Disclaimers
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All original characters are the property of Celgress.
Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Nine Big Time Part III
A town in Western Long Island, afternoon
"I'm sorry but it's so exciting. Imagine Spider-Man and Spinneret have picked own humble little town to call home." The attractive middle-aged woman gushed unable to contain her excitement any longer.
Along with Mary Jane and Peter the real estate agent stood in the driveway of a sprawling dark shingled Victorian era home with a spacious backyard which included an in-ground swimming pool, and a four car attached garage. The house and garage were set a respectable distance back from the street giving a degree of privacy. A wide paved driveway, well manicured lawn and mature oak trees completed the stately image of the property.
Mary Jane gave the real estate agent a pained smile. Here we go again she thought. Everywhere they went somebody either exalted or cursed them. Unfortunately, the Mayor of the town had done the latter. He felt the presence of a superhero couple in his sleepy hamlet would bring with it attention of an "unsavory" sort that might "disrupt the quiet rhythm of life" the people there enjoyed. The man certainly hated publicity that fact had been made abundantly clear at the conclusion of their meeting when he accused them of wanting to "ruin the peaceful atmosphere" of his town with their presence.
"When we're not webslinging we're just like everyone else. We want a good quality of life for our daughter and the rest of our family." Mary Jane patiently explained.
"Oh, there are other members of your family that will be living here with you and your daughter?" The real estate agent asked. The woman was being a bit nosy but Peter decided to indulged her anyway.
"My Aunt May will be moving in with us. She currently lives in Queens but we'll feel better with the family all under one roof." Peter said.
"Aunt May raised Peter. She's more like a mother to both of us and a grandmother to our daughter than an aunt." Mary Jane explained. "Then there are Felicia and Jarvis. They'll won't be living here, however, they'll likely be around a lot."
"We can't forget Johnny." Peter added. "I'm sure he'll be here every now and then."
Mary Jane chuckled. "Silly me, how could I forget Johnny."
"I see," The real estate agent said without further comment.
"What's the deal with the house over yonder?" Peter asked curiously.
He pointed at an abandoned and somewhat dilapidated white house with eerie quarter moon windows that resembled half-lidded eyes. It was located several houses from their location just within sight from their future front yard if one cranked their neck at an angle. Surrounded by a high chain link fence adorned with multiple "keep out" signs, the large structure dominated the corner of the block that Peter's & MJ's prospective house was located in though on the opposite side of the street.
The real estate agent scowled when she saw where Peter was pointing. "We don't like to talk about that house."
"Who owns it?" Peter said.
"The Village," The real estate agent quickly said wanting to change the subject.
"Is it for sale. If it is, how much are they asking?" Peter said after a brief pause.
"I'm not sure." The real estate agent said.
"What are you thinking tiger?" Mary Jane inquired of Peter.
He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "It might be a good spot for equipment trials and battle skill practice until Spidey Inc secures office space in the city," Peter said. "I doubt we could wreck the place that badly Red considering its present condition."
"It would be convenient."Mary Jane conceded.
"Let's take both," Peter suggested.
"Why not," Mary Jane said.
"Um, perhaps you shouldn't." The real estate agent said while visibly squirming. "People think that house is haunted."
"Pfft," Peter said dismissively. "I'm not afraid of ghosts."
"Me either," Mary Jane said. "Trust us when we say there are much worse things to be afraid of."
"I suppose there are." The real estate agent said thinking the stories she had heard about various supervillains and other threats heroes such as these routinely faced.
A short time later Peter and Mary Jane along with the real estate agent departed. From one of the quarter moon windows of the old mansion something very dark and very real watched. The entity known as the Venom Symbiote had stalked the couple from the shadows for days ever since it abandoned Mac Gargan after being injured by Ani-Venom. A building rage seethed within it. A rage directed at its first long-term human host. Why did Spider-Man always survive? Why could it never defeat him no matter who it partnered with? He had evaded its vengeance so long it wondered if it would ever make him pay for his rejection.
But before the Venom could again try its slimy tendrils at repaying Peter Parker for his misdeeds it needed a new host. A young, healthy in both mind & body and preferably strong host. A worthy vessel it could mold in its own image and bend to its will. It must blend with someone soon or it would be forced to enter a protective coma least it become so weak it could no longer maneuver on its own. Every moment it spent alone it grew weaker. The only question was who it should choose?
A thought dawned on the Klyntar a wonderfully devious terribly malevolent thought. There was one human it could seize that would inflict more emotional pain upon Peter Parker than any other, his life mate. Mary Jane or Spinneret as she had dubbed herself since gaining powers would be perfect for its purposes. A small taste of what she offered had already titillated it. Not only was she relatively young and powerful but also knew Peter Parker better than anyone else. Best of all it could use her as a literal shield when their confrontation came. Peter Parker would never place Mary Jane's life in jeopardy he would rather die himself than be the cause of her death.
It simply must wait for its chance then strike. It still possessed enough reserves to wait several more days if need be. Plastering itself against the nearest wall it entered a state of rest to conserve its depleted energy. The Venom Symbiote being one shadow among many shadows that stalked the old mansion.
Deep in the basement something else was slowly awakening from its long slumber. A destructive force that corrupted everything it touched. A collector of lost souls. The presence of the tainted Klyntar upstairs was like a beacon to the eternally hungry evil that called this accursed abode home. It sensed it could use the alien fuse with it and escape its prison here. Through Venom it would cover the world in everlasting darkness.
A Courtroom in Manhattan the following day, afternoon
It had been a gruelling five hours, not including lunch, for everyone involved. The first day of Peter Parker aka Spider-Man Vs J Jonah Jameson and Bugle Media Inc. was full of sensational witness testimony, clever legal maneuvering and just plain nasty exchanges which were almost exclusively instigated by the defendant. In spite of the best efforts of his legal team Jonah just could not help himself. Every time somebody brought up a point he disagreed with or otherwise felt was unfair he would explode with a tirade. This occurred so often the judge had given up threatening to find Jonah in contempt of court instead she instructed the court staff to maintain a running tally of fines the media mogul had accrued. More than once the judge joked Jonah would be single-handedly funding the refurbishment of the courthouse by weeks end. A comment Jonah made clear he did not find the least bit amusing.
"Mr. Jameson have you or have you not approved multiple news stories stating my client is a quote a 'menace'?" Matt Murdock asked Jonah who sat uncomfortably in the witness stand.
"Maybe I have maybe I haven't," Jonah said. His response elicited a laugh from many of the spectators in the packed courtroom. Robbie Robertson shook his head while Betty Brant just sighed rather loudly. Even Jonah's high priced legal team appeared unhappy with his evasive and childish comment.
"Judge could you please instruct Mr. Jameson to answer the question," Matt said clearly frustrated.
"Mr. Jameson answer the question." Said the judge an older African American woman.
"So what if I did." Jameson exploded. "What's wrong with calling him a menace? He is a menace!"
"On what basis do you claim my client is a 'menace', Mr. Jameson?" Matt said.
"Excuse me," Jameson said. "Of course he's a menace. Anyone can see he is. If you can't that's not my problem." Again the spectators laughed. The judge called for order.
"Objection your Honor relevancy." Said Jonah's Primary Counsellor a Hispanic man of about fifty.
"If the court will indulge me I will demonstrate relevancy momentarily," Matt said.
"Objection overruled, you may produce counsellor." The Judge said before adding. "Be aware the court will not tolerate any further shenanigans for lack of a more appropriate term. A circus atmosphere has pervaded these proceedings from the beginning. I will not allow our justice system to be made a mockery. My warning goes double for the defense, understood?"
"Understood your Honor," Matt said.
"Understood your Honor," The Defense Counselor said.
"Mr. Jameson, on what basis do you claim my client is a 'menace'?" Matt repeated.
Before Jonah could answer every window in the courtroom exploded inward. People screamed and ran for the exits as dozens if not a hundred spider slayers the size of small dogs swarmed inside. These were accompanied by Alistair Smythe who was fully encased in his silver colored bio-mechanical armor. His green insectoid type eyepieces gleamed in the illumination cast by the overhead lights. Behind him stood Mac Gargan also fully encased in gleaming green bio-mechanical armor. In Gargan's case said armor was based upon a scorpion complete with a laser gun armed tail.
"Jameson I've come for you!" Alistair Smythe declared pointing at the terrified Jonah. " The day of reckoning has finally arrived judas! Time to pay for your many crimes old man!"
"Order, order, order in the court!" The Judge screamed in vain slamming down her gavel repeatedly.
Alistair Smythe and the freshly upgraded Scorpion easily dispatched the baffles when they attempted to stop the pair from advancing. Peter and Mary Jane along with Matt immediately sprang to their feet blocking Smythe's and Scorpion's path. However, our heroes soon found themselves overwhelmed by spider slayers they could not seemingly fend off with the usual ease.
Alistair Smythe laughed. "Like my new creations?"
"Not in the least," Peter said while his punches and kicks narrowly missed hitting one robot after another.
"You should their Early Threat Detection Sensory Network or ETDSN for short was inspired by your own so called 'Spider Sense'." Alistair Smythe said with air quotes. "I and Scorpion possess the same advanced interlocked system. Now if you'll excuse me. Judgment has arrived. Scorpion keep these fine people occupied while I take Mr. Jameson to his doom."
"Sure thing Al." Scorpion said with his electronically enhanced voice.
"Don't worry Spider-Man I haven't forgotten your part in my misery or my father's untimely demise." Alistair Smythe said as he grabbed the cowering Jonah from the witness stand. "Once I've dealt with Jameson you're my next target webhead."
"Gee I feel honored." Peter said.
Thanking fast Peter pulled a spider tracer from his pants pocket. He always kept a couple extra on his person even while in civilian clothes just in case. By way of years of practice, he managed to tag Alistair Smythe before the villain escaped along with his prey via one of the many broken windows.
"Not if I finish you first." Scorpion threatened.
Scorpion lunged at Peter who just got out of the way in time. Peter tried to counterattack Scorpion without success. He tried again and failed a second time.
"Whats the matter can't hit a moving target Spider-Man?" Scorpion taunted. "Now that I have a warning sense of my own I see you're not so tough."
"I see you threw your lot in with another loser Gargan," Peter said. "First Jameson, then Kingpin, then Dock Ock when you joined the Sinister Six, followed by the Venom Symbiote and now Alistair Smythe. Boy, can you pick 'em."
"Hey, I didn't have much of a choice after that hypothetical freak Eddie Brock depowered me." Scorpion raged. He swung his armored fists and zapped blaster bolts with abandon at Peter. "When Al broke me out of prison with an offer of revenge how could I turn him down? I had lost everything!"
"You could have walked away tried to be a better person. Seen your depowering as a second chance at life which most people never receive." Peter said. "But no, you wanted revenge. You never change Gargan. Good thing you're an idiot otherwise you could be a halfway serious threat due to persistence alone."
"That's it," Scorpion bellowed. "Time to meet your maker spider scum!"
Scorpion raised his tail high overhead. He slammed it down at Power who dodged at the last possible second. The barbed tip of the tail upon impact became caught in the wooden floorboards. Peter nodded at Mary Jane and Matt who took time away from dealing with the Spider-Slayers to triple team the temporarily trapped Scorpion. They peppered him with blows to his helmeted head until his visor crack then Peter reached in and pulled free a handful of circuitry crippling the suit.
"MJ, Matt do you think you can handle the Spider-Slayer Swarm?" Peter asked examining the circuits and mentally comparing them to those he had taken from the first warning sense enhanced Spider-Slayer weeks ago.
"Sure thing tiger." Mary Jane said.
"I think we can handle them," Matt said. "Although the damn things are a nuisance to hit." at last swatting away a Spider Slayer on the third try.
"If everything goes according to plan they shouldn't be for much longer," Peter said. He bolted out the nearest window before either Matt or Mary Jane could seek clarification of his comments. Peter hoped the special surprised he had been working on would do the trick and that he was correct in his guess of where Smythe would take Jonah.
Atop the Daily Bugle Building, sometime later
Surrounded by twenty of his small Spider Slayers Alistair Smythe dangled J Jonah Jameson by his right leg over the edge of the rooftop. "How fitting that your miserable excuse for a life ends where your betrayal of so many, including my father, began." Alistair Smythe said his voice disturbingly calm.
"Let me live I'll give you anything you want Alistair!" Jonah cried.
"The only thing I want is your death old man." Alistair Smythe said.
"Alistair please be reasonable. Money, houses, yachts, name it, it'll be yours." Jonah cried.
"Somethings are more important than material possessions. But I wouldn't expect somebody like you to understand that." Alistair Smythe said a hint of disdain in his voice, "Goodbye Jameson." He opened his clenched hand releasing his grip on Jonah's leg. Jonah tumbled to his certain death screaming all the way.
"Fancy meeting you here flattop," Peter said now fully outfitted in his Spider-Man costume and gear. On his back was strapped a device about the size of a basketball. He caught Jonah as he swung by. "Don't go anywhere you hear. I got business to take care off. I'll be back after I've finished." He said depositing Jonah safely on a ledge several stories down.
"Curse you Spider-Man you menace!" Jonah said shaking his fist at Peter once the latter had swung away.
"Typical," Spider-Man sighed. A moment later he landed on the rooftop in front of Alistair Smythe. "Ready to dance Al? I'm free for a quick waltz, just don't tell my wife okay." He said amusing a defensive stance. Spider-Slayers amassed all around him in a large semi-circle ready to strike at a silent command from their master.
Alistair Smythe was furious. "With help from your allies you may have defeated that disgrace Gargan but you'll never defeat me or my swarm with such ease. As we speak the AI of my ETDSN system, is analyzing the circumstances of Gargan's defeat and creating a countermeasure that shall preclude a repeat. Each failure only makes us smarter and stronger Spider-Man. Prepare to be crushed."
"Thanks Al," Spider-Man said.
"Huh," Alistair Smythe exclaimed perplexed by Spider-Man's comment.
"I theorized you, your Spider-Slayers and Scorpion were all linked via this ETDSN system you developed. But I wasn't sure until this very moment." Spider-Man unhooked the basketball sized device from its harness on his back. He pressed a button. A loud beeping was heard.
"Is that device suppose to intimidate me, Spider-Man?" Alistair Smythe scoffed.
"You tell me," Spider-Man said placing it on the ground in front of him. "You're the big genius after all."
"Now you fall as all self-serving heroes must." Alistair Smythe stated.
The Spider-Slayers swarmed Spider-Man. Because they could avoid all but the most canny of his attacks he could not destroy or disable them in under twenty seconds before the EMP (electromagnetic pulse) bomb went off. He ended up right at the epicenter of the blast of sizzling blue-white energy.
"Ahhhhhh," Alistair Smythe howled in pain gripping his helmeted head in his hands. His Spider-Slayers each emitted a shower of sparks and flopped belly up. The same thing occurred at the courthouse where Mary Jane and Matt where combating the main swarm. Smythe staggered around in a lazy circle of motion. "Curse you Spider-Man!" He snarled for a second time when he recovered from his initial shock a few seconds later. "My ETDSN system is nonresponsive."
"Yeah about that." Spider-Man panted getting back to his feet after being levelled by the shockwave. He felt woozy. "I keyed my little EMP bomb to specifically target the interlock frequency of your network, neat huh? No more faux-Spider Sense for you or your buggies."
"I hate you!" Alistair Smythe screamed as loud as he could.
Alistair Smythe tackled Spider-Man. The pair tumbled off the rooftop. They fell head over heels exchanging blows the ground rapidly approaching. Operating on instinct more than anything else Spider-Man double kicked Smythe away from him. He then fired a webline which halted his descent. He tried to fire a second webline and snag Symthe but the villain fired rockets built into his leg.
"Our business isn't finished Spider-Man. I'll be back." Alistair Smythe said before zooming off.
"Hey, that's the Terminator's line!" Spider-Man shouted. "Sheesh, some people have no respect for intellectual property rights."
Residence of J. Jonah Jameson several hours later, evening
"You could have been killed." Marla Jameson said while using a wet towel to dab a cut on Jonah's forehead. The pair were seated on their sofa.
"Nonsense," Jonah said brushing her hand away. "I've survived worse."
"Jonah maybe you should settle Peter Parker's liable suit. He did save your life today." Marla said.
"Settle with Spider-Man, don't be absurd!". Jonah said. "It'll be a cold day in hell before I give that menace one red cent! I'd rather burn all my money in a barrel while doing a naked jig than give any of it to Spider-Man!"
"Jonah please calm down," Marla said with concern. "Remember your blood pressure."
