Chapter 1: Unfriendly Neighborhood
It was amazing how much could change in so little time.
Swinging through the streets of New York as he usually did, Spider-Man could see just how differently he was being viewed now. He could see how people looked at him so differently. The fear, the distrust. Those things were always present to at least some degree, but now it seemed like it was almost everywhere he looked. And more and more people were asking him why he wore a different costume when he was on the new Avengers team.
Wish I could tell them all the truth...not that they'd ever believe me of course.
It had been only a couple months ago that Spider-Man's one-time friend turned bitter nemesis Harry Osborn had managed to convince the entire country's population that he was a changed man and ready to lead the charge against the terrorist organization Hydra, who themselves had launched an attack on the White House previously. Since then, everyone had been on edge, their anxieties eased only by the presence of a new Avengers team. One that Spider-Man was apparently on.
Except not really.
"Hey Spidey! Shouldn't you be with the other Avengers or something?" one man asked as Spider-Man swung overhead, the question eliciting a sigh from the superhero who had already heard it a thousand times.
Then, Spider-Man's spider-sense started to buzz, which directed his attention to an armored car that was driving through at that moment, and clearly going way too fast to be safe. Taking that as his cue to spring into action (and also being silently grateful that he now had something to briefly take his mind off his troubles), Spider-Man swung off in the truck's direction, using webbing to zip onto the truck's top, which he then stuck to without incident courtesy of his adhesive powers.
Making his way down to the side of the truck, Spider-Man next went to the front of the vehicle, stopping right outside of the passenger's line of sight. His spider-sense buzzing intensely told Spider-Man there was someone nasty inside, so he prepared himself to move back in the event of gunfire or an energy blast (and knowing New York the latter was almost as likely as the former).
Peering over the side, Spider-Man saw two men, one in the driver's seat, and one in the passenger side that was now face-to-face with Spider-Man. The man jumped in his seat and awkwardly reached for his gun. Spider-Man grabbed the door handle and ripped the door clean off. He then grabbed the man and tore him out of his seat, the thug screaming in terror the whole time. He also, Spider-Man pleasantly noted, dropped his gun as this was happening.
After leaving the man webbed to the side of the truck, Spider-Man entered the now empty passenger seat.
"Hm, nice interior. But how much mileage does it get?"
Spider-Man's response was the man reaching for his own gun, a gun Spider-Man kicked out of his hand the second he drew it.
"Pull over now. Unless you want a foot to your face."
To Spider-Man's satisfaction (and relief) the thug did as he was told and brought the car to a halt. No sooner did he did Spider-Man grab the man, drag him out of the truck, and web him securely to it's side right next to his partner.
"Thanks for the diversion chuckleheads. Now if you'll excuse me…"
And with that, Spider-Man took off, just as a throng of people came to him and called out to him as he left, one remark in particular catching Spider-Man's attention: "I like your black and red costume better!"
At this Spider-Man sighed again.
-X-
He remembered seeing it on the news. He remembered that Felicia had been with him at the time, her mouth hanging wide open and her eyes bulging in shock. He had the same look on his face.
"...at this time, reports are still sketchy, but it is believed that the disaster that befell the city of Stamford, Connecticut was the work of an as-of-now unidentified superhuman. Estimates put the current death toll at over six hundred…"
This hadn't been the first major loss of life since superheroes and supervillains became a fact of life. But this was far and away the single worst one to date, at least concerning the single worst loss of life in any one place at one time.
"...many of the dead were the students and staff at the Stamford Elementary School, including at least sixty school-children."
Peter could see tears were welling up in Felicia's green eyes and sliding down her cheeks as she covered her mouth. Peter instinctively put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. Both of them felt numb all over at what they were seeing. That neither he nor Felicia nor any of the countless other people watching the news at the moment knew who it was exactly that was responsible just made everything worse. There was no one person to blame for the tragedy. And that meant that the world would inevitably just blame them all.
"At this time authorities, emergency workers, and SHIELD personnel are still trying to assess the full extent of the damage and get to survivors that might still be out there. Red Cross workers have been called in to stabilize the survivors that have already been found. In response to this tragedy, Harry Osborn, recently made head of the NSA and Homeland Security, issued the following statement:
And then Peter and Felicia saw Harry addressing a large crowd, a look of feigned sorrow on his face. And it was in that moment that Peter and Felicia both wanted to throw the television right out the window.
