Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnels
Continued From: Matt Murdocks office - Meeting with a not so old friend
Instead of dropping to the ground, as Spidey's body made it's way into the sewer, his arm bent and shot another line towards the sewers ceiling. He was already prepared to swing by the time the metal clanked back into place, his body swinging smoothly and safely instead of the harsh landing he would have suffered. Though being of his stamina, there wouldn't have been anything serious, he would have hit the floor with either landing in a handstand and then flipping to his feet, or managing to ajust his body and land in a couching position.
But this way slowed his momentum and was far more simple, his hand let go of the webline and his body stuck to the sticky ceiling. There was the sound of water nearby in one of the tunnels, the stench getting to him, his stomach already was a little weak and the smell wasn't appitising at all. He felt bad now since he remembered Wolverine's reactions to the sewer, he hoped DD didn't mind the smell too badly.
The racing of his heart and the rush of excitement was highly intoxicating, he did miss it, he could never lie to himself, but the promise of a normal life was still alluring enough for him. He may lose some things, he may miss being a hero sometimes, but he's done that, he's been here and done this and now he wants a go at something more, he wants to know what it's like to wake up and worry about nothing but what trouble his kids will be getting into.
Right now he was a kid himself, he can't be a father like this, nor could he be MJ's husband, how would she feel making love to someone the same age as their kids? On top of all this Peter didn't realize not only has his body's age changed, but he is doing to be repeating every change his body had gone through while growing. He lucky that he wasn't a younger teenager since at this time his body starts to balance out little. But he'd go through everything most people are glade just to experience once, after all, raging hormones of a teenager can lead to mood swings amongst other things and Peter's already dealing with enough issues.
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
"There.That's our way in. Meet you down there "
And then he was gone. Matt bit back a laugh as he watched Peter swing his way over to the next building his movements fluid and graceful *Ok if it’s a race you want, count me in.*
It was good to see that his friend enjoying his powers even if it was only for a moment. Matt had no illusions as to the very real heartache that might lie ahead but for the one brief instant Peter was simply revelling in the joy of being Spiderman.
Matt knew how it felt. Adrenaline coursed through this own veins as he hurled himself from the building his senses caressing its outlines leading him unerringly to the small out shootings that allowed him to break the deadly momentum of his fall. The billy club reaching, out, finding an anchor, his body pivoting round in a perfect arc, beautiful and controlled to continue its downward motion towards the waiting manhole.
Anyone watching would surely have held their breath, sure that the leather clad being would slip, the club fail to reach its target. There was no line to hold him to the side of the building, no superhuman strength to haul him back from the brink Just one man pitting his trained body against the force of gravity and by sheer skill and determination vanquishing it.
As he fell he noted instinctively Peters progress, grinning as he realised that the race would be a close run thing. Still it seemed that Spiderman was slightly in the lead. *What the hell Ill win the next one*, Matt thought as he felt Peter flick the manhole cover towards him diving through the dark opening just as Matt hurtled down towards it.
*Damn it Peter!*
Matt understood too late what his friend's intention was. He realised that he had no hope of entering the tunnel himself before the lid snapped back into place but he was travelling to fast to stop.
Curling his shoulder under him to absorb the impact as he hit the now closed metal covering he rolled towards the pavement springing lightly back to his feet as he continued the movement.
He shook his head in disbelief, feeling the bruising already starting to spread. *Hey kid! Did no one ever teach you manners! Your supposed to hold the door open!*
He crouched in the shadows as a car passed then advanced discreetly towards the entrance and lifted the cover, his shoulder protesting at the effort.
The smell hit him immediately *God I really hate sewers. Twice in the space of twenty four hours.* He eased himself down into the tunnel concentrating on dampening his sense of smell in order to be able to function in the nauseating atmosphere.
"I’m sending you the bill for the dry cleaning " he called out softly, a faint hint of irritation in his voice.
