SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 27)
Note: Hey everyone, just want to make note that I am thinking of doing a rewrite of The Great Responsibility. Nothing too major; but during the course of The Other Spider, I will be thinking of doing retcons from that story. Anyway, enjoy reading. (Sorry for the delay of this chapter also)
9:50 am Midtown Manhattan…
After the police arrived at the scene; Peter quickly dragged the unconscious Gwen out of sight while his friend Ned caused a temporary distraction acting all distressed. As Peter reached into the alleyway, he gently shook Gwen.
"Come on, I know you're still breathing…" Peter said in his head.
Finally, Gwen opened up her eyes a little before noticing Peter.
"P-Peter?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah, it's me. How are you feeling?" Peter asked feeling distressed.
"Fuzzy. I now know what it feels like to be jolted by 10,000 volts at least." Gwen said trying to smile.
"Don't joke with me, Gwen." Peter said, "You look like you're in bad shape."
"Maybe." Gwen admitted.
Peter then looked at her costume and noticed how burnt up it was from Electro's attack. The costume in Peter's eyes looked really cheap-looking almost like his own home-made suit that he first used.
"Before I get you to a hospital…Can you try hiding the costume?" Peter requested.
10:45 am The Raft…
After being gone out of the room for a couple of minutes, Electro walked back into the research facility room where Miller was now busy looking through the computer database.
"Just got done with my 'pain' endurance." Electro said hobbling in looking weakened.
"Is water still a weakness, Mr. Dillon?" Miller asked who was busy going through criminal record files.
"Water is the thing that sizzles the spark out of me. It's why I hate showers." Electro grunted, "Say, where's that spider guy of yours?"
As Electro noticed, Man-Spider was gone from the caged seat. The shackles and harness have all been loosened.
"Oh, he's feeling a lot better now. By the way, my new 'friend' Hammerhead has some quick people who can gather resources fast from the outside. And right now, the cops are ineffective thanks to you." Miller said.
"Doesn't mean a bullet can't stop me." Electro commented.
"About that gift I promised. It's ready." Miller said turning around from the chair.
"Uh-huh? Care to show me?" Electro wondered in curiosity.
"Thanks to the genius software on the computer. I figured out which specific sequences of your DNA tick." Miller said as he pointed to the computer screen near him.
Electro stared at the screen with visible confusion before Miller explained further.
"To put it simply, your genome is so altered from what is considered the normal human genetic sequence. Your enzymes for instance might react differently." Miller said.
"I don't know what that means but… Yeah, I get hungry for sparks every once in a while. That screen saver is appetising." Electro said fixated by the electricity running on the computer.
"Well, let me tell you. This operation I'm giving you might be the next best thing." Miller said attempting to sway Electro away.
"OK, scientist man. Get to the point." Electro said turning his eye to him.
Miller then directed Electro to the same chair where Man-Spider had been held previously.
"Oh, so I'm the caged animal now?" Electro questioned.
"You'll be free right after this." Miller assured as he motioned Electro to the chair while being cautious of not getting electrocuted himself.
As Electro placed himself onto the seat, he let out a deep breath as clamps were being placed onto him.
"Sit down. Relax. Let it flow right into you." Miller said as Electro was strapped onto the chair.
Electro watched as Miller went to the operating device and dialled up the voltage levels. A shot of electricity was given to Electro which ran straight into his veins. Electro's eyes also widened as if he was given a drug.
Moments later, a change began to take place as the pupils in Electro's eyes began to glow lightning blue and his skin was shifting into an electrifying yellow colour with his body feeling lighter.
10:55 am New York Metro Hospital…
After Peter admitted Gwen to hospital for electrocution injury, he waited outside her ward until he was allowed to enter.
"I think she can make it." The nurse informed.
"Thank you." Peter sighed before sitting down at the bedside.
"I'll give you some space for now." The nurse said before leaving.
Gwen was fitted in a hospital gown alongside an oxygen mask over her mouth as well as a heart rate monitor. So far, her heart rate has been stable with no signs of abnormality happening. Peter held onto Gwen's hand as he waited for her to recover.
