Author's Note: I'm back, boys and girls, ladies and gents! Sorry I'm late. There were reasons for my tardiness which are a lot, but I still worked hard on this regardless. I'm not giving up on this story. Is it possible it can go on forever? Well, as a wise person once said 'nothing lasts forever'. But never say never. No one knows what the future holds. I hope everyone stayed safe so far this year. This chapter is a good one. I hope you guys enjoy!
Growth Episode Seven
Patience was never much of a virtue for her.
Betty sighed and looked back at her phone. There was no response. No response for days now. In her apartment, she sulked as she sat at the kitchen table, letting the phone drop on the table in resignation. Thoughts were racing in her mind. Feelings that were beginning to resurface. Feelings towards Peter Parker. She wanted to find out where he was and how he was doing initially. But having had no answer to any of her texts which were countless at this point, Betty was restless and impatient. She couldn't go to him not after what she told him back at the Bugle.
"Why did you go all this way to help me? Was it the story? If so, there's not much evidence for that to go public."
Betty remained looked down and appeared as if she wanted to stop talking.
"Betty?"
"You're my friend, Peter. That's why I helped...I always do and I always will, even if we're broken up."
"Broken up?" he asked rather taken aback.
"Yes, I know. We shouldn't talk about it and I get it. I don't want to make a thing. You had your reasons for leaving and I respect that. I mean, hey, so did I. Felicia's a good woman. I don't envy her or anything. She's a friend of mine. But whatever my feelings are, I'll always remain friends. I just want to see you happy and above all, safe."
Betty saw that Peter truly looked stunned. She just didn't know what for.
"Peter?"
"We...dated..."
"Don't you remember?"
"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah." Peter cleared his throat. "Sorry, I guess it just feels like it was a literal...lifetime ago."
"It was." Betty shrugged.
Her thoughts were interrupted when knocking on her apartment door occurred. Getting up and focusing on the present once more, Betty went to the door, opened it and found Felicia in front of her.
"Leesh, hey, what's going on?"
Felicia came in and looked rather hesitant.
"Just here to say...I'm sorry. About Peter. You were right and I didn't listen. He's-"
"It's alright." Betty said. "Really. I just wanted you to see that it wouldn't work out if he kept up that kind of lifestyle."
Felicia frowned. "I guess. I mean, especially since he almost killed me and maybe worse..."
"Wait...what?" Betty said in shock.
"He came after me. He was violent and almost..." Felicia shook her head in anguish and felt as if she couldn't go on. "But it wasn't him! It was some kind of copy of him! A clone!"
"Peter is a clone?" Betty didn't understand.
"I thought I knew him best..." Felicia sighed as she nodded and continued. "Turns out there will always be things that show up unexpected and because they do, I'm having trouble keeping up. I mean, Peter. Jameson acting all power-hungry in the news. Eddie and you not together anymore-"
"Wait a minute, I didn't say I broke up with Eddie..." Betty frowned.
Felicia bit her lip and looked away.
"He told you?!" Betty realized.
"We've been hanging out. We were in bad places. I thought I was-"
"Whoa! Whoa! Wait a second, you guys talked?"
"We had things to get off our chest, Betty!" Felicia felt affronted. "Besides this news was bound to come out sooner or later. Better yet, I'm telling you now. He's very distraught that you broke up with him. Look I understand how it looks but sometimes...to get rid of the damn loneliness, we need to talk to another person."
Betty was confused. "What exactly did you come here to tell me, Leash? Really?"
"I came because Eddie still has feelings for you. He's been pining. You should give him another chance. Or at least hear him out."
"Look, I'm sorry for what happened to you. And I know you're trying to be a friend. But whatever I felt for Eddie...is gone. He's been going off doing God knows what and always leaving me in the dark. He never trusted me basically. So if you want to know who the real bad guy in this story is, there's no contest..."
"Doesn't seem like he'd be the type of person who would let someone down. All I can tell you is that he's not taking it well."
"I can imagine. Breakups always suck." Betty said looking away. "But he needs to be the one to accept it. Move on, as they say."
"It's so hard though. Especially for me. Sometimes I think I'm just weak." Felicia said sadly. "And sometimes I think I just hate myself for it. I get hit with so many surprises..." Felicia turned away from Betty so that she could put a hand to her stomach. "...sometimes, it's all about which surprises you should keep or shouldn't keep." she said softly.
Betty rolled her eyes and sat down. "Sorry, I overreacted. I thought you two were-"
"What? Dating? Together? No...no...I'm still with...with...
"Peter?"
"Yeah. The 'real' one. Wherever he is." Felicia said staring out Betty's apartment window.
"If there's cloning involved in this picture, it's a sure bet that the remnants of what used to be 'OsCorp' are behind it." Betty went back to Felicia. "I guess with everything that you say has been happening to you, I shouldn't be surprised if you couldn't remember Peter's name." Betty crossed her arms to her chest, looking suspicious. "Let alone have a shoulder to cry on which happens to be Eddie. But all of a sudden then you decide to play matchmaker."
"Nothing is going on between us, Betty. Believe me. Eddie's just a friend. Peter is my only priority right now."
"And you don't by any chance know where he is, do you?"
"I wanted to know if you have lately. But no, no, I'm still looking."
"I guess we both are..." Betty whispered.
Going through the ravaged landscape, the slender figure sped quickly through the forest. The red hot blaring sun bore down hard on him as he went and went but despite the discomfort from the heat, he kept going. Looking down far below, the footprints he followed didn't stop and was grateful for the advantage. Another webthread attached to another branch of a tall tree and the figure pulled himself forward and launched himself gracefully in the air until he dropped down and shot another webthread. The process was then repeated.
"No matter what anyone says..."
Peter swung elegantly and passed by trees and branches in the forest.
"...I'm Spider-Man!" he said happily.
He shot another webstrand and extended his legs. Peter had swung upward when the webchord snapped suddenly.
"Oh great...!" He then went down.
As he fell, his body hit several branches from a tree and the tree next to him. He finally fell on the ground. As he came to in a daze, he groaned from the discomfort.
Lifting his head slightly, he saw the reason for his fall. His seemingly-flat waistline area trembled under his suit, almost as if on its own accord. What appeared to be a flat stomach now protruded slightly, giving a grumble inside. It was no use. His lower belly finally burst free, oozed out, drooped and hung low.
"Are you sure about that?" a voice replied and a familiar one at that.
"I don't believe this..." Peter said as he took off his mask and began to pant once he stood. He saw Black Cat leaning her elbow on a tree, looking amused.
Peter then drew a breath in and his belly withdrew until it appeared flat once more. From a perspective, Peter appeared in his original shape.
"Suck it in all you want. But that doesn't erase the problem."
"Great, the figment of my imagination continues...why don't you go flirt or insult some other time?"
"Just trying to be helpful here. You're almost there. You may have lost several milkshakes and Mickey D's in you in most parts but you're still a long way from your old 'you', Spider..."
"It's going to take a little more time for my body to burn the rest. The return of my powers have helped with my metabolism somewhat. I'm doing OK. My prior physiology is coming back. I can feel it."
"That tummy of yours is still going to keep slowing you down, Spider. That thing sticks out more than my butt."
"Sounds like maybe you should have gone on a diet..." Peter muttered.
"I'm not complaining and obviously you never complained about it either. Besides I'm in your head, Peter. So yeah, I know you like women with bigger bottoms." Black Cat replied mischievously. "You see, unlike you I actually fill out in the right places and I remember we used to burn a lot of calories fighting...and in bed." she said getting close to him. Her hands were pressed to his chest. One went to the right side of his face. Peter couldn't help but feel flushed and mesmerized.
Then her arms wrapped around his neck slowly. She gave an impish smile.
"Don't you wish we could do that again? I sure do." she whispered and was going in for a kiss.
Peter snapped out of it and backed away. "Get this through your non-existent head, you're not real and you're not bringing me down. You've done it a million times back in the original...whatever. And you've never won. What makes you think you can win this time?"
"Like I said, I'm in your head because I still love you. And I know you feel the same."
"I don't."
"And yet...I'm here because?"
"It's not because 'I'm' making you real. You're wrong about that. It's because the other Felicia...I actually...feel something for her."
Black Cat looked rather mad now. "You don't even know her."
"No, I don't. You're right but like I told MJ maybe I should give her a chance. Unlike you...she's a somebody. She's everything you're not. Now go away, I don't love you. You're just a memory."
Black Cat sighed heavily but then she once again. "Fine. Believe what you want. But deep down, we already know who you're 'really' going to choose, don't we? Because you can't choose the 'boring me' version, not without seeing who she reminds you of. I guess if you really do choose her...I do indeed win."
Peter looked away from Black Cat in disgust and was about to tell her off once more when he turned back to face her and found she was nowhere to be seen. She was gone yet again.
"She'll be back alright..." he shook his head and went off continuing his pursuit. He couldn't let the women's pace quicken. He already wasted enough time. Moving as fast as he could despite the little bit of fat he had, Peter never lost the trail of footsteps as he swung and swung.
'They do say the last few pounds are the hardest...' Peter thought as he made his way around the forest. He jumped up and swung again as fast as he could using his webshooters which Peter wanted to thank Mary-Jane for remembering them and bringing them. But even still, he was getting out of breath with the bulk he still had left in his stomach swaying to and fro.
After two minutes of jogging now on a road. Peter saw a long metallic sign laying aimlessly on the ground beside the curb of the forest.
He saw the words emblazoned on the base of it.
'THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF FEMOZONIA
"And these other worldy natives manage to understand and speak English? What the heck is goin' on here?"
Peter got to the edge of the cliff where it overlooked to a large valley ahead. Down below and yet a mile away was an encampment with small bases set up.
"That's gotta be where MJ is..."
He began to head toward the small town. Already covering enough ground, Peter thought it was time to be careful. Something inside him told him to be so and now he began to walk at a normal pace. He had heard a rustle here and there and quickly changed his walking pattern as well as his direction. He was sensing something.
That was when someone came out of the side from the bushes and tried to tackle him to the ground. A femizon. Having sensed her earlier, Peter held his ground and held onto her only for her to break his grip easily and hit him square in the chest.
"Calm down there, Lady Roman Reigns!" he said.
With incredible strength, he was grabbed by the throat and was then slammed to the ground. The air had been knocked out of him. He was in a daze but Peter saw the menacing woman about to pull him up.
But quickly, Peter shot out a leg, kicking her in the face, jumped, spun and kicked her to the base of a tree, webbing her in the mouth to keep her shut and webbing her to the tree itself. She tried to shake free but couldn't.
"Sorry, but you need a time out."
