Chapter 1: Bitten Four Ways
Greetings. I am the Watcher.
My sworn task is to observe and chronicle great events of the universe – since the time of creation towards now, in the present day of modern society. My curse is to always witness and never participate. I must be true to this duty even on the brink of Armageddon.
I have watched the rise and fall of civilizations, of galaxies; even the mightiest of nations. I have often pondered the events that may have transpired if I had strictly followed the law of my brethren. Join me now as I witness a spectacular event that is about to take place in the life of Peter Parker – otherwise known as the Amazing Spider-Man.
You've known his story; young Peter bitten by a radioactive spider, granting him powers beyond belief, to the great tragedy of losing his Uncle, to facing foes deadlier than any hero has faced on earth, to participating in the event of the Spider-verse.
Now, what if a person outside of the Marvel reality suddenly awoke to find themselves in the body of fifteen-year-old Peter? How will life change for the young hero who already knows about future events that will fall upon the young Peter Parker?
- Uatu the Watcher
Everything is white, but not before eight webs appear.
Though only seven are circled around one in the middle, with a web line from each connecting to it. Two seem to weaken, about to come off. A figure of a bird emerges from one of them, consuming everything in sight. The dreamer, too, is consumed, screaming in pain as a fire washes over them.
A sudden jolt in bed and the boy wakes up, covered in sweat.
Carefully he scans the room, finding himself at a loss for words.
Everything is blurry. He pats around until he finds something circular. With better vision the room is dimly lit, enough to see various shelves filled with books. On top of the stand is an antenna TV, next to it beakers, alongside with chemical vases. So it appears that the person likes science. Looking back, he finds another shelf filled with books and next to the bed a small lamppost with an alarm clock that reads 5:58 AM. He looks at his hands; the hands of a boy instead of a man.
"What the heck ..."
He throws off the covers and stands on the hard wood floor, shuddering from the cold contact. He finds a mirror and sees the face of a boy – no, a teenager – staring back, standing about five-five, wearing a nothing but a t-shirt and a pair of heart-designed boxers. Brown eyes blink at him beneath a shock of hair, messy thanks to the bed yet well-kept. The body is scrawny, no muscle whatsoever, with the young face stuck between losing baby fat and becoming a chiseled jawline. The unmistakable face of someone he sees frequently, residing in the pages of one of his favorite comics.
"What the …," he mutters. "This has got to be a dream." He pinches himself as hard as he can. In the mirror, the image of Peter Parker does the same. "Ow! This is some messed up dream. What in the freaking world is going on? I'm Peter Benjamin Parker!"
Looking back, Peter's eyes – his eyes – twitch with glee. I may have been big in my old life, but this guy is skin and bones. If this is a dream, now is the time to start over. This kid definitely needs to work out. No wonder Flash picks on Peter; it must be horrendous not being able to fight back. I've definitely got my work cut out for me.
He talks to his reflection as the realization sinks in, voicing what he knows about the fictional hero. "I'm Peter Parker. I'm the Amazing Spider-Man. Bitten by the spider which gives him abs in one night, due to the chemical reaction of the radiation affecting his body. Not to mention the fights he has been in, with several of his greatest enemies ... Green Goblin, Venom, Doc Ock. They would be great workouts, but that would be in the future." He glances at the clock. "Right now, it's probably time for high school ... again." He sighs. "If I must relive the high school years, so be it, but I'm getting this guy away from the nerd. Well, I'll still be a nerd; a cool one with a fashion sen–"
"Peter, who are you talking to?"
Crap.
Quickly, he turns to see the door opening.
A middle-aged woman steps in, with light blond hair streaked with grey, that almost looks like she'd dyed it. Physically fine for a woman her age, probably in her thirties, she wears a pink robe with matching slippers. She looks questioningly at the boy. 'Peter' knew her already.
"Um, just thinking out loud," he says.
A brow rises on her amused face. "Really? Are you sure? Because you don't sound sure."
"Umm ..." Think fast. "Did I ever tell you that you look very fine this morning, Aunt May? You look like you got a good night's rest. You are stunningly beautiful this morning."
He glimpses a smaller, chubbier version of himself in the corner of the room. Surprisingly, this doesn't surprise him, even when he hears the chibi speak in his mind. Yeah, good luck fooling her. Nothing gets past Aunt May.
The older woman chuckles, pulling her nephew into a hug. Hesitant at first, soon enough he tightens his embrace around her as she says, "Nice try, kiddo, but flattery won't get you nowhere."
"Drat. Here I thought I was going to woo you over into forgetting what you asked," 'Peter' says, chuckling. This woman is a complete stranger to me, despite the fact I was in my teens, growing up reading the comics.
Giving him a kiss on the cheek, she pats his back. "Anyway, what are you doing up so early?"
"I don't know. Just woke up … from a dream. Uh, what time is it again?"
