The Greedy Frog
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Marvel: Chapter 16
🕑 Added 2023-03-24 06:41:50 +0000 UTCChapter 16: We Have Grown Up
[December 24, 1946]
Logan was ecstatic! His little Bub was alive! His son was alive!
The son that he thought died months ago was still alive. He still remembers the day when he found the lifeless body of his wife. Itsu was murdered… his wife was murdered. But by whom? He didn't know.
But that was before being kidnapped by the Jester. The Jester tortured him for months… carving out his flesh, bones, and even his brain matter… All in the name of science.
He swore that if he crossed path with the Jester ever again… He will gut him! But…
He also helped him. Yeah, it sounds crazy that the madman who tortured him in the name of science 'helped' him. But it was true… He did help him.
"That bastard knew about me even more than I did…" James snarled remembering the masked face of the clown. "I need to find this location."
He mumbled looking at the tiny piece of paper in his hand.
…
…
[Hellfire Club]
Within the meeting room of the club, Jacob was sighing, sitting on the throne of the Rook.
Within the past few months, he was made the White Rook. But he didn't have time to be happy about the position as Marcellus rejected the meeting.
He was frustrated. Marcellus was one of the fastest-growing businessmen of the present era and he had rejected the meeting. The worst part was that Howard Stark also rejected the offer. Both Howard and Marcellus were business tycoons and being rejected by both of them was the worst possible thing.
Edward was not happy with this development. He wanted Marcellus to be part of the inner circle and join as the new White Bishop. But if he didn't even bother to accept the invitation for the meeting… How was he supposed to make him take the position?
"What's on your mind, father?" Turning back Jacob found his son, Sebastian walking towards him.
"Ah, Sebastian. *Sigh* It's about the White Bishop position. Ned and I decided that the position will go to Marcellus Hanley but… he didn't even bother to accept our request for the meeting."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, he knew about Marcellus Hanley. Marcellus was currently one of the biggest business tycoons and since he himself was the CEO of a multi-millionaire company, he naturally knew about the other rich and influential people.
"If you want… I can arrange that meeting." Jacob's eyes widened when his son said that. "How?"
Sebastian shrugged. "Our Shaw Industries struck a deal with him and so we are having a meeting about it tomorrow." He smiled. "If you want… I can arrange the meeting."
Jacob wasn't sure how to feel. "Yes, do it!" He couldn't let this chance slip off at any cost.
"Very well, I will inform him." Sebastian said.
…
…
[[Marcellus Hanley]]
*Sigh* I should meet them. It's time to involve myself with the Hellfire club.
The only reason I didn't join them was because I wasn't strong enough… both politically and physically.
When they invited me, my backing was not as strong as now. And I would be a fool to walk into a place where they will sell their own sons and daughters for power. A club full of backstabbers was not something I wanted to be part of back then.
But now… things are different.
My powers have evolved. I started with invisibility and mind-reading and currently, I have a bootleg version of eidetic memory and mental barrier which prevents others from reading my mind.
I have no idea as to how powerful those barriers are. Sinister had a limited telepathic ability as he didn't focus on working with it much. So I wasn't worried about his mind-reading… but I wouldn't dare to go against someone like Xavier without being sure of the extent of my powers.
Speaking of Xavier… I need to remember the name of Legion's mother. I cannot let Legion to be born in this timeline.
Also despite having the ability to evolve my powers… I am still not satisfied. It took me six years to obtain mental barriers and a pathetic excuse of an eidetic memory. But oh well… at least, it's better than nothing.
"Don't you have a meeting to attend." Joel, who was sitting next to me said.
"I do. But there is still quite some time." I sighed… I am overworking and that is taking a toll on my body.
"Marcel?" Joel asked looking out of the window.
"Yea?" He looked a bit worried today… wonder what is up with him?
"Tell me one thing… six years ago, when you told me to open a bank account." He turned towards me with a sad smile. "Where did you find that money, my friend."
I remained silent. I never explained to him about the money, he never asked me either. "What made you ask, after six long years." I asked with a smile.
"*Sigh* I already know how you got the money… You are my friend so I won't talk about it anymore."
I remember the day of the heist. *Sigh* I had to follow one of the employees when he was trying to take out money from the vaults.
Then being stuck inside the vaults for an hour before he came to take some more money from there.
The backpack that I had... turned invisible when worn around my body so stuffing it with money was no issue.
I remained silent.
"Life is a very fragile thing and you only get to live it once… so just enjoy it. Stealing, robbing… I don't care. Enjoying life is all that matters." He laughed leaning on the glass panel.
"What are you getting at?" Joel has never been the philosophical type. So him talking about life is weird.
He chuckled looking at me. "Don't look so worried. I am fine, I have been reading too many drama books lately… Maybe it's rubbing off on me."
"Heh. Since when did you pick up reading as a hobby?" I raised an eyebrow yet I had a smile on my face.
"We all grow up. You did a bit earlier than me." He chuckled once again. "I did a bit later… But in the end, we both grew up."
True. We both did.
"We started off as kids with dreams… too high to achieve. Well, you did. Mine was just to escape from the holds of my parents." His smile faltered. "And I regret asking for that."
A silence grew between us. The death of his parents changed Joel. The fat happy go lucky guy changed. He was no more the happy guy I knew… He changed completely. He was now serious and thin… unrealistically so.
"Are you alright, Joel? You look a bit… thin?" He visibly flinched.
"Yea? What are you talking about?" He raised an eyebrow which made me more confused.
I don't like invading the privacy of my mother and Joel. These two are the only ones I don't use my mind-reading ability on.
But it looks like… I have to use it now.
Sorry about this, pal.
Looking towards him, I turned on my mental switch. And when I did… I felt my blood run cold.
.
.
.
.
I cannot read his mind?!?!
