Spider-Man: No Justice

Forward:

The Thunderbolts have fallen to Spider-Man. Now Spider-Man faces off against Norman Osborn. The arch enemies are posed for a climatic showdown who will be the victor and if either wins what will be the fate of the Marvel Universe with two mad men vying for supremacy.

Chapter 9: Flash Cry

Bullseye turns on his glider firing off rockets striking key structural points causing billboards and statuary to fall upon the citizens of New York. The Human Torch seeing the danger veers off course to save the lives of the innocents. Speeding through Manhattan Bullseye appears above the final scene of destruction as the Zeus falls from the sky crashing into the ruins of Avengers Mansion in explosion that sends shrapnel spraying outwards into surrounding area. At the center of the destruction Norman Osborn and Spiderman face off.

Osborn descends his face contorted in rage and glee as he fires off rockets from his glider. Spiderman dodges the incoming missiles with ease shooting web that latch onto Osborn glider.

Seeing the battle Bullseye swoops in throwing a fan of daggers, they turn end over end slicing through the air. One slices the webbing attached to Osborn's glider the other three strike Spiderman's side as his spider senses alerting him at the last instant giving him just time to turn the blades sinking into his flesh missing his vital organs avoiding near certain death. Spiderman falls hitting the ground hard dropping the sword he had just recently recovered.

Bullseye swoops down taking up the other sword protruding from the ground coming in low he takes a swing aiming from Spiderman's head. Spiderman ducks blood running from his side as snatches up his fallen blade in time to deflect the next deadly strike. The two exchange blows with Spiderman going on the defensive his agility restricted by the knives embedded in his side. Bullseye in hot pursuit leaps from his glider bringing his sword up over his head in an overhead strike putting all his power behind it.

Spiderman blocks, but the power behind the blow buckles him his side folding in as a hiss of pain issues from between clench teeth. Bullseye plants a foot in Spiderman's chest kicking him on his back. He strikes again with a killing blow that Spiderman barely deflects. Bullseye strikes again wearing Peter down with each blow, finally Bullseye disarms Peter sending the blade spinning off behind him.

Osborn sees this and feels a momentary since of accomplishment, but then the voice of the goblin whispers in his ear, "He will take your glory. Spiderman is yours to kill." Norman shakes his head trying to deny the goblin. "He dies at my command," Osborn says stubbornly resisting the goblin persuasive vocie.

"He dies at your command, but not your hands. Don't let him take away your moment," the Goblin roars in his mind. Norman glider drops down his hand closing around the fallen sword. "He's mine Bullseye," Osborn calls out even as Bullseye lifts the sword two handed over his head with sword point down about drive the sword into Spiderman's heart.

Bullseye ignores Osborn the bloodlust in him overwhelming his common sense, "I said the spider is mine," Roars Osborn blasting forward on his glider the sword before him.

Spiderman feels death looming over him. He thinks he sees that grim aspect of death hovering at the corner of his vision, and wonders if this is what his aunt had felt had seen or had she gone peacefully? Had Reed been right was it her moment was she happy as death came for her comforted by those closest to her? Spiderman saw the deadly blade descend and the faces of those he'd killed. Tony Stark flashed through his mind. Sue her eyes wide with shock and betrayal, Reed his face carved in agony.

Spiderman tries moves but it is too late as the blade flashes down. Instinctively he covers his body his eyes close against his will.

Everything stands still Spiderman opens his eyes Bullseye looms over him a blade protruding from his chest his eyes bulge from behind his iconic mask the sword in Bullseye's hands falls. Peter moves in a flinching motion as Bullseye falls forward sliding off the blade protruding out his body a wet sucking sound accompany his fall as he collapses.

"Well my prodigal son it has come down to you and me," Osborn says eyeing the blood that pools around Spiderman's side.

"Osborn, you've finally came out of hiding," Spiderman says his hands grasping the fallen sword as he gets to his feet.

"I had too, I'm so proud of you. You have finally embraced the destiny that I always envision for you." Osborn says his face split into a grin.

