Author's notes: I find it odd that Mary Jane is a reporter in this universe. I guess it's because one character needs a connection to The Daily Bugle since Peter isn't a photographer in this one. Kinda makes me sad that there isn't a whole lot of Peter Parker adventures for the cartoon, and there isn't a whole lot between Peter, Mary Jane, and Harry (as friends, not the stupid love triangle). Enjoy!
Summary: [Sequel to A Wistful Visit I] While visiting a comatose Harry, Spider-man runs into Peter Parker's friend Mary Jane. Giving genuine comfort can be difficult while maintaining a charade.
A Wistful Visit II
"Some night this has been so far," Spider-man grumbled. His webs carried him through the city. The lights from the buildings brightened his path. But his brooding prevented him from taking in its beauty. "I can't shake off what Norman was yelling the other night—accusing me of saving my own butt. It's cutting into my groove of facing baddies. Music does a great job of shaping the atmosphere. If only there was some way I could listen to that fitting playlist whilst fighting crime. Maybe not the most on the ball idea if I gotta listen to their corny heckles."
He was patrolling the city when he swung past Oscorp. He couldn't simply push on. Clinging to the wall, he watched inside. He stuck outside the window where his best friend lied.
((I made a promise that I would fix it, get Harry outta that coma. I wish I had an answer. Something to at least feel like I'm taking a foot in the right direction. Would it be easier if I never made another outlandish pledge? Nah. I'd hafta web up my own mouth to do that. Be hard to give my order to the barista at the coffee shops for my five minute breaks.))
He spotted movement. Inside that same room was a man wearing a business suit. Because Spider-man was still in costume, he dared not enter. He waited for the entrepreneur to leave. He held empathy for the man who needed to juggle running an entire empire, working as Iron Patriot, and keeping watch over his comatose son. However, Spider-man's time crossing paths with the patriotic-themed hero had lessen. Perhaps it was because Spider-man steered clear of the hard-nose man's way. Perhaps it was because Iron Patriot hadn't fought against any bad guys in a while. There was no teamwork bonding to flourish.
((Norman wanted to make up for his time as The Goblin. But with his son Harry in his state, he can't do any actual crime fighting. My take for a silver lining is that Norman is still present for his son.))
He heard a hatch opening. A giant platform lowered itself from Oscorp. A man strapped in a metal suit stepped out. He watched as Iron Patriot was preparing to leave the building.
"That's odd," Spider-man remarked to himself. "Is he heading out as Iron Patriot to track down Ock?"
The man clad in armor neglected to notice the wall-crawler. His stern face hid his dower emotion. The gray mask with the yellow eye holes fell over his steely face. He silently took off into the sky, leaving only smoke from his boosters.
"Hmm, should I tag along?" Spider-man asked himself. His only hesitation came from the man's chagrin. The anger, though understandable, never stopped him from accomplishing his task. He then realized something important. "But if Norman's gone, then who's watching over Harry? Making sure everything around him is operating?"
His concern grew. He needed to know how the delicate situation was being handled. Because the elder Osborn was out, he decided to use the opportunity for another visit. This time, as Spider-man.
He crawled his way inside.
The web-slinger jumped down into the room that housed the large tube. He was several levels below the penthouse. The strategy was to keep the comatose adolescent away from any possible strikes. The life support machines were away from the top and away from the basement holding the labs. It wasn't that long ago where the once Patrioteer moved back to Oscorp. There, the young Osborn continued recovering as he lied in a coma. His battle against Anti-Venom failed.
Spider-man sadly peered at the glass tube. Green lights flashed against his red mask. His best friend had yet to awaken. The guilt of bringing a naïve newcomer on a highly dangerous mission clung to him like the webs he shot. And there was no doubt the sleeping teen still carried the newly developed symbiote.
He had been overly excited to go on a mission with his best friend. Perhaps if it went well, and since Patrioteer did officially join the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, the hero would have revealed himself. It would only be fair. Many of his other teammates knew who was under the mask; his original team had trust. It would've been time for his best friend to have known as well. He wondered if their own deep bond could provide a new inkling of hope. He moved his gloved fingers towards the top of his head. He was prepared to remove his mask when he heard something.
"Spider-man?" a feminine voice called.
The hero stopped. He turned around. He spotted a teen girl with flowing red hair. "Mary Jane."
The redhead stepped closer. She remained unaware that her childhood friend was wearing the webbed mask. But they had shared some adventures between the teen reporter and the city hero. With his work at S.H.I.E.L.D., he spent less time at Midtown High. It had been awhile since they have crossed paths.
As the wall-crawler placed down his hand, he asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm visiting a friend," she replied. She carried no camera to film or mic to record the newsworthy moment. Her bag's strap fell from her slim shoulder, and she held it in her hand. Her green eyes appeared less surprised and became sullen. She stepped past him and approached the tube. The familiar setting had yet to change for her. She then faced him once more. "What are you doing here?"
"Same," he answered back. He quickly added, "A teammate, to be precise."
