Chapter 2

Throwing a punch and connecting with his opponents jaw, Spider-Man leapt back to dodge the next incoming attack. Perching on a crate, Spider-Man's eyes narrowed as he focused on his enemy.

"That any way to treat an old pal, Tomby?" Spider-Man said before leaping onto Tombstones shoulders and knocking him down with a punch to his cheek.

Wiping his face, Tombstone rose to his feet.

"Annoying insect."

"Spiders aren't insects." Spider-Man shouted with feigned offense. "You should be smart enough to know that."

Trading attacks, Spider-Man dodged, slid and jumped to avoid Tombstone's fists. Shooting web after web at Tombstone's feet, Spider-Man leapt forward, arm reeled back and ready to strike.

Caught by his throat, Tombstone pulled Spider-Man close, glaring into his goggles.

"I'm going to squash you."

Slamming his fist into Tombstone's arm, Spider-Man kicked himself off Tombstone, freeing himself from his opponents grasp.

"Another spider joke? Come on. You guys got to get more creative." Spider-Man said before Tombstone broke free and charged him like a bull. Jumping over Tombstone, Spider-Man launched a web at his back, flinging him up and over and slamming him into the ground.

Jumping onto the roof, Spider-Man started webbing Tombstone to the ground with web after web until his web shooters clicked empty.

"That should be more than enough to hold you until the cops get here." Spider-Man said as he dropped down to get closer whilst reloading his webbing. Pocketing the empty carts, Spider-Man crouched down.

"Hey, while you're locked up, think of some jokes. Gets kinda old being the only one, y'know?"

"I'm gonna kill-"

Tombstone was cut off by a quick web to the mouth.

"Shh. Quiet time, Tomby."

Just before he could leave, Spider-Man's spider sense tingled before being suddenly knocked into the wall of the Warehouse by a new foe.

"Ghk!" Spider-Man groaned as he held his side. "Hey, Scorpion. Been a second."

Scorpion didn't say anything as he cut the webbing that held Tombstone.

"You two working together?"

"That's right." Tombstone said once he ripped the webs off. The painless giant cracked his knuckles.

Scorpion leapt forward, trying to pierce Spider-Man with his stinger. Leaning back, Spider-Man webbed the tail, lunging forward and punching Scorpion.

Glancing back as Tombstone rushed him, Spider-Man had to jump to avoid the brute. Going for a slingshot strike, it was intercepted by Scorpion hitting Spider-Man with his tail.

"Ahk!"

Following up, Tombstone dropped down onto Spider-Man's back. Raising both hands above his head, Tombstone slammed them into Spider-Man's center back. Picking him up, Tombstone hurled the web head towards the window. Bursting through it, Spider-Man rolled across the parking lot as Scorpion and Tombstone approached. By the time they were able to peer out the window, Spider-Man was already gone.

"Alright." Spider-Man said as he swung home, holding his side. "Whatever they're brewing doesn't smell good."

Stopping by his hideout, Spider-Man swayed to the wall, holding himself up barely after his fight with Tombstone and Scorpion.

After changing out of his suit, tucking it into his backpack before swinging it over his shoulder with a groan, Liam began heading home. His side was aching badly but his healing factor was making quick work of the damage.

Taking the subway, Liam was lucky enough to get a seat. Leaning his head back to relax, an obviously pregnant woman boarded. Within a moment, Liam offered his seat, seeing everywhere else was already taken.

She thanked him before sitting down, allowing her to rest her legs.

Once the train finally stopped, Liam left the subway and began heading home. Entering his apartment, the smell of Mac and Cheese filled his nostrils.

"Liam?" His mother called.

Heading to the dining room, he was met with the food set out.

"Welcome home. Hungry?"

"Starved." Liam replied before sitting down. The two shared a quick prayer before enjoying the meal.

"How was your day?" Liam's mother asked.

Liam shrugged as he swallowed.

"Eh, the usual." He replied once his mouth was empty. "I did see Spider-Man swing through Times Square, though."

His mother perked up a bit.

"Oh? You see him whoop any bad guys?" She asked, obviously a fan of the vigilante. She suddenly gasped. "Did you get a photo?"

"Actually, I did." Liam replied before handing over a few printed copies in a vanilla folder.

His mother quickly snatched them up, seeing it was about a dozen photos he had printed, each of Spider-Man either swinging, climbing, or hanging.

"Jameson is gonna love these!" Liam's mother said gleefully before giving her son a peck on the head. "Thank you!"

Liam smiled, happy to help his mother in anyway he could.

Suddenly, a knock interrupted their dinner.

"Yo, Liam." Chase said through the front door.

Getting up from the table, Liam answered the door.

"What are you doing here?" Liam asked.

"I smelt the food mom made and had to rush over for a serving." Chase replied, referring to Liam's mother as if she were his own.

"Oh, hello, Chase." Liam's mother said as she approached. "This is a pleasant surprise. Care to join us?"

"Would love to."

The next day: School

"Tombstone and Scorpion?" Chase repeated. "Your big bads are teaming up, now. This can't be good."

"No shit." Liam said as he closed his locker. "Tombstone is usually working for Kingpin." The duo continued their discussion as they walked the halls. "Working as a hitman for hire."

"And what's he doing working with Scorpion?" Chase asked. "Isn't he usually a loner just trying to make your life inconvenient?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure what's with Scorpion." Liam stated. "He's more of a recent baddy."

"Surprised you haven't already started looking into him."

"We're getting off topic." Liam stated before directing the conversation back. "If they're working together-"

Liam was interrupted when he was suddenly nudged by Chase.

"Hm."

Looking up, Liam saw Lydia walking his was. His body immediately tensed as his breath hitched in his throat.

"Hey, Liam."

Liam's entire nervous system lit up like sirens.

"Hey." He managed to croak out before quickly clearing his throat. "Sorry."

"You're good." She said sweetly before moving on to why she stopped him. "Chase here brought it to my attention that you're rather good with tutoring?"

"Oh, well, I mean, I don't like to brag-" Liam nervously rubbed the back of his head. "I mean, yeah."

"Really?" Lydia's face lit up. "I've been struggling with a few subjects. Think you could help me?"

"Yeah." Liam answered without missing a beat.

"Today after school?"

"Sounds good." Liam nodded.

"Thank you!" Lydia said before continuing on her way to class, glancing back at Liam briefly.

Snapped back to reality by a light tap on his chest, Liam looked to Chase who immediately grabbed the other by his collar, shaking him.

"You mad bastard, you did it! You got a date!"

Liam chuckled as he shook his friends off.

"It's not a date."

"Dude. This scenario holds countless opportunities for you to slither your way into her life as a romantic option." Chase said. "Tonight, Spider-Man isn't coming out because Liam has a date. The big bads can wait."

"They really ca-"

"I swear to God, Liam!" Chase balled up both fists to exaggerate his point. "If you don't make at least a smidge of progress with her, I'm gonna-"

"Dude!"

End of chapter 2