Chapter 63: Horrific Harmonic Heist of the Hypno Hustler

The following is a special public service announcement paid for by Graydon Creed.

"Ladies, gentlemen, children, if you're human, I bid you welcome and thank you for all of your support. Previously, I had stressed to you the dangers of mutants, how they can walk through walls to kidnap our children, manipulate our minds to do whatever sick pleasures they wish, and bully us with powers that are unnatural and inhumane. Your continued support to the current preservation of the human race will allow us to grow and humanity will not be silenced by mutants. It is time to strike back but today, I bring to you awareness of a different kind. Spider-Man, is he the hero that we believe him to be and he is something as dangerous as the mutants that we have to stand up to?"

An image of the Scorpion appeared on the screen.

"Macdonald Gargan was a well respected private detective. Yet, he become the dangerous and deadly Scorpion, who attempted to murder New York City publisher J. Jonah Jameson twice. Is it a coincidence that this occurred after an encounter with the web slinging vigilante known as Spider-Man?"

An image of the Sandman was next to flicker.

"Flint Marko was a middle class man with a family, who had fallen into some hard times. Yet, he would not become the dangerous Sandman until Spider-Man entered his life."

An image of Electo appeared on the screen.

"Maxwell Dillon was one of the top electricians in all of New York City. Many high profile businesses called on him. This was before the world was introduced to the sadistic, cold blooded murderer called Electro, who killed countless in a rampage of New York just over a month ago. Dillon was respected in his field, but he becomes a hated man. Yet, would there be an Electro, if it was not for Dillon meeting Spider-Man?"

A distorted image appeared, of a menacing looking Spider-Man swinging in on a terrified group of villains, dressed in what appeared to be ragged clothes.

"Is Spider-Man worthy of your admiration? Or is he just as much of a threat as the horrors that he fights? Think wisely. Do not let hero worship distract you from the evidence staring right at you. What new horror will be unleashed on the city next? And will Spider-Man be a probable cause? Let me help you and support me. Remember, if you're not fighting this mutant problem, then you're committing treason against all of humanity."

Support Graydon Creed and become a friend to all of humanity by sending in your donation.

The Horrific Harmonic Heist of the Hypno-Hustler Part One:

"Give it up Spider-Man!' crowed a triumphant voice as he sent a blast of light that knocked Spider-Man off. "You can't match watts with the Lightmaster."

"And the really bad puns have begun," said Spider-Man wincing as he got to his feet, before he jumped forward, before he bounced off of a forcefield made of light. He gave a pained grunt as he went to the ground. "And that shouldn't have hurt as much as that did either."

"My criminal career will shine brightest when I defeat you!" cried the Lightmaster, as he nearly blinded Spider-Man with another blast of light, before he knocked him on his feet. "I won't be left in the dark again! It will be a most illuminating experience."

"Please shut up and stop trying," grumbled Spider-Man as he got to his feet before he looked over his shoulder. "Shadowcat, a little help here would be nice!"

"Sorry, just finished, the guy's thugs were tougher can they looked, can you believe that this guy has thugs?" asked Shadowcat as she went intangible to avoid the blasts of light, carefully stepping around several knocked unconcious goons. "I mean, the Big Wheel had thugs and that was totally weird, but this guy, he just has a suit that manipulates light and gives off really bad puns."

Shadowcat became solid but she went intangible again to avoid it and Spider-Man tried to take advantage of the distraction by he jumping right at the Lighmaster. Lightmaster turned and blasted Spider-Man but he spiraled through the air.

"Argh!" groaned Spider-Man as he bounced off of the forcefield that appeared around him. "Okay, that's in, I'm done playing Mr. Nice Spider-Man."

Three lines of webbing shot out and they passed through the light but the Lightmaster stepped back and fired at Spider-Man's feet, in an attempt to knocked him off balance. He checked something on his suit.

"He seems very protection about those dials," said Spider-Man as he climbed on the ceiling and Shadowcat poked her head from the floor. "Shadowcat, fry them."

"Right," said Shadowcat as she squinted her eyes and dove right through the light, as she become intangible and then reached forward, and grabbed onto the dials, before Lightmaster shrieked in agony and he was knocked right off of his feet. He twitched for a minute, as the dials smoked.

"Lights out," commented Spider-Man dryly, as he saw some movement to indicate life and Shadowcat looked at him stoically for a few seconds and just smacked her palm right into her face. "I know, but I had to say it."

"Yeah, but did you really have to say it?" asked Shadowcat.

"Probably not, but it did seem like of appropriate" said Spider-Man as he webbed up the Lightmaster.

"The cops," muttered Shadowcat as she tensed up slightly. Given the fact that mutants were pretty much public enemy number one these days and she was on the scene when Electro had hijacked the X-Jet, and made it fire on the town, killing or severely wounding several, caught on camera, she was a bit jumpy about certain things.

"Good idea for you not to be seen here, back wall, there's an alleyway right out of here," said Spider-Man and Shadowcat nodded. "I'll meet you back there in a couple of minutes."

"Okay," said Shadowcat, as she carefully phased through the back wall, right when the police stepped in.

"Everyone is secure, I think you boys can take it from here," said Spider-Man and he stepped to the side, to allow the police to do there job and when he was certain it was all clear, he stepped into the alley way. "Didn't take as long as we could. Hopefully nothing else will happen today."

"It was nice to get out and not be cooped up in the mansion," said Shadowcat. "Everyone's at each others throats, and well...the fact that the MRD might break down the doors and kidnap us out of our beds any day now, its not exactly good."

"No," said Spider-Man but he had only heard about the Mutant Registration Act the day after it had passed. He had been preoccupied with a number of things, both as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Falling leads that turned up dead with the Master Planner was especially frustrating.

"Norman Osborn's involved too, that's not good, this prison, that doesn't sound that good but what can I do, the last thing I need is to be thrown right in the MRD prison on some trumped up charges, I mean when you look at it from a certain angle, I could be classified as a mutant and what's to make them stop at mutants if I'm not," thought Spider-Man. "All super powered heroes might need to get tagged for their own good. And then they won't stop at that. Why did anyone think this was a good idea? Especially since, I know Osborn's up to something, I just can't pin anything down on him. He's been real secretive, at least that's what Harry mentioned off hand, when he compared me to his father."

"Hello, anyone home?" prodded Shadowcat and Spider-Man's eyes snapped up. "You zoned out for a minute."

"Just thinking about everything, about what to do," said Spider-Man.

"Peter, don't, please, Professor Xavier said its best to let everything die down, fat lot of good that's doing, but..you know what Osborn's capable of better than anyone," said Shadowcat.

"Yeah, but he's cured, or so they say," said Spider-Man. "He does seem to have it in for mutants."

"And I don't even know why," said Shadowcat. "Maybe he does remember who you are?"

"Kitty, he doesn't, he can't," muttered Spider-Man but he shook his head, as he had doubts. 

"Can't worry about this now. Hopefully enough people will protest this right now...and that's Gwen calling right now, I bet...hey Gwen...yeah I haven't forgotten, the big Roderick Kingsley superstore is opening today, yeah, its a shame to lose the old mall, but that's corporate America for you and at least we'll all get to hang out."

"Tell Gwen I said hi!" called Shadowcat in the background.

"Kitty says Hi, Gwen says hi, Kitty, yeah, we're going to get together some time," said Peter. "Okay, see you later, talk to you later, take care, I'll be there in about an hour, providing that I don't get kidnapped again and subjected to another murderous theme park. Yeah, but you'd be surprised, talk to you, bye, love you too."

Peter turned around, before he put the cell phone back into his bag on the side.

"Wish I could go, but I shouldn't be seen out in a public place, with all that's going on," said Shadowcat. "I could disguise myself but really, don't want to take any chances. School's going to be hard this year, but my parents want me to go and they're really tearing into us in those television ads too, have you ever seen these things?"

"No," said Peter in confusion. "Then again, I haven't watched much TV, all summer...what are they doing now."

"There's this guy named Creed, Graydon Creed I think, he's bought up a bunch of advertisments that really tore into mutants, I mean, some of the things...I don't want to even repeat them, its just what he implied, we kidnapped children out of their beds and stuff like that," said Shadowcat who looked a bit angered. "And he's brought your name into the advertisements a couple of times too."

"What did he say about me?" asked Spider-Man.

"Well not that much, but he's said that you're reckless and endangers humans, he also mentioned that you're the reason why people like Electro, Sandman, and Scorpion are around," said Shadowcat and Spider-Man winced at the implications. "He's not really hitting you hard all that much, but he's starting too I think. Its all bogus."

Spider-Man just turned around.

"He doesn't say nearly the bad things about you that he does the X-Men," said Shadowcat in a reassuring voice. "Don't worry about he, Peter, he's just a blowhard, a loon, an utter whack job, one with a lot of money, true but you can handle it."

