Random Art
[Permission acquired.]
[Level 4 Resonance Link created.]
[New abilities added to Administrator's Archive (3)]
A rush of knowledge flooded Dante's mind. The genetic of an Omega-level mutant overwrote his own temporarily, giving him the wonderful power of Biokinesis.
Felicia blinked, surprised as he reached for her hands. A golden glow bloomed across his skin and jumped to hers where they touched. At that instant, he became acutely aware of every fiber, vessel, and molecule in her body through Biokinesis.
Dante rewrote her biology at a cellular level, correcting inefficiencies that had accumulated over a lifetime. Her muscle fibers were densified and optimized for explosive power and endurance. Her cardiovascular system was recalibrated, making her heart valves stronger, oxygen uptake maximized, and blood flow optimized to fuel her brain and limbs under stress.
He reinforced her skeleton without adding bulk that would slow her down. Connective tissues were made more elastic and resilient. Even her metabolic rate was adjusted to burn fat more efficiently while preserving lean mass.
Just like Silvija, Felicia had also reached the absolute peak of what a human body could achieve without crossing into the superhuman.
But beyond the physical, Dante had activated dormant genetic sequences to unlock potential buried in her ancestry.
Felicia jolted from the foreign sensations in her body. At first her brow furrowed in confusion, and then her eyes widened. She put her hands on her waist and instinctively arched her back.
"I feel so much lighter," she said with a sensual moan. "And stronger. Wait—"
Her eyes widened further. She dropped into a runner's stance, her legs seemingly coiled like a spring.
Then she exploded forward.
One moment she was beside him, the next, she had crossed the entire room in a single burst of acceleration like a predator. The momentum was great, but it came with strain on her body and consumed stamina.
'Pounce should be a good name.'
She spun to face him, and her eyes suddenly gleamed, which he identified as the activation of another genetic gift—thermal vision.
"Amazing…"
She raised her hands, staring at them. As she flexed her fingers into a claw-like shape, her nails extended into sharp claws.
Her breath became quicker as she realized the potential of her powers. She was exhilarated. "Darling, you changed me. I won't be powerless without my suit."
Heat vision, superior night vision, faster neural processing, faster reaction time, claws, and a quick-acceleration speed technique—her genetics were loaded. It was a stark contrast to Silvija, whose genetics were all related to combat like faster regeneration and enhanced defenses or related to leadership and commanding the battlefield. Silvija would see her true potential when commanding the battle against the Hand.
He cut off the Resonance Link with a thought. "Did you like my gift?"
He hadn't exactly asked for Felicia's consent, but he didn't need to either. Silvija and Felicia—both women had trained their body for years. They both were aware of how far their ceilings were. Would someone like them be mad at him for raising that ceiling or feel gratitude? The answer was quite simple.
The claws retracted back into her fingertips, and she smirked. "Why would I hate being strong?"
"This isn't the only use of this power," he said in a gentle voice. "I can also cure any disease. Any."
It took a moment for Felicia to register what that meant, and when she did, her eyes burned with something fierce. She closed the distance with a quick burst of speed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her lips pressed to his with more confidence. Still gentle and amateur, yet more intimate and longer than last. Even now, it was innocent with neither side involving their tongues.
She finally pulled back and sighed. "This is life-changing for me and Mom. We don't have to fucking be miserable. Darling, how do I even thank you?"
The unguarded joy on her face made every awkward, lonely year of experiencing Elixir—Joshua Foley's life worth it.
He managed a smile of his own. "Just trying my best to keep all of you happy."
She laughed, and this time it wasn't hollow or shrouded in glum. Her father didn't have to die after being rescued from the symbiote—her biggest fear had completely disappeared with his promise.
"You're doing an exceptional job. Just look at how happy I am."
"I know. Still, be honest with me from now on. That's all I want from you."
"I'll try." She stepped back and stretched some more before letting out a satisfied sigh. "Okay, Darling. You can leave now."
Dante blinked, taken aback. "What?"
"Darling, we're close, but not 'watch me strip' close."
His gaze went to the black suit as he grasped her meaning. "Damn. I was hoping for a show as my reward."
Her lips curved into a wicked smile. "Another day. When we aren't about to rob a psychotic billionaire."
He let out a disappointed sigh. "Got it."
"Actually..." She tilted her head, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Maybe I can give you something."
"Something like?"
She turned her back to him. Her fingers hooked into the waistband of her shorts, and she bent forward, slowly, as she slid the fabric down her thighs. The movement was purely designed to give him a perfect view of red lace panties covering her huge ass.
