Back to GatefoldIssue #17 by Mike Exner III
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"ROSES ARE RED - Part One - To Catch A Spider"
Previously in the Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus formed an alliance of sorts against the Collector when Doc Ock learned that Taneleer Tivan had been manipulating Octopus from the get-go. The Collector proceeded to defeat Spider-Man, and Doctor Octopus and Stunner paid a terrible price. The interference of Sekhmet Conoway saved the web-slinger, but she too paid a price for her involvement when she was melded to the artifact she was trying to protect. Just when things were beginning to slow down, a police detective by the name of Russ Anderson approached Spidey wanting to know details about the Rose Goblin.
"Don't you feel uncomfortable in here?" asked Detective Russ Anderson of the man sitting across from him at the "Sit Down and Eat" diner. Russ Anderson wasn't used to the stares and gawking he was getting and it showed. Still, his guest had insisted they go somewhere he could sit down and get some coffee. A diner was as good a place as any.
"Nah, not at all. Come in here all the time. The apple pie is fantastic. Reminds me of my Aunt's, you should try it," said Spider-Man as he regarded Anderson with a smile on his face. Not ten minutes ago the two had stepped into the diner and everyone there had turned to look. The waitress had approached nervously at first, but Spidey's banter had put her somewhat at ease. Now they were sipping coffee and sizing each other up. Anderson was investigating the Rose Goblin and Spidey wanted to get his hands on her more than anything. That's why both of them were here.
"No thanks, apple pie isn't my thing. I'd much rather talk about the Rose Goblin. What can you tell me about your encounter with her?" asked Anderson and Spidey frowned. He remembered all too well the numerous encounters he'd had with the Rose Goblin and Chaos.* The Rose Goblin knew who he was, had taunted him about Mary Jane's disappearance. She had to know something about it. If this detective had a lead and Spidey could somehow get him to trade information, he could take her down.
(* As seen primarily in M2K's issues 1-12 of the Amazing Spider-Man - Will)
"We fought a few times. She was allying herself with a woman named Joannah Wilkins, calling herself Chaos. I tracked Wilkins to her employer, Oscorp. Then the story came out that the current head of Oscorp Industries, Ryan Jent, had killed Chaos and then himself. The Rose Goblin promptly disappeared after that," Spider-Man said. He hoped Anderson would buy his tale. He'd left out the part that he'd made his way to Oscorp and been the first to see Wilkins and Jent dead. Spidey had barely avoided Oscorp's security team that night.*
(* Happened in issue #12 - Will)
"Security camera footage placed you at the scene web-slinger," said Anderson and Spider-Man clenched his teeth. Anderson was looking at him sternly and the frown on his face deepened. "However, I don't think you had anything to do with the murder. The camera conveniently switched off when Jent and Wilkins were in the room alone, then conveniently switched back on with them both lying dead on the floor, the moment you walked in."
Spider-Man looked at Anderson hard, trying to determine if he could trust the man. He seemed legitimately concerned with the case and with finding the truth. He also seemed fair enough to give Spidey the benefit of the doubt. Spider-Man nodded his head and spoke again.
"Yeah, I was there. I discovered the bodies." Spider-Man said, while spinning his coffee cup absently in his hands. "I have my suspicions about who killed them myself but like I said, I haven't been able to find a trace of the Rose Goblin since it happened."
"Doesn't matter. The number one suspect on my list is this Rose Goblin. The number two suspect is you. I'm here because I respect you Spider-Man. I respect what you try to do out there. The NYPD is close to putting a warrant out for your arrest. I've been delaying them slightly with my connections. Officially this is my case. Therefore I'm giving you an option. Track down the Rose Goblin, bring her in for questioning, or I'll hunt you down and bring you in myself," Anderson said and then got up from the table. Spider-Man sat, stunned, with his coffee cup still in his hands.
"Oh, and one more thing web-slinger," the detective said, reaching within the folds of his trench coat and pulling out a newspaper. He plunked it down on the table and Spidey looked at it, shaking his head, wishing that the words on the front page: Teenaged Mutant Killed In Tampa, Police to Blame? said anything else.*
(* See M2K's Generation X #9 for details on what the web-slinger is reading about - Will)
"You may want to keep a firm lookout for any signs of mutant retaliation. This is a horrible tragedy, but it'll be even more horrible if things keep progressing the way it looks like they're going to," said Anderson, and then he turned and walked out of the diner, leaving Spider-Man even more stunned than he'd been just moments before.
The waitress came over and stood in front of him, smacking her gum loudly between her jaws.
"Anything else Hon?" She asked and Spidey looked up at her, still a bit disoriented by Anderson's statements. The waitress kept staring at Spider-Man with an impatient look on her face.
"Check please," he said with a weak smile. Soon the bill was paid and Spider-Man was swinging through the concrete caverns of New York towards the Daily Bugle, with a lot on his mind.
"Now isn't this a lot more fun than sitting over there by yourself?" asked Jill Stacey as she swiveled her hips and moved gracefully around Eugene Slodnik. Eugene had never seen a more beautiful thing in his life. The bright lights and booming music of the club were jarring to Eugene, but Jill acted as if it were her second home. Her smooth demeanor and the way she guided him around the floor were the only things keeping him cool.
"Uh huh," said Eugene and Jill laughed. The lights framed her body perfectly and each tone of sound encompassed another jaunty bounce or sharp flick of her hips. A light sheen of sweat lingered on her skin, from the swell of her breasts to the smooth curves of her thighs. Eugene felt like the luckiest guy in the place.
"I'm glad you came tonight Eugene," Jill said and Eugene smiled even more broadly than he'd been before. "Randy was becoming a bit pushy and I really needed a chance to get him to lay off."
"What?" Eugene said as his smile faltered and then fell from his face. Jill stopped dancing when she saw the hurt expression and tried to speak but Eugene cut her off. "You mean you only invited me here to get Randy to leave you alone?"
"Eugene, that's not what I meant, I..." Jill started, but Eugene's didn't even seem to be listening.
"Just save it Jill, it's not like I expected you to care about me one way or the other anyway," Eugene said and this time Jill's face fell. Suddenly a hand slipped onto her shoulder and Randy was there.
"Hey, what's going on guys? Is there a lot of flesh here tonight or what?" Randy said with a smirk on his face, but then he noticed something was wrong. Jill was nearly in tears. "Jill, baby girl. Are you ok?
"I'm fine Randy, but I've got to go. Something really important came up and I can't give you or Eugene a ride home. I'm sorry," Jill shouted above the din of the music, her voice was cracking badly with emotion. Randy watched as she turned and ran through the crowd towards the front doors. He frowned and then turned back to Eugene who'd moved back to his table.
"Mind explaining to me what that was all about?" Randy asked as he sat down at the table. Eugene seemed to be almost ready to cry himself. Randy hoped he wouldn't. He was uncomfortable around guys when they cried. It just wasn't natural.
"I'm not really in the mood Randy. In fact, I've got to ask you something that's kind of important anyway," Eugene said and Randy nodded, mentally filing the situation between Jill and Eugene in his head so he could ask about it later.
"Alright man, ask away. The Rand-man is always prepared to help a friend in need," Randy said and Eugene seemed to lighten up a bit.
"Well, you see. I need a place to stay Randy. I moved from Indiana where I pretty much had a free ticket and now that I'm going to Empire State University, things are a bit tougher," Eugene said and Randy nodded his head thoughtfully. He wanted to seem like he was the consoling friend, but he wasn't really sure he wanted another roommate he hardly knew on top of the first one.
"Ask the parents. They live around here don't they?" Randy suggested and Eugene's eyes dropped to the tabletop.
"They do, yeah, but I just don't want to intrude on their lives anymore than I have to," Eugene said and Randy nodded thoughtfully again. He wondered to himself if Eugene had thought about the intrusion he'd be putting on his and Pete's life.
"You know, this is really something you should be talking about with me and Pete together, Eugene," Randy said and this time it was Eugene's turn to nod thoughtfully. "I mean, you can crash at the pad tonight, then when Pete wakes up we can all sit down and talk, alright?"
"That sounds great Randy, thanks a lot," Eugene said as he finally cracked another weak smile. Randy flashed his smile as well and motioned out to the dance floor with his head.
"Well, I'm headed back out. Since we don't have a ride we might as well make the most of it," Randy said and got up from the table, heading back into the crowd. After a few minutes of sitting at the table with only his thoughts to keep him company, Eugene got up and headed in the same direction.
Spider-Man swung in a tight arc, angling his body so he landed directly on top of the Daily Bugle building. His body was sore from all the things he'd been through tonight. The battle with the Collector and the impromptu meeting with Detective Anderson had taken it's toll on Spidey both physically and mentally.* He reached behind him and felt the muscles along his back, they were all badly bruised. Part of it was the giant robot the Collector had used to stomp Spidey into the street. Then there was the other reason for the bruising.
(* Happened last issue - Will)
An alien of some race Spidey had never encountered had decided to visit New York for the heck of it. It was calling itself Boroh and the creature had made pretty short work of Spidey after he'd come across it.* Even though Spidey was exhausted after speaking with Anderson, he'd at least hoped to distract the creature long enough for other heroes to show up. After it had plastered him into a brick wall though, it had mysteriously disappeared. Spidey hadn't even felt a tingle from his spider-sense. Perhaps the creature had left or perhaps it had cloaked itself in some way that blocked Spidey's spider-sense. Spider-Man wasn't sure, but he still had to get to the Bugle, so he collected what was left of his teeth and moved on.
(* As showcased in M2K's Cable #14 - Will)
Now he regretted even attempting to tackle the creature. It had just disappeared anyway and his back was killing him. Spidey made the quick change to his civilian attire and stepped into the stairwell of the Daily Bugle. As Peter Parker stepped out of the door leading to the stairs, he noticed Tombstone, with heavy restraints locked in, being led into the elevator by members of the NYPD's Code Blue team. Peter sprinted around the corner and into the newsroom and stopped short.
The newsroom was a mess and Glory Grant, Betty Brant and others were struggling to make it look a bit more presentable. Peter scanned the room and spotted Ben Urich, he started to walk over to him but Robbie stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
"Probably not a good idea to talk with Ben right about now Peter," Robbie said as he took hold of Peter's shoulder and guided him to his office. Robbie shut the door behind him and sat down at his desk, motioning for Peter to sit in the chair opposite of him.
"What happened in there Robbie? Is everybody ok?" Peter asked and Robbie smiled.
"We had a bit of an incident with Tombstone. Seems he wanted to take my head off pretty badly. If it hadn't been for Betty, I probably wouldn't be speaking with you right now,"* Robbie said and then Peter noticed it. Robbie was shaken badly by what had happened. He was trying to hide it, but he was deeply troubled.
(* That little episode took place in M2K's Marvel Fanfare #12 - Will)
"Robbie, I..." Peter started but then was forced to stop as Robbie's door burst open and Jonah stormed in.
"Parker! I thought I saw you scurry in here. Where in the devil have you been?" ranted Jonah and Peter could see Ben Urich outside the door leaned against one of the desks. He was looking into the room right at Peter, with a frown on his face.
"I can explain Jonah," said Peter but Jonah wasn't even really paying attention.
"Quiet Parker, you owe Urich an explanation, not me. The only reason I came in here was to see my editor, so get out," Jonah practically yelled and Peter got up to leave. Before he got to the door though, Jonah spoke again.
"One more thing Parker," Jonah said and Peter turned around, looking Jonah squarely in the face. "I was sorry to hear about your wife."
Peter stood in the doorway, dumbfounded for a few seconds. Then he nodded in both Jonah and Robbie's direction and shut the door behind him. When he turned around, Ben was still there, frowning at him.
"Ben, I'm so sorry..." Peter started but Ben raised a hand to silence him.
"It's not that big a deal Peter. Angela Yin popped out of nowhere to snap pictures when you didn't come. I'm disappointed you didn't show, but more than that, I think you'd better watch your back if you want to keep getting assignments at the Bugle. I never asked her to be there, if you follow my meaning," Ben said and then turned and walked back towards his own desk.
Peter watched him walk away and thought about what Ben had said. If Angela was trying to steal jobs from him, Peter was going to be in trouble. The pictures of the Rhino he'd taken had only covered the first month's rent, he'd need more if he was going to keep staying with Randy and eat three square meals a day, plus snacks.
"Penny for your thoughts," said a voice from behind Peter and he turned to see Betty Brant standing there. It never ceased to amaze Peter how much Betty had changed since the first time he'd met her. She'd been his first girlfriend, he still thought about her every once in a while in that way. More than that though, she was a friend and she seemed even more flustered than anybody else in the newsroom.
"The usual Betty, worrying about how I'm going to keep my job and pay the rent. Trivial stuff really. How about you?" Peter said, trying to make light of how he was feeling. He could tell Betty wasn't buying it.
"I've been thinking a lot about Ned lately actually," Betty said and Peter felt his heart drop. Betty had lost her husband and Peter could tell that she wanted to talk to him about it because she thought Mary Jane was dead too. Betty saw the look on his face and continued.
"I know losing Mary Jane was hard Peter, but I just want you to know that I'm here to help you if you need it," Betty said and Peter looked up at her. The harshness of his look gave Betty pause. The harshness of his voice caused her to take a step back.
"Betty, I appreciate it, really I do, but Mary Jane isn't dead. I don't have time to sit here and play lonely hearts with you. Mary Jane is coming back and when she does and all of you see us together again, I hope you remember those things you were saying and choke on them," Peter spat the words out violently and immediately regretted them when he saw the hurt look pass over Betty's face. He opened his mouth to apologize, but then the door to Robbie Robertson's office opened and Jonah was there.
"Brant! We have to talk." Jonah said and Betty turned to him. Either Jonah didn't notice Betty was disturbed or he didn't care. "I received an email from a source of mine. This source has relayed to me pertinent information about Michael Gow, the deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations.* We have to run with this Betty, so your efforts against Tombstone are going to have to be bumped from the front page."
(* Remember that email from M2K's X-Force #10? If not, go check it out - Will)
Betty looked at Jonah and then at Robbie, who was nodding his head behind Jonah. Whatever the information Jonah had on Gow, it was obviously very big news. Betty knew that the Bugle had been scooped on the story about the mutant teenager killed in Tampa, it was important that the Bugle recovered from that. Betty shrugged slightly and then spoke.
"Run with whatever you feel is best for the Bugle Jonah. Two stories of front page caliber are better than none," Betty replied and Jonah smiled tightly around the cigar jutting from his mouth. Immediately Jonah and Robbie stomped away towards Jonah's office to plan whatever had come in on that email. Betty watched them go and then turned back to Peter. She was worried about him and she wanted to talk to him about Mary Jane. He was in obvious denial, big time. She frowned when she looked back in his direction. Peter was gone.
The Rose Goblin stood motionless in the dimly lit room and waited. Her thoughts and dreams consisted of two men. The first, she desired nothing more than to utterly destroy in body, soul, and mind. The second was the man she loved unfailingly. Nothing could ever bring them apart, not even death.
"I knew you would come," said a voice from behind the Rose Goblin and she turned to meet the speaker face-to-face. Standing in front of her with his smooth, slicked back hair and sinful smile, was Harry Osborn.
"How could I not come when all our designs are finally coming to fruition?" the Rose Goblin said and Harry's smile grew deeper.
"You flatter yourself my dear, these are my machinations and mine alone. You are simply the tool that I use to accomplish them," Harry said and the Rose Goblin's face fell.
"But Harry, I've done so well for you. I'm a good woman to you aren't I? I'll do anything for you Harry, anything you want," the Rose Goblin pleaded and Harry Osborn stepped closer to her.
"You've done well so far my dear, but there is still quite a bit of the game left to be played." Harry Osborn said as he reached out and stroked the Rose Goblin's cheek lightly with his hand. Immediately her face brightened as he leaned towards her. "Come closer my love, and I'll tell you exactly what to do."
For years he'd been a lonely and bitter man. The only thing driving him through his life at one time or another was some needless goal that more often than not he didn't even accomplish. The need for revenge, the need for wealth or power. He'd plodded through his life on a rampage, destroying, or trying to destroy, everything he laid his hands on.
Then he'd met her and everything had changed dramatically. Before he'd met her his fury towards the world had held no bounds. He lashed out whenever he reached the boiling point and that had been all too often. She tempered him. Made him see that life was much more than the pursuit of revenge or money or power. She'd given him hope and love and companionship. She made him human again.
But now she was gone, and his humanity was the thing that was beating his heart to death. When Doctor Octopus had seen his love dissipate before his very eyes, he'd been devastated beyond anything he'd ever felt before. Traumatic things had happened in his life. The day he was melded to the metallic arms that were now a part of his body was a prime example of that.* Still, his one true love, Angelina Brancale, the woman who had pulled him out of his abyss of despair, his Stunner was gone.
(* Way way WAY back in Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man #3 - wistful Will)
The Collector had done the deed, but Octopus felt the brunt of the blame. It was as if all his sins had finally caught up to him and he'd been dealt the ultimate price to pay for them. He'd still held a slight glimmer of hope when the Collector had teleported him back to his base. When he saw the destroyed machinery and the charred remains of his lab however, Octopus wished that the device had dissipated him as well.
He'd rooted through the remains, rending steel and ripping concrete apart in his search for his beloved's body. His arms truly were a wonder, and they didn't tire. Doctor Octopus however, was just a man, and soon he collapsed from exhaustion. The mental manipulation the Collector had put him through and the constant battling with both Spider-Man and the Collector both had worn him down to his last reserves of strength. He collapsed in the rubble and fell into a deep sleep.
He dreamed and in the dream, Angelina came to him as Stunner. She whispered sweet nothings into his ear as she used to and they lingered together, not really speaking of anything important, just enjoying each other's company. Suddenly the world became very dark and Octopus watched as Stunner's body transformed into that of Angelina. She was obese and saddened by her body but Octopus still loved her all the same. He tried to tell her but she simply turned and ran from him. Octopus cried out to her and tried to follow but he was rooted to the spot. Angelina ran to the edge of a cliff that hadn't been there moments before and turned back to Octopus.
"All your fault Otto. I died because of you," she said and then threw herself off the side of the cliff. Octopus wailed out in grief and frustration and finally was able to rip himself from the ground he was frozen to. He ran to the cliff side and peered down. Angelina was not there. All Octopus could see was the waves of an unknown ocean as they crashed heavily with a thunderous roar into the cliff face. Octopus stood there looking blankly for a few moments and then, with a sigh, threw himself off the side of the cliff, into the abyss.
When Octopus awoke from his dream he felt drunken with rage and grief and loss. His vision was blurred from the tears that had fallen as he slept and at first he didn't see what was right in front of his face. He raised himself to his knees and rubbed his eyes savagely, trying to wipe away the exhaustion and depression that were clawing at his mind and body. When he dropped his hands he saw it, a hand protruding from the rubble.
Otto Octavius grimaced when he saw the blood streaked upon it. He wasn't sure that there would be any point in unearthing the body and seeing it broken in front of him, but he knew that he owed Angelina at least a proper burial. The tears started to fall again as Octopus began to dig. They didn't stop for a long time.
Peter stood on the roof of the Daily Bugle looking out across the city of New York. So much had happened in the last few days and it didn't seem like things were slowing down any for him so he could catch up. He'd wanted to feel like he'd accomplished something after the night was through, but all he'd managed to do was complicate his life even more.
Ben, Jonah, and Robbie were upset with his work ethic and the young photographer; Angela Yin was making his life hell. To top it all off the visit from the police detective hadn't gone all that smoothly either. If Peter wasn't able to find the Rose Goblin soon, every police officer in New York would be gunning for the web-slinger, again. Plus, his back was still killing him.
He slipped his clothes off and spun them neatly in a web-pack. He leaned against the cool brick of the Bugle and tried to clear his head and mentally stop his back from aching so badly. As he reached up to place his mask on his head, he spider-sense went off like a shot through his head. He quickly pulled the mask over his head and spun around in the direction he thought the danger was coming from.
"You're so cute without the mask on Peter, I just wanted to catch one little glimpse before you hid yourself away," said the Rose Goblin as she maneuvered her glider to within a few short feet of Spider-Man. The glider was barely making a sound and Peter knew if it hadn't been for his spider-sense, the Rose Goblin could have crept up behind him, put her hands over his eyes and said Guess Who?
Spider-Man instinctively balled his hands into fists and tensed his muscles to leap up at the Rose Goblin. His back seized up and shot a spasm through his body and Spider-Man gritted his teeth beneath his mask. He wasn't sure if the Rose Goblin had noticed the wince of pain or not, but she didn't seem to be in a fighting mood anyway as she spoke.
"Stop, Peter. You stop right there. I'm not here to fight you, you silly boy. I'm here to help you," the Rose Goblin said and Spider-Man relaxed ever so slightly as the Rose Goblin backed away a few feet. "I know you've been through a lot lately sweetheart. It's been rough on you. As your Aunt May would say, a gentle boy like you shouldn't have to be put through such hardship."
"Leave my family out of this you witch," Spidey said as he tensed his muscles again to leap. The Rose Goblin simply laughed.
"Why Peter, all that happens to your family is your fault, didn't you know? Spider-Man is a plague dear boy, a disease that kills off people close to you one by one. You really should just put yourself out of everyone's misery and get it over with," the Rose Goblin said as she sneered and flicked the blood-tinted end of her hat away from her face.
"The only person I'm going to put out of their misery is you," Spider-Man said as he lunged for the Rose Goblin. The Goblin easily dropped her altitude and Spidey went sailing over her head. He landed on the far side of the roof and whirled towards the Rose Goblin who was laughing at him again.
"Big words Peter, but we all know that you could never kill anyone, you don't have it in you. You and your entire family are too weak," the Rose Goblin said and Spider-Man attacked again, this time firing strands of webbing towards her. The Rose Goblin activated the lasers on her gloves and cut the strands into pieces.
"Are you trying to insult me Peter? Perhaps you don't think I'm a serious enough adversary?" asked the Rose Goblin as she reached inside the bag draped around her body and pulled out a pumpkin bomb. "Maybe you need a little incentive. Would it help if I told you that when I killed Mary Jane, she screamed like the pig she was?"
The Rose Goblin started to laugh, but then Spider-Man was there, on top of her. The Rose Goblin couldn't believe it. She'd never seen anyone move so fast. Spidey's fist came down upon her and struck hard. The Rose Goblin faltered on her glider.
"Where is she you animal? Where is she!?" yelled Spider-Man at the top of his lungs as he drove his fists down upon the Rose Goblin again and again. He was losing control and he knew it, and as he watched the blood fly from the Rose Goblin's mouth, he hesitated. Suddenly, the Rose Goblin raised her knee and struck Spider-Man directly between his legs, her hand shot out and gripped him by the throat and pushed him slightly away.
The blow to his nether regions had been enough to stun Spider-Man and the Rose Goblin dropped a pumpkin bomb right at his feet as she struck him again with her fist directly to his jaw. The pumpkin bomb ruptured, but instead of an explosion, all that erupted from it was a gas that immediately caused Spidey's head to swim. The Rose Goblin didn't miss a beat as she kept striking Spider-Man, again and again. His knees buckled and he hit the ground hard, he looked up in a haze at the Rose Goblin, her smile was stained with blood and it was impossibly wide.
"I was just kidding about Mary Jane, Petey-O. You should learn to lighten up a bit," the Rose Goblin said and then spit onto Spider-Man's face. She raised her foot and brought it down upon Spidey's head and it was the last thing he saw before the world went black.
Next Issue: Spider-Man is in the clutches of the Rose Goblin. What possible fate could be in store for the web-slinger with two enemies holding his life in their hands? Next issue marks the conclusion of Roses are Red. Do not miss it.
"Don't you feel uncomfortable in here?" asked Detective Russ Anderson of the man sitting across from him at the "Sit Down and Eat" diner. Russ Anderson wasn't used to the stares and gawking he was getting and it showed. Still, his guest had insisted they go somewhere he could sit down and get some coffee. A diner was as good a place as any.
"Nah, not at all. Come in here all the time. The apple pie is fantastic. Reminds me of my Aunt's, you should try it," said Spider-Man as he regarded Anderson with a smile on his face. Not ten minutes ago the two had stepped into the diner and everyone there had turned to look. The waitress had approached nervously at first, but Spidey's banter had put her somewhat at ease. Now they were sipping coffee and sizing each other up. Anderson was investigating the Rose Goblin and Spidey wanted to get his hands on her more than anything. That's why both of them were here.
"No thanks, apple pie isn't my thing. I'd much rather talk about the Rose Goblin. What can you tell me about your encounter with her?" asked Anderson and Spidey frowned. He remembered all too well the numerous encounters he'd had with the Rose Goblin and Chaos.* The Rose Goblin knew who he was, had taunted him about Mary Jane's disappearance. She had to know something about it. If this detective had a lead and Spidey could somehow get him to trade information, he could take her down.
(* As seen primarily in M2K's issues 1-12 of the Amazing Spider-Man - Will)
"We fought a few times. She was allying herself with a woman named Joannah Wilkins, calling herself Chaos. I tracked Wilkins to her employer, Oscorp. Then the story came out that the current head of Oscorp Industries, Ryan Jent, had killed Chaos and then himself. The Rose Goblin promptly disappeared after that," Spider-Man said. He hoped Anderson would buy his tale. He'd left out the part that he'd made his way to Oscorp and been the first to see Wilkins and Jent dead. Spidey had barely avoided Oscorp's security team that night.*
(* Happened in issue #12 - Will)
"Security camera footage placed you at the scene web-slinger," said Anderson and Spider-Man clenched his teeth. Anderson was looking at him sternly and the frown on his face deepened. "However, I don't think you had anything to do with the murder. The camera conveniently switched off when Jent and Wilkins were in the room alone, then conveniently switched back on with them both lying dead on the floor, the moment you walked in."
Spider-Man looked at Anderson hard, trying to determine if he could trust the man. He seemed legitimately concerned with the case and with finding the truth. He also seemed fair enough to give Spidey the benefit of the doubt. Spider-Man nodded his head and spoke again.
"Yeah, I was there. I discovered the bodies." Spider-Man said, while spinning his coffee cup absently in his hands. "I have my suspicions about who killed them myself but like I said, I haven't been able to find a trace of the Rose Goblin since it happened."
"Doesn't matter. The number one suspect on my list is this Rose Goblin. The number two suspect is you. I'm here because I respect you Spider-Man. I respect what you try to do out there. The NYPD is close to putting a warrant out for your arrest. I've been delaying them slightly with my connections. Officially this is my case. Therefore I'm giving you an option. Track down the Rose Goblin, bring her in for questioning, or I'll hunt you down and bring you in myself," Anderson said and then got up from the table. Spider-Man sat, stunned, with his coffee cup still in his hands.
"Oh, and one more thing web-slinger," the detective said, reaching within the folds of his trench coat and pulling out a newspaper. He plunked it down on the table and Spidey looked at it, shaking his head, wishing that the words on the front page: Teenaged Mutant Killed In Tampa, Police to Blame? said anything else.*
(* See M2K's Generation X #9 for details on what the web-slinger is reading about - Will)
"You may want to keep a firm lookout for any signs of mutant retaliation. This is a horrible tragedy, but it'll be even more horrible if things keep progressing the way it looks like they're going to," said Anderson, and then he turned and walked out of the diner, leaving Spider-Man even more stunned than he'd been just moments before.
The waitress came over and stood in front of him, smacking her gum loudly between her jaws.
"Anything else Hon?" She asked and Spidey looked up at her, still a bit disoriented by Anderson's statements. The waitress kept staring at Spider-Man with an impatient look on her face.
"Check please," he said with a weak smile. Soon the bill was paid and Spider-Man was swinging through the concrete caverns of New York towards the Daily Bugle, with a lot on his mind.
"Now isn't this a lot more fun than sitting over there by yourself?" asked Jill Stacey as she swiveled her hips and moved gracefully around Eugene Slodnik. Eugene had never seen a more beautiful thing in his life. The bright lights and booming music of the club were jarring to Eugene, but Jill acted as if it were her second home. Her smooth demeanor and the way she guided him around the floor were the only things keeping him cool.
"Uh huh," said Eugene and Jill laughed. The lights framed her body perfectly and each tone of sound encompassed another jaunty bounce or sharp flick of her hips. A light sheen of sweat lingered on her skin, from the swell of her breasts to the smooth curves of her thighs. Eugene felt like the luckiest guy in the place.
"I'm glad you came tonight Eugene," Jill said and Eugene smiled even more broadly than he'd been before. "Randy was becoming a bit pushy and I really needed a chance to get him to lay off."
"What?" Eugene said as his smile faltered and then fell from his face. Jill stopped dancing when she saw the hurt expression and tried to speak but Eugene cut her off. "You mean you only invited me here to get Randy to leave you alone?"
"Eugene, that's not what I meant, I..." Jill started, but Eugene's didn't even seem to be listening.
"Just save it Jill, it's not like I expected you to care about me one way or the other anyway," Eugene said and this time Jill's face fell. Suddenly a hand slipped onto her shoulder and Randy was there.
"Hey, what's going on guys? Is there a lot of flesh here tonight or what?" Randy said with a smirk on his face, but then he noticed something was wrong. Jill was nearly in tears. "Jill, baby girl. Are you ok?
"I'm fine Randy, but I've got to go. Something really important came up and I can't give you or Eugene a ride home. I'm sorry," Jill shouted above the din of the music, her voice was cracking badly with emotion. Randy watched as she turned and ran through the crowd towards the front doors. He frowned and then turned back to Eugene who'd moved back to his table.
"Mind explaining to me what that was all about?" Randy asked as he sat down at the table. Eugene seemed to be almost ready to cry himself. Randy hoped he wouldn't. He was uncomfortable around guys when they cried. It just wasn't natural.
"I'm not really in the mood Randy. In fact, I've got to ask you something that's kind of important anyway," Eugene said and Randy nodded, mentally filing the situation between Jill and Eugene in his head so he could ask about it later.
"Alright man, ask away. The Rand-man is always prepared to help a friend in need," Randy said and Eugene seemed to lighten up a bit.
"Well, you see. I need a place to stay Randy. I moved from Indiana where I pretty much had a free ticket and now that I'm going to Empire State University, things are a bit tougher," Eugene said and Randy nodded his head thoughtfully. He wanted to seem like he was the consoling friend, but he wasn't really sure he wanted another roommate he hardly knew on top of the first one.
"Ask the parents. They live around here don't they?" Randy suggested and Eugene's eyes dropped to the tabletop.
"They do, yeah, but I just don't want to intrude on their lives anymore than I have to," Eugene said and Randy nodded thoughtfully again. He wondered to himself if Eugene had thought about the intrusion he'd be putting on his and Pete's life.
"You know, this is really something you should be talking about with me and Pete together, Eugene," Randy said and this time it was Eugene's turn to nod thoughtfully. "I mean, you can crash at the pad tonight, then when Pete wakes up we can all sit down and talk, alright?"
"That sounds great Randy, thanks a lot," Eugene said as he finally cracked another weak smile. Randy flashed his smile as well and motioned out to the dance floor with his head.
"Well, I'm headed back out. Since we don't have a ride we might as well make the most of it," Randy said and got up from the table, heading back into the crowd. After a few minutes of sitting at the table with only his thoughts to keep him company, Eugene got up and headed in the same direction.
Spider-Man swung in a tight arc, angling his body so he landed directly on top of the Daily Bugle building. His body was sore from all the things he'd been through tonight. The battle with the Collector and the impromptu meeting with Detective Anderson had taken it's toll on Spidey both physically and mentally.* He reached behind him and felt the muscles along his back, they were all badly bruised. Part of it was the giant robot the Collector had used to stomp Spidey into the street. Then there was the other reason for the bruising.
(* Happened last issue - Will)
An alien of some race Spidey had never encountered had decided to visit New York for the heck of it. It was calling itself Boroh and the creature had made pretty short work of Spidey after he'd come across it.* Even though Spidey was exhausted after speaking with Anderson, he'd at least hoped to distract the creature long enough for other heroes to show up. After it had plastered him into a brick wall though, it had mysteriously disappeared. Spidey hadn't even felt a tingle from his spider-sense. Perhaps the creature had left or perhaps it had cloaked itself in some way that blocked Spidey's spider-sense. Spider-Man wasn't sure, but he still had to get to the Bugle, so he collected what was left of his teeth and moved on.
(* As showcased in M2K's Cable #14 - Will)
Now he regretted even attempting to tackle the creature. It had just disappeared anyway and his back was killing him. Spidey made the quick change to his civilian attire and stepped into the stairwell of the Daily Bugle. As Peter Parker stepped out of the door leading to the stairs, he noticed Tombstone, with heavy restraints locked in, being led into the elevator by members of the NYPD's Code Blue team. Peter sprinted around the corner and into the newsroom and stopped short.
The newsroom was a mess and Glory Grant, Betty Brant and others were struggling to make it look a bit more presentable. Peter scanned the room and spotted Ben Urich, he started to walk over to him but Robbie stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
"Probably not a good idea to talk with Ben right about now Peter," Robbie said as he took hold of Peter's shoulder and guided him to his office. Robbie shut the door behind him and sat down at his desk, motioning for Peter to sit in the chair opposite of him.
"What happened in there Robbie? Is everybody ok?" Peter asked and Robbie smiled.
"We had a bit of an incident with Tombstone. Seems he wanted to take my head off pretty badly. If it hadn't been for Betty, I probably wouldn't be speaking with you right now,"* Robbie said and then Peter noticed it. Robbie was shaken badly by what had happened. He was trying to hide it, but he was deeply troubled.
(* That little episode took place in M2K's Marvel Fanfare #12 - Will)
"Robbie, I..." Peter started but then was forced to stop as Robbie's door burst open and Jonah stormed in.
"Parker! I thought I saw you scurry in here. Where in the devil have you been?" ranted Jonah and Peter could see Ben Urich outside the door leaned against one of the desks. He was looking into the room right at Peter, with a frown on his face.
"I can explain Jonah," said Peter but Jonah wasn't even really paying attention.
"Quiet Parker, you owe Urich an explanation, not me. The only reason I came in here was to see my editor, so get out," Jonah practically yelled and Peter got up to leave. Before he got to the door though, Jonah spoke again.
"One more thing Parker," Jonah said and Peter turned around, looking Jonah squarely in the face. "I was sorry to hear about your wife."
Peter stood in the doorway, dumbfounded for a few seconds. Then he nodded in both Jonah and Robbie's direction and shut the door behind him. When he turned around, Ben was still there, frowning at him.
"Ben, I'm so sorry..." Peter started but Ben raised a hand to silence him.
"It's not that big a deal Peter. Angela Yin popped out of nowhere to snap pictures when you didn't come. I'm disappointed you didn't show, but more than that, I think you'd better watch your back if you want to keep getting assignments at the Bugle. I never asked her to be there, if you follow my meaning," Ben said and then turned and walked back towards his own desk.
Peter watched him walk away and thought about what Ben had said. If Angela was trying to steal jobs from him, Peter was going to be in trouble. The pictures of the Rhino he'd taken had only covered the first month's rent, he'd need more if he was going to keep staying with Randy and eat three square meals a day, plus snacks.
"Penny for your thoughts," said a voice from behind Peter and he turned to see Betty Brant standing there. It never ceased to amaze Peter how much Betty had changed since the first time he'd met her. She'd been his first girlfriend, he still thought about her every once in a while in that way. More than that though, she was a friend and she seemed even more flustered than anybody else in the newsroom.
"The usual Betty, worrying about how I'm going to keep my job and pay the rent. Trivial stuff really. How about you?" Peter said, trying to make light of how he was feeling. He could tell Betty wasn't buying it.
"I've been thinking a lot about Ned lately actually," Betty said and Peter felt his heart drop. Betty had lost her husband and Peter could tell that she wanted to talk to him about it because she thought Mary Jane was dead too. Betty saw the look on his face and continued.
"I know losing Mary Jane was hard Peter, but I just want you to know that I'm here to help you if you need it," Betty said and Peter looked up at her. The harshness of his look gave Betty pause. The harshness of his voice caused her to take a step back.
"Betty, I appreciate it, really I do, but Mary Jane isn't dead. I don't have time to sit here and play lonely hearts with you. Mary Jane is coming back and when she does and all of you see us together again, I hope you remember those things you were saying and choke on them," Peter spat the words out violently and immediately regretted them when he saw the hurt look pass over Betty's face. He opened his mouth to apologize, but then the door to Robbie Robertson's office opened and Jonah was there.
"Brant! We have to talk." Jonah said and Betty turned to him. Either Jonah didn't notice Betty was disturbed or he didn't care. "I received an email from a source of mine. This source has relayed to me pertinent information about Michael Gow, the deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations.* We have to run with this Betty, so your efforts against Tombstone are going to have to be bumped from the front page."
(* Remember that email from M2K's X-Force #10? If not, go check it out - Will)
Betty looked at Jonah and then at Robbie, who was nodding his head behind Jonah. Whatever the information Jonah had on Gow, it was obviously very big news. Betty knew that the Bugle had been scooped on the story about the mutant teenager killed in Tampa, it was important that the Bugle recovered from that. Betty shrugged slightly and then spoke.
"Run with whatever you feel is best for the Bugle Jonah. Two stories of front page caliber are better than none," Betty replied and Jonah smiled tightly around the cigar jutting from his mouth. Immediately Jonah and Robbie stomped away towards Jonah's office to plan whatever had come in on that email. Betty watched them go and then turned back to Peter. She was worried about him and she wanted to talk to him about Mary Jane. He was in obvious denial, big time. She frowned when she looked back in his direction. Peter was gone.
The Rose Goblin stood motionless in the dimly lit room and waited. Her thoughts and dreams consisted of two men. The first, she desired nothing more than to utterly destroy in body, soul, and mind. The second was the man she loved unfailingly. Nothing could ever bring them apart, not even death.
"I knew you would come," said a voice from behind the Rose Goblin and she turned to meet the speaker face-to-face. Standing in front of her with his smooth, slicked back hair and sinful smile, was Harry Osborn.
"How could I not come when all our designs are finally coming to fruition?" the Rose Goblin said and Harry's smile grew deeper.
"You flatter yourself my dear, these are my machinations and mine alone. You are simply the tool that I use to accomplish them," Harry said and the Rose Goblin's face fell.
"But Harry, I've done so well for you. I'm a good woman to you aren't I? I'll do anything for you Harry, anything you want," the Rose Goblin pleaded and Harry Osborn stepped closer to her.
"You've done well so far my dear, but there is still quite a bit of the game left to be played." Harry Osborn said as he reached out and stroked the Rose Goblin's cheek lightly with his hand. Immediately her face brightened as he leaned towards her. "Come closer my love, and I'll tell you exactly what to do."
For years he'd been a lonely and bitter man. The only thing driving him through his life at one time or another was some needless goal that more often than not he didn't even accomplish. The need for revenge, the need for wealth or power. He'd plodded through his life on a rampage, destroying, or trying to destroy, everything he laid his hands on.
Then he'd met her and everything had changed dramatically. Before he'd met her his fury towards the world had held no bounds. He lashed out whenever he reached the boiling point and that had been all too often. She tempered him. Made him see that life was much more than the pursuit of revenge or money or power. She'd given him hope and love and companionship. She made him human again.
But now she was gone, and his humanity was the thing that was beating his heart to death. When Doctor Octopus had seen his love dissipate before his very eyes, he'd been devastated beyond anything he'd ever felt before. Traumatic things had happened in his life. The day he was melded to the metallic arms that were now a part of his body was a prime example of that.* Still, his one true love, Angelina Brancale, the woman who had pulled him out of his abyss of despair, his Stunner was gone.
(* Way way WAY back in Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man #3 - wistful Will)
The Collector had done the deed, but Octopus felt the brunt of the blame. It was as if all his sins had finally caught up to him and he'd been dealt the ultimate price to pay for them. He'd still held a slight glimmer of hope when the Collector had teleported him back to his base. When he saw the destroyed machinery and the charred remains of his lab however, Octopus wished that the device had dissipated him as well.
He'd rooted through the remains, rending steel and ripping concrete apart in his search for his beloved's body. His arms truly were a wonder, and they didn't tire. Doctor Octopus however, was just a man, and soon he collapsed from exhaustion. The mental manipulation the Collector had put him through and the constant battling with both Spider-Man and the Collector both had worn him down to his last reserves of strength. He collapsed in the rubble and fell into a deep sleep.
He dreamed and in the dream, Angelina came to him as Stunner. She whispered sweet nothings into his ear as she used to and they lingered together, not really speaking of anything important, just enjoying each other's company. Suddenly the world became very dark and Octopus watched as Stunner's body transformed into that of Angelina. She was obese and saddened by her body but Octopus still loved her all the same. He tried to tell her but she simply turned and ran from him. Octopus cried out to her and tried to follow but he was rooted to the spot. Angelina ran to the edge of a cliff that hadn't been there moments before and turned back to Octopus.
"All your fault Otto. I died because of you," she said and then threw herself off the side of the cliff. Octopus wailed out in grief and frustration and finally was able to rip himself from the ground he was frozen to. He ran to the cliff side and peered down. Angelina was not there. All Octopus could see was the waves of an unknown ocean as they crashed heavily with a thunderous roar into the cliff face. Octopus stood there looking blankly for a few moments and then, with a sigh, threw himself off the side of the cliff, into the abyss.
When Octopus awoke from his dream he felt drunken with rage and grief and loss. His vision was blurred from the tears that had fallen as he slept and at first he didn't see what was right in front of his face. He raised himself to his knees and rubbed his eyes savagely, trying to wipe away the exhaustion and depression that were clawing at his mind and body. When he dropped his hands he saw it, a hand protruding from the rubble.
Otto Octavius grimaced when he saw the blood streaked upon it. He wasn't sure that there would be any point in unearthing the body and seeing it broken in front of him, but he knew that he owed Angelina at least a proper burial. The tears started to fall again as Octopus began to dig. They didn't stop for a long time.
Peter stood on the roof of the Daily Bugle looking out across the city of New York. So much had happened in the last few days and it didn't seem like things were slowing down any for him so he could catch up. He'd wanted to feel like he'd accomplished something after the night was through, but all he'd managed to do was complicate his life even more.
Ben, Jonah, and Robbie were upset with his work ethic and the young photographer; Angela Yin was making his life hell. To top it all off the visit from the police detective hadn't gone all that smoothly either. If Peter wasn't able to find the Rose Goblin soon, every police officer in New York would be gunning for the web-slinger, again. Plus, his back was still killing him.
He slipped his clothes off and spun them neatly in a web-pack. He leaned against the cool brick of the Bugle and tried to clear his head and mentally stop his back from aching so badly. As he reached up to place his mask on his head, he spider-sense went off like a shot through his head. He quickly pulled the mask over his head and spun around in the direction he thought the danger was coming from.
"You're so cute without the mask on Peter, I just wanted to catch one little glimpse before you hid yourself away," said the Rose Goblin as she maneuvered her glider to within a few short feet of Spider-Man. The glider was barely making a sound and Peter knew if it hadn't been for his spider-sense, the Rose Goblin could have crept up behind him, put her hands over his eyes and said Guess Who?
Spider-Man instinctively balled his hands into fists and tensed his muscles to leap up at the Rose Goblin. His back seized up and shot a spasm through his body and Spider-Man gritted his teeth beneath his mask. He wasn't sure if the Rose Goblin had noticed the wince of pain or not, but she didn't seem to be in a fighting mood anyway as she spoke.
"Stop, Peter. You stop right there. I'm not here to fight you, you silly boy. I'm here to help you," the Rose Goblin said and Spider-Man relaxed ever so slightly as the Rose Goblin backed away a few feet. "I know you've been through a lot lately sweetheart. It's been rough on you. As your Aunt May would say, a gentle boy like you shouldn't have to be put through such hardship."
"Leave my family out of this you witch," Spidey said as he tensed his muscles again to leap. The Rose Goblin simply laughed.
"Why Peter, all that happens to your family is your fault, didn't you know? Spider-Man is a plague dear boy, a disease that kills off people close to you one by one. You really should just put yourself out of everyone's misery and get it over with," the Rose Goblin said as she sneered and flicked the blood-tinted end of her hat away from her face.
"The only person I'm going to put out of their misery is you," Spider-Man said as he lunged for the Rose Goblin. The Goblin easily dropped her altitude and Spidey went sailing over her head. He landed on the far side of the roof and whirled towards the Rose Goblin who was laughing at him again.
"Big words Peter, but we all know that you could never kill anyone, you don't have it in you. You and your entire family are too weak," the Rose Goblin said and Spider-Man attacked again, this time firing strands of webbing towards her. The Rose Goblin activated the lasers on her gloves and cut the strands into pieces.
"Are you trying to insult me Peter? Perhaps you don't think I'm a serious enough adversary?" asked the Rose Goblin as she reached inside the bag draped around her body and pulled out a pumpkin bomb. "Maybe you need a little incentive. Would it help if I told you that when I killed Mary Jane, she screamed like the pig she was?"
The Rose Goblin started to laugh, but then Spider-Man was there, on top of her. The Rose Goblin couldn't believe it. She'd never seen anyone move so fast. Spidey's fist came down upon her and struck hard. The Rose Goblin faltered on her glider.
"Where is she you animal? Where is she!?" yelled Spider-Man at the top of his lungs as he drove his fists down upon the Rose Goblin again and again. He was losing control and he knew it, and as he watched the blood fly from the Rose Goblin's mouth, he hesitated. Suddenly, the Rose Goblin raised her knee and struck Spider-Man directly between his legs, her hand shot out and gripped him by the throat and pushed him slightly away.
The blow to his nether regions had been enough to stun Spider-Man and the Rose Goblin dropped a pumpkin bomb right at his feet as she struck him again with her fist directly to his jaw. The pumpkin bomb ruptured, but instead of an explosion, all that erupted from it was a gas that immediately caused Spidey's head to swim. The Rose Goblin didn't miss a beat as she kept striking Spider-Man, again and again. His knees buckled and he hit the ground hard, he looked up in a haze at the Rose Goblin, her smile was stained with blood and it was impossibly wide.
"I was just kidding about Mary Jane, Petey-O. You should learn to lighten up a bit," the Rose Goblin said and then spit onto Spider-Man's face. She raised her foot and brought it down upon Spidey's head and it was the last thing he saw before the world went black.
Next Issue: Spider-Man is in the clutches of the Rose Goblin. What possible fate could be in store for the web-slinger with two enemies holding his life in their hands? Next issue marks the conclusion of Roses are Red. Do not miss it.