*Easy,* he told himself *Peter just got carried away. So did I for that matter. Forgot to take into account that his reaction times is faster than it used to be. It takes some getting used to. Well it’s a mistake I wont make again.*
"So these are your famous Morlock tunnels. Nice! Lets not stop to take in the sights Ok!"
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
The comment on dry cleaning bills only made Peter remember how messed up everything was again, what would happen to his identity? Would he - if this youth was irriversable - be forced to fake his own death? Pretend to be his own 'newly discovered child', Peter Parker Jr, living a lie and yet at the same time freeing MJ and the family from his wreched curse once and for all. Would he... would MJ know it was a fake death or would he decide to keep his life a secret even from her?
Trying to relax enough so that he could crawl over the surface of the ceiling, it didn't work since he was so stressed and tense again, when he did relax it was too much and his body lost its grip and he dropped down, hitting the floor back first.
"This isn't exactly my favorite vacation spot either, you don't even need to be here, you can get to the X-men any other way you want." Sitting up as he spoke with a grouchiness he didn't usually possess, Peter got to his feet and frustratedly brushed off his costume. Peter wasn't usually the kind of guy who would snap at others like that unless he was really going through some hard times. Still all things considering it was a little odd even now for him to be so sensitive to a remark that wasn't even with hostile intentions.
Right at that precise moment Peter's eyes felt so heavy he was positive if he just let them close and relaxed he'd fall asleep, instead he blinked a few times and the sensation passed. Walking ahead, he turned left at the nearby junction and focused himself on looking carefully around, maybe he'd prefer to be alone, maybe he didn't want any company, maybe he was just fine on his own and he could just sit down here until the effects of whatever drug they used wore off.
Being so protective of their home, the sewers were heavily boobytrapped, the Morlocks weren't the only inhabits down here, but right now they were the only ones that Spidey was interested in. Sometimes the only way to find the Morlocks, was to have them find you, which is why Peter was purposefully heading towards the trap that he knew was closeby.
Tripping a silent alarm that was cleverly hidden and easily over looked on the wall, Peter then folded his arms and leaned against the stone wall. He'd already completely moved his thoughts off the horrible pains of living like this and was wondering how his kids would cope without a father, so far little May was the only one who was still overly excited when he stopped by. They couldn't tell their kids that he was Spiderman, Peter didn't want them to get involved in that part of his life, so they didn't understand why he was always away and always finding excuses on why he can't visit.
Peter never was strong enough to admit it, but deep down he knew.. he knew he was a horrible father, he was to them what he had been to MJ when they were younger and just trying to be friends.. he was an empty seat. Never there at their lunches or dinners, never there at their concerts or plays, and the few precious times he had managed to attend, his kids made it sound as if he didn't really have to be there. He'd give anything to just be able to hold his youngest right now, she was always with smiles and playful antics, even now Peter knew little May would find a way to cheer him up.
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
Peter's being suddenly radiated anxiety and irritation. Matt, having already scanned their surroundings and found no immediate threat; presumed that the state arose from the present precarious situation pressing no doubt heavily on Peters mind. His companion suddenly dropped from the ceiling to join Matt in the heavy effluence of the sewer waterway. Matt doubted that it was a voluntary action.
He knew that he himself would have preferred to be anywhere else, rather than ploughing through the malodorous sewers at that moment in time. The stench filled his nostrils despite his effort to ignore it. Things had been bad before when he had carried Peter back to the apartment after the attack, but nothing like this It was as if someone had intentionally smeared the tunnel with everything that would nauseate him. Maybe they had. There seemed to be no other explanation for the violence of the attack that assailed his sensitive nostrils. Fighting for breath he ploughed onwards.
"This isn't exactly my favourite vacation spot either, you don't even need to be here, you can get to the X-men any other way you want."
