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Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Twenty-Five The Gauntlet Part One: Ben's New Clothes
Parker Residence on Western Long Island, evening
"I'm just glad he's gone," Peter said which earned him a disapproving look from Mary Jane who was seated opposite him. "I'm sorry MJ but your dad can be a handful, more than a handful at times."
Aunt May and Jarvis were out for the evening while Peter, Mary Jane, April, and Mayday were seated around the dining room table enjoying a rare meal together. It had been a day since Philip Watson left there home to live in his freshly acquired (thanks in no small part to MJ's and Peter's assistance) New York City apartment. Gayle Watson and her boys left almost immediately after dropping Philip off, something about having to get back to Florida as soon as possible. The few days Philip spent with the Parker Family had been less than pleasant ones.
"I don't like Grandpa Philip. He's rude and he smells bad." April said.
"I don't like him either," Mayday confessed. "He says nasty things about you, mamma."
"Keep in mind Grandpa Philip doesn't know I'm Spinneret, May." Mary Jane reminded her daughter.
"He says Spinneret needs a spanking because she's a spandex wearing dick teasing sl-," April began.
"Thank you, April. That will be enough." Peter said. "We all know what he says about Spinneret. And another thing, I don't ever want to hear that type of language from you again young lady, understand?"
"Sorry dad," April said picking at her plate she then added with a grumbled. "I still don't like him. He calls us 'little deviants'. He thinks we're 'mentally disturbed' and 'weird'. I hate being called names."
"Me to," Mayday said. "Grandpa Philip is a, a meanie. I'm sorry mamma and papa, but he is a meanie."
"Girls your grandfather simply doesn't know you as well as your father and I do. He'll come around in time." Mary Jane said with a forced smile. She was about to say more when an unexpected arrival appeared in the doorway, Ben Reilly.
"I feel up for some real food so I thought I'd join you." Said the bleary-eyed, unshaven Ben.
"By all means please do," Peter said. "You can sit between me and April." Peter got up intending to pull the seat out for Ben.
"Don't," Ben said. "I've got this."
Peter sat back down. Ben slowly wobbled over, pulled out the seat then practically collapsed onto it. No one knew what to say. It was obvious the effort had taken a lot out of him. Regaining his composure a few moments later Ben started fixing himself a plate. Ben tried to reach across the table for the bottle of ketchup but it proved too far away for him to easily reach in his weakened state.
"Allow me," Peter offered.
"Peter, I can get my own damn ketchup!" Ben shouted noticing the shocked expressions on the faces of his family members, especially the girls, he sheepishly added. "Sorry, I know you're only trying to help. I just feel so useless after what he did to me." He accepted the bottle passed it to him by Mary Jane. Everyone knew the "He" Ben spoke off was the Jackal.
"I know," Peter said.
"You're not useless Ben. You'll get better. Until you do we'll help you. We're just glad you're here safe where you belong with your family, with us." Mary Jane said.
"Yeah, we love you, Uncle Ben," Mayday said.
"We sure do," April said.
"We all do," Peter said.
"Thanks, guys," Ben said with a weak smile. "But what if I never fully recovery? What if I'm always just an invalid?"
"That doesn't make any difference, you'll be you no matter what," Peter said.
"But I won't feel the same about myself if I can never help others again like how you and MJ helped me," Ben said.
"I know how you feel. I've lost my powers a few times over the years." Peter said. He paused for a moment. "I can't make any promises, not yet, but I might have a solution to your problem or a least a fall back you can use until your our powers return. I have to talk to someone first though."
"Really," Ben said his expression visibly brightened at the thought of getting back in the saddle so to speak.
"Yup," Peter said. "In the meantime I want you to concentrate on your recovery. We can't have you out fighting crime again unless you are healthy. Sounds like a deal?"
"Does it ever," Ben said shoveling food onto his plate and into mouth whereas a moment ago he could seemingly barely reach across the table.
Peter had suspected a large part of Ben's problems were psychological, not physical having been brought on by depression that his powers were proving slow to return. The test Peter just gave Ben only reinforced Peter's idea. Unfortunately, now Peter needed to make good on his promise which meant dealing with a man Peter frankly despised. Peter only hoped the man in question truly wanted to mend fences with him rather than simply saying so to appear reasonable to others.
Avengers Tower two days later, afternoon
"May I have it or not? I'm tired of you beating around the bush, Tony." Peter with a heavy sigh.
"Considering everything which has transpired between us in recent months I should say no. However, Jarvis has impressed upon me how important this matter is to you and your Aunt May." Said Tony who was clad head to toe in his Ironman exosuit only his face visible. He gestured at his always loyal butler who stood to his right. "In the interest of creating harmonious relations between us now that we are about to be family for all intents and purposes," Peter flinched at this. He hated to be reminded of Jarvis' connection to Tony. "I'll gift you the Iron Spider armor. It's yours modify in as you wish. I only ask you don't commercially mass produce it or replicate it in totality. Those are my only conditions. Do we have a deal?" Tony reached out with his armored right hand. Jarvis looked expectantly at Peter.
