Spider-X: A Spider-Man Story

Chapter 23: Concert

William Stryker. If Peter was a betting man, William Stryker would be his bet on who is behind the mutant trafficking. When he Google'd the name, William Stryker was the most promising suspect. Local Louisianan politician who got his start on school boards banning books and making it his mission to outlaw any public school curriculum that mentions equality or civil rights. When his son died suddenly, Stryker sued the school, but the court records are sealed.

Undeterred, Stryker ran for local office, which failed, then ran for Senate, where he also failed, but now he runs Senator Kelly's campaign team.

Peter shakes his head, disgusted with this rat of a man. Good to know that some things stayed the same no matter what universe, such as crummy, backwards, crooked politicians.

Hence, if Peter had to guess, and America's life depends on him guessing correctly, he'd bank on the guy whose platform for everything is hate to be the Stryker responsible for rounding up helpless kids. Now he just needs to find him.

As if on cue, Jean and Kitty walk into the kitchen. "Hey Peter," Kitty says in a sing-song voice, "have you got any plans tomorrow night?"

Uhhh... before Peter could think of a different reason than telling Kitty he would be spending his Friday night trying to save her universe, Jean jumped in. "There's a benefit concert tomorrow. Some of us are going. You should too."

Peter furrows his eyebrows, Jean knows he can't justify taking a night off, especially now that he's seen how much danger America and Wanda are in.

"It's a fundraising concert for the victims of the school shooting in New Jersey," Jean explains, "sponsored by Senator Kelly's reelection campaign and Trask Industries."

There it is. Jean gives him a knowing smile. Of course she would have figured out where to look for William Stryker. Peter smiles back, talking to Kitty now. "I'd love to go."

"Yes!" Kitty pumps a fist then yells into the other room, "Bobby, Peter said yes!"

"Hell yeah!" Comes Bobby's reply.

Kitty turns back to Peter. "Ororo said at least two of you have to go if me, Bobby, and Jubilee go. Rogue's out because of the crowd and Scott might be busy with Wolverine and the professor."

"Busy doing what?" Peter asks.

"Him and Logan are looking for the people kidnapping mutants in the city," Jean answers, crossing her arms, "it's a special, elite mission for just Scott and Wolverine." A touch of bitterness enters her tone, even if she tries to hide it with sarcasm. Before Peter could question it, Jean walks out. Kitty stares after her but shrugs, not caring enough to push. Peter goes back to his research.

**
Peter loves New York. It's easy to forget that in the midst of battles, war, loss, and the lack of sanitation, but at his heart, Peter is a New Yorker. When he was young, him and May would go to every free concert they could find. May wanted him exposed to all types of music, plus it was a free event they could do together.

Standing in the middle of the crowd at SummerStage reminds him of simpler times. The pulse of the crowd, the heat of hundreds of people crammed together, it's familiar, and it remind him he wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

"Good evening, New York!" A man in an expensive suit and glasses shouts into the mic onstage. That must be Senator Kelly. "What a great turnout for a truly great cause. We've got some amazing music for you all tonight, plus complimentary Kelly pins on your way out." A smattering of applause. "I know tonight was brought on by a horrific event. Yet another school shooting shows us how important the mental health of our youth are. When I am re-elected, I vow to contribute more resources towards young men afflicted with mental illnesses and stop this senseless violence."