Color me absolutely surprised, what is going on here? Of course I had my doubts when I saw Mary Jane had red hair instead of brown, of course Peter didn't look at all like the charismatic kid from the new movies, aunt May looked mighty fine tho.
I get it, maybe it's just the setting, Spider-man was there either way, but now… this world is just mixing things, what should I make of all this? Most importantly, now that she is here, what is going to happen to the story? I can't stop looking incredulous at the front seat.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]: "You have met a character Gwendolyn Stacy. +30 Points awarded.
Yeah, that is a notice alright, and although I loved the extra points, meeting this pair here, I can only feel that my future would get more and more complicated.
"Dad, I wanna go home! I want a bath! Miss Tina was extra hard with the dance lessons today!"
"Wait a bit, sweetheart. Just ten minutes. We'll drop little Dom at the station and then we'll head home."
Yeah, will it kill you to wait a little? Here I am, quiet and proper, being carted off to the demon's lair, and you don't hear me whining, do you? Eldritch monster Edna is probably sharpening her teeth.
"Are you a criminal?"
Gwen spun around in her seat, eyes wide and sparkling with curiosity, a mischievous grin already blooming.
"Gwen! Sit properly, and don't bother him".
"I'm not bothering him, Dad. I'm just asking. You always say I should be curious".
She leaned back against the seat, still watching me closely.
'Criminal?'
I'll beat you up, little girl!
"I'm no criminal! I was just lost!"
"Lost? Yeah, right!" She giggled, turning forward again, though she peeked back over her shoulder. "You don't look like a criminal. Maybe you're just a really bad one?"
"Gwen, that's enough" George gave her a warning glance, his voice calm but carrying weight. "Not everyone in the backseat is a criminal. Sometimes people just need help."
"Help? Like directions or a ride to jail?"
She whispered it loudly, her grin still wide and playful.
This little fox is playing with fire. Fine. You want to be annoying? Let's be annoying.
"What's that? Smells like sweat. Ewww".
"What?! It does not!"
She immediately sniffed her arm, nose wrinkling in exaggerated disgust before whipping around to glare at me, clearly flustered.
"You're just saying that because you're jealous I get to sit up here and you're stuck back there!"
"Gwen, enough, and stop sniffing yourself, you're not a puppy".
"I'm not the one who started it, Dad!" She crossed her arms and fired another glare back at me. "Besides, he's the one who smells funny. You've been walking around lost all day, haven't you?"
"Of course not. I just went really far, that's all".
Like… really, really far.
"Really far? Like around the whole block? Or did you get lost chasing an ice cream truck?"
"Gwen, give the kid a break. This is why you don't have many friends"
George glanced at me in the rearview mirror, his tone a little softer now.
"Hmph, maybe he's a spy on a secret mission and can't tell us where he went. What do you think? Secret mission gone wrong?"
You little… yes. YES! My secret mission did go wrong the second I met you two!
"I just wanted to visit some friends, because I have some!"
God, what's wrong with me? Did a little girl really get under my skin?
"Sounds fake, bet they're imaginary"
"Gwen. Enough."
George sighed, but a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Dom, don't let her get to you. She likes to think she's funny".
You! How about saying that again without that smirk, George.
"I am funny, Dad. So, Dom, what kind of friends do you have? Are they as cool as me?"
"The coolest. Peter's building his own computer and MJ draws like a pro."
She really could be a great artist.
"Peter and MJ, huh? Sounds like nerds".
She laughed and spun halfway around in her seat again.
"But building a computer? Okay, that's kinda cool, and drawing... well, I guess that's not too bad either".
"Gwen, it wouldn't kill you to compliment someone without adding an insult first".
Alright, I'll admit it, this chatterbox is kind of funny.
"What? I said it was cool!"
She shrugged with mock innocence, flashing me another grin.
"Alright, Dom. Maybe your friends are cooler than I thought. But are they as fun as me?"
They're not as energetic, that's for sure.
"Well, what is fun for you?"
"Oh, lots of things! Like dancing, pranking Dad, making up stories... you know, fun stuff! Dad says I'm a 'handful' but that's just grown-up talk for awesome".
"It's grown-up talk for exhausting, Gwen. Big difference".
"See? He thinks I'm awesome".
She smirked, turning back in her seat again, but not without another glance back.
"What about you, Dom? What do you do for fun?"
Hmmm... I did get some points from MJ just by talking to her. Maybe I can milk something here too. If I remember right, Peter and Gwen don't meet until college... so that could be a change.
"I enjoy sports. Oh, and pranks."
"Pranks? What kind of pranks?"
Her eyes lit up, and she turned fully in her seat, practically vibrating with interest.
"Like whoopee cushions? Or the big leagues fake spiders and exploding soda bottles?"
"Gwen, don't even think about getting ideas. Last time you pulled a prank, your teacher called me and I had to listen to her complain for two hours."
"That's because she didn't get it, Dad".
She waved him off and looked back at me.
"So what's your best prank, Dom? Give me some inspiration!"
Oh, would you like to know, little goblin? Fine. I'll bless your mortal soul with a prank that transcends worlds.
