Volume 4: The Last Day Chapter 30: I advise all cat lovers not to do strange things to their cats!
Just as Dr. Otto was fiddling with the strange symbiote armor, in the room directly above Mason's laboratory, Lady Selina, who had just woken up from a short nap, was changing clothes.
Her body was recovering quickly and she was a restless person, so she planned to do some "rehabilitation training" before the war.
As a result, just as she put on her body-contouring yoga clothes and prepared to warm up, she unexpectedly saw that the jar placed at the head of her bed, which was used to store the black symbiote that almost killed her, was shaking.
Very fast shaking, just like shaking to exciting music.
This made Selina snort in surprise. She approached the biological storage tank. The symbiote "Venom" stored in it seemed very anxious, like a frightened beast in its nest.
But without a host, the symbiote cannot think and can only act according to instinct.
"What's going on?"
Catwoman looked at her "new pet" in surprise. She stroked the head of the lazy Miss Magg in her arms, and she and her cat cast their eyes on the crazy venom in the jar.
"Poor guy, you can't speak or think. I can't make an automatic conversation machine for you. Maybe you can transform into a human form and talk to me like Mason's slime pet Kevin?
Ha, what an idiot. "
Selina snorted again with a merciless mockery, and said with a curled lip:
"When you behave yourself, I'll let you out to talk to you... Um, wait! If I'm just thinking... I suddenly have a great idea."
A flash of lightning flashed through Catwoman's mind.
Her hand that was stroking Miss Magg in her arms suddenly stopped, which made Miss Magg, who was enjoying the massage, meow in dissatisfaction.
This zombie cat has really been tamed by Selina.
It looked up at its owner and found that Selena was staring at it with wide eyes and a "dangerous" smile on her face.
Her eyes kept moving back and forth between Miss Mag and the venom jar, and the zombie cat, sensing the danger, had its hair on its neck stand up.
It meowed and ran away, trying to escape its next fate, but Catwoman flicked her hand, and the cat's tail whip flew out, wrapped around the howling Miss Magg in the air and dragged it back.
"What are you afraid of?"
Selina pinched the back of its neck and soothed it:
"You're already dead, it certainly can't hurt you, little idiot, just give it a try, lend your shriveled brain to the poor little Venom.
Don't be afraid, nothing serious will happen.
I promise!"
——
"Kevin, bring solution number four."
In the alchemy laboratory on the lower floor of Osborne Tower, Mason stood in front of the fast-running centrifuge and shouted without looking back.
On the shelf behind him filled with various bottles and jars, a wriggling ochre-colored "slime monster" suddenly began to crawl, chirping and transforming into the appearance of Catwoman. It took out a bottle of green solution from the shelf and moved it to Mason's side, clumsily imitating Selina's usual coquettish poses.
"Change it. Your simulation is too ugly. Be careful or Selina will beat you up. Also, remember to simulate the clothes when you transform into a human form. The current one is too obscene."
Mason said casually, took the alchemical solution handed over by Kevin, glanced at it, and sighed:
"This is solution number two, which is used to make ordinary potions, not solution number four, which is used to analyze the ingredients of items. I taught you Arabic numerals before, but you really don't have a brain.
It’s the yellow bottle!
Go and get it again."
The scolded slime monster was not angry. In fact, this little thing probably doesn't even understand the meaning of "angry" at this moment.
It made a bubbling sound and returned to the shelf without any hesitation. This time, after hesitating for a long time, it finally chose the right solution. Then it flashed and turned into the cold Bucket No. 2 and handed the solution to Mason.
After receiving the praise, it happily turned back into a ball of slime, jumped into the paint jar next to it, absorbed the paint and dyed itself in various colors to entertain itself.
This slime monster separated from Clayface seemed to have picked up some of the Gotham villain's strange habits. It was very keen to "perform" its various abilities in front of Mason in order to get the owner's praise and recognition.
Just like an excellent stage actor longs for applause and encouragement, to put it simply, this is a "drama queen" slime monster.
In the dim alchemy laboratory, the high-speed centrifuge stopped quickly, and Mason took out three bottles of separated serum components, two of which were purified materials of ration reinforcements seized from the commander of the Cleaner.
This was not the first time he had handled these things so he was quite skilled at it.
But the third bottle of liquid was a little strange.
Even after being filtered three times and purified twice, the serum sample from Peter Parker still remained in a strange and unresolvable state.
Mason first completed the processing of ordinary reinforcers in order to make better reinforcers for Team K's minions. Then, he frowned and looked at the spider serum in his hand.
"I tried five times, but the separation failed every time. It seems that it is not a problem with the process. The reason why we cannot obtain a complete Spider-Man gene module is probably related to his origin story."
He stroked his chin, looked at the turbid test tube that had obviously failed to separate, and said:
"According to Peter Sr., his parents were both excellent biologists, so the birth of this version of Spider-Man should have been planned in advance.
