Chapter Text
Speeding down the street as blue and red lights followed closely behind. The driver of the van looked behind at their boss, who looked on confidently at the pigs chasing them down,
“This is the police, pull over right now!” A microphone blared out, which their boss simply opened the back doors of the van, and turned on his seismic gauntlets,
“Oh yeah? Well, this is the Shocker!” The street rumbled as the police cars were launched into the air as though they were made of cardboard. Shocker looked back at his gang, a bunch of new guys that came to him for advice, him to help them out and crack that safe! For once in his life, Herman felt like he was at the top of the world,
“Sup Herman?” Shocker snapped his head back to see the bane of his existence: Spider-Man. Before Herman could charge up his gauntlets, the van was already suspended between two other buildings in the middle of the street! Herman dropped down onto the street, ready to test out his new suit against the wall-crawler, “You know honey, I think the cushioning does make you look fat!”
“Shut up!” Herman let his gauntlets rip but ultimately missed the nimble hero. Spider-Man landed on top of a fire hydrant, and Herman knew he screwed up. And the worst part? Spider-Man knew as well. Suddenly, water punched into Shocker, frying his gauntlets,
“I guess that’s why they call you, ‘Shocker,’ huh?” Spider-Man webbed up the crook to a light post and left the all too familiar letter on Herman’s chest. All Herman could do as he was hung up there was just stew in his rage.
Peter landed on top of the building, feeling his lungs on fire as he heaved in air. Just today, he had to stop six robberies, four break-ins, five assaults, a getaway with Shocker, and saving a bunch of people in a burning building. For reference, it had been only two hours since he snuck out of the last class of the day! And before anyone starts to harp on him about skipping class, Gwen did that already. It went something like this:
“You’re doing what!?”
“Shush! It’ll just be during study hall, I’ll be back. Promise!”
“You said you would be back when you had to run out of our date!”
“I promise! Honest!” Peter, being an expert on beating himself up with guilt, felt pretty guilty about running off on both the date and skipping class. But how can he stand around while New York is suffocating in what might be the largest crime wave it’s ever seen! Crooks are running around all over the darn place!
Peter then felt the inside of his head split open as if it were set on fire. He twisted his body as though he were playing an extreme game of twister, dodging and weaving arrows that came from across the street! Peter flipped through the air, using strands of his web to help gracefully twirl through the air. The mystery archer put away his bow and armed himself with a spear.
The grizzled man in front of Peter reminded him of Tarzan if he watched too much Crocodile Dundee! A vest that had a mane of a lion, the man smelled like a zoo! And under his breath, Peter could hear him making growls at him,
“Excuse me, nutcase?” The hunter circled around the young hero, with Spider-Man making sure he was in his sights the whole time, “I don’t know who you are, but Avenger tryouts were last week!”
“Ah, so the prey mocks?”
“Prey? Um, sorry pal, you must be confused. Even though I call myself Spider-Man, I am just a guy!”
“You are my greatest hunt! Worthy to Kraven the Hunter!”
“Ah, yes! Spider-Man and an escaped lunatic must talk in the third person, to make them seem cooler!” Kraven stood deathly still as he narrowed his eyes at his prize. Suddenly, the two engaged in a high-speed dance, with Spider-Man sneaking in jabs in between his dodges, and Kraven thrusting his spear and throwing knives at the agile superhero. Kraven then rolled backward and threw a bola at Peter, wrapping around his arms,
“Now, the hunt ends!” Kraven launched in the air, holding his spear in both his hands. The sadistic glee in his eyes told Peter that Kraven’s not the average super schmuck!
“I guess you’re right about something!” With great strength, Spider-Man breaks out of his bonds, grabs the spear from Kraven’s hands, and snaps it like a twig. Kraven smirked as he pulled something out of his vest,
“Well, it seems there is great potential within you, my prey! We shall meet again!”
“Oh no, you don’t!” Spider-Man sprung towards Kraven, only for a cloud of smoke to puff out in a flash of light. Every swing through the smoke, every kick through the mist connected with nothing. As the smoke dissipates, Peter groans as he realizes two things. One: Kraven got away. And two: The bell just rang, ending the school day.
Darting all over the table in the dining room, Gwen had a big smile on her face. She set her plate down, her father’s, and their soon-to-be guest! She then sprinted toward the knock on the door,
“You’re here!” Gwen said as she swung the door open, only to see her father softly smile. Gwen calmed down her smile, and furrowed her eyes,
“Don’t worry Gwen, he’ll be here.”
“How do you know? He could be busy with some genetic research!”
“If I know him as well as I do, nothing would keep him from spending some time with his favorite niece!” George walked into the apartment, with Spanish food in hand. Gwen helped him set up with setting the food down when there was a thud in the apartment. George looked at his daughter with an eyebrow raised, “That sounded like it came from your room.”
