Spider-Man: Destiny - Year 1
Chapter 2: Unexpected Developments
...
Peter woke up the next day, feeling completely refreshed and lacking any grogginess at all. He checked his phone and saw it was 1:14 PM.
"Shit. I slept for fifteen hours?" Peter muttered.
Peter saw some texts in his family group chat.
UNCLE BEN: Hey Pete. Whenever you wake up, hope you're feeling better. May and I figured we should let you sleep in. Take the day to get as much rest as you need, kiddo.
AUNT MAY: What Ben said. We went out to run errands and won't be back until the evening. Pizza's in the refrigerator, just put it in the oven. Feel better!
PETER PARKER: Thanks a ton guys!
Peter got out of bed and took off his shirt to change, only to see actual slight muscles in the mirror.
"Holy shit," Peter said.
Peter's frame was still generally thin and not enough to fill out a shirt, but he had a decent amount of toned muscle definition. Flexing for a bit, Peter proceeded to admire himself.
"Now, where did this come from?" Peter asked himself without complaining.
Eventually putting a new shirt on, Peter walked downstairs, not even feeling that sick from the night before. Feeling energized and hungry, Peter rushed over to the refrigerator and opened it, taking two cold pepperoni pizza slices out of a ziploc bag. Peter devoured the slices in ten seconds and washed it down with a bottle of orange juice. Feeling hyper focused on everything and constantly feeling chills, Peter started walking around. Confused and feeling weird, Peter put his shoes on and went outside to take a walk.
"God, what's happening?" Peter muttered.
Walking throughout his bright and homely neighborhood in Queens, Peter tried to keep his head straight. However, he paid extra attention to every dog barking, car driving by, or pedestrian chatting on the phone. Putting his earbuds in, Peter looked up a noise canceling video on YouTube and started scrolling through Instagram. At that point, Peter looked up Liz's full name for the first time, finding her profile at the top. The profile was thankfully public, and an entranced Peter started stalking Liz's profile as he began crossing the street. However, Peter started to feel a tingling sensation radiating from the base of his skull, with every fiber of his being feeling hyper alerted and enhanced. Peter then reflexively somersaulted forward in the air as a car nearly hit him. Stumbling a bit as he landed, Peter's jaw dropped in absolute shock. The driver lowered his car window as Peter started to get up.
"Hey, are you okay? I honked, but I'm not sure you heard me!" the driver called.
"Oh, uh, sorry! I-I'm fine, thank you!" Peter called back as he started to run away.
Peter ran several blocks before stopping to comprehend everything. Not even having to catch his breath, Peter leaned against a brick wall of an alley. Walking around and back out on the sidewalk, Peter was feeling an array of emotions.
"The hell is happening? The hell?" Peter kept whispering to himself as he paced around the sidewalk. "Am I becoming a superhero or something? A bigger freak? I couldn't have made that jump. And the muscles. What the-"
"You alright, man?" a pedestrian asked.
"Yeah! Yeah, I'm fine, fine," Peter quickly insisted.
"Uh, okay," the visibly weirded out pedestrian replied before walking away.
"Gah, damn it!" Peter exclaimed as he kicked a fire hydrant in frustration, breaking it and bursting water everywhere.
Covering himself as he ran all the way to the other side of the alley to get away from the spraying water, Peter kept feeling hyper focused. As he stopped and stood against the brick wall, Peter looked at the spider bite on his hand, with it being nearly healed now. Thinking back to the previous night, Peter started to put the dots together in his head with the illness and powers. Looking up at the top of the building, Peter then looked at his hands. Taking a deep breath, Peter placed one of his hands on the building. Placing the other one on there, Peter proceeded to actually start climbing up the buildings with his hands and feet. Once he got up eight feet, Peter looked down at the ground.
"Wooooooooo!"
Once he got to the top of the small building, Peter started running and jumped over to the next one. He jumped a few buildings while screaming in euphoria. Eventually stopping on one, Peter stomped his foot into the roof, cracking it.
…
In his garage half an hour later, Peter was spending an hour punching and kicking different things to test his strength. Wooden boards, concrete bricks, metal pipes. Recording it all with his phone, Peter laughed in amazement.
"This is something else."
…
Norman walked into one of the biotechnology labs, seeing a scientist in there.
"You. Do you have any idea where Dr. Octavius is?" Norman asked. "I can't get a hold of him."
"He's out on his lunch break," the scientist answered.
"Typical. When he gets back, give him a message for me. Ask him if he knows what happened to one of the eleven spiders for the genetics exhibit. It was humiliating," Norman ranted.
"Oh, uh-"
"Spit it out, what is it?"
"He did want to tell you in person, but Otto kind of mentioned that the remaining spiders were all found deceased after the exhibit was over. And he looked through the security footage, and still can't find out where the spider could've slipped away," the scientist revealed.
Norman clenched his fists. "Goddamn it. Just the setback we really needed. Go back to your work, I have to go deal with this."
Norman stormed out of the lab, steaming internally and externally.
…
That night, Peter was relaxing and sitting on the couch, watching the videos on his phone of him testing his powers. Drinking a cup of hot cocoa made by Aunt May, Peter was repeatedly going through and replaying the videos.
"How is this even real," Peter whispered.
"How's what even real?"
Peter looked up to see his smiling Uncle Ben walking over the couch, prompting Peter to quickly turn off the videos.
"Oh, uh, just me starting high school," Peter lied.
Uncle Ben sat down. "Fair. Make any friends yet?"
"Uhhhh… not fully sure."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I actually talked with Norman Osborn's son for a little while at the Oscorp exhibit. We really bonded for a little."
"Oh man, that's awesome, Pete! And Norman Osborn's son? Insane. See, I told you you'd be making friends in no time."
"Yeah, I mean, we had a nice conversation and I got his number. But I doubt it's gonna really go anywhere."
"That's the negative self-talk that's just gonna keep you from making progress. I get that it's been tough in the past when you tried to make friends-"
"Tough? You mean impossible?" Peter interrupted.
"There you go again, the pessimism. Let me ask you this, who approached whom first? You or him?" Uncle Ben asked.
"He did."
"Exactly. Look, I'm not gonna promise it's automatically going to go somewhere or anywhere at all. But you never know if you try."
Peter shrugged. "I mean, I guess."
"Peter. All the friends I made in high school. College. Afterward. Whether they stayed in my life or not, I wouldn't have made all those memories, laughs, and deep bonds if I hadn't tried. If I had been too shy or cynical at any point, I never would've gotten to experience any of that. And you'd possibly be doing the same if you keep this attitude. Just some food for thought," Uncle Ben encouraged.
"Man. I didn't even look at it that way. I'll give you credit, but it was also your life, not mine."
"And that's valid. But the principle of what I said could still apply to anyone."
"Alright, fair. I'll text him."
"What's his name, by the way?"
"Harry."
Uncle Ben nodded. "Harry. Okay, nice name. On the other hand, is there anything going on with Liz?"
"Nah, unfortunately no," Peter replied.
"Well, you got the rest of the year. And again, don't ever be scared to take the first step."
"Guys! Dinner's gonna be ready in fifteen! Ben, could you give me a hand real quick?" Aunt May called from the kitchen.
"Sounds good, May," Uncle Ben responded.
"Thanks, Aunt May!" Peter called back. "Yeah, I'll just text Harry until then. See what happens."
"That's the spirit. I'll go help your aunt, but good luck."
"Thanks."
Uncle Ben got up and went to go help Aunt May in the kitchen. Sighing, Peter scrolled to Harry on his contacts and texted him.
PETER PARKER: Hey man, it's Peter from the other night. What's up, how are u doing?
Peter went on Instagram and started scrolling for five minutes. Eventually, he went back to Liz's profile and started stalking her again before a text notification came up.
HARRY OSBORN: Peter, hey man! I'm doin fine, thnx
Peter smiled, genuinely excited.
HARRY OSBORN: I was meaning to ask, but are you feelin alright? You kinda disappeared after you had to go to the bathroom that night at oscorp lol
PETER PARKER: Oh crap sry I forgot to tell u, I honestly got hella sick for whatever reason and my uncle had to pick me up. Sry i didn't let you know, I'm feeling fine now tho
HARRY OSBORN: No don't apologize man, I'm just glad you're doin okay!