That super spider wouldn't have created a new Spider-Man even if it bit someone else, because the genes that grant super powers are bound to Peter's DNA from the beginning.
In other words, Peter's DNA is the key to unlocking Spider-Man's secrets."
"This is a typical genetic chain deep encryption structure. If you have an Isu-style genetic decomposition instrument, you can easily crack it.
But you obviously can’t do that right now.”
Sitting on the workbench next to Mason, the Isu spirit Consus, who was clearly an authority in his field of expertise, advised Mason:
"My brother, I suggest you not to waste too much time on this mysterious encrypted gene. If you just want to enhance your combat effectiveness, I think the biological mutagenesis knowledge left by Juno is more suitable for you.
I can teach you how to control the biological mutagenesis process to a stable and temporary level, and use your current alchemical skills to create the corresponding mutagenic liquid.
It is perfect for your subordinates and soldiers to use."
"I would also like to spend more time studying these Isu knowledge, but the problem is that I don't have that much time."
Mason rubbed his forehead and threw the failed test tube into the trash can.
He said to Consus's biosignals:
“After the current matter is finished, we will discuss further study and production. Now I have to make an ‘escape plan’ for myself if the worst happens.
I mean, if I'm stuck on the ground and can't leave through the World Gate, I'll have to find another way.
Poison Ivy has verified that my spellcasters have the ability to temporarily block the operation of the single world gate."
"Well, I'm not good at this. I'm just a biologist after all."
Consus shrugged regretfully, and turned into a blue arc of data that dissipated on Mason's shroud cloak.
This Isu ghost is quite interesting.
He always walked a fine line when talking to Mason.
Mason knew that Consus wanted something from him. This ancient Isu certainly hoped to regain his flesh and blood, but the guy was very patient and did not make any request.
Perhaps he was also observing whether the "brother" he resurrected from the alien was trustworthy?
"Let's try this first."
Mason pulled two test tubes from his arms.
One of them contained the Kryptonian blood sample he had previously obtained from the Batcave, while the other contained the mutant Kryptonian serum taken from the zombie Superman Bizarro.
He hoped to use these two serums as raw materials to create a powerful temporary enhancement for himself.
But this was difficult. He poured Bizarro's serum into the crucible, added a high-purity solution into it, heated it to warm with magic fire, and began to stir.
Just when he started stirring for the seventh time, an uncontrollable destructive force erupted in the crucible, and like a firecracker, it exploded with a bang and splashed flames, shattering the entire crucible.
The hot fragments flew everywhere and were blocked by the open penguin umbrella before falling to the ground. Mason, expressionless, closed the umbrella in his hand, took the frightened and threatening slime monster Kevin off his shoulder and threw it into the paint bucket beside him.
He walked forward to clean up the mess without any special expression, as if he was accustomed to such dangerous accidents.
Alchemy.
Who doesn’t want to blow up a few crucibles?
"But this thing is too weird, isn't it? Is it really impossible to use magic to analyze the secret of Kryptonian power? Come to think of it, if this thing is really so easy to discover, the master would have made a compound to target Superman long ago."
Mason grumbled under his breath.
“No, you just used the wrong solution!
Hogwarts Advanced Potions Class, Section 11, Paragraph 3: When dealing with highly complex alchemical drugs, a specially prepared mitigating solution and at least three portions of coolant must be added.
It seems that your Potions class grades must be unsatisfactory. After all, I have never seen you on campus... Maybe I should call you a 'transfer student'."
A hoarse sound like a knife rubbing against stone was heard behind the alchemy laboratory. Mason reacted quickly and turned around, pointing the penguin umbrella backwards.
Golden lightning was ready to strike above it, and Mason's hand was already clasped on the handle of the umbrella inlaid with a golden apple.
But unexpectedly, the person who appeared in front of him was not a stranger...
"Professor McGonagall?"
Mason exclaimed.
He was so shocked that the Sorting Hat on his head jumped violently.
It's a ghost!
The person who appeared before him was Professor Minerva McGonagall, who was wearing a witch's robe, had a haggard face but was still wearing her iconic pointed hat.
Not in cat form!
It's a real old witch in human form!
However, her scarlet cat eyes showed that she had not "resurrected from the dead" and was still in the essential form of a zombie, but she seemed to have regained her sanity.
"etc!"
Mason immediately noticed that Professor McGonagall's robe was moving strangely and irregularly, and there was no wind in the laboratory at all. A bold guess immediately jumped into Mason's mind.
He said suspiciously:
"Venom? Is that you?"
"It's me..."
A deep and muddy female voice rang out from Professor McGonagall's long-dried vocal cords, indicating that there was a second will in this body. But from the sound of its voice, one could tell that the symbiote that had found a new host must be very unhappy.
"You...what's going on with you?"
Mason put down the penguin umbrella in his hand, rubbed his aching head and said:
"What on earth did Selina do to you? What kind of magical chemical reaction allowed you to achieve this weird form now?"
"The resurrection stone you placed inside me, Mason Cooper."
Professor McGonagall changed back to her voice that could scare a child to tears, and said slowly:
"That thing helped me regain some sanity after death, and your cat-loving female friend just now had some sudden thoughts that I couldn't understand in some mental state.
She placed this strange symbiotic mass on me.
It requires my brain to think, and its activation of my brain reminds me of the Animagus spell.
"This dead body should not have any vitality. It is not a qualified host at all!"
She switched back to Venom's deep voice and continued to explain:
“But that damn stone locked her death, leaving her in a state of neither death nor life, so that I could barely think with the help of her degenerated brain.
This form cannot last long.
I am using my life force to support this conversation, Mason Cooper, so let me be brief!"
"Well, go ahead."
Mason pulled up a chair and sat on it. He took out a cigarette and put it under his nose and sniffed it. He said:
"Let me sort this out for a minute. Where's Selina? You didn't hurt her, did you? After all, although she treats both of you as pets, she is really nice to you."
"The little girl fainted from fright."
Professor McGonagall gave a hoarse, dry laugh and said:
"She seems to be in very bad health, and is in a weak recovery period. I found the water of life and death and a palliative in her bag for her to take. She will be full of energy after twelve hours of sleep.
I don't hate her.
She reminds me of another life I wanted to try when I was younger, leaving my wizarding identity behind."
"Now is no time to chat, old witch! Let me do the talking!"
Venom fiercely seized control of the body, stared at Mason with wide eyes, and asked:
"You have something terrible in your hand, something very terrible for us! I just felt its scent, where did you get it?"
"Are you talking about the fragments of the Black Death Sword?"
Mason looked up and said:
“I almost forgot about this. When the Black Death Sword, the ancestor of the symbiote, was created by Gnar, it already had the ability to absolutely suppress and control the lives of symbiotes like you.
Although what I have in my hand is only a small piece, it is still enough to skin you alive.
After all, you are the weakest among all the symbiotes, Venom, what do you want to talk to me about? Just tell me, as long as it's not too excessive, I will consider it.
But the advantage is on my side, so I would say...
Be careful, Venom, and don't say anything that might make me angry."
"You can't use it!"
Venom scolded angrily:
"That is a dangerous thing. With your mortal will, you cannot resist the temptation from the Black Death Sword. Apart from Nar, that thing has no master."
"Nar is dead. Dead as hell."
Mason glanced at Venom and said:
“Why do you think the Black Death Sword shattered so completely?
The God of Symbiotes probably blocked the way of the Council of Hope, and was killed. Even its weapons became their trophies and were used by them to harvest gods from all realms.
I believe those guys are well aware of the properties of the Black Death Sword.
The fact that they dared to use it means that they have completely cleaned up the residual power left by Gnar on it, which is also good news for you, Venom.
You no longer have to worry about your cruel and ruthless god being resurrected in the body of some unfortunate person."
"This is indeed good news, but you should still throw it away. It is an ominous thing!"
Venom is somewhat at a loss for words.
After all, it can fight, but it is really difficult for it to play tricks on Mason. After just two or three words from Mason, it didn't know what to say next.
Seeing it humming like a fool and unable to speak with Professor McGonagall's face full of wisdom, Mason felt bad for it.
The young man waved his hand and said:
"I promise not to use it against you, Venom, provided you and Selina cooperate better. You know what I mean. You are not allowed to modify her body, and you are not allowed to influence her mind.
Do your role as a tool well.
I don't want what happened to Eddie Brock to happen to Selena.
If I find out that you are not honest, you will suffer the consequences!"
"Don't mention Eddie!"
Venom was extremely angry. It turned over its hideous black and white spotted "mask" and covered Professor McGonagall's body. It bared its fangs and claws at Mason and said:
"Eddie died... right in front of me. He was my friend, my only friend!"
"That's great. I helped him get revenge."
Mason spread his hands and said:
"I crushed the cleaners of this world, and you know this, so you owe me another favor."
"No, Eddie's killer isn't here."
Venom calmed down.
It hid its ferocious appearance again, and said with a weak voice:
"I will try to work with that weak woman, as you wish, Mason Cooper, but there is no way I can allow her to unleash my full power without transforming her body."
"Selina is a scout and a thief, not a fighter."
Mason waved his hand and said:
"Besides, the strength of the symbiote depends on the foundation of the host. I will use a safe method to make Selina stronger, and you just need to sit back and enjoy the results.
As for whether or not she wants to join you in avenging your only friend... that's something you two need to discuss, and I won't get involved.
Now, get Professor McGonagall out!
I need to talk to her.”