“I-I’ll check it out, dad,” Gwen rushed down the hallway into her room, and crept into her room. Standing near the window, holding a cheap rose that he obviously got with whatever was in his pocket, and wearing an awkward and goofy smile,
“Hey, Gwen!” Peter whispered, “Sorry that I skipped out at the last minute of school… and the date… and the other date… and on and on and--” Gwen chuckled as she leaped into Peter’s arms, smooching him on the lips,
“I’m just happy to see you! And thank you, Mr. Parker,” Gwen said as she snatched the rose and smelled the flower. Then she double-takes her sniff and raised an eyebrow, “Is this fake?”
“Sorry, I only had three bucks and some pocket change! Roses are really expensive these days, huh?”
“Well, I guess we can catch up on some recent things. For example, I wanna know who gave you this cut?” Gwen poked at the side of Peter’s arm, with the briefest cut, barely bringing any blood,
“You’re not gonna believe, a freaking guy said he wanted to hunt me today! Why is my life so crazy?”
“Well, I think it’s the universe’s way of making things interesting!”
“Can’t it wait? I mean, I have no free time anymore! The last movie I watched was a Star Wars marathon with Harry!”
“Well, how about this Friday? I’ll let you know what happened in the first John Wick movie.”
“That’s the guy who did air guitar, right?”
“Oh boy, you’re gonna be a tough person to get into movies. When was the last time you watched TV? Read a comic? Did normal nerd things?”
“Months ago. Most of the nerd stuff I used to do is made up by having superpowers and being able to swing across New York with an adhesive that I made!”
“Wow, just imagine: What would happen if I were bitten by the spider?”
“Easy, you would be a waaaaay better Spider-Man than I. Or, Spider-Woman, right?”
“You think that?”
“Well, you don’t make the stupid mistakes that I constantly make, and I know that you would probably handle all of this in a much better fashion than I could.”
“Really? I would probably have a panic attack and huddle in a corner. I don’t know how you’re still standing with all the stress!”
“Well, it's just dealing with the good Ol’ Parker luck: Just bottle it deep inside you, wait till you’re absolutely alone, and just let it all out. Uncle Ben used to go on walks at night, muttering to himself his own thoughts.”
“Do you do that?”
“Well, not walks, but I swing around. The beginning of winter is the best time to do it because it’s not too cold, but it’s silent. It feels like you’re floating above New York, letting all of the light around you hit as you deal with your own thoughts,” Peter looked off and showed a smile that was nearly unknown to Gwen. It was a smile that seemed unburdened with the weight of anxiety, eyes that looked afar in a distant land within Peter’s mind,
“Gwen?” Gwen turned at her father’s voice, “You alright?”
“Yeah, dad!” Gwen turned and kissed Peter, “You better be able to go to the movie this Friday, okay?”
“Gwen, from the bottom of my heart, I’ll try my best. I love you,” Peter put on his mask and stepped out of the window, and turned to look back at Gwen,
“Love you too,” Gwen smiled as Peter swung off into the sunset. Gwen then gathered herself, and stepped out of her room, “Sorry, my backpack fell off my bed,”
“No problem. Hey Gwen, can you get a fork for the table? We’re missing one.” Gwen looked over at the table, puzzled at how the third fork on the table just disappeared. She swore she grabbed all the forks when she got the plates. Anyways, Gwen walked into the kitchen,
“Looking for this?” Gwen snapped her head to the side, and immediately smiled,
“Uncle Miles!” Gwen leaped in and hugged her uncle, the missing fork in his hand. Gwen may have gotten her morals from her father, but her love of science came from her uncle, Doctor Miles Warren, “I missed you so much!”
“I missed you too! How are you?”
“I’m doing good,” Gwen said,
“She has a boyfriend now!” George said, poking into the kitchen,
“Dad!!!”
“A boyfriend? Well, you can tell me all about him over dinner!”
Peter ran through his mind, easily piecing together the answer to most of the questions on his homework. Honestly, Peter could easily go through most college courses, so doing Junior math homework was child’s play. However, Ben and May thought he needed friends at his age. Of course, they were right! Who knew Midtown High could give him a rich friend, a party animal, and a super awesome girlfriend!?
However, what’s really making this stressful is Peter looking over his cubicle at the Bugle, trying to spot where Jonah is. He’s been off his rocker ever since Fisk was arrested during the summer. Even going so far in supporting some guy named Samuel Bullit as mayor, with Sammy over there thinking that masked heroes are the problem, not the drug lords that are extorting everyone in New York! All Peter’s got to do is keep his head down, and fill in every answer his teacher will glance at and mark an arbitrary--
“PARKER!!!” Peter sighed, and marched his way towards Jameson’s office. He opened the door to see numerous buttons and banners for Samuel Bullit. Standing next to Jameson, who looked overjoyed with his candidate, was a man in a trenchcoat and fedora,
“Yeah J. J?”
“This here is Private Inspector Gargan, he wants to ask you some questions.”
“Questions?”
“Yeah,” Gargan said, his voice letting Peter know that Gargan was from the Bronx, “Just making a case about certain individuals that my… employer has hired me to sniff out. Wanna get some fresh air?” Peter and Gargan went up to the rooftop, catching the lights and glow of Times Square, the rabble and footsteps being a distant backdrop as Gargan flipped open a notepad while turning on a recorder, “For the record, state your name.”
