Marvel: A Tale of Shadows

By the time they arrived at the top of the Empire State Building it was already 3 pm. They were looking down at the city while Felicia took a selfie with them in it.

"It is honestly incredible that there is this view. I bet it would be an awesome view during dawn or dusk." Felicia stated while looking out over the city. Then she shivered when a gust of wind carried a cold breeze. "Oooo… that's still cold. Let's head to the square."

Ethan nodded in agreement. "It is cold."

They went to the elevator and took the elevator car down to the ground floor. Then they walked out and went to Times Square where they then explored for roughly the next hour. Even getting plenty of pictures. Until eventually they started heading to a Pub near Ethan's place.

"So what is the name of this place?" Felicia asked.

Ethan chuckled, "Gada's Pub & Restaurant."

They walked a few minutes until eventually Ethan led her down to a set of stairs that went below street level. "Underground?" Ethan nodded in response and opened a door inside was a bustle of noise. Not to mention the place looked actually pretty clean despite it being so hidden, "a hole in the wall place?" Ethan smirked and nodded. "Nice."

They entered and Ethan waved at the bartender who waved back, "hey kid, there's a booth open just there." The man had a Mexican accent and darker skin tone. He was also bald and had tattoos covering his head and arms which were visible when he pointed out the booth.

They went to the booth and Ethan pulled out two menus from the holder where several condiments and some utensils were stored.

Ethan looked over the menu before he set it down. Almost at the same time a waitress walked up, "how ya' doin'? Wha' can I get for ya'?"

"A water, Gada's Orange Cider and Shrimp & Chips." Ethan started ordering quickly while Felicia quickly looked over the menu.

"I will have water and a root beer, as for my food… I will have some fried zucchini and a chef salad." The waitress nodded then walked away.

"Be back in a sec wit ya wata."

"So how did you know about this place?" Felicia asked. While putting the menus back in their holder.

"Growing up I-"

"Oh so we are talking again?" Felicia teased. Pointing out the silence and lack of conversation that has occurred for the last half hour.

Ethan stuck his tongue out at her, "yes. Now can I get back to my story?" Felicia chuckled while nodding. "Growing up I had few chances to go out to eat with my parents in New York, but when we did go out we usually came here and as far as I can tell this place was alive and bustling even during the Cold War."

"Wow, so this place actually has a long history. Anything else interesting about this place?" Felicia asked.

"Yeah a few but a lot of those we won't get into. In fact there are a lot of buildings and places with history still dating back to World War II in this city. Like there is this naturally occurring hidden entrance to an abandoned underground subway yard, I checked it out and all the other entrances were sealed up with concrete, I found this one by accident." Ethan explained excitedly.

"Have you ever found anything of interest in any of those places? Like files or chemicals?" Felicia asked.

Ethan nodded, "most of them had things. But I moved the stuff to the abandoned underground subway yard. It is dryer there so the stuff is less likely to get moldy and decay. Not to mention it is useful research material."

Felicia smiled, "hmm… if you ever find any more of those places, hit me up. I kind of want to check one out." Then she thought of something, "unless you don't want me to come with you."

Ethan countered with his own smile, "I would be delighted, I could treat it as a date. But just keep in mind a lot of these places are where criminals and in some cases foreign enemies and spies set up shop. So it wouldn't be odd for a place to be rigged to blow or have death traps."

While they were talking something on the television caught his attention. Ethan nodded towards the T.V. "check that out."

Felicia looked to see it was a wrestling match, one of those ones where it is like an impromptu open show. One of the people was a muscled man with a large beard and curly hair. He was in a pair of blue spandex shorts. While the guy was in a black mask and a shirt with what looked like fake bones on it. But what caught his attention is that it was a match with reward if someone managed to knock out the famed 'Blue Devil'.

"Wow… they still do stupid stuff like that." Felicia was just as stunned as Ethan was. "How many people watching do you think will try their luck? Because apparently this challenge goes on for the entire week."

