Spider-Man: A New Spiral

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***

31 August, 2013. 2:00.

Felicia Hardy's apartment.

Peter Parker.

I couldn't sleep.

The bed was incredibly soft and comfortable, the silk sheets pleasantly cool against my skin, but sleep wouldn't come.

I just lay there with my eyes closed, occasionally tousling Felicia's strands, listening to her measured breathing.

As the hours passed, I didn't react in any way to MJ's appearance, or to her tucking me into bed next to Fey. Judging by the airflow, Carrot's measured breathing, and the slight pressure on my wrist, she was just snuggled against Kitten's side, her arms around Felicia's waist.

I could have opened my eyes, or at the very least peeked out with a Clintar cloth, but there was no need. I knew what I would see there.

My girls, sleeping serenely.

'Peter,' came the voice of my alien schizo in my head. - I can sense your barely contained anger, your desire to kill," the symbiote whispered in my head. - That doesn't sound like you.

Did you expect me to be serene after Kitten's story? - I asked and opened my eyes, raising my face to the ceiling. - Ryan Dace, Raj, we'll go after him.

But Bearer, Miss Hardy clearly said....

I heard her," I turn my head and lightly stroke my Kitten's cheek. - 'Don't worry, I have a plan.

Is that what I think it is?

We didn't train for nothing, did we? Now we need to get some sleep, tomorrow is a busy day.

Finally closing my eyes.

***

Same night.

South Harlem.

Arachnid.

- Okay, Jen, let's go over it again," Benji said, staring at the screen. - We've tracked three dozen anachronisms, some differences may seem minor, but others are radically different from my father's past that I know," the teenager slicked back his hair, the way he always did when he was nervous. - And we know for a fact that Spider-Men from other realities are involved. They may be the ones involved in the first place, but tell me, why?

- I'd love to come up with some theories, Benji, but I have to warn you that there is a concentration of spatial energy on the left side of the room, so I'd advise you to wear a mask and prepare for a possible confrontation," the AI informed her host.

Ben didn't need to be told again. The boy abruptly put on the mask and turned in the indicated direction, prepared for anything.

Purple and lilac spatial energy began to swirl in the room. Before Silver Spider could react, this haze spread throughout the room and created a completely different space around the guest from the future.

- Let me warn you right away, I am not your enemy, Benjamin Parker.

The spider immediately turned around at the voice and saw someone he was not expecting at all.

In the lilac space, in the very centre was an elderly woman sitting on a green-steel chair that looked like a spider web. Her entire body was covered by a long burgundy suit with a spider emblem, and her eyes were hidden by a purple blindfold.

- Madame Spider Web? - Benji said in shock, recognising his family's long-dead ally and father's mentor.

- Not the one you knew, boy, I'm afraid," the woman smiled a little sadly. - But yes, I am Kasandra Webb, just not of this world.

- Not of this world? - Tensing slightly, Ben watched warily as a pack of cards appeared in the fortune teller's hands, out of the same haze.

- That's right. But as far as I can tell, there's also a reason for your appearance," she began to shuffle the cards. - I don't know who is responsible for your arrival in the past, but I do know that your mission is similar to mine.

Peter Parker's son didn't interrupt and just stared at the materialised table.

- Something terrible is coming, Benjamin, and at the centre of it all is your father," the woman placed a card with a knight on it in the middle of the table. - What's going on in his life is centred around Spider-Man, and not just from his world," the fortune teller alternately laid out different cards: dragon, wolf, criminal, vampire, demon, doppelganger. - But where there are enemies, there are also allies, - the cards on the table were replenished with the image of a maiden, a sage, a squire, a horse, a phoenix and a king.

- So...what are the cards telling you? - Completely unaware of what Madame Web was saying, the teenager asked a question.

- It is not so important what my cards reveal, Benjamin, - the woman put her palms together. - It's more important what I can't see.

- You mean the Spider-Men my father told me about?

- You talked to your father? - the woman wondered.

- He doesn't know who I am," Ben hastened to reassure the fortune-teller.

- Good," Kasandra exhaled. - It would make things more complicated, but Peter is smart, in all realities, sooner or later he'll figure it out,' Webb pondered.

