Red Christmas Arc
Chapter 6: Wish You Were Here
Key: 'Words' = Peter 4th walling it
'Words' = Peter's thoughts (not 4th walling it)
- December 24th / 6:35 PM / Present -
Home of Pamela, Harleen, and Peter
Peter Parker stared in disbelief at the man on the second story. It felt like the weight of the world suddenly lifted off his shoulders, while at the same time someone decided now was a good opportunity to punt him in the gut with Pluto. Wanda was alive, and in this world. That fact alone filled him with an incredible amount of relief. Then the second fact, she was in trouble, twisted his stomach into tight knots. Never mind the slowly surfacing guilt, that he immediately shut away. He needed that now like the Joker laughing and revealing this was all some killing joke.
'Calm down Parker! Now is not the time to lose yourself. Wanda needs you.' Peter shook his head a bit, and then looks to Harley next to him. Sometime during his wandering mind phase she had moved to his left, and her free hand had gripped the cloth on his sweater arm. She looked worried and uncertain. Having Batman show up so suddenly, on what was supposed to be a happy night, and throwing that bombshell at them sidetracked the good time feeling she was having. Peter guessed it was probably being caught so unprepared that gave her the pensive expression right now. He doubted either of his roomies had been this unguarded whenever Bats showed up. Worry never felt right or looked right on her cherubic face. It was something Peter tried to avoid giving to her.
As Peter looked to his other roommate, he read an entirely different cover than Harls. Pamela was very much pissed, not annoyed, or aggravated, strait up pissed off. Her eyes reflected the desire to murder their uninvited guest. This was exactly what she had been trying to protect all this time, her and Harleen's safety and security. While not unexpected, considering prior happenings, Ivy was livid. Peter had only seen that look once before, and that night in Arkham was terrifying, in many ways. He could see her hands clenching, her knuckles turning a pale shade of green. His Spider-Sense was rumbling lightly in his head. Poison Ivy meant business, and he could easily guess the target of that transaction.
Peter took a step toward Pam, and carefully rested his hand on her shoulder. Isley started a bit, her focus so intent on Batman she forgot he and Harleen were there. Still tensed up, she turned her gaze to the man softly squeezing her shoulder. While Peter couldn't offer her his usual calming smile, his eyes reflected a plea for her to let go and calm down.
"Pam..." Peter asked gently, hoping to settle her nerves. "Please."
"Parker, this wasn't part of the agreement. He was to leave us alone!" Ivy practically growled at Spidey. His enhanced senses picked up the shuddering of all the plants in the living area. All the effort to look amazing tonight had suddenly gone to waste, marred by the look of burning hatred in her eyes. Peter could feel Harley's grip tighten on his shirt, as she flinched at the harsh words of her best friend. She quickly looked back up to the Dark Knight on the inside balcony. Batman had remained silent, obviously unperturbed by his former rouge's anger.
"I know, and I'm sure he knows too, but this is important. Please Pam, this is my friend he's talking about, I'm sure there is a good reason to show up unannounced." Peter coaxed, trying to settle his housemate's frayed nerves. He gave her shoulder another gentle squeeze. Ivy glared up at the silent caped covered statue that was Batman. The struggle to reign in her anger was evident, as she turned back to Peter and Harleen, and then closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly. When she opened her eyes again much of the fury was concealed, and she had calmed considerably.
"Parker, just get him out of here. I want him gone as soon as possible." A streak of malice crossed her eyes, as she side glanced back to Batman.
"Thank you Pam." Parker let out a mental sigh of relief. 'This could have gone south so fast. Thank you for having patience with me, Blossom.' Poison Ivy's rage was something no one ever wanted to be on the receiving end of. He knew from experience, and he was sure Batman had many times too. In fact Spidey was sure Batman had his hand on his utility belt before even coming in.
Taking his hand off Ivy and covering Harley's hand, Peter carefully rested her grip from his shirt sleeve. Concentrating for a second, his pants and t-shirt molded into his costume. "I hate to question your information skills, but are you sure it's Wanda?" Spidey asked as he slipped out of the sweater he had on, tossing it onto the back of the couch. 'Luckily I just got off patrol and still have my stuff on. Still, didn't expect to be suiting up so soon. Couldn't even wait till the first showing of the Grinch, could ya universe.'
"She matches your description, and we have a visual and auditory confirmation." Batman said short and sweet, still not moving from his spot near the railing.
"Visual and auditory?" 'That doesn't make sense. I avoided getting my mind scanned by J'onn, so as to not give up any information on the girls. How could they know it was her.' Peter reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his mask.
"I'll explain on the way. We have to leave now." Batman says an underlying tone of urgency in his voice. 'Oh, that's never good. Batman anxious, crap. Wanda what have you gotten into?'
"Alright, alright, keep your utility belt on." Spider-Man, mask covered, turned to Harley and Ivy, smiling apologetically. "Harls, Pam, I'm sorry, but I have to go. My fellow dimension hopper is in trouble. I hope you can forgive me." Harley returns the smile, while Pam, still annoyed, just nods her head.
"Ya just better be back for Christmas Day. If ya ain't I'm stealing all your presents, and Bats is getting a huge lump of flaming coal to the side of the head." Harley joked mischievously, crossing her arms over her festively dressed chest. 'That might be one of the reasons she was worried. Batman seeing her in that outfit was probably a bit of a shocker for both. I wanna believe she only intended that honor for me and Blossom. It's a nice thought.'
"I'll do my best, but you know Ebeneezer up there. He might just make me work Christmas Day." Spidey hooks a thumb up toward Batman, and Harley giggles. What got Peter was the red head's huff of a chuckle. Ivy had her fists on her hips, and tried to look like she hadn't just laughed at one of his bad puns. She shook her head as his wide white lenses looked toward her.
"Did you just..." He started to question, when he was interrupted by Pam.
"It was your imagination, Parker." A tiny smile graced her previously annoyed face, almost as if a switch was flipped suddenly. She stepped up to Spider-Man, and watched his left lens shrink as his right raised in question. In one quick move, he wasn't expecting, Poison Ivy wraps her arms loosely around his neck. "But this is for luck." Both Spidey's lens's went wide, as she pressed her self against him in a hug for a moment. 'DWAH! DWAH?! Whatever, I don't care, this is awesome.' His body tensed slightly, as the unexpected embrace shocked him stupid.
As she pulled back, Pamela made sure to linger her arms on his shoulders for a moment. "Be careful out there Parker, and you better come back to us safe and sound." She turned a hard stare up to Batman. "If anything happens to him, all truces are off and your life is mine." Her threat was crisp and clear, but seemed to just break against the rock that was Batman. 'FYI, my body might be shocked stupid, but my mind knows a serious threat when it hears it. And she is deadly serious right now. Aww Blossom, you do care.'
"That's right Batty Boy, if anythin' happens to our Petey, there's no cave deep 'nough to hide ya from us." Harleen added, pointing an accusing finger at the Caped Crusader, her eyes narrowed threateningly. 'She has the cutest scowl I've ever seen, I swear.'
"Thank you so much, you two. I mean it." Peter, coming out of his stupor, says with a warm happy masked smile. He looked between the two women, who gave him reassuring smiles.
"If you are done, we need to leave." Batman said in his gruff voice, unamused by the moment. 'Typical Bats, can't appreciate a Kodak Moment when there is one right in front of him. I'm kidding, but only a bit, I'm sure he appreciates plenty of moments, their just more the beaten bad guy at his feet.' He turned, his cape dramatically flying up around him, as he made his way back to the window.
"Be right there Bats." Spider-Man called up to the retreating hero. "Sorry to run ladies, but Merry Christmas again, and I'll see you soon." He was just about to make the leap to the second story, when he felt a small hand grab his arm. A quick glance her way, reveals Bubbles holding him in place with her left hand.
