The Spider-Grind

The peaceful night at the X-Mansion shattered like fragile glass, sending tremors through the structure. Alarms blared across the campus as students and staff scrambled in confusion. Ethan, Peter, and Gwen, who had just returned from patrol, exchanged grim looks.

"Here we go again," Ethan muttered, already pulling on his mask. Peter and Gwen didn't hesitate, slipping their masks on and leaping into action. The three bolted toward the main entrance.

Outside, the mansion grounds had become a warzone. Dozens of black-clad Hand ninjas swarmed the perimeter, their silent efficiency sending chills down even the most experienced X-Men's spines. Among them were heavily armed Purifiers, religious zealots intent on exterminating mutants. Leading this terrifying force was none other than Kraven the Hunter, his imposing figure clad in tactical armor adorned with trophies from his hunts. His presence alone was a statement: he was here to claim the heads of the spider trio.

"Come out, little spiders!" Kraven's booming voice echoed across the battlefield. "I have prepared a place of honor for your skulls in my collection."

Adding to the chaos was a group of Madelyne Pryor clones. Their identical forms moved with unsettling coordination, crimson energy swirling around their hands as they advanced.

Kraven's towering frame exuding lethal confidence. His eyes locked onto the trio, a predator sizing up his prey. "This will be fun," he growled, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

The X-Men rushed to meet the attackers.

Scott barked orders, directing Colossus to shield the younger students while Laura slashed through ninjas with feral precision. Jean stood at the center, her eyes glowing as she telekinetically hurled enemies across the room.

Ethan's sharp eyes took in the scene as he and his group held their ground near the stairwell. "We need a plan," he said, his voice calm but firm.

"Plan's simple," Logan growled, slicing through a ninja. "Kill 'em all."

Jean Grey, Logan, Cyclops, Colossus, Laura, and Psylocke quickly gathered with the trio. Cyclops was already barking orders.

"Jean, shield the students! Colossus, hold the perimeter!" Cyclops turned to Ethan and the others. "You three—."

Ethan ignored him, stepping forward. "Don't even think of sending us away. You need us, and you know it."

Logan grunted, eyeing Kraven. "Fine. Just don't die, kid."

Ethan smirked under his mask. "I'll try my best."

The Hand struck first, their ninjas leaping through the air with deadly precision. Psylocke met them head-on, her psychic blade slicing through their ranks. Logan followed, his claws carving a brutal path through the attackers.

Ethan quickly assessed the battlefield and took charge without hesitation. "Scott, you take Colossus, Laura, Logan and the kids. Lead them to safety and get the rest of the kids. Gwen and Peter will handle the Purifiers. Jean and Psylocke, you're with me to take down Kraven and the clones."

Scott's jaw tightened, visibly irritated by Ethan's commanding tone. "We don't take orders from you".

"We need to split," Jean opened her eyes after scanning her surroundings. "Scott, there is an even stronger enemy approaching from behind. We need to protect the kids there."

Scott's glared at Ethan, but he nodded, leading his team to secure the younger mutants.

Ethan's group surged forward. Psylocke flanked him, her psychic blade igniting with a brilliant glow. "Let's do this," she said, her tone steady.

As the teams split, the battle intensified. Jean hovered above the ground, her telekinesis forming a barrier to keep the Madelyne clones at bay. Psylocke moved like a shadow, her strikes precise and devastating.

Meanwhile, the trio faced off against the Purifiers, their advanced weaponry proving to be a significant challenge. Peter darted between their ranks, disarming them with webbing while Gwen used her agility to outmaneuver their attacks.

Ethan, however, had his sights set on Kraven. The Hunter grinned as Ethan approached, cracking his knuckles.

"You're the leader, aren't you?" Kraven said, his thick accent dripping with amusement. "I can smell it on you. The confidence, the arrogance… the fear."

Ethan didn't flinch. "You talk too much."

Kraven lunged, his speed far beyond what Ethan expected. He barely dodged, the force of Kraven's blow shattering the ground where he had stood.

Ethan sprinted toward Kraven, his fists clenched, his 20-ton strength ready to deliver a devastating blow. But when their fists collided, Ethan was sent skidding back, his boots tearing into the mansion's marble floor.

Ethan's eyes narrowed as he rolled to his feet, shaking off the impact. "Great. This isn't just training. Augmented strength and reflexes. Thanks, Sinister," he muttered under his breath.

Kraven moved with blinding speed, his strikes calculated and precise. Ethan ducked under a punch, countering with a knee to the ribs, but it was like hitting steel. Kraven grabbed Ethan by the arm and hurled him across the room, the impact cracking the wall.

"You fight well, but you're no match for a true hunter." Kraven taunted, his voice deep and movements predatory.

The fight became a deadly dance. Ethan's speed and agility kept him in the game, but Kraven's raw power and skill made every exchange a gamble. Each blow from the Hunter felt like a sledgehammer, and Ethan realized he couldn't rely on brute force alone.

---

Meanwhile, the Madelyne clones proved to be a nightmare for Jean and Psylocke. Their combined psychic attacks were relentless, forcing the two X-Men to work in perfect harmony.

"These clones are psychically linked," Jean said, her voice strained. "We have to break their connection!"

Psylocke nodded, focusing her psychic blade on one of the clones. "Cover me!"

Jean extended her telekinetic shield, blocking the clones' attacks as Psylocke struck. But the clones coordinated their attacks, their crimson energy blasts pushing Jean's shield to it's limits. Psylocke darted between them, her psychic blade piercing through their mental defenses, severing the link. But as one clone collapsed, more took its place.

"This is going to take time," Psylocke said, breathing heavily.

"Then we buy it," Jean replied, raising her hands as a wave of telekinetic force sent the clones stumbling back.

---

Back with the trio, Peter and Gwen were locked in a chaotic battle with the Purifiers. Their advanced weaponry included anti-mutant tech that could pierce even Colossus's steel skin.

"Why do these guys always have better gear than us?" Peter quipped, webbing a rifle out of a Purifier's hands.

"Focus, Spider!" Gwen snapped, her voice tense as she dodged a barrage of bullets.

---

Ethan dodged Kraven's attacks, using the mansion's architecture to his advantage. But soon the fight reached a boiling point. The Hunter's attacks became more aggressive, his intent clear.

"You're a worthy opponent," Kraven admitted, his tone almost respectful. "But this ends now."

He lunged with blinding speed, tackling Ethan to the ground. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and Kraven's grip tightened around his throat.

"Any last words, little spider?" Kraven asked, his grin feral.

Ethan gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "Yeah. You're ugly."

Using all his strength, he fired a web into Kraven's face, temporarily blinding him. He used the distraction to slip free, kicking Kraven away and putting distance between them.

"There's nothing left to gain," Ethan muttered to himself. "Time to end this."

But before he could act, Kraven roared, tearing the webbing off his face. "You'll pay for that, boy."

To be continued...