Chapter 10: If This Be My Destiny
Notes:
"Text" = Speech
'Text' = Thought
"Text" = Talking Over Comm Line
PEJP BengtZone V2:
In the comics, Spider-Man having radioactive body fluids has been a plot point. Notably in stories like 'If This Be My Destiny' and 'Spider-Man: Reign.' It isn't always consistent in the comics, but that's why I decided to include it in my story. But as far as I'm aware, only Daredevil's brain has been shown to be radioactive in any way. So I think Toga would be fine if she drank Matt's blood.
No spoilers, but I do have plans for Toga. However it's important to mention at this point in My Hero Academia, Toga can only copy the appearance of the people she sucks blood from, not their quirks.
Okay, let's get into the climax!
Peter was angry. He tried to ignore it. He tried to focus on the mission. He tried to hide it with jokes and quips, as that's how he'd usually dealt with things. But it wasn't working, not this time. Overhaul was scum, the lowest of the low. He sold dangerous and illegal drugs, without care who it might hurt. He'd bribed and blackmailed both cops and pro-heroes alike. He'd framed him for kidnapping. He'd attacked his home and took his aunt, the only family he had left. And worst of all, Kai Chisakai abused Eri both metally and physically for years, using the poor child as a human guinea pig for whatever his stupid plan was.
And now he was going to pay for it.
"CHISAKI!" Spider-Man yelled.
Overhaul and Cronostasis (who was holding Eri) stopped in their tracks, turning to face him. Peter's eyes and Chisaki's eyes met for a moment and Spider-Man fired two web shots, splating on the two yakuza men's faces. Then Spider-Man fired a webline at Eri, yanking her out of Chronostatis's hands and into his own. Now holding Eri in his arms, Spider-Man hit Chronostasis with a donkey kick, sending the villain flying down the corridor.
"P-Peter?!" Eri exclaimed.
"Hey kiddo, you missed me?" Peter hugged her tightly, "I'm sorry it took so long, but I'll get you out of here just as soon as I take care of this guy."
"No! You shouldn't be here!" Eri shouted, "He'll kill you!"
Using his quirk, Overhaul destroyed the webbing on his face, "She's right Peter." Chisakai gave the two of them a deadly glare. "You should never have stepped foot in this place, because now both you and your aunt are going to have to die and I'll have to punish Eri later."
"No! You're not going to hurt her ever again! You hear me, you sick bastard!" Spider-Man spat venomously, pulling Eri closer to his chest.
"Just remember whatever happens next is your fault Eri," Overhaul removed the gloves he was wearing and slammed his hand onto the ground. The ground beneath them began to shake violently.
Spider-Man instinctively jumped into the air, as several large spikes bursted out of the ground with incredible speed. If he hadn't moved, both he and Eri would have been turned into swiss cheese. Spider-Man clung onto the ceiling, still holding onto Eri.
'He didn't even care if that attack killed her...'
Overhaul put his hand to the ground, morphing it once again. However he didn't attack, instead he changed the battlefield. Turning the once open hallway into a large enclosed room, the size of 4 basketball courts.
"I've sealed off your escape. There's no running from this now," Overhaul explained.
"I wasn't planning on running anyways," Spider-Man dropped from the ceiling, putting Eri onto his back, "Not until I've beaten you into the ground."
"Hmph," Chisaki touched his hand to the ground again, launching several large pillars from the ground at the vigilante. Spider-Man moved gracefully around the pillars using his spider-agility, closing the gap between himself and Overhaul. Once he was close enough, Spider-Man fired two weblines at the ground by Chisaki's feet, slingshotting him at the yakuza leader. Overhaul quickly formed a wall to block the attack. Spider-Man bounced off the wall like a springboard, backflipping and then perching on one of the spikes Chisakai formed.
"Peter please, you can't beat him, you have to run!" Eri pleaded.
"And leave you with him? No way!" Spider-Man shook his head, "I just need to get close and-"
'Spider-Sense!' Several spikes enclosed on Peter and Eri from all around them. He had nowhere to escape to, so instead Spider-Man flipped, twisting his entire body perfectly to avoid the incoming spikes, being extra careful to make sure Eri wasn't hurt. All this was possible due to Peter's spider-sense, as it allowed him to tell where the spikes were coming from. Spider-Man and Eri narrowly avoided the spikes, landing on the ground
'Damn, it's too dangerous to fight Overhaul with Eri around. I need to hide her somewhere...' Spider-Man spun a massive web in the middle of the room, blocking himself and Eri from view.
"You can't run, so there's no point in hiding," Chisaki created more spikes to cut through the webbing. Only to realise that both Spider-Man and Eri were nowhere to be found. "Wha-?" Chisaki was confused for a split second, only to be punched in the face by Spider-Man. Overhaul tried to retaliate with a punch of his own, but Spider-Man effortlessly dodged, kicking Chisaki in the stomach, sending the man rolling across the floor.
"You…you made my face dirty again" Chisaki groaned, holding his stomach, 'Wait...where's Eri?"' Now getting a better look at Spider-Man, Chisaki quickly realised he no longer had Eri on his back.
