(A/N: I do not own Spiderman. That right belongs to Sony
Also, I usually don't do this but given the recent 'reviews' that I've been getting, I kinda feel like I have to.
If anyone consistently what I like to call 'Flame Bombs' me then I will block you. This is because clearly, you're not actually interested in giving constructive criticism, you're just being petty and childish at someone writing a story that doesn't fit into your view of who Spider-Man should be or how he should act. This especially applies to someone named Pumpernickel God and apparently someone called Spider-Man Hater [Which through DMs I learned is actually Pumpernickel God creating separate accounts trying to validate his own reviews by pretending someone agrees with him and likely just trying to discourage me from writing].
If you don't like my story, don't read it. No one is forcing you to.
Anyway, sorry for the ramblings, just thought I'd get that out there.
).
Peter had again walked out of the school the next Friday afternoon with his usual clique: Liz, Gwen and MJ with Felicia following behind again pretending to do something important on her phone. Though there was one difference in the usual hangout group than usual. There was an addition named Harry Osborn.
Harry had put on a smile as he walked with Peter and his group of females, even though he knew most of them didn't have the best feelings for him right now. It was kind of a relief for Peter to see him smiling. He guessed they were finally starting to mend their old wounds and finally become best friends again.
As they walked out the gates, Harry turned to Peter and said with a small smile "Hey, Pete. I have to go say goodbye to mom before she goes…see you tonight?"
"Yeah, sure man. I'll see you there. Halo 2?" Peter asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, sounds good…get ready to get your ass beat" Harry said, his small smile turning into a devious smirk (Maybe a bit too devious for Peter's liking but he remembered how competitive Harry got when it came to video games).
"Oh I don't think so, Harr. I'm gonna beat you down" Peter said, getting equally competitive and playful at the moment.
"Oh, yeah?...Well we'll just see. See you there, buddy…see you ladies" Harry had said before giving Peter a little side hug and waving to the others before turning and walking away, walking towards the school parking lot and his convertible.
Liz just watched the two with a raised eyebrow. "Uh…you know, Petey…I can play video games too…I can come along and keep you and Harry company"
It was clear as day she didn't intend to hide the skepticism in her voice at the whole ordeal. Felicia seemed to be of the same mind as she put her phone in her purse and stepped forward.
"Yeah, Pete…I've played Halo once or twice. I can give you guys a little competition" Felicia said, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving him a knowing look.
Peter just looked between the two and just rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on guys. You still don't trust him?"
"It's not that. It's just well…you know…we just don't want…you know what? I'm just gonna come out and say it. Yeah. We still don't trust him" Liz said, definitely.
"Took the words right out of my mouth, without all the mumbling and rambling" Felicia said, giving a little knowing smirk towards Liz who just gave a little glare back at the rich thief.
"You guys are seriously untrusting. You remember when you thought Eddie was still a threat. I followed him for a month and there was absolutely NOTHING going on. Don't you guys think you're being a teeny bit paranoid" Peter asked, knowing that he could get crucified at even the prospect of calling two females paranoid.
"We have a right to not be trusting considering he was ready to bite your head off not two months ago" Felicia said with a slight glare towards her boyfriend.
"I'm gonna have to somewhat agree with your GFs, Tiger. I kinda have to say I never really liked Harry. In my opinion, he doesn't really seem worth the trouble" Mary Jane said. She never really was known to dislike anyone. Hell, she even liked Flash Thompson back in the days of his stereotypical jock that hated nerds. However, with Harry…he honestly didn't seem to have one redeemable quality. The bad vibe he gave either didn't help either.
Peter was getting more discouraged by this. He knew Harry wasn't exactly popular at school at the moment but he hadn't assumed that some of the people closest to him at the moment thought this strongly about Harry. He rubbed the back of his head, trying to come up with the response at the objection the three ladies were putting out. However, it seemed he was beat to it.
"Well I say it's good that you guys are starting to talk again and I fully support you guys having a 'Boy's night'" Gwen said, disagreeing with the other three. Everyone then turned towards her hesitant looks. Once all eyes were on her, she let out a sigh and began to talk again.
