Chapter 12
"My dad has been calling alternative schools all morning," MJ informed Harry and Gwen as the trio arrived at school the next morning.
"That was where you were last night?" Gwen asked. "I got worried when you didn't come back but Harry assured me you were alright."
"I stayed in my bed so that my parents wouldn't know I was gone," MJ explained. "What are we going to do? If he tries sending me to another school I won't go. I would run away first. But if he involves the police..."
"We have many options," Harry began. "I could pull some strings in the government. I have a lot of friends in high places. I could telepathically influence your father. We could even make it seem like you are attending a different school using technology but it would simply be a golem duplicate of you."
"A lot of people would question the morality of influencing my father telepathically," MJ mused. "But he's being a majorly immoral prick acting like this after cheating on my mother. While you are in there mucking with his mind could you stop his cheating?"
"Sure," Harry agreed. "You're the best boyfriend ever," MJ told Harry with a relieved grin. "So are you going to start screwing that Black Cat chick they are talking about on the news?" Gwen asked.
"Maybe after a little while," Harry mused. "I would like to get to know more about her first. Her name is Felicia Hardy. I tracked her back to her apartment last night." "Do you have any idea why she is robbing people?" MJ questioned.
"No, that is one of those things I hope to find out about her. I didn't get any evil intent off of her surface thoughts. I sensed playfulness. The place she robbed last night was an office owned by a fairly shady investment banker. I don't know what she even stole yet because she had it in a satchel. I sensed some type of almost magical energy coming off of it," Harry explained.
"Interesting," Gwen mused. The trio couldn't discuss any further as they entered their first class of the day.
"Harry, it appears Felicia Hardy is trying to get in touch with you by placing an ad in several newspapers,"
Lily informed her creator.
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"What does she have to say?" Harry queried. "Spider Spider, I was intrigued by our last meeting. Were you? Life is too short. We should explore this.
Meet me one roof over from last. -The Cat," Lily answered. "Interesting," Harry mused while thinking. "I definitely think we have a date tonight."
Harry swung into view of the designated roof and saw Black Cat sitting on the edge of the roof. She was sitting on a blanket next to two wine glasses, a bottle of wine, and a plate of cheese. Harry leapt the last roof's distance and touched down beside her.
"Oh...hey...you came," Cat said in a surprised but pleased tone while grinning.
"You are gorgeous, athletic, and mysterious. I just can't resist that smile," Harry said while sitting down next to her.
"I was worried you wouldn't see my ad or you would have had your fill of women given all the girlfriends you have," Cat admitted while she removed her mask.
"I am told by my current girlfriends that I could handle a great many more women," Harry assured.
"That must be pretty good for the ego," Cat suggested.
"It certainly doesn't hurt," Harry admitted.
"So your public identity of Harry Demire...that's fake right? Nobody has ever been able to find any history for Harry Demire before you revealed yourself as Spider-Man," Cat question.
"That is a complex subject. I'm not your normal being. Part of me was born in this universe and part traveled here from an alternate universe very different from this one and merged with the part born here. The part born here was born with the name Peter. The part born in another universe is named Harry," Harry explained.
"That's amazing," Cat whispered. "I would love to learn about another universe. What do you prefer being called?"
"I'll answer to any of my three names but I respond best to Harry," Harry admitted. "Do you prefer Cat or Felicia?"
Cat's eyebrows shot up at that. "How do you know my real name?" Felicia asked. "I followed you last night and did a little digging," Harry admitted. "How much digging did you do exactly?" Felicia asked wearily.
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"Enough to know about your father," Harry answered. Felicia's father had been a cat burglar who had died in prison. "I'm sorry."
"It's Fisk's fault," Felicia declared. "But, enough about him. He will get his. Tell me more about yourself. I'm particularly interested in how your relationships work with so many women."
Harry and Felicia got to know each other better over the next several hours. Felicia was quite enjoying herself getting to know the handsome superhero. She had a nice buzz going from the wine and was quickly working her nerve up to kiss him when his demeanor instantly changed. He reached out with super speed and caught something near her chest. It took Felicia's buzzed mind a moment to process the sai dagger which had been meant to do her serious harm at best and kill her at worst. Harry pulled Felicia to her feet behind him as seven throwing stars came flying at them followed by a tough looking woman dressed in skintight pants and an equally tight belly shirt. The throwing stars sped forward and for a moment Felicia thought they would dig into her new paramour. Instead they hit him but simply bounced off. He didn't even react.
