Issue #7: The End...for now!
Part 1: The Visitor
The past twelve hours have been such a hectic time for the Spider-Family that it's been a blur.
For their parents, Peter and MJ felt as if they'd just talked to half of the Queens. After the battle, a swarm of reporters, photographers, and cops began questioning any witnesses and hostages they could get their hands on. Miles and Peter knew from experience that these groups, especially the cops, wouldn't let the Spider-Girls go until they squeezed out every bit of their information. Now, it didn't feel like the time and place to answer questions, especially from a police force that often demands too much info from the Spider-Girls. Besides, the sisters were quite hurt from the battle, and it pained their parents to see them like that.
Mayday led Annie and April out the back way. Miles handled the crowds while M.J. helped Peter get to a hospital.
The sister soon arrived at the H.E.A.R.T. Clinic and met Dr. Elias Wirthman. A renowned doctor and longtime friend of the superhero community, he reassured the sisters that their identities would be protected. After a lengthy check-up and patching up of several wounds, Doctor Wirthman assured the sisters nothing serious was broken and that it would be best if they let their wounds heal in the ward. The bandaged-up sisters thus spent the night resting on hospital beds, though Mayday frequently kept her eyes on the news.
By the time she fell asleep, she was barely able to get any sleep. The fires of that night surrounded her, and the venomous words of Carolyn Trainer echoed in her dream. 'Because I can! Because I won't rest until the Parkers and your spider friends are crushed under my boot!'
"Mayday!"
"Wuhh," she mumbled. The morning sunrays peek through the blinds as May shoots out of bed, reeling from the dream.
'Weird. She's freaked out about something,' April thought.
Mayday soon realized she and her sisters were safe. They're better than safe. April and Annie were joyous over their quick recovery.
"Finally, you're awake and looking tougher than before. Ah-ha, it looks like we're back in business!" April boasted, leaping out of bed and ripping off her bandages.
"Yeah," said Annie, "and the doctor didn't even use Krakoan medicine to do it. Freaky, we're all better after just a night's rest."
"Yeah, it's freakin' awesome!"
Mayday doesn't say a word as she checks her phone. There still been little word from their mother of their father's condition. 'Weird. Mom said Dad's condition is still steady, but shouldn't he be better than steady? I know Dad got pretty banged up too, but—'
"Hey! Check out our adoring fans," April said. The sisters check out their socials and a string of witnesses of last night's attack.
A man shared his account, "I could barely keep myself together staring up at the tower. My husband worked there for years, and nothing like this happened. If it wasn't for Spider-Man and the Spider-Girls, I… couldn't imagine going on without my Brian…thank you."
A woman in their socials said, "I was a kid the last time I saw anything like this. I'll admit, I never saw the Spider-Girls as anything special, a trio of delinquents, but…after last night, I think they're truly spectacular."
One elderly man spoke in the news, "I was trapped at gunpoint alongside my co-workers. I was paralyzed as if I was on the verge of another heart attack. Then Spider-Girl came and destroyed them in seconds. I've got to see my grandchildren this morning because of those brave girls."
Mayday smiled when she saw Felicity Moon's socials blow up over her praise of the Spider-Girls. "I hope yesterday convinced people that the Spider-Girls truly are the most amazing team on this side of New York! Did you see how incredible Spiderling looked gliding across the air? How ferocious Wild-Spider was kicking ass? How brave and stunning Spider-Girl was fighting that six-armed creep; what an idol!"
Mayday smiles from the kind words and thousands of upvotes garnering the post. "Your girlfriend enjoyed last night's show?" April teased while looking at her sister's phone.
"She's not my girlfriend. I hardly even know her," Mayday snaps back, her cheeks flushed.
"Oooh, I see. Hiding a lover from us," April said with a sly smirk. "Remind me again, who's the bad girl of this family." April's antics stopped when Annie showed them the public's not-so-savory comments.
"If this is the best these new heroes can do, then I'm moving out of this city," one old woman argued.
"That blast shattered all the windows of my complex, and my renters were spooked," a landlord yelled. "I'll have to raise rent to pay off damages; that or bill the Spider-Girls for damages!"
"My business was barely holding on," a store owner said. "After last night? No customer is going to wanna set foot in this neighborhood! Might as well hang up close shop, courtesy of the Spider-freaks."
"I'll tell ya, if the real Spider-Man were still here, he would've stopped the whole thing from happening."
Comments like these came with the territory, but they still hurt to hear. "Urgh, come on. I don't know how Dad dealt with this ridicule by himself," Annie sighed.
A nurse broke up their doom scrolling when she knocked on the closed doors. "Spider-Girls, are your masks on so I can come in?"
"Yes, why? I told Doctor Wirthman we'd be leaving by the morning," said May.
"You have a visitor."
The sisters were confused as they opened the door and immediately beamed excitedly when they saw a familiar red and blue costumed hero. "Did someone order some burgers for three heroes?"
"Spider-Man!" the sister exclaimed in joy over the surprise meeting. The sisters thanked the nurse before closing the soundproof doors, took off their masks, and hugged their uncle Ben Parker.
Years ago, he was known as Ben Reilly or The Scarlet Spider, Peter Parker's brother and Janine Godbe's husband. When Ben and Janine's son was born, they agreed to adopt the Parker family name and now live in Manhattan with their son, Richard Parker. Alongside Miles, the two share the Spider-Man mantle, with Ben's full title being the Sensational Spider-Man. The two have been fantastic crime-fighting partners ever since. Ben's suit is the third model of his scarlet pattern design, the only significant difference being that the spider symbol is now over his heart.
The sisters sat down on their beds, munching on their delicious meals. May asked, "So, Uncle Ben, how did you know we were here?"
"After Janine and I got back to the city, we got a call from your mother about what hospital she and Peter were at."
Annie asks with some concern, "How are Mom and Dad doing?"
"Your pop's okay, but I'd be lying if I said he was in good shape last night," Ben said honestly. "Erm, but don't worry! Like you, he's recovering fast."
"Well…as long as he's getting better," said May with lingering worry.
"As for your mom, man, sometimes I forget how strong that woman is," Ben said, smiling. "For most of the night, she had to deal with the press trying to storm inside for questions. Dealing with vendors and business reps offering deals that would put your family in debt to those snakes. She barely got a whiff of sleep because of…everything."
