Felicia Hardy smiled as she walked in a room with a Doctor Kafka. Doctor Kafka had been the head scientist at Colombia University when they were developing the super spider experiment. Felicia had wondered about the possibility that these, super spiders had something to do with Spider-Man abilities.

"Ms. Hardy, let me be honest with you. I'm rather surprised that you expressed interest in such an old experiment such as the super spiders." Dr. Kafka told Felicia as she and took a seat across from Felicia.

"Well, Dr. Kafka... I'm simply surprised that nothing much came from such a promising experiment. Tell me, what happened to these so called super spiders?" Felicia asked curiously. Dr. Kafka sighed.

"While I may have been head scientist during those days... I was not the head the the entire science division itself. No. That was a man named Spencer Smythe. Apparently, some people at Quest Aerospace learned of the experiment we were running and wanted to buy the spiders from us. We tried to explain that the spiders could not yet be moved very far from their containers but the employees were very persistent, saying a very wealthy shareholder within the company desired those spiders. Smythe, despite our warning moved the spiders in an attempt to get a large check from Quest... but the spiders died... however... one was missing. We found it's corpse on the ground where a few Midtown High Students were taking a tour of the place... but we did not know how it had escaped." Dr. Kafka explained to Felicia. Felicia had tried to hide her disappointment at hearing that the spiders were dead, but to her credit, she hid it well.

"And what were you trying to accomplish with these super spiders?" Felicia asked. Dr. Kafka smiled a passionate smile as she looked at the younger woman.

"Control over evolution. Imagine, if we could enhance the traits of spiders without any drawbacks... how then, could we transfer on to enhancing the traits of humanity? I believe that we as humans have not reached our fullest potential, and if we could push animals to peak, then perhaps we could then push humanity to it's peak as well." Dr. Kafka replied. This caught Felicia's attention.

"So then... do you believe that your experiment could have eventually led into the creation of Spider-Man?" Felicia asked. Dr. Kafka froze. She had never thought of that. Could her spiders been the base of these super humans that have appeared throughout the city?

"I'm not sure. Maybe eventually if we were able to learn how to manipulate human DNA... but as is now... I doubt it." Dr. Kafka replied. Felicia smiled.

"Still... what a promising experiment the super spiders were. If only Quest Aerospace didn't interfere... why do you think Quest wanted the spiders? Who at Quest could have been so interested in them?" Felicia asked. Dr. Kafka shrugged.

"I wish I knew those answers... but knowing how Quest Aerospace operated before the mysterious bombing of one of their test sights... before it collasped as it tried to expand and, according to rumor, buy out Oscorp... they likely wanted to weaponize the data that went into the super spider project." Dr. Kafka explained. Felicia nodded before Dr. Kafka handed her some papers.

"These are the notes from the super spider project. Ms. Hardy, I suspect you are investigating the truth behind the Spider-Man... and while I highly doubt that our experiment had a hand in that... maybe you can also bring to light the truth behind Quest Aerospace's intentions... and bring closure to me and much of the others who had once put our blood, sweat, and tears into the old super spider project." Dr. Kafka told her. Felicia gave a bright smile to Dr. Kafka.

"I'll do what I can. But while I am still here... as you know... the Hardy Foundation are shareholders that support Horizon Labs... prehaps... maybe you could come work there. A scientist of your caliber is just what we and Max Modell need at Horizon." Felicia told Dr. Kafka before she stood and walked away. Dr. Kafka looked thoughtfully at the offer.

A few months later:
Spider-Man walked into the police station with a man with a fishbowl on his head, as well as a man with broken shock gauntlets.

"Mysterio and Shocker were captured?" an officer said in shock.

"They weren't too much of a problem." Spider-Man replied before he pulled the fishbowl off of Mysterio's head.

"What the... how do so many people look like you?" Spider-Man asked as he saw a man who looked just like the wrestling announcer, snooty usher that refused to let Peter in MJ's play years ago, and that French waiter guy.

"I have a large family, Spider-Man. Sue me!" Quentin Beck replied.

"I think some people will do that already." Yuri Watanabe replied as she booked Mysterio. Spider-Man then pulled off Shocker's mask.

"Herman Shultz?" Jean Dewolff asked.

"Damn... Jean I can explain." Herman started to say before Jean sighed and pulled Herman to be taken to a jail cell.

(Small reference to that Mysterio cameo Raimi wanted in his SM4 ~Sage)

Later:
Peter Parker walked into J Jonah Jameson's office with photos of Spider-Man's battle with Mysterio and Shocker. Jameson looked up and saw Peter walk into his office.

"Parker, what the hell do you want?" Jameson asked. Peter simply put the photos on his desk and Jameson gave Peter his money.

