Hello one and all! Welcome to my next Spider-Man story, Spider-Man: Survival of the Strongest! It's been long and coming but I've worked out all the kinks and planning and I'm ready to go! For those who read my first Spider-Man story, this is my gift to you! This new story picks up after Spider-man 2, and has ties to my first story as well. SO it does help if you read my first story, but it isn't necessary. Anyways, here you are, the next chapter of Spider-Man: Survival of the Strongest!
I do NOT own these characters, they are owned by Marvel Comics!
Spider-Man: Survival of the Strongest: Issue 6: TravelingA loud ceaseless ring sounds through Peter Parker's apartment. It echoes down the hallway and into the bedroom that he shares with his girlfriend. The couple rest quietly in their bed, peter snuggling into Mary Jane, inhaling her intoxicating scent.
The telephone echoes once again.
"Peter."
The young hero groans, nuzzling deeper into her, kissing her affectionately. Mary Jane shifts slightly, her hands sliding over either side of peters face. She plants another kiss on his forehead before calling him again.
"Peter the phone. You have to get up, you leave for Boston today."
His eyes open wide, his body rockets out of their bed and into the next room. The movement is so quick Mary Jane screeches at her boyfriends astonishing speed. He snatches the phone up before the answering machine picks up and he barks out several greetings.
"Yes Mr. Jameson I realize what time it is. Okay. A half hour? Yeah I can be there. Yes I know. All right I'm on my way." Peter says hanging up.
"A half hour? Peter there's no way…" Mary Jane begins.
He hangs the phone up, moving back into the bedroom and grinning. She's kneeling on their bed, still wearing her light lavender pajamas, her hair in every which direction.
"Shush. I'll web sling there, it'll take me ten minutes tops."
He slides his arms around her waist, lifting her up to meet his lips. The two share an embrace for several moments, enjoying each other's warmth. This was something they rarely did now; Mary Jane was busy with her current play and with Peter fighting crime plus his job at the bugle, they have been like two ships passing in the night. She breaks the kiss.
"I'm worried about this whole trip."
"M.J. everything will be fine, I've just gotta take care of this guy and bring Harry back." He replied.
But he knew it wouldn't be this simple. Killgrave, the Purple Man was a villain unlike anyone he had ever faced before. He doesn't outright attack anyone like the two goblins had, or seem to be on any sophisticated agenda for science like Otto Octavius. Killgrave works underground and no one seems to be able to catch him, and as far as peter knew he didn't have any super abilities. How is it that this man keeps getting away with everything? He walks into banks and leaves with bags full of money without a problem.
Not to mention the whole situation with Harry is disastrous. He hadn't spoken to his best friend in almost a year. After his secret identity was revealed to his best friend, the shock must have been too much. He had packed up and moved out of the house he had lived in for what seemed like forever. He never told Peter that he was leaving or where he was going.
"Peter, are you listening at all?
"Huh? Oh sorry M.J. what were you saying?"
"You only have fifteen minutes to get to the bugle." She answered.
"Aw nuts!" He yelled, releasing her and heading to the bathroom.
Mary yells to him that his bags are already by the back window; she lifts her bathrobe off of the nearby chair, sliding it onto her shoulders. Seconds later her boyfriend emerges from the shower, already half dressed as Spiderman. He slides the coverings over his legs, placing his outer clothing in a web sack. He slides the webbing pouch over his shoulder before finishing with his gloves.
"Okay your all set then?" Mary asks, watching him adjust himself.
"Yeah that's everything." He says.
The two embrace once more, their passion heating briefly. Mary hugs him very tightly; they exchange a final kiss before he slides his mask on.
"Be careful peter, please."
"Always. I love you."
He leaps out of the window, grabbing his duffel bag with a web line before zipping off toward the daily bugle.
The bugle was buzzing with life; people were racing back and forth and printers going wild. Jonah Jameson stood in his office, assistant by his side holding three large bags. He looked extremely stressed.
Jameson had a New York Yankees hat atop his head, cigar hanging out the side of his mouth. He puffs angrily.
Robbie Robertson is adjusting his watch and double-checking their list of equipment. Beads of sweat trickle down his forehead as they wait for their photographer.
"Where the hell is this kid?" Jameson barks angrily.
"Relax Jonah, you only gave him a half hours notice to get here." Robbie said.
