Erma © Outcast Comix/Brandon J. Santiago

Spider-Man © Marvel Comics/Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

[Blairwood Elementary, The Following Day..]

It was Gym Class, and the game was DODGE BALL.

and, per usual, the teacher was pitting the boys against the girls.

Normally, no one DARED to challenge the Girls Team,
however with Erma absentee, they understandably had more confidence at winning.

Team Captains Amy and Terry glared at one another. each determined to 'destroy' the other.
while Sidney (who was in her human form) and Percy looked like they really didn't want to be here.

"OKAY, you know the rules.." spoke the P.E. Teacher. "Last One Standing wins it for their team."

Amy turned to Sidney. *with erma gone, we're counting on you sidney.*

Sidney nodded. *i'll..d-do my best.*

((*TWEEEEEEEEEET!*)) "PLAY BALL!"

Almost immediately, red balls began to fly across the room.
within moments, HALF the players of the respected teams were already down.

Despite being in her human form, Sidney's movements were still lightning fast.
quite easily snatching up balls, and throwing them faster than most could blink.

As for Percy, however. the 'tingling' sensation in his brain that normally signaled danger was blaring off frequently.

the hard part wasn't dodging the balls..he could do that quite easily.

..and, that was the main problem.

the really stressful thing was not being TOO good at evading.
lest he let it slip that he had abnormal reflexes and agility.

(not that it really violated any rules, considering Sidney's skill set.)

"I don't get it.." said Terry, as more of his teammates fell. "HOW ARE WE LOSING!?(-OOF!)"

"GOOD SHOT, SIDNEY!" exclaimed Amy.

Sidney smiled, feeling very proud of herself.

As Terry lay on the floor..Conner crawled over to him like he was wounded (which he really wasn't)

"i'm..afraid..we've lost this battle, terry." groaned Conner.

"We're not done YET!" exclaimed Terry. "We still have Jord-"

(("GAH!"))

"crap..there goes our best player."

"No, wait..we still have one more left!" spoke Conner.

Indeed..there was only one boy player left: Percy Palmer.

"the NEW kid?!" exclaimed Terry. "..we're doomed."

Percy stared with wide eyes as what remained of the girls team stared him down.

"NOTHING PERSONAL, PERCY!" called Amy. "BUT, YOU'VE GOTTA GO DOWN!"

Sidney grimaced, feeling unsure about this.

As Amy, Miko and a reluctant Sidney tossed their balls.
Percy quickly reacted and evaded the rubber projectiles.

"whoa.." spoke Jordon, staring. "new kid's got mad skills."

His reflexes kicking in, Percy grabbed a flying ball mid-flight,
performed a somersault in the air..and threw the ball back to his opponent.

..which somehow ricocheted from Miko's head, and struck Amy as well. Leaving only Sidney left.

Terry's jaw 'hit the floor'. "did..DID YOU SEE THAT!?"

Percy scowled, annoyed with himself. ("smooth move, palmer. Why don't you use your web shooters, next!?") brooded Percy.

Sidney and Percy were squared off against one another.

"It's up to you, Sidney.." spoke Amy. "WIN THIS ONE FOR ERMA!"

Sidney breathed out, feeling very reluctant to hit Percy.
But, she reminded herself this was all just a game, and proceeded to aim.

Percy grabbed his own ball, and despite his own reservations..took aim as well.

Sidney threw her ball.

Percy threw his ball, as well.

But, both balls colided into each other..and, were knocked back where they came from.

((*POW!/BAM!*))

Everyone's jaw dropped as both Sidney and Percy were beaned in the head by their own balls.
both bodies hit the floor at the same time..thus ending the game in a tie.

"UN..BE..LIEVABLE." spoke Terry, dumbfounded.

((*TWEEEEEEET!*)) "AND, THAT'S GAME!" called the gym teacher. "DRAW. NO ONE WINS TODAY."

Percy huffed as he just lay in place against the floor, staring up at the ceiling.

oh, how he hated sports. Not because he was bad at them..
but, because he was actually so good, that it was impossible for him to play fairly.

If only there was such a thing as a 'School for Mutants'
THEN, he might have a shot at being a Sports Hero, or something.

..but, no. he was stuck being the kid with talent who had to pretend to be a loser.

"hey.." spoke a voice. Percy looked up to see Sidney bent down to him. "are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Sidney extended her clawed hand to Percy.
Percy paused..but, finally took Sidney's hand as she pulled him up.

"I'm..okay." said Percy. "but, are YOU alright? you know, we both went down pretty hard."

Sidney shrugged. "I'm a little dizzy..but, I'll be okay."

Percy breathed out as he brushed himself off.

"n-nice game, Percy." said Conner, as he walked by.

"umm..thanks." said Percy.

Amy then walked up. "That really was amazing how you moved like that, Percy.
You ever thought about trying out for one of the ball teams?"

Percy frowned, feeling like the universe was now mocking him.

"naw..sports isn't my thing. I'm more comfortable in a Science, or Shop Class."

"You SURE?..because you've got some athletic skills." continued Amy.

"i'm..sh-sure." said Percy, begrudgingly.