Her uncle's account sickened April. It's infuriating to hear those corpo-swines trying to use her mom like that and all the tabloids not leaving her alone. April would tear them apart if it weren't for their code. May and Annie quietly understood their sisters' frustration. "How's she now?"
"Janine is by her side as we speak."
May asks, "And how's Miles doing out there?"
"Miles texted that he, Silk, and the champions are noticing a stark increase in criminal activity this morning. At this rate, today's going to be a busy day."
"No doubt the Syndicate's actions are the root of this," May said.
"We'll have to wait and see about that, Mayday. I also got some good news and bad news."
"Lay it on us," sighed April.
"Bad news is the authorities have no files on this Carolyn Trainer. We got some leads on who the rest might be, but this new Doc Ock, it's like she suddenly appeared in this world."
Annie asked, "Would it be a stretch to theorize she came from another dimension?"
"Erm, I guess not. Probably best though we take this one step at a time," Ben advised.
"We?"
Ben dons his mask. "That's the good news. We're going out on patrol to help the others. If this Syndicate is already making its move, we could catch some leads on their new plans."
Annie leaped out of her bed in excitement, "Really?"
"That's perfect. Let's go right now," May said quickly, almost as if she was rushing to get out of bed.
He checks his watch before opening the room's window. "Come on, we'll swing by your parents before we begin patrol."
A check-up on their parents got the sisters on their feet and donned their masks. Ben takes the lead, and four swiftly swing through the morning New York air. "Hey," Ben said, getting their attention, "I knew you three could do it. You always did your best when working together."
Their uncle's words brought the Parker sisters a warm sense of accomplishment.
"And it helped to have such an awesome teacher," Ben boasts, much to the sister's amusement.
/-/-/-/-/-/
Part 2: The Secret
Orange sunlight illuminates the quiet hospital room where Mary Jane lies sleeping. Aside from a warm jacket given to Janine, she was still wearing last night's dress. The bags under her eyes and her unkempt hair highlighted this woman's exhaustion. She was snoring beside her husband's bed, staying beside him for most of the night before finally getting some sleep. Mary Jane was usually a heavy sleeper, but last night's events made her so jumpy that a mere door closing awakened her.
"Mmm…h-huh? Wha—?!" M.J. mumbled, rubbing her eyes to see it was only Janine.
The fellow redhead carried some drinks and snacks from the vending machines below. "Sorry I woke you," she whispers.
But M.J. is thankful, smiling warmly as she took some snacks. Janine sat close beside her. It always helped to have friends around, especially during tough times. Since they first met, the two have become best friends.
"Ben just told me he's about to meet the girls," Janine informed, "the doctor said they're practically back in tip-top shape."
"Thank goodness," she said with utter relief that her children were healthy and safe again. However, it also reinforced how worrying it was that Peter had still not woken up. Despite the injuries, Peter, ever since the old days, would always assure them that he could sleep off any injury. Now? There were moments last night, as she watched over him, that she worried his condition could turn severe or worse.
Though that worst-case scenario had passed, M.J. was still anxious over one thing: the state of Peter's powers. The thing was, she knew what was happening, more or less. This anxiousness wasn't over how this happened but when Peter and she should share the truth with the others, especially their children.
"Something's gnawing at you," Janine said suddenly. M.J. figured she would. "We're family. You can talk to us."
'I know,' she thought, 'but the last thing we want is to worry everyone further.' The room's television suddenly played the news latest commentary segment on last night's attack. After sympathies were given, the first wave of opinions was quite…critical.
"What was such a dangerous device doing in a non-profit organization anyway?" One commentator spoke. "How could Mayor Cage be wasting taxpayer money subsidizing a company so clearly making tech that's a danger to the very public funding them?!"
"All I will say," the co-commenter responded, "is a word of advice to the Parkers: gather up all Chapter Seven forms, put up a 'For Sale' sign at your doors, and get out of New York."
Janine turned the T.V. off with a scowl across her face. Tired, M.J. pinched the bridge of her brow, "This is exactly how they thought it would go. They never forgive him even if it was the Syndicate's fault."
"But there's also good people here to help you," Janine refutes, comforting M.J. with a small hug.
A comforting silence from this hug filled the room, away from the noise. Out of this silence, a small stir. M.J. and Janine gasp upon catching Peter's groggy eyes finally opening. Though the pain of his wounds still ripples across his body, all that fades for a moment when he sees his M.J. "Huh… didn't know angels had red hair too," he mumbled.
"You stop," M.J. chuckled, slapping his shoulder before sharing a tender kiss.
"How—?"
"The girls are healthy and safe."
"Good, good," Peter sighs, relieved. "And the Syndicate?"
"One's captured, but that's about it leads," Janine informed, "she hasn't even spoken a word to the police or Dr. Kakfa. Got any clue who these people are?"
"Not one.
"Doc Ock?"
M.J. shakes her head, "not even a photo. Jefferson said it's like she didn't even exist 'till now. Pete, do you recall Octavius having a kid or apprentice before?"
"No, never," Pete responded. "I mean…there was a time he seemed to love someone truly, but he died shortly after. It's too short for there to be a kid. I don't—" He takes a breath after feeling his anxiety rising. Now wasn't the time to meander on the unknown details. He must focus on the now, which means his family. "If these kids are anything like their predecessors, they've gone underground for now. In the meantime, I think the girls should too."
"They nearly killed you, Peter, in the most explosively and dangerous way imaginable. I don't think now's the time to bench the girls." Janine said.
"She's right, Pete. Whether they're underground or not, the fact is that they're not going away. They want this city. They want our friends dead. They want our family destroyed. They want the Spider-Girls and Spider-Man. We saw what they're capable of. They're stronger and faster than any of your old foes. And the only reason no one died that night was because of our daughters."
"I know…"
M.J. nods, "I'm worried too, Petey. I have never seen them hurt like that. But they need our support, not our hesitance."
"You're right. Of course, you're right. It's just—" Peter stops when a sharp pain courses through his body. "I wished I didn't feel this powerless…when these maniacs are out there after our children."
"Spider-Man taught them everything they need to know, Tiger. It was what got them through last night. It's like we said long ago: We don't need Spider-Man for you to be the father they need."
"Is that why they're going away then!" It was a sudden outburst, not at M.J., but to himself. It was supposed to be a thought. The lingering painful sensation and the powerlessness in the face of evil last night turned this thought into words. Words that Janine heard loud and clear.
