Chapter Ten
Peter clawed at the metal talons gripping him tightly. Every time he would manage to break one loose, Vulture would change trajectories and strengthen his clutch. Peter hadn't had time to fully process what was going on. The pain from the talons stabbing into his chest and shoulders blinded him.
"Ahhh, let go of me, Big Bird!" Peter screamed.
"Not a chance, Spider. It's time I show how capable I am." Vulture cackled and spun Spider-Man in a barrel roll.
"You like the suit. It was a gift from my protégé, Beetle. You remember him. I gotta give you credit, Spider. I've never known anyone that could get one up on Beetle."
Spider-Man's weight made Vulture slightly off balance. He couldn't get perfect control of his flight pattern. He careened around a building, nearly smashing into the side of it.
Peter started thrashing about, trying to pull Vulture's flight path out of the sky and onto more stable ground. His efforts were meaningless, however.
"Ooh, a fighter." Vulture gleamed behind his mask. He pulled Spider-Man closer to his face. "I like it when they fight back."
The Vulture lowered Spider-Man back down and twisted in the air. Disorienting Spider-Man, Vulture slammed him into the side of a building, dragging him through concrete, glass, and steel. He pulled Spider-Man away and slammed him into a second building. Vulture dragged Spider-Man up the side, passing the roof and floating above it.
Peter finally found his balance and steadied himself by grabbing Vulture's feet. He flipped his body upward and double-kicked Vulture in the chin. 2 turtle doves violently fluttering above New York's skyline. Peter's kick jarred Vulture enough to loosen his grip. Dropping to the roof of the building, Peter readied himself for Vulture's next attack.
Vulture flipped in the air and steadied his equilibrium. He pointed and cursed at Spider-Man.
"You damn idiot. Do you know what you've cost me? Years of training and finding the best people. All the bodies I've buried. And now it's threatened by you? You?! A nimble freak in spandex? You're the one that's going to cost me everything?! Fat chance!"
Vulture stretched his wings wide, revealing the sheer massiveness of their size.
"I'm going to tear you apart. I'll decorate this city with every organ in your body. Then I'll fly straight up to Kingpin's penthouse and spike your head on his desk. Then, there will never be another question about my capabilities. I want him and this city to remember just how dangerous I am."
Vulture hovered above, waiting for Spider-Man's next move. Peter rubbed his torn mask and surveyed the damage to his suit. He looked back at
Vulture confused and shouted.
"I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO YOU ARE!"
Vulture glared with contempt.
"I am the Vulture, and I am going to end you."
Peter smirked, "Suuuuure. That's what Beetle said, too."
Peter started chuckling and flipped backward onto an exhaust vent. He casually sat down and crossed his legs.
"Look, bird-brain, I'm feeling generous. I mean, it's Christmas. So why don't you come down here? I'll web you up, take you to the police station, and we'll call this a night. Deal?"
Peter stuck his hand out, miming a handshake. Vulture stayed hovering in the air.
"C'mooon, it'll be my early Christmas gift to you! Just do-"
Peter's altruism was cut short by Vulture dive-bombing him. He managed to jump out of the way as Vulture crashed behind him. Vulture used his wings to press himself up and back into a hovering position. He swung his left wing, knocking Spider-Man across the roof. Vulture used his mechanical talons to grab chunks of the broken roof and slung them at Spider-Man.
Peter easily dodged Vulture's foreign objects. He kept his eyes trained on Vulture's every location. Vulture spun into the sky and prepared for a second dive bomb. Peter stood before a water tower, eagerly awaiting Vulture's next attack. As the winged madman dove at Spider-Man, Peter flipped into the air and landed atop the tower. Vulture crashed into the legs but was expecting Spider-Man to dodge. He was already turning around, readying his next attack.
Unfortunately for Vulture, Spider-Man had other ideas in mind. After landing on the top of the tower, he immediately leaped off and webbed the basin. Crashing into the legs destabilized the water tower, something Peter was counting on. Peter yanked the webs as Vulture spun around, toppling the water tower and crashing it directly into Vulture.
Water flooded the roof, nearly knocking Peter off his feet. He jumped up onto the roof access door and assessed the situation. Vulture's suit provided him with extra durability. Especially the wings, which Vulture used to absorb most of his damage. Peter hoped soaking him in water would destabilize his mechanical wings and give him an advantage. Once he removed the wings, ending the fight with Vulture would be simple enough.
As Vulture's wings ripped through the toppled tower, Peter mused on the situation. Vulture raised from the pile using his wings to push the debris away.
"Crap," Peter said out loud. Plan number one didn't work. He had to think quickly. Peter thought about his fight with Beetle and tapped his beltline. "Last one. I have to make this count."
