Chapter 4: Putting the Pieces Together

Everyone ducked as the walls were blown out. "You won't be needing this", said the Vulture as he flew in and grabbed the Eye of Agamotto. The attendant pulled out his gun and fired, only for Vulture to block the bullets with his wings! Then, he knocked the attendant aside and took to the air! "Stay here", said Peter as he ran off, "I'll go get help!" "Be careful, boy", said Professor Bond as he looked over the attendant.

"Too easy", said Vulture as he held the Eye of Agamotto. "I'll say", said Spider-Man as he leaped out of a window and onto Vulture's back! "Get off, bug", said Vulture as he flew down to the street! Spider-Man shot some webs onto Vulture's visor before webbing his shoulders! "Let's 'steer' clear of the roads", said Spider-Man as he pulled the webs, forcing Vulture to fly over a bus! Vulture pulled the webs off of his visor and began spinning, hoping to shake of Spider-Man! "Electro, I could use some back-up here", he snarled. "On my way", said Electro over the radio. Suddenly, Spider-Man shot a web and pulled the Eye of Agamotto away from Vulture's grasp. "Thanks, gotta run", said Spider-Man as he leaped off and swung away. Just then, Electro appeared and fired some lightning bolts, forcing Spider-Man to swing down to Piccadilly Circus! As he swung off of the Coca-Cola billboard, Spider-Man saw Kong catching cars tossed at him by Rhino and leaped over! As soon as the Rhino tossed a car, Spider-Man grabbed it and tossed it back at him, knocking him over! "Thanks, Spider-Man", said Bobby. "Anytime, kid", said Spider-Man as he climbed onto Kong's shoulder.

Just then, Electro, Vulture, Scorpion, and Rhino all converged on the area. "Looks like their after this", said Spider-Man as he held the Eye of Agamotto. "I GOT THE KID", said Rhino, "SQUASH THE SPIDER!" "Well, that makes our job harder", said Spider-Man. "Got a plan?", asked Bobby. "I'll take Scorpion and Electro", said Spider-Man, "Kong, take Rhino and Vulture". Kong grunted and charged forward! Spider-Man leaped off of Kong's shoulder and grabbed Electro by his legs, dragging him to the ground! He kicked Electro in the face before dodging Scorpion's bladed stinger! Spider-Man fired some webs and pulled Scorpion off of his feet! Suddenly, Spider-Man dodged as Kong tossed the Rhino aside and swatted at the Vulture! "Come on, hold still", said Vulture as he aimed two pistols at Kong and Bobby. Just then, Vulture dodged as Electro tried to blast Kong with lightning! "This will cool you off", said Spider-Man as he delivered a flying kick that sent Electro flying into a fountain! Just then, Scorpion attacked with his stinger, only for Spider-Man to leap out of the way! Spider-Man then grabbed Scorpion's tail and tossed him at Rhino, knocking both of them out!

Kong blocked Vulture's shots with his forearm before swatting at him again! Vulture then looked down to see Electro crawl out of the fountain and lift Rhino into the air. "The tide of battle turns against us as usual", said Vulture as he flew in to grab Scorpion with his talons, "There will be other occasions ape. We will meet again". With that, the villains retreated. "Typical", said Spider-Man, "As soon as you see a sixty foot gorilla, your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is yesterday's news". He looks over the Eye of Agamotto before tossing it up to Bobby. "Take that back to your father at the British Museum", said Spider-Man, "I'll go find that Parker guy". With that, he fired a web and swung away, with Kong watching him all the while.

"So you let them get away again?", asked Dr. Who over the radio. "It was a tactical retreat", said Vulture, "Sad as it is, we're ill-equipped to handle Kong, Even going after the kid is more trouble than it's worth". "That's not getting to the fact that Spider-Man followed us", said Scorpion as he held an ice-pack against his forehead. "That's...interesting", said Dr. Octopus, "He doesn't usually go after us abroad." "Yes, I had just assumed Captain Britain was the most of our worries", said Vulture, "This can only mean one thing". "That there's more than one Spider-Man?", asked Electro. "No, it's obvious", said the Green Goblin, "Spider-Man is traveling with Kong." "Well, of all the possibilities, that's certainly one of them", said Dr. Who, "The Bond family and Kong all travel by boat. Spider-Man could be any crew member on the Venture". "We'll put a pin in that", said Dr. Octopus, "I had Dr. Who's men ship over a robot to the Black Forest. It should provide the perfect edge in the coming battle. For now, prioritize finding the Darkhold". "You got it, Doc", said the Green Goblin.

