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Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Twenty-Seven Grim Hunt
Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Mid-Town Manhattan, afternoon
"I must admit I'm impressed. I didn't expect you'd actually accept my invitation" Mayor-Elect J. Jonah Jameson said to Spider-Man.
"What can I say Valentines Day is right around the corner and the Spinneret wanted to go somewhere nice. Getting reservations here is impossible especially this time of year." Spider-Man gestured at Spinneret who stood to his right and slightly behind him. To his left and slightly behind him stood Iron Spider arms folded across his chest.
"Our date would have been perfect if you hadn't insisted on bringing your brother along." Spinneret feigning offense.
"She's kidding folks she loves me but then again who wouldn't." Iron Spider said uncrossing his arms.
"So modest," Spinneret said.
"He's single ladies," Spider-Man added.
"Hey, now She-Hulk might be listening. He's joking folks I'm spoken for. My big, strong honey is the only one for me. Hashtag once you go green you never go back." Iron Spider said. The gather journalists laughed at the antics of the trio.
"Ha ha ha very funny! That's it yuck it up while you still can you masked freaks! I'll have you all behind bars soon enough! Then we'll see who's laughing!" Jonah raged while practically foaming at the mouth.
"Promises, promises," Spider-Man said wagging his right index finger at Jonah.
"Officers arrest these three this instant!" Jonah said pointing his finger at the Spider Trio.
"On what charges Mr. Mayor-Elect Jameson?" Police Captain Yuriko Watanabe asked. Behind her, the security detail of uniformed officers hesitated while they awaited confirmation of the validity of Jonah's orders.
"Harassment, trespassing and criminal mischief," Jonah said counting off the "charges" on his fingers.
"You invited us here to publicly debate you," Spider-Man reminded Jonah.
"He's right sir you did issue a debate challenge yesterday to Spider-Man and his comrades." Captain Watanabe said.
"They're ridiculing me and by extension belittling the office of mayor," Jonah said.
"Which isn't a crime. We have a little something called free speech in this country." Spinneret said.
"Besides we haven't mentioned you or the office of mayor." Iron Spider pointed out.
"They are correct, sir." Captain Watanabe said.
"What kind of Police Captain are you anyway?" Jonah fumed his face turning red with anger.
"One who strictly applies the law, sir." Captain Watanabe answered without missing a beat. The reporters again laughed. Jonah at a lose for words turned beet red. He glared at Captain Watanabe but said nothing more.
"So, are we going to debate policy or not?" Spider-Man asked. "I'm a busy man you know what with running our family company and all." Spider-Man made a show of looking at a phantom wristwatch while tapping his right foot impatiently. The gathered journalists laughed for the third time.
"Get out of here you, you, you, rabble-rouser you!" Jonah said before he stomped out of the ballroom his security detail, including the reluctant Captain Watanabe, in tow. Watanabe mouthed "sorry" at the Spider Trio.
"Show is over folks nothing to see here." Iron Spider said.
"We beg to differ." Kraven the Hunter said as he crashed through a window accompanied by his family members who each crashed through windows of their own.
"Stay a while folks get comfortable, take in the spectacle." Alexei Kravinoff said twirling combat knives in both hands.
"Showtime," Spider-Man whispered into the hidden comlink in his mask.
"Copy that, I'll be along shortly, damn New York traffic," A feminine voice responded.
"Copy that, we'll hold them off until you arrive," Spider-Man whispered.
"Copy that, good luck." The feminine voice said.
"Everyone move to the exits, now!" Iron Spider said to the frightened reporters who stampeded out of the ballroom in chaotic fashion. "We'll handle these lovely humanitarians."
"I wish I'd said that, oh well," Spider-Man said admiring Iron Spider's pun. The Spider Trio then assumed a defensive stance.
Vladimir Kravinoff morphed into his beast form. "Prepare to die Spider!" He growled at Iron Spider.
"Surely you could have come up with something more original. I've heard that same old tired line like a million times." Iron Spider said.
Vladimir Kravinoff roared and charged at Iron Spider who waited until he was only a few feet away then unload his ice pellets freezing Grim Hunter in place. His opponent's immobility did not last long. Grim Hunter broke free of the ice with another mighty roar. Grim Hunter was about to tackle Iron Spider when a large green shape tackled him instead.
"Perfect timing milady." Iron Spider said with a quick bow.
"I couldn't let you have all the fun now could I?" She-Hulk said while she grappled with Grim Hunter. She was clad in her typical purple and white uniform with matching white glows and boots.
Spinneret squared meanwhile off with the trio of Alexei, Ana, and Sasha. "Three on one, huh? I've faced worse odds." Spinneret joked while nimbly dodging slashing attacks from Alexi and Ana the latter of which carried a double-bladed halibert almost as long as she was tall. Sasha stood back watching the battle unfold confident in the abilities of the youngsters. Before the pair could attack in tandem a second time their brother's heavy body was tossed on top of them courtesy of She-Hulk. "Thanks," Spinneret said.
"Anytime, Spinneret," She-Hulk said with a smile.