Peter’s voice was aggressive, almost angry. Matt bit back an all to ready reply. *Let it pass* he told himself *After all he’s had a hard day.*
Still it wasn’t easy to follow Peter into a dangerous and unknown world without hesitation. Especially when he had he distinct impression that he wasn’t wanted . *Damn it Peter, whether you realise it or not you need me to mind your back. And that’s precisely what I’m going to do come what may. *
*Its not in his nature to be like this,* Matt thought to himself. *It must be a side effect from his rejuvenation. Normally we would have discussed a plan of attack. He would at least have briefed me on what to expect.*
Who were the Morlocks who apparently inhabited these tunnels? Matt, still reeling from the smell wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer to that question. *Who could be desperate enough to choose to live down here?*
There was a source of energy emanating from one of the nearby walls. A trap of some kind. It was almost undetectable for anyone not possessing Daredevil's enhanced perceptions. Or Spiderman’s sense of danger for that matter.
Matt was just about to call out, to warn his companion of its presence when something in Peter’s bearing told him that the he already knew of its emplacement. That instead of avoiding if it his friend was rather heading straight for it, his movements purposeful and unafraid. Matt's deduction was confirmed when Peter leaned back unconcerned against the wall, crossing his arms casually over his chest.
Matt took a deep breath, deliberately refraining from demanding an explanation. *OK Peter if you think you can get rid of me this easily you’ve got another think coming.No matter what kind of crazy stunt you can pull on me tonight I’m sticking with you! Lets just hope you don’t manage to get us both killed.*
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
ooc: Sorry for this post, I know it’s not very good but I needed to post here and I’m still not feeling well… *Looks around all dazed and drugged*
There was a distinct feeling that Peter had forgotten something, it pulled him from his previous thoughts and had him struggling with others to try and figure out what was nagging at the back of his mind. It was still a little hard to focus, more then just the fading drugs, but his mind was constantly finding its way back to MJ. What would she think of him now? If she knew and this was permanent… would she still want to be his wife or would she find another man to finally marry and help raise at least their youngest daughter since the others were old enough to handle themselves by now.
The thought that Matt wouldn’t really know what was coming once again slipped Peter’s mind, after all, everyone knows about the Morlocks as far as he was concerned, at least the X-men did, and right now that was enough to assume every other hero did as well. The arrival of their future hosts caused Spidey’s spider-sense to go off since they were lurking out of sight for the moment.
"It’s me, Spidey!" At first Shalimara’s reptilian head peeked eagerly about the corner, one of the lizard people who lived in a once sealed off area within the sewers that now takes refuge with the Morlocks instead of her own people. Bright yellow eyes lit up happily as the female creature moved towards them quickly, the mutants that appeared where mostly without powers and carried clubs or knives they had found, their features deformed or their abilities too simple to be of use yet enough to set them apart from the rest of the human society.
"Sssspiderman!" An old ragged and torn purple dress was worn by the female lizard, her long powerful tail twitching excitedly, green leathery armour scaled skin covered the tall intimidating creature, who’s grin revealed rows of sharp pearl white knives. Razor clawed hands easily explained why she was one of the only ones to arrive without any form of weapon. "I knew you’d come back to vissssit usss!" Another mutant approached, slipping his knife into his the fabric wrapped about his waist as a makeshift belt.
"Can we be of assistances Spiderman?" The curious voice of Gnarl, a deformed man who had elongated fangs, pale green slit eyes and a slightly flat nose.
"That’s what I’m hoping for Gnarl, DareDevil and I need to get to the X-men," Shalimara was already sniffing Matt from where she was standing next to Peter, her reptilian snout twitching slightly as she took in the scent and removed the familiar scents of her under ground world. "We were hoping to get there through your tunnels,"
"I could take you!" The thrill of her deep airy voice was easily heard as Shalimara offered to be of help, she didn’t get to see many outsiders because of her unusual appearance, but she was still strong and when they had intruders she was allowed to tag along out of sight, only involving herself if there was a threat of some kind. Shalimara had always been overly fond of Spiderman, so she was even more eager to be of help if she was going to be helping him. A strong clawed hand gripped keenly onto Peter’s wrist and tugged him in the direction she was about to lead him, Gnarl glancing at Murdock and then walking beside Peter as he was pulled along.
