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Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Thirteen Web of Shadows Day Two Part II – Day Four: Resolution
Sanctum Sanctorum Day Two, night
Goth teenager Andi Benton was in awe of what she saw. The somewhat jagged Philadelphia native had thought herself immune to such a reaction when she was rescued from a being assaulted at the hands of a violent street gang by a fairly new superhero called Agent Toxic. Not long after their meeting, however, Agent Toxic discovered Andi was cursed with something called a "Hell Mark". Unable to deal with the situation himself Toxic took her to see the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth one Dr. Stephen Strange. With great difficulty Dr. Strange removed Andi's "Hell Mark" over the course of several weeks during which time it was discovered Andi possessed pyrokinetic based, along with other, latent magical powers. Dr. Strange agreed to teach Andi how to unlock these abilities if she promised to only use them to combat evil and not for personal gain. Fascinated by the very idea of having special abilities and with nothing waiting for her back home Andi gladly agreed to his terms.
"Hey, this isn't the Raft? Did we take a wrong turn at Albuquerque or something?" Spider-Man said when he and the Vulture suddenly appeared before Dr. Strange and Andi after being mystically summoned by the former.
"Greetings Spider-Man," Dr. Strange said. "I summoned you, alongside your less than worthy companion, to my humble abode so that I may assist you in your quest to free the citizens of New York from demonic infestation. This is my new apprentice Andi Benton."
Dr. Strange gestured at Andi who gave a small wave. "Nice to meet you." Andi said.
Obviously unhappy with the insult he received Vulture took a menacing step towards Dr. Strange only to be hurled back by an invisible barrier. "I took the precaution of erecting a protection circle around me and my apprentice before I transported you here, should your intentions be less than noble. It would appear I was wise to do so."
"I'm grateful for whatever help you can offer me, Dr. Strange. However, we need to get a move on. Every minute we stay here is another one during which the citizens of New York are under threat." Spider-Man said.
"The Tinkerer's device will not purge our fair city of the demonic infestation, not unaided at least. This is a sickness of the soul as much as of the body. To be cured it requires a spiritual as well as a technological solution." In Dr. Strange's gloved hand appeared a large ruby that shimmered with crimson light generated from within. "I hold in my hand a mystical gemstone that can cleanse many forms of evil from the human soul. The only drawback is that a gemstone of this type takes months to craft. It will not be ready for more than a day yet. Once it is ready, you must place it within the core of the Tinkerer's ultrasonic device. It shall imbue the sound waves with enough positive energy to drive out the evil infection. You Spider-Mam are welcome to avail yourself of my hospitality for the next day. Fear not the infected cannot penetrate the magical barrier that surrounds my home. We are safe here." Dr. Strange explained.
"Thanks, I think," Spider-Man said thumbing at the Vulture. "What about him? I do need him to save the city."
"If he promises to do no harm, he can stay." Dr. Strange said casting a leery eye on Vulture.
"You heard the man er wizard. Can you be a nice birdie while we crash here and recoup?" Spider-Man asked.
"Yes," Vulture barely grunted while glaring at Dr. Strange. Andi could not help but snicker which drew a glare in turn from Vulture and a "so what" expression from Andi.
Sanctum Sanctorum Day Four, late morning
"Go in peace." Dr. Strange said handing Spider-Man the now fully prepared gemstone. Dr. Strange made ready to transport the pair away.
"Master let me go with them. I feel I can help." Andi said surprising everyone presented.
"Are you sure my young apprentice?" Dr. Strange asked. "Your training is far from complete."
"I'm sure. I know I need more training on how to fully use my abilities, but something is telling I need to go with them that it is where I belong." Andi said.
"Very well," Dr. Strange said. "Go in peace, my apprentice." Andi went to stand beside Spider-Man and Vulture. Dr. Strange looked directly at Spider-Man before he again spoke. "When you emerge victoriously, as I know you will, and recovered from your ordeal I wish for you and your freed wife to return here. There is something of importance which we must discuss."
"Okay," Spider-Man said uncertainly. "See you then I suppose." The trio vanished in a flash of brilliant multicolored light.
The Raft Prison
Spider-Man and the others attempted to explain to the warden and guards when they arrived when the required Tinkerer be freed without effect. With no other options, the trio fought the guards and broke Tinkerer out. They used a distraction caused by Rhino who they freed from his cell to cover their escape.
During the incident, Spider-Man could not help but stop in front of the cell of Doctor Octopus. His old enemy was in horrendous shape. Years of brutal battles and questionable experiments had taken their toll. Dr. Octopus' shrivelled body lay there in a hospital type bed hooked up to a myriad of life support equipment including a respirator. For a brief moment, their eyes locked through the glass window of the cell. Spider-Man felt an eerie sensation as if he were a roast being sized up by a starving man. Did Dr. Ocotpus winked at him or had he imagined that? Without time to dwell on the disconcerting incident, Spider-Man quickly pushed it from his mind as he, the Tinkerer, Vulture, and Andi beat a hasty retreat.
After leaving the Raft in chaos the quartet raced towards Tinkerer's hidden stash of parts which he required to created the device. Andi's ability to cast flame spells came in handy here as the demonic symbiotes still feared fire although, as with Carnage, it did not seem to hurt them much. Several hours later with the gemstones installed into the device by a skeptical Tinkerer who scoffed at the whole concept of magic they made their way across the city to the Trask Building. According to Tinkerer the spire atop the Trask Building was the optimal place to put his device so as to "ensure maximum sound wave coverage of the entire city".
Outside the Trask Building, afternoon
"Just what we needed more of them," Andi groaned irritably.
A truly immense swarm of demonic symbiotes converged on their position across the street from the Trask Building. It was by far the largest swarm Spider-Man had yet encountered in his travels. The four were soon completely surrounded without hope of escape.
"If this is the end we go down swinging." Spider-Man declared assuming a defensive stance.
"I'd rather go out for pizza," Andi said. Her hands glowed with mystic fire.
"I hear you kid. I could really go for a nice pie myself. Prison food sticks." Tinkerer said.
"Who you calling kid four eyes," Andi said throwing twin balls of mystic fire at the incoming Venomized.
"Children play nice," Vulture said taking to the air he let loose a sonic scream at the Venomized pushing some of them back temporarily. Unnoticed by Vulture there was a small group of Vemonized atop a nearby building. They jumped off and one landed on his back. "Get off," He yelled in horror but it was too late he had been infected.
"They got Vulture." Tinkerer cried.
Spider-Man was about to recklessly throw himself at the massive horde when a large white shape appeared. The shape literally craved a path through the swarm in seconds melting the demonic symbiotes off their unwilling hosts with a mere touch. The hosts then violently spasmed and died.
"Eddie I never thought I would be happy to see you," Spider-Man said. Although the Venom Symbiote was less than thrilled by the appearance of its longtime former host.
[Keep him away from me Peter. He is a murderer. We must avoid his touch.] It said to Peter in his mind. Its mental voice filled with revulsion.
"Peter, what has become of you?" Anti-Venom said examining Spider-Man. "We sense much darkness within you. Come free yourself from this alien demon that clings to you for sustenance. Allow me to cleanse you of evil."
"No thanks, I'm fine." Spider-Man. He felt the Venom Symbiote bristle at Anti-Venom's words. "Besides I think we should concentrate on them. My buddy Tinkerer here as a device that can safely remove them from the people they have infected if we can only get it to the top of the Trask Building."
"I will assist you in this divine mission," Anti-Venom said. "I have been cleaning these vile creatures from the city slowly by my own hand. However, even a blessed crusader such as I can only vanquish so much evil alone."
"Is he for real?" Andi asked while shooting flame at the Venomized.
"Sadly he is," Spider-Man said.
'Damn, Eddie is more deranged than ever.' Peter thought. Ignoring Spider-Man's words Anti-Venom was already clearing at a path to the Trask Building. He even fended off Vulture when the Venomized villain attempted to stop them, although Vulture flew away before he could be "cleansed of evil".
[Agreed, he doesn't have a screw loose he is missing the whole set.] The Venom Symbiote replied in Peter's mind.
'Was that a joke I detect?' Peter thought. 'I thought I was the jokester of our partnership.'
[What can I say. I learned from the master.] The Venom Symbiote replied in Peter's mind.
Inside, a few minutes later
The four made their way through the lobby without incident. Inside the elevator, however, things again took a turn for the worse. They were only two floors from the rooftop when the elevator car violently lurched then stopped its upward progression. Black claws tore through the floor and walls as the Vemonized ripped their way inside.
"Anti-Venom get Tinkerer to the roof. Andi and I will hold them off as long as we can." Spider-Man said.
Tinkerer reluctantly hopped on Anti-Venom's back. Anti-Venom scurried up what was left of the wall and out of the elevator. While sending Tinkerer with Anti-Venom might have been a bit risky it was also the safest bet. The Venomized could not touch Anti-Venom without enduring great pain they could even die if they lingered with the contact.
"Get on my back," Spider-Man said to Andi once he was fairly sure Anti-Venom had gotten the Tinkerer to relative safety.
"Well, as long as you ask nicely," Andi said jumping on Spider-Man's back. "Oh, silky smooth I like." She added feeling the Symbiote.
Spider-Man scurried into the shaft and up the rope dodging the Venomized every step of the way. He got to the end of the shaft and was headed to rooftop access stairs when a Venomized attacked. While he managed to dodge Andi who remained on his back was not so lucky. The claws of the creature opened a nasty gash along her stomach. After kicking the Venomized in question down the elevator shaft Spider-Man attended to badly the injured Andi.
Spider-Man was greatly troubled by the amount of blood the spunky girl was losing. The gash was much deeper than he at first thought. He was fearful Andi might bleed out before he could get her medical assistance. When her eyes fluttered shut in spite of his jokes aimed at keeping her engaged his worse fears seemed on the verge of becoming reality.
[I can save her Peter.] The Venom Symbiote said in Peter's mind.
'How,' Peter thought.
[I'll leave a part of myself with her. Not only will it heal her in time, it will also protect her from the corrupted.] Sensing Peter's hesitation the Venom Symbiote added. [If we do nothing she'll die, Peter.]
'Do it,' Peter thought.
The Venom Symbiote extended a large tendril from Spider-Man's chest. Within moments Andi's torso was covered in its inky blackness. The tendril than broke in two leaving Andi partially covered.
"Time to end this," Spider-Man said with steely determination. He sprinted up the stairs towards the rooftop.
Rooftop, not long afterwards
"I don't give a damn about your divinely ordained mission Eddie!" Spider-Man yelled. "I only care about saving my wife, one of my best friends and the people of New York City!"
"I should have known better than to trust you again!" Anti-Venom yelled back. "You've never had the guts to do what is necessary! Stand aside, Parker! Let a real hero handle this!" Anti-Venom roughly pushed the black and white clad Spider-Man out of his way.
[Are you going to let him treat us with such disrespect? He is nothing. Show him his worthlessness. Crush him before he ruins everything. Think of Mary Jane, of Felicia of our responsibility to protect the innocent. Stop him before it is to late.] The voice urged.
"Stop Eddie or I'll be forced to hurt you!" Spider-Man growled. He tagged Anti-Venom's back with a strand of webbing. He tugged on the strand turning Anti-Venom around to face him.
Anti-Venom snarled bearing his sharp black teeth. His eyes flashed with anger. "Not if I cleanse you of your parasite first." He threatened.
[Don't let him touch us. His touch hurts us. Keep him away.] The voice in Spider-Man's mind warned.
A tense standoff ensued. Spider-Man and Anti-Venom squared off. They were about to attack each other with abandon when the voice of their ally of convenience the Tinkerer spoke from his position beside the main transmission tower of the building on the terrace above their position.
"Gentlemen I highly recommend saving the fisticuffs for another time. I'm afraid our guests have arrived."
"Hello there Spiiiiidddddeeeer. We've been searching for you everywhere." A Venomized Black Cat said. Behind her were scores of civilians likewise encased in facsimiles of Venom Symbiote complete with claws, teeth and long flicking tongues.
"Felicia I know you're in there fight it!" Spider-Man urged.
The Venomized Black Cat laughed. "The mortal Felicia is part of us now. She belongs to us to the darkness. We are legion. Join us Spider belong."
"Never," Spider-Man said firmly.
{Never} The voice in Spider-Man's head mirrored his words.
"I'll cleanse your souls of evil monsters," Anti-Venom said.
"No," Spider-Man said firmly. "You can't. Eddie you promised. Give me plan a chance."
Spider-Man had seen first hand what "cleansing" did to the hosts. They typically died of shock shortly after from the forcible separation. He would not allow Anti-Venom to kill Felicia or anyone else here today if he could prevent it.
"Although it is against my better judgment. I did give you my word." Anti-Venom said. "For now we'll do things your way."
"Thanks Eddie," Spider-Man said.
Any further debate on their part was prevented from taking place when the infected people led by the Venomized Black Cat attacked the pair. Soon they were desperately flinging bodies left and right. Proficient as Spider-Man and Anti-Venom were at combat, however, the numbers game soon caught up with them especially once Venomized Wolverine, Venomized Electro and Venomized Vulture arrived with hundreds of reinforcements.
"Tinkerer we could really use that surprise you've been working on right about now. How is it coming along buddy?" Spider-Man asked.
"It'll be ready in under a minute. If you can keep them away from me until then I think we just might pull this off." Tinkerer said.
The building shook causing Spider-Man. Anti-Venom and Tinkerer to almost lose their footing. A gigantic multiheaded hydra type Venom monster reared its ugly drooling heads followed by its tree trunk sized pair of upper limbs over the lip of the rooftop. It must have been at least fifty feet tall! Twice as big as when the trio of would-be saviors had last seen it earlier that day. The largest and centrally located of the five heads opened its fanged mouth forming words. In response, the Venomized metahumans and ordinary people alike ceased their relentless assault.
"The age of humans is at an end. Become one with us belong or perish." The multilayered voiced boomed.
"You are in way over you multiple heads Legion," Spider-Man said defiantly. "You are going down. This is your last chance. Release those you've corrupted and return to your abode or we will be forced to destroy you."
"I think not." The Venom Monster boomed. "We cannot be stopped. We shall become one with all life in this world. Our victory is assured."
"Mary Jane," Spider-Man said his voice seemed pained by the very words. "Fight this thing. Don't let it hurt anyone else. Think of our daughter. Think of her future. Think of our family. Think of our love. Help me stop this thing."
"Your wife has become such a small part of us of what we now are mortal. Appealing to her for assistance is pointless. She cannot save herself, how could she save you?" The Venom Monster boomed. "You can do nothing. We are beyond your feeble abilities. We are invincible. Once we become one with you and the other two here we shall become ever greater." The Venom boomed.
"Over my dead body Legion," Spider-Man said his hands balling into fists.
"I couldn't agree more," Anti-Venom said. "Bring it, beast!"
"I've got nothing better to do." Tinkerer said nonchalantly.
"As you wish mortal fools." The Venom Monster boomed.
Tinkerer flipped the switch. A strong pulse of sound beyond the range of range of human hearing coupled with an outward flowing in every direction wave of ruby energy surged forth. When the wave touched the Venomized they froze in place, shuddered, turn an ashy grey then crumbled away leaving their confused ex-hosts unharmed. The symbiote constructs scattered throughout the city likewise crumbled into nothingness. The Venom Symbiote itself was severely weakened and torn from Peter's body. What was left of it withered in pain at his feet.
