Chapter 4

Hey everyone! Hope you guys are having an enjoyable weekend, not gonna keep you all too long today so lets get right back to the story.

btw please ignore any errors about math later in the chapter, I have no idea if it's correct, math is definitely not my forté.

To Guest: Thank you very much for the review! Hope you enjoy todays chapter aswell

"Spectacular" = Speech

'Spectacular' = Thoughts

"What is a 'Hero' though?" = Speach with a quote

*BANG* = Important Noise?

-Flashback- = Flashback setting

"I love you" = Written words

{4:00am} = Important Time/ Date

Disclaimer: Spider-man, Marvel and related IP belong to their respective owners. The author of this story owns jack-shit and holds no fantasy that they ever will.
_

Peter didn't know what to expect in detention, but sitting there for forty agonising minutes listening to the clock tick wasn't what he'd had in mind, like dang could he atleast get more than one bathroom break.

His late morning rush had finally caught up to the webhead this morning, falling asleep in english class as they were discussing The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare, last he'd heard was something about catching someone once upon the hip?

Apparently that was a pretty key scene however, as when he was woken up by a book slamming on his desk, all he could recite upon being asked was "How like a publician he looks...catching his hip, I will feed him?"

The scathing look Mrs. Hargreaves sent him at that bumbling response could've cut the rhino's hide. The cry of "Detention" which followed was somewhat anticipated but still a heavy blow to the young man, no doubt Aunt May would have words with him and this detention meant he missed out on hanging with Gwen.

The thougths of hanging with Gwen was probably the only thing getting him through this snore fest as today was finally the day the two returned together to ESU's lab under Doctor Warren, not to be confused with their teacher Professor Warren, his brother.

Peter had assumed they were going to meet up like old times at the train station after school and head there together like they did back when the Connor's ran the place but with his detention? Peter would be lucky if he'd even make it to the lab in time.

*BRINNNGGGG*

Well it was time to answer that question wasn't it.

Rushing up the stairs of ESU's main lab, Peter was ever so thankful for his inventions, being able to swing above the traffic rather than get stuck in it comes in very handy sometimes. Granted his luck wasn't perfect as he was still five minutes late but hey, silver linnings, five minutes is better than half an hour.

Pushing open the doors to the lab Peter was greeted by two things, a dusty lab and 'The Look' curtesy of one Gwen Stacy. Wincing, Peter quietly crept in, hoping to keep his disturbance to a minimum as he walked up to the annoyed girl.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, detention dragged on and on then the subway was just-" Peter would've continued had he not noticed that instead of responding Gwen was just staring behind him, a slight grimace marring her face.

"Detention eh, , I do hope you aren't giving my brother any trouble now." Came the stern voice of doctor Warren behind him. Sighing to himself, Peter turned around, ready to accept whatever punishment Warren saw equalled his tardyness. However he'd be getting quite the surprise.

"Sorry doctor Warren, i'll try to avoid detention from now- Harry?" Having finally turned around to face the music so to speak, Peter was granted the shocking sight of a glaring doctor Warren and a quietly smirking Harry Osborn stood beside him.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" Peter asked genuinely bewildered as to the young mans presence, did he somehow get an internship here too? Or was he just dropping Gwen off?

Whilst Harry opened his mouth, presumbably to explain, he was quickly interrupted by doctor Warren.
" he is learning the family business and getting involved in the more scientific side of things. As Oscorps head of research and development, it falls to me to tutor him on these things."

Was it just Peter or was Warren sounding pretty bummed out about having to do this?

"As such, and due to his schedule, he will be with us here during your internship slots so that I can provide this tutoring. Don't worry, he'll mainly be with me in my office so there shouldn't be any distractions."

Yeah no, Warren was definitely glaring right now, seems like the only person happy with this arrangement was Harry himself if the swarmy grin on his face was anything to go by. Glancing at Gwen who had moved beside him, Peter couldn't read the neutral look affixed to her face, if anything she seemed rather despondent to the whole situation.

"Now get ready , Gwen's been picking up your slack for too long, I want this lab sparkling by the end of tonight."

