Chapter 1: Spider's Successor
Hey everyone I'm here with a new story. My 3rd Spider-Man story, something many of you had hoped I would write. To those of you who looked at my Jaden's Spider Adventure's story this one was a popular choice. Now to those who have seen Little Witch Academia little heads up. I've made a few changes right out of the gate. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
The art of magic, a powerful gift that could allow a witch to do amazing and powerful things, but even the most amazing things lose value as time progresses. With the evolution of Science and Technology, the world of magic began to become less important. In order to preserve it, the art of Alchemy was created.
Some were able to adapt, while others chose to hang onto the core values of magic, but no magic being was stronger than the magical spider Arachnos.
He was super powerful when magic thrived but with the rise of technology he suddenly disappeared and was never heard from again, but some think that he's still out there waiting to find a way to find someone to pass the torch to.
We find ourselves in a beautiful outdoor arena where a huge crowd was gathered.
In the crowd a young boy with black hair was sitting with his parents when a shining bird flew in and transformed into a young woman with red hair.
This was Shiny Chariot.
"Welcome to the World of Magic!" Chariot declares as the crowd cheered. "Now please reach out. Your story is about to begin."
Slamming her staff down, a giant tidal wave came down on the audience.
Gasping all of them quickly held their breath thinking they were gonna drown but almost immediately it disappeared.
Flying around the audience Shiny Chariot dazzled them all with several amazing spells and tricks including changing her body to mimic a mermaid, harpy and even a centaur before landing back on stage.
As the crowd was in total awe, a dark scary creature appeared making everyone look in fear.
Throwing her hat, Chariot turned it into a bird as she flew towards the beast.
"Noctu Orfei Aude Fraetor!" Chariot spun her staff turning it into a giant bow. "Shiny Arc!"
Firing a glowing arrow it pierced the beast making it explode into a dazzling fireworks display.
Shooting one more arrow into the sky a portal appeared above her.
"Never forget. It's your belief in yourself that makes your true magic." Chariot said to everyone before disappearing.
"Whoa." In the crowd a small boy with black hair blue eyes smiled as he and a few other kids in the audience said in awe.
Soon Jaden was holding hands with a woman with long black hair and glasses and a man with short brown hair, these were his parents Maya and Ryan Cooper.
"That was quite a show wasn't it Jaden?" Maya asks.
"It was, how is Shiny Chariot so good at magic?" Jaden asks.
"Because she's a hero Jaden." Ryan said getting his attention.
"A hero?" Jaden asks.
"Heroes give people hope, make them smile, they may seem like normal people but she has a responsibility to help inspire people make them not forget that magic exists." Ryan explains.
"But why? No one gave her that responsibility." Jaden asks.
"That's what makes her so amazing. It wasn't given to her; she chose this responsibility." Maya said.
"Who knows maybe someday you'll figure out your responsibility?" Ryan suggests.
"When?" Jaden asks.
"When you're older." Maya teases.
"You always say that." Jaden groans as both his parents laugh.
10 years later…
We find ourselves in a high school as a 16 year old Jaden walked out of a door and down the hall. go off.
He was wearing a blue jacket with a hood, a black t-shirt, jeans and sneakers with his backpack and a skateboard in his hand.
As he made his way to his locker, a basketball hit him in the head making him bang his head against the lockers.
Upon hearing laughter, he turns around to see a guy with blonde hair and a muscular body laughing at him along with his buddies.
"Nice catch Cooper." He laughs.
"Morning Flash." Jaden said as Flash picked up the ball.
That meathead is none other than Flash Thompson. He's been messing with Jaden since elementary school. Thank god the high school lockers weren't big enough or Flash would be shoving him into them.
Walking down the hall, a teacher spotted him with his skateboard near the ground.
"Cooper keep that skateboard off the ground. Wheels up." A teacher orders.
Sighing Jaden held the board up over his head.
"Like this?" Jaden asks.
"Like that." He said as Jaden walks down the hall.
As his phone began to ring, Jaden looked at the caller ID to see it read Harry.
"Calling a little early today Harry." Jaden smiles answering it.
"Is it? Man I gotta figure out this time zone thing." A voice said on the other line.
"You go so many places it must be hard to remember them all." Jaden chuckles.
Harry Osborn and Jaden had been friends for years. You see Harry is the son of Norman Osborn the CEO of OSCORP the biggest Science company in the city. However Jaden never saw Harry as a rich kid, just as a friend. That's why the two of them stuck together…well and one more friend. But once high school started up Norman had decided to send Harry on a big trip all over the world to learn the business.
"I'm telling you man you gotta convince your folks to come join me. I'm heading to Singapore you'd love it here." Harry said.
"Harry I don't even have a passport and even if I did there's no way my parents would agree to that." Jaden reminds.
"Parents our biggest problem." Harry chuckles. "Well you keep working hard Jaden. Oh and tell Winry I said hi."
"Will do." Jaden said hanging up
When the bell rang, Jaden had to race to his part time job at the Daily Chronicle.
Riding his skateboard to the station, Jaden's board hits a crack in the floor making his board collapse and as Jaden falls to the ground a wheel breaks off.
"Ugh not again." Jaden groans.
Grabbing the wheel, Jaden slips it into his pocket as he runs inside.
At a desk, a young woman in her 20s was working on an article. She had long black hair, a red top over a white long sleeve shirt, a tie around her neck and a black skirt. This was Lois Lane. (Google The Batman 2004 Lois Lane)
"Where the heck is he?" She asks looking at her watch when Jaden ran in.
"I'm here Ms. Lane." Jaden pants.
"Geez Jaden what the heck? You run a marathon or something?" Lois flinches.
"Sorta, my wheel broke off." Jaden said showing his board.
"Well you can get it fixed on your own time. I need you ready for this interview." Lois said standing up and handing him a camera. "Both our jobs are on the line so if I don't do well, neither do you. Understand?"
"Yes Ms. Lane." Jaden said taking the camera.
"And stop calling me that. Makes me sound old." She said.
"Yes Mis—I mean Lois. Sorry long day." Jaden said.
"Isn't it always? Come on. We gotta move." Lois said grabbing him by the sleeve.
Jaden wasn't sure how he got the job working as Lois' part-time cameraman but he certainly understood why it was available. Lois was not the easiest reporter to work under, but Jaden managed to keep her happy to with his photos and that was all that mattered.
Yanking him into the elevator, Lois looked to see Jaden was a little roughed up.
"So does this long day have anything to do with that Flash guy who's always messing with you?" Lois asks.
"Yes and now. This really cute girl came up to me and asked if I was free this weekend, but all she wanted was for me to help her boyfriend with his math homework." Jaden said making Lois cringe.
"And the girlfriend asked you? Not cool." Lois said.
"Tell me about it. At this rate, until I graduate the only time a girl is ever gonna talk to me is if she needs help with homework." Jaden groans.
"Don't beat yourself up. You're more than just a tutor. You're also a somewhat decent cameraman." Lois smirks.
"Oh thanks." Jaden rolls his eyes making her chuckle as the elevator opens.
"Come on, we got work to do and paychecks to earn." Lois said leading him out.
A few hours later after working with Lois, Jaden made his way to a Metal Shop. This place had specialized in everything from repairs to even alchemy.
Entering a repair shop, Jaden sees a girl with long blond hair and a bandanna tied in it, a black tube top and a toolbelt around her waist at the counter. This was Winry Rockbell, Jaden's only other friend besides Harry.
"Hey Winry." Jaden said.
"Jaden what's up?" Winry asks as Jaden holds up his skateboard showing it was missing a wheel making her twitch. "Oh come on!" She snaps banging Jaden on the head.
"Ah! Why is it always the head with you?" Jaden groans.
"Again? I just fixed it a few weeks ago." She twitched.
"Please Winry I really need this fixed." Jaden begs.
"I'll see what I can do." She taking it.
"You're the best Winry." Jaden said.
"Yeah yeah I know. One of these days I'm going to charge you for everything." Winry said taking out a screwdriver so she could put in a new wheel.
"You do and I'll start tutoring sessions I gave you." Jaden said leaning against counter.
"Well player Cooper." Winry smirks. "But seriously I know this thing is like your only form of transportation but you need to lay off the skateboarding."
"I can't. It's the only thing I got that makes me stand out from your standard nerd." Jaden jokes.
"You really need to use the next paycheck Lois gives you to get a new one." Winry said fixing it up.
"I'm trying to make this thing last." Jaden said.
"Well I hate to say this Jaden but next time you break it you might have to." Winry said.
"Noted, oh by the way Harry says hi." Jaden remembers.
"At least Mr. Travel Abroad remembers to call every once in a while." Winry rolls her eyes.
"Come on Winry you know that wasn't his choice." Jaden said.
"Yeah yeah, I just wish for once we could leave this place." Winry said.
"Sadly there are a few obstacles in our way and they're called our parents." Jaden said making her chuckle.
"Yeah that's a problem." Winry said.
Reaching behind the counter, Winry pulls out a fixed skateboard.
"I swear if you break this wheel again you're gonna get it." Winry said shaking her fist at him.
"Message received." Jaden said taking his board. "Later."
"Later." Winry smiles waving goodbye.
As Jaden walked down the street, he noticed a single stone tower on top of a hill on the outskirts of the city looking over a small forest.
"The old tower, still standing. That thing is literally the only thing keeping people from tearing down the forest behind it." Jaden said when he heard a loud car honk.
"Hey I'm walking here." An elderly voice said.
"Ha! Look at this weird old man!" Flash calls out.
Turning around he saw Flash and his goons messing with what appeared to be an old man in a brown robe covering his face.
"Hey grandpa renaissance fair is that way!" Flash mocks taking the old man's walking stick.
"Give that back! I need it!" The old figure said but Flash tossed it to his friends leading them to a game of keep away. "You brats have no respect for your elders."
Knowing his pain all too well, Jaden let out a sigh.
"I'm so gonna regret this." Jaden said before walking over.
"Hey Cooper take a picture of this." Flash calls out.
"Come on Flash just give him back his stick." Jaden said.
"Take the picture. Take the picture." His buds said.
"Leave him alone Eugene." Jaden said calling Flash by his real name.
Immediately Flash tosses the stick at the old man and approaches Jaden.
"You alright sir?" Jaden asks before Flash nails him in the face knocking him to the sidewalk.
"Come on get up Cooper!" Flash yells.
Groaning Jaden struggles to get up which just allowed Flash to hit him again.
As Flash's goons gang up on Jaden the old man picks himself up to see Jaden looking at him and signaling to get out of here.
Grabbing his stick, the old man scurries off.
"Hey Flash! The old weirdoes gone." One guy called out.
When they turned around Jaden saw this might be his only chance.
"Ugh dammit. Way to blow it for us Cooper." Flash said turning back only to see Jaden running away on his skateboard. "Hey! Cooper!"
Panting heavily, Jaden held his side as he tried to skate away as fast as he could.
Turning his head around he sees Flash and his friends riding in their convertible after him.
"You're gonna get it now Cooper!" Flash yells.
Panicking Jaden makes a sharp turn in the direction of the forest but as he goes downhill Jaden began gaining speed.
"Oh come on!" Jaden screams as he went flying through the forest much to Flash's anger.
Putting his hands over his face Jaden got whacked by tons of branches and leaves and as he appeared to head right for a large rock he ended up going right through it revealing it to be a portal.
Screaming Jaden falls to the ground and tumbles.
Picking himself up Jaden touched his lip and felt a little blood on his face.
"Ugh I don't know what hurts more? The beating I got from Flash or that fall?" Jaden asks as he immediately felt the pain. "Definitely Flash." Jaden cringed.
Slowly getting up, Jaden saw he was in some sort of secret cavern and hanging right above him on the wall were several statues of the same man. He was dressed in robes with what appeared to be web designs running down them, he had four arms and eight eyes.
"What is this place?" Jaden asks looking around.
"The Cavern of Arachnos." A familiar voice calls out making him jump.
Turning around he saw the old figure he had helped standing behind him.
"Oh it's just you. Uhm you doing alright?" Jaden asks nervously.
"Thanks to you I am. That was a very brave thing you did saving me from those rude brats." He said.
"Yeah well I'm no stranger to Flash's beatings. I didn't think you deserved that." Jaden said picking up his skateboard. "How did I get here?"
"You fell through a hidden portal. One that links to the magical world." The old man said.
"Oh great, this day just gets crazier and crazier." Jaden said.
"Well don't worry nothing's in here but a few spiders. But I mean it thank you. It's nice to know that heroes still exist." The old man chuckles.
"I'm no hero." Jaden denies.
"You are to me. There must be some way I can repay you." He offers.
"Well you can start by getting me out of this cave." Jaden said.
"Oh that's easy. Right over there." He points behind him.
Looking over Jaden saw a small opening.
"It's where you fell in."
"Okay maybe I need to sit down if I messed that." Jaden cringed.
Walking to a rock, Jaden sat down to catch his breath and the old man sat with him.
"So who is this Arachnos guy?" Jaden asks looking at the statue.
"Arachnos was a hero. And he used his magic to help everyone he could." He said.
"He? No, magic can only be learned by witches and witches are all girls. You know like Chariot." Jaden said.
"Oh you know Chariot huh? Well before she came along Arachnos was the big hero. He learned to do magic on his own and was able to keep everyone safe both magical and nonmagical." The old man said.
"Well if he's so powerful then where is he now?" Jaden asks.
"Sadly when the world of technology expanded the use for magic wasn't needed. So he left hoping that one day he would some successors to carry on his dream." The old man said.
"Don't you need to be born into a witch family to have magic?" Jaden asks.
"Things have a way of changing to survive. If magic isn't passed on it dies." The old man said.
"Well I wouldn't mind having some magic powers of my own but no way that's going to happen." Jaden said not noticing something was lowering down towards him.
"Oh you might be surprised. Sometimes life finds a way of helping those who really need it." The old man said lifting his head up to reveal a smirk.
As the spider lands on his shoulder, Jaden felt a sharp pain in his neck as the spider bit him.
Flinching in pain he swats his hand knocking the spider off as it scurried away.
"Ugh something bit me." Jaden said.
"I think you've had enough for one day." The old man said helping him up.
"Thanks uh what's your name?" Jaden asks.
"Oh it's not important. You probably won't see me again." The old man brushes off.
"Well good luck and be careful." Jaden said walking to the exit.
"Hey kid." The old man calls out stopping Jaden. "Don't waste the gifts life gives you. Always find a way to use them to obtain your full potential."
"I will." Jaden said walking out.
When he did the man looks at the spider that bit Jaden.
"Hmm not a minute too soon. I used up quite a bit. One more bite and that's all my magic." Reaching up to his hood, the man loosens his robe revealing an extra set of arms and 8 eyes.
Smiling Arachnos began to fade away.
"I finally found someone to pass the torch to. And soon another will join him. Best of luck Jaden." Arachnos said as his disappeared leaving the spider with all his magic to scurry out of the cavern.
As it started to get dark out, Jaden was walking down the street to his house when he started to pant heavily.
"Man what is going on?" Jaden said putting a hand to his head.
As some kids were playing frisbee nearby one threw it too far and it flew towards Jaden.
"Hey look out!" One calls out when suddenly Jaden felt a strange tingle in the back of his head.
Turning around Jaden caught the frisbee with ease.
"Whoa how'd you do that?" The kids ask.
"Uh you know, workout, sleep well, eat your green vegetables." Jaden said unsure himself.
"That's what my mom is always telling me. I just never actually believed her." One said.
"Yeah well uh, here you kids better get inside. It's gonna get dark soon." Jaden moves his hand back to toss the frisbee but for some reason, it stuck to his hand. Confused Jaden flings his hand back and forth in a wild fashion when he did, he a strange glow came from his wrist and when he threw it the frisbee flew like a rocket and banged against a stop sign bending it at an angle.
"What the heck?" Jaden said speechless.
Turning to him the kids dropped their jaws in shock.
"I gotta make sure to eat my broccoli tonight."
"Me too." They said running off.
Confused Jaden looks at his hands but the glow had stopped before he could see it.
Making his way home, Jaden enters to see his parents waiting for him.
"Jaden where have you been?" Maya asks.
"I'm sorry I broke my wheel and then I fell down a hill. It's just been a long day." Jaden said in a tired tone.
"Jaden what happened to your lip?" Ryan asks noticing the bruise from his beating.
"Uh it's from the fall. I'm really sorry I made you both worry. I'm just gonna go to bed." Jaden said going up to his room.
"What's with him?" Maya asks.
"I think our little boy is stretching himself too thin. He's always busy." Ryan said.
"You're not wrong. Maybe we should tell him to quit the job following that Lane woman around." Maya suggests.
"No that's not it. I'm gonna look into something." Ryan said going his computer.
"The men in my life. I swear." Maya rolls her eyes.
The next morning, Jaden slowly woke up but when he reached to touch his face he didn't feel the bruise he got from Flash anymore.
Confused Jaden made his way to the mirror to see he was completely healed up.
