Spider-Man: TAS
Season 6: The Final Chapter
Episode 3: Empire's End, Part I
The Beginning of the End
After finally convincing her Aunt to let her go, Mary Jane headed quickly to the Coffee Bean where she met with her best friend Liz Allen. Mary Jane and Liz had been friends for some time, and with Peter off doing his spider thing, MJ needed someone her own age to talk to.
"Hi, Liz," MJ said while approaching her best friend who sat at a booth.
Liz got up and hugged Mary Jane.
"I'm glad to see you're okay," Liz said. "After that whole Hydroman thing, I was afraid I might not ever see you again. What happened exactly?"
They both sat down across from each other. MJ wasn't "exactly" sure what had happened. She hadn't actually been there herself. Luckily Peter had clued her in on what went on with the clone, so Mary Jane could tell Liz about how Spider-Man came to the rescue. MJ tried to keep it as brief as possible.
Once the explanations were over, Liz said, "Well, I'm glad you're okay. Ummm… I have a big favor you ask you."
"Oh? Well we've been friends a long time, I'm sure I can do you a favor."
"I kind of need a place to stay." Liz looked down at the table. She didn't like having to ask this of her best friend, but she no longer had anywhere else to sleep at the present.
"What?" MJ was shocked. "What happened with you and Harry?"
"We had a fight." Tears started to slowly run down her cheek. "He kicked me out and said some awful things and… and…" She was crying so hard now that anything else she said after that second "and" was incomprehensible to MJ.
Mary Jane moved around to the other bench on which her friend sat and comforted Liz. MJ was now determined to help her friend in any way she possibly could. Just because I don't have super powers like my wall-crawling husband, she thought, doesn't mean I can't help people out.
"Sing us a song, you're the piano man," Spider-Man sang out. "Sing us a song tonight. 'Cause we're all in the mood for…"
"…you to shut up," Daredevil ended Spidey's horrible singing. "Since I first met you, every time I've been within hearing distance of you, which is pretty far for me, I don't think I've gone an entire minute without hearing your voice."
Both heroes were swinging through the city hundreds of feet above the New York City's very populated streets. Spider-Man was obviously using his web and the blind lawyer now in his Daredevil disguise was swinging via his billy club, which a rope would shoot out of.
"So—what?—are you saying you want me to shut up?" Spidey said in his best "you really hurt my feelings, there" voice.
"No. But I am implying it," replied Daredevil.
"I see how it is. Fine I wont say anything. No more wise cracks. No more insisting that we hock lugies down upon the unsuspecting passers-by. Nope. No more of that from me. From now on…"
"Oh, God!" Daredevil muttered to himself as he picked up his pace in order to reach the Kingpin's base of operations as quickly as possible.
"If you don't want to be my partner on this mission, you just say so. I know how hard it must be to team with someone dressed as a spider; but then again, I have to team with someone dressed as the devil… So I guess it's kind of a trade off, huh? You know, I'm getting the feeling you really don't want to talk to me…"
"Shut up!" snapped Daredevil.
"Well you didn't have to be that direct."
"No, be quiet. I hear someone approaching."
"In the air?" questioned Spider-Man. "How…?"
"Shhh. I can smell her now."
"Her?"
"Yes. No man smells like that."
Now that he was paying attention, there was a slight tingle of Spidey's spider-sense. No threat was being posed obviously. Spider-Man didn't have to turn his head to know who was quickly approaching.
"Don't worry D.D. I know her, unfortunately. You might say I'm her babysitter. I think we should land on a rooftop for a moment."
The two landed and a second later the Black Cat was standing before the two red clad heroes.
"Umm… Hi… Cat…" Peter was still uncomfortable about what he learned the other day when Black Cat had taken off her mask to reveal Felicia Hardy underneath.
"What are you two fellas up to? A man's night out?" Cat joked.
"Not exactly," Spidey said. "We don't really have time for this. We have to get going."
"Spider, why are you avoiding me?" There was pain in Felicia's voice as she said this. "I missed you when I was away; I want to be with you. You said we would talk later, but…"
"Not now, Felicia," Spider-Man said, a little more harshly than intended.
Black Cat had to push back tears. Not only had the man she loved used such a callous tone, he also used her civilian name. And in front of another costumed hero, as well. Anger was starting to surface.
"Look, miss," Daredevil broke in, "I don't know what once went on between you two, but you really must discuss it later. Kingpin must be stopped soon, and I need his help." Daredevil pointed at Spider-Man.
