Chapter 2-4

I'll kill them all… I'll kill them all… I'll…

David opened his eyes slowly and stared off into space before him, his eyes full of rage that returned tenfold when he awoke. He licked his lips and growled, biting his lower lip as he stared at himself in the mirror. He tilted his head as he stared at himself and once he regained his senses, he realized-

Wait a second, why am I hanging upside-down?

David looked above him to see that he was hanging upside-down like a spider, dangling from a crane with a building in front of him with windows so shiny, he could see himself, even in this light.

And what happened to my suit?

David let his legs drop but held onto the web above him. He swung back and forth before leaping toward the building and landed on the window. He leaned in to the window and looked at his suit that clung tightly to his body.

When David originally thought of his costume, he thought he would go with a red and blue design but opted for a red and black color pattern. When he made the suit, he colored his suit so that red would resemble blood, which became his favorite color after his first kill.

The suit clinging to his body now was all black. The raised web pattern spanning throughout his body was gone. His eye lenses were still white but the one thing that stood out was the spider symbol on his chest. The spider symbol on his chest was white and its legs extended all the way around him. He briefly turned around and saw that the spider symbol on his back was also white and the front and back spider symbols were connected by the legs.

Once David had realized that his suit was different, he also realized something else.

I'm sticking to the wall.

He looked at his fingertips and surely enough, they were clinging to the building.

My wall-crawling ability, it's back.

He turned around and estimated the distance between the crane and the building he just leaped from.

And my super-jump is back too. My powers are back!

He smiles under his mask before looking at himself in the mirror once more.

And my injuries are gone. I don't feel pain or anything.

He held out his hand and looked at the black clothing.

Wow, I got my power back AND a new look.

David laughed behind his mask and looked up.

I can't believe it; I got my powers back! I'm Spider-Man again!

David backflips off the building and laughs at the top of his lungs with all the energy in his belly as he falls to the ground.

"FUCK YEAH!"

He held up his hand to fire a web but instead of firing from his wrist, a web shot out from the space at the bottom of the back of his hand. Instead of using the middle and ring fingers, all he had to do was make a fist and a line of black webbing shot out and stuck to a building.

David was surprised at first but went with it and swung as high as he could into the air. He landed on top of a building and leaped as high as he could. His eyes went wide when he realized that he leaped fifty feet into the air.

I can jump fifty feet into the air instead of thirty, awesome!

He leaps to another building. He jumps for the top but fell a little short and hit the wall. He reached out to cling to the wall with his fingers but he stopped falling when his elbows touched the glass.

Holy shit, I can cling to the wall with just my elbow?

Wanting to test out what else he could do, he put his knees on the wall and let himself hang. He pulls himself up to the wall and puts his back on it. He thrusts his hands and feet out and allows himself to cling to the wall using just his back.

It appears I can hang from any part of my body.

David climbs the rest of the way up the building and leaps to the top of a water tower. He perches down before looking down at his black hands, a smile behind his mask.

"This is going to be so much fun."

Hobgoblin's Hideout

Hobgoblin sighed heavily and removed his mask from his head. He licked his lips and rubbed the sweat off his forehead. "Wow, what a night that was." He turned back to his cohorts, Aaron and Gargan, who were removing their masks and costumes. Hobgoblin removed the rest of his costume, his civilian clothes under the suit. With his Hobgoblin identity shed, he was now Roderick Kingsley.

"Tonight was not worth it," Aaron said. "What about the original deal in getting back your money from the banks?"

Roderick turned to Aaron. "All in good time."

"Actually it's not. You said that we had a mission and a plan."

"I agree," Gargan said. "The deal was we steal back the money that was stolen from you and then you pay us back. Why did we have to go after the meteor?"

"I was doing the world a favor," Roderick argued. He walked over to a mannequin and dressed it up in his costume. "Who in their right mind would let unethical tycoons have the meteor? That baby could've been worth billions. Tonight could've been better but let's talk about how awesome tonight went. I think tonight was a fun time."

"I got shot several times by the Scarlet Spider's webs," Gargan said. "And I crashed through the roof a few times."

"And I almost got electrocuted," Aaron pointed out. "Several times. And there were a few slip-ups on my end."

"Yeah," Roderick laughed, "you guys getting your asses handed to you was kinda funny. I wish I caught it on camera so we could post it on AFV."

Gargan rolled his eyes. "What about you? If I recall, your glider was malfunctioning not once but twice. You went spinning out of control."

Aaron laughed. "Yeah, we saw the look on your face."

"How? I was wearing a mask!"

"We didn't need to see your face but we saw that you were shitting your pants. Your body language was like, 'oh no, my glider is falling apart!'"

Gargan laughed. "Looks like even the mighty Hobgoblin is prone to panic. Oh and let's not forget the highlight of the night."

"Yeah." Aaron laughed once more. "You stealing the meteor! You had a book and a lightbulb fall on your head. You tripped yourselves so many times it was like the universe was against you."

Roderick laughed nervously and held his hand down while putting a hand on his forehead. After composing himself, he looked up and said, "How do you know I was having bad luck on my side? Maybe I'm a masochist who enjoys hurting myself. Maybe I wanted to see if the meteor was real by dropping it on my feet."

"That explains why you left without taking the meteor with you; it was a fake. But what about the grenade?" Gargan remembered. "Yeah, we both saw the pumpkin bomb go off in your hand."

Roderick confidently folded his arms over his chest. "That was planned in advance. What if Spider-Man or those other three spiders decided to use my pumpkin bombs again me? It's better to build up a tolerance now than later." Roderick's eyes went wide as he turned to Aaron. "Oh and what happened with that cat burglar you said was there? I didn't see him but what happened to him? If I recall correctly, you tried using your gauntlets on him and you slipped off the building or something."

"That's your fault," Aaron said. "My suit malfunctioned for a second. And you claim to be a fashion designer, you should be fired for owning faulty suits."

Roderick laughed before he realized something that made him narrow his eyes. "Now that you mention it, your suit malfunctioned and my glider malfunctioned in less than ten minutes. The first thing I did when I came back was to check my glider for any signs of faulty wiring or something."

"I did the same thing in my suit. Everything seemed to look good."

"Yeah." Roderick licked his lips and sighed. "That cat burglar you saw exiting the building, could you describe him?"

"I didn't get a good look at their face but they had long hair, silver or so, and they wore a black bodysuit. He came out of the building around the same time you had your bad luck and left when Scarlet Spider got there. After I lost control of my jet pack, Scarlet Spider tried to subdue him but-"

Gargan interrupted, "His web-shooter malfunctioned on him and he went falling."

Hobgoblin tilted his head back and sighed. He looked down at the ground and burst out laughing. "Wow, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that there's another super out there." He studied the confused reactions on Aaron and Gargan's faces. "Think about it, this cat burglar is in the penthouse with me, I have a string of bad luck. Aaron has him in his sights, his jet pack malfunctions. Scarlet Spider tries to shoot a web at the thief, but his web-shooters malfunction. At the climax of the fight, as I'm trying to level the place with rockets, my glider becomes faulty." He crossed his arms over his chest in a smug fashion. "Gentlemen, there's another super out there and he has the ability to bring bad luck on people."

"Holy shit," Gargan said. "As soon you described everything that happened, I came to the same conclusion."

"Good work, Sherlock, you had the same conclusion as me but I voiced it first. Looks like we'll never know if you're lying or telling the truth."

Gargan rolled his eyes. "Whatever. But since he was robbing the penthouse, same as we were, he is not on our side nor the spiders' side."

"That's right. And let's also not forget he was stealing a painting and not the meteor. So this cat burglar is interested in artistic work rather than money. As long as we stay out of his way, no more jet packs and gliders will be malfunctioning."

Gargan tsked. "By the way, was the serum working on Spider-Man? You said that when you stabbed Spider-Man with your glider, it was laced with a poison that would slowly kill off his abilities."

Roderick looked at Gargan with a serious look. "Did you see Spidey's pathetic performance tonight?" He saw the brows raise up on Gargan's head. "Exactly. It's only a matter of time before Spidey loses all his powers. Eventually, he won't be a threat anymore and when that happens, all we have to do is use the same cure on the other three Spider-Men's powers and they're taking out for good."

Aaron picked himself up. "I'm going to get going."

"Wait, before you go..." Roderick runs to the safe in the corner of the room and unlocks it. He pulls out a large wad of cash and tosses it to Aaron and Gargan. "Because I had so much fun tonight, getting our asses kicked while simultaneously kicking the four spiders' asses, I'm giving you guys a bonus."

Aaron counted the money and after he finished, he said, "Thanks a lot man."

"Christmas is around the corner, better do your Christmas shopping now, Mr. Aaron Davis. Buy something nice for your nephew."

With the Three Spider-Men

"Ow," Ben winced as he squeezed the stress ball in his hand and nearly broke it.

After the battle at the penthouse, the three Spider-Men were forced to let Villain Trio escape while they pulled civilians out of the burning building. It wasn't easy, especially when Scarlet Spider had that patch of glowing green goo on his chest. After pulling everyone to safety, he began convulsing and telling everyone that he was feeling sleepy and drowsy.

Scarlet Spider, Spider-Miles, and Silk swung back to the top of an apartment building and climbed into the window of an empty apartment. Scarlet Spider pulled off his mask, becoming Ben Reilly once more, and sat down in the corner. He pulled off his sleeveless blue sweater and gasped at the sight of the green goo on his chest, melting into his costume. He took off the top of his costume and Cindy got to work on cleaning the green goo off.

"This is not that bad," Cindy said nonchalantly as she wiped the rag across his chest. Whatever the green goo was, it left his skin looking like it got a sunburn. "You have it easy, I've cleaned up worse than this." Cindy made a bandage out of her webbing and wrapped it around Ben's chest.

"Where did a girl like you learn to dress wounds?"

Cindy shook her head. "Not ready to share that part of my life... yet."

"Come on, I'm sitting here, shirtless and wounded. Tell me something interesting."

"Not yet, Benny, not yet."

Ben nodded in defeat before looking at Miles, who was sitting beside him. "I'm sorry for what happened in the penthouse."

Miles shook his head. "It's not your fault; I was too slow."

"I shouldn't have electrocuted you."

Cindy looks at the pair. "You electrocuted Miles? I'm telling my mom on you."

The two boys chuckled.

"It could've gone worse," Miles claimed. "I could've been left with a scar but as you see, I'm as healthy as a cucumber."

"Yes, because cucumbers are known for being healthy." Cindy laughed before getting back to work. "It's 'healthy as a horse', and the cucumber saying is 'cool as a cucumber'. You're fifteen but I can already tell you're not hip, Miles."

"Ha."

"Tonight could've gone better," Ben said regretfully. "We could've apprehended all four villains if we had been better."

Miles patted his friend's shoulder. "There was nothing we could've done; it was too chaotic."

"None of us have worked on a team before. Hobgoblin and his partners are more coordinated than us. I can't believe I'm saying this but we need to be more coordinated like the villains."

"Who do we go after?" Cindy asked. "Let's say all seven of us get into another brawl like tonight. In one corner, we have Hobgoblin and the other two and in the other corner, we have Spider-Man. As I've said before, three against four is an uneven ratio."

Ben winced. "I sorta have an idea but I don't think it's going to work."

Miles tilted his head. "Why not?"

"Well, because, it's much more complicated than that. Let's say the three of us are taking on three villains like Hobgoblin's team. If they weren't working together and each had their own agenda, then we could defeat them one at a time. But Hobgoblin and his crew are coordinated and are working together. If we try and fight one of them, the others will help."

"Then we could focus on fighting one while the other two focus on keeping the other two busy."

Cindy looked up. "And if Spider-Man were to be involved in this battle, who should we take out first?"

Ben narrowed his eyes as he contemplated. "Let's see, in a brawl with all seven of us present, then..." He heard a sizzling sound and looked at the rags on the floor with the green goo. The green goo was the source of the sizzling sound. "What is that green stuff?"

Miles moved over and picked up a rag. "I'll get it analyzed when I get home; I have a microscope and whatnot."

"Good." Ben winces as he adjusts his sitting. He turned back to Cindy. "And to answer your question, I think it would be better if we took out Hobgoblin's crew first and then Spider-Man."

Cindy nodded slowly. She sighed deeply before looking down. After thinking of something, she looked back at Ben. "What do you think will happen to Spider-Man if we take him down?"

"He'll be arrested."

"Will his identity be outed?"

"I don't know. I think it depends on who is behind the mask."

"So, if a famous person is behind the mask then..."

"Well, if a person with status is behind the mask, they'll probably out him. Now that I think about it, criminals, especially prolific ones, are always having their names on the news so chances are, Spider-Man will be outed."

"Will he get the death sentence?"

"No, New York doesn't have the death penalty I think. He'll get life in prison."

Cindy sighed. "That's good."

"Why do you ask?"

Cindy wiped her lips with the back of her hand. "I... uh... I've seen people get taken away to be executed. I saw one of my friends get dragged away by people in cop uniforms and sent to a state where they're executed. I found out later that they weren't real cops."

Ben sat up. "Oh, I'm sorry. I-"

"It's okay. But uh... what will happen if he gets outed? I mean, what would happen to his family?"

Taking samples of the green goo, Miles turned to Ben. "She has a point; what would happen to Spider-Man's family if he gets outed?"

"They'll probably be put into the witness protection program or something. That's assuming a psycho killer like Spider-Man has a family."

"Yeah," Miles agreed. "I can't imagine a murderer like Spider-Man having a family."

Cindy furrowed her brows. She put her elbow on her knee and turned to Miles. "Huh, so, by the logic that you guys go by with Spider-Man, him having no family and whatnot, what kind of person do you think Spider-Man is? What do you think his day-to-day life is like?"

Miles shrugged. "I have no idea. Probably a cop. I mean, he always goes after criminals and only kills violent ones during active crimes. But he still saves people."

Ben decided to chime in. "One of my crazy theories is that he's an assassin sent here from another country to kill violent criminals. Kind of like the League of Shadows in Batman Begins."

Cindy laughed. "You guys have some interesting theories."

"What about you, Cindy?"

Cindy felt her heart pound and bit her lower lip to maintain her composure. She rattled the thoughts in her mind to come up with a response. "A serial killer."

"That's interesting but why would a serial killer go out of his way to save random civilians in trouble and only kill violent criminals during active crimes?"

"I don't know. Maybe he's like Jason Todd and only kills people who deserve it."

"He doesn't have the right to judge who should live or die."

"That's right," Miles agreed. "That's one of the few things my Dad always told me whenever I look at Spider-Man. Spider-Man has no right to kill criminals. He has the power to stop criminals yet he chooses to kill them. That's why we got to stop them."

Cindy nodded. "Yes. We have to stop him. But I have to ask, what makes us different from Spider-Man aside from not killing people? If you watch the Daily Bugle, you'll know that Jameson hates Spider-Man not only because he kills people but because he operates outside the law."

Miles turned to Cindy and said, "My Dad also hates Spider-Man, not just for his killing side, but his saving side. He says that Spider-Man does not have a badge or special training and he is creating more problems than solving them. My Dad puts his life on the line and has the training, badge, and requirements to stop a criminal. Aside from murder, Spider-Man can be charged with vigilantism, aggravated assault, assault and battery, assault with a weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, destruction of property, resisting arrest, fleeing from the police, assaulting a police officer, assaulting a federal officer, reckless endangerment-"

Ben cringed awkwardly. "Yeah... after all the OG Spider-Man has done, NYPD is never going to trust another Spider-Man again." He nervously rubbed the back of his head. "I guess there's no getting around the vigilante charges."

"If we're breaking all the crimes that Spider-Man broke, how are we any better?"

"We have a responsibility," Ben said. "We have a responsibility to use our powers to save people, regardless if it's breaking the law or not. That's why we have to bring Spider-Man and Hobgoblin to justice. That's the pact we all made when we donned our costumes. Whether it's a supervillain or a small-time crook, we-"

"Wait a second," Cindy cut off, "who was that thief coming out of the building before the fighting happened?"

Ben knew who she was talking about. "That cat burglar, I don't know who she was. But add her to the list of people we have to take down." He looked down at his faulty web-shooter. "I don't know what she did exactly but when Prowler tried to attack her, she did something that caused his jetpack to malfunction. And she made my web-shooters malfunction. I think she can disable electronics or something."

"Well isn't that great," Miles said. "We have Spider-Man, Hobgoblin and his crew, and a cat burglar."

"We'll worry about Hobgoblin and Spider-Man first, then we'll go after the cat burglar."

Cindy nodded. "Yeah." She finished cleaning up Ben's wounds. "First Hobgoblin, then Spider-Man."

Dawn

Black Cat swung down to the Upper West Side district where her home as Black Cat was. An attic above an apartment that was vacant. It wasn't abandoned but the family living there had gone on a year-long cruise around the world and had prepaid rent for the entire year. Black Cat used this as her base of operations. The attic was filled with stuff she stole over the years from various museums, mansions, and other places. Adding to the collection was the painting of the black forest she stole from the penthouse shortly before the chaotic brawl took place almost eight hours ago.

Black Cat set the painting up against the wall carefully and adjusted it so it was straight. She stepped back and stared down at the painting. "Beautiful."

"If I do say so myself."

Black Cat didn't tense up for she knew that voice. She turned around to meet her boyfriend. "Nice to see you again, Spi-" She froze when she saw his new outfit.

Spider-Man eyed her up and down. "Just the pussy I've been looking for."

"Spider... nice outfit." She began walking towards him, her hips swaying. "You... look... sexy. I really like this costume a lot."

"Oh, this suit. This is nothing." Spidey meets her halfway and grabs her. He pulls her in so she can kiss his mouth area. "I'm more interested in your suit. More specifically, you out of this suit."

"Slow your roll there, Spider."

"Please, Kitty. Pretty please." He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her in until their foreheads were touching.

Black Cat laughed before grabbing the side of Spider-Man's face. "After hearing what happened to you, I think this'll make you feel better, Spider. Now, let's get you out of that suit."

"No worries."

In the blink of an eye, the black suit vanished from thin sight, leaving Spidey as naked as the day he was born. Spidey sighed hungrily after seeing Black Cat's blushing face before kissing her hard on the lips.

"She smells nice."

Spidey's eyes went wide.

Who said that?