Author's Note: The last time the Sentinels made an appearance was in Avengers, although they were all later taken control of by Kang, who was attempting to take over the entire world with his 30th century technology.
The Juggernaut and the X-Men in volume 1, issue #411 have made a temporary alliance since Black Tom's gone psycho on them. That's not the case here.
Franklin, in this story, has retained in his powers instead of burning them out resurrecting Galactus a while ago.
By the way, Apocalypse was actually destroyed when Cable exorcised him from Cyclops a while ago, in case you didn't know. He, as well as a few shadowy figures, plays a key role in what will happen later on in this story, in the appropriately titled "Endgame".
Special thanks to: Talia Ali, Marvel Weirdo, Mea, Eskimo, switzy, la sacre, LAXgirl, drew, Renwar, Jade, hockeyplayer, Radioactive Blood, Lavender Wonder, and Blacque Cell.
By the way, I'd love to know what the mistake is, Radioactive Blood, so please email me about it.
Mark Bagley's great on Ultimate Spider-Man, but I wouldn't mind having John Romita Jr. doing the illustrations as well. Too bad I suck at being on time to write, but it'd be fun though. =D!
On with issue number #3...
- Spider-Man: Lone Hero -
- By Brian Marcelo -
- brianmarcelo@hotmail.com -
- Rated PG-13. -
- Issue Three/#3 -
***
"Sir?"
No response. He tried again.
"Sir?"
Still nothing. He tried talking louder.
"Sir! What are your orders?"
The general pried his eyes away from the television set as he rubbed his forehead wearily, not wanting to have to deal with another crisis so soon. Sure, this was nothing compared to what Kang had done a few months ago, but it was still a heavy concern, especially since it was taking place in New York.
"Damned freaks...they don't even let us get a chance to heal, after what happened to all those super heroes who saved us from Kang...especially the Avengers..." muttered the general, as he looked away from the young soldier, who was still awaiting for his orders.
"Shall we...deploy it, sir?" the young soldier asked reluctantly, fearing what the general would say.
It was a touchy subject for all of them, especially since those weapons, which were suppose to be the United States' contingency plan against global threats, were used against them by Kang. They had always been a source of controversy, since they were originally intended to be used again super humans, but what had happened made everyone rethink what damage they could do if put in the wrong hands again. Plus, a while ago Onslaught had also taken control of the Sentinels, using them to guard New York as well as track down all the super humans.
It seemed that the Sentinels were too easy to manipulate.
If only they had listened to the Avengers...but they felt they had no other choice at the time.
Once again general was forced to make the same decision. He had to, after all...this costumed freak was literally ripping the streets of New York
At least, he reasoned, there would be no time-traveling-would-be-conquer to mess this one up.
"Yes...deploy the," said the general, pausing slightly in disgust, "Sentinel."
***
"It has now been confirmed that the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Thunderbolts, and Inhumans were all caught in the mysterious blast that devastated Central Park.
Before the tragic events, the Avengers were recently recovering from the Kang War, the Fantastic Four had a new addition to the family, the X-Men were rumored to be involved with those attacks in Paris, the Thunderbolts had been trying to upgrade their tainted image, and the Inhumans were offered, and subsequently rejected, sanctuary in Latvateria by Dr. Victor Von Doom.
...Breaking news! It appears that the Juggernaut is on the loose in Manhattan...!"
***
"What's going to happen, Spider-Man? They're not thinking of placing me and Val in an orphanage or anything, are they...?" asked the young boy, as he held Val protectively. She was all he had left now.
Peter swallowed hard, attempting to find comforting words for Franklin, only to come up short.
"I...think you might have to, Franklin." Peter said quietly, "You might even be separated from your sister, if you get adopted and she doesn't...or vice versa..."
Franklin looked horrified as he backed away. "No...I won't let them...I won't let them..."
"Franklin..."
"I won't let them take her away! She's the only family I have left!" Franklin screamed loudly, startling his sister and making her cry again, "Never...!"
Before Peter could try to comfort Franklin, everything around him started to fade into darkness.
His spider-sense went off with so much intensity that he started to get a headache as the room went darker and darker.
He tried to web on to the ceiling, only to discover there was nothing there. He tried the wall, yet it was not there anymore. In fact, he noticed there wasn't any floor, even though he was standing; he tried webbing the floor, only to have it stick to nothing.
There was nothing but darkness in the room, as if all the lights had been turned off.
Suddenly, he heard laughing. Dark laughter started emanating from everywhere in the room, growing steadily louder.
