Note: Here's a new lovely chapter for you lovely folks, sorry again that I haven't posted for a while but Cosgrove was missing in action for a while, but never mind that, here's a new chapter, Happy Halloween!

[Peter Parker Quest]

CHAPTER 61

[Kingpin Arc]

Ghouls and Goblins

New York's slowly been growing more and more tense, like the air before a storm's gonna hit. It's been almost a month since you captured the Silver Sable. Without letting her go, considering the showing of the Cops with Black Cats what feels like months ago, you ended up asking the Fantastic Four- Johhny's sarcastic nickname for the four of them- look after her.

Silver Sable's been quiet, almost unresponsive, for the entire month, like she's lost the will to go on. And the more worrying part, Reed and Sue did a blood test on her and the result was that she has the genetic markings to show she, as far as they can tell, is Felicia's twin by blood.

Looking down on the streets, you can see the people passing by below. It feels like years since all this began. It was a surprise to see how people had grown to like Spider-man so much. But now...

Ever since Venom and the 'Chameleon' showed up and was defeated by Venom, the people have had a change in opinions. Rather than a hero, they've begun to view Spider-man as the cause of all these monsters and costumed freaks. That he should turn himself in or just disappear. Even Jameson has little to say in that regard.

And team morale, if you could call all of you a team, has never been lower. While she's just fully recovered from the night you captured Silver Sable, Gwen's still distrusting of Venom.

Venom... he's withdrawn since that night, always seeming to look over his shoulder at something only he can see. And as for the Ghost Rider, she's around as much as her namesake as well.

And, if things couldn't get worse, the Kingpin's all but in a gang war with the Skull-masked individual that Venom encountered who calls himself the Taskmaster. Between you and Venom, you've been able to make sure there's been no more chameleon incidents, but there's also been the talk of Dr. Curt Connor's disappearance- the police viewing him as a person of interest related to it.

You've been able to cover up your habits by covering with Aunt May and Uncle Ben that you're busy working at Stark Industries, where tony Stark himself's been seen more recently, setting up for his Stark Expo. Well, so you've heard. The man's probably made sure to avoid you.

It's early evening on a Saturday in early February.

You need to work on a personal project. Just something to let your mind wander. But where should you work and what should you make? You could probably make a better protective outfit for Gwen, well a bulletproof hoodie or something. You don't have her measurements so the best you could do is guesstimate.

You've got plenty of money, so supplies aren't an issue, but you have less tools than at Stark Industries, but you'll be possibly observed at SI.

Heading back, you decide to buy parts, remembering your work on the Bio-Electric Battery and its finalization. If you could work on that, then you could probably make a gauntlet to improve your strength momentarily or perhaps to taze or something. More of a utility upgrade.

Heading home, you head downstairs and get to work, locking the door behind you. It's going to be tricky, your lab, even slightly better outfitted than it was before, including several lockable storage containers. You pull out your ideas and draw up some blueprints before getting to work.

You work on the gauntlet, focusing on making sure that you don't fuck anything up. The wiring and programming's a bit simple, sure, but it works. It definitely a working prototype. Well, in some aspects.

Overall, the strength-enhancing aspect... it isn't there. However, you've been able to make the gauntlet adopt the basic principles of the Bio-electric battery to the gauntlets. Somewhat, anyway. It IS a prototype after all.

"You know, Halloween's not until October. But those look cool. Going for the Five hands of Super One to face down Jin Dogma?"

The rough feminine voice makes you pause as you see Mary Jane Watson sitting on the computer's chair, her hands in her jacket's pockets. Her disheveled red hair hides one of her green eyes, ringed with exhaustion. A rare smile is on her face as she looks over at your workstation.

"How'd you get in here?"

She pulls out two twisted hairpins from one pocket before putting it back. "...I'm used to moving around so people don't hear me in my house. You were pretty caught up in what you were doing. It was pretty impressive how fast you work."

Leaning back, she impassively stares at you, waiting for you to make the first move.

