Pepper Ann copyright Sue Rose/Disney
Spider-Man copyright Stan Lee and Steve Ditko/Marvel Comics
Tangled Web
Chapter 03: Gangland
Several weeks had passed since the Parkers moved to Hazelnut...
Aunt May had ajusted well to the simple life of the quiet little town and, had spent a great deal of time with Lydia Pearson and her sister Jainie.
Peter had also ajusted well, spending much of his time with Pepper Ann and Nicky.
though, Peter (ironicly) spent more time with Nicky than Pepper Ann (who was ALWAYS talking to a "Craig Beane" ALOT)
As for "Spider-Man", his existance soon became known in Hazelnut (news travels fast in a town so small)
and, personal opinions over the wall-crawling, web-slinging masked man was MIXED at best.
some believed he was a hero, trying his best to do what the Police could not.
others, believed he was a FREAK and a MENACE...nothing more, nothing less.
but, one thing was for sure: Criminals HATED him.
one couldn't even snatch a purse without getting webbed up (almost as if "Spidey" knows EXACTLY where to be)
It wouldn't be long before criminals would get "desperate"
desperate to do ANYTHING to rid them of their "pest problem"
[Parker House, Morning]
Peter was fast asleep, gripping his pillow and snoring loudly.
"PETER!, BREAKFAAAAAAST!"
Peter was awoken by the sound of his Aunt's voice.
as he moved, he suddenly fell from wherever he was and landed on his unmade bed.
Peter looked up at the cealing.
"oh, man...don't tell me and slept on the cealing AGAIN!"
just then, the door opened.
"Pet-OH, GOOD...your up.
and, it seems you took the time to make your bed...such a good boy."
Peter smiled sheepishly to his Aunt.
"ANYWAY, breakfast is ready.
so, get dressed...we have company."
"we...d-do?"
"Uh-huh, "Aunt Jainie" and "Uncle Jojo"
Peter huffed, but SMILED none-the-less.
though Uncle Ben and Aunt May were his REAL Aunt and Uncle he remembered spending so much time with Pepper Ann's family back when he was younger that he always considered Lydia Pearson, her THEN husband Chuck, Jainie Lily, and her Husband, Jojo to be like family.
Peter quickly got dressed stuffed his Spider-Man costume into his backpack (along with his schoolbooks) and walked downstairs.
once in the kitchen, he saw Jainie and Jojo (Jojo was in his Police Officer Uniform)
"Hey there, sleepy head." greeted Jainie
Peter waved.
"hi, Aunt Janie."
Janie chuckled.
she just LOVED it when Peter called her "AUNT Jainie"
but, then again...she chuckled about just about EVERYTHING.
"so, uhhh...you sleep well?"
"Uh-"
"I'm HOPING he is." began Aunt May
"Peter got a part-time job working the Hazelnut Gazette Newspaper as Photographer."
"OOOOO...Photography!" said Jainie in excitment
Peter shrugged sheepishly.
"it's GOOD work.
hopefully, it'll keep the bills paid."
Jainie then eyed May.
"Now, MAY...if you need some help with your Finaces, all you have to do is-"
"Thank You, Jainie for you concern...but, I can get by."
"all the same, PLEASE take this." said Jainie, pulling out a $20 out of her wallet
"Jainie, please."
"TAKE IT, MAY...I just won't feel good about myself until you do."
May sighed, then took the dollar bill.
"fine."
Peter sighed sharply.
though he marveled at our independant his Aunt was...he sometimes felt her PRIDE was the source of her problems.
Lydia Pearson was NO DIFFERENT.
"So, uhhh...PETE." began Jojo
Peter looked at the Police Officer.
"I hear YOUR the guy that takes the pics of Spider-Man for the newspaper."
"Uhhhh...YEAH, I do." said Peter, obviously "nervous" about discussing his Alter-Ego
"how do you do it?, take good pics I mean.
when me and the boys catch up with the ol' Webhead, he's practicly GONE!"
Peter shrugged, grinning a little.
"Call it SKILL, call it LUCK.
whatever it is, I have it."