"Who's there?" Peter said nervously as he went into a battle stance, "Too scared to show how ugly you must be?"
The laughter continued to grow, becoming loud to the point of almost deafening.
Then Peter saw it...a smile that seemed to not be affected by the blanket of darkness surrounding wherever the hell he was.
A dark, malicious, evil blood red grin had materialized just a few feet away from him. Just the evil grin was eerily visible.
It was as if the evil contained in the grin pulsated so radiantly that it could be seen even in pure darkness.
Peter's spider-sense freaked, making him back away cautiously, unsure of what to do. His spider-sense had never been so intense in his life; not even Morlun had triggered it so much, and he was Spidey's most powerful predator to date.
"Who are you...?" Peter said, his voice shaking slightly.
The laughter abruptly stopped, while the grin grew larger, as if Spider-Man had made a joke that it thought was amusing.
"Everything you've ever feared, Peter."
***
Bobby Drake's face froze as he watched the news.
The Juggernaut. Loose. In Manhattan. On his way to the mansion.
This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not after everything that happened.
The X-Men were dead. Professor Xavier was dead. He, Jean, and Jubilee were all that were left.
"Juggernaut...he...he must be coming to finish us off..." Bobby realized, knowing how much he hated the X-Men and the Professor.
Bobby dashed off immediately to warn Jubilee and Jean, knowing full well that this may be the final battle they would have.
***
Creating Utter Chaos.
Serving Total Destruction.
Causing Pure Mayhem.
Being Unstoppable Terror.
It just didn't seem the same for Cain Marko anymore.
He used to love to flip over cars and see them all messed up.
He used to love walking extra hard so that his footsteps would be indented into the streets.
He used to love causing earthquakes with every step he took.
He used to love tussling with anyone who got in his way.
But now...it all seemed pointless. Why was it no longer fun anymore to trash everything in sight?
Maybe if he found some of Xavier's students he'd have some fun.
He kept on walking hard enough to cause tremors, hoping it would making him feel better.
***
Mary Jane looked at the phone hesitantly, debating whether or not she should call.
After all, it would hurt him greatly if he heard her voice, especially after leaving him.
But...he couldn't deprive him of this. It would just be cruel.
She picked up the phone and dialed his number, hoping he'd be there.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
"You've reached Parker residence, where my beautiful wife, adorable baby, and plain ol' me reside! Please leave a message at the beep, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!"
Mary Jane smiled at the silly message, pleasantly surprised he still kept it the way it was. She supposed it was better this way that he hadn't been home to answer, otherwise she would've had a hard time trying to get him to listen to what she had to say, or rather, what May had to say.
She took a deep breath and started to talk. "Peter...its MJ. I...just wanted you to hear this."
She quickly brought little May close to the phone and asked her say what she had said earlier.
May giggled into the phone, before saying the words.
"Da-Da! Da-da!"
Mary Jane teared up a little as she hung up the phone after May was done repeating those small words. Hopefully this would show her husband that she didn't hate him or anything.
After all, she tried to reason, this was for the best.
'It's for the best...' she whispered, feeling slightly uncertain as she cradled her baby.
***
Franklin looked at Spider-Man with a mixture of curiosity and fear, wondering why he had stopped moving. His attempts to read his mind were seemingly being blocked by something more powerful, which only made Franklin more frustrated.
"Spider-Man?" he said loudly, hoping to snap him out of it.
Spider-Man started backing away, looking as if he were frightened, causing Franklin to be even more confused.
What was happening to Spider-Man? Who could be powerful enough to block access to Spider-Man's mind?
Sudden images flashed before him, of a possible future.
His precognitive abilities were kicking in...but why...?
The first flash showed a large, menacing, demonic creature that emanated evil just by looking at it. It was fighting someone who was brimming with enormous cosmic power...and rage...
The second flash showed a red haired woman and a young baby in danger...
The third flash showed two cosmic charged beings falling in battle...
The forth flash showed a mysterious, ancient looking armor rise from a sea...
The fifth flash showed a bright light consuming everything around him....
The sixth flash showed a hulking red monster in battle with an man made of ice, a woman with great telekinetic powers, and a young teenager with fireworks coming out of her hands...
The sudden images left as soon as they came, causing Franklin to be even more confused then ever.
What did those images mean...?
What was to happen...?
Where they premonitions...?
Just then, Spider-Man suddenly became conscious, as if on cue.
"Franklin...did you see that...?"
Franklin was confused; had Spider-Man also seen the images?
