A/N: Hello, everyone! I know you've been hanging on a cliff for a minute, but we just decided to spend a little extra time cooking this one. Don't really have anything else to add, so sit back and enjoy!
Carter Alenko created by Ghost Fire 6. Co-writing done by myself and Batmarcus. Editing done by Ghost Fire 6 and Lord Zeppelin. Spider-Man created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. All respective characters owned by Marvel Entertainment and DC Entertainment.
Justice League Watchtower, 18:23 EST
A rubber ball hit the wall, bouncing back into the hand of the tosser before being thrown again, being caught once more. And Peter Parker threw the ball again and again, not even looking away from the Monitor Cradle as he watched the feeds from around the world. According to Captain America in the stern talking to he had gotten the other day, Monitor Duty was by far the most important part of being a member of the Justice League, keeping an eye for anything that could need Justice League intervention.
Unfortunately, it was also the most tedious part of being a member of the League. Sure, every now and then a giant monster would almost run ashore on some coastal city, but most of the time, it consisted of staring at news feeds. Everyone did it, and Spider-Man had called in every favor he could in making sure he'd avoid monitor duty the past year. But unfortunately, he had run out of favors, and now here he was, wasting a perfectly good night that could be spent picking out nursery colors with MJ or putting together an Ikea shelf for May.
At least Carter had to be having a more interesting night than this.
Brooklyn, 18:23 EST
All Carter could hear was the sound of his own breathing, his heart pumping in his ears as he processed what Ock had said. The details he couldn't have known, the scarily accurate recounting of the circumstances that had led to him becoming the Scarlet Spider. And the reason he knew all of it… was because Doctor Octopus was the reason for it all.
"You're lying. This is some mind game, trying to get under my skin."
"Then please, Mr. Alenko, why do you think you can do the things you do? Why do you, a worthless little runt whose biggest accomplishments were juvenile drawings on billboards, get to be a hero? Why do you get to go on all sorts of fantastical adventures beyond every child's wildest dreams, traveling the world and vanquishing vile villains?" Ock spat.
"I…I don't…"
"An experimental serum, developed by myself, to push the body to new heights. To duplicate the fantastical feats and abilities demonstrated by your mentor, to understand what enabled him to do such. Every other so-called 'hero' possesses a scientific explanation to their powers, a reasoning behind it. Hailing from a world with a red sun, genetic mutations, the right combination of chemicals interacting with a bolt of lightning, gamma bombardment…even the so-called sorcerers and magicians possess a scientific basis in their manipulation of energies on the molecular level. But defying physics, demonstrating uncanny and inhuman grace? I can accept the incredible and illogical, but this was all so… firmly in the realm of possibility. I had to know more. Had to understand where it came from" Doc Ock explained, moving back from Carter.
"For over a year, I conducted my experiment. I employed the use of genetically altered spiders, their venom custom tailored to deliver my serum into their bodies. Countless subjects, all in similar states as yourselves. The ones in critical care, the ones that teetered on the boundaries between life and death. The ones no one would look too closely at if they perished. And each experiment, a failure. Each test, another return to the drawing board."
"Failure…you murdered them." Carter surmised. "How…how many…?"
"Enough to make me reconsider my methods, enough to make me find new variables. I surmised that the most potent way to replicate the effects was to recreate the original conditions of the delivery mechanism as best I could. And since I lacked a source of radiation…I set about breeding a genetically curated species of spiders, ones whose venom would deliver my serum." Octopus explained.
"Again, more death. Again, more failure. I had almost given up on my project…and then you came along."
"Well gee, aren't I special…"
"Aren't you? Your quick recovery had been faster than I anticipated. I lost track of you, lost a way to accurately chart your growth. And when I did find you, I shouldn't have been surprised to find you following in the footsteps of your inspiration. Whether a coincidence, or cosmic irony, I know not. And you continue to confound and confuse me at every step. For so long, I did not know why you survived, when so many didn't, or why I could not replicate the results. Latent genetic abilities, activated by the foreign serum in your blood? A reaction to the stress caused by the bullet? Or were you simply lucky, the beneficent of multiple factors aligning at just the right time? It really was quite…" The calm facade slipped, as Doctor Octopus clenched his hand into a fist.
"Frustrating."
"By all means, get madder. Maybe you'll have an aneurysm and drop dead."
"Charming. But if I were to drop dead, who would tell you where your brother is?" Ock asked, earning narrowed eyes from Carter.
"I'd find him."
"Would you? New York is quite a large city. Even if you were able to call in all your super friends, it would take you days to completely scour the city. I could have him stashed in Manhattan, in Queens, in Redhook, Staten Island, Bensonhurst…if he even is in New York. And how would you know if I act alone? I could have accomplices, associates awaiting my word. Associates who would kill Detective Alenko should my incarceration or death arise." Ock surmised. "Face it, Mr. Alenko. I have you right where I want you, and there's nothing you can do about it."
As much as Carter hated to admit it, Doc Ock was right. He had him over a barrel, and there was simply no way out. If Carter made the wrong move, Roland would die. So for now, he simply had to play along.
"...what do you want?"
"Good. I was hoping I wouldn't have to rely on more…dramatic means to get my point across."
"I'm already over the whole smug scientist routine. Get to the point."
"Very well then. There is a STAR Labs transport that will be arriving in the city within the hour. On that transport is an item I have a vested interest in acquiring. Bring it to me by 10 PM, and I shall release your brother."
"What is it, your tentacle porn collection?"
"What it is is of no concern to you. All you need to know is the deal is simple: the item for your brother's life. A fair trade, no?" Carter's silence was all the answer Ock needed, as he dangled the phone with Roland's livestream in front of him. "I'm glad we can come to an agreement. This device contains the tracking software that will lead you to your objective. When you find the package, contact me via that device, and instructions will follow. If you contact Spider-Man, your sister, or any of your teammates…"
"I know how blackmail works. I already told you: you got a deal." Carter spat.
"Good." Ock released his grip on Carter, dropping him onto the fire escape. Ock tossed the phone at Carter, who easily caught it. "Tick tock, Mr. Alenko." And with that, Doc Ock's tentacles shuffled him away, disappearing into the city.
Carter slumped against the fire escape, mask clenched in his hands as he began to question everything he knew.
The source of his powers had always been a mystery to him and those around him. Even all the testing and research done by Sarah and Peter couldn't find a solid answer, only finding simple facts: Carter's biology had been altered by some unexplained phenomenon that gave him the powers of Spider-Man. Peter had theorized it was due to some sort of radioactive runoff at some point in his life, a byproduct of the experiments that had created the spider that bit Peter, but there was no way to definitively prove it.
But none of them could have suspected that it was the result of a mad scientist's experimentation. A mad man with a calamari fetish who just casually admitted to killing dozens of coma patients, all to crack the circumstances behind Spider-Man's powers.
