Have you ever felt like you were floating? Just floating right out of your body, feeling free. Nothing could touch you. It's everything, and nothing. To feel like the future and the woes of it can never pull you within it's sinister grasp, tainting, marring, devastating your skin so deep, time would not be able to sew the wound. But life is greater than the reward. For when you lose the strands of the future you lose your ticket. Your family, your friends…Your feelings forever.

HA HA!

Malicious laughter's.

HELP ME, PLEASE!

Futile pleads

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Unforgiving gun shots.

WAH!

Earth shattering cries!

"I can't take it anymore!" Chris wailed, he instinctively clung onto Mary Jane's neck. "Make it stop!"

Mary Jane pulled Chris into her arms melding their bodies into one. When the bombs went off the entire street had been level, and Mary Jane and Chris were unfortunate. The bombs collapsed the roof on top of them.

Mary Jane chided the child to be quiet. It was bad enough both her legs were broken.

Chris could feel it all, all sense of emotions swirled around his head. He was scared, frightened beyond any other point in his life. It was horrible, his life had always been black and white, cut and dry. Their were bad guys and the good guys would always stand against them. But this? It went against every moral he ever though was to be true. Black and white blurred, flipped upside down.

Chris' mind wasn't big enough to hold the change. He threw up all over the pavement.

I could smell it. The fresh scent of gun powder was in the air. I could hear it. The anguish cries of people running for their lives. I could taste it. The vile taste of my own vomit. I could feel it. The evil aura.

It was his fault, it was all his fault! He could feel his anger boiling. EVIL. This whole thing was evil!

Chris tried to get up but he couldn't. His whole leg was locked up. When he turned his gaze to his mother, his entire world shattered.

Mary Jane was cross-eyed. She was fading fast, but her eyes held such fear. She was one of the strongest woman he ever knew. Why was she so scared. He didn't realize it until he followed her gaze….And nearly collapsed from the emotional stress.

Mary Jane burst into tears.

"PETER!"

Chris snapped awake and breathed deeply. He brought his shaking hands to his sweat covered brow and sighed. It was that dream. That same dream he's been having since he was a little boy. You would think he would be used to it by now.

He looked out the window of the moving bus. Three more hours until the U of A basketball team reached Gotham for the A-Team Street ball competition. Sponsored by the company Rick happened to be chairman of, well it was the fastest way to get to Gotham, not to mention the cheapest.

Julius took off his headphones and turned to Chris. "Yo, man are you okay?"

Chris seemed a little discombobulated. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you kind of twitched a lot while you were sleeping and than you went rigid." Julius explained.

"Julius, have you ever had this redundant dream and no matter how hard you tried, you just couldn't get it out of your mind?" He asked.

Julius got a sly look on his face. "Oh, I get it. Don't worry about it, Chris?"

"worry about what?"

"Don't be embarrassed, it is perfectly natural for a man to have a wet dream, I remember I use to have them, with Jennifer Lopez, now that was the bomb-

Chris snaps, "I did not have a wet dream, you asshole!"

The whole busload of their teammates and cheerleaders looked at them weirdly.

Julius coughed before putting his arm around Chris. "Me and my partner are having a discussion, mind yours!"

Chris pulled away from him quickly. "I don't think now is the right time to use the phrase 'partner' and then touch me!"

"Okay, so what were you dreaming about, anyway?"

Chris sighed, "Forget about it."

"Now Chris we talked about this. I'm a part of this and in turn you must tell me what's bothering you so I can help."

Chris exhaled deeply. "The Brooklyn Massacre."

Julius stared. "Oh, I forgot. I heard it on the television, and you lived it."

Chris was still trembling, he looked down on his hands and notice their twitch.

'Why am I shaking so much?' He thought.

"Chris, I'm so sorry." He looked up to meet Julius' and saw how sad he was.

"Sorry, for what?"

Julius leaned back in his seat, he refused to make eye contact with him. "This sounds selfish, but your not the only one who feels like crap about it."

Chris patted his back. "Your right…You are selfish."

Julius quickly stared back at him, looking in his eyes for an answer.

"It's not your fault. It never was, it never will be." Chris explained.