Your move, Peter.

Sitting down on your work stool, you think of what to do as you look at her. Panic and several other emotions surge. "So, what brings you down here, Mary Jane?"

She looks over at the gauntlets and then back over at you as she seems exhausted. "Not much. Wanted you to make sure to know that you should probably get a better lock if you're gonna be working on stuff down here. But, mainly I wanted to see that you were alright."

She fidgets and looks away, her voice lowering back to a rasp. "...I'd just been having some bad dreams, so I was worried was all."

She pulls out her phone as it makes a noise and scrolls. "Things are getting worse by the day... it seems. People are putting on masks... making monsters... and people are getting afraid."

"...Have you been paying attention to school, lately, Peter?"

Honestly, you hadn't. There were more important things to worry about. "...there's people starting trouble..."

She shakes her head as she stares at you with an unreadable look as she looks back down at her article. "...hey. What... what do people do... when Spider-man quits?"

She scrolls down and continues. "...I mean... he's obviously a person, right? So... even he's got a point where... where he'd quit... I think he only wanted to help... but things have changed... the world has changed.

"So, what... what happens when Spider-man's finished the reason he started being Spider-man? What happens when he quits?"

You remain quiet for a few moments, ironing out the thoughts in your head. There's been, for the majority of the time, a level of separation between you and Spider-man in your own home. Those who know have reasons to know. And if leads you to question that if she could find out could Aunt May? Uncle Ben?

You think she knows, but you don't know. "...I'm honestly not sure. I don't know if he's thought that far ahead. And, if... if we were to look at the world that changed and think that it happened because of himself and that the day comes he sees that the world can't exist without him being there... I'm not sure what he'd do. Maybe he'd end up being Spider-man until the day he dies." Recalling the events of the future, of a world without Peter Parker or Spider-Man brought to ruin, his decision was clearly already made up for him.

Mary Jane watches you, her voice raspier than normal. "...That sounds like a very lonely life."

"Yeah, but Spider-man made a choice to put on his mask... so whatever happens is his responsibility."

Putting away the gauntlets, you look back over at Mary Jane. "You mentioned some trouble at school?"

Her hands retract into her pockets. "...mmm. There's... there's been changes in the social order. Flash Thompson's off the football team, I hear. Got kicked off... and..."

She shakes her head as she gets up. "...I don't need to bother you. You're certainly busy... with school and your work at Stark Industries... And it's getting late..."

She quickly makes her way out. You listen as you barely hear her mumble on her way out.

"...just be careful."

The door shuts behind her as she leaves the basement.

It's nighttime now, probably time to call it a night as you see you phone vibrate a moment later- a message from an unknown sender- with no number- on it.

"William Fisk."

And an address.

This is something you have to investigate yourself. Felicia could be at stake here.

Investigating the address, you find that it's a private penthouse in New York. Considering the name, that probably means Fisk will be there. And Fisk was on the list.

You head out to go suit up. The cold February night is soon muffled by the warmth of your armored suit as you head towards the penthouse. Landing, you look in a window to see a man sitting with his head in his arms at a desk, alone.

Your spider-sense- precognition, sure, but man its catchier!- is lightly warning you, but you can't get a good read on the situation of why yet.

Looking around, you check nearby rooftops for anything that could be a threat, but there's nothing. The man is at his desk and there's a door open to the roof, which has a table and chairs, but nothing that could be called a threat.

Maybe a security system, but it would still take time you could speak to Fisk.

You go to open the door that leads inside and find that it's unlocked. Quietly opening the door, you see that the man's face is hidden by his arms. It reminds you of the posture of people who'd fall asleep at their desk at school, or your father when he was up too late working on something when you were a child.

Approaching quietly, you don't notice anything, but your precognitions seems to be getting bothered as you get closer. "William Fisk, father and mother are dead, brother is Wilson Fisk. Are you the Kingpin?"

