A few days later

After the whole bit with David and the X-men, I got back on the task at hand. Finding out what is going on at Roxxon. Jessica said that she will get in touch with me as soon as she found another lead on the case. So I have been doing stuff to keep busy. It's not hard to do when you haven't been Spider-Man in over a year. I went to the playground and saw Ganke hanging out at the basketball courts shooting hoops. I walk over to him.

"Wassup man." I said.

"Hey Miles." Ganke said passing me the ball.

"Nothing much." I said taking a shot.

"How come you're not out on patrol or something?" Ganke said.

"I'm not sure if I'm coming back full-time yet." I said. "I mean helping out Jessica and David was cool and all, but I don't know if this is what I want yet. Putting the suit back on felt kind of weird. Not like I couldn't put it on in one try or anything like that. But more of when I saw myself in the mirror was I Miles Morales or Peter Parker?"

Ganke grabbed the ball.

"What are you talking about?" Ganke said passing me the ball.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about." I said passing the ball back to him. "I'm not that guy. Never was, never will be."

"I don't get you sometimes." Ganke said. "Look man, no one told you have had to be like Peter Parker since you put on the suit. No one said that you had to be his clone. When you decided to take on the mantle of the Spider-Man, you decided the Miles Morales will be the next Spider-Man. So be your own guy. You don't have to be him. Just be you. It's doesn't make better than your predecessor nor does it make you worse than him either. Your his equal. Even if the world doesn't reconize you like that now, soon the will."

Ganke tool the shot. Nothing but net. I wonder if there was a Spider-Man before Peter Parker? I see Kate entering the playground. Ganke tosses me the ball and I take a shot. A couple lucky bounces before going in.

"Can I see the ball." Kate says.

Past her cute, polite, neo punk and all around feminine demeanor, Kate enjoys playing sports. She can't be me one on one or anything like that. But she can play better than Ganke. I watch Kate dribble the ball around Ganke and make a lay-up before she looks at me.

"What are you guys doing?" Kate asked.

I shrug my shoulders.

"Shooting around I guess." I answered.

Kate took the ball and passed it to me.

"My watch is telling me it's almost time for my show to come on, so I'll see you guys later." Ganke said leaving the playground.

"You don't have a watch." I said. "And isn't this your basketball?"

"Just bring it to me when your done." Ganke said without looking back at me.

Ganke sure can act weird whenever I'm around Kate. Then again I can understand not wanting to be a third wheel. My thoughts are broken when I feel Kate wrap her arms around me.

"Let's sit down over there." Kate whispered into my ear. "I want to talk to you."

I nod and Kate takes my hand to guide me to the bench. I look into the eyes of my girlfriend. I almost get lost in them.

"So, what's on your mind?" I ask.

Kate starts to frown and look down at her feet. Before looking back at me.

"You never gave me an answer about the trip." Kate said.

I forgot about the trip. I mean going out with Kate sounds awesome, but I don't know if I can commit to that with everything that's been going on in my life recently. I want to, but I don't think I can.

"Mies, you're doing it again." Kate said.

"Doing what?" Miles said.

"Losing yourself in thought." Kate said. "You make that same face every time you do it."

"Sorry." I said.

"What's wrong?" Kate said. "Is it me?"

I shake my head.

"No, of course not." I told her. "You're beautiful. You love spending time with you."

"Then tell me what's wrong?" Kate said putting her hand on mine and interlacing our fingers. "Please, you want to help you."

I hate keeping her out of the loop. Ganke said it's a bad idea. Jessica said it's a bad idea. Even Peter Parker himself told me it's a bad idea. I don't want to put her in danger. I already lost my mother because of my other life. I don't want to lose her as well. But I really like her. I mean what if she finds out some other way.

"Excuse me." I hear another voice say.

Kate and I turn around to see Detective Maria Hill standing behind us. She worked the case revolving around the death of Uncle Aaron a year ago. I think she was suspicious of me being Spider-Man. I haven't seen her since then.

"I hope I'm not interrupting, but I have a few questions for you." The detective said.

I let out a large sigh.

"What questions do you have?" I asked.

"There not for you Morales." She said. "There for her. And if you don't mind, I like to ask them in private. Unless you don't mind talking about this to your boyfriend."

I look at Kate. Then my phone rings. I see a got a text from Jessica. It's time. I look back at Kate.

"Miles, I'll call you ok." Kate said getting up.

She gives me a kiss on the cheek before leaving with the detective. Just what is going on? I go home and suit up. When I ready to go, I get another text from Jessica telling me to look up. When I think things can't get any weirder I see the S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier a few blocks from my house.


I'm on the Helicarrier and I see Jessica. I walk up to her.

"Why is the Helicarrier a few blocks from my house?" I ask.

"I didn't think you had your suit on you so this way it's a quick pick up." Jessica answered. "Anyway, we don't have time to argue. Fury should be here any second."

"Actually, I'm here now." Fury said standing next to us. I hate it when he appears out of nowhere. "He's ready. Follow me."

We follow Fury to a holding cell. He turns to us.

"Take as long as you need." He said. "We will be monitoring the conversation though. I called in a favor to get him here Drew. Don't screw this up. Oh, and Miles. NIce to see you haven't thrown away the suit."

He leaves.


We enter the room and to my surprise it's AJ in the holding cell. He's handcuffed to the table with his face down. Jessica turns to me.

"Let me do the talking." She said. "You just look intimidating."

"Oh. like good cop bad cop." I said.

"Not extactly." Jessica said. "Just follow me lead and don't talk."

Jessica sits down in front of AJ.

"Let's cut through the crap." Jessica said. "I know that you know where the head of Roxxon is. Now if you tell us, maybe we could get out of prison."

AJ doesn't move.

"Answer me." Jessica said.

Still no response.

"Answer me dammit." Jessica said.

"I thought coming here would alleviate my boredom back in prison, guess I was wrong." AJ said. "Get me out of prison huh. And what put me right in the electric chair? Or getting set free no strings attached until I get electrocuted to the brink of unconsciousness again? I'll take my chances in prison."

Jessica gets up and punches AJ in the gut. She's pissed. Jessica grabs AJ by the collar.

"I know that you know." Jessica said. "Tell me where they are. Or I swear I'll be eating through a tube."

"Your making me sleepy." AJ said.

"Maybe this will wake you up." Jessica said punching him in the face.

AJ spits out some blood and smiles.

"You make me laugh." AJ said. "Only in the fact that I feel this kind of pathetic."

She was about to punch him again, but I stop her. I have seen enough.

"Let me talk to him, alone." I said.

"No way." Jessica said.

"I got this." I assure her. "This is being monitored anyway. Please, just give me like five minutes with him."

"Fine, five minutes." Jessica said.

Jessica leaves. I sit down.

"What happened to you?" I ask. "I heard good things about you. Why are you like this?"

"Life happened." AJ said. "I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was following the right path. I thought if I helped someone who I believed was my friend, maybe I would gain insight on who I am. We ended saving someone. When I returned home, it wasn't home anymore. I thought if I gain vengeance then everything would fall into place. The ends don't justify the means right? Maybe, the point is I thought my path was justified. But look at me now. I'm nothing more than a statistic for the state of New York."

"You can still find your way." I said. "I am. It takes time. Please help us end this."

"Why should I?" AJ said. "What are you fighting for peace? Give me a break. Spider-Woman's just cause? Ask the people you're opposing if your cause is just? I'm sure that they will beg to differ. I don't know what you're after, but I know you won't find it there. I'll help you. If only to prove myself right. You can find the head of Roxxon at Titan Towers."

"Thank you." I said getting up.

"I wouldn't thank me if I were in your shoes." AJ said.

I never did like how cryptic he could be, but we now know where the head of Roxxon is and we can put an end to this. Once and for all. Jessica was waiting for me outside.

"We got to make one quick stop before we give Mr. Roxxon a visit." Jessica said.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Cloak and Dagger deserve to have a piece of this action, don't you think?" Jessica said.

They sure do.


Meanwhile

A man sitting at his desk began to smile. Taking off his jacket and getting up from his desk, he walked to the window. He looked up at the moon for a moment. He turned around when he saw two people enter his office.

"Mr. Roxxon, you must come with us quickly." One said as he grabbed Mr. Roxxon and led him to the door.

"What is it?" Mr. Roxxon said. "What has happened?"

"It's Spider-Man sir." The other man said.

"Spider-Man?" Mr. Roxxon said. "Is he here?"

"They intercepted Taskmaster sir." The guard said.

"Intercepted, who intercepted him?" Mr. Roxxon asked.

"We don't know sir." The guard said. "Our field agent couldn't get a good enough shot sir. He watched from a safe distance as per your orders requested. However we just recivived word that the same people who fought him are on their way here as we speak. That's why we have to get you out of here safely. With Mr. West no longer acting as your personal enforcer, we are defenseless here."

"Just when I'm ready to face my problem, it comes to face me." Mr. Roxxon said.

"Sir please, we must hurry." The guard said.

"I thought Spider-Man went into hiding and was no longer a concern." Mr. Roxxon said. "What a second...They? Who are They?"

Their conversation is interrupted by Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Cloak and Dagger busting in through the window.


(Switch back to Miles)

"Mister Roxxon, you are under arrest." Jessica said.

"I thought I was going to say it." I said.

"We never discussed that." Jessica said.

"Don't fire until I give the say so." Mr. Roxxon said with a smirk. "Your arresting me under whose authority children?"

Why is he so calm? If I were him I'd be making a mess in my pants right now. What could he have up his sleeve.

"I'm an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." Jessica said. "So um, mine."

