A/N: This chapter is a bit of a mystery chapter, as it has all four Spiders investigating the city to find out how bad the Spider Virus is.
Please read and review?
On Monday, the 23rd of May, Peter, Gwen and Miles all met up at Midtown High, having all decided to meet before lessons started. They had spent all of yesterday searching the city, finding out hundreds of people had been infected by the gas, granting them all spider powers just like them and Jessica Drew. The only difference was, they all had organic webs, which made Miles jealous.
"I wish our webs were like that." he muttered.
"I know." Gwen sighed. "That would be one less worry for us, as we'd never run out of web-fluid."
"True." Peter admitted. "That would be helpful. But you guys have to remember, this is Jackal's doing, so this has to be connected to that gas he released on Saturday."
"We know, Pete." Gwen nodded.
"I wonder exactly how many people have been infected?" Miles said.
"I have no idea." Peter said.
They all turned and saw a few people swinging around the city via web-swinging, who all seemed to be going in different directions.
"Guess they're all in a hurry." Gwen said.
"Yeah." Peter sighed. "Whoever sees them is gonna be shocked when they come into their homes or jobs."
He saw other students starting to arrive, before he checked his watch, seeing school was just about to start.
"We better get inside. We'll investigate more after school." he said.
Gwen and Miles nodded before they all turned and approached the door. They all then entered the school with the early students, and began to walk towards their lockers. As they walked down the hallway their lockers were however, they heard a familiar voice gasping.
"That's Anya?" Gwen gasped.
They all ran down a hallway, before they stopped outside a History classroom, seeing Anya was stuck to the ceiling on her back through the door window. Peter opened the door before they all filed in and looked up at her.
"Anya, you okay?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, just can't get loose." Anya complained.
She managed to free her hands, making her sit on her knees on the ceiling, but couldn't get her legs free.
"Ah! I don't know how the Web-Warriors find this easy?" she moaned.
"Anya, you're stressed." Peter explained. "Spider-Man told me when he first started out, he had to learn the hard way. You need to relax so you don't stick permanently to stuff."
"O-kay. I'll try it." Anya said.
She breathed and relaxed herself, before her legs gave way, 'causing her to fall from the ceiling.
"AHH!" she yelled.
Miles ran over and caught her bridle style before she could hit the floor.
"Thanks, Miles." she said, before Miles put her down. "This will take some getting used to."
"Hey, Spidey told me he and his fellow Spiders had to do the same." Peter assured. "Since Shadow-Spider showed up, Spidey and Ghost Spider have been training him."
"Like a master and a Padawan?" Anya asked.
Peter flinched slightly.
"Peter doesn't like Star Wars." Miles whispered.
"Never has." Gwen added quietly.
"Oh, sorry, Pete." Anya said. "But, you get what I mean?"
"Yeah, I do." Peter said. "What are you doing here so early anyway?"
"I came over to grab something." Anya explained. "I left something in here on Friday and was searching for it, when I heard a noise. Acting on instinct I just jumped up and found myself stuck to the ceiling."
"A natural reaction." Gwen remarked. "Anyone would do that if they were scared. If it was the Jackal, I know I would if I had powers."
They all turned to her, Peter and Miles knowing that, but since most of the city suddenly had spider powers, she'd be able to lie her way out. The door suddenly opened, getting them all to turn to it, seeing Sally coming in.
"You are not gonna believe this." she said. "People are sticking to the ceiling."
She turned and looked down the hallway, leaving the four friends confused.
"Let's see what's up." Gwen said.
They all walked out into the hallway, then turned right and saw - to their shock - Flash, Liz and Gloria all along with several other students, sticking to the walls and ceiling. Down below, were others looking with a mixture of jealously and annoyance, including Randy.
"I can't believe this happened to you all?" he said.
"What's wrong, Rand; jealous?" Flash joked, jumping down.
Randy folded his arms, completely unamused, before he turned and walked off.
"Just how big has this spread?" Gwen muttered to Peter and Miles.
"No clue." Miles whispered.
"Even Jason has it." Sally said, getting their attention. "My tutor. I saw him crawling along the ceiling earlier."
"I wonder if the News has heard about this?" Anya asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised." Peter sighed.
"Yeah, well, you're right. Get a load of this?" Sally said, holding up her phone.
Peter, Gwen, Miles and Anya all leaned in, and saw it was one of Jameson's News Broadcasts.
"I can't believe this has happened!" he roared, sitting behind his desk. "As if three Spiders were bad enough, but now nearly the whole city's been infected by some virus that has made many people act like them. If they had no hand in this... this virus that's infected most of the city, I'll be surprised! They should be put away so no one else ends up becoming like them!"
Peter, Gwen and Miles all looked at each other, having expected that from Jameson, while Anya frowned.
"Figured he'd say that about them." she said, annoyed.
"Still, you can't blame him this time." Miles reasoned. "I mean, since most of the city's got spider powers
"You do have a point there, Miles." came a familiar voice.
They all turned and saw Mary Jane on the ceiling above them, who jumped down from it and landed on her feet.
"MJ, you too?" Peter asked.
"Yeah." Mary Jane answered. "It's amazing, isn't it?"
"Depends?" Gwen muttered, folding her arms.
"Hey, what's wrong, sister?" Mary Jane asked, teasingly. "I think it's great. I mean, it's different than being carried by one of the Spiders. Not to mention this is cool."
She shot a web from her right wrist at the ceiling, creating a small spider web, which the friends looked up at it.
"Cool, right?" she asked.
"Yeah, I guess." Peter said, shocked.
