It had been a very stressful two weeks.
Peter had helped Mary Jane make funeral arrangements for her aunt. Mary Jane's parents had stayed in Anna Watson's house for a week, helping Mary Jane get through the tough time. Madeline, Mary Jane's mother, had insisted she come back home with them. Her father didn't seem too keen on the idea, but that didn't stop him from throwing Peter disdainful looks.
After her parents left and the funeral was over, Mary Jane didn't feel like leaving the house for several days. Peter had called her work to inform them of what happened, and they said they would give her another week off because of the circumstances. Aunt May and Mary Jane had become much closer over the last two weeks. Aunt Anna had been very dear to both of them.
Mary Jane hadn't asked Peter what he was hiding from her yet. He wasn't sure how much longer he was going to be able to avoid it. He sighed, laying on his bed and tossing his beanie up in the air. Aunt May and Mary Jane were busy cooking lasagna downstairs.
His phone started to buzz on his computer desk. He didn't make a move to answer it though; the only two people he cared to talk to were downstairs.
Harry hadn't left Peter's thoughts over the last couple weeks. He just couldn't understand why Harry would murder Mary Jane's aunt. Hadn't he taken away enough from him already? He understood that Harry felt betrayed by him, but when was enough going to be enough? Why did he have to make other people suffer? Why couldn't he just come straight for Peter?
Bzzzz Bzzzz Bzzzz
Agitated, he hopped off his bed and walked over to his desk to check who was calling. It was an unknown number so he rejected the call. As he was walking back to his bed, the phone rang for a third time. He paused and hurried back to the phone to answer it.
"What!?" he yelled into the phone.
"Hey, Pete. It's me," a voice said calmly into the phone.
Peter paused before answering. "Harry?"
"Yeah," Harry answered back. Peter waited for him to continue, but nothing else was said to him. Peter's blood began to boil. Why would Harry be calling him after what he had done to Mary Jane's aunt?
"You obviously had a reason for calling me, so spit it out," Peter said gruffly into the phone.
"I need to speak to you," Harry stated apprehensively.
"Well, talk then," Peter responded.
"Not on the phone. Can you meet me?"
"Meet you? Why would I want to meet you?" Peter scoffed.
"It's important," Harry growled. "Meet me at old Times Square Fairgrounds in fifteen minutes."
"That place is abandoned, Harry. It shut down a few years back." Peter lowered his voice. "What is this about?"
"I know it is! Just— just meet me there okay." Harry paused, "Leave your pretty little girlfriend at home and you'll be back in time for your lasagna." Harry laughed as he hung up the phone.
"What the…?" Peter pocketed his phone. He grabbed his shoes and hoodie and threw on his beanie and headed downstairs. Halfway down, he paused and ran back upstairs and went to his closet.
"Where are they?" he whispered to himself. Finally he found the box that held his Spider-Man costume and web shooters. He pulled the web shooters on under his hoodie; he wanted to be prepared if Harry was up to something.
He ran downstairs again but paused at the entrance of the kitchen. Mary Jane was just putting the lasagna into the oven and Aunt May was washing some of the dishes to clear up space in the sink.
"Hey. I'm uh— I'll be right back," Peter told them as he walked towards the front door. Mary Jane shut the oven door and turned towards him.
"Where are you going? Dinner will be done soon," she frowned.
"I'm just— I have to grab something. I'm using your car, Aunt May. I'll be back soon," he said as he grabbed the keys and rushed out the front door without looking back.
He pulled into the deserted parking lot. He glanced around and saw that there were no other people other than the lone figure that was staring at the old ferris wheel.
"What do you want Harry?" Peter asked as he walked up to the spot Harry was standing. Harry had the hood of his hoodie up and was wearing his sunglasses again, even though there was no sun out.
"Peter." Harry took off his sunglasses and pocketed them looking up at Peter. Without thinking, Peter took a step back. Harry looked pretty bad. Not only were his eyes completely bloodshot, but there were bruises all over his face. There was also what looked like a slash mark under his left eye. Peter shook his head and tried to ignore this. He was too angry at Harry for what he had done.
"What do you want?" Peter repeated.
"I need your help, Peter," Harry whispered.
"My help?" Peter questioned calmly. Harry nodded. Peter nodded his head, then laughed. "How could you even ask me for my help after what you did Harry? After what you did to Mary Jane? After murdering Anna Watson? After what you did to... Gwen." Peter's voice broke. "No. No, Harry, I'm not helping you," Peter said and he turned away from Harry.
"Peter, please just hear me out." Harry walked forward, holding his arm out and then paused as Peter looked back at him.
"Fine. I'll hear you out, just to see what kind of ridiculous request you have." Peter turned back around to face Harry and crossed his arms.
Harry nodded and looked up at Peter. "We're not friends anymore, Peter. I know that. But I am sorry about what I did to Mary Jane's aunt. I wasn't exactly... myself at that time."
"What do you mean by that?" Peter asked, confused.
"The goblin took over," Harry replied.
"The gob— what do you mean 'took over,' Harry? You are the goblin."
Harry shook his head. "No, Peter, he comes and goes. He is so full of anger and violence. It's because of that spider venom I injected myself with. The same venom that you have coursing through your blood," Harry spit out the last word, remembering how Peter had denied him his blood to work with.
"So that's what you did to yourself," Peter said.
"It's what you made me do!" Harry growled pointing at Peter and Peter saw the green flash through Harry's eyes. Peter didn't understand how they could have the same spider venom in them, but the results were so different.
"So what do you need from me Harry?"
"Um, I don't know, Peter, maybe you can tell me why I'm like this?" He gestured to himself. "Or why you aren't like me. I don't know. Something like that?"
"Harry..." Peter started. "Why would I know something like that?"
"You must have done something to stop all this from happening to you!"
"Harry, none of that ever happened to me. I got my powers and that was that. They never come and go. I still have them." Peter uncrossed his arms. Harry was starting to look pretty irritated.
"Hold that thought," Harry said as he tried calming himself down. "Maybe you can help me with something else then."
Peter started at him, and nodded his head letting him know to go on.
"Okay, ever since I was locked up in that place, my associate Mr. Fiers and I have been planning something. At first we were getting a team together to destroy Spider-Man, but then I found out you had given that up." Harry paused, glad to see the worry cross Peter's face. "Well, I have my team now. I had to…dismiss…one of them, your friend Doctor Connors." Harry grinned up at him.
"Why are you telling me this Harry?" Peter snapped at him.
"Because, Peter, dealing with a bunch of crazy people with superpowers or advanced technology might not be as easy as you think." Harry sniffed. "And we might not all agree about what our goals are."
Ah, Peter thought, he now understood where Harry had gotten all of those bruises and cuts on his face.
"So what do you want from me?" Peter questioned.
"Join us." Harry said casually.
"You want me to join a couple of super villains? Sorry, Harry, not interested in joining your little club."
"Oh, there's more than just a couple, Peter." Harry grinned maliciously as his eyes began to tint green.
"How many do you have?" Peter raised his eyebrow. This didn't sound good.
"Well, let's see. First of all, there's me. There's some guy that calls himself, Doc Ock, who has eight robotic arms. Alexsei Sytsevich, that guy you got thrown into Ravencroft, is on our team. He has a large robotic rhino suit. There's some dude that's made out of sand, which to me seemed kind of useless at first. He's proved himself though. We have a kid named Flash, has some crazy black suit that reminds me of your Spider-Man suit, Peter." Harry laughed. "Oh and get this, you remember Electro don't you? Well funny thing, he's not dead after all. And, well that's that. That's our team. Ready to join up?" Harry had a mocking grin on his face as he waited for Peter to answer.
Peter had no idea what to say. There was six super villains in the city now. The city that he was supposed to be protecting. And Electro was alive!? After everything he and Gwen had done to stop him. It was all for nothing. Then there was Flash. How could he have anything to do with these people?
"Flash is a good guy. Why has he joined you?" Peter narrowed his eyes at Harry.
"Have you not been keeping up with your local newspapers?"
"What do you mean?"
"It was all over the news that Spider-Man had killed Gwen Stacy. Spider-Man was the one who called in the police. He was the only known person at the place where Gwen died. It's pretty much a known fact that Spider-Man killed Gwen Stacy."
Peter's stomach clenched. He had not seen any of this. It was one thing for him to believe it, but for Harry to flat out say this to him had hurt, badly.
"And these—these people want Spider-Man to join them?" Peter whispered.
"Some do, some don't. Hence why I have this," Harry gestured to the cut under his eye. "on my face. Doc Ock wants to flat out destroy you. I think we could use you, though. I'm willing to put everything behind us, Peter, if you help me with this. All we want is to take back what's ours. I need full control of my company again. Doc Ock wants to continue with his work on his experiments with tridium again. The sand guy wants money to help his sick daughter. Not all of us are bad, Peter. Help me, please. I can't handle all these guys on my own," Harry added and Peter didn't see a trace of green in his eyes.
"Sorry, Harry, this isn't my deal," Peter finally said to him. He wasn't planning on joining him, but it didn't hurt to hear their plans.
"So that's it then? You're not going to help me? Again? I said I needed your help," Harry spit out at him. "How could I have ever been friends with you."
"You're asking me to join a bunch of crazy super villains and help you all with your individual plans, Harry. That sounds crazy. After what you've done, there's no way I'm helping you. I'm leaving now, okay? Stop contacting me." Peter turned around for a third time and walked towards his car. His spider-sense suddenly went off and just as he ducked, he felt an immediate pain in his neck.
"Not...again..." Peter said as his voice faltered.
"Sorry, man, but I need answers," Harry said as he hastily attached his mind machine to his palm. "I need to know how this spider venom works. I need to know how you fixed yourself. I need to know what I did wrong." Harry kept repeating these things in his head, hoping that it would lead him to the right memories. Just like before, memories swirled around him and flushed him into a random one.
Harry was in a gloomy building that he immediately recognized as his home. He saw two kids with brown hair race past him. They both looked to be about ten years old. Great, another fun childhood memory, Harry muttered to himself. I don't want to see this, I need to see the spider venom!
Seeing that the memory wasn't going to change, Harry followed the two boys through the house. As younger Harry turned a corner, he bumped into his father. Harry gasped as he saw his father standing there, healthy looking.
"Harry! What have I told you about running in this house!" his father yelled as he smacked the child across the face.
"I'm sorry father, I—I just.." Harry started to say as he brought his hand up to his cheek.
Just then, younger Peter turned the corner with a huge grin on his face and saw Harry and his father. When he saw Harry holding his cheek with tears in his eyes, his smile dropped.
"What happened Harry?" Peter bounded over to him.
"Nothing, I just accidentally hit the side of the door," Harry said.
"Peter Parker. My son didn't inform me you were here." Norman shot a glance down to his son. Harry flinched slightly.
"Oops, sorry Mr. Osborn," Peter said in a small voice.
"No worries Peter! You're always welcome in this house, I just thought Harry would have let me know we have guests." Norman walked past his son and went up to Peter. "So, Harry tells me you're taking nearly all advanced classes this year?"
"Yes, sir," Peter answered, glancing over at Harry. Harry was wiping his eyes.
"That's great Peter! You're destined for great things, you know. Your father would be so proud of you, I know I am," Norman said as he rested his arm on Peter's shoulder. "I wish I had a son just like you," Norman said to him in what was supposed to be a compliment. Peter stepped back, inconspicuously shaking Norman's hand off his shoulder.
"I think you should get to know your son better, Mr. Osborn. He really is a great person. You're just too blind to see that," Peter retorted and walked passed Norman over to Harry.
Harry didn't get to see how the rest of that memory went. In the back of his mind, he remembered that he had been sent to private school shortly after that. His father had obviously not taken Peter's advice.
The memory had faded and a new memory popped up. Harry looked around, seeing Oxford signs on the walls. He looked over and saw Peter and Gwen talking together.
"Just give me one minute. I just wanna say one thing and I'm gone. Everything's a mess. Everything's insane. My dad, my mom. Everything I thought about them? Lies. Lies. Lies, lies, lies." Peter laughed and ran his hand through his hair. "Nothing makes any sense anymore. So here we are. I gotta figure out what I'm gonna do with Harry. Of course I wanna save him. You know? I wanna save him because he's my best pal," Peter said smiling to Gwen.
"Then why didn't you!?" Harry growled out at the memory Peter.
The memory swirled away and a new one was popping up. Just one more, Harry thought. The last one he saw only lasted a minute, he could try again.
This time, the memory he was brought to looked like a subway. Peter was walking up to the train, but the entire subway was abandoned except for Peter. When Peter walked into the subway train, Harry knew it was no ordinary subway car. There were computers and all kinds of equipment inside it. This could be it, Harry thought. Peter had never mentioned this subway car to Harry. Just as Peter turned on a computer, the memory started to fade.
"No! No, no no!" Harry yelled. What was happening!?
Harry was brought back to reality and saw that Peter was coughing up blood. Harry ripped out the needle in Peter's neck and took the pad off his own palm.
"Peter? Peter!" Harry yelled as blood started coming out of Peter's nose and ears.
"Fuck!" Harry yelled, his voice laced with worry. He had been about to see something that he felt was important, and it had been taken away. That's why he was so upset, Harry told himself. He didn't care about what happened to Peter.
As he got up, though, and saw how much blood was staining Peter's hoodie and the ground around him, he couldn't deny he actually thought that Peter was going to die.
He bent down to try helping him, to do something! Just then, Harry gasped in pain. The goblin was angry with him. Red started to fill his vision and his head felt like it was being split in two. Okay, okay, okay, Harry said to himself, trying to calm the goblin down. He started backing up slowly away from Peter.
"Sorry, man," Harry said as he clicked a button on his wrist. Twenty seconds later his glider showed up and Harry jumped on it and flew away without a second glance at Peter's bleeding figure.
The pain was unbearable. Peter kept seeing all his memories flash around in his head, making it feel as if his mind was being shredded apart. That was nothing compared to the pressure he felt inside his head. He felt like his body was going to combust. He was on fire again, every nerve and tendon being scorched. He felt the needle being torn from his neck, and could hear someone talking to him, but couldn't make out the words. He faded out of consciousness.
When he woke up again, he couldn't tell how much time had passed. The area was eerily quiet. He mouth tasted like copper. He pulled out his phone and saw seven missed calls from Mary Jane. He also saw that it was nearly one in the morning! He jumped up and ran over to his aunt's car and turned it on, hastily pulling out of the parking lot.
As he pulled out of the lot, he noticed that his hands were sticky. He turned on a light inside the car and looked at his hands, which were covered in blood.
"What the hell?" Peter said out loud. Then he looked up into the rear-view mirror, with a look of pure shock on his face.
His face was covered in blood. It was then that he realized that the taste in his mouth was his blood. He looked down and his hoodie and soaked in blood. What had happened? How much blood had he lost?
He pulled to the side of the road when he got to his house and quietly walked into the alley that separated his house and Mary Jane's old house. He took off his hoodie and turned on the hose and wet the sleeve. Then he tried getting as much of the blood off his hands and face as possible. He rolled up the hoodie and headed towards the front door. There was no doubt someone was waiting up for him.
He pulled open the front door and Mary Jane was standing there, arms crossed.
"Peter! Where were you?" she said impatiently.
"Tomorrow. I'll tell you tomorrow." He almost fell over as he turned to shut the front door. Peter hadn't realized how worn out his body was. It felt like he had been up for days without sleep.
"What's wrong?" Mary Jane rushed over to him.
"Please, I just need to lay down," Peter said.
"Fine. But let me help you," she said as she put his arm over her shoulder. He didn't argue with her. He felt like he would pass out any second. When they got up to his room, she opened the door and he plopped down on the bed.
Mary Jane kissed him on the head and then laid next to him. He had already fallen asleep.
Peter opened his eyes and felt very groggy. The light in his room was coming in at an odd angle. He got up and checked his phone. It was already 3pm! No wonder the sunlight looked strange coming into his room. He went downstairs and Mary Jane was watching TV in the living room.
"Where's Aunt May?" he asked.
"At work," she said without looking at him. Peter's heart clenched.
"Please, please, don't be mad at me," he said as he walked over to her.
"Peter, you said you'd be right back. I was waiting all night. You never called or answered your phone. We were so worried. Aunt May said you'd be alright, that you used to always stay out late. But I was so worried! Then you came home and almost passed out in the hallway! What happened Peter?"
"I-I can't," he said.
"You can't tell me?! Really? Peter, you told me you would tell me today. You haven't even told me the other secret yet. I've been patient, Peter, but you can't keep these things from me forever."
"I won't." He walked over and kissed her on the cheek. "Just don't be mad at me okay?" He gave her his goofy grin and she tried not to smile back, but she could never resist when he gave her that look.
"Fine, alright. But I'm not happy about it. You slept all day today too," she pointed out.
"I know, that's weird. You should have woken me up."
"I figured you needed to sleep."
Peter stared at her. He felt bad that he was hiding all these things from her. She was being so supportive of him, and he kept lying to her.
"Let me take you out tonight," Peter suddenly said to her.
"What? Why?" she asked him.
"Well, I still owe you a dinner because last dinner didn't go so well. And I didn't come home to last night's dinner. So let me— let me take you out tonight."
"Can we go to the same place as last time? I really wanted to try out the grilled chicken with stuffed mushrooms."
"Of course we can." Peter smiled. He was glad she wasn't too mad at him. He sat down on the couch next to her and watch TV for a bit, contemplating what had happened last night.
What was that thing that Harry kept using on him? Was that whole conversation just a distraction?
"Oooh! We should stop at this episode and watch the next one after dinner! I can't believe Walt just hit those drug dealers with his car like that!" yelled Mary Jane.
Peter looked up at the TV. He hadn't really been watching it. He took out his phone, it ready 7:13pm. Where had the time gone? That machine must have really messed with his head.
Peter and Mary Jane got their stuff ready and took a bus to the city. Peter couldn't use Aunt May's car today because she still hadn't come home from work. When they got to the restaurant, Peter opened up Mary Jane's door just like last time. When they went inside, the waiter from last time was near the door and recognized them when he saw them.
"Welcome. Shall I get you two a table or should I just grab two drinks and have you guys go on your way?" he asked pleasantly.
"Oh er— sorry about that. It won't happen again. Family emergency," Peter mumbled.
"Right. Well, right this way." The waiter gestured to them and sat them down. "Two cokes again?" he questioned.
Peter nodded to him. "Yes, and we already know what we're going to order."
The waiter seemed to brighten up at this. "Of course, of course. And what can I get you two?"
"Well, she will have the grilled chicken with stuffed mushrooms and a side of garlic mashed potatoes. And I'll have... just get me the same thing."
"Right sir. I will be back shortly with your drinks."
"Maybe we can actually enjoy a meal together for once," Mary Jane laughed.
Peter reached out and grabbed her hands across the table.
"Hey, I just wanted to say that I am so sorry about last night," Peter whispered to her.
"Well, thank you," she smiled. "Just don't do that again."
The waiter walked over and set the cokes down at the table. "Your food will be ready shortly," he said and walked away again.
"I can't believe that episode we just watched!" Mary Jane gushed to Peter. "I totally thought Jesse was about to—" but she didn't continue. Instead, she was staring near the front of the restaurant with an upset expression on her face.
"What is it?" Peter said as he turned around to see what she was staring at. He saw what, or who, it was right away.
Felicia came strolling into the restaurant in a very tight, revealing black dress. She had a very smug expression on her face. A moment later, Harry walked in behind her, wearing a black suit and had his hair combed.