"Six in the morning," she says. "Your uncle is driving you to school in two hours. I'm going to make breakfast." As she walks out, she says, "And don't be so tense when you hug next time."
"Right."
'Peter' closes the door and places his head against it.
"Okay. Recap. I'm twenty-three years old, from another dimension, that considers the Marvel universe fiction, stuck in a teen Peter Parker with spider-pow–" He pauses and makes the web sign to shoot. There is no webbing. "No powers, which means I must be pre-spider bitten. Though being Spider-Man will come with its advantages and oooh ... the symbiote. I can't forget about that. I'm definitely keeping Venom. I'm not going to lose that suit just because it's an alien. Besides, if I remember correctly, Parker decided to get rid of it because it wanted to permanently bond with him. Or was it because he found out it was alive. I don't think so. And the ladies ... oh ... oh nelly, which one to choose from? That's a debate for later, I guess."
He moves to the closet and opens it. His mouth drops. "Oh Peter and your geeky wardrobe." There is nothing more than plaid, khakis and vests. "No wonder you're always picked on. Your clothing is a no-no. We are going to have to upgrade; a major one that is. Looks like I'm going to need a job, but no way am I working for J. Jonah Jameson. Maybe the Daily Globe would be nice as an intern ... eh, I'll think about it later."
Later at school: 8:30AM Midtown High
The ride to school is awkward for the most part for our 'hero', but small chit-chat goes a long way to break the ice.
"Thanks for the ride, Uncle Ben." He opens the door, until the elderly man stops him.
"Hey, Michelangelo. Glad we had this talk, and I'm glad you are opening up about this bully. Anything happens just let me know. I'll have a word with this Thompson fellow."
"I'm not sure he's ready to face the wrath of Ben-Fu wisdom talk," 'Peter' responds with a smile.
A chuckle escapes the man's throat. "Get to class. You're going to be late. Remember, Peter, don't start anything."
"I still got thirty minutes. Don't worry, I'm not looking for trouble, but the trouble is definitely looking for me. So no promises." The boy gets out of the car, leaving a wondering Ben to his thoughts.
My high school life was great, but this is the Marvel Universe, so Peter is considered a geek, as well as the social outclass. Oh yeah, I'm going to enjoy the humiliation of bullying.
'Peter' snorts. There was nothing worse than a bully. Children, teenagers, and yes, even adults, if bullied to the point of no return could lead to serious problems down the road, even death, depending on the situation. It would be wise to avoid Flash Thompson, yet it seems highly implausible.
"Peter!"
The boy turns around, to be faced with none other than Harry Osborn walking towards him, sporting a red shirt with a light green jacket on top, navy pants and Nike shoes.
"Hey ... Harry." This is going to be awkward. 'Peter' notices the black limo leaving. As the window closes he sees Norman Osborn looking briefly at them before the tinted glass closes. "How are you doing?"
"You know. Same old, same old. Dad has been really busy with his work. Doesn't have time to spare at times. You know ... the usual."
"Trying to win his approval, huh?"
Harry stares at him sadly.
The younger boy slings an arm over his shoulder. "Harry. I know this is not my place to say, but you need to stop before you lose your mind. Norman doesn't care about you. From what I can gather, and from what you say about him, I don't think he does, nor will he. Heck, I don't even know if he loved his wife."
Harry flinches, taken aback, clearly questioning his friend's words.
"Sorry," 'Peter' grimaces. "Hit a sensitive point."
"Uh, it's okay."
"My point is, you want his approval, but you're not going to get it. You can score ninety-two percent in math for the final score, but instead of congratulating you he'd ask what happened to the other eight percent. You'll stay up all night for weeks studying, because you're pretty bad at higher-level math."
"Hey, I'm not that bad!" Harry exclaims. "I'm just not getting it, is all."
"Uh-huh, and I'm Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four with an IQ of three-hundred."
"Who?"
"You know, Reed Richards. The famous – you know what, never mind." 'Peter' then had a thought. "I think I can help you out."
"You can?" Harry asks skeptically.
"Sure. We just need to work on your confidence level around him."
The two 'friends' continue talking, making each other laugh as they try to come up with the snippiest of comebacks.
Once inside, the young teen looks around. The place is pretty big; lockers up against the wall, teens chit-chatting here and there in small or large groups, some teens making out with their boyfriends or girlfriends. A few emo kids pass by, reeking of drugs. Huh. I never realized the school system in New York City sucked with helping with children like these. What is wrong with our education system nowadays?
Harry nudges him. "Hey. I'll see you around, Pete."
"Yeah, I'll talk to you later, Harry, at lunch or whenever."
Fist bumping each other, the two 'friends' depart.
Summoning up his memory of the body of young 'Peter', the host makes it to his locker, located on the second floor by the science lab. He is about to open it when he hears the shout.
"HEY PARKER!"
"Flash …" he drones. Just my luck, but I don't have to take any crap from him. Besides, I'm not Peter. Well, the wimpy kid he knows …
With a quick turn, he is just in time to see Eugene bang on the locker hard with a grin. This was the cause and the effect? The young man doesn't flinch.
"Trying to act all tough now, Parker? I'm giving you something, tough guy." He drops his bag to the ground.
With a sigh and a bored look on his face, the brunette-haired teen lifts his arm. "Well would you look at that; it's half past a hair!" His gaze shifts to the eager blonde jock. "You really want to start something right now, Eugene, with your daily 'put puny Parker in the locker'?"
"Yeah. What are you going to do about it, Parker?"
"You know, I think you might be attracted to me."
It was loud enough for the entire group of thirty students to stop in their tracks, shocked faces looking at the captain of the high school football team, ready to pound the geek.
"I mean, why are you always bumping into me, or making my life a living nightmare? Are you trying to do something to me? Because, I'm going to tell you right now, I don't swing that way."
Flash is stuttering. Puny Parker had turned the tables. The student body takes three giant steps back from Flash as he tries to diffuse the situation. Well, mostly the males. "No, no, no, no! I am not gay, okay! I like girls just like any other guy!"
"Don't listen to him, folks. He's in deep denial. I mean, why else would he show that he's the alpha male ..." A few chuckles went around. Then with a stern voice, he brings all the attention back to Flash. "I mean really, what's it to you guys? What type of grudge do you have against me? I bleed the same color blood you do. I feel pain, bitterness, and even depression at times as you all! So what is it about me that makes me have a target painted on my back for all you to tease me, bully me verbally or physically? I want a better future for myself much as everyone here, so why?"
He looks at Flash. The boy is seething with anger. He has to be careful now; he humiliated him a little, nevertheless bullies did not tend to let things go that easily. The students that were too busy had heard now what the antisocial bookworm was saying, some had their conscience filling them with guilt, whilst others didn't care.
"Do you have problems at home, Eugene? Is that why you torment me because I'm weaker than you? Does your father call you names? Does he call you a pathetic dumbass who can't do anything right? Does beat you with a crowbar?"
It is danger water he is lurking in, and he knows it. Flash has murder written in his eyes, and before he can even blink 'Peter' finds himself dangling by the lockers, with a bang loud enough that it silences the school body.
"You don't know anything, Parker! What can you possibly know about what I go through in my life?"
If this was the normal Peter Parker, he wouldn't know what to say. However the soul inside his body is silent.
He takes a deep breath. "But it's true, isn't it? That's why you always bully Pe–me, day in and day out? Tell me, did I pinch a nerve? If you need help, go and see an anger management therapist and stop taking it out on me."
"Parker, you are dead right now, you hear me?! You – are – dead meat!" Flash rears his fist back. "You know nothing of me. What do you know?! You are some antisocial wannabe geek that doesn't know his place in this world. You are nothing. A nobody!"
He sighs, pity in his eyes, and taps his face. "Go ahead, Flash. Show the student body what your father does to you when he's drunk. Show them what it means to be abusive. To be that man who gets his kick out of hurting people. Go on, show them. They are waiting. Go on, right there in the jaw."
Nobody ever thought that the social outclass would call out the captain of the school football team like this. Flash is visibly shaking, his fist reared back. What is he waiting for? This was Puny Parker. This would be like any other day, so why is he hesitating now? No … there is no hesitation. He is going to beat him until he is black and blue. Meanwhile, the so-called science geek is staring at him, his face neutral, not showing any emotion, as cold as ice.
"What is going on here?!"
Blood runs cold as a teacher appears to see what the commotion is about. "Everyone in your classrooms, right now!"
They do not need to be told twice, as they disperse.
The teacher turns to Flash. "Young man, drop him!"
Flash keeps him in the air. Peter does not back down, until the teacher forcibly removes them apart. "Apparently you didn't hear me the first time. To the principle's office now, the both of you."
Peter then remembers something. "Isn't today the school field trip?"
"Yes, but until we get this situation resolved, the two of you are going to explain to me what transpired."
On route to the lab, Peter quietly looks at the buildings passing by.
Harry sits beside him, stealing glances at his longest friend. Finally, fed up with the silence, he asks, "So I take it you and Flash had a fight?"
Peter shrugs. "Hmm. Really not much of a fight, more like a reality check for him. After spending thirty minutes in the office trying to clear things up, Flash doesn't get to go on to practice, with a warning, along with an appointment with the student counsel guide. While I get a warning about bringing personal things to light. Other than that, we were given the green light to go on this trip."
"What did you say to him?" Harry curiosity peaks. "I mean, you must have said some nasty things to him to tick him immensely, besides calling him out of the closet."
A small chuckle escapes his lips. He is about to say something, when soon enough the conversation is halted by a girl's small 'hello'. Both boys look up.
