Chapter 29

Now in his depowered form, All Might sits next to the hospital bed that his longtime friend David Shield lays in. His heart rate is strong and unwavering, for that All Might is thankful. He had fallen unconscious by the end of the battle, with the last thing in his memory being the sight of Izuku Midoriya carrying on the power and spirit of All Might himself. They may be different people, but he swore it was like Deku was the spitting image of the number one hero. This is what he meant when he told me that a new generation would rise to take his place.

Seeing that he has been a wake for some time now, All Might decides it's time they talked. "David… I've heard most of what happened from Melissa."

David turns away in shame, his voice barely a whisper. "It's all true. I was so scared you'd lose your light. Scared that the peace you built as a hero would fade away with you."

All Might sighs, wondering if this all would've been avoided had he entrusted his closest friend with his secret. "But my ideas with that device were nothing more than ways to maintain the status quo. To ensure that nothing would ever change."

He sniffles, remembering his own daughters bravery and the heroic acts of mere students who put a stop to the dangers that he brought to the island he calls home. "Even though the future was standing there in front of me the whole time. I just… I just didn't notice it."

All Might patiently nods, allowing his friend to air out his burdens without judgment. "She wants to be my successor you know? Melissa. And you, you have Izuku Midoriya." Finding the strength to look upon his friend, he asks All Might, "He'll take your place one day too, won't he?"

All Might smiles ruefully as he sighs, thinking of all the hijinks that Izuku has gotten into since he began attending UA. And yet he could never be prouder of how far he's come along. And how far he'll go. "He still has a long road ahead. But, in him shines the greatest potential I've ever seen among those who would become heroes. Rivaled only by one other." The thoughts of the American transfer student who saved the inhabitants of I-Island in his mind as he answered.

For the first time, David was able to smile as he replies, "I can see it too, Toshi. Hope. These kids have a light just like yours. The hearts of true heroes."

"As does Melissa old friend. One you still have the chance to nurture."

David shifts uncomfortably, unable to forget the look of horror and betrayal on his daughters face when she discovered his hands in the attack. "How? How could I ever regain her trust?"

Toshinori gently places a hand on his forearm, as if giving his own strength to David. "One step at a time."

A knock is heard and seconds later the timid voice of Melissa herself could be heard. "P-Papa?"

Toshinori squeezes gently, "I guess sooner than you think."

"Yea."

All Might heads to the door and opens it, giving Melissa a quick hug and allowing her to hesitantly enter the hospital room with her father. All Might closes the door behind him, knowing they need their privacy and is unsurprised to see that Midoriya was there. "Come Midoriya shonen, let's talk."

They find a private area and All Might crosses his arms, wearing a stern expression. "What you did was highly dangerous. You all could've been killed."

Izuku flinches but meets All Might's gaze evenly. "So could you have. I couldn't stand by and do nothing. Everyone would've died if we hadn't acted."

"I understand Midoriya. And I commend your bravery, and that of your class as well. You prove to me with each passing day that I choose the perfect successor."

Izuku tears up, "Thank you All Might."

All Might gives him a thumbs up and a smile but quickly returns to his stern expression once again. "But that doesn't mean that you still could've been killed. You have to remember Midoriya, you're all still students. And I was informed on all the villains that had attacked I-Island. Many of them are powerful enough to give even pro heroes trouble. You can't throw yourself into every situation."

"But we won!"

"This time. What if you aren't so lucky next time?"

Izuku trembles slightly, once again remembering how close Peter had gotten to losing his life. We were lucky to survive. But…

"We had a responsibility to try!"

"What?" All Might asks in a double take.

" ' With Great Power, comes Great Responsibility.' That was the lesson Peter's uncle had given to him. It's what he told us when we were deciding on what to do. It reminded us why we became heroes. I'm sorry I made you worry All Might!" With clenched fists and determined eyes, Izuku yells, "But I don't regret it! You gave me One for All to use to save people. It's not just a quirk. It's a privilege. A gift I have to use to better the lives of others! Even you fought when others told you not to, or when it was too dangerous! But you did it anyway because you knew it's what needed to be done. It was the right thing to do! So if you want me to promise to never do this again, I'm sorry All Might but it'll be a promise I can't keep!"

