CHAPTER 50
Oh The Irony
It's morning, waking up with a yawn you listen to the quiet morning. The silence of the morning, barring your alarm is normal, its always been this way. And yet…
And yet…
There's been something off with things lately. You're not sure what it is, like someone rearranged your stuff, but you're not sure what.
Heading downstairs, you enjoy a muffin while you sit down to your Aunt. You'd received a call from Elias last night, seems like your blood is normal, but he'd still like you to be careful. Which is understandable, as he's a doctor. Seems like there was something going on with Doctor Curt Connors, according to the net. Your Aunt gets up, getting her bag and goes on. "I'll be next door with Anna if you need me, Peter."
As she's about to head out you pause and ask her the thing that's bothering you. "Hey, Aunt May, doesn't ti feel like something's missing?"
Giving you a sad smile, your Aunt shakes her head. "I tell Ben he's working too much. I'll make sure he has some time to spend with you in the future. But you know, you don't have beat around like the bush about it Peter. Also, congratulations again!"
As she heads out the door you let out a sigh. That isn't it. While you miss the time you spent with Uncle Ben, that wasn't it. Yeah, that definitely wasn't it. Somehow, you just know. But there's also that thing with Stark Industries, where you've been invited to some sort of event next week.
In the meantime, you should probably do something. Gwen said she's looking into something. She won't say what, but it seemed important, but she's otherwise said to call her if you need any information.
Flash is… well he's busy with family stuff, so I'll leave him alone.
But that does leave me with the day open.
You really should work on your science master and show them, show them a-ahahaha. That is, you should brush up on your science-ing skills before you meet Tony Stark. Ahem, regardless, there's some more important things to do. Leaving a note for your Aunt, you grab your costume and head out.
On the way you call Gwen.
"What's up Peter? Need something?"
Giving a sound of agreement, you go into detail about the Crime Master, he might have some connections to the Kingpin possibly. Gwen's silent on the line before giving a thoughtful 'hmm'.
"It's possible. The cops are told to think of the Kingpin as a rumor, but if there was one, then it'd be likely, I'll see what the police have on them, when I've gotten more info, I'll send you a text with the info. Anyway, how's things going lately? Anything interesting happen?"
Explaining the letter, Gwen gives a gasp. "Hey, so did I. I wonder what Stark's up to. He normally doesn't do this sorta stuff considering you know, who he is. Hmm, wonder who else got an invite. Well, anyway, I've got to go. Talk to you later!"
With a dial tone, Gwen abruptly hangs up. Letting out a sigh, you head out and go get changed in a place out of the way. Getting your mask on and working, you keep an ear out for anything but it seems pretty quiet.
Swinging around, you eventually hear a police report.
"We've got two masked individuals in costumes! They just robbed a… they robbed a pet store! Things stolen include the money, merchandise, and… a puppy! Location is…"
Immediately redirecting yourself, you head towards the area. On the way, you notice that there seems to be an unmarked van driving at quite dangerous speeds, police in hot pursuit, listening in, it seems one of them is in a quilted costume with brown bits and the other's in a blue and red outfit.
Keeping yourself in the air, you keep an eye open for a good point before changing how to make a web and web its sides to two large posts, which slows it enough for the moment- the webbing won't last too long, for you to web it and its wheels up as the vehicle, a moment later, is impotently sitting there.
The doors open up as the driver, the one in the blue and red outfit, with some gold detailing nervously looks out at you. He swallows as you hear two people talking. "-ought he was fake, man! Oh, god!"
The two are soon running out the other side of the vehicle, and pretty fast two, but you're already in front of them. "Robbing a pet store? That's some really pretty crime, guys. Looks like you'll have to go to the doghouse."
The two glance at each other, as the one in blue pats the other one on the shoulder as roller blades pop out of his shoes. "Good luck buddy."
The two actually look like they're swaying and the one in blue's breath smells like alcohol as he tries to flee on his roller blades into an alley. The other guy's standing there, freaking out.
"Hey, isn't that based off my old costume? Really wish you wouldn't do that. Its like you're trying to make me look bad!"
He nervously swallows as you hear his fists let out a high-pitched whine.
"I would make a joke right now about how much I hate whining, but I kind of feel sorry for you guys."
Webbing his fists up with strong webbing, then webbing those to his sides, the whine dies down as he looks a bit baffled, then afraid as he turns to run as you're already there and pick him up and throw him at his buddy, who is roller-skating off.
The guy looks back in time to veer to the left out of the way.
What.
The guy on the ground is groaning as you web his legs to the ground. Okay, yeah. That worked out better in your head. You need to practice throwing dudes more.
It isn't hard to catch up to the guy. He's literally right around the corner. Honestly, you were kinda expecting… more.
He's obviously been swerving and crashing into vehicles in his panic. You can actually catch up to him as he looks to the side in shock as you job alongside him. "You know, there's a reason they say don't drink and drive."
He begins hyperventilating when he looks at you, looking like he's going to blow chunks.
Jumping back, the vomit covers where you would've been running as the guy actually stops running and starts hurling. Big time.
You know, if it weren't for the fact you can't do it, you'd almost let them go. They… they make you feel /bad/ for them. You expected someone a little more… Hobgoblin level. Like, not as bad, but at least interesting to deal with. They're just two drunk guys who robbed a petstore.
When he's done you web his legs up and hands and drag him over to the other guy, who seems to be fine- on closer examination, yes it is the material you patented. Or, rather, Felicia patented for you under an alias. Apparently that stuff was being sold, so that's how this guy got it.