"Teammate?" She raised an angled eyebrow. "Spider-man, how do you know about Harry's condition?"
"Well, uh…"
((Right, unless Harry told her about wearing his dad's armor, she doesn't know about Patrioteer. I feel like such a jerk for leaving those closest to me out. But something awful could happen to them if I do. Case in point with Harry.))
He studied her concerned eyes. He knew he could give some tidings. "Harry helped take down The Beetle awhile back. After his dad permitted him to be a student at S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, Harry was on a mission with me and Agent Venom. What started out as an info gathering became uncovering a HYDRA base. Doctor Octopus unleashed his latest project. Anti-Venom, a new symbiote, was an ugly mess. Harry was the one who took the hardest hit."
It was tough recounting that disastrous mission. He didn't wish to place the harrowing imagery on anyone else. Yet talking to the redhead helped ease his pain.
The girl became amazed with the revealed information. Feeling left out, she sadly disclosed, "All Mister Osborn told me was that Harry was in an accident. I didn't know Harry had a hand in helping you guys like that. Crime-fighting didn't seem like his hobby. But I guess it makes sense."
"Wait, it does?" Spider-man asked. "Fighting crime should be reserved for those looking to understand that great power goes along with great responsibility. What do you mean?"
"You've teamed up with Mister Osborn when he's Iron Patriot. Harry wants nothing more than to be like his dad."
The last line hit hard. Spider-man believed that was the purpose Harry carried to wear his army. "Yeah, he always looks up to Norman even when he was stormin'."
"I'm surprised you're not with Mister Osborn right now."
"Err… It seemed like Iron Patriot wanted to tackle whatever mission he had in mind alone. I suspect he's not gonna go too far. Not with his son like this." The web-slinger realized she didn't blame him the same way the older Osborn did. "After Harry enrolled in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Academy, I promised Norman that I would watch after him. Look where it got me. You're not planning on using your purse to give me a whacking, are you?"
"There had be more to the story. You always had a full plate. Mister Osborn decided to add more. So did Harry. It's rotten luck with what happened to Harry. He tried his best to raise his grades in school. Then he went with you and Agent Venom. It's hard to process all this. It… totally sucks."
The white slits in the red mask could see the girl's growing frustration. And he knew her too well to see under that was her own remorse. "Mary Jane."
"I'm not saying high school is a piece of cake," she explained. "And it's nothing compared to all the baddies you face on a regular basis. But I always thought the three of us—Peter, Harry, and I—would walk down the graduation aisle and move on to college, begin our careers, start a new chapter of our lives. Of course with the way things are now… Peter in his science immersion school, and Harry lying in this condition…"
She trailed off. She was happy for her intellectually gifted friend. But his absence caused problems. She believed if one person could reach the soul in the coma it would be his best friend. Yet with Peter gone, she didn't know if he had a chance to visit him. Her dismal green eyes fell to the ground.
Spider-man watched as despair took over. He had shared that cloudy reaction. He couldn't permit such bleakness to seize her.
"Don't think like that!" he shouted.
The girl stared at the masked hero stunned.
Spider-man realized his outburst. His quick mouth often landed him in jams. He calmed himself down. "Don't let the negativity take charge of your life. Your friend Peter must be juggling a lot. But I'm sure he knows what's going on and is just as worried. And Harry…"
His white eyes landed on the tube. He remembered the words he uttered from his previous visit. "I've seen him take on baddies first hand. He handled himself like a champ against Vulure and Ock. He's got a fighting spirit, just like Norman. He will come outta that coma."
Mary Jane took in the teen hero's expressive words. She recalled the young Osborn's act of bravery. At an earlier time The Frightful Four was searching for Spider-man, he shoved her out of the way from Klaw's attack. She nodded.
The web-slinger added, "I wish I could give an estimated time. I know it's been three weeks. All we can do is maintain our hope."
He turned back to the tube. He watched his best friend stay in place. It was disheartening to see Harry present yet unable to contribute to the conversation. There had to be a manner of reaching him. He humbly suggested, "Maybe you could talk to him?"
She looked at him. Her green eyes questioned the idea.
"Harry's still with us," the wall-crawler reminded. "Both heroes and civilians need to maintain a level of routine, of dialogue. To keep them sane and not feel so alone. Norman must be using it to stay aligned to his son. He probably used an old photo album to jumpstart his own chitchat."
"I'm still left in the dark about some things," the teen reporter admitted. "What exactly do I say?"
"You can fill him in on what's been going on at Midtown High. You know, make him stay in the loop and keep that high school experience. It doesn't hafta be deep. As long as there's some sort of genuine connection. A journalist like you will find the words."
She looked at the mask. A part of him reminded her of Peter's own hopeful attitude. Or, considering who the genius of Midtown High was, perhaps Spider-man made that influence on him. She nodded.
He grew relieved seeing her nonverbal response. He had been worried about his best friend's condition. He believed that because a trusted friend was watching over the young heir that the older Osborn could work as Iron Patriot. He could do the same.