"Well, I'll see you guys later." Mary Jane said, as she turned around and walked off.
The three Web-Warriors all walked off together, away from everyone else - with only Anya watching them.
"Hmm? Those three don't look jealous unlike the rest without powers." she noted. "Looks like they're hiding something."
She turned and walked off towards class, deciding to worry about that later.
The three Spiders kept walking on, before they saw Harry coming over, who looked annoyed.
"You okay, Harry?" Miles asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Harry said coldly.
He stopped and stared at them, who all looked at him blankly.
"Sorry, guys." he said. "It's just this Spider Virus the News is reporting, about how most of the city has become like the Web-Warriors, and I-"
"You jealous or something?" Peter asked.
"Yeah." Harry sighed. "MJ, Flash, Liz and a lot of other people have it, but not me
"You don't have it, Harry?" Gwen asked.
"Nah." Harry sighed.
"Well, you're no the only one, Harry. We haven't got it either." Peter lied, touching his shoulder.
"Really?" Harry asked, looking up.
"Yep." Gwen nodded.
"You got it." Miles said.
"Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one then, otherwise I'd feel left out." Harry said. "Is there anyone else?"
"Well, apart from us, there's also Randy and Sally." Peter explained. "Everyone else we know well has it from what we've seen. There's only the staff we're not sure of."
The bell rang before they could carry on, and then Harry walked off.
"I gotta go. See you later, guys." he said.
He turned left down the hallway, leaving the three Web-Warriors alone.
"We meet on the rooftop after school." Peter whispered. "I have a feeling we're not gonna be able to do much until then."
"Okay." Gwen nodded.
"Right." Miles understood.
They all separated and walked off, as they all had different classes first today.
After school, the three Web-Warriors all met up on the school rooftop, seeing several the infected students and teachers all swinging away, while the ones not infected looked jealous from the ground.
"Man, this whole thing is weird?" Shadow-Spider said, as the team turned to each other. "How many people have got it."
"I don't know." Spider-Man sighed. "We serious need to cover the city and find out."
"It would help if we had more help." Ghost Spider said. "I mean, this city's so big, it'll take more than just the three of us."
"I think I can relate to that, Ghost." came a familiar voice.
The three Spiders all turned around, and saw Spider-Woman coming towards them all.
"Spider-Woman?" Spider-Man said. "What are you doing here?"
"I've been looking for you three." Spider-Woman explained. "My phone's busted and I'm still waiting on a new one."
"Well, what's going on?" Ghost Spider asked. "It's not like you to search for us without reason."
"I do." Spider-Woman assured.
"What is it then?" Spider-Man asked.
"Well, this might surprise you, but quite a number of Avengers have been infected as well." Spider-Woman explained.
"What?" Ghost Spider gasped. "Well, who hasn't?"
"Besides me obviously, only Thor, Carol and Bruce, but we're not sure why." Spider-Woman explained.
Shadow-Spider looked confused as he looked around them, as he only recognized Thor's name.
"Capt. Marvel and the Hulk." Spider-Man explained. "Still, I wonder if it reached the Fantastic Four or the Secret Warriors."
"Or the X-Men?" Ghost Spider gasped. "Some of them might've been in the city at the time."
"Well, I know the Secret Warriors are gone." Spider-Woman assured. "They've been away on assignment out of the country since the 18th, and won't be back for another week."
"Ghost, call Shadowcat and check with the X-Men." Spider-Man explained. "I'll call Johnny and check with the Fantastic Four."
"Right." Ghost Spider understood.
They both took out their phones and dialled their friends numbers, as Shadow-Spider approached Spider-Woman.
"Come on, Kitty, pick up?" Ghost Spider thought, putting hers near her ear.
Spider-Man put his near his ear, waiting for an answer from Johnny.
"Which one's Shadowcat?" Shadow-Spider whispered.
"The one who can phase through walls." Spider-Woman explained. "I take you haven't met many."
"Only Wolverine, Iceman and Firestar, their newest member." Shadow-Spider explained quietly."
"Oh." Spider-Woman said.
Spider-Man kept his phone near his ear, when he got an answer.
"Hey, Spidey, what's up?" Johnny Storm asked.
"Johnny, I need to ask you something?" Spider-Man said.
"Well, ask away, webs?" Johnny asked.
"Have you guys heard about this Spider Island mess?" Spider-Man asked.
(Baxter Building)
Johnny sat on a couch while on the phone.
"Hard not too, Peter. It's been all over the News." he said. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I need to know if of you have been infected." Spider-Man explained.
Johnny sighed. "Well...yes. Reed and Sue have it, but Ben and I don't." he explained. "We found them stuck to a ceiling this morning when we got up."
(Midtown High)
"Right, thanks." Spider-Man said, hanging up.
He turned to the others, as Ghost Spider kept talking to Kitty on the phone.
"Kitty, are you sure?" Ghost Spider asked.
"Yes." Kitty sighed. "We just don't get it, and with the Prof. away right now, it complicates matters."
"Okay." Ghost Spider sighed. "Thanks anyway."
She hung up and put her phone away, before turning to the others.
"Well?" Spider-Man asked.
"At least half the X-Men have got it." Ghost Spider explained. "Kitty told me that besides herself, only Bobby, Angelica, Logan, Rogue, Angel, and the Prof. don't have it. The latter two of which as they're out of the country."
"Oh, great." Spider-Man said, facepalming himself.
Shadow-Spider looked confused, as Logan was the only name he recognized.
