Note: Here's a new lovely chapter for you lovely folks, enjoy!

[Peter Parker Quest]

CHAPTER 59

Confrontation

George Washington Bridge

In a show or novel, when a dramatic confrontation is happening- when two people who should stand as allies face each other down…

You always remember it raining in those stories.

The sky is free of all clouds, just a black curtain illuminated by countless lights.

But you never dreamed of being on a grand stage or fighting battles. All you'd ever wanted to do was curl up with a book and read- expanding your horizons and learning. In those first weeks when you with Aunt May and Uncle Ben, all you did was read. Barely eating, you refused to talk and continued to just read. Like it was some bad dream.

And this- this feels like a bad dream. Staring down the Ghost Rider- who claims to be on your side- and almost prototype of the Agent Venom- Flash Thompson you saw die in front of your eyes. Who came to you for help. Furthermore, all of this additional stress and problems…

The two of them are staring each other down- The Ghost Rider with her skull-like visage coated in azure flames. Venom, whose appearance is quietly growing more monstrous…

The two are tensed- ready to strike at each other. Waiting for the other to make the first move.

Stepping between the two of them, you raise your hands. "Okay, look. There's no need for fighting here. We should all get along and talk out whatever problems there seems to be-"

The first to respond is Venom, who seems to be receptive to your words. "Look Spidey, I want to man. Its just not all of the partnership here's on the same page and its getting a bit hard to keep the peace."

Ghost Rider's flame-like pupil seem to narrow and brighten as she steps forward. A normal, metal chain unwinding from her wrist as it starts to light up with the same azure flames. "Then I'll simply just remove the parasite from the host."

The inhuman part of Venom reacts as about as poorly as you expect. "Hey- wait- no. No-"

Tentacles emerge from its form as muscles begin to rapidly expand and a large, monstrous jaw takes its place on Venom's face. What once looks like a man looks is rapidly turning into a hulking beast.

The tension rising and combat seeming inevitable, you clench your fists, trying to calculate on what to do- what would be the best solution. Coming up with nothing, you find yourself stressed and at the end of the rope.

Trying to get their attention, you put all the strength you can into your leg and lift it. Beyond any amount of effort you've put into a blow before, you reach into that reservoir of strength you've always refused to tap, afraid what you might do unbound.

And you slam your foot down.

The concrete crumbles beneath your foot into rubble at the top of the bridge's concrete cracks as you feel the platform you're on shake. The two pause- shaken by the phenomenon. You've already acted, though, as you hit them with stands of webbing and pull- easily changing your grasp from the webbing to their collars- or what counts for it for Venom.

"ENOUGH."

Your voice- equal parts furious, disappointed, and bone-tired booms at them as they seem to glare at you with in human gazes. You stare back at them from behind your lenses with an unyielding glare and stare them down. Slowly, the flames die down to reveal a girl in her late teens and Venom recedes to resemble a costume once more.

The two seem to glare at each other momentarily before you lower your gaze again and the self-proclaimed Rock looks away. Venom, on the other hand rubs at the back of his head. "…Sorry, Spidey…"

Clearing his throat the human half of Venom reluctantly continues. "…Thanks."

You seem to have control of the conversation right now, it seems.

Venom almost seems to be off-kilter by the form of the person he was about to face off with as he tries to get back on topic. "Ah, yeah, well I was gonna ask you how you do this stuff, Spidey. I- I kinda just thought you were some normal dude, but you're like Captain America but real, aren't you?"

"I… guess?"

Looking down at his hands, you see Venoms palms curl into fists as he stands up. "Then… Spidey…"

He seems indecisive for a moment before nodding his head to himself. "Then I'll be your Bucky, Man. I've got your back."

You swallow as you remember the fate of Sgt. Barnes- the only person part of the 'Howling Commandos' other than Captain America to not return as you mind unconsciously recalls the fate of one Flash Thompson you witnessed. "I refuse."

"But Spidey, you can't do it alone. New York is too big for you, and even then you'll fight someone else you can't beat. Even if… Even if I can only help you a little, it's better than doing nothing! So, either you let me help you, or I'm gonna help you regardless!"

Venom is watching you anxiously as you notice the Ghost Rider is staring almost curiously in your direction.

You want to dismiss him. But just telling him no might make him do something reckless on his own. And, honestly, you don't like the idea of a sidekick. You remember reading the death of Jason Todd and the death of Bucky. Yeah, no. You don't need a sidekick.

Letting out a sigh, you look at Venom who seems to be waiting anxiously. Crossing your arms, you tilt your head to the side. "There's no dissuading you then?"

Venom's goggles lock on to your lenses and he nods minutely. Rubbing the bridge of your nose, you turn your back to him and take a stern posture and look at the water far beneath. "Barnes never made it back, according to the serials. As it is, I don't need a sidekick, Venom."