"Oh, you know Oreos? Well, have you ever thought of replacing the cream with toothpaste?"
"Toothpaste Oreos?! That's genius!"
She clapped her hands, her grin stretching even wider.
"I bet my dance instructor would totally fall for that. She's always snacking between lessons".
"Gwen, absolutely not. No pranks on your instructor. Or anyone else".
"Relax, Dad! It's just an idea. Totally... for now".
She winked at me and turned back around.
"Okay, Dom. You might actually be awesome".
"You too. Hey, after all this is over, you should come hang out with us. It would be so much fun".
And hopefully worth a fat chunk of points.
"Really? You mean it?"
Her face lit up as she spun back toward me again.
"Okay! But only if you promise we'll do something super fun. None of that boring 'let's sit and talk about feelings' stuff".
"Gwen, you've known him for ten minutes. It's too early to talk about feelings."
What are you giving me that look for, George? I'm just a kid.
"Oh, come on, Dad! You're always saying I need more friends my age!"
"Please, Mr. Stacy. Peter and MJ also need more friends!"
"Peter and MJ, huh?"
He raised an eyebrow and glanced at me again through the rearview mirror.
"Well, it's not up to me, but as long as everyone behaves… and I mean everyone, Gwen, maybe I'll consider it".
"Yes! See, Dad? I knew you'd say yes!"
She beamed triumphantly, then looked back at me.
"Alright, Dom. It's a deal! But you better bring your best pranks or it's gonna be super boring"
"Great. Just what I need another kid to encourage her mischief".
George sighed as the car slowed to a stop.
"Alright, we're here. Here's my number, Dom. If you and your friends want to meet up sometime, let me know. Gwen could use a little more positive energy around her".
"Sure thing, Mr. Stacy. Thanks for the ride!"
"Bye, Dom! Try not to be such a bad criminal next time!"
…
Yeah, keep waving with that stupid smile on your face. I'll put gum in your hair. How's that sound?
Oh? I get to be escorted by a guard now? How royal. Treatment befitting of a king.
"Hello there, Dominik. Did you have fun?"
Now listen here… I fear no man… but that thing… It scares me.
…
Well, I honestly can't figure out the reason she didn't resort to physical violence, but I can tell you that I learned at least 15 different new ways to insult someone. She… was… livid…, she just needed one more push to get an aneurysm.
So here we are, my new life in solitary confinement, yet it's fine… at least they'll let me bathe… right? Maybe.
Well screw it, I'll think about what to do later. There's something more important right now.
[System Points]: 230
What a nice haul, fine then, get your head in the game Dom, time to plan. There is so much to think about right now and you have to make the correct choices. So, let's get to it.
Right now, I need something that will help me get points, assuming still that changing the story means changing the natural evolution of things, then the logical conclusion would be that going against villains or thugs before their time would amount to a change, right?
I sure hope I'm right because I can't really think about anything else to do for points, and I can't remember there being more characters in the city. Well brainstorm time.
First, I need a weapon.
'System display weapons in the shop'
[Weapons]
Sidearms
[M6 Magnum]: Semi-automatic pistol with high accuracy and stopping power. (25 points, Blueprint: N/A)
[Plasma Pistol]: Covenant sidearm with energy-based projectiles. (30 points, Blueprint: N/A)
[M7 SMG]: Compact submachine gun, ideal for close-quarters combat. (40 points, Blueprint: 10 points)
Assault Weapons
[MA5B Assault Rifle]: Standard UNSC rifle with moderate firepower and accuracy. (50 points, Blueprint: 15 points)
[Needler]: Covenant weapon that fires tracking explosive needles. (70 points, Blueprint: 20 points)
[BR55 Battle Rifle]: UNSC burst-fire rifle, effective at medium range. (75 points, Blueprint: 25 points)
Heavy Weapons
[M41 Rocket Launcher]: Heavy-duty launcher with lock-on targeting for vehicles. (100 points, Blueprint: 25 points)
[Fuel Rod Cannon]: Covenant heavy weapon that launches explosive plasma projectiles. (120 points, Blueprint: 30 points)
[Spartan Laser]: High-powered laser capable of destroying vehicles and fortifications. (700 points, Blueprint: 350 points)
Energy-Based Weapons
[Energy Sword]: Covenant melee weapon made of plasma, deadly in close combat. (80 points, Blueprint: 20 points)
[Sentinel Beam]: Forerunner energy weapon with a continuous damage beam. (90 points, Blueprint: 25 points)
[Gravity Hammer]: Brute weapon with shockwave damage for crowd control. (500 points, Blueprint: 250 points)
Sniper Weapons (Long-Range, Precision)
[SRS99 Sniper Rifle]: UNSC long-range sniper rifle with high precision. (400 points, Blueprint: 200 points)
[Beam Rifle]: Covenant sniper weapon with energy-based projectiles. (350 points, Blueprint: 175 points)
"MY PRECIOUS GUEHUEHUEHUEHUE" Ahem, Dom, please control your impulses. Sigh, right, that is a great selection, yet, now that I think about it.
'System, what is the difference between blueprints and just buying the resource?'