A short distance from his desk you pause- your built-in camera on your mask is on and active. Stepping forward, you notice that the man isn't moving as you ask him again. As you get closer, you get to his side and realize that he isn't breathing. Approaching him, you see that he's dead, his face, hidden by his arms is frozen in a face of terror and agony.

And then your Spider-sense goes crazy. Looking back toward the Door, you see a cloaked figure standing there with a camera in one hand and a switch that's its pressing in the other as your precognition warns you of gas.

You cough as you move out of the way of the gas and to the ceiling as you feel your lungs burn. Clinging to the ceiling, the hooded and Cloaked figure walks in and looks up at you as you hear the sound of respiration and see part of a gleaming sliver skull-like mask. The Taskmaster.

His modulated voice is amused as the gas dissipates slowly, the door shut behind him. "Very well done. I'm impressed. Few can react to the gas as well as you did! Now, you might've escaped most of it, but you've still certainly had inhaled some. Come down and talk to me like a man. Of course, if you don't I'm certain that the press would be very excited to see these images. Can you imagine it?"

He holds out a hand in the air. "Spider-man kills Philanthropist Fisk. It doesn't have to be true, of course. Just sensationalism. That's all it will take to make this city drive you out."

Your lungs are burning as you feel weakness in your limbs as you look for a way out.

You need to buy time and then make a run for it. You don't know what you've just been gassed with and nothing good can come from the Taskmaster, but you should get as much evidence as possible.

"So then was this your plan then? Kill the Kingpin and frame it on me?"

Your voice is rough and its hard to talk. The Taskmaster seems amused. "My plan? Kill the Kingpin? Why I don't know what you mean. Though, I must admit, I did want to meet you. You changed things. You showed this city what a man in a mask can do, and nobody can stop him except another man in a mask."

The Taskmaster still watches you. "Though really, I had hoped to meet you when I met your stand in. The man in the monstrous goo that Norman Osborn tried to keep locked away, that rampaged in the city on several occasions. It was interesting, but the one I had wanted to meet was you. I've been watching you."

You've been slowly moving away from him, closer and closer to the nearest window as he calmly watched you. "I learned a lot from him you know. Fisk. I was surprised at what he knew. And now I know. I've not been the only one watching you."

You're in distance to break the window and run for it. "By the way, I do appreciate you trying to buy time and get me to talk. That gas, for those who survive generally induces death an hour after inhalation once its been metabolized. But, you're not a normal person, so I'd imagine you'd metabolize it faster. So, you might have twenty minutes.

"Are you sure you still want to run? I might carry the cure on me as a precaution in case I myself am ever dosed. But feel free to run."

The Taskmaster stands there calmly- the smooth modulated voice makes it hard to tell if he's bluffing, but then you remember Fisk's body.

Dammit! This is too risky! For all you know he might have the cure but it could simply be more poison in order to dose yourself, besides if the poison will simply take 20 minutes to take affect you will be wasting vast amount time fighting him in which you could be getting some help. You need to make your way back to the F4 tower. Sue and Reed are both doctors who you can certainly trust to look after you.

You're already moving as you break through the window. You're already dialing Sue Storm. "Might be poisoned. Not much time. On my way."

Behind you, you hear a roar of rage as you websling away. Your lungs burn and your body feels weak as, from behind you you hear movement. Mid-swing, you take a look back to see the Taskmaster chasing you on a strange device he's standing on that seems to be capable of flight. His hood has swept back, revealing the top of his mask. What was originally you thought of as a Skull-like mask reveals itself as a metal demon's face, a horrible, skull-like grin and the top, which tapers off into two sharp horns.

A hellish, Goblin-like mask.

"HOW DARE YOU?! Calling my bluff is not part of the script I've given you! I have no use for a doll without strings!"

He kneels down as the glider he's riding on extends spikes and accelerates fast.

"What can I say? I'm all about improv."

You flip midair and extend another web as you dodge out of the way of the Glider as this new Goblin Reverses and heads back at you. As he looks down at the streets below and a building nearby. "Improv, huh? I always hated Who's line. Shame you don't have two arms to improv with, huh?"

He pulls out and throws two orbs that start glowing orange at very fast speeds- one up towards a nearby building and the other down toward the streets below. You're midswing with one arm. If this guy is the guy that nabbed the Hobgoblin's stuff, then those are probably fancier pumpkin bombs. There's no telling how large the blast radius was, and they could also be bluffs.

You could get them both and keep people safe, but you'd be momentarily in danger as you were in freefall.

Releasing your strand of webbing, you quickly shoot webbing at each bomb and throw them towards the sky with as much strength as you can as they quickly move out of range of anything and explode. However, in the meantime the Taskmaster-Goblin-thing is already charging at you his Glider extended with many sharp blades as your precognition screams at you that you're about to get stabbed.

Moving out of the way of the blades, you avoid being skewered as the Task-Goblin slams into you, one arm painfully grabbing you tight. The modulated voice sounds agitated and breathy.

"Whatever. I have what I came for now. You can't beat me as you are now."

You feel something stab into your arm incredibly painfully for a moment before he flings you away with inhuman strength. Extending a web from your better off arm, you see him flying away, cackling like a maniac as you see a round hole stabbed into your arm. Well, at least you avoided being skewered by this new Goblin fellow.

Your vision blurs as you lift your arm and try to hit the Goblin with a tracer. As your vision blurs, your not sure if you hit him, but you've got to get to the Fantastic Four. Dragging yourself in from the door they leave you open, you feel someone support your weight. You hear Reed Richards talk as things remain in and out of focus.

"...Sue get me a lab ready, Stat. He's lost a lot of... "

You see Johnny by your side and Sue looking you over as they put you on some sort of bed, your jacket having been removed on the way, as was your mask. At some point, they seem to be done treating you as you feel Sue hold your hand, watching you like a parent as you remember your mother holding your hand, her body shielding yours even as the world seems to come to and end...

"...e's gonna be alright. Let's just let him rest."

You don't know the what it was that you saw there for a moment. But, after they moved you to a warm bed and turned out the lights, you couldn't sleep. Unnoticed to everyone but you, there was a another person there that nobody but you could see. They brushed it off as a hallucination, but you could see it.

Alone in the room with you, a young woman with pained green eyes lifted her right hand and caressed your face gently with her slender, pale right hand. Her face, half obscured by the hood seemed so young, but also so weary. Her eyes so happy and yet so miserable.

"I'll see you soon."

Your eyes watered from the smell of brimstone and as you blinked the tears out the eyes she was gone, leaving you feeling an odd sense of loss as sleep finally claimed you.

You dreamed of a young black man with an eye-patch looking down on you, his shaved head and suit towering over your tiny form.

"Make the boy forget everything.. I owe his mother that much. He'll be safe this way."

To Be Continued...

Review time:

Anon: Has our bio-battery progressed to a point that Tony could swap it with his arc reactor? If so, is he finding other reasons to go on drunken benders or is he generally doing better than he was since Iron Man II, leaving Fury to wonder how he's gonna show Tony that cool thing his dad was working on.

Cosgrove: He is on the Bio-battery, Yes. Pepper made sure of that and it is working fine. He still does stupid stuff, but part of that's because- as Pepper has mentioned offhand on the few times they've met- that Tony's pride's not allowing him to admit he fucked up bad. And he basically was refused from being allowed to use the armor until pepper was sure all the pallidium was outta his system.

She still has Jarvis check.

Overall, though he's better off than dying like IM2, yes. And he's going through with the expo because it was something he already announced he was gonna do.

Anon: What's our relationship with the Boss man Stark right now?

Cosgrove: He on a level respects Peter, but peter's gotten the impression that he's still mad and too prideful to make the motions to show gratitude or meet with Peter.

Anon:So what's your stance on why Peter Parker is Spider-Man? Because as a reader/player I still can't help but feel like it's just kind of inertia at this point, which feels a little refreshing honestly. It's different from mostly all other incarnations of Spider-Man.