With his jaw open, All Might stares into the eyes of his pupil. Burning with fiery conviction, his heart filled with purpose. Just like I was all those years ago. "Spoken like a true hero."

"Huh?"

"I guess I only have myself to blame. After all, it's for this reason I chose you to be my heir! I should accept that I'll never be able to stop you from being a hero. But Midoriya shonen, plese listen to me, and let me help you better prepare yourself for the future!"

Midoriya breaks into a big grin and bows in respect. "I will All Might!"

Said hero rubs his chin, "Hmm. 'great power comes great responsibility.' A powerful message indeed! I like it!"

"It really is… And all Might? I'm sure you're aware, but Melissa and Gwen also fought alongside us."

"Yes… it didn't escape my notice those two's heroic spirit!"

"Yea but… they were quirkless."

All Might's heart drops as he remembers what he told Izuku the very first time they met. Can you be a hero? Not without a quirk.

He bows in sorrow, "if it's pertaining to what I said then I must apologize, it was never my intention to hurt you that day Midoriya-shonen!" Blood splattered out of his mouth in his hurry to speak.

Izuku flails his arms, "nononono! That's not what I meant!... although thank you for apologizing. What I'm saying is, they were quirkless, but just the same they were inspired by Peter's uncle, it gave them hope in themselves. I can't help but feel like it has a much deeper meaning, one that reaches everyone not just the ones born with quirks."

"I'm not sure what you mean my boy?"

Izuku ponders deeply, not even muttering. "Yea, I'm trying to figure it out myself."

At the same time, with Peter and Tony; the two are having a conversation of their own.

"You really need to stop doing these reckless acts kid, I know it's in good faith and you saved everyone! But you almost died!"

"So did you! If we stayed put your heart would've sliced up by the shrapnel!"

"I know! Look I'm just- I'm just freaked out ok? I wish I could've helped before you got shishkebadded by Scorpion."

Peter can feel the sting of where he was stabbed by scorpion. "would've been glad to avoid that, yea. But Mr Stark, being a hero means having to take risks! And you said I should make the decision I can be proud of!"

Tony stammers for a sec, "Th-That was taken out of context from a different conversation! I was talking about your future, this about last night! I mean do you see me acting wild on the job?"

"… Y-Yes."

"… I mean recently."

"… Yes."

"Look to put it simple, don't do anything I would do…"

Peter sighs but nods his head in agreement.

"And definitely don't do anything I wouldn't."

Nod Peter is lsot and raises a confused eyebrow.

Rolling his eyes, Tony explains, "There's a little gray area there and that's where you operate. Ok?"

"But Mr Stark… I had to do something. The Goblin, he was here for me."

Tony's face becomes stony as he waits for an explanation. "He didn't say but definitely implied he knew about the formula and Scorpion, Osborn must've succeeded in a way because he said he got his powers thanks to me. But he wasn't happy about it."

"I'll bet."

Peter sees the haunted look that flashes over the billionaire's face. "What?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself about kid."

Peter gets in his way and pleads, "No Mr Stark, please, I need to know!"

Tony mulls it over wondering if it's a good idea. But when he looks at Peter's pleading eyes, he just couldn't deny it. Lord knows I already keep enough from him. "There's… side effects to the formula. Side effects that you haven't experienced."

"What are they?"

"The Formula uses an a synthetic CRISPR genome that identifies the dormant x gene and activates the specific genetic mutations that gives people abilities. But, Osborn never figured out how to keep the Human body from rejecting it. Eventually it breaks down the DNA chain, causing the subjects death. Normally, it'd be at a 100% mortality rate. But with you, you're the only true survivor."

"My god, so so, scorpion could die because of me?!"

Tony quickly grabs his shoulders in an effort to calm him down, "NO! no. He isn't ok? It's Osborn, he's the one doing this, he's the one who gave it to him! None of this is your fault!"

"IT only happened because I allowed them to get my blood." Peter retorts, sporting a thousand year stare.

"Better that they got a small amount than all of you! It could've been much worse! Whatever happens, it's not your fault kid!"

Tony wishes with all his might that he can convince Peter of this, searching his eyes, willing him to believe him. Peter

Sniffles a bit then smiles. "ok Tony. Ok."

