ƒSPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 23)
9:45 pm Fisk penthouse…
Wilson stood his place as he looked at the green-furred creature in its beastly eyes. He clenched his fists as the creature held his wife, Vanessa by the mouth with its claws threatening to scratch her face off.
"We've met in this house before, have we?" The creature hissed.
"Stay calm, Vanessa. I'll negotiate with this being." Wilson promised before continuing his stare down.
The creature bared its teeth out while Vanessa attempted to lower down her fears.
"You… You're that doctor that barged into my premises the other night." Wilson answered.
"Correction; I'm a professor. Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical science; majoring in areas such as regenerative medicine; genetics and biochemistry. But I have more space in my mind for other things." The creature said revealing himself to be Miller.
"I know for a fact… That you are… A smart man." Wilson complimented, "That was the second time you stormed into my premises; bypassing my private security."
"What is these days with people hiring 'men' and 'cameras' to protect them? As if that's enough for protection." Miller joked.
"You want something and you have earned it. Tell me…" Wilson insisted demanding Vanessa to be spared.
With a smile; Miller dropped Vanessa on the floor who attempted to catch her breath after being held hostage. Slowly, Miller began to walk around on all four claws like a wild carnivore and began his circling.
"You're the founder of the Raft; am I right?" Miller asked, "That place holds something of my making."
"I co-funded it; that is all. But I have my rights to enter the place; yes." Wilson acknowledged.
"Then you know that there's a spider humanoid creature in one of its cells." Miller growled.
"Ah, you are correct. He's still healthy and processed for private research." Wilson said remembering the captured Man-Spider.
"Private research, huh? You're trying to understand the secrets of Spider-Man like I am?" Miller asked as he continued to stalk around.
"He was greatest obstacle. A shame; he's apparently out of commission." Wilson said thinking back to how Tombstone dealt with him.
"Yes." Miller said sharing his disappointment; "But I think there are more potential things to uncover."
"You want access to that creature? You got it." Wilson said, "But you'll give me some privileges in return."
"How very kind of you. And I don't mean to interrupt such a lovely night with that beautiful lady." Miller said before giving Vanessa one good look.
"Avert your eyes elsewhere." Wilson warned.
"Apologies; I think I'll come back tomorrow morning so that I can guarantee I can see my creation." Miller said as he prepared to leave.
"Enjoy the evening, Mr. Fisk." Miller said before pouncing away like a cat.
Once Miller had left the building; Wilson looked at Vanessa in concern who was in a bit of a disbelief at what she went through. She was somewhat aware of her husband's shady dealings but it was the motive behind them that she tolerated. However; this was her first actual foray with dealing with freaks of nature.
"Vanessa, it's okay… I won't let this happen again." Wilson explained.
"Save it, Wilson. How about we go to bed now? I'm dead tired." Vanessa said in a monotone voice.
7:30 am Leeds residence…
There was a knock on the home of Ned Leeds. Ned quickly rushed to the door still in his pyjamas and opened the door. Gwen stood in front of the door wearing a white sweater and blue jeans.
"Hello Gwendolyn…" Ned said with a funny look.
"Hey, Ned. Still sleeping in?" Gwen asked before noticing Ned's cat on the porch.
"Yep. I've been lazy these days." Ned said with a blank expression.
"Well, I'm going to shake things up for you, big boy." Gwen replied.
"Big boy? Whoa? Are you making fun of my weight or are you hitting on me?" Ned asked with a bizarre expression.
"You know my new powers. I'm going to try and embrace them. They're a part of my life now. And if there's a cure; it doesn't exist." Gwen said.
"Um, okay? Would you like to talk elsewhere?" Ned asked.
"Your sister and mum are still sleeping right? And your cat is not going to understand a word out of my mouth." Gwen stated.
"Ugh. Alright… Let's talk." Ned said shaking his head.
In his pyjamas; Ned led Gwen back to the basement to sort things out.
"My supervisor has been busy which is why I haven't got the chance to do much." Ned said, "And JJ kind of in a way fired me because of that."
"Did you at least tell your boss to retract from that news headline that made me look like I tried to assassinate Fisk?" Gwen asked.
