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Marvel: King of The Swarm Chapter 36: Ideological Clash (I)
🕑 Added 2025-06-16 03:49:57 +0000 UTC'Why now? Why now of all times? Everything was going so well, couldn't the city just wait until after EA for colleges closes before coming apart at the seams?' Gwen bemoaned as she chased after the hulking grey monstrosity currently plowing through Friday night traffic tossing cars through the air like they were paper weights.
"Damnit Aleksei, stop this before you kill someone!" Gwen roared as she used her webbing to form a massive net suspending the cars in midair before they could come crashing down.
In response, Aleksei Sytsevich, better known as Rhino, brought his unstoppable charge to a screeching halt before grabbing the closest and heaviest thing within arms reach.
'Oh, you got to be kidding me,' Gwen cursed as a taxi came flying up at her like a banana-colored torpedo, with a blaring siren as the driver laid on the horn a look of understandable fear on his face.
Tucking in her legs Gwen flipped over the hood before landing feet first on the roof and breaking into a sprint over the roof before kicking off of the trunk.
Like a fly caught in a web, the taxi was snagged leaving Gwen to deal with the source of all the chaos. Flipping once more as she pierced through the air like an arrow, Gwen's feet slammed into Rhino's chest with a loud thud and a grunt from the horned villain.
The several hundred pounds of pure gama-infused muscle went air-born, as Gwen sent the Rhino flying. Such a feat would have been impossible for Gwen two months ago, but her strength had been steadily growing ever since she had bonded with the suit.
Rhino hit the ground with a loud crash as he landed on several cars crushing them like empty soda cans. Fortunately, the drivers and passengers had vacated the vehicles long ago.
"Ugh, you hit harder Spiderwoman," Rhino grunted in a thick Russian accent as he slowly stood up brushing off the shattered glass stuck to his grey leathery suit, "Is it new suit?"
"Not in the mood to talk Aleksei, now why don't you tell me why you're doing this? You're not the type to go on a rampage without motive," Gwen asked as she rose to her full height and stared down the giant who still loomed over her with ease.
Rhino grinned as he shrugged his shoulders and pawed at the ground with his feet, "Maybe mutual friend, pay me to cause little trouble, tells me to have fun and make big scene."
Gwen narrowed her eyes, "Please don't tell me you're just a distraction."
A booming laugh echoed from Rhino as he lowered his shoulder and bent his knees, "Unlucky for you, Spiderwoman, you are only one who can stop me."
With a thunderous roar, Rhino started to run at Gwen, quickly picking up speed until the street shook and the pavement cracked under his every step.
'Ughhh, I don't have time for this!' Gwen thought her anger flaring as she ran towards Rhino undaunted by his thunderous approach.
Waiting until the last second Gwen dove in between Rhino's legs before popping up behind him and jumping onto his back. Even as the Rhino continued his stampede, Gwen started to crawl around his body on all fours keeping just out of reach of his massive hands. At the same time, silk poured out from Gwen's wrists, covering Rhino's body in the organic webbing that was far stronger than Gwen's formulated one.
Before long Rhino's charge came to a stuttering stop, with both his arms pinned against his chest and legs bound together.
Vaulting off of Rhino, Gwen stuck the landing in front of him and with a forceful push of her finger sent the villain toppling over where he landed on his back with the gracefulness of a felled tree.
"Alright, Aleksei time to talk, who paid you to be a distraction and where's the real job!" Gwen demanded as she stood on Rhino's chest glaring down at him.
Despite his position, Rhino smiled, "I say nothing Spider, you no have the guts to kill me!"
"Don't make this harder than it has to be Aleksei. Talk to me and I can maybe talk to the police about getting you a reduced sentence or maybe a nice manicure for your horn." Gwen joked but it didn't cut through the stress piling up in her voice.
"BAH!" Rhino laughed sending spittle flying, "No prison can hold me, not with new comrade!"
"New Comrade?" Gwen muttered confusedly which only seemed to humor Rhino even more before he suddenly stopped and stared into Gwen's eyes with a piercing intelligent gaze, "You're not the only one with powerful friends."
'What the hell is he talking about,' Gwen muttered as she shook her head realizing that Rhino wouldn't be telling her anything.
'I believe he's referencing my blessing.'
Gwen flinched as a familiar voice echoed in her head causing her body to break out into a cold sweat, 'Genesis! How are you inside my head?'
'When you received my blessing, a connection was established between the two of us. You've done well using my gifts.'
'It's not a gift if you force it into my arms!' Gwen stressed as she jumped off of Rhino's chest, the sounds of sirens growing in the stance, 'Now would you kindly get out of my head so I can figure out where the next attack is going to be and stop innocent people from getting hurt!'
'I know where the next attack is going to be.'
Genesis' words made Gwen pause her arm already half raised ready to swing off into the city, 'How...and don't say it's because you're a god.'
'I never claimed to be a god, I only possess the potential to become one. And the reason why I know is because they're currently attempting to break into my kingdom.'
'W-wait, they're what?!' Gwen exclaimed even as she took a running leap and started to swing through the city, 'Why are they attacking you?! Wait who even are they? Is this some type of cult war?'
'No, it is not, I believe you're actually rather familiar with this group. It consists of several of your recurring antagonists.'
It only took Gwen a moment to figure out who Genesis was referencing, 'The Sinister Six, or five now that I've taken out Rhino. But why did they put aside their heaviest hitter just to get me tangled up?
'They assume that you are the primary protector of Sanctuary,' Genesis replied calmly, far too calmy for some currently under siege.
Vaulting off a traffic sign Gwen sailed high into the air before swinging around a skyscraper at breakneck speeds, 'Why would they think that? I haven't gone anywhere near you since you attacked me!'
'They've associated your new suit with the appeal of my followers after all both made their public appearances at the same time.'
'Wait! Does everyone think that I'm involved with some cult?' Gwen exclaimed with an internal groan before shaking her head, 'Putting that aside for the moment, how much time do I have before they break through?'
'They won't be able to, my powers far superseded theirs.' Genesis boasted causing Gwen to sigh in relief, 'Alright that's good, once I get there we can take them on together and-'
'You seem to be mistaken,' Genesis interrupted, 'I did not reach out to you for assistance, I am inviting you to bear witness to the fate that falls upon those who attempt to spread their corruption in my kingdom.'
Gwen felt her body go numb as she realized what Genesis was insinuating, 'You can't.'
'Why not? They enter my Sanctuary seeking to kill my followers, do you expect me to sit back and allow them free reign?'
Gwen could only shake her head in disbelief, 'You could disarm or incapacitate them before handing them over to the police! Killing them is not the answer!'
'Do not waste your breath Spiderwoman, this is not a debate, I do not care that your argument has merit and value. My will must be carried out.'
'You know I'm going to stop you right?' Gwen replied coldly as her worries and fears about Genesis were confirmed in an instant, 'I'm not going to sit back and become implicit in their murders!'
'You can try, in fact, I'm expecting it,' Genesis replied with an audible smile, 'Don't keep me waiting Spiderwoman.'
