It's Monday. Bright, sunny skies rise on the day that they decided to have Uncle Ben's funeral on, as the sun rains it's ultraviolet rays on the heavenly church they attended to. Oddly enough, it's both comforting and inappropriate for the whole vibe of it all. To Peter, it was morbid enough to see Ben's body one last time. He still remembered those words Aunt May told him, yet he felt like it should've been Uncle Ben who said it. He has all the power now, but will he be able to score the responsibility?
Parker was dressed up in a black and white tuxedo suit. May, directly next to him holding his hand, was wearing a nice little black and white dress. In fact, those she was able to invite to the funeral was wearing black and white. Peter wasn't sure why they all had to wear black and white - maybe it was a theme? He didn't know. The two Parkers walk down a line, holding their heads down as they approach Uncle Ben's coffin. May had personally invited those who were friends with Ben over the years, only one who's managed to stick around with him since at least elementary. The former friend slowly lurks away with a cane, Peter taking a glance at him for a second. His face was, to put it simply, filled with pure, unadulterated pain. Parker understood that pain all too well now.
The priest clears his throat as the silence in the long hall was soon filled with his voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and family, we gather here today to bid farewell to a remarkable man who touched our lives in countless ways. We gather to celebrate the life of Uncle Ben Parker, a beloved member of our community, a devoted husband, a cherished uncle, and a true inspiration to us all."
Peter and Aunt May get closer to the cold, light brown colored casket. May silently grips harder on Peter's hand, holding her head down and keeping her eyes shut as she feels tears begin to well in her eyes. The priest continues.
"Uncle Ben was more than just a man of faith; he was a beacon of light, radiating kindness, compassion, and unwavering love for his fellow human beings. His unwavering commitment to his principles and his deep-rooted belief in the power of goodness set him apart, making him a true embodiment of the values we hold dear."
In the entrance, a boy and his father quietly slip into the church. The doors barely click as the man darts around.
"Parker's up there, Harry. Wait until the boy's done." The father tells him. The boy only silently nods, and the two find a seat elsewhere in the church.
Peter makes it to the casket first. His hazel brown eyes lay upon the lifeless, still body that was inside the deathbed. His mind flashes back to the night almost three weeks ago. If only he stopped that damn crook when he had the chance..
Peter's other hand clenched into a fist. He truly did feel helpless here, even if he had powers; all of the memories with Uncle Ben start to reappear in his mind. The trip to Coney Island, his first time seeing the Mets, even letting Peter see the Avengers in action. Yeah, all of these happened when he was a little kid; but he can't forget those memories ever again. Because it'll be the last time Ben ever truly talked to Peter.
The priest watches the Parkers approach the casket. He continues; "As a priest, I had the privilege of witnessing the impact Uncle Ben had on the lives he touched. He understood that true strength lies not in physical might, but in the strength of character, in the ability to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. He lived his life with integrity, always striving to make a positive difference in the lives of those around him."
May just stares directly at Ben's body. She wants to reach out for him one last time; to just.. 'feel' his touch under her fingertips. White tears begin to drip from May's eyes when she blinks again. Her throat feels heavy, like she's practically choking on something; she lets out a brief gasp, before hurriedly turning away from Peter, and walking away from her own nephew. She sits down near the front rows, waiting for Peter to come back to her.
"Uncle Ben's faith was not confined to the walls of this church. It was woven into the very fabric of his being, influencing his every action and shaping his interactions with others. He lived out the teachings of compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness, showing us that true faith is not merely a matter of words, but a way of life."
Peter finally walks away after enduring a deafening silence from Ben, his brown hair hanging down with his head. There is no cheesy one-liner from some old 70s comedy movie. There 'is' no optimistic, motivational pep talks for him to give to Peter if he ever felt down, or if he wasn't sure about a test. There is no 'love in the family' to fill in the void of Peter's real, absent parents. But most importantly..
There is no Uncle Ben. Not anymore.
"He had an incredible capacity for love, embracing all who crossed his path with open arms and an open heart." The priest continues, "He believed in the inherent goodness of people, and his unwavering optimism touched the lives of many, giving hope to those who felt lost or broken. Uncle Ben had a unique ability to see the potential in others, to encourage them to rise above their circumstances and to believe in themselves."
"In the face of tragedy and loss, Uncle Ben taught us the invaluable lesson of resilience. He understood that life's challenges are not meant to break us, but to shape us into stronger, more compassionate individuals."
"His words of wisdom continue to echo in our hearts: "With great power comes great responsibility." These words, passed down through generations, remind us that we all have the power to make a difference, to be a force for good in the world."
..Peter's face twisted with confusion once he sat down. He only remembers May telling him that when he got his powers; did she get that from Ben too?
"Uncle Ben's legacy will live on, not only in our memories but also in the lives he touched. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering faith. Let us honor his memory by carrying forward his principles, by spreading love and compassion in our daily lives, and by making a positive impact on the world around us."
The priest walks down some steps, standing next to Uncle Ben's casket. He continues on..
"And as we say our final goodbyes to Uncle Ben, let us remember that death is not the end, but a transition to a higher realm. We take solace in the belief that Uncle Ben has found eternal peace, reunited with loved ones who have gone before him."
"May we find comfort in knowing that his spirit will forever guide us, inspiring us to live with compassion, to love without limits, and to make this world a better place, just as Uncle Ben did."
The priest raises his hand, beginning to lower the casket's open door.
"Rest in peace, dear Uncle Benjamin Parker. Your light will continue to shine brightly in our hearts. Amen."
*Click.*
Aunt May proceeds to uncontrollably sob in her seat. Peter is quick to try and comfort her, but even he knows that it won't help for long. Eventually, the church starts emptying out, voices filling the air with Uncle Ben's remaining family and friends leaving. Peter and May are just about to head out when Harry Osborne comes to him, suited up in a grey and white suit with a green tie.
"Hey, Peter." Harry holds out his hand. "I'm sorry for your uncle, man. It's all messed up."
Peter took his best friend's hand, and shook it. "It's fine, dude. I guess it's the way it is, at this point. It shouldn't of had ever happened.. I wish I could've stopped it when I had the chance. I should've."
Harry read the expression on his face, and his face becomes one of concern. "Peter, the guy had a gun. You could've been hurt. Man, I can't lose you either. I dunno what the hell I would've done with myself if you.."
Norman, Harry's father, comes into the conversation, placing his hand on his shoulder. "That's enough, Harry. Ms. Parker, I'm sorry for your loss. You too, Peter my boy."
May nods. "Thank you.. it's going to take a while to recover. But, there should always be a light in the darkness. Even if odds seem impossible to overcome."
Norman agrees, nodding his head. "Amen. Regardless, I'm glad to see you two again. After our little trip to Europe, I wondered how both of you were doing.." Norman adjusts his tie. "..clearly, tragedy struck. Say, Peter; would you like to visit some time? I can take you and Harry out to eat. A little man's trip for the three of us." He grins slightly.
"Oh, definitely, Mr. Osborne." Peter obliges. "Wouldn't pass up on that offer anytime. Uh, anyways - can I take a little walk? To relieve the stress?"
Aunt May pats his back. "Of course, Peter. Go right ahead." Parker nods, before passing between Norman and Harry, and then soon making his leave. He slips behind an empty alleyway, before proceeding to take off his funeral suit. From top to bottom, he folds them and fires a web to keep them binded to the wall. Anyone who tries stealing it ends up being stuck there for an hour and 30 minutes.
Peter dons the suit once more, his head darting around before he slips the mask on. He looks up. "I need a breather.." He mutters, soon enough launching from the ground, landing on the side of a building in the alleyway, before leaping away from the wall, firing a thread of webbing onto the ledge of a rooftop, yanking himself towards it as his hands land first, launching off and flying through the air like a speeding bullet, diving down towards the streets as he fired another thread of webbing, grabbing onto it as he swings into the city of Queens.
Spider-Man speeds through the cars in a red-and-blue suit, the wind rippling through his suit as he swings above traffic, defying all laws of gravity whatsoever. Spider-Man tucks the web-thread under him, briefly kicking his foot back as he cocks back the other, passing through several buildings as he lets go of the thread, firing another as he grabs into it, cocking both legs back to avoid scraping his suit and potentially his skin just by grazing over the asphalt. He's going insanely fast in normal human standards - practically Hypersonic+ speeds or more, but to him he's going.. moderately fast. Eventually, he launches from a high arc of his swing, speeding into the air as he lands on a rooftop, grabbing his phone and viewing a new text message through his lenses- that guy from the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson.
[ "PARKER! I NEED YOU TO TAKE DOUBLE SHOTS OF THE NEW SPIDER-MAN! EXPOSE HIM FOR HIS INFLUENCE ON THE YOUTH! HE'S A NO GOOD, SQUANDERING MENACE!" ]
"The guy either has a massive hate boner for Spider-Man without realizing he's the same guy taking photos for him, or he's just a really overzealous fan who's masking it as secret jealousy. Both?"
A new message appears; [ "NOW, OR YOUR FIRED!" ]
He sighs. "Both." Spider-Man puts his phone in his Utility Belt, firing off a thread of webbing before swinging off once more. Then; the realization hits him. He forgot his camera back at home!
"Hopefully, JJJ likes selfies instead! I mean, they 'are' technically still selfies, aren't they?" Spidey says, in-between swinging through the streets of Queens.
...
In an empty park, a group of struggling thugs bully an innocent civilian. He collapses against the ground, a loud groan exiting his mouth as the crooks prepare to further assault him. "Please! I don't have your goddamned money! Leave me the hell alone!"
One of the men picks up a crowbar, before swinging it through the air. "..Nah. You need more punishment than that, man. Let's eff this guy up, shall we!?"
A sudden thud was heard between them. Their heads all simultaneously turn to who landed, only seeing a phone get webbed up to the side of a pole, ready to hit record. "So, not only do you guys try and rob a innocent guy in an open park, but you 'also' set yourselves up for me to come and beat you guys up?"
"IT'S SPIDER-MAN!" One of the men shout. All of a sudden, their attention diverts to the Wallcrawler, as they rush at him at all sides.
"Guys, guys!-" Spider-Man sticks his foot out, tripping over one man as he falls on his face, only to have his hand become one with the ground thanks to Spidey firing a web onto it. "-There's only one of me, and like 5 of you. Can't there be more of me to come around?"
What follows is only seen in a footage of blurry photos on his phone. The men charge at him, with Spider-Man launching himself overhead at top speeds, firing two twin threads onto one man, before yanking him from the ground, and slamming him down into the concrete on his back. He lands, before dashing backwards, and popping his leg out high enough, swinging the heel of his foot into another crook's chin, sending him stumbling back as Spider-Man launches him away with a roundhouse kick targeted to the chest. Spidey lands once more, his head turning to.. two men standing there?
"Wait, where'd your other friend go? Don't tell me he ran away.. that's gonna be a long time to try 'n' find hi-"
His Spider-Sense is telling him to move, but he doesn't. He's cut off by the third "friend" grabbing him from behind, and propping him up, leaving him open to the other two to attack.
"Beat his ass up!" The thug yells, as the other reels his crowbar back, preparing to strike it into his head..!
"..Uh oh." His lenses widened.
Only for him to be kicked back. Spider-Man slammed his foot into the thug's face, before slamming into the one keeping him still, as he breaks free, spinning himself in front of him, and smashing his foot into his chin, sending him spiraling into the ground. He turns, and launches himself from where he stood, the other crook being sent into the ground, tasting the dirt. At last, Spider-Man lands on his feet, turning to the other man.
"Soo.. I think your options are limited here. You either run, and hope I or any other superhero doesn't catch you 'again', or you let the police arrest you. Your choice, pal."
The man briefly stops, before clenching his fists. "To hell with that! I'll make sure you regret that REAL soon!"
He rushes in, swinging a right hook, only for him to miss and get knocked unconscious with a single flick.
*Snap.* Another photo taken. Spider-Man walks away, seemingly unfazed by how strong he his. He holds his hand out for the man.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Y-yeah. I'm fine, thanks.." He grabs his hand, as Spider-Man pulls him up. The Webslinger lets go.
"I gotta swing. Just stay outta trouble, m'kay?" Spider-Man fires a thread of webbing to the distance, before propelling himself into the air, and swinging away. The man watches in astonishment.
Spider-Man swings through the city, airdropping JJJ the photos taken by his phone during the skirmish. While he swings from above, people look and point at him, shouting his name. He's starting to become more and more popular..!
Eventually, he arrives to a warehouse in Brooklyn, looming over two men with familiar looking attire.
"Those guy's clothes look pretty familiar.. this must be the gang I stopped last time. Looks like it's time for round 2."
Keeping his distance, Spider-Man observes their actions, using his phone's camera to capture evidence of their illicit deeds. He manages to document incriminating evidence, ensuring that he has solid proof to expose their criminal activities. Spider-Man launches from where he was perched over, landing behind them quietly. He takes them for surprise, grabbing them by the backs of their shirts, before slamming both of them into each other, dropping them into the ground as they fell unconscious.
"Goodnight."
He soon enough snuck inside the warehouse. Surrounding him was a large room full of weapons, illegally smuggled firearms and heavy weaponry, with caches of drugs awaiting.
"..All of these guns. For who?"
His Spider-Sense signalfies him of danger. He turns towards a door that's swung open. A sudden charge of vibrations reverberates through the warehouse, accompanied by a deafening crackling sound. From the shadows emerges a menacing figure clad in a distinctive black and yellow suit. He slams two gauntlets together, emitting another shockwave through the warehouse.
"Nice t'meet ya, Spider-Man. Call me.. The SHOCKER!" Shocker puts his gauntlets on full power, ready to pummel the bug!
"Nice suit. Get it from your mom, or what?" Spider-Man launched himself back, getting himself in a three-point stance.
"Nah, made it myself.. but enough talk. Time to DIE!" Without wasting a moment, Shocker raises his gauntlets, charging them with energy. Vibrations ripple through the air as he unleashes a barrage of concussive blasts toward Spider-Man. The warehouse erupts in chaos as the powerful shockwaves tear through crates and walls, sending debris flying in all directions.
