Chapter Text
Cold.
Silence.
Heat.
Hot.
HOT.
FIRE.
IT BURNS.
Light.
Reflecting off objects.
Different…
Colours.
Pain.
Emptiness.
Something is missing.
It fell.
I fall.
Need host.
Sounds.
AAAH.
IT HURTS.
Nothing.
Floating.
Liquid.
Something missing.
But something close.
Need host.
Can sense.
Living Things.
Can connect.
Bad hosts.
Something missing.
Need other.
Need an other.
Won’t survive.
Won’t.
Survive.
Hidden in one of the hundreds if not thousands of buildings throughout New York City was a secret laboratory filled with everything that could be expected of a mad scientist’s lab. What was especially strange about the laboratory however was the army of furred green creatures populating it.
The creatures appeared to be some sort of goblin with sharp noses and batlike ears. Spread throughout the laboratory the creatures were bent over benches and equipment each seemingly absorbed in their entirety in the experiments in front of them. But suddenly interrupting the various experiments across the laboratory was the opening of a door at the far end of the laboratory revealing a man dressed in a red suit with a matching pair of sunglasses and a walking stick.
“Ah, Professor! How goes the experiment?” the closest creature to the newly arrived man looks up from the bench they’re crouched over with a scowl.
“Kingpin. I believe I told you not to come back here until I called you with the results.” ignoring the Professor the now-named Kingpin lifted one of the vials covering the desk in front of him.
“Well yes that was the plan Professor… but then two of our experiments almost starred on the evening news!” The Kingpin slammed his hand down, shattering the glass in his hand, “And even worse The Spiders saw them! So what is the explanation there Professor?”
The smaller creature shrinks back from Kingpin with his hands spread placatingly, “S-Sir the experiment proved to be stronger than we had expected and so once they had been moved to storage we were unprepared for how strong they were and they broke out. But not only are our projections for the two pure bodies lower than the modified clo-experiements we also improved the containment systems.”
Pacing slowly forward Kingpin seems to be staring intensely at the almost snivelling creature in front of him. But as he did so the creature shrunk even further in on himself, his whole body shaking in fear.
“So then… you’re promising me that we won’t have to worry about any more issues regarding our projects then?” the professor’s head bounces like a bobblehead as he starts to use the computer screen behind him. The computer beeped and booped as it was used, displaying a large variety of vital signs and camera feeds. All varied widely in what they showed off to the two observers.
“Yes, yes, yes, we are now fully capable of holding a full regiment of clo-heh sorry experiments. Spiders and modified included.” nodding slowly Kingpin seemed to peer slowly around the lab as if searching for something in particular.
“Alright then. I believe I shall leave you to it then.” slowly with his cane in front of him the Kingpin retreated from the laboratory. But just before he exited completely he turned back to the Professor, “Sorry one more question, but how is our visitor coming along?”
The sudden question causes the professor to scramble at the desk, visibly flipping through files on the computer before stopping on a more recently opened file.
“Ah well, it appears that we have not yet managed to figure out exactly what it is capable of. We do know that it has some element of symbiosis with living creatures but it seems to need to bond to more complex life forms. As everything that it has been bonded with so far has been drained of its nutrients near instantly.”
Kingpin raised his cane at the analysis clearly deep in thought. As he did the Professor fidgeted anxiously and the eyes of his peers darted between them. Finally though Kingpin spoke again.
“Hmm. needs a stronger host huh? I’d suggest using one of our projects but that could create something unsustainable… maybe one of our friends could be a volunteer. Or hmm.” still intensely deep in thought Kingpin turned and left without saying anything else leaving the Professor to his work. Watching after the Kingpin, the professor waits until he’s out of sight before letting out a held breath.
At the far end of the laboratory, the identical figures to the professor spurred by Kingpin’s questions can’t help their gazes from falling on the large container of black goo next to them. Jumping back as it slammed against the reinforced glass containing it. All of them were terrified of this seemingly lifeless goo.
Having returned from the hidden laboratory to the skyscraper he called home Kingpin couldn’t help but whistle as he plunged down a staircase into the deep cold dark. His cane clicked against every step as it bounced against the walls and he plunged ever deeper into the pit.
Eventually, the Kingpin reached the end of the spiralling staircase, revealing what seemed to be a dungeon ripped out of Medieval England. Smirking at the bars in front of him Kingpin rattled his cane against the waking the seated figure within them.
The figure was bathed in shadow but even so, every emaciated limb could be made out. The skin hung from each limb making it clear that while there used to be fat and musculature, the body now lacked it leaving little more than skin and bones.
Annoyed at the seeming lack of a reaction from the prisoner Kingpin scowled before running the can along the bars once again. Jolting the figure out of its stupor.
“Whu… whozhere?” the figure’s voice is scratchy like it hadn’t been used in far too long matching the body that housed it far too well. And the words were slurred displaying the figure’s lack of energy.
“Why hello Me, how’s it going being the inferior copy?” as Kingpin smirked at him the prisoner cocked his head to the side, making his shaggy unkempt red hair reveal an ear.
“Oh… it’s… you…” the prisoner’s voice was laboured as he spoke each word as if each syllable was taking everything he had to say. But rather than showing any care as someone would assume someone would when seeing someone else in this state Kingpin simply laughs.
“Oh, of course, it’s me. No one else knows you’re here, or that you even exist. And that's never going to change. But even if they did no one would look for you, would they? You burnt every bridge you ever had trying to lock me up”
“Spider-man…” Kingpin leans closer at the whispered words, his features scrunched in confusion.
“Spider-Man? What's Spider-Man going to do? Spider-Man doesn’t know you exist and thanks to you I know every way to hurt him. And thanks to that fact I can finally get that pest under my control.”
Kingpin smirks confidently at the hunched wreck of a man in front of him. But rather than just sitting there and taking the mocking, the dishevelled man spits a glob of blood and saliva at Kingpin.
Slowly with movements dripping in disgust, Kingpin pulled out a handkerchief before wiping away the blood. Turning in disgust Kingpin throws his handkerchief over his shoulder.
“Yes that's all you can do, isn’t it? Spit in disgust as I ruin everything you’ve ever worked for. Rot in hell. You bastard.” as Kingpin left the dark cell he missed the bloody smirk on the dishevelled man’s face as he listened to Kingpin leave.
“Hell’s… Hell’s for... people without faith… And… if there’s… one thing… I have faith in… it’s Spider-Man…” With a final grunt, the disheveled man turned on his side to face the wall. His body slackened as he fell back into the dark of sleep