Afterwards, George Stacy came knocking into the ward with Helen and Simon trailing behind him. The whole family seemed to be distressed at the sight of their daughter being injured.
"Oh god…" George said nearly acting as if he was about to cry.
"Mr. Stacy. I promise…" Peter assured.
George put a hand on Peter's shoulder before trying to compose himself.
"I don't want to blame you, Peter. But this is the state our city is in." George said surprising Peter.
"What do you mean?" Peter asked.
"It's the crime levels. It's gotten much worse since the Raft blew over." George said.
"But why? How did this happen all of a sudden?" Peter asked again.
"It doesn't add up. You know that since Fisk took over as mayor of Queens, he promised the one thing that he swore would be taken care of. Crime." George said, "Now I'm not accusing him but it was already suspicious with the way some of the police force are acting as well as what happened at the Raft."
"If that was the case. I'm not surprised." Peter said.
"I'm sorry?" George asked raising an eyebrow.
"I mean… You might be onto something if that was the case." Peter said trying to divert suspicion away of being Spider-Man.
"Yeah. But I'm not an official cop. I have no arrest warrants; no evidence on wrongdoings. And all I've got is faith that he's doing something about it." George said.
Peter nodded and looked back at Gwen again who still was not awake.
"Hey Peter, do you mind giving me and my family some privacy around our little girl?" George requested.
"Uh…Sure." Peter said as he walked to the ward door and opened it.
After that, Peter nodded silently to both Helen and Simon who went to join George in looking over Gwen.
"Guess this is what happens when you're not Spider-Man. Crazy and terrible things just happen." Peter thought to himself, "I'm glad Mr. Stacy is nice to me. It's nice that Gwen has such a loving family."
Peter walked down the corridor and thought about his next move. There was no need to get back at Tombstone now considering the level of danger happening with Electro being free.
"Can I still stop Sparkles?" Peter wondered reflecting on his lack of Spider powers.
Peter then turned his thoughts to Gwen. He was optimistic that Gwen would make a quick recovery soon enough. If Aunt May could survive an attack by the Chameleon; then Gwen should have more the reason to survive Electro given that she has the same healing factor Peter does as Spider-Man.
"I mean I've had my fair share of shock treatment, right? Please Gwen, you can pull through this, I believe in you." Peter said before taking his steps to leave the hospital.
1:20 pm Leeds residence…
"Are you sure?" Ned asked.
"I've got to try." Peter replied, "I know how to put him down, so I'll do it again."
As the two discussed, Peter opened up the box and pulled out his old homemade Spider suit.
"You kept it in pretty good shape, I must say." Peter said complimenting Ned.
"Thanks, feels nice you said that." Ned replied.
"Come on, don't worry about that anymore. Focus on Electro." Peter said assuring Ned that he will handle Gwen.
"Okay, what's your plan?" Ned asked.
"Obviously rubber gloves should help. But here's something I can do." Peter said before pulling out a sketch drawing on his phone.
"It's just your web shooters, dude." Ned said.
"Sorry, here's the bigger picture." Peter said before swiping the phone.
"Copper wired? Oh, okay then." Ned said getting the picture.
"Exactly. I had a little help from our old friend, Phil by the way." Peter explained referring to Phillip Chang.
"Oh, cool. And how is he?" Ned asked.
"He seems to be doing fine. He's at Harvard after all." Peter answered, "Anyway, I gotta craft this thing. You got any copper wire lying around?"
"Uh, sure do." Ned said.
Afterwards, Peter got to work by creating a new set of web shooters fitted with copper wiring. Both his gift for intelligence as well as the work from his old friend allowed more some speedy engineering as Peter crafted the pair of web shooters.
"Alright, let's see if they work." Peter said trying them on.
Aiming at the wall, Peter shot out a web which landed flat on the ground.
"Damn it… Looks like I need to stock on some synthetic webs in place of my actual webs." Peter said remembering how badly compromised his powers were.
"And what about sticky finger climbing or… Spider-sense?" Ned questioned.
Peter then walked to the wall and placed his palm on it. He then placed a second hand as well before doing a climbing motion. The results then surprised Peter.
"Hey… This is somehow working now." Peter said as he reached the ceiling, "My powers might still be with me after all."