- So what do we do?

In fact, Madame Webb's appearance has calmed Ben down a bit. His father's mentor, who can see the web of Destiny in the first place, would be a great ally and counsellor in this chaos.

- I'm currently mentoring a lot of Spider-Men in other realities," the older lady began her tale. - I have seen that battles are about to begin that will affect many of the Spider essence bearers.

- And, what is happening to my father among them? - The brown-haired man asked hopefully.

- Alas, no," the woman replied with a slight hesitation. - I've seen the Spider-hunters, the renegade who seeks to destroy everything, and the eternal enemy, but the threat to your family is beyond my reach.

The bitterness flooded Ben, and he barely had time to bite his tongue before he was about to say something about how "useful" he thought the old harbinger was.

Arguing doesn't help.

- I'm sorry, young man, but know that if anything happens, I'll come and tell you.

The teenager only nodded quickly in response.

- Don't despair, young Parker, you and your father will find the answers," the woman approached in her levitating chair and placed a hand on Arachnid's shoulder. - If I've learnt anything from helping countless Peter Parkers, it's definitely that Spider-Man never gives up. And I'm sure his children have passed that trait on to them as well.

- Thank you," the guy smiles slightly under the mask.

- See you later, Benjamin.

The fortune teller disappeared in the purple smoke, and Benji found himself back in the confines of his sanctuary.

Only more questions appeared.

***

Predawn. 5:30

Lincoln Thompson's flat.

Lonnie woke up. He'd been used to getting up early since he'd been a liquidator in Silvername's service.

Now there was a lot of work to do.

Just recently his mentor, Silvio Manfredi, the man who had given him everything and the man Tombstone had shamelessly betrayed on his way to power, had died in prison.

It was a defining event for the underworld and the Big Boss himself in particular. Parts of the former Sedovalosogo group, who had been waiting for the boss to leave and did not want to join Bigman's criminal empire, lost their only hope and went to bow to Lincoln.

This event rallied the entire Centre and both Upper Sides behind Tombstone. Lincoln's territory now completely separated Harlem Stokes in the North and Fisk in the Southeast. Which was just as well.

What had happened had seriously broken the coalition of the two, and according to the latest reports, without Wilson's help, Shieldbearer wouldn't be able to hold his kingdom. Which meant they'd have to negotiate with Lincoln.

Tombstone put on his suit and waited for the Hammerhead to call.

The only question was how the so-called Kingpin would behave. Would he see what had happened as a threat and go to war, or would he want to occupy the free and tidy lands of the South? After all, Greenwich and everything below is controlled by small gangs, the fat man has a good chance.

But knowing Wilson, he would consider such a goal beneath his dignity.

Lonnie couldn't help himself and poured himself a whiskey. He wasn't used to drinking in the morning, but recent events were a good reason to celebrate.

His main competitors had weakened. Especially Fisk. Daredevil and the newfound relatives of his best employee are disrupting Kingpin's operations and he's taking terrible losses. The police enlist the help of the suits and, with no small amount of diligence, pursue members of the Wilson Syndicate. Either he'll change strategy soon or lose everything.

Lincoln grinned, more pleased than ever that he had managed to tame his bloodthirsty nature and set up his own business model type operations.

And what was the bottom line? His shady business was thriving and his competitors were on the brink.

Now he's going to have to work hard to teach his new subordinates to act the way he does. It'll be hard, but if they can't accept it, those who succeed them will.

Tombstone's musings were interrupted by a phone call.

- Yeah?

- Boss, all clear, security's in place, you're good to go," came the voice of his right-hand man.

- Thanks, I'll be in touch.

Lonnie ended the call and headed for the exit.

Business, business.

***

Felicia Hardy's apartment.

9:00 a.m.

Spider-Man.

Upon waking up, I smoothly left the bed so as not to wake my girls and decided to make breakfast.

As I cooked, I contemplated the day ahead. The first thing to do would be to go to the Baxter Building, talk to the Four, tell them everything.

Then it would be nice to meet with Cain and Delia, but if the conversation with FCH drags on, I'll have to postpone the family reunion.

Dace is my main goal for today.

- It smells delicious.

Gentle hands cradled my lower back and I felt the touch of a slightly rounded tummy against my back.

- Good morning, Carrot," I turn around and kiss my pregnant girlfriend.

- I didn't get a chance to find out yesterday, but how did you two talk? - Mary Jane asked the question with slight concern.

- Did you know? - I frown involuntarily.

- Y-yes," MJ answered nervously. - Kitten told me a long time ago.

- Why didn't you tell me? - I pulled away from her and folded my arms across my torso.

- It's not my secret, Peter," the redhead frowned back. - Felicia was supposed to tell me when she was ready, and she did.

- Yes, I know," I exhale, "I know.

Mary takes my hands in her palms.

- I'm sure you're angry.

- That's not the word," I chuckle sardonically.

- And Fey probably asked you to leave it alone, to let her work it out, didn't she?

- You've got a point, Carrot-top," I start to twirl MJ's curls around my finger, as I always do.

- Let her," the ginger wonder looked up at me confidently with her emerald eyes. - I know you want to find that creep and do God knows what, but this isn't our fight, it's hers.

- Yes, I understand," I turn away, so as not to give away my intentions. - Breakfast will get cold, sit down.

I put a few plates and glasses on the set table. A chilled carafe of orange juice is waiting for its fate.

- Omelettes and bacon and toast," I place MJ's portion in front of my Carrot-top.

- Thank you, Tiger.

I take a sip from my juice glass and wait for Fey to appear, squinting nervously at the bedroom door.

Cat doesn't keep me waiting long.

Stretching and yawning, Felicia came out of the room in her light dressing gown thrown over her naked body. She didn't fasten it with a belt, of course.

- Good morning," the platinum blonde greeted in a pleased tone.

- Hi, Kitten," MJ waved.

Fey walked over and kissed our girl back.

- Hi, handsome," Black Cat moved smoothly over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck, giving me a long kiss.

- Hi, love," I put my palms on Hardy's waist. - How are you?

- Better than I've ever been," the blue-eyed girl winked at me.

- There's more to come," I smile and place my palm on my Kitten's cheek. - Remember when you asked me for a new costume?

- Yes, - the blonde's eyes lit up in impatience.

- Well, I've got something better for you.

Without waiting for an answer, I put one palm on the back of Felicia's head, and with the other I pressed the girl to me by the waist, embodying the charms prepared all night.

- Ah! - the girl pulled away from me with a slight groan, - was it just me, or did a spark really run between us? - Fey said, running her thumb over her plump lips.

- If only by magic," I explained with a small smile.

- What?" I said, surprised, not only from my blondie's lips, but from my redhead's as well.

- I thought, since Mary is enhanced with Parker's Serum, you, too, Kitten, could use an upgrade. Something," I waved my hand uncertainly, "more suited to your feline nature.

- What can I do now? - Hardy clutched at my arm excitedly.

- Now you're endowed with an aura of probability, my love, and you can send bad luck to your enemies as well as good luck to yourself," I said. - Within reason, of course," I kiss the blonde again. - That's the best I can do for you.

- Thank you-thank you-thank you-thank you! - Felicia hugs me, and I just stroke Kitten's head. - 'By the way,' Fey turns to the also happily smiling Fey, 'explain why you were so late to bed last night, young lady.

Neither I nor the bewildered Mary had expected such a forte.

- 'Well, you had to talk last night and generally-'

- Not at all," MJ interrupts the embarrassed MJ in a threatening tone of voice. - 'Carrot, you're pregnant, which means you have to watch your regime.

- I get it, Mama Cat," the redhead replied with a slight smile.

I can't stand it and laugh at the last line.

My laughter is supported by the girls.

*

Three hours later.

After saying goodbye to my girls, I set off towards my primary goal for today.

Clinging to the wall of the high-rise and swinging, I let go of the thread, continuing my flight.

Why don't you use the armour, Carrier?

It's simple, Raj," I'm distracted for a second by the weight of the armour straps. - Flying in my native suit is what I need right now.

On my way to the Baxter Building, I call Johnny.

- I'm listening," comes the blond man's voice in reply.

- Hey, Matchstick, what's up?

- Spidey?! - shouted Storm. - It's so good to hear from you, man! Have you decided to come back from your holiday?

