SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 29)
Note: Not the final chapter of course… But working to get there.
8:30 am Daily Bugle Meeting Room, 4th floor…
The meeting started with the TV on as it reported the latest news regarding the Raft incident.
"It's getting crazier, folks. First, we had the whole supposed 'return' of Spider-Man. And now... We have arguably one of New York's most bizarre prison riot!" John said to all the Bugle staff.
"But hey…" John continued, "This is where the true heroes of the city shine. We're the city that never sleeps after all."
Peter listened intently to the news regarding the Raft more than John's ramble as he became concerned on which of his foes have escaped this time.
"I still can't believe all this crazy stuff with this and Gwen getting spider powers happened after when I went missing." Peter thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Frederick was standing in the corner looking at both Peter and John. His initial plan was to come clean with John about his new stance against Wilson Fisk and leave everything behind. On the other hand, Frederick had growing suspicions about Peter.
"There's something strange about Ned's friend." Frederick observed, "Poor kid thinks everyone in the room is dumb about his disappearance."
"And that concludes everything for today. Big stories to cover, everyone." John concluded.
As everyone left the room, Peter began to notice that Frederick was following him. Turning around, Peter greeted Frederick with a stern face knowing that he was the mole for Wilson.
"Can I help you? Fred?" Peter asked.
"Peter Parker…" Frederick answered, "Do you have some time to spare for morning tea?"
10:15 am Silver Spoon Café…
Peter sat on the reserved table of the café and waited as Frederick picked up the orders from inside. There were plenty of pigeons flying about and pecking the ground nearby which irritated him. Suddenly, the pigeons scattered when Peter noticed a rat scurry by the road sideline.
"Gross…" Peter said as he placed his hands on the table.
"Got your espresso." Frederick said as he placed the orders down, "Care for some pastries too?"
"No, I'm good. What is this really about anyway?" Peter asked.
As Frederick sat down, Peter followed his mannerisms as he began to explain.
"You and your friend, Ned." Frederick said, "You've been a troublesome duo."
"Oh yeah? What can I say? He's told me stuff about you. Like how you were trying pick him off during your dirty work." Peter rebutted.
"So, you know about the stuff I do. About the Kingpin?" Frederick asked.
Peter said nothing in return as he wanted to follow through the next phase of the conversation.
"You're a really smart cookie, Peter. You've stuck around this far to impress Jameson. Hell, I know Betty Brant has a crush on you." Frederick said.
"This has nothing to do with this conversation." Peter replied.
"I have a very funny story to tell you that may ring a bell. Listen carefully…" Frederick said as he sipped his coffee.
"After a long day of work, I walked into my office. Everything was neat as I placed it." Frederick continued, "But… When I got back to my computer, I couldn't help but notice the way everything on file had been clicked on recently. I know I didn't do this."
Inside Peter's mind, he realised that his attempt to expose Frederick back then had left some inevitable loopholes.
"Whatever has happened, I knew at the time that Ned was cautious about me. But he certainly could not have the agility to go through my things." Frederick said.
"Yeah, neither could I." Peter replied in attempt to sway suspicion of him being Spider-Man.
"Nice try." Frederick scoffed, "You know… I didn't think it made sense, Peter. But after you went 'missing'. I picked up the pieces and put two and two together."
At that moment, Peter knew that Frederick was trying to say that he was Spider-Man. For any enemy of his to know his identity, the risk was too much. It happened with Chameleon but with someone like Frederick, it was dangerous on another end in the sense that not many people know he is a criminal.
"Uh, nice try." Peter laughed in an attempt to deflect back.
"You're lucky though. Cause I went along with Jameson on the fact you were mugged by crooks." Frederick said.
"Okay, Fossie. Tell me your diabolical plan to expose me." Peter demanded as he faced Frederick down.
Frederick then focused on the cake on the table breaking it into crumbs before talking.
"To tell you the truth, it's fifty-fifty for me to expose you. I'll start cutting this talk short so you can get a picture." Frederick said.
Peter listened carefully as Frederick began to speak.
"I don't like Wilson Fisk… And I am not the kind of man who would hurt a kid like Ned. But I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. If I can't give Fisk his benefits, he can turn everything in my life upside down. Which is why… You and your friend are going to help me." Frederick whispered.
"Help you with what?" Peter asked.
"We're going to plunder his resources. He's got money that I need to be compensated for." Frederick said.
"You mean a bank heist?!" Peter blurted.