"You seemed worried about him a minute ago," said Spider-Man seriously.

"Well we're already getting dragged through the mud, when Electro made us fire with the X-Jet, the Mutant Registration Act, and people are already getting rounded up in their beds, accused of being mutants and thrown away never to be seen again, we don't need someone like Creed making it worse," said Shadowcat but suddenly a whirling from above had broken this train of thought. "What's that?"

Spider-Man turned slightly, to shake his head and then he saw a small miniature helicopter with two goons above, who began to dump several fliers into the city below and behind them, a small light multicolored vapor trail appeared around them, as they continued to circle around the city.

"Obviously something that is breaking some kind of city sanitation code," said Spider-Man dryly as he stepped over, before he took a look at one of the fliers careful not to touch it, not knowing what might be on it. "Things are looking up."

"Things are looking up?" asked Shadowcat in confusion. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I could be totally off base, but I'm guessing that it has something to do with that," said Spider-Man, as he pointed upwards and Shadowcat followed to see a giant blimp above, with the letters H.H. Blinking on it.

Suddenly a rhythmic humming echoed from miles around and immediately, Spider-Man's spider sense went into overdrive.

"There's only one thing that makes my spider sense go so insane and erratic," thought Spider-Man through the ear splitting. "Now, its got to be...mind control...The Hypno-Hustler of course!"

"Kitty, cover your ears!" managed Spider-Man but she stood transfixed and sure enough, those standing right in the street had stood transfixed as well. Spider-Man ignored the splitting, to shuffle through his bag and he pulled his mask up slightly, before he took out two electronic ear buds and plugged his ears, adjusting them, until it had completely blocked out the frequency the Hypno-Hustler was using to hypnotize people and sure enough his spider sense dulled. "There, let's see what this guy wants."

"Greetings citizens of New York!" called the Hypno-Hustler in a loud boisterous tone of voice. "You're now under my harmonic control. This is merely just a test, for a far grander hit in mind and you will march to my tune soon enough! You see, I've managed to hustle my share of night clubs, private parties, and the odd high school prom, but today, I have a more bigger prize in mind, a grander scheme of dreams. My dream is coming true. No one can save you from my control, not even Spider-Man, because the last time we met, he fled in terror from my poetic power!"

"Hey, hey, I think that happened a little bit differently than you remember!" shouted Spider-Man, as true enough, he had to answer a very important distress call from the X Mansion. "And I'm arguing with someone who can't even hear me."

"I'm sure many of you might be unfamiliar with me, as I'm the Hypno-Hustler, the kickiest cat in all of New York City," said the Hypno-Hustler. "Like all people out there, I have a story to tell, and its quite tragic. I will share you in song form!"

"Please don't, please don't, please don't, please don't, please don't, pretty please with a cheery on top" muttered Spider-Man but he winced, as the music began to start up and the Hypno-Hustler began to sing, which caused Spider-Man to give a loud protracted groan.

"And I kind of have to listen to this, because I might reveal his criminal scheme, like a villain would," thought Spider-Man. "Stay strong, Pete, this is going to hurt...well its going to hurt a lot"

On this day, I come a spin you a tale of woe.

It is more harsh than anything that you would never know.

It is sad, but true, between me and you.

This is the story that you can see.

The story of how the Hypno-Hustler came to be.

I started but a middle aged child in the suburbs.

Just me and my mother, she tried to control me like no other.

For the time, I was born, I had a dream, one that could finally set me free.

She wished for me to be a great scientist, I wished to be in the band.

There was a situation that was most awkward at hand.

Music was my passion, this fact cannot be denied.

One year, I wanted a guitar, but that was not what my mother supplied.

It was a chemistry set, and yet I wondered why.

My budding gift was something that she continued to deny.

For the day after day, month after month, I was pushed to the career of science.

A career that I never had it in me, not at the slightest.

Throughout grade school and high school and college, I acquired the knowledge

Of how to be a scientist, but it never was something that I wished to learn.

My passion for the art of music still to earn.

For one day, I was at the lab, when an horrific accident was to be had.

I never knew that those two chemicals were not to be mixed.

I had no idea, not at the slightest.

I had no aptitude for science.

On this day, the webs of fate had spun.

The harsh truth was realized for one.

But it was not for me, rather it was reality.

This is the story that when the chemical blew, my aspirations only flew.

This is the story of how the Hypno-Hustler can to be.

Cover in the toxic brew, I felt that I was in the stew.

Yet when I woke up, I could sense around everything.

The wonder that music will bring, I was atunned, to the notes that affect the human mind.

The chemicals had altered my reality, the perceptions that I could see, what I had been denied.

From the scraps of wood from that table, I could make the guitar that was mine.

For a simple strum of my guitars, the weak minded, the simple minded, were under my hypnotic trance.

With my harmonic tones, I could make them bend to my song and dance.

Once my mother could see, she tried to crush my hopes and dreams.

Yet, her control on me was not what it once seemed.

Therefore, I played her a tune, so that my mother could knew.

That she was the cause of all of this.

In her zeal for a scientist, she had given birth to my powers, you can be assured of this.

My mother felt great remorse, I convinced her of what she must do.

Out of the tenth story window she flew.

From that day forward, I had realized my power.

I could control my foes or simply make them cower.

My guitar will bring you to your knees.

Even a blind man can see.

Soon, all will be a part of how the rise of the Hypno-Hustler came to be.

Spider-Man stood in the middle of the street, eyes widened, struck dumb by the song before he shook his head and everyone around seemed to be shaking their heads as well.

"Huh, what happened?" asked Shadowcat, which brought Spider-Man and several other people looked on in confusion.

"A really bad musical number," said Spider-Man as he fished through his bag. "I think I have a couple more pairs in here...ah here we go...put those on, adjust the frequency to 8.4 to the right, and we're going to follow that blimp. That's going to lead us to the Hypno-Hustler."

"The who?" asked Shadowcat in confusion.

"The Hypno-Hustler," repeated Spider-Man.

"Isn't that the guy with the giant mechanical wheel, no wait that's the Big Wheel, and that's not the chick who tried to blast you with a hair dryer that wasn't even plugged in, that's White Rabbit, " said Shadowcat before she caught it. "Oh that's that weirdo in the go go boots, that crashed your prom."

"Yeah he ruined my prom night, he made me listen to a horrible music number...and he also might commit a crime," said Spider-Man, as Shadowcat hung on, as they swung throughout the city, in an attempt to follow the blimp as it continued its progress.

XXXXX-XXXXX

In an abandoned music studio, the Hypno-Hustler stood, to address his Mercy Killers. Dressed in a sequined white jump suit, with a cape, goggles, white head phones, a single white glove, and go go boots, he stood, showing three gold teeth as he smiled.

"Merely a test run, as I've proven that my powers can blanket the entire city for a short amount of time, given the proper circumstances," said Hypno-Hustler, as he held his guitar and the door opened, to reveal two people who were in the miniature helicopter. "And my opening act is back, excellent."

"Dropper the fliers just like you told us to, Hypno-Hustler and sprayed that stuff into the city. Circled the city three times to make sure everyone would get a whiff of it, whatever it is."

"It will allow people to be at ease with my harmonic tunes and just go with the flow," said Hypno Hustler with a grin. "Now, I've set the first note of my caper in motion, now its to set the stage for the biggest, most profitable venture of my criminal career. My dream is to amplify my hypnotic tunes by a thousandfold, putting entire cities underneath my control, to dance, to do my bidding. But naturally, you've already knew that, since we're all in this to make a killing."

The other members of the Mercy Killers, along with several alternates and opening acts that just doubled as hired labor, just nodded, as the Hypno-Hustler moved over, as he held his beloved guitar and strummed a few notes on it.

"Now, the biggest gathering in the entire city, all the people, handing their money over to me," added Hypno-Hustler, as he held a newspaper. "The two hundreth and ninety fifth Roderick Kingsley megastore is having its grand opening today. The entire city, including some of the most rich and famous are going to be there, with disposal income to buy and donate to the charity drive. All of which is ripe for the hustling!"

"But, there are going to be cops everywhere, surely we can't pull of a heist like that?" asked one of the alternates.

"It will be pulled o

ff, its already being pulled off right now," said the Hypno-Hustler. "The sound system is state of the art as well, just plug in my axe, and we'll be able to rock the entire city."

At this time, Spider-Man and Shadowcat had arrived and had opened the window slightly to hear what was going on.

"Now, everyone, we're ready to roll, the grand opening is an hour and we want to be there to fill in for the music act, that I convinced to take a wrong turn on their way there," said Hypno-Hustler. "Now, to the biggest gathering, its going to be time to make a killing at the Kingsley Megastore."

