Issue 1: The Lethal Protector

Manhattan, New York City (Five Days Earlier)

'It started just like this. Five days ago. Just another evening in paradise. Who was I kidding back then?' said Spider-Man, narrating the events that leads to the symbiote invasion.

BGM-Ultimate Spider-Man (Game) OST-Spidey Skychase

The Amazing Spider-Man stands on a rooftop in Time Square, launching a webline at a building and immediately swings from it. He lands on another rooftop to show off his amazing acrobatics and agility, flipping off the roof and bouncing high into the air, twirling past a large flatscreen before spinning out another webline to swing on through the city.

'Two months ago, I saved the multiverse from Green Goblin. One month ago, I saved Mobius from a black hole. And here I was, five days ago, patrolling the city as usual, looking out for anything UNUSUAL that threatens the city. Like a cop in a skidding car.' Peter narrated.

Spider-Man lands on a rooftop, looking down and spotting a police car skidding towards a pastry shop. He fires his organic webbing in the form of a net, catching the car before it crashes into the building. The officer crawls out of his car and spot his hero crawling on the wall across from him.

"I'm starting to think Jameson's wrong about you, Spidey." said the officer, smiling at the webslinger.

Peter salutes him with a smile under his mask, "Spread the word, chief."

The masked vigilante jumps to the streets, perching down behind a money truck that was toppled over by a mysterious force. "Hiya, bugbrain. I knew that would draw you out." Walking out of the truck is a criminal in a yellow-and-red jumpsuit that comes equipped with Vibro-Shock Gauntlets and holding stolen money bags.

"Freeze, Shocker! Hands where I can see 'em! Don't even let your pinky twitch." quips Spider-Man, recognizing his old foe, The Shocker.

"You wanna spend some time together? Come closer." Shocker points his gauntlets at his nemesis, charging them with energy to kill him.

"Gladly." Peter webs his chest, surprising the criminal, before pulling him towards his fist, "Give me a hug!" He uppercuts Shocker, knocking him away.

Shocker trips a little while landing on his feet. Irritated, he thrust his gauntlets forward while firing a massive sonic blast at Spider-Man. The webslinger easily jumps away from it while it shatters the windows of the building behind him. "Haven't you considered getting a costume change? Those fishnet stockings aren't working out for you." Quipping while in midair, Spidey webs his gauntlets before yanking him into the air for an aerial beating, "Shocker, you're the ONLY guy I know that can wear his grandma's quilt and make it look GOOD. Sorta. Almost. Okay, not really." He then kicks him to the ground.

"Quit mocking me!" retorts the enraged Shocker while lying on his back, blasting the hero upwards with a shockwave.

"Dude, you're like a human joy buzzer. But thanks by the way for not being a human whooping cushion." Spidey swings around his foe as he descends, then kicks him onto the toppled truck. Groaning while shaking his head, Shocker charges one more shockwave in hopes of defeating his nemesis, but as he does, Spidey webs his gauntlets and causes them to backfire on their owner, shocking the Shocker and causing him to collapse to the ground, completely knocked out.

"Good old predictable Herman. See ya around, pal!" quips Spider-Man, swinging away from the scene to continue his patrol of the city while the police arrest Shocker.

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Elsewhere in the city…

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'But while I was tangling with Shocker, there was someone else patrolling the streets. A "Lethal Protector" that you'd mistake as my twin, and a constant pain in my butt. He claimed to be serving on the side of angels, enacting his own twisted brand of justice on those he deems even more twisted than he.' Spidey narrated.

"This ain't nothin' but chump change, lady!" said a mugger, cornering a young woman in an alleyway after stealing her pursue for money, "Maybe I'll hafta take my pay some other way!" He plans on raping her. Before the woman could scream for help, the mugger grabs her by the mouth, "That scare ya? Good! I always like seein' FEAR in my victim's eyes…!"

But the woman wasn't scared of him. She was scared of the menacing silhouette standing behind him that resembles Spider-Man but with monstrous fangs. The frightening figure hisses before lunging at the mugger and quips, "What a coincidence! So do WE!" said Venom, the lethal alien protector and arch-rival of Spider-Man. "You're despicable! You and ALL your kind!" He grabs the scared mugger by the throat, smashing him into a wall. He lifts him up, still by his throat while Venom brutally pins him to the wall, "Preying on the defenseless, bringing nothing but misery! Pain! DEATH! YOU MAKE US SICK!"

"Wh-What're you…" The scared mugger asked.

Venom doesn't respond to him, as he is disgusted by the vile human being. He punishes him by forcing tendrils from his symbiote into the mugger's nose and mouth, suffocating him to death, "It's over! Now you'll do nothing but decay, running in rivulets of rot and corruption! Mingling with the rest of the filth in the sewers of-!"

