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Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Fourteen Menaced Part I
Family Court New York City, afternoon
"In closing, on behalf of New State, I offer the heartfelt apologies of this court to the Parker Family. What occurred was a miscarriage of justice of nearly unfathomable proportions. Mr. Norman Osborn's criminal conspiracy to deprive the minor child May Parker of a loving home was monstrous in the extreme. Furthermore, it is the recommendation of this court that Norman Osborn if criminal convinced of offenses related to the abduction of May Parker be given the maximum penalty allowable under the law, as such a man represents a clear and present danger to society." The elderly gray haired male judge said. "It is the finding of this court that May Parker is without question the biological child of Peter Benjamin Parker and Mary Jane Watson-Parker. Legal custody of May Parker is henceforth given nay restored to Mr. & Mrs. Parker without restriction or condition. Court is adjourned." The judge said slamming down his gavel.
"It's finally over." Mary Jane said hardly believing her own words. While immensely relived part of her was resentful that once her and Peter's dual identities as Spinneret and Spider-Man were no longer public knowledge everyone fell over themselves to be resolve the case in their favor. What a bunch of ingrates. No, she could not think that way she told herself.
Peter threw his arms around his wife. They jumped up and down like school child giddy with excitement. No one could breakup up their family. Their daughter was safe.
"Congratulations," Matt Murdock said putting a hand on Peter's shoulder.
"Thank you for everything Matt," Peter said.
"Thanks, Matt," Mary Jane said.
"No thanks are necessary," Matt said packing papers into his briefcase. "Go home you two and hug your daughter for me." He added before leaving.
"Sure thing. Matt," Peter said.
"Let's go home ma," Peter said smiling at Mary Jane.
"Let's go home pa," Mary Jane agreed smiling back at Peter.
The Raft Prison
"I don't know why I came." Harry Osborn confessed into a phone receiver as he stared at his estranged father through a sheet of bulletproof glass.
"I know why you came. You came because deep down inside you're an Osborn regardless of how much you've deluded yourself to thinking the contrary." Norman said into the phone receiver held in his own hand.
"What does being an Osborn even mean anymore?" Harry said. "I'm not like you, father. I'm not a killer."
Norman sneered at his son. "You never did have the stomach to be a real man, did you, boy?"
"What do you want from me?" Harry snapped.
"I want you to carry on my work, destroy Spider-Man and those around him," Norman said. "Hurt him as he's hurt us. Avenge our family."
"Like how you did by kidnapping a baby whose only crime was that her father was Spider-Man's personal photographer at the time?" Harry said shaking his head in disgust.
"Granted that was a mistake. I should have made certain she died." Norman said with a sinister smile.
"How would killing an innocent newborn baby have evened the score with Spider-Man?" Harry asked aghast.
"No one associated with Spider-Man, no matter how indirectly, is innocent. Which is why I killed the Stacy girl all those years ago when I discovered Spider-Man was allied with Captain Stacy. I had no choice but to act." Norman insisted.
"Peter and Mary Jane are my friends. I'm sickened by what you did to them and their daughter, you twisted monster." Harry said. Harry started to get out of his seat as he reached to hang up the phone receiver.
"Sit down pansy," Norman commanded. "We aren't finished yet."
Harry laughed bitterly. "Wrong father, we're finished for today."
"And here I thought you wanted to learn more about the newest goblin, Menace I believe is the name," Norman said his wicked smile back in full force.
Harry slowly sat back down. "What do you know about Menace?"
"A good deal more than you do," Norman said slyly.
"I'm in no mood for games old man," Harry said his expression turning dark.
"How unfortunate, because I am," Norman said ominously.
"I'm warning you don't toy with me father," Harry said.
"I think you are out of touch with reality boy. I'm the one in charge here, not you. You've never known true power and you never will. If anyone will be making threats it's me." Norman said. "I'll furnish the clues you need to piece together Menace's civilian identity. In return, I want your brother Gabriel released from the psychiatric hospital where he is being held into your custody."
"How am I supposed to accomplish that? He's a dangerous, mentally unstable, metahuman criminal." Harry said appalled at the very notion of dealing with his "brother".
"That's your problem, figure it out. Come back and visit me when Gabriel is with you." Norman said hanging up the phone. He singled for the guards to come get him which in short order they did.
Harry hung up his own receiver. He ran his hands through his short-cropped red hair. What was he going to do? He needed to find out who Menace was but he refused to help Norman or Gabriel in any way to do so.
Outside of the visitors' area, Harry found his girlfriend Lily Hollister waiting for him where he had left her. The caramel skinned blonde frowned when she saw the troubled expression on his face. She put down the magazine she hand been reading. She got up from her seat and walked towards Harry.
"Harry, are you alright? You look terrible." Lily said a concerned expression on her face.
"My father claims he knows who Menace is. He says he'll tell me if I get Gabriel released from the psych ward and put in my custody." Harry said.
"Do you believe him?" Lily asked while the pair left the prison to await the helicopter which would take them back home.
"It doesn't matter. There is no way I can do what he asks." Harry said. "I'll tell Pete to let Spider-Man know father was a dead end. That he knows nothing, I guess."
Lily glanced over her shoulder back at the prison. She wondered if Norman Osborn did somehow know her secret. No, that was impossible. She had been careful. He was simply bluffing. What other explanation could there be?
Parker Residence Western Long Island, afternoon
A full-blown celebration was in full swing when Harry arrived at the house of his close friends. Lily had gone home as she stated she did not want to intrude not knowing Peter or his family that well. Harry soon spotted Peter wearing a yellow chef's cap and yellow apron which read in red letters "the chef is here" manning a barbecue in the large backyard.
"Hi Pete," Harry said surveying the large crowd. "Wow, I think you invited everyone you and MJ know."
"We sure did," Peter said handing out burgers to the guests. "The only person who declined our invitation was JJJ. He's still sore over the whole lawsuit thing with Spider-Man. Seeing how Spider-Man hired me as CEO of Spidey Inc he felt his presence here would be 'inappropriate'. He sent nice gifts for Little May and the house though." Peter pointed his scapula at a foldout table stacked high with wrapped boxes. The party was serving the dual purpose of an official welcome home party for Little May and a housewarming party for the family's new home.
"Hey, Pete these burgers are great, top notch work." Eugene "Flash" Thompson said with a thumbs up of his free hand. In his other hand Flash held a paper plate with two burgers one of which was half eaten.
"Thanks, Flash," Peter said handing out more burgers to the guests.
"Hey, Harry how are things?" The ex-marine asked between bites.
"Could be better," Harry said. "At least I get to see Normie every weekend."
"Yeah, I heard about you and Liz divorcing that's rough. Hang in there, buddy." Flash said patting Harry on his back.
"As I live and breath is that Flash Thompson military hero?" Felicia Hardy said making her way through the crowd.
"In the flesh," Flash said smiling. "New legs and all." He gestured down at his artificial legs.
"Wow, I've never seen anything like these," Felicia said admiring the intricate craftsmanship of the strange navy blue material. "What are they made of?"
"That's a trade secret. They're advanced prototypes. Part of my deal with the company who manufactures them is I don't divulge any details." Flash said.
"Fair enough," Felicia said admiring more than Flash's prostheses. She noticed how well built he was. Plus he had the whole former servicemen thing going on and had been a bit of a bad boy back in the day according to Peter and others. Felicia loved a man in uniform. "If you don't mind my asking what was it like serving in Afghanistan? I don't think I could cope in a combat zone. You are so brave."
"Believe me, it was nothing," Flash said.
"I respectfully disagree and I want to hear all about your missions there," Felicia said taking Flash by his arm. "Come on let's find a place more comfortable were we can chat." Felicia pulled the grinning Flash away from the barbecue.
"Well, that was certainly fast," Peter said. He and Harry both laughed.
"Nice place you have here Peter." Joseph "Robbie" Robertson said as Peter passed him a burger. "You deserve this. Don't let Jonah or anyone else tell you otherwise."
"Thanks, Robbie," Peter said.
"Hello Harry," Robbie said. "Sorry about your father."
"I'm not. " Harry said honestly. "He's where he should be." Robbie nodded before he disappeared into the crowd.
"Great party Peter. I was inside earlier. Your new house is lovely. Your wife really knows how to decorate." Betty Brant said when Peter handed her a veggie burger.
"Thanks, Betty, Peter said smiling. "I'll be sure to tell MJ you said so."
"Hey Harry," Betty said to Harry on her way by.
"Hey Betty," Harry said.
"Hello Peter," Ben Urich said as Peter handed him two burgers. He glanced back over his shoulder. "Question, whats with the house down the street? I heard you recently purchased it as well as this property. May I ask why it's being demolished?"
"MJ and I just don't like the place. It has a weird vibe. We donated the property to the town. They are turning it into a park of some sort." Peter said.
"Interesting," Ben Urich said not sure what to make of Peter's explanation. The veteran reporter side of his personality told him there was more going on than 'bad vibes'. Not wanting to be a rude guest, however, he decided not to press the matter. "Harry," He said walking by Harry.
"Ben," Harry said. "I thought you weren't superstitious Pete. Did that old place really give you and MJ the creeps? Don't tell me you believe in ghosts?" Harry asked smiling slightly at the thought of his usually rational friend being frightened by the unseen.
"Something like that," Peter said flipping more burgers. Not wanting to relive his days long experience with the Legion infected Venom Symbiote the week before he quickly changed the subject. Dwelling to long on what happened still gave him chills. "What did you know who say?"
"He wants something in return for the intel, something big," Harry said.
"I thought he would." Peter sighed heavily. "We'll discuss what he wants later. For now, have a burger." Peter skillfully slid a burger between two buns and onto a paper plate which he handed to Harry. When the line of people had finally ended. Peter made a second burger for himself. "C'mon inside," He gestured for Harry to follow after he put out the barbecue.
That Night
"Thank you, momma. I love it." Mayday exclaimed looking at the burgundy dress with matching shoes and black tights. He hugged Mary Jane.
"Go upstairs and try it on so we can see how you look honey." Mary Jane urged. Mayday ran off with her new outfit. "Don't run you might slip!" Mary Jane called after her daughter.
"Sorry momma, I'll be careful," Mayday called back slowing down.
Mary Jane, Peter, Aunt May and Jarvis were all seated in the spacious living home of the house. Felicia had planned to stay over but her plans changed when she hooked up with the Flash. The pair were out enjoying a movie somewhere. The guests had left hours ago and the family was basking in the aftermath of the get-together.
"Dear me this was quite the hectic day." Aunt May said.
"But a happy one," Peter said. "It was great having our friends over. I hadn't seen the old crew from the Bugle in months."
"Too bad Mr. Jameson is still angry with you, I mean Spider-Man." Aunt May said.
"In time no doubt Mr. Jameson will surely stop holding such a silly grudge," Jarvis said.
"Jarvis you don't know J. Jonah Jameson like we do." Mary Jane laughed.
"Old flattop is the king of holding meaningless grudges," Peter said.
"Peter please, there is no need for name calling. I raised you better than that." Aunt May admonished her nephew.
"Sorry Aunt May," Peter said sheepishly.
Mary Jane laughed some more covering her mouth. Peter shot her a 'what's so funny' glance. "He says way worse than that when he's Spider-Man. His alter ego is an insult machine."
"Way to rat me out red." Peter groaned.
"Anytime tiger," Mary Jane said sticking her tongue out at Peter who returned the favor.
"Peter perhaps in the future you should try being less colorful in your language?" Aunt May offered. "Think of the bad example you are setting for Little May."
"But I don't swear I just kid around. Sure some of my jokes are brutal but it's all in good fun." Peter said. "Besides I, er Spider-Man have a certain reputation to keep. People would be disappointed if I stopped being a roast king."
"Ta-da," Mayday said stepping into the room in her new dress. The six-year-old did a twirl.
"Very nice," Peter said clapping his hands.
"You look lovely dear." Aunt May said.
"Beautiful," Jarvis said.
"My little girl is so elegant," Mary Jane said tears in her eyes.
Secret Lair of Menace
Lily Hollister suited up in her Menace garb. If her dual identity was indeed compromised she would have to move up her plan. Mayoral candidate and front-runner Lisa Parfrey was scheduled to hold a campaign rally in a few hours. Lily would make sure it was the last such event Parfrey ever gave. With the popular politician eliminated Lily's own father District Attorney William "Bill" Hollister would be one step closer to becoming the next mayor of New York City.
Lily was determined to help her father be mayor by whatever means were necessary. He deserved to be mayor in Lily's opinion more than anyone else who was running. Unlike the corrupt establishment politicians of New York, her father actually cared about the people and wanted to fix the woefully broken system. Although she was acutely aware that her father would frown upon her methods she was undeterred.
"When dad is mayor he'll clean up this cesspool of a city. In time there will be no need for vigilantes like Spider-Man, Spinneret or Daredevil. I'll have made our corner of the world a better place." Lily said to herself donning her modified Green Goblin mask which she had dyed gray and attached stringy red hair. "If one woman must die so millions of others can safely walk the streets of New York City, so be it."
Menace hopped on her goblin glider which carried her outside through a large window of the old rundown building. Today she would send a message the corrupt would not soon forget. Today she would change the course the New York history for the better and woe to any who might try to stop her.
To Be Continued