The Greedy Frog
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Marvel: Chapter 70
🕑 Added 2023-03-24 08:15:20 +0000 UTCChapter 70: Meeting
[[Bouncing Betty]]
We have grown significantly in the past couple of months— the new people within the campus were proof of that.
The Order now has branches over multiple countries and weirdly enough, Marcellus… or Jester as he calls himself— doesn't want many people to know about the link between Hellfire and the Order.
Hellfire is still considered a lavish hub for the rich and powerful but not everyone knows that it is the central meeting location for the core members of the Order.
But despite all that— the hellfire circle and the Order circle are quite different. At first, it was decided that it would be the same but after revamping his plans, Jester decided to use the Hellfire to build a connection with the powerful beings while posing as a club for the rich. Whereas the Order has expanded like a web hiring and bringing in multiple talented people— human and non-humans alike who maintain control over the rest of the powerful people.
Most of the underworld is under the Order and within a few years… the entire underworld will be under it.
It's terrifying to think that a guy who is two years younger than me has become one of the most powerful men in the world.
"So… why have we been called here?" Sable asked as the rest of the members looked at Jester.
Except for Selene, every core member of the Hellfire club and the core members of the Order were within the room. Jester sat at the very front with the ninjas from the former association standing behind him. No one knows what he did, but the ninjas follow him like loyal dogs.
Then again… he did say that they are the most trusted members of the Order.
"Patience, Silver Sable… Patience." Jester answered.
The ones that know his true identity are the ones that are within this room. To the rest of the members, Marcellus Hanley and Jester are two different beings.
"Listen to the bossman, snow-white." Deadpool added which seemed to irk Sable, but before she could say anything— Sebastian interjected.
"Don't cause any ruckus, Deadpool." He said. "And considering everyone has been called here, other than Selene who is busy with her… familial matters… this meeting is important, Sable."
Deadpool shrugged while the rest of the members agreed with Sebastian.
"But I would like to know the reason as well, Jester." Sebastian said to Marcellus. "The last time we all gathered here was when you changed the Hellfire's rules."
Hellfire's rules for the inner circle have been changed to match the rules of the Order. And only a few selected ones that have been with Marcellus since the beginning know that some of the rules are merely a test.
"Very well then." Marcellus said. "Most of you here have special abilities… or superpowers."
He said looking at some of the mutants and mutates.
"While the rest of you have been either born with a super-human like physique or have trained your body to reach that level."
True. Almost everyone in here could take on an entire armed force without breaking a sweat.
"But none of you can call yourself the strongest in your fields." He looked at Deadpool. "Maybe other than Deadpool."
"You betcha a*s I am." Deadpool said and looked at Sable. "You see snow-white. Even bossman thinks that I am the best."
Sable rolled her eyes at his comment.
"But there are still countless people that can take you all down." Jester continued. "Some of them— while not as strong as you… can still defeat you. And most of them have either the power to control you all with their abilities or they are smart enough to get you all killed using your weaknesses."
That's true. While all of us are strong— we are not immortal. Maybe except Deadpool… He survived even after having his head chopped by Bloodstone.
"What's your point?" Moonknight asked.
"My point is… I can help you all to grow stronger."
Silence.
The room went quiet as he revealed the reason for calling us to the meeting.
Seeing that most of us didn't outright believe him— he smiled.
"Boys."
He said and the ninjas walked forward.
"Show these respectable members what I mean."
As he said that, one of the ninjas slammed the metallic table— causing it to break in the middle while the legs of the table got shoved inside the floor.
It was not a feat that a human could accomplish and everyone's surprised faces was the proof of it.
"Clean it up." Marcellus said and the second ninja nodded.
He lifted his fist and a purplish metallic claw emerged from his knuckles. And within the blink of an eye, he shoved the claw into the table.
"What the—" Ulysses Bloodstone gasped and so did I.
The table that was sunken inside the floor vapourised. It turned into vapour and vanished.
"H-How?" Sable had her eyes wide open, like the rest of us.
"That was fuckin' cool!" Deadpool exclaimed. "How did you do that?"
He looked at the claws like a child looked at sweets.
Jester smiled and nodded before looking at Sebastian.
"This is what I meant, Sebastian." He said. "You… like most of the others have superpowers and fighting skills that could take down trained elites." He paused and chuckled. "But what you just saw is super-strength… a superhuman ability. And let me tell you that it is merely one of the abilities that I can provide you all with."
He looked at Ulysses. "Mr. Bloodstone, you have strength that could crush a bear… but your speed is your weakness." He snapped his fingers and the third ninja appeared behind Ulysses. "I can help you with that."
