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 Nineteen
The subsequent weeks had been some of the longest in Peter's young life, only rivaled by the weeks following Uncle Ben's death.
It hadn't been long enough that the general public were aware that Spider-Man had stopped operating, but Peter was sure the criminal element were noticing his absence. Every day, it seemed, Peter heard some ambulance or cop rushing to the scene. His accompanying shame highlighting just how small he felt. It was like before he got his powers.
Well, not exactly.
His social life had picked up. He had Liz were able to spend more time together since he wasn't making up excuses to run off. He had even managed to patch things up with Eddie after their little fight and the two had been hanging out much more frequently as well, largely thanks to Felicia having already decided Liz was to be the next 'it girl' at school. And, if Eddie and Liz both liked him, Peter couldn't be all bad. Hell, he and Harry had been able to hang out almost daily since he stopped fighting crime.
His school work, while never near what anyone would consider bad or even only average, was now far beyond even what the juniors in the class above were able to produce. And his work with Ned was providing a steady paycheck and a much needed freedom from having to rely on Aunt May for spending money.
Peter should have been perfectly happy.
But he wasn't.
It didn't matter what he did or where he went, that nagging voice in the back of his mind wouldn't shut up. He should be doing more. He should be more. He should be Spider-Man.
However, he didn't have that option, as much as he would like it. Plus, school was starting up today and he needed to refocus on academics as much as possible, including a lunchtime meeting with Norman Osborn that afternoon.
After his humiliating beat down from the Shocker, Peter had agreed with Eddie that he should accept Mr. Osborn's offer. After all, without Spider-Man, it wasn't like he couldn't handle the work. And Aunt May was ecstatic about the entire thing, especially after learning it would be a paid internship. Peter just had to finalize some details.
Mr. Osborn had set their meeting for Peter's lunch period, excusing Peter from lunch and his Honors Pre-Calc class that afternoon. Peter would miss spending his lunch with Liz and Harry, but he was sure the two would fine sitting together for one meal. Hopefully, the two could form some sort of friendship out of the experience. Secretly, though, he texted Eddie who immediately agreed to drag Felicia along and eat with the two of them. Peter was also hopeful that a lunch with the cool kids would take Harry's mind off of the fact that Peter was having lunch with Harry's dad. It wasn't like Norman Osborn took time off from work to eat with Harry.
And he wouldn't be missing anything in his class. It was the first day and he had an A for the last two quarters.
So, when 11:30 rolled around, Peter grabbed his tote and, flashing his note to the door monitor, exited the building to find Norman Osborn's limo waiting on him.
"Peter," Mr. Osborn greeted warmly, giving Peter the shivers. "How are you today?"
"I'm alright, sir," he responded, shaking Mr. Osborn's proffered hand and stepping into the limo to sit next to the man. "How are you, Mr. Osborn?"
"Peter, since we're going to be working so closely together, I must insist you call me Norman."
"Yes, sir... er, I mean Norman," Peter managed to stutter.
"Good. Now, I hope you like Italian. I have reservations at the best restaurant in the city."
"Anything is fine, sir. Thank you again for the opportunity."
"You earned the opportunity Peter," Mr. Osborn said, waving his hand dismissively. "Now, let's get that lunch. Driver, if you would?"
…
Ten minutes later, Peter sat awkwardly across from Mr. Osborn in the nicest restaurant he had ever been in. Surrounded by men and women in some of the most expensive clothes Peter had ever seen, he was suddenly aware of his faded Beatles tee, white Henley hiding his Spider-Man costume that he still wore underneath his civilian clothes, and jeans. Yet Mr. Osborn seemed unconcerned by his appearance, remarking casually that Rubber Soul was a favorite of his as well.
"So, Peter, what class did I manage to pull you out of for this meeting?" Mr. Osborn asked over their meal.
"Um... Honors Pre-Calc, sir."
"Interesting. I had read over Harry's course catalog as I do before every school year and I was under the impression that is an eleventh grade class."
"It is, sir. I am in eleventh grade classes in both math and science. It's no big deal," Peter responded, staring awkwardly down at his plate of chicken parmigiana.
"Nonsense, Peter. It's very impressive. Men like us don't need to worry about concepts like humility. Embrace your brilliance, Peter, and the rest of the world will as well."
"You know, sir, Harry has been excellent in his Honors Bio class this year. Dr. Warren was telling me how much his grades have improved."
Mr. Osborn laughed. "No doubt thanks to your fantastic tutoring."
"Actually, sir, I haven't been working with Harry that much this year. Most of my tutoring has been focused on Liz Allan."
"Ah, yes, the young woman Harry says you've started dating. A cheerleader, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well done, Peter. If only Harry had your initiative with the ladies. His date with Miss Bishop was a total disappointment, yes, but her father didn't run that hatchet job on my company. So, I guess he didn't screw up too badly this time."
