1. Scorpion
2020
It was a grey overcast that clouded New York in a depressing coloration. A downpour had made its presence only a short time ago. The ever-busy streets were less crowded than usual, but many new yorkers still braved the elements.
They dealt with worse, survived worse, and no matter how many super-powered being used the city as a battleground, you couldn't stop the city from working itself to the bone to maintain such a high cost. Perhaps, based on certain experiences, they were not the smartest, nor the most appreciative, but you had to respect their hustle.
Well, until they call you a menace for literally stopping a robbery. It was a fifty-fifty sort of thing, but that would be the same anywhere else, he was sure of that. For all that they would insult him, 'call him out', belittle him, there were many that waved at him in cheers, or offer thanks whenever possible. The people of New York stood by him when it counted most, well, some of the time.
Again, fifty-fifty, depends if there is someone bigger (and badder) to blame.
In a more derelict part of New York, the sounds of heavy metal crashing and tearing scared off anyone smart enough to read the signs. Only the superpowered or stupid stuck around. Warehouses long abandoned due to company shutdowns played center stage for a cast of two. The predator and its prey.
The Scorpion, and the Spider.
Peter Parker, the (Amazing) Spider-Man, was trying to engage in peace talks.
CRASH
It was not exactly working.
Peter Parker, The (Amazing) Spider-Man, was not having that good of a day. His damn door still wasn't fixed, He was late for work today(purse snatcher), and the day had gone further downhill with lunch with MJ. She told him she was leaving the United States for a european modeling gig. It came as a surprise, more so that it would be for several months.
She was also breaking up with him. Again.
He considered, like he did everytime they broke up, why he tried to have a normal relationship. Hell, it wasn't even normal, she knows he is Spider-Man. It's not like he was out cheating, or intentionally blowing her off! Every kid with a smartphone in the city proved him genuine. Of course saving a bus full of children didn't make it okay, because surely she would be happy if he just let them fall into the manhattan river.
He knew being with him wasn't always fair, but he didn't do it out of spite, he hated doing that to her! There were times he considered ignoring the occasional robber, just letting the police do their jobs. They had done it long before he was even born, and they would resume after he passed. Than he remembered uncle Ben on a gurney, unmoving. White sheet over him, death claiming him in her embrace.
Of course there was Felicia too...actually no there wasn't. She was clearly into the spider, but not the man, and she flew from the nest when things got hard. Waking up in the morning to find her gone, never a straight answer. When she made out with Daredevil, he flushed any leftover feelings down the drain. It was clear the attraction was (mostly) physical, and she was not into settling. He didn't hate her, he'll probably bail her out at some point, or visa versa.
Love her? Not a chance now.
Whatever considered itself God in his universe did seem to throw him a bone. Returning to work in a depressive state was quickly forgotten by the metallic green distraction that had arrived around the same time he did.
The Scorpion smashing through the Bugle's lobby was ironically a good thing today, only out of familiarity. By that he meant: Rescuing Jameson because his mouth runs wild. Of course making a hit piece on a villain you are pretty much responsible for, was bound to make said villain upset.
Peter didn't need to guess who Scorpion was trying to find. He was thankful that Jameson managed to hide himself as long as he had, as Peter changed into his suit in record time in the custodian closet. Following the trail of destruction, spider-man caught sight of several fellow employees huddling in fear, as Triple J was off to the side, laying into the Scorpion verbally.
It wasn't very effective, but Jameson seemed to be doing one good thing: Keeping the Scorpion's attention away from the others, while digging his own grave with his mouth. He web-zipped to Jameson's rescue, just as he was ranting (in fear) at the Ever looming Scorpion, tail quivering, a millisecond from striking.
He came just in time to splat Jameson's mouth with a gob of web, putting a stop to his rant, and kicking away the massive metal stinger just in time. Scorpion roared beastly as acidic spray spit from the left armored gauntlet. It was only few seconds, but enough for Scorpion to realize Jameson was getting away. The massive tail of the Scorpion flung a desk toward the man. It smashed into the wall, frightening, but barely missing Jameson as he ran out into the rain.
"You can thank me later, well, he probably won't." He was speaking to himself really, as Jameson probably thought both of them were here to kill him. He could see the tabloid.
Spider-Man and Scorpion, deadly duo attacks Bugle
Maybe in another universe, but not this one. Fortunately everyone managed to escape the area. Unfortunately, Scorpion switched targets. Spider-Man could hardly quip before the metallic green and black armored villain lunged at him. The predator obliterated the oakwood desk that was behind Spider-Man like it was old plywood.
"Come on Gargan, follow the itsy bitsy spider~" He sang to his fellow arachnid.
Spider-Man took off, the Scorpion trailing after him in the rain. The weather didn't stop all New Yorkers from their daily routine, but many were to busy to notice the red and green blurs leaping across rooftops. The ones that did resumed their day, once they were sure the fight wasn't going in their direction.
Manhattan is still too crowded with people, a fight is still too risky in the open. I might be able to dodge, but these people can't. Gotta get high up.
Spider-Man had to find somewhere secure. Where civilians were present was a no go. His only thoughts were warehouses in Harlem. They used to be home to some gang operations that Luke Cage cleaned out. It was some distance, but Gargan seemed motivated to kill something today. Scorpion hounded after him in the rain, the ground cracking with heavy thuds as the humanoid landed on the rooftops. Spider-Man kept the chase as high as he could, making sure Scorpion was still pursuing him.
He didn't need to try much, Scorpion was always good at catching up to him.
Spider-Man made it to the warehouses, closing the gap with assistance from Gargan's segmented tail smacking him through the window. Even as he was flying through the air his brain took photographic notes of all the leftover drumbarrels and crates left, and the homeless and drug addicts littered around. It was clear Luke Cage went through the effort of cleaning out the gangs, only so for the city to resume letting the warehouses rot. Might as well of let Luke demolish the place for free.
He landed next to a pair of junkies, who were just as surprised as him.
"Woah, are you seeing Spider-Man, man?"
"Yeeah man, but, that usually means-"
Everyone was quick to run of course, after the Scorpion landed, having leapt after him through the newly made hole. While drugged up, enough were aware of the health hazard in front of them. Those that didn't were dragged away. What luck, that Spider-Man didn't have to pull double duty. He just had to contend with...
"Hey, so I know your angry. Good thing is, there's a lot of free stuff to break right?"
A robotic growl emerged from the Cyborg, beginning the fight anew.
Five minutes later
Which leads us back to present time.
"You know Gargan-"
Swoosh
His head weaved graciously away from the gliding thrust of the stinger.
"-I really wish you would-" He does a backflip, landing on his hands before launching himself away from the incoming stab of death.
SMASH!!
The blade broke through the ground, sending debris flying.
"-stop trying to kill Triple Jay!" Of course it was a half lie. He was serious about protecting the man, even if he slanders him. It was pretty funny to see him panic at the sight of the Scorpion. But he needed this, a sense of familiarity. Something that didn't change, that didn't decide to just change their mind because, reasons.
He had experienced it too often. Curt Connors became his mentor and friend, only to turn into a mad humanoid lizard, unable to trust himself or anyone. Felicia worked with a villain or two when she felt Spider-Man slighted her, another reminder next time she came calling. Norman Osborn, his best friends father, became one of his worst enemies, taking someone he had loved dearly...
Harry, oh Harry. Norman's descent to madness took a toll on him, leading him to painkillers, a gateway that led him to further drug abuse. Than, finally, he took his fathers mantle. He hoped Harry would be able to recover at Ravencroft, but he didn't know. Harry wouldn't see him when he visited, wouldn't let him explain. He blamed Spider-Man, and hated that Peter was "protecting" him.
Gargan was...honest, never hiding an agenda or two. Their battles felt more "routine" than most.The attempts at killing Jameson, and therefore Spider-Man saving Jameson by fighting him, was something that never changed. Come to think about it, besides certain other "pals", Scorpion seemed quite consistent. Possibly one of the only consistencies besides overdue rent and arriving fashionably late.
He couldn't make it on time for work, but he always had time for Scorpion. What in the fuck-
"Hold still SPIDER!!" The Scorpion's helmet had some sort of digitized voice effect. It only made the grunts and roars sound more sinister. He strafed left to dodge an incoming drum barrel, before leaping to the ceiling avoiding another.
I mean, He couldn't get to a date with MJ on time for shit. She grew tired of it, and frankly, Peter did too. Make it in time for the date, or save the bus full of children. His choice was obvious, but he was tired of explaining.
Yet, on que, another drum barrel just flew passed his head. Gargan is dedicated today. The Scorpion lunged for him again, smashing through leftover crates, sending more debris flying outward. Spider-Man dodged the clawed fingers that sliced through the air, sending a haymaker into the orange visor. The Beast grunted as a spiderweb crack spread along the visor, feeling the whiplash from the hit, before responding with a violent tail whip. Spider-man leaped out of range, sticking to the wall.
The Scorpion crouched into a predator stance, taking a moment to seemingly catch his breath, or allow the rage to subside enough to focus again. The orange visor was burning holes into the Spider clinging to the wall, or at least trying to. God help him if the Scorpion got heat vision.
Who is upgrading your suit? Is it Tinkerer? Dammit it's probably Tinkerer.
"Everytime, every goddamn time! Why won't you let me kill him." Irritation was clear through Gargan's clenched teeth.
"Because despite what happened, killing him won't change it. It won't make it right."
"Raaah!" The Scorpion roared in defiance.
The massive green tail made a wide sweep, obliterating several support beams. The building was starting to shake from instability. Spider-Man had to end this before the building came down on them.
Moving forward, he baited the Scorpion into striking.
A vicious stab of scorpions tail to the ground forced Spider-Man to hop back. Gargan leaped and clawed at him, talons scraping across the heroes chest, leaving a shallow, bleeding gash. The left claw followed up with another slash. Spider-Man was ready, and maneuvered the armored green gauntlet passed him. Simultaneously, he leaped up with both feet in the air to land on Gargan's shoulder. He kicked off, staggering the Scorpion off balance to the floor. It didn't harm Gargan, but it didn't need to.
Already aiming after he launched himself, he shot two web bombs to the scorpions left arm and leg. The small orbs exploded, half of Gargan now stuck to the floor and a column. Scorpion reacted violently, jerking back and forth in an attempt to escape the web. It was in vain, as the webs would hold long enough for Spider-Man to end this.
"No! NO!! He has to pay, he has to PAY!"
The Scorpions struggle was weakening, the effort to rip out of the webbing lessened, until the cyborg was simply shaking. Spider-Man had been readying up for a finishing web strike and closing quip, but he paused. A sound was coming from the Scorpion, was Gargan... crying? There was no more effort to remove the webbing, only the sounds of digitized agony emitting from the cyborg.
"No, he did this to me...he has to...pay...has to."
Spider-Man was many things, but he knew when to stop, when the battle was won.
It was strange, Scorpion never gave up a fight until one of them was down for the count. Usually, besides battle quips, talk with the Scorpion was minimal. This was new, and so inspired Peter to do something new.
Empathy.
"I know, it is his fault, it absolutely is." Gargan's looked up at Spider-Man, teeth bared.
"Then let me have him." Gargan seethed. "He deserves to die."
"You can't kill him. You can keep coming after him like this, but it won't change what happened."
"Exactly! He can't take it back, he won't take it back, he needs to get what he deserves..." So single minded, so fixated that it didn't matter who was hurt in the process. When he first learned of what occured to make the Scorpion, he was furious, more at himself for not realizing till after the fact, but that didn't excuse everything.
"And hurting other people in the process. Yeah he's a dick, I know that firsthand, but you are hurting other people in the process. Acting like this, assaulting people like an animal-"
"FUCKING SHUT UP!" Gargan screeched,The desperation so obvious that it made him pause. He saw many emotions from the Scorpion: Anger, fury, sometimes a maniacal glee. This...this felt more personal. Gargan continued while the Spider remained silent.
"They told me I could be a hero, I Didn't ask for this...fucking tail...to be bonded to my spine. They can't remove it without killing me. You can take off your colorful little costume and pretend to be human, I can't."
This was possibly the longest time Gargan had spent talking with Spider-Man, without trying to kill him. He stayed quiet, and listened.
"Everywhere I go, anything I do, I'll be seen as the Scorpion, a freak of nature. The experiment gone wrong. You think I can have a life, that anyone would look at me like a Woman again?!"
That's...oh... that's right.
Years of fighting the Scorpion, he tended to forget that Gargan was a lady. Thick combat armor doesn't do anyone's figure justice. A giant humanoid scorpion going berserker made him prioritize other things, like weaknesses, civilians in danger, not getting skewered by that tail.
Spider-Man, despite what others might think, saw the humanity in his villains. Civilians and police alike tended to think of them as less. Spider-Man himself was included in 'less than human' category more often than not. Although the denizens of New York liked to forget(or remember) that when it was convenient.
Finally the Spider spoke.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "You don't deserve this, no one does. Killing Jameson won't solve anything, won't change it."
"It's all I have, I've lost everything else. My home, my identity, my humanity."
Spider-Man took a moment to let her words sink in. Knowing the reality of the Scorpion's life by simple association, he couldn't really argue, except for one small thing. He really couldn't explain what drove him to actually try this. He didn't bother before, when they fought, seeing only manic rage during each encounter. There was never a true opportunity to just..talk. Maybe, just maybe he can end this without bloodshed. Maybe he can actually help her, instead of resuming this vicious cycle.
He had to try.
"You think you've lost your humanity?" The rage and sadness was still there, but Gargan seemed to be listening to him.
"Look at me Spider, what do you see?"
"Shiny green and black combat armor. A cracked orange data visor." When did you make that upgrade? Seriously who funded that? "Under that, a person."
His answer made her cackle, a reprieve from the crying, that he oddly appreciated. Once it stopped being funny, she gave a shaky heave.
"Jesus Spider, where is the sudden sentimentality coming from?"
"Mac... I know a lot of people with mutations they are stuck with. A friend of mine, her skin turned blue, her eyes yellow, pointy ears, a tail. And you know what: She is beautiful. Another friend, also happens to be blue, fur all over him, they literally call him 'Beast', and he is one of the leading scientists in his field." Suddenly Gargan stilled.
"Can he fix this!?" Her voice contained hope buried in desperation.
"Maybe, maybe not, he's not the only one we could go to. It's worth it to try, but only if you stop this vicious cycle. Please."
This was quite possibly the most humane conversation he has ever had with the Scorpion. He was even using her first name! Her tail had stopped its violent shaking at some point, and she had her full attention on him.
"And you would help me? You would help a monster?" She asked, the most calm he had seen her.
He suddenly remembered something Aunt May told him, when he asked her why she forgave the man that shot Ben. What Peter told a guilt ridden Curt Connors after the Lizards rampage was ended.
"Monsters don't shed tears. I know you still have humanity inside of you Mac. Maybe you don't believe it, but I do."
"Jameson-"
"-Will get his due, I failed you, and I'm sorry for not realizing sooner. I protect everyone in New York. That includes you too, if you let me."
He saved Jameson many times, partially because power, responsibility, a source for quick cash. He also hoped that Jameson would change his tune one day. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe, Jonah needs to answer for his own menacing of the city, because Peter was tired of being everybody's convenient fall guy.
"You-you're not fucking with me Spider?" Years of being the outcast, Peter knew her doubts. He would prove her wrong.
"I told you, I believe in you Mac."
It was than that his mask shifted around the mouth, and Mac could tell that he was giving her a smile.
"I always have."
There was a moment there, between the two. The structure of the webs were breaking down fast. Gargan didn't realize her hand was 'free', only that She was raising it to reach out. Spider-Man, to his own suprise, was actually reaching out his in return.
"Duude that tail is freeaky."
Their heads snapped to the pair of druggies that, apparently, came back to watch, instead of staying the hell away.
"I know, what a monster." Very poor choice of words.
Gargan screamed, ripping out of the ever weakening webbing, her tail smashing into the column. Spider-Man shot two webs, sending the druggies flying, and away from the acid spray shot at them. Scorpion made to pursue, but her feet were still stuck by stubborn web fluid.
Gargan, however, indirectly destroyed whatever was holding that side of roof together. The ceiling caved in then, as metal struts and ceiling careened down on Gargan.
The Scorpion's armor wasn't so thickly armored that Spider-Man couldn't wrap his arms around Mac's waist. He launched himself into Mac like cannonball, tearing her out of the webbing, and sending them both out of harms way. He couldn't turn them entirely in time to take the brunt of the landing. Both of them tumbled in a hard roll, before stopping.
