Sis and I continued to clean up the kitchen where we could. It was indeed pretty lawless; as all the yelling we heard made that abundantly clear. Stuff was burning too. We still needed to rescue peeps in these fires too and did so.
We both swung into some slums that were burning made web nets and tossed people out. They yelled out in fear; really thinking we'd drop them to the ground. They were of course pleasantly surprised to learn that they would not hit the ground. Come on guys we're better than that!
Sis was swiftly learning what web spinning required. Much of the variant web generation that we could do was purely in the form of mental constructs; as was true with many other super powered variants. Spider abilities worked little different.
In any event we were saving lives while the crappy buildings burned. They needed redone anyway; although certainly not like this. And with electricity being gone, well, it was gonna take a while for things to be redone. And where else could they go? They were in a bind to begin with. Even worse off now.
There were some things superheroes couldn't fix... as Pete I could to a greater point. Like Tony and similar I too was "cursed with knowledge" (as said by Thanos) but without the tech to make it readily happen that would be a problem too.
Things were not gonna change for the better. Not anytime soon. I know how that sounds but that's the truth. I hadn't lost my humanistic streak. I was just being a realist. I was always a cautious optimist deep down. But right now I had to be more guarded about that stuff. That was just life. There would be a time to make things better. Now wasn't it.
People gathered on the street as they saw us save lives. They cheered. Both at our having saved them combined with knowing that super heroes were still there to help; That we could help lessen crime and make the world better. In little ways. One day at a time.
We got a dozen people out between the two of us. The fire brigade, the old school fire department, arrived to do what they could.
The building went up not long later. We think we got everyone out. Couldn't be sure though.
"Thank you Spider-Man, spider woman!" They called out at us. Although sis was new they got who she was. I'd sure hope so (ahem; form fitting costumes and such)!
We hero waved then swung away. On a nearby rooftop we sat on the edge and pulled our masks off. She seemed very satisfied. She'd knocked heads together and rescued innocents. The two jobs that repeated themselves for the superhero community.
"I now see why you love doing this." I nodded; playing with my mask. "It is rewarding." "Much more so than being a spy." I could agree with that. Being a superhero was similar to being a celebrity. We were more famous than celebrities though. They got more money but we got the reps and such. Money would be nice too though... although that could come with it.
We then heard gunfire. Auto fire. Followed by screams. We shared a look donned our matching masks and leaped/swung away to where the trouble was.
It didn't take us long to get there; and to see what was going on. "Oh boy. He's out." "Punisher?" "Yep. That's Frankie all right."
We were both spider crouched atop a roof; ready to pounce at a moment's notice. I thought sis would go first but she didn't. Instead, she stood and just watched as indeed mister p nailed baddies left and right. No doubt he was happy.
"Not gonna do anything?" She asked me; a little surprised. I too was a little surprised at her not intervening. But we were still getting to know each other as family.
Instead of answering her question though I just kept looking on at what punisher was doing. He was doing what we were: cleaning up the kitchen on a post electric world. Frank was old school anyway. And knowing fury he probably let him out just for this reason.
I then slowly stood to match my younger Parker sibling. "I put castle away last time... I..." "you think he's needed now?" I looked back at p as he took out a group of bangers with a rifle grenade. As they blew to pieces Teresa chuckled a little. "Serves them right." I looked at her. "You're a p girl?" "Hell yeah. Always was. I know you and other heroes though..." "no sis. I'm good for it now." "Really?" "Yeah."
We let p have his fun before swinging in. "Hey p!" He spun on us with auto rifle ready but held his fire. "Stay out of my way web heads." Nice; got the plural down good. "Frank—" "I said stay away!" His rifle stayed up but my sense didn't go off. Still, sis and I both instinctively tensed if needed to move spider like and all.
I also held up my hands in a non threatening manner to prove my intent. Teresa slowly matched me. "I'm sorry about putting you away castle." "Yeah. You costumed freaks only make things worse. Especially now." "I know. It was my bad. All the way." Pause "did fury let you out?" "Yeah. Said I was needed. Kind of an understatement." Agreed; and he'd never do an alliance. I wouldn't bother trying.
Instead I just said "good hunting p. We'll stay out of your way."
P watched us for a moment longer with rifle never leaving us before then running down an alley to hunt more scum no doubt.
"That was brief" sis said. Yeah it was; but we'd see him again. The kitchen was a hot mess and there was still plenty of violence that had to be done and stopped in order to restore something of what was lost. But I wasn't operating under any illusions. Nothing would ever be the same again. Short of a miracle or similar anyway. And that wasn't my department of expertise.
We swung on.