"News breaks and you have to be there. Today's the grand opening of Tony Starks new science center. He'll probably be drunk and I want PICTURES!"
"Sorry I'm late Mr. Jameson!" Peter gasped, rushing into the office, knocking over a plant next to the door, the base shatters on the floor. " O God, I-I'm.."
"Yeah, your next pay check will cover it. Lets go now."
The four rush out of the room, slamming the office door behind them. Several reporters ask Jameson questions on the way out which he answers by knocking them out of the way. As they near the elevator another reporter joins them.
"Pete this is Ben Urich, he'll be joining us." Robbie says
"Nice to meet you Mr. Urich" Peter offers a hand.
"Likewise. You're the one with the pictures of Spider-man right?" Ben asks.
"Don't get me started, we have a flight to catch." Jameson interrupts, forcing them onto the elevator.
"We're flying?!" Peter asks nervously, but his answer is lost as the doors to the elevator close, sending the group down to the streets below.
The flight was bumpy and nerve racking. Peter had never been up that high in his life. The shaking of the plane and the pressure on him had been frightening unusual. Jameson didn't help matters at all; the entire trip had been devoted to rechecking equipment and demanding that parker return with decent photos.
Peter however enjoyed sitting beside the window, admiring the billowing white clouds, making out different shapes and people as they shifted. Jameson continuously snapped him out of his daze for more instruction about the pictures.
The flight landed soon enough in Boston where there was already a shuttle waiting to take them to the event. The five step out of the terminal, heading towards their baggage.
"We gotta make this quick, we've only got a half hour to get to this thing." Jameson's assistant nagged.
"I know how long we have, go grab the bags and lets GO!" Jonah screams.
His assistant takes off, heading for the baggage claim and the four stop to adjust themselves; Peter's camera string had been digging deep into his neck. The assistant races back toward them, three bags in hand.
"Jeez Jonah what did you need to bring?" Ben Urich asks.
"Change of clothes, voice recorder, and more camera equipment for parker." He answers.
"We better go our shuttle is outside." Robbie added, grabbing one of the bags.
They head toward the exit, assistant trailing behind dragging one of the bags and complaining to Jonah. Peter is also lagging behind, admiring a couple who have reunited off of a plane. They hug for a long time; others rush past with nothing seeming to matter. He smiles to himself before continuing on.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of Stark Enterprises and myself I would like to thank you all for coming to the grand opening of Stark Science Center."
A loud round of applause rings through the audience, the hostess smiles warmly before stepping aside the microphone on stage so that another may speak. A man steps onto stage, he wears a light gray suit, perfectly cleaned. His tie is snugly In place, hair trimmed to perfection, a small moustache neatly kept above his lips.
"Hello everyone," He begins. "For those of you who may not know, I'm Tony Stark."
There's another loud round of applause, especially from Peter Parker who smiles in excitement before snapping his first of many pictures. Stark shifts comfortably, smiling at the audience before continuing.
"Today is the official opening of the first Stark Science Center, I'm very excited to be here and for the future that this building holds. Here at the center we will be focused on the advancement of technology. We will be working on a number of new inventions in the oncoming months." He says, swallowing quickly.
Several people shift uncomfortably, the heat is beginning to become an issue. A small beep echoes throughout the room and the heat is gone, the temperature dropping several degrees. Peter looks around himself astounded.
"This is one of our new advancements we are working on. Floor tiles that can actually alter the temperature above, cooling or heating the area. These tiles could replace the heating systems your home uses as well as air conditioners and fans." Stark finishes.
The audience roars in applause again, more pictures flash and Stark smiles confidently. Stark speaks with an assistant briefly, and then the assistant disappears, returning with a large metallic briefcase.
The case opens revealing two large metallic gloves. Stark removes his suit jacket, handing it off to another assistant and rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt. The first assistant places the opened glove around Stark's right arm, pressing a small button on the side. It shifts and secures itself around his arm, several components lighting up with a small hum.
"Now these two are by far my favorite that we've come up with. This first glove actually takes in solar energy and releases it as a concentrated blast. It's been charging for the last twenty five minutes on the roof of this building, so I believe this is good to go."
He extends the arm forward, firing a precise beam at the ceiling, it takes an overhead light clean off of its post, it hurtles toward the ground below. The crowd gasps in fear, peter steps backward, pulling up the sleeve of his coat, ready to save the people.