And Carter would have been one of them, too. Just another casualty, a footnote in Doctor Octopus's research. But for whatever reason, something known not even by the sadist who did it, Carter had not only survived, but he thrived. He'd gone from a depressed burnout spray painting billboards to the Scarlet Spider, carrying on the name that his mentor's brother had started, the name that had been entrusted to him.
And he owed it all to the maniac holding his brother hostage. If there was a way out of this, Carter couldn't see it. If he contacted anyone, Roland would die, and it would be Carter's fault.
So he'd have to go along with it. For now, at least. But Doc Ock would slip up. Supervillains always did. And when he did…Carter would make him pay.
Manhattan, 19:32 EST
Scarlet Spider swung onto the George Washington Bridge, landing atop the suspension cables. He pulled out the phone Ock had given him, checking the read out on it. The STAR Labs transport would be arriving any minute now, and the young arachnid was on the lookout for it. However, as he was doing it, something was nagging in his brain, something bothered him. A STAR Labs transport…why did he feel like he'd heard something about that recently…?
Breep! Breep!
Carter was pulled out of his thoughts once the device beeped, noting the readout saying that it was getting closer and closer. Scarlet Spider scanned the bridge, notably light on traffic, seeing nothing out of the ordinary…until he saw it. A large armored van, flanked by four motorcyclists. A cold feeling gripped Carter's gut as recollection hit him, a foul taste settling in his mouth as he realized what was about to happen.
Kaldur had wanted him to help with a small mission, before Shocker had interrupted the call. The four motorcycles surrounding the truck were too advanced to be any old security company. He tapped his mask zooming in hoping he was wrong only to immediately feel his heart sink. His tech identifying Cassandra, Kaldur, T'Zari, and Jason somehow made him feel worse.
"Of all the people, why did it have to be them?" He groaned, mind going a mile a minute. If he moved fast maybe he could get in the truck, grab the device and get out. If he hesitated, or the truck stopped and they could surround him, that wouldn't be good. If any of them got into the truck that could slow him down long enough to get caught also bad, and if Cass was the one to get in…well even with his Spider-Sense Cass would probably take him down one to one in a confined space. But if the truck stopped, and he had to take them all in a direct fight…Doctor Octopus didn't strike him as the kind to cut him some slack, or allow loose interpretations of his directions. But if he was clever, if he could maybe find a way to get a message to them.
The phone chimed, and Carter looked down on it. A text message had arrived, and attached was a picture of Roland, with a caption.
UNKNOWN SENDER: Just a reminder of what's at stake. Do not disappoint me.
Carter clenched the hand not holding the phone, gritting his teeth. Too much was at stake here, he didn't have time to be clever. Instead…he had a job to do.
The drive from the Team's rendezvous point with STAR Labs Gotham had been rather uneventful, at least compared to their last such assignment. Jason, Cass, Kaldur, and T'zari had ridden along in tedious silence, with boredom being appreciated after the Amazo debacle.
"So…" Jason spoke up, breaking the silence. "Are we there yet?"
"Is asking obvious questions for the sake of asking questions an American custom?"
"Well, it's kind of a tradition on roadtrips. See, when you're on the road for at least an hour, that's when you ask-"
Robin was cut off from his explanation by a figure swinging down from the bridge, doing so with the acrobatic and athletic grace of someone with the training to do so. Scarlet Spider landed on the bridge, the four heroes and the truck skidding to a halt in front of the arachnid.
"Scarlet Spider! I am glad you could make it, my friend." Aqualad greeted, only to be met with silence as Scarlet Spider stood up. "I assume Spider-Man informed you of this? At this point, I think your assistance is unneeded, but we will gladly accept the hand." More silence, something that earned a set of narrowed eyes from White Wolf.
"When is he ever this quiet…" He muttered, and Batgirl frowned as she read Scarlet Spider's body language. He always moved with a kind of restrained control, probably to make sure his incredible strength and reflexes did not get the better of him. But now, it was like he was forcing himself to make every movement. Like he didn't want to be here, and being here was physically hurting him.
"Something's wrong…" Batgirl muttered to Robin, who nodded.
"You're right." He agreed, clearing his throat. "Hey, Scarlet? If you wanted to say hello, there were easier ways to do it instead of just dropping down like this. We really need to be moving." More silence, and more unease from all of them. Something that only arose once Scarlet Spider spoke.
"I need you guys to stay out of my way. I've got something I've gotta do, and I need you guys to stand aside." White Wolf glanced at Aqualad, whose frown had deepened.
"If you need assistance, all you need to do is ask."
"Sorry, Aqualad, but this is something I have to do. All I need is to get something out of there, and I'll be on my way." He explained, and Aqualad narrowed his eyes.
"I am afraid I have to ask you to explain yourself."
"I…" He could be watching him right now. He could have cameras or drones or some sort of way to monitor him. It could even be on the phone he had given him. Carter had no way to know for sure. "I can't tell you. But I need you to trust me when I say I need something that's in there. I'll do whatever I have to–I'll owe you guys any favor, I'll take the flak from Captain America and Batman. Just please, let me get in there and get what I need."
"Look, Scarlet, just tell us what's going on." Robin spoke up, dismounting his bike. "What's going on, man?"
"I…I promise, I'll explain everything later. But I wouldn't be here if I didn't have any other choice." He pleaded, as Aqualad also dismounted his bike.
"My friend, this is unlike you. Please, just tell us what is wrong, and we will-"
"I can't, Kaldur." Carter's brain went into overdrive, eventually reaching a conclusion.
"There's…there's a lot going on, and I don't want you guys to get mixed up in it. After it's all over with, I promise, I'll explain everything over some takoyaki. You know, from that Indian place around the corner from my place." Confusion racked everyone's face at the pure nonsense that came out of the arachnid's mouth. Kaldur's eyes widened, before the surprise faded.
"I am afraid I cannot let you do that, Scarlet." Aqualad gripped the waterbearers on his bike, and Scarlet Spider let out a sigh.
"I was afraid of that. For what it's worth, I'm sorry." Scarlet Spider leapt up in time to avoid a water whip from Aqualad, something that gained a shocked expression from Robin.
"Aqualad, what the hell are you doing?!"
"Our friend is not himself right now. We need to figure out why, and unfortunately, the only to do so is to take him down." Aqualad explained, as Scarlet Spider fired a webline and launched himself towards Aqualad. Aqualad formed a shield just in time to catch Scarlet Spider's kick, the arachnid backflipping off to land on the bridge.
Robin and Batgirl looked at each other, both exchanging a frown, before Robin unfolded his bo staff.
"White Wolf, Batgirl, you two go on ahead. Robin and I shall deal with this." Aqualad instructed.
