Chapter 19

"Wherein Kendeick reconnects with old friends and gets the shit beat out of him."

Heeeey guys.

Thanks to bc7788 for following, and for reviewing this story. And man, seriously, your review almost brought tears to my eyes. The fact that you think so highly of my writing, especially when you have your MLP Mike's, your Marvelfan604's, your michaelbuns134's, and your CaioOP1985's (all amazing writers, I recommend them for anyone) really means a lot to me. So thanks for that.

And everyone go read his Fanfiction too. He's up and coming with his OC (like I was back when I first wrote this story) but he's doing a pretty good job. His OC Connor Cheng is going to appear in this chapter.

As always, thanks to Exile037 for the review. Yeah, I was originally gonna make him a mutant, but I felt like that had been done before. Speaking of cameos, your character will appear next chapter, so look out for that.

Thanks to WolfDragon for the review. And...yeah, I don't think I can write that. It just wouldn't fit in with the context of the story. Plus, it wouldn't line up with the actual Spider-Verse event which I'm really trying hard to due.

Anyways, on to the story!

Going out saving my friends, he thought. Not a bad way to die.

Looking at the fire around him Daisuke stopped.

Screw. That.

And Daisuke ran and jumped into a random window into another dimension, not caring where, as long as he escaped from the fire.

"Dude...that is so freakin' badass!" Kendrick exclaimed.

"Hell yeah, man," Peter said. "I'm so glad you're alive."

"Believe me, I am too," Daisuke said. "I'm just glad I landed in this dimension and not some dimension where everything was lava."

"Yeah, cause then you would've been a...," Kendrick said. "Hot dog."

"...you've been waiting to say that for a while, haven't you?"

"I don't get it," Ben said.

"I'm actually a dog."

"...like, metaphorically, or...?"

"No," Daisuke said. "Literally."

"Ugh, I need a drink," Ben said, wiping his forehead.

"You're old enough to drink?" Kendrick asked.

"I am in Attilan."

"I'm moving to Attilan," Peter said. "Wait, is there even an Attilan on my world?"

"Let's worry about that later," Kendrick said. "We were just sent here to answer the distress call, which we did. Now we should head back to the safe zone."

"Yeah, about that," Daisuke said. "There is no safe zone anymore."

"What?!" Peter and Kendrick yelled in unison.

"You see, I had some equipment that I left back in that dimension, and I can't get a read on it. That means it's either malfunctioned, which is highly unlikely, or it was destroyed."

"Maybe somebody stepped on it..." Peter started, hopeful.

"It was built underground."

"When did you have the time to build all this stuff?!" Kendrick asked.

"It helps to be prepared," Daisuke said. "So, here's what I'm thinking: assuming the worst, all the spiders all dead."

"Maybe you're assuming too much," Kendrick said.

"Yeah, even if the Inheritors found a way into the safe zone," Peter said. "That doesn't mean all the other spiders are dead."

"Well, assuming they are," Daisuke repeated. "We may be the last chance the rest of the spiders have. That means, we have to recruit as many spiders as we can and bring the fight to the Inheritors."

"I don't think I like that plan," Peter said.

"I agree," Kendrick said. "We don't know what all is out there."

"That's why I made these," Daisuke said, holding out what looked like a compass and a couple of watches. "This compass will help us find other dimensions with spider totems by tracking our unique body signature. The stronger the pull, the more there are."

"Body signature," Kendrick said. "It sounds like you made that up."

"That's how the Inheritors have been tracking us," Daisuke said, before handing out the watches. "These watches are cloaking devices. They'll mask our body signature from the Inheritors."

Daisuke passed all the cloaking devices out as all of them put them on.

"So, are we doing this?" Peter asked. "I mean, are we really doing this?"

"Looks like it," Kendrick said. "You with us Ben?"

"Might as well," Ben said. "It was getting kinda boring around here anyway."

"That's my boy," Peter said.

"And now it's weird," Kendrick said. "Seriously, I think he's older than you."

