Author's note: Sorry for taking so long with the next chapter. I've been busy with a lot of things but I've also been working on two other fics. One is located in the Harry Potter Author Section and the other is in Quantum Leap. I hope you have time to take a look at them. Thanks.





Escalation





Peter was wandering through the halls of Midtown High trying to figure out what was happening to him. He just made himself look like a creep in front of his girlfriend and this thing inside of him maybe causing it. He needed answers and the quicker the better.

He saw another student run towards him, it was Elliot Thompson. Peter had met seen him before in his American History class. The guy would sometimes say things that not even the teacher would know. He also kept his ear towards the media, his parents worked in two major network news departments.

"What's going on?" Peter asked

Elliot stopped running and went over to Parker. "Heard that Reed Richards has found two more elements. I was going to tell the chemistry teacher about that one. Man, not one day when Richards has got something new. That guy's a genius, perhaps an Einstein. But I'm not a science geek. That's up your alley Parker."

Something clicked in Peter's brain. *That's it! Reed Richards could help me figure what this suit is. I can do that tonight, hopefully he could help me out.*

Peter looked at Elliot. "That's interesting, I'll probably hear about at the Bugle."

"Right, you work at the Bugle. Anyway I'd better get going. See you around." Elliot continued on his way. Peter kept on walking.





It was now night and Peter Parker was web-slinging his way to Four Freedom's Plaza. The latest addition to the Midtown skyline and headquarters of the Fantastic Four.

So far everything seemed normal for Peter as he got closer to the building. He didn't have any feelings of rage and so far, he felt just like himself.

Looking down to the city streets there was little or no activity. He swung by an ordinary building about a few blocks away from Four Freedom's when he had his "Spider-sense" go off.

A strange feeling that he was more accustomed to, Spider-man planted himself across the street on the roof of another building to see what was going on.

The car in the front of what appeared to be a jewelry store and had someone waiting in the driver seat. The driver appeared to be nervous as he kept the car running.

"Can't see why I can't make a minor detour on my trip?" Spidey said to himself as he shot a webline and landed right beside the driver's side door. Surprisingly the driver didn't notice Spider-man right outside the window. Spidey had to tap his hand against the glass for the driver to notice.

He looked over and saw the wall-crawler beside the door. The driver freaked and tried to get away. Spidey went over and tore the door right off its hinges. He was starting to like the fact the suit gave him extra-strength.

The driver was scared. and he tried to run away through the remaining door. "Please, I'm just a driver, please!"

Spidey shot out some webbing, coating the driver and sticking him to the seat. He then looked at the scarred young man. "All the same to me." He then grabbed the driver's head and slammed it against the steering wheel, knocking him unconscious.

He was unaware of the rage that now flooded him. That was now even a part of him that seem to get joy out of dealing punishment to bad guys.

Inside the jewerly store, two other thieves were inside. One was doing a smash and grab while another was working away on the safe.

As one thief was smashing open glass cases. He looked over and noticed the black-suited wall crawler. He tried to use his gun as a weapon. Except Spidey knocked it out of the theif's hands. Now the thief's hand was broken. He tried to scream except webbing covered his mouth. Spidey then began to cover the jewel thief in more webbing. There was some sruggling.

"Stop struggling or I'll have to make you stop."

The thief continued to struggle.

"Okay then." Spidey gave a swift kick to the man's legs. There was loud crack sound as the man's legs became broken. The screams became whimpers.

"Good, now to take care of one more."

The third thief was unaware of his two accomplices and the fact Spider-Man was in the same room as he was.

Just as he opened the safe. A hand came around and slammed the hard steel door. The third thief turned around and saw a black mask face him.

"Sorry safe's open between 9 A.M. and 6 P.M. Spidey then gave a hard punch and there was the same cracking noise. A couple of thief's teeth were now gone.

"You guys, when will you learn." He said as he tied up the last one with webbing. After he did, Spidey picked up the last guy and then threw him through the doorway and into the next room.

"Well it seems my job is done." Spidey said as he brushed his hands and walked out of the store. As he fired a web line and continued on his way to Four Freedoms. He was unaware of how much damage he did to the three criminals.

Sirens started to fill the night air and a couple of NYPD cruisers stopped in front of the jewelry store.

Two officers got out and then another two.

One officer went over to the car in front. "We're gonna need paramedics. This guy's unconscious, Schultz." Officer Jenifer Dale said to his partner. "Look at this, covered just like that guy last night."

Officer Donald Scultz went over and noticed the same things. "You're right. Spider-man did it again. It seems he's been taking lessons from some our militant officers." Schultz then radioed for the paramedics.

The two other officers came out. One approached Schultz. "We're gonna need more than one. Two other guys in bad shape."

"We're they covered in webbing?"

"Excuse me?" The officer said to him

"Don't you remember from the Sarge's briefing? If you find webbing on a perp that means Spider-man was involved and that the stuff takes an hour too come off. "

The officer nodded and he then radioed for more paramedics.

"What's been Spidey doing?" Schultz asked

"Probably taking lessons from the Punsiher." Dale replied

Schultz smiled. "I better let Brock know about this."

"Why do you talk to that guy?"

"He's been good to me. Besides if you want that gold shield. It couldn't hurt to have your name in a few pro-cop stories could it?"

"I guess you're right."



Eddie Brock was typing away at his keyboard trying to put some finishing touches on his story. While it would continue to solidify his reputation as a respectable journalist. It would not put him to that position as a star reporter. Currently Ben Urich was holding that spot in the Daily Bugle due to his Kingpin stories that actually caused the crime boss to flee the country. That was the kind of thing Brock dreamed about doing. To actually change society through being a journalist.

He was putting the finishing touches when the phone on his desk rang.

"Daily Bugle, Brock." He said into the receiver

"Eddie, it's Don Schultz. I got something good for you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, my partner and I were called out to this suspected burglary at this jewelry store and guess what we found?. "

"What?"

"All three perps were covered in webbing, so a certain wall-crawler got their first. But that's not all."

"What else?"

"All the perps have serious injuries, one's unconscious, another got a broken leg in four places and the last one. Well the medics aren't sure if he's going to make it. It's weird eh?"

"Yeah it is"

"Think it'll make good story?"

"Schultz, I'd be lying if it isn't?"

"Good, by the way if you use any quotes make sure, you put my partner's name on it. She really wants that gold shield."

"I'll see what I can do. Talk to you later."

"Okay see ya then."

Brock hung the phone and then started a new page on his computer. He started to bang out a story connecting the Spider-man incident from last night and the one tonight. As he was writing the story, Brock came up with a headline that would suit Jameson's lurid headlines. The article was titled "SPIDEY SMACKDOWN!" and as he continued to write it. Brock was even more sure that this would make him the star of the Bugle.



To be Continued