AN: Thanks for reading, I apologize if at times the characters and stories are as deeply developed as Vol 1, I've had RSI issue so can't spend the time I'd like to.
If your interested in the Fantastic Four, their trip to Mars and events after they return (from the last chapter) I've started a new Fanfic titled: First Family Vol 1: Not what they seem. That story will tie back in with COPP Vol III, I'll work on that before (or maybe in parallel) with the Fantastic Four story.
Forest Hill Cemetery
Peter stands with his head bowed down, listening to the eulogy for Gwen's father George. He stands not next Gwen, his girlfriend, but Harry. Gwen has not spoken to Peter since the incident, all his calls have gone unanswered. MJ and Flash stand closest to her and her family. Once the priest finishes they are the first to comfort her.
Guilt fills Peter's entire being as he begins to approach Gwen to offer his condolences. As he approaches MJ spots him and gives a slight shake of the head warning him not to make a scene. He nods solemnly and walks off alone rejecting Harry's company. Peter wanders through the cemetery, thinks back to the last time he wore this suit, only a few months ago at Liz's funeral, another person who died because of him. Eventually Peter stops wandering and stands in front of his uncles grave. He looks down and begins crying, "how many people have died because of me? How many more will?"
After a while Peter composes himself and begins to leave when he suddenly remembers something, something important. He walks back, past his uncle's grave, and down to the graves of his parents. He stands over them, looking down, examining the overgrown weeds and grass surrounding them. DaHe bends down and begins clearing the planets away, "I'm sorry I don't get here often enough, I just don't like this place, too many bad memories."
Peter looks around making sure nobody is watching him speak aloud to a grave, "I don't know what to do, I'm trying to help people, but all I do is hurt those around me." After a few minutes deep in thought Peter then asks, "What should I do, continue to try to help people but risk those that I love? Or should I just do nothing? Can you give me a sign."
Peter waits, looking around for something but nothing happens. Peter then says his goodbyes to his parents and walks to the exit.
Midtown High
The next day at School Peter is walking up to the front of the school when he sees Flash and Gwen hugging. Peter immediately feel sick to his stomach, she's left me, they're back together I can't believe it. Peter walks past pretending to ignore them when Flash calls him over. Peter pretends not to hear him the first time, but after Flash calls his name again Peter looks in his direction and notices Flash, Gwen and MJ. Fear and apprehension flood through his body, his stomach twist into knots making him feel nauseous. Flash begins to speak and firstly thanks Peter for all the support through his troubles, Peter can't speak, his throat tightens and dries out, he gives out a little squeak of acknowledgement. Flash then continues to explain that he's joined the army to help get him out of this black hole of despair he's found himself in. Peter is startled but after few awkward moments of him standing silently on the spot he wishes Flash all the best and they shake hands. As they do Flash gives him a canceling friendly jab to the arm, "Parker Punch, see you later Parker."
The girls begin walking to class when Peter stops Gwen and asked for a minute of her time, MJ looks at her for a sign as to what to do, Gwen gives a little nod that is fine for her to leave them alone.
Peter begins apologizing for disappearing at the expo, the press conference, the train station when Gwen stops him, "Peter I don't wanna hear your apologies, if it was one or two times that would be fine, but you always going missing, canceling canceling canceling, rearranging dates its like you have another life, a life more important than me."
Peter is stunned, he tries to form a response but struggles, Gwen turns to walk away when he pleads, "Gwen, I'm sorry I know I've been distracted lately, but I'm going to put it all behind me, from now on, no more distractions I'll be 100% focused on you."
Gwen looks at him cautiously out the corner of her eyes, then turns to face him and looks deep into his eyes realizing he's being sincere, "okay Peter, one last chance, dinner on Friday" Peter agrees and she gives him a little smile then heads off to class.
Peter stands there and contemplates what he's just promised her, that means no more Spider-man.
New York
On Friday Peter gets ready for his date, puts on his nicest clothes, his best… only cologne. As he sorts through his wardrobe trying to find his best pair of shoes, he notices the box where he keeps his Spiderman costume. He contemplates putting it on, just in case, but then grabs the box and hides it deep inside his closet, not tonight I won't need it tonight.
Peter heads downstairs and greet his Aunt May with the hug, she complements him on how well he scrubs up and tells him Gwen will be very impressed. Peter blushes and deflects her compliments. As he's about to leave there is a news bulletin, the announcer describes how the Green Goblin has been cited over New York City and is heading towards the New York City fair.