"I need to get going," he announced. "Fight crime and stuff. And before Iron Patriot comes back and finishes searing me like barbecue meat. I'll leave you to your private conversation."
Green eyes kept themselves on the red and blue costume as the web-spinner made his exited.
Spider-man remained outside of Oscorp. Red boots glued themselves to the wall. He still had a view of the imperative room. He watched as his redheaded companion looked after the fallen boy. He felt responsible for putting his two companions in that grim circumstance.
((With great powers comes great responsibilities. I took up this costume to protect everyone I care about. Doesn't give me a lotta me time. I know what I signed up for under S.H.I.E.L.D. But what about my responsibilities to my friends?))
Keeping the bond was his idea. He took out his phone and hit the speed dial. He peered once more into the window. He watched as she responded to the ringing. She removed her cell phone from her bag.
"Peter?" the other line said. "Is that you?"
"Yes," the web-head replied. He slipped up enough of his mask to reveal his mouth. "Is this a good time? I'm calling in between missions."
"Missions?"
"Sessions! You know, at my new science immersion program?"
Her attention was fully on her device. She failed to notice the web-head gaping into the window. "Oh… I'm surprised to hear from you. What with your sudden transfer and everything. You hardly gave notice with that mere text."
He picked up her impede tone. He understood the circumstance she was under. One friend was attending a different school, and her other friend was lying in a coma. Anyone in that situation could feel isolated, helpless, hopeless. He did what he could to sooth her. "Right, sorry. Let's just say the invitation was fast and unexpected."
She heard his compassion. She tried to show her own support. "I know you're doing what's best for you. I would want for you to do your best in those classes."
"Some of them are tougher than others. The teachers are no joke. No sense of humor, either. Enough about me. Where are you right now?"
"I'm at Oscorp… visiting Harry."
"Oh…"
A pause came through. She could tell by his voice that he was aware of the plight. "You wondering how he's doing?"
He hesitated. Despite already knowing the answer, he wanted it anyways. "Yeah."
"The same. Nothing's change."
The haunting response echoed in his mind. His chest became heavy with guilt. His soften voice struggled to reply, "I see…"
The girl heard the uneasiness. She sought to comfort him. She gave him something to brighten up his mood. "Spider-man came by as well."
"Really?"
"He was visiting a teammate. Can you believe he and Harry had actually worked together?"
"Well, Mister Osborn did dress himself as Iron Patriot. It was only a matter of time before Harry did the same."
"Spider-man musta saw Harry as a hero beforehand. When he pushed me outta the Fright Four's attack. That could be why Spider-man endorsed Harry to sign up with S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Uh, that's a possibility. But S.H.I.E.L.D? You heard that right?"
"That's what Spider-man said. He doesn't want me to give up hope, that Harry will come out of his coma." She recalled all the inside story she was given. She needed to hear a view from someone she trusted. "What say you?"
He heard her downcast position. He knew what she was searching for, a light to follow. Carrying a serious tone, he replied, "I do believe. Harry told me when he teamed up with Spider-man, Kid-Arachnid, and his own dad as Iron Patriot. They went up against Doctor Octopus and Vulture."
"Odd. That's exactly what Spider-man was talking about."
"Oh! Err, we were both there. It's what we saw. It's 'cause of something like that that I really do think Harry will wake up soon."
"Of course…" the girls voice began to fade. "You and Spider-man have so much more faith than I do."
As he viewed the window, he eyed the redhead slouching her petite shoulders. He gently assured, "M.J., you know that's not true. Why else would you be there instead of at the movies or skate park? It's your integrity."
He could feel a smile grow from the other side.
"It's just tough," the teen reporter confessed. "My aunt went on a trip with your aunt and their friends. I want her to enjoy her time. I just worry… that something will happen to her like it did to Harry."
"I get you. But our aunts are tough. We just gotta hang in there. I'm sure Mister Osborn trusted you with seeing his son." He then stopped. He remembered an important anecdote he received earlier. "He told me that he was only giving Harry's good friends a pass."
"Yes… Harry's good friends… you and me."
A moment of silence came down between them. Neither one was prepared to hang up. Each one stayed on a bit longer in case the other needed to say one last thing. Spider-man listened to police cruisers dashing by. A helicopter was also in pursuit. Its lights shined down on the action below.
Spider-man heard his calling once again.
"I need to get going," he announced. "Will you be there at Oscorp long?"
"Yes, I'm keeping an eye on Harry while his dad is out. Mister Osborn must be trying to keep his skills as Iron Patriot sharp."
"Racing across the skies is one way to keep the heavy weight of guilt off. I'll call back another time."
"I'll be looking forward to it."
"Absolutely… Oh, and M.J.?"
"Yeah?"
He needed to say one more thing. He took in a deep breath and released it. "Thanks for watching after Harry and keeping me updated. I know I haven't had a chance to talk to you much, but it's always good to hear from you. I hope to hear from Harry soon."
She turned quiet. Her green eyes swept towards the tube before she returned to her phone. "Same, Tiger."
End A Wistful Visit II