Peter scowled at the way Norman Osborn spoke of his son. He didn't know if the older man was willfully ignorant of his effect on his own son, or if he was truly blind to the fact that Harry was suffering because of his own constant condemnations. Either way, Peter was glad that Norman Osborn was not his father. There was more to it though. Something Peter couldn't quite put his finger on.
"Anyway, down to business Peter."
"Yes, sir."
"You will work a typical day, nine to five, and earn a substantial pay. Normally, the interns would be assigned to one of the many fine scientists working for Oscorp, but you'll have a different mentor. You'll be working with me, learning about both science and business. I've been saying it for years now, there is something special about you Peter and I want to see you succeed."
Peter nodded. "Thank you, sir."
Even though the words were nice, Peter felt a chill run down his spine. Norman Osborn was slimy. That may be the best way to describe it. It didn't matter what he was saying or how kind he was being. The words just seemed to ooze from Norman Osborn. Frankly, it unnerved Peter.
"Anyway, Peter, you should get back to school," Mr. Osborn said. He paused for a moment and reached into his pocket, pulling out what seemed to be a display model phone.
"Here," he said, passing the phone to Peter. "All of my top executives have this model phone. Top of the line, of course. My number is programmed in already. Use it to keep in contact with me."
…
After a polite, but less than enthusiastic, goodbye to Mr. Osborn and a promise to inform him of how the school year finished, Peter walked through the front doors of the school, actually excited to be back. It went against every fiber of his teenage being that he would prefer school to nice lunch at one of the fanciest in New York, but the truth was that Mr. Osborn was just tiring. Even with Peter's durability, being around the man just took everything out of him. After one lunch in Mr. Osborn's company, Peter felt like he needed to sleep for the next twenty hours.
Peter had arrived back to school between periods, having to navigate his way to his locker through the throngs of students trying to make their next class. Peter was lucky in that he only had one more class left during the day and his study hall.
Exhaling from the effort of making it to his locker, more so in annoyance then actual physical exertion, he grabbed his books for his A.P. American History class and proceeded to head down the hall, only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he found the smiling face of his girlfriend, already in her cheerleader practice uniform for later that afternoon.
"There he is, Midtown's resident scientific genius returned from his power lunch with one of the most influential men in the city," said Liz, smiling.
Peter scoffed. "Only a science genius? This history book in my hands begs to differ."
Liz rolled her eyes. "It's good to know I'm dating one of the most humble guys around."
Laughing, Peter slung his arm around her shoulder and guided her down the hall. He was lucky that their classes were right next to each other. "Is that sarcasm Miss Allan? I do believe I'm rubbing off on you."
"Like a skin disease."
"I mean I could take my talents elsewhere, if you'd like? I'm sure I could find someone willing to put up with me."
Liz swatted his arm in a playful manner. "Like who? You talk to two girls and I'm sure even Mary Jane would be sick of you after a week. Face it Parker, you're stuck with me."
Peter didn't respond right away, choosing instead to just smile at the girl.
"I wouldn't want to be with anyone else," he whispered, leaning in close to her ear. He could feel the heat rise from her face and knew his comment had the desired effect.
"A few months ago I would have never believed that Peter Parker was capable of being charming."
"What can I say? I'm a man of many talents."
Liz paused for a moment, a few doors down from her class, outside of one of the currently unoccupied science labs. "You know, Peter, I'm glad I've gotten this chance to know you. And I want to learn more."
Peter smirked, responding in a breathy tone. "Yeah, like what?"
The confident nature of that line shocked Peter, who had until that moment believed he didn't possess the ability to be any sort of smooth. Nerdy charm he could pull off, but this was something he never though possible.
"Jesus, Parker, where did that come from?"
In response, Liz just smirked back at Peter. "Seems someone's got some confidence."
"It's probably a fluke," Peter chuckled.
Nonetheless, Liz pulled Peter close and placed a soft, chaste kiss on his lips. It was noting that would get them in trouble in school, but it held something more in it. There was a passion there.
They pulled away just as the overhead speaker crackled to life.
"Attention! Would the Red and Blue Teams report to the front office?"
Peter raised an eyebrow and Liz's head whipped around the hallway. They both knew that phrase. It was the official code for an intruder in the school. Normally, in case of a drill, they would have been told during the morning announcements. They would have also been told before the drill started. This code came out of nowhere.
To compound Peter's worry further, the doors to the classrooms began to rapidly shut and lock.
"Petey, come on!" Liz cried, grabbing his arm and throwing him into the unoccupied science lab and locking the door behind them.
"Okay, any idea what's happening?" Liz huffed, pacing the room in annoyance and fear.
"Liz," Peter said, holding his hands up in a placating gesture. "I haven't been here the last two hours. But you know what that code means. Someone is in the building. Just be patient and stay away from the door. I'm sure the staff is handling it."