Her eyes wide with shock, she whispered, "Your powers…are fading?"
M.J. sighed, tenderly brushing her thumb against Peter's cheek. Peter doesn't linger on his slipup; it was something they had to share one day. He nods to M.J., who proceeds to turn to Janine. "They are. They have been for nearly two years."
"Two…years?!"
"Right after we finished training the girls," Peter muttered, "but even before that, my powers would fluctuate sometimes. Especially when I was deeply stressed or at a bad place."
Janine's thoughts were racing from the radical new information. Sure, Peter had hung up the mantle for over a decade, but she had never thought it had something like this would ever happen. "But I don't get it. Ben's stronger than ever. Sure, a bit slower on the swinging, and he has bad days, but never once did his power fade."
"We know," Peter said. "It made us realize it's not a viral attack or something to distort our genetic structures. It's just me."
Janine couldn't believe it. This family was open about everything except for this. Then again, Janine hid secrets her whole life up until she met Ben. She knew the pain of feeling like you're compelled to bear the weight of a pain even if you want to scream about it. "So those wounds of yours… could've killed you?"
"Not all my powers are gone," Peter clarified.
"His spider-sense is still working," M.J. said, "slower but working. His stamina and strength too, but he lost wall-crawling entirely, and his durability nearly is too."
"Now it hurts even to sit up like this." Peter's hand quivers as he raises it. His eyes squint when his wife's face turns blurry. The tingling, his sixth sense, was barely tangible. The one time it was gone entirely, he didn't know how to describe it, but it was like having a phantom limb. "I don't know how much longer I'll have them. Perhaps two years...or two months? Either way, Spider-Man will vanish...maybe for good."
Seeing the distant look in his eye, Mary Jane embraces him but not too tightly, not wanting to hurt him.
"God…Pete, MJ, I'm sorry you're going through this. When are you planning to tell the girls?"
The couple share a look of hesitation. M.J. spoke, "well…"
"Wait," Peter interrupted when his spider-sense goes off. "The girls are here?"
"Ben must've brought them," Janine said. Hearing footsteps outside, she sat down. "Act normal," she said. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Just know the girls deserve to know."
The two consider Janine's words when Ben and the trio, don their civilian clothes, burst into the room.
"Mom! Dad!" the sister cheered, running up and embracing thier parents.
"Your timing's impeccable as always, Ben," Janine complimented.
"Well, you know how eager I am with reunions." Ben smiled, but it waned slightly when he noticed a slight nervousness in Janine's eyes. "Was everything okay on your front?"
"Yes," she whispered. Suddenly, her phone began to ring. She takes Ben's hand and pulls him to the hallway. "Ben, M.J., and Pete told me something important, but I can't share it until they're okay with it."
"Oh," Ben whispered, glancing at Peter through the glass. "Well, I guess it isn't something urgent, yeah?"
"Not exactly, but it is sensitive information."
"Right, okay."
The ringing continued, and Janine hovered her hand over the answer button. "I'm letting you know because you're my husband, so we can coordinate on not worrying others, especially thier daughters. Pete will tell you in due time."
"Wait, what's there to worry about?" Ben paused and thought of what Janine told him. "You know what? You're right." He gestures to the family, "If it's this sensitive to them, I will respect it and wait. Thanks for letting me know, Janine."
"Of course, Ben," Janine smiled. They kiss before she answers the call, walking somewhere quieter.
Back inside, the Parker family quickly caught up with outside developments and how each of them was doing.
"Yeah, we've been hearing both ridicule and praise all morning," Mayday said.
"The important part is no one is dead. You three know how great you did out there, but stay on your toes with this Syndicate. They made it clear how dangerous they can be."
"I just wish this wasn't still affecting you. Even now, we see people in the lobby, businessmen types. I'm guessing they're waiting for Dad?"
"I've mostly been trying to ignore them," M.J. groaned, "but we can't avoid them forever. They're here to discuss insurance, liability, and damages we must pay."
Few things scared the sisters, and money problems were one of them. "What, why?! It's the Syndicate's fault, wasn't it?" Annie exclaimed, tensed and worried. "Are we gonna be okay?"
"Chill, Annie," April said, pulling her sister back. "But she's right, it's bull we have to pay for anything. Those jerks are the ones who vaporized a building."
"You'd be right, April," Peter said. "Our supervillain insurance would cover practically everything if not for the fact they used my tech against us and the whole city block."
"And since the city didn't update the old clause," M.J. added, "that would technically make your father's work liable for damages, partially at least."
"That's ridiculous!"
"It's still the law, Annie," M.J. said calmly.
"Doesn't mean it's right!"
While Annie freaked out about this, Mayday couldn't shake the memories of Doc Ock. Every word she uttered was filled with pure spite: To her, her father, and her whole family. Carolyn and the Syndicate's actions were already hurting her family in more ways than one. And it'll only continue so long as they're out there. Even though she wanted to scream like Annie at this unfairness, she was the eldest sister. She can't act like that now; she has to be stronger from now on.
"This could affect our home and-" Annie continued until she and May noticed April standing up and storming towards the door.
"Hey," May called out, grabbing April's hand, "and where are you going?"
"To tell these suits to leave us the hell alone, that's what!"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"At least I'm not just staring at the floor like you were."
"You know we can't punch our way out of this."
"Then what should we do? Stand by, and these leeches squeeze our family dry? We aren't rich; this could seriously make us homeless."
"Quiet! All of you!" M.J.'s tone may not have been that loud, but she was firm enough to get the sisters to stop and sit back down. Both Peter and M.J. sighed, frustrated but ready to face the problem. M.J. spoke, "Annie, April, I know you're both scared, but your father and I will handle this. I faced similar leeches for years in Hollywood. I know how to talk to these kinds of people."
"Oh yeah, she can," Peter smirks, trying to bring some levity to the room.
"But what about Dad's work?" April asked.
"Yeah, that building was the only one he had, and it was a rental," Annie added. "Where's everyone supposed to continue their research?"
"It'll be hard," Peter admits, "but I'll try my best to help my people continue to help others. I refuse to let any of them go jobless because of me." The one thing he doesn't share is the possibility that some, if not most, have already decided to quit. He couldn't blame them if they did, but it would further doom the organization. Man, he did not feel like filling out those chapter seven forms.
"It's okay to worry, but I want you three to stay focused," M.J. said, holding Peter's hand. "You already have enough baggage to deal with yourselves. Let us deal with ours, and we'll figure something out together."