"What like you, a crazy megalomaniac," Spiderman says irony evident in his voice.

Osborn smiles, "I think you misunderstand me. Why did you do it Peter, kill your friends leave them dead at your feel?"

"You wouldn't understand Osborn, you're a psychotic killer," Spiderman says eyeing Osborn his breath labor.

"Harsh words for someone who killed an innocent woman," Osborn says.

"Innocent!" Spiderman roars, "May is dead, they did nothing they deserved to die with all their power and knowledge she meant nothing to them. They betrayed our friendship."

"Peter, Peter, Peter, why didn't you come to me, how many did you beg for help, when I was here always waiting for you to ask me for the help I would have only been too eager to supply."

"Help Osborn, you can't help me Osborn, you were always on my list," Spiderman says lifting his sword up.

"That is too bad," Osborn says attacking with manic might driving the wounded Spiderman back a step and then another.

Spiderman his face is a harsh line of intensity met Osborn head up. He exchanges blows with Osborn the two going back and forth carving flesh from each other. They swung their swords with all the pent of rage and passion in them, they drove at each other with more force than skill both uncaring of their safety. Spiderman's spider senses save him from a near fatal blow that came in an underhanded thrust. Throwing himself backwards he unleashes his web catching Osborn around the ankles pulling him off his feet.

They both hit the ground landing on their backs. Spiderman lets out a painful grunt his sword falling from his grip as he grabs his side. Osborn gets it to his feet leveling himself up on his sword. Spiderman tries to rise but is dealt a punishing blow, a kick to his wounded side that lifts him off the ground. Peter collapses his face a mask of pain and agony as he is dealt kick after kick until he can't move any longer. Norman stands over Spiderman his breath coming in harsh breaths as he laughs over his fallen enemy.

"And now you die," Osborn gloats lifting his sword for the finishing blow.

Peter looks up through swollen eyes seeing Osborn he watches in amazement as Osborn's body wreathed in flames. Osborn turns his face a mask of twisted cruelty and rage at being foil in his moment of glory. A second flaming blast of fire lifts madman off his feet throwing him aside. Human Torch stands over Peter holding his hand out. Spiderman takes the proffered hand rising to his feet on tottering limbs.

"Johnny," Spiderman gasps out. "MJ"

"She's fine Pete I saw to that I think I killed the Radioactive Man," Human Torch says his tone regretful.

"He deserved to die," Peter says his words cold as he stands fully on his two feet. "I'll be right back I need to end this." Peter saying moving towards Osborn who rolls on the ground extinguishing the flames his body smokes as he sits upon his knee screaming in agony. The sound of Spiderman foot crunching on the gravel causes Osborn turn his face is mask of boiling sear skin that seems to leak off his face.

"Parker come to gloat," Osborn says his voice completely changed. "Come try to finish me off if you can," Osborn says in a cackling voice like some evil witch.

"Your reign of terror is over Osborn," Spiderman says moving closer.

"Reign of terror? Who killed his friends, who murdered Stark? Does your flaming friend know what you did how you slid the blade across S—" Peter slaps Osborn down drawing blood as his backhand drives Osborn to his back. Osborn attempts to get up turning on his hands and knees. Spiderman pursues allowing Osborn to gain his feet only to kick the side of his knee in the crunch of shattering bone and cartilage sounding like thunder. Osborn drops to his good knee as Spiderman straddles his back drawing the thin line of web from his wrist wrapping it around his Osborn throat strangling him.

"You were always going to die Osborn," Spiderman whispers in his ear. "You were always on the list. Do you think I forgot about Gwen?" Spiderman asks. Osborn futilely tries to fight for his life flailing at his neck as blood spills from the opening being sawed into his throat.

"Pete!" Human Torch calls out to his friend seeing him committing murder. "Enough you're killing him."

"He deserves to die," Spiderman screams over his shoulder. "I won't let criminals like him suffer to live. They always come back to haunt me. No more."

"Peter this isn't you," Human Torch says beseeching his oldest friend.

