Pepper Ann copyright Sue Rose/Disney
Spider-Man copyright Stan Lee and Steve Ditko/Marvel Comics
Tangled Web
Chapter 04: Grave Mistake
[a Few Days Later]
Spider-Man was webzipping through town, apparently TRYING to reach a certain destination.
he soon came to an alley, and quickly changed back into Peter Parker.
Peter then walked out (wearing a backpack) and approached a Foster Home.
"hmm, the "Sue Rose Foster House"...nice place." said Peter
Peter walked towards the front door.
as soon as he did, Eddie Brock walked out...apprently, looking ticked.
"stupid, lousy-"
"EDDIE!"
Eddie looked and saw Peter.
his expression then changed.
"PETE!, what are you doing here?"
"Thought i'd walk with you to school, today."
Eddie grinned.
"thanks...I could use a friendly face right about now."
Peter looked at Eddie with sympathy.
"life at the foster house rough for ya?
Eddie growled in his throat.
"the WORST.
all the others here keep getting into my stuff, and NEVER give me a moment's peace."
"oh...well, sorry about that, man."
Eddie shrugged.
"it's not your fault."
Eddie then walked down some steps.
he and Peter then walked down the street to the High School.
"so...you the guy, huh?" began Eddie
Peter looked at him, puzzled.
"huh?"
"your Spider-Man's Photographer."
"Uhh...Y-YEAH, that's me, heh-heh.
I'm the guy who takes the pics of Spidey for the Newspaper."
"their good pics...I honestly have no idea how you do it."
Peter grinned to himself.
"trade secret."
"I understand."
Eddie then growled.
"but, that Princible Hickey sure knows how to use your photos to profit his OWN agenda."
"you don't approve of him?"
"HELL, NO!" snapped Eddie
"Spidey's like my dad: a decent guy, trying to make this world LESS CHAOTIC.
Hickey spewing venom against Spider-Man, saying he's a vigilante who "goes to far"
"oh...well, what do YOU think?" asked Peter
Eddie huffed.
"I think he hasn't gone FAR ENOUGH."
Peter raised an eyebrow.
"huh?"
Eddie exhaled sharply.
"Spidey fights the bad guys...but, he's WAY too easy on them.
my dad was that way, all FAIR and MERCIFUL...and, now he's dead."
Eddie looked at Peter, a serious look on his face.
"if "I" was Spider-Man...I'd starting hitting the crooks where it HURTS the most.
hit 'em HARD, hit 'em FAST...and, HIT. THEM. NOW."
"it sounds like you expect Spider-Man to EXTERMINATE criminals, rather than help the cops arrest them."
Eddie chuckled.
"Pete...do you know how many psychos get out of prison by USING the law to their advantage?" began Eddie
"honest people like my dad, risk their lives everyday trying to put away those scumbags...
only for them to hire those Fancy, High-Priced Lawyers that help them to LITERALY get away with murder."
Peter looked down as this.
he didn't want to admit it...but, Eddie was RIGHT.
"all the same, Eddie...Spider-Man doesn't kill."
"and, I respect that, Pete.
a guy with powers like his...it must take ALOT of will power to resist tearing his enemies apart."
Eddie then huffed.
"still...I wish he's make a few EXCEPTIONS to his rule.
god knows their are scum out there that have it coming."
"like who?"
Eddie looked at Peter.
"like the S.O.B. who killed my parents." said Eddie, darkly
"AND, the guy who murdered your uncle."
Peter looked away at this.
Eddie saw this, and sighed.
"sorry, man...
I didn't mean to open old wounds."
"it's alright, Eddie."
"but, you understand how I feel...right?"
Peter nodded.
"yeah...more than you know."
[Later, At School]
everyone was sitting in a classroom, awaiting their teacher to arrive.
soon, the door opened and a man wearing a black shirt, blue jeans and a white labcoat walked in.
"greetings, class.
I am Doctor Curt Conners, and I will be your science teacher today."
many students were staring at Conners...most due to his "missing left arm"
"now, TODAY...I want to talk to you about Genetic Mutation-"
"i can't believe it...it's doc conners." said Peter, softly
Nicky looked at him.
"you KNOW Doctor Conners?"
"not personally...
but, I was an attendant to one of his science experiments at Empire State University."