After the brief amount of excitement was experienced, Peter was again disappointed when his fingers refused to let go off the wall.
"Hold on." Peter said before suddenly landing with a thud.
"Are you okay, Peter?" Ned asked.
"It's not bad, Ned. Argh. But there's hope after all." Peter replied.
6:45 pm Fisk Tower…
Vanessa arrived to the top floor of Fisk Tower where Wilson waited. Dinner was being prepared and taken to Wilson's VIP restaurant room. Vanessa was still looking upset even after Wilson tried to comfort her as she walked in with a sparkly purple dress.
"Wilson." Vanessa called out as she saw her husband stare into the night view of Manhattan out of the window.
Wilson turned around with a white bow and black suit. He gave a smile before Vanessa quickly sat down on her chair. Wilson's expression turned blank as he went to join her.
"I was hoping that this will make up everything." Wilson awkwardly said.
"Even after all that, you still organise fancy dinners with me?" Vanessa questioned as the roast lamb was placed in front of her.
"I don't want our relationship to be splintered by the dangers that are out there. We both should be used to it after all we been through." Wilson said as he tried opening a champagne bottle.
"Green furry monsters; guys who shed electricity and people who swing around through webs. This is just all sorts of weird." Vanessa said in a humorous tone.
"You don't believe in mutants, do you?" Wilson asked as he popped the cork of the bottle.
"I like to believe that fairy tales are fairy tales." Vanessa answered.
"Do you believe in happy endings?" Wilson wondered as he poured the champagne into both their wine glasses.
Vanessa giggled which prompted Wilson to smile. From then on, Wilson was hopeful that his wife could tolerate him.
"I love this city. I don't want to leave it. It's my home." Wilson said taking a sip out of the glass.
"I know that." Vanessa said as she looked at the food on the table.
"I need to figure out what I'm going to do with Mr. Foswell as well." Wilson said swirling the champagne in the glass around.
"Wilson, let's just focus on what's on this table. Are you starving?" Vanessa asked.
As Wilson and Vanessa began to dine, the night view lights at Manhattan were shutting off briefly before the two realised what was happening. Suddenly the glass shattered sending shards down causing Vanessa to scream a little and Wilson to react.
Electro rose up in the air outside looking a little different. The skin on him was all glowing yellow with sparks extending everywhere. His eyes glowed blue in anger as he stared down Wilson. Furthermore, he wore a black insulated suit that covered him.
"Mr. Fat Ass…" Electro gloated, "I was hoping you'd be up here. Enjoying your privacy?"
"Vanessa, run!" Wilson said as he attempted to shield his wife.
As Vanessa attempted to flee, Electro shot out a great heap of electricity which hit her on the back and knocked the consciousness out of her.
"Ouch!" Electro said before laughing, "That's gonna leave a mark."
"If she dies…" Wilson threatened before being interrupted.
"It's what you deserve, you asshole. Finally, I'm free and I don't need to be told what to do. And I'm looking forward to frying your ass." Electro said as he held two spheres of electricity in hand.
As Electro charged up, another interruption happened.
"Hey, Max. You could have climbed the Chrysler Tower, you know. Or the Empire State Building." Spider-Man called out as he hanged beneath him.
"What the-? Spider-Man?" Electro asked in disbelief.
"Come on down, I literally can't hang on any longer." Spider-Man said holding onto the surface of Fisk Tower while noting the multiple shattered glass windows that were created.
"Wow. Look at you. You look as different as I am." Electro said as he noted the old homemade suit on Spider-Man.
"Yeah, fancy how we both picked some wardrobe changes. Nice makeup you have, it really glows." Spider-Man teased.
"I hate your witticisms." Electro said triggered by the insult.
"Alright, it seems you can pick up on sarcasm." Spider-Man said.
"Hang on, I'm coming for you. After I finish this job first." Electro said before turning to Wilson.
"Better idea. Finish me, I'm still kicking and you're losing." Spider-Man taunted.
Electro growled as he dived down to attack him, this gave Wilson enough time to escape and carry his wife away. As he ran out into the hallway, he called for medical help.
