Shout Outs: Thanks to MythologyStar for reviewing the story. Thanks to Yusuke Kurosaki for following the story.

Chapter 3: The New Threat

Peter trailed his eyes over the words of the Bugle newspaper. But every time he did, he would almost always scowl. The way Jamieson writes it, it makes Spider Man feel rotten.

Ned raised an eyebrow as he stared at his friend. Nevertheless, no matter how many times he had tried to understand Peter, he still didn't understand him.

"So…tell me…are you glaring or reading at the newspaper?" Ned asked. He had to ask.

Peter huffed, annoyed as he ruffled the newspaper from anger. "Seriously, Jamieson is a terrible writer—why is he the writer?" Peter said furiously.

Ned rolled his eyes. "Let it go, Parker. Just let it go. And I've told you that it's nothing but garbage in there. Why'd you read it?"

"Simple. I was curious," Peter replied flatly with a hint of bitterness in his tone.

Ned sighed. "You're hopeless. And don't deny it."

Peter was about to speak until someone beat to him first.

"He's right, you know. You were always hopeless especially when the situation is around girls."

Ned sniggered before he shut his mouth after the glare he had received from Peter. Annoyed, Peter turned his glance to the side and saw Michelle. Michelle, who was merely a classmate of Peter, had brown hair with brown eyes. She had a fair body though her personality indicates that she doesn't give a damn of what other people think about her. She's smart, sassy and witty.

Peter scowled. "What do you want?"

Michelle sighed as she scooted beside Peter who slid down the bench slightly in order to make room.

"I'm here to help you," Michelle announced.

And this raised eyebrows.

"Why would you want to help him? And with what?" Ned asked.

"Because as you said, he's hopeless and plus, I saw the way how you looked at Liz. You want her back, don't you? And as friends, it is entitled that we help each other out," she paused. "And maybe you won't have to be alone in your sad nerdy life."

Peter made an irritated look. "It doesn't matter anyway; she's with Flash. And there's a huge difference, my darling dear, we're not friends!"

Michelle rolled her eyes. "Pfft, yeah whatever. So, do you want to win the heart of Liz again or not? It doesn't matter that she's dating Flash. Because once she sees that you do want her back, she will break up with that good for nothing fool."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "So…you also think that he's annoying?"

"Naturally," she drawled. "And don't forget darling dear, we're in the same classes."

As she left, Peter groaned.

"That is absolutely the worst news she could ever give me."

Ned smirked before he went in thought. "But what's in it for her? I mean, she barely hangs out with you and all of a sudden she wants to help you?"

"Honestly? Why are you asking me? I barely understand girls."

Ned was lost in thought for a short moment before he agreed. "Yeah true. Who could understand them?"

Grinning a little, Peter stuffed the newspaper between his books and started to pick up.

"Let's go. Our class is about to begin."

As they were going down the hall, Peter had the unfortunate encounter with Flash who was sneering at his direction.

"Well, look at we have here. If it isn't the dweeb himself," he laughed nastily.

Peter glared at him. He really didn't want to deal with him. "Screw off. Not in the mood to deal with you."

"Aww, what's the matter? Afraid to face me like a real man?"

Peter sneered as he bit back a grin. He had no idea who he was messing with.

Ned frowned. "Thompson, let the man be. If you had the heart—which we all know that you don't—you would just let him go."

Flash's cold eyes turned towards Ned and Peter's first instinct was to go in front of him.

"Who asked you, stupid?"

Peter twitched from anger as he curled his fists and he sharply stepped forward with eyes narrowed.

"Listen, no one insults my friend. Now, move or you will be moved."

However, Flash glared at Peter and he moved forward, curling his hand into a fist so that he delivered a blow to Peter's stomach who grunted from the punch.

"If you think you're so tough, boy, why don't we have a two on two fight after school?" Flash hissed. "To see who's a real man?"

Grinning nastily, Flash let go of his fist and he turned around, walking away as Peter fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around his waist. Ned came to him as he placed his hands on Peter's shoulders.

"You've got to stand up to yourself, Peter. Don't let him say otherwise. Don't do the fight," Ned responded.

Peter slightly growled as he shoved him off. "Buzz off."

Ned sighed as he watched his friend walking away down the hall. He pursed his lips until they were white from the pressure. Knowing him, Peter would most likely engage the fight just because if he didn't, Flash would nonstop remind him of how he chickened out. Shaking his head, Ned picked up his things from the floor and began to chase after his friend.

Both of them had science class after all and unfortunately, Flash was in there.

