The Extraordinary Spider-Man - Vol 1
Chapter 27: If This Be My Destiny
Buried underneath the debris, Peter found himself unable to move. Barely able to breathe and feeling trapped, Peter struggled against the debris to no avail.
"Help! Please! I can't breathe, I'm down here! I'm all alone! Fuck! Please!" Peter screamed in desperation. "Help me, please! Somebody!"
As Peter started crying, he looked down at the destroyed ground. He started reflecting on his failures since Uncle Ben's death, accepting the end.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Ben."
Peter's tears started soaking his torn mask. As he further suffocated, the pain from the debris only grew more familiar. With no strength or will to even try anymore, Peter lay frozen, closing his eyes. However, he started to hear two familiar voices.
"We-we have to get ou-out of this!" Emily stuttered, panicking. "Spider-Man, help!"
"Fuck, fuck, we're not gonna get out! Somebody help!" Harry shouted.
In another part of the warehouse, Harry and Emily found themselves entangled in a massive amount of the protective webbing. Luckily, the webbing was durable enough to withstand the debris. It was hard to breathe, and Harry and Emily still struggled to get out.
"Someone, help!" Emily screamed.
"M-mom…" Harry gasped.
Hearing Harry and Emily's cries for help, Peter only felt himself getting stronger. The thought of his best friend and his family getting killed, even with Norman's atrocious crime, was a horrific one.
"Come on, Peter," Peter told himself, struggling to lift the debris.
Peter used all of his willpower to fight the debris, doing his best to move his muscles and put all his power in the lifting. He started to make progress, slightly lifting some of the debris.
"Come on, Spider-Man."
The definite scenario where Gwen would be devastated upon her two best friends getting killed was also hitting Peter's mind. It would also prove Captain Stacy and Jameson's points in the end. Peter further lifted up the debris, as he also started to get up.
"Gah! Come on, Spider-Man!"
Peter managed to get the debris above his shoulders, as most of the debris started breaking and crumbling. The pain was unbearable, but it was nowhere as painful as the horrific possibility of Aunt May losing more family. The possibility that Peter had failed Uncle Ben and the promise he made at the funeral.
"Gahhhh!"
Peter finally managed to lift the debris above his head, and with a herculean effort, threw the debris off of him. Heavily panting and sweating, Peter threw off and punched through more debris, revealing the webbing encasing Harry and Emily.
"Thank God! Are you guys okay?" Peter asked as he released Harry and Emily.
"Yeah, now we are. Thank you so much, Spider-Man," Emily thanked, hugging Peter.
"I don't know how we can ever thank you. You just saved our lives," Harry said, relieved and thankful.
"Thank me by getting to safety. I'm gonna save Norman," Peter promised.
Sirens were then heard, and Peter proceeded to help Harry and Emily out of the demolished warehouse. By the time they got outside, Captain Stacy, DeWolff, and a few other cops drove up and got out of their cruisers.
"Captain Stacy, thank goodness! Spider-Man here saved us!" Emily exclaimed, running over to Captain Stacy.
"Emily, Harry, you're okay! You can't imagine how grateful I am!" Captain Stacy stressed.
"Go thank Spider-Man. He's the reason we're alive," Harry encouraged.
Captain Stacy looked at the vigilante, whose costume was severely battered, with scrapes being on his chest, arms, and legs. The left eye lens was also ripped out. Captain Stacy approached Peter.
"So, you saved them?" Captain Stacy asked.
"I had to. And I need to stop Scorpion. He just kidnapped Norman Osborn, and he's gonna kill him," Peter declared. "You have to let me go."
Captain Stacy looked down for a few seconds before turning to Peter and nodding. "Go."
Peter ran and swung off.
"I wonder what those webs are made of," DeWolff wondered.
"It was enough to protect me and mom for sure," Harry explained.
"So, Harry. You're really putting all your faith in him? You think he'll be able to save your dad?" Captain Stacy asked.
"I know he will. He's gonna save my dad and he's gonna beat Scorpion's ass. He's a hero, and I've known that since day one," Harry affirmed.