The sisters, in their ways, still felt worried about all this. But once their parents were committed to a plan, they followed it. Besides, they had faced financial hardship before; if anyone knew how to solve money problems, it was them.
"Okay, mom, dad. I'll try to stay focused," Annie murmured.
"This is still stupid...but fine," April spat.
"I'll go back to the Bugle soon then," May said, "perhaps some photos of the Syndicate will convince J.J. to give me an early bonus."
Janine and Ben suddenly re-enter the room. "Sorry if I'm cutting this short," Janine said, holding up her phone, "but the captured Syndicate member wants to talk to Spider-Girl."
"Why me?"
"She didn't say," Ben said.
May reached into her bag for her mask and donned it. "Then it's time for me to go."
"She's hold up in Ravencroft. Follow my car," Janine said before walking out of the room.
Mayday was already wearing her web-shooters. She decides to change once she gets there before opening the window.
"May," Annie called out, "take this. She might recognize what it is." Her sister hands her the broken Eve mask in her pouch.
"I'll be back."
"If we find anything on our patrol, we'll let you know," Ben said.
"Sounds like we each got our plans today," Peter said, "let's meet back at our house. I think pizza will help cool off everyone's nerves."
"Looking forward to it, Dad," Mayday smiled as she swung away. Just as Mayday sees Janine take off to Ravencroft, she waves goodbye to Ben, April, and Annie as they swing to their patrol route.
"Good luck, Spider-Girls! Spider-Man!" M.J. shouts out the window, her husband leaning beside her.
"So..." he said," to get wishful thinking out of the way, is there any chance the grant committee would be open for another talk?" M.J. sweetly smiles before shaking her head. "Yeah, didn't think so."
/-/-/-/-/-/
Part 3: The Patient
Mayday would be lying if she said she said she's not bummed out. Patrolling with her uncle was always great, but following their most significant lead was more critical. 'She's acting pretty odd, but she's still a sick villain who attacked my family,' she thought. A resentment grows in her heart at the mere thought of Eve's cackle. Laughter and mania that was disturbingly similar to one of her father's greatest foes. 'Hopefully, through her, we can get vital info on exactly who these people are, their operations, everything.'
Spider-Girl followed Janine's car as they crossed the Bronx and into Westchester County. Just beyond the county line, Janine worked at the famed facility. The boss waiting for her was Dr. Ashley Kafka, a fifty-five year old African American woman and renowned psychologist. Beyond the main freeways and into the small patch of woodlands was a gothic-styled building: Ravencroft Institute. Merely describing the atmosphere such a place held would give anyone the creeps. After a quick change in the woods, Spider-Girl swung down to where Janine met Kafka at the main entrance.
"What's the situation, Doc?"
"Spider-Girl, you made it. It's best if I show you myself," Ashley Kafka said.
The three roam together in a dimly lit hall through one of the oldest sections of Ravencroft. Compared to the renovated areas, the cobwebs and cracks on the walls further highlighted how ancient this place felt to Spider-Girl. They cut across Infirmary Ward Z, where some of the most 'difficult' patients would be housed for their safety. During her father's time, they would call the people here utterly insane.
Spider-Girl kept her focus on the doctors, but upon seeing a familiar room number, morbid curiosity pushed her to peek through the thick glass window. 'Same place as always,' she thought as she witnessed the infamous Cletus Kassidy confined to the same heavy restraints he'd been stuck in for over a decade. His confinement partly thanks to her other uncle, Kaine Parker, the current Scarlet Spider. Since that day, Cletus's brain has remained a vegetable, and the carnage symbiote was scorched off the face of the earth. At least, that's what she's been told.
Nonetheless, Cletus's frozen, crazed smile beneath that muzzle continued to unnerve her.
"Keep up," Janine reminds her.
Spider-Girl does, and soon they reach the holding area the newest patient is in. They stand in a room parallel to a holding room, looking through a one-way mirror. It was here that the patient, a young blonde woman, sat nervously, her head down low on the table. Confused, anxious, and muttering to herself. Spider-Girl instantly knew what Annie meant by how strange this woman was. Her facial structure and voice sounded completely different from the Hallows' Eve she fought. "Even now, Eve's faking it?"
"This isn't an act," said Kafka. "From what I and others psycho-analyzed, her mannerisms are utterly genuine."
"But that doesn't make sense; Eve was a crazy, laughing manic when we fought."
"Please refrain from using that language in my facility, Spider-Girl."
"Okay, okay." She almost didn't want to look at the frightened patient. The longer she did, the more her heart sympathized with this bomb-throwing supervillain. "Anything I should know about her?"
"Her name is Clare Robertson," Kafka explained. "Residency: Empire City Occupation: waitress at a nightclub. She has a history of P.P.D., constant stress, and P.T.S.D. from years of being with an abusive boyfriend."
"God," Janine muttered.
Now Spider-Girl felt like a jerk. "And her criminal history, Doc?"
"Besides a speeding ticket, not a whiff. From what her previous therapist was able to share, Ms. Robertson's personality and actions aren't compatible with her violent participation in last night's attack. Even an extreme case of D.I.D. wouldn't explain such a shift." Kafka turns to Spider-Girl, "Tell me, how precisely did she act last night?"
Recalling the manic cackling and almost sadistic glee, Spider-Girl could only describe Eve with one word: Mad. Then again, none correlated with the whimpering woman in the other room. Spider-Girl leaves the two doctors, twists the heavy handle, and faces the patient directly. "You wanted to see me?"
"Spider-Girl!" Clare sighed, "Oh, thank goodness. Please, tell them I don't belong here. I've constantly seen online all the good you do for people; what a good person you are. Please convince them that I'm innocent!"
"I know you are," Spider-Girl said calmly, though subtly doubtful. "It's why you're here and not in some cold, lonely prison cell. People like Dr. Kafka are here to help you through difficult times like this."
"Nonono, t-they think I'm crazy. That I'm a killer, a mask freak...erm, no offense."
"None taken, and nobody's saying you're a killer, Clare." Spider-Girl squints at Clare, tuning her spider-sense to her. It was a subtle technique, one Ben and her father taught her. It wasn't perfect, but she could guess if someone were lying through a bit of concentration. So far, there is not even a whiff of doubt in Clare's words, especially when she says she's innocent: "Would it be okay to ask a few questions about last night?"
