraction of a second, results scrolled across his mental HUD:
Codename: Spider-Man.
Abilities: Web projection, enhanced physiology, heightened senses.
Threat Assessment:
Moderate.
Victory Probability: 98.7%.
Mission Protocol Update: Neutralize hostile interference immediately.
The Frost Gem embedded in his forehead gave Vision the ability to bypass electronic monitoring systems, but it could not fool Spider-Man’s precognitive spider-sense. While Vision phased through walls and shadows, Peter Parker’s nerves screamed like an alarm clock, guiding him straight into the control center—and face-to-face with this spectral intruder.
"Uh, hello?" Spider-Man waved a hand in front of Vision’s motionless face. "You still with us? Or did you just... crash like Windows 98?"
For several seconds Vision stood frozen, systems recalibrating. Then his priority shifted. The interloper had to be eliminated.
His arm flickered—solid density dissolving into ghostlike transparency. With a smooth pull, he slipped free of the sticky webbing. A heartbeat later, the Frost Gem on his forehead pulsed, unleashing a piercing blue beam of energy.
Spider-Man flinched, caught off-guard by the sudden blast. The beam skimmed past his foot and slammed into the console behind him, instantly coating it in a jagged sheath of ice. The temperature in the room plummeted.
"Whoa!" Spider-Man yelped, bounding backward. "Okay, note to self: forehead jewelry is not just decorative. Seriously, pal—did your mom give you that thing at birth?"
He kicked off the floor, bouncing between walls like a pinball, his suction-grip soles anchoring him mid-run. Within a second he was at Vision’s flank, cocking back a fist.
"Time for a little chill pill!" he quipped, slamming his punch into Vision’s stomach.
But his fist went straight through.
"What the—?!"
Before he could blink, Vision countered with a crushing hook. The strike skimmed Spider-Man’s ribs, sending him spinning in the air. Peter landed in a crouch, wincing at the sharp burn where the blow had connected.
"Yeesh, tough crowd," he muttered. "Okay, you’ve got some moves, I’ll give you that. But I’ve got a few of my own."
With a flick of both wrists, twin webs shot across the room, snagging metal chairs. He whipped them around, hurling the improvised projectiles at Vision.
The synthezoid didn’t flinch. His gem blazed once more, releasing another icy torrent.
Spider-Man twisted mid-air, tumbling behind a desk just as the beam hit. Frost spread like wildfire, the desk shattering under the assault. The backlash sent Spider-Man tumbling across the floor in a heap.
Step by step, Vision advanced, his gem glowing brighter. The blue light filled the control room—and Peter’s spider-sense shrieked in agony.
Then—
WHAM!
A massive black fist slammed into Vision’s back, staggering him forward. The beam went wide, reducing another console to frozen shards.
"You okay, kid?" rumbled a voice like rolling thunder.
Spider-Man shook his head clear, spotting the hulking figure beside him. Black tendrils writhed across a monstrous frame, and a toothy grin split a nightmare face.
"I’m good," Peter grunted, climbing back up. "I was just about to wrap him up myself."
Vision straightened, eyes locking onto the newcomer. His systems immediately engaged another scan:
Codename: Venom.
Abilities:
Alien symbiote bonding, shapeshifting, enhanced strength.
Threat Assessment: Moderate.
Victory Probability: 88.7%.
Mission Status: Unchanged. Neutralize both targets.
Venom cracked his claws, his voice a guttural growl:
"Doesn’t matter why you’re here, freak. You crossed paths with Venom. And now—" his maw split open wider, drool glistening— "I’m gonna eat that shiny little head of yours."
No more words. Venom lunged, his arm morphing into a massive black hammer that crashed downward.
BOOM!
The strike obliterated the console behind Vision—but the synthezoid’s body phased intangible at the last second. Venom’s strike met nothing but air.
Peter sighed, folding his arms with a look that screamed I told you so.
"I was literally about to mention that," he muttered.
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/MPHFics