The Black Lion - The Ordinary Life. (Patreon)

Peter Parker, York Prime – Earth.

“Yeah May, don’t worry. I’m waiting for Luna to have lunch,” said the young brown-haired man with a smile on his face as he listened to his worried aunt.

“No, Doctor Storm is on an expedition in another solar system. I’m assigned to the Rock until the second expedition. Apparently, Mr. Evans has assigned me my own projects! Something about advanced terraforming processes,” said the young scientist with a smile as he walked toward the new and improved Times Square.

The Battle of New York had been… devastating, an event that had shocked the world. Half a million people dead… a figure that, to be honest, none would soon forget, but which had brought with it… interesting consequences.

Mr. Evans, Harrison, Peter reminded himself, had become the most powerful person not only in the United States, but in the entire world.

The Black Lion had taken control of the country. Harrison Evans had mobilized one of his ships toward Washington and, with all the calm in the world, had removed the President and the Senate, while proclaiming that, from that moment onward, he would be in charge of the country.

And boy, had things changed since that moment, the young scientist thought to himself.

Peter’s boss had conducted a complete sweep of every single government agency, official or clandestine. Nothing had been overlooked by the Black Lion.

Technology, quality of life, and humanity’s brilliant future were part of everyday life, and although this new golden age had been born from tragedy, Peter was fairly certain that most people were genuinely happy with the changes taking place across the planet.

And as the best example, he had his beloved city, New York.

Or, as the Council had renamed it, York Prime, the Planetary Capital, much to the envy of the rest of the cities in the world.

Peter’s home had changed far too much in such a short time. The Black Lion had spared no expense repairing his home, and the ruins of Old York, as most people referred to the old city, had served as the foundation for something new, something innovative, the spearhead of humanity toward the stars.

Old York was gone, and York Prime had risen in its place.

The old buildings of rock and concrete had been demolished, and enormous titans of steel and polymer had taken their place, so tall and robust that they caressed the sky.

Sky Cars dominated the city, thousands of them moving at absurd speeds, all perfectly coordinated thanks to the Super Intendant, the A.I. created for the city’s civil security.

An A.I. Peter had helped create, the young brunette thought proudly, remembering the birth of the A.I. in the Rock’s laboratory. The project had gone so well that Miss Frost had given everyone involved a bonus…

Their own apartment in Century Tower! One of the new residential complexes in the most exclusive area of the city, the Black District, as well as a month of vacation to enjoy it, which was why Peter had arranged to meet his hot and beautiful girlfriend, Luna Snow, to celebrate properly.

So yes… life had been a blessing for him ever since Harrison Evans had appeared in his life, which was why the Black Lion would always have his loyalty.

The young scientist was so distracted that he failed to notice the arrival of… peculiar visitors, ones that, to be honest, he never thought he would see again in his life.

“Hey, Parker!” said that annoying voice Peter had buried deep within his memory, much more insignificant than he remembered it.

The young scientist focused his gaze on the source of the voice, frowning when he saw Flash accompanied by his usual group, the pair of gorillas whose names Peter did not deign to remember, along with his former classmates Liz and Sally.

To the young scientist’s amusement, the five were wearing white shirts and caps bearing the words “Make Human Sports Great Again” undoubtedly coming from some stupid protest against the progress the Black Lion had brought to the world.

Those had become… extremely common during the past few months, and they were becoming increasingly absurd and stupid.

The first had been from large oil companies, who demanded that the environmental restrictions imposed by the agreements with Atlantis be lifted and that they be allowed to continue drilling for oil.

Harrison’s response? The creation of synthetic oil using organic waste and selling it at simply absurd prices, making practically all of the oil companies go bankrupt.

Then came the doctors, who protested against the Gaia Chambers and the Evans Healing Centers, which, being so cheap, were affecting the luxurious lifestyle to which many doctors had become accustomed.

Harrison shrugged and firmly decreed that he would not use people’s health as a bargaining chip, remaining steadfast in his decision that the Evans Healing Centers would be practically free for all citizens, whether human, Atlantean, or mutant.

Then came the robot sports, as well as the regulation of betting houses and the influence they had over events, something that was obviously met with extreme rejection and threats of protests against everything mechanical.

