The Punisher
At the docks, members of the Maggia are unloading guns being smuggled through containers.
"Can you believe that we finally have control of the gun business."
"We can thank Spider-Man for taking down Kingpin and the rest of the crime families. With them out of the way, New York is now free for the Maggia to control. Now let's hurry up and get these guns stored away. The boss ain't gonna like it if we mess up this operation."
Unknown to the Maggia, an unknown individual sneaks in and snapped the neck of one of the thugs. He proceeded to the container and placed the charge onto the crate.
"So what do you think about the new boss?"
"Billy Russo, everyone in the underworld calls him Jigsaw. They say that he uses to be quite a charmer, seducing women. That is until that one time he failed to kill the target and the old bosses made an example of him. They made cuts on his face that it resembled a jigsaw puzzle. He didn't like that, so he came back and killed off the man that scarred his face."
"Damn, sounds like a scary guy."
"You better hope that you never cross him or else."
"That's the least of your worries." Punisher said.
They turn around and sees a man hold a gun with a silencer.
"No-"
They both got shot off as this man place another charge inside the container.
One of the other thugs spotted a dead guy with his neck snapped. He pulls out his radio and calls everyone.
"We got a dead guy here! Everyone stay alert!"
"Too late." Punisher said.
The thug turns around until he sees the man with a knife swings at his neck.
Later the other thugs search around the area as they have an intruder here.
"Fan out, secure the weapons."
The thugs spread out as to find the intruder. One of the thugs when inside the container and finds a charge on the crate.
"What the... Bomb!"
The Punisher pressed the detonator and set off the explosives inside the containers. The thugs heard the explosion and runs to find the containers with smuggled weapons is completely destroyed.
"Damn it, the boss is gonna kill us."
The thug got shot as the rest turns around and sees a man in a black vest with a white skull. He hold up his assault rifle as he shoot them off one by one. One of the injured thugs tries to crawl away as the mysterious man walks towards him. He stepped on the man back and turns he around to face him.
"Who are you? What do you want?!"
"Punishment." Punisher shot the man dead.
He walks away from the scene as everyone of the Maggia's men is dead. The docks is left with dead bodies and burning containers.
Later at a nightclub, Flash came inside as he is welcomed by old friends including Peter and Harry.
"Flash Thompson, our war hero has come home. Someone get this man a drink!" Harry smiled.
Flash smiled as he got club soda as everyone celebrates Flash's return. He just returned home after his tour in Symkaria, he got left the Army after his tour ended and is happy to be back home. Later Flash and Peter began to chat as everyone party.
"Parker, glad to see that you made time for your old friend." Flash said.
"I wouldn't miss this." Peter said.
"Hey, I noticed that MJ hasn't came by here. Is she working or what?" Flash said.
"Yeah... about that, she... she left for California. She and I broke up, no one's fault." Peter said.
"I'm sorry. You two seem perfect for each other." Flash said.
"Don't be sorry, I'm happy that she got to pursue her dream, even if it's without me. She deserves that." Peter said.
"Hey you two, what you two chatting about?" Harry said.
"Nothing, I see that you're enjoying yourself with the ladies Harry." Peter smiled.
"Hey, when you're rich, it does have its perks. Anyway, why don't you tell about your time over there Flash." Harry said.
"There's not much to say." Flash said.
"Come on, there must be something interesting you can share with us." Harry said.
"Sorry to disappoint, but there isn't any." Flash said.
Flash got up and walks away leaving Peter and Harry behind as he does want to talk about what he's been through in Symkaria, the losses and the torture.
"What's that all about?" Harry said.
"He's been through a lot in Symkaria, he was captured and tortured. He might still be struggling through it." Peter said.
"I see." Harry said.
Harry got up and walked away to join the others in partying as Peter understands what Flash is going through. He found Flash being shocked and tortured by the enemy, he was fortunate that he got to Flash in time before the damage is too great.
Peter's phone rang, it's Gwen Stacy calling and he answered it.
"Hey Gwen." Peter listens to Gwen talking. "What? When?... I'll be there as soon as I can."
Peter hangs up as he hates to bail out on Flash's welcome home party but what he heard from Gwen about the Maggia getting attacked couldn't be ignored.
Later Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider arrives at the docks to find that there was a massacre, all the dead bodies were members of the Maggia. They joined up with Captain Stacy and Lieutenant Watanabe.
"Captain, Lieutenant, what do we have here?" Spider-Man said.
"All these bodies were members of the Maggia." George Stacy said.
"Maggia? I thought that they disbanded after the Kingpin incident?" Spider-Man said.
"We only disbanded the New York chapter of the Maggia, these are new members filling in the void. They're led by this man." Yuri said.
Yuri holds a table and shows them a picture of Billy Russo. They're disturbed by the look of his face, he's got cuts all over it.
"Billy Russo, known to the criminal underworld as Jigsaw. He worked as a high level enforcer for the Maggia until he worked his way up the ranks. He relocated to Sicily after being suspected of a Central Park massacre last year." Yuri Watanabe said.
"We remember, gang war erupted and whole lot of innocent people died that day." Ghost-Spider said.
"Terrible day... So you have any suspects in mind for this?" Spider-Man said.
"Nothing concrete, but we've heard from federal officials about a new vigilante who has been targeting the Maggia all over the country in this part year." George Stacy said.
"Did they know who it is?" Spider-Man said.
"They never identified him, they just call him by his codename... The Punisher." George Stacy said.
"The Punisher?" Ghost-Spider said.
"One of the Maggia was left barely alive and told everyone that a man with a skull on his shirt killed a huge number of Maggia. His last words were punishment. Whoever this guy is, he's been taking down the Maggia one by one." George Stacy said.
"Yeah, in brutal ways. He's not worried about leaving anyone alive. We need to find him before more bodies drop." Spider-Man said.
"So you want to go find the vigilante that's been taking down criminals?" Ghost-Spider said.
"I don't like the idea of another guy out there killing criminals. That's not how we do things. He's already killed the Maggia's men, we need to find him before his war gets out on the streets." Spider-Man said.
"Agreed, if Russo finds out that someone is taking down his operation, he'll retaliate and innocent people could get hurt as a result. Find him as soon as possible before a gang war hits the streets." George Stacy said.
"Will do." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider swings away from the crime scene as they now begin to hunt for this man who calls himself the Punisher.
At midnight at the home of Flash Thompson in Queens, he continues to sleep until he turns as he is having trouble sleeping.
He remembers that time in Symkaria where his convoy is patrolling the area. He sits next to his fellow soldier who is staring at the picture of his girlfriend and their recently born son.
"You know that you're gonna do much work if you keep staring at that photo." Flash said.
"Hey cmon, I only this photo from the mail, it's been awhile since I've seen her face.""
I have to admit that she's pretty, do you think that she's into blonde guys?" Flash teased.
"Keep it up Thompson and you won't make it back home to see your mama. By the way, you got a girl back home?"
"Nah, I'm pretty much single." Flash admits.
"Hey, you should go and find yourself a girl to settle down with. I like being a soldier but having a kid can give your life purpose. When this war is over, I'll be meeting my son for the first time. Maybe I can finally settle down and get married, be a family."
"I'm happy for you man. You're a lucky guy, you'll make a great father. You're gonna make home and see them soon, I promise."
"Thanks Flash."
They're convoy got hit by an RPG as soldiers are getting shot at and killed. Flash and his friend got out and began suppressing fire.
"Keep firing, we can't give up!" Flash yelled.
One of the bullets hits his friend and he fell. Flash went to check on his injured friend, he started to bleed. Flash puts his hand on the bullet wound to stop the bleeding.
"It's just a flesh wound, you're gonna be okay! Stay with me!" Flash holds the wound.
His friend kept bleeding as they sees the enemy soldiers holding their guns at them. Flash raised his hands as they are surrounded.
"Sir, one of them is injured."
The commander pulls out his gun and aims it at the injured soldier as Flash got captured and is restrained.
"Don't! Take me!" Flash yelled
The commander ignored Flash's voice and executed his injured friend right in front of him.
Flash screamed out sweating as he'shaving a nightmare about that day he got captured and his friend got killed. A door opened as Flash's mother came in and sees Flash all sweaty and terrified.
"Flash, it's me, you're okay... you're okay." Rosie said.
Rosie hugs her son to comfort him. She's getting worried for her son since he came back home, he hasn't been the same.
The next day at the Daily Bugle, Peter came by to check the archive room for news reports about the Punisher and the Maggia until he bumped into Betty Brant.
"Peter." Betty said.
"Hi Betty." Peter said.
"What are you doing here? Did you bring anymore photos?" Betty said.
"Actually I'm here to check on the Bulge's archives about the Maggia." Peter said.