"This is what has to be done," Spiderman says his words brooking no argument. "This is what must be done. You no—" Peter's words are cut off as a ray of light strikes him he is thrown back sliding across the ground his body convulsing in pain.

Human Torch looks around to see where the shot came from. As he scans the area a figure arrives resolving into the form of Ben, "What are you doing Ben?" Human Torch asks.

"As the kid said what must be done," Ben says his tone grim and resolute.

Ben points the ray gun at Spiderman who stares at him with anger and rage in his eyes. Johnny steps in front of Ben shielding his friend. "Ben stop this, the whole world is going out of control."

"There is no stopping this kid," Ben says anger in his voice. "He killed Reed."

Human Torch shakes his in denial, "No way not Pete."

"He killed them he killed Tony he came here to kill Hank Pym, he made a hit list Johnny. I know the truth. He even cured me just so that I would be out of the way."

"It doesn't make sense, why would he turn on us? Pete has fought with us always. He is the consummate hero."

"Even heroes fall kid," Ben Grimm says sadly.

"I can't believe it," Johnny says, "Tell him Pete," Human Torch implores in a desperate tone turning to Spiderman who stares back at him with pain in his eyes Human Torch flinches back from the truth in his friends. Ben shakes his head lifting his ray gun, "I called in the Avengers but they won't be necessary," Ben says stepping forward leveling the laser he wields at Peter Parker.

"If he killed Reed then…then my sister too… there is no way he wouldn't kill Sue," Human Torch says backing away from Spiderman who slowly begins to stir and Ben who looks at him sadly shaking his head sadly.

"I can show you the truth," Osborn says in a nasally voice. "The truth of Peter Parker," he says triumphantly.

The Human Torch looks at the burnt visage of Osborn who pulls out a data pad that he activates a holo image forms between them showing Susan Storm in Peter's arms the blade of the scalpel sliding across her throat.

"You see proof, taken from video footage in Mr. Fantastic lab, he tried to expunge it from the system, but I found a personal cam that Reed kept on himself for his lab experiments," Osborn says gleefully.

Human Torch shakes his head in denial, Spiderman reaches out to him, "Johnny," He says as the Osborn laughs in the goblin voice.

The Human Torch is in that moment Johnny Storm he cries out it's a rumbling roar like an erupting volcano he flares brighter then sun as tears of liquid fire run down his cheeks. Ben lifts his arm knowing what is happening he opens his mouth in entreaty, but before a single syllable reaches his lips the entirety of the city square block that Avenger's Mansion rests upon is incinerated. In that moment a dark presence of life and rebirth in the universe takes notice of the flame that is produced through rage and sorrow.

Spiderman eyes widen in shock as he calls out for Mary Jane reaching out to his friend his hand vanishing turning instantly into particles less than ash as flames hotter than sun consume him. Osborn only has time to recognize that his victory has been taken away as he vanishes in blaze of light his wild laughter burned away as the heat from the flames sear his lungs before he combusts in a shower of ash.

On the docks of the Hudson River Mary Jane hears her name, "Peter?" she asks questionably dropping to her knees in pain as she feels liquid leak down her eyes. She grimaces as she feels contractions. "Oh know not now, it's too soon," Mary Jane wails holding her stomach alone. "Where are you Peter?"

Professor Xavier awakens his eyes wide as he sits up. The rest of the X-Men are wakeup as he cries out in pain. The White Queen is awakens seconds later her body turning to diamond to fight off the mental cry of pain, The psychic mutants known as the Cocoas, triplets sister who monitor the mutant world through cerebral fall down as one the cry of sorrow bombarding them overriding their combined minds.

The Mighty Avenger's descend outside the grounds of Avengers Mansion they shield their eyes as the flames heat melts the sidewalks and streets. Ares bows his head understanding all to the well the complexity of war. Ms. Marvel watches in stun shock. The Wasp, Wonder Man, and the Black Widow back away from the mansion unable to withstand the heat pouring forth.

"Can't we do something," The Wasp says.

"It's too late," Ares says. "It seems that the Human Torch has decided to usurp Apollo throne. Any avenging needing to be done this day is finished," he says in tone of respect as the flames pushed ever outward.