"I swear these creeps have lost their style. The Green Goblin literally bombed the Bugle, Doc Ock had style and flair, and that Venom guy was literally a dark, eviler than usual Spider-Man. These people... are nobodies." Jameson told himself as he looked at the pictures and rolled his eyes at the thought of Mysterio and Shocker.

"Is it me, or is Jameson disappointed in the recent, 'super villains'?" Betty asked as Peter walked to her desk.

"Who knows? Jameson isn't exactly the easiest person to understand." Peter replied and Betty giggled in agreement.

"So... how are things between you and Mary Jane?" Betty asked, trying not to let her hope be too noticeable. She wanted Peter to notice her romantically, but it seemed even now that Mary Jane was a constant in Peter's life.

"Complicated... but let's not talk about MJ so close to Jameson's office." Peter replied. Betty nodded. Her ditching John at the altar in what was supposef to be their wedding day was still a sore subject for Jameson, as MJ had broken John's heart. Jameson had considered firing Peter for being the guy MJ left John for once he had found out, but Betty and Robbie pointed out that Peter was often the only one who could get good pictures of Spider-Man, and he's been a good employee to the Bugle for years. Luckily, Jameson was a good businessman... and he knows that these things happened in life... it just so happened that he knew the man his son's former fiance left his son for.

Peter was about to walk away when Betty stopped him.
"Where are you going?" Betty asked.

"My other job at Horizon Labs." Peter replied. Betty nodded and hugged Peter before going back to her desk. People looked at Peter like he was one of the luckiest men in the world, but Peter was clueless and he had no idea that Betty Brant really, really wanted his love.

Curt Connors hid another anonymous check from his new 'secondary' funder when Peter Parker walked by.
"Morning, Peter." Curt said.

"Morning Dr. Connors." Peter replied. Peter walked to his lab to see Felicia Hardy there with her radient smile.

"Hello, Mr. Parker." Felicia greeted, knowing how Peter would respond.

"Felicia, you don't need to be so formal." Peter replied. Over the past few months he and Felicia had been hanging out more, at first Peter wanted to make sure Felicia did not find out he is Spider-Man in her investigation, but he geniunely came to enjoy her company.

"I know, Peter. But I do enjoy the reminder." Felicia replied with a wink. Peter had finished his research on reverbium, his knowledge on the properties of the metal impressed the likes of Felicia's mother and Max Modell, and now, he was working on a new project with Felicia. They were working on a way to destroy plastic in water without polluting the water and without harming fish. The goal would be to help clean up dirty water all over the nation. As Peter thought about how he got put into this job... he also couldn't help but notice how affectionate the girl seemed towards him. (FYI, I know Felicia in the comics isn't a lot like this... but with the whole Hardy Foundation thing, I hope it's clear that this Felicia is more akin to the 90's cartoon version~ Sage)

Flashback:
"Hello, Peter. Thanks for coming to this meeting." Felicia greeted as she hugged Peter. Max Modell and Mrs. Hardy looked at this curiously. Felicia was kind... but they had never seen her do that to other Horizon scientist before.

"Glad I could make it, Felicia. So what's this about?" Peter asked as he returned her hug before letting go, so they could go back to being more professional.

"Simply put, Mr. Parker, you're work on the reverbium project has impressed us. And Mr. Modell and I would like for you to work alongside Felicia for Horizon's next big project." Mrs. Hardy explained.

"Next big project?" Peter asked.

"One thing that we as humans have done wrong is pollute the earth without any way of cleaning the mess. That changes now. Horizon Labs is now launching experiments with the goal of cleaning up our environment and making the world a better place." Max explained. Felicia held Peter's arm, but he didn't notice... thinking about how the world would change if they were able to find a way to truly clean up the pollution of the world.

Since working with Felicia, the two had gotten quite close, going out for lunch on a constant basis. Felicia often found it refreshing to talk to a man her age who could speak to her as an equal, heck she'd even argue that Peter surpassed her... especially after hearing stories on how he warned Otto Octavius on the dangers of his fusion reactor years ago. Poor Octavius... he had been so sure of himself.... and that pride had caused his wife's death and later on... his own death in an incident involving a battle with Spider-Man.

Present day:
Suddenly Peter was seemingly forced out of his thoughts when he heard his phone ring.

"Hello?" Peter asked as he answered the number. Normally Felicia would not have liked people to answer their cell phones during work hours, but she knew Peter... if he answered it... it was probably important.

"Peter... you need to pack your bags." Ursula said over the phone. Peter was confused. He had been on good terms with Mr. Ditkovitch since Ditkovich gave Peter advice on making up with Mary Jane a few years ago (The I'm a good man, you're a good woman speech in SM3), why would he be kicking Peter out... especially since the rent has been payed on time for the last few years?

"Why? Did I do something wrong?" Peter asked.

"No. It's not that, Peter. Our building has been condemned. Everyone who lives here has 2 weeks to pack their bags and get out of here." Ursula replied.

"No way. That's not a lot of time to..." Peter started to say.

"I know, Pete. My dad and I have no idea what we will do... but you had to know." Ursula said before she sadly hung up.

"Peter, what's wrong?" Felicia asked upon seeing the shock and horror on Peter's face.

"I... don't have a home anymore. The city condemned the building I live in. I gotta go." Peter replied. Felicia hugged him..

"Be safe Parker. Call me if you can't find another place to stay... My mom wouldn't like it but... if you can't find any other options then I wouldn't mind you staying at my place until you're back on your feet." Felicia said. Peter nodded.

"I appreciate that." Peter replied.

When Peter left, he looked at a serum she made from feline DNA after basing her work on Dr. Kafka's. The girl injected herself with the serum and passed out.... much like Peter himself did upon returning home after getting bit by the spider at Columbia University.

Peter rushed to his apartment as he started to pack things up. Where would he go? He couldn't just stay with Mary Jane or his Aunt May. Peter sighed. Suddenly a knock was heard on his door. Peter opened to door to see Flash Thompson, then he remembered that he agreed to eat lunch with his newest friend today. Flash looked concerned when he saw Peter's face and the paper on his door explaining that the building was being condemned.

"Oh hey, Flash. As you can see, chances are I won't make it to lunch today." Peter told Flash. Flash sighed.

"I'm sorry this is happening to you, man. I know you wanted to wait a bit longer for you to save a bit more before looking for a new apartment." Flash replied before he had an idea.

"Hey, Peter. Didn't you say that my apartment is the same one you and Harry Osborn used to share all those years ago?" Flash asked.

"Yeah. What are the odds, right?" Peter asked. Flash chuckled. Seriously, what were the odds of that happening?

"How would you like to move back in? I've been looking for a roommate for a while since the two bedroom apartment is... well it's kind of big for me alone and the whole reason I got it is because it was the first apartment I found in this city when I got back and... it sucks being in a big place alone." Flash offered. Peter looked at Flash in surprise. Who'd have thought that his former high school bully would be one of his closest friends after the death of Harry Osborn... and now... possible room mate? If only high school Peter could see how strange his life turned out.

"You're serious about this?" Peter asked. Flash nodded.

"Yeah. I am. Back when I was in the military, one thing I learned is that whenever possible, you never leave your comrades behind... and ever since I've gotten back... you've had my back, adjusting to civilian life. If any civilian deserve the title of comrade... it's you, Peter." Flash replied. Peter smiled.

"Looks like you have yourself a deal.... as long as I get to pay half the rent. Aunt May and Uncle Ben did not raise a freeloader." Peter replied. Flash smiled.

"I can respect that. Now let's get your stuff packed up." Flash replied.

Meanwhile:
Wilson Fisk bought a new building... his new base of operations. It was near Oscorp so he could drop in any time he wanted. However his new building was taller than Oscorp... this would now be the main center of his 3 businesses... Fisk Construction, Oscorp, and his secret organization... as he was going to regain his status as the Kingpin of Crime. This building was going to be the new Fisk Tower.
"Mr. Fisk, I think it's about time we send another anonymous check to Dr. Connors." Wesley suggested. Fisk smiled.

"Yes, thank you Wesley." Fisk replied as he smiled... he would get that project right where he wanted it... then he would send his insiders to take the lizard serum and test it on some grunts... his father was a man who believed that Power was the gateway of oppertunity and Oppertunity could only be grabbed when one obtains greater power... and Fisk could not agree more.

Mary Jane sighed when she remembered what day it was today... every year this day past... she hated herself a bit more.... today was the day she left John Jameson at the altar and began a relationship with Peter Parker. She did not regret persuing Peter... she loved him... and she still loved him, but she had come to regret breaking John's heart... betraying a good man. She had wished she had had the guts to admit to John that she didn't really love him... that she agreed to marry him because she was trying to force herself to get over Peter Parker. Today was a day that made her think of various mistakes of her past. She sighed as she sat down at her kitchen table and began to write down her thoughts in a notebook.