"A lot of them, I also imagine anyone with super powers will try their luck as well, especially since those types of people have been popping up more and more lately." Ethan explained but then the bartender switched to the news channel. What popped up was the local news questioning of the Experimental Rocket Ship that was launched by Reed Richard, supposedly it went through a cosmic storm which resulted in its systems shutting down. Fortunately it had emergency systems that kicked in and landed it in the case of the systems crashing. "Looks like the Reed Ship is set to land in JFK tomorrow morning, this will give the Latverian Science Commision a boost in reputation."

"Yeah, it is a shame that the crew of the spacecraft is probably dead." Felicia then turned back to Ethan, "hey, were you going to go to one of those decommissioned secret laboratory places tonight?"

"Yes actually, it is supposed to be an old SSR faculty according to the records. So it more than likely has a trap or alarm system of some kind." Ethan explained.

"What if there isn't a facility there?"

"Then there is a decrepit underground Venith facility that we can check out."

"Cool, by the way… what is SSR?"

"SSR, Strategic Scientific Reserve, was an international peacekeeping group. They were founded with the purpose of preventing and accumulating technology or anything strange during World War II. But around the 70s they changed their name to S.H.I.E.L.D. which does the same thing except they recently became more… known… for dealing with things out of the norm." Ethan explained while receiving his water from the waitress.

"Hmm… cool and what is Venith?" Felicia took a sip of her water.

"Venith was a research group that did illegal research with live test subjects during the 70s. They got shut down when they were exposed but they actually had a lot of illegal underground facilities that were still operating after Venith's assets were liquified. Unfortunately the last facility like this I broke into had been flooded by sewage water so all the stuff there was damaged." Ethan explained this time the waitress brought up their drinks. "It is surprisingly easy to find out about places like it. I just spent a bit of time at the library with company and public records and schematics and you can find all sorts of things."

"Huh… while the only thing I have done to quench my boredom was research bioelectric chemistry." Felicia said disappointingly.

"What do you mean? That is an interesting topic." Ethan claimed. "I have yet to actually find something I want as my next research project."

"I suppose… Do we need anything for going out?" Felicia asked, seemingly now nervous and excited.

"Yeah, I live a block away so I will show you what type of gear and clothes you will need." Ethan then thought of something, "it is mostly just metal toed boots, jeans, and a tight fitting jacket. As long as you don't wear loose clothing that could get snagged or caught on something you should be fine, but I do always try to avoid cameras and other forms of surveillance."

"You also said something about gear?" Felicia seemed especially interested in that part.

"Yeah if you have something that can be used for breaking in and looking around then you could bring that. For instance I have a multitool, grappling hook, and a flashlight that I will bring." Ethan explained.

"Hmm… I have one or two things I suppose I could use. But a grappling hook? Isn't that pretty bulky?" Felicia asked. But Ethan just smiled in return.

"I remember you said your dad was an inventor before, what does he do now?"

"Well he went from job-to-job before but for the past 2 years he has been working with Oscorp on biological modifications, but he said he recently got moved to weapons technology." Felicia explained, "by the way what do you do?"

Ethan chuckled, "actually I work for Oscorp Security."

Felicia's face was shocked then she chuckled as well, "then I guess you could run into my dad. What is it like?"

Ethan frowned then shook his head, "we sign a disclosure agreement when we are hired so I can not talk about anything sensitive."

Felicia pouted, "hmm… that sucks." She thought for a minute before she smiled, "so you grew up in New York, any highlights?"

Ethan shrugged, "umm… high school doesn't count. I actually stayed in Jersey during that time. As for highlights… I would have to say my ESU graduation prank. But since you are going to ESU I am going to make you figure it out for yourself."

"Aww… c'mon, you're gonna leave me hanging?" Felicia started pouting. "Well then I guess I can talk about my stuff. Hmmm… in that case we can talk about… my sorority." Felicia then made a sour face, "I will be honest I hate it. It was the one my mom was a part of so I thought I might make a few friends, but I have come to realize that they are all just girls like my mom."