"I gotta go Harls, my friend is in trouble." Peter pleaded. He really didn't want to leave them like this, but Wanda needed him, and he would be damned before he let her down again.
"Not until I get that kiss." Harley dangles the mistletoe in front of Spider-Man's mask, and then tosses it to her best friend. Her hands fly up to his mask hem, and yank it up to just over his nose. Her hands then clap gently to either side of his head, and she pulls him down to her as she tiptoes up. Their lips press together hard, and she makes sure to hold them like that for a few seconds. If Peter was any less tense from the immediate problem with Wanda, he would have melted into Quinzel's kiss. 'Instead I just let her take the lead. I don't know about you, but I think this is one of those times you just let the lady take charge. Not like I'm gonna stop her. Would you?'
Not wanting to ruin the moment, but knowing he had to, Spider-Man pulls back a bit. Harley is reluctant to let him do so, but relents after a moment, and just smiles up to him as she lowers back into standing. She slides her hands down his cheeks, bringing his mask with her fingers and rolling it back down.
"Wow...thank you Harleen." Peter stutters out.
"Welcome. Now go be a hero." Harley Quinn says slightly out of breath, happily grinning.
"Right. Thanks you two." He said for the fourth time in five minutes. 'What? I'm a thanker. I'm also kinda insecure, but we won't go there. Back to saving that witchy woman.' Taking a few steps back, Spider-Man leaps off the ground and back flips effortlessly onto the second story. Giving the ladies a small wave goodbye, he goes to Batman's side. Giving the vigilante a silent nod, Batman hooks the climber mechanism to the tether rope outside the window, and reels himself up to the roof. Peter sticks his fingers to the window and closes it behind him, then he quickly scales the wall after the League founder.
"You shouldn't get to attached to them." Batman says matter-of-factly, as he's pulled up by the small apparatus.
"That's the last thing I wanna hear from a cat lover." Spider-Man counters in a slight annoyed tone, crawling along side him. Batman spared him a hard neutral look. 'Spidey ten, Batman not playing.'
"He's got you there Batman." A woman's voice called out from the nearing roof. Spidey looks up and sees a top hat and cascading curly black hair surrounding a pretty smirking face.
"Is that Zuzu?" Peter calls up redundantly, knowing exactly who it is. The woman's red lips curve into a full smile, at the nickname. She pulls back from the roof, as both Spider-Man and Batman come over the edge. The woman in the top hat and sexy little stage outfit, flourishes a bow, rolling the hat down her right arm, and into her hand.
"The one and only, Spider-Man." Zatanna says, bent at the hips slightly and looking up at him. 'Wow been a while since I've seen Zuzu. Wait, why is Zuzu here? She's certainly welcome to the shindig, she is a performer after all. Actually no, I just answered my own question. The best way to counter the voodoo that Wanda do is with a little of our own hocus pocus. I just hope that isn't the reason she's here. Please don't let it be the reason she's here.'
'Okay, it may not be the best time, but this is Zatanna Zatara. A reserve member of the Justice League, like me, Mistress of Magic, stage show arteest, a hugely successful author, and all around life of the party. Turns out she and Batman go way back, something about learning escape techniques from the same Houdini-like dude. Zuzu was born a Homo Magi, or in laymans terms, a human who can channel and use magic. She is a practitioner of Prestidigitation, yeah I didn't think it was an actual magic term either, Hypnosis, Occultism, and her own brand of magic Mnemonic Incantation. Micky's, as I like to call them, are spells said backwards. Its a complicated system as she needs to think on the fly and say words backwards, but whatever she says backwards happens. She says "Pots" and you stop, she says...um...whatever "Make me a sandwich" is backwards, and you're in the kitchen faster than you can say "Dnammod ym si hsiw ruoy".'
'Besides all that she has a great sense of humor, and is fun to hang around with. Actually she is kinda this world's Wanda, only minus a lot of the family problems and life drama. That's not to say she hasn't been through a lot herself, but by comparison to the Scarlet Witch, she's done a lot better. In fact I think in magical duel she'd give Witch a run for her money, Zuzu's that magically powerful and talented. Anyways...'
"It's good to see you again Zuzu." Spider-Man returns her gesture with one of his own, rolling his right arm in front of him, and bowing to her. Another woman steps into view, rolling her eyes at the two of them.
"A bit early to be taking a bow you two." Black Canary says impatiently. Her hands held her hips, as she looked at the two younger heroes with a small scowl. Peter looks up and his lenses lower apologetically, his left hand going to the back of his neck.
"Sorry/Sorry." Both bowing reserve Leaguers reply, and right themselves. Spidey looks back and forth between the two ladies on the roof, and tilts his head curiously.
"What is it now Parker?" Dinah asks, starting to grow annoyed.
"Um...do you two shop at the same place or something?" Spider-Man points a finger at the two of them, causing both to look at each others attire. 'I mean seriously, now that I see them side by side they have almost the same outfit.'
"Spider-Man now is not the time, this is an emergency." Batman finally speaks up, crossing his arms over his chest. His cape opens up a bit, and Peter immediately notices a lot more hanging off of his utility belt. 'Okay I was worried before, now I'm downright scared.' Spider-Man's posture grows a bit stiffer, deciding time was obviously a factor now.
"Alright, I can take the hint. What's happened to Wanda, and why didn't you just call my communicator?" Peter asks, looking at the suddenly very serious faces of the group.
"They're down throughout the entire League. A spell specifically targeting the Watchtower's functions, and by association all communicators, hit an hour ago." Batman states, bringing his communicator out, and hitting the com, only to receive static. Spidey, just to be sure, pulls his out of his belt and tries it to the same result.
"The spell was massive, intricate, and hidden well. I couldn't even feel the surge of power until it's launch. And by that time there wasn't anything we could do." Zatanna adds.
"They took down the entire League global network." Dinah says.
"Okay, that explains why you showed up here. Do we know who we are dealing with and why?" Spider-Man asks the group, as more and more concern builds in him.
"Klarion Bleak. He sent a message along with the spell, before shutting down the tower. J'onn contacted several of us, and relayed the message. Klarion's message said "On this most solemn holy night, I Klarion have decided to bring the gift of chaos to the world. I invite both the just and wrong to come together for this exchange. My latest acquisition, the beautiful Scarlet Witch, will be providing the entertainment. It'll be a night to remember, I guarantee you that. See you at the party."." Batman recited word for word, making Spider-Man tensed visibly. 'I don't know who this Klarion guy is, but using Wanda has put him on my shit list. The poor woman has been used so much already, can't she just find some measure peace? Yeah, I'm going to make sure she does. I'll make sure she has some peace, at least in this world.' Peter thinks, his fists tightening, the sound of fabric pulling brings the others attention to him.
"Who's this humbug Klarion, and where is he? This is one party I plan on crashing." Spidey said humorlessly in a darker tone, something that both women on the roof noticed. Humor and stupid jokes were his thing, over the year he'd been here almost everyone knew Spider-Man as a pun factory, an annoying pun factory, but almost always in humor. This was new, and unsettling to them. Dinah and Zatanna share a careful look.
"Klarion is sorcerer and necromancer, as well as an agent of chaos. He's basically the antithesis to Dr. Fate. While he's not inherently evil, he finds chaos to be entertaining, and looks for ways to bring it about. He's been quiet as of late..." Batman started.
"Until he found one of the most powerful Chaos magic conduits of my dimension. I imagine that's a snack way to tempting to pass up." Parker interrupted, turning from the group to look out over Gotham Harbor. Snow was gently falling around them now, and the silent night atmosphere didn't help his disposition.
