The "Ultimate Marvel" RPG Season V IC Thread

[Venom160]

Tarantula? What does he want? Is he here to try and wreck everything near and dear to me again? Is Kaine on the loose again?

"What are you doing here, Tarantula? Because last I knew, breaking and entering is against the law..."

I shrug my shoulders slightly and lower myself on a web until im eye level with Pete.

"Really? I didn't even notice...."

Pete's angered/worried expression doesn't fade.

"Ok Im restless and I just wanted to drop in and say hi, maybe razz ya alittle about the whole Ricochet thing you got going. And....."

I finally let go of the webline and land on my feet before them.

"....I uh don't have anyone to talk to sense Spider Woman left."

I shift my gave to the pair of green eyes looking over Peter's shoulder.

"Hey Mary Jane."

 

[Mr. Marko]

ALEX SUMMERS - HAVOK
Hellions - XIII

Alex ran side-by-side with Lorna as they filled every car in the parking lot with students. "Come on, guys! Get the hell out of here now!" He yelled at a small boy carrying a very large suitcase full of belongings. "No, dude! Leave it, trust me." He grabbed the suitcase and the boy ran ahead and jumped into the small Honda Civic that Sam Gutherie was driving. Alex slammed the door shut behind him and turned to Sam. "Get them the hell out of here, dude."

Sam nodded firmly. "Where are we going?"

Alex stopped for a moment, not knowing what to say. Then he remembered a promise his brother had made to him once. A promise that if he ever needed anything, he could go stay with him. He hoped the offer was still valid. "Westchester, New York."

"Xavier's? Isn't he the bad guy here?"

"My brother is there. He'll know what to do."

Behind him, both Charles Xavier and Franklin Storm raised higher and higher into the air, a pressure of telekinetic energy filling the air. It was so noisy Alex could barely hear the loud rumble of the car infront of him. Behind him, Lorna shouted out. "Alex, we need to go!"

Alex nodded and ran to the convertable in the garage, filled with students and Lorna in the passenger seat. He slammed the door as he got in and roared the engine to life. "Say good-bye to the Academy, kids." He slammed the car into gear as it ripped through the concrete and through the long, paved drive way.

*******************************************

Agent Anton Rodriquez, Agent Kitty Pryde, and Professor Emma Frost filed a very large number of student into a school bus. Kitty turned to Emma. "That's the last of them."

Emma nodded. "Lets get out of here." She ran into the bus, Anton and Kitty on her tail. Emma turned to the them. "What about Franklin?"

Anton shook his head. "Leave him. He's our only chance."

Emma stopped for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with leaving someone behind to die.

Kitty grabbed her by the arm. "Emma, we have no choice! Think of the students!"

Emma nodded nervously. "Right. Right..." She put the bus in gear and sped off the grounds as well.

*******************************************

Xavier and Storm continued their battle in the sky. Both were locked on each others' gaze, using every bit of power within to overpower the other. After several long minutes of stalemate, Xavier smiled. "You're tiring, boy."

Franklin cringed. "Shut up, you old fart." It was true; he was tiring, but he wouldn't admit it.

Xavier chuckled. "I have to admit, you gave up more of a fight than I expected. Regardless, when I am through here, I will kill that girl you love so much. What was her name again? May? I believe she was just born."

May. Daughter of Spider-Woman and the Patriot. He had left her upon commencement of the Exiles mission, hoping he would see her again. The mention of her name struck a chord with Franklin, giving Xavier exactly what he was looking for: a moment of weakness. He slammed him back with a burst of telekinesis, sending him barreling into the ground and punching a hole in the lawn. The sickening sound of crunching bones filled the air as his body failed to give way to the earth.

Xavier slammed down on the ground, both feet planted hard on the grass. "Nice try, kid."

Franklin's body was completely destroyed. He was slipping fast. "Lot..."

Xavier turned his attention to the school. "Its time to show the world the power of Shaun Lot." He lifted his arms high into the air, and suddenly, the roof of the nearest building ripped into the air, breaking into hundreds of pieces. He turned, picked up a car full of students trying to escape and hurled it into the side of the building, exploding in a ball of fire. He then, without a word, stopped completely, and focused all of his energy into one blast. Every brick on the campus began to vibrate individually. Each tree began to uproot.

Suddenly, Franklin's voice interrupted Xavier's concentration.

Franklin, now aware of what he needed to do, fired a burst of all the telekinetic energy he could muster at Xavier, making sure to leave nothing behind. "Hey, Lot. See you in Hell."

 

[Venom160]

edit.

 

[Venom160]

ALEX SUMMERS - HAVOK
Hellions - XIII

Alex ran side-by-side with Lorna as they filled every car in the parking lot with students. "Come on, guys! Get the hell out of here now!" He yelled at a small boy carrying a very large suitcase full of belongings. "No, dude! Leave it, trust me." He grabbed the suitcase and the boy ran ahead and jumped into the small Honda Civic that Sam Gutherie was driving. Alex slammed the door shut behind him and turned to Sam. "Get them the hell out of here, dude."