"Look, I know it's easy to think that Harry is the most horrible person in the world with how he's been acting this past year but you kinda just have to think about it from his perspective. He had an awful father who always pushed him to be like Peter, even to the point where he thought he could prove himself by taking an addictive and hardly tested serum. I think even he knew deep down he wasn't setting the right course for himself but he felt he had no other choice. The fact that his dad had died when it finally started to seem like he was proud of him along with me and Peter er…conspiring against him and the fact that his father was for lack of better words totally insane didn't really make things better. Harry needs friends and me and Peter have been his best friends since the 7th grade. This is really an important step that he and Peter need to take in order for the both of them to get their relationship back on track which will certainly improve their mental health as well" Gwen had explained..
The rest of the group stayed quiet for a moment, not exactly knowing what to say at the little speech that Gwen had just let out. After a few more moments, Mary Jane decided to say something.
"I'm not too sure why you're defending him so much, Gwen. I would think you of all people would have reason not to trust him after he decided to parade you around like a trophy the whole time you were together" The redhead had said.
At this, Gwen turned to her best female friend to give her a somber look before closing her eyes and sighing.
"Listen…I've known Harry. For years. He, Peter and Eddie were my only friends for a while. While Harry could be headstrong at times, he's honestly a very sweet guy and has always wanted to do what's right. I don't see why that would be any different here. I may not know what's going on in his head right now but I do think he deserves another chance" Gwen explained, looking at the group of people before her.
It suddenly grew quiet again with Liz and Felicia turning towards each other and giving each other a knowing look. After silently and mentally speaking with one another, they nodded at each other. They both then turned back towards Peter.
"Alright…fine…you can have your little guy's night with this creep" Liz said to Peter who then began to look ecstatic at this.
"Really?!" He asked with a wide smile.
"Yeah…I mean after all, we did say we wouldn't stop you if you wanted to continue being friends with him…but just so you know, we're both going to keep tabs on you" Felicia said sternly to her boyfriend.
To this, Peter only shrugged. "Well what else is new?"
With that, Peter had to give his farewells. He gave both Liz and Felicia a kiss, gave a hug to MJ and was in the process of giving the same to Gwen.
"Good Luck" Gwen whispered in Peter's ear.
Peter drew back, smiled at his best friend and nodded before he turned and started walking towards the direction of his home. Eventually, the others proceeded to do the same. However, Liz and Felicia both decided to take a little walk together before they had officially parted from one another.
"I'm assuming that by 'keeping tabs on him', you're talking about-" Liz had started to say before she was interrupted.
"Spying on him? Hm…maybe not to the extent of us actually going and actually watching him and Osborn. I don't have that much free time" Felicia had explained.
"Yeah, I get it…besides, I'm not really in the mood to watch two guys play video games all night" Liz said, rolling her eyes at the thought.
"I will be listening in on him, though. I always assume Pete has on his Spiderman outfit under his clothes and I do still have that bug on his suit" Felicia had said, giving a little smirk.
"Oh, yeah. I remember. You wouldn't happen to have another of those hearing devices for your little bug, would you? You know…just for emergencies" Liz said, slightly twiddling her fingers.
"Yeah, I'm sure…or maybe you want to make sure Peter's not listening to porn with Osborn?" Felicia asked with a devious smirk.
"Oh, shut up. Don't pretend you're not as paranoid as I am!" Liz practically scolded.
"At least I don't pretend otherwise. Here you go" Felicia said, giving her an earpiece.
"Have you even told him about this yet?" Liz asked, taking the earpiece and placing it in her purse.
"Keeping it a surprise for now. He'll thank me for it one day" Felicia said with confidence.
"If you say so" Liz shrugged. With that, they said their goodbyes and parted, leaving an empty schoolyard behind with the wind blowing behind them.
*6:30, Parker Residence*
Peter walked down the stairs dressed in his traditional blue shirt and semi baggy pants. He was in a better mood than usual. Tonight was going to be a perfect night, he could just tell. Tonight, he was officially going to get all of his best friends back. With this, his life could finally begin anew with everything going on the right track for him. He made sure to turn off his phone so that Jameson couldn't scream in his ear that night about getting Spidey pics. Usually not something he would do but he figured with Felicia and Liz out handling things pretty well so far, they'd be able to handle it.
The 17 year old boy reached the bottom of the stairs and made his way into the kitchen to say goodbye to Aunt May. Peter could see her in an apron stirring a bowl of cookie dough. He was tempted to dip his fingers in and get a little taste but the last time he had done that, his aunt had smacked him with a wooden spoon. He was sure it was playful but he had to say, the lady had a mean swing even in her older years.