"Zatanna is going to transport us to his location. Superman, Wonder Woman, and several others headed there already, but we needed to pick you up first." Batman continued after a moment.
"Thanks for that Batman. I know you want me there for reasons other than a friendly face, but still...thanks." Peter said turning back to the group, he paused for a second remembering something. "Can we stop by Gotham PD's roof first?"
"Why?" Canary asks out of sheer curiosity.
"I need to get Bats his Christmas presents." Spider-Man said cheerily, pointing to the Dark Knight with his right thumb. The blond was about to dispute his request, but he beat her to it. "Trust me they might come in handy."
"Fine, but we're leaving now." Bats said slightly impatient.
"Okay everybody huddle up." Zatanna says, and she closes her eyes in concentration. The three other heroes move in close. "Ot mahtog dp foor." Raising her arms out wide, there was a brief flicker of light, and then POMF. All that was left of the group was a plume of smoke in the night sky.
POMF
Reappearing a moment later in a puff of smoke, they found themselves on top of the police department. Spidey waved some smoke away from his face, before focusing on Siggy. 'Yup, still there. Good.' A quick web shot and yank, and the bag of Spidarangs was in his right hand. He turned to Batman, and smiling offered the bag to him with both hands.
"Merry Christmas Batman." Batman hesitantly took the bag in one hand, and opened it up. He pulled out one of the Spidarangs, and scrutinized it carefully. The look in his eyes, indicated an irked question about what the hell he was holding. 'I hope he doesn't sue me for copyright infringement. Can he do that?'
"What is that?" Zatanna asked, leaning forward to examine the spider shaped throwing device. "Is that a...spider Batarang? It's so cute." She plucked it from Bats's finger, and examined it with Dinah off to the side.
"It's a Spidarang. The short and sweet of it is, throw it at anything you want to not move for a long while." Peter summarized, seeing the short look the gift's recipient was giving him. 'Should I push...this is THE Batman. He's not a girl...I'm pretty damn sure...yeah I'm going for it.' "So what did you get me?" He asks enthusiastically, smiling widely under his mask to the taller man.
The narrowed eyes, and the silent tuck away of the gift sent a shiver down Spider-Man's spine. 'Brrr...that's cold Bats. Still a waaay better reaction than expected.' "Right! Damsel to rescue. Tally ho and such!" Peter cheered nervously, earning a set of giggles from the women. They readied themselves for the next transport.
"Ot noiralK kaelB!" Zatara's voice rang out mystically, before another POMF sounded and smoke replaced them.
- December 24th / 11:42 PM (Time Zone Change) / Present -
Wiltshire, England
POMF
"WHAT THE...?!" Spider-Man shouts out, as the group is expelled from their transport nearly ninety feet in the air. Taking a moment to orient himself, he quickly looks to the ground. First and foremost there is a humongous dome of silverish and streaking pink energy off a ways, next he notices the incredibly battle scarred land around them. Craters, fires, long divots of upturned ground, and all manner of energy beam, missile, projectile, and streaks of crimson below them. Then he heard shouting next to him, even over the multitude of zips and zaps sounding below them.
"ZATANNA! WAKE UP!" Black Canary's voice echoes, as Spidey turns his attention to his left. The four are falling, and one is unconscious. Plummeting toward the earth below was probably nothing for any of them, especially Batman and himself, but a knocked out magician certainly made things more urgent. Zatanna's body was limp and streams of smoke were coming off of her. 'That's not good. That's never good!'
"Zuzu! Batman grab Canary, I got Zatanna!" Parker shouted, seeing Batman falling closer to Dinah. With no further words, both men went into action. Spider-Man launched a web line to Zatanna's black jacket, and pulled her to him. Holding her safely in his arm, he quickly looked around them for something to web zip and slow their descent. The ground around them was flat and barren of tall objects. SPIDER-SENSE! His sixth sense was thrumming in his skull the moment they were forced from the transport, but it blared like a train horn, shouting at him to DODGE! Spidey's body reacted on instinct, and he pulled his precious cargo tightly against him, before rolling his falling body to the right. A black muscular body punched past where the two just were, blurred by the speed at which he flew. Spider-Man's enhanced senses saw the person who nearly Shoryuken'ed them, Black Adam. 'Perfect!'
The Amazing Spider-Man relinquished his right hand around his passenger, aiming up at the u-turning villain. Before Adam could react he felt a tug on his left leg. The webbing connected, with them not more than twenty feet from the ground. Peter immediately went into an arcing swing, letting more of the web out of his shooter.
"Thanks for the leg up Adam!" Spider-Man shouts, cutting his line ten feet from the ground, just as Black Adam yanks at the webbing. Flipping one in the air, the vigilante lands safely on the snow covered knoll below. SPIDER-SENSE! Turning his wide lenses up, he spots the baddie rocketing down toward him. 'Crap, crap, crap, crap!' Parker's body was already ready to launch him and Zatanna backward, when a streak of red and blue came out of nowhere and socked Adam. The major villain was gone from the spot in a the blink of an eye. Another half second later he collided into the silver pink dome, bouncing off of it with a resounding THRUM.
"Merry X-mas Supes! Thanks for ringing his bell." Spider-Man shouts up Superman, who was floating where Adam just was.
"Glad you could join us. Is she alright?" Superman said, turning around mid air to make sure they had a moment of safety.
"I don't know, I hope so." Parker looked down at the woman in his arms, she was a bit scuffed with black marks, and her clothing was a bit crispy, but she was breathing, and had no visible threatening injuries.
"Flash!" Superman called out, and in a second the red streak Peter saw earlier came to an abrupt stop next to his otherworld friend. Peter turned to him, and nodded to the authentic battle damaged speedster. Superman didn't stick around, but nodded to them and flew off into the fray once again.
"Bout time Spider, I was about to come get you myself." Wally chided with a smirk. He looked a bit worn out, and Peter could only imagine what was happening here in the last hour or so.
"Sorry, Bats held me up with his incessant talking. What's the skinny, abridged version please." Peter asked, looking over the war zone.
"Okay, the Witch Kid is holed up in that huge magical dome, he's got your girl in there, and she seems to be feeding him power. Several big bads are here to help him, we don't know why, but we have Luthor, Grundy, Wizard, Felix Faust, Killer Frost, Deathstroke, and you already met Adam. Aside from that we have a bunch of lackeys courtesy of Vandal Savage." Flash explained fast, but Spider-Man got all of it.
"I don't know some of them, but sounds like we're in a pickle. Who's on our team?" Flash darted his gaze around them, keeping an eye out for imminent threats. Obviously he was in a rush. 'But when isn't he?' Spidey's danger sensewas humming from all around him, but nothing alarming was coming at them immediately.
"Supes, W.W., Arrow, Fate, me, and now you four...err three. Lantern is off world, but J'onn said he's on his way. With communications down we are kinda limited, but Cyborg is working on it. Though if what the kid in the bubble said is true, we are on a time limit of midnight." Wally said, and, SPIDER-SENSE! Spider-Man grabs the Flash's head and quickly ducked the two of them to the ground. A high caliber bullet barley misses their heads, and Spidey turns towards the bullet's trajectory.
"Flash, I need you to get her out of here and somewhere safe. I'm gonna find who shot that and give them some Christmas cheer."
"Gotcha." Spider-Man handed the unconscious woman over to the red clad hero, who was gone in a 'Well...flash.' SPIDER-SENSE! Peter dove forward into a controlled roll, dodging another high powered round. Now he knew where it was coming from. Since the field around them was incredibly flat, he spotted a tiny, but bright red light off in the distance. Whoever was shooting was there, and starting to move. Spidey's lenses narrowed, and with a quick intake of air he charged forward.