"It doesn't matter. Peter does so many heroics that JJ just spins them anyway." Ned said dusting off the sofa.
"Well. Uh, **** JJ then." Gwen replied.
"Geez… I feel like your whole personality has been retconned, Gwen. You used to be that shy but 'hot' girl at school with Mary Jane all the time. Now you're all… Sarcastic; mundane and dare I say…Emo." Ned began to note.
"No, it's me. The 'shy' part was because…" Gwen started.
"Because you were crushing hard on Peter." Ned teased.
"OK, STOP." Gwen said, "I'm here because I'm taking a stance on using my powers for something."
"Well then…" Ned said having his eyes look side by side.
"I'm using my powers to take down the increasing amounts of criminal activity that I think is happening." Gwen stated.
"Rebooting Spider-Man like this is a risk." Ned joked.
"Oh yeah… I'm not taking a red and blue costume by the way." Gwen said.
"But I thought we settled on that costume." Ned said thinking to the black one Gwen wore at Wilson's speech.
"I think it can have a little more touch ups." Gwen said looking at Ned in a way that makes her feel boss-like.
"Whatever you want then, it better work." Ned said, "Costumes aren't just for cool."
"Oh, I have some ideas…" Gwen said.
"I've never really worked on designing a costume before." Ned thought to himself.
10:00 am The Rockdrum, Harlem…
As promised to John; Robbie walked all the way through Harlem this morning to meet up with his old friend, Lonnie Lincoln who had been responsible for the disappearance for Spider-Man. It was also a chance for Robbie to see if he could reconnect with his estranged son, Randy.
Finding himself in a shady spot of New York; the gangsters that lived here all kept an eye on Robbie as he made his way to the Rockdrum. With a brave heart; Robbie knocked on the door of the privately owned club and was greeted by a thug of Tombstone's gang.
"What's going on, pops?" The man asked opening the small door hatch.
"I'm here to see Lonnie Lincoln." Robbie answered, "I'm an old friend of his."
"He has a title you need to address him as. Do you know that?" The man replied.
"Tombstone." Robbie replied sternly.
"Okay…" The man said putting the hatch down before opening.
As the door opened; Robbie was greeted by a mean-looking man in a rock-n-roll shirt and a grizzly beard. He then stepped forward to frisk Robbie of any dangerous items.
"You're all clear." The man said before he allowed Robbie to enter.
Robbie entered the domain of Tombstone. It was one mad man's heaven from all sleazy men who spend their time here flirting with scantily clad women. It was all in character for Lonnie Lincoln, a man who believed he could amass anything for his own private kingdom. Aside from the talk, Robbie wondered if he would bump into his son at any moment.
"I need to see Tombstone." Robbie said as he was greeted by the men leering at him.
"We don't like reporters. What do you nosy snitches want?" One man said.
"I just need to see…" But before Robbie could finish; another voice interrupted.
"Well, well, well. Is that who I think it is?!" The voice asked.
Robbie looked around to see Tombstone standing in a black business suit. His albino skin looking pretty much the same from childhood memory.
"Lonnie." Robbie said as he stood his ground.
Tombstone gave one laugh as he made his way forward.
"Come inside my office if you have something important." Lonnie said putting a hand onto Robbie's shoulder.
Robbie felt the stone-cold touch of Tombstone's palms as he was guided back into the private office. No guards guided them and it was the two of them alone. As they made their way into the office; Tombstone ordered Robbie to take a seat. Robbie did as he was told and sat as Tombstone went to fetch a bottle of scotch whisky.
"Oh no, I'm good." Robbie eyeing the bottle.
"Oh, shoot…" Tombstone said putting the bottle down; "I forgot… You'll get drunk from one sip of this."
Tombstone then put the alcohol back on the shelf before sitting down on his own chair like a king.
"So… Old friend reunion?" Tombstone asked.
"No, I'm here to gather some information." Robbie replied.
"I never expected that." Tombstone said looking at his own fingernails, "Tell me, are you trying to get a story out of me through how I knocked that Spider-Man down. The one your paper company always slanders?"
"You're correct, I'm here for that." Robbie said.
