Marvelous Pals #61

Leaving the Stark compound, I let out a long yawn, stretching my arms as the warm sunlight washed over me. After being cooped up in Tony’s lab for the last two days, the fresh air felt like a luxury. Two days of nonstop experimentation and brainstorming, trying to figure out the full potential of Paldium, had left me mentally exhausted.

I was only able to escape because we’d finally run out of Paldium—otherwise, Stark would’ve probably kept me there until I was old and gray. Still, I had to admit, the results were worth it.

Turns out, Paldium is even more versatile than I’d imagined. Not only could it transform into any type of energy with minimal effort, but with the help of my wristwatch, it could also facilitate the transformation of solid matter.

That little detail had sparked a whole new wave of excitement in Tony. He’d begged me to leave the watch behind so he could study it further, but eventually, he realized it wasn’t happening. The watch was more than just an accessory—it was practically fused to me. I couldn’t take it off, even if I wanted to.

Naturally, Tony didn’t just take my word for it. He spent two hours trying every method he could think of to remove it from my wrist. He tried everything from high-tech gadgets to brute force, but in the end, he had to concede defeat. Watching the frustration grow on his face was oddly satisfying, but I didn’t let it show. The guy’s a genius, but even he has his limits.

After the whole wristwatch ordeal, we spent the rest of the time bouncing ideas off each other, discussing potential uses for Paldium. Most of our conversations revolved around gadgets and weapons that could be useful in a fight.

Some of Tony’s ideas were a bit too out there, even for me, but a few concepts showed real promise. He agreed to start working on those right away, using whatever scraps of Paldium we had left. He promised me they’d be ready in a few days. Knowing Stark, I didn’t doubt it.

But now, with no more Paldium in my inventory, I had to figure out my next move. The plan was to head back to Palbagos Island to stock up on more Paldium and get some practice in with my mutant powers. The island’s wild Pals would make for excellent training partners. But before that, there was something I’d been putting off for a while.

“Time to go fishing,” I muttered to myself as I slipped into the bustling crowd on the street, disappearing among the sea of people.

...

The city at night had a way of distorting time, stretching out each second until it felt like an eternity. The streets were mostly empty, the occasional car passing by, its headlights slicing through the darkness. I walked slowly, deliberately, through a narrow alleyway in a less-traveled part of New York, the kind of place people avoided after dark. Perfect for what I had in mind.

My footsteps echoed against the brick walls, the sound bouncing back to me in the stillness. This was the kind of place where things went unnoticed—where people could disappear without a trace. I could feel my senses sharpening, every noise, every shadow heightening my awareness. It was almost too quiet, a lull before the storm.

I wasn’t just walking aimlessly, though. I knew exactly where I was and who I was waiting for. Kraven the Hunter—a man who thrived in the shadows, known for stalking his prey with a patience that bordered on sadistic. He was out there somewhere, watching, waiting for the right moment to strike. The thought of being hunted would’ve terrified me not too long ago, but things had changed.

Now, I wanted him to come for me. I needed to end this before heading back to Palbagos Island. Kraven had been a thorn in my side since I’d first set foot in this body, and if I was going to keep moving forward, I couldn’t afford to have him stalking me, waiting to pounce when I least expected it.

A breeze rustled through the alley, carrying the scent of the city with it—oil, trash, and something else, something metallic. I slowed my pace, my pulse quickening as I scanned the area. The shadows seemed to stretch and move, as if alive, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. Not that it was surprising. Kraven was a master at this kind of thing, after all.

“Alright, Kraven,” I muttered under my breath, coming to a stop. “Let’s get this over with.”

The hairs on the back of my neck prickled as I heard the softest shuffle behind me, so faint it could’ve been mistaken for a trick of the mind. But I knew better. I didn’t bother turning around; I didn’t need to. My mutant powers were buzzing beneath the surface, ready to spring into action. I could sense the tension in the air, the shift in Kraven’s stance as he prepared to strike.

I braced myself, every muscle in my body tensing as I felt his presence draw closer. A split second later, he lunged from the shadows, moving with the kind of speed and precision that only someone like him could muster. He was on me in an instant, his blade flashing in the moonlight as he aimed for my throat.

But I was ready.

With a flick of my wrist, the air around me seemed to ripple, and suddenly Kraven was yanked backward, his momentum halted mid-strike. His eyes widened in surprise, the expression quickly morphing into a fierce snarl as he struggled against the invisible force holding him back. Telekinesis had its perks.

“Not so fast,” I said, turning to face him fully, my hand still outstretched as I kept him suspended in the air. I could feel the strain of holding him there, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. Kraven was strong, but I was stronger now.

His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence between us, the night air thick with tension. Then, slowly, a twisted smile spread across his face.

“Impressive,” he rasped, his voice laced with grudging respect. “You’ve learned some new tricks, I see..."

I smirked, tightening my grip on him just enough to make it clear who was in control. “And I’ve got plenty more where that came from.”

Kraven’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t seem afraid—if anything, he looked excited, as if this was the challenge he’d been waiting for. That was the thing about Kraven: he wasn’t in it just to win; he wanted the thrill of the hunt, the adrenaline of a real fight. And that’s exactly what I was about to give him.

"I just so happen to have a few tricks of my own..." Kraven declared, his grin widening as a purple gas began leaking out of his vest, spreading at an alarming rate.

Not keen on finding out what this strange gas was, I quickly let go of Kraven, sending him flying. Acting quickly, I gathered the teleknetic energy around my body, and then quickly made it expand, creating a shockwave that dispersed the smoke.

Turning to look at Kraven I couldn't but frown as he hit the ground hard, and got back on his feet within a second, shaking off the impact like it was nothing. He drew another blade, crouching low as he sized me up, his predatory gaze locked on mine.

“Come on, then,” I challenged, my hands glowing faintly as I readied myself for the fight. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”