Chapter 23: Pay What You Owe

The Fastest Man Alive
Chapter 23
Pay What You Owe

July 15, 2010, Thursday

I have been held up in my lab since, after the big event on the 4th, Natasha had brought me the ultimate birthday gift. Hell, I stayed in my lab even through my birthday, these were the PYM particles, and they was going to get all the love I could give them.

I had gone over Hank PYM’s records, and Darran Cross’s notes on the particles, but when I decided to study the damn things, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. It took me a solid twelve days with my mind overclocked to be able to break the secrets behind the formula. My mental overclock was equivalent to over four thousand three hundred and eighty days trapped in my lab and mind to crack this formula. I was on the brink of madness, but I had finally succeeded. I had succeeded where so many have failed before, and my suffering was well worth it. I couldn’t help but laugh maniacally in my heart of hearts.

MUAHAHAHAHA! 

I now had the power to change any items I wished on the atomic scale, mass, strength, and even organic and inorganic density of objects. With my accelerated mental activity, I used the twelve days to live each day as a year totaling over four thousand three hundred and eighty days, it was pure hell, I had to suck down liquid nutrients because food took too long to digest. But I was able to pull it off. Six short months after I got my hands on the speed force, I was able to get my hands on money, one of the ultimate metals Adamantium, and now one of the most radical chemical cheat formulas around! 

The particle was suspended in a stabilizing solution so that when it made contact with an object, it created a warping field of a quantum probability that was dialed in for the needed effect. The regulator belt that was in the Ant-Man suit was perfectly made for the size specifications needed.

I had to recreate my personal sizing coils from scratch, and they completely flubbed the first time; which scared me as I was stuck down as a one inch person. With that initial and significant screw up out of the way, I went back to work mad. Mad because four thousand plus days working on this thing was equal to two hundred and sixty-two thousand hours and I was only halfway there. Since I couldn’t solve the quantum exposure to use it on a person, I took a few hours to update a few of my weapons. It was perfect for inanimate objects, not people yet.

Then I heard a buzz at my door which brought my frustration to the forefront. But, when I looked to see who it was I was a confused.

Gwen was at my lab door with two others. That was strange as she was generally in her labs, so why was she here now? Not only that, but Gwen was smiling at the lady with striking features. Then there was a person standing behind her in huge and bulky clothing. That was also strange since it was summer and there was no need for such things. Putting away these bullshit particles, I made my way to the door to find out why Gwen was showing them around my inner sanctum. I also had to find where that back up secretary Nat had promised me was.

When I got outside, Gwen made the introductions, and I almost lost it. Mystique had come back with her daughter for our assistance. I must not have heard that right because Mystique only had one very famous child, and then one adopted one. Though from the facial features, they were sporting the same jawline, the same nose, and a few mannerisms which made me think that this was her actual biological daughter.

Although, I was quickly starting to think the girl was Rogue because of the name Anna, the baggy clothes and that one white streak in her hair.  

What also had me confused was the lady that Gwen kept saying was Miss. Darkholme, or better known as Mystique, looked remarkably like Charlize Theron, and I was wondering why she was in disguise in the building.

“Okay, before anything, why are you still in disguise?” I asked Mystique as I looked from her to her daughter that she brought along.

“I thought you couldn’t be seen with a known terrorist?” Mystique asked with a smile as she looked Gwen up and down for a moment. Gwen smiled back at her but said nothing. Gwen then reached out for Anna, but she yelped and took a step back.

“You can’t touch me, everyone, who touches me dies.” Stated Anna with evident sadness in her voice. I could only rub my forehead at this whole thing.

“What does she mean Ben? How is that even possible?” Gwen asked with a gleam in her eyes. I knew that look, and it would not do anyone favors to allow Gwen to go all mad doctor on her.

“Alright people into my labs, mind the mess,” I told everyone as I opened my door wider and stepped out of the way for them to walk inside. With everyone inside my lab, I brought up a holo-screen to locate my lost lamb of a secretary. Natasha was off somewhere across the globe with Barton, and that could only mean FURY asked for her aid in something. The backup for Natasha was downstairs talking to security about some picketing going on out front.

“Alfred, how long has that protest been going on?” I asked out to the air, letting the frustration show how I felt about that mess. Now I was getting angry because someone should’ve told me about that or at least buzzed me.

“What did you expect? You have outed all Metahuman kind over the 4th, and this is people’s reaction to something different from themselves.” Mystique stated with some heat to her words.

“To bad for them we live in a civilized society, and there are laws in the way to prevent stupidity,” I replied to Mystique as I brought up the number to Jerry Hogarth, my lawyer.

“Yes, Mr. Blake, Hogarth speaking, How may I help you today?” Jerry asked. I smiled at that because I had one of the best sharks in Marvel and had them on retainer for millions. Now I was about to spend even more to ruin stupid people’s lives happily, and I didn’t even care.

