[Video]

[mysteryhero]

[Upon his arrival, Mysterio was in full costume, looking like Thor, Dr Strange and Iron Man rolled into one. Now he appears on the network in regular clothing - a brown sweater and tan trousers - looking elegantly casual.]

Hello again.

I have had some time to to explore and familiarize myself with this world and I'm impressed with the technology here - at least in Nova City. It's far beyond what I've seen before yet it's also lacking. That's why I am going to work for and with Aster Technologies and we can combine our knowledge to do great things.

Now, I know, I introduced myself as Mysterio when I first arrived and that is indeed a name I am known by but let's have a proper introduction now, shall we?

My name is Quentin Beck.

Comments

[made_up_names]

[ He just shakes his head a little. ]

We could've worked together. Maybe I wouldn't've just handed her over, but I'd probably have worked with you even if you were just a nerd with a fancy suit. Especially being a nerd in a fancy suit.

[mysteryhero]

[There's a slight frown while Peter speaks and he takes a moment to reply. Maybe that scenario would have worked just for Peter but it had gone beyond just Spider-Man. He'd wanted the trust of the world and up to that point he hadn't gotten what he wanted by being that smart tech nerd with fancy illusions.]

Then that's why we have this second chance.

I know it's difficult to believe me after all that happened.

I know that I've said things you disagree with or you think I'm being excessive with how I say it.

But I mean it that we did make a good team and we can again.

[He knows he's said similar before, but positive reinforcement? It was better not to have real enemies. Manufactured ones were different. They did as he dictated. Peter was a wild card in his stacked deck. He needed Peter to be on his side.]

[made_up_names]

[ Yeah, it's the megalomania Peter has a problem with. If Beck could have stuck to just trying to be a hero with what he has, this could have gone differently. The tech and the concept is solid.

He sighs, softly. ]

I'm working with you now, aren't I? I'm not gonna tell anyone what happened. And if an actual threat showed up, I guess Spider-Man would team up with Mysterio.

[mysteryhero]

Good, that's what I like to hear.

[There's a more pleasant smile now.]

You've got my back and I've got yours.

[With their respective secrets.]

[made_up_names]

Sounds more like blackmail with extra steps.

[ But that's some garden variety sarcasm from him. Almost amused. ]

[mysteryhero]

If it's blackmail, it's mutual blackmail.

[made_up_names]

Yeah, yeah, I figured that part out.

[ A shrug. ]

You're in more trouble there than I am. Given what kinda weirdos I've met so far, Spider-Man is probably not going to ping anyone's radar.

[mysteryhero]

What do you mean?

[made_up_names]

I mean that if I went on the network and said "what's up guys I'm Spider-Man" I'm pretty sure the reaction would be "cool man, whatever."

Versus my twitter and my insta blowing up with death threats, like, immediately.

[mysteryhero]

Maybe some people here are frightened of spiders.

[Totally deflecting from the real issues.]

[made_up_names]

[ He can't roll his eyes hard enough. ]

Look. I'm not gonna give you away. I did promise and I meant that. But if you think my secret identity outweighs you blowing stuff up, you might wanna redo your math.

[mysteryhero]

I never had a secret identity and people loved me.

[Not that they saw his secret personality or heard his real backstory so this isn't a good argument.]

[made_up_names]

Great point. I'll go tell everyone tomorrow, then, and all your leverage over me is super gone.

[mysteryhero]

You wouldn't.

[made_up_names]

[ This is a dangerously contrary look. ]

You don't know me.

[mysteryhero]

Even joking about doing that isn't wise, kid.

[made_up_names]

Or what, you'll do it instead? Fine. Tell everyone I'm Spider-Man. Again.

[mysteryhero]

I'd rather not. Not this time.

[made_up_names]

So there we go. I'm gonna think about it.

[mysteryhero]

Kid. Don't test my patience.

[made_up_names]

What? What's wrong with it?

[mysteryhero]

It's geting short, and you've already thought abut it, right? We had a deal.

[made_up_names]

You wouldn't tell my secret, and I won't tell yours. We're both keeping that up.

[mysteryhero]

For now.

As long as neither of us change our mind.

[A tiny bit of paranoia creeping in there. He has a concern that Peter may end up deciding the 'right' thing to do was to reveal all.]

[made_up_names]

[ Not an unlikely outcome, honestly. ]

Right.