Chapter 5

Good evening everyone! Hope you are all having a wonderful day, short AN today, constructive criticism is again always appreciated and lets get right into the story shall we.

Spectacular Webhead 11: You'll have to wait and see ;)

Boy Bay44: Today my dear reader! Glad you're enjoying it :)

"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.
_

Dressing up in Uncle Ben's old suit always felt like a dream to Peter, the bowtie in particular reminding him of happier times when Ben taught him the ins and outs of how to tie a tie. Memories.

Standing infront of his mirror, Peter expertly tied his tie before gently pulling at the sleeves, today was a big day and not something he wanted to mess up.

"Peter, if you don't hurry up you'll late!" Gently called Aunt May from downstairs, her voice echoing throughout the small suburban home.

Quickly glancing at the watch on his wrist, Peter bit back an expletive as he ran around grabbing the last few things he needed. Press pass, check. Camera, check. Phone, check. Web shooters, check.
Hey you never know when something is gonna come in handy, and Peter liked to air on the side of caution after the string of incidents and bad luck that was his past year or so.

Running down the stairs, Peter caught himself on the bannister before he tripped. Falling right before a party was never a good omen.

"Oh Peter, I do wish you'd take it easy sometimes." Came the kind voice of Aunt May, the small exasperated smile on her face uplifting Peters own, a smile blossoming forth on his face.

"Sorry Aunt May, just don't to make MJ wait any longer, it's already embarrassing enough that we have to get the bus there"

"I'm sorry Peter, if we still had the car I'd offer to bring you..." The dejected look which spread across her face was enough to make even Venom feel bad, no one could blame her for the situation.

Stepping forward off the stairs to hug his aunt, Peter held her tight. "It's okay Aunt May, we'll be fine, no need to worry."

This seemed to be the right thing to say as a small smile broke out onto the old woman's face. "You've grown into such a considerate young man Peter"

*DING, DING, DING DING*

The comfortable silence between the two was broken by the alarm of Peters phone, evidently he had run out of time.

"I'll be back before you know it Aunt May, me and MJ will tell you all about it." Peter said, untangling himself from the hug and heading to the front door.

"Please do and don't forget to say hello to Gwen and Harry for me Peter!" Aunt May said as she watched her adoptive son struggle with the doors lock.

"Will do!" Peter cried, finally unlocking the door and running out, closing the door behind him as he made his way over to the Watson's and the hopefully not too ticked off redhead waiting on him.

Going to knock on the door, Peter fist was left hanging in mid air, a slackjawed expression on his face as the door was opened to reveal the beautfiul Mary-Jane Watson. 'Dear god she's stunning'

The young woman stood there, teasing smirk on her face, hip cocked and dressed in a form fitting strapless black dress, a gold coloured belt hanging around her waist and a black and gold handbag hanging off her shoulder.

"Took your time Tiger, how do I look? MJ asked coyly, a small smirk on her face as she observed Peters silent expression. "Well I'll take the silence as a compliment"

"More importantly though, will you ever learn punctuality?" MJ teased, brushing a speck of imaginary dust off of Peters frozen shoulders. This seemed to shack some semblance of thought back into his brain however as his eyes suddenly regained focus.

"MJ!, I'm so sorry, but I couldn't find my press pass, then I had to say goodbye to Aunt May and you look amazing..." Peter rambled.

"Excuses some other time, lets get going, i'm itching for a dance" MJ said as she walked out onto the porch beside the still slightly gobsmacked Peter. "Bye Aunt Anna, I'll see you when I get home!" MJ cried back into the house as she closed the front door.

Wits returning, Peter offered his hand to the now waiting MJ as the two began walking to the nearest bus stop. Tonight was already looking to be quite the night in Peters opinion, he just hoped nothing disastrous happened for once, he could use the break you know? The less villians screaming about revenge the better in his opinion.

Stepping off the bus into the crisp night air, the city lights illuminating the street as passerby walked unflinchingly down the cold hard streets the two began walking towards the nights venue. The party was due to be held in the ballroom of a nearby five-star hotel, the hotel Charlottean.

Passing by people big and small, well dressed or in trench coats, red or black haired the two were already in a whirlwind of people and they hadn't even made it into the venue yet!

Getting closer to the venue, the two could see the hotels main entrance was dolled out in a giant red carpet, barriers for the press and commoners lay at its side to seperate the guests from the ordinary folk.

