Spider-Man. The House Of Venom

J. Jonah Jameson was sat in his office, smiling as he smoked a cigar.

At the start of the year, he had been given the opportunity of a lifetime.

While it was a disaster, The Bugle was reporting live from the Oscorp test centre. He got Norman's meltdown on air. Sure he paid a few fines for showing scenes of a disturbing nature, but that's the press. The fine was not even a small fraction of the money and notoriety he earned from being the only major news network there.

Now he was about to walk on stage and show off the newest team of crime fighters. All legal and above board, not like Venom and those other menaces. All exclusive to the Bugle.

Taking the stage, he looked smart in a new dark grey suit, highlighted by a blue and red tie. Everything, down to his cufflinks, sent a message. Even his tie had been carefully chosen by marketing to show his acceptance of Spider-Man.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Members of the Press and our Esteemed guest of the Mayor, his lovely wife, and George Stacy, Chief of Police. We're here today, for one thing." J.J. held up a finger as he spoke. "One thing has driven us together and that is the menace of powered individuals or the Enhanced."

"These menaces have been terrorising our streets. They attack our businesses, our people and our children. This new breed of criminals is a greater threat than we can imagine."

J.J. paused for a moment. The crowd was silent, thinking of not just the diner incident but the Hulks as well.

"Of course. We do have heroes to help. Iron Man is seen patrolling. Tony Stark is an inspiration but he is one man, and he also works outside the law. Captain Stacy and I both agree the NYPD is not equipped to deal with super-powered monsters."

The audience was held. Jameson could spin a tale, he'd been in the newspaper industry for over fifty years and he knew his audience.

"This is why today, with the backing of the Mayor I have been given the honour of announcing a new task force. One specially designed to combat these monsters. As well as newly trained and equipped police units. I can announce our very own Law Enforcement Enhanced.

I present to you. Spider-Man."

The now-famous red and blue-suited man walked onto the stage and waved to the crowd. J.J. handed him the microphone, "knock 'em dead son," he whispered.

"Hi, everyone, Yes I'm Spider-Man." He waved again as the crowd cheered, "But more seriously, Venom is a danger, he is as J.J. said, a menace. I've talked to him, I've fought him and he can't be reasoned with. No arguments will work against him. He thinks he's right and that is the worst kind, he doesn't care about police procedure or chain of evidence. He wants to hurt people. He says he only punishes the innocent but ladies and gentlemen. He takes from the muggers, and he robs the criminals. A hero wouldn't do that. A hero would document and get convictions, to take the bad element off the street. A real hero would allow the good people of our justice system to do their jobs."

The crown was silent but a few people clapped which slowly spread until it was a wave of noise. Spider-Man grinned under his mask,

Yeah, we got them.

"Today, I stand before you as a deputised member of that justice system. I have been granted full police and procedural powers. These allow me to protect you and the good people of New York against the villains. Against those with powers who would use them to harm our great city."

If he was being honest, when J.J. had seen Brock under that mask he almost swallowed his cigar. The idea that one of his reporters was the menace upset his journalistic instincts.

As Spider-Man took a bow he handed the microphone back to J.J.

"Let's hear it for the amazing Spider-Man, Ladies and Gentlemen."

The crowd went wild. Banners had been handwritten with "We love Spider-Man," and they waved enthusiastically. They were paid, of course. They were there to hype up the trio and make this event shine but the enthusiasm of the crowd was real.

"Now," J.J. continued, "a fine fine young man, but Venom had friends. The group that attacked the diner had friends. They have co-conspirators who make any fight difficult. Which is why Spider-Man has friends, amazing friends I might add, although, I might be a bit biased. Introducing Steel Spider."

A well-armoured huge man, in full tactical gear, came onto the stage. A hush fell over the crown. This was a new hero, never before seen and he was armed.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen. While our first hero has some amazing powers our second is just like you and me. Well, more like me and I couldn't be prouder of him. Take off your helmet son, let the people see that handsome face of yours."

Unclipping the helmet, it was John Jameson. The crowd gasped, J.J.’s son. The famous astronaut and marine hadn't been seen in public life for over five years.

"John is a fully trained navy seal who will be providing tactical expertise. He’s had years of training in urban combat thanks to our fine United States Army. To top it off, he has been outfitted with the latest neo-kevlar body armour and nonlethal sidearms. Give John a round of applause ladies and gentlemen."

The crowd went wild. John was a firm favourite and everyone in New York loved him. He was their own homegrown talent, the one people and kids looked up to. John took a bow and went to stand next to Eddie, the pair fist-bumped and the crowd cheered again, two heroes

"And last but not least. A young man, struck by tragedy. He personally knows how dangerous these monsters can be. Yes, he's young but he's also eager and his training has been phenomenal. Beating out over two hundred recruits to become the last but not least member of the team. It is my pleasure to introduce you to you. Agent Webb!"

Another tactical suit-wearing man strode onto the stage. Rather than the grey of Steel Spiders armour, his was jet back with a white spider on the front. His arms and legs rippled as he went through several transformations. He created blades, claws, and balls of the web that he shot at moving target equipment at the end of the stage.

As J.J. was about to speak though he took the microphone from him, yanking it out his hand, "I can talk for myself."

The facemask he had on dissolved and the fresh face of a young man emerged, "You know me, you know my dad, so I'll be blunt. Six months ago the menace Venom took my leg, took my girlfriend, took everything from me. The accident he caused, and the people he hurt. They still feel that today while he laughs at us. He claims to be a good guy but he'd burn the world if he wanted. People died in that diner and he caused it. He let them get hurt just as he hurt this city."

"No more. Flash Thompson says no more, no more pain, no more suffering. No more Venom!"

He dropped the mic. It squealed as he shot out a web line into the floodlights and leapt out into the audience. They gasped as he swung away into the night.

There was deathly silence before Jonah shouted, "The Wall Crawlers, Ladies and Gentlemen." George coughed politely. J.J. shot him a glance before George nodded at the armoured unit at the back of the stage, "And our New Enhanced Task Force. The latest in New York City's finest officers.

The crowd went wild as the unit stepped forward onto the stage.

⁂

Peter and the group had watched the show and with Flash’s announcement he had frowned slightly,

“Well. Do you think threatening to kill him was such a good idea now?” Liv asked as she set her mug down on the coffee table.

MJ bit her lip and looked down at her mug. She knew Peter had only done that to show he cared for her. It had been years ago though. Nobody had seen Flash until today but he still held a grudge.

“Nope. Still would. More concerned that Flash is a symbiote. I mean that was not formula,” Peter admitted. He paused for a moment. “Oh crap. The diner.”

Liv sighed, “I am sorry for that.”

Peter shook his head, “No. Rhino ripped off my spider and threw it into the diner. What if that was my symbiote and when Flash got smushed they bonded?” He explained. “We might have to deal with him anyway.”

MJ put her mug down as well, “You can’t. I mean. He knows who were are, even me. He could do a lot of damage if we piss him off.”

Felicia snorted “Yeah, like publicly announcing he was gonna kill Pete.”

Peter shook his head, “No. He already knew. He was here with us all, and he saw not just Gwen but everyone. It’s still me.” Peter sighed, “Maybe threatening him wasn’t great but we need to plan for this. I mean,”

Felicia nodded, “No hunting alone. One or two maybe, but three plus whatever the cops have. I can call Elektra and get her to hold the fort. We should start making more public appearances. If we let them draw us out uh.” she paused.

Peter nodded, “Yeah I know, We don’t want a repeat of Bullseye. So. The big question is how far do we take it, I mean he’s an asshole but it's still someone we know. Do we?” He stuck out a thumb and jabbed it across his throat.

Liv frowned, “I think that is for you three and Gwen to decide. He never met me, and while I may be partially responsible for his powers it is still not my call. Not this time.”

Unable to disagree they waited until Gwen was home before the group gathered again.

“So, Flash?” She asked as Peter cleared away their dinner dishes.

“Yup. He knows. I mean, Agent Webb is obviously a Symbiote if we never noticed before.” Peter explained as he simultaneously washed, dried, and put away the dishes. The harness was useful for more than just fighting crime.