The woman whose surface thoughts identified her as Elektra tried using more throwing stars while dancing across the roof trying to get past Harry with her projectiles and hit Felicia. Harry swatted the rest of the throwing stars from the air with speed and reflexes far beyond human. Felicia didn't plan to take the attack lightly. She waited until the throwing stars were out of play and Elektra was close enough before darting out from behind Harry, leaping, and delivering a powerful roundhouse kicking to the side of Elektra's head. Elektra barely paused before she rebounded and thrust her remaining sai dagger towards Felicia's arm. Felicia managed to move enough that the sai glided past less than an inch from the surface of her skin. Elektra's thrust overextended the woman and Felicia took advantage. Felicia's elbow shot forward and struck Elektra's chin. Elektra got back up slightly slower this time and thrust again with the sai. Felicia used her left arm to trap Elektra's right arm (the arm holding the sai) in an arm-lock. With her right hand Felicia grabbed Elektra's hair.
This left Elektra's left arm free to deliver a strike to Felicia's chin. Elektra turned the strike into a hand-hold on Felicia's hair.
"Die," Felicia cried.
Elektra didn't form any words but simply growled as the two women struggled locked. Harry summoned the remaining sai Elektra held and banished it along with the other sai to pocket dimensional storage. This would be a non-lethal fight if he could help it and he was pretty sure he could.
Finally speaking Elektra growled out, "Give back what you stole, thieves." "I am not my father," Felicia rebutted. "Tell your boss that."
Elektra released Felicia's hair and used this free hand to go for Felicia's eyes. Felicia had eye protection and saw the move coming. With the sai out of the equation she drove her knee into Elektra's mid-section while disengaging and leaping back.
"Elektra," Harry spoke up to say. This caused the sai-wielder to pause in surprise and stare at Harry. "You are out of your weight class, severely so."
Elektra didn't respond verbally. She just charged. She attempted a leaping roundhouse kick to Harry's head. This was a big mistake. Harry caught her by the ankle mid-kick and swung her around to toss her ten feet across the roof. She landed hard and somewhat managed to roll. She rose to her feet fairly quickly cradling her side. She stared at Harry intently for a moment before jumping to a nearby roof and running off.
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"That was pretty intense," Felicia admitted while catching her breath. "How did you know her name?" "One of my abilities generally allows me to figure out anybody's name," Harry admitted. He didn't want to tell her right away he was a telepath because that may freak her out. "Handy," Felicia replied. "So where were we?"
The couple continued to get to know each other for a while longer before they separated. Felicia had work in the morning after all. She gave Harry a chaste kiss before they parted along with her phone number.
"Harry, Felicia Hardy is in trouble at her apartment right now," Lily informed her creator. "There is an emergency at Felicia Hardy's apartment. I will be back," Harry told Jean just before vanishing.
Jean and Harry had been enjoying some quiet time as a couple on the grounds of the Institute. Harry rematerialized just outside Felicia's window. Her apartment was on the top floor of her building. He went through the open window and found Elektra, Felicia, and a being that at first appeared to be Wilson Fisk. Harry knew for a fact that Fisk wasn't in the country at the moment. Harry's gaze shifted to penetrate solid matter and discerned that this being before him was a very life-like robot. Robo-Fisk had Felicia pinned against a wall using one of his huge firsts wrapped around her throat. Elektra was holding the point of one sai against Felicia's cheek.
Harry's mind quickly analyzed the situation. A Notice-Me-Not charm kept anyone from yet noticing his presence.
"Lily, hold a telekinetic shield at the surface of Felicia's skin but make it malleable so that nobody but us will know it's there until the last possible minute it is required to prevent mortal injury. Relieve the pressure on her throat for right now," Harry instructed his AI.
Lily was using Harry's power to work the shield via telekinesis but would do so without requiring Harry's concentration. Besides that Lily could manipulate the force-field more quickly and to a small degree than Harry could ever manage unaided.
"You were very desperate to get my attention, little girl," Robo-Fisk said to Felicia. "You got your wish. I know you worked as an accountant for my firm. I know you robbed me as this Black Cat character. I know you seek some perceived vengeance for the mistakes your loser of a father Jack Hardy made. He rotted in jail because of his own stupidity. He drank too much to be a serious professional cat burglar. Now, you will give me back what you took or Elektra here will stick you full of new holes."
Harry sensed Felicia was ready to act as oxygen was allowed to return to her brain with the lessening of Fisk's grip. She just needed a little help. His appearance would be what she needed.