'Let's see... I kissed Peter as Spider-Man while I was still dating Harry all those years ago. It's still a great memory and it was a magical kiss but... it was wrong. I realized I was in love with Peter... but I kissed him after the funeral for Harry's dad... why would I time it like that? I knew my love was real... and that was good but... why then... it was highly inappropriate and... ugh! Then I get into a relationship with John Jameson, and he was a rebound since Peter had rejected me then.... and even though John was a good man... I USED him. I left John at the altar with a note... I wasn't even brave enough to face him. Then... then Peter and I finally get together and I finally get on Broadway for the first time and it was wonderful... until the reviews came in and Peter was less than helpful, but he still tried. And even though Peter and I started going through a rough patch in our relationship... I shouldn't... I shouldn't have kissed Harry that day when I went to go see him... today is the day I remember these moments... and I hear how my Dad used to tell me that I am worthless back in high school and I realize... maybe he's right... maybe I am just an awful person...' Mary Jane wrote before she dropped her pen and sighed. She looked at a picture of herself and Peter during happier times... before Peter started getting super cocky as Spider-Man prior to getting his black suit....before their rough patch... before her Broadway gig went horribly wrong for the first time. Mary Jane stared at the picture and yearned for those days. She wished she could just go back in time and tell her past self to find out what she wanted in life and stick with it... because she felt more lost than ever before... she had finally achieved her dream of acting on stage again... but the world still felt empty to her again... and she realized over the years... it was due to the bridges she herself burned... the mistakes she had made... and the love that she had lost... though that last one was not only on her... Peter had just as much of a hand in their defunct romance as she did... but that.still didn't erase her own mistakes. She looked at her phone and tried to find someone to talk to... when she finally settled on a number that she hadn't really considered before... May Parker.

Felicia Hardy woke up in her room as she looked around and saw her mother looking at her... she was almost surprised to see her mom there... she didn't visit Felicia's house aot since they mostly saw each other at the Hardy Foundation anyway... but here she was.

"Felicia... are you alright? I keep telling you not to overwork yourself and then I find you passed out in a lab at Horizon Labs!" Mrs. Hardy said to her daughter. Felicia nodded.

"I'm fine. It's as you said... I overworked myself... I just... wanted to make you proud by proving that I could do as much good as any funded by or in the Hardy Foundation." Felicia replied. Mrs. Hardy smiled.

"I never doubted you, Felicia. However, I feel this has more to do with your father than me." Mrs. Hardy replied as she gave Felicia a torn picture of her father... it was a picture Felicia had torn recently during his birthday... it wasn't like the now dead man could stop her anyway.

"What do you mean?" asked Felicia.

"Felicia... I know you feel abandoned by your father... I know you feel like he chose his terrible life choices over you... but I have to ask... why do you still think about him? Do you have some kind of want to prove to his dead soul that you were worthy of his love or something?" Mrs. Hardy asked. Felicia sighed.

"I don't know.... but what I do know is that I want to be better than him.... I don't want to Hardy name to be associated with a theif like Walter Hardy... I want the namw Hardy to be associated with someone better I guess." Felicia explained. Mrs. Hardy sighed.

"Felicia... you are better. You never once have been lesser than Walter Hardy. Now get some rest." Mrs. Hardy said as she walked out of the room. Felicia sighed in relief when her mother left the room. She sighed as she thought of her father... Walter Hardy... a thief once known simply as the Cat. He was a legendary theif once rumored to be under the employ of Wilson Fisk, who was suspected to be the Kingpin of Crime. Felicia sighed before she grabbed a locket on her nightstand... inside it was a picture of her and her dad.

"Soon... I'll finally make you proud." she told the picture of Walter Hardy. She sighed... her mother was wrong about something... she didn't hate Walter Hardy... she practically worshipped Walter Hardy... saw him as her hero... because she saw him as a man who got what he wanted and a man who got results. Walter Hardy was not a fool... the man knew various fields of science... it was what helped him design his gear... what made him almost impossible for the New York Police Department to catch all those years ago. Granted... times were simplier back then... there was no Spider-Man swinging around the city making the cop's jobs both easier and harder at the same time, since Felicia was sure that despite Spidey's heroics the police often had LOTS of paper work to fill out following a super villain incident... like all the property damage the Green Goblin had caused during the World Unity Festival at Times Square. However... she wanted to surpass her father in everyway... even as a thief... not out of hatred... but out of admiration. Felicia leaped out of her bed and she felt amazed at the speed and grace at whicu she moved... she now had the super powers... her feline DNA modification of Dr. Kafka's original work had worked! Felicia smiled as she grabbed her costume that she had prepared ever since she first started investigating Spider-Man.

"Look out, New York... cause the Black Cat is about to cross your path." Felicia said with a smile.

Author note: And yet another Spider-Man 4 chapter is finally done! Peter Parker is moving in with Flash Thompson back to the old apartment he used to share with Harry... how will Peter deal with the ghost of his past.... It's clear that Mary Jane Watson is starting to let her past actions weigh down on her... though... Peter might be too... because of the fact that May pointed out in previous chapters that Peter has not actually gotten over accidentally hitting Mary Jane at the jazz club during the events of Spider-Man 3... and Quest Aerospace's shadow continues to haunt the future of New York and of it's former rival Oscorp even after it's defunct!! Talk about crazy!!!