"He's going to loot the Kingsley megastore opening," muttered Shadowcat but Spider-Man just looked at her. "Yeah, I know, he just said it, but I wasn't sure if you heard him or not."

"Not if we stop him," said Spider-Man, as he swung down and Hypno-Hustler backed off, before he saw that Spider-Man was right in front of him. "Sorry, we've had a last minute change of plans and your next act will be playing for the patients at Ravencroft where you'd be right at home.

"I'm not insane, I'm a systematic singing sensation and even you will be dazzled by this tune ," said the Hypno-Hustler, as he held the guitar and began to play.

You'll be dancing to my tune.

Really soon.

Swinging from you webs.

My music will be in your head.

Hypno Hypno Hypno Hypno-Hustler

(HUSTLER!)

Make notes on my guitar

My range is very far.

You might call my choice of attire to be bizarre.

But soon you will be dancing around the room.

Hypno Hypno Hypno Hypno-Hustler

(HUSTLER!")

Hypno-Hustler stopped playing as Shadowcat dropped down, humming the tune to the song she just heard, before she stopped, absolutely horrified, but she could not stop it going through her head.

"Great now I've got that stupid tune stuck in my head, " groaned Shadowcat. "I guess I'm going to have to beat you up until it gets out."

"But how, you should be dancing to my tune, both of you, under my control, so I can take this shown on the road" said the Hypno-Hustler.

"Well we're not," said Spider-Man. "And we're going to take this show off the road."

"Alternates and opening acts, show these two party crashers what we do to them, when they're not on the guest list!" shouted the Hustler, as he turned around, as the Mercy Killers followed him. Shadowcat went intangible, as two goons jumped right at her and then crashed into a crate.

"Uh, what are these things?" asked Shadowcat, as she held up something.

"They're called records," said Spider-Man as he got a good look. "That's what people used back in the day to listen to music."

"Weird," said Shadowcat with a shrug, as she threw the record right at the head of one of the henchmen. She picked up several more and began to flung them right at them, causing them to be staggered. "Well, they're clunky, and unpractical and I can't see them being very portable, but they make good projectiles."

Spider-Man webbed two of the henchmen as Shadowcat flung more records, before she became intangible.

"I don't mean to be a spoilsport, but the Hypno-Hustler just made his way out the back door," said Spider-Man, as he knocked a stack of boxes right on top of several members of the gang and then webbed them together.

"Well we do have some problems," said Shadowcat, as one of the henchman tried to nail her right in the head with a set of drums but they went right through her. He looked confused and she phased right to the floor, before she pulled the henchmen below, causing him to scream in absolute terror, before he popped right back up, cracking heads with another henchmen, who tried to take a look at where his fellow gang member had.

"Should be the last of them, right now," said Spider-Man, as he webbed another up to a set of multicolored lights that began to swing around and around. Another henchmen tried to sneak right up on Spider-Man, but Shadowcat leaned back, phasing through a box, which released the set of lights, causing it to fall right on the top of his head.

"No, that should be all of them," said Shadowcat, as she held onto Spider-Man's arm and quickly made them intangible, as they passed through the door outside.

"Shouldn't be too hard to find him," muttered Spider-Man as he watched a large multi colored bus, drive into the streets, with a revolving disco ball sending multicolored lights into the air and fuzzy dice in the mirror.

"He's making it really obvious," said Shadowcat as she rolled her eyes.

"Almost too obvious," said Spider-Man as he swung around, to find another set of tire tracks.

"What are you doing, the Hypno-Hustler is going that way?" asked Shadowcat.

"No, that's what he wants us to think," said Spider-Man, as the two moved off to see a very plain looking van driving from the direction of the hideout.

XXXXX-XXXXX

"I think we've given the web head the slip," said a band member as he looked over his shoulder.

"Yeah, you've got it, that cat, won't be able to dig us going around in such a square ride," said the Hypno-Hustler as he looked over his shoulder in the rearview mirror. "Blast, the web slinger's right on top of us. I thought that plan would work."

Hypno-Hustler just moved to the back of the van, guitar opened up as the roof of the van began to slide up, as he began to strum the guitar, right at Spider-Man began to get closer.

"That won't work on us, you might as well just put that thing away!" shouted Spider-Man but the Hypno-Hustler just gave a knowing grin.

"Right, time to kick it into high gear," said Hypno-Hustler, as he cranked up the volume and began to belt a loud tune.

The buildings that Spider-Man was swinging from had begun to rumble and crack as the Hypno Hustler's speed increased.

"Brace yourself, this might hurt, a little," said Spider-Man, as he jumped down with Shadowcat.

"Or a lot," muttered Shadowcat.

"Or a lot," agreed Spider-Man, as even with the ear plugs in, there was still a dull buzzing, as both of them had crashed towards the ground, with Shadowcat phasing through the ground at the last second, to prevent them from hitting too hard.

Then were pulled right back into the street, a bit shaken up and a bit battered, but otherwise fine but the Hypno Huster stared them down, before he switched the polarity of the amplifier and immediately, the other members of the Mercy Killers placed ear muffs on, with the Hypno-Hustler stood back.

"Get the guitar if you can!" shouted Spider-Man, as he aimed his web shooters, but the Hypno-Hustler struck a few notes, which send a sonic pulse. Despite the plugs in their ears, they were knocked off balance and quickly rendered unconscious in a matter of seconds.

"Out light a light, my performance has rendered these two cubes speechless," said the Hustler, as he stepped over, before he felt for a pulse. "Still alive, but we'll fix that up real nice pretty soon. We need to make a quick detour right before we hit the scene in the Kingsley opening. Our old nightclub is just around the corner and that should be the final curtain for our two gate crashers!"

The Mercy Killers just hoisted up the unconscious forms of Spider-Man and Shadowcat and threw them right in the back of the van with dastardly intentions in mind.

Next Chapter

Chapter 62: Welcome to Murder World Part Two

Chapter Sixty Two: Welcome to Murder World Part Two.

“Slide that around and solved,” thought Spider-Man as he had solved the third logic puzzle and they all lit up, before the door opened. His spider sense started to blare insanely and he threw himself through the door. Just as his feet left the platform, it finally slid down into the deep pit. “Close call.”

“Level six cleared,” announced Arcade. “Give you a pat on the back Spider-Man but you can't breath easily. Quite literally perhaps, as this level, you have to reach the top of this room by scaling up to the hole in the ceiling.”

“I simply have to climb up there,” said Spider-Man as he turned around as he surveyed the area. “No problem.”

“Yes, but you can't climb the walls, I've lubricated them so you won't be able to stick to them for more than a split second,” explained Arcade. “You're going to have to jump the platforms.”

“Really, those things, no sweat,” said Spider-Man in a confident voice as he eyed the platforms, seemed easy enough, but suddenly, the platforms began to spin completely and a rotating force field appeared at the very top of the hole. “Okay maybe a little bit of sweat.”

“Now you've seen what is ahead of you but one more thing, to make things a bit more fun and interesting,” said Arcade which caused Spider-Man to shudder. Something that was fun and interesting in the hands of this lunatic appeared to be bad news. “All of the oxygen is slowly being pumped out of this room. I say that you have about five minutes before you are in big trouble and that's only if you take really small breaths.”

Spider-Man just blocked Arcade's words from his mind and focused at the task at hand. There only appeared to be a small amount of time for him to do his task and he watched as the first platform continued to rotate around him and he bent his knees and threw himself right at the platform. He grabbed onto it and pulled himself up, as the platforms began to speed up and spin, several times in a period of approximately fifteen seconds. It was very hard to stay on the single platform and there was only a small fraction of a second that Spider-Man had where the platforms were within jumping distance.

To make matters worse, they really seemed to get faster and faster. That was going to be a bit of a problem.

Okay, a really big problem.

There was no choice but Spider-Man jumped and just managed to get the platform, nearly being flung off but he steadied himself and looked carefully. The only way to the next platform appeared to be a really tall ladder that really had no time and it took some time for him to get his footing as the platforms continued to rotate. Conserving his breath as much as he could, Spider-Man gave himself a nice leap.

He just barely grasped onto the ladder but suddenly, the moment he grabbed it began to disengage.

“Great just great,” thought Spider-Man as he managed to climb up the ladder as it slid to the ground and he just grabbed onto the platform and he heard a clatter of the ladder. “Close Spidey, airs seems light, you don't have much time.”

Spider-Man stood in the platform as the structure began to speed up and he found that the platform that he was standing on had began to attract giving him less room to stand and to make matters worse, he was moments away from being flung off to his doom but he managed to jump to the next platform just before the other one had completely slid out from underneath his feet. He landed hard on the platform forcing an unnatural amount of pressure on his right knee, and clutched his knee, but he had made it to the platform.