A girl with red hair, soft piercing green eyes, wearing a pink blouse with a sunflower design on it and navy-blue jeans gazes at them.
Harry is star struck the moment he lays eyes on her. She is pretty; gorgeous to be more exact, this much 'Peter' couldn't deny either. He remembers her name. Ah yes. The girl who ruined everything she loved. He isn't interested in her; one person or two or three that he has on his mind is a certain cat burglar, a girl who has the power of heat and a certain Asian girl that would be locked up in a bunker after she got her powers. After all, the original messed up with Mary Jane with that deal with Mephisto in one more day just to save Aunt May. The price a whole lot of love and rotten luck, unless of course it was an AU in the comics. That comic that no one wants to talk about. Peter has to bite his tongue at that thought while trying to keep a straight face. It's hilarious how the older generation fans rave because of what Marvel did to the relationship between Mrs. Watson-Parker and Mr. Parker. Not happening in this reality. I can see to that.
"Hey, are you Peter Parker?" she asks.
"That's my name, don't wear it out, because that's the only one I have," he replies. "Unless, of course, you need me ID to be sure. Then I'll warn you, I got a mug shot."
A small chuckle escapes her lips. "My name is Mary-Jane Watson. I want to apologize for my boyfriend's actions towards you this morning ..."
Peter raises his hand to interrupt her. He looks back to where Flash is glaring daggers at him. "Stop. I don't need you to apologize for his behavior."
She is surprised, as well as Harry.
"Flash is a teen with a troubled past, that much I can see. No offense, Mary-Jane, but what's a pretty girl like you doing with a jock like him? You could do so much better. For instance, take Harry here ..."
"Wait a minute. What ... whoa!" Harry is put into a chokehold as his best friend gives him a noogie.
"He's pretty smart for someone his age and he knows how to treat a woman right, so why not leave that guy where you found him and start dating someone who would actually care for you?"
MJ's eyebrow raises. The boy in front of her has a smug smile on his face while his partner in crime is struggling to break free from his surprisingly iron grip. "While I appreciate the concern for my love life, Mr. Parker," she says, "whom I choose to be with is none of your business."
A bunch of 'ooooh's sing throughout the bus or 'burn!' Some even clap, praising MJ for putting geekazoid in his place.
This fires Peter up as he voice rises. "Very true, very true, Ms. Watson. However, guys like that only care about one little thing about their girlfriends, and that's their assets. Now I'm not saying that's every guy ... some treat their girlfriends with the respect that they need ..." Every girl begrudgingly agrees with the nerd. "Yet, you see, guys like Flash Thompson only care about the status quo; who's got the hottest girlfriend in town or who lost their virginity first once they get in between the legs ..."
The teacher listening to this is surprised to see Parker speaking his mind. Last I checked he was the quietest person in the class. What brought this on? It is a wonder; you wouldn't think that someone like Peter would be able to break the antisocial barrier to say something like this.
"You want to know something else, I bet he's dating Liz Allen right behind your back." MJ's hand twitches; something that does not go unnoticed by Harry. "You know, they sort of have this on and off relationship with each other, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was. They are notorious for getting on and off from time to time."
An awkward cough by a certain brunette is heard, though no one takes heed of that. Even Flash swallows a bit. Mary Jane isn't sure how to take this from the awkward teen; she came here to apologize for her boyfriend's behavior so how did this turn into her love life right now? Though something deep inside of her tells her to end the conversation right now.
"Look, I didn't come here to discuss my love or sex life. What I do is what I do. Do you want to accept my apology or not?"
"I understand, really I do, and maybe this might sound a bit jerkish but I don't want to hear it coming from you. I want to hear it from him." The bus is stunned; the second most popular girl in school being shot down by the geek. "If he has the pair of balls to bully me since the beginning of the school year then let him grow that same pair and come to me on his time; not send his trophy to say what he needs to say in front of my face."
Mary Jane's eyes narrow dangerously. Now there is low 'oh's coming from the bus. Harry is still in a lock hold and begins to tap furiously for Peter to stop.
"Listen here, you little science geek, and listen good. I am no one's trophy. I am my own person with a bright future ahead of them."
"My apologies if that offends you," says Peter. "You are the second most popular girl in school, with Gwen Stacy being the first and Liz Allen being the third rank, but she earns brownie points for being the school cheerleader, thus making you third-ranked in school."
The redhead's eyes blazed.
Harry is growing concerned, nudging Peter to stop talking as he whispers, "Peter, shut up."
"Mary Jane, I'm sorry," Peter continues. "The truth hurts, but you can deny all you want. Flash doesn't care about me or you. All he cares about is bragging rights to prove his alpha. To him, you are nothing more than a piece of meat. A lot of the male population treats their girlfriends the same, but like I said not all of them do. I apologize if I did offend you with certain words."
"Keep your apology to yourself." Mary Jane stares angrily at him before walking away in a huff.