"Does this have anything to do with the incident at the docks last night?" Betty said.
"Yeah, there's this new guy hunting down mobsters." Peter said.
"The Punisher." Betty said.
"You've heard of him?" Peter said.
"I've heard chatter from a colleague who works at the Globe. This guy goes around executing mobsters." Betty said.
"He's targeting the Maggia for some reason, got to figure out why." Peter said.
"You know the Maggia, they're known for making a lot of enemies. They've killed so many innocent lives. Maybe this is personal for him." Betty said.
"Personal how?" Peter said.
"Maybe he was a victim of the Maggia, just like those who died in the Central Park massacre last year." Betty said.
"I see, thanks for the tip Betty." Peter said.
"Anything for a friend." Betty smiled.
Betty walked away as Peter went to the archive room to find the news report about the Central Park massacre as it is the only clue to find the Punisher. He found the article and reads it, he became shocked to find a number of lives lost that day because of a gang war.
Last year
A man named Frank Castle is out in the park on a picnic with his family. He laying on the sheet with his wife Maria as they watch their two children Lisa and Frank Jr. running around playing.
"Hey you two! Don't go to far!" Frank Castle said.
"Let them be, you know how kids are. Besides we can have some peace and quiet." Maria Castle said.
"I wish if this park wasn't crowded with so much people." Frank Castle said.
"Hey it's a beautiful day on a public park, can you blame them for wanting to relax?" Maria Castle said.
"Guess not, but it's nice to finally have some fun with you and the kids. It's been so long since I've returned." Frank Castle smiled.
"Oh, we're just getting started, we have the rest of our lives to enjoy." Maria Castle smiled
"I love you Maria." Frank Castle said.
"I love you too Frank." Maria Castle said
Frank and Maria kissed each other as their kids continue to run around the park with the other families enjoying their to them, Jigsaw and the Maggia arrived at the park as they spotted their rivals enjoying their day.
"You know the drill, no witnesses." Jigsaw said.
"Got it!"
Frank sees strange looking individuals with guns coming in as he sees his children caught in their sights. He got up to try to stop them, he ran up to them with his wife following him until the first shot was fired. The Maggia began killing off their rivals along with innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire
."Lisa! Frank! No!" Frank Castle yelled.
One of the gang members turned his attention towards Frank and shot him.
"Frank!" Maria Castle yelled.
Maria Castle ran to Frank who is injured until she got shot too but she ended up dead as he watched all injured and as the massacre ended and the Maggia succeeded in killing off their rivals, they see that a number of innocent people got killed as a result.
"Ah man, this is blood bath. I thought that only our enemies would die."
"No matter, they're just collateral damage, our work is done." Jigsaw said
Frank is still alive and injured as he listened and sees the man who's responsible for this whole thing. Jigsaw and his men walked away leaving everyone dead, except for sees his wife died in front of his eyes, he then turns to sees his children laying died on the ground as he crawls towards them. He became shocked to find out that his wife and kids are dead, his whole family was killed. He cried as he hugged his dead daughter.
Frank woke up from a nightmare he's been having since that day his whole family was murdered. He spotted a photo of himself with his wife and two children.
"Soon, very soon." Frank Castle said.
He stands up as he gets himself dressed in black. He puts on the holsters with pistol and grenades. He puts in his vest that shows of a white skull on it.
He opened up his chest to find his collection of weapons. He grabbed his AR-15 and equipped it with a grenade launcher.
After he's done being armed, he drive his van around the city heading for his next mission.
At May's house in Queens, May and Rosie began to talk about Flash.
"Thank you for having the time for me May." Rosie said.
"Of course, is everything alright Rosie?" May said.
"I'm... I'm worried about my son." Rosie said.
"Flash? What's wrong with him?" May said.
"He hasn't been the same since he returned home. Most nights he couldn't sleep, he kept having nightmares. I tried to talk to him about it but he said that it's nothing." Rosie said.
"Do you think he's got PTSD?" May said.
"What's that?" Rosie said.
"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, my brother-in-law Richard, god rest his soul, said that some soldiers experienced traumatic events that could give them nightmares. You son was captured during his time over there, maybe he hasn't gotten over whatever happened to him." May said.
"My god, how could I not realize it." Rosie said.
"Flash needs help before his condition get worse." May said.
"How? I tried to talk to him about it but he shuts me out." Rosie said.
"Maybe Peter could convince him to go seek out help." May said.
"You really think that your nephew could help my son?" Rosie said.
