Keeping his word to Spider-Man, the Arachnid took the day off away from the suit as Noah Monroe. Before the Osborn rally, Noah and Emma decided to make a stop at Mick's restaurant.
"Can you believe Mick's become an Italian restaurant?" Noah asked as he admired the new Italian-themed decor around the place.
"I don't know, but I'm glad they still glad they make these amazing fries. Though, the pizza you brought that one time was awesome. I was hoping to see Mick today." Emma mentioned, eating one of the fries.
"Yeah, he's off today, maybe next time. Hey remember the first time I brought you here?" Noah asked.
Emma groaned at that question with cringe, "Don't remind me, I was such a spoiled bitch back then. I always threw temper tantrums when nothing went my way. I remember Mick told me about the story between Spider-Man and… And the Arachnid."
"Yeah, remember how that story went?" Noah asked.
"I don't, but I remember the lesson he closed the story with, Spider-Man and the Arachnid are two sides of the same coin. To be honest I can't really see that." Emma explained.
"What do you mean?" Noah asked.
"The Arachnid whenever I hear of him on the news, all the pain he's brought to this city, and all of it is for money. I swear when I think of him he's like the incarnate of the bitter truth of what my parents put me through, what they wanted me to be, and how much I just want to let it all out on them. It's just… I just don't understand what would drive someone to become something that dangerous." Emma explained.
"Well power can tempt a man, but absolute power corrupts a man," Noah said and looked at Emma once more. "But let's not discuss Arachnid. This is supposed to be a fun…ish day today."
"Yeah, you're right. I'm not sure if I can go to an Osborn rally." Emma said looking down shamefully.
Noah took Emma's hand, and she looked back at him, "I don't want to go to that rally either, but I don't want to go leave Peter and MJ to deal with Norman alone."
"Dammit, after all these years you always know how to get me to do things you want." Emma chuckled in defeat.
"You mean how I shoved a french fry in your mouth on our first time here." Noah added.
"You still haven't told anyone about that?" Emma whispered.
Noah held her hand and lifted it to kiss her knuckle, "Never."
"We have breaking news, Spider-Man has stopped another operation with the Demon gang, in a very destructive pursuit with a helicopter dragging a giant construction engine-" The news anchor was starting to go numb to Noah's thoughts began to spark at the story.
"Seriously, Spider-Man, I take one day off, and you make a district-wide mess." Noah thought to himself. "That's my thing."
"C'mon Emma, let's enjoy ourselves." Noah hoisted her off their booth and left the payment.
"Shame Mick wasn't here." Emma called.
"I know, don't worry, he was here in spirit." Noah assured, "Anyway we have some time before the rally. What do you want to do?"
"I don't know. Let's just enjoy our time to the rally." Emma said holding Noah's arm closer.
"Fine by me." Noah replied and kissed her forehead.
Peter and MJ arrived at the rally where they were met with a large crowd of people, banners placed on the buildings around them. They decided to stay a good distance away from the crowd to wait for Emma and Noah. "So let's make this quick before Noah and Emma arrive," MJ suggested.
"Got it, so I think this gang war may finally be over." Peter started.
"Like… Like over-over?" MJ asked.
"I mean, there's some loose ends still to be tied up. But…" Peter was hesitant to explain further, but MJ upped the anty on the conversation.
"Loose ends?" She asked with curiosity.
"A truck pulled away from the scene, from a company called Consolidated Shipping. Something's not right about it. I just don't know what." Peter was stumped.
"Hm. Well maybe after this we can get some coffee, figure it out together." MJ offered.
"Yeah well, but instead of coffee maybe we can have dinner instead? I could come over, I'll cook." MJ turned to Peter's offer and had a curious smirk, "Or we could you know meet at a totally neutral location for a completely normal meal. Cooked by professionals." Peter recovered quickly.
MJ's response was only a chuckle, "Oh hey, there they are." MJ waved at Emma and Noah.
"Hey guys!" Emma replied with a smile.
Noah and Emma arrived at the Osborn Rally with Peter and MJ in sight. The four of them came together and made their greetings. MJ hugged Emma and Peter gave Noah a high five. Just having the four of them made this stupid campaign rally worth it.
"It's been so long." Peter praised having the four of them back together.
"Feel's like a dream." Noah called.
"There's the stage entrance, and we'll be right out front." Rio Morales said.
"Sounds like a lot of people out there." Jefferson was hesitant.
"You'll be fine honey," Rio assured her husband.
"The last time I gave a speech, I was in high school. Ms. Steinberg gave me a C minus." Jefferson explained.
"If only Ms. Steinberg could see you now." Rio said, turned her husband's story over to him.
"Hey, you got this dad. I mean come on, you saved Spider-Man. I'm pretty sure that makes you an official superhero." Miles said.
"A superhero, or maybe I'm just a guy who doesn't give up." Jeff kissed his wife on the cheek, "Oh, before I forget, Miles, after the rally, I've decided to… I've decided to try to talk to Aaron again."
"Really?" Miles asked in excitement.
"Jeff, are you serious?" Rio asked in concern.
