The video of the fight between White Knight and Magneto spread like wild fire.
This time, the Aura Farming was real.
Magneto really was a Demi-God, and his powers were already revealed when he clashed with the X-men and the police at the Train Station.
And their fight inside the Statue of Liberty was called nothing short of Legendary.
It finally showed what White Knight was truly capable of.
Various experts were called to provide their opinions on it.
"Magneto is a survivor of World War II and the Holocaust. His mutation allows him to perceive, generate, and alter electromagnetic fields. His fine motor control ranges from bending microscopic metal particles to manipulating entire bridges."
*channel changed*
"White Knight has definitely shown abilities beyond the human peak. See this scene again. Did you notice how fast yet precise his movements are when blocking and avoiding them? Mind you, the speed of these projectiles is estimated to be above the speed of sound."
*channel changed*
"That suit is a work of Art. From what I can gather, it can absorb kinetic impact, of extreme levels, and convert some of it into energy that can supercharge the suit! This is ground breaking tech!"
*channel changed*
"It was David vs Goliath. Magneto is too strong, and White Knight truly should not stand a chance. But he planned every step, and slowly lured Magneto into his trap, thus winning the battle. He's a tactical genius!"
*channel changed*
"It is theoretically possible to change an ordinary person into a mutant, but there has been no precedent of it being done successfully before. If Magneto was allowed to continue with his plans, the World Leaders might have perished in terrible agony and we might have been looking at a World War in the truest sense. With every country involved."
Yep, the real one.
The attention on Oscorp had become so high that Will had to temporarily stop his White Knight activities for a while, fully focusing on getting more and more political leaders on their side and preventing security breaches.
There were even talks about setting up a hearing similar to what they did with Tony Stark in the movies, for handing over the White Knight's Tech, and White Knight's Physique enhancement secrets to the government.
But Will would still say it's worth it.
The little pet he has gotten actually feeds on his Aura, and its appetite is not small. His Aura needs are only going to get bigger and he can't miss out on any opportunity.
And, things are now much different.
Unlike the first mission, when he was powerless and didn't even know if the system was legit, now he has gotten much stronger and has discovered the actual potential of the system.
Naturally, he is willing to make bolder choices now. That's the spirit of Aura Farming.
A few days later.
Will sat in an old ice cream parlour. It was a tiny corner shop with faded pastel walls and checkered floors, where the air still smelled of fresh waffle cones
In front of him was Gwen Stacy, happily eating her chocolate fudge brownie.
"You know, we have this at the company too," he said, running a spoon through his own Mint Choco Chip bowl.
"Yeah, but this place is the best. I always come here with my dad," Gwen replied, taking another big lick. Her eyes rolled back and she literally moaned.
"That makes sense. The Police station is not far from here, right?"
"Exactly. He has literally spent most of his adult life in that place," she said in annoyance, but there was obvious pride in her tone.
"Captain Stacy really is a great father, to be honest. He always manages to squeeze time for you despite being so busy."
"He does the bare minimum," said Gwen with a slight pout. "But then again, it would never be enough no matter how much time he spends with us."
"You are such a daddy's princess. I haven't even seen my father in months!" Said Will with a laugh.
Gwen also smiled, but it started to fade.
"Does it really not bother you though?" she couldn't help but ask, feeling bad for him.
"Not at all. Imagine Norman and I sitting here, eating ice-cream."
The blonde cutie had to laugh at that image. "No, but seriously Will, I can't understand how you can be so… strong. Don't you ever regret not being able to…?" She trailed off, not knowing how to say it.
But Will knew what she was trying to ask. She was asking if he regretted not having his parents' love and support when growing up.
Will shrugged.
"What's there to regret? Gwendolyn, don't you see how amazing this world is? Cancer can be cured, the human body can be strengthened infinitely, amazing types of sci-fi weapons can be made in real life, and you can even play a super-hero. With my potential, how can I limit myself to these mundane thoughts?"
Gwen shook her head. "You really are too strong. You've already realized all of those. I don't think you could have done that while being 'mundane' like us."
[Aura ++]
While Will did aura farm successfully, the image of a sickly woman smiling at him flashed across his mind, making the ice-cream taste not so sweet anymore.
'Why does everyone need to bring this up?'
"Well, back to the topic. Are you excited about the transfer and promotion?"
Yep, this was the real purpose of Will's visit. He was finally poaching Gwen Stacy to Osiris, and promoting her to a real scientist.
Gwen nodded immediately.
"I am! How can I not be? I can actually work with my idol Dr. Cho! But… to be honest, I also feel a lot of pressure. I don't know if I would be able to make it count," she said, biting her lips.