Groaning, Spider-Man used his arms to push himself up. "Mac, are you okay?..!"
He realized Gargan was under him. Spider-Man's arms were on either side of her. the left under her arm, the right by her head.
They stared at each other for a solid couple of seconds neither quite believing what had occured. Than Peter felt a pain in his side, before he could question it, his body felt loose and numb. His limbs were very tired suddenly.
Gargan had took the advantage of Spider-Man saving her, to stab him with her tail. The muscle relaxant worked immediately, leaving The (Spectacular) Spider-Man at her will. She had made it for Jameson, she wanted him aware, to be able to hear him scream as he couldn't stop her from exacting her vengeance. Now, it came in handy for an entirely different purpose.
She wrapped her tail around his waist as she darted out of the wearhouse.
"How would you like to make a REAL name for yourself?"
The array glowed brightly before releasing a beam upon Mac, as the spinal locks stabbed into her. Machines whirled as they readied the Scorpion battle armor. A sensation akin to pain spread as she felt her muscles increase in mass.
"Doc, what are you doing to me? I feel strange."
"Easy, its the radiation."
"I chose the scorpion, because its a natural predator of the spider." The doctor had bragged to Jameson. She was too overwhelmed by the strange sensations to register at the time.
"Spider-Man will at last meet his match." Jameson smirked.
Peter wasn't sure how far they moved, but eventually they seemed to enter one of many derelict buildings. it wasn't long till he was thrown unto a soft surface. Looking around, it wasn't a bed, not exactly, it felt more comparable to a nest. He was on a couple layers of sherpa blankets, most likely stolen. Gargan definitely made herself cozy here.
What grabbed his attention was the Scorpion herself, who straddled his waist. Her tail clicked as it swayed over her. She could stab him at any time, so why wasn't she?
"Did you mean what you said?" Spider-Man could only nod. "We will see about that."
Scorpion than reached for his mask, one claw under the neck slowly pulled the mask up. He felt panic as his mask was swiftly removed. The orange visor hid her eyes, but her mouth was exposed. Her Lips parted slowly as she took in his face, disbelief apparent.
"Parker?" She began to shake, as a mixture of crying and laughing overcame her. Peter felt droplets land on his cheek.
"Jesus christ. It was you. It was always you. hahaha, Jameson you fucking idiot. He's been making money off you this whole time. I love it." She leaned down to him. "It makes sense, how you get such good photos, how you were able to avoid me, when I was still..." She trailed off. "I guess its only fair."
She than reached for her helmet, pulling it off slowly. Peter had never seen Gargan, sans armor, after her transformation into the Scorpion.The anticipation could be considered horrifying. Yet the reveal was rather pleasant.
Her brown hair was short, almost buzz cut short. He could spot the effects of her procedure. Her eyes glowed teal in the dark room. He could see the same effect in the veins of her neckline, wait. She was still removing her armor.
Years spent with the suit gave Mac ease in removing it. Even if she couldn't be rid if the tail, she couldn't stand being in the armor twenty-four seven. After she finished removing her torso and arm pieces, she exposed her 'hideous' body to him.
Mac Gargan seemed boyish, But she was attractive. For someone who was supposed to be nearing her mid-forties, she could pass off being in her late twenties. Physically fit for sure, the armor had made her appear far bulkier than normal. She wore a tank top under her armor apparently. It did little to hide her Olympian figure. Radiation was unreasonably inconsistent on this earth.
Peter had little time, as Mac lowered herself down to him. He didn't dare look down, she might kill him for looking.
"Look at me Spider." Yes Ma'am. Peter looked Mac in the eye. He could see fear in them, fear of rejection. "I know you can move your head, nod for yes, shake for no. Now, Still think I'm human?"
A nod. Mac wasn't satisfied. She curled her lips back, her teeth revealing sharp teeth, further evidence of mutation. Her breathe was strangely like citrus, not unpleasant either. To be honest, however, he has seen and smelled worse. She probably had better teeth than logan.
"Still think I'm... beautiful?"
"Y-yes." She hadn't asked for verbal confirmation. Peter hadn't meant to voice it, but he couldn't stop himself. Her eyes had widened, his would have as well, if he had been able to.