Peter felt a pair of arms encircled his shoulder as a warm body pressed against his own. "I knew you'd save us, tiger. I never stopped believing in you no matter what Legion claimed to the contrary." Mary Jane cried clad in her Spinneret costume.
"You really came through for us Spider." Black Cat said patting Peter on his shoulder.
"I couldn't leave my girls hanging," Spider-Man said happily finding himself back in his old red & blue suit. He was otherwise beyond words. He was estatic his wife and friend were okay.
"What the!?" Black Cat exclaimed in shock nearly stepping on the remnants of the Venom Symbiote. "One of them survived, kill it!"
"No, this one isn't like the others. Besides I made a promise." Peter said. "Time to find you a permanent home little guy. I only wish I knew with whom?"
"If the little guy doesn't mind a sex change, I'll take him," Andi said appearing by way of the roof access door. Her torso and lower face covered with black material.
"Are you sure?" Spider-Man asked.
"Hell yeah, this thing saved my life I owe him. Plus this feels amazing. My senses are tuned to the extreme. I can sense so much I couldn't before." Andi said.
"It's your call," Spider-Man said.
The remnants of the Venom Symbiote snaked around Andi until her body was covered from head to toe. It created for Andi a variant of Venom without a mouth, tongue or teeth along with a spiked head and spiked knees and shoulders. The new composite being inspected herself happy with she saw.
"Cool," She said in a multilayered voice.
"So what are you going to call yourselves?" Spider-Man asked.
"Call us, Mania." She said. "Yeah, we like the sounds of that."
"Be advised Mania next time we meet I shall cleanse you. That creature is evil and must be destroyed." Anti-Venom growled.
"Funny she says the same thing about you. Don't worry though, we won't destroy you as much as you may deserve it." Mania said in her Andi voice. Anti-Venom growled before he swung away.
Spider-Man was overjoyed when he felt a familiar tingle in the back of his head. His Spider Sense was back jack! A second later the crowd started pelting him, Spinneret, Black Cat, and Mania with whatever they could find. It soon became apparent they held Spider-Man and his allies wholy responsible for what had happened. Grabbing the Tinkerer the heroes departed among threats of law suits and personal harassment. The freed Vulture, Electro, and Wolverine had already departed.
Sanctum Sanctorum three days later, afternoon
"Doable," Dr. Strange said once he had read the list of expectations which included Mayday, Aunt May, Jarvis, and Black Cat along with the other superheroes who already knew the truth by means other than the infamous press conference. Dr, Strange then cast the spell.
"Did it work? I don't feel any different." Said Mary Jane who held hands with her husband as instructed by Dr. Strange.
"Me either," Peter said.
"I assure you my spell functioned as intended. Outside of those exceptions you listed no one knows you Mary Jane are Spinneret or that Peter are Spider-Man. Your dual identities are once more secure."
"We can't thank you enough." Mary Jane said happily.
"Is there anything we can do for you in return?" Peter asked.
"No thanks are necessary. What I did was a favor I owed Tony Stark not either or you, go in peace." Dr. Strange said before transporting the couple home.
Parker Residence on Western Long Island, afternoon
"Maybe we should think about forgiving Tony?" Mary Jane suggested releasing Peter's hand when they appeared in an empty room of their own home.
"Maybe," Peter said noncommittally. He had yet to tell his wife about his run-in with the other Avengers Black Widow and Winter Soldier during the crisis. Best not to rock the forgiveness boat with MJ just yet.
"I hope excluding Harry from our exception list was the right call." Mary Jane said worriedly.
"If we hadn't Norman might use Harry's knowledge against us to once again discover our dual identities. This way we are protecting everyone including Harry." Peter reasoned.
"Doesn't it feel weird to be an employee of your own company rather than the owner of Spidey Inc? As far as the public knows anyway." Mary Jane said.
"To keep our family safe I'd make any sacrifice, Red," Peter said.
"Back at you, tiger." Mary Jane said. She leaned in close and gave her husband a long passionate kiss.
To Be Continued
Next up the Menace Saga.