The Invincible Spider-Man
Chapter 84: Spider-Verse Part 2
"G-Gwen?" asked Peter, his jaw on the floor. Gwen rubbed her left arm and looked to the ground.
"Hey, Pete," she whispered, as memories began to flood Peter's head. He quickly blinked them away and regained his voice.
"You-You're Spider-Woman?" he asked.
"In my dimension, yeah. It's…really surreal," said Gwen, stuttering a bit.
"In my world, you-" started Peter, finding it hard to finish the sentence. "You…"
"I died, didn't I?" finished Gwen, as Peter swallowed hard, blinking back tears as he took off his mask.
"Yeah, about a year ago," he finished. "Green Goblin killed you,"
"You died in my world too. You… were the Lizard, and the cure I had cooked up… it didn't work," said Gwen, breaking down into tears.
"I was the Lizard? Wow," chuckled Peter a bit, causing Gwen to smile a bit. "I know you blame yourself for what happened, and trust me it's not your fault," continued Peter.
Gwen rushed closer to Peter and hugged him tight, sobbing.
"I know I shouldn't blame myself, but I can't help it," she said, gasping. Peter held her back for a few seconds, pulling away after a few seconds.
"I did the same. But I realized that Gwen- you, wouldn't want me to be stuck at a dead end. You'd want me to swing forward," said Peter. "And I can say without a doubt, that I'd want the same for you," he continued.
Gwen wiped her tears. "Thanks, Peter. It means a lot," she replied.
"Promise to watch each other's backs?" asked Peter.
"Yep. Promise," replied Gwen, smiling as the two put their masks back on, walking back to the group.
"Right. We were just discussing our plan to track down Knull. It's best if we do so sooner rather than later, he's killing Spiders almost every second," said Man-Spider.
"You are an oddly interesting creature, but yes, we must stop him from destroying the Spider-Kingdom," said Spider-Knight. "It is called Spider-Kingdom, right?" he asked.
"Well…we don't really have a name," started Peter.
"Forget that for now. How do we track down Knull?" asked Survivor Spider-Man, but everyone seemed blank in terms of ideas.
"Now if I was a symbiote turned God, and I've killed multiple versions of my enemy, where would I be keeping my homebase? I mean, he must have some sort of trophy room, or something?" suggested Gwen.
"Could be, but what Earth could that be?" asked Miles.
"I think I may have the answer," said Man-Spider, raising one of his 8 arms. "You see, unlike the rest of you, my powers were directly granted from a "Spider-Totem." So I'm already connected to the Web of Destiny…uh the massive web in Madame Web's chamber," he continued.
"Strangely, that's not the weirdest thing I've ever heard," chuckled Peter. "So wait, you can sense Knull?"
"Sort of. It's like the standard Spider-Sense, but much stronger," replied Man-Spider.
"Okay then," said Miguel as he opened up a portal. The blue circular gateway stood in front of them.
"What do we do, just jump?" asked Spider-Knight, a little skeptical. "Doctor Ottovaughn would be most interested in this technology," he told himself.
"If it's anything like Spider-Sense, then Man-Spider can close his eyes and trust it. Wherever we land up, it'll be the right place," replied Miguel. Man-Spider swallowed hard, as he held out his hands to everyone.
The Spider-People held his hands as Man-Spider closed his eyes, and jumped into the portal.
The Spiders all stumbled out of the portal, only to land in a rundown New York City. There seemed to be not a single soul in sight, all while the sky seemed to be a swirl of black and red.
"Carnage?" asked Miguel, looking at the sky.
"What?" replied Peter.
"Uh, nothing. Just looked…familiar," replied Miguel as the six of them got to their feet and walked down the empty street.
"I can smell the death from here, all the hopelessness and chaos, all the death. It's worse than my world, a thousand times worse," said Survivor Spider-Man, his assault rifle in his arms as his eyes reflected sorrow.
"Wait a minute…" said Miles, as he stopped dead in his tracks. His Spider-Sense began to tingle.
All six of them stopped and looked at each other, sensing the same thing.
"LOOK OUT BELOW!" yelled out a voice, as everyone jumped out of the way. Another red and blue figure came crashing down to the street, tumbling straight into the side of a car.
The figure wore a Spider-Man mask but without the black web lines, and he wore what looked like a light blue hoodie with a black spider spray painted on top of it.
"Are you okay?" asked Peter, rushing to the man's aid. The man stood up, and his Spider-Sense tingled.
"Woah… you guys. You guys are like me," he whispered in awe, as Miles and Spider-Knight awkwardly raised both their hands to wave hello. The figure looked at Spider-Man.
"Uh, I'm Ben. Ben Reilly. The Scarlet Spider," he replied, as he massaged his ribs.
"Ben, what happened here?" asked Gwen.
"That," replied Ben, pointing to the sky.
A flash of lightning lit up the black and red sky, as a 7-foot figure flashed in front of their eyes. He was levitating high above them, an extended red spider on his chest, long white hair ,and a massive smile on his face.
"SPIDERS!" he yelled out loud, his voice booming through the air and shattering nearby windows.
"Dial down the decibels, will ya?" asked back Peter, prompting a nudge from Miguel.
The figure descended down onto the ground, putting his hands behind his back.
"Well, I have to say, thank you for making my work easier. Now, I don't need to travel infinite universes to kill you," he said, sharp claws extending from his fingers.
"Why kill only us?" asked Survivor Spider-Man, aiming his gun at him.
"You think I don't know who you all are? According to that senile Madame Web, the only people who can see me. Though she may have miscalculated, you're down about 3 people," he replied, pointing at the 7 of them.
"What the hell are you?" asked Man-Spider, a twinge of fear running through his spine, as the figure laughed.
"I can feel your fear. Call me Knull," he replied.
"Okay, screw this," said Survivor Spider-Man, as he opened fire on Knull. He emptied an entire round, but it seemed to do no damage to him.
"Peter, flank him!" exclaimed Gwen, as both Peter and Ben nodded. Ben swung directly on top of Knull. However, Knull extended a tendril that wrapped around Ben, violently throwing him into Peter, who was going to swing-kick him.
While he was distracted, Gwen, vaulted off of a car and jumped behind Knull, ready to attack. However, two more tendrils extended from behind Knull, who used them to slam her into the ground.
Spider-Knight took out a sword as he rushed at Knull, dodging two of his tendrils as he stabbed Knull directly in the chest.
"DIE, YOU FOUL CREATURE!" he shouted. But the blade seemed to get stuck inside Knull. Spider-Knight tried pulling out the sword, but to no avail, as Knull grabbed him by the neck.
"Let's see you hit this," said Miguel, as he began moving fast, fast enough to create an accelerated decoy. While the decoy ran towards Knull, Miguel rushed to the side.
"You think I don't see through your tricks?" asked Knull, as he stomped his foot on the ground. The resulting shockwave sent Miguel flying into a car.
"Bald Spider-Man! We can use fire!" exclaimed Ben to Survivor Spider-Man, who nodded.
Ben webbed up Spider-Knight, pulling him out of Knull's grasp as Survivor Spider-Man took out two grenades and threw it at Knull. The grenades exploded, but Knull seemed to contain the explosion into himself.
"My weaknesses have become my strengths," replied Knull, his eyes glowing an even deeper shade of red. Man-Spider lunged at him, only for Knull to grab him and break two of his arms on his knee.
Man-Spider let out a blood-curdling scream, as Miles went invisible and ran towards Knull, trying to kick him in the face. However, Knull seemed to sense him, as he grabbed Miles and lifted him by the neck. More tendrils extended out from Knull's back, wrapping around all the Spider-People.
He lifted all of them up in front of him, as he began to chuckle.
"I let all of you take a shot at me, and yet…I'm still standing," said Knull.
"You…talk too much…" said Peter, as the tendril wrapped around his neck, strangling him.
"None of you will understand why I am doing this. All of you…are a curse. You just don't see how. I did, and I realized the error of my actions. I gave into the Black Suit, and in turn I learned the true meaning of power and responsibility," replied Knull, his smile fading for a bit.
"You…were a Spider?" asked Gwen.
Knull didn't answer, as he wrapped his tendrils tighter around Survivor Spider-Man's neck, who struggled to breathe.
"That's enough! Let him go!" commanded Miguel, unable to move no matter how much he struggled. Knull had hatred plastered all over his face, as his grip tightened.
"See you…in he-"
Survivor's Spider-Man's neck snapped, as his whole body went limp.
"Oh God," said Miles, as he began to hyperventilate. Knull turned his head to him.
"How about you next?" asked Knull, tightening his grip around Miles.
"Hey, Scarface! Let him go," mocked Peter. Knull turned his face to him, his eyes red with fury. Another tendril ripped off his mask and dropped it to the ground.
"Peter Parker. Earth 9180. When the symbiote reaches the status of a God, you learn just about everything. I know…everything, about you," said Knull. "Oh if I tell you who I was, who I used to be," chuckled Knull, as he eased the grip on Miles.
Peter raised an eyebrow. "Then who the hell were you, Ghostface?" asked Peter, realizing that the face did look familiar.
Before Knull could respond, a portal opened up from behind him. A red and black-suited Spider-Man jumped out, and before Knull could even turn, threw a small metallic device onto him.