"...I think what this proves is something we've always known but have thus far never had the courage to admit: that superheroes are loose cannons and walking weapons of mass destruction. They run around unsupervised, with no proper training, and worst of all: no accountability for their actions. Me? I pledged myself to our country's government when I chose to go straight and abandon my supervillain career. I think it's only right that those so-called 'Superheroes' out there learn to do the same. And that is why in response to this, I am spearheading an act that, if passed, will require all superhumans in this country to register their identities with the government and work directly for the government. And this will be done to drive home a very simple truth: no one is above the law. And to any superheroes out there intent on resisting this act, to any who are unaffected by the deaths of dozens of children, I say this: you're not as above the law as you think."
-X-
Ever since the Superhuman Registration Act was passed, Spider-Man found New York to be a much more...lonely, place.
Ironically, the act didn't affect him very much. The one good thing that came of everyone thinking he was a part of Harry's Dark Avengers was that everyone thought he'd already registered and thus did not accost or antagonize him. Indeed, one guy had even asked him why he didn't just go all the way and reveal his secret identity to the whole world.
"You mean like unmask myself on live television? Why would I ever be stupid enough to do that? That would be like painting a bullseye on my loved one's heads. Thanks but no thanks."
But the other superheroes? It was as if they'd disappeared overnight. The Fantastic Four were still around, but ever since the Registration Act business they never seemed all that happy to see him, at least not Susan and Reed. Ben and Johnny continued to treat him like they always did, barring the fact that even they felt compelled to ask Spider-Man about his supposedly being on the Dark Avengers, much to his immense annoyance.
Susan though always looked worried when she saw Spider-Man, and Reed Spider-Man noticed seemed to always be frowning whenever Spider-Man showed up after Stamford. The web-head could almost see a look of disapproval in his eyes. Clearly, he knew that Spider-Man really hadn't registered, and if the looks he gave him were any indication, Mr. Fantastic believed Spider-Man should.
The X-Men were a whole different story: after the SRA was passed, the Mutant community (who were by definition superhuman) exploded into violent protest, protest that Harry had seen fit to brutally repress via "new and improved" Sentinel models built by Harry Osborn in collusion Trask Industries. The very series of events the Green Goblin of the future had tried to prevent…
And then, as if on cue, Spider-Man's spider-sense buzzed so intensely he felt as though his head might split open. Ducking for cover behind a building, he hid himself from view as several of the Oscorp/Trask Sentinels flew by on patrol. As the titanic violet and green colored robots passed without noticing him, Spider-Man breathed a sigh of relief that his Spider-Sense was one power they hadn't been tailored to counter.
Doubt it will be that way forever though…
Spider-Man kept swinging, as he did looking at the people who looked up at the Sentinels in awe. But it was clear from the looks on their faces that it was not an awe born of fear but rather admiration and respect. And if there was any fear, there wasn't anywhere near enough.
Amazing how people seem to like the idea of those giant killer robots protecting them better than their fellow man.
And what of the premiere examples of such individuals? What of the Avengers? The real Avengers? They, it seemed, were nowhere in sight. Not even Iron Man, who's disappearance had been quite the news event by itself. "Where is Tony Stark?" everyone was asking.
Where indeed… Spider-Man noted, continuing to swing through New York and eager to put as much distance between himself and the Sentinels as he could. Somehow he doubted that the events of Iron Man's being MIA and Harry's having his own suit of Stark-Tech armor as the American Son were unrelated.
The fates of the other Avengers were also unclear. Ms. Marvel was with the government already, so Spider-Man didn't see how registration would affect her. But he knew that the Ms. Marvel he saw with Harry's Dark Avengers wasn't the hero he knew...or was she?
And Hawkeye? Spider-Man couldn't believe that the rebellious archer would ever work with Harry Osborn. But if not him, then who was the man dressed in purple and carrying a bow right now? That actually wasn't as hard a question for Spider-Man to answer, as he could think of two different men with marksmanship skills to rival Hawkeye's, one of whom already dressed in purple, already hated Spider-Man with a passion, and already worked for Harry Osborn based on that hatred. And considering who the other candidate was, Spider-Man found himself hoping it really was Boomerang.
But the biggest mystery of all was Captain America. The Sentinel of Liberty had been the single loudest critic against the Superhuman Registration Act, something Spider-Man still remembered witnessing along with the rest of the country when Captain America took his opposition of the Act right to Washington itself, standing against Congress to keep the act from being passed.
