From their vantage point above, Ben and Flygirl watched as the dozen Mysterios worked with coordinated precision. Each Mysterio, an exact du
From their vantage point above, Ben and Flygirl watched as the dozen Mysterios worked with coordinated precision. Each Mysterio, an exact duplicate of the original, darted in and out of stores. The scene was almost comical, yet Ben knew the damage they were causing was far from a joke. It was organized chaos, the kind only a master of illusion could orchestrate.
Mysterio surveyed the scene, a smug satisfaction spreading beneath his hidden face. Each successful heist, each stolen item, fueled his ego. Yes, he thought, everything is going according to plan. He admired the seamless execution of his scheme. It was a symphony of deception. He was both conductor and composer. This small town was ripe for the taking.
Ben tapped his ring. "It's hero time!"
The Omni-Exo materialised, encasing him in gunmetal and fuchsia plating. Ben and Flygirl descended like a comet, smashing into the pavement beside the closest Mysterio. The force of their landing sent the villain sprawling into a display of garden gnomes, each shattering on impact.
Every Mysterio turned, their fishbowl helmets glinting under the afternoon sun. A dozen pairs of eyes, obscured by swirling green mist, focused on Ben and Flygirl.
"Alright, Mysterios," Ben called, his voice amplified by the armor's modulator, "who wants to tell me why Spider-Man's rogue is hitting up a town that isn't New York? And look, I get it, you want to be a big shot. Just walk away and I'll let you off with a slap on the wrist."
One of the Mysterios stepped forward, theatrically placing a hand on his chest. "Surrender? To you? You have no idea who I am, do you? Very well, allow me to illuminate your ignorance! I am Mysterio! Master of Illusion, Magician of Menace, and soon-to-be ruler of—"
Flygirl interjected, "This dinky little town?"
"—of a significantly larger territory!" Mysterio finished, a hint of annoyance coloring his tone. "And you, my friend, have crashed my performance!"
As if on cue, the other Mysterios launched their attack. Beams erupted from their fingertips, streaking toward Ben. He raised his gauntlets, deflecting the projectiles with sonic pulses. Flygirl swooped into action, squirting streams of green slime that ensnared two Mysterios, binding them in place. Her wings buzzed as she twisted through the air, evading the energy blasts.
But more Mysterios pressed forward, using a variety of tricks. One tossed a flash grenade, blinding Ben for a precious moment. Others converged, swarming him with coordinated strikes. Ben relied on his augmented strength, delivering punches that sent the villains reeling.
A cloud of smoke erupted, obscuring the street. Suddenly, the number of Mysterios seemed to multiply. Ben's head spun as realistic projections of giant spiders, snakes, and rabid dogs appeared. Even with his heightened senses, the smoke and illusions overwhelmed him. The air was thick with the scent of chemicals, and the sounds of machinery were all around, but Ben couldn't discern their source.
He lashed out, hitting a Mysterio with a punch that passed right through, yet the figure still managed to deliver a solid kick to his ribs. He felt the impact despite the armor. Ben struggled to maintain his footing. Illusions, he reminded himself, they're just illusions. But the line between what was real and what wasn't blurred with each passing moment.
[Engine Starting]
Above the din, Ben heard a car engine revving. He squinted through the dissipating fog, spotting a sedan loaded with stolen goods speeding away.
"Flygirl, after that car!" Ben shouted, pointing. "Don't let them get away with the loot."
Flygirl, never one to ignore a direct order, peeled off from the melee, rocketing toward the escaping vehicle. The car gained speed, weaving through the streets. She followed closely behind, her wings slicing the air, matching its every turn. She swooped in, unleashing a barrage of high-pressured slime.
[Screeching Tires]
The vehicle spun out, the rear tires completely covered in her sticky discharge. The car stalled. It came to a stop perpendicular to the lane.
Hovering above, she grinned, "Looks like someone's having a sticky situation."
The driver's side door opened. The same Mysterio that gave the speech emerged. He glared at Flygirl, reaching into the car, and pulled out what looked like a child's toy—a plastic dinosaur—and chucked it toward her.
[Hissing]
The toy landed at her feet, releasing a cloud of green gas. Flygirl coughed. Her vision swam. What is this stuff? The street tilted. Her wings felt heavy. She blinked, trying to clear her head, but the world spun faster. The last thing she saw was Mysterio approaching her, before everything went black.
The next thing that happened was that Mysterio was throwing her to the side.
[Ripping]
Mysterio swiftly ripped the adhesive gunk from the tires, hopped back in, and sped off, leaving Flygirl unconscious on the street.
Ben plowed through the remaining illusionary villains, each dissolving upon impact. Finally, he reached the street where he'd sent Flygirl. His stomach dropped. She lay motionless, sprawled on the asphalt.
"Flygirl!" Ben rushed to her side, kneeling beside her. Her antennae drooped, and her wings were still. No, no, no, he thought, fear spiking his adrenaline. He gently shook her shoulder. "Hey, wake up."
Her eyelids fluttered open. Yellow eyes stared up at him, unfocused. "Ugh… Ben?" she asked, her voice raspy.
He sighed with relief. "Yeah, it's me. What happened? Are you okay?"
Flygirl blinked, trying to get her bearings. "My head feels… fuzzy." She sat up, swaying slightly, then gripped her head. "What...what was in that gas?"
"Some kind of knock-out stuff, I guess. You went down fast."