"Hey, Aunt May, I'm headed out. I'll be back before 10" Peter announced. This caused May to turn her head slightly and raise an eyebrow.
"Oh and pray tell, where are you heading out to this time?" May asked her nephew.
"Just going to hang out with Harry. His mom's out of town for the weekend so we're just going to do some gaming for a couple of hours" Peter answered.
"Really? You're seeing Harry? Well that's wonderful! It's been so long since you two have spent time together" May said, fully turning around and giving a big smile.
"Yeah, it really is. After the Oscorp business, I almost thought our friendship was done for good. I'm really excited for tonight. We'll finally get to catch up and hopefully fully make up and continue where we left off" Peter said with hope in his voice. He knew that wasn't quite true and that there was quite a bit more to the story…but he felt that probably didn't need mentioning right now.
"I know you will. You two have known each other for as long as I can recall. It would be silly of the both of you to let something like that get in the way of the friendship you two have" May said, continuing to smile.
"Well…I guess he was just kind of emotional at the time. I honestly kind of know the feeling" Peter said, rubbing the back of his head, remembering the time the symbiote had nearly taken control of him and forced him to push everyone who loved him away.
"Well we all get emotional from time to time, honey. It's part of being human. The most important thing is after we've had enough time to cool down and collect our thoughts, we almost always come back to the same realization that it's not healthy to push away the ones that love us most and are trying to care for us. I'm confident that's what happened with Harry here" Aunt May said with Peter listening to her every word.
When the woman made sense, she made sense. Peter could feel his confidence rising as he heard her say these words. It made him just want to go and tackle the fun night he was going to have with Harry.
"Thanks, Aunt May. That means a lot. I think I have to get going now. I promised Harry I'd be there at around 7 and it's getting near to that time" Peter said, checking the time on his phone.
"Absolutely, dear. Say hi to Harry for me!" Aunt May said as Peter turned and ran towards the door.
She could hardly even say the last few words before he was practically swinging out the door. However, she just smiled and shook her head. That was the perfect display of her little boy if she ever saw it.
The white haired lady began to form little flat squares of cookie dough to pop in the oven. She felt Peter would be hungry after a long night of fun with his best friend.
*Osborn Penthouse, 6:55 PM*
Peter rode up the elevator towards the Osborn's penthouse. The brunette had texted his redhead friend on the ground floor that he was here and that he was on his way up. Harry had simply said to come on up and that he's ready for him, whatever that meant. Kind of a weird response but he had to admit, Harry never was one for normalcy. Though really, who was he to talk?
He had to admit, it almost felt strange to come up the elevator after several months of not coming by. It was almost alien to him. However, he probably guessed that there were still a bit of jitters coming out. While he was excited, he was also a little nervous. He had to make sure to keep the conversation topics on certain things. That would mean no Oscorp talk, no talk of his dad and definitely no talk of Spiderman. Talking about him would probably be the worst thing to talk about considering Harry's current feelings towards him.
It brought to mind another aching thought: Would he eventually have to tell Harry about his secret? Liz and Felicia knew. Gwen had found out as well. Eddie also found out about it ages ago. He was even pretty sure Captain Stacy knew too. With all of those people knowing, would he really manage to keep it a secret from him forever? Would he even want to? What would happen if Harry had figured it all out?
Questions and doubts were filling Peter's brain faster than he could even begin to answer them. Eventually though, he had managed to push them aside. This wasn't the time or place for that. All he needed to do was keep a happy face and look forward to an evening of 'broship' with one of his oldest best friends.
The elevator dinged and he entered the penthouse. It looked the same as it did several months back. Even all the African Mask decorations were perfectly in place….just like he would have wanted, Peter guessed.
It really gave Peter chills being back here if he was being honest. This had been the place where he lived: The Green Goblin. Memories swarmed back into his mind over the night he died, seeing his glider dive into the vat full of goblin pumpkins through his torn mask. It still sent shivers through Peter's spine. The nightmares he had received after that night were worse than the ones he had gotten after he first fought Venom.
Peter honestly still couldn't believe Norman still had tried to frame his own son for him being the Goblin. He had always been an asshole, a creep and above all else a horrible father but that was an entirely new level on the douchebag scale in Peter's book. Perhaps the fact that Norman had used the serum as a gas to inhale for months rather than drink may have had an effect on his behavior…but maybe all it did was enhance behavior traits that were already there which honestly chilled the teenaged boy even more.
