A/N: Hello, everyone. As most of you coming in know, this is the sequel to my last Spider-Man fan-fic, Breaking the Deal. I would encourage new readers to check that out first before reading this, but it is not a requirement, as I have written this in a way to integrate new readers should they choose not to read my older work first.

For those who don't want to read Breaking the Deal and just want to get the gist of what's going on here, I'll spoil it. If you'd like to avoid the spoilers, then please avoid the next paragraph.

In Breaking the Deal, Spider-Man discovers that the deal with Mephisto has caused dire ramifications for the entire multiverse, and has given Mephisto immense power for taking away something so pure. With the help of his allies, as well as the spiritual guidance offered by his future daughter, Spider-Man invades Mephisto's realm to regain his marriage and save Mary Jane, who was captured by a Mephisto-controlled N'astirh. Using his willpower and the encouragement offered by his allies, Spider-Man defeated Mephisto and nullified the deal, restoring the multiverse to its proper balance. However, the price of doing so was Aunt May's life, as she was supposed to have died in the original timeline that was altered by the deal. With her blessing at her death, Peter decided to keep on being Spider-Man, with Mary Jane by his side.

As for the structure of this series, it will involve these aspects: Team-ups, exploration of Spider-Man's supporting cast, and a large myth arc that deals with the after effects of the defeat of Mephisto. I have this plotted out as being at least one hundred "issues" long. "Issues" being each chapter, which, instead of making you wait for the trade or worry about decompression, I'll just hand in the entire TPB in one issue.

This chapter in particular will be dealing with a character that is, well, succinctly put controversial in origin. I love controversy, because I think that just because someone wrote a particular character badly, doesn't mean someone else can't write them better. As per usual, your mileage may vary on this subject.

As always, feel free to let me know if there is something that needs to be fixed or changed here. Reviews are always appreciated as well and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Now enough of my ranting: Please enjoy!

1

Two years ago

Spider-Man bent his legs and then propelled himself downward onto his opponent, as he webbed up the demon that was about to bash Nightcrawler in the head with his hands. Surprised, the demon tried to break out of the web fluid, but it kept his hands bound, which allowed Spider-Man to punch him, sending the demon flying into the wall. His spider-sense going off, Spider-Man noticed that one demon was awakening, and he quickly sent a web line over at a loose rock, causing it to fall on and knock the demon out.

"Thanks, Spider-Man," Nightcrawler said, staring at the demon who claimed to be his father, the one known as Azazel.

"Anytime, Kurt," Spider-Man said, landing next to Nightcrawler and making sure that the room had been cleared of potential foes.

Pausing, Spider-Man found that his spider-sense was showing no signs of activating and waited for his ally to speak, but Azazel beat him to it.

"You dishonor me, my son," Azazel said. "I told you to confront me alone, and yet I see you bring a mere mortal with you."

"Well, technically I didn't want to be here," Spider-Man said, shrugging. "I was just in New York minding my own business when I saw a bunch of creepy crawlies attacking my good friend over here, and I decided to help him out. No one said anything about teleporting over into Limbo and an impromptu family reunion. If I'd have known that I would've brought one of my wife's casseroles. Oh, and an exorcist."

"Silence, insect," Azazel said. "This does not concern you. You are an uninvited guest and I shall dispose of you the first moment I get."

"Being a nitpicky scientist at heart, when I hear someone call an arachnid-themed hero an insect I tend to make things like this my concern."

"Azazel, what is it you want from me?" Nightcrawler asked, holding up the swords that he normally had strapped to his back.

"I have come to save you, my son," Azazel said. "You are going to die."

"Again?" Spider-Man asked. "What does that make this, like the third time? Second?"

"What do you know of the future, Azazel?" Nightcrawler asked.

"I brought you here to save you, Kurt," Azazel said. "I know we've had our differences, but I still want to protect you from what will happen. You will die saving the life of someone who does not matter and is irrelevant to the future."

"Nonsense. I will do no such thing. If you are telling the truth and I shall die, then I will have died saving someone who is very important to my heart. I would give my life to save those who will never know my name, and even those who would curse me. That is what it means to be a true Christian, not like the farce you and those you were allied with tried to make me do."

"You deny your heritage, fool. I have come to save you and you spout religious nonsense. I will keep you here and you will be safe."

Nightcrawler and Spider-Man exchanged glances.

"I've had enough of him talking, Spider-Man," Nightcrawler said, smiling. "Would you care to join me in a further team-up?"

Smirking underneath the mask, Spider-Man cracked his knuckles and then said, "I was beginning to think you'd never ask."

Leaping ahead, Spider-Man webbed up Azazel's eyes, right as Nightcrawler slashed at the demon, opening up his chest, and allowing a viscous fluid to exit the wound. His spider-sense almost overriding his mind, Spider-Man noticed a small gem exuding itself from Azazel, and he reached out for it, grasping it in his hand.

Well this is interesting, he thought, right as he leapt in the air to avoid a wave of demonic energy that Azazel sent out to free himself from the webbing. I've heard about stuff like this before from Doc Strange. What's it called again?

"Spider-Man!" Nightcrawler called out from behind a rock as he ducked another attack. "That's a Cheyarafim gem! The entities that are constantly in battle against demons like him! It can seal him away for a time!"

"Then why the heck does he even have it in the first place?"

"He must have fought one of them and made sure that it couldn't use its powers by then placing it inside of himself. Cheyarafim are designed not to fight their own, so if he put it inside of himself, then they wouldn't fight him."

"Clever, now how can we use it against him?"

"Give it to me. I can do the rest. I have experience dealing with these creatures. Oh, and it would be best to close your eyes, and to leave this room."

Handing the gem to Nightcrawler, Spider-Man ducked into a hallway in Azazel's home and shut his eyes. In the darkness he could hear Nightcrawler chanting in some dialect he had never heard before, and Azazel yelling in pain.

This is why I prefer dealing with street level threats, Spider-Man thought. I at the very least understand what's going on with them!

Suddenly, an explosion rang out through Limbo, and Spider-Man heard Azazel cursing his son for his foolishness, right as his spider-sense activated. Forgetting about Nightcrawler's warning to not open his eyes, Spider-Man rushed out to find his friend, and located him lying underneath a fallen pillar, writhing in pain. Reaching the pillar, Spider-Man heard a distinctive bamf! sound and found Nightcrawler teleporting to safety.

Smiling at Spider-Man's concern, Nightcrawler teleported to him and placed the gem in his hand, saying, "Thank you for your assistance, my friend. I wish that you didn't have to get involved in my personal affairs, but I appreciate your courage, nonetheless."

"Oh, come on, Kurt," Spider-Man said, accepting the gem. "You'd have done the same for me. Is Azazel gone? Why are you giving me this?"

"The gem recognizes you as its savior. The soul of the Cheyarafim that once lived has decided to protect you against Azazel should he return to seek revenge. I don't pretend to even understand all that I have been told about this race of beings, but from what I have learned from Dr. Strange—such as that spell earlier—this gem will be useful to you and only you."

"But you were the one who cut Azazel open."

"That may be true, but I was not the one who saved the gem once it was liberated. In fact, I had not noticed it at all. You, on a subconscious level, recognized its worth and saved it. Use it wisely when the time comes, Spider-Man, and you will be saved from darkness."

"Well, that sounds like a good idea," Spider-Man said, placing the gem in his utility belt. "Now how's about we head home?"

Placing his hand on Spider-Man's shoulder, Nightcrawler concentrated on teleporting out of Limbo and back to Earth. They left in flash of smoke that smelled strongly of brimstone, and never again returned to Limbo as a team.

2

The present

Falling through the air, Spider-Man gracefully landed on top of a double-decker bus, and waved at the tourists as he pushed himself off of it and onto Madame Tussaud's. The passersby snapped pictures of him and he obliged their requests to somersault in the air.

Oh, I love being me sometimes, Spider-Man thought as he smiled and began to web sling away from his adoring fans. I don't care what JJJ says, the people do love me, even after what I almost did to all of reality.

Brushing off his thoughts, Spider-Man swung up to a nearby building and stuck his feet underneath a gargoyle statue that he loved to frequent during his more pensive moods. Over the years he had "talked" with the stone figure about various issues, playfully calling it the most understanding person in his life.

"How's it going, Goliath?" Spider-Man asked, placing his elbow on the gargoyle and looking it in the face. "Still posing?"

Goliath offered no response and Spider-Man laughed.

"Yeah, I figured as much. Hey, I've got some news for you, man, and some big news at that: I just saved the entire multiverse. I know, right? Little ole me saved everything in existence by defeating Mephisto after he tricked me into selling my marriage away. It's a very long story. Wanna hear it?"