Julius smiled and put his headphones back on, he was content. His friend didn't blame him and will never blame him. But that doesn't mean all is alright.

He turned his gaze toward his father, Rick. He was conversing with their assistant coach.

Julius sneered. "Did you believe his cover story? You think he wasn't behind it?"

Chris shook his head. "Just because they don't have legitimate proof doesn't mean he isn't guilty."

"I find it hard to believe how accepting I am to having a dysfunctional family." Julius alleged.

"Yet another thing we have in common." After Chris said that he felt two arms sling themselves around his shoulders, when he turned his head he saw Jesse smiling at him mischievously.

"Were not that bad, Chris." She said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Julius started to choke up mockingly. "Oh, you guys are so loving." He turned toward his brother. "Aidan give a hug and let's make up!"

Aidan who had been having a conversation with his friends looked at him in a disgusted scowl. "Turn around and don't talk to me, you dork!"

Miles away the Red Hood was standing over the highest building in Gotham. Inspecting the spider tracer that was once on his ride.

"Hm, this is well, mechanic." He said to no one in particular.

'Almost as good as the old man use to make.' The Red Hood's eyes narrowed just thinking about his past life, and everything in it.

"Once I earn Spider-man's trust I'm going to be a better mentor than that monster ever was!" He yelled.

With a ferocious roar of his motorcycle he rode off the building and shot straight down. At that time many people were screaming from the bottom. But he kept his nerve and slammed the bike on a glass roof of a department store, shattering it completely.

"What on earth!" The owner screamed.

The Red Hood stared at him coldly and took out a five dollar bill. "Today's paper and a gum please."

The owner's eyes bleed red. "Hey, you better pay for these damages! I'm calling the police! Do you hear me!"

The Red Hood just sighed and took out his gun. Why must they always be so difficult.

"This will cost you a fortune, I hope your rich, why I ought-

BANG!

A clear shot to the heart, he was dead within seconds.

He than turned to the shivering assistance. "A real hunter goes for the kill, not for the joy of the kill, so you aim to kill with one bullet."

"Ye-yes., sir." He stuttered.

The Red Hood took his paper and a pack of gum. "So…how much does those Twinkies cost?"

The clerk got the Twinkies and typed on the machine. "That's three dollars and sixty cents."

The Red hood gave him his five. "Keep the change."

When the Red Hood looked at the paper he bellowed. "Wayne Enterprise, huh? I don't think so!" With that he rode out.

"Come again, sir!"

Julius looked at the room number he was assigned. "I can't believe it, I'm sharing a room with Aidan!"

Coach walked up to him laughing. "You know the rules, Julius. Rooms are done randomly."

Julius sighed, "This ain't right."

Chris patted him on the back.

'Room 203, Room 203.' He thought to himself, looking closely at each doors. "Here we go!"

He walked in and took a look around, it seemed like a ordinary hotel room, two beds, one bathroom.

He put his luggage down on a bed.

"That's my bed." A smooth voice reached Chris' ears. When he turned around he saw Johnny Hardy coming out of the bathroom.

"Oh, my bad." Chris looked him up and down. "So, you're my roommate?"

He held out his hand. "Johnny Hardy."

Chris gasped, "The detective?" He shook his hand happily.

Johnny smiled. "Yes. So you heard of me?"

"Dude, everybody who's alive has heard of you, you are of course the youngest world class detective in the history of NYPD."

"I get around, you know with the mystery industry." He sat down on the bed and his eyes narrowed. "I've been waiting to meet you for quiet some time…Chris."

Chris felt a tinge of fear run across his spine. "Oh, yeah. Well I'm not as famous as you, but I guess I'm a real people person."

"There's more to it than that." He chuckled. "By the way, Chris. You should really ease up on the fighting. The stress it puts on your body might age it faster than you want it to."

Chris was in shock. How did he know about all the fights he's been in. "What?"

Johnny lifted his right hand, the one he shook hands with. "I could tell by your grip, the feeling of the ripples from the scars you have gave it away. See ya.."

Johnny closed the door to the room and was quickly confronted by Aidan.

"Well, just the person I wanted to see."

Aidan took out a small electrical device out of his pocket. "Randomly my ass! Why'd you do it, John? Huh? Why'd you rig it so you'd be roommates with Chris?"