Harry, finally freed, looks at Peter with confusion. "Who are you and what did you do to my best friend Peter?"
"He needed to grow up, Harry. I'm not joking around this time. I know I said very harsh words and words can hurt people emotionally." He pauses. "I will not be put down anymore. It ends, Harry. It will end."
OSCROP General Techtronic's Laboratories
"Midtown High Schoolers," begins the professor. "There will be no wandering. See directly …" He catches a paper ball. "Knock it off with the throwing! Remember, it is a privilege to be here because we are guests here at OSCORP Techtronic's site."
Not all the students are listening to the teacher. A few girls, Gwen, Liz, Mary Jane, among others, look back to see Peter straggling behind the group, along with Harry. They are talking about something, only to end up laughing at the joke.
"Be on your best behavior and let's not have a repeat of what happened at the planetarium. Come on, people, stay together and walk up these stairs to learn. Alright?"
The group moves ahead, while the three girls stare at the duo of teens passing them by. Mary Jane is steamed, though not without curiosity peaking around the corner, so she asks, "What do you know of Peter Parker?"
"What, Mr. Goody Two shoes?" Liz is not impressed with Peter, though he had hit the nail on the head with her and Flash seeing each other behind Mary Jane's back. She suppresses a shudder to think what would happen if the redhead girl finds out. "He's nothing more than a loser who thinks he can call anyone out. I mean, did you hear what he said to Flash?"
Gwen decided to keep her peace for the moment, though she has to admit it was about damn time that Parker kid started to grow some backbone. "Really not much, except he's second to me when it comes to studies. Really Liz, what did the guy do to you? I think despite some choice of words enough is enough."
"Nothing. He's just so geeky. Did you see those clothes? Ugh, outdated fashion, if you ask me."
The girls walk to keep up with the class. Gwen is annoyed at her response. "So because he doesn't have an updated wardrobe that makes it okay for anyone to call him out on it or even make fun of him?"
"Please, that's not even half of it. He's such a bookworm. He's so clumsy."
"So am I, but without the clumsiness."
"But you are the kind of bookworm that we like. Not so awkward coming from a good family with a well-paying job. He's just a poor guy who can't afford his own clothing. Who wants to hang out with people like that? Are his parents even well-known?"
Gwen and MJ look at the brunette in disgust and start to question the people they hang around with. Maybe it is time to see who their friends are truly and who is not.
Inside
"There are more than 32,000 species of spider in the world," says the tour guide, leading the thirty students around a cavernous laboratory, passing a number of large spider exhibits. "They are all in the order Aranae, which is divided into three sub-orders: Mesothelea, Orthognatha, and Labidognatha. All spiders are carnivorous, ravenous eaters who run on massive amounts of protein in the fluid phase, usually the juices of their quarry. Arachnids from each of the three groups have varying strengths which help them in their ceaseless search for food."
Peter, who is wearing a 35MM camera around his neck, takes test pictures with the tour guide's permission, though this leads to students groaning about it. As they move forward, Harry is a bit perplexed by this new attitude.
"Dude, what the heck was that on the bus?" he whispers. "I'm still not getting it."
"A wake up call."
"The crab spider family Thomisidae, genus Misumena – spins no web to overtake its quarry, but runs instead, applying a lot of reflexes with nerve conduction velocities so fast some researchers think it almost borders on precognition, an early awareness of danger." The tour guide pauses briefly before continuing on. "A spider sense, if one were to put it in English terms."
Harry gets up to the side of the girl he met on the bus as she stoops, over looking at it. She peers closely at the spider in its funnel of the web; it is large, dark and nasty-looking, kind of brutal. Her eyes beam like the morning sun. To say the least she feels strangely drawn to it. Whilst Harry on the other hand looks disgusted.
"Nasty little guys," he states under his breath.
"Yeah, I know." There is a pause between them for a moment. "I like them."
Peter catches the eye of the tour guide and gestures to his camera. "School newspaper."
The guide nods as a few other students protest, saying, "Geez, Parker," under their breaths. Peter ignores them, setting up the camera to eye-level, while removing the cover. Flash bumps his elbow, ruining the picture, and the other kids laugh. Peter raises the camera again and Flash bumps him again. He turns around and glares.
Harry mutters, "Leave him alone, Flash."
Flash looks at Harry mockingly. "Or what, rich boy?"
"Or his father will fire your father." Bobby says in a mocking tone of voice. Others laugh silently as they pass high-fives.
Then Flash grabs Harry by his brown jacket, asks the sarcastic question a little too loudly, catching his professor's attention. "What's daddy going to do, sue me?"
"What is going on here?" Seeing how Flash is grabbing Harry, he whispers into his ear. Flash groans and has him give way, following his teacher away from his group.
"Those cats are real jerks," Peter says under his breath as he adjusts the camera. This time it is a perfect shot.