Painfully swinging through the city, Peter called Gwen.
"Gwen!" Peter exclaimed.
"Peter! What the hell happened?!" Gwen yelled.
"Got buried in some debris. Broke out. Any idea where Scorpion's taking Harry's dad?"
"I was about to call you. According to the news, Scorpion's taking Norman up to the top of Oscorp Tower."
"Shit, thanks! God, I have to save him," Peter said, anxious. "Scorpion's gotta go down tonight."
"I know you're not gonna kill him, but definitely give him the ass beating of a lifetime," Gwen advised.
"I will. He's gonna learn what happens when you mess with Spider-Man and the ones he loves!" Peter roared.
Meanwhile, Scorpion climbed up Oscorp Tower, with his tail wrapping Norman. He made it to the top, and held Norman over the tower.
"You want me to beg?! After what you did to my family, there's no way in hell that's happening!" Norman yelled.
"No. I'm not asking you to beg. My mission's fulfilled after this. Now that your precious family's wiped out, it's time for you to finally learn what happens when you try to fuck with other people's lives for your own benefit. You took everything that mattered to me," Scorpion eerily responded.
"You did that all to yourself by even agreeing to enlist in Hammer's inadequate experiment in the first place."
Scorpion further crushed Norman with his tail, causing the latter to groan.
"Goodbye, Osborn. Say hi to your family for me in Hell," Scorpion requested.
Scorpion dropped Norman from the building. Norman screamed as he fell to his death, only for Spider-Man to swing by and grab him. The vigilante swung to a nearby building and threw Norman onto it.
"Your wife and son are alive," Peter assured.
Norman's eyes widened in relief. "They are?"
"Yeah. They're safe."
"Thank you so much."
"No prob. Now get out of here."
Norman complied, and Peter swung to the top of Oscorp Tower, where Scorpion was waiting. Peter swung at Scorpion, only for the villain's tail to smack him in the chest, knocking him down.
"How the fuck did you survive?!" Scorpion raged.
"You put this city in danger," Peter responded, getting up. "Murdered people. Released all these criminals in the city. You messed with my friends."
Scorpion growled, extending his claws.
"So, this is gonna hurt. And I'm gonna enjoy it," Peter promised, cracking his knuckles.
Peter and Scorpion lunged at each other, throwing massive punches and kicks. Scorpion dodged and countered most of Peter's hits, striking back. Scorpion then pummeled Peter in the chest multiple times, and threw a kick at his face, which Peter dodged. Peter then kicked Scorpion in the chest, knocking him back. Peter shot webs at Scorpion's legs and pulled him down. Peter slammed his fists onto Scorpion, though the latter smacked him aside with his tail. Scorpion jumped and aimed for Peter, who leaped out of the way. Peter shot some web darts at Scorpion, who ran through them.
"You're fucking dead!" Scorpion yelled.
Scorpion threw a few punches, which Peter dodged. Scorpion managed to slash Peter across the face, though Peter returned with a punch to the face. Yelling, Scorpion tackled Peter off the building. As the two fell, Scorpion punched Peter repeatedly in the face, and grabbed him. Clinging to the side of the building, Scorpion smashed Peter repeatedly against Oscorp Tower. Peter shot a web at Scorpion's face and broke out of his grasp. Peter climbed further up the building and shot webs at Scorpion, throwing him against the building twice. However, Scorpion grabbed the web and yanked Peter over, throwing him at a nearby building. Peter quickly swung to the building to properly land, though he tripped. Scorpion landed, scoffing.
"You're pathetic, kid. Thinking you could change this city even a tiny bit," Scorpion mocked.
"I'll always do whatever it takes to protect New York. You're not gonna stop me," Peter warned.
"Watch me."
Peter lunged at Scorpion, pinning him to the ground. Peter punched Scorpion in the face three times before the latter kicked him off. Scorpion got up and delivered two punches to Peter's ribs and an uppercut to the jaw. Scorpion then kicked Peter in the chest, knocking him against the chimney and smashing it. Peter grabbed two broken parts of the chimney and threw one of them at Scorpion, who smashed it with his tail. Peter ran over and smashed the second part over Scorpion's head. Peter's Spider-Sense started tingling, and Scorpion quickly dug his claw in Peter's shoulder. Yelling, Peter fell to his knees.
