(Kai's POV)
Night was settling in, and Kai found himself uncertain of where he would spend the night. Careful not to draw unwanted attention, he opted for an abandoned alley to rest his weary body and attend to his newfound burden.
In the midst of discarded boxes and the pungent scent of decay, Kai knelt beside the motionless figure of Spider-Man. Their ragged attire offered little protection against the biting cold of the evening.
With trembling hands, he gently pushed aside the hero's mask, revealing the bruised and battered face beneath. But Kai sensed there was more to the injuries; Spider-Man's consciousness had suffered while battling his inner rage.
"As intense as the cursed energy was, it has all dissipated now that the rage is gone," Kai murmured, his thoughts drifting back to the recent events. "But it has affected him in another way. He's not healing as fast as Spider-Man normally does."
"Even if he is not the Spider-Man I know, he should have the healing ability since he is..." Kaiji noted the face and compared it to the one in his mind. "Peter Parker."
Kaiji groaned, feeling grogginess taking over. "I'm completely drained. When Spider-Man's rage dissipated, my Cursed Energy was instantly drained by the Divine Dog, leaving me feeling the exhaustion of running around in New York."
That moment had also left Kaiji to face off against a powerful adversary, but fate had other plans, sparing his life and orchestrating a fate he understood he had to confront.
Looking down at the unconscious vigilante, Kai felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, understanding the burden he now bore.
Despite his own dire circumstances – homeless, penniless, with nothing but the clothes on his back – Kai couldn't bring himself to leave Spider-Man alone in the darkness.
What if the authorities discovered him and uncovered his true identity? It would spell not only the end of Spider-Man's career but also endanger Peter Parker's life.
Kai couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Spider-Man than the disheartening encounter with Venom suggested. It seemed as though the hero didn't even recognize the symbiote!
With makeshift bandages fashioned from torn fabric, Kai tended to Spider-Man's wounds as best he could, his movements deliberate despite the urgency gnawing at him.
The hero's strained breathing served as a stark reminder of the thin line between life and death, a line Kai feared could become his new reality.
As he worked, Kai's thoughts drifted to the heroic deeds of Spider-Man that inspired him to dream big in a world full of superpowered beings.
But faced with the hero's vulnerability, Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of disillusionment.
"I hope he wakes up soon." Kai thought. "If we separate now, I may never get the chance to explain what's going to happen."
Then, like a cruel twist of fate, the distant hum of a street-side television caught Kai's attention, pulling him back to the present reality.
With a heavy heart and weary body, Kai craned his neck to the flickering street-side screen, his eyes widening in disbelief as the image of Spider-Man flashed across it, accompanied by the damning headline: "Chaos in His Wake: Spider-Man Strikes Again!"
The words struck Kai like a physical blow, casting a shadow over his already precarious existence. The hero he once revered, the symbol of hope and courage, reduced to a cautionary tale of recklessness and despair.
As the news report unfolded, Kai felt a surge of conflicting emotions – anger, sorrow, betrayal. But amid the turmoil, one thing remained clear: he couldn't abandon Spider-Man now, not when the hero needed him most.
The editor's harsh words only fueled Kai's anger, reminding him of the injustice and ignorance that permeated society. He seethed at the thought of someone speaking ill of Spider-Man without understanding the sacrifices he made.
"They should be grateful," Kai thought bitterly, "that heroes like Spider-Man risk everything to protect them from the impossible."
Take Absolute Venom, for instance.
---
(The Daily Bugle: Chaos in His Wake: Spider-Man Strikes Again!)
Byline: J. Jonah Jameson, Editor-in-Chief
Amidst the lively streets of the Financial District, pandemonium unfolded once more as Spider-Man swooped in with his usual flair, demonstrating yet again his utter disregard for the norms of law and order. With his audacious maneuvers and morally questionable tactics, one cannot help but question: is he truly a hero, or merely a villain in disguise?
Eyewitnesses recounted the spectacle of the self-proclaimed "friendly neighborhood Spider-Man" careening through the cityscape like a bull in a china shop, leaving chaos and confusion in his wake. Buildings trembled, pedestrians scattered, and the flow of traffic ground to a halt as this masked marauder tore through our beloved metropolis.
