Chapter 70: No Friends of Mine Part II

Chapter 70: No Friends of Mine Part II

Several seconds might have been several moments, as Kitty stood right in front of her locker for the briefest time. Sands edged by at the pace of a snail, before she turned.

"Bathroom, not feeling...well" managed Kitty through the shock as she left before emotions could get the better of her. The fact that people could be this shamelessly hateful....no words could describe it.

"Do us all a favor and drown yourself in there, you freak!" shouted a voice, as several people laughed and uttered similar statements.

"Do you people have any decency at all?" asked Gwen angrily.

"Yeah, that was out of line, no matter how you feel about someone," said Peter.

"Ah stuff it you two mutie lovers, some of it's probably rubbed off you, we better stay away from them."

"Yeah the think about these mutants, is that if you stay around them for too long, you're be infected by it!"

"I can't believe these people," thought Peter. "How could anyone...yeah Creed's stirred them up, can't blame them, too much but still....mutant gifts not a disease, but ignorance, might not be one, but it's sure spreading like one."

Gwen started to move away from the crowd. There were a few people around who looked rather uncomfortable but they did not have the courage to speak up against what seemed to be popular sentiment.

"Into the girl's bathroom," muttered Peter, as during the time where they had left, Kitty had already entered the bathroom. "I'd talk to her but..."

"I better go to talk to her, see how she's holding up, even though...." said Gwen.

"It's not well," replied Peter.

"Exactly," said Gwen in a saddened voice. "See you in class, I'll...do what I can."

"Thanks Gwen," said Peter, as he leaned to kiss her goodbye. "With them out there, you want me to...keep an eye out..."

"I'll be fine Peter, you don't need to be marked tardy, I'll sort this out," said Gwen as she leaned in. "Talk to you later."

X-X-X-X-X

Kitty sat right on on one of the toilets in the bathroom. It was only a stroke of fortune that no one followed her in there to heckle her some more.

"Pull yourself together Pryde, you're an X-Men, not some whiny little girl who goes to pieces every time someone makes fun of you," muttered Kitty to herself. "Shouldn't have run off, shouldn't have lost my focus and used my powers, I seem to be screwing up right and left later. Maybe I'm not cut out for this after all."

"Kitty, are you in here?" asked Gwen as she stepped into the bathroom.

"Gwen, go away, it's...better if you don't, no normal human needs to be tainted," said Kitty in a choked voice, as she tried to maintain her composure, to save some amount of face. "I'm a monster, a mistake, a genetic freak, every single thing they said is right, and everything they didn't say."

"Can that talk, Kitty," said Gwen sternly. "Peter's bad enough with his self loathing. It can't be..."

"I mean, I had a lot of other friends, in my class, but now they look at me, like I'm...just something that they're catch some disease from," said Kitty. "Go away, get away from me, it was a mistake even coming back to school, I should have left when I had the chance."

"Kitty, it's...." said Gwen.

"It's not what, not as bad as it seems, because Gwen, it is as bad as it seems, it is worse than it seems, I'll never be able to get any kind of real job, I'll be lucky to go to college, my parents can't even look at me half of the time, I'll be lucky not to be rotting in some government cell in three months...because of what I am," choked out Kitty with a sob.

"Okay, things are bad, I'm not going to lie to you, but...they'll get better," said Gwen in what was a reassuring voice but she wasn't sure who she was reassuring. "Please get out here, and look me in the eye."

Kitty walked out, her eyes looking all red and blotchy,

"Most of them, they just turned on me, when they saw that I was...well a mutant," said Kitty. "I thought they knew me enough that I wasn't like that...you know like Creed said."

"Well, they're being stupid if they were swayed that easily," said Gwen but Kitty just slumped her shoulders.

"I shouldn't let this get to me, but it does, I thought that it would be, well awesome to be a super hero, to have special powers, I thought it would be the greatest thing ever," said Kitty with a wistful expression. "But it sucks."

"It doesn't have to, look just because a lot of people don't like mutants, doesn't mean that you should be any less of a hero," said Gwen gently. "Turn around and look in the mirror. What do you see?"

"My reflection, duh," said Kitty rolling her eyes at what seemed to be an obvious but Gwen shook her head.

"Yes but no," said Gwen as Kitty looked confused. "I see someone who can still do the right thing, no matter how hard it is. Someone who has saved everything."

"Maybe," said Kitty grudgingly. "Look I appreciate what you're trying to do but...the moment I walk out there, I'm right back to where I started. My locker is still trashed and they...well you heard what they said."

"Unfortunately," said Gwen grimly.

"But if I let them get to me, they'll get to me harder," said Kitty with a strained but slight smile. "I've went against the Brotherhood, Sandman, Doctor Octopus, the Hypno Hustler. I think I can handle these Friends of Humanity clowns and whatever they throw at me."

X-X-X-X-X

The Following Message Has Been Brought To You By the Friends of Humanity and Paid for By Humans Like You

An image of Professor Charles Xavier flashed across the screen.

"Professor Charles Xavier has a vision of mutants and normal, humans living in peace. Or does he? As it turns out, Professor Xavier has been recruiting mutants when their disease manifests, generally around the teenage years, to recruit to his X-Men. The X-Men has been claimed to be a force for peace, but the events of this past spring, with a jet containing the X-Men attacked a scared crowd at time square. Humans feared for their life as hostile mutants resisted arrest."

A brief pause, as spliced together scenes of the X-Men in moments of using their powers were shown.

"Yet that is not the darkest piece of the past of Charles Xavier. Rather, the man he helped form the X-Men with, an individual known as Erik Lehnsher, who manifested his powers of magnetism by terrorizing German scientists in the 1940s. It is well known that Xavier and Lehnsher exchanged correspondence up until the formation of the X-Men, and the two had a close relationship but split up five years previously. Many would claim it is a disagreement of philosophy, but those more enlightened must have realized that this falling out is a dispute over who will be the supreme ruler over humanity. "

A look at shadowed figures, lead by a silhouette that resembled a bald man in a wheelchair, towering over horrified humans could be seen.

"Charles Xavier, a crusader for piece? Don't believe it."

X-X-X-X-X

Right over the roof tops swung Spider-Man right towards the Xavier Institute.

"My old friends the X-Men seem to be rather quiet in all of this anti-mutant mess," thought Peter. "Especially what Kitty said, that they're exploring their options. Shouldn't I have a right to know what these options are? Given that I'm entirely right in the middle of this Friends of Humanity mess to begin with, being one of Creed's favorite targets."

With a drop, Spider-Man found himself right at the front door of the Xavier Institute. Not much has changed. As far as he knew, it was not destroyed since when the Brotherhood had trashed it and unwittingly stole a component for Red Skull in his attempted conquest of Earth.

Without hesitation, Spider-Man knocked. He waited for an answer.

"For the last time, you Friends of Humanity dorks better beat it or I'll shove icicles so far up your...oh hi Spidey, didn't realize it was you," said Bobby Drake, better known as Iceman.

"I'm guessing you've gotten some unwelcome house calls," said Spider-Man.

"You don't know the half of it, I mean, some of them are just harmless, they have to drop their propaganda, and their scribbles with mutants hanging in nooses," said Bobby with disgust. "So, Kurt, Rogue, and I have been keeping an eye out, but if things get too bad, we're supposed to get the others, who don't want to be disturbed. They're considering their options."

"I know Kitty told me," said Spider-Man.

"She wasn't supposed to but I can't blame her for venting," said Bobby. "So she do you know if she's getting back to the institute."

"She's with Mary Jane and Gwen, some kind of girl thing, don't ask me, I don't know," said Spider-Man. "I need to talk to the Professor."

"Yeah, well good luck at that, Spidey," said Bobby with some bitterness creeping through in his voice. "Original member of the X-Men, and I'm suppose to play watchdog, can you believe that? Summers thinks I'm too much of a loose cannon and the Professor agrees. After all this time, that kind of hurts."

"I'm sure," said Spider-Man but he turned to walk down the hall of the mansion where he heard hushed voices. He raised his hand, and began to knock on the door, which caused the voices in the room to stop talking.

"Yes, is there a problem?" asked the voice of Scott Summers, known as Cyclops. "Who's there?"

"It's the tooth fairy," thought Spider-Man dryly. "Yeah, I know that you know."

"It's the web head," said Wolverine from inside the room. "I can smell him."

"Yes, I knew this was inevitable," said Professor Xavier. "Well, Spider-Man come in, sit down, tell me what's on your mind."

"Yeah like you don't already know, Professor," thought Spider-Man as he pushed the doors open and entered the room.

Around the table sat Professor Xavier at the end, with Cyclops, Jean Grey, code named Marvel Girl, Ororo Munroe code named Storm, Doctor Henry McCoy, code named Beast, and Warren Worthington III, codenamed Angel, with Wolverine sitting in the corner, off to the side, slouched on a chair.

"Spider-Man, it's been too long, I hope you are doing well, or at least well as can be expected in this present climate," said Beast in a cordial voice.

"Well I'm not sure how well I'm doing but I've been trying to hang into there," said Spider-Man. "The small talk's nice and all but we all know why I'm here...."

"Yes, we might as well address that particular elephant in the room," said Storm sadly.

"The Friends of Humanity," summarized Marvel Girl.

"An ever present thorn in the side of everyone and something that has brought out the very worst of humanity, I'm afraid," said Xavier. "Rest assure that we've kept ourselves well informed about what has happened and we've seen every single one of the hurtful and twisted statements they've made."

"So you know of them, and they've been at it all summer, yet, you're just sitting in this room...discussing your options," said Spider-Man as he just stood, calmly, without moving.

The atmosphere in the room went silent.

"Well it's not like we're happy about it either, Spider-Man," said Cyclops grimly.

"To take any kind of offensive action now will prove everyone of Creed's points right," said Marvel Girl. "He's baiting us and he's baiting you as well."

"He'll play you for a fool and play all of us for one if we let him," said Angel.

"What are you trying to say?" asked Spider-Man.

"Look, I'd love nothing better to smack around these Friends of Humanity clowns about as much as the next person, maybe even more, but...Creed's pushing your buttons kid, all of them," said Wolverine gruffly.

"Don't rise to his bait, Spider-Man, you're better than him," added Marvel Girl.

"You can't handle this situation like one of your costumed criminals, one of those Ravencroft mental patients," cautioned Cyclops. "You can't just have a nice little run around with them in the city and everyone will wrap up nicely until the next time they are let out."

"Look, surely you need to do something, I mean, all of those people are saying hurtful things, doing things, and people, innocent people, are getting caught," said Spider-Man. "I thought you people were supposed to be out to protect mutants and to make sure things are better than they are."

"You are not mistaken about our aims, Spider-Man, but it is a delicate situation," said Professor Xavier. "If could protect every mutant in the world, I could but there are some who won't agree to join the school, whether it be not out of interest, out of philosophical difference, or not simply accepting what they become. I can't force everyone to be an X-Men."

"Someone like Creed will eventually slip up in his zeal to expose mutants, but should we act in a threatening manner, we may worsen the situation," explained Beast.

"Just leave it Spider-Man, you mean well, I get what we want to do, we all get what you want to do, but this is out of your hands," said Cyclops. "I'm not even sure if it is in our hands either, but act wrongly, and go after them, for any reason and they're turn it around on you."

"I understand where they're coming from but I really can't accept it, there has to be a way of doing something other than doing nothing," thought Spider-Man desperately.

"We can assure you Spider-Man, that I and the rest of the X-Men are doing all we can to temper the anti-mutant action but it will take time and understanding," said Xavier in a calm and collected voice.

"Yes, but what if people don't take the time to understand?" asked Spider-Man frustrated. A question that he didn't want to think about but it kept haunting his thoughts.

"It may come to that yes, but we must remain optimistic that humanity can overcome the worst in itself to stand together," replied Xavier. "Given that you're not one of my students, morally I cannot suggest you to do anything, but I must tell you to keep a cool head and don't let this get the better with you."

"One time I looked the over way and I made a promise to myself to never do it again, ever," said Spider-Man in a somber and nearly saddened tone. "I learned along time ago, that with Great Power There Must Also Come Great Responsibility. Perhaps more people would do better than learning that lesson. Sorry for wasting your time, I won't bother with it again."

"Spider-Man wait..." started Marvel Girl but it was too late. "He took that really badly. We just don't want him to make this worse. His heart's in the right place, but he...can't really think that this is something that he can solve."

"He knows he can't, but he's too stubborn to not try," said Storm.

"He's not completely wrong," said Wolverine.

"No but re any of us even right?" asked Cyclops, as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "With Creed, and all, this isn't going to end badly. What if there is no right answer?"

"I don't know, Scott but it won't stop me from trying to find a resolution, that is the promise I made, that is my dream, it won't die," said Professor Xavier.

The lack of answers plagued many and the few answers raised even more alarming questions.

X-X-X-X-X

Frustration was merely mild to what Spider-Man felt as he found himself perched on the ledge high above the city, as he had departed from the X Mansion.

"I can't believe that just won't do something, I mean it's not easy, I know, I get it, I know, I really get it, really I do," thought Spider-Man as he sat perched right on the city, as he refilled his web cartridges. "But I just can't just stand by and let the Friends of Humanity push everyone around. Even if I have do it myself. I just can't sit back and do nothing."

With another swing, Spider-Man looked right above the top of the city, but he heard a muffled groan from a side of the alleyway.

Curiosity got the better of him as Spider-Man dropped down, to see a young man face down on the ground, with a half of dozen masked figures.

"Don't like, mutant we saw what you did," said one of the thugs as he impacted a punch right into the chest of the man.

"I'm not one of them...not I mutant...I swear," managed the man as he was pushed right into into the corner.

"We'll beat the powers out of you freak," said another one of the thugs. As he raised a crowbar, Spider-Man shot a line of webbing and disarmed him.

Without a word, Spider-Man just jumped down and engaged his enemies right in attack, as he battered them, without a word, as the young man tried to get away, but he collapsed from the beating that the Friends of Humanity got him.

"Finish him off, then we'll finish the other one off," grunted one of the thugs but Spider-Man elbowed him right in the fact and stuck right to the wall, but one of the thugs was agile enough to narrowly avoid the attack, before he pulled out a chain and swung it, and smashed it right into Spider-Man to knock him down.

The thug grinned, before he held the gain but a bright pink light shot out and it caused the chain to wrap around his legs, before he fell backwards landing hard. A blur shot out, and knocked the heads of the two standing members of the Friends of Humanity right to the ground. The young man was picked up dazed and then sped off.

Spider-Man pulled himself up, everything had happened in a matter of seconds after he got knocked down and he turned around to face the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver of the Brotherhood.

"Alright, I don't know what you two want, but if it's a fight, then you caught me in the wrong mood," said Spider-Man as he clenched his fist for battle but Quicksilver shook his head.

"Hey, chill, Spidey, it's nothing like that, we just thrashed those Friends of Humanity clowns in no time flat," said Quicksilver with a smile. "And the X-Men, snug in their cozy mansion, behind their security, stand there, debating about peace and understanding, while the rest of mutantkind suffers."

"Yes, and your point is?" asked Spider-Man uneasy.

"We, at the Brotherhood, know that Creed and the rest of the Friends of Humanity, they're a big problem with everyone," said Quicksilver. "And we, aren't going to crawl in a hole by it either. I mean, we could let those bullies just walk right over us, and just let them smack us around because we are mutants. Or we could smack them back down and take the fight to them. I mean, the only reason that they're going after us is because we can't fight back."

"I see," said Spider-Man slowly, he could not help himself from thinking that he just bounced from one extreme with the X-Men to an entirely different extreme with the Brotherhood.

"And, oh yeah, something else you might want to know," said Quicksilver. "Norman Osborn, he's up to something bad. All mutants are going to suffer from it, who knows what he's doing to us. We could be next, any of us could be next."

Spider-Man stood there, arms crossed, no words.

"So, Spidey, you know, you've had your problems with Osborn in the past," said Quicksilver. "The entire Green Goblin thing and all that junk. You know what he's capable of. We could work together and take him down, and the Friends of Humanity."

"So let me get this straight," said Spider-Man slowly. "You want me, to join you, as in the Brotherhood."

"Come on Spidey, don't you get sick of being the punching bag," said Quicksilver. "Besides, you'll be hated either way, but what do you have to lose?"

"My principles for one thing," replied Spider-Man, not blinking, with not emotion in his voice. "Thanks for the help but you Brotherhood people, you're not that much better than the Friends of Humanity or Osborn or any of the other people I face. And you've done nothing to convince me any differently. Good bye"

Spider-Man swung off.

"You really thought that he was going to join us, didn't you?" asked Scarlet Witch, as she broke her silence but Quicksilver didn't answer, just frustrated

X-X-X-X-X

"Everyone settle down, find your seats, the assembly is going to begin," said a teacher as the students of Midtown High made their way into the auditorium. "Mr. Creed wishes to speak with you all and I hope you have his full respect for this assembly."

"Some say assembly, others say brain washing," thought Peter as he looked around, as he stood side by side with Gwen, Mary Jane, and Harry. "Madhouse as usual, at least we have decent seats, I'll be able to get a look at Creed up close. Nice to know the face of the enemy."

"Wow, people are really excited for this guy, but anything to get out of class," said Mary Jane. "Wonder what he's got to feed us today."

"Nothing good," muttered Gwen as she looked forward.

"Not looking forward to this," whispered Peter.

"On the contrary, I'm looking very forward to this, I'm intrigued," said Gwen. "What made Creed come out of his hole and take his campaign straight to us in person?"

"He's doing it in all of the high schools, I thought." said Mary Jane.

"No, only the one's who have mutants who exposed themselves," said Kitty as she stepped in, as she ducked a paper ball that was lauched right at the back of her head. She picked it up, with a crude drawing of a girl who had been sliced to ribbons with blood dripping at her. She winced, but quickly got a hold of herself. "Childish, but what do you expect?"

"Are you sure its a good idea to be here?" asked Peter.

"Yeah, I thought about it, but I'm not sitting this one, maybe a first hand account of the man himself, with cause certain mutants to get off their backside and do something about him," said Kitty hotly, but she remained silent, sinking into a chair off to the side, as others avoided her as they said hateful things.

"Thrilling," yawned Harry.

"Everyone quiet," said Davis as he stood right to the side. A few of the teachers assembled on the stage had Friends of Humanity armbands on but a few others just looked rather neutral and in some cases uncomfortable. "As you know, mutants are becoming a problem in our schools, in our neighborhoods, in our community. You may have heard of at least one case, but how many more are lurking out there? Mutants are threats, and my good friend, Mr. Graydon Creed will discuss what you should do if you encounter dangerous mutants, as his associates pass around more information."

At that moment, a nondescript man with red hair dressed in a suit walked on the stage.

"Thank you Principal Davis," said the man smoothly, in a polite, kind voice that made you think that he was your friend but those who really listened sense a phony quality to it. "I'm Graydon Creed and I'm concerned for the future of humanity. It is a concern that amplified when mutants struck innocent civilians this past Spring. They were proven innocent but if they attacked before, they could attack again."

Creed paused.

"My friends, I feel that humanity should stand together to stand up to the mutant menace, to make sure that we live in a happier, safer world," said Creed in a passionate voice. "Where mothers can tuck their children in at night, without worrying about some mutant menace walking through their walls and snatching their precious ones. Where everyone can safely walk the streets at night, knowing that they will remember exactly what they did the next morning without a fear of mind wiping. Mutants play with our hearts and minds and would enslave us all if we, humanity will allow it. But there is one mutant that stands up above the rest, that being Spider-Man."

Peter, Gwen, Kitty, and many others all sat up rather straight.

"I had invited Spider-Man to come here today, to debate the issue of mutants, to give his side of the story of all of the lives that he ruined with his actions, to perhaps prove me wrong, but he's a coward, preferring to attack people, then engage in civilized discussions," said Creed as there were angry whispers. "Spider-Man and his fellow mutants embody a disease that will roll over humanity. We can no longer be proud because we are healthy normal humans, we must be different, we must be special, we must be superior. Humans are strong, we are superior, we have numbers. Are we going to let a few mutants take us down? Spider-Man has something to hide. Why would he ignore my invitation? How many supposed criminals were just innocent people that managed to see what Spider-Man truly was? What is he hiding?"

"Spider-Man's a hero, he wouldn't do anything, he's out saving the world so people like you can be safe!" shouted Flash Thompson but there was hissing and jeers against the web head and anyone who was a fan of his. Creed stared down Flash for the briefest of seconds.

"It is very easy to get tangled right in hero worship, as some have thought Spider-Man to be someone to admired, but that is what Spider-Man wishes," continued Creed not flustered and having not broke his stride. "Don't be afraid to go against those more powerful. True strength will come. Those who have strength will not be bullied by any mutants I have formed the Friends of Humanity, to strengthen the bond between us. We must stand together. I see so much promise out there. Don't waste it, don't let the mutants crush your hopes and dreams."

"I think I can trap Creed in his own argument," thought Peter at that moment. "If he shuts up enough for me to get his attention."

Before Peter could really make his argument, it appeared that Gwen had the same idea.

"Mr. Creed, I find your views rather fascinating, but don't you think that you are being a bit unfair with tarring mutants with the same brush," said Gwen. "I mean just because some mutants might use their powers to harm humans, it's not right. I mean, there are Hispanics that got into the country illegally. But would it be fair to punish those who went through the proper channels for a few that didn't?"

"Now, young lady, you may have a valid point, but we're not dealing with just any group, we're dealing with super powered individuals who would destroy us in a blink of an eye," said Creed with a smug smile, as he prepared to brush off Gwen's comments.

"How do you know?" asked Gwen politely.

"Studies have been conducted, they say that mutants are likely to misuse their powers, because of a genetic imbalance," replied Creed, still not flustered yet, as he retained his smug snake demeanor.

"What studies?" questioned Gwen. "I mean, can anyone take a look at the data with these studies. Have they been collaborated with anyone else? Is this data that can easily be misread? Was it done with a big enough focus group? Does the results support a well reasoned hypothesis?"

"Such an inquisitive young girl, a mind on the human, I do understand why someone would have questions, for someone so young, not truly understanding how the world really works," said Creed with a smirk and a light chuckle, with some snickers from his supporters, facade of politeness still firmly in place. "But rest assure, my data is rather iron clad. The proof is there, mutants are a menace."

"But what you're saying right now is pure hearsay, because no one's seen any studies," pressed Gwen. "In fact, there have been studies that have been done and can be verified through reputable scientific journals, that suggest that mutant gifts might be the natural evolution of humanity, but it will take another few generations to be for certain. Mutants are what we may become or close enough to it in another hundred years. Anyone can look them up, they aren't very difficult to find. In fact, I have a copy printed off in my locker, if you want to take a look at it after we're done here."

"Just about what I was going to say, but oh well, Gwen might have done it just a bit better," thought Peter. "I don't think Creed thought that anyone would have a solid argument."

"Those sources must be completely and utterly biased then, because anyone knows that mutants are unnatural," said Creed his cool voice cracking for the briefest moment. "As stimulating as this debate has been, we're getting off the subject, that is no matter what, we know that mutants are a threat, with Spider-Man at the top of the heap. All mutants must be dealt with, to keep them out off of the street."

"Just one more question, Mr. Creed, if you could enlighten me," said Gwen.

"Yes, young lady," said Creed with a positively strained smile.

"How far do you go when determining who should be punished for their gifts?" asked Gwen. "Genetically speaking, there could be a child of two mutant parents that would technically speaking be a mutant but exhibit no special gifts."

"Now, that is just absurd, obviously that person would be a human," replied Creed in a quick manner.

"But judging by your statement, they would still have mutant blood in them and would be unbalanced," said Gwen. "Where do we draw the line? How many generations do we go back? Many of us sitting here could have mutant DNA in us and not even know it, because we haven't exhibited any powers or haven't had the proper stimulus to activate their powers."

There were many outraged whispers of the thought that their family tree could have been tainted by mutants but more than a few people look thoughtful. Before Creed could formulate a response, a loud smash was heard, before the side doors to the auditorium blew open, and promptly diverted the attention away from the debate on mutants.

The side doors of the auditorium were blown right off of their hinges and an imposing figure dressed in black showed up, with what appeared to be a helmet with a large red and black spike protruding from his helmet.

"Creed, your mutant bashing days are over!" growled the mysterious mutant. "I'm going make you pay, I'm sick and tired of your lies and it's time for you to find out how dangerous we mutants can really be! "

Two of Creed's bodyguards rushed over, but they were handily blasted right out of the way by energy blasts that came from the mutant's hands. Several teachers who had been by the stage had also been knocked around, by being too close. At that moment it was pure bedlam right in the auditorium, as hundreds of students were screaming in horror.

"Move, everyone move," said Peter, as he watched as Gwen and Mary Jane were moving, trying to avoid to be trampled, as Harry had disappeared right into the crowd. As Kitty pulled herself up off of the row of chairs that she got knocked into, with an annoyed look on his face, as the mysterious mutant on the stage. "Any idea who that guy is?"

"No, I've never seen that guy in my life, he's not someone the X-Men's ever dealt with," said Kitty. "So..."

"Make sure everyone gets out safely, or as many people as possible, I'm going to play tag with Mr. Crazy over there and save Creed's sorry life," said Peter.

"Save Creed," whispered Kitty in a disagreeing voice. "What on earth..."

"Great power, great responsibility, you know, all that jazz," said Peter, who hated himself for the fact that he had to do this. "Gwen, Mary Jane, go, I'm going to take pictures of this, Jameson would want to get a look at this."

"Man, he sure loves to live dangerously," muttered Mary Jane.

"You have no idea," said Gwen, but no one could hear in the chaos, as she spotted Peter disappear right into the chaos, no doubt to change, although there was no time to mull this over. "Everyone, just please...move, you're not helping the situation."

"Okay stay calm, everyone, just don't panic, I know it's scary..." started Kitty.

"One of your mutant buddies has gone nuts and you expect us to stay calm!"

"Hey, he's not my friend!" said Kitty as there were screams, terror, and just general cursing of mutants in general. "If you want to live, just get out of the side, calmly, carefully, it's obvious he's after that crackpot on the stage anyway. Fine, get trampled, but some people want to live, you know."

"Yeah, you heard her, just chill, everyone will get out of this fine," said Mary Jane but she looked over her shoulder to see Spider-Man. "More than fine."

Back on the stage.

"Stay back, freak, stay back, I'm warning you, one day, you'll pay," said Creed.

"Oh, but Graydon Creed, you will feel the consequences of what you've said, every action have them," said the mutant, but Spider-Man swung right out and wrapped his webbing around the mutant's hands, to cause his hands to blast upward, and smash out a part of the ceiling.

"How would you like to go a few rounds with someone a little less pathetic?" questioned Spider-Man which caused the mutant to look up, eyes narrowed, as he readied himself. He could see the last of the people in the auditorium having cleared out, leaving him, Creed, and his downed bodyguards.

"Spider-Man," grunted the mutant, as he lifted his hands and a blast of energy shot through the air but Spider-Man swung around, to avoid and tried to go for another attack but an energy shield appeared around the mutant, which caused Spider-Man to crash down.

"Direct approach, not working," managed Spider-Man as he tried to pull himself to his feet, before he dodged more attacks.

"Come on, stand still!" threatened the mutant, as Creed rolled off to the side of the stage, but the mutant saw him. "Oh no you don't!"

A blast had caused flying bits of podium to be launched at Creed, with Spider-Man reluctantly saving him, by as he swung out of the way.

"Yeah, being the hero sometimes blows," thought Spider-Man as he dropped Creed off out of the battle.

"Stand aside, or I'll blow you aside," growled the mutant but Spider-Man bounced to the left, to the right, diagonal, up, down, off the walls, somersaulting, as he dodged his opponent's attacks. "STAND STILL!"

"Yeah, I'll do that right away," said Spider-Man dryly, as he tried to shoot more lines of webbing at his enemy but the opponent was enemy. "So, um guy, I know Creed's a utter jerk and all but this really isn't the way to get out your aggression? So just take a deep breath, maybe do some Yoga, and....I still don't know what your name is, this is getting awkward, mind enlightening me on that fact..."

