Spider-Man: Year One- A Spider-Man Fanfiction
Summary: Lonely sophomore Peter Parker was the most gifted student at Midtown High, until one day when a bite from a genetically modified spider turned him into something else. Now, he's just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Follow his journey. Rated Teen.
Disclaimer: I do not own Spider-Man.
Chapter Eleven
The next few weeks flew by in a blur for Peter. It had been a little over a month since he heard anything from Mysterio and he had gotten back to fighting the street crime of the city, something that kept him on Ned's good side and, therefore, kept his identity intact. Because of this new found freedom, he was able to get amazing shots of Spider-Man fighting crime and keep a steady income flowing in, even if Jameson was using his pictures to smear Peter's other identity at every given opportunity. Regardless, the part of his life devoted to super heroics was going rather well. If only he could say the same about his school life.
Since the massive split, Liz had ben something of a social pariah amongst the popular crowd. Even with Flash's atrocious descriptions of the girl, it seemed as though the rest of the student body wasn't willing to turn their back on the star football player. Naturally, Sally blamed Peter for this problem and been especially vicious towards him whenever they crossed paths, angering Rand whenever she started and straining their relationship. Which, of course, led to more insults from the girl.
Liz, on the other hand, avoided Peter like the plague, canceling their last two study sessions to do so. He would have to get her alone in the near future to figure out why she seemed so distant, something that didn't seem impossible until only recently. Flash and Kenny had stepped up their torment of Peter, and Harry by proxy, making it impossible for the two boys to even cross the school to get to class if it wasn't for the near-constant presence of Eddie Brock.
Sometimes, Peter wished to flex his super powers and put Flash in his place, but doing so would only cause bigger headaches. So, like the good little geek he was supposed to be, he took their beatings with grace whenever the two would run into Peter by himself.
It was Tuesday, the day before Thanksgiving break, and Peter found himself riding the elevator up to Liz's penthouse in her father's hotel. She had just canceled their last study session via a short text, but Peter wasn't willing to give up that easily.
If anyone had asked, he would have claimed that it was simply to make sure the girl didn't start failing bio again. After all, Peter didn't need his reputation as a tutor to go up in smoke because of his uncooperative student. But, the truth of the matter, Peter missed her. He had begun looking forward to their weekly gatherings. He liked getting to learn more about the girl and their meetings were quickly becoming the high points of his week.
So, it was with a determination that he didn't know he possessed outside of his Spider-Man duties that he marched with a purpose to her door and knocked politely.
The door was opened a minute later by someone Peter knew by face and reputation, even if they had never spoken before.
Liz's older brother, Mark, had been the Eddie before Eddie. Cool, confident, the most popular guy in school. He and Peter had only shared Midtown for a year, but it was apparent how much the kids at school worshipped the ground he walked on. Furthermore, it was a common thought that Liz quickly became as popular as she was because of her connection to Mark. Peter could vaguely recall Liz following her older brother around while they were in school together.
Mark still had the same carefree grin Peter remembered from the past. With messy and mopped hair, the same exact shade of Liz, and the same eyes it was easy to peg the two as siblings. However, the most important indicator that would have cued Peter in on his identity even he hadn't known Mark was the glare. A very particular, withering, glare that caused Peter to recoil for a moment.
"Look kid," Mark sighed in a bored, affected tone. "Liz just broke up with her boyfriend. And even if she was looking for someone else, I highly doubt you're here type."
Peter followed Mark's gaze down toward his faded "Get the Knack" shirt and torn up jeans, scowling a bit as he did so. So, it seemed fast judgements were also in the family playbook.
"I'm not looking for a date," Peter responded through clenched teeth. "I'm Peter, her tutor. She's been canceling our sessions recently and I was worried."
Mark's face changed suddenly to a bemused grin. "You're her tutor? She said you were a science nerd... I don't really see it."
Peter rolled his eyes. "That whole pocket protector thing you're picturing. It hasn't existed since the sixties. Nobody dresses like that anymore, at least not outside of bad fanfiction and stereotypes."
Mark laughed. "This is too perfect. C'mon in, I'll go get her."
Peter stood uncomfortably inside what he assumed was the foyer of the suite and surveyed his surroundings. It was two stories he noticed, with a spiral staircase leading up to a second floor that had only a small landing and door. He assumed this to be Liz's room by the sign hanging on the door indicating such. In the corner of the main room was a kitchenette, decked out with more modern appliances than Peter had ever seen. It made his aunt's kitchen look like something out of the fifties. On the walls hung various paintings of landscapes and views around the city. The most impressive feature of the suite, even despite the large plasma screen and obviously imported furniture, was the baby grand piano set up next to a large window overlooking what Peter was sure was the best view in the hotel. If he tried hard enough, Peter could envision Liz sitting at the piano looking out over the city and doing her homework or just thinking about life. The same activities Peter himself would be doing if he had access to that view.
