Spider-Man: Duty and Loss Chapter 59: Death's Host

(Xavier Mansion)

A small trickle of moonlight shone through the window, lighting up the inside of the room. A small bed and desk lay in the room with one occupant. Laying unconscious Laura didn't move a muscle and looked like a statue as she lay there if it wasn't for the small rising of her chest it would look like she were dead.

Suddenly the light in the room seemed to dim as Laura's eyes snapped open. *Snikt* Her body stiffened in shock as her claws popped out. *Jingle* The small sound of her Adamantium cuffs sounded out from the slight movement, but that was it.

The darkness in the room started to gather above her body as her mouth opened in a silent scream. Eyes opening as far as they could, a pain unlike anything she had ever felt rose higher. In the small amount of light left in the room, her Adamantium claws glinted as they turned a shade darker.

From a, cool metallic silver, the metal started to darken as the darkness gathered and infused into it. Soon all that was left were pitch black blades that absorbed all light that came near.

But it didn't end there, the eyes that were staring blankly in pain clouded over becoming pitch black. If anyone was to see this, they would think she was possessed, and they wouldn't be far from the truth. Her black claws started to glow and you could see the black parts of her claws that existed underneath her skin.

*Crack* Body arching in pain the black glow of her blades started to run down her hands and feet, moving up her arms legs. Moving past the shoulders and torso ever bone was died black as her skeleton became visible to the outside eye.

*Crumble* As the process was completing the bed beneath her claws started to crumble, decay, it turned into dust slowly as it disappeared, soon even her Adamantium cuffs also followed suit crumbling into nothing, as if brittle as glass.

Her body stayed like that for another few minutes the same unspoken scream on her lips, before her body finally flopped back down, her whole skeleton now dyed in black. "Now you are truly an unbreakable weapon, just like the other." A chilling voice spoke in the quiet room just above a whisper. Once it disappeared the darkness also started to slowly recede and her body stopped glowing, her claws retracting.

4 minutes latter 2 green eyes shot open in surprise as Laura sprang up. Looking to the left and right, before looking down at her un-cuffed hands, an unspoken wariness assaulted her mind as she rolled out of the bed and grabbed her pair of clothes that were off to the side. Quickly slapping them on she made for the window.

*Snikt* 2 pitch black blades burst forth from her right hand as she went to slice the lock. Stopping in surprise for a second, she pushed her confusion to the side as she escaped. Using her training and skill she made a bee line for the surrounding forest.

Her mind was confused and muddled but there were two goals in her head. One, escape. Two, get back to New York. What she couldn't tell in her unkempt state was the other small voice in her head speaking. "Yes, go back, find him, he'll protect you."

Those small words repeated in her head as she vaulted a wall and escaped into the night.

(New York, 2 Days Later.)

Peter looked at the TV as he ate some cereal. "Another person found dead with claw marks all over his body. Authorities are starting an investigation as this is the 3rd person in 2 days. Michael Severeno, recently released from prison was suspected of multiple homicides last year, but was only put away because of an aggravated assault charge. Only 3 days after being released he was found in this alleyway, near..."

The spoon in Peters hand stopped for a second as he churned through the facts. What had truly stopped him was the location of the alleyway, it was abnormally close to where Laura used to be, he had kept the thought of finding her in his mind since she disappeared.

Now that 3 people had turned up, seemingly attacked by a type of beast, it could possibly be her. But what had happened? He would have to check next time he went out on patrol. He was on the opposite side of town when the incident occurred.

New York wasn't a small place; some things happened that he couldn't stop, even if he wanted to. "With the rise in vigilantism, the police suspect this could be the appearance of a new 'vigilante' who uses lethal means. Viewers are…"

Peter clicked off the TV as he stopped eating. Rising from his seat he started to plan out his day as he cleaned his bowl. *Creak* Just as he finished up the door to Felicia's room opened. Stepping out, the silver haired girl had changed her hair color back to her original color and had a bag slung over her shoulder.

A smirk came to Peters face as he looked at her. She was wearing a school uniform for mid town high! He had busted a gut the day before when he heard she was going to school. It had slipped his mind after everything that had happened; she wasn't old enough to be working and still had to get an education. Something he had been ribbing her about for the last 2 days.

Seeing the teasing light in his eyes she shot him a glare. "Not a word Parker." He raised his hands in defense. "I didn't say anything." She gave a fake pout. "You didn't have to, it's written all over you face." Turning his head to let out a small snicker, he gave one fake cough before turning back to her.

She just rolled her eyes as she slipped on her shoes and made her way to the door. Before she left Peter spoke up. "You still good to go out after school." Turning back with a bright smile she nodded her head. "Yeah, you're not getting out of it Peter."

The mischievousness behind her smile caused his mouth to twitch. Seeing his expression the smile just got wider as she walked out. Just before the door closed Peters eyes caught Felicia's behind. Her hand had brushed behind her and flicked up her ridiculously small skirt.

"Was it always that small…Wait what are you thinking!" Giving himself a small slap to the cheek, he moved off to his room, he had a few things to do before they went out later. As he went to his room he was thinking one thing though. 'School huh, guess I can't ever go back…or can I?'

Chapter end