He could not even let out the breath he had due to the decreasing oxygen but he suddenly felt the platform beneath his feet.

It was vibrating.

The vibrations were causing it to crumble to dust.

He had only seconds before he could leap.

To time a jump that was exactly right.

With no room for error. Absolutely none at all.

Through an impressive array of acrobatics and just a little bit of luck, Spider-Man stuck the jump completely, landing on the next platform which seemed to be steady and did not seem to retract.

“Straight shoot to the top,” thought Spider-Man in a dazed voice, as he felt his knees weakened. “Can barely breathe. Might only have a minute for all I know, maybe less...no time Spider-Man. You have to leap just right. And really just right. One shot and...well its going to be messy.”

Spinning at an accelerated rate above a hole with the smallest margin for error possible did not do anything to help the situation. Especially considering the fact that the oxygen was severely depleting.

It was do or die. Now or never, all or nothing for Spider-Man. He closed his eyes, held his breath, and jumped.

Time seemed to slow down to an unbearable crawl for the next few minutes.

Yet he managed to do it. He managed to pass the hole.

He almost could feel the lasers nipping at his heels.

It was a close call. All too close of a call.

Spider-Man found himself, staggered, dazed, and not to mention all too queasy as he was in a lobby area. His stomach was turning about a million different directions and he doubted that any one of them were anything close to good.

“You have cleared level seven, you're getting to the point where only two percent have made it to this point,” said Arcade as he paused as Spider-Man slowly pulled his mask off. “There is a garbage can to your right if you wish to get sick. Please do not get sick on my floor. I just had it carpeted. Thank you.”

Had he been in a bit more sound of mind, not dazed or confused, about ready to lose his lunch, he would not even listen to the advice of the super villain trying to kill him.

He opened up the garbage can. His spider sense went into overdrive.

A split second before he was gassed. Spider-Man's legs crumpled and he fell on the floor.

Two henchmen walked over and picked up Spider-Man to manually transport him to the next level.

XXXXX-XXXXX

“Well this is it, the end, of course,” said Miss Locke as she watched Spider-Man being dragged outside of the doors.

“Perhaps, perhaps, but perhaps not,” said Arcade skeptically but he watched in anticipation.

“Level Eight is unwinnable you said,” said Miss Locke. “I say that Spider-Man was rather lucky to even survive that last level. He should have been sliced into ribbons at the top of the spiral.”

“There is always a first time for everything, but its exceptional that Spider-Man has made it this far, with all of the handicaps,” said Arcade with glee. He was almost looking forward to Level Eight. Only the best of the best had ever reached that point of Murderworld. Perhaps Spider-Man could break the that tradition.”

“It is almost like you want Spider-Man to succeed,” muttered Miss Locke as she shook her heads.

“Call it a morbid curiosity if you must, but I wish to see the ninth level in action, if the web slinger can even figure it out,” said Arcade. “It appears that the web slinger is coming to. The game is afoot.”

XXXXX-XXXXX

Spider-Man pulled himself to his feet, dazed.

“That's the last time I open a conveniently placed trash can,” thought Spider-Man as he shook his head from one side to the other in an attempt to clear the cobwebs.

“Spider-Man, you have reached level eight, a level that less than two percent have reached and approximately zero percent have survived,” announced Arcade with glee. “To win this level, you have to get across the room without dying. Across the room are dozens upon dozens of traps, triggered in different ways. Should be a blast.”

“And you're going to do something to make it more fun,” dead panned Spider-Man as he stood tense.

“You've finally caught on to the game,” cheered Arcade and suddenly the room went completely pitch black. “You have to make it across the room in the dark. Does make it clear why no one has survived this level ever, doesn't it?”

Spider-Man braced himself, as he tried to block out all of his senses. If he had any hope of getting across the room without dying, he had to rely on his spider sense and his spider sense alone.

He rushed into the room and ducked and dodged.

To the right to avoid a threat.

Spider sense blares again. Duck down and jump to the left, then slightly backwards, and then swing up.

A flaming razor sharp spear flashes. Ducked narrowly. Rolled around at avoid traps. Dodged around several more attacks.

Leap to the right.

Leap to the left.

Spider sense.

To the right again.

Jumped up.

Couched down.

To the right once again.

Spider sense is going nuts. Duck, dodge, crouch, and roll.

Duck around and go diagonal.

A few feet to the left and then give a leap forward. Dodge and avoid every single pratfall in the way.

Get smashed in the ribs. Not lethal but it hurts. A lot.

Slide underneath a threat and keep to the ground, crawling until the spider sense died down.

To the right slightly again.

Forward and then diagonal.

Avoid a barrage of traps. Slight pain but a very narrow miss. Could have been lethal.

Somersault around and avoid another attack.

Smash forward, barely avoiding falling into another trap.

Feel a switch. No spider sense. No danger.

Pull switch.

Spider-Man fell out of the room, as he began to breath heavily, as he saw his costume was slightly burned and torn in places, with a bit of blood dripping from a small cut on his arm. Other than that he was alive.

There was a small pause and Spider-Man just stood the game.

“Okay, Arcade, I've done it!” shouted Spider-Man and there was another pause, as if Arcade had been struck dumb, but only for a second.

“Level Eight...is cleared,” said Arcade in astonishment. “I had entertained myself with the possibility that it might be done but...Murderworld history. Its down to this one Spider-Man. The final level. The one that you have to clear right now.”

Suddenly the floor lowered, to reveal that it was a lift down to another area and it deposited Spider-Man to the ground where he was in front of a giant maze.

“Get to the center of the maze, Spider-Man,” said Arcade simply. “There is a bomb in the center. Pull the shut off switch before the bomb blows you to smithereens.”

“While encountering all sorts of traps, and tricks, you know to make it fun,” said Spider-Man dryly.

“Not this time,” said Arcade. “You have two minutes.”

“Two minutes?” asked Spider-Man as he wondered if it would be able to even clear the maze in time.

“The clock is ticking Spider-Man,” said Arcade and Spider-Man wasted no time as he bolted into the maze.

“There's no way I can make it through in time,” thought Spider-Man. “Can that attitude, you've got to find your way through the center of the maze. Let's see, this should be simple. Do what you did in the last level. Right, left, right, left, straight, turn to the right, right, right, another right, now a left, three doors, taken the third one. Don't have much time left, let's see, right, right, right, right, another right, a left, straight through the hallway, take a right, take a...”

There was a loud thud as Spider-Man found himself smashed right into a solid wall. He could hear the ticking of the bomb on the other side and he tried to smash his way through the wall but it was reenforced. He reared back and tried to jump the wall but he could not make it.

“Thirty seconds, Spider-Man!” announced Arcade as Spider-Man began to sweat, stomach tensed up, as he rushed the wall, in an attempt to scale it.

“Can't break through, can't jump the wall, too high, can't climb it,” thought Spider-Man as he scrambled up the wall but he slid down. “Can't use my webbing either, because...the chemical.”

Spider-Man quickly removed his spare web cartridges from his belt and opened them, before he flung them right into the wall. They burst into flames and began to burn a hole through the wall. The web slinger slid into the center of the match and switched off the bomb, just as the countdown timer was going from one to zero.

Spider-Man let out a very pained sigh of relief. His head was thumping relying on his spider sense so much.

“Okay, I've beaten your stupid game!” shouted Spider-Man when he caught his breath. “All nine levels. Now its time for us to go toe to toe.”

Several view screens appeared and the face of Arcade appeared, as Spider-Man saw him of all his glory.

“Nine levels and you've done it,” said Arcade impressed. “You've completed Murderworld. Consider yourself among the absolute elite.”

Spider-Man moved his way forward, to a set of doors, as he heard the voice of Arcade getting closer, not really paying much attention to what he was saying.

“Just wait until I get these doors open,” grunted Spider-Man as he pushed, but he opened the door, to reveal an empty control room but then the laughter of Arcade echoed throughout

“Tough luck for you Spider-Man, I've left since the moment you were put here, I've been safely enjoying your progress from the other side of the Atlantic,” said Arcade smugly, with a look that Spider-Man wanted to wipe off his face. “The Master Planner won't be pleased that his million went to waste, but he should have read the fine print. No refunds.”

“The Master Planner so he was the one who hired you?” demanded Spider-Man quickly and Arcade nodded. “Who he is?”

“He didn't exactly leave his personal information I wouldn't tell you if I did know, confidentiality clauses,” stated Arcade. “You know, I do hope one day someone else hires me to attempt to kill you Spider-Man. I relish the opportunity to design nine more levels, even more challenging than before but sequels seldom live up to the original.”

Arcade just chuckled.

“Have a nice day, Spider-Man, its been a pleasure trying to murder you and thank you for playing,” said Arcade as the screen went blank and the doors opened, as Spider-Man made his way to the outside world, the shackle on his ankle coming undone.

