Volume II: Ghost-Spider
Note: This will be the third chapter of Volume II, this will be a Gwen Stacy centered story as she introduced her as the new hero called Ghost-Spider for the first time. Peter will find himself in trouble as new mobster called Crime-Master will bring trouble to New York City as he plays as the villain of this chapter. Peter and Gwen are back in school as they're both junior students at Midtown High, May will have a new job helping the homeless in a organization called F.E.A.S.T.. This will also introduce Martin Li's and Eddie Brock's first appearance in the story.
It's September 2nd, it's morning as the alarm clock rang at 6 o'clock, Gwen hit the snooze button as she wakes up and stretches her arms. She got off the bed and walked over to the bathroom where she brushes her teeth and tie her hair into a ponytail.
After she's done with the bathroom, she walked over to the closet and pulled out a sports tank top and pants as she dresses herself.
Later she made it out of the house as she looks around to see that there's hardly anyone up in the morning, she plays music on her smartphone as she puts the earbuds in her ears to listen.
She ran outside and ran down the streets to jog and test out her abilities, she sees that she's all alone in the streets of Forest Hills as she breaks off her restraint and runs faster. Gwen is running much faster than any normal human can possibly achieve.
She made it to the park where it's empty, she practices her fighting style that she learned from Madame Web, practicing some kicks and punches. Next she centers herself and practice some blocks alone.
Afterwards she ran through the park along some obstacles as she jumps over them without any difficulty and practices her flips. She made it to a tree and ran up it with her clinging ability. She made it to the top and see another tree nearby, she prepares herself for a jump as she jumped across the tree and sees that she's almost within reach, she made it on top and is happy that she came so far in the past weeks since she got bitten by that spider.
Later Gwen returned home after exercising herself to her highest levels as she see that her father is in the kitchen making breakfast.
"Morning Gwennie, made breakfast. Want some?" George Stacy is cooking.
"Yeah, I'm starving." Gwen walking into the kitchen.
Gwen sat down as George hands her a plate with her favorite breakfast, egg in the basket. Gwen took the fork and quickly eats it as George is surprised by how fast she's eating.
"I see that your very hungry." George Stacy says to his daughter.
"Oh, yeah. I was out on a morning jog and must've worked up an appetite." Gwen is still eating her breakfast.
"That seems to be happening lately, you going out in the morning for your frequent jogs. It feels like you're different somehow." George Stacy is worried about Gwen.
"What do you mean?" Gwen stopped eating.
"Is there something you're keeping from me?" George is curious.
"Ah... no, nothing at all. I'm perfectly normal." Gwen lied to her father.
"Gwen, I know that you're growing up and you're almost reaching adulthood. But as a parent I always worry about what directions you're taking in life once you're old enough. I can't stop you from growing up and I won't be there to give you advice. If there's something going on in your life, I want you to know that I'll be there for you." George Stacy says to Gwen.
"I know you would, dad. But seriously, I'm perfectly fine. I'm still that same Gwen Stacy you've raised me to be." Gwen assured her father.
"I know you are and I know that you're most responsible for a girl of your age. I trust you enough to make the right decision when I'm not around. I'll always be proud of my gifted daughter and I know that your mother would be proud too." George says to Gwen.
Gwen smiled. "Thanks dad."
Gwen is happy that her father is proud of her but she felt a bit guilty about keeping this secret about herself from him, she even feels more bad for her boyfriend Peter that she's hiding things from him too and even keeping it from her closest friends Mary Jane and Harry. She has no idea how anyone will process her having powers.
Meanwhile in the city, a meeting is taking place at an abandoned warehouse as members of the local crime families along with what remains of Kingpin's men who didn't get arrested by the F.B.I.
"Alright, we're all gathered here. So what's this all about?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. I thought you were the ones who arraigned this meeting?"
"No, it wasn't me."
"Actually..." Crime-Master steps out of hiding.
The crime families all got startled by the appearance of someone in a brown suit and hat wearing a black mask, he came with his trusted men by his side.
"I was the one who called this meeting." Crime-Master says to the crime families.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Allow me to introduce my, Nick Lewis is my name, but I'm well known by my underworld name, I am the Crime-Master." Crime-Master introduced himself to them.
"Crime-Master, as in the Crime-Master, the big crime boss in Chicago who runs most of the criminal underworld in the U.S.?"
"The very same. I see that New York has been devoid of crime since the Kingpin got locked up and you all seemed to have lost your edge, which is why I'm here, to set all of New York straight." Crime-Master says to the crime lords.
"Hey pal, you maybe a big shot in Chicago and all the major cities you've muscled in, but there is still a big obstacle that can be a very big problem for you, Spider-Man."
"Oh I've heard of him, I did my homework. The local hero responsible for taking down Wilson Fisk and eliminating most of crime in New York than the police can do in years. Did you think that I would come to New York without knowing what I'll be up against?" Crime-Master isn't backing down.
"Don't underestimate this guy, Fisk did and look what happened to him, he's locked up in a cage thanks to Spider-Man."
"Except that I'm not Fisk, I control the most criminal empire in the country and I plan to take New York by any means necessary, including killing Spider-Man. But for that to happen, I'll need the support of the local gangs and crime families for it to happen." Crime-Master wants control of New York.
"And let me guess, you want to take Kingpin's place as the ruler of New York City?"
"Well, you need someone from the outside who sees the bigger picture and is willing to do what's necessary." Crime-Master says to the crime bosses.
"And what if we say no?"
"Then I'll take New York by any means necessary, even if it means killing off the top dogs such as yourselves." Crime-Master threatens the crime bosses.
"You're mad!"
The crime bosses all drew their guns and aims it at Crime-Master and his escort.
"I'll take it that you all say no. Hmm, pity, then I guess I'll have to kill you all." Crime-Master remained calm.
As the crime bosses all have their guns ready to kill Crime-Master, each of them quickly got taken out by silent sniper shots to the heads as the criminals are shocked to see that their bosses are now dead as more of Crime-Master's thugs came in all armed with heavy weapons.
"Now that your bosses are now dead, the choice of joining me is now up to you all." Crime-Master says to the lieutenants of the local gangs.
They see that this Crime-Master is one powerful crime boss like the Kingpin and is willing to kill anyone to get what he wants. The lieutenants of each gangs all came to the same conclusion.
"After careful consideration, we will join you."
The lieutenants all kneel and pledged their allegiance to Crime-Master as did most of the criminals, Crime-Master single-handedly took control of New York's underworld.
"Good, we've got plenty of work to do. I'll need to the names of everyone who's on the payroll and we need to recruit more men to our side. This is a brand new day for New York, soon everyone will know about the Crime-Master." Crime-Master says to the gangs.
Later that day, Gwen is still at her home as she's using the picture of the web formula that she took from the expo as she's mixing certain chemical ingredients needed to create synthetic webbing, she uses a stir stick to mix them together and pulls it out to see that webbing is being formed.
"Gwen Stacy, you are a genius." Gwen is smiling as she succeeded in reverse engineered webbing.
(Later)
Gwen is watching footages on the computer of Spider-Man's past actions in the past year as she noticed something on his wrists when he fires off his webbing. Gwen paused and zoomed in closer to his wrists to find a pair of devices on each of them.
"So that's how you did it?" Gwen figured it out.
(Later)
Gwen picked up parts as she's creating her own version of the web-shooters, she's working on the triggers of each of the web-shooters that can only be fired using two fingers pressed simultaneously.
She loaded a batch of the web fluids into the cartridges carefully.
After that she strapped the web shooters onto her wrists and loaded the cartridges into each of them.
"Ok, let's pray that this works." Gwen has her hopes.
She tested the web-shooters, she pressed the two fingers on the trigger and fired off one at the cup, the webbing fired out of the web-shooter and succeeded in hitting the cup.
Gwen smiled in excitement. "This is awesome. Now to test them out in the open."
It's night time in Queens as Gwen Stacy is wearing a white and black hoodie with black pants, she tied her hair into a ponytail as she looks from the rooftop. She puts on a white ski mask to hide her face.
She sees how high up she is and has her web-shooters strapped to her wrists as she wants to test them out in the open. She fired off a web line at a building nearby as she stands at the edge looking down.
"Okay, here goes nothing." Gwen is a bit nervous.
Gwen jumped off the ledge and swings across the street as she's sees that she's swinging towards a building.
"Ahh!!!" Gwen is still swinging.
She fired off another line at a building and let's go of the first line, she swings in another direction as she fired another line and continues swinging around in Queens.
"Whoa!!!" Gwen yelled out in excitement.
Gwen is getting the hang of the whole web-slinging thing for a beginner, she kept on swinging until she reached a building and climbs onto the rooftop. Gwen took off the mask as she is excited from her first web-slinging.
"Wow, so that what it feels like." Gwen is smiling.
"Help!!!"
Gwen heard a noise nearby as she puts the mask back on as she rushes to find out who's calling out for help. She sees a young woman being chased down an alley by four men.
"Somebody Help!!!"
"Hey, come on, the party is just getting started!"
A couple of men ran past her as they have her cornered, she's frightened by them and their intentions.
"Stay away from me!"
"Now, now, we can very nice guys once you get to know us."
"I rather not! So go away, you creeps!"
"I guess that she doesn't like us very much."
The guys have her surrounded as she so scared and all alone, but then someone landed in a three points stance, someone wearing a white hoodie.
"Get away from her!" Gwen tells the thugs.
They all turned around to see someone in a white hoodie.
"Who are you supposed to be?"
"Someone who's telling you to back off from the lady!" Gwen says to the thugs.
"From your voice, you sound like a chick. We were going to have fun with her, but now I guess we'll have you to deal with. Get her!"
Two guys charged at her as she jumped and does the scissors kick and took them both out as they remaining two are shocked by what they just had witnessed.
"What the?!"
"Don't just stand there, get her!"
Gwen ran up and jump for a hurricanrana, she tossed the guy down hard on the ground as the last guy remaining pulls out a knife and started swing it at her. Gwen does some backflips as the guys tries to cut her but she then stops and counters by fire a webbing at the guy's hand, she surprised him.
The guy is frightened as he makes a run for it, but Gwen quickly webs up his back and pulls in him for a punch to the face. Two of the guys she took down earlier got back up as they charged at her, but she strikes back them with both her elbows backwards, she sent them flying and crashing at some windows.
One guy who got tossed at the ground is mad as he pulled a gun and pointed at her when she's not looking. Gwen's spider sense tingles as danger is nearby, the gun fired a bullet but she jumped high up backwards to see the shooter, she quickly webs up the gun and yanks it off his hand. The man is shocked that this girl can fight and fire webs like Spider-Man can.
"You're not Spider-Man, so who the hell are you?!"
"Just someone who doesn't appreciate scum like you harming the innocent." Gwen isn't too happy.
The man tries to make a run for it as Gwen tossed the gun at him so hard that he staggered down onto the ground, she quickly webs him up to keep him from escaping.
The woman looked around to see that this mysterious vigilante just took down four men and saved her life, Gwen turns her attention to the young woman.
"Are you alright?" Gwen asking the woman.
"I'm fine, you saved my life. Thank you."
"Happy to help." Gwen is walking away.
"Wait! Who are you?"
"Just someone who's here to help. Gotta go!" Gwen runs and swings away.
The woman watched as her savior swings away, someone who has powers like Spider-Man and even fights like him.
Gwen got out of the alley and is swinging away in Queens as some of them are taking photos and recording videos of a mysterious hero in a white hoodie.
Gwen returned home and climbed through the window as she takes off the mask. She just saved a life tonight and faced four tough men armed in combat, she wasn't afraid like she was before, she was brave and fearless.
"Wow." Gwen is still astonished.
Gwen checks out her own hoodie and got some ideas.
"Maybe it's time that I finally get a costume of my own." Gwen says to herself.
(Later)
Gwen is drawing up some designs for a costume for herself and was inspired by Spider-Man's design, she thought up something spider like, she made one that resembles a black costume that has a red spider in the front, but she rejected the idea.
Next design is another black costume with a big white spider on it, she took a look at it.
"Hmm? Promising, but no." Gwen rejected the idea.
Gwen then got the idea from her hoodie that she wore, she decided to draw a costume that is white and black like what she was wearing tonight.
"Hmm? Could use some more colors." Gwen is thinking of more ideas.
Gwen looked around and sees a sneaker that is dark pink and light blue. She draws certain parts of the costume with light blue cobwebs on the bicep parts of the costume, then she draws up a mask that is similar to Spider-Man's but all white with pink eyelids around it.
"It's nice, but I think that it's missing something?" Gwen is looking at the picture.
Gwen had a thought, she decided to add a hood to the costume and draws more blue cobwebs and a pink background in the hood. She finished drawing and took a great look at the drawing as she smiled at the sight of her costume design.
"It's perfect." Gwen likes the design.
Gwen then puts the drawing aside as she types into the computer for materials needed to create the suit, she remembers the expo last year about unstable molecules.
She types in 'unstable molecules' into the search engine and found a website where she can order online, she took in an order of unstable molecules cloths made in white, black, dark pink, and light blue.
She even typed for a search for googles and found some made by Stark Industries, she looks at some googles that comes in all sorts of colors. There are ones in black and red, but the ones in pink caught her attention, she made an order to one.
The next morning, Gwen is asleep as she woke up to the sound of her alarm clock, she hit the snooze button. She stretched her arms out as she was tired out from the crime fighting and the designing of her suit.
(Later)
Gwen is in the kitchen all tired out as her father hands her a plate of her favorite breakfast and a mug of coffee. Gwen took a bite and drank some coffee as George could see that she's still a bit sleepy.
"You looked tired out, been busy lately?" George is curious.
"Kind of, I've been thinking about school recently, it's been a year since... it happened." Gwen made up an excuse.
"Yeah... that day scared me too. But this year will be different, Fisk is in prison where he belongs. He can't hurt you anymore. You can't live your life in fear, you need to move forward." George Stacy says to his daughter.
"I know, I don't plan to let what happen last year affect my life. I need to face it and move forward. I'll be alright dad, I promise." Gwen assured her father.
"I know you will." George Stacy says to his daughter.
The doorbell rang as Gwen finished her breakfast and got up to walk to the door. She sees the delivery guy dropping off some packages as she signed for them. She took them inside as George noticed the packages.
"Got something?" George is curious.
"Ah... yeah. Science stuff for school." Gwen made an excuse.
Gwen walked towards her bedroom as George is confused by this whole science stuff thing.
(Later)
Gwen already unboxed the packages as she started making the costume out of unstable molecules, she's already half way finished as only the top parts of the costume is assembled.
"Almost done, just need to finish off some more and you'll be perfect." Gwen is still working on the costume.
Gwen's phone rang as she stopped working and picked it up, it's her boyfriend Peter Parker calling her.
Gwen answered the call. "Hey Pete."
"Gwen, I'm sorry to bother you if its a bad time." Peter says to Gwen.
"Don't be sorry, I've been busy preparing for our junior year tomorrow. How about you?" Gwen says to Peter.
"I'm in the city doing work for the Bugle as always. My aunt is in the city too, she's preparing for the grand opening of the new homeless shelter being opened tomorrow." Peter says to Gwen.
"It's nice of your aunt to want to help the homeless." Gwen says to Peter.
"After what happened in New York, everyone needs help these days. We never know when the next attack is coming and even Spider-Man can't handle everything alone. Listen, I'm sorry if I'm not there for you since I've been too busy with work." Peter says to Gwen.
"It's okay, I understand. Maybe we can date some other time when we're not too busy. I'll see you at school tomorrow." Gwen says to Peter.
"Okay, I love you Gwen." Peter says to Gwen.
"I love you too Peter." Gwen blows a kiss and hangs up.
Gwen couldn't tell Peter or any of her closest friends about what happened to her and who she's become.
(City)
Peter is on a rooftop overlooking the city after he called his girlfriend, he's all dressed in his Spider-Man suit.
"I wonder what's got Gwen so busy these days, can't blame her, even I'm busy being a superhero to make time for a date." Peter says to himself.
Peter then hears police sirens nearby to see police cars speeding up towards something in a hurry.
Peter sighed. "Guess it's back to being the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man."
Peter got up and puts his mask back on as he jumps off the rooftop and swings towards danger.
It's nighttime at the Stacy Residence as Gwen is all finished making her custom made superhero suit, Gwen took one great look at the suit and is happy that it's finally completed.
"You're perfect." Gwen says to the costume.
The TV is left on in the room as Gwen watches the news about the recent crime waves in the city.
"Recently, crime has been on the rise since yesterday as the NYPD is stretching itself thin trying to contain it, the entire five boroughs are experiencing numerous criminal activities in their neighborhoods as Spider-Man has been very busy helping out everyone."
Gwen is shocked to find out that crime is happening in the city right now, including ones in Queens. She took a look at the costume and gets the idea of helping out.
Gwen picked it up and started stripping of her regular clothes and tied her hair up, she puts on the new costume and the mask as she looked at the mirror to see how great she looked. She strapped on the webshooters she made and loaded the cartridges into each of them, she all ready to fight crime.
In Queens at a Deli Store, the owner is getting robbed by two armed men with guns.
"Hurry up!"
The owner is loading the money into the bag the robber gave him, he finished and gave them the money out of fear.
The two robbers are attempting to flee the scene as they ran outside but something unexpected happened, they got pulled up by the web lines as the owner is watching something happening outside.
The owner got outside to see the robbers trapped in a web and the money is still here on the ground.
He and everyone nearby see someone dressed in white swinging away from the scene of the crime, whoever this person is can fight and swing like Spider-Man.
(Later)
A car chase is happening as a suspect is driving a van through a heavily populated crowd of cars trying not caring about people getting hurt as he's trying to lose the police.
A mother and her daughter are crossing the streets as they got the signal to cross, but they stopped as they see a van coming in at high speed, they're getting scared as it's coming in fast at them.
"Mommy!"
They're about to get run over until someone came in swinging and grabbed them to safety in time, the van missed and the two innocent lives were saved by an unknown hero. They see someone in white swinging and chasing after the van. Everyone nearby recorded the footage and barely got a glimpse of the mysterious savior,
The van is still being chased by the cops until the driver heard something on top of the van, something punched through the windshield and steer the van towards the wall. The van crashed and the airbags went off, the driver tries to get out and makes his escape on foot but he got webbed and pulled up.
The police cars arrived to find the van crashed and the driver trapped in a cocoon above a light pole. They're confused as to who stop the man, from the webs they assumed that it's Spider-Man but they see someone in white swinging away, someone new.
At the 13th precinct, the whole precinct is too busy with what's happening around the city. George Stacy is in his office handling the recent crime waves happening around New York City as his phone got a text from Spider-Man, saying meet up on the rooftop.
(Rooftop)
George Stacy is on the rooftop as he sees a couple of criminals all webbed up and left behind for the NYPD.
"For you, Captain Stacy." Spider-Man says to George Stacy.
George turned around to see Spider-Man is still here.
"Thanks for making the time for the city, Spider-Man." George Stacy says to Spider-Man.
"Glad I could help, though its not enough. What is going on around here? Normally crime is unpredictable and wild, but these recent crimes are more coordinated and precise." Spider-Man is concerned about the crime wave.
"I'm not sure, we've never had a crime wave like this since Kingpin was in charge, but he's still in prison, so he couldn't be behind all this. We need to find out who or what is causing this crime wave in the city. Have any idea where to start?" George Stacy asking Spider-Man.
"I might have one, though I'll need your help locating someone with the answers." Spider-Man says to George Stacy.
It's midnight in Harlem, Turk Barrett is walking out alone feeling a bit drunk from the alcohol as he's reaching for his car parked nearby.
He pulled out his keys until he got webbed up and pulled far up to the rooftop, all screaming until he sees Spider-Man is here in the flesh, Turk is hanging upside down as Spider-Man is holding him by his ankle.
"Ahh! Hey, what's up? Been awhile." Turk is nervous.
"You know you shouldn't be driving while under the influence, it's a serious crime." Spider-Man holding Turk upside down.
"That's why you're here, to teach me a lesson?" Turk is still nervous.
"That and I need information. I assume that you've heard about the crime wave happening in the city very recently. I need to know what you know about it." Spider-Man interrogates Turk.
"I don't know much." Turk is lying.
Spider-Man is loosening his grip as Turk felt that he's slipping off a bit, making him scared.
"Ahh! Okay, okay, I did hear something, it's got to do with Fisk." Turk is getting scared.
"Fisk is gone." Spider-Man says to Turk.
"Yeah, but what did you think was going to happen, every gang wants to get their hands on what the fat man left behind. There's this new player in town muscling in on the local gangs and uniting them under his banner." Turk explained about this new player.
"What's his name?" Spider-Man says to Turk.
"Everyone calls him by his street name, Crime-Master." Turk revealed the name.
"Where can I find him?" Spider-Man wants more information.
"I don't know!" Turk is being truthful.
"Turk, my hand is slipping, can't hold on!" Spider-Man tries to intimidate him some more.
"I swear that I don't know! Only those he trusts knows his location, the man is careful. I'm telling the truth, I swear!" Turk said all he needed to say.
Spider-Man takes him off the rooftop and took the keys off his hands.
"I'll hold on to these, can't risk you driving while drunk. My advise, take a cab or a subway train home." Spider-Man jumps and swings away.
Turk is left all alone on a rooftop in Harlem as he watched Spider-Man swing away with his car keys.
Gwen finally returned home after patrolling the city at night, she takes off the suit and puts it away in the closet, she changes into her night clothes as she plans to sleep for a brand new day of school.
She laid on the bed all exhausted from all the action tonight, she closes her eyes until her phone rang. She opened her eyes and picked it up to see that her dad is calling her.
Gwen answered the call. "Hey dad."
"Gwennie, sorry if I wake up." George Stacy says to Gwen.
"Don't worry, you didn't. What's going on?" Gwen is yawning.
"I'll have to stay and work overtime, things are getting crazy around New York." George Stacy says to Gwen.
"Yeah, I've noticed." Gwen speaks from personal experience.
"Okay, I got to work. Remember to wake up early, have some breakfast, and don't be late for school." George Stacy reminded Gwen.
"I won't be late, dad. I promise." Gwen promised her dad.
"Okay, Goodnight Gwennie." George Stacy says to Gwen.
"Goodnight dad." Gwen hangs up the phone.
She puts the phone on the drawer and heads back to sleep as she's got a long day ahead of her.
Morning came to New York as Peter is all dressed and ready for school, he's in the dining room eating the wheatcakes his aunt made for his first day back in school. Peter is all tired out from last night as he drank some coffee.
"Long night?" May says to Peter.
"Yeah, apparently there's a new crime boss in town muscling in and filling Fisk's shoes. Calls himself the Crime-Master." Peter explained about recent events.
"I thought that things were turning around after Fisk went to prison, but I guess nothing lasts forever." May says to Peter.
Peter finished his breakfast. "Well, I'll figure out how to find this Crime-Master after school."
"Hey, don't forget about the grand opening of the new homeless shelter." May reminded Peter.
"Don't worry, I'm pretty sure that the Bugle will want to take photos of the grand opening. Wish me luck." Peter gets up and walks out.
"Good luck!" May says to her nephew leaving.
(Outside)
Peter made outside with his backpack as he see Mary Jane coming out of her home, Peter walks up and joins her. Mary Jane is wearing her new black tank top with a spidey logo shaped like a heart.
"Hey MJ, like your new shirt." Peter likes her shirt.
"Thanks, trying to show some support." Mary Jane says to Peter.
Peter and Mary Jane walk together towards Gwen's house nearby.
"Another year of school, hopefully it'll turn out better than last year." Peter says to Mary Jane.
"Sure, except things will be different. Remember Cindy Moon?" Mary Jane says to Peter.
"Korean girl, dark hair, about our age." Peter described Cindy Moon.
"The same, she just moved out with her family last month, they've moved to the west coast, California to be precise." Mary Jane says to Peter.
"I wonder why?" Peter is curious.
"Probably because of what happened in New York City couple months ago, the world almost ending in our backyard. But that's not the least of it, last month, Jessica Jones was in a car accident, her family died but she survived and is in a coma." Mary Jane says to Peter.
"That's terrible. I wonder how Jessica will react to her parents being gone. Losing your parents can change your life." Peter speaks from experience.
"I know what you mean, Tiger." Mary Jane can relate.
Peter and Mary Jane arrived at the Stacy residence to see Gwen Stacy coming out and all dressed for school.
"Morning, thanks for coming." Gwen says to her friends.
"Anything for our friend. I see that your dad's car isn't here." Mary Jane says to Gwen.
"He never came home, he's too busy in the city trying to help contain the crime spree." Gwen says to them.
"I know, I've heard that Spider-Man was in the city working overtime to help anyone he can. But it hasn't been easy." Peter says to Gwen.
"Hopefully, our hero will find a solution to this problem. He always does." Mary Jane has faith in Spider-Man.
"I hope so too." Gwen says to Mary Jane.
They continue to walk to school together as their junior year has begun.
At Midtown Science High School, Peter, Gwen, and Mary Jane are currently in science class as they are sitting with their friend Harry Osborn. They look around to see Flash Thompson who is still a jock and Liz Allan, Peter's ex and cheerleader, most of their previous classmates returned for their junior year except for Cindy Moon who had moved away to the West Coast and Jessica Jones who is comatose from the accident that killed her family.
"Morning everyone, it's good to see everyone again this year though I've noticed that we are a few students short. Let's hope that this year will be much better than the last year since that event that happened here in our own school. But we shouldn't be worried, the mastermind behind that event is now behind bars where he belongs. Let look forward to a better year, now class is in session, let's get back to learning." Raymond Warren says to his class.
Everyone is still in their seats as they listen to their science teacher, some still remembers the event that happened last year in this very school they're in. Kingpin once orchestrated an attack and captured a number of hostages including Gwen Stacy who was their target. All would have been lost that day if not for Spider-Man who's actions saved everyone, Gwen nearly lost her life that day, neither Gwen nor Peter forget since that day changed them and brought them closer.
Meanwhile in the city, Crime-Master is in his new headquarters coordinating his criminal activities around New York as he sees the money that has been stolen very recently and more criminals are joining his team.
"Things are certainly looking great." Crime-Master is impressed by his achievements.
He sees a couple of thugs coming in looking all troubled by something.
"Where's the protection money you two were supposed to collect?" Crime-Master says to the thugs.
"We didn't get it, we ran into some trouble in Queens."
"Are the cops too much for you to handle?" Crime-Master says to the thugs.
"No, it's wasn't the cops, it was some hero and it ain't Spider-Man."
Crime-Master is shocked to hear that there's another hero in New York City thwarting his conquest for control.
"Who?" Crime-Master is troubled.
"We don't know, whoever it is, can fight just like Spider-Man does, even has webs too."
"So let me get this straight, your excuse for failing is that there's another hero roaming around the city and fights like Spider-Man?" Crime-Master says to the thugs.
"We know what we saw! We were barely lucky to get away! The only thing worse than one Spider-Man, is two Spider-Mans!"
Crime-Master is troubled as he reacts by spraying gas he's got concealed underneath his sleeve of his suit, he poisoned two thugs in front of everyone as they're having trouble breathing oxygen.
"Like it? It's a super gas I've picked up, it attacks the respiratory system and causes one to stop breathing within minutes. Oh, just so you know that it's a very high concentration that could knock out a large elephant, the effects will wear off after a few minutes, but by that time you'll be dead." Crime-Master explained about his gas and its effects.
Crime-Master then pulls out his personal revolver and aims it at the two thugs dying from oxygen loss.
"But I am not without a heart, I'll make your deaths quick and painless." Crime-Master says to the thugs
Crime-Master pulled the trigger and executed the two dying thugs in front of everyone, they all got frightened by his ruthlessness to kill anyone he deemed useless to him.
"Let this be a reminder to everyone, fail me and I'll see to it that your deaths will be very slow than theirs, understood?!" Crime-Master threatens everyone.
Everyone understands the threats Crime-Master is willing to commit to anyone who fails him.
"I'll have to dealt with this new Spider-Man later, right now I'll to find a way to draw out the real one. If I'm going to be controlling New York then I'll have to remove a certain obstacle in my way, Spider-Man." Crime-Master plans to kill Spider-Man.
In the afternoon at Midtown High, the bell rung as school has ended and everyone is leaving the school grounds, including Peter, Gwen, Mary Jane, and Harry as they all walk together.
"So how was the Hamptons?" Mary Jane asking her boyfriend.
"It was great but boring to be hanging around the other rich kids. All they talk about is what schools they're going to after prep school or who they want to be growing up." Harry explained about his time in the Hamptons.
"So what does Harry Osborn want to be?" Peter says to Harry.
"Really, I just want to be myself, but you know my dad, he expects me to one day succeed him and run his company." Harry says to his friends.
"Must be hard trying to run a multi-billion dollar empire." Peter says to Harry.
"My dad thinks that a genius like yourself Pete will one day found your own company and make something of yourself, maybe you can call your company 'Parker Industries.'" Harry says to Peter.
"Lame, can't exactly picture myself as a CEO of a company." Peter says to Harry.
"Okay, what about you MJ?" Harry says to his girlfriend.
"Me? Well, I have dreams of acting and being a actress." Mary Jane says to Harry.
"Are you still thinking about applying for Juilliard, taking their acting classes?" Harry says to Mary Jane.
"That's the plan, though I need tuition money for that. I can't exactly ask my aunt since we're on a budget. But I'll figure something out." Mary Jane says to Harry.
"I know you will, you definitely will make a great actress MJ." Peter complimented Mary Jane.
"Thanks Tiger. That's sweet of you." Mary Jane smiled at Peter.
"How bout you, Gwendolyne Stacy? What's your plans for life?" Harry asking Gwen.
"Actually I was thinking about becoming a scientist since that's where my passion is. I was thinking about taking biochemistry in college." Gwen says to Harry.
"Really? Because that's what I was thinking of taking." Peter says to Gwen.
"And the nerd circle is complete." Harry says a joke.
"Wise guy. Well, this is where I should get going, I got work to do. So, see ya!" Peter walked away.
Harry looked at Peter walking away. "Man, Pete sure is busy with work too much."
"Well, not everyone is as wealthy as you, rich boy!" Mary Jane tells a joke.
"Wow, that's hurtful." Harry smiled at the joke.
"I should get going too, got homework to do. So catch you two later." Gwen walks away.
Gwen is walking away from Harry and Mary Jane.
"Is it just me or is our two friends too busy?" Harry noticed the change.
"It's just you, so shall we head for the Coffee Bean?" Mary Jane suggested to Harry.
"Of course, my treat." Harry says to Mary Jane.
Later at the 13th precinct, Sergeant Jefferson Davis enters the precinct as he approached the desk and hands him the transfer paperwork.
"Sergeant Jefferson Davis, transferred from Brooklyn, here's the paperwork." Jefferson Davis hands the transfer papers.
George Stacy is walking by with a mug of coffee until he spotted Jefferson Davis here.
"Sergeant Davis?" George Stacy says to Jefferson Davis.
"Captain Stacy, it's been awhile." Jefferson Davis shakes hands with George Stacy.
"It sure has, what brings you into the 13th?" George Stacy is curious about his presence.
"I'm transferring here, I heard about what happened to your old sergeant, I'm sorry." Jefferson Davis says to George Stacy.
"Thank you, he was a brave man helping out during the invasion, he had a hero's funeral along with the other officers from that event." George Stacy says to Jefferson Davis.
"After that day, I figured that the city needs more cops protecting it, that's why I'm here, to help the city." Jefferson Davis explained his transfer.
"Welcome to the 13th, Sergeant Davis." George Stacy welcome him into his precinct.
George got a text on his phone from Spider-Man, saying meet up at the rooftop.
(Rooftop)
George Stacy came up to the rooftop with a file in his hands as Spider-Man is waiting.
"Did you get the information I asked for?" Spider-Man is wondering.
"Yeah, here's everything on Nicolas Lewis AKA Crime-Master, the man is a big player, operates out of Chicago but his criminal networks expands to Los Angeles and Miami." George Stacy hands him the file.
Spider-Man took the file and got a picture of what the Crime-Master looks like, all dressed in a brown suit and hat wearing a black mask with white marks on it.
"What's he doing here in New York?" Spider-Man says to George Stacy.
"Expansion, it's no secret that he's always wanted control of New York for years, but he couldn't since Kingpin controlled New York's underworld. But after Fisk's incarceration, it left a power vacuum and this city became ripe for the taking for many criminals eager to gain pieces of territory. Seems like Crime-Master has already taken control of the gangs and is willing to do anything to keep it that way." George Stacy explained about Crime-Master.
"Well, he hasn't gone up against me yet. Thank you for the info." Spider-Man says to George Stacy.
"So what's your plan to finding him?" George Stacy is curious.
"I'll go find ever criminal until one of them leads me to him." Spider-Man says to George Stacy.
"If that doesn't work?" George Stacy says to Spider-Man.
"Then I'll find another way of finding him." Spider-Man jump off the rooftop.
George Stacy looks as Spider-Man is swinging away to find the Crime-Master and stop him, George hopes that Spider-Man will put an end to this crime spree.
Later at the Daily Bugle, Jameson is in his office watching the news about recent events with Robbie Robertson.
"The crime spree continues around the city as banks and stores are being robbed and wars erupting in the streets as police are working hard to contain this threat. In other news, last night a new vigilante appears in Queens and Brooklyn saving a number of lives and thwarting crime happening in those neighborhoods. Whoever this vigilante is, can shoot webs and fight as well as Spider-Man does. We have footage taken from an anonymous source of the vigilante fighting off crime and vanishes like a ghost. The media has nicknamed this new hero the Ghost-Spider."
"Wonderful, now there's another spider menace causing trouble in the city, things were already bad enough with Spider-Man roaming around." Jameson says to Robbie.
"But it's great that there's another hero protecting the streets, after what happened couple months ago, the world needs more heroes protecting us." Robbie supports the heroes.
"Heroes like Spider-Man are the reason new villains are showing up around the world, they forced everyone to step up their game and create very dangerous villains. He's doing more harm than good." Jameson still against heroes.
The office door knocked and got Jameson's attention.
"Come in!" Jameson invites whoever's outside his office.
A blonde haired eighteen year old enters the office with photos in his hands.
"Eddie Brock, I assume that you've got something for me?" Jameson figured what's in Eddie's hands.
"Got you more photos of Spider-Man, here." Eddie hands his boss the photos.
Meanwhile outside the office, Peter is walking by with more photo of himself as Spider-Man until he bumped into Betty.
"Hey Betty." Peter waved to Betty.
"Hey Pete, going to see Jameson?" Betty says to Peter.
"Yeah." Peter says to Betty.
"Me too, shall we?" Betty walked with Peter.
Betty and Peter enters the office as they see the new guy here with Jameson and Robbie.
"Parker, let me guess, you brought me more photos? Too late, Brock already beat you to it!" Jameson says to Peter.
"You snooze, you lose, Parker." Eddie makes fun of Peter.
Peter is annoyed by the new photographer who has been a rival to Peter.
"Well, since you're here. How about getting me photos of the new web-slinger, Ghost-Spider." Jameson says to Peter.
"Ghost-Spider?" Peter is confused by that name.
"What? You have seen the news? There's a report of a new menace terrorizing the town lately, and get this, this spider has webs just like Spider-Man." Jameson described the new hero.
"Are you saying that there's another spider hero out there?" Peter is surprised by this news.
"Didn't I just say that? Nobody has a good glimpse at this new menace. So this is what I want, any photographer who can get me a photo of this Ghost-Spider will get a bonus. What are you two waiting for? Go! Go!" Jameson tells Peter and Eddie.
"Right on it!" Eddie is leaving.
Peter and Eddie are leaving the office as Betty follows out after Peter.
"Well see who gets the photo first. Try not to be a sore loser!" Eddie Brock walks ahead being a jerk.
"Man, that guy is a total dick." Betty is disgusted by Eddie Brock's attitude.
"I know, but listen I have to get going, I'll be late for a grand opening at the new homeless shelter happening in a couple of hours." Peter says to Betty.
"Do you think I could come with you? This might be a chance for me to do a story on the grand opening." Betty says to Peter.
"Sure, why not?" Peter says to Betty.
"Great, let's go." Peter says to Betty.
Peter and Betty took the elevator together as Peter still has a lot on his mind lately.
"I wonder who this Ghost-Spider is? I wish that I could go and seek this new hero out, but right now, my aunt needs me for the grand opening, not to mention that I still have this Crime-Master to deal with. Things sure are changing very fast." Peter says in his thoughts.
The elevator doors opens as Peter and Betty leave the Daily Bugle together to attend the grand opening happening soon.
Gwen is back at her home checking out her costume that she wore last night, the TV in her bedroom is turned on as the news is broadcasting.
"It looks like New York might have another spider hero in their mist, the Mysterious Ghost-Spider who had saved so many lives and stopped crime in Queens. Will these two spider heroes be enough to protect the people of New York, only time will tell."
Gwen listened to the news about her heroism until she heard a knock on her door, she turned off the TV and she went downstairs to the door and opened it, it's her best friend Mary Jane Watson making a visit.
"Mary Jane, I thought that you were with Harry?" Gwen is surprised.
"I was, we were at the Coffee Bean for a while, but he had to attend to something concerning his father, meanwhile I came back home to take care of Ms. Lion." Mary Jane says to Gwen.
"Still thinking about your dog, as always. Come in." Gwen smiled at Mary Jane and invited her inside.
Mary Jane enters. "Thanks. Did you hear about the new homeless shelter being opened today?"
"Yeah, the one called F.E.A.S.T., founded by the Chinese billionaire Martin Li. I heard that his aunt is volunteering time to help the homeless." Gwen says to Mary Jane.
Gwen's phone is ringing, she pulled it to see that her boyfriend Peter is calling her.
Gwen answered the call. "Hi Peter."
"Gwen, are you near a TV?" Peter says to Gwen.
"Yeah, me and Mary Jane are in front of one." Gwen says to Peter.
"Turn it on, the grand opening is being broadcast live." Peter says to Gwen.
Gwen turns on the TV as she and Mary Jane both sat together on the couch and watch the news.
"We are here live at the grand opening of the new homeless shelter called F.E.A.S.T., for those of you who don't know, F.E.A.S.T. stands for Food, Emergency, Aid, Shelter, and Training. This will be the first of many shelters being built all across the country and the world. Many prominent figures are attending the event, and now we have the founder of F.E.A.S.T. taking the stage, billionaire Martin Li."
(F.E.A.S.T.)
Everyone is outside the grand opening of the shelter as Martin Li is taking the stage and everyone clapped their hands for the man who made this possible. Peter and Betty are with the reporters and photographers. Peter can see his Aunt May with a number of volunteers pitching to help the homeless of New York City.
"Thank you everyone, thank you! When I was growing up back in Hong Kong as a kid, I saw many left on the streets struggling to survive without a home. After the event that happened two months ago, many New Yorkers were trying to survive the freezing occupation while some didn't take shelter, they froze up and died. Thanks to the help of the Avengers, most people in the world were able to return back to their lives, but there are still many who are living on the streets starving and seeking medical care. That is why F.E.A.S.T. exist, to give the homeless a chance to become more productive citizens and to get a chance at getting their life back." Martin Li gives his speech.
He then grabbed the scissors as he walked over to the ribbon in front of the doors to F.E.A.S.T..
"Ladies and Gentlemen." Martin Li cuts the ribbon. "F.E.A.S.T. is now officially opened for business!"
Everyone clapped their hands loudly and pictures are being taken by the press, the new homeless shelter is officially opened as Peter takes pictures of the events.
"Hopefully JJ might find these photos interesting." Peter taking the photos.
Peter's spider sense is tingling as danger is nearby, he and Betty heard gunshots popping around as the crowd is panicking.
(Queens)
Gwen and Mary Jane are watching something happening at the grand opening as gunshots are popping loudly and everyone is scared for their lives.
"What's happening?" Gwen is getting worried.
"I don't know." Mary Jane is worried too.
(F.E.A.S.T.)
Police officers at the scene are trying to fight back by they're getting killed off as some are getting hurt or killed in the crossfire. Peter is with Betty as he does his best to protect her from the threat. He tries to find an opening to go change into his costume by his aunt held onto his backpack for safekeeping, it has his suit inside. He looks around to see that thugs with guns have everyone surrounded.
"Can't escape with so many eye's watching, I'm trapped." Peter says in his thoughts.
A vehicle came to the scene, it opened its doors as a man in a brown suit showed himself to the crowd, Peter recognize him as Crime-Master, the very criminal he was looking for.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologize for ruining this event. But I needed the attention of the entire city to watch." Crime-Master walks through the crowd.
"What do you want?!" Martin Li speaks up.
"It's simple, really. I want the whole city, but there is one who stands in my way, Spider-Man." Crime-Master explained what he wanted.
Peter is listening to what Crime-Master wants, it's him as in Spider-Man. But he can't do anything with so much eyes and men with guns have them surrounded. Crime-Master then turns to the camera crews that was broadcasting the opening live.
(Queens)
"Spider-Man, listen up! Wherever you are, I know that you have a desire for helping people out from danger! If you don't want anyone to die for you, then come and get me! I'll be waiting until you show up, if not then I'll have to thin out the herd here, starting with those who wants to help the homeless! Your choice!!" Crime-Master sends his message on TV.
Mary Jane and Gwen watched as everyone at the event are in grave danger, Mary Jane is more worried for Peter since he's already there among the crowd and he can't do anything. Gwen is worried for Peter since he's in the same danger she was last year.
(F.E.A.S.T.)
Crime-Master is waiting on the stage with the volunteers as Spider-Man is still a no show but Peter could see that his Aunt May is in danger.
"Where is Spider-Man when you need one? If he won't come out, then I'll have to make him come by killing someone, starting with the old woman!" Crime-Master is inpatient.
Crime-Master pulled out his revolver and aimed it at May Parker, Peter is shocked that Crime-Master is about to kill Aunt May.
"Sorry Lady, nothing personal." Crime-Master holding the revolver to May's head.
Peter didn't hesitate as he runs out and tackled Crime-Master at high speed and pushed him down. A couple of his thugs came to aid their boss as they use their rifle stock and hits Peter in the back of his head and knocked him out hard.
"Peter!!" Betty screamed out worrying.
Betty ran up to her friend to see that he's hurt by the pain.
"Stay away from him!" Betty tries to defend Peter.
Crime-Master gets up and is very upset that someone dared to tackle him down hard.
"No one puts me down and gets away with it." Crime-Master points his revolver at Peter and Betty.
Betty is with an unconscious Peter as she fears that they're both about to die by Crime-Master's hand.
"Boss! The NYPD are coming in with SWAT units! We need to get out of here right now!"
Crime-Master's trap to draw out Spider-Man has been crippled by his lack of appearance as he puts away his revolver.
"Fine! Take theses two and the billionaire! We'll use them as bait!" Crime-Master says to his thugs.
The thugs took an unconscious Peter and Betty with them to the van, couple more thugs have their guns pointed at Martin Li as they escort him to the van. Everyone watched as Crime-Master gets away with three hostages, May is more worried for her nephew who has been kidnapped by criminals. She still held onto the backpack Peter gave her.
(Queens)
Gwen and Mary Jane are shocked that Peter along with their classmate Betty has been kidnapped by criminals.
"Crime-Master apparently escaped from the scene and has taken hostages. A number of police and civilians have been killed and few are injured. Will Spider-Man be enough to stop this new crime lord and save the hostages in time."
Gwen is more worried for her boyfriend Peter who is now in the hands of a mobster just like she was months ago. Gwen gets up and goes to her room, Mary Jane noticed the look on Gwen's face.
"Gwen! I'm sure that Peter will be okay! Spider-Man will most likely try to save him!" Mary Jane tells Gwen not to worry,
"I know, I hope that it's not too late." Gwen then walked upstairs.
Mary Jane is having doubts as whether Peter will find a way out of this mess, Crime-Master unknowingly took Spider-Man.
Gwen is upstairs all alone in her bedroom as she now knows that Peter is in grave danger and that Spider-Man could get to him in time to stop Crime-Master. She walked over to her closet to pick up her Ghost-Spider costume and started dressing herself.
In the hideout somewhere in the city, the van managed to ditch the police and the thugs took the hostages out to be used as leverage.
Peter is waking up to find out that he's tied up to a chair along with Martin Li and Betty Brant. What's worse is that he doesn't have his webshooters or his suit with him since they're still with Aunt May.
"Peter, are you awake?" Betty is tied up the other way.
"Yeah, where are we?" Peter is tied up too.
"In a hideout somewhere, surrounded by thugs, they had us blindfolded so we could be anywhere." Betty explained to Peter.
Peter and Betty's conversation got interrupted as Crime-Master is walking towards them.
"I see that the brave fool is awake, good. Since you're all here, I plan to keep you alive for as long as possible until Spider-Man shows up and tries to be the hero. That'll be my opportunity to kill him and take over this city." Crime-Master explained his plan.
"Oh please! Spider-Man took down the Kingpin, he'll take you down before you even have a chance to claim this city, you Psycho!" Betty being all brave.
"You're brave, but foolish! You should learn your place, you little brat!" Crime-Master threatens Betty.
Crime-Master raised his hand about to do some harm on Betty as Peter could see.
"Hey!!!" Peter yelled out.
Crime-Master stop his hand and turns to Peter.
"You think you're all tough?! Why not turn take your frustration on a guy, you coward!" Peter tries to provoke Crime-Master.
"How cute, is she your girlfriend? I've noticed how she rushed to you after you've got knocked out cold. Are you two an item?" Crime-Master says to Peter.
"Listen, you're wasting your time taking us hostage! Spider-Man isn't going to show up!" Peter says to Crime-Master.
"Really? How is it that you know so much about Mr. Spider-Man?" Crime-Master is curious.
"I take photos of him, he contacts me and lets me know of the time and place. You let these people go and I'll take you to him. Do we have a deal?" Peter tries to negotiate.
"No, we certainly do not. I don't need your help. Do you really think that I would go through all this trouble without a plan?" Crime-Master says to Peter.
"Yeah!" Peter turns his head to Crime-Master. "That's because I think you're stupid."
Crime-Master felt insulted by Peter's comments about him.
"You got quite a mouth on you, kid! I'm going to have to teach you some manners, punk!" Crime-Master crunched his fists.
Peter is still tied up as Crime-Master throws the first punch.
Back in Queens at the Parker Residence, May returned home after the disaster that happened outside of F.E.A.S.T. and now her nephew has been kidnapped. She brought the backpack that Peter gave her for safekeeping as she didn't want to leave it at the shelter for anyone to find. The door opened as Mary Jane came to check up on her.
"Mrs. Parker!" Mary Jane says to May.
"Mary Jane, they took him! They took Peter!" May is distraught.
May and Mary Jane hugged each other for comfort. The door opened as Captain Stacy came to check up on May and Mary Jane.
"I'm sorry that we couldn't get there on time." George Stacy says to May.
"Don't apologize, none of us saw this coming. Any clues on this guy who took him?" May is curious.
"I just know that he goes by Crime-Master, he runs a big criminal empire out of Chicago and now is looking to add New York City to his list. He hoped that attacking the grand opening would draw out Spider-Man for him to kill." George Stacy explained about Crime-Master.
"So he's calling Spider-Man out?" Mary Jane says to George Stacy.
"Yeah, except that he doesn't know that he already has him. Do any of you know how to reach his Avenger buddies and see if they can help save him?" George Stacy says to May and Mary Jane.
"That's what I did, but unfortunately everyone of them are tied up in conflicts of their own. None of them are available at this moment." Mary Jane explained about the Avengers.
George Stacy sighed. "So he's on his own. We better pray for a miracle before Peter ends up dead along with Betty and Martin Li."
In the city, Gwen is wearing her Ghost-Spider costume as she looks from the rooftop hoping to find a lead that'll lead her to Crime-Master.
Ghost-Spider sighed. "Where are you Peter?"
Ghost-Spider then looked down at an alley where thugs that resembles the ones that came with Crime-Master are leaving the back door and walking towards a dark sedan.
"Can you believe that Crime-Master single-handedly took over the city?"
"That's why they call him the Crime-Master, as soon as he takes out Spider-Man, this city will be all his and no one will be able to stand in his way."
Couple of thugs got webbed and pulled up as they panicked and looked up to see a hero in white.
"Oh really?!" Ghost-Spider surprised them.
"You're not Spider-Man!"
"No, I'm Ghost-Spider!" Ghost-Spider introduced herself.
The two remaining thugs quickly pulled out their guns and tires to shoot, but Ghost-Spider was too quick as she webbed and jammed the barrels. She jumped down and swings in for a drop kick and took one down. The last remaining thug got scared and decided to run but Ghost-Spider webbed up his legs and pulled him towards her. She grabbed and held him against the wall.
"Where's Crime-Master?!" Ghost-Spider interrogates the thug.
"You're wasting your time, I won't tell a wannabe like you anything!"
Ghost-Spider then grabbed his wrist and pushed his face against the wall while grip his wrist from behind.
"Where is Crime-Master?!" Ghost-Spider intimidates the thugs.
"Why don't you kiss my..."
Ghost-Spider twist his wrist causing more pain as he screamed.
"Last chance! Where is he?!" Ghost-Spider isn't playing around.
"Okay, okay! I'll tell where he is?!"
"Address! Now!" Ghost-Spider demands a location.
At the 13th precinct, George is in his office as his entire unit are working tirelessly to find Peter and the others. Yuri and Jefferson enters the office.
"Anything?" George Stacy is curious.
"I've rallied all the patrol cars to search the streets but so far nothing." Jefferson Davis reports to George Stacy.
"Even the CI's are no good either. This Crime-Master has cover his tracks very well. What about Spider-Man? Can't he help with the search?" Yuri Watanabe wonders about Spider-Man.
"I still can't get ahold of him, he might be busy with something. Keep searching, we cannot rest until these hostages are returned home safe and sound." George Stacy says to Jefferson and Yuri.
"Yes sir!" Jefferson and Yuri salute George.
They left the office as George is worried that Peter is at a bigger disadvantage since he doesn't have his suit or his webshooters. At least Crime-Master still doesn't know who Spider-Man is, but Peter along with Betty and Martin Li are all running out of time.
"How can I tell Gwen that I can't bring her boyfriend back home?" George Stacy is beginning to lose hope.
Meanwhile at night in the city, Ghost-Spider is looking at a suspicious hideout where many criminals are patrolling and looking out.
"This has got to be the place. I'll need to do this quietly and under the radar. If they see me, they might start killing hostage. Hang on Peter, I'm coming." Ghost-Spider says in her thoughts.
Ghost-Spider looks carefully for a way to sneak past undetected, she found a blind spot in their routine and found an opening inside.
(Inside)
Crime-Master is walking back and forth as he wonders why Spider-Man hasn't made any appearances lately to find him. Betty and Martin Lin remained quiet as did Peter who is bruised from the beating, noticing Crime-Master getting impatient.
Crime-Master growled. "I am losing patience! Where is Spider-Man?!"
Peter could see that Crime-Master is losing his cool as Peter himself is quietly unloosing the knots holding his hands together as to find an opportunity to make his move.
Crime-Master turns to the hostages. "If he won't come, then I'll have to let him know that I'm very serious. I'll have to thin out the herd, starting with the pretty girl."
Crime-Master is walking towards Betty and pulls out his revolver, Peter is almost untied as Crime-Master is getting closer.
"Don't do it, if you want to kill someone, kill me!" Martin Li is offering his life.
"How kind of you, Mr. Li. But a man such as yourself might be a valuable hostage. These two right here, not so much. Goodbye sweetie." Crime-Master points the gun at Betty.
Peter loosen the ropes and quickly got himself up and grabbed the gun and divert it away from Betty. Everyone in the room is watching their boss struggling with a teenager who somehow got loose.
Ghost-Spider managed to sneak past undetected as she witnessed Peter struggling with Crime-Master.
"I'm glad that Peter is still alive, but looks like he's in trouble." Ghost-Spider says in her thoughts.
Crime-Master is still gripping the gun and firing off some shots but he misses. Peter is very careful to keep it away from himself and the hostages.
"I had enough of this, Take this!!" Crime-Master sprayed gas from his sleeves.
Peter took in the gas as it's effect are doing it work on his breathing, he is having trouble getting his bearing from the lack of oxygen. Crime-Master regained control as he still has one bullet left in his revolver.
"You got spirit, kid. I'll give you that, but it's futile. Oh, in case you're wondering what's happening right now, you're exposed to a special kind of gas that stop the lungs from taking in air, the effects are only temporary and will wear off soon, assuming that you're still alive that is. Just so you know, it's very special kind of gas that I've been saving for Spider-Man, in theory it could work against an enhanced individual like him. In a few minutes, you'll soon be dead. But I'll have to postpone your suffering, goodbye Mr. Parker." Crime-Master points his revolver at Peter.
Peter is dying from not breathing as his life is now slipping away slowly but Crime-Master has a revolver ready to kill him immediately.
"Aunt May... MJ... Gwen... I'm sorry." Peter is dying slowly.
Crime-Master is about to pull the trigger and kill Peter Parker until a web line stuck to it and got pulled away.
"What?!!" Crime-Master is shocked.
Everyone looked up in the ceiling as Ghost-Spider is here, she jumped down and landed in a three point stance. Betty and Martin Li witnessed another spider hero here in the flesh, the one they call Ghost-Spider. Peter is slowly passing out as he caught a glimpse of the new hero.
"So, you're the mysterious Ghost-Spider that's been helping out the people of Queens. I was hoping for Spider-Man, but I guess I'll have to deal with you." Crime-Master says to Ghost-Spider.
Every thugs came back into the hideout to find Ghost-Spider here, they all aimed their guns at her. Ghost-Spider could see that she's surrounded but her biggest concerns is her boyfriend dying.
"Kill her!!" Crime-Master orders his men.
Everyone opened fire as Ghost-Spider jumped up and dodges all the bullets, she fires off some webbing at their faces, blinding them. She swings towards a nearby wall and clings onto it,
"Hey! Over here!" Ghost-Spider gets their attention.
"Don't just stand there, get her!!" Crime-Master yelled out.
Some thugs started shooting again as she jump and webs up the barrels of the guns, jamming them. Ghost-Spider landed on the ground to see the thugs are without weapons, they have her surrounded. One came charging at her but she jump and slam her feet down on him. Several more came at her as she quickly webs up a crate and swings it towards them, taking them out.
Crime-Master is reloading his revolver with bullets one by one as he sees that Ghost-Spider is taking out his best men with ease.
Ghost-Spider sees one thugs throwing a punch, she grip it and punched back at his gut, another came behind her as she spins for a hook kick. She took out two thugs at the same time.
Betty is watching and is amazed. "Wow!"
Ghost-Spider finished off the thugs as she looks around to see them on the ground all defeated.
"All too easy." Ghost-Spider says to herself.
Her spider sense tingles as she jumped and dodged a bullet fired at her, she lands to see that Crime-Master is left standing.
"Stay still!" Crime-Master aimed his revolver.
"How about no, Al Capone?" Ghost-Spider makes a joke.
Ghost-Spider rans towards him as he started firing but she can predict the bullets thanks to her spider sense as she dodged the second bullet. Crime-Master kept firing more bullets as she jumps up and swings in the air. He kept firing until he's out of bullets, she jumped in closer and does the drop kick on him. He got kicked towards the wall hard, he struggles to get back up and plans to uses his secret weapon against her but she webbed up both his wrists to the wall, trapping him.
"So much for the Crime-Master, not so tough without your weapon or your henchmen!" Ghost-Spider mocks him.
"Peter!!" Betty is screaming at an unconscious Peter.
Ghost-Spider turns to see that Peter isn't breathing anymore as he's passed out.
"Oh no." Ghost-Spider whispered.
"You're too late, that Parker punk is now dead. So much for Ghost-Spider!" Crime-Master mocks her back.
Ghost-Spider turns back to see Crime-Master laughing as he showed no remorse for Peter appearing dead. Ghost-Spider strikes back by with a punch to the face, she knocked Crime-Master out cold.
She rushed to Peter lying on the floor, she checked on him to see that he's not breathing.
"No! No! Stay with me!" Ghost-Spider pulled her mask partially.
Her mouth is exposed as she does CPR on Peter, she tries breathe air into him and does chest compressions. She looked to see that he's still unresponsive.
"Come on, breathe!" Ghost-Spider kept doing more chest compressions.
She puts her lips on Peter's and breathe in more air as he's still not responding.
"Please Peter, come back!" Ghost-Spider pleaded to Peter.
Ghost-Spider breathe in some more air into his lungs and does more chest compressions until he started breathing again and started coughing.
"Thank god that you're okay!" Ghost-Spider is smiling in relief.
Peter is waking up to see his savior, a girl in a costume he's never seen before.
"What? Who are you?" Peter is still confused.
"I'm Ghost-Spider, and you're going to be okay." Ghost-Spider says to Peter.
"You saved me? Thanks, I owe you one... Ghost-Spider." Peter gives his gratitude to his savior.
Ghost-Spider is glad that Peter get to live another day because of her.
"Hey! Do you think that you help untie us?!" Betty is still tied up.
Peter and Ghost-Spider looked at each other as they've forgotten about Betty and Martin Li.
(Later)
Outside of Crime-Master's hideout, the place is surrounded by police and press as they see Crime-Master himself in handcuffs and arrested along with his crew of henchmen. George came walking towards Peter who is getting checked out by the paramedic.
"How are you holding up?" George Stacy is curious about Peter's condition.
"Well... I'm not dead and Crime-Master is finally arrested, so I feel fine." Peter says to George Stacy.
"At least you're safe now, that's all that matters." George Stacy is glad that Peter is okay.
All the reporters and news crew looked up to see what appears to be a girl in a white costume. Ghost-Spider looked down to see her father with Peter at the ambulance.
George looked back up at Ghost-Spider as he can't wonder why he's drawn to her, like on some level he has a connection to her.
"I'm glad that Peter is safe, but I can't tell him or my dad the truth about me for so many reasons. I wished that one day, they'll understand." Ghost-Spider says in her thoughts.
Ghost-Spider shot a web line as she jumped off the rooftop and swings away with everyone watching, Peter is drawn to the Ghost-Spider and is curious who is underneath the mask.
Meanwhile at the underwater base of the Master Planner, he stays hidden in the shadows as he and Phineas Mason watched the news. They see the image of Ghost-Spider swing away from the scene as they now know that there's another spider hero.
"After ten years, the notorious Crime-Master is finally behind bars and his criminal organization has been disbanded, thanks to Ghost-Spider who showed up just in time to save the hostages including Peter Parker of Queens who was close to death. We'll have more details later on."
"This is getting out of hand... now there are two of them." Phineas Mason is worried.
"Not to worry Mason, this is mere an obstacle that was unanticipated, at least this Ghost-Spider removed an obstacle that threatens my control for New York." Master Planner says to Phineas Mason.
"Speaking of which, have you identified the candidates for your new team?" Phineas Mason is wondering.
"But of course." Master Planner uses the remote.
The big screens shows images of five villains that Spider-Man has encountered in the past year, they are Shocker, Vulture, Mysterio, Sandman, and Kraven the Hunter.
"But I still need more time to make final preparations. Soon, this entire city will be mine and nothing will stand in my way... nothing!" Master Planner says to Phineas Mason.
At a hospital in the city, Peter is being checked out by doctors as to see if he suffers any damage from being exposed to the gas that nearly killed him.
"How am I, doctor?" Peter is curious about his heath.
"Well, there doesn't appear to be any permanent damage done to your lungs, whatever traces of the gas must've been cleansed out of your system. You appear to healthy for a kid your age, you're all clear to go. Just remind me if anything unusual happens and come back for another checkup, okay?"
"Sure, thank you doctor." Peter smiled and gave his gratitude.
The doctor leaves the room as Peter is all cleared to be checked out, the door knocks as Peter turns to see May, Mary Jane, and Harry outside the door.
"Hey there Pete, glad to see you back in the land of the living! You had us all worried." Harry came in with a gift basket.
"Thanks, you didn't have to." Peter thanks Harry for the basket.
"But I wanted to, I'm glad that you're not dead." Harry says to Peter.
Mary Jane came up and hugged Peter. "Glad you're okay, Tiger."
"Glad to be okay, MJ." Peter hugged her back.
They broke off their hug as Mary Jane gave Peter a kiss on the cheek. May came up all teary for her nephew's recovery.
"Oh Peter, I thought I lost you." May gave Peter a hug too.
"I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Peter hug May back for comfort.
May and Peter broke off their hug as Gwen came into the room to see her boyfriend all fine and alive. Peter smiled back to see Gwen all beautiful and stunning.
"Hey." Peter smiled at Gwen.
"Hey." Gwen smiled back at Peter.
"We should give these two a moment, excuse us." Mary Jane tells everyone to leave.
Harry, Mary Jane, and May left the room as Gwen and Peter need a moment to themselves.
"How are you feeling?" Gwen is curious about his condition.
"Much better now that you're here." Peter smiled at Gwen.
"I was so scared that you end up dead just like I was." Gwen was worried.
"To think that last year, you were the one who came close to death and was saved, now I'm the one who was saved. It's thanks to this Ghost-Spider, she was amazing." Peter says to Gwen.
"Oh! So you like this Ghost-Spider now?" Gwen acted jealous.
"Maybe... but I love Gwen Stacy more, always and forever." Peter flirts with Gwen.
"And I love you too, Peter." Gwen teared up and smiled.
Gwen came in closer and leaned in for a kiss, she and Peter are kissing one another. They continued to kiss and hugged together not wanting this moment to end. Peter is lucky to be alive right now thanks to Ghost-Spider, she was the hero this time. Gwen is so happy that Peter is still here in the world because of her.
A part of her wanted to tell Peter the truth, that she's Ghost-Spider, the very same hero that save Peter from death. She still doesn't know that Peter has a secret of his own too, that he's Spider-Man. Neither one knows the other secret identity, but they still remained together no matter what.
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Happy New Years 2022