"Hmm… that sucks. Are you gonna continue living there? Might not be an environment you would enjoy living in, especially if you want to focus on school." Ethan asked.

"Umm…" at that moment the food arrived then the waitress walked away again. "I think I am going to start looking into apartments tomorrow. I feel like if I stay there too long one of those sluts will try to pull something."

"Hmm… yeah. While I was in college it was usually the sororities that did something that would be emotionally scarring. I heard so many stories of drugging and gang rapes set up by sorority girls, of course they usually got away with it because they were rich kids." Ethan thought of something and seemed sad for a moment. "I have a few places you could check out. But just in case, what is your price range?"

"Hm? I will text you later." Felicia then seemed to think of something, "by the way I am probably already on their shit list."

Ethan shrugged, "I can imagine. Call me if you need help."

—--------------------------

Meanwhile at another table the old man with a handlebar mustache and white hair from this morning was sitting across from a young woman with silver hair. "Are you sure Sable?"

"Yes, as soon as I finish my training with you I am going back to support my country's rebellion." Then she thought of something, "but, Paine, if you want I don't mind meeting your new students before I leave." She smirked.

"You mean you want to break them in. Put them through the ringer so to speak." Paine then thought of something, "actually you might learn something."

Silver shook her head, "so when will I meet these new students of yours?" Suddenly looking around at the people in the pub. There were a few people at the bar. A group of men at a table with one of them being quite a bit larger and more muscular than the others. Then there was a couple at one of the booths.

Paine smiled, "not today. You will meet them in a few weeks."

Silver shrugged, "okay." While glancing once more at the table with the couple.

—-----------------------------

Meanwhile at the table with the big guy.

"So we are hitting another bank?" One of the men asked. He had a full head of hair, even his beard was overgrown to an extent that it could be called shaggy.

"No… next we are going for our real target." The larger man explained, he had a tattoo of a rhino visible on his collarbone. "While all the authorities watch the banks we will strike the New Stark Young Sciences Center."

"Why there?" another of his cronies asked. This one was completely bald but he had tattoos covering nearly every inch of his body.

"Because science and technology has become more valuable and easier to steal than money." He was about to explain more when he thought of something. "But that doesn't matter to you three. As soon as we pull off this last job you can run with all the money we have stolen from these last five heists. The tech after all is harder to flip than just using those cash bills."

The last of the three cronies shrugged, "whatever you say. When are we pulling this job?" He seemed to realize that Aleksei only wanted the technology and that the bank heists were a smokescreen, but he didn't care. Once he had his money he was heading south before these idiots got him caught.

"In a week, but starting in 2 days we will start doing the prep work. In the meantime lay low." Aleksei then stood up and paid the tab at the bar before he left.

The other three slowly dispersed over the next few hours as well.

—------------------------------

While the couple talked. The student and teacher negotiated. The robbers planned. They were all watched by the man at the bar. Suddenly the phone rang at the bar and he answered it quickly. He made sure he was distant from all the customers at the bar when he answered.

"This is Gada's Pub & Restaurant, how can we help you today?" The man's voice was monotone but commanding.

"Hello, do you have Creamy Fig Pudding?" A woman's voice asked on the other side of the line. Her voice was far more gentle.

"What flavor?"

"Black licorice and strawberry ice cream."

"Hmm…" the bartender looked up at the couple sitting in the booth. "I will have the order prepared, but it will have to be a window pickup. Front door has a little licorice and an old fox, both with guests." There was silence on the other side of the line.

"Is little licorice's guest a female?" Before he could answer with a slight smile on his face heard an angry growl on the other side of the line, "ahh! I mean we will take it."

"We do in fact have that so just drop by, and yes in regards to your request about a side it will be prepared for you. And yes in regards to your unasked question, we do have date's in that pudding." The bartender could hear the woman squeal in excitement on the other end as he hung up.

