Chapter 5: Knight on the town Part 2
The Harlem night air was filled with so much energy it was electrifying. People walked the streets in droves, joking, laughing and just looking for a good time. Anticipation was building from the simple chatter steering along the worn and crowded sidewalk. The various women wore short and colorful dresses. Some outfits sparkled in any kind of light while others revealed more of their body to anyone who would look as they stood in high heels.
The men wore polished black shoes. Business-like in their appearance but flexible for a good time. They also wore collared shirts, some with blazers and some without. There were the sounds of high fives smacking, chuckles in the wind and even the groans of inpatients. All of these people stand on a line that stretched the length of the New York block. Half of the people will remain on line that night.
Peter Parker walked down the crowded sidewalk next to Marc Spector. Peter's hair was trimmed and groomed compared to its unkempt condition one hour ago. His face was clean shaven; no longer did he look like a mountain man treading the wild but a sharp young man who meant business. He wore fitted blue polo shirt with short sleeves which only covered half his biceps. His jeans were clean and void of wrinkles walking in his black sneakers.
Next to him was Marc Spector who also wore a short sleeve shirt but his was a white T-shirt. His pants were navy blue and were also void of creases and white shoes.
The two strode down the street, passing the people on the line as if they didn't exist. Heads turned toward them as they walked on and mumbles began. Their shades made them look like movie stars with a certain charismatic swagger as they approached two women waiting in line. They looked at the Marc grinning and brooding Peter Parker trying not to make eye contact.
By the way the two women looked at each other you could tell what they were thinking. A look that undoubtedly said "who do these guys think they are. Marc stepped forward, never breaking eye contact and said "how you two ladies like to get in without the wait".
It went without saying that they were attractive but there was a certain quality, a certain naivety that wouldn't question their motives and with luck the ladies wouldn't know who Peter Parker was.
They looked at each other wide eyed and full of relief and responded in kind, one putting their arms around Marc and the other around Peter's shoulders much to his dismay. The four proceeded to the front door hand in hand which was guarded by a towering bouncer. He wore shades tied his hair back into a ponytail and had a hefty body wrapped in a black suit. He pushed Marc back with the unnatural ease of one hand. The women looked discouraged
"You're not getting in unless you're on the list"
"Of course we're on the list. Jake Lockely, party of four" said Marc with the swagger of a movie star.
"Oh yeah? And what list would that be?"
"VIP" responded mark as he pulled out a wad of cash
The giant looked at the cash and snatched it with a swift motion. Leaning his head, the bouncer gave the approval to proceed beyond the doors and into the club. The girl's reactions became gitty and excited as they fixed their hair as they stepped beyond the threshold of the steel doors into a club filled with dim orange lighting the color of a burning flame, heavy music and bodies jumping around to the sound of the beat.
Marc spread his arms out in a grand fashion as like a parent says to his children simply saying go have fun. Unable to control themselves, the two girls proceeded till they blended into the sea of people. Peter and Marc walked to the upper floor and sat at a small table watching the dance floor from high above.
"Marc, when you said we'd be cleaning up Harlem, I was under the impression that it would be more literal." Said Peter just over the boom of the music.
"All in good time Peter. Did you see the door man? Even he's using the stuff. My contact says this club is just a front. The suppler is apparently a frequent dancer, we follow him and he'll take us to MGH. In the meantime, you should enjoy yourself a little. By the way don't call me Marc, Names Jake."
"I haven't "enjoyed" myself for a while now, Jake."
"I suggest you try. We're in a hornets nest; can't draw attention to ourselves by brooding. Sit here for a bit then mingle, I'll send a little incentive just remember not to draw too much attention to yourself."
Marc walked away from the table and down the flight of stairs into the crowd of people and out of Peter's sight. Alone once more, Peter tried not to look at the people having fun, dancing and drinking. He ran his own hand through his hair and looked at it then wiped off some of the gel onto a napkin and threw it away. Sitting there for a few minutes, Peter caught the eyes of a brunet haired woman approached him from the staircase Marc went down.