"That's none of your business, Miles. Now just go back to your room."

"I can't do that, until you tell me what it is you want with Chris!" He exclaimed.

Johnny gave him a long stare. Aidan didn't know it yet but every move he was making, everything he was saying was quickly being soaked in by the detective, growing up like he did. Choosing the profession he did he could use a person's mannerisms against them when he needed to. All he needed was to play his cards right.

"Chris? I don't know anybody named Chris. I just know I'm rooming with a random white guy of which I don't know his name."

Aidan glowered at him. "Cut bullshit, Hardy. I don't know what your plan is, I've been around you long enough to know when you're up to something."

Johnny smiled. "Correction, you THINK you know me well enough. We've learn a lot together me and you."

Johnny started to circle him predatorily. "Aidan, what we know it's so, captivating. Knowledge is power, like they say, why don't we use this?"

"Johnny, that's not what I want and your rich enough otherwise I wouldn't even be caught dead with you so shove your greed up your ass before I start talking about your 'little' secret. You feel me?" He uttered under his breath intimately. He moved closer until their nose were touching.

"100,000 dollars is a lot of money, Aidan. Are you sure you want to risk it by letting your personal shit get in the way." He told him smirking wickedly.

"Were here for Dwayne Powers and after that. Were done!" He was literally breathing intensity. "Now as far as I'm concern I'm gonna be watching you real closely. I'm gonna be on you like your mama at a white sale! You do anything to screw with Chris and it's your ass. You do something to screw with me and…well, let's say it'll be painful."

Johnny smirked arrogantly. "You want to protect Chris so badly, don't you? Well, that' fine. I'll back off, but remember. You lay a hand on me and you lose your pay day!"

"You'll lose your damn finger, if you don't back off!" Aidan scorned, walking away.

When Johnny was sure Aidan was gone he slowly opened the door and looked into the creak at Chris. He was currently unpacking his stuff.

"Maybe now is a good time to get him." He said to himself. Johnny fingered the knife in his pocket.

Chris looked through his pack, he looked at the one of the packs' tag and laughed. "I can't believe I swiped one of Jesse's packs!" He curiously looked through it.

'Lipsticks, cell phone, eyeliner, condoms.' He stopped. 'Condoms! Oh, baby no!'

A figure moved quietly in the room, Chris' spider sense couldn't even pick it up. He's hand was carrying a brash silver, the sunlight adding to the sharpness of the edge. He looked at Chris and smiled. It was all too easy.

Chris was still looking through the backpack, when he saw a letter. "N.Y.U. paternity tests?"

The figure got closer and closer, Chris was so engulfed by it he couldn't even sense it.

Closer and closer, he was so close. He was within a inch of him. He raised his hand up in the air getting ready to strike Chris on top of the head.

CHAPOW!

"Ow!" Chris looked up and saw Julius with a flyswatter.

"Julius, what the hell was that!"

Julius smiled sheepishly. "You had a fly on your head!" He sat down next to him. "Check it out." He pulled out the shiny object in his hand. "What do you think about my new and improve credit card!"

"Man, your credit's worse than Mike Tyson, how did you get a platinum?" He asked in shock.

"I got connections. Now come on and let's spend it!" Julius asked excitedly.

Chris shook his head. "No, I got to go."

"Where?"

"To find the Red Hood." He grabbed his spider tracker. "He showed up on radar a hour ago."

"Yeah, and it' all made possible by me! I made it and not once have you ever thanked me!" Julius whined.

Chris looked annoyed. "Man, shut up and cover for me while I'm gone."

The scenery in totally dark, it's 12:01. There is a full moon out, the roar of Gotham's city is earth shattering. The lights are blinding, like one false move and those neon lights could light the whole town on fire!

Spider-man looked down on his spider tracker again. "Gee, first he appears and than he disappears? Cheap piece of metal! I knew I should of just bought one at Radio Shack rather than build one."

Rather annoyed he swung around the city.

'I have to be careful, I no nothing about this place, so if I run into trouble I might struggle.' He continuously told himself.

When the spider thread stuck to a building something sharp quickly sliced through it causing Spider-man to fall out of proportion with his swing. He flips his body horizontally and rolls himself onto a building, nearly taking out a lightning rod, before he lands on all four onto a building.