Spider-Man gazed at Goliath and paused.

"Oh, who am I kidding?" Spider-Man asked himself. "Of course you want to listen to what I have to say. So anyways, this is what happened: It turns out that I gave away my secret identity to the world and then my family got into trouble because of a sniper hired by my old foe the Kingpin, and my Aunt May got shot. I tried everything to save her, but I was halted from finding someone to heal her by Mephisto, who messed with my mind and tricked me into making a deal that sold my marriage to MJ to him in order to save her.

"Now I didn't know about this until Strange and Dr. Voodoo told me all about what had happened. I, being me, decided to correct my mistakes. Responsibility and powers and all that. Oh, and get this, my future daughter was contacting me the whole time because she needed to be born so that she could defeat Mephisto later on in her life, which was the whole reason why he wanted the marriage to end in the first place. So I did, and now the world's as it should be. Isn't that wonderful? I'm married to most beautiful woman in the entire multiverse and the public has some admiration for me again. Not too shabby if I say so myself, well…except for Aunt May."

Spider-Man sighed.

"I lost her, Goliath. She was the price I had to pay for restoring the world to what it was supposed to be. It's only been a week since she died, but it feels like she died yesterday. But she told me not to dwell on it. I've always underestimated her ability to deal with my dual life. Now I've got to make sure I do exactly what she wanted me to do: To keep on fighting the good fight and to keep being Spider-Man."

Spider-Man paused and yawned, stretching his shoulders.

"Thanks for listening again, old friend. I needed someone to talk to besides Mary Jane and John. See you soon."

Spider-Man cracked his neck and almost began to send out a web line, but he felt his cell phone vibrating and he picked it up, knowing that only his closest allies had its number.

"Hello?" he said, not bothering to look at who was calling.

"Peter?" a suave voice said from the phone. "It's Tony. We have a problem."

"And what could your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man possibly do for Iron Man?"

"It's Logan; he's on a rampage, and no one knows why."

Spider-Man froze. If Wolverine were in another one of his berserker rages people were likely to get hurt.

"Where's he at?" Spider-Man asked.

"He was last seen near the Baxter Building," Iron Man said. "However the Fantastic Four are nowhere to be found and I kept getting their voicemail."

"Where are the other Avengers?"

"Steve and Bucky are on assignment in Madripoor looking for Madame Hydra, Hawkeye and Mockingbird are tracking down a lead on the newest Zodiac, Protector and Spider-Woman are God knows where, Ms. Marvel, Luke, Jewel, and Danny are chasing the U-Foes, and Thor's busy dealing with Asgard's many problems last I heard."

"And you?"

"I'm helping the Guardians of the Galaxy with the remaining Cancerverse villains. I'd help you, but I'm light years away from you right now. The only reason I know about this is because Jarvis told me via ansible."

"Leaving me as the only Avenger available to do the job. Dang it. Why's he doing this?"

"If I had to guess I'd say it's because of Nightcrawler."

Spider-Man sighed. He knew that Kurt Wagner had died recently saving Hope—thought to be akin to a messiah for all mutants—from Bastion. Wolverine, one of Kurt's oldest friends, had taken it hard, but hadn't shown any outward signs of mourning.

"I'll calm him down. He needs a friend right now."

"Thanks, Peter."

"Hey wait a second. How the heck are you calling me by cell phone from all the way in the outskirts of the Galaxy."

"Peter, I'm Tony Stark; the laws of rationality bend to my whims," Iron Man said, ending the conversation.

"That's not an answer," Spider-Man said, sighing as he placed the cell phone back in his utility belt, as he swung away from Goliath.

3

Spider-Man noticed the damage to the street the moment he planted himself on the Baxter Building. Cars were upended, pedestrians were crying out in pain, and an ambulance crew was desperately trying to get to a child that had been caught under some rubble. Swinging down to the rubble, Spider-Man approached the ambulance and assessed the situation.

"Leave it to me, boys," he said, locating the largest piece of broken building and lifting it up above his head.

Tossing the rubble to the side, Spider-Man found a little girl desperately clinging to what appeared to be her brother, as he dangled above the exposed New York City sewer.

"He's down here!" the boy yelled. "Wolverine almost killed me!"

Picking up the girl, Spider-Man gently lifted her up, making sure that she had a strong grip on her brother, and gathered them into his arms. His spider-sense alerted him to crumbling rubble and Spider-Man jumped up into the air, landing next to a group of nearby firefighters, who took the children from his hands, and took them to safety.