Something stupid, in his opinion, but Peter understood that these people did not make much use of what they had between their ears.

“Eugenie,” the brunette limited himself to replying before returning his gaze toward where the Cold Interplanetary Orbital Elevator was being constructed. It was truly a work of art, in Peter’s humble opinion.

Flash merely frowned, looking at Peter as if he wanted to find some flaw in the brunette, and failing miserably in the attempt.

Emma and Luna's influence had been amazing for him and his body, thanks to the ascension, Peter now was two meters tall and the constant exercise regime that Luna and Gwen planned for him, now he was ripped.

He was Hot, as his Korean baddie of a girlfriend said to him once, and he knows it.

Young Parker merely snorted when he saw the interested looks from Liz and Sally, feeling sorry for the two young women.

Peter… had changed considerably since the last time he had seen his schoolmates. He was now a Homo Ascendens, one of the men closest to the man who would soon be crowned Emperor of the fucking planet, with access to simply unimaginable resources.

Compared to that… his time at school with these people was… completely irrelevant. They simply did not play in the same league.

“What the fuck are you doing here? I thought you’d be at some fucking university being a nerd,” Flash spat curiously, making Peter focus his attention on him for a moment before responding dryly.

“I don’t study at university. I have a job,” Peter replied calmly and politely, although the cold and disinterested tone remained in his voice, making the group of misfits frown and look at one another, with the exception of Flash, whose eyes lit up with obvious malice, much to Peter’s secret cruel pleasure. He would greatly enjoy putting this insignificant being in his place.

“So… the nerd Parker wasn’t good enough to get into a university?” the blond asked, making his two gorillas laugh, although, surprisingly to the brunette, neither Liz nor Sally seemed comfortable with the blond’s words.

“So, where do you work? At a pizza place?” Flash mocked, letting out an annoying and frankly pathetic laugh, making the moment even more uncomfortable, to the point that several people passing by looked at them with disapproval.

Peter’s answer? Simple. He activated his omni-tool, causing the digital interface to appear on his left wrist, silencing the annoying subject and shocking the others, who evidently recognized the object on his wrist.

“That… That’s an Omni-Tool!” Liz whispered, staring at his wrist before raising her gaze toward Peter, demanding some kind of explanation.

“How the fuck do you have an Omni-Tool, Parker? They just went on sale to the public and they’re extremely expensive! Even I…” The blond fell silent, sparing himself the embarrassment of loudly admitting that he could not afford one of the new and prestigious devices.

“It’s one of the benefits of my job. Mr. Evans is quite generous with his employees. The Omni-Tool was a welcome gift when I was assigned the position of Vice President of the Research and Development Department of the Rock,” Peter said casually, making Eugenie and his friends pale in disbelief as they slowly shook their heads, unable to believe what they had just heard.

Long live nepotism.

“Wait… you work at Evans Technologies?” the blond asked incredulously, along with his characteristic stupidity, while, to the young Parker’s complete disgust, Sally and Liz began looking at him with obvious interest on their faces.

“That’s what I just said,” Peter replied impassively, realizing just how… insignificant and pathetic this group was.

“We’re coming from a protest against your boss, Parker. Sports have lost the funding they had before, and our university scholarships were canceled. Thousands of jobs related to the industry have been lost, and your boss has to take responsibility,” the blond spat, stepping forward and trying, unsuccessfully, to be intimidating.

“The Black Lion simply dismantled the betting system associated with sports. The fact that robot sports are far more interesting to watch than a group of idiots running after different balls is not Harrison Evans’s fault,” Peter replied naturally, receiving the expected response.

Indignation and fury from the group of idiots in question.

“Alas, I don’t have time to chat with you, Eugenie. I would like to say that it was a pleasure seeing you… but we both know that would be a lie,” Peter said, having received the notification that his beautiful new girlfriend was quite close.

And apparently, Peter’s words had truly offended the failed man, who, frowning and with an immense inferiority complex, spat,

“Do you think you’re better than us, Parker? Just because you’re Harrison Evans’s lapdog? You’re still a nobody, you’re completely alone and…”

ROOOOOOAR.

