Power to Protect, Power to Destroy

Next chapter of my crossover, enjoy.

Reviews:

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, glad you liked it and well, to be honest, Jonah doesn't really care about that kinda thing, it's more about protecting the Bugle's reputation than anything else, but it worked in Nancy's favour so, take what you can get huh :)
Wolfgirl2013: Funny, I kinda felt the same way, although of course the wrestler's name is spelled differently :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Spider-Man, Stranger Things or their characters.

Chapter 23

Mike thought it was over, but before Rhino could crush him, he heard the blessed sound of web shooters and Rhino let out mumbled roars as he got a face full of web. At the time a web attached to Mike's back and yanked him out of the way, leaving him dangling from a nearby light pole.

"Seriously?" He groused.

Spider-Man then dropped into view, hanging upside down from a web line, Mike just knew he was grinning under that mask.

"Well, you would go get yourself into trouble." He quipped. "Do you need a direct line to me?"

"It's not like I actively go looking for trouble." Mike shot back with a grin. "But yeah, that would be nice."

There was a roar from Rhino and Spider-Man sighed.

"Alright, I'll get you out of here then deal with the big guy."

Mike bit his lip. "Um, could we talk a bit after this?"

"Sure, I'll drop you nearby, just be careful." Spidey replied.

With that he got a hold of Mike and swung out of the docks, gently setting Mike down.

"Be back soon."

With that he swung back in while Mike waited anxiously.

Landing back in the dock yard, Spider-Man stood face to face with Rhino.

"Hey Aleksei, long time no see, what brings you to these parts?"

"Ah, tiny spider has come to play." Rhino sneered as he advanced a couple of steps. "I hope you'll make this worth my time."

Spider-Man didn't even flinch. "That's my line, big boy. Like I said, what are you doing here."

Rhino grunted. "Crushing a miserable bug!"

With that he launched the nearest object, a forklift, at Spider-Man, one-handed.

"Good arm." Spidey quipped as he dodged. "You ever think about baseball, pitching, you're triple A easy."

With a snort Rhino charged. "You are NOT funny!"

Spider-Man quickly dodged making Rhino get his horn stuck in the wall.

"I beg to differ." He fired back before using his webs to pin down Rhino in place. "Now, why are trashing this place?"

"Opening the place, for the masked men who pay me. Just a job." Rhino growled.

"Masked Men?" Spider-Man gasped. "You mean the Demons?"

"Yes!" Rhino yelled, breaking free completely and spinning around, grabbing Spidey and throwing him.

Luckily, Spider-Man managed to correct himself in mid-air and land on his feet.

"You're seriously working for those guys?"

"No." Rhino replied. "I break open weapons for them, I get paid, business arrangement."

That stopped Spider-Man cold, weapons, the Demons were getting weapons from the docks, likely military grade.

Now he knew he had a problem on his hands, not including the charging Rhino heading right for him. He quickly fired off two impact webs which immediately trapped the big guy. He then shot a web line to Rhino and reeled himself in, landing a punch the moment he was in reach. He had to soften Rhino up, but also needed answers, so each punch was punctuated by his question.

"Why. Do. They. Need. So. Many. Weapons."

"I don't ask!" Rhino roared as he broke free, forcing Spider-Man to retreat. "I not paid to ask questions!"

He charged again and hit the wall as Spidey dodged. This dislodged some panels from a nearby large generator and gave him an idea. He quickly moved his position and then remarked.

"Alright Rhino, no more questions. But this is your last chance to surrender peacefully."

Rhino turned and grunted before charging again.

"I tried."

With that Spidey dodged and Rhino hit the exposed part of the generator, sending the electrical current through him. His suit would stop it being lethal, but that was all. Very soon Rhino collapsed to the ground, muttering in a dazed fashion, all fight having left him, just as a specialised police unit, made specifically for arresting Rhino, arrived and Spider-Man left to reunite with Mike.

XXXXX

Now seated together on a fire escape Spider-Man and Mike were both taking a moment.

Finally Mike sighed. "Listen, I meant it, I didn't go looking for Rhino, I was there to cover the Oscorp event and he showed up before I could leave."

"No it's cool, I get it." Spider-Man replied. "But this is what, the fourth time I've saved you?"

"Mom always said I was an adventurous spirit." Mike laughed but then sighed. "Dad just said I could never keep my nose out of trouble."

Spider-Man watched him quietly for a moment but Mike seemed to recover and looked up at him.

"I...I meant it, you know." He said quietly.

"Huh?"

Mike blushed. "The kiss."

"Oh." Spider-Man realised and replied. "I...it meant something to me too actually."

Mike looked up sharply, eyes wide hardly daring to hope.

He brought himself back down to earth however.

"That's, that's great but...with everything that's happening we can't really..." He trailed off, hesitant.

Spidey knew what he meant however. "No...but I promise, once this mess with Mr. Negative and the Demons is cleared up...We will talk about it, okay."

Mike took hope from that and nodded. They lapsed into silence again. Finally taking note of the time Mike clambered down the fire escape.

"I better get home." He explained.

Spidey nodded. "You want me to come along?"

"I'll be fine." Mike explained. "It's not far. But thanks."

"Okay well, take care." Spidey replied.

With that they went their separate ways, each thinking about each other, albeit worried for very different reasons, each one having to struggle through a deep, internal conflict.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.