Aunt May then hugged Peter.
"yep!, you certainly do.
me and Ben ALWAYS knew our darling Nephew was destined for greatness."
"MAY!" said Peter, slightly embarrassed
May released Peter with a smile.
"so, uh...Uncle Jojo.
why'd you bring up Spider-Man?" asked Peter
Jainie huffed angrily.
"OH, the Police Force (aka "THE MAN") think Spider-Man is a Freak and a Menace."
Jainie seemed to spit out the words "Freak" and "Menace" like it tasted bitter in her mouth.
"oh...and, what does Uncle Jojo think?" asked Peter, worried
Jojo sighed.
"well...between you and me: I think he's helping." began Jojo
"things didn't used to be so bad in Hazelnut...their was a time where my job was EASIER.
but, these new criminals have been showing up, turning our town into a war zone.
and, it WOULD be...had Spider-Man not stopped these guys when they showed.
unfortunently, the Chief doesn't see it that way."
"YEAH!" exclaimed Jainie
"can you BELIEVE that Jojo's "blowhard" of a boss thinks that SPIDER-MAN is directly responsible for the new crime rate!"
Peter looked shocked.
"WHAT!
but...THAT'S CRAZY!"
"I KNOW!
if anything, Spider-Man is the BEST THING that ever happened to us."
Jainie stirred her coffee and took a sip.
"now...GRANTED, I don't approve of EVERYTHING that he does (you know how I feel about Violence)
but, he puts the people FIRST and himself AFTER...that makes him a HERO in my book."
"yes...he DOES seem like a nice, young man." said Aunt May
Jojo drank some coffee.
"well, the Police Force won't be "helpless" against these new criminals for very long."
"what do you mean?" asked Peter
"some rich guy from New York is coming here, a Mister "Norman Osborn"
"Osborn?
you mean that weapons developer?"
"yeah, HIM.
he's constructing an OSCORP building here in Hazelnut."
Peter pondered this.
"hmmm...I wonder why."
"so do I.
I mean: WHY would a corperate bigshot like OSBORN pay any mind to "us" said Jainie
"the chief doen't really care.
ESPECIALLY, since Oscorp promised to supply the force with weapons to fight against these new gangs."
Jainie huffed.
"well, if you ask me...the WHOLE THING sounds mighty "fishy" to ME."
Peter looked at his wristwatch and widened his eyes.
"WHOA!, I'd better get going!"
Peter grabbed his backpack and ran out the kitchen.
"BYE, PETER!" called Jainie
"BE SAFE!" said Aunt May
as Peter left, May sighed.
"mercy...after what happened to Ben, I fear for Peter SO MUCH.
I thought that moving to Hazelnut would be safer, but lately-"
"You did the right thing, May." began Jainie
"it may be getting bad HERE.
but, Hazelnut is STILL the safest place to raise a child...especially compared to New York."
May sighed.
"yeah...I suppose you are right."
[Meanwhile]
Peter ran as fast as he could, TRYING to get to school on time.
but, sadly...he missed the bus, and the School building was MILES away.
"grrr...it'll be HOURS before I get there." grumbled Peter to himself
then, a smile creeped on his face.
"unless..."
Peter suddenly ducked into an alley behind a building.
after awhile, "Spider-Man" webzipped out of the alley (wearing the backpack)
as Spider-Man webzipped from building-to-building, some people pointed and stared.
"HE STOLE THAT KID'S BACKPACK!" called one on-looker
(("ahh, my adoring public.")) thought Peter to himself
Spider-Man continued to webzip.
it wasn't long before he saw the School Building far ahead.
"There's the High School!
COOL!, I just may get to school on ti-"
just then, Peter saw a squad of Police Cars driving at full speed somewhere.
"WHY do I say things like that?, I'm such a JINX!"
Spider-Man paused in mid-air, then shot a webline in the opposite direction.
as he webzipped AWAY from the school and followed the police cars...he grumbled to himself.
"princible hickey is gonna kill me."
