[CARNAGE] ARC
CHAPTER 18
Goblin Season! Spider Season!
You pack up your costume and webshooters in your bag before heading upstairs, coughing some to make your throat sound rougher. You pass by your Aunt May.
"I don't feel great, I'm going to bed, night Aunt May."
She looks at you before nodding. "Get a good night's sleep, dear. If you aren't feeling well in the morning, just let me know, alright?"
You give her a nod before you head upstairs and into your room, locking the door. You turn off your light and sit there in the darkness waiting until your phone makes a noise. Checking it, you see that it's a text from Felicia.
There's an address and a time- two hours from now and its far enough away that you can sneak out with plenty of time.
You wait until you hear your aunt and uncle go to sleep and you hear your Uncle Ben's snoring before you do anything. Opening your window, you look around before popping out the screen and heading out the window, making sure the coast is clear.
With your costume in a small bag, you quickly rush a fair distance from your house, keeping to the dark and out of sight. When you're far enough away, you pause. There's still a bit of distance to the location indicated, but it would be faster to go by webs than by foot.
You quickly go into an alley and climb to a small ledge where you quickly change into your costume, leaving your clothes in the bag webbed up.. From there, its simply a matter of being aware- making up for your lack of hearing with your vision and spider-sense.
It's unnerving, not being able to hear. The sounds of the city are blocked from you as you navigate by web slinging. You don't make a mistake, but you're more tense and vigilant than normal. Thank god for your Spider Sense being able to notice things like ill intent, or the Hobgoblin would have easy pickings.
Still, just about on time you arrive near the location Felicia sent in her text to you. There's no sign of the Hobgoblin…
You quietly sneak to a building. There's a clearing between several abandoned buildings and you hide in the remains of one of the buildings that looks the safest and least damaged. Seems like there was a fire here not too long ago by how freshly abandoned these places look.
Sadly, as this suit is meant for agility there were no pockets on it- you'd need some sort of belt right now- so you don't have your phone or anything else. Another costume with pockets intentionally put in might be necessary.
Still, that's not important right now. You keep an eye out and hide as you see a figure swoop down, landing on a different building top, looking around. Seems like it's the Hobgoblin- but that's not all. There's helicopters here now- seems like police or news helicopters thanks to the searchlights. That means there's also probably police on the ground, too…
The Hobgoblin waves to them as he continues to look around- probably for you.
You sneak out the back of the building and try to circle around. However, with your ears covered and your Spider-sense buzzing up a storm from the surrounding parties its hard to tell how much noise you're making. With a quick potion, your connected and use a parabolic arc, the fulcrum centered on the building between yours and Hobgoblin's to swing over there.
You move to approach behind Hobgoblin, but the light from one of the spotters starts to focus on you! As you move to grab him, your spider-sense flares as he leans away, grabs your arm and flings you down into the center of this burnt-out cul-de-sac. You manage to shoot two webs to slow you down, so you land with a flip in the center of the street unharmed.
Above you, the Hobgoblin extends his arms dramatically.
"Spider-man, we meet again! That's a rather poor look for you. Still, I suppose its natural you wear the colors of a coward, considering how you tried to sneakily take me out!"
He jumps, a flame extending out of his back as he lands with a flap of his 'wings' with a dramatic bow.
"Still, though, you're a thorn in my side, I have more important business than you now! Let this be OUR FINAL BATTLE!"
He then doubles over holding his waist, laughing, he looks up at you- and while you feel some pressure, you're unharmed. There's a look of shock, that turns to amusement as the Hobgoblin shrugs, seemingly sighing. You keep an eye on the police around you. Seems like they aren't doing anything- yet.
The hobgoblin stands across from you, waiting for you to make the first move, a grin on his face.
You throw a web at Hobgoblin's feet, but he jumps to dodge out of the way. Perfect. Extending a webline you use it to pull yourself under him as he's airborne and web up his jetpack's thrusters, rather thoroughly. As he lands, you see him looking furious, but you're too busy-
You feel your spider-sense flare, three times as you quickly dodge out of the way, seeing bullets fly past you, but not hearing them as you look at the cops, their guns extended and aimed at the both of you. Your spider-sense flares as you turn around and see Hobgoblin slash a searing blade across your chest!
As you jump back, falling to a knee, you grab at your chest. Damn it! That's right, the jerk doesn't NEED to dodge, he's wearing experimental Kevlar materials, he can just take the hits!