She held the provocative pose for a beat too long, every detail calculated to drive any man crazy, before glancing over her shoulder.
"A small reward for my Darling. One day, I'll let you see it naked, touch it, grab it..." She paused, biting her lower lip. "Use your imagination for the rest."
He caught himself from staring too long. The moments with Silvija had vented every bit of lust from his system, yet Felicia somehow managed to send blood rushing to his lower body.
"It's all meaningless if you keep hiding in your turtle shell."
"Go easy on me, Darling. Despite what my manners and mouth may suggest, I'm a pure girl in both body and soul." She chuckled. "Give me some time to catch up, yeah?"
"Oh, I absolutely will." He smirked before turning around. "Felicia Hardy is worth all the headache. Her gremlin energy is just so damn lovable."
That made her pause, and he knew for sure, she was blushing red behind him. For someone as manipulative and sharp as Felicia, the best way to disarm their defenses was just being… sincere and honest. Value them beyond what she could steal and how she looked. Make the girl under the mask feel special.
"Out." Her soft voice was a clean indicator to her flustered reaction.
He laughed and stepped outside before closing the door behind him. With nothing else to do but wait, he leaned against the hallway wall, checking his phone while simulating the plan in his mind as well as contingencies if things went sideways.
'I should be prepared to fight all the symbiotes there.'
Thankfully, he had Elixir and Death's Resonance Links to overcome almost any situation.
The door opened, and Felicia emerged. The Black Cat suit clung to every line of her body from collarbone to ankle. White fur trimmed the collar, gloves, and boots, adding the feline signature. A simple domino mask framed her green eyes. She had secured her hair in a tight ponytail to keep it out of her face during acrobatics.
She struck a pose with her right hand on her hip, twisting to accentuate the dangerous lines of her body. "Darling, what's the verdict?"
"Ten," he said with an earnest nod. "Easy ten."
Her confident expression faltered. She had been expecting him to dodge her, not give such an honest answer.
"You're also a ten." She gave a soft smile and slung the duffel bag over her shoulder before she extended one hand like royalty offering a favor. "Shall we storm the castle, my dear knight?"
He took her hand and kissed her knuckles like a chivalrous knight. "Of course, my lady."
She laughed and hooked her arm through his. They walked down the hallway together like they were heading to a gala instead of a high-stakes heist, where they would be facing powerful symbiotes hosts. Hundreds of them.
Inside the elevator, Dante pulled out his phone, thumb hovering over Gwen's contact. "You got an encrypted phone on you?"
The SHIELD was almost certainly tracking his calls and reading his messages. He had to upgrade his communications so SHIELD stopped getting free access to his private life.
"My pad might still be traceable by the government," Felicia said, not probing about who or what might be eavesdropping on his conversation. "Who do we need to call?"
"Ghost Spider—Gwen."
Felicia grinned smugly at the reveal. "Ask your girlfriend—Silvija, not Death. She should have secure comms."
"She does."
"What do you want from Gwen? Using her as cannon fodder?"
"Nope. She is my backup plan."
He needed Ghost Spider in case the Hand brought out some superpower being. Silvija had Piotr, who alone might not be enough. Colossus wasn't great against super-fast opponents. Having Ghost Spider would bring a great sense of relief since she would be able to help him reduce casualties.
"Backup plan, right," she said, amused. "Only Darling can order Ghost Spider around like an errand girl."
He kept his expression carefully neutral. No need to mention that Felicia now had the same leverage over Gwen that he did. Poor Gwen already had it hard with just one neutral good-alignment blackmailer. A chaotic good-alignment Felicia might just force Gwen to hang up her web swingers and call an early retirement.
The elevator doors opened to the reception lobby.
Anna peered over from her monitors with a professional smile—until she noticed Felicia walking intimately with him. The smile faltered for a moment before snapping back into place.
"Sir Vice-Captain!"
Dante shot her a tired, flat stare. "Call me that again, and I'll get you off the desk and assign you as Silvija's personal maid."
"Sorry!" Anna squeaked and quickly rummaged through her desk. She put mute-colored boots on the counter. "Anything else?"
"Can I get access to secure comms? I need to talk to someone."
Anna reached into her drawer and took out a small phone. "My spare one. You can keep it."
"Thanks, my guardian angel."
"Angel's got more goodies," she said with a grin and tossed him a keyring. "Piotr left it for you."
Dante felt the familiar key—the key to Piotr's Suzuki V-Strom 1000. He had grown quite fond of the ride, more so than Silvija's tank-like SUVs.
'I'll treat the big guy later.'
