Adult-FanFiction.org : Marvel 'Verse

Spectacular Spider-man Seasons 3, 4 and 5	By : redsliver Category: Marvel Verse Cartoons > Spectacular Spiderman, The Views: 23572 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, The Spectacular Spider-man or any of the characters within. This is written not for profit and purely for entertainment. May contain traces of wheat germ.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Debt Collection
Ravencroft tried to be warm and relaxing. The walls were painted in pale yellows and bright blues. The lights were bright and the staff in their clean white coats tried to be as friendly as they could. Ravencroft failed. It still smelled like a hospital. The steel bars on the windows and the heavy locks on the doors intimidated. Dr. Ashley Kafka's heels clicked as she walked alongside Dr. Miles Warren and Mr. J Jonah Jameson. Kafka's purpose here was as a healer. She was a psychiatrist and neurologist. Her compatriots were here for other purposes.
Dr. Miles Warren was among the best geneticists in the world. His papers that she had read were quite groundbreaking, astonishing and frightening. Dr Kafka noticed a clear clinical detachment in the man. She understood him professionally but was quite opposed to him personally. She inferred that he was unhindered by ethical concerns. She suspected his brilliance could be downright nefarious. She would have preferred to work with Dr. Connors. Regrettably, Kurt had left with his wife and son to Florida. Ashley was stuck with Miles. She despaired her patients could be in more caring hands, however she admitted they could not be in more capable ones.
Jonah visited his son John at least three times a week. His gruff demeanor, short temper and caustic vocabulary were forgiven in light of the care he showed for his son. She had suffered his spitting vitriol several times. Healing takes time and even then, the chemical damage to John's brain was likely permanent. Despite the newspaperman's periodic conniptions, Dr Kafka wished most of her patients had someone who cared half as much as Jonah did. John was calm today thanks to light sedation.
“He's doing better, but not well,” Dr Kafka explained. “He continues to work himself into a frenzy whenever he's lucid. I've prescribed sedatives twice daily. I had hoped to cut back to once daily, but...”
“Yes, thank you doctor,” Jonah grumbled off waving away the psychiatrist. He glared at his son. John sat in a patient's gown playing checkers with a giggling gaunt redheaded man.
“You said you have an answer to Spider-man?” Jameson turned towards Dr Warren after Dr Kafka set off to perform her rounds.
“Indeed, Mr Jameson,” Dr Warren opened a steel bound folder that contained highly sensitive and dangerous information. Jameson took it out of Warren's hands and chewed on his cigar. The orderlies always confiscated his matches whenever he visited.
“How am I supposed to figure out what this data means!” Jonah startled several patients when his voice carried through the sound suppressing windows.
“It means, sir, that I believe I can reproduce the Spider-man.” Warren said calmly.
“And? You want to add to the plague of masked madmen wreaking havoc?” Jonah snarled.
“No, I believe I can create a proper foil to the Spider-man. One who can unmask him and bring him to justice.”
“Yeah? So why don't you?”
“Such a process would take considerable resources,” Warren said smartly, “A positive media response, and a subject willing to undergo the operation.”
“Money, you people always want money!” Huffed Jonah. “It'd be easier just to put up the money as a bounty on the insufferable webhead's head.”
“There are several benefits for your own position, Mr Jameson,” Warren continued, “First you'd have on the ground coverage for your newspaper, secondly you'd be known as the man who stopped the Spider and finally, this operation may provide more insight in how to restore your son.”
“I don't take kindly to those who would use my family against me.” Jonah warned. “Or worse, a snake oil salesman who thinks he wave some miracle cure as some means open my checkbook.”
“Of course not. And I cannot promise you a cure. I just believe that this will give me some insight into the cause of the damage in your son's brain. Science is not an instantaneous process.”
“Excuses, excuses.” Jonah grumbled, “You're going to help my son. We're going to put a swift end to the webhead and I'm going to celebrate.” He smiled darkly around his cigar stub. Miles Warren and J. Jonah Jameson shook hands.

Spider-man yawned. Tears of drowsiness were forming under the eyepieces of his mask as he made his Monday morning swing to M³. Spring Break had been the most confusing time of Peter Parker's life. He had broken curfew all week trying to chase down a stray Cat. It was a tiring and fruitless effort. Making sure he was there to say good night to Aunt May and then swinging out the window for some late night street sweeping. When he caught a criminal he couldn't even post the pictures, as he was supposed to be in bed.
Pictures. He had a set of alluring Mary Jane Watson poses and a set of heart-stopping Black Cat candids. Redundant passwords protected both, though MJ knew of both. He hadn't seen her all weekend either. He dropped down into the Midtown parking lot and discreetly changed out of sight. Sighing, he walked to school.
“As I live and breathe! Peter Parker before the morning bell!” Harry Osborn greeted his best friend on the front steps near the iced over fountain. Harry was looking tan. His green eyes and bright smile returned to him. His winter coat hung open, a cup of coffee warmed his hands.
“Hey Har,” Peter smiled back. He settled himself on the steps next to Harry. His old friend was being personable and looking well. He was also talking to Peter. Could life be taking a turn for the better? With the Parker luck? Pshaw! “How was the trip?”
“It was good.” He slurped on his coffee, “Gwen and I couldn't get into any of the wild beach parties but I really doubt they were her scene. Saw the sights, had some great food, hit a few beaches and bombed around at Disney World for a day.”
“Sounds like a blast,” Peter couldn't imagine a better week. It had everything to do with girl.
“It was. Plus mom really needed it.” Harry nodded. “How about you? Anything exciting?”
“Not much,” Peter immediately thought of Cat and tried to underplay things. “A lot of Bugle and ESU lab work.”
“Bo-ring,” Harry sympathized. After one last loud drink, he threw his coffee towards a nearby garbage can. It rebounded off the lip and onto the walk. Back to good ol' Harry athleticism. At least his buddy was still off the Green.
“Your trip?” MJ appeared almost out of thin air. Peter flinched but smiled at the redhead. If only his Spider-sense was good for warning him about women.
“No, Gwen and I had a great time,” Harry stood up. “Peter was just telling me about his break.”
“Well I don't know how he got boring out of it.” MJ apparently had a look as well. It was nothing so cutting as classic Gwen. Peter squirmed nonetheless.
“Oh, you guys didn't hook up, did you?” Harry misread the signs. He seemed genuinely happy. Like the face he had been wearing was carefully constructed and this beaming smile cut through the crap.
“No, not quite,” MJ said with a small laugh, “We did have quite the memorable night though.” Peter was about to comment when she kissed him warmly on his cheek. His speechlessness and goofy grin locked on her backside as she swayed inside.
“You'll have to explain what she's talking about later.” Harry slung his bookbag over his shoulder. “C'mon Pete, I'll show you what class looks like when you arrive on time.”
Peter! Liz Allan had watched the warm exchange with a twisted grimace. Last night had been the first night where she had made it through without crying. You play around with my brother and now you took my boyfriend! And I was worried about Gwen! Don't let me catch you alone you redheaded, boyfriend-stealing, two-faced--
“Liz!” Sally's voice cut through the not quite feeling like spring morning as she pulled her best friend into a hug from behind. She had been trying to force feed Liz a replacement boyfriend since her breakup and Liz just wasn't ready. “You'll never guess who's single!”
Rand Robertson followed his meddling girlfriend and the dejected Liz. He wisely kept his mouth shut.
“Mr Jameson,” Betty Brant pulled her light jacket closed over her breasts, “Mr Gargan to see you.”
“Thanks doll,” Gargan oozed with a wink. Betty watched him go into Jameson's office as Robbie came out. Robbie made certain to close the door behind Gargan.
“What's that grease stain doing back here?” Betty scowled at the man's back.
“He's been begging and pleading to finish that assignment Jameson gave him.” Robbie shook his head, “He's no use to anyone if you ask me, but Jameson has some scheme up his sleeve and Gargan's just lowered his rates.”
“He's a disgusting little insect,” Betty tried to be a nice person. Looked for the best in people. Didn't judge people by their looks. She believed that everyone had something worthwhile inside them somewhere. Mac Gargan was her crisis of faith.
“I couldn't agree more.” Robbie and Jonah often had their differences. When it came to the paper, Jonah listened. When it came to Spider-man, Jonah did not listen.
“Robbie!” Jonah came out of his office with Gargan in tow, “I want to see some hustle out here. Mr Gargan and I are off on a side project. I expect the best!” The directions came without a hump as Jameson led Gargan out to the elevator.
“I'd never give you anything less,” Robbie declared.
“I know, so get to it.” Jameson's smile was disconcerting as he disappeared behind the elevator doors.
“Betty,” Robbie turned to the secretary, “You may want to send Peter a text. You're friends, right?”
Betty's cheeks flushed as she had already pressed send. Robbie gave her a squeeze on the shoulder before he turned to the city desk and took the never-ending battle to Foswell.

“That's just great.” Peter slumped into an empty cafeteria table and dropped his undercooked french fries and not-quite-fit-for-prison-inmates burger down in front of him. “A warning about a crazed psycho. At least this time it's my boss. Is it too much to hope for a friendly message or a sext or something?” Peter's grin turned up imagining such a message from Betty. Gwen and Harry set their food down across from him.
“What's wrong Peter?” Gwen asked, her vacation induced tan was not nearly as dark as Harry's. She brushed her hair behind her ear and flashed a worried but orthodontically perfect smile.
“Nothing, just a message from work.” Peter growled.
“Pictures you need to take?” Harry asked. There was something damning in his question.
“No, Jameson hired some goon to follow me to find Spider-man,” Peter explained, “I was kind of thinking that was over and done with.”
“Oh,” Gwen mumbled, “I can talk to dad about it if--”
“No, don't,” Peter shook his head. “I can't really afford to lose the job.”
“That's no reason to accept harassment!” Gwen reproached Peter, “Besides there are other papers and—”
“And if its money problems, I can always help out.” Harry rolled over his girlfriend. Peter watched Gwen quiet up and felt a little angry. “Better than having my friend follow after Spider-murderer.”
“Harry,” Peter started feeling immediately uncomfortable. He really couldn't accept money from Harry and continue as Spider-man. He didn't want to nor did he think he should give up the Spider. Gwen would have been dead or worse without Spider-man. Spider-man wasn't going away any time soon. He covered his sympathy with drive. “I got to do what I need to do. If that means snapping pictures of people you don't like so be it.”
“Fine, but don't get yourself killed in this foolishness.” Harry's worry was dripping in anger. Gwen interjected a new subject.
“Mary Jane says you helped her get the modeling gig?” Gwen looked brightly, “I'm still blown away by that.”
“Yeah, it was crazy all right,” Peter admitted. His mind turned to Roderick Kingsley. The man had wanted the specs to mass produce Rhinos. The man had taken over Oscorp. The man was dangerous. He worried for MJ.
“How'd you help her?” Harry asked. His fries had gone cold but that didn't stop him from mindlessly chewing on them.
“I shot her folio,” Peter said, “They said she needed a professional photographer and I was in her price range.”
“Sounds a lot better than Spidey pics.” Condemned Harry.
Peter's mind flipped through his mental album of dirty Cat pictures. “It's close.” He admitted.
“You've got the experience with The Bugle,” Gwen said, “And the in with MJ, why not see if they'll hire you?”
“In with me where?” MJ appeared sans lunch and sat down next to Peter. She sat close enough that he could smell her shampoo and feel her thigh resting against his. He inhaled discreetly.
“At the modeling agency,” Harry responded, “Congrats by the way.”
“Thank you,” She gave a short little curtsy in her seat.
“We were suggesting to Peter that it'd be a lot more fun and safe to shoot pictures of you rather than of Spider-man.” Harry continued.
MJ's dirty smile told Peter she was recalling the Cat photos as well. “It'd be close.”
The words raised Harry's eyebrows before they furrowed.
“I'm sure it'd be a weight off of May's shoulders too.” Gwen piped in. She wanted to say how much she worried, but things with Harry were shaky, especially with him recovering from his addiction. She tried to be as discreet with her feelings as she could be. She wanted to say that chasing after supervillains and vigilantes was no way to look after a recent heart attack patient.
“I'll think about it. I am still on contract with the Bugle.” He had signed it pretty quickly because of how much he needed and wanted the money. Now he was worried at how tough it would be to weasel out of. Of course, there was also the fact that if a Bugle reporter had to disappear because of a major battle downtown he was earning his paycheck. If Octopus started on a tear through Times Square, a fashion photographer might not have the same leeway.
“Well it can't hurt to talk to them,” MJ nudged Peter, “Besides you'll like Vaughn-Pope. She's a total nerd.”
“You know I also happen to like popular people too,” He elbowed her ribs back and the pair shared a laughing smile. Gwen looked down at her shoes and held back a frown.
“Good morning, Dr Twaki[1],” Dr Miles Warren watched as four men entered his workspace. Dr Twaki had not been expected. Of course, Warren knew of the man by reputation, a brilliant biochemist, and of the three brilliant men who had put together the research initiative that is Tri-Corp. Dr Twaki greeted Dr Warren with an impersonal nod and was followed by a courier in a grey cap and green coveralls[2]. The courier pushed a hand truck carrying a Tri-Corp emblazoned trunk banded in steel.
“Are we ready Warren?” J Jonah Jameson had entered first and was already pacing around the laboratory while his disheveled companion poked at the glass of the spider display. His lab assistant, Debra Whitman, was busy with her masters classes and his high school interns were not due for hours. He could see no trouble, but he did not answer until the courier had left.
“We can begin provided Mr...”
“Gargan.” Grumbled the man looking up from the spiders.
“Mr Gargan is prepared for the procedure.” Dr Warren opened a fume hood where he had already measured and balanced the injections. He loaded the first vial into the needle gun.
“Excellent!” Jonah rubbed his hands picturing the capture of the webhead. “Not having cold feet are you Gargan?”
“You know me, boss,” He shrugged out of his duster, “Anything at anytime when the payday is right.”
“First we are going to inject you with a--” Miles began explaining the procedure in his academic tone but Gargan waved him off.
“I ain't need to know what's in it to make it all work do I?” He scowled.
“Of course not, Mr Gargan,” Dr Warren readied the needle gun on Gargan's muscled forearm. The man's heavy jacket and mild slouch really disguised the sheer power underneath his skin. An excellent specimen.
“I must admit,” Dr Twaki interrupted before Warren could depress the trigger mechanism, “I find this experiment to be highly unethical.”
“How so?” Jonah growled, “Gargan knew what he was stepping up to. Lawyers even drafted the paperwork covering your, Warren's and my collective asses. Besides it ain't like no one's been doing this crap before. Only now we know that the end result isn't going to be some crazy villain but an upstanding hardworking flesh and blood New Yorker.” Miles Warren shook his head when Jonah attempted to light his cigar. The newspaperman let out a strong growl. “You get to test your suit, Warren gets to find my boy a cure and I get to deal with Spider-mask once and for all.”
“I'd like to add--”
“No need Dr Warren,” Twaki raised his hand, “I was just making sure my misgivings had been stated and acknowledged. Proceed.”
“About damned time,” Mac Gargan muttered something about bickering housewives and eggheads. He seethed a quick inhalation as the fist needle punctured his wrist. Warren followed with two others. He pocketed the nanotech control robots. There was no reason to consider Gargan a long term investment.
Since Warren had augmented Kravinoff, he had significantly improved the process. Kravinoff underwent gene treatment for weeks before the effects were visible. Gargan only had enough time to wince at the needles, turn to Jonah and laugh about the easiest two grand he ever made. Gargan convulsed, gripping his chest and kicking his legs out. Jonah was excited and angry but not panicking. Twaki's eyes widened and he stepped towards the door. The serum was arthropod, but due to Jonah's specifications it was centered around the aspects of one of nature's deadliest. Gargan felt his muscles release and contract as he howled. The muscle he carried had been bulky and it quickly slimmed into thinner, leaner, harder versions. His full height was obvious as he flexed and struggled back onto his stool. Sitting tall he was at nearly six foot two, a whole three inches taller than his natural slouch. His eyes had taken on a greenish quality from their natural brown. His hair was pasted to his head by sweat.
“How are you feeling Mr Gargan?” Warren asked when the man's breathing steadied.
“I'd kill for a milkshake and a steak,” He grumbled, “And several dozen beers.”
“That's your body demanding more protein,” Warren explained. He left out the alcoholism, “Eat heartily for a few days.”
“Will do,” Gargan nodded with a wheeze. He steadied himself on the edge of the work bench, but his fingers sheared through the particle board and laminate. “Shit.”
“A side effect,” Nodded Warren, “Scorpions have vicious pincers and you'll notice your own grip having similar qualities.”
“Well I'll have to get hookers more often now,” Gargan announced. Jonah snarled.
“It's not over yet, Gargan!” He growled and pushed Twaki forward.
“Yes,” Dr. Twaki reset his glasses upon his nose. “You are aware that Tri-Corp's weapon development has surrounded on body armor and weaponized suits. It was our prototype that was stolen and implemented by The Shocker and our Jupiter Suit that--”
“The man's not paying me to fail another class, Doc. Just suit me up.”
“Of course,” Twaki decided he was betting on Spider-man. The suit was contained in four parts. The first three were armored clothing, a shirt with sleeves and a hood, a set of gloves and full pants with boots. The final part was a segmented tail. It connected to the pants and was wired through the shirt to the hood. Sensors at his right shoulder and the base of his spine would accept signals commanding the weapon. The tail itself was extrapolated from Otto Octavius's work. Powered by a Megalo-Pak, it should hold out for nearly four years before it needed recharging. It was made to swing like a sledgehammer and implemented with a pick for extra destructive power and it carried a reservoir of compounds that could be expelled as an acidic blast. Dr Twaki attempted to help Gargan into the armor but the private dick pushed him backwards. Twaki managed to stay upright with Jonah's help.
“I can put on my own clothes, Doc,” Snarled Gargan as he stripped down to his disgustingly spotted boxing shorts. The pants fit like a second skin, impressive because of how his muscle mass had changed through the process. The shirt was only slightly looser but when he pulled the hood up around his hair it hissed and clung tight to his body. He snagged on the gloves and tested them. They kept him from ripping things apart with his hands. The tail was a two man job. He snarled at Twaki, so Warren connected it.
“You going to be ready for Tomorrow, Gargan?” Jameson demanded.
“Be there with bells on boss,” He grinned. Warren sighed. Gargan's excitement destroyed the edge of one of his work benches with a blow from the tail. Jonah was mad-eyed and giddy. Gargan was feeling powerful for the first time in his life. Twaki was quiet and reserved. Warren was looking forward to Gwen and Peter arriving so this mess could get cleaned up.
The Vault was New York's answer to supervillains. It was centered in the deepest parts of Riker's Island penitentiary. Specially designed cells to handle any of the supercriminal element that had been popping up in the city. Rhino lay in his cell, snoring despite the aggravating electronic voice that responded to any and all stimuli with the threat of tranquilizing gas. Liz Allan was glad, she didn't like Rhino's eyes on her when she came to visit her brother. Her eyes were red, she had been crying on the cab ride over and she hadn't managed to mask the fact by touching up her makeup. One guard carried a steel chair, one of the ones wrestlers battered each other with. They arrived in front of Molten Man's cell.
“Please stand back from the door or suppressing foam will be released to detain Allan comma Mark.” The voice declared.
“I know,” grumbled Mark. He had been pacing, he had little to occupy his time in prison. He had access to books and exercise equipment, but not the general population. He always imagined that it would be better to be left alone in prison. Two guards a day and whoever delivered his food and reading materials were all the company he could guarantee. It didn't matter that someone else controlled his superpower. While he was a supervillain, he was alone. Liz's visits were the only thing keeping him sane. One month down, only one hundred and nineteen left.
The guard set up the chair in Mark's cell. Liz Allan took the guard's offered hand as she stepped up over the door seal and settled into the chair. He gave her the standard warning about leaning too far back because she'd get her pretty hair full of extinguisher foam. She smiled politely, the guard was friendly in his condescending way. The door shut behind her and the computer voice assured all parties it was closed.
“I know,” The Allan siblings mumbled together. It had become a shared joke with them and Liz really needed to smile.
“You look like you've been crying, Lizzie,” Mark reached out and brushed her cheek. “You still hung up on Peter?”
“I saw another girl kiss him today,” She said like a knife in her chest.
“He was never good enough for you anyway,” Mark reiterated, “You deserve the best.”
“I can't believe that's what he said when he broke up with me!” Liz growled. “I know it was to get with Gwen. If I'm too good for him, than what the hell did she do to be so foul!”
It wasn't enough that Gwen was smarter and more interesting than Liz. No, Gwen was beautiful. She had hid it for years under heavy sweatshirts and baggy pants. Her beautiful eyes tucked away behind thick glasses. Her gorgeous hair wasted in a utilitarian ponytail. Why couldn't the nerdy bitch have an acne problem or something? Liz slumped down.
“Don't go comparing yourself to Gwen,” Mark would hug her but there were strict no touching rules and he already pushed those to the limit by rubbing her cheek. “Besides she's still with Harry, right?”
“Yeah,” Liz mumbled, “But this was worse. Now Pete's all touchy feely with Mary Jane Watson.”
“MJ?” Mark narrowed his eyes. He was still pissed that his lawyer couldn't get her in to see him. Not that conjugal visits were a right of unmarried, underage supercriminals. “The fucking bitch. It's been four weeks! That--”
“Voices will be lowered or suppressing foam will be released to contain Allan comma Mark.” The voice rang.
“I know,” Mark and Liz seethed, but more quietly.
“Yeah, I'm pretty sure she slept with him over spring break.” Liz growled. “You can just see the difference in how Peter moves like that.”
“You never slept with him, right?” Mark asked, it was fearful and forceful.
“No,” Liz sighed. She would have, had he made their dates or tried anything. She and Flash had been hot and heavy all sophomore year. “You and MJ?”
“Yeah, pretty much every opportunity we got.” Of course he's going to brag about it. Liz was starting to hate MJ. She had never been this angry at anyone other than Mark. His gambling had destroyed his life and she saw it coming. But that was a hot worrisome rage. The kind of anger you can only have when you can't help someone from making a terrible mistake. The anger she had for Gwen and for MJ was seething with envy and hurt. The anger she held for Peter was the only way to keep herself from going back to him.
“She any good?” Liz had to ask something. Sex was an odd topic with her brother but so long as they didn't discuss her problems Mark never thought twice about it.
“Yeah! She's as hot and fiery as her hair.” Mark's reminiscence was bittersweet. The thoughts of fire brought him to his predicament. Maybe he should have busted out when the goblin lighted him up last time. Now Osborn was dead and he was stuck in a ten year sentence. He longed to hug Lizzie, but that foam was terrible and they'd spray him if he made any attempts to hold her.
“Well, I'm glad for you,” Liz said. “Has mom or dad come to visit yet?”
“No,” Mark fell back against the wall. “Haven't seen them since the trial.”
“I'll talk to mom again. She wants to come,” Liz was quiet.
“Yeah but dad says I'm not worth saving.” Mark sneered.
“Miss Allan, times up.” The guard appeared at the door and rapped it with his truncheon.
“But! There was no way that was ten minutes.” She pleaded.
“I'm sorry, miss, but time is time.” The door was opening and the guard had his right hand resting on his stungun.
“I'll see you in a few days, I promise!” Liz reached in and gave Mark a quick hug around his shoulders. The guard stated “No Touching.” but without enthusiasm. Liz said goodbye once again and Mark just nodded. Liz walked off, thinking on their little conversation. When she got into the next cab, her face was stony and her eyes were dry.

Peter Parker woke early for a Tuesday. Last night's Spider-manning had been a bust. No street crime, no supervillains, exhausted and bored he called it a night by nine. It was a hard decision, part of him wanted to stay out all night every night until he found Black Cat. After settling in back at school, talking to Harry and Gwen, being around MJ, part of him hoped he could put Cat's crazy fling behind him. Aunt May was up and about preparing in the kitchen. Dr Bromwell had said she was fit as a fiddle but Peter still fussed whenever he saw her hard at work. The thick smell of bacon and eggs told him it was about to be a delicious duty to perform. He heard the paperboy dropping the Bugle on his doorstep and opened the door in his undershirt and boxers.
“An Invitation to Spider-man. The Daily Bugle Wants You to Tell Your Side of The Story” The two line headline was less hard hitting than Threat or Menace! Peter shook his head. What kind of idiot did Jolly Jonah take Spidey for? Betty's text message yesterday and this obvious trap today. Good news all around. Peter was starting to feel like a Parker again.
“Good morning Aunt May,” Peter greeted his aunt warmly. He had the Daily Bugle under his arm. He sat down and turned to the funnies.
“Good morning Peter,” May said with an ebullient happiness, “I didn't expect you up for half an hour. Breakfast isn't quite ready yet.”
“Speaking of which, bacon isn't entirely heart-smart.” Peter turned down the corner of the Bugle and gave a correcting look to his aunt.
“I know Peter,” May laughed, “The bacon is for you. I made myself a healthy breakfast, although it wouldn't hurt you to try eating a little more healthfully.”
“I'll have an apple with the eggs, bacon, cheese and biscuits.” He promised.
“Oh, Peter,” She shook her head smiling.
Liz arrived at Midtown with Rand and Sally, Flash and Sha Shan, and Kenny and Glory. She watched with envy as the three couples laughed and talked and touched. She cut away from her group as soon as they passed the courtyard. She watched them walk off ungratefully as she settled down onto the fountain's lip. The cold stone bit through her green and black skirt. Her leggings were drawing the eyes of many the school's young men but she didn't see one. Mary Jane Watson had arrived.
“MJ!” She waved the redhead over to her. Green eyes looked with surprise and interest at Liz. Shrugging the redhead walked over and sat down next to her most recent boyfriend's sister.
“Hi Liz,” MJ greeted guardedly, “How's Mark?”
“He's... Lonely,” Liz sighed, before passive aggressively adding, “He could use some more visitors.”
“I wish I could go,” MJ put her hand on Liz's knee and looked sympathetically into her eyes, “But they won't let me see him.”
“I know,” Liz admitted. “That's not what I wanted to talk about.”
“Oh?” Mary Jane was surprised. She and Liz had never been very close. Liz accused MJ of wedging Peter and Liz apart to make room for Gwen. The redhead also got much closer to Mark than Liz had wanted or trusted.
“What the fuck did you do?” Liz asked in a quiet rage.
“I don't know what you're talking about,” MJ pulled her hand back and looked at Liz with irritation. MJ didn't take well to foul language, it reminded her of her father during the bad times.
“Peter says I'm too good for him,” Having someone she could blame managed to hold back Liz's tears, “Now, anyone can see the difference in the way he's walking. You're kissing him on the steps, sharing some secret rendezvous over spring break. So tell me, if I'm too good for him, what horrible things have you done to be bad enough to deserve Petey.”
The fire and succinctness in Liz's words really got at MJ who fell back on the defensive. “I kissed him on the cheek! He helped me out with a job! What do you mean the difference in the way he's walking?”
“What did you do?”
“I'm not and I haven't been with Peter.” MJ said after one calming breath. The breath didn't work as well as she hoped.
“Fine, I'll find out the truth somehow.” Liz grabbed her bag and stormed into the school. MJ was left on the fountain looking confused and worried. Liz's warpath marched her right passed Rand and Sally who had noticed her fall back and were waiting for her to walk to chemistry. Liz didn't even seen them.
“You going to go after her?” Rand asked. The concern apparent on his girlfriend's face.
“No,” Sally said, “Well yes, we're going to the same class, but no she needs time alone. I've been trying for weeks and I can't get through. Sometimes I wish he had blown up with that van.”
“What van?” Rand asked.
“Nothing,” Sally sighed. She really didn't want to see Peter hurt. She just didn't want to see Liz hurting. “You want to skip first class. The gym's empty.”
“Yeah?” Rand raised his eyebrow. Rand was a model student, decent grades, football star, best looking girl in the school, near perfect attendance. He had a strict father to make proud and he did make his father proud. Of course, when a gorgeous blonde leads him by the hand to the relative privacy of an empty locker room, Rand realized he could make a few concessions.
Sally grinned foolishly as she rushed ahead of Rand. The pair made straight for the gymnasium and more importantly the change rooms. Sally was getting more and more flared up with every step she took.
“Good morning, Miss Avril,” She nearly jumped out of her skin as Captain Stacy greeted her.
“Good morning, Mr Stacy, sir,” She put on her most innocent smile and looked up at the police captain with her bright blue eyes.
“Off to class?” He insinuated.
“Yes sir,” She agreed. Her nasal voice as lilting as she could manage. She wished her shirt could have had another button to open, she found it easier to lie to grown men with her cleavage showing.
“Me too,” He looked at his watch. “I'll see you next period.”
“Looking forward to it.” Her smile almost cracked as Captain Stacy headed off. Rand was just appearing around the corner. His unhurried pace excited Sally. Rand never got whipped into a frenzy, even when she was horny.
With no further interruptions, Sally rushed into the women's locker room. Rand was still a minute behind her, coming soft and strongly like some sexual terminator. Sally bounced on her heels as she tore off her close and shoved them in one of the cubby holes next to the shower. They had been doing this for a while now, had learned that the girl's locker was the safer place. The showers were stalls, though they had no curtains, whereas the boy's room was one open pit. Also Mr. Warren, the biology teacher, sometimes took a shower after performing demonstrations or experiments in his classes. Not that Sally expected to be in the room by next period's bell.
She had just laid her bra over her properly folded pants when Rand walked in through the door. Sally grinned. She hurried out of her pale blue bikini cut panties, naked but for her socks. Sex was already spotting her underwear. Rand was a god. Her own tall, muscled, dark, handsome, unstoppable, ferocious God. He picked her up with one hand; her “Oh!” echoed around the brick walls. He ripped off each of her little bluebird socks and tossed them into her cubby locker. Giggling, she kicked her feet clear with each sock's removal. She bit her lips to conceal her delighted cry as he pushed straight down onto the benches before the lockers. Her but reverberated with the impact and it hurt. Sally winced as Rand pulled out his cock in front of her.
“Oh God,” She paled a little. She wasn't the most enthusiastic blowjobber. Rand's cock was a beast and Sally had trouble getting her mouth around it. She started by licking the outside, Knowing rand was stripping off his top as she trailed her tongue from top to bottom. He stepped up his right foot onto the bench between her splayed thighs. Sally was beginning to lave her tongue around his engorged head. He grabbed her hair and she did her best to open as wide as she could. Coughing and sputtering, her throat resisted invasion. Rand thrust into her mouth as his free hand tore open his laces.
“Rand Robertson!” Admonished Sally, red-faced and teary-eyed.
“Sally Avril,” Rand just smiled and rolled the words out in his aggression. The sex, that's why he put up with her. She'd have a few things to say when this was over. If he had done his job right, she'd slur the words for how dizzy she was.
She released a quaking shriek as he kicked off his shoe and stood on the bench again ready to untie his next set of laces. Sally lips vibrated chaotically around his cock as she was pulled in with one hand again. Panic, spittle and pleasure spattered from her pale lips down his dark cock. His next laces were undone.
Kicking off the sneaker, Rand let Sally up. She suppressed her gag, but her mascara was running down her cheeks. Her angry pout was looking particularly pissed off. Rand just wiped the sides of her spittle covered mouth with his thumb. She pulled off his pants and boxers. Stepping on the backs of each sock he was as naked as she was.
“Rand!” She gasped as he lifted her once again and carried her into the showers like a pirate. The water was running, scalding hot and Sally shrieked as Rand tossed her under. She ducked and twisted the knobs until she was comfortable. As soon as it was tolerable she was pressed up against the tiled wall and skewered.
Sally knew what she liked. She loved a slow, sweet and passionate lovemaking that took its time and left her breathless. She liked how he'd hold her and cover her until she was hungry and ready to encourage him onto his back with a soft insistent push on his shoulder. She loved the sweet feeling of being full and the needful feeling of coming together in orgasm.
Sally's right calf was captured in Rand's big hand and she was split, spread eagle, balancing on her big tiptoe while her hands gripped the handicap accessible bar. She chewed the inside of her cheek as she felt all of Rand's two and thirty six pounds of muscle crash into her silken soaken sex. Her cheek was pressed hard into the tiles and her knuckles were turning white on the bar. Her tits splashed the shower water with every violent collision.
“You like that!” Rand told her as he pounded away, “You like it hard!”
“I love it!” She admitted as her hair grew wet and curtained her face. “Give it to me!”
“Yeah!” Rand growled, he had her split wide open. He had her held aloft. Yet, he still had to bank his knees and stand wide as a sumo wrestler to dip down deep enough to fuck her. His whole back was slick and glistening from the shower. His throat was taut and his jugular's bulged. He could feel every perfect inch of her insides. They said it was what was inside that counted. In that case, Sally was the most perfect girl in the school.
The little blonde was losing control of her voice as she opened her mouth the gasp and mewl. There was pain, fierce insistent pain that excited her. She had no control, she was stuck until Rand was done with her and she begged that he'd never be. Her blue eyes rolled back into her head and her back curled as she was forced against the shower stall. Her cunt was clinging hard to his cock and she never wanted to let go.
Rand was a very proportional man and he was slamming deep inside a very petite cheerleader. She was starting to squeak and soon she'd let loose her screams. Her nasal spike of voice would sputter out the filthiest little swear words as her body was wracked with pleasure. She kept spitting out the hair that ran down over her lips. Rand knew it was time to get serious.
“What! God!” Sally was pulled back from the wall. She wanted to sling her legs around Rand's waist and he let her, his dark smile hiding his intentions. She snuggled down on his cock until it was completely sheathed inside her and pressing against her cervix. The sensation of fulfillment was as intense as the heat steaming in the shower. She mouthed her love for Rand and he kissed her lips, her water soaked hair stuck between their lips and kept his tongue from diving into her little mouth.
“Rand!” She muttered, the pleasure in her body tight as a coil and the slow build she was getting out of him lifting her on his cock was such a tease after the pounding he had opened with. She knew he was just waiting for her to beg for more. He wanted to tear into her once again. She kissed him lightly once more. Her hips rolled up and down, gliding the cock in and out of her sex. She could have stayed like this for hours but they didn't have that long. She knew how he'd come when she let him off his chain once again. She wanted him to take her. Simpering, she insinuated all of her desire into one little word, “Please.”
Rand's mouth spread into a corsair's grin. She expected to have her shoulders collide with the shower stall while he devastated what was left of her body. She didn't expect him to bend forward, encouraging her to roll back so her hands were in the palms down in the swirl of the shower drain. He didn't do this very often. She knew she was going to hurt. She knew she was going to scream. She knew she was going to love it.
“Sally!” Rand groaned as he stepped over her split legs. He hand both hands gripping her left thigh while her right foot balanced on the handicap accessible bar. He was bent over, aiming down into the sex he had never left. Hard he pounded into her, she slipped down further, controlling her descent until her neck was crooked and she was balanced across the span of her shoulders. She snorted as the water ran into her mouth and nose. She kept spitting while she screamed. He thrust hard into her and the pair of them called up a fierce racket.
Sally was the first to come, already so wound up, already in such need that her toes curled and her knees kicked. She screamed as she kicked the stall wall and her sex gripped down on his long invader.
Rand was the conqueror. He had tamed the spiteful cheerleader with the power of his cock. He reached down, grabbed her by the hair, letting her slip of his cock into a splayed pile on the floor of the shower. His cock smelled of her dripping sex and it tasted salty. Sally rose quickly to keep the hair in her scalp and hungrily consumed Rand's still throbbing cock. She squeezed her cheeks around him and purred as he so readily spilled his affection across her delicate tongue. She grabbed him with both hands and pumped every last drop into her mouth. She smiled as she swallowed her reward. She climbed to her feet and he pulled her into a tight embrace. His finger ran down her cheek, a gesture she felt was full of affection, but he was just tracing the red line the drain had left imprinted there. He smiled. So did she.
“Think we have time for one more before we get cleaned up?” Sally begged, her fingers wander all over the best part of her man.
“Yeah,” Rand said resurrecting, “I hope you can manage.”

The Daily Bugle was bubbling with activity. Jonah's bright and cheery mood was disrupting his workforce, however that meant everyone revved up their workload to eleven so they wouldn't be the poor sap who was under Jameson during the inevitable collapse. Betty avoided her desk, being directly underfoot wasn't the smartest strategy. She filed, photocopied, ordered, fetched, juggled, berated, praised, and operated all over the office. She slipped a hand across the back of Ned's neck and gave him a smile as he followed up some lead on his phone. He almost gave her a full smile before being drawn back into the conversation.
“Escaped? When? From the transport? They attacked the hospital. I'll grab a photographer and be right down.” He pulled his jacket off the back of his chair before he had hung up his phone and shoved it into his pocket. He rushed over to Jonah.
“Mr Jameson!” Ned did what no one else had the courage to do all day, talk to Jonah.
“What is it, Lee?” Jameson was downright friendly.
“Jack O'Lantern busted out of his hospital bed. I need to grab Peter and--”
“Sorry, Ned,” Jameson put up his hand, “Peter's on assignment. Grab one of the other photographers or learn to snap pics yourself.”
“Yes sir,” Ned slumped leaving. Betty gave him an uplifting smile and he returned a false one. There was news to cover.
“What assignment is Peter on?” Robbie didn't share his team's fear/worship of Jonah. Robbie knew the best way to handle Jameson was with straight honesty and, when the situation called for it, backbone and defiance.
“The assignment of his lifetime!” Jameson said gleefully, “The defeat and unmasking of Spider-man.”
“And how is that--”
The elevator opened to let Lee out and Parker in. Peter gave a hello to the Asian reporter and was summarily ignored in return. Shrugging his shoulders, he entered the Bugle. Betty gave him an apologetic smile. Peter was thinking with his little spider when he smiled back. He shook the cobwebs out. Ever since Cat last week he'd been looking at women a lot more intently than before.
“Peter my boy! Glad you could make it!” Jonah walked away from a steamed Robertson to clasp Peter around the shoulders. “It's going to be a glorious day.”
“Why?” Peter asked, “Do you expect Spider-man to come after that ad?”
“Ad my boy? That was outreach. We need to get into the head of wallcrawler. The world needs to know its heroes.” Jameson waxed, “And I need you right here to get it all on film.”
“Actually, this is a digital camera and--”
“Shut up, Parker,” Jameson said through his brightest of smiles.
“How do you know he even reads The Bugle?” Peter pushed. He wanted to stay out of his mask and away from his boss today.
“He's the one who calls you and demands you take his pictures.” Jameson poked Peter in the chest. “A glory-hog right? There's no way he'll miss this.”
Peter supposed the “Spider-man” he had constructed during Venom's declaration would indeed fall for this. Sighing, he looked at Jameson and said, “Well if he's coming he usually swings in through the window. I should get some real estate to get the best angles.”
“Good work, my boy,” Jameson pushed Peter out. The boy had odd habits but he got the best and only Spidey pics. As soon as Peter disappeared behind the closing elevator doors, Robertson round on Jameson yet again.
Betty settled into her desk and sighed. Ned and Peter all tangled up in things. That was why she cared for both of them, she liked driven men. She also worried about driven men. She hoped Peter would stay safe and she hoped Ned would open up to her again soon.
The Spectacular Spider-man leapt out the supply closet's window before launching a webline out and swinging around and up. He stuck on the window outside of Jameson's office.
“Knock! Knock!” Spidey pushed open Jameson's window.
“Spider-man!” Jonah slammed his office door behind him, shutting himself out from Robbie's glare.
“You're supposed to say 'Who's there?' Picklepuss.” Spider-man rocked lazily upside down on his webline.
“Can it web--”
“Interrupting webslinger!” Spider-man shouted webbing up Jonah's mustache. “I don't know what you want, Jolly one, and I don't care. I'm going to--”
Peter's spider-sense erupted like Vesuvius. He twisted just in time to see the green hulk leaping at him. “Whoa!” Peter kicked off the window and flipped down a story before grabbing the brick wall.
“Well, well, well Spider, looks like The Scorpion finally caught up to you.”
“You know I figured with Toomy and Gobby gone I'd get a vacation from new supervillains,” Spider-man sighed. “Now it seems like every two-bit thug gets to play dress up.”
The scorpion was protected by green plated armor. He was huge, only outclassed in size by the Rhino. The armor broadened shoulders, barreled chest and thickened legs. Gargan stood at six and a half feet and leapt near to thirty.
Size alone no longer intimidated Peter Parker. Spider-man's webline grabbed the lip of the building's roof and Spider-man tensed his web, slingshotting himself in a double kick to Scorpion's chest. Gargan didn't even move from his perch. A gauntleted hand grabbed a spider-boot. Spider-man grunted as the grip clawed his ankle, without the glove and boot it might have sheared to the bone. Slam! Spider-man coughed as he collided with the Bugle's brick wall. Slam! Spider-man crashed into the wall on Scorpion's left. Crash! Scorpion let go of Spider-man's ankle while the webcrawler burst through the window of the bugle. His momentum carried him over Jonah's ducking head and through the glass doors that separated Editor in Chief from staff. Betty yelped and kicked of her desk, rolling back on her office chair away from the shattered glass.
“Scorpion! Take it outside!” Jameson shouted as Gargan climbed into the office. The self satisfied smile on Scorpion's face flickered for a moment.
“Your paycheck,” He grumbled. Scorpion felt less convinced than usual. He was kicking Spider-man's tail. He deserved a bit more respect than the relentless chewing outs he had come to accept as his daily bread.
“As Shocker would say,” Spider-man cartwheeled back to his feet. “It's time to squash the bug!” Spider-man through all his weight into his shoulder, using all the spider-strength in his legs to kick off and all the tensile strength of his webline to add as much force as he could to his tackle. He would have squashed himself against Rhino but Scorpion wasn't quite so solidly built. Jameson shouted, diving away as yet another window burst into shards. The Scorpion tilted tail over teakettle reaching out over the intersection. Spider-man wasn't about to let another supervillain punch a crater below. Scorpion was caught and swung, Spider-man let go, catapulting the Scorpion all the way across the concrete canyon and hard into a far building. The spider chased the scorpion.
“Mr Jameson! Are you hurt!” Betty was the second at the door but the loudest as the crew of the Bugle went to tend to their boss.
“I'm fine Ms Brant.” Jonah stood up brushing the dust and glass shards from his shirt and pants. A few pricks in his palms were a small price to pay for the show he had designed. Robbie scowled, looking at the battle across the street. Betty rushed to the first aid kit and was checking on Jameson's hands, ignoring the berating she was receiving from her employer.
“Little Spider's got some moves,” Scorpion clawed his way up onto the edge of the roof. “But the Scorpion is just getting started.”
“Yeah, just keep talking while I kick your tail.” Spider-man skidded across the roof behind Gargan. His shoulder was screaming from the hit he had driven into Scorpion's solar plexus. The big green monster didn't even look winded. Spider-man blasted Gargan in the eyes with a thick clod of webbing.
“I can't see!” Gargan exposited for those who couldn't follow.
“That's cause it's nighttime, Scorpy.” Spider-man quipped as he launched himself towards Scorpion, “Time to go to slee-”
Scorpion flailed his giant tail. Spider sense didn't really do more than irritate when Peter had invested so much momentum. It was like getting hit by every baseball bat at the world series. Peter howled in pain as his abdomen erupted in pain. The spider cartwheeled across the roof and off the far end.
“Where are you, you stupid insect!” Scorpion yelled, he had cut his face as he clawed off the webbing blindfold.
“Of all the people to get that wrong!” Spider's banter suffered as he did, “Spiders and Scorpions are ARACHNIDS!”
Spider-man punctuated his yell with eight kicks to Scorpions knees, elbows, shoulders and ankles. He was looking for any chink in Scorpion's seemingly impenetrable armor. His search seemed fruitless as he dove across the gravel surface away from the bladed hook on the tail. The roof shook as the Scorpion punched through. Luckily, the apartment he burst into was empty.
“Insect, arachnid, what does it matter if in a few minutes your going to be dead meat.” Scorpion may not have had Spider-man's flexibility but he definitely had his speed. Gargan dashed at Spider-man. Peter dived over the low sweeping tail and took a fiendish close-line across his throat. Spider-man couldn't find the breath to scream. It was all the hero could do to roll out of the way of the heavy stomp aimed for his chest.
He couldn't fight! He was getting hammered! Run, regroup, bring the Scorpion somewhere he could control the scene. Find his breath again, and then end this like the hero Spider-man was supposed to be. He kept rolling until he fell off the roof and swung up. Two web clods collided with Scorpion.
“You can fight Scorpy! But can you keep up with me!” Spider-man shouted, “Let's play follow the leader!” Spider-man had to yell because he was afraid his throat would collapse if he didn't use as much force on it as he could. Thwip, swing, thwip, swing. He moved slow, just until he was certain Scorpion was following. After the first two turns it was clear Scorpion had let the Spider go. Spider-man hated a villain who didn't rise to the bait. Dejected and due for another beating, Spider-man swung back to find an empty roof.

Peter hurt all over and had a huge bruise forming on his right flank. Every swing was torment. On the upswing, pain flared up and he scrunched his face up under his mask. He swung into Queens and landed on the tree in his backyard. His whole body groaned. He was about to make the final leap onto the roof before climbing into his window when his Spidey sense managed to tingle harder than his hurts. A brief glimpse of pink and red told him MJ was in his room again. He was just about to dive out of the tree, find some shadowy corner to change before he ran home when his Aunt May early warning alarm rang in his pocket. Dammit! He swore in his head but couldn't even hear the mental profanity because of the shriek that erupted out from his bedroom window.
Leaping away, Peter disappeared into the night. He needed someplace to change. There was an empty house two blocks down, he dropped into the shaded garage and struggled into his street clothes. He stuffed his mask, gloves, boots and webshooters into his schoolbag. His mind was running a mile a minute as he tried to hide his stiff muscles and get home.
“Peter? Where are you?” Aunt May asked as he rang up the number, he had only a couple seconds to ten.
“I'm just passing the Thompson house, I'll be right home.”
“Oh good dear, I was hoping this wasn't another of your late nights. Mary Jane came over and she's waiting for y--No, she just left. Oh, well I'm sure she'll see you soon. She was all out of sorts. You didn't do anything to hurt her?”
“No, not that I--She's right here Aunt May.” MJ had stormed up to Peter and she was glaring at him with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. She snatched his phone.
“Hi, May. No I'm alright. I'm going to borrow Peter if that's OK? Just a half hour or so. You sleep well. Good night.” She hung up the phone without handing it back to Peter. He gaped at her.
“Uh,” Peter began, his facade of gifted eloquence nowhere in sight. MJ was fiddling with his Osberry. It then erupted with his curfew alarm. She held it out at him.
“Why did Spider-man's phone go off like this! Why was he outside your window!” She was angry.
“Uh, I don't--”
“Don't give me that bull!” MJ didn't curse. It made her feel like her father. She dragged Peter by the arm into her Aunt's home. Anna was just turning down for the night. A welcome home/good night muttered from the upstairs bedroom as MJ led Peter to the far upstairs room. The guest bedroom was MJ's room. It was done up, decorated and stocked with her clothes, posters, makeup and school supplies. She lived here when things were bad. She stayed her most nights lately.
“You're Spider-man.” MJ wheeled on Peter. Her voice was fierce as a scream but quiet as a hiss.
“What? No! I couldn't--” Peter stumbled and lied. MJ reached for Peter's bag and he pulled out of her reach. “Stop, MJ!”
“Do you know how scared we were last Christmas! Gwen and I had thought you were hurt or... or... or worse! And all of the other times you ran off! Oh God! Mark! You beat him up! How could you?”
“MJ, I'm not--” Peter stepped forward and put a calming hand on MJ's shoulders. She was still delirious. But her red lipstick and bright eyes and closeness was affecting Peter. She kissed him back for the first few seconds. She stumbled away from Peter when she pushed him away.
Peter's eyes widened as his Spider-sense erupted. He swayed back dodging the full handed slap. The second one came harder but Peter dodged that too. She kept coming and if he grabbed her wrist she started kicking. Sighing, Peter let go, slumped his shoulders. The crack echoed in the little bedroom. MJ gripped her throbbing red palm. She hit less hard than the Scorpion, but her sting went deeper.
“MJ, I'm not--” His spidey sense erupted again and he sighed letting her hit him once again. That's not what she was doing. She pulled his bag and ripped the top open to show off Peter's boots and webshooters. MJ stumbled back and fell onto her bed.
“You are Spider-man!” She said disbelieving. She had been so certain, but finding out she was right was terrifying. Venom was right! Oh God! Was Venom Eddie? He had showed up at the school with no reason to be their, screaming and hollering as they dragged him away to Ravencroft. Her mind reeled, thoughts ricocheting in her skull. Peter had sex with Black Cat! I stole naked pictures of Peter from his computer! Spider-man kissed me! Had she not been so overwhelmed she might have panicked worse. Her emotions wreaked havoc on her. This was Peter. Peter was easy, comfortable, friendly. Peter was Spider-man.
“Don't lie Peter,” She looked up, “Please don't lie to me. Mark lied, mom lies, dad lies. You and Anna were the people who didn't lie to me. Please don't lie to me.” She was crying Peter couldn't bare to look at her eyes. He sat down next to her on the bed. Part of him wanted to hold her, the rest knew he wasn't worthy. His heart was hammering behind his ribs. His palms were sweaty. He looked at her, so wide open, so raw. He swallowed. How did his mouth get this dry? How did Sandman ever talk?
“Last May, on a field trip, I was bit by a spider at Dr Connors' laboratory.” He recounted. Each word was like a heavy stone being lifted off of his chest. “I guess one of the spider's had gotten loose because as I was getting ready to take a picture I got bitten on the hand. The next day I no longer needed my glasses. I could lift a Volkswagen. I could stick to walls. I could jump from the lawn to the roof. I was superhuman. I putzed around for a couple of weeks. Up until a week before exams, playing with myself... I mean testing my powers and learning about them. I put together the webshooters, finally, I made the costume. I decided to cash in on my powers. There was this underground wrestling scene. They offered good money for bright characters and decent matches. I made the Spider-man for that purpose.”
“And how did you become a superhero?” MJ asked. “I mean, why not just cash in on the money? You could be anything with those powers.”
“They wouldn't make the check out to Spider-man without me signing an exclusive contract. I didn't want to. That's when the place got robbed. I let Walter go, not my problem, I said. He stole Uncle Ben's car, he was outside waiting for me to drive me home. He didn't know what I was doing there, he thought I was at the library.”
“Wait, is that how your Uncle Ben died?” MJ's green eyes went wide. Peter's face answered her question. She hugged him tightly and they fell back onto the bed. The story hurt. The truth hurt. Peter and MJ were hurting, but Peter and MJ were healing. They lay together, in each other's arms for a few minutes. He didn't try to kiss her again. He just held her. She waited for the kiss but it didn't come.
“Does Gwen know?” MJ asked eventually.
“No,” Peter said, “But I think Captain Stacy figured it out. I think he's glad Gwen's with Harry. After Electro kidnapped Gwen, he's been overprotective.
“Oh,” MJ said, they were laying side by side on her little bed. She never realized how close this forced her to be to someone until now. “So what now?”
“You can't tell anyone,” Peter said, rolling on his side to look her in the eyes, “Do you know what Doc Ock or Tombstone could do with that kind of information?”
“I won't tell anyone. I promise.” MJ put a hand over her heart. “Wow, Spider-man. This is amazing.”
“I think I prefer Spectacular.”
“How about Ultimate?”
“No, that's a bit too juvenile.”
“Says The Spectacular Spider-man.” MJ laughed contagiously. She laid her hand on Peter's side and he convulsed. “You're hurt!”
“No, it's--” Peter couldn't calm her down as she tore off his shirt. He didn't fight but didn't help her either. After finding his arms tangled in his shirts and uniform, he heard MJ gasp. Her slight fingers were so cool against the battered marks on his ribs and abdominal muscles. Her thumbnail traced along the curve of his oblique. She swallowed before she talked.
“Oh my God,” She whispered. “Oh, Peter.”
It was all Peter could do to struggle out of his shirts. He was about to speak when the doorknob turned. MJ panicked and rolled over and onto Peter's lap stuffing his shirts under her pillows as her Aunt Anna appeared in the doorway.
“You better get dressed and head home Peter,” Aunt said, “I'm going to have to have a talk to MJ about guests after her curfew. I'll be back in two minutes, you should be dressed and off for home by then. I'm sure May's going to have something to say too.”
If there wasn't a conspiratory smirk in every lilt of her voice, Peter would have been panicked rather than embarrassed. Anna Watson closed the door over but not all the way. MJ looked down at the boy pinned between her thighs. “See you at school tomorrow,” She leaned in to his ear. The whisper was so quiet he almost didn't hear. “Spider-man.”

The city was in peril. Mac Gargan, The Scorpion, was unstoppable. The police had tried gas grenades, bullets, snipers and stun guns. His armor shrugged off many of the assaults and his superhuman strength and agility avoided the rest. His sledgehammer tail tore the doors off a wall of safe deposit boxes. His bag of jewels, cash and bonds was getting heavy. Nothing like a dishonest days work. He made his way out, two security guards were smacked aside, even though they had long since surrendered their useless firearms.
“This is all your fault,” Joe 'Robbie' Robertson dropped the morning's press on J Jonah Jameson's desk. Peter's picture of the Scorpion's tail colliding with Spider-man and the by-line: Who Is The Scorpion? Belied the article praising Mac Gargan's rise to protect the city. “Your stooge has run wild, you know? Three police are in the hospital, not to mention the destruction, the fear, and the thefts.”
“Gargan will be taken down.” Jonah grabbed his publishing and balled it up in his hands. “The people and the police know who he is. He can't hide. He can't run. He'll be taken down.”
“He's out there as a menace because of you!” Robbie hollered. The Bugle was still in destructive disarray. The glass and debris had been cleaned up. Plywood replaced shattered panes. Workers were rebuilding the glass partition. “He brought your stupid fight into these offices! He could have hurt you! Me! Anyone!”
“I know!” Jameson slammed his hands down on his desk and looked his oldest friend dead in the eye. “It was worth the risk to save the city from Spider-mask! Gargan was a known quantity. A paycheck and clear directions and he went after it. No questions. No hassle. No backbone!”
“You gave a sick man all the power he needed to become a dangerous one. You've seen what this kind of thing can do to people. Your own son was--”
“Do not talk to me about John!” Fists slammed into desktop. “Get out Robbie. There's news to cover and it's your job to make sure the people know about it, not to be certain that I do. Now get to work.”
“Right away,” Robbie turned, feeling less guilt about bringing up John than anger at Jonah, “Boss.”
Peter had to endure “The Talk” from May first thing in the morning. It was less awkward than it had been with Uncle Ben. Ben's convoluted metaphors and jokes to cover his unease had become a great memory of Peter's lost uncle. May was succinct, technical and supportive. She also seemed to have as big of a crush on MJ as Peter ever did. He shook that mental image out of his mind as he swung to class.
MJ knew his secret. MJ knew he was Spider-man. MJ had tasted like peaches. MJ knew the truth of Spider-man. He made sure to arrive late, for the first time on purpose. Easier to duck questions, knowing looks and other exchanges he knew had to be coming. He was so out of sorts almost forgot to switch his Spider boots for his sneakers before heading in to class. He didn't have criminology until after lunch so his only problem all morning were the distracting butterflies. Gwen noticed and asked. He claimed to have a bit of stomach bug. Her hand gave a nervous tremble as she laid a palm across his brow and proclaimed him feverless. He smiled and tried to pay attention to Mr Warren's lecture on convergent vs divergent evolution.
Lunchtime happened. There was no avoiding it. Peter wished to be sucked away to some distant world where he could do something he was comfortable with. A war against all his worst villains perhaps. He and Harry bantered as he got a grilled cheese sandwich from the lunchlord? Lunchman? The word puzzle helped clear his head as he followed Harry to the table where Gwen was waiting. Peter sighed, relieved, to see MJ over gossiping with Glory Grant. Until the hair stuck up on the back of his neck. Gossip! What could be juicier than Peter is Spi--
“You OK Pete? You look like your a million miles away.” Harry looked over his shoulder and followed Peter's line of sight to the redhead. “MJ?” Harry smiled and punched Peter in the shoulder. “You dog.”
“Peter?” Gwen lifted and eyebrow. She was gorgeous. Peter melted a little looking at her face.
“No, just had a weird conversation with May this morning after a misunderstanding last night.”
“What kind of misunderstanding?” Harry inquired.
“Nothing important,” Peter took a deep breath. “Anyway, how are things with you two?”
Liz Allan watched from across the cafeteria. She was sitting across from Sally and Rand but neither were paying much attention to her. She had seen Peter staring at MJ. She had put two and two together. Scowling, she shoved her fork into her fruit cup. Ew. Ketchup.
Spider-man took to the air. He was unsure whether he should feel relieved or impending doom after dodging MJ at school today. He sat next to her criminology and she hadn't even tried to pass him a note. She almost seemed unfriendly. He had more important things to think about. He healed much quicker now, but he was still sore. He owed Scorpion a rematch, and judging from the way Captain Stacy had talked about New York's latest supervillain, he had given Gargan too much time to get into trouble.
Gargan had it all. Power and money. There was nothing you couldn't have with power and money. Women, fear, respect, women. He had proven to himself that the city was rife for the taking. He knew just what he was going to take next. There was this little brunette at J Jonah Jackass's office. Little woman, with the sexiest eyes he had ever seen cringe. He needed to celebrate his new found life. He figured a tight little broad like that would know how to party. Plus there was the added benefit of rubbing Jameson's face in the whole mess.
Hero and villain unknowingly converged on the offices of the Daily Bugle.
“Ned! Where the flaming hell is Ned!” Jameson tore off through his offices in search of his best young reporter.
“He's out following up on the Jack O'Lantern--”
“Jack O'Lantern!” Jameson shouted, “That's last century's story. I need him on Scorpion. We want Scorpion. The people want Scorpion!”
“All you had to do was ask.” The Scorpion entered from the elevator. He clipped his head off the top of the elevator's door. He was unused to his height, but it was a small price to pay for the power.
“Gargan!” Jameson stormed across the room towards the former private detective. “What in the blazes are you doing!”
“Ah, you know me, boss,” He oozed greasy charm. “Anything at anytime, so long as the payday is right.” Betty's lip crinkled as she eyed the man in disgust. His voice and presence as bad as the first day she ever laid eyes on him. Now she was also scared.
“Sit down, Gargan,” Jameson demanded, “I'll give you a chance to get your words on paper. Let the world know what you're going to do to save them from Spider-man.”
“I can get to Spider-man later.” Promised the Scorpion, “For now I'm come to collect.”
“I gave you your money, Gargan.” Jameson scowled, “Now sit down and--”
“Please,” Scorpion swept Jameson aside. “Man can't live on bread alone.” He turned towards Betty, “Sometimes he needs a little honey.”
The click of plastic on glass and the squirt of web against the back of camera, didn't carry into the office. Gargan stormed forward and swatted aside Betty's desk with a casual sledgehammer swing of his tail. He was grinning darkly. She shrieked, stepping back and tripping over her spinning chair. He leapt over her, muscular arm pushing down on her slender shoulder. The red and blue blur was only a fraction of a second longer. The Scorpion suffered the kick to his jaw with little grace. He twisted over and fell away from Betty.
“I know you like the pretty girl, but that doesn't mean you can pull her hair and call her names.” Spider-man put himself between Betty and the beast.
“Not wise, Spider.” The Scorpion rose up to his full daunting height. He leaned forward, arms rippling with power and tail poising to strike. “Not wise at all.”
“You want wisdom, try an owl,” Spider-man declared as Scorpion rushed forward. The villain kicked into a length of webbing and tangled up his ankles before smacking his unprotected face forward. The next two strips of webbing locked the Scorpion's face to the floor. “But if you want a trap, try a spider.”
The strength in his arms was uninhibited and his tail was still dangerous. Betty had managed to scramble away to wear the other Buglers were gathered. It was Spider versus Scorpion in the center stage. Spider-man dodged a blind whack-a-mole tail strike.
“Missed!” Spider-man was laying on the webbing as thick as he could, but as much as he managed to cocoon Gargan's legs or mummify an arm across a back, Scorpion's strength managed to tear free. He was up on his feet, slower, caked with webs, but not immobile. The tail was still dangerous. Two deep furrows in the carpet were left from as the bladed tail clubbed after the quick dodging Spider-man.
“Stay still you little twit!” Gargan hollered as he trumped around the office, thrashing wildly. Spider-man knew this office and he used every corner to his advantage. Foswell's desk shattered under a blow from the tail. Spider-man took the opportunity to dive atop and tackle the tail from the middle. Peter hollered as he was slammed bodily into the floor, but he laughed when Scorpion turned and looked at the flattened body on the floor.
“What are you laughing at?” Gargan yelled.
“I caught the tiger by the tail,” Peter raised his right wrist and tightened the webline that he had managed to stick to Gargan's back side.
“I'm not tiger, I'm a Scorpion!” Gargan yelled and Peter had to swerve and roll as the blast of steaming blue and green chemicals spattered where Spider-man had been laying. The carpet dissolved and the floor smoked. “My tail is deadly.”
“And attached by three clips to your butt.” Spider grabbed a second hand on his web and pulled hard. There were three successive pops and the whole log of a tail fell off and down and clattered on the abused Bugle floor.
“What! No!” Peter pressed the attack during Scorpion's surprise. A flipping kick to the top of Scorpion's head slammed the green armored villain into the floor. Spider-man's foot came down on the exposed connector and finally found a weak spot in Gargan's armor. Scorpion twisted and shook as Spider-man's full forced kicked his ass. In his shock and surprise, Peter was given the opportunity to knot and wind his webs all over the Scorpion.
“There you go Picklepuss,” Spider-man tore off Scorpion's hood, “New York's most dangerous arachnid caught and trussed up.”
“Spider-man! Wait you--” Jonah was interrupted by some of the last webs in Peter's left web shooter.
“Save your breath for the cops you're about to call.” Spider-man snarked and dove out the window he came in. Two webshots, one to fetch his camera and another to swing him up into the closet. He had gotten pretty good at scrambling out of his uniform and into his civvies. He ducked his head out. Betty was in Robbie's embrace and she was crying. Peter rushed over and put a hand on her shoulder.
“Oh my God!” She said, “You were here Peter! Are you hurt?” Betty completely let go of her personal fear as she worried about those around her.
“No, I'm OK,” Peter admired the strength in this woman, “You're not hurt?”
“Just a little shook up,” She said. Ned appeared in through the elevators. Robbie and Peter nodded and led her over to the just arrived reporter.
“Hey Betty, you look like hell,” Ned said when he was intercepted by Peter, Robbie and Betty. Betty actually warmed to that. He had noticed Betty before the webbed destruction and captured supervillain. “What the hell happened here?”
“Spider-man saved us from The Scorpion.” Betty explained. Jameson stomped over.
“Foswell, you take these people downstairs, there're ambulances and medics waiting to look everyone over.” At this time the first cops were starting to arrive on scene. Sergeant Carter walked ahead of Officer DeWolff whistling as he overlooked the wholesale destruction. “Lee you take notes up here, I want everything a fresh pair of eyes can see. Robbie you look after the cops. And Parker, tell me you got pictures!”
Peter looked down at the camera in his left hand. He looked up to see Foswell leading away the victims and witnesses down the stairs. He lifted up the camera and shuffled through his collection. He grew angrier with every recollection.
“You want your pictures! Here!” Peter shoved his camera at Jonah. The viewer showed a brutal image. The Scorpion's tail had just tossed Betty's desk over her head and his green gloved hand pushed the secretary down by a shoulder. The villainous sneer on Gargan's dark face was obvious. The threat in the picture was devastating. “You can take your sanctimonious bullshit and find another photographer to enable it. I'm out. No more Spider-man pics. I can't be a part of this fiasco again.”
Peter swiped the camera back out of Jameson's hands and stormed off towards the door. Two officers were rolling Scorpion into the elevator on a handtruck. The office was empty but for Carter, Robbie and Ned. The words that chased after Peter were impossibly livid. “Go on you ungrateful little worm! You'll never work in this town again! Not unless your back here in thirteen point seven seconds on your hands and knees!”
Robbie watched a boy with integrity beyond his years disappear behind the closing doors of the elevator. He almost walked out with the boy. But Robbie had responsibilities. It was up to him to reign in his friend. And it was up to Robbie to assure that it was Jonah on his knees when Peter finally came back.
“Ah,” Peter moaned pitiably spread out across his bed. He had stripped off his gloves, mask, boots and pants and was only wearing his spider shirt and his boxers. He had a bruise spreading on his right leg and a fattened lip. They weren't the worst injuries he had suffered but they were sore and he had the right to moan and whine to himself.
Aunt May's bedtime had came and went. The house was chill and quiet. Peter stared up at the roof. He was wearing his Spider-man top and boxers. He was peeling his socks off his feet with his toes. He was showing more bruise than skin. He was feeling heartsick. He almost mistook the soft tingles for battle earned discomfort. He might have if there hadn't been a soft feminine swear outside his closed window. Someone was climbing up to his roof. MJ? What did she want this late. Well there were still money problems and Peter was going to need the money. MJ was his link to the modeling agency. He hoped he could get that job. Otherwise he was dead in the water. Jameson could make it so he could never work as a photographer again. He was already wracked with fear and regret. Peter rose from his bed and walked to the window. He saw the black hair before she saw the red shirt. Liz? Crap. Peter tumbled backwards over his bed, shedding his uniform and stuffing the garment under his bed. He popped up just as the young woman knocked on his window.
“Liz?” Peter hissed a whisper. He did open the window. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to know.” She looked more determined that he had seen ever seen her.
“Know what?” Peter said. She crossed to him and reached around his waist. She was icy from the early spring night.
“I needed to know.” Is all she said as her head fell against his chest. Peter's arms closed around her.
I've decided to add these notes to show where these characters were before. Also, if anyone has any hypotheses on who the girl might be in Season 1 episode 3. (She has freckles and blue-green dreadlocks and The Lizard almost eats her head). Please make them known. It always bugged me that she never showed up again.
[1] Season 1, Episode 8. Dr Octopus's boss before he left to Oscorp.
[2] Season 1, Episode 4, drove the truck the enforcers robbed that was carrying Shocker suit. Also in Season 2, Episode 1 he deemed it was safer to be inside the truck Mysterio was stealing. And finally in Season 2, Episode 6 he was driving the truck that was attacked by Venom, causing him to swerve into a building and start a fire that Col. Jupiter assisted Spider-man in fighting.
- 2
- 3
- 4
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Spectacular Spider-man Seasons 3, 4 and 5