And here we are, folks! After some calculations, I'm also here to inform you that we're also into our last few chapters for our story! Thank you all who followed this love story, and I promise you that we'll go for BIG things as we march to the end, but for now, let's enjoy the road ahead.
Enjoy the reading!
SPIDER-MAN AND KITTY PRYDE: A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
Chapter 19: The Last Details, Part 2 – Proper Motivations
The clock is ticking as the night of Fisk Tower's Inauguration Gala draws closer, and the Parker siblings are working hard on the case. Now that they learned about the presence of Shinobi Shaw's crew of Upstarts and the extreme security measures Fisk will apply to the Tower, they just need to know about Octavius' plans and all the info they need is at the Octobot Teresa left at Peter's Storage Room. Once they both get inside, Peter turns on the 'Pryker' computer device, but he starts to notice one thing.
"Uh, T?" Peter asks his sister "When you said you put the Octobot near the computer, did you hook it on the device?"
"No, I just put it there" Teresa replies "Besides, that doesn't look like an ordinary computer, therefore I have no idea how to hook it up".
"Because it is hooked up, which means that someone else checked it" Peter explains, trying to connect the dots.
"Well, I didn't do it and I doubt the guy who runs the place would" Teresa responds, wondering about the situation as well.
"But no one else has access to the place, and the only ones who could handle this are me and…" it is right then when Peter has the epiphany and Teresa also manages to connect the dots.
"Kate was here!" they both exclaim in unison, and right then Peter checks the computer to see if Kate did manipulated the device, seeing that a few files are right on the documents list.
"She did check the Octobot, and successfully manage to take out something out of it" Peter comments while he checks the first file, which is an audio file from the conversation between Fisk and Shinobi.
"She did it? I read on her file that she has 'Genius-Level Intellect' but didn't know how far" Teresa comments, impressed by what Kate did.
"She's the kind of genius who could give Stark a run for all of his money" Peter confidently replies while he checks the audio "Well, remember that speech Fisk gave blaming the Marauders for the faulty medicine? Here's where the idea spawned" he points out to his sister.
"And it was Fisk himself who invited him to seal the deal with the Hellfire Trading" Teresa comments while Peter checks the record of activities.
"Kate tried to hack into Otto's server" Peter comments "and she got some stuff out of him before his firewalls cut her off" he then checks another file, opening a series of blueprints "Oh Dear God…"
"Is that a Chemical Bomb?" Teresa asks as she sees the design of Otto's device.
"It is, and those canisters are from that theft at Brooklyn" Peter recalls the message Miles Morales sent him about Doc Ock's attack at Brooklyn "and according to this, those are full of the gas he used to damage the Krakoan Medicine"
"Oh God, he aims to destroy it" Teresa points out "That and anything that resembles Krakoan vegetation".
"Which means that if the gas is unleashed into the air, it'll spread across the city hurting not only whatever Medicine arrives, but also disable those gates" Peter comments, recalling that the Krakoan gates are made of the same vegetal genes as the medicine "He'll shut the city off their system!"
"This is it, P" Teresa tells him "This is his endgame"
"And it'll happen in a few hours" Peter adds as he begins to close all the files, but then he notices at the screen another file that has the name 'For Peter' written on it.
"Peter?" Teresa asks him, but Peter is focused on the screen, clicking on the file that opens a videomessage previously recorded by Kate.
["Hi Pete…if you're watching this, is because I decided to make the biggest move in my life, and I have to thank you for that. Ever since that day, I never stopped thinking about you, and about our kiss…I felt that you deserve the best, and I was afraid that you wouldn't want the same thing that I do, but I want you to know that regardless of that, I have to once again thank you, thank you for reminding me who I am, and thank you for bringing me back to who I truly am…that's why I chose to walk the path of the hero and head to Fisk Tower, to bring the fight to them and put a stop to their plans once and for all…which means that I'm risking my own life for it, no more comebacks, no resurrections, this could be it, and I wanted you to know that whatever it happens, I'll always treasure what we had, I only hope that we get more time…or that I last long enough to see you again…Goodbye, Peter]
The videomessage ends with Kate kissing her fingers and putting them on the camera, as if she is sending a kiss to him, leaving both Parker siblings stunned upon the revelation.
"She…she's going to the Tower" Peter whispers "I have to find her!" he stands up, but Teresa grabs his shoulders and forces him to sit back again.
"Hold Up!" Teresa exclaims "You still have a lot to explain Peter, because you still have to tell me What. The Hell. Happened. Between. You. And. Kate" she pokes him on his shoulder with every word "And until you explain this to me, you're not leaving this room"
"Teresa, please, not now" Peter responds, still trying to deal with his overwhelming feelings.
"Yes Now, Peter" Teresa stands her point, looking at her brother's face with seriousness.
"Fine" Peter sighs "Remember when I told you that Kate found out about my identity as Spider-Man?" he asks, to which Teresa nods "She took time to assimilate it and after that, we had a long conversation, we talked about our past stories, about how I became Spider-Man and why I do this, and she told me about how she joined the X-Men, the things she's done and…the story of why she left Krakoa and the X-Men" he recalls that conversation with Kate "and we found out so many things in common, even how much pain we were carrying, but while I've grown accostumed to carry my burden, she was still hurt about it, and I told her the truth, that she is a true hero, brave and intelligent and kind and before we knew it…we kissed".
"Hhhh" Teresa silently utters a breath as she still tries to assimilate the information.
"So after that, I visited Susan Storm for love advice and she told me about how a grand gesture would help her realize how I feel so, thanks to a device made by Valeria Richards, I went to Krakoa and tried to plead the mutants to forgive Kate and accept her back, but Xavier said no, I insulted him and came back with my tail between my legs" Peter further explains his ordeals, causing an even bigger shock to his sister "So now I'm seeing that Kate chose to listen to me and head to Fisk Tower, to a fight where she'll be heavily outnumbered and probably take her down for good and I can't let that happen" he looks at his sister's eyes with seriousness "So now that you know it, I'm going to Fisk Tower and fight with her".
"Peter, wait!" Teresa let her brother stand but she holds his arm "You listen to me Peter Benjamin Parker, you just inspired Kate to pursue heroics again, which means that you really, and I do mean really care about her, but I care about her too…she's my friend, my roommate, and she said it herself, you deserve the best, and the best is that woman right there" she exclaims pointing at the computer that showed the videomessage "But she won't get it if you go out there half-assed and alone, you need help for this one, so please…let me help you".
It is then when Peter realizes that her sister's words are true, he wants to be with Kate, he wants to help her, but he'd still be outnumbered, and then is when he also remembers the conversation he had with Kate and something she told him truly resonated with him: 'You don't have to do this alone anymore'.
"Kate also told me something" Peter comments "She told me that I don't have to do this alone anymore…and she's right" he then looks at his sister's eyes "You're both right" he then slowly smiles at his sister "is time I realized that, so with that said…let's go" Teresa smiles at her brother and nods her head in response.
"Alright then, but it'll be just you and me?" Teresa asks, hoping that the answer is better than just them.
"Not if we want to help Kate and beat them, so we're going to bulk up the numbers" Peter replies as they both leave the storage room "But first, a quick stop at home".
MEANWHILE, AT COLUMBUS CIRCLE
The sun begins to set, and with that the preparations for the Inauguration Gala begin to go underway. A fleet of soldiers is set around the perimeter, Baintronics drones are flying around the tower and the special guests are arriving, while the Mayor himself is mingling and saluting the members of the media for the evening.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I promise you that this will be an evening that no one will ever forget" Fisk comments to the assembled people, only to be interrupted by his assistant Wesley.
"Mister Fisk, the representatives of the Hellfire Trading Company have arrived" Wesley gestures to indicate the arrival of Shinobi Shaw and his crew, the Upstarts.
"Excuse me" Fisk excuses himself with the media and then turns to his assistant "Thank you, Wesley" right then he walks towards Shinobi and the assembled crew behind him, extending his hand to salute him "Mr. Shaw, welcome to Fisk Tower".
"It's a pleasure Mister Mayor" Shinobi cordially replies "May I present to you my crew, the Upstarts" he then gestures to his crew, all expressing in their way their salutations to the Mayor.
"A pleasure to meet Mr. Shaw's crew, although I am already familiarized with a couple of you" he comments as he looks at the Von Strucker twins "So, these are the folks who will perform the duty of bringing the true Krakoan medication to our city".
"Yes, sir" Shinobi nods "provided that we can officially seal the deal"
"And we will, let's step into the Penthouse floor" he gestures inviting Shinobi to the elevator and head to the Penthouse to seal the deal.
"Upstarts, remember…I want you all to be on your best behavior, and keep me posted" he comments to his crew, whom they all nod in response and spread amongst the guests to mingle and enjoy the festivities as they begin.
AT PETER'S APARTMENT
Before they march to the battle, Peter and Teresa stopped by his apartment so he could reload himself with extra web cartridges. While Teresa waits for him at the rooftop, Peter changes to his Spider-Man attire and reloads his web-shooters, but before he could leap out of the window, he hears the voice of his roommate Fred talking on the phone.
"Hey Randy, listen…break-ups are tough, but you really needed this, she is nothing but a #$%&*, believe me, I know her a lot more than you do, so hey, tonight you, me and Pete we'll go for some drinks, hit on some chicks, or maybe not Pete, he has his lady already…so tonight, it'll be "Bros Night", you heard me? Alright mate, get ready for tonight" Once he hangs up the phone, he opens the door of Peter's bedroom "Hey Pete, once Randy gets off the Center, we'll go for some…WHOA!" Fred jumps startled at the sight of Spider-Man standing in the bedroom, looking incredibly befuddled.
"Uh…Hi there Boomerang" Spidey awkwardly salutes him.
"What're you doing here, Spidey? I haven't had any more visions about the Tablet and you're in the bedroom of my roommate and your old boss" Fred points out, making the scene even more awkward of what it already is, but then an idea begins to emerge in his mind…and it may be one he'll eventually regret, but right now is the best play he can think of.
"Actually, I was looking for you, Boomerang" he points at him "Because I need your help for a little something" he comments, causing Fred to make a big smile on his face.
"Oh $% Yeah!" Fred exclaims "We're having another team-up! Who's it gonna be against this time?"
"Actually is a little simpler" Spidey puts his hand on Fred's shoulder "You wanna help me ruin Wilson Fisk's party at his new tower?" he asks him while looking at his face, but Fred jus stays silent for a few seconds, but then he finally snaps out and agrees.
"Sold!" he then walks out and gets inside his room "Oh, one thing, which boomerangs should I bring?"
"All of them" Spidey replies, to which Fred claps his hands and rubs them with a smirk on his face.
"Oh, this is gonna be one hell of a party for Willie" Fred comments.
"Oh, yes it will" Spidey nods "You just head to the tower and I'll meet you there" he shows him a thumbs up and then jumps out of the window to head to the rooftop and meet his sister, who already has activated her special vest with her wings.
"What took you so long?" Teresa asks while she takes off.
"I bumped into Fred and I just recruited him for our mission" Spidey replies as he shoots a web-line and jumps off to web-swing.
"You WHAT!?" Teresa exclaims in shock "P, please tell me you're not that desperate"
"We need help, T" Spidey replies "Besides, I sent him straight to the Tower and you know what that means"
"Did you just sent him as the Bait!?" Teresa once again expresses her disdain and annoyance at the fact that they have to rely on Boomerang
"Come on! Is fitting for him! Besides, it's what you'd do" Peter points out to her sister.
"But…" Teresa tries to reply, but then she shakes her head discarding it "You're right" she agrees with him "Where're we going now?"
"4 Yancy Street" Spidey replies, heading straight into the Fantastic Four's HQ.
BACK AT COLUMBUS CIRCLE
While the festivities are marching on, the parking area has been very active with the coming and going of the vehicles, especially the members of catering. But the two guards at the cargo elevator area are paying attention to the entrance, since they are waiting for the signal of the arrival of certain evil scientist.
They both receive a notification on their phones, and then they look at each other and nod their heads, then they head to the cargo elevator and activate a small disruptor that causes the security cameras in the area to temporarily glitch, the perfect 'smoke screen' to allow a catering truck to park right in front of the cargo elevator.
Right then, the back door opens and the metallic tentacles are the first to come out and then the man behind the appendages emerges, showing a malicious grin to the men standing at the door.
