Despite all the previously discussed appearances of the Venom symbiote in the MC2, we didn't learn anything about what happened to it's offspring until Amazing Spider-Girl #9-12 where S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hill tasks Special Agent Arthur Weadon and his team of former villains with safeguarding the transport of an item referred to only as 'Specimen 297'.
Naturally, things go awry when the convey Weadon's team are guarding is attacked and Specimen 297 is taken. When Spider-Girl intercepts those attempting to make off with Specimen 297, a stray shot pierces the container, allowing it's contents to escape. We learn that the operatives are actually S.H.I.E.L.D. agents on a top secret mission and that the Carnage symbiote is now loose.
With the Carnage symbiote newly bonded to a host, it attacks Midtown High students at the Café Indigo. However, Carnage is prevented from killing anyone by his new host and after seeing Courtney Duran afraid, flees.
Also worth noting is that the Carnage symbiote mentions being split into many splinters by the scientists studying it. Digging into the who's and why's of S.H.I.E.L.D. transporting the dangerous alien symbiote specimen through New York or why another group within the organisation was sabotaging the operation, it suffices to say that it was politically motivated...
Events take a dark turn when Carnage appears at the Parker's family home while Peter Parker is looking after his infant son, Benjy. Sensing danger, Peter attempts to sneak Benjy out of the house only to be accosted by Carnage. When Mayday and Mary Jane return home, they find Peter and Benjy gone and an ominous message on the wall...
While threatening baby Benjy, we see that Carnage's new host is resisting the symbiote's murderous tendencies, and we learn the reason he came to the Parker home: Mayday. Ignoring Peter's pleas, Carnage takes Benjy and heads off, promising to fulfill a promise to his host.
Tracking down Carnage, Spider-Girl and the symbiotic villain battle until Mayday appeals to the host: Moose Mansfield. We learn that Carnage has promised to help Moose's dying father in exchange for his co-operation.
Carnage heads to the hospital, driven on by Moose's desire to help his father. This is followed by one of my all time favourite sequences of storytelling ever, ending with a shocking reveal...
Yup, Kid Carnage! Spider-Girl attempts to neutralise her baby brother while avoiding Carnage long enough to reach the sonic gauntlets the police had recently confiscated following a super-battle. Unfortunately, Agent Weadon's team show up to apprehend Spider-Girl. Somewhat more fortunately, Carnage makes short work of the team.
When Spider-Girl points out Carnage might be able to actually cure Moose's father of cancer, Moose convinces the symbiote to head back to the hospital with the promise of compliance. Having bought time, Mayday organises for her father to pick up the sonic gauntlets and armour from the Midtown South Police Precinct and meet her at the hospital.
Carnage makes his way through the hospital toward Mr Mansfield, encountering Moose's girlfriend Courtney and cousin Donna as he fights through security. Spider-Girl holds him off so that Peter can use the sonic device to stop Carnage. But Peter freezes at the sight of Benjy, fearing his infant son will be harmed.
Forced to take over, May uses the sonic device on Benjy, driving the symbiote off of her brother but also causing him to lose his hearing. Racing after Carnage, May forces the symbiote from Moose moments before it could bond with his father and save his life.
With the Carnage symbiote dead, May's baby brother Benjy deaf and Moose's father on the verge of death, the story reaches it's conclusion. While Specimen 297 appears to be destroyed, we are left to wonder if the other 299 remaining specimens will be destroyed.
Which leads us to Spider-Girl: The End where we are shown a possible future where May 'Mayday' Parker died, which led to April Parker aka Mayhem killing several villains and eventually the hero American Dream. This prompted the government to hand over samples of the Carnage symbiote to Blackworks Paramilitary Services in an effort to create an army of 'Bio-Predators' to combat Mayhem.
Possibly as a result of using mercenaries, these Bio-Preds went rogue, becoming a swarm of destruction that absorbed or killed everyone in their path. Immune, Mayhem atoned for her crimes helped defend humanity against these creatures, but eventually mankind was forced underground to survive. In a last ditch effort, Mayhem was sent back in time to avert the series of events leading to the end of the human race.
I think it goes without saying that clearly the government did not destroy the remaining 299 Carnage Specimens. Never trust a politician.
Until I bond with the spawn of an alien symbiote, I remain
frogoat