Limo after limo pulled up at the end, guests draped in the fanciest of suits and most expensive dresses one could imagine stepping out into the night air, basking in the camera flashes of onlookers as attention was focused solely on each one.

"Oh my gosh, that's Spencer Reid, the famous psychologist!"

"That's the actress Lana Kane!"

"Is that the author Andrew Ryan?!"

Movers and shakers of New York were all walking down the red carpet, each one famous in their own right, as they attended the in a sense farewell party of one of their own. After all this would mark the end of an era, the end of Norman Osborn reign as king of New York and the ascension of someone new.

Stepping through the gathered crowd, each vying for a look at who would leave the next limo, Peter and MJ walked up to the side door and the large man clad in a black security outfit standing before it, clipboard in hand.

'Geez, I hope he never turns to crime, those arms look like Rhino's' Peter thought to himself

As the two got closer, said man simply put out his harm infront of himself, his palms a barricade in and of itself.
"No entry"

"We're on the list" MJ bit out before Peter could even think of a response.

"Yeah right, and I'm a folk singer" The burly man said, chuckling as he did so at what he believed to be a ridiculous thought. After all, there was no way this scrawny young man and the beautiful girl beside him were guests to such a high society party.

Opening her mouth to tear the cheeky guard a new hole, MJ was stopped by Peter's hand on her shoulder as he turned to face the guard.

"Humour me, not only do I have a press pass" Peter said, flashing his pass as he did so.
"But, there is also a spot for me and my date under Peter Parker"

Huffing to himself, the guard glared at the two before him, as if he willed it hard enough, the two annoyances would just vanish from sight.
"Fine, I'll accept the press pass but you ain't getting your girl in here if this list doesn't say it"

Smirking to himself at being able to ruin the night of the couple before him, the man checked his list. Then checked it twice. And finally thrice.

"...Oh"

"What oh, finally realise we aren't lying?" MJ said challengingly, as if daring the guard to doubt them again.

Peter just remained silent as the exchange went on, not wanting to add anymore fuel to the proverbial fire.

"Right this way you two, sorry for my behaviour." The guard said as he opened the door behind him, the young couple walking through with smiles on their faces. Although as the door closed behind them Peter couldn't help but chuckle at the face MJ was making to the back of the rude guard, her tongue out and an eyelid pulled down made for quite the sight.

As the two made their way inside they couldn't help but marvel at the hotels decor, chandeliers everywhere and sparkling clean floors. This marvelling didn't last for long however, as MJ suddenly began dragging Peter off to something she'd spotted near the front entrance.

Standing proudly with photographers milling about was a giant photoshoot section, the logo's of New Yorks top companies sprayed across it.

"Let's get our picture taken!" MJ said excitedly as the two drew near.

Taking a quick glance outside at the red carpet Peter didn't see anyone walking in any time soon. 'I guess a picture or two couldn't hurt' Peter thought smiling.

"MJ wait, wait, let me see if someone will take the photo first."

Walking over to a kneeling clean shaven photographer who had just finished taking a few pictures of the latest guest Peter gently tapped him on the shoulder, the man turning his head to see who'd bothered him.

"Hey, I know it's not really proffesional but would you mind taking a picture of me and my friend here" Peter said, gesturing to himself and the slightly waving MJ stood behind him.

It seemed like luck was on his side tonight as the photographer only smiled and nodded, raising his hands for the camera which Peter passed over.

Walking out onto the photoshoot section seemed to make MJ happier and happier, by the time they were there her smile was splitting her face. Posing together the two let their worries bleed away as the photographer took a quick couple of shots.

Heading back over to the photographer the two thanked the kind man as he walked away after handing back over Peters camera.

Taking the camera in hand, Peter began trying to get it ready to view the photo's whilst MJ leaned over his right shoulder, her hair falling down on him and chest pressed against his shoulder.
'Doesn't she feel that' Peter thought blushing up a storm, barely able to focus on the task before him.

"Oh my gosh Tiger, we look great! I knew the gold belt was the right one to go with tonight." MJ said, obviously pleased with herself, seems like he wasn't the only one who was trying to look their best tonight.

"Would you like to get some more?" Peter offered, why not afterall, they weren't due upstairs for atleast another ten minutes and the less he had to see Gwen on Harry's arm the better in his opinion.

