Hello everyone. I'm honestly surprised that I was able to rekindle the passion I felt for this work of mine. It's been...a trying time, technology-wise (of which the situation mentioned in the original version of this work is only one of rather a few) and life-wise, but I was not going to let myself just abandon this. And when I was re-reading what I had already, I honestly cringed at myself - hence this re-write.

I am the kind of person who doesn't like to reveal much, and I did notice that that translated into my work as well - it still will, but this is why I'm offering this minor explanation. Everything will eventually work out and hopefully be as understandable as it is in my head. Anyways, I hope that reading this will be as fun an experience for you as creating it is for me.

Due to the aforementioned issues, I need to re-read what I have from this site and re-write it from here, hence why my previous version shall remain posted until I have caught up.

If you all haven't gave up on me by now, I appreciate it. And if you don't mind, can you tell me what you think?

Key:

"Bold Italics" = "telepathic conversation"

"Italics" = "thoughts"

"Underlined" = "Arachnid speech"

Chapter 1

Spider-Man's P.O.V

I felt so unbelievably stupid.

How on Earth could I have believed that Doc Connors would have betrayed me? Well…I'm just going to blame that on the whole ageing thing.

I dimly heard the Vulture screeching in triumph, despite being old again – he's probably just glad to have my mutation out of him. Knowing that I had all of it, including the faulty genes back as well as my youth was a major downside. Then again, beggars can't be choosers… But I had no time for these thoughts right now! There was still the small matter of the Scorpion and the Vulture to deal with.

My spider-sense flared as I dodged Scorpion's tail when it whipped towards me – how good it feels to be young again! – and grabbed him, throwing him into the Vulture (yes, he's an old guy. But still, a bad old guy).

Hearing Doc Connors and the newcomer (scientist, judging purely from the coat) arguing, I turned around and witnessed Doc Connors nearly completely transformed into the Lizard (if the scales and the new arm were anything to go by). This was becoming steadily worse. Then… Then I heard the countdown sequence.

10…9…8…7…

This entire place was going to explode, and very soon. I hurriedly grabbed the scientific duo and web-swung out the window.

6…5…4…

Landing heavily on the pavement outside, I set the new scientist down and yelled, "Run!" I was still carrying the Doc, who – thankfully – was beginning to return to normal.

3…2…1

"Get down!" I shouted as my spider-sense reached a crescendo.

We both hit the deck.

The Neogenics lab exploded.

I shook my head to clear the ringing from my ears. Seeing that Doc Connors and – wait, was the new guy Dr Farley Stillwell? Anyways – were fine apart from a few superficial cuts and abrasions, I sighed.

"That was lucky."

Doc Connors was beginning to stir. I set him on his feet and draped his one good arm across my shoulders to steady him. "Are you alright?" I asked.

He breathed for a few seconds before replying, "Yes, are you?"

"Hey, I'm Spider-Man, I'll be fine."

He immediately frowned, so I could tell that he didn't believe me, but as he went to say something else, Dr Stillwell interrupted. "Well…that was an exciting experience, but I simply must be getting back to the asylum now – I suspect that they will be wondering where I am. Good luck to you, Doctor Connors, farewell Spider-Man," he said while turning and walking away.

I looked to the Doc. "Asylum?"

"… Never mind. Although I think I can stand by myself now, thank you." I nodded and stepped away, remaining vigilant as he swayed for a bit, then straightened. I turned to look at the – now ruined – Neogenics lab, the flames creating quite a heat. That was when it hit me – no Neogenics lab, no way to control my mutation. I would turn back into that monster in less than a day. As if to cement that conclusion, my sides gave a painful twinge. I looked back at Doc Connors. "I have to leave."

He tried to stop me. "I may be able to –"

"No!" I winced at how harsh that sounded – he was only trying to help me. I said again, gentler this time, "No. Even you can't rebuild that Neogenic Recombinator in less than twenty-four hours. I have to leave before I…change…again, otherwise I'll be a danger to everyone." I clenched my fists. That couldn't happen.

His face twisted and he sighed, looking from the blazing lab to the ground quickly. "I… I'm so sorry Spider-Man. After all you have done for me, I can't even help you this one time," he apologised, voice filled with regret.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey Doc, relax! You've helped me more than you know." This was true. He was my friend and had helped me out loads of times. He had also taught Peter Parker all he could. "Now come on – let's get you home."

With that, I fired my web and swung us to his address.

(Twenty minutes later.)

In my room, my web-bag was packed and I had just finished writing a quick note to Aunt May. I would have loved to write more, but time was running short already. All I had time for was:

Aunt May,

I'm so sorry. I love you. Please do not look for me and trust me when I mean that this is important.

Peter X

I sighed as I set the pen and paper down on my desk.

"That's the best I can do."

Next I crept downstairs to say goodbye to Uncle Ben's picture, thankful that Aunt May was a somewhat heavy sleeper. Then I travelled to MJ's house and left a small present with a note attached on her doorstep. The present was a bracelet that she had had her eye on for a while now. She would always talk herself out of purchasing it despite being drawn back, so I had saved up and bought it for her.

(It had taken a while with the meagre wages triple J sometimes gave me.)

The note attached to the box read:

MJ,

I hope you can forgive me for not being there for you today, as well as this. I'm sorry. Please don't look for me.

Love,

Peter X

"I am so sorry you two."

I swung elsewhere quickly and glanced back in the direction of their houses one last time. Without looking back again, I swung away. For good.

The sun had come up three hours ago. I was now about a hundred kilometers out of the city. Thank God for spider endurance.

"Have to get away, can't hurt anyone, have to get away!"

That was the constant mantra that was blaring in my head as I ran across a plain, heading towards a forest. A steep cliff drop down towards the sea was a few metres to my right. I had no idea where I was, only focusing on the fact that I had to get as far away as possible from civilisation. My web-bag was bouncing off of my back with each stride.

"- have to get away!"

I was web-swinging through the trees now, just a blur of red and blue.

"- get away!"

It was late into the night hours and I was hopelessly lost. I didn't know how long I had left. My spider-sense was giving me a headache. My sides sent random painful waves through my body. Sometimes they hurt so much I cried out and fell to my knees, holding myself futilely.

I was almost out of energy – I had been going non-stop for almost twenty-four hours. My vision was clouded; I needed sleep. But I couldn't sleep. I had to keep going, so I pushed myself back to my feet.

"- can't hurt anyone, have to get away!"

When the time came, the pain was excruciating. I fell mid-swing and landed on my back in the mud next to a riverbank. There, I writhed in sheer agony, no breath left to scream.

"Aunt May, MJ, Curt, I'm sorry…"

Then, I surrendered to the darkness.