Turning back, you see Venom looking disappointed before you drop the act. "I don't need a sidekick but.. I could use a partner."

Extending a hand towards Venom, you see his head snap up. "Really?"

"Really."

Shaking his hand, you can see that its hard for him to keep composed. Venom clears his throat as you list off the number of your 'Spider-man' phone number. Seeing him pull out a cellphone- disposable- he types is in before sending you a message to confirm. Looking at the phone Venom pauses. "This is a lot to take in Spidey, but when I hear anything I'll keep you in the loop, so keep in contact. It's kinda late, man, but is it alright to leave you alone here with miss Skeletor?"

The Ghost Rider almost seems offended as you nod at Venom. "I'm sure I'll be fine." Your voice is filled humor as you nod at the giant crater on the top of the building. "Uh, yeah. Guess you will be. So, yeah. Keep in touch man!"

Jogging towards the edge, Venom jumps as you hear webbing his the structure moments later- along with loud cheering that echoes into the night ass you barely make out the figure of Venom web slinging away.

"Excitable one, isn't he?"

The Ghost Rider- Rock, you suppose- steps up nest to you, watching him swing off. Seconds later, you withdraw your fist after lightly grinding your fist into her head as she grabs at it. "What was that all about?!"

"That's my question, isn't it?" Staring at her, she looks away and crosses her arms. "He started it."

Moments later, she clears her throat, looking proud of herself. Pulling out a piece of paper, there's three names scribbled on there.

L. Thompson Lincoln

Fredrick Foswell

Roderick Kingsley

Justin Hammer

-Obidiah Stane-

Wilson Fisk

Bolivar Trask

Looking at the note next to Stane's name- you can see that there's a dismissal due to the fact that the individual is dead. Glancing over at her, her eyes literally seem to light up. "I've compiled a list of Kingpin candidates for your search from sources."

Looking at the list, you stare at her. "And those sources being?"

Her eyes unnaturally glowing, she stoically stares back at you. "Classified."

Groaning, you look back at the list again, reading the names. "And how certain are you?"

"I bet my sources' lives on it." There's a weight to those words that you want to question, but she's already dived off the side of the top of the bridge towards the water- hellish flames re-igniting themselves as her form splashes into the water.

"What kind of monster did I unleash, exactly?"

Looking at the time, you reluctantly concede to following that investigation up another time. You still need to get back home, at any rate. It doesn't take too horribly long before you find yourself back in bed- the house unaware of your leaving or arrival.

The morning comes too soon after a night's rest.

Calling up Doctor Spyral, the two of you head into work and finish up the miniaturization of the battery- now about the size of a C battery- give or take a little- you and the doctor test it out before calling Miss Potts. Presenting her the battery, there's an almost sense of disbelief in her face before you show her the test logs- data- and proof. Normally this progress would be almost unheard of, but between two geniuses and the resources of Stark Industries…

Miraculous things can happen. The final test is to see if an electromagnet could be continuously powered- and it is. Mind you, this was already proven by your tests, but the solid proof gets you the promise of Miss Potts that you'll be paid in full soon enough. There's a lot of meaning behind this battery- the establishment of Peter Parker in the industry- the erasure of the blacklisting on Doctor Spyral- and more importantly Tony Stark's life is out of the immediate threat of palladium poisoning.

But, you also have things you need to do. Reluctantly turning down Doctor Spyral's invitation to dinner on her to talk about future projects- explaining that you've got important matters to work on and would gladly reschedule to another day to talk on projects- which turns out to be Wednesday by her insistence- you head out of the building, leaving Spyral to work on her own independent new projects.

As you're about to leave the lobby, a young man only seeming to be only a year or two older than you- maybe eighteen or nineteen?- stops you on your way. He's wearing very professional clothes- dress pants, shirt, and tie. "Hey, sorry to bother you. You're Peter Parker, right? The guy who won the Stark Event? I was there, you know. Right after you. Never got around to being seen."

The man's demeanor seems friendly as he continues shaking your hand. "Well, I want you to know exactly how much I was riding on that chance that you stole away from me, Mister Parker. You've destroyed my chances to work with my idol, Tony Stark."

He pauses, his words and attitude in conflict with each other. "I just want you to remember my name and face, Mister Parker. I'm Abner Jenkins, and I've made it my goal in life to one day humiliate you as much as you've humiliated me that day.

"Have a good day, Peter Parker."

Letting go of your hand, he quickly heads out the doors and into the crowd as you feel a headache coming on.

…Well, at least he's not a criminal mastermind or superhuman out to kill you.

There's that at least.

END
To Be Continued...

Solodark: So yeah a really short chapter but sorry, Cosgrove had went to have dinner with a friend who he hadn't seen for over a year, and when he returned back, it was already late, so he only had little bit of time to write this piece.