Spider-Man : The Story of a Hero

New York — Tombstone Headquarters — Tombstone’s Office — Morning

The morning bathed New York in a cold light as Tombstone stood alone in his office.

Seated in his large leather chair, he watched the city through the immense bay window that occupied an entire section of the wall.

A heavy atmosphere filled the room.

The dim lighting and oppressive silence only reinforced the feeling.

A knock at the door finally broke the calm.

The door opened.

Hammerhead stepped into the office.

— You wanted to see me, boss?

Without taking his eyes off the city, Tombstone answered calmly:

— Yes. I think it’s time to recruit. Take some men with you and bring me as many criminals as possible. Tell them they’ll make a lot of money working for me.

Hammerhead nodded slightly.

— And if they refuse?

At that question, Tombstone slowly turned his chair.

His hard, expressionless face appeared in the light.

— In that case, make them understand that it’s either work for me... or lose the use of their legs.

His voice was icy.

— Don’t hesitate to give them a little demonstration. It should make things easier if there are any rebels among them.

Hammerhead immediately nodded.

— Understood!

He was already preparing to leave the room when Tombstone’s voice stopped him.

— Hammerhead.

The right-hand man immediately turned around.

— Yes, boss?

Tombstone folded his hands in front of him.

— The police captain... The one who helped Spider-Man the other day. I asked you to look into him. Did you find his name?

— Yes. His name is George Stacy.

Tombstone’s gaze hardened slightly.

— George Stacy...

He repeated the name as if committing it to memory.

Then he continued:

— Very good. I want you to find out if he has a wife or children. And I want the information within the next few hours. Don’t disappoint me.

— You can count on me.

Tombstone slowly nodded.

Then he added:

— Oh, and gather all the explosives we have.

Hammerhead acknowledged with a brief nod.

Then he left the office.

The door closed behind him.

Silence immediately returned to the room.

Alone once again, Tombstone remained motionless in his chair, watching New York’s skyscrapers through the bay window of his hideout.

New York — Barricaded Restaurant — Upper Floors — Morning

A thick smoke had spread throughout the room, transforming the floor into a true opaque fog. Between overturned furniture, shattered glass, and scraps of food scattered across the floor, the place looked more like a battlefield than a restaurant.

— Can’t someone do something about this, seriously?! Sandman snapped. First a flash grenade and now a smoke grenade?!

— And it’s not over yet! Spider-Man’s voice called out from somewhere in the smoke.

A shadow suddenly cut through the fog.

Before Sandman could react, Spider-Man burst forward and delivered a kick so powerful that a clean hole formed in his grainy torso.

— I’ve got you! Sandman shouted.

He immediately tried to grab him, but Spider-Man ducked with agility and avoided the attack. In the same motion, he performed a spinning kick that scattered Sandman’s legs into loose sand.

— What?! You’ve got to be kidding me?!

Without giving him time to reform, the hero grabbed an overturned table and smashed it into him. Sandman’s body exploded into a massive spray of sand that scattered throughout the room.

— What the hell is happening?! Electro shouted.

— Sandman?! You still alive?! Shocker yelled.

No answer.

The silence that followed was even more unsettling.

Shocker clenched his teeth.

— We can’t see a thing and yet he’s moving around like it’s nothing...

— What do we do?! I can’t see shit! Scorpion panicked.

— Stay together! Shocker ordered. If we split up, we’re screwed!

— I don’t give a damn! Electro roared. I’m gonna kill him myself!

Blinded by rage, he charged into the smoke, firing electrical blasts in every direction.

But Spider-Man was already waiting for him.

— Behind you!

Electro turned around too late.

A lightning-fast kick sent him crashing to the floor.

— You’re acting tough because we can’t see anything, huh?! Just wait... we’ll see if... you don’t... EAT THIS YOU DIRTY BASTARD!

With a scream of rage, Electro concentrated all the energy in his body.

Then he released it all at once.

A gigantic electrical explosion tore through the floor.

The windows instantly shattered in a deafening crash.

The shockwave swept away all the smoke, which was sucked outside within seconds.

Outside the building, Yuri Watanabe and her men saw the flash illuminate the windows.

They immediately understood that the situation had changed.

Inside, Spider-Man grimaced.

Dozens of shards of glass had struck him head-on.

His costume was now torn in several places, and thin trails of blood appeared across his arms and torso.

— Blowing out the windows to clear the smoke? Not bad, battery boy, Shocker admitted.

— MY NAME IS ELECTRO, DAMMIT! REMEMBER IT!

— Hey, guys!

Everyone turned their heads.

Spider-Man had just grabbed a table.

With a quick motion, he hurled it straight at them.

— This is where the fun begins.

The table flew across the room at full speed.

New York — New York Hospital — Morning

George Stacy walked calmly through the hospital’s plain and silent hallways. His phone pressed to his ear, he listened attentively to the person on the other end, his expression serious.

— Are you sure about your information?

A few seconds of silence followed.

— Alright... thanks for letting me know.

He hung up and slowly slipped his phone into the inner pocket of his jacket.

— So Tombstone has a right-hand man known as Hammerhead...

His gaze drifted into space for a moment.

— I need to inform Peter and Yuri. But later... They must still be in the middle of their operation against the super-criminals...

Still deep in thought, he continued walking until he reached May Parker’s room.

As he placed his hand on the doorknob, a weak but familiar voice rose from behind the door.

— Well... you haven’t changed one bit, have you...

George froze for half a second.

Then a genuine smile lit up his face.

— And you’re still just as strong.

He entered the room and approached the bed.

— I’m really happy to see you awake.

May gave him a gentle smile.

— Do you have any news about Peter? Do you know where he is? The last time I talked to him, he was at Harry’s and I’m worried...

— He’s at my place with Gwen, don’t worry, George replied. He’s safe. He knows about your accident, he wanted to come, but I told him to stay with her.

A sigh of relief immediately escaped May.

— Alright... that reassures me.

After a few seconds, her gaze became more mischievous.

— You know... Peter and Gwen... it looks like they really like each other. I mean... really like each other.

George gave a slight smile.

— They like each other? Just that? I wouldn’t say that about two people who’ve already kissed.

May’s eyes immediately widened.

— Whaaaat?! They kissed?! No, that’s not true!

New York — Barricaded Restaurant — Upper Floors — Morning

The battle was raging.

Spider-Man spun between Electro’s lightning bolts and Shocker’s powerful shockwaves. Despite the accumulated fatigue and the injuries marking his costume, he continued dodging at an impressive pace.

Suddenly, he sneezed.

— I feel like someone’s talking about me...

At that exact moment, Scorpion burst out behind him, his poisoned tail ready to strike.

Peter’s Spider-Sense activated immediately.

With an agile leap, he dodged the attack, grabbed his opponent’s tail, and violently hurled him into a restaurant wall.

Without giving him time to recover, he buried him under several layers of webbing.

— Seriously guys... did you really think you’d get me twice with the surprise sting tri-

A shockwave hit him head-on.

Shocker’s blast sent him crashing through a window in a shower of glass.

For a few seconds, Spider-Man fell into the void.

Then he fired a web just in time, attached himself to the building’s exterior, and immediately climbed back up to the floor.

Shocker tried to take advantage of the opening by launching several more shockwaves.

But Peter dodged every single one.

A web shot out.

Shocker was violently pulled toward him.

Spider-Man delivered a brutal punch to his head before pinning him against a wall in a cocoon of webbing.

A few seconds later, he was back inside the building.

— That only leaves you, Electro! So are you coming or not?!

— You’re gonna see what you’re gonna get!

Blinded by rage, Electro charged straight at him.

Spider-Man then pulled out a flash grenade and threw it in front of him.

Electro stopped dead in his tracks and immediately shielded his eyes.

— HAHA! You won’t get me this time! Do you really think I’m dumb enough not to...

A few seconds passed.

Nothing.

No explosion.

Electro slowly opened one eye.

— Huh? The bomb isn’t exploding? What the hel-

Spider-Man appeared right in front of him.

A chair in his hand.

CRACK.

One hit.

Then a second.

Then a third.

Electro was launched into a wall before collapsing heavily to the floor.

Unconscious.

Silence finally returned.

Spider-Man lifted his head.

— And there we go! Another victory for the sensational, the spectacular, the fantastic, the AMAZING SPIDER-MAAAAAAN!

A few minutes later, he exited the restaurant.

In front of the main entrance, Yuri Watanabe and her officers were waiting for him.

His costume was torn in several places and his breathing was still heavy, but he kept his usual lighthearted tone.

— Alright, it’s done! Call the people in charge of prisoner transport. As for me, I’m out, but it was a pleasure working with you!

He waved at several officers before stopping in front of Yuri.

— Thanks for letting me step in despite your doubts. You’re a real professional. That... nobody can deny. If George wasn’t around, you’d make an excellent captain.

He extended his hand.

But Yuri immediately pushed it away.

Her gaze was icy.

She slowly stepped toward him.

— Don’t get the wrong idea. Working together on one operation doesn’t make us allies. We had a common objective, that’s all.

She locked eyes with him.

— In my eyes, you’re still under surveillance. And if you ever step out of line, I swear I’ll put you in prison.

Spider-Man immediately understood that any attempt at getting closer was pointless.

For once, no joke came to mind.

He simply stepped back.

Then gave her a slight nod.

A respectful gesture.

Nothing more.

A few seconds later, he launched himself into the air and disappeared between Manhattan’s skyscrapers.

Yuri followed him with her eyes until he became nothing more than a dot on the horizon.

Her face remained expressionless.

No emotion.

Only silence.

New York — Oscorp — Norman Osborn’s Office — Afternoon

Seated in his imposing leather chair, Norman Osborn absentmindedly watched the images being broadcast on the flat-screen television mounted on the wall of his office. The news was dedicating a large portion of its coverage to the events that had recently shaken New York.

— To all New Yorkers, here’s some news that will put a smile on your face, the reporter announced. It’s official: all of the super-criminals have been arrested by the police, thanks to a joint operation with our favorite masked vigilante... Spider-Man!

Norman slowly leaned toward the coffee table in front of him.

He picked up the remote control.

Then turned off the screen.

Silence immediately returned to the room.

A slight smile appeared on his face.

— Very good... I finally have the answer to my question.

His gaze drifted toward the windows of his office.

— Spider-Man... starting today... you’ll be my new test subject.

New York — Tombstone Headquarters — Tombstone’s Office — Later That Day

Seated behind his desk, Tombstone worked on his computer in almost complete silence. Only the glow of the screen partially illuminated his cold, expressionless face.

A sharp knock echoed against the door.

— Boss... can I talk to you for a minute?

— Is it about what we talked about earlier?

— Yes.

— Then talk. I’m listening.

Hammerhead entered the room.

— I gathered men like you asked and we’ve got about a hundred recruits. The guys are explaining the rules and what’s expected of them. As for the police captain, I checked: no wife, no other relatives in the city, just a daughter named Gwen Stacy. And regarding the explosives, we’ve recovered them. What do you want us to do with them?

Tombstone remained silent for a few seconds.

Then calmly replied:

— Place them throughout the building, but in discreet locations where no one would think to look.

He paused briefly.

— As for the captain’s daughter: put together a team, kidnap her, and bring her here.

Hammerhead immediately nodded.

As he was about to leave the office, Tombstone’s voice stopped him.

— And one last thing.

Hammerhead turned around.

— Yes?

— Get my jet ready on the private runway. Also put together a close-protection escort to accompany me.

— Understood, boss. I’ll take care of it right away.

Hammerhead left the room.

Tombstone remained alone.

Motionless.

His eyes fixed on the screen of his computer.

New York — Residential District — Gwen Stacy’s Neighborhood — Late Afternoon

Evening was slowly beginning to fall over New York.

Although the fighting had stopped, the city still bore the scars of the chaos of the past few days.

Gwen walked briskly through the neighborhood streets.

Her bag hung from her shoulder while she shivered slightly in the cool evening air.

— I should call Dad when I get home... that way he won’t worry about me going out or doing something stupid.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

Then disappeared.

For several minutes now, something had been catching her attention.

A car.

Always the same one.

Always behind her.

Gwen slowed down slightly.

Then crossed to the other side of the street.

The car followed.

She turned into an alley.

The car followed again.

Then into a second one.

Still there.

Her heart began to race.

— Okay... something’s wrong here. Should I run or call someone?

She looked around.

No one.

The streets were deserted.

Just her.

And that car.

— Or maybe I’m just being paranoid... but it’s better to be prepared...

Discreetly, she slipped a hand into her bag.

Her fingers wrapped around her pepper spray.

But at that exact moment, she bumped into something.

Or rather, someone.

A huge man.

She looked up.

He was almost twice her size.

— Oh... excuse me, I didn’t see you...

She tried to walk past him.

A hand brutally grabbed her arm.

— You’re coming with me.

Gwen’s blood ran cold.

— W-What?!

The man roughly dragged her toward the car parked a little farther away.

Without thinking, Gwen pulled out her pepper spray and sprayed it directly into his eyes.

— AAAH, MY EYES! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! WHAT KIND OF SHIT JOB IS THIS NOW?!

Taking advantage of his moment of panic, she broke free and started running.

Her breathing became uneven.

Her heart pounded wildly.

— I need to call someone... Peter!

She pulled out her phone.

But she didn’t even have time to dial a number.

The man had already caught up to her.

He grabbed her violently and threw her to the ground.

Her phone slipped from her hands and slid several meters away.