Then he just shook his head as he glanced at one of the many pictures he had behind his bar. It was of a beautiful couple with the bartender. The woman was in a bed that looked similar to a hospital except the background showed it was not. Sitting in the woman's arms was a newborn baby. While the couple had features similar to Ethan.

—---------------------------------

Meanwhile back at Ethan & Felicia's table they had moved on to a far more important topic than anything else they had discussed thus far.

Felicia stared intensely at him, "Sport?"

"Baseball. Yankees."

"Astros."

Ethan nodded, "color?"

"Black."

"Gray or Deep Dark Blue."

Felicia nodded in understanding, "Food?"

"Hmmm…Pepperoni & Fried Onion Pizza."

"Spicy Ramen, wait seriously. The pepperoni I can understand but the fried onion?" Felicia was genuinely shocked.

Ethan smiled and nodded, "it is actually pretty good. But to be fair I did grow up eating it." Felicia sighed as she pulled out her money clip and put five dollars in the center of the table.

"Ice cream flavor?"

"Chocolate Peanut Butter with Caramel."

"MMM… good. Vanilla and Chocolate Swirl."

"Desert?"

"Ice cream."

"Cheese cake"

"Cookie type?"

"Homemade."

"Homemade, agreed." Felicia agreed.

"Favorite animal?"

Felicia chuckled, "Cats."

Ethan smiled at her and her heart skipped a beat, "kittens."

"Umm…Uh… licorice flavor?"

"Strawberry."

"Black licorice."

"Ugh…" Ethan made a visibly disturbed face then pulled out a five dollar bill and added it to the pile, "last one for the rest of the bill?"

"You're on!"

"Candle smell?"

"Sea breeze."

"Apple Orchard."

Felicia did not speak for a minute as she seemed to think long and hard. Then she had an idea, "Favorite Chemical Formula?"

Ethan blinked at her for a few seconds before he sighed and pulled out his wallet with a downcast face. Felicia immediately started celebrating which caught the attention of the master and apprentice who were calmly eating their dinner. As well as the bartender who was checking his live feed of the cameras to see what was happening upstairs.

But as soon as Ethan was finished putting the bills on the table he stood up and slowly pushed Felicia out of the door as she danced the entire time.

While three individuals in the pub watched with smiles on their faces.

—----------------------------

As for another couple who were upstairs, one was on a table groaning in pain while the other was stitching up a cut he had on his torso. Suddenly she glanced out the window to see a couple walking along the sidewalk, "oh wow. She is a real cutie, how far do you think they have gotten in their relationship?" As she watched, the man yelped in pain.

"Can we talk about our son's relationship after you finish stitching me up? I am kinda bleeding, so there is a time limit." The man had blonde hair and a fair face while his visible skin was covered in mostly scars.

The woman with dirty blonde hair pouted while she started finishing up the stitching process, "oh come on… don't tell me you aren't curious what type of woman managed to hold on to our little accident."

"You know it is because you call him 'little accident' that he gave you the cold shoulder for weeks at a time. Besides, he has slept around a few times since we 'died' so it wouldn't surprise me if she ended up like those other women." The man rebutted.

"Okay, but can we really call them potential partners? From when we 'died' to when he started working at Oscorp he slept with at least many different women all ranging from 17 to 36." The woman recounted. But when she saw the mischievous smile on his face she felt like slapping him. Alas she continued, "Then for the next two years when he started working at Oscorp he started sleeping with the CEO's wife before she died in that 'accident'. He also hooked a few other well known spouses and working women. Hell, he even managed to hook up with Tony Stark's assistant at one point." She looked again at her husband and saw his grin had somehow gotten bigger. "What is so amusing?"

The man shrugged although it did hurt, "our son's a player. When I was 16 I never thought to land myself a graduate college student. Our kid honestly amazes me, how in the world did he pull that off." The man yelped again as the woman pouted while continuing to stitch up the man.