[ EU ] Uncle Ben is never killed , and the lesson Peter Parker learns that night is that he can use his powers for personal gain and stick it to those who cross him . Because of this , Spider-Man becomes one of the most feared villains in the Marvel Universe .

`` Everyone on A.I.M. Island was dead, hundreds of people. It was n't just the members of A.I.M. either, civilians too. Tony & I did n't find a single living soul! ``, Steve said setting his iced tea down on the coaster with a soft pat. `` We need to bring Spider Man in! Why would he even care about A.I.M.? We've never seen them work together or against each other before.'' 
 
 Thor drank deeply from his frosted mug, a new ale from one of the Brooklyn microbrews he said was robust. `` Oftentimes foes of like mind battle one another, vying for influence and power amongst themselves. What of it? I regret the loss of life but Spider Man is a crafty foe. It appears that AIM set themselves'gainst him and fell in the ensuing battle. Does this not make Spider Man an opponent worthy of the Avengers?'' 
 
 Tony flipped a coaster across the table to Thor that landed with a clack, `` Use this big fella, my armor is n't so good at getting ring stains out of the table.'' Thor grimly set his mug on the table with great import. `` I agree with Steve on this one Avengers. Spider Man has always been a hard nut to crack, remember that fight he had with Reed and the rest of the Four a few years ago? ``, Tony said. 
 
 `` I do n't think Ben Grimm had much to complain about.'' quipped Black Widow, `` How old is little Johnny now? Two? He's the spitting image of Alicia.'' 
 
 `` Yeah. ``, Tony said reaching for his pinging phone, `` Spider Man cured Ben Grimm during their last battle, something Reed or Doom for that matter had n't been able to do for years. The Fantastic Four have n't been so fantastic since.'' 
 
 The light from Tony's phone glinted off the his chest plate, a line of numbers scrolling by reflected off his armor. `` Damn have you guys invested in OsCorp at all? Ever since Norman passed the reins to Peter Parker their stock has taken off. That kid is something let me tell you. Hell we use a lot of Oscorp tech here, that kid's work is brilliant. I tried to hire him for Stark Industries but Osborn took him in after his son Harry died in that accident in his high school.'' 
 
 `` Tony let's stay focused on this okay?'' asked Steve. `` How do we draw Spider Man out and what's our plan to take him down?'' 
 
 `` Sirs. ``, Jarvis' voice rang out over the intercom. `` Someone at the door wishes to see you. He says his name in Ben Parker and he needs the Avengers help. I've offered him a seat and some tea. He is in the foyer.'' `` Thanks Jarvis.'' said Steve, `` I'll come down right now. The rest of you see if you can work something out, maybe pull some old copies of the Bugle off their website, they used to have a lot of spider man pictures when he first got started, maybe there's something in there.'' 
 
 Captain America brushed back his hair with his hand walking down to the foyer seeing an elderly man sitting, staring down at a mug of steaming tea cupped in his hands. He looked to be in his early seventies, wearing a light blue windbreaker and faded jeans, a cane across his lap. `` Can I help you Mr. Parker?'' asked Steve. 
 
 `` I taught him Captain, I taught him that with great power comes great responsibility. But he took the weight of it all on his shoulders. He became colder. I did n't see until it was too late. He used to be such a good boy. ``, said Ben his tired voice soft and hoarse. 
 
 `` I'm afraid I do n't understand Mr. Parker. What seems to be the problem?'' 
 
 `` He told me if I told anyone about him he would hurt May... and I believed him. God all these years and I never said anything. All those deaths and suffering he caused were my fault! I never said anything! ``, Ben hunched over beginning to sob, great heaving bursts from his chest. 
 
 Black Widow came down to see what was happening and Natasha went to him and sat beside him her arm around him. `` Hey handsome, it's okay we want to help. What's going on here?'' 
 
 Ben looked up at Steve and Natasha, `` May died today, her heart. I finally told her the truth and she could n't handle it. It's my fault! ALL OF IT!'' Ben yelled. 
 
 Steve bent his knees eye to eye with this sobbing, angry man. He rested his gauntleted hand on Ben's shoulder, `` I'm sorry for your loss Mr. Parker but we do n't understand. How can the Avengers help you?'' 
 
 `` It's Peter. ``, said Ben softly, `` It's always been Peter. You have to stop him.'' Natasha looked at Steve, puzzled, `` Peter... Parker? Are you two related?'' `` Yes! ``, cried Ben, `` Peter is Spider...'' 
 
 A sudden explosion from the Quinjet hanger rocked the mansion throwing the Captain, Widow, and the old man to the floor. Steve got up to find Natasha out cold and the old man, Ben Parker dead on the floor his cane resting in a drying puddle of blood. 
 
 Jarvis' emergency lighting and alert sirens came on as Thor ran down the hall to them his cape torn and face coated with soot, `` Art thou hale Captain? Does the Widow yet live? ``, as he took in the scene before him. 
 
 `` Natasha's fine, just knocked out. What happened Thor?'' `` Verily I say we were sharing our thoughts on the Spider when the hangar exploded. `` Od's Blood! It was as though one of father's lighting bolts did strike the mansion! I would wager that all the quinjets exploded at once!'' 
 
 `` How's Tony? ``, asked Steve. Thor looked down to the floor, `` Stark didst fall in the explosion'', Thor sounded grim. `` I brought him to the infirmary and Jarvis says that there is a serious head wound. I can not say aught beyond that.'' 
 
 Thor looked down at the elderly man, `` What business did this old man have with the Avengers that brought him here to his tragic end?'' `` Well it looks like drawing Spider Man out is a moot point now...'', the last thing Captain America said as he heard the unmistakeable *thwip* of webbing and then he could n't breathe... 
 
 
 [ I do n't do these too often. I hope you enjoy it. ]
