Peter Parker's house


Peter arrives home, there are police everywhere, a police officer guarding the front door asks for Peter's name and tries to restrain him, Peter pushes him to the ground and walks straight through. Captain Stacy sees Peter enter, tears streaming down his face; he motions for the other officers to give them some space. Captain Stacy tries to speak with Peter but he walks right past him and to his Aunt May.

He hugs her and apologizes, "I'm so sorry Aunt May, and it's all my fault"

Aunt May is in shock, she doesn't respond, Peter looks at her and asks, "Aunt May, are you all right" She looks at him blankly.

"I'm all right Peter, it will all be ok" she responds blankly, looking through him with her eyes gazing into an abyss.

Peter steps back and looks at her horrified, "It's all right Peter, she's just in shock" Captain Stacy tells him and gently guides him to the kitchen, "Lets just give her some room, ok."

Peter walks with Stacy for a few steps, then shrugs Stacy's hand from his shoulder, "You said he was safe, you said he was protected" Peter growls at Captain Stacy.

"He was, we had some of our finest men protecting him, and they died doing just that."

"Whatever" Peter replies as he trudges off to his room.

Gwen eventually gets through the police out the front, she speaks to her father who greets her, "What happened?" she asks, Captain Stacy looks down with disappointment, "A car pulled up and killed Mr. Parker and two of our officers."

"How is Aunt May coping?" she asks, Captain Stacy just gently shakes his head, "She's still in shock, this is going to be very difficult for both of them, we just need to give them some space."

Harry soon arrives, he sees Gwen and MJ out the front, "Where is Peter, how is he?" She looks at him sadly, "He's locked in his room, I don't think he wants to see anyone!"

Harry looks at her with tears streaming down his face, "He'll want to see me."

Harry walks up the stairs and knocks softly on the door, Peter yells out "leave me alone!"

Harry opens the door, "Hey Buddy." Peter sits curled up on his bed, knees close to his chest and head buried. He raises his face from his knees, his eyes are red and bloodshot, tears still stream from his face. "Its all my fault."

Harry looks down at Peter and shakes his head, "This is not your fault Peter, none of this was your fault" Harry tells Peter momentarily forgetting his grief whilst supporting his friend, "This isn't your fault Peter, there's nothing you could've done, it's the Maggia, they did this."

Peter begins crying and Harry sits down comforting him whilst crying himself. After a while Peter lays down sobbing to himself and falling to sleep with exhaustion. Harry goes downstairs and meets MJ and her aunt Anna. MJ asks Harry, "How are you doing Harry, I know you were close with the Parkers. "Harry's face drops, and he begins to sob, "He was the closest thing to a father I ever had, along with Aunt May, they are the only people that actually took an interest in me." MJ hugs Harry warmly, "I'm so sorry Harry, I'm so sorry for your loss" she tells him as he sobs in her arms.

Harry leaves the house for his chauffeur limousine, leaving aunt Anna and MJ to look after May.

Harry Osborn's apartment


Harry returns to his apartment and sits alone on his couch crying. As he sits there alone as his father Norman enters the room. Norman walks past his son and looks down at him cry, briefly, but walked straight past and into his office.

Harry here is his father's office store close, he gets up and storms off towards it. Harry opens the door and tells his father," father I need your help, someone close to me was killed today, he was killed by the Maggia and I want to get back at them, I want revenge."

Norman doesn't look up from his computer "What do you want me to do about it boy?" Norman replies irritated.

"You have weapons, you have connections, you're one of the most powerful people in this town, surely you can do something."

"Maybe, maybe I could, but this is beneath me. I have bigger things to worry about" he tells Harry dismissively. "This is my best friends uncle, someone very dear to me!"

"I'm busy, speak with the butler" he tells Harry as he shushes him away with his hand.

Harry leaves the room and slams the door, "You're not really my father, Uncle Ben was more of a dad then you will ever be!"

Forest Hills Cemetery


Ben's funeral is held at the nearby cemetery, Peter, Harry and May stand together silently listening to the priest read out the prayers. MJ, Gwen and even Flash attend along with Captain Stacy and his entire squad. At the end of the priests ceremony Captain Stacy speaks praising Ben Parker as a great man of the city, someone willing to stand up for what is right and stand up to injustice.

After the wake, Peter and Harry leave and go back to Peter's room. They sit silently for a long time not knowing what to say. Peter begins quietly sobbing to himself and Harry walks over and puts a hand on his shoulder, "I know Peter, it's going to be hard but we'll get through it, we'll get through it together."

"You don't understand Harry, I won't get through, I don't deserve to get through, It's all my fault."

"What do you mean Peter," Harry responds, "How can this be your fault?"