Eventually, Peter had decided to let this go. It wasn't healthy constantly thinking about this. The only thing he should have on his mind is having a fun night with Harry. Speaking of which, where was he? He looked around and didn't see him anywhere. He wasn't in the kitchen or the living room area, which had been set up for their little game night.
"Harry? I'm here! Where're you at?" Peter called out. What he received in response was dead silent.
It was kinda odd, Peter wasn't going to lie…but maybe he had to go to the bathroom or something. He just mentally shrugged and moved towards the living room where the newest game stations were set up. Seeing this made Peter excited. He hadn't played video games in a long time, since before he became Spiderman. Too many responsibilities and such. The fact that he had been poor as dirt for a good portion of being a young superhero didn't help either.
From what he could tell, Peter already saw that Harry was setting up for Halo, one of their favorites. They used to play it all the time together. This made him even more excited. It also made him more curious as to what the hell was taking so long.
"Yo, Harry! Come on. Did you have something bad for lunch or something?" Peter called out. Still nothing but dead silence filled the penthouse. This did not help him in easing his nerves at the possibility of something being off here.
The brunette decided to go looking for him, thinking he might find some answers. Where the hell was Harry and what was he doing? Peter moved down towards the hall and moved towards Harry's room. He lightly knocked on the door.
"H…Har? Are you in there? Is something wrong?" Peter asked, getting increasingly worried as he spoke. Yet again, no response. Peter lightly turned the knob and slowly eased his way into Harry's room.
It looked practically the same as Harry's room as it did last time Peter was here. However, there was something…off…he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He decided to give Harry's phone a call. Peter got out his cellphone and tried to ring him up. The 17 year old was hit with an instant voicemail.
This started to worry him. Maybe Harry was in trouble. He started to get out of his regular clothes, starting to reveal the Spiderman suit underneath. That was until he had heard something.
"Hey, Pete. It's Harry! I'm in the living room. Sorry, I was just doing something in my dad's old office. Come on out and let's get to playing" He could hear Harry's voice out from his room.
At hearing this, Peter gave a huge sigh of relief. He breathed out and put his shirt down, covering up his Spiderman garments underneath. Afterwards, he gave a vocal response to Harry.
"No problem, Har! I'm coming. Get prepared to get your ass beat!" Peter said playfully.
"Oh, I don't think that'll be happening tonight, Petey…." Harry said in an almost robotic voice.
This caused Peter to raise an eyebrow. That was weird. No one had ever called him Petey except for Liz. However, maybe Harry was just being extra playful tonight, he guessed…he kinda wished it sounded like it though.
Peter left Harry's room and made his way back into the living room. For whatever weird reason, Harry still wasn't there. The game controllers hadn't even been moved nor had the TV been turned on. It was seriously, seriously weird.
Before he could even have time to react, he could feel his Spidey Sense going off. He quickly turned his head around and tried to flip whoever was behind him over his shoulder. However, all he got was a good kick to the back, throwing him into the glass coffee table separating the TV and the couch where Peter and Harry were supposed to be playing on.
Peter had quickly got up and turned around, ready to fight until he saw who it was that had been doing the assault. He stood there, frozen, not able to speak anything at what he was witnessing.
It…It was Harry…only…he was really geared up and armed to the teeth. He had on an armored mask that went from his eyes to his mouth, he had on dark green armor that covered him from his torso all the way down to his feet and in his right arm, he had what looked to be a metallic hoverboard.
"Not this time, Pete. Learned my lesson from last time though I should have expected it to be more than Kung Fu that you had learned over the past year. How do you like my new get up? I think it goes well from the globulin serum I've been taking all month" Harry said through his mask, sending out a robotic version of his voice.
"H…Harr? I…I don't…what are you…?" Peter asked, trying to make sense of all this.
Before he could utter out whatever sentence he was trying to speak, Harry grabbed Peter by the neck and slammed his body into a wall, leaving visible cracks all around it. Peter grabbed onto Harry's arms, trying to make him let go but his grip was too tight.
"Don't try to play dumb with me! I know who you are now! I tried to deny it and even laughed at it before but it all adds up now. You're him, Pete. You're actually him…or should I say…Spidey?" Harry asked, sadistically through his mask.
Peter just stared at his best friend, speechless as he struggled for breath at his best friend holding him up by the neck.