But let us not be swayed by the theatrics of his aerial stunts and flashy costume. Beneath the veneer of red and blue lies a misguided vigilante who fancies himself above the law. While his actions occasionally result in the capture of minor offenders, they more often leave behind a trail of destruction and dismay.
Consider, for instance, his recent escapade in the heart of the Financial District. Instead of deferring to the proper authorities, Spider-Man took it upon himself to pursue a mysterious figure with all the subtlety of, well, a bull in a china shop. Did he pause to contemplate the potential risks to innocent bystanders? Clearly not. It is evident that his ego-driven quest for justice knows no bounds.
And let us not overlook the collateral damage. The Daily Bugle fielded numerous reports of property destruction, injuries, and even an unfortunate incident involving a startled pigeon and an expertly aimed web. Is this the conduct befitting a hero entrusted with the safety of our streets?
Moreover, Spider-Man's reckless conduct sets a perilous example for impressionable minds. Instead of instilling reverence for authority and the sanctity of law, he glorifies vigilantism and fosters a culture of lawlessness. Is this the legacy we wish to impart to our youth?
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Consider the young man who, inspired by Spider-Man's exploits, recklessly endangered himself in an ill-conceived imitation. Had circumstances not defused themselves and the threat not receded, imagine the anguish his loved ones might have endured had he come to harm.
Yet perhaps the most egregious transgression is Spider-Man's steadfast refusal to be held accountable. Despite repeated attempts by law enforcement to bring him to justice, he continues to operate with impunity, hiding behind his mask like a common criminal. If he genuinely believes in the righteousness of his cause, why does he shrink from the prospect of facing justice like a true hero?
And let us not forget his burgeoning arsenal of Spider-Tracers (Buzzers), which have regrettably gained popularity among taxi drivers. The petition to halt his insidious campaign of normalizing vigilantism, spearheaded by none other than yours truly, remains ongoing.
In summation, Spider-Man may fancy himself a champion of justice, but his actions betray his true nature. With his heedless disregard for authority, penchant for destruction, and propensity for chaos, he has repeatedly demonstrated that he is little more than a rogue vigilante at best, and a perilous threat at worst. It is time for the citizens of New York City to awaken to the reality of Spider-Man's true nature: a web-slinging nuisance more interested in playing the hero than upholding the law.
So the next time you hear that telltale "thwip" of a web shooter or catch a glimpse of that crimson and cobalt blur streaking across the skyline, remember: with great power comes great responsibility. And Spider-Man has failed to shoulder both burdens.
All that accompanies his great power is an even greater darkness!
Hashtag: #StopSpiderMan
---
(Spider-Man's POV)
As consciousness slowly seeped back into his mind, Spider-Man felt the world around him coming alive in fragments. The dull ache in his body merged with the sound of distant voices and the faint glow of dim light filtering through his closed eyelids.
With a groan, Spider-Man attempted to lift his heavy eyelids, his muscles protesting against the effort. Blinking against the harsh glare of reality, he found himself staring up at the night sky, a canvas of stars twinkling above.
Confusion clouded his thoughts as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. Why was he lying on the cold pavement? And why did his body feel like it had been through a meat grinder?
A wave of panic washed over him as he realized his mask was missing, leaving his identity exposed to the unforgiving world. His heart raced with a mixture of fear and frustration, cursing his own carelessness for allowing such a monumental mistake to happen.
Frantically, he attempted to sit up, only to be met with resistance from his protesting muscles. His limbs felt heavy and uncooperative, as though they belonged to someone else entirely.
"Easy there, Spider-Man," a voice spoke, breaking through the haze of confusion. "You took quite a beating."
Spider-Man's gaze snapped towards the source of the voice, locking onto the figure kneeling beside him. It was a young man, his features shrouded in shadows, but his eyes glimmering with concern.
"Who... who are you?" Spider-Man managed to croak out, his voice hoarse and strained from disuse.
The young man offered a small, reassuring smile, his eyes softening with sympathy. "My name is Kai," he replied gently. "And I'm here to help you."
Spider-Man's mind raced as he tried to piece together the events leading up to this moment. He remembered the confrontation with Venom, the surge of rage that had threatened to consume him, but everything after that was a blur of pain and confusion.
"Venom..." Spider-Man muttered, the name tasting bitter on his tongue. "Where... is he?"
Kai's expression darkened at the mention of the symbiote, his jaw clenching with suppressed anger, and terrified anticipation. "He's gone," Kai replied tersely. "But he left quite a mess behind, and a premonition."
Struggling against the weight of exhaustion and pain, Spider-Man labored to push himself into a sitting position, his muscles quivering with the effort. "I've never felt such overwhelming anger and rage," he confessed, his voice strained and raw. "It felt like my brain was on the verge of exploding."
"I need to find him," he insisted, his voice trembling with determination. "I have to stop him before he hurts anyone else."
Kai's gaze softened with understanding, but his grip on Spider-Man's shoulder tightened, despite his own tiredness, anchoring him in place. "You're in no condition to go after him," he gently admonished. "You need to rest and recover."
"But even if you wanted to, I'm afraid you couldn't find him," Kai continued solemnly. "Until he resurfaces, you need to be prepared. You must be ready."
"At that point, he will have evolved beyond our comprehension," Kai cautioned. "He's already begun as no longer requires a host to survive."
"What do you mean he doesn't need a host anymore?" Spider-Man's voice trembled with incomprehension. "And how do you know all of this?"
As Spider-Man's questions multiplied, a sense of urgency filled the air. "Who, or what is Venom, and what does he want with me?" he demanded. "And what has he done to Eddie?"
Kai remained silent, his surprise evident, but he couldn't help but voice his astonishment. "You mean to say you don't know who Venom is?"
Spider-Man's response was one of genuine confusion. "Why? Should I?" he questioned. "I have never encountered him before!"
---
[Absolute Venom - The Genesis of Pure Evil: Venom Arc Suspension]
(General POV - Time: Past Fighting Against the Symbiote)
Suspense hung thick in the air, every participant in the battle suspended in a moment of tense anticipation. Spider-Man's consciousness lay in tatters, his body ensnared by the venomous grip tightening around him, unwilling to relinquish its hold until fusion was achieved.
Kai, wielding his club, leapt from the back of his Divine Dog with a singular purpose: to exorcise Spider-Man's raging emotions before they could wreak further havoc. He had charged himself with all the Cursed Energy he could muster, his mind fixated on the possibility of completely dissipating the manifested rage.
Beside him, the Divine Dog bristled with readiness, its claws and teeth gleaming in the dim light. One bite, one claw, and it would all be over for the malevolent rage threatening to consume Spider-Man.
But just as the scene seemed poised to unfold according to Kai's ambitious imagination, a twist of fate intervened, altering the course of the battle in a way that none had foreseen, yet not entirely unforeseen.
Venom, a multiversal symbiote, had narrowly escaped Carnage, feeling his emotions surge and pulse, beckoning him towards the sea of negative emotions that was Spider-Man's rage.
His mind flashed back to his out-of-this-world battle (pun -intended), recalling the humiliating defeat he had suffered at Carnage's hands. Anger surged within him at the memory, driving him to seek dominance over the web-slinger and claim his rightful place at the top.
"I must be stronger than Carnage, or whatever he has become," Venom growled, his negative emotions fueling his determination. With each passing moment, he felt himself drawing closer to Spider-Man's raging emotions, merging with them seamlessly as they became one.
However, Venom's more recent and potent rage outmatched and dominated Spider-Man's, seamlessly merging with it. Before Venom could proceed to take over Spider-Man's body and soul, the merged rage overtook both of them and fused with the more potent vessel: the more wounded and in need of the two.
As Kaiji's club landed, the negative energy "dissipated", and all who had been suspended in the air fell to the ground. Venom rose up with otherworldly vigor, shouting triumphantly, "Yes! Yes! Yes! I am boiling with Anger! I am total Rage! Nothing can stop me now!"
"This body is better than the last one!" Venom declared. "There are no red doors to suppress me behind. I can no longer be contained."
"I can now fulfill my purpose," Venom continued, scanning the scene to see Kaiji struggling to stand up, devoid of protection as the Divine Dog had instantly drained his cursed energy the minute the sea of Cursed Energy had dissipated.
"They are not worth the effort," Venom remarked. "Even Spider-Man. He is weak now that I have taken what made him the prize. What could have made him the strongest."
"Out there are beings that can make me stronger," Venom mused, gazing towards space. "Those are who deserve my attention."
"Before he gets to me again, I will have become the strongest!" Venom resolved before leaping away, leaving behind the fallen body of an unconscious Eddie Brock.
Edited.
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