Gwen comes up to Peter and nudges his side. "Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine Gwen, thanks," he states.
She nods as she walks out from the two male children. She catches up with Liz, who is apparently being freaked out by the spiders.
"These spiders give me the creeps."
The blonde rolls her eyes at her friend. She looks at MJ who seems surprisingly interested in the arachnids. "This is the first time I have seen MJ so interested in something. Is this the end of the world I'm seeing before me?"
The group of students is led towards a set of sealed glass doors to another section of the laboratory. "This is the Recombination Lab, where we synthesized RNA from the specimen to encode an entirely new genome, combining genetic information from all three spiders into these fifteen genetically designed super-spiders." The tour guide points to a machine with two orbs pointing in the middle. "Now if you can turn your attention to this machine."
"Ugh. I don't know why my parents sent me on this stupid field trip." Peter hears the harsh whisper, so when his eye move left he sees the person he is looking for; a slim brunette with dark eyes, wearing a blue tank top and short pants. Really short. "I could be playing hockey right now. Instead I'm trapped here with a bunch of old people who think they know about science."
"Now that's mean."
The girl whips around, thinking it is a teacher. Instead she finds a young teen with a camera in hand.
"I'm pretty sure your parents meant no harm for you, to miss you boyfriend's hockey practice in order for you to get an education." He sticks his left hand out, has eyes glancing every now and then to the guide. "Le … Peter Parker, Midtown High School student."
She clasps his hand in hers, shakes it gingerly. "Cindy Moon, Great Neck South High School."
"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Moon."
Up on the ceiling, unbeknownst to them, in the high arch of the rotunda, a spider has spun a magnificent web that glistens in the light. The spider sits at the center of it, waiting, feeling the vibrations of any unlucky visitor that stores its way.
"So for the moment, we're concentrating on these fifteen spiders. Any questions before we move to the final section of the tour?"
"Fourteen," MJ says.
"I beg your pardon, miss?"
"I counted every spider. Only fourteen are present," MJ says to the baffled tour guide.
"I – I guess the researchers are still working on that." The tour guide says as he counts the spiders in their tanks.
Peter's eyes shift to the ceiling. The web is faint, unnoticeable apart from the black speck in the middle of it. He does not say anything. He notices that it is directly below the machine. He needs to get near in order to be bitten. The group moves to a different part of the machine, as now the tour guide is about to demonstrate how the fusion reaction works.
"Mind if I take your picture?" Peter asks Cindy. "I need one with a student in it."
Cindy shrugs. She moves next to the incubator. "How's this?"
Peter lifts the camera. "Smile. Not forced, okay?"
Cindy gives a small 'hmph', yet obliges the teen. Her smile is cute as she points to the spiders.
"Cute. Very cute."
A small blush appears on her face as the camera snaps.
"How about giving me another pose?" Peter suggests.
"Do you have room for two more?"
Peter pulls away from the camera, looking at both Gwen and MJ. He shrugs, motioning with his hand to be his guest. Above, the spider is dropping, straight down toward Peter's right hand as he moves in position, clicking the shutter and winding the film.
"You guys are photogenic. Ever think about modeling?"
"I might go into the business after college," Mary Jane says.
Of course, you'd be the star because of your beauty, Mary Jane. But that's when you're older. Mentally sighing, he adds, I may not have read all the Spider-Man comics so I don't know what adventures await me. I just hope I don't run into Morlun early, but in case I do I know how to beat him with a simple dose of radiation. I'm going to have start making plans.
Peter clicks off another shot. The spider draws closer, heads for the spot between the thumb and forefinger. Its hairy legs come in for a landing on Peter's flesh and-
"Ow!" Peter looks at his hand. He sees the spider, yet it does not do anything. That smarts! What's with the burning sensation … guess this spider was already modified. Good, now that I'm bitten, Cindy needs to be bitten as well.
The redhead, blonde and raven-haired teenagers gasp as they quickly stop posing for the camera to quickly check on Peter.
"Are you alright?" Gwen quickly looks down at his hand. Her eyes go from calm to panic in a fraction of a second. "There's a spider on your hand!"
MJ, thinking quickly, tries to slap the super spider away.
"Mary Jane, don't!"
The warning comes too late.
With spider senses flaring, the spider easily avoids the striking hand from its attacker. Quick as lighting the spider spots MJ, quickly makes its way across Peter's hand, and pounces towards the redhead girl.
She makes the mistake of lifting her left hand to cover her face. Just like its victim before her it lands on her pink flesh and then-
"OW!"
She shakes her hand, hard, to flip the spider off. It flies off and lands on Cindy's ankle, biting her in the process. Cindy hisses in pain and drops to the floor to scratch the spot that has been bitten.
Gwen bends down, trying to kill it. The spider is racing across the floor when she spots the crawler. Although it tries to get away, she blocks its path with her foot, trying to squish it. The spider latches on her, dodging, and so the final victim of the spider bite fiasco is none other than Gwen Stacy, who is bitten between her ankle bone and muscle. "Ahh!"