"We have a deal," Peter said with a bit of reluctance he shook Tony's hand as Jarvis looked on and smiled happily. 'Ben I hope you appreciate what I've done for you.' Peter thought.
A disused warehouse in the Bronx, One week later
"Yay, this is more like it!" Ben declared his voice electronically enhanced by the red and gold Iron Spider exosuit.
The new Iron Spider used the repulsor emitters built into the palms of his suit to repel a smoke grenade away from him before it could explode. He then fired pellets from his wrist gauntlets which froze the small robots which were attacking him in midair. The addition of the ice pellets had been Peter's idea to simulate the immobilizing effects of webbing. Iron Spider glide out of the way of the sole remain robot. He then crushed the robot with a well-timed punch.
"I'm glad you approve." Commented Spider-Man who stood nearby with Spinneret observing the successful training session.
"The best part about the suit is that it is easily camouflaged as normal clothes when not in use. You'll always be ready when danger strikes." Spinneret said.
"How do you feel?" Spider-Man asked.
"Like a million bucks." Iron Spider said while he landed gently on the floor. "You both have not only saved me you've given me back my purpose. I don't know how I can ever thank you."
"No thanks are necessary. We were happy to help. We're family. Family helps each other," Spinneret said she gave Iron Spider a warm sisterly type hug.
Iron Spider turned to Spider-Man. "If not for you I wouldn't be here today nor would my daughters," Spider-Man said he paused to gather his thoughts. There was so much that needed to be said. " Even when I thought you were gone forever I never forgot about you or your sacrifice. You'll always be my brother in arms, in blood and in spirit, nothing will ever change that. Our bond in unbearable. I love you, brother."
"I love you, brother." Iron Spider said. The two gripped each other by the forearm and hugged while they patted each other on the back.
"Who knows, maybe there is a place in Spidey Inc for Brother Iron Spider." Iron Spider joked.
"When you're ready, I'll see what I can do," Spider-Man said.
Two rather eventful weeks passed for our three heroes. The first thing the rejuvenated Ben Reilly did was get a hair cut as well as bye his hair back to the same shade of blonde he used years ago when he had temporarily been Spider-Man. This was done by Ben to better distinguish himself from Peter. With help from Iron Spider, during the latter's debut, Spider-Man was able to stop the Chameleon from impersonating him before the situation escalated. Chameleon was sent to the Raft as a result of their efforts. The trio of Spider-Man, Spinneret, and Iron Spider, who had been dubbed "Web Warriors" by the media, then foiled the plans of Titania who had somehow managed to capture Madame Web. Titania tried to force the mystically inclined being to magically spy on Spider-Man & his allies but this failed when the trio followed the clues to her lair. Titania like Chameleon before he ended up incarcerated on the Raft. Next, on a solo mission, Iron Spider faced off with the prankster Screwball. He managed to use his ice pellets to capture her and retrieve the three million dollars in bonds she stolen as part of an elaborate publicity stunt. Oh and finally Deadpool appeared causing trouble for all involved (one of the stunts he pulled was to bring along a bevy of prostitutes dressed up as famous superheroines much to the chagrin of Spinneret when she discovered her own hooker doppelganger).
The rooftop of the Daily Bugle Building, afternoon
"You're too late! I've won! Nothing can stop the reaction, nothing!" Electro ranted as he began pouring his electrical energy into the superstructure creating a feedback loop. After having his powers "upgraded" by Tinkerer (who had again escaped from prison following the events of "Web of Shadows", go figure) Electro went on a rampage which gained fatalistic dimensions when he learned the effects of the upgrade were only temporary. Electro decided to go out with a bang by luring his longtime nemesis Spider-Man to the Bugle Building where he would destroy both Spider-Man and the landmark.
"If he keeps this up he'll destroy the entire building." Iron Spider reasoned.
"I know he will. The question is how do we stop him? He's far too highly charged to touch." Spider-Man observed. Spinneret had stayed behind at Spidey Inc. Headquarters to deal with some pressing company business.
"I have an idea. You evacuate everyone from the building, just in case I'm wrong." Iron Spider said.
"What do you have planned?" Spider-Man asked.
"There isn't enough time to explain. Just go and save the civilians. I'll handle ol' sparky here." Iron Spider said.
"Okay, be careful," Spider-Man said before he rushed off but he shouted back at Iron Spider. "I sure hope you know what you're doing."
"So, do I." Iron Spider said softly.
What seemed to be a long time later Spider-Man had managed to get everyone out of the Bugle Building. J. Jonah Jameson was furious with Spider-Man for "sabotaging" a press conference he was in the middle of giving about the ills of New York City. Spider-Man listen impatiently while Jonah berated him for being a "menace" until he could stand no more.