Sam nodded firmly. "Where are we going?"

Alex stopped for a moment, not knowing what to say. Then he remembered a promise his brother had made to him once. A promise that if he ever needed anything, he could go stay with him. He hoped the offer was still valid. "Westchester, New York."

"Xavier's? Isn't he the bad guy here?"

"My brother is there. He'll know what to do."

Behind him, both Charles Xavier and Franklin Storm raised higher and higher into the air, a pressure of telekinetic energy filling the air. It was so noisy Alex could barely hear the loud rumble of the car infront of him. Behind him, Lorna shouted out. "Alex, we need to go!"

Alex nodded and ran to the convertable in the garage, filled with students and Lorna in the passenger seat. He slammed the door as he got in and roared the engine to life. "Say good-bye to the Academy, kids." He slammed the car into gear as it ripped through the concrete and through the long, paved drive way.

*******************************************

Agent Anton Rodriquez, Agent Kitty Pryde, and Professor Emma Frost filed a very large number of student into a school bus. Kitty turned to Emma. "That's the last of them."

Emma nodded. "Lets get out of here." She ran into the bus, Anton and Kitty on her tail. Emma turned to the them. "What about Franklin?"

Anton shook his head. "Leave him. He's our only chance."

Emma stopped for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with leaving someone behind to die.

Kitty grabbed her by the arm. "Emma, we have no choice! Think of the students!"

Emma nodded nervously. "Right. Right..." She put the bus in gear and sped off the grounds as well.

*******************************************

Xavier and Storm continued their battle in the sky. Both were locked on each others' gaze, using every bit of power within to overpower the other. After several long minutes of stalemate, Xavier smiled. "You're tiring, boy."

Franklin cringed. "Shut up, you old fart." It was true; he was tiring, but he wouldn't admit it.

Xavier chuckled. "I have to admit, you gave up more of a fight than I expected. Regardless, when I am through here, I will kill that girl you love so much. What was her name again? May? I believe she was just born."

May. Daughter of Spider-Woman and the Patriot. He had left her upon commencement of the Exiles mission, hoping he would see her again. The mention of her name struck a chord with Franklin, giving Xavier exactly what he was looking for: a moment of weakness. He slammed him back with a burst of telekinesis, sending him barreling into the ground and punching a hole in the lawn. The sickening sound of crunching bones filled the air as his body failed to give way to the earth.

Xavier slammed down on the ground, both feet planted hard on the grass. "Nice try, kid."

Franklin's body was completely destroyed. He was slipping fast. "Lot..."

Xavier turned his attention to the school. "Its time to show the world the power of Shaun Lot." He lifted his arms high into the air, and suddenly, the roof of the nearest building ripped into the air, breaking into hundreds of pieces. He turned, picked up a car full of students trying to escape and hurled it into the side of the building, exploding in a ball of fire. He then, without a word, stopped completely, and focused all of his energy into one blast. Every brick on the campus began to vibrate individually. Each tree began to uproot.

Suddenly, Franklin's voice interrupted Xavier's concentration.

Franklin, now aware of what he needed to do, fired a burst of all the telekinetic energy he could muster at Xavier, making sure to leave nothing behind. "Hey, Lot. See you in Hell."

I crane my neck as I look back and see the Academy being blown away.

"Holy ****!"

Debris starts to rain down on the cars. I move to the side and shield the younger students. I glare at Alex in the driver's seat.

"Smart move Summers. All the cars here and you choose the convertible!"

The sky suddenly goes dark as a large piece of debris falls towards our crammed car.

"WHOA!"

I raise my arms to the sky and concentrate surrounding the convertible in a green barrier. The debris hits the barrier causing a wave of pain to wash over my body.

"AHH!"

With a final thought I push the debris off and collapse back into the seat. I look ahead and see Lorna twisted around in her seat looking back at me.

"Julian are you ok? Julian?!"

I try and clear the cobwebs while I wipe away the blood oozing from my nose.

"I'm fine......"

 

[Blacklight]

I shrug my shoulders slightly and lower myself on a web until im eye level with Pete.

"Really? I didn't even notice...."

Pete's angered/worried expression doesn't fade.

"Ok Im restless and I just wanted to drop in and say hi, maybe razz ya alittle about the whole Ricochet thing you got going. And....."

I finally let go of the webline and land on my feet before them.

"....I uh don't have anyone to talk to sense Spider Woman left."

I shift my gave to the pair of green eyes looking over Peter's shoulder.

"Hey Mary Jane."

"Peter?" She quietly whispered behind me.

"It's okay, MJ. He's one of them..."