"Just call me Annihilation!" yelled the mutant, named Annihilation, as he sent a brutal attack but Spider-Man ducked and rolled, before he bounced off some flying debris and jumped right at his crazed foe.

"Oooohh, Annihilation, that's very nineties of you," said Spider-Man as he continue to engage his enemy in battle.

X-X-X-X-X

A group of shell shocked students stood outside, of Midtown High as the Teachers and Administration tried to vainly gain some semblance.

Flashes of light could be seen with explosions being heard, as everyone sat outside.

"Everyone stand put, the MRD is being called to deal with the situation Mr. Creed, and several other students might be trapped inside with this mutant and Spider-Man!"

"They said senior year was insane, but I didn't...I never thought anything like this and the first week isn't over," said Mary Jane as she sat down next to Gwen, as the group huddled. "He's been in there a long time...for taking pictures you know."

"Pete's fine, he's...careful," said Gwen carefully, as she watched, as there were anti-mutant yells, the last image that most of the school had before they were evacuated, was of a crazed mutant who had started to attack Creed and his bodyguards, with threats.

All that was on the information was how mutants were everything Creed said and more.

It was the most terrifying situation that many had been ever in.

It reinforced everything that was said about mutants and than some.

As Gwen sank down, despondent about every single word to try and get people to listen to reason, had likely been forgotten, she had looked up to see where everyone else gone off to. She spotted Kitty, as she stood off to the side, as she got her share of looks, as if what happened was her fault.

But where was Harry?

X-X-X-X-X

Harry Osborn stood right outside of the fence at Midtown High. Things had cooled down in the sense, that everyone had gotten out of the school.

"Better go back, I guess," said Harry, as he took a step, as he craned his neck to see in the distance.

"Hey, Osborn!" called a voice.

"Who's there?" asked Harry, as he stepped right onto the street, which began to shake very slightly underneath his feet. It caused him to lose his balance and Toad hopped into the fray, before he placed a soaked rag right over Harry Osborn's mouth, which caused him to struggle for a moment, before his legs buckled.

"Lights out rich boy," said Toad with a cackle.

"So what's the plan again," said Avalanche, as he walked into the scene with Pyro.

"I told you, trade Osborn Jr for the mutants that his pops got, I mean, what kind of father wouldn't want to do anything to get his son back?" said Toad. " I mean sure, my old man threw me out of the street when I was nine and told me to do myself a favor and leap in front of a moving train. But that's different. I'm such a genius, Mystique has to appreciate me now."

"There's Blob with the getaway truck," said Avalanche, and sure enough, Blob rolled forward, squeezed behind a wheel of an ice cream truck with the seat pushed back as far as it could. Pyro and Avalanche made tightened the bindings around Harry's hands and feet, before they added a gag.

"Get going, get going, don't know who's causing a ruckus up at the school, but send them a fruit basket, when we can afford a fruit basket, later, it's much easier than grabbing this punk after school like we planned," said Toad, as the Brotherhood dove off. "And we're supposed to be the useless muscle. Pulled it off without a hitch."

X-X-X-X-X

The battle raged on inside the auditorium of Midtown High School between Spider-Man and Annihilation. The web slinger looked down at his crazed enemy, but footsteps echoed from outside.

"Bah, I don't have time for this right now, another day, human," growled Annihilation, as he took one more shot right at Creed, but Spider-Man, swung down and snatched Creed and deposited him right off to the side.

"Just remember, Creed, the big bad spider menace saved your sorry backside," said Spider-Man as he sat Creed down with the doors of the auditorium that lead in from the school were broken down by MRD troops.

"Thank God, there he is, he attacked me, Spider-Man, him and one of his mutant cronies!" shouted Creed suddenly, as he scrambled over the chairs. "Put him away, he's a danger to everyone!"

"What!" yelled Spider-Man but at that moment, the MRD had their guns trained right on Spider-Man.

"That ungrateful piece of...when I get my hands on that...I swear I'll tear him a new...." thought Spider-Man but he stopped. "That's a lot of guns."

"Alright mutie, hands in the air, nice and easy, your days of menacing humanity are over."

Next Chapter