"Irrelevant," Peter said. "All right, you guys ready?"

"You're the one with the teleporter," Kendrick said.

"Jealous?"

"Dick."

"Pussy."

"Will someone open the goddamned portal?!" Daisuke said, aggravated. "We need to go back to the safe zone first."

And, with that, Peter opened the portal. "I thought you said the place was destroyed?"

"I just need to grab something."

The portal opened and landed back in the "safe zone." But one look at the place and you can tell it was anything but. The ground was destroyed, with broken rocks and ground all over the place. There was a large crater in the center which held one skeleton on its knees, while the ground around the, was riddled with dead spiders.

"So much for safe zone," Peter said.

"What...happened here?" Ken asked, saddened by all the death and carnage that surrounded him.

"The Inheritors, probably," Daisuke said.

"They...have enough power to do this?" Ben asked. "We're doomed."

"I don't know about that," Ken said. "There were a lot more spiders here than all these dead ones (rest in peace). That means, most of them are still alive."

"Yeah," Peter said, crouching over the large crater in the middle of the park. "Who...who was that?"

"My scanner said it was Captain Spider-Verse," Daisuke said. "Or, more accurately, Captain Universe Spider-Man."

"They killed Captain Universe?!" Ben asked, incredulous.

"You guys have a Captain Universe?" Peter asked.

"Yes we do," Ben said. "And he's practically a god. If they could beat him..."

"Then we're screwed," Kendrick said.

"Yeah!"

"Ben...we already knew that," Ken said.

"What?"

"Yeah, we've known from the beginning that we're outmatched," Peter said.

"But the point is that we keep fighting," Daisuke said. "That we keep trying."

"Giving up...it's not in our vocabulary," Kendrick said.

"We fight until we die," Daisuke said. "And then we fight some more."

"Because With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility," Peter said. "And that's what makes us Spider-Man. Not the powers, but the hope that everything will turn out all right."

Ben didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say.

"I found it!" Daisuke called out. "I found my equipment!"

All the other spiders rushed over to where Daisuke was kneeling. His face turned to one of disappointment as he held up a jumble of cords and scrap metal, apparently it had been something before it was destroyed.

"The Inheritors," Daisuke said. "Will pay for this."

"Sure, this is what they'll pay for," Kendrick said, rolling his eyes. "Not the hundreds, if not thousands of people they've slaughtered."

"Well, yeah," Daisuke said. "That too."

Daisuke kept digging around in the dirt, as if he was looking for something.

"What're you looking for," Peter asked. "Your bones?"

"Does anyone else want to make a dog joke?" Daisuke said, annoyed. "Go ahead, bring them on."

"I'm sure we'll think of something eventually," Kendrick said. "But seriously, what exactly are you looking for?"

"A little something I built before I met you guys," Daisuke said as he grabbed something. "Behold...!"

Right then, there was a click, then the ground started to rise around them. Then, something protruded from the ground that was shaped like a vehicle. Once the dirt started to fall off, it looked like...

"Is that, uh, the Magic School Bus?" Ben asked.

"Ugh, I wish," Daisuke said. "I love that show."

"Of course you do," Ken said as he walked up to the bus. "So, uh, what exactly did you build a bus for?"

"Screw that," Peter said. "How did you build a bus?"

"I was here for a pretty good amount of time before you guys showed up," Daisuke said as he walked up to the bus and opened the door. "It has teleportation abilities, cloaking abilities, it flies, and..."

"Is that a PS4?!" Peter asked as he looked towards the back where a TV was sitting with a game console hooked in.

"Aw dude," Kendrick said. "Please tell me you have Arkham Knight."

"Ugh no," Daisuke said. "That game gives me nightmares."

"You have...Sims Pets?" Ben asked. "You had Sims Pets ported to the PS4?"

They all looked at Daisuke, who looked uncomfortable.

"Don't look at me like that!" Daisuke said. "Peter, throw me your teleporter."

Peter threw his dimensional teleporter at Daisuke, who caught it.