Cosgrove: Why Peter Parker is Spider-man in this quest? So far, yes it has been inertia. He's really got no moral obligations to keep it up when he's done and no guilty from a dead family member. Exploring and developing, in the age of heroes that can also do his job, why Peter would be Spider-man's part of my plan.

Really, PPQ, as I'm seeing it right now is the story of Peter finding that reason of why he will or won't be spider-man. When he finds the thing that will drive him- that single motivation that will keep him going and overcomes the challenges that he'll face in life, when he realizes the kind of man he wants to be an makes the first real step, I think that's the point PPQ will end.

Not to say I'd be done with the universe, but rather that the quest as it is would reach its end.

Anon: Were the Fantastic Four able to identify that drug she injected into herself, or had it already been metabolized by the time we brought her into their custody?

Also, why not prison? I'm not really saying it was a bad call, I just don't recall her really knowing anything significant. Worried that her bosses might put a hit on her or she'd try to kill herself again? Or was it due to her looking just like Felicia?

Cosgrove: Peter didn't send her to prison because of two things- and as I conclude the kingpin arc I'll make it more apparent. He reminds him too much of felciia and he doesn't think that they could stop her from escaping or killing herself. there is also the fact that she'd probably be killed by kingpin. so a bit of all of that.

Combat drugs-things to ignore pain and keep fighting.

Anon: Is Tony's reaction to being banned from using the armour to design and build new armours with inbuilt reactors? So that it doesn't discharge into him?

Cosgrove: One of his reactions was that reaction, yes. Another was to get some ice from Rhodey decking him after hearing after the fact from Pepper.

Anon: How are things looking Hulk wise? Have we reached the point where there are scattered reports across the world of "strange localized Earthquake smashes stuff, drunks tell tall tales of green sasquatch at scene" or are we not even there yet?

Cosgrove: no, that's already long since happened. Hulk's not too far off, honestly- timeline wise IM2 takes place around the same time and that's coming up.

Anon: So... what DID make Carnage initially obsess over us anyway? Like it happened right after we made our debut where we caught Black Cat for like... five minutes before she got away and stole thing anyway.

I just can't really see what it was she saw in us.

Cosgrove: Old timeline? for Spider-man? Red, very flashy and it'd make the news.

For Peter? Well... childhood envy, love and many other emotions twisted into a sick love/hate through madness.

Anon: Red, very flashy and it'd make the news.
...It really was that simple, wasn't it?

I feel like maybe that could be incorporated into Peter's motive for being Spider-Man. Like do one job that you only did the bare minimum of completing, and someone is killing people while saying they're your biggest fan. Might make you feel obligated to make up for that red in your ledger. Though then again, it seems like it would make you more obligated just to say the whole thing was a bad idea and quit.

Either way, it probably isn't a thing Peter consciously deals with.

Cosgrove: There's a lot peter doesn't consciously deal with.

Its all in his subconscious, circling like a great white.

Anon: So what's going on with MJ now? I'm assuming that the original timeline isn't going to reassert itself any time soon, which means her original deal will never be resolved, but have you got a new direction and character arc for her lined up by now?

Cosgrove: There's a hint in this chapter if you read the context- it just other context wasn't revealed so you have to read between the lines a bit.

EQUIPMENT:

*BIO-ELECTRIC PROTOTYPE GAUNTLET - Slowly can build up a charge as the body moves, which can be discharged to taze an enemy or short out a non-shielded piece of electronics. At current point cannot be used with webslingers- a combined redesigned structure would be required. On the upside, the alloy on the outer parts of the gauntlets are durable and can take a lot of abuse, protecting your forearms from injury.

Solodark: The link for the new image design of the New oblin is within my profile if you want to look at it. I claim no right towards it, it drawn by one of the players in their spare time. New Gobby will make new revisions with his design, tell me what you think of it. Hope you enjoyed!