Tony continued to hold him for who knows how long until he accepted that maybe, just maybe, he was successful in convincing the teen. Maybe. "Let's just try not to focus on this stuff. How about this, since we're going back to Japan today. This Friday swing by the lab, we can do some science stuff?"

He regretted giving him that suggestion, as Peter's brightness had dimmed ever so much. His eyes became downcast and he whispered. "I can't Mr Stark. Not this Friday."

"Why not?"

"Because it's the anniversary."

"Who's?"

"… Uncle Ben's."

6 days later

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Shouldn't anniversaries be for celebrating things? Shouldn't we set those aside for that specific reason? Those thoughts flew through Peter's mind as he sat across from his Aunt May. Between them on the table was a photo of Ben Parker. It tore them both apart to know that neither one could be standing above his grave at the moment. Thanks to me. Another treacherous thought sprung onto Peter.

One whole year. One year to the day that his Uncle Ben had been gone. As much as the day had hung over his head like a dark cloud, there was never a doubt that he would join aunt May for this private little ceremony. And yet, until it arrived, he wondered if he would have the strength to go through with it. Contradictory I know, but that's basically all I am.

He glanced at his Aunt, the strongest woman he's ever known as she finally allowed the walls to come down, followed by the silent tears that she taps away as soon as they appear. She sighs heavily,

"It wasn't fair to have gone that way, so violently. He was, he was a peaceful man." She said softly.

Her greif got the better of her and she took a deep breath and exhaled three words that Peter couldn't believe she was saying:

"It's my fault."

He shook his head, wanting to tell her how wrong she was, but the words formed a lump in his throat. Too caught up in her suffering, Aunt May was unaware of the look of conflict that played across his face. Her attention solely transfixed on the smiling face of her late husband. For a while, neither one said a word, both simply drowning in their private despair. Once upon a time, before attending UA, Peter would imagine Ben randomly appearing to him, scolding him for his selfishness. For costing him his life. In this past week since the I-Island fiasco, he visited many more times, remidnign him of Peter's guilt and hand in the tragedy that took place. When he woke up today, he made no appearance and Peter believed that he had banished Ben Parker's haunting form his mind…

Evidently, Ben set up shop in Aunt May's. Why? Why is it that no matter what I do, everyone around me suffers because of me? And worse off, I didn't notice. No… I did, I knew she was suffering, but I ignored it because I didn't want to face the fact that I could've stopped it. Not only had he left his Aunt to suffer alone while he never hesitated to use the little strength she had for himself, but she had backslided significantly.

She blamed herself? The more Peter dwelled on it, the more incredulous he became. How could she possibly blame herself? She was at home, completely uninvolved in any of it!

By the time the teakettle issued its high pitched summons, he knew he had to do something. He couldn't let it fester this way. He had to find some means to put her mind at rest. He brought the tea and poured hers to fill. He waited until she finished the contents before he tentatively told her, "You don't have to punish yourself, Aunt May."

She looked up at him with a brief display of confusion, but then she understood. As she sat opposite of him, she spoke in a very calm and distant manner, with no emotion or mourning in her voice. "Oh, I know I shouldn't, but if I had tried harder…"

When she saw his puzzled expression, she said, "When you ran off, he went after you right away, I told him not to because I knew you just needed time to process things, but he didn't listen. And I… I let him go. I didn't even give him a fight. I just let him go."

Guilt stabbed Peter in the heart like a blade once again as he remembered that fateful night. May was shaking her head now. "If I'd just spoke up or did anything the entire time except just stand there then.. Then we'd all be having tea together. I… I should've done more."

Well that was it wasn't it. Thanks to Peter's despicable actions, not only had this poor woman lost her husband, she was going to spend the rest of her life beating herself up over it.

She grabs Peters hands cherishingly, "I want to thank you very, very much for being with me today."

But Peter could hardly hear her, because his mind was racing toward a conclusion that he at once found to be both flawed yet inevitable. She couldn't go through the rest of her years thinking this way. It wasn't right or fair that Aunt May, who had done nothing to Peter except be the best mother figure she could manage, should have to suffer like this, all because of him.

She needed closure, aswell… perhaps even more than he did.

"… I… Have to tell you something Aunt May." The words were forced out like they were choking him. "Something you… won't want to hear. Something I was too scared to tell you until now."

But I have no choice to now.

"What's wrong Peter?" She asked, her face held nothing but love and concern. "Are you in trouble?"

"You could say that," He admits, "You see…" He steadies himself, praying that she would understand why he was doing this and appreciate the gesture.

"You see... I'm responsible."

She stares at him blankly. "For what? What're you talking about?"

He takes a shaky breath in, "For what happened to Uncle Ben."

Obviously at that point she thought she did understand, because she smiles and shook her head, patting him affectionately on the hand. "Peter, you're trying to make me feel better," She says, which is true, as far as it went.

The problem was that she quickly made clear. "There was nothing you could've done, you found him when he was already…(Hic)"

"That's where you're wrong May."

What do you mean?"

Peter's mind desperately tries to catch up with his mouth. He sure as hell didn't want to give her all the gory details, so he tries to simplify the story as much as he can. "I went to a store, just wanted to buy something to drink but the cashier he was so rude to me. And before I got the chance to elave, he was robbed right then and there. I could've done something to stop him… but I was so angry, I wanted revenge."

His eyes became watery but May's remains blank. She still didn't understand. He hits each word with emphasis, "I let him go. I let. Him. Get away… But Uncle Ben was just outside."

She didn't move, not so much as a centimeter, but the pupils in her eyes were dilated, as if potent narcotics had just hit her system… or her brain was just assaulted with more information than it was prepared to process.

"Uncle Ben tried to stop him… and then he shot him."

He finishes, somewhat inadequately. "Uncle Ben was killed that night," His voice cracks, "For being the only one who did the right thing."

He sniffs, "And I, I held his hand when he died."

For a long long time, she said nothing. The only sound in the house was the steady tivk of the pendulum in the grandfather's clock in the living room.

"I'm so sorry," he whimpers and never had those words seemed so inadequate, not even when he was given condolences during Ben's funeral. He places his hand on hers.

"I wanted to tell you so many times-" She pulls her hand away from under his.

"No more." She stood abruptly.

He tries reaching for her again but she yanks her hand away as if he were a snake about to sink his fangs into it. "Don't touch me right now."

Her words sounded so small, but held so much weight. "Aunt Ma—"

"I-I need to be alone."

Quickly she moves past him and heads to her room. He waits for the outburst of emotion, but it doesn't come. Instead she disappears down the short hallway. Peter remains there, wondering what do.

He keeps trying to tell himself that he had done the right thing. Aunt May had been hurting, and she had to know. But that train of thought comes to a horrifying stop as a muffled sound came from her room. Sobbing. She was crying bitterly. He made her cry. He lets out a shuddering whine at the realization. He had convinced himself he was telling Aunt may what happened so that she could find closure. But that was far from the truth. Simply knowing that Peter was involved in the events that had led to Ben's murder wasn't going to make things better for her. Peter's actions didn't change the fact that May didn't keep Ben from going out alone. She would most likely continue beating herself up for that.

No, the truth was, he was the one seeking absolution. He'd told Aunt May information that couldn't possibly do her any good, and had done it in an act of unbridled selfishness. He told her what had happened because he wanted her to tell him it was all right. That she still loved him despite his horrific mistake. He wanted her to pat him on the head, tell him she still loved him, that he was free of his guilt that had been drowning him more and more as the days have passed.

Instead, this debacle had happened, because he'd been selfish. He can never do anything right can he? All his guilt comes crashing down once again, his mind reminding him of all his self perceived sin. Molten Man, the bridge, the enforcers, Scorpion, Goblin, Osborn, and now may. And what's the common denominator? You.

Again. Like a zombie, he rose from the table and slowly entered his room. His mind is blank as he strips off his clothes and sits himself on his head, his face buried in his hands. For what seems like hours, he cries. He cries his heart out. He let's the anguish pour from his soul. But it feels like a never ending stream. His pain, his self hatred, his anger; it filled the room. And inside his still packed luggage, the symbiote basked in delight. It was hungry, but it waited. Like a predator eying its prey, it remained where it was, waiting until the object of its desire was at his weakest.

More time passes and eventually exhaustion overtakes Peter as he had left himself bare. He lays on his bed and sleep eventually takes him, but it was not restful. Falling deep in slumber, Peter was unaware of the thick black ooze that separated itself from the sahdows of his closet, creeping towards him.