"EMPIRE STATE!" exclaimed Nicky, stunned and amazed
"it was a field trip.
a very..."memorable" field trip." said Peter, who rubbed a place on his hand
[Flashback]
a younger Peter Parker (who wore black-rimmed glasses and suspenders)
was in a crowd of students as he watched Doctor Conners give a presentation.
"-and, by blending the unique DNA of different species I have successfully created a new species of Spider, one that possesses the traits of all known species in nature."
Peter looked at some glass casings that kept several red/blue spiders inside.
"my staff have created fifteen prototype spiders for testing." began Conners
"in theory, each of these spiders can leap at incredible distances use their webbing in a number of different way, lift object hundred of times their size have a limited healing and immunity system and, possess an ESP-like sense of precognition..."
"there's FOURTEEN." said Peter
Conners looked at Peter.
"come again?"
Peter was looking right at an empty casing.
"one's missing."
"oh.
WELL, one of the staff must still be working on that one."
As Conners continued his lesson, some jocks shoved Peter onto the ground.
they laughed as Peter reached out blindly, trying to locate his glasses.
"Ha-Ha!, same old Puny Parker!"
at that moment, Eddie Brock gripped his shoulder...HARD.
"leave 'em alone, Flash."
"or, what?"
Eddie gritted his teeth.
"you don't wanna find out."
Flash scoffed.
"sheesh, Brock...lighten up, it's just a joke."
"no, that jacket is a joke."
Flash's buddies chuckled.
Flash sneared, then marched off.
Eddie then turned to peter, bent down grabbed his glasses and handed them to Peter.
"here, Pete."
"thanks." said Peter, who put his glasses on
"eh, Flash is a pushover...I know how to handle him."
Peter soon stood up.
"well...THANKS."
Eddie gave Peter a thumbs up, then walked off.
Peter took a moment to brush some dirt off his shirt.
he was unaware of the spiderweb just above him on the cealing.
a red/blue spider then lowered down from a webline and landed softly on his sleeve.
it silently crawled down to his hand.
"PARKER!, get over here.
"COMING-OWW!"
Peter grabbed his hand in pain.
the Spider (apparently paniced) bit him, then fell onto the ground.
Peter watched as the tiny creature crawled away, slipping into a crack in the wall.
he then looked where it bit him, a swelling area with two, red bite marks.
[Reality]
Peter looked at his hand.
though it had been a long time since that day, who could STILL see traces from the Spider Bite.
the swelling had long since disappeared but, the bite marks remained...faded, now nothing more but a scar, but REMAINED.
"I don't think I'll EVER forget that day, Nicky.
that field trip to Empire State changed my life."
Nicky smiled.
"yes...I can see how it would.
Doctor Conners is a GENIUS."
the school bell soon rang, signaling the end of class.
as the students all got up to leave...Dr. Conners approached Peter.
"Parker..."
Peter looked at Conners.
"D-Doctor Conners!"
"I thought that was you.
I see your doing well since I last saw you."
Peter shrugged.
"anyway, I'd like you to be the first to know...
I talked some things over with the school princible, and convinced him to host a field trip."
Peter gulped.
"oh, not another field trip...
i'm still "recovering" from teh last one."
"RELAX...it'll be nothing that that "Super Spider Fiasko"
for what it's worth, I immediatly had that spider project shut down after I discovered some "side-effects"
"side effects?"
Conners clears his throat nervously.
"uh, yes...
it appears that the Super Spiders had MUTEGENIC venom that could serious alter someones DNA."
Peter gulped, feeling nervous.
"r-really?"
"yes...so, for everyone's safety, I had to scrap that project.
but, good news is, I am working on a NEWER, more promising experiment."
"oh?, and what's that?"
"a Regeneration Serum...
by studying the genetic code of reptiles, I HOPE to give humans the ability to grow back lost limbs."
"you...ARE!"
"yes.
in fact, I was inspired by my earlier work with the Spiders."
Conners then touches the empty sleeve of his missing arm.
"it...means EVERYTHING for me."
Peter nodded.
"I understand."
Conners smiled.
"ANYWAY...this field trip will be to the new Oscorp building.
I have a friend working their as chief scientist who can give us a tour: Doctor Otto Octavius."