"Angel's the one with those wings, the one that was with us when we first met you." Spider-Man explained.
"Oh..." Shadow-Spider said.
"And Bobby and Angelica are Iceman and Firestar." Ghost Spider added. "Kitty is Shadowcat's real name."
"And Rogue?" Shadow-Spider inquired.
"The girl with the Southern accent with the white streak in her hair." Spider-Woman explained.
"Oh, right." Shadow-Spider understood. "So, now what?"
"Well, since we know it's reached several of our friends and allies, we need to find out just how big this virus has spread." Spider-Man realized.
"Well, how do we do that?" Shadow-Spider asked.
"Well... You don't mind if I take charge, Jess?" Spider-Man asked.
"Nah. You're the leader of the Web-Warriors." Spider-Woman assured. "I'm just a reserve member since I'm an Avenger."
"Thanks." Spider-Man said.
"So, what do we do, Spidey?" Ghost Spider asked, folding her arms.
"I say we split up and scour the city to find out how bad it is." Spider-Man said. "Shadow, you go with Ghost. Spider-Woman, you come with me."
"Got it." Ghost Spider said.
"Right." Shadow-Spider said.
"On it." Spider-Woman said.
"Web-Warriors, let's swing off." Spider-Man said.
The others stared at him.
"Okay, just go." he sighed, seeing it was bad.
"You'll fine one soon, Spidey." Ghost Spider assured.
They all jumped off the rooftop, and swung off in two different directions.
A little later, Spider-Man and Spider-Woman were both swinging down a street together, seeing several civilians swinging around. They both landed on a high rooftop and looked around, not believing what they were seeing.
"This is so unbelievable." Spider-Woman said. "Hard to believe that Jackal creep caused all this?"
"I know what you mean." Spider-Man said, folding his arms. "And, given how he is and what he told me and the others last night, I have a feeling there's more to this than we know."
"On that, I can agree." Spider-Woman said. "It's like this is only the start of something major happening."
They both turned to each other as they heard a noise, making Spider-Man's Spider-Sense tingle.
"Your Spider-Sense?" Spider-Woman assumed.
"Bingo." Spider-Man nodded. "Come on!"
They both jumped off the rooftop and swung off together, before they stuck to a wall, seeing it was a man with the Spider Powers swinging away with a bag of money.
"Guess some people think they can use their powers for personal gain." Spider-Woman deduced.
"We better stop him." Spider-Man said.
They both jumped off the wall and gilded after the man, before Spider-Man shot a web at him, which hit the back of his left leg.
"Huh?" he gasped.
Spider-Woman shot one that hit his right leg, before they both landed on a rooftop, and pulled the thief down.
"OH!" he moaned.
He turned around slightly, before they both webbed him up.
"You know, stealing is against the law, buddy." Spider-Woman said, folding his arms.
"So, there's only one place for you." Spider-Man joked.
They both approached him and grabbed him, before they hung him upside down against the side of the building, as several people watched.
"Whoo!" a few kids whooped.
"I hope that holds him, since he has Spider Powers." Spider-Woman said.
"To be honest, so do I." Spider-Man said.
They both turned around and walked along the building, when a young teenage woman with black hair landed behind them both, as she was another victim of the virus.
"Hey, wait?" she called.
Spider-Man and Spider-Woman turned to her as she ran over to them both.
"What do you want?" Spider-Man asked.
"I... I... Can I get your autograph, Spider-Man?" the girl asked, running over to them.
Spider-Man's masked eyes widened slightly, while Spider-Woman's raised open.
"You done this before?" she whispered.
"Not really." Spider-Man muttered. "Haven't had the time. Neither's Ghost or Shadow."
"Um, I can hear you, you know." the girl said.
They both turned to her, realizing she had Spider-hearing.
"Oh, alright." Spider-Man sighed.
The girl smiled and took out a picture of him and Ghost Spider, which showed them both swinging close together towards a camera - as he'd taken it recently after he'd gotten out of the hospital. He took a pen from the girl and signed the picture, before giving the pen back.
"Thanks, Spider-Man." the girl said. "You and Ghost Spider are my heroes. I never knew how much fun web-swinging is."
"It's not all fun and games." Spider-Man argued. "These powers also come with responsibility. If you start abusing or using them for personal gain, you'll turn into a terrible person."
The girl looked confused.
"I tried that when I first got mine, and I lost someone important to me because of that." Spider-Man explained. "That's why I do this, so no one else has to suffer like I did."
"Wow." the girl said, shocked and amazed. "I didn't know that. There really is more to you than meets the eye."
"Yes." Spider-Man nodded. "So, do you understand; being a hero isn't always fun."
"Yes." the girl nodded. "Um, where's Ghost Spider?"
"On the other side of the city." Spider-Man explained. "We've all split up to search the city to see how much this Spider Island thing is."
"Oh, right." the girl sighed. "Guess I'll have to catch her later. Well, see you."
She turned around and jumped off the rooftop, as both Spiders ran to the edge, seeing her web-swing safely towards the ground.
"Nice kid." Spider-Woman remarked.
"Yeah, but weird." Spider-Man noted. "I have a feeling everyone who's been infected doesn't know my Uncle's motto."
"I agree, and I think some will never learn." Spider-Woman said.
They both looked down at the thug hanging upside down, which got cut down by two cops.
"Thanks for the help, Spider-Man." one called. "You too, Spider-Woman."
They both grabbed the thug, then began to web-swing off with him.
"Looks like some of the Police Department's got it too." Spider-Woman said.
"I wouldn't be surprised if more than half the city's got it at this rate, or maybe even three quarters." Spider-Man said.