"Medic team. Read me. Send your unit to me now." Wilson carrying Vanessa with both palms.
Meanwhile outside, Spider-Man's Spider-sense failed to signal but he nevertheless responded to Electro's dive attack.
"Alright, let's play keeps." Spider-Man said.
6:55 pm Downtown Manhattan…
Spider-Man and Electro swooped down into the streets of Manhattan with Spider-Man managing to swing just in time as he nearly hit the ground. Within the suit, Peter felt discomfort due to his lack of power but tried to keep in character.
"Hey Max, this has to be the end of a trilogy, right?" Spider-Man asked as he swung in the air.
No response was made as Spider-Man realised Electro was nowhere to be seen.
"Uh, Max?" Spider-Man asked again as he landed his feet on the busy New York road.
Suddenly, Spider-Man was hit in the face by a jolt of electricity and landed on his back. Electro stood in mid-air and began gloating to Spider-Man the changes in him.
"Guess what's really different about me?" Electro asked, "Yeah. I'm less physical than ever. Which means I'm all energy and you can't hit me."
Spider-Man groaned as Electro came closer to him.
"You're softer than what I remember. Is it the suit? Cause I understand if you made it from second-hand stuff." Electro said as he blasted a wave of electricity onto him.
Spider-Man soon raised his hands in response before shooting out his webs onto Electro's face. However the webs soon melted after making contact.
"And the webs too. Gotta say you downgraded to stay alive, right?" Electro cackled as Spider-Man tried to resist the voltage.
"Ugh! Spider-powers, I love you and I need you." Spider-Man said as he tried to get up.
"I'm disappointed. You'd put up good fights before but maybe because of these enhancements I finally get to win." Electro said as Spider-Man grew weak.
Peter reflected within the suit as he felt the end was near. It felt as if his powers betrayed him and this was his ultimate demise. At least, he was going to be finished by superpowers that no ordinary human could withstand. Uncle Ben and his real parents might be waiting for him as he blanked.
Suddenly, a trash can lid hit Electro on the back of his head. Turning around, Electro saw Gwen in the same suit as before standing on top of a car.
"Of course, she's on your side." Electro growled as he fired a jolt of electricity out of his hand.
Gwen dodged the incoming lightning as she aimed her webs at Electro before firing. One web landed on the insulation suit but had no effect as it became more of a nuisance. While Electro was distracted, Spider-Man got the chance to slip away.
"These webs won't do a thing to me anymore. They'll melt away if they land on my skin." Electro explained as he burned the web off his suit using his hands.
"He must be completely electrical energy now." Spider-Man thought, "None of my webs will stick him down."
As Electro continued attacking Gwen causing collateral damage, Spider-Man had to quickly think what exactly can be done to stop the hyperactive voltage of energy.
"If only it was like Ghostbusters… If I could trap him…Wait, I got it." Spider-Man said as he watched Gwen defend herself by breaking a fire hydrant.
"I got a way with water too, you know." Electro proclaimed as he stopped the water mid-air using his electrical force powers.
"Hey Max! Don't get distracted, you're after me right?" Spider-Man called out.
Once again, the fight between Spider-Man and Electro resumed with Spider-Man using most of his energy to run on foot while swinging every once in a while, to keep distance. Meanwhile, Gwen watched in confusion as Spider-Man lured Electro away.
"What are you doing, Peter?" Gwen questioned as she tried following the two.
As Spider-Man zipped through Manhattan with Electro, his eyes finally set sight on what he was after. A nearby building with an Oscorp research station on top was Peter's idea on how he could stop Electro.
"Oscorp's EMP generation station." Spider-Man said to himself, "The generator here is powerful to suck in many volts at once and cause a blackout maybe."
"That's right, Spider-Man. You can only run now." Electro said as he drew near again.
As Spider-Man landed on the building where the station was, he began baiting Electro.
"You're right, Max. I can only run. In fact, I came here to surrender." Spider-Man said breathing heavily after the chase.
"Hehe. You make it easy for me." Electro laughed before preparing to fry Spider-Man.