"Yes it would seem so," Luke Cage says striding up to Aries the god of war with the The Iron Fist beside him along with Ronin, Echo and Wolverine. "I can't believe it."

"Believe it," Wolverine says walking towards the flames that are dying down. "Come on let's see if anyone survive this mess.

Doctor Strange Appears before the Avengers in his astral projected form, "Run!" he calls out. "Run away, he will burn the world to ash."

Johnny looks around he sees nothing but glass a wasteland of glass he looks around for Ben but sees nothing images flash through his mind and in an instant of clarity he realizes what he has done. He looks down at his hands in horror, "I killed my best friend, Ben!" He wails a second time this time his Flash Cry is brighter a pillar of flames that can be seen from space a flame that extends into the atmosphere and down through the earth piercing through the man structures and through the crust of the earth down for miles.

The Avenger's retreat the warning coming in enough time even as the flame spreads outward consuming more city blocks.

"Is there no way to stop it," Black Widow asks.

"None," Ares responds. "I'm a god, but even I would be consumed by those flames of sorrow."

"Then I will take the job, it's my responsibility I should have seen the kid going down this route. All the times he asked for advice I assumed he was strong enough to handle anything. But May dying was too much," Wolverine says ready to walk into the flames.

Ares places a restraining hand on Wolverine's should, "Don't you will die even your healing factor wouldn't be enough to withstand a flame of this intensity. "I understand Spiderman's fall," Ares says regretfully. "The grief one feels after losing a love one is a part of war it gives one great strength, but it can a person do terrible things in retribution that is the double edge sword of such power."

"He was insane we all wanted to kill Tony at one point or another," Black Widow says all the Avengers shake their heads in the affirmative. "But we never acted on it, and to kill Reed and Sue to kill Hank."

"He blamed them for not saving his aunt," Luke Cage says, "It's no excused but everyone has lost someone they love it's one of our strengths it makes us stronger in Spiderman's case his uncles death made him a matchless hero. His aunt's death made him a nearly matchless villain."

"And what about the Human Torch what will grief make of him do," Ms. Marvel asks her voice commanding and condemning at the same time. "We must find a way to put out those flames before the world is turned into hell itself."

"Perhaps that is how the world is supposed to end," Wolverine said.

At the center of the flames that quickly expand Johnny kneels unable to control his power a power that is beyond anything he has manifested in long career as a member of the Fantastic Four. In the flames walks a figure seemingly untouched by the flames his face shielded and masked only his eyes can be seen from behind the metal gray mask. He steps forward the green of his tunic giving away his identity, "Johnny Storm," Doctor Doom says. "You have robbed me of my vengeance you have taken away any solace I might have found in killing the one who killed Reed. I understand she was your sister, but he was my everything my reason for living what now will Doom do? Who will Victor Von Doom measure his self against?"

Johnny looks at Doctor Doom who is wreath in magical energies beyond his understanding. "Please Doom take it away make it stop. I'm going beyond nova I will wipe out the world."

Doctor Doom stares at Johnny. "Mercy and Vengeance let it be done have I not always said I would save the world if only Reed had ever listened to me but alas he did not and now he never will." Doctor Doom says stretching his hand out touching Johnny's Storm forehead. "Thank you," Johnny whispers as Doom drains him of his power of his essence. Johnny closes his eyes a look peace coming over his face.

"Look after the children," he says as his essence is leached away into Doom. Behind the mask where his eyes should be there rages the cosmic fire that is Johnny Storm the Human Torch. Johnny body crashes to the ground a lifeless husk as the flames recede.

Doom stands over Johnny's body as the Avenger's surround him ready to do battle. "There is no need for the theatrics I have done what I have come to do," Doctor Doom says.

"And what might that be bub," Wolverine says letting his claws pop.

"Why to save the world of course. Who but Doom could extinguish such a flame," Doom says looking at the fallen body of Johnny Storm. "Bury him." Doom says vanishing before their eyes. "And remember it was Doom who saved you from his eternal flame."