"Spider-Man and his cohorts are trying to undermine my campaign! They hate me because I want to bring law and order back to this city!" Jonah bellowed. He got in Spider-Man's face and wagged his right index finger admonishingly at the webhead which he then poked into Spider-Man's chest. "I know your game! You won't stop me! I'll bring you down yet, you, you, you, masked miscreant!"
Spider-Man was usually a very calm, easy going individual but even he had his limits. A combination of worry and anger got the better of him that day. "Can it Jonah. I'm sick and tired of you being ungrateful. I've saved your mean-spirited ass more times than most people will ever know. As we speak my brother Iron Spider is up there doing his damndest to save your precious Bugle Building." Spider-Man pointed up at the rooftop then poked Jonah's chest with his own right index finger.
"Spider-Man assaulted me! You are all witnesses!" Jonah said putting up his hands.
'Unbelievable," Spider-Man said performing a facepalm.
The rooftop of the Bugle Building exploded into flames which just as quickly puffed out. Everyone screamed in a combination of shock and panic. Not long afterward a battered Iron Spider glided down with an unconscious, smoking Electro in tow. Iron Spider's exosuit was sporting several holes which were slowly sealing themselves.
"Sorry I took so long." Iron Spider said to Spider-Man and the gathered crowd of onlookers. "Ol' Sparky put up one hell of a fight but in the end, I got the better of him."
"How?" Spider-Man said. He was equal parts surprised and impressed.
"You know what Edison said, bro. Science is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Iron Spider said.
"Genius, Edison said genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration, not science." Spider-Man corrected.
"Whatever," Iron Spider said with a chuckle. "Either way I detached a large part from my exosuit to insulate ol' sparky I insulated the rest of him with multiple ice pellets. I was thus able to contain most of the energy released by breaking the feedback loop."
"Way to go, bro." Spider-Man he and Iron Spider high-fived each other.
"Well, la-da-da for you," Jonah said. "Who's going to pay for the roof of my building? The Bugle Sign is a historic landmark integral the identity of our fair city. Your brother destroyed it Spider-Man! I hold you both fully responsible!"
Spider-Man rolled his eyes behind his mask. Unbeknownst to Spider-Man, Iron Spider did the same. "Bill me," Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man swung away followed by Iron Spider who glided after him with Electro in his arms. The pair dropped Electro off at the Raft where the staff members were happy to put the supervillain under lock and key. Not bad for a day's work the pair of superheroes thought to themselves. Spider-Man and Iron Spider could not help but notice how crowded the Raft had become due to their recent efforts at crime prevention. They hoped something would be done to address the issue soon to prevent any sort of disturbance involving the prisoners. The pair pushed their concerns from their minds as they went home to the Park Residence on Long Island.
Raft Prison
"I don't belong here! I'm a political prisoner!" Screwball yelled from her cell as the guards escorted the specially shackled Electro down the long corridor.
"I want to see my lawyer! I demand to see my lawyer!" Titania shouted from her cell.
"I've been framed! Spider-Man committed the crimes I'm being charged with not me! Just ask J. Jonah Jameson he'll back up my story! Jameson knows what menaces Spider-Man and his friends are!" Chameleon yelled from his cell.
"That's what they all say." One of the guards shouted back.
"Can I go now?" Deadpool asked from his cell.
"Not until you answer for running that superheroine themed brothel. Prostitution is illegal in this state." Another of the guards said.
"Man, I knew I should have set up shop in New Jersey," Deadpool whined from his cell.
"Welcome home deadbeat. The place is just like you left it." The first guard said showing Electro into a cell. The transparent door was slammed shut and locked behind him.
"Curse Iron Spider," Electro said pounding his weakly sparking fists against the specially insulated barrier. "I'll make him and Spider-Man pay for this."
"Iron Spider you say." Said the inmate in the cell across the narrow hallway from and one cell up from Electro's cell. This inmate was none other than the Jackal. "I've heard there is a new spider in town. Please tell me more."
"Why should I?" Electro asked angling his body so he could better see Jackal.
"If you do as I ask I'll be your friend," Jackal said smiling his toothy grin.
"I don't have any friends and don't want any friends, buddy, least of all a creepy Dr. Frankenstein wanna-be like you," Electro said.
"A pity, I thought maybe we could help each other. You would help me to learn more about Iron Spider and in return, I'll help you overcome your recent health problems." Jackal said with a knowing smirk.
Electro immediately understood what Jackal meant by 'health problems' his electrical manipulation abilities had been flagging for ages. "What do you want to know?" Electro said.
To Be Continued
Next up the Gauntlet kicks into high gear with a longer and more action-packed chapter. Stay tuned true believers. RIP Stan Lee you were truly one of a kind.
Author's Note -
There you have it. Ben will be the next Iron Spider. I've always thought Marvel Comics has not done enough with the concept of Iron Spider so I decide heck why not explore it more here? Some of Ben's Iron Spider-powers are inspired by those shown in the "Ultimate Spider-Man" Animated Series rather than 616 Canon.