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Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Thirty-One Spider-Island Part I
Parker Residence on Western Long Island, around noon
"What are you doing?" Mayday asked her sister. She had inserted herself between an open window and April.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" April said her near bursting school backpack slung over her shoulders. "I'm leaving."
"Why?" Mayday said.
"Because just because," April said. "I don't belong here. I'm the clone I know I am."
"I might be the clone." Mayday offered helpfully although she hoped it was not true.
"Nah, you aren't," April said shaking her head. "You fit in here."
"So do you," Mayday said on the verge of tears. "We've only just found each other. Please stay, April. I want you to stay. We're sisters. We belong together with papa and momma and the rest of our family." May began to cry.
"Jeez May stop crying. You're acting like a little baby." April said. "I'm going if you cry or not."
"Then I'm coming with you," Mayday said still crying.
"Okay get your stuff because I'm leaving soon," April said. "And I'm coming with you while you pack. I know you'll tell on me unless I do."
"I won't tell honestly," Mayday said wiping away some of her tears.
"Yeah, you will. You're a regular tattletale." April said.
"Am not," Mayday said.
"Are too," April countered. "You tell on my all the time."
"Where are we going?" Mayday asked.
"Beats me," April shrugged. "I just can't stay here anymore. We'll figure something out."
Streets of Manhattan, one hour later
"Damn, do all these criminals have spider powers?" Spinneret said kicking a masked criminal away from her.
"Sure seems that way, along with masks. There must have been a sale; buy a mask get free spider powers." Iron Spider said using his ice pellets to freeze several other masked criminals in place.
"I no longer feel special. I'm a unique act, or rather I used to be." Spider-Man said with a mock sniff while punching two masked criminals unconscious. "Present company accepted." He quickly added glancing at his partners.
"Of course," Spinneret said dryly. Spinneret's mask built-in communicator buzzed in her ear. "I've got a call I have to take. Can you guys handle this until I return?"
"We'll be fine, right guys?" Spider-Man said.
"Right," Spider-Man 2099 said webbing up a couple of masked criminals.
"Not again," Iron Spider groaned when a moment later the masked criminals started breaking free of his ice blocks and then Spider-Man 2099's cocoons.
"That's certainly new," Spider-Man said.
"I told you they're tougher than the average punk." Iron Spider said.
"Layla analyze their genomes look for any anomalies." Spider-Man 2099 commanded his wrist-mounted holographic assistant.
"Analyzing," Layla said while the three spider men continued their fight. "Analysis complete presence of synthetic genetic alternations detected. Conclusion, the genomes of these humans have been resequenced with arachnid DNA. Probable method of alternate an artificial retrovirus." Layla announced twenty seconds later.
"A virus that makes spider people." Spider-Man mused. Spider-Man knew there was only one man who could be responsible for this latest horror.
"Who could design such a thing?" Spider-Man 2099 wondered aloud.
"The Jackal." Spider-Man and Iron Spider exclaimed in unison.
"Great just great," Iron Spider said while continuing to fend off the mutated baddies.
"P-, Spider-Man we have to leave right away." Spinneret said upon her return a short while later.
"Why, what's happened?" Spider-Man said.
"They ran away from home, the girls." Spinneret said taking out her frustration on the never-ending swarm of masked criminals with a series of vicious blows.
"Iron Spider, Future Spider can you two hold down the fort until we find the girls?" Spider-Man asked.
"It's Spider of Tomorrow and I think so." Spider-Man 2099 said. "I'll see if Layla can create a cure."
"A cure for what?" Spinneret said.
"According to Layla, our friends here are infected with a manmade virus of some sort which gives them spider powers," Spider-Man said. "We have no idea how contagious it may be or how far it has already spread."
"While that's all horrible, I have to bring my babies home. I'm sorry." Spinneret said.
"Never apologize for your desire to protect anyone, especially those we love," Spider-Man said. "We'll come back when we can."
"Should we contact someone in the meantime let them know what we've discovered?" Spider-Man 2099 inquired during a brief reprieve in the action.
"Contact Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four let him know what's going on," Spider-Man said.
"And if he isn't available?" Spider-Man 2099 said.
"If the Fantastic Four are out of town on a mission contact the Avengers," Spider-Man said reluctantly. He still harbored misgivings about working with Ironman again but he would lay those aside for the greater good. Personal feelings mattered little in the face of serious threats to public safety, such is the life of a superhero.
"You two stay here where you're needed. I'll find the kids." Iron Spider offered.
"Are you sure?" Spider-Man said.
"With my ability of flight, I can cover ground quicker than either of you can. You can follow my progress on the video uplink built-in to my suit." Iron Spider said. "Plus what else are screwup uncles good for if not helping out in a jam?" He added with a chuckle.
"You're not a screwup," Spider-Man said.
"Yeah I am, but I'm cool with being one." Iron Spider said.
"Thank you," Spinneret said.
Iron Spider nodded. "I'll be back asap." Iron Spider said before he glided off.
"Reed, Spider-Man here, we have a situation," Spider-Man said contacting the Baxter Building via a built-in communication unit in his mask just before a new wave of masked criminals attacked.
Offices of Spidey Inc, one hour later
Jennifer Walters aka the Sensational She-Hulk did not usually work weekends. However, as the head of the Spidey Inc Legal Department (which in truth was more a one-woman show than a true department her being the woman), she had little choice this fine day what with Mayor Jameson's treat of targeted legal harassment against Spider-Man and his associates. Jennifer could scarcely believe she had almost married Jonah's son spell or no spell.
"Nothing against John but I really dodged a bullet. Imagine having Jonah for a father-in-law." Jennifer said with a shuddered. She was about to get up and get herself another coffee (her sixth of the day so far) when the entrance doors of Spidey literally exploded inward having been torn off their hinges. In strode the trio of Spider King, Tarantula, and Electro.
"We're closed, it's Saturday." Jennifer half-joked.
"Where's Iron Spider and the girl April Parker?" Spider King roared.
"Not here big hairy and ugly," Jennifer said getting on her feet.
Jennifer quickly seized up her opponents. The two unknown spider creatures were big really big. Who knew what they were capable of. The third she recognized as Electro. He was a well known, extremely dangerous metahuman with electricity manipulation abilities nearly on par with those of the infamous criminal mutant Magento. She best stay on her toes.
"I suggest you leave," Jennifer said falling into a defensive stance. "I don't want any trouble."
"Too bad honey 'cause we do," Electro said firing a crackling bolt of yellow energy at Jennifer who transformed into She-Hulk shedding her business suit to reveal her white and purple uniform underneath.
"Itching for a fight I see, okay," She-Hulk said with a smirk after absorbing Electro's attack to no ill effect, a benefit of her gamma-irradiated status.
She-Hulk attempted to shoulder block Electro who somehow dodged her attack. She tried again with the same result. Before she could make a third attempt Tarantula clobbered her from behind with a double axhandle blow. She spun around and punched at him only for him to sidestep her blow. Spider King then grabbed her in a bearhug from behind. Before she pulled herself free of his iron grip he sunk his fangs into her neck pumping in a potent biological cocktail of spider virus and control pheromones gifted to him by Spider Queen.
"Ouch," She-Hulk said rubbing her neck throbbing. "What are you a spider or a vampire, or maybe you're both? New ground rule boys, no biting." She-Hulk felt a sudden wave of dizziness pass over her. She swayed on her feet. "Give me a minute." She said waving her foes off. "I need to catch my breath." Surprisingly the trio backed away. "Ugh," She-Hulk moaned
She-Hulk slumped forward in discomfort. Over the next five minutes, She-Hulk painfully transformed into a large green she spider. Once her metamorphosis was complete she stood at attention awaiting instructions from Spider King
"Where are Iron Spider and April Parker?" Spider King asked.
"I do not know where Iron Spider currently is." Spider She-Hulk said. "April Parker is most likely at her family home on Long Island. I can take you there if you so desire?"
"Yes, take us there." Spider King said.
"Follow me," Spider She-Hulk said. The trio then departed Spidey Inc with their latest recruit in the lead.
Not far from the Brooklyn Bridge, thirty minutes later
"I think we should go home. I'm cold. I'm hungry. I want to go home." Mayday whined.
"You're such a baby May," April said rolling her eyes.
"I want to go home," Mayday repeated.
"Go home then. I'm not stopping you." April said.
"Only if you come home with me," Mayday said.
"Everyone will be mad at me. I'll be punished some more." April said.
"I'll say running away was my idea. Please, April let's go home." Mayday said.
"Oh alright," April huffed. "Next time I run away I'm not taking you with me. I'll run away on my own."
"Don't run away again, please," Mayday said. "Mamma and papa love us both so much they'll be sad."
"I guess," April admitted.
April's anger at her mother had cooled somewhat the past two and one-half hours. Now she was tired, hungry and more than a little frightened. The place she and Mayday stood was unfamiliar and spooky with strange people all around. April didn't like it here. She wanted to return home as much as Mayday did maybe even more even if she faced further punishment.
"What luck we found what we're looking for ahead of schedule," Spider She-Hulk said as she, Spider King, Tarantula, and Electro swooped down next to the girls surrounding them. Before they could run Spider She-Hulk grabbed them in her four upper limbs holding them fast.
"Which one is April Parker?" Spider King asked eyeing the pair with his insectoid eye clusters.
"This one," Spider She-Hulk said holding up April.
"Let us go you creeps!" April shouted. Mayday was too frightened to say anything.
"What do we do with the other one?" Electro asked indicating Mayday.
"I'm not sure but our master will know." Spider King said. He produced a small communicator with a video screen, not unlike a typical smartphone.
"What do you want? I'm very busy," An image of Jackal snapped at Spider King. "Have you found either of the targets yet or do you just want to chew the fat?"
"We've located April Parker but she is not alone. There is a near identical girl with her who has long hair." Spider King reported.
"Show me," The Image of Jackal ordered. Spider King turned the communicator so Jackal could see Mayday and April.
"Ah, yes, the other one. My first sleeper clone of the deceased infant May Parker. I had almost forgotten the Parkers located her earlier. You might as well bring her along to. I can always find a use for her." The image of Jackal said grinning evilly.
"I-I'm a clone?" Mayday whimpered.
"Of course dearie you both are. Norman Osborn could not help but have the original baby May Parker killed, what a waste. He then came to me after he obtained the remnants of the body so I could create clones of her for him. You were the first successful clone. He placed you in a girls' home in hopes you would grow up hating your 'partners'. He never intended for them to find you when they did." The Image of Jackal explained. "Alas, the best laid plans of goblins and men often run astray."
"What about me?" April asked in an uncharacteristically small voice. She felt emotionally crushed her life their lives were built on lies. They weren't real they never had been.
"You dearie were back up should your sister fail or unexpectedly die by way of some unforeseen glitch in the cloning process before reaching maturity. If she expired you'd take her place thus why we feed you a constant stream of her memories while in stasis, or at least approximated facsimiles." The Image of Jackal answered. "Norman Osborn would never allow your 'parents' to find the real baby May Parker he despises your father far too much for that. But, enough chit chat bring them to my hideout at once my minions, chop, chop on the double!"
"I have a better idea. Release them and back away," An electronically enhanced voice said. The faces of the girls lite up as Iron Spider arrived.
"Uncle Ben," The girl exclaimed in unison.
"Perfect, my last wayward experiment has been found." The image of Jackal said excitedly. "Capture him and bring him along with the other two."
"Not happening," Iron Spider said. He fired ice pellets at Electro and Tarantula both of whom dodged due to their own versions of spider sense.
"Payback time," Electro said firing a flurry of electricity bolts at Iron Spider one after another in rapid succession.
Iron Spider dodged the storm of bolts but was tackled by Tarantula after he was snagged on his left foot by a strand of webbing from Spider King and slammed into the ground. Tarantula pummeled him relentlessly until he managed to pushed Tarantula off. Electro fired a massive surge of energy at Iron Spider who rolled out of the way in time only to be hit by a blast of green energy Spider She-Hulk emitted from her mouth. The gamma blast temporarily overloaded his system causing his suit to reboot. He knelt on the ground helpless. His helmet withdrew from his sweaty, pained face.
"Take him." The Image of Jackal said gleefully.
"Wait," Iron Spider cried. "You know I'll resist you to the end." He looked at the terrified twins and hoped against hope his desperate plan would work. "If you let them go I'll do whatever you ask of me without question or complaint." He said his voice cracking. "I've lived my life, made my mistakes, I've had my chance, they deserve their chance. I beg of you, if anything of the good man you once were, of Dr. Miles Warren, remains within you don't do this, don't take them away. Be Miles Warren again, one last time."
A strange faraway look appeared in the eyes of Jackal's image finally after a pronounced pause he again spoke. "Release the children. We can always return for them later. Once the master plan is completed there will be nowhere left for them, or anyone else, to hide."
Five Minutes Later
"There you are. We looked everywhere for you." Aunt May said running up to where the twins stood. They looked dejected. She pulled them into a hug.
"We were worried sick about you young ladies," Jarvis said.
"They took him," April said.
"Who took who?" Jarvis asked.
"The bad monster people took Uncle Ben," Mayday said frantically.
"Mom," April said spotting Mary Jane who had donned her civilian clothes after deciding she could not wait for Ben to find the girls.
"Momma," Mayday said.
Both girls ran to embrace their mother. Who sweep them each up in an arm. Mary Jane gave each daughter a kiss on her forehead while fighting back tears.
"I love you two." Mary Jane said.
"I love you, momma," Mayday said.
"I love you, mom," April said. "Even if I'm not really your daughter."
"Me too," Mayday said.
"Why would you say such a thing?" Mary Jane asked.
"Because the Jackal told us we're clones," April said wanting to cry.
"Ah huh, Momma, he did," Mayday said.
"His monster people took Uncle Ben. They were going to take us too but Uncle Ben said he'd go willingly with them if they left us here." April explained.
"The Jackal was here and he has Ben?" Mary Jane asked her blood ran cold at the implications of the children's words.
"Ah huh, momma, he was on a phone screen one of the monster people had. He said he made us." Mayday said while starting to cry.
"And that Norman Osborn killed your real baby because he hates dad so much," April said. "Sorry, we're not your real daughters, mom."
"I don't want to ever hear either of you suggest such a thing again." Mary Jane said holding April and Mayday close. She wiped the tears from Mayday's eyes "You are my real daughters. I love you both. Nothing a person like the Jackal or Norman Osborn can say or do will ever change how I feel about you." Mary Jane paused loosening her grip slightly on her girls. "Tell me more about these monster people who are working for the Jackal. What do they look like?"
To Be Continued
Next Up – Spider-Island kicks into high gear as the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men and 'ol Flattop himself Mayor J. Jonah Jameson all get involved while the infection spreads rapidly to the general populace on NYC. Oh, and did I mention Anti-Venom returns.
Author's Note -
I decided making both Mayday and April clones was the best way to go in this hybrid reality of 616 and MC2. I frankly can't see Norman Osborn ever letting Peter and MJ find their daughter unless there was some heart-wrenching twist he could use to cause emotional anguish later on. Besides this way, the twins are on equal footing moving forward.