"...I'm sure you can appreciate Captain Rogers, how this Act will save lives and keep people safe from, well…"
"What? People like me!?" Captain America had demanded incredulously. "Need I again remind everyone here that there has been absolutely no evidence put forth to prove that it was a superhero who caused the Stamford Connecticut disaster? It could have easily been a supervillain. And the actions of supervillains have never prompted you to regulate all superhumans before."
"A disaster of this magnitude never happened before. And what happens if a superhero does cause a Stamford? What then? Will you just say you're sorry and move on? It's clear that superhumans are too dangerous to run around unsupervised. They need to be properly trained and held accountable for their actions."
"Maybe so, but that does not mean we should give up the rights that are written down in our Constitution and laws simply because it is politically expedient. You're talking about giving control of every single superhuman in this country to the government."
"And?"
"I believe no government can be trusted with that kind of power."
Needless to say, that particular remark had caused quite the firestorm of controversy, enough to make Spider-Man inclined to go without the news or the radio for an entire week. But word still leaked out. Captain America had apparently disappeared following the passing of the act. And now no one knew where he was.
Finally, Spider-Man decided to return to his apartment, as there looked to be no other crimes happening, and to be honest the presence of the Sentinel patrols was going a long way towards making him disinclined to stay outdoors.
And maybe that's also why there aren't any criminals running around now… Spider-Man thought grimly as he swung in the direction of his apartment. Hell of a price to pay for clean streets...
-X-
"Is that the best you got?" Iron Fist demanded as he struck another of the armored men square in his breastplate. For a normal person, this would hurt quite a bit. But Iron Fist's sobriquet was an earned one, and his chi-enhanced attacks ensured that the "Cape-Killers" as they were known were still sent flying in different directions by the force of his attacks. Chi-enhanced strikes wreathed in a fiery red aura were unleashed in every direction as the Cape-Killers converged on Iron Fist, who also used his Chi to enhance his speed and agility. The tranquilizer darts whizzed by him and some over him as he threw himself into the throng, weaving in and out and dancing around his opponents. One tried to ram him with a riot shield, but Iron Fist simply ran up the slab of metal before jumping and then landing, feet first on the Cape-Killer's helmeted head.
More tranquilizers were fired at him. Iron Fist narrowly evaded these by moving just as the Cape-Killers were ready to fire. But then, as his namesake collided with a Cape-Killer's head so hard it split his helmet in two, he heard the click of a gun and dived to one side. What followed was the distinct "crack" of a bullet being fired out.
Bullets. So much for trying to take me alive huh?
Iron Fist continued to fight, but as he did, the battle was then interrupted by a large, circular projectile that rocketed through the air before striking one Cape-Killer hard in the back of his helmeted head. The Cape-Killer grunted in pain before falling forwards unconscious. Looking out, the other Cape-Killers saw nothing. But then, dropping down on them was a muscular figure in costume, who hurled what all present realized was a shield. The shield went slamming into one Cape-Killer before then ricocheting and hitting another Cape-Killer, and then another. Like a giant, lethal pinball it went, taking out several of the Cape-Killers one at a time before returning to it's sender. As it did he leaped forwards feet extended, kicking back one of the few Cape-Killer his shield had missed.
What followed was a swift but brutal display of hand-to-hand prowess as the red, white, and blue hero unleashed a barrage of karate, judo, ju-jitsu, and krav maga moves on the hapless Cape-Killers, his superhuman strength ensuring that even with their body armor the Cape-Killers fell easily. Soon, all of them were out.
Iron Fist smiled at the sight. Few men could claim to have hand-to-hand skills and martial arts mastery anywhere near his own, but Captain America was one of those few.
"Captain America…"
At the mention of his name, the Sentinel of Liberty turned to regard Iron Fist. "I'm glad I got to you in time."
Iron Fist nodded. "I think I was handling these losers pretty well, but I do appreciate the help all the same. Where have you been? Ever since this whole 'Registration Act' nonsense started no one's seen eye or shield of you."
"I've been in hiding." Captain America explained. "I knew when that act was passed that I wouldn't be able to stand by my government's decision. I knew I would have to stand against it. And the last couple months have been me both getting allies who share my views on the matter, and then figuring out what my next move will be from there."
As Captain America said this, a small void appeared out of nowhere, before then getting exponentially bigger until finally it revealed itself to be a dark skinned man shrouded in a dark blue hooded cloak, out of which came a young woman with long blonde hair in a white catsuit that seemed to radiate an intense light.
