SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 26)
6:46 am Parker residence...
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Ned asked as he and Peter stood in front of the bedroom door.
"Fingers crossed." Peter said before opening the door.
Opening the door, Peter and Ned greeted Gwen who waited with her arms crossed.
"Still a New York Mets fan, Peter?" Gwen asked looking at the baseball team poster on the bedroom wall.
"Always." Peter replied as he stood with Ned.
"And your room's still a mess as well." Gwen said looking at a pile of clothes on the floor.
"OK...Um, I'll get to the point. Gwen, I got some things to say. And I hope you can understand." Peter said.
"Tell me." Gwen said raising her eyebrow.
"I'm not Spider-Man. I'm not." Peter said, "I can't do what he does."
"That's right. I made up the fact that Peter was Spider-Man on the spot actually." Ned added with a sheepish grin.
"Can you prove something to me?" Gwen asked Peter before picking up a baseball.
Afterwards, Gwen threw the ball at Peter and hit him on the nose causing Gwen to gasp.
"I'm so sorry. I thought you would dodge that." Gwen apologised while she cupped her hands over her mouth.
"Do you believe me now?" Peter asked rubbing his own nose.
Gwen looked at the two before shaking her head.
"Come on, you guys. You can't make me look like a dumb blonde." Gwen said, "Ned's already given substational evidence to prove you that you are who you are. Stop pretending."
"What is she talking about?" Peter glared at Ned as he asked him.
"Peter? Breakfast is almost ready!" Aunt May shouted from downstairs.
"I'm hungry, are you guys?" Gwen asked quickly switching the subject.
The two stood silent as Gwen walked past them and left the door open for the other two to follow.
"You had one job, Ned. One job." Peter harshly said as he followed Gwen downstairs.
In the kitchen room, Aunt May finished making the waffles and prepared the breakfasts on the table for the three. In the meantime, the television in the living room was turned on and was broadcasting the morning news.
"Ah, Gwen." Aunt May said she gave Gwen a chair.
Peter and Ned followed as they both sat down as well. The breakfast had eggs; bacon and toast with avocado in place all spread out for everyone to share.
"Oh dear, the waffles seem to be over-toasted." May complained as she stacked each one on top of a plate.
Peter remained nervous as he looked at Gwen before turning his eye away when it got awkward.
"Peter, where's the chatter?" May asked wondering why all three are acting silent.
"We can't wait to eat." Peter said as he grabbed his fork and knife.
"Where are your table manners, Peter?" Gwen asked sarcastically as she began to reach for a piece of toast.
As the four of them began to eat, the news broadcast addressed yesterday's new regarding Electro's threat and return.
"Citizens of Manhattan have been shook yesterday after a threatening message from Maxwell Dillon had been broadcast out to Time Squares from the Raft prison. Mr. Dillon had specifically been calling out Mayor of Queens, Wilson Fisk for alleged offences put on against with the former intending to carry out vengeance." The news reporter informed.
Live footage of Electro's threat were then played on screen.
"Oh dear, extremely concerning." May commented.
"I'm heading out now." Gwen said as she finished an egg.
"Where are you going?" Peter asked.
Gwen gave one glance to the television screen before Peter realised she wanted to confront Electro.
"I need to hurry to work." Gwen said smiling at Aunt May as she walked out the door and left, "Thank you, Aunt May."
"She doesn't work, does she?" Peter questioned as he got up too.
"Peter, why don't you eat her food?" May asked.
"That's gross, Aunt May." Peter replied rejecting the plate of food.
"Hey, Ned. Can you try keep an eye on her? I probably have some catching up to do." Peter said to Ned as May pressured him to finish his breakfast.
8:00 am Flushing Town Hall...
Wilson turned up looking flustered as he went up to the press stand to address upcoming issues that have happened. In particular to the threat spoken by Electro.
"Mr. Fisk. What's the story behind you and Mr. Dillon?" Journalists began to ask as they flashed cameras and grabbed their microphones out.
Wilson took a deep breath before raising his hands up to address the demanding press.