"I must be so used to Flash's beatings I heal faster." Jaden said moving backwards and bumping into his dresser causing his stuff to fumble.
"Whoa!" As he tried to catch the lamp, a web shot out from his wrists catching the lamp before it hit the ground.
Eyes widening in shock, Jaden looks at his hands. Slowly he strange glowing glyphs circling his wrists.
"What the heck is happening to me?" Jaden asks when the glyphs disappeared from his wrists leaving him even more confused.
Later that day at lunch, Jaden was looking at his wrists.
Ever since he saw the glyphs they were all on his mind.
'Those things had to be magic, but that doesn't make any sense. Mom's not a witch nor is anyone from either side of my family.' Jaden thought
"Cooper!" Flash calls out much to his annoyance.
"Come on Flash I don't have time for this." Jaden said.
"What being heroes to old men taking up your schedule?" Flash mocks.
"Look I don't want any trouble today." Jaden said.
"Well you got trouble when you tried to run away from me yesterday." Flash shoving him against a table.
As everyone circled around them to watch the fight, Flash went on the attack, but when he threw his first punch Jaden felt that strange tingling again and was able to dodge the attack with ease much to everyone's surprise.
Growling Flash tried to hit him again but to Jaden it's like everything was moving in slow motion and he dodged them all.
"What's a matter Flash? I thought you were gonna teach me a lesson." Jaden mocks pissing him off.
Swinging a left hook, Flash tries to nail Jaden but at the last second Jaden grabs a lunch tray to block making him cringe in pain.
As years of bullying built up, Jaden swings the tray knocking Flash back surprising everyone.
Swinging his arm, one of the glyphs activated upon impact and Jaden sent Flash crashing into a trashcan.
Speechless Jaden looks at his hands and smiles in victory, but that victory was short lived.
"Cooper!" The teacher yells.
"Oh come on." Jaden groans.
Soon Jaden was standing outside the principal's office with his parents alongside him.
"Is it true?" Ryan asks.
"What true?" Jaden asks.
"That you hit him." Ryan reminds.
"Yeah I hit him." Jaden said.
"Jaden violence is never the answer." Maya said.
"You need to go apologize to him right now." Ryan said.
"No, alright I am not going to apologize to him. He deserved it." Jaden said.
"Excuse me?" Ryan said.
"Whether he deserved it or not is not the issue. You can't lower yourself to his level." Maya said.
"You need to be the bigger man." Ryan said.
"Yeah, well being the bigger man sucks dad. What's the point of being the bigger man if everyone just treats you like garbage?" Jaden asks.
"How they treat you shouldn't affect your judgement. You know this." Ryan said.
"Just leave me alone!" Jaden slams the door but when he did the door fell down revealing the hinges broke.
Looking in shock Jaden's parents turn to the teacher before Jaden ran out.
"It's alright, we've been meaning to get that old door fixed anyways." She said.
"Maybe we should leave him alone for a little bit." Maya suggests.
"No, you take the car home I'll go talk to him." Ryan said heading after his son.
Soon Jaden entered a convenience store to buy a chocolate milk.
"That'll be 2.07." The man said as Jaden took out 2 bucks and a nickel.
Reaching to the take a penny bin he put two out there.
"No you can leave a penny you can't take one." The man said.
"Come on man it's just 2 cents." Jaden said.
"If you can't afford your milk money then step aside." The man said.
"This is all I got." Jaden gestures
"Not my problem. Now get out you're holding up the line." The guy said.
Growling Jaden made his way to the door as the guy behind him put down some bottles of booze.
As he reached out to pay he knocked over a display.
"Oh come on." The storeman groans.
Looking over Jaden saw the counter guy bend down to pick it up and when he did the guy behind him reached out and took all the money in the register.
When he locked eyes with Jaden the man tossed him the chocolate milk and ran out.
"Hey kid stop that man!" The counter guy yelled but Jaden just let him go. "What are you doing?!"
"Not my problem." Jaden said giving him a taste of his own medicine.
"Hey someone stop him!" The storeman yells.
Down the street, Ryan Cooper saw the crook heading his way when a gun fell oout of his pocket.
Gasping Ryan looks up at the man and immediately tries to wrestle it away from him.
Hearing a gunshot, Jaden stops in his tracks. Turning around he looks in horror to see Ryan laying on the ground holding his side in pain as a police officer was near him.
"Dad!" Jaden screams running to his dad.
"Hey son back away." He said.
"That's my dad!" Jaden said shoving past him and running to his father. "Dad, dad stay with me. What happened?"
"He tried to stop a mugger, got shot. I got an ambulance on the way." The officer said.
"J-Jaden." Ryan said weakly.
"Dad hang in there you're gonna be fine." Jaden said as tears came down his eyes. "Why did you do it? You could have just looked the other way. Why?"
"It was my responsibility." Ryan said in between breaths.
"No it wasn't dad. It wasn't." Jaden said as Ryan grabs his son's arm.
"Jaden you listen to me. If you can do good things for people you have an obligation to do them. Everyone has a special power, even you. Something inside them that makes them great. But with great power…there must also come great responsibility." Ryan said.
"With great power comes great responsibility." Jaden repeats when he noticed his grip was loosening. "Dad hang in there please. Listen I'm sorry for yelling with you at the principal's office. I'm sorry for everything and I'm sorry I'm probably the worst son in the world just please don't leave me! I love you dad!" Jaden sobs.
Hearing this a tear ran down Ryan's eye as he slowly cupped his son's face.
"I love you too Jaden. I always have, always will. Listen…before you left school. I got you something…it's in an envelope on my desk. I saw it and I knew you would be perfect for it." Ryan chuckles.
"Dad you can show me when we get home! Please just save your strength!" Jaden begs but Ryan slowly lets go of his face. "No dad! NO! PLEASE SOMEONE GET HIM SOME HELP!" Jaden screams looking around, but no one came.
"Remember what I told you." Ryan said before his hand hit the ground and Ryan Cooper died in his son's arms.
"Suspect is heading south on 7th avenue. Towards the warehouse district." The Police scanner said.
Hearing this an enraged look appeared on Jaden's face.
Getting up Jaden pulls his hood over his head and grabs his skateboard before racing down the alley towards the district.
Firing a web, he attaches himself onto a few cars and raced down the streets on his board before running down an alley and climbing up onto a roof.
Looking around for any sign of the dirtbag he spotted a shadowy figure with a mask over his face entering an old wrestling arena and being extra careful to avoid police cars.
Growling Jaden fires a web from his arm and swings across landing on the roof.
Slowly opening the window, he climbs inside to see a red wrestling mask on the ground.
"Hmm could use a little cover." Grabbing the mask Jaden puts it over his face just as the door opens revealing a figure who was panting heavily.
"Dammit the cops are everywhere. Why did that stupid old man have to play the hero?" He pants.
"That stupid old man was my father!" Jaden roars getting his attention.
Looking up the figure saw Jaden glaring down at him as the light from the moon reflected off him.
"Who the hell are you?" The figure asks.
"Your worst nightmare!" Firing a web it latches onto the roof allowing him to swing in and land a double kick to the man's chest sending him crashing against the wall.
Scrambling the man pointed his gun at him but Jaden dodges all the attacks.
Leaping behind the arena, Jaden's hands suddenly began to glow as magic runes appeared on his wrists.
"What in the?" Jaden said confused.
As the man fired at him, Jaden grabs a table and lifts it up with ease.
"Holy." Jaden gasps before throwing it across the arena at the figure.
Rolling out of the way the figure drops the gun.
He tried to get it when Jaden grabs him by the sleeve and punches him in the face.
"Please please have mercy." The man begs.
"Did you show my father mercy?!" Jaden snaps slamming him against the wall.
He tried to escape but Jaden fired two webs trapping him where he stood.
Throwing multiple punches Jaden wailed on the man hitting him until he bled.
Grabbing him by the neck, Jaden's hands began to glow and suddenly a stinger came out of his arm horrifying the man.
"Wh-What are you?" He panics as Jaden slashes the man's mask making him scream in pain.
As light shined down, Jaden got a good look at the man's face, and when he did his eyes widen from under his mask. It was the same man Jaden let go back at the convenience store.
"No. No NO NO NO NO! It can't be! What have I done?!" Jaden said horrified.
Scrambling the man tried to escape but Jaden pointed his stingers towards his neck.
"I should kill you! Stab you right where you shot my father so you can know his pain!" Jaden said.
Pulling back his arm, Jaden wanted to kill him with every bone in his body but at the last second retracted them.
"But he wouldn't approve." Jaden admits.
A few minutes later, the cops were combing the area looking for him when a web dropped down revealing the criminal all tied up.