"Shh. Not quite, but I need help getting out of harm's way. If you can help me that is…" Frederick replied.
Peter thought carefully about Frederick's words. On one hand, he did make it clear that he is fifty-fifty meaning that his duplicity was present. However, this could all be an elaborate trap for him to save Ned.
"Alright, let me 'help' you." Peter answered.
"Thank you. I'll have more details later today." Frederick concluded.
Peter took a sip out of his espresso cup and spat it out instantly.
"This is bad…" Peter commented.
"Oh, shut up. This is what New Yorkers live to drink for." Frederick said.
6:30 pm Fisk Tower parking ground…
Peter waited on top of a lamppost inside his costume as he withstood the cold air tonight. He then noted a car's arrival as it parked itself carefully. Watching behind his eye lens, Peter saw Frederick get out of the car slinging a golf bag in his 'Big Man' persona alongside Ned who wearing a white shirt.
"Ah, there he is. Like I told you." Frederick said to Ned as Spider-Man jumped onto the ground.
"He better be here willingly." Spider-Man warned.
"It's okay, dude. We kind of talked like old work buddies in front of mum." Ned said with an assuring smile.
"Ugh, right." Spider-Man said putting his face in the palm of his hand.
"I guess this is an alternative suit you got there." Frederick said noting the last time he met Spider-Man at Fisk's penthouse.
"No, that suit was destroyed. I mean… Yeah, this is an alternative suit." Spider-Man noted.
"Alright, let's mosey on over. Follow my lead and stay out of sight if you can." Frederick urged.
Spider-Man did as he was told and followed Frederick and Ned to the destination. To his surprise, Frederick stopped at a sewer lid. Opening up his golf bag, Frederick took out a crowbar and began prying it open.
"I'm not sure if I want to go down there." Ned said.
"You've got no choice. In fact, this was a favourite pastime during the Great Depression." Frederick said as he tried to use his strength to lift the lid.
Seeing Frederick struggle a little, Spider-Man jumped down and lent a hand. Together they shifted the lid aside and opened an entrance to the sewers.
"I'll go first." Frederick said taking a torch out of the bag.
One by one, Ned followed Frederick as they descended down the ladder with Spider-Man following behind. Spider-Man soon coughed upon smelling the rancid odour.
"Ugh, if only I had the other mask." Spider-Man commented.
Sewers…
Following Frederick on the side walk, the trio made their way through numerous sewer tunnels.
"I hate this." Spider-Man said covering his own nose.
"You never had to fight sewer rats?" Frederick asked.
"I've fought within a subway tunnel." Spider-Man replied recalling his encounter with Electro there.
"Ah, I remember that story." Frederick said.
"Why a sewer out of all places?" Ned wondered as he used a handkerchief to cover his nose.
"Fisk loves innovation; he picked a place that had to be discrete as possible. And this is one way to keep others out." Frederick said shining the light.
"You sure if Fisk knows how unhygienic this place is? I mean I think saw another rat today." Peter said as he continued to walk with them.
"For some of us working for him, we're pretty much just rats. He'll use us for a 'plague' then get rid of us like 'pests'." Frederick said, "That's part of his play."
After walking, Frederick halted prompting Ned and Spider-Man to stop as well. Walking to the brick wall, Frederick pressed his palm firmly on one piece of stone before the stone revealed a keypad behind it.
"Memorising the code required a lot of patience." Frederick said as he tapped the code.
Secret vault room…
Afterwards, part of the sewer wall opened revealing a slide door entrance into a secret room. To Ned and Spider-Man's disbelief, it was a stack of different combination safe vault locks inside.
"This is one part of Fisk you'll never hear of by him." Frederick explained as he searched around the place.
"What's the general thing hiding behind these vaults?" Spider-Man asked.
"Oh, money. Or any personal belongings that Fisk deems unfit for those working for him." Frederick said as he got closer to the right lock.
"Are there hidden cameras around here? Cause I'm sure they don't just have a place like this open." Ned asked nervously.
"Bingo. Found the lock." Frederick said as he began steering the lock wheel, "Don't worry… Won't take long. Plus this is one place security at Fisk Tower doesn't check thanks to its secrecy."
After Frederick opened the lock, he found the things he was after. Without wasting any time, Frederick picked up bundles of hundred dollar notes as well as belongings such as a pen and handbag.
"A handbag?" Spider-Man asked.
Frederick ignored Spider-Man's comment as he shuffled the things, he needed into where ever he could put it. Afterwards, he shut the vault lock tight and began to leave.
