6 months ago
Empire State University
The Night Everything Changed
Otto burst through his dorm room door like a bull in a china shop. Sweat was pouring off him so heavily anyone who'd seen him stumbling through the halls would have assumed he'd come straight from the shower. His brain was a flurry of conflicting thoughts; half of them panicking about what he'd done, about the experiment gone wrong, the other half trying to keep his ego intact, trying to reassure himself that this was all coincidence. That the fever and the horrible sick feeling in his stomach was all unrelated to the gene splicing experiment he had inflicted upon himself not two hours previous - that the mechanical arms hadn't penetrated his mind and infected him with the thoughts of a deep sea cephalopod.
He banged into walls left and right through his cramped room and practically fell over opening the door to his bathroom. Inside he gripped the sink with two hands, steadying himself against the seasick feeling of queasiness that overcame him like a trawler. A shaky, clammy hand raised and wiped his forehead and was left soaking wet. Finally his eyes raised to meet the gaze of his reflection - he was pale, deathly so, almost green in complexion. Otto could feel his ragged breaths getting deeper and more haggard as the seconds ticked on like hours. Catching a glimpse of his horrible sick visage only made him feel worse, the longer he stared the more sick he felt.
Finally he felt a swelling in his gut. A rising, horrible mass that travelled through his intenstines and upwards towards his throat. He fell to his knees - crawling on his hands towards the toilet and with the last of his might throwing up the lid and dunking his head into the bowl. The cold of the pristine white toilet momentarily felt like safe sanctuary, like everything would be ok.
Then the swelling rose into his mouth and spewed out the opening. Viscous bile stained the ivory white bowl and filled the water with liquid heavier than it could handle. Otto weakly pulled the flush and sank the disgusting water down, feeling the cool refreshing feeling of rushing water splashing his cheeks as he continued to puke.
Eventually it all subsided, he managed to gather the strength to push himself up from the water with both hands. He expected to see the vile yellow green of vomit staining the toilet bowl. Instead he saw murky blackness painting all he could see. Confusion overcame him - what could this be? He tried to trace back everything he'd ate that day. Not that it'd matter, nothing short of
Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia might've caused this.
Then it struck him. The experiment from earlier. Maybe his fears had been true.
This wasn't vomit.
It was ink.
Present day
Otto slung the conspicuous backpack over the back of the chair as he sat at the table - late as always. The trifecta waiting for him were his closest friends, those who expected him to not be on time no matter the occasion, and the same who would never judge him for that fault.
They were - in anti-clockwise order - Mary Jane Watson, Harry Obsorn, and his first and best friend, Peter Parker.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late. Got caught up in the lab.""Big surprise there, then!" Despite everything, Peter could still joke. This was something Otto not only admired about him, but envied. The ability to make light even in the worst situations, to try and make others happy when that should be the last thing on your mind.
It had been a few months since Uncle Ben had died, and the event had sent shockwaves through the group as heavy as any earthquake or intergalactic threat. To them, this was their Fire Troll attack on New York. And it was all at the hands of some rogue gunman with a hair trigger.
It was hard not to feel selfish. Ben had been their surrogate father as much as he had been Peter's. Otto had never met a man with so much capacity for love in his heart as he. None of them had proper father figures in their life at all, not in the last Otto or Harry. Both had bonded since becoming close friends about the expectations placed on them by their dad's. They couldn't have been more different parents and more the same. Ben had provided much needed compassion in the lives of these young people who had never been afforded that.
And yet, the three friends had made a pact to not make this about themselves. Despite their pain, despite their sorrow - Peter must have been feeling it tenfold. If the roles were reversed, Peter would no doubt have been leading the therapeautical charge - it was only right for them to do the same for him.
"So, uh, anyway - you guys got drinks yet? I think it's my turn to buy the coffee?" Otto said, pulling out a tatty old wallet and inspecting the inside for any loose change. No doubt this would be another round to stick on the credit card.