During the science class, Flash couldn't stop making threatening looks at Peter who kept glaring at him. Because of this, it earned a frown from Liz as she wondered what was going on between those two but she knew that nothing was going to come out good. One of them would end up being hurt and that was normally Peter.

Then there was Ned who kept telling Peter to call off the fight. There's always a better way to handle these situations. Naturally, this annoyed Peter to no end and he growled in a sharp voice, telling him to 'screw off' in the nicest way as possible.

"Fine then. Don't blame me if you get detention then," Ned muttered angrily. "Which I wouldn't be surprised, to be honest," he added.

Glaring, Ned muttered under his breath before he pulled the books closer to him so that he rested his arms on them.

Peter sighed as he sulked. He didn't mean to snap at Ned; he meant well but he was just frustrated and stressed out. Frustrated at the fact that Flash just had to ruin his plans for tonight since he meant to interrogate the Vulture as Spider Man after school but obviously, that wasn't happening. It would have to be later.

And if by later, that would always mean getting another yell from Aunt May and even more questions from her. Despite the answers of what Peter gives to Aunt May, he couldn't help but to think that deep down, Aunt May does know what Peter was doing outside of school.

And if he did get detention, Peter would make sure to haunt Flash in his sleep.

While he was being deep in thought, Peter might've sworn that he heard the teacher saying something about a detention but he wasn't sure.

"Hey, lover boy. Have you made your decision yet?"

The voice snapped Peter out of his long trail of thoughts and he looked up to see Michelle.

"What decision?" Peter asked blankly.

Michelle stared at him. "How thick could you get? Did you suddenly forget what I talked to you earlier?" seeing the blank look, she sighed. "Sometimes I wonder how Ned puts up with you. Remember when I said about getting Liz back?"

Peter widened his eyes. "Oh that…deal…"

"Yes Peter," Michelle rolled her eyes as she placed her books beside him and sat on the empty spot. Peter stared at her books before he spoke.

"Remind me: why is it that almost every time whenever there is a project, we always end up together?" Peter asked. "Why can't it be Ned for a change?"

Michelle snorted. "Trust me, lover boy. It's bad enough that I have to see you almost every day," she then placed on a thoughtful look as she remembered how Ned was acting. "And you and Ned don't seemed to be 'star-crossed lovers'."

Peter sneered. She then tore her gaze away from the books before she stared at Peter. There was a small frown upon his face which made her be curious and add that to the fact, that Peter seemed to be in thought again. She sighed.

"Peter!" she snapped her fingers in front of his face, causing him blink. "Science project, remember?"

Peter groaned. "Alright, lady. Gimme a moment."

"Uh huh," she frowned. "What's bothering you? And don't lie. I can tell."

Peter rolled his eyes. "What's it to you? It doesn't matter anyway."

Quirking an eyebrow, Michelle huffed and opened one of the books, skimming the texts.

When school was finished, Peter couldn't be more than happy to get out of here. And that was why he was hurriedly stuffing his things in his backpack. Maybe he could miss Flash and not fight. Glancing to the right, Peter scanned the sea of students before he resumed his task then closed his locker. Ned wasn't nowhere to be seen so Peter assumed that he left already and plus, Ned wasn't really talking to him anyway.

Sighing, Peter walked out of the school building but that was until he heard a voice.

"Well, well. If it isn't Mr. Tough guy himself," a voice sneered.

Letting out a sigh, Peter turned around on his heels and glared at Flash and his goons. Peter recognized one of them—Kong.

"Look; I don't want to fight—"

"Too bad. I was waiting for this day," Flash growled as he curled his hands into his fists.

Peter sighed. "Well if you want to be embarrassed then I guess I have no choice."

Flash snarled. "You think you're being wise, wise guy?"

Peter clucked his tongue. "Well, I am smarter than you."

Growling, Flash went up to him with fists ready. When he reached Peter, Peter simply stepped to the side, allowing the fist to go past by his face. Due to the small fight, it captured the crowd's attention and pretty soon, Peter and Flash were surrounded by the students who stayed after school.

"What's the matter, Flash? Can't hit a kid?" Peter taunted. He had no idea where this attitude came from but he assumed that it was from being Spider Man. After all, being the hero, it made him be all cocky and witty.

And hilarious. Definitely hilarious.

Every time Flash delivers a blow, Peter swung to the side to avoid it. The crowd was cheering while chanting "Fight! Fight! Fight!" However, in order to avoid for the students to discover what he really was, Peter had to let Flash make an attack which was hitting right at the eye, giving an instant black eye. Hissing, Peter narrowed his eyes and once he saw the right opportunity, Peter curled his fist and then struck a blow by punching Flash from underneath the chin which caused Flash fall backwards. Unfortunately though, Peter's apparent timing wasn't right since one of the teachers came along and saw Peter striking a blow.