"…This Devil is your friend?" Gnarl asked with an intrigued look, to say the majority of Morlocks knew little of the happenings of the upper world would be an understatement, most were homeless or abused, runaways or were born down here. Another one of the Morlocks gave a hearty chuckle at Gnarl’s comment, knowing who DareDevil was from the time he had lived above ground, and still occasional goes when needing to gather supplies for himself and others. It might have been considered a peculiar question since Shalimar looked like an odd friend to have, but all the Morlocks had gotten used to the six foot reptilian Spiderman had helped a few years before when she found herself lost topside in a world she didn’t understand.
"It’s just a name," Peter corrected the mutant while glancing back at Matt and then looking down at Shalimara’s tail, "He’s a crime fighter, DareDevil, this is Gnarl, he leads the patrol group in this area, and this is Shalimara," If Matt was curious to know more about Shalimara and the Morlocks, then Peter would tell him later, he felt a little odd at the moment, probably with all the odd smells and his queasy stomach it was no wonder he was starting to feel ill again. Gnarl and Shalimara lead the two, the rest of the team of Morlocks snuck off, they had been so silent and quick that Peter didn’t notice until he glanced around for them.
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
As Peter led him through the unfamiliar tunnels Matt soon detected the presence of several other beings in the immediate vicinity his senses picking up their heartbeats and body heat despite their efforts to remain hidden.
He tensed slightly, disliking letting himself be surrounded, but trusting his friends judgement on the matter. Besides for the moment all their readouts indicated wariness and in some cases growing excitement but no overt hostility.
"It’s me, Spidey!" he heard his friend announce himself, obviously expecting to be welcomed by the new arrivals.
One of the creatures approached. Tall,and with a tail Matt registered. Body temperature lower than that of a human. His ears caught the faint sound made by scales rubbing together confirmeing his identification of a reptilian being probably a female. The others who surrounded her were more human in size and form, carrying basic weapons of some kind, probably clubs and knives from their posture.
"Sssspiderman! I knew you’d come back to vissssit usss!" "
The lizard woman sounded pleased to see Peter, maybe even more than pleased. Matt hid a smile . *Way to go Spidey, always one for the ladies.* Another smaller form, humanoid and male came up to join the group, the sound of a blade being tucked into cloth distinct as he came closer.
"Can we be of assistances Spiderman?" The voice was strange, sounding as if too many teeth were getting in the way, as if the nose had been badly broken at some time.
"That’s what I’m hoping for Gnarl, DareDevil and I need to get to the X-men,"
He noted the lizard woman’s curiosity, heard the tell tale intake of breath as she passed his scent over her sensitive tongue. Matt smiled more broadly realising that they were both doing the same thing though filtering out the pungent odours of the sewers required an immense effort of concentration on his part."We were hoping to get there through your tunnels" Peter continued.
"I could take you!" the reptilian female interjected, eagerly grabbing hold of Spiderman’s hand leaving him little choice but to accept her enthusiastic offer as he was hauled along in her wake.
Matt’s amusement grew as their strange procession proceeded down the tunnels. "…This Devil is your friend?" he heard Gnarl ask Peter, a laugh echoing out from one of the other mutants at the question. *Seems only fair* he thought to himself *after all I hadn’t heard about them either till a few minutes ago. Guess that makes us quits.*
"It’s just a name He’s a crime fighter," Peter explained *Yes, just a name. Im no Devil and Spiderman is the one who stopped me from becoming one* Matt remembered. There had been a time when he had been very close to crossing the line between crime fighter and vigilante. *Without Peters guidance who knows where or what I may have ended up. Which is why I'm down here in this stinking sewer with him today* he thought with a rueful smile *Maybe I can pay back some of the debt I owe him. *
"DareDevil, this is Gnarl, he leads the patrol group in this area, and this is Shalimara," Matt held out a hand to the smaller mutant, waiting for him to shake it while flashing a smile at Shalimara.
"Pleased to meet you both"he said " Sorry for dropping in unannounced. Hope you don’t mind me tagging along?"
