Chapter 7

Chapter 7 Crash! Spider-Man landed on a mountain of crushed presents. Confetti snow surrounded him. Giant candy canes lined the walls. A large, decorated Christmas tree stood beside an oversize green chair. Milk and cookies sat on the table next to it. "Sweet Christmas," Spider-Man said. He rubbed his jaw where Venom had landed the

punch that sent him flying from the food court into Santa's village. "Need a hand?" two elves named Bridget and Winston asked in unison. Together they held out a giant candy cane. Spider-Man took one end. They pulled.

"Thanks," Spider-Man said when he was back on his feet. "That punch nearly knocked my stockings off." "Thank you for defending us, Spidey," Winston said. "You're the best, if we do say so our-elves!" "It's snow big deal," Spider-Man replied. He gestured to the empty chair by the milk and cookies. "Before I get back to my seasonal shenanigans, I have to ask. Where's the big guy? I was kind of hoping we could chat." "Quick trip to the North Pole,"

Bridget said. "If there's a special present you want, we'd be happy to tell him." Before Spider-Man could say Stark Smart Watch, Venom burst in. "Oh, he is definitely on the naughty list," said Winston. "Spider-Man, catch!" Bridget hollered. She tossed a giant candy cane to the web- slinger. He caught it and thrust it at Venom. The alien grabbed the swinging sweet and snapped it in two. "Silly spider," it hissed. "Your sugary spear is no match for us!"

Venom began to separate from its host. The black goo reached for Spider- Man. "Join us and we will have more strength. We will have more power. We will have more everything!" Spider-Man did a backflip onto Santa's chair. "More, more, more. We, we, we. Is that all you ever think of?" He spun a web-wall, creating a barrier

between the sticky liquid and himself. Venom's oozing black tendrils caught in the web. "Thanks for the offer," Spider- Man said. "But I prefer my friends less squishy. More solid." The alien goo untangled itself from the web. It reattached to its host. "If you will not have us, then we will destroy you!" Venom hissed. "Now you're feeling the festive spirit," Spidey said. "I can't wait to read your holiday card." Spider-Man shot his webs at Venom. The alien caught them and pulled. Spider-Man sailed through the air like a stone from a slingshot. He flew out the door of Santa's workshop. He crash-landed on a pile of