Chapter 78: Up for Grabs Part Two

Chapter 78: Up for Grabs Part Two: The Menace of the Master Planner

“What’s causing this?” thought Peter as he tried to lift his arms but the effort had been mostly in vein. “Let’s see Parker, you’re supposed to be a genius, figure this out. Someone is slowing movement, some powerful device, surely they can’t be mucking around with gravity, but it feels like things are about ten times heavier than they should. Which is even a problem for someone like me. Normal people, crushed. Can barely even lift my eyelids to blink”

Spider-Man could not even begin to look around because by his calculations, it would take him moments to make it across the room and would tire him out. He could not even sense anything around him but at that moment, his spider sense went right into overdrive and suddenly, he was thrown forward and landed on the ground.

“Spider-Man,” gasped Captain Stacy as the shock of having full movement returned to him propelled right throughout his body. “Are you…”

“Fine,” managed Spider-Man as he pulled himself off of the ground. “One minute, we’re here, the next minute, it’s like some kind of super slow motion…”

“I know,” agreed Captain Stacy, as he shook his head. “Whoever did this…they can grind pretty much everything to a halt.”

Spider-Man turned around, and darted his eyes from side to side, before he moved over. Any hint, any clue, but there was no idea what caused the disturbance.

“Nothing, nothing, not a think, nothing that clued in my spider sense, until after it happened,” muttered Spider-Man.

He drew in a breath, before he turned around and looked. The gangsters were still incapacitated so he was at a loss.

“I don’t really know how this has to do with anything or anyone’s…master plan?” asked Spider-Man as he stopped suddenly. “Wait a minute, master plan, Master Planner?”

“The Master Planner, of course, whatever this is, part of his plan,” said Spider-Man as he moved off, before he swung right into the night. “I’ve got to go, Captain, find him, before he does some worse.”

“If I can find him, then I can really find out what happened, yeah good luck but still,” thought Spider-Man, as he looked down, on guard, in case anyone caught him.

X-X-X-X-X

In the catacombs, surrounded by control consoles, two metallic arms clicked right through the air, as data was printed up. With a quick grab, the print out was out and the figure looked down, and looked at the read out.

“First test was a success. Even Spider-Man was stopped right cold. Even his strength could not battle the force. I am pleased, as it will stop anyone, even any super power do gooder. Just expand its scope, make a few alterations, and the gravitational field will keep all in place. Now, to test, the second function.”

A dial was turned, as the second function of the machine was activated and the results of the experiment would be known momentarily.

X-X-X-X-X

“Now, for ten minutes, a mysterious effect gripped the city, in the early parts of the morning, where the citizens found themselves frozen in time. Even Spider-Man was trapped. Low level energy readings have been detected but authorities cannot pinpoint the precise source of the disturbance. Only those within a six block radius on all sides were affected by the attack. The authorities continue to investigate this, along with the continued gang activity right in the city.”

Gwen turned towards the television, curiosity piqued. She had slept through the entire thing but it was rather strange. She turned and noticed her cell phone was ringing. Immediately, she grabbed it, thinking it is Peter.

“Gwen, are you there?” asked Mary Jane.

“Oh, hi, Mary Jane,” said Gwen, her voice slightly flattened.

“You see a bit disappointed,” said Mary Jane.

“No, it’s just, I’m expecting a call from someone else,” said Gwen. “What do you need?”

“Have you heard from Harry lately?”

Gwen frowned, as she racked her brain. “Not since school got out really, but…he was acting a bit off, a bit cold, what did you say to…”

“I was afraid he’d take it the wrong way,” said Mary Jane. “But he’s acting…he’s not returning my phone calls. I mean, I’m still his friend, at least I think I am.”

“Harry’s just being…well him,” said Gwen. “Do you want to me to call him…I figure I should check on him, I just have a lot on my mind.”

“I know, I know,” said Mary Jane. “Just, something that he said, I didn’t think much about it but now…let me know if you can get ahold of him.”

“Yeah, I will, don’t worry,” replied Gwen but instead of Mary Jane responding, she got static. “Oh come on, brand new, don’t do this to me!”

Gwen held the cell phone in her head, but suddenly it was working.

“Mary Jane, sorry, this stupid overpriced thing is failing,” said Gwen but she didn’t hear, Mary Jane.

Rather she heard someone on the other end of the phone, speaking, rather confused. Italian by the sounds of the voice, and Gwen turned around, as she held her phone.

“Crossed signal, maybe?” muttered Gwen, as she moved right to her computer. “Maybe I can find out what’s wrong.”

She frowned, as she logged on. There was no connection. She tried another website, nothing.

She checked her connectivity.

It said it was working properly.

Yet, no Internet.

She tried again, resisting the urge to hurl her laptop out the window because the Internet wasn’t working.

“Can’t be a virus,” muttered Gwen. She wasn’t stupid enough to open attachments, go on suspicious websites, or click on random ads. “Damn it, why won’t you work?”

Gwen tried again, then she tried her cell phone, but still nothing.

Technology seemed to have it in for her this morning.

She wasn’t the only one however.

X-X-X-X-X

Over the city swung Spider-Man but he heard a panicked yell belong him.

“Just hang on a minute!” yelled Spider-Man as he saw a man dressed in a suit on the street, with a laptop on the hood of a car and he was cursing. “What happened?”

“My computer’s not working,” grumbled the man. “The entire Internet, I can’t connect at all.”

“Oh from the way you were yelling, I thought someone got shot,” said Spider-Man, relaxed and annoyed at the same time.

“No, it’s worse than that,” said the man, frustrated as several people filed outside of the building.

“It’s the same thing, the Internet’s not working inside now!”

“How are we going to get any work done?”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Oh, the Internet’s down, everywhere it sounds like,” thought Spider-Man. “On the bright side, that’s one thing people can’t blame on me. I think.”

