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Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Three Triumph Through Tragedy Part I
The Raft Prison, morning
Sundays were typically quiet at the ultra-maximum security facility. Due to unionization of the staff, there was only a skeleton crew on duty. When the incident occurred they were caught totally off guard.
Norman Osborn lunged in his cell reading The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli. Suddenly the exterior wall of his cell crumbled away under repulsor fire. Emergency klaxons blared. "Ah, it would seem my ride has arrived," Norman said shutting his book. "Hello there, who might you be?" He asked quirking an eyebrow at the obviously female Iron Spider who hovered outside his ruined fifth story cell. Rather than answer the Iron Spider roughly grabbed Norman and flew away.
When they landed on top of a high rise office building a few minutes later the female Iron Spider unceremoniously dropped Norman. "I was expecting somebody else a bit more manly, but I guess you'll do." His eyes slid over her shapely form which was accentuated by the form-fitting exosuit. Before Norman knew what was happening the Iron Spider reached out and snapped a black bracelet that closely resembled a smartwatch around his right wrist. "Kinky girl, into bondage are you?" Norman said which earned him a not so light slap across his face from the Iron Spider. "You like it rough I see, so do I," Norman said rubbing his cheek.
The Iron Spider grabbed Norman by his shirt collar. Her faceplate slid aside to reveal the irate face of Mary Jane Watson-Parker. "Norman I'd never touch you in that way if we were the last two people on Earth and us procreating meant the survival of Humanity. Even thinking about it makes me sick. I'd recommend you take me to my daughter before I forgot how much I need you right now and do something you'll regret." She hissed.
"Don't you mean something that we'll both regret?" Norman teased with a smile.
"I know what I mean." Mary Jane said her eyes narrowing. She dropped Norman on the rooftop.
"I'm hurt MJ. Can I call you MJ?" Norman said back on his feet an instant later.
"My friends call me MJ. We are not nor will we ever be friends Norman, not after what you've done." Mary Jane said as the Iron Spider faceplate slid back into place. She glanced at Norman's wrist band. "The tracking device I just put on you will deliver an intense electric shock if we are more than a hundred feet apart. So, try not to run off Norman."
"What about what you and your husband have done to me and mine?" Norman said ignoring Mary Jane's comments about the tracking device. His mock smile gone.
"We've done nothing to you." Mary Jane said.
"Rubbish girl you led Harry on while pinning away for Parker." Norman accused.
"Harry ruined our relationship with his lies, not me. I never cheated on him while we were together." Mary Jane said.
"Lies, in your heart you were never were truly his," Norman said. "If only I had been around I would have made sure Harry never became involved with a tramp like you."
"Too bad you felt killing my best friend was more important than your son's happiness." Mary Jane fired back.
"Gwen was another tramp I did Parker a favor by killing her before he found out about our indiscretion in Europe." Norman laughed. "The things that girl could do in bed were, exquisitely naughty." He leered at Mary Jane. "Perhaps if you ask nicely I'll show you first hand."
Mary Jane felt her skin crawl. "Gwen was a sweet girl. I'll never believe you two engaged in a consensual affair. I think you somehow brainwashed her. Which makes you a rapist besides a murderer."
"Think whatever you want dearie," Norman said with a shrug.
"Enough of this, I want my daughter back." Mary Jane said.
"Are you sure," Norman said. "What if I've raised her to hate you and your husband? Would you still desire a reunion?"
Mary Jane hesitated for only an m moment. "More than anything." She said. "Unlike you, I'll always love my child no matter what."
"Very well," Norman said. "I'll lead the way." He pointed at Mary Jane. "Hold me again in your strong, protecting arms." Mary Jane said nothing. She once again picked Norman up. "We have a bit of a trip ahead of us. Fly due West until I say otherwise." He instructed.
Outside a large building in Milford New Jersey, three hours later
"Got out of here Mayday." One member of a group of three girls said to a fourth girl who tried to approach them.
Although the girl's name was May, at least according to a note left with her when she was baby, everyone at the home for girls called her "Mayday" because of her uncanny ability to foresee disasters seconds before they occurred. A talent that greatly disturbed the staff and her fellow orphans alike. Most people avoided her whenever possible. As a result, she had no real friends.
"Yeah," Another added. "We don't need any creepy stuff happening today."
"Leave us alone weirdo." Another said.
The rebuffed girl walked away. Mayday heard the other girls laugh as she did so. Not for the first time, the brown-haired six-year-old wondered why she was different. She sat down alone on a bench to eat the peanut butter and jelly sandwich prepared earlier by the kitchen staff for an afternoon snack. She wondered why her parents left her here. Did they not love her enough? Maybe they did not want kids? Maybe they were frightened by her too? She took a bit of her sandwich fighting back tears. Life in an home for girls was hard but especially so when others feared you. At a young age, children learned not to cry still there were times when even these hardened kids were overcome by emotion. Whenever Mayday thought of her parents she felt like crying. Mayday wondered if she would ever find a family of her own. She did not want to stay here forever. But she knew that she likely would. No one wanted a freak for their daughter. Obviously, her parents had felt the same way. If that was not the case she would be with them. Her self-loathing thoughts were interrupted by a commotion on the roof. A Spider themed figured was battling a Goblin themed figure and she was losing.
The Roof a few minutes earlier
"We've arrived," Norman Osborn said. "Set me down here." Mary Jane did as she was instructed.
"What is this place?" Mary Jane asked peering over the lip of the roof. The building was a large stone structure surrounded by an extensive area of green lawn. It was similar in construction and layout to a school she thought.
"The home for orphaned girls where one of my minions deposited your brat against my explicit orders more over six years ago. He was supposed to bring her to me I planned on using her against your husband, but he lied by claiming the baby unexpectedly died. When I learned of his duplicity a year ago I was understandably upset. Other than drooling a lot, he doesn't do much these days. After careful consideration, I decided her whereabouts would be a useful trump card should I ever get in trouble or perhaps for revenge should my other schemes fail." Norman explained. He looked around at the throng of children below. "There she is." He said pointing at Mayday. "Go on, say hello. I'm sure she'll be delighted that her mother is criminal, or at least will be once they discover you broke me out. She can come visit you in prison. Maybe during conjugal visits, you and Parker can give her a little brother or sister. Wouldn't that be nice."
"You monster," Mary Jane said.
"Oh wait, that's not going to happen," Norman said slapping his head against his forehead. "Silly me, I forget."
"What are you talking about?" Mary Jane said stiffening.
A sinister grin spread across Norman's face. "You're going to die here today before ever meeting your brat." He said. "Isn't that right, my son?"
"Indeed it is, my father," A male voice said.
Mary Jane whirled around. There stood the Grey Goblin. She readied the builtin weapons of the Iron Spider exosuit in preparation for the inevitable battle.
"Back off whoever you are, or I'll fire!" Mary Jane threatened. "I'm serious unless you leave there will be trouble!" She pointed her gloved hands at the intruder repulsors charging.
Rather than answer immediately the Grey Goblin slowly balled his right hand into a fist. Within the palm of the glove was a switch that was tripped by his action. Within seconds Mary Jane felt the Iron Spider exosuit begin to malfunction. He heads-up display blinked in and out. Her weapons powered down. The exosuit soon would no longer smoothly follow her commands. It felt heavy unyielding. Norman's tracking bracelet sparked then fell off his wrist.
Norman laughed. "Foolish wanna-be hero playing dress up." He admonished Mary Jane wagging his finger at her. "Do you really think I would give Parker or you the child? This was my plan all along. Lure Parker here so I could kill him and the child, with help from my loyal son Gabriel. I was hoping Spider-Man himself would free me, but alas it was not to be. I guess I can settle on killing his wife and child instead." Norman circled the sluggish Mary Jane as she threw slow motion ineffective punches at him. "Wondering how we neutralized your Iron Spider armor? The answer is simple. When I briefly had unfettered access to Stark Enterprises tech I hacked its command codes with such an occasion in mind. My good boy just downloaded a virus into your exosuit." He turned to the Grey Goblin. "Son show Mary Jane some good old fashioned Osborn hospitality while I suited up. I want to deal with the brat personally." Norman walked away.
"No, please leave my daughter alone." Mary Jane cried reaching out to grab Norman in vain.
"Yes, father," Grey Goblin said. He loudly cracked his knuckles. "I'll enjoy this."
Grey Goblin pummelled Mary Jane relentlessly with his superhuman kicks and punches. At first, the partially depowered suit offered limited protect before long, however, Mary Jane soon felt every blow as the suit continued to fail. Her feeble slow-motion attacks did noting against him. She cried in pain when he broke one rib then another. Grey Goblin scored a knee lift to her head which staggered her.
With no other options, Mary Jane managed to disengage the exosuit. She slipped free only to have Grey Goblin stab her in her stomach with a razor bat taken from his satchel which he savagely pulled free with a twist a second later. Mary Jane gasped in pain falling to her knees. She clutched her bleeding abdomen. Grey Goblin kicked her in her already broken ribs causing Mary Jane to collapse. Grey Goblin then went to find Norman.
"Have, to, stop, them." Mary Jane groaned getting unsteadily to her feet several minutes later.
Ground Level
Norman Osborn now in his trademark identity of the Green Goblin rained destruction down on the playground from his glider. He tossed exploding pumpkin bombs in every direction while orphans and staff ran for safety. This was the life striking fear into the hearts of all who beheld him Norman thought with psychotic glee.
"Revenge shouldn't be this fun!" He cackled a primed pumpkin bomb in each hand. "Once I barbecue these orphans I might knock over a candy store!"
"How about instead I return you to the Raft where you belong." A familiar angry voice said.
Spider-Man landed behind the Green Goblin on his glider. Spider-Man threw an uppercut that Green Goblin blocked. His pumpkin bombs falling to the ground below. Spider-Man followed up with a left cross that impacted Green Goblin's chin with a loud crack.
"Ouch Parker I think you almost broke my jaw." Green Goblin said. "What happened to the fun loving clown I once knew?"
"He grew up when he watched two of the people he loved most die in his arms because of your actions," Spider-Man said. "I won't allow you to take anyone else I love away Norman."
Green Goblin laughed. "Too late, my loyal son already killed your wife. When we're done here I'll kill your brat. Then I'll track down your dear old aunt and take her life away. Maybe after that, I'll finish with your former colleagues at the Daily Bugle."
"I see," Spider-Man said his voice cold as ice. "I no longer feel sorry for this."
"For what," Green Goblin asked confused.
Spider-Man headbutted Green Goblin breaking the latter's nose. He double kneed Green Goblin in the torso then hoisted the doubled over supervillain over his head and throw him to the ground far below. Green Goblin landed in a motionless heap.
"Die Spider-Man," Grey Goblin screamed.
On his glider, Green Goblin zeroed in on Spider-Man firing energy bolts. When the gliders came within a foot of each other Spider-Man rammed Green Goblin's former glider into the one on which Grey Goblin was sanding. The resulting explosion incapacitated Grey Goblin who Spider-Man pulled to safety with a web line at the last moment. Spider-Man with a second web link and a great degree of practiced dexterity pulled both himself and Grey Goblin to the wall of the building. The pair then slid down to the ground.
"Where is she, Gabriel?" Spider-Man said unmasking Grey Goblin.
"Who," Gabriel said.
"Don't play dumb with me. I'm not in the mood. Where is my wife? Answer me or I'll-," Spider-Man said making a fist with his right hand while with his left he held Gabriel off the ground by the neck.
"Dead," Gabriel sneered. "She bled out on the rooftop five minutes ago by my estimate." He then spat in Spider-Man's masked face. Spider-Man knocked him out with a punch dropping his unconscious form to the ground.
"Peter," Black Cat called out running up to Spider-Man a group of children in tow. "I think I found her, your daughter." Black Cat gestured for Mayday to come forward. "Tell Spider-Man your name." Black Cat urged the girl.
"I, I'm May, but everyone calls me Mayday," Mayday said softly in awe of her savior.
"Tell him why they call you Mayday, honey." Black Cat said.
"I can see bad things before they happen," Mayday said.
Spider-Man regarded her quizzically. He wondered, was her precognition a more advanced form of his Spider Sense. The girl certainly looked how he mentally pictured a daughter of his and MJ would appear. Wait, MJ he had to find her make sure she was okay.
Mayday's eyes grew wide. "Watch out Spider-Man!" She warned her tiny voice growing loud.
From out of nowhere Green Goblin bum rushed Spider-Man. He tried to tackle Spider-Man who used Green Goblin's our momentum to flip Green Goblin over his shoulder. In his rage Spider spied a gagged piece of wrecked goblin glider. He picked it up then put his boot on Green Goblin's neck pinning the latter down. Green Goblin struggled weakly but it was clear the old villain was in no shape to resist for long after his earlier beat down. Spider-Man placed the tip of the makeshift sword between Green Goblin's eyes.
"How can you do this?" Green Goblin croaked. Blood from his broken nosed caked his mask "Killing in cold blood goes against everything you stand for."
"You took away my daughter. Tried to destroy my life. Caused nothing but pain and suffering to everyone I hold dear." Spider-Man growled.
Spider-Man reared back. The crowd gave a collective gasp. He slammed the debris into the ground then pulled it out and tossed it aside. Green Goblin gazed up at him with a mixture of fear and disbelief.
"Shocked, you shouldn't be. You're not worth it Norman, you have never been." He glanced at Black Cat, Mayday, and the other children. They were why he fought to make the world a better place. "Goodness will also endure in spite of the efforts of people like you. Remember your defeat here today, your humiliation. Remember no matter what you can never win, I'll always stop you." Along with the children, Black Cat clapped.
"Wow, your dad is so cool." One of the girls from earlier said to Mayday.
Spider-Man turned away from Green Goblin. "I need to find MJ. She could be hurt" He said to Black Cat.
"Who's MJ?" Mayday asked.
"She's my wife, your mom," Spider-Man said kneeling down. He swept the girl up into arms. Although her identity lacked official confirmation he knew this was his daughter. He felt their connection in his very bones.
"No, no, no," Green Goblin said staggering to his feet. "You remember this day, boy. Remember how I snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. How I left you and your loved ones to die." He pressed a hidden button on his right-hand gauntlet. "In less than a twenty seconds, this entire area will explode. Give my regards to oblivion." Green Goblin and Grey Goblin both vanished in a swirl of light, spirited away by a teleporter beam.
"What did I miss?" Ironman said landing beside the terrified group.
"We're about to be blown up." Black Cat said.
"No you're not," Ironman said confidently. "I spent the last few minutes inside the main building electronically disarming the bomb Grey Goblin planted, sloppy work."
"Too bad they got away," Spider-Man said.
"They didn't," Ironman said. "Hank Pym was monitoring everything. I had him intercept and redirect the teleporter beam Osborn used to escape. Osborn and his equally dysfunctional son are safely in custody back on the Raft."
"I wish you told me earlier what MJ planned," Spider-Man said.
"She swore me to secrecy," Ironman said. "I already lost her trust once I did not want to lose it again by betraying her, well at least in her mind. Our agreement was I would only tell you if she left the city limits. Which she did. Speaking of your charming wife, where is she?"
"I have a bad feeling about this," Spider-Man said. "We better find her." He gently put Mayday down. "Let's go find mom, okay?" He said to her. She nodded her head in agreement.
It took them some time but the heroes finally located Mary Jane. She was leaning against an exterior wall. Somehow she had descended from the rooftop even though she was barely able to function.
"Mary Jane," Spider-Man exclaimed rushing to her side. Right away he noticed the blood that soaked her shirt.
"Peter," She said wincing in pain. "Where's Baby May? Is she safe?"
"She's right here," Spider-Man said removing his mask. Damn she is deathly pale he thought.
Mary Jane gazed at her daughter. "Promise me you'll look after her Peter. That you'll always protect our daughter."
"We'll protect her together," Peter said grabbing Mary Jane's bloodstained hands in his own. He squeezed them tenderly
"I'd like that, but I think my time's up. I'll always love you, tiger." Mary Jane said her eyes closing.
"Do something," Peter pleaded to Ironman. It could not end not this way. They had only found their daughter they never even had a chance to be a family together.
"Pym, emergency evac to Avengers Tower. We have a woman in critical condition." Ironman said.
"Roger that, standby for teleportation." The voice of Hank Pym said over Ironman's comlink. "I hope this works." He added. Ironman, Spider-Man, Black Cat, Mayday and Mary Jane disappeared in a wash of blue light.
To Be Continued