Leo's POV
Fuck!
The Gacha System has a sick fuckin sense of humor, seriously. Summoning Nazi robots, on Veteran's Day no less.
"Leo?" Gwen called out my name, her embarrassed expression changed to one of confusion. "Is everything alright?" She asked me.
Shit, what am I supposed to tell her? Screw it, I'll think of something later.
For now, I need to make sure nobody at F.E.A.S.T is going to be at risk. "I need to talk to Peter's Aunt." Before Gwen could ask why, I ran off.
"Wait, what's going on?" Gwen questioned as she chased after me.
===
Third Person POV
Harry held his phone up, an exhausted expression on his face.
Start a company, they told him. Gain financial freedom from your father, they told him.
He was under the impression he would be an angel investor, then Leo pulled the rug from under him and put him to work.
If he was being honest, sometimes it feels like he's the only one who's actually managing Omni Work. From managing payroll, to hiring lawyers, looking for accountants, and now this.
The plan was simple, he would take pictures of the group. Stuff like them volunteering, then he would upload it to Omni Work's official Instagram account. Get some good PR, be known as Omni Work instead of The Flappy Bird or Instagram company.
Then this morning, Leo messaged him and asked him to write up a check for F.E.A.S.T. They argued, Leo offered to donate some of his own money. Unfortunately, Leo won.
So now, Omni Work is donating a bunch of money to F.E.A.S.T. It may sound selfish, but Omni Work is still a new company. They need to make sure they can help themselves first, before helping everybody else.
Well, either way. If they're going to donate that much money, he might as well earn some good PR while they're at it.
Which is why he's currently recording Peter, and his Aunt May.
"I'm a little lost, what do I do again?" May asked, confused.
"Just tell us what F.E.A.S.T is all about, Ms. Parker. How they help the community, and what the community can do to help back." Harry explained.
May gave him a soft smile, "Ms. Parker?" She asked in her soft voice. "Oh, come on Harry, you don't have to call me Ms. Parker. I've known you since you were a little boy, don't you remember when you used to call me Aunt May?" She reminisced.
"Uhm, May? Maybe focus on F.E.A.S.T." Peter interrupted.
May frowned, "Sorry Peter." She looked at Harry, "It's just so nice to see you again, Harry. I'm so happy you and Peter are hanging out again."
Harry shrugged, "Eh, We're more coworkers than friends."
May laughed at what she assumed was a joke.
Peter frowned, "Maybe we cut back on the recording. We're supposed to be helping, not filming."
"You don't consider our donation as helping?" Harry frowned.
"Donation?" May and Peter asked in confusion.
"Well, yeah?" Harry raised a brow in confusion. "Omni Work is donating money…did Leo not tell you?" He asked.
Before either of the two could respond, Leo ran up beside them. "We have a problem," He spoke in a panicked voice.
"What's going on?" Peter asked.
"Is anybody hurt?" May asked.
"Not yet, but that's what I wanted to warn you about. There's been an attack, a bunch of heavily armed people have been spotted in the area." Leo explained frantically.
"What?!" Gwen yelled. "I'm going to call my dad." She pulled out her phone.
May gasped, "That's terrible."
Harry lowered the camera. "Wait, for real?"
Leo scowled. "Why would I lie about that!" He shook his head. "Look, what matters is getting everybody somewhere safe. These guys fired on a police car, who knows what they'll do."
"Mr. Li!" May called out Martin Li.
Martin Li is a Chinese American, older, late forties. Wearing a black suit, and the owner of F.E.A.S.T.
Martin Li waved to May as he walked toward them.
"Leo, are you sure about this?" Peter asked with a serious look on his face.
"Do you think this is something I would lie about?" Leo shot back.
Peter scowled, "Maybe I should go and check."
"No, Peter," May grabbed him by the wrist, "Stay here."
Mr. Li adjusted his tie as he greeted May, "What seems to be the problem, May?"
"There's been an attack, people shooting at the police." May explained frantically.
Mr. Li frowned, a worried look on his face. "Are you sure?" He waved over a security guard.
"How did you even find out about it?" Harry asked Leo.
"Uhm, let's just say I have a cop friend and leave it at that." Leo answered, very suspiciously.
"You called, Mr. Li?" The security guard asked.
"Oh my god!" Gwen's voice drew everybody's attention. "Are you okay, Dad?" She continued to talk to her dad over the phone. "Okay, but Da-. Okay Dad, I'll stay inside."
"What did your Dad say?" Harry asked.
"He couldn't tell me much, just that I should stay off the street." Gwen explained.
"And who are you, young lady?" Mr. Li asked.
"Gwen Stacy." She answered.
"As in Captain George Stacy's daughter?" Gwen nodded, Mr. Li frowned.
He turned his head to The Guard. "Andreas, I've been informed of an incident in the area. Can you call in, ask if there's anything we should worry about?" Mr. Li asked The Guard, Andreas.
"Of course, Mr. Li." Andreas stepped to the side as he made a call.
"What should we do, Mr. Li?" May asked.
"Calm yourself, May. I'm sure the police can probably handle it?"
"Uhm, Mr. Li?" A young woman walked up to them. "I think there's something going on, a bunch of police cars just drove past. Like a bunch of them, sirens on and everything."
Before Mr. Li could respond, Andreas returned. "Mr. Li, I think we have a problem?" Andreas whispered something into Mr. Li's ear, his expression growing more worried every moment.
"May, inform everybody that we're going into lockdown. Tell them it's just a precaution, I don't want anybody to panic. I'm going to prepare the shutter system." May just nodded before hurrying away to inform the staff.
"Shutter system?" Peter asked.
"A gift from Oscorp last year, after an unfortunate accident with a young mutant. But that's not important right now, I need to go." Mr. Li practically sprinted away.
"Hey, what I miss?" MJ asked as she returned from the bathroom.
"No time to explain, where's Ned?" Leo asked.
"I pass him by the bathroom." MJ raised a brow. "Seriously, what's going on? You guys look worried, did something happen?"
"It's not important." Leo told her. "I'm going to look for-"
"I'll get Ned!" Peter ran off before anybody could stop him.
"Peter, wait?!" MJ chased after him. "What's going on?!"
===
Two dozen Kriegstaffebots marched through the streets, moving in perfect unison.
They came to a halt as half a dozen NYPD vehicles pulled up in front of them, 4 police cars, and two SWAT trucks.
Armed officers flooded into the streets, their weapons aimed at The Kriegstaffebots.
Captain George Stacy stepped out of his squad car, wearing a bulletproof vest, and a bullhorn in hand.
The Kriegstaffebots began to scan them, analyzing their weapons, uniforms, and threat levels.
"This is Captain George Stacy, with the NYPD!" George announced through the radio. The Kriegstaffebots locked onto his badge. "Stand-"
A trio of Kriegstaffebots raised their arms, Gatling guns popped out of their wrists.
George's eyes widened, "Get down!"
George and his fellow officer ducked behind their police vehicle, as the Kriegstaffebots began to fire. Windows shattered, vehicles began to smoke, an officer hit the ground as a stray bullet struck his leg.
A SWAT officer aimed his rifle, and fired. The bullet struck The Kriegstaffebot's armored plating, a few sparks, and a couple of dents, but no noticeable damage.
"Crap." The officer cursed as he ducked behind his SWAT truck. He hit the ground as a stray bullet hit him in the shoulder.
As the shooting died down, the damage was catastrophic. Vehicles littered with bullet holes, shattered windows, and worst of all, injured officers.
George watched in horror as an officer bled out, a second officer beside him keeping pressure on the wound.
With a swift movement, The Kriegstaffebots turned right and continued to march.
===
Leo's POV
"What's going on?" An old man asked.
"Why are they funneling everybody inside?" A F.E.A.S.T staff member asked.
"Did you hear those sirens?" An old woman asked.
"Probably a mutie." A bald man mumbled.
F.E.A.S.T's main area began to fill up, as May and the others began to funnel everybody inside.
The plan was supposed to be simple, warn F.E.A.S.T about The Kriegstaffebots. Get everybody out of the way, use the crowd to slip out. Deal with the Kriegstaffebots, and then slip back into the crowd before anybody realizes I left.
Unfortunately, I forgot to include one variable. A very clingy Gwen Stacy, something not even my Dexter Template could have predicted.
Gwen is currently holding onto my hand, which would be cute if it wasn't for the fact that her nails are digging into my skin.
"Leo, Gwen, Harry!" MJ's voice called out from the crowd.
MJ weaved through the crowd to reach us, with Ned struggling to follow behind.
"Where's Peter?" Harry asked.
"Not sure, I lost him in the crowd." MJ answered.
Sounds like Peter slipped out so he can go Spider-Man, which might be an issue.
The sound of metal clinking filled the room, people went quiet as the security guards lowered the shutters.
"Why are they shuttering the doors?"
"Is something out there?"
"It's a mutant, I fuckin knew it!"
People began to panic, scared. Martin Li wanted to keep things quiet, so nobody would panic. Which is stupid, out of everybody. He should know what happens when people don't have the story, they panic and let their thoughts run wild.
I tried to pull my hand free Gwen, but she refused to let go. While I could pry myself free, it might draw too much attention from the others.
"I'm going to look for Peter," I tried to leave, but Gwen refused to let go.
"I'll go with you." She told me.
Damn it, we haven't even gone on a date yet and she's already this loyal. Normally I would be stoked about this, but I'm trying to keep her safe and out of the way.
The sound of a bullhorn silences everybody. "Calm down everybody!" Mr. Li announced from an upper railing.
"What's going on?!"
"What's out there!?"
"It's a mutant, isn't it!?"
What is that guy's problem with mutants?
Mr. Li also seemed annoyed with the last question, but pushed past it. "All will be explained in a moment, but for now. Please remain calm as-" The sound of F.E.A.S.T's alarm system cut him off.