"Now you and me can fight for real," Spider-Man cracked his knuckles, "No holding back."
Overhaul was now even more irritated than before, his face breaking out with hives. He slammed his hand onto the ground and sent more spikes flying towards the vigilante. Spider-Man jumped into the air, web swinging around the spikes, and coming in for a kick. Overhaul created a wall to block the attack, so Spider-Man flipped over it, only to get struck in the gut by a pillar. Causing the vigilante to be sent flying into the air.
Landing back on the ground, Spider-Man fired a web line at the floor, ripping a chunk of concrete out of the ground and throwing it at Overhaul. Overhaul quickly brought up another wall. The two pieces of concrete exploded on impact, knocking Chisaki off his feet. Peter took this opportunity to get up close. From the ground Overhaul sent more spikes at Spider-Man, but he flipped over them and kicked Chisaki across the face. Overhaul rolled across the ground and quickly formed a thick concrete dome all around him.
"You can't run from me Chisaki!" Spider-Man started whaling on the dome, "Not anymore!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
'If I could hit him once it would be over, but he's too fast...' Overhaul strategised, 'But he's infected by heroism, he'll do anything to save the girl. That could give me the opening I need...'
CRACK!
Overhaul's barrier was about to give out, so he sent spikes protruding out it's exterior. Forcing Spider-Man to back off. Peter was about to continue his assault when...
Bang!
Spider-Man quickly dodged out of the way of a bullet aimed at him. Looking to see where it was fired from he saw Chronostasis, who had finally recovered from the web-slingers previous attack. "Get away from him!" Chrono shouted, firing multiple rounds from his handgun. Spider-Man dodged the gunfire, "Argh, I'm getting so tired of you guys!"
This gave Overhaul a chance to search for Eri. He destroyed his barrier and looked for any sign of the girl. The battlefield was covered with all spikes and pillars he'd created, obstructing his view, so Overhaul pressed both of his hands against the ground, returning it to normal. Then he saw her, on the ceiling in the far right corner of the room, Eri was hiding in a small cocoon made of webbing. The vigilante had placed the girl where she was less likely to be hit by one of Overhaul's random attacks.
Meanwhile Spider-Man noticed the sudden change in the room, quickly grabbing Chrono and slamming him into his knee, before turning his attention back to Overhaul. The Yakuza leader was about to place his hand on the ground, but Spider-Man shot two web lines at his feet. The web lines connected and Spider-Man yanked Overhaul off his feet, causing a red case to fall out his pocket. The red case opened revealing several red darts. Spider-Man leaped towards Chisaki. Acting fast, Overhaul swiftly grabbed one of the red darts and threw it towards Chrono, who was lying on the ground.
"A bullet…?" Chronostasis picked up the red dart. This dart contained the perfected version of Overhaul's quirk destroying drug. They had just managed to finish it a few hours before they were attacked. As long as they had this drug and Eri, it didn't matter what anyone did to them, the Shie Hassaikai would rise again.
"On the ceiling!" Overhaul screamed as he took another hit from Spider-Man.
Chronostasis looked to the ceiling and spotted Eri, hiding in webbing. He knew what he had to do, his boss made it obvious. He loaded the bullet into his gun and pulled the trigger.
BANG!
Peter's Spider-Sense activated and everything slowed down. Sensing his surroundings he could tell that Chronostatsis fired his gun. But he didn't fire it at him this time. No he had fired at someone else. Then the realization hit him.
"NO!" Spider-Man screamed, turning around Peter shot a web line and zipped towards Eri. The red bullet sailed through the air headed straight towards the young girl. Eri's eyes went wide, before clenching shut. Bracing herself for the pain that comes with death...but no pain came. Eri opened her eyes to see the bright red mask of Spider-Man. Peter hugged the young girl, holding on to her tightly. Then he felt something hit his back and a spike of pain. Spider-Man fell from the ceiling, pulling Eri down along with him. The young girl landed on top of the vigilante, breaking her fall and protecting her from any harm the fall might have caused. Spider-Man on the other hand was unresponsive.
"P-Peter?" Eri shook Spider-Man, "A-Are you okay?! What happened?!"
"HAHAHAHA!" Overhaul laughed maniacally, "Don't you see Eri? I told you before that you're cursed. You're only good at destroying people. And now you've destroyed your precious heroes quirk for good!"
"Man, can you just shut the hell up," Spider-Man picked up Eri off himself and put her down on the ground beside him. Then the vigilante got back to his feet
"That wasn't very hero-like. It seems you've been cured of that disgusting heroism of yours!" said Overhaul, "You see, Quirks are a disease, making people have dreams, believing that they can actually be something! If quirks didn't exist then the world would be free heroes and villains! And now with Eri I can accomplish that dream, and the Shie-"
WHAM!
Spider-Man punched Overhaul across the face.
"Are you kidding me?!" Spider-Man kneed Chisaki in the gut, "That's the reason, you're doing all of this!"
"W-What?! How?!" Overhaul stumbled backwards, clutching his stomach.