Iron Spider froze Ana and Alexi in ice as they struggled out from under their brother. She-Hulk delivered a left hook to Grim Hunter's jaw followed by a second and then a third as he staggered to his feet. Grim Hunter reverted to his human form when he collapsed unconscious on the floor.
"You're defeated." Spinneret said to Sasha who had remained out of the fight.
"So, it would appear. I surrender to you. I ask only you show me and my family mercy." Sasha said putting her hands up.
She-Hulk stepped forward to handcuff Sasha (as an officer of the court and member of the Avengers Jen often carried around reinforced handcuffs just in case) who slowly put her hands down. Almost imperceptibility Sasha's left hand moved towards the hilt of a concealed dagger located in the front of her tunic capable of killing or at least severely injuring most metahumans.
"Watch out," Spinneret exclaimed as her warning sense blared. She pushed She-Hulk, with some effort, aside.
Spinneret barely managed to block the incoming strike. She quickly kneed Sasha in the stomach but the mad woman kept coming. Spinneret redirected the second attempt in time to avoid being stabbed in her chest or neck. Sasha carried forward by her momentum tumbled into her ice encased daughter. The specially designed knife cut through the ice like butter and plunged into Ana's torso near her heart.
"No," Sasha gasped in shock as she watched the ice being stained red with the girl's blood. Sasha fell to her knees a broken woman.
"Break her free!" Spinneret ordered without hesitation. She would not watch a second child die in less than twenty-four hours no matter what that child or her family had done.
She-Hulk and Iron Spider rapidly broke away the ice around Ana. Spinneret tore off part of her costume to make a bandage. She put pressure on Ana's wound to stop the bleeding. Spinneret felt for the girl's pulse but found none.
"Don't you dare die on me!" Spinneret said as she performed CPR on Ana. While Spinneret, She-Hulk and Iron Spider struggled to save the life of Ana Kravinoff Spider-Man and Kraven's intense exchange of blows and counters had taken them to the rooftop.
Rooftop
"I should have slain you years ago insect directly after I so easily defeated you," Kraven said as Spider-Man easily avoided the swings of his recurved machete.
"As I recall you took the coward's way out after I beat you when I made my comeback," Spider-Man said. Following the brutal death of Billy Connors which Kraven and his family had indirectly caused Spider-Man was not his usual jocular self. Tonight while battling Kraven the Hunter he was all business.
"I am no coward! How dare you dishonor me by claiming otherwise!" Kraven bellowed.
In his blind rage, Kraven left himself open to a flurry of powerful punches from Spider-Man which staggered him. 'That's it," Spider-Man thought to himself pleased by his efforts. 'Show me the real Kraven, the uncontrollable lunatic with delusions of grandeur. Let him come out and play.'
"You dishonored yourself Kraven by taking your own life rather than learning from your defeat. Face facts, you're nothing but a pathetic, self-important loser!" Spider-Man taunted.
"You forced me to take such a rash course of action! Because of you, my family fell apart! Oh, how I despise you!" Kraven said.
Kraven charged at Spider-Man wildly swinging his blade left and right up and down. Spider-Man leaped over Kraven. He delivered a kicked to the back of Kraven's head flooring the giant of a man who then rolled onto his back. The blade had flown from Kraven's hand when he toppled over. Spider-Man landed nearby.
"Don't," Spider-Man warned when Kraven glared up at him preparing to get back on his feet.
Kraven did not heed Spider-Man's warning. Before Kraven could fully regain his footing Spider-Man kneed Kraven below his chin knocking him flat on his ass. Kraven tried to get up again this time with far more effort only to have Spider-Man push him over causing him again to fall flat on his ass.
"I hate you!" Kraven hissed.
"I'm not too fond of you either pal," Spider-Man said.
"You took me from my family! My children barely know me because of you!" Kraven accused while he lay on the cold, dirty rooftop totally beaten, unable to even stand.
"No, you did that to yourself," Spider-Man said.
"You dishonored me, what choice did I have!?" Kraven said.
"You could have learned from your failure but you wouldn't have that. A wise person once said 'a person who never fails never learns'." Spider-Man said.
"What do you know of failure or regret?" Kraven said glaring at Spider-Man.
"More than I care to know," Spider-Man said. "You could have learned from your mistake become a better person, a better father but no."
"How dare you impugn my parenting skills! I was, I am a wonderful father!" Kraven said.
"Don't make me laugh. You're a terrible father. Only a terrible father would allow his children to be consumed with thoughts of revenge. Revenge is never the answer." Spider-Man said.
"If it is not, what is webslinger?" Kraven scoffed.
"Love," Spider-Man said. "Any jerk can be a dad but it takes a real man to be a father. A father always puts the needs of his children first. It's not too late Kraven. Be the man your children deserve, be a real father. Walk away from this vendetta before it destroys everything and everyone you hold dear."
"I'm not sure I can ever walk away from this vendetta, to do so isn't in my nature," Kraven said.
"Then change your nature, before it's too late," Spider-Man said. Spider-Man offered Kraven his hand. Before Kraven could take it however Spinneret appeared on the rooftop with Ana in her arms.
