6:45 P.M.
Peter grimaced as the needle went through the gash in his shoulder. It went through his mind that the stitches hurt worse than when the bullet grazed him. He grunted as he felt it go in again.
"Oh, stop whining." Gwen said, "Just feel lucky that I keep sutures in my clinical bag."
Peter smiled. "I'm not sure what I'd do without you Gwen." Peter was beginning to feel guilty. This wasn't the first-time Gwen had stitched him up this week. For the past week, he had been trying to shut down the enforcers. He looked over at the top part of his costume laying on the floor. It reminded him of the time before Gwen knew. All the times he would treat his wounds himself. He had come a long way since he was the kid who got bit by the spider when he was fifteen. Luckily for Peter he had never really had any life-threatening injuries. Then again though peter couldn't really say that he had fought the world's most threatening enemies. Most of his time had been spent stopping burglaries and bank robberies. Probably the biggest bust he had ever accomplished was stopping the chameleon from impersonating the mayor. While these weren't the biggest actions of any hero they had earned peter good reputation amongst many of his fellow New Yorkers.
"All finished." Gwen said as she sat her needle down on the counter beside them on their small table for two.
"Thanks Gwen, how were clinical today?" Peter asked as he stood up from the chair and walked over to the fridge a few feet away. Where he grabbed a carton of orange juice.
The question made Gwen smile. "Mr. Parker, you are the only man on the planet who can take down one of New York's major criminal enterprises earlier today and still find it in you to ask about the life of a pre-med student."
"Well Ms. Stacy you are my favorite pre-med student and I am more interested in finding out how you are doing than bringing up a fight with a guy named ox for unironic reasons."
"You're sweet, if you really want to know about my day then I'll tell you what I can. I got to sit in on a live surgery this morning it was for a minor gunshot wound. I don't think they would have let me watch for a more serious one. After that my day was straight forward. Just a few casts on broken arms, fluids for dehydrated people, and stitching up Spiderman. Just an average day in the life of Gwen Stacy." She picked up the remote and turned on the television. Peter returned the carton of orange juice to the fridge. Peter took a moment to just admire Gwen. Peter still wasn't sure how he was lucky enough to have her. She leaned to the left side of the couch and watched as the news had on a report about an Avengers battle in France. She wore her worn out doctor who shirt and a pair of blue sweat pants. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun and her glasses rested lower down on her nose than they properly should. Gwen had worn her glasses like this since before he had met her in the 5th grade. It was one of the little things she did that he had always found charming. Peter sat down beside her as the story on the news changed.
"In other news, the US government is now looking for a new defense contractor in light of the recent revelation that Hammer industries is in dire straits after the revelation that former CEO Justin Hammer is facing charges for the damages to Los Angeles after a battle with Iron man in Boyle heights. Hammer industries first acquired this position after Stark Industries pulled out of the weapons game some five years ago. Many within the private sector including Norman Osborn and Wilson Fisk have placed bids on the project. Higher ups at the department of defense have asked for fully functional prototypes before they will even entertain the idea of negotiations."
"Well I guess Harry's dad is after a pretty big contract now." Gwen said looking at Peter "How is Harry? I haven't seen him since you moved in with me.
"He's doing well. Last I heard he was on his dad's private island with Liz."
"I'm glad they've found happiness together. He truly loves Liz you know."
"Yeah he does. I didn't think it would work out in the beginning and I certainly didn't Mr. Osborn would let them get married, but I'm happy for them."
"Hey Peter look!" Peter looked to the screen to see his mask next to the anchors head.
"Earlier today one of New York City's biggest criminal gangs was taken down as the Enforcers were defeated by Spiderman while they were attempting to rob the Bank on 15th street. Those who were on the scene report that if Spider-man had not been there then the Enforcers certainly would have escaped with all the money. Currently the gang is in custody and the city once again owes Spider-man a debt of gratitude."
"I have an odd feeling that's not what Jameson is saying right now. He's probably trying to help the sue the police for arresting the wrong people." Peter said
"Don't worry about him Peter keep doing what you're doing and there will be nobody left in the city to who will listen to him."
"Yeah I suppose you're right." Peter said smiling at Gwen. "come on let's watch something more interesting."
10:00 P.M.
Peter was a tad bit restless in bed that night. He wasn't really all that tired, but he knew Gwen needed to the sleep so he tried. All he could really think about though was that news report from earlier and what Gwen had told him. Could he really silence his critics?
Peter's train of thought was broken by his phone ringing. He slowly slid out of bed to not wake Gwen and checked who was calling. The name Connie Gargan popped up. Peter immediately knew he had to take this call and he stepped into the bathroom before answering.
"Mrs. Gargan is everything alright?" Peter asked as he tried to wipe the sleep from his eyes.
"Spiderman thank god you answered! It's Mac he's disappeared. He was laid off from the construction site today and I'm worried that he's going to do something foolish. He was yelling about how he's not going to be able pay the bills. Then he just left and went out. Could you please find him? I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour, but I can't risk him getting arrested or worse. Not with the baby coming in a couple months." The worried lady said into the phone.
"Don't worry Ma'am I'm on my way. Any idea where he would go?"
"Well I don't believe Mac would actually kill anyone and back when he used to knock off stores he would stick with liquor stores. He would say that the government already took enough money from innocent folks. He was just taking it back."
"I'll bring him home." Peter hung up the phone and left the bathroom. He made it to the closet and unlocked the old black trunk that contained his newly repaired Spider-man costume. In moments, he was suited up and creeping over to the window. He slowly raised the window glancing back at Gwen sleeping. He wanted to make sure he hadn't woken her. She had clinical in the morning and the last thing he wanted was to wake her up before then. Peter slid his mask on and stepped onto the fire escaped. Then Spidey checked his web shooters making sure that fresh fluid was in each wrist. When he was finally ready he leapt. Spider-man fired a web line and caught a building. This was his favorite part of the job. Swinging through the city. The city truly looked beautiful from his view and it had finally begun to feel like he was a part of it. He swung through the streets which in this part of town weren't at all empty. The night was alive with people going about their lives. Every now and then Spidey would hear someone from below yell "Look!". It was important to him that the people saw him. To him it had never mattered much the size of the crimes he solved, but instead that the people saw him. That they knew someone was looking out for them. In this world, it was something people needed.
He finally arrived in the neighborhood where the Gargans lived. Spidey knew from previous experience that there was only one ABC store in this area. Sure, enough as Spidey approached it he spotted a man in a skull cap a black jacket and jeans trying to pry the door open with a crowbar. Spidey landed on top of a street lamp and fired and single shot of webbing at the man's hands. The man looked back startled. Spiderman lept down from the light and landed in front of him.
"Mac, what are you doing? Haven't we already discussed this once." Spidey said as he approached him to let Mac free from the webbing.
"I lost another one Spider-man I got replaced because the company was downsizing and I need work. I must take care of Connie and the kid. I've got to. If it means you must leave me tied here for the cops then fine, but I'm going to provide for my family". Spidey released him from the webbing and sat him down on the ground. Spidey sat down beside Mac and started speaking.
"Mac, listen Connie called me down here to get you. She's concerned that without you she'll be alone to raise the baby and then things will just get worse. Mac, you can't get arrested. Tomorrow why don't you go out and walk in anywhere you see with a help wanted sign. Eventually someone will take you."
"I guess you're right. Thanks for talking me down, again. I'll go straight home to her and apologize for all the grief my stupid self has caused." Mac stood up and ran off towards home. Spiderman knew Mac was a good guy he was just a bit on edge. He feared that someday he may have to finally take Mac in which was something he really didn't want to do. He had first met Mac Gargan while he was feebly attempting to break into an old warehouse by the docks. Spidey had stopped him from doing anything serious and had carried him home when Mac told him his reasons for why. After that date, he had given Connie his phone number in case she would need him. Since that date she had called him a couple times. Unfortunately, Mac never had great luck at holding jobs and was constantly reverting to a life of crime. Then Spidey would talk him off the edge and bring him back.
With Mac Gargan out of sight Spidey swung back up into the air and made the return to his apartment.
11:00 PM
When Spidey landed on the fire escape he was greeted by Gwen who was sitting on the stairs to the floor above. He removed his mask and asked her when she had woken up.
"I woke up to use the bathroom and noticed you weren't there. Is everything alright?" She asked
"Yeah, Connie Gargan called. I had to go talk Mac out of getting himself arrested." Peter replied sitting down beside her.