"They're close friends, maybe he could convince him. It's worth a shot." May said.
"That could work." Rosie said.
May knows that she'll have to talk with Peter about taking with Flash about getting help.
In Little Italy, a restaurant that is a front for the Maggia, the lieutenants gathered to meet with Billy Russo AKA Jigsaw.
"Gentlemen, our gun smuggling operation has been jeopardized. Our whole organization is under attack by this Punisher." Jigsaw said.
Meanwhile outside the alley, two men guard the back door until they both got shot silently by the Punisher. He then placed some charges at the cars.
"If this guy thinks that he can take on the Maggia without any consequences, he's mistaken. We did not work so hard to gain control of this city only to lose it to a clown with a gun. If he wants war, then we'll bleed the streets of this city until we kill him. Fan out and find him, even you have to kill anyone to get to him, understood?" Jigsaw said.
"Yes boss."
Meanwhile inside the restaurant the Punisher spotted the members with guns as they're about to shoot until he shot them dead first.
"Everyone out now!" Punisher said.
The patrons got up and ran out the door as more me came to find the Punisher is here.
Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider continues to patrol the city until they received a 911 call from Little Italy.
"911 emergency."
"There's this man shooting a restaurant in Little Italy, he's got a skull on his chest."
"That's our guy, let's go!" Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider heads for Little Italy to stop the Punisher from slaughtering criminals.
The Punisher finished shooting off the men as he spotted Jigsaw running out the door with his escort.
"Russo!" Punisher yelled.
They all ran out the back and reached the cars until Jigsaw sees the charges on the back.
"No! Don't get in!" Jigsaw yelled.
The lieutenants got inside the car but was too late as they all got blown up by the charges that Punished placed.
He got up after the shockwave and sees the Punisher here with his own eyes.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" Jigsaw said.
"Billy Russo, known to everyone as Jigsaw. You lead the attack on Central Park last year, you killed a whole lot of innocent people, men, women, and children." Punisher said.
"What's it to you?" Jigsaw said
"You murdered my family, you called them collateral damage." Punisher said.
"Oh... that's right... you were that fool who tried to stop us... tell me... did it hurt? Watching your family die in front of you." Jigsaw said.
"Shut up." Punisher said.
"Can't image what that must've felt like, watching everyone you love die in front of your eyes." Jigsaw smiled.
"Shut up! Shut your mouth!" Punisher yelled.
"Go ahead... shoot!" Jigsaw said.
Punisher held his gun to Jigsaw's face and was about to pull the trigger until his gun got webbed up by Spider-Man. Punisher looked up and see that Spider-Man intervene, he got distracted as Jigsaw kicked Punisher back and escapes the alley.
"Ghost-Spider, go after him!" Spider-Man said.
Ghost-Spider chases after Jigsaw as Spider-Man and Punisher meet face to face.
"You let him get away!" Punisher is angry.
"You were gonna kill him." Spider-Man said.
"He deserved it, the blood of all those people are on his hands. He deserves punishment." Punisher said.
"And he shall face punishment, the right way." Spider-Man said.
"He goes to jail, then what? He'll be out in a few years and more people will die. Death is the only thing that can stop someone like him." Punisher said.
Spider-Man's sense tingle as Punisher draws out his gun and began shooting at Spider-Man. After Spider-Man dodged the bullets, Punisher quickly grabbed his assault rifle and aim it at Spider-Man.
"First and final warning... stay out of my way!" Punisher said.
He shot a flash grenade from his launcher and blinded Spider-Man. He recovered his sight and sees that Punisher is already gone.
"Damn it... he's gone." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man went outsider the restaurant and sees Ghost-Spider.
"Where's Jigsaw?" Spider-Man said.
"He got away. What about Punisher?" Ghost-Spider said.
"He got away too. Lets get out of here and gathered our thoughts." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider swings away from the scene as Punisher watches them leave. He realize that those two could be a problem but he has no reason to go after them as they fight the same battles he does, though in moral way.
Later Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider are at Avengers Tower as they record everything they see through their hi tech lens. They got the face of the Punisher on video.
"JARVIS, run facial recognition." Spider-Man said.
"At once." JARVIS runs Punisher's face through the database and found a match. "One match found! Real name is Frank Castle, Lieutenant of the United States Marine Corps, honorably discharged."
"He was a soldier, explains how he can handle himself with guns. Still doesn't explain why he's targeting the Maggia." Spider-Man said.
"According to this, Frank Castle was pronounced dead for a year, he was in a gang shooting in Central Park, he and family were killed as a result." JARVIS said.
"My god, he was there, he's one of the victims that day." Spider-Man said.
"This man lost his entire family, can't imagine what he must've been through." Ghost-Spider said.
"I can... losing my uncle changed me too. His death pushed me into this life as Spider-Man." Spider-Man said.
"Looks like the same thing happened to Frank Castle too, though his way seems to be too extreme." Ghost-Spider said.
"With Jigsaw still on the loose, he'll try again. We need to find him before Frank does." Spider-Man said.
"Not gonna be easy, he'll be underground after this assassination attempt against him." Ghost-Spider said.
"Agreed, lets figure out where he'll be hiding out." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man's phone rang as he picks it up, its Aunt May calling, he answered it.
"Hey Aunt May." Spider-Man said.
"Peter, are you free right now?" May said.
"Maybe later, why?" Spider-Man said.
"Its about Flash." May said.
"What about him?" Spider-Man said.
"His mother came by to my house and told me that Flash is going through something traumatic. He hasn't been the same since he returned home." May said.
"I've seen Flash last night at the party and... he doesn't seemed like himself." Spider-Man said.
"Could you go and talk to him, you two are friends and he really could use a friend's help." May said.
"Yeah, I'll go see him once I have the time." Spider-Man said.
"Thank you Peter." May said.
"Anything for you Aunt May." Spider-Man hangs up.
"Is everything alright?" Ghost-Spider said.
"It's Flash, apparently he's been having a traumatic nightmare. I should go check on him after this mission is done." Spider-Man said.
"Why don't you go now, I'll stay here and keep searching for Punisher and Jigsaw. Your friend needs you." Ghost-Spider said.
"Are you sure?" Spider-Man said.
"Yeah, I'll call you once I have something." Ghost-Spider said.
"Okay, thanks." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man left the tower as he's about to go help his friend Flash in dealing with his problem as he left Ghost-Spider to continue the search for Punisher and Jigsaw. He continues to swing towards Queens where his friend is staying with his mother.
"How could I not noticed what was happening to Flash, he's been suffering without anyone knowing it. He's going through the same hell I've been through since the invasion. I'm still dealing with it alone since Mary Jane left, I don't know what I can do to help him but I'll try for his sake." Spider-Man said in his thoughts.
Spider-Man landed on a rooftop as he got an idea on how to help his friend.
"Wait a minute, Brooklyn happens to be close to Queens, maybe its time that I stop by and see a friend." Spider-Man said in his thoughts.
Spider-Man decided to take a detour to Brooklyn to see a friend that could help him with his friend's problem.
Meanwhile at the hideout of the Punisher, Frank Castle is torturing a member of the Maggia that he captured in hopes of finding Jigsaw, he shocks him with electricity to make him talk.
"AHHH!"
Punisher pulls back the shock as he doesnt' want to overdo it before he gives up the information.
"This will end as soon as you tell me where Jigsaw is!" Punisher said with a tone.
"I can't... he'll kill me."
"What makes you think that I won't. I can kill you quickly and painlessly... or I can just keep torturing you until you pass out from the pain, your choice." Punisher said.
"Okay... okay... I'll talk."
"Good boy, now where's Jigsaw?" Punisher questions him.
"He's on his yacht out on the Hudson river, he's there right now, I swear, I swear, that's all I know!"
"Thank you." Punisher shot the man in the head, ending his pain.
Punisher now knows where to find Jigsaw as he picks up his weapons and equipment for a battle on the yacht.
Peter later arrived in Brooklyn as he stops by the house of his friend as he knocks on the door. He waits until he sees the door opening, its Steve Rogers, known as Captain America.
"Hey Cap." Peter said.
"You want to say that out loud... Spidey." Steve smiled.
Peter and Steve greeted one another.
"Good to see you Steve." Peter smiled.
"You too son, come in." Steve said.
Steve invited Peter into his home as they haven't seen one another since they've parted ways along with the other Avengers.
"Where's Sharon?" Peter said.
"She's away on a mission. How about you? You and Mary Jane are still dating?" Steve said.
"About that, she and I... we're not together anymore." Peter said.
"I'm sorry son." Steve said.
"Don't be, she's meant for more than the live I'm a part of. It's enough to know that she's pursuing her dreams." Peter said.
Steve couldn't believe that the love of Peter's life has broken up with him. He can understand something about not having a relationship with the woman he loves since he got frozen and woke up almost eighty year later.
"By the way, I've heard about your achievement in helping free Symkaria from Karkov's rule, congratulations.' Steve said.
"Thanks Cap." Peter said.
"But I'm guessing that you're not here to catch up with an old friend." Steve said.
"No... I need a favor." Peter said.
"What is it?" Steve said.
"You still go to VA meetings don't you?" Peter said.
"Of course, why do you ask?" Steve said.
"My friend, Flash Thompson, he served in the Army and was over there in Symkaria. He was captured and tortured by the enemy. I was fortunate to rescue him in time but he's been having trouble lately.' Peter said.
"Trouble how?" Steve said.
"He's been having nightmare every night since he came back. I was wondering if you knew a place that could help him." Peter said.
"Well I've met this guy who used to work at the VA that recommended this place in the city that specialize with soldier dealing with PTSD. That place could be perfect for Flash." Steve said.
Steve pulls out his wallet and hands Peter a card of the VA in New York City.
"Here, hope this will help your friend." Steve said.
Peter took the card that has the address to the place.
"Thanks Cap." Peter said.
"Of course... listen son... I know that we've haven't talked about it, that day." Steve said.
"Cap, I'm fine, really." Peter said.
"I know that there are certain things that we don't talk with other people, things we've experienced, things we're ashamed of." Steve said.
"With all due respect Cap, I'd rather not talk about it." Peter said.
"I know that we can be strong and handle anything but we're still human, we still have our limits when it comes our emotions." Steve said.
"Thanks, but I don't need help." Peter said.
"We all need help, even us heroes. If you ever need anything to get off your chest, I'm here. Keep that in mind." Steve said.
"Sure... see ya." Peter left the house.
"Take care son." Steve said.
Steve is worried for Peter since that day he saved his life from Veranke. Peter had to act to save Steve even though it he had to make a compromise on his morals to save a life by taking another's life. Steve could understand living with the burden of taking lives in wars, it can be hard on one's soul.
Peter later arrived in Queens as he stopped by the home of the Thompsons that Flash has been staying at since his return. He knocked on the door as no one is answering it. He then heard noises coming from the backyard as he went. He found Flash digging in his backyard.
"Hey Flash." Peter said.
"Parker, what are you doing here?" Flash kept digging.
"I was gonna ask you what you're doing." Peter is confused.
"I'm digging, can't you see?" Flash responded.
"Yeah... I can see that... So you want to stop digging so we can talk." Peter said.
Flash stopped digging as he stand up with dirt on his shirt.
"What do you want? Can't you see that I'm busy?" Flash said.
"I'm just a caring friend coming by to help." Peter said.
"What makes you think that I need help?" Flash said.
"Your mother told my aunt that you haven't been sleeping lately, I've noticed that you haven't been yourself lately." Peter said.
"You know what Parker, why don't you mind your own business! I don't need help!" Flash protest.
"Flash, I've heard about what happened in Symkaria, you were captured and tortured, do you really think that's something to get rid off!" Peter said.
Flash tries to punch Peter but he dodged it easily.
"I don't want to fight you!" Peter said.
Flash charged in and pushed Peter onto the ground as he gained the upperhand. He has his fist ready to punch.
"Are you gonna punch me? Go ahead!" Peter said.
Flash is angry that Peter brought up Symkaria but he soon calms down and got up the ground.
"I'm sorry Peter." Flash said.
Peter got off the ground as he could see that Flash is in pain.
"Flash, what's going on with you?" Peter worried.
"I kept remembering the day that my squad got ambushed, everyone that I've served alongside with all died except for me." Flash confesses.
"I'm sorry... I didn't know." Peter said.
"I don't know why I'm even still here, everyone that died that day had someone. I thought that I could handle it like Spider-Man could. I mean the man could face every kind of danger, worst kinds. I wondered how he could handle every traumatic things that's ever happened to him." Flash said.
Peter hearing those words from Flash about having to burying traumatic feelings inside, he witnessed enough deaths in his life and done things he's not proud of, he still deals with those feelings everyday.
"Flash... even our heroes are still human. I guess that they found a way to work through their feelings. Maybe they had help too, like we all need now." Peter said.
"Listen... I'm sorry for shutting everyone out... I just don't know how to deal with all this burden." Flash said.
"You don't have to do it alone. That's why I'm here, I found a place that accepts veterans that experienced things like you have." Peter said.
"Do you really think that I could work out my feelings with other people?" Flash said.
"I can't force you to go, if you're ready and willing, I can take you there... if you want." Peter said.
Peter's phone rang, he picked it out of his pocket and sees that Gwen is calling.
"Hello?" Peter said.
"Peter, I've found Jigsaw, he's on board a yacht that cruising around the Hudson." Gwen said.
"Okay, I'm on my way." Peter hangs up and turns to Flash. "Sorry, I gotta go... work."
"Sure, good luck." Flash said.
"You too." Peter said.
Flash watched as Peter left and began to think about getting help with his problem. He realize that it's beginning to affect everyone around him, he nearly punched his own friend as a result.
Sometime later at night as a yacht is sailing through the Hudson River. Jigsaw is inside as he drinks comfortably. The yacht itself is heavily fortified as it has lookouts at ever corner.
Unknown to them, The Punisher uses scuba gear to sneak undetected underwater. He placed explosive charges under the hull.
He climbs onto the yacht as he pulled one of the guards down off and killed him. He got on the deck.
Later Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider arrived at the George Washington Bridge as they stand over to look for the yacht.
"There it is, the yacht!" Ghost-Spider said.
Ghost-Spider points out the yacht that is owned by Jigsaw.
"So how do we get onto the yacht?" Ghost-Spider said.
"We glide." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man uses the gliding wings on his suit, Ghost-Spider did the same as her suit's gilding wings are opened.
"Ready?" Spider-Man said.
"Ready!" Ghost-Spider said.
Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider both jumped off the bridge at such far heights. They glide over the water as they reach the yacht without any difficulties. They see the bodies of dead mobsters on the floor, Punisher is already here and didn't waste anymore time.
"Looks like Rambo beat us to it, let's look around and find him." Spider-Man said.
Meanwhile deep inside the yacht as Jigsaw and his two men are cornered as the Punisher has already killed. They see the door partially opening as they all got their guns pointed at that direction. They see something tossed inside the room, it's a smoke grenade as white smoke is spreading and consuming the room. Jigsaw and his men are now blind.
"Listen up pal, you've made a mistake in thinking that you'll make it out alive. If you want to reunite with your family so badly, I'm more than happy to help you join them in death!" Jigsaw said.
Jigsaw signals his men to move into the smoke and flush out Punisher. One of the thugs went in first until he got pulled inside by force, the other thug started shooting in that direction in hopes of killing him but so far nothing. He got closer and heard a thump on the floor, he looked and sees that his own buddy got shot instead of Punisher, he killed him.
"Damn you!"
He then hear footsteps moving around as the thug turns and points his gun to find him. He began to panic as the Punisher has already taken down every mobster on the yacht without difficulties. He then hears more footsteps coming closer as he turns around and see nothing. He turns around again as he hears more footsteps, he's panicking more in fear.
"Where the hell are you?!"
Punisher appeared behind him.
"Right here." Punisher said silently.
The thug tries to react but was too late, he got killed off quickly. Jigsaw kept looking around as the smoke began to clear off as he sees his two men already dead and Punisher right in front of him.
"So you've gone to all this trouble, killing off my men just to get to me?" Jigsaw said.
"You took away everything from me, now you shall face punishment." Punisher said.
"Over my dead body." Jigsaw said.
"I'm counting on that." Punisher said.
Punisher and Jigsaw each has a gun in their hands as they look at one another in the eyes to see who will draw first. They're about to face each other in a duel to the death. Jigsaw and Punisher both raised their guns high up and each took a shot to one another. Punisher was able to survive thanks to his bulletproof vest he's wearing, but unfortunately for Jigsaw, he got shot in the chest as he fell down and began to bleed out of his mouth. Punisher came in closer to Jigsaw and sees that he's now dying slowly.
"You got me... what are you waiting for? Finish it." Jigsaw smiled with blood pouring out.
"This is for my family." Punisher said.
"Go ahead, kill me. Doesn't matter, there will always be others like me, more innocents will die. This vicious cycle of violence will never end, your mission will never be over. So go ahead, finish me!" Jigsaw dared Punisher.
Punisher has his gun pointed at Jigsaw ready to kill until Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider arrived in time to see that Jigsaw has already been shot and injured.
"Frank! Don't do it!" Spider-Man pleaded.
"I have to, as long as this scumbag is alive no one is safe." Punisher said.
"Killing him isn't justice. If you kill him, you'll never come back!" Spider-Man said.
"It's too late, I'm already gone. My family is dead because of him, I have nothing go back to. Do you have an idea what it's like to do what's necessary for the greater good and having to live with that burden?" Punisher said.
"Yes... I do... I've been living with that burden for almost four years. I've seen and done things that could give me nightmare. I never talked about it with anyone because I thought that I could carry that burden alone, I was wrong... Please Frank... let me help you." Spider-Man said.
Punisher lower his gun and dropped it.
"Thank you... but it's too late... I'm already gone." Punisher holds up a detonator.
Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider sees a detonator in his hand as he pressed the button, the charges bellow the yacht's hull blows up as the entire yacht shakes. The boat began to sink as fire erupted between Spider-Man and Punisher, separating them.
"Frank!" Spider-Man yelled.
"Get out of here!" Punisher yelled.
Spider-Man tries to run up to Punisher until the fire in his path grew and consume the room.
"Spider-Man! It's too late, we have to go now!" Ghost-Spider yelled.
Spider-Man can't get to Frank Castle as the fire is growing and the yacht is sinking fast. Spider-Man is forced to leave with Ghost-Spider, they both run out of the yacht until they see a jet ski.
"There! That's our ride out of here!" Ghost-Spider pointed out.
Spider-Man got on the jet ski with Ghost-Spider right behind him as they drive it out of the yacht. They continue to ride out of range as they stopped to see the yacht sinking down into the water, alone with Punisher and Jigsaw.
The next morning as Peter is at May's house in Queens, he reads the paper that said "Punisher and Jigsaw: Presumed Dead."
"Everything alright Peter?" May said.
"How could this happen? All Frank wanted to do is serve his country, only to return home and lose everything he'd loved." Peter said.
"This happens more often to a lot of innocent people, they get victimized by the cruelty of the criminals, we both know that better than most." May said.
"Yeah but we only lost Ben, Frank lost his entire family that day. The only reason that I was able to keep going was because of you." Peter said.
"I was keep going because of you too Peter. I'm sorry that Frank's life came to a tragic end." May said.
"That's the thing, I don't believe that Frank is dead." Peter said.
"Peter, you were there, you saw it." May said.
"I only saw the boat sinking, the police has been fishing the bay trying to find Frank's body but so far no luck." Peter said.
"Are you saying that Frank Castle could still be alive?" May said.
"I don't know, I just have a feeling that we haven't seen the last of Punisher." Peter said.
The doorbell rang as Peter got up and walked towards the door. He opened it and sees Flash Thompson.
"Flash? What are you doing here?" Peter wondered.
"I'm sorry if this is a bad time, but I was wondering if you can take me to the VA in the city?" Flash asked.
"Are you sure about this? I don't want to force you if you're not ready." Peter said.
"I want to, I can't go on dealing with this trauma alone. I need to get it off my chest and get help." Flash said.
"Okay... then lets go." Peter said.
Peter left the house with Flash as to head towards the city.
Sometime later, Peter and Flash arrived at the VA that Steve Rogers recommended to Peter for Flash. They see war veterans talking with one another about what they've seen and talks about their hobbies.
"Okay, we're here." Peter said.
"Thank you for bringing me here." Flash said.
"That's what friends are for." Peter said.
"I really need this... I can't keep holding it in anymore." Flash said.
"This is a brave thing you're doing Flash, you're actually the most bravest person I've ever known." Peter said.
"Thanks. Even though I've faced danger like Spider-Man does, I'm still human. If I've learned anything is that we all need help, even heroes." Flash said.
Peter watched as Flash enters the room with the other war veterans and took his seat. Peter respects Flash even more given that Flash is willing to face his trauma. He got inspired by Flash's courage to face it, it's time that Peter does too.
In Brooklyn, Peter knocked on the door as Steve Rogers opened it.
"Peter?" Steve said.
"Do you have time?" Peter said.
"Sure, come in." Steve said.
Peter got invited inside as he took a seat as did Steve.
"Okay... whenever you're ready." Steve said.
Peter carried the burden of everything he's seen or done in these past years alone. He's finally ready to talk about it.
A week later in Florida, a group of smugglers are bringing in drugs by boat as the leader of the gang is giving the orders to unload. Unknown to them, they're being spied on by someone who's holding a sniper rifle and watching through the scope. He got his scope locked onto the leader.
"Gotcha." Punisher said.
He pulled the trigger and fired his rifle.
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