"Oh, but you give him the teleporter," Kendrick said.

Peter stuck his tongue out at Kendrick.

"All right, let's get this show on the road," Daisuke said as he out the device in a small compartment at the front of the bus and the dashboard lit up.

"Where are we going first?"

"Earth-1618," Daisuke said as he pushed the gas.

"I'm walking home Caroline," Connor Cheng said into his phone. "Yes, walking home."

Connor Cheng was a 16 year old kid from DC, although people always assumed he was from Japan because of his heritage. Which sucked, because he didn't even have an Asian accent.

Caroline was his half-sister, although they just considered each other full siblings. She was a flight attendant and was currently flying to...somewhere, he forgot, so she was checking up on him. Mostly though, she was making sure he didn't wreck the house like he did when he first got his powers.

Oh, that's right. He was Spider-Man. Well, one of them. Miles Morales was swinging around somewhere, and was a member of the Avengers. Peter Parker had given up being a superhero (or, more accurately, he was forced to) and was now living with his admittedly hot wife, Mary Jane Watson-Parker and their two kids. Peter was training Connor in the way of the spider, and they'd done some good work together.

Caroline knew about Connor's "spider-ness" but she didn't like Connor swinging around really late at night, so she's been bugging him about making it home before it's dark out.

"Yeah, I'm almost home," Connor said. "Yeah, goodnight."

Connor hung up his phone and sighed.

I need a less strict sister.

He loved his sister, he did, but sometimes she can get a little overbearing. Speaking of overbearing...

Connor looked at his phone and saw that he had a missed call from...Sara Hardy. His ex-girlfriend.

Jeez, I'll call her back later, Connor thought. Really don't want to deal with that right now.

It was ironic, in a way. It wasn't too long ago that girls wouldn't even look his way. Now, thanks to a really powerful spider bite, he was actually avoiding them. It really was kinda depressing.

Maybe I should go by the park, Connor thought. See if that Emma girl is...spider-sense?

Yep, that was definitely his spider-sense. But it had never gone off that bad before. It was actually kinda...painful. Connor looked around, trying to see what could make it go off so badly. Then, he heard something that sounded like an airlock opening. Looking up, he saw...a guy. Yeah, it was a guy with long black hair, and old time clothing that he really shouldn't be wearing in New York temperatures. And he was...licking his lips?

Okay, Connor thought. I'm fighting a petefile that thinks he's in still in the 1800's. Sounds like great fun.

Connor back flipped out of the way and started pulling off his clothes, revealing his Spider-Man costume. It was mostly red, with the red going down to his belly button and coming up as a triangle. From there it was all blue except at his feet, which were all red with a web pattern on them. The red stopped on his shoulders and the rest of his arms were blue. His hands, however, were red with a web pattern over it with blue fingers that had red on the joints of his fingers. On his chest was a black spider symbol, and his eyes were big and white lenses, with a circle of black around them.

"Yes, put on your uniform before you meet your end, spider!" the weird guy said. "It only makes you look more silly!"

"I look silly? No offense dude, but the Enforcers look scarier than you," Connor said through his mask. "And they're, like, old."

Before Connor could even react, the guy was on him, lifting him up in the air.

How...? Connor asked. Even faster...than my spider-sense...

"I only wish you were more of a challenge," the man said before he opened his mouth, as some yellow light was pulled from his body.

Connor screamed. It felt like his very essence, his very soul, was being sucked right out of him. He struggled to break himself free, but he couldn't muster the strength.

No..., Connor thought. Not...not like this...

Suddenly, there was a honk, which pulled the man's attention away from Connor, making him stop pulling the yellow light out of him. Next the Connor knew, he sprawled out on the floor as the men flew forward from getting hit by...a bus?

"Make sure that spider is okay!" the one in the front said, who looked Japanese.

"Are you sure about that Daisuke?" a guy who looked and sounded like a teenage Peter Parker said. "Last time we let you fight some Inheritors alone, you kinda almost died."

"I got it this time!" the Japanese one, apparently named Daisuke said as he jumped from the bus. "Trust me!"

The other spiders jumped from the bus, while Daisuke jumped towards the guy who was starting to get up. One of the spiders, the one that looked like Peter, got to him first.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked. "Here, let me help you up."

"Are you...Peter Parker?" Connor asked as he stood. He noticed his legs were a little wobbly, which worried him, but he stood.

"Yeah, I'm Peter Parker," Peter said. "From another dimension."

"From another...what?" Connor asked.

"I'll explain later," Peter said. "This is Kendrick."

"Hey," another Spider-Man said, waving.

"And this is Ben," Peter said.

"How ya doing?" the other spider said, who was wearing a costume actually pretty similar to Connor's.

"Guys, look it's working!" Daisuke called to them.

He was standing over the man, who was screaming in pain. In his hand was what looked like a...ray gun?

"You...you may have won this battle spiders," the man said. "But you have not won the war. Weaver, spin me a way home! Now!"

Then he was gone in a flash of yellow.

"Daisuke, what the hell?" Ben asked.

"What did you use on him?" Ken asked.

"A microwave emitter!" Daisuke exclaimed.

"You used...how did you know that would work?" Ben asked.

"I was examining the Inheritors that your queen, what was her name?"

"Medusa."

"She was magnificent."

"Sorry, I don't think she's into beastiality," Ben said.

"Shame," Daisuke said. "Anyway, after a series of tests, I found that the Inheritors' body was weak to radiation, even more than ours are."

"But...a microwave emitter?" Kendrick asked. "Isn't that kinda dangerous?"

"Well, yes, I burned my hand a little while using it," he said. "And I think I have cancer..."

He turned to them with a smile on his face. "But definitely worth it!"

"I'm sorry," Connor said. "But can someone please explain to me what hell is going on?"

"Uh, basically...?" Peter started.

"Connor."

"Basically Connor, that guy you just fought? He was an Inheritor. The Inheritors are a family of monsters that consume our essence. They travel across the many dimensions, and consume us. So, we're getting together to try and stop them."

"Wait a minute," Connor said, getting riled up. "They're after anyone with spider powers?!"

"Yes, even Jessica Drew," Daisuke said. "Which confused me considering she has nothing to do with..."

"Peter!" Connor exclaimed.

"Uh, yes?" Peter asked.

"No!" Connor said. "My Peter! I gotta go tell him!"

"Where is he, we'll drive you!" Kendrick exclaimed.

"No time!" Connor said. There was no time for web slinging either. Connor had seen spiders do this on the Discovery Channel, and he was always planning on trying it, but he hoped it wouldn't be in a situation like this. He put his hands together and sprayed a massive glob of webbing into the air. Eventually, it was caught on a draft of air, and Connor was shot into the air by the wind.

"Ballooning," Kendrick said. "Why didn't I ever think of that?"

"No time," Daisuke said. "We have to follow him! Everyone in the bus!"

"Stay away from my family!" Peter Parker yelled.

"I would," the large man with black hair said, who Peter thought looked like Morlun, but bigger. "But they look so delicious."

Peter was standing in his house, which was now ablaze. Fire was everywhere. His eyes were burning. But that was the last thing on his mind. Behind him stood the love of his life, Mary Jane Watson, with their ten year old daughter May and six year old child, Benjamin. He had to protect them.

Even if he had to give up his own life to do it.

"I don't know who the hell you are," Peter yelled in pure anger. "But I swear to God if you lay one damn hand on my family, I'll..."

"You'll do what?" the man asked before he kicked Peter in the stomach, sending him back to the wall. He fell to the ground in pain. That guy hit harder than Rhino on a good day. He quickly bounced back up though and got into one of his signature crouches.p, ready to pounce.

"Daddy, my head is hurting!" May screamed as she grabbed her head in pain.

Damn it, Peter thought. Right. Now is the perfect time for her powers to come up.

"Mine is too sweetie," he said. "MJ, get our kids out of here."

