Shout Outs: Thanks to .owl for reviewing the story.

Responses:

.owl: They were there; guess I didn't elaborated enough but I assure you, spider senses will be in this series just like how they always had been. (I'm sorry but I don't know why your username is being taken out :( )

Chapter 14: The Thrill of the Hunt

Peter eyed the hallways, wearily. He was half expected for the Flash to show up to torture him and rub it in his face along with a heated Liz Allan. But so far, those two hadn't showed up—it's not that Peter was hiding—it was just difficult to explain the situation, given the fact that he was Spider Man.

Obviously, he couldn't go to her and say 'Hey, I'm Spider Man!' Peter was sure that she wouldn't believe her anyway but either way, that identity must remain a secret—other than the fact that Ned had found out.

"So…are you avoiding or hiding?"

Peter jumped with startle as he whirled around only to see Ned, giving him a strange look.

"I'm not doing either!"

"Uh-huh. Which is why you're currently peeking out of your locker as if to say 'coast is clear'," Ned pointed it out.

Peter sighed. "I'm not hiding. Just give me time and I'll explain it to her…er…somehow."

Peter fidgeted, grabbing his pocket while a thought occurred. Tony was supposed to call him back if he had found anything regarding with the Vulture but so far Peter hadn't heard anything from Tony. He wondered if something had happened—either that or he was busy with other things in Stark Enterprises.

Nevertheless, Peter hoped that he would have the answer at least by today, if not by tomorrow.

"Oh, that reminds me," Ned suddenly spoke which made Peter snap out of his thoughts. "How goes the Vulture hunt? Any lucky?"

Peter shook his head. "No. I haven't heard anything from Tony yet. It's…it's a bit unnerving, to tell the truth."

"Maybe he will come by today," Ned responded.

"I hope so."

As Peter closed his locker, there was a sudden loud shout and knowing who the voice belonged to, he cringed.

"Oi, Parker!" a voice shouted. "Heard you got dumped last night," he gloated.

Scowling, Peter turned ever slowly to glare at Flash who was smirking with glee, walking towards Peter.

"None of your business, Thompson," Peter growled slightly.

"Really?" Flash asked, still having the awful grin. "Because it is. It's not my fault that you have no luck with girls," he drawled.

Peter clenched his fists tightly and Ned sensed that he might snap.

"Let it go, Pete. Just leave him be," Ned muttered.

"I mean: look at you. So pathetic and weak—no wonder no one likes you. Uncle Ben definitely showed that," he sneered.

"Move," Peter replied, breathing heavily.

Flash smirked. "S'matter? Missed your Uncle?" he resumed taunting as his two goons stood there, blocking the path.

"I said move," Peter snarled and he roughly shoved the two guys out of the way and began to storm away. He had enough to deal with; he didn't want to deal with Flash and his goons today.

Flash clucked his tongue. "Not very nice, Parker. Boys, I think it's time we teach the weakling who's superior around here."

Ned scowled. "Leave him alone."

"Zip it, nerd," Flash snapped.

And the two boys started to advance on Peter. One of them began to make a move and Ned was about to yell out a warning, however, due to his spider senses, Peter was already to tell the danger and he quickly turned to the side, allowing the boy's fist to hit a locker with a sickening crunch.

"OW! My hand!" the boy howled.

"Enough!" Ned cried out but he got in the way of the punch that was supposed to be the blow for Peter.

Ned stumbled backwards though Peter caught him.

"Ned! Are you alright?" Peter asked.

Ned groaned. "Yeah…yeah, I'm alright. Who wouldn't want a dandy red blip?"

"THOMPSON!" a voice exclaimed.

The group paused for a minute as they saw a teacher walking down the hall with an unhappy expression.

"Peter was provoked Ms. Johnson," Ned said.

Johnson narrowed her eyes. "Be that as it may but fighting in the halls is forbidden, Ned. "However, breaking one of the rules will earn you four a detention. After school."