Sighing to himself Peter headed off for his lab coat whilst Harry followed Warren into his office overlooking the lab. There goes spending any time with Gwen out the the window, Harry will probably be watching them like a hawk.

"I'm sorry Peter, I had no idea this was happening"

Jumping slightly as he reached the coat rack Peter glanced to his left where the sudden voice had come from, and his blond friend who just so happened to be sweeping there.

"He followed me in and wouldn't tell me what was going on" Gwen explained to the frazzled Peter who was putting his lab coat on.
"It's less than ideal Gwen but it's not your fault, atleast we still get to see each other" Peter said putting on a smile for her, trying to look on the bright side of quite the dissapointing situation.

With a soft smile Gwen turned away and continued sweeping the labs floor whilst Peter began wiping down the counters, coughing at the large amounts of dust that filled the air following such an action. Seems like it was going to be a long night.

"Phew!" Exclaimed one Peter Parker as he pushed open the doors to ESU's lab, a yawning Gwen and a cold Harry following him, the latter of which was blowing air into his cupped hands in a pointless attempt at warming them.

"I don't get how you two did this three times a week" Said Harry, glancing over at the blonde beside him, taking her hand in his.

"...It was a bit livelier with the Connors so that kept us awake, but really you just get used to it." Was said blondes response as she subtly looked between their intertwined hands and the back of the young man infront of them.

"Gwen's right Harry, we just had to work through the rough times and hope for the better ones. Like it may be boring wiping counters for three hours but the hour of experiments we get to help with the next time is worth it." Peter called back to the two, his ears straining to hear something in the distance as he tried his hardest to ignore the situation behind him.

"Yeah well we'll see, Warren drones on and on about pointless things ninty percent of time, he seemed more scared of you two breaking something than actually teaching me anything" Harry complained as the trio walked on towards the bus stop.

"You could always look for another tutor if your not happy with him Harry, I'm sure there are plenty of options if you need them" Said Gwen, her eyebrow raised as she proposed an alternative.

The icy look she got in response seemed colder than Harry's hand in Gwens mind.
"Nah, I think i'll do what 'Pete' suggested, and stick it out. Warren worked closely with my father anyway so he's bound to have some interesting wisdom."

'Well that's something to take note of' Thought Peter as he tuned out the conversation behind him, instead trying to focus on the noise which had been steadily growing closer to slightly unaware trio.
'Are those sirens?'

"Peter!"

"Huh?" Was Peter's intelligent reply as he looked behind him at the two getting onto the bus, particularly the blond who had dragged him from his thoughts.

"Harry's gonna walk me home, we were wondering if you wanted to come with?" Gwen asked gently, ignoring the scowls being sent her direction as the bus driver tapped on his wheel.

"O-oh, I'm sorry guys but I think i'm gonna try see if I can get some pictures for the Buggle you know? Pretty sure I hear some sirens going." Peter said, his eyes locked ontop Gwen's own, ignoring the scoff that'd come from Harry.

"Oh, okay... Don't forget your curfue" Was Gwen's response, a look of dejection quickly flashing across her face so fast, Peter wasn't even sure he'd correctly seen it. Stepping further into the bus at Harry's prodding the two gave Peter a hasty and lackluster wave respectively as the bus drove off. leaving Peter on his own.

Rushing away from the bus stop, Peter nearly collided with a laughing red haired man in a crimson tracksuit dancing his way down the street after walking out of an alleyway. Paying him no further head Peter quickly ran down the same alleyway and zipped up onto the roof on a quick web.
Had he stayed a second longer he might've seen the shadow standing at the mouth of the alley spreading across the whole space.

Swinging his way through the Manhatten skylights Spider-man zoomed towards where he thought the sirens had been coming from, finding himself overlooking a nearby warehouse for ESU.

"Now lets see what all the fuss is about" Spider-man said outloud as he perched himself atop a nearby light pole, gazing down at the police barricade and squad cars set up infront of the heavy warehouse doors.

"Come out with your hands up, we've got you surrounded!" Yelled one George Stacy into a megaphone, standing at the front of the barricade as he addressed whoever was inside the nearby building.