Felicia let go of his arm, casting curious glances at Anna. He caught the look and gave her a subtle shake of his head. He was quite sure he would only be friends with the young receptionist. Nothing more.
Felicia nodded with a subtle smile. "Three is enough."
"Four—five max."
He was a bit overwhelmed juggling three relationships. That was only because of his inexperience. Any more than five, and he would suffer more than enjoying the company of beautiful women.
She rolled her eyes. "As long as you don't neglect me."
Felicia valuing the depth of their connection over the relationship structure meant Dante had gotten his genuine care across. His approach worked.
Dante put on his shoes and stepped toward the doors, calling Gwen through Anna's phone as he walked.
"What do you want?" Gwen's grumpy voice came from the phone. She had probably just fallen asleep after a long day, only to be disturbed by him. "It's eleven frickin' PM."
"A crazy battle is about to start on Oscorp Island. Over hundred armed men."
"What?!" she sounded shocked. "Who is it now?"
"The Hand, an ancient cult with a massive following. They also want the Symbiotes."
"What? Why are symbiotes on Oscorp Island?"
"Well… Norman Osborn is the one who started it. He is controlling all symbiotes."
He didn't hide or sugarcoat anything, letting her know the cruel deeds of her friend's father. Was it the right move to reveal it over the phone? No, but he had no other choice at the moment. Besides, Gwen was stronger than that. It wasn't as if she was close to Norman. Even his own son was like a stranger to Norman, why would he show care to Gwen?
"I got it." Gwen recovered her composure after a few seconds. "Do you mind if I confirm it with my own eyes later?"
"I'll show you tomorrow. I promise."
Another Astral Projection ride would solve all of Gwen's trust issues.
Gwen hummed in her throat. "I'll be there."
He didn't end the call there and told her about his goal of stealing the core symbiote, also telling her to find a way to keep the battle going while maintaining minimal casualties on Silvija's side.
Gwen groaned. He could hear her rubbing her face, dreading being in the middle of another mess.
"I'll do what I can."
"That's all I ask. Be safe."
She grunted, "You too, Dante."
Dante ended the call and dialed another, but didn't press the button.
'I'll call her there.'
Felicia glanced at him as the elevator doors slid closed. "You should've been gentler about it. Gwen looked up to Norman. Hell, she's been interning at Oscorp for months."
He pressed the button to the underground parking lot. "Spider-Totems can handle worse, trust me. Like a lot worse."
Spider-Man had not only endured Norman's vile nature as Green Goblin, but he had also witnessed Norman dying in an accident during their battle. Things got exponentially worse for the friendly neighborhood from there.
"Spider-Totem has a cult-like feeling to it," she whispered. "How is Gwen one?"
"It's a title for people with spider powers across the multiverse. Their powers come with suffering."
Felicia studied him for a long moment, wheels turning behind those sharp green eyes. "Have you been to other universes? What are they like, and did Emma kill me in half of them?"
The Cat will never stop being curious, especially the supernatural and mystical aspects of the universe.
"No, I haven't," he said, stepping out of the elevator. Piotr's Suzuki wasn't on this floor, so he took the stairs to the next floor. "Your fate is quite different there. This is the only timeline we're together."
"Wait. What?" Her eyes widened. "How could this passionate polygamous relationship be exclusive to this universe?"
"In almost every other reality, you end up with a Spider-Totem."
"A masked vigilante like Ghost Spider? I can see why the alternate me would go for him."
Dante smirked. "He always breaks up with you for MJ. They get married, and you stay single."
The recent comics had torn Peter and MJ's relationship to shreds with the introduction of Paul Rabin. Just more suffering for Peter.
Felicia's expression twisted into something between disgust and disbelief. "Every other version of me just... accepts the loss?"
"Kind of. It's an on and off relationship between you two."
"Yuck." She made a noise of pure disdain and hooked her arm through his, hugging it between her soft breasts. "Those other Felicias are idiots. They don't know what they're missing out on."
He laughed. "Bold words from someone who loves a guy with two girlfriends."
"At least you actually see me. You cared when nobody else did—that matters more than some fairy-tale monogamy fantasy." She tilted her head. "Speaking of which—who'd win in a fight? You or that spider hero who hates me?"
"Me. No contest."
With Death Resonance Link, he could kill almost all versions of Spider-Man. Could he pull that off in a real fight? Hardly so since Spider-Man would survive one way or another. But on paper, Dante was favored to win every fight.
"Expected. How could Death's chosen be bested by a masked vigilante?" She shook her head at the very thought of Dante losing to someone while using Death's powers. "I don't see our beauty on this floor either. Where the hell is it parked?"
***
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