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
There was the common reply of ‘Any friend of our friends is a friend of ours’ towards Matt’s question; Shalimara spent the next five minutes telling Spiderman everything she had helped the Morlocks do to improve their sewer home that they were approaching. Also saying that one of her friends has a cousin who lives in the upper world and he collects Spiderman photo’s from magazines and papers and everywhere just to give to her friend so she can give it to Shalimara who has a box full of everything she could get on Peter’s recorded life as the masked wall crawler.
Peter didn’t really comment much at all, he was starting to really get queasy with the smell and the constant chatter wasn’t exactly what he needed, but it didn’t matter too much as long as he didn’t have to reply. Gradually his eyes dropped from staring ahead to falling to the ground, unintentionally starting to lose track of what Shalimara was saying while he focused on his breathing. It felt as if should someone just bump into him then that would be all that he needed to be sick. For a few meters he had walked with his eyes closed, solely being guided by Shalimara without her realizing, when he did open them once again they were entering one of the underground encampments of the Morlocks world. They had more areas where they had set up smaller camps, but this was the main settlement, the large cavern able to fit nearly two hundred inhabitants, the walls had small caves carved into the stone, or old drain pipes no longer in use were turned into little homes to sleep and store personal belongings.
Small tents made of plastic or cardboard or whatever else they could gather scattered all over the ground, the center devoted for the make shift school or other groups of learning, like fighting and being taught how to scavenge. A few who had once worked or met Peter offered a wave if they noticed him, most of the others seemed to instinctively keep their distance and hide themselves from the view of the stranger. A group of children, all deformed at birth due to their mutant genes, some the offspring of those who had found love down here, but some had been discovered abandoned on the streets above and left to defend themselves, a few no more then just babies left amongst trash by frightened mothers or shameful fathers terrified of being judged by others by the horrid looks of their own child.
There had been a long time during which Peter’s DNA had been unstable and further mutations had threatened to disfigure his appearance, he was lucky to have had people that helped reverse the effects when he had turned into the ‘Man-spider’ and terrorized the people, most in the government just wanted to destroy the dangerous threat instead of trying to help him. If only Peter could help others like he had been helped, make them normal so they could just have a chance of living without fear and prejudice. That had been his nightmare, turning into that thing; he was ashamed of that part of his life. Even now he still has nightmares of that, but his DNA had been stabilized, good old Doc, had troubles dealing with his own genetic instability as the Lizardman and yet still managed to save Peter from the constant shadow of his own agonizingly unstable genetic structure.
After the deaths of Peter’s parents he was lucky to have aunt May and uncle Ben to help raise him, and he had been a good kid, always had good intentions but sometimes got a little forgetful when things started stressing him, resulting in him letting other people down who were counting on him. Well, he didn’t used to be too bad, it was mostly after he got his powers, that’s when things started going down hill, there was no way he could have Spiderman take the back seat in matters, it always had to be Spider’s life first and Peter’s second, and it almost lost him Mary Jane, got him in fights with Ben in the last few days of his life and has countless of times had him in trouble for being late to things, especially work.
A group of other children where noisily playing over under the showers (a large container where rain water was stored for cleaning and drinking purposes), they had an old garden hose with a special nozzle that made the water spray out, something they had scavenged from bins and dumps, they never stole from peoples homes, they weren’t thieves, though any who had knowledge of them thought otherwise due to the abnormal way they lived. After all, you can’t hide the fact there’s a small culture in the sewers when the government needs to send people down to clean and repair and check on things down there, but at time they are left to their peace as long as the communities above aren’t disturbed.
They were being taken to one of the tunnels that lead towards the off limits section, two more human looking men sat playing cards next to it, obviously guards to stop curious wanderers sneaking around the restricted areas. One of the men had a tail that flicked about curiously while Gnarl approached, his companion looked up, two hands holding onto his cards, another two sitting on his lap with his fingers entwined. Both males were no older then thirty, rather gruff and unshaven, but Peter was more focused on looking elsewhere as he watched a young girl sitting with friends, hard to miss since her skin was pure white, she had large diamond blue eyes, missing a nose and a mouth on her pretty face, seeming so unreal, or as if she was wearing a mask like Peter was, she didn’t have any clothes on, it was like she was just a doll, but her eyes blinked happily as a ball was given to her by a friend to throw to another, an additional girl was platting the white hair that fell to her waist.