"But-"
"We've got this. Go."
Cass still looked unsure, but she held her tongue as the two went off, the truck following them. Carter managed to make eye contact with her as she drove by, before turning his attention to Aqualad and Robin.
"Scarlet, I really don't want to have to hurt you; just tell us what's going on!" Robin said as the truck too pulled away.
Scarlet Spider didn't respond; there was, after all, nothing he could really say that wouldn't get Roland killed. Instead he sprang backwards, attempting to swing away after the truck. Just as he shot a webline, however, a whip made of water wrapped around his foot, yanking him back and throwing him hard to the ground.
"We cannot allow you to take anything from that truck, friend or not." Aqualad sighed as he and Robin both went into defensive stances. Scarlet Spider actually growled before jumping this time straight towards Aqualad. The Atlantean narrowly avoided a kick aimed at his head, manifesting water hammers that Scarlet Spider avoided. Scarlet Spider narrowly leapt over shurikens from Robin, who followed up with a charge from his bo staff. Robin expertly spun and twirled the weapon around him, Scarlet narrowly avoiding each swing courtesy of his arachnid-enhanced coordination.
Scarlet Spider brought up his arms in time to catch a downward swing, grunting as he and Robin made eye contact.
"I'm sorry." Scarlet muttered briefly before surging some bio-electricity through Robin's staff, forcing the Boy Wonder to let go as he grunted with pain only to be kicked away by Scarlet, smacking him into his bike and knocking him out. He barely had time to think about hurting his best friend before his Spider Sense went off and he barely ducked and spun away from another water hammer blow from Aqualad.
"I don't pretend to understand exactly why you're doing this. But I know you wouldn't be doing this if you didn't think you had any other choice." Aqualad stated.
"And I know you're not going to step aside. That's what I've always liked about you, Kaldur. You always stick to your guns. And that's why I'm sorry about this." The two leapt at each other, Aqualad swinging his hammers, only for Scarlet Spider to easily avoid them. Scarlet slipped behind Kaldur, delivering a kick to his back that knocked him back. Aqualad quickly recovered, his hammers shifting into swords as he leapt at the arachnid.
Scarlet Spider twisted out of the way of the slash, grabbing Aqualad's wrist and tossing him into the air. Scarlet leapt up and caught him, slamming Kaldur down into the ground and knocking him out, before webbing him to his bike.
Kaldur would wake up with a splitting headache, but Carter had seen him walk off worse. Benefits of having a body that was adapted to the pressure of the sea floor, he supposed. And Jason would be fine, save for some wounded pride. Carter would have to repair their friendship a little, that would be later. Right now he had something to finish.
'When this is over, I owe them all a meal or something, and I owe Ock a long violent chat.' Carter thought, swinging after the truck.
It didn't take him long to catch up. A ten minute swing and he was catching up to them, the truck about to enter a tunnel. He took note that there was only one motorcycle visible now, frowning to himself as he swung down, attaching to the back of the truck. He tapped the lock, wincing as he shocked it open. He swung open the door, entered the back of the truck…and was face to face with T'zari, displeasure evident on the young royal's face.
"How are they?"
"I didn't hurt them too bad, if that's what you're asking. Some headaches and wounded pride, nothing they can't walk away from." Scarlet Spider explained, the crates around them rattling as the truck rolled over the road.
"I didn't want to hurt any of you. This isn't some mind control thing, in case you're wondering. I'm…I'm fully in control of what I'm doing here."
"I feel if that were the case, we would not be here." The Wakandan stated.
"So why are you back here, and not Cass?"
"She volunteered to meet you here. She said that even with your enhanced abilities, she would be more than a match for you. As much as I agreed, I insisted on being the one waiting here."
"I… Thank you. It's bad enough I had to fight Jason." Carter thanked. "So… don't suppose you're just going to let me get what I need?"
"I am afraid not." The White Wolf stated. "When we first met, you kept me from embarking on a course of action that would have stained my soul. At my lowest point of despair, you told me the words I needed to hear, so that I could avenge my grandfather and correct a grave injustice. I simply wish to do the same. It is not too late to talk to us, to tell us what is going on so that we may help."
"Trust me when I say I would if I could, T'zari."
"Then I am truly sorry for this, my friend." White Wolf unfurled his fists, baring his claws as his mask came up to cover his face.
"So am I." Scarlet stated before they both moved forward, Scarlet dodged one slash before ducking another only to be met with White Wolf's boot colliding with his jaw. He flipped with the impact landing on his feet, lamenting the situation.
Carter wasn't used to fighting in cramped environments like this. But T'zari had been trained by the elite fighters of Wakanda to adapt to any environment. And if T'zari activated his powers and channeled the wrong animal, Carter would be screwed. Yet he hadn't channeled any animals yet, almost as if..
Carter paused for a second, it could be because the Prince was aware that in this small environment, a strength or speed boost could break the wrong thing. However, he had sparred with T'zari a fair few times by now. He knew he could switch animals at the drop of a hat to avoid disaster. He was genuinely touched, because T'zari wasn't going to let him win, but he also seemed unwilling to truly hurt him.
Which is why it sucked what he was about to do. T'zari wore vibranium battle armor designed after his own father's uniform, meaning that most traditional attacks would be cushioned by the rare metal he wore. But just because vibranium absorbed kinetic energy, didn't mean that it suspended the laws of physics. If something hit him hard enough, he'd still feel it. The hard part was going to be actually landing a hit on him.
For every time Scarlet Spider launched an attack, White Wolf would swiftly counter and block them. Any hit he did manage to land wasn't hard enough for a knockout through the Vibranium, and was usually met with a blow that at least staggered the young arachnid.
It was when White Wolf attempted a slash that Scarlet Spider saw his chance. Ducking under the swipe, the arachnid landed on his hands, planting both feet into White Wolf's chest and knocking him against the door to the cab. Before he could recover, webs started to fly as the Wakandan was webbed to the door, making sure that the Wakandan's claws weren't where he could slice through. White Wolf struggled against the webbing, but it was clear he wasn't going to be able to break free.
White Wolf watched as Scarlet Spider pulled out the phone he'd been given, following the signal to a small attache case. The device was furiously beeping, signifying it was the right one. "This has gotta be it…" He breathed out, looking over at the bound White Wolf. "T'zari, I…"
"Go. Do what you feel you must. And pray that we will be able to move past this." Scarlet Spider frowned, grabbing the case and hopping out the back…
Only to be greeted with the face of Cass, her bike screeching to a halt as he leapt out. He landed in front of her, as the young Bat removed her helmet.
"Why?"
"It… It's complicated, Cass."
"Then explain it to me." She bluntly stated. "Why do all this? Why fight us? Why refuse to answer?"