This question seemed to be the right one however as he was met with a swift hug.
"Thanks Tiger, I've always wanted to get my pictures taken somewhere like this on the red carpet.

Before he could respond, MJ was already posing in the photoshoot section and not one to let her down, especially after what she just admitted, Peter was happily obliging the photo taking aspect. I mean who wouldn't? Not only does he get to help a friend, but he just so happens to get to take photos of a beautiful redhead, it was a win-win!

Pose after pose, this went on for about five minutes before the two decided enough was enough after drawing the attention of the other photographers and the arrival of more guests.

Sheepishly moving away from the photoshoot section the two made their way towards the hotels elevators which would take them up to the ballroom where the nights events would take place.

"Wait a second Tiger, shouldn't you be taking photos of all the guests for the buggle, not just me?" MJ inquired, one eyebrow raised and smirk on her face as the two waited in the line for the lifts.

Blushing lightly as he stepped forward, Peter turned his head towards MJ. "Normally yeah, but Jonah said he was interested in the action shots upstairs more than the fabricated ones down here."

"Between you and me, I think he's hoping to get some dirt on people" Peter said, leaning over to whisper in MJ's ear.

"My Tiger forward are we" MJ teased before a contemplative look crossed her face as the two stepped forward in line. "That does sound like your boss though, all that's missing is Spider-man"

"Oh don't remind me, he'd probably be over the moon if Spider-man showed up, I can see it now 'Spider-man mocks the dead, returns to finish the deed' or something spread across the evening paper" Peter said morosely, his tone as dejected as an ice-cream lover who just found out they're lactose intollerant.

Patting her friend on the back, MJ could only cast a curious look at her friend. "You really do think the world of Spider-man don't you?"

"...He's a hero MJ, despite what the papers say, he just wants to help everyone." Peter said quietly as the two continued moving forward.

"Maybe Peter, but even a hero has limits, I just hope tha-"

"NEXT!" Whatever MJ was trying to say was drowned out by the loud voice of the security guard manning the elevator, evidently security for the place was as tight as could be, which was understandable given the guest list.

"Ms. Blake!"

"Daphne darling"

"Smile for the camera!"

The sudden commotion jostled the duo and drew their attention backwards, evidently quite the big name had shown up as the photographers were clammering around each other trying to get the best shot of this new arrival, her red hair giving her a slight resemblence to MJ herself.

Deciding to get out of there whilst it was still somewhat peaceful the two stepped into the elevator, giving brief nods to the slightly shaking security guard as they passed, thanking him despite the interruption and wishing him goodluck with the upcoming commotion.
Standing shoulder to shoulder as the doors closed, blocking the now incessant camera flashes as more guests began arriving, the two paused and looked at each other silently.

This lasted about half a minute before both broke down laughing.

"Did you see that guards face?" MJ wheezed out.

"Oh my gosh, he looked like he was about to bless himself" Peter said gasping for air, neither one envying the poor man who had to keep the peace downstairs whilst they ascended to the party above.

The elevator didn't seem to take too long, the dull hum of fancy elevator music and laughter passing the time relatively quick.

*DING*

With a lound ding, the elevator doors slowly began to open, showing the two something they would likely not forget. A massive two storey ballroom with both an inside and outside balcony stood before them, filled with New Yorks highest members of society, people they'd only heard about or seen in the news before, each enjoying a glass of champagne or wine.

Stepping out of the lift, the two continued gazing around the room, with Peter even snapping a few photo's of the rooms oppulance. Highlights of the room had to be the near six metre long dinning table filled with fancy foods both wouldn't know the half of, a huge stage, the giant ice sculpture of Oscorps logo which stood proudly towering above everyone on its platform and long banners dangling from the inside balcony which detailed Oscorps creation and history under Norman.

Looking through his camera at the final banner that he needed a picture of, Peter quickly snapped the shot only for his view to be blocked by a gorgeous blonde in a royal purple strapless dress walking over to him and MJ, a redheaded young man following close behind.

"Peter, MJ over here!" Cried one Gwen Stacy as she walked over to the duo, a smile upon her face until her arm was linked by the redheaded male behind her.

"So glad you two could make it" Said Harry, drapped in an olive green suit, a purple shirt and black tie that probably cost more than both Peter and MJ's houses, maybe even combined. "What do you two think of the place, pretty snazzy right?"