Harry let out a laugh. "Keep the moths in your wallet, Otto. I've got this." He smoothed out his suit pants as he stood up and made his way over to the counter of the university cafeteria. He had their orders committed to memory. Such meetings were bi-weekly if not even more common. Otto smiled weakly at the gesture, he knew better than to argue with Harry's limitless credit card.
"What's with the suit?" Otto said to the remaining members of the group.
"Another charity gala, Norm is putting on. Harry says he's gotta jet right after his last class, no time to change." Mary Jane answered, brushing a strand of red hair from her pale, freckled face. Otto smiled to her, his best friends girl. She had all the attributes of a great actress, and yet she chose a degree in script writing instead. Despite their absolute faith in her ability, she'd never let them read any of her writing. Not even Peter. She was committed to only showing her work once it was on screen.
"Typical, the golden boys drinking champagne while we drown our sorrows at
O'Neals" Peter interjected, a weak smile playing on his face.
"Like you'd prefer to be with all those rich bastards anyway. I'll take a night of cheap booze, a few games of catan, and some karaoke over that any day."The three sat in silence for a moment. As if the overbearing weight of the situation had seeped back in. None of them wanted to bring up Ben. Whether it be because of immaturity or fear neither Otto nor Mary Jane wanted to spoil the faux pleasantry by acknowledging their grief.
Finally Harry arrived back, carrying a tray of hot drinks and placing it down in the middle of the table. Everyone took their drinks as Harry regained his chair and lifted a latte to his lips for a sip - only taking in the briefest drink of caffeine before he lowered the bone white mug to the table and raised a finger. "Oh, apologies. Not to interrupt the awkwardness, but-" He slid his phone out of his jacket pocket and unlocked it with a quick swipe of his thumb. "-I almost forgot to mention, dad - in all his wisdom - was asking after the two of you. I mentioned the prosthetic biological arm thingeys or whatever to him and he was really interested. Don't quote me on this, but I'm sure if you buttered him up the right way he'd slide a research grant your way. Oscorp has been really big into that kind of stuff recently."
Peter shot Otto a look. A mixture of confusion, concern, and interest. Otto raised an eyebrow in return and sent a shrug his way.
"That's great, Harry. Although I'm not sure what your dad would be able to do with two shlubby, nerdy, college drunks."The three laughed. "Hey, make that one shlubby, nerdy, college drunk. Peter is just a nerdy college drunk. No offence, Petey but you'd still be dressing like a granddad if you'd never met me. We've really gotta find someone to change your wardrobe, Otto!" Mary Jane spoke up.
The rest of the meet went by like nothing was hanging over them. The three laughed, joked about teachers, and showed each other dumb videos on their phones like everything was normal. To tell the truth, Peter was happy they hadn't mentioned Ben. It was nice to pretend things were normal for a while. They wouldn't drink tonight, Peter wasn't ready for feeling the kind of emotion alcohol brings on. Instead, Harry would swan at his gala, the lovebirds would retreat to Aunt May's house for dinner, and Otto would make a decision that would forever change the course of his life forever.
Otto stood on the top of the grimy, Bronx roof like the superhero he was pretending to be. He felt the fabric of the advanced polymer mask in his hands. He stared down at it like narcissus staring back at his reflection. He'd spent a long time on that roof, watching day turn to night and staring at the cruel shadow-self that the mask represented. He wondered what this all meant - why he was doing this. The death of Uncle Ben had spurred him to action, that was for sure. But how much more of it was for himself. He'd spent his whole life feeling powerless. Now he had power and he'd kept it a secret - a secret broken when he was forced into action.
Finally he slipped the mask on over his face. The inconspicuous backpack morphed and shifted until finally four long, metal tentacles sprouted from his back. Their claws clicked and their length twisted and turned as they observed the surrounding area. They were as much alive as he was.
He'd tested his own abilities somewhat since that horrid night with the fever, but never like this. This was his first true test, not only of his powers, but of his willpower. It was time to bid farewell to Otto Octavius, mild mannered, fearful, shy, college student - and it was time to say hello. Hello to the Octopus.
