Chapter 12
At the Institute...
T'was the morning of the day of Jonathan Kent's Inauguration as Mayor of Bayville so as you can imagine the Institute was a chaos of activity.
No matter what had transpired last week this could not be postponed. This needed to be done for the sake of the city and in the hope of better human/mutant relations.
That doesn't mean the other problems from last week have been forgotten. Absolutely not.
For example Mary Jane was still staying with Liz. A few days turning into a bit longer than that because Liz was finding it incredibly difficult to connect with anyone. She had been so loathing of mutants which turned into loathing of herself after she became one.
Now she was living in a school full of mutants. She had no idea how to make that work so it had really been up to MJ to try and be a bridge for Liz.
A bit strange for MJ herself. She had never been around mutants before. It was quite a learning experience. She supposed the number one lesson she had learned is just how normal they all really were. It sounds stupid but she had never really imagined how mutants go through the same day to day stuff ordinary people do.
Back to Liz though, MJ considered it a success that she got Liz to join in for the meals. Liz would just sit and quietly eat, clearly on edge and uncomfortable but she wasn't freaking out or other some such. It was progress. Slow but there.
Staying here also meant MJ got to spend time to talk to Peter about all those weird things that happened around her. He was still here for Kitty...who, very sadly, was still an absolute wreck. MJ felt terrible...and useless. After all what could she do to help?
In this case very little.
What MJ is unaware of is the tension between Peter and Kitty's father; Carmen Pryde. Her parents had come as soon as they could after they were told what had happened and Carmen was not a happy man.
He had never been 100% approving of this relationship to put it mildly. After being kidnapped by Venom and discovering that the boy his daughter was dating was Spider-Man he had worried about Kitty's safety...and said so to her...which hadn't garnered the best reaction from her, he will concede.
She called him a jerk.
So for the sake of his relationship with his daughter he had decided to tolerate it but look at her now. Curled up on the infirmary bed, one of her stuffed animals clutched to her chest in a death grip, periodically crying. She was pale and too thin...and there never that much of her to start with. It was heartbreaking to see his precious daughter like this...and this time he couldn't see how there was anyone to blame but Peter Parker.
The only reason this Goblin character targeted Kitty with another symbiote was because she was dating Peter. If Kitty hadn't been dating him the Goblin would not have cared less...or so Carmen thinks.
The only reason...the only reason he hadn't had it out with Peter in forceful terms was because he had been told that the last thing his daughter needs is to see her father and her boyfriend yelling at each other.
That was his wife's argument...and she was right but believe you him this is not over. As soon as Kitty is well enough and as soon as Carmen can get Peter alone there will be words!
Not that Kitty is really aware of this. She's barely aware of anything beyond her living nightmare. She couldn't sleep because every time she closed her eyes all she could see was the horrible thoughts and feelings that came from Carnage.
The only light in all the darkness was Peter. It was the one thing she could cling too because she could remember...when she was Carnage, Peter there, fighting to save her. She loved him so much. It was just about the only part of her that could cut through all the madness and horror the symbiote brought; her love for Peter.
"Peter?" she queries in a tiny voice. Thinking of him bringing to mind a desire to have him near.
"I'm here," Peter reassures her, taking her hand and kissing her on the cheek. "I'm not leaving you, ever," he promises.
"It won't stop," she says with a half-choked sob. "All I can see..." she squeezes her eyes shut as tears slide down her face once again.
Peter strokes her hair. "I know. I know," he says, struggling to keep his own emotions in check. "But you'll get through this sweetie. I know you will. You're the strongest, most courageous woman I know...and that's just 2 of the reasons I love you so much."
"I love you too," Kitty whispers. "Hold me?"
"Forever," Peter promises as he wraps his arms around her and holds her tight.
Looking on, sad expressions on their faces are Hank and Charles. It broke both their hearts to see the lovely, vibrant woman Kitty is reduced to this.
And the sad, sad truth was that there was very little that could be done except to slowly try and help Kitty comes to terms with it.
The Professor had found, like with Venom and Brock, that he couldn't erase the memories...or at least not easily nor quickly.
"What is the state of the symbiote?" Charles inquires telepathically so as not to have Kitty hear. They hadn't told her yet that it was still there, insider her blood. It only took a second's glance at her condition to figure out why they couldn't tell her right now.
Hank sigh, both mentally and actually. "It's still dormant...for now."
"You doubt it will stay that way," Charles picks up.
