Chapter 34 - Beyond Beyonder

SHIELD HEADQUARTERS, New York

Nick Fury was sipping his coffee as he read the newspaper of Daily Bugle.

Flashing boldly at the front page was 'DR. FAUST VALENTINE'. He couldn't but smile at the height his little friend has achieved.

He opened his drawer and grabbed an old cellphone to make a call.

Ring Ring Ring.

"Hello, Kid." Fury said.

A young man's voice sounded on the other line. "Sorry, I already have an insurance, not interested."

Then the call was dropped.

Black lines started to appear on Fury's face. His lips couldn't help but twitch.

He dialed the number again and the call immediately connected but before he could say anything, the young man on the other end spoke in a dramatic voice.

"Sorry, not interested in toilet bowl either, byeeee~"

"Knock it off kid, we both know you knew it was me. There's a caller ID on your phone." Fury said.

"What the hell, are you spying on me now? Stop it or else, I'll tell everyone how a cat scratch your eyes when everyone thinks you sacrifice it for the greater good."

"Trust me, I'm not spying on you. If I was, you'll be surrounded in no time. Heh, it's just a common sense. You're rich, with latest phone, with a caller ID. Anyone could guess that." Fury scoffed.

"Hmmm, that's true. So tell me what do you need from me, old friend?"

"Can't I call just to check up on you?"

"No, this is the first time you called me since Carol left." Faust sneered.

"Fair enough, but seriously, I'm just calling to congratulate you. Thank you for your contributions to the entire humanity. For creating a cure for that godamn cancer.

"Fuck! Are you really Fury? Such cheesy lines comin out from you? I bet you had a testosterone cancer that's why you're thanking me all of a sudden."

"Fuck you, Faust. Mind you, I'm perfectly healthy."

"Says the guy who has one eye."

"So what's your plan with your cancer cure? Amass a fortune?" Fury swiftly change the topic.

"Are you kidding me? I'm already rich. Besides, how can it be called 'HOPE' if ordinary people can't afford it. Whom do you think I created this for? 90% of the cancer patients belong to less fortunate people. How can a struggling cancer patient afford it if the price is high."

"Wow, I can't believe a miser like you can do such selfless act. I might build a monument for you if you keep this up."

"I'll take you up on that offer, just be sure it will be as handsome as me or else I'm gonna find a away to bomb it, hahahahaha."

Fury grimaced and shook his head at his antics.

"Listen, kid, do you remember my offer last time. I could get you a position and a top of the line laboratory. Anything you request will be provided to you as long as you produce results."

"You know my answer to that is No right? Atleast not now. I still have a lot of plans and I don't want to be restricted anytime soon." Faust replied.

"Well, the offer still stands. In case you change your mind, just call me."

"Got it."

"Again, congratulations on your achievement, kid. I remember I have an employee whose excuse is his mother's cancer just to skip work."

"Poor guy, I guess there's no more excuse for him, huh."

"Yeah."

"Alright, thanks for calling by the way. I'm a bit busy these days so let's catch up again sometime. Is this line secured?"

"Who do you think you're talking to, kid?" Fury scoffed.

"Better be, hey I'm not a kid anymore." Faust said in protest.

"Hahahaha you wish, you'll always be a kid to me." Fury laughed teasingly.

"Fuck you, Pirate wannabe bye~"

Toooot toooot

Fury couldn't help but shook his head and laughed. It's really nice to talk to a true friend. No pretending needed, just pure conversation with a little bit of bullshit and nonsense.

--

At the same time, Umbrella Corp.

Texas

A bald man was in the elevator climbing up to the top floor. He was heading out to John's office to have him sign some documents. Ever since that night in Valentine's Villa, he noticed that John has started to become wary of him. In order to continue his undercover, he turned lay low. He didn't do anything suspicious or high profile and he will continue to do so until John let his guard down. He can't afford to fail his mission until he discover or confirm the secrets of Umbrella Corporation's sudden rise.

After going out of the elevator, he went towards the double door and was about to knock, when he saw the door was ajar.

Then he heard John was on the phone sounding very happy. He thought he was probably talking to his wife but he stayed and decided to eavesdrop for some reason.

"Can you believe it? My son.. Our son has made his mark in the field of medicine. That will surely etched his name in history. He bears our surname, Hahahahahaha. Honey, there are only two decisions in life that I didn't regret. Marrying you and adopting Faust. I couldn't ask for more. I could even die happily right now."

"I know I know, sorry Honey. It was just an expression. I'm just too happy and proud with our son. Imagine if he didn't discover those alien technology debris, our company would rise so rapidly in these past few years."

"Ahh..Sorry, honey! Don't worry, I'm the only one here. I'm sure I'm alone. Okay, okay, be careful on your way to Sokovia. Our clients paid such a hefty sum just for that deal. Once you seal the deal, please get out of there as soon as possible. Sigh, I told you I'll do it but you insist and I can't win against you. Be careful, okay. I love you. We'll visit Faust after your return. Bye~"

Outside the door, Stefan took a deep breath on his discovery. He didn't make his presence known and silently went back to the elevator.

After the elevator door closed, he hurriedly get his phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

Ring!