It was either the worst, or best decision of Peter's life as Mac pressed her lips to his. It was soft, and gentle, today was a living paradox. She tasted like citrus too, was that an effect of her biology? Or did she like orange tooth paste? It was nice.
She pulled back, forcing him to look at her again.
"Do you want me to stop?" Peter moved his head left than right. He could barely finish before she continued with him, her kisses becoming needy desperate.
It had been some time for Gargan, nearly, god, ten years now? More than that actually, but life as a scorpion hybrid burned intimacy long ago. She didn't remember the last person she kissed. It had been so long, and the Spider, he felt so good. She wanted as much time as she could, before he gained control of his limbs. Before he decided to punch her out, and leave her to the police.
But he already was, instead of trying to push Mac away or biding his time to throw her off him, he put his arms around her, caressing her back. His fingers grazing her spine caught her attention. She wasn't a fool, but she knew the Spider wasn't either. Why wasn't he bucking her off?
Stopping herself for a moment, she looked at him directly. Her hands were planted on either side of his head. He was still weak, she could do whatever she wanted with him. She could torture him, kill him, she could-
"Pretty eyes." He said it weakly, but it hit with the force of a truck. His compliment genuinely scared her, made her move back slightly, hitting her rear against-
Oh. Oh.
If it was a while since she had kissed anyone, than it was even longer since she had gotten laid.
She put her fingers on his waist, where the suit was separated, pulling his costume up just a bit, exposing his abdominal muscles.
"Spider-I-Do you consent?" It was important that she knew, Her poison was a muscle relaxer, it did nothing to the mind, no delirium. That would have been counterproductive to Jameson's torture. She would stop right now, he just had make it clear. She was many things, but she was not that.
His strength returned with more vigor, reaching up to cup her face, he nodded. She pulled his suit off him before standing up. She removed the lower half of her armor, until everything but the tail was off before laying down on him once again. She grazed his face gently with her fingers, oddly affectionate. Peter made the bold moving of brushing his hand through her short hair.
She presses her lips to his again. Citrus tasted good.
This was probably the longest time the Scorpion's tail stayed wrapped around Peter's legs, albeit loosely. Mac herself was wrapped around Peter, her head fit into the crook of his neck perfectly, yet she didn't sleep.
Affection, the concept had become so... alien to her. She hadn't had sex since before her time in the service. After two tours in Afghanistan, she came home struggling to find work, let alone time to date.
She had friends...a couple lived on the west coast. Others... didn't make it home.
This time with Spider, she couldn't believe it. She didn't want to give it up either. Years, literal years of fighting him, and now? Spooning in a hideout, afterglow that wasn't just her skin mutation. Jesus.
It was fear, fear that she would wake up at the back of a Raft cargo truck. Or, woke up to Spider-Man simply gone, like it didn't happen. She didn't know which was worse. She didn't want to go back, but she couldn't undo her choices.
The Spider himself had woken a few minutes prior, staying quiet, contemplating very similar thoughts. One straying in particular.
What... what are we now? what is...this?
His fingers rested on the only metal left on her, the segmented armor resting on her spine. The metal was oddly reactive, shifting on contact. He asked the question without thinking.
"Does it hurt?"
"Which part?" She responded.
"Your tail, when its damaged, or...does it hurt you?"
"The tail itself has sensors, emulating pain so I'll know when it's damaged, it's usually too tough to be damaged like that. The spine is where it would hurt."
How did I ever let Jameson walk from this?! This shouldn't have been done to anyone. I've thrown the Tinkerer in jail for less...
Mac resumed explaining as Peter internally beat the shit out of himself.
"Whatever they did, it stabbed into my bone, the radiation bonded it..." Permanently, she wanted to say, but she didn't have to.
"I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted, but for what?"
"Jameson hired you to tail me, to find out how I got my pictures of Spider-Man. That led you to...this."
"I chose this, but under false pretenses. Jameson nor that stupid scientist gave me the whole picture, that's not on you... I'd still be trying to kill you otherwise."
They laid in quiet for a bit longer, the downpour had softened to a light rain.
He didn't want to interrupt the moment, but he had to.
"Hey Mac."
