Marvel: The Journey

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In Peggy's opulent abode, she entered the expansive living room and saw Val, perched on the couch. "Calvin and Whitney are attending a soirée at the Grand MacArthur Hotel!" Peggy exclaimed, her voice filled with suspicion.

Val was perplexed by Peggy's news, his brows furrowing in confusion. "What? How could Whitney be gallivanting around at a party when we've just absconded with the uranium rods?" he asked, his voice also laced with suspicion.

With a glint in her eye and a sense of foreboding, Peggy replied, "I have a feeling there's more to this gathering than meets the eye."

Val's expression softened, and he nodded in agreement. "Alright then, let's make our way to the party and uncover what's really going on with Whitney and Calvin."

...

As the sun set and darkness enveloped the city, the Grand MacArthur Hotel came to life. The air was thick with the sound of laughter and the chatter of the wealthy elite. Dressed in their finest attire, the guests mingled, sipping on cocktails that were expertly crafted by the waiters and waitresses who deftly navigated through the sea of people.

The tinkling of glasses and the clinking of silverware created a symphony of sound that intermingled with the dulcet tones of the live band playing in the background. The guests arrived in their luxurious vehicles, the engines purring as they parked in front of the grand entrance, eager to partake in the festivities that lay ahead.

Peggy and Val had a plan, and it required them to blend seamlessly into the affluent crowd. They donned their disguises and made their way toward the entrance of the Grand MacArthur Hotel.

The doorman greeted them with a smile and opened the door, allowing them to step inside. Peggy and Val looked around in awe, taking in the grandeur of the lobby as they strolled past the front desk.

As they mingled with the guests, they made small talk, expertly blending in and avoiding any suspicion. Their charm and charisma were on full display as they effortlessly navigated through the crowd, all the while keeping their eyes peeled for any clues that could help them uncover the truth behind the mysterious party.

Val chatted with some of the guests and his keen eyes spotted Whitney and Calvin in the distance, laughing and mingling with the crowd. He turned to Peggy, who was by his side and noticed a look of concern on her face. Peggy leaned in and whispered, "There's something not quite right about their behavior," her eyes gesturing toward the couple.

Peggy then gestured with her eyes towards a door that was marked "Restricted Access." "We have to find a way to sneak through that door," she said with determination. "I have a feeling that's where we'll find the answers we're looking for."

With a nod from Peggy, Val set his plan into motion. While engaging in small talk with the other guests, he stealthily made his way toward the door, being careful not to draw any attention to himself. When he saw an opportunity, he slipped through the door unnoticed, disappearing into the shadows.

While walking down the darkened hallway, he knew that he had to be careful and stay alert, for he was in dangerous territory. The hallway led to several rooms, and Val carefully chose the one with the most foreboding door.

When he entered the room, he saw a large table with nine chairs, and he realized that he had stumbled upon the Council of Nine's meeting room. He scanned the room for a hiding spot and found refuge behind one of the many statues that were scattered throughout the room.

As he settled into his hiding spot, he noticed Peggy enter the room and hide behind a statue across from him. He smiled and waved silently communicating with her.

Moments later, the room fell silent as five elderly men, including Calvin and Whitney, entered and took their seats at the table. Val watched intently as the men settled into their chairs, wondering what was about to unfold.

Suddenly, two men entered the room, carrying a small cage with a rat inside. They carefully placed the cage on the table, and the men around the table leaned in closer, their eyes fixated on the creature.

Frost confidently stretched her hand over the cage. "Behold, the power of Zero Matter," she declared, unleashing the black tentacles that engulfed the rat and absorbed it instantly.

The members of the Council watched in awe and fear as Frost demonstrated her powers. When she finished, one of them spoke up. "Miss Frost, while your powers are certainly impressive, we cannot allow you to continue these experiments. They are simply too dangerous and don't contribute to the Council's plans."

Frost's eyes narrowed in anger. "You can't be serious. Zero Matter is the key to unlocking unimaginable power. We must continue the research."

The man shook his head. "I'm sorry, Miss Frost. But we have no choice. Our plan for today's meeting had always been to capture you and end this experiment once and for all."

Frost turned to Calvin, hoping for support. "Calvin, you don't believe this, do you? You know how important this research is."

But Calvin's face was cold and emotionless. "I'm sorry, Whitney. But the Council is right. Zero Matter is making you fall into madness. The only way to stop you is to have you killed."

Frost's face contorted in anger and despair as she realized she had been betrayed by the man she loved. "No!" she screamed. "You can't do this!"

But it was too late. The Council had made its decision, and there was no turning back.

The men who brought the rat suddenly held her but as the chaos ensued, the men who held Frost's hands tried to restrain her, but she swiftly turned on them, unleashing her powers upon them. The black tentacles slithered from her body, wrapping around the men and absorbing them into her being. The Council watched in terror as she single-handedly took down their guards and half of their members.

As she absorbed Thomas Gloucester and Calvin Chadwick, the room shook with the force of her power. "You betray me, and yet you dare to speak of madness?" she hissed as she stared into Calvin's lifeless eyes.

With the remaining members cowering before her, Frost took command. "Mortimer, you will create a cover story for the deaths," she ordered, turning to one of the few members who still dared to look at her. "And Hugh, you will give me access to all Roxxon Corporation facilities. Is that clear?"

The remaining members nodded frantically, too afraid to say anything as Frost towered over them.

As the remaining members of the Council of Nine trembled in fear, Frost's eyes glowed with an intense power as she made her promise. "Those who remain loyal to me and follow my every command will be rewarded with unimaginable power," she declared, her voice filled with authority and conviction.

The men were left with no choice but to nod their heads in agreement, acknowledging her dominance. With Whitney's laughter echoing through the room, the old men scrambled out of their seats and fled in terror and she followed them soon after.

A few seconds later, Val and Peggy came out of their hiding spots. He whispered to Peggy, "We need to get out of here now." Peggy nodded in agreement and they both made their way out of the room. They rushed towards the exit and quickly left the party behind.