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Y.A.R.N.
Another total disaster narrowly averted and the city was once again decompressing as Miles grinned at the stunned expression on Peter's face as he made four spider arms from his programmable matter suit that mimicked Peter's Iron Spider legs, responding to his thoughts. When Peter — after his return from Symkaria and a few days playing with the programmable matter — and Miles crashed after a lengthy patrol and clearing out as much of The now-leaderless Underground as they possibly could, they went to the former Octavius Industries lab. Ever since Peter had relocated there, he brought his Spider-Man creations over and wanted to see if Miles wanted a programmable matter suit to help him be better. That offer only prompted Miles to show of the suit he got after going after the underground caches during The Roxxon Fiasco. Since it had been only just created and not yet set to become weapons, Miles had free reign to design it to make a suit and even Peter could admit that it was just as cool as Miles red and black suit he originally designed. Miles creation of the legs showed that he was already using what he'd seen to improve on his own abilities.
With Ganke and MJ's help uncovering exactly how bad Nuform was to those that handled it and how Simon had been more or less blackmailing to cover it all up, Roxxon was in worse shape that Oscorp had been. With Osborn now focusing more on his company, Oscorp was slowly regaining it's former status, they were retaking properties that Roxxon had originally been buying out so the city was more or less back to the way it used to be, Peter was once again dividing his time between Horizon Labs, his patrols, and his friends. And since he had a suit that he made that wasn't necessary, he decided he'd give it to the one person who would appreciate it most.
After he finished making sure he tweaked the systems to be as durable and protective for the wearer as he could.
"You want me to have it?" Mary Jane said in shock.
Peter handed her the programmable matter he had initially planned for Miles to use; as much as he didn't want MJ to ever be in the line of fire if he could help it, he knew she wasn't the to sit around and not get in over her head. Even with this adjustments to the systems and whatever upgrades he could reasonable think of and apply, he didn't know if it could ever really be enough, but he had to trust in her and hope she wouldn't do anything too crazy.
"I honestly don't think I should because I don't want to give you the wrong idea here." Peter admitted, letting the programmable matter crawl over her hand to form a metal gauntlet as it continued to crawl up her arm, "But I can't protect you all the time and well… This is the best I can do to make sure you can at least fight back even if you can't run. I'm not saying you go out and fight crime, but if you can protect yourself with it then it would really give me a lot more peace of mind."
Mary Jane closed her eyes and focused as she was soon decked out a blue and red spider suit similar to the original suit he made, and Peter did think it looked cool with the angular . MJ smiled as she looked at her outfit but Peter made sure he set some rules before she thought he was okay with her going out into the streets like he and Miles did. She wasn't ready for that in any way and he didn't want her to think she was and try to go out and beat up criminals, of the super-powered variety or otherwise.
"Please don't see this as a way to do what I do." He said, noting her frowning at him at that comment, "First of all, this is a last resort if there is no other option MJ; I don't want you to see this as a way to get into fights or be a vigilante. Especially when you have a career you want to focus on in the meantime, as I know you have your journalism and the Daily Bugle MJ. You know as much as I do — and maybe even more than that — how much crime-fighting can be hard to balance with a regular life. Second, you need to learn how to use this tech before you actually get into a fight with anyone. You know about how long it took me to really get the hang of my Spider powers; Miles didn't take as long because I knew what it was like and could help out but this tech is new to both of us. Sure, Miles saw what The Underground could do with this sort of tech, but her never really used it until he made the suit, and he only discovered he could make arms recently. We need to see what this stuff can really do before there is any trial by fire and you panic. Third, this doesn't make you invincible or give you superpowers MJ; Miles took out a lot of them and even though his bio-electricity really helped out, Roxxon's goons killed their fair share. This programmable matter isn't the advanced version his friend used when they were fighting in the Roxxon building, this is their standard stuff with a few upgrades. Finally, maybe not a Spider-Woman suit? I don't mind you using the Spider Symbol, but do you really want to fight anyone who may have a grudge against me? It's a big list and most of them have powers and could definitely hurt you even with this suit."
MJ's frown eased with every valid point Peter said, and she felt a rush of appreciation for Peter to be willing to trust her with this suit. She knew that he had never been a fan of her risky behavior, but he wasn't trying to tell her what to do or keep her out of it, he just wanted her to be safe and — if nothing else — know how to fight back.
"Okay." She said, hugging Peter before kissing him on the cheek, "Thank you for this Peter."
Peter smiled, "Just try not to give me a heart attack."
Peter was perched on the edge of a building, taking in the city as well as reviewing everything he had done when he finally got back, "Well… I guess we've done all we can right now for MJ and Miles."
"Indeed." Viri replied, "With the programmable matter you've given them, we have given them much better odds against any future enemies and complications that may arise."