'Please don't let it be the enforcers again, I'd rather not have one of Ox's bear hugs tonight if i can help it' Spider-man thought, 'Wait, what's that sound?...that's-!'

*CRASH, BANG*

Quickly yanking captain Stacy to the side with a web, he was narrowly missed by the speeding armoured truck that barrelled through the warehouse doors now laying totalled on the cement.
Sparks and metal were sent flying all over the place as the speeding truck crashed straight through the police squad cars before barrelling down the road

"Thanks Spider-man" Captain Stacy said somewhat shakily, no doubt a result from his recent near death encounter as he stood there with Spider-man rubbing his back.

"Anytime Sir, couldn't face your daughter if something happened to you" Spider-man cheekily replied, giving the still recovering captain one last pat on the back before zipping onto the light pole he'd previously been watching from.
"I'll follow them from the rooftops, you guys got ground duty, Spider-cop over and out" And with that Spider-man swung off to the grumbles and grunts of many New Yorks finest police officers.

"I love that guy" said officer Carter, only to be slapped upside the head by his partner DeWolff.

Swinging as quickly Spider-man soon caught up to the armoured behemoth speeding down Manhattens streets with reckless abandon.

"Now how in the heck am I supposed to stop something the size and strength of Rhino..." Spider-man asked himself aloud as he locked eyes firmly on the truck, pulling people out of its way as he swung above it.

"Guess it never hurts to ask nicely"

Reaching a stretch of empty road Spider-man landed on the roof and swung in to the passenger side window, placing himself beside a frantically driving thug in a black clothes and a weird collar.

"You know, kinda hard to be sneaky when you're driving a truck this bad, or wearing bling over your theiving suit."

"Spider-man!/Spider-man!" Cried two voices, one from the driver beside him and the other...
"Why, hello there, sorry didn't see you earlier but the same points stand you know" Spider-man said to the second thug sitting in the back of the truck, holding onto some weird looking devices and dressed in the same outfit as thug number one, fancy collar and all.

Quickly webbing up the driver hands to the wheel, Spider-man turned to second thug, prepared to web him quickly to the wall of the truck when he instead raised his hands in surrender.
"P-please, you gotta help us!" The man cried, voice raw with fear.

"Shut up Joshua, we'll be fine, just squash this bug so we can get this delivered in one piece!" Shouted the driver, carefully trying not to crash into anything else whilst trying to free himself.

"Fuck that!"

"Now driver that's rude, Joshua has the talking stick right now" Turning back to the thug in the back Spider-man glared and said one word. "Explain."

Thankfull that he wasn't subdued just yet, the man began talking in earnest as police sirens could be heard in the distance, the officers were closing in on the truck.
"These collars are bombs!" The man said simply.

'Well atleast he was concise' Spider-man thought. "Why do you both have bombs strapped to your necks?" Spider-man asked, tone higher and incredulous as to what the two men could possibly think was a smart idea.

"Wasn't our plan now was it nimrod?, we woke up like this!" Shouted the driver, apparently implying he was stupid enough to attach explosives to his neck was a source of contention for the reasonably irate man.

"They're set to explode if we try take them off according to the note that was beside us, please you gotta help us!" Babbled the thug in the back, eyes watery as the sound of snot bubbles reached Spider-mans ears.

"Eww, look give me a minute." 'What in the world have these two found themselves in, we need somewhere away from people and fast...Central Park!' Spider-man thought to himself, racing against an unknown clock.

"Quick pull a right here and head to central park, we need to get somewhere safe!" Spider-man ordered loudly to the now complying duo as the truck turned sharply, heading towards the least populated area he could think of.
"Whilst he drives, Joshua was it? I'm gonna need to look at your collar."

The thug speedily complied, dashing up to the front and holding onto Spider-mans seat.
Inspecting the collar yielded a few things for everyones favourite arachnid, first off was the clasp which appeared magnetically sealed, not easy to escape but not impossible for him. Secondly, was the steadly ticking timer that read ten minutes and counting, now nine minutes, thirty seconds, dear gosh it was speeding up!.

"Why is it speeding up!?" Spider-man cried out in alarm.

"It's cause you're here! The note said it would explode if anyone tried to take it off, the boss must've realised you've been here too long!" Wailed Joshua, who was now blessing himself and praying whilst tears soaked his mask.

"There it is! Whatever you got planned, you'd better do it, it's now or never!" Shouted the driver as they pulled up to Central Park to the sound of police cars parking alongside them doing nothing to ease the crime duo's nerves.

'We've only got one shot and the timers ticking fast, oh god I hope this works!' Spider-man thought as he leant back in the passenger side chair, feet raised in the air.

*CRASH, SMASH*

Well there goes the windscreen. Turning around Spider-man hastily beckoned both men to lean closer, grabbing onto their death collars as they did so. Mentally bracing himself, Spider-man quickly but gently crushed both collars, ripping them off the thugs from the now open magnetic lock as he did so.

Flipping out onto the trucks bonnet, bombs timer racing down, Spider-man webbed up the two bombs and attached a web to the now ball of death. Swinging the web as fast as he could but releasing in an under arm throw, the web ball and its contents soared high into the air.

*BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM*

The night sky was illuminated by the briht white light of an explosion right over Central Park, a wrecked truck, a volley of police officers and one webhead all visible underneath the destruction.

Collapsing onto the bonnet breathing heavily as officers Carter and DeWolff escorted the two "Persuaded" thugs into the back of their squad car, after being searched for any more bombs of course.

"Hell of a night eh" Remarked Captain Stacy, now standing beside the trucks bonnet and the spider still gathering his wits as the two gazed up at the smoke from the bombs rising high in to the manhatten sky.

"You said it"

*CRASH,WHIRRRR*

The sound of metal tearing and spinning was the only sound to resonate within the dark room as a monitor found its way crashing to the ground. Screen sparking, frozen on a flickering image of Spider-man on the bonnet, a portion gouged out like a molten knife had cut right through it.

The silence that stretched out seemed as if to be a warning to the three remaining monitors affixed to the wall, one that they'd seriously better pay head to lest they wind up in a similar predicament as their brother and sister screens.

"That blasted Arachnid won't stop me this time, revenge will taste so sweet when i claim over his lifeless corpse."

The maniacal laughter which filled the room afterwards seemed to resound to the very pits of tartarus itself as it echoed for seemingly an aon, it's cruel tone enough to send shivers down the spines of any unlucky to hear it.

_
"What in the world is going on, guys listen to this!" Cried one Gwen Stacy, hands clutching her phone tightly as she read out from the page displayed. "Eighth body found mutiliated beyond near recognition, bite marks and saliva found on the victims neck and torso whilst an eye from last weeks body was found resting in the victims fist."

"Sweet jesus how could someone do that to another person, it's pure carnage" Gwen continued as she scrolled further down on the now revealed news app, hoping to find some sort of uplifting news in the story like a caught suspect.

"Geez looks like Spider-man's game is slipping, if this serial killer's yet to be caught." remarked Harry from beside Gwen, throwing an apple between his open palms, his elbows resting on the lunch table before him as he did so.

Peter opened his mouth to perhaps intervene on the web-slingers behalf if not for the sudden shout of .

"Oh dear god, i'm gonna be sick" Said Gwen holding one hand to her mouth in horror. "The body was found in an alleyway near ESU! Police are looking for information from anyone in the area around eight to ten pm."

"Wouldn't your dad have asked you something about this Gwen I mean that's where we were yesterday" Questioned Harry as he proded the uneasy situation.

"I haven't seen him since yesterday morning" replied Gwen. "He got a phone call about a warehouse or something and didn't come back till late at night then was gone early this morning. All he left was a note saying to not go anywhere alone."

"Y-Your dads right Gwen, we've all gotta be careful if this serial killer is starting to hang out around ESU." Said Peter softly, a weird look in his eye as he gazed at Gwens phone.

'Was that guy involved?' Peter thought, thinking back to the weird red head he'd nearly ran into coming out of the alleyway

"I agree with Tiger here girl, never hurts to play on the safe side every now and then." Came the unexpected reply from one Mary-Jane Watson as she sat down beside Peter with her lunch tray. "Who knows what kind of wackjob is doing this."

