Marvel : the Author

Hi everyone ! I'm on vacation and yet, I can't seem to find motivation to write this fic… sorry for those of you who are still following it since I can't tell that the quality dropped sharply. I'll take time during the week to write up an outline and try to breathe life back into this story. I can't let it go on on life support like it has for much longer. If I really don't have good ideas, I guess I'll just pull the plug.

In other news, my crossover InFamous/the boys fic reached the 10th chapter on Patréon. Expect to read the 1st chapter on this platform sometime this week (Friday for Europeans, if I don't slack off and forget about it). Also, please come visit my Patréon page to read ahead and discover some of my other work if you like what you read and want to support me.

Now, onto the minute culture. I'm reading this HP x PJO fanfic on FanFiction. Net (rather, I use the app but hey !). It's called Harry Potter, Squatter by Enterprise1701-d. In it, Harry a demigod finding himself on Olympus after he was abandoned in New York. It's mostly slice of life, with Harry learning from various teachers and living his life and the occasional adventures here and there.Long chapters, pretty well written with a decent number of chapters as well. I recommend it !

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After a thorough and extremely lengthy conversation and planning session, the three of us have finally agreed on a plan of attack. And still… I can't help but wonder why it is that I am the one sent right through the front door. I mean… My parents have both the experience and ability to act as bait, don't they ? And shouldn't they want to try and protect me ? I'm their only child, aren't I ?

Outwardly, nobody can tell that I'm currently ranting to no one in particular inside my mind, nor can they tell that I'm actually terrified. I guess it's a good thing I can't perspire : that'd give me away.

It's a really good thing 'cause it means the trio currently in front of me can do just about anything, and they won't know they're terrifying me. I wonder why… They're normal humans without particular powers. But they're Fisk's enforcers and to me, Fisk is Evil Incarnate… Kind of. So, the fact that he 'trusts' them to do jobs for him is a worrying thought.

Except the big African-American guy, the other two aren't even that impressive. A middle-aged cow-boy whose only impressive feature was his mustache, and a small thirty-something guy in a suit. Ox, Montana and Fancy Dan, I think their names are. As villains go, they're small fries. However, they also are career criminals, meaning they probably have a decent body count to each of their names. And working for Fisk means they are, more often than not, protected from prosecution. Probably think they're untouchable and thus, won't mind adding me as just yet another corpse.

As these thoughts float through my mind, I remind myself that in addition to the protective artifact from my parents, I have another shield of my own. Even a gun won't be able to scratch me. Unless there are too many or a high caliber weapon…

As they tower over me threateningly, probably acting like the good gangsters they are, I still my resolve. I can't show fear, here !

« I-I'm here to get my friends ! » Shit ! I stuttered ! « You probably know them, right ? You know… The guy in red and blue pajamas, the girl with the fluffy tail and the walking disaster ? »

Inwardly, I take a guts pose that the second sentence came out clear. But what was this description ? Two people described humorously and the last terrifyingly… Am I trying to intimidate them or get their guards down ? Oh, well… Sometimes words just come out and they simply don't make sense. Guess I should use my head more.

« Ah~ ?! » Ox exclaims. At least, I think the big african-american is called Ox. Doesn't seem too smart. Though his intimidation factor is pretty high for regular people I presume.

Fancy Dan starts talking and talking, while Montana also adds his own two threats. I mostly tune them out since my mind is working on the spell to take them down. Don't want to be a bully so let's use the try and true method.

« Sleep ! » I mutter and almost as if their strings are cut, their eyes roll back in their head and they slump to the ground. Sidestepping their bodies, I head for the elevator.

« Now… if I were an evil crime whale, where would I stash my captured heroes ? » I ponder aloud as I step into the elevator, my hand hovering over the buttons uncertainly.

The cliché route would be : they're kept in the basement, along with dozens of other useless thugs preoccupied with playing cards, sexting or smoking a cigarette. In this scenario however, I have no doubt they'd already be out and about.

However, from what I recall from Fisk in the early issues of Ultimate Spider-Man, he was an arrogant man. He thought himself so untouchable, that while he had a cutting edge surveillance system in place and running, he murdered a man in his office. Spider-Man retrieved the tapes and used them to expose his true nature to the press and New York. Would this particular Fisk suffer from the same flaw ?

A more important question : Do I really have the guts to throw myself right into his waiting maws ?

Unfortunately for me, my fingers seemingly decides the answer to this question is yes by pressing the penthouse key. As the elevator music starts playing, I can't help but think that the Imperial March from Star Wars would be better in this case. Though, obviously, a man who wants to project an image of being upright and good can't very much use it.

Again, why am I even here ? Where are my parents ? Have they already located and rescued Peter, Doreen and Cory ? If they did, why the hell am I still going through with this ?

Relax, me ! I think to myself. If they had rescued them, they would have informed me.

Unfortunately, it doesn't reassure me, nor does it relax me. I was really hoping I wouldn't even have to go with Step 2 of this crazy, crappy plan. Why ? Because step 2 is facing an army of goons and stalling while the second team secures the princesses. At least, that's how mom presented it. Never mind the fact that one of those 'princesses' is actually male…

With a 'ding' sound, the elevator notifies me I've reached my destination.

« Oh, joy… » I deadpan.

I reinforce my protection a little bit before I start working on an obscuring spell. First, I thought I should go invisible but if they just discharged their weapons once the doors open, I'd still be gruyere cheese. On the other hand, people panic when suddenly robbed of their eyesight. I add the component to make it an area of effect spell and just as the door are about to open, I cast it.

Now, let's just hope for the best…