“Yeah,” Felicia was making after-dinner coffee for everyone, “I think we wait. Let ourselves be caught and see what they actually want. I mean Elektra and I checked. There is no warrant for any of us. It could all be smoke up our asses. Make you sloppy and pin a crime on you.”

Peter shrugged, “More dens?”

“Sure, but if they’re assholes?” She asked as she filed their mugs.

“No killing. Flash is a dick but MJ said her piece and you apparently scared the crap out of Cindy. She left.” Gwen added. She hadn’t been happy they had gone to her place to get revenge. She had gone to clean up their mess and apologise. After finding the landlord complaining about the webbed-up doorway he tried to rent it out to her. All while bitching about Cindy leaving. All while looking at her ass.

“Yeah,“ Peter said as he dried his hands, “I mean, I was mad but it just kinda feels like picking on him. I can bench a truck. Symbiote or not I’m pretty strong. I win six out of ten with Elektra.” He knew that it was just experience holding him back.

Felicia laughed, “Oh, I know. She bitches about it when you're not around.”

Peter headed to the couches where they gathered to watch TV and sat between Felicia and Gwen. He kissed Felicia on the cheek, “I know,” before he sipped his coffee and then kissed Gwen as well.

Elektra had tried the rope trick again, but Peter hated it. It was like high school over again. He might not freak out at being in small spaces or being restrained but he didn’t like them. Especially not during sex. A little spanking was fine but not what Elektra was after. He’d read up on her kind of kink and it was defiantly not his. He might look like he was dressed in tight black latex but it was far from sexual when he hunted at night.

He puffed out his cheeks, “Right, so we get loud but cautious. We hit a few drug dens and then we see what Flash and the webbed weirdos want.”

Felicia snorted, “Webbed weirdos? You know we all use webbing right?”

“Yeah, and we live in a warehouse, fight crime and then have communal sex. We’re weird, we just dont go on TV and shout about it.”

Gwen giggled but still batted his arm, “I am not weird.”

“You go to work and figure out how horny you can make women for money. That's kinda weird.”

Felicia coughed as she choked on her coffee, “Geez Pete. Warn a girl.”

Peter beamed as Gwen shook her head, “That is a solution to a recognised medical problem. It is not weird.”

Peter pulled her into a hug, “yeah it is. Not as weird as ‘Hey doc that blood pressure pill I’m testing gave me a hard on’ but it's still weird.”

Gwen laughed but pulled herself onto his lap, “Pete. I love you but.” He stopped her by reaching up and kissing her.

“I know I know. Helping women is serious business,”

Gwen leaned against him, growling in frustration, “I could win the noble prize for that cream, Pete."

"I bet the inventor of Viagra hears at least one dick joke a day.” Peter kissed the side of her neck, “I bet it's hard to be famous for something like that.”

“Pete,” Gwen groaned.

“What? I mean, the competition must have been stiff but he still managed to beat them all off.”

“Pete, I hate you.”

“Why? It's a story with a happy ending.”

Gwen groaned, “I’m going to bed. Felicia?”

Felicia shrugged, “I dont know, I mean, some of those were pretty funny. Not to rub it in, but he was pretty slick, and he hit all the right spots. I’m pretty satisfied with his performance, aren't you?” Felicia managed with as straight a face as she could manage. Peter was definitely a bad influence on her.

“You’re timing is off, you missed a few strokes there Fel,” Peter said with a grin.

“My timing is perfect, it's not my fault if you can’t keep up.” she retorted.

Peter laughed, “I can always keep pace Fel, I’m sure I've lapped you plenty of times.”

“Lapping is easy, it’s getting a good rhythm that's important. You get close but always seem to miss your mark. I’d be embarrassed.” Felicia said with a small smirk.

Gwen sighed and set her cup down. “Yeah, bedtime. Don’t care. Alone. You two can circle jerk all you like.”

Peter smiled as Gwen stood, leaned in for a kiss and then headed to bed. She wasn’t joking. Pepper ran a tight lab and her days were long and demanding. Even with Poison, she was run ragged most of the time.

Peter stood and stretched, “So, my fellow webbed weirdo, shall we swing?”

Venom coated him and he sent a line out pulling himself up into the rafters.

A new threat had shown itself, and they needed to be prepared.