The Greedy Frog
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Marvel: Chapter 146
🕑 Added 2023-04-16 15:43:38 +0000 UTCChapter 146: Another Promise that was Fulfilled.
"Wendell Vaughn."
At his name being taken, he looked up and found me smiling at him.
He did not react immediately as the rush he felt from the fight needed a while to cool down. But as he realized who I was –He immediately corrected his posture and gave me a strong salute.
"Wendell Vaughn, Special Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D second affiliates greets the Superior."
Smiling at him, I phased through the glass and floated towards him. He seemed astonished at my ability.
Most were, when they first met me.
"That was quite a great display." I said, making him seemingly happy.
"I just did what I have been taught, sir."
He was a bit embarrassed to be openly praised by me. Praising soldiers so openly was not something that many superiors did, mostly not to make them prideful or too comfortable.
However, that rule did not apply to me.
"It's good to be humble." I said. "But do not always be humble or people tend to take advantage."
He nodded, agreeing to my statement. "I will keep that in mind, sir."
"However, there was a very special reason I came here today."
This got him curious. "Oh, may I help you with it, sir?"
Nodding at him, I sighed. "It is indeed something that you have to help me with, Vaughn."
The guy was confused but he nodded nonetheless.
"I will try my best to help." He said. "You just have to tell me how and when, sir."
"Well…" I extended my hand. "You can help me now. And as for where… Well…"
I did not explain and rather, snapped my fingers.
…
…
[[Wendell Vaughn]]
I knew who the person that appeared before me was.
He was Markus Hanely, the youngest son of the Hanley Corporation.
There was no one that did not know of the Markus Hanley name.
Grandson to mother of all orphans, Sylvie Hanley.
Brother to the strongest commander, Magnus Hanley.
And above all else, son to Saviour of all, Marcellus Hanley.
Or that is who I would have known him as… If not for the recent incident.
While Marcellus Hanley was a hero… A savior that protected people without wielding a single weapon –Markus was the opposite.
He protected people by wielding weapons and standing in the frontlines of battles.
And his act of bravery when facing the Jester was something that no one could deny.
So, when Markus asked me for help, I could not deny.
Yet I did not expect to be warped by space and enveloped by darkness.
"This might be a little too much to handle."
I heard him say.
"It was confusing even for me at the start."
Slowly the darkness lessened and I could see myself surrounded by stars.
As the light appeared, I saw Markus floating in the void… But so was I.
At first, I thought I would fall but then I realized that I was being kept afloat by some unknown force.
"So, this is what you had planned for our first meeting, Markus."
The unknown voice shocked me for a bit, as I could not see anyone around us.
"But it is not something that I dislike."
The voice echoed.
"W-Who?" I asked, trying to look around me with a bit of worry.
However, Markus assured me. "It's alright. She is friendly."
"Worry not, child." The voice echoed. "For I am not here to hurt you. Instead, I have come bearing gifts."
I was unsure about how to process such information and thankfully Markus was there to help.
"With the emergence of beings possessing superpowers, you must have realized that the understanding we have of this world is much much smaller than we originally imagined." Hanley said. "Truth be told, we know absolutely nothing about it."
His words did hold a lot of truth.
"And such a lack of knowledge is not knowing that beings that are neither humans nor mutants… Yet are infinitely powerful roam and oversee the universe."
This was surprising, as we were told that humans have finally figured out the existence of all the special beings.
"And such a being took a liking to you, Vaughn."
This made my eyes dilate even without realizing.
"W-Who?"
He smiled. "Infinity… The one staring at you."
Surprisingly I saw no one. There was no one around us.
But then a realization took over me.
I looked around myself, and felt a chill run down my spine.
A hollow mass of infinite space, with nothing… Only stars that were visible yet were at a distance that was immeasurable.
"We stand right before her eye."
…
…
In all honesty, I did not expect Infinity to appear before Vaughn in such a way. I expected an interaction similar to mine.
However, here she was… staring at us both in her incomprehensible form. Just her eye alone was big enough to cover a solar system.
And worst of all, the eye was hollow with nothing but tiny sparks that looked like stars.
"You must be confused about my identity." She said, making Wendell nod slightly, still unable to process the situation.
Anyone would be the same in his position.
"I am known by many names… However, there is one name that defines my existence perfectly."
"Infinity…" He mumbled, repeating the name I told him.
Is that the reason she appeared in such a form… To appear… Well, infinite?
"Correct." She sounded pleased. "I am Infinity, a being that defines space itself."
Wendell gulped thickly, before asking. "W-Why was I summoned here?"
This time, I decided to answer.
"Years ago, I came to know about the existence of lady Infinity. And at that time, I was given a life changing ability by her." I explained. "However, I was also given a task… A task which resulted you in being here."
"I am an Abstract being." Infinity explained. "As such beings, we are unable to directly interfere with your worlds. If we do interfere, catastrophes occur. Our powers are so great that just our presence alone is enough to destroy worlds. Whenever we take action, it is always on the universal scale and never on planetary scale."
That was a believable reason. After all, Abstract beings never lowered or even compressed their powers.
At least, I don't remember any such occurrence.
"If we want to interfere with the worlds and their inhabitants, we have to do it through Avatars… Who are beings that possess our essence." Infinity explained. "Other abstract beings possess avatars, yet I do not. Thus I tasked Markus Hanley to find me a suitable human to bear my powers and abilities. To allow me to be able to interfere with the worlds to help their inhabitants."
Help is a strong word… I am certain that it is not the reason and the actual one is something much more selfish.
I almost chuckled.
In the past, I could not even dare to think about these things. As Infinity would have read my mind. But with my current powers, all she can hear are broken words.
"Will… It cause me any harm?" Wendell asked a valid question.
"It will not." The abstract being answered. "Instead it will provide you with powers and abilities that will help you protect and help the weak."
Wendell thought about it and looked at me.
"Is this how you got your powers, Sir Hanley?" He asked.
I already knew what was going on in his head. It did not require me to use my mind reading ability –I could read him as an open book even without it.
"Partially." I answered, seeing him getting seemingly lost in his thoughts.
Wendell Vaughn is a person with a great sense of justice and as such… When he figured that I was able to stop Jester and help the people with the help of Infinity –which is not true– He knows that he can also help others if he accepts Infinity's proposal.
"Will I be able to protect the weak and the unfortunate?" He asked as both me and Infinity replied at the same time.
"You will."
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "This is too much to comprehend. But I know that anything and everything is possible in this world." He looked at me. "Hence, I accept. If I can help the weak, I do not mind being an Avatar for an abstract being."
"A wise choice." Infinity answered as an orb of energy formed near us.
Wendell was having difficulty standing near it as he was only a human till this point
"Take it." She suggested.
Wendell was a but nervous but he nodded nonetheless.
He slowly moved his hands towards it and the moment his hand touched the orbs, it covered his hands.
"Ahhh!"
He screamed as pain ran through his body.
"It's alright." I said. "Your body and this power are trying to combine."
Thankfully for him, the pain did not last for him as the energy turned into golden bands around his hand, making a smile appear on my face.
Quantum Bands…
I recalled.
"That band will allow you to tap into my powers." Infinity explained. "You won't be able to use all the powers instantly. But with time and effort, you will be able to showcase power that has never been seen before."
I was witnessing the birth of a new hero.
"From this point onwards… You will be known as –"
Quasar.
"Quasar!"
And with that, I had kept my promise.
And it was time for me to get rewarded for it.
A reward from an abstract being.
