Woah, so I got a sudden surge of 'Laura!' votes for the new symbiote host. Ironic, considering the only reason Laura's even here in the first place and awkwardly crammed into Cindy's segment was because readers kept asking about her. Similar to Helen Stacy she wouldn't have had any sort of plot importance in the original plans, so having her be a symbiote host is a giant bump up in role. Guess people really want a smol, bladed and tentacled murder machine.
Still, we'll see who the new host will be in the future. The baby isn't exactly coming next chapter and maybe the upcoming Ghost Spider 7 tomorrow will give me some ideas.
Speaking of chapters, this will be the last slice of life one and we can finally get back to some freaking plot! Sorry for everyone who got bored so far, we'll finally tackle some of the juicy stuff in the next update :D
...Of course, the next planned update is either the Mayday omake chapter or the segment about this story's true hero and savior, Frog-Man. Depends where we end up.
Oh, and for those asking about who the father for the new symbiote is - clearly it's Dog. That was obvious from the start.
J Jonah Jameson: Now, I've made my thoughts on various subjects clear and I never restrained myself. I wholly believe that you are entitled to your own opinion and no one can say otherwise.
Except, of course, when those opinions are WRONG! Take this 'fan site', for example. Youths glorifying criminals like Spider-Woman and propping her up as some kind of role model! It's sickening! How everyone can remain blind to what a MENACE she is I'll never understand!
And it's bad enough that a bunch of teenagers do it - at least I expect them to make stupid decisions - but now we've got actual adults getting in on this! A Spider-Woman tv show?! A Spider-Woman video game?! Spider-Woman PLUSHIES?! This is WROOONNNGGG! Why are we praising her?! Are we praising killers like the Jack-o-Lantern?! No, then why are we doing it for Spider-Woman?! It's insane!
Let's not even start on those 'Spider Worshipers'! Those bunch of crazies actually idolize that murderer Spider-Man even after everything he did! Now I've heard some claims from people that these masked menaces actually do good, but how do you know they aren't faking the entire thing? What possible reason could someone have to run around in masks if they weren't just crazy?!
The man leading this group must be some kind of deranged maniac who enjoys the idea of making trouble for everyone else! This young man, whoever he is, needs help. It's clear he wasn't raised right and whoever parented him needs to be held accountable for raising such a twisted individual. Whoever you are, you have my sympathy and I hope whoever messed up in raising you pays for their screwed up values!
Now, you wanna talk about real heroes I can tell you about my son-
Pregnant. Gwen was pregnant.
That was the first thought Mary Jane had when she woke up to the all too familiar roof of her bedroom the next day. The events of last night were still a blur, but she remembered the general details. Apparently it wasn't Gwen who was pregnant, it was Webster, and there was no actual father. Something about symbiotes reproducing asexually like some kinds of jellyfish.
Honestly, she didn't even want to think about it for a lot of reasons. Instead she went down, ate and changed into the outfit she'd prepared the night prior. Crimson could've shifted into it, but something about the routine of actually putting on her clothes made her feel relaxed. Soon enough she'd looked halfway decent and took a an Ooper (another part of being normal) to the venue.
Mary Jane couldn't believe she was actually here.
The redhead adjusted the collar of her blouse and swallowed nervously as she stepped inside the extremely wide room. The milling group of young women made her feel like tuna stuffed in a can despite the size of the venue they were in. The place was also cold, or maybe that was just cause she was nervous. Her outfit - a red blouse, dark shorts and strapped sandals - probably didn't help.
'You killed five people a couple of days ago. Why are you nervous about playing dress up?'
'None of your business...' She inspected her red painted nails to try and look calm. She'd been on the stage before, true, but always for the band. The idea of being up there for anything other than that was...odd. She knew she was pretty - she was confident, so sue her - but she never really thought about doing anything with it. At most she'd used it as a way to attract more attention for the band - a pretty redhead upfront was hard to resist.
She'd skipped out on her morning classes to be here. Thankfully the profs she had for those times were some of the more lax ones; long as she did the end of term project they wouldn't fail her even if she was absent the whole semester. She recognized at least a few other ESU students around here, so evidently she wasn't the only one who thought 500 dollars upfront and a possible modelling gig was too easy to pass up.
Though, she doubted any of them were here to bail out their asshole fathers.
Mary Jane tapped the message on her phone again and frowned. Mr. Southern Accent said they would meet at at a nearby McDaniels when this was done to make the first payment. 400 dollars upfront (hey, she needed some pocket money) with the rest coming when...if she passed the trial period. If she didn't...well, she'd either find another way or her dad was screwed. Either or.
'We could just kill them.'
'I don't care enough that much about him.' Not enough to kill for, at least. She would've killed for a lot of people: for Gwen and Peter, for Glory and Betty, for her mom and Gayle, for Norah, but not for him. He didn't deserve that from her.
There was a merciful quiet for a few seconds before Crimson spoke again, 'You're thinking about Stacy's baby.'