To make matters worse, the hostess was bringing them over in their direction. They were seated at a table a few places away from Peter and Mary Jane, and pretended not to notice them. Peter knew Harry knew they were there though. Harry had a very conceited look and shot a quick wink at Peter as they were seated.
Peter turned back to Mary Jane.
"We should go," he said to her.
"Go? Why, because of Harry?"
"Yes, let's go." Peter started to get up, but Mary Jane pulled him back down. Felicia had caught them out of the corner of her eye, and glanced over at their table throwing them a sneer.
"Ugh, I didn't know they let trash eat here," Felicia stated loud enough for them to hear, and Harry let out a quiet laugh.
"I'm not going to let them get to me," Mary Jane stated. "I just can't believe she's dressed like that, and that he's here with her." Mary Jane shook her head.
The waiter came over and set down their food. "Let me know if you two need anything else," he told them and walked away. Mary Jane began to eat her chicken, but Peter couldn't bring himself to eat when he knew Harry was staring at him a few tables away. He didn't look behind himself again and tried concentrating on something else.
"Great," Mary Jane said. Peter looked back and saw Harry was walking straight for their table. Instantly he got up and walked in front of Mary Jane.
"Whoa, what's up with you, Pete?" Harry said as he held out his hand to Peter. Peter just stared at him.
"Are you following me?" Peter asked him. Harry dropped his hand.
"Following you? Nah. It was actually Felicia who wanted to eat here." Harry smiled, then looked over at Mary Jane. "Although she does want to leave now, seeing as we are in lesser company."
"Don't talk to her like that!" Peter growled out at him. "Just leave. Get away from her."
"Peter, calm down. It's just Harry. Like I care what he thinks," she sniffed.
"Just Harry? I take it you haven't told her yet?" Harry said to Peter in a careful tone.
"Leave it alone, Harry. Just go." Peter lowered his voice. Several people had turned their heads to stare at them.
"She's not afraid of me. She doesn't know," Harry continued.
"Why would I be afraid of you?" Mary Jane asked him. "You're pathetic, just like your father used to say," Mary Jane said, unable to continue playing nice.
Harry's eyes flashed as he shot her a look of loathing.
"Because I could be your worst nightmare, little girl. I'm curious, did Peter tell you he went to see me last night? Or did he lie about that too?"
"What he tells me isn't your business!" she said as her voice faltered.
"Harry, shut up and walk away," Peter said again.
"I find it very funny that you told the other one. What made her so special?" Harry said as he walked back to Felicia. He whispered something into her ear and Felicia let out a silvery laugh and she got up from her chair, laughing as she and Harry walked out of the restaurant together.
Peter sat back down and looked over at Mary Jane.
"We should—" he started.
"I'm going home," she said to him.
"Mary Jane—"
"I'm. Going. Home." She pulled out money from her wallet and placed it on the table. Peter did the same and followed her. He wasn't exactly sure what he was going to say to her. He could tell she was angry with him. They both got on a bus that took them a few blocks from their house. She got off first and Peter followed her. They got to the house and saw Aunt May was home.
Mary Jane opened up the front door and walked inside, Peter following behind.
"Hey you two!" Aunt May said from the living room.
"Hi, Aunt May," Mary Jane said, trying to keep her voice steady. Peter just waved at her from the hallway.
Mary Jane was making her way up to their room. Peter stopped her right before she got in, by grabbing her arm and turning her towards him. There were tears in her eyes.
"Look, I'm going to tell you, okay. Just, go into the room, I'll be right there," Peter said as he placed a kiss on her nose. "I'll tell you everything."
Mary Jane nodded and Peter walked back downstairs really quick.
"Hey, Aunt May. Sorry about that," Peter said sheepishly.
"You're fine, honey," she said to him.
"I think we're going to go to bed early today."
"That's fine." She smiled at him. Peter nodded and ran back upstairs. He opened up his bedroom door, bumping into Mary Jane who was standing right near the opening.
"MJ, what's—" but he saw what she was staring at. His heart dropped.
His Spider-Man suit was spread out on his bed.