When Jessica said that his smirk turned to a smile.

"I'm afraid that I cannot accept that, Miss Drew." Mr. Roxxon said. "Besides what are you arresting me for anyway?"

"Oh, I don't know, how about experimenting on people like a creepy Nazi." Dagger said. "Along with children and who knows what else. How long did you think you were going to get away with it?"

"You obiously have been watching too many of those prime time crime dramas." Mr. Roxxon said. "This isn't like those shows on tv where you make the big arrest and the key evidence pops up out of nowhere. You're going to need some actual evidence if you want me behind bars."

"Well see how long you can keep up that smile when we show you the evidence we got." Jessica said.

Then he turned his attention to me. I know I haven't seen him a day in my life, but it looks like he knows me.

"Little Spider-Man, my intelligence told me you had all but retired." Mr. Roxxon said. "I want to say how happy I am to see you get over your mother's terrible death. But, you should ask yourself if you are sure if you're ready for this level of crime fighting. My condolences by the way. I'm sure that wasn't easy having her die in your arms. All that power and you couldn't save her."

I webbed his face to shut him up. I lunged at him, but Jessica is holding me back.

"My mother?" I said. "WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT MY MOTHER?!

Just who is this guy? Who does he think he is talking about my mother like that. If Jessica wasn't holding me back I would be kicking his ass so hard right now.

"You people have no right to be here." One of Mr. Roxxon men said. "Now you have assaulted an innocent man. One the ground right now."

Oh I haven't assaulted him yet.

"You have no authority over me." Mr Roxxon said once he was freed of my web. "And you have broken more laws in the last-minute then you know exist. Will see whose going to jail when this is over."

"You really think nothing will happened to you because you have ties to S.H.I.E.L.D." Jessica said. "You're done, Roxxon. One way or another, it ends tonight."

"Oh you don't know how right you are." Mr. Roxxon said. "Little girl, you have no idea that is going on here. I would understand if you were coming here to thank me for giving you the gifts you possess. That would have more appropriate. But now I might have to take them back."

"Okay, I have heard enough." Dagger said fire some kind of light squares at Mr. Roxxon's guards.

The remainder of his guards fled after seeing that. Now it's just him and us.

"One is the loneliest number huh?" Jessica said.

"Maybe, but I'm not going alone." Mr. Roxxon said. "You're coming with me. And the worst thing is no one will visit you because you don't exist. One is the loneliest number. But how does it feel to be worst than that?"

"You really need to shut up." I said webbing his chest and throwing him out of the window.

"What in the blue hell did you do?" Jessica said.

"I got this." I said. "I didn't kill him or anything like that. I saw this in a movie."

"What are you doing?" Jessica asked. "What movie?"

"He really shouldn't of talked about you or my mother." I said. "You know the movie. The one with they guy and that thing. Anyway, I'll be right back."

I stick the end of the web to the side of the building. I webbed up his legs to be sure he wouldn't fall.

"You child." Mr. Roxxon said. "You insipid little child. I'd almost respect you if you would've killed me. You're just like your uncle Aaron, you know that. All talk. You know that's the connection between us. I was the one who hired your uncle to break into Oscorp that night. I was the one who set this into motion. It was me."

"You can't be serious?" I said. There's no way he is behind me becoming Spider-Man. It was a freak accident.

"That night he accidentally brought that spider to his house." Mr. Roxxon continued. "The spider that accidentally bit you and made you this. All the money I've spent trying to duplicate Peter Parker when I made you by accident. It's almost funny. But I'll tell you something that isn't funny though. The people in business with me are trying to shut you done. Just like that shut down your father back in the day. Yeah, maybe one day you should ask you father about the old days before you were born. Because everything he tells you will help you realise that everything you done today will dig you a deeper grave."

"And everything you've done has dug you a wider one." I said.

"Is that a fat joke?" Mr. Roxxon said.

"This is the NYPD." We heard someone say as the lights of a helicopter flashed our way.

"You are under arrest." I said.

"Remember this, you are a boy in a mask and I'm a leader of men." Mr. Roxxon said. "You can win all the battles you want. I already won the war."

I jump back up into the building to see four mutants waiting for us.

"Release him and we won't kick you asses." The only female of the four said.

"I don;t think so." Cloak said absorbing all of them into his cloak.

"You have got to tell me how many people you can eat at a time." I said.

"Honestly, I don't know." He said. "And you could you stop saying I'm eating them."

"I'll consider it."

After that Cloak released them and we left before the cops showed. I don't have to be Peter Parker. I'm going to make my own path as the web slinger. I'll save the talk I had with my dad for another time. I am not be Peter Parker

But I am Spider-Man


Author's Note: This is the end of A reason to live, a reason to die. For those who read it from beganing to end, you have my thanks. I know I this wasn't the most consistent story ever and for that I aplogize. For those who stayed on the crazy train, I thank you and I love you. Please Review.