MJ slowly backed out from behind me and stood at my side, holding my arm. What she doesn't know though is that she's standing in front of one of my duplicates, and knowing myself, he wouldn't hurt Mary Jane, because I would never hurt her...

"Uhh... Hi... Tarantula was it?"

"The one and only..."

Seeing MJ meet one of my clones for the first time was... awkward to say the least. Then again what I pictured wasn't much better than this situation anyways. At least it's Tarantula and not Reilly. Out of the 4 (or was it 5) of them, Tarantula is the one I'd trust MJ to be around the most (as little as I want any of them to be around her).

I looked at Mary Jane and noticed the nervous demeanor she's showing right now. You'd think she'd be alot more comfortable since he's...well... me. But I can see the unease in he body language, so I think it's time I break the eerie silence.

"First of all, Tarantula, even though you technically are me and I live in this house doesn't mean you exactly have the right to come in uninvited. And second: How in the hell did you know about Ricochet? Because the last time I checked, only me and MJ knew about that, and you weren't exactly on my short list to be in on the secret either..."

 

[Venom160]

"Peter?" She quietly whispered behind me.

"It's okay, MJ. He's one of them..."

MJ slowly backed out from behind me and stood at my side, holding my arm. What she doesn't know though is that she's standing in front of onr of my duplicates, and knowing myself, he wouldn't hurt Mary Jane, because I would never hurt her...

"Uhh... Hi... Tarantula was it?"

"The one and only..."

Seeing MJ meet one of my clones for the first time was... awkward to say the least. Then again what I pictured wasn't much better than this situation anyways. At least it's Tarantula and not Reilly. Out of the 4 (or was it 5) of them, Tarantula is the one I'd trust MJ to be around the most (as little as I want any of them to be around her).

I looked at Mary Jane and noticed the nervous demeanor she's showing right now. You'd think she'd be alot more comfortable since he's...well... me. But I can see the unease in he body language, so I think it's time I break the eerie silence.

"First of all, Tarantula, even though you technically are me and I live in this house doesn't mean you exactly have the right to come in uninvited. And second: How in the hell did you know about Ricochet? Because the last time I checked, only me and MJ knew about that, and you weren't exactly on my short list to be in on the secret either..."

This has gotten real awkward real quick. I mean why am I suddenly very quiet around MJ of all people. I guess it's because I'm here as the real me instead of hiding behind a hologram.

"First of all, Tarantula, even though you technically are me and I live in this house doesn't mean you exactly have the right to come in uninvited. And second: How in the hell did you know about Ricochet? Because the last time I checked, only me and MJ knew about that, and you weren't exactly on my short list to be in on the secret either..."

"Ok one , I'm sorry I really wasen't thinking which I know you can sympathize. And honestly would you ever actually invite me? And two, come on man. Ricochet's moves are practically screaming Spidey. Though I gotta admit the costume is kinda cool. And uh three that really hurt, I thought we've came to some kind of trust."

I move my gaze to MJ who tightens her grip on Peter's arm.

"MJ please don't be scared of me. I'd...I'd never hurt you."

 

[Blacklight]

This has gotten real awkward real quick. I mean why am I suddenly very quiet around MJ of all people. I guess it's because I'm here as the real me instead of hiding behind a hologram.

"First of all, Tarantula, even though you technically are me and I live in this house doesn't mean you exactly have the right to come in uninvited. And second: How in the hell did you know about Ricochet? Because the last time I checked, only me and MJ knew about that, and you weren't exactly on my short list to be in on the secret either..."

"Ok one , I'm sorry I really wasen't thinking which I know you can sympathize. And honestly would you ever actually invite me? And two, come on man. Ricochet's moves are practically screaming Spidey. Though I gotta admit the costume is kinda cool. And uh three that really hurt, I thought we've came to some kind of trust."

I move my gaze to MJ who tightens her grip on Peter's arm.

"MJ please don't be scared of me. I'd...I'd never hurt you."

The more I think about it, the tone of voice I used when asking those questions did seem a bit unnecessary. I mean, Tarantula did aid a little in helping me realise that just because Fury said "No more Spider-Man" doesn't mean I had to ditch my responsibilities to help the people of this city.

"You're right, T. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out at you like that, it's just that... Most of the time, when somebody breaks into my house, it's somebody who's looking out to hurt me or the people I care about..." I explained to him, looking at MJ towards the end of the last sentence, because let's face it. Her and Aunt May are the prime examples. I guess I should be lucky that it's Tarantula and not someone like Osborn or Octavius...

"Between what happened with Fury and what happened to Aunt May the night of the party, I've been a little on edge... Again I apologize..."

 

[Venom160]

The more I think about it, the tone of voice I used when asking those questions did seem a bit unnecessary. I mean, Tarantula did aid a little in helping me realise that just because Fury said "No more Spider-Man" doesn't mean I had to ditch my responsibilities to help the people of this city.

