Arachne (Version 1.0)

Arachne was a young girl born during the Bronze Age, during the time of Gods. She became famous among humans for the tapestry she wove. She bragged her weaving was better than the Gods. Athena was angered by this, and challenged Arachne to a weaving contest. Arachne won, and in doing so, mocked the Gods. An enraged Athena tore up Arachne's art. Feeling she had wasted her artistic talents, Arachne hanged herself. Athena, taking pity on her, transformed her into the world's first spider for eternity. Arachne was forced to reside in the Astral Plane forever. While writing "the ultimate comic book", Miss Arrow suggested to the Geek Chorus that Arachne be in their story, as she was "the world's first spider". In 2010, Peter Parker did a research project on Arachne for his high school. Flattered, Arachne posed as a spider in Norman Osborn's lab. On a high school field trip to the lab, Arachne bit Parker. Parker gained enhanced strength, the ability to shoot webs from his veins, and the power to cling to walls. Parker initially used his powers for selfish deeds, winning a wrestling match against Bonesaw McGraw to get enough money to buy a car. however, after Parker's uncle and guardian, Ben Parker was killed while Peter was away, Parker felt responsible. Arachne visited Parker in his dreams, and inspired him to se his powers for the greater good, giving him a costume to wear. Arachne watched over Parker as he took on the superhero alter ego of Spider-Man, and eventually viewed him as her salvation. She attempted to mate with him, however, after Parker gave up his super powers to be with the love of his life, Mary Jane Watson, Arachne grew angry. Wanting Parker for herself, she created illusions of past deceased villains Spider-Man had defeated from the Sinister Six, including Electro, the Lizard, Carnage, Swiss Miss, Swarm, Kraven the Hunter and the thought dead Green Goblin. Together, the Sinister Seven was formed, as Arachne's illusions made it appear they were destroying the world, and causing a worldwide power outage in an attempt to get Spider-Man to return. Her plan failed, so she summoned her Furies to loot fifty shoe stores in New York City, to attract Peter. The plan failed again. Arachne became deeply furious when Parker was engaged to Watson, as she wished for him to become her husband in the Astral Plane. She invaded Parker's dreams, making him dream she was marrying Spider-Man. She then stormed to the Daily Bugle and blackmailed publisher J. Jonah Jameson into writing positive press about the hero, encouraging him to return. She had her Furies web Jameson to a chair, and created visions of the Sinister Seven kidnapping Watson. Her plan worked, as Parker returned to become Spider-Man once more. Arachne made it seem as though the city was burning down, and that the Green Goblin was throwing Watson off of a bridge. Powerless, a helpless Spider-Man leaped to his death, however Arachne saved him. Arachne revealed the whole night had been a dream, and that Parker had to accept his gift and be with her. Arachne had kidnapped Watson, planning to suffocate her in a webbed cocoon. Arachne planned to release her if Parker agreed to be her husband in the Astral Plane, or killed her, as she was unable to do so herself. Parker fought Arachne to the death, and regained his powers in doing so. Arachne surrendered and asked Parker to kill her, however, Parker refused. Instead, he agreed to be with Arachne forever, if she let Watson live. A shocked Arachne instead decided to free both, as she too knew the agony of a life of isolation and misery. A touched Parker kissed her on her cheek. Realizing her own humanity, she was freed from her curse, and ascended into the skies on the same thread she hanged herself on.