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***
Darkness thickened over the city. Daniel Rand felt it in his gut. A powerful force lurking in his body insisted that Iron Fist had better hurry, lest he be too late.
He raced across the rooftops at a speed that was insane for ordinary people, frowning anxiously as he gazed into the distance. His fingers were clenched every now and then, and the flashes of Qi running through his body gave away his emotions head over heels.
Something extremely unpleasant had happened to his student and he, as his teacher, had to deal with it.
"Eh, it would be nice if our blind devil wasn't busy."
With a mental groan of frustration, Rand jumped off the high-rise building, making his way over to a street full of two-storey houses and other suburban buildings. Darkness reigned supreme, and only sparse, lonely streetlights barely illuminated the long, wide streets.
Manicured lawns, straight rows of houses, family cars hidden under awnings or neatly parked near the entrance to the lawn.
Uncalculated by the excitement, Danny nearly knocked down one of the hundreds of mailboxes that looked like a huge cow's face. The stupid American habit of decorating these strange things hadn't surprised him for a long time, but now he stood still for a moment, staring at the goofy expression on the animal's face as it opened its mouth to shove a parcel into it.
-I hope this isn't the right house," Rand checked the address he'd obtained at Sean's house and exhaled with undisguised relief, "Whew, thank the gods.... Or in my case, is it better to tell the dragons?
Fooling around in an attempt to ward off the moping, Rand set off again and soon finally reached his goal, stopping in front of a small house. A well-kept porch, the scents of fresh paint and...
-Goats? Really?
-The owner of the house loves animals, and the vegetables grow great on such fertiliser....
-I thought you'd never show up.
-Yeah, -A figure dressed in a colourful outfit jumped down next to him, -Come on, come on, Mr. Ninja. Make a cool face like you really noticed me.
Standing up in a cool stance, the kid began to sway rhythmically, like in fighting games. He was clearly preparing for a fight, and he was tense, but for all that, Rand didn't sense any animosity or anger from him, more a friendly, slightly mocking anticipation.
-Ah, you must be Peter.
-А? No, it's not me... In fact, I don't even know who you're talking about!
The mood was thrown off and the guy with the spider emblem on his chest lost his fighting spirit, spouting panic and fear.
-Don't worry," Danny put his hand out in front of him and powered up his fist with Qi, showing Parker a small fraction of his abilities, "I need your help, Peter.
-I don't know what you're talking about-
-Sean's in danger.
-What? -How? Why?
Confused, constantly jumping from topic to topic, Parker bombarded him with questions, trying to find out something about his friend, but at the same time "not reveal" his identity.
"Funny guy."
Humming approvingly, for he could sense genuine, good-hearted concern from his student's friend, Rand set about the hard work of explaining the details of the problem and his own suspicions.
At the end of half an hour, when most of the conversation was over, and they had safely left the street of the residential neighbourhood, and had taken refuge on one of the roofs, Rand was able to sit down tiredly on the ventilator while his young assistant paced back and forth on the wall of the attic annex.
Grasping his chin, Parker ran theories out loud, suggesting options. Most of them were frankly idiotic, but one in particular interested him, snapping him out of his gloomy thoughts.
-Stop, repeat the last one.
-An aunt who looked like a young Palpatine....
-Not that," Danny stood up, sensing that the clue was closer than it seemed, and pulled Parker off the wall to face him, holding him by the shoulders, "about wizards!
-Yeah, we met a couple, or rather Sean did. There was this creepy guy in armour and a green cloak, he was throwing lightning bolts and shit. Fighting against the mages, the Four and Sean. And then the bald devil came in. She handed him a new mask.....
-That's it," Rand clenched his fists victoriously and excitedly walked round the circle on the roof, "so magic after all. Phew, that makes it simpler and more complicated at the same time.
-Why all of a sudden? I don't know shit about magic.....
-Oh, my young friend," Rand took on a tough-guy pose, "I'm a bit of a wizard myself.
-Wow! -That's really cool! Whoa, wait a minute. But I thought you, as Sean's teacher, had Qi and couldn't use magic.
-Who told you that? -Who told you that?
-Shawn...
-Ah," Rand dismissed the answer, but he was already reacting more calmly, "he's an illiterate fool. Qi can be used to create spells, manipulate elements, and do many things. It's just that he's not as far away from it as he is from the moon. His energy reserves are too small. Which I wanted to fix in the near future...
