Disclaimer: Oh hi there Marvel Comics! What is that? A royalty check? For me?
No. Because I make no money from this. And probably never will. Unless FFnet gets some sort of ad-revenue system like YT.
But let's be honest. Never gonna happen. XD.
By the time you're reading this I will have written two Home language exams, two First adotional language exams, a health exam, and physics.
And yet here I am with another update! Aint I dandy!
Chapter 7:
"Rhino-serious situation"
2014
"Remember students! You've only got until Friday to book tickets and let me tell you! They're selling out fast!"
Principal Coulson always seems so exited about school stuff. Peter thought as he started the last question on his geometry exam.
Angle A1=180-B3, angles between parallel lines. That proves that A1 is equal to... Peter scribbled down the last few lines of his answer.
The school bell rang shrilly and Peter scrawled down the last few lines of his test just before mrs Drew asked them to put their pencils down.
Peter stuffed his pencil-case in his backpack and walked off towards his locker. He stuffed his Geometry text book in the space and pulled out his chemistry book.
He shut the locker door and picked up his backpack. Across the hallway Gwen was doing the same. They made eye contact briefly.
Well Pete. Make it up to her, whatever it is. Peter took a deep breath and steeled himself.
"Gwe-" He was cut off by a voice from behind.
"Mr Parker, a moment of your time?" Mr Daniels leaned against the doorway of his class, right across from Peter's locker.
"Yeah. Sure." Peter said. Mr. Daniels class was eerily quiet. He sat on the desk and gestured for Peter to sit as well.
"Peter, I heard that you and Mr. Thompson engaged in a bit of fisticuffs yesterday after school." He said gently.
"Yeah. The whole bloody school watched. They were pissed that puny Parker fought back." Peter scoffed.
"Mr. Daniels what am I doing here? This is hardly the first time either Flash or I got in a fight. And it's definitely not going to be the last." Peter said.
"Do you like fighting, Peter?" Mr. Daniels asked. His voice was gentle and neutral.
"What? No! I mean- that's not what I meant at all. It's just that Flash is an asshole and I get bullied a lot." Peter mumbled under his breath.
"Well, you've made your point. I don't think you'll be bullied again." Mr. Daniels shuffled his paperwork.
"What do you mean?" Peter asked. For once it wasn't his spider sense, but his moral sense that tingled.
"Mister Thompson is in the hospital, Peter. During your fight he hit his head really hard. He has a very serious concussion. He won't be back at school until at least next week."
Peter sat there gobsmacked. I gave Flash Thompson a concussion.
"Peter, you're a good kid. Your grades are the highest in Midtown's history. I don't like hearing about things like this. I didn't know you were bullied. I had my suspicions, but..." He paused and took a breath. "Peter, you're growing into yourself. You're becoming stronger. Randy tells me he wants you to be on the basketball team. My point is Peter, nobody is going to press charges, you won't even get a detention, but you need to be more responsible with your abilities."
So everyone keeps telling me. Peter thought dejectedly.
"Now go out there and ask Miss Stacy to the dance, eh?" Mr. Daniels smirked.
Peter walked out of the classroom and turned to chemistry. He ran through the hall to class and opened the door.
The class turned deathly silent as he walked in. Mr. Warren, their Chemistry teacher was out of class. Peter hurried to his seat, right in front of the black board. There were no seats taken around his usual seat.
"Mr. Parker. Glad you could join us." Mr. Warren said and closed the door to his classroom.
Peter swung high in the air of New York city. He shot a second web at a building near him and shot himself forwards.
Something went boom. A huge black pillar of smoke funneled into the air a short distance from Peter.
Peter shot a web off to his right and flung himself in the direction of the danger.
How is it that I have to dodge flying police cars two days in a row? Peter said as he stopped the above mentioned car from crushing a few pedestrians with a few well placed web lines.
Up ahead Peter saw the source of the airborne vehicles. The thing throwing around police cars could be described as nothing less than a rhino man. It was a giant hulking juggernaut (no pun intended) with a long horn on top of its head. It picked up a police car with its right arm and chucked it into the air. Peter reacted quickly, stopping its descent with a web-net.
He flipped twice and landed in a crouch on a nearby traffic light.
"I heard the circus was in town, but I think the poster I saw was underselling your attractions a bit." Peter said from his perch.
The Rhino turned around and looked at Peter. It smiled. Peter gulped.
"Nice to see you again, bug." It said and turned to face Peter.
"Again? You mean my visit to the zoo last sunmer?" Peter dropped from his advantageous latitude to a low crouch right in front of the Rhino.
"I think I gave you a wrong number." He said.
"Funny. But I was talking about the bank robbery you stopped." The Rhino moved closer to Peter looming over him.
"You're gonna need to be more specific. I stop about three a week."
"Well, considder this relieving you of your duty." It said and cracked its neck.
Peter lunged backwards and landed back on the traffic light. The Rhino screamed then crouched. It pawed the ground a few times then charged at the lamp post. Peter leapt off and flipped around, attaching a web to the Rhino's back.
"Humana Humana." Peter said as the Rhino charged right through the dense city traffic, completely unaware of its adhesive passenger.
As it charged through the city streets Peter did all he could to minimise the carnage without letting go.
I've got to stop it before someone gets hurt! Peter thought and held the web-lines attached to the Rhino in his one hand.
With his other he shot a web-line that attached to the Rhino's horn.
If I've learned anything from National Geographic, and I haven't learned much, it's that rhinos charge horn first! Peter pulled himself forwards so that he was sticking to Rhino's back.
Peter yanked on the web-line, pulling it to the right. The Rhino groaned and careened to the right.
"YIKES!" Peter yelled as Rhino crashed into a building.
Suddenly the Rhino stopped, the abrupt halt caused Peter to smack into his back. The Rhino peeled Peter off and held him by his colar at eye level.
"You know..." Peter said. "Now that you mention it, you do look kind of familiar."
Peter slammed his fist into Rhino's face as hard as he can. Rhino winced and in the second he was distracted, Peter leapt backwards, his shirt ripping in two.
"Ah come on!" Peter yelled and landed on his feet. His spider-sense tingled but he was too late as Rhino grabbed him by the head.
Rhino looked at Peter and said: "I'm gonna get you back for what you did."
"Maybe you just have one of those faces you know? Like Have I seen you somewhere? No, just one of those faces. Do you shop at-" Peter couldn't talk further because the Rhino punched him in the face.
The lense in Peter's mask shattered and shards of broken plastic stuck in his face.
Peter screamed in agony as Rhino dropped him. He looked up with his face full of blood.
The Rhino charged off in the direction of the financial district as Peter shakily got to his feet. The Rhino stampeded into an alley and Peter, still dazed and unable to see straight swung after him.
The alley was completely empty except for a blue recycle bin and a startled hobo, with no sign of the Rhino.
Gwen Stacy prided herself on being able to study under any circumstances. She didn't let Peter, Alex or any other guy get under her skin.
She highlighted a paragraph from her science textbook, and stretched her neck. A sound like an explosion sounded in the distance. She looked over to a panel on the ceiling where she hid her costume.
She went back to studying.
Another explosion. Gwen bit her lip and looked at the window.
Finally she stood up and grabbed her baseball bat and removed her costume from the compartment in the ceiling.
It took her 7 minutes to get dressed, but she couldn't find her mask.
My backpack! She thought and plucked it from under her bed. She quickly pulled on her mask and pulled her hood straight. There was a dull thud outaide her window.
Outside on the fire escape lay Peter, his face covered in blood. Not wasting a second, Gwen lifted him into her room and ran to fetch the first aid box.
"Oh god... Peter what happened?!" She said as she started removing broken pieces of plastic from her friend's face.
"Rhi-no..." Peter mumbled.
"Alex did this?" Gwen gaaped in horror.
"No!" Peter said. "A literal Rhino. Man. Thing."
"Peter I need you to stay still. This is hard enough as it is." Not to mention your regeneration is already kicking in and if I waste any time some of the plastic might get trapped in your skin. Gwen thought to herself as she plucked the last shards from his face.
"Peter, what's your favourite colour?" Gwen asked as she poured some alcohol on a facecloth.
"What?" Peter asked. His eyes were swolen and bloody, so he couldn't see what she was doing.
Gwen started cleaning the wounds.
Peter screamed in agony and tried with all his might to push Gwen off. She held him in place easily.
Guess I'm stronger. And not just emotionally either. Gwen thought as she held Peter down with one arm and cleaned his face with the other.
Finally Gwen stopped and let Peter rest on her bed. She propped him up on a few pillows and walked out of the room. She walked into the kitchen, where she picked up the phone and dialed the Parker house.
"Hello?" Aunt May said. She had off from dayshift on Wednesdays, and was probably worried sick over Peter.
"Hello May, it's Gwen." She said softly and twirled the cord around her finger.
"Oh! How are you dear?" May's smile was audible, even over landline.
"Very well, thank you." Gwen replied in her most friendly voice. "I'm just calling about Peter. He was skateboarding with some friends in the park and hit his face on a lamp post. He was wearing goggles and some pieces of plastic cut his face."
"Oh good gracious!" May's friendly voice was now thick with concern. "Is he alright?"
"Yes." Gwen replied. "I brought him home and helped him clean the wounds. He won't have any permanent damage, other than a dented ego."
"Oh that boy!" May said. "He'll be the death of me yet!"
"He's just resting up a bit here, but I'm sure he'll be home soon."
"He's lucky to have a friend like you, Gwen." Aunt May said softly. "He has grown quite fond of you since you met. He never comes home without some tale of shenanigans where you were his saving grace."
Gwen smiled a bit at this, a bittersweet smile.
"Thank you May." She replied.
"Send my regards to everyone..." May said.
"Have a nice day.." Gwen replied and put the phone down.
Gwen walked back to her room where Peter sat on the bed. He looked up and brushed a hand through his hair.
"I'm sorry." He said plainly.
Gwen ignored him and sat at her desk.
"I... I didn't know where else to go..." He tried.
Gwen continued ignoring him.
"I know you're mad, and I'm really sorry. I really didn't mean to upset you." Peter said and pulled on his mask. "Thanks a lot for your help. I don't know what I would do without you."
He turned to the window to leave, but her voice rang softly, yet hard from behind him.
"What happened?"
Peter turned around and sat on the windowsill.
"A giant man-rhino punched me in the face." He mumbled.
"A man-rhino?" Gwen said slowly.
"A really big rhino, shaped like a guy." Peter gestured with his hands.
"Peter are you... drunk?" Gwen asked.
"What? No!" Peter said incredulously. "Come on I'll prove it!"
He grabbed the remote and switched on the television.
"-a path of destruction ending near Columbus Circle, where 'The Rhino' went toe-to-toe with Spiderman. Sources claim the fight ended when Spiderman was his in the face. The Rhino then evaded capture and hasn't been seen since." The Anchorman on the J3 network said.
"What are your thoughts on this, Jill?"
"Well Darren, this bull in a china shop had to come from somewhere, my question is where?"
"Sources claim that The Rhino was first spotted breaking out if the holding cells of the 17th Precinct. All of the escaped criminals have been apprehended once again, except for one Alex O'Hirn, who tried to rob a bank earlier this week. Sources also claim that Herman Schultz, better known as 'the Shocker' is at large once again, as he was detained there as well."
"In other news, in a desperate ploy for relevance, Dr Reed Richards and Susan Storm have engaged in tests of a dangerous experimental rocket shuttle. Astronauts from the international space station Johnny Storm, Susan's younger brother, and Ben Grim, childhood friend of Richards, have volunteered along with Test Pilot John Jameson to reel in the two scientists before they endanger themselves further."
"See!" Peter said. "A Rhino!"
Gwen looked Peter straight in the eye.
"Why do you do this, Peter?" She asked softly.
"What?" He asked.
"This." She put her hand on the side of his face, softly rubbing her thumb over his cheek.
Peter sighed and put his hand on hers. With a great reluctance he pulled her hand away.
"The day I got these powers was also the day one of the greatest men to ever live was murdered in his own living room. He used to be a salesman, did you know that? He worked for a firm called Ultimark, and he sold all sorts of gadgets. He and Aunt May own the house. They had it good. Really good." A dark look crossed his face for a moment.
"One day he went to deposit the share of money he made that day to the company finance officer. When he got there he saw his boss taking a load of money from the company expenses vault. The guy tried to bribe Uncle Ben to keep it quiet, but Uncle Ben went and told the guy's superiors."
Peter laughed. "They were in on the gig. They fired Uncle Ben and annulled his affiliation. He never went to college and had no skills of value anywhere else. He couldn't find a job anywhere else. Eventually he settled on being a janitor for Oscorp. He believed that when you had the power to do the right thing, then you had a moral obligation to do just that."
Peter stood up and moved to climb out the window.
"That's one reason. The other is that you showed me that this city needs Spiderman. That day with the fire. Your dad summed it up best: With great power, comes a great responsibility."
He stood out on the fire escape prepared to jump.
"I miss you, Gwen." Peter said and leapt off.
Gwen sat on the edge of her bed, half dressed in her costume.
"I miss you too, Peter." She said softly to herself.
"News just in: while the new York wallcrawler was throwing down with the Rhino earlier today, a bank was robbed in expert fashion. The robbers claim to be working for the infamous Kingpin of crime. Is it possible that this Rhino was a distraction to keep Spiderman away from the crooks? Let's discuss, next on J3Fm: Spiderman flummoxed by fortified fiend. But first-"
Peter switched off the broadband reciever and yanked harshly on the web-line. He spun through the air and dive bombed the street. Metres off the ground Peter shot a web-line at a street light, spinning off of the metal pole he flew towards an alley near his school.
He yanked on a baggy shirt and a pair of loose fitting jeans. He ran out of the alleyway, pulling on his sneakers as he went.
Late! So late! Peter thought as he bounded over the street and ran up the steps to school.
Man! Mrs Drew is going to murder me! He said as he yanked his books from his locker.
He skidded into class and all eyes were on him.
"Mr Parker." Mrs Drew drawled deviously. "So glad you decided to grace us with your presence at last.
"Sorry Mrs Drew! I- uh- had to-" Peter stuttered, wracking his brain for a valid excuse, he couldn't really say he stopped a deli shop from being held up.
"It's quite alright Peter." She interrupted him. "Miss Stacy already explained your situation."
"She... did?" Peter asked befuddled.
"Indeed. Is your Aunt feeling any better?" She said.
"Uh.. Yes?" Peter was completely lost as he sat in the desk behind Gwen.
"Good. Woman her age shouldn't have to work two shifts, you know. We just finished correcting mistakes from the test yesterday. You don't need to correct anything." She handed Peter his paper.
"A Mr Parker. Well done."
Peter found Gwen sitting with Alex at lunch. Peter sat down across from them when Alex abruptly stood up and left.
What is his deal? He seems angrier than I've ever seen him! Peter shook his head and tried to catch Gwen's eye.
"Thanks. For... you know..." he said. Awkwardly.
"Yeah. I assumed you had to... you know..." she replied. Awkwardly.
Peter cleared his throat.
They sat in silence.
"Oh!" Gwen said suddenly. "I've got something for you in my locker!" She stood up abruptly and gestured for him to follow.
She quickly keyed in the combination and removed a small black plastic bag. Peter took it and saw something red inside.
"If you plan on getting punched in the face a lot, you really should make sure the eyes of your mask don't crack.." she said.
Inside the bag was mask made of red fabric just a shade darker than Peter's suit. Instead of an awkwardly sewn ski mask, this mask was made of leotard fabric. The eyes were big and white, with black trim around the edges.
"Woah." Peter said looking at the mask.
"The material is very well made..." Gwen said softly. "They eyes are see through from your side, and lightly made, allowing you to breathe easier."
"Gwen... I don't know what to say. I could kiss you!" Peter stared in awe at the mask, not even noticing Gwen's blush.
Finaly he looked up and asked:
"Why?"
Gwen looked at her shoes, her fringe falling forward to cover her face.
"Because I don't want you to get hurt. And I know you're going to go out there getting hurt. So I thought I'd make it as easy as possible for you." She smiled slightly beneath her styled canopy.
Now's your chance Parker! Peter thought as he brushed Gwen's fringe aside.
"Uh... Gwen..." Peter cleared his throat. "You know that dance.. tomorrow?"
"Peter-" Gwen started but Peter put a finger on her lips.
"Just... wait a moment... I was wondering..." Peter started again. "If you'd like to go... with me..."
Gwen looked at Peter with an expression of anguish.
"Peter I'd love to-" she started.
Peter whooped with joy. But the look on Gwen's face sobered him up.
"Peter I tried to tell you.. I'm going with Alex already." She said and put a hand on his arm. "He asked Monday already."
Peter's heart sank like a stone. He slumped against the locker. "Oh." Was all he said.
The bell rang and Gwen looked over her shoulder.
"I've got to get to art. I'll save you a dance though?" She said. For a moment it looked like she was fighting an internal battle. Then she visibly steeled herself and kissed Peter on the cheek.
"I'll see you in Bio!" She said over her shoulder as she rushed off blushing.
Peter put a hand to his cheek as he walked off to computer class.
Peter sat next to Gwen in bio. Alex was supposed to sit with them as well, considering he was part of their project group, but he fervently ignored Peter. When the bell finally rang Peter stuffed his books in his locker. He had no homework, and he needed the extra space for his compressed gas cylinders. Across the hall Peter saw Alex talk to Gwen. She nodded and and hugged him, a sight that made Peter's blood boil for a reason he couldn't fathom.
He leapt outside to the alley and hastily stuffed his clothes in his backpack. He gingerly removed the mask Gwen had made for him. It fit like a glove. Peter pulled on his web-shooters and shot off into the sky. He shot a web-line at a water tower nearby and plucked himself towards it. He Flew through the sky over the students walking home or to the bus stops. Down on the pavement Peter saw Gwen walking home with Alex. His stomach tied up in knots as he thought of them together.
Why is this bothering me this much? Peter thought as he launched a web-line across the street. Stealthily he followed Gwen and Alex from his vantage point in the sky.
He leapt high into the air and landed next to a gargoyle.
"You ever have any problems like this...? What do I call you? You kinda look like a... Terrence? Nah... You're more of a Bruce. I can tell." Peter slouched down next to the gargoyle.
"You ever have any problems like this, Bruce?" He looked over to the statue. The statue didn't move.
"Look at me. I'm jealous of the fact that my two best friends are getting along. Do you think she knows he likes her?"
Bruce sat in stony silence.
"Yeah, you're right. She probably does. She's quite clever with emotions. Do you think she feels the same way about him?"
Bruce made the sound things make when they make no sound at all.
"Hey! I don't like what you're implying Mister!" Peter said offendedly.
Bruce responded with more gratuitous soundlessness.
"You think I like Gwen, and that I'm jealous of Alex?" Peter asked as he watched Gwen and Alex slow down in front of her parents' apartment.
"The thought never even crossed my mind." Peter said as he shot a web-line at the building across the street.
"You know, Bruce, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship." Peter sad as he swung off, Bruce responding with a firm silence.
Peter made a graceful jump and landed on the roof of a tall office complex. He at down and pushed a button on his bluetooth headset.
"-as the billionaire was testing a new prototype weapon system, using weaponised gamma radiation, when he was captured by a local extremist group. Mr Stark and Air Force colonel James Rhodes have been shown in pained condition and the US military has refused to pay the ransom with money offered by Stark International.
"In other news the shuttle containing Mr Richards and Mrs Storm has officially been caught by the brave astronauts from the ISS. Test pilot John Jameson awaits them all in sub-orbit to bring them safely to earth. The scientists were not only testing their shuttle prototype 4, they were trying to observe a strange anomaly in the- hold on...
"News just in: the criminal known as the Rhino has been spotted near park avenue, the NYPD is on high alert and banks city wide have been alerted to clear out any customers."
Seems like a job for Spiderman! Peter thought as he rushed off the building and shot off.
The Rhino walked slowly through the late day traffic with people rushing out of their cars and running to get clear of the monstrous being. The police on scene pointed their guns at the Rhino as officer Misty Knight climbed to the roof of her car, megaphone in hand.
"Attention Rhino!" Her voice echoed off the buildings around them. "Stand down! We have snipers trained on your position and if you don't comply, so help me we will put your ass down!"
The Rhino kept on moving, he smirked as he towered over Misty's car.
"Take the shot!" Officer DeWolfe yelled into her radio.
"NO!" Peter yelled as he swung high in air. He dismounted from the web shooting down at a speed that tore at his clothes. he was inches from the Rhino, he stretched out his hand but missed the bullet by millimeters as it punctured Rhino's head.
Peter landed on the ground and leapt up screaming in rage.
"Heh heh." Came a deep voice from behind him. The smouldering shell of a bullet fell clanking on the concrete at his feet. "That tickled."
Peter leapt into the air, dodging Rhino's swing. Instead of Peter the blow hit the car, which went flying at a the gathered crowd. Peter gasped and shot a web-line towards it.
I'm not going to make it! The car flew at the panic stricken crowd. I'm not going to make it!
The car smacked into the crowd with a crunch. It shuddered then raised slowly in the air as Peter landed next to it. Gwen was in her white costume and held the car easily in the air with her one hand.
"Need a hand?" She smiled. Instead of a full face mask, Gwen now adorned a white domino mask that allowed her hair to fall freely.
Gwen chucked the car at the Rhino who noticed it too late and took all 5000 pounds to the head. Gwen dusted off her hands and leapt over to the Rhino, who was struggling to get to his feet. She twisted in the air and landed on his face with both feet, knocking out a tooth.
Wow. Peter thought as Gwen easily dodged the Rhino's swings, laying into him with well balanced shots.
Peter jumped into the air and shot off multiple web-shots that landed in Rhino's face, blinding him. When he groaned and tried to pull the webs off of his face Peter webbed his hand to his face as well. Gwen landed right in front of Rhino and leapt up, her fists connecting with his chin sending him flying through the nearby trees.
Peter and Gwen jumped after the Rhino's flying form, but when they reached the crater where he landed there was nothing. Only onlookers running away scared.
Before they could say anything the police and reporters arrived on the scene.
"Let's go!" Peter said. "We need to find him!"
Gwen put a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Spidey." She smiled. "We won."
"Spiderman!" Came a voice from behind Peter. "Norah Winters, Daily Bugle, how do you feel?"
"I feel like we should get looking for the Rhino." He said and leapt in the air, landing on a nearby lamp post, looking for any sign of the giant perp.