"W-w-why?"
'Woah, she's shivering even more now. Better be gentle,' Spider-Girl thought. "So that I can better defend your name." Clare anxiously bit her nails, her left leg quivering like a wet dog. "Clare," Spider-Girl said softly, reaching out to hold Clare's gently. "This can help you. However, I understand if it's too soon; I'm anxious just thinking about it."
"Really? You're a hero; you don't get anxious."
"I wish that were the case, but the truth is that I nearly lost my team last night to selfish, spiteful people. I don't show this side because I know people like you and rely on my image, which gives them courage against dangerous people."
Clare slowly stops biting her nails, glancing at the mirror. "No one's watching, right?"
Spider-Girl waves at the window, signaling the doctors to move to another room. "No. Trust me, it's just us."
Clare takes a deep breath. "Okay...all I remember from last night was explosions, screaming, and laughing. Oh, that damn laughing."
Spider-Girl reached out her senses and yet felt nothing. 'She's...still telling the truth?!' Confused, she scratched her head and asked, "Erm, you don't remember any of your actions? I saw you flying on a broom and throwing bombs."
"Yeah, I saw the footage, but I swear that wasn't me. If it were, I'd remember some of it, right? But I don't. I last remember being punched across the face by some redhead."
'Yeah, that was Annie's doing. Thankfully, her punch didn't break this woman's jaw.' Spider-Girl cleared her throat and continued, "Not even the name Carolyn Trainer ring any bells?"
"Not one bit."
Spider-Girl kept her spider-sense tuned to the patient while she listened, searching for any signals that the woman was lying, but not a lick of it was a lie. Not a lie the woman knew about, at least 'Perhaps the mask could've sent a signal to her brain to wipe any memory linking her to the Syndicate?" she asked herself. 'No, because the mask would have some whiff of tech, but it doesn't.' Spider-Girl takes out the broken Eve mask and shows it to Clare.
The patient proceeds to tense up. Spider-Girl asks, "You recognize this?"
"Y-yes...but also no."
"What do you mean?"
"See, the first memory I recall clearing was going to bed. It was another long, tireless day, and I only wanted to lie under my sheets. However, whenever I closed my eyes in the dark, I kept seeing this face, its piercing yellow eyes and fire behind it. The kind of thing to keep you awake, yet I still fell asleep...as if I was compelled to...and I've been dreaming ever since Until last night, the night I woke up."
"Does the name Hallows' Eve sound familiar to you, consciously or not?"
"No."
"When did this memory take place?"
"June 2nd, I think," she answered. Spider-Girl's eyes shoot open in shock, a reflex Clare notices. "What's wrong?"
"What's- Clare, how long do you think has passed?"
"A-a-a a few days, a week at most, I didn't get a chance to check. Why was it so chilly outside for June?"
Spider-Girl clenches her fist. She had to say it; there was no easy way to. As gently as she could, she said, "Clare, it's the first week of September."
The dawning realization struck her like a truck. Three months, all of summer, she was this...thing. All that time was lost in the blink of an eye. Clare trembled as she hugged herself, breathing rapidly in panic. "Oh god...nononono," she shuddered. "M-my rent was due M-m-my cat was home...all alone for...for...!"
Spider-Girl eased herself in to hug the poor woman. Clare clutched her arms and bawled on Spider-Girl's shoulder. 'Regardless of how she was set up, I see now Clare's innocent. And yet, I've gone in believing she was as evil as Carolyn. I saw her scared in the news, and yet still I...' she thought. The anger in Spider-Girl's heart before had its place taken over by shame.
"Spider-Girl..."
"Yes, Clare?"
"I...I don't want to be in this room anymore... I'm going to throw up..."
"Okay, okay, I'll take you to the nearest restroom," Spider-Girl said gently. She escorted the woman out, pondering what kind of entity would do this to a person. Just who are these people?
Right after they left, Janine and Kafka entered the room. "I knew it," Kafka said, "I may not agree with Spider-Girl on everything, but I trust her judgment. If she thinks she's innocent, Clare had nothing to do with the attack. I'll inform the police of this development after the kid leaves. Help Clare find her belongings and a good lawyer. I'll do my best to get her all the help she needs."
"Thank you, Ashley. Clare needs help, not a jail cell," Janine said. She walked over to the table where the broken Eve mask lay. She picked up the eerie-looking thing, her face mirrored by its smooth, white surface. "What do you think, Ash?"
"We're dealing with a viral infection that created a split persona in Clare. One akin to Malcolm McBride's Carrion or Osborn's Goblin personas. What eludes me is, so far, her blood tests show no foreign substance flowing through her system. Is the strain perhaps on a micro-cellular level?
"I know we're women of science, Ash, but this all screams supernatural."
"Is that what Ben and Peter think?"
"It's the only logical choice, right?"
"I suppose. Then again, the supernatural doesn't run off logic. Whoever or whatever this Hallows' Eve is, she seems to go off the opposite of logic: chaos."
"I guess. Why do you think that is?"
Kafka shrugs, "How should I know? Magic is outside my expertise. Perhaps it's best to find yourselves a magician or something." She proceeds to attend to other matters, leaving Janine alone.
"Wouldn't be a bad idea," Janine muttered, "if our local sorcerer wasn't preoccupied at the moment." Janine stared at the mask until its dull eyes briefly shined yellow. She gasped, dropping the mask, causing it to shatter into dust. Catching her breath, Janine sighed, "Well, that's just great."
/-/-/-/-/-/
Part 4: The Bar
The past day has been hectic for the Syndicate. Those blasted heroes, especially those Spider-Girls, were crawling across the city and forcing the Syndicate to rendezvous elsewhere.
The dusty, underground bar has undoubtedly seen its better days. What was once THE place for supervillains to socialize and share stories of their latest scores was now practically empty. Now, things were about to change as Beetle and Mysterio arrived at the flights of stairs.
"Here it is," the 23-year-old Janice Lincoln coughed—static stings her face before she finally tore off her damaged mask. Bruises and soot coated her brown face. Even her dark hair needed serious untangling. "It's so barren now I almost can't imagine that my dad used to come here."
"I can, though he was quite the social type like yours." Misty Beck said. She removed her dome helmet, which now had a big hole, courtesy of Spiderling. Besides a cut on her pale brow, the twenty-two-year-old looked okay despite the past battle. "Pah," she coughed, "well, I do believe this could've gone much better."
Janice takes a sharp breath. "Cool it, Janice, remember you're the leader. Ahem, Misty, let's focus on the positives of tonight with everyone. Well, everyone except Eve, who you forgot to get."
"I told you; she was too far away, and I didn't want to risk us being chased by those Spider-Girls once my illusion faded. The holographic tech for my new Life Model Decoys still needs work. You know how hard it is to program holograms. To make them physically tangible?"
"Misty, technical problems are between you and Carolyn. Unless you wish to share legal trouble, I can't help you. Now, thanks to your slipup, we're down to four members. We can't keep the Syndicate alive like this." Janice and Misty entered the bar to find a bartender still tending to the establishment. "Uh, hello?"
"Heya," greeted the dark-haired woman in her thirties. She wore red-shaded sunglasses, ripped jeans, and a white collared shirt with a red tie. Tattoos riddled across her muscular arms and hands, though that latter was trickier to tell due to her black gloves.
"I...we thought this was-"
"Abandoned. Yeah, that's what those heroes thought, too. Come on in, and don't worry about paying. After last night, it's on the house."
"Ooookay, but who are you?"
"Delilah. That's all you need to know about me. You want what your friend's here having?"
Janice and Misty turn, her jaws dropping when they see those familiar yellow eyes again.
"Another drink, cutey," the one and only Hallows' Eve requested. She casually sat at the bar without even a scratch on her. "Oh, hello, girls. How does it feel to be New York's most wanted now?" As she casually sipped her martini, Eve watched the news rerun footage on the bar's widescreen T.V.
Misty and Janice stood flabbergasted. "But…you were—"
"Left behind? Ahaha! Nothing can get rid of me that easily."
"How?" Misty asked, "I last saw you in the clutches of those Spider-Girls. How could you have possibly escaped?"
"Did I escape?" At first, the pair thought this was some joke, but then the rerun repeated how the heroes captured one syndicate member. They stare in astonishment at a woman named Clare, who was wearing Eve's distinct costume last night. She looks utterly scared and confused. Misty looks back at Eve, "But…what are you?"
Eve winks with a devilish grin, "A girl gotta have her secrets, eh?"
Janice pinches her brow and sits at the bar. "You know what? Fine, I don't care. I'm in too much pain to deal with this. Delilah, wine, now Misty, sit. Remember, positive attitude."
The three enjoyed their drinks and fixed their gaze on the T.V. until it suddenly began to turn static. Then, the lights were flickering, and the air cooled. "She's here," Eve said. With a loud bang, nineteen-year-old Francine Frye kicked open the door and released a sizzling electric discharge. Her costume was torn and burnt. Her brown, side-cut hair was smoking while her eyes were crackling with static. She stomped over to the bar and spoke bitterly, "Vodka. The whole bottle."
Delilah casually grabs her best Vodka while Francine snacks on complimentary fries.
Eve slides over to her with a teasing smile. "So, how does it feel to be famous?"
Static shot out of Francine's eyes as she glared at Eve. The trickster slowly slid back. Francine snatched her fresh bottle. "I'm not even fucking asking how you're here," she said before chugging the Vodka. "How? We rolled in with the most incredible powers ever seen and walked out limping. Next time I see those Spider-Girls, I'm frying them till they're ash."
"Hey, we showed the city we meant business, didn't we?" Janice argued, "Whatever damage we took tonight is nothing our base's facilities can't patch up. All for free. So, stop complaining, Ms. Frye."
Francine stays silent. In this country, a job with free healthcare was nothing to sneeze at. "Guh, whatever. Hey, where's the oh-so-brilliant kid doctor?"
Six metallic arms broke apart the door a second later, carrying the seventeen-year-old Carolyn Trainer inside. "Oh, come on," Janice sighed at the broken door, "add it to my bill."
Rather than sit at the bar, Carolyn morphed her arms into a chair to sit on and watch the widescreen closely. It appears she took the time alone to patch herself up, though her bandaged nose still looked pretty bloody. Francine walks up to her with a packet of ice, "Hey, I think you want this." Carolyn winces in anger. She clutches her hand over a bruised rib by Wild-Spider, her right cheek still swollen from Spiderling's flurry of punches, and her broken nose thanks to Spider-Girl. It infuriated Carolyn, and that anger caused her to give Francine the stink eye and snatch the ice out of her hands.
Francine scoffs at such juvenile behavior from someone so brilliant. "Hey Janice," she said, "did the runt give you this attitude when you found her?"
"No, in fact, she did not."
"Well, kid," Francine said, "care to explain why your anti-whatever failed to kill a single spider-freak?"
"She massively slowed down the particle chain reaction," Carolyn mumbled, "the freezing effect was accelerated by the machine's instability, quickly reaching near absolute zero. How she did with so little time and equipment is beyond me…and nothing should be beyond me."
"Except for Spider-Girl," Eve mocked, "guess you're not the only wunderkind around the block. If I were you, I'd get used to being second best."
In a fit of rage, Carolyn sprang a tentacle at Eve, snatching her throat and slamming her against the wall. "Just keep talking, clown. See what happens!"
Janice and Misty spring up to stop them. "Nuh uh uh," Eve warned as she pulled out a pumpkin bomb powerful enough to incinerate the whole bar. Everyone froze; even Carolyn was taken aback. "Let's not get boom-y now. Doc."
"That's enough. Let her go, Carolyn," Janice yelled.
Carolyn did and spotted Eve's shoes in disdain. "You're a lunatic."
"Takes one to know one," Eve retorted, smoothly going back to drinking her martini like nothing happened.
"Shut it, Eve," Misty groaned.
"Carolyn, drink this water and cool off," Janice ordered. A disgruntled Carolyn took a seat, her nanite tentacles shrinking and disappearing underneath her torn trench coat. Janice handed the Doc her water, whispering to her ear, "I recruited a genius, not a brat, did I not?"
"Yes."
"Then act like a scientist and don't pick fights not worth your time. Please don't make my job of keeping this Syndicate together harder than needed. Got it?"
Carolyn smiled and raised her water, "Of course, I wouldn't be here without you. It's the least I can do." Janice accepted the answer and hopped over the bar to face the Syndicate.
"So, what now?" Francine asks.
"Now, we seize on this opportunity," Janice declared, "We build off the foundation we made and begin the first phase of assimilating this city's underworld to our Syndicate. Slash and burn the land, you know. Then regrow it and reclaim it as ours."
"Raising hell Sounds fun," Francine smiled. "I call dibs on plastering my face on every screen of Empire City."
"Oooh, I call dibs on Times Square. Just imagine me on Broadway; I could put on a show that is to die for."
"Baby steps, ladies, but I like the enthusiasm."
"Where do the Spider-Girls fit into this plan?" Carolyn asks.
"For now, we focus on establishing a stronghold across New York From Queens and Manhattan to Staten Island and Empire City."
"I agree, we made our point," Misty said. "I think my late father would've praised what we did tonight. Far as I care, I'm satisfied with revenge—"
Doc Ock's fist angrily punches through the wooden bar. "Well, I'm not!"
"Carolyn," Janice spoke as if scolding a small child. "See it this way. Wouldn't building a stronger syndicate bolster your odds of thwarting the Spider-Girls?"
"Yes," Carolyn muttered.
"We'll have those heroes spread thin," Janice vowed. "Alone, we can't stand against them. Together, they can't stand against us. After exterminating those spiders, the Parkers will be left wide open for you to do whatever you want, like locating your elusive Spider-Man."
Carolyn's face scrunched, eager to do the deed now. However, the rational part of her knew the long con would be in her favor rather than seeking quick success. "Fine, but we can't underestimate those Spider-Girls."
"Of course. Last night was a close victory, but still a victory that should be celebrated. We made this city's heroes tremble for the first time in years, no, decades!"
"Hear, hear!" the Syndicate chanted.
"We'll be facing many enemies, both heroes and rival villains, but if we can give the Spider-Girls a run for their money, we can beat anybody."
"I'll raise a cup to that," Francine said, "kicking ass and scoring big cash. I'm ready anytime!"
"To last night's victory and the many more to come."
"Cheers!"
After they all take a big swig, Janice slams down her glass with a wide grin. "Now, ladies, it's time to make it big in this city."
/-/-/-/-/-/
Part 5: The Promise
Nothing. Nada. Zip.
Despite Cindy's, Miles, Ms. Marvel's, and other available champions' help, they found no further leads on this Syndicate. None of the crooks they busted today knew anything about them. Mayday, of course, has taken the liberty to keep scouring while Annie and April rest at home. It's been nearly an hour since she left, and the sisters have only now welcomed their parents back. Both were exhausted from dealing with public and private matters. The sisters wouldn't be surprised if their parents were already asleep despite it barely being evening.
"Can't believe we're stuck on square one on this," Annie sighed as she paced back and forth across the living room. She has had little to do since Mayday left. She usually tries to distract herself with some gadget on her workbench, but the Syndicate can't leave her mind.
"Welp... whatcha gonna do?" April shrugged as she lay on the couch.
"This doesn't bother you?"
"Course it does. I want nothing more than to beat them up, but if we got nothing, we got nothing. Just wait; we'll run into these jerks sooner or later."
"I like to do so with a plan," Annie asserted.
"Sometimes we aren't afforded a plan, Annie. We only need to be ready for anything, especially out on the field."
"But they're not just after the Spider-Girls. They want our family dead, April!" Annie shouted, frantic, "T-they could attack when we're gone or..." April stops her upon grabbing her shoulder and shaking her.
"If they did, they would've attacked the hospital or be laying siege to our home right now, but they're not so chill out!" April's outburst snaps Annie out of her small panic. She stepped back as she continued, "I get it. This job wasn't this scary before, but don't let it get to you."
"Okay..." Annie said. She took a breath and sat beside her sister. "You're right... Let's just be glad we're home. I wish Mom and Dad weren't so burnt out." She hugs her knees, looking to the side, asking, "You think Dad's work will stay afloat?"
"I don't know," April sighed.
A light ring echoes across the room; someone is at the door. April gets it and immediately smells the pizza outside. "Pizza time," Ben smiled, carrying several pizza boxes for the whole family. Beside him was Janine, still in her work clothes. Behind them were thier only son and the sister's favorite cousin.
"Hey, Annie! Little Richie is here!"
The boy was but a week younger than Annie. He had his mother's short, orange hair and his father's blue eyes. He wore what he typically dons: a red hoodie with a fabulous pair of black jeans. His expression was also what he typically had when he heard that old nickname: annoyed. "How long are you three gonna keep calling me that?"
April wraps her arm around his neck with a cheeking grin, "Who knows? Maybe when you grow up, we'll change it to something better like...big rich!"
"Doesn't sound better." The family lets themselves in, with Annie and April taking the time to give a welcome. "Ugh. "Hey, Annie. How's Midtown treating you?" He asked while giving her a quick hug.
"Well, I nearly got in a fight. So, you know, pretty good. How's Visions Acadamy?"
"It's so normal that I almost wished I got in a fight so that it spices things up, at least. Still, my first day was pretty cool until I heard about, erm, you know."
"Yeah..." Annie mumbled. As she brushed the side of her hair, Annie thought that night would stay with her for a long while. Still, it was no reason to worry Richard. Besides, they must keep the natural order of things by being the tough, cool older cousins they are. "Well, we showed them not to mess with up! Did you see how quickly they hightailed it after we smacked them around?"
"From what the news captured, you three did look pretty badass."
"Hell yeah, we were," April said, already munching on a pizza slice. "And thier will be plenty more of it if they even think of messing with our family again."
"Glad to see you in brighter moods," Janine said, standing in the kitchen with Ben and April. "Where's your parents?"
"In thier room. Came home tired."
"And Mayday?" Ben asks.
"Out on the field," Annie answered.
"Still? I thought I told her to return with you two after we combed the city?"
"She promised to return soon, but that was over an hour ago."
Ben sighs, "always the most persistent."
"Tell me about it," April said as she finished her slice.
"What about Mayday?" Peter yawned as he and Mary Jane entered the room. Their hair was ruffled, and their clothes wrinkled after a much-needed nap.
"She still out as Spider-Girl even though I told her to return," Ben reiterated.
"She's just committed, Ben," Janine defended. "After meeting the patient, Mayday hadn't said a thing, but I could see she was angry. "
"Yeah, she called us about that update," Peter said. "First the attack, and now stealing three months of a woman's life? I always warned her what evil is capable of, but she has never seen it with her own eyes until now. "
"How are you feeling, April, Annie?" M.J. asks.
"Better," Annie answered. "It got pretty intense at points, but I'll live."
"I'm fine," April spoke, "wasn't anything I couldn't handle."
"Good. That's good. I worry sometimes if Mayday knows when to take a breath with these things."
Right on cue, April, Ben, Annie, and Peter's spider senses go off. It is not an alert but a notification. "She back," Ben said.
"But not through the main door," Peter notes.
"She's on the roof," April sighed. She takes one of the boxes before grabbing Annie. "Come on."
While everyone else chows down on their pizzas, April and Annie go out the back and wallcrawl to the roof. As expected, Mayday sat there, her mask still on and her head on her knees. Her sisters sit beside her, eating thier slices.
"Here," April said, handing Mayday her pi za. When she didn't take it, April began waving it. "Thank you, April," she impersonated, "now it's your cue to take the plate."
"Mayday, what's wrong?"
Mayday pinches her brow, sighing in frustration. "That glare she gave me," she whispered.
"Who's?" Annie asked.
"Carolyn's...I saw that glare even in my dr am. Fire all around me, your bodies burning within them reflected off those green eyes. She's never going to stop. And I couldn't stop thinking about it all day."
"That's why you've been tense," said April.
"I should've seen it earlier," Mayday said, frustrated. She walks off, nearly stomping her foot into the roof tiling. "I mean, it was obvious. Their drones attacked us, and I held Carolyn's nanites in my hands. As a leader, I should've seen the writing on the wall. If I had been more proactive and contacted the others, maybe Dad's work wouldn't have been destroyed. Maybe all those people wouldn't have been hurt, and half the city wouldn't be criticizing our name right now."
"Maybe...but we didn't," said April, a tinge of shame in her voice. She saw a bit of it in Annie, but May? May looked as if she had a truck of shame on her shoulder. Responsibility. What an unforgiving thing. Especially to people who uphold it, people like May. April stands, facing her twin, "Hey, it's over. Move on, be done with it. You do nobody any good sulking up here. And I know how it feels, letting the past get to you and mess with your head. So toughen up and focus on the now, sis."
With every word April said, Mayday straightened up, that previously weight feeling lighter. She nods, "You're right..."
"Wow, you two agree on something. How rare," Annie commented.
"Hey," said April.
"April, Annie, "said Mayday, now facing her sisters. "We've been fighting crime and saving lives for almost two years. I'm proud of those times and you of two, but now we must change gears. We're up against least four people out there who want us dead and to make this city their own, regardless of how many people they hurt. And when there's even one of these guys, more will be coming, each stronger than the last. We can't let them overwhelm us again. To endanger innocent lives again."
April and Annie's ears are fixated on Mayday's words of conviction. "We won't," said A nie. "We've beaten them once; we can do that again."
"I know, but to do so, we must treat the past two years as training. Now, we get ready for the next level. Ready for more intense battles, more lives to save, more hazards to stop, and more plans we put a stop to." Mayday grabbed and took off her mask, looking at her sister with blue and green eyes. "It'll only be tougher from here, but we can...no, we must succeed for the sake of innocents, our friends and family. From now on, I promise I'll be there for you two anytime. Mask or no mask."
Annie smiled warmly, reminded again why she trusted Mayday's leadership and looked up to her. April, unsurprisingly, claps loudly. Wow. I think even Lincoln would be jealous of your speeches." It was sarcastic, sure, but one not of mockery but of respect. Mayday may not have always earned it, but when she did, April would follow her into battle anytime.
"Seriously, Mayday, that was very nice," Annie complimented.
Mayday shyly smiles at the kind words. She looks down at her mask. A symbol to many, a legacy to her. A legacy of responsibility and great expectations. She holds out her hand, clenching the mask. "So..."
"So...? "
Mayday takes a breath, "You two feel ready to take this new kind of responsibility?"
Reasonably quickly, Annie giggles. "Did you even need to ask?" Annie reached into her bag, pulling out her red domino mask. She places her mask and hand on top of Mayday's. "The future's scarier than ever, and I may still be just Spiderling..., but I'd face it than run from it. Who knows? Maybe when this ends, I'll be heroes like you two!"
They look to April, and the teen rolls her eyes. "Uh, duh!" And like that, she morphs her mask into her hand and plops her hand on top of her sisters. However, April thought, 'Maybe if people see what monsters really look like, I can finally prove to people I'm not one of them...'
Mayday smiles gently, "Thank you." Mayday knows she can always rely on her sister no matter what happens next. "Hey," she said, grabbing thier shoulders, "I love you guys."
"Aww!" Annie smiled, pulling herself in for a hug. "I love you too!"
April rolled her eyes before being pulled into the group hug. "Yeah, yeah, I love you morons too."
After savoring the warm embrace, Mayday pulls back and plops down on the roof. "Okay, I feel better," she said, content. "Hand my slice."
"Oops, sorry, I finished it."
"What?! April!"
"Not my fault you're a slowpoke."
"And that's why we bring a spare box," Annie chuckled, whipping out another pizza box.
On the front porch, M.J. and Peter look on, having heard most of thier daughter's conversation. Their problems washed away at that moment at the sound of their daughter's conviction and resilience. She snuggles up to her husband, asking, "Still feeling unsure if they'll be okay out there?"
Peter chuckled and heard their daughters share a laugh, too. Nothing sounded so wonderful than thier laughter. "Naw. I trust they know what to do."
And so, two loving parents proudly look to thier daughters above. As the crescent moon casts itself high into the night sky, the sisters look out to the world that'll forever remind their family that with great power must also come great responsibility! Will they be perfect in thier renewed purpose? No, they probably never will. They're not perfect, but that's okay because they're still teenagers eager to face their destinies. So look out, evil-doers, because this world is a Spider-Girls world!
A/N: That's right, readers, this isn't the end! It was tough to wrap things up while leaving open avenues for future conflicts and story arcs. I wanted to include some more hints about future arcs, but I didn't want this 'final' chapter to feel meandering. I will share one character I have plans with: Andrea Benton.
I absolutely loved writing the Parker family, from the sisters to Ben's family. Janine especially was surprisingly fun to write this chapter, along with Ben and thier son Richard. Mayday, too, was especially cool here. I figured it fitting to end mainly on her POV since it was her's where we began this story. Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all! I hope you enjoyed this opening arc and my love letter to these characters.
Stay tuned to the eventual return of the Marvelous Spider-Girls!