"How are you doing?" Peter inquired, "I know we didn't get up to much in Symkaria, but you were pretty quiet when I was there."
"You were trying to spend time with Mary Jane, Peter." Viri said, "It would be hard to do so if I kept talking throughout your time there. It was fascinating though, this planet is very diverse with the sheer amount of individuals and their opinions. Your powers were already unique compared to other of your species, but I can't help but find all of this — even the patrols you go on — so satisfying."
Peter's lips quirked into a smile, "Now all that's left is meeting up with Harry, I can't wait."
Peter had told Mary Jane everything when they were in Symkaria, and while horrified at Harry literally being feet from him when she had been inside Norman's penthouse, she was happy that Harry was feeling better if only enough to meet. What worried her was another symbiotic alien that hated Peter and Miles now lost somewhere in the city. Venom was not something that they could reliably count on to stay away; as long as it was somewhere in NYC, it would try to find a host and with the sheer size of the super-powered community in the city made for a large menu of choices. It was wishful thinking when it came to hoping it would bond with a hero for that matter, there were plenty of supervillains that would love to bond with Venom to get a better chance to kill Peter. All in all? Not a very uplifting thought to anyone involved.
Either way, there just wasn't a way to track Venom down so the left it to its own devices as they went to meet Harry.
When they walked to a cafe near Harry's home and both were glad to see their childhood friend sitting there, gingerly sipping at some coffee as he waited patiently. The both jogged in and Mary Jane wasted no time in giving Harry a firm hug and happily greeting him as he and Peter shared a fist bump. They sat and ordered their drinks before quickly falling into their usual banter and chatting that they had all taken for granted as kids, not knowing at the time how easily things could fall apart. Peter happily noted the more healthy flush to Harry's face and Viri even manage to pick up the large than average remnants of the Venom symbiote still in Harry's system that were countering his sickness. When MJ and Peter mentioned Symkaria, Harry sighed despondently at the fact that Norman had been keeping him under practically house arrest since he woke up. Aside from a few walks outside the balcony of Norman's penthouse, this had been his first genuine outing.
MJ prodded if he was really okay to be outside given everything going on in the city and his health but Harry waved her off.
"Are you really up for this?" She inquired.
"Apparently whatever that thing was that was controlling the new Spider-Man — Kid Arachnid or whatever — was what was keeping me stable." Harry murmured quietly to his friends, "My dad thinks that it holds the key to fully curing me, but I haven't felt this good in years. The disease isn't gone, but it's like the things suppressed it or cured me partially. I still have random aches and bouts of fatigue but I am not passing out in crippling pain like before. Personally I don't think I need it anymore, but Dad's been obsessed with getting that thing back ever since Spider-Man managed to force it to separate from his student or whatever Kid Arachnid is to him."
Peter sometimes forgot how smart Harry was, Peter may have been the actual scientist, but Harry was no idiot and was a sharp business in training, meant to take over Oscorp. If he hadn't gotten sick and been locked in the lab, he and Peter probably would've started that business they had always talked about. Still, explaining everything about the symbiote would have been too much trouble on multiple fronts so Peter simply nodded in understanding. Peter could feel Viribus shift in agitation at the things that were being hidden from one of Peter's best friends. It hurt having to hide it all from Harry, but Peter had too much on the line if he spilled his secret to Harry; no doubt Norman would find out an then things would become chaotic for everyone involved.
Peter Spider-Sense screamed and he was moving to cover Harry and MJ before he knew what he was doing.
Of course it was then the window exploded and the screaming started.
Armed men swarmed the diner, pushing aside innocent civilians and knocking over broken bits of furniture as they enter. They began scanning the room until they landed on Peter who they immediately pointed their guns at.
"Peter Parker. You are coming with us." One said with no emotion.
"Wha..?" Harry mumbled, dazed from the sudden explosion, "What do… you want with him?"
The armed men didn't spare the Osborn a glance as they began to advance on Peter, "Don't resist or we will be forced to harm you."
Peter cursed, he had forgotten about these guys since he left for Symkaria with MJ, he hadn't ever figured out why they were after him since he had been preoccupied. There was no way the knew he was Spider-Man, and he couldn't exactly fight when he was in his civilian get up. He could used the iron spider suit and it would cover him in a milliseconds, but that was simply too long and his secret would be out. Viri was twisting under his skin in agitation as he was just as helpless to assist Peter in this situation. MJ and Harry both glared at the men but couldn't move with the armed men already having guns drawn and ready to shoot.
"What do you want with me?" He demanded instead, hoping to buy some time and try to plan some sort of distraction.
The men remained silent before a smooth voice echoed from their helmets, "Why Mr. Parker, we simply wish to hire you. No need for such hostility."
