Ultimate Spider-Woman: Change With the Light

Chapter 109: Blood Is Thicker Than Water

Gwen Stacy sat in her bedroom, looking at the bloodstained strip of cloth she held in her hand. Her head whirled with everything that happened over the last several days. Jack O' Lantern, the worst enemy she'd ever fought as the spectacular Spider-Woman, was stalking and threatening her. He'd also firebombed the house of his niece, Gwen's friend Kitty Pryde, killing her parents and seriously injuring Kitty.

When she tried to track Jack down as Spider-Woman, Gwen instead met a mysterious woman who almost seemed to be her identical twin. Her doppelganger had the same costume and spider-powers she did, in addition to Jack O' Lantern's ghoulish weapons. The doppelganger claimed that she was set to be Jack O' Lantern's heir, taking the place Gwen rejected. She said something about a 'masterpiece' Jack had planned, and smeared some of her own blood on Gwen's costume as a way of explaining who she truly was.

Gwen was desperate to understand what Jack O' Lantern and her mysterious doppelganger were planning, determined to pay them back for what Jack did to her and Kitty, and struggling to keep her fear and stress under control. She'd already needed medical attention twice from the shocks she suffered at Jack O' Lantern somehow entering her home and writing threats on her bedroom wall. Jack also seemingly had the ability to track her at will, always knowing where she was. That knowledge haunted her, as did the realization that Jack could potentially strike at her or her loved ones at any time.

The strip of cloth in Gwen's hand, smeared with her doppelganger's blood, might provide an answer. Her friend Peter Parker, alias the amazing Spider-Man, might be able to somehow analyze the blood. She hesitated to approach him, though.

She was desperate for an answer.

She was also terrified of what that might answer might be.

SPIDER-WOMAN #109

CLONE SAGA, PART THREE

BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER

Entry #6:

My masterpiece is nearing its climax. It is, I hope, a fitting tribute to the old Gothic masters such as Poe, Browning and Stevenson. My conceiving an heir to my legacy, while also redeeming the potential of my most hated nemesis and destroying her at the same time, would no doubt be fitting Gothic themes.

The deuteragonist tells me that she faced the star of my masterpiece and gave the star a sample of her blood. If I know the star-and I flatter myself that I do-she will no doubt have it analyzed. She will be motivated to avenge my dear niece Kitty Pryde's suffering, and will seek any advantage she can.

Despite her lengthy record combating evil, the star is still but a naïve child.

She would do well to be careful what she wishes for.

Gwen was startled as her bedroom door opened. Looking up, she saw her boyfriend Randy Robertson walk in and close the door. He didn't say anything as he sat down next to her, but the despairing expression on his face spoke volumes. He took Gwen in his arms, letting her lean into him for several long moments, before he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner," Randy said, as Gwen looked up at him. "I was visiting Kitty at the hospital. I take it you've already seen her?"

"...More than once," Gwen said, looking from Randy to the bloody cloth she still held.

Randy looked down at the cloth, and suddenly realized what Gwen meant.

"You went after Jack, didn't you?" he said.

Gwen didn't bother answering, since they both already knew the answer.

"What are you doing with that cloth?" Randy asked her. "Is that part of Kitty's-"