'Well here's something I rarely find myself doing...' SPIDER-SENSE! Spider-Man shifts his shoulders back and right, missing another shot. '...hoofing it. I much prefer to travel the Webline Express, but...' SPIDER-SENSE! Lunging forward, he tucks into a roll and out in a second, barely losing momentum, avoiding another bullet. '...there isn't anything to swing with, and a whole lot of ground to...' Jumping into the air Peter spins, launching several impact webs at armored goons closing in from both sides. At the same time he narrowly avoids another bullet, which whizzes inches above his chest. Each ball smacks a goon's head, knocking them to the ground and sticking them there. '...STOP DOING THAT! I'm trying to internally monolog here! Wait...is that?'
The rifleman comes into view and is none other than Deadshot. Deadshot drops his sniper rifle and pulls two sub machine guns from his side holsters, he levels them at his closing target, and lets loose a hail of gunfire. Spidey is still to far off to get an accurate shot with his webbing, especially now that he's zigzagging through bullets, while strafing the moving mercenary. Spider-Man's incredible speed quickly closes the gap, as Flashy drops his now empty guns, and reaches for the AR-15 with a grenade launcher slung on his back.
"Musta been one hell of a red eye flight to get you here this time of night. I mean seriously, your eye is practically glowing." Spider-Man jokes, as he jukes left avoiding the first burst of gunfire from the weapon. 'Just a few more yards.'
"Well worth it now that I can put a bullet into your skull, bug!" Deadshot shouted switching his gun to full auto, and skidding to a stop on the snow covered knoll. Taking aim at the incredibly fast hero.
"Oh Rudolf with your eye so bright, wont you guide my sleigh tonight?" Spidey recited sing song, as he circled the villain, drawing closer. The inhuman dodges Peter pulls off would have deterred any marksman without the element of surprise, but Deadshot had a reputation to uphold. 'Wow he's pissed. Wonder how livid he'd get if he knew I was Tenebrae, too?' Flashy snarled at the constant misses and jokes at his expense.
"That's it!" The mercenary cocks back the loader on the grenade launcher, and fires. SPIDER-SENSE! Spider-Man's white eyes shrink into tear shapes, as he jumps into the air right at the time of impact in front of him. Chunks of exploded earth obscure Deadshot's vision momentarily, then a glob of white comes out of nowhere, and smacks itself over his red oculus, wrenching his head back.
"Look I hit the bullseye, what's my prize!" Peter shouts triumphantly. The Web Slinging hero lands in a crouch several feet in front of the grenade crater, his right hand thrown up behind him.
"YOU MUTHER 'Bleep', PIECE OF 'Bleeped'!" 'Language buddy. Geeze, it's Christmas Eve for goodness sake.' The angered man grabs his mask with his free hand, while firing randomly in Spidey's general direction with the other, and rips it off. The man under the mask, had a chiseled jaw, many worry lines, a slightly receding hairline, and sandy brown hair. Spider-Man had closed a significant distance, but the random shots kept him ducking to and fro.
"Gotta say I totally expected a Phantom of the Opera face under the mask. No piggy nose, I'm disappointed." Spider-Man mocked. SPIDER-SENSE! Another grenade was loaded, and Peter was just coming out of a hard skid. 'Crap.'
"...ine, mine, mine, mine, Mine, MINE, MINE!" A red blur went past, and suddenly Deadshot wasn't holding a gun at all. His eyes were saucers, and his arms were inexplicably flopping to his left side. 'HA! I get that reference! Actually, I think I was the one that showed it to him. Good show Wally.'
"Awwwee. Blinky you shouldn't have. Now I have to get you something. Any ideas Spider?" The Flash stood about five feet from a beguiled mercenary, looking over the weapon fondly. Deadshot just turned his head to see the speedster, when another voice brought him wheeling back around to his original target.
"Yeah, a black eye to go with his red one. Merry Christmas, Blinky!" A gloved fist obscured the man's vision, followed by a loud smack, and then a roll on the knoll into sweet unconsciousness. Peter and Wally watched the supposed expert marksman tumble heels over head, and then into a face down flop on the ground.
"Nice one." Flash commends, before quickly disassembling the gun, and letting the pieces fall to the ground. Spidey leaps over to Deadshot and webs him up good and tight. As he's doing this the speedster quickly takes out a bunch of closing in henchies, giving the two a little space to work with. Flash appears next to Spider-Man, and looks off toward the magical dome.
"Yeah, and thanks for the speedy assistance." Spider-Man stands strait and follows Flash's gaze, assessing the battle around them. As he scans the horizon, he spots Superman in an aerial dog fight with Black Adam and Luthor, Wonder Woman currently tangling with Deathstroke, Wizard and Faust spell slinging against Green Arrow and Batman, and Black Canary dodging Grundy with Killer Frost about to jump in. Dr. Fate was in the far back, working some magic against Klarion's barrier. Pressing his right index finger against the side of his right lens, a digital clock appeared on the inside of the lens indicating 11:47 PM. 'We need to stop whatever is gonna happen at midnight, but...'
"Songbird is in trouble, can you get me to *SPIDER-SENSE* herrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaahhhhhh!" Spider-Man's voice carries over through the war zone, as Flash wrapped his arm around his midsection, and took off toward Dinah. "I...hate...when...you...do...this!" His warbled voice shouted over the rushing wind, gunfire, and explosions. At least his enhanced sense kept up with the targets drawing closer. Killer Frost is just about to swipe a wave of frozen death at the preoccupied and oblivious Black Canary and Solomon Grundy.
Killer Frost's long, down to her knees, length shining blue hair, whips up around in front of her, at the sudden gust of wind that blows past her, breaking her deadly smile and concentration. She is in her rather open light blue halter top-like costume, which stops just above the stomach, same colored elbow sleeve gloves, light blue low rider spandex pants, and black shin length boots. Her baby blue eyes widen in surprise.
"This is my stop!" Spidey says, barely audible, but Flash's arm releases him. Swinging his legs out in front of him, his body glided over the ground below for a few feet past the pale white skinned woman. Frost turns her head in slow motion, toward him, watching the Flash dart past her. Reaching behind him 'Or in this case, above me.' Spider-Man launches a web line from both wrists, which connects to the frosted ground behind him, on either side of her, and he grabs them hard. The lines pull taut, and his arm muscles flex. The springy gossamer recoils taking him with it. Spidey tucks his legs in and flips his body up and backward, thrusting out his feet first once again.
'And that's the realization face that this is gonna hurt.' Frost quickly reels her arms out of it's swipe and into an upward punch. A wall of ice starts to build in front of her, but not quick enough.
"Polar Express! Coming through!" CRUNCH! Spider-Man's double kick easily breaks through the hastily created ice wall, shattering it, and driving his heels into her sternum. 'Dang ice took the brunt of my momentum.' Cutting the lines, and pushing off of the woman at the moment of impact, both flew backward. Spider-Man front flips, and lands on all fours in his usual crouch. Killer Frost, while winded, was able to keep herself upright. She swung arms down behind her mid flight, launching strong gusts of cryokinetic energy to stop her safely, and launch herself into the air. There she quickly wraps her pained sternum in her left arm, and aims her right hand toward the hero.
"That almost hurt a lot, Cuddle Bug. Allow me to return the favor." She shouted before releasing a blast of freezing wind toward him. 'Oh yeah. I'm pretty sure she was hitting on me last time we met, wasn't she. What's with me and bad girls? Why can't I ever attract a heroine?'