"Peter Parker, you truly are a good man." She said as she rested her head on his shoulder. The two just sat there for a moment. Neither spoke for fear that they would upset the moment. A small calm settled over the city no noises. It was at this moment that Peter noticed a figure moving across the street. He put on his mask and stood up. He walked to the edge and observed. The figure wore a long trench coat and a black fedora. Peter couldn't help, but feel that this looked like something out of a mobster movie.
"Peter is everything alright?" Gwen asked moving to stand beside him.
"I'm not sure" He replied continuing to observe the figure. They were now standing outside of a small banking office across from Peter and Gwen's apartment. The figure took a half step back and his fists began to glow. The Entire front entrance to the bank collapsed with a loud noise. The figure walked into the hole in the bank out of view. Spider-man leapt down from the fire escape to the street below. He ran towards the bank and followed behind the mysterious figure. He could clearly make out that the figure was a man and that they had just blown the bank vault. He decided now would be a good time to introduce himself and as he approached he could feel his spider senses going insane at the last moment he saw the beams and leapt out of the way. From the shell of the empty vault stepped the man. He had removed the coat and hat and stood back ready to strike again. He now wore a yellow and red body suit that cover everything except for his eyes. On his wrists were two twin gauntlets that emitted the glowing beams that were trying to kill to him.
"So, what exactly are you supposed to be cosplaying as?" Spiderman joked as he leapt out of the way of the beams again.
"Oh, wait don't tell me you're the rejected Mortal Combat character that still haunts the game if you put in the right cheat codes." Spidey avoided more shots crossing the room. He knew that he had to reach the entrance to the vault to take this guy out.
"You don't really talk much do you." Spidey said as he leapt to a wall closer to where the man was firing.
"Trust me bug you'll learn that the Shocker does all the talking he needs with these babies!" The man said as the gauntlets began to power up again. Spidey dodged again and landed on the ceiling.
"First off bro, don't speak in the first person you're just asking to get beat up. Second, why do you call yourself the shocker? From what I've gathered your beams aren't electric. Lastly, of all the super villain names you could have come up with you chose the shocker. I mean I guess it's slightly more creative than the evil death bot calling himself Ultron, but not by much."
"Do you ever shut up!" Shocker yelled as he fired another beam. This time Spidey leapt from the ceiling and landed right in front of Shocker. He then proceeded to throw a strike that would have dropped almost any man. Shocker just stood there.
"Shocking isn't it." Shocker Yelled as his gauntlets powered up and sent Spidey flying across the room. Spidey hit the wall hard his head was spinning he knew something was wrong almost immediately. He stood and staggered forward only to be hurled back through the brick wall of the bank. As he landed on the ground Spidey struggled to breath. He was in bad shape and winced heavily every time he took a breath. He could feel blood pooling in his mask and pulled it up just under his nose so he could spit it out and turn himself over. Spidey tried to stand again, but found out that he couldn't He could hear Shockers steps approaching him as he still struggled to stand.
"Hang on just give me a minute. I'm still reeling from your awful joke." Spidey said defiantly as he got blasted over again by shocker.
"Even now you still want to make jokes. Look punk I just decimated you. Go home and never let me see your face again. Otherwise I want to be so nice next time." Shocker said picking up a bag of cash and fleeing down the same alley he had come through. Spidey crawled trying to reach any form of cover. He finally through sheer adrenaline managed to pull himself up and swing into the air. He knew the farthest he could make it was his apartment building. He swung trying to reach the fire escape, but only managed to reach the ledge. He tried to stick, but could feel himself slipping. He felt two hands helping him as he slid up onto the fire escape. He could feel his mask coming off his face. Gwen was yelling something to him, but he couldn't make it out. He could feel Gwen helping him up and through their window. She helped him to the bed and laid him down. He tried to speak, but couldn't say a word. He could feel Gwen examining him. He knew he was in good hands and finally drifted into unconsciousness.
Thank You for reading Chapter 1 of Spectacular. I have long term plans in mind for this story and hope I can make it a long-term thing. I plan on making characters' accurate and modernized while placing twists on the classic stories we all know and love. Also, if any beta readers happen to come across this story it would be greatly appreciated if you could help me out. Thank you again for reading and I hope to have chapter 2 up soon.