"To tell you the truth, I have no idea who wears his mask. Real names don't mean a lot to me usually. I just saw Spider-Man as some god idol which I took down." Tombstone said without a care.
"Okay, so you don't know who you potentially killed?" Robbie questioned.
"I didn't need to know." Tombstone shrugged, "Kingpin however… I bet he wants the name and he wants it bad…"
Tombstone then took a cigarette from the draw and tried to light it up. No matter how much smoking or alcohol he takes; Tombstone just seems immune to the health consequences.
"The only thing that worries me about Spider-Man is… If he actually comes back alive to try kick my ass. Then I'll kill him for sure." Tombstone said, "For now? I bet I broke the man's internal organs."
"That would still count as murder." Robbie replied.
"The police haven't found a body yet, have they? Who knows?" Tombstone shrugged again.
"Well, it seems like Spider-Man came to your place and tried to take out your operations. But in doing so, you broke him apart." Robbie concluded.
"That's the story. Ah, man. I can't believe I told you a bedtime story." Tombstone laughed, "It's funny how reverse that is. Back then, you… Looking after me."
Robbie felt uncomfortable by the joke as if something else was going to happen.
"You want me to let you see your son as well? I'll call him over." Tombstone said before shouting, "RANDY!"
Sooner or later; Randy came rushing into the office with a spiked baseball bat in hand that dripped with blood. Robbie was shocked and feared if his son as of late engaged in brutal violence or even murder.
"What is this?" Randy asked seeing his father.
"Your pops came here to ask me some questions. I just want to see you say 'hi' to him." Tombstone said.
"You know the reason I came to you, I…" Randy stammered before looking at his father's eye.
Tombstone got up from his chair and laughed.
"Oh man, what a sour relationship. Anyway, just because I'm being friendly it doesn't mean other things." Tombstone said.
"Huh?" Robbie asked fearing if his former friend would hurt or kill him.
"Since you came, I am thinking about something that Fisk has that I want an upper hand on." Tombstone explained.
"What will that be?" Robbie wondered.
"Oh, I need an errand boy from the news media to be by my side at will. Fisk already has one from your own company." Tombstone stated.
"Someone from the Bugle?" Robbie asked.
"Oh yeah… You don't think one of your peeps there has a fishy thing going on, don't you?" Tombstone said walking behind Robbie's chair.
Robbie thought hard with his thoughts at first going to Peter Parker then Ned Leeds. Finally, he realised that the answer was Frederick Foswell.
"Foswell… Of course." Robbie realised.
"There you go." Tombstone added, "A high-ranking snitch. Who knows how bad the company is jeopardised with him around?"
Robbie tried to process the information. He looked at his son who was witnessing what was going on. He stared at Tombstone briefly who was goading him at every turn. He then thought what was he going to tell John back at the Bugle.
10:15 am Brown neighbourhood…
Standing in an alleyway, Peter had fixed up the last stitch on his suit and prepared to wear it. Hobie and Mindy watched Peter slip into the suit as well as the mask being put on.
"Damn, look how cool he looks." Hobie commented.
"It still looks battle worn." Mindy added.
"Alright… I'm not hurting anymore and my suit is back together. All I need to do is swing away." Peter commented as he fit into his suit.
He then looked at the two who cared for him.
"Thank you. You've really saved my skin." Peter said beneath the mask.
As Peter tried to swing away, his webslingers felt as if they were jammed tight.
"Hold on, what's happening?" Peter wondered as he shoot a web out.
Hobie and Mindy closed their eyes a little as Peter continued trying.
"Alright, maybe it's need the classic…" Peter said.
Peter huffed and puffed before looking at the building wall.
"Up, up and away, web." Peter said trying out his classic web shooting pose.
So far, nothing happened and Peter again tried another pose.
"Uh, go web go." Peter cried out in desperation.
Hobie and Mindy continued to watch as Peter tried to shoot a web out.
"Uh, is everything alright?" Hobie asked.
"Sure, I just don't understand why this isn't working." Peter replied.
"I don't know if this is the actual Spider-Man or if this is someone posing as him." Mindy whispered to Hobie.