Jefferson walked up closer to his wife to keep his words quiet, "Yeah, I am, after seeing Spider-Man and the Arachnid go at it together. I can't let that turn into us." he stepped and patted Miles's shoulder, "It'll be just him and me first, and then I'll work on bringing you with me next time, Miles. Promise." Jefferson assured.
"Thanks, dad, this is gonna be awesome." Miles replied, happy to know he might get to see his uncle again soon.
"Ugh excuse me, are you Jefferson Davis?" A girl about the same age as Miles walked up to the officer, "I'm Angie Williams. Did you see the Arachnid?"
"Yeah kid I did." Jeff answered.
"No one believes me, but he's a hero under all that bad press. Did you see anything that would give proof?" Angie asked. "I'm writing a Blog that shows the good things Arachnid has done over the years."
"You know kid, you seem to have a good heart on your shoulders so I'll tell you this. Spider-Man was willing to let him go but he beat the crap out of him first." Jefferson explained.
"He did?" Angie was crushed a little at the news.
"But from what I saw, the Arachnid did that to save Spider-Man."
"He did?" Angie was in a new positive light.
"He kept our friendly neighborhood spider-man from turning into the unfriendly neighborhood spider-man." Jeff smiled.
"Thanks Officer! I knew it!" Angie ran out but before she could leave, she bumped into Miles and crashed down on the sidewalk.
"You okay?" Miles asked while offering a hand to help her up.
"Yeah I'm fine." Angie took Miles' hand to help her up, "Have a good rally!"
"Wait… Have we met before?" Miles asked.
"I… I don't know, you know you do look familiar though… I gotta go." Angie ran off, away from the rally.
"She seemed nice." Rio added.
"Nice to know someone looks up to Arachnid," Jeff added.
"Was that true, what you said?" Miles asked.
Jeff responded with a simple answer, "Maybe." Jeff walked away.
"C'mon Miles, let's go." Rio redirected their attention.
Osborne Rally
The Rally has begun, and the whole crowd is casually cheering. Noah remembered that some of the concerts in Central Park were a lot louder, especially the last Rock and Roll concert he and Peter took with Emma and MJ.
"Welcome, everyone. And before I hand off to Mayor Osborn, I'd just like to say a few words." The Deputy Mayor began his speech, and Noah dozed off. He promised he'd take the day off for Spider-Man's sake, but being out here without his suit felt wrong. He just had to focus on Emma, Peter, and MJ.
"Well thanks, Jim. Couldn't have said it better myself. But I'll try. We all know that Officer Davis is a hero." Osborn patted Jeff's shoulder.
"This is complete nonsense," Emma called out to the group.
"Yeah but at least Officer Jeff get's an award, that's gotta be a plus for this, and his family." Noah explained.
"For acts of extraordinary bravery above and beyond the call of duty, it is my privilege to present. Officer Jefferson Davis with the Department Medal of Honor." Osborn praised, then granted Jefferson the medal and laced it on his chestpiece.
"Phone call sir." The Deputy Mayor called while Norman was in the middle of a speech.
"Kind of in the middle of something here, Jim." Norman responded to his deputy mayor.
"Sounds urgent sir."
"Fine…" Norman turned back to Officer Davis, "Congratulations, sir." Norman left the stage to take his call.
Jeff looked down at his family at the front and four others who stand out, "Uh thank you, mister mayor. I share this honor with my family. My wife Rio, and my son, Miles. Without their support I... I couldn't do what I do."
Noah listened as Jeff gave his speech, this was a proud moment for this man, an example of the kind of men this city needs these days.
a slow creeping sense slithered into his mind and projected into his ears, "Your city and everything you care about will be destroyed. People will beg you for help but you won't be able to save them."
"Listen jackass, I get threats like this twice a week. Why don't you grow a pair and tell me what you want?" Norman's voice sprung in Noah's ears, and he heard a familiar voice on his phone, "To watch you suffer." the call ended and Noah was pulled back into reality, but not until he noticed Norman and his security leaving with haste. From then he felt a sudden pulse pound into his mind. He looked to his left to see members of the Demon gang arriving quietly surrounding the area. But something else caught his attention he saw dark auras around several people, then opened their suits revealing explosives strapped to them. He saw Peter reaching over to them."Pete!" Noah chased after his best friend to keep him out of trouble, but another pulse consumed his senses blinding him for a moment until the explosions finally commenced.
In a brief moment, the only person he could reach was Emma, "Hit the deck." Noah yelled quickly covering Emma from the blast radius with his own body.
The explosion then erupted around him and everything seemed to slow down. He looked around seeing people running in fear, debris falling, more explosions erupting. Noah was so distracted he didn't even notice a piece of debris piercing his side and then a sharp pain in his lower chest.
Rubble, dust, and explosions were the first thing Miles saw before blacking out. Opening again he sees himself being dragged out from his arms. Hi Watching his feet drag from the pavement, he heard his mother's voice.
"Miles." Rio cried as he faded out.
"Miles are you okay?!" Miles looked over to his right shoulder being dragged by one of the civilians.
Miles opened his eyes again to see his mom and an explosion, "Miles!?" The next thing he saw he found himself lying on the ground with his gaze turned to an unconscious man and another wounded with a piece of shrapnel in his shoulder.
"Peter! Come on, Peter! No no no no." A red-haired woman called the man as she took his hand.
"Noah! No please not like this!" Another woman with black hair stayed close to the other guy with a bad wound in his side.
Rio turned Miles to her attention, "Miles? Oh thank God… Can you hear me, baby?"
"Peter, can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can hear me!" A woman called.
"Noah, no no no. Please, don't close your eyes." the black-haired woman begged.
"I… I… Peter? MJ?" Noah choked.
"They're okay, focus on me, keep looking at me, try to stay awake. Don't die, sweetie." Emma said…
"Miles, Stay here, I'm going to find your father." Rio told Miles.
"Peter… Peter, wake up! Come on, say something. Please." The woman cried.
Miles struggled to pick himself up, he was dazed, and in pain all over his body. Leaving the four pedestrians behind Miles went to go find his mom.
"Mom!" Miles called out. Running past all the fleeing civilians and incoming medics, "This is crazy." Watching the sparks fly on the cables above the tumbled cars. One of the metal pillars fell over the path blocking Miles' pursuit. Miles noticed a destroyed coffee shop he could use to bypass the debris.
Moving around the people and through the debris, Miles vaulted over a tumbled bookshelf before a part of the roof tumbled on the floor. Afterward, Miles crawled under a car, "Oh man." Miles walked around the other half of the coffee shop in flames. All of this destruction sent Miles into a jolt of energy and it did not bode well on his current mindset.
Exiting the shop, Miles spotted a paramedic trying to lift a piece of the metal stand that fell from the explosion, taking a closer look someone was stuck under it, and his eyes widen when he was it was his mom. "Mom? Mom!"
Miles ran over to help her. He grabbed the debris and attempted to lift it up but the metal's too heavy to lift, "Miles! Can't... Breathe." Rio choked out.
Miles tried again to help lift the heavy railing, he was about to get the parts lifted an inch off the ground but the metal he was pulling broke off, "Dammit!"
"Ahh… Hurry." Rio cried.
"Think… Think!" Miles took a quick look around and found a pipe, and used it to lift the railing.
With the weight shifted towards the ground, it was easier to lift the debris off the ground. to
"HURRY… It's slipping!" The EMT yelled, running out of time.
With all his strength, Miles pulled the pipe to lift the sign, and it was working.
"Got her!" The EMT shouted, and with that, Miles dropped the pipe and all the debris came crashing down.
"Miles, Miles, Miles, Miles…" Rio cried in relief as she was running out of breath to speak.
"Are you okay?" Miles asked as he went over to his mom.
"Yeah, yes... yes... yes... are you... are you okay?" Rio said after almost being crushed by the metal railing.
"Nice going, kid." The EMT said.
Miles leaned over to give his mom a hug, "I'm all right, mom. I'm all right. You sure you're okay?"
"Yes, I'm gonna be all righ-" Rio said then she attempted to stand up but was in too much pain, making her fall to the ground. "I'm gonna be alright, I'm gonna be alright, son. I love you."
"Alright listen, I… I have to go find Dad, okay?" Miles said then left his mom with the EMT, and started climbing up the metal railing.
"Miles… Miles no! Miles." Rio cried trying to stop him.
Jumping from board to board, Miles climbed every inch to reach the other side, and found the entire block clouded in dust, and debris and a lot of civilians in a complete daze.
"Baby, stay here. Please!" Rio cried for the final time but Miles didn't listen. His Dad needed help and he had to help him.
Walking over the dangling support beam, keeping his balance was difficult. He looked up to the crowd of civilians and EMT's, but couldn't find his dad, "He was right there." Miles said to himself noticed a few cars approaching, all of them were filled with people in black and white masks and armed with automatic weapons. They gunned down all the civilians and EMT's in view, and the rest scattered or hid, "What the hell?"
Miles dropped to the street and kept his head low. He quickly ducked behind an Osborn sign and mobile generator for cover. Miles could hear the Demons gun down the people on the other side, "I can circle around the edge to get past them. Through there." He noticed an upside-down car and crawled through the glass in the back was shattered so crawling through wasn't hard. Someone was pushed to the side and fell to the ground, "No! No plea-" the victim pleaded but was stabbed by one of the Demons witnessed by Miles. A dead body of a woman dropped beside him after the seatbelt loosened. Miles's blood spiked hard with adrenaline from the shock. Another Demon was found in front of Miles's exit, "Oh my god." Miles's skin jumped while covering his mouth. Stopping in his place, he hoped he'd leave and the Demon didn't find him.
"(All clear over here)." One of Demon's called in Chinese.
"(This way. I heard something.)" Another Demon called.
Miles crawled out of the car, and stood low.
"(Check the podium for survivors!)" A Demon called out on the streets.
Two of the Demons checked over the location the other pointed over. The moment gave Miles the chance to pass the Demon with the light. Miles had to wait for an opening to get to the next podium to get to where his father was seen. The Demons surveyed the location until a faint rumble of glass averted their attention. The Demons investigated the sound and left their position.
"Alright, go." Miles jumped over the debris and quickly crept his way to the podium.
Miles was able to make it to the podium, when he arrived he looked over the crashed car a guy was stabbed to death. Miles hopped on the car and walked over the support beam while the Demons were shooting down another person. Miles focus and resumed keeping balance on his way to the other side. Arriving at the other side successfully, he looked over to where his father should be.
"Dad was right there, gotta help him." Miles vaulted over the podium and snuck behind the demons to find his father. He picked up a pipe, and attempted to lay a smack on the nearby Demon, but he dodged the blow and kicked Miles down the stairs. In a quick daze, Miles looked back up at the Demon above. He threw down the pipe and was prepared to strike a killing blow.
"No… No… Stop! No!" Miles closed his eyes, and put his hand over his face as the Demon was about to strike.
"Enough! We have to leave now!" A man called out to his men, a man who had glowing eyes.
Doing as they were told the Demons pulled back, Miles picked himself up and went back up, "Dad… Dad!" Looking around the stand, he found him, or what's left of him, "Dad… Dad. Dad no!" Miles turned his father's body around and saw his Medal of Honor covered in his blood.
"Wake up, dad. Wake up. Wake up." Miles shook his father but to no avail. Miles looked out with complete raw anger, confusion, and grief, his Father is dead.
One Week Later
A funeral for Officer Jefferson Davis took place under the silent storm. Like the world itself wept with New York for a brave officer's death. The events of the Rally shook the city, it showed them that this wasn't a mere Gang war. It's something far worse than that, it's terrorism.
Mayor Osborn attended the funeral and bestowed Mrs. Morales the Flag. Other cops attended the funeral along with Peter Parker, Mary Jane, Emma Monroe, and Noah Monroe. Mayor Osborn gave Rio a light pat on the arm and shook Miles' hand.
The sound of a band of helicopters flew across the skies and all the cops held their salute to their fallen comrade.
After the ceremony, Miles stood before his father's coffin and could barely believe the horrible reality that lied in front of him. At the corner of his eye, he saw Peter walk towards him and Noah shortly followed.
"We're sorry for your loss." Peter said trying to share condolences. Noah however remained silent.
"Do I know you?" Miles asked, completely distraught and cold towards him.
"I'm Peter Parker, Noah Monroe," Peter pointed a thumb at his friend, "We were at city hall when- Look I know you don't know us, but I just wanted to say-"
"I know what you're going through." Miles finished for him.
Peter was slightly shocked and Noah kept silent, "I- uh."
"That's what you were going to say right? Or... It all gets easier with time. Or, don't worry... It's all part of God's plan?" Miles explained.
"I'm sorry I was just-" Peter was at a standstill on what to do, as Noah remained quiet.
"Trying to help. I know." Miles answered for him. He left the two of them, and Peter attempted to reach out to him, but Noah put a hand on Peter's shoulder. He turned back to Noah and he just gave Peter a nod 'no' and looked back over at Miles. Peter looked back again and he realized what Noah was trying to do. Realizing what Noah is looking at, a kid who needs space.
"You're right," Peter admitted.
"Some people just need to be alone and not hear the script. Alot of people don't like it when you say 'I know what you're going through.' because you don't know what they are going through or feeling. Just give him time, hermano." Noah explained.
Peter nodded in understanding. "Yeah, you're right."
Rio Morales walked up to the two of them with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry about him. I don't know what I'm gonna do with him."
"It's fine Mrs. Morales, we weren't offended." Noah said then sent her away.
Now that it's just the two of them again Peter decided to focus on Noah.
"How's the wound?" Peter asked Noah.
"I'm surprised I can still move, but I'm not gonna judge how and why." Noah lied to Peter, his superhuman healing sure comes in handy. "See you around, Peter. I'll call ya later."
Noah and Emma took a cab home, along the way, Noah felt like his mind was going a mile a minute, "He's dead because of what I did. I gave them those explosives. No, the Demons would've done what they did with our without your help, this is not your fault, and besides you took that day off. You had no clue about the city hall bombing or that Martin-" Noah's head suddenly turned at the thought of his name like a sudden jolt of electricity sparked in his mind, "Martin Li, after all these years. The FEAST shelter represented the best part of him, and the worst part of him was leading a terrorist group that would be willing to let strap explosives on people. What the Hell have I gotten into?"
"I almost lost you." Emma said to Noah laying her head on his shoulder.
"Today is a day for sombre reflection. For mourning and honoring fallen heroes like Jefferson Davis. But also a day to vow: never again. It stops here. Some people say I blame everything on Spider-Man and the Arachnid. Well, I don't blame them for bombing. That cowardly act is squarely the responsibility of whoever committed it. But if we're going to keep New York Safe, we can no longer tolerate the kind of lawlessness Sider-Man, and their ilk represent. This is our city. And By God, we are going to take it back." J. Jonah Jameson broadcasted his input on the last week.
Peter back in his suit hopped on the nearest lamp post near the cemetery, "I'm sorry Jeff." Spider-Man muttered looking over the graveyard from the rooftops. Watched as the last of the attendees left to go home.
After taking some extra time to grieve from above he returned to the graveyard to meet his favorite uncle, "Hey Uncle Ben." Spider-Man kept quiet and didn't pay much attention to his grave to avoid any watchers from connecting him to his uncle. "Hey Uncle Ben. I miss you so much, A lot is happening to me right now. If you were still here you'd know what to say, you always did. I'm doing my best to live up to you and May's example but it seems like I'm being faced with choices that make me question everything."
Spider-Man knelt closer to his Uncle, "I remember the last time I talked to you about the Arachnid. He was such a pain in the butt, but now I sense a growing evil somewhere else, and I think the Arachnid can sense it too. I think right now I'm gonna play this by ear. I'll be back if I need any more advice." Spider-Man left his uncle to rest while he went to call the Captain.
He dialed Yuri's number through the built-in phone system in his suit, "I'm busy what's up?" Yuri answered.
"Have you started looking for Martin Li yet?" Spider-Man asked.
"No, I told you, I can't start a manhunt based on a hunch from Spider-Man," Yuri explained, not convinced by Spider-Man's statement that Martin Li is the leader of the Demons.
"But I'm telling you he's the guy." Spider-Man argued back.
"Get me some solid evidence and we'll talk," Yuri explained then hung up.
"Solid evidence. Right." Spider-Man surrendered, groaning in frustration. He knew this wasn't going to be easy but he still hoped for a small piece of luck.
Just then another call came after Yuri hung up. "You want evidence, Spider-Man?" Arachnid called.
"Arachnid… What's stopping me from hanging up, and going over to beat your hide?" Spider-Man wasn't happy to hear his voice right now.
"Honor." Arachnid answered.
Spider-Man stopped swinging landing on the roof of a nearby building, speechless.
"I kept my word that day, Spider-Man, and learning Martin Li was behind all this… Even I'm shocked. I took Angie, that girl in the Feast shelter to Martin when she was homeless. She was only six years old when I took her there. She was pickpocketing anyone just for a few dollars. What I told her that night. I-I… I feel like a fraud. Look, the Demons gathered all of Fisk's arms from the Bootleggers den to this recycling center in Hell's kitchen. Go there and maybe you'll find a lead. I'm sending the Address."
"If this turns out to be a trap-" Spider-Man's words were halted by Arachnid once more
"It won't. After learning who leads the Demons I want to be there to kick his ass till he's begging to go to hell where he belongs!" Arachnid admitted furiously.
"Hey I won't let you kill him, but I'll let you have a share of kicking his ass." Spider-Man offered.
"Fine, just this one time." Arachnid compromised.
"Hey wait you're not listening to all my phone calls are you?" Spider-Man asked, hoping it's not what he thinks.
"Just the ones between you and Yuri. I don't need every detail about you." Arachnid said, he wasn't interested in learning who he is behind the mask.
Arachnid breathed a sigh of relief to the news, "Thanks, Arachnid."
Arachnid hung up the phone before Spider-Man could say anything.
Spider-Man called MJ, "Hey it's me."
"Hey. So what are you thinking?" MJ asked.
"I'm thinking I screwed up, and that kid lost his father." Spider-Man said in despair.
"I know you too well to say you should give yourself a break. What about the police, do they have any leads on Li?" MJ asked.
"They're not even looking for him. Even Yuri doesn't believe me. Arachnid seems to believe me, at least." Spider-Man mentioned.
"Then I guess it's up to the three of us to find him. I've been doing some research... Go to this address. Martin Li bought a controlling interest in this recycling center last year-" MJ was prepared to explain more but Peter interrupted.
"No way," Spider-Man was dumbstruck.
"What is it?" MJ asked.
"Arachnid gave me the same address just before our call." Spider-Man admitted shocked. He believed this was another trap but it seems like he's being honest with him.
"He did?" MJ questioned, kinda surprised as Pete is.
"He really was telling the truth." Spider-Man was a little cheered up.
"You sound relieved." MJ replied curiously.
"Yeah, I think he's finally ready to help me take down the demons. Uh, I mean… In his own way." Peter was hopeful yet watchful.
"Well try not to forget he's… To be honest I don't know what he is anymore." MJ was stumped on this one.
"I know what he is, he's another Spider like me, but with a lot more baggage." Spider-Man said, believing that to be the truth.
"Another Spider like you? Hmm, I think that's worth looking into, I'm going to look up some Oscorp records of that year you were bit. You said he showed up at around the same time you did, right? Maybe someone else had a similar situation." MJ concluded.
"MJ you beautiful genius, that's amazing!" Peter said, definitely not in control of his excitement.
"Uh, thanks Pete. Oh before I go, I talked with a detective about questioning the arrested Demons. They're all claiming Martin Li has the power to, quote, "Corrupt" people." MJ explained.
"Corrupt? What does that mean?" Spider-Man asked.
"They say it's sort of like mind control. It brings out the 'negative' part of you. Makes you do things you wouldn't normally do." MJ explained from her notes.
"Hm, sounds a little farfetched." Peter was one to talk about 'far-fetch'.
"This coming from a guy who can run up walls." MJ hung up the phone and left Peter to make his way to the recycling center.
"Alright, Arachnid, if MJ vouches for this place, I'll give it a shot." Spider-Man called.
Halfway towards his destination, running up the police station, another call from MJ started ringing, "Hey can you stop swinging for a moment, Noah is about to come on the line."
"Oh sure." Peter stopped swinging and landed on an unoccupied rooftop, "Alright let's let three of us talk."
"Four of us. Emma is with Noah." MJ explained.
With that, the four friends were calling on the same line, "Hey guys, you're on speaker on our end." Emma called.
"Hey, guys." Noah introduced.
"So what's the four of us having a phone meeting for?" Peter asked.
"We've been running another piece on Jefferson Davis, and it made me wonder… How's his son Miles doing?"
"Not good. I've been there. The loss is all you could think about."
"Maybe he needs to do something outside of school." Emma thought of.
"Maybe a part-time job? MJ threw out.
"That's not a bad idea, MJ." Noah complimented.
"But it has to be the right job." Peter stood firm, "Something that makes him feel useful, like what he's doing matters."
"Kinda think you just described FEAST." MJ concluded.
"That is FEAST, but after what happened?" Noah was a little hesitant.
"You know…" Emma stuck her hat in the call, "One of the last things Martin said to us was, the FEAST shelter represents the best part of him, and after the rally. I think I see what he meant. We may not see that side of Martin again, but FEAST regardless. Martin gave me a second chance at who I can be. I think its worth the risk." Emma stated.
"She's right." Noah admitted, "I don't like it, but Emma speaks the truth. I worked at that shelter for years, and I looked up to Martin, but now I see we have to let him go and make sure the shelters keep what they represent."
"So I guess we're all in agreement?" MJ asked.
"Yeah." Emma answered.
"Definitely." Noah seconded.
"Alright, I'll talk to May about it." Peter primised.
"That's what we're here for." MJ spoke for everyone.
Peter and the rest hung up the call and they resumed their lives. Peter went back to swinging to the recycling center.
Making his way to the recycling center the place was crawling with Demons as he took spot on the nearest high beam, "MJ's hunch was right, and Arachnid's intel. Gotta take these guys out, quietly."
Cloaked and sitting on the tallest building overlooking the recycling center, Arachnid was surveying Spider-Man for his client, "What's he up to?" Martin Li called on the line.
"Cleaning out the recycling center. Should I engage?" Arachnid asked.
"No need, let him find out." Martin has become very arrogant, after the stunt he pulled at City Hall. Arachnid nodded in disgust.
"Fine, but hey thanks for the spare equipment. Gotta a few ideas up my sleeve for these." Arachnid said holding out a trip mine from the armory in his hand.
Finally putting the time to open the recycling center's interior, Spider-Man found the main room.
"Oh man." Spider-Man looked at all the ordinance and files, "Guns from Fisks armory. Truck bombs, this is crazy." Walking over to the crates, "Explosives from Fisk's construction site."
Going over to the main table, Spider-Man found a piece of equipment, "Hm nice gear, maybe afterward I can recycle this into some gear of my own." Spider-Man muttered to himself then looked up the main map, on it there were…
"These must be where they're planning to attack. Wait, these are all Osborn campaign offices. This wasn't a gang war. The Demons were stealing from Fisk to go after Mayor Osborn." Peter started to call MJ.
"Hey did you find Li?" MJ asked.
"No but you and Arachnid were right, Li's using this place as a front for the Demons. Bomb-making, gun running." Spider-Man launched out of the center and out above the streets.
"Oh my god." MJ was baffled as she spoke.
"And it looks like they're planning another attack, this time on Norman's campaign offices." Spider-Man looked over the documents and maps of the city.
"Li must have some kind of beef with Norman Osborn." MJ put the dots together.
"I found an address here. I think it's their staging area. If I hurry I might be able to stop them." Spider-Man explained.
"Be careful." MJ called as they hung up.
Back at the recycling center, Arachnid decloaked and gave Li the whole report, "He's likely headed for Consolidated Shipping, what are your orders?"
"Head on over there, and be ready. My men will serve as your backup." Li assured.
"Roger that." Arachnid shut off his call with Li, "Martin you bastard."
On his way to Consolidated Shipping, Arachnid picked up a call from Spider-Man and Yuri, "Yuri its me." Spider-Man called.
"Make it quick, I'm being yelled at by my boss." Yuri said.
"Martin Li and the Demons are planning another attack, this time on Norman Osborn's campaign offices."
"Are you sure? We've had a lot of false leads in the past week." Yuri wasn't buying it.
"Trust me on this one, I'm sending you the address of a recycling center, you'll find all the evidence there." Spider-Man
"Got it. I'll get those campaign offices evacuated, but if you're wrong about this, you're gonna help me find a new job." Yuri hung up the phone.
Spider-Man arrived at Consolidated shipping.
"A lotta guys, better do this quietly, but also with style." Spider-Man called.
Arachnid arrived early, cloaked, "Spider-Man." He whispered, "There's an ambush heading this way, I'll be there on the other side."
"Thanks for the tip. We'll make it look good." Spider-Man responded.
"Just don't try to kill me this time, one shock is all I can handle." Arachnid said and took off to meet with the Demons on the way.
"Okay got it." Spider-Man whispered as he finished off the last of the Demons guarding the facility.
"Li's not out here. Better check inside." Spiderman crashed open the doors and went over to the desk, "Invoice for an auto shop. "Pale Horse Ridez." That's one expensive tune-up." The tune-up came to a final price of 800,000$.
Spider-Man walked over to the map, "They have bases all around the city. This is bigger than I thought. Looks like the demons have an army."
As Spider-Man was about to leave he sensed what he expected. Arachnid awaited him with his four spider arms behind him, and two other Demons with whip-lash devices. The demons were the first two to greet the Spider.
"Spider-Man, how're you doin? You hear about the Rally? Talk about spectacle!" Arachnid boasted as he sat above the building while the two demons fought with Spider-Man.
Deep down Spider-Man knew it was a ruse, but he had to admit that was harsh. Though to their agreement so far it was convincing.
"And as always Spider-Man you lose again." Arachnid boasted as he jumped down with the rest of the Demons.
Spider-Man threw a web bomb at Arachnid and the Demons, but the Spider in black jumped over the web explosion, and the Demons took a moment to cut themselves out. Arachnid opened his spider arms and charged straight for Spider-Man with a hard tackle, "Your quips can be harsh sometimes!" Spider-Man groaned.
"Shut up!" Arachnid groaned.
Spider-Man stopped struggling and pulled his web shooters, but instead of shooting webs, they fired a blast of compressed concussive energy and yanked Arachnid up in the air, "What do you think, Arachnid? Concussive blast!"
"Nice work! I'll enjoy ripping those shooters after I cut your hands off this time." The Arachnid composed himself in the air and dove straight back down. He landed straight on Spider-Man and quickly formed two web lines, wrapping them around him. He then formed another line across the building, shot one more line on Spider-Man's feet, threw it over the line, and pulled it hard, hanging the Spider-Man webbed up and upside down.
"Well look at that! An upside-down Spider-Man pinata, is it my birthday?" Arachnid asked sarcastically, admiring his handiwork.
"Oh, okay I'll give you that one! This is pretty funny." Spider-Man remained humble in spite of his situation.
"It'll be even more funny when I burst you open and see what comes falling out." Arachnid glared while his mechanical arms popped out.
"Nope, I'm sorry had a big lunch rather not see it splattered over the floor." Spider-Man curled up his torso and launched his web-shooters to the nearest roof side and broke out of his binds.
"Arachnid, how much longer?" Spider-Man spoke to Arachnid under comms.
"Just give me one shot of your electric web, and I'm down." Arachnid responded. Shortly after he webbed to the walls and slung his feet towards Spider-Man.
Thankfully, Spider-Man was able to catch the Arachnid and use his momentum to ram him straight to the ground. With the moment seized, Spider-Man shot an electric web to the Arachnid. The shock was harmless, but a light stun, but unlike the Arachnid, due to the serum, the shock felt more like 10,000 volts of electricity.
"Alright, that's my cue." Spider-Man said to himself. He was bout to make his exit, when he saw some strange men in high tech armor rapelling down from the building.
"Copy Silver Bird, we are descending to location." A couple of soldiers in white armor roped their way down.
"There's another one." The other soldier said.
Jumping from the ground, the two soldiers spotted one of the hostiles, "Hey that's the Arachnid."
"Safety's off." The soldier called.
"Well this is new." Spider-Man noticed in the back.
One soldier smacked Arachnid with the butt of his rifle. Arachnid can't fight due to the daze caused by Spider-Man's electric web. He returned the Arachnid's pain with a kick to the chest, and held his rifle at him.
"No, no, no. This one's mine." The other soldier called.
"Alright." The soldier let him go.
The other soldier held him by the shoulder and aimed his weapon behind Arachnid, "I'm executing this son of a-"
"Hey! Thats not how we do things.-" Spider-Man webbed the soldier to the ground and used his back as a cushion, "Downtown!" Spider-Man landed a kick to the other side of his face.
The moment gave Arachnid a chance to shake out the shock, "Ugh, I hate that." Arachnid picked himself up.
Both their senses tingled as more soldiers surrounded them. Arachnid tried to bail, but the electric web is interfering with the tech in his suit. The systems are initializing a reboot but it will take a minute or two. "Shit Spider-Man, my cloaking's rebooting."
"Just keep calm." Spider-Man assured, "Arachnid always wins." Arachnid looked over at Spider-Man.
"Code SM one and two." One of the soldiers called.
"Whoa, whoa! Before we do this, who the Hell are you guys?" Spider-Man asked with Arachnid behind his back.
"Code SM one and two, code SM one and two, holding for orders." A soldier said.
"Copy code SM one and two, I have visual. Hold for Silver Bird." A chopper arrived at the scene and it wasn't a police chopper, at the open deck of the chopper Spider-Man and Arachnid could see a woman in white clothes and white hair.
Spider-Man was speechless but Arachnid wasn't so much, "Oh shit."
She jumped off the chopper with two pistols. Her bullets fired a red bullet-like laser shots. Spider-Man and Arachnid dodged the shots fairly easily. Their exit was stopped by the woman in white. She and her men surrounded them both. Spider-Man may get a pass but Arachnid won't.
"Nice entrance, solid eight out of ten," Spider-Man called.
Arachnid looked down at the floor and saw some sort of mines around them, quickly ducking down from the projectiles. The only one caught was Spider-Man some kid of electrical chords lunched from them wrapping themselves around Spider-Man electrocuting him.
"Nine out of ten." Spider-Man said groaning in pain.
Just then police cars arrived and Yuri quickly came out from one of them.
"Let him go, you need to restrain the black one, not him," Yuri ordered, pointing at the Arachnid.
Just then Arachnid's mask let out a tiny beep telling him his systems are back online just in the nick of time too. "Sorry ladies, not today."
Arachnid finally cloaked and disappeared from the vicinity.
The woman and the rest of them prepared to shoot him down, but he was already gone. The woman managed to get one shot in his chest side, but it wasn't enough to take him down.
"Dammit." Yuri spat, frustrated the Arachnid alluded the authorities again.
"Yuri, explanation please." Spider-Man asked.
"This is Silver Sablinova. Head of Sable International. A private security force. Paid for by Mayor Osborn." Yuri explained to Spider-Man.
"Oh so the mayor has a pet army now." Spider-Man replied, gawking at the idea.
"Next time you or your partner get in my way, I will not be so gentle," Sable warned him in her thick Symkarian accent.
"Go, we'll talk later." Yuri said, de-escalating the tension.
"First off, mam, the Arachnid is not my partner." Spider-Man….
"Then why save him?" Sable asked.
Spider-Man did not respond, only swung away.
"Hey, Silverbird, we have a missing rifle." One of the Sable agents called.
Arachnid swung away from the action and over to Chinatown to lay low, "Fucking Hell! Sable you bitch!"
Arachnid caught wind of her work a few years back during the talk of a Civil War in Symkaria. She's built a serious reputation in Symkaria. Setting aside the rifle he swiped before he fled, Arachnid felt a bad burning sensation in his side. "AHHH! What the hell!?"
Arachnid looked at his side and saw blood seeping from his suit from a blaster hole. "Oh god,"
Arachnid clutched his side as he pulled a healing stim. The pain quickly subsided and he took the remaining time to stitch his wound.
"You brought them here." A voice called to Arachnid.
Arachnid looked over to a dark window to see his reflection, his reflection spoke to him, "You knew how to get out of there all along but you took the coward's way out. You almost paid the price for holding back. Spider-Man is holding you back!"
"You may be in my head… but you are not in control of me." Arachnid replied, struggling to speak from the wound.
"Maybe not now but believe me when I say when you lose the thing closest to you, nothing will hold you back, and this pathetic excuse for a criminal who pretends to be a mole for Spider-Man, will rise up and become… a king. And the people will kneel before us! You can deny it, but we both know you love this. The real reason you won't kill spiderman is because you'll lose your play toy. You could kill him no problem if you let yourself but no you have to let yourself down. Stop being such a pussy and be who you really are!"
"That's enough!" Arachnid snapped punching through the window, "I have held back all along because I am not that person. I've already dug myself into a hole but I'm not gonna go deeper."
The voice became nothing just like that, he could breathe again, and his shoulders were calm, he soon realized he was getting a phone call, "Hello?" Arachnid answered.
"Noah?" Angie called.
"Angie, what's up?" Noah asked.
"Hey, I was wondering if you were going to help me finish my Halloween costume before it's too late. Also, I have a ton of homework I need help on."
Noah took in a deep breath and responded, "I will be there sooner than you know." Noah said, holding back as hard as he could to not sound like he was hurt. Both on the inside and in the outside.
"Okay, love you Noah," Angie never could admit he's been a good father figure, but she shows subtlety.
"Love you too, Angie." Noah said, feeling a little better on the inside for a moment.
Noah hung up, and took another look at his wound, this isn't the place to heal this, but there are not a lot of options, "It's not a bullet wound. It's a blaster wound. Well, I like a challenge."
The blaster wound is, moreover, just a standard burn spot. The venom and his healing stim helped numb the pain, but applying lotion would be a start. Right now, the venom will patch up the wound until he can get his hands on the supplies.
Breaking apart the rifle, he found the power source of the laser, and attached it to his web shooters, "Well I guess one perk to having these guys here will be stealing their tech in my free time."
Suddenly Arachnid's comm pinged, he pulled up the ID and saw Spider-Man on the link.
"Hey Arachnid, how're you holding up?" Spider-Man called.
"Spare me your concern. What is it?" Arachnid asked not in the mood for formalities after that moment of obscurity from his own mind.
"Thought I'd give you the rundown on our special guests just now," Spider-Man explained to him.
"No need, Silver Sablinova, the head of Sable International. I know her work, mostly by reputation. If there's not a revolution, she'll be the one to start it." Arachnid explained what he already knew to the other Spider.
"Wow, you do more homework than me. Mayor Osborn paid them." Spider-Man added.
"Shit, this just got more difficult. Did you tell them I was your mole?" Arachnid asked.
"No, but Silver called us partners. I think it's best we keep this agreement to ourselves. I'm going to look for any clues to figure out why Li's doing this." Spider-Man explained with eagerness to end this quickly in his voice.
"Fine, good luck." Arachnid closed off the call and decided to make his way to the FEAST shelter to check on the people there. It will honestly be good to take off the mask for a little bit and talk to a friend.
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter of Arachnid please leave a review and tell me what you think, I would really like to see more reviews. It helps to know what people think of my story and what I can do better.
Also, I'd love to hear any ideas anyone has for my story.