“That was not fun at all and not to mention I didn't fight who was behind this,” thought Spider-Man as he moved. “I am so late its not even funny. Still at least I know that the Master Planner is nervous about me, if he paid this guy to try and kill me. Anyway, now for the fun part. Explaining why I'm almost two hours late.”

XXXXX-XXXXX

“Almost two hours and when we do get our food, it was burned,” said Gwen as she threw her hands into the air and she turned to Harry. “I thought you said this place was supposed to be good.”

“I did?” asked Harry but then he recalled. “Must have gotten a bad turnover. Something about a change in management. At least that what I got out the chef's broken English.”

“He said it was his first day,” said Liz with a shrug.

“In the country?” asked Harry with raised eyebrows and the others just really shrugged but Harry just looked up to see an approaching figure. “Well, look who decided to show up,”

“Hi Liz, Harry, Gwen,” said Peter, as Gwen just rushed forward in relief and hugged Peter. He whispered so only Gwen could hear him. “Gwen easy on the ribs, please, I dinged them up pretty bad.”

“Sorry,” muttered Gwen as she gave him a quick kiss. “Where were you?”

“Something with the Bugle, probably,” said Harry. “Takes work more seriously. Dad would approve, that's a good thing.”

“Yeah, Bugle, Jameson wanted pictures of a theme park where a lot of people died,” said Peter quickly, deciding that a slightly exaggerated version of the truth.

“That's awful,” gasped Liz.

“What was it called?” asked Gwen suspiciously.

“Murderworld,” said Peter and Gwen turned away, to slightly hide a mixture of exasperation and relief.

“Well you can't fault them for truth in advertisement,” said Harry with a shrug. “I mean, people die at a place called Murderworld. That's what you expect from a place like that.”

“People did die though,” said Gwen. “I'm surprised that Jameson let you in. What if you never really got out alive?”

“Relax, I knew what I was doing,” said Peter with a slightly strained smile as he disguised the limp that he was now sporting. The adrenaline had worn off and now all of the aches and pains that went with the rigors of being a costumed hero had returned. “So, I guess I missed a good meal.”

“Bad guess, Pete, the food was lousy, took almost as long as you did to get our order and they messed it up,” said Harry. “Well see you around, or maybe not knowing you. Still got to remain optimistic.”

“Yeah its getting late, we better go,” said Liz. “Bye Peter, Gwen.”

“Yeah good bye,” said Peter.

“Bye,” said Gwen as she looked at Peter with a searching look as she waited for Liz and Harry to drive off. “Murderworld, Peter?”

“I've taken you've heard of it,” said Peter and Gwen just nodded, with a slight frown.

“I saw something about it on the Internet a while back when I was doing research, apparently some International assassin is running the thing, for high priced clients, didn't really offer that much more than that,” said Gwen. “Oh and its supposed to be a high end operation designed to make sure the person never got out alive.”

“Gwen, I swear, sometimes, you're too smart for your own good or rather my own good I guess,” said Peter and Gwen just gave a strained smile at Peter's backhanded compliment. “And for the record I'm the first person who survived that place.”

“Peter, I don't know whether to be proud that you actually managed to survive that place or horrified that you almost got yourself killed,” said Gwen.

“I would go with proud myself, trust me, my bruises have bruises,” said Peter and Gwen just shook her head. “It was the ever mysterious Master Planner who paid Arcade to put me through the torment.”

“Did you have any idea who he is?” asked Gwen.

“Well I the only thing I've figured that he does have some kind of master plan,” said Peter.

“Wow,” said Gwen dryly. “And that joke was almost funny the first time you told it. It ceased to be soon after. Seriously, any idea who might be doing this.”

“Well yeah, I could make a list of the people who would want to kill me,” said Peter. “Be an interesting way to kill an afternoon.”

“Must you make light of this?” asked Gwen.

“The only way I can keep sane, I'm taking the Master Planner very seriously, whoever he is and whatever his...master plan is,” said Peter. “I won't rest until I figure this out.”

“I know and that's what worries me,” said Gwen, as she looked Peter right in the eyes. “At least this is the worst thing that can happen tonight.”

“Way, to tempt fate, Gwen,” muttered Peter shaking his head as the two walked through the city, at the twilight of the night.

XXXXX-XXXXX

Around this time, all of the programming on the major networks on television were interrupted, for a major announcement.

“My fellow Americans, it is with great honor that I finally bring to you the bill that I spearheaded,” announced Senator Robert Kelly. “It a sweeping victory for humanity, the Mutant Registration Act has been passed by a significant margin. This is a brave and bold step for humanity. They will no longer fear the reprisal of mutants as they will learn that they are not above the law. Our children may sleep safely and soundly in their beds to know that from this day forward, mutants will either comply or be arrested.”

“Those were the bold worlds of Robert Kelly, New York Senator just today,” said the newscaster. “Kelly has been one of the most outspoken advocates for mutant registration. The act is now law as of midnight tonight and all mutants will be required to register their powers with the government and be subjected to tracking. Any movement would be monitored and those mutants who use their powers to threaten humanity will be subjected to extreme punishment. All mutants are required to report to state officials for information on when they must register. Any mutant who fails to be in compliance with this act will be arrested. The grisly incident in New York City months prior, where a team of mutants fired upon a city block with civilians has been etched in the minds of many. A situation of fear will be reversed and many are positive that this will bring about a peaceful resolution for all of humanity. One such citizen spoke out today, prominent New York City businessman Norman Osborn had this to say.”

“In recent weeks I have worked closely with the government and given the studies about mutant aggression in this country, the fact that such a problem has gone unnoticed and unchecked for this long is quite unnerving,” said Osborn in a cool and collected tone of voice. “As a father, a businessman, and an American citizen, I feel I must contribute to one of the largest looming threats. Mutants will overrun us if they are not kept in check. Therefore, I feel pleased to work with the Mutant Response Division in construction a state of the art facility to imprison rogue mutants who do not comply with the Mutant Registration Act. Oscorp has been working around the clock and now has the Act is in law, my company has put in overtime. Many new jobs have been created with both building and eventually maintaining the facility. The fugitive mutants currently held at the Ravencroft Institute for the Mentally Insane at the lower levels will be moved. Past performance indicates that security is far from adequate at that facility.”

Osborn paused for a moment.

“I do this not to victimize mutants as many might mistakenly think but to rather help humans,” said Osborn. “Since we do not have powers, mutants have us at their mercy. Mutants have none. I can play the same game if they so desire. My mind is clear and Oscorp will do its part to contain any who think that they can exert their power over us. You are not too powerful to be contained.”

“MRD officers are said to be deployed to the New York area and will be in position to strike in the event mutants make their retaliation for the Mutant Response Act,” said the newscaster. “We will have more information for you as we receive it.”

XXXXX-XXXXX

“Please show these final gentleman to the exit,” said Osborn to his security, as they moved towards the film crews. “I have work.”

Osborn was left alone with Donald Menken.

“What are your plans for this facility, Mr. Osborn?” asked Menken.

“That is on a need to know basis, Menken,” replied Osborn crisply. “I will tell you when there is something that you need to do. You have other projects that I require you to oversee. Go home for this evening, I will give you instructions first thing in the morning.”

“Certainly you must require all hands on deck, Mr. Osborn,” prodded Menken. “Perhaps I could be of some assistance...”

“Menken, you've been loyal to this company for years, but it has been taken care of and no assistance is required,” replied Osborn. “Your job is not is not in peril, providing you follow my orders and not second guess me ever again. Trust me, I have everything well in hand. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir,” said Menken in a flat tone of voice as his hand tightened briefly around the handle of his briefcase.

“I knew you'd understand, now you may go home and get some sleep,” said Osborn. “With your schedule, you'll need it.”

Menken nodded and he left the office. Osborn sat back, to continue to work late into the night or rather early into the morning.

XXXXX-XXXXX

In the parking garage at Oscorp, Menken had a cell phone.

“Osborn seems to not be willing to let even his most senior employee in on these plans,” said Menken as he slid into his car. “They are at Ravencroft, but I suspect you found out on television for the rest of the world. For a supposed genius, Osborn doesn't seem to be too bright in keeping things secret.”

“Osborn, I wish to know more and I may yet want a DNA sample from him,” said a voice from the other end of the phone. “This may settle your debt with me, Mystique.”

Next Chapter

Chapter 61: Welcome to Murder World Part I

Chapter Sixty One: Welcome to Murderworld Part I

Inside a large control room, surrounded by numerous computers and sound equipment, a gentleman sat right at a monitor, as he monitored a terrified government agent attempt to claw his way out of trap but he found the walls crushing in on him, as razor sharp spikes protruding from the walls were dangerously close to slicing him into ribbons.