"Kingpin!" shouted the Black Cat. "I hope you don't mind if I join in. I have a personal stake involved when it comes to Fisk."
"No, Cat," Spider-Man said, using Felicia's heroine name now, since he noticed how hurt she was before. "I don't want you getting hurt. Sit this one out and when we're through I'll find you and we can talk."
"No!" Black Cat shrieked in anger. "You're not the boss of me. I'm sick of you treating me like a child! I want Fisk's head on a platter as much as you do. So you're getting my help whether you want it or not."
Spider-Man sighed before he and D.D. took off with some unwanted company.
"Hey," Daredevil said to Spider-Man. "Any help is good when it comes to the Kingpin, I guess." He could see that his friend wasn't in a good mood. "Look, she seems like the type who can handle herself. She might be good to have tag along."
Daredevil was not only trying to convince his partner, but himself, as well. He was afraid Black Cat might get in the way and for the first time in a while he was attempting to be optimistic. Still, he couldn't help but smile because for five glorious minutes he hadn't heard Spidey's voice once. It remained that way until they reached the building where Wilson Fisk sat at his desk and controlled nearly all the crime in New York City. The three entered the building through the front door.
Mary Jane and Liz stood at the front door of Harry Osborn's mansion. MJ rang the doorbell and a minute later Harry opened the door.
Harry smiled at the sight of his old love. "Mary Jane… and Liz." He frowned at the sight of the woman he had recently kicked out of his house.
"Harry, I think we need to talk," Mary Jane said.
"No. I can't right now. I'm busy. Too much to do."
Harry started to close the door but MJ stopped it with her foot. "Harry, we need to talk now!"
Liz just stood there looking at the man she loved with hurt eyes. Harry sighed and let them in.
No, you fool! said a voice in Harry's head. They hurt you. They're conspiring against you. Kick them out! Get rid of them!
"Shut up!" Harry shouted, gripping his head.
MJ and Liz stood by looking at their friend in confusion.
"Harry, what's wrong," Liz tried to comfort as she reached out with her hand.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Harry smacked Liz's arm away.
"Harry!" snapped Mary Jane. "I don't know what's going on with you, but if you need a doctor, than…"
"No, MJ, I don't need a doctor," Harry said in a much calmer voice now. "Let's sit down and talk."
They walked into the large living room and all sat down. Liz and Mary Jane took a leather couch while Harry sat in a large chair that appeared to be very comfortable.
"Harry, I'm beginning to think that you can't let go of the past," MJ said. "Liz loves you and I know, despite what you think, you care about her, as well. The relationship we had didn't work out because we're much more different than you think…"
She's lying to you, trying to deceive you, the voice in Harry's head surfaced again. You can have her back, Harry. Just destroy Spider-Man!
Harry shook his head and dismissed the strange voice before saying, "I know, MJ. You're right. I haven't been myself lately. Liz," Harry turned to her and Liz looked up. "I do care about you, Liz. I love you. You make me feel like I'm the most important person in a world of over six billion."
MJ smiled and looked at her best friend who was also now beaming. Liz couldn't hold back.
"Oh, Harry," she said as she launched out of her seat and ran over to hug the man she loved.
"I'm so sorry for kicking you out. I was ill at the time and I made a mistake. I want to make it up to you. I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
Liz let out a squeak of joy, for she suspected what he was going to say next.
"Liz, will you marry me?"
"YES!" She cried out before Harry had actually finished his sentence.
They hugged and kissed and hugged before kissing some more.
Mary Jane stood up and said, "I guess I'm not needed here anymore. Catch you guys later. I have a husband of my own to find."
"Thank you so much for all that you've done for me," Liz said. Liz gave her friend a hug before MJ left.
"Hello, could you ring up Mr. Fisk, please? We have an appointment," Spider-Man explained to the startled man sitting at the front desk.
The man picked up the phone and dialed a quick number while never taking his eyes off Daredevil, Black Cat, and Spider-Man.
"Mr. Fisk? You… eh… you have some… guests…"
"Send them up," said the deep voice on the other side of the phone.
"B-but sir. They…"
"Send them up. I don't think I have anything to fear from them."
"G-go right u-up."
"Thanks," Spidey said.