You clutch at your chest, the wound left a nice long cut across you, but it also cauterised the wound! You can still fight, but this hurts too damn much!
The hobgoblin twirls his two swords as you see him take shots from the police without a care in the world. In fact, he seems to be enjoying himself!
"I hope you know I'm going to make you pay for what you did to my flight pack, Spider-man. I'll carve out your pound of flesh. I'm going to make sure people remember what I do to you- so that they remember what happens to those who cross the Hobgoblin!"
He pauses before a scowl twists over his face.
"Well? SAY SOMETHING, DAMN YOU!"
You can't hear what he's saying as a dark look crosses his face as he clutches his two short swords.
"Very well, you'll die, without having uttered a word."
You dodge out of the way, wary of the Hobgoblin's blades. However, as you do so, you notice the police aiming at you more than at the Hobgoblin- seems like they're aware their attacks aren't doing anything. But, you manage to masterfully dodge them as you work through the pain of your wound.
You think you might've gotten an opening and try to snag the Hobgoblin, but he's wise to your tricks now and tumbles out of the way. As he does, you notice the red flames and glow of his swords die out. Seems like he can't dodge and attack with them, huh?
Still, it only takes a second for them to super-heat once again. The police fire again but you dodge them easily. You're wise to their game now, and it isn't hard to keep them in view with your spider sense aiding you.
If only you could get those swords away from the hobgoblin…
You focus on the idea of disarming the Hobgoblin. If he has to deactivate his blades to dodge, then…
You move to try to web Hobgoblin, but he doesn't see through your bluff as he moves to dodge. He's found completely flatfooted as you web both swords and, anchoring yourself pull on them, sending them flying out of the cul-de-sac and into one of the abandoned buildings.
The hobgoblin probably snarls at you as you dodge backwards out of the range of one of his pumpkin shaped bombs. However, he seems to be focused on something else- drawing you attention. The police helicopters, which were upon you both are now circling along the buildings, looking for something.
There's a few police still watching you, but several are moving, pulling back as they seems to be looking around with what looks like an ambulance pulling up. The hobgoblin looks bemused as you refocus on him as he points at where his satchels with the pumpkin bombs were and where they are now- tossed to the sides near the police. You see one of the pumpkin bombs roll out, a light flashing in its 'face' as your spider-sense tingles- they're obviously going to go!
Right near them you see Eddie Brock- a look of horror on his face as his camera drops.
The Hobgoblin then begins running in the opposite direction. Fast. Laughing. At least from what you can tell.
Your eyes widen as you take in the scene. There's no time for thinking, only action!
You jump over to the satchels and gather them all up- the police already beginning to flee- but they're too slow, they wouldn't get away in time. You gather the last pumpkin bomb and seal them away in webbing before throwing it into the center of the cul-de-sac and begin applying more webbing.
You apply a bit more before they detonate- the explosion somewhat muffled by your webbing. There's debris scattering from the blown up road, but you've already grabbed Eddie and pulled him down behind a police car- the police doing likewise.
When the smoke clears, it seems like nobody was hurt. The cops are watching you warily as you see one of them seeming like he's quietly telling you something- gesturing away from this place. A few other cops nod in agreement as they all resume their posture from hiding from the debris.
Seems like they're giving you a way out.
The police are giving you a chance to leave- so you damn well better take it. The Hobgoblin has lost his swords and his jetpack is out of commission for a little while. It might be better to hunt him, but then again you aren't in the greatest shape yourself.
You nod and websling through nearby building- keeping an eye out for any swords as you do so- but even though this is probably the one they flew into, there's no sign of them.
Great.
You continue out in a hurry, keeping to the shadows and focus on getting away. It doesn't take long before the scene of the fight is a good distance away and you can return to your clothes and get out of this sweat-box of an outfit- it really isn't helping that your chest still burns terribly from the wound on it.
When you arrive at the alley where you clothes are, you change in silence except for your shirt- you examine your wound. It doesn't seem to be bleeding, but it looks pretty nasty.
You sigh and turn on your phone. There's been several missed calls, all by Felicia. You dial her number and hit 'call.'
"Peter?! Are you alright?!"
You grin weakly at her voice. "Yeah, I'm alright. But I took a pretty nasty hit. Mind if I come over?"
There's silence. "Are you sure you're alright?"
You glance down at your chest. "Well, probably. I'll be over soon."
You pack away your costume and hit the ground, shirt and coat both on. It takes you a little while as you keep out of the streets and trouble, but you eventually reach Felicia's house. You knock on the door and she pulls you in, with a serious look on her face, with her eyes rather red, as she looks you over.