“Alright, Jerry we have some morons out front of my building, and I want them removed ASAP. I am pretty sure I own the whole block except the streets when I purchased these buildings.” When I said that Alfred brought up the contracts, I nodded as I was sure that the sidewalks were included within the deeds and leases. 

“Jerry, they are on private property, and I want them all arrested and placed in jail. New York has an Anti-Intimidation Act on the law books, and I would like you to use that to bring down the full weight and hammer on these fools. Ohh, let’s have them prosecuted for a maximum of ten million as stated by the courts, then have them classified as a hate group. Thanks for your hard work, Jerry.” I said, and with that, I hung up and turned around to Mystique. 

“That’s how you get rid of such annoying flies. Alfred, I know you have traced all the faces, let’s have their asset all accidentally frozen or scrambled, Thanks bud.” With that, I was back to my work table that Gwen was sitting on.

Gwen raised her eyebrow at me, but I just shrugged at her, “You’re going to ruin all those lives just like that? Why, Benjamin?” Gwen asked with concern in her voice.

“That’s the price of being intolerant Gwen,” I said as I began to look for the tools I might need to fix this Rogue situation. As I was making myself busy, they watched the video feed of the security team detaining everyone.

Gwen was frowning at what was happening outside, but I wasn’t, while that was going down I began to cut video footage of them yelling and cursing. That was going to be some good ammunition to be used against them later.

There was no way I was going to let these hate groups survive in my reality. If they thought I was going to allow them free reign; then they have a rude awakening coming. When they try anything else in their lives, they will find out precisely how savage my retaliation was.

“So Anna, would you like to tell me more about your powers?” I asked as I brushed aside the holo-screen I was working on for a new blank screen to take notes on.

“Any mutant I touch, I gain their powers while they get knocked out, and any normal person I touch dies,” Anna stated sadly.

“What were you doing when that happened?” I asked as I wrote more notes down with Gwen adding in her observations.

“What does that matter?” Anna asked, letting slip her southern accent. That caused Mystique to smile at the flustered girl.

“She was kissing some boy, he was in a coma for a while, but he recovered.” Mystique started with a smile while looking at Anna.

“Tongue?” I prompted

“Excuse me?” 

“Well, I have to know because if it is tongue, then that’s a whole different slew of tests I would have to run to solve this little dilemma,” I spoke up looking at them both but at the more embarrassed Anna. 

“Yes,” Anna answered in a whisper.

“Sorry I couldn’t hear that?” I asked back trying not to smile.

“Yes, it was tongue!” Anna yelled out as she huffed at me.

“Ohh, that’s kinky” I chuckled out as I took down notes. Gwen smacked me on the shoulder as she hopped off the table.

“Alright, Anna just hop up and sit right here,” said Gwen as she patted the location she just got up from. We all watched as Anna got onto the table but kept her bulky jacket on. Mystique just laughed at that.

“Anna, you’re going to have to take off that jacket if they are going to be able to help.” Said Mystique as she sauntered over in that slow sensual walk of hers. It was a task to keep my eyes up top and not to look at that perfect peach. 

Although I was trying not to look, Gwen definitely appreciated the view as Mystique leaned over as she helped Anna remove all the bulky clothing.

I already had a few thoughts and ideas about her power and a way to solve the problem, but it still helped to ask a few questions to make sure everything is as I remembered it.

“Gwen, you have your mad doctor set on you, right?” I asked Gwen as I started to bring up scanners and recordings.

“Don’t call my Togo kit a mad doctor set!” Gwen pouted at me as she took out her small medical kit from her lab robes.

I could only shrug at that as I held my hands out for her, but Gwen only raised a brow at me. “Draw some blood we need to do this test if I want to shut down an avenue of testing,” I told Gwen, but it seems my actions sparked curiosity in Mystique.

“Why is she drawing your blood if you’re supposed to be helping Anna,” Asked Mystique as she raised an eyebrow at me.

“This will answer a few things for us. It will allow us to know if Anna conducts her power through fluids or skin to skin contact. My blood is also extremely packed with my powers, unlike normal Meta’s.” I stated as I motioned for Gwen to place a droplet on Anna’s exposed skin.

We all watched with bated breath as nothing happened. I marked out a few notes and wrote down some others. I was positive now that Anna’s power of absorption was tied into her epidermis, but I would need more information.

“Anna, when you absorb a person, what do you feel and or experience?” I asked as I was eliminating different plans and devices that might work.

“It’s like this rush I can’t help but get sucked into. Then I have all their memories and skills. Not everyone recovers from the experience.” Anna started with a frown, but I had already figured it out.

“Memories you say, then that would have to deal with the brain, which means your doing a reverse bio-electric absorption. That’s why you’re gaining memories.” I spoke up, but then Gwen cut in to finish what I was getting at.

“Ohh that’s neat, her powers are tied into the epidermis layer of skin following the nerve pathways to the brain. There is nothing on the human body as unique as the skin. It is considered one of the largest and most important organs of the integumentary system, after all.” Gwen stated as she nodded her head with my hypothesis.