"Hello, Sir. It's confirmed. They really have an Alien Technology in their hands."

"Well done, Stefan. Very well, proceed to the next step. It's time for the harvest." The voice at the other end said.

"Roger that, Hail Hydra!" Stefan replied.

--

Meanwhile, Faust was in his laboratory continuing his study with the T Cells. Despite having an achievement, he didn't forget his initial goal. However, he encountered another bottleneck.

He remembered that William, his classmate from highschool, has an uncle who was an expert in cellular biology.

Without wasting any time, he called William and asked if he could introduce him to his uncle and give him his contact information.

William agreed and gave Faust his email address.

"Alice, send an email to this email address that says I'm William's friend and former classmate, asking for advice regarding cells. Include my name on it. It might help to convince him."

"Right away, sir."

Faust excited his laboratory and went upstairs. He saw Angel at living room muching some chips while watching television.

"Angel, I have to go to school, it seems Professor was asking for my presence."

"Do you need me to go with you?" Angel asked.

"Nope, I'm gonna be alright. I have an adrenaline serum with me for emergency. Besides, I wanna go there with my skateboard."

"Suit yourself. Just call if something happens you can't handle."

"I will. Don't tell, Mom."

"Got it!"

--

20 minutes later, he arrived at school riding his skateboarding. He wears a very casual attire. Just a shirt with stripe flannel jacket over him and tattered jeans.

He went straight to his professor's office to ask if he needed something.

His professor told him that the board accepted his thesis and gave him full marks. They are also preparing a reward for him for his outstanding achievement in medical biology so he should prepare himself a speech. Additionally, with more than two weeks of tests and observation, Heather was confirmed completely free from cancer and she is going to be released soon.

While they were talking, the phone on the desk rang.

The professor apologized and asked him to wait before answering the call.

After a few minutes of talking, the professor put down the phone and told him that he needs to go somewhere and asked him if he could go with him. There's someone he'd like to introduce to him.

Naturally, Faust agreed without any hesitation. He didn't have anything to do anyway since he's in a bottleneck on his project.

They went out of the professor's office heading east passing through some corridors until they saw an iron gate with an old guard wearing a sunglasses hunching over as he read his newspaper.

"Pretty guarded, huh? What's with this facility?" Faust asked.

"It was funded by the US military that's why it has to be guarded." The professor replied.

Then the professor knocked on the guard's outpost to open the gate for them. However, something bizarre happened right at that moment.

The old guard lowered down his newspaper to look at them. When Faust saw his face, he was so stunned that he forgot to breathe in a few seconds. Somehow, he knew at this time that something's going to happen.

The person he saw was the one and only, King of Cameo, Stan Lee smiling at him.

He didn't noticed that everything around them seems to stop. Only the two of them could move.

"So you are the 'Variable'. Hello Faust. Fancy finally meeting you."

Faust at this time was full of sweat as there's this caution inside of him started flare up. "S-stan?"

"Well, that's just one of my names in other universe. But I'm sure you know who I am, right?"

Faust gulped deeply and said, "Y-yes, One for all? err..I mean One above all?"

"Why do you sound so unsure. Oh I know why you're so nervous. Don't worry, despite what you are, I'm not gonna wipe you out of existence. On the contrary, I'm interested to see what you will do and how you will affect this universe."

"Well,thank you for not wiping me out like a shit in your a-hole. Wait a second, did you just say 'WHAT' not 'WHO'? What am I? What do you mean affecting the universe?"

"Hahaha, I don't know what you are either. But something ancient is within you, not your body but in your very soul. I even thought you were a Beyonder but now I'm sure you aren't. Hmmm...how should I say this. It came far far beyond the beyonder's domain. A place far more distant and old."

"Oookay, doesn't make any sense but sure. Now, for the second question, what do you mean affecting the Universe. I don't even have any power yet." Faust asked as he complained about his situation.

"Ahh that...Well I think it's okay for me to tell you this. Everything you touch changes their destiny."

"Yet another cryptic word. Come on, can you say something that I can understand?"

"You will, soon enough. Just enjoy your journey lad. I'm looking forward to the path you'll take and the choices you will make. Oh before I forgot, I already informed the guardian of this realm not to look for you or disturb you unless you seek her yourself. Consider it your welcome gift from me. Hehe."

"Good luck to your adventures, young lad. You need to become stronger soon or else you might lose something important to you."

"But---- hey, where'd you go?"

Before Faust could reply, look around because the guard vanished in front of him and the surroundings has returned to normal.

Then he heard his professor asking him if he's alright. Faust didn't say anything and just nodded. Professor and Faust resume on their way towards a laboratory but Faust's mind was in a different place. He was pondering what the OAA said to him.

'He might be talking about this useless shitty system. Far more old? Heh, old enough to be useless. Can't even activate on his own.'

'But at least I don't have to be afraid of suddenly being wiped out of existence and be disturbed by a bald monk. Sigh. What I'm more concerned about is what he said at the end. I wanna get stronger soon too but I don't have a choice and can only put up some hard work.'

He subconsciously followed the professor towards a laboratory while his mind was elsewhere but he suddenly woke up from his reverie when he heard his professor.

"Doctor Banner!"