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When a Spider comes calling	By : Revenaught Category: Marvel Verse Comics > Spiderman Views: 13336 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Spider-Man or the associated characters, places, or ideas. This is a work of FanFiction and I am making no money from it.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
When a Spider comes calling.
Ch. 15 Epilogue
            Nicholas Scratch shouldn’t have been surprised. He had followed the trail of bodies as reported in the papers. He knew that Norman Osborn was the last on Spider’s hit list when he saw how he disposed of the body. And he had sensed the last of the talismans made with his magic being used. But the sudden tap on his shoulder from behind still almost scared the crap out of him! Scratch was glad it was only almost, he was on his last clean pair until he did laundry. Whirling he stared at the black on black clad figure while his racing heart slowed.
            “Damn Spider! Can’t you knock or something?”

            “Sorry Scratch.” Spider didn’t sound all that sorry but neither was his voice as cold now either. Spider reached out and handed a slip of paper to Scratch. “Here’s the info on the accounts holding the rest of your money.”
            “I felt you use the last of the talismans I made for you.” Scratch said as he took the paper. “Did they work as you wanted?”
            “You did good work Scratch. They did exactly what I wanted.”
            “Good. It was worth the sacrifice then.”
            “What sacrifice?” Spider’s voice had gone cold again. “If you hurt anyone to make…”
            “Relax Spider! The only thing I sacrificed was my mystical power and with it my plans against my Mother.”
            “Your power. How?” Spider asked the coldness leaving his voice.
            “It took every bit of power I had ever stored up to make items that would do what you needed and be useable by someone other than myself. I could have used blood magic to make them instead but I rather figured you would seriously disapprove of that. So I did it the other way. It would take me a decade or more to regain all the power I expended on your behalf.”
            “I didn’t know. Why?”
            “Why would I make such a sacrifice? It wasn’t for you or your personal mission that’s for sure. The fact is I was tired of fighting to gather power just to waste it all in fruitless contests with my Mother. With the money you offered me for those talismans I can relax and maybe even enjoy life a little now. Money may not buy true happiness but it can provide plenty of creature comforts and luxury. I can live with that for now.”
            “Fair enough. Take it easy Scratch.”
            “Farewell Spider.” Scratch said as he turned around and even though he listened carefully he never heard Spider leave.
******************************************************************************
            J. Jonah Jameson was alone in his office on the top floor of the Daily Bugle building staring at nothing. He didn’t even jump when a voice spoke from the open window behind him.
            “J. Jonah Jameson.” Spider’s voice had regained all its coldness as he addressed the man he blamed more than anyone but himself for the deaths of his Wife and Aunt.
            “Peter” Jameson replied, “I wondered when you would come for me.” Jameson’s voice sounded dead.
            “So sorry to have kept you waiting so long.” Spider’s voice lost the coldness as the bitterness rose.
            “You blame me for what happened don’t you?” Jameson’s words were more a statement than a real question.
            “Shouldn’t I?!?” The coldness was completely gone now as white hot fury ripped out of Spider now. “I accepted your irrational hatred of Spiderman all these years as just the petty acts of a Jackass! Despite all the good I did even saving your miserable life several times you still did everything you could, even printing bald faced lies about me, to try and stir the public against me. I let it slide because I didn’t do any of it for good press! I did it because I believed I had a responsibility to use my power to help those who needed it. Meanwhile you hired men to warp other men or make machines to capture or kill me and I let it all slide because despite everything I didn’t believe you were truly evil. What really pisses me off is that I still don’t believe you’re truly evil! But, you better believe that I blame you for what happened! You let your personal pointless vendetta against me ruin any journalistic integrity you might have had once. Despite all the painfully obvious reasons for keeping my identity secret you just had to make front page news of it and because you did the two people I loved the most were Tortured, Raped, and Killed! You tell me why I shouldn’t blame you?” Spider was screaming at Jameson as he finished his rant. Jameson who hadn’t stirred at all during Spider’s tirade looked at him now and his eyes were dead.
            “There is no reason for you not to. Everything you said is nothing but the Gods honest truth. I am responsible for their deaths and there is nothing I can do to atone for it. Nothing but die myself.” Jonah stood now and turned to face Spider directly. His face showed the ravages of grief and precious little sleep. There were large dark circles under his eyes and his cheeks were sunken and gaunt. Always a fit and robust man, Jameson now moved as if he was thirty years older than he was. He looked Spider square in the eyes when he spoke again. “I’ve been following what you’ve done with the others. You were very inventive with them. I don’t know what you have planned for me but I’m ready. The only reason I haven’t taken myself out is because I figure you should have the choice of where, when, and how.”
            “I want to! You have no idea how badly I want to! How many times I’ve envisioned my hands around your throat squeezing!” Spider stopped, his chest heaving with the emotions that he was so very close to losing control of.
            “Then what are you waiting for?” Jameson’s reserve broke and he raged now himself. “Damn it Peter! You are the only passible person that could want me dead more than I do! So do it already!”
            “No.” Spider’s voice had gone cold again. “You’ll do worse than die. You… you will live. Live knowing exactly what you caused!” Spider pulled out a copy of the disc he had been given. “Put that in your computer there and watch the whole thing.” Jameson woodenly picked up the disc, put it in his system and started watching. Tears, unnoticed, ran down his face constantly and he lost it several times and retched uncontrollably with dry heaves, but he never once took his eyes off the video of the consequences of his senseless vendetta against Spiderman. When it was finally over he slowly turned to the black on black clad figure who had watched it all again with him.
            “What happens now?” he croaked out in a voice broken with grief, sorrow, and endless retching.
            “Now you pay the price. Now you live with the knowledge of what has happened. You live and accept that with Great Power comes Great Responsibility! I failed to act responsibly with my power once and it cost me my Uncle Ben. You and I both failed to do so with my identity and it cost us Mary Jane and Aunt May. You live and use your power responsibly to help whenever and where ever you can.
            “I would rather you just kill me. I don’t…I don’t know if I can live with this.” Jameson sobbed.
            “You don’t get that choice! You said it yourself. I get the choice on when, where, and how. I sentence you to live and earn redemption!” Jameson closed his eyes for long moments then opened them and looked again at Spider. While none of the grief and sorrow had left them, resolve had joined them there.
            “I will. I will live and although I can never earn it I will never stop working for redemption for the deaths of May Parker, Mary Jane Parker, and Peter Parker. But, what of you? What will you do now?”   Spider looked at Jameson for long moments of his own then his suit pulled back from his head and the rest of it transformed into street clothes.
            “I have two more stops left to make and then it will be my turn to face justice.” Spider leapt to the window and crawled out of sight around the corner of the building. Jameson went home to his family and started thinking long and hard about Power and Responsibility.
******************************************************************************
            Spider, still wearing his street clothes, stood in the lobby of the Four Freedoms Plaza and waited to be met. The central elevator dinged and its doors opened to reveal Johnnie Storm, also known as the Human Torch, one fourth of the famous and well liked Fantastic Four. Johnnie walked to Spider and offered a hand.
            “Pete what are you doin waiting in the lobby? You know you’re cleared to head up to the top.” Spider took the offered hand and shook it firmly.
            “Considering recent events I wasn’t sure if that was still the case. That and I know Reed and Sue were hurt by Carnage. Wasn’t sure if they were up for visitors yet but I wanted to come by and check on them.”
            “Come on up. We’ll talk.” The two men entered the elevator and headed up. When the doors opened and they stepped out they found their way blocked by Ben Grimm. Ben reached out and gently placed one of his massive orange rock skinned hands on Spider’s shoulder.
            “Peter, two things. One I’m damned sorry about what happened to your family. Two I’m also pretty damned pissed at you!” Spider paled at the Thing’s disapproval but stood firm before it.
            “Ben I know you can’t condone what I’ve done but I…”
            “That’s not why I’m pissed Webhead!” Ben broke in. “I’m pissed cause ya didn’t let Johnnie or me give ya a hand with any of it!”
            “I couldn’t. I couldn’t let anyone I know find out about what I planned. I couldn’t ask good men and women, people I respect and look up to, to stand aside while I broke the law. I also couldn’t take the chance that they not only wouldn’t stand aside but would try to stop me.”
            “Pete”, Johnnie said, “The FF is family. We understand. Just thinking about that happening to Sue has caused me to go Nova three times. The only way we would have tried to stop you was if you had lost it and didn’t care who you hurt reaching your goal. You didn’t so we stayed out of it.”
            “Yeah? Well I’m still pissed.” Ben said. “but I do understand. Probly woulda done the same myself. But you didn’t come here to blather about this did ya? You wanna see Reed and Sue. Come on, they’re here now. We almost lost Sue but she fought her way back.” Spider was led into a room with two separate beds. Spider knelt between them and took their hands.
            “How are you? I heard it was touch and go for a while.” Spider said to Reed and Sue.
            “We’re going to make it.” Reed answered. “My elastic physiology makes me hard to injure but also slow to heal. Sue took some severe internal damage and we did almost lose her but she managed to pull through and should make a full recovery.” Spider bowed his head at hearing how close Sue Richards had come to dying.
            “I’m sorry. I know how dangerous he was. I should have moved on him sooner.” Spider felt an invisible hand tenderly cup his chin and raise his head so Sue could look him in the eyes. The pain in her eyes from her injuries was mingled with grief and compassion for him.
            “You have no blame for this. You have great power and are greatly responsible with it but I know you have learned by now that you can’t be everywhere and protect everyone all the time. The only ones responsible for our injuries are ourselves and Carnage.” A shudder ran through her at the thought of Carnage.
            “I don’t know if its welcome news to you or not but Carnage will never hurt anyone ever again.” Spider said. He noticed that, at the same time their hands gently squeezed his, subtle tension lines eased on their brows and Sue let a small sigh of relief escape her.
            “It saddens me that it was necessary.” Sue said. “But, I for one do not regret it being done.”
“Ya saved me from tracking him down and doing it myself.” Ben Grimm said from the doorway.
            “I’m glad you’re going to be ok. I’m sorry I can’t stay longer but I have to go.” Spider stood up and started heading toward the door.
            “Please don’t do anything foolish son.” Reed said. Spider turned in the doorway.
            “Foolish is relative depending on who you ask. But, I don’t think anyone whose opinion means anything to me will be grieved by what I have left to do. Take care of your family.” and Spider turned and walked out.
*****************************************************************************
            Spider approached the Avengers Mansion carrying a long thick case in hand as he approached the gates. He stopped at the intercom and hit the call button. The face of Jarvis appeared on screen in moments.
            “Good day. How may I…Mr. Parker, what are you doing standing at the front gates? You do have full access.”
            “Hello Jarvis. This is kind of an official visit. I didn’t want to just barge in.”
            “Very well you have observed the formalities, now please come inside.” Spider entered the gates as they silently swung open. He idly wondered as he paced up the walk to the Mansion, if he would ever have this kind of access to this place and these people again. He knew it wouldn’t have changed his decisions and actions if he didn’t but he couldn’t help but wonder. Jarvis greeted him just inside the front entrance.
            “Mr. Parker how can I help you?”
            “Is the team in?” Spider asked hopefully. Chances were always good that the Avengers were out in the field saving the day at any given time.
            “Yes, they are currently in residence and in conference together as well as most of the reserve members.”
            “Ok” Spider gathered his resolve. “If I may I need to speak with them.”
            “Come with me then.” Jarvis led Spider deep into the Mansion and straight to the large conference room where the current team and many of its reserve members were meeting. The two men stopped just inside the door as everyone in the room broke off their discussions to look at them curiously.
            “Mr. Parker had requested the opportunity to speak with you.” Jarvis announced and then faded back out the door. Steve Rogers, Captain America, stood.
            “Please Peter, come in. What brings you here?”
            “Thanks Cap.” Spider said as he approached the main table. “You all know what was done to my family, at least in part. I know that most of you have to have realized who has been behind the recent string of deaths occurring to certain long time villains of mine. Frankly I don’t know why you haven’t tracked me down and stopped me, but I am here to surrender myself.” She Hulk, Jennifer Walters, leapt up from her seat.
            “As your attorney I counsel you to say nothing further!” she said quickly. Spider turned to look at her calmly.
            “Why Jen, I wasn’t aware I had you on retainer.” Spider said touched by her instant offer of legal counsel.
            “Look Peter, I can’t force you to accept me but please if you’re determined to do this let me be your representative!”
            “If it comes to that I will, but I’m not yet turning myself in to mortal authorities.” At these words Thor looked closely at him.
            “And why shouldst Immortals take an interest in these matters?” The Asgardian God of Thunder and Lightning asked as he stood up as well. Spider laid his case on the table and opened it.
            “Because of this.” Spider lifted the Thunderstrike mace out of the case’s velvet lining. As soon as it cleared the case, the case turned fluid and was absorbed into Spider’s clothing. “I found this during my preparation for the work I had to do. I knew who it had been given to and why. I knew the sacrifice he made to end the danger of the Bloodaxe. Instead of returning it to you immediately, I used it when I killed Tombstone. Even with the greater power I gained by taking the alien symbiote back from the Scorpion I needed a virtually unbreakable weapon like this to put an end to Tombstone. I return it now to you and submit myself to whatever justice decreed by you and your Father Odin for my unauthorized use of it.” Thor reached out and grasped the mace as Spider offered it up to him.
            “Allow me to make sure I understand thee correctly. Thou came across an Asgardian weapon, made for battle, and used it to slay a foe who hadst brutalized and killed thine family. A foe who, had he been left free, wouldst have undoubtedly slaughtered more such innocents. Is this an accurate summation?” Thor looked sternly down at Spider as he spoke.
            “It is.” Spider answered firmly while looking Thor directly in the eyes.
            “Verily well, this is my decree…”
            “Wait Thor!” She Hulk broke in. “Isn’t there a chance for others to weigh in on this matter?”
            “If there were more information that needed to be offered in either defense or accusation then aye others could speak. However his own statement hast offered all the facts of the matter. As the one facing judgment it falls to him to call for others to speak if they have information he dost not that he feels is relevant.”
            “May I speak then of his character before you pass judgment?”
            “Jennifer Walters do thou believe that I, who have stood side by side with this man in the defense of Asgard itself, do not know his character?”
            “No.” she said sounding defeated.
            “That is well, for well do I know the character of this man. He hast willingly subjected himself to the authority of Asgard in this matter. That authority belongs to the All Father Odin. In his absence I, his son and Heir, am obligated to pass judgment. Peter Parker it is my judgment that thou hast done nothing but honor this weapon and Asgard by thine actions with it.” Thor broke off as several gasps of surprise sounded in the room. “Some of you seem surprised by this?” Thor addressed them.
            Delroy Garrett, known as Triathlon, responded. “Look it may make me unpopular to say this but he did use it to break the law. Regardless of the provocation he used that weapon to kill.”
            “Aye, tis true!” Thor beamed. “What thou must remember is that he has submitted to Asgard authority regarding his use of this weapon, not to thy Midgard authority. Wars are still a common occurrence in Asgard, as our recent sojourn therein proved. And in war thou defeat and kill thine foes or they kill thee. What was done to this man’s family here was no less an act of War than the Frost Giants storming the walls of Asgard as viewed by my culture. The base villains who committed those cowardly deeds declared war on Peter Parker and every man, woman, and being who have the courage to stand for what is right and defend the innocent.   He acted as a warrior true and faced those who wronged him in the best example of a true warrior that I have seen in a long while. Indeed once I have spread the news of his acts, the halls of Valhalla will resound with the salutations of the warriors that reside there awaiting Ragnarock. Even the Warriors Three some of Asgard’s most noble and valiant heroes will gladly raise their mugs in toast to his deeds.”   Thor now looked directly at Spider. “Greatly am I honored by thine use of it and gratified by its return. Verily I find that I am in your debt for its return. Should thou ever need assistance you have but to call on me and I shall respond.”
            “Thank You Thor.” Spider said deeply moved at having a God hold him in such high regard. He then turned to face Steve Rogers. “Cap I’m here to turn myself in for my role in the deaths of; the Hobgoblin, Tombstone, the Rhino, Scorpion, Doctor Octopus, the Carnage symbiote and its host, the Shocker, Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, Electro, the Chameleon, and the Green Goblin.”
            “Stop right there Peter!” Jennifer stepped up to Spider’s side. “You don’t have to do this.”
            “Yes I do Jen. I have broken the law and I must face its justice. As I sat there in my empty house after the funeral for my Wife and Aunt this disc was delivered to me. It shows exactly what was done to them and by whom. Watching this killed Peter Parker! He is dead with Mary Jane and Aunt May. Spiderman died as well. All that’s left of the man I was is Spider. Melodramatic? Maybe, but can you really blame me. But, I still believe that with great power comes great responsibility. It’s all I have left really. I accepted the work of ending the lives of those men. I combined revenge with protection. They will never endanger innocent people again and they paid bitterly for those they harmed. As the final act of my work I must do what they wouldn’t and accept responsibility for my actions as they never would. I will not try to excuse my actions or claim I’m not to blame for them. I am sane, or at least I believe so. All I have left is my responsibility and in honor of Mary Jane, May, and Ben Parker I will not give it up. It’s all I have left that makes me better than those I killed.”
            Steve Rogers, Captain America, the man who had been the icon of America during the harshest fighting of World War II and who had been trapped in frozen suspended animation for decades stiffened to attention and saluted the man standing before him. “Son you make me proud to have fought at your side. Regardless of the outcome of this I am honored to know you and will gladly fight alongside you again should the chance occur. Come let’s get this done.”

            “Order in the court!” the bailiff called out. “Please stand for the honorable Judge Stewert presiding!” The people packed into the courtroom stood while the judge entered from his chambers and waited for his command before taking their seats again. The judge took a moment and looked out at the crowd of people in his courtroom and quailed just a bit inside. Although there were no costumes worn there were several well-known super heroes present. Jennifer Walters and Steve Rogers sat with Peter Parker at the defense table. Johnnie Storm and Ben Grim of the Fantastic Four were in attendance as well. Judge Stewert fully believed that at least half the people present were no less prominent in the community of heroes even if he didn’t recognize them in civilian attire. Maintaining order was vital with this many powered people in attendance. He hoped he was up to the task. He looked over to the district attorney and began.
            “Prosecutor. In the matter of the State of New York vs. Peter Parker what charges are being filed?”
            “Your Honor.” DA Janet Burns said as she rose to her feet. “Based on the video evidence presented to our office by Mr. Parker himself, twelve charges of first degree murder are being filed for the deaths of…” The silence of the audience grew charged as she read off the names of some of the worst villains New York had ever faced.
            “I understood that there were more deaths attributed to Mr. Parker than those twelve men.” the judge inquired of the DA.
            “You refer, your Honor, to the fifteen men and one woman Mr. Parker has also confessed to killing at the site of the slavery slash prostitution ring a short distance from the city? Mr. Parker also presented full video of that occurrence as well. In conjunction with that video and interviews with the victims who were being held there and forced into prostitution by those Mr. Parker killed, my office determined that those deaths were the only way those people could be safely rescued from their imprisonment. No charges against Mr. Parker in that matter will be filed by my office.
            “I see.” replied the Judge. “Mr. Parker!” Spider stood along with Jennifer and Steve.
            “Yes your honor.”
            “You have been charged with twelve counts of Murder in the first degree. These charges if you are convicted of them have a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years apiece up to life without parole. How do you plead?”
            “Guilty your honor.” Spider said with no hesitation. Jennifer gave a strangled hiss if frustration.
            “Miss Walters you have a problem with this?”
            “Yes your honor I do. I have been unable to get my client to change his mind on his plea. I know if I could bring this before a jury he wouldn’t be convicted but he is adamant about it.”
            “I see. Mr. Parker I admit to being somewhat confused by this as well. Are you opposed to a trial by a jury of your peers?”
            “Yes and no your honor.”
            “Please explain.”
            “I would have no qualms facing my peer’s judgment. However it is not necessary. I did commit the murders I am charged with. Any group of my peers would not be able to truthfully say otherwise. However they would have to also view the video evidence of my Wife’s and Aunt’s deaths as well as the video of my actions that I presented to the court. I would not inflict that on any of my peers if I can prevent it. There is also the possibility that my peers after seeing that video would be inclined to sacrifice their personal integrity in order to hand down a verdict that would free me. I will not be responsible for that.”
            “Do you not believe that they would see that as their choice to make and their burden to take responsibility for?”
            “Yes they would. I am, however, responsible for the choice to put it before them in the first place. I will not do it. My plea remains the same.”
            “Very well. Mrs. Burns what sentencing is the prosecution requesting?”
            “Your Honor we request the minimal sentencing possible as allowed by law.”
            “Understood. Mr. Parker you have pled guilty and are thereby convicted of twelve counts of first degree murder. You are to be sentenced to the minimal mandated length of twenty years per count in a maximum security penitentiary.”
            “Your Honor!” Jennifer spoke up.
            “Yes Miss Walters?”
            “I do have a request to make in regards to the sentencing.”
            “Miss Walters you know as well as I do that the twenty years per count is the absolute minimum that is mandated by law.”
            “Yes your Honor it is. But the location isn’t mandated by law. You have leeway in where the sentence is carried out. It is my belief that putting my client in any facility where there are inmates he has helped incarcerate is a recipe for disaster and riots in any such facility. Therefore I request that his sentence be carried out at Avengers Mansion. They can guarantee maximum security detention on him and an agent of the court may inspect at any time to verify his status.”
            “Mr. Rogers, this is a somewhat unusual request. Do you as the leader of the Avengers agree with this and promise to oversee his detention?”
            “I do you Honor. If you allow us we will pledge to oversee his safe and humane detention on the grounds of the Avenger Compound until his sentence is complete or he receives a parole or pardon for his crimes.”
            “Very well. Mr. Parker you are now under the custody of the Avengers for the duration of your incarceration. Do you have any questions regarding your sentencing?”
            “No your Honor. I understand.”
            “Then the case of New York vs. Peter Parker is closed. Mr. Rogers take charge of your prisoner.” As the judge departed the DA approached Spider. Jennifer quickly stepped in front as if the idea of protecting him from a regular human wasn’t ludicrous.
            “Miss Walters” DA Burns said. “Please I need to speak with Mr. Parker.” It was perhaps the tears in her eyes that caused the She Hulk to step out of the way.
            “Mr. Parker I…”
            “Mrs. Burns I am very sorry for what I put you through.” Spider broke into her obvious grief. His statement visibly shocked her.
            “You’re sorry?!?” she said in disbelief. “Mr. Parker I just had you put away for two hundred and forty years! How can you possibly be apologizing to me?”
            “Because in order to do your job you had to view all the video I provided and it has hurt you deeply I can tell. You stood up and did what the law demanded even though your compassion for me and my family ripped you apart inside. I am sorry you were put through that pain.”
            “Oh God!” she wailed and collapsed in her chair and broke down into sobs.
            “Jennifer why don’t you help her.” Spider asked the She Hulk. “Steve is capable of taking me out. I won’t cause any problems. Come on Steve let’s go.” and Spider, escorted by Captain America, proceeded down the aisle while the men and women on both sides faced the aisle and stood stiff and still, as if they were honor guards at a royal procession, as Spider left to begin his incarceration.

DAILY BUGLE HEADLINE
SPIDERMAN PLEADS GUILTY IN SLAYINGS
Peter Parker convicted in the recent rash of villain slayings

****************************************************************************

            “Mr. President!” the Prime Minister of Japan was very agitated. “The Emperor himself has directed me to personally contact you and inform you of our nation’s displeasure at the incarceration of the hero known as Spiderman.”
            “I understand your displeasure Mr. Prime Minister, but our laws have to be upheld.”
            “Stop right there! You and I know that prisoners that have been rightfully convicted are pardoned as a matter of course in both our countries. As things stand right now we are well aware that Spiderman broke off his vendetta to help our country once again drive off Godzilla! Without his aid we would have lost a great many people this time. The Emperor himself has declared him a national hero for his actions. His continued incarceration will put severe diplomatic strains on our relationship.”
            “I understand. But you must know that the United States can’t be seen to break down to political pressure on this.”
            “That is why no one but you and I are involved in this call. There will be no public loss of face involved. Do what you know is right and it helps us both. Keep things the way they are and both our countries will suffer.”
            “I will take your words under advisement.” The President sighed as the call ended. Steve Rogers had already met with him personally and revealed all the details of what had been done to and by Peter Parker. Steve Rogers was a man the President had respected greatly and from him he learned that Peter Parker as Spiderman had saved this world and others countless times out of a sense of responsibility. The obvious respect and admiration for the man in Steve Rogers’s voice spoke eloquently of how much he thought the current situation, while technically correct, was a miscarriage of justice. How he had hated sending him away with that look of disappointment in his eyes. Then his closest aid and advisor entered his office.
            “Jack I know you believe in the law. Hell you’re the only President who has never issued a Presidential pardon unless there was overwhelming proof that a person was innocent of the crimes they were convicted of. But you might want to rethink the Parker case.
            “Why? The man turned in overwhelming proof of his crimes. There was no choice available but to convict him. I cannot pardon him without throwing out the laws I’m supposed to be enforcing as the Chief of the Executive Branch.” His frustration welled up as he weighed personal values against what he saw as the duties and responsibilities of his office.
            “The People Jack, that’s why. The people who are ultimately responsible for you being where you are in this government of the people by the people and for the people. The people are rising up over this Jack. It started in California. Parker was there when the quake hit. Rescue workers lost count of how many people were pulled from the rubble that would have died had he not been there. There are hours and hours of footage of him there and the news stations are running all the best bits of it. It’s not staying in California either. Stories of his heroics are being splashed all across the news from coast to coast. The voices speaking out against his conviction are growing louder every second. The demonstrations in his support are growing as well and turning ugly if anyone dares dissent. In New York Wilson Fisk was overheard saying Parker deserved far worse that he got and the crowd beat him to death before the police could even get close enough to pull them off of him. In my personal opinion Jack, for what it’s worth, not only is giving him a pardon the only way to calm the riots it’s the right thing to do.”
            “All right Andy. Call me a press conference and let’s hope this really is the right thing to do.”

DAILY BUGLE HEADLINE
PRESIDENTIAL PARDON FREES SPIDERMAN!

***************************************************************************

            “My X-Men, report to my office at once!” Professor Xavier’s mental voice rang out to every one of his students. As they gathered they were surprised to find him in conference with Thor. When they had all arrived Thor spoke.
            “Hail Heroes known as X-Men. I am here as an emissary from the All Father Odin. He has requested thine presence in Asgard. Wilst thou travel there with me?”
            “May we know the nature of his need for us?” Professor Xavier asked.
            “Nay. He hath forbade me to speak of that. However thou hast my personal word that there is no danger to thee or thine students. This is not a call to combat.”
            “We are no strangers to combat. Nor are we unwilling to aid Asgard should the need arise but knowing this is not a call to combat lets us know how to prepare for the trip.” Xavier assured the God of Thunder.
            “Aye well said. I meant no aspersions against thee or thine.” Thor replied.
            “Then as opportunities to visit Asgard are few and far between and peaceful visits even more rare, we agree.” Without further ado the X-Men gathered together and Thor swung his enchanted hammer Mjollnir and teleported them all to Mythical Asgard.
            That scene was repeated again and again as heroes far and near were approached and asked to heed the call of Odin by agents of Asgard. There were no refusals. Thor himself carried Sue Richards as he brought the FF in. While he left to make his last stop, Asgardian healers attended Sue and Reed Richards promising them that by the time they left their health would be markedly improved.
            “Avengers Assemble!” Thor’s voice reverberated through the halls of Avengers Mansion. Well trained the team gathered quickly ready for just about any emergency. Spider, who had stayed at the Mansion after his pardon, reported as well. While he very seldom went on missions with the Avengers he never refused them if they needed his aid.
            “What’s going on Thor?” Captain America took charge, prepared to lead his team into action.
            “Relax my friends. I needed thou here urgently but there is no emergency to contend with.” Everyone relaxed at this news. “Odin hast requested our presence in Asgard.”
            “You need us all to go there but there is no emergency?” Iron Man asked. Spider meanwhile turned and walked to the door.
            “Aye! Odin has personally requested all of us to attend him. Most importantly thee Spider!” Thor added quickly to halt Spider’s departure.
            “I hope you will forgive me if another trip to Asgard is not high on my list of things I would prefer to do.” Spider said.
            “Aye my friend. I do understand thine reluctance. I have been instructed to humbly beseech thine presence above all others however. Please make this journey with us.” Thor had walked to Spider as he said this and reached a hand out to him in invitation. Reluctantly Spider took Thor’s hand in a firm clasp.
            “All right. I don’t really have anything else to lose anymore anyway.”
            “And the rest of you?” Thor addressed the rest of the team.
            “Of course we’ll go.” Captain America said. They gathered around and Thor took them to the shining realm of Asgard!
            Spider appeared in a massive arena standing on a platform with Thor. In the stands was the largest gathering of heroes he had seen since the Beyonder had gathered his forces for his Secret War. Before he had a chance to do more than take in their surroundings, Odin appeared on the platform with them.
            “Greeting Heroes of Midgard!” said the All Father in a resounding voice that was clearly heard by all. “Thou hast been asked here to participate in the third trial of the man now known simply as Spider but who you knew and fought beside as Spiderman.” Spider looked up at the All Father in surprise at this pronouncement, but took it in stride. Others in the audience did not however. Jennifer Walter’s in particular was very vocal in her displeasure. “Peace Heroes!” Odin called. “Spider has indeed already been judged twice. Once by Thor in the matter of the Thunderstrike mace. And once by the government of his land for the acts he committed. Now his final trial will be a trial of you his peers. I have a heavy decision to make and I will need your judgment of him before I can make it. But know ye that I will not compel you in this task. If there are any here who refuse to learn the full truth of his story and offer their honest opinion on it speak now and you shall be returned to Midgard forthwith.” There were still mumblings of discontent but no one spoke up except Spider.
            “No Odin. Please don’t inflict that on them.” he said emotions thick in his voice.
            “This is their choice to make this time. Both you and I need to know what can be found out here today.” Odin raised his hands and light emerged from them and flowed out to each of the assembled heroes. “Behold the life of this man! From his earliest days to the time of his last journey here to Asgard. Live it as he hast and then waken!” and all the heroes seemed to sink into an entranced slumber as they experienced the life of Peter Parker. They lived his life as if they were a visitor hiding in the back of his mind privy to all his thoughts, emotions, and feelings. They experienced everything from; the death of his parents, to the gaining of his powers and the loss of his Uncle Ben, his dedication to responsibility he took from that event, and how he had used his power ever since. When they awoke no one looked at the man standing in between the two Gods with anything but respect and admiration. His dedication to doing the right thing and his sheer refusal to give up even when everything seemed lost, and by doing so save the day, earned the respect of all present. “Now thou shall see that which will trouble thy souls greatly. In order to truly judge this man thou must also live through what was done to his loved ones. This is your last chance to avoid this, for it will be torturous beyond reason. It may break some of you.” there were many looks of nervous fear and gasps as shaky resolve was gathered but not a single hero asked to leave. “Verily well.” Odin said as he again stretched his hands forth. This time though it was sheer darkness that emerged and embraced the heroes. Just as they had lived his life with Spider they now lived the deaths of Mary Jane and May from the moment they saw the news reports on Peter’s alter ego to their last moments of life. Reactions were varied this time. Some went into a rage and had to be restrained physically. Some broke into helpless weeping and others were simply numbed and stared at nothing with horrified expressions. The light emerged from Odin’s hands again and soothed the tortured minds of the heroes until they all regained rational thought again. Regardless of their initial reaction there wasn’t a single dry eye among them as they now looked at the man who stood on the platform. Much as he wanted to Spider would not look away from their eyes. He was responsible for their having lived his nightmare and he would not look away. “And now you know the past. Thou will now experience the life of this man from the time he last left Asgard to the present. Afterward shall yee be asked for thy judgment.” Again the light flooded out from Odin. Again the heroes lived the life of Peter Parker, and through his tragedy, his transformation into the being known only as Spider. They lived with him as he accepted his work and finished it by fully accepting his role in it and submitting to the decisions of authority. They lived through it all and awoke again. “Now then you all know the truth of this matter as no other possibly could. Now is the time for thine judgment of this man. I ask all of you to stand that are able.” All the heroes stood their focus on the man on the platform. Spider lowered his eyes unwilling to influence their decision by even a look and awaited this, the verdict of his peers. “This is not a trial of his actions, those are already known. Neither is this a trail of the right or wrong of those actions. This is a trial of the man himself and how you the assembled heros of his realm view him. All ye who would stand by this man leave your seats and enter the arena to do so. Those who would not, retake your seats and stay where you are. Make your choice now.” Spider could hear movement but was unable to tell over the noise of a sudden gust of wind blowing through the arena how many where moving and how many sitting. When the wind died down there was no noise to be heard. Spider kept his eyes on his feet not wanting to see the people he admired and respected seated in the stands. He felt the gentle hands of Odin and Thor placed on his shoulders and Odin spoke to him. “Thy life hast been one of courage and bravery. Do thou have enough left to look up and see their verdict?” Odin asked and Spider sighed.
            “No I don’t. But after what they have gone through because of me I have to.” and he looked up to the stands and found them completely empty! His eyes lowered and took in the heroes standing around the platform. The bonds of ice that had encased his heart for so long now cracked but even this show of respect and support couldn’t break them. “Thank You. Thank you all.” he told them. Then he turned to Odin. “Have you found out what you needed to know?”
            “Aye I have. I have made my decision and will ask of ye two more sacrifices.”
            “More? What more could I give other than my life?”
            “Nay I dost not want thy life. I ask of thee two things. The spore from thine symbiote that it gave thee before the two of you merged into one being and the lock of hair from thine wife, that had been pulled from her scalp by her tormentors, which thy keep next to thine heart always.” Spider trembled at these requests and his voice shook as he asked.
            “Those are all I have left of who I was. Are they truly required?” he asked with his hand over his heart.
            “Aye” Odin said gently. “They will, if thou freely choose to give them up, make the difference between life and death for an innocent and through that innocent countless others.” Spider pulled the two items from his pockets and looked at them.
            “Power and Responsibility” he said to himself more than anyone else. “They never grow any lighter do they?”
            “Nay they do not.” Thor answered him. Spider felt the bands of ice grow ever thicker about his heart as he gently kissed the lock of Mary Jane’s hair and then turned to Odin and thrust them out to him.
            “Take them.” Spider would have turned away but he couldn’t take his eyes off the blood crusted lock of his wife’s hair. Odin carefully wrapped the lock of hair around the symbiote spore and then let his power flow into them. The lock of hair sank into the symbiote spore and it began to glow with its own light. It rose from Odin’s hand and floated in midair as it slowly grew and lengthened and gradually took on a humanoid appearance. When the glow finally dimmed the sight before him hit Spider like a blow from the Hulk! There standing before him appeared to be Mary Jane! He took a single step toward her feeling the ice around his heart creak but then stopped as he realized the body before him was motionless and unbreathing. “It’s not alive. Less alive than even a statue.” he said in a voice that was colder than it had ever been.
            “Aye it isn’t.” Odin replied. “If I were to breathe life into it now it would be no more than a blank slate.” Turning his head Odin called out in a mighty voice. “Brunnhilde! Bring her to me!” In the distance a winged steed carrying a rider rose into the air. Swiftly it winged its way toward them. With a fierce beating of its wings horse and rider alit in a spot cleared for them by the crowd of heroes. The rider now revealed as one of the Valkyries leapt to the platform and stood before Odin with a glowing sphere in her hands.
            “Is that…” Spider started to ask but couldn’t finish his eyes riveted on the sphere.
            “Aye.” was all Odin said.
            “How?” Spider asked.
            “Brunnhilde is the reason. The Valkyries are drawn to battle that they may bring the souls of the slain they deem worthy here to the halls of Valhalla. There the souls await the coming of Ragnarok when they will fight for Asgard itself in the final battle. Your wife waged a mighty battle! Oh not of the flesh, no. She had no hope there, but a battle of the Spirit! Every act her killers took against her was designed to make her hate you as the ultimate cause of her suffering. In this they failed! They could break and kill her body but her love for you was stronger than their evil. It was this battle that Brunnhilde sensed and when your wife breathed her last Brunnhilde gathered her spirit in gentle hands and brought it to me, knowing I would find it worthy of a spot in Valhalla. Indeed with such a soul in my armies of Asgard on that final day, the unknown fates might very well be changed and the Fabled Realm of Asgard might overcome its perils and live on. But, it has been shown to me today that there is a better place for this soul. Instead of keeping it here in Valhalla I place it in this empty shell like so.” Odin took the sphere from the Valkyrie and gently placed it against the breast of the motionless figure and with a gentle wash of light from him it slowly entered the body. A subtle change came over the body. Now instead of looking like a lifeless statue it appeared to be a living body frozen in between one breath and the next. “All that remains is the breath of life, and that I now offer.” Odin leaned down and gently breathed into the body. Its chest expanded with it and held there for an eternal moment.
            “Breathe Mary Jane.” Spider said, his own body straining to help her, unaware he had spoken aloud. Then the body exhaled the breath sharply and started a slow regular breathing pattern. Spider fell to his knees in front of her, the bands of ice around his heart creaking and moaning under the emotional stress. When her eyes flashed open and he was pierced with those brilliant green eyes he saw intelligence there and hope flared! “Mary Jane?” he dared ask. A dazzling smile broke out on her face when she answered him.
            “Face it Tiger, You just hit the Jackpot!” Mary Jane told him and the bands of ice around his heart shattered and fell away. Tears filled his eyes and he couldn’t move to go to her, but he didn’t need to as she came to him and they were in each others arms and nothing else mattered.
            When their embrace ended it was Peter Parker who stood and helped his wife to her feet. Holding her close to him he turned to Odin.
            “I can’t repay you… I can’t possibly do anything for you to equal what you’ve given me.”
            “Peter Parker thou hast already earned this miracle.”
            “But how?”
            “I asked thee for everything thou had left that held any meaning to thee. I asked for more than even a God has a right to. I asked for what thy could not possibly be expected to give away, in the cause of an innocent I would not name. Thou made that sacrifice openly and willingly to help another. The innocent standing there in your arms is who thine sacrifice saved.”
            “I knew you would save me somehow.” Mary Jane said softly in his ear. “Thank you Peter for saving me.” Peter broke down and wept in her arms as the hideous ball of guilt at not being there to save her broke and drained away with her words. Mary Jane simply held her husband and marveled that anyone who could earn the respect and admiration of the Gods themselves could love her so completely.

            The occasion sparked one hell of a party. All the heroes had moved to the palace and begun to mingle as the mead flowed freely. Peter and Mary Jane moved through the milling earth heroes and thanked them for their support of Peter. They discovered that the assembled heroes only had the vaguest recollection of the memories they had been given, but they firmly recalled their decisions to support Peter as a result of the knowledge they had briefly held. And they were overjoyed that they had been instrumental in even a small way in Mary Jane’s return from the dead. Eventually Peter and Mary Jane found themselves in front of Odin once again. Thor and the Lady Sif stood at his side. Peter faced Thor.
            “When you came to the mansion I spoke harshly. I’m sorry for that.”
            “Nay. Apologize not for that my friend for I paid no heed to thy words in the least for I understood their cause.”
            “Odin when you said my sacrifice would mean the life and death of an innocent and through that person countless others, who were the others you spoke of?”
            “Why I spoke of the innocents that she will save of course!” Odin said.
            “I will save?” Mary Jane said stunned.
            “Indeed. The symbiote spore I merged with thy DNA to make your new body was a true child of the symbiote Peter merged with. Thou are now a human/symbiote merger now just like thine husband.”
            “You mean I …” Mary Jane broke off and focused on something strange that she hadn’t had time to think about yet. In seconds the clothing she was wearing shifted until she was in a black body suit with gold eyes and spider emblems front and back. Her mask left her nose and mouth free and allowed her red hair to flow free. “Wow! Am I able to do all the other things he can as well?” she asked.
            “Almost.” Odin answered her, pleased with her enthusiasm. “Thou didst not have the base strength coming into the merger that thine husband did so thy strength is only about two thirds what his currently is. All other abilities should have been granted you through the symbiotes. In addition I believe you will both be able to sense each other from great distances through the symbiotes that are part of you now.”
            “It’s true I can feel Peter. And I can tell he isn’t pleased with the thought of me putting myself in harm’s way. Well now you know how I felt all this time Tiger. He is however very pleased that I have the outer strength to defend myself now.” She looked at Peter. “I know you are going to be uneasy with me joining you but I have to be just as responsible with the power I now have as you have always been with yours.” Peter’s love for her shown in his eyes and flowed into her through their new sense of each other.
            “I never thought I could love you more, but now I do. Yes I am scared of losing you again. I will never stop living with that fear. But I can’t tell you not to help others. I do insist that you get some serious combat training before you hit the streets though.”
            “I will teach her if it would please thee.” Lady Sif spoke up.
            “There are none who could train her better and few that would even do as well.” said Thor.
            “That would be great but how would she get back and forth from earth to Asgard for lessons.”
            “That shall not be a problem.” Thor answered. “I have asked the Lady Sif if she will accompany me and join in my adventures on Midgard. She has agreed and will join the Avengers rooster.” As Thor finished this statement Steve Rogers stepped closer.
            “And we are proud to have her on the team.” Steve said with a bow to the Lady Sif and Odin. “Speaking of team membership Peter I’m hoping you will join us and become a full time member as well. You too Mary Jane as soon as you finish your training of course.” Husband and wife looked at each other and communed through their new link.   Suddenly Peter’s clothes melted into his Spider suit and the white of his eyes and spider emblems changed to a gleaming metallic silver to both match and stand apart from the metallic gold of Mary Jane’s.
            “That sounds perfect to us Steve.” Spiderman said. “Think you can find a room for us in the mansion?”
            “I’m sure we can find a corner you can camp out in.” Steve said with a smile. And with smiles of their own Spiderman and his wife Arachnae rejoined the party.

DAILY BUGLE HEADLINE
SPIDERMAN AND ARACHNAE TEAM UP TO FOIL BANK ROBBERY
Spiderman and his new partner Arachnae save hostages from lethal trap and capture Vertigo.
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When a Spider comes calling