Will covered her hand, which was nervously tapping the table, with his own.
"Don't ever doubt yourself, Gwen. Do you know how many lives your healing serum is going to save? This is, by no means, a promotion due to our friendship. Otherwise I'd have also promoted Peter. This is what you deserve."
Yep, Will finally has it: The healing serum: his own senzu bean equivalent. It can heal minor injuries with no side-effects.
Since the healing serum is derived from Dr. Connor's Lizard Serum, it was really unstable and Will risked dangerous consequences every time he took it after getting injured from training.
Some of the best scientists at Oscorp and Osiris have been jointly trying to perfect it, but unexpectedly, the breakthrough came from a little highschool intern: Gwendolyn Stacy.
Of course, Dr. Connors had claimed the credit, only mentioning Gwen's name in passing. If not for their friendship, Will wouldn't even have known it was actually Gwen who cracked it.
Taking credit for your intern's work is pretty common in the scientist community, meaning even if Gwen was in the right, she had already offended Connors. Therefore, Will decided to just transfer her to Osiris rather than letting her potential be wasted.
Gwen was much more at ease after those words, as she continued to chat animatedly. When they were almost done eating, something happened.
A modified armored vehicle stopped outside and a bald African American man stepped out, followed by men in black suits and combat gear.
This person was dressed quite peculiarly, a long black leather coat or duster, an eye patch, a black tactical belt with a holster, and tactical pants.
The man raised a fist, stopping his subordinates and proceeded to walk in alone, hands behind his back.
Will's bodyguard moved forward to intercept the man but Will waved his icecream spoon, letting the him pass.
"William Osborne. You are a difficult man to meet," said the bald man, taking his seat.
"Nick Fury. It is indeed difficult if you send small fries like Coulson to meet me."
This is not the first time SHIELD has tried to contact Will. Other than trying some covert operations, they have also directly sent Agents like Phill Coulson to directly talk to Will as SHIELD representatives.
Of course, Will was too disdainful to give them time, so he was always 'away on company matters'.
"Uh, I think I should leave?" Said Gwen, putting down her bowl.
Will nodded. "I'm sorry about this. I'll see you at Osiris. Take a few days off and join whenever you are ready."
Gwen smiled. "I can't wait."
After she left, escorted by one of his bodyguards, Will turned his attention back to the one-eyed man.
"So, Director Fury, to what do I owe this… ambush? You could have made an appointment."
This wasn't Will's first time seeing the man. Since Oscorp has dealings with the military and the government, they have crossed paths before, but Will was just accompanying Norman or other Oscorp higher management then.
Fury a metallic disk on the table and pressed one of buttons. Immediately, a buzzing sound wave swept past him, making his ear itch. It was an anti-eavesdropping device, blocking their voices within a range.
"I don't make appointments with kids who put billion-dollar prototypes on the street. I just show up," he said in a dry tone, sitting back on his chair.
'As expected.'
Will sighed inwardly. Of course Fury doesn't take him seriously. This is why he wasn't interested in talking with SHIELD.
"Well, that Billion Dollar prototype just did your job," Will replied.
"White Knight just saved the world. So, you know, a thank you would be a better way to start a conversation."
"As far as I am aware, you didn't personally make the suit, and neither did you operate it. So, I'm wondering why you took that so personally," said Fury, raising an eyebrow.
"Perhaps, you have a close connection with the person who operates it, calling the shots, or maybe… you are the operator," he continued, observing Will closely.
"So you were ragebaiting me." Will smiled. "But you should already know who seems to be calling the shots for White Knight. It's not that difficult to find out. As for the rest of your doubts: The Osborns have nothing to do with any vigilante activities. We have already reported the theft of our tech., which coincides with White Knight's equipment," he said, adopting a professional tone.
Fury narrowed his eye. "Since we are clear on who is calling the shots, then just let me say these words to whomever it may concern. Everyone is eyeing the White Knight, and Oscorp and Osiris are like a piece of fat meat. Just one opportunity and they will pounce."
'Here it comes.'
"Oh? And do you, perhaps, have a solution to this predicament?" He asked.
At some point, everyone had already been vacated from the shop, leaving only the two of them.
Furry tapped the metal disk again and it started projecting Will's fight against Magneto. But along with it, there were also other supernatural events. People achieving inhuman feats, missiles with Stark logo on them, and much more.
"You know what I see when I watch this footage? I see proof that the world is changing faster than we can police it. Men who can bend steel with their minds, gods walking among us, science that can level cities. And governments? They're too slow, too scared, too busy pointing fingers."
Fury leaned forward, putting his hands on the table.