"How could you even suggest such a thing!?" Jonah ranted getting off the sofa. He paced around the room.
"I'm sorry Jonah. I just thought it would be nice to have peace in our lives." Marla said getting up.
"Bah, peace is overrated," Jonah said.
"I couldn't agree more." Alistair Smythe said crashing through the wall. "Finally, adios Jameson!"
Smythe powered up a laser blaster mounted into the palm of his outstretched right hand. When the energy bubble became large enough he fired at a startled Jonah. A split second too late Spider-Man arrived with Spinneret. Spider-Man drop kicked Symthe in his back knocking him several steps away but it was already to late.
"Jonah, nooooooooo," Marla yelled pushing Jonah aside she took the full force of the blast with devastating effect.
"Marla," Jonah cried. He ran to his wife's side. He knelt on the floor cradling her in his arms. "Hang on, I'll call the paramedics. You'll be alright I swear." Jonah said tears in his eyes.
"I wanted you dead Jameson." Alistair Smythe said gleefully. "However, upon further consideration, I think this is better. You can feel the pain I've felt as you watch somebody you love slip away."
Marla glanced weakly at the smoldering blackened wound that covered her entire chest. She looked up at Jonah. She gripped his hand in her own.
"Jonah...don't waste any more of your life on hate... I love..." Marla wheezed. She closed her eyes. Her hand slackened its grip. She was gone.
"Monster," Spinneret said. Spider-Man said nothing.
The pair squared off against Alistair Smythe. Without his warning sense and motivated by his hideous action the pair quickly defeated him. They webbed him up on the wall furthermost away from the grieving Jonah and left him for the authorities.
"Jonah," Spider-Man said. He walked over and tried to place his hand on Jonah's shoulder.
"Get away from me," Jonah said swatting away Spider-Man's hand. "This is your fault!"
"How," Spider-Man said bewildered.
"We stopped him." Spinneret said.
"But not soon enough," Jonah said not taking his eyes off Spider-Man. "She's dead because you didn't save her. Just like Gwen & George Stacey, Jean DeWolff, and Ned Leeds. You're no hero Spider-Man. You're a fraud."
"You're not being fair Mr. Jameson."Spinneret said. "Peter has always gone above and beyond to save others. You have no idea of the sacrifices he has made."
"I,-,"Spider-Man began only to be cut off by Jonah.
"Haven't you done enough damage, Parker? Get out of here before I call the police and have you arrested. Go play dress up with your sweetheart somewhere else." Jonah said.
"Let's go tiger." Spinneret said tugging Spider-Man by his arm. Reluctantly Spider-Man acquiesced.
"He's right you know." Alistair Smythe gloated at Spider-Man. Without a word, Spinneret punched him in his face cracking the front of Alistair's helmet and rendering him unconscious.
Above NYC, a short time later
"Why have we stopped?" Spinneret asked puzzled. She and Spider-Man stood atop a random skyscraper.
"I feel, strange." Spider-Man.
"Is it because of what Mr. Jameson said?" Spinneret asked. "Peter he's wrong. You're a great hero the best in fact. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise."
"No, that's only part of it," Spider-Man said his voice quaked under the gravity of what he was about to say. The words caught in his throat. He could not continue.
Mary Janes was afraid. Peter was her rock. Other than Jameson's hateful, untrue words what could upset him so greatly? "Peter what is it, what's wrong?" Spinneret said her own voice cracking when Spider-Man did not immediately answer her question. "Peter you're scaring me. Please answer me."
"Something is, missing. I first noticed it after I defeated Symthe at the Daily Bugle Building and was exposed to the bomb blast. I couldn't put my finger on it until now. My Spider Sense is gone. I can no longer sense impending danger." Spider-Man said his words were distant, hollow, weak.
Spider-Man and Spinneret stared at each other a million thoughts ran through their minds. What did this mean? What were they going to do? Would Peter's Spider Sense ever return? If not, could he still safely be Spider-Man?
To Be Continued
Next up part one of my rendition of the video game storyline Web of Shadows! Unlike canon events with these semi-canon games I have more leeway in my interpretation. However, I'll still hit the main points of the stories because that is an important aspect of my series conforming to 616 Canon as closely as possible.