"Doctor Octavius?
the leading expert in quantum physics!, you know him?"
"he was my best friend in college.
my major was genetics, his was advanced science...he helped shape my career."
Peter thought a bit.
"well...I am curious at what's going on at Oscorp.
and, meeting Octavius would be a real honor."
"great!, I knew you'd be pleased.
the trip will be due Tomorrow, BE ON TIME."
"wouldn't miss it."
"good...then, I won't take anymore of your time.
I actually have to get home for my son's birthday party."
"okay, Dr. Conners...bye."
Conners waved "good-bye" with his good hand.
Peter then walked out the door...where Pepper Ann and Nicky met up with him.
"is it TRUE!
are we REALLY going to meet Dr. Octavius!" exclaimed Pepper Ann, excited
"uhh...YEAH, why?"
"DUH!, Dr. Octavius is one of my IDOLS!
I always hoped that someday, when I recieve my Nobel Prize, Octavius HIMSELF will hand it to me."
Nicky sighed sharply.
Pepper Ann had the most aspiring (if somewhat impossible) dreams and ambitions.
"that's quite a dream you have, Pep." said Peter
"don't I know it..." said Pepper Ann, proudly
Nicky cleared he throat.
"ANYWAY...since this trip is important we should probably start preparing-"
"OH, their's PLENTY of time for that later, Nicky.
right now, I'm getting myself over to Brain Dead to play some Crunch Pod."
Pepper Ann walked away.
Nicky just groaned loudly in frustration.
"ooooh, sometimes she gets on my nerves!
if she wants to be a scientist, then WHY does she spend so much time doing nothing recreational!"
Peter shrugged.
"dunno...Pep has always been a bit "unique"
"more like LAZY."
Nicky sighed.
"oh, well...at least "I" will get something out of this trip, it would be an honor to meet Dr. Octavius.
and, besides...I've been curious of OcCorp's benifit to Hazelnut since Mr. Osborn announced it."
Peter nodded.
"yeah...so have I." said Peter, in a suspicious voice
Nicky then looked at Peter and smiled.
"so, Peter...tell me MORE about you and Pepper Ann."
"what?"
"I'd like to know more about your "past" with her.
everytime I ask Pepper Ann, acts as if she can't remember."
Peter sighed at this.
(("I sure hope that IS an act..."))
"so...I was hoping you'd tell ME."
Peter put on his best smile.
"okay...whatcha wanna know!"
Peter and Nicky walked down the school halls.
"well...for starters, how did the two of you first meet?"
Peter chuckled softly.
"well...I guess you could saw it was because of our families.
Lydia Pearson and here sister Lainie were good friends with my aunt and uncle."
"Mmm-hmm, i see...go on."
"(deep sigh) well...my parents died in a plane crash when I was Two.
after that, Uncle Ben and Aunt May decided to take care of me...
Lydia and her THEN husband Chuck decided to help them out.
they brought their "baby", Pepper Ann with them so I wouldn't be LONELY."
"so, the two of you were playmates?"
Peter nodded.
"yep...we did EVERYTHING together.
played Hide-and-Seek, rode Tricycles, had sleepovers, EVERYTHING."
"and, you remember ALL OF THAT?" said Nicky, surprised
"Well...YEAH.
Pep was my best friend (aside from Eddie), I could NEVER forget her."
Nicky was silent.
"Hmm...that's weird.
in all the years I'v known Pepper Ann, she never once mentioned you."
Peter had a hurt expression on his face.
(("gee, thanks alot, PA."))
"so...when did things CHANGE?"
Peter exhaled.
"I...guess it all started with the DIVORCE.
Lydia and Chuck just couldn't agree on things the same way May and Ben did."
"yes...i know.
Pepper Ann has told me about that...it still bothers her."
"she didn't understand it...and, neither did I.
anyway, Lydia decided to move away, FAR AWAY...I was only five years old, I never saw Pep again."
Nicky pondered this.
"hmmm...that must of been when Pepper Ann first moved to Hazelnut.
she was Five Years Old when me and Milo first met her...and, ALSO when Moose was first born."
Peter chuckled.
"Lydia WAS pretty "round" when last I saw her.