Peter had one Web Wrap 2.0 left. He had been so caught up with everything in his personal life that he hadn't had time to resupply for Spider-Man.
A plan suddenly formed in his mind, and Peter leaped to action.
"Let's go, Pidgey. Call me if you can!"
Peter turned and jumped off the roof, webbing the next building and swinging away at top speed. Vulture followed swiftly behind him. The two of them weaved between structures for blocks, with Vulture gaining ever so slightly. But every time Vulture would close the distance, Peter would change directions. Zipping to the left, dropping to the ground, and slingshotting back into the sky, he did every maneuver to keep Vulture on his toes.
Peter made a quick right and swung around the side of a building. He looked back, but Vulture was gone. Puzzled, Peter made a U-turn to find his fine feathered friend. But Vulture was nowhere to be seen.
"Where the heck did Daffy fly off to?" Peter was truly stumped. Surely, Vulture didn't give up. And he definitely wasn't going fast enough to lose him. Peter's mind was racing but suddenly crashed as his web-line snapped with a quick slice. Peter started falling to the ground when Vulture speared him into a high-rise apartment building.
Vulture saw through Peter's attempts to outsmart him and decided to play a trick of his own. Instead of continuing the chase, Vulture flew higher into the sky out of Peter's sight. He waited for the right moment and cut Peter's web-line. Then, he smashed him into a building.
The duo crashed through the glass. Peter rag-dolled over the coffee table, crashing through the couch and skidding to a halt in the kitchen. Vulture reversed his momentum with a flap of his wings, keeping him idle in the living room. A pair of parents cowered in the corner with their child.
"Give it up, Spider. You can't stop me. This doesn't end until I rip you apart."
Peter groaned with a heavy breath. He looked around at the trashed apartment and locked eyes with the terrified tenants. Peter had to get Vulture out of there quickly. Peter leaned back against the stove. Vulture started approaching, but Peter grabbed a boiling pot and flung it at him.
The sizzling liquid fogged Vulture's helmet as the pot bounced off his chest. Nearly blinded, Vulture wiped the steam from his visor in time to feel Spider-Man tackling him back outside. Peter pulled the Web Wrap 2.0 out of his belt as the pair plummeted. But before he could use it, Vulture snatched it from his hand and threw it to the ground. The device exploded dozens of feet below them.
"Nuh uh uh, I don't think so, Spider." Vulture smugly taunted Spider-Man.
"Your schemes won't work on me. I've been around a lot longer than you think, and I've seen it all."
Peter tried breaking free, but Vulture pulled him in closer.
"How about I show you a trick of my own."
Vulture used his mechanical flight suit to hold Spider-Man tightly. He spun around and rocketed straight into the sky. Their trajectory was taking them further above the skyline. Clouds passed them by as the air became thinner.
Peter's breathing started to suffer. The further they went, the less oxygen he would have available. Peter looked at Vulture to find him smiling like a madman.
Vulture took a deep breath, "Ahh, fresh air, don't you love it."
Peter started gasping; he was reaching his breaking point.
"What's the matter? Nothing smart to say now? No quippy comment? You disappoint me!" Vulture started laughing.
As Peter gasped, Vulture leaned closer. He grabbed Peter's mask and ripped it off. Vulture recoiled in shock.
"Wait…you're just a kid?"
Vulture's moment of confusion was all Peter needed to get the upper hand. With moments to spare before he passed out, Peter grabbed Vulture's helmet by the beak and snapped it off. The beak housed the oxygen regulator Vulture needed to stay airborne for so long. With the helmet broken, Vulture wheezed, trying to retain consciousness, but ultimately failed. Vulture passed out as his suit systems powered down.
Vulture's plan failed, but he and Spider-Man were still hundreds of feet in the air and rapidly approaching the ground. As more oxygen returned to Peter's lungs, he started formulating how to get them out of their free-falling predicament. His mind raced. With both their weights combined and their falling speed, any webs he shot would just snap. Only seconds remained. It was time to act now. Peter suddenly had flashes of his fight with Rhino, and an idea spread through his brain. This was his only chance.
Peter pulled the unconscious Vulture to him and flipped onto his back. He grabbed his damaged mask from Vulture's hand and stretched it over his head. While straddling him, Peter shot a web from each wrist to the middle of Vulture's left and right wings. Peter started to stand, using the webs to keep his balance. He yanked the webs and pulled the wings out, finally in position. The outstretched wings caught the updraft, turning their plummeting momentum into a swift glide.