However the light stops in mid air.
Starks other arm is extended now, its aimed at the light, humming loudly. He flicks his finger and the light begins to move toward the stage, like a dog to its owner. The crowd applauds once more; Peter takes more pictures, smiling wildly.
Tony Stark catches the light, placing it on the podium before bowing politely at the applause. Several assistants clap as well, stark moves the light with his magnetic glove some more, describing its benefits toward the construction professions as well as science. Before he can continue a loud gunshot rings through the air.
The audience falls silent, looking around in a panic for the gun. Stark looks stunned, he instinctively reaches with his magnetic glove, trying to retrieve the gun. A figure finally emerges from the dozens of people.
He wears a black suit, a black undershirt with a light violet tie. His skin is a shade of purple that shines and glistens in the light. He sneers as he makes his way toward the stage. Strangely every person he's walked by begins to follow him toward the stage.
"What the hell is going on?!" Jameson screams, trying to see over people.
Peter already knows. Killgrave has finally made his appearance; just like Daredevil said he would. He watches in horror as the Purple Man graces the stage, smiling devilishly. Right behind him steps Harry Osborn onto the stage and Peter's stomach turns. There he was, his best friend unable to escape from this psychopath.
"Hello Hello Mister Stark. I love the building, really do. Now it's time for the reason we're all here. Money. You want all of these people to donate money to your center here." Killgrave explains, "But I have a better idea. Toss all of your wallets and purses onto the stage.
The group that followed the purple man to the stage all heaved their belongings onto the foot of the stage. Tony Stark glares at The Purple man in confusion, and then he extends a glove toward him.
"Get out of my center you son of a--"
"No, Stark. Lower your weapons. Remove them as well."
He complies, removing the weapons in a trance like state, dropping them to the floor. The Purple man laughs loudly, moving toward the edge of the stage.
"All of you out there who haven't donated to the Purple Man's fund I order you to now. All purses, watches, wallets and belongings…"
The rest is lost to parker, his spider sense screams at him to get out of the area which he was already trying to do. It was time to take this guy out and fast, but why did he feel so weird?
The last couple of people toss their watches toward Killgrave as peter pushes past, darting for the restroom nearby. He's not even in the door before he removes his outer shirt, revealing his Spiderman costume. Within seconds he's changed, the grid pattern of webbing revealing itself as he slides the last pieces of his costume on.
He pulls his mask over his face, webbing his clothes into a small bundle and sticking it to the ceiling. His heart races as he makes his way out of the bathroom, Killgrave is still talking to the crowd.
"C'mere stark and put this on me." He demands.
The zombie like scientist attaches the giant glove to Killgrave's arm, it hums with power. The purple man laughs as Harry scrambles to collect all of the crowds belongings into a bag. A thick web stream that covers his mouth silences his laugh.
The Amazing Spiderman swings in, kicking Harry over and turning to face The Purple Man. Killgrave sneers at the web slinger, flexing the gigantic glove.
"Enough is enough Killgrave hand over the glove!" Spiderman screams, grabbing for his arm.
The purple man pulls away and then recoils slamming the metallic glove into Spiderman's chest. The web slinger tumbles off of the stage and into the circle of people down below.
"Get Him." Killgrave commands.
The crowd snatches for him, grabbing every limb they can to hold him down. Among them are his co-workers from the bugle. Jameson yells in his face as he grips his arm. Robbie gets the wall crawler in a chokehold.
"He's here." Harry yells to the purple man.
The wall explodes, concrete and tiles raining down on the crowd. A large cloud of dust and smoke rises into the air. A large man moves into the room, his mass pushing through several people as he steps toward the stage, his own technological gears revving. With his sheer power he punches a pillar out of his way, leaving it in dozens of pieces. His eyes glow red, his suit is lined with spikes with one defining spike sitting atop his head.
"Ah it is. Welcome to the party, Rhino."
The stage is set for a colossal throw down. Spiderman Vs. Purple Man and The Rhino! How can the web slinger possibly hold his own against both these super villains and a crowd that's hopelessly under the Purple Man's control?! Where is Daredevil?! This and more in the next issue (chapter) of Spiderman: Survival of the Strongest!!! THANK YOU please REVIEW!!