"You made a stupid mistake coming here, Fisk," Harry declared as he dropped the Notice-Me-Not and summoned Elektra's sai.
Elektra was jerked towards Spider-Man since she was holding her weapons so tightly.
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"Boy," Robo-Fisk bellowed just before receiving a kick to the face from Felicia delivered with both feet.
Robo-Fisk staggered backwards but only took seconds to recover and leap at Spider-Man. Robo-Fisk recognized Harry as the more immediate threat. Harry began webbing Elektra up as she shot towards him. Harry sensed an immense amount of danger as the robot drew within several feet.
"It's preparing to self-destruct and take us with it," Lily warned.
Harry met the robot mid leap and stuck to the construct using spider-powers. Harry phased high above the city moments later. Just as he rematerialized in the normal plane of existence the explosion occurred. Harry grunted as he felt the effort of Lily's shield stopping the short range but rapid velocity explosion. He immediately flew back down towards the roof of Felicia's apartment building where he saw Elektra coming onto the roof. Felicia stood staring at the tablet fragment she had stolen from Fisk. Felicia turned to face Elektra too late. The sai was already nearing Felicia's chest. The Lily-maintained shield kicked in and caught the sai at the last moment. The sai simply bounced off Felicia's chest.
There was a moment of stunned silence as Felicia stared down at her chest and the sai disbelievingly. Elektra stared at Felicia for only a moment and then fled rapidly. Harry let Elektra go for the moment. He was only concerned with Felicia. He touched down just in front of her. She slipped into his arms with a relieved hug. Her nose was bleeding from Robo-Fisk's earlier handling of her. Harry channeled some healing energy into her and vanished the blood.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked. "Yeah...did you stop that sai?" Felicia replied. "Yes. One of my abilities," Harry answered. "They know where I live now," Felicia said. "I'm trying to think where I will go."
"I can offer you several options. We could find you a new apartment. You could stay at one of my safe- houses. Or you could live at the Institute out in Westchester. I can already tell you are a mutant. Your powers seem to be luck-based. The Institute is a safe haven for mutants and where they can learn to harness their powers," Harry explained. "You are obviously out of a job with Fisk now. I own a multi-billion dollar company. You can work for me if you would like."
"Tell me more about this Institute," Felicia suggested.
In the end Felicia decided she would live at the Institute for now but would commute to New York daily via Harry's orbiting teleporter network. He helped get her settled into the Institute and introduced her to the others. Felicia let Harry have the tablet fragment Fisk had been after. The script on the tablet was in a language Harry didn't recognize but he sensed a low level of magic from the fragment. He would study it later when he had a chance but didn't hope to learn much from a broken fragment.
"You have a good trip, Aunt May," Harry told his aunt as he hugged her.
May was going to visit her mother for a week in Florida. Instead of spending time flying Harry was using his transporter system to teleport her down to Florida.
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"I will," May agreed while breaking the hug. "If you need anything just let me know. But I know you can take care of yourself."
"You know it," Harry reassured. "Are you ready?" "As I'll ever be," May answered. May was then gone.
"Parker, Watson, you should come with us," Kong informed the couple as they walked up to where Kong, Flash, and Liz were standing near Liz's locker.
"Come where?" MJ questioned.
"To audition for roles as extras on the set of Spider-Man," Liz answered.
The production of the movie was being put on by Spider-Man's company and sought to tell the real story of Spider-Man. Harry had written the story-line of the film. Basically he was admitting to being from another universe. He was admitting to entering his Harry Demire identity into this Earth's computer systems after his arrival. The film would cover some of the differences between this universe and his old and would show some of his earlier battles in this universe without revealing too many of his secrets. The movie would throw people off from Peter Parker's identity.
"It will be great to be in a movie," Kong suggested. "My uncle was in Rocky." "No way will I wait in line with a bunch of tools," Flash announced.
"I have some connections with the company making the movie," Harry explained. "I should easily be able to get you extra roles."
"Wicked," Kong said with a wide grin. "I suppose I will do it if you will be in it, MJ," Liz told her friend while also glancing appreciatively at Harry. "Sounds like a plan," MJ agreed.
Every one of Harry's friends decided it would be amusing to be extras in his movie so he got them roles. Flash was not included. By using holographic technology and performing his role in the movie himself Harry was saving a lot of money on special effects. MJ and Gwen were both fast enough, strong enough, and flexible enough to portray some of the villains using holographic technology. Spider-Man's time spent with the Ultimates and X-Men would be less emphasized. This first movie would focus primarily on his battles in New York on a somewhat solo basis and not part of a team. If the first movie performed really well then more movies could follow featuring his activities with the other super-powered teams he was involved with. He did definitely want to do a movie which showed mutants in a better light and hopefully lessened some of humanities hatred for mutant-kind. Hopefully by admitting to being from another universe Spider-Man's image didn't suffer from xenophobes. Even if he was born on Earth it wasn't the same Earth he was currently living on. Technically he was an alien to these people.
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Harry watched as his friends learned their roles for their parts in his movie. One of Harry's duplicate forms (in the form of Peter Parker) was interacting with his friends and working on learning another role while Harry's main form played Spider-Man. Currently the production crew was working on filming a scene where Spider-Man had battled Mysterio.
Harry was debating the merits of just making the movie himself without any of the production crew or actors and actresses. He could have Lily take his memories of the fights in question and edit them into a movie. But he had thought it would be more entertaining to make a movie the conventional way, something he had never done before even in his long life. Plus this would employ quite a few people. But sometimes producing a movie could be quite annoying.
Harry's attention focused on the street in front of the studio as a crashing sound was heard. His gaze fell on a quite unexpected sight. A blonde woman who was somewhat attractive hung suspended in a harness comprised of four very prehensile robotic arms.
"Umm...Dr. Octopus is a dude," Kong said from nearby.
"Maybe he had a sex change," Liz suggested.
"Don't say it," MJ projected at her boyfriend even though she knew it was futile.
"Dr. Octopussy," Harry cried loudly with a grin.
Octavia Octavius' gaze snapped to the man who looked like Spider-Man with a glare as she tossed the van she had been holding to the side with the sound of wrenching metal and screams filling the air.
"Don't call me that Spider-Man look-alike," Octavia growled. Octavia hadn't yet realized she was facing the real Spider-Man. Turning her attention back to her target and dismissing who she thought was a look-alike Octavia said, "Rosalita my wife...you have greatly failed us of late. I would like a word with you."
Lily's scans of the being known as Octavia Octavius quickly revealed her to be a clone of Otto Octavius except the clone was made to be female. Lily also scanned Octavia's mind and sifted through the memories contained within in seconds.
"She has no idea of her origins," Lily informed her creator. "She woke up yesterday with a bastardized version of most of Otto Octavius' memories. She thinks she is bisexual and was married to Rosalita Octavius. She saw a news article explaining Rosalita's consultant status for the film and was enraged. Her mind is a mess."
"Interesting," Harry thought back at his bio-net AI while he thought what to do. "Is her arm-harness the original?"
"Based upon its creation date I would say that it is not the original," Lily answered. "It is made of an Adamantium alloy though."
"Has she killed yet?" Harry asked. "No," Lily answered. "I will have a little fun with her first and test her abilities. Keep anyone from dying or being seriously
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injured as we spar. Then maybe I can see about rehabilitating her," Harry instructed.
Lily acknowledged his command. She could use his power to create force-fields around any potential victims of the battle. Harry leapt into the air and swung on a web-line in a swinging double footed kick towards Octavia's back. She sensed it at the last moment and dodged using her metal arms. Two of those arms whipped after Harry as he swung past. The arms were fast and managed to hit him enough to alter his momentum. He smashed into a wall but he stood normally within seconds. He had barely felt the blow.
"I guess you aren't just a stunt double," Octavia said wearily. "Stay out of my way, Spider-Man. This argument is between my ex-wife and myself."
"How touching...a super-villain domestic. In case you haven't noticed you are a woman," Harry pointed out. "Don't call me a woman," Octavia screamed as she hurled herself at Harry with her features twisted in rage.
Harry dodged and web-lined two of her arms before hauling back on his web-line and launching her skywards. She landed on a nearby roof-top. Harry was hard on her heels.
"Let's see what you've got," Harry urged.
Octavia came at him again and he dodged her strikes fairly easily. It quickly became apparent that while she had Otto's limbs and memories she didn't have the muscle memory to go along with using his metal-arms. "Stop moving so I can crush you like the bug you are," Octavia snarled as she gouged a large chunk out of the roof-top.
"You don't have Otto's muscle memory nor do you have his banter skills. As far as clones go I would give you a C-," Harry suggested as he dodged yet more strikes. He could feel Octavia's frustration growing. "We'll give you a C for having tits."
"You little bastard," Octavia snarled before pulling a grenade out of a pocket in her coat and after pulling the pin throwing it at Harry while leaping clear.
Harry caught the grenade and calmly let it go off. The resulting explosion tore up a section of roof. Harry had made sure nobody was nearby in the building beneath. When the dust cleared Harry stood there unharmed. Octavia's formerly smug expression melted to surprise.
"Is that all you've got?" Harry taunted.
Octavia surged forward again and this time Harry didn't try to dodge. As her arms came at him in pairs he webbed them into two sets and drove them down through the roof-top. The concrete and rebar of the roof-top held long enough for Harry to apply copiously his unbreakable webbing.
"Let me go," Octavia demanded while she strained her harness arms to free herself.
"I'm afraid you need some help only a telepath can provide," Harry replied. "And I mean to see you get it."
Harry dove into Octavia's mind and began working. He made it so her memories from Otto held no emotion for her. She still possessed the memories but not as if she had lived through them herself. It took Harry over an hour to go through all of Octavia's memories. By that time Janet had arrived. Harry caught Octavia after she had collapsed due to the mental strain.
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"I have already talked to Nick," Janet informed her lover. "She will be evaluated for suitability to work for S.H.I.E.L.D.. I can take her from here."
"Thanks for watching my back, love," Harry replied as he set Octavia gently down.
Janet had made sure nobody had come up on the roof in the last forty-five minutes while her man had been busy. Before that she had been coordinating Octavia's status with Fury.
"You never have to thank me for watching your back. It's a perk of my life," Janet assured before stepping up and stealing a kiss.
Janet stepped back and activated her transporter bracelet. The bracelet had a neural interface feature using nanites. All of Harry's women had one. Janet and the other women could mentally query the transporter system's AI and provide targeting imagery or GPS coordinates and then be taken there with any desired cargo. Within moments Octavia and Janet were teleported away. Harry went back to get the film crew working again.
"What can I do for you, Nick?" Harry asked Fury as the black man met Harry on the roof-top of the skyscraper New Yorkers commonly referred to as the Spider Building.
Harry had built a penthouse suite of sorts up on the roof of the Spider Building which was the headquarters of his company. He rarely ever stayed there of course but he liked to come up there sometimes to enjoy the view of New York and to relax. Fury had arrived via a S.H.I.E.L.D. stealth aircraft. The helicarrier was floating overhead. Harry had given Fury access through the wards for this visit after Fury had requested a meeting.
"I wanted to talk about this cloning situation," Nick answered as he sat in the chair Harry indicated across from the superhero. "Thank you for defusing the situation with Octavia. Were you able to dig anything out of her mind about where she was created?"
"No. Her mind was professionally wiped by telepaths of any clues to her origins," Harry answered. "Her last memory from Otto is of him being in a jail cell and then nothing. She woke up in a hotel room paid for in cash. I checked everything out and there is no way to trace her back."
"Damn. Our telepaths couldn't get anything out of her but I was hoping given your skill level that you might be able to," Fury admitted. "Do you have other means at your disposal to find out more?"
"I don't go mucking about with time travel lightly, Nick," Harry replied. "Why does she have you so worried?"
"Octavia can control her harness without being connected to it. That may be a minor ability but it is still an above human power. If Otto Octavius has the ability to clone super powered beings then that can't be good for the world. It could in fact be disastrous," Nick explained.
"Do you know how he got out of prison?" Harry inquired.
"No. He was there one moment and then gone the next. The guards were paid anonymously to keep it quiet for a time. They got the payments in cash left in envelopes at dead drops. They received letters we can't trace," Fury answered.
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"Octavia may have been cloned but the cloning method is still crude. She won't live long without intervention," Harry answered.
"Could you intervene and help her?" Fury queried. "Do you even want me to?" Harry replied.
"She could work well as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. If we tell her she can be saved in exchange for working for S.H.I.E.L.D. then that might exactly what we need to keep her in line. We could tell her she needs treatments periodically to keep her organs from failing," Fury suggested.
Harry set his chin on his crossed hands and thought.
"Her circumstances of creation are not her fault. You will pay her a very good salary. Tell her the treatments need to be administered every five years. She is on probation. If she proves herself a trustworthy and constructive member of the S.H.I.E.L.D. community then we will reveal she doesn't need continual treatments. If after she is off of probation she decides she doesn't want to work for S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore you will abide by that decision," Harry replied. "I can help her."
Fury thought about the proposal for several moments and then while nodding said, "I agree." "I will bring the first treatment she needs in later. I will leave the talking with her up to you," Harry stated. The two men said their farewells and Fury left.
"Welcome back, May," Janet greeted May as the older woman arrived back into the kitchen via teleportation. Janet was sitting drinking some morning coffee at the kitchen table and reading the newspaper. "How was your visit with your mother?"
"It went quite well," May answered. "Where is everybody?"
"Oh a lot of them are still sleeping. Some are out running errands and dealing with various crisis," Janet answered.
"I heard about that female version of Otto Octavius in the news. That was quite strange," May admitted as she got a cup of coffee and sat down across from Janet.
"It certainly was," Janet agreed. "Harry admitted it was his worst nightmare to be trapped in the body of a member of the opposite sex. He said it would be alright to visit briefly but to be stuck there terrified him. He said in the time he came from it was possible to have an opposite sex clone made of yourself and to be temporarily or permanently transferred into that body."
"Sex changes of the future," May mused. "I suppose it was coming given all the transgender issues facing our society."
"Harry said there was a growing movement among the populace, about 7% of the people, where they would decide which gender they wanted to wear to work that day," Janet mused.
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"Is it a sign of my age that that sounds wrong to me?" May asked.
"No, not really," Janet admitted. "I know somewhat what it feels like for a man to be a man. Harry has the ability telepathically to let us experience what it is like to be him and he can experience the same from us. I can feel how good it feels to have sex from his perspective and I have to say it is pretty awesome. Despite that I would rather stay a woman. I think it is just the hormones we were born with influencing our neural chemistry."
"I never thought these issues would arise in my life-time," May admitted. "I guess that is what happens when you live with a time-traveler."
Harry's extra-universal origins were now commonly realized by all of his women and most of them chose to call him Harry full-time. Some still called him Peter but generally only when he was in that identity. With the release of the Spider-Man movies coming in the near future a lot of the world's population would learn more about his extra-universal origin.
"I am hopeful that some of the lessons humanity had to learn the hard way in Harry's time can be learned by our society without the hard consequences. Harry has talked about releasing some books to explain some of these issues and the results his society faced," Janet announced. "Movies just won't cut it for some things."
"I would be surprised if that worked but it can't hurt to try," May mused. "Yes, politicians aren't exactly the brightest bunch," Janet agreed. "Good morning, ladies," Harry greeted as he came into the kitchen. "Good morning, lover," Janet replied before Harry bent down and kissed her lightly. "Welcome back," Harry greeted his aunt while giving her a hug.
"Thanks. I am so glad you have this teleporter system for our use. It beats flying in a plane any day," May said.
"It can be rather handy," Harry agreed. "So what were you ladies talking about?" "You," Janet replied with a grin. "Uh oh," Harry said. "Good things were discussed I hope."
"Well we were talking about how horrible you are in bed," Janet managed to say with a straight face. Harry had Lily channel one of his memories into a hologram which showed Janet in the throes of passion moaning his name taken from not long before.
"He doesn't play fair does he," May put forth with a grin. "No, he doesn't," Janet replied with a pout.
More playful banter occurred throughout breakfast and more women joined in as they wandered in. Harry found it rather enjoyable.
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"Harry, you are a genius but today was probably the best idea you have ever had," Jean put forth. "Agreed," Ororo murmured.
Harry, Jean, Ororo, Gwen, MJ, Natasha, Susan, and May were all stretched out on beach towels lying on a beautiful beach on a tropical island Harry had created. He hadn't told his lovers he had created the island and they hadn't asked. Each woman was being massaged by Harry utilizing his ability to control duplicate forms, even May. All seven women were completely naked. Six of the seven versions of Harry were naked too. Only the Harry massaging May was wearing any clothing and that was a pair of shorts. May's attraction to Harry was immense but she wasn't quite ready to take the plunge to anything more yet. She was perfectly happy to have him massaging her though.
"You literally could not have picked a better way to reveal your use of these duplicates to be with us," Susan said. "And we had wondered how you were keeping up with everything."
"Who won the pool?" May asked, knowing her nephew's lovers had partaken in a betting pool speculating on the method Harry had used to keep up.
"That would be Jean," Janet answered. "She guessed he was using clones he was telepathically syncing with. That was the closest."
"Go me," Jean whispered before letting out a small moan of pleasure at Harry's magical hands working her muscles.
"Yes, go Jean," Ororo cried suddenly as she leaned over and smacked the redhead's bare left arse-cheeks playfully.
"Someone is in a good mood," Natasha noted. "She just came a little," Ororo announced with a grin. "I think we all have in the past two hours," Gwen pointed out. "Stop keeping track of time," Susan playfully admonished. "I just want to lay here forever." "We would get rather toasty and hungry if we tried that," Janet pointed out.
"Actually I don't know if you ladies have noticed but I am maintaining your body temperatures at a comfortable level, have an energy field erected to regulate the sunlight so it is impossible for you to burn, and while you are touching me like this I can sustain you indefinitely from hunger or other needs with my abilities," the Harry on top of MJ announced.
There was surprised silence for several moments before Jean asked, "So are you saying we literally could lay here forever?"
"Yes," the Harry on top of Natasha answered.
"We literally have the best man ever. And all we have to do to keep him is not get jealous and over- possessive," Ororo declared.
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"So how do you do it?" May asked.
"That can be quite hard at times," Jean admitted. "But we can feel his love for each of us telepathically and on a deeper level when he makes love to us."
"And we never want for attention. He is always there when we need him and gives us space when we want it," Janet put forth.
"If I didn't know you were talking about Harry I would think we were discussing a god," May said jokingly.
There was silence for several thoughtful moments before Susan asked, "What were the old gods of myth really? Does anybody actually know?"
"In my universe they were extremely powerful beings of magic...a different race that could perceive the multiverse differently than mortals. But they weren't omnipotent," Harry answered.
"That sounds a lot like you," MJ suggested.
"And the male gods of legend seemed to like to bed a lot of women," Jean noted. "Again that sounds like Harry."
"The gods of old had worshippers," Gwen pointed out. "We worship him and in particular parts of his anatomy."
This statement caused all of the women to grin. "So, is Harry a god?" Natasha questioned. "All in favor of Harry being considered a god raise your hand," Ororo suggested. Seven female hands went up. "I didn't even get a say in this," Harry pointed out. "Get used to it," Jean replied causing all of the women to laugh. Seven Harry's mock-pouted.
Harry and Jean were showed by a butler into an indoor pool area on the lavishly designed Worthington estate where they were met by one of the Worthington family's attorneys.
"Mr. Demire, I want to assure you that I have been given full power of attorney for the Worthingtons in this transaction," Attorney Smithe said.
"Mr. Smithe, where are Warren's parents?" Harry questioned.
Jean and Harry could both sense the lack of minds representing Warren Worthington's parents on the estate. The couple had come looking to inquire about training Warren who was a mutant.
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"They have not lived on this estate for quite some time. Warren has been raised by Mr. Travis and his staff quite adequately," Smithe explained. "Warren's mother can no longer stand the sight of him with his condition. Surgical options were explored but at this point it could be quite risky. So how much will this cost the Worthingtons?"
"If you would like to donate money to our Institute for Warren's stay with us it would be appreciated but is not required," Jean answered. "I believe Warren is approaching."
The group had walked outside as they talked and a winged-figure could be observed approaching rapidly. Warren was a blond 17 year old man who was quite good looking. He sported angelic looking white feathered wings and a rock hard muscular physique with no shirt on.
"Warren, this is Harry Demire and Phoenix," Smithe introduced. "I know who they are, Smithe," Warren replied. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
Warren shook the hands of Harry and Jean. Warren had watched these two high profile figures on the news and was quite surprised to meet them. Jean was even more gorgeous in person.
"Likewise," Harry replied. "We would like the possibility of you coming to our institute and training to use your abilities. You seem to have a pretty good handle on your flight but there is always room for improvement. And we can provide an analysis of your physiology in case something ever comes up with your health. There are more benefits as well."
"Yes of course," Warren said while gesturing inside the house. "Please come inside and we can talk."
Harry, Jean, and Warren arrived in the main house of the Institute via transporter about an hour after they had begun talking.
"We can show you to your room and give you a brief tour if you would like," Jean suggested. "Sure," Warren agreed with a nod.
Warren's belongings were dropped off in his room. Then he was given a quick tour of the mansion. When he was shown out at the back of the mansion where the pool area was they found the X-Men lounging around the pool. Hank and Cyclops were grilling. Kitty and Storm were in bikinis on lounge chairs. Jean began introducing Warren around.
"Harry, I'm so glad you are back," Storm projected at her lover. "Wearing this bikini doesn't feel right sunbathing ever since you took us to the island. Is there anything you can do about that?"
"Sure," Harry agreed before casting an illusion over Storm to make it look like she was wearing a bikini while in truth he had vanished it at the same time. "Everyone but you, Jean, and I will see you still wearing your bikini."
"He is simply the best boyfriend ever," Storm sent at Jean.