Putting his camera down, Peter and MJ turned their attention from the room towards their friends now standing infront of them, a smirk on one and a tight smile on the other.

"Yeah Harry it's great, loving the ice sculpture" Peter said, lazily pointing over to where said sculpture stood.

"Thanks, it cost twenty grand getting that done and it's gonna take another ten just to keep it cool and together for the night, but ah well. No expense is too grand sure." Harry said, fixing his tie with his free hand.

Hoping to diffuse the sudden tension, MJ turned towards Gwen. "So how's the night been you two, any fun?"

Opening her mouth to speak, Gwen was quickly cut off by Harry. "Nothing too bad, just engaging in conversation with New York's brightest, a few business deals, a few condolensces and few agreements about my views towards Spider-man, you know, classic everyday stuff."

If Peter didn't know any better, he'd swear Harry was trying to provoke him on purpose for some reason, but there's no way his friend would be up to something that manipulative right?

"Oh dang look at the time, we'd better head off" Exclaimed Harry, glancing down at the Rolex on his wrist. "We promised thee Cheryl Tunt a moment of our time earlier. Lovely seeing you two, we'll have meet up later in the night."

And with that the Harry turned and began to walk away, heedless to the glance Gwen sent back towards Peter and MJ, a very evident frown upon her face.

"Seems like Gwen's enjoying this about as much as the elevator guard is" MJ said wincing slightly at the thought of how boring and insulting it must be, being dragged around the party and forced to take part in conversations she had no desire to be in.

"Yeah..." Peter said watching their backs dissapear into the crowd before them.

"Parker! Quit your bellyaching and get a shot of me and my lovely wife" Came the sudden voice of one Jonah Jamesson now standing beside them, decked out in a dark black suit, accompanied by his wife.

"Yes sir!" Peter replied half shocked and half accustomed to the quick demands of his boss as he took the couples photo. Passing the camera over to the man once the photo was taken.

"Ha! Not bad Parker! Front page material right there if I do say so myself." Jonah said looking at the afformentioned picture before tossing the camera back to Peter who seemingly barely caught it.

"I don't know how you work for that guy" MJ said as the two walked around the party.

"Easy. He pays the bills." Peter replied morosely, taking pictures of certain attendees as they passed.

"I understand that feeling Tiger" Was MJ's empathetic response, as she stood alongside him whilst he gathered a few more photos of the guests and decor.

"Pardon me"

Pausing the two turned around to see a well dressed man standing behind him, a beautiful tall burnette woman in a red dress hanging onto his arm.

"Yes, can we help you?" Peter asked the duo whilst MJ simply rose an eyebrow in curiousity.

"The names Roderick Kingsley, and I just so happened to see your little impromptu photoshoot downstairs."

"Oh this is so emb-wait, Roderick Kingsley, as in the Roderick Kingsley?" MJ began, only to pause as she recongised just who the man was claiming to be.

"Roderick Kingsley, why does that name sound familiar" Said Peter.

Turning to face her somewhat naive friend, MJ could only shake her head in exasperation. "He's the biggest fashion designer in New York! Alongside his brother, they run Tricorp, one of the biggest companies in the city." MJ informed.

At Peter's flabbergasted look, the man decided to continue with the reason he came over."Yes, yes we've worked quite hard to get where we are today. But that's not why I came over, I came over for you young lady."

"Me?" MJ replied confused.

"Yes, you. See, I always happen to be on the lookout for new talent and by gosh, from what I saw downstairs you have it in spades!."

"Thank you sir, that's such a wonderful compliment, but I think that's as far as my modelling career will ever go sadly." MJ replied, both happy and somewhat dejected whilst Peter continued looking on, not wanting to interrupt their conversation but gently placing his hand on MJ's arm in support.

"Nonsense!" Kingsley said.

"Why that's the very reason I came over here. Would you perhaps be interested in doing a few photoshoots with my company? We are in desperate need of a new model for the upcoming summer catalogue and I think you'd be perfect." Kingsley continued much to MJ's shock and delight.

"Y-Yes sir, that would be amazing." Was MJ's shocked response, smile splitting her face as her mind ran rampant with thoughts on what this would mean for her and her situation.

"Wonderful, why don't you and your boyfriend join us over here for a while to go over the details?"

"He's not/I'm not her boyfriend" Came two jumbled responses, slight blushes on both faces as they looked at Kingsley then at each other, before looking back to Kingsley.

