A Rider Kick in Marvel Rewrite

The cafeteria hummed with the sounds of lunchtime chatter. At a corner table, three friends—Ace Ukiyo, Humberto "Berto" Lopez, and Nico Minoru—sat with trays of half-eaten food before them, engaged in an animated discussion about movies.

Berto leaned forward, his hands gesturing emphatically. "The original 'Spirited Away' cut is absolutely the definitive version. The director's extended scenes completely transform the narrative!"

Nico's response was immediate, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're completely wrong. The theatrical release represents the purest form of the film. Those 'extended scenes' are nothing more than unnecessary padding."

Their voices rose, drawing curious glances from nearby students. Berto's dramatic hand movements punctuated his passionate argument, while Nico's sharp wit cut through his points like a knife.

"Ace," they called out simultaneously, turning to their friend, "you're going to settle this."

Ace looked up, momentarily pulled from his thoughts. He had been absently pushing around a piece of cafeteria pizza, only half-listening to their debate. "Wait, what?"

"Who's right about the 'Spirited Away' cut?" Berto pressed.

Nico crossed her arms, waiting. "Yeah. Break the tie."

"Uh, I think they're both fine?" Ace offered, his response deliberately neutral.

As lunchtime drew to a close, the trio gathered their belongings and prepared to head to their respective classes. Berto, brimming with excitement, invited Ace and Nico to his home for an afternoon of video games.

"Hey, want to come over and play Mario Kart?" he asked, adjusting his backpack. "I've got the latest version, and my setup is pretty impressive."

Nico's lips curled into a mischievous smirk. "Oh, you're going down. I'll destroy you so thoroughly, you won't know what hit you."

A competitive spark ignited in Berto's eyes. "Bring it on. I've been practicing, and my Rainbow Road skills are legendary."

"Legendary?" Nico scoffed. "More like delusional. I'll lap you so many times, you'll get dizzy."

"Is that a challenge?" Berto raised an eyebrow.

"Absolutely," Nico replied. "Get ready to eat my dust."

Berto laughed. "My place. After school. Be prepared to lose."

As they walked, Ace accidentally bumped into someone. "I'm sorry," he said quickly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

The person he'd bumped into was a blonde girl with an edgy, punk-rock aesthetic. Gwen Stacy stood before him, her hair styled in a messy, carefree cut that framed her face. She wore a leather jacket over a band t-shirt, complemented by ripped black jeans and combat boots that completed her rebellious look.

Her piercing eyes studied Ace with a mixture of curiosity and mild annoyance. A choker adorned her neck, and multiple rings decorated her fingers. The outfit was a carefully curated statement of individuality, speaking volumes about her independent spirit.

Gwen's makeup was dramatic yet understated - dark eyeliner that accentuated her eyes, and a hint of pale foundation that gave her complexion an almost porcelain quality. Her posture was confident, shoulders squared, radiating an energy that suggested she could handle herself in any situation.

"You okay?" she asked, a hint of sarcasm threading through her words.

Berto and Nico paused, watching the interaction with interest.

Ace nodded. "Yeah, totally fine. Sorry about that."

Gwen adjusted her leather jacket, a slight smile playing at the corner of her mouth. The hallway continued to bustle around them, other students weaving past their momentary encounter.

Ace offered a friendly smile. "I'm Ace. Nice to meet you."

Gwen's expression softened slightly. "Gwen. Sorry about that, I should've been paying more attention."

Ace stood momentarily stunned after his encounter with Gwen Stacy. She was a notable figure from Spider-Man lore, a character well-known among comic book enthusiasts.

"I should get going. It was nice meeting you, Ace," Gwen said, her voice carrying a hint of casual friendliness.

As she walked away, Berto and Nico positioned themselves beside Ace, their curiosity piqued by the interaction.

"So that's Gwen Stacy," Berto remarked, his eyes following her departure.

"You know her?" Nico inquired, raising an eyebrow.

Berto's chest puffed up with enthusiasm. "Know her? She's practically legendary! Top grades, stunning looks, and her father's a police captain. Getting a date with her would be like winning the lottery."

Nico rolled her eyes, her sarcasm sharp as a knife. "Hah! Keep dreaming, Romeo."

Undeterred, Berto flashed what he clearly believed was an irresistible smile. "Confidence is key. The ladies appreciate a man who knows his worth."

"Oh, I'm sure women are just lining up to date 'Mr. Confidence'," Nico retorted, her voice dripping with playful mockery.

"Alright, come on you two. Let's get to class before we're late."

Ace looks back at Gwen's retreating figure one last time before following Berto and Nico.

In the dimly lit depths of a New York aquarium, a group of individuals gathered. Their bodies bore intricate, tribe-like tattoos, and they conversed in the ancient Grongi language, their voices low and measured against the soft bubbling of fish tanks surrounding them.

"How much longer must we wait?" one muttered impatiently.

"Patience," another responded. "She will arrive soon."

The hallway echoed with the sharp click of heels. A woman approached, her movements deliberate and commanding. She wore a black dress draped with a crimson shawl, her long black hair cascading down her back. A distinctive rose tattoo adorned her forehead—a mark of her status and power.

La·Balva·De had arrived.

"Everyone is assembled," she announced, her voice cutting through the aquarium's ambient sounds.

One of the Grongi stepped forward, eagerness burning in his eyes. "Let me be next!" he proclaimed.

In an instant, La·Balva·De's hand struck him, sending him sprawling. Her message was clear: she would not tolerate interruption from those beneath her.

"Me·Gaera·Re," she called.

A Grongi emerged from the group. His body was a vibrant green, textured like a frog's skin, with large, bulging eyes and webbed limbs that spoke of ancient, primal power. Me·Gaera·Re's form was both beautiful and terrifying—a living weapon of the Grongi tribe.

"Hehehe, how delightful. I shall be next," he said, a hint of malevolent excitement in his voice.

La·Balva·De's eyes narrowed. "Eighty-one people in three days," she stated, her words a challenge and a command.

La·Balva·De extended her hand, inserting the Gegel ring, adding explosive energy into Me·Gaera·Re's Gedoruto, the buckle in his wait. The ritual was clear: if the Grongi failed to complete his assigned mission, the explosive energy would trigger, causing his belt buckle to detonate. However, should Me·Gaera·Re successfully execute his killing quota, the energy would be absorbed, powering him up and potentially advancing him within the Grongi hierarchy.

"That will be easy," Me·Gaera·Re responded, confidence radiating from his monstrous form.

As he prepared to depart, La·Balva·De's final instruction hung in the air. "When you encounter Kuuga," she warned, "ensure you finish him."

Me·Gaera·Re nodded, a silent promise of destruction to come.

The aquarium's fish continued to swim, oblivious to the ancient, deadly game being played out among their tanks—a game where humanity was nothing more than prey.

***

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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz