Chapter 74: House of Cards Part I

Chapter 74: House of Cards Part I

"The boss wants this shipment in before any do gooders start nosing in," muttered a figure dressed in black with a ski mask right on, as he fingered a concealed weapon. More men swooped in, some who had their hands right in their coat.

"Customs didn't suspect a thing, even after three check points," said another figure, as he appeared with a smile, as he stood over several crates, as a van rolled out by the docks. "Time to deliver the goods. We're going to be made for life."

"If by made, you mean made fools of, then yes, you'll be made for life," said a voice as a line of webbing shot around the ankles of the thug and caused him to land right on his face instantly. "That's got to smart."

"Spider-Man," said the first figure as he snapped his fingers and a half of dozen goons stepped out. "You're messing on our turf, you're going to get whacked."

Spider-Man dropped down and knocked one of the thugs back, before he snapped back and webbed around another thug. The thug crashed right to the ground. A knife right aimed to the back of his neck was evaded, and Spider-Man found himself surrounded.

A flare shot into the air and the lamp post lights blew completely out. The thugs and Spider-Man were confused, right in the darkness. Suddenly, the thugs were knocked around, one at a time. The sounds of combat could be heard in the pitch blackness but none of the sights.

Spider-Man shifted right over to another vantage point. By the time he managed to see enough, he had come face to face with Daredevil.

"Um, thanks," said Spider-Man sheepishly.

"You had no business here," grunted Daredevil gruffly.

"Yes, I did these guys were trying to smuggle..." said Spider-Man as he pried open the crate to reveal the contents. "Teddy bears? Okay, that makes no sense at all."

Daredevil reached into the crate and grabbed the teddy bear, before he pulled the head off and allowing what appeared to be some kind of white powder to dump right back into the crate.

"You just decapitated a teddy bear," dead panned Spider-Man but he looked at in eyes. He recognized the powder from a lecture in health class. "Is that..."

"Yes, the Kingpin is trying to smuggle it into the city," said Daredevil crisply. "One of his most profitable ventures and the street value is high, enough to line his pockets with more money. One day..."

Daredevil turned his head and gave a shake of it. He stood above Spider-Man, an imposing and impressive figure above him.

"This is the second time I pulled you out of a situation, Spider-Man, and I don't have time to be your babysitter," said Daredevil sternly. "These thugs will shoot you and not spend time trading witty banter. The Kingpin is where he is because he is ruthless and he cares little who gets caught in the crossfire. I appreciate what you're trying to do and against those super powered menaces you fight, you're competent enough. But this is not some kind of costume party."

"I know that," said Spider-Man through gritted teeth. "These guys are bad news, I know, this isn't a game, I know, but you should know some of the people I've fought are..."

"Not playing for as high stakes," said Daredevil gruffly. "Its a never ending war. Don't ruin your life dealing with it. Quit while you're ahead. The Kingpin regards you as a hobby at most right now."

"How do you know?" demanded Spider-Man.

"You're still breathing," said Daredevil shortly, as he managed to disappear right into the night.

"I took down the Kingpin's thugs just as many times as he has and...he still treats me like some kid playing dress up," thought Spider-Man in frustrated. "I wish I could get through his thick horned head. And I wish I knew who the Kingpin was. Got to be someone important but...that's beside the point. Oh well, school night, don't want to go on four hours of sleep, again."

X-X-X-X-X

"So this, Guardian Devil destroyed my shipment, the third one this week," said Wilson Fisk, better known as the Kingpin without pause as he looked at the report. "And Spider-Man was involved as well. I do wonder what their angle is or if they are in an alliance."

"Father, with all due respect, I'm still confused about the fact you haven't put Spider-Man down," said Richard Fisk. "If it were me I would have long since put him under ground."

"You must learn chess sometime, my boy," said Fisk. "Every move I make, is all about serving a purpose and certain sacrifices must be made, for the betterment of a final victory. But you do raise an intriguing point. Spider-Man seems to be getting more dangerous and a bit too close to my operation. I have watched him, he is no fool and it is only a matter of time before he connects the pieces. Connects Wilson Fisk and the Kingpin. Providing he lives long enough."

Fisk pulled himself up and looked right out the window, as he checked his watch. He had business as Wilson Fisk, respected businessman and charitable humanitarian to attend to.

The Kingpin would deal with Spider-Man. Much like a cat playing with a mouse, he would get bored eventually and with the Master Planner cutting into his operations and Silvermane to return to attempt to claim his former empire, along with the mysterious guardian devil, Spider-Man was a distraction that he could ill afford to have right at the moment.

Plans would be set into motion. And there was no time like the present to begin.

X-X-X-X-X

"So, he was found passed out covered in chocolate sauce in the Oscorp parking lot in women's underwear, and that's when Dad had to let him go," said Harry as Mary Jane sat there watching him with interest or at least the illusion, with Gwen kind of nodding off, as she drank water, having heard this story at least thirteen or fourteen times. "And that was butler number four that we went through."

"Who knew that something like that could have happened, although I think nothing can top the first one," said Mary Jane who looked a bit amused or at least that is what it appeared. "I remember when you told me the other day and I still can't believe that someone did that much damage with a waffle iron and a hair dryer."

"Oh, I was partial to that to, but when you work for my dad, well it's not that hard to think why someone could be driven to do something like that," said Harry with a nod and a smug look, but out of the corner his eye he saw Peter walk up. "Oh, Pete, are we late for class or something?"

"Why would be late for class?" asked Peter.

"Actually he's here on time," said Gwen in amusement.

"No kidding," said Mary Jane. "He's not late that often, is he?"

"Well let's just say it took him until almost halfway through his senior year before he learned the value of punctuality," said Harry. "Then again, I'm not one to talk."

"Yeah, all of the times you showed up to school after the final bell ran," said Peter.

"Dad wasn't happy, but its his default mode," said Harry. "But that's life, just got to roll with the punches."

"I'll let you three catch up, have some things that I want to do, before class," said Mary Jane. "Catch you later, Gwen, Peter, Harry."

Mary Jane walked off with a smile, as Harry watched her leave.

"So, what do you think?" asked Harry out of the blue.

"What do I think about what?" asked Peter, not following his train of thought.

"You don't see it Pete, Mary Jane and I, we're going out," said Harry nonchalantly which caused Gwen to spit the water she was drinking right on Peter in surprise.

"Sorry, Peter, but that kind of came out of nowhere," said Gwen as she looked at Harry with an inquisitive look but she was completely baffled. There was not even a hint that they were more than just casual friends. "When did this happen anyway?"

"Well we're more like unofficial official which is official for standards of this place," said Harry. "You know, the two of you, you tend to go off on your own, doing whatever you do, but hey that's your business and Mary Jane and I, we started hanging out and I think that we really did connect."

"That's great Harry," said Peter, in a neutral tone of voice. His friend's dating life, whether it be official or unofficial official was something that he was not going to really beat himself up over too much.

"Don't get me wrong, if it works, I'm really happy for you and Mary Jane, but..." said Gwen delicately. "Isn't this a bit too soon after you and Liz, I mean, you seem fine, but..."

"Ah, I've over that, we had a good run, broke up, its all good, I think that I'm ready to move on and move forward," said Harry, who seemed a bit happy. "It should work out, we do have so much in common, it's great, I'm over what happened with Liz. Besides its been what, three, four, months. That's like a hundred years in High School time."

"If you're sure, then good, Harry," said Gwen as she looked at Harry.

"Yeah, good," said Peter.

"Well, glad to see you two approve," said Harry with a smile. "Talk to you later."

"Okay, Gwen, say it," said Peter after Harry had left. "You have misgivings about whether this relationship is a good idea."

"Well to be fair, Harry did take the break up with Liz well perhaps a bit too well," said Gwen. "Maybe I'm reading too much into this...never mind, none of our business. But I just can't see Mary Jane being some girl who will settle for being the one on the rebound, which is what this reeks of."

Peter just remained silent.

"It just seemed...I don't know abrupt," said Gwen with a frown. "And I don't what see anyone get hurt because of this...either them really."

"Mmm," said Peter in a neutral tone.

"You really don't want to get involved with this," said Gwen knowingly.

"Mmm hmm," said Peter, as he grabbed his girlfriend's hand. "Look Gwen, it might just be a passing attraction. It's a high school relationship. What's the wor...what could happen?"

"So very much," said Gwen with a sigh. "If it works out, that's great."

"Well, that's there business," said Peter. "And I hope if there's something, it does, otherwise things might get a tad bit awkward."

"Yea," agreed Gwen.

"Yeah it was kind of out of the blue, but what are you going to do?" asked Peter. "Besides, those two, almost adults, they can handle this, whatever this is. Besides, Doctor Doom, sure bring him on. The Sinister Six, take your best shot. Galactus coming to take another bite out of Earth, sure, sign me up and I'll see what I can do to help. My best friend's social life...do not want to touch."

X-X-X-X-X

At the Daily Bugle, Peter sat on the outside of the office as Jameson appeared to be in the middle of an intense meeting.

"So what's the ruckus in there about Mr. Jameson anyway, Robbie?" asked Peter as he tried to listen in.

"The Daily Globe outsold the Bugle at every turn, so Jameson is speaking with our advertising consultant and he's trying to sell him on social media," said Robbie Robertson but he just sighed.

"The key word is try," added Betty Brant as she and Ned Leeds, along with several other employees hung around, listening to the conversation.

"You see, Mr. Jameson, I think that if we increase the Bugle's presence on Facebook and Twitter, we can really potentially reach a wider audience, its not like newspapers sell much that much and your harsh stance against the Friends of Humanity is losing a key demographic," said the consultant.

"The Bugle was born as a newspaper and I'm sticking to it, the Internet hasn't quite killed me yet," said Jameson. "This social media thing is a passing fancy, I mean Facebook. Back in my day, the only Facebook was when you had your face in a book because young people appreciated good literature. And I've told you, the Friends of Humanity will not be glorified in this paper, no matter how many people hate it."

"Mr. Jameson, just think about the possibilities, the Bugle is one of the only newspapers that is doing remotely well in this town, but it can be much more, with a social presence," said the consultant. "For a small fee, I can set you up on Facebook and Twitter and you you countless followers within days and you won't have to do a thing. The Bugle needs to step into the 21st century. The Globe has a big presence online..."

"The Globe is a sensationalized rag, the Bugle has been respected...if I could beat the Globe in their little Social Media game, then maybe...how much of a small fee are we talking about?" asked Jameson.

Voices got loud but Jameson's rather anguished and unintelligible explanation seemed to tell the story. The door from the upper level of the Bugle offices opened.

"Ah, Jameson, always cheap and behind the times as ever," said the voice of one Eddie Brock as he turned around.

"Eddie, what are you doing here?" asked Robbie in surprise. "We don't have any openings of at the Bugle right now...."

"Hey, Mr. Robertson, no problem, I don't want my old job out, I've got a better job," said Brock with a smirk, as he stepped in to give everyone a good look at his fancy type of the line threads. "You're looking at the star photographer of the Daily Bugle and they sprung for this top of the line, HD, digital camera, with increased memory capabilities."

Eddie showed his camera.

"I guess that is the price a real publishing company is really to pay, when they want their photographer to look appeasing to the eye, and not like it was taken with a disposable camera that someone fished out of the dumpster," said Brock, as he smirks, turning his eyes to Peter. "Parker, you're still the only one who could put up with Jameson I see."

"I do the work, I can, Eddie," said Peter with a strained smile.

"Good for you, I have to thank Spider-Man for getting me fired, best thing ever happened to me, the Globe is going to drive the Bugle out of business," said Brock with a superior look. "And make sure those mutants get what they deserve. Cute pictures by the way Parker, trying to make people think those X-Men were saving the people. Then again with the quality, I suppose you could make that assumption but if you read the Globe and most have, you know the true story."

The door opened, and J. Jonah Jameson looked as if he wondered he made a huge mistake.