"Wait, we just came down here to witness you do robbery?" Ned asked confused.
"Well, if we've got some naughty slickers sauntering around this hidey hole." A Southern accent voice said out loud.
Turning around, the trio saw one of the three federal officers close to Wilson confront them. It was Jackson Brice, the Enforcer with a cowboy hat and a specialised whip weapon on his one hand.
"Jack. Just my luck." Frederick said, "I'm in a tight spot here you see. I was so close to shooting the kid with me until Spider-Man beat me. Now I'm being forced by my own will to do his dirty work."
The comments did not sit well with both Ned and Spider-Man which caused Spider-Man to make his quip.
"What a way to double-cross." Spider-Man said.
"Oh ho, ho. Now unfortunately the boss has given me some new orders to follow. And sorry, you're not in his chain of command anymore." Jack commented as he drew closer.
"And what did I do to deserve this?" Frederick asked.
"The boss had come to the conclusion that your activities at the Bugle are going to blow over and if that turns south, it would be bad for business." Another voice chimed in.
Turning to the other direction, Ronald Bloch appeared in his heavy figure with his fists curled up.
"It's the mini-version of Fisk." Spider-Man said to Ronald.
"The Spider-Man. So, he's back. If he's more than just that crummy suit that is." Ronald snapped back.
"Oh, thanks for noticing." Spider-Man said sarcastically.
"Say where's Fancy Dan? Still bleeding from his broken nose?" Frederick asked.
Soon enough, Daniel Brito appeared with a spiteful face that had a few scars and bandages. He carried a pistol in hand and aimed it squarely at the trio.
"Looks like we're even." Spider-Man noted as it was three against three.
"What do we say we handle this diplomatically? You're all part of the FBI, so why not negotiate?" Frederick asked.
"That's Kingpin's idea. We on the other hand…Are gonna bring you to your knees." Dan finally said, "Plus a bounty for the two loose ends here."
"Wow… I can't believe I'm worth a fortune." Ned said.
Unimpressed, Frederick began to draw his own gun out.
"Over my dead body." Frederick said as he aimed at Dan.
The two exchanged gunfire at even pace which let out a loud sound. However only Dan was hit as he clutched his own shoulder. It was thanks to Spider-Man's quick-thinking which pulled the gun out of Dan's hand with a web sling.
"This might work out for me." Frederick said appreciating Spider-Man's help.
Ronald charged forward while Jack cracked out his whip. This gave Spider-Man another idea as he pushed Ned out of Jack's way as soon as the whip landed. Luckily, the whip hit Ronald which frustrated him again.
"What the hell?! You idiot!" Ronald screeched as he covered the lash mark on his face.
"Guess, it's time to use guns." Jack said abandoning his signature weapon for a moment in exchange for twin pistols.
"How generic…" Spider-Man said he jumped in the air to land a swift kick onto Jack.
However, one gun was not aimed for Spider-Man but instead was aimed at Frederick who took the hit on his left arm. This caused Frederick to drop his gun in pain before Jack was knocked out.
"You okay there?" Spider-Man asked.
Frederick responded by hitting a charging Ronald on the head with his own gun whip. This time, Ned knocked out Ronald with a crowbar he retrieved from Frederick's bag.
"Not bad, kid. Make sure he's super knocked out though." Frederick answered as he continued to clutch his arm to stop the bleeding.
All that was left was Dan, who tried to aim his gun again. For Spider-Man, this was not a hard matter as he delivered the kick needed to put someone out.
"That's all of them. Thanks." Frederick said picking up his own stuff and retrieving the crowbar from Ned.
"So, you're actually getting out of town?" Ned asked.
"Yeah, not alone though." Frederick said breathing a sigh of relief, "Let's get back to the car."
Just as they were about to leave, a gunshot was fired hitting Frederick in the abdomen. This especially caught Spider-Man by surprise since his Spider-sense was not strong enough.
"You know I wouldn't think about leaving without my approval." Wilson's voice said out loud.
The trio turned around to find Wilson with a gun in his hand aimed against them.
"Frederick… There's no need for the mask anymore. You don't need to hide that anguish." Wilson said calling out Frederick behind his Big Man costume.
"Ned, get him out of here. I'll hold him off." Spider-Man demanded.
"Okay." Ned said heaving Frederick with him.
Spider-Man then stared directly at Wilson as he came forward with a confident and menacing smile.
"Are you truly back?" Wilson asked as he attempted to reload his bullets.
"Yep. And you can suck it." Spider-Man said in return.
"Ah, the humour. It's too bad. When there is proof you can be killed easily." Wilson said aiming the gun at Spider-Man.
"Thought you were good with your hands." Spider-Man said as he prepared to dodge all the incoming bullets.
As Wilson fired, Spider-Man did exactly what he would do with his powers. However, every close step was the trap Wilson wanted to spring. In a flash, Wilson swiped at Spider-Man with enough force which caused his back to hit a nearby vault.
Just as Spider-Man was about to shoot some webs, Wilson grabbed his wrists which prevented him from doing anything. Finally, Wilson began slamming Spider-Man against the vaults as hard as he could. Every hit caused Spider-Man's head to ring a little before he was able to land a kick onto Wilson's jawline.
"That worked." Spider-Man noted as he was able to physically hurt Wilson.
With all his rage, Wilson lunged at Spider-Man who flipped over him and began shooting his webs. The webs began to splatter all over Wilson's suit and causing him to bend his knee.
"That's right. Submit to the cotton candy." Spider-Man joked.
However, this was not enough to keep Wilson down as he withstood the webs with all his strength until finally, he grabbed Spider-Man by one leg and slammed him down. Afterwards, he used one fat hand to grab hold of Spider-Man's neck while using the other to grab both of his wrists in attempt to stop the stop the webs.
Spider-Man started to lose breath as Wilson's grip continued to tighten. It was too much to bear even for someone as superpowered as him. That was until a gunshot saved his life which hit Wilson's thick arm. Gasping for air, Spider-Man decided to abandon his fight and make a run for it.
Frederick had saved him while still clutching to his wounds. As Spider-Man continued sprinting towards Frederick, another gunshot was fired by Wilson who hastily picked up his weapon. The bullet narrowly missed him but unfortunately hit Frederick near the collar. In the nick of time, Spider-Man grabbed hold of Frederick with the two escaping Wilson's sight.
7:35 pm Fisk Tower parking ground…
Ned helped Spider-Man and Frederick out of the sewers while watching for potential witnesses.
"Forget the car… Find a safe place first." Frederick urged in pain before tearing off the Big Man mask.
Together, Ned and Spider-Man carried Frederick to the place where they can avoid as many people as possible. They found an alleyway which they used to give Frederick a rest.
"I-I think that was a bit too many bullets." Frederick said heaving in pain.
"Okay, relax. You can get through this." Spider-Man attempted to assure.
However, Frederick raised a hand to assure Spider-Man that it was too late.
"It's too bad… I may have got my stuff… B-But…" Frederick blurted before coughing up some blood.
"I'm calling 911." Ned said as he attempted to dial his phone.
"Don't. It's not worth it…" Frederick said, "I'm not worth it."
"What are you talking about? If you can stop bleeding then…" Spider-Man said.
"Come on, don't act like you really care about me." Frederick said while coughing.
These words alone prompted Spider-Man to not say a word and for Ned to stay silent as well.
"I forfeit the life I've chosen. I'm just going to be chasing my own shadows." Frederick said, "But there are a few things I'm not giving out on…"
Spider-Man put his head down shamefully as he looked at Frederick's blood on his own hands while Ned felt regret.
"One. I'm sure I can tell you about my niece… Janice." Frederick said, "Two… My unfinished stories. All the paperwork to fill in for Jameson…. Man, I never got to tell him…"
"Hey, you shouldn't give up like that!" Spider-Man pleaded.
"Just let me be. Before I… Just promise me. That my work be used to bring down Fisk. That I can be forgiven…" Frederick said while eyeing Ned, "And that I'm not just some mole… I'm a report-."
However, Frederick did not get to finish his words. Death had come to ease his mind and just like that, he was gone. For Ned, the sight of death left him in traumatic shock. For Peter, it was old and unsettling.
8:30 pm New York Metro Hospital…
On the other side of Manhattan, Gwen had finally been discharged out of hospital with her family picking her up. It was a sight of relief as the family embraced her recovery.
"Ready to come home?" George asked, "We gotta make sure your dinner doesn't go cold."
"Sure thing…" Gwen said feeling normal.
As the Stacy family got into their family vehicle, a few drops of snow fell to the ground in a while. For the Stacy family, it seemed like life was on a normal track for now.
TO BE CONTINUED…
End note: Hopefully the death was worth it.