"Because if I don't…" He could obfuscate Kaldur. He could avoid giving answers to Jason. He could refuse to explain to T'zari. But oddly enough, he couldn't bring himself to lie to Cass.
"Because if I don't, my brother's going to die, and it's going to be my fault. I can't say anything else, I can't explain any further. I'm risking a lot even by saying this much. So please, just…just get out my way. Please don't make me go through you too, Cass."
The words hung in the air for a moment, and Carter was worried he'd have to fight through Batgirl as well… before she sighed.
"Go. Do what you have to."
"Thank you. I promise, I'll make it up to you guys." And with that, Carter swung out of the tunnel.
20:22 EST
Carter set the case on the HVAC unit, shocking the mechanical lock open. Wringing the pain out of his hand, he heard a satisfying click as the case unlocked. "Let's see what all this is about…" He muttered, opening the case and furrowing his brow as he saw what was inside. "The hell…?"
Inside was a decent sized clear tube, containing what at first looked like a piece of uncooked sushi. It was about nine inches long, about as thick as his arm. The more Carter looked at it, the more it looked like a starfish, and the more he stared at it, the more it seemed…alive, slight pulsing and squirming even in the glass case.
"What is this thing…"
Breep! Breep!
The phone Ock had given Carter beeped, and his face creased into a frown as he pulled out the device, seeing the incoming call, and answering it. "What do you want?"
"I simply wanted to congratulate you on a job well done. I quite enjoyed watching your performance with your friends. Your use of bioelectricity against Robin was inspired." Ock's cold, calculating voice said via the other line.
"Glad you enjoyed it, but I think you'll enjoy the entertainment in Belle Reve a lot more. I hear that Mysterio's directing his own take on Hamilton for the prison talent show this year."
"Hm, now that sounds… interesting. What is your take on that, Detective?"
"Grahhhhhh!" Carter tensed up as Roland's pained screams came over the line, stopping just as suddenly as it started.
"I am in no mood for your witty repartee, Mister Alenko. Bring the package to me, and I will honor my end of the agreement. And then, we will wash our hands of each other."
"That sounds like a deal to me. Where?"
"Times Square, to the billboard advertising Jameson's newest book. And I do not recommend dilly-dallying. See you soon, Mister Alenko." And with that, the phone went dead, and Carter frowned.
The more the night went on, the worse he felt. The deeper he got into this, the worse the knot in his stomach felt. He figured that whatever Doc Ock wanted would fit in with some grand supervillain scheme, but what could he want with this? What sinister purpose did a piece of unprepared sushi have in the grand plan of Doctor Octopus?
And could Carter stop it? No matter what happened, the truth would be undeniable: the Scarlet Spider would have had a hand in it. He fought his closest friends, people who had trusted him and who had fought beside him, and now he was about to hand the mad scientist supervillain the tools to which to do… something. And all this was done on the assumption that the mad scientist would keep his word. For as much as Ock knew about him, Carter knew nothing about Ock, and he had no idea if the scientist would even honor his end of the agreement. But what else was he supposed to do? How else was he supposed to-
"Hey." The new voice behind him almost caused his skeleton to leap out of his skin, as the young hero spun around. He was greeted with the sight of the Amazing Spider-Man, the wall crawler having just landed behind his protege.
"You can't be here."
"Well, there's nothing that makes me standing here physically impossible. You probably mean to say 'I shouldn't be here', but-"
"Now's not the time for a bad joke, Pete."
"I know, I know. Sorry. Been doing this so long, I'll do it at the worst moments."
"Why are you even here?"
"Because Aqualad called me." Peter explained. "He told me what you said. 'Takoyaki at an Indian place.' Can't think of why on Earth anyone would get fried octopus at an Indian place, so the only logical explanation for the pairing of the word 'octopus' and 'India' is the creepazoid who captured you in India." Carter was silent, mulling over his options… before he sighed.
"... Yeah. That's exactly it." And so Carter explained everything. How Doc Ock had cornered him after his fight with Shocker. How he had kidnapped Roland, and forced him to steal the strange sample that rested in the briefcase. How he'd had to fight his best friends, and was now about to hand the item over.
And the entire time, Peter just listened. He didn't ask questions, he didn't comment. He just listened.
"...and if I'm not there soon, he'll kill Roland." Carter finished, pulling off his mask to reveal his exasperated, desperate expression. "Pete, I… I dunno what to do, man. This guy… he's nuts. He killed… I don't know how many, and he talked about it like he was wiping something off his shoe. I don't even know if Roland's still alive, or if Ock already killed him and is just-"
"Hey, hey, calm down." Peter bade, taking off his own mask as he placed his hand on the shoulder of his sidekick. "Think it through. You said this guy's smart, right?"
"Right…"
"So he's not going to overplay his hand. He wants whatever that thing is, and he wants you to get it in exchange for Roland. No Roland, and he doesn't get what he wants. If this guy's half as smart as Otto was, he knows not to toss out his bargaining chip." Peter reassured.
"I… You're right. But what are we going to do?"
"Well… we're going to give him exactly what he wants."
7th Avenue, 20:46 EST
Scarlet Spider landed on the rooftop Ock had specified, looking up at the oversized advertisement for J. Jonah Jameson's new podcast. His mind went back to that March afternoon a lifetime ago, how a vandalism of a billboard just like this had started the chain reaction that led him to where he was now. Despite his best efforts, his mind then went to a day not long after, shortly after he had become the Scarlet Spider…
It was a crisp May evening. The letting out of school and the arrival of summer had afforded Carter no breaks, as Peter had begun his training in earnest. Peter had mostly kept his efforts to low-level crimes such as muggings and drug deals, but that day, they'd stumbled upon Electro's latest scheme to drain the New York power grid in one of the villain's numerous attempts to convert himself to living energy. The two had managed to thwart his plans, having handed him off to the NYPD's Metahuman Crimes division, namely Detective Roland Alenko. It had been awkward trying to tiptoe around Roland, especially since they hadn't had a real conversation since Carter woke up with his coma. Things had been awkward ever since, and after talking it over with his new mentor, Carter had resolved on how to settle things with the detective.
Said Detective was currently stepping out onto the rooftop for a smoke, plucking his e-cig out of his pocket and taking a drag. As Roland exhaled a plume of vapor, he barely had time to muse on the flavor before he heard a throat clearing behind him. Roland looked up to see New York's newest hero, the Scarlet Spider, perched on an antennae just above him. "Uh…good evening, detective." Scarlet Spider had dropped his voice about two octaves, sounding like he'd been gargling rocks for an hour. "That's a bad habit. Er, so I'm told."
Roland raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with the voice and the advice. "You know, I don't know what kind of movies you've been watching, but that stuff with the voice isn't nearly as charming as you think it is."
"It's a strategy. To protect my loved ones."