"Quiet, I don't wanna go to jail yet. I don't want this to end."
Neither do I.
"It doesn't have to."
"I am the bad guy Spider, you want a fuck buddy in a jail cell?" The question was direct, honest, if he could say anything about the Scorpion, she made her feelings clear. That would make this easier, and if it didn't work, it would be faster.
"Do you want more than that?"
"Do you?"
"Yes." There was no hesitation from him, and it shocked her. She persisted.
"I am much older than you Spider, I am nearing my mid forties."
"You look pretty good, Hell I'd say you look thirty."
She blushed at the compliment, before glaring at him. He resumed his verbal assault.
"Look, we cant go back to what we were. I can't, frankly I don't want to. I am not saying everything will suddenly be fixed overnight, but-" She got up from her very comfortable position to look down at him, like a predator that had it's meal. Although the hunger was a specific kind, and her grasp on his was lazy
"And if I can't get rid of this tail? you want this." She gestured to it, raising it toward him in a half threatening matter. His Spider-sense didn't go off. He moved passed it with perfect calm, coming nose to nose with Mac.
"Than I will stop caring, if I stay, I'm going to stay for you."
She looked away from him. It could have been one minute, or ten, but it felt so much longer before he spoke.
"I am tired of fighting Mac, I am tired of fighting a victim."
"Mackenzie."
"What?"
"My name is Mackenzie."
Peter moved passed the tail to embrace her from behind. She inhaled deeply as his arms wrapped around her waist. He pressed his lips to her neck.
"Its a pleasure to meet you Mackenzie. I look forward to getting to know you better."
She exhaled heavily.
"I-if we don't work-"
"Than I still won't give up on you, you deserve justice like anyone else."
She gripped his arms tightly, before spinning to embrace him back.
"Spider-no, Peter. I can't spend the rest of my life in a cell, but there is so much... I can help you out there. I want to be out there with you."
Please don't reject me. I can't handle it at this point, please Spider.
"I have a friend, That I think could help."
One week later
It was a bustling day at the Bugle, once they finally cleaned up again. The Bugle employees were happy that Damage Control took their jobs seriously, and Damage Control was happy to take Jameson's money(There were small clauses against purposely agitating a super powered being).
But today, they were back on track. Another super-powered Spider fight, Another hit for the prints-well, digital prints but whatever!
"Scorpion 'peacefully' turned herself into police. It only took one week after she wrecked the building. It's too convenient, I knew it! She and Spider-Man are working together!"
He had him this time, he knew it. Like he always did. Today, like every other day, Jameson felt like a winner.
Right before someone passes them at the finish line.
"Um, sir?" His assistant, just had to crash the mood. Thankfully he had Jameson's coffee.
"What?" Grabbing the Coffee he took a drink.
"The news sir."
Triple J's attention went to the flat screen, in the upper corner of the office he had begrudgingly payed for.
"We are now getting confirmation that yes, Mackenzie Gargan, 'The Scorpion', is now part of the Avengers as a reformation initiative for former villains."
Jameson spit out his coffee, his assistant narrowly dodging. What in the seven hells! The Scorpion? A Goddamn Avenger!? To his shock, the ultimate symbol of patriotism, Captain America, spoke directly in favor of this nonsense.
"Let us be perfectly clear, Miss Gargan needs help. She will be working towards righting her wrongs. Like all villains that are willing to undergo reformation, she will be supervised by a Official Avenger."
That made Jameson feel more at ease. At the least they were going to monitor the monster. God forbid it smashed through here, again, with the superhero equivalent of a police badge.
"Get my producer, get Jared."
The next sentence spoke rose his blood pressure exponentially-
"Spider-Man has taken this responsibility personally."
-as he crushed his foam cup, anger and disbelief overriding his pain sensors. Hot liquid scalded his hand as it stained the carpeted floor.
"I-I don't believe it-"
"You won't believe this either." A well dressed man in shades interjected. A walking cane was held in his hand, but the man moved so confidently, as though it was an accessory. Jameson was about to verbally rip the head off of this newcomer, before he realized who he was.
"Wait a minute, you are-"
"Matt Murdock, Attorney."