"He's dead because of me, because I snuck out, because I didn't stop Skyes stealing that car, because I let him testify."

"What are you talking about Pete, you couldn't stop Skyes, you weren't there."

"Your wrong Harry, I saw Skyes stealing a car before the accident and I did nothing."

"It wasn't up to you to stop car jackers, you're just a kid going to the cinemas, what could you have done?"

"Uncle Ben always said to do what is right, with great power comes great responsibility, I had the power but didn't do anything, now his death is on my conscience, it's my responsibility!"

"You've got it backwards Pete, Skyes is responsible, the men who gunned down your uncle are responsible, you're not responsible for this, but you're responsible for what happens next."

"Next? What do you mean, next?" Peter responds, "You're not a kid anymore, we're not going to let them get away with this, someone has to stop them!"

"I'm responsible for what happens next? I have to be responsible for Aunt May, that's my only responsibility now."

The two boys sit in silence; Peter walks over to his shelf and looks at some of his childhood models that he used to create with his uncle. Peter picks up an award he won at the Stark Expo when he was only 12 years old. He looks at the Globe shaped award and remembers how proud his uncle was on that day. As he reminisces a news story flashes on the television. The Yankees have won the World Series, Peter hears this and immediately rage flashes to his body, he turns and throws the globe straight into the TV screen smashing it. Harry jumps back with fright, "What the hell Peter, What did you do that for?"

"The Yankees, they won the World Series" Harry looks at Peter confused, "Isn't that a good thing, we follow the Yankees."

"Uncle Ben told me after he was shot he just wanted to see the Yankees win the World Series, and meet Gwen" anger feels Peter's body, he looks at Harry in the eyes, "You're right Harry, they need to pay, and I have the power to do it, it's my responsibility to make sure Uncle Ben didn't die in vain."

Midtown High


Peter returns to school but this time nobody speaks to him. All the students look at him and turn away unsure of what to say or how to act. Peter's grief is compounded by his isolation. As Peter arrives to his locker Gwen and MJ see him and approach, Gwen giving Peter a big hug in front of everyone. They ask how Peter is coping and he let's them know he's doing better. Flash also sees Peter and walks over, he asks you to how he's doing and asks to speak to Peter alone.

The two boys walk outside in the courtyard and Flash tells Peter that he understands what he's going through. Flash explains to him that his father left him and his mother, and how he felt and how he struggles to cope after losing him. He explains that he never had anybody to speak with, or help him through it, but Peter has Harry, the girls and even himself. Peter is shocked by Flash's admission, "Why are you telling me this Flash, when did we become friends?"

"We're not friends, but I have a lot of respect for what your uncle did, and for what the masked menace does, and I will always help people like this."

"What does that mean Flash, what are you saying" Peter asks, "It means that I won't betray the Masked Menace to the black suits, and if I could speak to him, I would say don't trust them!"

New York Police department


Skyes lawyer enters the New York Police Department and approaches the main desk asking for Captain Stacy. Captain Stacy speaks with the lawyer who asks for access to evidence that will be used in the case against Skyes. Stacy orders one of these officers to get the files for the lawyer. When the officer returns he informs Captain Stacy that the files are missing. Stacy is shocked and tells him to search again, he tells another officer to check the evidence bay. Stacy follows them only to discover that both the evidence and the case files are missing. When he returns to the front desk to speak with the lawyer Stacy informs him that they cannot produce the evidence or files for him. The lawyer tells Stacy that he will immediately file with the judge for all charges to be dropped and have his client freed.

Stacy immediately begins ordering offices to go through the logs of who has been in the evidence locker along with video footage. He's furious that someone has betrayed him and is working for the Maggia, after nothing can be found he heads home feeling despondent.

Gwen Stacy's house


Peter and Gwen walk home together, as they arrive at Gwen's house Captain Stacy is in driveway waiting for them. As he sees Peter dread fills his body as he realizes that he will need to tell Peter.

"Hi darling" Captain Stacey greets Gwen, "Hello Peter I have something I need to tell you" he continues looking gravely at Peter. "Yes sir what is it?" Peter replies looking worried.

"It seems there was a problem with the evidence against Skyes, his lawyer has filed for the charges to be dropped, Skyes is likely to be released today."

Peter is horrified, "What do you mean? How can this have happen?"

"Somehow the evidence against Skyes went missing from the evidence lockup."

Peter is angry and yells at him, "How can this happen, aren't you guys supposed to protect us? My uncle said trust in justice, trust in the law and justice will be served, but now I see that's not the case, the law doesn't work!"

"I understand how you must feel."

"Do you understand? Do you really understand?" Peter replies sharply.

"I lost two good men that day, two friends, we were all betrayed, but they've gone too far this time, I'm declaring war." Captain Stacy explains to Peter, who storms off down the road, he curses to himself then mutters, "So am I."