“Okay that’s nice to know but how do we fix this?” Asked Mystique with some hope in her voice. That made me frown because there is nothing wrong with her; Anna doesn’t have any power control is all.

“We can’t fix her because there is nothing wrong with her; we can just show her control. It would be up to her from there, and I would recommend a counseling session with Ororo. She is our therapist.” I replied to Mystique.

“What do you mean you can help her gain control?” Asked Mystique stepping in closer to me. The first thought in my mind was lavender, but now wasn’t the time for such things. With a huff, I cleared myself of such a lovely smell. Turning around, I went to my workbench where I had the leftover parts I made Hank’s watch with. Since Anna was a girl, she wouldn’t need something as massive as what Hank received.

With the quantum inhibitor I combined it with a bio-aura control node, I  added in a drop of Anna’s blood the device hummed to life. I brought over the quantum control node for Anna to put on. 

Anna and Mystique held their breath as she placed the medical wristband onto her hand. With another hum, the device flashed a cerulean blue for a few seconds then quieted back down on Anna’s wrist.

“Did it work?” Asked Mystique in a whisper.

“I don’t feel any different.” Stated Anna while looking at her wrist.

“Well, how about we find out,” I said, and with that, I grabbed Anna’s hands with my own. When I reached for her hands though, Mystique and Anna both flinched from my actions. Although, Mystique had called out for me not to.

When nothing happened, and I didn’t fall over from what should have been a supermassive power drain. Both Anna and Mystique burst into joy. I swiftly moved to the side as Mystique came into the space to hug her daughter. Gwen and I took a step back to give the pair a moment as they both shook with emotion.

“So how does that little wrist machine help her?” Asked Gwen as she leaned onto my chest, watching the mother-daughter pair.

“Anna’s skin is like an open conductor, so when she touches a person, she instantly absorbs their bio-electricity. What that little machine does is produce a magnetic field along her skin. This disturbance prevents her from absorbing anything. Although, I believe she already has a large reserve of power,” I replied as I watched the pair having their moment.

Soon though Mystique and Anna came over to give us their thanks and hugs were shared all around. Although when it was my turn with Mystique, she whispered that she owed me one. Mystique said it in such a sultry voice; there was nothing to stop my imagination from running wild. 

I took a step back and did a fake cough into my hand. I took a glance over to where Gwen was, but she was too focused on Anna.

I could only sigh, “Alright, let’s head to my office so we can get you both sorted out. Gwen you coming with?” I asked as I made my way towards the exit to my lab.

“No, I’m going to bring Anna down to the medical facilities and have Dr. Kenny give her a check-up and then run a few tests,” Gwen replied as she started to direct Anna out the door. I sighed again, man I was doing too much of that today already.

I was surprised with a telekinetic kiss from Jean, “I see you have attracted another redhead. Is there something you want to share about that color and your preference?” Asked Jean as she sent elicit images to my mind.

LUKE CAGE – POWERMAN

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Luke woke up at the sound of his alarm going off. The alarm should have been going off for a while now, from the light overhead. Luke tried to stretch his arm out to turn off the alarm, but he found it restrained by something warm and soft.

When he looked, Luke found Jessica laying across his body on top of the arm that could reach the alarm clock. “Whaaa….” Came Jessica’s voice as the alarm kept going off. Then at what would have been the eighth beep, Jessica’s hand smashed down, crushing the alarm clock.

Luke could only shake his head, yeah his life was strange alright. He went from being a falsely convicted victim to being recruited by a seventeen-year-old billionaire that didn’t act the part of some spoiled rich kid. Although, out of all the strange happenings in his life, Luke was grateful that he was able to meet Jessica.

Jessica Jones was indeed one of a kind Luke thought. Before he could do anything, Jessica rolled onto her side to face him. “So I was served some mighty fine coffee last night what’s for breakfast?” Jessica huskily asked.

“I was thinking about some eggs and toast before I open the bar,” Luke replied smoothly, then he pulled Jessica into his embrace.

“Oohh, you scrambled my eggs already.” Replied Jessica as she straddled Luke’s midsection.

Luke could only laugh at that, yeah last night was wild alright. They ended up breaking another bed, and the headboard, and maybe the wall behind that also. Luke couldn’t tell what they broke after Jessica had wrapped her powerful legs around his waist.

The only thing Luke was sure of was that It was going to be hard to explain why he needs another bed and a repair team to fix his apartment. Maybe it was time to take that advice Ben gave him and strength proof everything.

“So what number bed is this?” Asked Jesica as she sensually rolled her hips back and forth.

“I believe this is number six or number five. I haven’t been keeping much track.” Replied Luke as he pulled Jessica closer.

“Hmm, we have been putting them to a good strength test haven’t we.” Whispered Jessica as she continued to roll her hips.

“You still didn’t answer what you wanted for breakfast,” Luke stated, his voice also a husky tembre.