"You really showed that Rhino what for!" The reporter said and pointed the Mic at Gwen. "Girl power! What do we call you?"
Gwen smiled and looked at the reporter. "Silk." She said, and leapt after Peter, the crowd cheering behind her.
Alex regretted his decision the moment he made it.
He watched helplessly as the green glass slid closed and the container started filling with grey fluid. He wanted to stop it. He wanted to scream and pound his fists on the glass, but he felt like his feet were rooted to the spot. Then the screaming started. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the utter terror building in his stomach. The screaming only stopped when the fluid filled the tank.
"Nothing less than He deserves. O'Hirn failed us too often. Now he pays." A deep booming voice said.
Suddenly the container burst open and out strode a gigantic grey figure. His head was ringed with little spikes, as well as his boulder like shoulders. A great silver horn jutted from his forehead.
Alex's breath caught at the incredible transformation. The floor shuddered as the Rhino took his first steps.
"Your body now enhanced by a an organic metal. In this form you are invulnerable, and posses the strength to lift great weight." The voice said.
"Do not fail us."
"Nobody inside or outside of the police perimeter have seen the rhino." Gwen said as she sat down in her normal clothes next to Peter.
"How can a three tonne monster just fade out of existence like that?" Peter exclaimed in frustration.
"Don't worry. He'll show his ugly mug again, and when he does, we'll be ready." Gwen looked over at Peter. He sat with his head on his knees frowning. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
"You made some improvements." She said as she looked pointedly at his backpack.
"You mean my Web-Shooters?" Peter asked.
"Yeah, they seem quite... effective..." She smiled, as she lifted her head to look at him.
"Don't you start!" Peter laughed
"Im serious!" Gwen smiled. "Think you can make two more?"
Peter looked at her surprised.
"What?" She asked.
"Uh.. Sure..." Peter said, a frown crossed his face for a moment. Then he smirked. "Is this going to become a regular thing, Silk? I always wanted a sidekick."
"I was thinking more along the lines of... Partner." Gwen said as she lay her head on his shoulder again.
"Partner..." Peter mulled the word over. "I think I'd like that."
Peter liked dressing up. It was something he and Aunt May always had a lot of fun with.
"A proper man can tie his own bow-tie." She used to say.
The dance was great. Balloons and snowflake cut outs made the decor for the school's winter dance.
"All I'm saying is: Why call it Midtown Manhattan Magnet High School, when it's in Queens!" Deborah laughed. She wore a shiny purple dress that matched Peter's shiny purple bow-tie.
"Yeah." Peter said as he watched Alex twirl Gwen around the dance floor.
"You wanna dance?" He asked.
"DO I!" She laughed excitedly.
Peter and Deborah swerved on the dance floor. She laughed and spun around, she didn't even notice that Peter's attention was on Gwen.
After the third or so song ended Peter sat down at their table listening to Deborah talk.
"Sorry to interrupt.." Came a soft voice from behind them. Peter snapped his head around and looked at Gwen. Her hair was done up in a big bun with little strands of hair falling over her face. She wore a deep blue dress that came to just under her knees.
"I believe I promised you a dance." Gwen said, and after a nod from Deborah, Peter took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
They danced around a bit until Peter stumbled.
"Sorry... You know I have two left feet..." He muttered.
"You're doing fine." Gwen smiled at him.
"I'm much better at slow dancing, I Promise." Peter smiled back. The music ended and changed into a slow song.
Me and my big mouth. Peter thought, but Gwen stood closer to him and leaned her head on his chest. Peter moved his hand to the small of her back and pulled her close.
"You're right." Gwen said softly. "This is much better..." She looked at Peter.
"You look great... like... really... good..." Peter tried, his throat clogging up.
Gwen giggled softly. She stopped and looked Peter right in the eye.
Now's your chance! Peter thought. Don't blow it...
Peter closed his eyes and started leaning closer to Gwen, who mirrored him. Suddenly there was a huge crash.
"What was that?" Gwen asked as the crashing sound became louder. "I'm going to need a moment to get dressed!" Gwen said and started running.
"OK!" Peter yelled and dove under a nearby table.
With a thundering boom the Rhino burst through the wall of the Gym. Under the table, Peter plucked his mask from his inside pocket and pulled it on.
No web-shooters, I'm going to have to rely on my other abilities! Peter kicked the table off and landed in front of Rhino.
"Hey big guy!" He said, and threw Rhino with a nearby chair, which splintered on his face. "Is that a Rhino horn, or are you just happy to see me?"
Rhino roared and charged at Peter who jumped over him and slammed his heel into the back of Rhino's head. Rhino slammed into the floor of the Gym splintering the wood panels.
Gotta keep him away from the students! Peter thought. What is he even doing here? Peter jumped into the air to avoid a table from behind him. The table smashed on Rhino's head.
"Hey! Ugly!" Gwen yelled and leapt across the Gym. Rhino looked up and screamed. "Come get some!" She yelled and slammed her fist into his face. She wore her domino mask and costume top, with normal sweat pants.
"Cheating on me now are you?" Peter said as he smashed a table on Rhino's leg as he stumbled backwards from Gwen's blow. "Rhino, baby, honestly, I'm hurt."
"You'll hurt even more before I'm done!" Rhino yelled and swiped an arm at Peter who just managed to dodge it.
"Watch out Spidey." Gwen said and landed next to him. "He's stronger than before."
"We need a game plan!" Peter yelled and dodged a flying table.
"We need to keep him inside the Gym until the police show up!" Gwen said as she caught the table and chucked it back at Rhino.
"If I can get to my web-shooters-" Peter started, but Gwen quickly cut him off.
"Good idea. Go, I'll keep your boyfriend company."
Peter leapt through the roof of the gym where his red backpack lay. He grabbed his web-shooters and yanked them on. he pulled on his backpack and leapt back inside the Gym. He shot a webline at Rhino's leg and yanked, pulling his leg out under him. With a bellow the Rhino face planted into the gym floor.
"Nice!" Gwen exclaimed and jumped to kick Rhino. He growled and crouched, when Gwen was about to hit him, he grabbed her leg with both his arms.
Gwen gasped in fear as Rhino lifted her high above his head and snapped her right leg with a sickening crack. Gwen screamed in agony as Rhino chucked her broken body into the far wall. She slid down the bricks and lay motionless on the floor.
"GWEN!" Peter yelled and dove after her any thought of Rhino completely forgotten.
"Gwen?"
Peter landed next to Gwen and stared at her leg. it was twisted in odd angles, and Peter could see bone poking through her sweatpants.
"Hands in the air!" Shouted a man in blue army fatigues. Soon he was joined by a whole squad of similarly dressed men and women. "Your armor won't hold up to gas attacks!"
They didn't seem to notice Peter, so he quickly shoved a chair leg up Gwen's sweatpants and webbed the whole limb up. He grabbed her and shot through the roof.
"What the hell was that?" Came the voice of one soldier. Rhino took this moment to charge through the wall leading outside.
"Focus on the objective!" The soldier exclaimed and they all ran after him. When they got outside, Rhino was nowhere to be seen.
"Fury won't be happy when he hears this."
"That's if coulson doesn't kill us before we tell him.
Peter swung through the glass doors of the hospital, landing as softly as possible.
"SOMEBODY HELP ME!" He screamed. A group of paramedics rushed over and raced Gwen away on a stretcher. Peter tried to follow, but the nurse stopped him.
"Immediate family only!"
Peter screamed in frustration and burst outside. He ran along the outer windows of the building, following their progress until they entered a windowless operating room.
An hour later Peter sat on the roof of the hospital, worried sick. He was dressed in his full suit, because he had to stop three muggings, a car theft, and a hitrun already.
"And now the weather."
"Well Marge-" The lady was cut off by a blaring tone.
"Sorry about that folks, news just in, the shuttle containing the scientists and astronauts has been hit by the anomaly!The strange mist like anomaly was actually hiding a series of small asteroids. Their shuttle is rocketing towards the earth and is set on a course to crash into midtown. Citizens are warned to leave the area at once. Upon re-entry the flaps on the shuttle caught and they are unable to steer."
In the sky Peter saw an angry yellow line stretching across the night. He leapt up and shot a web towards Times Square.
Well Pete, you always wanted to fly a space ship.
Peter shot off. The line was growing closer and closer. He swung to the top of the highest skyscraper in the area. He shot a web-line to the side, connecting to a radio antenna on top of a building nearby. He then shot another at the antenna on the building on the other side.
This is either going to hurt a lot for a long time, or it's gonna hurt a lot more for a short time. Peter thought as he pulled himself backwards.
Option one being I hit the space ship like a human cannonball. Peter lifted his legs and pulled himself forwards launching in the direction of the incoming shuttle.
Option two being I get very close to the pavement.
Peter Shot across the sky. In mere moments he would see whether he would be a pavement Pizza by the end of the night.
CRAP! Peter thought. I OVERSHOT! Peter screamed as he sailed over the shuttle by 10 meters. Please just this once! Peter triggered a web-line, but his web-shooter came up dry.