"You're right, T. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out at you like that, it's just that... Most of the time, when somebody breaks into my house, it's somebody who's looking out to hurt me or the people I care about..." I explained to him, looking at MJ towards the end of the last sentence, because let's face it. Her and Aunt May are the prime examples. I guess I should be lucky that it's Tarantula and not someone like Osborn or Octavius...

"Between what happened with Fury and what happened to Aunt May the night of the party, I've been a little on edge... Again I apologize..."

My body tenses up.

"Wait what happened to Aunt May?! Is she ok?!"

 

[Noon]

​

"Julian are you ok? Julian?!"

I twist round to check on him after I see his shield go up. A huge piece of burning debris shatters across it. Emma taught us that although a telekinetic can block an impact with a shield, they still feel it hit.

"I'm fine......"

He replies with his usual cocky attitude as he wipes away a smear of blood trickling from his nose and I wrinkle my nose in worry.

"We'll see about that when we get a chance to stop, that was a foolish thing to do!" I chide him, but then can't help but smile "But you really saved our asses back there, not just in the car I mean. Thanks."

I turn back around to face the road as we speed away. In the rearview mirror I glance the billowing smoke that comes from what used to be our home. Where can we stay now? At Xaviers, the very ma who attacked us? I hope Alex is right about his brother...

I slip my hand onto his as he rests it on the gear stick. He glances towards me with a half hearted smile, which I return. I fear what the future may hold, but at least we are together.

 

[Mr. Marko]

I crane my neck as I look back and see the Academy being blown away.

"Holy ****!"

Debris starts to rain down on the cars. I move to the side and shield the younger students. I glare at Alex in the driver's seat.

"Smart move Summers. All the cars here and you choose the convertible!"

The sky suddenly goes dark as a large piece of debris falls towards our crammed car.

"WHOA!"

I raise my arms to the sky and concentrate surrounding the convertible in a green barrier. The debris hits the barrier causing a wave of pain to wash over my body.

"AHH!"

With a final thought I push the debris off and collapse back into the seat. I look ahead and see Lorna twisted around in her seat looking back at me.

"Julian are you ok? Julian?!"

I try and clear the cobwebs while I wipe away the blood oozing from my nose.

"I'm fine......"

ALEX SUMMERS - HAVOK
Hellions - XIV

Alex sighed as he pressed on harder on the gas as they hit the open road. It was gone. Everything. The Academy was nothing but a huge smoldering pile of rubble in the rearview mirror as the got further and further away. He clenched Lorna's hand. Nothing could have prepared them for this. Now the only place they had to go was with Scott.

Suddenly, another explosion rocked the grounds, forcing Alex to steer the car to the right hard. "Sorry!"

All around them, pieces of the Academy were flying in a chaotic storm. As they approached the main gate, the road began to crack and split. Alex turned to Lorna. "Uhh...a little help?"

Lorna nodded, then turned her focus to the car. "Everybody, buckle up!" Suddenly, the car lifted off the ground and high into the air.

Alex turned around quickly as they rose higher and higher into the air. Below, he could see where they had left Xavier and Franklin. Now, only a large black crater remained. Smoke was swirling violently around the area, but neither one could be seen. "They're dead."

 

[Blacklight]

My body tenses up.

"Wait what happened to Aunt May?! Is she ok?!"

"She's fine. I'd rather not go into details..."

Even though I was intoxicated that night, I still remember most of what happened that night when me and the Iron Fist were rescuing her from Norman's 'Six'. I'm just glad that we managed to save her in time to keep her from being burned alive... Or rather completely burned alive...

"Long story short, though, the Goblin, Ock, Eddie and the rest of their crew took her hostage, and she suffred a few injuries, but she's recovering."

 

[Venom160]

​

"Julian are you ok? Julian?!"

I twist round to check on him after I see his shield go up. A huge piece of burning debris shatters across it. Emma taught us that although a telekinetic can block an impact with a shield, they still feel it hit.

"I'm fine......"

He replies with his usual cocky attitude as he wipes away a smear of blood trickling from his nose and I wrinkle my nose in worry.

"We'll see about that when we get a chance to stop, that was a foolish thing to do!" I chide him, but then can't help but smile "But you really saved our asses back there, not just in the car I mean. Thanks."

I turn back around to face the road as we speed away. In the rearview mirror I glance the billowing smoke that comes from what used to be our home. Where can we stay now? At Xaviers, the very ma who attacked us? I hope Alex is right about his brother...

I slip my hand onto his as he rests it on the gear stick. He glances towards me with a half hearted smile, which I return. I fear what the future may hold, but at least we are together.

ALEX SUMMERS - HAVOK
Hellions - XIV

Alex slammed on the gas. It was gone. Everything. The Academy was nothing but a huge smoldering pile of rubble in the rearview mirror as the got further and further away. Suddenly, another explosion rocked the grounds, forcing Alex to steer the car to the right hard. "Sorry!"

All around them, pieces of the Academy were flying in a chaotic storm. As they approached the main gate, the road began to crack and split. Alex turned to Lorna. "Uhh...a little help?"

Lorna nodded, then turned her focus to the car. "Everybody, buckle up!" Suddenly, the car lifted off the ground and high into the air.

Alex turned around quickly as they rose higher and higher into the air. Below, he could see where they had left Xavier and Franklin. Now, only a large black crater remained. Smoke was swirling violently around the area, but neither one could be seen. "They're dead."

"But you really saved our asses back there, not just in the car I mean. Thanks."

All I can manage is a weak smile. Truth be told that hurt more than my ego will allow me show. Luckily Summers' driving doesn't allow me to dwell on myself as we approach the Academy gates. With a loud rumble the ground before us starts to crack and split.

"Uhh...a little help?"

"Everybody, buckle up!"

The students beside me starts to hastily buckle up and the young student crammed next to me tightens her grip on my arm. The convertible rocks slightly then smoothly glides into the air while the other vehicles follow suit. Looking around at the debris thats still falling I bring my shield back up and push it even forward by bringing up identical shields over the other vehicles.

"Julian...."

I look into the side mirror and see Lorna staring back at me, she has an identical look of concentration as I have. I open my mouth and the voice that comes out sounds nothing like my usual voice.

"Don't worry about me just keep us floating."

"They're dead."

I ignore the pain from the falling debris and follow Alex's gaze back to where Xavier and that Franklin kid were fighting, I see now trace of them but I can definitely feel something.

"I don't think so. I'm sensing some major power out there which I'm betting that every telepath and telekinetic can feel aswell....."

I turn my attention to Summers.

"This isn't over...."

 

[Venom160]

"She's fine. I'd rather not go into details..."

Even though I was intoxicated that night, I still remember most of what happened that night when me and the Iron Fist were rescuing her from Norman's 'Six'. I'm just glad that we managed to save her in time to keep her from being burned alive... Or rather completely burned alive...

"Long story short, though, the Goblin, Ock, Eddie and the rest of their crew took her hostage, and she suffred a few injuries, but she's recovering."

I take a deep breath and plop down on the couch. The mask covering my face starts to feel very constrictive and I pull it off without thinking.

"Good I'm glad shes' ok."

I look up from the floor and back to Pete and MJ.

"Im uh....I'm curious. How'd you talk your way out of all that? I mean I can't see Aunt May believing that it was all another coincidence."

 

[Mr. Marko]

ALEX SUMMERS - HAVOK
Hellions - XIV

"This isn't over...."

"It is for now. Keep those shields up until everyone gets to safety." Suddenly, Alex's cellphone rang; he picked it up. "Hello?"

"Alex, thank God you made it out okay."

Lorna looked at him, confused.

"It's Miss Frost."

Emma seemed shaken on the other end of the line. "Listen, we got everybody out. Agent Rodriguez says that it will be safe if we head to Xavier's mansion."

"Alright. We'll head there."

Emma's voice stopped for a moment. "You might want to call and let your brother know we're on our way."

Alex sighed. "Yeah...you're right." He hung up the phone, filing through his contacts until he found the name: Scott Summers. He dialed the number quickly.

The voice came over the phone as he picked up. "Hello?"

Alex sighed. "Yeah, Scott, its Alex. We have a...situation."

Scott sighed. He seemed tired, as though he had had a hard day. "Can you call back tomorrow? We just got back from Hell on earth, and I really don't have time-"

Alex furrowed his brow. "Your professor just blew up our entire school."

Scott's voice suddenly became silent.

"You there? Hello?"

"Yeah..."

"Listen, everybody got out okay, but we need somewhere to stay."

"Alright...wow."

"Look, we're on our way. Are you not surprised that Cue Ball went ballistic and tried to kill us all?"

Scott's answer was delayed. "I'm not, actually...what happened?"

Alex sighed. "I'll explain everything when we get there. Gotta run." With that he clicked his phone off, turning to Lorna. "He said he wasn't surprised that this happened."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know."

Soon, the car touched back down onto the road and they started their drive to New York. At this rate, they would arrive by morning. He looked over at Lorna again, pulling her close as they prepared for the long ride ahead.

 

[Venom160]

ALEX SUMMERS - HAVOK
Hellions - XIV

"This isn't over...."

"It is for now. Keep those shields up until everyone gets to safety." Suddenly, Alex's cellphone rang; he picked it up. "Hello?"

"Alex, thank God you made it out okay."

Lorna looked at him, confused.

"It's Miss Frost."

Emma seemed shaken on the other end of the line. "Listen, we got everybody out. Agent Rodriguez says that it will be safe if we head to Xavier's mansion."

"Alright. We'll head there."

Emma's voice stopped for a moment. "You might want to call and let your brother know we're on our way."

Alex sighed. "Yeah...you're right." He hung up the phone, filing through his contacts until he found the name: Scott Summers. He dialed the number quickly.

The voice came over the phone as he picked up. "Hello?"

Alex sighed. "Yeah, Scott, its Alex. We have a...situation."

Scott sighed. He seemed tired, as though he had had a hard day. "Can you call back tomorrow? We just got back from Hell on earth, and I really don't have time-"

Alex furrowed his brow. "Your professor just blew up our entire school."

Scott's voice suddenly became silent.

"You there? Hello?"

"Yeah..."

"Listen, everybody got out okay, but we need somewhere to stay."

"Alright...wow."

"Look, we're on our way. Are you not surprised that Cue Ball went ballistic and tried to kill us all?"

Scott's answer was delayed. "I'm not, actually...what happened?"

Alex sighed. "I'll explain everything when we get there. Gotta run." With that he clicked his phone off, turning to Lorna. "He said he wasn't surprised that this happened."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know."

Soon, the car touched back down onto the road and they started their drive to New York. At this rate, they would arrive by morning. He looked over at Lorna again, pulling her close as they prepared for the long ride ahead.

Silence settles over the car as Alex, Lorna, and myself turn over what Cyclops had said. The sun finally disappears beyond the horizon and the stars appears twinkling completely oblivious of the horrors that has just occurred before them. Looking to my left I see that the three students crammed beside me is starting to shiver. Without even thinking I pull off my jacket and drape it over them. Moving my attention back to the front where Lorna has moved closer to Alex.

"Well I think I'm gonna slip into unconsciousness so just shake me awake if another maniac comes along looking to kill us. Or you know if you want me to drive for a bit....."

I wipe away the trail of blood from my last exertion and slouch down into the seat. After a few minutes I finally drift into the darkness.

 

[Blacklight]

I take a deep breath and plop down on the couch. The mask covering my face starts to feel very constrictive and I pull it off without thinking.

"Good I'm glad shes' ok."

I look up from the floor and back to Pete and MJ.

"Im uh....I'm curious. How'd you talk your way out of all that? I mean I can't see Aunt May believing that it was all another coincidence."

"Heh. Yeah... About that..." I started as I looked at my extra-armed clone, noticing that his mask was gone, revealing his furry, fanged visage.

"...She knows."

 

[Venom160]

"Heh. Yeah... About that..." I started as I looked at my extra-armed clone, noticing that his mask was gone, revealing his furry, fanged visage.

"...She knows."

"Your kidding......she knows?!"

Pete nods his head. I twist this little nugget around in my head until I finally let out a laugh.

"Alright good one Pete. You had me going there for a minute and......"

I trail off when I see Pete and MJ's faces.

"Your serious......you really told her?! How did she take it? Have you told her everything? Like my lovable bunch to be specific?"

 

[Blacklight]

"Your serious......you really told her?! How did she take it? Have you told her everything? Like my lovable bunch to be specific?"

"Yes. She knows about Spider-Man, OsCorp, Fury, the Six, Ricochet... Everything..."

Like Aunt May said, she doesn't want anymore secrets between us, so when we had our little chat, I got it ALL out in the open. With everything I've put her through since donning the mask, it was the least I could do for her...

"She even knows about you, Spider-Woman, Scarlet Spider and Kaine..."

Just even saying that name leaves a bad taste in my mouth. That psychopath ruined everything! He stole my father's suit! Attacked my school! Slaughtered my classmates! Almost murdered my friends! Nearly killed me! And to top it all off, it's because of HIM that I can't be Spider-Man anymore! If he didn't do any of the things he did, Fury wouldn't have blamed me for all of it. I swear to God that if I ever see Kaine again, I'll make him pay for what he did...

"Sorry for spilling the beans, T, but after everything I put her through, I owed her the truth... I hope you understand."

 

[Venom160]

"Yes. She knows about Spider-Man, OsCorp, Fury, the Six, Ricochet... Everything..."

Like Aunt May said, she doesn't want anymore secrets between us, so when we had our little chat, I got it ALL out in the open. With everything I've put her through since donning the mask, it was the least I could do for her...

"She even knows about you, Spider-Woman, Scarlet Spider and Kaine..."

Just even saying that name leaves a bad taste in my mouth. That psychopath ruined everything! He stole my father's suit! Attacked my school! Slaughtered my classmates! Almost murdered my friends! Nearly killed me! And to top it all off, it's because of HIM that I can't be Spider-Man anymore! If he didn't do any of the things he did, Fury wouldn't have blamed me for all of it. I swear to God that if I ever see Kaine again, I'll make him pay for what he did...

"Sorry for spilling the beans, T, but after everything I put her through, I owed her the truth... I hope you understand."

I let out a laugh as I look back up to my genetic brother.

