Nov 10 (Veterans Day)
Leo's POV
"Spare some change for a vet?" An old homeless man asked me.
With a quick surface glance, I analyzed his clothing. Skin, eyes, and genuine presence. A worn, torn military vest, a shaggy beard.
Fortunately, no needle marks.
Reaching into my wallet, I pulled out a pair of twenties. He didn't have a metal tin, so I just placed them in the man's hand. In my old life, I never really helped or donated to the homeless, but in my defense, all the ones in my area were addicts, and I didn't want to donate what little money I had to fuel their habits.
"Get rid of the fake vest before a real vet beats you for stolen valor," I warned him.
The man's smile switched to a frown, but he didn't say anything as I walked away.
===
After a short walk, I reached F.E.A.S.T. Short for, Food, Emergency, Aid, Shelter, and Training.
The building was absolutely massive, way bigger than its counterpart in the Insomniac game. Around three stories tall, and taking up 30 acres of land.
It actually has an interesting history. In the 1940s, it was a military camp. World War 2 was a mess, with Hydra, rumors of mutants, and Captain America.
After the war, it was converted into a bunker and common infrastructure. Then in the 1970s, it was turned into a school,
Only for it to be attacked around 1984 when some random politician decided to give a speech to the youth. The speech was pretty much mutant hate speech.
Magento himself attacked it, which is crazy, but I digress. After that, it was pretty much abandoned until 1998, when Martin Li eventually purchased it and converted it to F.E.A.S.T.
Over the years, they've received some donations. Mainly from Stark Industries and Oscorp. They had an incident with a homeless mutant a few years ago, but they rebuilt.
Still, the building is old. Maybe when Omni Work gets bigger, we can upgrade the place. Solar panels, a roof garden, bring it into the future.
I continued to brainstorm potential future ideas until Harry pulled up in a limbo.
Damn, I gave him a semi-joking judgmental face. "Pretty ballsy, pulling up to a homeless shelter in a limbo."
"Shut up," Harry shot back. We stood there for a moment in silence. "...Should we go inside?" He eventually asked.
"Hold on." Pulling out my phone, I sent out a quick text to Ned asking him if the others were inside.. "The others are already inside, let's go." Ned told me he's already inside with MJ and Gwen.
"Alright, but fair warning. I'm going to be taking a lot of pictures for our Instagram account, so pose nicely." Harry semi-joked.
As we approached F.E.A.S.T, a strange feeling filled my body. Like a sense of foreboding, like a storm before rain.
DING
[Gacha Event Triggered]
[Gacha Event: Defeat The Relics of The Regime]
[Reward: 150 XP, & ???]
"Fuck,"
===
3rd Person POV (New York's Sewer System)
Somewhere, deep within New York's sewer system.
A stone wall glitched, as if something began to overlap into our reality. Merging, and taking its place at the same time. The wall shifted, revealing a set of mechanical doors.
An unknown mechanism triggered. Inside were dozens of still forms.
Large mechanical figures, made out of dark grey metal. Broad shoulders, and armored plating that made it look more like a man in armor than a machine.
Covering their faces was a gas mask-like mechanism, with a tube extending from the mask and into their shoulder plating. Armored plating that resembled a helmet extended to cover the back of their necks, and large red circular eyes that resembled goggles.
Thick armor plating around their shoulders, lower legs, wrists, and waist.
Kriegstaffebots
Humanoid robots designed by Abigail Gluck, and Professor Perciles. Built to resemble SS soldiers of the Nazi party, from World War 2.
They were later taken over, and mass-produced by Perciles as his personal bodyguard.
The rest of its history doesn't matter, as it has the Gacha to replicate them and bring them into the Marvel universe.
One by one, their system began to boot up. Their eyes lit up, a faint hum behind the eerie red glow.
The mechanical door slowly opened, bits of the wall cracked as dust rained from the roof. In unison, they began to march.
They marched through the sewer system until they reached a ladder leading upward to the surface.
One of the Kriegstaffebots gripped the ladder and slowly climbed up. With a simple push, it broke the latches on the metal covering and forced the cover open. It stuck its head out and began to scan the area before spotting a protester.
An image of a soldier standing beside F.E.A.S.T, above in large bold writing.
A faint hum radiated from The Kriegstaffebot, a new designation chosen.
Exterminate American Military, and Eliminate F.E.A.S.T.
===
Leo's POV (F.E.A.S.T)
Fuck, fuck, fuck—"Leo!" Gwen yelled into my ear, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Gwen gave me a worried look. "Sorry, Gwen," I apologized. "There's just something on my mind."
Like the fact that The Gacha decided to do another event right now, out of all day. What are they, holiday themed?