"How did you do that?" Sable asked, unable to maintain her calm.
Marcellus was grinning behind the mask, I could sense it.
"I believe you have all heard of Captain America… And almost all of you know how he obtained his superhuman like abilities." He said, making Sable's eyes go wide.
"Well…" I asked. "It's the Super Soldier Serum?"
If it was… then it was one of the most precious serums in the world.
"It is a modified version of the Super Soldier Serum, yes." He answered. "The abilities provided by the serum are twice as good as the ones that Captain America had."
Marcellus Hanley, the businessman... had known Captain America. They both appeared in newspapers in the past alongside the president. So it goes without saying that Marcellus knows a lot about his abilities.
"But what about the claws?" Sebastian asked. "It's not something that Captain America had. If anything, it's something that I have seen Wolverine using."
The claws did look similar to Wolverine but…
"Even Wolverine doesn't have the ability to vaporise metal." I added.
"Mr. Scary face has sharp claws but not the one like him." Domino said.
"True." Marcellus said. "That's because it's not his ability. It's a totally different thing."
"What is it?" Ulysses asked.
"How many of you have heard of… Vibranium."
Another moment of silence.
Vibranium. The rarest and the most expensive metal on earth was something whose location was not known to anybody.
"You mean…" Sable mumbled.
"It's another variant of Vibranium called the Anti-Metal." Marcellus said.
"Anti-Metal?" Even Deadpool was curious.
"As the name suggests… it has the ability to oppose or erase any metallic element." He looked at the ninja with the claws. "Vibranium is known for its ability to absorb shockwaves and hits. Anti-metal is known for the opposite. It creates vibrations that can break the bonds of any metal— breaking it apart and turning it into atomic particles. It even works on non-metals if you know how to use it properly."
He clapped his hands and the ninjas went back to stand behind him.
"The purest form of Anti-Metal can erase metals just by being near them and it can be poisonous to humans. But the ones that these guys possess are purified of the toxins and diluted to prevent melting everything just by its presence." He leaned back. "So… how many of you would like to have an upgrade?"
Everyone raised their hands… everyone.
…
…
[Marcellus Hanley]]
It was a good reaction. I expect a few to reject taking the serum or the anti-metal. But they all agreed after explaining that none of those are harmful to them.
Lennon was able to mimic the super soldier serum and even improved it a little. While the Sentry Serum was his main focus, he did manage to create a few other serums. And I am grateful for that.
Additionally, I have enough anti-metal to create an army of superhumans with an anti-metal skeleton.
While the Order has grown, a lot of the members are still weak. And If I want to rise to the top— I need people to stand by me. A king never rules on his own, he needs soldiers. And to be the king of this world, I need my super soldiers.
Not that I am giving it to everyone. Only the inner circle will have these special powers, the rest will receive them once I am confident that they will never betray me. And till I am confident enough to get rid of them even if they do betray.
"So, how did you like the movie?" Asked one of the women that I respected and cared for.
We both sat in a cafe, enjoying our beverages.
"I did. And I am glad that you could take a break from your work to watch it with me, Margaret." I said, making Peggy smile.
Peggy and I have gotten closer… I don't know if it's love. But I do care for her. She is strong, independent, beautiful and caring.
And most importantly— she is trustworthy.
But even so… I cannot reveal anything to her, just like I cannot reveal anything to my mother.
"It was difficult to make time, but I am glad that I did." She smiled. "Anyway… You are the one to talk Mister."
She squinted her eyes. "You spend every waking hour working on your projects, making business deals, dealing with the military and politicians while also taking care of your mother." She sighed. "But I respect you for that."
I chuckled. "Well, those are some of the things that I must do."
She shook her head. "I know. But you deserve some rest, Marcel." She said with a soft smile. "You have done a lot for the people. Don't ruin your health or everyone will be sad."
Don't worry about it, Peggy… My health is something that won't deteriorate any time soon.
She sighed. "Time flies by before you know it." Her smile turned sad. "It doesn't even feel like a year but more than a few years have passed since we met." She looked at me. "And I am glad that I met you."
I felt embarrassed and guilty for using her for so long. But it was something that I had to do. Peggy is a great woman and there are very few women like her that have been able to earn my respect.
"We are both turning thirty in a few months, but you look the same as you did when you were twenty-four." She said with a teasing smirk. "Any secret skincare routine that you would like to share?"
This made me chuckle. "Nope. It's not something I can share." I looked straight into her eyes. "Besides your skincare is better, you look even better than you did when we first met."
She blushed but regained her composure quite fast.
"It won't last long but… what's your plan for the future, mister." She smirked. "Any plans on getting married?"
"*COUGH* *COUGH*"
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