"MJ/MJ!" Cried out two voices whilst a third person just gazed uncaringly.

"Sorry i missed this mornings classes, had fashionably late you know?" Said MJ, the barest of smirks splitting her face as she raised a chip to her mouth.

"How have you been/Are you okay?" Was the excited response she got from her friends at the table, the blonde and burnette both looking happily at their previously sick friend.

"One at a time people" MJ chuckled, before looking at Gwen "I've been better, but just glad to get out into the beautiful Manhatten sun again"

Turning to face Peter, MJ's eyes seemed to soften. "And yeah Tiger i'm good, bit stressed from all that homework you delivered but i'm feeling alot better, thank you" Was MJ's response as she elbowed her burnette friend good naturedly.

"Sorry 'bout that but you know it'd only be worse if it pilled up" Replied Peter, chuckling slightly at MJ's proding whilst Gwen and Harry looked on at the banter, unreadable looks spread across their faces.

"Touché Tiger, as the one who doomed me to such a work load though I believe it's only fair if you are the knight to save me from it too, that maths work is kicking my ass" MJ teased, the pout on her face looking goofy from the chip stuck between her lips.

The sight of the usually put together MJ looking so silly was enough to send Gwen and Peter into a fit of laughter, both no doubt chuckling at the the cause for such a goofy expresion whilst even Harry had a smile on his face.

"Hardy har har, laugh it up you two. I'm expecting your help Peter but I wouldn't turn down help from the genius either, say the Silver Spoon after school?" MJ proposed, as she ate a few more chips whilst the laughter died down.

"I'll try my best" Replied Peter, whilst Gwen could only shake her head sadly.

"I have band practice after school today, sorry MJ, maybe some other time?" Gwen proposed sadly, as she rested her head in the palm of her hands. "I can't really afford to miss it and my dad will be collecting me afterwards."

Turning to face Harry, MJ simply rose an eyebrow "And what of my redheaded competitor, you gonna join us Harry?"

Blinking rapidly, said young man seemed startled from whatever dreamland his mind had previously been occupying as he looked MJ in the eyes. "No can do, me and my mom are still planning out the party this weekend, you're welcome to attend if you'd like."

"Hmmm" Humming to hersel MJ rocked her head side to side in contemplation before winking at him. "We'll see"

*BRRRRINNNNNNGGGGGG*

The ring of the school bell signaled the end of lunch and the start of the afternoon classes for many. Most thoughts turned from sour at the thought of more homework that would be inevitably delivered whilst others relished in the swiftly ending day.

One of those relishing in the days swift end however was one Peter Parker, gazing out across the lunch area in the direction ESU was, the weird look back in his eyes as his friends packed up their stuff.

'How could I...'
_

Sitting down at a table in the Silver Spoon were MJ and Peter, a cup of coffee held in her hands as Peter got out his school supplies. The place was packed, a man in a trench coat seemed to be having issues with his order and the que was nearly out the door. There was quite a bit of insults being through, not that the two payed attention to them, they were for here for each other and maths.

"Now I can't stay too long MJ, but hopefully we can get this sorted out pretty fast" Peter remarked as dug around his bag, where was that blasted calculator?

"Dang Tiger, if I didn't know any better i'd say you were trying to get rid of little 'ol me" MJ said with a grin, taking a sip from her coffee as she watched the young man fumble for something that was already on the table between them.

"Never MJ, it's just you know the Buggle? There's no pleasing Jamesson sometimes and with all this news about a serial killer..."

The grin on her face died as fast as lightning at the thought of Peter having to cover and be near such a terrifying maniac, the sight of someone behind Peter reading a newspaper with that as the headline did little to ease her nerves.

"Peter...just make sure you stay far away from this serial killer okay? Who knows what they're capable of..." MJ asked worriedly, the eyebrows furrowed as she gripped her desposable cup tightly.

Pausing in his search, Peter glanced over at MJ, the initial confusion upon his face melting away at the sight of MJ's state.

"I'll make sure to stay safe MJ, i'll try my best." Peter promised, lightly easing the tension which had built up on MJ's shoulders, her grip looseing on the poor coffee cup, as a small smile spread across her face.