ANYWAY, I was on my own...and, I missed PA like no ones business."
"is that when you met Eddie Brock?"
Peter nodded.
"yeah, I met Eddie one year later, when I was six.
Eddie was just as popular at our old school as he is now.
his dad was a police officer and he was skilled in football.
but, he also protected me throughout middle school...kept the bullies off my back."
"sounds like a great guy."
"yeah, he is...but, I worry about him, sometimes.
his parent's death has made him Bitter and Angry."
"well, can you blame him?
I mean, weren't YOU angry when you uncle was killed?"
Peter narrowed his eyes.
"yeah...i was.
but, not enough to wish death on anybody."
Nicky frowned.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to-"
"don't worry, Nicky...it's alright."
Nicky smiled.
"so, what about YOU?
how'd you and PA become friends?"
Nicky blushed.
"it's...not something I like to dwell on.
before I met Pepper Ann, I was a..."different" person."
"HOW different?"
Nicky darted her eyes.
she then inhaled, and huffed deeply.
"I was...a BULLY."
Peter nearly choked at this.
"a bully!, YOU!
ha-ha!, that's funny."
Nicky glared at Peter.
(("oh great...The LOOK.")) thought Peter
"w-wait...your SERIOUS!"
Nicky nodded silently.
"so...like, how BAD were you?"
Nicky twiddled her fingers.
"well...you know Shelf McClain?"
"yoy mean the Biggest, Meanest bully at this school?
"yeah, him...I used to make him cry."
Peter looked stunned.
"no...way."
"WAY.
I was, as most people would put it, an "unholy terror"
HECK, I used to torment Milo almost Every-Single-Day!"
"and, meeting Pepper Ann is what made you NICE?"
"sort of..." began Nicky
"she helped my realise my bullying was out of stress.
Stress from Meassuring up to my "perfect" sister, and adapting to skipping a grade in school."
"wow...Nicky Little, a BULLY.
(light chuckle) you know, I NEVER would of guessed."
"it's not something I'm proud of." said Nicky with a frown
Peter nodded.
"okay...that's cool.
I won't bring it up, again."
Peter and Nicky soon exited the school building with the other students.
"so, Pete...since Pepper Ann is Goofing Off you wanna come to my house and study together?"
Peter paused.
though he LOVED the idea of spending more time with his friend.
he knew that Hammerhead was still out there...commiting crimes for this "Big Man"
he had to do the responsible thing.
and, unfortunently...that meant blowing off Nicky.
"Sorry, Nicky...I'd love to, you KNOW I would.
but, I have a job at the Gazette, and Aunt May needs the money to pay off the bills."
Nicky smiled.
"I understand.
at least YOUR spending your time doing something worth while."
Peter chuckled lightly at this.
(("if you only knew..."))
Peter quickly gave Nicky a hug...which she blushed at.
"thanks, Nicky...your a pal."
Peter then ran off, leaving Nicky alone.
"uhh...sure."
[Later, Somewhere In Town]
Spider-Man webzipped across town and landed on a water tower atop a rooftop he crouched onto it's spire and overlooked the "cityscape" of Hazelnut.
"man, I really feel like dirt for snubbing Nicky like that..." began Spidey, talking to himself
"afterall...with PA being a constant no-show for our "get togethers"
Nicky's the only one whose REALLY made me and Eddie feel at home here."
Peter sighed.
"well...I can't really talk.
I haven't been on time EITHER, but...at least "I" have an excuse."
Peter groaned.
"OHH!, what am I doing!
I should be focusing on finding Hammerhead, not fretting over my personal life-"
Suddenly, Spider-Man's "Spider Sense" went off.
seconds later, a loud explosion occoured from afar.
Spidey looked and saw smoke trailing from miles away.
"Hel-LO...what have we HERE?"
Spider-Man shot a webline, tugged it and propelled himself forward.
it wasn't long before he reached the source of the explosion.
"Hmm...GIFT SHOP.
noooot the first place I'd expect to find a gangster."
just then, the door was "kicked" off it's hinges, flying into the air.
a tall, dark figured emerged from the smoke and flames.
Spidey took a fighting stance.
"ALRIGHT, HAM-"
just then, Spider-Man saw who it was.
it WASN'T Hammerhead...but a man with short, white hair and Chalk White skin.
"HEY!, your not Hammerhead."
the pale-skinned man in the street clothes grinned, revealing teeth that where cut sharp.
"INDEED...I am not Hammerhead." said teh stranger, his voice DEEP amd BARATONED
"Then, who are you?"
the man smiled, then approached him.
"I have gone by MANY names...my favorite is TOMBSTONE."
"Tombstone?, w-what kinda name is to-GAAH!"
Tombstone suddenly rushed forward and grasped Spider-Man's neck.
he squeezed his throat with such pressure, that Spidey felt like he was in a vice.
Desperate for air, Spider-Man kicked Tombstone's chest rapidly.
he eventually let go of him and Spider leapt away from his attacker.
"Okay...you got a lucky shot in.
NOW, it's my turn..."
Spider-Man advanced and punched Tombstone in the jaw...and quickly jerked his hand in pain.
Tombstone's skin was TOUGH, punching him was like punching a brick wall.
"YOW!"
Tombstone snickered.
"not so EASY, is it?"
Tombstone then punched Spider-Man twice.
both blows were direct hits and felt like "tons of bricks"
Spidey fell on his back.
"ohhh...who-, what ARE you?"
Tombstone looked down at Spider-Man, a look of PURE EVIL on his face.
"one of the Big Man's top enforcers."
"i thought Hammerhead was-"
Tombstone suddenly stomped on Spidey's wrist.
"GAAH!"
"Hammerhead is just ONE of many...as am I."
Tombstone grinded his boot against Spider-Man's wrist, Spidey winced in pain.
"as to WHAT I am.
well, I am a freak...like YOU."
Peter narrowed his eyes from underneith his facemask.
"i'm NOTHING like you..."
Spidey quickly jerked his free hand up and fired some webbing in Tombstone's face.
Tombstone stepped back (freeing Spider-Man's wrist) and grasped at the sticky substance.
Spider-Man quickly got up and took a second to recover.
he then quickly webbed up his sore wrist, wrapping it like a CAST.
Tombstone eventually tore the webbing off, glaring at Spider-Man.
"okay, Tombie..."
Spider-Man quickly put his hands together and webbed up each of them.
he formed his hands into fists (now covered in webbing) and took a fighting stance.
"Round TWO...ding."
Spidey sprinted forward.
he punched at Tombstone...This time, he actually hurt him (and suffered minimum damage himself)
Tombstone stepped back, wiping some blood from his mouth.
"boxing gloves...CLEVER."
"I have my moments..." said Spider-Man, who clapped his webby fists together
Spider-Man then began to repetivly punch at Tombstone.
"so, tell me, Tombie...what with the Gift Shop!
I thought you "Big Time" bad guys robbed banks!"
Tombstone blocked Spider-Man and grinned.
"do you know how much money people will PAY for quality mechandise?"
"Uhh...I dunno, ALOT maybe?"
"MORE than you can imagine.
and, BESIDES...I was mostly trying to get your attention."
"well, consider it-"
suddenly, Spidey saw that his web gloves were torn apart...rendering them useless.
"(gulp) got."
Tombstone grinned evily.
he then grabbed Spider-Man's shirt.
"my turn."
Tombstone tossed Spider-Man towards the burning Gift Shop.
Spidey's body shot thru the window (breaking the glass on contact)
Tombstone heard him CRASH into something.
"HA! HA! HA!, Cooked Spider...Hmmmm, smells good." snickered Tombstone
Tombstone then saw a van pull up.
he smiled, then approached the terrified driver.
"get outta the car."
Spider-Man opened his eyes to find his vision clouded.
he soon focused and realised he was INSIDE the burning gift shop, flamings and smoke EVERYWHERE.
worse, yet...his Spider Sense kept going off.
"ah, crud."
Spider-Man quickly leaped away...just SECONDS before a burning wood beam fell onto him.
wanting to get out quick, Spidey shot two weblines out the window and tugged hard.
he propelled himself outside...and, just in the nick of time.
for he saw the inside of the shop collaspe onto itself.
"(COUGH!, COUGH!) man...I don't wanna go through THAT again."
Spider-Man looked up and saw a Van drive away at an incredible speed, narrowing running him over.
he managed to see Tombstone at the wheel...which explained why he tried to run him over.
"TOMBSTONE!, I GOTTA-"
"ohhhhh..."
Spider-Man looked and saw what looked like a woman laying on the ground.
it didn't take much to figure she must of been the previous owner of the van.
"Hold on, Lady!" said SPidey, running towards her
"I'M COM-(GASP!) no...it can't be."
Peter was in shock at who the woman was...
she has short, strawberry red hair olval glasses, a green tanktop and wearing a crystal around her neck.
it was Pepper Ann's AUNT JAINIE! (and, one of Aunt may's friend's)
"AUNT JAINIE!"
Jainie groaned in pain.
"p-peter?"
Peter saw a black eye (and, a cracked lens on her glasses) indicating Tombstone hit her.
even to SPIDER-MAN, Tombstone's blows were painful (and, he had Spider Strength protecting him)
so, he KNEW that an average, ordanary human like Aunt Jainie HAD to be in great pain.
Peter clenched his fist...feeling ANGER ebbing within him.
Jainie opened her eyes and looked up.
"s-spider-man?"
"Rest now, Aun-, I, uhh...mean, MA'AM."
Jainie groaned in pain.
"I...I c-came here, to buy a gift my my husband." began Jainie
"b-but, I saw the shop burning...
and, that HORRIBLE, white skinned man...he-OHHHHH!"
Peter narrowed his eyes in anger.
though he wanted to get Tombstone (NOW, more than ever)
he knew that Jainie wouldn't last long in HER condition without proper medical help.
Peter made up his mind: helping Jainie was MORE IMPORTANT than capturing Tombstone
"hold still...i'll get you to a hospital." said Spider-Man, who picked her up
Jainie groaned in pain...but, understood none-the-less.
"b-bless you, spider-man."
"just hold on to me."
Jainie tried her best to wrap her arm around Spider-Man's Neck.
Spidey then shot a webline and zipped through the air.
however, THIS TIME he stayed low to the ground and, went at a slower pace, so to not put any more added stress on the woman he considered "family"
"j-jainie..." said Jainie, finally
"huh?"
"my NAME...it's Jainie, JAINIE DIGGETEY.
my husband is Officer Jojo Diggetey of the Hazelnut Police Force."
"Well, uhh..."Ms. Jainie"
I'm going to try and get you to the hospital SOON, so just hang tight and be patient."
"I...will."
(("yeah...just hold on, Jainie.
I won't let Pepper Ann lose YOU, the same way I lost Uncle Ben."))
Spider-Man soon reached a hospital.
he landed near the enterance, then ran inside with Jainie.
one of the nurses inside was SHOCKED to see Spider-Man run with with a woman.
"GOOD LOR-"
"THIS WOMAN HAS BEEN CARJACKED!
she was injured and needs a doctor, NOW!"
the nurses quickly rolled a stretcher to them.
Spider-Man gently laid her down onto it.
"t-thank you...spider-man." said Jainie, her voice still low
"no problem...it's why I'm here."
Jainie smiled a WARM, GENTLE smile.
"I...always knew...you were a hero."
Peter's eyes wetted a bit (and, was GLAD his entire face was hidden behind his mask)
(("thanks, Aunt Jainie...that means ALOT."))
"Come on, Miss...let's get you to Doctor Warburton." said a nurse
as Jainie was rolled away, Spider-Man stood there a bit.
after minutes had past...Spider-Man clenched his fist, squeezing it.
"tombstone..."
Author Note: I further explain the difference between THIS version of Eddie Brock and previous ones
in that THIS Eddie may actually "like" Spider-Man, and his good friends with Peter Parker (so, what will hapen once he becomes VENOM!)
also, Peter's history with Pepper Ann is explored (and, he and Nicky bond a little more)
plus, Doctor Conners, Otto Octavius, OsCorp and Spider-Man's origin are referenced for all you Spidey Fans.
and, Pepper Ann makes a comment of wanting to win a Nobel Prize (something she constantly boasts about on the Cartoon)
the only action in THIS chapter is between Spidey and Tombstone (who is NOT the "Big Man", here)
and, some drama: Pepper Ann's Aunt Jainie is seriously hurt by everyone's LEAST favorite hitman: Tombstone.