With the best timing Peter could have asked for, the roar of his beloved motorcycle shook all of Times Square, drawing the attention not only of Peter’s failed former classmates, but of everyone around them, at the same time that the Claw landed at full speed directly in front of the group, raising gazes, sighs, and envy in its wake.

Eugenie, evidently, opened and closed his mouth in complete stupefaction, undoubtedly recognizing the vehicle.

“Is… Is that a Claw Sky Motorcycle?” he asked with immense longing, completely stunned by what he was seeing, as if he wished with all his being that he could touch and ride such an exquisite vehicle.

And as if that were not enough, his beautiful girlfriend removed her helmet, moving her black mane with elegance and charisma, making the commotion increase as she was recognized throughout Times Square.

Even by Liz and Sally.

“OH MY GOD! IT’S LUNA SNOW!” Liz shouted, stunned and dazzled by the unexpected visit from the pop star.

“Hello, Hotshot. Ready for our date?” his beautiful girlfriend said, with that little smile filled with promises for Peter.

Without even bothering to look back at his former classmates, Peter nodded, gently took Luna’s face in his hands, and placed a sensual and warm kiss on her lips, which the Korean pop star returned intensely.

“All ready, darling. It’s time,” he said with a smile, mounting the Claw and putting on his helmet, giving Flash and his friends one last look.

Luna wrapped her arms around Peter’s waist, while the brunette lifted his motorcycle into the air and headed toward their date.

Life was good. Peter had not the slightest doubt about that, and he was completely certain that it could not get any better.

“This afternoon I had an exquisite dinner with Paris, darling. She gave me a preview of the new Breeze Summer intimate collection. I have some new sets that will drive you crazy,” the singer purred, provocatively caressing Peter’s chest.

Correction, it could get better, the young Parker thought before flying directly toward his new apartment.

There was much to celebrate.

Tony Stark, York Prime – Earth.

“Perfect. Run the simulation again, please,” Tony ordered, completely focused on the hologram in front of him.

“Projecting,” Jarvis replied, as the images began changing, displaying Tony’s new project and the very thing that would propel his company into the big leagues.

“Please work...please work” the genius and billionaire whispered to himself as he observed the data obtained from his new project.

His very own Mass Effect drive.

The parameters on the screens looked good. Several adjustments were necessary, but nothing that could not be resolved, but apparently…

“Simulation complete. Mass Effect drive operational. Total range… ten light-years per day, ten times more powerful than the Evans Technologies barge ships, Mr. Stark. Congratulations,” Jarvis said, making Tony sigh heavily, his brow furrowed as he observed the complex engine, at the same time that Pepper entered the workshop.

“It’s still far below the expected operational limits, although it’s a start,” Tony said to himself, unknowingly drawing Pepper’s attention.

“What’s a start?” the redhead asked, hugging Tony from behind and resting her chin on the genius’s shoulder.

“This… the first Mass Effect drive from Stark Industries,” Tony said casually, making Pepper freeze completely for several moments.

“Wait, the drive that allows Evans ships to travel at the speed of light? You managed to recreate it?” Pepper asked excitedly, making Tony frown at the notion that he had to be some kind of copycat.

“Not exactly. The Richards-Evans drives are… precise, elegant, and frankly the most important invention in human history. Their energy efficiency is enviable, and I know from a reliable source that Harrison’s ships can travel at least one hundred light-years per day. This drive uses concepts that I still don’t fully understand, to… use brute force and push a ship to one-tenth the speed of Harrison’s engine. It’s like comparing a Sky Car to a pair of roller skates, to be honest,” Tony said, evidently frustrated by the notion of being so clearly inferior to Harrison Evans.

Alas, apparently Pepper found no problem with Tony’s explanation.

“But it’s ours, Tony! A Stark patent that will allow us to enter the space-mining business without depending on Evans Technologies!” Pepper said excitedly, making Tony grimace in displeasure.

“That… isn’t entirely true. Although the engine is our own design, it still requires Harrium to function, and the only person who has the means to synthesize that element on a massive scale is Harrison,” Tony said, making Pepper sigh.

“Even so, according to the studies on the element in question, it is possible to find it in space. With our resources, we could travel much farther than the competition and secure our own supply,” Pepper offered, making Tony nod with a smile. It was a solid plan, and although quite beneficial for the company, the same problem remained.

Stark Industries still was not a rival to Evans Technologies, and probably never would be.

Tony now understood the frustration Hammer must have felt during the events of the Stark Expo, the billionaire thought with amusement and frustration.

And it was not as though Tony and Harrison had a terrible relationship or anything like that. Quite the opposite. The brotherhood between them was solid, but so was their healthy rivalry.

One that, so far, Tony was losing.

“It’s a good idea, darling. Inform the investors about the development of the engine. I’ll make an official presentation after Harrison’s Coronation. Apparently, our distinguished Supreme Leader has something important to share with us,” Tony said with amusement, making Pepper laugh softly, perfectly aware that the people who truly administered and governed the planet were the Lionesses, assisted by an army of A.I.s.

“I’ll do that, darling. This deserves a dinner to celebrate. I’ll wear that red set you like so much, Tony,” Pepper whispered, making Tony shudder at the promising vision before nodding and giving Pepper a slap on the backside, causing her to leave the room laughing, eager to communicate the news.

Leaving Tony completely alone, perfect for the next part of the experiment.

“Jarvis, archive the engine file and begin a new project. Designation: Iron Man Mark 11 suit, and begin coupling Harrium nodes into the fuselage. Start simulations to create a hybrid core between the element my father discovered and Zero Element cores,” Tony ordered, making the engine hologram disappear, replaced by another much more advanced and compact one belonging to one of his beloved suits.

“As you command, Mr. Stark. Beginning project. Designation?” the A.I. said, making the billionaire nod to himself.

“Project Aegis,” Tony said solemnly, smiling to himself at the thought of the challenge before him: one of his beloved suits equipped with Mass Effect technology… capable of navigating the cosmos at faster-than-light speeds.

Harrison had the advantage for now, but that would not remain the case forever.

There was… much to do.

Remy LeBeau, New Orleans.

“Are you sure about this?” asked Le Diable Blanc as he distractedly played with his deck of cards, observing his mentor’s movements with a frown.

“Is that doubt I hear in your voice?” his mentor asked, while examining the ancient and glowing arcane scroll in her hands.

Remy shrugged, genuinely indifferent to Belladonna’s useless attempts at manipulation. Those tactics had stopped working on him a long time ago.

“Call it whatever you want, but the world is too unstable for us to be playing with magical artifacts, Cheri,” said the mutant with a frown, knowing very well that, unlike a few months ago, the Black Lion did not play games or tolerate nonsense.

One by one, all the villains, cartels, and criminal gangs around the world were falling. The former corrupt officials had been removed and imprisoned, leaving the entire criminal world genuinely vulnerable for the first time in a long time.

And the Black Lion’s hounds were in hunting season.

Ghost Spider, assisted by a regiment of N7 soldiers, had practically dismantled all crime in York Prime, methodically and efficiently imprisoning every mafioso and supervillain in the city. Similar actions were also being carried out throughout the world.

The criminal world was fighting desperately to survive, and even the Thieves’ Guild was feeling the effects.

But that did not justify, at least in Remy’s opinion, the tremendous stupidity Belladonna wanted to commit.

“The manuscript is quite clear. Hidden in the Valley of the Kings in Cairo, betrayed and lost, it is our best weapon against the Black Lion,” said the mistress of the Thieves’ Guild with determination, making Remy sigh heavily.

“Cheri, I’ve read the scroll too… If this fellow was betrayed and imprisoned thousands of years ago, I’m sure it was for a good reason. I don’t think it’s wise to meddle in things we don’t understand,” Remy said cautiously, knowing how volatile Belladonna could be in situations like this.

And although the thief could understand how trapped and vulnerable she felt, he did not consider this… En Sabah Nur to be the answer they needed.

“Do not question me, Chere. You have your orders. We need the final piece of the puzzle. Get it for me, and we can finally bring an end to the Black Lion,” the woman said with determination.

Remy simply sighed before turning around and leaving the place, having a terrible feeling about what was about to happen.

He was not wrong.