"You blew up a cafe and could've killed people!" Peter shouted in anger, "What part of that would make me want to work with you?"
"You seem to have the wrong impression Mr. Parker for our little recruitment." The voice replied, suddenly cold and vicious, "We are not asking and you don't have a choice in the matter."
With that, the gunman closest to Peter walked up and swung his gun to knock Peter out, only for Peter to duck out of the way with his Spider-Sense blaring in his head. He managed to make it seem like pure luck and forced his usual grace down and tumbled onto his butt. The gunman seemed to pause at Peter's unexpected movement and simply pointed his gun at Peter's chest.
"Get up. And don't try anything funny." The man growled, "Or we begin gunning down everyone here."
Peter scowled in frustration as he saw MJ and Harry's eyes flicking between the men and Peter, panic painted across their face. The other patrons were looking much the same, hoping the young man would leave with them but knowing whatever they were planning would definitely harm the young man. Peter closed his eyes, ready to surrender and slowly got to his knees, hands on his head.
"Peter!" MJ tried to reach Peter only for the muzzle of a gun lowered to her head.
"We don't want to hurt you." The gunman drawled, "But don't give us a reason to have to hurt you, young lady."
Harry grit his teeth and glared as though he was mentally murdering each of the thugs as he couldn't help, "My father will end you after this! You won't get away with this!"
"You're right young man, they won't." A modulated voice replied.
They whirled only for gunshots to ring out and two of the gunmen fell, smoking holes in their chests as a figure leapt away from the remaining gunmen whirled to fire at the figure.
It was the newest Vigilante on the streets.
Wraith.
With enviable ease she avoided gun shots as her multiple bullet-proof whips writhed through the air as the were either manipulated with programmable matter or swung with her movements to weave and intercept bullets. She pointed her sable handguns and shot more of the gunmen with precise shots made to kill or incapacitate with deadly wounds. Peter's eyes widened as she used a mix of martial arts and guns to defeat the armed men who tried to rush her when their guns proved ineffective against her defenses. When she had a gap, she drew a energy whip that was used by the Raft escapees in the Devil's Breath incidents and swung it into the thugs who were knocked down like bowling pins.
Peter couldn't look away, but not because it was amazing.
He knew who was under the mask. The modulated voice hid it, but the way the figure fought, the stances and movements all pointed to one person. Peter had hoped he was wrong, that his friend has simply gone to ground in an attempt to deal with her issues better. But he had known, and Wraith only confirmed his worst fears about what his friend had become once she was put on suspension.
"Yuri..?" He whispered, shock plain on his face, "Is that you?"
He was quiet but MJ was close enough that she heard him and her head whipped to the figure beating down the gunmen before understanding dawned on her face.
It took no more than two minutes before the men were either dead or down and Yuri assessed her own handiwork as the programmable matter shifted to her legs and she launched herself into the air and began to quickly make her way from the scene.
Peter staggered to his feet, intending to chase after her, but MJ caught his arm and shook her head.
"Not right now!" She hissed, "Wait until Harry leaves!"
Peter wanted to argue, knowing Yuri would be long gone by then, but tamped down on his desires.
MJ was right.
The police came and gathered the men up, and carted them off to Rykers for imprisonment until their trial. With their meet up at the cafe thoroughly ruined the three decided to meet up later and perhaps at Osborn's Penthouse. Peter also got a promise from Harry — without even asking — to beef up the security at Peter's home.
But Harry had questions, "Who were those guys? What did they want with you?"
"I'm not really sure." Peter muttered grimly, "I want to know, but apparently they need me alive for something."
"We need to find out what they after." MJ growled.
"I have a few ideas, but really they are just general theories." Peter explained to them.
"Like..?" Harry prodded.
Peter sighs, "Well… It's not a secret that I helped Otto make the interface that controlled his arms, and apparently that is not a minor achievement for anyone. Then it could be my new job at Horizon and they want to see if they can get my access to the tech there. It could be that people who were angry with Otto for releasing the Devil's Breath and saw me as related because I was his intern. I just don't know for sure, I don't think it's revenge though, they would have shot me straight away otherwise."
The recent failure to procure Peter Parker for their organization was a severe point of annoyance to AIM. Otto's contracts had been finalized and his inability to deliver was one of the reasons they targeted Octavius and Parker to be brought in. The process to get Otto was almost done and needed one last step for his consciousness to be transferred, and while Otto was almost there, he had said Parker was no small part in the interface's production and had a major hand in figuring out the minute details that would normally cause severe problems.
That hadn't known Otto was playing them and trying to disrupt Peter's life.
The complete octo-bot whirred to life and clambered off the desk and latched onto a nearby harness with robotic limbs.
The harness hummed to life and began to move on its own and headed towards the cloning labs.