The alarm blared throughout the building, which only made people panic even more.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Harry mumbled.
"For once, I agree." MJ added.
"I hope Peter's okay," Ned spoke, worried.
If F.E.A.S.T uses a standard alarm system, then that means something just broke in. The question is, from what direction and how many?
"Alright everybody, we're going to-" Martin Li began, only to be cut off by the sound of a metal bang.
A second bang could be heard, then a third. The crowds shifted their attention to the main door, the shutters shook violently with every bang.
A large dent began to form as something struck it from the outside.
"....shit." I cursed.
A metallic fist burst through the shutters, it grabbed the sides and began to pry it open. Its red eyes shined through the hole as it pulled the metal apart with its bare hand.
In an instant, the crowd fell into panic. They began to scream, pushing and shoving each other as they tried to get as far as possible.
"Everybody, into the cafeteria!!" Mr. Li yelled through the bullhorn.
People began to rush toward the doors, shoving and pushing each other the entire way.
"Watch it!" MJ yelled as somebody shoved her into Gwen.
Gwen was ripped out of my hand, as she and MJ tumbled to the ground. Fortunately, Ned and Harry caught them at the last moment.
With my hand free, and everybody distracted, I started to push through the crowd, heading towards a side door. Most likely an access hallway, which means it's probably empty.
Glancing behind me, I spotted The Kriegstaffebot stepping through the newly formed hole.
From the look of it, it's surveying the areas. Well, whatever it's looking for. It found it as it raised its hand, and a Gatling gun popped out of its wrist.
FUCK!
The gun began to whirl, ready to fire. Only for a web line to strike it, and yank it upward. It shot into the air, dust and asphalt sprinkled from above.
"Since when do toasters pack that much heat!?" A voice announced.
Clinging to a wall was Peter, wearing his homemade Spidey suit. Goggles, a red ski mask, and a blue sweater.
Before The Kriegstaffebot could react, Spider-Man launched himself forward. Punching the robot dead center in the face, and sending it flying across the room. It slid across the floor, and slammed into the wall.
Before he could finish it off, Spider-Man jumped into the air as a barrage of bullets flew through the air. Stepping through the hole was a second Kriegstaffebot, weapon armed.
It fired again, this time toward a crowd.
"No!" Spider-Man yelled, but before he could shoot out a webline.
A large figure jumped in front of the bullets, and struck his body dead center. Instead of piercing his body, they flatten against his body. One by one, the bullets fell to the ground. Dented, and flat.
The figure stood up straight, grey hoodie, dark jeans, a bandana covering his face, and anger in his eyes.
It seems like The Kriegstaffebots chose the wrong day to attack F.E.A.S.T, I mean. What are the odds that both Spider-Man, and Luke Cage would be volunteering today?
Well, at least that means I don't have to worry about protecting people with them around.
Weaving through the crowd, I reached the door. It was locked, but that didn't matter.
With some force, I pulled it open. Breaking the handle, and probably the door frame with it.
I step inside, pushing the door close behind. Nothing extraordinary, just a hallway with a few doors to stuff like the maintenance room, or halloween storage.
Okay, how am I going to take this guy down? According to my memory, those things are tough, and equipped with some serious fire power.
Unfortunately, my thoughts were cut short as the door behind me opened.
Gwen stepped inside, she tried to shut the door, but couldn't with the handle broken. Eventually, she just jammed it closed with a nearby door stop.
It took everything I had not to sigh.
"What are you doing here?!" I yelled.
"Looking for you!?" She yelled back, matching my tone in her panic state.
"Why didn't you go with the others?" Like a sane person.
"Cause I didn't want to leave you alone? Did you see that thing? It looked like some sort of robot, it had a gun. And who was that guy on the roof, what was that white string? Did you see-" She began to spiral.
For a potential superhero, she panics pretty easily. Then again, maybe bravery is a part of the spider power package.
"Okay Gwen, I need you to calm down. Can you do that for me? Maybe take some deep breaths?" I asked her.
Gwen just nodded in response, her rapidly breathing began to slow.
As she started to calm down, I started to examine the hallway. To my side was a door, labeled, maintenance room. Grabbing Gwen by her shoulders, I began to direct her toward the room.
"Wait a second, what are you doing?!" Gwen asked.
"Stay here, I'm going to go get help."
Gwen looked at me like a mad man. "Are you crazy, you saw those things. I'm not letting you go-" Her eyes widened, "Behind you!" She pointed behind me.
Turning my head, my eyes widened in panic. At the end of the hallway was a Kriegstaffebot. It raised its arm as it prepared to fire, its Gatling gun began to whirl.
In an instant, I wrapped myself around Gwen. My back bubbled as I activated my Biomass Shifting, increasing the dexterity of my skin.
The Kriegstaffebot fired, Gwen let out a scream as the bullets struck me. We fell to the ground, a pool of blood began to form underneath me.
"Leo!" She screamed my name.
Today….was a mistake.