Liz's door opened, and Mark stepped out, walking quickly down the stair with a shifty grin on his face. "She'll be out in a minute. I didn't tell her what this was about, just that I wanted her downstairs for a minute. I don't see her as much as I want to since I started college and I gotta mess with her when I can."
He chuckled, the smile on his face assuring Peter that there was no malice behind his actions.
Peter wondered if all sibling acted this way. Sure, Eddie called himself Peter's big brother, and he was great, but Peter still wondered what having an actual sibling would be like. From what his aunt and uncle had said, his parents had only wanted one kid. And since their death, the opportunity had passed for Peter.
"So, do you have a particular favorite scientific field?" Mark asked.
Peter shrugged. "Not really, though I do seem to do best with chemistry and biology. I'm not bad at engineering, from what I've tried, but it isn't my strong suit."
"Maybe something in Bio Chem in college?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"My big brother, in my fraternity that is, also funnily named Mark... Mark Raxton, he's studying Bio Chem under Dr. Curtis Connors. Says Empire State's program is going to be the best in the country by the time you're going to college. You should check it out."
"I've looked into it a bit. What Connors is doing with reptilian DNA is years ahead of anyone else in the field," Peter answered.
He had already been looking to attend Empire State when he graduated. If he kept his work up, he was sure he could get some sort of scholarship to cut down on costs. Plus, it was close enough to Aunt May that he could live at home if need be. The added benefit of studying under Dr. Connors was just a bonus. A really good bonus.
"What about you, what are you studying Mark?"
"Undecided at the moment. Raxton wants me to shadow him in some of his classes, but I don't really know if the sciences are for me. I was thinking something along the lines of Sociology."
Again, Peter found himself surprised by this family. It was the same as when Liz had told him she wanted to be a lawyer. Maybe the entire popular crowd wasn't as shallow as Flash or Sally made it seem at times.
Liz's door opened and she stumbled out, yawning in the process. She was wearing a pair of grey sweatpants and an oversized shirt with, to Peter's immense surprise, the cloister font "L" from Death Note adorning the front. So, Liz Allan was closet anime geek. Who knew? On her face was an equally large pair of glasses that currently sat perched haphazardly on her nose. She blinked a few times, eyes focusing on her older brother, and let out an annoyed huff.
"Mark, do you k now how hard it is for me to find a suitable time to nap? God, you've been home for all of three hours and you're already annoying the shit out... Petey?"
She finally seemed to notice Peter standing there, staring up at her with an amused expression on his face.
"Hey Liz," he greeted with a smile. "I like your shirt."
Liz looked down at her state of dress and blushed, but kept her composure long enough to throw a hand on her hip and scowl. "What are you doing here Petey?"
"You've skipped out on the last few of our study sessions. I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Liz smiled softly. "Come up to my room, Petey. We'll talk up here."
She turned on her heel and and almost slammed the door behind her as she went back inside her room.
"You heard the girl. I wouldn't keep her waiting," Mark chuckled.
The inside of Liz's room was almost a case study in contradictions, but truly the view of a very eclectic girl. Her walls were a bright purple, but covered with posters from Death Note and Inuyasha. Next to these were posters of both modern pop artists, like Bruno Mars or Beyoncé, but also groups like The Zutons or Go Radio. Right above her bed was a giant Scott Pilgrim vs. the World poster.
On her dressers were various cheerleading trophies and metals. Interposed, almost nonchalantly, between her awards were volumes of manga and what looked like her homework.
Liz was sitting on her bed, also bedecked in purple, with her legs crossed casually in front of her. Peter wasn't used to seeing her in anything but her finest clothes or her cheerleader uniform. At school, she was always made up to the zenith and the picture of stylized perfection. She was never not beautiful, Peter mused, never not perfect. It was part of the image after all. And Peter had already noted that what first drew him to Liz Allan was her beauty. It was shallow, sure, but fleeting in the face of the true person he was getting to know. But, Liz in her pjs and glasses, this was the Liz that literally took Peter's breath away with her beauty.
"Wow," he muttered before he was able to stop himself.
Liz gave him a questioning glance. "What was that Petey?"
Peter shook his head to clear his mind. "Er... nothing. It was nothing."
"So," she began. "why did you come here?"
"I wanted to make sure you were okay. You've been skipping our tutoring sessions. I'm starting to take it personally," he added with a slight snort, hoping to lighten the mood.
"I'm sorry if it seems like I've been avoiding you Petey. It isn't anything personal."
"Is this about the fight?"
He left the question hanging in the air, but they both knew the answer. Since his very public accosting from Flash and the "slap heard around the hall" as Harry had dubbed it, she hadn't really talked to anyone. It wasn't hard for an idiot, let alone someone possessing Peter's mental faculties, to figure out the reason.
"I think you know the answer to that," she replied.
"Look, Liz," he paused, searching for the words. "I just... I guess, I just wanted to apologize. You know, for what happened."
"Petey, that really isn't needed."
"But, I, uh..."
"Peter," she interrupted him. "Stop. Whatever happened between me and Flash was a long time coming. You didn't cause us to split. Stop beating yourself up over nothing."
"I'm not stupid Liz, I've seen the fact that all your friends are avoiding you. And the only difference between the beginning of the year and now is that you and I have been spending time together."
She actually chuckled at that. "Sally's my best friend, Petey, but she's not loyal. Flash has the status that she wants. She's going to side with him simply because of that."
"I don't see how calm you are about all this. I don't know what I'd do if I lost Harry and Eddie."
"I've had time to think about things, Petey. If my friendship means so little that they would throw it away because you and I are friends or because I'm not dating Flash... I'm better off, don't you think? Besides, I'm still gonna be the cheerleading captain next year, Felicia assured me. And she and Eddie don't care about a fight I had with Flash. If Sally or any of the other girls have any sort of brain, they'll realize they need me more than I need them."
She got up from the bed and walked over to him. "It was nice of you to come over Petey, I appreciate it."
She then did something that took Peter completely by surprise. She kissed him on the cheek.
"Now then. My science book is over on my desk. Grab it and let's get to studying, can't let my grades fall because of some stupid cheerleaders. Can I?"
Peter smirked. "Whatever you say Liz."
Peter still felt as though something was bothering Liz, but he didn't bring it up again. He was with her, laughing, learning, and discovering. And that was all that mattered.
…
The plan was flawless, but what else would anyone expect with Quentin Beck involved. Dressed again in his costume, he had made short work of the guards at Oscorp, broke through the extra security covering the top floor, and now approached the doors of the vaunted Norman Osborn. Vaunted, a word that would soon be reserved only for Quentin Beck.
Quentin did admit, the new tech that Phineas worked up was wondrous. He would have to study Phineas' designs at a later date and see if he could improve them. He had never studied engineering before, but Quentin was leagues ahead of the mental capacities of the Tinkerer. It should be no trouble at all.
He pushed open the doors to the office of Norman Osborn with a flourish, quickly examining the room as he did. It was opulent and grandiose. Maybe Tombstone would have no use for it and Quentin could take it over. It would be easier to take on Tombstone later if Quentin had this view to mull over his plans.
Sitting behind a rich, chestnut desk, and dressed as fine as any man Quentin had come across was Norman Osborn. Osborn was not bad looking, though nowhere near the beauty of Quentin, but had a receding hairline and a touch of grey in his otherwise ginger style. When he noticed Quentin, surprisingly, he didn't cower nor did he flinch. He merely raised an eyebrow at Quentin's presence.
His lack of fear would cost him dearly.
"I assume, since you made it past my guards and security, this isn't a social call."
"You assume correctly, Mr. Osborn. Now, cower before the might of the arcane arts and Mysterio may allow to live."
Mysterio, is it?" Osborn replied in a flat tone. "I should warn you, I have very dangerous friends. Both legal and otherwise. I should warn you that my auxiliary security, as well as the police, are on their way. I should also warn you that I have, as of this moment, three ways out of this office without giving you any of the files you seek."
"Files?"
"Don't play games. Corporate espionage may be a bit more dramatic where you are concerned, but it's always the same thing in the end."
"I do not work for any of your pathetic competitors. My employer is more on the outside of the industrial world, so to speak."
"You don't say. Who may that be?"
Mysterio raised his arms and activated his spells. "Tombstone send his regards."
For the first time, that fool Osborn had the look of fear in his eyes Mysterio felt he deserved. This was going to be enjoyable.
…
"Leeds!"
Ned sighed, rising from his desk and heading into the office of his boss. Whatever was going on, he was sure it had something to do with Spider-Man or some other vigilante activity. Sometimes, Jameson could be so predictable.
He was halfway through a more important story on the activities of this Tombstone character. He didn't need to be distracted by some garbage piece about how Spider-Man mugged a nun or something. Besides, he though that Peter was doing a great job at actually stopping crime.
It still amazed Ned that Peter turned out to be Spider-Man. He had to give it to the kid, it took a lot of guts to do what he did. As much as he didn't want to see Peter hurt, he understood the need for heroes like Peter or Daredevil. Unlike the Punisher, who was nothing more than a violent thug in Ned's eyes, Peter and Daredevil stood for the best New York had to offer. They could stop crime and do it without dropping bodies. They could be symbols of inspiration and hope, even if that hope came in sometimes ostracized or grim forms.
"You needed me J.J.?"
"Yeah, just got a tip that something big is going on at Oscorp to do with that fishbowl guy from the other week."
"Mysterio?"
"That's the one. Apparently, he has Norman Osborn held hostage in his office. Police are swarming the scene and we're not there. Rectify that, now! And make sure when that freak Spider-Man shows up to help his accomplish that Parker is around to get some pictures."
Ned nodded. "I'll make sure to tell Peter to get down there.
As he left the office, Ned scowled and pulled out his cellphone.
"We're going to need him down there, whether or not Jameson agrees." he thought grimly.
End of Chapter Eleven
A/N: Here is Chapter Eleven. I hope everyone enjoys it. Read and review!