Ace Matheson - Spiderman

Chapter Two: Marionette, Part Two

Ace bit his lip under his mask, dodging and weaving between Marionette's swings of his hammer. Once he finally got into a rhythm with the other, Ace grabbed the sludge hammer, the pair struggling back and forth, before Ace's foot came up and sent Marionette flying backwards.

Ace fell backwards, groaning as he gripped tightly onto the sludge hammer... that still had Marionette's hand wrapped around it, having been severed at the wrist from the harsh kick. Ace shook his head and managed to get back up, pain throbbing through his body. Gwen was nowhere to be seen now, thankfully, but Marionette was already getting back up.

"So... we're getting serious now aren't we?" Marionette laughed, running his still attached hand through his pink locks. "This is going to be so much fucking fun." He pulls a gun from his pants, grinning as Ace threw the hammer to the side.

"Wait! Let's talk shit out yeah?" Ace started to back up as Marionette twitched, lifting the gun.

"You wanna listen now? What made you change your mind, Spidey?" The puppet scoffed, Ace glancing to the side...

"Yeah... I'll listen now okay? You wanna have your villain monolog? I'll... I'll listen to it... okay?"

"You don't want to know shit about me! You only care because your life is on the line-" the puppet started before he grunted, feeling hands on the metal piece sticking out of his back.

"Gwen no!" Ace raced forward, narrowly dodging two bullets before Gwen turned the metal piece in the opposite direction, causing Marionette to scream out before he hit her away with his arm.

"Shit..!" Gwen groaned as she hit the ground, Spiderman sliding in his knees in front of her, throwing his arms out as Marionette shot the gun, the bullet burrowing into Ace's shoulder.

He could feel his skin become clammy but he couldn't stop yet. He swung his foot out, swiping Marionette's feet out from underneath him before he tackled him, managing to wrestle the gun away.

Police had arrived at this point as Ace threw the gun to the side, slamming his forehead hard against Marionette's. Both hands gripped his collar, their heavy breathing ringing in his ears as his knees pressed down onto the others arms. Marionette was twitching and gasping, the metal piece on his back unable to turn properly.

"What fucking made you." Marionette gave him a resentful look, trying to sit up just a little further.

"Why should I tell you? Huh?" He scoffed, Ace laughing softly.

"I can feel your body creaking under me. Fucking try me and I'll stomp a hole in you-"

"Now now. There's no reason for that." A voice stated. Officer Byers, man who often took in the petty thieves that Ace was known for catching. "Spiderman... people are watching. Why not let us handle it from here?"

There was a long moment of silence, Ace glaring down at Marionette. The puppet laughed softly, tilting his head.

"Listen to the nice officer Spidey." He forced out, Ace gripping his shirt tighter.

"Sir. I believe he is stronger than an average human. It might be best if you allow me to detain him." Ace spoke in a leveled tone, doing his best to calm himself as he forced Marionette up onto his feet.

"Don't worry, thanks to Doctor Octavius, science has come a long way. We can take it from here." Officer Byers waved someone over and they quickly took Marionette, locking him in heavy, futuristic handcuffs. Byers hesitated before he cleared his throat. "Thank you for today. You know... many people-"

"I know. Many people wanna know who I am but... it's not important." He smiled under his mask before making a heart with his hands. "I'm just your friendly neighborhood Spiderman!" With that, he glanced to Gwen, reaching out to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yes... uhm.. yes.. thank you. Are you okay? I saw you get hit pretty hard." She reached out, but Ace stepped back.

"I'll be okay, I'm resilient. It's gonna hurt like a bitch though."

"By the way... how did you know my name?"

"What..?"

"My name, you said it earlier... how... who are you..?"

"I..." Ace straightened his back before bowing his head. "I'm so sorry. It was a pure coincidence. My friend is named Gwen and when I get into a pinch, I can't help but think of her. And so, when Marionette was going to hurt you, it just slipped out."

"Oh..! Oh that's good to hear." She hesitated before she gently punched Ace's uninjured shoulder. "Make sure to heal up. Okay?"

"Yeah, I uh... Yeah thanks I will."