"Who are they?"
"Cloak and Dagger. The former's been how I've been getting around these days. Come with us. We'll be safer at my hideout."
"Hideout?"
Captain America nodded. "Yes. Like you, and every other one of us who's refusing to register, I'm something of a fugitive these days. That's the price of freedom for you. Still a price I pay gladly." He paused, then added: "And by the way...welcome to the resistance."
-X-
"Do it again." Harry ordered.
Cougar sighed, though it sounded to the other man's ears more like a snort of contempt. Nevertheless, the son of Wolverine begrudgingly got back into position, standing over an edge with his back to it.
"You'll catch me this time right?" Cougar asked the blonde in the red and blue costume standing on the floor Cougar's ledge overlooked.
Ms. Marvel sighed and said irritably: "Yes, I'll catch you you dolt. Even though I think you could stand to take a few baths. Now shut up and do it."
"You know what happens if you don't catch me right?" Cougar needled.
"Do it already!" Ms. Marvel snapped.
Nodding, Cougar walked backwards over the ledge, and sure enough, the counterfeit Ms. Marvel flew up and caught him in her arms. With her strength holding him was no physical challenge. In mere moments she had him back on his feet, as she did scoffing in contempt and looking up at Harry Osborn. "Satisfied? Because I really need to disinfect this costume now after catching him over and over."
"You're done when I say you're done." Harry said coldly. "Get up on that ledge Ms. Marvel. It's your turn to trust your teammates."
Ms. Marvel nodded, though there was a notable scowl on her face. Using her powers of flight to reach the ledge, she set herself up. Harry ordered "Hawkeye" to catch her, an order that caused him to burst into a lewd grin that stretched from ear to ear.
"You're trying to get them to trust each-other…" Vulture, or "Falcon" noted.
Harry nodded. "Yes, I am. Not the easiest thing for sociopaths to accomplish."
"Sounds like you actually care about them. I didn't think you had it in you."
"I don't have it in me." Harry emphasized coldly. "This is a matter of pragmatism. Infighting is inefficient. And for my plans to continue to succeed, I both need and demand efficiency. I will tolerate nothing less."
"Not really sure what else you could possibly want at this point." "Falcon" said. "You've got the whole country licking spit off your shoes, you're in charge of national security, and you've got an army of supervillains plus the world's largest and most powerful terrorist organization at your beck and call. What else is there?"
"Well, for one my greatest enemies are still out there. And they need to die."
"Oh the hell with Spider-Man and the rest of those costumed do-gooders! I never even cared about him until he started getting in the way of my personal goals. But now that I'm wearing a sheriff's badge I couldn't care less about what Spider-Man does."
"Oh come now Adrian. You know you'd love to have revenge on him as much as I do. And besides, my conquest is not yet complete. There will always be more to take. And one such place will soon be mine if all goes well. Until that time though, we need to consolidate the power we already have. And that will be much easier to do with fewer enemies out there."
"Seems like the Superhuman Registration Act has that pretty well covered…" the counterfeit Falcon noted.
"Yes, what a fortunate turn of events for us."
"Only you would ever consider hundreds of dead people a fortunate turn of events Osborn." Falcon noted.
Harry raised an eyebrow at this. "My, Toomes, did you just display a conscience? I'm shocked, truly."
"I wanted to take what was owed to me." Falcon said bitterly. "I never wanted to be a Hitler or Stalin."
"Duly noted." Harry said coldly before turning back to look down at the other Dark Avengers. Pleased that Hawkeye had now caught Ms. Marvel a few times, he ordered Hawkeye to take his turn as Hybrid walked up to catch him, as he did the symbiote villain muttering: "I wanted to catch Ms. Marvel…"
As Hawkeye stepped over the ledge and was caught by the dark Spider-Man, Falcon's eyes turned to the form of the Vision, who had been simply standing still and inert the entire time, not making a sound but rather just staring out with those cold, blank, empty robotic eyes.
"So what's his story?" "Falcon" asked. At this question, Harry smiled.
"Ultron." He said simply. "The android that has tormented the Avengers for almost ten years now, his consciousness now residing in a spare copy of his own creation's body."
Upon hearing this, the counterfeit Falcon's eyes widened and he blinked in shock a few times. "Ultron? As in that psychotic robot that tried to kill all of humanity or something like that?"