"Are you just doing it to sound older?"
"Wha…no! I'm a man! I'm a real, adult man, who pays taxes and my mortgage."
"Really? Then tell me what a mortgage is."
"Uh…"
"That's what I thought. Now, if there's nothing important. I've got ten minutes left on my break…"
"I uh…I did wanna talk to you, actually." Scarlet Spider stated, flipping off the antenna and landing in front of the detective, whose eyebrow remained raised in mild bemusement.
"Was that necessary?"
"It's called a flourish…" Scarlet muttered. "Look, I just…I needed to talk to you."
"About? What, another case? No offense to you or the web head, but it's not exactly protocol for supes to show up here uninvited. This isn't Gotham, where they shine a big light in the sky…"
"It's not about a case. It's a…it's a personal matter. It'll be easy to show you." Scarlet dropped the gravel from his voice, and Roland furrowed his brow as he heard the voice. He stood straight up as Scarlet reached up and removed his mask, revealing the shaggy brown hair of Carter Alenko.
"C…Carter?!" Roland exclaimed, his vape clattering to the ground in shock as he stepped back.
"Hey, be easy with yelling out the name! It's still a secret identity!" Carter pleaded, as Roland ran his hand through his hair.
"I don't…I don't understand. What…how…?"
"The 'how' is still a mystery, but long story short…" And so Carter recounted his discovery of his new abilities, his foray into vigilantism, and meeting Spider-Man, ending with his adoption of the Scarlet Spider identity. After all was said, Roland only had one question.
"What the hell are you thinking?!"
"Kinda thought that you'd have a different reaction than that…"
"What reaction am I supposed to have?" The detective asked. "I just found out my brother–who has been out of a coma barely a month–is running around as some sort of vigilante-"
"The technical term is super hero."
"A vigilante beating up lunatics in costumes, with another vigilante."
"You always said you wanted me to get a hobby!"
"I meant stamp collecting or model building, not breaking the law!" The detective stated. "Super heroism is legally dubious, at best, and your new friend is officially tolerated, at best, depending on what day of the week it is."
"I mean, that's more the law's fault than anything else…"
"Can you please stop with the smart remarks for two minutes?!" Roland replied, taking a deep sigh. "I just… I don't understand. What were you thinking?"
"Well, I was thinking you would be happy to know that I was actually doing something for once. Starting to think that was a mistake."
"Carter, that's not…" Roland tried to justify, before he sighed. "Look, I'm just… worried about you. I've been worried about you ever since Mom and Dad died. Before, when I got on your case like that… I was just worried for you. I was just trying to find the best way to help you. I was hoping you would tell me, but-"
"But then I went and threw a fit." Carter cut off.
"Look, Roland, I know you and Sarah are trying your best. And I know I… haven't exactly made it easy for you, especially leading up to… to me getting shot. But this, these powers, the crime fighting, all of it…it feels right to me. I feel more myself than I have in a long time. And I just…I dunno. Things have been weird between us ever since I woke up, so I guess I wanted to…make things right, I guess." Carter explained. "Look, if this is gonna make things awkward for you, I'm sorry. We can just go back to what we were doing before, and-"
"No, that's not what I want to do at all." Roland cut off, looking over his brother in his costume.
"Look, I'm not exactly thrilled with all this. But… the way you took down Electro was impressive. You seem to have a knack for… for being a hero. It suits you. And if this really is what you want to do, then… then I'll have your back." Roland reassured, placing a hand on Carter's shoulder. "I'll always have your back. I promise."
Carter snapped out of his memories, shaking his head clear. He saw behind the billboard, seeing a door with a rather sophisticated lock on the door to the top floor. Clutching the briefcase tighter, Carter approached the lock, holding up the smartphone. The devices both glowed as they spoke with one another, before the lock beeped, the door creaking open. Scarlet Spider pulled it open, entering the long hallway, a lone light above a door.
"If I didn't have a bad feeling before…" He muttered, making his way into the lair. He pushed the door open, being greeted with a pitch black room. "Uh, hello?"
"Greetings, Mister Alenko. We were beginning to think you weren't coming. Weren't we, Detective?" Doc Ock's voice echoed throughout the room, lights flickering on to reveal Roland, Belle Reve collar around his neck and bound to a chair. Scarlet Spider tensed up, prepared to leap towards his brother, but the tingling in his head stopped him.
"Where are you? I'm already fed up with this discount Jigsaw crap."
"Such impertinence. But very well. You've indulged me this far, so I shall indulge you." Doc Ock stated, stepping out of the shadows. Carter noticed his tentacle pack was missing, the man's hands folded behind his back. But there was no doubt it was nearby, so he held back for now, even as Ock looked at the case in his hands. "I take it you examined what was inside?"
"You mean your sushi order? You know, I'd say there are apps for this kind of thing now, but I get the feeling you're a lousy tipper."
"Cute. But I tire of your insipid quips and jokes." Ock said, stopping his pacing right behind Roland. "Show me the contents, now."
"What's wrong, don't trust me?"
"Not one bit. Attempting to deceive me with some sort of trap is the most logical course of action. It is what I would do, after all." Carter couldn't fault his logic, so he held up the case. He opened it, allowing Ock to see the specimen inside. "Excellent. Now, hand it over."
"You first." Carter snapped the case shut. "I need proof of life."
"Were his anguished screams not enough to assuage you?"
"You could have pre-recorded those, and that video feed earlier could have been recorded." Scarlet Spider demanded, and Ock sighed.
"Very well then." He stated, slapping Roland in the face. "Wake up."
"Grr… Getting real tired of that." Roland grumbled as he stirred back to consciousness, his eyes fluttering open. "What now, you demented piece of-" He was cut off as soon as he saw Scarlet Spider standing there, his face twisting into a scowl. "Why you…leave him out of this!"
"Leave him out of this? Detective Alenko, this has been at least partially about him. Why else would I need someone so pitifully average as you?" Ock sighed, sounding annoyed as he turned back to Carter, pulling a remote out from behind his back. "Well, does this suffice for proof of life?"
"Yeah. On three."
"One…"
"Two…"
"Three." Carter was prepared for Ock to pull something, but Ock tossed the remote at the same time he tossed the case. Both men caught their objects, Ock seeming to caress the case.
"Finally…"
"Save it for when you're alone. I'm done with you." Scarlet Spider stated, and pressed the release button on the remote… only for nothing to happen. The collar stayed locked and powered on around Roland's neck, and no matter how many times he pressed it, nothing happened. "What the-?"