Looking down the exposed sewer system, Spider-Man thought, The kid says that Logan's down there. Perfect. Just once I'd like to be sent to a tropical island to save my best friends. Just once, God.

Sighing, Spider-Man leapt down into the sewers, and began climbing the ceiling.

Examining the dim sewer by the light of his spider signal on his utility belt, Spider-Man found claw marks running down the side of the walls in front of him.

Well I wonder which way he went, Spider-Man deadpanned.

Following the path, Spider-Man continued down the sewer, finding it devoid of its usual animal denizens.

I'd hazard a guess that ole Canucklehead might be responsible for that. But there's also something…else here. I can feel it; almost like an outside presence that shouldn't be here.

Journeying deeper inside, Spider-Man found a body and jumped down to examine it. To his horror he found the recently decapitated corpse of a demon.

Oh not again, he thought. I just got through with these jokers a week ago.

Looking at the corpse again, he recalled seeing a demon very similar to it before.

I have seen something like this guy before. But where?

A faint glow emitted from his utility belt, almost causing him to jump up in surprise. Gazing at his belt, Spider-Man reached into one of its pockets, and found a nondescript purple gem, which brought its light into the sewers.

Wait a minute, he thought. This was the one that Night—

"What are you doing here, bub?" a gruff voice said from in front of him.

Crouching down into a defensive position, Spider-Man looked ahead of him, finding a short man with rough hair looking back at him. "Wolverine?" he asked. "What's going on? Why are you doing this?"

"You don't understand, Parker; it's the Elf's birthday today!"

Spider-Man frowned. "Logan…I know it's hard to believe that Nightcrawler's gone right now…but you need to move on. Listen, I lost someone close to me recent—"

"It's not that, you idiot! Azazel's here and I've been making sure he doesn't resurrect Kurt in some pathetic attempt to be a father for once in his miserable life. Azazel knows that if he acts on this date he can remake Nightcrawler more easily because of its significance to him."

The gem in Spider-Man's hand illuminated in response to Azazel's name.

"This isn't good," Spider-Man said. "So that's why you've been acting crazy."

Wolverine grunted.

"Oh, sorry, I meant to say that you were acting completely responsible by having entire city blocks being exploded from the inside out while chasing a really powerful demonic being."

"Can the sarcasm, Bug Boy," Wolverine said. "Kurt told me a while back that you two fought against his father before, and that that gem's got some mystical mumbo jumbo protection it can offer us."

"How'd you locate him?"

"Easy, when he teleports he smells the same way that Nightcrawler did."

"Brimstone. So that's what that smell is."

"Yeah, now are you gonna get out of my way?"

"Forget that! You said Azazel was trying to resurrect Nightcrawler! I'm not letting him do that to him! He deserves better than being used like that!"

Wolverine grunted again. "Fine, then keep up with me, Parker."

Running through the murky sewer, Wolverine sniffed out Azazel's scent, as Spider-Man followed after him. The two continued in silence, as Spider-Man held onto the gem, wishing that he could find a way to figure out just what was going on. It didn't make any sense to him at all. From what he knew of Azazel, he was a demon that specialized in impregnating women in order to use the offspring for whatever plans he had in the making. They had attempted to open up a portal that would allow Azazel's minions to enter their dimension and take it over, but they had been stopped by the X-Men. Nightcrawler had been an unwitting pawn in introducing his father into the world, but had managed to fight against him.

"He's close," Wolverine said, sniffing loudly. "In there."

Before Spider-Man could see where his partner had pointed, Wolverine unleashed his claws and yelled as he entered an adjacent tunnel. Muttering underneath his breath, Spider-Man swung over to where Wolverine had entered, only for his spider-sense to warn him too late that the adamantium-enhanced mutant was colliding right into him. Grunting, Spider-Man felt a strong, disturbing energy as it enveloped Wolverine and sent them into the wall.

Picking himself up, Spider-Man watched as Wolverine's wounds healed themselves and as the mutant snarled in disappointment at how his attack had ended. "Hit me with a cheap shot," Wolverine said, bringing out his claws once more.

"Please stop," the voice of Azazel said, as he appeared before them.

Spider-Man held out the Cheyarafim gem in front of himself, causing Azazel to cringe for a moment, and said, "Stay back, chuckles, if you know what's good for you."