Harry chuckled. "Something like that. But you don't need to worry about him turning on us the way he did his original creator. I wouldn't have him on our side if that was a risk."
"And it's not a risk because…?"
At this, Harry produced a small cylindrical device with a red button on it's top. "...because I installed a kill-switch. There's a bomb at the base of his head, and if he tries to defy me, I just press this little red button here. And then, well...I'd imagine he'd look kind of funny trying to take over the world without a head."
"You sure that will work?" "Falcon" pressed. "I've heard destroying this thing doesn't stop it. That it just makes a new body and goes into that one, more powerful than before."
"Usually that's the case, but not anymore. That body he's in now is his last one. And it's going to stay that way, because if I think he's making new bodies to upload his consciousness into, I press this button. I'm afraid that Ultron has nowhere to go now."
Despite this assurance, "Falcon" continued to look nervously at Ultron, or "The Vision" as he was now. Continued to stare into those blank eyes. And continued to find himself inclined to keep his distance.
But as it was, Ultron/The Vision wasn't the only one Falcon was concerned about. His gaze shifted to the other member of the Dark Avengers who was not being tested. The one who could already be counted on to catch any and every one of his teammates. The man who stood there in a golden yellow costume with blue boots, gloves, and flowing cape, as well as a blue belt that bore proudly in it's enlarged center a great shining silver "S".
He was the Sentry, and suffice to say, Falcon considered it nothing short of amazing that Harry Osborn had gotten him on his side. So much so in fact that…
"Alright, be honest with me about one thing: what nonsense did you tell Sentry to get him to sign on with you?"
Harry smiled. "Oh, no nonsense at all really. I simply promised him that I could help him with his...issues. That I could reach out to him and understand him in a way that frankly, Captain America and Iron Man never could. Simply put, I promised to help him stay the greatest hero to ever live."
"And do you plan to keep that promise?"
At this, Harry's smile widened and the look on his face became absolutely sinister. "You'll see."
-X-
Felicia was waiting for Peter when he came into his apartment. Sighing deeply, he made his way to Felicia with a slowness that was at odds with how he generally acted when around her. This in turn only inspired her to hug him more tightly when she embraced him.
"Rough day?" Felicia asked. Peter sighed again. "Well, yes and no. I didn't have any troubles personally but…" Peter trailed off for a moment before finally saying: "...I don't like the way things are right now." He said simply. "I don't like that all of our friends are hiding while my enemies are representing the law. And the fact that nobody seems to mind either…"
"People can be stupid sometimes Peter." Felicia said simply. "That's why I usually didn't care too much about what other people thought."
"It's not as easy for me." Peter admitted before adding: "But honestly I'm just worried. Knowing Harry I doubt this is the end of it. What is he going to do next? I don't think I even want to know…"
"Whatever he does, you won't have to deal with it alone. I made you a promise remember? We're in this together."
"I know Felicia." Peter said with a nod. "Doesn't mean I don't still worry though…"
"I know we can win this." Felicia said resolutely. "We're Spider-Man and Black Cat. Beating up the bad guys is what we do best right?"
Peter smiled. "Yes, we do."
Felicia leaned forward and kissed Peter. No sooner was the kiss concluded did Peter ask: "Are you sure this is a good idea though? You seeing me like this?"
"Hey, you may be unregistered, but no one's come after you yet. Probably because that monster is posing as you on Harry's Dark Avengers, but still. My being here isn't a crime, and SHIELD can go to hell if it is."
And then the two kissed again. Soon they were on the couch, kissing one another passionately before Felicia's phone began to ring. At first, Felicia was content to ignore it, but then Peter broke off their kiss and insisted she look at it. Heaving a sigh, Felicia put the phone to her ear. "Yes? Hello? Coulson?" There was a pause. Then, Felicia's face took on a look of disappointment mixed with annoyance before she said with weary resignation: "Alright, I'll be there." Felicia put the phone away and looked at Peter with an apologetic look. "Sorry lover, my job's yanking my leash again."
Peter nodded. "Go. I'll be fine."
Felicia nodded, then left after giving Peter one more kiss on the cheek. As she exited the apartment, Peter decided to check up on his other friends and family, which in recent months had become routine for him. His aunt was always the first person he checked up on, and as always, she was fine.
"...and how are things going with that young lady you seem to spend so much time with?" Aunt May asked after assuring Peter of her continued safety the way she always did. "The one with the white hair?"