But for a brief moment, Peter felt a small sense of pride when he delivered the punch.

"Peter Parker!"

Peter tensed as he knew what was going to happen next.

Ms. Winston pursed her lips as she shook her head slightly. "Come with me."

She then narrowed her eyes. "You too, Flash."

"But—"

"No questions."

Taking a breath, Peter unwillingly followed the teacher and he may as well let his feet drag him as he knew where they were going. Flash was seething in his tracks as he kept glaring daggers behind Peter's head.

They continued to follow after Winston, walking through the halls and it was there where Peter reached the all too familiar door with words saying detention across the glass door.

"Well I suppose you know the rules by now. An hour worth of detention—I'll be writing to your Aunt. And you, Flash. Starting a fight with another student? I'll be writing to your mom."

It was plain and simple. Sighing, Peter opened the door but as he did, he didn't expect to have someone else be in there. He blinked as he stared at the person; his mouth slightly opened.

"What are you doing here?" Peter asked, stunned as he made his way to the chair.

It was none other than Michelle who slightly grinned, tilting her head to the side.

"Obviously serving detention."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For being a smart ass to the science teacher."

While being deep in thought, Peter recalled that he thought he had heard the teacher saying something about a detention. Guess he now knows what it was all about.

"What about you? Wait, lemme guess. You fought Flash, didn't you?" Michelle said as she stared at the black eye. She gave a slight glare to Flash who sneered.

"What else is new?" Peter replied irritably.

Aunt May pressed her lips together tightly. She received news from the school and needless to say, she wasn't impressed at all. Aunt May always knew that Peter had trouble from the student body but she didn't think it was this serious. She would have known but Peter almost always kept things from her.

"Peter—"

"I know," he groaned. "Can we just please skip the lecture? I'm honestly not in the mood right now."

Aunt May sighed. "Alright but may I at least fix your eye?"

Staring at the floor, Peter nodded. She gave a quick smile before she got up to grab the necessary items and she came back. Peter slightly hissed when the ointment took its course, making him wince. After a few dabs, Aunt May finished her job before she sighed, staring at her nephew. She placed her hand on his cheek.

"Go get some rest," she spoke quietly.

Nodding, he went to his room but while he laid on his bed, he couldn't but to feel the anger running through him. So far, Flash had caused so much trouble and in all honesty, Peter was getting sick of it. Even though Flash got detention as well, Peter felt little satisfaction. Sure he literally has all the power but it would abuse his law of hero and it would go against everything of what he stands for.

Peter pushed himself up as he ran his hair through his fingers as he bit his lips. While he still had to interrogate the Vulture, he owe someone an apology. With that in mind, Peter got up and opened his closet to reveal the blue and red. Luckily he had a mask otherwise Ned would nag him if he ever saw about the black eye. Once he put it on, Peter went out of his room to call out.

"Hey uh I'm going for a walk for a bit," he announced.

It wasn't too late which was a good thing. It was around 6pm.

"Okay but you better be back before nine."

Peter cringed, knowing that the interrogation won't be before nine. Putting his mask on, Spider Man opened his window and swung into the night where his face was met by the cool night breeze.

But first things first though, he had to go to someone's house.

Building after building, Peter reached the house within ten minutes. He attached to himself against the wall, placing his hands on it before he tried to open the window. He smiled to himself when the window has been able to open. Perhaps Ned knew he would come back or maybe because Peter almost always comes to him and Ned knew the routine by now.

Deciding not to attract more attention, Spider Man crawled up the wall but stopped when he heard the door opening. He paused, staring at the door that got opened but then let out a sigh of relief when he saw who it was.

Thank God it was Ned or otherwise Peter would have to explain himself as to why he was here.

As Ned walked towards his bed, he suddenly stopped as though he sensed that he wasn't alone in the room. He gave a small chuckle before he went on his bed. Right there, Spider Man hung himself down from the web and not looking up, Ned spoke.

"I know you're there. You're always here."

Peter smiled behind the mask. "Hey Ned."

Ned gave a small glance at the web crawler, biting his lip. "Why are you here?"

Maybe his tone was a bit too cold? Even though he was wearing a mask, Ned could feel the wince.

"I came to apologize to a friend," Peter answered.

Ned tore his gaze away and stared at Spider Man—er Peter.

"You?"

"Yeah, me. Look…I know I was wrong and you were right and I would rather keep a friend than to lose one."

Ned smirked. "For you, it's quite remarkable for you to apologize," he grinned playfully.

"Haha very funny," Peter hesitated for a little. "So…you forgive me?"