"My mistake" Kingsley said, holding his arms up in mock surrender. "But about that discussion?"

Whatever the two friends were going to say next was drowned out by sudden voice of Jamesson from nearby.

"Parker! I need you to get a few photos from the balcony, make sure you capture a few big names in the shot too!"

Wincing at the volume of his boss' voice, Peter could only hang his head and look over at MJ. "Sorry, but duty calls."

"Doesn't it always" MJ said looking gently at him with a weird look in her eye, not angry or happy, just weird, something he couldn't pinpoint at that moment in time. "Is it okay if I-?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, of course MJ! I'll come find you when i'm done, don't worry, hope everything goes well." Peter said enthusiastically to his date, smiling as he did so.

"Thanks Tiger" And there was MJ hugging him again, didn't she know he could feel everything when she did that?

Smiling at her friend, MJ, Kingsley and his date walked over to one of the quieter corners of the room where the two could hash out the deals of MJ's budding modelling career.

Peter had heard lots of horror stories of people being duped by modelling agencies, or atleast one's that claimed to be, so he was certainly going to give her a few warnings tomorrow once she had all the details just in case but he was chuffed for her. This could really be the break she was looking for.

Standing outside in the cold Peter lined up his shots as best he could, making sure the lighting was sufficient and that, as Jonah said "He got a few big names in the shot". The things he does for that man.

Finishing up his shots, Peter leaned against the balcony's railing, scrolling through the camera at the many pictures he'd taken that night. From the ones just there of the gathered crowd being served food by poshly dressed waiters whilst the soft yellow light from the chandelier illuminated the venue, the shots of MJ from down in the photoshoot section, to even the one he'd accidently snapped of Gwen and Harry as they'd made their way over.

"Finally, some fresh air!" Was the exasperated words that drew Peters attention away from the camera and to the speaker, a certain blonde in purple.

Catching sight of Peter leaning against the railing, a smile blossomed on the young Stacy's face as she began walking over, Harry no where in sight.

"Hey Peter"

"H-Hey Gwen" Was Peter's clever response, the slight blush on his face either from the sight of the approaching woman or the brisk night air. He didn't know from which, and he didn't necessarily want to know.

"Whatcha doing out here?" Gwen said, coming up to stand beside Peter who was finding it difficult to figure out where exactly he should put his hands. In his pockets? Too informal. Crossed arms? Too stern. On his camera? On his camera!

"Oh you know, just taking a few group shots for the Buggle. Normal Peter stuff."

Raising a blonde eyebrow at the flustered young man before her, Gwen couldn't help but shake her head, little chuckles spilling out from her perfectly glossed lips.

"Wish I could be doing Peter stuff with you." Was it just him, or was that an innuendo? "I've been stuck on Harry's arm like a bloody trophy all evening! He doesn't even let me really join in the conversations!."

Oh shit, someone was due 'The Look' and Peter was damn sure it wasn't him for once.

"Is that where Harry is now?" Peter asked.

"Yeah, finally managed to slip away when he got stuck talking to someone about how wonderous their new yacht was, like gag me already" Gwen said, miming a gag motion in the back of her throat as the two chuckled.

"So..., where's MJ?" Gwen continued tentatively, her head peering around the outside balcony, looking for the unmistakeable red hair to appear.

"Some bigshot saw our photoshoot downstairs and is talking to her about a modelling job" Peter replied, fiddling with his camera as he had a hard time keeping eye contact with the beatiful girl in front of him.

"That's wonderful news, oh my gosh I'm so happy for her!" Was Gwens excited response, evidently chuffed with her friends achievement. "She must be over the moon that she got noti-wait, photoshoot? Gwen paused, curiousity lacing her voice.

"Y-Yeah, they had this thing set up downstairs for photos and there was no there so I took a few photos for her." Peter replied, watching Gwen's face as she went silent. "They're on my camera here have a look"

Twice in one evening as he was trying to showcase his photos, didn't Gwen realise he could sorta feel her breasts that way with her leaning against his shoulder? Peter hoped she both did and didn't to be honest.

Looking over his shoulder at the camera, Gwen watched as photo after photo of the evening was scrolled through until they finally got to the ones from downstairs of MJ. "...She looks beautiful Peter, you did a great job."