However, too much distance had been covered, preventing Peter from safely landing on a rooftop. He only had seconds to find a new landing spot. Peter scanned the block, looking for the best location.
Peter noticed where he was. "5th and E 49th? That's it, I can make it!"
Peter swung a hard left as their altitude shortened. Vulture's unconscious body flailed below his wings.
"Come on, come on. Almost theeere." Peter was using all his might to keep both of them airborne. He started dodging street lights and made a hard right.
Peter readied himself for impact. He had found his landing spot. The Rockefeller Plaza Christmas Tree. That tree had been a quintessential New York experience for nearly one hundred years. It was a beacon for holiday cheer that brought the entire city together. And it was the only safe place Peter had time to find.
As the duo approached the tree rapidly, Peter backflipped off Vulture at the last second. A flurry of webs struck the tree right behind Vulture's impact. Peter landed perfectly, observing the holiday prison he created for his winged foe.
A crowd gathered behind Spider-Man, anxiously observing the events that just unfolded. Peter looked around at the frightened onlookers.
"Uhh…" Peter froze, thinking of what to say. "Ummm…OH! And a partridge in a pear treeee!" He sang with his arms stretched wide.
The crowd looked at Spider-Man for a moment. Some started clapping. Most just shuffled away, murmuring amongst themselves. Peter overheard one person say, "These flashmobs just keep getting worse and worse."
Peter hung his head and rubbed his neck. "Everyone's a critic."
A squadron of cop cars approached the scene. Peter and Vulture's fight through the city had already attracted their attention. Detective Elise jumped out of her vehicle with her gun drawn.
"Freeze, Spider-Man! You're under arrest!"
Peter tried explaining himself, but Detective Elise wouldn't hear any of it.
"I don't care what you have to say," she said, "You're wanted for murder."
Peter realized it was all futile. He was innocent, but that wouldn't stop the police from doing their jobs. But he couldn't afford to be booked down at the station. Peter felt guilty, but he knew he had to flee.
"I'm going to prove to you that I'm no killer, officer." Peter took a step back. "I promise. I'm a hero."
Peter jumped into the Christmas tree and shimmied to the top. As the officers surrounded the tree, Peter leaped off the topper and swung away into the night. He stopped at a nearby rooftop to rest for a moment.
He sighed as he leaned against a wall. Peter pulled his phone out to check the time, but the kerfuffle with Vulture had smashed it.
"Dang it, I just got this!" Peter lamented. He resigned to his phoneless fate and returned home. Three big fights in less than two weeks pushed Spider-Man to his limit. Considering Peter was peaking with all his personal problems, Spider-Man's issues burnt the candle at both ends. But now it was time to rest and get ready for the party.
-Next Day, Harry's House-
Gwen turned the corner of East 40th and made her way down the block to Harry's house. Although this was the first time any of the group had been there, everyone was familiar with the massive mansion he lived in. A Tudor-style mansion complete with everything anyone would need. Gwen stood in awe of the structure. Carrying her gift, she approached the gate, but someone called out to her from behind.
"Gwen!"
She turned to find Harry and MJ stepping out of a town car.
"Perfect timing, we just got back from an afternoon showing of Spamalot."
MJ greeted Gwen first, giving her a hug and kiss on each cheek.
"Yeah, early bird." Harry nudged Gwen in the side and gave her a high five.
The trio entered Harry's residence and made their way to the den. MJ and Harry, mostly MJ, had spent the morning decorating before heading out for lunch and a show. As they walked down the hallway, Harry checked his phone and frowned.
"Have either of you heard from Peter? I sent him the reminder last night, but it's been nothing but radio silence. He was acting really weird the other day, too."
Gwen sighed, "Don't overthink it. That just seems to be Peter these days."
"Well, he better be here. He's been a pretty crappy friend lately. Bailing on both of you like he did. I always thought he was nicer than that." MJ crossed her arms and marched down the hallway to the den. She stopped at the door and turned to the others.
MJ opened the door. "I swear, if he doesn't show up, I'm going to give him a piece of my mi-"
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
MJ was cut off by an overly jovial holiday greeting by Peter. He was in the den, dressed in the ugliest Christmas sweater imaginable. He was wearing a popcorn garland necklace and a Santa hat. Green pants and elf shoes adorned the bottom half of his body.
MJ was startled at first but quickly overcame it with a smile. Harry doubled over, laughing at how ridiculous Peter looked. Even Gwen cracked a smile.
Harry approached Peter, clapping his hand and pulling him in for a hug. "Jeeze, Pete, you look like the North Pole threw up on you. When did you get here?"
"Dude, I've been here for an hour! Where have you guys been?" Peter put his hands on his hips, looking incredulous.
"The party started at 6. I've been trying to text you all day." Harry turned to the other, looking confused.
Peter's face went pale. After the fight with Vulture broke his phone, he couldn't double check the time of the party. Luckily, he thought it was 5. Regardless, Peter was going to file this away as a win.
"Ah dang, yeah, I broke my phone last night. Sorry, you haven't been able to get a hold of me." Peter lowered his head and rubbed the back of his Santa hat.
MJ approached him, "It's okay. We're all here; that's what matters. Merry Christmas, Peter!"
MJ reached over and pulled Peter in for a hug. After greeting Harry and MJ, he looked over to Gwen. She looked away briefly but looked back and flashed Peter a soft smile. She walked over and joined the other three. Peter's body filled with warmth. Maybe he could get out of the doghouse after all.
The four of them chatted and laughed as the catering staff entered and set up the food. Harry had gone all out. They weren't having a traditional sit-down meal. Instead, it was a smorgasbord of finger foods and appetizers. Mozzarella sticks, Gwen's favorite. Pigs in a blanket, MJ's favorite. Poppyseed Hawaiian chicken sliders, Harry's favorite. Chicken strips with honey mustard, Peter's favorite. And a smattering of dips, cheeses, and meats to fill out their charcuterie selection.
The group spent the evening eating and enjoying the Christmas season. After eating, Harry brought out a party game he and MJ had set up. The game was the Marshmallow Toss. A selection of cups was stacked ten feet away. Whoever got the most marshmallows in the cups by the end of thirty seconds wins the game. Peter went first. He nailed ten in a row before realizing he should pull it back slightly. His newfound powers gave him the competitive edge, but it wasn't exactly playing fair. He tanked his last several shots. MJ went second and did better than Peter, placing him last. Surprisingly, Gwen and Harry were the top dogs of the first game. They even had to go to two sudden death rounds. Gwen came out on top with a last-second buzzer beater.
After congratulating Gwen on her win, it was time to hand out presents. MJ perked up and went first, handing her gift to Gwen. She unwrapped it to reveal a replica of the glasses Elton John wore in the 1970's. Gwen's immediately jumped up and hugged MJ. When Gwen was a little girl, her mother used to sing and dance to Elton John. That was something Gwen had shared with MJ on their girl's nights.
"Thank you so much, Mary Jane," Gwen said with tears.
"Merry Christmas, Gwen." MJ sweetly replied, hugging Gwen back.
Gwen wiped her tears and declared that she would be next. She grabbed her present and handed it to Harry. His face lit up, realizing Gwen had drawn his name. He ripped the paper apart and saw three old leather books wrapped in twine. Looking at the books, he raised an eyebrow out of confusion, but his stupor lifted as his eyes nearly bugged out of his head.
"Is this what I think it is?" Harry looked at Gwen with bewilderment.
"It's exactly what you think it is," Gwen replied, shaking her head smugly.
First edition, leatherbound printings of The Lord of the Rings trilogy produced in the 1980s. Special editions made for the thirtieth anniversary. Gwen found them while thrifting and couldn't believe her luck. She snatched them up quickly.
Harry started geeking out but quickly composed himself to give Peter his present. Peter unwrapped it and found a box with a Tecchy Joe's sticker. As he opened the box, Peter recognized the spectrum analyzer he had wanted. Peter looked at Harry slack-jawed. Harry nodded with a smug grin on his face.
"I know you had to bail, but that gave me the perfect opportunity to snag this from Tecchy Joe's. When you said you had been wanting it but couldn't afford it, I knew that was the gift I had to get for you. I'm actually really good at noticing the little things." Harry smiled proudly as he patted Peter on his back.
Peter stood and shook Harry's hand. His mind was already swimming with ways to spice his gift up for Spider-Man.
As he admired his gift, he realized all eyes were on him. Only one present remained to be given. Peter's gift for MJ.
"I guess we saved the best for last." MJ quipped, sitting on the couch with her legs crossed.
"Heh yeah, I hope you like it." Peter handed MJ the gift bag.
Mary Jane pulled the tissue paper out of the bag and found the playbill. Before arriving, Peter had taken the time to buy a frame to put it in.
MJ squealed with excitement. "This is my show! Oh my gosh, and this is so old, too! And the entire cast signed it!"
"Oh, Peter, I love it!" MJ exclaimed. She jumped from her seat and crushed Peter with a bear hug.
"Can…can't breeeathe." Peter choked out.