She wore a black laced outfit which revealed a bit of her chest. Her hair went straight down to her lower back her nails were painted black as well. In her heels she was something close to six feet as she strode to Peter's seat with a slight curve in the corner of her mouth which formed a smile on her face. Men from other tables gawked with fully open eyes at her form, causing much distaste by the women with them but Peter looked away. Something about this woman reminded him of the living vampire, Morbius.
She reached Peter's seat and looking him dead in the eyes.
"Your friend sent me. He said you were shy, I like shy guys. Want to dance?"
"Not really but ok."
Peter followed the brunette to the hustling dance floor. She moved something like a snake the way she moved her arms. The music slowed down a bit, meaning people were paying more attention to this woman's exotic moves. Peter had his own awkward move set drawing even more eyes in their direction. From the corner of his eye he could have sworn he saw Marc shaking his head in the distance. People began to fan out leaving a reasonable space between Peter and the crowd. So much for "not drawing attention" he thought. He hadn't felt this out of place since high school. Made fun of and embarrassed on a daily basis by Flash Thompson.
Peter knew what he needed; he needed the music to change. It was like being stuck in a time loop with no way out. When the DJ finally changed the music to a fast pace tempo. The crowd of people melded together again with reasonable space in-between them and the pair. Peter blended into the crowd and out of sight from the woman as she closed her eyes and jerked her body.
Such was her disappointment when the tall amazon realized dance partner vanished. And she would have looked around if she hadn't received two more invitations to dance. She would continue to dance well into the night.
Peter found his way back to the bar and sat in the stool. The counter was covered in recently spilled drinks and a little shattered glass. The bartender wiped the quickly wiped the counter a large cloth. His eyes didn't meet Peter's since he covered his face with his hand.
The bartender turned quickly toward Pater asking "what'll ya have?"
"Club soda" Peter responded.
The bartender slid Peters drink across the bar into his open hand. Calmly he sat in the middle of an energetic environment. The people at the bar especially roared, moving to the music even with the tight spaces between them. He sipped his soda to his heart's content slowly and relieving.
Marc pushed his way through the crowds of people and flickering lights. People who seemed to jump in his way on purpose but he pushed all the same till he reached the crowded bar, and standing next to Peter.
"Sorry about that, Pete. I had no idea that would happen but good news is I don't think we'll have to wait much more"
Just then the music had died down the people on the dance floor spread out leaving a man and a woman standing on an elevating stage. The both of them exhibited magnanimous expressions. Marc looked to the dance floor and bumped Peter on the elbow, nudging him in the same direction. The on stage man was average height, Caucasian and red hair that blazed in the light. A burgundy dress shirt fit his chest, black pants and shiny dance shoes with golden buckles.
On his arm the lady herself was a brunet with flowing hair and a bit of a tan wearing a black dress. Glamorous was she with her gentle yet sly smile aimed at the crowd with her companion raising his hand to address the crowd.
"Welcome my friends and fellow dancers" Said the man with an Irish accent. "I am Shamus. To some of you know me as the owner of the hottest club right here in Harlem; others know me as a champion dancer of all sorts by nature and as such I encourage competition. Twenty challengers and still no one has come close to my grace and yet, I love your tenacity. Harlem has truly shown me its ways in the spirit of dance and so I must ask will tonight be the night that I, the sage of the step will be defeated?"
There was silence in the crowd. Many people found themselves looking elsewhere. Marc sucked his teeth and tapped Peter to look in a far off direction. A group of men in leather jackets walked through a doorway in single file formation. He looked back at Peter and said "remember, just like we planned see what you can learn and if you can avoid it, don't fight them fight them head on."
"I challenge you" Barked Marc Spector
"Of course. But what dance did you have in mind?"
"Salsa" responded Marc.
"Hmm, a bold move but it seems you have no partner."
Marc walked down to the stage and raised his hand, signing a reaction from the crowd. A beautiful tanned woman stepped into the spotlight of the stage with long curly raven colored hair. He looked back at the opposing time and gave an assuring smirk as he embraced his new partner and said smoothly "you were saying?"
The surrounding crowd rallied, cheering on the competition between the champion and newcomer as Peter worked his way through to the other side of the room as the lights dimmed and heavy tempo music pulsated from the surrounding speakers leaving an opening for Peter to slip away.
Peter found himself following the group of shady men through an unguarded steel door and down a flight of stairs. The few light bulbs that were lit flittered and dimmed, trying to regain their brightness only to loss it again. Slowly he treaded down the steps until he heard chatter echoing from further below. With each step the sound of humming grew louder until Peter had reached the bottom and used the corner of the wall as cover. As he peeked around the corner he could see various men and women exhibiting powers.
In a large, open they sparred with one another, jesting about the manners in which they could draw blood from their opponent. One of these matches featured a slightly older man with long white hair and a beard who wished to gauge his own abilities against a younger man who couldn't seem to stand still.
"C'mon old man, I'm catching A.D.D over here." Said the young man with a snarky attitude.
The older man took his stance, standing opposite to his opponent with his eyes closed until he shouted. "As I have told you before. You will call me by my proper name, ZEUS!"
Lightning bolts shot from Zeus's palms aimed at the young man but were easily evaded, as the young man was dodged with a graceful speed beyond the normal eye. The speedster effortlessly avoided each bolt and proceeded to strike Zeus but was instantly shocked as he made contact in that millisecond. The crowd watched as Zeus stood tall over the speedster and grabbed his forearm, proceeding to shock him. The electricity blared causing many to cover their eyes.
When the lights stopped Peter looked to find the speedsters hair standing on end from the shock, his skin even smoked somewhat as he was still twitching.
"I AM ZEUS, RULER OF MOUNT OLYMPIS AND AS SUCH I REQUIRE A MESSENGER. YOU WILL BE REFERED TO AS HERMES, MESSENGER OF THE GODS. STAND ON YOUR FEET HERMES, DO NOT KEEP ME WAITING1!" Bellowed the would-be god to the speedster but the speedster did not get up, he simply laid on the ground longer.
Zeus growl at his proclaimed messenger and proceeded to punch him repeatedly in efforts to wake him but he didn't move at all. Zeus kept punched ferociously without letting up as the surrounded onlookers stayed at a distance. Whether it was the shock that kept him stunned or the punches to the head that caused him to die.
The crowd surrounding them had dispersed, leaving an enraged old man and a broken body seen only as weak in their eyes. Peter had not known such aggression, such hatred which could result in meaningless slaughter. Surely Marc Spector, the Moon Knight had not exaggerated in the least and there was work to be done.
Zeus howled, his bellow echoing through the underground facility for his next victim. The electricity surging from Zeus's body made him seem like an even more renegade Electro. But if these enforcers were crude enough to kill off each other maybe their plans couldn't go that far.
Peter continued to hug the corner when a hooded man stepped out from the crowd wearing shiny black gloves and sucker punched Zeus, Knocking him out.
"What do you want us to do with him boss?" said a henchman with a leather jacket
"Clearly this man "Zeus" is a failed product of our work. It must be corrected, dispose of him. Take his sidekick too, he's taking up floor space."
Two men came and carried Zeus away to his death as another two dragged the dead Hermes behind him.
"How is the production of new shipment looking?" said the hooded man
"We're right on schedule" Responded a short man with a clipboard. "The orders are still coming in. If we keep this up, influence will spread across the entire eastern sea board before the week is out."
"Good. We'll take this batch of warriors and turn them into elite enforcers. Let that dancing buffoon upstairs have his fun. The revenue from the MGH on the street will be enough to fund war on any scale."
Peter could feel his nerves on edge when a henchman swiftly attacked, knocking Peter into the open and exposing him to the hooded man and his crowd of soldiers. The hooded man folded his hands behind his back as if expecting him to show. He was unshaken and seemed cold as the hood hide his true face from view
"Mister Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man" said the hooded man with slight interest. "You didn't think we would allow a celebrity like yourself admission without keeping tabs did you? Then again, I'm sure Moon Knight didn't know too much himself."
A henchman appeared next to Peter, forcing his hands behind him and forcing him to knee before the hooded figure.
"What do you want to do, sir?" asked another henchmen.
"Run up stairs and bring me the Moon Knight, Marc Spector. Rumor has it he had powers once upon a time. Could be worth some quality MGH."