Instead, he was in the grip of nightmare, twitching in bed, groaning in mental pain. Twisting in his dream, he saw the criminal he let go, stalking towards his uncle. He screamed and shouted but no sound escaped his throat. He runs, but it feels as if his feet are weighed down by the earth itself. In the real world, the symbiote crawls up his bed and the moonlight casts a sinister shadow through it, looking like an inhuman hand as it creepily makes contact with Peter. His spider sense is drowned and leaves him defenseless as the symbiote begins to latch itself all over his body. Inside his mind, his dream worsens. Despite his screams and tears, the criminal is upon his uncle, beating him with the butt of his gun. The symbiote wraps itself along his legs and wasit, slowly making it's way up his torso. Finally after what felt like years, Dream Peter reaches the criminal, he's within feet of him, he's so close!

The criminal raises his gun, the barrel pointing at his loving and bleeding uncle. Peter screams with all he has, pleading him to stop. BANG. Once again, his uncle lays dead on the ground, blood pooling under him. His grief and horror reaches new highs as the criminal steps into the light, only to reveal Peter's own face. The false Peter grins and says in the Goblin's voice, "you did this."

"NO!" Peter's eyes snap open but the symbiote has already reached him, it puts him into unconsciousness, his eyes roll back and he sees nothing but darkness.

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Peter's mind recoils against itself, bewildered and uncertain of what was happening. He was talking to himself, as if his mind had somehow split right down the middle. Even in his dream state, he wondered if he was somehow losing grip of his sanity. Ben was gone, the murder site was gone,. When he opened his eyes, he instead saw the city dizzily beneath him, skyscrapers whipping past, the chill air prickling his skin, and he felt giddy, reveling in his power, enjoying it in a way he had not before. It was all new and liberating, and he couldn't understand why. He heard the distant sound of car horns honking, and sirens yowling, and suddenly he realized that the wind was all too real.

Caught in that weird state between sleep and wakefulness, he fought his way back to consciousness. Maybe he forgot to close the window? Should do it now since it was obviously getting way too drafty…

Peter opened his eyes, waking to see the world through the filter of his eye lenses, which meant that he now has his mask. Odd. He didn't remember putting it on.

And he was rocking slowly back and forth. And he was upside down. What am I, sleep web slinging now? Am I still asleep? No. Definitely not. That thought lingers right up to the moment that he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirrored glass of a skyscraper. Wrong. Still dreaming. It was like watching an image on TV, since it seemed to bear no resemblance to Spider-Man at all.

Oh, there was Spider-Man all right, or the image of Spider-Man, hanging upside down on a webline—except his costume was no longer blue and red. It was solid black. The eyepieces—no longer only white, but with a hue of silver—leaping out at him, a stark contrast against the black mask that he was now wearing. He could see the outlines of the web pattern against the black, also with that same silvery hue to them, along with his chest emblem. It was a Spider symbol, but a bizarre version.

Peter's still fatigued mind processed that he wasn't just watching a separate image. It was his own reflection.

"Whoa!" he shouted, and almost lost his grip on the webstrand before clutching it tightly and maintaining his place. "What the… what is this?!"

He'd always known the right way to catapult yourself out of a dream was to pinch yourself. He attempted that now, pinching his arm through the suit. He felt the pain; that flushed the entire dream theory down the drain. Even stranger, though, was that the suit seemed to pull away from his skin, like elastic. When he released it, it snapped back. "Ow!"

Whatever this tarry stuff was, it hadn't simply covered the suit. It had actually permeated it, been absorbed through, adhering to his skin. Where the hell had this thing come from? A lab experiment gone wrong? A trap by an enemy he hadn't even encountered? Panic wells within him… but fades just as quickly. He felt an almost soothing sense of peace and well-being, so much so that it never occurred to him to question it. He stopped to study, really study, the way his reflection appeared in the building. Not satisfied with the distance, he vaulted free of the webline and lands on the building's side. He flexes one arm, then the other; amazingly, his muscles were larger. He felt stronger too, nearly bursting with power.