SPIDER-SENSE! A quick glance back and Spidey sees the villainess flinging icy doom down upon him. His senses go into bullet time, as his mind looks back into what he knows about Killer Frost. 'It's atmospheric molecular manipulation, or cryokinesis. She's not actually generating the ice herself so much as creating a super chilled wind to solidify the molecules in the air. In the winter her ability amplifies in both speed and density. She takes in heat to strengthen herself, so can't get close. Best to go long distance for this snowball fight.' Sparing a glance to the time in his right lens, it reads 11:48 PM. 'Gotta take her out quick.' Peter's body reacts on it's own, as his mind goes over this, and he leaps forward. The spot behind him erupts into a small spire of sharp frozen ice spikes. Rolling into a kneel, our hero turned his upper body toward her.
"She's Mrs. White Christmas. She's Mrs. Snow." Spider-Man chants melodically, and thrusts his devils horns at her. The web ball from his left shooter hits it's target, sticking her left arm to her body, and incapacitating one conduction instrument. The right web shot was a line to her right leg. Before she could react to her trapped arm, she was swung toward her undead accomplice. Peter quickly spun his torso back around, whipping the beautiful ice mistress from the air to the lumbering zombie man.
"Whatever I touch, turns to snow in my clutch." Killer Frost sings along, as she swipes her right hand at the web on her leg. The web line freezes instantly, shattering like glass, as does the webbing trapping her left arm. Another swish of her right arm in a downward arc, creates a half pipe slide of ice before she hits Grundy, and she expertly slides down it to the ground safely.
"I love that you know my favorite song, Cuddle Bug. It make playing in the snow with you so much more enjoyable." Louise smirks, outstretching both arms out in front of her. Suddenly the air in front of her was littered with hundreds of pointy ice shards.
"You always did have the most fun snowball fights KF, but I'm kinda on a deadline and can't. Rain check?" Spider-Man quickly covers his masked ears with his hands, making Killer Frost quirk an eyebrow in confusion.
"Wha...Oof!" The large body of Solomon Grundy bumped into her petite frame, pushing her forward. Annoyed she turns to glare up at him.
"Grundy you undead behemoth, I am..." And her eyes go wide, her mouth frozen in place. She sees Flash holding the goliath in place with vortexes from his spinning arms, then spots Black Canary with her head drawn back and a puffed out chest. Fear in her eyes, her gaze return to Spidey.
"Sorry, but Merry Christmas." Peter shouts to her, before every sound was drowned out by Dinah's Canary Cry. The cry hit a staggering Grundy from five feet away, and enraptured the two villains. The lumbering zombie slammed backward into Frost, and both flew toward Spider-Man. His eyes went wide, just before Flash almost literally plucked him from his spot. The next thing Peter realized, was he was standing behind Screaming Mimi with Wally. Both baddies were a good distance away in a heap of heavy walker and down and out ice maiden.
"I always knew you had what it takes for the opera, BC." Spidey jokes, as he pretends to clear out his left ear with his left pinky.
"That won't keep either of them down for long. We need to get to the barrier and your friend Spider-Man." Dinah says before letting out a long breath. She turns back to him, and nods towards the barrier. A sudden throom runs over the battle, rocking the ground the fought on. The pulse of energy had emitted from the half dome of magic. In that moment Peter's Spider-Sense went up two decibels in his head.
"Oh...that is really not good." The time on his lens read 11:51 PM. "Crap! We have nine minutes till midnight. Whatever that Klarion guy has planned is going off then." Spider-Man looks quickly over the area again. The fighting was still mostly between the combatants he saw earlier, except Batman and Arrow were down to one spell caster, as Wizard was encased in an almost fully body web prison, knocked unconscious, with a glue arrow plastered over his mouth. 'I knew he'd like his presents.' Spidey smiled under his mask.
The group was about to take off toward Klarion and Wanda, when another pulse of overwhelming power surged from the shield. The earth trembled more, making Flash and Dinah have to balance themselves. Peter caught Dinah's arm before she wobbled to much, considering he had no problem standing upright.
"That really isn't good. That must be some heavy duty magic Klarion is playing with." Wally stated, uncertainty beginning to show on his face. 'You guys have no idea...OH CRAP!'
"Flash I need you to get us there now. He's tapping into Wanda's Chaos Magic. I haven't felt it at this level since she and Hope bent the Phoenix Force out of my reality." Spider-Man said his voice serious, and even a bit shaky. The two with him cautiously glanced at him. Spider-Man being serious means the situation is serious.
"Phoenix Force...that sounds nasty, and very bad news for us." Wally said offhandedly, and Spidey quickly stared at him with wide lenses.
"You have no idea. Let's go!" Flash nodded, and in an instant had both Spider-Man and Black Canary held around the midsection with his arms.
"Hang on!" The world around them literally became a blur of a white green, and flashes of all sorts of colors. Peter focused on the brilliant barrier in front of them, in just a moment SPIDER-SENSE!
"FLASH STO..." Peter shouts, and Flash looks up. Two things happened in the space of those words. A stray body collides into the ground in front of them, exploding the rolling slope into a large crater. Flash made an incredible ninety degree turn to the right, then the second event happens. As the speedster makes the turn a white light erupts in front of them. The next thing any of them realize is the Flash is sliding uncontrolled over an instantaneous ice rink. Both his passengers jar forward and fly out of his grip, and both are sent into the air.
Spider-Man's senses slow everything down. SPIDER-SENSE! SPIDER-SENSE! SPIDER-SENSE! Behind his mask Peter's eyes catch both his friends in imminent danger, and a third just about to be. Canary was thrown high into the air along with him to his right, and was in an uncontrolled fall. The Flash is sliding along some sort of ice patch, and unable to get his balance, quite literally spinning out of control toward Deathstroke. The killer had three small round metal objects in his left hand, and was ready to throw them at Wally. Spidey even caught the sight of ebony hair around a statuesque face pushing herself off the ground in the center of the new hole. A human sized bullet wearing black and gold descending upon Diana, roaring a battle cry.
'Spider reflexes don't fail me now! WW and the cyclops first!' In what could only be described as a spectacular feat of agility and inhuman reflexes Spider-Man went into action. Tucking his legs up toward his chest, he rolled into an upside down ball, and stretched out his arms toward both targets, left toward the crater and right toward the assassin. Three fast clicks came from his right web shooter, and one from his left. The three webs each hit their target, and attached to each small ball, as they left Deathstroke's hand. Being closer they connected first. While still upside down Spidey threw the right gossamer's toward his left strand, and cut the line. As he did that his left web line attached to it's destination. 'Gotcha Starry Butt.' The webbing glued to her rising back, and Peter pulled with most of his might, which wasn't much considering he wasn't anchored, but enough to pull her from the hole in the ground.
His right arm muscles bulged from under his suit, several veins actually showing themselves. A dazed and surprised Wonder Woman passed three small white covered objects as she was pulled into the air. Spider-Man's flight was halted abruptly when he yanked her from her spot. He cut her line, knowing she would be fine, but grinned in satisfaction as the black and gold rocket that was Black Adam free falling feet first toward her, met Deathstroke's little surprises. With no time to watch the fireworks, Spider-Man went to saving the Bird of Prey and his speedy buddy. 'That's okay...' Having centripetal force on his side from saving W.W., he spun into an upright position and steadied himself into his trademarked Spider-Man leap pose. Behind him an incredible explosion occurred, drowning the cold night sky out in a brilliant display of heat and red and orange. Spider-Man's visage is amplified by the fiery blast. '...cause badasses always look away from explosions.'
In front of him Canary was nearing the bone shattering ground at near break neck speeds. Without hesitating he releases two strands and at bullet speeds, the lines attach to each of her shoulders. Spidey continues the spray and presses his wrists together, connecting the two lines, and creating a solid wide net at the end. About fifteen feet from the ground, Black Canary is suddenly slowed by a makeshift parachute, enough for her to balance herself and ready for the touchdown.