"BROCK!" shouted Jameson. "What are you doing in this office?"

"Just catching up with old co-workers and maybe new ones," said Brock.

"New one...Brock I'm not hiring a screw up like you back," said Jameson.

"Believe me Jonah, I've moved up in the world, Bugle's got to be losing readers, not getting with the times, like the Daily Globe," said Brock. "But that's just like most of you old dogs, you'll be run off. My boss has big plans and he has the pulse..."

"The Bugle has something that you or the Globe could have and that's credibility Brock," said Jameson as he stared down Brock. "Now, is there any more point of you rubbing the fact that you have a cushy new job in my face or do I have to kick you out on your smug little..."

"JJ, I've made my point, you do what you need to do, I'm practically gone," said Brock as he walked off.

"Ungrateful little...gave him his start, taught him the value of ethics, obviously didn't stick," grumbled Jameson. "Well what are you waiting for. GET BACK TO WORK!"

With that, there was a mad dash for everyone to get away from Jameson when he was on the warpath. Peter watched as Brock left, in a fancy sports car that obviously cost a pretty penny.

"Well, good for him, I guess," thought Peter.

X-X-X-X-X

"Aunt May...I'm home," said Peter trailing off as he saw his Aunt sitting on the couch drinking tea with a very prominent guest who looked up to notice Peter arrive.

"Oh Peter, right on time, we have a guest that wants to talk to you," said Aunt May.

"Wilson Fisk, Mr. Parker," said Fisk as he stood up and grabbed Peter's hand, to shake it. "I have been talking about you with your aunt right here, nothing but the best and it makes me feel like I had made the correct decision."

"What for, Mr. Fisk, sir?" asked Peter. Fisk had such a commanding presence and not because of his size, but rather the way he carried himself. When he walked in the room, all eyes would go right to him.

"Each year, the Fisk Foundation offers a full scholarship to promising young students in the greater state of New York, to any college of their choosing and after seeing the gross oversight that has been made by others, I had to step in," said Fisk. "Congratulations, Mr. Parker, you have the full scholarship to go to Empire State University if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes, thank you, I'm honored," said Peter unable to believe it but it was right in front of him. For months, he had been trying hard to get a scholarship because that was the only way he could go to ESU, without taking out massive student loans that would leave him in debt until well into middle age.

"The honor, my dear boy, is mine," said Fisk with pride. "I have the utmost confidence that you will maintain the standard and be a credit to the countless bright young minds that the Fisk Foundation has been working over the years. And perhaps some day, I may call upon use of your brilliant mind."

"That would be great, thank you, really thank you, finally I'm going to ESU, I won't let you down," said Peter.

"I told you Peter, eventually someone would appreciate the hard work you put it," said Aunt May, but it seemed to be a bit bittersweet. Pretty soon Peter would be moving out and on his way into the world. She knew this day would come. It just seemed like yesterday she was putting Peter on the bus for the first time. Her and Ben watching as Peter...Aunt May shook her head, at the bittersweet memory that seemed like a lifetime ago. Time sure did go fast, but she had to get back to the matter at hand. "Mr. Fisk, if you would like to perhaps..."

"Mrs. Parker, I thank you for your hospitality and the tea, but I have a full schedule," said Fisk.

"Oh, of course," said Aunt May. "You have a great day, then Mr. Fisk."

"Thank you and you and your nephew as well," said Fisk as he gave them a nod, before he folded up a case and walked out, as he left the Parkers alone.

X-X-X-X-X

"I finally got it Gwen, a scholarship," said Peter excitedly and Gwen just smiled, as she embraced Peter.

"That's great, about time, I mean, it was completely idiotic that you'd be overlooked with all of these things," said Gwen happily, before she kissed Peter. "Congratulations, this is great...who was the one that finally grew a brain?"

"Wilson Fisk," said Peter. "The Fisk Foundation is going to pay for my entire education, providing my grades get kept up."

"Ah, well he does do a lot for the community and seems to have a good head on his shoulders, but this just cements that he's great," said Gwen, as she leaned against Peter as they set down on a bench.