He felt like he truly alive for the first time in his life. It wasn't just the strength he sensed within him. He was more attuned not only to his own body, but to the entirety of the world as well. The full potential of his spider-sense pulsed in his brain—as if invisible weblines radiated in every direction, and he was at their center. Just as with a real spider, any small vibration in any of the lines instantly caught his attention. But even better, he felt free, of his pain, his guilt. The utter grief that enveloped him just hours ago after putting a strain in his own relationship with May had disappeared … He wanted to do more.

He could do more.

Peter was oblivious to the concept that whatever had bonded with him might have its own mind, its own agenda. That while he was busy testing the limits of his own abilities, the creature was doing the exact same thing. The black-suited Spider-Man ran. Moving at break-neck speed, he sprinted down the face of the building and then leapt powerfully. He somersaults in midair, bounded off a lower rooftop, and lands with perfect precision upon a narrow ledge. Not something that would have been beyond his abilities to accomplish before… but not this effortlessly. He would have been looking ahead, calculating distances, making sure that he could pull it off. Instead, as if his body no longer needed his conscious mind to function, he simply leaped into action, moving with far greater sureness and facility than ever before.

"No problem," he said, confirming it for himself. "How'd I do that?"

He caught his reflection in the mirrored glass, turned this way and that, said, "Gotta be this suit. But how did… ?"

As a scientist, his first impulse was to go home, remove the suit (presuming he could), and find some way to study it. It was the height of recklessness to be throwing himself around hundreds of feet in the air without the slightest true comprehension of what this… this thing… could and could not do.

But the impulse was quickly smothered, again by some part of his mind that wasn't his. All he cared about now, was that he felt Good.

Authors note: And so it begins1 Hope you enjoyed it! Yep his strain in his relationship with may broke the camels back and left him ripe for the taking for the symbiotic. You'll see how things go form here, but like i said, the symbiote will kick peter into gear on finding a few things out, some of which might be thigns Tony may not want him to know, as well put him at odds with the class, you'll have to wait and see though!

Anyway, that'll be a bit cause this arc i will definitely upload all at , thansk to everyone who's favorited, followed and reviewed! I hope i don't disappoint!

ZeroTheOne: No, but it'll happen during the arc!

Random65: Oh yea, I'm definitely gonna lean in to their hate/tolerate relationship!

Guest: yea the battle world arc.

TheGreatGodzilla: hmm, maybe silver sable, although it's definitely not a abad choice! And those are some pretty good ideas you got too!You'll see the pro heroes reaction to things as time goes on, slowly but surely i'll world build as best i can and latveria will come up in the convo. Also yea Tsuyu and ochaco are one of the few harem stories that i've read that werent that bad, but still harem aint really in my plans for now. I havent made a decision yet on the other students, and the battleworld arc i'll be able to fit in later on, it's always been a guilty pleasure arc that i rad in the comics for first then watched in the 90s show on disney+, loved it!And Venom himself will be in the story for a while, so carnage is always an option that can come along. Toga doesn't know how his blood tastes, but i headcanon that cause of how vampires reacted when they bit peter. Also for other reasons that'll come to light in the story.

Bobby: Eh, PEter's usally been the uncle figure for msot kids so he'll be the same here, plus he'll help Momo have fun and in turn she'll be fun with Eri too!

superjoeyf721: Hope you'll like it! Like i said i'm gonna figure things out on it, wasn't satisfied with what i had though. And yea Bakugo's gonna pretty damn pissed lol.

Guest DCDGojira: I would actually like to see if i can use different spider people, maybe even his last stand spiderman, who knows!

KingGodzillaX: Thank you! And yea classic venom is the one I'm going with! Though i do like the tom hardy one not gonna lie, so damn funny!

Nickle2bird: Yea I'll be adding a few, but others will be mentioned really.

AnimeKing6: Thanks! and yea that tid bit was from his speech in No way home, to be honest, makes sense that thats how Goblin views himself

RedHood1: Yea hatsume's been hit pretty hard by the experience, but it'll lead to different choices she'll make, maybe even slight career change... who knows! Iida may be swayed by the great power speech, but he's stll got a stick up his ass for now though. Eventually, we'll see jsut how far it'll reach people, maybe even villains. And thanks again, i really appreciate the kind words!

OdeClock: Thank you! hope you enjoy the rest too!

Till the next one guys!