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 nor any property mentioned herein.
Chapter Eighteen
Peter was itching to go after Shocker. He had never been so thoroughly beat in a fight since becoming Spider-Man. He was hurt, broken, really, but he wasn't one to give up. New York needed him.
However, the imposing figure of Captain America was keeping him in place. And if that wasn't enough, Iron Man and some Secret Squirrel looking guy were with him.
Despite his willing desire to go after the villain and put him down, Peter knew he was too injured to put up any sort of fight. He had a couple cracked ribs and a dislocated shoulder, not to mention a ton of bruises on his stomach and face. He probably looked like some kind of Picasso painting.
Still, though, he bristled with the indignation of being held against his will, even if the one holding him was the good captain himself. Peter was a superhero. He may not have been in the game as long as the two veterans, but he felt he had earned the right to fight his own battles. He had faced down villains before. He could do this.
In his life as Peter Parker, he was used to having others think he couldn't handle himself. After all, he was a small, geeky science nerd with a big mouth and arrogant, sarcastic disposition. And it isn't like his spider powers added height or any sort of bulk to his small frame. To those in his life, he was still this geeky kid and needed to be protected. He loved that Aunt May, Eddie, and even Harry all felt like they had to protect him, but it was starting to grate on his nerves.
He bristled, unknowingly, and kept his place. He'd hear them out. It wasn't like he had any other option.
"Easy Spider-Man, we are not here to harm you," Captain America said in his commanding tone.
"That's hardly the problem. I need to go after Shocker."
"I think not, son. You're injured."
"Cap's right. I ran a scan of your injuries, there is no way you could face him down right now," the synthesized voice of Iron Man added. His armor opened up and Tony Stark stepped out, bedecked in a suit that Peter was sure cost more than his house. "Sorry about the suit, but I was in the middle of a meeting when this little mess went down."
Peter rolled his eyes. Then it hit him. Iron Man scanned him enough to know his injuries. Privacy aside, that meant something worse...
Peter adapted a defensive stance, throwing Captain America's arm off of him in the process.
He had plans for when this day would come. He knew some people would find out. Some already had. But he wasn't quite prepared for the Avengers to come baring down on him just yet. He now had a different problem. How soon until their force was after Aunt May?
He looked at bot other heroes. He could out muscle Captain America, but there was no way he could out fight him. He could think on the level of Iron Man, but there was no guarantee he could out think him. And, to add to this shitty situation, he was hurt a lot more than he was willing to admit. This didn't look good for him.
"Calm down, kid. We're not here to take you in. Truth be told, I figured out your identity a while ago. It's how we tracked you down today," the other man said.
"Sorry g-man, but the show of force makes me a bit wary of trusting you," Peter responded with an edge to his voice.
"See, Fury, I told you he had a sense of humor. The show of force wasn't for you, Spider-Man," Stark said, raising his hands in a show of deference.
"Spider-Man, this is Nick Fury. He is in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Captain America said, with a gesture of his hand.
"The anti-terror people?"
Peter had heard of S.H.I.E.L.D. They were responsible for anti-terror measures in the country. But now two questions came to the front of his mind: 1) What did an anti-terror organization want with him? 2) He had seen the director of the organization on the news before. This was not the same man. Who was he?
"It's more complex," Fury said. "Yes, we do deal with anti-terror. However, we're more comprehensive than that. We are the United States' top security and infiltration experts."
"A unit full of spies. So, at least the Secret Squirrel quip wasn't off," Peter grumbled.
Fury actually chuckled. "No, it wasn't. But my organization is not the reason I'm here. I am also in charge of the Avengers Initiative."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "And, what, you want me to join the Avengers?"
Fury shook his head. "Maybe if you were of age, Peter."
Despite the previous realization that these men had his identity, Peter still winced at hearing his name while in costume.
"No," Fury continued. "We are not here to recruit you. We are here to convince you to stop this. You aren't a superhero. As of right now, we are the only three people with the government who know your identity. That won't change. As long as you agree to stop."
There was finality in his voice that Peter hated. Another person in his life who didn't think he measured up.
"If I'm not a superhero, than what am I?" Peter asked.
"A kid who had a very unfortunate lab accident," Stark responded. "Once we figured out who you were, it was easy to find out what happened."
"That lab accident gave me the chance to help people. Gave me the power to help people."
"Power is not the same as precision, Spider-Man," Captain America explained. "You can fight a mugger, but the truly evil in this world can counteract your powers. They can even turn your powers against you and your loved ones."
"Kid, you have no business out here. This isn't your fight," Iron Man was the next to join the conversation.
"And what makes it your fight? If I build a mech, am I suddenly a hero?"