"Stings, doesn't it?" Scorpion chuckled,
Peter threw a punch, only for Scorpion to grab his wrist, crushing his web-shooter and causing webbing to spill out.
"Shit!" Peter yelled. "You know how much time that took?!"
Scorpion grabbed Peter's other web-shooter and crushed it as well. Scorpion then headbutted Peter twice, and slashed him across the chest with his tail. Peter fell down, and Scorpion put his foot on Peter's neck.
"Don't worry, I'm gonna keep you alive for a little longer. I'm gonna pummel and pierce every single part
of your body. And as you're lying there, bleeding out and suffering your last breath, that's when I'll kill you. Poor little Spider-Man. All alone," Scorpion threatened.
A gun cocking was then heard, and Scorpion turned to see Captain Stacy aiming a shotgun at him.
"I don't think so," Captain Stacy proclaimed.
Scorpion roared, and Captain Stacy shot him to no effect. Scorpion ran over, and Captain Stacy shot him again. Scorpion tackled Captain Stacy, grabbing the shotgun. Captain Stacy managed to kick Scorpion off, and Peter tackled the villain.
"Stay away from him!" Peter angrily screamed as he smashed Scorpion in the face, cracking the helmet and lenses.
Scorpion punched Peter in the face and threw him off. However, Peter jumped over Scorpion and grabbed him from behind, smashing and throwing off small parts of Scorpion's armor. Scorpion swung his tail, though Peter jumped over it. Peter proceeded to rip off more parts off the armor, though Scorpion elbowed Peter in the face and smacked him off. As Scorpion approached Peter, Captain Stacy shot Scorpion in the exposed spot on his hip.
"HAHHHHHH!" Scorpion screeched as he fell to his knee.
"Bullseye," Captain Stacy remarked.
Scorpion lunged at Captain Stacy, though Peter tackled the villain from behind. Peter continued to punch Scorpion in the face, and slammed him against the roof repeatedly. Eventually, Scorpion was unconscious. Getting up, Peter looked at his bruised and bloody fists.
"God," Peter sighed. "What the fuck just happened?!"
"You saved a lot of lives, that's what happened," Captain Stacy answered.
"Thanks a lot for helping me. But why?"
"After seeing what you did back there at the warehouse, I finally saw you for who you are."
"Well, I appreciate it a lot. Thank you."
Captain Stacy nodded. "You know, my daughter thinks you're a hero. So do her best friends."
"Glad to know people actually like me," Peter admitted.
"A SWAT team's gonna be here soon. You should get out of here."
Peter turned to leave.
"Wait," Captain Stacy said.
Peter turned around. "Yeah?"
"I know you're doing this to help, but why? What drove you?"
"I made a promise."
Peter jumped off the building. A few minutes later, helicopters flew over the building as the SWAT team descended from ladders. The team proceeded to aim their guns at the unconscious Scorpion and take him in.
Opening the door to his house, the massively bruised Peter staggered inside. In the kitchen, Aunt May was waiting. Her eyes widened once she saw her nephew.
"Peter! What the hell happened to you! It's one in the morning and you didn't respond to any of my damn texts!" Aunt May yelled, walking over to Peter.
"I got them, I'm sorry I didn't respond. It's just… I took a long walk and thought about a lot of stuff. Ran into a massive crowd," Peter lied.
Aunt May heavily sighed. "That's what happened?"
"Yeah. Sorry, I just really lost track of time."
"Well, you especially have to be careful. Look at those goddamn injuries! You're grounded for two weeks, you know that, right?"
Sighing in relief, Peter gave his aunt a massive hug.
"Thank you! After tonight, I could really use a break from a lot of things!" Peter exclaimed.
Surprised, Aunt May smiled as she hugged her nephew back.
"Why do you think Harry asked us to meet?" Gwen asked Peter as they walked into the school library. "Obviously, it's about his dad but is there anything else?"
"Not sure. Wish I could tell you," Peter answered.
"I seriously can't stress how relieved I am that you and my dad made it out of that alive."
"Thanks. That fight had to have been the most brutal one yet, and I really hope it doesn't get worse from here. You wouldn't be able to guess how much concealer I had to use to cover up my bruises."
"Yikes."
"Also, I really just have to say, I still couldn't be more thankful that your dad helped out so much."
"I'm glad he helped. Thank God you finally have his approval though. You earned it," Gwen stressed with a smile.
"You have no idea how great that feels," Peter said.
"I can imagine. You don't have to worry about the cops getting on your ass anymore."
"It really is good to know that they won't be coming after me anymore. Though I really do need to take a temporary break," Peter declared.
"I know you said the fight with Scorpion was bad, but damn," Gwen commented.
"Yeah, seriously. I'm lucky I didn't break any bones."
"Well, your bones and muscles are much harder and denser than the average human being after all."
Peter chuckled. "True. It makes me wonder. As I get older, will my abilities develop further?"
"Most likely. Who knows, maybe you'll become an Avenger someday."
"I wish."
Peter and Gwen walked over to a table, where Harry was waiting.
"Hey, guys!" Harry greeted.
"S'up, man?" Peter responded, sitting down. "How you holding up?"
"Are you and your family doing okay?" Gwen asked.
"We've been better, thanks for asking. The reason I actually asked you guys to meet me here was 'cause I kinda have an announcement. I'm leaving for a little while," Harry revealed.
"What do you mean?" Peter asked, while Gwen's eyes widened.
"My dad's sending my mom and I to live in France with my aunt and uncle so we can fully recover. He's got some of the best therapists there, and he's gonna get me a private tutor for the rest of the school year. I leave in a few days," Harry explained.
"Rest of the school year?!" Gwen exclaimed.
"There's only two months left 'til the end of the semester," Harry pointed out. "And I'll likely be there until the end of summer. My dad wants to give my mom and I as much time as possible to recover."
"Well, it's good that you're getting help. I'm really sorry that that all happened to you and your family, Harry," Peter apologized.
"We're always here if you want to talk. You can call us anytime you're in France," Gwen assured.
Harry smiled. "Thanks a lot, guys. It really means a lot. I'm not gonna lie, it's been tough in the house recently, but I think we're gonna get through it."
"I know you will," Peter said.
"Though I will say, I'll also never be able to thank Spider-Man enough for saving us. My family and I would literally be dead if not for him, and after everything he's done for the city, I don't know how anybody wouldn't like him," Harry declared.
"Try telling that to J. Jonah Jameson," Peter chuckled, sharing an amused look with Gwen.
"Yeah, I don't know what's in that guy's head. Something else I also wonder. Did Spider-Man actually get his powers from a spider? A superpowered one? Hell, a genetically modified one?" Harry wondered.
"Well, I don't know. Do you think Black Panther got his powers from a superpowered panther?" Gwen quickly asked, sharing a concerned look with Peter.
Harry laughed, while Peter and Gwen forced themselves to.
"Well, now that Harry's leaving too, I might as well reveal my news as well," Gwen revealed.
"What do you mean?" Peter questioned.
"My parents are sending me to some science camp for the summer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. But I can't help but feel like they might be doing it to distract me from what happened. They're also sending my brothers to sleepaway camp," Gwen explained.
"Shit, I'm so sorry. I forgot to ask, but how's your dad been since the attack, Gwen?" Harry asked.
"No worries! He's been good, and he's just extremely glad that you and your family are alive," Gwen replied.
"That's good. Though I do feel bad that you and I won't be home for summer. I'm really sorry, Pete," Harry apologized.
"Same. I really hope you don't get bored," Gwen agreed.
"Guys, don't worry about it. Believe me when I say I'll have plenty to do over summer," Peter assured, sharing a smirk with Gwen.