Suddenly his spider-sense rang and his body reacted by moving off to the side. An arrow had been shot and had hit the tree, just above the woman's head. An inch a way and she would have been a goner.
"Guess that's my cue to leave!" he ran while many arrows were shot from almost every direction. Peter didn't know who was shooting. He couldn't see anyone. They just kept coming.
One of the arrows managed to graze his shoulder causing him to wince. But he kept on. Peter ran faster evading more arrows as he did so. He could feel his flab below his lower abdominal area jiggling and making him go slow. He stopped and got behind a tree panting and putting his hands between his knees, trying to catch his breath. His heart was pounding.
"You're almost there..." Black Cat said looking down at him.
He raised his head and stared at her. "What? Where?"
"It's going to be hard but you're almost there..." Black Cat repeated. "Go."
"What?"
"GO!" she screamed.
His spider-sense rang. Peter saw to his right that a full group of women in strange-futuristic wear were running toward him. Peter felt his lungs were on fire with every step he took.
"You gotta run faster!" Black Cat appeared and ran beside him.
"I'm trying!"
He knew they were gaining. Peter felt them coming. He refused to let himself get tired. He focused with Black Cat supporting him.
"Everything she taught you...use it!" Black Cat said.
Peter closed his eyes and willed himself to go faster.
"Be who you really are...be Spider-Man!"
Peter opened his eyes as his running went faster and harder. He felt his stomach sink in and tightening harder and harder. Until he was almost a blur, he sped. The intensity was there. His heart raced. It felt as if he was supercharged now. He concentrated more and more. "Yes. I...am..." He let the energy build and build.
Feeling light and agile, Peter then jumped high and shot his webchord and went from branch to branch.
"Spider-Man!"
He then landed on the ground with no injury and stood proud and taut.
His spider-sense reacted and Peter was too late when he saw several women aiming swords and some had bows and arrows at the ready. Slowly turning his head fully around, he was surrounded inside a circle of armed women warriors in the forest.
"A Spider-Man caught..." one woman said in triumph. She came forward.
Peter knew the routine and brought his hands up in surrender.
"Lemme guess, torture and killing or just killing?" Peter asked.
The unamused woman simply punched Peter straight in the face, knocking him out cold.
He got through his window with no problem. It had taken days but it seemed like now was a perfect chance to go back to familiar settings. Putting a foot forward, his foot crunched on something like glass. Through the almost-pitch black darkness, he could see much to his annoyance that the apartment had been ransacked recently apparently. 'Probably thieves of lesser level...' he thought. Time in prison made his hideout susceptible to people. The first thing he had to do after he settled and rested was to get his suit and armor back.
He heard something which interrupted his thoughts and was ready to attack if need be. There was a rustle off somewhere in the other room. The sound put him on edge quickly Immediately he was on alert, stood up and made his way carefully into the direction of the noise. He went to where his bedroom had been. He saw the top of a figure's head on the other side of the bed facing the window but looking through something on the floor, some items of his.
He turned on the light with his fists at the ready. "Who are you?!"
The figure gasped and stood up.
"Dont-! Wait...Uncle Aaron?!" the little boy gasped.
Blinking, he saw who it really was.
"Miles?!"
"Uncle Aaron, you're back!" the little boy hugged him.
"Miles...!"
He took a knee and embraced him in return. A smile generated on his own face.
"Hey, little man...damn boy, you gave a scare there."
"Me too. I thought you were a robber. I'm sorry I broke in. I found some bad guys robbed your place a while ago. I wanted to see if there was anything left. Heard you were gone, so I decided to take something of yours left behind so I can have a part of you..."
"Oh I see...that's fine." he patted his shoulder. "You know you shouldn't be out at night, little man..."
"I know. I just can't be at home. I miss hanging out with you."
"So do I." he nodded.
"They let you go from prison?"
"They sure did, pal."
"I don't know how but I'm sure glad you're back! Can't wait 'til dad hears about this..."
"No! No! Miles, you can't let him know I'm here, OK? I'll tell him. But only when the time is right. This is important."
"But why?"
"Do you trust me?"
"I do."
"Then trust me on this. Don't tell anyone I'm out, OK?"
"OK. I won't say anything. So...can I help you clean up?"
"Thought you'd never ask." Aaron smiled. "Then afterwards, we'll paint and get a chili dog."
"Yes!" Miles cheered.
It took awhile for him to wake up and it was not a welcomed one. He would have preferred sleeping. It was pleasant. But it was all gone due to a drowning sensation. Water had been thrown at his maskless face.
"Whoa!" he spat out the water, coughed and rubbed his eyes. "A little warning next time!"
Peter focused and saw Mary-Jane staring at him, holding a bucket.
"MJ...oh thank God. I thought-"
"What are you doing here?!" she yelled.
"Trying to rescue you...I'm the Amazing Spider-Man, remember? And countless, different adjectives!"
"The 'foolish' Spider-Man, is an appropriate title for you! I didn't ask you to save me! I'm supposed to be helping you!"
"And it's been a pleasure, really. But hey, in case, you can't tell, I'm thin again." Peter declared happily to which Mary-Jane rolled her eyes in response.
"I know, right?! Abs are back and so is some serious muscle. Thanks to everything you taught me. You really did help, after all. Look, they captured you. I couldn't stay in that cave twiddling my thumbs. So I went to go find you. I wanted to try and help. Excuse me, if I cared about you."
"Look where it's gotten you..." Red Sonja said annoyed.