"No Peter!" Mary Jane said. "I'm not leaving..."

"Get our children out of here, goddammit!"

Peter could tell she was surprised. He had never yelled at her before. But, she knew what that meant. She got their kids and ran out the door, getting away.

"Them running means nothing," the large man said. "Your children are totems. Ergo, they're my dinner."

"Over my fucking dead body!"

"That can be arranged."

Then, the window was covered in shadow, causing them both to look towards it. Suddenly, Connor Cheng, Peter's apprentice of sorts, broke through the window, shattering it.

"Peter!"

Connor kicked the man in the chest, actually succeeding in knocking him backwards into the wall.

"Connor!" Peter yelled. "Get out of here! He's after me!"

"No, he's after all of us," Peter heard someone say.

Then, four teenagers in Spider-Man costumes all jumped in, looking ready to fight.

"Daisuke, get your gun!" Peter exclaimed.

"On it!" Daisuke said as he pulled out a small gun which looked like something out of Star Trek, and pointed it at the man. "One fried Inheritor coming right..."

Before he could finish, The Inheritor slapped him, sending him flying into the kitchen, where he was lost in the blaze. He didn't come out. Which means he was unconscious, or...

"Damn it!" Kendrick said. "Ben, go for the gun! We'll hold him off!"

Connor could see that Peter looked surprised at the name of Ben.

"You got it, Ken!" Ben said as he dove for the gun, only to be kicked in the stomach by the Inheritor, sending him into the roof, the back on the ground, unconscious.

This is not going well! Connor thought.

He kicked the Inheritor in the face, but it didn't seem to do him any harm. In fact, the Inheritor was smiling. He grabbed Connor's foot and threw him. He felt his body impact with teen Peter's, which sent the teen flying out the window of the apartment, while Connor landed on the ground. Connor hoped Peter shot a web off to save himself, or that he wasn't unconscious, because if not...

The fall from this floor would kill him.

Connor knew he had to get up...but he couldn't. Every time he tried, his legs would give up under him.

No. No God please..., Connor thought, hot tears steaming from his eyes. I...I need my crutches...

"Connor, get up!" Kendrick yelled. "We have to fight!"

"I...I can't get up," Connor said through the tears. "I...I have cerebral palsy..."

And he did. Mostly, his spider powers kept it under control, but when that other Inheritor sucked that light from him, it must have messed with his powers.

"Damn!" Kendrick yelled, more anger at the course at events, than at Connor. "I have to find Daisuke's..."

The Inheritor grabbed Kendrick by his neck and pushed him into the wall. Kendrick struggled, but to no avail.

"No...," Ken muttered out.

Connor felt so useless. He had to watch these guys die. These guys who were here to save him, were going to die, and there was nothing he could do to help. If the Inheritor didn't kill them,mother fire would...

...along with Connor.

"Hey!" Connor heard his Peter say as he threw a desk at the Inheritor, hitting him. "Why not pick on someone your own size?!"

The Inheritor turned back to Ken, who was still struggling to break free.

"I'll be back for you in a second."

The Inheritor punched Kendrick in the face, and Connor heard a crack. When he moved his fist, a large part of Ken's mask was missing. Apparently, Kendrick's costume was more of an exoskeleton than an actual suit. Which was a good thing, because from the force of the punch, it would have killed Kendrick instead of just knocking him unconscious.

The Inheritor threw Kendrick to the ground next to Connor, then proceeded to walk towards Peter.

No, Connor thought. No, no, no, no!

Connor would not let this monster kill his friend. He couldn't. With every bit of his force of will he could muster, he pushed his feet to the ground, and was surprised that his legs held under him.

To save his friend, to save his mentor, Connor had to be greater than Spider-Man. He had struggled his whole damn life and he was gonna be damned if he let his disease keep him from helping his friend. He was more than Amazing. He was more than Spectacular.

He was Unstoppable.

"Hey!" he yelled at the Inheritor, making him turn to him away from Peter. "Get the fuck away from my friend."