"You've done so many unforgivable, disgusting, horrific things," Spider-Man fired a barrage of webbing at both Overhaul and Chronostasis, "All because you're an idiot, who doesn't understand how the world works!"
"This can't-This isn't possible!" Overhaul struggled as his whole body was wrapped up in webbing, falling to the ground. From the floor, he could now see that Chronostasis was also trapped in webbing on the floor.
"I could at least understand wanting money or power," Spider-Man walked slowly towards Chisaki "I could at least feel bad for you if you had a tragic backstory or something, but you're just determined to piss me off"
"Y-Your quirk! It should have been destroyed! It should be gone forever!" Chisaki writhed on the ground.
"Well I'll let you in on a little secret Chisaki, I don't have a quirk!" Spider-Man taunted.
"..." Overhaul gasped, his eyes going wide.
That one line stunned him. How could this be possible? How could someone this powerful not have a quirk? How could he have all the symptoms of the disease, but not the disease itself?...Why was this happening to him? Overhaul looked over at Eri, she was sitting on the ground, still terrified. Of course, it was her. It was her fault this was happening. If she didn't disobey him, if she hadn't run away, he'd never end up like this. He should have realized it sooner.
Overhaul destroyed the webbing holding him and got on his knees, "You've been a bad girl Eri!" Chisaki raised up his right hand, "And now you'll pay!" Overhaul swung his arm downwards, only for it to be stopped mid air.
Spider-Man had caught his forearm, "I told you before, you're never going to hurt her again."
Then Spider-Man squeezed.
CRUNCH!
"GRRAAAAHHHHH!" Overhaul screamed in stumbled backwards, clutching his now broken arm. His face was covered in sweat and hives, his breathing was erratic.
"That one was for Eri," Spider-Man stated. Peter was usually against using excessive force on criminals, but right now, he didn't care. He had to make Overhaul suffer what he'd done. But before he could attack further Peter felt something grab onto his leg. Looking down he saw it was Eri.
"Peter please stop, you're scaring me," Eri held onto him tightly.
"What-But I…" Spider-Man was completely taken back by that remark. He didn't know what to say.
While he was distracted, Overhaul quickly destroyed and restored his damaged arm. At this point he only had one option left, one final trick up his sleeve. Overhaul reached into his pocket and pulled out a syringe containing his quirk-enhancing drug. Overhaul considered himself above using something like this, but he had been backed into a corner. Chisaki gribbed the syringe and stabbed it into his neck.
WHOOSH!
"HHAAAAA!" Overhaul screamed, as he began to glow with a purple aura. Spider-Man and Eri were being blown back by sheer force of the wind being generated from the yakuza leader.
"I'm honest to admit that you're stronger than me Spider-Man," Overhaul stood menacing, now fully healed, "But now it's over for you."
Overhaul took a step forward.
Spikes erupted from the ground, walls and ceiling, all heading towards Spider-Man and Eri. The vigilante picked up the little girl and moved. Spider-Man jumped over the spikes coming from below, then web zipped to his right to avoid spikes coming from the ceiling. However the spikes changed directions, curving and stabbing him in the arm.
"Peter!" Eri cried out.
"Argh!" Peter yelped out in pain for a moment, before quickly moving again as more spikes chased after him. Normally the spikes Overhaul made moved on a fixed path and didn't move afterwards. But now it was like the spikes were sentient, chasing after him and trying to corner him.
"I don't know how someone like you can exist without a quirk," Overhaul said camly, "So once I kill you, I'll have to dissect you and find out."
Spider-Man shot a webline to the ceiling, but it was swiftly cut by a spike, sending Spider-Man and Eri flying into more spikes. Spider-Man twisted his body to avoid the oncoming spikes, grazing his knee against the sharp concrete. Spider-Man was fast and his Spider-Sense could warn him of danger, but when facing an onslaught of homing attacks like this, there was little he could do.
"Running away isn't going to work, I need to counterattack!' Spider-Man stuck himself to the side of one of the spikes, holding onto Eri with one hand. Then as the other spikes closed in on him he jumped off. The spikes collided with each other breaking into pieces. Using his webs Spider-Man grabbed a chunk of the broken spike and threw it at Overhaul.
The yakuza leader made no effort to dodge, instead he simply held out his hand. The instant the piece of concrete touched his fingertips, it exploded into dust.
"Not good enough," said Overhaul.
'Damn!' Spider-Man cursed, before he was stabbed in the side by a spike. Spider-Man quickly pulled himself off the spike. 'Gah! I can't stop moving for even a second."
"O-Overhaul?" Chronostasis called out, still webbed to the floor.
"Oh Chrono I forgot you were here, you can go now," Overhaul cut the webbing holding Chrono and opened up an exit in the wall, "I don't want you getting in my way."
"...yes sir," Chronostatsis got to his feet and left through the exit, which closed behind him.
Meanwhile Spider-Man was sweating trying to evade all the spikes chasing after him. Along with the injuries he received beforehand, the vigilante was bleeding from multiple locations now. He couldn't keep this up for much longer.
'Peter's really hurt," the young girl thought to herself, 'Maybe I could-No! I'd only kill him...'
Another spike came flying at Spider-Man, but instead of dodging Spider-Man smashed it to pieces with his bare hands.
BOOM!
'Screw it! I'll do this the hard way!' Spider-Man webbed up his fists. Spider-Man launched off the broken pillar, heading towards Overhaul while smashing every pillar that came his way. This method was very tiring but effective. In a few seconds Spider-Man managed to close the gap between himself and Overhaul. Spider-Man unleashed a massive punch at Overhaul, who didn't even flinch as he brought up a wall to block the attack. Predicting this, Spider-Man sidestepped around the wall and fired webbing, hitting Overhaul in the face. Attempting to capitalize on his opponents lack of sight, Spider-Man launched himself at his foe. Then his Spider-Sense rang, but it was too late.
Splitch!
Spider-Man was stopped mid-air. Looking down Peter realised he'd been impaled in the stomach by a smaller spike from the ground. His Blood dripped onto the floor.
"Ah-Ah…" Spider-Man winced in pain
"No!" Eri yelled.
"Your movements have become really predictable" Overhaul destroyed the webbing on his face, "This is the end."
Overhaul reached his hand towards Spider-Man's face. Peter's Spider-Sense was going crazy. Thinking quickly, Spider-Man smashed the pillar that impaled him, and kicked Overhaul in the stomach. The yakuza leader was sent flying off his feet, but as soon as his hand touched the floor, the ground morphed to create a chair to catch him. Spider-Man ripped out the remainder of the concrete spike from his body. Peter was at his limit. He couldn't fight for any longer. Which meant he had to rely on his backup plan. It was risky, but if he didn't have a choice.
"Knuckleduster...huff...activate Plan B" Spider-Man said into comm.
"You sure?" said Knuckleduster.
"Do it now!" Peter yelled.
"Roger!" Iwao confirmed.
"What are you-" Chisaki tried questioning, but was cut off.
KABOOM!
Several explosions went off around the Shie Hassaikai building. The devices Koichi was placing all around the building were stolen Stark Tech repulsor bombs. Unlike regular explosives, these bombs used arc-reactor technology and were more controllable, making them perfect for demolition. The team predicted that they might have difficulties escaping from the underground base, so they planted these bombs to create their own exits. However this plan came with some risks, for one there was a chance some of the yakuza men could be killed or seriously hurt in the explosion. Secondly, the bombs could potentially destroy incriminating evidence that they need. And finally, after the bombs went off it wouldn't take long for the police and pro-heroes arrived on the scene. For all these reasons, the team decided to use Plan B as a last resort.
Large holes were now in the ground all around the Shie Hasaki building. Allowing the yakuza men above to peer into the base below and vise-versa. More importantly, a large hole was created in the ceiling of the room where Spider-Man and Eri were. They were pretty far underground, so the hole was more like a large tunnel. Looking up, Spider-Man could see the night sky and trees from the courtyard.
"Hang on Eri!" Spider-Man jumped into the air.
"No! No! No!" Overhaul screamed. He had him. There was no way he was going to let things end this way. "I WON'T LET YOU GET AWAY!" Overhaul smashed both hands on the ground.
"C'mon! C'mon!" Spider-Man swung towards the hole, only for the ceiling above to begin shaking rapidly.
RUMBLE!
Cracks formed in the ceiling and chunks of concrete falling down on the vigilante. Spider-Man maneuvered around the falling debris, trying to reach the hole. Then his Spider-Sense warned him of danger from above. Look up, Spider-Man saw a humongous chunk of the ceiling about to fall on him.
"YOU'RE MINE!" Overhaul screeched.
Spider-Man grabbed Eri, shielding her as the piece of the ceiling fell upon them.
BOOM!
The giant chunk of concrete hit the ground, with more of the ceiling falling down on top, creating a massive pile of concrete and rubble. Overhaul's desperation attack also broke several underground pipes and wires in the process. Causing water to begin flowing into the large room.
"Haha, I did it," Overhaul panted heavily, falling to his knees, "Just in time too, looks like the drug wore off."
Looking to his left he saw Rikiya's unconscious body on the floor, buried under some rubble. Rikiya must have been in the courtyard, then fell down when he destroyed the ceiling. Speaking of the ceiling, it was completely gone. Now piled on top the corpses of Spider-Man and Eri. Spider-Man was strong, but there was no way he could survive an attack like that.
"Farewell Peter Parker..." under his mask, Overhaul smiled.
Earlier,
Daredevil had been too late. By the time he reached Eri and Overhaul's location, the latter had sealed himself in with Spider-Man. Daredevil could sense that Overhaul had injected himself with his quirk-enhancing drug and currently had Spider-Man on the ropes. Things weren't looking good for Peter.
"Dammit!" Daredevil punched the concrete wall. Matt might have made it in time, if Overhaul's men, especially Mimic, hadn't slown him down. All of the sudden Daredevil sensed that one of the walls in the sealed room was opening up. Knowing this might be his only chance to get in, Matt took off. He arrived at the wall with the entrance in it and sensed a man walking through it. Despite wearing a mask and hood, Daredevil could tell he had arrow-shaped hair. That would make him Chronostasis.
"Another intruder?" Chronostasis pulled out his gun, "I won't let you get in the bosses way."
'This guy has a dangerous quirk, I have to be careful…'
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Chrono fired his gun, but Daredevil parried the bullets with his billy club. Daredevil spilt his club apart and charged in. Chronostasis swapped his gun for a knife. Daredevil swung one club at Chrono, who blocked it with his knife. Daredevil followed up with the other club, but Chrono barely dodged out of reach. Chrono sliced at the vigilante, but Daredevil parried with one club and poked him in the stomach with the other. Chrono was sent stumbling backwards, Daredevil ran forwards and kicked at Chrono, but the yakuza man sidestepped the attack and punched Daredevil in the face. Matt was pushed backwards but relatilated by punching Chrono in his side, followed up with a kick to the face.
Chrono was knocked off his feet, rolling on the floor to gain distance. Still on the ground, the yakuza thug pulled out his gun and unloaded his remaining ammo. Daredevil flipped over the bullets and slammed his heel into Chrono's skull. Unfortunately this gave Chrono the perfect opportunity to use his quirk. Two arrows, one short and the other long, came flying out of Chrono's hood. Matt twisted his body to dodge the short arrow, but was grazed by the long one.
Daredevil felt the effects immediately, his movements were beginning to slow down. Matt quickly backed off from Chrono and put his billy club back together.
"I must admit your skill is impressive," Chronostasis took off his mask, "But my quirk is too much for you. Your movements have already slowed to a snail's pace."
Chronostasis casually walked towards the vigilante. He would hit Daredevil with his short arrow to slow him down for an hour, just to be careful. Then after that he would finish him off.
THUNK!
Choronstatsi was hit in the side of the head, stumbling to his side. "How?" The yakuza men rubbed his head. Daredevil had fired his billy club grappling hook, ricocheting off the wall and hitting Chromo. While his body's movement had slowed, he was still fast enough to aim and fire his billy club.
"Nice trick, but it won't work again," Chrono ran at Daredevil, who fired his billy club at the ground, bouncing off it and hitting Chronostasis in the stomach. "Argh, that's enough!" Chronostasis yelled, sprinting towards the vigilante. Daredevil fired his billy club again, but this time the yakuza man parried the attack with his knife and then sliced Daredevil in the chest. Making Daredevil fall to the ground and dropping his billy club.
"You're quite resilient," Chrono stepped on Matt's chest, "But you're just delaying in inevitable"
KABOOM!
Before Chronostatsis could finish off the vigilante, the ground shook from the force of several explosions going off in the area. Chronostasis fell to his knees, looking up the yakuza man saw that, aside from some moonlight from the large hole in the ceiling above him, the hallway was now very dark and he could see very little.
"That explosion must have knocked out the lights in the area," Chronotasis rubbed his head, "That had to have been Kai, right?" Chrono shook his head, 'Focus, you have more pressing matters at the moment.'
The yakuza man looked around the dark hallway for the downed vigilante, but couldn't find anything.
Daredevil was gone.
'Dammit, my quirk definitely has worn off by now…' Chrono looked around his surroundings, 'I can't see him, but that means he can't see me either.'
WHAM!
Daredevil punched Chronostasis across the face, before returning to the darkness.
"Hmph," Chrono got into a fighting stance, he'd gotten lucky with that last attack, but it wouldn't happen again.
Then Chrono felt something wrap around his leg, next thing he knew he was yanked off his feet and dragged further into the darkness. After a few seconds, Chrono freed his leg from what he presumed was Daredevil's club and got to his feet. Unfortunately he now had a bigger problem, before the moonlight allowed him to see a little, but now it was so dark he couldn't see his hands in front of him.
"What's wrong? Scared of the dark..." Daredevil's voice echoed through the hall.
"Show yourself!" Chrono looked desperately for any movement, sweat dripping down his face.
"The fear you feel right now is nothing compared to fear of the innocent child you tortured for years."
"I'll do anything for the benefit for the Shie Hassaikai!" Chronostasis shouted.
"Then I hope you're willing to go to hell for it too."
Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw the faintest sight of red. 'There!' Chrono launched the long hair arrow into the darkness, praying that it hit it's target.
His prayer went unanswered.
Daredevil dodged the hair, then unleashed an onslaught of attacks against the yakuza member, not giving Chronostasis a single opportunity to relatlate. Then Daredevil finished off Chrono with a final uppercut to the jaw.
"Count your blessings that you happened to cross paths with me and not someone like Frank Castle," Daredevil said to the unconscious body.
BOOM!
Daredevil turned around instantly after hearing that sound, knowing exactly what happened to Peter and Eri.
'Dammit!' Daredevil clenched his fist.
Buried under well over a hundred tons of concrete and rubble, Peter Parker was still alive, though barely. He was currently on all fours, holding up a humongus chunk of concrete, the size of a train car and was struggling to not collapse under its immense weight. It didn't help that he also had been impaled in the gut by a long piece of rebar sticking up from the ground and was in serious pain. And to top it all off, Overhaul's attack had broken some water pipes, filling the room with water. It was a matter of minutes before he was submerged underwater. So either he died of blood loss, the concrete crushed him or he drowned.
The worst part of it all, it was his fault. He had failed, just when it counted the most. He failed.
There was one very small piece of good news. Eri, who was only a few centimeters in front of him, had fared much better than him and was relatively unharmed but unconscious. However Eri was still in risk of drawing in the rising waster or being crushed to death by the giant pile of concrete.
"Dammit, I have to lift this thing off me or we're both going to die!" Spider-Man strained himself to lift, "Uhhhh-I can't! I'm so exhausted...Maybe if I took a little nap-No! I have to focus!"
Peter looked at the unconscious girl in front of him, "Eri...she's right here in front of me, but I can't do anything to help her..."
Spider-Man slammed his fist against the ground, the water rising even higher, "I should have listened to her, I should have just grabbed her and got out of there. But I was too angry and..."
He wanted Overhaul to pay, he wanted him to suffer for the things he did to Eri. He wanted revenge. He'd let his desire to hurt Overhaul overpower his responsibility of saving Eri. And now because of it, they were both going to-
"No! I refuse to let anymore people I love die because of my selfishness," Spider-Man clenched his fist, "It can't happen a second time! I won't let it! I won't!"
Spider-Man pushed himself up, "No matter the odds! No matter the cost! I will save Eri!"
"Argh! This hurts so much!" Spider-Man pushed harder, "C'mon spider powers, I need you to give me everything you got!"
"The weight is unbearable, every muscle aches!" Spider-Man managed to push himself off the rebar, "Ugh! My head's spinning…gotta keep pushing..."
Spider-Man got to his knees, "I'm going to do it! I'm going to lift this and I'm going to save Eri! I will!"
"Arrrgh! Everything's going black...," Spider-Man's entire body was trembling but he pushed even further, "One more push, I just need one more push!
The pile of rubble shook, as Spider-Man lifted it higher and higher, "Almost there, have to dig deeper! Go beyond..."
"PLUS ULTRA!" Spider-Man screamed, throwing the entire pile of concrete off himself and Eri. From out of pain. From out of agony. Comes Triumph!
Chisaki was left speechless. He had buried Spider-Man in what had to be over 100 tons of concrete, rubble and debris. He had never shown that level of power before. With that kind of strength, he could have...
Overhaul thought back on every moment Spider-Man had landed a punch on him, 'He's been holding back this entire time?!'
While Overhaul was filled with dread at that realization, Spider-man was more focused on Eri. He picked her up before the water got too high and placed her on top of a piece of concrete.
"C'mon Eri, wake up, wake up..." Peter, who was still on the verge of passing out, gently slapped the girl cheek.
"...P-Peter?' Eri opened her eyes.
"Yeah...it's me," Peter rubbed Eri's head, "Thank goodness, you...huff...you had me worried there for a moment."
Eri gazed upon Spider-Man's damaged and bloody costume,"Y-You're hurt, you're really hurt!" She began tearing up.
"Heh...yeah...I know...I should have listened to you earlier...I'm sorry," Peter apologised.
"I-It's okay…" the young girl hugged the vigilante. Eri closed her eyes and focused. She knew what she had to do, doing it might kill him, but if she did nothing he was guaranteed to die. Eri's horn began to glow with a magicnicent yellow aura, then Peter's body began to glow the same.
"...Eri? What are you-" Spider-Man stopped, the yellow aura around Eri's horn disappearing. Peter suddenly felt completely revitalised, looking down at his body his wounds were completely gone. Aside from his costume, it was like he was never hurt in the first place.
"You did it...you did it!" Spider-Man picked up the girl, raising her into the air triumptly, "You used your quirk Eri!"
"Y-You're really okay?" Eri cried happily.
"I'm more than okay, I feel amazing, spectacular even!" Spider-Man cheered, "I told you before remember? Your quirk is incredible!"
"No! That can't be! How?! How did you get her to control her quirk?!" Overhaul fumed, "I've tried for YEARS to train her to use it! What did you do?!"
"Who knows? Maybe she likes me more than you," Spider-Man taunted, "So what do you say Chisikai, ready to give up? The police will be here in minutes and I'm assuming by the desperate expression on your face that the drug has worn off."
"No! I'm not letting my dream die here!" Overhaul stomped the ground, splashing the water.
"Your dumb dream," Spider-Man quipped."
"Argh! Shut up! Can you just shut up?! You are the most infuriating person I've met in my life!" Overhaul shook with anger, "I'll show you! I'll prove your heroism is a disease!"
Overhaul put his hands under the water and touched the floor. Spider-Man prepared for an incoming attack, however Chisikai used his quirk to launch Rikiya, who was still unconscious, flying towards him.
