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 Twenty-One
Peter gave chase through the hall of the school, pushing himself faster than he even thought possible to attempt to reach Shocker before he could get away. Vaguely, he was aware of doors opening, teachers and students both sticking their heads out to get a better look at what was going on. Apparently, safety gave way to curiosity when a hero/villain throw down was going on in the hallway.
"Shit, man, I think that's Spider-Man!"
"It is! I can't believe it!"
Peter sighed. This was going to be difficult enough without having the entire student body watching. This was going to get dangerous and they were a distraction Peter couldn't afford.
Peter launched another web, aimed at Shocker's legs, and wrapped him up, stopping him in his tracks before he could exit the building.
"We're going to end this here and now. No one else is going to be put in danger, Shocker."
Peter approached cautiously, quickly shooting two more webs out and grabbing the gauntlets off of the villain's hands and throwing them behind Peter and effectively out of the fight.
"You don't have your weapons anymore Shocker. You can give this up right now. No one needs to get hurt, you included."
Shocker merely scoffed in Peter's direction. "My weapons aren't my only advantage."
Peter said nothing, but stalked forward still keeping his distance in case the villain made any other movements. Peter had learned his lesson the last time the two of them had fought. He couldn't let his guard down for a single moment.
Despite Peter's genius, he was fairly certain Shocker could out maneuver him. The man seemed to have a mind for tactics that Peter lacked. Peter had a genius brain. He had aptitudes in science and math beyond the realm of most other people. He was also great with writing and had a decent signing voice. But, he couldn't plan at the level he needed to.
"If I get out of this without dying or ending up in the big house, I'm studying up on tactics."
Peter glanced down the one of the connected hallways, still annoyed to see a throng of students and teachers watching the event like it was some sort of championship boxing match.
When he had gotten these powers, Peter had thought about becoming a pro wrestler. How he wished that was the situation he was dealing with right now.
Peter's attention was only diverted for a second, but that was all Shocker needed to throw himself forward, into a makeshift handstand, and stretch his body enough that he broke free of Peter's webbing. The newly freed villain turned to face Peter and stood still.
Despite the mask Shocker was wearing, Peter could feel the villain's eyes following his every move. Watching him. Analyzing him.
"You should have tied my hands down as well, Spider-Man."
"Shit. He got me. I would have noticed that too if there wasn't a crowd watching us right now."
Peter didn't choose to respond, instead firing more webs at Shocker who was able to dodge each of the projectiles as they came his way.
Peter stopped his movement dead and the two just stared at each other for a moment. Then, without warning, Shocker moved in. Peter shot a web, but Shocker dodged under it. He closed the difference further, dodging another of Peter's webs and bringing himself face-to-face with Peter. Peter tried one more time to hit Shocker with a web, but the villain ducked low and knocked Peter's arm off course, using the movement to aim a quick right into Peter's stomach. Doubled over, Peter was unable to stop the elbow that cracked against this cheek and the left hook that sent him spiraling to the ground in a heap.
Quickly, he got back up and tripped Shocker as the villain past. It became obvious that Shocker was gong for his weapons. Shocker stumbled to his feet, but Peter shot out another web and tripped Shocker again.
Peter shook his head, clearing his vision from the blows he had taken and fired two more webs. Shocker was able to spin on the ground, however, and dodge the projectiles as they stuck harmlessly to the ground.
Shocker rose to his feet and turned to face Peter, charging him.
Unencumbered for the first time in the fight, Peter's spider-sense kicked in and he allowed his movements to be guided by instinct, ducking and weaving and dodging the blows sent at him.
Peter kept up his dodges, waiting for the moment to strike. It came when Shocker swung wide on a powerful hook and Peter reached out to grab his arm. Without even looking behind him, Peter tossed the villain over his shoulder.
Peter heard the crash of Shocker landing on the ground and he moved quickly to the spot where the gauntlets landed, picking the weapons up and turning them over in his hands to get a feel for the tech and how it works.
He sighed. He wasn't going to get anywhere on these devices without extensive study, or the directions from Shocker.
But when he turned to the villain, he had disappeared.
"I'll be having those back, Spider-Man," a voice called from down one of the connecting hallways.
Peter turned on the spot, grimacing at the outcome. Shocker had taken hold of one of the students and held the kid against his body as a shield.
"I'll give you the boy. You give me the weapons."
Peter moved closer and had to bite back a scowl. Shocker held Flash Thompson against his chest, the bully's arm twisted around his back painfully.
"I guess this kid wanted to watch the fight. Seems he'll get his wish."
"Spider-Man, please... I... ugh!" Flash lost his voice in a painful yelp as Shocker pulled his arm further behind his back.
"Let the kid go, Shocker. He has nothing to do with this," Peter said.
"Though, saving QB is hardly what I want to be doing. I can't exactly let him get hurt."
"I don;t normally like this kind of standoff. But, you put me in a difficult situation. And, it does have its uses. Give me my gauntlets and the boy will live. I can snap his neck before even you can react."
"Spider-Man will stop...argh!"
Peter actually winced at the audible pop that sounded as Shocker pulled Flash's arm further back.
"I've dislocated your arm. Don't make me break it."
"Enough Shocker. I'll give you the gauntlets. Let the kid go," Peter commanded.
Shocker merely nodded and walked forward, holding Flash tightly as he did so.
Peter moved forward as well, cautiously, watching Shocker for any more movement as he did so.
When they were within five feet of each other, Shocker nodded for Peter to hand over the weapons which Peter did by throwing them at the ground near Shocker's feet.
"Now, hand the kid over Shocker."
"Foolish," Shocker replied. He took a step back and drove his foot into Flash's thigh. There was a loud crunch and Flash collapsed to the floor with a groan. Shocker reached down and grabbed the boy off the ground, only to toss him into a nearby set of lockers.
"Stop me or help the boy."
Peter didn't even stop to consider his actions as he raced by the villain to the crumpled form of Flash Thompson. He could hear Shocker leaving, but he just didn't care.
Flash had been nothing but a bully to Peter for the better part of a decade. The jokes he played were cruel. The insults and threats were unbearable at times. But he was hurt and it was Peter's fault. Peter wasn't careful enough. Peter wasn't watchful enough. Peter wasn't prepared enough.
"Captain America was right. I'm not ready for any of this. It doesn't matter what Flash has done or who he's bullied. He was defenseless and I let him get hurt. I failed him. I'm not a hero."
He cradled Flash's head and checked his breathing. It was shallow, but steady. From what Peter could tell, his arm was dislocated and his leg was broken. He probably also had a concussion and some bruised ribs. He needed a hospital quickly.
"Idiot, what were you thinking?" Peter hissed at the boy in his arms.
"Couldn't let him... hurt... you...big fan," Flash rasped.
Despite himself, Peter smirked. "Let the professionals handle it next time, tough guy."
Peter turned to the others standing in the hallway.
"Call an ambulance, quickly. He needs a doctor!" he yelled.
One of the teachers nodded, rushing back into their classroom. Another came forward and took Flash from Peter.
Peter stood and turned to the door way, sighing. Shocker was long gone. He had no choice but to try and find him.
"Go, Spider-Man," a sacred, but familiar voice said.
Peter turned to see Liz standing there. Her eyes shone with concern, but they were otherwise steely in their resolve.
Peter nodded and rushed off.
…
Attacking innocents was never a tactic Shocker liked using. It was dirty. But, Shocker had also learned long ago that there was no such thing as fighting dirty. You exploited every weakness you could find in your enemy. Fighting fair only got you killed, especially with an enemy as powerful as Spider-Man.
Like he had predicted, Spider-Man had taken his challenge to protect the students of the school. And though the fight lasted longer in the hall then Shocker was comfortable with, he had still achieved his goal without significant injury or his timetable destroyed. And using the boy had given him the time he needed to enact the next part of his plan.
He entered Oscorp with a literal bang, blowing open the front doors and scattering both debris and persons to the corners of the room. He had no reason to be subtle now. He wanted the police here. He wanted the press here. He wanted witnesses here.
Security was a joke, even with the weapons designed by Osborn himself. Even the extra security hired in the wake of his kidnapping by that fool Mysterio wasn't much of a challenge. They were trained men, but they weren't at Shocker's level.
Once security was dealt with, he placed small charges of his own design, paid for by the Kingpin, at the base of each structural support point in the building. There was a detonator attached to each of his gauntlets. If he couldn't take Spider-Man down immediately, he needed to blow the building. Even after he took Spider-Man down, he needed to blow the building.
He had allowed the building to empty save for two people, Osborn himself and some young girl. He hadn't paid much attention to her, save that she was blonde and dressed in what he would think would be the latest trends for a young woman. Probably some kind of intern, but not one he would expect to work at Oscorp. They were his fail safe. If it looked like he was going to lose the fight he could leverage them against Spider-Man and make his escape. He currently had them tied up in the corner of Osborn's office while he monitored the security feeds for signs of Spider-Man. The police had already made a blockade around the building and he could see a swat team gearing up to enter. He was expecting a negotiator any minute now.
He had also taken to fastening his gauntlets tighter to his arms then ever before. It restricted movement, sure, but they wouldn't so easily removed by the hero this time.
No plan was perfect, but Shocker was confident that he accounted for the problems quite thoroughly.
Except as he was just realizing, he should have gagged his hostages.
"We can work this out. Whatever you're being paid, I can double it," Osborn begged. "Just let us go."