Such a beautiful young twelve year old, unusual yet graceful at the same time, one of the many infants found wrapped in blankets and placed amongst trash or left somewhere more public to be found by another who might actually want to raise a freak. The pale girl had been left under a tree in a park, one of the Morlocks had been drawn to the crying and had since adopted her into their community.
Would have this been a life Peter could have had if he didn’t have his family? Yet many of them liked it here, maybe they wished for more, but they had made something and this was an important part of them now, many of the older ones preferred to be here amongst their own, in a world they helped create and sustain.
“ ‘Mara will take you the rest of the way, we must head back to our patrol route, it has been good to see you again Spiderman, farewell Devil.” Peter stepped aside when Gnarl had the other two men open the iron bar gate and then had moved passed him and Matt to head back the way they came. Shalimara went in and – looking a little less then healthy while he rubbed his forehead – Peter had moved in after all, the smooth walls of the tunnels far enough apart only to allow Peter to walk beside Matt while Shalimara walked in front of them.
“Did I ever tell you about that time when I was younger and Hawkman and his friends aged me?” Damn guy was a pain, though had been transferred with Peter’s unstable DNA and had mutated, not that Peter had anything to do with it, when Peter started having run ins with the Lizardman he had no idea that his alter-ego would end up basically saving Peter’s life as he knew it. “What’s with villains and altering my age? What happened to the good ol’days where they just sent goons after me in waves upon waves.” A slight sarcasm in his voice, though annoyance was also there, he didn’t like people playing around with him, and his body, and especially altering him in any way, he’s been changed and tampered with enough in his life, he doesn’t need any more, he isn’t a toy for them to amuse themselves with.
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
Hey ! Sorry to have taken such a long time but this is finally right!
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There was a time of considerable disorientation as Matt emerged into the Morlock campsite. Everything was designed to baffle and undermine his senses. Already the stench had nearly overpowered him, only the long years of assiduous training allowing him to function under its continual onslaught. Through the all pervading odour he had managed to assimilate that , as previously suspected , the lizard woman was a fan of his travelling companion, obviously delighted to be once again in the presence of her hero.
*I’m so glad for her* he thought as his stomach rebelled. *I like Peter better than the next guy but there are limits, and I think my dinner might have reached them.*
Suddenly they seemed to emerge into a great cavern, the echoes of their voices and many others vibrating against the concrete walls, providing Matt with a picture that was at the same time revealing and confusing.
*People! So many of them! *More than he had expected. *Why would so many people choose to live in such an inhospitable place?* Matt asked himself perplexed.
Suddenly a wave of sound burst over Gnarl’s face, revealing his features for the first time to the blind man who accompanied him
It was one thing to have rationalised the deformities which were logically the source of his speech deficiencies. It was quite another to suddenly have the full strangeness of Gnarl’s appearance revealed.
At first the reality of the situation was hard to bare. * Dear lord! Is this is why these people choose to live here?* Matt thought appalled. *They can’t face how other people see them*
Already images were flooding in from all sides, as the concrete cavern resounded with the everyday noises of human existence. Each burst of laughter unveiled new anomalies, the children in the showers clearly revealed as each drop of water exploded from their skin.
‘Mutants’ Matt realised, perhaps for the first time.* People like me*. Suddenly he was aware of the full implications of his situation.* It never struck me before! All of these kids! They never asked to be born this way and yet it happened. Just like the accident.*
*What would I have done if the chemicals had taken my face as well as my sight?* Matt thought. He couldn’t imagine what his life would have been like if that had been the case. For all those years he had faced the pity of others and yet there had been certain compensations.