[Elsewhere]
Police Officers were surrounding a bank as they had a shootout with several armed robbers.
the gang were packing Laser Assault Rifles...and SADLY, they had the police outmatched.
oddly, they weren't trying to get away, nor finish off the police.
they just stood their ground and kept and police at bay...almost as if they were WAITING for something.
sure enough, Spider-Man swung over onto a nearby building, overlooking the battle.
"(sigh)...not THIS again." groaned Spider-Man
the masked teenager then leapt down into the battle.
he effortlessly shot streams of webbing at the criminals, webbing up their weapons.
"seriously, guys..." began Spider-Man, who web-yanked their guns out of their hands
"you've been going at this for WEEKS now.
when are you going to GIVE IT UP!, and realise that your no match for Spider-Man!"
"oh, they HAVE realised it..." began a dark voice
Spider-Man looked around.
"w-who said that?"
just then, Spider-Man saw a tall man emerge from the shadows.
he was wearing 1930-style gangster clothes (pinstripe suit and everything) and metal bands on his knuckles his hair was black, with a "flat top" shaped head...and he carried what looked like TOMMY GUNS.
he even spoke in a Chicago-esque accent
the "Mobster" aimed his weapons at Spider-Man.
"Dats why they called ME."
Spider-Man felt a "tingle" feeling in his head.
which he knew could ONLY be his Spider Sense.
"oh, no..." groaned Spidey
RATTA-TATTA-TATTA!
Rapid-fire laser bullets were shot at Spider-Man.
Spider-Man quickly evaded the shots, however...some shots hit him none-the-less.
one knicked on on his arm, another at his ankle.
"YOW!" yelped Spider-Man, clutching his laser burns
the Mobster aimed his charged guns, smirking evily.
"heh...you ain't so tough."
Spidey quickly shot his weblines, which stuck to his enemy's guns.
he jerked hard, ripping them out of his hands.
after flinging the guns away, Spider-Man shot another webline at the mobster.
he tugged hard and propelled himself toward him, clinging to the guy, gripping his shirt.
"talk, pal.
what's with the Al Capone getup?"
the man grinned.
"Call me HAMMERHEAD."
Hammerhead then bashed his head into Spider-Man...which SURPRISINGLY felt like getting hit by a Brick Wall.
this knocked Spider-Man down, giving him a slight concussion that rendered him DIZZY.
"ohhh..."
Spider-Man looked and saw Hammerhead looking down at him.
"My boss wants ta' send you a message, Spider-Freak.
he don't like you screwing up da' business...so, he's put a CONTRACT out on your webhead."
Hammerhead raised his foot up, ready to stomp on Spider-Man's head...HARD.
Spidey quickly shot weblines and quickly slid away...just SECONDS before hammerhead's foot impacted the ground.
Spider-Man quickly flipped backwards and onto his feet.
however, he clutched his head in pain...still feeling dizzy.
"ohhhh...everything's SPINNING."
"RAAAAAAHH!"
Hammerhead charged after Spider-Man, his flattop aimed directly at him.
luckily, Spider-Man's vision cleared just in time for him to leap away, narrowly evading Hammerhead.
the mobster villain rammed into a police car, severely denting it and sending it flying.
amazingly, Hammerhead brushed this off as if it was nothing.
"MAN, don't that hurt your head!" exclaimed Spider-Man
Hammerhead smirked, brushing some dirt off his coat.
"naw...my skull is armor plated." said Hammerhead, who tapped his head, making a metallic sound
"nothin' hurts me...NOTHIN!"
the police officers hid behind their cars.
"shouldn't we...do something?" asked an officer
"uhhh...naw.
let the freaks settle it amongst themselves." replied an officer
Spider-Man took a fighting stance as Hammerhead approached him.
"Da' boss seemed real worried about ya'...so far, I ain't impressed."
"in that case, you should see me juggle apples and oranges on a unicycle while balancing a glass of water on my head."
Hammerhead growled at Spider-Man.
"what?...it's a good trick."
Hammerhead swung his fists at Spider-Man.
luckily, Spider dodged these blows (which could of quite easily do some serious damage)
"don't you EVER shaddup!"