Regardless, they're both nice and webbed up and you can hear the police nearby. With that, its your cue to skidoo. Maybe you should look into leaving little business cards?
Webbing yourself on up into the sky before the cops can arrive, you consider your next actions. Still no text from Gwen.
You… You'll just go home.
That. That was sad.
No more crime fighting for today. Their showing today… it almost drives /you/ to drink. But then Aunt May'd get mad and then you'd have to have an awkward talk with Uncle Ben and then- you know what? No. This line of thought has gone on too far.
It takes a little more than an hour to get back and get changed before you head down to your basement.
When has science ever lead you wr-
Ah, well, there's probably something you can do. Should you work on costuming tech? Something to impress Tony Stark? A project to interest Doctor Spyral?
Hmm, choices, choices.
Getting up, you think that'd it be best to impress Stark. He's a mechanical engineer, so that'd be the things that impress him, most likely. You'd have to avoid anything you'd use as Spidey, but you could probably do something in that field.
Like make a tiny arc reactor. Maybe. Probably. Hopefully?
Now, as a PURELY hypothetical thing that you are not showing him, but because you want to see how skilled you are, you will now begin the science to miniaturize the arc reactor. This will work, probably.
And besides, its mainly the math you're doing, it isn't like you're building the thing.
You'll probably build a little robot thing. Nothing can go wrong with little robots.
You think and do the math, looking at the Arc-reactor's blueprints and doing the math, you slowly consult notes, and search your memories for the design of Stark's one in his chest. You sit there for hours working away at the math and putting notes to the side as you progress on the science of the arc-reactor.
By the end, you've developed a few concepts here and there and a slight worry. How exactly is Stark dealing with the palladium bleed off? Might be something to ask him when you meet him, since that seems rather dangerous to not have dealt with.
But you have the science on how to replicate the arc reactor and, if you weren't worried it'd draw all the wrong attention, you could probably build it and hook the house up to it so Aunt May and Uncle Ben never have to pay a power bill again.
Still, for now you've come up with some ideas you could later expound upon for your own private work.
…well, what could it really hurt?
It takes you about like, an hour, to grab everything you'd need to make it, just being sure to space things out and pay with cash.
When you're done, you head home and down to the basement and get to work, taking apart, refining and processing things as you get them ready.
You're not sure how it long takes you, as you've gotten all the math and such down, so you've only got make it. You ready the casings, the electronics, and the palladium as you refine things down. And then, before you're done, you double-check things.
And then you begin the reactor.
It takes a moment, your heart almost stopped in your chest, as it comes online. You test it, make sure it's working and it is.
You've made an arc-reactor. It's rough looking, like you made it in a cave with a box of scraps, but it works. It actually works.
Oh, shit. You've got a working arc-reactor. A fully working arc reactor.
Holy crap. HOLY CRAP.
Staring at the bluish-glowing device, you can only think one thing. 'What, exactly, should I do with this thing?'
END
To Be Continued
Publisher's Note:
If anyone is confused Peter basically has the gear he had in chapter 47, I'll show it below.
Also, I cannot stress this enough Peter did not build a complete arc reactor, he basically built the 1st arc reactor that Tony created in a cave with a box of scraps, the hints should have told you otherwise.
But to clarify, yeah, basically there'll be a list of changes.
for now these are important:
Mary Jane's sister is still alive.
No split personality.
Cletus Kasidy was the serial killer and is caught, think I forgot that in the recap, but that's what happened. Still in jail.
No X-men event
the storms are talking and working things over with Reed Richards and have been for a while, they still call Peter once in a while, though.
The vase is not broken
Flash doesn't have an empty future gun
Gwen's doing a lot better right now
Stalker situation was dealt with- unofficially you and flash are responsible for catching Urich
No future carnage
Sandman still is a thing, as is his daughter, but the daughter's stable-r.
Peter's definitely alone in his own head, probably.
Anya's still alive and well. Time changed and she made the jump across the building, barely.
Equpiment:
(Fake) Glasses- Hides the fact that your sight is now perfect to the unaware.
Hard drive- a removed computer hard drive. Contains files left by your father, could possibly be unreliable in some cases due to tampering.
Richard Parker's Bag - Has a lock on it. A bag that belonged to your father- holds blueprints and notes on his works, as well as a warning. Missing its security device ink bag's contents, strangely enough.
Spider-man costume (Durable) - You can't wear it under your clothes, but it reduces both your agility bonus and the damage you take by one. It does, however, boost your fellowship bonus by one in the costume. Looks like it could fall apart any time now.
Spider-man costume (sonic-proofed/Agile)- It's too thick to wear under your clothes, but your agility isn't decreased. However, you can't hear anything while in this costume and it can be sweltering during warmer months, but it should protect you from the Hobgoblin's Sonic Laugh. not recommended as modern use.
[Equipped]Spider-man Costume- (Durable/bulletproof/Agile/prototype equipment)The classic Spider-man is back! With prototype smart goggles and comms, he's back and better than ever. He's still has a lot of mobility and can be kept underneath his clothes. He's even bulletproof against small arms (mostly).
Spider Tracers- 3x. These only work within three hundred feet, but you can track anything with one of these on them with your spider sense.
Revolving Webshooters- production type- the streamlined and refined version of your prior webshooters. Minor adjustments have been made, each webshooter can carry a total of six cartridges.
Strong Webfluid x6 - a thicker webfluid, unsuited for webslinging, meant more for restraining and reinforcing due to its thicker, hardier nature.
Standard Webfluid x6
*Prototype Arc Reactor –This baby has enough power to serve Uncle Ben and Aunt May's electrical bills for a long time.