"A simple 'you're welcome' wouldn't have hurt." Peter then saw he was in a cage along with her. The bars he pulled were too strong.
"Don't worry...I'll get us out..." Peter said as he pulled two bars with both hands and feet stuck to the ones below. His head pulled back as he heaved.
MJ/Red Sonja merely rolled her eyes and sat on the bench below the small window.
"Hey, don't lose hope yet! These bars are rusty anyway. I almost-"
But he stopped when he got tired. "OK. Maybe that rust isn't so 'rusty' after all."
"You must understand our situation. Our captivity is not one to be taken lightly. There's a good chance they could send us to death. And they have the gem!"
"You serious?!"
"I am." Sonja nodded. "So 'be' serious. She has it."
"Who?"
"You'll meet her soon..."
Both MJ and Peter turned to the sound of a woman and several others approaching. She wore a green and yellow jumpsuit that covered her from head to toe.
"Is this what men has progressed to?" the woman laughed. "I guess making yourselves look like fools is always your nature. That outfit is ridiculous."
"Where are we? What is this place?" Peter asked her.
"That's an absurd question."
"Why is it absurd?"
"You should know. Haven't you looked around lately?"
"Who are you?" Peter frowned.
"I'm Superia."
"Pretty uppity-up name, alright. Is that copyrighted?"
She shook her head almost as in disappointment. "Humor, what a waste. If I were in your place, I would still accept the reality of the situation. We thought all males to be caught, defeated and exploited. Hence, all the fun was gone seeing them suffer. But now that you're here, the fun has returned."
"And all the fun, as you so aptly put it..." a figure stepped out of the shadows. The woman looked strong. A golden tiara was worn around her head and she wore a skimpy red and gold outfit showing off her incredible muscular physique. "...belongs to me."
"And yet, it's still fun to watch." Superia smirked back to Peter.
"I take it you're the head honcho or...head 'honcha'?" Peter asked unsure.
"I never asked to be leader. Yet, I am because people follow only the strongest. All my life I wanted to be strong so that I can be the best at everything and to everyone." the woman shrugged. "And I am. I'm strong enough to protect and defend my people from the dangers and subjugation that men have caused over the years. I, Thundra have made a vow that men should not deem themselves as rulers of women. But rather, the other way around. Women inherit the world. They always have. It took many, many years for that statement to be realized, but it did eventually. We finally did. And now comes a new element that threatens the equilibrium."
"Come on..." Peter scoffed. "I'm not trying to rule over you guys..."
"You never could. The ground you stand on is littered with pieces of bone and skull of weakling men who tried to fight. Before I defeated them, I enjoyed their begging and screaming. This whole area is decorated with their remains. As a reminder of what stands before them!"
"You're wrong about men. That's all I can say." Peter said.
"I, on the one hand...agree. Your approach towards men is flawed and idiotic." Red Sonja stated. "Without men, how will you be able to keep the human race going?"
"I'm not saying all men need to be destroyed."
"Sounds like you are..." Peter said.
"You will speak when you I give you a chance!" Thundra then turned back to Sonja. "You want to know how we go on? Join us."
"Don't..." Peter told her softly while shaking his head in disbelief.
Red Sonja seemed to agree. "Enough, with your ridiculous methods. You have no idea what it means to be a ruler. All you are is just confused. Now, you have something I want. I'm looking at it right now. I want my necklace back."
Thundra touched the jeweled-filled amulet with her hand. "But it looks so much better on me than it does for you. Besides, we take because we women, were considered to be taken! But no more! Your lives and everything you own, now belong to the rightful rulers of this world!"
"Come on, it means a lot to her." Peter said. The necklace was the only sure way of returning to the past. "You of all people should know objects mean a lot to people, especially if they're of sentimental value. If you want to be the bigger person, prove it."
"Oh, I will." she smirked. "Starting with your impending deaths."
"Even though we did nothing to you..." Peter was amazed.
"You men and your brutality led us to this. I've crushed men with my bare hands for reminding me of the horrors, the wars, the violence, the slavery...and other madness. You...Hyrkanian..."
Red Sonja/MJ looked taken aback.
"Your kind has been gone for centuries. Yes, I know who you are and yes..." Thundra circled the gem from the necklace worn on her neck. "...I know you want this so you can escape."
Peter slumped.
Thundra continued. "You talk about the right way of ruling? But where is your own race now? Oh, that's right, dead and turned to ash. Now...you want your death revoked? Join us. Become a sister and prove it with his death."
Peter was stunned hearing that.
"You want me to fight him and kill him?" Red Sonja asked with much difficulty.
"It's him...or you!"
"Is this really how things are now?!" Peter couldn't believe it. "What kind of place is this?" he looked from Thundra to Red Sonja.
"Where do you think you are?" Thundra asked amused.
"Some other dimension?" Peter shrugged. He cast a look to Mary-Jane/Red Sonja.
Red Sonja looked away from him. She appeared hesitant.
"...but judging by the good ol' 'staring away' gesture, which I've seen lots of times when people are holding stuff back...that's not the case, is it?"
"No...it's not..."
"What is this? Another planet?"
"You really don't know?" the woman raised an eyebrow. Behind her on the wall, she brushed away dust, sand and grit from the long slab of thin material stuck to the wall.
Peter gave a gasp. What was once a green sign with the words barely visible due to tear and wear.
WELCOME TO NEW YORK-The Empire State.