"You've got a point there." Spider-Woman agreed.
They both looked down at the street, seeing it was quiet, before they both turned to each other.
"Where shall we check now?" Spider-Woman asked.
"I'm heading to the Bugle." Spider-Man said. "I saw Jameson's reaction to this mess on the News, but I think I need to tell him personally I had nothing to do this."
"I'll go with you." Spider-Woman said. "Since I'm an Avenger, I can back you up and vouch for you. He's never brought me up whenever he's printed stuff with me teaming up with you."
"For now at least." Spider-Man sighed.
"Still, we're sticking together here." Spider-Woman said. "With Ghost and Shadow away, you might need backup in case one your supervillains shows up with spider powers."
"Thanks. Let's go then." Spider-Man said.
They both jumped off the rooftop and swung off down the street.
Meanwhile, Ghost Spider and Shadow-Spider were swinging around Chinatown, before they both perched on top of a building outside FEAST. They both looked down at the shelter, seeing several people, including little children swinging around on web-lines, with really worried parents for some.
"Lily, come back?" a woman cried.
"Mom, this is so cool." Lily called, as she swung off.
Ghost Spider and Shadow-Spider both turned to each other.
"Even little children have been infected?" Ghost Spider whispered. "This is weird."
"I think we should check inside FEAST, see if anyone inside's got it." Shadow-Spider suggested.
"Right." Ghost Spider agreed. "Come on?"
They both jumped off the roof and glided down towards the shelter, then landed in front of it and looked inside, seeing a few people inside were sticking to the walls and ceiling, but luckily, saw no sign of Rio or Aunt May in there.
"Does your Mom work today?" Ghost Spider whispered.
"No, and she said neither does Mrs. Parker." Shadow-Spider whispered.
"Well, that's a relief." Ghost Spider sighed.
Their Spider-Senses went off as they heard a crashing noise, making them turn around, and then they saw the Enforcers coming towards them both from a wrecked car.
"You three?" Ghost Spider exclaimed, as several people began to run off. "You're supposed to be in jail!"
"Well, not anymore, sweetheart." Montana smirked. "We got bailed out months ago."
"And we've been biding our time since to pay you back." Fancy Dan smirked.
"Pity your little boyfriend isn't here to help you." Ox joked. "That new kid over there won't be much help to you."
"He's not my boyfriend!" Ghost Spider denied, snarling.
"And I'm not a kid!" Shadow-Spider snarled, clutching his fists.
"Ha." Montana scoffed. "Well, we'll have to see 'bout that, won't we?"
He brought out a horse whip and sent it right at them both.
"Move!" Ghost Spider yelled.
She jumped and dived to her left, as Shadow-Spider did the same to the right, missing the whip as it cracked on the ground, before landing on a wall each, which they stood on.
"Lucky move." Montana commented. "But it won't save you."
Both Spiders turned to each other.
"We have to stop them before they do anyone worse." Ghost Spider said. "You don't know them like I do, Shadow."
"I'll take your word for it." Shadow-Spider assured.
They both jumped off the walls and gilded down towards the Enforcers, as Fancy Dan jumped up to kick Ghost Spider, but missed as she pulled her wings back and kicked him with both feet.
"OH!" he moaned.
He went flying away before he hit the ground on his chest, as Ox grabbed Shadow-Spider's right leg.
"Ah!" he yelped.
Ox held him upside down and laughed.
"Is that all you got, little shadow?" he mocked.
"No, it's not!" Shadow-Spider retorted.
He powered up his Venom Blast and shot it at Ox's chest, knocking him away, making him let go of him.
"OH!" Ox moaned, hitting the ground.
Shadow-Spider back flipped onto his feet, before he and Ghost Spider turned to Montana.
"So, you do have some tricks your fellows ain't?" he inquired. "This'll make it all the more fun."
He took out a pistol from his jacket and fired it - showing it was fully automatic - at them both, but missed as they jumped up and dived behind a car each, just as his friends got up.
"Ya'll can't stop us, wall-crawlers! we're gonna beat you." he snarled.
Fancy Dan and Ox laughed as he kept firing, as both Spiders turned to each other from their hiding spots, knowing they had to play this smart.
Back with Spider-Man and Spider-Woman, they were both now on a rooftop near the Daily Bugle, looking down at it and the surrounding areas.
"Well, here it is." Spider-Man said. "You seen this building before?"
"I have from News bulletins and pictures, but never in person." Spider-Woman admitted. "So, where's Jameson's office."
"Just follow me." Spider-Man said.
They both jumped off the rooftop and gilded down towards the Daily Bugle, landing on a wall near the top of the building. They both began climbing up towards Jameson's office, as several people web-swinged down the street on either side of them, when Spider-Man suddenly stopped and looked left.
"What's wrong?" Spider-Woman asked, stopping beside him.
I think Jameson's got another reason to blame me for the Spider Virus." Spider-Man gulped.
Spider-Woman looked past him, seeing among the people swinging away from the Daily Bugle, was a few of its employers, including Ned Leeds.
"Some of his employees?" she assumed.
"Bingo." Spider-Man gulped. "We better get up there."
They both climbed up until they got to Jameson's office, who sat in his chair with his back to them all. The window was open, allowing them to properly hear him grumbling to himself, a cigar in his mouth.
"Just what has happened to this city?" he grumbled. "This Spider Virus is turning the city upside down! Even some of my employers have it. Those wall-crawling arachnids have gone too far this time! I'm gonna make sure the Mayor orders their arrest for this."
Spider-Man frowned, for that was too much for him this time. He was about to climb into the window, when Spider-Woman grabbed his arm.
"Not yet." she whispered. "Look?"
She pointed at Jameson, as Robbie entered the office, who Jameson looked up at.
"Ah, Robbie." Jameson said, tossing his cigar out of the window, missing both Spiders. "I'm glad you're still the same."
"What do you... Wait, you mean this Spider Virus going around?" Robbie inquired.
"Yes." Jameson said, getting up. "Just what the hell is happening to this city?"
"I...have no clue." Robbie said honestly. "This is the weirdest thing I've ever seen."
"I see we agree on that." Jameson said. "Practically most of the city's been infected by their virus, including Leeds."
"Ned?" Robbie questioned.
"Yeah. I just saw him leave the same way those web-heads do." Jameson explained. "And I wouldn't be surprised if they had a hand in creating this."
"Jonah, I doubt they had anything to do with this." Robbie argued.
"Oh, really? I can plainly see it." Jameson scoffed. "After Shadow-Spider showed up, they probably decided to infect the city so they'd have more playmates around like them."
"Jonah, they'd never do that." Robbie argued. "Don't you think there's more going on here?"
"Why should I?" Jameson said. "There's always been trouble around here since Spider-Man showed up."
"You know, you should listen to your editor more, Jameson." Spider-Man said, unable to hold it in anymore.
Jameson turned around as he climbed into his office, with Spider-Woman right behind him.
"Spider-Man?" he snarled. "I knew you were-"
Spider-Woman put her hand over his mouth, shutting him up.
"Why don't you keep quiet and let him explain for once, 'cause he had nothing to do with this virus, Jameson." she said sternly.
She lowered her hand as Jameson backed off slightly, as Robbie stared at them all.
"You're not responsible for this?" he asked blankly.
"No, I'm not." Spider-Man assured. "I would never spread a virus allowing most of the city to become like me and my friends."
"Well, if not you or your fellow web-heads, then who did this?" Jameson demanded. "They couldn't have all just gotten their powers randomly at the same time. Even when Ghost Spider showed up, that was at least two to three months after you."
"Look, the person who did this is the Jackal." Spider-Man explained. "He's been trying to kill one of your photographer's for a while now, and thanks to me and my friends, he hasn't been able to. He created the virus and spread it while they were trying to stop him. There's more going on here than we know."
Jameson looked taken aback by the News, as Robbie stayed near the door, just as Betty came in.
"He did this?" Jameson questioned, shocked. "I... You think there's more to this virus?"
"We all do." Spider-Woman assured. "We have a feeling it's only the beginning, but only time will tell."
"So, why don't you back off and blame the guy who 'caused all this, 'cause it's not me, JJ." Spider-Man swore. "Let's go, Spider-Woman."
Both Spiders turned around and jumped out of the window, before they began to web-swing away, as Jameson, Robbie and Betty all watched them.
"Well, Jonah, what do you have to say about that?" Robbie asked.
"I... I'm not sure for once, Robbie." Jameson admitted. "But...if they're right, about there being more to this, and the Jackal being behind it, I have a feeling it's not gonna be good."
"And they're so called involvement you've insisted upon?" Robbie inquired, folding his arms.
"Well, in this case, the only thing those web-heads would be guilty of is making Jackal cause this in the first place." Jameson reasoned. "Other than that, nothing."
"Okay, I can live with that." Robbie sighed.
Outside, the two Spiders kept on swinging on through the city, before they landed on a rooftop not too far from the Bugle, before they turned to it.
"Well, that went slightly better than I thought." Spider-Man said. "I thought Jameson would blow a fuse back there."
"Still, hopefully when this is sorted out, he'll only blame you and the others slightly instead of being the main cause." Spider-Woman hoped.
"I hope so." Spider-Man sighed. "Still, he has said worse about some of the villains I've encountered over the past 15 months."
They both stood up, when their Spider-Senses tingled.
"Huh?" Spider-Man muttered.
"Mine too, so I guess there's trouble?" Spider-Woman assumed.
"Yeah." Spider-Man said.
They both looked down the building, and saw Mysterio hovering above the ground via puffs of smoke.
"Mysterio?" Spider-Man gasped.
Spider-Woman turned to him, as he'd told her about him and several other foes the Web-Warriors had encountered, before she started training Miles how to use his Venom Blast.
"The master of elusion?" she inquired.
"Yeah." Spider-Man said. "I better get down there and stop him. You with me?"
"Oh, you know it." Spider-Woman said, punching her fist.
They both jumped down from the rooftop and gilded down towards Mysterio.
"I don't know what's happened to this city, but it's not gonna stop me from getting my revenge!" he roared.
"Revenge?" Spider-Man smirked.
Mysterio turned to him and Spider-Woman as they both landed on top of a car.
"Revenge on what, fishbowl head?" Spider-Man joked. "The studio who fired you for recklessness?"
"Or is it him and his fellow Web-Warriors for stopping you in the past?" Spider-Woman teased.
"For once, it's neither, you web-heads." Mysterio snarled, pointing at Spider-Man. "I've got more important matters than dealing with you and your fellow freaks!"
"Well, sorry to disappoint you, but we're here to stop you." Spider-Man dared. "And this time, you won't get away."
"We'll see about that." Mysterio smirked.
He wrapped his cloak around himself as she spun around, then vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Huh?" both Spiders gasped.
They both jumped off the car and looked around the street, seeing no sign of Mysterio.
"Where'd he go?" Spider-Woman questioned.