"I didn't come here to fight," Azazel said. "I only came here to inform."

Wolverine snarled. "Yeah, like I believe that load of crap. Tell the truth before I gut your intestines all over the ground."

Azazel chuckled. "If I deemed it necessary I could kill you with a thought, Wolverine."

"Then why don't you try it, bub?"

"Because I only need to speak with Spider-Man and nothing more."

"What's that?" Spider-Man asked, involuntarily bringing his hand down. "Why do you need to speak with me?"

"I have come to warn you that your life is in danger."

"Since when have you grown a bleeding heart, demon?" Wolverine asked.

Azazel frowned and sighed. "I know it sounds unbelievable, but I'm not as inhuman as you believe me to be. I loved my son, despite his constant need to fight me. His mother was the only woman I ever loved for who she was; something you can empathize with, Wolverine."

"Watch your mouth, Azazel. You don't know what you're talking about."

Spider-Man stepped out in front of Wolverine and held out his hand. "Let me talk to him first, Wolverine, and then we'll see if he needs to be sliced and diced."

Wolverine grunted and retracted his claws. "You're making a mistake, Web-head."

Spider-Man shrugged and turned to Azazel. "Why are you warning me and what are you warning me about, Azazel?"

"Why?" Azazel mused. "I suppose because you amuse me, Spider-Man. Though we only met for a moment, I could tell you were a good man. Not many would willingly help a friend by fighting against impossible odds, even when I was doing it to protect him. However, I did not know how to contact you properly, so I figured that I would attract one of your allies, so that they would lead you to me. I see that my plans have worked."

"Wait…that's right. You did say that you wanted to protect Kurt. Did you know what was going to happen?"

Azazel nodded. "Yes. I saw him fall in battle to Bastion, and I tried to convince him to come to me…but you both defied my will, and now he is dead."

"At least he's in a better place now," Wolverine said. "I don't hold that much faith in the God that Kurt was always talking about, but he believed in it, so that's where he should be. If you're trying to resurrect him, I swear I'll kill you slowly."

"Perish the thought. I'm no fool. As much as I want my son alive again I would never breach the gap between life and death to bring him back. Such things are unnatural…but we deviate from my message: Spider-Man, you recently defeated Mephisto, am I correct?"

"Yes, but not by myself," Spider-Man said. "I had a lot of people helping me out."

"That's irrelevant. The point is that there is a gap in power now thanks to you."

"I'm sorry?"

"Mephisto held immense power across the multiverse. He managed to keep many of the weaker demons in check and made sure they didn't expand beyond their borders. Now that he has been deposed, there are many entities out in the multiverse that are looking to fill in the gap that he left behind…and all because of you. For protecting my son against my will, I now curse you with the knowledge that you have crippled the multiverse."

"That's…That can't be true! I didn't mean for any of that to happen!"

"Nonetheless, my warning stands," Azazel said, gnarling his teeth. "Know this, Spider-Man: You have unleashed Hell, and the gates will never be closed again."

Cackling, Azazel left the sewer in a flash of light, as Spider-Man and Wolverine stared at each other in silence.

4

Wolverine sat on top of an apartment building in Queens and watched the cars go by as the sun set in front of him. He had been there ever since he had left Spider-Man behind in the sewer several hours before. The two had agreed to meet again later that day to discuss what they had gone through.

Smelling him before he arrived, Wolverine waited for Spider-Man to land right next to him.

"I talked with the kids that were stuck in the rubble and apologized for not going back to save them," Wolverine said. "I was focused on one thing and one thing only. I don't even know why I was so convinced that Azazel was going to resurrect Kurt."

"He probably implanted it into your mind," Spider-Man said. "From what I understand he's capable of that ability."

"Yeah, but we both know he was telling the truth about Mephisto's fall."

"Yeah…I talked to Magik like you suggested and she told me that it was true. She had sensed the change right after I beat Mephisto."

"Perfect, but that's what happens when you're in this business."

"People die and the Earth is only temporarily saved. Mary Jane says 'Hi' by the way."

"She was worth it; you know that, right, Parker? You've got a nice wife. You should enjoy the time you have with her. I've always had trouble holding a relationship with women. I've had an even harder time keeping friends alive."

"You don't…blame yourself for what happened to Kurt, do you?"

"I tried that for a while, but all I could think about was how there was nothing that I could have done to save him. It was almost like some higher power deemed it his time to die."