Shocker didn't bother responding. There was no point. Men like Osborn thought their money solved all problems. Sure, it could be useful, but it wasn't worth the damage to Shocker's reputation. He was a professional and he had taken the contract. He would end it.
"You don't need to die today, Osborn, but I don't need you alive either."
He didn't say anything else, but the threat was clear. If Osborn would stay quiet he would get out of this and so would the girl. If not, he would die. Simple, really.
"Attention! This is Captain Stacy of the NYPD. We have the building surrounded. Come out with the hostages."
"Dad!" the young intern screamed. Shocker silenced her with a look only a second later.
"You have ten minutes to comply with our orders or we will remove you from the building ourselves."
Shocker had expected the police to react in this fashion. It was of no concern. If Spider-Man got here first, good, this would be over soon enough. If not, Shocker would have a warm-up before the main event. A typical S.W.A.T. team had no hope of holding their own against him, so why should it matter what the police decide to do. He would have the fight over with in a matter of seconds.
…
It had only taken Peter roughly thirty minutes to pick up on the trailer Shocker had left him. It would have probably taken longer, but a string of sirens caught Peter's attention and he followed his hunch to trailer after the cops and see where they ended up. When they made it to Oscorp, Peter knew he found the right place.
It seemed odd to Peter that two villains with grudges against him had targeted Oscorp. Peter didn't know much about what Norman Osborn was working on, though he expected he would find out during his summer internship, but whatever it was it had the criminal community in the city looking for some kind of profit.
Peter set that thought aside for the moment, he would return to it later when the current problem was taken care of. First, he had to stop the police from doing anything stupid. That was easier said then done seeing as the police were not big supporters of Spider-Man.
He stopped short on a ledge of one of the surrounding buildings, watching for a moment when he the man issuing commands, who he assumed was in charge, was alone and Peter could have a quick word. The moment the man walked off to answer his phone, Peter landed next to him.
"Sir," the man said into his phone. "I'm going to need to call you back." he turned to Peter and nodded. "Spider-Man, I take it."
"You know me?" Peter asked.
"We have a few files on you. Besides, I've seen Youtube before."
Peter nodded. "Fair enough. Listen, I want you to keep your men out of the building. Shocker is dangerous. Let me go in there and take care of this."
The cop studied Peter for a moment. "And I should let you do this why? You aren't Captain America or Iron Man or any of the other Avengers. You aren't Reed Richards either. You are just as much of an unknown as whoever this Shocker is."
"Your officers cannot handle this threat."
"I trust my men. They've been trained for this kind of situation. I don't trust you."
Peter let out an exasperated sigh. "I understand that. I don't trust you either. Your men have trained for mundane situations. Shocker is one of the best alive. He has access to gadgets you would not have given them training against. I have experience. I've fought him before. Unless the Avengers show up in the next five minutes, I'm the only hope you have of taking him down without any casualties."
Again, the cop was silent as he looked at Peter. "My daughter, Gwen, is an intern here. He has her hostage. I think you can understand my hesitance in letting you handle this situation. I don't even have a reason not to arrest you on sight."
"You gave him a time limit, right?"
"Ten minutes."
Peter nodded. "Give me those ten minutes to take him down. If I fail, send in your men to finish the job and I'll surrender with him. You can have us both in the same day."
"Why would you do that?"
"Because, I don't matter against the threat he poses to your daughter and anyone else in the building. You don't have to like me. You don't have to trust me. But you have to understand that against this kind of threat, I'm your best hope. I'm your only hope."
A moment passed before the cop said anything. But, he slowly nodded. "You have ten minutes. Take him down and get the hostages out. After that, we're coming in and taking you down as well."
"Understood."
"You know," began the cop as he looked Peter over. "You look taller in your videos."
Peter chuckled. "The suit adds a few inches."
…
Peter landed on top of the Oscorp roof, launching a web that he attached to the roof itself and using it to lower himself slowly down so he could peer in the windows of each floor. As it turned out, and as he expected, he didn't need to look far. He found Shocker in the same place as he had found Mysterio, Norman Osborn's office.
With a bit of force, Peter swung himself back from the window and then crashed through, landing in a crouch facing Shocker. A quick glance around him told him both hostages, the girl he assumed was Gwen and Norman Osborn, were both safe and now staring at him. He had Shocker's attention as well.
"Kidnapping Norman Osborn? I gotta say, I've seen it before and I wasn't really impressed. I don't get why someone with your grasp of strategy would copy Mysterio."
Shocker didn't say anything. He merely shifted his stance a bit to signal his readiness.
"Not gonna talk to me? I'm hurt Shocky. And I thought we were just becoming friends. But, if that's what you want, fine. Let's end this, shall we?"
End of Chapter Twenty-One
A/N: So, it's been a while. Sorry about that. Other obligations and writer's block are a truly deadly combination. But, I'm back now and I'll have another chapter out soon this time. Until then, peace.