In a first move, Spider-Man used both of his web shooters and shot his webs at Electro's suit near the hand regions to prevent him from attacking him directly. Using all his force, Spider-Man tugged Electro who began spraying many volts of electricity around him in attempt to shock him off. However, Spider-Man kept pulling him despite the danger.
Reaching the generator, Spider-Man used all his strength and stuck each web at specific parts. After letting each web go, he then turned his attention to the generator's control panels which sealed securely by glass. Smashing the glass with his super strength, Spider-Man pressed the override button on the generator.
"Nice fighting you again, Max. Enjoy being the non-biological thing you are." Spider-Man said on a final note.
The generator kicked in and increased the power of its electromagnetic pulse which began sucking Electro into the machine. In his last few words, Electro only let get out an ear-grating screech as he felt all the electricity in him leave. After that, Spider-Man quickly pulled the stop lever which let out an EMP that knocked him back.
The EMP's energy knocked him to the point where he was pushed over the edge of the building and began falling. As he felt gravity pulling him down, he suddenly felt a force sweep him up and save him. He opened his eyes as he found himself being carried in Gwen's arms. Together, the two landed safely near an alleyway while the whole neighbourhood went into blackout.
"This is the first time I'm saved through web slinging." Peter said through his suit as Gwen placed him down.
"Oh, shut up. You nearly got killed doing whatever you did." Gwen answered.
Peter wanted to argue back, but then decided not to.
"Alright, it was stupid." Peter sighed as he rested against the wall, "Why are you out of the hospital?"
Ignoring his question, Gwen lifted off her mask before slowly peeling away Peter's. Peter noted that Gwen's costume still had the damage from her encounter with Electro. In a sudden move, Gwen kissed Peter on the lips catching him by surprise.
"Mhm?" Peter tried to speak but was silenced away.
After a few seconds of lip locking, Peter came to his senses and stopped.
"You need to go back to the hospital safely." Peter urged.
"S-Sorry. I couldn't help for some reason." Gwen said standing up, "My 'Spidey-sense' was tingling."
"I didn't mind it, it's just timing." Peter explained while he pulled his mask back down.
"Gotcha. I'll go back then." Gwen said pulling her mask down too, "But are you going to be safe?"
"I'm fine. Ned's got my back." Peter assured putting his hand up.
Gwen nodded before taking off into the night leaving Peter alone.
"At least she's safe. Oh man, and she kissed me." Peter said while touching his lips beneath the mask.
8:05 pm The Raft…
Miller had heard about the news of Electro's defeat in being trapped in an EMP generator. However, he did not care as Electro was never special to him.
"Pity that Mr. Dillon had no brain with the gift he was granted." Miller said shaking his head after browsing the news on the computer.
Miller then turned his head to a dark corner and spoke.
"At least, I still have you. Mr. Rodríguez." Miller said.
Anton was back in human form came out of the dark naked. The one difference however was noted in his eye colour which were bloodshot red.
"How are you feeling now after all the trouble you've been through?" Miller asked.
"I'm feeling better than ever, professor." Anton replied emotionlessly.
8:15 am Jameson's office, Daily Bugle Building…
John was grumbling to himself on his chair as he read through the news regarding Spider-Man's fight with Electro last night. Peter then walked in with a smile as he greeted John.
"Parker, earlier than expected. And early enough to see a draft of my latest opinion piece." John said before showing him the headline on the newspaper which was titled, 'THE RESILIENCE AND HARDSHIP OF THE BUGLE'.
Peter skim-read some of the article's sections and noted a paragraph about him that talked how brave the Bugle's employees are in uncovering the truth.
"That's one hell of a piece, Mr. Jameson." Peter said.
"It's partly possible because of what you went through." John answered, "Now that you're back, you know what to do now."
"What's that?" Peter asked.
"Oh, come on. Your work! You think I'm organising a free party after all this? No, work, work, WORK!" John yelled causing Peter to back a little.
"On it, Mr. Jameson." Peter said as he went to close the door.
"Oh, and Parker?" John asked.
"Yeah?" Peter asked back.
"My rival at the Globe doesn't know about this but… I told him that you went absent because of sick leave and work gap. Just to let you know, I don't want the other press to be up our arses. It's a Bugle secret." John said.
TO BE CONTINUED…