SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 50)
Note: Thank you for your patience and making it as far as you did. This is indeed the final chapter for this story and I hope it's been a fun ride. Of course, there's always more for Spider-Man but for now this is the end of a story.
11:35 pm Fisk Tower…
As Peter through the eyes of Spider-Man watched Gwen fall, he immediately rushed into action to catch her. Rushing towards her with his webbed feet, Spider-Man jumped and then shot a web. The web latched onto Gwen allowing Spider-Man to drag himself towards Gwen and hold her.
The next step was to stop the free fall to which Spider-Man used his other webslinger to latch onto the tower. With Gwen's weight on one hand and the web by itself, Peter had to think quick as gravity tried to pull him down.
"Alright, time for the feet to be useful." Spider-Man groaned as he held Gwen in arm and swung forward.
Swinging onto the glass panel, he then gently put his feet down before carefully cutting off his web and using his sticky fingers to hold on.
"Wake up, Gwen." Spider-Man muttered as he still tried to figure out what to do.
With the helicopter rotor buzzing nearby still and the time running out, Spider-Man decided to use his feet and continuously kick down the glass panel he was attached to. Utilising his strength, the glass shattered and both Spider-Man and Gwen fell through alongside the broken bits of glass.
"Oh my god. Gwen!" Peter uttered as he uncovered the mouth part of her mask.
Within seconds of attempted CPR, Gwen suddenly started to breath causing Peter to jump back. Lifting herself up from the time of unconsciousness, she looked at Peter before talking.
"Did we win?" Gwen asked.
"Uh… About that." Peter said with a relief before getting up, "Just sit tight. I got this."
After the relief that Gwen was okay, Spider-Man got out of the window before webbing himself upwards to stop Wilson. Jumping onto the helipad, Spider-Man found Wilson trying to escape while brushing off the webs he sustained from Gwen. As he entered the helicopter, Spider-Man used both his webslingers to latch onto Wilson and began tugging.
"Hey Kingpin! Don't start your little sky ride just yet." Spider-Man said as he pulled.
Pulling Wilson away from Vanessa and his ride, Wilson hit his back before getting up and looking angry.
"Before you go, could you show me your passport and ticket please?" Spider-Man said as Wilson got up.
"You still have the audacity for jokes even after I threw your girlfriend off this roof." Wilson said, "You're making this difficult for yourself."
"And you're going away to a cell for all that." Spider-Man said seriously.
"You'll make a mistake putting me there." Wilson said as he came forward ready to brawl.
Meanwhile Wilson's helicopter ride started hovering behind him before it stayed its place to observe whether Wilson can make his ride or not.
"All that trouble for justice. You should have been given your own little neighbourhood instead of this city." Wilson said as Spider-Man swiftly dodged his punches.
"For me? Oh, I'm touched." Spider-Man said before Wilson knocked him down.
"You know, I've actually taken a couple fighting lessons on my time off." Wilson said, "I've been carefully anticipating on how fast people like you would move."
"Well, it's one thing to look." Spider-Man said webbing Wilson back in return.
Wilson used his arms to block the sprays before retaliating with another bull charge. His efforts nearly made him fall over the helipad before Spider-Man had to pull him back. This was both correct and wrong as Wilson did not hesitate to charge back. Due to the web latched onto Wilson, Spider-Man could not move out of the way in time before Wilson knocked him for a second time.
"I've also took the time to know how strong your webs are." Wilson said while using his strength to break off the webs.
"Gee, you've still got some-." Spider-Man replied before Wilson clamped both fists on him on the ground
"Your meddling ends now." Wilson said as he let the pressure of his palms squeeze.
As Spider-Man began to pass out, Wilson was knocked back by Gwen who had used her phasing ability to appear from beneath the helipad. Wilson staggered back before sneering.
"She's still alive." Wilson said.
"Spider-Man!" Gwen said helping her partner up.