"I wish we had gotten there sooner."

"We all know that the sphere made sure you guys couldn't help us out."

"Still…I wish that there was some way for Kurt to still be alive now."

They stared out into the sunset and watched it until darkness dominated the sky.

"Here," Spider-Man said, producing a can of beer from a carton he had brought with him. "I'd say we both deserved this today."

Wolverine nodded, and accepted the one that Spider-Man offered him as he opened it and then drank it. Spider-Man lifted his mask and drank his own. He didn't normally drink. He couldn't risk hurting other people if his mind were ever dulled by drunkenness. But in moments like these, with someone like Wolverine near him to keep him in check, he could afford to drink a little bit.

They sat in absolute silence, not looking at each other and admiring the sounds of New York City at night, finishing their beer.

"All right," Spider-Man said, pushing himself up and stretching as he walked away. "I'm gone. Have a good one."

"Hey, Peter," Wolverine said, looking over at Spider-Man.

"Yes, Logan?" Spider-Man asked, turning back to see him.

"Thanks."

Smiling, Spider-Man sent out a web line and jumped off the building, saying, "Don't mention it."

5

Several days earlier, The Raft

Norman Osborn paced back and forth in his detention cell, grumbling at the poor room that had been assigned to him following his fall from being director of H.A.M.M.E.R. and his role as the Iron Patriot thanks to the destruction of Asgard.

"I deserve better," he told himself. "These people don't know what I did for them. I'll show them all. They'll be sorry they ever got rid of Norman Osborn."

Oh they will be sorry, a familiar voice said from seemingly nowhere.

"Who's there?" he asked, balling his fists.

Oh, Norman, I'm hurt that you've forgotten already. It's me: Your best friend.

Searching the room for the source of the voice, Norman stared right into the mirror at his bathroom and saw the image of the Green Goblin staring back at him. Cringing for a moment, he almost lost his composure, but he straightened himself up and gazed at the figure in his mirror.

Norman, it said, a demonic flair added to its voice. We have a lot to talk about.

"Where have you been?" Norman demanded. "I needed you and you abandoned me!"

I did no such thing, fool! You were the one who abandoned me! You decided to play cowboy and pretend to solve the world's problems. That's not who you are, Norman, and we both know it. You and I will always be one and the same.

Norman paused. "You're right," he said. "I was only denying you from coming out."

And why did that happen, Norman?

"Because I wanted to prove I was the best. I wanted to rule the world."

And how well did that work, eh? Look where you are now.

"It wasn't my fault! If the Sentry and the Void hadn't screwed everything up I'd still be on top! I would have ruled the world!"

The Green Goblin image cackled. Are you serious? Are you serious, Osborn? Did you really think that would work? You're a bigger idiot than I thought. We both know that you never thought you could actually do all of that. Quit denying yourself. We aren't in this world to try and control it…not yet. We have matters to take care of first. Arachnid matters.

"Don't you think I know that?" Norman asked. "But I don't remember who he is! He did something to my memory!"

Well, luckily for you, I can change all that.

"You? Ha! You can't do anything from there."

Oh, but I can, Norman. You see, in a moment, the Watcher is going to make sure that the identity of Spider-Man is forgotten…but I can make sure you remember, Norman. All you have to do is let me out again.

Norman considered the idea for a moment. For some reason it felt like the Goblin in the mirror was not the one he usually talked to; almost as if someone was possessing the Goblin and telling him what he wanted to hear. However, he knew the idea was preposterous.

"Tell me who he is," Norman said. "I want him."

The image of the Green Goblin cackled and a sudden wave of red energy flowed out from the mirror and hit Norman in the head, causing him to fall on the ground. Convulsing from the pain, Norman noticed a bright energy swell enveloping the Earth from outside of his window and watched as it passed over him, but the red energy prevented it from reaching into his mind, and it soon quit trying to enter his thoughts. Seconds later the swell ended its onslaught, and the world appeared normal again.

Norman, looking around at his surroundings, pushed himself off the ground and grinned. "I remember it all now, Spider-Man," he said. "I remember who you are…Peter Parker."

Throwing his head back, Norman cackled in the darkness of his cell, not stopping until well into the morning.

A/N: The next chapter will involve the funeral of Aunt May, and focus on Peter's supporting cast more so than his life as Spider-Man. I don't know when the next chapter will be written, as I have a really difficult semester this year. Until next time...