Another chapter full of fighting. Probably be the last for a while given the events that take place in it, so good for me. Mock exams are coming up in a couple of days so I thought I'd bash this out before then.
The end of the chapter'll probably feel like jumping the shark, but don't worry, it's temporary. I'll fix it soon enough.
BTW, I'm putting up another poll for who should be the new symbiote host just to make absolutely sure. Check it out.
Side Note - Anyone wanna talk about the fic or Spider-Man/Spider-Gwen in general? Hit me up on Discord :) My username is DragonAge123 #2030
What-are-we - Maybe a bit too soon, but who do you guys think is right between Spider-Man and Spider-Woman?
Reply from WereMuggers - Spider-Woman def. Spider-Man is a killer vigilante, plain and simple. Surprised it took her this long to drop him.
Reply from AndWhatDoWeDo - But he's also got a point. Ever since she signed on with the Avengers Spider-Woman hasn't been patrolling as much. Hate the guy if you want, but he's out there every night fighting crims and demons.
Reply from Wemugpeople - Didn't she say she was going to uni? That's pretty important too. Besides, Initiative members pick up the slack.
Reply from SoletsgoMUGEMMMM - still kinda feels like she's gotten too big.
Reply from HRAAAHHHH - She's a Superhero, not an indie rock band. The Avengers are a good thing, end of story. Spider-Man's talking out of his ass.
Reply from IdontunderstandtherewereTWOofus - Am I the only one just laughing at her comment about him sucking in bed? Guess all those rumors about bedding supermodels were BS.
Someone was going to die tonight.
Lana picked herself up from the ground and glared murderously into empty air. Those bastards took Aracely and she was gonna fucking kill them, "Tt..." She clicked her tongue and pulled the shiny knife dagger thing off her chest. It didn't hurt, not exactly. Lightboy looked real fucking surprised she didn't fall on her ass when he hit her with it. Guess she could thank her new upgrades for that.
But of fucking course she couldn't stop him and darkbitch from taking Aracely.
The knife suddenly disappeared from her hand and she grimaced, "So much for that clue..." She sighed and looked around her. The place was mostly undamaged except for the food truck lightboy smashed her into when he threw those knives into her chest. Good as place as any to ask. She walked towards the grieving man and tapped him on the shoulder, "Hey, you see where those two went?"
Nothing, just crying.
"...You do know that the faster I leave the faster you can get your Initiative insurance, right?" Money talked and she'd already heard stories of Initiative members being bought out for insurance scams. That got em into a lot of trouble when they got caught. Tony Stark did not like being made a fool of, "Look, I just need you to point me in the right direction, that's all."
He finally stopped crying long enough to point her to the right; straight ahead to Hell's Kitchen. Of fucking course they'd be from there. Felt like everything wrong in this damn city came from Murdock's toilet.
She called everyone she could as she followed the breadcrumb trail like Hansel and Gretel. Pete didn't say anything (she'd give him a piece of her mind later), Stacy was apparently giving birth so that's where she and Mary were and Cindy's phone was off, so she was probably following a lead or getting fucked. Or both. She growled and call her again.
"Come on, come on, pick up!" She was getting closer, she could feel it.
"Hey Lana-"
"Aracely's been kidnapped. Same guys who took glowboy from you. No time to explain. Just follow the GPS and get your ass over here!" She cut the call and and stopped at the next intersection, "Hey, anybody see a chick with a cloak and a guy dressed like an ice princess go through here?" she shouted. No one responded, though a few of them did stop to take selfies. Dicks, "Hey, knock it off! I need-"
Someone tapped her on the shoulder. The brunette teen spun around with a fist raised and scowled when she saw Peter's new ninja friend, "Fuck do you want?" She didn't say anything and nudged her head to the side with a soft grunt. Lana resisted the the urge to punch her in the face; it wasn't her fault Aracely was kidnapped, even if she was being fucking annoying right now, "Look, whatever the fuck you want I'm busy so go bother someone else."
She tried to push past and ninja bitch blocked her. Before Lana could lose her temper though she threw a phone Lana's way, which she barely caught, "...This is Pete's phone." No password lock either. She really needed to do something about that. She'd change it to her birthday or something, "Why do you have this? Did Pete send you?"
Again she just grunted and nudged her head to the side, "You...want me to follow you? You'll take me to my friend?" This time she got a nod. A part of Lana was screaming 'it's a trap!' and to tell ninja bitch to fuck off, but eventually she nodded and followed after her. If Pete trusted her then she would too, even if this entire thing was weird. Couldn't trust someone she couldn't hear or read.
The rest of the short lived trip was quiet and soon enough Echo (dumb name) stopped in front of...another fucking church. Christ, what was with this place and abandoned churches? Did Murdock's old buddy just like the idea of churches being ruined in his playground? "I hate churches..." she muttered. She'd never been the religious type. Most people in the Kitchen weren't, and that was before they found out a literal demon was playing Kingpin. That either vindicated a lot of people or they decided it was time to turn to God. She was mostly the former.
Echo stopped and traced the dull brown door while Lana checked her phone. According to Cindy was on her way, "Maybe we should-" Echo kicked down the door and charged in, sword drawn, "Or you could fucking ignore me. That works too." She sighed and chased after her, her whole body sparkling with energy. Those two assholes were dead the second she saw them.
The inside of the place looked like something out of a cheap horror flick. It was even more decrepit than Maggie's place and the smell of mold in the air made her eyes water. Echo stopped and eyed the shadows warily, "See something?" Lana clenched her fists and focused on every creak and crack. She didn't have the fancy spidey sense Pete, Cin and Spider-Gwen had.
Which made her getting punched in the face by darkbitch both expected and really fucking annoying.
Lana flew through the air from the force of the impact and skidded along the ground by her feet, "Asshole!" She shot a blast of energy towards the blond shadow. Darkbitch disappeared then re-appeared right in front of her, "Fuck off!" Lana caught her fist and headbutted her. Darkbitch stumbled back then disappeared just before Lana's next punch could connect.
Great, she was one of those types.
Not too far off Echo was dodging lightboy's knives. Echo flipped back sideways and deflected the last thrown knife with her sword as she landed. Lana had to admit, it was pretty impressive looking.
She aimed for lightboy only for darkbitch to appear in front of her again, "Don't touch him!" Lana boosted back to avoid the sweeping hit and shot her again. Darkbitch disappeared again and appeared behind her, "Son of a-" She'd barely turned around before a punch across the face sent her reeling. Even with her new upgrades she knew she'd feel that in the morning.
Behind her Echo deflected two more knives and grabbed the other before it could hit and tossed it straight to darkbitch's chest. The blonde shadow hissed and stumbled back, which allowed Lana to charge ahead and tackle her to the ground, one hand holding to the neck of the cloak and the other raised for a downward punch, "Where's Aracely?!" she screamed, practically frothing at the mouth.
"Just leave us alone! We're trying to save her!" Darkbitch screeched, struggling harder than before.
Lana almost smashed her fist down till she felt the sudden chill that ran down her entire body, "What the...?" Darkbitch was gone- scratch that, everything was gone. Lana looked around frantically and her breathing quickened when she saw the nothing around her. No darkbitch, no lightboy, no Echo...nothing. Nothing but shadows that stretched out as far as she could see.
"Not again..." She couldn't stop the hint of fear at the end. This was just like when she'd gone to that damned haunted house to get that fucking silver, "Hey!" She aimed ahead and shot, but nothing came, "Come on..." Another shot, another mocking fizzle. Lana tried to run and only managed a few steps before the chill worsened and it became harder and harder to move.
Eventually she stopped and fell on her knees. It was getting harder to keep her eyes open and even breathing was something she had to force, "Come on..." She tried to gather up one last burst of energy. Her right hand shone briefly then completely faded.
Lana fell on her side and shut her eyes. She was absolutely freezing now and the temptation to lull off into sleep was getting stronger, "Dagger...stop!" The voices were so distant. It really was just like that damn barn. Was she going to be useless again, just waiting for someone else to save her? "She doesn't know, she's not one of them! Come on, we have to focus on the girl."
Aracely. They were going to take Aracely if she didn't do something.
Lana's eyes snapped open, energy covering eyes and blocking her irises from view, "Wait, something's-" Darkbitch's panicked shout was drowned out by Lana's own primal scream. Energy surged through her entire body and expelled outwards in a deafening explosion. The shadows were stripped away and Lana fell on her hands and knees again, her breaths coming out in ragged gasps. In front of her was darkbitch, curled up pathetically with her cloak shredded next to her.
Lana charged and kicked her in the face, "Dagger!" Lightboy turned away from Echo. Big mistake. The ninja stabbed him clean through the leg with a knife, grappled him the floor and pinned him down with a knife to the neck.
Lana paid them no mind.
"Get up!" She kicked her in the face again. This time she knocked off teeth and darkbitch coughed out blood, "Not so tough without that fucking cloak, huh?!"The next kick hit her in the gut and she tried desperately to reach for the tattered remains of the cloak.
"Please, she'll die if she doesn't-" Lightboy's whining stopped when Echo pressed the sword harder. She didn't know why she didn't just slit his throat, "Please...we were just trying to help."
Lana ignored him and grabbed the blonde by the scruff of her neck. Her was was bloody and beaten and Lana felt absolutely no pity, "Where's my friend...?" Energy pulsed through her right hand and she pressed it against the bloody cheek, "Talk or I blow your fucking head off!"
"She can't talk like that! Please, just-"
"Shut up!" Lana shouted. She completely ignored the reverb in her voice, "This bitch just tried to kill me and I'm this fucking close to blowing your head open too, asshole!"
"Alright, fine, she's-"
"Lana!" Lana's head snapped to the side just in time to see Aracely charge towards her and tackle her off the whimpering blonde. Before she could shove her off the younger girl continued in a rush, "Please don't hurt them! They are trying to help me!"
Lana grabbed her shoulders and shoved her gently so she could stand, "What the fuck are you talking about?" Darkbitch crawled for her cloak again. Lana almost blasted her but Aracely stood in her way, "Move, Aracely!"
"No! Please listen to me!" She looked at each of them with a pleading look, "It is...hard to explain, but none of you are enemies. Please let us talk about this."
"Talk? Oh, is that what they call dropping in out of fucking nowhere and kidnapping you? Guess lightboy stabbing me in the fucking chest with those knives of his was just his way of saying hello, huh?"
"You wouldn't have believed us! No one ever-"
"I don't fucking care what you-"
"STOP!" Aracely's yell nearly forced her to the ground again. It was like she'd screamed right into her head, "They were trying to help, Lana, but they did it the wrong way. You can be mad, but we have to talk. Please."
"...Fine." Echo stood without another word and roughly pulled out the dagger from lightboy's leg, making him cry out in pain. She hoped it'd sting. Meanwhile Lightbitch managed to put on whatever remained of her cloak and was covered in shadow's again, "...I'm watching you. One fucking move and I blow your head off." Lana glared down at her.
"Noted..." Her voice was weak. Lightboy immediately knelt by her side and hugged her. It would've been sweet if they hadn't just tried to fucking kill her.
"They weren't trying to kill you," Aracely said. God, she hated that mind reading thing, "Tandi's powers...she has a hard time controlling them sometimes ever since she and Tyrone changed. She got angry and desperate. She was going to let you out once you fell unconscious."
"Oh yeah, how fucking convenient," Lana spat, "And how the hell do you know all this?"
"Their thoughts. So chaotic, but the thought of that - of helping and the things they've suffered - are always at the front. They've seen people like me being taken. They were taken themselves. They want to help people not suffer like they have.
"And the best way they can do that is by kidnapping them? Gee, that doesn't sound like bullshit at all." Lana rolled her eyes.
"What were our options?" Darkbitch - cause she wasn't going to call her Tandi like they were fucking friends - muttered, "'Hey, you're about to be kidnapped, experimented on and killed. Leave your life behind and come with us'." She looked down at the floor, "We tried doing it the nice way. No one believed us, and each time they were taken. We couldn't save them and they died."
"Cry me a fucking river." Lana sneered, "It's funny, I'm not feeling very sorry for you two after the shit you pulled."
"We don't expect you to. We've made our choices," Lightboy said.
Lana took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. It didn't help much, "Alright, assholes, I'll play: why Aracely?"
"Because she'll be taken too." Lightbitch looked up at her with a steely gaze. The bruises dampened the effect, "You've been taking her around town, going on ballgames like there's nothing wrong. If we could find her don't you think the people who want her can do the same?"
"Let em come. You think it's the first time I've dealt with pricks like this?"
"It's not you we're worried about. You can protect yourself; that's why we didn't try to take you. But you can't be there for her every hour of the day. At some point you'll slip up and she'll be taken just like the rest."
"We were going to take her out of town. It's not ideal, but a life on the run is better than staying here and being a target," Lightboy said.
"Oh gimme a fucking break. You honestly think you're the heroes here? Kidnapping people and dumping them outside of the city with a 100 bucks and a pat on the back? You didn't think maybe explaining what the fuck is going on would help? Hey here's an idea, maybe go to the cops or the Initiative? See if they'll help?"
"You don't think the people who took us have their people there too?" Lightboy shook his head, "Whoever these guys are they have money. We tried running to the cops first, back when our powers were first switched and we couldn't defend ourseleves, and they beat us and nearly took us back. No, we can't trust anyone. Even 'heroes' can be tempted by money."
"Oh for fuck's-" Lana took a moment to breath because she was going to fucking scream at them otherwise, "I'm not the biggest fan of the cops either, but even I know not all of them are cartoon villains!"
"We didn't say all of them were. It doesn't change the fact that we don't know who we can trust," Lightboy said.
"Well, I know one." Lana looked back and heaved a sigh of relief when Cindy went through the door, half her face hidden by her scarf. Good, she was tired of dealing with these two, "Normally I'd place you under arrest for all the crap you've pulled, but if I'm right then the bastard who took you is the same one we're searching for now."
"W-We don't know where they are," Lightbitch muttered, "It was...we were in a forest outside of New York. The only reason we knew to come here was because one of the scientists mentioned this was where they took their...'subjects'." She shuddered at that. Lana almost felt sorry for her. Maybe. Kinda. Okay not really, she could go suck an egg.
"You must know something," Cindy said, "Either way you're both not going anywhere, not after the stunts you pulled."
"Please don't hurt them," Aracely said, moving to stand in front of the pair, "They were just trying to help. Please understand."
"I know what they were intending, but what they've done is another thing entirely." Cindy's expression softened at Aracely's pleading look, "I'm not going to hurt them. I know what it's like to be caught and hit with scalpels."
"Yes...you do." Aracely nodded slowly and turned back to the pair, "Please trust her. She will make sure you aren't taken again."
"Right..." Lightbitch nodded and looked to Lana, "I...I'm sorry for-"
"Shove it up your ass. Just cause Aracely trusts you doesn't mean I do." Lana walked away and sat at the one remaining pew that was miraculously still standing. Aracely looked between her and the wonder twins before reluctantly following after. Cindy was talking to them now and Echo was fucking gone. Lana didn't know or care where she went.
"Lana-"
"...Did they hurt you?" She looked her up and down. Nothing, not a scratch on her. Good news for those two.
"No, no. They just wanted to help." Lana snorted, "I can hear how angry you are. Please don't be mad at them."
"She sucked me into some kind of dark dimension! Funny enough I have issues with that kind of thing." Especially after last year. She still had nightmares sometimes. She didn't tell Pete; nightmares were something she knew she'd have to deal with so no use crying about it, "And let's not forget lightboy stabbing me in the chest and slamming me into that food truck. I'm not in a very forgiving mood."
"I understand." Aracely frowned but nodded all the same, "Thank you for coming for me."
"You had any doubts?" For the first time Lana smiled, though it was weak and crooked.
"No, I knew you would come for me." Aracely smiled back, "Who was your friend?"
"Echo, I think. Dunno why she came. Thought your mind reader bs would help you figure that out."
"No. I cannot read her mind like I cannot read Spider-Man's." She couldn't read Pete? Weird, "With Spider-Man his thoughts come out like a jumble. Like someone screaming gibberish at the top of their lungs. With her she...it's like dipping your face into cold water. I can't hear her thoughts, and all that comes out is quiet. It's...creepy."
"Says the mind reader." Lana rolled her eyes, "It doesn't matter why she did it. She helped out and you're safe now. Speaking of, we gotta get you your own place. Sneaking you out of the dorm's a pain in the ass. Hmm..." Lana put a hand on her chin, "I heard Hawkeye owns an apartment building. We could probably get you a room for a while there. What safer place than the one an Avenger owns, right?"
"...Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Huh?"
"You saved me already and now you're helping me again. Why?"
"Do I need a reason?" She asked back, "Let's not make this awkward, okay? We're friends and I don't like to see you get hurt. Maybe I could be helping other people instead - keyboard warriors love whining about starving kids in Africa from their parent's condos - but I'm only human. I can help you so I can, so quit trying to read into things. Which I know sounds really weird since you're a mind reader, but hey."
"Okay...thank you."
"You're welcome. Now, let's go find you a new place."
They walked out of the ruined church side by side. Aracely stopped and looked back to the roof. The woman in the patchwork costume looked down at her silently, "...Thank you." She nodded and jumped down on the other side, disappearing from sight.
Up ahead, Lana looked down at the energy pulsing through her hands before shaking off her doubts. She saved Aracely, that was all that mattered.
GregTheGarlicFarmer - So now that the Spider couple are broken up who do you think they'll end up with?
Reply from MorninNiceDayforFISHINaintit - Spider-Man and Spinerette defo. These guys have insane chemistry during team ups and she always talks about how she trusts him. Surprised they hadn't gotten together soon.
Reply from Hu-hu - Spider-Woman I'm guessing either Hawkeye or another Initiative Hero. Maybe Scarlet Spider?
Reply from BreastPlate - Dude these are real life people, not fictional characters. You guys know that, right?
Reply from MorninNiceDayforFISHINaintit - Just having fun. Sides dont' tell me your not curious about it?
Reply from BreastPlate - Nah man. What they do on their business their business.
Reply from Hu-hu - Hmm, anyone else think maybe Spider-Woman and Striker.
Reply from StrikerNotBombshell - For the last time you assholes, I'm not fucking gay and neither is Cindy. Write fanfics as much as you want but no amount of having Cin call people Senpai's gonna make it real.
Marc drove the cestus into the Lizard's jaw and looked back, "Iron Fist, duck!" The martial artist quickly dodged the blow and took down the overgrown reptile with a few precise strikes to its midsection. Not too far away Peter and Matthew worked together to take down a particularly large member of the pack, the former holding it down with a net of webbing while the latter bludgeoned its face with his escrima sticks. Despite their past enmity it seemed they worked well in tandem,
'Come on, Marc, lemme out! I'm bored!' Jake said. Steven simply sighed and watched in utter boredom, 'You know this is my specialty!'
'Quiet.' He took down another Lizard and sliced its neck. He felt not guilt for this. These weren't the innocent victims Harry Osborn and Cindy Moon had taken. They were mercenaries all too willing to give up everything that made them human for the sake of a payday.
'Sounds familiar, doesn't it?' Steven hummed, 'A long time ago we would've been one of them.'
'Now is not the time to dwell on past actions.' He had not told the others but he did know of Sowande before. Bushman and he had worked for him in the past, just one of hundreds of soldiers of fortune. He doubted Sowande even knew him now or if he'd even care if he did. He was just another one to step over, the same way the Hand treated their fellow man.
Marc put down the final Lizard and wiped the blood from the cestus. The resistance was crude at best, and he could only assume that Sowande had more up his sleeves than a few reptiles, "The rest of the building is abandoned," Matthew said, "No civilians, no one but Sowande and his mercenaries. I can't imagine he's doing this for our sake."
"We must've caught them at a bad time," Peter said.
"Either way it's good news for us. Don't have to worry about them taking hostages, right?" Daniel asked. He always looked to the bright side of things, "Anyway, we should go get him now before things get worse." He pointed to the door that led to the main hall. Midland's architecture was confusing and he expected there to be a ballroom on the other side of the entrance given their previous experiences.
"Charging in won't help." Matt tapped the walls with the end of his stick, "I sense people above us and to the sides as well. If we charge in ahead then it won't be long before we're lured into a killspot. I suggest either tackling the sentries one by one or splitting up and dealing with them separately to avoid giving any group the chance to prepare or recuperate."
"The latter seems most prudent." Marc nodded, "I shall deal with Sowande. The rest of you decide on your own. We shall rendezvous separately." He turned and walked to the large double doors before any of them could contest. Truthfully he preferred it this way. While he could...appreciate the benefits of teamwork he'd spent the better part of a decade working alone. It was still odd having more than just Steven and Jake for company.
'We know you love us.'
'Don't think he has much choice on that, Steven.'
Marc tapped his gauntlet and the drone he'd planted earlier whirred to life. Machinery made for far more dependable - and predictable - allies, 'Yeah, but what's the fun in that?' Jake leaned against the wall and smirked, 'You gonna let me have some fun now?'
'Yes'
'Oh hell yes! My time on the controls!' Jake chuckled and grabbed two grenades, one in each hand, "Heeerrreee's Jakey!" Jake pulled the pins on both with his teeth and kicked the door down. The men on the other side started shooting only to hit the shield the drone put up. Jake tossed both grenades past it and grinned when the walls were splattered with blood.
"I'm right here, assholes!" He used the drone as a stepping stone and jumped up, blades jutting out of his gauntlets. Poor bastards barely had time to aim up before he landed and cut their necks, "Hahahaha!" He grabbed the rifle and riot shield on the floor and charged ahead. Been so long since he could cut loose like this, especially since Waspy and his kid got back with Marc. He liked em just fine, but damn they made him soft.
'Be careful, Jake.'
'Screw off, Marc. I'm having fun!' He primed another grenade and tossed it just as the door opened. Jake grinned when he saw their eyes widened just long enough to realize how screwed they were, "Kaboom!" He spat out blood and grinned as he dropped the spent gun and dented shield, "Betcha ol' Waspy never let you have this much fun, huh?"
'Alright, I think you've had enough fun.' Steven put a hand on his shoulder, 'My turn.'
'Aw, come on! It's barely been a minute!'
'This next one calls for a more delicate touch.' Jake grumbled but acquiesced control all the same. Steven picked out a smoke grenade and looked back to the shot-up drone, "This is turning into a rather expensive outing. We'll need to build up our funds again after this."
'What's the point? We can just as Marc's Sugar Mama for money.'
'Don't call her that.'
'Bite me, Marcy.'
'Let's save this for another time.' Steven tossed a portable camera forward so it stuck to the ceiling and tapped the side of his mask, 'Area's wide open. Not much cover either for them or us. We'll need to to this quickly.' There were a few tables but apart from that the area was open and spacious. He counted easily two dozen men with Sowande at the center like the king on a chessboard.
'Who cares, just kill em all and let's get this over with.' Jake groused.
'Patience is a virtue.' He tapped the gauntlet and put the drone to bomb mode. That'd cost them later, 'Hope this is a good investment.' He tossed the smoke grenade past the doorway and made the drone surge forward. As expected the men inside immediately fired on it and Steven had to brace himself at the explosion that rocked the entire building. For anyone else it would've been excessive, but not for the Hand.
He tapped his cowl again to activate heat vision and charged into the room. The entire area was covered in a thick sheet of smoke and the few mercenaries that weren't killed or dazed couldn't see him.
Steven slammed the first one against the ground and snapped his neck. Another mercenary blindly fired in his direction and he tossed a moonblade that cleaved through his skull, 'Knew those were a good deal!' Jake cheered. Steven grappled up to the wall and scanned over the area again. Sowande was nowhere to be seen and the smoke was beginning to dissipate. He didn't have much time left.
He flew down by his cape another lone sentry and smashed his head down into the ground. Three more, and they fell just as easily. Steven snapped the last one's neck and looked around as the smoke finally dissipated, 'Did Sowande run?' Marc asked.
Steven was about to reply till a sudden pressure on his back forced him on his knees, 'Hey, what the hell? Get up!' Jake screamed. Steven tried to do just that but his body refused to cooperate.
"I would not bother struggling." Sowande walked ahead of him, his accented voice smooth and calm despite the scene of carnage around them, "Your body will not move no matter how much you will it."
'He hit a pressure point. I can heal the damage but you must keep him distracted,' Marc said.
'Easier said than done.' Steven looked up at the ancient man and grimaced. He looked like someone you'd see on Wall Street - neatly pressed white suit, expensive leather shoes and even a gold, amiran watch. The same way Murakami craved power others in the hand craved more material pleasures.
"Nothing to say?" He taunted.
"Why stay out here alone? Where's the rest of your buddies?" He could move his fingers now, but only slightly, "I know how you all work. There must be a reason that you're out here by yourself and it's not because you wanna spare them. They're up to something."
"I could ask you the same." He crouched in front of him and tore the mask off his face. He wasn't worried about being recognized - putting another face for his nightly excursions was standard habit, "You came in as a group and yet here you kneel, alone and helpless. Did you think I would be so easy to fall to you alone? You're a child, and that false deity you worship will not save you."
"He doesn't have to. You kill me and I come back. Can't say the same for you anymore."
His eyes twitched. Interesting, "Perhaps not, but the Hand will survive."
"Maybe, but you won't."
The tapped the lowest button on the gauntlet and shut his eyes. The machine exploded with a bright white, blinding light and Sowande screamed in both shock and pain as he stumbled back, hands covering both eyes. Steven grabbed him by the neck and and pressed his last moon blade against his neck.
'Kill him and let's get out of here already!' Jake screamed.
"Finish it." Sowande glared up at him defiantly.
'...Hold, something is wrong.' Marc grabbed his wrist, 'There's nothing the Hand fear more than the thought of death. His calmness makes no sense.'
'What are you talking about?' Jake asked impatiently.
'He means that killing him will just play into what they're planning.'
Steven relinquished control back to Marc. Marc looked down at the grinning Finger and punched him in the face to knock him unconscious, "We need to bring him back." Interrogating him would be difficult, but they had little choice. Better than playing into his plans. He put on his mask again and tapped the side to call the others, "I've taken down Sowande. Regroup at the agreed upon spot."
No response. Not good.
"What the hell is that?" Peter crouched next to Matt and Rand and looked down at the chamber below. Matt had been the one to find the elevator hidden behind the wall and suggested they investigate. Moon Knight could handle Sowande alone, he said, and he hated the thought of leaving the Hand some kind of advantage because they refused to investigated.
Seeing the thing down there was giving him second thoughts.
The elevator took them to some tunnels that led to a large circular chamber with makeshift stairs leading down below. Dozens of Hand ninjas were convened together, all of them kneeling down with blades on their laps. High above them standing front of another hole was something that he could only describe as monstrous. It was a woman, her skin so deathly pale that it only made the dark purple outfit she wore all the more noticeable.
Still, at all paled in comparison to her face. Her features were obviously inhuman with pale yellow eyes and fangs along with an elongated forehead at least twice the size of the rest of her face. Her long, red hair floated behind her as she preached.
"That's Lilith..." Rand said. He sounded scared, "You'll hear stories about her. Mother of all Vampires, the whore of babylon...I don't know much but it's enough to get a figure on what she's like."
"No religious studies in K'un-Lun, hm?" Matt chucked under his breath, "Well, it's probably for the best. The scriptures make out the demons to be infallible, eternal constructs. I believe Peter's proven that to be false."
"Yeah, and it only took us almost an entire year to find that one weakpoint." Peter's hold on his guns tightened, "I don't have my Hellfire knife." Or anything else that he could use to make sure she didn't get those fangs near his neck. Damn he hated Vampires.
"Then I suppose Daniel will have to be our trump card," Matt said.
"No pressure or anything," The Immortal Iron Fist (someone had a big head) said, "Any idea what they're doing down there?"
"I believe it speaks for itself." Matt gestured down just as one of the ninjas rose and walked towards the Vampire. She'd gone quiet now, her preaching replaced by the droning of the assembled mob. Peter watched through narrowed eyes as the ninja made a small cut on his neck and Lililth immediately surged forward, biting his neck like a rabid dog. Blood fell down in droves until eventually she pulled back, cut open his stomach and bled him over the hole she stood in front of.
"What the hell...?"
"Blood." Matt sniffed the air and grinned, "Gallons of it in that hole from willing sacrifices. The Beast had similar habits in the past."
"I'm guessing they're trying to copy what your old pal did?" Peter asked.
"Most likely, though now they're using Lilith instead. Exchanging one primordial demon for another; you'd think they would learn by now. Thankfully Lilith isn't nearly as troublesome as my former 'pal', to use your term. The majority of her abilities come from the blessings she gives her coven rather than individual power. She's more archaic in that manner."
"So are we doing this or what?" Rand asked somewhat anxiously.
"Sooner the better. Me and Matt'll deal with the ninjas, you deal with the Vampire Queen."
They all nodded at one another and jumped. Peter shot as many as he could before they landed and charged towards the largest cluster, "Iron Fist, go!" He webbed down four of the now-aware ninjas while Matt dealt with those on his side. Iron Fist ran through the gap they made, fist already glowing yellow.
"Fools." Peter almost froze at the sound of her voice. It was different from before: deep, guttural and echoing like legion. Time seemed to slow as Rand jumped and struck a blow straight to her face. It was scant inches from making contact when she suddenly dissipated, leaving nothing but the smallest wisps of smoke.
"What the-"
"Did you think me so simple to kill?" He turned around and slashed just before she disappeared again. He growled and disappeared into smoke, "Foolish child. You hide in the darkness like a mouse, fearing the gaze of the hunter. The shadows might bend to you but I command them."
'And I thought Gwen's fans were dramatic...' His spider-sense blared and he ducked to the side to avoid the blast of green energy, 'Energy blasts? Don't remember reading that in Dracula.' He dodged another beam and turned his attention briefly to the ninjas attacking Rand. He sliced their necks clean open and Rand incapcitated the last three just as quickly.
Everything was suddenly cloaked in darkness. Peter looked around warily and lowered into a crouch next to Rand. He could still see, but he couldn't say the same for the Immortal Iron Fist, "I assume by your postures that something's changed?" Matt called out lightly, seemingly ignorant of the Vampire that teleported behind him. Peter opened his mouth to scream a warning when he suddenly lashed out and threw his billy club behind him.
The red stick made contact with Lilith's jaw and she stumbled back. Matt's grin was short lived when she looked back at him and hissed, her face twisting to look even more inhuman, "The time for games is over. I will not be made a fool of by the Beast's castoff!"
She disappeared and re-appeared next to Matt. This time he didn't get a chance to defend himself before she slashed clear across his back and disappeared. She did it again and again and again for all three of them. Peter shot and webbed as fast as he could but only managed to hit air. By the fifth slash he began to feel lightheaded and could barely focus on covering Rand.
They needed to hold her down somehow.
'...I'm going to hate myself for this.'
He made a show of falling at her next slash and she pounced like a starving dog. Lilith pulled his neck back and bit down hard. Peter grit his teeth to keep from screaming, 'Sleep, child. You belong to me now. Become one of my children and feed me.' Rand was recovering and his fist lit up, 'Obey me, spider. Renounce your false god and worship me!'
"Go...to hell!" He webbed her feet and slammed his head back just before Rand shot his hand out and hit the parasite with a yellow wave of energy. Immediately the darkness receded and he saw just how close Rand was to the edge of the hole. He was swaying in place, tired from both the blood loss and the last attack while Lilith already disappeared. Coward.
"Rand, move-"
He fell. Peter jumped in after him and snagged him by the waist with a line of webbing on one hand and stuck to the wall with another, "Really getting tired of having to carry you..." He couldn't his grip much longer. From above his left hand shook while his right barely managed to keep hold of the unconsious blonde. Down below was the pit full of blood, the crimson fluid bubbling and hot.
Peter tossed Rand up just before he let go of the web. He barely even noticed himself landing on the boiling blood below and sinking underneath, "Peter!" Through the blood he saw Matt attach the billy club to a beam and swing down. Peter raised a hand weakly and the man dressed as the devil pulled him from death.
Everything after that was a blur. He vaguely remembered being carried out of the building amongst a haze of voices: Moon Knight's confused questions, Rand's apologies and Matt's garbled explanations.
He didn't know how long it was but eventually he shot up with a gasp. He looked around the room quickly and let out a slow breath when he recognized Moon Knight's safehouse, "Someone's awake. Enjoyed your beauty sleep, Peter?" Matt teased. A short distance away Moon Knight refused to meet his gaze while Rand looked like a kid who got caught stealing from the cookie jar.
"Yeah, slept like a..."
...
Something was wrong.
Peter stumbled off the bed and tripped as the legs of his pants caught in his feet. His oversized pants. Matt looked distinctly (annoyingly) amused while Rand helped him up, "I don't need you help." He shoved him off and tried to ignore just how off the action was. He rushed over to the nearby full length mirror and almost punched it when he saw his reflection.
Peter Parker...at 7 years old, just like in those old pictures May and Ben had. The sight in front of him almost made him scream. A picture perfect copy of the Peter from over a decade ago dressed in oversized, bloody clothes. He looked like a kid playing dress up.
Matt laughed, the sound deafening in the small safehouse, "It appears the Hand are trying a different approach to immortality. Their spent years are catching up with them slowly but surely and it seems they made a deal with Lilith. In exchange for feeding her their disciples she gives them back the years they've lost. A bloody fountain of youth like in legends of Elizabeth Bathory. I suppose we should count ourselves lucky you weren't turned into an infant or aged out of existence."
This time Peter actually did punch the mirror, shattering it to the floor. Rand winced while Spector paid it no mind, "...What the hell are we supposed to do about this?" He cringed at how high his voice was. He doubted any amount of fake growling would help here.
"I suppose waiting for the years to catch up isn't an option?" Matt grinned at his (still intimidating and he'd kill anyone who said otherwise) glare, "If you're impatient then I suppose we must call your sister. She would know more about your odd physiology than any of us."
"Damn it..."
"Is this a bad time to tell you that Miss. Stacy's giving birth to her new symbiote? Because-"
Peter dragged Matt down by his collar and punched him in the face. Hard.
AbraKadavra - Witnesses saw the Defenders dragging a kid out of Midland circle. Any idea what that's about?
Reply from LovenMountain - Kidnapping, maybe?
Reply from Sweetient - Doubt it, doesn't fit their M.O to take kids, especially after what we saw on Arcade's 'game show'. Probably rescuing someone.
Reply from Callartz - Apparently there were explosions inside and police found a lot of dead bodies and some Lizards. Think someone's trying to start shit up with that again?
Reply from Sweetient - God I hope not. Last thing we need is another Lizard Parker.
Reply from LovenMountain - He says while defending Spider-Man, a resurrected Peter Parker. Shits wack.
If Mary Jane was being honest, a part of her thought she wouldn't be friends with Gwen Stacy for long. Ever since that night at prom she'd clammed in on herself and it was only her impulsive mood to enter the band in a contest that even got Mary Jane into contact with her again. She still had no idea why they'd agreed to it, but at the end of the day they won the competition and the newly christened Mary Janes were there again.
Even then she didn't think it'd last too long; especially with how often Gwen skipped practice and gigs. Glory always stood up for her and Mary Jane always found a way to see the worse in her. Little did she know the other woman was too busy saving a city that called her a murderer and acted like she owed them the world.
And now she was about to watch her give birth.
Mary Jane let out a soft breath and looked at the others in the room. Everyone was here - Gwen's dad, her mom, Jessica, Helena, Ben, May...the only people missing were Cindy, Lana and Peter himself. The first two were busy with the Roxxon thing but promised they'd catch up while Tiger was...well, he didn't answer his phone, but Gwen was sure he'd come. She wished she could have someone she trusted like that.
'Pining again?' Crimson groused. It definitely wasn't happy being here.
'I meant in general, cause God knows I can't count on you.'
'After all I've done for you. A little thank you wouldn't hurt.'
She ignored it and looked back to Gwen. She was lying down wearing nothing but a patient gown on the same see-through cube she'd been in a year ago when Wasp first examined her. Right next to her Webster lounged around and Gwen scratched it idly. She expected things to be more...tense when they got the group text, but so far it'd been rather casual.
Mary Jane shook her head and entered the cube. As far as Wasp told them there wouldn't be a lot of screaming or scrambling for hot water, though Gwen did mention feeling the occasional stomach kick, "Hey, Gwencent." Gwen looked up and smiled nervously.
"Hey." She patted the empty spot next to her and MJ sat, "You okay?"
"Yeah, just kinda want this to be over." She still didn't like to think of what exactly was happening. Gwen Stacy, her best friend, chronically late drummer and freaking Spider-Woman, was giving birth. Sure it didn't have hours of labor and screams about pushing but it was still bizarre to think about.
"You and me both."
"Any luck with Tiger?"
"No, he's not answering." Her smile was replaced by a slight frown.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be here." Mary Jane squeezed her hand and got a soft grip in return. A year ago she would've been scared to be here - scared that Crimson would take her over and hurt Gwen while she couldn't do anything but watch. Now she knew she could control it, at least enough to not hurt the people she loved.
"Yeah..." Gwen breathed out deeply, "This is pretty freaky, huh? You ever imagine things would be like this?"
"What, that you being New York's premier hero next to Captain America and She-Hulk, Tiger and your mom coming back to life and me being attached to a mass murdering symbiote? Yeah, I totally guessed that." She rolled her eyes.
'I'm the best thing to ever happen to you and you know it.'
'Stop asking to eat Mr. Mulligan and maybe we'll talk about you not being the worst.'
'But he's 76, overweight and having heart problems! He's practically goading us to dig in!'
"Nice to see you're taking this so well," Gwen let out a forced laugh, "Hey...you know if you ever have any problems you could tell me, right?"
'Yes, tell her all about your date with the devilman. She'll be so thrilled.'
"Yeah, I know."
Gwen opened her mouth to reply when she suddenly doubled over, "Oof, looks like it's coming! You better get out of here!" MJ nodded quickly and rushed out of the cube just in time for Gwen's next contraction - or whatever the hell it was - to hit.
Mary Jane suddenly felt nervous, her earlier boredom replaced with nervousness as Gwen gripped the gurney so tight she almost bent it in two. The rest of her family weren't much better judging by the way they looked away or tried to shush the crying baby, "Coming back from the dead was less weird than this..." Helen muttered next to her. MJ nodded even if she was sure she wasn't meant to here.
Webster 'melted' away from her and Gwen gasped, eyes wide and mouth parted. Mary Jane almost burst in when Wasp's voice came through the speakers, "You're getting closer, Gwen. Just focus and don't let Webster separate from you." Gwen grit her teeth and the black goo shifted back into her body, "Good. The new symbiote's birth depends on you both retaining symbiosis."
It was one of the most tense 10 minutes of Mary Jane's life. Everything was quiet save for the sounds of Gwen's struggling breaths and the symbiote whispering something she couldn't make out until, eventually, she saw something else begin to leak out of her. A storage compartment immediately popped out of the floor and caught the falling symbiote, which landed with a dull plop.
The very, very pink symbiote. Huh.
"Is...Is it over?" Gwen asked softly.
"Yes, I believe so." Wasp came into the room and stepped into the cube. She knelt in front of the clear container and inspected the screen mounted on the upper right while the rest of them gathered around Gwen, "Fascinating. It appears that this new symbiote doesn't emit radiation. Possibly an adaptation?"
"Why...Why is it pink?" Gwen asked after she finally got a good look at her new spaw- baby.
'It looks disgusting. This fleshy, pinky thing. It makes me angry just looking at it.'
'Look who's talking.'
"Why were your and Ms. Watson's symbiotes black and red? I'm sorry but I don't have much idea how genetics and inheritance works for these lifeforms. The good news is that we can safely assume that symbiosis for it should be possible given the lack of radioactivity, though I'll still conduct some other tests just in case."
"Good, cause I'm pretty sure Cindy called not it..." Gwen blinked wearily.
Webster's snake like head slithered out of Gwen and stopped in front of the container, 'Our child.' It touched the the container with its 'face' and hummed. The formless blob stirred slightly and a part of it reached out to briefly touch the other side of the container, 'It is tired. Rest will do it - all of us - good.'
"So...we just leaving it here?" Jessica asked.
"Yes, and it'd be for the best if Gwen stayed a day or two as well. I'll need to conduct more tests, ensure there aren't any side effects from the birthing process. You're all welcome to stay, of course. There's more than enough room for you all."
"Thank you." Mr. Stacy nodded.
"I wonder where Peter is...?" Gwen mumbled.
"I'm sure he's coming, May. Don't worry." Ben held her hand.
Sure enough the elevator dinged behind them. Mary Jane looked back and raised a brow at the two people who stepped out. The guy in the suit she guessed was Moon Knight, but the kid was new. Brown hair, a long sleeved white shirt with a dark bubble vest on top of it, jeans and brown shoes. When he looked up to meet her gaze he looked away with a scowl.
May gasped next to her while Ben gave the kid a wide-eyed look, "...Peter?"
Wait, what?
"Yeah..." Wasp raised a brow and looked to Moon Knight who just shrugged. Mr. Stacy and Jessica looked torn between surprised and just being completely done with this shit while Helen covered her face with hands and groaned, "There was...an accident when we tried to stop a Vampire the Hand was making a deal with. Long story, but I'm stuck like this till Teresa gets here."
Mary Jane's head snapped to Gwen. The blonde's jaw had practically dropped to the floor and any attempt to vocalize her thoughts just ended up with her sputtering nonsense in a loop, "Gwen...?" Mary Jane poked her cheek no response, "...I think she's broken."
"We all are, Mary. What else is new?" Well, that definitely sounded like him.
The elevator dinged again and both Cindy and Lana stepped out. The teenage Superhero stopped when she caught sight of them, "...Who's the kid?"
Oh, this was going just great...
Cloak and Dagger are cooperative, Sowande's been beaten(?), Gwen's new symbiote baby is born and Noir got himself Detective Conan'd. Like I said above I'll fix this later, so for now just enjoy the upcoming chapters of Spider-Boi Noir beating the shit out of criminals twice his size because the Spider-God thinks a 7 year old is still a decent pawn. Will also give me a chance to explore some new undercover segments given that he's now beneath suspicion.
Oh, and for obvious reasons we aren't going to have any romance scenes between the leads. I know people joke about it cause of that Endgame scene with Captain Marvel but I'm not interested in getting my fic perma-banned. Good thing he and Gwen are 'broken up' currently.
Anyway, this chapter's only big change comes from the first segment. Originally Echo did way more and was the one who broke out of Dagger's dark dimension. I switched it to Lana since I didn't want to make one of the protagonists look useless. Echo can do more later when they get to Bakuto.
As for the spawn (name pending), I plan to base it off Jarro from the new Justice League comic. Anyone familiar can expect hilarity.
1. Are there characters who don't interact much you wish did? One friend/critic mentioned that Teresa only talking to Gwen a handful of times and completely ignoring Cindy felt odd given that they're Spiders as well.
Other readers also seemed to like when Gwen was caught flat-footed dealing with Satanna and the nightclub and want more scenes like that. Or having the Hand attack Peter while he's with one of the other science based heroes to show more discrepancy between ancient chi and radiation superpowers.
2. Hmm, would you guys like to continue the story or should I write up that Moon Knight prequel oneshot next chapter? Feels good since we're currently in a lull in the plot but I'll let you guys decide.
3. What do you guys wanna name the baby symbiote? Cause right now if I can't get anything it's getting named Chocolate.
Review Answers:
Roxasdualwielder - Yeah...I think that's gonna be hard to do given recent events.
Veredis - Hey, new reader :) Roxxon outsmarting Gwen doesn't feel deserved since he hasn't been built up. I can have the 'Noir saves her' reversal for a different villain.
Brave2000 - We'll see Daimon again later, but he's kind of overpowered for normal Hand mooks.
Lolrus555- Could always go back to Spacebattles :) Anyway, while I mostly agree with your sentiments on Peter/Gwen a big part of them getting along is Gwen also changing. While she still doesn't like killing people she's learned that not everyone shares her exact morals and learned to trust her friend's judgements. If she's always moralizing and acting like they can't control themselves then she's really acting like she can't trust them to handle themselves.
Matt as Daredevil was one of the more risky moves given how much of a fucking bastard Matt was in the last volume. The dude was an absolute monster and even the 'he was possessed' excuse is hard to swallow given that he still acts like a prick now, albeit a self loathing one. It's up to you whether you find him redeemable and ultimately just another damned soul.
Also, what did Frog-Man say bad about Peter? He tried to impress Gwen but I can't really recall him shit talking Peter.
AlextheSouthParkGhostRider - O...kay, hope you enjoy that view.
The Red Ghost 22 - Never watched the Boys, so dunno. As for Peter not being too pissy, he does get away with running around being a vigilante despite his de-aging so Gwen's clearly lightened up.
Titan616 - It has its pros and cons, I guess. Still, you can't deny that Gwen is WAY more stressed when she's with Peter than when she's not. I can't imagine she'll be happy to see him running around as a 7 year old Spider-Boi attacking criminals and mercenaries.
Chaos4Ever - Hello Reader, and welcome to the fic of Madhouse Blues. Nice day for reading, ain't it? Hu-hu! As for name, that comes later. Host is tentatively Laura currently.
