//------------------------------// // The Cure, Part III // Story: Spiders and Magic: Edge of Time // by MetalJrock //------------------------------// The ponies panted, seeing the broken remains of the robots scattered all around the forest. Doc Ock yelled, "I have plenty more where that come from, you equine pests!" she pressed a button, ordering the remaining androids to fight.  "Ugh. Does she ever give up?" Dash groaned, wiping the sweat off her head. She took to the skies once again, hoping to push them as easily as she did earlier. "Apparently not." Trixie muttered, using her magic to hold one of them in the air and she tossed it to the ground, where it fell into pieces upon contact. The Black Cat tried to reach Serena once more, but the scientist began to draw her robots to the cat burglar. "That's just great." grunted Felicia, hopping out of the way of the robots, getting ever closer to the robot controller. Pinkie Pie jumped on a robot coming her way, bouncing herself to another with a smile on her face. Applejack and Rarity blew back the oppostion, while Fluttershy lightly shoved a robot away from her, pushing it into a line of other robots and making them fall. "Um... How did I do that?" questioned the yellow pegasus. "Don't question it, Flutters!" Dash shouted, punching an android with her right hoof. Spike ran ahead, using his flame breath to burn any obstacle in his path, while they were trying to cool their circuits, Applejack and Rarity handled the offensive, as Trixie tried to cover for the others, as they reached Doc Ock. Black Cat finally made it to the doctor's spot and delivered a right hook to her face, scratch marks were shown on her cheek. "I've had it with you octopi!" "Peh." Serena wiped the blood from her cheek, scowling at Felicia. "You think you have the upper hand? You can never defeat me! Once Sloan returns, I shall finish the job!" she began to dart away, using her tentacles to make a quick escape. Rainbow Dash noticed this and sped downward, tackling the scientist. "Get off me!" Patel grunted, struggling in the cyan pony's grasp. Rainbow continued to hold her harness down, ensuring that she couldn't use her arms to harm anypony else. "Nice save, Dash." Applejack complimented. Trixie used her magic to shut down the harness temporarily, "Now. It's over, Octopus." she declared. "It's not over until I say it is! Ahahaha!" after aaying that Doctor Octopus 2099 vanished from their grasp. The ponies and dragon were left wondering where she went. "How'd she do that!?" Spike asked aloud. "Stupid rift! She must've been using a signal from over there in the rift! Future tech I swear." Felicia muttered, crossing her hooves. She sighed, "At least we won't have to worry about her for a while. Until the Spiders get back from wherever they're at." They noticed that more robots were appearing around them in place of Doc Ock 2099. Pinkie frowned, "What is even happening right now!?" she held her hooves to her head in disbelief. "I don't know, Pinkie. But these robots have to be stopped before they can reach Canterlot or Ponyville." Rarity answered. "Aw yeah! More bots to smash!" Dash exclaimed. Trixie rolled her eyes, "Only you would get excited to fight an army of killer robots." she jested. They all jumped at the robot army, ready to fight once more. "I don't blame her." Black Cat joked, willing to fight as well. "The First Spider? What the shock is that supposed to mean?" asked Miguel, putting his hands on his hips. The First Spider's lenses scowled when his eyes did while he retracted the stingers on his wrists. He walked to a computer to show O'Hara what it was he was talking about and pressed a few buttons. Soon, a hologram appeared in front of the screen allowing Miguel to see it and the details it contained "Holy Thor..." he muttered. Kaine pointed at some of the words, "Eighty years ago, my creator began an experiment. Project: Scarlet Spider. I was the first creation that actually survived the process, hence the title I was given. But there were some... Flaws as it were." the clone pressed a few more buttons, "I was suffering from degeneration. In order to perfect the process, the professor needed something to contain the degenerating DNA that resonated within the subjects." "...Anti-Venom." realized Spider-Man 2099. The First Spider nodded, "That's right. Sloan came to him with an offer he couldn't refuse. To capture Anti-Venom to use his symbiote in order to remove any negative effects the project would have, he of course accepted it. Brock was a good man before I detained him, believe it or not. I captured Anti-Venom and he was forced under Sloan's bidding. With the symbiote, the degeneration was removed from me and he was able to create the perfect clone: The true Scarlet Spider." Spider-Man 2099 lowered his head, "I