This continued as they scrolled past more and more photos, he'd evidently managed to take more than he'd thought in those five minutes! Everything was going great as Gwen added her two cents to each one.

"Oh that pose is wonderful."

"How'd she even arch her back that far?!"

"Were you lying on the floor to get that shot?"

Everything was going great, key word there, was. Finally getting to the last image on the roll, the one of MJ and Peter holding each other that the other photographer took, Gwen went silent, an unreadable look in her eyes as she glanced between the photo and Peter.

"...Peter, I-"

Whatever she was going to say was interrupted by the sudden sound of footsteps rushing over. Looking up the two quickly seperated at the sight of Harry quickly beelining his way towards the two.

"Where have you been?!" Harry demanded, as he grabbed onto Gwen's wrist, dragging her back towards the party.

"I was just getting some fresh air, what's wrong?" Gwen replied.

"It's nearly time for the announcement ceremony, you should head on in too 'Pete', wouldn't want you to miss any of your precious photos now would we?" Harry bit out through a forced smile as the two went back inside.

Left alone on the balcony in the night air, Peter could only watch their retreating backs, helpless to stop them. Sighing to himself, Peter got his camera ready and began heading back in himself. Say what you want about Harry, but he was right, Peter did need to take photos of the ceremony.

Stepping back inside, Peter was quick to find MJ over by the catering table, if the smile on her face was anything to go by then her talk went pretty dang well if he was guessing.

Before the two could even say a word to each other, the rooms lights dimmed, one singular light focusing on the lone pedestal standing upon the rooms stage and behind it Harry's mother.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming out tonight for such a wonderous occassion. I'm sure if my husband were still with us, he'd be overwhelmed with all the support you have given us over the years and are still giving us even today."

Pausing slightly as the few press lucky enough to get up there started taking pictures, Peter included, she seemed to gesture to someone in crowd covertly. 'Huh, wonder what that's all about...'

The answer to this question would soon be answered however as Harry Osborn quickly took the stage to stand beside his mother who continued her speech.

"And so, it stands forth that today on the day where we are remembering his many contributions to science and the world as a whole through Oscorp that we also look towards Oscorps future!"

"It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I will not be taking my husbands place as the head of Oscorp despite much speculation. Instead, that role will be taken up by my son here Harry Osborn once he reaches the age of maturity in but a short year."

Cue the many flashes all capturing Harry and his wonderfully swarmy grin as he looked down at the crowd below him. It was only thanks to Peters years of knowing the boy that he managed to spot the uncertainty in his eyes. Seems like someone wasn't as confident as he wished to appear, understandable really.

"Until then however, we will be entering into a partnership, with a name i'm sure you're all aware of, who will be looking after the company until such a time comes when Harry can take over and continue said partnership."

This announcement spread like wildfire throughout the crowd, each wondering who the new partner of Oscorp would be, this was after all one of the biggest companies in New York if not the biggest, something of this magnitude was unprecedented.

"Now i'm sure you're all wondering who our mysterious partner is, and whilst i'm sorry to say they couldn't attend tonight due to prior engagments, this partner is none other than Wilson Fi-"

*CRASH*

"OSBORN!"

'Well there goes my day off' Peter thought sadly, glaring up at the sight of four metal appendeges holding a certain doctor aloft in the air having come crashing through the window behind the stage, glass shattering everywhere and covering the crowd below.

The doctors welding glasses, and presumably his eyes, were focused solely on the Osborns below him in a bone chilling glare that froze them to the spot.

And with that, the crowd broke out into panic, everyone rushing for the doors in a herd of hysteria.

"Everyone take the stairs! The lift is too dangerous!" Came the shocking voice of Jamesson over the roar of the crowd, his many days shouting seeming to finally come in handy as everyone heard him over the commotion.

"Peter, we gotta go" Was MJ's frantic response to the mayhem, turning to spot her friend only to see an empty space where he should be. "Peter?"

Raising one of his four appendages, the arms claws sharpened to a point, the doctor couldn't help but gloat. "Say hello to your father, in hell!"

And that would've been the end of the Osborns had they not been quickly pulled to the side towards the fleeing crowd by a certain webhead now stuck to the wall of the second floor balcony.

"Geez doc, it's been ages since I saw you and this is the first impression you make? Not very stellar I have to say."

"Spider-man!" Was the only response he got, well the only verbal response that is, a metal claw hurtling at your face hoping to impale you sure does send a message.