HARRY OSBORN: Also just wanted to say it was hella chill talkin to u haha! our convo ended up inspiring me to rewatch goodfellas when i got home! Still amazing but honestly I think i prefer the first two godfather movies still
PETER PARKER: Hey i appreciate that man, and you were great to talk to too! And that's sick, I've seen goodfellas like four times I think. Godfather parts 1 and 2 are classic fs
HARRY OSBORN: u ever seen the third one? Bro I've heard its ASS
PETER PARKER: Nah not yet, but i will. My uncle told me not to prioritize it, he saw it in theaters
PETER PARKER: And if you believe him, apparently half the theater left by the first hour and my uncle and his friends were throwing popcorn at the screen
HARRY OSBORN: LMAO I'm not doubting that
HARRY OSBORN: Oh btw how u findin midtown so far? Honestly i like it
PETER PARKER: Eh. Nothing special so far. I mean, it's only the second week but still
HARRY OSBORN: yea exactly just wait it out lol. We were literally talkin on friday ab how advanced the school is in almost area, including stem for u lol
PETER PARKER: Fair point, i just gotta keep giving the school and the ppl there a chance
HARRY OSBORN: I mean sure, i guess there'll be cool people and shitty people. I'm not one of the shitty ones in case u couldn't tell LOL
PETER PARKER: Haha dw i definitely didn't get that impression lmaoooo.
PETER PARKER: Also sry to change the subject, but u have any favorite music artists?
HARRY OSBORN: No worries, and I like all kinds of artists and musics but i got a soft spot for the 80s
PETER PARKER: Yea u and everyone else on the planet haha
HARRY OSBORN: Hey thats for good reason, currently spamming total eclipse of the heart as we speak lol. But to answer your question, Bonnie Tyler, David Bowie, queen, oh who could forget Michael Jackson lol
PETER PARKER: Solid choices haha and yea eclipse is awesome. And btw, unpopular opinion but You Are Not Alone is the best jackson song, not thriller
HARRY OSBORN: OMG YESSSSSSS
HARRY OSBORN: FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE THAT FEELS THE SAME WAY HAHAHAHA
PETER PARKER: OHHH SHIT
PETER PARKER: Crazy coincidence but damn glad to see u agree
HARRY OSBORN: Yea man i still remember spamming you are not alone a lot as a kid, man old times
"Peter! Dinner's ready!" Aunt May called.
"Coming!" Peter replied.
Peter quickly wrote out a response to Harry.
PETER PARKER: Hey man i gotta go have dinner with my aunt and uncle but it was great talkin to u again!
PETER PARKER: Maybe we could hang sometime?
PETER PARKER: Like maybe after school sometime or something?
Peter closed his phone and got up from the couch, walking over to the kitchen. He sat at the table with Aunt May and Uncle Ben, with hot lasagna prepared on the table.
"Looks amazing," Peter commented.
"Thanks! Ben helped with the seasoning," Aunt May said.
"I mean, I think I did a pretty decent job! Still, definitely make sure to sprinkle cheese and pepper on yours, can't have lasagna without that," Uncle Ben stated.
"Never," Peter agreed as he took his first bite.
Peter's phone vibrated, and he checked it real quick.
HARRY OSBORN: Yeah sure! We'll figure it out sometime for sure. Have a good night man
PETER PARKER: Haha sick! And thnx man you too
"Who's that?" Aunt May asked with a smile.
"His new best friend," Uncle Ben chuckled.
"Uncle Ben, what you said worked. We texted for a little and now we're gonna make plans to hang!" Peter exclaimed, genuinely excited.
Uncle Ben gave a fist bump to his nephew. "There we go! What did I tell you?"
"Okay, that's great! Settling into high school and making new friends. Sounds like a pretty good start," Aunt May encouraged.
"Yeah, let's hope it stays this way. Still, not a bad start," Peter admitted.
"And you still have a whole four years left, so there's plenty of time to keep meeting more people," Uncle Ben pointed out.
Peter sprinkled some more cheese on his lasagna. "Yeah, true."