"I am done with delays. Go home or I'll rile up more trouble for you." Wilson warned the two.
"Didn't you read the room, Willy? You're supposed to be in jail." Spider-Man said before targeting the helicopter.
Using his webs, Spider-Man threw a web onto the helicopter with Vanessa and the pilot on board.
"What are you doing?!" Wilson furiously asked.
"Here's the deal. You face the law or I'm bringing down your ride which includes your wife. And they will have to face the same court as you." Spider-Man warned.
"You really think you can use her against me?" Wilson said, "You're as dirty as the scum you fight."
"You don't know me. And you don't tell me who I am as someone who masquerades behind a charitable mask while running criminal operations." Spider-Man spoke back as he continued to pull the helicopter with as much strength.
"Oh, the crime syndicate is always mine to control. Now let go of the chopper." Wilson warned as he saw Gwen take position.
Spider-Man then ignored Wilson's demand and simply tugged the helicopter forward.
"She will spend her life in a cell where you will never see her." Spider-Man said.
With enough anger stirred up, Wilson came forward again with Spider-Man and Gwen both dodging. Once Spider-Man let go of the helicopter, the helicopter then decided to fly off on its own without Wilson.
"What?" Wilson said in surprise, "Vanessa… VANESSA!"
The helicopter ignored Wilson's words as it flew off into the night sky heading to parts unknown. The news broadcaster helicopter which had been observing the events from afar briefly shined a light onto it before focusing back onto the action on the helipad.
A devastated Wilson watched before being kicked on the back from Gwen. As Wilson took the hit, he then retaliated by grabbing Gwen and throwing her.
"You never learn, do you? Fine. I'm just going to see if I can kill BOTH of you here now." Wilson said angered.
Gwen got up before Wilson came forward, Spider-Man offered his assistance by punching Spider-Man on the back of the head reminding him that he had two opponents. Unable to focus on who to fight more, Wilson began to be overwhelmed as he was attacked from every corner the two Spiders could move around to.
"Come on, Willy. You look a bit down now." Spider-Man commented.
Exhausted but determined, Wilson held on despite the dizziness he was feeling. His coat had been ruined and there were enough bruises on him.
"As long as you keep interfering, I will not stop going after those close to you… Ben Reilly. Or is that your real name?" Wilson said.
Spider-Man said nothing as he started to slow Wilson down with his webbing. The slower Wilson was getting gave Gwen the opportunity to start attacking again. Using this opportunity, Gwen repeatedly slammed Wilson down with her anger against him increasing as Wilson began to cower from the violence. As this happened, Spider-Man knew the emotion that was about to consume her before stopping the next punch.
"Hey, let go. I still need to beat him down some more." Gwen said.
Even without seeing Peter's face, Gwen stared at Spider-Man's eye lens before realising that he was warning her about going down the wrong path.
"Oh, don't listen to Spider-Man. He knows nothing about revenge and anger." Wilson tried to taunt whilst breathing hard.
"It won't change what happened…" Spider-Man said as he looked into Gwen's eyes.
As Gwen calmed down, the two watched as Wilson lay there unconscious and beaten. Finally, this was the moment they knew that they succeeded in what they needed to achieve.
"What about the helicopter?" Gwen asked.
"I don't know. But this is the big reward." Spider-Man answered.
A police helicopter was then able to approach the area prompting the two to leave. As the two jumped off and swung, there were only moments of silence that could pass. The question now is what happens next.
9:30 am St John's Cemetery…
A week later, preparations for George's funeral were set in place. It was the same cemetery where Anton was laid to rest and unlike before, it was unlikely that this funeral would be crashed. The guests who came to the funeral included some of George's former police colleagues; some of Midtown High's students and staff as well as any other friends of the Stacy's.
Those who could not attend sent condolences in cards and farewell gifts. As a police officer himself, George was given a proper ceremonial funeral with police officers firing their rifles. Gwen dressed in black sat in a front chair next to an empty one meant for Peter.
