Peter was shocked to his core learning of the identity of his latest enemy, it was someone he was considering a friend. Ned Leeds, who he believed was an ally in bringing down Crime Master, never imagined he was him all along.

"You must be very confused Peter, why are you doing this Ned? Are you going to kill me? Don't worry, I've got answers for everything." He claimed confidently.

"I'm sure you do, jerk!" Peter exclaimed, as his head hurt worse upon saying it and trying to leap at him. "I trusted you!"

Ned nodded. "Yeah you did, I apologize but once I had put everything together with you and Spider-Man, my goal was clear as day. I need this to work, my plan can't fail and you keep getting in the way."

"I'm sorry Mr. supervillain for getting in your way, how could I?" Peter said with extraordinary sarcasm. "You're trying to grab power, become the master of crime!"

He shook his head looking angry from his assumption. "Wrong about that, I've told some of my lacks that yes. From the likes of Tombstone, Looter and some of my thugs for hire, yes I sold them the lie. Though it's never been my intention, I want to end crime. Dismantle it by gaining control of all of it that I possibly can. A lot of people will die, bad people, but you can't blame me for wanting them dead. And my primary target is who I will soon have at my feet begging for mercy."

Peter rolled his eyes. "Yeah right, like you actually want to stop crime and control all of it. That's a good one Ned!" He continued trying to back up towards a window, but Ned stepped in front of him.

"I'm not lying. This has all been about revenge on Wilson Fisk and every other two-bit thug who's ruined the city. I don't have sympathy for these cold-blooded killers and thieves. I was once married, we had a dream of making it in the city, starting a family having everything we wanted. Then, a gang war between Fisk and Silvermine happened years ago. She dared to go jogging and be caught in the middle, becoming collateral damage, another victim from gang violence. From then on, I started to plan my vengeance and when you finally brought down Fisk showing the world who he was, I put my plans into action. Creating the Crime Master, forming my organization from the hole left opened thanks to you. It's why when we first met I decided to let you live. I had no anger towards you, why would I? You made all my dreams possible. And now I ask you Peter Parker, are you really going to stop me from ending crime in New York on an unseen level, not even the Avengers could dream of." Ned declared trumpetly, putting out his hand to help him up.

"Oh, now I get it. You're completely out of your mind! And I'm really hoping that this is all a nightmare and I'll be waking up soon!" Peter exclaimed, shocked by how much everything was changing before his eyes.

Ned looked quite frustrated by Peter's response. "You're still young, don't understand the world fully yet, but I promise someday you will, Peter."

"Nope I think I understand the world clearly, you're the one who's had your entire world view warped by the tragedy you suffered and I am so sorry for that. You need help, Ned! Not seaking out vengeance, if you want to do that you should dress definitely. Peter said not able to go without making a joke, but did regret it during this moment.

"You think I'm insane? I think anyone who'd let all this madness happen in this once wonderful city is more insane then I am! Heroes like you haven't done enough, something more needs to be done." Ned expressed putting his hand to his face.

Peter looked at him, crossing his arms. "Look, you don't seem like a bad guy, so let's all just forget about this and you can turn yourself into jail. And I can leave, have a nice day with my friends and deal with graduation which is seriously coming up and I've honestly forgotten about it." Peter said genuinely starting to feel worried by everything.

"Oh Peter, don't worry you'll be able to do that. As long as we keep our distance from one another okay? I'll stop my schemes for now and slow everything down, I want Wilson Fisk above all else. And we can come to some sort of arrangement." Ned claimed with a smile.

"Not sure if I'm liking the sound of your arrangement." Peter replied.

"My arrangement is, you leave me alone and I won't have you killed and all of your friends and family. How about that?" Ned asked, tilting his head.

Peter stopped talking. "You're bluffing."

"Do you wish to test me?" He asked seriously.

He shook his head no.

"Thank you Peter, now would you kindly get the hell out of my apartment, please?" Ned tossed Spider-Man's mask at him.

Peter put it back on staring intently at Ned Leeds and then left. This isn't over, not even by a long shot. Like heck you're going to get away with this. He thought leaving and heading back home now.

He rushed back inside, quite exhausted from the day and wanted to think of his next course of action in this battle, however Harry ran up to him first and swept Peter off his feet with a hug surprisingly.

"Harry, are you high again?" Questioned Peter looking bewildered at him.

"I could be high on romance again! Gwen and I patched things up, who would've guessed just talking to her worked so well!"

Peter gave a slight laugh. "Yes, what a genius idea Harry. I am happy you two patched things up now and I hope it taught you an important lesson if you get into trouble with Gwen again."

"Bag forgive and tell her everything she wants to hear?" Harry replied.

"Yes, wait no. Did that work?" Peter asked, shocked.

Harry nodded excitedly like a happy puppy. "It did! I can't believe it did work honestly, man I thought I was really screwed up. The only part that'll be hard is she told me no more, drugs, drinking and partying like an animal. And to use my head more often. And listen to what she tells me, which yeah she's almost always right." He admitted. "Man, I didn't realize how hard it was being apart from her until I actually went to see her and talk to her after all that.

"Agreed on that buddy. It'll be nice to have the gang back together." Peter replied, feeling happy for his friend.

"Now all we gotta do is get you and MJ together then we can go on double dates. And it'll be totally awesome." Harry then said.

"You really got hit by Cupid didn't you?" Peter replied with a smirk. I wonder if Cupid is real? Was he actually hit by a love arrow? Huh, well now I've got a lot of questions. Oh whatever screw it.

"Maybe I did and I'm loving every moment of it, Pete I feel like things are starting to look clear again. Being with you and Aunt May, I think it's really helped me out a lot. You know, being out of that big empty house and stuck with dad when it wasn't empty. I liked my buttler, but we weren't that close at all. Being here, it really has changed things for the better." Harry confessed surprisingly.

"Oh, that's great Harry, I'm so happy you feel that way and that being here's helped you so much, didn't realize it!." Peter replied with a smile.

"Would've been even better if you were here more often, but I understand you're a working class type and have to be working hard." Harry then said.

Peter sank a bit. "Yep, that's me, a working class type. I'm always working and hardly getting paid for any of it. Great being a working class type as you said, work hard and barely get anything for it." He lied about the working part, feeling bad.

"Yeah, I feel bad for working class workers and all that. Maybe if I study enough with Gwen I'd be able to run for president huh?" Harry suggested.

"Who's to say you can't already?"

They both laughed.

"You're not seriously going to run for president right? I mean I'm all for you setting your mind to anything, but that might be pushing it." Peter then said.

Harry kept laughing. "Of course I was joking, I'm going to be too busy with Gwen having the time of our lives. I'll be showing her the world and we'll stay in so many hotels all over the world that'll be great, oh and seeing tons of landmarks. She'll love it, I can't wait to experience it all with her! I'll be way too busy to be president."

"Can't disagree with that buddy, maybe you'll be able to save up for double trips huh?" He asked.

Harry smirked a bit. "For you and MJ huh?"

"No you goofball, I was thinking of Aunt May. Actually I'm sure she'd love to see some of the world. I know she always wanted to be with my Uncle." Peter replied.

"Oh, yeah that makes sense." Harry agreed.

"That's very sweet of both." Aunt May said coming towards the boys overhearing.

They both looked surprised and remembered just how small the house is, even more compared to how loud they are.

Peter stepped forward. "So you heard that?"

"Yes I did, it's very kind of you talking to Harry about that. I haven't mentioned wanting to travel with your uncle for sometime now, I wasn't sure if you'd even remember that silly old dream of ours."

"He's a very considerate guy!" Harry replied.

Peter looked embarrassed. "Come on, you two are being far too kind. I'm not that great as you both keep calling me, but I appreciate it." He yawned. "I'm starting to feel kinda tuckered out, might go take a nap."

Both Harry and Aunt May both looked surprised by Peter's apprupt leaving.

"Oh Peter, he's a very selfless person and doesn't like all the bosting." Aunt May assumed.

"I sure as heck don't mind some compliments, keep them coming I say!" He exclaimed.

Peter went up stairs feeling some guilt about lying to both of them, not to mention Uncle Ben and now Ned Leeds having his loved one potentially in the crosshairs. He was going to pay for thinking he could casually threaten his family.

Peter went into his room and thought about sleeping, but he couldn't. He just decided on going to sneak out and see MJ.

"Hey MJ." He said coming through her window.

"Sometimes you still do surprise me by coming through the window like that. Not sure if I miss you going through the front door or not." MJ replied.

"Yeah, it's pretty cool doing it like this isn't it?" Peter said with a smile landing on the floor gently.

"I'm jealous, maybe not with the swinging around. Don't know how you keep your food down seriously." She joked.

He nodded and then had a frown.

MJ looked concerned. "What's the matter?"

"I've learned the identity of Crime Master after a big web of lies, yes I know I said that web, anyways. I was thinking Mr. Foswell could've been the Crime Master, Ned Leeds who I told you about before, it turned out he was screwing with me. He's The Crime Master and on top of that being super bad, he unmasked me and threatened me to leave him alone or everyone I love will be in grave danger." Peter explained.

"Oh, that's all?" Mary Jane asked, sitting on her bed looking pretty shocked.

"Did I mention he nearly killed me? And that ambush was also him, oh it was really bad. I'm freaking out a bit, this is concerning and I have to find a way to bring him down. I just don't want anyone to get hurt because of me, but I can't let him get away with everything right?" He asked, feeling conflicted.

"Of course, you have to take him down, he wants to take over the city or something right?"

Peter shrugged. "He claimed his plans are taking control of all the crime in the city and killing a lot of criminals, trying to clean it up in his warped mind. And he sounds like he's got a major vendetta against Kingpin, all of this could get innocent people roped into this too, even if not I can't in good continuous let him kill a lot of people."

"It sounds like you've already made your mind Peter." She smiled at him.

He had a small chuckle. "Yeah, you're right I did, looks like I've gotta kick his butt into next year, just have to be careful. That counts for you too now, stay away from anything suspicious!"

MJ smirked. "I already do Peter."

"Good, you're already ahead of me then." He smirked back.

"Now I just need to keep an eye on Harry, he's back with Gwen now by the way. Seems like he's gotta head over heels for her all over again. He's been all lovely lately, it's a bit weird, but also pretty sweet for him. At least he'll be distracted." Peter then said.

"Cool they've solved their issues now, maybe Harry will be less of a strange one? Maybe?" She joked.

Peter laughed. "Oh no way, Harry's going to be Harry. Now he'll just be talking about Gwen nonstop I bet and sucking up to her."

"Sounds like a wonderful time, how much sucking up could he possibly do? Can't be that bad, right?" She asked with a playful smirk.

"You have no idea." Peter replied sarcsially.

MJ kept laughing. "He's a handful, it's a good thing you have super powers, don't know how else you'd be keeping up with him. Seems like he's all over the place."

"Yeah he has, he's been talking a lot about double dates too with you and me." Peter replied and then realized he implied feelings towards her which he didn't feel ready to be thinking about or sharing. He was concerned about ruining their friendship.

"A double date with us? That doesn't sound bad. Maybe even nice, like super nice?" She suggested.

Which made Peter's face turn red and his words started to break down. "Yeah that'd be pretty, cool, awesome, spectacular, I mean if you wanted something like that we could maybe talk to Harry and Gwen about it sometime sounds good yeah? I hope yes, I mean maybe I should go." He faked yawning. "Ah look at that I'm quite exhausted you know it's all that Spider-Man stuff, makes me exhausted and I hear Aunt May calling so I should go now, so uh, see you later MJ!" He leaped out the window.

MJ was laughing hard at him. "I'll see you later you goof."