“I can’t call a technician either, my phone picked up some guy in Afghanistan!”

“Are you sure that wasn’t the repair line anyway?”

“No, he didn’t know anything about computers, at least I think that’s what he said.”

“Curious,” thought Spider-Man. “Let’s see if I can get to the bottom of this.”

Spider-Man swung around the corner. With a swift movement, the web slinger dialed, it was just as well, he needed to check in with Aunt May, so it was just as well. While he was eighteen and an adult, as long as he temporary lived under his aunt’s roof, he figured he would offer the courtesy.

“Good day to you true believer!”

“Um, hello,” said Spider-Man. “I guess I got the wrong number, everyone’s been getting the wrong number…”

“You too, man, I tell you what, all I wanted to do was call the plumber. And I got some woman telling me out I could spice up my love life, that was a shocker. That’s not the kind of leak I had in mind.”

“I’d imagine,” said Spider-Man. “Sorry about that…”

“Don’t be worried about it. Have a nice day, good sir. EXCELSIOR!”

Spider-Man put his cell phone away.

“Well that was an interesting old man,” thought Spider-Man in amusement. “So it appears that the Master Planner’s master plan is two fold, disrupting all kinds of communication and having the ability to stop people in his tracks. He has something to gain, but what? Well I can’t just find out, sitting here and pondering. Got to go out there, and find out what’s going on. And quickly as well. People are getting mighty testy without their cell phones and Internet.”

X-X-X-X-X

In the middle of the chaos, in a secret lab, far away from the chaos, Norman Osborn was at work. His son had been an annoyance that delayed him, but he had far more important matters. He watched the city come preciously close to burning over the past few weeks. It wore down the various rival factions. The only variable was this Master Planner, but Osborn had his own technology that would minimize any annoyances.

“Perfect,” muttered Osborn has he looked at the chemical compound that had been completed. He walked over and entered a combination, before he popped open the door to side room.

Fisk was gone, the city was in the middle of a huge gang war, and the communications being brought down would serve as an unintended diversion.

No one would ever suspect him. They were too busy looking elsewhere.

X-X-X-X-X

“I won’t mince words, the Master Planner has struck hard,” said Captain Stacy as everyone has gathered around. “He’s hacked into our communication frequency, and whatever equipment he’s using, it’s not trackable.”

“That is by design, Captain Stacy,” announced a distorted voice which caused everyone to jump. “Yes, I have the ability to hack into the police frequency. Or any other that I choose. You’ve been trying to track me down for months, futile, I may add. Even Spider-Man has not been able to take me down and he’s swinging around in circles, to try and trap me. As you know, communication is key. Motion is also key. I have a device that can control both so ever how I choose.”

“What do you want?” demanded Captain Stacy, as his hands clasped and he sat, jaw firm and set, as he awaited the next word.

“Power,” said the Master Planner simply. “The Kingpin had it. Now I have the means to seize it. A couple of hours without access to the Internet and the ability to properly use cell phones should give you a hint of the type of power I can wield. Ten minutes, where I froze the city and much more time, where I could crush it completely flat. Do not think that I will not do more. I have planned this for months and now the city is mine.”

“We’ll see about that,” said Captain Stacy.

“I’ve already seen to it, Captain,” said the Master Planner. “Who is to stop me? Spider-Man? Please, don’t consider the absolute laughable notion. I even froze the arachnid in his tracks. You will come to my terms, and I find that we will find this mutually beneficial to all parties.”

“I’m listening,” said Captain Stacy.

“Your people are being run ragged because of the chaos, it will only get worse from here,” said Master Planner. “My employees have the technological capabilities to put out the fires that your men can’t. You’ve seen what I can do. I’ll give you all your precious communications back, for the moment. For twelve hours, at least. Then you have to make a choice. My gang will clean up the streets, but we need full reign and full authority. Hand the city to me, and we will fix the mess Spider-Man made when he put Fisk behind bars. Refuse to cooperate, and there will be consequences. You’ve only gotten a small taste of the technology I now wield.”

Captain Stacy remained silent.

“And don’t be a hero, Captain,” said Master Planner. “Remember, you’re out of your league and rest assure, I will take this city whether or not you agree. Only, if we do this the hard way, then I’ll apologize for the corpses that will litter the streets. And remember, only a couple of hours without their luxuries sent most in this city into a tizzy. I can do far worse and for far longer.”

The Master Planner paused.

“Twelve hours. I’ll be in touch.”

“What are you going to do?”

Several people voiced similar questions.

“I think that’s something I’d like to know to,” said Spider-Man and several of the police officers stood rather rigid and a couple had reached for their guns.

“Stand down,” said Captain Stacy. “He’s our best chance in taking down the Master Planner. In the meantime, try and track him again, even if it gets us some false lead, more than the no lead we had before.”

With that point out of the way, Captain Stacy turned to address Spider-Man, who sat, and waited.

“How much did you hear?” asked Captain Stacy.

“Enough to know we’re in pretty deep if we don’t find this guy in the next twelve hours,” said Spider-Man. “He’s masking where exactly he is. Getting a fix on him will be next to impossible, even if I had the right equipment. We’re in quite a fix.”

“I am willing to hear any suggestions, Spider-Man,” said Captain Stacy.

“Hand him the city,” said Spider-Man suddenly and Captain Stacy just turned, taken completely aback.

“I beg your pardon,” said Captain Stacy. He had respected Spider-Man but at this moment, he wondered if he had lost all sense of mind.

“Hand it over to him, I’m completely serious,” said Spider-Man.

“Will all due respect, are you out your mind?” asked Captain Stacy.

“No, well yes, but no,” said Spider-Man. “He’s utterly got us trapped, he’s going to fire that thing, there’s no way I or anyone else can stop him in twelve hours. Rest assure, it’s in our best interest, if you agree to meet him and give him full authority.”