The minutes went fast for her with her mother starting off the speech about how much she loved and missed him. The next thing she knew, she was on stage on the podium and staring into the silent crowd. Everyone from her mother; her brother Simon to high school colleagues like Sally, Jason, Seymour and Cindy were there. Raymond Warren, her former science teacher and Miller's brother was here. She could see each of them except Peter.
"Words can never match how I feel but… Dad, I love you and I am proud to be your daughter…" Gwen started, "Your selfless acts will be with us until the end of time. We hope what you did has inspired us to be brave and successful in each of our endeavours…"
As Gwen spoke, Peter poked around and hid behind a tree watching the speech. It was not until Gwen noticed him that he looked away. After her speech was done, Gwen excused herself and tried to catch up to him. Peter stood there sheepishly as he came face to face with Gwen.
"Hey." Peter said.
"Hey there, what are you doing hiding behind the tree?" Gwen asked.
"I-I think I'm late." Peter said.
"I'm glad you're here though." Gwen said in return.
"Listen, I…I don't feel comfortable attending. Something about your dad does not sit well with me." Peter said, "I-I could have stopped it."
"You think? Peter, there's nothing either of us could have done." Gwen said.
"I've done so much to assure you but I didn't realise how much your father meant to me as well." Peter said, "I'm not ready."
"Okay…But you're here so…" Gwen said.
"I don't want to abandon you. I know that's what your father would want too. But I also feel… I have to keep my distance to make this work." Peter said, "To keep everyone here safe."
"Don't beat yourself. You know…" Gwen replied.
"You almost died… Fighting Kingpin." Peter quickly stated, "I've already talked about Chameleon too but… He made me realise how dangerous things are going to be. We can't have that many enemies know who I am or who we are."
"Wait…What do you mean?" Gwen asked.
"He's seen my real face and Scorpion too. Yes, I gave them a fake name but if they know what I look like. It's only a matter of time before they figure out who Spider-Man is." Peter said, "I don't know if I can keep up this crusade."
"You're planning to stop?" Gwen asked again.
"If that's what it takes. I need to take responsibility." Peter said, "I will hang the suit."
"What about-?" Gwen replied before being stopped.
"I need the normal life. Start studying again. Get a job. Do good some other way." Peter said, "There's only so much you can do still when you're a superhero."
Gwen thought hard about Peter's choice but decided that his decision had some logic. Perhaps, Spider-Man can stay out of the public eye for once. But for Gwen, the idea was different.
"If that's the case then you know… You don't mind letting me off the hook every once in a while. I can fill in that void for you." Gwen said.
"Hold on…" Peter stated.
"Without you, there's no one out there stopping crime. You shouldn't think of your work as a waste." Gwen said, "Please… I know you're worried but I want you to know. We both are vulnerable people no matter what. You getting poisoned; me getting thrown off a building. It may happen again, but I want to give destiny a chance for you as I hope you will do for me."
Peter then realised that there may be hypocrisy in what he had mentioned before. Mentioning his decision for normal life and wanting to protect Gwen at the same time will never gel together. He then decided to leave.
"I need to go. I-I think you're right with what you said." Peter said before turning his back.
9:15 am Parker Residence…
The next morning, Peter carried a box of his belongings downstairs as he was getting ready to move out into Manhattan. It was now the time for him to pick up studying after missing out due to his responsibilities. He missed deadlines from Empire State University and any other prestigious institute that may have accepted him however, his fortune had been granted.
"I can't believe it. A scholarship intern program with Dr. Curtis Connors. Boy, is this luck?" Peter said with King following him.
Placing the box down at the doorstep, the presence of King reminded Peter of Ned who had not come home even after the events of Wilson being arrested. However, he did hear that Ned and his sister settled in Gary, Indiana where Ned has taken a local steel manufacturing job.
"If only you were still here, Ned." Peter said walking back upstairs to his room, "Hey little guy, maybe you can keep Aunt May some company while I'm gone."
As he gave King a chin rub, Peter went towards the closet and opened it. His worn-out Spider suit was lying beneath all the clothes. The deactivated web bombs and web trips were also there. As Peter stared at these tools, the decision to not don them for once was a surprisingly refreshing experience. No Spider-Man; just Peter Parker and his life with Aunt May; his work at the Bugle and his relationship with Gwen.
The earpiece communicator from the Spider mask then started beeping. It was probably a call from Yuri, whom Peter heard had been promoted to captain of her own precinct. Since then, she had been attempting to call for Spider-Man's help but his decision will have to disappoint her. With that thought, Peter switched off the device before shutting the closet for good.
11:35 am Jameson's apartment…
John was happy at how his podcast show was turning out and even more, he was excited to bring in a guest being none other than his old colleague, Robbie Robertson himself. Currently, the TV in his place was on reporting on the news of Wilson Fisk's arrest.
"In a detailed independent expose by journalist Benjamin Urich, a list of Wilson Fisk's criminal activities resurfaced following his failed escape from New York City thanks to the efforts of-." The news report on TV was then muted by John.
"Hmph." John said knowing who the news was about to mention.
"Give the man credit, Jonah." Robbie asked, "Say what you will but…He does change the city landscape somewhat for the better."
"Oh bother. He hasn't been sighted ever since then." John said, "In fact, I think he's letting his lady companion do all the work now."
"Spider-Woman? Ah yeah, quite a mystery that one is." Robbie said as the podcast rolled on.
"And you want to know something scary about this, Rob? I heard this other story that there's some busker in Bronx dressed in a Spider costume too with a MOHAWK!" John yelled, "Spider-Man is a contagion! He's slowly changing people to be freaks like him. This is insanity."
"Slow down. What if the next thing is a kid dressed like him for Halloween?" Robbie asked.
"You don't get it. Spider-Man is not a hero. Time and time again, we're getting closer to the truth. That he's not human. He's an alien changing ordinary folks into the web-slinging menaces that they are. He's taking over New York! He's soon going to take over the world after he creates the Spider States of America!" John rambled.
"And what about those villains that you claim were his friends?" Robbie also asked.
"They're distractions. Hell, I might be inclined to believe some of them were actually heroes." John claimed.
"Like who? Mac Gargan?" Robbie questioned.
"Oh no, no, no, NO. That was a crazy maniac. I have to now shout that I never ever supported that freak to roam our streets and terrorise the good people." John said, "Alright, you know what? Let's uh… Hit a commercial break for that one."
John stopped the recording on his laptop before continuing his conversation.
"Everything going well with life so far?" John asked.
"Oh, yes. Bugle is running well. I've improved my relation with my son. Oh, life is great." Robbie answered, "How's the family for you?"
"Oh, I'm proud of my son. Hah. And my wife… And the kids my son is going to bear… And…" John said before bringing up a brown case containing a Cuban cigar out from underneath his desk.
"Cuban cigar? I thought you quit smoking." Robbie stated.
"I did. But I'm doing this… To celebrate." John said lighting the cigar up, "Fisk is in jail; Spider-Man is gone and I'm having a happy life now."
As the cigar was lit, John kicked back with a smile while Robbie watched on in awkward silence.
"You know first time I came across these when I first touched down in Havana; they were actually much better there thanks to the climate." John said, "But nothing beats the world's finest still."
After one puff of smoke, John threw the burnt cigar out of the window only for the cigar to be tossed back.
"What the hell?" John said looking at the cigar before looking out his window.
Outside, Spider-Woman/Gwen swung by chasing after a stolen car barrelling down the streets. The sight was enough to make John yell.
"You won't get far; you pests! Swing wherever you want; I'll bring you monsters down one day. ONE DAY!" John yelled.
THE END… (Spider-Man may return)
End note: Well, that's it. Hope you guys enjoyed.