Chapitre 19: Ghost vs. Ghost Spider
<Alice's POV>
Night had fallen over the city, casting long shadows and giving the streets an eerie calm. I swung through the skyscrapers, the wind rushing past me, my mind focused on the night's patrol. Everything had been relatively quiet until my spider sense suddenly went off, sharper and more intense than usual.
Something was wrong.
I landed on the rooftop of a tall building, scanning the surroundings. My eyes caught a flicker of movement in the shadows, something—or someone—familiar yet elusive. My heart rate spiked as I recognized the figure: Ghost, the phasing operative who has potential to become a pain in ass. Ava Starr, known for her ability to phase through objects and become intangible, will be a biggest pain in ass for many characters.
She stepped out of the shadows, her suit gleaming under the moonlight. "Ghost Spider," she called out, her voice cool and determined. "We need to talk." Point a gun at me.
"Talk?" I replied, my guard up. "Is that what you call this?"
Her eyes narrowed. "You know why I'm here. You're a potential threat, and SHIELD can't afford to let you run wild."
I tensed, knowing this was inevitable. "I'm not a threat to anyone. But it looks like you won't take my word for it." I shoot a web and seized the gun.
Without another word, Ghost lunged at me, her form becoming intangible. I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding her attack. We had clashed before, and I knew how dangerous she could be. This fight would be different; I had prepared for it.
We danced around each other on the rooftop, trading blows. Her intangibility made her a formidable opponent, but my agility and spider sense allowed me to keep up with her. Every time she phased through one of my attacks, I countered with a move of my own, using my web shooters to create barriers and traps.
Ghost phased through a web net I had shot at her, her body shimmering as she moved through the strands effortlessly. She reappeared behind me, her fist aimed at my head. I ducked, feeling the rush of air as her punch missed by inches. I retaliated with a spinning kick, but she vanished again, her intangibility making her a ghostly adversary.
"You're good," she said, her voice a mixture of admiration and frustration. "But not good enough."
She disappeared, and I felt a cold shiver down my spine. My spider sense went haywire, alerting me to her presence just behind me. I spun around, catching her mid-phase with a well-aimed web shot, which forced her to materialize briefly. I seized the moment to land a solid punch to her stomach, sending her skidding back.
Ghost recovered quickly, her eyes blazing with determination. "You think you can outsmart me?"
I smirked, feeling the adrenaline surge through my veins. "You're not the only one who can use Kamui."
Either not understanding what Kamui is Ghost knew what I was talking about. Her eyes widened as I activated my own intangibility, a technique I had just understood by observing her frequency through quantum manipulation. Ghost staggered back, clearly taken aback by my ability to mimic her power.
"You used my ability?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
I nodded, my eyes locked on hers. "And your moves. I can do everything you can, and more."
We clashed again, our movements synchronized in a deadly dance. Both of us phased in and out of tangibility, our attacks passing through each other like smoke. It was like fighting a mirror image, each of us anticipating the other's moves, countering, and adapting.
The rooftop became a blur of motion as we traded blows, each strike and counterstrike blending into a seamless flow. I could feel the strain of the fight, my muscles aching from the constant exertion, but I couldn't afford to let up. Ghost was relentless, her attacks precise and powerful.
I phased through her next attack, reappearing behind her and delivering a sharp elbow to her back. She stumbled forward but quickly recovered, turning to face me with a fierce determination.
"You're good," she admitted, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Better than I expected."
"Thanks," I replied, equally winded. "You're not so bad yourself."
We paused for a moment, circling each other warily. Both of us knew that this fight was far from over, and neither of us was willing to back down. The stalemate was palpable, the tension between us crackling in the air like static electricity.
Ghost lunged at me again, her body flickering as she phased in and out of tangibility. I countered with a series of quick jabs, my fists passing through her ethereal form. We moved in perfect synchronization, our attacks and defences blending into a seamless ballet of combat.
Despite her skill and experience, I could feel the tide of the battle shifting in my favour. My quantum manipulation allowed me to anticipate her moves and counter them with precision, gradually wearing her down. Ghost's frustration was evident in her increasingly desperate attacks, each one more erratic and forceful than the last.
"You can't keep this up forever," she snarled, her eyes blazing with fury. "I'll find a way to break through your defences."
I smirked, feeling a surge of confidence. "Good luck with that."
We clashed again, our bodies flickering in and out of tangibility as we traded blows. The rooftop was a blur of motion, our forms blending into a ghostly dance of combat. Each strike and counterstrike was perfectly timed, our movements fluid and precise.
As the battle raged on, I could sense Ghost's frustration growing. Her attacks became more erratic, her movements less controlled. It was clear that she was nearing her limit, and I knew that I had to seize the opportunity to end the fight.
"You think you can outlast me?" she spat, her voice trembling with rage.
I shook my head, my eyes locked on hers. "No, I know I can."
I understood one more thing that not only I can match my frequency to her to mimic her ability but I can also change her frequency to solidify her again.
With a final surge of energy, I launched myself at her, my body flickering as I phased in and out of tangibility with Ghost. Ghost tried dodge, but I was faster, my movements more fluid. I delivered a powerful punch to her stomach, followed by a swift kick to her chest, sending her crashing to the ground.
Ghost lay there, gasping for breath, her eyes wide with disbelief. I stood over her, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. Despite the intensity of the battle, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I had proven myself, not just to her, but to myself as well.
"You're not invincible," I said softly, my voice steady. "And neither am I. But today, I had the upper hand."
Ghost glared up at me, her eyes filled with defiance. "This isn't over," she growled, her voice low and dangerous.
I nodded, acknowledging the truth of her words. "No, it isn't. But for now, let's call it a draw."
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving her lying on the rooftop. The battle had been fierce, but I had emerged victorious. As I swung away into the night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
<Melinda's POV>
The SHIELD headquarters hummed with activity as agents moved through the halls, focused on their various missions. I made my way to Director Nick Fury's office, the results of the recent mission with Ghost Spider and Ghost fresh in my mind. I knew this information would intrigue Fury, but it was also sensitive, and discretion was paramount.
I knocked on his door and entered when I heard his curt "Come in."
"Director Fury," I began, handing him the report. "The mission involving Ghost Spider and Ghost is complete. I think you'll find the results quite interesting."
Fury's one good eye scanned the document quickly, his brow furrowing. "So, Ghost Spider was able to replicate Ghost's phasing ability?"
"Yes, sir," I confirmed. "She mimicked Ghost's intangibility perfectly, which is an unprecedented display of adaptability. This is not information we want spreading beyond our trusted circle."
Fury leaned back in his chair, contemplating the implications. "If this gets out, it could cause a lot of problems. Other agencies and factions would come after Ghost Spider for her abilities."
"I agree," I said. "For now, only you, me, and Ghost know about this. We'll keep it that way to avoid unnecessary attention and complications."
Fury nodded. "Understood. Make sure this information stays classified. Ghost Spider might be an asset, but we need to protect her—and our interests."
"Yes, sir," I replied, knowing the gravity of the situation.
<Ava's POV>
Waking up in the SHIELD medical facility, I felt different. The usual pain and disorientation were gone, replaced by a strange sense of clarity and control. I sat up slowly, testing my movements. For the first time in years, my body didn't feel like it was tearing itself apart.
"How are you feeling, Ava?" Bill Foster's voice brought me back to reality. He was standing at the foot of my bed, concern etched on his face.
"I feel... better," I said, the surprise evident in my voice. "My control over my phasing ability has improved, and the risk of death from my condition has decreased significantly."
Bill's eyes widened. "What happened during your mission?"
I took a deep breath, recalling the intense fight with Ghost Spider. "It might be because of Ghost Spider. During our battle, I think I absorbed some quantum energy from her. It's stabilizing my condition."
Bill was silent for a moment, processing the implications. "So, what do you want to do now?"
I hesitated, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. "I want to experience a normal life, even if just for a little while. I want to go to high school."
Bill looked at me, a mixture of shock and understanding in his eyes. "You sure about this, Ava?"
I nodded. "Yes. For the first time in a long time, I feel hope. I want to see what it's like to be a normal teenager, to go to school, make friends, and just live."
Bill smiled, a rare expression for him. "I'll contact SHIELD and get permission for you to join a school. But you'll still have to work as a part-time SHIELD agent."
I agreed, knowing it was a fair trade-off. When Bill made the call, I felt a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. Could I really live a normal life?
Later, Bill came back with good news. "SHIELD has agreed. You'll start school next week. And Ava, your first mission was given a good evaluation. You managed to match Ghost Spider and expose some of her abilities. They're crediting you for it."
Hearing that brought a smile to my face. For the first time in years, I felt like I had a future, a chance to live beyond the shadow of my condition. And maybe, just maybe, I'd find out more about Ghost Spider and the energy she had shared with me.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone