Disclaimers
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Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Fifteen Menaced Part II
Offices of Spidey Inc in Manhattan, early morning
The small group of staffers gathered around the computer monitor to watch ongoing coverage of last night tragedy. Peter and Mary Jane could tell their employees were very worried by what they saw and heard. Mayoral front-runner Lisa Parfrey had been assassinated during an evening campaign rally by the newest goblin who was called Menace. Several people attending the rally had also been slain and scores more injured by a high yield pumpkin bomb Menace dropped directly on the stage where Parfrey was standing. As a result of Lisa Parfrey's gruesome death, none other than disgraced media mogul J Jonah Jameson had announced his candidacy for mayor earlier this morning. Jameson vowed to "clean up the city" by ruthlessly going after "all costumed freaks" regardless of their stated affiliation using "the full extent of his powers as mayor". Snap polls showed Jameson was essentially in a statistical dead heat with new favorite former District Attorney William "Bill" Hollister. New Yorkers had grown weary it would seem of their fair city being used as a battleground between supervillains and superheroes. They wanted something drastic done about the problem which is exactly what Jameson proposed. If elected he stated his first order of business would be to create an Anti-vigilante Task Force with sweeping powers to round up and arrest anyone it deemed a "threat to New York security".
"Man we'll be in so much trouble if old man Jameson gets elected. No way the dude won't lower the boom on our boss Spider-Man" Amadeus Cho said.
A brilliant scientist in spite of his young age the teenage Cho was on loan from Horizon Labs. Horizon boss Max Modell had approached Spidey Inc a few weeks ago expressing interest in the joint manufacture of technology based upon Spider-Man's impressive array of gadgets. Peter and Max met soon after and the two hit it off immediately. A business agreement was signed on the spot.
"Legally speaking there is no need to worry Amadeus. A mayor doesn't have much power in the traditional sense of the term not when compared to say a governor. The laws a mayor can enact are strictly limited in scope. The actions Mr. Jameson can take against our employer or this business therefor are not that drastic and he knows that." Jennifer Walters said confidently.
"Spider-Man" had hired the sharp-witted lawyer not long after founding the company. Following the events which surrounded the enactment followed by the appeal of the Registration Act, Jennifer had found her employment options strictly limited. No one wanted to hire a metahuman to represent them before any court. Recognizing her talent Spinneret convinced her "partner" that Jennifer would be a great attention to their growing organization.
"I hope you're right." Another employee said a middle-aged Hispanic man who was the head of accounting. He dabbed sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. "While we are bringing in a fair amount of revenue our startup expenses remain high. We don't need Jameson enacting fines against us or otherwise restricting how we can operate within city limits."
"Surely Jameson won't win?" Mary Jane said arms across her chest an unhappy expression on her face. She held the position of Chief Publicist for the company along with that of Head of Marketing, at least until they found somebody else to fill said role. "Surely this is just a publicity stunt to make himself relevant again after the court case. Improve his public image with the anti-metahuman crowd. He probably has a project in the works he wants buys for, maybe a book. Some sort of media comeback, right?"
"I don't know MJ. He looks pretty fired up to me." Peter said. Peter was the CEO of Spidey Inc he had been so named by "Spider-Man" who publicly announced his former photographer was one of the few non-superheroes he and his partner trusted. "I want to have a word alone with Mary Jane. After which I think I better contact Spider-Man and Spinneret see if they are aware of the situation and how they want us to proceed. We'll be right back folks." Everyone nodded or otherwise voiced that they heard what Peter said.
A few minutes later Peter and Mary Jane were in the locked boardroom which was soundproof. Although expansive it was a feature "Spider-Man" and "Spinneret" insisted upon while building shopping. Peter sighed heavily then ran his hands through his short hair.
"I feel terrible Red," Peter said a sad expression on his face. "We were partying having a good time while Lisa Parfrey and those other innocent people died. I can't help but think if I had been there I could have stopped Menace prevented their deaths. I ignored my responsibility to protect the people of this city. Spider-Man shouldn't have a rest day or take a vacation dammit."
"What about Peter Parker? Doesn't he deserve a little r&r not to mention happiness?" Mary Jane asked her expression one of deep sympathy.
"Not if it means others die," Peter said.