On the top of Fisk Tower, Wilson Fisk did his work in his office. As he was typing on his computer, he heard one of the big glass windows being smashed open. He turned to see Spider-Man swinging in.
"Spider-Man. There's no doubt you've made a significant impact on this city, but I do ask that you don't demolish my property," Fisk calmly requested.
"The jig is up, Fisk! I know you're not that bullshit philanthropist you claim to be. You're just a criminal!" Peter exclaimed.
"Those accusations are quite slanderous. Instead of just barging in here like an unsophisticated monkey, how about you find some actual evidence? Not gonna happen given I'm not who you think," Fisk scoffed.
"You're not gonna fool me like you fooled all of New York. I'm gonna take you in."
"I've done nothing but keep this city together. And I'm never gonna stop. Not because of some insolent child."
"You think I'm scared of you? I just took down the Scorpion and fought a massive Rhino before that!" Peter scoffed, shooting a web at Fisk.
However, Fisk grabbed the web with his hand, pulling Peter over. Fisk punched Peter in the face, knocking him down. Peter quickly got back up and dodged two of Fisk's punches, and managed to punch the crime lord in the face. Fisk retaliated with two fists, punching Peter down. Fisk then put his foot on Peter's chest.
"You don't know what you're talking about. And you certainly don't know what you're getting yourself into. Taking out all those super criminals and helping out the little guy. Must be fun at times. Definitely has to be terrifying as well. Just know that if you even try to get in my way, you're going to experience a different and very new type of pain. So if I were you, I'd tread lightly," Fisk threatened.
Fisk took his foot off of Peter, and two of Fisk's security guards burst into the room.
"Mr. Fisk! What the hell is going on?" one of the security guards asked.
"This bastard just came in and attacked me! Clearly, I had to defend myself," Fisk answered, technically not lying.
The two security guards aimed their guns at the vigilante. Yelling in frustration, Peter ran and swung out the broken window.
Reporters, cameramen, and civilians surrounded the front of the NYPD building as Captain Stacy walked up to the podium.
"Thank you all for coming! You're all probably wondering why I announced this conference. Well, as you all know, I was never exactly a huge fan of the vigilante known as Spider-Man. Initially, I viewed him as nothing but an anarchist that was only out for his own selfish desires. Every battle he had looked like a bunch of collateral damage and reckless endangerment of civilians," Captain Stacy started.
Captain Stacy looked around for a bit before continuing. "However, I, along with most of the NYPD, was wrong. I didn't realize it until his fight with the Scorpion a few days ago. It was the moment I saw him in the real face of death, struggling to protect the innocent despite the deadliest of obstacles. That was when I truly realized who he was. Not a criminal. A hero. Someone who'll do the right thing, not just because it's the right thing to, but because it's their moral obligation. Their responsibility. Protecting the civilians on the street and fighting off the villains. Scorpion was a massive threat to our city for months, and now he's locked up in a high-security prison known as the Raft. All thanks to Spider-Man."
Some reporters started shouting questions, and Captain Stacy looked around more. "So today, I'm officially calling off the arrest warrant I previously issued on Spider-Man. I'm not asking you to support him. Hell, I'm not even asking you to like him. All I'm requesting is you stay open-minded to his intentions and what he wants to do for us. Because I know I wasn't, and as a result, I didn't appreciate him as much as I should've. Don't make the same mistake I did. Because he can give us something to believe in."
Captain Stacy looked around before finally spotting Spider-Man on a building. Captain Stacy smiled as Spider-Man nodded before swinging away. Captain Stacy then turned around, ignoring the various questions the reporters started yelling.
In his maximum security cell at the Raft, Mac finished listening to the conference on the radio. Roaring in rage, Mac punched the wall, not even making a dent.
"When I'm out of here, I'm gonna skin you, Osborn. After that, you're next, Spider-Man."
In her friend's house at Missouri, Carmilla finished watching the conference. Sighing, she turned off the TV.
"What the hell has this all become?" Carmilla asked herself.
She pulled out her phone and started looking at pictures of her and Mac. She proceeded to delete them.
In the cafeteria at the Seagate Penitentiary, Justin scoffed as he watched the conference.
