CHAPTER 32

A Spider at the edge of Halloween

You've finished talking with Felicia and Harry. You've been roped into heading to the school's costume party with Harry. Felicia might show up, but she's unsure because of her temporary house guest. There's also the weird reactions Mary Jane Watson has been giving all day, too. There's also the fact you should probably talk with Gwen…

You hurry back to your locker and grab your coat, scarf, and bag. Wrapping yourself up, you see that most people have already headed out. You'll probably miss the bus if you try to stop and talk with anyone else, though.

Well, you should probably go ahead and deal with the Gwen situation. There's a lot that you need to talk with her about, after all.

You head over to her locker and see her and suppress EVERYTHING you've dealt with from the future. Every single instance of dealing wither her- the memory of Flash's death, the unnerving way she recovered from damage- you blood bring dr-

Nope. Stop remembering. Now.

Taking a deep breath you head over to Gwen who is putting things away in her backpack. She pauses as she hears you walk up, her face a bit uneasy. "…Hey, Peter."

You wave awkwardly. "Hey, Gwen."

The last time you saw her was, technically, the night she saw Felicia on top of you. "So, how've things been?"

Gwen looks into her locker, away from you. "…Fine. The stalker's quit, whoever he is. Guess he got scared off or decided it wasn't worth the effort."

Her tone's sarcastically self-demeaning as she closes her locker loudly. "Look, I'm glad things turned out well for your girlfriend, Peter. I know I'm not blameless, but I think I'd like a bit of normality- I'll help out if there's someone like the Hobgoblin that shows up, but I…"

Gwen adjusts her glasses and turns away, her voice a bit rough. "…I've got to hurry- don't want to miss my bus."

And she's off. Again.

Great.

Well, Felicia's invited you over. You should probably go ahead and head over- it'd be nice to see Stella anyway. You walk through the streets with the cloudy skies overhead, thinking.

You'll need to refill your webbing- you've only got the two cartridges in your webshooters left and haven't been able to make more since getting back. Speaking of which, you should probably think about renovating those and upgrading them, too. You should also think about designing a new costume, too.

With your thoughts in hand, you reach Felicia's house and knock on the door. After a few moments, the door opens with a somewhat irritated looking Felicia at the door, who perks up the moment she sees you.

"Oh, Peter, I didn't expect you to stop by, considering the costume party."

"Yeah, I thought I'd stop by, since it's the first day I'm off of sick lockdown at my house."

Concerned you look at her- she seems more tired than she did earlier, and she's breathing a little heavier. "You alright? It seems like something was bothering you a moment ago, Felicia."

Felecia lets you in as she lets out a deep breath. "Look, Peter, I love you but the moment things go through, that girl's out of here. She's in my guest room for the night."

You frown as you look at the clearly frustrated Felicia. "What happened?"

She flops into her chair, annoyed. "Well, what didn't happen? I told her to stay out of -one- room. Just one. And today I see her -in that room- fiddling with an expensive vase- it was something I kept to commemorate my first theft. And then she drops and breaks it."

Felicia leans over hands running through her hair. "She's probably a nice enough girl, but her and I mix like oil and water."

Felicia lets out a sigh, hitting her head against the back of the chair she's in. "I won't stop you from going to see her, I'm sure she's worried about you."

You grimace. Seems like you've been causing Felicia a lot of problems by having her take in Stella temporarily. You sit down in the chair next to her and rest your hand on hers. "I didn't mean to cause you further problems, Felicia."

Her eyes shoot open as she waves her hands. "Woah, I'm not mad at you, Peter. I'm just in a bit of a bad mood, that's all. Neither of us wanted to be roommates and she's getting impatient. I'm mad, but I can't blame her, really. I probably wasn't much better as a kid."

Felicia gets up and stretches. "I'm going to go get myself something to drink. You can go see Stella if you'd like, though."

She gets up and heads towards the kitchen.

"I think I might make an appearance at the party for Harry's sake. He got me a costume and everything. After I do that for an hour or two, I'll I swing by back here. No pun intended."

Felcia nods as she gets out a cup. "Are you sure you don't want to go? I could take Stella trick or treating beforehand to give you some time to yourself."

Felicia shakes her head. "No, that's probably not a good idea. The papers are almost done- another day or two and I'll have them. I'd rather not have her show up before she legally exists. Besides, I don't want to see what she's like hopped up on sugar. That is, besides the point that she's stuck in her room for the night for breaking my vase, if you haven't forgotten."

She waves a spoon at you as before putting some cocoa mix into the mug she's holding. "But, yes, I'm sure. I'm trying to stop dressing in costumes all the time, after all. Tell me before you leave, though, I've got something for you."

You take a moment to kiss her on the cheek before heading to Felicia's guest room. Opening the door, you see Stella leveling a flat glare at the door before her eyes widen as she tackle-jumps you. Taking the tackle in stride- man she's strong- you pat her on the head.

"Peter, I missed you!"

Hugging her back, you pull back and smile at her. "It's good to see you too, Stella."

Closing the door behind you, you sit down on a chair next to the bed. "So, how have you been?"

