Bitten by a radioactive spider, high school student Peter Parker gained the proportionate strength, speed, agility, equilibrium, and early warning danger sense of that irradiated arachnid. Hoping to use his powers for personal gain, Peter sought to make money as pro wrestler and a TV sensation, but with the death of his beloved Uncle Ben, a grief stricken Peter learned an invaluable lesson. With great power there must also come great responsibility. Armed with his wondrous web shooters Peter struggles with this lesson. Trying to balance an ordinary life with a day job and still divide time to be with his wife and to protect his fellow man. Due to the events regarding his personal life, Peter has given up the role to the one true Peter Parker whom goes by the moniker of Ben Reilly. This is the story of The Amazing Spider-Man!
"Seven Ways To Hell Part IV Of IV"
Here and now three people were on the trail of the Spirit Of Vengeance. Two of them were publicly known controversial heroes that the media called Spider-Man and Daredevil. The other was a gun-totting vigilante whose entire focus in life was the eradication of organized crime. The same organized crime that killed his family. He dubbed himself the Punisher of the guilty and as such he served as judge, jury, and executioner. As the three rode in the Punisher's battle van Spider-Man looked to Daredevil after looking at the Punisher.
"Why are we tagging along with him again?" Spidey asked.
"Because Stephan said we need him."
"And the reason is?"
"How am I supposed to know?"
"Well I was hoping one of us would know because he is seriously freaking me out."
"Does the wall crawler always act this juvenile?" asked Castle.
"All the time."
"You guys do realize I'm sitting between you two, right?"
The two looked at him then looked away.
--
The sun began to set and with it Johnny Blaze's skin started to blister and catch fire. He gave a mad scream followed by a crazed cackle as the fire exploded from his body transforming his clothes into a biker outfit with spikes protuding from the shoulders, the gauntlets, and around the spur of his boots. When he raised his head there was no remainder of a human appearance. Only a flaming skeletal demon. A demon men call the Ghost Rider!
--
Vida opened the secret entrance to their lair, and then flew out to find some food for his brethren, but that wasn't his only goal. He hoped that he would run into the Ghost Rider so he could finally get his revenge for Lavic's death. As he took to the air he left a psionic command to the vermin guarding the lair to let him know if any intruders dare step foot on their home.
--
Six city blocks lost power for the span of eight minutes before they could relish in the return of power. It was unexplained as to how the power went out, but that didn't stop a few callers from calling their local power company to find out what was wrong.
--
The Raft, offshore Maximum, Maximum prison near Rykers Maximum Security Prison. Inside his newly built specially constructed cell Cletus Kassidy giggled as he sat on his bed and stared into the blank Osmium Steel walls. From the view of the watchman on duty Kassidy seemed like he was out there in his own world. And he'd be right as Cletus stared not entirely at the walls, but the shadow on the walls and listened to everything it said.
Glorious will our reign of chaos be. Death and destruction everywhere! There's no rules for guys like us, Cletus! We're forces of nature! We're the chaos and anarchy that they are too afraid to embrace. Even those white lily liberals don't have the balls to do what we have done. We're the true embracers of revolution man. Nobody owns us. We can do whatever we want and no one can stop us!
Everything the symbiote said made Cletus chuckle more and he had a maniac look in his eyes that scared the watchman on duty. So, much so that the watchman whose name was kept a classified secret to protect his family from the inmates started to reconsider his career.
--
Jessica woke up after a few hour nap and turned off the television. The first thought on her mind was of Ben. She grabbed her cordless phone and dialed his number, and then waited for him to answer. After several minutes the answering machine picked up and Jessica hung up.
"Damn it Ben. Where are you?"
--
Bentley Whitman fiddled with the contraption that he had built in shop class, but despite all of his work it still wasn't ready. It would be a few more days before he could make his escape and then he would assemble a new Frightful Five to take on Spider-Man and pay the insect back for his earlier defeat.
--
Lilith looked over her growing children and as she still considered her options. There was a veil of hope in which she could gain her desires. But there was a great cost. She would have to sacrifice one of her own children to the hell lord to which she hoped to bargain with. With an evil glow surging from her eyes she closely examined her children to see which one was the weakest and upon finding the one she ripped it's life force from it's body and summoned Daimon Hellstrom.
"Oh great devil of darkness. I beseech you to hear my call. For I pay tribute to you in exchange for a promise."
Daimon Hellstrom shimmered into appearance and pointed his trident of power at the life force she offered.
"Your boon is insufficient for a promise. However, if you bring me the life of the Ghost Rider I shall consider what you have to say."
"You know how difficult it is to slay the creature. Can you not spare me a monster from the underworld capable of defeating him?"