Thinking quickly, Peter bends down to the blonde's ankle and grabs the spider before it can escape, covering it with both hands. He knows the spider is safe for the moment. "You girls alright?"
They look at him with glares that says, what do you think?! Then they stare at each other, the four teenagers looking at their hands or ankles; two tiny red marks where the spider sank its fangs into the skin.
"Parker, Stacy, Moon, and Watson," calls the tour guide. "Let's go."
They obey the command and leave, wondering about their bite marks.
Well, three out of four are wondering. On the huge electron microscope four display screens, it shows swirling strands of DNA molecules combine, detach, and recombine. When it finishes it says 'NEW SPECIES.'
"Hey, tour guide!" Peter calls out
"Yes, young man, how can I help you?"
"I found your missing spider."
The class take three giants steps backward.
The scientist quickly comes over to find the spider calmly in the palm of the hands of the boy. Soon enough it is put into an incubator.
Night has fallen over the city. It has a different character to it, giving an impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. Sirens wail nearby in the somewhat chilly night.
The thirty students pour out of the building, down the flights of stairs and toward the awaiting bus.
Peter straggles along at the rear of the group, stumbling, putting a hand to his head. "Wow, I feel like I got high, like I just snorted crack cocaine."
He looks over his shoulder despite the pain. Gwen and Mary Jane are worse for wear, a sickly pale color. Cindy is nowhere in sight.
As the bus strolls through the city that never sleeps, Harry looks at his best friend who is looking very pale and sweating bullets. "Hey Peter, you going to be alright? You look very pale."
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"What happened in there?"
"Got bitten by a radioactive spider. Or in this case a genetically redefined spider," Peter says with the smile. "Side effects may include the following but not limited to nausea, vomiting, throwing up of blood or the worst case scenario death."
Harry eye widen in shock. "Hey, Mr—yow!" He glances at Peter giving him a death glare despite his sick demeanor. He motions with his finger to be quiet, then to his neck with a swing of the hand to not say anything. He whispers in a low tone, "Are you insane!?"
"Mr. Osborn?" The teacher looks back. "What can I do for you?"
Harry steals a glance for a moment towards his best friend, still giving him a death glare, raising both hands in a pleading matter. Sighing in defeat, he relents from saying anything. "Nothing."
"Alright, if you say so."
"Peter, are you insane or do you really want to die!" He whispers harshly, turning back to his friend. "My father could be sued for this!"
"Harry, this may look bad, but trust me when I say it's for the best." Peter nods. "I know what I am doing. Apart from me, I'm not the only one who isn't doing so hot."
Gwen isn't doing too good. She wants to be left alone in the back of the bus to sleep, hoping for the pain to subside. Meanwhile Flash is sitting at the back of the bus, trying to make out with the redhead, but she keeps pushing him back.
"Come on MJ, you were fine hours ago. Just one little kiss from you and I'll leave you alone."
Stubborn boy, Mary Jane curses in her head. She looks at the blonde and swallows dryly. "Flash, when I say no I mean no. I'm not interested." Weakly, she gets out of her seat and slowly makes her way down the aisle, leaving a baffled Flash Thompson behind.
Mary Jane never gets to her destination to sit with Liz. The school bus hits a bump in the road and she falls on top of Peter.
"Ow," he groans, wincing in pain from the sudden impact. "Help me get her off."
Harry pulls the redhead between the two of them and in an instant she lays her head on top Peter shoulder for support.
Flash sees this and grits his teeth. "I'm going to kill you, Parker!"
Rubbing his hands together, Peter takes notice of his bite. It has turned red and blotchy where the spider bit him. He touches his wrists gently and winces a little. It seems to cause him a great deal of pain.
Parker Residence - 7:00 PM
Ben Parker is watching TV, professional wrestling with the announcer talking very excitedly about the match. "Three thousand dollars, and one thousand per minute in the ring, payable ONLY if you survive the full one hundred and eighty seconds!"
Ben whistles. "Three thousand dollars. We could pay off our debts, May. What do you think if I start doing wrestling?"
May humors him. "Ben, at your age you'll throw out your back."
"Yeah, I guess."
The door opens and Peter walks in, placing his bag on the floor, then staggers into the living room. "I'm home."
Uncle Ben looks up, smiling at his nephew. "Hey Michelangelo. Take a lot of pictures during the trip?"
"Oh my goodness," says May. "I've completely forgotten that it was today. How was the field trip, honey? Did you have a nice time? Learn anything new?"
Peter nods his head, even though it is pounding like the jungle drums.
"I saved a nice plate for you in the oven. We had pot roast with–"
"I'm not hungry, Aunt May," Peter responds, surprising the elderly woman. "I had a small soup … wasn't feeling too well."