NO! Peter thought as he shot a web with the other. It made contact. Peter's arm was nearly pulled out of it's socket as the rocket pulled him closer. He climbed the web-line until he was atop the shuttle. He slammed his fists into the thrusters denting them in. Without thrust the rocket slowed, if only barely. Spotting the flaps, Peter crawled over and tried to pry them loose.
They're welded shut! Peter thought. Up ahead the shuttle was coming dangerously close to flying right into a building.
No time! Peter thought and started shooting a bunch of webs behind him. They formed a parachute of sorts that drastically decreased the shuttle's speed.
Still not enough! Peter thought and slammed his fists through the metal of the flaps. Using all his might he pried them open. The moment he did, the shuttle careened violently to the side and Peter was thrown off. He quickly shot another web-line and pulled himself back holding on to the webline, and webbing his feet to the shuttle, Peter shot a we-line at the approaching building's roof, after shooting a few more Peter grabbed hold and twisted the web-lines around his arms.
Peter screamed with exertion as he pulled the shuttle up and over the roof of the building. His clothes ripped in placed as the strain wracked his body. Peter started seeing spots when there was a sudden jerk. The shuttle's bottom had caught part of the building and threw itself into an frenzied spiral towards the ground. Peter heard a thumping near the back of the shuttle, and noticed a panel dented and unable to open.
The emergency re-entry parachute! Of Course! Thank you Mr Richards for publishing schematics online! Peter shoved his hand into the panel and wrenched it open. Not even a moment later he noticed his mistake. The parachute sprung open and smacked him in the face. A shadow seemed to fly past him as he flew off the shuttle that was now plummeting towards the lake in central park.
Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod... Peter thought as he plucked all of his remaining web cartridges from his backpack and broke them open in front of him. He was engulfed in a ball of webbing as both he and the shuttle smacked into the lake. The shuttle made contact first, causing huge waves and Peter's makeshift hamsterball smashed into one. The sponge like nature of the webbing allowed Peter to crash into the water mostly unharmed. he ripped the webbing off his face and swam to the dock. He shot two web lines to the sides of the slowly sinking shuttle and yanked. Peter trudged up the bank of the lake, dragging the shuttle out of the fuming waters.
He leapt onto the hatch of the shuttle and plucked it out of it's sockets.
"Oh god!" Peter muttered as he gazed inside. There was a huge mass of some orange crystalline substance, rumbling in the back of the shuttle, on the floor lay a man who couldn't be older than 21 writhing as his body smouldered in flames. The most gruesome sight was the body of Reed Richards, a scientist Peter idolised, his body molten over the control panel of the cockpit.
Suddenly a voice next to Peter said: "It's shock from the crash."
Peter spun around but there was nobody even near him.
"You're not hearing things." The voice was feminine but firm. "I need you to calm down. I'll extinguish Johnny, but I need you to get Reed out of the shuttle, I'll help you to lift Ben out."
Peter jumped down and started gathering the rubber like flesh in his arms. I think I'm going to throw up. Peter thought.
"Not in the ship please." Came the voice from behind him as the now extinguished man floated out of the hatch.
Peter put Reed down on the grass softly and jumped back inside.
"I'll put a force-field around him, but I need you to lift him out." Said the voice.
"Is he under those crystals?" Peter asked as he lifted the invisibly bound bundle.
"He is those crystals." The voice said as Peter put the bundle down on the ground. The force-fields faded and the crystals sprawled on the ground in a humanoid shape.
"I need you to do one more thing for me." The voice said. "Inside the shuttle is a silver box, hand it outside. Peter obliged.
"Whatever you need... invisible lady." He held out the box and it floated away from him.
"Thanks." The voice said. The box opened and Peter saw a blue flight suit unfold from inside. It pulled itself around until it seemed filled. Suddenly a beautiful blonde woman faded into view.
Peter gasped.
"I wasn't decent."
"You were naked." Peter confirmed. The woman put a hand on her face and sighed.
The world just got a whole lot stranger. Peter thought as he watched the molten form of Reed Richards Pull itself together, and the crystalline form of Ben Grim sit upright.
Yes! It is here! Done and Dusted and great! I Hope...
Please Favourite! Please follow! Please tell all your friends! And Please review it helps me do what you guys want!
Next Time:
School spirits are high when the school ghost starts terrorizing students! Peter faces a threat closer to home and deals with the new influx of fantastic beings!
Peter meets a friend from Hell's Kitchen and also one of his greatest enemies in the form of Midtown High's mascot!
Will our hero be able to vanquish this phantasmic foe? Or will he perish at the hands of this pestilent Poltergeist?
Find out in the next Chapter of Spiderman's stupendous adventures: Chapter 8: A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL