The Greedy Frog
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Marvel: Chapter 99
🕑 Added 2023-03-24 08:54:58 +0000 UTCChapter 99: A Stroll
[Months Later]
[[Marcellus Hanley]]
I flew over the city while making sure that no one saw me. I activated my invisibility that thanks to the Sentry serum now had no cooldown.
As I flew, I thought of everything that I did.
Got a few new members for Order, some notable while the rest were not. Had my engagement revealed in public— which caused a massive commotion.
Watched my mother receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Worked on building a city on Krakoa, went to Mecca for clues and found none.
Talked with Betsy about modelling while subtly telling her stories about mutants.
Meanwhile, Joel is also working hard on S.H.I.E.L.D with Howard and Peggy.
And finally, I had made Sebastian my right hand for the Hellfire and Betty my left.
While the ninja boys keep a watch over everyone.
Soon, I will be providing them with longevity.
As for fulfilling my promise with Essex…
Once, I find a person capable of being Infinity's successor— I can revive Essex's wife and child.
After flying for over two hours, I got down. The sun was touching the water when I descended and in a few minutes, the city would be lit with lights.
Disguising myself as a completely random person, I started walking down the streets.
With my technology and city planning, this place was already far above the rest. The city was developing at a rate that seemed astronomical and I was ecstatic to see such a transformation right in front of my eyes.
I walked towards my company. It was difficult to miss considering it was the biggest building within the area. And next to my Hanley Group's tower, Howard's Stark Enterprise was apparent as it was barely a few hundred meters away from mine.
Today, I was out for fresh air.
No plans, no worries, no fights— just fresh air.
Surprisingly, when I reached my company I found a certain man standing in front of it.
"Mr. Essex." I called out to the man who was in his human disguise.
He seemed confused at a random man calling out his name, but he was Essex. It took him a second to figure out who I was.
"Didn't expect you to appear… in this getup." He smiled.
"I wanted to take a stroll but as you know… I would have drawn too much attention." I shrugged. "So, yeah… had to do it."
He nodded in understanding.
"So, what were you up to?"
He looked around us after I asked him the question.
"Walk with me." He said.
.
.
.
"So, what's the matter?" I asked as the two of us walked towards the central park.
"Apocalypse."
I nearly stumbled as he took the name of one of the strongest mutants in existence.
"I managed to find the time of his awakening." He said, surprising me.
"When?"
He smiled. "Exactly sixty years from now."
That was perfect!
"I expected us to have less time. That's not too bad."
He nodded.
"Indeed." He sighed. "Hopefully that will be enough. You are now capable of defeating him in a one on one battle. But he has an army… a humongous one. Once he awakens, they will come rushing to support him."
It was true that I was now stronger than Apocalypse and it was also true that the real issue was his army.
But Essex didn't know the entire truth about the one called En Sabah Nur… Apocalypse.
"I have ways to deal with him." I smiled. "Whenever he comes."
He examined me. "Just don't get too cocky." He warned. "Apocalypse is smarter than you think."
"I know."
Essex didn't know that Apocalypse was not an enemy. The real enemy was his wife and her daemon army.
Apocalypse wanted to protect the mutant kind… in a very twisted manner.
We do not need to turn him into an enemy. We need to make him join us.
"If you say so."
As we kept walking, we didn't realise that we had reached the seashore. The sun was down and the lights illuminated the city.
"Essex." I called as he looked at me. "Don't worry. I remember our promise. In about two decades— I will fulfil my promise to you."
I was going to keep my word as I know how lonely it is to live without the person you care about.
"Thank you."
It was rare for him to express gratitude.
"I heard you are getting married."
"I am." I smiled. "In about two years."
"That's good. But are you sure?" He asked.
"More than I ever was."
He sighed. "You know what I am talking about."
True. I did… But I don't want to think about it.
"She is a human."
"Yeah, a kind human. Someone that I love."
He frowned. "And have you decided to grant her immortality?"
I didn't reply and stared at the starry sky.
"You know that she will not live forever. And one day, you will have to reveal the truth to her."
I sat at the seashore— without letting my eyes off the sky.
"And what if you have a child? Would she be able to survive childbirth? Would the child be normal?"
He kept asking me while I silently stared at the sky.
"Have you thought of the consequences that will follow if she finds out that the man she has been in love with… was a lying mutant?"
"Nathaniel." I smiled at him. "That's enough."
His frown deepened as he fell silent.
"There are some things that are meant to stay as a secret. If it is ever revealed, it might cause chaos bigger than one can handle. And I don't want that."
He listened to me without saying a word.
"But that doesn't mean I am going to lie to her." I said. "She will be told the truth… the required truth."
I looked at him. "As for immortality. The choice is hers. I will gladly accept her decision. If she wants to live forever… I will grant it and if she doesn't— I will respect her decision."
"And I am strong enough to make sure that she survives giving birth. And if my child is born with power, I will train the kid. If not." I chuckled. "That's better."
I want my children to live peacefully. Quite hypocritical… but I am a hypocrite.
"What if they are born with powers that you cannot control?"
"A valid question." I said. "If it's uncontrollable— I will strip the kid of that power."
I had only one restriction on power and that was reality manipulation. If my child's born with that power— I will nullify it immediately.
Even time manipulation is fine by me.
As the champion of Infinity, I will be informed if someone tries to harm me or mess with my plans with the help of time or space manipulation.
"Don't worry. My marriage will not affect my plans."
I lifted my hand and opened a small portal— taking a letter out of it.
"Here." I smiled. "It's an invitation to the wedding. Hope you will be there."
He signed. "You are too carefree, Marcellus… You are too carefree."
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