"I have very little knowledge on this entity but from what I can analyse I can't see any particular reason why it is dormant. I can only assume the genetic purifier it was exposed to has damaged it in some way I can't analyse...but truth is Charles I'm guessing over this a great deal. As long as the symbiote remains within her the possibility it could 'wake up' will always be there."
Charles can pick up an unspoken determination to find a way to remove the symbiote. It's one he shares but how to do so when it is as bonded to Kitty as it is. It was literally made for her. Charles has seen just how entangled the DNA strands are. It's almost impossible to determine where Kitty ends and the symbiote begins. He's certain they can figure out a way to remove it given enough time, the optimist in him but removing it without severely damaging Kitty's own DNA stands…
It's probably best not to think too hard on just how long a shot that is right now.
"I have to get ready to attend the Inauguration," Charles says out-loud.
"Of course," Hank says in understanding. "I've already given Jonathan my best wishes for the day," he reports. He, himself, will, of course, be staying here to continue to monitor Kitty's condition...along with his usual other tasks. Like check in on Polaris' mother; Suzanna Dane. Yes, she was still here because whatever Magneto and Polaris were up to with their hidden mutant nation it meant neither had come back for the woman who was still in her coma. They had arranged all the proper care she needed 24/7.
There was little else to be done for the woman right now. The only hope of a recovery was, perhaps, Chloe and her healing abilities. Though that would require Chloe to be a master of them which she is still a long way from. The golden skinned girl was less uncomfortable with herself now but she still had some ways to go before she had fully accepted her mutation, appearance and the gifts that came with them.
Also today was a very busy day for her being that she had been Jonathan's campaign manager and still helped organise a lot of the day to day activities for him. Kept her busy and out of trouble...mostly.
Queens, New York...
Speaking of trouble, it is a subject that has Clark heading to the Parker Residence before the ceremony in Bayville. He is greeted at the door by the newest resident of the property.
"Hello Jessica," Clark greets the brown-haired girl, taking a moment to see what a week living with her aunt has done for her. Still dressing in ill-fitting clothes apparently...or more accurately still trying to dress like Peter on a body that is more slender and slight. He guesses it'll just take time for her to find her own look.
"Hey Clark," Jess greets him with a huge grin. She's happy to see him.
"How are things?" Clark inquires out of ingrained politeness.
"Oh fine. Come on in," she invites him. As Clark enters she continues, "You know Gwen actually came over the other night and we talked. How weird is that?" she asks him because she sure found it weird since she has all of Peter's memories of Gwen.
"It's not weird, Jess. It's good," Clark corrects her. "It's good to have friends."
"I know, I know," she accepts with a shake of her head. "It's just from my perspective, all I remember is why we were so determined to keep things secret and now it's so out in the open. I feel...naked."
Clark arches an eyebrow at that.
Jessica's eyes go huge as her brain catches up with what she said. "Not actually naked. Not that I have anything to be ashamed of...I think because how do I know. I just remember being a boy...and now I'm not. Now I have women parts...and oh dear God please stop me from talking," she begs as her cheeks flush bright red.
Clark chuckles. "Now you know Jess, that like Peter, it's impossible to get you to stop talking. Not even I am that powerful."
Jessica cringes. Utterly humiliated herself for the day; check. "So what brings you round?" she asks, hoping desperately to change the subject. "Aunt May's out if it's to see her."
"No. I'm here to see you. I need a favour."
Jessica lifts a single eyebrow. "Favour?"
"My dad's becoming Mayor today."
"So I heard. That's great that," Jess gives her opinion.
"Well I need to be the dutiful son by his side so whatever happens, I can't be Superman today."
"You think something is going to happen?"
Clark gives her a look.
"Of course something will," Jess says in resigned tones. "Sorry I forgot this was us we were talking about for a moment there. But surely you don't need me. Not with all the students from the Institute there surely."
"You possess something no-one else does."
"Sparkling wit and drop dead gorgeous good looks?" she quips.
"Spider-sense."
"Way to shoot me down there, dude," Jess gripes, not entirely seriously.
"Yes because, of course, self-confidence is something you lack," Clark drawls sarcastically.
"You'd be surprised," Jess murmurs to herself.
"Look, I realise it's a big favour. If something does happen Spider-Women will almost certainly been seen for the 1st time in public. Hopefully nothing will happen...but as you said this is us we're talking about...and you know, you and Peter are two of the people I trust most but what with what is going on with Kitty's recovery still he's not in the best mind-set to be asking favours nor would I if I could avoid it."
Jess' face goes all soft. "You trust me?" she asks, in a small, hopeful voice. "Even though I'm just a flawed copy of Peter."
"Jess, you're not a copy of Peter. You're your own person. Sure genetically you are Peter's twin...well to be technical you're his daughter..."
"Oh please stop," Jess says, holding her stomach and looking rather queasy. "Never, ever use the words Peter and daughter in relation to me again," she warns him.
"Sorry," Clark says sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sometimes I babble. A bad habit I picked up from a certain someone I won't mention."
Peter, Jess knows.
"As I was saying you may be Peter's twin sister," he phrases it as this time, "but genetics alone only determines part of who we become. The rest is choice. Twins, even identical ones, don't always end up being exactly like each other and back to your question, yes I trust you. After the way you acted when we first met you've more than earned that."
Jess find a smile creeping up her face. It feels so nice that Clark trusts her like this. "Ok. I'll do it," she agrees.
"Thank you," Clark says gratefully.
"I'll have to interrupt my Doctor Who marathon in an attempt to catch up but these are just the burdens I have to face I suppose," Jess faux-gripes.
"Oh poor you," Clark offer his faux-sympathy.
"Just remember, ever use the description of 'daughter' around me again and I'm ending this friendship," she promises him.
"Oh come on!" Clark complains. "You can't say stuff like that and not expect me to," he whines.
Jess rolls her eyes...yet smiles at the same time. Despite all she is going through to come to terms with her existence she is really, really happy she gets to call Clark her friend.
Bayville City Hall...
Just because Jonathan was persuaded to run to help his friends and the students he had come to love does not mean, for an instant, he enjoys any of this dog and pony show. Dressing up in a nice suit, standing in front of a crowd as he takes the oath of Office of Mayor.
After all, usually, this is done inside with a few officials and a photographer to record it for prosperity but due to the nationwide event the contest had become due to the mutant issue Jonathan was having to go through this, in front of the world press apparently.
Right now the Kent family were all inside the building just waiting for the ceremony to start. Martha was doing that motherly thing of doing last minute checks of clothing and straightening out what was even slightly off.
"Mom!" Claire whines as she fidgets. It was bad enough she had been forced into a dress and even worse; heeled shoes. She didn't need her mother adjusting it constantly.
Martha ignores her and checks on the holowatch strapped to her daughter's wrist. They used it to hide her unusual orange eyes and alter her hair colour a few degrees so it matched Martha's own. She then brushes a few of the long locks back and smiles at how beautiful her daughter looks. "You look lovely, honey," she tells her. "But just remember, no swearing today," she reminds her rather foul mouthed daughter. No matter how hard she tried Martha couldn't seem to stem the cursing.
"Yes mom," Claire says with an annoyed roll of her eyes.
"That's 'yes mom', sir to you young lady," Martha jokes in a semi-serious attempt to sound like an officer.
Claire manages to keep her response to mutterings under her breath as she slips on her own pair of unneeded glasses, just like her brother, whom she 'borrowed' the idea off in the first place.
Martha moves on to her son, taking a tissue and cleaning off what she thinks is a slight smudge on his cheek.
Clark is certain she's imagining it but indulges her with only a slight expression of embarrassment.
Right then Sean Cassidy walks up. After all he and Logan were in charge of Jonathan's personal security and had been ever since that incident during the campaign where Jonathan was assaulted by Robert Kelly supporters.
"Everything set?" Professor Xavier asks the red-haired Irishman, slightly on edge and nervous. This was a momentous day. Just like when Lilandra became Smallville's Mayor but somehow feels slightly bigger. Not that he is trying to belittle Lilandra's achievement or anything but as he said, somehow this feels bigger.
On an aside Charles' relationship with Lilandra is sort of on hold. It's just he's busy with his work, she's busy with hers, they live a thousand miles apart...and there was just something...in between them. A barrier of something unspoken. Something Lilandra, in particular, doesn't want to talk about...whatever it is. Yeah it's all really that vague sounding so as he said; on hold.
"Yep. Everything is ready," Sean replies in his strong Irish lilt.
Charles looks to Jonathan. "Just remember Jonathan it's all just like we rehearsed," he reminds his good friend. They've practised this whole thing out numerous times.
Jonathan nods. Martha gives him a reassuring kiss on the cheek while Clark and Claire give him encouraging looks of support. None of it eases his worries he'll screw up.
Taking a deep breath Jonathan leads the family out the main door and to in front of the gathered crowd in front of the City Hall.
And sitting upon a rooftop with the best view, like ever, is one costume clad hero known to herself, if not the rest of the world just yet, as Spider-Woman.
Jessica had to say the look of this crowd just screamed trouble. It was too much to expect respectful attendance, not when the number one issue during the Mayoral Campaign had been mutant rights. Not when Kelly had blown the dog whistle and appealed to the lowest base instinct possible of racial hatred and bigotry.
Yes, she had read up on the whole thing.
Anyway, below her you had the two opposing groups. The pro and anti-mutant protestors with a small army of police trying to keep it all civilised...and is that a Nazi flag?
"Geez, these sort of gatherings always bring out the finest people," Jessica mutters to herself sarcastically. Nationalists, neo-Nazis, white-supremacists, Friends of Humanity nuts. Yep, yep all the great and good...and her sarcasm measuring machine just exploded right there.
Course Jess reckons it wasn't really them Clark was worried about when he asked her to do this because there are extremists on the other side. Mutant extremists, like Magneto and his ilk and if they choose to cause trouble they have a variety of superhuman powers to back it up.
Well Jess is going to keep her fingers crossed that she really isn't needed at all today and that she can just enjoy the spectacle like everyone else. It may be a forlorn hope considering their track record but it's always better to be the optimist rather than the pessimist.
She sees Mr Kent getting ready to take his official Oath of Office, sworn on the Bible. This is the really drab bit. Important, legally but it's the speech he'll make afterwards that should be the good part.
'I should have brought snacks,' she mentally laments to herself. Too late now. She'll just have to go hungry. The glamorous life of a superhero...not.
At the Institute...
Carmen Pryde did say he would wait until Kitty was well enough before he had words with Peter Parker but the chance to catch the young man alone in the corridor after he went to the bathroom was just too tempting an opportunity to turn down.
"I knew something like this would happen," Carmen just jumps right to it in angry tones. "I knew you were trouble," he accuses Peter. "But Rebecca and Katherine both said you were worth giving a chance to...and I'll admit you were better than that Alvers boy, though that isn't saying much," he says snidely.
"Mr Pryde," Peter tries to say back...but struggles to think of what to say. After all he did blame himself for what has happened to Kitty. "All I can say is that I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Carmen scoffs. "You think sorry is enough?" he asks, pouring scorn all over Peter's apology. "You promised me you would protect her!" he reminds the young man, going as far as to jab him in the chest with his finger.
"I know," Peter whispers, his guilt clear as day.
"You know," Carmen repeats the words with a sneer. "That's the best you can come up with?!" he says with scorn. "As soon as my little Kitten is well enough we'll be taking her home and far away from you and..."
"Daddy! That is enough!" a voice practically roars.
Both men turn their heads to find Kitty up and on her feet and standing in the doorway, a very angry expression on her face...and usually even when she is angry she comes across as pretty cute but this face was different. There is something much harder, much...colder in her eyes.
"Kitten, you shouldn't be up!" Carmen exclaims. "Where's your mother?"
Said woman appears behind her daughter, her arms folded across her chest. "Perhaps, Carmen, you should have chosen to yell at Peter somewhere other than outside the door," she suggests, clearly deeply annoyed at her husband.
After all that is what got Kitty up. She heard her father, yelling...accusing Peter and something inside her snapped. She could not...would not just lie there and let her father get away with this crap.
Carmen internally cringes but his outward expression is stoic. He won't back down when he thinks he's right. "I'm sorry you had to hear that Kitten but the truth is..."
"Daddy, for once, shut the hell up!" Kitty snaps at him.
Carmen is taken aback. He's faced his daughter when she's angry before but she has never, ever talked to him like that. "Don't you talk like that to me young lady," he snaps back. "Rebecca," he calls on his wife to back him up.
She shakes her head. "Oh no. You got yourself into his hole. You get yourself out of it," she tells him that he's on his own.
"Thank you mom," Kitty says, gratefully. Her hardened blue eyes fixate upon her father in a penetrating glare. "You know daddy, you're right. I shouldn't be up. All I want to is to crawl into a hole and hide...or try to from everything I have to remember...but then you just had to go and be a jerk...again!" she mocks him. "I can understand protectiveness. I can even tolerate it but this..." she gestures at the picture in front of her, "I don't know what this is."
"It's protecting you! From him!" Carmen jabs his finger in Peter's direction again.
"None of this is Peter's fault!" Kitty shouts at him.
"He put you in danger!"
"I'm a mutant, daddy! I'm in danger every day just walking down the street. That would be true even if I was at home with you. And we've had this argument before. Right after that incident with Venom. I told you then Peter was not at fault. He did not create the symbiote. He did not free Brock from that Asylum. He certainly did not do anything to make Brock dislike him so. What Eddie Brock did he did to himself. As for this...as for...Carnage," she says, her voice shaking, she shakes her head to clear it, "Norman Osborn did that. Peter did not make the guy use my blood to create it. I love Peter. I will always love Peter and nothing can change that. Not you, not masked weirdos, not even the insane symbiote inside me!"
There is a collective intake of breath.
"You know?" Peter asks in shock and horror.
"That it's still inside me? Yes. I know," Kitty confirms. "I can...feel it," she says with a shudder of revulsion. "It's asleep but it's there...and that's exactly why I can't go home. That's why I shouldn't be near anyone because one day it'll wake up and I'll be Carnage again...and I will destroy you all," she tells them what she believes to be the truth.
Peter strides over and holds Kitty by her arms. "That won't happen. I swear. We'll find a way to remove it," he says, desperate sounding.
Tears threaten to fall once again from Kitty's sad blue eyes. "Pete, I love you more than anything but I'm sorry, you don't understand. Carnage...is far worse then Venom ever was. I know. I remember. Carnage is Venom's child, so to speak. I know what both were like. I also...God," she cries, "I also know that the symbiote alone is not responsible for what I became. It's exactly that; a symbiote. Two beings joined as one. What it was came from me. It found a darkness I didn't even know I had and pulled it to the surface, twisted it...I'm sorry, I need to be alone," she says, unable to finish as she barges past her boyfriend and her dad and strides off, tears afresh rolling down her cheeks.
Peter is caught. What does he do? Does he go after her or give her space?
"I really hope you're proud of yourself," Rebecca lays into her husband in sarcastic, angry tones. "When we get home, just so you know, you're sleeping on the couch," she informs him before she too barges past.
That went well didn't it?
Bayville City Hall...
The official oath taking bit was over. It was now time for Jonathan Kent to make his first official speech as Mayor. He stands behind a small podium with a microphone. His family stand behind him, along with other officials and councilmen and women.
Jonathan begins, "Some people would say this election exposed some distasteful divisions, not only in this city but in the country as a whole. I believe this election showed that despite whatever flaws there are the United States of America is still the greatest democracy on Earth. The simple fact I stand here, elected as Mayor is evidence of this. The majority of the people refused to give into bigotry and hatred. They vehemently rejected it. When those who wish to sow division tried to attack our mutant community, they weren't cheered. They weren't celebrated. They were arrested and faced the full weight of the law. The same applies to the attack on the night of the election result. Through it all democracy and the rule of law prevailed."
Jonathan takes a sip of water from a prepared glass before continuing. "All are subject equally under the law. I repeatedly said that during my election campaign. And I will treat all citizens of Bayville equally. Now that is not to deny that the emergence of mutantkind presents new challenges because I know it does. And right here, right now the hard work begins to make sure the new arrivals of mutants into Bayville integrate, feel welcome and contribute to ensuring our city thrives and prospers...because in the end we all desire the same thing. A safe community where we can gain a job and provide for our families. As your Mayor it is my task to ensure that is what happens."
A pause.
"Our city, which we all love, can be a beacon...an example to the whole world on how we move forward, together, human and mutant alike, whatever creed, colour, race or religion because the strength of the great nation comes from when all its people pool their talents and come together as one. That is when we achieve the greatness the Founding Fathers wished for."
Another sip of water taken.
"I have never been one for speeches," Jonathan quips getting a chuckle out the crowd. "As a farmer I know results come from patience and hard work, from attention to detail, from knowing that even the smallest task undone can lead to failure and that is what I will bring to this job. Nothing, no detail too small will be ignored any longer because it is only through ensuring even the smallest ideal can be fulfilled that you lay the solid foundation on which the larger ideals can be built upon. I pledge to you that from this very day the work to lay that foundation will begin. Thank you."
There is a ripple of applause and the Kents come together as a family for the pose as Jonathan waves and it looks like everything has gone smoothly…
...right until…
BANG!
Right until the explosion erupts in the midst of the crowd.
Author's Note: A concerned father was always going to lead to some sort of confrontation and explosion but who knew it would lead to the revelation that Kitty knows the symbiote is still there. As if the day would go smoothly for Jonathan. Please, that was never going to happen. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Next up; Inauguration Day part 2.