"It was on the news, you and Hobgoblin's fights. I can't believe they shot at you, I'm so sorry, I should have found a better way to get his attention!"
You grin weakly. "Well, I'm not sure that any way of calling that guy's attention wouldn't end like that. Seems like he wanted a show. Things got pretty nasty there, though."
Felicia nods. "…yeah. But first, let's get you taken care of."
You nod and pull of your shirt, revealing the wound. Felicia looks it over, her hand hovering above it a distraught look on her face. The wound looks worse in the light. The flesh is burned and blistered and the cut- while cauterized - looks really nasty.
"I think I might have to call a doctor, Peter."
You grimace at your wound. It's pretty bad, but…
"I don't like the idea of doing that. Is there any other way?"
Felicia stares at your chest before shaking her head. "No, not really. If it was less… bad looking I might be able to do something, but I'm surprised your ribs aren't broken, Peter! That -needs- to be treated. And besides, I know a discrete doctor- how do you think I get my disguises' medical histories verified?"
She stares at you pleadingly.
You nod, wincing at the wound. "Alright, fine, but I'll wear my mask and gloves."
Felicia shakes her head. "Honestly, if this is someone I trust enough, it shouldn't be necessary, but if you insist…"
She steps out of the room, grabbing her phone. A few minutes later, she walks back in, holding a mask. It looks like your Red one, but it seems thinner. There's a few marks here and there- seems like it isn't the finished product- but there's still lenses.
"I've been playing with a few ideas, so I made this mask. It'll probably be more useful considering that you can't hear in the other one."
You nod and give her a smile. "Felicia… thanks. I'd give you a hug but…"
You gesture towards your chest. Felicia looks at it and nods before picking up her computer looking for something, she bites her lip before closing the computer.
"Something wrong?"
She hesitates before shaking her head. "It can wait."
You grab your gloves from the anti-shock wave costume and put on your mask when you hear a car pull up and someone knocks on the door minutes later. Felicia open the door as a large black man walks in- he's rather tired looking but gives Felicia a warm smile. "Felicia, good to see you."
She nods, giving him a hug. "Elias… you've looked better."
He nods before seeing you, his posture straightening as there's a serious look on his face. "I need to look at that wound immediately."
The door is already shut so he grabs his medical bag and heads on over, looking at your chest. "I don't know or care who you are- I'm doing this as a favor. What caused this wound?"
"A superheated short sword."
The man grimaces and asks you a few other questions before getting to work- he gives you something for the pain but you keep awake as he does his work- treating and closing the wound as best as he can.
When he's finished, he gives you a very serious look. "That wound was very nasty- you're lucky it wasn't anything overly lethal- seems like you're made of pretty stern stuff. Still, it'll take some time to heal. I want to check on you at least once a week."
He sets down some pills and points at them. "That's for pain, and that one's antibiotics to prevent infection. It's taped shut for now, but you need to be careful not to agitate it or get the wound wet. If it starts to look infected, have Felicia call me immediately."
With that, the man nods at Felicia and leaves, leaving the two of you alone.
"So ,what was bothering you earlier?"
Felicia starts and glances over at her computer before sighing and nodding. "About earlier, there wasn't just you and the Hobgoblin there… it seems like there was someone else there."
"Someone else?"
She nods, a look of disgust on her face. "Apparently it was 'Spider-man's biggest fan.' Who killed five police and got away without being caught."
You think back at the disorganization of the police- the ambulance's arrival- and the searchlights looking for someone. There had been someone else…
"It's my fault- had I not used such a public way of getting the Hobgoblin's attention, that maniac might not have shown up."
Felicia grimaces and looks away. "This is my fault."
You feel rather woozy, the painkillers are kicking in, but-
You shake your head. Things are getting fuzzy, but you have to hold on for a few minutes more.
"No it isn't, Felicia. That guy's a madman…. That serial killer is trying to stir up attention. There was no way to know he wouldn't show up."
You wrap your arms around her and give her a reassuring hug as she relaxes into it. "I'm going to catch this guy- they're calling him the MAXIMUM CARNAGE serial killer, Peter. What he does, it disgusts me. Can I count on your help?"
You try to think about it, but you're on sleep's threshold and you're out like a light in her warm embrace.
END of [CARNAGE] ARC
Next:
[CARNAGE RISING]ARC
To Be Continued...
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