CHAPTER 2
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AN OLD ARCHNEMISIS




Peter ran through a dark and abandoned city. Cars on fire, building crumbling and dead people scattered everywhere. An eerie cackle echoed through the air as Peter ran. He wasn't wearing his Spiderman outfit, actually he wasn't wearing anything at all. He was running in no decided direction like God created him. Naked. "Run little spider, before I crush you!" said a piercing cold voice as Peter continued to run. Suddenly, out of the mist of the sky, fell a giant red and blue spider. Peter screamed at the top of his lungs as he fell to the pavement and glared at the enormous spider, "Time to have you dinner Spiderman!" came the same evil voice. Then, hovering over the giant spider was..The Green Goblin. That frozen green grin and those malicious yellow eyes stabbing Peter through the chest. He shrieked as the giant spider bent its huge head down and swallowed Peter whole....

Peter awoke with a start. His heart was beating against his chest and cold sweat ran down his nude chest, "Oh, God.. what does this mean?" He panted, placing his right hand on his chest. He was scared that the dream was indicating something, but it didn't make any sense. Giant Spiders and the Green Goblin. He'd killed Norman Osborn long ago and didn't think he'd be resurrected through the acts of some pure evil. No, it couldn't be. He stood up from his bed and looked around. He was only wearing his sweats as he fixed his bed and got ready to head off for the Daily Bugle office. Peter still hadn't been able to get a decent picture of Spiderwoman, but he was going to..sooner or later. He could already hear Jameston's voice howling at him as he entered the office, "Where are the pictures I asked for!? I need those PRONTO! And I don't mean when your sorry ass feels like it. I mean NOW!" Peter sighed heavily as he fitted his Spiderman outfit under his casual clothing and made his way downstairs. He was once against greeted by his Aunt May, "Good morning Peter. I made waffles," Peter acknowledged her and ate his breakfast in silence, ".. Is something bothering you?" she asked, sitting down across from him at the table; having her own share of waffles. "No Aunt May. Just thinking.." He replied flatly, finishing his last mouthful. She knew he never liked to be questioned and he knew for a fact he couldn't tell her the truth. They exchanged pecked kisses on the cheeks as Peter left the apartment.

Walking down the packed streets of New York seemed like a day job for him. Being Spiderman sometimes bothered him, but what the hell? He loved doing it. As for Spiderwoman.. now that was a different story. Where she had come from? What were her intentions? They were unknown to him. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as she continued to walk down the street, when suddenly..*boom*..he ran right into someone, "Oh, geez, sorry!" he called, leaning down and giving the young girl a hand. He helped her up and smiled. Hey.. she's cute. He thought with a grin, "Are you okay?" he asked her, looking deep into the girl's gorgeous aquamarine eyes, "I'm fine, thanks," she replied, standing erect in front of him "My names Peter...and yours?" he asked, arching a brow, "Alice," she said with a girlie-girl tone. He smiled and shook her extended hand, "Nice to meet you. Sorry about running—" he began, but she interrupted, "No it was my fault!" she said. They both nodded and smiled one last time at each other before taking way. He began to walk in the direction of the Daily Bugle when his spider sense hit him hard. Spider sense kicking in. The buzzing. Both in their heads. Something was wrong and they both knew it. The upper building. Smoke. Smoke equaled fire! A building was going to burn into flames. They had to act quickly.

Spiderman was on his way. Peter ran at top speed towards the building. People were beginning to run out of the building in frantic scrambling. He went to the side of the building and slipped on his mask, now in full Spiderman attire. Same was with Alice. She hurried to a very dark alley and changed as quickly as she could into her own costume. Now both of these Spider's were in action. Spiderman climbed the West side of the building while Spider-Woman climbed the East side. Both were moving fast. As they reached the floor where the fire was forming, did they meet once more. "You, again.." Peter said in an inaudible muffle. "Spiderman.." Alice also muffled inaudibly. There was silence between them, when their spider sense warned them again. They looked to a door to their right and saw black, thick smoke seeping through the bottom. "Since your here, you'd better help." Spiderman called out to her, "Since I'm here I might as well, huh?" she replied with a grin, though Peter couldn't see it. They ran towards the door and kicked it down simultaneously. They gasped as a ball of flames exploded in their faces. Good for them that their spider sense had warned them and they jumped to one side of the door before they were Kentucky Fried Spidey's. Alice opened her eyes and felt weight on top of her. Her eyes widened through the black oculars that protected them as Spiderman looked down at her, "You okay?" he asked, getting up in a flash, "Fine." She said, trying to sound as cold as possible, but managed to sound bashful.