"She was accidentally stabbed. I stopped the bleeding and successfully performed CPR on her, but she needs urgent medical attention. We have to take her to someone who can properly treat her injuries." Spinneret said.
Kraven grabbed Spider-Man's hand. Spider-Man pulled Kraven to his feet. "Help me save my daughter Ana and our vendetta will be at an end. You have my word." Kraven said.
"I'll do my best, I promise," Spider-Man said.
The rooftop of the Baxter Building the next day, morning
"I still say we're making a mistake one we'll come to regret." Iron Spider said.
"Duly noted, but it is a risk I feel we should take in the name of peace," Spider-Man said.
"I agree," Spinneret said.
"One last time, are you sure?" Mr. Fantastic asked around him stood the rest of the legendary Fantastic Four.
Spider-Man glanced at Iron Spider, Spinneret and She-Hulk each nodded their consent in turn. "We're sure," Spider-Man replied.
"Very well," Mr. Fantastic said. He used a small remote control unit to release the Kravinoff Clan from their bounds. "You're free to go and you'll remain untroubled by us for as long as you maintain your truce with Spider-Man and his group."
"They have saved my dear Ana from our own stupidity, the life debt is paid. Our vendetta against the Spiders is at an end," Kraven said his hand on the shoulder of his smiling daughter. "We take our leave of you." With surprising quickness, the Kravinoffs were gone in a matter of seconds. While Ana was recovering under the careful watch of the Fantastic Four, the Kravinoffs had told our heroes where they could find Madame Web. Iron Spider had already freed her several hours ago.
"All is well that ends well, I suppose," She-Hulk said with a shrug.
"It isn't over, not yet anyway. There is still one loose end which needs tying." Spider-Man said.
"You mean t-," Spinneret tried to say but the words caught in her throat.
"I need to see the Lizard," Spider-Man said with grim determination.
"Do you really think that's wise after what he's done, Spidey?" The Thing asked.
"Wise or not I have to face him, one last time. If I don't I'll never move beyond what happened." Spider-Man said. "Believe me when I say I would rather not ever see him again."
"When are you going to the Raft?" Iron Spider asked.
"During the next couple of days," Spider-Man said.
"Mind if I tag along?" Iron Spider asked.
"Not in the least. Truth is I could use the company." Spider-Man said.
The Raft Prison two days later, afternoon
"I don't know why you want to see him, Spider-Man. It's not like he can understand you." The guard said.
"Just leave us alone, okay?" Spider-Man said.
"You have five minutes, make 'em count." The guard said before leaving the observation room where the chained and muzzled Lizard sat on the floor.
"Dr. Connors, Curt are you in there? Can you hear me?" Spider-Man said. There was no response from the Lizard. "Curt do you know why you are here? Do you remember what happened to,, Billy?"
The Lizard stirred. He rose to his feet. His fearsome reptilian gaze locked with Spider-Man's own. For a fleeting moment, Spider-Man saw or imagined he saw the Lizard's red eyes flicker blue then it was gone. With a strangled whine the Lizard thrashed around pulling at his restraints nearly ripping them from where they were anchored to the floor and walls.
"I'm sorry Curt. I failed you and your son." Spider-Man said sighing with a heavy heart. There was nothing more he could do here he knew that now. He knocked on the heavy metal door. "I'm ready to leave."
Elsewhere in the prison, Iron Spider was being given an unofficial VIP tour of the facility. Due to his recent efforts capturing criminals alongside Spinneret and Spider-Man he was considered something of a celebrity by the guards, regardless of the negative view SHIELD held regarding the Spiders. When Iron Spider and his escort passed one group of cells he heard a voice which made him freeze in his tracks.
"You'll be back under my control soon enough, Iron Spider." Proclaimed the poisonous voice of the Jackal.
"Don't listen to him, boy." Another voice said this one belonging to Norman Osborn aka Green Goblin who added with a knowing smile "You'll be fighting crime until I decided to end your career for a second time."
"Keep your mouths shut Warren and Osborn." One of the guards escorting Iron Spider said he turned to Iron Spider. "These two are always mouthing off ignore their big talk it's just that talk."
Iron Spider continued his tour but he could not shake the uneasy feeling he had gotten from seeing Norman and Miles Warren again. He knew Jackal was aware of his true identity but was Norman? If so, how? From what he had been told Norman should not remember him or anything else connected with Peter being Spider-Man. Surely he was just being silly. Norman didn't know who he was behind the mask, he couldn't, right? With a renewed assurance of anonymity, he strolled confidently down the hallway. He failed to notice another observer seizing him up from the shadows of said observer's cell.
'Yet another spider-powered hero has seemingly arrived on the scene, how curious,' Doctor Octopus thought stroking his chin thoughtfully with one of his mechanical arms.
Next up – "Edge of Time" followed by "Spider-Island" then (the one I've been waiting for) "Superior Spider-Man" (including a modified version of "Ends of the Earth" which will serve as a first chapter or a prequel of sorts in this universe).
To Be Continued