"That's why I'm building something. A response team. Not another squad of soldiers. Not another black-ops ghost unit. A team of extraordinary people who can fight the battles no one else can. When the next Magneto shows up — or something worse — I don't want us to be caught scrambling.
The image on the holograph showed the words Avengers Initiative.
"I call it, the Avengers Initiative."
"So, if White Knight joins and comes under your control you're willing to protect him and our tech from hungry eyes," Will finished the rest for him.
"You pick up fast. Do you think the White Knight and the mastermind behind him might have some questions?"
"Of course. How can they trust you? You're a government organization, aren't you? Isn't it obvious that you'd be completely infiltrated like a brothel whore?"
"Then you don't know anything about SHIELD."
"I know enough, Fury. The question is: Do you know enough?"
"I don't think I need to answer that silly question. Now, are you going to answer my question?"
Will shrugged.
"I will try to convey this further, to whomever it may concern. You know, this kind of thing needs time."
Fury put a card on the table and slid it forward.
"Well, I would hurry if I were them. Because I'm not the one running out of time. Also, they better know: I have got my eye on them," he warned, his one eye dead serious.
"Noted. In the meantime, I'm sure White Knight would be happy to cooperate in case of emergencies," said Will, picking up the card.
Of course he was not going to join SHIELD. If Fury really thinks they are that desperate then he also knows nothing about the Osborns.
It's just that Will doesn't have any proof of HYDRA infiltration in SHIELD so it's better to just skip the matter for a later date.
BOOOM
Suddenly, the sound of an explosion rang out and even the building shook slightly, alarming both of them.
This thing really caught both the pretenders off-guard, both looking at each other with a 'you did this?' gaze.
"Iris! Where is the blast sight?" Will asked, ducking under the table.
Checking drones.
Confirmed: It's the NYPD 19th precinct. The nearby areas are also affected.
Will was on his feet immediately, going for the door. Outside was pure chaos, with people and cars scrambling through the streets.
Police sirens were already sounding from the cars patrolling nearby. Even from here, he could see thick smoke rising in the distance.
Activating his disguise skill, he took out his hoverboard from his car and flew straight to the station, wearing his armor on his way.
But when he reached there, he only found thoroughly crumpled buildings and fire so hot that he couldn't even get close.
What kind of explosion is this?!
Will had never seen such intense flames from any explosion. Everything was burning. Even the stones were in a red hot state, as if they might melt.
Will took out his phone and dialed a number. Thankfully, it was picked up quickly.
"Took you long enough to contact me," Jean's playful voice came from his earpiece.
"Jean, I need an urgent favour."
While Jean checked the place using Cerebro, Will covered himself in a very heavy layer of Nano-fiber and plunged straight into the fire.
He knew that Fury would be even more sure of identity now, if he didn't already know. But he really couldn't care right now.
"Will… I'm sorry. No survivors…" Jean's reply came quickly.
Will paused.
"What about Captain Stacy? Can you sense him?"
"Will, there's no one in that building. Not alive at least. All I sense is scattered Psychic signals, that belong to the recently dead." Jean wasn't feeling very comfortable while explaining this.
"This is too fucked up. I think—I think I'm going to need your phoenix mark," she said, gagging mid-sentence as if she might throw up.
"I'll visit. Sorry for this," said Will, hanging up.
The Nano-fibre and suit and the Nano Fibre heated up very quickly, starting to burn his skin. As if in response, the mark on his shoulder glowed and he no longer felt the burning sensation.
But even then, Will just stood there, thinking of the implications.
The Police station was attacked.
Gwen's father might be dead.
How will Gwen get through this?
It was a problem because he knew exactly how much Gwen depended on her father.
George Stacy is her emotional anchor.
He blasted through the rubble, finally finding Captain Stacy's office.
While Will was inside, a crowd had gathered outside, trying to find out about the situation. It became known to everyone that White Knight was seen going into the fire to save people.
Many police officers and concerned bystanders were waiting while the Firemen were trying their best to put out the fire.
A while later a figure trudged out the rubble, his suit was burning red hot.
Looking at the anxious crowd, Will shook his head. In his hand, he was clutching a police badge with CAPTAIN written on it.
"No…."
"Patrick!"
"Is there really no survivor?"
"Let me go! My partner is in there!"
Sobs and cries echoed throughout the area.
Will called his Glider and started doing rescue work for the surrounding buildings that were affected. But mostly, he was just waiting for the inevitable, for Gwen's arrival.
After he had saved those he could be saved, he took off the suit and waited at the scene.
….
A.N.: Spider Gwen is coming
Yo, liking it so far?
throw in powerstones whenever you have them lying around.