After the parachute was complete Spidey was already descending toward the ground, and focused on Deathstroke, who was now staring up at him. His first two rescues took place in the matter of seconds of each other. It took that time for the master assassin to locate the vigilante. Widening his arms Spider-Man launches two tethering lines on each side of Ol' One Eye. Pulling the lines hard he propels himself headfirst toward Deathstroke, his hands going to his sides. He reaches into his belt as he plummets. The man below pulls out a side arm, and levels it at the falling arachnid. Both fire at the same time, Peter throwing a small white capsule and Slade letting loose three bullets in rapid succession. SPIDER-SENSE! The objects pass midway, three bullets on separate sides of capsule. Both combatants' enhanced senses and reflexes kicking in.
Slade brings his left arm up, a short sword in reverse grip, to parry the small object. The sharp blade edge cuts into the tiny projectile. An explosion of sticky white engulfs him, the web cartridge's entire contents plastering his whole body in steel strength webbing.
Spider-Man sees the bullets coming, and they should be an easy dodge. His throwing arm aims off to the right further SPIDER-SENSE! His sixth sense screams at him, drowning his escape plan out. Another throom booms from the magic barrier, the resulting shock wave of power smacks into him in the air, unbalancing him. Peter's senses scream, but not more than his left bicep and side, when two bullets rip into him. The bullet in his arm makes a clean exit, but leaves him with a hole there. The torso bullet cuts into his side near his left pectoral, but grazes off of a rib leaving a flesh wound.
"RAHHHH!" Peter howls in pain through gritted teeth. His Spider-Sense continues to blare, warning him that he is still in free fall. The ground comes up faster than he would like, but Spider-Man has plenty of experience with these falls, and at the last second he tucks into a roll, using his right shoulder. One full roll, and Spidey sticks himself to the ground in a left knee kneel. 'OWWW...OWWW...OWWW! FREAKING STUPID MAGIC BUBBLE THING!'
"Spidey you okay?!" Canary shouts as she runs up to him, and taking a knee next to him, examining his bleeding wounds. It obvious, even under the mask, he is practically grinding his teeth together. She had lost her jacket, considering she probably couldn't cut his webbing.
"No worries..." He sucks in a pained breath. "...just a scratch. Nothing I haven't felt before. I can walk it off. I'm fine, how are you?" Spidey tries to joke poorly, as a rush of wind hits them, revealing Wally now in front of him looking just as worried.
"Man you got shot, I don't see..." Flash began, and was cut off when Spider-Man stood up abruptly.
"I'm not the one who needs help the most right now guys. We need to help Wanda, or her powers may end up changing this reality as we know it." Peter growled seriously. He webs his arm and side with his right shooter. His companions' concern is obvious, but they both keep quiet. They have been in situations like this many times over, and know trying to stop Spider-Man right now would not work.
"Right that thing. Yeah I like my current reality, so lets keep it that way." Wally jests with an awkward smile. Spidey rolls his injured arm a few times, testing it. Wincing, which is shown by his lenses mimicking his eyes, he find he has decent control, but the pain will certainly be a constant.
'Eleven fifty five. Five minutes. That's all that's left, crap.' SPIDER-SENSE! 'Double crap!'
"RRRRAAAAHHHHH!" The three heroes spin on a dime, hearing Black Adam roaring toward them. Blowing away the smoke surrounding him, as he hurtles through the air at them. His outfit is damaged, skin burned, streaming smoke rolling off of him, and rather rage fueled.
Spider-Man wraps his arms around Canary quickly, and dives to the side. Wally stands his ground, and begins to vibrate his arms. From nowhere Adam is clocked in the jaw from his left, burying him into the ground twenty feet away. Wonder Woman straitens up, hovering where the magically empowered villain just was. She wrings out her right hand with a few shakes, and turns to Spider-Man and the other Leaguers.
"My thanks to you, Spider-Man. Allow me to deal with Adam, hurry time is short." Diana says forming a solid fist with her hand again, and allowing a brief smile to her allies.
"Anytime WW. Flash, let's go." Flash quickly scoops up the two, and they are nothing but a blur a moment later. The Themyscirian Princess simply nods and takes the golden lasso from her belt, before engaging in battle again.
Little stood in their way this time, of which did Flash simply avoided. The majority of the big bads were incapacitated, and only the strongest were still kicking.
In what was quite literally a few moments the trio were now next to the barrier, standing underneath a floating Dr. Fate. A golden energy orb surrounded the good doctor, which directly channeled his balanced will via beam into the much more imposing silver/pink barrier of the Witch Boy's. Behind his back a large Ankh symbol floated and shined. At the point the agent of the Lords of Order's magical beam was clashing with the chaos barrier, brilliant tendrils of many colors attacked each other, showers of bright sparks exploded at random intervals, and literally hundreds of spell rings formed along both the beam and point of impact. It seemed to Spidey that Nobu was straining, and having one of the most powerful good sorcerers struggle against anything is bad news.
If Peter was in a less hurried disposition he was sure he would have taken the time to marvel at the most confusing and annoying power he knew of. 'I don't understand magic, nor do I care to. It's all blinding flashes, wingardium leviosa's, and lots and lots of hurt if used right, or wrong. So to sum up, not a fan. Pretty though.' After unsticking himself from Wally, Peter immediately ran to the enemy dome. Inside he finally realized why this place seemed oddly familiar. Completely inside the magical shield was one of the eight wonders of the world, Stonehenge. 'Makes sense, and that's coming from a science geek. Even I know that Stonehenge has, and is, associated with the supernatural. Something about spiritual foci, ley lines, and battles between purple dinosaurs and big monkeys. Hey, I occasionally don't pretend to listen to Doc Strange's lectures on the magic powers that be.'
Knowing better than to simply touch the barrier, Spider-Man directs his sight to the exact middle of the ruins. There she is, Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, both his friend and fellow strandee. She was in her hero outfit, long red cape, one piece crimson swimsuit type body suit, but minus her red tiara head piece. She is on her knees, black shadowy chains holding her in place. The signature pink energy she emits was streaming off of her up to the other being, and from him into the magical field between them. What wrenched Peter's heart was the defeated glazed stare she had, as her power was being used as a fuel source. 'It really is you Wanda. Oh thank you Galactus, she's alive and here. I'm so sorry Wanda...please, just hold on! I'll save you!' His masked eyes shot to the person responsible for her current state, the Witch Boy Klarion. A brief pause was brought to Peter's anger, seeing a young, sickly blueish pale, wisp of a teenager, which quickly returned catching the Cheshire grin on his face.
Klarion Bleak is a lanky, black eyed, goth looking teen, with a pale blue complexion. Wearing pilgrim style clothing, with black slicked back and curly horned hair, and has elf ears. Around his shoulder rested a well fed looking, orange striped tabby cat, who looked just as content as it's owner. If it wasn't for the small black lipped smirk of victory and stream of pink energy, Spidey wouldn't have pegged this kid could lift his cat, none the less create such a disastrous scenario.
Klarion's gaze went from his eternal rival Nabu, down to the red and blue costumed hero next to his spell. The boy tilted his head slightly with a pondering expression at this person. Then it apparently dawned on him who this flashily dressed man was, and his grin grew toothy. Peter felt his fists tighten painfully. 'Whoever you are kid, if you hurt Wanda...' Spidey's lenses narrowed into thin dangerous slits.
When he turned back to the assembled heroes he fiercely called out to Dr. Fate, making Wally and Dinah pause again to stare at him. "Fate, what's taking so long?! Aren't you supposed to be one of the strongest sorcerers on the planet? Why haven't you broken through this barrier yet?! What's the hold up?!" Spider-Man glared at Fate, getting very little expression back. The time behind his lens read 11:57 PM. Wally was about to try calming his friend when the layered voice of the spirit Nabu and Dr. Fate spoke up.
"This magic...this magic is alien to me, to us. No such form of chaos have I encountered in my existence. I am having incredible difficulties unweaving this barrier. The sheer irregularity of this power astounds and confuses my attempts to balance it. I have footholds in place, yet I need a distraction, something to split the focus against my efforts." Fate spoke in an unhurried, but tensed voice. Peter couldn't begin to understand the power the sorcerer was working with, but he understood what the man/spirit meant by unknown chaos. 'Wanda's magic would be unknown to him because she comes from a different dimension, a whole different set of rules and magics. Of course he wouldn't know it. Her mutant heritage is probably running interference too. But if we just need to split the shield's focus...'
"Flash! Canary! We..." Spider-Man shouted.
"Already on it, Spidey!" Flash called back, and spun his arms in front of him until red whirlwinds shot forth slamming into the barrier. Sparks and magic circles formed at the impact point. Off to the red quickster's right side about twenty feet Spidey saw Black Canary inhale deeply, and then release her sonic scream against the field. Again spell rings and a rain of sparks erupted from the collision point.
Spider-Man watched the heroes pour everything they had against the barrier, and he felt almost useless in this situation. All he had was his fists, his strength, and what could it do right now? 'Why am I so helpless at this moment? Dammit!'
"I feel the barrier's attention waning. We need to split the focus just a bit more, put everything you have into it." Fate's ethereal voice called out to them. The Ankh behind the golden orb grew in size and luminosity as he pushed forth more power. Flash increased the speed of his arms, making the tornadoes larger, covering more of the shaking barrier. Black Canary stopped her cry for a few moments, catching her breath and then taking in more air, and releasing a louder scream.
"No! I don't care anymore! I won't be useless in saving her!" Spider-Man let out roar of anger, and turned to the barrier, throwing a full force right strait punch into the shield. It felt like punching a really angry Hulk. There was absolutely no give, and the recoil shook his bones. "I will save you Wanda!" Peter yelled as he threw his left against the magic construct. 'I won't fail her again! I won't let her be alone in this world any longer! I will save you!' Peter inner voice rose above his painfully screaming Spider-Sense. SPIDER-SENSE! SPIDER-SENSE! SPIDER-SENSE! SPIDER-SENSE! SPIDER-SENSE! SPIDER-SENSE! It begged him to listen, but he was having none of it's doubt right now. He didn't care what danger was coming at him. This barrier was going down. If his bones broke, if his muscles tore, if his heart stopped, it would be worth it to protect her.
"RRRRRAAAAAAHHHHH!" Spider-Man's punches were just blurs of speed. Each impact covered him in sparks, each hit thrummed dully against the dome, and each strike shook his being, but he pushed forward to save Wanda. The hole in his arm wholly forgotten, even as the gossamer covering it was completely stained red and leaking. His side flesh wound was also bleeding through its webbing.
He started pulling back bloodied fists, his skin torn, the impact resistant material shredded under the constant pressure. His suit couldn't reform around his hands fast enough to stop the naked punches from damaging him. Now Peter's determined shouts were laced with pain. SPIDER-SENSE!
Another pulse of power emanated from the shield, and Spider-Man was struck full force at point blank range. Thank to the minute warning, he released a roar of defiance, and stuck himself to the ground for all he was worth. It felt like a tidal wave had run him over, yet he held fast. His muscles groaned, arms throbbing and almost numb. Spider-Man started to feel the blood loss affect him, his vision blurring slightly. He refused to turn from the barrier until it was destroyed, and didn't know how his companions fared. His breathing increased becoming louder, more forceful. Sliding his right leg back, and fastening to the earth, he got into a fighting stance that centered around putting all his power into the right arm.
"AHHHH!" Parker shouted and threw his right fist forward with everything he had. The fist froze a few inches from its target as a figure appeared right on the other side of the dome.
Klarion stared up at the taller man, a morbid curiosity in in his black eyes. Spider-Man's lenses were wide for a moment, then sharpened dangerously. The Witch Boy smirked wider, and the cat on his shoulder yawned, carefree.
"You must be the Spider-Man. Our dear Crimson Witch had hoped you were here. The last shred of her world, her sanity. That which she clung to so desperately. If not for your web strand of hope, she would have submitted so easily. But, the greater challenge comes from those with that last bit of hope. It makes me absolutely giddy to know you are here, fighting for..." The blue boy turned slightly, and waved a hand gesture to broken Wanda. His voice was slightly warbled by the magic between them. "...her." Peter's jaw clenched so tight he thought he might chip a tooth.
"Let. Wanda. Go." Spider-Man muttered quietly. His dark tone was so uncharacteristic, but right now all he wanted to to punch this kid's lights out. Klarion just turned his head back to the Wall Crawler, that snide, smug little smile on his face again.
"Not yet. She has yet to give the world it's holy night gift, nor mine. Just a minute more. Sixty small ticks of time, and my wonderful holiday shall begin. I'm so utterly excited, aren't you? You must be, you are shaking." Klarion taunted, absentmindedly scratching his cat under its jaw.
Peter was shaking, shaking with rage. The taunts, his trademark, his thing, being thrown back at him. It had happened before, he usually didn't mind, unless another life was so immediately in danger. A person he swore to find, to protect, merely a stones throw from him, and he was powerless. His fist trembled, the suit finally being able to cover his injured fists.
"It is done!" Fate's voice echoed over the two, his Ankh erupted in light, and the beam attacking the barrier spread, completely engulfing it. Klarion and Spider-Man both shot wide eyes to the agent of order. The yellow light cracked the shield, then shattered it like a glass bowl, the shards falling to the ground, and dissolving into dust motes. All fighting stopped on the battlefield, all eyes turned to the spectacle.
Before Bleak could think of looking away from his arch rival, Spider-Man's cocked fist thrust forward. The cat hissed loudly, fur standing on end. Spider-Man's punch met another barrier, inches from Klarion's face. Sparks ignited, and a spell circle expanded under the connecting point. White lenses impossibly wide on his mask, as he pushed even more force into the failed punch, willing desperately to puncture the tiny magic shield.
Klarion's eyes slowly came to a rest on Spidey's masked face, his grin even more victorious and insolent. The world around the two of them went silent, it was just the Spider and Witch Boy. Fear and fury clashing against elation and mockery. "Merry Christmas, Spider-Man." Klarion said ever so politely. Peter felt an overwhelming dread fill him entirely.
11:59. . . . 12:00
The clock turned to the promised time, and Klarion shot his arms out wide in a grand gesture, as if a conductor signaling the crescendo. "Welcome to the my new world of chaos!" He shouted to the heavens.
The Scarlet Witch's eyes shot open, her body threw itself back, only being held up by the shadow chains. The streaming pink energy off of her became a geyser, stretching toward the heavens. Tears streaming down her face, which had morphed into a silent scream. SPIDER SENSE! 'No...'
"WANDA!"
Wanda's scream stopped, her eyes burning with her power, evaporating her tears. She looked directly into Peter's eyes before muttering...
"No More Superheroes."
CHAPTER 6 END
A/N: It's way late, and I have no excuse but life intervening, but I finally finished it. Here is the first chapter of the Red Christmas Arc. I really hoped you like it. It took me some time to work everything out, but I hope the fight scenes and explanations were good enough to follow. If you are wondering why only Spidey's fights were written, it's because this is his story, and he wouldn't know what was going on aside from what happens to him. As a reminder this Arc is totally in present time, so if you are confused at the lack of character backgrounds, he doesn't have time to do them in the midst of battle. He can do them in backstory because, well he's narrating it. Just in case you were unsure. I'd like to clear a bit of the air about Catwoman and her relationship with Spidey. The two of them are friends and allies, nothing more. Catwoman is naturally flirty, and she likes to tease, so obviously she is going to pick on Peter.