Now that was an odd twist in plot. He ran inside only to freeze in place. His heart gave a leap, the only words escaping his mouth where, "Oh God." Both of them couldn't believe their eyes as they saw a metallic green figure punch a poor, chubby man suited in his working man's outfit, ".. Is that..?" Alice began, but the green figure had cocked his head to one side. He couldn't believe it. There was a damn good reason for his dream. The Green Goblin was back. But, how could this be possible? How could Norman be back? His mind swarmed in thoughts, until his spider sense kicked in and snapped him back to reality. the metallic green figure stood erect, facing them, "Well.. well.. well..if it isn't Spiderman and his.." He turned his head to face Spiderwoman, ".. ally? .. On top of that.. female ally..?" an eerie, cold cackle rang in their ears as that green figure charged at them. Peter watched Spiderwoman jump and cling to the ceiling as he himself jumped to one just in time to see a green blur flash past him and tumble through the door they had just entered through. Suddenly there was a sickening crash from behind them as the windows of the office shattered over the plump man who now laid unconscious on the ground near his desk. A hovering machine that looked a lot like a bat zoomed past the two hero's and toward its owner who now stood at the doorway, "Good bye, Spiderman!!" cackled the green figure as it hopped on its hovering craft and zipped out of the building, "We'd better get out of here!" Spiderwoman said as she detached from the ceiling. Peter hurried over to the unconscious man, but Spiderwoman's shriek caught his attention, "Oh my God! Let's get the HELL out of here! NOW!!" she howled, running towards him. He'd seen it. The large metallic box that flickered red digital numbers that read: 0:10. It was a bomb..and they didn't have a lot of time to get out of there. He guessed most people had already evacuated. He grabbed the man and extended his hand toward the broken glass. His webbing caught a building far across from the one they were in and he swung as fast as he could out of there. Spiderwoman followed, keeping steady with his quick movement. They heard a massive explosion behind them as Peter swung in pure instinct. Still the thoughts of the Green Goblin coming back were pressing against his skull. They landed on a building roof as the man on Spiderman's shoulder regained consciousness and thanked him for saving his life. He scuttled towards the booth that would lead to the stairs, leaving the two hero's by themselves.


Spiderwoman was about to leave when she heard Spiderman's soft voice call for her, "Spiderwoman.. wait." he said, standing erect and elegant. This time, Alice stopped and turned to look at him, "I want to thank you again, for helping me out." He said, stepping up towards her, "I could've died if you hadn't seen the bomb." He continued now standing atleast three feet from her. "Your welcome. I just...want to help." she said timidly. He smiled, though he knew she couldn't see it. She had saved his life back there and if it wouldn't have been for her, he could have blown up to the oblivion, "Say, do you think we can meet up tomorrow night and see what we can do together? Without popping out of nowhere?" he said, a soft chuckle coming from him. "Uh-um.. sure!" she said, jumping a bit in excitement. He extended his gloved hand as Spiderwoman reached and shook it firmly. He watched as Spiderwoman stood there, just staring for a moment, before swinging off the building and heading her own way. Satisfied he left on his own way and when he got home.. he wrote in his journal once more.


Dear Mom and Dad:
Spiderwoman and I met again. This time it was in a burning building where she.....saved my life. There was a bomb and I hadn't seen it.. I know my spider sense was going berserk, but I thought it was the fire around us. She saved me. I could've died if she hadn't seen the bomb. Anyway, I offered if she'd like to help me out around the city. I suppose it wouldn't be so bad to have company, but she had to win my trust. And the thing is.... the Green Goblin is back. He's back! He can't be Norman...well...because...I saw him die in my hands. Maybe it's someone else, but how could someone get the same exact hover craft and costume? The armor. Everything is identical. I had had a dream the night before about the Green Goblin and a giant spider and now this comes up. Please.. don't let there be a giant spider destroying the city tomorrow. .. geez.