Chapter 1: Rough Times at Midtown High

"Stat! We're gonna need at least eight doctors here! Jesus Christ!"

At the hospital, four doctors were dragging Max Dillon on a stretcher to a room. Inside, thirteen doctors started to operate on Max, though the tools kept getting countered by small yellow bolts of electricity.

"Stop, STOP! PLEASE!" Max begged.

The doctors couldn't believe it.

"What the hell is this?"

"In my twelve years, I've never seen anything like this."

"What happened to the poor guy?"

"You have to stop! The pain! It's-it won't stop!" Max yelled.

Max's body started to shake as he continued to scream.

"He's having a seizure!" one of the doctors yelled.

However, Max's body let out a surge of electricity, knocking out the doctors and causing the power to go out in the hospital.

Around ten minutes later, a backup generator was luckily used to bring back the power. Meanwhile, in a different wing of the hospital, Peter was lying on a bed, groaning and holding his chest with his bloody hands. Even with all that super durability, THAT hurt. Three doctors were checking up on the battered teen, with looks of shock going through their faces.

"Jesus, kid, what happened?!" one of the doctors exclaimed as she got some medicine.

"What were you up to?" a surgeon shouted as she prepared her tools.

"Uh, I was getting some pictures for the Bugle of the Spidey and Goblin fight. Some debris started to fall, and a large brick fell on my hand as I was running away."

"A large brick? Are you sure that was all?" the doctor suspiciously questioned as she prepared stitches.

"Well, I may have also gotten some minor scratches. The Goblin was- God!" Peter yelled as his wounds were starting to get patched up.

"Sorry, sport. You're gonna need to do your best to hold still, though," the doctor said as she applied more medicine, stinging Peter's chest and prompting him to yell more.

Outside the room, Aunt May was sitting and waiting with Gwen, Harry, Liz, and Flash, visibly concerned for Peter's wellbeing. After all, this wasn't the first time he had gotten banged up. But this time was significantly worse than usual.

"Shit, man, I really hope he recovers," Flash sighed.

"It's scary, but Pete's kind of a badass for surviving that," Liz admitted.

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Not the point, guys."

Harry continued staring into space as he came to terms with the fact that his father was now a maniacal serial killer who murdered his mother. How could the man he once admired become a person so vile and despicable to him now? It was all too much for him to process.

Harry stood up and walked away from his friends.

"Harry, where are you going?" Gwen asked.

"I need some air," Harry spat.

Harry stormed out. Liz followed.

Slamming the door of the hospital open, Harry stormed outside, kicking a pole. He stumbled a little before puking in a bush. Liz ran up to him and pat his back.

"Harry, Harry, please, you gotta calm down, bud!" Liz pleaded.

"Liz, do NOT tell me to calm down right now, okay?!" Harry exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, wrong choice of words. But I really can't imagine what you're going through."

Harry scoffed. "No shit. I doubt anybody else could. This scary green monster's been flying around for months, and now I find out he's my fucking dad. You have any idea what that's like? Everyone at school's gonna look at me, and I'm gonna be seen as a freak. It was already hard growing up with him, but to find out all of this? He killed all those fucking people, he messed up some poor guy's life and may have gotten his daughter killed. He-He killed my mom. I just wish Spider-Man would have killed him."

At that point, Harry burst out crying as he fell to his knees, covering his eyes. Without saying anything, Liz let Harry's face fall on her belly as she held his hair. From the entrance, Gwen was sadly watching.

Peter woke up, still lying in his hospital bed. Aunt May was sitting near him and immediately hugged her nephew.

"Peter, thank God you're awake!" Aunt May practically shouted with tears in her eyes.

"Not a good idea," Peter groaned as May accidentally bruised his already stitched-up ribs.

"Sorry, hon. I'd ask if you're feeling okay, but…"

"Doing better for sure. I'd be lying if I said this didn't sting. How long have I been here?"

"Four days. Luckily, Thanksgiving break is starting pretty soon for you."

Anger started going through May's eyes, a rare and horrifying sight for Peter.

"That damn Jameson. Has the nerve to let you going around with that stupid camera-"

"You bought me that camera, first of all. Second, how would Jameson have known all that shit was gonna happen? I was just doing my job."

"Peter, if I'd get a dime for every time you came home bruised in some way, I'd be able to buy us a mansion. I'm not sure it's a good idea for you to keep doing this, especially since Jameson doesn't pay you that much to begin with."

Peter sat up a little. "May, I'll be fine. I know it's crazy, but this job is the best gig for me now. I'd do anything just to be able to help contribute. You shouldn't have to work as hard and as much as you do."

"Peter-"

"May, please! I'll be more careful from now on. I'll start coming home earlier, I'll call you all the time, whatever you need me to do."

"You are quite desperate to keep this job," May pointed out.

"I just want to support you in the best way I can. I know you've been working extra at the office, and with my photography skills, this is best for me."

May sighed. "Fine, for now, you can stay. But it would be great if you got something better. Maybe a science internship at ESU or something."

"Sounds nice. Maybe eventually."

"But don't ever scare me like that again. I really could've lost you. And you know I couldn't bare to…"

May started crying, and Peter held her.

"I'm not going anywhere, May."

"So, that Spider-freak blew up part of a clock tower and nearly killed a bunch of bystanders! Real typical!" Jameson vented in his office.

"Yes, 'cause there wasn't some scary green monster trying to attack him," Ned sarcastically remarked.

"What did you just say, Leeds?"

"Jameson, this has gone far enough. Spider-Man's always just trying to help. That battle had to have been hell for him, so give him a break!" Robbie exclaimed.

"Give a break to an attempted murderer? I don't think so!"

"It's like you're always trying to find a reason to hate him," Betty sighed.

"Then maybe he should stop giving me reasons to hate him! And where the hell is Parker?! I need those pictures!" Jameson yelled.

"You didn't hear? He got injured covering the fight. Pretty badly, too," Ned said.

"I hope he's gonna be alright," Betty replied, putting her hand to her heart.

"Look, Jameson-" Robbie started.

"I don't wanna hear it, Robertson! Print the headline "Menace Destroys Clock Tower" on page one right away, or you're out of here," Jameson demanded.

Jameson stormed out.

"You know, even for Jameson, he is really pissing me off," Ned admitted.

"He didn't even bother asking if Peter was okay," Betty pointed out.

Robbie shook his head. "Damn Jameson sometimes."

Back at the hospital, Max was still lying on a bed, completely covered with a blanket. Doctors were surrounding him.

"Jesus. What the hell happened to this guy?" a doctor asked.

"Some electric accident at ESU," another one responded.

"Should we look?" one of the other doctors asked.

"I mean…I'm not sure they'd want us to-"

"It's our job. The guy is obviously messed up, and we can't fully comprehend his situation until we examine the whole body."

"Fine, but I might puke."

With massive reluctance, one of the doctors slowly pulled back the blanket, and all eyes in the room instantly widened. Restrained to the bed was Max, except his skin was no longer skin; it was almost watery looking. And it was as yellow as the sun, almost blinding, with electric veins flowing throughout. All he had on was a hospital gown.

"Holy shit," one of the doctors muttered.

Predictably, one of the doctors puked in the trash. Most of the doctors stepped away from Max while two approached him.

"What the hell is this?" the doctor questioned, examining Max's skin.

"This is so below my pay grade," another doctor said.

"I did not go through eight years of medical school for this," one of the doctors admitted.

The other doctor took a magnifying glass and aimed it at Max's head to take a closer look. However, a bolt of yellow electricity reflected off the glass and stunned both Max and the doctor, knocking the latter back. Max's eyes instantly opened, and he blasted the restraints off his arms and legs. Getting off the bed, he looked at the frightened doctors, as two had already run out of the room. Max looked at his yellow hands in horror.

"Wha-What is this?!" Max yelled. "What happened to me? What did you people do to me?!"

Max looked around and found a mirror, while more doctors fled the room, with two falling on the ground in pure shock. Once he looked at his reflection, he couldn't find any words.

"S-Sir, you okay?" one of the doctors nervously asked.

In response, the door to the room was blasted open. Max walked out in pure horror. As he walked through the hallway, doctors and staff screamed and ran away in fear. Some brave security guards ran up to Max.

"Sir, stop it!" a security guard yelled before he was kicked by Max, knocking him back with an electric force.

"Get away from me!" Max screamed, aiming his hands at two other security guards. Unintentionally, two bolts of lightning struck the guards, knocking them back.

Another guard pulled out his gun and opened fire on Max, but the electric skin only absorbed the bullets. Max then grabbed the guard by the throat.

"What the hell are you?!" the guard gasped before being fried to death.

Max dropped the body, looking at it in horror. At that point, eight more security guards with shields and assault rifles ran towards Max.

"Freeze!"

"Get down on your knees, and put your hands over your head!"

"Don't make this harder than it needs to be!"

"Pl-Please, just leave me alone!" Max begged.

Max started to slowly walk forward.

"Get the fuck down!"

"Stop right there!"

"I-I don't know what to do…" Max whimpered.

"Shut up!"

Frightened, Max got down and put his hands up. One of the guards ran over with handcuffs and prepared to carefully put them on. However, a bolt of electricity hit the handcuffs, shocking and knocking the guard back.

"Shit, what the hell is this?!" one of the guards yelled.

"Just listen!" Max yelled.

Before Max could say anything else, a couple bullets started hitting him. They didn't do any damage, but they certainly didn't tickle, either.

"Stop it!" Max demanded as he covered his head.

More bullets started coming in. Overwhelmed and scared, Max got up and roared as he raised his arms, blasting electricity everywhere, throwing the guards around and killing them. All the power in the hospital went out, and Max continued to walk until he found the exit, blasting the doors off.

At the school cafeteria, Peter, Gwen, and Harry were eating at their table, and it was honestly an awkward day for all of them.

"How you holding up, bud?" Peter asked Harry.

"Not exactly well," Harry sighed. "Dad's still at Ravencroft getting a bunch of tests done from what I've heard. They're trying to figure out what's wrong with him, but I doubt they will. Aunt Martha and I are still staying with my grandparents."

"We're always gonna be here for you, Harry," Gwen reassured.

Flash and Liz came over with their lunches.

"Harry, you feeling better?" Liz asked.

"Sure. Anyways, Pete, how's the face feeling?" Harry quickly responded, pointing at Peter's bruised face.

"Better," Peter replied. "Hurts every now and then, though. Flash, how's rehearsals for the winter play going?"

"A, it's called The Crucible. B, they start after school today, actually. Should be fun," Flash stated. "You people better be there opening night."

"No promises," Liz chuckled. "Just kidding. We'll totally come and support you. By the way, Pete, you should know what people have been saying."

"What do you mean?" Peter nervously asked.

"Well, since word got out that you were at the fight, everyone thinks you're practically suicidal. Especially since you also got hurt at the fight with that Vulture guy," Liz pointed out.

"Well, let's just say I'm a very committed reporter."

"Make sure it doesn't get you a visit to the school counselor, bud," Flash advised.

"Don't end up like me," Harry somberly said. "I have to go three times a week, and it's already a pain in the ass."

"Dude, just sneak out of school. That's what we used to do in gym class freshman year," Peter joked.

Harry sighed. "Doubtful. Speaking of which, I should probably head over now."

Harry got up and left.

"Is that dude gonna be fine?" Flash asked, worried.

"I hope so, I'll go walk him there," Liz said, getting up to follow Harry.

Flash got up, too. "Got to go fill my water bottle," he said before leaving.

Gwen turned to Peter. "Babe, we gotta talk."

"Okay. What about?"

"What is going on with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you really need me to spell it out for you? How is it that you seem to get injured so often? It doesn't make any sense to me. You're not athletic at all."

"Gee, thanks," Peter deadpanned. "Look, Gwen, I'm alright. I know it's concerning to you, but-"

"It's more than concerning, Peter. You're gonna get yourself killed if you keep acting like this."

"Babe, please, May already gave me a talk about this. I'll be more careful from now on. But I can't quit that job. It's good for me."

"You're risking your life to impress a boss that doesn't even appreciate you. Peter, it's hard enough having a cop for a father and constantly having to worry about him. I'm not gonna go through the same thing with you."

"You gotta trust me, okay? I know it's hard, but I'm really gonna be more careful from now on. I promise."

Gwen sighed. "Peter…"

"I know it's insane that I'm running around with all these bad guys, but Spidey's always there to cover me. Same with your dad and the cops. Also, I know I'm not athletic, but seriously?" Peter chuckled, signalling his muscular physique.

Gwen laughed. "True."

"For real, though, I'll be okay," Peter said as he stared in her eyes and paused. "I love you, Gwen."

Gwen's eyes glistened as she looked at her boyfriend as he told her he loved her for the first time and beamed brightly.

"I love you, too, Peter," Gwen smiled as she kissed him passionately.

After school in the performing arts center, Flash walked in, excited but nervous. He sat down with the other members of the cast when the theater teacher came in.

"Well, what a great turnout!" the teacher excitedly exclaimed. "People, you're all here because it's been a week since auditions, and you all clearly got a role. I'm Mr. Warren, for those of you returning. For those of you that are new, you're in for a treat. With our winter play of The Crucible coming up in two months, we got a lot to work on. Now, for a reminder on the generic stuff, you all have to be in good academic standing to perform, you all must get along and avoid drama, no pun intended. And overall, just find your inner star! Now, unless nobody has any questions, pair up with someone, and start practicing your lines."

Everyone got up as Mr. Warren started handing them their scripts. Flash looked inside for a reminder on his role, which was Reverend John Hale.

"This is gonna be tough as shit," Flash sighed.

"What's the problem?"

Flash turned around and started venting. "Well, it's my first production, and I have no clue what I'm doing and-"

"I'm gonna stop you right there. I'll help you with your lines."

Flash's eyes widened as he was blown away by the girl's long red hair and blue eyes. "Flash Thompson. You?"

The girl smiled. "Mary Jane Watson. Call me MJ."

We know it's been a long time, but we really wanted to plan out Volume 3 and make it the best volume yet. Thank you guys so much for reading and sticking with us as we continue a new chapter in Spider-Man's life as he deals with the fact that he may have created a new enemy and how he comes to terms with it.

Next chapter...More of Max Dillon, and Harry sees his father for the first time since finding out he is the Green Goblin.