'Technically it's not Gwen's baby.' She practically saw the symbiote rolling those soulless eyes of its, '...I think it should be obvious, but if you try anything I'm going to-'
'I'm not trying anything. If I'm not touching Stacy I'm not touching her spawn.' She winced at the word. Spawn. Not even a child or a baby, just spawn, 'Besides, she's having a kid. That's a fate worse than death already.'
'You're not funny.' She crossed her arms and looked around the area casually, 'I feel like an idiot for asking, but we're not gonna go through that...right?' She sounded pleading at the end. Please tell her she wasn't going to deal with baby para- er, symbiotes.
'...Of course not.' Why didn't it sound so sure...? 'Chocolate lover and I are made of different material. We both share the Lizard serum as a base, but the Hyde formula is far better than that radioactive trash Stacy has flowing through her veins.'
She didn't get a chance to say anything back before she got a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and blinked when she came face to face with a smiling young woman with long, curly dark hair, "You're new here too, aren't you?"
"H-Huh? Oh, yeah..." Mary Jane did her best to smile back, "That obvious?"
"You were standing so far apart from everyone else. Thought you might want someone to talk to." She extended a hand, "Marsha Rosenberg. Nice to meet you."
"O-Oh, uh, yeah! My name's Mary Jane. Nice to meet you too." Mary Jane's nervous smile expanded slightly. This was normal, friendly talk, but after having nothing but Crimson screaming into her head and keeping it a secret from her friends even a stranger's casual greeting made her feel warm in the stomach, "Yeah, it's my first time here. Kinda nervous."
"You and me both." She gestured to the side of the large room, "Wanna sit with me and my friend?"
"Sure!" Mary Jane said, just a little too eagerly. Damn it, Watson, get a grip, "I-I mean, cool with me..."
Said friend ended up being another redhead by the name of Mary MacPherran who tucked herself into the corner like a mouse. The description was accurate in more ways than one. The other Mary was small, easily a head shorter than Mary Jane and Marsha, and lanky to boot with thin hair that went to her waist. Her shirt and jeans looked somewhat oversized and the nervous look on her face really emphasized the word mousy.
Marsha was the opposite. She was a bit more on the rotund side with thick hair that stuck out somewhat from her head. Mary Jane didn't want to admit it, but neither of the two would've been her first thought when she thought of a model. Then again they weren't alone; she caught at least a handful of people who could be generously described as average milling around in their own little groups.
She, Mary and Marsha were tucked into a small corner with their chairs and they spent the next 15 minutes just talking. It was clear from the word go that Mary wasn't exactly a social butterfly.
"Why are we even here?" Her voice was soft and sometimes hard to hear from the other noise in the auditioning room, "They're not gonna accept us..."
"Have a little faith, Mary. That guy wouldn't have picked us if he didn't think we were worth anything." Marsha squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.
"I...I'm not so sure..." She looked at Mary Jane, "What about you? Why are you here?"
"Me? Well..." She leaned forward on the backwards chair and put her head atop her arms, "My dad's not exactly the best with cash and he borrowed money from some...friends. I felt bad so I thought I could make a little extra here." It wasn't the truth, but it wasn't a lie either, "500 dollars upfront for everyone who showed up, right? Seems like a sweet gig so I went for it."
"Yeah, it's the same for us. Well, not the dad thing, the money," Marsha said, "Me and Mary work over at the Nine-Five near ESU. That's where that guy saw us and made us the offer."
"Huh...wait, I think I've seen you two around." Mary Jane rubbed her chin, "Is it the one near grande blvd? The one where the sign's busted up cause-"
"Cause Bodega Bandit's Banditos tripped over it? Yeah..." Mary laughed softly. The smile made her look far less insecure,"I saw you a couple of times there. You're...You're really pretty. I'm sure you'll pass."
"Hopefully. I need to pay dad's bills." She snorted, trying ignore the wry smile that threatened to come out. They didn't need to hear her problems, "If not then I guess it's back to the ticket counter for me."
They talked for almost 30 more minutes before Mary volunteered to get them sodas from the nearby table. Mary Jane went with her (she was hungry anyway) and they were on their way back to Marsha when it happened.
A tall blonde practically stomped up to them and Mary didn't have enough time to stop. The soda spilled onto Mary's shirt and she dropped the pastries in shock, "Ugh, watch where you're going, Skeeter!" Mary Jane scowled and turned to look at the all too familiar face.
Sally Avril. Self-proclaimed Queen Bitch of ESU and Midtown High before had all the hallmarks for it considering she was a tall, lightly tanned blonde dressed to the nines with the latest fashions courtesy of daddy's money. Mary Jane never liked her, but she couldn't say they interacted all that much. She was with the popular rich kids and Mary Jane was too busy with the band.
"S-Sorry..." Mary looked down at her soaked shirt and looked close to tears.
"You think that's good enough?" Avril sneered down at the shorter woman, "Do you have any idea how much this shirt cost? I bet it's worth more than whatever you make in that store-"
"Hey, back off." Mary Jane stepped in front of Mary and matched Avril's sneer, "You were the one who bumped into her. I'd say you her an apology, Sal."