Spider-Man's Spider-Sense tingles, warning him of the imminent danger. Reacting with lightning-fast reflexes, he somersaults and flips through the air, narrowly evading the destructive wave of sonic vibrations in each direction. Firing two threads of webbing onto the gauntlet, Spider-Man attempts to yank Shocker's gauntlet out of his hands! Shocker grabs a hold of the two, thrusting him from where he stood over to the man!
Spider-Man is met with a strong uppercut that sent him rocketing into the air, before he's sent flying across the warehouse with a burst of vibrations to the gut!
"..Ghhuh.." The Wallcrawler attempts to get back up, stumbling a little. Shocker seizes the opportunity, charging forward with a thunderous punch aimed at his masked adversary!
However, Spider-Man's agility and strength come into play as he regains his footing in the nick of time. He ducks under Shocker's punch, narrowly avoiding the devastating impact. In a swift countermove, Spider-Man springs a strong horse kick into Shocker's stomach, sending him tumbling into the ground!
The masked marvel regains his footing, holding his gut. "Yeesh.. knocked the air out of me with that one."
Just as Shocker was about to get back up, Spider-Man's Spider-Sense hits the back of his head. His eyes widen, sensing imminent, dark danger coming rapidly. Reacting with split-second decision-making, Spider-Man abandons his offensive approach. He swiftly grabs Shocker, using his superhuman strength, and propels both of them toward the warehouse exit. With the explosive force of the shockwave behind them, they burst out of the warehouse just as the building erupts in a fiery explosion. The force of the blast propels Spider-Man and Shocker away from the wreckage, and they land a safe distance away, dust and debris swirling around them. Spider-Man quickly assesses the situation, realizing that the warehouse is now a smoldering ruin.
Shocker's unable to get back up. He groans, before two webs are fired onto his gauntlets, keeping him there.
"..Who the hell is the guy you're working for?" Spider-Man walks up towards him, looking down towards the man.
"..And why the hell should I tell you?"
"Because if you don't, I'm taking those gauntlets of yours and selling them on Ebay." He crouched down.
"..Ah, alright, damn!" He gives up easily. "His name's Tombstone. He's an albino, crazy strong, pretty freakin' durable. Guy took a bullet to the head once and felt nothing. Matter o' fact, it just crumpled against his skin!"
Spider-Man looks away, turning towards the fire. He then turns towards Shocker, standing up.
"All I needed to know, 'Shocker'. Don't try to get back with him to try and defeat me, or whatever. I'm stopping whatever Tombstone's doing to Queens."
Spider-Man fires a thread of webbing, swinging away from the scene, and leaving Shocker behind.
...
It was starting to get dark in Queens, street lights coming on. Having not forget his tuxedo suit, Peter put it on top of his Spider-Man Suit, taking off his mask and putting on his black shoes. He walks on the sidewalk, heading towards Aunt May's house. She's probably already there.. how's he gonna explain this to her without giving away that he's Spider-Man? But at the same time, the echoes of the warehouse explosion still reverberated in his mind as he replayed the events in his head, contemplating his next move in his ongoing fight against crime.
Lost in his thoughts, Peter was brought back to reality by a familiar voice calling out his name. He turned to see Mary Jane Watson, the enigmatic redhead he had first noticed during the fateful field trip that forever altered his life. Despite their shared experience, they had never really had the chance to get to know each other beyond those brief encounters. His heart paced when he saw MJ wear a black, sleeveless shirt with black shorts, wearing an open jacket. It's getting kind of cold out there anyways..
"Hey, Peter," MJ's green eyes meet Peter's hazel ones, grinning a bit. "What happened to your glasses? You look different."
"Oh, hey MJ," Peter scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, my- uh, eye vision got better, I guess. So I didn't need them anymore."
MJ chuckled a little, putting her hands in her jacket. "Really? Guess there's more to you than what meets the eye, Parker."
Peter nods. "..Yeah. So, what did you need me for?"
She thinks, before turning back to Peter. "I guess not much. If you ever need to talk to me about Flash, then.. you can come to me. He's kind of a pain in the ass. Plus, I didn't see you at school today, so I thought that.."
"My uncle died." Peter blurted out, albeit more bluntly than anything. "I had to attend his funeral. I'll come tomorrow."
MJ was silent for a bit, before she nodded. "Oh, uh.. sorry, Peter. My condolences."
"..It's fine. Uhm.. I'll see you tomorrow at school, then?"
"..Yeah. I guess so."
Peter and MJ stare into each other eyes for about a minute, before her mother opened the door to her house.
"MJ, get in here! Street lights are on!"
Mary Jane turned in an instant, before turning back to Peter, smiling nervously. "Coming!- I gotta go, Pete. See you."
She rushed back to her house, as Peter sighed.
"..Pete. A new nickname, for once."
And so, Peter Parker goes back home.
..To be continued.