"Well, for being a prick in the first place, I suppose I have to eventually forgive you."

Peter scowled. "Thanks."

"Anytime!" Ned responded cheerfully. He then paused. "So uhm…how bad is it?"

"How bad is what?"

"You know…the injury?"

"And what makes you think I've got injured? I'm Spider Man, remember?"

Ned snorted. "But I hoped you remembered that the other people doesn't know!"

Peter sighed as he de-attached himself from the web and sat on a nearby chair. He stared at Ned for a while before he took off his mask; Ned slightly winced.

"Well that's a shiner."

"I had to let him hit me or otherwise people would suspect something. Besides, I would rather have a black eye than a nose bleed."

"I see…and…?" Ned asked as though to say 'what else happened?'

Getting the hint, Peter bit his lip. "And I got detention," he mumbled.

"Why am I not surprised? So much for having a clean record."

"I would have a clean record if it's not for Flash. Oh yeah…he also got a detention too!"

Ned smirked. "Guess there's justice after all."

"Anyways, I have to go," Peter announced, putting back his mask.

"Where?"

Peter paused, wondering if he should tell him or not.

"Er…Spider Man business."

Ned eyed him wearily before he eventually nodded. "Alright. See you around, Spidey."

It certainly wasn't easy breaking into the prison. Spider Man had to wrap the security guards in a cocoon so he wouldn't be discovered. He didn't want to think what would happen if he ever did got caught and on top of that, he especially didn't want Tony to know why he was here.

He would be furious.

When the coast was clear, Spider Man unlatched himself from the ceiling and landed quietly on the ground with his feet.

The room contained many cells, meaning he would have to trial and error in order to find the Vulture. The area was cold and unfeeling, devoid of any emotions. Each wall was barred with metal bars, having no windows. In each cells, there were at least one bed for each prisoners. Normally, there would be guards standing at the door but they were all taken out from Spider Man as they were currently wrapped in a web of cocoon.

The halls were just as emotionless, barely lit. Halfway of the hallway, Spider Man glanced from left and right as he saw the prisoners.

This was the worst kind of prison—only the worst kind of criminals were in here, left to rot.

"Hey, it's Spider Man," one of the prisoners called out. "What are yer doing here?"

Spider Man gave a small scoff. "Well you know…I'm just taking my daily stroll."

The criminal growled. "Think yer being funny are ya?"

Spider Man paused, pretending to think. "Yeah. Yeah I am."

From that simple, rage coursed through the brute's body and he went up against the bars which startled Spider Man from the bang.

"When I get outta here, I'm gonna rip you to pieces."

"Good luck with that."

Spider Man resumed his strolling until he was getting to the thickest part of the halls. He frowned when he didn't saw the person he was looking for. Perhaps he had taken the wrong turn?

As he was about to turn around, a cold emotionless voice spoke.

"My, my. Aren't we in for surprise? Tell me, what does the world's most famous superhero has business here in this cruel dank prison?"

Spider Man turned his head to face the cell and the only thing he was able to make out of the darkness were the bright unnerving green eyes. While the rest of the body as being camouflaged by the darkness, there was no mistaking of who that was.

"Vulture," Spider Man hissed.

The Vulture gave a frightening grin. "Aww, you do remember me. I'm touched."

"Cut with the flatter, Vulture," Spider Man spat as he grabbed the bars, staring coldly at the enemy who caused so much trouble. "You know why I'm here."

The Vulture pretended to think which irritated Spider Man.

"Ah yes…you want to know about that new enemy which had been appearing lately. Am I right?" his lips curled into a sneer. "Well let me tell you boy. I have nothing to do with it. After all, how can I do something while I'm stuck here in this icy prison?"

"Funny how I don't feel sympathetic to you," Spider Man hissed. "You belong here. This is the place where you will rot and where you will never harm an innocent again."

The Vulture threw his head back and laughed, menacingly. It honestly sent unpleasant shivers down Peter's spine.

"Listen to yourself. You think that the world is free from evil? You think that you feel safer now that I am behind bars? Don't make me laugh, you fool. No one feels safe; there would be always a new evil that would threaten your precious city and when that time comes, all hell will break loose. A new darkness would rise and not even you can stop it. Not even Iron Daddy can stop it."

Spider Man's glare hardened and he tightened his grip on the bars. "We'll see."

With that, Spider Man turned around, releasing his web and swung out of sight.

Author's Note: Whoo-hoo! We got ourselves a long chapter, mates! I even surprised myself XD either that or Divided We Fall-Civil War soundtrack is an inspiration to me…EITHER WAY, I'm happy! What happens next? Find out!