The blonde blinked in surprise, seemingly from the fact that someone was talking back to her, before her expression of distaste returned, "Watson. Ugh, what are you doing here?" She looked down at her with so much elitism that she would've made Felicia Hardy proud. This was a girl who had everything go her way since day one. She was also one of the people who made Peter's life utter hell.
'She's annoying.'
"If you seriously don't know the answer to that then I really worry for you." Mary Jane crossed her arms while Mary shrunk behind her, "Now apologize."
"For what? She ruined my outfit." She gestured to her silk top which, of course, had maybe two tiny drops on it while Mary's shirt was soaked to the front, "If these stains don't come off I'm gonna make sure you pay for it, Skeeter."
"Stop calling her that." Mary Jane had no idea what it meant, but it was clear from the blonde's tone it wasn't a compliment.
'We could kill her here.'
'...Too many witnesses.'
'Killjoy.'
"Why are you playing the white knight, Watson? What, your friends ditch you and now you're trying to find new ones?"
"You-"
"Ladies, please."
Both their heads snapped to the source of the voice. A well dressed old man looked at them with a lax smile. It took her a few seconds to recognize him - Roderick Kingsley, the entire reason they were even here in the first place. His eyes were slightly narrowed as he watched them both with obvious amusement. A few of the other women in the crowd whispered among one another.
"I know this is the modeling scene, but it's a bit early to start the rivalries."
"She-"
"I'm well aware, Ms. Watson. We have security cameras for a reason." He gestured to said cameras on the walls, "And I agree with you; Ms. Avril is clearly the one at fault here. I think it's fair that she apologizes before we start, right?"
"No way in-"
"Of course, she could refuse and find herself escorted out. I do so hate rude people, after all. It's the one thing I can't abide."
Watching Avril gape like a fish made her feel better than she had in days. Gritting her teeth, the blonde turned to Mary with a look that could kill and said, "I'm sorry for bumping into you..." She couldn't have sounded more insincere if she tried.
"A little lacking, but that's to be expected." Mr. Kingsley sighed theatrically and shooed her away, "Now, go get ready. It's last name first and you're first. We'll have you changed into your attire quickly."
Avril trudged back to the changing room while Mary Jane comforted Mary, "Come on." She put an arm around the practically crying girl's shoulder and walked her gently back to Marsha. The brunette had a look of guilt she didn't even try to hide. Mary Jane didn't blame her; the entire thing was a clusterfuck and her rushing in would've just made it worse.
"I-I'll go find a spare shirt." Marsha rushed out, leaving the two of them alone.
It was quiet for a minute till Mary finally stopped sniffling, "Th-Thanks..."
"No problem. She's a bitch." Her and King were the worst things Midtown High crapped out. The fact that no one knew how much they had a hand in driving Peter to what he did made her blood boil, "I'm guessing this isn't your first run-in with her."
"No. She...She makes my life hell whenever she runs into me at campus." Mary pursed her lips, "She calls me Skeeter...it means mosquito." Mary Jane's hands clenched tightly, "I don't get it! I never did anything to her, so why is she..."
"She's a bitch who does it because she can. That's it."
'Maybe we should go after her next.'
'She hasn't actually killed anyone, Crimson.'
'So?'
Marsha returned with a spare shirt and they all waited for their turns. Mary Jane was one of the last - thank you, Watson name - and by the time she was walking on the runway and spinning around any and all nervousness was replaced by a burning frustration at the fact that she couldn't do more. Avril would make Mary's life hell after this, she knew it. People like her hated not getting the last word in.
The actual walking and posing was easy. The heels they gave her were compensated by her better balance and she managed to look halfway confident when she got to the end of the runway. There were three 'judges' gauging everything: the agent who recruited them (who she'd later find out was Kingsley's brother), Kingsley himself, and a gaunt man with frizzy brown hair that looked more like he belonged in a mad science lab than a fashion shoot.
She had to admit, the way the last guy looked at her creeped her the hell out. It would've been one thing if he was leering; that would've been expected. Instead he looked at her like she was some kind of test subject.
They all got their money (and a little extra, cause Kingsley was in a good mood) and began milling out. Mary Jane exchanged contacts with Mary and Marsha and hung around till almost everyone was gone.
"Mr. Kingsley?" she asked as soon as he was separated from the other.
"Hmm? Oh, what is it, Ms. Watson?"
"I...I have a question."
"Yes, I assumed as much." He chuckled, "Is it about the results? Cause like I said we'd call you back as soon as-"
"No, that's not it." Mary Jane shook her head softly, "I just...how did your brother pick who to come?"
"You're asking why he picked the so-called ugly duckling." He smirked at her defensive refusal, "It's quite alright, I get those kinds of questions all the time. Let me see...Ms. Watson, have you been to fashion shows before?"
"Uh, no, not really. Not my thing."
"Of course. Well, have you been on stage at all?"
"I've been in a band before, does that count? Lead singer and song writer."
"Yes, more than you think!" He clapped his hands excitedly, "You mentioned singing and writing the songs. Tell me, you're beautiful young woman. How would you feel if people came to your concerts purely because of your appearance?"
"I...guess I wouldn't feel good?"
"Indeed. I pride myself in my designs. I started up from nothing and had to earn everything I had, unlike those such as Osborn and Stark who had legacy on their side. When I make these designs I wish for people to see them beauty and work that came into them rather than, to put it bluntly, taking pictures for their next raunchy fantasies."
"So...that's why you don't just go for people like Avril."
"Indeed. I do so despise those who came to fortune without earning it. I'll have to talk to Daniel about his standards next time." He looked at his watch and frowned, "Apologies, but I have a meeting. I'll give you the results in a few days time."
"Sure..." She said goodbye and looked down at her envelope full of bills. Time to bail her dad out.
Pregnant. Gwen was pregnant.
That was the only thing Peter could think off as Professor Miles Warren rattled off about genetics and inheritance. At any other day he would've been excited or rattling off questions about the research studies, but right now all he could think about was the fact that Gwen - technically the kid attached to her, but still - was honest to god pregnant.
The talk about genetic inheritance wasn't helping. At all.
It wasn't his kid. Webster (still felt dumb calling it that) made it clear that the new blob coming out came from asexual reproduction. Scientifically speaking it panned out. Many organisms like jellyfish and certain sub-species of worms created new life without any sort of sexual intercourse, so why couldn't a symbiote? It was normal...well, about as normal as it could be all things considered.
"Ben?" He was jolted out of his reverie at the sudden voice. He looked to the right and found Gwen - his girlfriend who also happened to be carrying a baby - looking at him worriedly. The hood and wig kept most of his face hidden, at least, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just peachy..."
Gwen frowned and looked down at her notes. Peter had been quiet ever since the last night. Not that she could blame him - she wasn't exactly cool as a cucumber right now either - but it still made her anxious. How did he think she felt? Just a day ago everything was 'normal' and now she was carrying around mama's first symbiote in...wherever the hell it was.
Webster was quick to re-assure her. It won't change anything, she said, we're still capable of heroism. What she meant by that was that the baby was a part of them till it was born so unless they died, at which point they'd have bigger things to worry about, they'd be just fine. There also wouldn't be any bloated stomachs or morning sickness, so that was a plus.
Still, she couldn't help but be worried. She'd heard horror stories of abused wives or young junkies who miscarried for one reason or another and she did not want to be added to that list.
Despite his distracted state, Peter did take notes. Gwen gave him a sideways smile when she glanced down at his notebook and saw the scattered notes on the page. Even back in high school asking him for notes was a crapshoot since no one but him could read it most of the. Peter distractedly circled 'Purpose Guided Evolution' and began to scribble more add-ons under it.
Peter didn't answer any of the questions and he didn't ask any. It was for the best. While Prof Warren was nice enough to not ask for ID they didn't want to draw any attention to him. Yes he looked different with the dyed hair, stubble and wig, but the last thing they needed was someone recognizing Spider-Man and causing a scene. Thankfully the prof bought her excuse about Peter being a shy wallflower.
An hour passed and class soon ended with a reminder that there'd be a test on Wednesday. Everyone packed up their things and made the slow trudge outside either for another class or a well-deserved break. Gwen grabbed Peter's wrist as soon as he stood, "Let's stay behind."
"Why?" He looked down at her with suspicion. Rude.
"Cause I know you wanna ask Prof Warren about that science-y stuff." She smirked up at him.
He didn't argue. When everyone else left for class she had to practically drag him to the sole other occupant of the room, "Hey, Professor?" He looked up from the projector with a friendly smile.
"Ah, Ms. Stacy. I assume this is the friend you were talking about?" He looked to Peter with the same smile.
"Yeah, Ben Reilly." She nudged Peter forward not so gently (he was being stubborn), "He actually wanted to talk to you about your lecture, if it's not too much trouble?"
"Never trouble to talk with someone who wants to learn." Gwen had no idea how he hasn't been beaten down by the college apathy just yet, but she wasn't complaining, "Was there anything you were confused about or needed clarification on?"
"Ah...no, nothing like that." Wow, he was really playing up the wallflower cover story. She hid her smile behind her hands as he opened up his notebook, "I just wanted to talk to you about your research. You mentioned something about Merriam's views and how they were too progressionist?"
"Oh, yes, that's gotten me some arguments from a few of my peers. You see..."
Gwen hung back and tuned them out. Peter shed whatever shyness he had as he and Prof Warren pored over each other's notes. She didn't want to say anything, but it reminded her of high school when he talked to Dr. Connors about his research. It was one of the few times he enjoyed actually coming to school and made him forget how some of the other students made his life hell.
'Don't think about it, Gwen.'
'Yeah, I know...'
Before she knew it almost thirty minutes passed. The only reason they stopped was cause Prof Warren got a text, "Damn, I didn't realize how much time we've spent." He called the person back, "Monica? Yes, I'm sorry I was discussing something in class. Oh, don't worry I can still make it. Tell Jane and Colton I'll be there, don't worry. Sorry again!"
"The wife calling, prof?" Gwen asked lightly.
"Yes. I've been so busy with work we haven't spent much time lately as a family. I was looking forward to it." He smiled fondly at the phone before pocketing it, "I'm sorry we have to cut our talk short."
"Sorry for distracting you," Peter said.
"Oh, not at all. It's my fault for being so engrossed into my research." He waved a hand lightly, "Still, Ms. Stacy was correct about your aptitude, Mr. Reilly. She mentioned you might be planning to attend ESU?"
"I...I'm still thinking about it." Gwen's smile widened. It wasn't a no, which was better than what she got last time, "Gwen said you do two sit-ins, right?"
"Yes. University policy; wouldn't want to give lessons for free. If you do attend this school then I hope you'll consider my class. It's rare to find young people so interested in the field of genetics and evolution. I'm afraid many of my students consider my class a bit of a sleep-through course."
"Their loss." He picked up his notebook again, "I'll...see you later, Professor. I'll think about your theories on gene manipulation and give my thoughts on it."
"I look forward to it."
They left the classroom a little lighter in step. Gwen led him to the Bean and ordered the usual from Eugene plus black coffee (ick) for Peter, 'Gwen, we should get chocolate. The baby needs it.'
'No, it really doesn't. And I don't want Webster Jr. being a diabetic like her mom.'
'But-'
'Hush. I already got you that good imported stuff this morning.'
They sat across one another on the table, both nursing their drinks. She hated to admit it, but Peter kinda looked like an emo dweeb with that wig and hood on. The peeks of the tattoo on his left wrist didn't help at all.
"You looked like you had fun," Gwen said eventually.
"Huh? Oh...yeah." He smiled after a few seconds' hesitation, "The last memories of classes I have are from high school. College is...different."
"Yeah, well, most people kinda get it into their skulls that this is make or break and the more classes you fail the more student loans pile up." That and bullies who relied on getting others to do their work for them didn't make it far here. Probably the reason why she hadn't seen King at all; he was the perfect combination of a dumb jackass, "That and no one paid attention to, just like I said."
"You were right there..." He looked down at his cup of steaming coffee briefly, "So...about your new tagalong?"
"Y-yeah?" she asked nervously.
"You don't seem that worried, is all."
"Oh, trust me, I'm freaking the hell out on the inside." Webster made her belly warm again, "It's just...I can't see what I can do besides just toughing it out. Webster's given me so much and I think this is a way to pay her back." She grinned.
"Still...pregnant?"
"Says the guy who came back from the dead twice and doesn't think it's a big deal?"
"...Point."
"Besides, at least this way Helena won't be lonely." Would Webster Jr. count as a brother/sister or an uncle/aunt? Gah, this was complicated.
"I still can't believe you gave her that damn doll..." He actually scowled at that. Drama queen.
"It was love at first sight."
His no doubt savage response was cut off when Glory and Betty came with MJ in tow. The slight make-up on the redhead's face made Gwen stare. MJ'd always preferred to go au naturel so seeing even the red lipstick looked odd.
Thankfully she'd already ordered ahead for them, "Hey, Dark Spider." Betty grinned as she sat next to him. Peter grunted in annoyance.
"Long time no see," Glory added.
"Yeah." He took a sip of his coffee and looked to MJ, "Done with your modelling gig?"
"Yep, just gotta wait for the results." She played with her straw idly. A telltale sign that she was annoyed.
"What's wrong?" Glory asked.
"I ran into Avril." They all (sans Peter) shared mutual grimaces, "She was starting shit up with this poor girl in the audition room. Honestly, if she actually makes it past the audition I might just quit even if I pass. Don't wanna deal with her whining."
"Point," Betty said, "Still, a model, huh? Our little MJ's finally making her debut."
"Please, we did that when Gwencent fought Rhino dude." Gwen never felt more thankful than today on just how self-centered most college students were. Most people were too busy to overhear them and those that did...well, they'd just think they were rambling about stupid stuff."
Still, why the sudden interest? I didn't take you for someone into the fashion game," Glory said.
"I have my reasons." She shrugged and then, apropos of nothing, suddenly added, "So you guys wanna get together for band practice?"
Gwen blinked, wondering if she'd heard her right, "Um...what? What about your...you know?"
"I think I might have a solution for that." She shared a brief look with Peter and smiled. Right...she was just gonna ignore that, "Let's try it. You guys are free on Friday afternoon, right? Let's see if we can get back into the beat."
"Ugh, puns." Glory rolled her eyes.
"Well, it wouldn't be too bad to see if we still got the swing of things." Gwen grinned.
"You two are absolute dorks and I hate for it." Glory laughed under her breath.
Peter, who up until then had remained quiet, suddenly muttered, "I have to go." Her eyebrows furrowed; she knew that tone. He pocketed his phone and stood, "I'll see you later."
"Wait, what was that?"
"Ah...work."
"...Murdock?"
"Page." So, basically Murdock. Gwen stood and he put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head, "I'm coming with you."
"I'd rather do this alone."
"No fucking way." Glory, Betty and Mary Jane stared at the two of them awkwardly, "I don't care if he says he's 'seen the light', I don't trust that asshole"
"I don't trust him either, but I have to play ball if I want to deal with Page. So if don't trust him then trust me. I'm not going to let him turn me around."
She wanted to say more, but she didn't want to scream and draw attention to them. She remembered how that bastard broke him, remembered cradling his body in her arms for the second time in her life because he didn't like the idea of someone taking away his 'toy'. She hated Murdock and nothing could ever change that. Why didn't he see that?"
"But..."
"Cindy's already there anyway." Gwen blinked. That wasn't what she expected to hear, "Trust me, I'll see you later, okay?"
"...Okay." She nodded dumbly and sat as Peter rounded the corner out of sight.
Pregnant. Gwen was pregnant.
Or at least that was what the text she'd gotten from Peter the night prior said. It was only now when she was sitting on the limousine(!) that she bothered to check her phone. She'd been too busy watching the trial beforehand and honestly she was wondering if Peter finally managed to get drunk cause it didn't make sense. Still, that trial...
It was definitely something. There was Matt Murdock, the former Kingpin of Crime and all around general drillbit, airing out a thousand metric tons worth of dirty laundry. Corrupt politicians, bought off police chiefs, deals with foreign crime syndiates - you name it, Murdock confessed to it. He went into excruciating detail and provided every hint of recorded video, contracts, bank accounts and anything else the judge asked.
And he did all of that with a smile and a broken arm that everyone assumed came from criminals trying to discourage him. Of course.
It took hours just to get through the entire confession, and even then it'd probably take weeks to actually make any headway on it. Still, it was enough to cause a shitstorm. Heads were gonna roll for this, or so De Wolfe said; especially since one of the indicted people was Police Chief Pratchett who was already screaming up and down that he was being framed. Nevermind the video blackmail presented that showed him agreeing to murder a police officer in exchange for a favor owed.
It was just her, Karen Page and Murdock in the car. Page sat to her left a fair distance away poring through files while Murdock just hummed an oddly familiar tune with a smile on his face as he read a (non-braille) book by sliding his fingers across the page. The rest of the guards were ahead and behind them in blacked out cars. Anvil Security was their name. Apparently they were well-recommended.
"So, when is Ms. Hardy planning to kill me?" Cindy looked up to meet Murdock's shaded eyes and (somehow) managed to keep her face neutral, "I must admit, the suspense is killing me, pardon the pun."
"I dunno what you're talking about."
"Yes, and I'm sure she's also not planning to follow us back to my home." He snapped the book shut, "Come now, we're all intelligent adults here, so there's no need to play dumb. Besides, you didn't think it was a coincidence that you of all people were tasked with ensuring my safety, right?"
Cindy's eyes narrowed, "You planned for this."
"Well, technically I didn't. Karen is my jailer, after all." The blonde still hadn't looked up from her files at all. Cindy almost wanted to slap her in frustration, "I wanted to meet with Ms. Hardy as soon as possible. Her and Peter are the people I've...wrong the most in the past year." Did he actually sound guilty or was that just her imagination? "I wanted to to the same for Mr. Castle, but he hasn't arrived yet."
"What are you planning?"
"He wishes to make amends." Karen said softly, finally facing them. There was something indescribable in her somber expression, "He wishes to give Ms. Hardy the same choice Mr. Parker was given a few nights prior."
"And that is?"
"If I deserve to live just a little longer." He laughed under his breath, "Karen and Stick believe that I can still be of some use, and in that sense I can't kill myself since that would disappoint them. Ms. Hardy and Mr. Parker, however, are not under this limitation. Karen can't physically stop them from interfering, you see. That breaks all sorts of rules."
"So...what, you're trying to commit death by vigilante?"
"Not particularly. If I die then I die, if I don't then I keep going as a lapdog till I die later. Either way my soul goes to the inferno and justice is served for all my sins." He said it so casually, like he was talking about the weather or his favorite food, "You could kill me as well, if you prefer, though I'm afraid you won't get much catharsis from it. Ms Moon was always your enemy more than I was."
"Yeah..."
Well...this wasn't how she expected this to go. Cindy fingered the gun on her thigh holster. He was right; it would've been so easy to just draw her gun and shoot him right him in the head. She could swing away before the security could catch her and meet Felicia for that favor. She'd be mad she couldn't pull the trigger herself, but Murdock would be dead either way.
"We're here."
Cindy blinked and almost missed Page and Murdock stepping out of the car. Cindy followed after them and a few hired gunmen following behind. The building in front of them was a fancy apartment building that looked like it belonged in Dubai, "My old abode. I would've preferred something more humble, but an apartment in Queens is far too easy to break into."
"I wasn't asking."
She got into the elevator with Murdock and Page while the security guards stayed downstairs, "Wouldn't want to get them tangled into Ms. Hardy's vendetta," Murdock said as soon as the door closed.
The place was just as fancy on the outside as in. Cindy looked around the place and frowned. This place made hers look like a cheap motel, "Make yourself at home, Ms. Moon. The fridge is fully stocked if you're feeling peckish." He casually gestured to the kitchen. It didn't take long for Cindy to notice the security cameras that covered every room, "Oh, and don't mind those. They're meant to ensure I don't get up to anything."
"Right..." This was surreal. Cindy walked almost absentmindedly to the kitchen and saw a glass of red wine sitting innocently on the table, "...Might as well." She opened it up and poured herself something on a glass.
"Peruvian red? I didn't take you for a wine drinker." Karen Page said behind her. Cindy gave her a one-armed shrug, "Pour me a glass?"
"...Sure."
She poured the older woman a generous portion of the crimson drink and they clinked their bottles together. Cindy swallowed the entire glass in one gulp and coughed softly. Yeah, she was definitely more of a beer person, but alcohol was alcohol. Hey, at least she wasn't smoking down nicotine like Peter was. That was terrible.
"He's frustrating to deal with sometimes." Page gestured to Murdock with her free hand as he sat in the living room reading again.
"You know he deserves to die, right?" Cindy raised a brow.
"Yes, and I'm sure no one knows that more than Matthrew himself." She took a small sip, "Still, he can do good. Matthew is a lot of things, but more than anything he's effective. I understand you're going through troubles of your own. Perhaps he can aid you there."
"Uh...how about no and go screw yourself?" Maybe talking smack to the D.A wasn't a good idea, but to hell with it this entire thing was insane enough as it is.
The cameras cut out. Cindy's spin-sense tingled by just the smallest amount before she heard a crash from the next room, "That must be Ms. Hardy." Karen sighed like a long suffering school teacher and set her drink down, "Come on, we should see how this ends."
It wasn't very exciting. Felicia had cut through the ceiling window and attacked Murdock before he could put up a fight. Not that he would have. Felicia let go of any sense of finesse as soon as she saw him and immediately just let all her anger out, screaming and crying as she punched, kicked and threw Murdock all across his apartment like he was a ragdoll.
He didn't fight back.
"Putain de fils de pute!" Felicia kicked him right in his injured arm and he stumbled back with a soft hiss of pain. She continued her assault by grabbing his collar and tossing him across his living room table, spilling the fancy baubles to the floor as he crashed through it.
Murdock coughed and sat up slightly, "C'est un long temps à venir." He smiled up at her. Somehow her expression managed to turn even more murderous and she kicked him right in the jaw.
The sound of the impact made Cindy wince. Murdock was pushed to the ground from the force of the blow and Felicia followed up with another painful kick to his side that left him face down on carpet coughing up blood. Despite everything Cindy felt a smidge of pity for him, though she had no idea why. It wasn't like he didn't deserve worse, especially after everything he'd done.
Felicia panted and clenched her fists, "...Why aren't you fighting back?!" she screamed.
Murdock just laughed, "Do you want me to?"
Felicia uncurled her whip and wrapped the harsh leather around his neck. It was tight enough to choke him and again Cindy winced when she used the whip to force him to face her. He looked pathetic: his hair was a mess, there was blood around his mouth and his glasses were gone, which exposed his dull gray eyes. There was nothing demonic in them like she expected.
Murdock kept smiling.
Felicia growled and tightened the whip till it was practically a noose. Murdock's smile faltered by just the smallest amount and his hands fell to the floor. Cindy looked away. Despite everything, despite knowing that Murdock himself wanted this, she couldn't watch the execution. She tried her best to make killing cold and impersonal, even if she sometimes broke that rule.
And then, just when she thought it'd finish, Felicia suddenly let go. Murdock fell back, his breaths coming in and out raggedly, while Felicia stepped back. She still looked furious, "...Why aren't you fighting back?!" she screamed again. Murdock just kept looking up at the ceiling, "This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. You weren't supposed to just sit there and let me do this! Why are you just sitting there?!"
"Because I want to die." He sat up weakly and wiped the blood from his mouth as he looked up at Felicia, "You don't need to know the reasons, but let's just say death wouldn't be too unpleasant for me at this current moment. I either waste away and die slowly or you kill me quickly while receiving some much needed retribution. So come on then, let's finish this. Take your revenge."
Felicia clenched her right hand into a tight fish and punched him before turning around. She looked torn. Her revenge was right there in her fingertips, but if she did it she'd give Murdock exactly what he wanted. It was like if she'd found out her evil twin was dying of cancer and killing her would've been a mercy. It would've taken all the catharsis out of it.
"...Do you love your father, Ms. Hardy?" Page asked suddenly. All eyes were suddenly on her.
"What kind of question is that?" Felicia scoffed.
"What would you say if I told you that you could talk with him again?"
Felicia froze, her face fallen in disbelief, before the scowl returned, "What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly that." Karen stepped forward and, for the first time, Murdock's smile fell, "Bringing someone back from the dead is strictly forbidden, but I conversing with the departed is easier. Walter Hardy didn't do enough to damn himself to hell, so it's possible." Her smile was chilling, "I know you have regrets. Do you wish for the chance to speak the words you couldn't?"
"...You're-"
"Stay out of this, Karen!" Murdock's voice had lost its cool and he actually sounded enraged, "You said you wouldn't interfere!"
"Physically," she replied coolly, "I'm making her an offer, nothing more. A chance to talk to the father she never had the chance to say goodbye to. It's her choice if she wishes to accept."
"...And in exchange you want me to spare his life?"
"You already were when you realized this wasn't the revenge you had planned. Revenge and mercy don't often go hand in hand," Page hummed, "I'll let you decide on my offer, but for now I think we should leave. Matthew needs his rest, after all."
And just like that they all left, though not without Ms. Hardy glaring at him murderously. Matt chucked bitterly as he picked himself up and wiped more of the blood from his mouth. He should've known Karen would interfere. She and Stick, they dragged him kicking and screaming like a dog on a leash. He would've laughed if he didn't feel so torn about it.
"...I know you're there."
A moment of silence passed before Peter stepped out from the other room. He'd come in shortly after Ms. Hardy started her attack and she doubted any of them except Karen noticed, "Enjoy the show?" He put on his all too familiar smile and greeted him.
"...Thought she'd kill you," Peter said.
"Disappointed?"
"Doesn't matter to me; you're hellbound anyway." He laughed. Peter always had a knack for seeing the brighter side of things, "...Guessing Page called me here for a reason."
"Yes." He stood up and winced slightly. Ms. Hardy could pack a hell (heh) of a blow, "Stick found a hideout where Murakami might be converging. Considering he's the Hand's greatest fighter outside of rare phenomenons like the Black Sky it would be in our best interest to find him."
"Fine, give me the address. I got a score to settle with that bastard anyway."
"By yourself? I doubt it." Matt shook his head, "I'm coming with you."
"You'll just slow me down, especially with that arm of yours."
"Usually people say 'no offense' when they make statements like that." Matt smiled. Peter didn't, "Regardless, I can hold my own. Stick's teachings will allow me to function at a reasonably capacity and ignore my wounds." The only downside was the pain would return later multiplied, but he'd deal with it when it came. For the task at hand it'd be appropriate.
"Do what you want. Page just said I had to work with you; she didn't say anything about making sure you stayed alive."
"I didn't expect you to." Matt hummed and removed his hand from the cast. He was on a time limit now, "Come on, let's show the Handwhat Spider-Man and Daredevil can do."
Looks like Matt's gonna stick around for a while longer. Sorry for anyone that wanted him gone. Anyway, next chapter will be Spider-Man and Daredevil vs The Hand :D After that, and assuming I have space, I can probably do a segment with Lana about dealing with Aracely and the people who are after her. Depends on how far the Hand segment goes.
Anyway, the finale of this chapter with Felicia felt kinda off. I tried to look at her actions in canon to gauge a motivation and came up with this: she wants revenge, but she also wants to fight for it. Note that she deliberately left a calling card to bait Murdock and let him prepare for her rather than just doing something like planting a bomb in his safe or shooting him with a sniper rifle like Ultimate Felicia planned. So Matt just accepting it royally turned her off from getting her planned revenge right then and there.
Questions:
1. Light question: anyone have any suggestions for symbiote names? Unlike Peter who's too fucking lazy to name his pet, Gwen is a halfway decent parent. I can't use canon names since I doubt Gwen would really call the new symbiote Phage, Riot or Scream so I need something more in-character. Cause if we don't have any good suggestions she's gonna call it Chocolate.
2. You know, I asked before if people would've liked it if I originally went for Peter/MJ instead of Peter/Gwen in V1, but what about if I went Gwen/MJ while Peter either ends up single or with someone else (except Lana, cause he's not touching that with a galactus sized pole)? GweMJ seems to have gotten really popular after Spider-Verse as well.
Answers:
Brave2000 - Looks like he came out of that alright.
SpiderGod766 - Lee Price is dead (he was the assassin sent after Fisk offscreen in V1) as for Eddie...no plans for him. Norah already fulfills his role as an anti-hero journo.
Raymond49090rc - I doubt George Stacy wants to bond with a symbiote, all things considered. Frog-Man or Gayle would be all for it but Peter and Gwen wouldn't trust them. It's a balancing act of trust and consent.
Roxasdualwielder - You can look them up in the Marvel wiki.
Deathtowaterbottles - He's too epic for the symbiote.
Noisy-Cricket - There's a sudden upsurge of Laura votes. As for Peter, he's supposed to be weak here since he makes up for it in other ways. The same way Gwen is extremely powerful and yet gets rung around like a chump by weaker but more intelligent villains. Anyway, I'll take your suggestions for JJ into account :)
Guest 1 - Immortality is rather unlikely. Long life, certainly, but actual immortality would be a harder sell.
Vitiate - Clearly the father is Dog with Venom having a love affair with Chocolate. And yeah, I took your advice for the JJ segment :)
Cha0s4ever - As mentioned, I doubt they're immortal, though I don't doubt they'll keep going far longer than normal. Note that not even Logan and X-23 are immortal, as futures like Old Man Logan show. Healing factor is prolonged aging, not halted.
Guest 2 - Mac Gargan isn't evil and I have no plans for Eddie.
SnuffleTruff - I didn't, actually, since I'm not reading mainline Spidey currently. Gimme a heads up if he gets the respect he deserves.
Guest 3 - Yikes, another Laura vote. Guess people want a Smol murder machine.