Peter Parker's house


Peter arrives home and is beside himself with anger; Harry is waiting for him as they have science class that night along with Anna and MJ who are looking after May. Peter barges through the door and slams it shut, everyone is startled and looks in his direction.

"What's going on Peter?" Harry asks concerned, "They're letting him out, the cops are letting him out" Peter replies with anger. Everyone is horrified knowing exactly what he means. Anna begins lamenting how the justice system doesn't work for normal people, whilst comforting May. Peter charges up to his room. MJ asks Harry should she check on him but Harry tells her its best if he sorts it out.

Harry enters the room and sees Peter rummaging through his trunk.

"Hey Pete, what are you looking for" Harry asks, "I'm looking for my ski mask."

"So you're going to go after Skyes?"

"Of course I am, we spoke about this, its time for someone to stand up for what is right."

"Okay Pete, but just remember Skyes is only the beginning, we need to find out who's the boss, Find out who sent the men to kill Uncle Ben."

The boys get their bags ready for science class, Peter places his ski mask in his bag and the two boys head for Oscorp Tower.

Oscorp tower


Peter attends class but doesn't concentrate on what they are doing, his mind is elsewhere, his mind is focused on Skyes. Dr Connors notices Peter not applying himself to his work, he asks Peter to meet with him in his office.

Dr Connors speaks with Peter and asks how he's coping; he explains how it is hard to lose someone you love, and especially somebody who is there to protect you. Dr Connors speaks to Peter about when he lost his son, how hard it was for him but the way he got through it was to focus on work.

Peter thanks Dr Connors for his advice and promises him that he will be totally focused on what lays in front of him. Dr Connors responds that he is here if Peter ever needs advice or help.

After class Harry and Peter set off to the New York courthouse where Skyes will be let out soon.

New York City


Silvermane receives a message notifying him that Skyes is to be freed from jail later that night, he send three of his men to pick Skyes up after he gets out "Just make sure no one sees you picking him up, there can be no traces" Silvermane stresses.

As Skyes emerges from the courthouse jail he notices that there is no one to pick him up. Skyes is immediately suspicious; do they know I talked to the cops? He thinks to himself.

Skyes grabs a taxi, with the three Maggia men following him in a car. Peter also follows in another taxi further behind, "Follow that car, that's following that taxi" Peter tells the driver.

Skyes looks into the cabs rear vision mirror and notices the car following him, when the taxi stops at a set of lights he jumps out and makes a run for it. He runs down an alleyway but the gang members catch up with him.

They pull out knives and tell him that he shouldn't have talked to the cops; Skyes promises he didn't and then one of the Maggia at the back goes flying. A man wearing a ski mask in an all black suit stands behind them.

One of the men who were present at their last encounter, remembering the situation he groans "not again" as Peter kicks him and takes out two bins. The other Maggia member slashes at Peter, left and right trying to cut him but Peter moves easily out the way and knocks the knife from his hand, then follows through with a strike to the chest sending the man flying along the ground. Skyes picks up the knife from the ground and threatens Peter, "I'll cut you freak" Peter grabs his arm pulls it behind his back, twisting it until some of his muscles pop and he yells out in pain. Peter takes the knife and throws it away, "Didn't your mom ever tell you not to play with knives?"

Peter throws Skyes to the ground; he quickly gets up and runs as Peter takes chase. Skyes crosses a road without looking a car screeches to a halt but hits Skyes. The driver gets out and begins yelling at Skyes who limps off continuing down the alleyway. Peter emerges from the other side, dressed in black wearing a ski mask, "Stay out of this" he demands, to which the driver obliges holding up his hands and getting back in his car.

Peter approaches Skyes who's in a lot of pain, limping down the alleyway. Peter grabs him from the back of the neck and picks him up off the ground, "Didn't your mom ever teach you to look left and right before crossing the road either?"

Peter throws him across the alleyway into a wall; he falls over in a crumbled mess. Peter leans down and picks him up by the throat, and cocks his fist about to finish him off when Peter notices fear in his eyes and tears streaming down his face. Peter is taken aback and realizes that he's being a bully, that he's losing control of himself, he gains his composure and remembers why he's here, who killed my uncle.

"Now I want you to tell me, who killed Ben Parker?" Peter demands.

"I don't know, I don't know, I swear" Skyes replies, panicked and fearful.

"You better give me some names quick or else" Peter bites back, staring with rage into Skyes eyes.

"I can't tell you, he'll kill me" Skyes says, now beginning to whimper, "Well what do you think I'm going to do to you?" Peter replies.

"Ok I'll tell you, I just want people to stop beating me up"

"Who killed him?"