"I still remember being in high school decades ago and it still feels like yesterday," Aunt May reminisced. "Hell, I still remember when the senior prank was all of us having a real barbecue in the school parking lot."
"Seriously? You never told me that. How'd the principal take it?" Peter asked.
"Oh, he blew a gasket. If my memory's accurate, I think almost all of the senior class ended up with Saturday detention that weekend," Aunt May recalled.
"I mean, in all honesty, it's not even close to the worst senior prank that could've happened," Uncle Ben pointed out.
"Why, what was yours?" Peter questioned.
"Uhh, some of the football players actually stole the mean bio teacher's car and took a joy ride to Taco Bell. Two hours later, they accidentally totaled it in a literal neighborhood," Uncle Ben revealed.
Peter's eyes widened. "You are literally screwing with me right now."
Uncle Ben shook his head. "Dead serious."
"They stole the principal's car?! And they drive to Taco Bell. Then, they crash it in a neighborhood. A NEIGHBORHOOD. Like, how stupid do you have to be? How'd they get punished?" Peter rambled.
"Yeah, that's usually the reaction I get. And I don't remember, but I'm confident it involved a good amount of jail time and probation," Uncle Ben answered.
"I forgot you told me this story, but that's literally crazy!" Aunt May exclaimed.
Peter rolled his eyes. "Yeah, what a bunch of idiots."
Uncle Ben put his glass of water down. "I mean, we all make mistakes."
"Yeah, but I doubt I'm ever gonna deliberately do anything THAT stupid," Peter insisted.
"Still, I was gonna add that the seniors involved did eventually turn things around several years later. Nothing super luxurious, but they were able to make something for themselves and move on from the past," Uncle Ben defended. "I think I heard one of them owns a T-shirt business now?"
"It may seem like some of the bad or stupid stuff you do is the end of the world, but that's really not going to matter until you make the change," Aunt May added.
"Okay, okay, I gotcha. I mean, I've been talking with you guys a lot about crazy and funny memories you guys have from high school. Uncle Ben, you've also been preaching a lot about trying to meet people. I don't think I know how you two met, so how'd that happen?" Peter asked.
Aunt May sprinkled some more pepper on her plate. "Honestly, I personally feel like that's a story for another time. My gut is telling me that there needs to be a specific moment for it."
"Honestly, same," Uncle Ben agreed.
"Okay, gatekeep it all you want, you two," Peter joked. "But for real, I really am glad I might actually be making a friend. For once."
"Yeah, and again, so early in the school year too! Keep it up, Pete. We both have faith," Uncle Ben encouraged.
Peter smiled. "Thanks, guys. Seriously."
"Always," Aunt May assured her nephew.
…
In his Spanish class the next day, Peter was sitting at his desk, continuing to stare at Liz. A few of his classmates even gave weird looks as they noticed Peter just ogling Liz.
"Okay, class. For this semester, there will be a project where you'll be paired with someone in studying a famous or historical figure from Hispanic or Latino culture. At the end of the semester, you'll give a presentation on your findings and their impact today. This'll be 25% of your final grade," Señora Wood shared.
"Sheesh, can we do this instead of the final?" Peter asked.
A few students laughed, including Liz. Peter felt the butterflies going off everywhere in his stomach as he was enraptured by Liz's gorgeous smile. Señora Wood even chuckled a little.
"Nah, that's still its own thing. And also 25%. Anyway, I'm going to read off the students I've paired together and the figure they're assigned to. Afterward, you're gonna spend the rest of class discussing the project. Heck, get to know each other, you'll be working together the whole semester," Señora Wood stated as she grabbed a list from her desk.
"Worth a try," Peter muttered as he stared at Liz.
"Charlie Beckenheimer and Robert Carrol, you'll be assigned to Cesar Chavez. Sydney Krelley and Matthew Johnson, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lisa Allan and Patricia Robertson, Frida Kahlo. Liz Allan and Peter Parker, Selena. Jack Darr-"
Peter's mind immediately was overflowing with dopamine as he exchanged a look with Liz, who smiled. Nervously smiling back for a second, Peter looked down at his desk. Texting Aunt May and Uncle Ben under his desk, Peter's heart was rapidly pounding.