Aunt May worriedly comes to her nephew, checking for a fever. She huffs. "Honestly Peter, I will never know where you pick up these diseases."
"Aww." Peter goes to hug his aunt. "I still love you."
"Ah-ah. To the shower, young man. While you're at it brush your teeth. You reek of chemicals. Then it's off to bed."
A mock frown is plastered on his face. Despite this, he does what he is told. Reminds me of my mother. Whenever I get sick she won't let anyone near her.
"What was that all about?" Ben asks.
"I don't know. He seemed rather down when he walked in. Did you notice that, Ben? Ben…" Unfortunately for May, her husband is too focused on the TV with wrestling. "Benjamin Parker!"
"What?"
The young-looking elderly woman sends a glare towards the elderly man. Uncle Ben sheepishly grins at his wife as she shakes her head in disbelief, disappearing into the kitchen once again.
Mary Jane is eating dinner with her family. At the table is an elderly woman in her mid-fifties, Anna May Watson and thirty-five-year-old Madeline Watson.
MJ turns her spaghetti in her plate, poking it and letting it fall from her fork. She has felt strange ever since she returned from the demo from OSCORP Tech Labs. It is like a burning sensation taking over her body.
Her mother takes notice of the strange behavior, getting worried about her daughter not eating; strange as she usually has a healthy appetite. "Mary Jane, honey, you have to eat."
"I'm not hungry, mom."
"Mary Jane, you must eat something. You've played with your food for the last ten minutes," her aunt cries.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Anna. I'm just not hungry." She looks at her mother with pleading eyes. "Mom, may I please be excused. I'm just not feeling it."
Madeline nods. As her daughter leaves the dinner table, both elder women look at the young Watson disappearing into the living room and hear her footsteps going upstairs before a door shuts behind.
Gwen's body feels on fire, everything extra sensitive. Stripping down to her undergarments she falls to the floor and crawls to her bed. Once there, the blonde weakly lifts her right ankle and twists it to the left. The bite is completely red and swollen. She touches her wrists and yanks her fingers away. They are intensely sensitive.
Now drenched in sweat, she begins to shake uncontrollably with chills. She manages to paw with one hand on the bed sheets, trying to cover herself and drapes the sheet over herself. Gwen huddles under them, trembling violently; face pale, eyes rolling in the back of her head and sunken, her teeth chattering.
Cindy isn't having it any easier.
She rips off her top shirt and her pants, leaving her in undergarments; a small, pink sleeveless blouse and panty. She clutches her head in pain and falls to the floor, looking at the left hand the spider had bitten her. It is completely red and swollen. She touches her wrists and yanks her fingers away. This was way too out of the ordinary.
With sweat drenching her, her whole beginning to shake uncontrollably, she manages to grab her quilt and wrap herself in it, whispering, "Please. Make…it…stop…hurting…"
Peter's Room POV
Normally when I don't feel well I become droopy and no, I am not talking Droopy Dog, just down like something is bothering me, yet I can't explain why it bothers me. How does that work?
I don't know, but this I do know. I can feel the transformation taking place. My whole body felt like it was on fire, consuming me yet never burning, just consuming … rewriting.
(A chibi poofs with glazed spider-lens: You could say that I was high and boy did I feel like that. I'm high, Hey, look Jerry Louis. Hey, let's sing taco shack!)
Still, we won't know what is going to happen, so I better be prepared when the transformation takes place and this bug leaves the day after tomorrow. Ugh, I can feel sleep calling out to me, singing her sweet lullaby.
Right before I go to bed my mother always taught me to pray, but I don't think I'll be able to, yet one prayer sticks out to me and that is the Lord's Prayer, the one Jesus tells his disciple to model to pray to God, so I begin:
"Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be your name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is
In Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and
Forgive us of our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power
And the glory forever
Amen."
Eyes roll up into the back of their heads and they pass out. Under the lids, eyes flicker rapidly. A voice is heard in their heads, certain parts highlighted.
"There are more than 32,000 species of spider in the world … the Recombination Lab … synthesized RNA from the specimen to encode an entirely new genome … combining genetic information from all three spiders into these … fifteen genetically designed super-spiders."
Geometric shapes tumble toward them; rectangles, hexagons, octagons, dodecagons. All merging, blending into one object, making sense, like a 3-D spider screen saver.
The geometric shapes suddenly align themselves and flatten out into a center of a spider's web. They glide slowly over the web, toward an insect that is caught at the edge of it.
A pair of fangs comes into their field of vision. The fangs sink deep into the thorax of the helpless fly as glowing green goo oozes out around the puncture wound. The image is terrifying, and both teens scream in terror as they suddenly realize that the fly was replaced by them.
LXD: Another reedit, this time I had help from W. Y. Traveller who kindly responded to my post forum. Sadly, this person cannot co-write this story with me but I am grateful for the changes made to this chapter and I hope to improve moving forward.