"Wait, four?" Ned asked blankly.

Yes, Leed. I suggest you get the injury of yours checked out. No exceptions," Johnson replied sternly as Ned was about to argue that it was merely a small injury.

As the teacher walked away, Flash growled. "Thanks a lot, Parker. If I were you, I'd better watch your back," he threatened as he came closer to Peter.

Peter glared at him. "It's not me who I should watch my back."

Flash scoffed and then he walked away with an irritating look on his face. As they walked away, Peter frowned before giving his attention to Ned.

"Why'd you took the attack for me?" Peter demanded. "Are you insane?"

"'Thank you for taking the punch, Ned.' 'Anytime, Peter!'" Ned replied with a fake cheery tone.

Peter scowled.

"But lucky me I don't have detention so I don't have to deal with Thompson," Ned laughed at Peter's misfortune which made Peter groan.

Come over tonight. We found something about the creature.

Peter stared at the text from his phone that was hidden under the table even though he was currently in science class. He hesitated and cringed, knowing that Tony wouldn't be happy about his…current situation.

I can't…Peter texted back. I've got…detention to serve and Aunt May is coming over to pick me up afterwards.

Peter waited for the next few minutes and he suddenly became tensed when he didn't received any new messages from Tony. Peter slightly jumped when he felt the vibration from the phone and he peered down only to sigh.

You got what? No…I'll come over there and sort it out. What in Pete's name did you get detention for?

No, don't. It will only make things worse; I can handle this. I've got in a fight with Thompson. Don't come over.

By now, Peter could imagine how Tony looked like; jaw tightened, pursed lips and a scowl on his face.

Peter, this can't wait. It's important. You must come over—I'll deal with Aunt May. Look: as soon as you finish your detention, come over to the AHQ.

Peter sighed, shoving his phone in his pocket.

"Peter, are you still with us?"

Peter perked his head up to see the teacher looking at him.

"Uh, yeah yeah."

Throughout the day, Peter had noticed that the teachers began to pile up their homework. The only reason was that their exams are in five weeks but between being Spider Man and the Vulture, Peter had enough going on that he had forgotten about the exams until the teachers put a reminder on them.

"Man, I'll never remember any of this!" Ned exclaimed at one of their classes. The teacher decided to have the spare time for the class to study.

"You're telling me," Peter muttered who seemed to be unfocused at the current moment.

Ned snorted. "Easy for you to say; you practically know this off by heart. This stuff should be easy for you."

"But I've still got to study but I don't have time because of what's been going around," Peter hissed. "Add that to the fact that I've got detention!"

Ned raised an eyebrow. "In all honesty, you shouldn't worry that much about the exams. You're gonna pass it with flying colors, no problem—even without studying."

Peter groaned. Ned rolled his eyes until something caught his attention.

"Hey, there's Liz."

Peter perked up as he spotted the brunette who seemed to be giggling with her friends. However, Peter saw that one of her friends stared at his direction and he knew that she told of him. Liz turned around to see Peter but she gave a slight glare before going back to her studies, completely ignoring him.

"Ouch. Talk about a cold shoulder," Ned commented as he watched the scene.

"Shove off."

The bell finally rang though this usually made Peter happy but due to the detention, he wasn't looking quite forward to it. As the class was piling out, Peter just managed to catch Liz at the last second as he grabbed her wrist, making her turn around.

"Can we talk?" Peter asked.

Liz glowered as she shook her hand off Peter, having him be slightly hurt.

"There's nothing to talk about, Parker. What you did was unexplainable."

With that, Liz rotated around and walked towards the door. However, Peter let out a breath and walked towards the door, blocking her entrance.

"Look, I'm sorry. I…there were…things which happened and I couldn't avoided it."

"Like what?"

Peter hesitated, shifting awkwardly in his spot. "I…I can't explain—it's difficult."

"As I mentioned before, if you can't explain to me what happened, then there's nothing to talk about."

And then, Liz walked past by him but this time, Peter didn't tried to stop her and all he could was to heave out a saddened sigh.

In a secluded area, away from civilization was a dimly lit room. The light was shining from the monitors that were placed around and clicking were heard. All of a sudden, a small tremor came but the person in the room appeared to be unfazed by it.

"Have you found anything?" the deep unwelcoming voice replied.

As though the person knew who it was, he acknowledged him without looking up. "No. The data of what you want takes time, Vulture. We need to be precise and accurate."

"Time is something we do not have, Tinkerer. He is standing in our path of ruling over this city. Find him. Find Spider Man."

Tinkerer sighed while he quirked an eyebrow. The boss means well but him having thin patience is beginning to get to him. Tinkerer tightened his jaw as he continued to search.

"He couldn't be more than a teenager, judging by his appearance. He may be a high schooler so he must be attending to Midtown High," Tinkerer scowled. "That school is full of bratty kids."

"Good. Start your search there. Tear the school if you want to," the Vulture spoke only to have Tinkerer's eyes widen.

"You can't be serious. You want me to go to a bratty school?"

"Do not question me, Tinkerer. You will be the one in finding Spider Man and bring him to me."

Tinkerer sighed, knowing that there's no point in arguing with him any further.

"And if I fail?" he pursed his lips.

"Then you shall suffer the same fate as the Shocker," the boss replied uncaringly. "Do not fail me."

"But what about Stark? You said I will have my revenge on him!"

"In time you will but that time is not now. Now, go. You have your orders."

After detention, Peter instantly went to the Avengers Headquarters where he met with Tony at the main room. He stared at his mentor who is seemingly having an intense discussion with one of the employees.

Tony raised his head, noticing Peter.

"Ah, Peter. Glad you could finally join us," Tony acknowledged him as Peter walked towards him.

"Yeah sure," Peter muttered. "So…what's the urgency?"

"We found out where the Vulture will strike," he answered.

Peter's eyes grew wide. "Seriously? Where?"

"Queen's Boulevard. That's where he will strike."

This is my chance to prove myself. Peter turned around as he headed for the exit.

"Peter, where are you going?"

"I'm going after him so he won't bother anyone else ever again."

"Peter! Peter!" Tony shouted as he went after him. He blocked the path and stared down at him. "Think about what you're doing. What you're doing is reckless and stupid. You're going to get yourself killed. And I can't let that happen."

"I know what I'm doing; this is my fight," Peter stated as he pushed Tony out of the way and walked out.

Tony sighed.

"What are you going to do about it, sir?"

"What else? I'm going after him," he spoke as he felt his armor appearing before him. And then he flew out of sight.

Peter zipped through the city, heading for the targeted place. If any case, he hoped that the police wouldn't be there as he didn't want any more innocent people getting hurt.

He finally reached the place, performing a twirl in the air then landed on his feet. But, the police force were already there, already having a barricade. Spider Man narrowed his eyes as he stared at the intruder's back.

"I have found you," Spider Man announced.

The fiend chuckled, amused and he began to turn around only to have Spider Man widened his eyes.

"No, Spider Man," he muttered as he fully turned himself to face him. "I have found you."

"Wait…you're not the Vulture."

The madman grinned sadistically. "Surprise. And to be honest, I actually owe you a thank you. You saved me the brutal search of going to the bratty high school. So I thought, if there was danger, of course Spider Man would come."

"So, then who are you?"

"The one who's going to defeat you. I'm the Tinkerer," he grinned menacingly. "Oh, don't be so down—you'll get your turn with the Vulture soon when I bring your dead body."

Just like that, the man released his weapons, having the streak go towards Spider Man. However, Spider man twisted his body around so that the attack ran past by him though Spider Man widened his eyes as he saw that the power was heading straight for the police. Acting quickly, Spider Man used a nearby car, hoping that the attack would be reduced a little.

He then threw the car so that it was in front of the police and the attack destroyed the target, creating a cloud of smoke.

"You got skills kid," Tinkerer smirked. "And skills like that are being wasted. Why play the hero when you could become a villain like me?"

Spider Man chuckled. "You really got the nerves to actually say that to me. People trust me and besides…being a hero is far better than being a criminal. You're going to be put in jail, Tinkerer so that you won't ever harm any innocent again."

"Oh but you would have to defeat me first," Tinkerer smiled cruelly as he activated his gun again. "Now die!"

As he started to fire his gun again, something had struck in front of Tinkerer, causing him let out a yelp.

"Leave him be, Tinkerer. He's a kid."

The Tinkerer looked up only to grin darkly as he saw who it was.

"Aww, if it isn't the Iron Daddy coming to the rescue," Tinkerer sneered. "Iron Man," he drawled.

"This fight is between me and you, Mason."

The Tinkerer laughed, a cold one. "You still remember me," his face suddenly became twisted. "Mason's dead!"

"No he isn't. He's still there, underneath the armor and the twisted mind."

The Tinkerer breathed heavily as his face was twisted and full of rage. His mad eyes gleamed with vengeance as he prepared to fire.

"NO! He's gone! And soon, you will be gone too," he replied sinisterly as he began to fire.

"Iron Man!" Spider Man cried out.

Spider Man began to head towards Tinkerer but before he could fully reach him, something came from out of nowhere, quickly alerting Spider Man of the danger and he managed to avoid the attack. He clumsily landed on the ground with his feet though he slid in his tracks for a bit.

Spider Man looked up and saw the Vulture who descended to the ground.

"Vulture," Spider Man muttered.

"Now then," the Vulture spoke. "Since there are no need for introductions, let us fight to the end. Let this fight to decide who will become a victor."

"It certainly won't be you!" Spider Man shouted as he quickly spun in the air, releasing his web shooters.

"Spider Man!" Iron Man shouted before he narrowly avoided another oncoming blast.

"You're staying right where you are, Iron Man. I still need to deal with you," Tinkerer spoke, darkly.

Unluckily, the Vulture quickly performed his moves by attacking head front at Spider Man and the two went sailing in the air, twisting and turning as both of them tried to defeat one another. Spider Man struggled against the Vulture's strong grip but he managed to free himself. However, he didn't had the time to allow himself to all down so he quickly wrapped himself around the Vulture so that he was on his back, much to the bad guy's frustration.

Don't see a weakness…guess I have to make one, Spider Man thought.

"Get off me!" the Vulture shouted, irritated.

Spider Man climbed down and saw the propellers that were underneath his massive wings. Getting an idea, the web crawler quickly began to gunk up both of the gears. He succeeded, earning a roar from the vulture.

"You fool! What have you done to my wings!" he screamed.

Spider Man smirked. "I obviously stopped them from working now you're just a wingless bird."

But, the two suddenly began to pick up more speed as the wings were no longer working. Seeing where this was headed, Spider Man widened his eyes, grabbing on to the top part of the wing.

"Uh oh…this isn't exactly what I had in mind…" Spider Man spoke as the two went twirling in the air.

And then, the two crashed down heavily at the sand, destroying the Vulture's wings which caused the wings catch on fire due to malfunctioning. Spider Man coughed from the heavy impact, unaware that his mask had somewhere flew off.

"Man, that hurt…" he moaned.

Angered, the Vulture ripped off the burning wings and due to the light, it lit up his twisted face.

"This is where you will take your last breath, web crawler," the Vulture heaved. "This is where you will die…tonight!"

Author's Note: Oh boy…the Vulture's pissed as hell…but Iron Man came! Only to deal with a former employee of Stark Enterprises—I've read somewhere that Mason (Tinkerer) was once actually an employee of Stark Enterprises before he got fired from Stark himself. Up next is the final battle/saving Queens between the Vulture and Spider Man—and yes of course I will bring on the spotlight for Iron Man :D toodles!