"Rikiya, you'll die for my dreams right?" Overhaul grabbed Rikiya with one hand and touched his own body with the other. The two exploded and began to fuse together into one being.
"Chisaki, what have you done..." Spider-Man looked at Overhaul in disgust. To put it simply Overhaul turned himself into a horrific monster. He was humongous, almost reaching the courtyard above, had a body that resembled a stone structure with red skin, a tail, and multiple appendages with clawed hands on the ends of them. Most disturbing of all, in the area where it's head should have been, Overhaul's normal torso was sticking out.
"You've continued to surprise me Parker," said Overhaul, "To think a vigilante of all people would push me this far."
"You're sounding pretty confident for someone who looks like they crawled straight out of Dark Souls," Spider-Man joked while backing himself and Eri away from the monster.
"You can mock me all you want, it won't change anything" said Overhaul, "All your work has been for nothing. You will die. I will take Eri back. I will end the quirk disease, and the Shie Hassaikai will return to its former glory!"
Overhaul punched the ground with his giant hand, making a huge splash and creating huge spikes, however Spider-Man was already on the move. He grabbed Eri and web zipped through the empty ceiling and escaped to the courtyard above. Peter wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.
"Get back here! Eri belongs to me!" Overhaul jumped after him, but once he landed in the courtyard he realized the two were nowhere to be found.
"NO!" Overhaul roared in agony.
Meanwhile a small distance away, Spider-Man and Eri were crouching on the rooftop of a nearby building, trying not to be seen.
"Sheesh, what a drama queen," Spider-Man quipped.
"Peter what are you going to do?" Eri asked.
"I have no idea, Overhaul looks like a guy the Hulk would fight!" Spider-Man exclaimed, "Well, if the pro-heroes weren't coming here before, they are certainly coming now. Maybe they can handle it?"
"Show yourselves right now!" Overhaul screamed, "Or I'll destroy everything in this area!"
"Damn, I just can't let Overhaul go on a rampage while we wait for the pros," Spider-Man crossed his arms, "But how am I supposed to stop him like this..."
Spider-Man thought for a moment before turning towards Eri, "...I have an idea, but you won't like it…"
"Huh?" Eri tilted her head.
"Well, beating Overhaul when he's like this would be extremely difficult for me," Spider-Man rubbed the back of his head, "However if you use your quirk..."
"I-What?!" Eri gasped.
"...If you can just use your quirk on him and revert him back to before he fused with that big guy, I can finish him off," Spider-Man explained.
"N-No I can't do it!" Eri shook her head
"I mean, you used your quirk on me," Spider-Man replied, "Very well, I might add."
"T-That was different, I..." Eri looked at the ground, "I'm scared."
"Right..." Peter pondered for a moment before taking off his mask and putting in on Eri.
"Huh? Your mask?"
"...In that case, I'll give you some of my power," Peter smiled, "That mask should give you the strength you need."
"R-Really?"
"It worked last time, didn't it? So I that makes you Spider-Man now! Or maybe Spider-Girl is more appropriate," Peter put her hands on Eri's shoulder, "And don't worry, I'll be right there to make sure you don't get hurt. Okay?"
"I...I trust you," Eri pumped up her fists.
Spider-Man nodded in response. Peter picked up Eri and used his webbing to tie her to his back, "Alright, I'll get you close enough to use your quirk. Think about what you want to change, and what you want to change it back to."
"R-Right!" Eri nodded.
Peter using his webbing he created a face mask to cover the lower half of his face. Overhaul on the other hand was still shouting and making a ruckus.
"That's it! I'm turning this place into rubble!" Overhaul raised his hands to destroy a nearby building.
Spider-Man shot a webline at a nearby billboard, ripping it off the roof and throwing it at Overhaul. The billboard hit the large monster in its neck, Overhaul turned to where the attack came from.
"You wanted us!" Spider-Man yelled, "We'll here we are!"
"GRAAHHH!" Overhaul lunged at the two. Spider-Man swung around the giant beast's attack, firring webbing at its face. It did little more than annoy the behemoth, but it was exactly what Spider-Man wanted.
Peter used his webs to pull himself upward into the air, going higher and higher, as high as the nearby buildings could take him. Predictably, Overhaul jumped into the air after them, "Eri is a tool for me to use and me only! You're not worthy of her power!"
Spider-Man was now directly above Overhaul. He shot a webline at the monster, and pulled himself towards Overhaul's actual body. The monster attempted to grab him, but Spider-Man twisted his body perfectly and slipped around his massive fingers. Peter landed in front of Overhaul's torso. He quickly punched him across the face and webbed Chisaki's hands to his body, getting as close as possible.
"DO IT NOW ERI! Peter yelled.
"AAHHH!" Eri clenched her eyes and under the mask her horn started glowing.
"NNOOO!" Overhaul screeched.
In an instant, the humongous red monster disappeared and Overhaul and Rikiya separated. Now back to normal, the two yakuza men began falling back to Earth. Spider-Man dived after them, getting ready to finish the job. Spider-Man fired a webline, pulling himself towards Overhaul. Peter grabbed Overhaul and punched him repeatedly in the face. Chisaki was too disorientated to fight back. Once he felt satisfied with the beating he'd given to Overhaul, Peter shot a webline at the other falling yakuza man, who was still unconscious, he pulled the large man to himself and webbed Chisaki and Rikiya together. Spider-Man grabbed the two of them in one hand and then with the other he shot a webline at a nearby building and swung safely down to the ground. As he was landing, Spider-Man threw Overhaul and Rikiya on the ground. The two men tumbled across the street until they came to a stop.
"Argh! This isn't over!" Overhaul yelled, "I know who you are! I'll tell the pros, the police everyone!"
"Oh right, you did figure out my current identity," Spider-Man crossed his arms, "Oh well, I was getting tired of it anyways. I'll just get a new one."
"Huh-"
"Hmmm, maybe I'll be blonde this time around," Spider-Man tapped his foot, "Or maybe shake things up and be a redhead for a change. I'll also have to contact my plastic surgeon, he's always a pain to deal with."
"Wha-"
"Oh, I'm sorry did you think someone like me was just a simple high school student," Spider-Man laughed, "Please, you couldn't even begin to comprehend what exactly I am."
"...Dammit...Curse you!" Overhaul spat venomously. Spider-Man had done it, he had defeated him in every way possible. The vigilante reeled back his fist and-
WHAM!
And then it was finally over. Spider-Man put Eri down on the ground and pulled his mask off her face and put it back on him.
"Was that true? Are you not really Peter?" asked Eri.
"Nah I just made that stuff up to mess with him," Spider-Man rubbed the back of his head, "But seriously, thank you Eri. I couldn't have done it without you."
"Mm-hm!" Eri hummed, "But what happens now?"
"Oh right!" Spider-Man activated his comm piece, "Guys, I've got Eri and took down Overhaul, Is everyone else okay?"
"Me, Pop,Master are all okay and we have with us on the roof," said Koichi.
"I made it out alive too," said Daredevil.
"Great, bring down to the street. The police will be here any second now. You guys remember the rest of Plan B?" said Spider-Man.
"Yup!" Koichi confirmed, "We'll bring her down right now."
"It was my plan..." Daredevil answered.
Spider-Man kneeled down to Eri's level, "Alright Eri, I'm going to need you to stay with Aunt May and wait for the police to get here."
"The police? But aren't they the bad guys?" Eri asked timidly.
"I know, I know, but it'll be okay this time, Daredevil has a plan, Spider-Man explained, "Plus...I think it might be better this way. The pros will keep you safe, help you control your quirk better. Not to mention they have a lot more money than I do. They can get you all the food, clothes, and toys you'd want!"
"..." it dawned on Eri what was happening. Peter was leaving her.
"I...I wasn't able to protect you Eri," Spider-Man looked down at the ground, "If Overhaul was able to figure out my identity and kidnap you, hurt you. Who's to say my other enemies won't do the same. Even if they didn't know about your quirk, they'd still go after you just to hurt me. You'd never be safe if you stayed with me, and you don't deserve that kind of life. Not to mention I'm technically a criminal."
Eri hugged Peter, "...I wanna be with you…"
"I know, I know…" Peter rubbed her back.
Wee-Wow! Wee-Wow!
In the distance, Peter could hear police sirens getting closer. He was out of time. Spider-man turned back to Eri, "I'm sorry, I have to go now." The young girl simply nodded her head in return. Spider-Man leaped into the air and swung away.
"Eri?!" a voice said from a distance. Eri turned around to see Aunt May. The older woman quickly embraced the girl "Oh thank goodness you're okay."
"I'm glad you're okay too Aunt May..." said Eri, closing her eyes as the police sirens got closer and closer.
As the police cars pulled up on the scene, Eri could see a lone figure perched on the rooftop of a tall building in the distance. Peter and Eri shared a final melancholic glance with each other. Spider-Man stood up and turned his back. Pausing for a moment, he gave one more look at Eri, before jumping off the roof and swinging into the night sky.
A Few Minutes Later, On A Nearby Rooftop,
Peter handed over the USB drive containing the incriminating evidence against Overhaul to Matt. Meanwhile Koichi, Kazuho were tailing Eri and Aunt May, making sure the police didn't do anything to them.
"With this, it won't matter how many cops and heroes Chisaki bought, he'll be going away for good, '' Daredevil explained, "I'll make sure this ends up in the right hands. Foggy is already waiting at the police station, he'll make sure Eri and May will be okay."
"Right…" Spider-Man replied.
"...You seem tired, you should go home and rest," Matt recommended.
"I'll do that...," Spider-Man nodded.
"...If it's any consolation, you did the right thing Peter," Daredevil jumped off the building, firing his grappling hook.
"..." Spider-Man said nothing, firing a webline and swinging away.
Sometimes doing the right thing means giving up the things you want the most.
This was by far the hardest chapter to write, not because I didn't know what to write, but because I wanted to write it properly. I hope it lived up to your expectations. We only have one chapter left, and I hope you're looking forward to seeing how the story ends.