"See what?" he asked.
"How could you not see it...? Everything just went dark and then that...thing I saw...that evil, malicious grin..." Spider-Man tried to explain, as he rubbed his head in pain from his ordeal.
***
"Why bother..." Jean Grey mumbled quietly, as she looked at her teammate with eyes devoid of hope.
"Jean..." Jubilee said softly, "Bobby's right...we need to stop Juggernaut before he gets any closer...there might be innocent people in his way..."
"We're X-Men, Jean...we have to protect those who fear us..." Bobby said, already in his ice form.
'Why?"
"What do you mean why-"
"Why do we bother serving those who *fear* us?" spat Jean spitefully, "It's because of them that Scott is gone...you know, we should've let Apocalypse turn the whole world into mutants! Then we wouldn't be feared anymore, and Scott would still be here..."
Jubilee gasped, while Bobby's face looked shocked at what his old friend had said. This was not the same Jean Grey he once knew...he had to try to help her.
"Jean..." Bobby said, trying to hold Jean's hand, "please don't say that. You know as well as I do that he would've enslaved all of humanity no matter what. Scott died upholding what we swore to do...to protect those who cannot protect themselves...please...help us defeat the Juggernaut..."
Jean Grey hardened look of anger on her face softened as she looked at Bobby, then Jubilee.
They were right. She had to help them fight off the Juggernaut, especially since they were the only family she had now. Family had stick together.
"Let's go..." she said quietly, as the other two nodded in agreement.
'This is for you, Scott...' she thought to herself, as they entered the Black Bird.
She wouldn't let Scott's sacrifice be in vain.
Even if she might have to lose her own life to make sure.
***
He was getting closer now.
Soon, he'd be pounding away at whatever was left of the X-Men.
Then he'd have some fun.
Some real fun for a change.
Without warning loud jet boosters and what sounded like something mechanical appeared behind him, it's tall shadow covering his easily.
"HALT, MUTANT." the Sentinel commanded in its mechanized voice loudly, pointing a fully charged laser at him.
Juggernaut looked at the Sentinel fiercely.
Maybe this would be fun.
- End of Issue Three/#3 -
Next issue: A battle royal erupts in the streets of Manhattan (really this time)! Plus, an ending you might not expect...
As usual with everything I write, please rate and review! ^_^
Go read Peter Parker: Responsibility! ^_^v
The Juggernaut and the X-Men in volume 1, issue #411 have made a temporary alliance since Black Tom's gone psycho on them. That's not the case here.
Franklin, in this story, has retained in his powers instead of burning them out resurrecting Galactus a while ago.
By the way, Apocalypse was actually destroyed when Cable exorcised him from Cyclops a while ago, in case you didn't know. He, as well as a few shadowy figures, plays a key role in what will happen later on in this story, in the appropriately titled "Endgame".
Special thanks to: Talia Ali, Marvel Weirdo, Mea, Eskimo, switzy, la sacre, LAXgirl, drew, Renwar, Jade, hockeyplayer, Radioactive Blood, Lavender Wonder, and Blacque Cell.
By the way, I'd love to know what the mistake is, Radioactive Blood, so please email me about it.
Mark Bagley's great on Ultimate Spider-Man, but I wouldn't mind having John Romita Jr. doing the illustrations as well. Too bad I suck at being on time to write, but it'd be fun though. =D!
On with issue number #3...
- Spider-Man: Lone Hero -
- By Brian Marcelo -
- brianmarcelo@hotmail.com -
- Rated PG-13. -
- Issue Three/#3 -
***
"Sir?"
No response. He tried again.
"Sir?"
Still nothing. He tried talking louder.
"Sir! What are your orders?"
The general pried his eyes away from the television set as he rubbed his forehead wearily, not wanting to have to deal with another crisis so soon. Sure, this was nothing compared to what Kang had done a few months ago, but it was still a heavy concern, especially since it was taking place in New York.
"Damned freaks...they don't even let us get a chance to heal, after what happened to all those super heroes who saved us from Kang...especially the Avengers..." muttered the general, as he looked away from the young soldier, who was still awaiting for his orders.
"Shall we...deploy it, sir?" the young soldier asked reluctantly, fearing what the general would say.
It was a touchy subject for all of them, especially since those weapons, which were suppose to be the United States' contingency plan against global threats, were used against them by Kang. They had always been a source of controversy, since they were originally intended to be used again super humans, but what had happened made everyone rethink what damage they could do if put in the wrong hands again. Plus, a while ago Onslaught had also taken control of the Sentinels, using them to guard New York as well as track down all the super humans.