"AARGH!" exclaimed Knull, his grip on the Spiders loosening. That's when another portal opened up, and more black tendrils extended out from it. The tendrils stuck themselves to the heroes and pulled them out of Knull's grip.
"I got you guys!" yelled the figure with the tendrils. He seemed to be a leaner version of Venom, but wearing some form of body armor from the army. Peter quickly webbed up his mask, before taking one last look at Survivor Spider-Man's body.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, as he took the ammo strap and grenades from Survivor Spider-Man's body, before jumping into the portal with the others.
Knull ripped the metallic device off of his back, as the red and black figure flipped above him and dove through the portal that the heroes jumped through, almost as soon as it disappeared.
The Spiders all landed in what looked like a scrap heap, as the two others helped them to their feet. Ben dusted some gravel off of his damaged suit, before taking off his mask, revealing a blond Peter Parker.
Spider-Man's eyes went wide. "Me?" he asked.
"Uh yeah, about that…I'll explain later," replied Ben, as he looked back at the two figures.
"You're welcome, by the way," said the red and black man, whereas the men in the Venom body armor didn't say a thing.
"And who might you be?" asked Gwen, crossing her arms. The man took off his mask, revealing the face of Peter Parker.
"I am Otto Octavius. The Superior Spider-Man," he replied, a sense of superiority piercing through his voice.
"Yeah no, you're just me," replied Peter. "And like Spider-Knight. And somehow like Ben," he continued.
"My intellect allowed me to discover the secrets of consciousness. I transferred mine from my decaying body to yours. I decided to be a better Spider-Man than any Peter Parker could ever be," replied Superior Spider-Man.
"Well, glad to know that Otto Octavius is a condescending douche no matter where you go," replied Peter, as a bitter scowl etched itself onto Superior Spider-Man's face.
"What about you?" asked Man-Spider, two of his arms in a sling. "You look like Venom, what's your deal?"
The Venom-looking figure retracted his organic mask from his face, leading to both Peter and Gwen's jaws dropping.
"No way," they said together.
The symbiote crawled off, to reveal the face of Flash Thompson.
"I'm Flash Thompson. But you can call me Agent Venom," he replied.
"Who else is gonna be revealed to be a Spider-Man? Otto, Flash, Mark Zuckerberg?" asked Peter, sarcastically.
"We don't have time for jokes. You might be wondering what exactly was that device that I implanted on Knull, which seemed to stun him long enough for us to rescue you," said Superior Spider-Man, as he fished out a circular, metallic device.
"What is that absurd creation you hold in your palms?" asked Spider-Knight.
"It released some sort of electricity, and that's what stunned Knull?" asked Ben, looking at it closer.
"Symbiotes, just like any other parasite, need the host to survive. The symbiote is but a mere exoskeleton to the flesh and blood that lies beneath. This device I designed is able to penetrate through the symbiote's biochemical defenses and attack the host itself," explained Otto.
Peter reached out to see it, but Otto sharply pulled back.
"Don't put your hands on it! In your incompetence, you may shock yourself," he replied, scoffing condescendingly. Peter chuckled as he put his hands back, trying his best to hold back a comeback.
"Did you design it yourself?" asked Miguel.
"I had a symbiote volunteer whom I could test it on. Unlike you all following a "prophecy" by an old woman, I actually rooted my ideas in science. This is what we are going to use to kill Knull," replied Superior Spider-Man.
"Hey, that prophecy got us this far," replied Miles.
"It led to one of you dying. I would not consider that a success," replied Otto.
Miles gave a look at Peter.
"What a dick!" he told Peter non-verbally, with a look.
"Are we going to take the war to Knull or nay?" asked Spider-Knight.
"Yes, we are. But how? I tried using my Ultra-Sense, but I don't feel anything," replied Man-Spider. "He must have figured out that's how we are tracking him, and found some way to sever the connection,"
"He must have once had a Spider-Totem. He was a Spider-Man before the symbiote corrupted him," said Agent Venom.
Peter swallowed hard. He wondered how it could've been him if he had gone off the rails when under the influence of the symbiote.
"What if Knull is someone I know? So far everyone except for Miles and Miguel are alternate versions of people I know. Gwen, Otto, Flash. What if Knull could be one of them? Or me?" thought Peter, shaking the thought as soon as it came to his head.
"Enough of the Spider-Totem nonsense. I managed to use some Pym Tech and brought my laboratory along with me. Those who actually want to use their rational mind to defeat Knull can follow me here. The rest can do as you please," replied Otto, as he pulled out a small ball from his belt.
He threw the ball further away from them and out expanded a mini-laboratory, as Peter stared at it in awe.
"You're welcome to try and use your admittedly inferior minds with mine, at least," replied Otto. And that's when Peter had had enough.
"No, Blocktavius. What Madame Web said may have been correct," said Peter. Otto turned around, a dumbfounded look on his face.
"You…do you hear yourself right now, Parker? You know, in my universe, you would've jumped at this opportunity," replied Otto. "I can't believe Peter Parker is saying he'd believe the ramblings of a blind woman than the indomitable Otto Octavius," he continued.
"I'm with Pete on this one. He has the most experience out of all of us. If he trusts Madame Web, so do I," said Miles, as he walked up next to Peter.
"Me too," replied Gwen, standing next to Miles.
"Guys, I really think we should listen to Octavius here. I mean, he was able to stop Knull for a bit, right?" suggested Man-Spider, walking up towards the lab, where Superior Spider-Man was standing.
Agent Venom and Spider-Knight both stood at Superior Spider-Man's side.
"I've worked with Doctor Octavius on this one. He knows what he's doing," replied Flash.
"Aye. This technology is Brobdingnagian. I stand with him to defeat the monstrosity," replied Spider-Knight.
"I'm going with Peter," replied Ben, standing next to Peter.
It was Agent Venom, Spider-Knight, Man-Spider and Superior Spider-Man, facing Ultimate Spider-Man, Scarlet Spider, Spider-Gwen and Spider-Man.
Miguel stood in the middle of the two of them, unable to make a choice.
"O'Hara, you know you should stand by me, face down that creature with state-of-the-art science," said Otto. Miguel looked at him, and then back to Peter and his crew.
"Miguel, it's your choice. I've fought both against you and alongside you. You're gonna help both of us either way," said Peter, staring down Otto's black lenses.
Miguel sighed, as he went and stood next to Peter.
"I'm with them," he replied, sternly.
Otto twitched his left eye. "That is disappointing, to say the least. We will be working in this lab, trying to find actual practical ways to defeat Knull. You can go consult the old woman," said Otto, as he and his team walked into the lab, the door closing shut behind them.
"Well, what do we do now?" asked Ben, rubbing the back of his neck.
"We should go see Madame Web. See what she has to say about this," replied Peter, as Miguel adjusted his gauntlet, shooting out another blue portal as the four of them jumped through.
Otto walked into the lab and slammed his fists onto the table, visibly frustrated.
"You good?" asked Man-Spider.
"Yes, I'm fine. We can defeat Knull on our own," said Otto.
"I hate to ask, doc, but how?" asked Flash.
"I know something they do not. Something that will give us the upper hand here," said Otto.
"And what might that be?" questioned Spider-Knight, curiously.
"I know who Knull is. Or was. If anything, it's good that Peter isn't here to find out," said Otto.
Everyone in the room perked up, as they all looked at Otto, curious and dumbfounded.
"Who? Who is he?" asked Agent Venom. Otto sneered.
"Ben. Ben Parker."
And that's part 2! Stay tuned for Part 3 everyone! Leave a review if you want to give your thoughts on the event so far.
Oooooh weee have things gotten hard to keep up with. I've been working on my college applications all while focusing on my grades too. Plus I've made a lot of new friends and am in a 9 month relationship! So safe to say that things are looking up socially, though I did get myself a therapist. Hopefully things get easier to handle by the end of November, looking forward to Halloween. And it was also my birthday a couple of weeks back, so I'm officially 17!
As for other things, She-Hulk is really not good so far lmao. The MCU in general is feeling less and less appealing, just hoping they manage to get back on track. DC seems to be in the same place, hoping Black Adam is good. And I really gotta catch up on Star Wars lol, just played the Skywalker Saga and rediscovered my love for the franchise.
And I hate to self-promote, but I've also started a new DC Universe! The first title is "Batman: Rising Sun" and it's out right now in the Batman section, so be sure to check it out! More details are in my profile description if you guys want!
Spider-Sonic Prime: About 3-4 parts, mostly 4 though!
Fate-Be Changed: Ahahaha maybe!
SpideyXBC: I don't know, might let Peter keep his hair lol
Marvel Nerd: Yep, and the introduction of a lot more!
Geek4Life: Oooo I haven't seen TAS since I was a kid, last thing I remember as a 4-year-old watching the Green Goblin drop MJ off a bridge, only for her to disappear in a portal and Peter searching the seabed for her. Good times lol, about 13 years back!4
Teller-Story: Interesting idea!
I am the Voice: Miguel would be interesting!
Guest: Ahahaha I don't know about main Peter taking on the bald look, but I'm glad you liked it!
Yours Truly,
Shadow Strike.