"Please someone help me! Arrest me! Don't let that monster get me!" He screams much to everyone's shock.
On the roof, Jaden looked down on this and frowned.
Looking at the red mask, he couldn't help but tear up.
"I'm sorry dad. I'm sorry." Jaden frowns.
Soon the police came to the house, when Jaden walks in he sees his mother sobbing
At the Daily Chronicle, Lois was preparing for his field report when the Chief walked out.
"Lois I got a new assignment for you." He said.
"Can it wait chief? I've got a story to write." Lois asks.
"Give it to someone else, this is something I think only you're qualified to write." He shook his head getting her attention.
"What is it?" Lois asks as he handed her the papers.
"There was a robbery earlier tonight. No serious damage but one civilian died." He said.
"All this for one guy? Was he a celebrity or something?" Lois asks.
"Ryan Cooper." The Chief declared making Lois freeze in shock.
"That's Jaden's father." Lois said horrified.
"I thought since Cooper was your cameraman you should be the one to write it." The Chief said.
"Yeah th-thanks chief. I'll get right on it." Lois hesitates.
Sitting down at her desk, Lois put a hand to her head. "I can't even imagine what that kid must be going through." The Chief said walking away.
"Nothing good that's for sure." Lois said getting to work.
A few days after the funeral Jaden was in his room when his phone was revealed to have some voicemails.
"Hey Jaden it's me Harry. Listen Winry told me about what happened to your dad and I'm really sorry man. Your old man was pretty cool, anyway I'm sorry I couldn't make it for the funeral dad's been keeping me busy but he did you and your mom some flowers. Look I-I just wanted to say if you ever want to talk give me a call buddy, I'm here for you." Harry said.
"Jaden, it's Lois. I heard about the accident. I'm sorry to hear that. Look if you need to take some time off, I understand. I sent you and your mom a copy of that article on the accident and I want you to know gave your father the respect he deserved. I thought it was the least I could do. Call me when you're feeling better." Lois said.
Sitting at his desk, Jaden looks at the envelope his dad had left for him. It was right where he said it was, but he hadn't opened it yet.
Suddenly he heard a knock at his door startling him.
"Uh yeah mom?" Jaden asks but when the door opens, we see Winry.
"Wrong answer." Winry said walking over. "You okay?"
"My dad's dead Winry. I'm never gonna see him again." Jaden frowns.
"I know it hurts but your dad wouldn't want you to be all sad and mopey." Winry said walking to him.
"I just don't know what to do." Jaden said.
"You're a smart guy Jaden you'll figure something out." Winry said giving him a hug from behind. "Just remember your not alone. You may not be able to see your dad anymore but he's still in your life. Just as long as you don't forget him."
"Thanks Winry, I'm lucky I got you as a friend." Jaden said.
"Someone's gotta be there to knock some sense into you, you big goofball." Winry chuckles messing with his hair.
"Hey cut it out." Jaden laughs trying to knock her away.
"There's that smile." Winry points.
Pausing Jaden smiles softly.
"Don't get all mopey on me Jaden you're not fun to be around." Winry said walking out.
Turning to his desk, Jaden grabbed the envelope and opened it.
Inside was a flyer for a program.
Lunar Nova Inter-School Work Program
Eager to learn more about Magic? Luna Nova Academy is offering a special program for those who are willing to assist the next generation of witches and expand their minds as well. Work alongside new students and learn about an ancient art should sign up. All core classes taught with the potential to learn a new trade.
Looking at his hands, Jaden saw the magic runes that circled his wrists. Webs, his Spidey sense, super strength, stingers, who knows what else these things could do?
"Even when you're dead you know exactly what I need." Jaden smiles.
Putting the flyer down Jaden thinks long and hard about what he was going to do next.
"Don't waste the gifts life gives you. Use them to obtain your full potential." Arachnos' words rang in his head.
Yes he had powers but there's no way they would willingly teach him since he's not a witch. Not to mention if people caught him, he could get into some serious trouble, but this could be the best way he could learn to master his powers.
"With great power comes great responsibility." Jaden said opening his desk drawer to reveal the mask but when he lifted it up he saw a picture of Shiny Chariot under it. Smirking Jaden picked it up. 'Time for a new hero to step up.'
And to any of you who have interesting ideas for alchemy and/or other versions of Spider-Man villains feel free to send them my way.