"Uh, can you at least climb?" Hobie asked.
Peter then tried out Hobie's suggestion and attempted to stick onto the wall. However, there was no surface tension and Peter could not climb up like he normally would.
"I don't believe this." Peter said looking at both his hands, "Have I been hurt so bad that my powers are nullified as well?"
"Uh, listen kid. Maybe this should be a lesson on why you shouldn't play pretend hero." Hobie said.
"Huh? But…" Peter said.
"I don't know. But I don't expect this kind of thing from the Spider-Man I envision." Hobie said noting the failures.
Peter attempted to justify himself again before admitting defeat.
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe I fooled you guys." Peter said looking at both Hobie and Mindy.
"You know what? I'm going to try and call a cab soon so that you can go home easy." Mindy stated before leaving to go back to the apartment.
Hobie then looked at Peter in the Spider-Man costume again in hopes that he saw the real Spider-Man.
"I wonder… I'm so doubtful now." Hobie said, "Can I ask you something? Who do you think Spider-Man is?"
Peter stared back before giving out a response.
"Spider-Man could be anyone. Anyone who fits the mask." Peter replied.
11:15 am The Raft…
As a show of goodwill, Miller was led on board to the Raft with Wilson accompanying him. Miller had reverted back to his human form where he was his nerdy and weaselly looking self again. Wilson on the other hand wore a black suit and had a displeased face ever since the act in front of Vanessa. The guards stood their ground as Wilson led Miller around.
"Such an impressive place. All that good money gone into this facility." Miller commented.
"I once said to my friends that I wanted this place to represent something. A place of power." Wilson said back, "That was accomplished."
"And I take it that all of Spider-Man's defeated enemies are locked at specific areas around here, huh?" Miller wondered looking at the infrastructure of the prison.
"Most…Some of them may have been deported elsewhere. Some of them have long been dead. While the rest are caged up." Wilson said.
Miller laughed which Wilson ignored as they continued walking. They reached a room that was designated as a scientific research area. The doors opened quick and Miller was greeted by what he had sought. The Man-Spider trapped in an electrical cage of sorts and muzzled.
"Oh, that is inhumane right there. Does this place not have research ethics?" Miller asked looking a little disgusted.
"Doctor Winkler, there's someone I like you to meet." Wilson said to the scientist monitoring Man-Spider.
Gerhard Winkler turned around and looked at Miller in the eye before extending his hand out.
"Pleased to meet you. Gerhard." Gerhard greeted.
"Miller. Miller Warren." Miller said in return.
"Mr. Fisk told me a little about you." Gerhard said looking through his glasses.
"Hopefully it's about what I do. You see that creature there was created by me." Miller said pointing at Man-Spider.
"So you created him…" Gerhard replied.
"It was unintentional. He was a student of mine, you see. Bright-minded and ambitious. And now look at him." Miller said with a little pity, "His humanity has been stripped away…"
"Pity. Well, mind you. I've been gathering a lot about him. Interesting anatomy to say the least." Gerhard said with a smile.
"Is that so? Well, I'm here. I can provide you some assistance." Miller said back in a friendly manner.
"Maybe that's what I need after all the hard work." Gerhard said.
"Enjoy your hours here, I'll be back soon." Wilson said before walking away.
"Well, Gerry. Show me what you have learnt." Miller said looking at Man-Spider who seemed to have endured plenty of shock torture.
7:30 pm Leeds residence…
In Ned's bedroom, Ned had dedicated part of his time helping Gwen put together the new costume. Most of his ideas were pushed aside especially when it came to style and aesthetic which Gwen had her say in. It was a little aggravating to say the least.
"Oh my god. I could care less about this." Ned said putting down his phone, "Why does she need my help? She's doing all the work."
After that, there was a tap on the window to which Ned got up from his bed. To his surprise, he saw Gwen in the costume she had planned. The costume to put it to basics had traces of white on top with black covering the bottom.
The mask had hoodie draped over it with the eyepieces having a red outline and web pattern being light blue. Opening the window for her, Gwen greeted Ned.
"Hello Ned. Like this costume?" Gwen asked.
TO BE CONTINUED…