One henchman made his way up the steps past Peter and returned shortly with Marc at his mercy and Shamus walking behind them both. Marc was forced onto his knees next to Peter and they exchanged looks for a moment as Shamus approached the hooded man. Shamuses face was dripping sweat still from the heated salsa dance. Two women in lab coats came out to take the DNA samples from Marc and Peter but stopped short.
"You don't really expect us to let you just take samples do you?" Said Peter, daring the hooded man.
"Of course not Mister Parker, in the wake of the Civil War I'd like to think that the world needs a new class of Villain. One who doesn't waste time with heroes such as yourselves. So I'll be killing you both now and then take samples, can't have you coming back to derail my plans."
The crowd began to draw closer with glowing bodies with various aura's and cracking their knuckles.
Peter jumped off of his knees onto his hands, giving a mull kick to the man behind him. His spider-sense buzzed like a hive of bees as he made his stand against the crowd. Shooting web-lines from his wrists and swinging henchmen around in a circle, knocking them into even more and opening a gap between them and the crowd.
"Spread out now! Stay apart from each other" demanded the Hooded man.
Marc stood to his feet throwing punches and kicks. He looked for weaknesses in their stances to throw them off balance. Peter joined in and the two fought back to back. Fireballs and electricity flew through the air. Both of them dodged the attacks and hitting the henchmen on the other side of the room and knocking them out.
Marc seemed to be enjoying himself, even as the only man in the basement without powers he enjoyed the odds. Then again there was always a reputation of madness that followed the Moon Knight.
The hooded man was becoming infuriated, shaking his fists until black smoke protruded from his sleeves and hood.
"Idiots!" he shouted "Then again what do you expect from a fresh batch. Shamus, handle Spector. Mister Peter is mine and the rest of you don't move until instructed to do so!"
Still back to back, Peter and Marc stood in the center of the crowd with the hooded man and Shamus approaching them side by side. The black smoke still fuming from the man's clothes until it engulfed him and he disappeared. The Hooded man reappeared in between Marc and Peter, breaking them up and proceeded to face Peter.
"I Assume Mister Spector won't be a Problem Shamus" he said
"No Problem. I'll dance circles around him."
"Be careful pal, you know what happens when you assume" Marc retorted to Shamus.
"Indeed. Shamus finish him quickly" commanded the foggy hooded man.
Shamus stretched out his arms, legs and back without breaking eye contact with Marc and a smirk formed across his face. The two faced each other. Both waited for an opening to make the first move but Marc moved in close. Hoping for his punch would connect but he was instead struck by a low kick from Shamus, knocking Marc off balance and onto the floor.
Marc attempted a sweep kick but Shamus hoped over it with his grin now growing on his face as Marc got back on his feet. Now it was Shamus's turn to strike. He threw two straight punches which Marc had avoided only to be hit by a right hook to the jaw. Shamus didn't stop there, his assault of punches and kicks easily overwhelmed Marc. Whatever move Marc had, it was as if Shamus knew and countered. Dancing around his opponent, boasting with his fancy footwork against the former mercenary.
Shamus had drawn first blood from the enemy. Watching a small trail flowing from the corner of Marc's mouth. He wiped the blood from his face and he knew coming here was a mistake. He and Peter were trapped in a hornets nest without reinforcements and if the hooded man was any better, Pete might have his work cut out for him. But at least Marc would go down fighting.
"C'mon boss man, lets switch" Said Shamus with a drained sound in his voice. "Mine isn't even all that strong, I could dance around him all night."
"Might I remind you that it is not one hero we're facing but two. End him now or I will kill you later" Retorted the masked man.
At that moment, a black liquid leaped out of Peter's shadow and enveloping Marc Spector's form until he was a silhouette of his former self. The hooded man was stunned by what he had just seen. It wasn't by his face Peter could tell but the tone of his voice.
"S-Shamus you idiot!" said the Hooded man with such displeasure.
The silhouette Marc Spector stayed in a crouched position like a stone statue.
"It's cool. I'm still two Steps ahead."
Without a second thought, Shamus threw a windmill kick to the head of the harden Marc Spector but the head section did not break off. Instead Shamus had injured his leg as the head section formed spikes. He even covered his mouth to hide the sounds of severe pain.