“You best figure out a way from that trap in about the next sixty or so seconds or I'm afraid the game is over for you,” said the gentleman. He wore white suit, with a gaudy looking tie of multiple colors that were splashed around in an erratic manner and he had wild red hair. No one knew of his real name and he had many aliases.

He did have one that he was best known as and many in seedier circles knew him as a dangerous international assassin named Arcade. He had quirks, as he forced his enemies to compete at his speciall designed amusement park called Murderworld.

It was only amusing for him, not so much for the people who he was tasked to take out.

“Let me out of here you nutcase!” shouted the agent frantically.

“Taking time to yell at me, will mean you have less time to escape,” said Arcade as he shook his head. “Its only the second level of Murderworld, surely you're not going to fold this soon.”

The government agent, grabbed the spike and began to try and tug it from the wall but the spike broke up and the agent paused, as the walls had stopped.

“Bravo, you've managed to pull the one spike that managed to stop the room,” said Arcade but he paused as the spikes burst open, which began to spray acid in the room. “Of course you had to touch that other spike. The one that releases acid into the room. There's still time. All you have to do is think....which appears to be a fundamental flaw within you.”

The victim attempted to find a way out, but he found that it was fruitless and the room was filled with acid. Arcade watched the progress, as he watched the acid dissolve the man in short order, as it began to eat through the floor. He gazed upon the skeletal remains, as he shook his head, saddened.

“No one makes this a challenge any more, they always die too quickly,” said Arcade with regret, slightly bored “Another million for this one on top of my initial million fee. Adding to my countless millions already.”

Arcade turned off the monitor, as he just leaned back in the chair.

“It does seem like I never have to design anything past Kindergarten level anymore,” said Arcade. “Its been a long time since anyone's even made it halfway through Murderworld. Is it too much to ask for someone who would actually test my traps? A challenge?”

“I believe you'll be pleased with our next client,” said a woman who had her hair tied back, wearing glasses and a business suit with high heels.

“Who is it, Miss Locke?” asked Arcade.

“Our next payment comes from someone who calls himself the Master Planner, over in the States,” said Miss Locke but Arcade just nodded. “New York in fact.”

“The newest version of Murderworld is running in that state, so this Master Planner is lucky, I'll take the job,” said Arcade. “Who is the person we have to deal with?”

“Look for yourself,” said Miss Locke, as the computer screen came to life and a file image of Spider-Man appeared. Arcade gripped the side of his chair and a grin appeared on his face.

“The spectacular Spider-Man, this is fantastic, someone who might actually challenge me,” said Arcade as he leaned back. “Miss Locke, I want everything you can find on Spider-Man. Everything.”

“I can have it within the next three days,” said Miss Locke with a nod.

“Then be prepared to go to New York within five, as I can make the modifications to Murderworld to better fit our arachnid friend by then,” said Arcade, who was more excited about the prospect of testing his amusement park on Spider-Man than anyone else had had been contracted to take care of in years.

XXXXX-XXXXX

“And this is what my life has come to,” thought Spider-Man as he swung over the New York City streets as he followed pursuit of the villainous who had dubbed herself the White Rabbit, on the back of a giant mechanical rabbit statue and two goons who looked as if they were sharing the same brain.

“Move it, you two, he's right behind us!” yelled the White Rabbit in a shrill voice, who looked gleeful. She had took her inheritance and built herself a giant robot rabbit statue, to go on a crime spree. Granted, it was not like she needed the money, but what else was she going to do with the time?

“You know, I better call up Hef, tell him that one of his bunnies have gone missing!” taunted Spider-Man as he closed in on the White Rabbit who continued.

“Move it!” shrieked the White Rabbit.

“I don't know how much faster I can go,” grunted one of the thugs, but Spider-Man swooped down and the two thugs, in their attempt to attack him had clonked their heads together.

“Well, I can see that you're scrapping to the bottom of the barrel,” said Spider-Man, as he had with several kicks knocked the rabbit robot into the wall and the White Rabbit had to jump off to escape being smeared against the wall. She reached into her handbag, and held two carrots. “Really? Really? Wow...kind of lame.”

She threw the carrots at the ground but they just hit the ground harmlessly.

“I picked up the wrong ones!” she shrieked, as instead of her explosive carrots, she had picked up two regular carrots but she suddenly looked at Spider-Man with what she thought to be a smug superior look but was quite of dopey and over the top. “Well, Spider-Man, you can't beat me, so you might as well just let me go.”

“What?” asked Spider-Man in confusion before he amended sarcastically. “Because of your super genius plan that's bound to beat me, I guess.”

“No, because I'm a girl, and you can't hit me, because that would be wrong,” said the White Rabbit as she rolled her eyes. “Stupid, duh, stupid, you can't hit a lady. I mean, you're the good guy, what kind of example would that give?”

“Well to call yourself a lady would be kind of pushing it, with that get up” said Spider-Man as he took a step forward and the White Rabbit took a step forward, before she picked something from her purse.

“Stay back, this is a hyper sonic death ray thingy of death and destruction and I'll blow you to icky little spider bits!” shouted the White Rabbit and Spider-Man just looked at the object in her hand.

“That is a hair dryer,” dead panned Spider-Man and the White Rabbit switched it on but there was no air coming from it and a cord dangled from the appliance. “And you need an electrical outlet for it too. Did you really think this through before you decided to put on that outfit and go out today?”

He casually shot a line of webbing out, to hold her in place. She tripped and fell over.

“HEY, HEY, THAT'S NOT FAIR!” shrieked the White Rabbit. “I HAVE RIGHTS! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I'LL SUE!”

Suddenly a webbing gag found its way around her mouth to silence her.

“Yeah, go ahead, but I doubt the courts will be sympathetic towards a woman who tried to tear up the city on a giant robotic rabbit” retorted Spider-Man dryly as he webbed up the two goons and left them for the police.

“So, do we still get paid?” asked one of the goons in a dull voice as Spider-Man swung off into the distance, as the police cars.

“I'm fighting someone calling herself the White Rabbit,” thought Spider-Man as he is shaking his head. “Oh well, easy night, best I could hope for in this day and age, but I really, really was hoping for something more.”

Spider-Man dropped down and answered his cell phone.

“Hi Gwen,” said Peter immediately.

“Hey, Peter, you do remember our plans for tonight don't you,” said Gwen.

“No, would I ever forget?” asked Peter.

“Well not forget, but I mean, you do have the tendency to get sidetracked a lot of the time,” said Gwen. “We're supposed to meet Harry and Liz in about an hour.”

“Still plenty of time, besides, I'm just getting off of work right now, get these pictures to Jameson and I'll be right over,” said Peter.

“Okay Peter, talk to you real soon,” said Gwen. “I love you, bye.”

“Love you too Gwen, bye,” said Peter as he put his cell phone away, slightly cheerful. With no crime present it appeared that he was relieved for the evening. Spider-Man began to swing off to find a place to change but suddenly his spider sense began to hit into overdrive.

“I knew that was too good to be true,” thought Spider-Man as a blast had echoed throughout the city and a gas grenade found its way through Spider-Man. Spider-Man rolled underneath the attack, to shield his face from the gas, before he passed out. “Someone's trying to take a shot at me, but why?”

Spider-Man on high alert, stood but his spider sense had continued to go into overdrive, as another two grenades dropped down but he found his culprit, a woman dressed in black on the ledge. Spider-Man began to scale the walls to go after her.

“You know, if you wanted to get my attention, I don't think throwing grenades would be the best thing to do,” said Spider-Man but immediately the woman had aimed a kick right at his head. “Really now, that was completely uncalled for.”

She refused to respond but instead began to attack Spider-Man, before she flipped up and then came down right on the top of his head. Spider-Man staggered and moved in for the attack but his attacker had grabbed his arm and turned him around, before she began to kick him right in the back of the leg several times. Spider-Man swung around and flipped her to the side. She kept her balance but Spider-Man's attempt to launch herself at her had nearly knocked her off the ledge where she was fighting.

The ledge crumbled and she nearly lost her balance and Spider-Man instinctively grabbed her arm, to prevent her from falling.

'So you are as hopelessly noble as my research indicated,” muttered the woman, as she whipped a stun gun from her glove and quickly took out Spider-Man. Spider-Man nearly slid off of the side of the building, but she grabbed him and pulled off her mask, to reveal the face of Miss Locke.

“I've got him, Arcade,” said Miss Locke as she reached forward, fingertips on the bottom of the mask and she began to pull it up.

“I do hope that you're not planning on removing his mask Miss Locke,” said Arcade and Miss Lock paused.

“Aren't you the least bit curious to see who's underneath the mask?” asked Miss Locke.