He eyed up the gap in front of him. A space that no normal human could leap in a single bound. A fall that any human would die from crashing down into. A challenge fit for someone who wanted to stand alongside the Mighty Thor, the brave Warbird, the reliable...err Green Guy?
He stepped backwards a few paces, readied his knees, and ran. He ran forward as fast and hard as he could, and at the last moment he pushed off of the concrete and upwards into the air. He slipped.
His foot caught the edge of the building, and instead of soaring across the gap instead he undershot it entirely. Time moved almost in slow motion as he stretched out his palms towards the fire escape of the building opposite. Reaching out as far he could and then trying to reach out further in desperation. He saw the metal rise above him, rising out of reach from beyond his fingertips as he plummted towards the earth.
Who gave him permission? Who gave Otto Octavius permission to rise above his station? To be anything more than his father expected him to be?
The tentacles shot out into the walls. Four struts of saving grace embedding themselves into the brick and mortar and suspending the young scientist high above the ground. They acted independendent of him. He rationalised they were saving themselves. In fact, they wre saving him.
High above the alley he gazed down at the floor below, panting and breathing. He could feel sweat and tears run down his cheeks as shock overcame him. Instinctively, in an act of self preservation, his skin and in tandem his suit camoflagued into the surroundings around him. Everything changing to match the night sky, the metal of the fire escape, and the red brick of the walls around him.
The camoflague had activated just in time. The loud thud of the tentacles had alerted the mugger below to his presence, but his invisibility had dissuaded any suspicion. The masked man turned back to the meek businessman in front, holding up his briefcase like a knights shield in front of his girlfriend as if it could do anything to stop the sharp blade of his attacker.
"Your wallet. Now. I'm sick of waiting. You best cough up the dough before I carve you up real nice."
"P-please, sir. I need that money!"
"Yeah right, you probably got more in the account than I've seen in my life. Oh, speaking of, I'll be taking your card too. And don't even think about cancelling it before I squeeze the thing dry."
This was his chance. Time to be a real hero. Time to show fate what he was made of.
Otto took a deep breath, analysing the situation at a speed unmatched by any living man. Finally the tentacles dropped him gently to the floor and his camoflague faded away.
"Time to drop the knife buddy. I got four friends here and none of them like bullies." The arms raised around him as if on command and snapped and shuddered in the direction of the robber.
The masked man looked back in shock at the creature before him. Turning the knife from the man with the briefcase and to the Octopus, and then back to the briefcase once more. In a quick burst of energy he made a decision, slapping the man to the ground with a backhand and grabbing his girlfriend by the ponytail soon after, pointing the knife to her throat with practiced urgency.
"Yeah right, superdweeb! You think I ain't seen the news? I ain't never seen you though, what do they call you? The four armed freak? You take another step forward and I slice her throat. I ain't going back to jail!"
Things hadn't gone as planned that was for sure. Even with his arms it was too close. Too volatile. One twitch of the man's wrist and the blade would open the girl's throat before Otto could cross the distance.
His mind began racing. A million things coursing through all at once. Angles. Distance. Reaction time. Muscle tension in the robber's forearm. The tremor in his voice. The way the knife was held too tight, desperate. A man on the edge.
His brain split the situation apart into pieces the way a mathematician dismantles an equation. The four tentacles hovering behind him seemed to respond to that thought process instinctively, curling and adjusting as if reading the silent commands forming in his mind.
Four limbs. Four vectors. Two seconds to act. Maybe less. Otto raised his hands slowly, playing possum for a moment.
"Alright." he said calmly.
"Alright, easy. No sudden moves."The mugger sneered. "That's right, rookie. You listen real good. Time for you to go home and hang up the spandex."
Otto tilted his head slightly, watching the man the way a predator studies prey.
"Can I ask you something?"The man frowned. "What?! I should be the one asking questions!"
"Do you know anything about octopuses?"The mugger blinked. "What the fuck are you talking about?!"
"Well..." Otto continued conversationally,
"They're fascinating animals, see. Extremely intelligent. Problem solvers. Escape artists."The mugger's grip tightened on the girl's hair and she let out a yelp. "Shut up!"
