Thank you guys for the amazing response I've got for this story so far! I'm so glad you've enjoyed it and as promised, here is the next chapter!
As another note, this is totally un-beta'd so any mistakes or plot fails are mine and mine alone. If anyone has any ideas or wants to take the role of beta I'd be totally happy - the more constructive criticism/help I can get the better!
This chapter is a bit of a filler chapter really before the main action begins - I don't want to rush this story too much. Hope you guys don't dislike it too much (or at all, ideally!)
Peter heaved in a breath as he flipped neatly over the head of one of the thugs in front of him and landed smoothly, swiping a foot backwards. The guy toppled to the floor with a shout and Peter smirked.
"You know, you guys really need to even up the odds. Ten against one clearly just isn't fair for you," he quipped sarcastically, dodging a blow to the back of his head with what looked like a pipe (because criminals just seemed to have these things on hand - the cliche of it all made his head hurt) after his spidey-senses had tingled strongly. Spinning his body around, he grabbed the pipe with his right hand and fired a web with the other at the next thug's face, (who he had affectionately named Rat Face - the resemblance to a rodent was just uncanny) rendering him effectively blind. Peter took a minute to laugh as the guy stumbled around blind, screaming bloody murder which was muffled by the webs. Throwing his hands forward once more, Peter shot out several more webs and turned around to fight the remaining members of the gang, not needing confirmation to know that the guy was stuck fast against the wall next to his other four buddies.
Facing the other members, he couldn't help the full-bellied laugh that escaped him as they attempted to circle him in, each holding either some kind of pipe or knife. He let out a sigh and shook his head, truly disappointed.
"You seriously can't find anything better than that? There's nothing in the thug manual that says "If against Spider-Man, use his biggest weakness - small kitchen utensils", right? You gotta write yourself a new manual, guys. Might even be able to get it published - I hear the cops are looking for some help."
"You're so dead, Bug-Boy," one of the bozos growled, starting to walk towards him in what Peter assumed was supposed to be a menacing manner.
"Oh, that's a good one," Peter exclaimed, laughing outright. "Bug-Boy, so original. No seriously guys, go for it. Look, I'll even use one hand," he teased, placing his left arm behind his back, beckoning the group forward with his right.
A second passed before Bozo 1 came charging at him, actually growling (Peter was tempted to tell him how much he resembled a dog before realising it would probably be harsh on dogs), swinging a small knife at his face. Pulling back sharply, Peter grabbed the man's arm and twisted until he let out a yell and dropped the knife to the floor. It skidded away harmlessly and Peter yanked his hand backwards, throwing the guy over his shoulder. With the hand behind his back, he shot out several webs and heard the thud as the guy collided with Rat Face and was stuck fast to the wall.
The next few minutes was spent stringing up the remaining group until all ten members were either in their own cocoon which dangled harmlessly from a street light or spread out in a line on the wall. The sound of police sirens was growing steadily louder and Peter just wasn't in the mood to be shot at today.
"Now, what have we all learned here?" he began in a mock serious tone. "Bad guys always lose. Try to rob a store, take an old lady's purse, attack women in an alley - you'll lose. Stay in school guys, it'll do you a world of good."
Jumping, he shot out a web upwards and launched himself into the air, swinging his way towards home just as the first police cruiser came screeching round the corner into the small side-alley he'd just been in. He couldn't help but let out a whoop as he swung - the feeling of kicking bad guy's asses was one he truly enjoyed.
Ten minutes later and half way home, Peter's spider-senses strongly tingled once more and he looked down in alarm. Smoke was rising from an apartment block a few roads away from him and it was only a few seconds before a huge explosion tore through the building. Dropping quickly, he swung his was over to the building and landed sharply next to a fire truck that was attempting to contain the blaze. Police, ambulances and firetrucks littered the street around the building as people screamed and stumbled away it. Many were being treated on the floor by paramedics and Peter glanced around worriedly. Two firemen looked up in shock as they rushed back from the flames that poured smoke across the sky as he shouted over to grab their attention.
"What's the situation?" Peter yelled loudly over the inferno. The two men looked at each other before the taller of the two replied.
"Four trapped on the fourth floor and two on the sixth - the explosion took out the lower two floors. It's a gas fire - the whole building is going to go any minute," he explained, voice gravelly from the smoke. Peter nodded, body filling with dread. Making a split second decision, he shot web towards a window on the fourth floor and flung himself into the building.
"What do you mean you want me to recruit him? Isn't that your job?" Tony asked incredulously, staring down Coulson with a look of shock written over his features. Not a lot could surprise the genius (billionaire, playboy, philanthropist) but sometimes S.H.I.E.L.D said and did the weirdest things that it was hard not to be even a little confused.