MJ jumped back and profusely apologized. Her excitement got the better of her. This is the closest Peter had ever gotten to MJ. His face turned red as he tried to hide his embarrassment. Peter had wanted this for so long, but the moment was bittersweet. MJ and Harry were sure to become a thing. Even though he nailed the gift, following up with anything more would be in bad taste. As much as he wanted something more with MJ, he needed to be a good friend to Harry and give him his time to shine.
The party winded down, and everyone decided to call it a night. They all walked out together. A town car pulled around to give MJ a ride home. Harry offered the same to Peter and Gwen, but both turned him down. Harry jumped in with MJ, and they drove off down the street. Peter and
Gwen stood there awkwardly under a street lamp.
It was now or never for Peter. If he would fix things and try to get back on even footing with Gwen, a better opportunity wouldn't present itself.
"Gwen, I need to talk to you. I'm so sorry for bailing on you at the gala. I could give you excuses, but it won't matter. I hurt you. I did. And I'll do whatever I can to make it up to you. You've been my best friend for years. And the last few weeks have sucked so much not having you there. It's all because of me, I understand that. I just hope you can forgive me. I miss you."
Peter was wringing his hands. He had been thinking nonstop about what to say but still had trouble putting his thoughts together. Gwen stood under the light. She took a deep breath and looked Peter in the face.
"Pete. I've gotten a lot of insight from my therapist. They told me I needed to take a broader look at the situation. What could have influenced it? Why did we get to that point? That really helped me work through my feelings on this. I realized that we weren't that far removed from your uncle's funeral. You had May to worry about and going back to school. Then you had to worry about me needing you as a crutch. I convinced you to do it. You were under so much pressure."
Gwen zipped her coat and fixed her beanie.
"Gwen, I-" Peter started to respond but was cut off.
"Let me finish, Pete. I influenced your decision to go. That's true. But it was your decision to leave the way you did. You knew that was a big moment for me. I understand if you were overwhelmed, but you just had to talk to me. As much as you were supposed to be there for me, I would have done the same for you. We're best friends. We should respect each other. I can see the situation for what it was. I know neither of us are perfect. I'm still your friend, Pete. But this is my boundary. Disappearing when things get tough is not cool. And I can't guarantee that the next time it happens, I'll have the same outlook."
Gwen grabbed Peter's arm and pulled him in for a hug.
"I've missed you too, Pete." She smiled with tears in her eyes.
She pulled away from him and smacked him on the head. "Now, do better! See ya Sunday for Gina's."
Gwen left down the sidewalk, heading for a bus stop two blocks away. Peter stood under the light, smiling, but faded into depression as the gravity of the situation sunk in. He was back in Gwen's good graces, but for how long? She clearly communicated her boundaries. As much as Peter would try to stick to it, he knew Spider-Man would eventually make him break it. His disappearing acts were already starting to pile up on him. May, Gwen, and even Harry recently. How long before he was going to disappoint someone else? A cold, sobering walk home was what he deserved. He made his way home, dreading what possibly could be.
-Later that night, Fisk Tower-
Kingpin sat behind his desk with a glass of whiskey in his hand. The light of the moon illuminated his entire office. In silence, Kinpin agonized over the recent failures he had suffered. He was hopeful the winds of fortune would soon shift in his favor. His hopes were dashed as a news alert pinged his phone. He looked at the screen and boiled with anger.
"Adrian Toomes revealed as decades-old contract killer."
Kingpin slammed his phone and threw his glass against the wall. He was running out of options. As he brooded over the recent news, his office phone began ringing. Mr. NO was on the line.
"Mr. NO, for what do I owe this pleasure?" Kingpin feigned politeness.
Mr. NO's gravely voice poisoned Kingpin's ears. "I saw the news, Fisk. Looks like your birds been caged."
Kingpin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Just a setback, nothi-"
Mr. NO cut Kingpin off. "Setback? Do you mean mounting failure on your part? That setback?"
Kingpin seethed as Mr. NO continued, "Look, Fisk. I'm feeling festive. So, I'm willing to give you another chance. Our previous buyer got cold feet, but I've secured another."
"Just a string of misfortune. I will deliver. Who is the new buyer?" Kingpin did his best to hide his rage
Mr. NO chuckled briefly, "An old friend of yours. Silvermane."
"Him?! You can't be serious. There's no way he would-" Kingpin was quickly cut off.
"I am deadly serious, Fisk. Remember, this is your fault. Consider this your last chance. If you fail me again, I will kill you. You have two months. Don't disappoint me again."
The line went dead and chimed with a steady tone. Kingpin gripped his desk and flung it across his office. He turned around and punched a hole in his tiled wall. After a moment of frustration, Kingpin leaned against his office window.
He sighed as he looked across the city, "Bastard. You would pull something like this."
End Chapter Ten