"Seriously? God, I'm gonna kick Osborn's ass when I get out of here," Justin vowed.
"Oh, so now New York's finest is gonna start publicly supporting this criminal?! Blasphemy! I really thought that the police captain of all people would have the brains like me, but I guess not!" Jameson vented in his office as Betty, Ned, and Robbie watched.
"And here we go again. Peter would love this," Ned joked.
"It's not even a matter of when Jameson will like Spider-Man at this point. It's a matter of if," Betty pointed out.
"You would think that after taking Scorpion down, Jameson would take a complete 180 and change his mind," Robbie casually remarked.
The three burst out laughing.
"What are you all laughing at?" Jameson asked sternly.
"Nothing, sir," Betty lied. "Oh, by the way, your wife called a minute before you went on your vent session. You need to watch the anger. She needs you to take your pills."
"You tell my wife that…" Jameson started to shout before changing his tone. "Thank you."
Jameson reached for one of the pill bottles, prompting a buzz from under the desk.
"Not that one," Betty said.
Jameson reached for another bottle, causing another buzz.
"Not that one."
Jameson pointed at the last bottle, and Betty nodded. Jameson reached for it, only for another buzz to occur.
"Drink plenty of water."
Slowly, Jameson responded, "Thank you."
Betty, Ned, and Robbie started laughing as Jameson proceeded to take his pills.
In Norman's office on top of Oscorp Tower, Norman and Fisk finished watching the conference.
"I still find it hysterical that Spider-Man just full-out went and confronted you without a plan. He really just expected everything to be over by the time he came in. He lacks strategy or foresight, which is why he's going to lose," Norman mused.
"Kid didn't stand a chance. I didn't directly confess to any of my business, though I made it clear as glass what would happen if he tried to fuck with me again," Fisk guaranteed.
"We'll see what happens with him. I'll admit that my plan didn't go anywhere as I expected towards the end, but it looks like Hammer Industries' work with genetic modification is done."
"You won, but at the same time, we should've expected that. Not only because you're just that intelligent, but also because Hammer's just that idiotic. Remember when he tried to manufacture drones a couple years ago?"
Norman chuckled. "That was disastrous. The question is, what do we do about Spider-Man for now?"
Fisk dismissively waved a hand. "After the way I threatened him, there's no way he's gonna try and mess with me for a while. For now, I'll keep watching him. The next moment he strikes, he's hitting the ground for good."
In Tombstone's mansion, Tombstone and Hammerhead chuckled after watching the conference.
"I'll admit. Although it didn't end up working out, I kind of enjoyed having Scorpion around. Not Hammer though. He was a pain in the ass," Hammerhead admitted.
"Agreed. Mac had potential, but he just let his emotions blind him in the end. That's why it's important to only focus on the job and nothing else," Tombstone declared.
"I can only wonder what's next in our war against Fisk and Osborn though."
Tombstone smiled. "We'll find some new allies. Far more qualified ones."
Two months later, after the last day of school, Peter and Aunt May were sitting with Lilly in her office.
"So, last day of freshman year, Peter! It feel amazing?" Lilly asked.
"Honestly, yeah. It's also crazy, given it went by so fast," Peter admitted. "I'm just glad to be done though."
"I can imagine. High school really is a journey," Lilly commented.
Aunt May nodded. "Agreed."
"Yeah, believe me when I say a lot changed for me in the past nine months," Peter stressed. "I remember on the first day of school, one of the teachers told us, 'Welcome to the first day of the rest of your lives.' Since then, I made some great friends, I ended the year well academically, and…"
"Would you like to reflect on that?" Lilly asked.
"Well… as you know, it was especially rough when it first happened. And it still is. But I'll be honest. I have gotten better in the past months. And it's because I've been spending more time with May and my friends, and I've been focusing on keeping my head up and getting through the year. Believe me when I say I found a creative outlet in letting out my anger and honoring Uncle Ben," Peter reflected.
"It's good that you have been feeling better," Lilly observed.
"It is. I really can't thank you enough for the help you've given us, Lilly," Peter thanked.