"Yes he is," Jean agreed. "I think Rogue is having trouble with Warren's appearance. She was raised to be fairly religious."
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"Do you need my help?" Harry inquired. "No. I have steered Warren away from Rogue. I will take him out and show him the grounds. Maybe you
might want to have a word with Rogue though while we are gone," Jean suggested. As soon as Jean and Warren were far enough away Harry walked over to Rogue and said quietly, "Could I
have a word with you, Rogue?"
Rogue followed Harry far enough away from the others so that they wouldn't overhear while wondering what this was about.
"What's up, Harry?" Rogue questioned.
"It was obvious you had issues with Warren's appearance judging from your reaction. Would you mind telling me what your issues are?" Harry requested.
"Dude looked like an honest to god angel right out of the Bible. You are telling me you didn't have a problem with that?" Rogue asked surprised. "In fact nobody seemed to be troubled. First we have Kurt who looks like a demon and now we have an angel."
Harry inwardly winced and was really glad he pulled Rogue aside for this discussion.
"Rogue, thank you for not telling Kurt his appearance looked demonic to his face," Harry said. "You are relatively new here so you probably haven't yet figured out that Kurt can be a pretty decent guy. Appearances generally mean nothing at first glance. I can make anybody see, feel, and even taste anything I want them to using my technology."
To prove his point wings just like Warren's suddenly sprouted out of the wizard's back. The wings beat in the air sending gusts of wind around Rogue.
"I see your point," Rogue said slowly. "Just because he looks like an angel doesn't mean he is one."
"Exactly," Harry confirmed. "I just want you to be conscious of your reactions to others and how you voice your opinions. You are entitled to an opinion but not every wants to hear it because their opinion may not match. No harm was done and we will keep this conversation between us."
"Thanks Harry," Rogue said before she and Harry rejoined the others.
Two Days Later...
Harry floated hovering invisibly in front of the gates of the Institute with Jean and Storm on either side of him. Out front was a mob of what could only be called "Jesus Freaks." They held signs that said such things as "God is a Mutant", "God Hates Mutants", "Angel Among Us Apocalypse", and "Magneto was Right." The verbal abuse the religious zealots were hurling at the gates of the Institute was even worse than the signs. Several news vans were present too.
"What are we going to do about this?" Storm asked. "I'm still thinking about that," Harry answered.
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"Let's go have a little talk with Hank," Jean suggested. "Hank did this?" Storm asked in surprise. "This is his fault," Jean confirmed. "I'll tell you why inside."
The trio flew back inside the mansion and became visible as they entered the living room to find everyone of the X-Men except Warren present in the living room watching the news about the presence of an angel at the institute.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself, Hank?" Jean asked aloud as they entered the room. "What did he do?" Kitty asked. "Hank revealed to the world Warren's presence here," Storm put forth. "He posted updates about Warren's presence on one of our fan sites," Jean explained.
"It's good public relations," Hank put forth.
"Hank, Warren's presence here wasn't your information to share. From now on I will be heavily policing those fan sites," Harry announced. Or rather Lily would be heavily policing those sites. "Warren is trying to leave after seeing everything out front." Warren appeared in a flash of transporter light in the living room looking quite startled. "Warren, you are going to want to be here for my response to those nut-jobs out there. Follow me, everyone."
The mutants all followed Harry out the front door and down to the gates. With a wave of Jean's hand the gates came open. The crowd actually quieted for a moment at the sight of the mutants, especially Warren. Harry's voice carried loud and clearly.
"This young man is a mutant. He is not an angel as described by Christianity. Leave us in peace," Harry commanded.
"We have a right to be here," an old woman shouted back with a megaphone.
"Yes. By the laws of this land you have the right to voice your opinion and annoy us with the sight of you and your sounds. But so do I," Harry replied before raising a sound barrier all around the Institute.
The visible light also seemed to dim within the sound barrier of the Institute. Harry raised his hands towards the mob and a blast of white light and sound lashed out towards the unwelcome visitors. The intense sonic and optic attack acted like a flash-bang grenade on steroids and saw the reporters and religious zealots dropping to the ground screaming. Harry only held up the assault for several moments but when he ended it the assault was one none of those targeted would forget to the end of their days. The unwelcome visitors soon picked themselves up and hurriedly left the road in front of the Institute.
"Effective," Warren commented. "I don't like people who think their opinion is the only one that is valid," Harry admitted. "We couldn't tell," Jean said sarcastically with a grin that broke the tension.
"I think they could all tell too," Storm agreed. The X-Men returned to their home.