"Felicia? Uh...things are going well…"
"I do hope you can make things work with her Peter, I really do."
"We're both trying our best Aunt May." Peter said with a smile. "She's really something special."
"Well, you stick with it Peter, and I'm sure you two will have much happiness together."
"I hope so Aunt May. I hope so…"
Next to be called was Hobbie Brown, who like Aunt May was fine, though ever since the SRA there was a hint of fear in his tone every time Peter spoke to him. They both knew why that was, their secret identities both being an open book to the other.
"How are you holding up Hobbie?" Peter asked.
"Well enough I guess." He replied on the other line. "This SRA stuff's got me pretty on edge though. I mean, I haven't been the Prowler in years, but still. Last thing I want is some of those SHIELD thugs kicking down my door and taking me away in cuffs. Especially when things have been going well for me lately, too. I have a new job, I'm doing what I love, I'm getting to work with, look at, and improve machines every day...it's nice. I don't want to lose that."
"The only people who know you were the Prowler are you and me." Peter pointed out before adding: "...and with these phones I...'tinkered with' at Horizon Labs, it's going to stay that way. You just stay under the radar Hobbie and I'm sure you'll be fine."
"If you say so." he said, though Peter could tell he wasn't entirely convinced. His next words just confirmed it.
"So...if things do go to hell, I can count on Spider-Man to come in and save my hide right? Remember; it's been a while since I've used my inventions for fighting. If anyone does come after me, I'm gonna be a bit rusty."
Peter smiled and nodded. "Of course. We are friends remember?"
It was with Randy Robertson and Glory Grant though where that particular point was less clear. More often than not when Peter called those two he did not get a reply. And when the two did reply, as they did now, their reception was a less than warm one.
"What do you want Peter?" Glory asked in a clearly tested tone.
"Just checking up, like I always do." Peter said evenly.
"We're fine Peter." Glory said coldly. "You don't need to check up on us every day."
"I feel like I do." Peter said, before adding quickly: "New York's become a lot less safe these last few months. Heck, the whole country has now that they've got Harry Osborn in charge of national security. And he tried to kill you and Randy before just because you were my friends. I want to make sure that you're alright is all."
There was a long pause. For a moment Peter feared that Glory had hung up on him, or was considering it. Maybe she was. Finally though, he heard her say: "You don't need to worry about us Peter. Randy and I will be fine."
And with that, Glory did hang up, and now Peter was truly alone.
He'd given up on trying to reach Flash, who it seemed had disappeared off the face of the Earth along with so many of Peter's other friends, and now Peter had no idea where he was or how to reach him. Peter knew something was wrong, but his inability to know what exactly was nothing short of maddening to him. More and more it felt like Flash was now just the latest in a long line of people Peter cared about that he had still managed to fail in some way.
Uncle Ben, Gwen, Ned Lee, Mary Jane, Harry, and now Flash. When does it end?
Deciding he didn't want to know the answer to that question, Peter instead thought about Felicia and where he stood with her. The two were now a couple again, that much was clear. But their situation was still a difficult one, and not just because they still lived in separate buildings that were a fair distance apart.
She's with SHIELD, and SHIELD's enforcing that stupid Registration Act. Peter shook his head. How much am I willing to bet myself that that recipe for disaster won't end well for anyone involved?
Peter sighed, fell backwards onto his couch, and shook his head again. Superheroes outlawed, giant robots goose-stepping through New York, my friend-turned-archenemy in charge of National Security...what is the world coming to?
Author's Note: And so we begin the final, thrilling installment in my Earth 763 Spider- Man trilogy! I hope everyone enjoys!
Trivia time!
1. The SHIELD Cape Killers were an actual thing that showed up during the actual Civil War event from Marvel Comics, also featuring in the Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 game (which itself draws heavily on Civil War's story).
2. Likewise, the Stamford Connecticut disaster happened in 616 and served as the catalyst for the superhero Civil War and before that the passing of the Superhuman Registration Act, as it is here.
3. Cloak and Dagger are a pair of superheroes with a strong tie to Spider Man, first appearing in the pages of Spectacular Spider Man in 1982, issue 64. Despite being good guys, their more violent methods against criminals (in particular drug dealers) has sometimes put them into conflict with the more pacifistic Spider Man. Later stories retconned their powers a bit so that they are now Mutants, which I personally view as an unnecessary alteration, and also one that makes the origin of their powers a lot less unique, but...