Amy shrugged. "Okay..if you say so."

As Amy, and the others kids began to leave..only Sidney remained with Percy.

"You really were great, Percy." said Sidney.
"I actually had to make an effort to keep up with you."

Percy smiled weakly, while rubbing the back of his head. "it's..no big deal."

Sidney stared at Percy. "actually..IT IS. no human has ever been able to make me sweat.
Maybe my fellow Rat Kids have, but no ordinary humans have..they CAN'T."

Percy looked at Sidney, worry in his face. "uhh..j-just lucky, I gues-"

"you're not entirely human..are you?" inquired Sidney.

Percy's eyes widened, alarmed. ""wha-!?, uh-of course I'm human..wa-what else could I be?!"

Sidney scowled at Percy. "PERCY..I have a very acute sense of smell. All rats do.
I know what a human's scent smells like..and, you only smell KINDA human."

Percy sweated..feeling cornered. "I-I-I-I-"

Sidney breathed out. "percy..I don't know why you think you have to keep this kind of secret.
But, I PROMISE I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to.."

Percy felt relieved to hear this.

"I just..thought we were friends." continued Sidney, frowning sadly.
"I thought you..trusted me. you KNOW you can trust me with something like this."

Percy frowned..feeling very guilty. "we ARE friends, Sidney..which is why I never told you anything."

Sidney looked at Percy. "Why not?..your scent is similar to mine.
which means that like me, you must be half human..we're the SAME."

Percy frowned. "no..we're not. not really."

Sidney looked at Percy. "and, HOW are you so different from me?"

Percy darted his eyes around. "(deep sigh) okay..i'll tell you. but, NOT HERE."

Sidney raised an eyebrow at Percy.

"Meet me after school." said Percy. "Once we're alone, I'll tell you everything."

Sidney stared at Percy for a moment..and, then breathed out. "okay..After School, then."

Percy smiled, and hugged Sidney..which made the rat girl blush.
Percy (upon realizing what he was doing) quickly pulled away. "sorry..I don't know what came over me."

Sidney managed a small smile. "it's okay."

"well..I guess I'll see you later, then." Percy began to turn, and walk away.

"PERCY."

Percy stopped, and looked back to Sidney. "You really don't need to hide who you are..not here."

Percy sighed, though tempted to say something back..he just walked away in silence.
Sidney watched him leave. Wondering why Percy felt he had to guard whatever his secret was so fiercely.

She had been the same way once..but, even she was frustrated with all the lies, and false faces.
Sidney knew from experience that even if Percy couldn't tell everyone..

..he had to tell at least SOMEONE.

[Later That Day..]

School had finally ended..and, Sidney (back in her hybrid form) rushed out quickly.
Her eyes quickly searched for Percy..who she found waiting near a large shade tree.

"PERCY!" Sidney ran over to the waiting boy. "I'm here..Now What?"

"just follow me.." spoke Percy. "we need to talk somewhere more private."

Percy began to walked away with Sidney following him close behind.
The pair soon left the school grounds, and began to walk through town.

It wasn't long before Percy led Sidney to the old Blairwood Mall.
Long since abandoned since the establishment moved into a newer building.

As the two approached the building, Sidney hesitated. "Is this really the best place to-"

Percy suddenly ran inside the building..forcing Sidney to chase after him. "H-HEY, WAIT!"

Sidney ran inside the cold, empty interior. Strangely, she couldn't find Percy anywhere.

"Percy?..PERCY!"

"over here." spoke a voice.

Sidney turned..and, gasped upon seeing Percy suddenly face-to-face with her.

..only his face was upside-down, as he was hanging from some kind of silver rope attached to the ceiling.

"P-P-PERCY!?..wha-?" Sidney stepped back, dumbfounded as Percy swung over
to a nearby wall, and clung to with just the fingertips of his hand.

"you were right before, Sidney.." began Percy, as he hopped back onto the ground.
"In most ways, I am like you: I am part human. Born from an impossible union that gifted me powers."

Sidney calmed down as she looked at her friend with attentive eyes.

"but..we are different when it comes to the species of one of my parents." continued Percy.
"See, my father was human..but, my mother. she's..She's a Spider Woman."

Sidney's eyes widened at this. "you're..a Spider Boy?"

Percy looked away, feeling awkward. "y-yeah..I can climb up walls and ceilings,
I can jump really high and far, and I have precognitive senses."

Percy scowled. "the only thing I can't do like a spider is spin webs. my mom can, but..I can't."

"but..you were just-"

Percy rolled up his sleeves, and removed one of his gloves.
Sidney looked, and saw a band wrapped around Percy's wrist with a trigger at his palm.

"Dad made this before I was born." began Percy. "Artificial Web Shooters.
Mom thinks if I use them enough, my natural webbing skills will develop faster."

Percy then proceeded to press the trigger using his middle and ring fingers.

((*THWIP!*))

Sidney watched as a silver stream shot from a nozzle, sticking a silky wall to a far off pillar.

"cool." said Sidney, impressed.

Sidney then looked at Percy..and, asked a question. "do you..have another 'form' like I do?"

Percy looked at Sidney..then, looked away. "yes..but, I shouldn't show it to you."

"Why not?"

Percy pulled his hoodie's hood over his head. "I'll scare you. Spiders aren't pretty to look at."

Sidney ran up to Percy, and gripped his shoulder "percy..i'm NOT afraid of you. I am your friend."

Percy avoided eyes contact with Sidney, keeping his back to her. "please..don't make me do it."

"it's OKAY, Percy..I promise I won't get scared." said Sidney, in the softest voice she could.

Percy exhaled sharply. "you..promise. FINE."

Percy's body began to twitch, so Sidney released Percy and stepped back.
His back still facing her, Sidney watched as Percy's hands began to change first.

His fingers morphed into talons not unlike her own..

..followed by two more arms bursting out from Percy's sides.

Finally..Percy turned to face Sidney.

He pulled down his hood..revealing an extra pair of eyes upon his forehead.
the boy then tried to smile..unveiling a pair of sharp fangs.

Sidney just stared. her mouth gaping, and eyes unblinking.
Percy frowned, taking this as an unintentional betrayal.

"see?..I knew I would scare you." said Percy, as he turned away.

Sidney snapped out of her shock...Just as Percy shot a webline, and zipped to the ceiling.

"W-WAIT!" called Sidney. "PERCY, WAIT!"

Sidney quickly used her talons, and scaled up the wall and climbed high up to the rafters.
She found Percy (still in his hybrid spider form) perched onto a rafter..staring out a broken window.

Sidney approached Percy, perching herself near him.

"I thought I was like you..I wanted us to be the same." spoke Percy, sadness in his voice.

"but..we're not. I'M not. Rats and Spiders are completely different creatures.
everyone may accept you..but, why wouldn't they? Rats are CUTE. but, spiders like me?

..no. I am ugly. a monster that is always killed on sight. I can never belong..not even in THIS town."

Sidney looked at Percy with soft eyes. "you don't know that for sure, Percy."

"maybe not..but, It's the one risk that I can't afford to take." said Percy.

Sidney paused for a moment..and, then spoke: "and..the risks you DO take."

Percy finally looked at Sidney. "that day you saved me.." continued Sidney.
"WHY did you risk your life for someone you didn't even know?"

Percy breathed out as he stared out the window again. "because..when bad things happen,
and you have the power to stop it..yet, you do nothing. Then, the bad things happen because of YOU."

Sidney looked at Percy...and, then she finally put the pieces together. "your dad?"

Percy closed all four of his eyes..each welled up in tears.

"he..he needed me. b-but, I hesitated. I was..I was scared." spoke Percy, his voice breaking.
"I..I just stood by, and did nothing. my father is dead because I did nothing!"

Percy wiped his tears away, trying not to sob in front of his new friend.

"percy.." Sidney touched Percy's shoulder with her hand.
"we're both kids. we shouldn't have to shoulder that much responsibility."

Percy looked at Sidney. "we're not like our classmates, Sidney..you and I were born with great power."
Percy then looked away, tears streaming down his face. "and, with Great Power..comes Great Responsibility."

Sidney froze. She couldn't explain it..but, something about those words shook her.

There was a long silence..then, Sidney scooted closer to Percy. "percy..I-I promise I won't tell anyone what you are."

Percy looked at Sidney. "you do?"

"It isn't my place to tell anyone." said Sidney. "It should be your choice.
But, even if the whole world turns against you (even our friends)...I won't."

Percy looked right at Sidney..who stared back at him.

..stared at the four eyed, fanged boy.

"why?" asked Percy, bluntly.

Sidney stared in silence..then, breathed out. "because..we ARE alike."

The Rat Girl then took Percy's clawed hand..clutching it with her own.
"we're different..Yes. but, deep down you and I are the same."

To prove her point, Sidney began to open her palm against Percy's.
Percy felt his own hand open up, and flatten against Sidney's flatten out palm.

chills went down his spine as he saw both their hands matched perfectly.

..clawed fingers, and all.

For a moment, Percy forgot the obvious fact that he was part Spider, and Sidney was part Rat.
for just a moment..they were the same species, same race..same person.

Percy covered his mouth with a free hand..letting a tear fall down his cheek.
Sidney then leaned forward, and embraced the spider boy in a tight, warm hug.

..Just as Erma had done for Sidney so long ago.

[End of Part 04]

[Author Notes]

Rather than beat around the bush with the Will They/Won't They mixed with secret identities,
I decided to go the Ultimate Spider-Man route, and have Sidney learn Percy's secret early on.

(which only made sense, given the true nature of her own powers being a Rat Girl.)

I also further made Percy unique from other Spider-Men with a more Spider-like form
(which I decided upon given Sidney can change forms at will.)

And, for Spidey Fans, I wrote in not only Uncle Ben's "Great Power.." quote,
but Tom Holland's variation of the very same message because a kid would say something like that.

(I am keeping Percy's origins pretty close to the chest for now.
but it's the same basic premise: Lost a loved one due to inaction.)

The point of this chapter was to make a point that Percy and Sidney are similar characters,
and when all is said and done..the whole story will be about them.