"What the hell was that!" Spider-man looked around and saw what he was looking for.

Three feet away from him the Red Hood was staring down at him. "Hey, that was pretty good. Ever taught about joining the circus?"

"Was that a joke?" He leapt up, with a full head of steam he raised his first in mid-air and prepared to strike.

"Because he it wasn't funny!" Spider-man fist collided with pure cement as he looked down on the punctured concrete.

The Red Hood had jumped away just in time, he dusked his jacket and smirked. "Your strong. I like that."

With eyes wide open he turned towards him.

'He's fast, maybe too fast.'

The Red hood chuckled. "I hope your not giving in so easily." He motioned with his hands to bring it.

"Come on now, let's play."

The Red Hood gets in his stance and Spider-man does the same.

"I have to be smart about this." He mutters.

Than he yells like a maniac and charges at full speed. Throwing a punch, was not a smart move because The Red Hood caught it with ease, he than gets one in the stomach. Falling back The Red Hood was 'nice' enough to make sure he only collapsed on his knees.

"Did anybody tell you the story of the Tortes and the Hare? Patience is always the answer." He than twists Chris' arm making him scream in agony.

Chris reached up and grabbed his shoulder, trying his best to relieve some of the pressure.

The Red Hood chuckled. "Kid, just hitting me will be your true test."

He had enough. Quickly Chris flipped over so his arm was in reverse position, using the momentum he goes for a high-middle kick combination connecting with the Red Hood's jaw.

Falling back the Red Hood massaged his jaw and noticed trickles of blood starting to form at the base.

"I hit you. Now I think I'm ready for the midterm." He stated firmly.

Spider-man once again foolishly goes for a punch and Red Hood manages to get to his feet in time to block his attacks, ducking underneath Spider-man goes for a chop but the Red Hood moved way faster than him and elbowed him straight in the chest.

Falling back a little Spider-man takes a deep breath. "It's like he knows what moves I'm gonna make!"

Going back at it Spider-man tries a kick, standing up, but ends up being flung backwards. Once on his back, the Red Hood hovers over him and pulls out a sword, he goes for a huge cut but Spider-man flips back up and goes for a huge kick. It's caught once again by the Red Hood who in turn gets ready to strike back with the sword.

"Got you this time to freak!" Spider-man yelled. He spins around in a reverse and super kicks the sword and his head with the other foot!

Grabbing the fallen villain Spider-man muscle drags him across the pavement before hurling his wounded body headfirst into a wall, the entire structure cracking under the pressure.

Spider-man breathed heavily, "What's that Red Hood? Oh, you fainted, this is over. Great I'll pack up and leave, you know I'm starve after that!"

Walking away thinking the battle had been won he suddenly stopped when he felt his head burn. His spider sense told him otherwise.

He slowly turned around. "It' can't be."

Dirty, bruised, and confident. The Red Hood stood not too far away from him.

Wiping the blood from under his chin he than spat blood. "Turn your back on your opponent, but never your heart."

Red Hood took his jacket off to show he meant business. "Watch this, it's quite a doozy."

His body tense, than a whole punch of veins and muscles popped and ripped as the Red Hood's body stature increase ten folds!

'Holy crap! What brand of steroids is he on to make him that big!' Chris could feel himself shuddering, he suddenly realized that maybe he just found himself in way over his head.

"Well what do you think? I'm all muscle and all man. Look out ladies!" He said cockily flexing his pecks.

Spider-man coughed. "So….you work out a lot?"

The Red Hood ran head first toward him. Not expecting it he jumped out of the way. Once behind him he gave a swift punch in the stomach.

He didn't even feel anything. Grabbing him like a rag doll the Red Hood slammed heads with him.

Chris could feel blood trickling underneath his mask from the impact.

His mind was reeling, the Red Hood was extremely powerful.

Seizing Spider-man by the neck the Red Hood choke slammed him into the pavement, sending ripples of cracks throughout the platform.

Choking Spider-man like a mad man the Red Hood couldn't help but feel curious.

"So just who is the man behind the mask?"

Chris could feel the sleeve of his mask coming up.