"Gentlemen" Octavius salutes the men while he walks inside the cargo elevator, pressing the button to send him to the rooftop and prepare for his part of the action, taking out a small trigger that he presses to arm the bomb at the rooftop, just waiting for the right moment to activate the countdown "This will be the night when the world will see who is truly Superior" he muses to himself as he heads to the rooftop, waiting for his moment to attack.
AT 4 YANCY STREET
The Parker siblings know that if they want to help Kate, they will need all the reinforcements they could muster, and the best option Spider-Man has at hand is right at 4 Yancy Street, home of the Fantastic Four. Spidey heads to one of the windows, knocking at it while he tries to see if anyone is home, but to his surprise, the one who opens it is Franklin.
"Uncle Pete?" Franklin greets his 'Foster Uncle' letting him in, with Teresa following him "Whoa! Hey, who are you?"
"Frankie, meet my sister Teresa, she's a super spy" Spidey sets a quick introduction "Is the family at home?" he asks, but Franklin shakes his head in denial.
"Sorry, all of them are out; something about a new group of villains using the Frightful Four name, so it's just me, Val and the 'Kree/Skrull cousins'" he replies, to which Spidey groans in frustration "Something happened?"
"We just needed help for a mission, thanks anyway, Kid" Teresa replies, but Franklin steps in.
"It is something dangerous, I mean, I could help you guys out" Franklin offers his help, while Spidey and Teresa look at each other but then he looks at the young hero.
"We're heading to the Kingpin's gala at his new Tower, we know that Octavius will attack there and Kate is in trouble so…" Peter responds, but Franklin interrupts him.
"Kitty's in trouble!? I'm going!" Franklin quickly reclaims but Teresa intercepts him.
"Hey, hey, easy…this is not the kind of thing for you, Kid" she comments, but Franklin looks at her with determination in his face.
"Yes, it is!" he exclaims "Kitty's my friend…she helped me at Doom Island, and she was the only one who ever took me seriously, who listened to me, who cared about my opinion" he pleads to the Parker siblings "I owe it to her to help her…and I know that my powers are diminishing, and that I will lose them, so if I'm going to lose them, I'd rather lose them going big and helping out somebody" he then looks at Spidey "Please Uncle Pete, don't bench me on this one" he looks at him, practically begging to let him join them. Spidey looks at Teresa who simply sighs.
"We have to move" Teresa tells him and then he looks back at Franklin.
"You know what? I can deal with your mom's 'Death Glare' later, let's go!" Spidey gestures Franklin who shows a wide smile and jumps in celebration.
"Are you sure about this?" Teresa asks her brother in lower voice "because I think you and I have very different definitions of the word 'Reinforcements'"
"He wants to help, and we'll take care of him" Spidey replies to his sister while Franklin approaches them.
"We're going to the Tower now?" Franklin asks his new improvised partners.
"Right about…" Spidey tries to answer, but suddenly is interrupted by a buzz from his phone, and when he picks it up, he stops his steps while he reads it "Hang on…" he says as he reads the words 'Meet me at the Krakoan Gate in Washington Square Park. Alone.' written on the message.
"Something's wrong?" Teresa asks her brother, who then looks back at her and Franklin.
"Someone wants to see me at Washington Square" he replies "Might as well have to make yet another stop"
"We're coming with you" Franklin steps in, deciding to assist.
"Alright, but stay at a safe distance while I handle it" he replies and then jumps back to the window to shoot a web-line, with Teresa and Franklin flying right behind him.
BACK AT COLUMBUS CIRCLE
The festivities at the Tower are going just as expected, with a great attendance, abundant food and drinks, and a great ambiance, all there's left to do is that Wilson Fisk give his speech to the crowd and officially inaugurate his tower, but while he is discussing his business deal with Shinobi, there is another unexpected guest heading to the eastern side of the building.
Thanks to her ninja training, Kate is stepping into the right points to approach the building, walking inside the shadows while she gets closer and closer, using the trees nearby, as well as the vehicles to avoid detection by the soldiers. Then she focuses on the drones that are flying in the surroundings, using her phasing powers to levitate and then become intangible in order to disrupt them and disable the two drones that were flying in the zone.
