Santeria
The diner was empty as Peter and his clone sat across from each other, both eating the same meal. Ben had flown in from Nevada a few hours beforehand and the two spent the walk from the airport to the diner catching up with each other on their respective lives. Ben had been making a name for himself as the west coast’s Spider-Man, calling himself the Scarlet Spider. He actually did a few jobs under Joe Fit-It, the gray Hulk’s alter ego. He had created his own life out in Nevada with his fiance. Peter was glad to hear his clone was doing well. Ben took another bit out of his burger, swallowing it hard before speaking.
“Alright, I know you didn’t just call me out here to catch up so what’s going on?”
Peter was about to shove fries in his mouth before putting them down.
“You dealt with Kingpin a couple months ago when he came out to Vegas right?”
“Fisk? Yeah, said something about getting an experimental device from Area 51. Why?”
“I think he got his hands on it.”
“Shit, really?”
“Yeah, He used it to turn a convict into a sandman.”
Ben nodded, making a tight line with his mouth.
“Yeah, I guess he paid someone off for it, It can imbue someone with elemental powers, ie; your sandman.”
“Any idea on how to stop it?”
Ben shook his head while taking another bite of his burger. Peter sighed and rubbed the back of his head, trying to think. He looked out the window of the diner, seeing Gwen staring at his. He had gotten so used to these hallucinations that it didn’t even bother him anymore, which was probably why they started showing up more frequently now. Peter finished his fries, when he turned back to the window Gwen was gone, just as he thought.
“Hey Ben, you haven’t heard anything about Jackal returning, have you?”
“No, why?”
“I just keep seeing these visions of Gwen lately, She’ll show up and then disappear.”
“That… Sounds like stress induced psychosis to me.”
“Yeah, that’s what MJ said too, I just thought…”
“Look, I think you need some rest, man. I’ll crash with you for a couple days to see if we can come up with a plan to stop that device, but after that I need to head back to Nevada before people start questioning where the Scarlet Spider went.”
“Thanks man, I owe you one.”
After paying for the meals, Peter began to walk towards his apartment. As he began to walk he heard Ben call him, turning around Peter saw that Ben had already hailed a cab for them. Getting into the cab Peter gave the cab driver his apartment address and the two “twins” were quiet on the drive there. At a stop light Peter looked into the bagel store across the street and saw Gwen in line. After a blink she was gone. He hated this feeling. He felt trapped in his own mind. Reed had run tests on him, all came back saying his brain was normal, so why then, was he seeing Gwen everywhere.
After getting out of the taxi Peter paid the driver and opened the door to the complex, holding it for Ben. After Ben walked through Peter led him to his apartment. The apartment was empty, since MJ was out doing modeling work. Miles had been staying with them for the past week, however he was out on a date with Kamala. The first thing Ben noticed about the apartment was that it was bigger than he thought it would be. Not by much mind you, but for a New York apartment the fact that two people and a baby could realistically fit in it was a miracle. Ben took a peek into the second bedroom, decorated in pinks. After closing the door he noticed Peter was dragging a whiteboard out of the bedroom, ready to get to work.
Hours passed as the two spitballed ways to shut the machine down without destroying it, risking an explosion that would level several city blocks. The two heard the doorknob shake and when the door opened Miles was standing in the doorway, nearly dropping the coffee he was holding.
“Two Petes?”
Peter squeezed his temple, forgetting that he never told Miles about Ben. Ben leaned against the whiteboard as Peter ushered Miles in, explaining everything about Ben. Years ago, Peter forgot how many exactly, one of him and Gwen’s professor’s was obsessed with her, to the point where he created a clone of her, Peter as well. Peter showed up to stop him, but was stunned at what he had created. Using the name Jackal their professor used the clone Peter as a bodyguard, causing the two to fight. Their fight, however, led to the death of both the Gwen clone and the Jackal. After the fight Peter’s clone dyed his hair blonde and took on their uncle’s first name and aunt’s maiden name. He left for Nevada to start his own life and the two talked very infrequently afterwards. Miles nodded his head, taking in all of this information. Peter took a sip of his coffee as he explained why Ben was there and how he was helping take down Tombstone.
“Actually, I’ve got an update on that, Pete. My uncle said Tombstone is planning on using the machine again in three days. Unc decided to volunteer himself to buy us some time.”
“That should work, Me and Ben have already been talking about how to shut it down, we may have an idea.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Ben said, finally speaking up. “The device has failsafes in these spots.” He pointed to the circles on the whiteboard drawing. “If we can trigger these then the machine will shut down for a month, giving you guys enough time to get it out and back to the government.”
Peter and Miles exchanged a look, like neither really wanted to give it to the government. Ben rolled his eyes. “Fine, we’ll call in the Fantastic Four and let Reed take care of it, does THAT work for you guys?” Peter nodded and Miles shrugged. Ben rubbed his eyes. “Ok, Three days huh? I might be able to stay that long to help, but after that you guys are on your own, got it?” Peter nodded and let out a yawn just as MJ walked through the door with food for everyone. After eating, Peter and MJ prepared a small area on the floor for Ben to sleep.
“Sorry Ben.” MJ said, looking genuinely apologetic. “Miles has been here and he has the couch.”
“It’s alright Mary-Jane, I’m sorta used to sleeping on the floor.”
Peter was sitting on the bed as MJ came in and put her arm around him. He looked over to her and she gave him a kiss, as if she could read his mind and sense his worry. The two looked into each other's eyes for what felt like hours as the soft glow of the city shone through their bedroom window. He glanced over at the mirror in the corner of the bedroom and saw Gwen, as if that were a surprise. MJ felt him take a deep breath and turned to see where his eyes were. MJ’s eyes widened as she looked at the mirror.
“Peter… I see her too.”
“You… What?”
“I see Gwen, Peter.”
MJ walked over to the mirror. The Gwen in the mirror tilted her head to the side and put her hand against the glass. When MJ did the same the Gwen faded away, leaving MJ to look at herself. She turned back to look at Peter, who looked lost in thought. The fact that MJ saw Gwen definitely meant that someone was fucking with him. MJ saw Peter start to shake out of anger and she walked over to him putting a hand on his shoulder, comforting him. Peter looked up at MJ, tears in his eyes and embraced her tightly. He swore to himself that he would never let anything happen to her or their child, and in this moment he makes the quiet vow he made to himself solid by vowing it to MJ. She presses her face into his chest as the two spend an eternity with each other.
The next morning Peter wakes up with a stretch, looking to his side he sees MJ buried in their blankets. He gets out of bed and puts on his slippers as he makes his way towards the kitchen to make himself coffee. Miles is already up and gives Peter a quick wave as he turns the news on. Peter starts making coffee as Miles turns on the news. The reporter, Phil Sheldon, is on the ground in Latveria as the LatAtlantic war, what the news decided to call it, is still heavily underway. Peter pours two cups of coffee and hands Miles a cup as the news camera shows the two armies clearing space as Namor and Wanda walk towards each other with Doom overlooking them from his castle. Their lips are moving but the news camera can’t catch what the two are saying, it doesn’t seem to matter though as the face off ends with the two shaking hands and Namor taking his troops with him out of Latveria. Sheldon tells the viewers that the war is over, and that the two countries made some sort of deal with each other. The special report ends with speculation on what the deal could be, although Peter knows that he’ll find out the details later. After finishing his coffee Peter tells Miles that he’s heading to the Baxter Building to let Reed know their plan.
As he arrives at the building after a walk he notices that things are oddly quiet. He passes by Gwen as he nods to the security guard. After the security checks Peter boards the elevator up to Reed’s lab. Walking into the lab Peter sees Reed on a video call with Strange and Peter decides to listen into the conversation since, y’know, Latveria did just call for peace talks.
“So I can assume Doom was the one who ended the fight and got Namor?” Strange asked
“Naturally, I can only assume it was for some mythical artifact, otherwise why would Wanda be there?” Reed replied.
Strange nodded. “Atlantis is full of artifacts, the severity of the situation depends on which one Doom has acquired.”
“This is true.” Reed scratches his stubble. “Peter, What do you think?”
Busted.
Peter comes out of the space he was hiding and gives a quick wave to Strange. He thinks for a moment about the artifacts of Atlantis, and about which would be useful to not only Doom, but the Scarlet Witch as well. Then it clicks.
“Strange, where did you leave the Darkhold?”
“I entrusted it to… Oh.”
“Atlantis I presume?” Reed asked
“I figured with Namor’s hatred for Doom it would be in safe hands but, damn. I shall go and hopefully put an end to this.”
Strange ended the call and Reed turned from his desk to face Peter. “How are you feeling? Mary-Jane told me about your short coma.”
“I’m feeling better, Reed. There’s something I need to run by you though.”
Peter let Reed in on the plan that he and Ben had worked on. Reed gave a few pointers on how to improve it, but was agreeable about him and the Fantastic Four taking the device and storing it. Peter thanked Reed and left the Baxter Building, giving a nod to the security guard as he exited. After leaving Peter decided to make a stop by the Bugle, mainly to ask for Cindy’s help with the plan. As he entered the building he waved to the receptionist and hit the up button on the elevator. Once the doors opened he was face to face with Eddie Brock. Peter got into the elevator, although hesitantly. “Hey there Eddie.”
“Parker.”
There was an awkward silence between the two. Peter cleared his throat. “So, uh…”
“Look Parker, I know neither of us like small talk so let’s just agree to keep it shut.”
Peter nodded and made his lips tight. The door dinged to the editorial office and Peter stepped out. “Nice talking to you Brock.” He said with a wave. He then made his way over to Cindy’s cubicle. Thankfully she was at her desk typing up something. Peter knocked on the wall, which made her jump a bit. “Gyaah!”
“Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Oh, it’s just you. There was a guy earlier who…”
“Was built like a house, blonde hair, had black goo on his shirt?”
“Yes, actually.”
“That’s Eddie Brock, he’s pretty harmless. Well, NOW he is.”
“Uh huh.”
“Anyway, the reason I came here Cindy was to ask for your help with something in…” Peter counted his fingers. “Two days.”
He explained the situation and why he needed her help specifically for this. Cindy nodded and agreed to help the Spider group. Peter thanked her and gave her a thumbs up as he walked over to Betty’s desk and gave her an envelope full of photos. He left the office and started walking towards his apartment. Once he arrived he climbed up the stairs, passing by Gwen on his way up. After he entered the apartment he crashed onto the couch. All they had to do now was wait for the time to strike.