Oh Peter, why did I do all of that? And why am I talking in the third person? Have I lost my mind completely after that colossal screw up? Or maybe I did the moves? I might have not screwed up that badly, MJ agreed with the double date so that's a good sign. He stopped himself for a moment. I can't even believe I might be getting closer to MJ, I can't believe it. Thanks Harry, it looks like this might work out. I've got a lot of charisma right? I'll sweep her off her feet! Okay I'm overthinking this.

Peter went back inside and spent the rest of the night in his room.

Later on, Peter woke up and went down stairs. Another day, at least my pain has gone away. It was going to be a normal day as it was going to be a school day again. It was all the normal reteens ahead. Until Peter and Harry walked out the front door everything was normal. A car with Ned Leeds sitting in it was waiting for him which made Peter stop moving and held Harry back.

"What's up Pete? You see something weird?" He asked, confused.

"No, no. Just someone from the Bugle, go wait for the bus I'll be right behind you. I guess he just wants to chat quickly." Peter lied trying to get Harry away.

He nodded, a bit suspicious but didn't question it.

Peter approached with his fist clenched. "What are you doing here, Ned?"

"Coming to check on you, see how your day is going and if you're being smart and safe Peter Parker." He said without moving his face at all.

"I am. Are you?" He replied sarcsially.

Ned looked annoyed and leaned forward. "I'm not feeling in a haha mood, as you can understand. We both know who each other are and I need to know you understand. I have nothing to lose, you have a lot to lose."

"I'm not afraid of you Ned." Peter said, determined.

"Doesn't matter, what matters is, you'll not come after me, or you'll face the consequences. Understand?" He threatened.

He nodded.

"Good Peter. Thank you for being smart."

"One question before you drive off all evil like, how do you have powers?" Peter questioned seriously.

"I'm a mutant and I discovered my powers the day everything changed, the day I lost my wife. I assume you're a mutant too."

Peter shook his head. "No, I'm not. If it was that simple I wouldn't be doing this."

"Sounds like it would've been easier for all of us if you had not gotten your powers. Perhaps you forgot about them entirely." Ned suggested.

"I made a promise, sure I'll leave you alone, but no way I'm going to stop being Spider-Man, not after my promise. I'd need something worse than you to persuade me into quitting for good."

Ned looked disappointed. "Fine, just be sure to keep out of my way." He drove off.

Yeah right Ned, I'm coming for you and I'm going to tell Captain Stacy about everything as soon as I get a chance. I might even have to tell him my identity, but I'll cross that bridge if I have to. Just need to be careful and sure first. He thought and followed after Harry looking around for anyone following him, seeing nobody, but he'd be making sure for now on. The battle was on, between the two and Peter would be prepared to do anything to protect his friends and family.

Ned Leeds is indeed The Crime Master and is surely going to be an issue. I hope you enjoy getting his backstory and motivation for all he's done. Along with tying back into Kingpin again, it makes sense he'd be furious with the old major crime boss. I wanted to make his motivation connected to Fisk, it felt more impactful for the story and the first main villain being Ned's target. I'm excited to have this unique take on Ned Leeds, it was meant to be a shocker, along with MJ's dad and Liz Allen's fate. (Which I kinda feel bad about being so mean to her) I've enjoyed this new take a lot and continue to expand on it, along with more new takes.

Random, I feel like this has gotta be a joke, but it's Sony. A character named El Muerto is getting a movie. Who is this? I read the issues he appeared in, all two as a thriller villain. Even more hilarious is this series took place during Civil War before Spider-Man's identity was revealed, I believe right before it's a little weird and that awful incoming deal. Along with it was the series that began with "The Other" and then was canceled after issue 24.

He wasn't a villain, someone else was the villain who was trying to get him to fight Spider-Man for, reasons? I didn't know it was a weird issue and I'm not keen to read it again. I thought from its opening the issue had been set up or something in the previous issue, which was a mistake, don't read issue 5. It's genuinely very depressing, I thought about talking about it, but it made me feel so miserable I just rather not. I also read some issues where someone from the future was doing some crazy stuff to say the least. If you're in the mood for comic insanity read that lol.