SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 9)
Note: Spider-Man is finally back in action! Apologies for those who were getting bored with simple Peter Parker drama but I really tried looking for the best entry for him to get back into the suit.
QUEENS NEIGHBOURHOOD…
Spider-Man zipped around his neighbourhood for the first time ever; enjoying the liberty that he once had. Right now, the neighbourhood is mostly asleep and it gave him more of a chance to be hidden from public eye.
"66th Street then left…" Spider-Man said to himself as he listened in on the police feed from his earpiece.
Curious about his first crime scenario since absence, Spider-Man wondered how people like Yuri would be reacting to his activeness again. More importantly, there was the scenario on how Gwen would react as well which is what he expects first.
"10-31. Please send units. Over." The speaker said to his ear as he drew closer to his destination.
"I always wonder why the police are still late for stuff like this." Spider-Man said to himself before finding a tree to hide in.
As he hid, he spotted four suspicious looking people dressed in cable engineer uniforms with beanie masks on exiting a mobile services store. Three males and one female based on his own observation. They were all carrying suitcases that were tightly shut towards a van they drove in.
"Yeah, nice going. Clearly non-suspicious; wearing masks." Spider-Man noted, "This is all just familiar territory."
Listening in and spying on what the four suspects were doing. Spider-Man narrowed in on their dialogue from above.
"Last haul apparently…" The first man's voice said, "Hear we're bailing."
"Yeah, because the warehouses have all been raided. So, we're going for Oscorp employee assets." The woman in the group said.
"He just said it was the last haul… We're done taking scrap metal…" Another man said.
"Yeah…That's why we needed access to the network. We're going digital." The woman retorted.
"Guys, keep your voices down… We-." The third man chimed in before being interrupted from a new presence.
Suddenly, Spider-Man's own Spider-sense tingled before it waned away as it turned out to be Gwen as Spider-Woman at the scene. Without hesitation, Gwen jumped from a building rooftop and began interrogating the group.
"You know as much as I will kick all of your asses, I will give you guys the benefit of the doubt of just putting those things back." Gwen said standing in front of the group.
"Okay, okay… We swear this is the last 'robbery', we're doing." One man said to her.
"Jason! Why are you saying that? Uh, it's just business." The second man chimed in.
Spider-Man watched eagerly as the robbers began to bicker whilst the woman in the group decided to end things by pulling out a canister of capsicum spray and blast the contents onto Gwen's face. Gwen coughed behind her mask before the group decided to jump her down.
Two of the men attempted to grab both arms of Gwen before she rolled them over and knocked them aside. She then faced the woman holding the spray to which she cautiously tried to avoid directly facing her whilst recovering from the first spray. However, before she could make a move, Spider-Man intervened and swung down.
"Need a hand on this one?" Spider-Man asked prompting Gwen's surprise.
"What the-?" Gwen asked back, "What are you doing?"
As the woman noticed Spider-Man, she did not have any time to react before he webbed the canister out of her hand before webbing the woman onto the van and restraining her down. The third man panicked before Spider-Man pulled him back with another web and webbed him to the ground.
"Are you stealing the show?" Gwen asked again before realising the remaining two men were still standing.
The two men decided that there was no chance before attempting to flee, however this was always going to be futile with Gwen webbing them down just as Spider-Man did. Still reeling in Peter's return to vigilantism, Gwen looked back at Spider-Man with a demand for answers.
"Thought it wouldn't hurt to do a little crime fighting." Spider-Man said with pride.
"This wasn't just a regular robbery; this is more of the Oscorp Expo follow up." Gwen said back.
"Oh, okay... Glad you and Yuri have a tight pact for the context of these things." Spider-Man replied back, "Is it more computer wires?"
Spider-Man looked over at one of the suitcases that had been stolen.
"It's gold, alright?" One of the men shouted before being web shut by Gwen.
"Wait, hold on." Spider-Man said prying the web off the man's mouth, "Why gold?"
"It's for commodity and material, we can't start business with just cash notes and coins." The man replied.
"Oh, yeah… Business. It's what they all say." Gwen added, "The bird man and his followers are all about it."
"So… What's your boss up to now?" Spider-Man asked the man.
As the interrogation happened, Gwen's Spider-sense began to flicker a little but she was not sure where the threat was coming from. She then realised the threat was aimed at Spider-Man before she jumped in to push him away. Spider-Man's Spider-sense flashed later before realising Gwen had taken the hit and was stunned.
Looking up to the sky, Spider-Man saw Adrian encircling him with a static blaster rifle-like weapon aimed at him. He dodged the next blast of blue electrical energy before Adrian started to descend down with his wings.
"Look who crawled out of his web." Adrian spoke as he landed softly on top of the van.
"Boss!" The restrained man cheerfully cried whilst still webbed.
As Spider-Man positioned himself, he saw that Gwen had been knocked out and stunned with Adrian staring back at him through his helmet. Adrian's own hands were shaking at the sight of him which Spider-Man had noted. His talons gripped onto the surrounding objects with force as he faced down with the web-slinger.
"Uh, hello there. I'm friendly neighbourhood-." Spider-Man attempted to greet with a wave.
"I know who you are, insect. You are the crux of the dilemma I am now in." Adrian snapped back.
"What did I do to you? Sorry, there's been so many of you guys… Well, not many who could fly and-." Spider-Man stammered before Adrian interrupted again.
"Silence! Years wasted thanks to your silly routine and now… You're back. Giving me the opportunity to shred that child's play of a suit you're wearing." Adrian said whilst pointing his static rifle.
"Come on, seriously? You went to jail because what you did was wrong." Spider-Man said, "Now, just settle down. You, my friend can get financial help… Even from me."
Wasting no time, Adrian tried to shoot Spider-Man before the web-slinger dodged the blast of stun energy. Using the trees to his advantage, Spider-Man in return did an impressive manoeuvre before attempting to punch down Adrian. However, Adrian used both of his wings to block the impact which surprised Spider-Man mid-air.
The impact of Spider-Man's punch allowed Adrian to absorb the force and recoil by spreading his wings; unleashing a gush of wind that knocked Spider-Man down to his feet. As Spider-Man laid on the ground, Adrian attempted to pin him down with his feet talons.
"You really fit the bird moniker." Spider-Man replied, "The only thing you are missing? Some feathers and a beak."
Adrian furiously tried to stomp the talkative nature out of his foe but only saw glee from Spider-Man who was reliving the old days.
"Enough jokes, boy." Adrian said before turning his attention to the unconscious Gwen.
Spider-Man then watched Adrian grab Gwen like a falcon grabbing prey. He responded by attaching a web onto him as Adrian took off. Lifting off the ground, Spider-Man found himself spinning uncontrollably thanks to Adrian's attempts to shake him off.
"Ugh…" Spider-Man said as he tried to fight off the motion sickness.
Adrian then lifted one talon off Gwen carefully before attempting to use it to cut Spider-Man's web. The quick thinking of Peter's brain allowed Spider-Man to persist as he used another web from his right wrist to hang on.
The lack of super strength from Adrian made carrying Gwen difficult causing his right foot talon to drop her. Responding to the fall, Spider-Man quickly caught her and placed her down carefully near the side kerb before going back to chase Adrian.
"Just can't wait to drop as well, eh boy?" Adrian asked noting Spider-Man still chasing him.
"He's too fast on air. Faster than anyone else I've faced before." Spider-Man said to himself noting how draining the web-swinging is in trying to keep up.
As Spider-Man noted his disadvantage, Adrian took another opportunity to use the blaster-rifle on him and stun Spider-Man. The blast hit the web-slinger bringing him to the ground. As he fell, Adrian watched before landing with his wings in front of him.
"The tables have turned; I am not the low-level you once fought…" Adrian said walking over.
Spider-Man felt his body go numb as the winged man gloated over him.
"There's a name… For birds…Like you." Spider-Man said, "Ones who…Pick garbage."
"Correct. They're called vultures." Adrian replied, "They need scraps to survive."
BESTMAN & TOOMES, STATEN ISLAND (FLASHBACK)…
Adrian had just finished off a meeting with a customer whose microwave had been broken. As he walked back to his company main office, he was greeted by the sight of his business partner, Gregory Bestman talking with a man and woman dressed in corporate business suits.
"Ah, Adrian. I was just talking to Charlie and Anne here. These two are representatives from the Oscorp Brand and Marketing department." Gregory said getting up from his chair to greet Adrian.
Gregory was as old as Adrian himself with the exception of having black and grey hair on him compared to Adrian's bald sculpt. His suit was also more polished. Whilst Adrian managed the customer and mechanical services; his partner was absorbed in the accounting and financial affairs helping to strategize the direction of the company.
As Adrian shook the hands of both Charlie and Anne; he took a seat for himself afterwards. Curious, he asked Gregory the purpose behind the visit.
"What's going on?" Adrian asked in confusion.
"Oscorp has shown great interest in supporting our company. They've given me documents regarding the terms and conditions for which they will promise enhanced financial support that will ensure B&T's relevance in the years to come." Gregory explained, "Trust me, this will be great."
As Gregory explained, he held the document sheets up to Adrian for him to read. Adrian took the documents and began to process the information slowly one by one. His face went from being neutral to uncertain.
"Greg… You sure this is a good idea? By doing this, you're basically limiting our control over the company. Who knows? They can seize our assets as well." Adrian said, "Can we give this some time?"
"Adrian, there's no time. I gotta to have this signed or the opportunity is going to go." Gregory replied.
"No, Greg. Only we know where B&T will go. It's how we worked for all these years." Adrian argued.
"Times have changed. I'm sorry… But I don't think we have much of a chance in future. You better trust these guys to handle our affairs now." Gregory insisted.
In fury, Adrian slammed the papers near the wall prompting the two Oscorp representatives to act apprehensive with Gregory attempting to calm Adrian down.
"You better cool yourself." Gregory warned.
"Cool? You're gambling our integrity away for these… Corporate warthogs?!" Adrian angrily said, "What else have they promised you with?"
"Me?" Gregory answered with a chuckle, "I can't lie. A greater position as a leading businessman. You may earn that title as well."
"Drop this deal, I beg you." Adrian insisted with his fists clenched.
Gregory looked at the two representatives before looking back at Adrian who was hoping the odds will be in his favour. With one sigh, Gregory gave his answer.
"I will like to go forward." Gregory said with an assuring smile.
Adrian lunged forward in anger before the two representatives held him back.
"Get your hands off me!" Adrian yelled as he was restrained watching Gregory snatch the papers away from him.
"I'm afraid there will be some swift changes in management going forward as well." Gregory said as he readied the pen.
BESTMAN RESIDENCE, QUEENS (FLASHBACK)…
Adrian organised a union of workers that had lost their jobs thanks to the agreement signed by Gregory and Oscorp. Wearing casual out-of-work uniforms, they gathered together near the house of Gregory and plotted.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" A man asked, "What does this accomplish?"
"I don't care if we go to jail… That son of a bitch deserves to suffer for tainting his pockets." Adrian bitterly spoke, "He's become everything we swore we were not."
"Yeah, bring down the rich…" The man muttered jokingly.
"Buckle up, boys. There's going to be some smoke." Adrian said.
Whilst the plotting outside was going on, Gregory was in a celebratory mood with his wife and two daughters at the dining room. The dinner was lavish and he was optimistic about the future.
"Happy anniversary, sweetheart." Gregory said as he poured the champagne.
"It's not exactly the day but uh…Are you sure your partner will come around?" Gregory's wife asked.
"Don't worry about Adrian, he's losing his mind the older he gets. But he will be wrong when the time comes." Gregory said with cheer.
As they prepared to dig into dinner, the oldest daughter in the family began to sniff smoke from afar after the sound of something like glass shattering.
"Is there something cooking?" The daughter asked.
Gregory then got up from his chair in concern. He then smelled the same smoke his daughter picked up and began following the smell to where the recreational room is. The shelf of liquor had caught fire with a bottle of Molotov being the cause. The next thing he noted was the sound of shattering glass and a scream from his wife.
He rushed back to see another Molotov in the room burning the curtain. To his horror, the sound of smashing Molotovs began to fill the house as Adrian and his band stationed at different places in attempt to burn the house down. The fire was starting to burn hotter and grow larger.
"Everyone, get out of the house!" Gregory panicked.
Whilst Gregory and his family attempted to evacuate the house, Adrian continued to look at the flames with motive and hatred on how he would restore the business that was tarnished by the greedy business partner of his.
QUEENS NEIGHBOURHOOD…
Adrian embraced the reputational name of 'Vulture' after multiple media outlets especially J. Jonah Jameson himself called out his scavenging behaviour. After all, he spent the majority of his post-prison life taking pieces from other people. After going through his past with Spider-Man, he accepted the fact that it was unlikely he would ever be the working man that he once was.
"So basically, you committed murder?" Spider-Man asked whilst still feeling numb on the curb.
"I didn't finish that part of the story. I want to focus my grief on you now, boy." Vulture warned as he continued to point his static rifle at him.
"Well, I can tell you one thing…" Spider-Man retorted, "You've dug your own hole."
"I won't tolerate a righteous lecture from you. You won't apprehend me again." Vulture replied before pulling the trigger on the rifle.
After pulling the trigger, Spider-Man quickly recovered from static shock and rolled to the side avoiding the blast which created a few cracks on the curb side. Before Vulture could shoot again, Spider-Man used his webs to jam the opening. The jamming caused the energy in the rifle to overcharge and burst.
"Argh!" Vulture cried as the rifle sparked in his hand causing a bit of shrapnel to collide onto his helmet visor.
"Quick note. I've got a suit that insulates against electrical shock. Came in handy after I tangoed with some other folks." Spider-Man said after getting up from the roll he just performed.
"It's no surprise the difference in costume is not just cosmetic." Vulture replied aware that Spider-Man was in a different-looking suit compared to before as he dropped his busted hand-held weapon.
"Then I will be reciprocal and take you seriously." Spider-Man said as he squared off his flying foe.
Using his wings, Vulture started to take flight but instead of going hand-to-hand with Spider-Man, he decided to fly away. Despite thinking that Vulture had a trap in mind, Spider-Man decided to chase after him anyway.
"What's the idea this time?" Spider-Man asked as he continued to swing after him.
Vulture took one glance back at the web-slinger chasing him and decided to use the air to the best of his advantage. He scanned his environment before deciding to use civilian houses nearby for his tactics knowing that both Spiders have an affinity for the innocent.
When Spider-Man realised that Vulture was flying towards a random neighbourhood house, he desperately tried to catch up but realised his air time to keep up was low. As he prepared for the collateral damage, Gwen quickly caught up from a different direction and tried tackling Vulture mid-air.
Despite the success in colliding with Vulture, Gwen could not phase part of Vulture's wing which clipped her suit. Additionally, the collision failed to avoid damaging the rooftop of the house as well as the garden bed below. A woman from the house witnessed the damage from her window as well the two causes for it.
"Sorry, mam! Just stopping a villain here." Spider-Man chimed as he caught up to the scene.
Both Gwen and Vulture got up from the ground with Spider-Man arriving in the middle. Realising his odds, Vulture decided to resort to another trick and dropped a smoke bomb in the midst. His helmet protected him from the effects and allowed him to see through the smoke clearly.
Coughing from the smoke, Gwen and Spider-Man were blinded as Vulture began to fly away. Despite another attempt to use his web, the web's attachment onto Vulture was cut off thanks to his talons allowing for the winged man to escape into the sky.
"Damn it, we lost him." Gwen said as she moved away from the smoke with Spider-Man following behind.
The two then moved somewhere away from more civilian witnesses and hid onto a tree to discuss everything.
"So…What's your answer for returning?" Gwen asked.
"I…I thought it wouldn't hurt to help around. That's all." Spider-Man replied, "I guess especially after seeing everything at Oscorp Expo, I thought I could help still."
"And what about the things you last said before you hanged the coat?" Gwen asked again in concern.
"I can't keep that promise." Spider-Man said in all his honesty. "I don't think I can. Look, I know you're capable on your own generally speaking but I had this sinking feeling that I can't leave my powers at the doorstep. I'm Spider-Man, it's who I'm always I going to be no matter what."
After hearing the words of Peter's conflicted mind, Gwen understood the notion. Her own powers after all were making her believe that she has the responsibility to perform miracles and help others.
"I get it. I feel as if these spider powers want us to use them." Gwen said, "Or maybe it's just who we are."
After sharing the relatability of the sentiment, the two quickly resumed the conversation on what happened today.
"Well, not the best way to put yourself back in the picture. Especially since Mr. Vulture has flown off again." Gwen said, "We better formulate a plan together to catch him."
"Well, I got something to note. He's unlike the other flying villains you or I fought." Spider-Man said thinking back to villains like Electro; Beetle and Cyclone, "I need something that can better maintain air time to keep up with him."
PARKER RESIDENCE…
Peter got back to his house just in time for bed. It was at that moment; he could be himself. Taking off the Spider suit and quickly hiding it in the closet, he jumped onto his bed and covered himself with his blanket. Today was truly an experience again despite not pulling off everything successfully.
"That was simply amazing to do again." Peter said relaxing, "I think I'm going to do it again… In my dreams."
After getting some shut eye, the morning was on the horizon. Peter's eyes fluttered at the presence of sunlight causing him to realise how little sleep he really took. As he stretched, he quickly put on a regular casual wear before making his way downstairs.
He saw May was still in the same place she slept at as before when he arrived home. May woke up to see Peter descending the staircase.
"Oh, Peter…" May said rubbing her eyes, "I didn't realise… I've completely fallen asleep on the couch."
May immediately laughed before getting up, King was also there already walking around the house.
"I'll make the breakfast today." Peter said.
"Actually, dear. I think I will." May chuckled as she headed for the kitchen.
The Parkers were then all in the kitchen area preparing their food. As this was happening, a knock on the front door and doorbell was heard.
"Huh? I wonder who that could be?" May wondered.
TO BE CONTINUED…