"Yeah, what do you mean you want Tony to do it? You actually want this Spider-Man guy on your side, right? He's got about as much tact as an eel you reali-"
"Hey, I'm charming, thank you very much. And an eel, really? This eel got you into bed pretty nicely if I do say so myself," Tony interrupted indignantly, shooting a wounded look at Pepper who simply returned it with a harsher glare.
Coulson smiled awkwardly at the exchange before clearing his throat and explaining himself.
"Mr Stark-"
"Tony, please - Mr Stark was my Dad."
"Tony," Coulson began, "the reason we need you to do it in particular is because we think you're the only one who can." At the sceptical looks he received from both parties stood before him, he continued on. "Spider-Man's real name is Peter Parker and he's a teenager currently attending Midtown High."
A stunned silence follow Coulson's words. Pepper's jaw dropped open and even Tony had a hard time concealing his level of shock.
"He's just a teenager?" Pepper questioned quietly, gobsmacked at the information. They had literally just been watching images of him brutally fighting (and only just scraping through said fight) against a giant lizard whilst using his own kind of powers and the kid was probably worrying about things like finals too. Coulson nodded in response, not at all surprised by their reactions.
"A few months ago, Agent Ward and I spoke to him. Based on his reaction we think the easiest way to get close to him is for you to earn his trust first."
Tony shot Pepper an incredulous look, still not quite grasping why Coulson was asking him of all people.
"Look, I haven't got time to be playing house with a teenager - creepy spider super-powers aside. In case you haven't noticed I'm kinda rebuilding my super-cool robots from scratch? Why don't you get Steve to handle this? He's more of the doting type, don't you think?" Tony mused, offering his friend's services instead.
Coulson shook his head immediately, vetoing the idea.
"Look, Agent Coulson I get why you're here but I'm not some soldier that's going to fall in line and get a slap on the wrist when I do something you don't like. I'm here to protect people and I'm not going to do it under somebody else's beck and call. You already have Captain America for that and he seems to be doing a swell job at it so far. Thanks but no thanks."
"Something makes me think that wouldn't be a great idea. You are the best we have for this I can promise that." Coulson stated, unwilling to back down on the issue.
Tony heaved a sigh. "Just how would you expect me to get this guy to just join up to our group? He's a teenager and this life isn't exactly a stroll in the park. The kid deserves to have his own life don't you think?" His comment was met by another smile that was unreadable (Tony mentally rolled his eyes - his evening hadn't turned out as he had planned so far. Stupid Agent and his stupid S.H.I.E.L.D orders).
"You of all people should know that he will have his own life." Coulson returned confidently, not needing to remind the billionaire (genius, playboy, philanthropist) of the fact that Tony pretty much did what he wanted, when he wanted.
"Maybe," Tony replied, still unsure of the idea. "Why do you want him now of all times? You say you spoke to him before - did you and Mr Personality not manage to convince him them?"
Coulson bit back a wince as he remembered the way the conversation had ended with Peter a few months back.
"Mr Parker, we're going to need you to reconsider this offer. Spider-Man is a symbol of hope for a lot of people in this city but many want him gone. You tackle a lot of the small-time criminals that are part of a larger criminal under-belly. We can offer you and your family protection, keep them safe from those who want to cause Spider-Man harm."
Peter smilled back crookedly, mind whirring over everything that had been presented to him so far by these "Agents" who just wanted to "help him". In his experience, nobody wanted just to help you with nothing in return.
"Look, I don't know you and I sure as hell do not trust you. I don't know how you figured out who I am but I'm not signing my life away to some creeps who could be trying to kill me for all I know."
A shrill ringing brought him back to the present and Coulson started as his phone blasted out the Captain America theme. Blushing slightly, he quickly snatched it out of his pocket and answers, ignoring the looks of glee that crossed Tony and Pepper's faces.
"Agent Coulson."
He spoke for a minute before hanging up and looking up at Tony.
"Looks like you've got the perfect opportunity to approach him. Spider-Man just jumped into a burning building to rescue to some people trapped and hasn't come out yet. Got a suit ready?"
Tony drew in a breath and threw his eyes to the ceiling in exasperation.
"Jarvis?"
"Mark VII is ready to go, sir."
"Time to meet Spidey," Tony huffed, putting down his glass and beginning to head to the roof.
"Tony," Coulson called from behind him. He turned, pausing impatiently. "Don't forget - ease him into the idea gently. He's not particularly… keen on it."
"Oh, good."