Disclaimers
All characters appearing in Marvel Comics are copyright Marvel Entertainment and Walt Disney Company. No infringements of these copyrights are intended and are not authorized by the copyright holders.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
WARNING -
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS CHARACTER DEATH. Reader discretion strongly advised.
Another Strand In The Great Web – Episode Thirty-Four Spider-Island Part IV
Streets of New York City, late afternoon
Half of the Avengers and X-Men had fully mutated into spider creatures while the other half alongside civilians who chose to stand by their side were fighting the oncoming horde. As the intense battle raged all over the city the opposing forces slowly made their way to Central Park epicenter of the infection where Spider Queen awaited their arrival.
Fisk Towers
"Fancy meeting you here." Spinneret said to Black while punching a member of the Sisterhood of the Wasp. Around the pair Kingpin and his goons did battle with the sisters in the confined space of the lobby.
"What can I say. My social calendar was open and I needed some fun." Black Cat said tossing another sister into a wall.
Another sister tried to attack Spinneret from behind but she skillfully delivered a back kick which leveled the offending sister. Araña performed a mid-air double split kicking knocking out two sisters. She and Spinneret exchanged nods afterward.
"Nice moves Araña. Here you told me you're rusty. Someone is too modest I think." Spinneret said.
"Thanks, your moves are good too," Araña said feeling pleased by Spinneret's praise.
"Heads up ladies and gentlemen," Hobgoblin said dropping a series of pumpkin bombs on the remaining sisters.
"They just keep coming," Araña said somewhat disheartened.
"In which case, we just keep fighting until they stop coming." Spinneret said. "don't worry Araña we've got this."
"You really think so?" Araña asked while she, Spinneret and Black Cat fended off more sisters. Araña then did a Matrix type backbend to avoid an attack from a sister armed with a knife covered in their new poison.
"Without a doubt." Spinneret said elbowing an especially aggressive sister aside. "Come girls let's show these wannabes how real superheroines clean house." With a mighty yell, the trio threw themselves at their startled opponents.
Western Long Island
"Where are they all going?" A heavyset man wondered. Every spider creature in the area was seemingly headed east as one mass of movement.
"Who cares where they go as long as they leave us alone." A young man said.
"True that," A young woman said.
Nearby Mayday heard someone softly crying. She wandered a short distance away from her family members to find her classmate and often times bully Heather Noble crouched on the ground. The blonde girl was hugging her legs and staring straight ahead.
"Are you okay, Heather?" Mayday asked timidly.
"No," Heather said. "My parents turned into monsters. I'm sick too. I don't want to become one of those things."
Mayday knelt down next to Heather. She hugged the other girl who continued to sob. A moment later April appeared to find both still in their embrace.
"There you are May. You shouldn't wander off alone it's dangerous." April said before she spotted her sister's companion. Her expression immediately turned icy.
"Heather isn't feeling well. She's sick. She needs our help, April." Mayday said gently stroking Heather's hair.
"Why would Heather need help from 'weirdos' like us," April said. She quickly reconsidered her words when she noticed how terrible the other girl looked and the pleading expression on Mayday's face. "C'mon lets get her back to where grandma and grandpa are waiting."
April and Mayday helped a shaky Heather to her feet. "Why are you two being so nice to me when I've only ever been mean to you?" Heather asked.
"Because like Spinneret, Spider-Man and Iron Spider we help others when they need help," April said.
"Thank you, I won't forget this. If we make it I promise I'll be nice to you both from now on," Heather said.
"We'll see," April said skeptically.
Horizon Labs, early evening
"Eureka I think we've got it," Morbius said.
"The question is how do we distribute the cure area wide in an efficient and timely fashion?" Reed said.
"That is quite a pickle," Max said.
Spider-Man suddenly snapped his gloved fingers. "I think I might know the solution but I'll need access to the police evidence vault." He said.
"No way," Jonah said shaking his head.
"Are you sure we can end this mess?" Yuri asked Spider-Man ignoring the mayor.
"I'm fairly certain of it," Spider-Man said.
"Okay, I'll grant you access, Spider-Man," Yuri said.
"You can't! I forbid it! He's a menace always has been always will be!" Jonah ranted.
"I'll take full responsibility for whatever happens. If Spider-Man screws up it'll be more head on a pike not yours Mr. Mayor." Yuri said over Jonah's protests. "Come along Spider-Man." Jonah tried to step between them and the exit but Iron Spider and Spider-Man 2099 followed by Mania and Agent Toxin physically inserted themselves between Jonah and the pair. Once Spider-Man and Yuri took the cure packages from Max and Reed they departed.
"I think you should allow them to do this, Mayor Jameson." Agent Toxin said.
"Step aside so I can catch up and stop them. I'm still mayor around here you know," Jonah said. "Hurry, they're getting away."
"I'm under federal jurisdiction not local." Agent Toxin said.
"I only moved here recently." Mania said.
"I'm technically from the future." Spider-Man 2099 said.
"I'm a citizen of the world." Iron Spider said.
"You're all masked menaces no better than Spider-Man!" Jonah ranted.
"Thanks for the compliment." Spider-Man 2099 said.
"Ditto," Mania said.
"Unbelievable," Jonah said throwing up his hands as he walked away. He glanced at Anti-Venom who was leaning against a wall nearby. "Aren't you going to do anything?"
"They are assisting with my divine mandate you are frustrating it," Anti-Venom said simply.
"Damn, freaks," Jonah muttered as he left the room via a separate exit.
A split second later in ran a breathless Amadeus Cho. "Ironman sent me. C-C-Central P-Park, big battle, need everyone." He panted.
"You heard the man, duty calls." Iron Spider said.
"I want to come," Kaine said emerging from the doorway behind Amadeus.
"Sure thing big boy. We'll get you a Spider-Man suit and away we'll go. We have plenty to choose from given that earlier stunt Jackal pulled. What colors do you like?" Iron spider said.
"Something in black and red," Kaine said grinning.
NYPD Evidence Storage, a short time later
"Ah, there they are," Spider-Man said after prying open three crates which were stuffed full of Octobots. He removed the helmet Dr. Octopus used to control these miniature robots. "We'll need a couple of goblin gliders too."
"Can do," Yuri said. "But I don't think this is a job for me rather a special friend of mine. She'll meet you on the roof, in five minutes.
"Okay," Spider-Man said curious who exactly Yuri's "special friend" might be.
Central Parker, twenty minutes later
The remaining heroes fought a ferocious battle with Spider Queen and her horde. Back and forth the conflict went. Soon they were joined by the contingent from Horizon Labs including Mr. Fantastic followed by the trio of Spinneret, Araña, and Black Cat with Hobgoblin, Kingpin's goons and even Kingpin himself in tow. Spinneret's group were using deluded amounts of the Sisterhood poison to knock out every spider creature they could jab with their weapons and needles. Hundreds then thousands of new spider creatures swarmed the heroes almost overwhelming them again and again and yet again. All seemed lost when a whirring was heard overhead a helmet wearing Spider-Man and the anti-superheroine known as Wraith appeared on goblin gilders followed by a swarm of Octobots who sprayed everything in sight with white mist. The spider creatures shook violently once sprayed and fell over on their backs their leg twitching occasionally.
Spider King and Spider She-Hulk ganged up on Thor knocking his hammer from his hand. On impulse, Spider-Man swooped down and picked up the legendary Mjolnir almost without thinking. Lightning struck Spider-Man and the helmet he wore morphed into one with Viking type wings. He leaped off his goblin glider and batted both Spider King and Spider She-Hulk away from Thor.
"I'll be right back. Mind if I borrow this, thanks," Spider-Man said to the fallen Thor before Thor could protest.
Spider-Man zeroed in on Spider Queen who had grown to enormous size. "Meddling fool I'll ground you into dust!" Spider Queen rumbled.
"Nope, I don't think so," Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man swung Mjolnir hitting Spider Queen multiple times in quick secession while he jumped around her. As her minions were cured the power she drew from them diminished the Spider Queen literally shrank until she was back to her normal size. She tried to morph her symbiote infused exoskeleton into weapons including her limbs but Spider-Man saw this coming. He struck her in her face with Mjolnir.
"You're just another spider! I'm a goddess! You can't top me, my future slave!" Spider Queen said spitting up gobs of purple blood.
"Maybe I can maybe I can't, let's find out, shall we? I'm game if you are." Spider-Man said. He struck Spider Queen again in her face with Mjolnir then a third time.
"You can't defeat me! You're nothing you hear me, nothing! I am forever!" Spider Queen coughed stumbling back several steps. She attempted to fight back but Spider-Man easily deflected her feeble blows.
With a mighty swing, Spider-Man knocked Spider Queen off her feet with Mjolnir. He then saw Anti-Venom nearby. "Hey, Eddie this one needs your special type of cleansing! Give her the works, everything impure most go." He called. Anti-Venom was on the now defenseless Spider Queen in an instant. She screamed as his tendrils wormed their way into her body. "Make sure to take everything and I mean everything, but leave her alive."
"Stooooooooppppppp, my work!" Jackal bellowed. He ran up to try to tackle Anti-Venom but was knocked aside by Spider-Man using the handle of Mjolnir.
Spider-Man rushed to where Jackal lay over a hundred feet away. He glared down through his mask at Jackal who groaned in pain on the ground. Jackal spat up some blood of his own.
"It's over between us," Spider-Man growled. "You missed your shot. If you ever, ever come near me or my family especially my daughters again for any reason, I'll end you."
"I won't bother you again, I swear." Jackal wheezed.
"You've been warned," Spider-Man said he then slowly walked away.
"Can you move?" Kaine asked as he appeared out of the gloom. He stared down at the prone Jackal his body tense. Kaine wore a black Spider-Man suit with red eyes and spider symbols.
"For a minute there I thought he might actually kill me." Jackal wheezed then chuckled in spite of the pain he felt in his aching body. He smiled up at Kaine showing his sharp bloodstained teeth.
"No, he wouldn't have, never," Kaine said softly while kneeling down besides Jackal. "But, sooner or later you'll recover and make Peter pay for the mercy he's shown you here tonight, and his loved ones, and likely the world along with them. Peter even knows that and still, he couldn't bring himself to knowingly take a life no matter how twisted." Kaine paused here for a moment. "He's a true hero you see. He's not like us, father."
"Wait what a-," Jackal wheezed only for Kaine to palm his skull and bash his head several times against a rock until only a pulpy mess remained.
"I truly hope you're gone forever this time," Kaine said raising to his feet.
"What have you done!" Spider-Man shouted rushing over to the brutalized body of Jackal. He had returned from making sure Anti-Venom only striped Spider Queen of her powers and not her life as well.
"What had to be done. What you or Ben or Mary Jane could not do." Kaine said. He then walked off without another word being exchanged between himself and his clone sibling.
"At least it'll soon be over." Spider-Man sighed. Looking down at what remained of Jackal he felt his stomach turn.
The Raft Prison
"Parker you pompous fool. Think you can use my inventions to play the hero while I languish in this pit. I'll soon show you the error of your ways. My magnum opus is nearly ready." Dr. Octopus said a wicked smile on his ravaged face.
"Jeez we know you ain't long for this world but pipe down will ya Ock, some of prefer silence." One of the guards said passing by Otto's cell.
Dr. Octopus continued to smile until the guard was gone he then scowled. "I'll be sure to look you and your equally insensitive friends up after my coming out party, troglodyte. I'll pay you each back tenfold for every indignity heaped upon me during my stay in this dreadful place." He whispered.
The backyard of the Parker Residence on Western Long Island dusk, one week later
"According to news coverage, everything is back to normal." Aunt May said. She was seated around an outside table with Jarvis, Miguel, Anya, and the girls.
"That's certainly a relief," Jarvis said.
"How can you eat so much?" Anya asked Miguel who was polishing off his third plate of wheat cakes.
"What can I say. I love Aunt May's wheat cakes they're fantastic." Miguel said.
"Miguel is the biggest fan of my wheat cakes." Aunt May said beaming. "He's such a nice young man."
"I hope Heather Noble keeps her promise, but she probably won't," April said.
"Me too," Mayday said. "Heather is so mean I hope she becomes nice."
"Are you girls excited for your birthday party next week?" Miguel asked. "You'll turn the big oh seven, or so I've heard."
"We sure are," April said.
"I'm so very excited," Mayday confirmed.
"What do you girls want for your birthday?" Anya asked.
"A big fancy cake," Mayday said excitedly spreading her small arms as wide as she could. "And a party with balloons and noisemakers and hates."
"And presents lots of presents," April said. Everyone laughed at the girls' infectious exuberance. It was good to deal with everyday stuff again.
Front Yard
"I hope you understand why this is necessary," Peter said.
"Yeah, I understand. I don't fit into polite society I never have. Besides I prefer to be on my own," Kaine said with a shrug.
"I'm not condoning what you did, but I still want to thank you." Mary Jane said giving Kaine a quick hug. She knew her daughters were far safer with Jackal out of the picture even if she did not approve of the method of his removal.
"Here, this is for you." Ben passed Kaine a duffle bag inside of which was a large amount of cash and a modified Scarlet Spider costume with a black mask, black gloves, and red eyepieces. "The cash is from Pete the suit is from my one from my old stash, I changed it to black & red as you prefer. Don't be a stranger, bro." Ben and Kaine then hugged.
"I guess this is goodbye," Peter said.
"How about so long for now," Kaine said. He and Peter hugged. Kaine then walked off duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He walked off into the sunset towards a new life.
"I hope he'll be alright." Mary Jane said as Kaine walked out of sight clad in faded blue jeans, white sneakers, and a brown leather jacket.
"So do I," Peter said with a hint of regret on his voice.
Inside, that evening
Mary Jane stared at the pregnancy test in her hands, it read positive. She did not know exactly how to feel. On the one hand, she was happy she would soon welcome another child into the world. On the other hand, she was terrified this baby might become a target for their enemies. Also, once she began to show she would have to sit on the sidelines to protect her unborn baby, which meant she would not be able to help as Spinneret. This discovery was indeed a mixed blessing. Maybe Anya could take her place on the team? Anya was a girl good plus being part of a group would help boost Anya's flagging confidence. She would have to talk to Peter about Anya. along with other things.
Mary Jane walked out of the master bathroom into the adjoining master bedroom. Her husband awaited her there. "I know it's been a week, but I'm still exhausted, red. I think I could sleep for another week." Peter said with a yawn about to get into bed.
"Before you take that long nap I've got some news for your you, tiger." Mary Jane said after chewing nervously on her bottom lip.
"Wazzup?" Peter asked giving MJ his undivided attention.
"Remember how you've always a house full of kids. Well, your dream is one step closer to reality." Mary Jane said smiling broadly.
"You mean?" Peter said grinning like a fool.
"Yup," Mary Jane said rubbing her as of yet flat stomach.
"Yaaaaaaa-haaaaaaaaaaaaawwwww," Peter yelled. He picked up Mary Jane in his arms and twirled her around the room as MJ giggled like a school girl. In that moment of unbridled joy when all seemed perfect little did the happy couple expect the trails that lay ahead of them.
To Be Continued
Next Up – It's the moment we've all been waiting for folks (I know I sure have) Superior Spider-Man begins!