— You’re coming with us! Got that, you bitch?!

— No! Stop! Plea-

A violent blow to the head cut her off.

The world spun.

Then darkness swallowed her whole.

Without the slightest bit of care, the man lifted her up and opened the vehicle’s rear door.

Two other individuals were already waiting inside.

They placed the unconscious Gwen on the back seat.

The door slammed shut.

The engine roared.

And a few seconds later, the car disappeared into the dark streets of New York.

Without witnesses.

Without an alarm.

Without anyone knowing what had just happened.

New York — Manhattan Rooftops — Spider-Man’s Sector — Late Afternoon

Spider-Man continued his patrols above Manhattan, moving from building to building with almost mechanical ease. For several hours now, he had been responding to the last incidents reported throughout the city, taking down the few criminals still reckless enough to cause trouble.

Eventually, he landed on the roof of a building to catch his breath.

— Well... the six super-criminals are arrested. Most of the small-time criminals too. The streets are much calmer. Looks like everything is finally starting to get back to normal... We’re finally reaching the end of this mess. I’m exhausted.

No sooner had he thought that than his phone vibrated.

A message from George Stacy had just appeared.

— Peter. I learned that the Big Boss has a right-hand man. A guy they call ”Hammerhead.” He does everything for him... always working in the shadows. I’m thinking that if we find him, we’ll find Tombstone.

Peter immediately replied.

— Excellent information!

The response came almost instantly.

— Yeah. I also talked to Yuri about it. Over the next few days, we’ll put together a plan to corner him and put an end to this.

A smile appeared behind his mask.

— I’m 100% in, George! Tombstone’s days are numbered!

— Exactly!

A brief pause followed.

Then another message arrived.

— And look at this.

Peter opened the attachment.

It was a selfie.

George Stacy was smiling beside Aunt May, awake and looking perfectly fine.

Below the picture, a message was waiting for him:

— Your aunt is doing great! Just like always!

Peter’s heart instantly warmed.

His fingers began typing without even thinking.

— That’s Aunt May! The strongest person I know! I’ll be there as fast as I can! ❤️

He stared at the picture for a few more seconds.

— Aunt May is finally awake...

A deep sense of relief filled his chest.

— Things are finally going back to normal!

Without wasting another second, he swung off toward the hospital.

New York — New York Hospital — Late Afternoon

Sitting beside May Parker’s bed, George put away his phone.

— So? What did he say?

George smiled slightly.

— He said he’s not surprised to see you smiling. You’re still the strongest person he knows.

May smiled softly.

Then George’s phone started ringing.

As soon as he saw the unknown number displayed on the screen, his expression immediately changed.

May noticed.

Before she could ask a single question, he improvised:

— Oh, it’s Gwen! Excuse me, I need to answer this. I’ll be back in a few minutes.

— Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere, she replied jokingly.

George stepped out into the hallway.

— An unknown number...?

He answered.

— Hello? Who is this?

No response.

— Hello? Is anyone there?

A calm voice finally spoke.

— Good evening, Captain Stacy. Your daughter has a very nice hairstyle. Did you pick it out for her, or is it her own taste?

George’s blood ran cold.

His face fell.

— Tombstone...

— You figured it out that quickly? Impressive.

George clenched his teeth.

— Listen to me carefully... if you-

— No.

Tombstone’s voice became even colder.

— YOU listen.

Tied to a chair in the middle of the office, Gwen Stacy was trying to stay calm despite the fear twisting her stomach into knots.

Duct tape covered her mouth.

Hammerhead stepped forward.

Then brutally ripped off the gag.

— Dad! Dad! Can you hear me?!

— Yes! Yes, I can hear you! George immediately replied. Where are you, sweetheart?! Tell me where you are!

— I don’t know... in some kind of big-

Before she could finish, Hammerhead brutally slapped the tape back over her mouth.

George felt anger explode inside him.

— Let my daughter go! Right now! Do you hear me?! If you don’t release her, I swear I’ll-

— Calm down, Captain.

Tombstone’s voice remained perfectly calm.

— Here’s what we’re going to do: you’re going to go to the address I just sent you. Right now. And alone.

George remained silent.

— If you take too long... or if you get the bright idea of bringing a certain masked vigilante with you... then believe me...

A brief pause followed.

— You can say goodbye to your daughter.

The call was immediately disconnected.

George stood frozen for several seconds.

Then his phone vibrated.

An address had just appeared on the screen.

His gaze hardened.

Before leaving, he turned around.

There was still one thing he had to do.

Tell May that he had to leave.

TO BE CONTINUED.