Stella glances at the door before smiling. "Well ,it'll be better when I can go home with you. When will that be, Peter?"

She seems a bit urgent as she rests her hands on her dress, one of the ones she grabbed from the shops. Seems like she's a bit nervous.

"Well, according to Felicia, it should be another day or two before your paperwork is finished. After that, if everything goes well it should only be a day or two. So, hopefully, before the weekend is over. However, I can't make any promises.

"Also, I'm sorry for not being able to see you until now due to having been sick."

Stella seems to snort at Felicia's name. But at your apology, she's smiling again. "No problem- like the Doctor always said- 'You shouldn't be around others if you're sick- can't risk them catching what you've got.'"

She grins sheepishly. "Well, I haven't been sick but I guess its about the same?"

The two of you spend time talking, especially about how she's adjusting. Seems like she's been doing reading on society and how to blend in- Felicia knows her stuff on that is what Stella admits, albeit incredibly reluctantly.

Eventually, you have to get around to the elephant in the room. "So, I heard from Felicia about the vase, what's your side of the story?"

Stella shrinks inwardly. "…it wasn't my fault it broke- I was being perfectly careful. She surprised me."

Well, all those times of watching Full House is about to come in handy- Bob Saget, please give you strength! "Well, she told me that she didn't want you in that room. Is that true?"

"…Yes."

Stella voice is soft as she looks at you worriedly, like she's afraid of how you'll react. You take a few moments to mull over a response before coming up with one.

"Stella, you need to be respectful of the rules people give you. Especially if you're going to be living with Aunt May and Uncle Ben. What you did to Felicia was disrespectful, not only did you not respect her rules despite the fact she's helping you so much, but you also broke the vase."

Stella crosses her arms. "So what? It was just a stupid vase."

You lift up your glasses and rub at your eyes. "The vase was more than that to her, Stella. It was a memento she kept since it meant she was tangibly taking up her father's legacy. You wished the Doctor was your father, right?"

Stella gives you a small nod as your brow is furrowed as she tries to comprehend what you're saying.

"Well, let's say that you have something that you keep to remember him. Like… a vase, for example. You don't want it broke so you keep it in a room and you tell people to stay out of it so nothing happens to it. And then you come home and someone not only is in that room, touching that vase, but they broke it. How would you feel."

Stella, with the beginning of understanding looks at you, slightly horrified. "...I'd be angry, and sad."

You slightly shrug. "See. That's why Felicia's angry. But it seems like there's something else there, too."

"…I just want to be able to live with you."

Stella looks at you, absolutely miserable as you wrap her in a hug. "I know, but Felicia's helping so that you can live with me with no problems legally. We don't people to try to take you away because you don't legally exist."

Her arms wrap around you tightly. "…I'm sorry, Peter."

You pat her head lightly with one hand as you return the hug before pulling away. "I know you are, but I'm not the person you should be saying that to."

Checking your phone to check the time, you stand up. "I'll be back later in an hour or two, Stella. I've got some things I promised to do."

"You promise?"

You lean down and extend a pinky. "I pinky promise, Stella."

She links her pinky with your, hesitantly, before grinning at you. "Okay, I'll see you later, then."

You wave goodbye before closing the door behind you. On the outside, you see Felicia leaning against the wall. "You know, you make a good dad, Peter."

"Ah, well I wouldn't know about that. I'm a bit too young."

Felicia takes you by the hand and leads you to the living room. "No, I'm sure you'll be a great dad for her."

Keeping th couch block form your vision, Felicia pulls you into a deep kiss before breaking it and stepping aside. Laying over the chair is a red and blue outfit with black webbing over the red. Two large, white eyepieces frame it's mask.

It's a Spider-man costume.

Felicia gestures towards it with a flourish before biting on her thumbnail. "So… what do you think?"

You pause and look over at her. "You made yourself a costume?"

Felicia looks like she's about to say something as you wrap your arms around her. "It looks amazing, Felicia. Thanks."

You move over and pick up the costume, examining it. It seems to be made out of a durable spandex-like material. It'll cling pretty tight, but it's well made. There's even a belt with some small pockets built in.

"No, I changed my mind. It's not amazing. It's spectacular."

Pivoting around you kiss your girlfriend, who looks pleased and embarrassed as you give her a devilish smile. "But, you know, if you wanted to see how my butt looks in tights, all you had to do was ask."

You feel a hand grope your rear as Felicia leans in, whispering into your ear. "Careful, Peter dear, I might have to take you up on that invitation." As she lightly nips your ear, causing you to shudder lightly.

Pulling back, she picks up the mask and smiles fondly. "Well, I thought about how much trouble you've had because you've had to go and retrieve a costume, so I worked on something that you could war underneath your clothes- there's a zipper on the arms here so you can even wear short-sleeved shirts with it."

She picks up the legs. "The 'shoes' have more durable soles so you'll be able to cling but not suffer from not having shoes, as well. There's also a small belt that has little pockets. "I left the gloves as something simple considering your webshooters- if you ever need to have the arms revised just tell me."

Stepping back, you see her seriously analyzing the costume. "I also widened the eye-lenses with a white color- completely see through on your end, but with the costume's lighter colors, it gives you a slightly more comical but friendly appearance. Which should help.