Jumping up over the claw and webbing it into its new hole in the wall, Spider-man couldn't help but infuriate the already annoyed doctor. "You know these things would be great for planting."

"Yes" Gritted out the somewhat obese doctor. "Planting you and the Osborns in the ground!" He roared furiously as another claw was sent at spiderman who barely managed to dodge to the right in time to avoid the second claw, the first one having also ripped its way free now.

By now most of the crowd had retreated down stairs, the only ones left being the stragglers who got stuck at the back of the que.

"Harry, we've gotta go, it's not safe!" Gwen shouted above the sounds of Spider-man fighting, trying to drag her boyfriend out of whatever funk he was in.

Said boyfriend simply stood there motionless, glaring at Spider-man with such hatred that even Hades himself would be proud. Atleast until a groan from his mother dragged his attention away. Darting his eyes back between the exit and the ongoing fight, well rather one of its occupants, Harry seemed unable to make up his mind.

"Come on!" Gwen shouted from nearby the stairs, only a handful of people left up in the room.

This seemed to do the trick as Harry finally put his mothers arms over himself and started helping her over closer towards the stairs, somehow resisting the urge to dive back into the fray and demand answers.

Stepping into the stairs, Harry, his mother and Gwen began rapidly descending the staircase, knowing that any fight with Spider-man could range from little to no property damage to a building collapse. Lets just say they were a bit nervous, especially given the fact that Spider-man was seemingly the only thing between them and a very pissed off Doctor Octopus.

Making it a fair way down the steps the trio were flabbergasted by the sight of a seemingly distraught MJ waiting on one of the stairwells.

"Have any of you seen Peter?!" MJ said frantically.

"Was he not with you?!" Was Gwen's response, a look of fury contorting her face as she glared at the red head, worry and anger flooding her blue eyes.

"He disapeared sometime when Doctor Octopus showed up" MJ replied worriedly.

"We have to go back for him" Replied Gwen, resolute in her decision to head back up as she began turning around only for Harry to grab her wrist again.

"It's not safe Gwen" Harry said, parrotting her own words back against her. "Plus I need help getting my mom down, she's too dazed to do it herself"

"I'll go instead" MJ said stubbornly, now that she had an idea of where exactly Peter was at that moment she wasn't about to leave him.

"NO!" Harry shouted, glaring at both of them angrily. "He's probably down stairs already taking photos of his 'hero'!, We can't stay here waiting for that Doctor to come down here and kill us!"

Hesitantly looking at each other, the girls seemed to share a silent conversation, neither glare subsiding until the building shook, no doubt as a result from the fight above.

"Fine./Fine." Came the two angry responses as the now quartet raced down the stairs to safety.

Back up at the fight the room was trashed, glass was strewn everywhere and there were so many holes in the walls you'd swear it was a honeycomb.

Glaring across from each other, Spider-man standing infront of the now empty stair entrance and Doctor Octopus gazing down at him from above the stage, the two froze before jumping at each other.

Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Spider-man dodged each and every claw sent his way, narrowly avoiding being impaled each time. Yet despite this he still somehow had the energy for banter.

"So what's up Doc? Why're you trashing the party? Is it Osborn season?"

Pausing in his attempts at making Spider on a stick, Doctor Octopus recalled his arms, instead glaring at the arachnid before him.

"You're one to talk arachnid, after all wasn't it you who started the season?" Was the doctors witty reply. Okay ouch, Spider-man knew he was clever but witty too? That was his stick. Plus, why'd it have to hurt so much.

"You know that was an accident Doc!" Shouted Spider-man in frustration, evidently not anticipating the response.

"Semantics, and hogwash, what matters is that he's dead!" Roared Doctor Octopus, claws shooting forward to slash and stab the spider as he webbed up and over them, standing on the railing and pulling the rooms Oscorp banners up with him.

"Thanks to you, I'll never have my revenge!" The doctor screamed as he sent his claws to impale through the falling banner, ripping it apart only to find it missing one arachnid. Man isn't that just terrible, nothing worse than loosing a massive spider in a room full of hiding spots. Said hiding spots mainly being the rubble surrounding the room but hey, they'll do.

"What revenge?" Came a voice to the doctors right, sending his claws to stab nothing but rubble as he growled in frustration.