“I don’t really feel like caving into criminals, Spider-Man,” said Captain Stacy.

“I’m not too fond of it either but…this one isn’t going to be won head on,” said Spider-Man. “Agree to meet him, it will work out, trust me.”

Captain Stacy stared at Spider-Man but he got the message loud and clear.

“We have no choice, I’ll get in touch with the Mayor, I’m certain he’ll jump at a chance to get the entire city off of his back,” said Captain Stacy.

“I just hope that this works, I’m taking a big gamble on this one,” thought Spider-Man. “Here goes nothing.”

X-X-X-X-X

Silvermane angrily put his cigar out on a table as he addressed Hammerhead.

“You let, Spider-Man, slip through your fingers again!” shouted Silvermane. “We’re fighting a war to get back my city, the city that snot Fisk robbed me of, and now, some punk who dresses and blue and red pajamas knocks you around and puts some of my best men in prison.”

“It won’t happen again, Spider-Man caught us off guard, I swear, next time I get my hands on the bug, I’ll pulverize him,” said Hammerhead.

Hammerhead waited, as Silvermane got to his feet.

“I have something you can’t buy, experience, experience with pest control,” said Silvermane. “And this Spider-Man is nothing but a pest. This time, I’m going to take care of him myself. He won’t see it coming. You act as live bait and I put one right in the back of his head.”

Silvermane held a hand gun up for emphasis.

“I’m ready,” said Silvermane.

X-X-X-X-X

Gwen just remained silent. She had tried to call Harry the next three times over the past couple of hours but nothing. Having nothing better to do, she turned to the television.

Whoever said watching the news was the number one leading cause of stress was right.

“The ultimatum given by the mysterious Master Planner, to give control of the city over to him, so he can deal with the situation has received a resolution. The city government in connection with the state government has agreed to give the Master Planner immunity against the law, and allow him to do what he pleases to quell the storm. Captain Stacy has agreed to supervise the transfer of power at seven o’clock PM this evening”

“WHAT?” shouted Gwen, eyes widened, and scarcely able to believe a single word of what she had heard.

“Dad, can’t have thought this was a good idea, I’m sure he had his reasons, but that Master Planner, I don’t know, he can’t be trusted,” thought Gwen as she moved forward and stared at what transpired.

“The entire city is up in arms but whispers, hints, that the Master Planner was responsible for most of the city losing Internet and cell phone capabilities this morning for a couple of hours, along with the odd disaster in the early morning hours, states that blackmail may have been involved. Some citizens feel that is necessary to get the gangs off of the street, but others believe this akin to making a deal with the devil. Yet, others feel that there is no choice but to comply. Gang factions continue to maneuver for territory, as we will keep it right here, for late breaking news.”

Gwen could not wait a moment longer, she reached for her cell phone. Peter had to know what the hell was going on, surely he was not going to stand by and let this happen?

She tried to call Peter. There had been no answer. She decided to try Harry again, no answer on that front either.

It seems like the rest of the city, she was just an observer to the insanity that was unfolding and the answers were far away.

X-X-X-X-X

In his bed room at that moment, Harry Osborn stood, eyes blood shot as he stared at the pill bottle, the temptation right in his hand. He noticed that both Gwen and Mary Jane had tried to call him, but he didn’t feel too bothered about it. He didn’t much feel like talking to anyone right now.

He was the master of his life. Not his father, not Gwen, Mary Jane, or Peter, he was the one that was in control but he needed to master that control, with a little help.

“One more, just one more, I need, I’m strong, I’m not weak, I can stop, just one more,” babbled Harry, as his hand trembled. “I went without for almost a week, now I can’t…I need help, but that would admit that I couldn’t handle this, I can handle this. Just one more, I swear, just one more, so I can stop tomorrow. Just one more.”

Empty.

He hurled the pill bottle across the room and began tearing it up, searching for more.

“I can’t have taken them all!” yelled Harry in a panicked voice, as he felt the world spinning around him as he hurled several more empty bottles that he had forgotten to throw out around his room. “Empty, empty, empty, just like the promises of friendship, how fitting!”

Harry managed to find a bottle, underneath a sweatshirt. He shook it, there were still some pills left. The expiration date was a few months ago, but Harry couldn’t be bothered by that now. He turned over, and grabbed a wine bottle that he had liberated from his father’s storage cupboard.

“To my health,” muttered Harry, as he poured the remaining pills in his hand and downed them, along with a large swig of the alcohol.

X-X-X-X-X

December 23^rd was the date. 6:53 PM was the time. An abandoned warehouse in one of the worst parts of New York was the time.

A group mobilized right into the factory. In a matter of moments, a daring move would occur. The Master Planner had bedeviled many, and had stolen a lot of high end technology. All for the purpose of this end game.

Time was running down, for them all.

There was certainty that someone was going to come out a winner.

There was a sad certainty that many other individuals would come out big losers.

It was time.

“Let’s go,” said Captain Stacy, jaw firmly set, as his eyes darted above, and some of his most capable people followed him. Yet they were outmatched, given the taste of the technology that the Master Planner gang had been known to wield.

Yet it was not what he knew that worried him.

It was the harsh mistress of the unknown.

That was most troubling.

X-X-X-X-X

About around this time, one of the splinter factions of the Kingpin had holed right up. Several causalities had occurred, although they smacked around a few people as well, so not all was lost.

“Alright, we’ve got a few of them, but we’re still losing on the east side, and now we can’t afford to look weak or scared. We can put them down, we’re the most loyal, the toughest, the Kingpin’s greatest. Fisk might be in prison but we can take his empire and rebuild it. Kill anyone who stands in our way, whether it be that old geezer Silvermane, the Master Planner, Spider-Man, or anyone else who’s trying to stand in our way.”