Surely Iron man will handle this, Peter thinks to himself, the next article describes Iron man in The Middle East as part of his ongoing battle with the 10 rings terrorist group. "What a coincidence" Peter replies sarcastically, "That Goblin person is really terrible, what's happening to the world" Aunt May adds. Peter stares at the news watching the teletext move across the screen highlighting facts about the Goblins destruction. Peter's phone buzzes with a text from Gwen, it reads [See you soon].
Peter's mind begins to race, he has two options and no matter which one he picks someone loses. His mind begins to cloud with too many thoughts and options, too many actions and consequences, as he gets to a point where he can't think at all his eyes focused on a picture on the wall, a picture of him and his uncle Ben.
With great power comes great responsibility, he remembers his uncles words then tells his aunt he forgot something and rushes upstairs. Peter puts on his costume underneath, takes his small man-bag with accessories, texts Gwen that he's going to be a little late then rushes for the subway.
Peter arrives in Manhattan, finds the place close the restaurant to hide his civilian clothes, then swings away as Spider-man. Peter arrives at the fair to a scene of chaos, people are fleeing in terror from the green goblin who throws grenades randomly and laughs as he does. Spider-man swings in towards a goblin as he turns around on his glider, just before they are about to engage in battle Spider-man notices three objects approaching from his right. They fire electric blasts at him, he quickly swings away to avoid them but as he does he notices another three flying objects approach from the other side. Spider-man lands on a roof to assess the situation. The goblin approaches on his glider followed by six flying drones. The drones have a large cylindrical body with two rotors on either side used to propel it. They also have an array of arms peripheral to the body, each one with a different weapon attached, it looks like eight arms, or perhaps legs each.
Spiderman looks around for a way to escape, behind him approach two more drones.
"So it looks like your glider had babies, you must be so proud."
"More funny jokes little human, but you won't be so funny after you face the spider slayers."
"Spider slayers? Really, that's what you called them?"
Before Spider-man can continue with his barbs one of the drones attacks from behind. Spider-man jumps up over the drone missing its blades, then quickly shooting webbing at the drone behind him, swinging it over his head and into the other drone which has circled around for another attack. The drones collide with parts and sparks flying, they crash into the ground and explode.
The Goblin and the rest of the spider slayers swoop down for their attacks, firing electric stunner, fireballs, blades, nets and grenades. Spider-man ducks, weaves, dives and summersaults to avoid them, finally swinging away with his enemies in hot pursuit.
Spider-man swings through the New York skyline moving left and right, down alleyways and through any obstacle he can in order to lose them. No matter what he tries they are too fast and their attacks too constant for him to hide. As they approach a church tower rising above the surrounding buildings Spider-man uses the webbing to swing back around 180 degrees and kicks one of the drones with 2 feet sending it hurtling into another and both lose altitude and crash. Spider-man falls to the roof of the building after this attack and dives out of the way of the remaining four slayers as they fire on him. Spider-man swings away from the building, as he turns the corner around a building the Goblin is hovering waiting for him. Without any notice the goblin sends numerous blades his way, Spider-man quickly shoots a webbing to his left, avoiding the blades but putting him straight in front of the pursuing slayers who shoot electric stunners and tranquilizers. Spider-man is hit by them, falls unconscious and falls through the air towards the pavement. The slayers fly down and capture him, taking him back to their headquarters, followed by the Goblin.
Oscorp Testing Facility - New York
Spider-man regains consciousness and observes his surroundings with blurry eyes and a haze hanging over his head. As his vision begins to clear he realises that he is in a warehouse surrounded by equipment ready for scientific experiments, on him, and lots of robotics including spider slayers, human prosthetics and the goblins glider.
Spider-man focuses on a figure standing to his left, a scientist taking blood from his arm. Spider-man pulls at his restraints, ripping the right arm restraint, reaching over to his left arm. As he does a spider slayer that is perched directly above him reaches down and pins his arms by his side. He struggles to move but to no avail.
The main door to the room now opens with Spencer Smythe walking in followed by his son Alastair in a wheelchair, the Green Goblin and a handful of scientists. The goblin begins clapping and yelling with excitement, "Now we see who the spider is, then we make him no more."
The scientists surround Spider-man and wait as Mandel Strong enters the room. Spider-man gasps in amazement, Mendell Strong is behind all this, Does that mean Oscorp is involved?
Mendell explains their plans for next generation of super soldiers, Something that has been denied to him time and time again, but this time it will be different. He then approaches Spider-man and reaches for his mask, "Who is the menace behind the mask?" he asks.
Spider-man reaches behind his back to his belt where he has been carrying Iron man's mini EMP. He struggles to move his arm under the force of the spider slayer but eventually reaches it activates the EMP and throws it onto the spider slayer above him. Instantly the drone loses power and Spiderman breaks free of its grasp. He pulls off the restraints from his arms then legs, then the blood transfusion needle from his arm.
Spider-man throws a punch towards Mendell but he avoids the blow, the two exchange attacks before Spider-man throws Mendell off the platform and on top of Spencer Smythe. Spider-man then beats off the scientists who are trying to restrain him and webs various instruments, containers and vials in the lab pulling them off the shelves and onto the ground. Some of the containers have flammable liquids which ignite and fire fills the factory instantly. Spider-man swings up to the ceiling and escapes through a skylight as the fire spreads and engulfs the whole building.
Mendell flees the scene closely followed by the scientists, one grabs Alistair's wheelchair pushing him out through the door while he attempts to grab the door frame and get back inside to save his father. Spencer Smythe lies on the floor injured from when Mendell fell on top of him. He's too old and too hurt to move, the smoke covers his body, fills his lungs and takes his life whilst his son looks in at him, desperately trying to escape the scientists.
The building then explodes in a huge fireball sending shattered glass throughout the area and causing the roof too collapse. Alistair and the scientists move far enough away to escape injury. Mendell looks into the distance as Spider-man swings away to safety, he however looks down at the vial of Spider-man's blood he was able to salvage before fleeing the building.
New York City
Spider-man swings down to where he left his bag and clothes he was wearing for his date with Gwen. Peter emerges from the alleyway onto the main street only a few hundred meters from the restaurant. He sprints through traffic, across the road and flies into the front door nearly knocking over some other patrons. He asks at the front counter for the reservation under Peter Parker, the waiter responds that a girl had been waiting for him for over an hour but she left. Peter thanks the man and apologizes for the inconvenience. As he exits the restaurant he checks his phone and notices a message waiting for him from Gwen [It's over, I never want to see you again].
Peter's house
Peter arrives home after a long and miserable walk home. He has not contacted Gwen after reading her message, he's too despondent to know what to say. He enters the house and begins walking up the stairs to his room when his Aunt May asks how his date was, He just shakes his head slowly and replies,"It's over."
Peter sits in his room head in his hands sobbing, "How much worse could this night get? I should never have taking the costume, being Spider-man has ruined my life."
After more contemplation Peter's mind jumps back past that incident with Gwen to that of the warehouse, and the blood they extracted from him. Oh no they got my blood, Dr Connors, I need to tell him.
Peter takes his phone and immediately calls Dr Connors. He explains what happened with the drones, the warehouse, Mendell Stromm and the blood. Connors voice fills with fear, "Oscorp are involved… " Connors responds, his voice trailing off. "Peter, don't call me, don't come to Oscorp under any circumstance."
"Why what's happening?"
"It's not safe for you here anymore, now they'll know I'm involved, that I know your identity, they know my secret… no matter what happens don't come here, ever."
Peter asks "How do they know, what secret?" Connors simply replies "I may never see you again, I couldn't be more proud of how you've turned out, I'm very proud of you, as if you were my own son" then he hangs up the phone.
Connors sits in his chair, fear and panic fill him, he thinks of Peter, that this may be the last time they ever speak, it sends him back to that fateful day.
Dr Connors sits in conversation with Richard Parker, the introduction of May and their son Peter. Connors now remarks on how Peter looks extraordinary similar to his own son Billy, Connors Introduces both his son Billy and wife to the Parkers, who sit on the other side of him.
Oscorp Tower
Norman Osborn sits in a room alongside Mendell Stromm waiting for the results, a scientist in a lab coat emerges from the analysis room and tells him that initial results indicate that the subject has both super soldier serum and trans-genetics in his DNA, that of a spider.
Osborn and Stromm look at the results as the scientist explains, "It appears the super solider serum wasn't introduced to the subject, it was part of them, from a young age, or birth." Osborn and Mendell simultaneously gasp with amazement, "It's Connors," Osborn states aloud, "Send a unit to his lab immediately."