Shout Outs: Thanks to MythologyStar for reviewing the story.


Chapter 9: Threats

"Citizens of Manhattan…this is your only warning," a static voice announced.

Peter straightened himself as he glared at the holographic screen.

"Don't put your trust in someone who doesn't know what they're doing. Manhattan, you have a new hero. Forget the old one. He's nothing. He's a criminal. You can put your trust in me…Now, if Spider Man really is a saviour of your small city, then he would have no problem rescuing the boy in time…"

Peter narrowed his eyes as the screen showed a boy up at a high building though it made him be confused as to who it was but he squinted his eyes only to widen his eyes.

"Ned!" he cried out and in an instant, he jumped off the ledge.

He was going over there. He was going back to earn the people's trust. Threatening tears brimmed at the corner of his eyes.

I'm coming.


The rival looked down below, already seeing a crowd forming.

"He'll come," Ned replied as he glared. "And when he does, he'll stop you."

The foe turned around to stare at Ned and sneered. "I'm counting on it."

The police force came a second later, all of them getting out of their cars as they pointed their weapons upwards.

"On my mark—"

"No. Cease fire. You shoot, the boy dies," Stacy growled.

"Spider Man spotted!" one of the cops shouted.

Normally, the crowd would cheer upon seeing their hero but things were different now and they were now unsure if they should be glad or not.

"Hold fire," Stacy commanded. "Only shoot when Spider Man gives the signal."

"Which is?" Lane asked, raising an eyebrow.

Stacy smirked. "You'll see."

"Let him go," a deathly voice snarled.

The enemy paused as he turned his head to the side, giving a small cold smile.

"I was expecting you, you know," the fiend turned around and saw Spider Man in his fighting stance. Upon seeing him, it made him chuckle. "You know what the crowd shows when they see you? Fear. You're not a hero anymore. Everyone will see you as a failure," he hissed as he circled around Spider Man who clenched his fists tightly. The rival walked back to Ned.

"You want to know who will fall? It'll be you. You're full of bitter and rage. That'll be your own downfall," Spider Man responded.

The figure let out a cold laugh though he placed his hands on Ned. "Your words don't scare me. If you are a hero, then you would be able to save your own friend, wouldn't you? And when you're at your vulnerable, I'll pick them off, one by one..." as he said that, he let go his fingers one at a time and Ned felt himself falling while the fiend walked away from the spot.

Peter widened his eyes as he ran for it.

"Ned!" he shouted, lunging forward and just in time, he grabbed Ned's wrist so that he was now dangling.

However, the villain walked towards him and unexpectedly, he stomped his foot on Spider Man's free arm which made him yell out from pain. The brute lowered himself down and twisted his arm, hearing a sickening crack which made him whimper.

Smiling cruelly, the foe went towards his ear.

"You'll know me as Mysterio. Spider Man," he hissed before with brute strength, he forcibly tore off one of his web shooters and crushed it with his bare hand.

He still had the cold smile while Peter heaved with pain and he slightly glanced down. When he did, for a brief moment, he got distracted.

Wait...is that...Michelle...and Harry?

Since he got distracted, there was another blow of pain that coursed through his body, forcing him to let go of Ned.

"Ned!"

Angered, Peter turned around just in time to deflect another blow before he used his good arm to punch at his face and send a kick with both of his feet.

However, as Peter began to attack again, Mysterio grabbed his good arm, crushing it though that also broke the web shooter under the pressure.

Peter growled, realizing that he only had a less than a minute to save Ned.

"Now what are you going to do? You don't have powers," Mysterio sneered.

Snarling, Peter performed a sideway twirl that kicked Mysterio out of the way. Due to having a powerful kick, it was enough to create a small crack across the helmet but it wasn't enough to actually break it. After the kick, he quickly made a small run towards the edge, diving off it. This made Mysterio widened his eyes with shock, watching the web crawler.

"Shoot now!" came the police's voice.

Bullets were fired at the enemy though he narrowed his eyes before vanishing out of sight.

Peter tightened his jaw, feeling the threatening tears that were falling behind the mask.

"NED!"

Finally, Peter managed to grab Ned as he wrapped his arms around Ned's waist and he turned himself around so that he could get the impact.

They crashed through another rooftop, sending fragments of glass with them. Peter shut his eyes, bracing for the impact which came in a split second.

Peter let out a sharp gasp, having his eyes water as the wind was knocked out of his lungs.

Damn, Peter muttered in thought.

"Pete? Peter?!" Ned cried out, quickly untangling himself from Peter's grasp. He feared the worst.

"Give me a second, Ned," Peter groaned which made Ned sigh with relief.

"Damn; that scared the crap out of me."

Peter chuckled weakly as he pulled himself up. The two sat in silence before Ned spoke.

"You would have to be barking mad to do the stuff what you're doing."

Peter gave a dry chuckle. "Well I'm already passed that."

"Y-yeah..."

Ned looked down only to be crestfallen.

"I'm sorry," he muttered.

Peter blinked, slightly being startled. "Sorry for what? I was just being a thick head as usual..."

"But you can't web swing anymore..." he muttered gloomily.

Peter faltered a small smile. "Don't worry about it. We have a Mechanics Department here, right? I'll whip something up. Just don't tell Tony. I think he's gonna ban me from getting gadgets."

Ned grinned a little before it died down.

"So uhm...friends?"

Peter smirked. "Friends," he grinned.


Mysterio stared absent mindedly as he replayed the scene from before. Flashbacks of Spider Man as he went down to save his friend came into his mind. Even if he had no way of saving him, Spider Man went and rescued him, despite the fact that he may be severely injured.

He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

How can someone perform a selfless act? Why does he care so much about those pathetic people?

Mysterio placed his hand over the cracked helmet which he bared his teeth, letting out a snarl.

He would get that Spider and he will be avenged.

Author's Note: I'M DEFYING GRAVITY! I'M FLYING HIGH AND I'M DEFYING GRAVITY—wait, wrong universe XD so it takes something reckless and dangerous for them to be friends again...okay. But oohhh, what is Mysterio planning? Find out! Toodles!