"Hmmm..."
Daimon rubbed his chin seemingly considering her request.
"No, already my presence is being watched by Doctor Strange, but I can give you an edge to beat him."
"Really?" Lilth said, her eyes pulsing. "Tell me more."
--
It had been a long ride so far and no sign of finding Johnny. Dan was starting to take a break when he saw the Ghost Rider zoom right on by not even noticing his presence. Kicking the bike into gear the former host of the demon peeled off after the Spirit Of Vengeance to turn him back from the darkness.
--
Spidey twiddled his thumbs as he sat between the Punisher and Daredevil. He was starting to get uppity and he needed to get out of the cramped confines of the battle van.
"Look, can we go any faster then this?"
"Relax insect. I know what I am doing."
"Really Castle? I thought you were too busy staring at that pimp and thinking of all the kind of ways you could maim him."
"Button your mouth or I'll do it for you," Castle said with a scowl.
"Knock it off you two. We're trying to help a fellow cape. Though, I know you don't qualify as one, Castle."
"Bite me Murdock."
Daredevil started to offer a response until his radar sense picked up the shapes of two motorcycles about to zoom across the street that the Battle Van had yielded to because of the stop light over head.
"I think we have company.'
Spider-Man looked the way that Daredevil was, and Ghost Rider rode right on by with Dan Ketch right behind him.
"Who was that riding behind Ghostie?"
"I'm not sure. But let's go after them."
Punisher put the Battle Van in high gear and drove off after them.
--
Lady Octopus stepped back from the chamber as Doctor Octavius came out whole and alive again. His body restored with the help of borrowed technology from some of the world's finest geniuses. As Doctor Octopus felt the cold welcome embrace of his metallic appendages around his waist again he let out a sigh of relief, and then took in a deep breath of fresh air.
"To be alive again. You don't know how great I feel my dear."
"No, but I would like to find out lover."
"Well, then let us celebrate as we planned."
Doctor Octopus wrapped his arms around Carolyn and give her a kiss while one of his appendages reached behind and plugged into a nearby computer port where it began downloading data into the micro processors located on Doctor Octopus' waist.
--
Vida?
Yes mother?
I want you to capture some one for me. He holds the key to defeating the accursed Ghost Rider.
Who is this person mother?
Behold the image I am putting into your mind.
Vida saw the image and chuckled.
"Yes, capturing him shall be easy."
With that Vida redirected his flight path.
--
Dan poured on the speed as he tried to get the attention of the demonic bounty hunter, but whenever he seemed like he was going to get close enough to say something the Rider would speed up. Dan realized quickly that he could not catch the Rider on a normal bike. He needed his own hell on wheels. Unfortunately, he didn't have access to one. So, another option was trying to get ahead of the Rider and get it to notice him. To do that Dan built up as much speed as he could and jumped his bike ahead of the Rider's and screeched to a stop. And just when it seemed like the Ghost Rider was going to run him over. A gulf of flame split on either side of Dan and standing before him was the demon himself. When Dan found it safe to look he saw the demon's expression. It was one of agonized sorrow.
You! It can't be you! You're dead!
"It's me, Johnny. I'm back."
It's not possible!
Fire erupted from the Ghost Rider's body as his mind could not comprehend the return of his half-brother. But when Dan got off the bike and laid a hand on it's shoulder it could feel the mystical connection that the Ketch line had to the Rider. And that confirmed what he knew to be true.
Dan... What have I done?
Dan was at a loss for words for the moment until he saw a black garbed Spider-Man slithered down on a web line.
"So, what's up you two? Having a heart to heart?"
What do you want wall crawler?
"Not much. We just want to make sure you get back on the right track. Whose the kid?"
The Ghost Rider looked at Dan.
Family.
"Oh, well that explains a lot. Um, anyways. Can we talk now that you seem settled down?"
Daredevil landed on the ground next to where Spider-Man was hanging upside down. The Punisher was nowhere in sight.
"Where's Castle?" Daredevil said as he turned to Spider-Man.
"Now, that you mention it I don't know."
--
On a roof top not too far away with a sniper rifle trained on the Spirit Of Vengeance was the Punisher.
"They want this thing taken care of I have uranium spent rounds for that," said Punisher as he cocked back the hammer to load the bullet.
--
On the street Daredevil heard the bullet cock into the chamber and searched with his radar sense while Spider-Man was having strong sense of danger from behind them.
"Something's wrong. I sense danger coming from behind us."
"I heard a bullet being loaded into a chamber."
Ghost Rider searched with his senses which were far above mortals and he saw the Punisher alone on the roof top with sniper rifle trained on him.