"Peter you can't be everywhere every minute. Neither of us can." Mary Jane reasoned.
"Maybe not, but I have to try," Peter said. "I'll be out for the rest of the day. Can you handle things here alone?"
"Sure," Mary Jane said smiling weakly. "Just text me or something if you won't be home for dinner."
"Will do," Peter said hugging Mary Jane. "Tell Little May I want to hear all about her first day at her new school when I get home and give her a hug from me." He reluctantly pulled away from his wife's warm body.
"Will do, bye and good luck. I love you." Mary Jane said.
"I love you too," Peter said.
Midtown Elementary School, noon
Mayday sat alone eating her lunch which had been packed my Aunt May that morning. Aunt May and Jarvis had driven her to the school in Jarvis' car that morning. The family felt for her first day it would be best if she did not take the school bus. Things started off promisingly enough everyone seemed to like Mayday until the incident happened. Mayday had jumped up and start panicking a solid thirty seconds before a fire alarm sounded. Mayday had tried to get the other students and teacher to leave the room insisting they were all in danger. Although the alarm proved to be just a drill her perform insured the other children felt uncomfortable around her for the rest of that day. Due to which no one would sit with her in the cafeteria.
"May I sit here?" A boy with curly red hair in a navy blue blazer asked Mayday. He indicated the vacant seat directly across from Mayday. His presence caused her to snap to attention as her mind had been wondering mostly feeling sorry for herself.
"Why do you want to sit with me? Don't you think I'm a 'weirdo' like everyone else?" Mayday asked glancing up dejectedly from her half-eaten sandwich.
"Nah, that doesn't bother me." The boy said. "Everyone thinks I'm a weirdo too because of my dad and granddad."
"If you want you can sit with me," Mayday said not really caring one way or the other if the boy ate his meal with her.
The boy placed his tray on the table between them and sat down across from Mayday. "I'm Normie Osborn."
"Please to meet you, Normie Osborn. I'm May Parker but everybody calls me Mayday." Mayday said. "Osborn, do you know Harry Osborn? He's a good friend of my dad."
"Harry's my dad," Normie said smiling.
"That makes Norman Osborn you granddad," Mayday said frowning. "I don't like Norman Osborn very much. He tried me and my parents."
"Yeah, granddad is a big jerk," Normie said frowning himself. "I'll leave if you want."
"Please don't leave," Mayday said thinking of how her parents told her never to judge somebody based upon something they could not control.
"Thanks," Normie said still frowning. "When most people find out who my granddad is they want nothing to do with me. Which is why I don't have any friends. I'm glad you're different. " Normie looked away for a moment, pain etched on his young face.
"Well, you have one now," Mayday said.
"You mean it?" Normie said his expression once more brightening.
"Yup," Mayday chirped.
Mayday and Normie spent the rest of lunch together chatting happily. They covered such topics as their favorite shows, their other interests and just anything that came to them in general. They spent their afternoon break together as well. Both children felt happy they had found a friend who would accept them in spite of their family history and other quirks.
Residence of J. Jonah Jameson, afternoon
"Knock, knock Spidey Delivery Service calling. We swing by in thirty minutes or less or your delivery is free." Spider-Man said. Hanging upside down he tapped on Jameson's window.
"I told you I never wanted to see you again after the lawsuit!' Now scram you pest!" Jameson bellowed from his living room sofa.
"Aw c'mon JJJ I thought you'd be over that by now. Let bygones be bygones and such." Spider-Man said slipping into Jameson's residence as he opened the unlocked window. "By the way may I ask why your window is unlocked? Plenty of people who can climb or fly have it out for you and not all of them are behind bars. Don't you think your security is a bit lacked?"
"Because of you and your partner's incompetence webhead, my darling Marla is dead. I'll never forgive you for that." Jameson raged ignoring Spider-Man's warning words.
"I'm truly sorry about your wife, Jonah," Spider-Man said turning serious. "Believe me when I say we wanted to save her more than anything. But we got here too late, and I apologize for that from the bottom of my heart."
"Save your hollow words. I don't need them." Jameson said. "Get out of my home!"
"No can do JJJ. I think you could be next on Menace's hit list. I need to watch you like a hawk er I mean spider until I can stop Menace." Spider-Man said.
"I have my own security thank you very much," Jameson said.
"And yet I got in here no problem. They do a bang-up job, huh." Spider-Man said.
"You used the window," Jameson said.
"And a goblin will use the door?" Spider-Man said.
"Touché," Jameson conceded.
"This new goblin whoever is behind the mask is targeting campaign rallies and your candidate for major. Ipso facto there is a good chance the goblin will go after you because you are tat op of the poll, goodness knows why." Spider-Man flopping down on the sofa in the space next to Jameson. "So until this crisis passes consider me your shadow."
"Oh lucky me," Jameson grumbled. "I don't suppose there is anything I can say that would make you change your mind?"
"Nope, you're stuck with me for the duration flattop," Spider-Man said spreading out on the sofa.
"How nice," Jameson groaned.
"Do you have Netflix? A new episode of my favorite show drops today, Happy Hour Funtime." Spider-Man said taking Jameson's remote from him.
"You can't be serious it's a kids show for preschoolers, you dolt." Jameson gasped wide-eyed.
"Yeah right, children could never fully appreciate Happy Hour Funtime. The plots are very sophisticated with plenty of deep thought-provoking themes." Spider-Man said.
"Like how to properly brush your teeth or count?" Jameson scoffed.
"Hush, it's starting," Spider-Man said signing along with the opening theme which greatly annoyed Jameson.
"Somebody please shoot me." Jameson moaned head in his hands.
"Shssssh," Spider-Man said placing a finger to his masked lips.
Lair of Menace
Lily Hollister was livid. How dare that hack Jameson threw his hat into the race for mayor. He was ruining all her hard work. She just wanted to punch something to relieve her building frustration. Since her accidental exposure to the Goblin Serum months before Lily found controlling her rage was proving more difficult each day.
"No matter," Lily said to herself suiting up. "I'll take care of him tonight then nothing will stand between my father and his rightful place at City Hall."
Apartment of Felicia Hardy
"Hello, handsome," Felicia said standing in her black stain bathroom in front of Flash who lay in her bed. "Like what you see?" She asked posing seductively in the doorway.
"You know I do, babe," Flash said. After hooking up at the Parkers' house party the pair had enjoyed each others company several times that night and the following morning. Felecia was about to suggest another round of fun when Flash's smartwatch which sat on the nightstand blinked and then beeped loudly. Flash glanced at the watch. "Sorry babe, but it's work calling. I've got to take this."
"Aw, too bad," Felicia pouted.
"But I'll take a raincheck on for that round of fun if one is on the table?" Flash said getting out of bed.
"How about Wednesday night?" Felicia suggested smiling. Today was Monday.
"Sounds good, really good," Flash said grinning ear from ear.
Not long afterward Agent Toxin swung through the New York City skyline. His superiors at the Defense Department wanted him to find and eliminate the goblin known as Menace before Menace could strike again. In Afghanistan, the man who would become Agent Toxin had killed in the name of duty on multiple occasions. While some superheroes like Captain America might have sworn off killing Agent Toxin had not. Although the last resort and something he hated to do it was still, like any other option, on the table as far as he was cornered. Killing was a necessary evil in certain circumstances. If the only way he could stop Menace and protect innocent civilians and mayoral candidates was his or her death then so be it.
"Justice is coming Menace, in one form or another. I hope you're ready." Agent Toxin said in his multilayered voice as he made his way downtown to a campaign rally being held by none other than J. Jonah Jameson. While the man behind the alien suit found Jameson personally repugnant Agent Toxin had a duty to perform none the less. He would protect anyone his country asked him to with everything he had even the likes of J. Jonah Jameson.
To Be Continued
Author's Note One -
I know with the introduction of Jennifer Walters aka She-Hulk I deviated quite a bit from canon here. While I will be using established 616 events as a guide, as I've mentioned before, the nature of this story necessitates some changes as we are dealing with a family orientated Spider-Man rather than a swinging single Spider-Man. Besides, I think Ms. Walters has been wasted in canon during recent years. She could make an interesting side character here.
Author's Note Two -
I want to portray Flash being an ex-soldier as realistically as possible. Which is why I covered his attitude towards killing an enemy in this chapter. Unlike Spider-Man he will pull the trigger if need be to protect civilians if faced with no other choice, although he would much rather not do so.