"New York?!"
"To the future rather...yours...one day!" the woman smirked.
"This was Earth the whole time?" he looked at Red Sonja.
Red Sonja dropped the pretense and nodded. "Yes. A thousand years into the future."
"Holy Moly...!"
"We captured you for a reason." Thundra looked at Red Sonja and back to her followers. "She is here because she is an outcast. She is also thick-headed and stubborn. She is refusing a place among us in the Sisterhood."
"I may be considering it." Red Sonja suddenly spoke.
"You're kidding me..." Peter hung his head.
"You would fight to the death? Willingly?" Thundra asked just to be sure. "You fight and win, you'd be amongst warriors, you wouldn't have to be alone anymore."
Peter waited for her answer as well. He still couldn't believe it.
"Yes."
"No." Peter blurted out.
"You have no say here. The challenge is made. Enjoy your last few hours, Spider-Man...tomorrow you will die..."
They were then left alone once the women were done with their gloating. Peter and MJ/Red Sonja remained in their cell, looking resigned.
For a long time, they were silent. Peter mostly. He let his anger and disappointment settle in. 'How the hell did I get myself into this mess? Always in some kind of trouble. Do I really have the worst luck in the world?' He wanted to talk but wanted to let Mary-Jane/Red Sonja how angry he was. It was she the one who finally broke the silence after a period of time.
"You must talk. Are you really going to remain silent forever?"
"Well, what can I say? Aside from the whole you wanting to turn me into Conan or whatever, now I got this dumped on my lap. This is Earth in the future. A future that makes matriarchy look like a Nazi party. You held this from me. So here I am, trying to keep it together and trying not to go full-on 'Chalton Heston'..."
"Charlton who?" she frowned.
"Planet of the Apes? You've never heard of that movie? Guy realizes he was on Earth the whole-oh never mind! The point is you lied to me! And to top it all off, you agreed to fight me!"
"You're upset."
'You think?" Peter scoffed and went to the far corner of the cell where the cot lay. "Just leave me alone..."
"Dammit…"
He had discovered something shocking from the Daily Bugle and it was raising his anxiety. The article wasn't front page but it was still a cause for concern. Eddie stared at the title. 'Bomb stolen from Horizon Labs.' He was getting an instinct as to who could have been the culprit. Reports from scared witnesses suggested a creature.
He slammed his fist down in frustration, almost causing it to smash the table.
"Kasady…I know it's you, you piece of slime!" Eddie said to himself.
Knocking came from the door and frustrated went over to it, it was Felicia coming in, once he opened the door.
"Hey, what is it?"
"I made up my mind." she said taking a deep breath in.
"Which is…?"
She blinked back tears. "I've been thinking about it for a while now. It was hard. Letting every option sink in. I….decided I want an abortion."
Eddie sighed and nodded. "It's a good decision." he then hugged her.
Peter kept his gaze away from her. As time ticked on, he heard her walking towards him. She went over confidently and sat next to him much to his surprise, which he tried not to show.
"I have nothing." Mary-Jane/Red Sonja said after a while.
"What?"
"Ever since I came back, I am without purpose. I'm no longer a queen. I'm no longer a warrior. Conan seemed to be the only man I can think about. In many ways, I envy you."
"Why?"
"You have everything and much more coming to you in the future. You have many options, whereas I have none. I guess there's a part of me that still wants what I had before."
Peter decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. "I hate to break it to you, princess...but Conan's gone. Your army's gone. Your way is gone. Now you came back because you said you wanted to be worthy enough to be in the afterlife, remember? This isn't the way to move on. Just because there's another way, doesn't mean it's the right one. Like you said, 'I' have my own life and I have to live it. You can still be with Conan if you do the right thing. Me becoming him isn't it."
For the first time, MJ/ Red Sonja didn't know exactly what to say to that.
"You've gotten wise." she finally said taken aback.
"Thanks. I know I come off as overbearing but I guess it's my way of dealing with anything and everything...I may say a few one-liners and quips but it's only to show I'm not afraid."
"I understand. It's a good tactic. Is that your way of adjusting when it comes to the body of whom I'm inhabiting?"
"Oh, you had to remind me..." Peter shook his head.
"I know you miss her. I know you long for her. Maybe you can still have her, at least for tonight." she turned to face him properly.
"What are you saying?" Peter frowned.
Her hand was on his shoulder and moved down to his bicep.
"I'm saying we might die tomorrow...we should make tonight worthwhile." she leaned in for a kiss.
"NO!" Peter said standing up now and looked down at her. "Are you insane?!"
"We're all alone here. No one will be the wiser. It's fine. Really. It's alright..." Mary-Jane stood up and faced him properly. "I know you want to. Your body warms. You're lusting for me. For her. I don't blame you. This body is beautiful. Curvaceous. Strong. Very well-developed."
"Don't you talk about her that way! And no, it is absolutely 'not' OK! This is wrong! What kind of game are you even playing?!"
"This is no game...I want this." she said standing up and getting close to Peter again and gazed at him all over. "You're right. You've really transformed. I have to give myself credit. I made you...strong, fit and a weapon once more. And by Gods, it's been a while since I've been with a real man. And I can sense it's been a while since you've been with a woman. Don't...deny it!" she silenced him when Peter was about to speak up.
She took a step closer to him every time she spoke now. "Remember what I said about love? What it means to fully love someone? There is something inside me. When I see you, I feel it. Like fire and desire. Love...it must be. I try to be hard to you because I thought it would be the only way to get those feelings out. But I realized I can't. It's difficult. I can't block these feelings anymore. Mary-Jane. Her essence...yearns for you. Wants you. She really 'did' love you, after all. And it's getting stronger and I can't ignore it. And I am curious. I can't help but want to explore. So do you. Your qualities remind me so much of Conan. I may be a warrior but I'm also a woman..."
Peter seemed keen, rather eager himself. "It's just that-"
Mary-Jane kissed him on the lips quickly, pulled back and gave Peter a smirk. It may have been short but it was very sweet.
"You kissed me."
"What are you going to do about it?" she said with a shrug.
Peter appeared flushed after that. "Look, I-"
MJ/Red Sonja kissed him again abruptly and pulled back, once again waiting and appeared pleased with Peter's reactions each time.
Peter gulped and reopened his eyes. The second kiss was even better.
"I can't..." he said breathlessly.
But he gave up. She was always gorgeous. Her attire only amplified it. He then let her touch him. The feel of her was Heaven. Mary-Jane's hands slowly touched and caressed his face. Then her hands made their way around his neck. She took him once more. Peter wanted to stop but her lips pressing on his each time, were a welcome and a true pleasure. He realized he missed kissing her.
'Mary-Jane...you're back with me...' he thought he was really with her now. Memories that he relished came flooding back.
Their respective attires were taken off and they were now at work with one another. Peter's love, the passion made him an animal. Aggressive. Hungry. A man.
'Remember, tiger...every time we're like this and I'm not talking all this time, I'm communicating with you. So are you. Our bodies are communicating. It means many things. It also means...I'm always here.' she told him one time. A lifetime ago.
On the cot, he had Red Sonja/ Mary-Jane perched on top of him and straddling him. She then let her body do the rest. Peter realized their bodies were full of sweat when Mary-Jane's wet forehead pressed against his. Her elbows resting on his shoulders. He looked upward at her and looked into her eyes. Her beautiful, perfect eyes.
She pulled back a bit, making Peter admire her further and letting her hand keep his hand below her breast. Her other hand around his neck. Her mouth was opened slightly from breathing heavily but she had a look of playful content.
'I see you. You can't get away...' Another memory was on his mind.
'Never could...' he had replied that one time.
Peter held on. She was getting strong. She had controlled the rhythm. She had indeed turned aggressive. His head tilted back and so did his upper body, now lying on the cot. He gave a moan and shut his eyes. She was very skilled and was now handling him in a way he never felt before. He was on the ropes.
'I win every time...' she had told him that once.
Red Sonja/Mary-Jane saw this and tried to instill confidence in him while she managed to lower her body to his chest. Her face upon his now. "Do not...surrender!"
Peter managed to open his eyes and saw hers again. 'Come on, tiger...you can do it!' Her voice seeming to have come off her.
Going through the stress, Peter adapted. Concentrating. His stamina was pushing through the roof. Slowly and with much effort, he managed to raise his upper body again and was now mere millimeters away from her face. He tried to hang on while she continued to show no mercy. He wrapped his arms around her and finally succeeded pressing against her, nibbling on her neck while her head was on his shoulder. He then kissed her on the mouth while finally lowering her to the cot this time. Her arm still around him.
Now he was at an advantage with him on top of her, going in and in, faster and harder. Her head tilted back now. She was screaming almost as if in fury. She managed to lift her head and had a look of amazement as she cried.
Then they finished. Peter weakly managed to lay on the opposite side of the cot and tried to catch his breath as did Mary-Jane. Both of them lay in silence for a while. Peter faced the small window above him, away from her.
"Impressive..." MJ/Red Sonja said after having caught her breath.
Peter wasn't in a mood to be complimented. As great as the experience was, afterwards he felt morose and regretful.
"We should worry about tomorrow." he muttered.
He felt her shift towards him.
"There is umm...still plenty of time-" she quietly said touching his shoulder.
Peter bolted upright and turned away from her. He sat on the edge of the cot with his back turned to her. "NO! Not again. I made a mistake which always happens. I don't know what I was thinking. You may be 'her' but you're not. Sorry, but I just got back to reality here. Look, this was great and all but it cannot happen again, understand, please."
Red Sonja appeared reluctant but finally did as she was told. "Very well." she said rather hurt.
"We need to focus again. They're going to have us fight to the death and she has the gem. There's got to be a way to get it."
"I have a plan." Mary-Jane said.
"Glad to hear that. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have to think on my own."
"Thundra is a killer of men." MJ/Red Sonja reminded him as she prepared to tell him her strategy.
"We'll get through this." Peter said.
"You seem sure."
"Hope makes you sure."
Remnants of OsCorp were still alive and how they are surviving is one that Betty had to get to the bottom of.
In her apartment, she was on the computer looking over at strange data she received from her contact. All the while conversing with him on the phone.
"What do you mean, you can't get in?"
"It's not a matter of decrypting or encrypting. Whatever they have contained is making the company 'existing'. Active, rather. Because it is, they have used a big old lock on that data that I can't pickpocket through. This is beyond classified."
"Well, what?" she frowned. "What could they possibly have?"
"Betty, I can't get any further with this. I'm sorry but any attempt to do so could result in a word that rhymes with 'bubble'."
"I understand. One thing is for certain though, OsCorp is coming back." Betty said miserably.
They were now in the middle of the arena of a small coliseum. Peter saw that the entire seating areas above them were full to the brim. There was a dais consisting of three women. Superia, another woman and Thundra in the middle. She rose as he and Red Sonja stood next to one another.
"Ladies of New York, they say the future is not without its surprises. And while we lived in the present without restraint, fate...a pesty parasite as it is, seems persistent. Here we have a man..."
There were murmurs of surprise in the crowd. Peter could feel the eyes bearing down at him with scorn and hate.
"...he threatens our way of life with his presence. Remember many years ago, we sought to conquer every single male and so we did successfully. Men have no muscle where it matters. It has led to their downfall. Yet, harmony has occurred since. We also have a woman...a warrior from another dimension and time who refuses a place in our world. It is up to her if her life is important or his. She's the last of her kind after all. So now, they fight. This whole fight is to remind us, ladies...that our future needs us, the past, which the man represents...doesn't. Now without further adieu, I give you Spider-Man versus Red Sonja."
Both of them had no weapons. It was going to have to be a bare-fisted fight.
'Hope this plan works...' he thought.
A gong was sounded and the cheering of the crowd to rise began as well. Red Sonja eyed Peter and thinking which pattern to go with. Peter didn't want to do it. But it was part of the plan and had to go along. The fight began and Red Sonja had attacked Peter first with a few kicks and punches to which Peter blocked. His powers allowed him not only to evade hits of any kind but it allowed him some durability and flexibility. But Red Sonja sure had abilities as well.
Peter was following through with the plan. He was making Red Sonja tired with her missed hits. Now it was time, he then launched his attack.
'She's doing ABC while I'm doing XYZ.'
But when he tried to hit her back, his fist was caught and an uppercut to his chin was issued. It made him do a backflip in the air and once he landed, he planted a kick to her chest. She then ran to the dais area. Peter was caught off guard. 'What's she doing?'
"Hyrkanian!" Ahead, Thundra called MJ out and from the dais above, she threw down an object of hers.
She was given her sword.
She spun it elegantly in her hand and aimed it at Peter, much to his horror.
"What are you doing?!" Peter cried.
"I'm joining them..."
Peter was astounded.
"Traitor!" he shouted at her.
"Fight me!" Red Sonja said.
A slash had been made when she swung her sword at him. Tearing a piece of his suit off.
"You took away my chance of conquering before...and last night you called me a mistake!" she yelled.
He blocked her elbow while looking at her square in the face. "You're never a mistake...but it still wasn't right."
She punched him with her other hand. The force of which turned his head and also his body around so that it gave him momentum to give her a swinging kick, to which she evaded. She aimed her sword at him again.
Mary-Jane had the advantage now and Peter was on the offensive, going back and cowering from the swinging of her sword. On accident, he had retaliated but so did both hit each other in the face at the same time. Very hard that they both fell down.
Peter slowly got up weakly and Mary-Jane tried to fell back on the ground, down and out.
She was on the ground, beaten.
"Finish her." Thundra from the dais called out.
"No."
"I'll kill you if you don't."
"Then...what's the difference?"
'She'll kill me in any event. What now?' Peter thought in horror.
Jumping high and landing, Thundra was now in the arena, walking towards them. So did Superia.
"Just for your refusal, I will fight you and I will show you true death!" Thundra said coming in.
"I don't want to fight..."
"Why? Too much of a coward?"
Peter rolled his eyes. "Look, I know you'll win. You are strong, I'll give you that. You know, I don't underestimate women. Never did. I don't know why you hate men to begin with but you can beat them all you want and it's not going to fill in that gap you have in you. All I know is...we're all equal. You know that. Deep down, you do. You just don't want to understand that particular concept. Everyone's blood runs red."
"Hmmm. Let's see if that's so." Thundra walked toward Peter menacingly.
"Fine, but has anyone ever told you, you have really pretty eyes?" Peter said as Thundra took a step forward.
"What?" she frowned. That remark caught her off guard.
Suddenly a splat of webbing appeared in her eyes.
"They're very distracting." Peter shrugged.
Red Sonja found a chance and revealed that she was alright after all and hit a dumbfounded Superia in the forehead with the hilt of her sword. She then pointed the blade at whoever was going to attack.
The crowd in the stands booed louder as Peter reached at a blind Thundra and tore off the necklace.
"Got it."
Peter then went to Red Sonja, where he gave it to her, giving a nod of approval to him.
"Don't worry, not mad. I like the kinds of plans that need changing every now and then..." he said to her.
"Don't plans change?" Red Sonja said as she got to work with her sword.
"Stop them!" Thundra roared as she finally tore off the white goo from her face.
At once, the large portal was being summoned by the hilt of her sword. The blade pressed to the ground. She held onto the hilt with both hands. The wave from the portal was more of a blast that send some advancing women back.
"Wait, the sword is the one that opens the portal?" he cried.
"And the gem on the amulet has my spirit. Before we were captured a while ago, I detached the gateway emerald from the amulet and placed it on the sword here." she said to him. "Thundra wanted me to win, remember? She gave me the sword so that I'd be at an advantage if I was losing, just as I knew she would. Now let's go. We're going home."
"The sword had the gateway function all this time? Total mind-blown...but all that stuff you said-"
"I had to play along. Had to make them see I hated you. I made my choice. You." she asked. "Come on!"
The portal was now fully opened.
"No! Stop him! He leaves, he'll prevent this future from ever existing!" Thundra yelled. She ran after them.