The Stone silhouette began to vibrate rapidly. With Shamus still quaking from the pain, Marc stood tall at six feet and his black body formed a white moon that covered his chest. His face remained black as his eyes became slits of white. Where the cape was supposed to be was split into three mouths like hydra heads.
"You idiot" yelled the hooded man furiously.
Peter gave a slight smirk at his ace in the hole, the symbiote Moon Knight but the Hooded man caught on to this quickly and began calling upon specific spectators in the crowd. Pointing them out to exhibit their powers.
Screeching noises reared with the symbiote Moon knight in the dead center screaming in pain. The symbiotic body pulsated from every sound wave and struggled to remain together. The hydra heads snapped in any direction trying to do some kind of damage.
Peter leapt into the air and fired web balls at the mouths of the screeching henchmen, blocking their sounds. But dark portals had appeared from out of thin air and swallowed a web-ball before vanishing.
"Interesting mister Parker" said the hooded man with a curious tone before vanishing and reappearing in front of Peter in midair. "Rather than destroy your most threatening nemesis, you kept it as an ace in your pocket. Quick question, do you think the symbiote would be weakened by Marc's Psychosis or strengthened by it?"
Even with his spider-sense the attacks were too many and too unpredictable. Surely there was a pattern but at this rate Peter would be knocked out long before he could figure it out. Soon as Peter was ready for the counter attack, the hooded man vanished from sight again.
The symbiote Moon Knight, enraged from the sound waves clawed the injured Shamus's leg and flung him into the crowd. The henchmen toppled over like dominos and lulling the depth of screeching noises. The three mouth's on the crazed Moon Knights back had begun to spread out, latching onto any henchmen they could and proceeded to whip them around knocking everyone else onto the floor.
At this point the noises had died down enough for the symbiote to continue its rampage. From slashing skin to breaking bones it seemed unstoppable. Crushing windpipes of anyone who might make the faintest sound.
"Noises. We hate loud noises."
Some henchmen reached into their pockets and pulled out green pills in their pockets and swallowed them without hesitation.
Their eyes glowed green, filled to the brim with malice and murder. They threw punches with enough force to challenge Luke Cage. Still the symbiotic Moon Knight fought back with the three mouth's on its cape biting and snapping but it was clear who had the upper hand. Their punches outweighed any sharp texture the alien could form.
With a quick web-line to a nearby fire extinguisher flung it at the crowd while screaming "Heads up".
One man reacted solely on instinct with an open palm and an intense green glow aimed at it. the hooded man placed his hands together saying "I think not" but by then Peter was in striking distance of him. The hooded man was caught by a wild haymaker thrown from Peter's clenched fist. A dark void attempted to engulf the extinguisher but was off by a few centimeters. As the blast collided, the extinguisher burst, forcing henchmen off their feet and sprawled on the ground.
"We have to go now!" Peter shouted to the Symbiotic Moon Knight.
The two ran down a hallway lit with dim and flickering bulbs. The sounds of their feet hammering the cement was soon drowned out by the sounds of trains. A train was seen zooming on the other end of the hall and Peter sprinted ahead of the Moon Knight to catch it as it ran by. He missed the train by at least a yard but used a web-line to ride along with it.
The Symbiote wasn't too far behind skittering across the walls chasing the train as the mob behind fell too far behind and became dots in the dark subway.
The Hooded man stood to his feet, refusing the assistance of others. He strolled down the mounds of dismembered bodies to Shamus. Beaten by his own arrogance, a quality many villains shared within the superhero community. He loomed over the body and in a split second kicked him as hard as he could in the punctured leg.
"Fools like you have no place in my organization" said the Hooded Man as Shamus became conscious. "You've played your part well in using the club to cover distribution of the MGH but that is all. Considering the drug wasn't produced here means there is no harm but the fact that those two escaped means they can only come back to deal me more harm in the future."
A stocky bald man approached the hooded man from the rear.
"Sir, the base has been compromised what should we—
"Of course we've been compromised! I was here when it happened!" retorted the Hooded Man before taking a deep breath "Sorry, my emotions got the better of me. Have the others clear out, we may have to set up shop away from the big apple."
"Should I arrange care for Mister Shamus?"
"Not at all. I have something special for Mister Shamus."
Black smoke escaped his hands and a Shamus's body sank into the void but a word could escape his lips.