"Tony is an adult... on paper at least. That makes it his choice. You aren't even sixteen yet. Be a kid while you can and save your aunt the worry," Captain America responded with a smile.
"And if I don't stop?" asked Peter. He needed to know if there was a way around this.
"Then we expose your identity and bring the full force of the government in to find you," Fury said with no room left for argument. "You are too much of a wild card to be left unchecked."
Peter frowned, something wasn't adding up. "Have you done this with Daredevil or the Punisher?"
"Both are adults."
"Really?" Peter asked, incredulity. "Even the Punisher? Good to mass murder is okay as long as you're above the age of consent."
"Frankly, we don't care if you like this or not, Spider-Man. It's a gift, I suggest you take it," Captain America intervened. Even though his words were tough, there was a kindness in his eyes that calmed Peter down a bit.
"Kid, we really don't want to see you hurt. In a few years, maybe, but for now you really should just leave it to the adults," Tony pacified further. "You've done good work. But this kind of thing is not what you need to be doing now. I've seen your scores, Peter, you're almost as good as I was at that age. I wouldn't want something to happen to that brain before I could hire it to work for me."
"In his own spectacularly arrogant way, Tony's right," Cap said. "You've got all the time in the world to be a hero Spider-Man, when you're an adult. For now, focus on being a teenager. When I was your age, I knew a lot of boys who lied to get into the army. It was a good thing they did, but I regret that many of them did not get to enjoy being young. Even the ones who came home were changed. You have an opportunity that many others do not. Don't let it go to waste."
Peter nodded. He understood their reasoning, even if the logic wasn't entirely sound. As much as he disagreed with their opinion. As much as he disagreed with their unilateral decision. He really didn't have a choice.
"I just have one more question," Peter said, turning his attention squarely to Captain America.
"Yes?"
"You keep calling me Spider-Man, even though you know my name. Why?"
"Even though I know your name, you choose to wear a mask. I will respect that decision."
"Thank you, sir."
As Peter turned to leave, Captain America reached out and stopped him one more time. "One more thing, Spider-Man. I've always held to a core belief. The government should provide for the people whatever the people need. I know many don't feel that way. I know there are those who feel that the government is a hindrance to their freedom. I know that there are those who feel that providing for others limits their personal freedom. But that is a shortsighted error. Come and find me in a couple of years and we'll talk about you being a hero. Until then, I consider this the government providing for both Peter Parker and Spider-Man."
Despite everything, Peter smirked. "I didn't know Captain America had a political affiliation."
The captain gave a shrug. "I'm Irish Catholic and grew up in the Depression. Of course I have a political affiliation. Now, get out of here and get some rest."
Without another word, Peter swung off leaving the three older men standing on the roof.
"You think he'll listen to us?" Tony finally asked after a minute.
"For his sake, I hope so. Otherwise I'll have no choice but to take him in. It's for his own good," Fury responded, his gaze still on the retreating form of the teenage hero. "Now then, let's try and track down this Shocker and put an end to this situation. We owe it to the kid to do that much after what he risked."
…
After changing, Peter made his way to where the crowd was still gathered in the aftermath of the fight. Sure enough, Eddie Brock was pacing through the crowd like a monster, desperate in his attempt to find Peter.
"Holy shit, Pete! Where have you been?" Eddie shrieked, his eyes raking over the form of his younger brother.
"When we got separated from each other, I was shepherded with the other group to a different location. They just gave us the clear that we could leave."
"And what happened to your face?"
Peter's hands traced the bruises forming over his mouth and eyes. "I got knocked down in the commotion. Think I cracked my ribs and shoulder as well. I'll be a bit sore in the morning."
"Dammit, do you know how worried I was? Why weren't you answering your phone?"
"Eddie," Peter said, raising his hand, though wincing in the process. "I'm okay. My phone died when we got separated. I got looked over by a paramedic. No real harm done. I just need to take it easy for a few days."
"That doesn't matter Pete! You were my responsibility!"
The anger from the past few conversation boiled over in Peter's mind. "I'm not a child Eddie! You don;t need to look after me!"
Eddie raised an eyebrow. "Peter, that isn't what I..."
"Save it!" roared Peter, cutting the older teen off. "I got hurt. It happens. It wasn't your fault. I don't need you to take care of me. I have to get to the Bugle, or do I need an escort?"
Eddie didn't say a word, motioning with a gesture for Peter to walk by him.
…
The walk to the Bugle gave Peter some time to think.
"Man, I shouldn't have blown up at Eddie like that. He was only trying to help. But don't they realize how patronizing it is for them to be constantly worried about my safety. Even without my spider powers, I can probably think of a way out of most trouble I come across. Sure, when I need to answer a science question they don't question my intelligence. But when it comes to anything real, I might as well be stupid. And the freaking Avengers. The first time I meet them and they blow my identity and strong arm me into not fighting crime. And the worse part is, I have to comply."
He made it a few more blocks, still fuming.
"And now I'll have no source of income without the pictures of Spider-Man. Well, it gives me no good reason to turn down the internship this summer. At least with that I might have a way to take Liz out without having to rely on Aunt May for support. God, I couldn't even make it a full year as being Spider-Man before it blew up in my face. I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise Uncle Ben."
He stopped outside the Bugle and composed himself.
"Let's see, Ned's gonna be pissed. That's for sure. He'll have pictures and Jameson will be happy. But that's the last we'll see of Spider-Man for the time being."
Peter stepped inside the office and made his way to Ned's desk, the man in question looking up and sighing in relief at seeing Peter alive. However, his face darkened when he saw the extent of Peter's injuries. With a jerk of his head, Ned motioned for Peter to follow him into one of the empty offices away from the ears of the rest of the staff.
"Here's your camera Pete, I got some pictures. Though I'm sure you don't want them published," Ned said, handing over the camera.
"Might as well, it's gonna be a while before anyone sees Spider-Man again."
"What do you mean?"
"After Shocker kicked the crap out of me, the Avengers showed up. They know who I am and they said they'd expose me if I fought crime again. At least until I'm an adult. And, even then, I bet it will be under their jurisdiction."
Ned sighed. "I know this isn't what you want to hear, Peter, but maybe it's for the best. I should have stopped you when I found out. You're only a kid."
Peter growled in anger. "A kid who can bench press a truck."
"But still only a kid. Saving this city should have never been your burden and I was blinded by the thought of a hero actually fighting street crime to see that. I'm sorry, Peter."
"Ned, none of this is on you. Truth, I would have continued whether or not you said anything. I would have found a way to operate. But I don't think I can disregard the Avengers."
"No, probably not."
"So, I'll go hand the pictures over to Jameson and collect what should be my last paycheck from the Bugle. Thanks Ned, for everything you've done for me."
"Don't quit just yet," Ned said, smiling. "I've got enough clout in this paper I can still pull some strings. I may not write as I used to, but I still get stories out there and I could always use a good photographer. I'll ask Jameson if I can take you on personally and get you some sort of contract. No promises, though."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "You'd really do that?"
"Of course I would. You're a good kid, Peter. And there are multiple ways to save the city. How about you try this one for a bit?"
He reached out his hand and Peter took it readily.
"You know, Peter. My mom had a saying 'It's gonna be okay, whatever okay is'. I want you to remember that."
…
Two figures stood silently in an abandoned warehouse somewhere on the New York docks. The first, contemplating his next move. The second, standing with his arms over his chest and waiting on the other to begin speaking.
The first of the figures had moved only slightly since he arrived at the warehouse. He had opened a laptop and begun to run a slew of computer porgrams featuring images of Spider-Man.
The second had arrived around thirty minutes later, expecting an answer to some questions, but finding only silence at this point.
Finally, the silence was too much.
"You told us two weeks Mr. Schultz. Is this how you complete your business?"
The first figure looked up from the laptop. "I admit, I've run into more problems than I expected. Or did the Kingpin not hear about my encounter with the Avengers?"
"We do not say his name, Mr. Schultz. I would have thought a man with your reputation would have been prepared for that scenario."
"I was, Mr. Wesley. My preparation for that scenario was to flee the scene. I'm a realistic person. There is no scenario in which I am willing to fight two members of the Avengers and the top spy in the government. Not without more backup than I had, at least."
"But our problem persists. My employer is not happy."
"I understand and I think I may have a solution."
"And that would be?"
Schultz motioned to the laptop. "I have some friends with great technical skills and they've added a bit to my research. This computer has been running a heuristic algorithm for the past hour, mapping out the general direction in which Spider-Man enters or leaves crime scenes and times in which he is active during the day."
"And what does it say?"
"Well, it seems Spider-Man is active most in late afternoon and early evening. And most of his flight patterns tend toward one place, Midtown High. I believe that Spider-Man, whoever he is, works within that building and I can exploit that fact. Right now, school is not in session. But, when it reopens, I will attack the building and draw Spider-Man out. After that, I can lead him to Oscorp and cover both ends of our deal."
Wesley paused for a moment, but nodded. "Very well. Just don't disappoint again, Mr. Schultz."
End of Chapter Eighteen
A/N: Here is the next chapter. I hope it is enjoyable.