"Really, that's the best you can come up with Petey?" Liz snared in his direction.
Peter, eyebrows raised, just stared back at her.
"Sorry," she sighed. "I'm just scared."
"I know Liz, but we'll get through this."
…
The plan worked flawlessly.
He didn't need to use stealth. He didn't need to sneak in. No, he wanted to make as much noise as possible entering the school. He simply walked in and threw the security guard stationed at the entrance across the hall. When the man landed with a satisfying thump, he continued forward, making as much noise as possible and terrifying a few students in the process. He wasn't actually going to go after any students, but they didn't know that. And whatever teacher was also Spider-Man didn't know that. This way he would be drawn out with minimal effort.
One teacher, a portly man in his middle years, was brave enough to stand up and face him. This man was obviously not Spider-Man, he was too fat and too tall, but the bravery was respectable enough. So, he was outright killed. No, he faced the same fate as the security guard and was thrown aside with an air blast.
First and foremost, Shocker was a professional. He wasn't a psychotic. There was never a need to kill anyone extra or harm anyone who surrendered. That kind of attitude only made you a bigger target for the cops and any hero you might come across. It was always better to play it safe and stay under the radar as much as possible. When this current job was done, Shocker needed to get out of New York quickly. He had already realized that the other heroes in New York were looking into him and he was barely able to stay a step ahead, largely thanks to the fact that they had no idea who he was before. It wouldn't last though. He was a man who was well aware of his own mental and physical capabilities. He couldn't out think Iron Man. He couldn't fight or outwit Captain America. And his systems were being hacked with startling ease. Shocker suspected the government, which only compounded the issue.
Right now, he simply needed to kill Spider-Man at the Oscorp building, get his paycheck, and get out of dodge. Simple.
Shocker turned around from the hall, back toward the doors, and crumbled the stonework around the entrance to the school. He knew the school would have called the cops. He wasn't about to be interrupted before he was done.
The security guard was slowly pulling himself off the ground only to be lifted entirely and slammed against the lockers he crashed into. One of Shocker's hands was about a foot away from the man's face, a distance from which a blast would kill him. The second, that held him, was crackling with energy from the electricity Shocker used in his punches.
"Where is your office? I need your speakers," Shocker asked, throwing the man against the lockers for emphasis. "Nobody will be harmed as long as they comply with my request."
Despite his injuries, and fear, the security guard wouldn't answer Shocker. But his eyes did shift slightly down the hall toward the office. He was concerned about doing hi job. Admirable.
Shocker knocked him out and kept going. No reason for this man to be a thorn in his side. Nor was there a reason for Shocker to kill him. This would be over soon enough.
Soon enough, he reached the door to the front office and kicked it in with flair. When there was a need for the dramatic, Shocker would acquiesce. And right now, the fear he could inspire in these people, and potentially Spider-Man, to do what he wanted without question.
"I need your speaker system," he stated. There was no pitch in his voice, no threat, even. The words were punctuated and calm. And that was the point. Hostile threats could be met with challenge.
The office secretary, another older and rotund man, nodded wordlessly and pointed a shaking finger to the microphone they used for the morning announcements.
"Stay clam and I'll be gone soon. Nobody needs to get hurt, understand?
When he received a nod from the various people cowering in the room, Shocker turned on the mic.
"Spider-Man. I know you're here and I know you don't want to see these people hurt. Meet me in the main hallway. You have five minutes or I start killing."
…
"Spider-Man. I know you're here and I know you don't want to see these people hurt. Meet me in the main hallway. You have five minutes or I start killing."
Peter knew that voice. Shocker.
Since their fight, it was the same voice that had haunted Peter every night in his dreams.
A bunch of questions flourished in Peter's mind. How had he found him being the first on his mind?
But there was a bigger issue than what Shocker knew or didn't know. Shocker was in the school. And he was threatening to kill if Peter didn't confront him.
Peter had promised the Avengers that he wouldn't fight again until he was an adult. He knew they would out him as Spider-Man if he did. But that didn't matter either. Shocker found him. Others could do the same. He could end up tried as an adult for his actions. He could end up in prison. But, again, none of that mattered. People were in trouble and Peter could help them. He would help them.
He turned briefly to see Liz pacing the room with her back turned to him. This wasn't the way he wanted to tell her this secret. But he had no options left. A small part of him hoped she could look past it, but the truth was that Peter's secret was done no matter what she thought. Things could never been the same between them again. Especially if he ended up in prison.
It was a good thing he still kept wearing his costume under his clothes. It would make this easier.
"Liz," he called, swallowing the lump in his throat. It was now or never. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course Petey," replied Liz with confusion in her voice, but she still kept her back turned to him. "Why would you ask that now?"
"Turn around."
End of Chapter Nineteen
A/N: Here is Chapter Nineteen. I'm sorry for the wait.