PETER PARKER: NO WAY I JUST GOT ASSIGNED TOWORK WITH LIZ ALLAN ON A PROJECY FOR TBHE WHOLE SEKESTER
PETER PARKER: AND SHE SMILEDD AT ME
UNCLE BEN: Holy shit, what a win! Things have only been getting rapidly better for you, bud. I'm proud of you!
AUNT MAY: YAYYY! Get to know her for sure! Be yourself and an open listener!
UNCLE BEN: And be cool
PETER PARKER; Thnx a ton guys, I'll make sure to do all that. It's just Goddd
PETER PARKER: Firsts I maker plans with Harry and now Im workin with Liz Allan wtf is my life now lmaooo
UNCLE BEN: I meant what I said about you making friends!
AUNT MAY: Wait Pete, are you texting in class?
PETER PARKER: Why do you think there were a ton of typos lol
AUNT MAY: Don't do that! Get off your phone! We'll talk later, but have fun!
UNCLE BEN: Kill it, sport
"Alright, class. Go meet up with your partner for the rest of the period! Have fun!" Señora Wood instructed.
Everyone in class got up to meet each other, and Peter got up to walk over to Liz.
"Hey, you already know I'm Peter," Peter chuckled.
Liz laughed. "I do. And you know I'm Liz."
"Totally."
"So, we're doing Selena. You know much about her?"
"Not really. I mean, my aunt showed me that old movie with Jennifer Lopez when I was a kid. But that's it."
"Ohh, okay. Yeah, my family's been obsessed with her music since I was a kid. They'd play it a lot in the house, and they'd especially spam it during holiday season."
"Oh, wow, that- that's really funny," Peter replied.
"Thanks. You're a freshman, right?" Liz asked.
"Correct."
"You likin' it so far?"
"It's alright. Got its ups and downs."
"Yeah, I could get that. Don't get me wrong, I had a lot of fun my freshman year. But there's still the occasional drama or bad teachers."
"Oh, I bet. I mean, just as long as I try to stay away from any of that, I'll be fine," Peter joked.
Liz shrugged. "I don't know. I feel like drama's an inevitable part of high school. Hot take, but that might just be me."
"Yeah, I get it. Anyway, do you have any ideas on what to do with the project?"
"Not really right now, but we could try to brainstorm or figure that out later."
"Agreed. Anyway, would you maybe wanna exchange contact info? To like, talk about the project and shit?" Peter asked.
Liz nodded. "Sure."
Peter's heart only beat even harder as he gave Liz his phone to put her number in.
"You can just text me, and I'll put your number in."
"For sure. We could definitely meet or hang to talk about the project."
"Yeah, we'll figure it out."
"Still, sounds like it'll be fine. Google is our best friend for a reason. If it comes down to it, I'll just rewatch the movie and fall asleep again like I did as a kid," Peter jokingly proposed.
Liz smirked. "You're funny, you know that?"
"Heh, thanks."
"Anyway, we'll figure the project out. If it's cool, I kinda have to text the cheer team quickly about when our next practice is and everything."
"Oh yeah, for sure, for sure! Take your time."
"Thanks!"
Liz started texting on her phone, and Peter pretended to do the same.
…
Walking out of the Midtown Science High School's West Building, Peter started running at a quick speed. Literally on cloud nine, Peter couldn't believe the fast luck he already had with making friends finally.
"Hell YEAH!" Peter yelled as he ran, not caring about the weird looks from people nearby.
Making it to the subway entrance in five minutes, Peter saw a man subtly leading another one into an alley with a gun.
"What the…" Peter whispered.
Peter went over and sneakily watched from the side, seeing the man pull his gun on his captive.
"Wallet. Watch. Now," the thug demanded.
"Alright, alright," the captive repeated, starting to take off his watch.
Peter started to feel a surge of adrenaline rush through his body as his confidence was further elevated. Clenching his fist, Peter took off his glasses and put them in his pocket. Peter then tried to threateningly walk towards the thug.
"Hey, asswipe! Leave him alone!" Peter demanded, trying to deepen his voice a little.
The thug looked genuinely confused for a few seconds.
"I'm serious, back off and don't mug him!" Peter added.
A few seconds passed before the thug started laughing. "The hell are you gonna do, you little dork? You're literally trying to play superhero when I could shoot you at any time."
"I HAVE superpowers."
"Alright, I don't have time for this dumbass."
Peter's enhanced sense started warning him, and he lept down to sweep the thug's leg when he tried to aim his gun. The thug fell to the ground, getting up two seconds later and rushing at Peter with a pocket knife.
"You piece of-"
Peter punched the thug's chest fast and hard, knocking him down again. Yelling in agonizing pain, the thug held his chest.
"You bastard! You broke my freakin' rib cage! I'm gonna kill you! Gahhh!" the thug yelled.
The captive ran out of the alley at this point, screaming, "This guy's crazy!"
"Oh shit. I really got to learn to start holding back," Peter realized, looking at his unscathed fist.
Peter quickly ran to the other end of the alley, opting to walk and run the rest of the way home.
…
Deep in a secret underground base of operations, Silver Sable led a dozen Sable soldiers to go train at the combat simulator platforms.
"Practice your aim! Stay focused on sharpening your combat. Assault the vulnerable areas before the barrage," Sable instructed. "If we're going to make sure Wilson Fisk watches his empire burn in Hell before killing him, we need to perfect everything. Continue training, the further ambushes will start in the next few weeks."
"Sable! A word?"
Sable turned to see her lieutenant and ex-husband Kristopher Keating waving at her. A muscular black-haired man in his early thirties, Keating was dressed in his black body-armor with his yellow boots, gloves, and belt.
"Soldiers, keep training!" Sable said before walking towards Keating.
"Sable. I've been continuing to really think about it. I know you're adamant on the pacing and increasing the intensity of the attacks with time. With the roadmap we have for the bases and areas we'll assault, I really don't think it'd be a bad idea if we just took some time to plant explosives every base everywhere and blow them up all on the same day. Same time. Same second." Keating proposed.
"Keating, I appreciate the enthusiasm and your attempt with the logistics, but that's just going to bring more attention than needed. And it's too instantaneous, Fisk needs to suffer slowly," Sable countered.
"I understand where you're coming from with that, but I really think the direct and terrifying approach will really scream the message and accelerate the job up on our end. Also, we can still wait to kill Fisk at the end. We could even-"
"Keating. I get what you're trying to do, but we need to stick to the original plan. The ambition does not go unappreciated, but the approach will pay off. You and I know that."
Keating nodded. "Fair. I just wanted to share an alternative, that was all. Anyway, we still got our assault on one of his abandoned buildings in Queens in the next week, right?"
"Absolutely. We'll dismantle the base and break their men. One of the first several hints for Fisk," Sable planned.
"Sounds like a plan. In that case, it's time for the Foreigner to come out," Keating added, taking out his advanced Symkarian rifle from his belt.
"Either way, Fisk will fall. And that goes for anyone that tries to interfere, especially one of those foolish little heroes. Justice for Symkaria," Silver Sable declared.
…
Well, the second chapter's here! I'll try to speak more next time haha, just kinda tired right now and trying to get this chapter out. But life is good with family, friends, grad school, movies and TV watching, the gym, planning and writing this story, and work in general! Thanks for reading and look out for the third chapter in the next week! I promise there'll definitely be more action and developments in the plot.
vfc15650 - Haha as you can probs tell, Harry and Liz will play important and integral roles to Peter's social life! And yea, Wesley and Adrian working under Fisk together like that is different for sure, but I honestly figured I could try to make it work. And Sable, well, let's just say I got quite an interesting arc planned for her…
JohnnyPrime - Thank you so much! I actually remember you commenting on The Extraordinary Spider-Man! Man, crazy times. Thanks for sticking around this long! And yea Sable will def be fun!
ShadowStrike234 - Thank you man again for all the support from day one. Never went unappreciated. I'm glad to hear you're invested and like where the story's goin, as well as Sable! Hope you continue to enjoy it!
OBSERVER01 nli - Thank you!
-redbirds12