"Yeah, well Fisk seemed to hint that I could get a good job, if I continued to do well," said Peter, as he looked like nothing could ruin this day. "But finally. Not that I have anything against the people who got those other scholarships..."

"Mainly because you got an even better one," said Gwen.

"Yes, that, but hey, all's fair, they did what they had to do and if I got those others, I might not have qualified for this," said Peter.

"Well, I'm sure Harry and Mary Jane would like to hear the news, they're waiting for us," said Gwen.

"C'mon, let's not let them waiting," said Peter and Gwen responded with a nod, as they grasp, hands, and nearly overtook a man in dark glasses with a briefcase. "Oh sorry."

"Yeah, we should have watched where we were going," said Gwen apologetically.

"No matter," said the man as he appeared to consider Peter for a brief second before remaining stoic. "You children have a pleasant day and stay out of trouble."

"Okay," said Peter as he looked at him, he had a feeling that he had seen that guy before, but he couldn't really place him.

"Pete?" asked Gwen breaking him out of his thoughts.

"Something is familiar about that guy," said Peter, as he tried to piece it together and Gwen just suddenly realized something.

"He's Matt Murdock, famous criminal attorney," said Gwen. "Dad said that he's the best in the business, perhaps too good, but he's uncovered some evidence that he's got some innocent people cleared of all charges."

"Well obviously he's that good, I remember seeing something about him defending someone once or twice in the Bugle," said Peter in recognition. "And...he went to law school and became a successful attorney despite being blinded."

"Yes," said Gwen. "Pretty amazing, when you think about it."

"Well they do say that justice is blind," said Peter with a grin.

"Bad pun alert," said Gwen shaking her head but she was smiling.

"I aim to please," said Peter as they laughed. "Anyway..."

"After you," said Gwen as they turned to meet Mary Jane and Harry.

Little did they know that someone was watching them from high above, plotting their every movement, safely from shadows.

X-X-X-X-X

"Three cheers for a smart person managing to get a scholarship," said Harry. "Seriously, Pete, whoever was denying you before, was kind of out to lunch. I mean, I don't get this entire school thing half of the time, but I do get that you worked hard for it."

"It is nice to see him without being in a moody mood," said Mary Jane. "And what's better, those Friends of Humanity people have not bothered us once. I call that I great day, don't you?"

"Yeah, today's not going wrong for once, it is nice to have a nice outing with friends," said Harry, as he drank his soda as the others nodded but suddenly Peter grew rigid

"Spider sense, why would it be going off here...oh no," thought Peter as he saw a very familiar face perched outside of an open window in the corner of his eye, weapon in hand.

"EVERYONE GET DOWN!" shouted Peter suddenly as Gwen quickly grabbed Mary Jane and Harry and forced them right to the floor, as Peter flipped the table using it to block the incoming projectile which was a sound idea.

He also used his body, which technically was not a sound idea.

Dazed and groggy, Peter realized that he had a tranquilizer dart right in his shoulder. Through blurred vision, he saw the Sergei Kravinoff or as he was more commonly known, Kraven the Hunter.

"I do apologize for the rude intrusion," said Kraven to the three other teenagers behind the table, as several other people in the area were around. "But I come here on a mission of business, and your young friend is what I'm after."

"No, get your hands off of him you filthy..." shouted Gwen suddenly as she got up but Mary Jane pulled her down.

"Trust me, something tells me its not a good idea to get in that guy's face," said Mary Jane but Gwen just gave her a rather nasty look but she remained calm. "I'm just saying..."

"What do you want with him, anyway?" demanded Harry but in a way, he was relieved that he was not getting kidnapped for something his father did, again and Kraven just chuckled, as he picked up Peter, and draped him over his shoulder.

"That is for me to know and you to find out, friend," said Kraven as he held the perfectly paralyzed form of Peter Parker as he held a grenade in his hand before he threw it right to the ground.

Green smog had filled the entire area, obscuring the view of completely everyone for the next few moments.

When the smog cleared, Kraven and Peter were both gone.

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