"Everyone, focus and calm down. Here's my story. Mr. Dillon had been held prisoner in the Raft for quite some time. As you know, I was partially responsible for the Raft's construction. As you should know, Mr. Dillon is unlike anyone. He has a condition in which he needs to feed off electricity and it is causing concerning mental instability within him. His threats are clearly noted despite the fact, that the Raft staff did everything they can to support him."
After Wilson gave out those words, the press started to escalate their questions.
"Mr. Fisk, how does this threat correlate to the security of the Raft?" One female journalist asked.
Wilson then sighed in frustration as he began answering the questions. He looked at the security around him which including Jack; Ronald and Dan who were now his so-called, Enforcers. The trio wore protective FBI suits including helmets and watched over him in the case of danger.
Everyone except for Dan were the same. Dan had it worst; the last time Wilson beat him over and left a couple of bruises on him. The injuries however motivated him to becoming more vicious in his duties which could be a major concern for Wilson's enemies.
After the interview, Wilson was escorted backstage away from the press. Vanessa waited in the dimly lit room after Wilson cleared the air.
"Give me some privacy." Wilson said ordering all men to leave the room.
Vanessa touched her neck revealing the claw marks Miller had left on her the other night.
"When is our world going to be at ease?" Vanessa asked.
"I will deal with this fast. I won't rest, Vanessa." Wilson promised.
"At what cost? I still love you even though you have those mistakes of yours. But your own ambitions just keep pulling things apart." Vanessa said with an upset tone.
"It's what I live for. I'm keeping people in line." Wilson defended.
Tears were swelling up in Vanessa's eyes as she faced her husband.
"Who else can we count on, Wilson? Do you have a clue?" Vanessa asked.
Wilson stood silently before he found his words.
"In my eyes, I'm a hero to you, Vanessa. I want that future for us. And leave behind all the twisted things in the past." Wilson said.
Vanessa turned around and then dropped some shocking comments to Wilson.
"You know... Part of me wishes that beast slashes my throat the other night. As well as this 'Electro' man getting to me." Vanessa said as she reflected on Miller holding her captive.
8:30 am Daily Bugle Building meeting room, 4th floor...
"Are you serious, not even Foswell? No one showed up at the Town Hall at 8 am today?!" John shouted to all the staff in the room which included Robbie and Betty but not Frederick.
John continued his anger by smacking down a Daily Globe paper on the table.
"At any rate, our company will be bending a knee." John murmured.
Soon, Peter and Ned entered the room which caused everyone to turn around.
"Well, well, well. Look who is back." John said as he walked over.
Putting an arm around Peter, John held on and showed him off.
"Mr. Parker is still alive! So glad to hear from your aunt." John said shaking him back and forth, "My boy. You have a story that could save our face today."
The staff all clapped as Peter looked around the room. Betty gave Peter an adoring smile while Robbie cracked his own smile.
"So what's the story?" John asked.
"Well, I was mugged and had to live on the streets for a while." Peter stated.
"You didn't go to the police?" John wondered.
"I... I was hurting quite a bit but fortunately I was nursed back to health." Peter said.
John stared at Peter for quite a bit of time before going back to a celebratory mood.
"Okay, it seems there's a lot to take in. Anyway, I think we have a lot of catching up to do. Chop, chop." John said clapping his hands to dismiss everyone.
"Oh, Leeds. I got a word for you if you don't mind?" John said.
"Yes?" Ned asked.
"You're fired, Leeds." John stated.
"What?" Ned asked again.
"You're fired. Because your supervisor hasn't been too cooperative as of late and you on the other hand, are slacking. I'm sorry, it's how I roll." John said.
"Come on, Mr. Jameson. I can stick around." Ned assured.
"Two photographers is too extraneous. Maybe you can give restaurant work a try, I'll referee for you." John assured back.
Peter watched as his friend backed out the room in disappointment; he too was going to have a hard time figuring out how to tell his story.
9:30 am Midtown Manhattan...
Electro started a routine in which he would go out to different areas of New York and he feed off on areas rich in flowing electricity. Absorbing sparks from transformers; his actions put him on notice with authorities who were roaming the streets.
"You there! Stay away from the transformer!" One policeman shouted as he dropped his Chinese lunchbox.
Electro gave no care as he fed off the flowing energy that was powering him. As soon as the policeman opened a gun onto his shoulder; his mood changed.