"You took down the kingpin in court!" It was hard not to know the man's face, red tinted shades only made him more of a public icon. His victory against the Crime Lord of New York gave its Citizens the stones to finally push back against it's corruption. A long time coming, considering how many parasites infected the hub of the superhero community. His status as a blind man only made him more of a hero, better than vigilantes beating up people at night! Or killers like the Punisher..
"Well, while you are here, do you have a comment on this nonsense? Or can we interview you for a headliner?" You had to respect Jameson's hustle, even if it's in vain. The blind man smiled, but it felt like the kind of smile you get from the Devil.
"I can't stay, I only came by to inform you-" As he spoke, he placed an envelope on Jameson's desk. "- that you have been served."
"What?! On what charges!?"
"The direct funding and unethical creation of a super powered being. Miss Gargan was mentally and physically scarred by the experience, much of her actions stemming from unresolved trauma as a result of the procedure. We will see you in court."
The man left as swiftly as he entered. Quite a feet considering he was blind. But Jameson didn't fixate on that. He was still trying to come to terms that he was being sued.
"Where's Jared? Someone call my wife. no, get Jared to call my wife."
"I can't do this Spider."
"Yes you can."
Mackenzie 'Mac' Gargan was right outside the courtroom. Her armor was gone, leaving her in a formal suit. A dress skirt kept her tail from awkwardly popping out of her behind.. Usually she would be kept in a Raft jumpsuit with multiple locking mechanisms to restrict her. However, with a new support system in the avengers, and a star witness named Spider-Man, she was getting humane treatment, and in turn embracing her humanity again.
"They will take his side, why wouldn't they?"
She was panicking, the urge to snap and fighter her way out growing. Whether to hunt down Jameson, or just flee the building all together, she wasn't certain. She was thankful that Peter-no, Spider-Man, who oddly wore a normal suit over his costume, kept her grounded.
"Mac, you got Matt Murdock. The guy won New Yorks heart when he took down the Kingpin, legally. Besides, just remember, this isn't about your crimes, the Avengers Reform Initiative is already addressing that. This is about who is responsible for your condition, and why."
Peter kept Matt in the loop about his...new relationship with the former villain. His friend showed support, but suggested that they keep it quiet until after the case is done, and no one can claim bias on Spider-man's part. To Matt, this was two birds with one stone. One less villain to harm the denizens of New York, and he gets to shut the mouth of his friend's nonsensical former boss.
Yes, Murdock read the Bugle, he was blind, but not deaf. He had Karen read them to him every now and then. It helped keep him in the know about his friend. Sometimes it was amusing, sometimes it made him lose faith in journalism.
Peter was thankful that Matt was supportive, but then again, Matt would have been one to talk, considering his own lady troubles. The assassin? the one with the identity crisis? former prostitute? Take your pick. No, he didn't know if he slept with Felicia, he didn't want to know, didn't care to know. If things go right, he has his own lady to worry about, and he doesn't have to worry about people hurting her...physically.
He did have to worry about her having a breakdown, but hey, that's why he was here, dressed in a suit over his suit. She just has to look at him, he'll give her a thumbs up, possibly give Jameson an aneurism. The (soon to be former) boss of the Bugle might just give them a case on a silver platter. He told her so.
"I know Jameson, play up your sympathy, let Jameson's words bury him."
Spider-Man sure looked convincing in that suit, but it didn't stop her hand from shaking. Than he brought his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.
"If you fall, I'll be here to catch you." He really did have her back, didn't he? She rested her head on his shoulder taking a deep breath.
"Promise?" She asked, swearing she could see that stupid Parker smile under his mask.
"Promise."
She hoped she could smile with him
Hey there, good to meet you. If you made it here, thank you for reading the first Chapter of Pretty Sinister. By now I am sure you know where I am going with this, but allow me to make some things clear as this goes on.
1. Each chapter is a different but similar Spider-man(different/parallel earth etc), unless stated otherwise.
2. Villains have to be, or have been, part of the sinister six. After I go through the key members we will see where this goes.
3. No Black Cat chapters. I like her enough, but she plays more like an anti-hero. This is about villains.Please leave a review, tell me what you liked and disliked. Next chapter will be coming either next week, or two weeks. Two weeks max, and unless I lose my files, that is a promise.Till then, my friends.