- Sort of, Candle," I replied with a smile. - Hey, is the team home?

- You're a lucky man, Mukholov, everyone's here today.

- That's great. If it's not too much trouble, can you round up the family? I'm going to the Baxter Building and I need to have a serious talk with you.

- Um...yeah, I reckon in about ten minutes everyone will be assembled," Storm spoke earnestly, "We're waiting, Spidey.

I drop the call and exhale a little.

It's a big moment.

I reach my destination in twenty minutes.

I land on the roof and go inside. This time Herbie didn't block me in any way.

I descend a few floors and find myself in the living room, where the four of us are waiting.

Johnny and Ben are playing video games, and Sue and Reed are cuddled up together.

It's idyllic.

- Hello, everyone," I raise my hand and interrupt the family gathering.

- Spider! - Johnny shouted, and jumped up from the couch and ran over to me, hugging me.

Suddenly.

- Good to see you, mate," I slapped the guy on the back.

- Good to see you, too," Sue said after her little brother let me go. - We missed you," the girl also wraps me in a hug.

- Susie's got a point, Spiderweb," Ben added angrily, walking over to me. - Welcome back.

A firm slap on the back makes me wiggle a little.

- Thanks, big guy," I rubbed my bruised shoulder, but smiled.

- Don't think I'm not happy to see you, Spidey, but why have you gathered us all together? - Reed asks, standing up next to Sue.

- Um...I think it would be best if we sat down, okay?

No one objected.

The members of the fantasy family sat down on the couch and looked at me.

Sighing deeply.

- First of all, I'd like to say how glad I am to have met you, - I start to say everything that is on my heart. - And it's not just because of the lab and Reed's help and all that," I turn my gaze to the rest of the team. - Most of all, I'm grateful for the feeling that prevails here, because the Fantastic Four is not so much a superhero team as it is a family, and I was glad to be welcomed into that family in one way or another, where I found an annoying little brother, a caring older sister, a wise older brother, and a grumpy but kind uncle.

At my comment, Johnny chuckles and Ben hums.

- 'It's our pleasure, Spidey,' Sue looks at me penetratingly. - But why are you suddenly making such an emotional speech, you're fine, you're healthy? - With the same sisterly concern the Invisible Lady turned to me.

- Yes, yes, Sue, I'm fine," I smiled slightly. - It's just that I realised it was time for me to stop hiding secrets from my family.

I take a deep breath and reach for the mask. To the shocked stares of the entire foursome, I remove the element hiding my face.

- My name is Peter Parker, nice to meet you for real," I smile a little nervously.

- Finally!" Johnny shrieks.

- I know. You have no idea how long we've been waiting for you to mature, Spiderweb," Ben added.

- Nice to finally meet you, Peter," Reed shakes my hand.

Sue just hugs me again, showing her support for what's happened by deed rather than word.

- We know how important this is to you," the blonde whispers in my ear. - Thank you for trusting us.

Honestly, the FCH's reaction is like a stone dropped from my soul.

I hug Sue back.

- 'Well,' I cough a little, 'then I guess I should tell you something else.

- I hope it's the identities of your spider relatives, because I'm at a complete standstill in my attempts to woo your sister," Torch sighed.

Oh, I'm going to have to disappoint.

- I'm sorry, Candle, but my sister already has someone.

- Really? Oh, man," Johnny slams his fist on his palm. - Too bad, she's pretty.

- Yeah," I chuckle. - So, back to the discussion.

I'm also sitting on the couch.

- Have you been in contact with an organisation called PROTECT?

- A defence agency for espionage and tactical analysis? We've had a couple of conversations about my designs," Richards nods. - What is it?

- I was a Shield agent for a while, but more on that later. You know about the HYDRA organisation, don't you?

- The one that existed during the war? - arched an eyebrow at the smartest man on Earth.

- Oh, Captain America fought with it," Johnny snaps his fingers. - He had a robot on his team with the same powers as me, except worse.

- Sort of," I nod. - So, recently the director of Shield, Nick Fury found out that HYDRA was not destroyed, as it was previously believed, this organisation survived, lurked and took root in many structures, surviving to this day.

- Really? - Grimm wondered.

- Seriously, Ben. That's why I'm here, to tell you about this threat and to see if you'll help me when the time comes.

- To take on the fucking Nazis? - The creature bangs its stone fist against the same palm. - You can sign me up, Spiderweb.

- Oh, yeah! I'm in," joined Johnny, whose eyes flashed with non-metaphorical fire.

- Honey? - Turned his head to Susan Reed.

In reply, the Invisible Woman only nodded.

- We'll help, Peter.

- Great," I slicked back my hair nervously. - I guess I'll let you know when the time comes, but still, limit your meetings with Shield and don't talk to anyone about HYDRA, okay?

- Of course," Reed nods.

- We hear you, Spidey, secrecy, all that," Torch makes an "okay" gesture.

- You guys are awesome," I put on my mask. - Well...it was really good to see you, but I've got more things to do today....

- Hold it right there," Sue immobilises me with a force field. - Where are you going? We're having a celebratory dinner!

No one could argue with the blonde.

***

The docks. Later tonight.

Dr Michael Morbius.

Things didn't go according to plan. The experiment got out of control. He's made a fatal mistake.

We need to lay low.

Hide.

Michael smelled an odour that was sweeter than the most divine nectar.

The smell of blood.

Terrified at his call, he realised he could no longer resist it.

Lord, save these people.

***

18:00

In the sky over New York City.

Spider-Man.

Yeah, I got held up by a fantastic family. But how could I say no? Besides, Dr Franklin made this delicious lasagna.

What do you think, Peter, is it nice to tell an outsider about yourself?

It's a double sensation, brother, it's a little strange, but probably more positive than negative," I answer the symbiote, running up the wall of the building and coding my wristband.

I programmed most of the Spiderbots back at the Baxter Building, but I need to get information from these two babies as soon as possible.

Hardy Consolidated's office.

Getting into their system wasn't hard, after all I was helping Fey's tech guys a bit. And set up little loopholes for myself.

Ryan Dace came in today to do some paperwork and, according to the security system, hasn't left the office yet.

Oh, good.

Carrier, are you sure you're sure about your plan? - The Clintarian asked a concerned question. - I'm not sure if I can use the Worm for your plan.

Yeah, I guess computer terms aren't the best way to name this Klyntarian tool. Although it describes its nature most accurately.

We'll decide when I've placed the worm seed.

Whatever you say, Peter.

So, in the process of discussing with my eternal partner the upcoming deed, we reached the main office of my girlfriend's company.

I decided to wait for Dace in the car park. With the system of my suit and arachnodrones, finding out everything from the address of that jerk to the licence plate number of his car was a piece of cake.

Besides, this poorly lit, at least it would be after my intervention, and with minimal foot traffic, would set Dace up perfectly for the conversation to come.

And so, two hours later, my target entered the car park. A scruffy brunette in a three thousand quid suit and a twenty dollar watch on his wrist, that's who I saw. A lawyer with an arrogant look was talking into a headset.

- I don't care, Marie, the contract has to be signed, get in touch, knock on any door or I'll find a new secretary, comprende? - the guy dropped the call and walked to the car, - idiot.

Well, it's my turn.

I apply a full-body disguise and take off the Spider Mask.

I land behind Dace's back with a loud thud, causing the brunet to jerk and drop his keys.

- Devil! - the lawyer shouts angrily. - Who the fuck are you? - the geezer looks at me with angry irritation.

- Who I am is not important, - I come to my target and, grabbing him by the collar of his jacket, nail the brunet to the nearest column. - What's more important is who you are, Ryan Days.

- Look, kid, the wallet's in the inside pocket, take it and go, but don't hurt me," the lawyer said fearfully.

- I don't want your money," I clutched at the expensive fabric with even more force. - I need an answer, a very honest answer to one question.

- Wh-what is it?

- Felicia Hardy. What you did to her when you were in college, do you regret it?

Dace's pulse quickened, his eyes flickered.

- I-I-I don't know what you're talking about.

- DON'T LIE TO ME! - I reinforce my vocal cords with symbiotic tissue and shake the fucking rapist, knocking his head against a concrete pillar.

Just a little bit. Not enough to knock him out.

- Y-Yes. Y-Yes! I'm so sorry for what I did, I really am! - Ryan wailed with tears in his eyes.

Only it was a lie.

He's not sorry.

I pull the lawyer away from the pillar and press him to the pavement, forcing him to his knees.

- So if you could make it right, you wouldn't have done exactly the same thing, would you?

- N-no...c-c-c-certainly not! - the brunet babbles.

- You're such a bastard," I said in disgust. - I wanted to fuck so badly that I couldn't help myself. - I couldn't control myself, and I hit Dace square in the face with barely an eighth of my strength.

- Please don't!

But I don't care about the pleading.

- You know, I've never understood what motivates creatures like you? - another blow. - How can you even call yourselves men after that?

My next blow smashed his nose.

- Please let me go," Dace began to sob, spattering bloody snot all over his face.

- Relax," I raise my hand, causing the rapist to twitch. - Unfortunately, you're going to live.

I form a small symbiotic flagellum in my palm, which begins to move after a few seconds.

- Wh-what is that?! - screams my victim.

- I call it a Worm, a piece of symbiotic substance that allows me to perform certain manipulations on the human body, if I play my cards right, of course.

Before the brunet can react in any way to my words, I bring my palm to his ear and shove the Worm into it.

- Once the seed makes its way to your brain, I'll have a lot of ways to influence you, Ryan Dace," I explain to the terrified guy with a fair amount of schadenfreude. - Initially, I was experimenting with this thing to be able to plant biological bombs in people's heads, with the further prospect of mental influence to brainwashing and tuning to full loyalty to the master of the Worm, that is me. I had a lot of subjects for training in the place where I was recently, - I look into the eyes of the lawyer, judging by the expression on his face it becomes clear that my symbiotic worm has reached its goal. - And I've made some progress.

- Wh-what's-what's gonna happen to me? - Ryan managed to ask his question in a gurgling, painful howl of pain.

Usually the Worm penetrates almost imperceptibly and almost painlessly, but I want that asshole to suffer.

- There are a lot of options," I looked around the car park thoughtfully. - Maybe I'll command Worm to block certain vessels in your brain and cause a stroke," I glance at the camera, which is being looped by my Spiderbot so that there's no evidence. - Or I'll just turn you into a helpless puppet, who will watch all the actions of his body without complaint, but unable to move a finger without my command, - I sit down next to the lawyer, who is sprawled on the asphalt. - Or I'll erase all your memories of what happened and you yourself, step by step, will destroy your own life, not even realising that a small alien flagellum in your head is responsible for everything, - I get up. - Or, one day, I'll just blow up a worm in your skull. Never done that before, I'll be curious to see what happens then.

- Why? - Dace whispered quietly, tears in his eyes. - I'm going to get the same thing, and for what? For raping some blonde rich whore when I was young?!

I grab the brunet by the throat and lift him up on my outstretched arm.

- This blonde rich whore is my girlfriend, beautiful, tough and strong," I tighten my grip. - And you, motherfucker, are going to continue your miserable existence for a while, not die in agony today because she asked you to.

I let go of Dace, and he falls, face smashing into the pavement. If it's not a haematoma, it's a bruise. A big one.

- You'll forget, but I just can't not say it, my name is Peter Parker and what's going on right now is strictly personal.

I look at the guy passed out due to the grain fixing in his head and monitor Worm's condition.

The implantation was successful, Peter," Raj confirms my feelings.

Good.

At my command, Ryan rises from the floor. His eyes are completely blank.

I mentally order Worm to make the lawyer forget everything that's happened in the last forty minutes and place the car key in his palm.

I hop on top of the pillar and calmly watch as Dace comes to his senses and, with his arrogant expression back on his face, gets into the car, driving away.

It would be curious to see his reaction from his shattered face. I wonder what he'll think to himself, "too much cocaine"?

I must say that you have achieved no small feat in creating this remedy, Peter," the symbiote's voice was full of pride.

Thank you, Raj. To be fair, if it hadn't been for our merger, it's unlikely anything would have worked at all.

So, home? You kind of wanted to meet your clones.

Actually, after what I just did, I had an idea.

I take out the Spider Mask and remove the Klyntar cloak from my suit.

I crawl across the concrete ceiling and cling to the building, heading towards my new target.

*

Bigman's office.

Lincoln was returning from negotiations and was unspeakably pleased. His new lieutenants had accepted the rules of the game, and didn't even have to spill blood to hammer out their instructions.

It would be time to celebrate, but maintaining the illusion of legitimate business required many hours in the office and tonight would be no exception.

Lonnie swung open the doors of his office and walked into the study.

It wasn't until halfway to his desk that Tombstone realised he wasn't alone in the room when the individual sitting behind the desk turned around in the office chair.

- Hey, Big Boss, what's up? - asked in a changed voice, someone Thompson didn't even recognise at first.

The last time he had seen Spider-Man in person was when they had made their agreement. A lot of water has passed since then.

That day the superhero hadn't made the most shocking impression on Lincoln, he was strong, no doubt, but he seemed like a youngster, a teenager.

Now Spider looked different, and it wasn't even his costume, which stopped resembling a clown's outfit and looked quite frightening, especially those eyes.

No, it was as if the guy himself had grown up, and was spreading a not at all harmless aura.

- I'll admit, it's not bad, - Spider's appearance made Bigman a little tense, but the criminal leader was in too good a mood. - Frankly, things have been going great lately. And in many ways I have you to thank for that," Lonnie glanced at the cameras and noticed the small robot spiders on them.

- Yeah, right," the guy leaned back slightly in his chair and put his feet up on the table. - I bet you've wondered why I haven't interacted with you in over a year, right?

- Well, you've had other things to do," Tombstone muttered, "Kingpin, Green Goblin, and that's just what I know.

- Oh, it's not even one per cent, but you're right there have been cases.

- So what brought you here?

Spider raised his head to the ceiling and asked a question Lincoln had not expected.

- What is your organisation's cash turnover per month? Taking into account all the operations, deals, agreements with other criminal groups, and that's without income from legitimate businesses or enterprises that serve as a disguise for money laundering, - Stenolaz accompanied his reasoning with small passes of his hands. - One hundred, two hundred million? More? And how much of all this do you personally take?

- Why these questions? - Thompson frowned.

The spider looked carefully at his interlocutor and took his feet off the table, sitting down as formally as possible.

- You see, I've realised that our last deal didn't suit me at all. You mean the 200 grand payment every three months? I'm not interested in those scraps anymore.

Contrary to expectations, Lonnie was surprisingly relaxed. The hero is not here to "do justice" and stop Big Boss' activities, he just wants to renegotiate his contract.

- I'm surprised you didn't come sooner," Tombstone walked over to the table and leaned on the wooden surface. - How much do you want, a million, two?

- 'Oh, no, Lonnie,' Spidey stood up and looked through his dark, beetle-like mask eyepieces straight into the Big Boss's eyes. - 'I want everything.

Before Bigman could react, the Friendly Neighbour stretched out his arms and grabbed the ringleader, throwing him across the table and sitting him in a chair.

- What are you... - Big Boss was about to attack back, but the shot of the web, completely deprived him of this opportunity.

In the next few movements, the Cobweb Crawler approached the blue-skinned man and, releasing a sting, punctured Thompson's skin, paralysing him with a polymer poison.

The wall-crawler jumped onto the table and looked down at Bigman.

- I bet you're surprised and think I'm going to beat you up until I make you, like, transfer all the financials from your accounts to mine, right?

Tombstone could only stare back angrily.

- In fact," Spider raised his palm, from which a black substance grew. And it moved, "It's much simpler than that. I'll put this thing in your brain, and you'll drop a million every week into one of your accounts from this flash drive, - Spider put the object on the table. - You know, it may seem like this tool has unlimited potential for taking over other people's brains," the hero in the red-and-black suit twirled the black flagellum in his fingers. - But I'm actually quite limited in controlling my Worms, a couple or three at most, and it's unlikely to work on strong enough individuals, no offence, you're not a weakling, just not a mutant.

In response, Lincoln mumbled something unintelligible and tried to move a finger.

- Yes, I agree, there's no point in dragging this out.

Spider approached Tombstone and, grabbing the head of the unresisting criminal, placed the Worm germ inside his head.