"When are people going to understand me?" Electro asked as he charged up and shot out jolts of electricity.
The policeman went flying and hit his back onto a car door hard knocking him out cold. Unsatisfied, Electro turned his attention to some innocent bystanders. Just as he was about to zap them away, a web shot hit him on the back.
"Enough with the sparkles." Gwen jumped in with her costume on.
Electro gave a stunned look as he faced Gwen.
"What the- Who are you? Gender bent Spider-Man?" Electro asked as Gwen stared at the supervillain's scarred face.
"I'll take Spider-Woman, alright." Gwen said.
Electro laughed at Gwen as he ridiculed the sight of her.
"So Spider-Man dies and gets replaced by this? Man, these sequels and reboots suck." Electro said.
Gwen wasted no time in attacking Electro by throwing her fist in but not before Electro grabbed her and threw her onto the ground.
"I guess I'll settle for you since I didn't get the chance to kill him myself. It'll fill the void for sure." Electro said as he lifted his fingers up.
"Bring it, Darth Hideous." Gwen mocked as she got up and dodged the lightning.
As they battled, Electro had short-circuted some of the cars around him causing expected destruction. Fortunately, most civilians moved out of the way in the wake of their conflict.
"So what makes you different besides being a girl? Are you the mother to his children?" Electro asked.
"You sure have empathy issues, sir." Gwen said as she returned a web shot at him.
"There's no point fighting me, the prison I am freed from is all in shambles. You should just run." Electro said.
"I can stop you." Gwen said athletically dodging more bolts of electricity.
"That's what Spider-Man says too until he caught karma." Electro yelled as more manicial jolts of electricity were fired.
The fight continued for a bit of time before Peter rushed in on foot.
"Gwen. Stop this! This is insane, get out of here." Peter shouted.
"Peter?" Gwen asked feeling him nearby.
As soon as she turned her attention, Electro punched her to the ground.
"Oh, look a civilian." Electro cackled.
Electro turned his attention to Peter who then tried running. Raising his hands, Electro looked at Peter's direction and sent out streams of electricity. Using her Spider-sense, Gwen quickly intervened and took the hit for herself.
The shock hit Gwen whose eye lens widened on her costume. She then fell down onto Peter with her back smoking.
"Oh dear." Electro said as he realised more authorities were on the way.
Leaving the scene, Electro took off using all the acquired electricity in hand as police cars rushed in. Peter then turned Gwen over and tried to wake her up from the unconscious state. He peeled the mask off her face to check for signs of vitality.
"Gwen, come on. Wake up." Peter said shaking her, "Gwen?"
With no evident signs of her regaining her conscious, Peter then went the CPR route to revive her.
9:55 am The Raft...
Electro arrived back to the Raft, feeling tired after the hard battle. He walked back into the research room, where Miller had been spending his time going over his notes and examining Man-Spider.
"I saw something freaky today." Electro said cracking his neck.
"Another one of you?" Miller joked.
"More like... Another Spider-Man...Well Spider-Girl. Whatever." Electro informed.
"Spider-Girl?" Miller asked peaking his interest.
"Yeah. Sound useful for your funny experiment there?" Electro asked looking at the bound Man-Spider.
"It could be." Miller said, "Describe her to me."
"She wore white all right. And there were girly pink colours I think on her as well as some black. Had similar patterns like Spider's." Electro described.
"Thank you. I love that description. Are you planning to go back out soon?" Miller asked.
"I don't know, I had to run from some cops on the tail." Electro said, "Besides what's new with you, doc?"
"Professor." Miller corrected, "My patient here is doing well; I might let him out soon and I'm making some progress with improving him should Hammerhead promise me the right materials."
"Okay, not that I care." Electro shrugged.
"Oh, Mr. Dillon. Here's something I think you'll care." Miller replied.
"Huh?" Electro wondered.
"Since you know I'm a geneticist and such; I do have curiosity for your affinity to electricity." Miller said tapping a pen.
"Let me guess, you want to make me stronger?" Electro asked.
Miller turned around on his chair and smiled.
"Precisely." Miller answered.
TO BE CONTINUED…