"Nope!
Wisecracking is my thing, it's what i do...aside from THIS!"
Spider-Man shot two weblines at Hammerhead, which attached to his shirt.
Spidey then tugged and propelled himself towards Hammerhead like a cannonball, impacting him in the chest.
though Hammerhead's "head" was steelplated...the rest of him WASN'T Spidey's impact knocked the thug down on the ground, Spidey webbed up his hands and feet and pinned him.
crouching onto his chest, Spider-Man stared right at Hammerhead.
"okay, "Tommygun Tony" TALK: whose's your BOSS?"
Hammerhead chuckled.
"like I would evah tell you the identity of "The Big Man"
"Big Man?
so, like...what does that mean: he's really FAT, or something?"
"DON'T MOCK DA' BOSS!" snapped Hammerhead
"He could snap a shrimp like you into "Spider Pieces"!
"Hmm, sounds tough."
"you have NO IDEA, Spider-Freak."
Hammerhead then struggles.
he miraculously breaks free, ripping apart the webbing that kept his hands bound to the ground.
before Spider-Man can React, Hammerhead struck him with his skull, again.
"GAHH!, not agaaaaain." groaned Spider-Man
Hammerhead gripped the webbing that held his feet, ripping it up.
he approached the dazed Spider-Man...but then heard some sirens.
he looked and saw additional Police Cars driving up.
the Mobster growls...then, snickers, looking down at Spider-Man.
"another time, Freak.
but, don't worry...you'll see me AGAIN"
Hammerhead smirked.
"in fact, you'll be see ALOT of us."
"ohhhh..."
Hammerhead walked over Spider-Man.
he picked up his guns, turned and fired rapid shots at the approaching police cars (making one crash)
"LET'S GO, BOYS!
we'll own dis town, soon...just not taday."
Hammerhead ran off, followed by the remaining gang of criminals
Spider-Man 's concussion soon faded and he got up.
he watched at Hammerhead and the gang drove off in their getaway cars.
"great...I just got my spider-butt handed to me by some wacko from a BAD Noir Film."
Spider-Man then looked at his watch.
"GAH!, and, I'm LATE!"
Spider-Man quickly shot a webline and zipped off into town.
[Hazelnut High School]
Peter Parker quickly ran into the hallway of his school, TRYING to get to class.
he suddenly crashed into some, falling hard on his rear.
Peter looked up and saw one of his Teachers: Roland Carter
"M-MISTER CARTER!"
Carter eyed him.
"Parker...where are YOU going in such a hurry?"
Peter got up.
"T-To your CLASS."
"My "class"...is OVER.
see me, standing here?"
Peter gulped.
"Ummm-"
"I am sorry, Parker.
your my brightest student...but, TARDINESS cannot be tolerated."
Carter took something out of his pocket.
"I'm afraid O must issue you...a DETENTION SLIP."
Carter handed Peter the pink piece of paper.
"aw, man."
"ALSO, Principle Hickey wants to see you...NOW."
Peter groaned.
"crud."
[Later]
Peter walked into the principle's office...where Pepper Ann was also at.
"oh, GOOD...both of Hazelnut's Troublemakers are here." said Hickey
Peter approached Pepper Ann.
"Pep...what are YOU here for?"
Pepper Ann chuckled sheepishly.
"heh-heh, funny story...you see, it's like this-"
"TAKE A SEAT, PARKER!"
Peter immediatly sat down next to Pepper Ann.
Hickey then twisted the hair on his mole as he eyed the two teens (which creeped them BOTH out)
"you know, from the start...I ALWAYS knew that pearson was a troublemaker.
since Pre-K, I ALWAYS knew she was trouble...and, I had that EXACT same feeling about YOU, Parker."
"M-Me?"
"this is the UPTEENTH TIME you have been late to school, Parker!
even PEARSON at least makes it on-time to see SOME of the classes...you miss them, entirely."
"I can explain tha-"
"I KNOW...your taking pictures of that CRIMINAL for the Gazette."
"SPIDER-MAN IS NO CRIMINAL!" snapped Pepper Ann
Hickey eyed her.
"Uhh...S-SIR." said Pepper Ann, nervously
Hickey scoffed.
"I'd exepect a delinquent like YOU to believe something like that."
Hickey took out a newspaper and SLAPPED it on his desk.
"never in all my born days!
would I ever see a once respected newspaper office GLORIFY a criminal."
"But, Princible Hickey...that headline says Spider-Man saved that bus full of people." said Pepper Ann
"SURE, from a wreck HE probably caused!
everytime something goes wrong, HE'S never far behind."
"He's not a crook!, HE'S A HERO!"
"then, why does he wear a mask, huh?...what's a got to hide?"
"BUT-"
Hickey then reaches for something else.
"As long as the Gazette are going to print LIES I am using the school newspaper to print THE TRUTH."
Hickey slapped a newspaper on the table.
it had a very bad looking photo and the headline read: "SPIDER-MAN: THREAT OR MENACE"
"Now, Parker...I am willing to OVERLOOK your tardiness that is, IF you start producing extras of your Gazette photos for the school newspaper."
"but, I-"
"GOOD!, then it's settled.
now, off to detention with you...Pearson will join you, shortly."
Peter sighed.
he got up and began to left.
"later."
"bye."
Peter then walked out the door.
"NOW, Pearson...let's talk about YOU, and that mishap in the Boys Locker Room."
[The Greezy-n-Cheezy, Later That Day]
Peter was with Nicky and Pepper Ann at their favorite restraunt.
"So, you have to work off you detention by supplying the school newspaper with Spider-Man photos?" said Nicky
"yeah...I feel like I'm double-dealing the Gazette.
especially, since I KNOW that Hickey is just using the newspaper for his "ANTI-SPIDERMAN" Smear Campaign."
"he DOES seem to have it out for him."
Peter sighed.
"ANYWAY...when do I get to meet Milo?
I thought he was suppose to be back in Hazelnut by now."
"YEAH!, I've been wondering that myself." said Pepper Ann
Nicky sighed sharply.
"unfortunently, I don't think Milo will get back for awhile...
I got off the phone with him earlier, apparently a tropical storm has DELAYED his flight back."
"it has?...dang.
I sure hope he's okay." said Peter
"oh, I'm sure he's alright." said Nicky with a smile
Peter sighed.
"terrfific...I've been in Hazelnut for a few weeks now and, I STILL have yet to see everyone in this town."
"I'm sure it'll happen SOMEDAY."
Pepper Ann then looked and saw a blonde teen wearing a football jersy.
"(Wolf Whistle) BABY!, break me off a piece of that!" said Pepper Ann, seductivly
Peter groaned.
"oh, great...now wha-"
Peter suddenly froze in shock.
"no...it can't be."
Peter then got up out of his seat and walked towards the figure.
"peter?" said Nicky, confused
Peter approached the teen.
"e-eddie?"
the teenager turned and looked at Peter...he TOO, was surprised.
"Pete?"
Peter smiled a nerdy grin.
"hi..."
"it IS you!"
Eddie suddenly grabbed Peter...and gave him a bear hug.
"HOW HAVE YOU BEEN, BUDDY!"
"Oh...you know.
been here, and...there."
Pepper Ann and Nicky then approached them.
"Peter...you KNOW this guy?" said Nicky, curious
"why SURE!" said Peter, as Eddie released him
"he's Eddie Brock, my old pal.
I met him shortly after PA moved away...we sorta grew up together."
"really?" said Pepper Ann
Eddie nodded.
"yep, me and Pete go way back.
we're like brothers me and him."
Eddie then faces Pepper Ann.
"so...your the imfamous PEPPER AN PEARSON.
Petey told me all about you when we were kids, nice to finally meet you."
"Uhhh...YEAH, likewise." said Pepper Ann, nervous
Peter then looks at Eddie.
"so, Eddie...
not to pry, but...what are you doing in Hazelnut?"
"same reason as YOU, apparently: It's my new home...I'm living at a Foster Home."
"you are?
but...what happened to your mom and dad?"
Eddie narrowed his eyes, his expression dark.
"their dead, pete."
Peter stared in shock at Eddie.
"their what?"
"my dad was NYPD, he put away ALOT of scumbags and psychos...you do the math."
Nicky and Pepper Ann looked stunned.
"oh...I'm sorry."
"don't worry about it.
to tell you the truth, I like it better here in Hazelnut...i'm trying out for the school football team."
"REALLY!, that's awesome!
I'm sure you'll smoke the competition!"
Eddie chuckled, then patted Peter on his back.
"same old pete...still my biggest supporter."
Peter smiled, Eddie then exhaled.
"well, I'd love to stay and chat...but, I gotta get going.
I have to check up with the Foster Place every now and then."
Eddie left.
"LATER, PETE!"
"BYE, EDDIE!"
Eddie then walked out the door.
Pepper Ann and Nicky looked at Peter.
"so, you and Eddie...your best buds?" asked Pepper Ann
"yeah, we are.
I was pretty lonely when you left, Pep...but, Eddie helped to fill the void."
Peter sighed.
"I remember how CLOSE Eddie was to his father, Officer Brock.
man...he must REALLY be taking it hard, perhaps harder than he's letting on."
"the voice of experience?" said Nicky
Peter was silent.
Nicky immediatly regreted her words.
"I'm sorry, I didn't-"
"it's okay, Nicky...I understand.
and, YES...your right: I DO know what it feels like."
Nicky looked at Peter with sympathy.
just then, Pepper Ann saw Craig Beane walking down a street outside.
"uhhh, I'd better get going.
something, uhhh, just came up!"
Pepper Ann ran out of the restraunt and followed Craig.
Peter sighed sharply as he watched Pepper Ann from inside.
"is something wrong?" asked Nicky
"oh...I don't know.
I guess I...MISS Pepper Ann, that's all."
"miss her?
but, your next-door neighbors."
"I know...but, we hardly ever talk, or hang-out anymore.
all she ever does is chase after that CRAIG, or some other guys with "Big Arms" and "Broad Shoulders"
Peter huffed.
"I'm not sure what she sees in them."
Nicky grinned.
"are you...JEALOUS?"
"NO!, I mean...why would I?
she's just my friend, and I'm worried, and-"
"AAAAND?"
Peter sighed.
"well, maybe she IS kinda...CUTE."
Nicky giggled.
"best friends who love each other...HOW ROMANTIC!"
Peter sweated a little.
"can't we...i dunno, talk about something else, ANYTHING else."
"sure, we can go to my house and discuss culture and literature."
Peter winced.
"uhh...how about we DO something, instead?"
"okay."
Nicky took a violin out of her backpack.
"I call this little number: Midsummer Night's Dream."
Nicky began to play her violin.
of course it wasn't long before an Employee noticed this.
"HEY!, do you have a permit to perform in public?"
"uhhh...no."
"Then, take your boyfriend and GET OUT!"
Nicky growled.
"YOUR JUST JEALOUS!"
"she's not my gir-"
Nicky grabbed Peter's hand and marched out of the restraunt.
Author Note: I introduce my first Spidey Supervillain in this one (Hammerhead seemed like a reasonable First Baddie for Spider-Man)
and, I start up a FAMILURE mystery for Spider-Man to try and solve: WHO is the "Big Man" (and, NO, it's not who you think it is)
as with any Spider-Man story, Spidey has his FANS and CRITICS.
Jainie is obviously a Fan (as is Jojo, Aunt May and Pepper Ann) while, Princible Hickey will be Hazelnut's "J. Jonah Jameson"
Eddie Brock is offically introduce, and his character is VERY DIFFERENT from previous incarnations (he's more based on "Ultimate", or "Spectacular") in that he's Buddies with Peter Parker, and seems like a pretty decent guy.
Also, I set up Peter's troubled relationship with Pepper Ann
and, hint at a possible romance with Nicky Little (this is MY VERSION of the famous "Mary Jane/Gwen Stacy Shipping Wars")