"Good. And Peter? There's the calculator." She said, pointing to the afformentioned object which sat ontop of his maths notebook,

"What! MJ, why didn't you say anything? I thought Aunt May was gonna be furious with me for loosing another one" Peter groaned, throwing his arms up in exaggerated experation as he locked eyes with the now giggling redhead.

Seeing the smile on her face, Peter couldn't help but break out into laughter aswell, the two of them simply enjoying each others presence as they opened their books and began to work away at the maths work before them.

The clock spun and spun, the two adults unaware to the passing of time as they worked away in pleasant company,the only sound interrupting them being the ocassional chatter from other nearby patrons.

"And then just carry the integer and viola! Solved, easy peasy." Peter remarked cheerily, his lips upturned and eyes alight.

"HA! Take that you stupid numbers!" Cried MJ victoriously, a smile of triumph plastered on her face as slammed her pen down on the table, rattling the now empty coffee cup.

"Thanks alot Tiger, don't know where i'd be if wasn't for your help, Aunt Anna would've grounded me for a month if I failed the class!" MJ said, an appreciative look in her eye as she glanced at the smiling Parker

"Anytime MJ, i'm glad to help" Peter replied happily, shivering slightly at the thought of being grounded for such a long period of time. 'Dang imagine not being able to go anywhere for a month, think i'd go insane although it would atleast get me out of this party Harry's hosting...'

And like that, metaphorical lightning flashed inside Peter's brain. Maybe he wasn't as screwed as he thought.

"Hey MJ, so you know that party that Harry mentioned during lunch, is there anychance, hypothetically, that youwouldmaybeliketogowithme." Peter quickly mumbled out, so fast you'd swear he was rapping rap god.

"I'm sorry Tiger, could you repeat that slowly, not all of us have super hearing" MJ chuckled.

Taking a deep breath to steel his nerves Peter locked eyes with the smiling MJ.

"Is there any chance that you would like to go with me to the party? Harry will be with Gwen all night and you know how that is...I just don't want to be stuck on my own" Peter finally got out.

"Wow you really know how to make a girl feel wanted" MJ said smirking, only to recoil slightly when Peter winced at the suggestion.

"Sorry Pete...I know you're still hung up over Gwen, I shouldn't have said that."

"You're okay MJ, hard to deny the truth eh? I blundered it" Peter said morosely, his eyes downcast and finding the tables decor surprisingly fascinating as his hands traced circles on its surface.

Gently resting her hand on his, MJ broke the now dreary mood by squeesing tight and smiling at the now slightly flushed boy.

"Don't worry Tiger, I got you, I'd love to go with you to the party"

The relief that etched itself on Peter's face was something the waitress would say was as if a spark of sunshine had broken through a rainy afternoon. The two sat talking for the next hour or so, simply enjoying each others company as passerby's went about their day, headless of the happy two inside the diner.

Looking intently at his case documents, Captain Stacy could do nothing but rub his head in frustration. It seemed like this case would never end, something which was a source of great ire and worry for the aged man, his near white hair reflecting the rooms only light being the nearby desk lamp.

Glancing at the clock beside his lamp Captain Stacy nearly bit back a curse, 7:50pm, gathering his coat and quickly putting away his files in his briefcase he stood up to head the door.

"Collect Gwen, make some dinner and then maybe a fresh head will help me find some connection for these killings" Captain Stacy mused to himself.

"I think I might be able to help with that Captain." Came the voice of one helpful arachnid sitting on the captains window ledge. "Mind if I pop in?"

"Spider-man! Please tell me you know something about this serial killer, 'cause we're at our wits end here." Grunted Captian Stacy

"Maybe, see I saw this redhaired man coming out of an alleyway..."

And with that, Spider-man recalled the event in his head to the now grinning police captain, making sure to omit and alter anything that might give away his identity. If the captain noticed, he didn't care, it might be nothing but finally they had somewhere to begin looking for this elusive serial killer.

Thanks everyone for another bout of your time! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the rest, the next one should be nearly finished if i'm lucky. Anywho, please leave a review, any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated and most important, I hope you all have a wonderful day.