"I don't know, but be careful." Spider-Man advised, as they looked around. "I've told you about him, remember?"
"Yeah, I remember." Spider-Woman assured.
They both stood back-to-back as they looked around, watching each other's backs, when their Spider-Senses tingled.
"Huh?" they muttered.
They both turned left as a rocket shoot towards them, which then they ducked under, before it hit a car and vanished, leaving no marks.
"Whoa! That seemed so real." Spider-Woman noted.
"It normally is." Spider-Man assured. "Be careful."
"There's no need for that, web-head." Mysterio sneered.
Both Spiders turned as a fist came at them both, making them move away, just as Mysterio showed up, with a stretched arm, surprising them both.
"You never said he could do that?" Spider-Woman questioned.
"He can't!" Spider-Man argued. "That must be one of his robots."
He shot a web at the Mysterio in front of him, then web-yanked him towards him, before punching Mysterio right through the chest, smashing a hole in it, confirming it was a robot.
"Just as I suspected." Spider-Man joked, before turning to his fellow Spider. "Better watch it. He might have more of these."
A small noise made them both turn around, as one of Mysterio's holocubes hit the ground near them both.
"It's one of his holocubes!" Spider-Man gasped. "Whatever it projects, it's fake."
"Understood." Spider-Woman nodded.
She ran over to the holocube and kicked it away hard, sending it flying away, right into another Mysterio's chest ahead of them, bouncing off it.
"Hey! These are delicate!" he roared angrily.
"Oh, really?" Spider-Man joked. "We never noticed."
The Mysterio in front of them growled, when suddenly, another dozen of them showed up all over him.
"More robots?" Spider-Woman exclaimed. "How many does he have?"
"I have no clue." Spider-Man said. "We're gonna need help if there's more of them though."
"Agreed. You call Ghost and Shadow." Spider-Woman said. "I'll keep them busy."
"Right." Spider-Man said.
He turned around and dived towards a car, as Spider-Woman jumped and dived towards the Mysterios. She moved to punch him with both her fists, only to pass right through him, as it was another illusion, while Spider-Man rolled over the car's hood, then hid behind it.
"Ghost, we've got trouble." he said, touching the side of his mask. "Mysterio's on the loose, causing havoc with a bunch of cloned robots."
"Sorry, Spidey, but we're busy ourselves." Ghost Spider replied. "The three stooges are back."
"The Enforcers?" Spider-Man questioned.
"Yeah, they got bailed out; how we're not sure." Ghost Spider replied. "Sorry, but you two are on your own."
"Okay. Thanks anyway." Spider-Man said.
He lifted his head up over the car and saw Spider-Woman powering up her Venom Blast, as she dived towards one of the robots. She then touched its chest with her right hand, shocking it, which spread towards another tree which were near it, frying them all before they fell apart. She turned around to another, just as Spider-Man pounced on it, knocking it onto its chest as it smashed to pieces.
"Nice move." she remarked. "Are the others coming?"
"Afraid not, they've got their own problems." Spider-Man said, as he moved so they stood back-to-back. "We're on our own."
"Well, let's hope there's not too many of these tin-cans." Spider-Woman said.
They both held up their fits as swarms of Mysterio's robots came towards them all.
In Chinatown, Shadow-Spider dived down towards Ox and kicked his chest slightly, before Ox punched him, knocking him away.
"AH!" he moaned.
He rolled backwards and hit the ground, skidding near Ghost Spider, who turned to him.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah. We really could use some help?" Shadow-Spider said, sitting up.
"Yeah, well, we're out of luck." Ghost Spider said. "The others are dealing with Mysterio."
"Oh, great!" Shadow-Spider moaned. "At least cowboy over there's run out of ammo."
"True." Ghost Spider agreed. "I just hope we can find a way to beat these three."
The Enforcers slowly approached them both, as they got up and prepared themselves, when webs hit the three of them from behind.
"Hey!" they yelped.
"What the?" Fancy Dan cried.
They all turned around and saw several people who'd been infected coming over, including Flash and Liz, holding the ends of the webs.
"Back off!" Flash snarled.
Ghost Spider and Shadow-Spider both turned to each other, then back to the Enforcers.
"So, it's true, several people have gotten powers like them?" Montana sneered.
"Yeah, and back away from them?" Liz sneered. "After all they and Spidey have done, we're gonna pay them back."
She, Flash and the other people all charged in at the trio, while the two Spiders looked confused.
Fancy Dan tried to roundhouse kick a woman, but missed as she jumped over him and kicked him in the back, knocking him forward.
"OH!" he moaned.
Ox tried to punch a man as he came at him, but the man ducked and skidded past him, before he webbed up his legs.
"Huh?" Ox gasped.
The man got up and pulled on his webs, tripping him up onto his chest.
"OH!" he moaned.
"Just what is going on here?" Ghost Spider questioned.
Flash dodged as Montana cracked his whip at him, before he shot a web from his right hand, hitting Montana's face and blinding him.
"AH!" he moaned.
"We're trying to be like you." Flash answered. "After all you've done for us."
Liz shot a web at Montana's back, then pulled him towards her, before she punched his back, knocking him away.
"You and Spidey promised to help my brother, and I know you're still working on a cure from him." she said, turning to the Spiders. "I wanna do what I can to help you for that."
"You... You do?" Ghost Spider questioned, speechless.
"Wow. Maybe there's a blessing to this virus." Shadow-Spider whispered.
"Yeah." Ghost Spider muttered, nodding. "Everyone, get them together! I have an idea!"
Everyone nodded as she dragged Shadow-Spider away, before they both jumped and landed together near the Enforcers, who all pulled themselves up.
Two men jumped and kicked Ox in the chest at the same time, knocking him back, as he was dizzy, while a woman web-yanked Fancy Dan and then punched his chest, knocking him towards Ox, before hitting his back.
"Ah!" Ox moaned. "Watch it?"
"Sorry." Fancy Dan said.
Flash and Liz both shot web balls at Montana, hitting him all over, knocking him back towards his friends. They all looked up around at everyone, when they all jumped up and dived down, kicking or punching them all - Ghost Spider and Liz hitting Montana, Flash Ox, Shadow-Spider Fancy Dan - knocking the trio down together, and
"AHH!" they yelled.
They all hit the ground together in a pile, then the two Spiders webbed them all up, trapping them together in a large web cocoon.
"AGH!" they growled.
"Let us go, you varmints!" Montana demanded.
"Sorry, cowboy, but you've all earned yourself a one way ticket back to the jailhouse." Ghost Spider joked.
"And this time, you'll hopefully be staying in there." Shadow-Spider added.
Liz came over to them both, putting her phone away as she did.
"The Police are on the way." she said.
"We'll keep an eye on these three if you want." Flash promised, getting both Spiders' attention.
"Right, thanks. Let's go, Shadow." Ghost Spider said. "We better check in with the others."
"Right." Shadow-Spider agreed.
They both jumped up and began to swing off away from the area, as the crowd cheered for them both.
Back at the Daily Bugle, Spider-Man punched a Mysterio robot in the chest, smashing it up, while Spider-Woman got knocked onto her back by two more.
"Uh!" she moaned.
She looked up as they both came at her, before she kicked them both, knocking them away, then they smashed upon hitting the ground. She got up to her feet, as one robot came up behind her, but Spider-Man shot web balls at it, hitting its fishbowl head all over, blinding it as she turned to it.
"Looks like you've lost your sight." she joked. "Let me help you with that."
She punched its head, smashing it open, then its body fell to the ground.
"Nice work." Spider-Man remarked.
"Thanks." Spider-Woman said, turning around.
They both looked around, seeing more Mysterio robots coming at them from all sides.
"Oh, man. How come these guys keep coming?" Spider-Man wondered.
"Because I have them all homed in on a device inside my fishbowl." the real Mysterio said, who was hidden among the robots.
"Show yourself, Beck!" Spider-Man demanded.
Mysterio laughed, as did several of his robots, making it hard for the pair of Spiders to spot him.
"I hate to say it, but it looks like we'll have to keep fighting them until we've found the original." Spider-Woman deduced.
"This would be a whole lot easier with Ghost and Shadow then." Spider-Man sighed. "Where's a cavalry when you need it?"
At that moment, four of the robots got pulled away on web-lines, making the others all turn around.
"What the...?" they all exclaimed.
Some of them moved aside, allowing the two Spiders to see who had arrived to help them through a gap.
"Is it...?" Spider-Woman began.
They saw - not Ghost Spider and Shadow Spider - but several civilians and a few Cops coming over towards the scene, who were all among those infected by the virus. Among those included Capt. Stacy, Sgt. Davis, and Lt. DeWolff, who - along with four others - all shot webs from their wrists, hitting one of the robot's individually or in pairs. They pulled on their webs, pulling the robots down, which all smashed to pieces.
"Gwen's and Miles' Dad's have the virus?" Spider-Man thought. "Oh, man. I hope they take this good."
"So, that wretched Spider Virus I've been hearing about has spread to even the Police Department?" Mysterio snarled.
"Yeah, you're right." Sgt. Davis scoffed. "And you leave them alone!"
"Using swarms like that to wear them down is unhonorable!" an Asian man snarled. "So, we're here to even up the odds."
"What?!" Mysterio exclaimed.
All the civilians charged in, some shooting web balls at the robots, blinding four of them, as the Spider pair looked shocked and confused.
Capt. Stacy web yanked one towards him, then kicked its chest, smashing it to pieces, while Sgt. Davis jumped and split kicked two, knocking them away, then webbed up a third as it came at him. Lt. DeWolff punched ones chest, smashing it open, before a woman kicked it away, knocking it into three more, smashing them all as they hit the ground.
"Why are you helping us?" Spider-Man questioned.
An African man dived down and landed near him, shooting web-balls at one robot, which knocked it back into a fire hydrant, which it fell over, smashing it.
"You and your friends have done a lot for this city." he said. "It's time we paid you back."
A woman with long black hair came over and webbed up two more robots, making them fall over.
"My daughter's still here thanks to you and Ghost Spider." she said. "You saved her during a fire, remember?"
Spider-Man gasped, recognizing her from the first fire incident Gwen had helped him out in, when he rescued her baby girl.
"I... I didn't recognize you." he admitted. "So many people in the city, it's hard to keep track of civilians."
"Hey, that's understandable." a man said.
Spider-Man turned to him, as he punched a robot away, recognizing him as the man he saved from falling from his car during the RHINO Rampage, when it was wedged into the side of a building.
"But no matter what Jameson says about you and the others, nobody will ever believe that." the man said.
Spider-Man blushed under his mask with embarrassment, not believing how all these people were helping him out due to all him and the others had done over the past 15 months.
Spider-Woman came over to him and touched his shoulder.
"I say we let them handle the robots." she said. "The real Mysterio's getting away."
She pointed to her right, then Spider-Man looked and saw one Mysterio running away from the scene, unnoticed by the people helping them.
"Right. Let's do it together." he said, holding up his fist.
Spider-Woman nodded, before they both jumped up and swung after Mysterio, as Capt. Stacy kicked a robot away, then turned around to them both. They both dived down and kicked Mysterio's back, knocking him away.
"UH!" he moaned.
His fishbowl fell off as he hit the road on his chest, then rolled over towards a wall at the end of the street.
"Oh!" he moaned.
Spider-Man and Spider-Woman both approached him, as he got up, before they both webbed him at the wall, trapping him.
"I've said it before, but I'm glad you gave me these." Spider-Woman said quietly.
"And once again, you're welcome." Spider-Man assured.
Capt. Stacy and the other civilians all came towards them both, making them turn around as they gathered around the pair.
"The last of the robots have been destroyed." the Capt. explained.
"Good to know." Spider-Man said. "So, what you do say to this, Beck? How'd you like taking on the city?"
Quentin Beck raised his head up and looked at everyone.
"Ah! It's bad enough there was only four Spiders in this city, but now the whole city's been infected!" he growled. "Has the whole-"
Spider-Man webbed up his mouth before he could finish.
"You seriously need to learn when to keep your mouth shut, Beck." he smirked, before he turned to the Cops. "He's all yours, Capt. Stacy."
"Thank you, Spider-Man." Capt. Stacy said. "You're coming with us, Quentin Beck, and this time you're not escaping."
He grabbed Beck by the arm, then jumped up and web-swinged off with him, followed by Sgt. Davis and Lt. DeWolff.
Spider-Woman approached her fellow Spider, who turned to her.
"Well, that takes care of that." she said.
"Yeah. Let's go." Spider-Man said. "We better check in with the others?"
Spider-Woman nodded, before they both jumped up and began swinging away, as the crowd cheered happily for them both.
A little later, now night time, Spider-Man and Spider-Woman both stood on a rooftop together near the Daily Bugle, looking at the people swinging around.
"Ghost and Shadow have reported things seem to be going fine on their end." Spider-Man explained. "Like us, they had help from people against the Enforcers."
"Guess Jackal's plan backfired." Spider-Woman deduced, folding her arms. "Maybe having most of the city like us might not be so bad after all, and it could be a blessing in disguise. Still, we better keep an eye on the city for a few days, in case there's more to this than we know. We better tell our friends as well."
"Good idea." Spider-Man agreed.
"You told Gwen and Miles about their Dad's?" Spider-Woman asked.
"Yeah." Spider-Man nodded. "They're both shocked by that News. I just hope Aunt May doesn't get it, if there's more to this than we know off. She wasn't at FEAST when they checked."
"If my parents were here, I'd agree with you, Pete." Spider-Woman said.
"Thanks, Jess." Spider-Man said. "And again, thanks for the help. We really needed it today, and not just from the people."
"Hey, as I said before, us Spiders have to stick together." Spider-Woman assured. "I'll let you and the others know how things go at the tower."
They both shook hands, then Spider-Woman jumped off the rooftop and began to swing away, just as it started to rain.
"That explains why it was getting dark." he thought. "Looks like we're in for a rainy night."
He looked around, and saw Mary Jane swinging down a street, before she landed on a feet.
"I could get used to this." she smirked. "Still, I wish it hadn't started raining. Maybe I should've brought a raincoat with me."
She began to walk down the street, feeling happy and not worried about thugs trying to jump her. She also checked her watch, and saw it was 8:30pm.
"Plenty of time to get home." she said. "But since it's raining, it might go home now."
"You doing okay?" came a voice.
Mary Jane turned around and saw Spider-Man hanging upside down on a web-line like a yo-yo, making her smile.
"Oh, Spider-Man. I'm fine." she said. "I never knew how fun you and your friends like swinging around."
"We found out the same way when we started out." Spider-Man assured. "Took a while for Shadow to get used to it."
"Due to you and Ghost Spider training him?" Mary Jane inquired, grinning.
"Yeah." Spider-Man said.
Mary Jane smiled at him, her heart beating as she touched the side of his upside down mask.
"You know, I never really got the chance to thank you for all the times you saved me before." she said.
"Big fan of me, eh?" Spider-Man inquired.
"Well, sort of." Mary Jane said.
The rain began to get heavier, but she didn't care about getting soaked as she stared lovingly at her hero.
"Can I properly thank you then?" she asked lovingly.
Spider-Man stared at her as she moved to touch his mask, before he moved his head back slightly.
"I think you already did, Ms." he said. "Besides, I've got a lot to do right now. I need to check with my friends."
"Oh, okay." Mary Jane sighed, disappointed. "Well, go get them, tiger."
Spider-Man blinked, as she'd only called him that when he was Peter, before he shot a web up towards the rooftop, shooting him up towards her.
"Man, Gwen wasn't kidding. She is falling for my other half." he thought. "I really am gonna have to clear it up with her, but after we find out more about this Spider Island mess Jackal's caused."
He stood at the edge of the rooftop, looking down at his sister-from-another-mother, who looked up at him lovingly. She blew a kiss at him, making him uneasy slightly, before he waved at her, then he jumped off the roof and began swinging off.
"I'll thank you properly soon, Spider-Man." Mary Jane thought lovingly, her heart beating hard.
She smiled as she turned and walked down the street, knowing it was love, and not her thoughts, when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest.
"Ah!" she gasped.
She fell to his knees, as she felt the inside of her body crawling, as the second phase of the Spider mutation from Jackal's gas, had just begun.
To be continued...