She rubbed her temples. "Ugh, I feel droopy. The sedan... Did I stop it?"
Ben grimaced. "They peeled out. Sorry, Flygirl. I couldn't get there in time. They got away."
Her shoulders slumped. "I messed up. I am so sorry."
Ben placed a hand on her arm, squeezing gently. "Hey, it's alright. You didn't know what was coming. Those illusions nearly got me, too. We will get them next time, I promise."
He stood, offering her a hand up. "C'mon, let's get you back to the RV. You need to rest. That stuff looked nasty."
…
Back at the circus, a strange calm settled over the midway. Gone was the vibrant energy. The crowd shuffled slowly, faces drawn, apathetic. The laughter and cheers had vanished, replaced by a heavy silence. Zombozo has siphoned the positive energy from the crow.
Zombozo surveyed the scene with satisfaction. His Circus Freaks moved with practiced efficiency, dismantling the tents and packing equipment. Thumbskull hauled heavy crates, Frightwig coiled cables with her prehensile hair, and Acid Breath oversaw the operation, spitting orders.
"Alright, you lot, hustle!" Zombozo called, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "The well's run dry here. Time to pack up and move on to the next town. Don't want to be caught lingering when the mood turns sour."
Thumbskull grunted, hefting another crate onto a wagon. Frightwig shot Zombozo a look of annoyance. Acid Breath, ever the sycophant, scurried closer. "Right away, boss. Wouldn't want to miss out on a fresh crowd of suckers."
Zombozo cast a wary glance at the horizon. There was a lingering unease in the air. Something had disrupted the smooth flow of his plans. That little stunt with the Mysterios… it felt off.
"Move it, move it!" Zombozo snapped. "We need to be gone before anyone starts asking questions."
A beat-up sedan, painted in garish colors, pulled onto the lot. The driver's side door swung open, revealing Mysterio. "Sorry for the delay," he called out. "Ran into a bit of resistance, but nothing I couldn't handle."
Zombozo arched a painted eyebrow. "Did you get it done?"
Mysterio gestured toward the back of the car, where the trunk popped open, revealing a jumbled mess of electronics, jewelry, and cash. Stolen goods, no doubt, pilfered from the shops the Mysterios had raided. "A successful performance, if I do say so myself."
"Excellent," Zombozo purred, a hint of genuine pleasure coloring his tone. "We'll need to be on our way soon. Can't afford to stay here longer than necessary." He paused, a wide, unsettling grin spreading across his face. "And I've even arranged for some company on our trip. A special guest, you might say."
From behind the sedan, Zombozo dragged forward a figure. It was Gwen, but her eyes were glazed over, unfocused, and a near-constant stream of giggles escaped her lips. She swayed unsteadily, clearly not in control of herself.
Zombozo gazed at her with something akin to hunger, as if she were a delectable treat.
A primal sense of danger washed over Zombozo. He acted without thinking, sidestepping just as a flash of silver whizzed through the space where he'd stood.
Laura, face twisted in fury, her adamantium claws extended, stood ready to strike. "What did you do to her?!" she snarled, her voice a low growl.
Laura surveyed the scene. The whole place felt wrong. The air was heavy, draining. Even Max looked more tired than usual, his usual spark dimmed. And Gwen… Gwen's vacant laughter was like a knife to the gut. During the circus, Gwen had offered to be a volunteer, then disappeared after the act. Laura found her, now she was in the hands of these lunatics.
"You…" Laura's voice was venomous. "I'm going to make you pay."
Zombozo chuckled, but there was a nervous edge to it. "Well, well, well. A mutant? How delightful! And so protective. Tell you what, darling, why don't you join us? We could use someone with your… talents."
Laura's claws dripped. "Never."
Zombozo's painted smile widened. "Pity. Thumbskull, Frightwig, Acid Breath! Teach the little girl some manners."
The Circus Freaks, eager to please, surrounded Laura. Thumbskull cracked his knuckles, a dull grin on his face. Frightwig's hair writhed, ready to strike. Acid Breath spat a glob of corrosive liquid onto the ground, a clear warning.
Laura knew she was at a disadvantage. She was exhausted, and the air itself seemed to be working against her. But she wouldn't back down. Not while Gwen was in danger.
The attack was a blur of motion and brute force. Thumbskull charged, his massive fists swinging. Frightwig lashed out with her hair, trying to ensnare Laura's limbs. Acid Breath circled, waiting for an opening to unleash his corrosive spit.
Laura dodged Thumbskull's first blow, narrowly avoiding a crushed skull. She sliced at Frightwig's hair, severing a strand, but the others whipped around, smacking her across the face. Acid Breath took his chance and spewed forth his foul liquid.
[Screech]
It splattered across Laura's arm. [Hiss]
A searing pain shot through her. She screamed, clutching her burning skin.
Zombozo watched with detached amusement. Mysterio leaned against the sedan, arms crossed, a smug expression on his face. They all thought it was over. That the mutant girl was finished.
Zombozo gestured to his crew, and they pile into the sedan and the trailer. "Time to move on. New town, new audience, new fears to harvest." The vehicle roared to life and accelerated, leaving Laura writhing on the ground, Acid Breath's corrosive poison eating away at her flesh. Gwen, her eyes still vacant, was in the passenger seat of the sedan.
They sped away toward the horizon.
***
Leave a comment and review of your thoughts
Give some power stones to support this novel.
Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz