#series: symbiotes

[volkoss]

Fic: Dissonance (Ch. 1 - Upbringing)

A series of non-linear vignettes exploring the life of Meredith Stannard. Written for @14dayscirclemages.

CHAPTER 1: UPBRINGING | MEREDITH & AMELIA | WORDS: 700 | RATED: T Notes: takes place in the same continuity as the rest of Symbiotes, but prior knowledge is not required for this chapter. (AO3 LINK)

Sometimes, Meredith dreams about her childhood. Dreams about her sister, before she had become the Thing.

It had been a simpler time, before everything had gone to shit. A time before the Kirkwall docks where her father once worked had become shrouded in the shadow of the Gallows, even though logic dictated the ancient Tevinter fortress had stood for centuries, and would stand for ages more.

No. In the old dreams, Meredith can only remember the sun. The perfect summer days. The deceptively still surface of the Waking Sea reflecting the cloudless blue skies above their heads. Hers, and Amelia’s. Bare legs dangling into the water to keep cool in the heat. Amelia, jerking into Meredith’s side swearing an eel had slithered past. Meredith, clutching at her big sister’s side to keep her steady. 

It was only seaweed. Only ever seaweed.

On a good day, they’d have coppers enough to split a whole fish between them for lunch, a big juicy fat one at that. They’d cook it on a stick over one of the communal firepits, Amelia glancing around nervously worried the neighbourhood boys would pick a fight with them again and Meredith focused on her task, confident in the knowledge they wouldn’t.

Meredith had known, once upon a time, that their father had been disappointed their mother had borne him a second daughter. But it didn’t matter so much these days, not now she’d proven to him she could do everything a boy could, could do it even better.

She still remembers the first time she’d come home bloodied and bedraggled after breaking a bully’s nose for making fun of her sister. She’d expected to get a hiding but Dad had only laughed, ruffling her matted hair.

Maker’s breath, he’d said, I’ve created a monster. And yet upon noticing her swollen thumb, he’d still taught her how to throw a proper punch. For next time. It had been in that moment Meredith had been convinced of her purpose in life, her reason for being: she had been brought into this world to protect her sister, and she would never ever give up, so long as she lived.

And it had all been going so swimmingly, until Amelia’s magic had manifested. Until the already shy and reticent Amelia withdrew so deep inside her shell she had turned herself inside out instead—

—her dreaming mind refuses to dwell on what had happened after, tonight. Tonight, it still has hope. A false belief there is a chance. Something, anything, that she can do to change what actually happened.

She is chasing her sister through the winding streets of Lowtown, bare feet kicking up clouds of dust as she runs. Amelia is out of sight, but only just. Like Meredith will turn the corner and see her standing there, close enough to jab a finger in the dimple of her smile.

Meredith is not sure any of this ever actually happened.

However, what she is certain of is this: that Amelia has always been just out of her grasp. That the templars always reached her sister first. That every day, she wakes up into a nightmare.

She is sticking to her nightclothes, her sheets, perspiration rolling off her in waves. It’s summer in Kirkwall, but she is no longer eight years old, but forty-two. It’s early still, sun yet to break the sky, but she can make out the shape of the objects in her bedchamber in the red glow of her greatsword, never too far from hand.

Do you still believe you can change things? Orsino had once asked her many moons ago, and back then, she had demurred. Had told him she didn’t know. But now, as she pushes herself upright and hums the red lyrium’s haunting song under her breath, she feels it in her bones.

Certainty.

As good a name for a sword as any.

The Thing watches her out of the corner of her eye. You promised, it says. Once upon a time, Meredith had been adamant that the Thing was not her sister. These days, she sees little utility in such arbitrarily drawn lines. 

Yes, she whispers into the empty room. I did.

[sonicasura]

You know what we need? An M-Rated animated series on Venom specifically a unique take like Tom Hardy's iteration. There is more experimentation to go around with a version of the Lethal Protector who isn't influenced by Spiderman.

An M Rating means writers and animators have extra room to work. It is Venom after all so we could actually get some gorey body horror that the live action movies were unable to show. Plus I know a good chunk of the fandom want a deeper dive into the Symbrock relationship.

The Mature Rating opens up the potential conflicts, topics, and scenarios the cast has to deal with. Plus it would be good for the adult cartoon genre. Most animations are either comedy oriented or rely too much on swearing.

A M Rated Venom cartoon could revolutionize the genre if done right. Especially in the right hands as Tom Hardy's movies show that Spiderman doesn't have to be involved all the time. Let the Lethal Protector carve his own path without his archival.

[whatonearthisgoingon]

MCU Crossover Idea?

I want a movie, a What If episode, a little season, whatever the fuck, of Deadpool and Wolverine, and Eddie and Venom.

I want to see exasperated Eddie and Logan sitting together drinking beer, as their chaotic murderous boyfriends do crazy shit.

I want to see Logan and Venom spar for funsies while their boyfriends cheer them on.

I want Venom to get fed up with Logan/Wade and he just bites a fucking limb off, and the respective victim just stares in shock/annoyance; said victim either walks away to get a beer, or straight up brawls Venom.

I want Venom, Logan, and Wade talking about how immortality/super long life span is both a blessing and a curse.

I want Venom to sit infront of the 3 of them and give them story time about all the different galaxies he's traveled across throughout his lifetime.

I want Wade to tell stories about all the different Wolverine's he met across the Multi-verse before he found the "worst" Logan.

I want the 4 to talk about all their different traumas together, and comfort each other. There's big cuddle piles when one or two are feeling really down.

I want Venom and Wade to make sex jokes with their bfs, annoying the fuck out of them, and the two fist bump when the other successfully flusters their partner to the point of struggling to function.

I want to see this quad of chaos have some crazy action fight against some big bad villain, and they're all doing amazing throughout it, because they're amazing and would make a great team of immortals.

I want a TV series of Deadpool, Wolverine, Eddie, and Venom.

[captain-lessship]

His “Sidekick In The Chair” No Longer Pt. 1

a/n: No die hard comic fans come for me but I do know that Toxin (A symbiote) has helped spider man in the comics and I wanted to write something that has the potential to get funny but I will warn you, there is a sad bit in this part.

CW: Possible Spoilers (idk i know not everyone has watch the movie or read the comics)

“Every superhero has a sidekick!” He whined.

Your best friend, Pavitr, had offered to walk you home and had talked non-stop about you helping him. 

“Pav,” you turned around, fully ready to shut him down but you saw the sheer hope and excitement in his eyes, “I- Fine!” You lamented. “But I am not your sidekick, we are equals.”

He smiled widely at you as he slung his arms around you, “I knew you’d agree! Thank you. And sure! You can be a hero too!” 

You rolled your eyes playfully, “Besides how hard could it be?”

“About that… we need suits.”

“What?”

“Oh come on, all superheroes have cool suits and besides you can sew!” He said.

“I really really hope that I get side swiped by a car.” You groaned.

“You’ll never get hurt while I am here.” He said, voice trying to be serious.

You were unimpressed, “Let’s hope you never have to use that line.” You patted him on the back. 

When you got home, you immediately got to work doodling up a suit that would be fit for your rather expressive best friend and now partner in crime fighting. 

You smiled to yourself as you drew and after what felt like hours, you added color. As you stared at the costume, your mind began to wonder, thinking about all the shenanigans and by relation, danger he’d be getting into and you wouldn’t always be there.

You were set on the sidelines: No powers, only your mind to help him. You knew he was smart and wouldn’t purposefully get himself in deep trouble but yet, you still worried. 

And your worrying was for the best.

There was now a-

“Hole in our universe.”

A hole in your universe.

“Pav, sweet sweet, Pav,” you held your phone closer to your ear, “Why is there a god damn hole in our universe?” You yelled into your phone.

“Geez, don’t yell! Calm down, it’s being fixed and… I’m sorry.”

You were shocked. It wasn’t that Pavitr never apologized, it was that he never apologized without adding on why it wasn’t his bad.

“It’s- Pav, it wasn’t your fault. You are not responsible for other people’s actions.”

“I know, I know but I feel partially responsible: it’s my city. And there’s a hole in it.” 

“It’s being fixed, it’ll be okay.” 

A sudden knock on your window made you jumped and you turned in your chair to see him. You walked to your window and opened it. 

He tumbled in and slumped to your bed, still in his Spider-Man suit. You sighed as you walked over and sat beside his face down figure, “So is this a ‘Leave me alone for five minutes and bring me tea’ or a ‘I am just being dramatic’ ?”

“I am not dramatic!” He shouted at you. 

You just stared at him as he jerked his mask off, a very angry and hit look painted across his face. 

“You know what?” He stood up, “Forget it! You don’t know the half of it!”

“Oh what don’t I know?” You said, feeling yourself become annoyed.

“What it is to be an actual superhero!” 

It cut you deeper than it should’ve. There was just something about the way he said it that made you believe that he never thought you were more than his tailor and direction giver. 

Anger filled you, “Oh please!” How quickly could he forget that he would not have been able to do it without you. 

“You just don’t! And I don’t expect you to!” 

“No, I don’t get the easy part. I don’t get the powers and I don’t get the praise but I hope you can do it without me.”

He stared at you, eyes scanning your face, “I don’t have the easy part. I have to except the fact my life is written out for me.”

“Well, should be easy to live then, the reassurance that it will all be okay must be great!” You folded your arms across your chest. 

There was silence for a bit. 

“What do you mean without you?” 

“You said I wasn’t a real superhero,” you felt your anger subside, “And I got mad.”

He looked at you, “I am just… disappointed in what I now know my life will be like, it’s all already drawn out and I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

“What will it be?”

“My uncle, and every other Spider-Man’s uncle, were already destined to die. So is a police investigator that I am close to.” 

You could’ve swore you saw tears form in his eyes, something that never clouded the face for your sunny spirited friend, “Every Spider-Man has a Gwen Stacy. Every Gwen Stacy falls in love with Spider Man.”

You picked up on what he meant, you walked to him and wrapped your arms around him and felt his body give slightly, sniffing and snuffling noises leaving him. “Every Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy can’t be together, can they?” 

He nodded yes, acknowledging that his young love was predestined to end. All you could do was hug him.

You thought about that all through the night. Mind drifting to how sad it must be. Suddenly something touched your foot. 

It was cold.

Slightly slimy.

And it was moving. 

With a shaky hand you pulled back the cover, revealing a crimson colored mass.

Before you could scream, it began to rise slightly off the bed and a pair of pearly white eyes with a light blue sheen came to the thing that was in your bed.

Fear filled you as words came from the creature.

“Hello.”

“Hi.” You all but whispered.

“Are you frightened?”

“Uh, yea, no offense but it’s not everyday a random blood looking creature appears in my room.”

“I am Toxin.”

“Is there something you need or what?”

“I can make you a superhero. You would want to help your friend, right?” Toxin remarked. 

“Okay eavesdropper, but how could you do that?”

“I just need your body. Then you will have all my powers.”

“Could I web swing?”

“We could try.”

“What’s the catch?”

Toxin laughed, “Smart, aren’t we? Well there is one. What you eat, I take half the nutrients. I use your body as a sort of home.”

“It won’t kill me, right?”

“No. What parasite intentionally kills their host?”

“You need a marketing class.” You sighed, “But I guess we could take one.”

“We could.” Toxin smiled widely. 

You extended your hand and Toxin climbed onto it, you shuddered slightly at the feeling, “How are you gonna get inside me?”

“Take a deep breathe.” 

You closed your eyes as you breathed in through your nose, feeling him slip in your nostril. It felt like when a doctor swabbed your nose to see if you had the flu. You choked slightly, feeling it drip down into your chest. Then the voice came.

“It’s nice in here.”

“Thanks?” 

“You’re welcome.” Toxin said, “Now, I request a sandwich.”

“PB & J?”

“Grape jelly.”

“Of course.”

Little did you know who was outside your window, having seen the encounter between you and the alien. It was Pavitr. His watch chimed.

“Canon Event Successful. Continue your work.” 

[notfernintheslighest]

was talking to a friend and she was like “i find this one dude on tv super hot but it’s embarrassing cause he’s like- yknow” and without missing a beat i went “REAL I WATCHED THE FALLOUT SHOW AND IM GONNA RIDE THAT GHOUL!” and then she revealed that she was also talking about Cooper Howard

[steampunkferretpresents]

Maybe this is just a me thing.

The Ghoul, with his spurs and saddle bag, really misses his horse. Cooper and Venom Horse need to meet.

[tarancho]

@simplyender your mind is v cool thank you for sending me the original photo

original photo under the cut ↓

[kitausuret]

Rolling around post-Venom 3 fic ideas and like. (Spoilers below cut)

I'm realizing that what I want to write is basically Flash doing for Eddie, what I wish Eddie had done for Flash post-Space Knight. In both instances the symbiote is forcibly separated from a host it loves and admires, and circumstances drive it to a different person. Its choice is taken away by an outside influence.

To this day I still find the way that Eddie and the Symbiote rejoined in Venom 2016 #6 to be borderline nonsensical. I know it's been nearly 8 years but I'm still mad about it. Lee Price happening meant that the Symbiote more or less just had to go with whoever would help it first. That just so happened to be Eddie.

And in all these years, they STILL haven't properly addressed the breakup of the early to mid aughts.

But I suppose, what is fanfic but wish fulfillment. I can have Flash do for Eddie what Eddie never did for Flash.

[volkoss]

Fic: Dissonance (Ch. 2 - Arrival)

A series of non-linear vignettes exploring the life of Meredith Stannard. Written for @14dayscirclemages. CHAPTER 2: ARRIVAL | MEREDITH & WENTWORTH | WORDS: ~700 | RATED: M 1 | 2 (AO3 LINK)

Most nights, Meredith dreams about how everything can change in an instant.

Her parents, alive, dead. Home, burned to ashes. Screams, silence. Her sister, the Thing.

“Maker’s breath,” Knight-Captain Wentworth had sworn upon discovering her hidden in the rubble, shivering and snivelling. “A survivor.”

His face, still so clear in her mind now, reaching out to her with concerned, compassionate eyes. He'd pulled her from the wreckage, screaming at the knights under his command. “You fucking morons! I told you to cover the bodies!” Meredith had looked. How could she not? Her mother and father still lay side by side in the kitchen, faces pale, rigid, unmoving. Her gaze travelled downwards, unwilling but unstoppable.

The demon’s talons had torn them apart. “Child,” Wentworth had started once she’d finished retching, a hand at her shoulder turning her away from full view of the scene, “what is your name?”

She’d wanted to yell at him, had wanted to pound at his chest with her fists, ask why it even mattered now nothing would be the same again. Instead, she’d clung to the templar, fingers finding grooves in his armour, desperately holding on. “Meredith, Meredith,” she’d chanted, her name her only other anchor in this strange new world. The knight-captain bent a knee so they were face to face. “Meredith,” he repeated. “Do you have any other family? In wake of…” This tragedy, she knows he’d wanted to say now, but even then he had been unable to bring himself to say the words. She’d shaken her head. “No.” There were no siblings, no cousins, no aunties or uncles. She was alone in the world. Except for the knight-captain with the kind eyes. “You’re a templar.” “Yes,” the knight-captain answered. “What do you know of the Templar Order?” They were walking now, away from the smoke, away from the fire. The templars—what remained of them—reassuring the neighbours everything was under control. That the situation had been dealt with.

The situation. Her sister. The Thing. There is no sight of it now. She is safe here, under the wing of the knight-captain. She’d swallowed hard, struggling to reconcile the past words of her parents with everything that had happened after. “Templars keep everyone safe,” she answers. Anxiety crawls up her throat, threatens to suffocate.

“I’m sorry,” she continues. Smoke and regret prick at the corners of her eyes. “I’m sorry we hid her. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Oh, Meredith.” The knight-captain has a handkerchief. He hands it to her to wipe away her tears. Soot and grime come away with them as she rubs it against her face.  “It’s not your fault.” Then why does it feel like it is? 

But the words went unsaid. They always do.

“Where are you taking me?” she’d asked instead.

“The Chantry,” the knight-captain had answered. “It is their responsibility to take care of children in your situation.” Meredith had frozen in place. The knight-captain looked back in surprise. “Meredith?” “No,” she’d insisted. “Take me home with you.” “What?” “I want to become a templar. Like you.” The dream blurs then. It always does. She doesn’t remember the first time she’d passed through the Gallows’ gates; it almost feels like she’s lived here her whole life. Would, if it weren’t for the good dreams, the ones of the happier times. Before everything had gone to shit.

She remembers sitting in the infirmary, still smelling of vomit and smoke and slime, Ser Wentworth never leaving her side, a mage healing her injuries but being too tired to flinch away from the arcane unnatural energy.

The knight-commander’s scowl, more confused than angry as he’d peered closer. “Wentworth,” he’d said, “why in the world have you brought this child to the Gallows? She’s not a mage.”

Wentworth, turning his attention from Meredith to his commander, but his hands never leaving hers. “Guylian.” No title, an intimate address. “The girl—” Meredith interrupts. “I wish to become a templar.” It is her destiny. She knows this now. The knight-commander’s face, softening. “And so you shall, child. And so you shall.”

[ninebaalart]

Phazon Symbiote

samus infected with a symbiote named phazon. it's skin deep infection of a truly bizarre klyntar

[talesofsonicasura]

Venom and Shadow

A crossover that came to mind thanks to the latest Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer. This partly stems from a different idea I had for a while. If you guys are wondering about the other members of the Sonic movie cast, that will be for a different page. Now let's get started!

It has been 3 months since Eddie lost his job and marriage due to the Life Foundation 'scandal'. Things have been difficult as he struggles to find jobs to keep the roof of his cheap apartment over his head. Nevermind the still fresh emotional turmoil the man inflicted on himself.

Eddie honestly thought the insanity was almost over. That is until one fateful night changed his life forever. He was shamefully walking home in complete darkness. Eddie recently came from another failed job interview, the fifth one this week to be exact.

There is only so much cash writing minor tabloid articles could make him. He was running on fumes and it's only a matter of time before he had nothing. Eddie needed another job if he doesn't want the bills to stack. His thoughts are interrupted by a strange noise in a nearby alleyway.

Any normal person would have ignored but the man was too curious for his own good. Eddie honestly expects the source of the noise to be an alleycat at best and a shaky homeless person at worse. He never expected some black furry creature with red highlights.

Or the white gloves it was wearing to be stained blood from the gunshot wound in their side. Eddie didn't have much of a choice when the being collapsed to the ground. Hopefully he wouldn't regret taking them back to his apartment.

Yup! Eddie's first encounter with the otherworldly is with Shadow instead of Venom. Before anyone even asks, he wouldn't give him up. The movies take inspiration from the comics and Eddie's character is one such thing. He stands up for those who can't defend themselves through words even after he got Venom.

Eddie could use Shadow to gain money or fame but the man wouldn't. By doing so will make him no better than the corrupt individuals he fights such as Drake. To summarize how the hedgehog got out, you can blame an incompetent GUN officer for not monitoring his stasis pod well.

Although Shadow didn't come out of it with just some gunshot wounds. Whatever the officer done to free him resulted in the hedgehog developing amnesia. The only thing he remembers is his name, Maria's and that he is a hedgehog.

Due to his amnesia, Shadow is closer to a docile, nervous yet curious blank slate than an angry vengeful mess. (Like the fandom portrayed him before we got the first trailer for Sonic 3.) Eddie obviously doesn't know what he got himself into. Yet something inside him told the man he had to help the hedgehog.

The next three months consist of Eddie caring for Shadow. It includes taking him outside for nighttime activities, giving him an education to some extent, and anything else the hedgehog needs. This includes clothing to cover up the obvious inhuman appearance whenever they got out especially during the day.

Eddie also studied up on veterinary and standard medical procedures as well. He can't exactly take Shadow to a doctor nor a vet. The man didn't offer him food that normal hedgehog's eat because it might've offended the kid.

Only one person knows what Shadow really looks like: Maria. Meeting the homeless was a very rough affair for two reasons. The first being how it exactly happens.

During the first month, Eddie got into an argument with Shadow and the hedgehog ran off. He runs into Maria being harassed by a few drunks on the street thus he defends her. The woman's name accidentally triggers a lost memory and the intensity of it causes Shadow to collapse. He wakes up in her arms while she lectures Eddie.

This isn't the first incident where regaining a memory would cause the Ultimate Lifeform pain. Even the smallest thing like a cartoon could trigger a memory within Shadow. The more important it seems to be, the more painful it is.

Something that made Eddie extra cautious when it came to finding any information about the hedgehog. He knows it's only a matter of time before Shadow regains his memory. Thus the man would rather take it slowly for both their sakes.

Overall, everything had been mostly peaceful for the duo. Eddie doesn't feel like drowning himself in a bottle as Shadow keeps him grounded and mostly content. That is until Maria goes missing.

When Dora Skirth(female scientist) asks Eddie for help, he's very quick to jump on it. Shadow wasn't taking Maria's disappearance very well and the ex reporter is afraid that the kid will run off to find her. A fear proven true when the hedgehog appears at the lab to rescue the now unconscious woman.

Shadow was able to get Maria to a nearby hospital in time and doctors were able to resuscitate her. The Venom Symbiote however had already jumped into Eddie. You can bet it was awkward when the amnesiac hedgehog sees his dad walk into the apartment like a zombie. He does stop him from eating trash chicken but couldn't save the tater tots or dino nuggets.

Things get even more chaotic after Venom nips Shadow for trying to save the food. An unknown yet familiar power deep inside the hedgehog slowly begins to awaken. Something that the symbiote seems to recognize.

These newfound Doom Powers immediately put Shadow in the crosshairs of Carlton Drake. Now Eddie has to fight against the Life Foundation while trying to solve the deeper and darker mystery about Shadow. He can't forget trying to manage a predatory symbiotic alien's voracious hunger either. Or the sporadic mutations that begin to emerge within his hedgehog son.

Luckily for them both, Venom is happy to help Eddie protect his 'offspring' than just deal with Drake. Although the Life Foundation isn't the only thing he has to handle. Sometimes the past refuses to stay behind.

Whether it be his or Shadow's.

@foolmariofest @umtrem @halfakitsune-nordiluskitsunaly @moth-looking-for-a-lamp

[crastledivorce]

I feel like Scott is the official arbiter of marriage and Cleo is the official arbiter of divorce and that's why they're such good friends

[sometimes-rendog]

day 57, theres a dog licking my birthday cake right now

tbh ren + other frames under cut

[letsunity]

With Thunder Comes Lightning

Summery: Peter and MJ tried again, but the spark wasn't there; they stay as friends to raise their soon-to-be daughter. Everything was going great until evil goop and a spooky vampire guy fall out of an orange portal. Little does Peter know that the biggest pain in his ass and future mutant best friend has landed right at his feet.  

art by @gryphll

Chapter 4 - Appointment

Doctor appointments weren't MJ's favourite thing. She had a phobia of needles and other medical garbage. The smell of sterile stuff made her ill.

Of course, Peter has to be the friendly neighbourhood Spiderman. For her safety, MJ had their new buddy.

"It's just a checkup. Everything's going to be fine," MJ told herself, biting her lower lip. "I don't feel fine. Ok. Can I have some encouragement?"

"I've never been to a hospital, so I can't accurately assure your safety," Miguel stated, the coldness of it concerning her. "I'll kill whoever comes too close. Does that help?"

"You're trying. That's helpful enough, tough guy."

"I suspect you're infantilising me."

"I have a baby growing in me. Everyone is an infant to me now. And you're, y'know, a decade younger than me."

His little grumble was cute.

MJ might not know how to make a portal watch or swing webs, but she could see when someone was hurt.

The entire situation hurt her best friend; Peter was a good man with a titanic heart, and it weighed heavily on him. She wanted to hug and tell him it was ok, but she couldn't lie to his face. She didn't know how this would turn out.

He cried himself to sleep last night. He was grieving the loss of his friends alone. He tended to put himself on an island when in pain, not wanting to put the burden on others. It was a selfless part of him she used to love, but now she worried.

Her best friend was in pain, as was her new friend.

"Is there anything that they can do here to help you?" MJ asked, her blue eyes wandering up to meet those dark sunglasses.

"There's nothing to help in my universe. I doubt it'll be any different here."

"You never know. They might have something for those allergies and the light thing."

"No."

"Hmm, that sounds like self-harm."

"It's not undeserved."

"What is it with Spidermen and being all self-sacrificing?"

"We have the power to do something. We can do enough to make a significant change. By sacrificing ourselves, the people we protect can rest in peace. That's what it means to be Spiderman."

"Almost sounds like a quote."

"It was. From the Spiderman of my universe before me."

He was from the future, but MJ didn't even consider there might have been a previous Spiderman. Was it like Peter and Miles?

It's exciting learning about other universes.

"What was he like? The one before you?"

"I never met him. He died long, long before I came to be. When Klyntarus ruled our universe, there weren't any heroes or anybody with the power to do something - I'm... still alone on that front. But he was a good man from what I understand."

At least Peter had co-workers, allies and friends.

She was sad knowing that Peter had died there. All of the other heroes, too. It wouldn't be surprising if Klyntarus had something to do with that.

It's sweet that he was inspired by the original Spiderman, though.

He's right, though. If you can make a change for the better, you should.

The creed of Spiderman is to put others before yourself; it's a heavy burden but an honourable one. She respected it.

"I'm glad that he inspired you."

"Gracias."

MJ didn't like the smell of the hospital entrance. It was messy, sterile and also tainted with puke. Thankfully, she wasn't alone in her disgust.

"Oh, mierda. Huele como una morgue horneada," he hissed, cringing.

"No idea what you said, tough guy, but agreed."

She didn't enjoy having to sign in. The receptionists weren't interested in being helpful, mostly ignoring MJ. They only started to pay attention when Miguel growled; it reminded MJ of a pissed-off cane corso.

Having a giant buff Latino vampire proved helpful. He's like a bodyguard, scaring people into listening to her. She used to do that for Peter when people ignored him for being a nerd.

She loves nerds. They've got so many interests and know many intriguing things. They can never bore you.

With the giant having kidnapped their attention, MJ was finally able to get things moving. All they had to do now was linger in the cesspool of stench until her doctor could be assed.

MJ's not happy about sitting on a warm chair surrounded by sick people, all looking as pleased as her.

She hates hospitals.

"How's your first hospital visit?"

"Mierda."

"Agreed."

Although MJ didn't have spidey sense, she had bullshit sense, courtesy of being a little redhead spitfire. She could detect something akin to one of those space wizards in those movies that Peter enjoyed.

There is a foulness in the force.

With some scouring, MJ spotted the source of the foulness. It was a woman glowering at her and her friend, paler than carved marble; she must be anaemic.

MJ's been around long enough to see one of those people.

She's not standing for it. She might be eight months pregnant and a shorty, but MJ had a spider's spirit.

Hopefully, she could distract him from that witch.

"If it's not rude for me to ask, is Nueva a Spanish version of new york?"

"No. It was destroyed in the calamity of 2038 and was rebuilt by Hector Nueva, soon named after him. I'm just Mexican. A little Irish, too."

"You're a damn big leprechaun."

"Very funny. I'm more like a Chupacabra, anyway."

"And here I thought you didn't like vampires."

"I don't. Vampires suck. Chupacabras are cool."

"They do suck."

"You're worse than Parker."

"I take that as a compliment, thank you."

Peter will feel much better knowing that she's not alone. She's got a buddy guard to protect her from any ominous sludge.

All Miguel has to do is sit in the corner and be spooky.

She was due measurements, weighing, blood pressure, a quick ultrasound, and possibly a pelvic exam - she hated those. It's so awkward and invasive.

While MJ should want nobody else in the room, she doesn't get a pervy vibe from Miguel. He didn't react when she came out of the shower, not bothered or even interested. He didn't have a single care about that sort of thing.

Her bullshit sense often intertwines with her gaydar. He's not straight; she knew that much. If she were a gambler, MJ would put her money on asexual.

Does he know what that is? She might ask later.

"MJ."

"Yeah?"

"We need to leave."

"Wait, is it him? Is he coming?" MJ questioned.

She was scared of being too close to that monster. It's hurt her friends so much, and she hasn't even seen it.

MJ didn't get to ask more as a roar echoed from outside.

Before she knew what was happening, she was facing the pale ceiling, bright orange webbing keeping her there. Several other people were up as well, but not her surprise roommate.

A suited Miguel was beneath her in the waiting room, his hands gripping the thick horn of nonother than Aleksei Sytsevich, also known as the Rhino.

Something was wrong, though. His thick hide was burned and scorched, ooze dripping and refusing to mix with his blood.

His face, usually mixed with rage and bloodlust, was full of fear and anguish. Most of his face was gone, reduced to burned bone. He only had a single eye, but she doubted he could see from it.

"Помогите мне кто-нибудь!" Rhino roared, his voice bloodcurdling and terrified. "Обжигает! Обжигает!"

MJ didn't understand Russian, but she knew he was in agony.

A black sludge ripped from his spine, red eyes scowling at Miguel.

"2099! What a coincidence! Such a little universe, hmm?" Klyntarus cackled, forcing Rhino to push forward. "Such weak little bodies. Can you imagine how it feels to be a flame sailing a sea of kerosene?"

"Eres toda mía, perra mocosa!"

"I look forward to you trying."

She winced as Rhino cried again, begging for help that couldn't come.

Klyntarus rammed into Miguel again, pushing him through the empty reception desk. People were running in panic, terrified.

MJ scrambled for her phone, texting Peter as quickly as she could. As soon as he realised she was there, it would go to ultimate shit.

Pick up your damn phone, Parker!

Peter hopped past Morbius' claws, finding them far less impressive than Miguel's. Honestly, the vamp had nothing on Peter's roommate.

He didn't have Miguel's power or claws; even Miguel's fangs were much more intimidating. The red of his eyes had much more potency than Morbius'.

"You are depriving some village of their idiot!" Morbius sneered, trying to pierce Peter.

"And Twilight is missing one of its vamps!"

Peter jumped on the ledge of a balcony, cracking his aching back.

He wasn't sure how to feel about Morbius now. He was somewhat interested at the beginning. After ten years, though? it got old.

At this point, Morbius was the villain of the week.

Weirdly, he felt like a knockoff compared to his fellow spider. He didn't have the same energy or vibe.

He can't put it into words exactly, but compared to Miguel, Morbius is nothing.

"That movie is an insult to what makes vampires so-"

"-Lame?" Peter finished, uninterested. "Are you going to sparkle now?"

"Insolent brat!"

"I'm almost forty, dude."

"You're younger than me, so you're a brat!"

Man, so this is how Miguel felt.

He's still going to annoy him over being younger. What friend would Peter be if he didn't?

When Morbius pounced, Peter jumped onto a nearby roof, feeling his cracked phone buzz. He should ignore it, given he's fighting a "mighty" foe, but his senses demand otherwise.

Peter looked at his phone, seeing a missed call from MJ. Was she done with her appointment already? That was quick!

The text, however, told him otherwise.

Fuck Peter with a salty menorah. He's there.

"I've got a thing. Debate movies with you later, Mikey!"

"Darn you, Spiderman!"

"Whatever!"

He wasted no chance racing towards the hospital, and police were already surrounding the chaos. He landed upon a police car, fear dancing in his bones.

Peter's spidey senses were screaming to run away, but he couldn't. His friends and baby were in there.

As expected, Jameson was still kicking, talking to news cameras, no doubt blaming Peter for this, somehow. He's glad he quit working for that asshole; it was such a toxic environment.

Whatever, he's too old to care about what Jameson's whining about.

Peter swung inside, smelling the rot already. He's here alright. It disgusted him that Klyntarus was attacking a hospital, but he was already vile; Peter shouldn't be shocked at his evil.

There were glowing, orange webs on the ceiling where MJ's text said she'd been. He couldn't see her anywhere, so he would have to go looking. The trail of bloody melted viscera and rot was a good indicator.

The hospital looked like something out of a horror movie; it was decayed, in ruin. It's been infected by Klyntarus.

He was scared that he would find her and hurt them. He was terrified of being a father but even more afraid of losing his child.

Fuck, how can Miguel cope with losing his daughter? Peter hadn't even met his kid and was scared for them.

Peter crept through the ruins, cautiously stepping over suspicious mounds that stank of death. He relied on his spidey senses, but they were overwhelmed by that monster's presence.

Something big had barrelled through the hospital, almost like a torpedo or tank. It would take ages to fix this place up if that were even possible.

Klyntarus destroyed everything around him. It's likely that wherever he goes, it's inhospitable.

He saw some glowing web, a sign of his teammate. He followed it, finding a deep hole that ran so far down that Peter couldn't see the bottom. It appeared to reach the under levels of the hospital; there should only be a basement, though.

Another buzz from his damaged phone - a text!

Peter stared at it, analysing the three dancing dots that eventually became a message. His heart was tachycardic with worry and fear.

The older Spiderman ran, looking at the fading numbers on the doors he passed. He paused at 16B, the one that MJ's number indicated. Despite knowing it could be a trap, Peter broke the door open, scouring the room.

MJ was sitting beside a gurney. She was in shock, afraid and alone.

A recently deceased young man lay not far from her. He was horrifically burned, and most of his left leg was reduced to sludge. He died slowly; Peter knew that as soon as he spotted him.

He quickly came to his best friend's side, checking her for injuries.

"He had Rhino's body," MJ whimpered, shaking from the ordeal. "He was crying for help, Peter. Rhino. He was in agony."

That explained why the hospital had a giant hole in it.

"Come on, let's get out of here," Peter said, bridal carrying his close friend. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"No. No, Miguel distracted him so we could run out. Something went wrong, though. The bodies didn't stay -"

"Parker!"

Peter twisted to the deceased man, who was now sitting up, black fluid running from his orifices. His eyes were empty, devoid of life, but something was in there, puppeteering him.

He was close to tightening his grip but knew it'd hurt MJ. He wouldn't do that to her.

She clung to his body, hiding her face in his chest.

"He will reign long, and your friend will be far too gone!" the corpse cackled, rotting at an astonishing rate. He melted to bones before Peter's eyes. Not even his clothes survived the rot.

As cryptic as that was, Peter knew what it was implying.

Peter had to get MJ outside first, however.

He made his way out of the hospital, feeling that fear fade with each step. The further from Klyntarus he was, the more confident he felt.

Did Klyntarus' very presence rot your soul? It seemed so.

"Keep her safe," Peter ordered a surprised and confused police officer, turning back towards the building. "And don't let anybody else inside. I mean it."

"It's the same thing that killed those heroes, isn't it?" the officer said, removing her jacket to cover MJ. "Don't die in there, Spiderman."

"I don't plan on it."

He couldn't make any promises.

So, fear growing in his chest, Peter returned to the leftover Walking Dead set. He wouldn't be shocked to find Rick Grimes' room where he was somehow untouched in a coma for a year.

That entire show was a fever dream; he was sure of it. After Glenn died, the only fun left was, ironically, Negan. He'll have to make Miguel watch that.

When he arrived at the suspicious hole, Peter jumped. His knees complained when he landed, cracking in all the wrong and unsatisfying ways.

The fear of Klyntarus was far more potent than before, suffocating Peter in an aura of fear and death.

He's not looking for that thing, though.

Peter quickly spotted the entrance to a tunnel that shouldn't exist.

Rhino's body lay mangled and twisted at the entrance like a macabre decoration. Instead of being melted, it looked like a savage beast and tore the poor bastard apart. He didn't want to be on the backside of whatever caused that.

He walked down the tunnels, listening out for his friend.

His senses went off, sending a tingle down his spine. He turned around, annoyed to see Morbius had followed him.

"Not the time, Count Lame-ula. Ugh, that sounded better in my head. Whatever, could you go and haunt some little kid's birthday party? I'm in the middle of something."

"What horrors could have created such strife?" Morbius asked, both in awe and horrified by the situation.

"An extradimensional genocidal evil Symbiote that decays whatever he touches. You should go before you eats you, too."

"I don't believe you."

"I don't care."

"You're trying to deceive me!"

"Not everything is about you!"

"Fool! I am the reincarnation of the great Count Dracula!"

"Sure, and I'm the reincarnation of Link - see my little fairy, Navi? We're on our way to rescue Zelda," Peter sighed, rolling his eyes behind his mask. "Just go bother someone else, alright?"

Vampires suck.

Peter paused, feeling something else was down here. It wasn't Klyntarus, but it felt similar and yet distinct. He could feel it was nearby and dangerous, but not the precise position.

That "something" was coming and fast.

Of course, Morbius acted like a child and attempted to attack Peter while distracted. He wouldn't get the chance to get close, however.

A blur of red and dark pounced upon Morbius before he could reach Peter, his senses screaming at him to run. He couldn't see what it was but could hear the rabid rage and terrified cries.

Peter webbed the mysterious form and pulled it away from Michael, hearing a dog-like grunt of annoyance and frustration.

A pair of deep, red eyes stared back at Peter. They were similar to Klyntarus'; they had his unique shade, but Klyntarus didn't have pupils or irises. The eye shape was far too human to be Klyntarus, even if he tried to make a human body.

The eyes were what Peter was focused on at first, but then he saw what the rest of the red was.

A suit.

"Miguel?" Peter questioned, realising what, or rather who, he was looking at.

His pupils were so thin they were almost non-existent. He was shaking, breathing heavily and hunched over, foamy drool dripping onto the ground.

While Miguel didn't exist to Peter's spidey sense, this did. It wasn't the same as Klyntarus, but it was similar enough.

Miguel was swallowing air. It's like he was in a scary trance, trapped far away.

His claws were out, ready to scratch something that wasn't there. His fingers were shaking so much.

Peter felt like he was looking at a werewolf, pure instinct and consciousness battling for control, and the former was dominant.

Morbius shifted into shadows, reforming behind "Miguel". It was a stupid idea, for Miguel turned and bit Morbius' arm.

Having seen what it could do to Klyntarus, Peter grabbed his friend. The stupid villain was clawing at Miguel's face, trying to make him let go. Glowing blue was dripping from Morbius' arm - the venom was already being delivered.

"Get it off me!" Morbius yelled, turning his vampiric claws to Miguel's neck. He wouldn't let go, eyes staring at something that wasn't there.

It was clear Miguel wasn't there. He couldn't hear Peter, stuck in this bizarre and scary trance.

An idea came to Peter.

He took out his phone and turned on the flashlight, shining it directly into Miguel's eyes.

The trance version of his friend yowled, letting go to cover his eyes. While Morbius had left deep scratches on his face, the photophobia forced him to let go.

Morbius stumbled back, his arm shaking horribly.

Ignoring the vampire, Peter grabbed Miguel's shoulders, trying to figure out what was happening.

His "buddy" dropped his arms loosely, glowering towards Peter, but it didn't seem directed at him.

"It's me. It's Peter, alright?" Peter said, trying to get through to him. "How about we sit down? Does that sound good?"

He knew Miguel was much more powerful than him, but Peter's faster. If he needed to, Peter could stick to the walls or ceiling.

Encouraging his distant friend to sit down, Peter watched him, paying attention to his eyes.

Without any stimulation, he watched the redness in his eyes fade. When the red left, some awareness returned, replaced by confusion.

"What happened?" Peter asked, glancing at the groaning Morbius still clutching his arm.

"Había mucho ruido," Miguel muttered, rubbing his eyes. "He tried to take me. Estúpido bastardo."

The corpse's warning.

Did Klyntarus trigger a flight or fight response, only instead of Miles' invisibility, Miguel went rabid? It could've been a PTSD thing, too.

"Where's MJ?"

"She's safe," Peter said, feeling Klyntarus' presence growing. "We need to go."

Peter grabbed the taller man's side, feeling his broken ribs. That never seemed to stop him.

"I can move."

"I don't doubt that, but you still seem out of it."

The possession attempt had an impact, as he was still spaced out. It was like he was stoned or drunk.

"Happens sometimes," his friend grunted, a noise that did things Peter wished it didn't. "I didn't hurt you?"

"No. All I'm hurting from is arthritis."

"I always hurt someone..."

He didn't like hearing the sadness and regret there. And Peter couldn't say that he hadn't. He attacked Morbius and must've killed Rhino, though that seemed to be a mercy.

"Indeed."

Peter scowled at Morbius' body, watching "his" head tilt. While Peter was focused on Miguel, he didn't even realise Morbius got snatched.

He didn't like the guy, but Morbius didn't deserve that fate.

The kidnapped body was already starting to decay.

"I'm going to take everything from you, Peter. I'll break you in ways you didn't think could be broken. And I'll have him, too," Klyntarus vowed, tilting Morbius' head too far to the right. "I'll let you play with my toy for now. It'll make it all the easier to break him after I've shredded your soul."

"What's to stop me from walking over there and ripping you out of there?"

"Because you're like all the other Parkers I've eaten. You don't kill, even when you want to. You won't kill me while I'm in someone's body. It's cowardice I thankfully bred out of my true body." His friend hissed, but it only made Klyntarus smile. "You've come so far from the fragile ball of flesh I ripped from that whore wetback."

Peter can't kill. It's his greatest strength and his weakness. How is he meant to beat something that'll only stop if it's destroyed?

He needed to get Miguel out of here and look after MJ. He had to find somewhere safe for her to stay.

Regardless of how his friend felt, they needed help. They were going to get the X-Men for backup.

"Until I find a more suitable temporary vessel, Parker. Farewell."

Peter shot a web at Morbius' possessed body, but he vanished into shadow.

Another day where he could've done something but didn't have the balls. That was a theme he was getting angry at.

"Maldito cobarde."

"Yeah, to whatever you said, pal."

Xavier's going to have a field day over this.

Special thanks to spider-the-bat for the borders!

[pensivespacepirate]

it feels like the whole purpose of venom 3 is to kill off venom what the fuck

[daily-symbiotes]

Today’s Daily Symbiote: THRANKK