“Peter Parker, and what are you investigating?”
“First, tell me what you know about a guy named… Otto Octavius.”
“Doctor Octavius? I heard he was in an explosion accident. Why?”
“Well, the good doctor was found missing, with his last known location being filled with murdered surgeons.”
“What!? Do you think someone took him?”
“That’s what I’m finding out. Turns out, Octavius is important to my employer’s enterprise.”
“Who’s your employer?”
“He likes to remain anonymous, don’t worry about it, alright?” Gargan quickly finishes his chicken scratch, and clears his throat, “Alright, now is a question that my employer and your employer wants to know: Do you know Spider-Man?”
“Do I know Spider-Man? Well, not his secret identity, but I know the guy--”
“How did you get his photos on time and in good quality. Only certain other skilled people can get half-decent shots, but you’re what? Just a kid?”
“I’m not a kid!”
“Well, you’re kinda short. Actually, I think Spider-Man’s around your height…” Peter looked up at Gargan, and forced a chuckle,
“What, you don’t think I’m Spider-Man, right?”
“I take in the facts and take in the probability. You’re more likely to be Spider-Man than, say, your employer. Tell me: Where were you during school at the end today?”
“You’re stalking me!?”
“No. Just… Looking out. Answer the question, Parker.”
“I… I snuck off with my girlfriend. We hid out in the mall.” Peter felt gnawing in his gut as Gargan’s face stood as still as stone. In fact, the guy barely blinked, leaving little to the imagination as to what he was thinking,
“Alright,” Gargan said, smirking as he stopped the recording, “I hope you have a goodnight tonight, Mr. Parker. I’ll make sure you get home on time.” Gargan slithered off back into the Daily Bugle, making Peter frustrated groan as he rubbed his face together.
His legs aching, his arms heavy, Peter walked down the sidewalk with a sour face. Work sucked, school sucked, and all the parts where he’s a superhero sucks too! He has an assignment that’s due tomorrow that’s not done yet, a girlfriend who’s getting both frustrated and worried that he’s a superhero, and the worst part? He had to walk home! Peter can’t risk having Gargan tailing him around when he’s changing into Spider-Man. What if he gets a picture? What if Jameson finds out he’s having the “Menace of New York,” work for him!? And what if Peter gets a heart attack from all the worrying and overthinking he’s been doing!?!
Peter stopped, breathed through his nose and out his mouth. He can do this. He’s stopped the Vulture, he stopped the Kingpin, he fought guys made of lighting and sand for God’s sakes! Just today, he fought a man hunting him and a guy who somehow created seismic gauntlets! And that guy is still a moron! If Peter can handle nearly dying from supervillains and mobsters, then he’ll make it through this year!
Peter unlocked the front door and entered his home. Immediately, Peter feels calm as he takes in the homely warmth that floats throughout the air, and walks into the kitchen,
“Hey May! I’m home!” Peter said, blowing a sigh of relief as he made it before curfew,
“Dinner’s in the microwave!” May said, having rosy cheeks and a bright smile. Peter smiled back, turned toward the microwave, then did a doubletake to see someone sitting next to May,
“May? Who’s he?” Peter asked, looking at the old man in the wheelchair,
“Peter, this is Nathan,” May looked at Nathan with a calm smile, “Nathan, this is my nephew, Peter!”
“Well hey, sport!” Nathan said, with Peter walking into the living room. They shook each other’s hands, with Peter’s stomach-turning, “I’m just a friend of your aunt! How was your day?”
“It could be worse,” Peter said, knowing that it’s already worse, “May, I’m exhausted. Can I take my food upstairs?”
“Yes you can, but remember to do the dishes tomorrow!”
“I will!” Peter said, opening the microwave. Peter was shocked to see a large piece of chicken with mashed potatoes and cheesy broccoli. Usually, dinner was chicken soup or if they’re really cashing in on a fancy meal, they have take out from the nearby Thai restaurant! Peter took his plate and backpack upstairs and closed the door behind him.
Peter glanced around his room, and immediately closed the blinds of his window. Peter doesn’t know what level of a freak Gargan is, but he knows that he’s on the upper-tier list in his mind. He then devoured his food and tried to work on his homework.
Peter then opens his eyes, with his alarm blaring behind him. He closes his eyes only to immediately snap them open and rush to the bathroom. After taking a shower and changing clothes, Peter grabbed his backpack and rushed out of his house. It was only halfway toward school when Peter realized that his complete homework, one that he spent all night finishing, was still on his desk in his room. Peter then slowed down and irritably walked the rest of the way to school.
Run program… Report Progress…
UPDATING… 541 REQUESTS… STAGE ONE 99% complete…
Coolant cells acquired?
FINDING SUITABLE COOLANT… STARK TECH A POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Sources of Tritium?
2.5 KILOGRAMS LOCATED IN OSCORP… STAGE ONE COMPLETE.
PREPARE STAGE TWO?
Yes. Possible threats?
POSSIBLE THREATS…
- Spider-Man: 38% Likely
- Police: 10% Likely
- SHIELD: 62% Likely
Execute Master Plan…