Part of me wanted to sneak out the back, look for whatever The Gacha summoned. The issue is, I have no idea what it is. I could leave, and ten minutes later F.E.A.S.T getting attacked by an immortal Hitler or something.
….actually, considering that the last thing the Gacha summoned was The Plague Doctor. It might actually be an immortal Hitler, SCP-2430 if I recall.
"Ah, there they are." Aunt May called out as she approached us, taking the blankets from our hands. "Thank you so much."
"No problem, Ms. Parker." Gwen glanced around. "Is Peter still not here?"
"You haven't seen him either?" May shook her head. "That boy." She let off a tired sigh. "He hasn't been the same lately."
Gwen gave her a smile. "I'm sure he has a good reason."
"He better, he promised to help today."
"Well, you can ask him right now." I interrupted, gesturing to an approaching Peter.
Peter ran up to the group, slightly out of breath. "Sorry I'm late, I—"
"Where were you?" May cut him off.
"Well— I— I'm," Peter fumbled as he tried to think of an excuse, clearly he forgot to prepare one in advance.
He looked toward us for support. All I did was smile as I grabbed Gwen's hand.
She blushed at the action, which was adorable.
"Me and Gwen are going to go help Ned and MJ, we'll see you later." I told Peter and May as I walked away with Gwen.
===
3rd Person POV
The Kriegstaffebots marched through the street, like a unified army.
As they entered the main street, people froze. Others in shock, most in fear.
"What are those things?" A woman questioned.
"Are those people, what kind of armor are they wearing?" an elderly man asked.
"I think those are robots?" A teenager chimed in.
People pointed and whispered among each other, failing to comprehend how dangerous they are.
A police car pulled up, blocking the street. Two officers stepped out of the vehicle, hand on their weapon.
They looked at each other nervously, unsure how to proceed. "Uhm, halt!"
The Kriegstaffebots stopped their marching. The head Kriegstaffebot scanned the uniformed officers. Zooming in on their badges, NYPD.
A trio of Kriegstaffebots raised their arms straight, fists closed.
In an instant, mini gatling guns popped out of their wrists.
"Shit, take cover!" An officer yelled. They jumped behind their squad car.
The Kriegstaffebots fired without mercy. A barrage of bullets flew through the air. One of the bullets struck the shoulder of an officer as he jumped behind the car's engine. He let out a pained yell as he gripped his bloody shoulder.
People screamed and yelled as they ran for their lives. Women grabbed their children by the arms, nearly pulling them out of their sockets as they ran. A homeless man jumped into a dumpster to hide. A shop owner locked his door and hid behind a counter.
After 15 seconds of continuous fire, the police car was left looking like Swiss cheese.
The gatling gun sunk back into their wrists. They turned and continued to march toward F.E.A.S.T.
From a nearby alley, a young man stuck his head out. Phone in hand, set on record.
===
Leo's POV (F.E.A.S.T)
We reached the main area. Near the back corner was a large table. Filled with care packages, containing things like. Deodorant, chapstick, protein bars, etc.
MJ, Ned, and even Harry can be seen handing out packages to a long line of homeless people.
"About time," Harry scowled before removing his volunteer pin and shoving it into my hands. "Take over for me, I'm going to take some pictures of us doing charity work."
Honestly, from what I can tell, Harry might be one of those people that can get along with a small group or crowd, but the larger the crowd. The more irritated, or exhausted he becomes.
Harry pulled out his phone, a frown formed on my face. "Really?"
"Yep," Harry answered as he aimed the camera. "Ned, give me a smile."
"Uhh?" Ned glanced at Harry, mouth hanging open as he handed a package to an elderly vet.
Harry snapped a picture. "Good enough," Harry told himself as he looked for another photo opportunity.
"He really has no shame, does he?" MJ mocked as she handed a vet with a missing arm a care package.
"Did the pot just call the kettle black?" I shot back, then paused for a moment. "I think that's the first time I've ever used that saying…or even heard of it in real life."
"How am I a hypocrite?" MJ asked.
"Before we left, I saw a cute girl talking to Peter." I lied effortlessly. "I think she was flirting with him." It's always fun to troll somebody."
MJ removed her volunteer pin, and handed it to Gwen. "I'm going to check on Peter, take over for me." Before Gwen could reveal it was a lie, MJ was already speed-walking away.
If the movies had an MJ like that, she would have been my favorite character. "Wow….guess she chose hoes before bros." I joked, only for Gwen to immediately smack me in the stomach for the comment.
"Don't call Peter a hoe," She scolded me before immediately handing a care package to another vet, acting like she didn't just gut-shot me.
I mean, it didn't hurt but still.
In my defense though, Black Cat, Slik, MJ, She-Hulk, and sometimes Carol Danvers. Peter Parker is a hoe .... does Black Cat exist in this reality? If she did, MJ might throw hands.
We continue to hand out care packages. On the outside, it looks like a peaceful moment despite all the background chatter.
In reality though, I was imagining a dozen scenarios in my head. Best plan, I'll fake a stomach ache. Go to the bathroom, and sneak out to locate and deal with the gacha event. If they ask me why it took so long, I'll just say it was more than a simple stomach ache.
Fortunately, I didn't need an excuse. Because we ran out of care packages in like five minutes. One of the staff members at F.E.A.S.T said we can take a break until they bring out more.
"I'll be back, I'm—" Gwen cut me off as she grabbed my hand.
"Hey, Leo?" Gwen called out my name as she stood beside me. "Can we talk, I have something important to ask."
Her voice was low, nervous. A part of me felt like I said no, or not right now. I would be an asshole…I'm many things but I try to avoid being an asshole.
"Of course." We took a seat by the wall, a small wooden bench.
"I just wanted to say thanks…for volunteering with me." She struggled to look me in the eyes.
Okay, so she's definitely into me. If she isn't, then I'm getting massively mixed signals.
"Of course, I mean. Why would I say no? I get to help people and spend the day with you." Normally I would never flirt because of second-hand embarrassment, but I can't help myself.
In my defense, this is literally a fantasy of mine. Gwen is literally my ideal girl, smart….and that's it.
Gwen blushed, which she tried to hide by looking away.
I mean, it's just so easy and adorable.
"Well…I like spending time with you too." Gwen responded.
"Hey, have you guys seen Harry?" Ned interrupted.
"I saw him with Peter and MJ, I'm not sure if he's just looking for a photo op or annoying MJ." In the distance, Harry can be seen photographing a scowling MJ with an awkward-smiling Peter.
"Oh, thanks." Ned waved goodbye as he weaved through the crowd to reach them.
Gwen watched him walk away before letting out a sigh. "I'm a little disappointed that the entire group came with us."
"Oh?" A smirk formed on my face. "What do you mean by that?" I teased, only for it to fall flat as cringe. "That sounded better in my head."
Gwen let out a laugh. At least it lightened the mood a bit.
She pushed her hair out of her face. "Well— well— i," She struggled to respond, too embarrassed to speak.
It took everything I had to hold back my snicker. This is the first time I've ever flirted with a girl. In both my new and old life…and I'm having the time of my life.
She gulped, swallowing her embarrassment. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something." She looked away, too nervous/embarrassed to look me in the eyes. "I was wondering if you maybe want to, I don't know…. Spend an afternoon together. Maybe get some food, or dessert."
"What, like a hang out?" Fuck, why did I say that. "Are we going to invite the other—"
"No!" she cut me off, and then immediately let out an embarrassed squeak after noticing her volume. "Like a da—"
Ring, Ring, Ring
For fuck sake, not right now.
I instantly denied the call, and gave Gwen my full attention.
"Continue," I told Gwen, who somehow turned even redder.
"I— I— I wanted to ask you on a—"
Ring, Ring, Ring
Fuck!
Denying the call once again, I also activated the silencer and do not disturb.
"Sorry about—" I attempted to apologize, only for Gwen to cut me off.
"If you wanted to go on a date with me!" Gwen practically yelled, just coming straight out with it.
She was stiff, terrified of me rejecting her. ".....I would love to." It's crazy that she has no idea how cute she is.
"Really?" she asked, sounding like she didn't expect me to say yes.
"Like I could ever say no to you." I responded with a smile.
Gwen stuck her hand out toward mine. She pressed her fingers against mine.
Ring, Ring, Ring,
Seriously?! How is it even ringing?
God dammit, you're ruining the moment. "I'll be right back, at this rate if I don't answer. They'll never stop calling me." Gwen just nodded, too embarrassed to speak.
Stepping a few feet away, I answered the phone. "What is—"
"Sorry sir, but this is serious. Robots, with gatling guns!" Conrad yelled through the phone.
"....what?"
Conrad sent over an Instagram video that only had a couple hundred views, a large group of armored robots, android, something marching through the street.
A police car pulled up, a pair of officers stepped out. Only to immediately dive behind their vehicles, as a trio of them fired upon them.
The camera shook wildly as the cameraman ran to take cover, the sound of bullets drowning out people's panicked yelling and screaming.
Wait a second, that armor design. The Wolfenstein-like feeling they gave me, the wrist mini guns.
Are those The Kriegstaffesbots…from Scooby Doo?