"I am not done with you, Mister Alenko." Ock stated, red eyes still leering from behind Roland. "There are big things afoot, things you couldn't even begin to comprehend. Having someone like you at my beck and call would be most fortuitous. Don't worry, the good detective will be taken care of. After all, I-"
"Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and stop the monologue right here." Scarlet Spider cut off. "I told you, I've seen the movies, I've watched the shows and I've been doing this a few years now. I know how blackmail works. You think I trusted you to keep your word for a second? You think you're so smart, but when it comes down to it, you're just another wacko who likes to hear himself talk. Who, by the way, didn't think to lock the air vents. Now!"
At Carter's command, the air vent on the far wall snapped open, as a red and blue blur leapt out. Ock barely had time to leap back before Spider-Man's fist collided with where he'd been standing half a second ago, the white spider-bearing hero standing between him and Roland.
"Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, and I'm here to make sure everyone plays nice." Spider-Man stated, staring Ock down. "You know, you remind me a lot of a guy I used to know. Used to think of himself as a real Master Planner. Thing is, he was always so sure things were gonna go his way, he never saw curveballs coming at him."
Ock watched as Scarlet Spider ran over to his brother, kneeling down and gripping the collar, wincing as he generated red electricity. The collar shorted out, and Carter removed it from his brother.
"You ok?"
"I will be…" Roland groaned out. Carter tried to help him up, but Roland pushed him off. "I can stand on my own."
"Are you sure…?"
"I'm sure." Roland answered, gripping Carter's shoulder. "I'll feel a lot better…if you two kick that creep's ass."
"That's the plan." Carter nodded, turning to face Ock. Spider-Man and Scarlet Spider faced off with Doctor Octopus, whose arms were still folded behind his back.
"You see his tentacles?"
"Not since I came in."
"He's cocky, alright…" Spider-Man muttered, as Ock seemed to size them up.
"So let's finish this!"
"Scarlet wait!" But Peter's pleas went unheard as Scarlet Spider leapt at him, fist aimed at Ock's head… only for Ock to catch it, stopping the punch where it was caught, and Scarlet grunted as Ock started to grip tighter, pushing his fist back.
"Think back to our conversation earlier tonight, Mister Alenko. Did you not wonder why I used past tense when referring to my experiments?" Ock asked, slowly driving Carter back to his knees. "For the longest time, the mystery of your abilities eluded. It was not until I had the chance to examine your blood in India that I found the answer. That I found the exact composition that I had been looking for all this time." Ock explained, Carter wincing as he felt his spider sense intensify. It was almost like feedback, and he'd only felt it once before…
When he and Peter first met.
"You see, the only way to know for sure that an experiment is successful is to replicate the results. And you, Mister Alenko…" Ock monologued, as he forced Carter to his knees. Ock reared his hand back, his hand balling into his fist. "Are no longer my only success."
Ock's fist slammed into the side of his head, knocking him to the floor so hard the floor cracked. Spider-Man leapt towards him, only for Ock to leap back with grace and coordination akin to their own, landing on his feet perfectly. Spider-Man zipped over to him, throwing kicks and punches that were either dodged or countered.
"You know, for the longest time, I admired you, Spider-Man." Ock remarked, bringing up his arm to block a kick.
"Your grace, your poise, your abilities… there was a beauty to them. There was an allure. Super strength, super speed, even flight. All of them, simplistic and explainable. All of them, complying with physics in their own way. But you defied all of them! You, a quagmire, a riddle, a puzzle box designed to be solved!"
"And I'm also Excel certified, but no one ever seems to want to talk about that!" Spider-Man managed to throw a punch, but Ock leapt up to the ceiling, sticking to it before launching himself down, clocking Peter in the face. But the wall crawler rolled with it, recovering and flipping back next to his protege, who was just getting up.
"Anyone get the number of that truck that hit me…" Scarlet Spider groaned as he got to his feet, as Ock faced them.
"So, just copying Otto wasn't enough? You had to rip off our acts, too?"
"I am not a copy, not a rip off. I not only replicated your abilities, I improved them! Simply look at the boy next to you!" Ock boasted. "Organic webbing, and bioelectricity! Far more than you have ever been capable of."
"And yet I'm noticing a distinct lack of all of those in you." Scarlet Spider commented, causing Ock to simply chuckle.
"While I admit, I was interested in replicating those. But why simply repeat past successes? Rest assured…" The two heard stamping from behind him, as Ock's tentacles lumbered out of the shadows, attaching to his back. He was lifted up, arms coiling before him. "I have my own ways of making up for it."
"You up for this, partner?" Spider-Man asked, and Scarlet Spider nodded.
"Always."
7th Avenue
The billboard of J. Jonah Jameson exploded as Scarlet Spider kicked Doc Ock through it, the two falling down towards the street. The two exchanged blows as they fell, until Scarlet managed to kick Ock back and fire a webline, swinging away as Ock fell to the ground. However, rather than going splat, Doctor Octopus dug his tentacles into the side of the building, skidding to a halt as Scarlet Spider landed on the side of the building.
"Feel like you shoulda put some webs in that fancy suit of yours!"
"Another day perhaps, I have more than enough to deal with you!" Ock declared as the two tentacles not holding him to the building attacked Scarlet, who was forced to dodge, trying to get in closer.
Meanwhile, Spider-Man swung out of the hole they had fallen out of, Roland under his arm as the two landed on the ground.
"You good from here?"
"Yeah. Go." Roland said as Spider-Man nodded at the instruction, running across the street and up the building. Ock was attacking with his tentacles, only to be lifted up higher to avoid a shot of impact webbing fired by Spider-Man. Scarlet Spider took advantage of this, leaping down and planting his feet into Ock's chest, knocking him down. The two landed on a car, flattening it, but no reprieve was granted as a tentacle grabbed Scarlet, tossing him away. The young man landed on a wall next to his mentor as Ock rose up. He began climbing up the walls, the building shaking as he approached them.
Both ran towards him, Spider-Man leaping up and attempting to kick Ock in the head. The kick was dodged, Spider-Man reattaching to the wall as Scarlet leapt to avoid a tentacle swipe. Ock planted his feet on the wall, freeing up all four tentacles to aid him as Spider-Man attacked from behind.
Unlike Scarlet Spider, however, this wasn't Spider-Man's first time tangling with tentacles. He was able to leap atop one and springboard off it, planting a kick in the back of the Octopus. This allowed Scarlet Spider the chance to introduce his blackmailer to his knee, and the two fell off the building again. The two twisted through the air, and Carter managed to have Ock land right on his back, landing on top of him.
"Give up, you cheap copycat."
"I told you…" Ock growled, as tentacles wrapped around Carter, lifting him up. "I am no mere copycat! I am no mere imitation! My body and mind have surpassed you, your mentor, and that blithering fool Octavius! I am the Superior Octopus, and you will all bow before me!"