"I don't know who exactly" Peter cocks his fist back, "wait… but HE controls everything, everyone."

"Who is he? What's his name?" Peter asks.

"They call him Tombstone, he's a ghost, the walking dead, with red eyes that look straight through you"

"Where can I find him?"

"I'm just the cleaner, I clean up any mess from the program" He replies, "What mess, what program?" Peter asks confused, "I take out the experiments that go wrong!"

Peter is astonished, "Experiments? What kind of experiments?"

"I don't know the details, but its all like new drugs, electricity and crazy stuff like that."

"Where are these experiments? Where is Tombstone?" Peter pushes him more seeking answers, grabbing Skyes shirt tighter and tighter.

"I don't know" Skyes replies whilst choking, "Hell's Kitchen, Hell's Kitchen" he finally answers as Peter loosens his grip. "Where in Hell's Kitchen?" Peter asks, "I don't know none of that, I'm just the cleaner, I told you everything I know, now you said you'd let me go!"

Peter looks at Skyes, anger pulsing through his body, Peter considers doing to him what they did to his uncle, but then a thought springs to his mind, that of his uncle, justice will prevail we just have to believe in it.

"Go now, Justice will catch up with you one day" Peter tells him as he lets go of Skyes who limps away down the street. Peter leaves the alleyway removing his disguise and contemplating what just nearly happened, I'm not that person, a murderer, that's not who Ben raised me to be.


Skyes continues to drag himself down the alleyway, as he approaches the street a large hand grabs him from behind and flings him back into the darkness. Skyes calls out in pain, "Arrghhh, leave me alone, I've told you all I know."

Out of the shadows steps a large figure, ghostly white with red eyes, an albino African-American man standing over 6 feet tall with broad shoulders and muscular build. The giant man stands over Skyes with a sinister smile, filled with razor sharp pointed teeth like a lizard.

"You've told who all you know parasite?" Tombstone asks calmly with his cold deep voice.

"I.. I.. didn't say nothin" Skyes replies panicked, paralyzed with fear, "We know you talked to the cops, but who else did you talk to?"

Skyes begins crying again, "I… I… I don't know, he wore a suit, a mask."

Tombstone ponders what he said, "The Devil, you spoke to the Devil didn't you?"

Fear overwhelms Skyes, he can no longer think or speak. Tombstone looks down at Skyes realizing that he's not getting any more information from him picks him up of the ground by his throat, "Now its time for you to smell the flowers"

"No!" Skyes replies, Tombstone pulls Skyes face close to his own "You all fear him, heard stories about the Devil, but the truth is he's a man in a mask, I am the devil" he roars into Skyes face and brakes his neck with one hand then beats his lifeless body.

Midtown High


Peter struggles through school the next day after spending a night updating Harry on last night's events. During the last session of the day, Mr. Smith announces to the class that this is his last day at Midtown; most of the class does not react to the news, except Peter and Flash. Peter's tiredness is replaced by adrenaline as his mind wonders as to what this means.

The class leaves with Flash lagging behind, the last student to leave.

"Well Mr. Thompson my time at Midtown High is finished"

"Does this mean I'm free Mr. Smith?" Flash asks with hope, "Yes Flash."

"Does this mean I get a free pass into college?" Flash asks.

"No Mr. Thompson, and if you ever speak of this to anyone, you know what we are capable of, and trust me we'll know"

"Yes Sir" Flash replies with some unease.

Peter stands out the front of Midtown waiting for Gwen, as he does Mr. Smith approaches him, "I'm sorry to hear about your Uncle Mr. Thompson, I lost my father when I was young, I understand what you're going through."

"Well maybe someone should do something about these criminals, the government should worry about the criminals not the people standing up against them."

Smith agrees, "It's true, the government only cares about the big picture, and they always will, but some people in the government do care about the little people." He continues, "I think the masked hero, or whatever the kids are calling him, won't have any trouble from the government for a while."

"That's good to know," replies Peter.

"As long as he keeps a low profile and out of the headlines, he won't hear from us again."

"Thank you Mr. Smith" Peter replies with relief and gratitude.

"Call me Phil" Mr. Smith replies as he gets into his red corvette, places on his sunglasses and drives off."

Flash Thompson's House


Later on that night Flash goes to his room after dinner and gets ready for bed, he looks at the notes written about Peter and throws them in the trash. Once in bed and asleep a figure creeps up outside of his window, slowly opening the window and sneaking into the room. The figure searches through Flash's draws and bags then finally his rubbish finding the notes on Peter and the others. He takes them then looks across at Flash sleeping, moving silently over to him he leans over Flash and places something on his head. Flash tosses and turns momentarily resisting but then lays still, deeply asleep. The figure leaves through the window leaving no trace of his visit.