A good man once said: "With great power, comes great responsibilty." Those words have stuck with Peter Parker since the day he had chosen to don the mask as the Spectacular Spider-Man. Despite all the odds stacked against him, despite the uphill battles that could potentially be his very last, he was always determined to make sure his home was a better place. . .
We find our Hero staring blankly at the city landscape of New York from side of the chrysler building, a rare moment where villains and thugs weren't causing chaos in the city. He sighs as he sits on the edge, quietly letting his mind wonder. . .
"I'll need to buy some more of that whipped cream. It worked so dang well with the raspberry and chocolate cake. . . Thankfully rent is all paid in advance, and everything else is in tip top shape for once." The Wall Crawler spoke aloud with positivity.
"Aunt May. . ." Peter's tone shifted to sadness, "Hope you and Uncle Ben are having fun up there." Due to a fatal cancer which was too far gone to treat, May Parker peacefully passed in her sleep, leaving a small fortune and the house to Peter.
Finding a recording within May's bedroom drawer, Peter played it and was surprised to hear what his Aunt had to say.
"Hey Peter. . . By the time you find this recording, it's because my time had finally came to me. So before I say goodbye, I want to tell you something that I should've said so long ago. I knew you were Spider-Man since you were seventeen. I knew that my dearest Peter was the hero all along. But I kept it to myself. I knew that you wore the mask for a reason, and why. You have lived by your Uncle's words for a very long time and I want to say that Ben would be so proud of you. . ."
The recording brought Peter to tears, but he continued to listen. "I know that you and Mary Jane chose to break things off, but I also know that she'll always still look out for you. I know Gwen is with Harry, but I also know that she still cares about you. . . Don't forget that you are still important to them, even if it doesn't look like it. Remember Peter. . . you are loved no matter what! In my will, I've left you some money along with the house so you can either sell or keep, as long as you hold on to all the photographs and personal belongings."
Peter knew the tape was going to end soon, but he kept his head high. "Remember Peter Benjamin Parker. I will always be with you, and I love you as if you were my own son. Your parents loved you too as did I and Uncle Ben. We'll always be there for you, even when all seems lost. You keep your head high Peter, and remember to never give up."
"Goodbye Peter. . . and remember "With great power, comes great responsibility."
The tape ends with May uttering the words that Ben Parker told his nephew with a struggled breath. Peter's eyes were red with tears, alone in his Aunt's now vacant bedroom. On the day of the funeral, Peter was surprised to see so many friends and others attend. Mary Jane Watson, Flash Thompson, Eddie Brock and surprisingly even Logan came along. Gwen attended too but Peter never spoke to her. A part of him was still too heartbroken when she was guilt tripped into being with Harry after Norman Osborn's death.
Since then, Peter had focused on working hard for J Jonah Jameson: The head of New York City news media known as The Daily Bugle as a photographer, one of many of his greatest talents. When he wasn't taking photos of Spider-Man, he took up science classes at the Empire State University, working closely with Doctor Curt Connors and Doctor Michael Morbius as protogè student. Of course, Peter was always prepared to swing into action whenever danger was afoot. The city always needed the Web Slinger. . .
Back to the present, Spider-Man still sat on the edge, quietly remembering all that had transpired for the last six years of being a hero. Now almost twenty two, he still was working for the Daily Bugle and studied hard at the ESU in hopes to make the world a better place with not only a mask. He soon felt a familiar presence, one that he hadn't seen for a while.
"Hey. . ." Black Cat emerged from the corner, quietly greeting him. "Been a while huh?" She asked, waiting for his approval to come sit with him.
He turned and nodded, "About four months, twenty two days and fourty minutes if you want to be more accurate. . . But it's actually nice to see you again Cat." He was smiling under his mask, tapping the edge for her to come sit.
She happily obliged and took a seat. "You look like you've seen better days Spider." She says, "Are you doing alright?"
"To be quite honest? I've been better. If anything, I've paid my rent and bills, got plenty of food and enough leftover cash for just me. . . " He looked to Cat, whose eyes were focused on him, with a small assuring smile.
It didn't take a detective to know that the Spider was sad, but Felicia Hardy was far more perceptive. "You don't need to hide yourself from me Spider. Whatever you're going through, you can tell me."
For a moment, Spider-Man began to think about revealing his identity to her. He knew the Black Cat's real name, her double life as a skilled thief and a very wealthy young woman who was a prized college student. Taking a deep breath, he lifted his mask off, revealing himself. His brown hair was slightly messy with his fringe hanging down, he hadn't shaved for at least a week, showing stubble and at lastly, his hazel coloured eyes.
Felicia gasped, as if recognising an old friend. To her, he was. "Peter. . . Oh god, your Aunt I. . ." She knew of May's passing, but couldn't attend the funeral due to her own family issues.
"It's alright Felicia, I know you were busy with your old man. . ." Peter held his mask tightly, smiling. "I apologise if this has shocked you."
Black Cat merely wrapped her arm around him, hugging him gently. She shook her head and said, "Only a little bit. I mean, Peter Parker: Super cute nerd with a love for science and is often picked on by jocks, turns out to be the wise cracking, web slinging Spider-Man!? I'd say it's more of a nice surprise than anything else."
Peter looked at her with a small grin, "So far you and Mary Jane know my secret. Oh wait, Eddie Brock too." He let out a small chuckle, remembering his old enemy turned friend Venom. "Thankfully the rest of world doesn't know, otherwise I'd have to make a deal with the devil to make everyone forget."
Felicia only laughed at the thought, "That is literally the dumbest thing you could do. Especially in this day and age." Feeling more comfortable, she removed her domino mask. "So. . . how is the Jackpot MJ?" She asked.
"We broke things off about two months ago. But we're still great friends. She's been making sure I'm alright. As for Gwen. . . She's made her choice in Harry, who by the way is still wanting Spider-Man dead despite that his father was the Green Goblin. He's still angry that I take his pictures- well taking my own really."
The two sat for an hour, catching up with one another and as they spoke, they felt more connected than before.
"Thanks Felicia." Peter stood up, slowly putting on his mask.
Felicia placed her mask back on, "For what?" She asked.
He lifted his mask up to his nose, giving a small kiss on her cheek. "For listening and being a good friend. Glad you're back in town." With that, he leapt off the building and swung off into the city to finish his patrol before going back to his apartment.
Black Cat watched as he went off, silently admiring how perked up he was once he showed his face. "I'll look out for you. Both Spider-Man and Peter Parker. Looks like this cat will be going back to University!" She smirked before leaping off, ready to put her plan into motion.
End of Prologue
Author's Notes:
I know I'm supposed to be taking a break, but I had an idea for a Spider-Man story. This AU will have blended story elements from the likes of Spectacular Spider-Man, Insomniac's Spider-Man and even some elements of Venom (2018). The idea of Black Cat and Spidey being an item seems to be quite popular here, so I'm going to give it a whirl! Let's see where we can take this!