"Understand? Pete oddly enough I'm....I'm happy. Happy to know that someone I care alot about finally knows I exist. Do...."

I catch myself before the question can be asked.

"What T?"

No I shouldn't ask this of him. It's too much...

"Do...do you think that I can meet her?"

Before Pete can answer my cell goes off.

"Crap."

I look up to Pete and MJ as pull out my cell.

"Sorry guys it's prob just Kitty and..."

I trail off when I recognize the number.

"I uh I have to take this."

Pete nods and I turn my back to them.

"Jess? Eli? Whats happened? What?! Oh my god she had the baby! Is she ok? Good, and the baby?"

My body visibly relaxes upon hearing of my sister's and new niece's well being.

"Thats' great Eli. Congrats dad. Oh trust me I plan on coming and visiting. Alright take care man and kiss my girls for me. Bye."

I hung up and stare down at the cell.

"Tarantula? What was that about?"

I look back up at Peter and Mary Jane making no attempt to hide my smile.

"It's Jess, uh Spider Woman, she had the baby. A little girl...."

 

[Blacklight]

I let out a laugh as I look back up to my genetic brother.

"Understand? Pete oddly enough I'm....I'm happy. Happy to know that someone I care alot about finally knows I exist. Do...."

I catch myself before the question can be asked.

"What T?"

No I shouldn't ask this of him. It's too much...

"Do...do you think that I can meet her?"

Before Pete can answer my cell goes off.

"Crap."

I look up to Pete and MJ as pull out my cell.

"Sorry guys it's prob just Kitty and..."

I trail off when I recognize the number.

"I uh I have to take this."

Pete nods and I turn my back to them.

"Jess? Eli? Whats happened? What?! Oh my god she had the baby! Is she ok? Good, and the baby?"

My body visibly relaxes upon hearing of my sister's and new niece's well being.

"Thats' great Eli. Congrats dad. Oh trust me I plan on coming and visiting. Alright take care man and kiss my girls for me. Bye."

I hung up and stare down at the cell.

"Tarantula? What was that about?"

I look back up at Peter and Mary Jane making no attempt to hide my smile.

"It's Jess, uh Spider Woman, she had the baby. A little girl...."

A...Baby?

A........B-b-baby!?!

Talk about 'WTF' moments! I have no idea how to even respond to this...

You know what the confusing part about this news is? What am I to this child? Am I her uncle? Or am I technically her father? Or mother for that matter?

Ugh... I better stop questioning these things before I become ill...

"That's... That's something..." I stammered, unable to properly come up with a response.

"I honestly don't know what to say, T... That's... Great? I guess?"

Yeah. Great. Just great...

 

[Venom160]

A...Baby?

A........B-b-baby!?!

Talk about 'WTF' moments! I have no idea how to even respond to this...

You know what the confusing part about this news is? What am I to this child? Am I her uncle? Or am I technically her father? Or mother for that matter?

Ugh... I better stop questioning these things before I become ill...

"That's... That's something..." I stammered, unable to properly come up with a response.

"I honestly don't know what to say, T... That's... Great? I guess?"

Yeah. Great. Just great...

I let out a small laugh at Pete's reaction.

"Yeah sorry to just pile that onto ya Pete. The most important thing is that shes' healthy...."

I look over to MJ and notice that she has a very weirded out expression on her face. Its completely understandable I guess. I mean this whole situation would be any daytime talk show's wetdream.

"They uh.....they named her May. May Delilah Drew."

 

[Blacklight]

I let out a small laugh at Pete's reaction.

"Yeah sorry to just pile that onto ya Pete. The most important thing is that shes' healthy...."

I look over to MJ and notice that she has a very weirded out expression on her face. Its completely understandable I guess. I mean this whole situation would be any daytime talk show's wetdream.

"They uh.....they named her May. May Delilah Drew."

"That's... actually a pretty beautiful name."

Hearing that made me grin a little. May. I actually toyed with the idea of naming my daughter May, if I ever have a daughter that is. If I had a son on the other hand, I'd probably name him after the great man who taught me that with great power, came great responsibility...

"If you see her... Spider-Wom-- Uhh, I mean Jessica... Tell her... Tell her I wish her and her daughter the best. Can you do that, Tarantula?"

I know it may be hard to bring myself to accept this, but whether I asked for them or not, these clones of myself are a part of my life now. And maybe... Maybe instead of pretending they don't exist, I should start acknowledging them. Maybe even start seeing them less as clones... and more like brothers. And in Spider-Woman's case... a sister...

 

[Noon]

Silence settles over the car as Alex, Lorna, and myself turn over what Cyclops had said. The sun finally disappears beyond the horizon and the stars appears twinkling completely oblivious of the horrors that has just occurred before them. Looking to my left I see that the three students crammed beside me is starting to shiver. Without even thinking I pull off my jacket and drape it over them. Moving my attention back to the front where Lorna has moved closer to Alex.