"I like your old costume, Peter, but it's rather dark and intimidating in its color and design. A bit punk-like, actually."

She glances over at the clock before handing you the costume. "You should be heading out if you want to make the Party, Peter."

You kiss her on the cheek as you hide the costume in your bag and head towards the door. "I'll be back, Felicia!"

Heading out, you hurry on home- it takes you about twenty minutes at a brisk pace. When you get back, you open the door to see Aunt May smiling at you. Harry's sitting in the living room with Uncle Ben and gives you a smile filled with relief. "There you are, Peter! We've been waiting for you."

Harry hands you a bag. "Here's your costume, man. Hurry- your Uncle said he'd drive us so we aren't late."

He almost pushes you towards your room. To be fair, you are kinda pushing the time limit here. You close the door and look at the costume. It's actually a decent fit- but it has enough slack that you could try out your new costume, if you'd like.

Well, it never hurts to be safe- putting on your uniform underneath, along with a good dose of deodorant, before turning to the costume Harry gave you. It's got red- a lot of red. And a mask/helmet thing. Luckily, it doesn't look to be too hard to see through. Putting on the wig it comes with after dressing, you pocket your spider-man gloves and mask on one of the costume's inside pockets. Making sure you have your wallet and the like, you go and head downstairs.

As you gown the stairs you look down at Harry, who has put on his own wig- he's wearing some sort of blue uniform as well. You have no idea what this is referencing, so you feel kinda bad for Harry, but it does look decently cool.

The two costumes also don't seem to be that hot or constricting, which is another benefit. However, after Aunt May takes a picture of the both of you because of 'how cute you two look' - you give Harry an embarrassed apology but he waves it off, looking happy to have people who care enough to gush over the both of you.

Still, it's a good ten minutes to the school. You could talk with Harry on the way, or your Uncle Ben.

"So, exactly who am I dressed as again?"

Harry gives a long suffering sigh as he gives a rough explanation of the character and how it relates to his. So, you're dressed as a crazy space nazi or something who was a good guy but decides to try to kill all life on earth named Char. While he's playing the good guy who your character is the rival/enemy of named Amuro. Or something.

Your summations of what he says make him cringe. "Peter- I swear I'm going to strap you down and force you to watch every anime I own one day."

So, quickly changing the subject you think of something you SHOULD tell him. "So, I might have to leave early to meet my girlfriend Felicia, figured I'd give you a head's up. I plan to stick around for a while though. It was a last minute thing."

Harry nods. "No problem, at least you didn't bail entirely."

Uncle Ben gives a curious note of interest as you turn to Harry. "So, what are you up to this week?"

Harry glances at you and shrugs. "Dunno. My dad hasn't said anything, so I should be pretty free. If you want to hang out, just give me the word."

The two of you arrive at the school and get out. "Thanks for the ride, Uncle Ben!"

He waves at the two of you before driving off. You and Harry each take a deep breath before heading inside.

Inturlude

The Fool

All Hallow's Eve- the day the evil spirits walk the earth.

Regardless, its time you have the chance to do something. It's Halloween, so naturally, you've got to be out there. The day tricks and treats come forth.

Well, that's what daddy always says. Where is he?

He said he'd be here.

Daddy always keeps his word.

Always.

Grimacing in pain, you grab your chest, coughing into the bag like the doctors tell you.

It hurts- it hurts so much. That red stuff isn't supposed to be coming up!

Wheezing, your body tries to curl up. You grip the side of bed as you head something breaking. Pulling back your hand, you see a handprint where your hand had been- looking at you hand you see it a grayish color before it turns back.

What's happening?

"…Daddy, where are you? I'm scared…"

"You can't make that jump, stupid!"

You look at the kids down below you with contempt.

Humph! Spider-man could make that jump easily! So naturally, you'll have to make it yourself! How else would he accept you as a sidekick?!

Taking a deep breath you rush at the edge of the rooftop and prepare to jump.

You're making it! You're making it! You're…

Not making it!

Your eyes close in terror as you feel yourself falling before you hear the sound of chains as you feel something grab you and pull you up.

The chains pull you to the roof you were reaching for as you see a shadowed figure under a red cloak as the chains retract to it. A rough, mysterious voice echoes from where its mouth would be.

"Next time, I won't catch you."

Snorting at the figures, you look over the edge again before heading to the fire escape. So… next time you'll try it over a less... Tall height.

But, one day, you'll be Spider-man's sidekick!

"Once gods walked upon the world amongst men. They waged their wars among the primitive people and used them as tools to worship them.

But not all men who to be cowed. Not all Gods were loyal.

They came up with weapons and tools.

Warriors to equal the gods.

These warriors have faded as the ages have passed, their bloodlines killed off, potential wasted.

But, the gods have not forgotten this little Earth. Midgard, they called it.

Nor have all gods disappeared, as they sleep within the earth and beneath the sea.

Waiting.

For when the gods return, they shall awaken.

And a new age of Marvels shall begin."

-? (Writer's identity had been lost to history)

END
To Be continued

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