Your life is a lie wrapped in the eternal damnation of a guilt that consumes your soul. You feed on your self loathing and your desire for an end to keep going. But what have you accomplished?
Both Spider-Man and Daredevil where confused who he was talking to, but when the scarlet swashbuckler picked up Punisher's familiar heart beat it all became clear.
The mass murdering vigilante got up as he started to think on what the demon said. Then out of nowhere Vida arrived howling as he swooped down and grabbed Dan and flew off with him.
"If you want your brother come and get him Rider!" Vida said as he flew away.
In a burst of flames the Ghost Rider was back on his motorcycle and doing a wheelie before peeling off after the demon.
Spider-Man and Daredevil trailed after the Rider, but both knew they could not catch up to the Rider or Vida.
Punisher ran for the fire escape and made for the Battle Van because he had a feeling that things were going to pick up from here.
--
It was dark and rainy out when Peter and Mary Jane Watson Parker arrived at their home. Both of them looked at the two story house with smiles on their faces. And as they pulled into the garage the Parker family had a warm feeling inside.
"There's no place like home," said Peter.
"I'm glad we can get away from your old life Peter. Just so it can be me and you and our baby."
"I know. I realized for a long time how hard it was for you. Let's get our stuff inside."
"Right."
As the Parker family got out of the car and started hauling their stuff inside. A silent figure watched from nearby.
--
The Ghost Rider chased Vida all the way back to the lair in which Lilith and her children were waiting. As the spirit of vengeance prepared to enter Spider-Man, Daredevil, and the Punisher arrived on the scene. The dark rider turned to them and pointed a finger at them.
This is none of your concern.
"It is if you end up abusing your powers and crossing over to the dark side," said Daredevil.
The Punisher cocked two of his guns. "Why are wasting time talking. Let's go in there and kill those things."
"For once I agree with Castle," said Spider-Man. "Which is odd."
These demons cannot be killed by mortal hands. Only my powers can grant them eternal damnation. If you seek to provide me with aid then save my brother. I will deal with Lilith and her brood.
"Very well," said Daredevil.
The four walked inside not knowing what to expect. And as they entered the inner lair they found a nest with eggs all across the corners of the room. But where there was path to walk and fight stood next Lilith's throne was Dan Ketch chained to a wall.
"Welcome mortals," said Lilith. "And hello again Ghost Rider. It is nice to see you have changed since our last meeting."
You have much blood on your hands Lilith. Your day of reckoning is at hand.
"Fool! I hold all the cards! With your brother at my mercy you will not fight me," said Lilith. "Your only choice is to die."
"Says you," said the Punisher as he fired uranium spent rounds into Lilith's shoulder.
The demonic harlot screamed as the bullets burned right through causing her extensive damaged. She looked up at the Punisher with pulsing anger in her eyes and with her power she summoned her children who were not fully matured.
"Great going Castle," quipped Spider-Man as he dodged the vicious claws of one of Lilith's children. "Next time you want to piece off a demon remind me not to be around."
Yet despite the wall crawler's quips the Punisher was in full battle rage. His bullets searing through the air and tearing up the not yet matured demons. Lilith gave a cry as her children were dying by the scores because of Castle's weapons.
Daredevil flipped over a demon and snapped the vertebrate of its neck as he headed toward Dan Ketch to free him. Spider-Man tailed behind watching the blind adventurer's back. While in the center of the room the Ghost Rider stood toe to toe with Vida who hovered himself in front of Lilith.
"You destroyed my brother and you threaten my family rider. For that I shall kill you quickly."
It is not within your power to destroy me, but you're welcome to try!
Vida launched himself at the rider with his claws aimed for the rider's face, but the ghastly biker side stepped the attack and with the aid of his chain which wrapped itself around Vida's throat, he brought the son of Lilith crashing down to the floor where Vida was set ablaze by the hellfire the poured from the rider's finger tips.
"Curse you, Rider! You have taken both of my sons and my children away from me!"
Next I shall take you from this world, Lilith!
"I think not. We shall meet again, Rider."
With that said Lilith disappeared. Her children destroyed and her powers weakened for now. But the Ghost Rider knew that she would return and when she did he would be there waiting for her. For now at least his brother was safe and all could return to their lives. But for web slinger such an idea is much more difficult then it sounds.
Author's Notes: Well this concludes Seven Ways To Hell. I know I really dragged my ass on this story, but I kept allowing myself to get side tracked. Now, with the new method I'm using hopefully there won't be as many as delays as before. But I should note that I won't be making weekly releases. I simply cannot keep that kind of schedule. Well stay tuned Spider-Fans. The Webbed Wonder is sure going to have his hands full in Absolute Carnage!
-Mimick