"Yeah, really. The amount of empathy and understanding you've shown us is incredible," Aunt May agreed.
"I really appreciate it, but you guys are the ones that have been doing the real work. Watching you guys progress and develop emotionally has been immensely satisfying. You both did really well," Lilly praised.
"Thank you. I myself have been feeling better as well. It's been tough, but I've been holding up. Other than spending time with Peter and working, the reminder that he's up there watching over us has been really helping," Aunt May said.
"That's great. It's good that you guys are acknowledging the development, yet you're still not denying the fact it's been difficult. Great self-awareness," Lilly noted.
"Let me ask you, Lilly. How do you view death?" Peter asked.
"Well, everyone's got a different view of it. However, when my own brother passed away a few years ago, my dad said that death wasn't the end. From his perspective, it was a beginning. A celebration of one's life. Even though it's tough to face the reality that they're gone, what we can do is cherish our memories with them and continue to follow their example," Lilly proclaimed.
"Damn," Peter muttered.
"That was just… wow," Aunt May commented.
"Sorry if I got a bit too personal. It's just, I fully understand how impactful death can be on people, and I never really get to actually relate," Lilly apologized.
"Don't apologize at all. You're completely right. Especially with death being a celebration," Peter affirmed.
"Life isn't valuable because it lasts forever. It's precious because it ends," Aunt May quoted. "That's what my dad used to say."
"It also goes by really fast, that's for sure," Peter chuckled.
Lilly smiled. "And as it has, you both have really grown."
Peter and Aunt May walked up to Uncle Ben's grave, with the latter holding a bouquet of roses. On it read Ben Parker. Beloved Husband and Uncle. 1964 - 2014. A tear went down Aunt May's face as she put the roses on the grave.
"God, the amount that's changed since," Aunt May sighed.
"Tell me about it. I think it's safe to say that Uncle Ben lived a great fifty years though," Peter insisted.
"He did. It's just… if he saw how we were doing…"
"He'd be proud of you, May. You've been the best parent ever, and I wouldn't trade that for anything."
Aunt May continued crying as she hugged her nephew. "Oh, Peter! You've really kept me from falling apart these past few months. Just like Ben did when we were younger. I know he's proud of you too."
"He's up there and looking down at us, telling himself, 'I did good.'"
Aunt May chuckled. "Most likely."
"He knows we have each other."
"You're right. Also, remember what he told you that night? That with great power, there has to come great responsibility or something like that?" Aunt May asked.
"How could I forget?" Peter responded. "I vowed to stand by that at the funeral. And I will for the rest of my life."
Aunt May smiled. "I know you will."
The two looked at Uncle Ben's grave for a little before Aunt May started reaching into her bag.
"I almost forgot. I got this developed as a gift. Looks like now's a good time," Aunt May said, handing Peter a framed picture.
Peter took the picture and looked at it, smiling. It was the photo of him, Gwen, and Harry at Peter's house on Christmas Eve.
"Thank you, Aunt May."
In his workshop in the basement, Adrian Toomes continued to work on his project. As he sharpened the project with a power drill, his daughter started calling for him.
"Dad! Come up, mom says dinner's ready!" Valeria called.
"Coming, hon!" Adrian called back.
Adrian put a few more touches to his invention, before going upstairs. In his workshop were a pair of green mechanical wings.
Past midnight, a valuable diamond was encased in a glass container. Estimated to be worth at least $3 million, the diamond reflected a blue ray from the skylight. At one point, a grappling cable lowered to the ground, and a clawed glove started cutting the glass open.
"Pay day," a seductive voice said.
The next night, Peter crouched on part of a crane, looking over the beautiful and busy city that the lenses on his mask reflected. As he reminisced and smiled, Peter got up to the top of the crane and swung himself through it, jumping out with a leap. He continued swinging and made it to an alleyway, running on the wall and swinging through some hanging laundry. He then swung over to the wall and rolled against it, jumping off. He then shot two webs at a lamppost and propelled himself off it, swinging over to a building. He ran up the building and proceeded to swing into the night as Spider-Man.