*Ok I have limitations* he realised. Most people would have thought that his powers more than made up for the loss of his sight. He begged to differ. *I will never see my child’s first smile or see the beauty of a simple sunset but still…….* No one had ever turned aside in horror as he passed. Indeed he had always been assured of his own charm, had even used it to his own advantage.
*These kids can’t do that* he realised suddenly *Does that give them any the less right to live in the sun?* His heightened senses encompassed the size of the community leaving Matt appalled.
*There is no way so many people can be down here without the government or someone registering their existence. They just don’t want to know. These children have been swept under the carpet and left for dead. Where is the justice in that?*
Already an overwhelming sense of shame was sweeping over him. * I have had it so easy! My face is the acceptable face of mutation. I can blend in and fade out as I please, choosing to use my powers when I see fit and the rest of the time enjoying my quiet orderly life. Try telling that to one of these kids*.
*What chance does Gnarl have of getting a job, even a menial one, in the outside world? And yet here I am a qualified lawyer. What makes me so different from them? Appearance. Nothing more.* The harsh reality of the situation hit Matt hard leaving him reeling as Peter made his way throughout the throng.
*How could I not have realised this before?* he asked himself as he made his way across the crowded tunnel.
*Could it be that for all these years I have thought myself apart, somehow separated from the common mutant cause? There must be something I can do to help,? Laws are universal. There are no exceptions. That is what I love about them. Surely there is a place within their boundaries for these forsaken people. *
Matt was only vaguely aware of Gnarl’s farewell, struggling to keep an all important façade of manners in place as he said his farewells.*Dear god how can I continue undisturbed by their plight?* he thought
As if from a vast distance he heard Peter speak of the atrocities he ha already undergone at the hands of his enemies. *This is important * he told himself. *This is why I came out tonight!* Nevertheless the all encompassing realisation of his place within ranks of the mutant struggle for recognition took precedence even over his friends predicament. *I have been so blind* he thought sadly.”Thankfully this voyage with Peter has opened my eyes!*
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
It wasn’t until they arrived at the ladder they needed to climb to make it to the road just outside the school’s entrance that Peter’s weakened state was finally so easily seen. Shalimara tilted her scaled head a little as Peter stood with a hand meekly holding onto one of the bars, all he had to do was lift his damn foot, the stench real hit him hard and drained what little strength he had. It had been sluggish at first to move about, but at least he didn’t look pathetically drained, being short of breath meant he had to take in more of the foul air, his head ached and he felt strangely hot under this mask and costume, every part of him has been wanting to just rip the material right off, but he doubted that would help down here.
The thing that pushed Parker’s arms and legs into gear wasn’t sheer will, it was pure anger, and he honestly wasn’t sure why he was feeling so angry, not considering it has something to do with the strange cocktail of drugs that still flows strongly in his systems despite the earlier rest he had. At least the one responsible for putting him to sleep had run its course, even if he was still a little groggy and felt as if he could sleep for another week. The lizard woman kept her eyes on Spiderman as he slowly and almost grudgingly pulled himself up, she didn’t smell any blood but that still didn’t mean he wasn’t wounded somehow, a moment of fretting was pushed aside as she concluded he could just be very tired.
"It wasss a pleasssure to have you heeere Dare-eval." Accidentally miss pronouncing his name since she hadn’t fully being paying attention with her excitement about seeing Spidey again, ‘Mara continued with a glint of enthusiasm. "Weee would enjoy yourrr compannny again ssssome day!" A lisp and slight slur on her words was from her slightly pointed tongue and larger mouth then humans, the razor teeth not helping when she needed to pronounce her s’s. Her head tilted upwards again, though Peter had rather loudly knocked off the manhole cover and was out of sight as he sat on the road above.
"Bye-bye Sssssspiderman! Thannnk you ffffor the clothesss lassssst winnter!" Like a child meeting Santa Claus in a shopping mall, regardless to her appearance she was overly affectionate and very gentle unless threatened, so there was a childish delight easily heard in her voice as she called out her farewell. It wasn’t rare for Peter – and others who knew the Morlocks and where also charitable – to use his fame as Spiderman to raise money for things or donate whatever he was rewarded (on those very rare occasions) to others. Since Peter had saved a woman and her family who were being harassed by local hoodlums, she had offered him a lot of money as a reward, but instead he had asked her if she ever has clothes she doesn’t need if she could tell him instead of disposing of them, even if there is something wrong with them, he has a place that could use them. So now every season when old fashions are no longer desired she puts her unwanted clothes in the back of her store and calls Spidey to pick them up.
Over time one of the Morlock girls asked if she could help him, so now Peter doesn’t pick up the clothes, the girl goes to the store and is given the boxes of clothes if there’s any for her. Most of the clothes had something wrong with them, missing buttons or ripped somewhere, but still it stopped the children from wearing mouldy old discarded rags. The younger Morlocks were always given new clothes first and the adults organizes the left overs between them only once all the younger Morlocks where well tended to. The tattered dress ‘Mara was wearing had been given to her last winter and she had been very proud of it and had been desperate to see Spiderman to thank him since she rarely ever received gifts.
A mumbled noise came from Peter and was heard but it was hard to make out the words, or even if there were any words or if it was just a passing grumble for lack of ability to bring himself to say anything in case he threw up. Which he felt dangerously close to doing as he knelled on the asphalt with a sickly expression hidden beneath his mask. Weak fingers gripped the base of the mask and pulled it up a little, feeling even more confined then earlier, a sense of relief felt inside him as he could take deeper breaths of fresher air without the mask covering his mouth. A sheet of sweat was felt as the cooler air hit his flushed and heated skin, his body fighting hard against the warmth that boiled inside him from all the effort he was exerting into this travel.
(Uh, maybe we just jump to the Med lab? So you reply with Beast (poor over worked kitty…) instead of doing a rather pointless post in the outer grounds, and I’m not sure what Beast is up to at this point in time, so it might be best if you start the post so that I don’t muddle anything up…)
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
Hey Angie! Good to hear from you. I think Ill post here to say how we get to the Institute then post with Hank BUT I have no idea where this fits in with the time line! Could you give me a hint??Thanks!
Re: Welcome to the world beneath the surface: Morlock Tunnel
It seemed they had finally reached their destination. Matt was more than relieved. As they had progressed through the tunnels he had sensed the worsening of Peter’s condition, the rise in body temperature and the accelerated heart rate all telling the blind crime fighter that his friend was nearing the end of his strength.
He cursed himself for having let te so recently drugged man make this arduous journey; *I should have known it would be too much for him* Matt chastised himself *But he seemed fine just a little while ago Its so hard to judge things given his enhanced metabolism and all the junk they’ve injected into him. Lets just hope he can make it to the Institute before he conks out altogether.
"It wasss a pleasssure to have you heeere Dare-eval Weee would enjoy yourrr compannny again ssssome day!" Despite his growing concern for his companion Matt couldn’t help but grin at his strange guide. The Morlock tunnels might have taken a toll on his hyperactive senses but the hospitality he had found there had been impeccable.
He heard Peter strike the metal manhole cover and felt the blessed fresh air wash over him as Spiderman emerged once moe into the outside world.
As he prepared to leave the sewers Matt renewed his silent promise to do all he could to help this lost community.* I hope they never have need of a lawyer but if they ever do then that will be my cue to jump into the fray*
*Seems Peters already been doing his part*. he thought listening to Shalimara’s hissed goodbye “ I would like to see you again sometime” he said to her as he took his leave. “Its been a real pleasure meeting you”. After waving goodbye in the direction of the retreating lizard woman Matt turned back towards his friend.
It was obvious he was in a bad way. The fever which had held him in its grip the previous evening seemed to be back with a vengeance. Matt made his way over to him and waited until Peter caught his breath. Matt had no idea of where he was, somewhere near the Xavier School he presumed but which way should he go. *Hold on just a little more, Peter* he thought. *I’ll get you there but you have to show me the way.*
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