"All done" Kate whispers while she lands, now walking through the wall and finally gets inside the main hall, walking around the place and ensuring that nobody from security catcher her as she heads to the elevator, but what she did not notice is that someone else did caught her movements.
"Milord" Harry Leland communicates to the Red King "There's an intruder heading to the elevators" he warns him "It's the Traitor".
"Pryde's here?" Shinobi asks "Do not engage; let her go through, I'll take her of her".
Right at the Penthouse floor, which is still under remodeling, Shinobi was discussing the terms of the exclusive contract with Fisk, but the talk was cut short by Leland's warning.
"Something happened, Mr. Shaw?" Fisk asks the Red King.
"We're about to have an unwanted guest here, Mister Mayor" Shinobi replies "Just not the one we were anticipating" he adds, but then shows a wicked smirk "but don't worry, I'm prepared for her".
AT WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK
Spider-Man has already picked up the few reinforcements he could gather, but now he was forced to make one more stop, and he heads to the Krakoan Gate at Washington Square Park. He lands a few steps right in front of the gate that wraps the monument while Teresa and Franklin hide in some trees nearby to keep an eye on him.
"Well, whoever knows my phone number, I'm standing right here so…let's get this done with, shall we?" he speaks out loud, waiting for the mystery to be solved, and right then, the gate activates and immediately after, the one who steps out is a face Spidey knows too well "We meet again Wolvie".
"Bub" Wolverine stops a few steps in front of Spidey and crosses his arms with his typical gruff semblance
"Let me guess, Xavier sent you to 'do the deed' for calling him…well, you know" he quips, staring directly at the Canadian mutant.
"Chuck didn't sent me, but my visit does involve that stunt you pulled at Krakoa" Wolverine replies, keeping his eyes out front "I know why you do the stuff you do, I've known you for years, Bub"
"Yeah, well, I had to do it because it's unfair for Kate, and you should know it, since you know her since the first day she joined you guys" Spidey comments, become more serious as he talks.
"Exactly, and I care about her, and all you said back there, you did it because you care about her, don't ya?" Wolverine points at him, keeping the serious tone on his voice.
"Of course I do!" Spidey exclaims "You think I did it just for fun!? Kate went through Hell for you guys and what does she gets in response? She gets the boot and 'Magneto X' almost erases her mind! She doesn't deserve that, not when she has done so much…her mind is so great and impresses me every time, her heart is as strong as she's beautiful and her bravery is greater than all of you combined" Spidey speaks with his heart to his old Avengers teammate "she deserves the world…that's why I had to do it".
"Impressive, Bub" Wolverine replies with a small smirk "I know the great lengths you go for the people you love…so tell me the truth, you only care about Kitty?" Wolverine presses the question, to which Spidey sighs and slightly laughs.
"You want me to say it, don't you?" Spidey steps in front of him, staring at him straight into his face "Fine, I'll say it…I'm in love with her, alright? I'M IN LOVE WITH KATE PRYDE AND I WANT TO HELP HER AND BE WITH HER! So if you want to stab me for that 'Bub' then GO AHEAD!" he opens his arms, waiting for Wolverine to stab him.
"YES!" two voices come out of the trees, startling Spidey and prompting Wolverine to turn his look towards the park.
"I thought I told ya to come alone" Wolverine looks back at Spidey with an annoyed look while Spidey facepalms.
"I was cautious" Spidey replies "You can come out guys" he gestures to his allies to come out of their hiding "You're just in time, Wolvie was about to stab me for professing my love to Kate"
"I ain't gonna stab ya, Bub" Wolverine replies, surprising Spidey "If anything, I'm applauding you, because Kitty's a great girl, and I know if anyone can take her of her, that's someone like you" he comments, still stunning the Web-head.
"Uhhhh, are you the Real Wolvie or are you one of those Shape-shifters?" Spidey asks, still a bit confused.
"Just so you know; you hurt her and I'll show ya real hurt, Webs" Wolverine replies in his characteristic threatening voice.
"Now that's the Logan I know" Spidey quips while Teresa and Franklin approach them, but smiling after hearing Spidey's words.
"Franklin Richards? And who are you?" Wolverine asks Spidey's companions, but when Franklin was about to reply, Spidey interjects.
"She's my sister, long story" Spidey quickly answers "They're helping me out onto something…we're going to Fisk Tower".
"I heard about it, one of your bad guys is gonna attack the place, even though Shinobi's there" Wolverine replies.
"He has set up a chemical bomb targeting anything that's Krakoan" Teresa interjects "if it spreads in the air, even those gates will be useless, cutting the city off your island"
"And Kitty's in trouble, she's going to that place right in the middle of the Lion's Den" Franklin adds to the conversation.
"So she's in there with the Kingpin, Doc Ock, Shinobi and his goons, so we're…" Spidey comments, but Wolverine quickly stops him.
"Stop talking, I'm in" Wolverine replies, unsheathing the claws of his right hand, with the distinctive sound of 'Snikt' as they pop out.
"And so am I" a female voice appears in the place and everyone lifts their heads to look above and discover who was the one talking.
"'Sup 'Ro" Wolverine greets Storm as she lands in front of the assembled group.
"Kitten warned me about it, and I advised the X-Men, but the answer I received was to let Shinobi and his crew handle it" Storm comments "But since you won't allow it to happen, I'm joining your crew" she adds and then looks at Spider-Man "and before we march, I thank you Spider-Man"
"You thank me? For what?" Spidey asks, scratching the back of his head a bit nervous.
"I heard what you told Logan" she replies, surprising him, Teresa and Franklin "I was already here for a while, I just wanted to talk to Logan about the situation, but then I heard your proclamation and it was then when I realized it was you who brought that smile back to Kitten's face…so for that, I thank you" Storm kindly talks to Spidey.
"Well, like I told Logan, I more than care…I love her" Spidey sincerely replies "So, well, with that said, how about if we…"
"Don't start your party yet" a telepathic voice interrupts the conversation and right then the Krakoan Gate activates once again, but this time is the White Queen Emma Frost who comes out "The White Queen wants a slice too" she speaks now in her normal voice.
"You were spying on us too?" Wolverine asks with a deadpan tone of voice.
"I'll admit it, yes" Emma shrugs her shoulders "I heard the whole thing, including Spider-Man's love proclamation" she adds in annoyance "although I must say that I can assure you all that Kate can do a whole lot better than…Ugh, Spider-Man" she says it with disgust in her voice and her face.
"Well, I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that no one gives a crap about the opinions of 'Fifty Shades of Frost'" Teresa interjects defending her brother.
"I like her attitude" Storm whispers Wolverine.
"That aside…" Emma quickly cuts to the chase "I came for two reasons; the first is that I'm here for Kate, because there's no way in Hell I'm letting anybody tarnish her good name, and just like Storm, I want to atone for my inactions that uneventful day" she comments, recalling the day Kate left Krakoa "and second, I'm not letting that son of two #$%& +* ruin what we have worked so hard…and I'm here to win it, and for that, I'm raising our numbers" she then shows a smirk on her face and makes a telepathic call "To me, my Marauders" and right on cue, the Krakoan Gate activates again, and the Marauders emerge from there; Nightcrawler, Iceman, Bishop, Pyro and Lockheed, with them standing alongside Emma.
"We're all here for the same reason" Iceman comments to the group, looking around at the gathered members.
"We're here for Kätschen" Nightcrawler adds, taking out his cutlass.
"I was rude to her when it was her who gave me the spot on the group in the first place" Bishop comments "So this is my way to apologize"
"I just want to see some action, so let's bring it!" Pyro adds, while Lockheed growls and flies around the group, also eager to join the fight.
"I must say…I do like these numbers" Teresa comments, looking at her brother.
"Then let's stop yapping and go kick some bad guy tuchus!" Spidey exclaims, raising his fist signaling that the time has come to bring the fight to the Tower.
This is it, True Believers! The Final Battle is upon us! So I can promise you one thing: Next chapter will be very action-packed, so I hope I won't disappoint you on that front. We got "Team Spidey" (Spider-Man, Teresa, Franklin, Boomerang, Wolverine, Storm, Emma Frost and the Marauders) vs. "Team Villains" (Doc Ock, Shinobi Shaw and the Upstarts)…this promises to be a BIG one.
And now…for the thousands (of characters) in attendance, and the millions watching (and reading) at home…
NEXT CHAPTER: LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!