Likenesses used
Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes
Disclaimer: Spider-Man and any other Marvel characters are created and owned by Stan Lee and Marvel Comics. I do not have any ownership over them.
I would heavily recommend listening to "Promises - End Titles" hence The Amazing Spider-Man ending swing theme while reading the final scene.
Holy shit. I made it to the very end. Man, it's fucking crazy that I started back in February and officially finished this volume up. I really hope you guys enjoyed it! I'll never be able to say this enough, but thank you all so much for reading and staying with my journey. I still remember planning ideas in my head in February, and then I started writing. I didn't expect to get anywhere as much support as I did, so thank you again, and I hope you'll all be here for Vol 2. Estimated release date for the premiere is December 2020 - February 2021. And as you probably guessed, Vulture will be the main villain of that volume, with many more fan-favorite characters to come in.
My life really has changed in the past six months since I started writing this. Like everyone else, I experienced a pandemic where I had to quarantine and social distance, though I managed to get closer to friends. Summer ended up being great, as I did spend a lot of time with my friends. And now I'm here at a four year school, which is crazy. All in the midst of this, I wrote my story for you guys. I'll admit there were a lot of times where it did feel like a chore, as I would sometimes write my chapters at the last minute lol! Make no mistake, I had a massive blast, and it was especially a thrill because I felt like I was running a TV show. I would write the next sequence of events and wait for how you guys would react to it. And writing the story really helped put a lot more fun in my life, especially when things got tough. It was also really fascinating to write Peter and Mac as the focuses of the volume, as well as dark parallels of each other. Also, RIP to Chadwick Boseman. He really did bring the Black Panther to life, so my love and support goes out to his family and friends at this time, as well as everyone who looked up to him. Not sure you noticed, but my integration of the themes of death in the therapy scene were directly dedicated to Boseman's memory.
Just know I plan on making Vol 2 bigger and better than Vol 1, and it'll cover Peter's sophomore year of high school. I'll say it again, but I hope you guys continue to stick with the story. I especially have to shout out what I've dubbed my "fanclub," which is the same group of users that would review the story every week. So thank you, ShadowStrike234, Rollerparty, Fate-Be Changed, Marvel Nerd, Geek4Life, and Teller-Story, as well as everyone who read it. And I hope you guys are all continuing to stay safe and healthy! I'll address the reviews in the Vol 2 premiere, and until then, please let me know what you thought of the volume as a whole! If anything, please tell me what you thought were the biggest strengths and weaknesses! Until then, much love!
ThePurpleArcher24 - Thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoy the story, and I especially hope you enjoyed that final battle with Spider-Man and Scorpion! And yes, The Batman looks absolutely sick. I'll check out your Batman story, and I'll definitely read your newest Spidey update!
ShadowStrike234 - It's been nice since I did! And he does plan on continuing, though for now, I'm not exactly sure when. He never did want to leave it unfinished. And I'm really glad you noticed the horror film take on the Osborn kidnapping scene! I've seen too many horror movies after all. There was also a massive debate going on in my head over when I'd adapt the iconic "If This Be My Destiny" scene, but with what was happening this volume, I decided to go for it. Hope it paid off!
highlander348 - Gwen certainly did help Peter out, though just a friendly reminder that she and Peter aren't dating… for now… or never. And yes, Osborn indeed is a monster, as my goal was to make him truly despicable even before his eventual transformation into the Goblin. I really am flattered at how much you hate my incarnation of him, lol.
Guest - Lol thanks for the correction! Really did help!
Fate-Be Changed - I hope you liked how their conflict came to a close here… for now. And yes, they are light and dark reflections of each other! Glad you appreciated that!
Marvel Nerd - You definitely had interesting ideas! Lol you were always pushing for Peter to go bald! I hope you're satisfied with how their rivalry went here though!
Teller-Story - Yes, he did!
Guest - Don't think I intend on joining a wikia, but thanks! I have thought about writing articles or stuff on my characters and events though.
Jlag202 - Thanks!
-redbird12