"And I… told… you…" Scarlet Spider grunted, his body crackling with red electricity. "I am sick of the smug scientist routine!" A shockwave red electricity emanated from his body, coursing through the tendrils and shorting them out. Ock screamed in pain as the feedback went back on him, and Scarlet Spider broke free, delivering a punch to Ock's head that knocked him to the ground.
Carter panted as he fell to the ground, his body tired and sore. Electricity crackled around him, as every muscle in his body screamed in pain. "Ow…"
"Scarlet!" Roland called out, running over to his brother as Peter landed on the ground next to him. "What was that?"
"Never… tried one that big before…" Carter groaned out. "Stupid tentacles… weren't insulated…"
"They never are. You ok?"
"Everything… hurts… bring… food."
"Yeah, he's alright." Roland remarked, a smile gracing his face. "Though after this, I'd say you deserve-" Roland was barely able to get through his sentence before the lenses on Peter's mask went wide as saucers, and he barely had time to spin around before he was knocked away. Roland spun around, Carter helpless to watch as Ock raised himself on his tentacles above him. The tentacles were sparking, red lights flickering on and off, matching the look on Ock's mask as he towered above them.
"I told you…" Ock growled, one of his tentacles rising up next to him. The grabbers peeled back, as a spike emerged from the red light in the center. "I am your superior!"
It happened in slow motion. Carter watched as the bladed tip shot right for him, aiming for his heart. He tried to move, but his body simply wouldn't listen, still tingling from his burst of energy. This was it. Doc Ock was going to win, he was going to kill him, and Carter was going to die on the street a few years later than he would have had it not been for Ock.
His life flashed before his eyes. His parents, their funeral, his shooting, discovering his powers. Meeting Jason, the Team, Cass… and all of it was going to come to an end…
Shlik!
Were it not for Roland shoving him out of the way. Were it not for the spike protruding through Roland's chest, blood splattering Carter's face. Shock spread through Roland's face as he was lifted from the ground, before gasping as the spike was yanked from his chest. He fell to the ground, and all Carter could do was watch as Roland collapsed into a heap.
"No… no… no!" Carter compelled his body to move, running over to Roland. "Roland… Roland!"
The detective had barely left his tentacle before said tentacle shorted, collapsing to the ground with the rest of them. Ock growled, before pressing a button on his gauntlet and ejecting the pack. "What a waste…" He growled, looking over at the groaning Spider-Man that had landed in the side of a car. The advantage wouldn't last long, and Ock had to take advantage now as he headed over to the wall, beginning to climb.
Blood gushed out of Roland's chest, seeping through Carter's hands as he attempted to cover the gaping chest wound. "Roland… Roland!"
"Cough… Stop being so loud…" Roland groaned out, his face already deathly pale.
"Just hold on, Ro. I'm gonna get you to a hospital and-"
"Too late… I can tell." Roland wheezed out. "Nearest hospital… too far. Ambulance services… aren't worth shit in this town…"
"I'm going to swing you, just hold on and-"
"No." Roland cut off, grabbing Carter's shoulder and gripping it. "Gotta… gotta tell you this now."
"Tell me later! Now shut up and-"
"Carter, for once… shut up… and listen…" The older brother wheezed out. "I know…I wasn't always the easiest brother. I was… too strict. Wanted… wanted you to be like me. Tried… tried to steer you right. Didn't want… you to waste yourself." Roland coughed up some more blood.
Carter had pulled off his mask, tears streaming down his face as he cradled his brother. "I'm sorry, Roland. I'm sorry. I should've listened to you back then. I should've been a better brother. I should've tried to make something of myself. I should've…"
"No…" Roland rasped out. "Proud… proud of you. Better… better than I could have ever dreamed. Proud… proud to be your brother. Always… believed… in…" Roland trailed off, letting off a final wheeze as his hand fell from Carter's shoulder, laying limp as it hit the ground.
"No no no…" Carter sobbed out, holding his brother close as he felt the last vestiges of life leave him.
This was his fault. If he hadn't been in that convenience store, Carter wouldn't have gotten shot. He wouldn't have been lying there, comatose, to be used as a guinea pig. Wouldn't have gotten powers, wouldn't have become a hero, wouldn't have put Roland in Ock's sights.
Ock…
Carter looked up, his eyes hardening as his teeth clenched in anger. He knew exactly who's fault this was. And he knew exactly who was going to pay.
A minute later, Peter stirred awake, rubbing his head. "Ow…" He groaned, eyes fluttering open. "What the hell…" He groaned out, his vision clearing as he saw Roland's lifeless body on the ground… and no Carter. "Oh no…"
In what was once the hideout, Ock opened the case Carter had brought him, holding up a red device and activating it.
"My base on Seventh has been compromised. Evacuating with the package, will be reconvening at secondary location." He clicked if off, before slamming the case shut.
He didn't need the 'octo sense' to tell him who was here. He turned to see Carter standing in the hole to the outside, face burning with rage. He hadn't even bothered putting his mask back on, and if looks could kill, Ock would be six feet under. Even now, Ock wasn't sure he wasn't about to be.
"It's your fault, you know. Had you simply cooperated, I would have released him once the storm had passed. One month, two at the most. But because you and your mentor had to do things on your terms, your brother is dead. Not only that, but he lies dead in your place. Sacrificed himself, so that you may live. You never truly appreciated him, did you? Let me tell you, he was far more than I ever-"
"Shut up." Carter growled, his hands balling into fists. "Stop with the monologues. Stop with the ramblings. You're not 'superior', you're not even a bargain brand Spider-Man or Octavius. You're just a murderer. First of all those 'test subjects' and now of a great man. And I'm going to stop you once and for all."
"You think so? Very well, then. Give it your best-" The right lens of his mask was shattered before he even finished speaking, Carter following up his right hook with a left hook, before a jab to the stomach. Carter attempted to grab his head and headbut him, but the sinister scientist knocked him back with a knee to the stomach, allowing him to break free and deliver a punch.
This staggered him enough to allow Ock to shove him against the wall, attempting to wrap his arms around his neck. Carter managed to wrap his legs around Ock's waist, firing two weblines at the wall behind them and pulling them over, Ock grunting as he was knocked through the wall. Carter's fists were strong enough in normal circumstances, but given the circumstances, he wasn't holding back. And on top of getting hit with the force equivalent of a sixteen wheeler, it felt like Ock was getting hit with a cattle prod, red electricity surging with every landed blow.
Before he could fall, Carter managed to web his chest, yanking him back into the lab and sending him rolling across the ground. Ock sprang to his feet, his one visible brown eye glaring at him through the cracked lens, before running at Carter.
However, once he was too close to stop, Carter sprang forward wrapping his right arm around the Doctor's throat before using his strength and body weight to drag him down directly on the top of his head. The man was stunned as he tried to recover. Carter kicked him in the chest, sending him flying against the ceiling, the man grunting as he slammed into the ceiling and fell to the ground. He tried to stand up, attempting to limp away as Carter approached him. Carter spied a bladed tendril head - probably a spare of the thing that killed Roland - and picked it up. He stomped towards Ock, preparing to raise it up and drive it into Ock's chest…
"No!" Spider-Man yelled out, grabbing Carter's wrist before he could bring it down. "Don't do this!"
"He deserves it!"
"He's not worth it!"
"Do you know how many others he killed? Not just Roland. How many other patients!? Innocent people just trying to see a doctor, or live their lives after accidents!?" Carter said, looking at Ock.
"How many?!" Ock coughed, looking back up at them.
"In truth? I don't remember. I stopped keeping track after I reached two dozen."
"Try telling me we don't cross this line! Try telling me that it'll make me just as bad as he is, because I have a hard time seeing how I'll ever be as bad as him!" Carter yelled.
"You don't want to do this!"
"You don't know what I want!"
"I know more than anyone!" Spider-Man declared. "After my uncle died, I found the guy who did it! I wanted nothing more than to kill him, to make him pay for what he did! For what I let him do! And when I found him, I let him die. And do you know what it got me? Nothing, absolutely nothing. An empty feeling in the pit of my stomach that has never gone away, no matter how much good I've done. Because my Uncle, like Roland, was a good man! A good man I failed. He never would have wanted me to forget what he stood for." Peter recounted, Carter not even looking at him.
"Don't think of how he died. Remember who he was. Remember what he stood for. Remember what he would have wanted you to do." Carter mulled over Peter's words, thinking of Roland laying there on the street…
And remembered his brother. Remembering the man who had helped him learn how to ride a bike. Who had been there for him when their parents died. Who had always had faith in him even when he had been vandalizing things. A man who had stood by his principles and, no matter how evil the person, would have never killed in cold blood.
The tendril head clattered to the ground, as Carter broke down. He collapsed against Peter's chest, the older arachnid holding him tight as he sobbed into his shoulder. "It's my fault."
"No, it's not. It's his. And he's going to pay." Peter reassured, as Ock staggered to his feet.
"Perhaps… one day. But not today." Ock grabbed the case from under the rubble, pressed a button on his gauntlet, and pressed a button on his gauntlet. "Failsafe Omega!"
"Self destruct: initiated. T-minus one minute." A computerized voice announced, as a red light illuminated the hideout. Peter's lenses narrowed, glaring directly at Ock.
"Oh, you cliched little…"
"We'll have to resume this witty repartee another time, Spider-Man. Until then…I bid you both adieu." As soon as Ock said that, his body shimmered, before fading from sight.
"Optical camouflage…this guy's full of tricks…" Peter muttered, grabbing Carter's shoulder.
"Let's go!" The two spiders ran out of the lab, swinging out just in time as the rooftop lab exploded into flames.
Times Square, 22:08 EST
The large screens above Times Square changed, their advertisements replaced with a Breaking News alert as Betty Brant appeared on them.
"We interrupt your regularly scheduled broadcast with a breaking news alert. We've just received confirmation that earlier tonight, an altercation broke out between Spider-Man, the Scarlet Spider, and an as-of-yet unidentified individual. The altercation did much damage to 7th Avenue, and resulted in the death of NYPD Detective Roland Alenko. While the NYPD has given no statement on the death of Detective Alenko, a decorated officer of the Metahuman Crimes Division, nor on the identity of the masked man, numerous eyewitness reports indicate that the man referred to himself as Doctor Octopus. Many New Yorkers will remember that name for the deceased Otto Octavius, who's reign of terror wreaked havoc across the city for years until his death three years ago."
The news report droned on, watched by a man of Latin descent with dark hair, usually swept back and maintained, but now currently a mess, bruises around his shrewd, dark eyes. He pulled his coat tight around his blue bodysuit, brown eyes narrowing as he listened to the report.
"And so, into the light I am thrust. Always inevitable, I suppose." He remarked, picking up his briefcase before walking into the alleyway. "No matter. As always…" He walked past a trash can, past the shattered helmet of Doctor Octopus. "I shall prove Superior."
November 13. Greenwood Cemetery, 13:45 EST
It was a bright, sunny day, which was a tad ironic, given the circumstances of the day. Detective Roland Alenko, after almost a decade of service to the NYPD, had been buried with honors following his untimely death in the line of duty. He had been buried at the Alenko family plot, alongside his mother and father. All who knew him spoke of him as a one in a million police officer, one who had a clear sense of right and wrong, who never wavered from his morals. He stuck to what he believed in, never once wavering in situations that would have broken lesser men.
The words of affirmation rang hollow to Carter, as he stood before Roland's tombstone, situated right next to his parents. The funeral procession was clearing out, various police officers and family friends heading to a nearby bar for a wake. Sarah was holding it together, but she was always good at putting on a good front. He knew she was hurting, but he couldn't be there right now. Not when he was the one who was responsible for it.
"Hey, man." A voice spoke up, and he turned to see Jason and Cass approaching him. None of them seemed worse for wear, save for a few bruises. "You ok?" Jason asked, and Carter sighed.
"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'm good." An obvious lie, but they didn't press. "Are you guys ok? I never checked in after… everything."
"We're fine. Nothing that won't heal." Jason reassured. "We're more worried about you. We all are." Carter looked behind them, where he could see the rest of the Team hanging back.
"Thanks for coming. It… means a lot to me."
"Anytime. If you need us, for anything…"
"I know, Jay. Thanks. And… I'm sorry for what I had to do."
"Don't sweat it. I'll get you in the rematch." Jason joked, Carter letting out a light chuckle. The two embraced, before they parted. Jason gave a nod, before going back to join the rest of the Team, Cass staying behind.
"I'm sorry."
"Thanks, Cass. That-"
"No. Sorry I didn't help. I should've gone with you."
"You guys had your mission. I couldn't ask you to stick your neck out for me more than you already were. I know Batman wasn't happy to hear about any of this…"
"He got over it." She remarked, earning a light smile from Carter, one that quickly faded.
"I… I wanted to kill him, Cass. I really did, even now I don't know if letting him go was the right thing."
Cass stepped up so that she stood beside him before turning his head so he was looking her in the eyes as she spoke in a gentle but firm tone,
"You're not a killer, Carter. You would never have been able to live with yourself if you'd killed him." Cass assured, and Carter sighed.
"You're right. I know you're right. But that doesn't make it any easier…" Cass gave a sad smile reaching over and squeezing his hand.
Carter didn't know how long it would take, and he didn't know how he would do it. But Doc Ock was out there. He'd find him. And when he did… there'd be hell to pay.
A/N: The final phase begins. The ride's nearing it's destination. I hope you'll all join us next time. Until then, stay safe out there, True Believers.