"But the really interesting thing." Otto went on, ignoring him.
"Is their nervous system."The robber hesitated. Otto saw it, the moment of uncertainty. That second of confusion he could use to his advantage.
"One third of their neurons are in their brain." Otto explained. Otto explained.
"The rest?" A tentacle twitched slightly behind him.
"Distributed through their limbs." The mugger frowned. Otto smiled beneath the mask.
"Meaning each arm can think for itself."The first tentacle struck. It shot forward faster than the robber could react, slamming into the man's wrist. The knife flew from his hand, clattering across the pavement. Before he could even scream, the second arm wrapped around his torso and lifted him off the ground. The third seized the back of his jacket. The fourth plucked the blade neatly out of the air before it hit the concrete.
The whole thing took less than half a second.
The girl collapsed to her knees in shock as the mugger dangled helplessly six feet off the ground, screaming and kicking while the mechanical limbs held him like an insect caught in a spider's web.
Otto stared at him.
"See?" he said calmly, spreading his arms out before folding them across his chest. The tentacle holding the knife crushed it like aluminum foil and dropped the twisted metal to the pavement.
"I told you. Four friends."The businessman rushed to his girlfriend, pulling her close while she sobbed against his chest.
Otto lowered the robber slowly until his feet touched the ground, though the tentacles still held him tightly. The man glared at him with wide, terrified eyes. "What the hell are you?" he whispered.
Otto paused. He'd considered many questions in his lifetime, but this was never one of them. Just what exactly was he? A scientist? A mistake like his father would have him believe? A hero? A villain?
The question echoed strangely in his mind.
"Someone who really hates bullies."The mugger swallowed. Sirens began wailing somewhere down the street. Someone must have called the police during the commotion. Otto glanced toward the sound and the tentacles released the man abruptly, shoving him face-first onto the pavement.
Otto turned toward the couple. They stared at him like he was something out of a comic book - although he wasn't sure if they thought he was the hero or the monster.
The man opened his mouth and then shut it again, looking at his girlfriend. Quickly he ran over to Otto and began thrashing him with the briefcase. Otto raised his hands in defence, backing up step by step as the man swung his leather baggage at Otto's head.
Ah, so they thought he was the monster, then. Despite his objections they never listened, insteadd shouting obscenities about him being a creature of the night. Quickly, his tentacles threw him into the air and carried him along the night sky, clambering from building to building until they were a few blocks away. Why, oh, why couldn't he have chosen a more friendly animal to splice with? Maybe a dog or a cat?
His camouflage flickered again instinctively as adrenaline surged through him, his suit darkening to blend with the night sky. Wind rushed against his mask as he reached the top and Otto collapsed onto the gravel rooftop, breathing heavily as his heart hammered against his chest.
He stared up at the night sky, the stars twinkling down at him in approval like watchful guardians. A laugh escaped him before he could stop it. He'd done it. For the first time since Uncle Ben died, this city had taken something from someone weaker and tonight, someone had stopped it.
Maybe Peter was right. Maybe the world didn't change with giant battles or gods falling from the sky. Maybe it changed one alley at a time.
Otto slowly sat up, pressing his back against the cold half wall of the roof. One of the tentacles tapped the ground beside him, almost impatiently. He looked at it.
"Alright, alright." he muttered.
The arm flexed slightly, metal joints clicking in approval as he stood up. Far below, the lights of New York stretched endlessly into the distance. Otto pulled the mask down tighter across his face.
"Well then." He said.
"Let's try that again." The tentacles lifted him off his feet effortlessly. They took a few steps back, and then began a run forward.
And for the first time in his life Otto Octavius leapt.
And he made it to the other side.
Captain Uni
Azure Bubbles
xVampire3go
D3AD ST4R
tadcfnaf
PalmerEldritch
Cyrania
Sep
Zeus23
Eddie Brock
but is there a timeline or a catch up anywhere/anyone can provide? I'd be really grateful!