read that that he was subjected to a Tarantula phase. The giant monster that appeared. So, he's just a clone like you then." "Correct, my brother as it were." Kaine corrected with a slight growl under his breath. In disbelief, O'Hara shouted at the clone, "Then why the shock are you working for him?! He turned your brother into a shocking savage spider-monster!" "You don't understand..." hissed the First Spider, "He's the only one who's given me purpose in my nonexistent life. I have no choice but to serve him!" Spider-Man 2099 shook his head, "No, it doesn't have to be that way! Just because you're a clone doesn't mean you don't have a purpose! You have potential!" "You don't understand. He has a kill switch on my brother, the exoskeleton of Tarantula to be exact. If I were to turn traitor on him, he'd die because of me." Kaine revealed. "With Anti-Venom under Sloan's control there's no way to change him back. That's why I have no choice in this manner!" "Then let us help you," Miguel offered. Kaine chuckled, "Why should I trust you? Hell, for all I know, you'd probably treat me like crap anyway." he lunged forward with his stingers out. Miguel grabbed his arm and tossed him over his shoulder, throwing him on the ground as hard as he could. The momentum of the throw prompted Kaine to use his stingers to skid and roll on the metal surface he was tossed upon. "All right punk, I warned you." declared the First Spider. The future jumped back as Kaine swiped his stingers downward. He kicked First Spider in the chin in the process and webbed his chest, slamming him on the ground, "Would you just shocking listen to me?! We can help you and brother! You just have to believe us!" he ordered at the top of his lungs. Kaine got up and yanked the gossamer from his body, "Listen. I was told to protect this lab from any intruder and that's what I intend to do." he announced, clenching his fists, "I don't need a lecture from the likes of you!" Jumping forward, First Spider gave Spider-Man 2099 a right hook. When O'Hara got his bearings he snapped back, "I know what it's liked to be used! You can do better!" when Kaine responded with a roundhouse kick, Miguel grabbed his leg and jabbed his stomach, "Fine. I'm sorry to do this, but you're in the way of stopping Sloan. I can't afford any more distractions at this point!" The clone punched O'Hara's cheek, prompting him to let go. "Again, you don't seem to understand. This is the best option for me. After all I've done!" he kicked him back and unsheathed a stinger and pinned it directly to Miguel's chest, "Now, do you understand?! After all the sins, the atrocities, there is no turning back for me!" Spider-Man 2099 shot a strand of webbing onto Kaine's face and flipped, accidentally removing his mask, driving his feet directly into the clone. Once he was upright, he saw the clone's scarred face, looking like he was burned with a scar reaching near his eye. Instantly, Kaine webbed the mask off O'Hara's hands, stunned. The First Spider then placed it over his head, "See? It's not pretty for sure. I told you I'm a freak, inside and outside." "You call yourself a monster, but Parker and I can change that." O'Hara assured, pointing a finger at him. "Your face, or even the fact you're a clone doesn't matter! Come with us and we can save your brother and stop the Professor!" First Spider grunted and revealed his stingers once again, "No deal. This is my life, and I cannot change that." O'Hara raised his fists, and watched as Kaine came running towards him, arms by his sides. "Jam it..." Twilight teleported as soon as she saw Anti-Venom charge after her. The symbiote turned his head, wondering where it was she got too. He felt a surge of pain on his upper back. The sorceress had levitated and shot the monster with a small concussion blast. "I recommend you stay down." she ordered. Anti-Venom held his head and shook it, "Gr... S-Save me..." that response left Twilight and Peter wide-eyed. "What? W-What do you mean?" muttered Twilight. Before he could muster a response, Eddie screamed in pain, clutching his head while doing so. "Nothing!" screamed Brock, seemingly back to his old self. He lashed his tendrils at Twilight, but a yellow aura covered her. "So... You are awake as well." Sunset descended back to the ground, "That's right. We're going to stop this now. It's two against one, Brock." she noticed that he was now standing still upon her return. He groaned as he clenched his fists. "Save yourself..." Anti-Venom tried to say, "I-I can't control myself!" he shouted. Spider-Man looked at Brock struggle to keep it together, 'What's wrong with him? He's trying not to fight us. That's new.' he mused, recalling his old attitude. Twilight looked at Sunset, "This isn't right." she whispered. "Something's off about all of this." "You're