"Well I think I'm gonna slip into unconsciousness so just shake me awake if another maniac comes along looking to kill us. Or you know if you want me to drive for a bit....."

I wipe away the trail of blood from my last exertion and slouch down into the seat. After a few minutes I finally drift into the darkness.

*Thwump*

I jerk awake out of my brief sleep as the car bounces over another bump in the old track. I've been drifting in and out of sleep the whole journey, half aware of our surroundings. I look over at Alex as he strains his eyes on the road, desperately fighting off sleep.

We're on an old country road, surrounded by trees and full of pot holes. We must be in New York already. I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, pull over. I'll take over, you need to sleep."

He nods drowsily and brings the car to a stop beside the road. He falls asleep almost as soon as he is in the passenger seat. In the rear view mirror I see Julian sleeping heavily too, his jacket draped over the three young students crammed in beside him. He really is a good guy, if only he could get past this tough guy image he feels he needs to put on.

I concentrate on the road, the cold air waking me up and keeping me that way. I haven't passed my test yet, but I get to drive around in the school grounds a lot. In truth I use my powers more than a little when it comes to cars. Saves gas.

We speed down the road without any more bumps to wake the others, the wheels hovering just off the ground. The sky is grey in the dawn light, the sun not yet visible. I switch off the headlights and keep my foot off the gas, but keep the engine running and pumping hot air into the open top car.

We've been on the road for a little over 11 hours, but we've still got a way to go. I sit back and rest one hand on the wheel and one hand on the side of the car. I still feel the need to look back in the mirrors behind us, looking over our little entourage of refugees, a small bundle of vehicles trailing along the quiet road, and past them to the skyline. Looking for signs of pursuit. None yet, but I get the feeling it will come all too soon.
​

 

[Venom160]

*Thwump*

I jerk awake out of my brief sleep as the car bounces over another bump in the old track. I've been drifting in and out of sleep the whole journey, half aware of our surroundings. I look over at Alex as he strains his eyes on the road, desperately fighting off sleep.

We're on an old country road, surrounded by trees and full of pot holes. We must be in New York already. I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, pull over. I'll take over, you need to sleep."

He nods drowsily and brings the car to a stop beside the road. He falls asleep almost as soon as he is in the passenger seat. In the rear view mirror I see Julian sleeping heavily too, his jacket draped over the three young students crammed in beside him. He really is a good guy, if only he could get past this tough guy image he feels he needs to put on.

I concentrate on the road, the cold air waking me up and keeping me that way. I haven't passed my test yet, but I get to drive around in the school grounds a lot. In truth I use my powers more than a little when it comes to cars. Saves gas.

We speed down the road without any more bumps to wake the others, the wheels hovering just off the ground. The sky is grey in the dawn light, the sun not yet visible. I switch off the headlights and keep my foot off the gas, but keep the engine running and pumping hot air into the open top car.

We've been on the road for a little over 11 hours, but we've still got a way to go. I sit back and rest one hand on the wheel and one hand on the side of the car. I still feel the need to look back in the mirrors behind us, looking over our little entourage of refugees, a small bundle of vehicles trailing along the quiet road, and past them to the skyline. Looking for signs of pursuit. None yet, but I get the feeling it will come all too soon.
​

I hover above the Academy suspended by invisible shackles. Looking around I notice the others suspended around me.

"Wh...what happening?"

With a sudden flash the Academy explodes.

"This has to be a dream, we got away."

From the center of the burning wreckage a figure emerges hovering into the air and approaching.

"Oh you may have Julian but this is far from over!"

My mind feels like it's tearing apart as this creature's voice ravages my mind. The figure finally comes to a stop hovering before us. The fire finally revealing his features.

The figure approaches.

"The X-men cannot save you. Their spirit has been crushed, the fight they'll bring will be a minor annoyance compared to the onslaught that I will rain down on you all!"

Within an instant the figure in right in front of me. With and inhuman roar the figure wraps his hand around my throat. With a gasp I jerk awake the searing heat instantly replaced with the cold night air.

"Holy ****......"

 

[Venom160]

"That's... actually a pretty beautiful name."

Hearing that made me grin a little. May. I actually toyed with the idea of naming my daughter May, if I ever have a daughter that is. If I had a son on the other hand, I'd probably name him after the great man who taught me that with great power, came great responsibility...

"If you see her... Spider-Wom-- Uhh, I mean Jessica... Tell her... Tell her I wish her and her daughter the best. Can you do that, Tarantula?"

I know it may be hard to bring myself to accept this, but whether I asked for them or not, these clones of myself are a part of my life now. And maybe... Maybe instead of pretending they don't exist, I should start acknowledging them. Maybe even start seeing them less as clones... and more like brothers. And in Spider-Woman's case... a sister...

A smile spreads across my face.

"You got it Pete."