Thank you to everyone who liked, faved, followed, read my story. I shall now announce the results of the poll I set up months ago. "Who do you think Peter should end up with romantically in "P,P,&H"?". A whopping 74% of you voted for the Harem route, 14% for Poison Ivy, 7% Harley Quinn, 3% Scarlet Witch, and 2% Other. 89 total votes. Like I said last chapter I wanted to see what my fans wanted to see in my story. I'm pretty sure we got a rather overwhelming answer, however...this doesn't mean it'll turn out that way, but you never know. Yeah I'm a tease. Thank you all for your votes. And I hope you look forward to the next chapter...cause it's coming soon.
~ Wiggles
lostsoldierS636: Of course he will, but this story is here to show that progression.
TheWickedTruth89: Wait over.
Guest 1: Only a bit, Harley made sure she got what she wanted. As for Bats, well time will tell.
BemmyBean: I wouldn't call it love yet. Attraction certainly, but love is probably a ways off if it happens. As for the attraction, it's still to be explained. There is a reason for the back and forth looks at Pam's opinion toward Pete. Trails and tribulations will be had, and trust must be earned. All of which will be explained further into the story. Thanks for reading.
Psudocode Samurai: I know, I actually felt bad writing it, but there is a reason for everything I do. Trust me.
Uchiha Rai: Well then you will be with us a while my friend.
SONGUE: You got my vote! Thank you very much. I hope to continue to impress.
Devil Rebel: I know, but the unknown and surprise is a dangerous thing even to those who pride themselves in expecting everything. I hope you liked the rest of Batman's visit to the Siren's nest.
Arrow783: Why thank you, I really do try to get into Peter's head. I cannot guarantee the pairing just yet, but they certainly will have plenty of development to come.
EternityDragon2610: Good questions. I suggest a reread of the previous chapters for hints, or simply say time will tell. Thanks for reading.
A-BOMBLIKEABOSS: Jackass moment? I thought he was getting plenty of those already, lol. No worries, good things are to come.
The New Creed: I know, RIGHT!? Batman has terrible timing, or he just makes sure he does. Glad you liked Tenebrae, I really wanted him to be good. I imagine getting Ivy to the point of actual attraction to any man is well beyond difficult, and trust me I'm writing this story so I'm imagining it now. Her budding feelings are going to be tested, because if there is one thing Wanda brings to the table it's chaos. Thanks for reading, and it wasn't gay at all.
FrivolousThoughts: Why thank you Friv. I'm always happy to know I impressed you. This chapter may not have had much Wanda in it, as hinted previously, but the next chapter is gonna be chalked full of our favorite Witch. Hope you liked it.
Chaos-Guard: It certainly does, it certainly does.
Powerpunk: Well as much drama as Selina would add, I believe some things should be left alone. Besides I like her dynamic with Bats, and that adds a mutual understanding between him and Spidey.
SomeGuy300: That is some Mary Poppins word you pulled there buddy. Glad to hook you, even if it makes you speak in tongues. Lol.
Jwizzle: I wouldn't say wrong, flattering certainly, but mostly a bit creepy. Still thank you for your kind words. I hope to keep...ummm...exciting you with my chapters. Okay that came out wrong...
Guest 2: Close, very close Guest 2. You had the main villain down, but the situation was different. Still kudos to you. Glad you like my stuff, thanks for reading.
Book-AddictFF: Uh uh uhh, no spoilers yet my friend. All will be revealed in due time.
auron187: Well I hope this chapter got you excited too. And thanks for your input on the poll. Yeah I had no real intention of ever getting him with Selina, beyond friends and teasing. And you are not alone, a good portion of readers want a harem, welcome to the club.
FateBurn: Thank you, and I hoped it was.
Piterio: So happy you enjoy my story. Now I can answer these questions without spoiling anything. He knows their identities because he's had a year to gain their trust, and you know Peter, he's a goofball, but a loveable and goodhearted goofball. He still doesn't know everyone, but DC has a lot more alias less heroes than Marvel it seems. The second is that this adventure happens after the events of Spider Island so he does have it back.
Furrubell: Here it is ;)
GroveWolf: Well if I just threw everything out in the open it wouldn't be a compelling read in my opinion. The flashbacks are linear, and in chronological order, if that helps. Peter's overlaying dialog is to help explain things, and to set stuff up for future chapters. Hope that helps, thanks for reading.
RebukeX7: Hey everybody it's Rebuke! Hey man glad to know I can get to you just as much as you get to me. And thank you for the praise, coming from such a talented writer it means a lot. Hope I didn't disappoint with this chapter. CLIFFHANGER!
Blizzardfang: Well here's another slice of that Peter goodness.
sly bandit: Awesome, I have a follower. Mwahahaha, soon I can rule the world! Kidding, but many thanks for the flattering review. That is something I pride my writing style on is detail, the little things add much needed depth to stories, and fights are my specialty in that area. Sorry to make you wait, but here you are.
berserkerbeast: Keeping it up BB.
Bigby the Big Bad Wolf: I can understand your point of view. So I shall throw a spoil your way. There will be a confrontation between the two of them, several actually. Just be patient.
Paperman0: Why thank you Paperman. Boy that must have been one long breath. Your praise is welcomed, but lets not give me to big a head just yet, there is still plenty more to come. And just for you, I shall add in a confrontation about the poker game. Thanks.
OpenSourceArtist: Hey OSA! Long time no chat, how are things going for you? I hope well. So happy to hear you like my story, and I'm trying to make the back and forth easier to read as time goes on. I can tell you the flashbacks will be linear, so there will be no jumping time. Sorry to make you wait for the new chapter, here it is.
JC: Gadgets for Harley...hmmm now there is an idea. I may just use it, thanks JC.
ThatFailGuy: I like your name, and wait no longer.
A: Thanks, and apologies for the wait. It will be interesting to say the least.
Rubellite Game: Kept it rolling.
. : Thanks ^-^ here's more.
ehoule99: I would never give up on my story without good reason. Especially one I have so much fun writing. No worries my friend there are plenty of you in that boat. Even I like the idea.
Python of fire: I'm pretty much any of us woulda done the same.
Angel of Atonement: Oh stop, you're making me blush. Still I'm glad you enjoy my work, it really pushes me to write better when I get reviews like yours. So actually gushing reviews, especially well written reviews, like yours help me out. Thanks for the props AoA. Hope this chapter didn't disappoint.
MF 22: Maybe, but Peter is always holding back. It's rare to see him completely let go, it's just who he is. As for the Pheremones, sure he has experienced them, and his body fighting it off quickly is an indication, but he's still effected by them until then. I know this isn't the same Spidey, but then again he was in a much different position back then. He's in a completely different world, has nothing to return to, no familiarity around him, and doesn't know who the good or bad guys are. If anyone was thrown into this situation I feel they would end the same, even someone as strong as Peter. That aside, I hope you liked this chapter.
A 2: Is this the same A? Of course I will.
DannyPhantom619: Thank you.
Tarl Zaralka: Language, please. Lol. Thank you for the praise. I hope you'll find the continuation of the story just as good.
Anonymous: That is your opinion, I'm actually a CarolxPeter shipper, but that's aside the point. Of course Pete is comic relief, he is in his own comic books after all. Ivy's situation was quite different than most of the times he's been captured though. As for the Bat family, if they aren't going in to strait up attack him, then his Spider-Sense wouldn't go off. It's a danger sense after all. Anyways, glad you like the story either way.
Nerfherder69: My nerfherder, glad I could catch you by surprise. Hope you like the result so far.
qdon: Well he was actually about to kiss Harley, but just you wait it'll get much better than that.
MeleeSmasher: It does, it totally does. And here's more. Enjoy.