Marvel: Starting From The Bottom

[[Nathaniel Essex]]

In this world, the ones that are strong are the ones that are praised. Without power, no matter how smart, how good looking or how wealthy you are— you will never be appreciated.

Centuries ago, when I went to the council with my thesis and theories… they laughed at me, they called me a fool without even reading or checking my writings.

But once I became powerful, they fell on my knees and called me the messiah. They called me the angel of knowledge, scholar of the wise… And any fancy term you could think of.

But the point still stands… They only referred to my work when I became powerful as they knew that there was no hope of winning against me.

And that was a fact that Marcellus knew… which is one of the reasons for him to take the serum.

"Do it." He ordered, as Lennon pushed the tip of the needle on his ċhėst.

"I will begin now." Saying that, Lennon started to empty the syringe inside Marcellus' bloodstream.

As the serum entered his body, the pain became apparent. He squirmed in discomfort as the syringe was emptied.

"Are you alright, sir?" Lennon asked and Marcellus gave him a nod but the pain he was going through was apparent.

"For now." Saying that, he gripped his ċhėst— coughing harshly.

He spat blood, surprising few of Lennon's ȧssistants. But it was still the beginning, he was going to suffer far worse than he did during the Wolverine serum.

And that was easily proven as in mere seconds, he rolled on the ground screaming in pain.

His body wasn't exactly compatible with the serum, but if his DNA managed to evolve with the serum— then he would become one of the most terrifying beings in this world.

As he wriggled on the ground, some of the people within the room panicked. 

"Someone check his vitals!" One of the ȧssistants shouted but was instantly stopped by Lennon.

"You all stand where you are!" He roared. 

Unable to go against their superior's order— they stayed in their position. 

Marcellus' skin started to peel off as blood oozed out of the open wounds and falling skin. His flesh started melting and he tore his own hair.

"*AHHHHHH!*"

He howled in pain and even Lennon looked scared.

"Get the vital stabilising drug!" He ordered.

"No." I said. "You all will stay in your place, quietly… and watch."

"But…" Lennon began but as he looked at my eyes, he stopped.

"You will do as I say and remain quiet." 

Marcellus was still screeching in pain and the rest were panicking. But I noticed what nobody else did— the rapid healing of the burnt skin.

It was slow but rapid. And it was improving…

At first it was unnoticeable but now, it was apparent.

"H-He is healing!" One of the ȧssistants exclaimed, drawing the attention of the rest.

"My goodness… He is healing!" Lennon couldn't contain his excitement.

Looking at them, I sighed.

"Prepare a bed. It will take him a while to be stable."

…

…

[[Unknown Location]]

It is said that if you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back.

And it was true.

I was staring straight into darkness… deep darkness.

"You are interesting!" The dark version of myself exclaimed. "I expected you to be scared."

"I am not easily scared." I answered, making him tilt his head.

"Really?" He asked and I nodded.

"Really."

He grinned. "Peekaboo, look behind." 

As I turned around, a devil faced beast shot towards me, but I didn't flinch.

"A jumpscare, classic." 

He seemed impressed at my impassive look.

"Why are you here?" I asked and he seemed confused.

"This is my place. You are the one intruding." His answer made me chuckle.

"My bad. What I meant to ask was… why are 'we' here… 'together' in this place?" I said which made him sigh.

"You lack a good sense of humour. I know what you meant." The dark me said. "This is a test… a test to see which of us will be in charge once the body awakens."

"So you are…" 

"Indeed. I am the Void." He answered— but I had expected it. "But only one of us can leave this place."

I thought so. In Reynolds' case— void was his dark side… his bottled up feelings.

His insanity.

"You are… different than I expected."

The Void in Reynolds' case was a dark suicidal evil entity… one demanding destruction and chaos.

"Reynolds' Void and I are completely different." 

"Reynolds was a meth addict, a person suppressed throughout his life, a person expected to act normal when he wasn't... and that is why his version of me was so chaotic." Void grinned which… was not a very pleasing sight.

"And what exactly are you?" I asked which made his grin grow bigger.

"You are different from Reynolds. You are not a hopeless idiot, but you are too strict." He said, confusing me. "I am the opposite of you. I love chaos, I love entertainment and I love unpredictability!"

It was true… I loved stability and predictability. I preferred everything to be orderly… and everything to be under my control.

"You are boring Marcellus Hanley, you are an overthinker." 

Now, it was my time to laugh.

"Since you are me, you know that if I was not steady and a planner… I would have died a long time ago. Throughout the years, I have been getting rid of threats before they could grow bigger and harm me." My outburst made him laugh.

"True. I have seen you doing some fun stuff." He said, making me frown. "You have killed little children who could have been a threat in the future. You have broken up couples who might have led to the birth of apocalyptic beings." His grin was feral. "And I know that you will continue to do so, Marcellus."

"What do you want?" I asked, not denying his previous claim.

"A test." He answered.

"A… test?" That didn't sound right. "Not a fight?"

He laughed maniacally. 

"You do not stand a chance against me. This is my realm and I am the God here. Your little toys… those claws stand no chance against my powers." He claimed and continued to laugh.

But he wasn't wrong. The powers of the Void could make the devil shit his pants, and there was no possible timeline where some claws would beat an unkillable being.

"What is the test?" I asked, knowing entirely well that it was a trap.

"Oh, it is not a trap. Just an evaluation to see which one of us is worthy." He said. "You are not Reynolds and I am not his darkness— I am yours. Unlike him who was able to merge with the darkness with a handshake… you will have to earn it." 

"How so?" 

He chuckled. "As I said, a test. A test of fear and acceptance."

I was not excited about this… not at all. A test by the void could never be good.

"If you could pass this test, I will be ȧssured that you can make things interesting. And that's all I want… Entertainment! If you pass the test, I will give you my powers… but if you were to fail, your body will be mine." He explained. "As for the test… you will understand once you start. Do you accept?"

I contemplated and realised that accepting it was the only way. He could forcefully take control of my body if he wanted... and everything he had said till now has been the truth. Reynolds and I are the polar opposites and that makes the darkness within us different as well.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Yes, I accept."

His grin reached his eyes.

"Perfect! Then show me what you are capable of!"

The moment he said that— the ground below me opened and I was swallowed by it.

"Face the most difficult test you might have ever taken, Marcel. Take the test of your past!"

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[[A/N: What is Void? It was the negative aspects of Reynold's.

MC will be quite OP after this.

Advanced Chapters on Pat reon: Pat reon.com/ToothlessS

(Volume 1 out of 2 is about to be completed in pat reon... in like 4 more chaps.)

Marvel Facts: (1) Venom was a fan creation that was bought by marvel for $220.

(2) In the comics, the Punisher and Eminem teamed up.]]