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He cuts himself off upon noticing the young woman cowering behind him from what she saw. "Oh. Forgive us. We're being rude. Hi! We're Venom. Here…" The lethal protector picks up her pursue and hands it back, "You're safe now. No, please, there's no need to thank us." He taps her head before leaping away, "Your joy is reward enough, and sends me leaping HAPPILY on my way.'

BGM-Spider-Man 3 (Game) OST-The City #2

Tears stream down the woman's eyes while staring at Venom leaving the premise, and for good reason. Having been horrified by the entire experience, she runs out of the alley, screaming.

Leaping above a building, Venom spins out webbing from his forearm and swings across the city, "Yes, I agree. Protecting innocents is satisfying indeed!" Venom says to his symbiote, "After all, WE were innocent once, before that vile Spider-Man shattered our lives! You, my alien friend, were rejected when you tried to bond with my 'bro', to become his living costume. A gift 'I' accepted gratefully! While my career as journalist Eddie Brock was obliterated by the web-slinger's callous, self-serving publicity ploys! True, we HAVE reconciled our hatred a bit, having worked with him on several occasions to save the world. But he is still a menace to the innocent, and we WILL prove to everyone that WE are this city's champions! Yes, I realize it will be difficult. But as long as we have each other…" He swings towards Central Park, jumping off from his webline while retracting his costume, "We! WILL! Prevail!" He lands behind some bushes in his normal human form, Eddie Brock.

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"First things first: Chocolate ice cream." Eddie muttered.

BGM-Spider-Man 3 (Game) OST-The City #5

The disgraced reporter walks to an ice cream wagon to buy two large cones of chocolate ice cream, since his symbiote loves eating chocolate, and brains. He pays for his cones and sits at a quiet bench, licking one of his cones. People walk past him, ignoring him as he eats his ice cream in peace. That is, until one person stops by upon recognizing him, "Enjoying yourself, Brock?"

Brock stops eating his ice cream as he is greeted by a beautiful woman in a long, dark red dress and wearing a black mask over her missing left eye. He smiles at her, "Cinder! Been a while. Want a cone?" He asked, offering his outworldly criminal friend, Cinder Fall, his other ice cream cone.

Cinder smiles a little, "I am doing nothing at the moment." She accepts the cone and sits next to him, taking a lick from her ice cream.

"Where's Mercury and Emerald?" Brock asked about her associates.

"Sent them to Brooklyn on business." Cinder said vaguely.

"What 'kind' of business?" Brock asked.

"None of your concern. They can handle this task just fine." Cinder replied stoically.

"Alright. Looks like you three don't need me as your tour guide anymore. Seems to me you've gotten used to living on Earth." said Brock, taking a few more licks from his cone.

Cinder stares at her cone, "It wasn't hard adapting to this world's lifestyle. Earth isn't THAT different from Remnant. Just filled with more opportunities for me to exploit for my own purposes." Her expression changes to a stern glare and scowl at her cone, "Such as the chance to finally settle the score with our mutual 'bug' problem."

Brock finishes his ice cream before gritting his teeth, "Spider-Man…We'll get our revenge on him soon."

"YOU would've gotten yours sooner if you didn't waste time playing hero." Cinder glares at him, "Why waste the power of the symbiote stopping petty criminals and protecting these worthless people? I thought you were different from the Spider."

Brock snarls, "NO! Spider-Man RUINED my life! It is up to me to protect the innocent from his corruption! With great power comes great fun, and there is no greater fun than killing the guilty. What about you? Ever since I first met you, you've always been obsessed about gaining power. Why is that?"

Cinder pauses, sternly looks away from him, "…You wouldn't understand. Power is what rules the world. Everyone seeks power, seeks to grow in strength. I had nothing growing up. No power. Just disrespect, and hated those who held power from others forever. I want to be strong. Be feared. Be powerful. The mere existence of those who are better than us OFFENDS me. Beings like Spider-Man and Osborn keep reminding me that I still lack true strength." She touches her eyepatch, since she lacked the power to protect her eye in the recent Goblin War, "I WON'T tolerate that." She says while nearly crushing her cone in anger, causing the ice cream to melt into her hand.

Sincerely, Brock puts his hand on her shoulder, which seems to annoy her as she looks at him, "Listen, I getcha, but power is meaningless without something to protect, otherwise you'll lose yourself to it. That's why I'm using the symbiote for good. To keep myself in check. True power comes from finding something to protect."

Cinder scoffs while throwing away her ice cream to the trash pin, "Power is just power. What is the difference?"

"I haven't told you this before, but I was once friends with Peter Parker." Brock revealed.

"Really?" questions Cinder, staring at him curiously.

Brock nods, "We were young. Our parents were best friends with each other, until they died in a tragic plane crash. Peter still had his aunt and uncle. I had no one. Still, I was his big bro, keeping bullies off his back 'til I graduated high school and went to college. During my college days, I dated a girl named Anne Weying and worked as the Daily Bugle's best reporter, 'til Parker kept upstaging me with his pictures of himself." He growls as his anger rises, "He even made a fool of me when he captured a famous serial killer, while I supposedly broke the story on a FAKE! I was a laughingstock! He cost me my job, my girl, my reputation, my education, my HEALTH! I had NOTHING, just like you! And like you, I sought out ANY kind of power to gain vengeance on my bro, and to prevent ANYONE else from suffering the way I did!"

Cinder was left visibly stunned by his backstory and seems to have newfound respect for Brock. "I see…Then it was fortunate you found the symbiote when Parker rejected it." She commented.

"That night, we became poisoned to Peter Parker AND Spider-Man and made it our life's mission to destroy him." Brock stares at his palm as its briefly covered with the symbiote, "But lately, I can feel myself slipping away to its bloodlust. Losing control of the suit. The power I seeked taking over me with every passing day. It won't be long until I AM a monster that endangers the innocent." He frowns, closing his eyes with his head down.

Cinder looks at Eddie, noticing his depressive expression. She briefly looks at the ground with a somber stare, before it changes to a serious expression as she turns her head to face her friend, "Perhaps there IS a way for you to control the suit." She said, surprising him.

"There IS?" Brock retorted.

"I know someone that could help you, just like they helped me. She is my master." Cinder replied calmly.

Brock stands up from the bench and smiles, "That's great. But I'm a little surprised you want to do this for me."

"It is like I said…" Cinder stands up from the bench also, "I'm not doing anything at the moment. We both desire revenge against Spider-Man."

"Thanks, Cin. Em said I could count on you for something." Brock smiled.

"At your own risk." quips Cinder, walking past her friend. "Follow. I don't want to waste any time."

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"You're the boss." snarks Brock, following her. But after a moment, he quietly stops on his tracks with a serious stare at Cinder's back and a serious tone in his voice, "Seriously, though, Cinder, if this doesn't work out and I lose control…harm the innocent…promise me you'll KILL me." He said.

BGM-Shadow the Hedgehog OST-Doom's Eye

Hearing that request forced Cinder to stop in silent shock, as she never heard anyone requesting suicide to protect others. She takes a moment to think about it, putting on a straight face while slightly facing her suicidal friend, "Don't be ridiculous. Let's go." She said stoically before walking ahead, with Brock nodding in silence and catching up with her.

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Later at Salem's Earth Hideout…

Since the Goblin War, the Dark Witch of Remnant known as Salem has been secretly living on Earth. The War cost her a lot that put her at a great disadvantage to her arch-nemesis, Ozpin, from her castle to the lives of her subordinates, as well as the four Relics that she wanted to use to conquer her dimension. But, it was thanks to the War that opened her eyes to alternate realities and ISO-8, cosmic crystals that are among the most powerful substance in the entire universe. It was thanks to their power that allowed Salem to breach into Earth Prime and establish a new base of operations in an abandoned mansion at an undisclosed location.

In her throne room, Salem looks through a Seer Grimm, watching footage of Spider-Man's recent battle against Shocker, carefully studying the arachnid's abilities. She hears a knock on her door and calmly shouts, "Enter." The door opens, as Cinder enters her throne room.

"My queen." said Cinder, formally kneeling to her master.

Salem notices her pawn and speaks, "Cinder. Good work hiring the Shocker so I may further study Spider-Man's abilities. More than ever I am convinced that Spider-Man plays a key role in my war against Ozpin. I have researched his powers. Learned they are both scientific and mystical in nature. A 'Spider-Totem', and Osborn's greatest achievement. Ozpin is a fool if he thinks his 'Hero of Hope' will stay obedient to him forever. The child is headstrong, undisciplined, easy to anger, and, EASIER to manipulate. So may I ask, what is your latest report?" He asked.

"Venom. He seeks counsel with you." said Cinder, standing up.

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Salem looked slightly surprised when she heard this, "What? Did you bring him?"

Cinder nods her head, "Yes."

Then, Salem smiles, "Interesting. To think he'd come to ME instead. Let him in." She said, implying that Cinder had been tasked to spy on Venom.

Cinder opens the door, allowing Venom to enter whilst creepily crawling towards the ceiling, "Hello there, Salem." He hisses his tongue to spook Salem, who is unfazed by his outworldly creepiness, "We remember you from the war against Goblin. How have you been enjoying your stay in our fair dimension?"

"I have been enjoying it just fine, Edward. A pleasure to formally greet you." Salem politely greets the alien.

Brock jumps down from the ceiling, standing in front of the witch, "Pleasure's all mine. Cinder tells me you're the only one who can help me control my symbiote."

"Is that so?" Salem glances at Cinder, who briefly looks away in embarrassment, before staring at Venom, "So you are having trouble controlling the symbiote? Tell me, where did you first encounter this creature?" She asked.

"At a church, after Spider-Man rejected and feared its gift." Venom answered.

"That explains why you have his powers." Salem noted. "And why do you seek control of the symbiote?"

"For VENGEANCE on Spider-Man! He ruined our lives and threatens the innocents! We will do whatever it takes to see him destroyed!" Venom retorted, angrily shaking his clenching fist at Salem.

The dark witch stands from her throne and calmly walks towards the lethal protector, "I sympathize with you, Edward. Spider-Man has ruined my life as well." She says with subtle deviousness.

"In what way?" Brock asked.

"Like you, I was an innocent until he invaded my life. His war against Goblin cost me my home and allies, forcing me to take exile in this world." Salem lies partially, with her arms calmly folded by her back, "But I am glad you are here, Edward. In fact, I have been expecting this meeting for some time."

"You've been expecting us?" Brock questioned.

Salem nods, "We are kin, divided by the borders between our realities. I was altered by the Grimm's power long ago, mastered it, turning me into what I am today." She shows off a display of her Grimm powers by summoning several Grimm beside her, like Beowolves and Geists, before swiftly dispelling them into ashes. "The symbiote COULD have bonded with anyone, but only the RAGE and FRUSTRATION of Eddie Brock could've created Venom. The two of us are TRULY unique. And together, we can do anything." She touches his shoulder.

"Does this mean you'll help us?" Venom asked.

"I will help you unlock your full potential, IF you pledge your allegiance to me." Salem requested from him.

"You've got a deal, toots. Just tell me what we need to do." Venom accepts her offer, politely shaking her hand.

"Simply stand in place." Salem orders her new symbiote pawn.

Venom does what he is told by his new master and stands tall and still. Salem summons a purple ISO-8 crystal from nothing and has it floating in midair above her head. The crystal fires a blast down at Salem, who absorbs its cosmic energy and gains a purple aura. She then channels dark magic in her hands, firing a continuous energy beam at Venom, who roars in pain, "GRAAAAAAAH!"

"W-What are you doing?" Cinder asks her master, feeling unusually worried about Brock.

"Modifying his symbiote with magic. Infusing it with the essence of a Grimm through the manipulation of ISO-8. Both creatures were born from darkness, and while Grimm are imbued with mystical energies, symbiotes are imbued with cosmic spirits. With this combination, the symbiote should be MUCH more controllable." Salem answered.

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BGM- The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction OST- Main Theme

Salem stops infusing her Grimm magic into the symbiote, causing Venom to collapse onto his knees and breath heavily with effort. "Do you feel it?" Salem asked, "Don't fight it, boy. It can sense your trepidation. You must make it dread you. Become one with the symbiote, Edward. One with the Grimm. Mind, body, and soul."

"Yes…" says Eddie, feeling his symbiote mutating with its Grimm enhancements, starting with new spiked toes.

"FULLY accept the gift that Spider-Man rejected." Salem said.

"Yeeessss…" Brock hisses, as his spider-emblem becomes a little wilder and gains bony protrusions on the back of his spine.

"And together, you will HAVE you desire." Salem told him.

"YEEESSSSS!" Venom exclaims while awakening his own black and crimson red Aura.

Salem dramatically raises her right arm to the sky, "Arise, my Champion of Darkness!"

The newly-empowered Venom complies, standing on his two feet and unleashes a mighty roar that shakes her entire hideout, "We will have vengeance on SPIDER-MAAAAAAAN! RAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

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KFX Here: Spotting any similarities/differences between this and the original chapter? Salem will get her symbiote later, once Venom learns the ability to replicate his symbiote.

Guest (chapter 1): This story takes place during Phase 1 of the United Heroes series. It is WAY too early to introduce a character like Knull, especially when he's going to be the main villain in the "King in Black" event in Marvel Comics soon. At best, expect some subtle references.

Next Time: Eternal rivals! Return of the Black Suit!

Remember: I have a forum page! Link can be found on my homepage or search for the "United Heroes Series" forums!

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