At that moment, there was a slow and loud clapping sound from the shadows.

“Bravo, an excellent speech, too bad it won’t do you any good!” yelled a voice from the shadows as he stepped out. The members of the gang turned, to see a green figure, dressed in purple, hovering right over them on a glider.

“What are you, freak?” asked one of the gang members.

“It’s true, I haven’t introduced myself, and it’s been a long time coming that I’ve come out, but call me, the Green Goblin,” announced the Green Goblin as he submerged right from the shadows. “So Fisk was thrown in the big house and you’re all fighting over his empire like rats over crumbs. But you can’t think you’ll win. Not without some added motivation. That’s where I come in. I give the direction, to master the city. Without leadership, you may find conquest difficult.”

Goblin turned.

“I elect myself as your new leader, the new Kingpin of Crime so to speak,” said Green Goblin, not that they had a choice, the poor fools.

“Forget it, we aren’t taking orders from some freak playing dress up with a purse,” said one of the thugs but Green Goblin shrugged as he reached into his bag.

“Here, do hold this for me,” said the Green Goblin as he handed a pumpkin to the protesting thug, who instinctively and rather stupidly took it.

Seconds later, an explosion echoed right through, as the assembled group watched in horror at the grisly fate of the protesting crook.

“Well, my leadership is really no need to go to pieces,” said Green Goblin as he looked around. “I trust no one else has any problems, with working underneath me.”

Several people shook their head, absolutely fearful at the consequences.

“Good boys,” said Green Goblin in an animated voice. “Now, could someone get a mop? Blood and guts tend to bring down the retail value of a place.”

Everyone fearfully moved to comply with the orders. The Kingpin might have been a harsh boss, but this guy was crazed and obviously willing to kill just easily one as one would make a sandwich.

Soon what remained of Kingpin’s former empire would be consolidated under one roof once again and then they would take out the competition. Green Goblin watched. It was step one, and then he would come face to face with an old friend to settle the score one more time.

Maybe one last time.

X-X-X-X-X

The Osborn family butler had made his sweep around the house. There was not much to do. Mr. Osborn likely had many activities that took up his time and he was seldom around the house, given his government contracts and his projects to contain mutants. The very nature of the activities was something that might be questionable.

But it was above his station to question. He got his paycheck. He did his work. Like any employee would. It would not really affect his life to answer questions.

Young Master Harry was acting rather aloof but then again, it was above his station to deal with such things as well. Likely, he had his problems, like any young person would, and that really was not in his job description. It was just to ensure that everything in the house ran, while Mr. Osborn went along his many responsibilities.

The butler turned, and noticed a rather peculiar site. Master Harry’s door was slightly ajar. He had taken care to secure his door whether he was in the house or outside of it. Even though he thought such thoughts would be outside what his job description entailed, he felt inclined to investigate why this might be.

He had his hand on the door, but he was taken completely aback by the sight.

Harry Osborn was sprawled out on the bed, eyes barely responsive, eyes bloodshot, blue in the face, and barely breathing, with drool out of the side of his mouth, surrounded by pill bottles and a half drunk bottle of wine.

In a swift and practiced panicked motion, the butler immediately darted right towards the nearest phone and dialed for an ambulance.

“My employer’s son, he’s passed out on his bed, he’s barely breathing, get someone up here, immediately, yes of course, the address…”

X-X-X-X-X

The time had arrived as Captain Stacy stood, prepared, as the other officers of the law stepped around him, and an imposing looking young man, dressed in a blue body suit, with a helmet and silvery belt stepped right in, followed by several others, at least a dozen of.

“The Master Planner?” inquired Captain Stacy.

“No, the Master Planner designates far menial tasks to his trusted subordinates,” said the leader of the gang. “You’ve come to a decision.”

“We have, and we see that your boss holds all of the cards,” sighed Captain Stacy. “You have authority, to do what you must to get the warring gang factions off of the street. We’re not happy but we wish to minimize causalities.”

“We knew you did,” agreed the leader of the gang. “The Master Planner will bring order to the city, through the use of scientific brilliance but first there is the one that is to blame for what has gone on. The Master Planner wants insurance against double dealing, therefore, he wants you to hunt down Spider-Man and put him away.”

“That wasn’t part of the agreement,” said Captain Stacy.

“Consider it an act of good faith, otherwise…well you know the consequences.”

Captain Stacy just remained silent.

“Come on now, Spider-Man or the citizens of this city? Surely the decision cannot be that tough? Do you really believe that Spider-Man can be your protector?”

Captain Stacy just looked forward, stoic, before he spoke. “Well, you should ask him that question.”

“What?” asked the leader, but suddenly, Spider-Man dropped down immediately, before he webbed up two of the members of the Master Planner gang, and knocked them down.

Spider-Man rolled right in, as the head gang member moved right behind a crate, before he pulled out a communications device.

“Master Planner, Spider-Man is here, it was an ambush.”

“Pathetic, but predictable. You know what to do now.”

Spider-Man continued the battle, with the Master Planner gang. They were stronger, with their enhanced battle armor, but the web slinger would not back down.

“Just give up,” grunted one of the members of the gang, and Spider-Man just knocked him over with a thud.

“I’ve got to act fast, see if I can find a lead, anything,” thought Spider-Man. “Should have known the Master Planner wouldn’t have shown his ugly face here.”

“Surround them and close in!” yelled Captain Stacy. “If Spider-Man gives you an opening to disable one of them, then do it!”

As he pivoted in the air, Spider-Man found the thugs backing off.

“Now!”

Spider-Man watched them touch something on their belts and the next moment, he felt the sensation of being unable to move right at that moment.

“Stuck again,” thought Spider-Man but he looked up, to see the Master Planner’s gang moving in on him. He tried to struggle against the force that exerted against him “Oh, that’s great. They’re having no trouble walking!”

“Spider-Man’s not going anywhere. Your orders Master Planner?”

“Exterminate him where he stands.”

Spider-Man remained immobile, as the Master Planner gang pulled out nightsticks that emitted electricity and they prepared to move in for the final blow.

Next Chapter

Chapter 77: Up for Grabs Part One

Chapter 77: Up for Grabs Part One: Today is the Day

“The holiday season is upon us, but the chaos of last minute shopping amounts to nothing compared to the bloodletting that has occurred after Spider-Man’s defeat of Wilson Fisk, better known as the Kingpin of Crime. Several splinter factions are vying for territory.”

“Two members of the New York City Police department were killed today, three others were critically wounded, trying to stop battle between factions of the Kingpin’s former criminal empire.”

“Innocent civilians were caught in the crossfire today, as an understaffed police force continues to try and find answers…”

“The Mayor urges the citizens not to panic…”

“People are recommended to stay indoors and lock doors and windows. Do not go out in the city past dark…”

“Solutions to the gang war going on in New York continue to elude police. Captain George Stacy claims that he is working to try and keep a peaceful situation but warns people to take the situation seriously and remain careful…”

“Three teenage girls were gunned down in a drug deal gone wrong…”

“The Mayor has been reported to say that he is getting the situation under control…”

“A suspected top lieutenant of the Kingpin has been gunned down along with his family and two friends, gangland style…”

“Murderous vigilante has been rumored to engage warring gang factions. Man is reported to be dressed in black, in a trenchcoat, with a skull on his shirt, with a variety of weapons. Police fear gang war is a breeding ground for more vigilantes and strong warnings have been issued to not take the law into their own hands…”

“Convicted crime boss Silvio Manfredi, better known as Silvermane has just been released and picked up from Ryker’s Island. While Silvermane has served his sentence, there has been speculation that he intends to establish his former criminal empire.”

“Official word from the office of the Mayor is that the situation is being blown out of proportion by the media…”

“Spider-Man while saving a group of children who were caught in yet another battle between former Kingpin factions has been reported by eyewitnesses to have been shot. It has not been confirmed whether or not Spider-Man has suffered fatal wounds in the attack, but we will keep you posted.”

Bits of news filtered into the city, as those following the situation continued to see the events unfold.

X-X-X-X-X

Gwen’s eyes darted from her cell phone, right to the front door several time. She had been a bit on edge since the news came in a few minutes ago that Spider-Man had been shot. She tried to remain calm, it would do no one any good to jump to conclusions.

Especially the worst one.

Even if it could have seem like the most likely one.

A knock on the door had brought her right out of her thoughts and Gwen jumped right up, before she swiftly turned the door knob.

“Peter,” gasped Gwen as Spider-Man staggered inside, favoring his shoulder, as blood dripped, immediately, she gingerly lead him inside, before she shot the door and blocked in. “Your shoulder….hospital, we need to get you to one now.”

“No, Gwen,” said Peter in a dazed voice, he had lost just enough blood for him to be slightly disoriented.

“Peter, you’ve been shot!” yelled Gwen.

“Yeah, I realized that,” said Peter. “Look, Gwen, do you know anything about removing bullets?”

“Dad taught me but…Peter, absolutely nuts, you need to see a proper doctor,” said Gwen as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a few seconds, then returned to the matter at hand. “I know first aid, enough to help you but…”

“Then help me please,” said Peter and Gwen sighed.

“Alright, but you do know this will hurt like hell without an Anesthetic?” asked Gwen and Peter nodded. She moved over to get the necessary that she needed. Then she removed Peter’s top quickly to be able to tend to the wound in question. “Bite down on this.”

Peter felt dazed, then immense pain, not really telling what Gwen was doing, due to being slightly disorientated from the loss of blood.

“Told you so,” muttered Gwen, as she cleaned the wound and applied a bandage to then. “I’d feel a lot better if you saw a doctor but I think you’ll be okay, it might hurt if you make any sudden movements for a couple of days. And rest and eat something, you just been shot in the shoulder.”

“Sorry about the blood stains,” muttered Peter but Gwen waved it off.

“No sweat, those come out pretty easily, if you know what you’re doing.”

Gwen just turned, to hide her concern and took a deep breath. Spider-Man had defeated the Kingpin, which erased a storm cloud but created an entire mess of tornados.

“Is it…as bad as they’re saying?” asked Gwen.

“No, not as bad as they’re saying,” said Peter, as he shook off the cobwebs and Gwen relaxed. “It’s worse.”

“Of course it is.”

“Well, let’s just say that I had to break up about three fights before someone got a shot in on me, in about less than an hour. Your dad’s doing a good job out there, he’s fine, but….”

“In over his head, I know, here eat this, you’ll feel better.”

Gwen sat down, as she held onto Peter’s uninjured side.

“I don’t know what to do anymore, police are trying, Daredevil’s somewhere out in this, I heard whispers,” said Peter, somberly. “I don’t know what’s going on, instead of shutting down Kingpin’s empire, I just…well it just broke apart and now everyone’s fighting over bread crumbs. And Silvermane and the Master Planner and everything else on top of that.”

“I wish you didn’t feel the need to do this,” whispered Gwen, as she leaned in.

“You know I have no choice,” said Peter. “And as soon as I’m back on my feet, I’m…going to have to go back there.”

“I know,” muttered Gwen, as she held onto Peter’s hand. “I shouldn’t be worried about this, I know what you can do, but this somehow seems so different. People are dying, getting shot, in their own homes.”

“Gwen, you worry because you care and I appreciate it,” said Peter, as he lightly cupped his girlfriend’s face. “If it was the other way, if it was you out there and me in here, watching….I think it would be the same both ways. You’d risk your life and I’d worry myself…it’s okay, but I’ll survive, I got shot once.”

“Just wish you didn’t get shot at all.”

“Yeah, I would prefer that too.”

“Please, rest here, stay with me tonight, go back out there in the morning.”

“Okay, Gwen, for you, I’ll do that…”

“I mean, unless it’s something really bad, worse, like end of the world, I wouldn’t want you keep from that.”

“If you’re sure…”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Okay, I’ll tell Aunt May that I’m staying here tonight, think she’d prefer that I don’t go out there and risk the trip home.”

“Thanks Pete, this means a lot to me.”

“You know, I’d leap off a bridge for you, Gwen.”

“Please don’t.”

“Okay, relax, you know I love you.”

“I know, I love you too.”

X-X-X-X-X

Several tired and rather worn down faces surrounded in the police station, as they stood, all they could do was wait. Any leads were followed up on, but with the unpredictable nature of the gang war that was going hard, it was difficult to follow any uninformed procedures. Yet, it had to be done by the book, even if those monsters out there were rapidly torching said book.

“Look at us, slaving away, while the Mayor is in his posh office, hiding under his desk, and telling everyone its okay. I’ve been out there, it’s not okay.”

“Nutcases everywhere, things were better with the Kingpin on the street, this is all Spider-Man’s fault, he should kept his nose out of this.”

“And Stacy’s protecting him, won’t hear a negative word about him, we should be hunting him down and throwing him in with the rest of the filth.”

“Ladies, Gentlemen, I know you’re tired,” said Captain George Stacy, as he looked rather worn down himself, bags underneath his eyes and looking like he aged several years. “Now is not the time for blame, Spider-Man did what he had to do and if given the chance, he’ll do what he had to do again I appreciate all of the work you’re putting in, this close to the holidays.”

“None of us will have much of a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year if this isn’t dealt with,” said Jean DeWolff, as she looked around. “I was there, I saw Spider-Man, he got hit right in the shoulder, point blank. Another inch and…well…we don’t even know if he bled to death. No one’s reported anything.”

“Spider-Man wouldn’t have gone to a traditional medical facility, too much of a risk,” argued Captain Stacy. “But…he’s not at the Baxter Building, then again, no one is, the Fantastic Four are another world, on a mission. Iron Man is out of the city, even the X-Men appear to be off the grid. It appears that the heroes of this city have been driven away by more global or even galactic manners.”

“You actually considered working with those mutants…”

“Spider-Man has worked with them in the past, so I felt it was prudent, as he might have gotten medical attention there,” said Captain Stacy, but he remained silent and thoughtful. Spider-Man did seem to have some help and if what he suspected and what he knew for some time was true, he had a hunch, but obviously neither would admit it if he was right.

Plus plausible deniability seemed to be the best thing for a professional standpoint.

“Heater’s busted on top of everything else, one of the coldest nights of the entire year…”

“Yes, that can be fixed later,” said Captain Stacy. “We’re going to have another busy one, it’s a small comfort that many are remaining indoors, but that won’t last forever. They’ll get restless. We need to contain the peace. As best we can, where we can legally do this. In some ways, we’re handcuffed. Now any leads, follow them, but be careful.”

He turned, before he entered his office. He needed to call his daughter and tell her that he would not make it home for about the fifth day in the last two weeks. She understood, but he still felt it was necessary to clue her in.

“Gwen, yeah I’m sorry, I might not come home again tonight, we’re getting closer to something breaking, at least I hope we are,” said Captain Stacy. “Have you heard from Peter? There were some Bugle people that got shot at and I was…Oh there with you and he’s spending the night, fine, his aunt said it was fine, good, keep the doors locked, don’t answer to anyone, I’ll call you if I can come home. You should be safe with Peter, not that you aren’t keeping him safe too, take care, Gwen, you too, I’ll talk talk to you later.”

Captain Stacy hung up the phone, his theory proven correct, even if obviously he could not directly verify it.

“Never gets easier,” said Captain Stacy, who wondered if they would take Christmas off or would continue this senseless violence despite the day. “Let’s hope, Spider-Man can get back on his feet and help us, for our sakes.”

X-X-X-X-X

The scene was an old hotel on the outskirts of the city, abandoned for years, but where a group of men sat around, playing cards, drinking, and smoking, playing cards, and sharing stories of the past.

“Alright, listen up here, the boss is on his way,” said the mobster known as Hammerhead. “You stooges better make yourself look about halfway decent, he’s been in prison for a long time and he’s not a happy man. And he won’t be any happier when he gets here, especially considering that we failed to get that tablet twice thanks to the meddling of that wall crawler.”

The mobsters nodded. Spider-Man had foiled their attempts to liberate a very important item months ago and just a couple of weeks prior, then ran right into the web slinger once again and humiliated.

“That’s him, sit up straight!” barked Hammerhead as the door opened, with a man of around ninety years old, flanked by two bodyguards. “Boss, welcome back.”

“Hammerhead, a disgrace, much like you, did any of you even bother to clean in all of the time while I was gone?” asked Silvermane as he leaned on his walking stick. He had grizzled features. “Never mind, I’ll be able to lead you all once again, once I regain my youth. Now, bring me the Tablet of Time and we’ll be able to take this city back.”

There was a very uncomfortable moment of silence. Hammerhead swallowed hard and he looked at his grizzled old boss, who could still likely smack him around even at his advanced age.

“You see boss, there were circumstances where we couldn’t get the Tablet of Time, in time,” said Hammerhead with a gulp. “We tried…”

“Special needs children try, Hammerhead, I expect my men to succeed!” snapped Silvermane angrily. “What dim witted excuse you could you have dreamed up right now?”

“It was that Spider-Man, boss,” piped up another member of the gang.

“Spider-Man?” asked Silvermane with disdain. “Is this some rival gang boss or something?”

“Ah, I’ve got a picture right here, he always shows up in the paper,” said another gang member. “He ain’t no crime boss, he’s some kind of do gooder, like something out of a comic book or something.”

Silvermane snatched the picture away, and got his first glimpse of Spider-Man.

“What is this nonsense?” asked Silvermane, eyes narrowed and voice low and dangerous. “You mean to tell me that the thing that stopped you from stealing the Tablet of Time was some fruit in a suit! We used to call this trick or treat.”

“Boss, you don’t understand, he’s tougher than he looks,” pleaded Hammerhead and Silvermane smashed his fist into the table.

“Back in my day, men were men and didn’t lose to some child who wears a Halloween costume,” said Silvermane through gritted teeth. “And Spider-Man? There is no man who dares look Silvio Manfredi straight in the eye and mock him and a spider? Insignificant pests that can be squashed, just….like…this!”

Silvermane smashed his fist right onto a helpless spider, killing the creature instantly.

“This Spider-Man, I want to see him finished and I don’t want to see blood, I want to see gore,” said Silvermane as he breathed heavily, red in the face. “DO YOU HEAR ME? I want to see this spider squashed. I want to see this man with bullet holes in his lungs! I want you to pump him full of bullets. Then, I want you to build a parking lot right on top of his bullet ridden, rotting corpse. I want him six feet under, so I can urinate on the ground he’s buried under. DO YOU HEAR ME HAMMERHEAD? Then you better get the Tablet of Time, or you’ll be underneath a parking lot right next to him.”

“Right, yeah, boss, sure, sure,” stammered Hammerhead. His boss might just drop dead of a heart attack, but Silvermane took the time to compose himself.

“It’s time to teach this city a lesson of who runs the city, not some spider, not some upstart like Fisk, not anyone else,” said Silvermane, as he leaned on his walking stick. “Today’s the day, I take back my city.”

The mobsters nodded. They had been in scuffles with the various pockets of the Kingpin’s old forces, but with Silvermane back in command, they would be back on the top of the food chain.

X-X-X-X-X

“Good thing you brought something tangible back Leeds, but this war is getting…LOCK THE DOOR BEHIND YOU!” bellowed Jameson. “Now, did any of you find out anything about Spider-Man? Is he alive? Dead? Grown extra arms? I need to know and know now.”

“I don’t know, anyone else know?” asked Ned Leeds as he shook his head, a bit shaken. Reading about what was out there and being out there was too different things.

“Nothing yet, Jonah, he saved those children and managed to distract those mobsters long enough for the police to get in, Peter doesn’t know anything, he’s normally close to the action,” said Robbie. “The Globe beat us to the punch…”

“Brock,” said Jameson in a grim voice. “Ungrateful little rat, taught him everything he knows…never mind, we’ll get the story. Be careful all of you…I’d hate to lose anyone out there and it costs too much to train up someone new. We’re going to be working around the clock, and…yes, you’ll be paid overtime.”

Jameson shuddered at the word. This would be a lean month for profits with all of the overtime that he had to pay. He returned to his desk, to make a few phone calls. The police was run ragged, the Mayor was trying to appease the situation, mob warfare had had innocent people caught in the crossfire, no one knew where Spider-Man was, and Jameson had to pay his employees more overtime than he had in the last ten years put together.

X-X-X-X-X

Norman Osborn moved at a brisk pace when he stopped, as his son Harry stood right out in the hallway, zoned out.

“Harry, watch where you’re going,” said Norman, as he glared right at his son. “Something’s troubling you, I suppose.”

“You could say that,” said Harry in monotone. “My friends…”

“Some teenage triviality, figures you’re moping around about it,” said Norman, as he waved his hand. “Harry, there comes a time where you need to be a man and not worry about how the world doesn’t automatically revolve around you. You either make things happen or get out of the way. If anything has happened to you, you’ve brought it on yourself. And if this is about some girl, that makes you even more pathetic. Women use you, I can guarantee you that women don’t like people like your personality.”

“Look it’s nothing like that, I just think that Peter and Gwen are keeping something from me!” yelled Harry. “Don’t you understand? NO ONE UNDERSTANDS?”

“Quit whining,” snapped Norman. “If Peter’s keeping something from you, he obviously thinks that it’s something your weak mind cannot handle. Obviously, if you needed to know, you would know. And if you aren’t smart enough to figure out whatever it is, then the obvious answer is that you don’t need to know. Today’s the day where you make a decision, Harry. Stop being a whiny child and man up or get out.”

“Fine, Dad, sorry for bothering you, the great Norman Osborn,” said Harry as Norman turned ,with disgust and distaste. “I’ll never bother you, ever again.”

Harry just clenched his fist. He felt himself slipping, but it was the only thing that he had to do, Peter had Gwen, Gwen had Peter, they had to be keeping something from him, and Mary Jane had toyed with his emotions before shoving him to the side. He had no one.

The harder he tries to grab onto control, the more it slipped away from.

A brief voice that said he was being paranoid was crushed.

He’d show them all. They’ll all be sorry.

X-X-X-X-X

Peter stirred slightly, as Gwen laid against him, arms wrapped around him, asleep. They had fallen asleep many hours ago, each other’s arms. In the dark, he saw that it was almost four in the morning. He was out light a light. Gently, Peter pulled himself away from his sleeping girlfriend and tucked the blanket around her, before his eyes spotted the television, which had been left on, with the volume nearly on mute.

His eyes widened, as there was a breaking news story, where several buildings were on fire. Apparently more causalities of the gang war right now. He spotted scrolling around the screen. It indicated that he was missing right now but that was not what caught his attention.

Hostage crisis, civilians trapped, threatening to shoot them if Spider-Man doesn’t show up by sun up, six adults and seven children confirmed to be captured.

Peter stepped away and looked right at Gwen, who was soundly sleeping. He could not bother waking her. He reached into his bag, before he pulled out his spare Spider-Man outfit and refilled his web shooters.

“I’ll be right back,” muttered Peter in a soft voice, but Gwen remained asleep and Peter pulled on his outfit.

Quietly, and carefully, Spider-Man managed to slip out and make his way out into the city, to deal with the hostage situation. His shoulder was a bit sore but he had to deal with it.

X-X-X-X-X

“Hammerhead, no sign of the web slinger yet.”

“He’ll come, if he knows what’s good for them,” said Hammerhead as he stood back. “Silvermane wants the spider squashed tonight and I’ve got a score to settle with the bug, after he made a fool out of me. If he doesn’t come, we start filling these folks full of lead. Starting with the kids. Hate kids. Bunch of whiny brats.”

The mobsters stood alert, as the hostages were trapped in the next room, tied up, awaiting their fate. Hammerhead’s ears perked up, as he heard a noise.

“Is that Spider-Man?” asked one of the mobsters in a hushed voice.

“He’s here,” said Hammerhead, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s give him a suitable welcome, boys.”

A movement in the shadows, as the mobsters began to fire right into the shadows up high and a large thump fell right to the ground. The mobsters moved right over.

“Just a dummy,” said the mobster, but immediately, webbing wrapped around his arms, as he was pulled up.

“You two would get along just great,” said a voice and with a clatter, two more mobsters found themselves hung upside down.

“Shoot him!” yelled Hammerhead, as he watched his men get picked apart from the shadows one by one, disarmed. “Bunch of amateurs, can’t even properly put the screws to one pesky bug!”

Hammerhead stepped over and smashed open a crate. He pulled out a large bazooka.

“Alright, you web slinging weirdo, time to blow you back to the freak show where you came,” said Hammerhead, as he pulled a trigger and a large blast blew a hole right through the ceiling. “Stand still so I can put you on ice.”

“Who writes your dialogue anyway?” asked Spider-Man before he spoke in a stereotypical 1920s gangster voice. “See, we’re going to stomp the spider, see, and we’re going to put the screws to him, see, its curtains for him, see. We’re going to fit him with some cement shoes, see, better go get Rocky and Mugsy so we can squash the spider, see. ”

“Shut up,” said Hammerhead as he fired two more times. “SHOW YOURSELF, YOU LITTLE SHIT!”

“Hey, watch it with the potty mouth, pal,” said Spider-Man and with a swift motion he web yanked the bazooka right from his hands.

Spider-Man moved for Hammerhead, but the gangster just stood there. Any shot to the head would be shrugged off.

Unfortunately for Hammerhead, Spider-Man was not aiming for the head. His aim was more south of the border.

As Hammerhead found out the hard way, as he dropped to his knees, cupping his crotch and wincing in pain.

“That’s dirty,” grunted Hammerhead in pain.

“And shooting someone with a Bazooka is sporting and perfectly fair play,” replied Spider-Man as he prepared to web Hammerhead up but his spider sense was activated, and a shower of bullets spiraled towards him, which forced him into evasive moves.

“Another splinter faction,” grumbled Hammerhead. “Sorry, Spider-Man, but we’re going to have to cut this date a bit short, see you later, if you’re in one piece.”

“And here he is, leaving me to pick up the check,” muttered Spider-Man. “Time to play limbo with lead.”

Spider-Man waited, as the doors of the factory opened, but immediately tear gas was shot in. The wall crawler placed his hand up, shielding is his eyes, as the New York City Police Force.

“Hammerhead snuck out the back way!” shouted Spider-Man.

“I’m afraid he’s long gone by now, Spider-Man,” said Captain Stacy. “The hostage situation was bad, but you seemed to deal with most of the kidnappers, except for Hammerhead. Of course, another faction had to stick their nose right into here.”

“Guess I made a mistake with taking down the Kingpin,” said Spider-Man.

“Maybe,” said Captain Stacy. “But, this conflict was brewing for some time. So it’s hard to tell if it would have been better or worse. The important thing is that you’ve managed to save the hostages and take down most of the kidnappers….lead them out once we get the all clear.”

“Silvermane, he has it in for me and I haven’t even met the old guy,” thought Spider-Man. “Well I foiled Hammerhead stealing that stupid tablet before, but really, that’s a bit extreme wanting to kill me for that. I mean, some antique can’t be worth my life.”

“We’ve had a long couple of weeks, but you know that,” said Captain Stacy but he paused and Spider-Man turned around. “Just a practiced behavior, looking over your shoulder, but you know the hazards better than anyone.”

“Indeed,” said Spider-Man right now. He had a feeling that the battle was just beginning although the air of mystery about what was beginning stumped him.

Little did he know of the microscopic camera that had pinpointed his exact location.

X-X-X-X-X

“Perfect,” muttered a voice from the shadows. “Spider-Man is out there, dealing with the Kingpin’s former gang members, squabbling over bread crumbs. I have managed to assure that they lose and only I win. Months I had planned this and I will prove that scientific brilliance will rule out over brutality. Now to test the device, plan is in motion, logging details of experiment, starting now. Today’s the day where I take what’s mine.”

A metal arm reached up, and latched onto the lever.

“Pleasant dreams, you meddlesome arachnid,” said the voice and the lever was pulled.

In a flash, the entire city descended into anarchy.

X-X-X-X-X

At that moment, Spider-Man stood right there, moments after talking to Captain Stacy, but he found that it took an extreme amount of effort to move his mouth to talk and he struggled to shift his eyes over to see that everything had been frozen right in motion around him or at least had been slowed down to an absolutely dismal crawl.

“We might have a bit of a problem,” thought Spider-Man, as he couldn’t even lift his legs to make a step forward, he could barely lift his eye lids to blink and no one else seemed to have much better look. It was beginning to be a laborious chore to even draw breath “And by bit of a problem, I mean a huge problem.”

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