The three heroes took the elevator up to the top floor and walked down a long hallway to the double doors at the end. Through those doors man waited for the costumed adventures and held open a secret door for them to pass through. Another hallway and one last hidden door in the building, which was much more like a labyrinth for security reasons, led them to the large room where the Kingpin, a.k.a. philanthropist Wilson Fisk, sat behind a large desk containing several computer screens and keyboards. Kingpin stood up to greet his guests. He was a large, white (not black as some rumors on the street said) man with a cane that had what appeared to be a very large diamond on the top. Most people had made the mistake of underestimating the Kingpin by believing he was fat and slow. However, his obesity was due to a large quantity of muscle and his speed was faster than any man of his size should be.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of the talented Spider-Man, troublesome Daredevil, and beautiful Miss Hardy knocking on my door?" the crime leader asked the trio.
"Your recent attacks downtown," Spider-Man said. "We're not letting you continue your crime parade while innocents are being hurt and killed all over the city. You're at the end of your line, Fisk."
Fisk let out a long loud laugh. "No, I'm afraid not. First of all, if you're referring to the recent attacks by Shocker and Rhino, you'll be surprised to know I was not behind it."
"That's bull…"
"Cat!" Spider-Man shouted. "Calm down."
Spider-Man had to hold back his ex-girlfriend (if fighting crime together and sharing lips occasionally counted as dating) because she looked as if she was about to lunge at the large crime boss. She would have been killed quickly.
"Who was behind it, then?" Daredevil suspiciously inquired.
"I don't know," Fisk honestly answered. He sat back down. "Someone wants me out of the crime business. No surprise there. But this person is using my old weapons against me. There's always someone who wants to replace me, but no one until now has been dumb enough to use the garbage I have wisely thrown away. After the fiasco in Russia with my Sinister Six I discovered that they were all has-beens and could do nothing more for me. I got rid of them and for some reason my new opponent thinks some of them are still worth keeping around in the business."
"They did a lot of damage downtown. I don't know what he was trying to…" Spider-Man was cut off.
"They hit a couple of operations I had going on down there. One ended up being unsuccessful," Kingpin explained, scowling.
"Well, that explains it then." Daredevil said. "Your mystery adversary only wanted to stir up some trouble with your 'has-beens.' I'm sure he's not through yet."
"Yes, quite. But I'm sure it is in your best interest for you people to discover who this person is and I should think you'd want to do it quickly," Kingpin said.
"In a pigs eye," Black Cat said. "We could just leave him to his business and hopefully you'll both destroy each other."
"No, Cat," Spider-Man said. "We do have to help him."
"What?!" Black Cat said. "You've got to be kidding."
"If we leave this mystery mob boss to do his dirty work, many innocent lives could be taken," Spidey explained.
"He's right," Daredevil agreed.
Kingpin laughed once again. "You must love the irony, Spider-Man. You're common wisecracks in the past have always given the impression that you love humorous happenstances."
"Don't worry, Fisk. We'll be back for you. Hopefully your opponent will take care of you before this thing is over." Spider-Man ended his moral lecture and the three heroes exited.
The Kingpin leaned back in his chair broodingly. He sincerely hoped Spider-Man and his friends would take care of his dirty work before he actually did get to the end of his line.
There was a knock at the front door of the apartment that Mary Jane shared with her husband Peter Parker. MJ stopped cleaning to see who was at her door at ten o'clock at night. When she opened the door a man who looked to be in his forties stood before the redhead. He had a white beard along with white hair and wore a very expensive suit.
"Hello. You're Mary Jane Parker, right?" the stranger asked.
MJ was a bit startled by the name. She hadn't yet heard her last name as Parker. "Y-yes," she replied.
"Hi. I saw you at the film you were working on at Wonder Studios and when I realized that the movie was no longer being pursued that you would need a job opportunity. Clearly, judging by the look of this place, you do."
"What do you want," Mary Jane barked, "other than to insult my standard of living."
"Look, I just think you would make an amazing model. I would like to hire you. Perhaps you could invite me in and we could discuss business."
"Who are you?" MJ asked, more intrigued now.
"I'm sorry. My name is Roderick Kingsley, head of Kingsley International," the man explained. "We're…"
"…one of the largest fashion designing companies in the world!" MJ finished for Kingsley. She was astonished.
"Ah, so you've heard of us." Kingsley smiled and asked, "Would you mind if I come in. You really would make a wonderful model."
Mary Jane Parker invited her future employer in. She couldn't wait to tell Peter. Where was he, anyway?
Next: Empire's End, Part II
Note to comic fans: If you picked up references to an upcoming mystery, don't ruin it in your review for those who are strictly TAS fans! J