It seemed that the Sentinels were too easy to manipulate.
If only they had listened to the Avengers...but they felt they had no other choice at the time.
Once again general was forced to make the same decision. He had to, after all...this costumed freak was literally ripping the streets of New York
At least, he reasoned, there would be no time-traveling-would-be-conquer to mess this one up.
"Yes...deploy the," said the general, pausing slightly in disgust, "Sentinel."
***
"It has now been confirmed that the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Thunderbolts, and Inhumans were all caught in the mysterious blast that devastated Central Park.
Before the tragic events, the Avengers were recently recovering from the Kang War, the Fantastic Four had a new addition to the family, the X-Men were rumored to be involved with those attacks in Paris, the Thunderbolts had been trying to upgrade their tainted image, and the Inhumans were offered, and subsequently rejected, sanctuary in Latvateria by Dr. Victor Von Doom.
...Breaking news! It appears that the Juggernaut is on the loose in Manhattan...!"
***
"What's going to happen, Spider-Man? They're not thinking of placing me and Val in an orphanage or anything, are they...?" asked the young boy, as he held Val protectively. She was all he had left now.
Peter swallowed hard, attempting to find comforting words for Franklin, only to come up short.
"I...think you might have to, Franklin." Peter said quietly, "You might even be separated from your sister, if you get adopted and she doesn't...or vice versa..."
Franklin looked horrified as he backed away. "No...I won't let them...I won't let them..."
"Franklin..."
"I won't let them take her away! She's the only family I have left!" Franklin screamed loudly, startling his sister and making her cry again, "Never...!"
Before Peter could try to comfort Franklin, everything around him started to fade into darkness.
His spider-sense went off with so much intensity that he started to get a headache as the room went darker and darker.
He tried to web on to the ceiling, only to discover there was nothing there. He tried the wall, yet it was not there anymore. In fact, he noticed there wasn't any floor, even though he was standing; he tried webbing the floor, only to have it stick to nothing.
There was nothing but darkness in the room, as if all the lights had been turned off.
Suddenly, he heard laughing. Dark laughter started emanating from everywhere in the room, growing steadily louder.
"Who's there?" Peter said nervously as he went into a battle stance, "Too scared to show how ugly you must be?"
The laughter continued to grow, becoming loud to the point of almost deafening.
Then Peter saw it...a smile that seemed to not be affected by the blanket of darkness surrounding wherever the hell he was.
A dark, malicious, evil blood red grin had materialized just a few feet away from him. Just the evil grin was eerily visible.
It was as if the evil contained in the grin pulsated so radiantly that it could be seen even in pure darkness.
Peter's spider-sense freaked, making him back away cautiously, unsure of what to do. His spider-sense had never been so intense in his life; not even Morlun had triggered it so much, and he was Spidey's most powerful predator to date.
"Who are you...?" Peter said, his voice shaking slightly.
The laughter abruptly stopped, while the grin grew larger, as if Spider-Man had made a joke that it thought was amusing.
"Everything you've ever feared, Peter."
***
Bobby Drake's face froze as he watched the news.
The Juggernaut. Loose. In Manhattan. On his way to the mansion.
This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not after everything that happened.
The X-Men were dead. Professor Xavier was dead. He, Jean, and Jubilee were all that were left.
"Juggernaut...he...he must be coming to finish us off..." Bobby realized, knowing how much he hated the X-Men and the Professor.
Bobby dashed off immediately to warn Jubilee and Jean, knowing full well that this may be the final battle they would have.
***
Creating Utter Chaos.
Serving Total Destruction.
Causing Pure Mayhem.
Being Unstoppable Terror.
It just didn't seem the same for Cain Marko anymore.
He used to love to flip over cars and see them all messed up.
He used to love walking extra hard so that his footsteps would be indented into the streets.
He used to love causing earthquakes with every step he took.
He used to love tussling with anyone who got in his way.
But now...it all seemed pointless. Why was it no longer fun anymore to trash everything in sight?
Maybe if he found some of Xavier's students he'd have some fun.
He kept on walking hard enough to cause tremors, hoping it would making him feel better.
***
Mary Jane looked at the phone hesitantly, debating whether or not she should call.
After all, it would hurt him greatly if he heard her voice, especially after leaving him.
But...he couldn't deprive him of this. It would just be cruel.
She picked up the phone and dialed his number, hoping he'd be there.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
"You've reached Parker residence, where my beautiful wife, adorable baby, and plain ol' me reside! Please leave a message at the beep, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!"