“Now, we were hired to kill Spider-Man, not the person who was underneath the mask,” admonished Arcade. “I prefer to carry out my agreements as specified. Make sure he's out and bring him to Murderworld. Everything is ready.”

Miss Locke nodded, as she held the unconscious Spider-Man before she jumped right into the air ship and drove off, the web slinger secured.

XXXXX-XXXXX

Gwen stood outside of the restaurant and she checked her watch, as she bit her lip nervously. She resisted the temptation to reach for her cell phone and call Peter. She didn't want to come across as a nagging, untrustful girlfriend and she reasoned that there was a chance that Peter ran into some trouble.

“Just a couple of minutes late, Gwen, besides Harry and Liz aren't here yet,” thought Gwen as she peered up but there appeared to be no Peter but she saw Liz and Harry walking down the street right now.

“Harry, Liz, I was worrying that you wouldn't show up,” said Gwen with a false cheery voice. “So how was Europe Harry?”

“Just an average vacation, really, nothing happened,” said Harry with a completely straight face, as Liz just stood, arms crossed but she quickly straight up. “Where's Pete anyway?”

“Oh you know Peter, he'll be here when he gets here,” said Gwen with a strained smile. “I called him just before I left and he'll be on his way when he is here. Let's go find a table, this place can get pretty packed quickly.”

“Yeah, go get the table, I'll join you in a minute,” said Harry as Liz looked at him. “Bathroom you know, got to wash my hands and all that.”

Harry stumbled off, as he looked dazed but Gwen did not really pay attention to that or the pained anguished look on Liz's face. She looked out one more time to Peter, but he did not appear to be too near. She held the cell phone but shook her head.

“Give it a bit more time,” thought Gwen. “Peter can take care of himself. Don't stress, he'll be here and he'll be fine. Just give him a bit more time.”

XXXXX-XXXXX

Spider-Man found himself waking up, right in front of a metal door.

“Excellent Spider-Man, you're awake, now the fun can begin,” boomed Arcade over the loud speaker. “Welcome to Murderworld. My name is Arcade! You've been chosen as the first person to beta test the New York version of my amusement park. In all, you'll find nine spine chilling levels, each with destruction. Find a way to defuse the traps in each level and survive to the end and you'll be able to walk home free, no questions asked. If you fail even one level, the good people of New York will be reading your obituary in the papers tomorrow morning.”

“You've got to as bent as a coat hanger if I am going through with this,” said Spider-Man as he got to his feet and stepped forward, but suddenly, he fell over, a metal shackle around his ankle throwing him off balance as he tried to escape through the park.

“I don't think that would be wise Spider-Man, I can pull a switch and fry your nervous system just like that,” said Arcade in a bored voice. “Don't want to do that, but if you force my hand, then I'll do things the boring way. Not my style. Right now, you're stunned. I'll shut off the shackle and the next movement should be right through that door, if you please.”

Spider-Man felt himself able to move and in a blink of an eye, he immediately attempted to remove the shackle, but found himself electrocuted as he tried to tamper with it.

“Save the fight for Murderworld Spider-Man, trust me, you'll need it, my arachnid friend,” said Arcade. “Through the doors and onto level one.”

“I can't believe I'm going to have to play through this stupid...death trap its what it is,” thought Spider-Man, as he found himself moving through the doors.

“So, you're going to let me go if I get through this Murderworld?” asked Spider-Man.

“Of course,” stated Arcade.

“I'm supposed to believe you,” said Spider-Man.

“As a gentleman, you have my word,” said Arcade with a chuckle. “Oh one more thing. No one has ever made it to the final level.”

“That's really reassuring,” thought Spider-Man with a pained grimace as he stepped in and the doors to the outside of the world slid shut. He braced himself for anything.

Right in front of him, a giant mechanical creature that resembled a black widow spider had moved it right towards Spider-Man.

“A Spider Slayer?” asked Spider-Man as the robot moved in and a laser raised out of it.

“Figured we'd start you off with something that is old hat, Spider-Man,” said Arcade over the loud speaker. “An old face from your past. I've studied everything about you that I could find and I want to make your time at Murderworld best tailored for you and no one else.”

“Great, a super villain that does his homework,” thought Spider-Man as he avoided the attacks of the Spider Slayer, before he studied it intently. “These things always have one fundamental flaw in it that I can exploit to beat this and it shouldn't be hard to overheat this one by plugging the air circulation points at the top..”

Spider-Man dodged an attack and did a somersault, before he landed right behind the Spider Slayer, before he raised his right arm and aimed his web shooters.

His webbing completely dissolved in a puff of smoke a split second after it left its web shooters.

“Defective, no problem,” thought Spider-Man as he moved around and prepared to change web cartridges, but when he had removed the supposed defective one from his web shooters, it burst into flames, and burned his hand. Spider-Man staggered around in pain.

“Good tactic, Spider-Man but I figured if you would be allowed to use your webbing, it wouldn't be a challenge,” remarked Arcade. “So to make things more fun, a chemical compound was introduced into the air at Murderworld, quiet harmless to you, but it causes your webbing to completely dissolve the moment it is exposed into open air.”

Spider-Man avoided more laser shots but he was barely able to outgun the Slayer and every time he got close, he tried to fire a missile at it.

“Think, Parker, think, there's got to be some way you can beat this thing before it blows you to bits,” thought Spider-Man but more blasts had fired right towards him. Then it struck him. “Of course!”

Spider-Man jumped into the air and he managed to use his acrobatic skills to avoid each assault, before he planted himself right on top of the Slayer. He immediately attempted to to rip off the containment shackle around his leg.

Spider-Man grimaced as he felt the electrical charge punish his body, but the Spider Slayer Robot was short circuited. The web slinger did a flip to land on his feet, as the Spider Slayer went out of control and attempted to go after Spider-Man with its slightly damaged navigation systems. The Spider Slayer moved right towards Spider-Man but the web slinger propelled himself right over the Slayer.

The robot smashed against the wall where it turned around and then completely collapsed. Spider-Man staggered forward.

“Level up, Spider-Man!” announced Arcade. “Only eight more to go. But I do warn you, its only going to get a bit harder from here.”

“I'm ready for whatever you throw at me!” shouted Spider-Man. “Give me your best shot.”

“I will,” replied Arcade, as suddenly, the floor had opened up from underneath Spider-Man and sent him crashing down. His spider sense had only warned him right before he crashed through and he did not have enough time before he landed on the ground.

Spider-Man rolled over dazed and he was in a dark room.

“Shouldn't be too much of a problem, I mean, Spider-Man, walking on walls, duh, going to be able to get out of here,” thought Spider-Man as he stepped over but his spider sense just went into overdrive and razor sharp spikes shot from the walls. “Okay, just a bit of a problem.”

“The clock is running Spider-Man, three minutes to find a way out of the room,” said Arcade as the walls began to slowly in. “Even your spider strength can't keep these walls apart for long. Better think quickly. This is the level that seventy four point eight percent of the people who have went through Murder World have met their grisly demise in.”

Spider-Man ignored the taunts of Arcade, as he tried to scale the spikes like a ladder, but an electrical charge had knocked him down right to the ground.

“Let me think, can't climb, webbings a no go,” thought Spider-Man as he thought quickly, as the walls slowly closed in. “Wait a minute, that spike looks a bit wonky, different from the others. It's got to be a switch of some sort.”

Spider-Man jumped over and prepared to put his hand on the spike, but his spider sense had stopped him.

“Wait, I'm guessing I'm not supposed to pull this, bait for people who would figure out such a thing,” thought Spider-Man as he stepped away, but he then closed his eyes. “About two minutes, Spidey, got to figure this one out.”

Spider-Man stepped around, as he saw another spike a bit higher up. It was slightly out of reach as he tried to jump for it.

“Tough luck, Spider-Man,” commented Arcade. “And only with about ninety seconds to go and no way to climb, no webbing, looks like you're out of luck.”

Spider-Man stepped back and then bent his knees, before he propelled himself right into the air. He managed to grab onto the bent spike on the wall and give it a slight pull, before it bent and the walls stopped.

The walls slid down into the ground and allowed Spider-Man movement to move on.

“Level up Spider-Man!” said Arcade. “I would have been sorely disappointed if you didn't defeat that level. Now onto Level Three, dance into my Disco of Death!”

“Disco of Death,” muttered Spider-Man dryly, as he wondered what was so dangerous about a disco.

The floor began to light up as Spider-Man was on the edge of the dance floor.

“Level Three Spider-Man, one that only less than a fourth of the people that have ever encountered Murder World has gotten to and one that only half of those people have survived,” announced Arcade. “Take the metal block on the shelf to the right and throw it onto one of the blue squares and see what happens. Go ahead, see.”

Spider-Man picked up the metal block and did so. Immediately when the block touched, it was flash frozen. Then a giant laser emitted from the disco ball and blew the frozen block into dust.