Rand said the last part under his breath, but not quietly enough not to be heard by the only listener. Thankfully, Parker decided to leave the matter until a better time, because they had more important things to worry about right now.
-So you can make fire whips and portals and stuff like that.
-It's not as cool as full-fledged mages, but yeah. There's a lot of nuances that can't be explained in a couple of sentences, but in a nutshell, yes. Sorcerers themselves can also control Qi and use it to create spells, though they usually use a slightly different kind of energy," Rand grinned, his face twisting, but he didn't expand on the subject, "I'll say it again in a nutshell. Everyone can use Qi, but few can achieve anything truly worthwhile.
-I mean, to use an analogy... All thumbs are fingers, but not all fingers are thumbs?
-Um," Rand laughed embarrassedly, glancing awkwardly at Parker, who was clasping his fists to his chest in delight, "that's pretty much right.
-Great! Someday I'll master all your pseudo-philosophical d.... goodness and become a wizard," Peter corrected himself in time and scratched his head thoughtfully, "Wait, so it turns out that this bald madam gave Sean the magic trinket that's making his head leak?
-Probably?
-What the hell for?!
-I have no idea.
-What do you mean?-We're talking about a creature that's long gone beyond human limits," Rand waved his hands vigorously and walked to the edge of the roof, gazing out into the night city, "She's almost six hundred years old, she has incredible power and knowledge. Maybe this was a test of skills? Or in the future, she saw that he would play a significant role and therefore decided to strengthen him... It could even be a joke if she didn't like him!
-Fucking hell," Parker sat down next to her, "so this Asian Dumbledore could have done this on the order of her left heel?
-In principle, yes. It's hard to understand the logic of long-lived people, especially ones as extravagant as her- Dumbledore?
-Yeah, he's a bit of a prankster, too, to save the world in his old age. As Shaun would say, a fucking toastmaster and interesting contests.
-Ha-ha, that sounds like him.
-Well, why don't we go to the other one?
-М?
-Well, the one with the steel mask and the cape--
-God forbid, I wouldn't mess with that prick at all. He'll fuck you up, he'll put you down, you'll owe him.
-Okay," Parker squared his shoulders and mentally cheered himself up, slapping his cheeks a couple of times, "okay, don't panic. What's the plan, Mr Miyagi?
-I'm an American, you little racist," Rand suppressed a laugh and pulled out a small notebook from his inside pocket, where he wrote down most of the information about the student, "then we should visit a few places. Find Sean, gather some helpers and put together a proper party for him....
-That's gonna be a problem. If you're saying he's even stronger....
-Whatever the artefact is, it's clearly giving him strength. It's developing his body, increasing his chi or worse. You don't get that for free.
-I can try and get Gwen, if she'll listen to me at all.
-Then I'll go to the police, find out what gangs they've been targeting. Then meet me back here in a couple of hours.
***
-I take it that didn't work out?
Peter shook his head, rubbing the bruise as he continued to rub a simple bruise ointment into his side.
-She wouldn't even let me speak! Sick girl, as soon as she gets superpowers, she solves all questions with her fists.
-Oh, darling, girls on special days of the month can be very irritable, don't you know that?
A new voice startled Spider-Man, as the speaker came close to him, whispering in his ear from behind.
-What the fuck? Who the fuck are you? - Parker looked down at the girl's outfit, his eyes lingering awkwardly on the huge neckline. - Was there a sale at the sex shop or did they shut down the cabaret?
-But, but, but, but, -wiggled her finger, Felicia erotically ran her palms along her body, "showing the goods", -You can look, but don't scold me. Soon it will all go to one gloomy justice....
Hardy bit her lip and her eyes became misty. After a few seconds, she inexplicably pulled out a pen and a notebook, where she began furiously scribbling, sometimes giggling and almost drooling.
-What? What's wrong with her?
-Ah, never mind," Danny came back on stage and glanced warily at the new member of their gang to rescue the student, "it happens all the time.
-Who the hell is she?
-I have no idea.
-Why is she writing in a notebook?
-It's a hobby.
-Can she be relied on at all?
-You'd be surprised.
Rand shrugged nonchalantly at each question, physically feeling Parker's growing anger and bewilderment.