"My accident... I hacked the camera system, it was that fucking Goblin!" Roared the doctor. "After everything he made me do, he DARED to do the same to me!"

The fury the doctor was exuding was palpable as he smashed tables and stabbed everything in sight, hoping for a lucky hit.

"So then why are you here, he's not even alive anymore!" Shouted Spider-man from somewhere within the room.

"Precisely, he might not, but his son and wife are!"

"They're innocent in all this you wackjob!" Was Spider-mans reply, evidently he wasn't exactly a fan of innocents being blamed for someone elses missdeeds.

Chuckling to himself, the doctor soon erupted into a full maniacal laugh.
"He didn't care who was innocent so why should I?"

Breathing heavily in the destroyed room, Doctor Octopus could only look up at the roof in search of the arachnid as he moved around. "I was locked away, trapped in those stupid cells back at Ravencroft with no-one, NO-ONE! Do you know what that does to a person? Having no one to rely on?"

Pausing in his sneaking, Spider-man could only look down in thought as his mind supplied images of Aunt May, Gwen and MJ.

"You chose that life! You could've made new better connections at Ravencroft, instead you moan about how the world owes you something when newsflash, it doesn't! You could've done something positive with your life but you chose crime, this is all your own fault!" Shouted Spider-man, finally giving away his hiding spot as he lept over a piece of rubble with a flip, another piece of rubble being hurled at the doctor in an overhead swing from his webs.

Shattering the rubble mid-air with his claws, the doctors eyesight was clouded from dust as he moved forward to the centre of the room, sending one claw sweeping into the dust which seemed to hit its mark, Spider-man being sent crashing through the last remaining catering table.

"Hey, doc, a little to the left" Groaned Spider-man as he connected two webs to the rooms chandelier, pulling it free from the ceiling and now directly ontop of the surprised Doctor Octopus

Recalling his arms back to him, the doctor threw them upwards to catch the heavy ball of opulence which was barrelling down towards him. Catching it barely, the doctors arms groaned and sparked from the effort needed, ultimately only having enough energy left to tip it to the side and away from the doctor before they gave out, sparking and not moving a muscle.

"Crap"
_

When the police got up there all they found was a completely trashed room and a gagged Doctor Octopus stuck to the wall, his mechanical arms removed and tossed to the side as he thrashed from his makeshift cocoon.

Running out into the crowd down below, Peter caught sight of Gwen, MJ and Harry huddled together looking upwards at the wrecked room, the two girls clutching their hands close to their chests.

Atleast until they saw him walking over, suit, face and hair near chalk white from the rubble dust he'd been surrounded in.

"Peter!/Peter!" Came the two cries as they ran over to him, Gwen making it first as she caught him in a massive bear hug whilst MJ hugged the two of them.

"Where were you!" Yeah past Peter wouldn't envy current Peter.

"Oh you know, just getting a few photos for the Buggle" Peter said, trying to shug helplessly as if it wasn't his fault. This might've worked, if not for the fact that the second MJ let go, Peter was victim to 'The Look' curtesy of an extremely irrate Gwen.

Thankfully Harry came to save him.

"See I told you he was fine, knew he'd be focusing on that murderer rather than getting himself to safety." Great 'save' Harry...

The look in Gwen's eyes told quite the interesting story, most prominent other than relief however was anger, seems like he wasn't the only one in trouble.

Letting go of Peter, Gwen turned on Harry and glared at him too. "I seem to recall a certain someone staring out into the fight aswell thank you very much" Gwen replied, tight smile spread across her face while MJ and Peter shared a glance.

'What did i miss' Peter thought glancing at MJ.

'You don't wanna know' was what Peter assumed that look was for as she too turned to glare at Harry.

Looking up at the sky Peter couldn't help but give a sigh of relief that the fight was over, he'd gotten out of the thing relatively unscathed for once which was always a nice change of pace. Although the doctors words about being locked up alone... they really left their impression.

'Is that what it's like for you too Eddie?...'

Boom, huge chapter there now but it's finally done! That fight scene was brutal to write, please do leave constructive criticism everyone it would be greatly appreciated.

Anywho, this chapter marks the end of the prologue, yep that's right, we aren't even in the first arc yet! T.T

Writing can be such a rewarding pain btw, currently writing my first novel and dear fudge it's taking its sweet time.

See you all next month and I hope everyone has a wonderful day.