“Make it across the room, without touching a blue square and you'll live to play the next level,” said Arcade.

“I'm sick and tired of playing your lab rat!” shouted Spider-Man. “Why don't you fight me straight up?”

“Now that wouldn't be very sporting, I'm not a man of violence, rather a man of business and these death traps make my job so much more fun,” echoed Arcade over the loud speaker. “Now onto the dance floor.”

As he gritted his teeth, Spider-Man jumped right on dance floor, as he carefully bounced from square to square, his spider sense informing him should the square that he landed on turned blue.

“Now, I'm obviously making it too easy,” said Arcade and suddenly the disco ball started spinning and several lasers shot out, which forced Spider-Man to bounce all over the floor. “Now I've made things much more fun!”

“That dirty rotten coward!” thought Spider-Man angrily, as he began to just avoid and he just narrowly avoided being flash frozen, before a laser nearly cut through him. “I knew I should have played more video games as a kid instead of you know actually studying. There's got to be a way to make it across the room, I'm getting further away and more of these things are lighting up quicker...can't dodge these lasers forever.”

“This is only level three Spider-Man, looks like you're going to die,” said Arcade, sounding quite disappointed. “I thought better of you, you're going backwards, are you even trying?”

“Great, this guy is narrating my doom,” thought Spider-Man. “I feel like I'm stuck in a YouTube, Let's Play.”

Angered, Spider-Man propelled himself into the air and he dodged the lasers, before he climbed onto the disco ball and gripped onto it, before he used a burst of spider strength to make it spin faster.

A bit too fast as he found out and the disco ball began to spin out of control.

“Well this is going to suck,” thought Spider-Man as the chain that suspended the disco ball broke and it began to spiral in the air but it remained airborne and propelled Spider-Man right past the dance floor and smashed him right through the wall on the other side. The web slinger rolled over, covered dust and rubbed his eyes, before he got up. “Alive, at least I think I'm alive.”

“Level three is complete, congratulations Spider-Man, give yourself a hand,” said Arcade with a small amount of pride. “You're getting to the point where most are about ready to join their final reward. But don't get too comfortable now. You've just proved yourself to only be better than the average noob. Now the fun has just begun.”

“I'm sick and tired of your twisted idea of fun!” shouted Spider-Man but suddenly, the floor electrified right from underneath Spider-Man and stunned him completely. A pair of masked henchmen walked out and picked up the unconscious Spider-Man.

XXXXX-XXXXX

“I don't know what's worse right now,” said Harry as he looked at Liz to the side and Gwen who sat on the other side of the table, in the empty seat where Peter was going to sit. “The service in this place or Peter's punctionality. Are you sure you told him the right place?”

“For the hundredth time, yes Harry,” said Gwen as she bit her lip in frustration. Worry was beginning to sit in. Peter was never late unless something bad happened and he would never avoid calling her unless something really bad happened. Harry just looked around.

“Okay, no need to get upset with me, Pete's not very dependable as of late,” said Harry. “I mean, guy's never around when you need him...”

“Harry, I'm sure Peter has a very good reason for where he is,” said Liz.

“That would be the day,” said Harry but he leaned forward, rubbing the side of his head and wincing.

“Harry, what's wrong?” asked Gwen.

“Bathroom, something in my eye,” said Harry, as he rubbed his face and walked off and Liz just frowned but said nothing. She just wished that she had the trust for Harry that Gwen obviously had for Peter.

“Maybe you should call him,” said Liz to Gwen and who just sighed.

“Yeah, I think I should,” said Gwen, as she looked outside. There was no sign of Peter walking down the street, apologetic because he was late. She began to call Peter's cell but she just held it to her ear and heard an ungodly amount of static. “I must be getting a bad connection or Peter's somewhere...”

“Paranoid Gwen, paranoid, you don't know, Jameson could have called him up at the last second and he was tied up,” thought Gwen as she tried again but there was no luck. “Or something could have happened to him. God, Peter, you have the worst luck in the world.”

XXXXX-XXXXX

Spider-Man's eyes began to flicker open and he found himself strapped to a giant conveyor belt by his hands and feet, spread eagled.

“The fourth level Spider-Man, one that only approximately eight percent of the people who have survived that made it this far,” said Arcade as the conveyor belt began to move, as Spider-Man laid spread eagled, as he moved towards a rotating saw legs first. “You've got two minutes to figure out what you need to do or you'll be beside yourself. I should warn you that those straps are even hard to untangle, even with someone with the proportional strength of a spider.”

Sure enough, Spider-Man struggled but there was not even the slightest amount of give. He could loosen them just a bit and slip out, if he was loose.

“I can't believe I'm about to be done in the most cliched of cliches,” thought Spider-Man in despair, as he tried to shift his wrist and suddenly it hit him.

He managed to trigger the release on his web shooter that still had the cartridge inside. The cartridge slipped out and burst into flames. Spider-Man's right hand was free when the strap was burned and he reached around, before he loosened the strap around his left hand. He reached forward and he quickly loosened around each foot.

As he did, his spider sense went off and the conveyor suddenly tilted forward. Spider-Man found himself down a slide and he landed right on the ground with a thud. He quickly rolled over, to avoid the saw blade impaling him.

Suddenly he was surrounded by darkness but then seconds later, the lights came back on.

“Great work Spider-Man, level four has been cleared,” said Arcade but he just chuckled. “On a technicality due to the fact that one of my ways to hinder you actually helped you but that's what makes the game challenging. Now let's see you try and wiggle your way out of this one, Spider-Man!”

Several valves opened and the room began to fill with water at a rapid rate. Spider-Man looked up, but the top of the room was completely sealed off.

“The good news, I can swim,” thought Spider-Man. “The bad news is, the water pressure can kill me.”

Spider-Man walked over and attempted to climb the wall, but found himself sliding back down.

“Okay, that's not going to work,” muttered Spider-Man as he held his breath, before he dove into the water.

There had to be a way out. He struggled to hold his breath as he moved around and began to dig around on the floor. It was dirt or to be more accurate mud at the moment and it had to conceal an exit point of something.

“Jackpot,” thought Spider-Man as he managed to find a vent on the ground below him. “Now, got to get it open, before I run out of room to breath. Spider strength don't fail me now.”

With a tight grip, Spider-Man summoned all of the strength he could. He felt the strain but he managed to remove the cover and he slipped inside just in time, as he dropped the cover to slide down.

“Another slide, and this one turns,” thought Spider-Man as he found himself dizzied and then he dropped down a hatch, right on a large wooden plank in between two rooms. Spider-Man got right to his feet but he nearly staggered over the side. “Whoa, easy there Spidey, one wrong step and you're going down the hard way, where it looks like a long way.”

“The sixth level and I would take my hat off to you Spider-Man, as only five percent of those who have visited Murderworld have ever made it to this level,” said Arcade as he looked up and Spider-Man pulled himself up and he tried to open up the door but he found it remained unmoving. “The chasm is eight hundred and four kilometers below the earth at the bottom. Bit of a nasty spill, but one that could avoid by solving my patented logic puzzles at the other end.”

“They're Rubix Cubes,” said Spider-Man as he looked at them.

“They may bare a slight resemblance but they are in no way Rubix Cubes, they are Murderworld logic puzzles,” said Arcade. “I'm attempting to run a legitimate theme park and copyright infringement is something that I cannot abide by.”

“Wait you're willing to kill someone, but you won't engage in copyright infringement?” asked Spider-Man in confusion.

“We all have our standards,” said Arcade calmly before he moved on. “Solve them and the door will open leading you to level seven. Oh and on the bottom of each side of the platform is a sandbag of equal rate. The right side is being released when the clock starts. In four minutes, you're find out how far away the bottom is. Ready, set, go.”

Spider-Man moved over, as he began to sweat as he tried to figure out how to solve the cubes to get hi access to the next level.

“Keep it together, Spidey, there's no extra lives, no redos, no cheat codes, and that whack job is going to just continue to make you sweat,” said Spider-Man. “There is also no time to think this through. I have to rely on luck....yeah I'm doomed.”

XXXXX-XXXXX

“Sixth level, he's much more than our research indicated,” said Miss Locke. “He might actually make it to the end.”

“You say this every time someone makes it this far, Miss Locke,” said Arcade. “No one has ever made it to the end. Because even I would be unable tobeat the eighth level or Muderworld. And I designed it. And the ninth level...well if Spider-Man does make it that far, he will wish he hadn't.”

“Someone like him shouldn't have gotten this far,” said Miss Locke. “He is reckless, immature, its almost like some kind of extra sense is guiding him.”

“Maybe,” said Arcade as he watched as Spider-Man appeared to hit a wall on the sixth level but there was still time before Murderworld had claimed its latest victim.

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