right. Let's just hope we figure it out before it's too late." agreed Sunset. The former unicorn floated in her spot, trying her best to hold Anti-Venom down while he was distracted. She stretched both of her arms out while she emitted an aura around Brock, keeping him still. "Your move, Twilight!" Twilight nodded, shooting more concussive blasts at the symbiote, making him scream in pain. She shot a small ball of fire in his direction, but she couldn't damage the symbiote again. "It really is an indestructible symbiote..." she sighed. Anti-Venom laughed, and managed to wrap his tendrils around both sorceresses, "You didn't believe me? That's your mistake and it'll be your last!" he held them up, but Twilight managed to cut the two of them free. The two landed on the ground safely, and watched as Brock started to charge after them. The sorceresses vanished before he could hit them. The symbiote turned around, looking up this time. Sunset appeared right as Eddie turned back around, punching him in the face. She kicked him while he was momentarily stunned, allowing Twilight to deliver more concussive shots his way. As the barrage continued, Anti-Venom roared, catching the two off guard. "Enough of this!" he grabbed the two of them and began to slam them around. "No!" Peter shouted. Ignoring him, Anti-Venom held the two magic users by their throats and tossed him aside once he saw that they were unconscious. "Stop this, Brock. It's me you want... Leave them out of this." Spider-Man declared, holding his sides while he stood up. "Let's finish this once and for all, Parker!" Eddie declared, turning to his old adversary. He held his head for a moment, but he got back to focusing on his mission. "I've already drained you of your powers, so you stand no chance now!" Spider-Man panted, looking down before clenching his fist with determination. "I know, but I have to do what's right." he heard Anti-Venom laugh. "Same old pathetic Spider-Man. Oh, it'll be fun to finally be rid of you!" declared the symbiote. He charged forward, with Spider-Man staggering out of the way. But Peter wasn't fast enough, and he felt the whiplash of Brock grabbing him, leaping in the air, and throwing him onto the ground and using him to stop his fall, feeling the metal ground nearly break his back. Spider-Man roared in pain, his body sore. He used the last of his web cartridges to stun Brock with some gossamer to his eyes. Peter grunted as he kicked Eddie backwards. The wall-crawler stood up and dodged one of Anti-Venom's sycthes by leaning his body back. Then he felt a tendril wrap around his leg before he could react, and he gulped. "Oh no..." he was thrown and pinned down by Brock was again, unable to move as he took a hard punch to the chest, knocking the wind out of his lungs. Anti-Venom punched Spider-Man, but before escaped his grasp by kicking him off his body. "Nice t-try, Brock..." slurred Spider-Man. "But I'm still alive." "Not for much longer!" declared Anti-Venom. Spider-Man rolled on the ground, too weak to stand up. He started to crawl away to the portal to devise a plan. Anti-Venom followed slowly, but he hesitated, screaming in pain and holding his head again. Peter noticed this as well. 'It's mind control. Brock's really not in his right mind. I just gotta figure out the source.' confirmed Spider-Man in his head, he tried to push himself, but to no avail. 'I'm too w-weak. All of my powers are really gone...' he panted. But he felt something grab his throat before he had a chnce to react. Anti-Venom was choking him. Struggling, Spider-Man managed to shoot a web-ball in Brock's face, distracting him. He flip-kicked his way out of the symbiote's grasp. Once Spider-Man landed, he saw Eddie yank the webbing off his face. "This is the only way it could have ended! What will you do now!?" hissed the creature. 'The only thing I can do.' mused Spider-Man. He ran forward, as did Anti-Venom and the two of them punched each other at the same time, going all out. The two of them collapsed on the floor once their fists collided with their faces. Spider-Man lay on the floor, unmoving, his body limp. While Brock's chest could be seen heaving. Twilight suddenly opened her eyes as did Sunset. When the former alicorn saw her husband lying on the ground, she immediately ran to his side. "Peter!?" she shouted, shaking his body. He didn't respond. "Peter! Wake up!" she ordered, her husband still not moving. Sunset stood up and ran next to her friend. "Wake up!" Twilight cried, tears starting to fall down her face. "C'mon, sweetie!" she begged. "No..." muttered Sunset. Twilight cradled Peter's body in her arms. Crying as she witnessed her love die again. "I-I'm so sorry, Twilight." the former unicorn teared up. "NO!" cried Twilight in despair. It happened. Spider-Man was dead.