Mary Jane smiled at the silly message, pleasantly surprised he still kept it the way it was. She supposed it was better this way that he hadn't been home to answer, otherwise she would've had a hard time trying to get him to listen to what she had to say, or rather, what May had to say.
She took a deep breath and started to talk. "Peter...its MJ. I...just wanted you to hear this."
She quickly brought little May close to the phone and asked her say what she had said earlier.
May giggled into the phone, before saying the words.
"Da-Da! Da-da!"
Mary Jane teared up a little as she hung up the phone after May was done repeating those small words. Hopefully this would show her husband that she didn't hate him or anything.
After all, she tried to reason, this was for the best.
'It's for the best...' she whispered, feeling slightly uncertain as she cradled her baby.
***
Franklin looked at Spider-Man with a mixture of curiosity and fear, wondering why he had stopped moving. His attempts to read his mind were seemingly being blocked by something more powerful, which only made Franklin more frustrated.
"Spider-Man?" he said loudly, hoping to snap him out of it.
Spider-Man started backing away, looking as if he were frightened, causing Franklin to be even more confused.
What was happening to Spider-Man? Who could be powerful enough to block access to Spider-Man's mind?
Sudden images flashed before him, of a possible future.
His precognitive abilities were kicking in...but why...?
The first flash showed a large, menacing, demonic creature that emanated evil just by looking at it. It was fighting someone who was brimming with enormous cosmic power...and rage...
The second flash showed a red haired woman and a young baby in danger...
The third flash showed two cosmic charged beings falling in battle...
The forth flash showed a mysterious, ancient looking armor rise from a sea...
The fifth flash showed a bright light consuming everything around him....
The sixth flash showed a hulking red monster in battle with an man made of ice, a woman with great telekinetic powers, and a young teenager with fireworks coming out of her hands...
The sudden images left as soon as they came, causing Franklin to be even more confused then ever.
What did those images mean...?
What was to happen...?
Where they premonitions...?
Just then, Spider-Man suddenly became conscious, as if on cue.
"Franklin...did you see that...?"
Franklin was confused; had Spider-Man also seen the images?
"See what?" he asked.
"How could you not see it...? Everything just went dark and then that...thing I saw...that evil, malicious grin..." Spider-Man tried to explain, as he rubbed his head in pain from his ordeal.
***
"Why bother..." Jean Grey mumbled quietly, as she looked at her teammate with eyes devoid of hope.
"Jean..." Jubilee said softly, "Bobby's right...we need to stop Juggernaut before he gets any closer...there might be innocent people in his way..."
"We're X-Men, Jean...we have to protect those who fear us..." Bobby said, already in his ice form.
'Why?"
"What do you mean why-"
"Why do we bother serving those who *fear* us?" spat Jean spitefully, "It's because of them that Scott is gone...you know, we should've let Apocalypse turn the whole world into mutants! Then we wouldn't be feared anymore, and Scott would still be here..."
Jubilee gasped, while Bobby's face looked shocked at what his old friend had said. This was not the same Jean Grey he once knew...he had to try to help her.
"Jean..." Bobby said, trying to hold Jean's hand, "please don't say that. You know as well as I do that he would've enslaved all of humanity no matter what. Scott died upholding what we swore to do...to protect those who cannot protect themselves...please...help us defeat the Juggernaut..."
Jean Grey hardened look of anger on her face softened as she looked at Bobby, then Jubilee.
They were right. She had to help them fight off the Juggernaut, especially since they were the only family she had now. Family had stick together.
"Let's go..." she said quietly, as the other two nodded in agreement.
'This is for you, Scott...' she thought to herself, as they entered the Black Bird.
She wouldn't let Scott's sacrifice be in vain.
Even if she might have to lose her own life to make sure.
***
He was getting closer now.
Soon, he'd be pounding away at whatever was left of the X-Men.
Then he'd have some fun.
Some real fun for a change.
Without warning loud jet boosters and what sounded like something mechanical appeared behind him, it's tall shadow covering his easily.
"HALT, MUTANT." the Sentinel commanded in its mechanized voice loudly, pointing a fully charged laser at him.
Juggernaut looked at the Sentinel fiercely.
Maybe this would be fun.
- End of Issue Three/#3 -
Next issue: A battle royal erupts in the streets of Manhattan (really this time)! Plus, an ending you might not expect...
As usual with everything I write, please rate and review! ^_^
Go read Peter Parker: Responsibility! ^_^v