Meanwhile, the Venture set off once more, this time heading for the Black Forest in West Germany. As Kong reclined on the deck, Susan was looking over her notes with Peter. "Something's off about this whole affair", said Susan, "How did Spider-Man catch up with us so quickly?" "Beats me", said Peter, "I heard a rumor that he's really a robot." "And you believe that?", asked Susan. "Not really", said Peter, "Do you have any theories?" "Only that he's probably a stowaway", said Susan, "I've got everyone looking over the ship as we speak". Just then, two sailors arrived. "Still no sign of him", said one of them. "Yeah, we've been looking for nearly an hour and believe me ma'am, he's not on board", said the other. "Thanks anyway, fellas", said Susan as they left. "Maybe we could use Kong to sniff him out', said Peter. "Out of the question", said Susan, "Kong's a good pal and all, but I think he's still holding a grudge". Peter silently hoped he wasn't.

The next day, the Venture arrived in a West German port. Peter and the Bond family had Kong loaded onto a flatbed and they were off as soon as the train pulled out of the station. Kong snorted as the scenery passed him by. He looked down to see Peter and Susan talking and leaned down to get a closer. Susan huffed and closed the curtain. "Don't take it personal, Kong", said Bobby, "Susan just wants to make a good impression on Peter". Kong huffed. "What is it with you and Peter anyway?", asked Bobby. Kong grunted. "One of these days, I need to find a better way for you to speak your mind", said Bobby.

Inside the coach, Peter and Susan were brainstorming. "So, what do we know about Chiros?", asked Peter. "Hard facts on him are hard to come by", said Susan as she looked over her notes, "Legend states that was a human shaman who was consumed by dark magic, transforming into a demon capable of all sorts of evil. He turned his followers into monsters that leveled ancient cities like Atlantis". "So, how did they beat this guy?", asked Peter. "That's the funny thing", said Susan, "In addition to the artifacts we're hunting for, Chiros and his monsters were ultimately defeated by someone very familiar". She placed a photo in front of Peter. It depicted a cave mural on Mondo Island showing a snake-like man shrouded in black smoke fighting Kong. "Looks like Kong has a history with Chiros", said Peter, "More likely it was his ancestor", said Susan, "Though to Chiros, they may as well be the same". "Imagine what would happen if he saw Spider-Man", said Professor Bond as he walked in, "Just to let you know, we're almost to the castle". "Castle?", asked Peter. "The Darkhold is hidden inside of a ruined castle in the woods", explained Professor Bond, "With any luck, we can destroy it before those villains even think of using it".

Soon enough, the train arrived at the station and Kong carried them all up the hillside to a crumbling, black castle among the trees. "Impressive", said Peter as he snapped a photo. Kong set them all down and looked over the ruins. "So, where would they hide the Darkhold?", asked Bobby. "No need to hide it", cackled a voice, "It's in my grasp". Everyone looked up to see the Green Goblin, who was holding the Darkhold! Kong growled as the Green Goblin held up the book. "Hold on, big guy", said the Green Goblin, "I have a surprise for you". Kong roared and threw a punch, forcing the Green Goblin to dodge and drop the Darkhold! "You'll pay for that, monkey!", snarled the Green Goblin as he pushed a button on his glove.

Just then, Rhino and Scorpion arrived on a giant sphinx robot! "Forget everyone else", said the Green Goblin, "Get the book!" As Kong and the Sphinx slammed into each other, Peter grabbed a rock and chucked it at Scorpion, hitting him in the head1 "Come on", said Susan as she lead Peter up the stairs! "Get him, Kong", said Bobby as Kong punched the Sphinx in the face! The Sphinx knocked Kong back with its claws, but Kong grabbed its paws and threw the robot over his shoulder!

Over in the halls of the wreaked castle, Susan and Peter ran over to the Darkhold, only for their path to be blocked by the Rhino! "LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?", he asked. "Yeah, the safari you came from", said Peter. "Peter!", said Susan. "I've got this handled", said Peter with a confident smile, "Get the Darkhold. Hey fatso, over here"! Rhino snarled and charged at Peter, who dodged the attack and ran up the stairwell! Rhino smashed through the door and leaped up after Peter! Peter raced up the stairs and onto the balcony, only to see that part of it had crumbled away! "I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO KILL SPIDER-MAN", said Rhino, "BUT I'LL STILL SMASH YOU!" Rhino then charged forward, ready to impale Peter on his horn!