"Clear out the building than when all of the customers leave burn it down."
Back in the comfort of Marc Spector's hideout deep within the subway system Peter and Marc sit in the dimly lit room. Marc sips on a bottle of Jack Daniels with a shacking hand causing some of it to drip on the floor. His clothes party clothes were damp with sweat flowing down from his face.
Peter sat across from Marc in his chair still as a manikin as the venom symbiote slithered across the floor toward Peter. Tempted to bond with its former host.
"Stop" said Peter, halting the alien in its tracks. "go back to your cage, now"
Once again the symbiote was encased within a portion of the Iron Spider suits cloth as a crimson orb.
"So you kept it alive huh?" asked Marc
"It was the logical choice. When you really think about it the symbiote has always been like an ex-girlfriend. At first everything is good; she makes your life better in every way. Give it time and soon she's around you so much it's poisonous. Breathing in your air. And when you avoid her she stalks you, tries to kill you. Willing to use any and all means to hurt you but deep down all she ever wants is you. That makes it dangerous but one of the best features."
Marc took another drink from his bottle and smirked at Peter "so your plan was to use it. What for?"
"I'm not sure yet but it did come in handy tonight. All I know is that I can't allow it to influence me or my better judgment".
"you had me use it instead."
"It was better than watching them smear you into the wall."
"We got a bit of work done tonight. I should thank you."
"What for? The club didn't even produce the MGH from what we saw."
"That's true but instead we happened to catch a glimpse of the bigger picture, even the man behind it though he wears a hood. This isn't a party but it is cause for a pat on the back."
Marc handed his bottle of Jack Daniels to Peter who took a drink. The two regaled stories of past victories long thought forgotten and eventually a heart to heart conversation.
"Peter, a little over a year ago I came back from retirement. Sometime after the civil war already started you tried to tell me something but I cut you off and walked away. It bothered me not knowing what you wanted to say. I think maybe things would be different if I had stayed to listen."
Peter grew silent recalling that night in the dark alley. A stark white warrior out of practice, sloppy and took a few hits before gaining the upper hand. Bashing in a thugs skull with a 2X4. He wouldn't listen to Spider-man's words, forcing him to take away the wood with a web-line. When the spider attempted to speak with him, he walked away.
"I wanted to know how you do what you do" said Peter. "While everyone was out there fighting each other, how did you walk away? Sure, you have no powers unlike most of us and you never liked teams. Maybe if I was more like you I could have saved myself all that time wondering."
"You know, it's true that I am a loner. Never liked all the red tape that held the avengers back from doing real good. At that time walking away from you was probably the best answer I could give. I hate teams but you and Frank Castle were the closest I had to friends. One to remind me of the hero I could and the other, the killer I always was. I never wanted anything to do with the civil war. Too many people just showing of who had the better superpower. Both Tony and Steve felt they had to make a point to tell me not to join the fight, maybe I was too unpredictable for either of them to understand. Time went on and I faked a psyche test to get registered. Carved moons into some gang member's foreheads and registration took a lot of heat for that."
You're a good man Pete but you blame yourself for too much. Even I know that we all need help at some point, that's why I brought you here. Not just because of the brawl in Harlem but because you're walking that same road, shouldering all the burden."
"I'm not the same person I used to be Marc" Said Peter. "I used to think that fighting with a team was a good thing. I had friends and we helped each other defeat super villains and saved the world countless times. Seen people come back from the dead multiple times but the moment I needed help for my Aunt there was nothing anyone could do, nothing. Nothing science nor magic could do? In a world where the impossible is possible? Mephisto offered me a deal y'know but I did the right thing and I lost her. No matter what you think, it is on me and I'll do whatever I can to make this backwards world right. That means fighting Tony, S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Hooded Man. Seems even with registration "protecting" Peoples information, the bad guys still find a way. The hooded man knew things about us which says that even files hidden by the government aren't safe, go figure."
"What happened to you Peter? Where is Mary Jane?" asked Marc with great concern
Peter grew quiet and stared back at Marc. In this moment he felt like a hypocrite for forcing the Felicia away. Maybe he wasn't so much the lone wolf he thought and maybe it was finally time to lift his dark cloud and speak.