[By covering the full cost of the resource, the host will have immediate access to it, aside from that, the host will gain its blueprint knowledge and the system will always provide the resources for its initial use, being ammo or energy. Obtaining the resource blueprint will only provide the knowledge to build the equipment, the host will be responsible for providing everything for its operation]
Well, that's fair I suppose that really puts things into perspective, I can't imagine being able to forge needler ammo. Either way, aside from weapons I also need armor.
'System show me the shop's available armors.'
Light Armors
[Standard UNSC Soldier Armor]: Standard-issue armor for infantry soldiers, offering moderate protection and mobility. (150 points, Blueprint: 40 points)
[Standard ODST Soldier Armor]: Lightweight armor for orbital drop shock troopers, offering moderate protection and high mobility. (200 points, Blueprint: 50 points)
[Recon Mjolnir Armor]: Stealth-focused Spartan armor with enhanced agility and reduced radar signature. (300 points, Blueprint: 80 points)
[Scout Mjolnir Armor]: Optimized for reconnaissance missions with lightweight plating and tactical HUD. (350 points, Blueprint: 90 points)
Medium Armors (Balanced Protection and Utility)
[Mark IV Mjolnir Armor]: The iconic Spartan armor, offering a balance of mobility, shielding, and durability. (500 points, Blueprint: 130 points)
[EVA Mjolnir Armor]: Designed for extreme environments, with enhanced resistance to heat and cold, and a reinforced helmet. (600 points, Blueprint: 150 points)
[Air Assault Armor]: Versatile armor with an aerodynamic design for aerial combat or high-speed ground maneuvers. (650 points, Blueprint: 160 points)
Heavy Armors (High Defense and Power)
[EOD Mjolnir Armor]: Engineered to withstand explosions, with reinforced plating and shock resistance. (800 points, Blueprint: 200 points)
[Hazop Mjolnir Armor]: Specialized for hazardous environments, offering superior radiation and chemical protection. (850 points, Blueprint: 220 points)
[Gungnir Mjolnir Armor]: Heavily armored with advanced energy shielding and weapon mounts for additional firepower. (1,000 points, Blueprint: 250 points)
Energy-Based Armors (Advanced Technology)
[Covenant Harness]: Light, energy-based armor used by Elites, with integrated shielding and agility boosts. (400 points, Blueprint: 200 points)
[Active Camouflage Armor]: Features built-in active camouflage for temporary invisibility, with moderate shielding. (1,200 points, Blueprint: 600 points)
[Forerunner Combat Harness]: Advanced armor with automatic shield regeneration and a hardlight plating system. (1,500 points, Blueprint: 750 points)
Specialized Armors (Unique)
[EVA Mark VI Prototype]: Offers environmental versatility and built-in thrusters for zero-gravity combat. (1,000 points, Blueprint: 500 points)
[Hunter Chitin Plating]: Adapted from Hunter armor, offering extremely high durability but reducing mobility. (1,800 points, Blueprint: 900 points)
[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V]: "This... is everything I had always dreamed it could be." (Doctor Halsey) (4,000 points, Blueprint: 2000 points)
Yes it is doctor, yes it is… also, it's really expensive! I'll be hunted by the government for mass genocide before I'll get enough to afford that! I don't want a cheap knock off! I want to be Chief Jr. sir! Damn! Forget it, it's not time yet, one day I'll get it, even if just the blueprint.
'System, do you have an inventory function? Can I store what I buy with you?'
[Negative, once an item is bought the user will have to arrange accommodation of the physical resource]
That sucks, then there is no way I can get away with taking out a gun, I have nowhere to hide it, and for that matter, getting an armor right now will also be a problem for the same reasons.
Let's focus then, I need a weapon that I can hide or that isn't as easy to identify, also I need a way to leave this place undetected, and also a way to protect myself against danger. Given all these restrictions I guess my choice is clear.
[System Notification]:
Energy Sword: Covenant plasma-based melee weapon that projects twin energy blades capable of cutting through most materials. (80 Points)
Active Camouflage Module: Portable stealth device that creates an active camouflage field around the user, rendering them nearly invisible for a limited time. (120 Points)
[Confirm purchase?]
'Confirm!'
[Purchase confirmed]
Remaining Points: 30
Woah! Awesome! Just like I imagined, the plasma sword is nothing but a handle right now, perfect for curious eyes to overlook, it's not so big either, even with tiny hands I can still operate it, and let me tell you, light sabers might be the dream of some, but they'll never look as awesome as a plasma sword. So you kids can go play with your glow sticks, this man will work with a real weapon, hopefully, I'm actually afraid of the damage this will do to someone, guess I'll just have to find out.
For my other purchase, it came in the form of a belt. I had already seen it under the equipment section and I can adjust it to fit me although barely, and I just have to press the button at its side. Tried it just now, the active invisibility lasts for 5 minutes of continuous use, pretty great if I do say so myself, although in order to recharge all five minutes would need to be expended, and its recharge time is 30 minutes. Not great, but I can work with that.
I find it quite annoying that I couldn't afford any armor, then again, nothing I can do about it. I'll just have to adhere to a stealth build until I build up more points.
Next up, I guess I'll have to leave at night if I don't want to get caught again.