-She was eavesdropping on the police, and when I went to Stacy's house, she came straight to me and said she'd help.
-Eavesdropping? Jesus, Mr R-- Iron Fist, maybe she's a criminal or one of those people who wants revenge on Rorschach.
-No, I don't think so," Rand snatched the notebook out of Felicia's hands with a shout of displeasure. He flipped through it and opened several pages of good drawings, showing them to Spider-Man," "Here, take a look.
-Holy shit.
Taking the notebook in his hands, Peter flipped through the pages, looking at the rather explicit, and sometimes romantic pink images of his friend in rather ridiculous situations.
-Pha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Jesus Christ, can I take a couple of pictures?
-Oh, I'm sorry, my good man, but no. You're a cutie in all that tight spandex, but," she snatched the notebook with a swift snatch, causing Parker to marvel, and returned to her work, "it's just for me.
The sly smile was supposed to be sweet and pleasant, but for some reason Peter wanted to get away. He'd already felt something similar today when he'd tried to talk to Gwen.
-Okay, okay, there's no need to spill blood!
-Smart girl.
Sending him an air kiss, Black Cat returned to her interrupted activity, only now she kept that fake smile on her face.
-Now, let's not drag this out. This beautiful lady told me what artefact was given to Rorschach, - at these words Spider put out of his mind what had happened and turned to listen, - Apparently, it was the mask, as we supposed, but we didn't know for sure. And if we believe Black Cat's words, the mask can take on any appearance that its potential wearer wishes to see.
-How did you know that?
-I stole the documents from the Latverian embassy. -Hmm.
At the question Cat grinned, stretching her lips even wider. She clearly enjoyed scaring and angering the guy in the coloured outfit.
-What?
-Now, Spider, we have more important things to do right now.
-Yes, yes," he promised himself and her with a glance at the pleased girl, "but after this mess I'll take care of you myself.
-I've got a better contender. -I've got a better contender.
With a tongue-lashing at Parker, Hardy returned to her work, still half-listening.
-Captain Stacy was kind enough to tell me where to look for our friend, and, more importantly, to give me other tips on where he might be," Rand showed them the addresses written down in his notebook and waited for nods of agreement before continuing, "Let's start in order, gradually approaching Columbia University. We won't be hunting criminals today, because time is playing against us. The longer Rorschach interacts with the mask, the harder it will be to remove it. To keep him incognito, it'll be me or Spider. Whoever has the best chance, the other two will hold our noir mate.
-We're gonna need a plan, no offence, but you've got him pretty well trained. -Yeah, now even I'm sorry.
-Yeah, I regret it now," Rand jokingly replied to the Spider and called his accomplices closer to him, working out a plan for the future capture of the apprentice, "Okay, let's get down to business....
***
The whip swung round my leg, dragging me back into the darkness of the staircase. It looked creepy, like something out of a horror film from the last century. The only thing missing was the nail marks.
With a shrug, Danny darted forward as Pete began firing his fucking web. They acted coherently and quickly, despite their recent acquaintance. Thoughts were racing through my head, and my body was already starting to act.
My fist, infused with Qi, crashed down on the roof of the house, punching through the concrete. Having gained a foothold, I can easily resist the whip pulling me down while my other hand knocks down the flying projectiles of the web.
Getting up is difficult. Kneeling on my bound leg, I struggle like a hunted animal against the onslaught of enemies, and it's Danny who's still in the game. Literally a couple of seconds and my teacher's fists come crashing down on my head.
"He wants to take my mask. Wants to take my essence...".
My own voice in my head was empowering. The frenzy of resentment and injustice soaked through me.
"They will take him... Rorschach. "They'll take him forever. Take him away...."
-You can't have him!
A hand, glowing bright gold with flecks of black veins, falls to the roof of the house, shaking the upper floors. The floor beneath me collapses, crumbling inwards, and only rebar keeps the debris from falling on unsuspecting citizens.
Diving into the breach, through the dust, dirt, and ear-splitting screams, I hear my name from the mouths of my "friends." They shout and wonder and beg for me to come back, but I know.... I know I can't trust them anymore.
"I can't handle them. Too many, too strong. Individualists that they can mould themselves to allies. A terrible force."
My subconscious whispers that there's still a chance. That we can win, but I don't see a way out. I'm too weak.
I need to hide, make a plan. Prepare, get to know my enemies better. Weapons, countermeasures, every nuance.
Inspired by the idea, I run through the house, simply breaking the walls with my Qi-powered body. Energy pours out of my body in a river of energy. It's too costly, despite the increased reserve. I've been more frugal in the past, but I have no other options, so I must hurry.
Jump out the window. The crack of breaking glass resonates with the cracking of the bonds of friendship in my soul. The world is once again covered in black spots, accompanying me at every corner. People's faces blur, leaving only vague silhouettes that open their mouths in a panicked scream, but there is no more sound.
-I am alone, alone with this cursed city full of my enemies.
Words tumble from my lips, but even my own voice fails me, remaining a silent cry into the void.
They're not following me. Left to help people, to check on the wounded, afraid to find corpses. Fools. I am justice, justice... I'm not a murderer?
The last one was hard to say. I had no doubts about it before, but now I wondered.... Why?
-No, there's no time for that now. We have to hurry.
Hook Cat and Qi give you good speed, but that's no reason to be complacent. The spider's faster than me. He's stronger, faster, more resilient. What about Rand? Master's good, he's got a lot of Qi. I'm a little stronger now, but a fight to exhaustion is a definite loss. Then there's that girl. She's strong, easily toppled me to the ground and could pull my leg regardless of the Qi drink. A mutant? Perhaps...
Continuing to reason, I climbed through the university window. My soles sank quietly to the floor and without wasting any time, I rushed to Otto's lab. My mind was already racing with thoughts of what to do, how to even the odds.
***
-He's here, I can feel it.
Felicia was the first to enter the lab where their crazy friend was hiding.
Barely crossing the threshold, Spider-Man locked the door behind them, blocking her from escaping. As strong as Sean was, even he would need plenty of time to break down the door or punch through the thickened walls.
Everything here had been fortified after the last incident, and now only Rand or Spider himself could expect to escape using their full strength.
There was a grinding sound in the darkness, causing the trio to stare intensely into the dark, gloomy silhouettes of Dr Octavius' workplace, the famous scientist whose student had created a weapon that was ahead of its time.
-It's too quiet...
-I agree.
The whispering of his assistants didn't make it any better. This whole thing smelled too bad and the apprentice must have set a trap for them.
-We have to lure him out. If we keep going in blindly, we'll probably lose.
-And how do you envisage that?
-Watch and learn, children. Rorschach loves theatrics, he can't resist...
Stepping out in front of the others, Iron Fist spread his arms out to the sides, smiling mockingly.
-So you've decided to hide and run, apprentice? Hiding in the dark like those you were supposed to fight against? Maybe you should have changed your favourite mask for a simple balaclava.
-Don't you dare compare me to them-
There was a rustling sound in different corners of the lab. Close and yet suspiciously far away.
-What else could it be? You're a criminal yourself now. Your antics have not gone unnoticed!
-I am justice!
In the darkness, faintly illuminated by flickering broken lamps spitting sparks, the trio saw a glimpse of their friend's face.
-You're nothing but a pathetic imitator of the detectives of the sixties. You're alone, weak and outnumbered. You're trapped in here with us like a rabid beast. And you're not getting out of here until you take off that damn mask!
As if in answer to Rand's words, an angry growl came from the darkness, and its owner could barely contain himself. For languid seconds of waiting, nothing happened. But then laughter echoed through the room, followed by a deafening steel clang as the university and the building shook.
Large cracks spread across the floor, reaching Iron Fist's feet and going further towards the doors.
-None of you seem to have realised-.
The clanking intensified, and Rorschach's body floated out to them under the flickering rays of light. Stripped to the waist, wearing only a mask and hat, he looked down at his friends from several metres above them. A strange structure was attached to his ribs and chest, piercing his skin.
Blood ran down his body, thick black droplets falling downwards, creating a path.
Every muscle in his body was tense. Showing off the old wounds, Rorschach loomed menacingly, continuing to speak in a slow, intimidating bass.
-... It wasn't me who got locked up with you...
With the last words, huge metal tentacles emerged from the darkness. Punching through the floor and crushing everything in their path, they held Sean's body in the air. Clanking eerily with sharp manipulators, these artificial limbs wriggled like snakes.
-... You're the one who was locked up with me.
***
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