"Actually that's not how it works...you see there's multiple branches-"
"Let's go!" Red Sonja grabbed his arm strongly. The two of them went in before anyone came in.
But Peter's head stuck out of the portal for a last comment. "Right, bye ladies! It's been a blast! Thanks. You all inspire me to eat more protein!" Then he went in.
Coming out of the portal with Mary-Jane, Peter saw the big blue sky filled with a few clouds. The sun was also a welcome. The portal above them closed in time.
"Finally nice blue skies!" he felt as if he were flying right now.
"We're falling!" Red Sonja screamed.
In fact, they were. The large city below made him realize the huge problem. The nature of gravity was now at work. They were going down faster and faster.
"Oh, right!" As they neared the ground, Peter shot out his webthread from his wrist, having held on to Mary-Jane as well.
They swung low and fast to where they passed by open traffic. They passed between two lines of cars, honking and yelling at them. The momentum made them go back upward and soon they were falling again. That was where he tried to shoot another webthread. Only for it to sputter. Nothing came out.
"Oh crap! I'm out!"
"Out of what?"
"Out of webbing!" Peter screamed.
"Oh no...!"
They were screaming when all of a sudden, a giant sheet of web had been formed a few feet below. Each end strand stuck between the two buildings. It was more than enough to serve as a cushion. Immediately, they landed on it safely and sound.
"What the-" Peter looked around.
Suddenly a woman landed on the edge of the web, Julia.
"About time. I was waiting...also, you gotta have a backup." Julia handed Peter a spare webcharger to which he took.
"You won't hear me argue that..."
"So I take it it's over then?" Julia asked MJ/Red Sonja.
"Yes..." she said quietly. "It's over."
"Alright, then. Let's get out of here before the fans arrive..." Julia muttered.
They then settled on a roof.
"Well, look at you! Finally back with the buff bod and abs, huh?" With her hands on her hips, Julia said looking at Peter up and down. "I'm impressed. Proud, rather."
"Thanks. Happy to be back to the old me. Really couldn't have done it without her." Peter looked from Julia to MJ/Red Sonja. "You OK?"
"Yes, thank you."
"No, thank you. For everything."
"It's time." Julia reminded her.
"Time for what?" Peter asked.
"Time for me to go. My task is done."
"What about Conan?"
MJ/Red Sonja gave a kind smile. "He's waiting for me. I realized me and him already lived before. I also understand that the ones we love are never truly gone. I've decided I will see him again in the afterlife. I'm sorry for almost subjecting you to something you didn't want. I'm sorry for everything."
"I forgive you."
She then took off her necklace with the red glowing gem and gave it to Peter.
"Destroy it."
Peter took it and examined it. He looked back at her who gave him a soft nod.
"Good-bye. I hope you get what you want."
"Good-bye and thank you." Peter said kindly. Then he threw the necklace to the floor of the roof, where it shattered completely.
The effect was almost like last time. Instead, MJ/Red Sonja closed her eyes and immediately a strange swirly, white energy glowed from her body and then withdrew from her peacefully. The floating, transparent wave gave the image of a woman and then flew into the sky and into the sun, disappearing. Mary-Jane then went limp and fell to the ground.
"I'll take MJ back to Callie."
"But-"
Julia got to him quickly. "Seeing each other again will cause confusion. You know that. You already have a relationship. You got to work things out with Felicia. You have to talk to her. You can only choose one. MJ or Felicia. You got to ask yourself who's been there for you the most? I brought you and Red Sonja together initially because there were some things you needed to work out as well and also, because she...deserved a second chance."
"You...by any chance don't know who I end up with, do you?"
"If I knew and told you, would you go and stay with that person? Just because it's in the future?" Julia shook her head 'no'. "No. It's all about love, Peter."
"How will you take her back to LA?"
"I have my resources." Julia smirked.
"Very vague there but-"
His spider-sense rang in his head.
"That's you." Julia noticed and nodded.
"Take care of her. I still care about MJ. I'll always care about MJ. And yes, I'll make a decision."
"Just make sure it's the right one!" Julia said.
Peter nodded and jumped off the building and raced after the disturbance. He landed on the grill of the car speeding out of control. Two henchmen were seen through the window.
"Hey! Remember me guys? It's your old friend!"
"Hey! It's the webhead!"
They stuck their guns out through the passenger and driver windows and began shooting. Having jumped, spun, gone side to side and over and under, Peter avoided the bullets effortlessly.
"You know, you should clean your windows!" he spat webbing to their windshield, blocking the hoodlum's views. Peter then jumped off the car entirely and away to a safe spot. The car then hit a fire hydrant from having lost control. Water erupted from the ground.
Peter landed in front of the hoodlums once they managed to get out.
"Oh hey, crooks not creeps, never thought I'd be happy seeing you guys again. You guys are almost like family."
"Shoot him!"
"Oh no..." Peter said dodging bullets and punches from the two thugs. He did impressive backflips and spins when he had jumped in the air. In a flash, he basically had them encased with webbing and had them sitting on the curb. "Just because we're like family, doesn't mean we act like family."
"Spider-Man!" a little boy pointed happily at him on the sidewalk with his mother.
Peter waved 'hi' to him. "Welp, glad to be me again. Being home on the one hand, is 'oh-so' great."
Ahead, far off in the corner of a building, a woman hidden, spied him. Thundra.
"Enjoy it while you can..."
